Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1906-06-21
The Cunningham Brothers
Founders of Butler.


Continued from last Week.
During the time this mill was owned
by the Cunninghams and perhaps for
sometime after, it was the headquarters
or place for all meetings Of the people.
whether political or otherwise. County
and local affairs were here considered
and nominations for Office were made
at this mill Samuel Cunningham ap-
pears to have generally acted as the
Secretary of these meetings and to have
been a man of much usefulness TO the
early settlers. The father of the writer
from his purchase, in 1907, owned and
operated the mill until 1882, when he
sold il to the late Gen. Robert McNair,
who with three brothers. the late
Thomas, William and James McNair,
operated it to about the year 1850. Then
it became the property of the late Hon.
William Beatty. The late John Nc
Karns, son-inlaw of Mr.. Beatty. at
tended it for few years. and about
1856 it was purchased by the late
Jacob Walter and the late John C..
Grohman. On Mr.. Walters death, 1865,
hissson Geo. Walter and Mr. .Grohman
operated it until Mr. Grohman sold his
interest to the late Jacob Boos. and Mr..
Boos and George Walter operated II
1ntil Mr.. Walter purchased the interest
of Mr.. Boos, about 1880 from which
time it was operated By Dir. Waiter aud
his sons until his death, 1903. and l. now
operated by his said sons, Albert and
Edward Walter. Steam was introduced
in it some years ago, by Mr. George
Walter we believe, and iJ isenow one ol
the largest mills of its kind in the coun-
ty. 1t stands upon nearly the same
ground that the first small log one built
by the Cunninghams stood. During the
ownership of the father of the writer Of
this it, tradition tells US. was washed
away by high food in the creek, 1912.
He rebuilt and enlarged it and each sue
cessive owner added somewhat TO IL.
During the time of the McNairs 1t was
burned down by fire, 1912. They re-
hnilt and enlarged it. A woolen mill
had been added to it by the father OF
the writer of this, and this too was de-
stroyed by the ire of 1912
But, as said. "mill-house' was also
built at the time the mill was. This
was put across and on the west side OF
the creek. Why it was built there was
doubtless because of a fine spring being
there. It stood right in and among the
rocks of the second row we have spoken
of. There were rocks upon the right OF
it and upon the left of it and behind it
A notable one was on its south side
from the top of which the creek could
be seva sast and north. The face of ii
was covered with the Ralae5 Of the boys
who liked to gather upon it. The nrs,
railroad route struck it squarely and il
had TO 90. The house was frame one,
square and rather large and well built.
Near it stood large oaks, one of which
can vet be seen. A cluster of butternui
trees also stood near and close to the big
rock vet in the creek But one of them
vet remains. Other wild native trees,
ferns and wild flowers were profuse
around. Small berry trees, the plum
and the cherry prevailing, were plenti
full, but these have long since disap
peared. The old and, as we believe, the
first house of Butler also disappeared
about 1896. Where it stood, the found
alton of it. can yet be seen between the
two railroads tracks passing there. A
mothers kind hand probably caused tbs
peppermint to grow and spread around
this old first house, and growths of that
pungent and aromatic plant can yet be
found in or near it's old foundation. ap
pearing reluctant TO leave the spot We
have never regarded it a very import
ant matter as to when we were born
but as to where born, we confess thai
we feel it an honor TO learn. from tradi
tion, that it was in this first house oi
Butler. Three older sisters, one oi
them yet living among us, and younger
brother and sister, both deceased, were
also said to have been born in that ole
mill house We never pass the spot
without realizing the truth of the lines
of the poet which say. How dear tc
memory are the scenes OF our childhood
when fond recollection presents them
to view" But all is changed now. The
Rocks" are nearly all gone; the last
mill-dam is about going, all giving way
to further railroad extension and other
improvements. and nothing but the
place where the old mill-house stood
now remains.
OF the tract of land spoken of, 300
acres, owned by the Cunninghams. they
gave to the County of Butler. when
formed, about n acres off its north END
for the purpose of procuring the seat OF
Justice here, or County seat as it is call
ed. This north end of their land ex-
tended to a line somewhere between
Jefferson and North streets. Exactly
where we cannot state. But from where
we were shown, when boy, were the
northeast and northwest corners oil
their tract we incline to the opinion the
line would be near North street. Ex-
cepting about ten acres reserved by
them for what was known as the Com
mons, near the mill, all had been laid
out into lots and generally sold before
Samuel Cunningham conveyed all re-
naming to the father of the writer OF
this, as stated. The first Robert Ora
ham gave the balance of the ground up
on which the northern part of our town
now stands. His descendants are yet
among us.
When the streets of the early town
came to be named its people very
properly named one of them Cunning
ham" This was a deserved honor. and
when we look at the names then given
to other streets the honor will be the
more apparent. We have Washington.
Jefferson End Monroe streets. 50 named
after three Of our early Presidents.
Then we have. Mexican and Miffiin
streets, named after two of the first
Governors Of Pennsylvania. Then we
have Wayne street. named after Gener-
al Wayne second only TO Washington
in Revolutionary service. Then we
have Penn street. so called no doubt
after William Penn. Thus to have the
name of Cunningham associated with
such other illustrious names was q
great honor, but not too great-the
name cunningham" deserved it, Their
gifts to the county and to the town were
generous and large. This street Gun
ningham' is the only enduring monu-
ment left to their memory and should
be preserved by our people as such.
While Butler lasts il should last John
and Samuel Cunningham were single
u9en and left no descendants here to tell
us who they we're and what they did.
Let the name of this street Cunning
ham therefore ever remind us OF them
We should not close this article with
out making reference to the fact that
through the Cunninghams mainly, was
the first road leading from Butler to
Pittsburg made, This road was due
north and south one and went direct
south from our Main street. 1t went
straight up and down, over hill and val
ley, without regard to obstacles arising
from the lay of the land or nature of
the country. 1t passed through about
the dividing lines of Jefferson and Penn
and OF Clinton and Middlesex town
ships. Traces Of it can yet be seen. We
have SOME recollection OF seeing old
Mr.. Robert Graham driving his team
upon it at steep place near present
Hoasftof 60 oteop .vaa tho vrou nd tba