Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-02-13
music store is and is now, we believe. the
property Of Mr.. John ). Campbell.
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which he bad been elected in the years
1856 and 1888, serving two terms in Con-
gress. This was during the administration
OF President Martin Van Bufen and when,
Is now, there were exciting and important
questions before Congress. Nothing will
illustrate better the character of Mr..
Beatty for courage than his declaration in
Congress when certain bill was up that
created much debate and opposition.
When others were timid as to their votes,
and doubling as to the propriety of the
measure, he arose and said that he was
not afraid ito take the bull by the horns, y
and voted accordingly. This expression,
while not the most elegant, yet gained
him very wide reputation for courage.
He was as unyielding in his views as he
was brave ard hone in the expression of
them. Aud while for years leader of his
party in this county he never practiced,
indeed did not know of any of the tricks of
modern politicians. Mr.. Beatty's strength
with the people came from an mate force
of character, and this, added to his honesty
of purpose in all things, gave him the
great influence he had over his fellow men.
He was upright as well as stern, and men
went to him because they relied upon and
trusted him. He was man Of strong and
good common sense and while austere in
look and brief in speech he was as kind
and tender hearted as q child. No one
failed to excite his sympathy when appeal
else kept him in constant financial
trouble. He was public spirited, lending
hand to every enterprise and improvement
for the benefit of the town. Personally he
was very fine looking man, little above
ordinary height and well built. His ap-
pearance and manner wherever he went
would attract attention and he was gener
ally chosen to preside at meetings and con-
ventions. While rigid in his political
views yet men of all parties respected him.
Had he been an educated man he would
undoubtedly have risen to still greater dis
tinction. Not a son or daughter remains
behind him here, and scarce a blood rela-
tive in the county that we know OF. VIM.
McNair, Esq, q prominent lawyer of Oil
City, is a grandson, as is Mr.. John B. Nc
Nair, late of this county, and c. G. Nc
Carnes, Esq, late of this place, is great
grandson.
Mr.. Beatty died in April, 1851, being
suddenly seized with sickness on the road
when going from town to his farm home
spoken Of He was in the 64th year of his
age. The late Hon. John Duffy and
present Hon. e. McJunkin were his ex-
ecutors. The farm that he had spent so
much labor and expense in improving was
sold after his death to Capt. james
O'Donnell, of Pittsburg, steamboat or
river man, who had been raised or had
relatives in this county. After Capt.
O'DonnelPs death his widow married Mr..
John Groutt, of Pittsburg, and after his
death Mrs. Groutt removed to Butler and
lived upon this farm until her death. The
farm is now the property of Mr.. Charles
Duffy. 1t embraced what is now that
growing part of our town called Duffyville,
and which, by the energy and liberality of
Mr.. Duffy, has perhaps o hundred houses,
recently erected, upon one of its hills fac
ing the old town.
CoLL-sTRwART SQUARE.
Crossing Cunningham Street and con-
tinuing on down Main on same side we
come to what we will call the Coll-Stewart
square of fifty years ago. There were, per-
baps, other old occupants on it who are as
much or more entitled to the old name
but they were on or about the middle of
the square, and so far we have been desig-
mating the squares by the names of the
old owners at the ends Of them. The late
Daniel Coll lived at the one end of this
square and the late Hon. William Stewart
at the other. Mr. Coll was at upper cor
ner. He was a merchant and kept store
in frame where present Berg brick is,
now occupied by Messrs. Graham and
Hafele as store. The old flame is said to
have been erected by the late John Sui
livan, Esq, and sold by him to Mr.. Coll.
About 1S49 this corner became the property
of the late John Berg, Sr., and his brother,
present Herman J. Berg, who carried ON a
hardware store there for many years since.
This corner lot is still the property of the
heirs of the late John Berg. The Berg
banking house was first established in one
-c@ Al ..r hui in and
continued there until Mr.. John Berg, Jr.,
bought a few years ago, the old National
Bank building, to where he removed and
is still carrying on the banking business.
The Racket Store" now occupies the
room where original Berg bank was. John
Berg, Sr., died in June, 1884.
Mr.. Daniel Coll in his day was one OF
Buffers very best citizens. He was
proverbial for his honesty, his name, in
deed, being but another for honesty itself.
All spoke of him as q man of the utmost
integrity and correct principles in all his
transactions In addition to keeping
store he followed drovIng cattle, in which
it was said he met with frequent losses.
He was elected County Treasurer, about
ls40, and was appointed postmaster of the
town in 1853. He had five sons who were
regarded as very talented and scholarly.
Francis, the oldest, was member of the
Butler Bar and his carly death was much
regretted by all who knew his worth and
learning. James also died when a young
man, much also regretted. of Cornelius
we have elsewhere spoken. John and
Samuel, younger boys, became the pro-
prietors of the Democratic Herald of this
place in July, 1858, and continued to pub
lish the same until 1867, when it was sold
by them to the late Hon. Jacob Ziegler,
who removed it to part of the old Beatty
building, spoken of, and continued it there
to his death near three years ago.
The next building to this Berg property,
and where now Is the bakery and confec-
tionery store of Mr.. John A. Richey, was
another frame one, until the present brick
was erected by the late John Sweeny, then
owner. The first recollection we have of
this old frame is when occupied by the
late Anthony Faller, Esq, and family.
Mr.. Faller and family came here from
Germany about 1880. They were an inter
esting family, having brought with them
from Germany various musical instruments,
among them two large musical clocks,
which they exhibited to the citizens and
caused to play for their amusement. These
clocks were wonder to the large crowds
who called to see and hear them. When