Transcribed by: Michelle Bellinger. For an explanation and caution about this transcription, please read this page.
Link to a sketch of Butler Borough from the Atlas of Butler County, G.M. Hopkins & Co., 1874.
Surnames in this chapter are:
ADDISON, AGNEW, AIKEN, ALBRIGHT, ALEXANDER, ALLSWORTH, ANDERSON, ARMSTRONG, AYRES, BAKER, BALPH, BARNHART, BARRON, BATEMAN, BAUER, BAXTER, BEATTY, BECK, BERG, BICKEL, BISHOP, BLACK, BLASHFORD, BORLAND, BOVARD, BOWERS, BOYD, BOYLE, BRACKENRIDGE, BRADLEY, BRANDT, BREDIN, BRICELAND, BRINKER, BROWN, BRYAN, BURGESS, BUTLER, BYERS, CALLAN, CAMPBELL, CANNON, CARNAHAN, CARNS, CARSON, CATNEY, CHRISTY, CHRISWELL, CLARK, CLOWES, COCHRAN, COLBERT, COLL, COLLINS, CONVERY, COULTER, CRAWFORD, CROSS, CROUSE, CROY, CUNNINGHAM, DAVID, DAVIS, DENNY, DERR, DEVINE, DeWOLF, DICK DICKEY, DOBBS, DONNELLY, DOUGAL, DOUGHERTY, DOUGLAS, DUFFY, DUNBAR, DUNLAP, EASTMAN, EITENMILLER, ELLIOTT, EMERICK, EMPICH, EMPY, ENSMINGER, ETZEL, ETZELL, EVANS, EWALT, EYTH, FAUBLE, FEIGEL, FERGUSON, FIEDLER, FINDLEY, FISHER, FITZSIMMONS, FLANNAGAN, FOLTZ, FORQUER, FOWLER, FRAZIER, FRYER, FULYARD, FUNK, GALBRAITH, GAPEN, GAUTER, GIBSON, GILCHRIST, GILLESPIE, GILMORE, GLASS, GLENN, GRAHAM, GRATZ, GREGG, GRIEB, HAFFA, HAGERTY, HAGGERTY, HAIL, HAMILTON, HANLEN, HARBISON, HARPER, HARRIS, HARVEY, HASLETT, HAYS, HECK, HEINEMAN, HENRY, HIESTER, HILL, HITE, HOFFNER, HOWARDS, HUEY, HUMPHREY, HUTCHISON, HUEY, HUMPHREY, HUTCHISON, HYDRON, IRVINE, IRWIN, JACK, JEFFERSON, JOHNSTON, KARRICK, KEARNS, KECK, KELKER, KELLY, KEMPER, KENNEDY, KING, KINZER, KIRK, KLINGLER, LAFAYETTE, LANE, LAWALL, LEASURE, LECKEY, LEFEVRE, LEMMON, LEON, LICK, LIEBOLD, LINN, LOGAN, LOWERY, LOWRIE, LOWRY, LYON, MACKEY, MANNY, MARKHAM, MARKS, MARQUIS, MARSHALL, MARTIN, McABOY, McBRIDE,
McCAFFERTY, McCALL, McCANDLESS, McCARNES, McCLEARY, McCLELLAN, McCLURG, McCOLLOUGH, McCREA, McCURDY, McDONALD, McELFISH, McFARLIN, McGINNIS, McGIRR, McGOWAN, McGUFFIN, McHENET, McJUNKIN, McKEAN, McKEE, McLAUGHLIN, McLURE, McNAIR, McOMBER, McPHERRIN, McPHERSON, McQUISTION, MECHLING, MEYERS, MIFFLIN, MILES, MILLER, MITCHELL, MOORE, MORRIS, MORTON, MOSER, MUNTZ, MURPHY, MURRAY, MUSSER, MYERS, NIBLOCK, NICHOLS, NEGLEY, NEYMAN, O�NUTH, PARKER, PATTERSON, PEIRSOL, PERCIVAL, PERRINE, PILLOW, PLUMMER, POLLOCK, POTTS, POWERS, PREAMER, PRICE, PURVIANCE, PURVIS, REA, REED, REIBER, REICHERT, REIHING, RHEINLANDER, RICHARDSON, RIMBEY, RIPPEY, RITCHEY, ROBBINS, ROBINSON, ROBISON, ROCKENSTEIN, ROESSING, ROSE, ROSS, RUSSELL, RYERSON, SCHAFFER, SCHAFFNER, SCHENCK, SCOTT, SEDWICK, SHERIDAN, SHUFFLIN, SIRWELL, SKEER, SMITH, SNODGRASS, SNYDER, SPENCER, SPROUL, STAMM, ST.CLAIR, STEHLE, STEIN, STEPHENSON, STERRETT, STEVENSON, STEWART, STORY, STRAIN, STRAWICK, SULLIVAN, SUTTON, SWEENY, SYPHER, THOMPSON, THORN, TRESSLER, TROUTMAN, TUCKER, TURK, VANDERLIN, VINROE, VOGEL, VOGELEY, WALKER, WALTER, WAYNE, WEAVER, WEIGLE, WEISNER, WELSH, WHITE, WILL, WILLIAMSON, WILKINS, WILSON, WISE, WISEMAN, WISTAR, WOLF, YETTER, YOUNG, YOUNKINS, ZIEGLER, ZIMMERMAN.
[p. 299]
ROBERT MORRIS AND THE CUNNINGHAMS -- ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE SITE -- THE TOWN LAID OUT -- FIRST SALE OF LOTS AND NAMES OF PURCHASERS -- EARLY SETTLERS AND FIRST BIRTHS -- THE TOWN INCORPRATED -- FIRST BOROUGH OFFICERS, ELECTIONS AND TRANSACTIONS OF COUNCILS -- LOT OWNERS OF 1821 -- FIRST QUARTER CENTURY -- TAXABLES OF 1828 -- INTERESTING PETITIONS AND ORDINANCES -- BURGESSES AND COUNCILMAN -- JUSTICES AND POSTMASTERS -- PIONEER MERCHANTS -- OLD TIME INNKEEPERS -- LAYFAYETTE'S VISIT TO BUTLER -- TAVERNS AND HOTELS OF THE PAST AND PRESENT -- SUBURBAN GROWTH.
In the beginning of the nineteenth century the site now occupied by the thrifty, progressive and beautiful borough of Butler, was a wild and uninviting spot covered with hazel bushes and tangled vines. At the time no one entertained the idea of founding a town on these rolling hills, or even imagined for a moment that one ever would be built here. But the whirligig of time often suddenly brings to the surface unexpected conditions, and what termed "speculation" frequently develops results wholly unlooked for.
Robert MORRIS the patriot, as well as one of the most remarkable men of Revolutionary times, had become the owner of more than three-quarters of a million of acres of land in this section of Western Pennsylvania, over seventy thousand acres of which laid in what afterwards became Butler county, and also held the warrant for the land on which the borough of Butler is built. James DUNLAP, the well known surveyor, in a memorandum recently found among his papers, says: "Stephan GAPEN was the deputy surveyor for the Allegheny county after the passage of the famous act of the legislature of April 8, 1792. He received of Robert MORRIS and located 311 warrants in Cunningham's old district of 'Depriciation lands,' on which the borough of Butler is located."This seems conclusive that MORRIS once owned the land.
Whatever praise, glory or honor�and there is a great deal�may belong to MORRIS for what he accomplished as a financier during the dark and perilous days of the struggle for liberty, he became, after the restoration of peace, imbued with [p. 300] an irresistible desire to accumulate wild lands and he recognized as the owner of magnificent estates. He was not content to own a few thousand acres in Western and Northern Pennsylvania, and South-western New York, but he aspired to be the owner of millions. This strange desire became the consuming ambition of the closing years of his life, and made him what may not inappropriately be termed the colossal land fiend of the last days of the Eighteenth century. His inordinate land-grasping propensity, as a logical result, led to his financial ruin, and he closed his brilliant career in sadness, sorrow and gloom.
Through his agent, James CUNNINGHAM�who was also the surveyor of what is known as "Cunningham's District of Depreciation Lands"�MORRIS had warrants laid on lands which finally became part of Butler county. The warrant embracing the land which finally became a part of the site of Butler had originally been taken out in the name of John TRESSLER and Andrew REICHERT, but in time passed into the hands of John and Samuel J. CUNNINGHAM, but they did not receive the patent for the Tressler tract until the 13th of May, 1805. It sets forth that it was granted on consideration of moneys paid by John TRESSLER into the receiver-general's office, at the granting of the warrant, and of the sum of $158 paid by Samuel J. CUNNINGHAM, and also, in said Samuel J. CUNNINGHAM having made it appear that he made, and actual settlement, and continued residence agreeable to Section 9, of the law of 1792, on a tract of land called "Butler," for the purpose of promoting the settlement of the country.
Many of the warrants for the lands afterwards owned by MORRIS were made out in the names of residents of Lancaster county, having been born and raised on the Conestoga, probably near what is now the city of lancaster. they evidently were active men of the period and keenly alive to the importance of the early acquisition of lands. But nothing withstanding the fact that their names were associated with the origin of Butler, no descendant remains to represent them. One brother, David C. CUNNINGHAM, was a member of the bar in the infancy of the town, but what became of him is unknown.
The brothers evidently were aware, or at least expected, that a new countywould soon be erected. This, probably, was the reason why they were so anxious to aquire the lands in the vicinity and then make a determined fight for the location of the seat of justice. In the meantime another man, Robert GRAHAM made his appearance, and settling upon a tract, in 1797, adjoining the Cunningham land on the north, became in time its owner, and therefore interested in the county seat project.
As an evidence of the knowledge possessed by the CUNNINGHAM'S of what was going on with regard to the formation of the new county, it may be mentioned that when the act was passed authorizing its creation (March 12, 1800), it was provided that the place for holding the courts should be fixed at some point not more than four miles distant from the center of the county. From this fact it appears very clear that they had some knowledge of the proposed boundary lines of the new county, and they shrewdly acquired lands upon which the county seat would be eligibly located.
[p. 301]
As soon as the act was signed by the Governor the struggle for the seat of justice commenced. Other locations were proposed and stenuous efforts made in their behalf, but it was evident the CUNNINGHAMS had the advantage in more ways than one. When the commissioners appointed examine the sites and make a selection came upon the ground, they met the claimants and heard their pleas. One of these commissioners, under date of June 7, 1802, writes of the lands proposed by the CUNNINGHAMS for a county seat in these words:
The situation is beautiful, being on eminence which descends in all directions; the land scarce of timber, but sufficiently dry, and large bodies of meadow land near the seat. This site will have the advantage of the creek, with sundry good springs of water and coal banks near, limestone and freestone quarries partly adjoining the site. The ridges all pointing into the little valley, will be conveniant for roads from direction.
From the foregoing it is evident that at least one commissioner was favorably impressed with the location, and this good impression was further strengthened by and evening's conversation. He says in his diary:
We parted that evening, MESSRS WEAVER, HAMILTON and LANE lodging at the mill house, Mr. MORTON and myself returning with Mr. Robert CUNNINGHAM to the Salt Lick place, where that young man keeps bachelor's hall in a nice cabin building.
The commissioners readily saw the advantage this site possessed over the others. That night they were the guest of the Cunninghams- three of them lodged at the "mill house," which was the home of John and Samuel J. CUNNINGHAM, and the other two, as stated, stopped with their brother Robert in his "cabin." The mill, which became an important landmark,had been built about two years before the visit, or in the very beginning of the century.
That night became memorable in the history of Butler. It marked a new epoch, as it were. The Cunningham brothers, in conjunction with Robert GRAHAM, proposed to lay out in town lots 800 acres of land, five acres of which should be set apart for the use of the county of Butler, providing their location should be made the seat of the justice. This offer, which was better than any other received, settled the business of the commission, and they retired from the field and prepared their report to the secretary of the Commonwealth. That it was favorable to the site offered by the CUNNINGHAMS is shown by the following section of a bill passed by the legislature on the 8th of March, 1803:
Section 1. Be it enacted, etc., that John MC BRIDE,Esq., William ELLIOT, Esq., and John DAVID, be and hereby are appointed trustees for the county of Butler, and the said trustees, or a majority of them, are hereby authorized and required to survey, or cause to be surveyed, three hundred acres of land situate on the north side of Connoquenessing creek, near Samuel J. CUNNINGHAM'S mill, agreeably to a description given of the situation and boundary thereof expressed in the grant and obligation of Samuel J. cunningham, John CUNNINGHAM and Robert GRAHAM, made by them to the Governor for the use of the county of Butler, and the said three hundred acres not exceeding five acres, whereon the public buildings shall be erected for the use of the county of Butler, and the surplus or residue of said three hundred acres of land, which shall remain after the sites for the public buildings are set apart and determined, shall be laid out for a town, with suitable town lots, at the discretion of the trustees, with necessary [p. 302] reservations for a quarry*, streets, lanes, alleys and roads or highways; provided, however, that no outlots shall exceed five acres, and the town hereby directed to be laid out shall be called Butler.
[*In a description accompanying a historical map of Butler, prepared by James DUNLAP several years ago, he says in substance: "CUNNINGHAM and LOWERY conveyed originally 176 acres and 79 perches of land in 1805. Of this land 76 acres and 79 perches were taken off the north end of a tract containing 300 acres warranted in the name of John TRESSLER, patented to CUNNINGHAM, and called 'Butler.' LOWERY reserved a small strip of land between the creek and lots Numbers 70 to 79. This strip is now a part of the bourgh, improved and built on, and lies on both sides of Water street. The trustees having laid out the town of Butler northward beyond the limits of the deed of CUNNINGHAM, on the southern end of a tract containing 300 acres, warranted in the name of Adam REICHERT, and patented to Stephan LOWERY, and called 'Warren Point,' he conveyed it to the commisioners in trust for the town, Febuary 17,1810. The 'Quarry Reserve' laid on this land. The bourough was first extended by act of 1869, and lastly by act of 1870. Area 1,254 acres."]
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, etc., That it shall be the duty of the said trustees, or a majority of them, to sell by public auction the said town lots and outlots at such times as they may judge most advatageous to the county, which sale shall be held at the said Cunningham mill, in the said county, previous to which the said trustees shall advertise the same three times at least in one or more newspapers published in Pittsburgh, Greensburg and Washington one month before the day appointed for such sale; provided, that before the said commissioners proceed to the discharge of the duties herein enjoined and required, they shall demand and receive from the aforesaid Samuel J. CUNNINGHAM, John CUNNINGHAM and Robert GRAHAM sufficient deeds in fee simple of the above described 300 acres of land in trust for the use of the said county of Butler, agreeably to the grant thereof heretofore made to the governor for the use of the said county of Butler, by the said Samuel J. CUNNINGHAM, John CUNNINGHAM and Robert GRAHAM, and shall procure the same to be recorded in the office fro recording of deeds in Allegheny county, and when the said trustees shall have so done they shall have authority, and it shall be their duty, to make out and grant sufficient deeds in fee simple for the town and outlots by them sold in pursuance of this act.
Immediately after the passage of the act preparations were made to lay out the town, and in August, 1803, it was consummated. The plat contained seventysix acres and seventy-nine perches. The deed for the ground, as required by the act, was executed to the trustees for the county, and preparation for the sale of lots was begun. The town was named Butler, in honor of Gen. Richard BUTLER, the distiguished patriot and soldier, a very full sketch of whom appears in a preceding chapter. As the town was to be the seat of justice of the new county, people were naturally filled with great expectations of future prosperity and wealth, and there was at once a rush to the new town to buy lots either for speculative or business purposes.
In the meantime John CUNNINGHAM became involved through his business operations, and judgments were entered against him. But in order to remove all uncertainty as to the validity of title in the conveyance of lots, his creditors residing in Philadelphia executed a deed of release under the belief that this procedure wouldfacilitate the sale of town lots and, therefore, enhance the value of his land outside of the town, which was covered by their judgments. This curious deed may be found in Book 1, Page 1, of the Butler county records. These creditors were Simon and Heyman GRATZ, William WISTAR, John PRICE, John WISTAR, Joseph KARRICK, Joshua PERCIVAL, and Thomas RYERSON, all of Philadelphia. The closing clause of the deed reads:
And whereas, it appears that the lien of said judgments on the said lands may obstruct the further sale of the lots laid out thereon, and prevent the permanent establishment of [p. 303] the county town of the county of Butler aforsaid on the said lands [CUNNINGHAM'S], and thereby greatly lessen the value of a large extent of land belonging to said John CUNNINGHAM adjacent to the said said tract of 300 acres whereon the town of Butler is laid out, which adjacent land equally bound by our judgments, in consideration whereof to increase the value of our security or interest in this land, to encourage purchasers of lots within the said 300 acres and promote the permanence of the county town thereon, we do covenant and agree with the said William ELLIOT, John MC BRIDE and John DAVID, trustees for the county of Butler, and their successors, and with each of the purchasers, their heirs, etc., free and unmolested and unincumbered by any judgement or debt.
The deed was executed in Philadelphia, October 5, 1803, and recorded January 23, 1804, in Butler.
The first sale of lots in accordance with the provisions of the act, commenced August 10, 1803�nearly two months before execution of the deed of release�and was continued on August 11, 12 and 13, 1803, and August 14, 15 and 16, 1804. The terms at the first sale were one- third of the price when the lot was struck off, one- third in nine months, and one- third in nine months from date of second payment.
One hundred and thirty lots sold on the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th of August, brought $5,409.50, and of this sum $1,803.16 2/3 were paid. on the 14th of August, 1804, sixteen outlots were sold; on the 15th, fourteen lots, including one lot ( No. 150) for cemetery purposes; and on the 16th, twenty-seven lots, including one (No. 151) for use as a cemetery. The sales on the 14th, 15th and 16th, realized $1,612.25, and so on to the close. From 1806 to 1828, the sales of original lots by the trustees were slow; but transfer were numerous on account of the owners becoming discouraged and wishing to depart.
The record of the first sale of lots, printed herewith for the first time, took place at the Cunningham, now the Walter mill, on the Connoquenessing. The names of purchasers, number of lots and auction prices, are given in order to show the beginnings of the settlement of the town of Butler:
NAME NUMBER PRICE
August 10, 1803.
Alexander Hill 2 $104
Ephriam Harris 3 94
William Evans 5 80
James Ritchey 6 75
Joseph McClurg 7 50
John Negley 11 90
Abraham Brinker 13 126
" " 14 90
Matthew Thompson 15 85
James Bovard 16 102
William Kearns 18 72
William Brown 61 72
Andrew McCollough 62 61
" " 63 78
William B. Young 54 61
John Elliott 53 75
Samuel Ewalt, Esq. 52 81
John Elliott 60 70
Henry H. Haslett 59 45
Henry H. Haslett 58 47
Maj. William Campbell 57 41
Francis Kearns 56 51
Jacob Haffa and W.B. Young 55 44
William Ayres 24 130
Jeremiah Murry 23 71
------
$2,036.00
August 11, 1803.
William Elliott, Esq. 22 $70
Joseph Davis 21 76
William Ayres 20 44
Alexander Hill 19 43
[p. 304]
John McBride 108 76
Ephraim Harris 25 78
William Neyman 110 76
George Armstrong, Esq. 27 70
James Fryer 26 66
David Dougal 109 53
Samuel A. Rippey, Esq. 128 65
John Negley 111 75
David Sutton 67 44
George Brown 68 38
Alexander Logan, Esq. 69 44
David Sutton, Sr. 49 43
" " 50 30
Samuel Murphy 51 26
Archibald St. Clair 36 28
John Clowes 37 30
Joseph McClelland 112 55
William Bradley 113 61
Francis Boyle 127 42
Peter Fryer 126 45
James Thompson 125 48
David Dick 114 41
Robert Stewart, D. Dougal 79 33
John Elliott 105 30
John Elliott 106 25
William Hutchison 28 31
Samuel Murphy 129 29
William Hall 29 20
James Patterson 30 24
William Bradley 107 30
John McBride, Esq. 104 36
John Cunningham 86 22
" " 87 24
John Rea (weaver) 66 43
John McGinnis 64 40
John McLure 65 31
Joseph Thorn 35 31
Philip Empy 34 21
---------
$1,837.00
August 12, 1803.
John Fowler, Esq. 73 $22
John Huey 72 26
" " 70 24
Henry Evans, Esq. 71 23
James Ferguson 74 26
James Carson 75 22
William Thompson 22 22
John Cunningham 78 22
John Elliott 85 20
" " 130 20
James Moore 131 20
James McCurdy 132 23
John Fisher 133 20
John Musser, Sr. 134 27
James McKee 123 53
Thomas McCleary 124 41
James Carson 116 47
Alexander Hamilton 115 31
Francis Kearns 122 52
William Kearns 117 63
Samuel Murphy 88 17
" " 89 19
" " 90 14
James Moore 91 11
James Scott, Jr 92 11
Robert Lemmon 121 26
Robert Scott 120 25
Thomas Humphrey 135 39
John Elliott 136 30
George Scott 137 26
David Dougal 98 20
William Elliott, Sr 143 39�
John McCurdy 31 20
John Cunningham 142 26
" " 44 21
John Turk 99 24
John Elliott 141 35
David Scott 140 26
William Elliott, Esq. 139 27
Francis Kearns 109 35�
James Scott, Jr. 48 29�
Samuel Scott 47 17
John Boyd 46 28
Joseph Evans 93 20�
John McCleary 102 16
S. Williamson 45 11
---------
$1,239.00
August 13, 1803.
Robert Irwin 38 $28
George Dougherty 39 21
" " 43 12
John McGowan 40 11
William McDonald 41 19
James Ferguson 42 20
Samuel Dunbar 103 32
James Fryer 101 24
Joshua McElfish 100 21�
William McDonald 97 18
John Carson 94 14
Abraham Brinker 95 10�
Robert Scott 118 21
Benjamin Rimbey 81 21�
--------
$297.50
[p. 305]
On August 14, 1804, the trustees made the terms of sale more liberal, giving one year for second payment, and two years for third payment. Under this rule fifty- seven lots were sold August 14, 15, and 16, 1804, the total sum realized being $1,612.25.
The record of outlots sold August 14 and 15, 1804, is as follows:
NAME NUMBER PRICE George Bowers 1 $40 00 " " 2 37 00 Abraham Brinker 3 43 00 " " 4 42 00 " " 5 33 00 Robert Campbell 6 28 50 Maj. William Campbell 7 23 50 Samuel A. Rippey 8 65 50 James Thompson 9 32 00 " " 10 41 50 Ephraim Harris 11 42 00 John Negley 12 39 00 Joseph Davis 13 44 00 James Thompson 14 40 00 William B. Young 15 52 00 John David 16 47 00 William Elliott 17 30 00 Alexander Addison 18 41 00 George Bowers 19 52 00 John McLure 20 31 00 " " 31 22 00 William B. Young 32 12 00 John McCandless 33 43 00
The town lots sold on August 15, are recorded as follows:
NAME NUMBER PRICE James Findley No. 144 21 50 John McCandless 145 22 00 " " 146 22 00 Valentine Preamer 147 16 00 Valentine Preamer 148 14 00 James Brown 149 13 00 John Cunningham, A. Brinker and others for the use of a grave yard 150 10 00
The outlots sold on August, 16, 1804, were as follows:
NAME NUMBER PRICE John McCandless No. 24 $41 00 Joseph Davis 26 56 00 William Campbell 27 49 50 " " 28 61 00 James Blashford 23 15 25 Andrew Allsworth 30 20 25 William Fulyard 25 37 00 David Dougal 34 46 00 " " 35 24 00 James Thompson 29 33 00 " " 22 20 50 Samuel J. Cunningham 21 34 00
The town lots sold on that day were purchased by the following named persons:
NAME NUMBER PRICE John Cunningham, A. Brinker and others for cemetery No. 151 $10 00 James Brown 152 13 25 William Clark 153 12 50 George Bowers 154 16 00 Samuel J. Cunningham 155 16 00 " " 156 12 00 " " 157 13 50 James Martin 159 $15 75 John Thompson 160 8 25 Phillip Sutton 161 12 00 " " 163 9 25 Samuel J. Cunningham 162 9 00 Ambrose Kennedy 164 9 25 Joseph Robbins 158 5 75 Lawrence King 45 10 25
Lot Number 152, purchased August 14, 1804, by James BROWN, for $13.25, was not paid for by him�his note for $4.41 1/3, and cash per NEGLEY, $8.83 1/3, being credited; a deed was made to John NEGLEY, April 18, 1811.
[p. 306]
After the excitment [sic] attendant on the first sale of lots was over, a calm followed, and the work of building the town was not prosecuted with much vigor. The country was new and sparsely settled, improvements were few and the outlook was neither encouraging nor bright. A few log houses or cabins were hastily erected. on the new town site, small shops were opened and an attempt made "to do business on a small scale." To James THOMPSON belongs the credit for erecting the first blacksmith shop, which stood near Diamond. William YOUNG built the second, William NEYMAN the third, Abraham BRINKER the fourth, and Jacob FUNK the fifth, on a lot which was long afterwards occupied by Hon. Jacob ZIEGLER. Other houses, all of a very primitive character, were built soon after by John EMPY, George POWERS, Stephen CRAWFORD and John POTTS. These men were the first settlers within the original limits of the borough of Butler. John NEGLEY had settled in 1800 south of the creek, opposite the Cunningham mill. There the CUNNINGHAM'S had lived, or in that vicinity, sice 1797. So also had Robert GRAHAM on his warrant near the northern limits of the town. His son, William GRAHAM, born in 1803, was the first child to see the light of day within the present limits of Butler. The next birth was Sarah, daughter of John and Jane POTTS, born in March, 1805, who afterwards became the wife of Robert CARNAHAN. Campbell E. PURVIANCE, born in 1806, was the third, and James DUNLAP, born April 18, 1807, the fourth child born on the site of Butler.
The early settlers were patriotic, however, if their comforts were few and the times hard. This is shown by the names they gave the original streets in the village. Main street was the central or meridian line running north and south. On the east side and parallel therewith was McKean street, named in honor of Governor MCKEAN; on the west side came Washington street, named after the illustrious 'Father of this Country." Running east and west, and crossing the others at right angles, were Mifllin, in honor of the Governor; Jefferson followed next, because he was a prominent man at the time; then came Cunningham, out of respect to the founders of the town, and lastly Wayne, as a mark of respect to Gen. Anthony WAYNE, a hero of the Revolution and the avenger of St. Clair's defeat. These were the original streets�there are many more now�and whilst their names were prompted by patriotism, they were also appropriate.
However plucky the people may have been, they were forced to endure many hardships. The winter after the town was laid out (1803-4) was a long, cold and dreary one. The only road communicating with the outer world was a bridle path leading straight over the hills to Pittsburg, whence they were compelled to go for their scanty groceries. The mill, originally erected by the CUNNINGHAMS on the creek near by, furnished flour, but for their meat they largly depended on game, which abounded in the forest.
In his "Recollections of the West," Henry M. BRACKENRIDGE, son of Judge H.H.BRACKENRIDGE, Who was appointed clerk to William AYRES, the first prothonotary of Butler county, says that he passed the winter in this "new outpost of civilization." He notes his coming from Pittsburg in these words:
On my arrival at Butler there were a few log houses just raised, but not sufficiently completed to be occupied. It was not long before there were two taverns, a store and a [p. 307] blacksmith shop. It was then a town. The country around was a howling wilderness, with the exception of a few scattered settlements as far removed from each other as the kraals in the neighborhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
If the winter had been hard, the people were determined to have some pleasure and social enjoyment when the spring and summer came. The first social and festive assemblage was held on the 4th of July, 1804, when the natal day of American independence was celebrated in a very patriotic manner. The meeting was held at the Federal spring, and a preserved account of the affair informs us that "a long table, say 100 feet, supplied with the best the country afforded, accommodated the eating and drinking part of the occasion. After dinner William AYRES was appointed president and John MCCANDLESS (then sheriff) vice- president. Patriotic toasts, general and volunteer, suited to the occasion, were read by the president at the head of the table, and repeated by the vice- president at the foot. Then followed the drink, the huzzas and firing of musketry, and music of drum and fife playing�playing the old Revolutionary tunes of 'Yankee Doodle' and 'Hail Columbia.'"
Almost a decade and a half elapsed before inhabitants began to think of taking a step forward by aspiring to a corporate government. Finally the question was brought before the legislature, and Butler was incorporated as a borough by an act entitled "An act to erect the town of Milton, in the county of Northumberland, and the town of Butler, in the county of Butler, into boroughs," which was read February 6, 1817, and passed February 26 of the same month. The charter was issued May 2, 1817, by Governor SNYDER, and Butler laid aside it's swaddling clothes as soon as a new outfit could be procured. The section of the act relating to the new incorporation of Butler is given herewith:
Section 16. And be it further enacted, etc., That the town of Butler in the county of Butler, shall be and the same time is hereby erected into a borough, which shall be called the "Borough of Butler," and contained within the following metes and bounds: The original plat or draft of the town of Butler, beginning at a black oak on the bank of the mill dam; thence north seventy- eight degrees west seven perches; thence south fifty-two degrees west eight perches; thence south eleven degrees west seven perches south, three degrees east ten perches south, thirty-six degrees east eight perches south seventy- three degrees west eleven perches north ten degrees west fourteen perches north, ten degrees east fourteen perches north forty degrees west twelve perches west sixteen perches south fifty-nine degrees, west twenty-three perches; thence south eleven degrees west thirteen perches south twenty- five degrees east five perches south twenty degrees west fourteen perches; thence south eighteen perches; thence south fifty-two degrees west twenty-sixperches south forty-one degrees west six perches south sixty-one degrees west thirteen and one-half perches south fifty-seven degrees west seven and one-half perches to a hickory; thence leaving the dam north seventy-seven degrees west nine perches; thence fifty-seven degrees west fifty-nine perches to two hickories on the bank of the creek; thence north fifteen degrees west forty perches north three degrees west 152 perches and five-tenths; thence north eighty-seven degrees east 173 perches, and thence south threedegrees east 133 perches and two-tenths to the place of beginning.
Thus was the borough brought into corporate existence, and as such it has continued for a period of over seventy-seven years. Under the act of April 3, [p. 308] 1851, it was re-incorporated by order of the court of quarter sessions, issued January 15, 1853.
Section seventeen of the act cited above provided that the inhabitants of the borough entitled to vote for members of the legislature, having resided within the limits of the borough at least six months preceding the election, should, "on the Friday immediately preceding the third Saturday of march next, "have power to cast their votes between the hours of one and five in the afternoon, for one chief burgess, one assistant burgess and seven citizens to be a town council; also one high constable.
The records inform us that the first election of borough officers was held May 30, 1817, at the primitive dwelling of Adam FUNK�long since disappeared�but subsequent elections for years were mostly held at the house of Jacob MECHLING, who himself was chosen one of the first councilmen to aid in shaping the destinies of the infant borough, and who for many years afterwards, from time to time, was locally honored by his fellow citizens.
That the new borough officers were prompt to organize and discharge their functions, is shown by the fact that they entered upon their duties the very day they were elected. The first minute upon the first book of the borough council, still in good state of preservation, opens under date of May 30, 1817, with the following words:
William AYRES, Esq., duly selected chief burgess, and John GILMORE, Esq., duly elected assistant burgess,�William CAMPBELL, John POTTS, Dr. George MILLER, Hugh MCKEE, David DOUGAL and James STEPHENSON, duly elected members of the town council for the borough of Butler, met at the house of Adam FUNK and severally took and subscribed the oath of office before Robert SCOTT, Esq., a justice of the peace, as directed by the Act of Assembly, passed 26th of February, A.D. 1817, creating the town of Butler,in the county of Butler, into a borough. John POTTS was, on motion, duly elected president; John BREDIN was appointed town clerk; James HILL was appointed borough treasurer; Maurice BREDIN was appointed collector of the borough taxes.
Jacob MECHLING qualified as councilman on July 7, and voted with the others for levying a borough tax co-extensive with the road tax assessed by the township supervisors, as well as for the adoption of the seal of the circuit court as the seal of the borough.
In April, 1818, repairs on the market house, such as "boarding-in" below the benches, were ordered, and five dollars granted to POTTS "for the bridge made by him." At the annual meeting of 1819, Hugh MCKEE was appointed treasurer, and Joseph MCQUISTION, collector. An ordinance establishing market days was adopted and rules preventing sheep and swine from running at large and persons from galloping on the streets ordered to be enforced. In 1820 William GIBSON succeeded BREDIN as clerk, James STEPHENSON was appointed treasurer and William CAMPBELL, collector. David SCOTT was then high constable and MCCLEARY'S house was the place of meeting. The tax levy was four mills on the dollar,�enough to meet the expenditure for fitting up a "pound or pen" on William BEATTY'S lot for hogs, and a place in Eli SKEER'S stable for keeping sheep. The alley between West and Cunningham streets was ordered to be cleared and repaired and a stone bridge over the run below the graveyard was authorized. [p. 309] The report of the sale of the market house was made in September, when eighteen dollars for brick were paid into the treasury.
Jacob MECHLING, Jr., was appointed clerk in 1821, Simon MECHLING, collector, and William BEATTY, treasurer. In December the street commissioners, William HAGERTY and Joseph MCQUISTION, were ordered.
To cut the Diamond as much as may be necessary to render the side-walks and diamond level or nearly so with the turnpike, and that West street be dug and filled, so that the ascent thereof will not exceed seven degrees with a horizontal line.
In September the meeting was held at Jacob MECHLING's house, when an order to sell the market house was issued. In October an attempt to recind [sic] this order was made only to fail, and the same month McKean street was authorized to be opened as far as the inlots extended.
The first vote recorded by the borough of Butler for State and county officers was that of October14, 1817. William FINDLEY received twenty and Joseph HIESTER sixteen votes for governor; John GILMORE twenty-nine and Walter LOWERIE, eight for senator; Samuel DOUGLASS twenty-seven, William MARKS twenty-seven, John WILSON ten, Andrew CHRISTY twenty-one, William AYRES twenty-nine, William WILKINS sixteen, John ROBISON nine, and John ROSS nine, for representatives in legislature; Francis FRYER twelve, Abraham BRINKER fourteen, David DOUGAL eight, and Moses HANLEN three, for county commissioners; John BREDIN thirty-six and Davis DOUGAL two for auditor; Jacob MECHLING twenty-three, John GALBRAITH thirty-six and Thomas LYON thirteen, for trustees. Samuel GLASS was inspector, Robert SCOTT judge, and Moses SULLIVAN and J. WILLIAMSON clerks of election in the borough.
The assessment list of 1821 shows that the following persons were owners of improved or unimproved lots within the borough limits in that year: William AYRES, Maurice BREDIN, John BREDIN, Kennedy BEATTY, Mary BARNHART, William BEATTY, Patrick BRICELAND, John CULLY, William CRISWELL, William CAMPBELL, Owen CALLEN, Robert CARNAHAN, Henry DUFFY, John DUNBAR , David DOUGAL, John DEVINE, Henry EVANS, John EMPY, Norbert FOLTZ, Adam FUNK, Patrick and William HAGERTY, Samuel JOHNSTON, Stephen LOWERY, Robert MCQUISTION, Joseph MCQUISTION, Christopher MEYERS, Jacob MECHLING, Hugh MCKEE, Hugh MCLAUGHLIN, Thomas MCCLEARY, John MILLER, Bernard MCGIRR, Patrick MCFARLIN, Thomas and Patrick MCHENET, George MECHLING, James MCPHERSON, Isaiah NIBLOCK, John POTTS, James REED, John REED, Thomas M. SEDWICK, James THOMPSON, James WHITE, John SHERIDAN, Moses SULLIVAN, Alexander SCOTT, John SULLIVAN, Eli SKEER, David SCOTT and Robert SCOTT.
The vacant in-lots of the borough were assessed against the following reputed owners: Robert CAMPBELL, John CUNNINGHAM, Samuel CUNNINGHAM, John ELLIOT, William ELLIOT, Abraham FRYER, Neal GILLESPIE, Ephraim HARRIS, W.M. HUTCHISON, Alexander HILL, William KEARNS, Alexander LOGAN, Andrew MCCOLLOUGH, William MCDONALD, Samuel MURPHY, John NEGLEY, Samuel O'NUTH, James PATTERSON, James ROBBINS, Samuel SCOTT, Philip SUT-[p. 310] TON, David SUTTON, John SCOTT, John TURK and James WILL. Out-lots were assessed against Robert CAMPBELL, Ephraim and John WEIGLE. The assessment list also showed that there were but thirty-four houses in the borough in that year, not including the county, school and church buildings.
In early times more importance was attached to the office of high constable than at the present day. At a meeting of council March 10, 1822, "it was resolved that Samuel JOHNSTON, high constable, give security in $400 for the faithful performance of his duty." Adam FUNK became his bondsman. With the duties and responsibilities of the office increased a hundred fold, all the security demanded now is $200!
At the same time Joseph MCQUISTION was appointed treasurer, and the owners of homes on the Main street, who desired to construct sidewalks in front of their property, were ordered to make such walks nine feet wide. In 1823, John REED was elected high constable,�John NEGLEY signing his bond�John WELSH was appointed clerk and Samuel JOHNSTON, collector. The cutting of a street paralleling McKean street, the building of a bridge at GIBSON's lot, repairing a bridge on the road to Scott LICK and leveling the Diamond and sidewalks formed the principal work of the council.
At a meeting held April 8, 1824, a resolution was introduced by Mr. BREDIN directing that "a committee of three be appointed to draft an ordinance to employ an artist to fix the corners of lots, streets, and alleys." David DOUGAL, the famous surveyor, evidently was employed as the "artist," for a later entry on the minutes informs us that during that year he re-surveyed the town , re-establishing corners and lot lines.
In 1825 a motion that the sum of twenty dollars be appropriated toward the erection of an engine house on the public square, and toward furnishing it with engine, hooks, ladders and buckets, was voted down, the precociousness [sic] of the proposition being to much for the borough fathers.
In July, 1825, the commissioners advertised that the outlots in the northern and eastern additions to the borough of Butler would be sold at public vendue August 16, 1825. Early in 1826 an ordinace regulating the sale of coal and one relating to the sinking of wells were passed, and with this work the borough council rested.
In July, 1827, the county commissioners agreed to assign to the borough council a "judgment" to be applied on the purchase of an engine and other fire apparatus. On the 28th of that month Mr. GILMORE reported that he purchased an engine for $400, of which half was to be paid in six months and half in twelve months. The report was agreed to and an order to build an engine house in the rear of the court-house, was entered. This building was erected by R. STRAIN for the contract price�$60.
In January,1828, lot 152 was transferred by Norbert FOLTZ to the borough for cemetery purposes, and measures were adopted for fencing in this lot with the old cemetery.
The records for this year also show that Samuel GILMORE, the clerk, was voted eight dollars for his services. In April, 1829, John N. PURVIANCE suc-[p. 311]ceeded him as clerk. In 1835 the salary had been advanced to $15.00 per annum, and in 1894 it was $250.
Many little things appear on the records of those early days which sound odd to readers of the present time. In August, 1828, an ordinance was introduced and passed "to prevent ball playing against the court-house and to prevent the throwing of stones against any of the public buildings, and to prevent the firing off of guns within said borough."
On the 6th of August, 1828, an ordinance to repeal an ordinance to establish a market house in the borough was reported; also one to repeal so much of an ordinance which was intended to prevent sheep and swine running at large, was introduced and passed.
In 1828, twenty-five years after Butler had been laid out and settled, considerable improvement had been made, when we take into consideration the primitive condition of the times. The population numbered between four and five hundred. As early as 1824 the citizens had begun to build brick houses, and in 1828 there were twenty-one in the town, and the whole number of dwellings was about seventy. At first brick houses were looked upon as an innovation by some of the early settlers, but the laws of custom gradually asserted themselves and the log cabin was forced to slowly give way to modern improvements and greater comforts.
It may be interesting, therefore, at the end of the first quarter century, to look over the names of the taxable inhabitants and see who they were�then run down the years to the present day and see how many descendants are here to represent them. There were ninety-seven names on the tax list of 1828, as follows: William AYRES, David ALBRIGHT, Maurice BREDIN, John BREDIN, Jacob BRINKER, William BEATTY, Abraham BRINKER, William BRYAN, Joseph BRANDT, Joseph BATEMAN, Robert Elliot BROWN, Daniel CATNEY, O.G. CROY, William CRISWELL, William CAMPBELL, Robert CARNAHAN, Daniel COLL, Milton CARNAHAN, Timothy CANNON, Thomas DICKEY, Dr. Henry C. DE WOLF, David DOUGAL, John DUFFY, Michael DENNY, Francis DOBBS, Norbert FOLTZ, Adam FUNK, David FUNK, John GILMORE, John GILCHRIST, James GILMORE, Samuel GILMORE, Benjamin GREGG, William GIBSON, James GLENN, Solomon GREGG, Robert GILCHRIST, William HAGERTY, Daniel HYDRON, Samuel HARRIS, Matthew HARBISON, Samuel JOHNSTON, Patrick KELLY, Isaac KINZER, Jacob KELKER, John HARPER, Walter LOWRIE, Dr, George LINN, Jacob LECKEY, Jacob LEASURE, John MCCOLLOUGH, Joseph MCQUISTION, Christopher MYERS, Mark MCCANDLESS, Jacob MECHLING, Samuel MCPHERRIN, John MCQUISTION, George MILLER, Hugh MCKEE, John MCLAUGHLIN, Clark MCPHERRIN, Andrew MARSHALL, Francis MCBRIDE, John MARTIN, Henry MCGINNIS, John MARSHALL, Hugh MCCLAUGHLIN, John MCCLELLAND, Daniel MOSER, John NEGLEY, Isaiah NIBLOCK, William NEYMAN, Eleanor NEYMAN, John POTTS, Campbell E. PURVIANCE, George POTTS, George REED, Malachi RICHARDSON, John REED, James SPENCER, Andrew SPROUL, Robert STRAIN, Alexander SCOTT, John SULLIVAN, Eli SKEER, Robert SCOTT, William STEWART, Joshua J.SEDWICK, Mathias SED-[p. 312]WICK, David STRAWICK, G.W. SMITH, Joseph STERRETT, Lewis TUCKER, James THOMPSON, John THOMPSON, John WELSH, George WOLF.
A correspondent of the Sentinel writing in May, 1829, says the borough then contained three blacksmiths, four shoemakers, three tailors, two tanners, two saddlers, two potters, two plasterers, two bricklayers, three cabinet-makers, four carpenters, two farmers, two hatters, one wagonmaker, one painter, one cooper and one chairmaker. The professions were represented by seven lawyers, two physicians, two resident clergymen and four school teachers, and two or more editors. Trade represented by fourteen merchants, and printing by two offices, each publishing a newspaper, the total circulation being about 1,200 copies weekly. The public and semi-public buildings comprised the court-house and jail, the Butler Academy, and the stone churches owned by the Catholics and Presbyterians.
The "city fathers" were also impressed with the importance of looking after the morals of the inhabitants, for at a meeting on the 14th of August, 1828, it was "resolved that the bell be rung from the 1st of April to the 1st of October, on the Lord's day, at the hours of nine and eleven A.M., and one P.M., and at no other hour on that day. Also from 1st of October to the 1st of April to be rung at the hours of ten and twelve A.M., and at no other time."
The paving of the sidewalks along Main street , leveling the Diamond, enclosing the graveyard, and other necessary measures, were carried out before close of 1829. A fire engine and court-house alarm bell, unknown in 1824, existed in 1829, showing that there was a slow but steady advance in improvement.
In 1830 the question of water supply was presented to the council, and Dr. DE WOLF, Francis MCBRIDE and Hugh MCKEE were appointed a committee to inquire further into the subject and examine the springs adjacent to the borough. Paving, grading, the removal of fences off the streets and public grounds, opening streets and alleys and such routine work occupied the attention of the councilmen.
The people were not unmindful of the necessities of education. At a meeting of citizens held June 29, 1835, with Gen William AYRES presiding, and William STEWART acting as secretary, it was, on motion of John BREDIN, "resolved that the sum of $250 be levied on the borough of Butler in addition to the sum already levied this year (1835) for school purposes, to be applied by the directors according to act of Assembly." After some months of discussion the action of the meeting was officially laid before the council March 9, 1836, and at a subsequent meeting on the 11th, "the clerk was ordered to add $250 to the duplicate." Long deliberations and small results were the order of the time; nor was trouble with the public building contractor avoided; for the council kept STRAIN to the strict letter of the law in the erection of the sixty-dollar engine house.
In March, 1836, William STEWART signed the records as secretary. At the time a levy of $250, in addition to the ordinary school tax was ordered, the whole to be applied to educational purposes by the school directors. In March, 1838, a petition was presented, praying the council pass an ordinance "to prevent boys from annoying the citizens on the Diamond with noise."
[p. 313]
It seems that some of the good citizens did not like to have their nerves disturbed by the ringing of the blacksmiths' anvils, and they petitioned council to have the shops removed from the central part of town. They claimed the right of petition and the law-making branch could not ignore it. Accordingly at a meeting of the council held March 24, 1838, "G.W. SMITH, from the committee to whom was referred the petition of sundry citizens on the subject of erecting blacksmith shops within sixty feet of High street, or the Diamond." made the following report:
That after a careful examination of the subject referred to them, the committee are decidedly of the opinion that the citizens have a right to construct upon their own property any building or construction they may deem proper, being responsible to any person or persons they may annoy in the enjoyment of their own property; and that is a subject over which the town council has no control, but would respectfully recommend to the citizens generally not to construct shops, or any other improvements, so as to disturb their neighbors or retard the improvement of the place.
This report seems to have ended the complaint about blacksmith shops, for nothing more regarding them appears on the minutes.
The old question of water supply, which had dwindled into insignificance, was revived in 1838, when the council authorized "the cleaning-out and walling-up of the Federal Spring." In January, 1839, the original quarry reservation was vacated and the survey of the ground into town lots was authorized�the proceeds of sale of such lots, between Washington and McKean streets, to be appropriated to the aid of the Female Seminary, should the legislature agree to such a proposition.
In 1846 an ordinance to prevent the quarrying of stone on the reservation was passed, but January, 1847, permission was granted the building committee of the Catholic church and Samuel LANE, the contractor, to take out stone for the foundations of the new church and parochial residence, the condition being that the committee should fill up the space and make the street level between DUFFY's and opposite properties.
During the ensuing ten years the care of the streets and alleys appears to have been the principal work of the council, although in December, 1856, it is of record that the borough had to be watched on Hallowe'en night to save it from the practical jokers of that period!
The organization of the fire department in 1859, and the joint celebration in February, 1861, of WASHINGTON's birthday, the fall of Fort Donaldson and the capture of 15,000 Confederates, must be credited to the patriotic impulses of council.
In 1864 the petition of H.C. HEINEMAN, S.G.PURVIS, A. FLANNAGAN, S.C.SULLIVAN and others, asking that the suburb in which they resided be annexed to the borough, was received and considered.
In May, 1865, the system of council committees was adopted and appointments made. The new addition to the borough was made in 1869, the limits changed to take in the annexed territory and a survey and map of the same were made by James DUNLAP. A petition presented in October, 1869, demanded the [p. 314] erection of lamps along Main street, and council appointed ETZELL and KECK to ascertain the cost of lighting the street.
In December, 1869, a special meeting of council was called to consider Colonel SIRWELL's proposition to put up twenty lamps in the borough at thirteen dollars each (all ready to light), and take charge of such lamps, find the oil, light and extinguish them at ten cents per lamp and two dollars per day for services. His second proposition to furnish the lamps for thirteen dollars each and the oil at twenty-five cents per gallon was also considered; but as the stated cost would exceed the whole tax levy for borough purposes, the subject was disposed of summarily and the borough remained in darkness. R.M. MCLURE was elected secretary in 1864 to succeed James M. BREDIN, and served until the close of 1871, when Livingston MCQUISTION was elected secretary. A.J. MCCAFFERTY was secretary in 1875 and S.P. MILES for a short period in 1876. In Centennial year, Jacob ZIEGLER was clerk and served until succeeded by Joseph C. VANDERLIN.
In February, 1876, George C. ROESSING and Dr. Stephen BREDIN, a committee appointed by the citizens, asked the council to approve their action in constructing an iron fence around the old cemetery. No appropriation was asked for. In November, 1877, the proposition of H.C.HEINEMAN, manager of the Butler Gas Company, to place burners on lamp posts and keep them lighted each evening, as the council determined, at a cost of three dollars and fifty cents per lamp, was accepted, and on December 8 of that year the streets were lighted.
In 1878 Henry PILLOW was elected engineer; L.Z. MITCHELL, fire-marshal; William RICHEY, high-constable; Martin REIBER, treasurer; John VINROE, J.B.STOREY, George C. ROESSING, William CAMPBELL and Harvey MILLER, members of the board of health, and Joseph C. VANDERLIN, clerk. In April, 1879, Frank M. EASTMAN was chosen clerk and served until March, 1888, when J.D. MARSHALL was elected.
In 1885 the council considered the question of natural gas supply, and the ordinance, regulating the laying of gas and water pipes, of January 26, 1885, resulted. In February, however, the council ordered the supply of natural gas to be shut off.
In March, 1890, Levi M. WISE was chosen secretary, and served until the election of T. M. BAKER in 1892. In 1893, H. E. COULTER, the present secretary was elected.
As much interesting history has been gathered from the records of the borough council from 1817 to 1894�a period of seventy-seven years�showing the trials and struggles of the local lawmakers, it may be of some interest to the reader of to-day to know who they were, therefore the names of the burgesses and councilmen are herewith submitted. The list is believed to be as nearly complete and accurate as it is possible to complete it from the existing records. It is as follows:
1817�Chief Burgess, William AYRES; Assistant Burgess, John GILMORE; Council, William CAMPBELL, Joshua POTTS, Dr. George MILLER, Hugh MCKEE, David DOUGAL, James STEVENSON, Jacob MECHLING.
[p. 315]
1818�Chief Burgess, William AYRES; Assistant Burgess, John GILMORE; Council, Jacob MECHLING, Peter STEVENSON, John GILCHRIST, James STEVENSON, John EMPICH, William CAMPBELL, Dr. George MILLER.
1819�Chief Burgess, William AYRES; Assistant Burgess, John GILMORE; Council, Jacob MECHLING, William CAMPBELL, John GILCHRIST, James STEVENSON, John EMPICH, Patrick HAGERTY.
1820�Chief Burgess, John BREDIN, Assistant Burgess, John GALBRAITH; Council, Hugh MCKEE, Thomas MCCLEARY, Joseph MCQUISTION, William BEATTY, John POTTS, Robert SCOTT, Eli SKEER.
1821�Chief Burgess, John BREDIN, Assistant Burgess, Walter LOWIE; Council, Jacob MECHLING, Maurice BREDIN, David DOUGAL, Patrick HAGERTY, Thomas M. SEDWICK, John SULLIVAN, Norbert FOLTZ.
1822�Chief Burgess, John POTTS; Assistant Burgess [No record] ; Council, Jacob MECHLING, Norbert FOLTZ, Patrick HAGERTY, John SULLIVAN, John BREDIN, David DOUGAL.
1823�Chief Burgess, John BREDIN; Assistant Burgess, Robert SCOTT; Council, Hugh MCKEE, James THOMPSON, John POTTS, John SULLIVAN, John SHERIDAN, John GILCHRIST, William HAGERTY, Eli SKEER.
1824�Chief Burgess, John SULLIVAN; Assistant Burgess, Hugh MCKEE; Council, William AYRES, William CAMPBELL, William BEATTY, Patrick HAGERTY, David SCOTT, Norbert FOLTZ, John BREDIN, John WELSH.
1825�Chief Burgess, John POTTS; Assistant Burgess, Jacob MECHLING; Council, Walter LOWRIE, John SULLIVAN, John BREDIN, William HAGERTY, Joseph MCQUISTION, Robert CARNAHAN, Robert SCOTT.
1826�Chief Burgess, John BREDIN; Assistant Burgess, William CAMPBELL; Council, John GILMORE, David DOUGAL, Jacob BRINKER, Joseph MCQUISTION, John GILCHRIST, Alexander SCOTT, Robert CARNAHAN, Norbert FOLTZ.
1827�Chief Burgess, Jacob MECHLING; Assistant Burgess, Adam FUNK; Council, William Ayres, John GILMORE, Jacob BRINKER, William CAMPBELL, Norbert FOLTZ, Andrew SPROUL, William HAGERTY.
1828�Chief Burgess, William CAMPBELL; Assistant Burgess, Adam FUNK; Council, John DUFFY, Hugh MCKEE, William AYRES, Francis DOBBS, Daniel COLL, Joshua J. SEDWICK, John GILMORE.
1829�Chief Burgess, Robert SCOTT; Assistant Burgess, John BREDIN; Council, John GILMORE, Jacob BRINKER, William CAMPBELL, Andrew SPROUL, Norbert FOLTZ, William HAGERTY.
1830�Chief Burgess, Jacob MECHLING; Assistant Burgess, John BREDIN; Council, William AYRES, William BEATTY, H.C. DE WOLF, John DUFFY, Francis MCBRIDE, Hugh MCKEE, S.A. GILMORE.
1831�Chief Burgess, Jacob MECHLING; Assistant Burgess, John BREDIN; Council, William AYRES, William BEATTY, John SULLIVAN, Samuel GILMORE, Hugh MCKEE, Joseph MCQUISTION, Francis MCBRIDE.
1832�Chief Burgess, Jacob MECHLING; Assistant Burgess, William CAMPBELL; Council, William BEATTY, S.A. GILMORE, Hugh MCKEE, M.RICHARDSON, George LINN, S.A. PURVIANCE, William STEWART.
1833�Chief Burgess, John BREDIN; Assistant Burgess, John POTTS; Coun- [p. 316]cil, William AYRES, William BEATTY, Jacob MECHLING, William CAMPBELL, Hugh MCKEE, Jonathan PLUMMER, Patrick KELLY.
1834�Chief Burgess, John BREDIN; Assistant Burgess, Daniel COLL; Council, John GILMORE, William AYRES, William CAMPBELL, William BEATTY, Hugh MCKEE, Jonathan PLUMMER, Jacob MECHLING.
1835�Chief Burgess, John BREDIN; Assistant Burgess, Daniel COLL; Council, William AYRES, William BEATTY, John GILMORE, William CAMPBELL, Jacob MECHLING, David DOUGAL, Hugh MCKEE, (William STEWART was elected to fill the vacancy caused by death of Mr. MCKEE).
1836�Chief Burgess, John BREDIN; Assistant Burgess, [no record]; Council, William AYRES, William CAMPBELL, William STEWART, John GILMORE, Jacob MECHLING, Daniel COLL.
1837�Chief Burgess, John DUFFY; Assistant Burgess, Patrick KELLY; Council, William AYRES, John GILMORE, Jacob MECHLING, Daniel COLL, William CAMPBELL, Robert CARNAHAN, George POTTS.
1838�Chief Burgess, Jacob ZIEGLER; Assistant Burgess, [no record]; Council, Joseph MCQUISTION, Jacob MECHLING, John GILMORE, George POTTS, Robert CARNAHAN, G.W. SMITH, George MILLER.
1839�Chief Burgess, Jacob ZIEGLER; Assistant Burgess, Patrick KELLY, Jr. Council, John GILMORE, Jacob MECHLING, Robert CARNAHAN, Andrew CARNS, John MCCARNES, Jacob BRINKER, John N. PURVIANCE.
1840�Chief Burgess, S.S. BEATTY; Assistant Burgess, Patrick KELLY; Council, John GILMORE, Jacob MECHLING, Jacob BRINKER, John MCCARNES, John SWEENY, Daniel COLL, Samuel A. GILMORE.
1841�-Chief Burgess, George W. SMITH; Assistant Burgess, John N. PURVIANCE; Council, S.S. BEATTY, Jacob MECHLING, Thomas MCNAIR, William BALPH, George W. REED, Samuel A. PURVIANCE, Patrick KELLY.
1842�Chief Burgess, George W. SMITH; Assistant Burgess, Daniel COLL; Council, William BEATTY, William CAMPBELL, George W. REED, John GILCHRIST, Joseph MCQUISTION, S.A. PURVIANCE, Patrick KELLY.
1843�Chief Burgess, George W. SMITH; Assistant Burgess, Daniel COLL; Council, Jacob MECHLING, G.W. REED, Samuel A. PURVIANCE, Jacob Ziegler, Samuel M. LANE, A. S. MCBRIDE, Patrick KELLY, Jr.
1844�Chief Burgess, George W. SMITH; Assistant Burgess, Daniel COLL; Council, William BEATTY, John MCCARNS, Andrew CARNES, I. ARYES, Patrick KELLY, John Michael ZIMMERMAN, Alexander HENRY.
1845�Chief Burgess, John GILMORE; Assistant Burgess, William CAMPBELL, Jr.; Council, William BEATTY, David DOUGAL, John POLLOCK, Andrew CARNS, George W. SMITH, Jacob WALTER, Samuel M. LANE.
1846�Chief Burgess, Harper MITCHELL; Assistant Burgess, William BALPH; Council, William BEATTY, David DOUGAL, George W. SMITH, Andrew CARNS, Jacob WALTER, William BALPH, Samuel M. LANE.
1847�Chief Burgess, George W. SMITH; Assistant Burgess, Daniel COLL; Council, Jacob MECHLING, David DOUGAL, S.A. GILMORE, C.C. SULLIVAN, Samuel M.LANE, William BALPH, Jacob WALTER.
1848�Chief Burgess, Dr. H.C. DE WOLF; Assistant Burgess, William CRIS-[p. 317] WELL; Council, Jacob MECHLING, William CAMPBELL, David DOUGAL, William BEATTY, George W. SMITH, Samuel M. LANE, Samuel G. PURVIS.
1849�Chief Burgess, Jacob MECHLING, Jr.; Assistant Burgess, Patrick KELLY, Jr.; Council, Jacob MEECHLING, Sr., William BEATTY, William BALPH, George W. CROZIER, Jr., David WALKER, Jacob WALTER.
1850�Chief Burgess, Lewis Z. MITCHELL; Assistant Burgess, Ebenezer MCJUNKIN; Council, Jacob MECHLING, Samuel G. PURVIS, Jacob WALTER, Samuel M. LANE, Charles C. SULLIVAN, James GLENN, Michael EMERICK.
1851�Chief Burgess, Lewis Z. MITCHELL; Assistant Burgess, J.L.BREDIN; Council, Louis STEIN, William BALPH, S.C. STEWART, Phillip MECHLING, Jacob WALTER, Patrick KELLY, Jr., John Michael ZIMMERMAN.
1852�Chief Burgess, W.B. LEMMON; Assistant Burgess, William ZIEGLER; Council, John H. NEGLEY, Jacob MECHLING, John Michael ZIMMERMAN, Michael EMERICK, David DOUGAL, Samuel G. PURVIS, John MARTIN.
1853�Chief Burgess, John B. MCQUISTION; Assistant Burgess, Henry DICKEY; Council, George W. SMITH, Jacob MECHLING, Samuel G. PURVIS, S.C. STEWART, James T. MCJUNKIN, P. BICKEL, Jacob WALTER.
1854�Chief Burgess, John MILLER; Assistant Burgess, James T. MCJUNKIN; Council, George W. SMITH, Samuel G. PURVIS, E. MCJUNKIN, P. BICKEL, Jacob MECHLING, S.C.STEWART, Jacob WALTER.
1855�Chief Burgess, John GRAHAM ; Assistant Burgess, Valentine FEIGEL; Council, J.G. CAMPBELL, Peter DUFFY, George W. SMITH, P. BICKEL, E. MCJUNKIN, Charles C. STEWART, Jacob WALTER.
1856�Chief Burgess, John B. MCQUISTION; Assistant Burgess, William BALPH; Council, J.G. CAMPBELL, Peter DUFFY, J.G. MUNTZ, Patton KEARNS, S.C. STEWART, Samuel G. PURVIS, John Michael ZIMMERMAN.
1857�Chief Burgess, Lewis Z. MITCHELL; Assistant Burgess, John B. MCQUISTION; Council, William CAMPBELL, A.C. MARTIN, S.G. PURVIS, Frederick MILLER, Peter DUFFY, Patrick KELLY, John Michael ZIMMERMAN.
1858�Chief Burgess, John B. MCQUISTION; Assistant Burgess, Francis EYTH; Council, William CAMPBELL, Patrick KELLY, Peter DUFFY, George REIBER, William BALPH, A.C. MARTIN.
1859�Chief Burgess, Henry EITENMILLER; Assistant Burgess, George W. SCHAFFER; Council, Lewis Z. MITCHELL, John Michael ZIMMERMAN, William CAMPBELL, Patrick KELLY, Peter DUFFY, George REIBER.
1860�Chief Burgess, Stephen BREDIN; Assistant Burgess, Adam TROUTMAN; Council, Lewis Z. MITCHEL, John GRAHAM, William CAMPBELL, Patrick KELLY, George REIBER, John Michael ZIMMERMAN.
1861�Chief Burgess, William S. ZIEGLER; Assistant Burgess, John B. MCQUISTION; Council, John BERG, Lewis Z. MITCHELL, William CAMPBELL, Patrick KELLY, George REIBER, John Michael ZIMMERMAN.
1862�Chief Burgess, R. M. MCLURE; Assistant Burgess, Jacob REIBER; Council, Conrad SMITH, George REIBER, William CAMPBELL, Lewis Z. MITCHELL, John BERG, Patrick KELLY.
1863�Chief Burgess, Joseph J. ELLIOTT; Assistant Burgess, Jacob KECK; Council, same as in 1862.
[p. 318]
1864�Chief Burgess, A. N. MCCANDLESS; Assistant Burgess, Charles WISEMAN; Council, I. J. CUMMINGS, John LAWALL, John BERG, George REIBER, Conrad SMITH, Lewis Z. MITCHELL.
1865�Chief Burgess, Joseph J. ELLIOT; Assistant Burgess, Jacob KECK; Council, same as in 1864, with the exception of John FRAZIER in place of Conrad SMITH.
1866�Chief Burgess, George REIBER; Assistant Burgess, Louis BISHOP; Council, James BREDIN, John FRAZIER, Lewis Z. MITCHELL, George REIBER, John LAWALL, I. J. CUMMINGS.
1867�Chief Burgess, William A. LOWRY; Assistant Burgess, John LAWALL; Council, Jacob KECK, Charles DUFFY, John LAWALL, James BREDIN, George REIBER, John FRAZIER.
1868�Chief Burgess, D. H. MCQUISTION; Assistant Burgess, Martin REIBER; Council, William M. RHEINLANDER, Gabriel ETZEL, James BREDIN, Jacob KECK, John LAWALL, George REIBER.
1869�Chief Burgess, John B. MCQUISTION; Assistant Burgess, George L. ROSE; Council, John FRAZIER, James BREDIN, John LAWALL, Jacob KECK, Gabriel ETZEL, William M. RHEINLANDER.
1870�Chief Burgess, O. C. MCQUISTION; Assistant Burgess, Fred K. GAUTER; Council, W. A. LOWRY, T. S. MCNAIR, James BREDIN, John FRAZIER, William M. RHEINLANDER, Gabriel ETZEL.
1871�Chief Burgess, Alexander BAXTER; Assistant Burgess, W. W. MCQUISTION; Council, same as in 1870, with the exception of George WALTER in place of William M. RHEINLANDER.
1872�Chief Burgess, A. N. MCCANDLESS; Assistant Burgess, Archibald FRAZIER; Council, Walter L. GRAHAM, William ZEIGLER, W. A. LOWRY, T. S. MCNAIR, Gabriel ETZEL, George WALTER.
1873�Chief Burgess, Jacob KECK; Assistant Burgess, Casper ROCKENSTEIN; Council, John M. THOMPSON, Joseph ELLIOTT, Gabriel ETZEL, William ZIEGLER, Walter L. GRAHAM, George WALTER.
1874�Chief Burgess, S. H. PEIRSOL; Assistant Burgess, Casper ROCKENSTEIN; Council, Martin REIBER, George BAUER, Walter L. GRAHAM, John M. THOMPSON, Joseph ELLIOT, William ZIEGLER.
1875�Chief Burgess, Jacob KECK; Assistant Burgess, Andrew FITZSIMMONS; Council, John LAWALL, Frank FISHER, Martin J. REIBER, George BAUER, Joseph ELLIOTT, John M. THOMPSON.
1876�Chief Burgess, J. B. BUTLER; Assistant Burgess, George W. SCHAFFER; Council, Joseph L. PURVIS, F. M. EASTMAN, Joseph J. ELLIOTT, Martin J. REIBER, Frank FISHER, John LAWALL.
1877�Chief Burgess, Jacob KECK; Assistant Burgess, James CONVERY; Council, Philip BAUER, M. J. REIBER, F. M. EASTMAN, John LAWALL, Frank FISHER, Joseph L. PURVIS.
1878�Chief Burgess, Jacob ZEIGLER; Assistant Burgess, A. L. REIBER; Council, Philip WEISNER, L. M. COCHRAN, F. M. EASTMAN, Martin J. REIBER, Joseph L. PURVIS, Philip BAUER.
1879—Chief Burgess, G. C. ROESSING; Assistant Burgess, Grower BAUER; [p. 319]
Council, George SCHAFFNER, J. N. PATTERSON, Phillip WEISNER, L. M. COCHRAN, Martin J. REIBER, Philip BAUER.
1880--Chief Burgess, A. L. REIBER; Assistant Burgess, A. BAXTER; Council, G. C. ROESSING, Martin J. REIBER, J. N. PATTERSON, L. M. COCHRAN, Philip WEISNER, George SCHAFFNER.
1881--Chief Burgess, A. BAXTER; Assistant Burgess, Philip CROUSE; Council, Casper ROCKENSTEIN, John FRAZIER, John N. MUNTZ, John N. PATTERSON, G. C. ROESSING, George SCHAFFNER.
1882--Chief Burgess, George W. ZIEGLER; Assistant Burgess, Harry KEARNS; Council, George WALTER, George SCHAFFNER, Jacob ZIEGLER, John N. MUNTZ, John FRAZIER, Casper ROCKENSTEIN.
1883--Chief Burgess, John C. MANNY; Assistant Burgess, Alexander BAXTER; Council, Jacob KECK, Alexander RUSSELL, John FRAZIER, Casper ROCKENSTEIN, George WALTER, John N. MUNTZ.
1884--Chief Burgess, John S. CAMPBELL; Assistant Burgess, B. KEMPER; Council, H. J. KLINGLER, Casper ROCKENSTEIN, Jacob KECK, Alexander RUSSELL, George SCHAFFNER, George WALTER.
1885--Chief Burgess, A. L. REIBER; Assistant Burgess, B. KEMPER; Council, George WALTER, M. RIESENMAN, H. J. KLINGER, Alexander RUSSELL, Jacob KECK, Casper ROCKENSTEIN.
1886--Chief Burgess, A. L. REIBER; Assistant Burgess, B. KEMPER; Council, George D. HARVEY, W. T. MECHLING, H. J. KLINGLER, Alexander RUSSELL, Jacob KECK, Casper ROCKENSTEIN.
1887--Chief Burgess, A. L. REIBER; Assistant Burgess, B. KEMPER; Council, George WALTER, M. RIESENMAN, W. T. MECHLING, G. D. HARVEY, D. A. HECK, Peter SCHENCK, H. J. KLINGER, Alexander RUSSELL.
1888--Chief Burgess, A. L. REIBER; Assistant Burgess, James B. MITCHELL; Council, Harvey GIBSON, E. W. KIRK, Philip CROUSE, G. D. HARVEY, Joseph ROCKENSTEIN, Adam HOFFNER, W. T. MECHLING, Peter SCHENCK, D. A. HECK.
1889--Chief Burgess, A. L. REIBER; Assistant Burgess, James B. MITCHELL; Council, Thomas ALEXANDER, Philip CROUSE, E. W. KIRK, W. A. FORQUER, R. S. NICHOLS, Charles DUFFY, George WALTER, George SCHENCK, Peter SCHENCK, John S. CAMPBELL, Adam HOFFNER, Joseph ROCKENSTEIN, W. T. MECHLING, A.P. STEWART, D. A. HECK. This year the borough was divided into five wards, and three councilmen were elected from each ward.
1890--Chief Burgess, John N. PATTERSON : Assistant Burgess, D. L. AIKEN; Council, W. A. FORQUER, Philip CROUSE, J. E. BYERS, A. P. STEWART, Peter SCHENCK, W. G. HAYS, J. B. BLACK, Thomas ALEXANDER, George SCHENCK, R. S. NICHOLS, George WALTER, James BORLAND.
1891--Chief Burgess, J. Q. A. KENNEDY; Assistant Burgess, D. L. AIKEN; Council, J. H. HARPER, L. D. PERRINE, J. George STAMM, J. B. MCJUNKIN, Adam HOFFNER, George W. ZIEGLER, James BORLAND, John W. VOGEL, Peter SCHENCK, J. S. CAMPBELL, W.T. MECHLING, J. E. BYERS, W. A. FORQUER, Thomas ALEXANDER.
1892--Chief Burgess, R. C. MCABOY; Assistant Burgess, D. L. AIKEN; Council, E. E. KIRK, L.D. PERRINE, J.H. HARPER, C.A. HITE, John E. BYERS, John [p. .320] W. VOGEL, J.N. PATTERSON, Peter SCHENCK, J. George STAMM, Robert STOREY, J.B. BLACK, Adam HOFFNER, John LEFEVRE, James BORLAND, George W. ZIEGLER.
1893--Chief Burgess, George W. ZIEGLER; Assistant Burgess, John MCCLEARY; Council, Stephen MARKHAM, J. H. HARPER, D. H. SUTTON, John W. VOGEL, C.A. HITE, Harry GRIEB, J. George STAMM, J. N. PATTERSON, John LAWALL, Adam HOFFNER, Robert STOREY, J.B. MCJUNKIN, John LEFEVRE, Wilson E. REED, David SYPHER. Mr REED having died, W.H. MORRIS was elected by council to fill the vacancy.
1894--Chief Burgess, C.E. ANDERSON (by act of 1893 the term of burgess was extended to three years, and the office of assistant was abolished. Mr. ANDERSON, therefore, was the first burgess to be benefited by the new law); Council, D.H. SUTTON, Stephen MARKHAM, John S. JACK, C.A. HITE, Harry GRIEB, Thomas J. SHUFFLIN, J. George STAMM, J.N. PATTERSON, John LAWALL, Robert STOREY, Daniel YOUNKINS, George W. MILES, John LEFEVRE, David SYPHER, John F. LOWRY.
The first justice of the peace for the town of Butler was Samuel CUNNINGHAM. The records show that in 1808 he united Walter LOWRIE and Miss Amelia MCPHERRIN in marriage. In 1809, one year after his marriage, Mr. LOWRIE was appointed a justice. After him came Abraham BRINKER, Reuben AYRES and Robert SCOTT. The latter died early, and was succeeded by Hugh MCKEE. About this time John DUFFY became justice. He was followed by John SWEENEY and Patrick KELLY, Jr. These justices were appointed by the respective governors. After the adoption of the Constitution of 1838-39 the office became effective. From 1840 to 1894 the following have served: Patrick KELLY, 1840; Robert CARNAHAN, 1841-45-50-55; Samuel C. STEWART, 1841; Samuel G. PURVIS, 1845-50-55-60-65; James GLENN, 1846-51; George C. ROESSING, 1856-61; James MCNAIR, 1865; William S. ZIEGLER, 1866; Jacob KECK, 1869-74-79-80-81-86-91; Robert MCLURE, 1869; J.G. MUNTZ, 1871-76; John B. BUTLER, 1875; Henry PILLOW, 1878-79; Lewis P. WALKER, 1880-86; John BLACK, 1881; Samuel P. IRVINE, 1882; John W. BROWN, 1885; J.P. MCQUISTION, 1886; R.C. MCABOY, 1888-91; Cyrus E. ANDERSON, 1891.
The first mail route from Erie to Pittsburg was established in 1801. Four years later the mail carrier visited Butler every two weeks, and subsequently once a week. The mail was carried on horseback for many years, and it is said the mail was often so small as to be easily stowed away in the pockets of the carrier. The mail pouch was thrown across the back of the carrier's horse, but later two horses were needed, and finally a horse and wagon became necessary to transport the increasing correspondence. In 1818 a semi- weekly mail was established through Butler, from Pittsburg to Erie; a tri-weekly in 1824, and a daily in 1827. The stage coach came in 1821, and the mail was carried by the stage lines until the advent of the first railroad in 1871.
The following list of postmasters of Butler, with dates of appointment, was obtained from the postoffice department, Washington, D.C., and is therefore authentic: William B. YOUNG, October 1, 1805; John POTTS, July 1, 1807; Will- [p. . 321] iam GIBSON, December 8, 1813; Jacob MECHLING, Jr., April 1, 1816; James P. HOWARD, February 10, 1817; John GILCHRIST, January 24, 1824 : Peter DUFFY, December 10, 1830; James POTTS, December 1, 1832; William B. LEMMON, July 10, 1841; David A. AGNEW, May 16, 1845; Joshua J. SEDWICK, March 26, 1849; Daniel COLL, April 28, 1853; Joshua J. SEDWICK, June 8, 1861, re-appointed March 2, 1867; Frank M. EASTMAN, April 21, 1869; Thomas B. WHITE, April 3, 1871, re-appointed March 15, 1875; Sallie A. ROBINSON, March 27,1879, re-appointed June 26, 1883; Frank M. EASTMAN, May 10, 1888; John T. KELLY, May 20, 1892.
The letter carrier system was introduced in 1890, by the appointment of five carriers and one substite, and is still in successful operation.
The first merchant was John POTTS, who continued in business until his death, in 1838, except when representing his constituents in the General Assembly. His store was located on the southeast corner of Main and Cunningham streets. Maurice and John BREDIN kept store on the south side of the Diamond about 1820. David DOUGAL had a small store on a lot which he purchased at the first sale in 1803. Then there were William PURVIANCE and Samuel HILL, on the south side of the Diamond, which seems to have been the center around which the business houses of early times clustered. Adam FUNK was also a pioneer merchant. Walter LOWRIE did business at the west end of the square. He was succeeded by John SULLIVAN about 1827, who carried on a business until 1831, when Clark MCPHERRIN succeeded him. Robert and James CUNNINGHAM appeared about 1832. Their store stood on what is now the site of the Butler County National Bank.
John and Peter DUFFY were also among the merchants on the Diamond, having commenced business as early as 1823. In 1840, when John DUFFY became an associate judge, he retired from the mercantile business. The store was carried on by his brother Peter till 1863, when his eldest son, Charles, succeeded him, and is still a prominent merchant.
Oliver DAVID opened a store about 1828, on the Diamond, and subsequently on South Main street, and it was continued in succession through the firms of David & Lane, David & Campbell, and others, when it ceased. Daniel COLL, another old time store-keeper, carried on business on the corner of Cunningham and Main streets from about 1830. William HAGERTY was a early merchant on Main street, as were also Harry MITCHELL and PARKER & DONNELLY, whose place of business was on the site of STEIN's dry goods store. James FRAZIER and Jonathon PLUMMER conducted a store opposite' the LOWRY house at quite an early day.
In 1835 William CAMPBELL, Esq., engaged in general merchandise, going in partnership with his sons, James GILMORE and William, under the firm name of William CAMPBELL & Sons. At the end of ten years the father retired, leaving his sons in control of the business. They continued as J.G. & W. CAMPBELL, when some years later they changed the general character of the business to farming implements and hardware. This store is still carried on by the grandsons of its founder.
[p. . 322]
James CAMPBELL, who married a daughter of Oliver DAVID, one of the old-time merchants, became his partner, and the firm was known as David & Campbell. When the senior member retired the firm was changed to Campbell & Yetter. Finally CAMPBELL retired and went to Allegheny, whence, after being engaged in business several years, he returned to Butler and died. He bore no relation to the family of William CAMPBELL, Sr. Mr. CAMPBELL accumulated a handsome competence through the mercantile business.
In early days the hatting business was regarded as very important. The first hatters were John and Robert GILCHRIST, who carried on the business on Main street for many years, commencing early in the twenties. Issac COLBERT began the manufacture of hats in Butler township in 1835, and the following year moved into the borough, where he carried on the business until his death, in 1872. His sons, William R. and Harvey, followed the same business.
Thomas STEHLE and John BERG, Sr., may also be classed among the early merchants. The former came to Butler in 1832, and for more than fifty years was successfully connected with the mercantile growth of the town. Mr. BERG came here in 1835, and was one of the prominent business men of the borough until his death in 1884, and the founder of the banking house of John BERG & Company. His brother, Herman J. BERG, who is yet a resident, was associated with him in business for several years.
Louis STEIN and Bernad ROESSING opened a general store in the spring of 1840, and the firm of Roessing & Stein carried on business for more than thirty years.
Anthony ROCKENSTEIN came in 1841, and opened a merchant tailoring establishment. The tailors prior to him were John WELSCH, James GLENN, Mark MCCANDLESS and David A. AGNEW.
Another successful merchant of this period was William S. BOYD, afterwards the founder of Springdale. He first commenced business as a druggist, on the Diamond, but early in the forties started a dry goods store on the corner of Jefferson and Main streets, which he carried on for a quarter of a century. He erected the first three-story brick block in Butler, laid out Springdale, and possessed commendable enterprise and public spirit.
Joesph MCQUISTION was one of the pioneer shoemakers of the town, and in 1840 Philip BICKEL and Adam SCHENCK opened a shoe shop on Jefferson street.
Francis X. GRIEB opened a jeweler's shop in 1849, and three years later purchased the property on North Main, now owned by his widow, remodeled the building and established the first regular jewlery store in the borough, which he carried on until his death, in 1865. His son, Henry, has since conducted the business.
J.J. SEDWICK was one of the pioneer harness-makers, and later came William CRISWELL, Maj. George W. REED and others in different lines of trade who deserve mention among the early business men, but in the absece of records and the lapse of years, their names have faded from the memories of the present generation.
The early stores of Butler bear no comparison with those of to-day, which are magnificent in their internal arrangement and equipment, and well filled with [p. .323] all kinds of goods in their line. Their show windows, in the taste displayed in their trimming, are bazaars of beauty under the brilliant glare of electricity which attracts the admirationof street pedestrians. The early merchants had to exchange their goods for "country produce" and peltries, as money was rare and seldom seen; the merchants of to-day would be dumbfounded if they were suddenly transported back to the primitive times of eighty years ago, when cash registers and "change railroads" were unknown in the transaction of business.
BRACKENRIDGE in his reminiscences informs us that when he came to Butler in winter of 1803-4 there were only two taverns in the village. He does not give the names of those who kept them, but at the February session of the court for 1804, he says that licenses were granted to William AYRES and James THOMPSON to keep public houses. As he was clerk to the prothonotary his statement should be good authoruty. We therefore infer that these two were the first regulary authorized landlords.
Evidently the outlook for the tavern business was consided good at that time, for at the May term following licenses were granted to John MOSER, Robert GRAHAM, George BOWERS, and William BROWN, to keep public houses. Thus, in the second year of existance, Butler had six taverns.
From that time to the present there have been many persons engaged in the business. The names of all have not been preserved, but many have, and it may revive old memories of the past to recall some of them. Among the oldest may be mentioned Adam FUNK, who kept a primitive log tavern facing the Diamond, for which he got a license in 1805. In his house, it is said, some of the early sessions of court were held. Facing the square from the north�near where the Park Hotel is now located�was the famous public house of early times kept by Patrick KELLY. A stately buck, with branching antlers, was conspicuously painted on the sign, and the tavern was known as "The Buck." It was famed for good cheer and superb Irish Whiskey. KELLY was a noted host, a gentleman of polished manners, faultless in dress, and unexcelled as an entertainer. His house was a favorite place for the militia�and often while drilling the company would suddenly adjourn to allay their thirst. In him they found a soldier in feel-ing as well as apperance, and always fared well at his bar. Political meetings were held at The Buck, state questions were discussed, and amusing incidents were frequent Occurrence.
David SCOTT, founder of what is now known as the Arlington, was a noted character in his time. His sign bore a Rising Sun in all the radience of beauty. Noted for his kindness of heart, his guests sometimes took advantage of him. On the 4th of November, 1820, he suggested to some non-paying guests that his patience was exhausted, and if they did not come forward and settle he would be compelled to try the efficacy of Justice CAMPBELL's court. He says:
I will give no longer indulgence to those who flattered me. They wished to throw a penny in my road; but alas! they threw my whiskey down their throats and [p. 324] haye not thrown the penny yet. But it is not too late to do well; if you throw, I will receive; if you will not comply with these terms, I will put costs on from six and one-fourth cents and upwards.
There is nothing to show how this influenced the debtors, beyond a stronger notice, which appeared in 1823-24, reminding those who swallowed his whiskey to come up like men and pay for it.
SCOTT was succeeded by Abraham M. NEYMAN. The latter, with his son Thomas, was killed by the falling of a tree April 12, 1827, and John GILCHRIST, the postmaster, succeeded to the tavern in that year. Samuel MARQUIS followed, and George DERR came next and he made some radical changes in the sign by having his own name painted on it in German letters. In 1828 it appears that there were only seven taverns in the town, a gain of but one since 1804. DERR was succeeded by John Michael ZIMMERMAN about 1838 - 39, and he by William VOGELEY. This was in 1847 - 48 and the Rising Sun came to be known as the Vogeley House, and the new proprietor kept it for upwards of twenty years. After his death William H. ENSMINGER, Jacob FIEDLER, George W. CAMPBELL, BECK & FAUBLE, and C. SNODGRASS, were lessees. In July, 1892, the house was purchased from Mrs. William VOGELEY by Capt. Herman LIEBOLD, and in the spring of 1893 Mr. LIEBOLD took charge and changed the name to The Arlington.
Returning to the Diamond, we note the Mansion House, which was erected by Abraham BRINKER soon after the town was laid out. It was a log building, stood on the side of the Citizen and Record offices, and was a noted landmark for many years. He was granted his first licence in 1805. Mr. BRINKER kept the Mansion House until 1809, then sold it to Jacob MECHLING, and removed to a farm on Boony Brook, where he erected a grist-mill and carding-mill. Captain BRINKER commanded a company in the War of 1812. He was noted for his polite manners and accommodating disposition.
His successor as landlord of The Mansion House, Jacob MECHLING, was a representative man of his time, always neatly dressed, very polite, and honest and careful in business. His wife was a favorite with the juveniles of the twenties, as she had the kind of habit of giving them large pieces of molasses taffy on every recurring Christmas day. His old account book, beginning with the year 1810, which has been preserved, contains charges against many pioneers and the leading residents of that time. It is in the handwriting of Mr. MECHLING, and is a curious and interesting relic.
It was at the Mansion House where LAFAYETTE tarried during his memorable visit, June 1, 1825, while en route from Pittsburg to Erie and Canada. Here he dined, and met the leading citizens of Butler, who came in large numbers to bid him welcome. The occasion was one long to be remembered, and marked an epoch in history of the borough. The Butler Sentinel of June 4, 1825, describes the visit and ovation in these words:
On Wednesday last General LAFAYETTE, on his way from Pittsburg to Erie, passed through this borough. On the evening preceding, a meeting of the citizens was held in the court house and preparations made for receiving and accommodating him in a suitable and respectable manner. A committee of six was appointed, of whom two were to go out to meet him and escort him into town, two to prepare necessary accommodations [p. 325] for his entertainment while here, and two to accompany him as far as Mercer. On Wednesday morning two trimphal arches were erected, one in each end of town, decorated with laurel and other evergreens, and on the summit of which were hoisted American flags. From the center of each arch was suspended a tablet with "Welcome LAFAYETTE" in large and legible letters and encircled with wreaths of flowers and roses. When it was ascertained that the General was near, the citizens of the borough, with a numerous concourse of people from the surrounding vicinity, who had assembled to get sight of the "Nation's Guest," formed in regular order and marched to the southern extremity of the town; here arranging themselves in single file, on each side of the road, they waited his approach and greeted him as he passed; after which they turned in and marched in regular procession after the carriage, up the main street to the public square. The General alighted at Mr. MECHLING's inn, where a sumptous entertainment was prepared for his accommodation. After dinner he walked out among the people, and was introduced to all, indiscriminately, who requested that honor.
The General appeared highly pleased during the short time he remained, and being introduced to some old Revolutionary soldiers who had shared the toils and perils of the Brandywine battle with him, it is said that he distinctly recollected their features, and conversed familiarity upon subjects that transpired at the battle. On taking his leave, he bid them an affectionate adieu, and exclaimed, "Farewell, my friends, this is the last time you will see me."
He stayed but a short time, but it is presumed, that during his stay he shook hands with not less than four hundred people. About four o'clock he departed, carrying with him the good wishes of the multitude, and was escorted by the committee of arrangements. He arrived in Mercer about one o'clock next morning.
One of the first taverns was built by William BROWN on the site of Miss Sarah MCQUISTION's residence, South Main street, her house being the rear part of the original building. BROWN was granted a licence in May, 1804, and ran the business until succeeded by Samuel MARQUIS and Rudolph KELKER and John Michael ZIMMERMAN. Bennett DOBBS came later, and converted it into a temperance house, the first in the town. His oval sign in front of the tavern bore a hideous hydra-headed serpent, with blood-shot eyes and darting tongues, intended to illustrate the poisonous effects of intxicants, and evil tendencies of the toper. The old building was finally purchased by John NEGLEY, and the front portion torn down. The Herald was published in the part yet standing from 1855 to 1858, by Joseph P. PATTERSON, and his successor, John H. NEGLEY.
The site of the Willard Hotel was dedicated to tavern purposes early in the century, when a log building was erected there, and a place of entertainment opened. We have been unable to learn the name of its first landlord, but jacob BRINKER, son of Abraham BRINKER, erected the old brick building more than sixty years ago, and carried on the house a long period. He inherited the patriotic spirit of his father, and took a deep intrest in military affairs, but was unlike him in personal appearance, being a large, stout man. It was afterwards kept by John POLLOCK, and in 1848 was purchased by John Michael ZIMMERMAN, and the name changed to Pennsylvania House. The sign was a stage coach drawn by four dashing steeds. The new proprietor conducted it till 1868, when he sold it to Benjamin JACK, and he carried it on till his death, in 1877. Robert BARRON then bought the property and ran the house a short time. It finally came into the possession of W. J. REIHING, who remodeled and rebuilt the stucture, using a portion of the old building. His widow still owns it.
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The Black Horse was a noted hostelry at one time. It stood on the corner of Cunningham and Main streets, and was owned by Patrick HAGERTY before 1826. His sons, William and Alexander, were also identified with it. How long they kept it cannot now be determined with accuracy, but in course of time it passed away, and the substantial Reiber block now marks the spot where it stod.
Another of the famous taverns of what might be called the intermediateperiod, was the Beatty House, founded by William BEATTY, also one of the leading men of his day and generation. This house, which stood on the site now occupied by the Troutman Block, was in the full tide of successful operation as 1828. The sign was a magnificent American eagle, with extended wings, surrounded by thirteen stars, copied from the device on the silver coins of the period, and emblematic of liberty. In some respects "The Eagle" was the leading public house of its day. The stages stopped there, prominent visitors "put up" there, and it was Democratic headquarters for many years. Count LEON and his retinue of titled dignitaries, when on their way to Economy in 1832, were guests of The Eagle over night. It was a regulated and well governed house. Mr. BEATTY would allow no disorderly charaters about. He would stand behind the bar, which was easily seen from the street by all passers by, and wait upon his customers. There were no stained glass windows or doors to hide them from view in those days. He represented the district in Congress, and was noted for his firmness and tenacity of purpose, dignity, and high integrity. He died in 1851.
In 1848 Mr. BEATTY sold the hotel to Jacob REIBER, and in 1850 Col. Alexander LOWRY became the owner and conducted the house until 1863, when he sold it to Benjamin JACK. Previous to coming here Colonel LOWRY had kept the American House, Hollidaysburg, for five years. He is now the oldest living representative of the old time landlords of Butler. It is only within the last few years that this famous hostelry was removed and another landmark swept away by the ever rolling wave of progress.
More than seventy years ago a log building, afterwards clapboarded, stood on Jefferson street, near the corner of Main, which was dedicated to tavern purposes as early as 1820 by Col. Francis MCBRIDE, and known as the United States. A frame addition was afterwards erected on the corner. In the earliest days of its existenceit is related that occasionally two or three deer, pressed by hunger, would come up the path from the thickets in the hollow below, and peer through the small windows at the guests seated at the table. A few scrapes were thrown the shy denizens of the forest, which they greatly relished, when they gracefully glided back to their native fastnesses.* This story serves to illistrate the pristine condition of the town at that day, as well as to show that deer had not then learned that man was their most deadly foe.
*Thomas MECHLING, born in 1816, in the Mansion House, says that he has seen wild deer, when he was a boy run across the Diamond.
MARQUIS & KELKER then leased or bought the property; Benjamin NIBLOCK was afterward proprietor, and in 1846 Samuel M. LANE became the owner. He was succeeded by Martin REIBER, whose brother Jacob conducted the house until [p. .327] the lot and improvements were sold to H. Julius KLINGER in 1849, and he ran it until 1852, when he tore away the old log and frame building and erected the three-story brick hotel building in the borough. In 1864 Mr. KLINGLER sold to Plummer JACK, who, after keeping it a few years, sold to Col. Alexander LOWRY, who gave the name it now bears, and with his son, John F. LOWRY, carried it on several years. Other parties also were connected with the house, when LOWRY sold to CROSS & MCOMBER. In a short time they resold to LOWRY. He then built an addition to the house, and in 1890 sold the property to THOMPSON & BROWN. These parties built another addition and made improvemnets involving a total expenditure of about $20.000. It is still called the Hotel Lowry, is ample in size and modern in style. Messrs, W.J. MCCAFFERTY and D.F. MCCREA are the lessees, and took charge of it August 1 1894.
Much more in the way of reminiscence might be said about about the old-time tavern keepers of Butler, but the forgoing must surffice. Since their time great changes have taken place in the method of doing business. The name "Tavern," is no longer applied to a public house; such places are now only known as hotels. And in their equipment and style they are far superior to those of fifty and seventy-five years ago, but it is doubtful if there is any more good cheer dispensed to-day, or a guest received with more genuine cordiality, than he was by the innkeepers of old.
In the transition from tavern to hotel, Butler has not suffered. Her modern hotels have kept pace with the improvements of the town, and take rank with those of cities of larger and more pretentious conditions and surroundings. They are enumerated as follows; The Lowry, Willard, Arlington, Park, Butler, Waverly, Wick, and last but not least, the Nixon Home.
What is known as Springdale, or the First ward, lies in the southeastern part of the borough, and is an attractive district espescially for private residences. The Connoquenessing creek separates it from the older portion of the borough. As a suburb it was laid out in 1872 by William S. BOYD, who purchased a farm of 150 acres�which included the greater part of Springdale proper�from Sheriff MCBRIDE in 1839. Originally the land was a portion of a large tract owned by John MCQUISTION, whose primitive log house was built at an early day where Mr. BOYD afterwards erected his residence.
Before laying out Springdale, however, Mr. BOYD purchased of Mrs. MACKEY thirty-seven and a half acres lying between his purchase and the town, and leaving her a piece of land on the Freeport road, between his purchase and the Connoquenessing. It was his intention to lay out a separate village, but the land being included in the borough boundries in 1871, the allotment became an addition to Butler. Many comfortable dwellings were erected by Mr. BOYD, between 1872 and 1874, and about one-half of them were sold. In 1873 he put up a large building opposite his residence for a temperance hotel, and, in 1874, Springdale Hall. After the subsidence of the first oil excitement it could no longer be carried on profitably as a hotel, and it was used for other purposes, serving in 1880 as a young ladies' seminary. The building is three stories in [p. 328] height, handsome in design and spacious. For many years it was used by a large and well conducted mission Sunday school and also as the headquarters of the first Y. M. C. A. in Butler. Afterwards it was transformed into a private residence and is now occupied by Harvey H. BOYD. Mr. BOYD died on September 8, 1884.
Within recent years Springdale has grown rapidly and now contains some of the handsome homes of Butler. The residents are justly proud of its picturesque and healthful surroundins and pure water supply, and never fail to point out its advantages for the location of quiet homes.
Institute Hill is an eastern suburb, built upon an elevated plateau and deriving its name from the Witherspoon Institude, erected there in 1877 - 78, though the addition had been platted several years before. The land was owned originally by Archibald MCCALL and heirs of Stephon LOWREY. The former built the old part of the Orphan's Home for a summer residence, while opposite were the lands of Mrs. Sarah COLLINS and her daughter, Mrs. Valeria EVANS, who sold it to the parties who laid out the tract in town lots. On the latter is located the old Catholic cemetery, and here was built the first Catholic church in Butler.
Duffytown is a western suburb, and had its inception in June, 1885, when Charles DUFFY sold the first lot. Soon after he employed James DUNLAP to survey the addition, which finally included 300 lots, nearly all have been built upon. Duffytown is a desirable location and bids fair to have a steady and substantial growth.
[End of Chapter 21 - Butler Borough: History of Butler County Pennsylvania, R. C. Brown Co., Publishers, 1895]
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