In the July 1926 issue of the Western Pennsylvania Historical Society Magazine was a clip about the acquisition of this rifling machine and the Strawick family
List of Articles Presented to the Historical Society
of Western Pennsylvania.
372—The Strawick Collection of Gunsmith Tools.
This collection consists of one "Leader" a machine for rifling
guns by hand and one rifle barrel cut, cleaned and rifled by
Hugh M. Strawick; also a few tools used in the construction
of a gun, rifle or shot gun. This set for the most part is
hand made.
The leader was first constructed by Andrew Strawick who
came into eastern Pennsylvania from New Jersey with the
forces of the American Revolution, later pioneering west and
settling in what is now Butler County. In 1790 he was married
to Nancy Neil whose parents had also come west after the
"war". Together they bought 400 acres of land; the first
taxation of this land took place in 1803. A small village and
church known as West Jefferson, Pa. now stands on a part
of this land.
About 1810 Andrew Strawick turned his attention to gunsmithing
rather than clearing land and teaching school and
made a trip to Pittsburgh to secure the necessary equipment
to start in business. The construction of the above mentioned
"leader" was begun at that time and has been in continuous
use until about six years ago. Andrew Strawick, Jr. moved
the shop to Butler in 1838, but before that, in 1813, the gun
carried by David Strawick, son of the first Andrew when he
volunteered for service in the war of 1812 at the age of 20,
was rifled and put in repair on this machine by his father.
Many of the "smooth bore'' guns of the day were made over
in this shop by Andrew Strawick, Sr. After moving to Butler,
the business was known as the "Modern Works for Manufacturing
and Repairing Guns".
The family continued to live in Butler until 1856 when they
moved to Brady's Bend in Armstrong County where the third
Andrew went into business with his father. They carried
with them the old "leader," business flourished and all went
well until the Civil War. Two sons from the Strawick home
volunteered, Hugh M. and Jacob Walter, later becoming part
of the 139 volunteer infantry. Jacob Walter was killed in
the battle of Fredericksburg, May 3, 1863, at the age of 21.
Later Andrew IIIalso enlisted.
After the close of the Civil War, Andrew IIImoved his family
to Beaver Falls. Hugh M. married Elizabeth Benninger
of Brady's Bend and took Andrew's place in the business with
his father.
In 1872 the family returned to Butler and after the death of
Andrew IIin 1884, Hugh M. inherited the gunsmith machinery
and 'business. Neil Andrew, a veteran of the Spanish
American war and William, sons of Hugh M. would have inherited
these same relics had they lived. Hugh M. Strawick
died at his home in Butler County, July 16, 1925 at the age
of 91, having retired from active business five years prior to
his death.
There are two boys, Somers William and Hugh Andrew who
may some time come to the Historical Society to see the carefully
guarded and much loved workmanship of their father*.
We feel that these dumb objects speak eloquently of a day
gone by; of the subduing of the forest and the upbuilding of
a great state.
(The Daughter)
Donated to the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
Has anyone seen or have examples of guns from this family?
