Transcribed by: Dolores Carlson For an explanation and caution about this transcription, please read this page.
Surnames in this chapter are:
ABRAMS, ADAMS, ALLEN, ANDERSON, ASH, BALKAM, BARBARY, BARKEY, BARTO, BEALE, BEAM, BEERS, BEHM, BERRINGER, BISHOP, BLACK, BOEHM, BOGGS, BOLANDER, BOLLHORST, BOUNDY, BOWEN, BOWSER, BRACKNEY, BRANDON, BREADEN, BRECHT, BROOKS, BROWN, BRUNERMER, BUHL, BURCHARD, BURNS, BURR, BURRY, BUSH, BUSSER, CARROLL, CASHDOLLAR, CHEERS, CLARK, CLAY, CLAYS, COLLINS, COOPER, CORE, CORNELL, COVERT, CRIBBS, CRIDER, CRITCHLOW, CROFT, CULVER, CUNNINGHAM, CURBERSON, DAMBACH, DAVIS, DIGHT, DILLMAN, DOMBART, DONALDSON, DOUGLASS, DOUTHETT, DREBERT, DRENNAN, DUNBAR, DUNCAN, DUNN, EHRMANN, EICHHOLZ, EMMELL, ENDRES, ENLER, EVANS, FERGUSON, FOWLER, FRAZIER, FRISHKORN, GANSZ, GARVIN, GELBACH, GESSNER, GLASS, GODDARD, GOEHRING, GRAHAM, GREENING, GREER, GREGORY, GRIESBACH, GRIFFITH, GROVES, HASS, HAPLE, HARBAUGH, HAZLETT, HECKERT, HECKMAN, HELM, HELMBOLD, HOAGLAND, HOGELAND, HOHNADLE, HOLBEIN, HOUSTON, HOVEY, HOWE, HUDSON, HUNTZBERGER, HYLE, IFFT, IRONS, IRVINE, ISEMAN, JAMISON, JOHNSON, JOHNSTON, JONES, KANE, KAUFFMANN, KAYLER, KEELY, KELKER, KELLY, KERSTING, KIRK, KLEINFELDER, KLINE, KNOX, KRAMER, KROPP, LANHAM, LIKEN, LINDSEY, LIST, LOGAN LONG, LUSE, LUSK, LUTZ, LYON, MAGEE, MAHLBERG, MARKEL, MARTIN, MATHAY, McALLEN, McALLISTER, McCALLUM, McCANDLESS, McCARTHY, McCOMBS, McCORMICK, McCUNE, McFARLAND, McGREGOR, McILVAIN, McILWAIN, McINTOSH, McKEE, McKINNEY, McMILLEN, McNEAL, McQUOIL, MEEKER, MEHARD, MICKLEY, MILLER, MILLS, MORGAN, MORROW, MUNTZ, MURRAY, MUSTARD, MYERS, NICKLAS, NUTT, O'CONNOR, OTTING, PEFFER, PHENINGER, POORMAN, POTTER, POWELL, PURVIANCE, RADCLIFFE, RAHISER, RAMSEY, RANDOLPH, RANSOM, RAY, REA, REEB, REED, RIGGS, RIPPER, ROBINSON, ROBISON, ROHNER, ROLL, SCHEEL, SCHWANKOVSKY, SEYMOUR, SHOUP, SMATHERS, SMITH, SPEARS SPENCE, SPENCER, SPITHALER, STAAF, STAMM, STEELE, STEEN, STEPHENSON, STERRETT, STEWART, STIVER, STOKEY, STOUGHTON, STROUP, SUTTON, SWIFT, SYLLA, SYMMINGTON, TEMPLE, THIELEMAN, TIBBET, TILTON, TINTSMAN, TURK, VOEGLE, WAGNER, WAHL, WALDRON, WALLACE, WALTBURGER, WARNER, WATERMAN, WATERS, WATTERS, WEIGLE, WEIR, WEISE, WERNER, WEST, WESTERMAN, WHITE, WILHELM, WILSON, WINTER, WISE, WITHERUP, YOUNG, ZEMAN, ZIEGLER, ZINKHANN, ZWANZIGER
EVANS CITY is the new name of an old settlement. It is situated on Breakneck creek, on the township line, and is therefore partly in Jackson and partly in Forward townships. Its site was for a long time a favorite camping ground for the Indians, who named the creek Big Beaver run; while the French knew it as Casse-cou-anse or Breakneck creek,--a name adopted by travelers between Fort Duquesne and Fort Machault, and by the English speaking pioneers of the original township of Connoquenessing. From 1804 to 1836, the location was often called BOGGS' Mill, and in later years Evansburg. In 1880 it was a little hamlet, credited with a population of sixty-eight; in 1890, there were 637 persons enumerated, and at the beginning of 1894, it was generally credited with a population of 1,000. The assessed value of property, January 1, 1894, was $96,218, on which a county tax of $384.87 and a State tax of $180.93 were levied.
When Robert BOGGS exchanged a mare for 400 acres of land in 1796, and built a log cabin where now stands BOGGS & KLINE's store, in Evans City, in which he later opened a tavern, DUNCAN's tavern, six miles distant, was the nearest settlement, and Robert BURNS' tavern, six miles from DUNCAN's, on the old Franklin Road, the next. Other settlers followed the pioneer, among whom were John DUNN, John REA and William and Michael MARTIN. The BOGGS mill was erected in 1804 and the BOGGS wagon introduced. Like the mill, it was a crude affair. Its four wheels were nothing less than four sections of a tree, sawn off the end of a large log, banded with iron; the wooden axle worked in these wheels, and the two axles were kept in place by a stick of timber fastened to them with wooden pins. In 1836 BOGGS sold 200 acres of his farm and the mill to a young man named Thomas B. EVANS, who, with his wife, joined the community on Breakneck creek. EVANS built a new mill, in 1838, laid out a village and was playing the part of a modern town builder when death called him away.
John REA established the first store. He came from Ireland to Pittsburg, and while there conceived the idea of moving to Evansburg. Doing well as a merchant, he added a hotel to his business and became the favorite host of the raftsmen of that day. He knew their taste for ham and eggs and whisky, and provided a simple but bountiful table for the mountaineers. His son, William REA, of Adams township, was one of the early politicians of Butler county. He was for many years prominent as a Whig and a Republican, but becoming dissatis- [p. 418] fied with the course of the latter party, he finally allied himself with the Democrats. A progressive farmer, he bought a reaping machine. Taking it into the field for trial, he fell on the knife, lost one leg, and died within a week. A daughter married Benjamin DOUTHETT; a son, Samuel J., became a lawyer at Louisville, Kentucky, but later, settled at Philadelphia; while another daughter, Christiana, married a man named RAY and with him moved west. John REA, Sr., traded the hotel for John O'CONNOR's farm, and the latter, failing to make hotel-keeping a success, rented the house to William H. JOHNSTON, who carried it on successfully until his return to Whitehall, New York. He was a son-in-law of Michael MARTIN, who, like another old settler, Jonathan RANSOM, kept a store at Harmony before locating at Evansburg.
Thomas WILSON, known as "Uncle Tommy," was one of the first to build on the town site, coming in from his large farm two miles distant. Samuel DAVIS, his foster son, inherited the property, but did not long enjoy it, and died minus an acre or a dollar. William and Josiah LOGAN, brothers-in-law of Thomas B. EVANS, left shortly after the death of the founder of the town; while Samuel BISHOP, the shoemaker of the district, and his family also removed to other parts. Thomas McQUOIL, another shoemaker, resided here for many years. Joseph McILVAIN, known to the early settlers as "The generous peddler," came to stay as a merchant. For twenty-five years he made a trip weekly to Pittsburg, taking farm products to that market and returning with dry goods, notions and groceries for his customers. He married a daughter of James ANDERSON, who lived near the village, and who survived him many years.
"Big Dan" and "Little Dan" McINTOSH, the four McCUNE boys, grandsons of Michael MARTIN, Joseph McALLISTER, the wheelwright, and Samuel KIRK, the justice, who united so many happy couples in marriage, moved to Illinois. TURK, who essayed to invent the system of driving machinery by sand, moved to Lawrence county; the BALKAMs, one of whom, Jacob, married the widow of Thomas B. EVANS, soon after moved away with the three EVANS girls, Jerusha, Vestus and Virginia. James WILSON, the apothecary, and Kade MILLER, the school teacher, were important characters in those days. Thomas REED, the blacksmith, moved to Prospect. Jonas BOLANDER, the wagon maker, cast aside his trade here and became a school teacher. He introduced the weekly spelling match, and followed the profession here until he moved westward. Henry BARKEY established one of the pioneer stores here, and was the local preacher of the "Church of God" until he moved to Venango county, in 1851, where he founded the town of Barkeyville. Abraham HUNTZBERGER, who married BARKEY's daughter, Catherine, and became her father's partner, was reared at Harmony. John BARKEY, a brother, also carried on a store here, until he retired to his farm, where he died.
Henry MICKLEY, who was a freighter and huckster, established himself in the hotel business here some time in the fifties. During the stirring times of 1861-65, his house was the headquarters for volunteers and recruits. After the war he received the few who returned with fatherly kindness.
John KANE, who opened a quarry near the Plains church in Adams township, was stone mason. It was he, who, in early years, cut the headstones and [p. 419] engraved them. After years of solitude, he moved to Evansburg and commenced to build an air furnace. When it was completed, a moulder named SYMMINGTON pronounced it practical and rented it. To the surprise of the skeptical rustics, who watched the old Irishman's work, the air furnace met the inventor's aims and SYMMINGTON carried on a fair business in plows, points, stoves and other necessary farming and household hardware, until the KANE furnace was burned out. James HARBAUGH, a brother-in-law of SYMMINGTON, was a horse trader. Joseph HARBAUGH, a brother of James, was a most respected resident. For years he was the leading blacksmith of the village until his removal to Harmony, where he died.
Dr. CORNELL was the first physician to settle in the village. Prior to his coming, the settlers had to send to Harmony for a physician. He failed to build up a practice and remained but a short time. Dr. William STERRETT came next, and built up a lucrative practice. He sold his property to Dr. William IRVINE and moved to Talley Cavey, Allegheny county.
Major Reese EVANS, a brother of the founder, should not be forgotten. As millwright, he taught Thomas B. EVANS the trade and worked here in the old mill until 1820, when he built one farther east. In later years, he devoted his time to the manufacture of churns, tubs, pails, chairs and such utensils, summoning the young men to tramp the lathe when he would have a large amount of work to produce.
The early inn-keepers have already been mentioned. In 1864 Henry STOKEY introduced the modern hotel, in John Randolph's old house, and carried it on several years. In 1868 J. N. MILLER, who was a shoemaker, entered the business. In 1876 Mr. MILLER built one of the best houses devoted to hotel keeping in the county at that time, which has since been known as the MILLER House. The storm of August 19, 1880, made the new hotel a special mark for its fury, carrying away the roof and doing other damage. The house was repaired at heavy expense and, again, in the fall of 1893, it was subjected to a thorough restoration. Mr. MILLER was succeeded by his son Charles H. in 1891. In 1881, the Central House, opposite the MILLER House was opened by Henry W. STOKEY, now of Zelienople, who later purchased the STOKEY House, which he ran till 1888. Jacob HYLE is now proprietor of the old Central House, which is named the HYLE House.
The GANSZ tannery was established in 1843, by Joseph McILWAIN. In 1844 he employed Lewis GANSZ, a native of Germany, who had previously been foreman in the Harmony tannery, and also operated MAGEE's tannery on the Conno- [p. 420] nessing [sic]. GANSZ bought the tannery in 1849, and carried it on until succeeded by his son, Lewis, who continued it for several years.
There is still another factory, of which the pioneers knew nothing, though it existed in their days. It is the great oil factory, located fathoms deep under the houses and churches and cemeteries of the town. Its development is still in progress.
The Citizens Bank is the successor of the bank established by Jacob DAMBACH & Son in 1878, and carried on by them until February 8, 1894. On that date it became an incorporated institution with a capital stock of $50,000. The officers are as follows: Edward DAMBACH, president; Daniel MARKEL, vice-president, and John ROHNER, cashier. They with Jacob DAMBACH, Zeno MARKEL, W. FOWLER, A. M. FOWLER, W. H. WEIR and P. D. GELBACH are the stockholders.
In February, 1882, directors for the Independent School district of Evans City were elected, the vote being as follows: F. B. WHITE, fifty-three; W. S. WALDRON, forty-nine; L. HOHNADLE, twenty-two; and John RAHISER twenty. There are now three school buildings in the borough. In June, 1893, there were eighty-five male and eighty female children of school age enumerated.
1883--Edward DAMBACH, burgess; A. DREBERT, H. C. BOGGS, Henry IFFT, George LUTZ, Philip GELBACH and Jacob SHOUP.
1884--Theodore KERSTING, burgess; J. N. MILLER, Lewis GANSZ, Jr., William MARTIN, Peter RIPPER and Henry MICKLEY. The last named was elected secretary; Lewis GANSZ, treasurer, and A. DREBERT, collector.
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1885--John ROHNER, burgess; J. A. RIPPER, S. W. HAZLETT and John RAHISER. William MARTIN was chosen secretary, Lewis GANSZ, treasurer, and F. V. BROOKS, clerk.
1886--Leonard HOHNADLE, burgess; Henry J. IFFT, F. C. BUHL and William H. WEIGLE. Henry J. IFFT was appointed secretary; J. C. RAHISER, treasurer, and A. DREBERT, street commissioner. Secretary IFFT resigned in June and S. W. HAZLETT was appointed to fill the vacancy. In September Henry MICKLEY was appointed treasurer vice J. C. RAHISER. I. N. GRAHAM's name appears as street commissioner and W. H. LUSK as attorney.
1887--Dr. William IRVINE, burgess; Calvin WEST and William BISHOP. Henry J. IFFT was appointed secretary, and F. C. BUHL, treasurer. In July John STAAF was appointed high constable, combining this office with that of street commissioner to which he had been previously elected.
1888--W. C. DOUGLASS, burgess; Michael SHOUP, W. H. WEIGLE and John STAAF. S. W. HAZLETT was elected secretary; J. A. RIPPER, street commissioner, and John ROHNER, treasurer. Upon Mr. HAZLETT's resignation, in April, as secretary, William MARTIN was appointed.
1889--W. J. ABRAMS, burgess; Henry YOUNG and W. A. ROBINSON. The last named was appointed secretary; Mr. YOUNG, treasurer; I. N. GRAHAM, street commissioner, and J. B. GREGORY, high constable. Mr. ABRAMS resigned as burgess and was succeeded, in June, by Adam RIPPER.
1890--John ROHNER, burgess; A. M. BEERS, Enos BARKEY and S. W. HAZLETT, who was appointed secretary; Henry YOUNG, treasurer, and David SPENCE, high constable.
1891--Daniel MARKEL, burgess; Andrew WAHL and S. M. GROVES. The secretary was re-appointed and Enos BARKEY chosen treasurer.
1892--S. M. ISEMAN, burgess; Daniel MARKEL, J. P. RIPPER and George BISHOP. The secretary was again re-appointed, and Cyrus KNOX chosen street commissioner.
1893--H. F. EICHHOLZ, burgess; J. M. WHITE and August GRIESBACH. Cyrus KNOX was appointed street commissioner, and J. M. WHITE, clerk.
1894--A. DOUTHETT, burgess; August GRIESBACH, John ROHNER and H. F. EICHHOLZ. Fred PEFFER was appointed secretary, and Ambrose DUNBAR, treasurer.
In 1888 a city "Lock-up" was erected. In May, 1889, steps were taken to provide fire apparatus, the council authorizing the purchase of ladders, etc. April, 1890, public lamps were ordered and Mr. WAHL was authorized to place water pipes for supplying water to the borough. In 1892, the application of the Kane Gas Company for permission to supply natural gas for lighting and heating purposes was received. Later the John MARBURGER Company made application, offering terms as equitable as the Kane company, and to it a permit to pipe natural gas into the town was given. In August, after consideration and reconsideration of its former action, the council passed an ordinance, prepared by Levi M. WISE, granting permission to the Evans City Natural Gas Company to lay pipes and furnish gas to the citizens.
The justices of the peace since 1883 are as follows: David McILWAIN and [p. 423] William IRVINE, 1883; Isaiah N. GRAHAM and J. A. RIPPER, 1884 and 1889; John ROHNER, 1890, and Isaiah N. GRAHAM, 1894.
Late in 1881 some thirty-three members withdrew to form an independent Baptist church, and much trouble was experienced. In 1882, when the Evans City Baptist church was constituted, the council of Amana Baptist church, composed of its representatives and those of seven sister churches, decided that there was not sufficient Baptist strength here to support two churches. It appears that twenty-six members of the Amana society and seven, who were formerly members, organized the new church.
The United Presbyterian Church was founded about the year 1837, by Rev. Mr. BREADEN and Elder HALL, of Portersville. Among the early members were Samuel KIRK, Thomas WILSON, Joseph McALLISTER and their wives; Thomas DONALDSON--single; John, Joseph and Benjamin JOHNSTON and their wives; James WILSON, Alexander RAMSEY, and James COOPER and their wives; Cynthia JOHNSTON, Elizabeth DONALDSON and her daughter, Jane DONALDSON. Shortly after the organization Thomas DUNN, John DONALDSON, James and John RAMSEY and their wives; Mrs. Mary LINDSEY, John REED and wife, of Zelienople; Mrs. Adaline WALLACE, William CASHDOLLAR, Wilson JOHNSTON, William JOHNSTON, Isaac ASH, George WILSON and wife became members.
Services were held in the frame school-building in the old United Presbyterian cemetery, until about the year 1842, when a brick house of worship was erected, where the present church stands. The brick was hauled from Zelienople and the lumber from Beaver, for Sylvester ASH, the builder and contractor. That house was burned in 1854, during the dry summer. Rev. Thomas MEHARD vis- [p. 424] ited here at intervals, and Professor MEHARD filled the pulpit prior to the destruction of the pioneer church. Rev. William DRENNAN was here that year, when the second brick church was erected on the site of the old building. About 1859, Rev. W. H. JAMISON came and remained during the war, his extreme abolitionism recommending him to some while it was distasteful to others. Rev. John F. MARTIN followed Mr. JAMISON and served the church until about the year 1874. A year or so later, Rev. Stewart BRANDON was called, and was pastor until 1880, although he left in 1879, and the pulpit was supplied by Revs. David MUSTARD, John MORROW, William IRONS, WHITE, ANDERSON and others. Rev. J. M. DIGHT, a graduate of the United Presbyterian Theological Seminary, of Allegheny, received a call from this church in April, 1880. He was ordained in June, and has been pastor for the past fourteen years.
Owing to the age of the old building and its unsafe condition, a new house of worship was considered necessary and the present building was erected. This is a frame house forty-five by sixty feet, well furnished, with pastor's study, standing on the old church lot on Main street. It was dedicated in April, 1888. The total cost was $4,000, not a dollar of which remained unpaid when Rev. FERGUSON, who preached the dedicatory sermon, concluded his discourse. The parsonage at the head of Van Buren street was erected in 1890, at a cost of $2,500. The enrolled membership is 196.
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church is a contemporary of the "German Lutheran and Reformed Congregation." In 1849 it was known as the "Reformed Church," then united with the German Lutheran, and so continued until August 2, 1853, when fifteen of the thirty families forming the united congregation held distinct Reformed services in the church built in 1849-50. In 1869 the society received from former associates a share of the value of buildings and grounds and erected the present church. The original members were N. REEB, W. FRISHKORN, George IFFT, George MARBURGER, Jacob BURR, Henry MICKLEY, Philip DILLMAN, M. ZINKHANN, Henry BOLLHORST, John BOEHM, John BERRINGER, F. ENLER, George KLEINFELDER, D. PHENINGER, M. BOEHM, John ENLER and Fred BRUNERMER. Revs. MUNTZ and BRECHT were the pastors prior to the coming of Rev. Jacob WILHELM in 1868. In 1874 Rev. E. MAHLBERG succeeded him; in 1875-76, Rev. G. E. SYLLA was here, followed by Rev. W. L. BUSH, who came in 1876 and remained until 1881. Rev. H. W. KROPP was here from 1881 to 1885, when Rev. Louis WAGNER, the present zealous pastor, was appointed. The church embraces 102 families, or 320 communicants, and the territory extends from six to nine miles in all directions from Evans City. The church council, in 1894, was made up as follows: Rev. WAGNER, W. THIELEMAN, John KAUFFMANN, John EHRMANN, August WERNER, Peter RIPPER, John MARBURGER, Ferd. WERNER, John LUTZ, Henry WAHL and Philip RIPPER.
St. Peter's Evangelical Union Church was formally organized in 1849, as "The Evansburg Lutheran and Reformed Church," by Rev. Herman MUNTZ, but the union did not last long. A contract between the members of the Reformed and Lutheran churches of Evans City, was signed April 25, 1853. The record is written in German. This contract was in force until August 2, of that year, when the bodies divided, Mr. MUNTZ organizing "St. Peter's German Luth- [p. 425] eran Church," and taking fifteen families with him, who held the original building of 1850. The pastors since Mr. MUNTZ's time have been Revs. C. SCHWANKOVSKY, 1854, K. W. BRECHT, 1855; C. WALTBURGER, 1858; E. F. WINTER, 1863; Casper SCHEEL, 1880 and the present pastor, Rev. Henry VOEGLE, who came in 1890. The church was chartered January 15, 1872, on petition of Rev. E. F. WINTER, Jacob STROUP, William GOEHRING, Zeno MARKEL, Peter BURR and other members of the society.
The Presbyterian Church was founded in 1882 out of the old Plains church congregation. Its first members were Andrew BOGGS, Thomas BOGGS, James SUTTON, Robert A. WHITE, Mrs. Dorcas SUTTON, Mrs. Anna WHITE, Laura WHITE, Dr. William IRVINE, Mrs. Elizabeth IRVINE, Elizabeth, Bell, Henrietta and Margaret IRVINE, John IRVINE, Alva SUTTON, Elizabeth SUTTON, Mrs. Mary BOGGS, Ella and Nellie BOGGS, Andrew BOGGS, Franklin WHITE, Mrs. Maria WHITE, Dillie WHITE, James BOGGS, Mrs. Mellissa BOGGS, Solomon STAMM, Mrs. Euphemia STAMM, Calvin WEST, Mrs. Emily WEST, William DUNBAR, Mrs. Margaret DUNBAR, Mrs. Mary DUNBAR, Ambrose DUNBAR and wife, John WILSON, Mrs. Margaret WILSON, Mary WILSON, Pet WILSON, Jonathan WILSON and David BARTO. Owing to the distance of the Plains church, this organization became a prime necessity, and Rev. G. M. POTTER, who was himself supply of the Plains church, assisted in the organization, and in raising funds for the building of the church at Evans City. The building committee, appointed in 1882, comprised Robert WHITE, Franklin WHITE, James SUTTON and James BOGGS. Calvin WEST contracted to build the house for $1,800, and in January, 1883, he had it ready for use. It was dedicated on the first Sabbath in January, 1883, Revs. Dr. SWIFT and POTTER officiating. The small debt remaining due after the building was occupied was soon paid and it is now one of the few churches which have no standing indebtedness. The present membership is over 100, and the attendance at Sunday school ranges from eighty to 100. The trustees are David BARTO, Fred PEFFER and Franklin WHITE. The elders are James SUTTON, who was an elder in the Plains church, Hugh McCALLUM, Dr. William IRVINE, James BOGGS, Alva SUTTON and Greer McCANDLESS. The lot on which the church stands was donated by James SUTTON.
St. John's United Christian Church was organized in August, 1888, with the following named members: Conrad WAGNER, Zeno MARKEL, William GOEHRING, Jacob NICKLAS, August GRIESBACH, Daniel MARKEL, H. YOUNG, George DOMBART, John ENDRES, Christ DAMBACH, Philip GELBACH, John C. GOEHRING, Henry SPITHALER, John STAAF, Martin BEAM and their wives. Rev. E. H. OTTING became pastor April 1, 1889, and continued as such until his resignation of the Harmony charge, in March, 1894. In 1888, a church building, sixty-four by fifty-five feet, was begun, which was completed in 1889, at a cost of $7,000.
The Methodist Episcopal Church is a new organization. The old class at Caleb Richmond's, in Forward township, later consolidated with the Brownsdale class, claimed some members from the Breakneck region, as well as did the Duthill class in Cranberry township. The society at length determined to build a church at Evans City, and, on October 27, 1889, the members witnessed the dedication of their new edifice. Rev. John HOWE is the present pastor.
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Cemeteries.--The several religious bodies had originally separate burial grounds in or near the borough. In February, 1890, on petition of numerous citizens, setting forth that the drainage from the German Union, German Lutheran, United Presbyterian and Baptist burial grounds was towards the populous part of the town, and dangerous to health and life, further interments in those graveyards were prohibited.
Evans City Cemetery Association was incorporated January 7, 1891, with forty-nine members. The directors named in the constitution are: Henry J. IFFT, John ROHNER, George MARBURGER, Enos BARKEY and J. A. RIPPER. An eligible site was purchased and laid out in lots, and this cemetery has since been used by the people of Evans City and vicinity. It is gradually assuming beauty, and contains many nice monuments, the soldiers' monument erected in 1894 to the memory of the unknown dead being the most noticeable.
Capt. William STEWART Post, Number 513--changed in 1894 to Number 573,--G. A. R., was chartered April 23, 1888. It was named in honor of Capt. William STEWART, son of Andrew and Mary (STEEN) STEWART. He was born in Down county, Ireland, August 11, 1834, and came with his parents to Philadelphia in 1839, removing later to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1850 the family came to Butler county and settled in Adams township, where young STEWART resided, assisting in the cultivation of the farm, until 1862, when he organized, in Evans City, Company D, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers. He went with his company to the front, and participated in all of the engagements in which his regiment took part until his death on the battlefield of Fredericksburg. He had previously requested that if he met his death in battle, his remains should be buried upon the field. This request was carried out, and the battle field of Fredericksburg became his burial place.
The post was organized with the following charter members: Rudolph KELKER, Edwin T. GREENING, Samuel BEERS, James P. BOGGS, Lewis GANSZ, Henry BEHM, Noah BOWEN, David McCOMBS, David B. DOUTHETT, L. J. SMITH, G. D. McFARLAND, W. H. WEIR, John WATTERS, H. C. BOGGS, John ZWANZIGER, George MARBURGER, W. S. RAMSEY, Andrew J. EVANS, Samuel DAVIS and P. H. MURRAY. On the records of the post the following names appear as having been enrolled April 23, 1888: Alpheus DUNBAR, N. B. STEWART, James IRVINE, John McCARTHY and John MILLER. Peter P. STROUP, Nicholas KRAMER, Israel D. CUNNINGHAM, Frederick MATHAY, Joseph CASHDOLLAR, John W. COVERT and William BOUNDY have been admitted since 1888. Of the thirty-two men enrolled two, James IRVINE and David McCOMBS have died. James P. BOGGS, the first com- [p. 427] mander, served two terms. His successors have been George D. McFARLAND, John WATTERS, N. B. STEWART and H. C. BOGGS, the present commander. The following are the names of the adjutants: H. C. BOGGS, John WATTERS, G. D. McFARLAND and I. D. CUNNINGHAM. The membership of the post in October, 1893, was twenty-eight.
Evans City Lodge, Number 817, I. O. O. F., was organized under the charter of November 13, 1888, with the following named members: W. S. WALDRON, Jacob EMMELL, John P. ROLL, D. B. WILSON, J. N. MILLER, A. C. RAMSEY, Fleming WEST, Jacob COOPER, Dr. F. V. BROOKS, H. C. BOGGS, W. C. DOUGLASS, J. W. DOMBART, N. B. STEWART, Dr. Theodore KERSTING, S. M. WILSON, Jacob CRIDER and J. W. COOPER. The first officers in lodge rank were Jacob COOPER, N. G; Fleming WEST, V. G.; W. C. DOUGLASS, secretary; H. C. BOGGS, assistant secretary, and Dr. F. V. BROOKS, treasurer. The three first named officers filled the chairs in the order of rank. W. C. DOUGLASS was succeeded by N. B. STEWART in April, 1890. In October, G. A. JOHNSON was elected noble grand. Owing to the removal of the noble grand, elected in April, 1891, past grands were called to the chair. J. E. HOLBEIN was elected in October, 1891; J. H. BARBARY, in April, 1892; G. A. ROBINSON, in October, 1892, and C. L. CRIBBS and A. J. DOUTHETT in October, 1893. The secretaries have been: W. C. DOUGLASS, H. C. BOGGS, W. J. STEPHENSON, Fred PEFFER, George GLASS, George McMILLEN and L. J. SPEARS. The number of members enrolled since the organization has been 186, and the present membership is 165. The hall of the lodge is used by all the other societies, who pay rent to the Odd Fellows.
Evans City Encampment, Number 317, I. O. O. F., was chartered July 26, 1892, and organized September 12, 1892, with the following named members:--N. S. WATERMAN, W. C. DOUGLASS, J. H. BARBARY, J. A. RAMSEY, Fred PEFFER, David BARTO, officers in rank; and unofficered members--C. L. CRIBBS, G. H. McMILLEN, J. E. BEALE, J. M. GREER, John H. MILLER, W. H. YOUNG, L. I. NUTT, J. H. RAMSEY, George A. ROBISON, W. J. BOUNDY, A. J. DOUTHETT, F. A. DAVIS, J. E. LYON, Frank GODDARD, J. W. DOMBART, W. S. WALDRON, J. W. McKEE and W. C. CURBERSON. After the institution of the encampment, W. C. DOUGLASS was elected chief patriarch, and J. H. BARBARY, high priest; J. A. RAMSEY was chosen senior warden, and A. J. DOUTHETT, junior warden; while Fred PEFFER was continued as scribe and David BARTO as treasurer. The elections of September 11, 1893, resulted in the choice of J. H. BARBARY, J. A. RAMSEY, A. J. DOUTHETT, Fred PEFFER, Enos BARKEY, and David BARTO, chief officers. The trustees were J. H. BARBARY, J. A. RAMSEY and H. F. EICHHOLZ. J. W. DOMBART, and N. S. WATTERMAN were elected vice EICHHOLZ and RAMSEY, and are the trustees at present. The membership is sixty-two.
Evans City Council, Number 264, Fr. O.U.A.M. The charter of this council is dated July 17, 1889, when the following names were written as members: A. J. LONG, J. V. MYERS, F. V. WALDRON, W. B. EVANS, W. W. WATERS, A. L. SMITH, L. N. BURRY, C. ZIEGLER, H. D. ANDERSON, M. GARVIN, B. S. BUHL, N. S. RAHISER, W. G. EVANS, F. RAHISER, J. B. EVANS, J. WATTERS, W. MARTIN, W. S. WALDRON, G. BISHOP, A. BISHOP and J. J. HELM.
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Evans City Lodge, Number 292, K. of P., was chartered March 26, 1890, with the following named members: A. M. BEERS, J. B. GREGORY, F. V. BROOKS, Isaac G. SMITH, Harry L. HECKMAN, W. S. McCORMICK, Joseph W. RADCLIFFE, T. J. BOWEN, J. W. POORMAN, F. C. McNEAL, G. A. JOHNSON, F. C. CHEERS, J. J. STEPHENSON, H. M. CULVER, C. L. TILTON, A. HECKERT, G. B. WITHERUP, W. BOUNDY, W. C. DOUGLASS, W. H. YOUNG, J. C. WHITE, C. L. BRACKNEY, J. C. HECKMAN, A. E. CLAY, N. B. STEWART, H. K. POWELL, J. B. KAYLER, J. E. BROWN, D. L. DUNBAR, L. N. BURRY, J. J. SPENCE, A. J. LONG, J. W. DOMBART, Mike SHOUP, G. P. WARNER and C. F. BURCHARD. The election which followed resulted in the choice of the following officers in lodge rank: F. V. BROOKS, W. C. DOUGLASS, J. W. DOMBART, D. L. DUNBAR, G. A. JOHNSON, A. J. LONG, A. M. BEERS, John S. SPENCE, Charles L. TILTON and N. B. STEWART. D. L. DUNBAR was elected chancellor-commander July, 1890; G. A. JOHNSON in January, 1891; L. N. BURRY in July, 1891; J. B. KAYLER in January, and L. I. NUTT in July, 1892; A. M. SUTTON in January and R. B. STEELE in July, 1893. The keepers of the records and seals since July, 1890, are as follows: A. M. SUTTON, two terms; J. J. STEPHENSON, one term; and W. C. DOUGLASS, four terms. The present number of members is seventy-five.
Evans City Tent, Number 35, K. O. T. M., was chartered February 9, 1891, with the following named officers: W. B. STEWART, T. W. POORMAN, W. T. KELLY, T. R. HELMBOLD, H. F. EICHHOLZ, T. W. DUNN, B. F. WESTERMAN, T. CORE, H. A. McALLEN, G. B. WITHERUP, H. L. HECKMAN, J. C. MYERS and A. E. CLAYS.
Evans City Lodge, No. 871, E. A. U., was chartered November 25, 1891, with the following officers in order of rank: J. C. TINTSMAN, Mrs. C. L. McGREGOR, G. A. JOHNSON, Mrs. N. C. CORE, W. E. SPENCER, Mrs. G. W. BLACK, I. M. GRAHAM, Fred PEFFER, Mrs. M. L. KNOX, Samuel SPENCER, M. GRAHAM and J. W. DOMBART. The second election resulted in the choice of G. A. JOHNSON for president and J. C. TINTSMAN for secretary. The president was re-elected in 1892 and again in 1893. C. L. McGREGOR became [sic] TINTSMAN as secretary in 1892 and in 1893 Mrs. N. C. CORE became secretary. In the fall of 1893 there were forty-seven members. The name of Daniel HOAGLAND is the only one on the mortuary list; while the total benefits paid amounted to $875.
[End of Chapter XXIX - Evans City Borough: History of Butler County Pennsylvania, R. C. Brown Co., Publishers, 1895]
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