700 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. up in great part of business men, who expected an unwonted impetus to be given to business of all kinds, such as had been evidenced by the rapid growth in population, and in the volume of business in those new towns which had suddenly sprung into existence along the line of the Southwest Railway. With this accession and this fresh start began a spirit of improvement which took hold of the older inhabitants, not seriously it is true, but moderately. For while most of the citizens and inhabitants showed a spirit of reform and a disposition of progress, it is apparent from the appearance of some portions of the town that this spirit has not been universal or too general in its manifestations. The most complainable objection, and the one which meets the inquirer from all directions, is as to the disposition in many of the property-holders not to improve, nor to dispose of antiquated and decaying buildings at reasonable prices to those who even with limited means have inclination and disposition to make thrift and taste go hand in hand. For a number of years before the completion of the Ligonier Valley road the village of Ligonier was regarded as an agreeable summer resort for the middling classes of Pittsburgh, and a desirable point for pleasure parties at all seasons of the year from the surrounding towns. It is in summer-time at this day a Mecca for those who are attracted by the beauties of nature, the grandeur of mountains, and the placid sweetness of the silent summer fields. The " valley" in its physical topography is in itself composed of Many smaller valleys or vales, lying between hills More or less abrupt. The numerous streams that rise in the mountains an either side, forming runlets and small creeks, flow through these smaller valleys, and these make many agreeable prospects. The drive between Youngstown and Ligonier on the old Stoystown and Greensburg turnpike, notwithstanding the bad condition in which it has latterly been kept, is, for natural scenery, for, changeful and varied beauty, perhaps the finest in the county. The high mountains on the one side are, in their season, covered with foliage to their very tops, in which all the trees and shrubs indigenous to this latitude blend in the harmony peculiar to American forests ; the great family of ferns, the rugged rocks, monsters of an ancient world, now hoary and lichen-covered; the endless murmuring of the Loyalhanna down beneath the road-bed as it is, through the intermediate part of the gap ; the walls of hills beyond and behind ; the ever-changing views and prospects more resemble a picture than they do the landscapes which are ordinarily designated with the conventional term picturesque. The Ligonier Valley Railroad is the modern luxury of travel to the tourists through these regions in which nature has been so lavish. Hence, after Ligonier was brought into direct communication with the great outside world the advantages which so many people having the means are ready and willing to pay fir were readily and fully appreciated. Thus Ligonier, by no great effort of a few public-spirited persons who were interested in the matter, of whom perhaps Judge Mellon and Mr. John Hargnett Frank were the most conspicuous, became a public place of resort for those who spend the season away from home and business. Its chief distinction among the villages and towns of our county at this time lies in this : Having every natural advantage it was fortunate in possessing citizens of spirit and enterprise, who realizing this brought their worldly means and their experience into requisition in offering and affording suitable and attractive accommodations to this class of patrons. The public accommodations have latterly been inadequate for the wants of the public, so that in the summer season many private boarding-houses are fitted up, and the business of these is dependent on the summer visitors. Its public-houses have a reputation of being more than ordinarily good. The excursionists or the denizen.., who abide there during the summer season can have every attention, every convenience, and every luxury which taste and judicious outlay can provide. ORDERS AND SOCIETIES. LIGONIER LODGE, No. 331, F. AND A. M., was chartered March 7, 1859. The first officers were: W. M., George S. Kemble ; S. W., Joseph Moorhead; J. W., John McClintick. The Past Masters pf the lodge have been Noah M. Marker, William H. Lowry, Joseph W. Moorhead, Joseph Clifford, John G. Albright, Noah M. Weller, William C. Knox, William A. Hall, John Ashcom, John McClintick, John A. Miller, John C. Fagan, Daniel F. Steck, D. Wilt, William Hall, Dr. M. M. McColley, W. E. Thatcher, Dr. J. A. Ashcom. The officers in 1882 are : W. M., Dr. M. M. McColly ; S. W., W. E. Thatcher; J. W., N. M. Marker; Sec., Dr. J. A. Ashcom ; Treas:, Andrew Grove. Its meetings are held on the Friday evening preceding full moon of each month. LIGONIER LODGE, No. 960, I. O. O. F., was chartered April 1, 1879. The officers in 1882 are : N. G., A. F. Fowler ; V. G., William Robb ; Sec., Schell Marker ; Treas., T. M. Brady. The Past Grands have been Thomas M. Brady, M. W. Miller, John T. Robb, Dr. J. A. Ashcom, H. L. Jones. The charter officers were : N. G., Thomas M. Brady ; V. G., Scott Martin ; Sec., A. F. Fowler ; Asst. Sec., Schell Marker ; Treas., A. C. Breniser. It meets every Monday evening ; number of members, seventy-five. LIGONIER LODGE, No. 1224, KNIGHTS OF HONOR, was chartered Sept. 7, 1879, but instituted Nov. 7, 1878, by special dispensation. The charter members were J. C. Culp, Andrew Grove, N. M. Marker, G. W. Ambrose, D. A. McColly, Dr. J. A. Ashcom, G. R. Murdock, William H. Covode, C. A. Lowry, J. W. McFarland, William Bush, M. B. Smith, Dr. M. M. LIGONIER TOWNSHIP - 701 McColly. The officers in 1882 are : D., J. W. Ambrose ; Rep., J. M. Graham ; Fin., Dr. J. A. Ashcom ; Treas., Andrew Grove ; 1'. D., C. C. Griffith ; V. D., Dr. M. M. McColly ; G., John Ray ; S., M. B. Smith ; Guide, C. A. Lowry ; Chap., Rev. A. C. Johnson. It meets on alternate Thursdays, and has twenty-five members. LIGONIER COUNCIL, No. 501, ROYAL ARCANUM, was instituted July 17, 1880, with the following charter members : M. W. Miller, H. L. Jones, J. S. Berkey, H. S. Denny, Andrew Grove, T. M. Brady, D. C. Zimmerman, L. A. Dennison, J. II. Ream, William H. Covode, J. F. Laughery, Benjamin Deeds, Noah M. Marker, J. G. Nicely, C. R. Withow, G. R. Murdock, Hamilton Smith, W. E. Thatcher. The officers in 1882 are : R., William H. Covode ; V. R., M. W. Miller ; O., J. S. Barton ; P. R., L. A. Dennison ; Sec., H. L. Jones ; Treas., N. M. Marker ; Col., Andrew Grove. It has a membership of twenty, and meets alternate Thursday evenings. BOROUGH SCHOOLS. The school board in 1882 consists of : President, Dr. M. M. McColly ; Secretary, John Hargnett ; Treasurer, A. F. Fowler, and David Marker, It. M. Graham, C. A. Lowry. The teachers are J. M. Graham (principal), Room No. 3 ; C. C. Griffith (ten years teaching here), No. 2 ; Miss Nannie E. Horrell, No. 1. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. JOHN POLLOCK. About the year 1760 five brothers, bearing the name of Pollock, settled in Cumberland County, Pa. They came from Ireland, whither they had emigrated from Scotland a few years previous. One made his permanent home in Cumberland County, and ex-Governor James Pollock is the only representative of his family known to the writer. Of the others, one returned to Ireland, two settled in Erie County, and one, James, came to Ligonier Valley with some Indian traders, and with his hatchet marked a tract of land for his future home. He returned to Cumberland County, where he married Mary Herron, and in - 45 - 1767 they settled upon the farm which he had located. Here they spent their lives, diligently performing whatever work their hands found to do. Mr. Pollock was prominent in both Church and State. He brought with him to Westmoreland County a commission as justice of the peace, which office he held until incapacitated for its duties by old age. He was elected a member of the State Legislature, and attended the opening of the session, but soon returned home, where he remained and gave his attention to his farm. He was long a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was an elder in the same, but afterwards united with the Seceder Church, in which organiza- tion he was an elder. He and his wife were endowed with strong intellects, and were noted for their intelligence and piety. Their son John, whose portrait is here given, was born Oct. 8, 1783, in Mount Pleasant, where his parents had taken refuge because of an incursion of Indians into Ligonier Valley. He learned the business of farming upon his father's farm, where he spent his entire life. He never attended "school," and his vast fund of knowledge was obtained by his own exertion and the assistance of his mother. He was in the true sense "self-taught," and consequently well taught. Although he never learned a rule from a book, his knowledge of mathematics was such as enabled hi& to solve readily the most intricate and diverse problems in that science. He was an elder in the United Presbyterian Church, and was a frequent contributor to the religious periodicals of the day. He took an active part in politics, but would never accept an office. His clear, well-balanced mind, amiable disposition, and gentle Christian life made him a worthy exemplar. He married Elizabeth Hamill, Sept. 15, 1807 Their children are David, who married Jane Johnson (both now dead) ; Ann S., married' to Robert Graham (both now dead) ; James, dead ; Robert, who was a United Presbyterian minister, and married Jane H. Scroggs (now dead) ; Thomas C. married Martha J. Barnett, and resides on the old homestead ; Mary married Rev. Moses Arnot; and Jane E., who is unmarried. John Pollock died March 16, 1862. His wife, Elizabeth, died Feb. 15, 1864. LOYALHANNA TOWNSHIP. This township was formed out of portions of the territory of Salem, Derry, and Washington townships, the inhabitants of which section began their efforts for a new township in 1831, as appears from the following, taken from the records of November session of that year : "Upon the petition of a number of the Inhabitants of Derry, Salem, & Washington Townships, praying the Erection of a new Township thereout, with the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the tunnel on the Connemauth, in Derry Township, thence to Robert Foster's on the Loyalhannah Creek, in Salem Township, from thence to intersect the line between Salem & Washington Tps. at or near Wm. Caldwell's, & fr. that place to Richards's Dam on the Kiskaminites, & fr. thence up the Kiskaminites & Conemaugh Rivers to the place of Beginning; & praying the Court to appoint Viewers according to Law. The Court thereupon appoint John Horel, of Derry, James McCutcher, of Salem, & Michael Kunkle, of Wash. Tps." [Nov. 23, 1831] Loyalhanna township was organized by the court in 1833, and received its name from the Loyalhanna River, which flows through its central part. Its boundaries are north by the Conemaugh River, east by Derry, south and southwest by Salem, and north-west by Bell townships. It is watered by the Loyalhanna and a few minor streams that are tributary to the same. The North-western Pennsylvania Railroad runs along its northern boundary, with a branch called Fairbanks' Extension, which intersects the main line, and runs to the famous Fairbanks Company Coal-Works, a distance of about two miles. Coal exists in abundant quantities in most parts of the township, and is in many places developed. Among the early settlers were the Georges, Hensels, Robinsons, Kerrs, McBrides, Adairs, and Stewarts. Among the prominent family names that have fig-ured conspicuously in the history of the township and vicinity are those of Kirkpatrick, Campbell, Sterritt, Bowman, Johnson, Semon, and others. There are no villages in the township, and the only settlement is around the coal-works. The main occupation of the inhabitants is agricul-ture, to which the land is generally well adapted. The township, though small in area, is equal in enterprise and prosperity to its sister townships. Its inhabitants are characterized by their industry and thrift, intelligence and morality, and constitute a very excellent community in all respects. SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP.   ERECTION, BOUNDS, ETC. SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP was erected in 1835, and was named after the Big Sewickley Creek, that flows along its southwestern boundary. It is bounded north by North Huntingdon, east by Hempfield, south by South Huntingdon, and west by the Youghiogheny River. EARLY SETTLERS. Among the earliest settlers were Gaspar Markle, Judge Jacob Painter, Anthony Blackburn, the Carothers, Carnahans, Campbells, Biggses, Dr. Lewis Marchand, John Milligan, Capt. William Pinkerton, James Milligan, the Gilberts, McGrews, and others. James' Milligan, yet living, is ninety-one years of age, and has voted for sixty-five consecutive elections. Capt. William Pinkerton was six feet four inches in height, and a man of immense muscular power,. Anthony Blackburn, who had settled here about 1778, removed to Canada, taking with him a large family, several of whom had been schoolmates of Gen. Joseph Markle. One of these sons returned ten or twelve years afterwards, and resided in this neighborhood. The sons who remained in Canada were drafted and served in the British army in the war of 1812 on the Northwestern frontier. After the war was over one of them paid a visit to his relations in Westmoreland County, and here stated that a few days before the commencement of the siege of Fort Meigs he was lying with a company of Indians in ambush near the fort ; that while there Gen. (then captain) Joseph Markle and his orderly sergeant, - 702 - SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP - 703 John C. Plumer, and a part of his troop passed by ; that he, Blackburn, recognized his old acquaintances, Markle and Plumer, and consequently permitted them to pass without firing upon them. This recognition saved the lives of all the party. THE MARKLE FAMILY. The progenitor of the Markle family in Westmoreland County was John Chrisman Markle, who was born in Alsace, on the Rhine, in 1678. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, in 1685, he fled from Germany, passing down the Rhine, and settled in Amsterdam, Holland. Here he married Jemima Weurtz (or Weurtzen), a sister of the admiral of that name. In 1703 he came to America, and settled at Salem Springs, Berks Co., Pa., where he purchased fifteen hundred acres of land of the Penns. He was by trade a coach-maker, and he there established a wagon shop, blacksmith-shop, and grist-mill. His son Gaspard was born in Berks County in 1732, and married Elizabeth Grim, and in 770 removed to Westmoreland County. Shortly afterwards his wife died, and lie returned to Berks County, where he married Mary Roadarmel, whom he brought to his home in this county. His residence here was the post of refuge to which the settlers fled for succor and safety. He and Judge Jacob Painter entered large tracts of land that extended several miles up and down Sewickley Creek. Several of his sons served in the desultory wars growing out of the incursions of the Indians, one of whom, George, was especially distinguished at the defense of Wheeling. George, his nephew, was in the Revolution and at the battle of Brandywine, and his brother Jacob was in the naval service under Commodore Barney, and on board " Hyder Ally" at the capture of " Gen. Monk." His brother-in-law, Joseph Roadarmel, was at the battle of Long Island, in August, 1776, where he was wounded, captured, and taken prisoner on the British ship of war in New York harbor, on which he died of wounds received in battle. Another member of the Markle family, Abraham Markle, removed from Germany, and settled in Canada, and became a delegate in the Provincial Parliament. In the war of 1812 he came to the United States, and became colonel in the American army. The British government confiscated all his property in Canada, but the United States gave him four sections of land near Fort Harrison, in Indiana. Gaspard Markle in 1772 erected a grist-mill on Sewickley, which traverses his ancient homestead. Here was made some of the first flour manufactured west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was transported in flat-boats by Jacob Yoder, a citizen of Reading, to New Orleans. So much consequence was attached to this feat that the citizens of Spencer County, Ky., where he afterwards lived and died, erected a monument to him to commemorate the fact. All the salt used was transported by the Markles (Gaspard's sons) from Eastern cities on pack-horses, the intervening country being an almost unbroken forest and impassable with wagons. Of course taverns and habitations, if any, were few and far between, and the caravans of packers were compelled to carry with them from home the necessary provender for the whole journey. But often the weary packer was turned out to graze on the mountains, or in the rich valleys which diversified and divided them, while the rider himself reposed under the shadows of the overhanging forest. His son, Gen. Joseph Markle, was born Feb.15, 1777, and was the most daring of all the packers over the mountains. In 1799, Gen. Joseph Markle, then a young man twenty-two years old, made his first trip to New Orleans with a load of flour from his father's mill. He left Robbstown (West Newton) in March, and was six weeks on the voyage. The early traders and boatmen on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers followed quick on the heels of the pioneers, and were a hardy and adventurous race. Before the introduction of steamboats on the Western waters they were the common carriers of the Great West. Pittsburgh and Robbstown were their headquarters, and New Orleans the Ultima Thule of their voyage's. It was a long and tedious journey, the difficulty of returning adding greatly to its perils and the time occupied. As far as communication with white inhabitants was concerned, the voyage might as well have been made on the wide ocean. The unwieldy and sluggish flatboats crawled slowly along with the current until it entered the Mississippi, where, amidst its whirlpools and eddies and its rushing waters, the sturdy voyager strained every nerve to save it from wreck on snags and sawyers. At night they lashed their boats close under the shore, and again at early dawn set out for their voyage. The boatmen generally returned by what was called the " Wilderness route" by the way of Natchez, Nashville, Lexington, Chillicothe, etc. From the vicinity of Natchez to Nashville the route was by the Indian trail through the Chickasaw nation, a distance of about six hundred and fifty miles. Gaspard Markle had retired from business before 1799, when the management of the mills, farms, etc., all devolved upon Gen. Joseph Markle. In 1806 he erected another grist-mill, and in 1811 formed a partnership with Simon Drum, of Greensburg, and during that year built a large paper-mill, the third establishment of the kind west of the Alleghenies. Mr. Drum, father of Adjt.-Gen. Drum, of the United States army, residing at a distance, the entire superintendency was added to Gen. Markle's other duties. Gen. Markle was captain of a com¬pany of light dragoons (troop) in the war of 1812, and was in the battle with the Indians on the expedition against the Mississinewa towns on the Wabash River, in which Lieut. Waltz (from his vicinity) and sixteen others were killed. Four other members of the Markle family were in this troop, one of whom, 704 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Jacob, was appointed to fill the vacant lieutenancy occasioned by Waltz's death. Gen. Markle was under Gen. Harrison, and was at the siege of Fort Meigs, and the sorties which accompanied it. While away in the West fighting the British and Indians the dam of the paper-mill on the Sewickley was swept away by a flood, but it was immediately repaired by the supervision of his wife, and the manufacture of paper extensively carried on: His dealings with 'a single house in Pittsburgh in a few years then amounted to more than a hundred thousand dollars. He supplied a greater part of Western Pennsylvania with paper, and personally distributed large quantities in Ohio and Kentucky,. His farm, too, in the meanwhile was cultivated with great industry and vigor. The flour-mill was kept constantly employed. He also kept a store, out of which the great number of hands employed by him were partly paid for their services The profits of the whole were no doubt very great, but the freedom with which he lent his name to his friends ultimately swallowed them up and left him deeply involved. In 1829, in order to relieve himself from the vexation consequent to his embarrassments, he transferred to two of his sons, S. B. and Cyrus P., over three hundred acres of land, including the paper-mill, upon the condition of their paying his responsibilities. This condition was faithfully performed by the payment of every dollar for which he was morally or legally bound. He retained the ancient homestead of two hundred and twenty-five acres. It is one of those retired and fertile nooks into which our German population are so fond of retiring. Though selected by Gaspard Markle with far different views, it is just such a spot as the eye of the lover of nature would delight to survey. It is beautifully situated on the east bank of the Sewickley. The principal part of the farm, descending gently from the east, terminates with a more abrupt descent at the stream. On an elevated point between the creek and a small rivulet which traverses the farm stands the family mansion, now occupied by George Markle. It is a large stone building, erected about 1818, and of rather modern construction. The frame mansion built in 1817 is occupied by Gen. C. P. Markle. Immediately below the former is the mill built in 1806. From this point the stream, rushing and brawling among the rocks, pours along the base of a high and precipitous hill, crowned with oaks and fringed below with spruce and cedar. Hemmed in by the hill, it sweeps around a beautiful plateau of cultivated fields, and again approaches the mansion house. It has evidently at one time, after traversing a distance of a mile and a half, returned to within fifty paces of its present channel near the mill. Through the narrow isthmus thus formed Gen. Joseph Markle cut a tunnel, and through this and a canal cut along the deserted bed of the creek the water is now conveyed to the paper-mill. Here after having performed its office it is precipitated into its parent stream, which rushing through a cleft in the rocks rolls down its water towards the Youghiogheny. All or most of these objects are directly under the eye of the mansion. The hill towering and stretching along it towards the setting sun, the creek at its base with its fringe of evergreen, the fields embossed in their midst and dotted over with the houses, paper-mill, the residences of the proprietors, and the neat white cottages of the hands, the clatter of the mill, and the ceaseless rush of the waters, all conspire to make this a spot where its owners may seek repose from the cares and vexations of life. In the " Whiskey Insurrection" of 794, Maj.-Gen. Daniel Morgan's wing of the Federal army encamped on Gaspard Markle's homestead, and the garlic still found in this region troubling the land-owners is attributable to its being introduced by that army. Gaspard Markle was opposed to the lawless opposition engendered against the excise laws and the officials sent here to enforce it, and saw with chagrin the defiers of law erect a liberty-pole on his lands, being unable in the excitement of the then maddened populace to prevent it. He died in 1819. Gen. Joseph Markle, his son, in 1837 purchased of his friend and old commander, Gen. Harrison, five hundred acres of land near Princeton, Ind., and eighty acres of another party near Vincennes same day. He died March 15, 1867, in his ninety-first year. Gen. C. P. Markle has some one thousand acres of rich lands on the Sewickley, all underlaid with the finest Youghiogheny coal. His splendid stock and dairy farm consists' of three hundred acres, from which the annual sales of Jersey cattle exceed ten thousand dollars. His cattle and herds are among the best in the State. He and his sons have also a large butchering establishment in West Newton, where are daily slaughtered animals from their farm to feed the people of that manufacturing town. The first. paper-mill was erected in 1811, by. Gen. Joseph Markle, in connection with Simon Drum, who only continued in the business a few years. It was a frame structure, located half a mile below the mansion, and was torn down in 1826. Gen. Markle built the steam paper-mill in 1827 by the narrows. It was constructed of stone and wood, and was over one hundred feet long. The stone end is still standing, and is used for a warehouse. In 1829 he turned the mill over to his sons, S. B. and Cyrus P., who in 1846 built the frame paper-mill in South Huntingdon township. It was operated both by steam and waterpower. It was burned in 1862. In 1859 they erected the brick steam paper-mill in West Newton, to which in 1864 they made extensive frame additions. It was burned in 1876, and rebuilt in 1878. It was again burned in 1878 and rebuilt the same year. In 1879 it was again burned and rebuilt the same year. In 1881 Cyrus P. Markle & Sons, who for several years have been the active partners of their father, the general, purchased some five thou- SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP - 705 sand acres of land on the Castleman River, in Somerset County, where they invested over two hundred thousand dollars, and erected very extensive " pulp-works," in which the live trees of the forest are manufactured in two days into pulp, as elsewhere in this book minutely described. The principal paper manufactured by them is the glazed hardware paper, a particular fabric of extreme niceness and rarity, of which they are the only manufacturers in America of this special kind. Part of it is shipped to Pittsburgh and the balance to New York, where much of it goes to foreign shores, and a large amount to China. The Markle paper-mills have been operated by three generations. Formerly they made all kinds of writing and bank-note papers, manilla wrappers, etc., but now their chief fabrics manufactured are the glazed hardwares, of a great variety of shades and textures. When Gen. Joseph Markle established the factory in 1811, and for a long time afterwards, the paper was all made by hand shaking, but now the latest inventions of skilled machinery are employed in all departments of its manufacture. The glazed hardwares are used by hardware manufacturers and dealers in the packing of all kinds of steels, cutlery, etc. The business of their paper-mill this year will reach a million dollars, and gives employment to several hundreds of hands of both sexes and all ages. The firm has also very extensive coke-ovens,—the " Bessemer" and " Rising Sun,"—located near Mount Pleasant, which are among the largest and best in the State. The pulp-factories of C. P. Markle & Sons at Markleton, in Somerset County, are said to be the largest in the world in their capacity for the production of wood pulp. The following sketch of these great works was written by one of a party of recent visitors, and published in the newspapers : " Markleton is a station created out of nothing by Mr. Markle. He has already built ten dwelling-houses, and is building five more ; has erected a church, a store, and an elegant little railroad station, besides his factories. The town lies in a little basin, surrounded by great hills densely wooded, and the Castleman River winds along beside it. On the opposite side of the river is one of the timber tracts belonging to C. P. Markle & Sons. They have over 8000 acres in Somerset and Westmoreland Counties. From Markleton a tram road extends back into the forest for eight miles. The road is carefully built, and T rails of excellent quality are used on it. The scenery along the road is highly picturesque. and its beastly was heightened by about a quarter of an inch of snow which lay upon the ground under the evergreen trees, although there was no snow in the open spots where the sun's rays could strike it. A large gang of men were at work about two miles from the station, getting wood ready for the mill. "They do not use axes or cross-cut saws up there in cutting down trees. Such tools are too slow in performing the required work. They simply blow a tree up with dynamite. A specimen of this sort of thing was witnessed by the visitors. A few large spruce were selected as the victims, and the ' feller' who fells began to quickly bore a hole in the base of the tree with an inch auger. The hole was driven in about tent inches, the chips were removed, and a dynamite cartridge was inserted in the hole. The dynamite used comes in sticks like a candle, and resembles moist brown sugar. A fuse was attached to the charge, and after it was lighted the men sought a place of safety and waited. In a few seconds there was a mighty roar, and the great tree was lifted up into the air about ten feet, then with a swoop and crash it came to the earth, splintered half way up the trunk. "Dynamite is not cheap, but it may truthfully be said that a little of it goes a great way. "The trees are cut up into four-foot lengths and split up into pierce like cord-wood. Then they arc hauled over to the storage-yards beside the factories. Almost any kind of timber could be used for making pulp, but the fibre of spruce and hemlock is so straight and soft that it can be worked more speedily and economically than any other available wood. The machinery in Markle's mill is strong enough to make pulp out of Upturn rare, but it world not pay. " About a hundred feet above the railroad is the mill proper. It is a superb building, one hundred and sixty-two by eighty-six feet, built in the most substantial manner and fitted out with the finest class of machinery. It is here the process of manufacture is carried on. The process is briefly this: The sticks of wood are brought into the mill and thrown into a large funnel which feeds a clipping-machine. This machine consists of a large wheel furnished with five knife-blades, and the blades chip the wood off just as the knives of a fodder-machine cut straw. The chips are conveyed by an elevator to the second story of the mill and are dumped into'digesters.' There are eight digesters in this mill. They resemble vertical boilers. The chips are fed into the digesters from openings in the top, and then a preparation of soda ash and lime is poured upon them, and they are boiled. The pressure of the chips as they spread' apart and the fibres separate is immense, and the digesters have to be made to resist a pressure of one hundred and fifty pounds to the inch. In a short time the chips become a stringy pulp, and the liquid is run off by a pump and conveyed to the evaporator, of which we will speak later. The pulp next goes through a wet machine, where it is strained and coolest. It then passes between rollers, and is made into sheets like pasteboard. Indeed, to the uninitiated, the sheets seem to be pasteboard of a fine and strong quality, and of a pure white color. The most striking feature about the mill is its water supply. Four six-inch pipes are supplied with water from a strong mountain stream a hundred feet above the mill. The water is carried to the mill through thirteen hundred feet of huge pipe, with a fall of one hundred and sixty feet. A more magnificent supply of water could not be desired, and it is so remarkably soft it does not require any artificial softening. "The evaporator which has been alluded to is a great building, one hundred and forty-eight feet long and thirty-eight feet wide. It is supplied with a long battery of small furnaces, above which are the retorts into which the alkali is pumped from the mill. It is then evaporated until soda ash is the result, and this ash is again ussd in preparing pulp. There is but a trifle loss in evaporation, and the same alkali is used again and again. This evaporator is the most perfect building of its kind in existence, and yet it is not large enough to do all the work required, and the foundations of another one have already been laid. On the mountain side, a couple of hundred yards above the evaporator, is a six-foot vein of coal, which is opened, and which is to be connected with the works by a tramway. "The capacity of the mill is sixty thousand pounds of pulp daily. A cord of wood will make twelve hundred pounds of pulp. This pulp is worth one hundred and forty dollars a ton. About five tons of the pulp will make three tons of paper, we believe, although we base this on a guess. The pulp is transported to the Markle paper-mills at West Newton, and there it speedily becomes paper. The firm has invested over a quarter of a million of dollars in its works at Markleton, but they will be amply repaid for their outlay. The mills will be in operation in two weeks, and will give employment to nearly two hundred men. A new paper-mill has been built at West Newton by the firm, and in a day or two it will begin work. The store of the firm is managed by Mr. John A. Miller, a very clever young gentleman, and the post-office—called Fibre—is in charge of Mr. John Caution. "This mere outline of this great enterprise gives but a poor idea of its merits, but it shows how, as Capt. Markle remarked, 'a tree that waved its branches in the forest wind at noon on Monday may be sold on Tuesday morning by the newsboys of Pittsburgh, who shout, Here's your morning paper! All about the great pulp-works at Markleton !'" CHURCHES. MARS HILL BAPTIST CHURCH was organized in 1840, with Rev. Milton Sutton as its first pastor. The Revs. R. R. Sutton, J. P. Rockefellar, G. Tonham, D. Webster, R. C. Morgan, and 706 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. others have held pastorates at various periods. The Rev. O. P. Hargrave has been pastor for nearly seventeen years. Its membership is over one hundred, and the Sunday-school numbers one hundred and fifteen. The value of the church property is four thousand dollars. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH is situated, with its cemetery, two miles northwest of Mill Grove. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH is located one mile north of the United Presbyterian. FRIENDS' MEETING-HOUSE is situated just north of Millville and near the Baptist Church. At the beginning of the century the Friends were strong in numbers, and among the leaders were the well-known Gilbert family. THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH is at Mars Hill post-office, and its membership extends for several miles. It is supplied by circuit preaching from non-resident pastors. THE MARKLE CEMETERY is eligibly situated on the south side of Big Sewickley Creek, on the original homestead of Gaspard Markle, and near the old block-house, the refuge of all the settlers during the Indian incursions. In it lie the remains of Gen. Joseph Markle, died March 15, 1867, aged 90 years and 1 month ; his first wife, Elizabeth, died Dec. 6, 1815; his second wife, Elizabeth, died Dec. 30, 1868. Jacob Markle, born April 13, 1.786, died July 22,1864; his wife, Catharine, born Nov. 24, 1791, died July 29, 1845. Sarah A., wife of Gen. Cyrus P. Markle, died Nov. 26, 1868, aged 54. Sarah, daughter of Gasper and Polly Markle, died July 6, 1820, aged 1 year, 10 mouths, and 8 days. David Markle, died Aug. 16, 1828, aged 32. Hannah Markle, died July 30, 1805, aged 83. Andrew F. Thompson, died April 20, 1825, aged 34. William Ross, died May 25, 1881, aged 77. James P. Carothers, died Feb. 5, 1877, aged 72. Jane, wife of Henry Lewis, died April 1, 1877, aged 70. Catharine, wife of Jacob Painter, died Jan. 10, 1856, aged 84. Near this cemetery, on the lands of Gen. Joseph Markle, was the site of old-time musters and militia trainings, and the great resort for public and political meetings. " Mill Grove," the Markle seat, was the great centre of all public assemblages of people, who came for miles around, as the most accessible point for meeting. VILLAGES. There are several flourishing villages along the bank of the Youghiogheny River, and on the railroad which runs through the township. following the course of the river. The principal one of these is SHANER'S STATION a place inhabited by the employes of the coal companies. Very extensive coal-works are operated in and around the place, and it derives its existence mainly from this source. It contains several stores, railroad depot, post-office, and other evidences of substantial prosperity. A lodge of L. 0. L., No. 78, was instituted here in 1881. SUTERSVILLE is on the site of the old Suter homestead, and is a village laid out by Eli Suter, a member of this old family, that has, resided in the vicinity of the village for many years. GUFFEY'S STATION was named after A. Guffey, an early and prominent settler. It has a distillery, several stores and shops, and near it are large coal-mines. Buena Vista, Armstrong, and Moore's Stations are all hamlets on the railroad. The Youghiogheny Railroad stations in this township are Sewickley, Marchand's, Cowan's, Millville, and McGrew's, of which Cowansburg is a growing village. THE COAL COMPANIES now in successful operation are those of Penn Gas-Coal, N. J. Bigley, Scott Si Co., and C. H. Armstrong, giving employment to eight hundred men. THE GREAT FLOOD. July 26, 1879, witnessed one of the greatest freshets ever known in this region. Mrs. John Daily, residing between Shaner's and Guffey's Stations, was drowned. She and her sister had become frightened at the sudden rise of the water, and fearing that their home would be washed away by the water closed the house and left. Mrs. Daily's sister left first, and had succeeded in safely crossing the run ; but Mrs. Daily, in attempting to cross, was overtaken by the flood, 'carried down by the stream, and drowned. The culverts were all washed out, Robbins', Guffey's, and Shaner's Stations, and all trains for hours delayed. The Buena Vista school-house was swept away, and two dwellings at Shaner's coal-mines carried off. The stone bridge at Guffey's was completely washed away, with four hundred feet of the track, and the schoolhouse near the track carried across it. One car was wholly smashed. The storm began with the falling of hail, followed by torrents of rain, and the Youghiogheny Railroad became the scene of great devastation. The storm and flood extended to other townships, and in Rostraver the farms suffered greatly by washes. Tinker Run and Brush Creek Valleys suffered by the inundations largely, and, taken altogether, this section of the county was never before visited by such a destructive flood. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. THE MILLIGAN FAMILY. John Milligan was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and came to this country before the Revolution, living for some time near Carlisle, in the Cumberland Valley, where he tended a mill. He often ground SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP - 707 flour and meal for the Continental soldiers during that stormy period. Here he married Mary Adams, and in 1780 came to Westmoreland County, and located on the farm of John Carnahan, now known as the " Willow-Tree Farm." He then patented four hundred acres of land in Sewickley township, sharing with other first settlers the trials and hardships of pioneer days. He served for many years as justice of the peace, and married more couples than any magistrate in the county. The long and tedious ceremony of Revs. Dicks, Power, Swan, and later, Patterson, being almost a terror to young people, many visited him where a short ceremony was performed. He raised three boys and five girls. Of the former, Alexander died in 1860 ; John, in 1872; and James, born in 790, is still living. Jane, the eldest daughter, married Col. David Nelson, of Crawford County, and Nancy married Richard Simmons. Mrs. Mary Myers, a daughter of Col. and Mrs. Nelson, is now living in her eighty-second year. Of Richard Simmons' children, one daughter married Mr. Jamison, Margaret married Samuel Miller, and Ann married Hon. William Hutchinson, the last two of Fredericksburg, Ohio. John Milligan, the emigrant, went in 1802 to New Orleans with a boat-load of flour, but it souring on the voyage down the rivers, and finding it there to be unmerchantable, he shipped it to Liverpool, England, and traded it off to starch-makers, and invested his proceeds in various merchandise to bring back to this country. While in the old country he visited his native place in Scotland, and when he returned to America he was accompanied by his brother, James Milligan. The latter was a noted minister of the Associate Reformed Ohurch, and one of the best known of the early anti-slavery agitators and persecuted abolitionists. He was located several years in New England, and while pastor of a church in Ryegate, Vt., was rotten-egged by a mob of excited pro-slavery men. His son, Rev. A. M. Milligan, of Pittsburgh, was burned in effigy in Greensburg for daring to raise his voice in behalf of the oppressed negro slave, and one Sabbath morning, on coming there to preach, his eyes were greeted with a very large cartoon, on which was drawn the picture of a big burly negro woman and a tall, gaunt figure standing over her, and below the inscription, "Milligan kissing the nigger." But this fearless defender of oppressed humanity soon saw the shackles torn from the Southern slaves by the wicked Rebellion inaugurated by their selfish and cruel policy. WILLIAM GUFFEY. William Guffey was born in 'Sewickley township, Westmoreland County, Pa., Jan. 16, 1821, the fourth in a family of eleven children of James and Hannah (Scott) Guffey. His parents were both of Irish descent. William Guffey, his great-great-grandfather, emigrated from Ireland with his family about the year 1738, and eventually settled in Westmoreland County, Sewickley township, and was the progenitor of the many families of the name in Western Pennsylvania. He died in Sewickley, January, 1783. His son, James Guffey, born in 1736, was two years old when his father emigrated. He was twice married. His first wife was Margaret, daughter of William and Margaret Campbell. His second wife was a Miss Findley. By his first wife he had three children, viz. : John, Polly, and Bell. By the second, Sarah and William. James Guffey died March 9, nog, aged seventy years; his first wife, Margaret, May, 1791. John Gulley, son of James, was born in Sewickley, Aug. 6, 1764. His first wife, Agnes Lowry, was born April 18, 1773. Eleven children were the fruit of this union, viz. : James, William, Anna, John, Robert, Joseph, Alexander, Margaret, Isabella, Mary, and Nancy. By his second wife, Rebecca Stewart, he had two children, viz. : Benjamin and Stewart. John Guffey was for many years justice of the peace, and spent his whole life on the place now owned by Maj. Dick and occupied by Jesse Husband. He was a man greatly beloved in his family, and highly 'respected by all who knew him. James Guffey, eldest son of John, and father to William, was born at the old Guffey homestead Dec. 15, 1791. He was a soldier in the cavalry troop under Gen. Joseph Markle in the war of 1812, and was engaged in the battle of Mississinewa. Soon after his return from the army, April 20, 1813, he married Hannah, daughter of James and Mary P. Scott. The latter was born March 6, 1791, in Elizabeth township, Allegheny County, Pa. Her father at the age of seventeen emigrated from Ireland and settled in that township. After his marriage James Guffey settled upon the place now owned and occupied by his son William and daughter Sarah Jane. A log house had been built upon the place, but the land was cleared and improved and the present brick residence was built by him in 1833. He died here March 22, 1841. His wife survived him many years. She died at the homestead June 10, 1878. Their children were as follows : John, born March 24, 1814, married Harriet Ingraham ; three children living, viz., James G., Mary M., and Hannah S. Mary P., born May 23, 1816, wife of Jacob Funk, died Sept. 21, 1842. James Guffey Funk, her son, died from exposure in the army during the last war. James Scott, born Aug. 2, 1818, married Mary F. Byerly Oct. 20, 1844 ; a farmer living in Elizabeth township, Allegheny County, Pa. ; two children living and three deceased. The latter were Henrietta, Mary J., and Martha. R. ; the former, Hannah S. and James Adam. William, subject of this sketch ; Zacheus, born July 25, 1823, died at the homestead Sept. 22, 1842, a cripple for the last twenty years of his life ; Joseph, born Nov. 20, 1827, died Aug. 1, 1828 ; Nancy 708 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. L. and Margaret Ann, twins, born July 31, 1829. Nancy died March 30, 1837, Margaret married to E. R. Griffith, now a farmer in Rostraver township. Mrs. Griffith died May 25, 1876; three children, Samuel C., James G., and John W. Sarah Jane, born March 6, 1832, always lived at the homestead, and since her mother's death has kept house with her brother William ; Rebecca, born Feb. 27, 1836, wife of John Freeman, a farmer in Ligonier township ; five children, George, James, Sarah Jane, John, and Anna Lucinda. William Guffey has spent his whole life on the place of his birth, receiving the education afforded by the common school, of the neighborhood. A bachelor uncle, William Guffey, was half-owner with his father of the homestead farm, and upon his death, which occurred Oct. 2, 1840, he willed to his nephew Wil-liam a portion of his property. This uncle lived and died at the homestead. By will of his father his property was placed under the control of his mother until her death. After his father's death, which oc-curred when he was nineteen years of age, he managed his mother's affairs. The farm was worked by his brother, James Scott, up to the year 1876, when the latter removed on to his farm in Elizabeth township. From twenty-one years of age Mr. Guffey has suf-fered from heart-disease, on which account he has not been able to engage in the hard work incident to the carrying on a farm. Upon the death of his mother he and his sister Sarah Jane purchased of the rest of the heirs their interest in the homestead. He employs to work the farm Mr. John C. West, whose wife, Anna Mary, daughter of Samuel and Catharine Henderson, had lived with Mr. and Miss Guffey from the time she was eight years of age, and was married at the homestead May 2, 1878. The family at pres-ent consists of Mr. and Miss Guffey, Mr. and Mrs. West, and their two children, Sarah Louisa and Mary Catharine. The Guffey family in politics have always shown an unbroken Democratic front. It is said that at one time there were twenty-one Democratic voters in the family in the township of Sewickley. Mr. Guffey is no exception to this rule. Both he and his sister have for many years been members of the West New-ton Presbyterian Church. Honorable in all business transactions, hospitable to all comers, charitable to the poor, of a genial, social disposition, Mr. Guffey well deserves the high estimate in which he is held by the community in which he has spent his days. CAPT. CALEB GREENAWALT. Capt. Caleb Greenawalt was born in Sewickley town-ship, Westmoreland County, Pa., June 1, 1830. The family on the father's side are of German, on the mother's of English origin. His grandfather, Jacob Greenawalt, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., moved from there in the latter part of the last century, and settled on a farm in Sewickley. He married Martha Brenneman, the issue of which union were four sons and five daughters, viz.: Daniel, Abraham, Martha, Jacob, Maria, Nancy, Fanny, Henry, and Susan. All were married, raised families, and all are deceased. Daniel Greenawalt, the eldest child, and father of the captain, was born in Sewickley, Sept. 3, 796. He .married Feb. 20, 1821, Emily, daughter of Caleb and Ann Squibb. The marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mungo Dick, and his address to the young couple upon this occasion is said to have occupied one hour. Mrs. Greenawalt was born in the neighborhood of Connellsville, Pa., Sept. 4, 798. Her father was among the first operators in devploping the iron interests in Western Pennsylvania. After his marriage he settled on what was known as the " Brown's Ferry tract" of land, situated on the Youghiogheny River, in Sewickley township, and containing one hundred and ninety-six acres. Here all of his children were born. He died March 9, 1838. His wife died at the residence of her son Caleb, April 26, 1868. Their children were as follows : Martha, born Nov. 10, 1821, wife of Capt. J. B. Copeland, a farmer in Audrian County, Mo., three sons and four daughters; Jacob, born Nov. 16, 1823, died Jan. 1838 ; Ann Eliza, born April 9, 1826, wife of Robert Hamilton, moved to Iowa, where she died July 27, 1867, four sons and two daughters ; Angeline, born Feb. 24, 1828, wife of O. H. McAlister, M.D., residing in McAlisterville, Juniata Co., Pa. ; Caleb, subject of this sketch; George, born June 30, 1832, died Aug. 16, 1833. Capt. Caleb Greenawalt has always lived on the place of his birth, having come in possession of the homestead farm by inheritance and by purchase from the rest of the heirs. He received the education afforded by the common school of the neighborhood. When a boy he made an occasional trip on coal-boats bound for Cincinnati and Louisville, but most of his minority was spent on the farm. From the first breaking out of the Rebellion he took a lively interest in all measures looking to its suppression. With Col. J. B. Copeland, his brother-in-law, he raised a company for the three months' Service, which was not accepted, but the company subsequently enlisted in the three years' service as Company F, Twenty-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in as second lieutenant at Camp Coleman, Philadelphia, July 6, 1861, by Maj. Ruff, of the United States army. He was promoted to first lieutenant, and subsequently to the captaincy of the company. The company was attached to Gen. Banks' division of the army, and was first located at Point of Rocks, in the regiment commanded by Col. John W. Geary. While here, Sept. 24, 1861, they were attacked by the rebels, the first skirmish in which he was engaged. A similar affair again oc-curred October 2d, between. Point of Rocks and SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP - 709 Harper's Ferry, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, October 16th. His company was in the spirited engagement at Bolivar Heights, in which the first sergeant and one private were wounded. The regiment was ordered to Edwards Ferry, with the intent of participating in the battle of Ball's Bluff, but did not reach there in time to engage in the battle. The regiment was next employed in guarding the Potomac River, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, between Nolan's Ferry and Antietam Aqueduct, his own company being located on the Maryland side opposite Harper's Ferry, a most important post, dividing the lines of the contending forces. The captain was detailed to construct the rope ferry over which the advance of the army crossed the Potomac, Feb. 24, 1862, and remained in charge of the same until the 1st of May following. He then returned to his regiment, then located at Rectortown, on the Manassas Gap Railroad, being engaged in guarding a distance of fifty-two miles of that road, a duty quite necessary and not a little dangerous, but with very little glory. He was in the battle of Culpeper, Aug. 9, 1862, and under Gen. Pope was engaged in very many of the skirmishes and battles along the Rappahannock River and Orange and Alexandria Railroad, ending with the second battle of Bull Run. After the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, in which his regiment and company lost heavily, the company having a sergeant and four privates killed and seventeen wounded, the regiment occupied Harper's Ferry and Bolivar Heights. He was in the famous battles of Chancellorsville, May 1, 2, and 3, 1863, having both lieutenants wounded severely, and two corporals and seven privates prisoners, and Gettysburg, July 1st, 2d, and 3d, having five men wounded. Following up Lee's retreating army until it had recrossed the Rappahannock and Rapidan, the regiment stopped at Raccoon Ford, on the latter river, where it remained until the Eleventh and Twelfth corps were detached under Gen. Hooker and ordered to join the Army of the Cumberland. After assisting to open up communication with Chattanooga and the Army of the Cumberland, and participating in the different skirmishes incident thereto, he took part in the glorious battle of Lookout Mountain ("battle above the clouds"), Nov. 24, 1863, in which three of his men were wounded, and the next day that of Missionary Ridge, pursuing the retreating rebels all of next day, and on the 27th of November, at Ringgold, Ga., on Taylor's Ridge, where a lieutenant, sergeant, and two privates were killed, and quite a number wounded, thus ending the campaign of 1863. During the winter of 1863-64 his company veteranized, with headquarters at Philadelphia, Pa., where its decimated ranks were filled with excellent recruits. In March, 1864, it again took the field, and engaged in all the battles and skirmishes from Chattanooga, Tenn., to Atlanta, Ga., notably that of Rocky Face Mountain, Ga., May 8, 1864, in which one sergeant and four men of his company were wounded ; Resaca, May 15, 1864; Pumpkin Vine Creek, May 25, 1864, and on same day New Hope Church, where two privates were killed and six wounded, continuing for seven days and being under fire the whole time. He was in the battles of Pine Knob, Pine Hill, and Lost Mountain, June 14th ; Muddy Creek, June 16th ; Nose's Creek, June 19th ; Kolb's Farm, June 22d, in which seven men of his company were wounded ; Kenesaw Mountain, June 27th ; Marietta, July 3d; and was honorably discharged the service July 20, 1864, arriving home on the 27th. From this brief resume of Capt. Greenawalt's army experience it will be seen that he participated in most of the notable battles of the war. From first to last he was impressed with the idea that the Rebellion must be fought down, and it would be difficult to find any one who more thoroughly practiced what he preached. On this account he uniformly declined to accept clerical or any other position which would take him from the fighting ranks, and fought against all attempts to transfer his best men from the ranks to such positions. For the number of engagements in which he participated he was exceedingly fortunate in receiving no severe wounds, and with the exception of an attack of typhoid fever in August, 1861, he enjoyed remarkable health during his entire term of service. It is said the best soldiers make also the best citizens. Capt. Greenawalt is no exception to this rule. As a thorough, painstaking, and successful farmer he ranks among the first in a township of good farmers. To the original homestead tract he has added the Caldwell farm, adjoining it, and another farm of one hundred and fifteen acres in the some township. In politics he has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party since its organization. He has been for fifteen years a justice of the peace in his township, and was candidate of his party for the State Senate in 1876. He married, Dec. 7, 1864, Mary M., daughter of William M. A. and Elizabeth S. (McFadden) Bell. A. M. CARLINE. A. M. Carline was born in Baldwin township, Allegheny County, Pa., June 23, 1840, the fifth in a family of six children of Adam and Elizabeth (Miller) Carline. His grandfather emigrated from England and settled in Baldwin township, where he kept an inn on the Brownsville road. He was twice married, and by his first wife he had four sons. Adam Carline, father of A. M., was four years old when his parents emigrated. He was a carpenter, and followed that trade during his life. Upon the death of his mother a division of the estate was made between Adam and Jacob, the only children then living. Adam Carline lived and carried on his trade in Pittsburgh a number of years, but the last years of his life 710 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. were spent on his portion of the farm in Baldwin, where he died in 1844. The children of Adam and Elizabeth Carline were as follows, viz. : Joseph A., born April 2, 1832, connected with the police force of Pittsburgh ; James W., born _____, 1836, died _____ ; Adam M., subject of this sketch ; Millicent G., born ____ 1842, twice married; first husband, John Peterson ; second Elder, now living in Alliance, Ohio. His mother married for her second husband Daniel W. Morgan. By this union there were two children : Benjamin, deceased, and Kate, wife of James W, Smiley, living in Kansas. His mother died at his residence in Suterville, Dec. 25, 1880, and is buried in the West Newton Cemetery. Having received the education afforded by the common school, at the age of ten Adam M. Carline became a clerk in the store of J. P. Stall, on Water Street, Pittsburgh, with whom he remained until the death of the latter, about ten months ; then was employed in the store of his brother, Joseph A., first on Grant Street, then on the corner of Fourth and Liberty, next as clerk for John Grazier, on Smithfield Street ; two years at each of these places. He then returned to his brother's store. For one season he was employed as second clerk on the steamer "Grand Turk," plying between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. At the age of nineteen, in company with Robert Martin, firm Carline & Martin, he purchased his brother's store, and carried on the business until the spring of 1861, Aug. 9, 1861, he enlisted as a private soldier in Company H, Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and continued in active service until near the close of the campaign of 1863, when, having been confined by disease contracted in the army for a number of months, returned home, January, 1864, on a sick furlough, and was honorably discharged at Pittsburgh, May 28th of the same year. When he had recovered from his illness he was employed by the government until the spring of 1865 in shipping stock from the yards at Pittsburgh. April 1, 1865, he moved to Suterville, where for nearly seventeen years he has carried on a successful business in general merchandising. In politics he is Republican. He married, June 22, 1865, Amelia, daughter of John and Eliza (O'Connor) Battie. Mrs. Carline was born near Sharpsburg, Allegheny Co., Pa., Feb. 5, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Carline are members of the Presbyterian Church at West Newton. Their children are Elizabeth, born June 10, 1866; John Hasson, born Aug. 18, 1870; Eleanor Kate, born July 10, 1872; Adam Morris, born Nov. 29, 1874; William Thomas, born Oct. 18, 1876, died July 25, 1878. LOWER AND UPPER BURRELL TOWNSHIP ERECTION, BOUNDARIES, ETC. LOWER AND UPPER BURRELL TOWNSHIPS were erected in 1879, by the division of Burrell into Upper and Lower Burrell townships. 1 The original Burrell 1 The petition of divers citizens, inhabitants of the township of Burrell, respectfully represent that they labor under great inconvenience and disadvantage for want of a division of said township into two townships by a proposed line commencing at a marked rock on the right bank of Puckatos Creek, near a walnut-tree, about twenty-five rods above the residence of William Parks, and running thence north forty-two degrees east until it intersects the line dividing the townships of Allegheny and Burrell, near the residence now or late of Matthew Young, it being the same line which divides said Burrell township into two election districts. Therefore your petitioners pray the court to appoint three impartial men commissioners to inquire into the propriety of granting a division of said township. And now, Dec. 22, 1877, petition presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions of said county, and the same order to be filed, and James B. McFarland, John Steel, and Robert S. Sproul appointed commissioners to inquire into the propriety of granting the prayer of the petitioners and to make a plot or draft of said township and the division line proposed to be made therein, if the same cannot be fully designated by natural lines or boundaries, and to make report to the next term of the said court, together with their opinion as to the expediency and propriety of granting the prayer of the petitioners, as directed by the act of Assembly in such case made and provided. Per Curiam. township was taken from Allegheny township, and organized in 1852. It was named in honor of Judge J. Murry Burrell, who was president judge of the court when it was erected. May 18, 1878, the report of the commissioners was filed, and on Sept. 21, 1878, the following order was made: "After due consideration of the premises, it is ordered and decreed that a vote of the qualified electors of said township be taken on a division thereof on Tuesday, the fifth day of November,1878 (being the day for the holding of the general election), by an election to be held by the election officers of said township at the places fixed by law for holding township elections, and governed therein by the several laws of the Commonwealth relating to township elections. The ballots to be deposited by the electors shall have written or printed on the outside thereof the word and on the inside thereof ' FOR DIVISION' or AGAINST DIVISION.' The constable of said township shall give at least fifteen days' notice of the time and places of holding said election by posting not less than six written or printed handbills in the most public places in said township. The election officers, after closing the polls, shall count the ballots and certify within five days thereafter the number of votes for and against a division to the clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions. Per Curiam, " Return of election, filed 7th November, 1878. " Vote for divison, 114; against, 6. " And now, to wit, Jan. 18, 1879, it appearing to the court that at an election directed to be held by the qualified electors of the township of .Burrell, in the county of Westmoreland, on the 5th day of November, LOWER AND UPPER BURRELL TOWNSHIPS - 711 Its boundaries were north by Allegheny, east by Washington, southeast by Franklin townships, west by Allegheny River, separating it from Allegheny County, which was its southern boundary. It was watered by the Allegheny. River, the Big and Little Pucketos, and other smaller streams. Coal exists in all parts of the original township, in which are located some extensive coal-works. Its surface is rolling ; soil very fertile and highly. cultivated. The chief occupation of the people is agriculture. PIONEER SETTLERS. Of the early settlers nearly all of Scotch-Irish extraction. The Crooks family located on Pucketos Creek in 1791, and came from Antietam Creek. William Ross was born in Ireland, and on his arrival in this country first located in Franklin and then Adams County, and removed to the glades here in 794, and John Ross followed in 1801, who died June 23, 1827, aged fifty-four. The former died Aug. 28, 1849, aged eighty-seven years. His wife was a Miss Esther Reid, of Greencastle, to whom he was married April 19, 1803. John Stewart settled in 1804, with his brother William, who died April 19, 1850, aged sixty-eight years. John Bales settled in 1805. Among other early settlers were the McLaughlins, Birelys, Millers, Hummels (of whom David died May 23, 1867, aged sixty-nine), Donnells, the Hunters, Skillens, Moores, Logans, Shearers, Leslies, Bessorts, Blacks, Georges, Swenks, Milligans, Sands, Woolslayers, Rowans, Nelsons, Gills, Ludwigs, Dugans Henrys, Leslies, Keisers, Lanes, Ingrams, Crawfords, Caldwells, Mencks, Younkins, Fredericks, Kunkles, Loves, McWilliams, McCutchens, and Ashbaughs. One of the first pioneers was James Johnston, a Revolutionary soldier, who lived to be one hundred and three years old, and is buried in Dugan's graveyard in Allegheny County. David Alter came to Pucketos Creek from Cumberland County. His father was born in Switzerland, and emigrated to America before the Revolution. He married Elizabeth Mill, and his sister married Governor Ritner. Of David's twelve children, the eldest daughter became the wife of Maj. George Dugan, and his eldest son, Joseph, was the father of Dr. David Alter. David Alter was born in 1775, and was a captain in the war of 1812, and built the noted " Alter's Mills" on Pucketos. His son Joseph married Margaret C. Dinsmore, of an early family. During the period from 1791 to 795 the settlers A.D. 1878, by the order of said court, and agreeably to the act of Assembly in such case made and provided, a majority of the qualifled electors of said township of Burrell voted in favor of a division of said township ; therefore it is ordered and decreed that the said township of Burrell be, and the same is, hereby divided into two townships, agreeably to the lines marked out and returned by the commissioners appointed to view and make report as to the propriety of granting the prayer of the petitioners for a division; the eastern or upper division to be known hereafter as 'UPPER BURRELL TOWNSHIP,' and the western or lower division to be known as LOWER BURRELL TOWNSHIP,' and John Ingram appointed constable of Lower Burrell." Per Curiam. were subjected to many invasions by predatory bands of Indians, who carried off many into captivity, murdered and scalped others, and burned their cabins and plundered them of their stock. About the first land entered or patented was a fivehundred-acre tract to a man named Wharton, which was subsequently purchased by the McLaughlin family. CHURCHES IN THE COUNTRY. THE PUCKETY UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Located some two miles southeast of Chartiers Station is the oldest religious organized congregation in the limits of the original Burrell township. It had its origin in the settling of several families in the neighborhood from the Associate Reformed congregations of Adams and Franklin Counties, among whom were the Rosses, Crooks, etc., and of families of the General Assembly Presbyterians, among whom were the Watts, Skillens, and others. Preaching was had at several intervals from 1795 until 1804, when began the first stated supplies. Mrs. Esther (Reid), wife of William Ross, received her certificate from the Greencastle congregation Nov. 22, 1804. At a meeting of the Monongahela Presbytery, held Aug. 31, 1803, at Yough Meeting-house (now Bethesda), an application was received from Puckety for preaching here, and at its next meeting Rev. Joseph Kerr, was appointed to preach on the first a Sabbath in January, 1804, which he did, the first regular stated appointment here filled. At the meeting of Presbytery on March 4, 1804, a petition was received from Puckety for a regular supply, when Rev. Mungo Dick was appointed to preach, but was not always able to be there, but did preach the third Sabbath in November, 1805. Mr. Henderson preached in 1810, Mr. Buchanan in January, 1811, and Mr. Galloway the February following. These ministers came very long distances on horseback, and at a time when there were no roads or bridges. The place of the first preaching was a grove still standing on the Ross homestead. In 1806, William Ross built a barn, in which worship was held for some months. Shortly after a " tent" was put up at the forks of the road near the residence of Squire Irwin, and about a mile from Chartiers Station. It was a temporary affair, built by putting four posts in the ground closed in on three sides, with a rough floor raised off the ground, and a covering for the preacher. Here services were held until the first edifice was erected. John and William Watts, John and William Stewart, and John and William Ross were early connected with this church. The congregation was really organized in 1810, but not formally until the following spring. The first elders were John Ross, William Ross, John Stewart, William Stewart, John Watt, James Robertson. March 27, 1811, the Presbytery received an application to unite Deer Creek and Puckety into one charge. On Sept. 4, 1811, Presbytery met at Puckety, and installed Rev. James Mc- 712 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Connell as pastor of Puckety and Deer Creek, on which occasion were present Rev. Proudfit, Munro Dick, Galloway, and Buchanan. Mr. McConnell resigned his pastorate at Puckety April 2, 1833. About 1816 measures were taken to build a meeting-house, which was erected on land conveyed by John Bales in 1825. The trustees in receiving his deed bound themselves and successors to let him and his family have one seat in the northwest corner of the house. The edifice was built of logs, thirty-two by thirty-eight feet, clunked and daubed, with no ceiling. It was warmed with a ten-plate stove for burning cord-wood. In 1833 the connection between Puckety and Deer Creek as two charges with one pastor was dissolved. Mr. McConnell was a native of Ireland, and received his theological education under the learned John Brown, of Haddington. He still preached at Deer Creek until Jan. 15, 1845. Puckety was now without a pastor until June 5, 1838. In May, 1836, just after the edifice had been repaired and enlarged, it was destroyed by fire. Services were now held at the residences of Millers, Hummels, Bales, or in their barns, and sometimes in the school-house. The second church, the present brick edifice, was built in 1837. In 1834 these elders were installed : A. R. Stewart, William Watt, Francis Crooks, and Patrick Donnell. On Oct. 12,1837, Rev. J. G. Fulton was called, and installed June 5, 1838, whose pastorate was dissolved Aug. 13, 1849. A. R. Stewart resigned his eldership in 1840. On the formation of Blairsville Presbytery, Nov. 10, 1840, Puckety came under its territorial care ; Rev. W. A. McKinney was installed pastor in July, 1841, and died Aug. 16 1842. Robert Stewart was elected elder in 1842. Rev. J. W. Duff was installed Dec. 5, 1843. In 1845 the elders were William Stewart, Robert Stewart, Patrick Donnell, William Watt, Francis Crooks, James McMath, and David McLean. Mr. Duff re-signed his pastorate April 13, 1848. In 1849 the elders elected were John Anderson, David Hummel, and William Stewart. The congregation had no pastor until the installation of Rev. John C. Bryson, Nov. 12, 1850, who resigned Oct. 31, 1854. In 1853 the elders elected were John Wylie and George Leslie. April 11, 1855, this church came under Westmoreland Presbytery's charge. The next pastor was Rev. James Given, installed June 21, 1859, who was released April 8, 1873. In 1859 the elders elected were Daniel Hawk and William Vantine, and in 1868 William Crooks. The present popular pastor, Rev. M. M. Patterson, was installed June 15, 1875. He was born in Elizabeth, Allegheny County, in 1845, and graduated at Westminster . College, and later at Allegheny Theological Seminary. This is his first charge, and is in a flourishing condition. The church officials are Elders Daniel Hawk, William Stewart, Robert Crooks, Edward Newell, Robert Stewart Jr., and William Douglass ; Sunday-school superintendent, Hiram Gill. BETHESDA LUTHERAN CHURCH is located near the Allegheny township line. Its congregation was organized in 1864. Before that time the meeting-house was on- the Ross farm, which was erected in 1850. The pastors have been : 1850 to 1864, Rev. D. Earhart; 1864 to 1875, Rev. D. Hoover; 1875 to 1881, Rev. Barry ; and in 1881, Rev. M. G. Earhart, present incumbent. He also preaches at " Hankey" (Christ's) Church, in Franklin township. The church officials are: Council, Holmes George, Amos Willery, Abraham Sloanaker, Thomas George, and Henry Bair ; Trustees, James G. Borland, Jacob Keiger, Henry Willery, Thomas George, Henry Ash-baugh ; Sunday-school Superintendent, Jacob Keiser. Number of members, one hundred and twenty. MANCHESTER REFORMED ASSOCIATE CHURCH was organized out of Brookland Church, and is located about a mile south of Milligan's Mills. It is supplied by the pastor of the Brookland congregation. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH has a congregation and edifice in Lower Burrell township, about a mile and a fourth east of Tarentum Sta-tion. It is a part of the Parnassus Circuit, and its present pastor is Rev. Gray. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND CEMETERY (PARNASSUS). This congregation was organized May 18, 1842, by Revs. James Graham and S. M. McClung, with John W. Logan its only elder. It had occasional supplies for eight years. Rev. S. M. McClung was installed its first pastor Oct. 10, 1850. Revs. C. B. Bristol preached, David Kirkpatrick charged the pastor, and James M. Hastings the people. He was released June 24, 1857. Oct. 6, 1858, Rev. D. W. Townsend was ordained and installed. Rev. Robert McMillan preached from 1 Corinthians i. 21. Rev. Dr. Donalson presided, proposed the constitutional questions, made the ordaining prayer, and charged the pastor, and Rev. Robert McMillan the people. He was released June 25, 1867. Dec. 29, 1868, Rev. J. P. Kennedy was installed, when Revs. J. D. Moorhead preached, W. W. Woodend proposed the necessary questions, D. J. Irwin charged the pastor, and J. E. Caruthers the people. From its situation this church, as well as Plum Creek and Pine Run, were placed by reconstruction, in 1870, under care of Blairsville Presbytery. This church has sent out no minister. Rev. J. K. Black became pastor in 1876, and is the present incumbent. The church officials in 1882 are: Elders, G. C. McJenkin, John Dugan George Armstrong, O. M. Bessort, William Bakewell, and Mr. Moody, and superintendent of Sunday-school, Wm. Bakewell. Mr. Black also preaches at Arnold Chapel every other Sabbath. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (PARNASSUS). Its edifice was erected in 1874, but before that time preaching had been held in the second story of the station-house and at other points. The first pastor LOWER AND UPPER BURRELL TOWNSHIPS - 713 was Rev. J. T. Riley, whose successors have been A. H. Norcross, Robert Cartwright, Robert Hamilton, Alexander Scott, and J. B. Gray, present incumbent. This point with McLaughlinsville, Bethel, and New Hope form one circuit. REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PARNASSUS). The congregation was organized 1868, and its neat frame structure erected in 1870. The first pastor, Rev. J. M. Johnston, continued until 1872, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. C. McFeeters, the present incumbent. The church officials are : Elders, A. B. Copeland, Alexander Miller, John Reid ; Sunday school Superintendent, A: B. Copeland. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIANS (PARNASSUS) have occasional services there, but have no regular congregation or house of worship. PARNASSUS BOROUGH. This borough lies on 'the east bank of the Allegheny River, in Lower Burrell township. When the Allegheny Valley Railroad was completed, in the winter of 1855-56, where the town is stood the Presbyterian Church, the farm residence of John W. Logan, a house of his tenant near the church, and the dwelling of Alexander Cook, the latter erected during the construction of the railroad. The town took its name from the church (Parnassus), so called after that of the original tract of land, and which was given to the latter by the land-office in designating the land warrants and patents. John W. Logan laid out the town immediately after the completion of the railroad. The first building erected was by A. B. Copeland for his store, the first here, the second by A. H. Wylie, the third Mr. Copeland's residence (burned in 1868), and fourth the " Eagle Hotel." Drs. Curtis and Edgar were the first physicians here, but did not remain long. Dr. David Alter settled in 1863, and has been in continuous practice ever since, save when in the army during the war as surgeon in the Two Hundred and Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, of class of 1861, and a grandson of Capt. David Alter, who settled on the Pucketos about 1800. The post-office was established in 1856, with John W. Logan as postmaster. His immediate successor was George L. Lee, and the present incumbent is J. E. Lane, also station and express agent. BOROUGH INCORPORATION. By an act of the Assembly of 9th of April, 1872, the village of Parnassus was erected into a borough. The first section of the act empowered and directed the Court of Quarter Sessions to appoint three persons, whose duties were to make out and define the boundaries of the borough, and to file a report of the same in the office of the clerk of the court. In the petition of A. B. Copeland, A. H. Wylie, W. R. Logan, and Samuel Skillen these facts were brought to the notice of the court, and on May 15,1872, C. F. Warden, John M. Dickey, and John F. McCulloch were appointed commissioners to perform the duties defined by the act referred to. On the 6th of August, 1872, the above commissioners, filed their report in the clerk's office, and in it they fixed the boundaries and limits of the borough. The commissioners in making their report included in the limits described about fifty acres of land, part of the real estate of Maj. Hugh Logan. Upon his death his executor made petition to the court to modify the boundaries of the borough, so as to exclude the land above mentioned. After a time, and upon regular proceedings, the petition was dismissed at the costs of the petitioners, and the legislative status of the borough defined at length in a lengthy opinion filed by the Hon. John P. Blair. In this opinion he held that the court had not the power to change the limits of the corporation after the same had been regularly laid out by and under the directions of the act of Assembly. CORPORATION OFFICERS. The first municipal election under the borough charter was held on the first Monday in December, 1872. The officials' have been : 1872.—Burgess, John Fluke ; Council, J. C. Stewart, W. J. Sproul, James H. Elder, S. T. Crusan, A. H. Wylie, W. J. Wentz, W. R. Logan, Stephen Hughan ; Clerk, D. S. Dewalt ; Treasurer, J. C. McCutcheon ; Street Commissioner, William Bright ; High Constable, J. W. Neff. 1873.—Council, J. C. McCutcheon, S. Hughan, J. H. Elder, Samuel Skillen, J. C. Stewart, John Fluke, W. J. Wentz, A. H. Wylie ; Clerk, D. S. Dewalt. 1874.—Burgess, Dr. David Alter ; Council, A. H. Wylie, J. H. Elder, W. R. Logan, Daniel Yetter, J. C. Stewart, W. Wentz, John Parry, Dr. B. L. Calhoun ; Clerk, Garret Crusan (who has been continued to the present time). 1875.—Burgess, W. J. Sproul ; Council, J. II. Elder, Stephen Hughan, Dr. B. L. Calhoun, R. K. Armstrong, William Lindsay, J. C. Steward, John Glenn, S. B. McBride. 1876.—Burgess, W. J. Sproul ; Council, W. R. Logan, S. Hughan, S. B. McBride; Dr. David Alter, Dr. B. L. Calhoun, William Lindsay, John Glenn. 1877.—Burgess, F. M. Johnston ; Council, W. R. Logan, S. B. McBride, J. II. Elder, Dr. David Alter, Dr. B. L. Calhoun, B. F. King, Samuel Skillen, Josiah Masters. 1878.—Burgess, David Lewis; Council, R K. Stewart, O. M. Bassert, Joseph McCutcheon, F. J. Zimmerman, J. II. Elder, Josiah Masters, W. Wentz ; High Constable, F. Alward. 1879.—Burgess, Samuel Skillen; Council, R. K. Stewart, J. Masters, John Agey, Josiah Masters, T. J. Cooper, W. R. Logan, T. M. Boal, O. M. Bassert. 1880.—Burgess, W. J. Sproul ; Council, W. Wentz, J. M. Johnston, J. F. Zintmerman, W. R. Logan, R. K. Stewart, J. M. Masters, John Agey, Josiah Masters. 1881.—Burgess, John N. Aker; Council, Alexander Cooke, R. K. Stewart, Renwick Rowan, Robert Parks, .1. M. Johnston, J. F. Zimmerman, William Truby ; Constable, W. J. Masters. 1882.—Burgess, John N. Alter ; Council, Alexander Cooke, Dr. David Alter, Robert Parks, J. F. Zimmerman, J. DI. Johnston, John Masters, A. W. Logan, J. A. McCutcheon. PARNASSUS BANK was organized in April, 1872, with Dr. David Alter, president; A. B. Copeland, vice-president ; and K. C. Hill, cashier. Four of the six first directors were Dr. David Alter, A. B. Copeland, A. H. Wylie, and R. Rowan. Dr. Alter was succeeded as president by 714 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. W. R. Logan, present incumbent, and Mr. Copeland has remained vice-president. The present cashier is A. W. Logan. It is a private institution and not a corporation. THE NEW CEMETERY is pleasantly located on ground commanding a picturesque view of the Allegheny River, and which was donated by the late, Hugh Logan. The only three interments are Hugh Logan, born Dec. 3, 1788, died June 29, 1873; his wife, Elizabeth, born April 24, 798, died Nov. 3, 1878. Nancy Hultz, born Nov. 17, 1802, died Nov. 28, 1878. PARNASSUS LODGE, No. 804, I. O. O. F., was chartered by William Stedman, M. W. G. M., and James B. Nicholson, M. W. G. Sec., May 24, 1872. The first officers were: N. G., Joseph E. Murray ; V. G., John McElwain ; Sec., O. M. Bossert; A. S., John Agey ; Treas., George B. Armstrong. The officers in 1882 are : N. G., James Neely ; V. G., W. J. Masters; Sec., A. Jack ; A. S., G. T. Jack ; Treas., J. F. Zimmerman ; Trustees, L. L. Toy, G. B. Armstrong, Foster Alward. It meets every Saturday night at its hail over the bank. Membership, thirty. LILY DALE LODGE, No. 1216, I. O. G. T., was chartered April 9, 1877, with the following charter members and officers : P. W. C. T., George Smiley; W. C. T., W. D. Hare ; W. V. T., Miss L. Magee; W. Chap., A. A. Hill ; W. Sec„ F. J. Glass ; W. F. S., Michael Dearoff; W. Treas., Miss Eliza Masters ; W. M., W. J. Masters; W. D. M., Kate Dunlap ; W. I. G., Jennie Hare; W. 0. G., C. Phillips; W. I. H. S., Mrs. L. R. Noss. Charter members, John Agey, F. Alward, George Gillon, George Noss, William W. Davis, Cyrus Masters, John Kirkwood, Harvey Wentz, Eliza Masters, Margie Masters. KNIGHTS OF HONOR. A lodge of this order was instituted here Feb. 21, 1882, with the following officers : D., J. M. Kerr ; S. V. D., S. M. Thorp ; A. V. D., J. E. Lane ; Rep., R. K. Stewart ; F. R., John Masters ; Treas., B. F. King. VILLAGES AND RAILROAD STATIONS. McLAUGHLINSTOWN lies in the southeast part of Upper Burrell township, and in a region early settled by the McLaughlins, Kunkles, Swanks, Wylies, McClintocks, Cochran; Byerlys, Murrys, Hunters, and Borlins. It has a store, post-office, and several shops. Dr. William McWilliams is the resident physician, and a practitioner of long and successful practice. Two miles northwest are MILLIGAN'S MILLS. Going north from Parnassus the first station on the Allegheny Valley Railroad is ARNOLD, near which is the residence of Capt. R. P. Crawford and his coal-mines, Here were located the salt-works and oil refinery of Porter, Crawford & Co. TARENTUM STATION is a mile farther northeast, and opposite to which, in the Allegheny River, is Harris' Island. CHARTIERS STATION lies in the northwest part of Lower Burrell township, and is an important shipping-point. Near it live the old families of Leslie, Shearer, Goldinger, George, Miller, Reed, and others. It was the scene of many Indian depredations from 1790 to 1795. BELL TOWNSHIP FORMATION, DESCRIPTION, ETC. BELL TOWNSHIP was made out of parts of the townships of Loyalhanna, Salem, and Ligonier, and legally organized in 1853. Its present boundaries are : North by the Kiskiminetas River, east and southeast by Loyalhanna township, south by Salem, and west by Huntingdon townships. The West Pennsylvania Railroad runs through the township, following its northern and northeastern boundaries. The principal streams are the Kiskiminetas River and Beaver Run. There are some smaller water-courses tributary to these. There are several extensive coal-mines in the township, also some large brick-yards for the manufacture of fire-brick, which forms an extensive industry. EARLY SETTLERS. John Carnahan, the first settler, built a blockhouse on his land, which was the refuge of his neighbors for miles around on threatened invasion by the Indians. Among the early settlers were the Yockeys, Carnahans, Callens, Marshails, Whitfields, Clawsons, Ewings, Hines, Rumbaughs, Taylors, Alcorns, Neelys, McKees, Hiltys, Thompsons, Kuhns, Blairs, Pauls, Kennedys, Weisters, Glasses, Sparkers, Whitezels, McDivitts, Buzzards, Klines, McCauleys, Walkers, Beattys, Gartleys, Montgomery; Goorteys, Bow-mans, Househoulders, Learns, Robinsons, McConnels, Elwoods, Wolfords, Bears, Roughs, Smeltzers, Huffs, Grimes, and Longs. BELL TOWNSHIP - 715 Perryvsille is the principal village, located in the centre of the township, but there are several small stations on the railroad. ST. JAMES' UNION CHURCH (REFORMED AND LUTHERAN). Some three-fourths of a mile north of Helena, on the brow of a precipitous bluff, between two and three hundred feet above the stream of the beautiful Kiskiminetas River, and but a short distance below the once famous Indian village of " Old Town," surrounded on all sides by heavy growth of timber, there is a graveyard of one-half acre, well inclosed with post-and-board fence, where repose the remains of from fifty to one hundred souls. This land, together with some more remaining uninclosed, was donated by Simon Hine for the purpose of a Lutheran and German Reformed Church and burial-ground. Here, to the south, and outside of the inclosure, was begun the building of a church. The timbers had been dressed and drawn to the place, the day appointed for the raising of the log house, the members were on the ground from far and near, one or two courses of logs put on their foundation, when came the question, " To whom shall the houses and ground be deeded?" and until that was decided not another hand to build was lifted, and when decided the issue remained the same. There the few logs placed upon pillars of stone remained untouched, as well as the large heaps lying all around, and there they are today, a decayed and decaying monument of human infirmity and folly. This happened in 1803, but the graveyard was opened a few years sooner. Some years after this failure, Christopher Yockey, of the Reformed Church, gave a lot of ground, about three miles southwest of the meribah (the place of strife), described above, the site of the present brick church. The old or first Union Congregational constitution bears date March 9, 1815. The lot of ground was surveyed October 10th of that year, and the deed for the land dated the 5th of the following December. Although the land was not deeded and surveyed until 1815, this church edifice, log structure, was built about 1808, when the ground was simply marked out. The first Reformed pastor was Rev. John William Weher, who came not earlier than 1808, nor later than 1812. He labored several years, not later than 1816. His successor was Rev. William Weinel, whose pastorate continued until 1838. The contract for the building of the present brick church, for the sum of twenty-two hundred dollars, was executed April 9, 1838, between Jacob Smeltzer and John Ringle, Lutheran, and John Whitesell, Reformed, together with others of both congregations. The builders were Matthew Callen and John Paul. Rev. Henry Knepper, Reformed, preached here about two years, residing at Kittanning, preaching also at Butler. He was here as late as March 13, 1846. Rev. B. D. Ernst visited the congregation some, and preached Oct. 7, 1847. Rev. H. E. F. Voight preached here, probably between the pastorates of Revs. Weinel and Knepper. Rev. Samuel H. Geisy began his labors Nov. 19, 1848, and served the Reformed congregation until July, 1855. The pastorate of Rev. Thomas G. Apple began Jan. 1, 1856, and continued until April 1, 1857, when the Salem and this congregation were separated from Greensburg and Irwin and constituted a charge. His successor was Rev. Richard P. Thomas, from April, 1858, to April 1, 1863. Rev. T. J. Barkley immediately succeeded him, and resigned Jan. 1, 1867. Rev. T. F. Stauffer's pastorate was served from May, 1867, to September, 1871. On Oct. 30, 1870, the whole number of members was one hundred and twenty-four, of which fifty-nine communed. At this time the congregation fell into confusion and strife, starting in a proposition to separate from the Lutherans, some favoring the project and others opposing, which led to the pastor's resignation, who preached his closing sermon May 14, 1871. Rev. J. B. Welty preached his trial sermon Aug. 18, 1872, and was elected pastor, and ordained and installed September 18th following. He resigned Sept. 16, 1873. Rev. John McConnell commenced his pastorate June 2, 1874, and in the next three years baptized twenty, confirmed seven, and added one on certificate. COOK TOWNSHIP. ORGANIZATION. THERE is a diversity of opinion respecting the causes which brought about a division of Donegal township and the formation of Cook. Many regarded the division of the township, especially for the practical purposes of elections and the keeping up of roads, a necessity long before it was actually accomplished; and the causes which operated, and the influences which brought it about, had been at work much earlier. Before the township was divided the elections were held at Stahlstown. This was a matter of complaint to those resident beyond the village of Donegal, in the southern portion of the township. But it is a matter of notoriety that while a small portion of the people on both sides of the line were dissatisfied, yet the township was divided before the majority of the people knew it, so do they still profess. The advantages, however, of the division have been, and are now, so apparent that no one should or does cavil. It seems altogether probable that those gentlemen who were very zealous for the popular good and exerted themselves in having the division made early secured the co-operation of the Hon. David Cook, at that time an associate judge. Mr. Cook, by the way, was father of William A. Cook, Esq., a practitioner at the District of Columbia bar; and at present retained in some important cases as counsel for the government. Mr. Cook proved to be the right man' in the right place, and his influence, coupled with the active efforts of the friends of the project, were entirely successful. The township was divided, and the new one was called " Cook." EARLY SETTLERS. Of the early settlers within these limits were Robert Campbell, father of " Elder" Robert Campbell, and the progenitor of a numerous offspring, many of whom reside within easy distance of their paternal homestead. He came in with his family before the Revolution. He was murdered by the Indians and left in the fields, where was also left his murdered wife, when the Indians made their descent on that family and carried off the children, all except one. Of this we have spoken in a former chapter. The children taken were Thomas, Polly, Ibly (Isabella), Sarah, and the Robert of whom we spoke. The captives were separated, and part of them taken to Canada. Thomas was bought by an English officer and taken to England, and it is not known what became of him. After a captivity of about four years the ;girls returned to the valley. Robert returned about the close of the war, having been in captivity about six years. Isabella was afterward married to a man named Galbraith, and was the grandmother of George Campbell, Esq., of Mansville. The old inhabitants say that about that time, probably subsequent to that, there was a block-house near the Campbell farm, which itself was about a mile westward of Pleasant Grove Church. The location is now on the farm of James Freeman, Capt. Richard Williams was a very old .settler along the Four-Mile Run, and the block-house built on his land was called " Fort Williams." All remembrance of him or his family appears to be entirely dissipated in the upper valley. This was in all reasonable probability the same structure which latterly was known as the " Miller block-house," on the farm then owned by George Miller, some of whose descendants still own the place. Miller left a large family, most of whom have children living through Ligonier Valley, Unity and Derry townships. Miller was one of the first Roman Catholics in the valley, and he and his family to attend church had to go to the " Hill Church," now St. Vincents. Thither also they removed the remains of the members of the family when they died. Others of the early settlers not specially named in the history of the county at large or in the history of the other townships of the valley were' the Gettemys, the Pipers, the Thompsons, the Binkeys, the Bests, the Phillippis, the Beistals, the Matthews, the Groves, the Parks,—one of whom, Zebulon Parks, was a Revolutioner with Washington,—the Haugers, Hineses, Hoods, Felgars, Noehls, Stahls, Brants, Ca-yens, Withrows, McDowells, Wellers. CIVIL OFFICERS. Among the first justices of the peace of the town-ship after its erection was Seymour Campbell, a very prominent local man, and a great adviser and peace-maker among his neighbors. His name is borne by many namesakes. There also were James McDowell, James McClain, John. Campbell, John Berg, James Witherow, Eli K. Caven, J. G. Weaver, Lewis Thompson, and Josiah McDowell. The constabulary duties have been divided between a very meagre number, the evident policy being when a man is found fit and competent to exercise the duties of the office to keep - 716 - COOK TOWNSHIP - 717 him in. The first man on the list (in the recollection of these and without consulting the records) is John Berg, who was succeeded by William Gettemy, he by William Thompson, and he by George Campbell. EARLY TIMES. During the times of the Indian troubles, through the Revolution, and down to even a few years after the end of the war, the district of what is now Cook township was the scene of many savage outrages. Of these particular incidents, which we think sufficient to cover the whole grounds, we have mentioned in the general history of the county. The captivity of Andrew Harman, and the troubles about the Williams' block-house on the Four-Mile Run, as also the incidents connected with the early life of Robert Campbell, belong to the little region of territory bounded by the lines of the township. In order to understand how it was that the Indian depredations were carried into this remote region, bounded as it was by hills on both sides, and difficult of access from the North and the South, we must remember that the great Catawba war trail, which ran north and south, ran along the summit and sides of the Chestnut Ridge, thus passing along the whole length of Ligonier Valley. These depredations, as has been said, were mostly committed by the Indians who traversed this path. At one time, late in the Revolution, there was in this part of the valley no security against the tomahawk, the scalping-knife, or the torch. VILLAGES. The elections for Cook township are held at the school-house at the village and post-office of Mansville, which is located in the middle western part of the township, but in a nearly central location with regard to the populated portion thereof. It scarcely is entitled, in point of numbers, to be ranked as a village, but from its situation it has always been a point of interest for the people of the whole township. It is a " veritable village at a cross-roads," and these roads are much traveled. The gentlemen who owned the land there when there was talk of founding a town, some seventy years ago, from the inducements seemingly presenting themselves along one of the old wagon-roads, were James Phinney, Campbell, James McClain, Esq., and James McKenzie. The first house was built by George G. Campbell. Most all the old settlers were Campbells, and with all propriety it should have. been named "Campbell's Town." Shortly after that date a tavern was kept there by a Henry Knox, and since that time William Gettemy was in the tavern business there. From the temperance proclivities of the inhabitants, and their known aversion to intoxicating beverages, it would not justify a person now to take out license. At one time there were two country stores in the village, but at present there is only one store, owned and kept by the Messrs. Keifer, of Ligonier. - 46 - STAHLSTOWN VILLAGE is situated on the "Old Felgar road," running from Somerset to Greensburg, and became a village in the days of the road-wagons. It lies in the middle southern part of the township, and within the line which divides Cook from Donegal. The road from Donegal down the Valley to Ligonier crosses through the place, and it is distant from Donegal four miles, and from Ligonier ten miles. Most of the ground upon which the buildings of the village have been built was owned by Leonard Stahl. Enos King built the first house ; it is a stone house, and is now owned by John Roadman. When the matter of opening out a village was first talked upon, it became a subject for discussion what the name of the place and post-office should be. Being then in Donegal township, many were for naming it Centreville. To this some objected, and especially did the Post-office Department object to the name on the ground that there was a Centreville post-office in Somerset County, Pa., and this but a few miles away. It was finally called Stahlstown, because the name of the original proprietor, as has been said, was Stahl. Many years ago a tavern-house was kept in Stahlstown by George Campbell ; William Rickart figured in the same business afterwards. These, as was the custom of nearly all public-houses of that day, sold whiskey. But now two public-houses for the entertainment of passengers are kept in the village, but at neither are liquors sold. There is not a licensed house in Cook township. In the census report the village of Stahlstown is not tabulated, but its population is included in that of the township. It has, however, two good stores, a resident physician, a Methodist Protestant and a Methodist Episcopal Church, which, although a part and parcel of the village, are really located within the limits of Donegal township, the parsonage for the former, a school-house, tannery, and the various shops common and needful in country villages. PLEASANT GROVE. A very alluring by-way resting-place is Pleasant Grove, the name given to the cluster of buildings about Pleasant Grove Church. This is on the right hand side of the Valley road, going from Stahlstown to Ligonier. The two churches, the Old Donegal, or "Pleasant Grove," and the Methodist Episcopal Church (organized in 1847), the one of stone, the other of brick, lie in close distance of each other, embowered among the monster trees of the old forests, and around them in the quiet country are spread the quieter graves of the dead. It is a spot to attract a loiterer who wanders by when the weather is warm and dry, and the harvesters are out in the " happy harvest-fields." Few churches in the valley have a more interesting history than the " Old Donegal," which we give herewith. 718 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. DONEGAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NOW KNOWN AS "PLEASANT GROVE," the last of the five primitive churches which belonged to the Old Redstone Presbytery, but which now belongs to that of Blairsville, obtained, April 25, 1785, Rev. James Power to supply one day. With Fairfield and Wheatfield, April 21, 1787, it called, unsuccessfully, Rev. James Hughes. Rev. George Hill, as stated in the case of Fairfield, became its first pastor, April 7, 1792, giving it for six years one-fourth of his time, and then one-third, till Oct. 22, 1817. At this time, without authority from Presbytery, he ceased his labors there. Of this the church complained to Presbytery, which declared emphatically that he ought not to have done so. He then tendered his resignation, and was released, giving afterwards to Ligonier the portion of time thus disengaged. For over six years Donegal had occasional supplies, until June 17, 1824, as already stated, it obtained Rev. Swan, than whom no other man ever held so high a place in their confidence, esteem, and tender love. Oct. 5, 1841, he resigned. From this time, with Ligonier, it became a separate charge, and received as pastor Mr. A. B. Clark, who was there ordained and installed, Jan. 26, 1842. Rev. George Hill preached, A. Donaldson charged the pastor, and P. Hassinger the people. This acceptable pastor was released Oct. 22, 1851. May 31, 1853, his successor, Rev. D. Harbison, was installed, Rev. George Hill again preached, S. Swan charged the pastor, and R. Lewis the people. He, too, was acceptable and useful, but resigned Oct. 3, 1855. June 3, 1856, his successor, Mr. John Allen Brown, was ordained and installed. Rev. S. H. Shepley preached, N. H. Gillett charged the pastor, and R. Stevenson the' people. Acceptable as his predecessors, he resigned Oct. 21, 1859. June 8, 1860, he was succeeded by Rev. R. Stevenson. At the installation Rev. S. H. Shepley again preached, Dr. Smith charged the pastor, and J. W. Walker the people. Donegal township being divided, and this church being in the new organization, changed its name, by leave of Presbytery, to Pleasant Grove in this pastorate. Mr. Stevenson resigned the charge Oct. 18, 1871. Oct. 29, 1872, the present pastor, Mr. E. G. McKinley, was ordained and installed at Ligonier. Rev. D, W. Townsend preached, W. Cunningham charged the pastor, and T. R. Ewing the people. This church has had no stated supply, seven pastors, but never produced a Minister. Among all its elders, one noble, old, godly man, Father Robert Campbell, was greatly pre-eminent. Donegal, now Pleasant Grove, is regarded as exemplifying a sentiment and illustrating a theory of biologists. They maintain that affectionate, tender, frequent, and prolonged intercourse between different persons tends to induce a similarity of appearance, attitude, movement, face, and features among them. Thus a husband and wife, who at first have no noticeable resemblance to each other, after years of happy wedded life grow gradually like each other, and seem as if they had been kindred born. The philosophy is this : Frequent free. flow of feeling in a social, lively way, as a great chemical life-power, predisposes the respective capacity of our nature to take impressions. Just then the sunlight of the happy faces of fellow-beings beaming brightly upon us leaves on our features in photograph, more or less noticeably, the impress and imprint of theirs, while they in turn, by reciprocal emotion, carry away the " image and superscription" of ourselves. Thus whole communities, in some cases, are assimilated, and may be readily recognized by their common likeness. Donegal in " the olden time" was eminently, notoriously characterized by the freest kind of frequent social intercourse. It was so indulged as to bring their whole being into a very glow of warmth and life. Beyond controversy they did wondrously assimilate to a commonness, a oneness of feature and expression which no observer could fail to notice. To such a degree did this occur that in surrounding localities it was a common thing to hear the remark, " I cannot tell who he is, but I know he is a Donegalian." Even at the distance of a day's journey from their native, social homes have they been recognized as Donegalians, from their manifest peculiarity of face, features, and style of speech. In the upper part of Ligonier Valley are still preserved many anecdotes of this eccentric man, and in nearly every religious work having reference to the early history of the Old Redstone Presbytery there is something said about " Father" or " Elder" Robert Campbell. If his character was not vouched for by some good authorities we might be led to think that the designation was more of a nickname than a well-earned cognomen. For of nicknames it may be observed that they very often describe, and are intended to describe, the character better than any other description whatever ; for this use came they into the world ; but we have noticed that they are to be taken contrariwise when a churchly word is applied by a worldly people. There is, for instance, a one-story log church, with bench seats, standing on the top of the Chestnut Ridge, which having been built on land donated by Mr. Solomon Blank, has been for half a generation known as " Solomon's Temple," and we know a man who from his pious manner and worldly ways is known to every one as the "Apostle James." Campbell was a man of wonderful placidity of temper, and his mind taking a religious turn he excelled in organizing pious devotional exercises and systematizing the efforts of the pastors, just as he would have excelled an executive officer had he devoted himself to politics or civil affairs with the expectation of advancement. He was a representative of a class of men, hardy in body and mind, who were bred in Western Pennsylvania. A few observations on his character will readily illustrate what we say. COOK TOWNSHIP - 719 The Rev. Adam Torrance, speaking of him, says that he enjoyed but limited advantages of religious instruction in his early youth, yet being of an inquiring turn of mind he gave considerable attention to the doctrines of the Bible, and tried to understand them as they were generally believed and taught. But looking at the doctrines by reason and experience only he could not understand some of them, and especially the doctrine of the resurrection of the body, which appeared to him utterly incredible. During his captivity among the Indians a circumstance occurred which served to strengthen his unbelief in that doctrine. A fellow-prisoner who twice attempted to escape was pursued and recaptured both times. By attempt-ing to escape a second time he had forfeited his life, and was accordingly bound to a sapling at the head of a ravine, and with a pile of wood built around him and fired he was burned to ashes. All the white captives in possession of the Indians of that place, Robert Campbell being one of them, were obliged to witness the scene, as a warning against attempts to escape. The night following there was a very heavy fall of rain, and soon afterwards Campbell visited the scene of the burning and found the ashes and remaining brands and everything else on and about the spot completely swept away by the land-flood. Where, he asked himself, are the particles of which that body was composed? Some of them evaporated and diffused through the air, others mingled with ashes and various forms of rubbish and swept into the stream below ; and how can they ever be collected and reunited so as to form a living body ? Such were his silent reflections on the subject, and more than ever was his unbelief in the doctrine of' the resurrection confirmed. After his return to the Valley he occasionally heard sermons, but being preached by uneducated preachers he received no light on the subject of his doubts, but hearing of a certain minister going to preach at a particular place he went to hear him, when it chanced that the doctrine of the resurrection was a branch of die principal subject of the discourse. The minister's last answer to the objectors was given in the words of the Saviour to the Sadducees : " Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." From that date Campbell dated his spiritual regener-ation. The following remarks as to the religious tempera-ment and zeal of the worthy man are from Rev. Aaron Williams' article, " The Religious History," in the Centenary Memorial : “ Still another of these elders, who through faith obtained a good report,' was 'Father' Robert Campbell, of the church of Donegal, now, in the Presbytery of Blairsville. He loved communion seasons, and besides attending those of his own church, with all the accompanying exercises of four or five days, be was found at the communions of neighboring churches, even when, as he once said, in order to do so he had to fight the devil and a buckwheatfield ready to be harvested, and at last only gained the victory by running away from both. Before the pastor's arrival on such occasions he would not allow the people either inside or outside of the house to be unemployed. He would sing or pray, or call on some one else to do so, generally dropping a weighty thought, pun-gent remark, or brief exhortation. He seldom spoke five sentences at a time. His very soul would sing.. He had no stereotyped prayer, but talksd familiarly, though reverently, to God, as a child pleading with a father. Rarely could he afford to lodge with Christians if Godless families lived near. These he went to visit, and with them read the Bible, talk, and pray." The first church building was a rude log cabin, in which the congregation worshiped for many years. In 1832 a substantial and for the day a very neat stone building was erected. John Lane did the mason-work, and Seymour Moses the carpenter-work. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. LEWIS THOMPSON. John Thompson, the father of George Thompson, and grandfather of Lewis Thompson, the subject of this brief memoir, migrated from Cecil County, Md., to Greene County, Pa., in the early part of the present century. From there, after a residence of one year, he removed into Westmoreland, and settled within the bounds of Cook township, then Donegal, where he remained until his death in 1874. He was of Scotch-Irish nativity. His wife, Alice Nelson, of English extraction, he married in Maryland. Of his children, George, the second son, was born in 1811 in Maryland, before the removal of his father. He was married to Rachel Felgar, a resident of that part of Donegal township which is now Cook. He was a farmer by occupation. Beginning without any means of his own, like many of the best bone and blood, he by frugality, economy, and energy secured a farm of his own, and raised and educated a family of' three sons and three daughters, three of his children out of a family of nine dying young. His children were the following: John (died young) ; Lewis, whose portrait appears in connection with this sketch ; Mar-tha Jane (died in youth) ; Harriet, married to Seymour Brant ; George W. ; Eveline, married to William Fisher; Mary, married to William Parke ; James, now a partner with Lewis Thompson in the mercantile business ; and Elizabeth, who died in childhood. Lewis Thompson was born Oct. 20, 1836. He passed his first years at home upon his father's farm, and in due time secured all the benefits of such a common schooling as the school system of the day afforded. Being soon recognized as a scholarly boy, he had no difficulty in securing a school at the early age of sev-enteen. Devoting himself to his books, he in the mean time pursued his studies under private tutors, in special classes, and in the graded schools which were instituted for training teachers in their profes-sion. He devoted himself to the profession of teach-ing,. which he followed for eighteen years. He held 720 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. all grades of certificates, from provisional to permanent, and was regarded as one of the principal and most successful educators in the county. When the civil war broke out he enlisted in 1863 in the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, Col. Dale, and served in this regiment until lie was discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment. He re-enlisted in the latter part of 1864, in the Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col. Trimble, afterwards Col. Levi A. Dodd. He went out as second lieutenant of Company E, was promoted to first lieutenant of the company, and served as quartermaster of the regiment; was in the battles of Fort Steadman, Hatcher's Run, and in the closing battles before Petersburg, and was honorably discharged at the end of the war. After the war he again took up his profession, and taught a select school in Ligonier borough for ten months, and continued teaching in different places until 1868, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Derry Station as junior partner of T. G. Stewart & Co., in which he remained for one year, when he went to Indiana County, where he started in business for himself in his own name. After remaining here eighteen months he removed to Stahlstown, in Westmoreland. Here he began business in his own name in 1870, and so carried it on with such success that after it had assumed such proportions that it was necessary for additional assistance in its management he took in his younger brother, James, as a partner. The firm is now styled Lewis Thompson & Brother. Mr. Thompson, possessing all the essential elements of a successful business man, has built up a trade of great extent. Their business is the largest in their section of the country. He was elected a justice of the peace while he was a resident of Indiana County, and in 1874 when he removed to Stahlstown, and again in 1879. He is known as a gentleman who takes an active part in all public improvements, and as an advocate of all reform measures calculated to better the society and the world about him. His family has been in politics Whig and Republican, Mr. Thompson casting his first vote for Lincoln. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has held the office of class-leader and steward in the congregation to which he belongs ever since he has resided in Stahlstown. He was married in 1863 to Miss Malinda Withrow, oldest daughter of James Withrow. Esq., of Cook township. She died in 1865, leaving' a daughter. He again married in 1867, Lucinda Parke, who is a daughter of Zebulon Parke, deceased, of Cook township, and a granddaughter of Zebulon Parke, a Revolutionary officer of considerable distinction. Their family consists of one daughter, a son dying in infancy. WILLIAM WEAVER. The now venerable William Weaver, of Cook township, was born in Somerset County, Pa., Sept. 18, 1809. His grandfather was William Weaver, a native of Germany, and a minister in the German Reformed Church. He emigrated to America when a young man, and died in the early part of the present century in Sewickley, Westmoreland Co. His father was also named William. He was a millwright by trade, and married Mary Aukeny, daughter of Christian Aukeny, of Somerset County, Pa., where be located and engaged in milling. In 1812 he removed to what is now known as Weaver's Mill, in Westmoreland County. Here he spent the remainder of his life. There were fifteen children in his family, thirteen of whom are still living, William is the fourth child, and was about three years old when his father settled here. His opportunities for obtaining an education were very limited. He learned the business of farming and the milling trade, and after his father's death, in 1828, he purchased the mill and land belonging thereto. He was married Sept. 7, 1837, to Jane Grove. They have five children,—Mary, married to L. N. Phillippi, resides in Kansas; Jacob G., married to Sarah J. Hood, is engaged in the milling business at the old homestead ; Margaret, married John W. Phillippi, and lives near Ligonier; William, C. is engaged in the manufacture of buggies in Somerset, Pa. ; Lewis A. is a merchant, and resides with his father. Mr. Weaver holds the important local office of school director, and during George Ritner's administration was first lieutenant of the Donegal militia. He and his wife have long been members of the Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church. Mr. Weaver has held the office of elder in that organization for more than thirty years. He has lived a quiet, useful life, and has the respect of his neighbors. PENN TOWNSHIP. AFTER the application for the erection of a new township had been pending for ten years the Court of Quarter Sessions for this county, on Feb. 23, 1855, erected the new township, entitled "Penn township." It received its name from the founder of the State of Pennsylvania. The new township was formed out of portions of Hempfield, Franklin, Salem, and North Huntingdon townships. Penn township includes within its bounds the " Manor of Denmark," as laid out by the proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania, and is considered to be one of the most fertile portions of the State. We annex its boundaries as erected : "Beginning at a point on Turtle Creek where the State road from Greensburg to Chalfant's crosses the same ; thence in a direct line southeast to John I. Marchand's; thence southeast along the road leading to Walthour's mill on Bush Creek ; thence up said creek, and by Altman's mill, Klingensmith's mill, and John Harman's mill to where the State road to Salem crosses the same on Peter Row's farm ; thence along said road to near the house of Isaac Keck, in Salem township ; thence by the Puckety road to the Cross-roads on Borland's farm ; thence south of John Borland's and Glunt's farm to Lyons' run ; thence down Lyons' run to Turtle Creek; thence down Turtls Creek to the place of beginning." Within its limits is a part of the old Penn Manor, and also the village of Bouquet, named after the famous British officer who was engaged in the early Indian wars in its immediate vicinity. The surface of the township is hilly, the soil fertile, and the farms well cultivated. There exists an abundance of coal, which is susceptible of easy extraction, being very near the surface. The veins are generally six feet in thickness. There are extensive coal-works in various parts of the township. EARLY SETTLEMENT. Its territory was occupied by pioneers at an early date. George McWilliams located on a farm now owned by his grandson, A. McWilliams, and was driven off and kept off his lands seven years by the Indians, and went for safety to McKeesport, where there was a small fort for the protection of the early settlers. He brought a saddle from Ireland when he emigrated, with which he paid for about three hundred and fifty acres of land, now located in the northwest part of the township. The fifth generation of the family is now residing on the place. He built a house near where the present residence of A. McWilliams stands, which is considerably over a hundred years old. Jacob Berlin settled in the township very early, and in his house the Rodgers family was captured and carried away into captivity. The house of Jacob Berlin was better than the cabins generally, and had a bright shingled roof, which frightened the Indians off from attacking it, is they looked upon that sparkling roof with fear and superstition. Among the first settlers were Balthazer Myers, the Ewings, Fritchmans, George McWilliams, Paul Neligh, Adam Kemerer, Christian Eberhard, Jacob Brinker, Michael Fink, the Knappenbergers, Keisters, Heislers, Kistlers, Byerlis, Snyders, Berlins, Lauffers, Degardens, Beswicks, Gongaures, Mulls, Waugamans, Blackburns, Millers, Holtzers, Soles, Walthours, Highbergers, Shusters, Brawleys, Sowashes, Newdorfers, Kifers, Kinglensmiths, Thomases, Klines, Clarks, and others. The Klingensmith family, on the farm formerly of Marchand or Foster, now owned and in possession of Mr. Ferree, were all massacred by the Indians, except a little boy, whom they carried off, and who was kept away until he was twenty-eight years of age. He then returned and claimed the farm, but as no one could identify him he lost it, and returned in disgust to the Indians, among whom he ever afterwards lived. This murdered family, father, mother, and four children, were buried by the neighbors, all in one grave, behind their cabin. An apple-tree grew at the grave, and fell only a few years ago. For several years after this sad occurrence the children at school Were in constant dread of Indian raids, and alarms were com mon. We are indebted to Dr. Frank Cowan for the following, it being part of a letter from Cyrus Cort, Esq., a descendant of Andrew Byerly, addressed to Mr. Cowan, who has taken much interest in our early county history, and by whom we have been much encouraged in the course of our inquiries : "In the northern and western parts of Westmoreland you will find persons bearing the name of Byerly, or whose maternal ancestors bore that name. These are the descendants of Andrew Byerly, who came to this country from the German Fatherland in the early days of colonial history. He settled first in Lancaster County, Pa., and built either the first house or first hotel erected in that place. He afterwards moved to Cumberland, Md., where he followed the occupation of baker. He baked for Braddock's army when it lay at that place previous to its ill-fated expedition. And now for an incident. While the army was encampsd at Cumberland, a number of friendly Indian chiefs, with their warriors of the Catawba tribe, visited the camp and offered their services to Gen. Braddock, desiring to accompany his army in the expedition teat proved so disastrous. The haughty Briton despised such allies, and foolishly declined to accept their services. In his chagrin at being - 721 - 722 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. rejected one of the chiefs laid a wager of thirty shillings that he had a warrior that could bsat any white man running. Gen. George Wash-ington, then major and aide-de-camp, took the bet, and got Andrew Byerly to conssnt to a foot-race with the Indian, which he did, and came off victorious. In course of time Byerly moved to Bedford, Pa., where he baked for the British garrison stationed at that place. He afterwards received a grant of three hundred acres of land or, Busby Bun, near where Harrison City now stands, from the British officer com-manding at Fort Duquesne, in order to make a comfortable stopping-place for express-riders and parties traveling between Fort Duquesne and the more, eastern forts and stations, viz.: Ligonier, Bedford, Loudon, etc. Andrew Byerly had occupied his station in the wilderness but a few months when the Pontiac Indian outbreak occurred. A general rally of the Western savages took place for the extermination of the whites. All the forts in Western Pennsylvania were speedily invested by the Indians. Providentially tile Byerlys were notified in the nick of time by an Indian or Indians whom they had befriended. Ths family sought protection in Fort Ligonier. Jacob Byeriy, who resided so many years along the turnpike between Jacksonville and Stewartsville, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and whose remains lie beneath a military monument in the Brush Creek burial-ground, WM then three years old, and used to say that he distinctly recollected the flight of the family from their home at Byerly's Station to Fort Ligonier. "The first night the family occupied one of the outhouses attached to the fort. Next morning a body of Indians commenced tiring upon the fort. for admission. Before the family could get in the bullets of the Savages were rattling against the gate above their heads.  "At length Col. Bouquet, or Bonnet, as they used to spell it, the gallant Swiss officer in the British service, came from Carlisle, to the relief of the besieged forts with an army of five hundred men. The Indians withdrew a few day! before the arrival of Col. Bouquet to Fort Ligonier. from this point Andrew Byerly accompanied Col. Bouquet. He took along his son Michael, with the view of recovering some of the prop-erty which was left behind in their flight to the fort. After proceeding a few miles from Fort Ligonier, for some cause or the other, the boy Michael was directed by his father to return and remain at the fort. As he ran back to Fort Ligonier, he saw a great many trails where the Indiana had crossed the road immediately in the rear of the advancing army. Next day, when Col. Bouquet with his forces was in the immediate vicinity of the Byerly farm and station, the advanced guard or forlorn hope, consisting of Andrew Byerly and eighteen soldiers, was fired upon by the Indians in ambush. Twelve out of the eighteen fell from the effect of the first volley from the concealed savages. Mr. Byerly and six other survivors succeeded in reaching the main body of the army. Thus began the battle of Bushy Run. It commenced about two in the afternoon and continued till night, when it ceased. At daylight next morning it was again resumed, and lasted until about 11 o'clock A. M.. At this point Capt. Bullet told Col. Bouquet that they must try some other plan, or they would all be slain by the Indians. The colonel asked Bullet what he thought had best be done. Bullet proposed a manoeuver by which he might move down a ravine with a company of soldiers and get in the rear of the savages. The colonel directed him to proceed accordingly. With his company the captain soon gained the rear unperceived by the Indians, and gave them an unexpected volley froth that quarter. This, in connsction with other movements on the part of the soldiers of Bouquet, led the savages to believe that reinforce-ments had come to the aid of the whites, and with a despairing ysll they took to their heels in wild dismay. Andrew Byerly bin:weir heard Capt. Bullied ask Col. Bouquet for the company which gained the rear of the savages and turned the tide of battle. His oldest son, Michael By-oily, used to say that he frequently heard Col. Bouquet and other British officers state afterwards, at his father's house, that they lost one hun-dred and thirty men in the battle. A number of wounded died afterwards, ten of whom were buried where Harrison City now stands. Mrs. Byerly, whose maiden name was Beatrice Gulden, or Goolden, was a Swiss by birth, and from the same part of Switzerland that Col. Bouquet hailed from. They had several long conversations respecting the battle afterwards when Col. Bouquet stopped at their station-house, as he went to and fro between the different forts on the frontier." EARLY SCHOOLS. As may be supposed, the standard of education was not very high. The old-time schoolmasters went around nearly every fall, as soon as the farmers had housed their potatoes and corn, with their subscription books or papers, and when any pedagogue obtained the necessary number of scholars to remunerate him for his winter's work he signified the day he would take up school. class-books were the New England Primer, United States Spelling-Book, Western Calculator, and Bible and Testament. The catechism had to be committed to memory, and was a very prominent feature throughout the term, which usually was from December 1st to April 1st. The picture of John Rogers at the stake was indelibly fixed on every young mind. The writing department was exclusively by copies written at the top of a page of foolscap by the master himself, such as " Command you may your mind from play," and as steel or other metallic pens had not then come into existence, it kept the " master" pretty busy to have all the quill-pens mended before school opened in the morn-ing, and mend for such as had no pen-knife or could not do it during the day. School-hours were from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., with an hour's recess at noon for dinner, when the very young but old-fashioned little women unrolled from the lunch-basket or satchel the thick slices of solid home-made bread, weIl covered with the yellow, and that again deeply overlaid with apple-butter or sauce, and they and their young brothers demolished it all with keen, sharp appetites. Those who could pot pay for their schooling were hot neglected, as all were free and expected to attend school, and at the end of the term the township officers certified such scholars as were too poor to pay to the county commissioners, from whom the " master" received his pay for the indigent ones. Education in all essentials, solid education to make good and use-ful citizens, was as thorough then as now. It was more highly prized then than now. Boys went to school every winter from the age of seven or eight till about sixteen. Their time was of value, they had to pay for tuition, and they appreciated the importance of it in after-life, hence they went at it with a will, just as energetically as they would go into a harvest-field, consequently they became expert and thoroughly drilled in spelling, reading, writing, and arithmetic. These are the essential tools for the transaction of business, as well as the keys to knowledge, and as the latter is impossible in the aggregate either to acquire or retain, and as each can profit most by acquiring that which belongs to his trade or profession, the old system worked well, and produced strong men and women in all departments of life. Those who had a taste for going farther than the rudiments of these schools always succeeded in obtaining what they wanted, for " wherever there is a will there is a way." MANOR CHURCH (UNION). " Denmark Manor," a fine tract of land, lying from eight to twenty miles west of Greensburg, WAS so des-ignated by the Penns. This part of the county is at home called simply " The Manor." Hence the name of. this particular district. The settlement very early PENN TOWNSHIP - 723 contained among its hardy pioneers a goodly number of Germans, among whom were the Degardens, Brinkers, Nelighs [Nalys], Lauffers, Finks, Eberhards, Snyders, Berlins, Byerles, Kemerers, Kistlers, Heislers, Keisters, Knappenbergers, etc. Many of the immigrants came from Northampton, York, Adams, and Franklin Counties, and some from Maryland. For years the members of the Reformed Church in this section belonged to the Brush Creek congregation, one of the oldest in Western Pennsylvania. They would come from Puckety Run, Beaver Run, and from beyond New Salem. But these distances being found so inconvenient, they resolved to organize a congregation more accessible to themselves and children. Nothing is on record of their action prior to December, 1809, when a building committee was appointed to erect a union house of worship. It was composed of Paul Neligh and Adam Kemerer, Reformed, and Christian Eberhard, Lutheran. Bezahlmeisters, paymasters for the work, or treasurers, were Jacob Brinker, Reformed, and Michael Fink, Lutheran. Jan. 12, 1811, a contract was entered into for the erection of the church edifice, to be in size thirty-eight by forty-six feet. Peter Henkel was to receive two hundred and twenty-five dollars for the mason-work. May 15, 1811, the work began. The committee furnished the material, such as stone, brick, mortar, scaffolding,, and the boarding of the hands. The corner-stone was laid June 3, 1811, by Revs. John William Weber, Reformed, and Michael John Steck. Jacob Dry contracted with the building committee, Dec. 24,1813, at six hundred dollars, for doing the joiner-work, the painting, and glazing. All the material needed and a dwelling for the contractor was to be furnished him. The work was to begin by May 12,1814. He was to be paid in full for his work June 7,1815, when, no doubt, the edifice was finished and dedicated. A debt, however, for materials still remained at late as the fall of 1825, when it was paid by subscription. The church grounds were owned by Conrad Knappenberger and Jacob Brinker, from whom two acres were at first bought, and afterwards more was added by purchases from Paul Brinker and Jacob Lauffer. Universally at that time the German Churches had a school-house near by, which was the case here. The German school-teacher at this place when Dr. Hacke came into the charge was Andreas Almose, who also led the singing, of the congregation. After the school-house was in part turned into a dwelling it furnished a home for the sexton. The old structure is now over sixty-five years old. In the severest cold weather the public services were held in the old log school-house, which, "when no school was kept, was a convenient,and common retreat for the neighbors' sheep, which sought shelter there." The windows furnished sufficient light, and the old log benches, splitting at the auger-holes or losing a leg, would sometimes, when heavily crowded, break down in the midst of the solemn services, causing some most ludicrous interruptions. From such considerations, among others, it was finally determined to introduce stoves into the church. But there the difficult problem then was how to get rid of the smoke. There were in this church, as in those elsewhere, no flues or chimneys built, against which omission Jacob Brinker had stoutly remonstrated. As the smoke had to be passed out somehow, they first ran the end of a pipe through a broken window-pane, then they put the pipes out over the two doors, and next one was put through the wall on either side of the pulpit. This, it was true, gave some warmth to the minister, but when the wind came from that quarter it put him under a cloud sometimes, greatly to his discomfort. According as the wind blew the house would be filled with smoke, not of incense, well-nigh suffocating the pastor and incensing the people to tears. Then the pipes were taken at the next trial through the ceiling and out of the roof, but this at one time set the house on fire, so at last the chimney was built, and relief was thus obtained. The Reformed pastors have been : 1815-16, John William Weber; 1816-19, Henry Habliston ; 1819, Nicholas P. Hacke, D.D. Hill's congregation and that at New Salem are daughters of the Manor Church, but lately other great losses have befallen it by removals to Manor Station, Scottdale, Greensburg, etc. THE LUTHERAN CONGREGATION, ST. JOHN'S, was organized in 1807-8, but divine services were held occasionally ten years or more previous to this date at the houses in the vicinity of the present church edifice by Rev. Michael John Steck. The Lutheran pastors have been : 1807-30, Michael John Steck ; 1830-48, John Michael Steck (son of above) ; 1848-68, Jonas Mechling, after whom the congregation was served by several ministers till March, 1875, when Rev. J. A. Scheffer received and accepted a call. In early times, and largely continued to the present time, all their church properties were held in union between the Reformed and the Lutherans. This grew out of the circumstances holding in olden times. In Germany and in Eastern Pennsylvania many families of the twin churches of the Reformation were intermarried. The original sharp controversial differences had to a great degree subsided into a broader fraternity. The two denominations were practically much alike in origin, history, customs, language, and worship. They mutually intermingled freely in social and religious life. Their aims, trials, dangers, hopes, fears, and gains were one. Being each weak in numbers, and so unable at that time to build separate churches for each denomination's scattered people, they joined both hands and means in the work. Neither church had ministers enough to supply every small congregation with its own service, if but only 724 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. once a week. In most cases, indeed, every four weeks, or at longer intervals, was as often as they could hold service. Hence, living in the same community, they could reciprocally attend each other's service alternately in the same house of worship. Thus at the same time, whether the appointment were by a Lutheran minister on one Sunday in each month, and by a Reformed minister on a Sunday at an interval between, the same mixed audience would be present at church. So, too, the same schoolmaster taught all the children of the two denominations, the catechism of the Reformed Church to the children who were designated to be trained in that system of doctrine, and the Lutheran catechism was as carefully taught to the children sent by the Lutheran families. Sometimes children of mixed families were divided between the two systems of faith held respectively by the father and mother, so that some were taught by the schoolmaster as Lutherans and others as Reformed. Then, too, if the minister of the one church was more popular, more partisan, or of greater personal influence than his colleague of the other, he could get most of the children to attend his " Kinderlehre," and confirm them in that faith. Generally this union relation was respected and worked harmoniously, but sometimes was liable to friction, if not Indeed to engender party jealousy and become subject to proselyting. BEULAH UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH is situated on Byers' Run, in the northwestern part of the township. Its congregation was organized June 4, 1845. Its first pastor, Rev. William Conner, was born in Allegheny County, May 17, 1799, educated at Jefferson College, and studied theology with the Rev. Alexander McCahan, licensed to preach April 14, 1836, by the Monongahela Presbytery, ordained April 12, 1837, and installed at Beulah in 1850. Before that time there was stated supply preaching. He resigned in 1858, and died Sept. 24, 1864, when a member of the Blairsville and Conemaugh Presbytery. His successors were Revs. J. D. Walkinshaw, T. F. Boyd, and A. R. Rankin, present incumbent. He was born in Washington County Oct 15, 1828, and was the son of John Rankin, and grandson of James Rankin, who, with James and David, were the three sons of James Rankin, who settled in Chester County in the middle of the last century. Rev. A. R. Rankin was educated at Washington College, where he graduated in 1847, studied theology at Cannonsburg, was licensed to preach Oct. 2, 1851, ordained Aug. 7, 1852, and installed at Beulah and Murrysville June 10, 1879. He has been thirty years in the ministry, and his brother, Rev. James G. Rankin, an eminent clergyman, died Dec. 7, 1868. His mother was Miss Agnes Burns, and married his father in Washington County. The church elders are David Tallant, James Morrow, Richard McCall, and John Duff. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PENN BOROUGH) was organized in the school-house by Revs. J. Davis, R. Caruthers, and J. A. Marshall, May 16, 1872, with fourteen members. Its first elders were R. A. Hope, L. B. Highberger, and W. H. Guthrie. Its first pastor was Rev. William Kain, called in June 18, 1873, and dismissed in October following, since which time it has had no regular pastor, but stated supply preaching. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (PENN BOROUGH) was the pioneer church of the town, and was erected in 1860 on a lot donated by J. H. Oliver, the founder of the place. It has no resident pastor, but is supplied from a distance. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was built in 1860, and is part of the circuit comprising Harrison City, Penn Station,‘ Paintertown, and Manor Station, its present pastor, Rev. Ash, residing at the latter. PENN BOROUGH. This town is most eligibly located on the Pennsylvania Railroad, some six miles from Greensburg. It was laid out in 1859 by J. H. Oliver, on the south of the railroad, and by the Penn Gas-Coal Company shortly after on the north of the railroad. George Loughner and J. F. Landis were here before the place was laid out, and are the persons who have resided here the longest time. The former was a coal-miner, and is now a very aged man. The first store was kept by Gustavus Storey, for whom J. F. Landis clerked five years. The second store was owned by James McHugh, and the third by J. F. Landis. The first postmaster was James McHugh, whose successors have been Cyrus Ludwick, George Buzzard, J. B. Lauffer, William Guthrie, and Isaac Wilson (the present incumbent). The first tavern was kept by Catherine Bowersmith, and the second by Robert McMinnis. The first resident physician was Dr. N. W. Brown, the second Dr. L. S. Claggett, whose successors have been Dr. J. W. B. Kamerer, Dr. L. Offutt (present practitioner). The town rapidly grew in business and population on the development of the coal-mines, which built up the place and made it what it is. The oldest person in town is the mother of George Bell, who was born in Prussia in 790. The first justices of the peace here were John F. Landis and Jacob Bankart. The land on which the town was first laid out was purchased by J. H. Oliver, its founder, of Henry Kifer and the Penn Gas-Coal Company. INCORPORATION AND OFFICERS. Penn borough was incorporated in 1865. On May 16, 1865, at the current sessions of the Quarter Sessions Court, the petition of the inhabitants of that part of Penn township which included the residents of the village then known as Penn Station was presented to the court and filed •among the records of the PENN TOWNSHIP - 725 same. The necessary oath that the petitioners included the majority of the freeholders within the bounds of the proposed borough was made by J. F. Landis before Reuben Shrum, justice of the peace. On the same day the grand jury considered the petition and returned it. Although there was a remonstrance, feebly signed, presented and filed some weeks later, the court on October the 19th, 1865, granted the prayer of the petitioners, and conferred on the inhabitants within the limits and boundaries designated the privileges of incorporation. It also appointed Friday, November the 2d, 1865, as the day on which to hold their first borough election, which was to be held at the house of Ralph Pratt; C. Smith was to give notice, Hiram Fisher was to be the judge, and S. H. Boyd and Joachim Schultz were to be the inspectors. The borough was also at that time made a separate school district. On the 20th of November following the decree of the court was amended so that the annual elections of the borough should thereafter be held at the school-house in the borough. Since the date of its incorporation the burgesses have been Hiram Fisher (the first), James McMannis, L. B. Highberger, William Holmes, Joachim Schultz, John F. Landis, Henry Hall, John Helly, Mr. Brisbane, and James Mullin. Since 1875 the clerks have been : 1875, T. McIver ; 1876, D. L. Masters ; 1877, J. P. Wilson ; 1878, T. C. McIver ; 1879, Simon Peter 1880-82, J. P. Wilson. The officers in January, 1882, are : Burgess, Joachim Schultz : clerk, J. P. Wilson ; constable, Frank Herholtz ; councilmen, R. A. Hope, Lemuel Offutt, 'Ralph Pratt, Henry Truxal, Valentine Cole, Leopold Baker. The first drug-store was kept by John Zimmerman, and the second by Thomas C. King, who came here in 1870 from Johnstown and is still in business. The substantial frame school building of three rooms and a basement was erected in 1880. The school board consists of: President, Dr. Lemuel Offutt; Peter McGraw, secretary ; J. P. Wilson, treasurer ; James Mason, John Helly, Edward Gratz. The teachers are William Griffith (principal) and Miss Ella Toole. RESOLUTION LODGE, No. 609, I. O. O. F. This lodge was chartered Sept. 2, 1867. Its first officers were : N. G., Joseph Wilson ; V. G., Samuel Wilson ; Sec., Joseph McMannis ; Asst. Sec., John Buckner ; Treas., A. L. Kamerer. REBECCA DEGREE LODGE, No. 91, I. O. O. F. It was chartered April 7, 1874, with the following officers : N. G., John S. Albright ; V. G., Elizabeth V. Kamerer ; Sec., Mary E. Fisher ; Asst. Sec., Ella Dawson ; Treas., Fannie Westwood. COVENANT LODGE, No. 59, K. P., was chartered Sept. 2, 1870, with the following charter members : George McIntyre, Henry Levy, John B. Watterson, Paul Jones, John F. Landis, John Giles, William Goodman, Henry Sager. Leopold Frank. PENN STATION LODGE, No. 52, A. O. U. W., was chartered June 4, 1873, with the following charter members : John S. Albright, D. J. Miller, William Goodman, J. P. Wilson, James McMannis, Thomas Dawson, John Nicholson, D. T. Miller, Ralph Dawson, James Truxal, J. Wilson, D. Riddle, William Thomas, James Riddle, W. D. Edwards, John Loughner, Daniel Collier, Philip Kifer, .T. P. Klingersmith. PENN STATION DIVISION, No. 170, S. of T., was chartered Feb. 24, 1870. The charter members were Alexander Watson, John Painter, George Painter, Henry Truxal, George Hamilton, Thomas C. McIver, William Courtney, Andrew Buck, Wilson Sicafoce, Thomas Henderson, William Watson, Israel Linselinger, William Goodman, Joseph Shotts, Mary E. McIver, Mary McMannis, and Lizzie Pratt. ANCIENT ORDER OF KNIGHTS OF THE MYSTIC CHAIN. The first officers and members were : Sir K. C., William Goodman ; Sir K. V. C., John S. Albright ; Sir K. 1st Lieut., James McMannis ; Sir K. R. S., William McKloeen; Sir K. A. R. S., John Nicholson ; Sir K. F. S., Daniel M. Kelly ; Sir K. Treas., A. L. Kamerer ; Sir K. I. G., William Thomas ; Sir K. 0. G., Ralph Dawson ; Sir K. P. C., William McKloeen, Robert Harrison ; Trustees, Philip Kifer, James Truxall, Thomas Dawson ; Members, Joseph Wilson, D. J. Miller, H. W. Heasley, Cyrus Overley, Jerome Lake, D. T. Miller, George Shorthouse, Jacob Myers, Walter Nicholson, H. R. Klingersmith. HARRISON CITY AND MANOR STATION are both growing towns, situated on Brush Run, and have mills, tanneries, and various other industries. Both have neat Methodist Episcopal Churches, with flourishing congregations. The Presbyterian Church at Harrison City was organized Oct. 6, 1856, by Rev. Drs. Samuel M. Farren and David Kirkpatrick, and Revs. William Edgar and J. C. Carson, with Elders John Larimer and Joseph Miller, after a sermon by Mr. Carson. The members were fourteen, with three elders. The house of worship was erected in 1859, and Rev. William Edgar, pastor at Murrysville, having frequently preached there before the congregation, was released for half-time from Murrysville, April 11, 1860, and for that portion was installed at Harrison city. May 8th of that year Dr. Smith preached. Dr. McFarren charged the pastor, and J. C. Carson the people. April 8, 1865, he was released from his whole charge. The church was statedly supplied then for some time by Rev. James Davis. Nov. 21, 1871, Rev. G. K. Scott was installed for half-time, when Rev. W. M. Moorehead preached and charged the pastor, and G. M. Spargrove the people. He was released Oct. 2, 1872. June 29, 1873, 726 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Rev. William M. Kain was installed for half-time, Revs. Henry Bain preaching, D. Harbison charging the pastor, and W. W. Moorehead the people. The original elders were Hugh M. Robertson, Samuel Earhart, George Sowash, and William Chambers. The accessions were John K. Foster, John Sowash, George Ramsey, Sr., L. B. Highberger, James A. Dible, and Dr. Henry Piper. Mr. Robertson removed and Mr. Dible died. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. JOSIAH BRINKER. Joseph Brinker is a native of Penn township, and was born Aug. 27, 1810. His life-work has been farming. The high state of cultivation of his ancestral inheritance and of the several farms added thereto by his patient toil bears witness that he has done his work well. His grandfather, Jacob Brinker, and his wife emigrated from Germany, and settled in Northampton County, Pa. They moved westward, and located upon the farm where Josiah now resides when most of it was a wilderness and the country was chiefly inhabited by Indians. Josiah's father, whose name also was Jacob, was then a youth of fifteen years. He was a farmer, and married Catharine Berlin, of Westmoreland County. He resided here until his death in 1846 ; Catharine died in 1835. Josiah Brinker was married first in 1833 to Anna Kistler, of his native county. They had nine children, five of whom grew to maturity. Those living are Jacob, Paul, Hiram, and Mary. Anna died in 1862, and in 1864 Josiah was married again to Mary E. Ament, of Westmoreland County. By this marriage there are two daughters, Sadie M. and Ida M. While Mr. Brinker has always been diligent in business, he has not neglected his duties as a citizen. Whatever has contributed to promote the best interests of the community in which he lives has always enlisted his support. In his youth he united with the German Reformed Church, of which organization he is a valued member. ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP. THE territory now comprising St. Clair township was taken from Fairfield, and made a separate and distinct municipality in 1856. It received its name in honor of Gen. Arthur St. Clair, the Revolutionary hero and patriot, who after the close of the war of independence resided in its vicinity. The present boundaries of the township are: North by part of Indiana County, east by Laurel Hill, south by Fairfield township, and west by Conemaugh River. It is the smallest in territory in the county. Its surface is generally hilly, but much of its soil is tolerably productive, particularly in the central part of the township. The main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad runs along the bank of the Conemaugh through to the township, with a depot at Nineveh (Verona post-office) and at New Florence. There are no mineral developments in the township, though stone and coal both exist under the surface. Its inhabitants are of the thrifty and industrious class, and keep the few acres of fertile land contained in its limits in a good state of cultivation. NEW FLORENCE BOROUGH. At the February sessions, 1865, the citizens of the village of New Florence prayed the court to grant them corporate privileges. The grand jury passed on the petition on the 24th of February, 1865, and did not report adversely to the desire of the petitioners, but it was held over by the court, and on the 27th of May, 1865, the report was by it set aside. It has been since incorporated. The borough is pleasantly situated on the Conemaugh River and Pennsylvania Railroad. It was laid out as a village by Judge Robert Given. The depot is centrally located in the place, and the railway runs through the borough east and west. The streets are neatly laid out. It contains several stores, hotels, and shops ; has a foundry, woolen-mill, and three churches,—Methodist, Catholic, and United Presbyterian. Its population is over five hundred. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. SAMUEL PERSHING. Samuel Pershing, of New Florence, was born May 6, 1833, in Indiana County, Pa., about three miles from his present home. He is of German descent, the third son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Hite) Per- ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP - 727 shing. His literary education was received in the common schools and Elder's Ridge Academy. A few years before he became of age he entered the store of Robert Johnsen, of Armagh, Indiana Co., as a clerk, and followed this vocation until 1858, when he located in New Florence and engaged in merchandising for himself. He was married June 8th of the same year to Susan M. Covode, eldest daughter of George W. and Jane (Welshons) Covode. They have had several children. Their eldest son, Harvey Covode, died Dec. 15, 1867, aged eight years ; the second, Charles M., died April 13, 1863, aged three years. Those living are Curtis M., Cora B., George C., Jennie C., and John R. Mr. Pershing had no pecuniary start in life. By his own exertion, and the assistance of a most excellent wife, he accumulated his present ample fortune, which he little enjoys owing to his enfeebled condition, resulting from disease and too close application to business. He has held all the important local offices usually intrusted to thorough going business men. He early in life united with the Methodist Church, and as the Lord prospered him contributed liberally to its support. His active life has been one of usefulness to the community in which he has resided. He is respected by all who know him for his integrity, his industry, his devotion, his unselfishness, his charity.