…bringing our past into the future
HEADER Hutchison Family REV. WILLIAM J. HUTCHISON, D.D., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Kittanning, has been in the active ministry since 1898 and at his present location since 1909. The Hutchison family is of Scotch-Irish origin and was early settled in Pennsylvania, and the branch to which Dr. Hutchison belongs was established in … Read more
HEADER William Porter Hutchison WILLIAM PORTER HUTCHISON, of Rayburn township, Armstrong county, now living retired, is a well known resident of his section, having served his fellow citizens for twenty-seven years in the office of assessor and as overseer of the poor. He was born Feb. 16, 1839, in Butler county, Pa., son of David … Read more
Beers Historical Record Index   Chapter 1 – Early Inhabitants and Indian Wars   Chapter 2 – Settling of the County   Chapter 3 – Agriculture , Fish and Game   Chapter 4 – The Fruit Industry in Armstrong County   Chapter 5 – Transportation   Chapter 6 – Geology and Natural Productions   Chapter … Read more
HEADER Chapter 1 Early Inhabitants and Indian Wars THE MOUND BUILDERS – INDIAN TRIBES AND CUSTOMS- PIONEER SETTLERS- INDIAN DEPREDATIONS- MASSEY HARRISON’S STORY CAPTAIN BRADY’S FIGHT- MINISTERIAL DEFENDERS The history of this county may be divided into three great periods: The aboriginal, or period of Mound Builders; the savage, or Indian period; and the civilized, … Read more
HEADER Chapter 2 Settling of the County CONRAD WEISER– THE SCOTCH-IRSIH– THE GERMANS– ESTABLISHING HOMES– DIFFERENT CUSTOMS– THE PURCHASE LINE– THE HOLLAND LANDS– THE DONATION LANDS– THE DEPRECIATION LANDS– THE FIRST SETTLERS– BUILDING OPERATIONS– COSTUMES– SPORTS AND GAMES– NEUGHBORLINESS A STRANGE MARRIAGE CONTRACT. Â Weary, travel-worn and haggard, a little party of whites and Indians … Read more
HEADER Beers Historical Record Volume I Chapter 3 Agriculture , Fish and Game  The pioneer farmers of this county had little to aid them in the reclamation of the soil. The ground was covered with dense undergrowth and weeds, the removal of which required the most arduous labor by hand. Small quantities of grass … Read more
HEADER Armstrong County, Pa., Her People Past and Present Volume I Chapter 4 The Fruit Industry of Armstrong County (By Rev. T. J. Frederick, of Spring Church, Kiskiminetas Township.) EARLY GRAFTERS–VARIETIES OF APPLES–PEARS, PLUMS AND SMALL FRUITS–PIONEER ORCHARDS–STRANGE CUSTOMS–MODERN METHODS–STATE AID–DEMONSTRATIONS–COLLEGES–ASSOCIATIONS–SOIL SURVEYS–DYNAMITING–MARKETING Our forefathers who settled what is now called Armstong county, and who hewed … Read more
HEADER Beers Historical Record Volume I Chapter 5 Methods of Transportation, Ancient and Modern RIVERS AND STREAMS–SURVEYS AND IMPROVEMENTS–DECLINE OF WATER TRANSPORTATION–THE SIX CAPTAINS–THE PENNSYLVANIA CANAL–POSTAL FACILITIES–ROADS AND ROAD BUILDING–MODERN METHODS–RAILROADS–A NOTABLE GATHERING–ELECTRIC RAILWAY LINES The Allegheny river passes nearly north and south through the western part of the county, fed on the east by … Read more
HEADER Beers Historical Record Volume I Chapter 6 GEOLOGY AND NATURAL PRODUCTIONS The first geological survey of Pennsylvania was made in 1836 by Professor Henry D. Rogers, formerly State Geologist of New Jersey, under the act of that year’s Legislature, when the sum of $6,400 was appropriated for the purpose. This small sum was totally … Read more
HEADER Sylvester F Hildebrand SYLVESTER F. HILDEBRAND, a veteran of the Civil war, residing at Apollo, Armstrong county, was born at that place April 16, 1847, son of George W. and Elizabeth (Ford) Hildebrand. His maternal grandparents, Jacob and Christina (Lynch) Ford were early residents of Armstrong county, and he owned land in Apollo. By … Read more