Transcribed by Pat Collins. For an explanation and caution about this transcription, please read this page.
Link to a sketch of Worth Township from the Atlas of Butler County, G.M. Hopkins & Co., 1874.
Surnames in this chapter are:
ALEXANDER, ANDERSON, ARMSTRONG, BALPH, BARNES, BARRON, BAUDER, BOOK, BOYD, BOYLE, BRANDON, BRANT, BROWN, BRYAN, CAMPBELL, CLARK, CLOUSE, COCHRAN, COOPER, CORNELIUS, COULTER, CROSS, DANIELS, DAVIS, DEAN, DENNISON, DICK, DICKEY, DIGHT, DILLMAN, DINSMORE, DOMBAUGH, DOUGLASS, ELLIOTT, FIELDS, FISHER, FURMAN, GAGHN, GAILY, GALLAGHER, GARDNER, GEORGE, GILL, GILFILLAN, GORMLEY, GRIMM, GROSSMAN, HALL, HAMPSON, HARLAND, HAZEN, HAZLETT, HENDERSON, HENRY, HOCKENBERRY, HUESTON, HUMPHREY, JACK, JOSEPHS, KELLY, LEECH, MACKEY, MARCUS, MARSHALL, MARTIN, MAXWELL, McBRIDE, McCLURE, McCLYMONDS, McCOLLOUGH, McCOMMONS, McCORMICK, McCRACKEN, McKAHAN, McKEE, McKLOEENE, McNEES, MITCHELL, MOORE, MURPHY, MURRAY, NEAL, OELTON, PATTERSON, PISOR, PRITTS, RANKIN, RAY, REICHERT, ROBINSON, RUSSEL, RUTTER, SCOTT, SEARING, SEATON, SINCLAIR, SNYDER, STICKEL, STILLWAGON, STINETORF, STOUGHTON, STUDEBAKER, SUTLIFF, TAGGERT, TAYLOR, TREVITT, UMPSTEAD, UPTEGRAFT, VANAMM, VANHORNE, VAUGHN, VOGAN, VOSLER, WHITTEN, WILLAHAN, WIMER, WOLF, WOODS, WORTH
This township, which was named after General WORTH, a gallant hero of the Mexican war, was organized in 1854. The greater portion of it formerly belonged to Muddy Creek, a small part being taken from Slippery Rock. It is situated in the northwestern part of the county, is noted for its mineral wealth, and has, especially in the northern part, a productive agricultural area. Abounding in coal, it also lies within the gas field, the development of which is due to modern enterprise. The GREENLEE & FORST wells, on the William ELLIOTT, James PISOR, Jacob McCRACKEN and Campbell BOYD farms, now form a part of the Grove City plant. As stated in the chapter on the "Butler Oil Field," a few fruitless attempts to find oil in this district were made in the seventies.
The population in 1860, was 928; in 1870, 893; in 1880, 1,076, and in 1890, 938. The enumeration of children of school age reported June 5, 1893, showed 113 males and seventy-eight females. The moneys received for school purposes for that year, amounted to $1,954.57. including $1,029.59 appropriated by the State. The assessed value of property was $319,838, the county tax, $1,279.35, and the State tax, $100.37.
The justices of the peace elected for Worth township from 1854 to 1894, were: Michael STINETORG, 1854; William MOORE, 1855 and 1860; Isaac DOUBLE, 1856 and 1866; B.F. ELLIOTT, 1861; Archibald MURPHY, 1861; John HUMPHREY, 1865; B.F. ELLIOTT, 1870 and 1875; James HUMPHREY, 1871 and 1876; John HUMPHREY, 1879, 1882 and 1887; Samuel H. MOORE, 1880, 1885 and 1891; D.P. DAVIS, 1890; M.C. SEARING, 1893.
David STUDEBAKER, a native of the Cumberland Valley, and Abraham SNYDER, were the first who voluntarily entered the territory embraced in this township, with the object of making a permanent settlement. In the autumn of 1790 they came from Westmoreland county, and, after testing the friendship of the occu-[p. 610]pants of the Indian village on Slippery Rock, erected a cabin, spent the following three months in hunting and exploring the country in this vicinity, and then returned to their homes. Three years later STUDEBAKER came again, bringing with him one of his sisters to keep house, took possession of the cabin and became a permanent settler. His father, Joseph, and family joined him later. The former had been a captive among the Indian tribes of Pennsylvania for nine years, afterwards served under WASHINGTON in the Revolution, and died here in 1815. David married Catherine MICHAELS, this being the first marriage in the township, and reared one son and four daughters, viz: Henry, born in 1804 and still living in the township; Elizabeth, who married John BENNETT; Mary, who married James BOOK; Susan, who married John BONNER, and Lydia, who became the wife of John HARLAND. Mrs. STUDEBAKER died in 1819, and her husband in 1840. Many descendants of this pioneer family are residents of Butler county.
William and John ELLIOTT and John DENNISON came in 1793; David, George and Rebecca ARMSTRONG in 1794, and later that year, Mrs. ARMSTRONG and her five children. In 1795 came Henry STINETORF and John and Jacob PISOR, Thomas CROSS, a soldier of the Revolution, David and William CROSS and their father, Samuel, and Daniel and William McCONNELL. William McNEES and Benjamin JACK are also said to have been here in 1795.
The pioneers of 1796, were Jonathan KELLY, the blacksmith, with his father and mother. The names of Archibald, Michael and Joseph KELLY, who came in 1798, appear on the records of original Slippery Rock township, in 1803. Jonathan built a cabin in 1796, and then went to Pittsburgh. Returning in 1797 he found Benjamin JACK in possession; but evicted him without process of law.
Thomas CLARK, Sr., a Revolutionary soldier, with his two sons, Andrew and John, came in 1797, the balance of the family joining him here later.
Thomas HUMPHREY, Andrew, Edward and James DOUGLASS, Christopher WIMER, and, it is said, Charles COULTER, arrived in 1798, all except one being natives of northern Ireland.
Charles MARTIN, who located on what is now the VOSLER farm, John MARTIN, Sr., and John MARTIN, Jr., John TAGGERT, who owned 400 acres, where John W. TAGGERT now resides, Hugh HENDERSON, who was also a land owner and distiller, and John MOORE, who made a temporary home two miles south of the present MOORE homestead, were all here prior to the close of the year 1800; while many of the pioneer children of adjoining townships found homes here in after years.
In 1801 came Isaac M. CORNELIUS, his wife and twelve children, to settle on Hogback ridge. His son James served in the War of 1812. Robert GLENN and his large family settled on the HOCKENBERRY claim in 1810, and Casper HOCKENBERRY located on the north bank of Muddy creek the same year. Alexander McBRIDE, the miller and school teacher, and George TAYLOR came in 1820, while others, named in the history of the United Presbyterian church, settled in the vicinity of the mouth of Wolf creek between 1806 and 1820. [p. 611]
Charles COULTER, one of the pioneers, established a carding mill here after the War of 1812, which is now known as the SUTLIFF mill at Jacksville. In 1854 Henry C. SUTLIFF purchased the concern from John BALPH, fitted it with 100 spindles and did an extensive trade in blankets and flannel during the war. Henry SUTLIFF now operates the mill, which is the property of John Humphrey.
To enumerate the early manufacturers of good whisky, would simply be a repetition of the names of the greater number of pioneers. Hugh HENDERSON, however, was the leading distiller of the township, and old settlers who loved good whisky, as well as old friends, looked upon the product of HENDERSON's still as very fine indeed. Jonathan DEAN established a distillery on what is known as the Marshall COOPER farm, and William VOGAN on the DOMBAUGH farm - entering into lively competition with the pioneer HENDERSON; but all found a market for the product of their stills, down to the "thirties," when the temperance movement checked their trade.
James COULTER established a tannery here as early as 1803. It was subsequently owned by Alexander BALPH and did a good business. Its last owner, James MAXWELL, ran it until a few years ago.
Zion Baptist Church was organized November 15, 1841, by Elders Thomas DANIELS, Reese DAVIS and Daniel DANIELS, with Brothers HAZEN and HOCKENBERRY, of Muddy Creek township, and VAUGHN and BARNES, of Muddy Creek Baptist church. The first members were John and Margaret OELTON, William and Annie BOOK, Robert and Mary HAMPSON, and Phoebe COOPER. On the same day thirteen were admitted by baptism, namely: William EMERY, Ruth BRANT, John BOOK, Thomas and Sarah JOSEPHS, Burton and Margaret JOSEPHS, Samuel and James BOOK, Harlan and Mary VOGAN, Barnard STOUGHTON and Nancy UPTEGRAFT. Services were held in the school-house until 1843, when the present brick building was erected on land donated by Jacob Fisher. In 1881 $1,100 were expended in improving the building. The first pastor was Rev. Daniel Daniels, followed by Rev. Samuel FURMAN in 1844, who remained until 1848. Rev. George T. DINSMORE was supply for six months. In 1850 Rev. Samuel STOUGHTON was appointed, and served until 1852. Rev. David PHILLIPS was pastor from 1853 to 1854. Rev. John TREVITT then served until 1863, and was followed by Rev. D.L. CLOUSE, who was pastor until 1870. Rev. Gabriel HUESTON then came and remained until 1877, when Rev. Joseph GALLAGHER arrived. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph M. RAY, who preached until 1883. Rev. W. H. WILLAHAN is the present pastor.
Mount Union Church of God was organized late in 1871 by Elder Joseph GRIMM, with the following members: Mrs. Nancy UPTEGRAFT, Archibald BRYAN and wife, Retta BRYAN, Robert DAVIS and wife, Mrs. Mary MACKEY, Henry DILLMAN and wife, H.W. McCLURE and wife, Mrs. Viola McCLURE, Joseph ALEXANDER, Mary SINCLAIR, J.P. GALLAGHER, Alexander GALLAGHER, M.H. DAVIS, Isaac FIELDS and James FIELDS. Service was first held in Rocky Springs school house. In 1873 the present church was erected, the land being donated by John UPTEGRAFT and the money by the members to the extent of $1,300, the total cost. Following are the names of the preachers in charge since its organization: Revs. Joseph GRIMM, J.W. DAVIS, M.S. PRITTS, Richard VANAMM, O.R. McKAHAN, W.H.H. McKLOEENE, D.G. LEACH, S. WOODS, S.G. GAGHN, W.J. UMPSTEAD and George W. DAVIS.
Jacksville Tent, Number 159, K.O.T.M., was organized April 1, 1893, and the charter was granted December 16, 1893, to the following members: J.W. STUDEBAKER, J.A. BRANDON, J.B. PISOR, J.A. PISOR, R.H. BOOK, C.C. BOOK, S.C. HUMPHREY, W.F. GARDNER, J.C. PATTERSON, W.J. COOPER, W.H. WILLAHAN, J.A. McCORMICK, J.W. GROSSMAN, J.W. STILLWAGON, H. COOPER, J.C. BOYD, W.P. STICKEL, W.E. PATTERSON, A.W. VAN HORNE AND JAMES RUTTER. The first officers were J.B. PISOR, P.C.; J.W. STUDEBAKER, C.; S.C. HUMPHREY, R.K., AND W. GARDNER, F.K.
The Worth Mutual Fire Insurance Company was chartered January 13, 1875, with Amaziah KELLY, A. STICKEL, Hampson DEAN, J.A. KELLY, W. McBRIDE, R.A. KELLY, James M. MAXWELL and J.G. CORNELIUS, members and stockholders. John HUMPHREY was president, and James M. MARSHALL, secretary. The presidents in order of service since the first election are as follows: - John HUMPHREY, 1875-82; Robert BARRON 1883-86, and James HUMPHREY, 1887-94. Mr. MARSHALL served as secretary down to January, 1882, when William E. TAYLOR was elected to succeed him. This office has been held by Mr. TAYLOR since that time. Among the directors who have served for a number of years, may be named William DICK, of Franklin township; John HUMPHREY, James HUMPHREY and Robert BARRON, of Worth; S.W. MOORE, of Brady; Amos HALL and H.M. GILL, of Slippery Rock; Fred BAUDER, of Muddy Creek; W.I. SCOTT, of Lancaster, and S. SEATON of Marion. The management of the company at all times has settled losses promptly, so that it can be said no claim was ever brought before a jury or [p. 614] judge. The risks carried in Worth, Muddy Creek, Slippery Rock, Lancaster, Brady, Franklin, Connoquenessing, Mercer, Marion, Cherry, Clay and Centre townships, amount to $1,000,000. The company insures farm buildings and products, but does not take risks in villages, the population of which exceed one hundred persons.
[End of Chapter 58 - Worth Township: History of Butler County Pennsylvania, R. C. Brown Co., Publishers, 1895]
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