History of Butler County Pennsylvania, 1895x51

History of Butler County Pennsylvania, 1895

West Sunbury Borough, Chapter 51

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Transcribed by: Lexie Gallagher For an explanation and caution about this transcription, please read this page.
Link to a sketch of Sunbury Borough from the Atlas of Butler County, G.M. Hopkins & Co., 1874.

Surnames in this chapter are:

ADAMS, AGGAS, ALLISON, ANDERSON, ARTHURS, BAKER, BARRON, BEAN, BEIGHLEY, BLACK, BOOK, BOYD, BRACKNEY, BREADEN, BREWSTER, BROWN, BRYSON, CAROTHERS, CHRISTIE, CHRISTLEY, CHRISTY, CONWAY, CORBETT, CORBIT, COULTER, CROSS, DECKER, DICKSON, DODDS, DONALDSON, DUFFORD, DUFFY, DUNLAP, EKIN, FINDLEY, FRAZIER, GILCHRIST, GILFILLAN, GLENN, GOULD, GRAHAM, HAMILTON, HECK, HILLIARD, HINDMAN, HOCKENBERRY, HULL, HUMPHREY, HUNT, IAMS, JAMISON, KELLY, KNOCH, LINN, LOGAN, LOUDON, MANN, MCCALL, MCCALMONT, MCCARRIER, MCCLUNG, MCELVAINE, MCGRANAHAN, MCJUNKIN, MCKINNEY, MCMICHAEL, MCNALL, MCNAUGHTON, MCPHERRIN, MEALS, MILFORD, MILLER, MOFFIT, MUNTZ, MURTLAND, PATTERSON, PERRY, PORTER, PRYOR, PURVIANCE, REBSTOCK, RHODES, RICKENBRODE, ROBERTSON, ROSEBURG, SANDERSON, SHANNON, SHULL, SINGER, SMITH, SPROUL, STAUFFER, STEWART, THOMAS, THOMPSON, THORN, TIMBLIN, TINKER, TURNER, Van TRIES, VANCE, WALKER, WASSON, WEBB, WICK, WILLIAMS, WILSON, WRIGHT


CHAPTER LI

WEST SUNBURY BOROUGH

[p. 572]
LAYING OUT OF THE VILLAGE - PIONEERS -- INCORPORATION AS A BOROUGH -- EARLY BUSINESS MEN -- POPULATION AND STATISTICS -- SCHOOLS -- WEST SUNBURY ACADEMY -- CHURCHES -- BOROUGH OFFICIALS -- JUSTICES OF THE PEACE -- SECRET SOCIETIES

West Sunbury and neighborhood may be justly considered the site of the parent settlements of Clay township. It was in this vicinity that the pioneer settlers built their cabins, made their first improvements, and began the work of transforming the forest wilderness into well-tilled and productive farms. Robert GRAHAM, a nephew of Samuel FINDLEY, was the first settler on the site of the town, his log cabin having been erected prior to 1803. He afterward, about 1818, sold his settler's right to John and James GILCHRIST, who also acquired possession of a considerable tract of adjoining land. In 1828 James GILCHRIST em- [p. 573] ployed Campbell E. PURVIANCE to survey a portion of his tract into town lots, a large number of which he sold within the next year or two, realizing five to ten dollars for each lot.

The town is now almost seventy years old, and is in many respects a model rural borough. In the earlier days of its history it was ambitious of winning the county seat from Butler. In time, however, it gave this up. At the breaking out of the Civil war it was a pleasant wayside village, the home of an intelligent, prosperous and progressive people. After the war there was a re-awakening, and a demand made for local government, resulting in the village being incorporated as a borough in 1866.

It was the first rural town in Butler county to realize the value of stone sidewalks, and, it is said, the only one in Pennsylvania where all the sidewalks are constructed of stone, and where every street has a walk and a parkway on each side. The church and school appear to be held in high estimation here, there being several religious organizations, a common school and academy. The location, though two and a half miles from Euclid, the railroad station, is a desirable one for many reasons, there being plenty of good water and an abundance of coal and natural gas.

Among those who located soon after the laying out of the town was Thomas DUNLAP, the blacksmith, who bought four lots opposite the present site of the steam mill and erected a log dwelling house and shop in 1829. Andrew and John WICK came in shortly afterward. They opened the first store here in 1835. John SMITH located here about the same time. Then followed H. A. THOMAS, who became a merchant and gunpowder manufacturer; Dr. H. C. LINN, who moved from Butler; George BOYD, who opened a large store in 1837 or 1838, and was the first postmaster and also the first tavern keeper; Thomas C. THOMPSON, a native of Brady township, who came in 1837, and Joseph WASSON, a carpenter and tavern keeper. These comprised the pioneer business circle.

Peter RHODES located and began business here in 1849. David VANCE kept a hotel where is now the CORBETT dwelling. The building was torn down and MCCLUNG erected on its site a new house. James TIMBLIN kept the next hotel where the Widow CONWAY now resides, a part of her house being the original TIMBLIN Hotel. Isaac DONALDSON carried on a hotel next to Samuel HUNT's present dwelling. Fifteen years ago the old house was torn down. David PATTERSON built the upper story of the WICK House; Ebenezer ADAMS succeeded him as landlord and, in 1875, C. F. WICK, the present proprietor, purchased the property.

The manufacturing industries of the borough are limited, being confined to the large grist mill of J. C. BREADEN & Company, erected in 1871. The mercantile interests are represented by BREADEN & CONWAY and S. L. RHODES, general stores; H. C. HINDMAN & Company, drugs; MECHLING & HUNT, furniture, and James PRYOR, hardware.

The population in 1870 was 216; in 1880, 243, and 1890, 238, increased in 1894 to about 360. The assessed value of property, in January, 1894, was $42,245; the county tax levied, $168.98; the State tax, $67.83, and the school revenue, $681.42, including $345.50, State appropriation.

[p. 574]
As stated in the history of Cherry township, one of the first school houses was erected north of the GRAHAM settlement, and when the common school law was enacted, the people of this neighborhood were among its warmest supporters and first patrons. To-day there is one school building in the borough, and the total revenue of the district for common school purposes is $681.42. The number of children of school age reported in June, 1893, was forty-five, made up of twenty-three males and twenty-two females.

The West Sunbury Academy was established in 1851 by Adolphus REBSTOCK, whose purpose was to afford parents an opportunity to have their children instructed in the higher classic and English branches. In 1853 Rev. Mr. WILLIAMS succeeded Mr. REBSTOCK, remaining until 1856, when William THOMAS, whose real name was Rev. William Thomas HAMILTON, became the teacher. Mr. HAMILTON, who came from the south, was a scholarly gentleman, who seems to have taken up teaching as a means of giving employment to his mind rather than filling his purse. He succeeded, however, in arousing such interest in the school that when he left it in 1858 it was a financial as well as an educational success.

After Mr. HAMILTON's departure the people of the village, who had come to look upon the school as of great importance, began to cast about for his successor. It chanced that Rev. William T. DICKSON, a Presbyterian minister, an educator and a native of Butler county, who with his wife, was on a visit to friends in the village, was induced to remain and take charge of the school. It was accordingly re-opened by himself and his wife as an academic school, and was a success from the start.

Until the fall of 1861 the school was conducted in the building subsequently occupied by John DUNLAP. In that year, however, as the result of a movement set on foot by Mr. DICKSON and his supporters, the second academy building was completed. The breaking out of the Civil war and the President's call for volunteers aroused the patriotic sentiment of the people of West Sunbury and of the students of the academy, and they responded by organizing the "DICKSON Guards," named in honor of Rev. Mr. DICKSON. The "Guards," under command of Captain LOUDON, embracing in their membership many of the academy students, reported at the front and were assigned to duty as Company C, of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve. Mr. DICKSON shortly afterward joined the regiment as chaplain, remaining in the service about a year.

Owing to this interruption, the new building was practically untenanted for a year, although Thomas MILFORD was in charge as principal. In 1862, after his return from the army, Mr. DICKSON resumed teaching, but only for a brief period, after which he removed with his family to Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1875. In 1865 Thomas C. Van TRIES took charge of the academy. He was followed in 1866 by A. M. CROSS, who was succeeded in 1867 by George H. GRAHAM. In 1869 Rev. THORN assumed control, but seem not to have made a success, and the result was that the school was closed until the autumn of 1875, when Mr. And Mrs. DICKSON returned and resumed control of it. Mr. DICKSON died in February, 1877, and Mrs. DICKSON succeeded him as principal. In 1879 [p. 575] Rev. G. W. BEAN was appointed; in 1881 J. B. GILFILLAN took charge, and was succeeded in 1883 by W. W. LOGAN. During Professor LOGAN's principalship the erection of a more commodious building was agitated. Accordingly, June 26,1886, a subscription was started, and so earnestly was the project carried out that the present edifice was completed before the end of the year, at a cost of about $6,000. The building previously used was sold to the common school board, and is now used as the public school and society hall. In 1886 R. W. MCGRANAHAN became principal, and in 1889 T. E. MOFFIT succeeded him. Rev. J. H. WRIGHT's valuable academy work was in association with Professors MCGRANAHAN and MOFFIT. In 1891 S. J. CHRISTLEY succeeded to the principalship, in1892 F. E. KNOCH, and in 1894 A. B. ROBERTSON. The following ladies and gentlemen comprised the faculty in September, 1894: A. B. ROBERTSON, A. B., principal and professor of sciences, mathematics and German; Rev. I. D. DECKER, A. M., professor of classics and history; Maude M. MCNALL, director of music; A. F. ANDERSON, conductor of business department; H. D. HOCKENBERRY, M. D., lecturer on physiology and hygiene.

Since 1884, when the first student (T. M. BAKER) was publicly graduated, ninety literary and eighteen music students have received the academy diplomas. The total enrollment of students for the year ending June, 1894, was 149. The academy was chartered September 28, 1874. The signers of the articles of association presented to the court were: H.. C. LINN, W. P. BREADEN, Charles MCCLUNG, J. W. CHRISTY, L. G. LINN, Allen WILSON, John MECHLING, W. C. GLENN, A. B. RHODES, Peter RHODES and Thomas C. THOMPSON. The capital of $2,000 was divided into eighty shares of twenty-five dollars each. The present officers are Dr. H. D. HOCKENBERRY, president; Rev. J. H. BREADEN, secretary; W. J. BREADEN, treasurer; Carlisle WICK, Samuel GLENN, Hon. Josiah M. THOMPSON. Sylvanus AGGAS, Rev. Samuel WILLIAMS, J. S. CAMPBELL, J. R. MCJUNKIN and Thomas CHRISTLEY complete the board of trustees.

CHURCHES

The United Presbyterian Church of West Sunbury may be said to date back to May 2, 1840, when a meeting was held at Samuel EKIN's house and John SMITH, Samuel LOUDON and Joseph W. CHRISTY were appointed a building committee. They received a donation of four acres from Samuel EKIN and Mrs. Robert FINDLEY and, on November 7, 1840, awarded the contract for a house, forty feet square, to Joseph WASSON, for $700. He framed the church building and the people of the congregation and neighborhood were invited to assist in raising it. When the walls were raised and the roof timbers taken up, and the men ready to put them in position, a long beam on which the weight rested suddenly broke, precipitating men and timbers to the ground. Many were severely injured, but none killed. Mr. WASSON gave up the contract, receiving $200 for what he had done, and John BREWSTER and John BRACKNEY took the contract to finish it for $570. A new building, fifty-five by sixty-five feet, was erected in 1858-59 by Hugh SPROUL, for $2,100 and the old building. In 1883 E. C. ADAMS repaired and remodeled the building for $1,500, and finally W. J. MCKINNEY re- [p. 576] moved the building from its old site into the village, where it now stands, paying for it $2,100.

A list of communicants, given in March, 1842, shows forty-eight members, among whom were Joseph W. CHRISTY and Edward WEBB, who were ordained elders by the pastor, Rev. William FINDLEY, March 21, 1842. On July 8, 1844, Rev. William FINDLEY moderated a call for Rev. William P. BREADEN for one third of his time, West Sunbury, Bear Creek and West Unity being united in one charge under his pastorate. Mr. BREADEN remained pastor of West Sunbury congregation until his death on May 13, 1880. In 1846 William GILCHRIST, W. W. THOMPSON and Thomas B. DODDS were elected elders, and in 1852, Christy MCMICHAEL was ordained.

On October 18, 1847, articles of association were adopted by the society, to whom, on October 23, 1848, a certificate of incorporation under the name of "The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of West Sunbury" was issued. The petition asking for the incorporation of the church was signed by Samuel LOUDON, Joseph W. CHRISTY and John BREWSTER. In 1850 there were 134 communicants reported; in April, 1853, 136, and in 1857, 151. In 1860 Allen WILSON, J. G. CHRISTY, Robert DUNN and Andrew TIMBLIN were elected elders.

The deaths among members from 1842 to the beginning of 1860 are recorded as follows: Jane PRYOR, 1842; Robert FINDLEY, Samuel EKIN and Margaret PRYOR, 1843; Eliza BARRON and John SMITH, Sr., 1846; Samuel S. EKIN, Recompence or "Rake" PERRY, Sr., and Anne EKIN, 1847; Mary J. THOMPSON, George MUNTZ, Elizabeth SPROUL, Robert EKIN and Elizabeth EKIN, 1848; Margaret Jane MCCALL, John BEIGHLEY and William STEWART, 1850; Polly JAMISON 1851; Elizabeth PATTERSON, 1853; Margaret CAROTHERS, 1854; Sarah PERRY, 1856; George E. CHRISTY and Mrs. BREWSTER, 1857; Keziah GILCHRIST, 1858; Mary CHRISTY, 1859; Mrs. Polly STEWART, Mrs. Polly SMITH and Mrs. WILSON, 1860.

The first marriage was that of John EKIN and Mary SHANNON in 1842, by Rev. W. FINDLEY. In May, 1861, there were 164 communicants, and in 1862, 170. In 1864 J. W. CHRISTY resigned as clerk, and Allen WILSON was chosen to succeed him. Dunbar CHRISTY was an elder as early as 1864, and in 1868 William C. BRYSON's name appears as a member; George T. FRAZIER was elected in 1871, and Robert CAMPBELL (transferred from Fairview) in 1873. In April, 1875, James W. KELLY, James PRYOR and Perry SPROUL were elected elders, and with John G. CHRISTY, C. MCMICHAEL, Robert CAMPBELL, W. GILCHRIST, W. W. THOMPSON and W. C. BRYSON, the latter as clerk, formed the session in October of that year. In 1877 J. W. KELLY was chosen clerk, and John M. LOUDON, Robert H. YOUNG, Japhiah MCMICHAEL and W. J. BREADEN elders.

After the death of Rev. W. P. BREADEN in 1880, the congregation was supplied by Revs. J. D. SMITH, FRAZIER and ROSEBURG. Rev. J. H. BREADEN, son of W. P. BREADEN, held a communion in January, 1881. Rev. R. C. DODDS became stated supply in 1884 and was afterward ordained and installed pastor. Resigning in 1887 he was succeeded by Rev. J. H. BREADEN, the present pastor. The number of members reported in April, 1893, was 185. Elder R. H. YOUNG, admitted to membership in 1862, was elected clerk in November, 1889. In Rev. [p. 577] J. H. BREADEN's charge are the churches at Mt. Varnum, Holyoke and West Sunbury, Mt. Varnum belonging to it since 1884.

The Presbyterian Church of West Sunbury begins its record under date, September 4, 1860, when a committee of the Presbytery of Allegheny,-Rev. Loyal YOUNG, Robert B. WALKER and Rev. Samuel WILLIAMS-met here to organize the church, with Elders Henry C. LINN, M. D. and Joseph W. THORN. The members then present are named as follows: W. C. and Rachel GLENN, James J. and Mary Ann GLENN, James, Ann, Margaret and Samuel GLENN, William M,. Catherine, Jane and Margaret M. GLENN, W. S. MECHLING, William and Nancy PATTERSON, Joseph W. and Nancy THORN, H. C. and Sarah L. LINN, Sarah A. WICK, Andrew, Sarah A., and Richard WICK, J. C., Rebecca M., Clarissa and Alfred WICK, James and Anna E. GOULD, and Samuel, Fannie, Petty, Sarah and Amanda MCELVAINE, in all thirty-six members.

There is no record of work from September, 1860, to February 22, 1862. On the latter date Rev. John COULTER with Elders THORN and LINN, the last named being clerk, examined Clarissa and Margaret BEIGHLEY and Amanada and Sarah A. BLACK, who were received as members, October 21,1862. Rev. John COULTER was installed as pastor, remaining until April 12, 1864. From October, 1862, to June, 1865, twenty persons were admitted to membership. In December of the latter year, Samuel MCELVAINE and William C. GLENN were elected and ordained ruling elders. Rev. James COULTER served as pastor from June 8, 1865, to March 14, 1871. From 1866 to 1870, inclusive, there were twenty-two additions to the membership. In April,1871, Elder LINN resigned and Elder THORN took his place as clerk. In November, Rev. William T. DICKSON was present as moderator. During this year four members were received, and in 1872 eleven joined this society. Rev. Alexander S. THORN was installed pastor June 25, 1872, and served until September 26, 1874. Three members were received in 1874; fifteen in 1875, and eighteen in 1876. Services were held in the old academy building until July 4, 1875, when the present edifice was dedicated.

The record of the burial of Rev. William T. DICKSON is made under date of February 9, 1877, he having been stated supply from September, 1874, to his death. During that year six members were received. In January, 1878, John S. WICK and Samuel HILLIARD (elders elect), J. W. THORN, Samuel MCELVAINE and W. C. GLENN, with Rev. G. BEAN, moderator, constituted the session. Mr. BEAN was installed pastor in May of that year.

The congregation was divided into five districts, or one for each elder in 1878. During the year there were eleven additions to the church membership; while in 1880 there were only three new members received. From July, 1879, to April, 1880, Rev. Mr. BEAN signed the minutes as moderator and clerk, but on September 12, 1880, the legible script of P. W. CONWAY begins. He served until his death November 23, 1888. There were seven persons received in 1881, four in 1882, and eleven in 1883. In 1880 Andrew PORTER is named as elder. The record is remarkable in that many of the members were recruited from the Methodist Episcopal church of West Sunbury, within the four or five years preceding December, 1883. In March, 1882, P. W. CONWAY is named among the elders. In 1884 there were thirteen new members received, and in 1885, four. [p. 578] The resignation of Rev. G. W. BEAN was acquiesced in December 20, 1885, after eight years of earnest work here.

The name of C. R. GLENN appears among the elders in April, 1884, and he, with J. W. THORN, Andrew PORTER, W. C. GLENN, Samuel HILLIARD, and P. W. CONWAY formed the session in January, 1886, Rev. MARSHALL, of Concord, presiding. Seven members were received in 1886, twenty-four in 1887, and eighteen in 1888. In September, 1888, Rev. J. H. WRIGHT was installed as pastor, and in November following was appointed clerk, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of P. W. CONWAY. Four members were received in 1889, thirteen in 1890, and twelve in 1891.

The resolutions of the death of Rev. James Hervey WRIGHT are recorded under date of February 20, 1892. During that year nineteen members were received, and in 1893 others joined the church. Andrew PORTER signed as clerk in February, 1892, and W. C. GLENN in July, 1892. On May 7, 1893, Rev. I. D. DECKER, the present pastor, administered the sacrament of the "Lord's Supper" to the congregation, and in June, 1893, began service as stated supply. The roll of members shows 397 admissions. Of this number 191 were dismissed or recorded as absent or suspended, while no less than forty-one are recorded as deceased, leaving 165 as the present memberships.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of West Sunbury was organized early in 1849, when Rev. Edwin HULL formed a class, the members of which were W. M. GRAHAM, J. M. BRACKNEY, Martha E. and Jerusha BRACKNEY, Andrew MCPHERRIN, Jane MCPHERRIN, Susanna HUMPHREY, Isaac MANN and John DUNLAP. At that time Thomas C. THOMPSON donated a building lot, and on it a little building was erected in 1850-51, the cost not exceeding $800. When the new church was completed in 1868, the old property was sold to the school district. The church has been in a sea of trouble for the last few years. Under the administration of Mr. IAMS, of North Washington, in whose circuit it is, a successful effort has been made to heal dissensions.

Bethesda Evangelical Church, better known as the West Sunbury Evangelical Lutheran church, was organized in 1860, with Peter RHODES, Stephen A. SHULL, George RICKENBRODE, A. HINDMAN, Jacob SANDERSON, Simon PAINTER and their wives and eight other members. Rev. J. SINGER was pastor from 1860 to 1863; Rev. A. S. MILLLER from 1865 to 1872, and Rev. Samuel STAUFFER from 1873 to 1874. In 1875 this society was dissolved and the membership merged into the Lutheran church of Springdale in the adjoining township of Concord. A small building for worship was erected in the borough, which was abandoned in 1875.

BOROUGH OFFICIALS

West Sunbury was incorporated as a borough in 1866, and the first election took place early in that year. The record of annual elections is as follows:
1866-Allen WILSON, burgess; H. C. LINN, Peter RHODES, J. C. WICK and Charles MCCLUNG.
1867-Allen WILSON, burgess, and same council as in 1866.
1868-Allen WILSON, burgess; P. RHODES, H. C. LINN, C. MCCLUNG, J. C. WICK and A. B. RHODES.
1869-Allen WILSON, burgess; John MECHLING, James W. KELLY, A. B. RHODES and H. C. LINN; James W. KELLY, clerk.
1870-71-Allen WILSON, burgess; H. C. LINN, John MECHLING, J. W. KELLY, A. B. RHODES and P. RHODES.
1872-Allen WILSON, burgess; John C. DUFFY, S. A. SHULL, John N. MCCARRIER, James W. KELLY and John MECHLING.
1873-Same burgess and council, except that Charles MCCLUNG replaced MCCARRIER.
1874-J. W. KELLY, burgess; J. S. WICK, S. A. SHULL, F. M. CAMPBELL, J. C. DUFFY and A. N. BRYSON, vice J. C. GLENN, resigned
1875-In February J. F. HINDMAN was appointed councilman, vice F. M. CAMPBELL, removed to Petrolia. The council comprised J. C. DUFFY, James R. CAMPBELL, J. H. WICK, J. F. HINDMAN and J. W. KELLY.
1876-Charles MCCLUNG, burgess; John MECHLING, J. S. WICK, J. R. CAMPBELL, Andrew DONALDSON and J. W. KELLY.
1877-John MECHLING, burgess; A. DONALDSON, E. C. ADAMS, A. B. RHODES, W. C. GLENN and W. J. BREADEN.
1878-A. R. THOMPSON, burgess; P. W. CONWAY, A. B. RHODES, E. C. ADAMS, A. DONALDSON, H. C. LINN and C. WICK.
1879-A. R. THOMPSON, burgess; E. C. ADAMS, A. DONALDSON, W. J. BREADEN, J. G. SHULL and H. C. PRYOR.
1880-W. W. DUNLAP, burgess; E. C. ADAMS, J. R. CAMPBELL, A. B. RHODES, J. G. SHULL and G. W. MECHLING.
1881-Joseph MECHLING, burgess; H. C. PRYOR, E. C. ADAMS, W. J. BREADEN, Robert MCCALMONT and A. R. THOMPSON.
1882-W. J. BREADEN, burgess; Robert MCCALMONT, C. W. WICK and E. C. ADAMS.
1883-John MECHLING, burgess; E. C. ADAMS, James R. CAMPBELL and W. J. BREADEN.
1884-E. C. ADAMS, burgess; W. J. BREADEN, John MCCANDLESS, James PRYOR, Amos TIMBLIN and W. H. TINKER.
1885-John C. MURTLAND, burgess; James R. CAMPBELL and J. S. ADAMS.
1886-James PRYOR, burgess; A. B. RHODES, E. C. ADAMS, T. H. THOMPSON.
1887-C. W. WICK, burgess; Thomas H. THOMPSON and M. H. CHRISTIE.
1888-John MECHLING, burgess; J. G. SHULL, W. J. BREADEN and R. J. THOMPSON.
1889-A1.[sic] MECHLING, burgess; A. R. THOMPSON, W. W. DUNLAP; Ross MECHLING and Joshua DUNLAP received thirty-nine votes each, and J. R. CAMPBELL, thirty-eight votes, for councilman.
1890-A. J. THOMPSON, burgess; L. RHODES, W. C. GLENN, A. R. MECHLING and J. R. CAMPBELL, received twenty votes each for councilmen.
1891-S. J. CHRISTLEY, burgess; J. W. MCNAUGHTON, R. L. ALLISON and Joshua DUNLAP, received each forty-five votes for councilmen.

[p. 580]
1892-A. R. THOMPSON, burgess; T. H. THOMPSON, J. G. SHULL and R. L. ALLISON.
1893- John MECHLING, burgess; J. R. CAMPBELL, W. C. GLENN, J. H. CORBIT, Thomas H. THOMPSON and G. L. DUFFORD; J. R. CAMPBELL, clerk.
1894-John MECHLING, burgess; S. L. RHODES, Geo. B. TURNER, James PRYOR, G. L. DUFFORD and J. B. ARTHURS.

The justices of the peace elected from 1866 to 1894 are as follows: Allen WILSON, 1866 and 1872; James W. KELLY, 1871, 1876 and 1881; W. C. BRYSON, 1874; A. G. MECHLING, 1881 and 1884; W. R. THOMPSON 1885; James W. KELLY, 1886; A. R. THOMPSON and A. MECHLING, 1890.

SECRET SOCIETIES

William T. Dickson Post, Number 561, G. A. R., was mustered in September 23, 1887, with a membership of thirty-four, all but one of whom were members of Pennsylvania regiments. Since the organization twenty-one members have been mustered in, making a total of fifty-five that have been enrolled. The first officers were elected on the date given above and were as follows: P. P. BROWN, C.; R. J. THOMPSON, V.C.; Harlan BOOK, J.V.C.; A. G. MEALS, Q. M.; Amos TIMBLIN, surgeon, and R. H. YOUNG, adjutant. The following are the names of the commanders elected since 1887: R. J. THOMPSON, 1888; Samuel GLENN, 1889; A. G. MEALS, 1890; R. H. YOUNG, 1891-92, and John W. MCNAUGHTON, 1893. The following have served as adjutants: R. H. YOUNG, 1887-88-89; P. P. BROWN, 1890-91-92. The number of members November 1, 1893, was thirty-four.

[End of Chapter 51 - West Sunbury Borough: History of Butler County Pennsylvania, R. C. Brown Co., Publishers, 1895]

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