Transcribed by: Beverly Oels For an explanation and caution about this transcription, please read this page.
Link to a sketch of Centerville Borough from the Atlas of Butler County, G.M. Hopkins & Co., 1874.
Surnames in this chapter are:
ADLEY, BAKER, BALPH, BARD, BEAVER, BEER, BELL, BEND, BERGER, BESTLER,BIGHAM, BINGHAM, BOLLINGER, BOLTON, BOVARD, BOYLES, BRATTON, BRECKENRIDGE, BUCHANAN, CALDWELL, CAMPBELL, CARL, CHANDLER, CHRISTLEY, CHRISTY, CLAUGGERS, CLUTTON, COLLIER, COOK, COOPER, COTTON, COULTER, COVERT, CRILL, CRITCHLOW, CROSS, CROW, CURRAN, CURRY, DALE, DAUGHERTY, DEAN, DESSETT, DeWOLF, DICKEY, DOMER, DOUGAL, DOWNS, DRAVO, DUMM, EAGLE, EDMONDSON, EMERY, EWING, EYTH, FINDLEY, FLEMING, FLOYD, FOULK, FRENCH, FULKMAN, FULTON, GALBREATH, GEORGE, GIBSON, GILL, GLENN, GOURLEY, GREEN, GREER, GRIFFITH, GRINE, GROSSMAN, GROVE, GROVES, HALL, HAMILTON, HARBAUGH, HARTMAN, HAYS, HENRY, HIGBY, HILL, HILLGER, HOGAN, HUMPHREY, HUSELTON, ISAMINGER, JACKSON, JUSTICE, KAUFFMAN, KAUFMAN, KELLY, KERR, KIESTER, KINGSBURY, KIRKPATRICK, KISKADDON, KISSICK, KNIGHT, LAWRENCE, LIVINGSTON, LOGAN, LUTTON, MACKEY, MALTBY, MARLIN, MARTIN, MAXWELL, MAYBURY, McADAM, McCARNES, McCLINTOCK, McCLYMONDS, McCONNELL, McCOY, McCUTCHEON, McDONALD, McELWAIN, McGARVEY, McGINN, McGONEGAL, McGONIGLE, McKEE, McKNIGHT, McNAIR, McNULTY, McQUISTION, McWATTY, MENARD, MIFFLIN, MILLER, MOORE, MOORHEAD, MORRISON, MORROW, MUNSON, MUNTZ, MURPHY, NEAL, NELSON, NEYMAN, PARSHALL, PATTERSON, PATTISON, PATTON, PATTY, PEARSON, PETERS, POTTS, PROSSER, RAMSEY, RANKIN, REED, RENO, REYNOLDS, RHODES, RICKETTS, RIDDELL, ROBB, ROBERTS, ROBINSON, RUTAN, SAGER, SATTERFIELD, SCANDRETT, SCHWALL, SETH, SHAFFER, SHROYER, SIMMONS, SMITH, SNYDER, SOMERVILLE, SOWASH, STEPHENSON, STEVENSON, STICKEL, STILLWAGON, STURDEVANT, TAGGART, TINKER, UBER, VINCENT, WALKER, WALLACE, WARMCASTLE, WATSON, WEAKLEY, WEBBER, WEIHE, WELLS, WHITTEN, WICK, WILEY, WILLIAMS, WILSON, WOLFORD, WRIGHT, YOUNG
Centreville, known to the postoffice department as Slippery Rock, and to the old settlers as "Ginger Hill," was surveyed, in 1824, by David DOUGAL, on a part of the Stephen COOPER farm. Stephen COOPER, a brother of Nathaniel COOPER, was living in 1800 upon the tract of land settled by the latter in 1798, in what is now Slippery Rock township. He knew of 200 acres of land in the township that had not been settled, and which he contemplated taking up. His nephew, Zebulon COOPER, who had settled upon a tract adjoining Nathaniel, discovered one evening that a family was near this land, but, on investigation, found that they were not within the line. That night, Stephen, his brother, Nathaniel, and nephew, Zebulon and wife, located on the land, and working all night, erected a cabin. This land is now a part of the site of Centreville. Stephen COOPER cleared a farm on it, and subsequently engaged in keeping tavern in connection therewith, and it is claimed that he was the first landlord as well as the first settler on the site of Centreville borough. His name appears upon the assessment list of 1803.
A year or two later William HILL arrived and, locating near COOPER's cabin, proved a very welcome neighbor. Samuel BARD, the tailor, came in 1823. In 1824 John REYNOLDS built a log house where Robert KISSICK's residence now stands, and in April of that year opened it as a tavern. His cabin, with those of William HILL, William CROSS and I. S. PEARSON, constituted the village. In 1826 the Slippery Rock postoffice was moved from Mt. Etna, and I. S. PEARSON appointed postmaster. The name Slippery Rock has been continued as the name of the postoffice to the present time. A. J. BARD, the present postmaster, was appointed in May, 1893.
Between 1825 and 1830 the pioneer circle was recruited by the arrival of Dr. Eli G. De WOLF, Jesse and Simeon BAKER, Samuel CALDWELL, the blacksmith, John McNULTY, Amos and William FLEMING, and Peter SOWASH, the blacksmith. Isaac S. PEARSON came before 1826, opened the first store and became the first postmaster. In the thirties he erected a brick building, occupied in later days by W. S. BINGHAM. While he was engaged in the mercantile business, Samuel BARD, a contemporary and friend abandoned tailoring, became a chairmaker, and in 1838, a foundryman and windmill builder. BARD and PEARSON died in 1844, leav-[p. 625]ing valuable properties to their heirs. Thomas FLOYD open the second store, made money, and erected a brick building which was afterwards purchased by Ezekiel WILSON, himself an old settler. Peter SOWASH and John McCOY erected smaller brick houses prior to 1835, while John CROSS built the hotel now known as the EYTH House early in the thirties.
In 1835 the trade, mercantile and professional circles of this village consisted of John EAGLE, chairmaker; I. S. PEARSON, merchant; Samuel BARD, tailor; John TAGGART, laborer; MOORHEAD & WALLACE, merchants; G. W. COULTER, tavern keeper; Peter SOWASH, blacksmith; Peter UBER, cabinet maker; Dr. E. G. DeWOLF, physician; James FULTON, wagon maker; Thomas FLOYD, merchant; Scott STEPHENSON, tanner; William PARSHALL, tavern keeper; John and Robert McCOY, carpenters; Thomas STEPHENSON, hatter; George CHRISTLEY and William FLEMING, tanners; William RAMSEY, blacksmith; Joseph JUSTICE, hatter; William GIBSON, tinsmith; John SETH, tavern keeper; John REYNOLDS, justice of the peace; Samuel KERR, representative in the legislature; Robert YOUNG, wheelwright; Alexander BUCHANAN, cabinet maker; Stephen COOPER, farmer; James BELL and G. W. BRATTON, laborers; John
McCLINTOCK, shoemaker; Samuel CURRAN, wagon maker, and John CROSS, brickmaker.
In the forties came Charles PROSSER, a tailor, Daniel K. HILL, a shoemaker, John C. RAMSEY, Romain EYTH, Elisha KINGSBURY, George POTTS and Thomas HUMPHREY. In 1846 Elisha KINGSBURY started a store, and during the Mexican war the village was the trading center of a wide district.
The Fourth of July celebration of 1849, in Centreville, resulted in the death of William
McCUTCHEON, and the serious injury of John NEAL, JR., Samuel WEAKLEY and David RAMSEY. It appears that the brass cannon used upon this occasion, had been charged, in addition to the usual load of powder, with a wadding above the powder, of pieces of sod in which there was a mixture of coarse gravel. When the cannon was discharged McCUTCHEON and the other three were struck by the gravel. This cannon afterward saw service in the Civil war.
In 1859 J. S. WILSON located here; T. S. COULTER opened his hardware store in 1865, and W. H. STURDEVANT a wagon and carriage making establishment in 1866. In this year also Charles PROSSER returned from Butler. J. S. FRENCH's drug store was established later.
The Savings Bank was established in 1873, by John T. and Austin T. BARD, Norman PATTERSON, John BIGHAM, R. F. GLENN, Thomas GEORGE, W. O. BRECKENRIDGE and Milton HENRY as stockholders and officials. After the death of John T. BARD, Norman
PATTERSON was elected president, and later purchased the interests of the members of the company. He carried it on as a private bank until 1887, when W. H. WILSON, who now conducts it, became the owner.
Between 1870 and 1880, the WILSON hardware store, MUNTZ's harness shop, KAUFMAN's blacksmith shop, C. W. COULTER's drug store, and other trade and mercantile enterprises were established.
The natural gas plant was established in 1887 by H. P GRIFFITH. Four wells, two in the borough, one on John WOLFORD's and one on Franklin EYTH's farm, form the source of supply for 400 fires and 700 lights.
The waterworks were constructed in the fall of 1892, by John McGONEGAL, [p. 626] about fifty rods north of the State Normal School. The source of supply is a drilled well. The pumping is done by windmill, and when that fails, by a six-horse-power engine.
The Co-operative Creamery Association (limited) was organized August 12, 1893 with H. M. GILL, president; W. J. MORRISON, secretary and treasurer; W. H. GRINE, manager; Robert
McCOY, J. J. McGARVEY, E. H. KIRKPATRICK, H. M. GILL and W. J. MORRISON, directors. The new building, twenty-eight by forty-two feet, is equipped with all the latest improved mechanical appliances. The capacity is 500 pounds of butter a day.
The Centreville Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1874, with Benjamin PEARSON, president; H. H. VINCENT, vice-president; Thomas S. COULTER, secretary; J. T. BINGHAM, treasurer, and C. O. COULTER, superintendent. The vacancy in the vice-presidency, caused by the death of H. H. VINCENT, has not yet been filled.
The town has grown rapidly since the establishment of the State Normal School, and now claims a population of about 800. Building has been active, resulting in the erection of a large number of handsome and costly residences, and more modern and sightly business houses. Mercantile and trade interests have kept pace with the increase in populations, and the town is recognized as an important trade center. The principal business houses are as follows: F. P. BINGHAM and T. S. COULTER & Company, hardware; John T. BINGHAM, agricultural implements; CLUTTON Brothers, drugs and medicines; BARD & Son, F. T. WHITTEN & Company, J. C. KERR, BOLTON & WILSON and W. T. RAMSEY, general stores; R. N. NELSON and UBER & BESTLER, furniture and undertaking; E. F. CHANDLER & Company, millinery; W. T. RAMSEY, Jr., bakery; J. N. STILLWAGON and Thomas RHODES, harness makers; J. R. MARTIN & Sons, butchers; W. E. LAWRENCE, hotel and restaurant; W. H. WILSON, banker; and BAKER & NELSON and HALL & CAMPBELL, livery stables. There are two hotels, the EYTH House, by Francis EYTH, and the Central House by W. E. LAWRENCE. The press is represented by the Slippery Rock Signal, a seven-column weekly, established February 12, 1892. It is edited by Albert L. WEIHE, and is Republican in politics. On September 1, 1894, a telegraph line connected with the main line of the Western Union Telegraph company at Wick station, on the Pittsburg, Shenango and Lake Erie railroad, was opened for business. The office is in CLUTTON Brothers' drug store, and is in charge of W. H. Pattison as operator.
1877-- W. H. CURRAN, burgess; Thomas REED, J. L. WARMCASTLE, E. A. McCOY, D. S. RAMSEY, S. SOWASH and A. W. SHROYER.
1878-- C. O. KINGSBURY, burgess; L. STURDEVANT, J. P. McQUISTION, W. G. COULTER, J. M. ROBERTS, and John WICK.
[p. 627]
1879-- W. R. HAYS, burgess; John WICK, Harry YOUNG, W. G. CHRISTLEY, Thomas WILSON and A. B. PROSSER.
1880-- Robert KISSICK, burgess; S. S. MORRISON, J. H. MUNTZ, C. O. KINGSBURY, A. B. PROSSER, Francis EYTH and Milton.
1881-- Milton COVERT, burgess; J. P. McQUISTION, Samuel DICKEY, Edward MAYBURY, C. O. KINGSBURY and J. N. STILLWAGON.
1882-- David WILSON, burgess; S. S. MORRISON, George MAXWELL, John KERR and L. V. KIESTER.
1883-- John DAUGHERTY, burgess; C. W. COULTER, Rev. EWING and Rev. WRIGHT.
1884-- F. P. BINGHAM, burgess; C. W. BARD, W. J. McCARNES, Joseph DESSETT, John H. HOGAN and Joseph BESTLER.
1885-- E. M. MAYBURY, burgess; J. P. McQUISTION, John WICK and W. H. WILSON.
1886-- J. M. ROBERTS, burgess; J. H. MUNTZ, E. M. MAYBURY and W. KAUFFMAN.
1887-- P. L. COULTER, burgess; C. O. KINGSBURY, S. S. MORRISON and A. H. BAKER.
1888-- L. D. KIESTLER, burgess; G. MORRISON, J. H. HOGAN AND T. C. KELLY.
1889-- W. H. WILSON, burgess; E. M. MAYBURY and J. N. STILLWAGON.
1890-- W. H. GRINE, burgess; A. W. CHRISTY and J. H. MUNTZ.
1891-- Thomas PETERS, burgess; W. H. GRINE and Thomas LOGAN.
1892-- R. N. NELSON, burgess; A. H. BAKER, J. C. RICKETTS and P. H. SOWASH.
1893-- J. MAYBURY, burgess; W. H. WILSON, G. W. CAMPBELL, John KERR, Frank CLUTTON and W. M. HUMPHREY.
1894-- Lewis BOLTON, burgess; E. M. MAYBURY, W. M. HUMPHREY, W. J. KISSICK, J. E. BARD and Frank CLUTTON.
The justices of the peace elected for the borough of Centreville, from 1841 to 1894 are as follows: Charles PROSSER, 1841; Alexander BUCHANAN, 1841-53-58-63; Daniel K. HILL, 1846; George W. BRATTON, 1846; Francis FINDLEY, 1848; John C. RAMSEY, 1848; James D. RIDDELL, 1850; John J. KELLY, 1854; James P. CHRISTY, 1859; A. J. BARD, 1861-66-71-76; W. J. McCARNES, 1866; William CRILL, 1869; David McDONALD, 1873; T. S. COULTER, 1878-85; A. PROSSER, 1881; C. O. KINGSBURY, 1881-82; T. C. KELLY, 1883; J. MAYBURY, 1887; Alfred CHRISTY, 1888; E. M. MAYBURY, 1889; T. C. COOPER, 1890, and James S. WILSON, 1894.
BOROUGH OFFICIALS
SCHOOLS
At a second meeting, held December 19, 1887, J. T. BINGHAM reported that thirty-four annual subscriptions of five dollars each, or $170 a year for three years, had been secured. Dr. C. W. BARD reported a subscription of $2,475 for the erection of an academy. In the meantime, H. C. and Dr. C. W. BARD, having ascertained that there was no State Normal School in this district, conceived the idea of securing the location of one in Slippery Rock. They presented the matter to the meeting, which, on motion of J. T. BINGHAM, appointed a committee, consisting of J. N. WATSON, J. M. COVERT and F. P. BINGHAM, to ascertain the cost of normal school buildings, etc. This committee reported to a meeting held January 9, 1888, that it had been unable to obtain accurate information as to cost or size of buildings. Another committee, consisting of Dr. A. M. PATTERSON and J. E. BARD, was then appointed to visit a normal school and ascertain the cost and size of necessary buildings. George MAXWELL was appointed a committee of one to visit Butler, confer with Hon. John M.GREER, State Senator, and enlist his aid in behalf of the enterprise.
At the next meeting held January 16, 1888, Dr. PATTERSON and J. E. BARD reported that they had visited the State Normal School at Clarion, and had ascertained the size and cost of buildings. The figures they laid before the meeting were startling, but the pluck and earnestness of the people were too deeply enlisted in the enterprise to permit of their abandoning it. On motion, therefore, of Mr. BARD a committee of ten was appointed to solicit subscriptions. This committee consisted of J. H. CHRISTLEY, J. C. KERR, J. P. McQUISTION, Neyman CHRISTLEY, J. N. WATSON, T. S. COULTER, A. J. BARD, William KAUFMAN, W. H. WILSON and Robert McCOY.
The mission of George MAXWELL to Butler was so successful that not only the active but the enthusiastic co-operation of Hon. John M. GREER was secured, and he became an earnest and effective champion of the enterprise, both in Butler county and in the General Assembly at Harrisburg. On February 6, [p. 629] 1888, he and J. M. GALBREATH, of Butler, appeared in Slippery Rock and addressed a meeting in behalf of the school. The address aroused such an enthusiasm that a large amount of money was subscribed before the meeting adjourned. The Ladies' Normal School Fund Association was also organized, and proved effective and successful in collecting funds for the enterprise.
As a result of this exhibition of energy and enthusiasm the amount required was soon secured, and a report to that effect made to a meeting held March 9, 1888, at which the stockholders elected the following trustees or building committee: George MAXWELL, T. F. PATTON, Neyman CHRISTLEY, J. C. KERR, Benjamin PEARSON, Lewis PATTERSON, T. S. COULTER, A. M. PATTERSON, W. H. WILSON, J. E. BARD, H. P. GRIFFITH, William KAUFMAN and C. W. BARD. This committee organized by electing George MAXWELL, president; C. W. BARD, secretary, and W. H. WILSON, treasurer. Two sub-committees were appointed, one to secure ten acres of land for building sites and grounds, which were purchased from Lewis PATTERSON, in the southeastern part of the town for $2,000, and the other to secure the services of an architect. The latter committee employed S. W. FOULK, of New Castle, who drew the plans and specifications. The contract for the buildings was awarded to J. J. GOURLEY, of New Castle, for $25,000. W. H. TINKER, of West Sunbury, had charge of the carpenter work. The contract for heating was awarded to McGINN, of Pittsburg, and for plastering to Lee LUTTON, of New Castle.
Three buildings, each three stories high, constructed of wood and roofed with slate, were erected. These were the central building, or Chapel Hall, 60 x 100 feet, and two ell-shaped dormitory buildings, one for the ladies, on the north, and the other for gentlemen on the south of the central building. Besides recitation rooms, the central building contained an auditorium capable of seating from 1,200 to 1,500 persons. The ladies' dormitory contained seventy-one sleeping rooms, a dining room eighty by forty feet, and also a parlor, kitchen, pantry and storeroom. The gentlemen's dormitory contained eighty-one sleeping rooms. The buildings were lighted by gas and heated by steam.
Upon the completion of the buildings a committee of inspection was appointed by Governor BEAVER to examine them before their acceptance by the State. This committee consisted of Dr. E. E. HIGBY, State superintendent of public instruction; Col. S. M. JACKSON, of Apollo, Armstrong county; Hon. S. H. MILLER, of Mercer; Col. Silas J. MARLIN, of Brookville; Hon. William McNAIR, of Oil City, and the following school superintendents: Samuel HAMILTON, of Allegheny county; J. M. REED, of Beaver county; John MORROW, of Allegheny; Charles W. DEAN, of McKeesport; M. L. KNIGHT, of Beaver Falls; John COLLIER, of Homestead; J. L. SNYDER, of Butler county; and E. MACKEY, of Butler borough. Hon. S. H. MILLER was chairman of this committee, which, after a thorough inspection, unanimously reported in favor of accepting the buildings, and they were formally dedicated February 1, 1889, by Governor BEAVER, the exercises being presided over by Hon. John M. GREER, of Butler, and witnessed by a number of State officials, State and county school superintendents, and a large audience composed mainly of residents of Slippery Rock and vicinity.
The following trustees to represent the State were appointed by E. E. [p. 630] HIGBY, State superintendent of public instruction: J. S. RUTAN and John F. DRAVO, to serve until May, 1891; Richard V. SCANDRETT and J. Sharp WILSON, to serve until May, 1890, and Thomas ROBINSON and John M. GREER to serve until May, 1889.
The following named persons were elected trustees by the stockholders: H. P. GRIFFITH, A. M. PATTERSON, T. F. PATTON and C. W. BARD, to serve until May, 1891; George MAXWELL, J. E. BARD, T. S. COULTER, to serve until May, 1890, and Lewis PATTERSON, Neyman CHRISTLEY, William KAUFMAN and Benjamin PEARSON, to serve until May, 1889.
The board elected George MAXWELL, president; Dr. C. W. BARD, secretary, and W. H. WILSON, treasurer. Mr. MAXWELL and Mr. WILSON have filled their respective offices without interruption to the present time. Mr. BARD served as secretary until May, 1891, when he was succeeded by T. S. COULTER, the present secretary.
The members of the faculty, March 26, 1889, when the work of the school commenced, were James E. MORROW, I. M. McCLYMONDS, I. N. MOORE, J.C. RICKETTS, W. A. BEER and Maud C. BINGHAM.
In June, 1889, the public school building was purchased by the trustees of the State Normal School, and has since been used a model school building.
The extension of the ladies' dormitory, containing forty-five rooms, was completed in 1893, at a cost of $20,000, and also a southern extension of the same building, for culinary and dining room purposes. This latter extension doubled the size of the dining room. The new main building, a commodious and sightly edifice, costing about $53,000, was completed early in 1894. The front is pressed brick, with Ohio sandstone trimmings. It is a three-story building, with basement and attic, and a square, hip-roofed clock tower. It is finished in natural wood, heated by steam and lighted by gas, and with the other buildings, the interiors of which have been remodeled, is furnished with all needful modern conveniences.
Two trustees to represent the State and four to represent the stockholders are chosen for a term of three years each, on the first Monday of May in each year. This board, composed of six members representing the State and twelve representing the stockholders, elects the faculty and exercises a general management of the institution. The names of the first board have already been given. Those elected since are as follows: On the part of the State: John M. GREER and Thomas ROBINSON, elected in 1889; Livingston McQUISTION and Joseph HARTMAN, in 1890; John BUCHANAN and H. I. GOURLEY, in 1891; John M. GREER and Thomas ROBINSON, in 1892; Livingston McQUISTION and R. D. McGONNIGLE, in 1893, and H. I. GOURLEY and John BUCHANAN in 1894. On the part of the stockholders: Lewis PATTERSON, Neyman CHRISTLEY, William KAUFMAN and Benjamin PEARSON, elected in 1889. Mr. KAUFMAN died December 24, 1889, and A. W. CHRISTY was chosen to fill the vacancy thus occasioned. George MAXWELL, J. E. BARD, T. S. COULTER and J. C. KERR, in 1890; A. M. PATTERSON, H. P. GRIFFITH, T. F. PATTON and Frank CLUTTON, in 1891; Lewis PATTERSON, Neyman CHRISTLEY, A.W. CHRISTY and Dr. Benjamin PEARSON, in 1892; George MAXWELL, [p. 631] J. E. BARD, T. S. COULTER and J. C. KERR, in1893 and H. P. GRIFFITH, W. J. MORRISON, Dr. C. W. BARD and John M. WATSON in 1894.
On July 17, 1890, Dr. Albert E. MALTBY was elected principal to succeed J. E. MORROW, and has been re-elected each year since. He and the following ladies and gentlemen constitute the present faculty: I. N. McCLYMONDS, teacher of school economy and mathematics; I. N. MOORE, ancient languages and natural sciences; John C. RICKETTS, mathematics; J. M. SHAFFER, grammar, rhetoric and literature; Abbie L. SIMMONS, preceptress, elocution and civil government; D. C. MURPHY, superintendent model school and practice department; Mary F. ISAMINGER, form study, drawing and penmanship; Maude C. BINGHAM, geography and history; Louise SCHWALL, instrumental and vocal music; Clara B. ROBINSON, English branches; Mrs. Harriet D. MALTBY, painting; Frank A. DUMM, assistant in mathematics; M. Cora CHRISTY, assistant in instrumental music, and Anna Luella KERR, librarian.
Among the senior members of the society when Dr. A. M. PATTERSON came here in 1854, were the CHRISTLEYS, NEYMANS, RAMSEYS and the Widow HILL, Dr. LIVINGSTON and Darwin DeWOLF and their wives, Samuel ADLEY, John COOK and wife. Rev. W. CARL and Rev. John SOMERVILLE were the first two pastors. Rev. J. M. GREEN and many of the ministers named in connection with the North Washington church were here before the war. Rev. C. R. PATTY dedicated the building in 1860, and from that period to 1874 it was in the Harrisville charge. Rev. Mr. DOMER was the first resident pastor that year. Rev. P. A. RENO, the present pastor, presides over the churches at Harrisville and in Clay township, which are in this circuit. Frank CLUTTON is recording steward.
The Centreville United Presbyterian Church was organized in September, 1848, with fifteen members, among whom were Elders John HAYS, James BOVARD and John BALPH. Rev. W. T. McAdam, installed in 1852 and released in 1854, was the first pastor. Rev. Robert McWATTY came in 1855, remained until 1859, and was followed by Revs. A. R. RANKIN, S. C. REED, W. D. EWING, W. J. McCLINTOCK, and the present pastor, Rev. J. O. McCONNELL. In 1852 a small building was constructed for the purposes of worship, which was used until 1882, when a frame house of worship was erected at a cost of $4,000. The church adopted articles of association March 1, 1886, whcih was signed by Marcus Mc- [p. 632] GONEGAL, R. F. GLENN, Jacob KIESTER, Edmund SMITH, Thomas W. GEORGE, John REED, J. A. GLENN, James McKNIGHT, John F. WEAKLEY, W. J. DOWNS, James STEVENSON, W. D. EWING, B. P. PATTERSON and C. G. REED. The trustees were H. M. GILL, John C. KERR and F. L. PATTON. The membership in 1894 was 114.
Centreville Presbyterian Church was organized April 24, 1854, by Revs. John MUNSON, R. B. WALKER and Mead SATTERFIELD, with twenty-nine members. In 1856 the present church building, which has been repeatedly remodeled and repaired, was erected. Revivals held in 1858, 1867, 1876 and 1877 resulted in large additions to the membership. The following named persons have served as elders: Thomas MIFFLIN, Nathaniel COOPER, William B. COOPER, Thomas KERR, Levi DALE, Andrew BRECKENRIDGE, W. O. BRECKENRIDGE, William BIGHAM, Benjamin CAMPBELL, H. H. VINCENT, John BINGHAM, Benjamin PEARSON, William KAUFMAN, James S. WILSON, Thomas COULTER and I. M. McCLYMONDS. The first pastor, Rev. Samuel WILIAMS, was installed April 14, 1857, and served until June 22, 1869. One year later, Rev. D. C. COOPER was installed, and preached here until January 26, 1875. Rev. James A. MENARD was installed November 16, 1875, and remained until August 1, 1881. On June 27, 1882, Rev. James H. WRIGHT was installed, and served until July 28, 1887. Rev. Jesse Lee COTTON came September 3, 1889, but resigned in 1893. Rev. G. R. EDMONDSON, the present pastor, came in November, 1894. The congregation numbers over 200. The society was incorporated in March, 1884, with the following named members as trustees: Norman PATTERSON, Henry WILSON, C. O. COULTER, William KAUFMAN, Joseph BESTLER and Robert KISSICK.
The Covenanter or Reformed Presbyterian Church of Centreville did not originate there. Its history is something similar to that of the Associate church. Organized as the "Ryefield church" in 1857, a house of worship was erected near the south line of Slippery Rock township, on the COOPER farm, and there the members met at intervals until 1874, when a frame building was erected at Centreville and the church moved to that progressive little borough. In 1879 the society was re-organized by Rev. S. J. CROW, and shortly after Rev. J. R. WILEY was installed as pastor. It is now without a pastor.
The Associate or Seceder Church of West Liberty was organized in 1859 at Ryefield, and was continued there until 1878, when a meeting house --now used as a dwelling-- was erected at Centreville. Six years before the removal of this church from the West Liberty neighborhood, Rev. S. RAMSEY was installed pastor, and continued to preside over the society until after the little house of worhsip was erected at Centreville.
Slippery Rock Lodge, Number 108, A.O.U.W., was organized May 18, 1877, with the following officers: Jonathan CLUTTON, M.W.; A.S. FULKMAN, F; A.T. GROVES, O.; H.E. WICK, G.; W. CURRY, R.; A.J. BARD, F.; J.S. WILSON, R.; Benjamin PEARSON and William T. RAMSEY, W.; H. H. GROSSMAN, John MAYBURY, James STEPHENSON and A. STICKEL, trustees. S. A. McCONNELL is the present master workman and W. T. RAMSEY the present recorder.
Friendship Lodge, Number 1188, K. of H., was organized in August, 1878, with twenty members. Notwithstanding the competition of older secret and beneficiary organizations it is in a prosperous condition.
O. G.BINGHAM Post, Number 305, G. A. R., was mustered in March 6, 1883, with sixteen members, namely: David S. RAMSEY, John BOYLES, James S. WILSON, Thomas C. KELLY, George MAXWELL, Levi STURDEVANT, A. B. PROSSER, A. S. BERGER, Robert J. KISSICK, George B. YOUNG, William CURRY, Cyrus O. KINGSBURY, D. M. HARBAUGH, J. T. GROVE, J. L. BEND and John WARMCASTLE. At one time the post was sixty-five strong. It now has thirty-eight members. J. R. MARTIN is commander.
Council Number 350, Fr. O. U. A. M., was organized September 18, 1889, with twenty-one members, J. N. WATSON, councillor, and J. M. ROBERTS recording secretary. The membership in February, 1894, was eighty-two.
Lodge Number 331, K. Of P., was organized February 20, 1891, with the following named members: A. W. CHRISTY, J. M. ROBERTS, J.E. BARD, Benjamin PEARSON, C.W.BARD, H. E. BARD, Frank CLUTTON, Neyman CHRISTLEY, J. M. COVERT, H. P. KISKADDON, Frank P. BINGHAM, J. C. RICKETTS, John T. BINGHAM, J. N. STILLWAGON and T. S. COULTER. The present chancellor commander is A. B. SAGER, and the keeper of records and seals, J. M. ROBERTS.
[End of Chapter 61 - Centerville Borough: History of Butler County Pennsylvania, R. C. Brown Co., Publishers, 1895]
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