Husband Rev. Francis Herron, D.D. 1 2
Born: 28 Jun 1774 - near Shippensburg, Cumberland Co, PA 3
Christened:
Died: 6 Dec 1860 4
Buried:
Father: John Herron, Esq. ( - ) 5 6
Mother: Mary Jack ( - ) 7
Marriage: Feb 1802 8
• Biographical Sketch: Alfred Nevin, D.D., LL.D., Men of Mark of the Cumberland Valley, Pa. 1776-1876 (Philadelphia, PA: Fulton Publishing Co., 1876).
To read this brief biographical sketch of his life and career, click here.
Wife Elizabeth Blain 8
Born:
Christened:
Died: 1855 8
Buried:
Father: Alexander Blain, Esq. ( - ) 8
Mother:
Children
1 F Jane Herron 9
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Aaron Williams (1807-1878) 9
General Notes: Husband - Rev. Francis Herron, D.D.
He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and received his early training from his pious parents and in the schools of the period. In due course he entered Dickinson College, then under the presidency of Rev. Dr. Nisbet, and graduated May 5, 1794. His heart had already been touched by the grace of God. He accordingly studied theology under his pastor, Rev. Robert Cooper, and was licensed to preach by Carlisle presbytery Oct. 4, 1797. His first service for his divine Master was performed while on a tour into the then western wilds of Pennsylvania and Ohio, which extended as far as Chillicothe, Ohio. Stopping for the night at a tavern at Six-Mile run, and it being known that he was a clergyman, he was prevailed on to tarry till the Sabbath. This he consented to do, and there, under the shades of an apple-tree, the young disciple dispensed the word of life to the few scattered pioneers and their families who could be gathered in. Two nights he encamped with the Indians, who had quite a numerous settlement at Marietta and vicinity. On his return he preached at Pittsburgh to a congregation of eighteen persons in a log structure which occupied the identical ground where the First Presbyterian church-edifice later stood, and so primitive was the house that the swallows, which had built in the eaves, invaded the premises, and sailed about the heads of his hearers. He assisted Rev. John McMillan at Chartiers and Buffalo churches in revival services. At the latter the people would have prevailed upon him to become their pastor, but he declined. Returning to the Cumberland valley, he was settled over the Rocky Spring Church, having been ordained and installed April 9, 1800. His services among the pioneers of the west, and in the revival services in conjunction with that devoted servant, Dr. McMillan, proved eminently useful to him. He systematized his labors, holding regular prayer-meetings, establishing a bible-class and giving catechetical instruction. For ten years he labored here. In the meantime, by the death of Rev. Robert Steel, the pulpit of the First Church had become vacant. On the occasion of a visit to Pittsburgh Mr. Herron was invited to conduct the services there. His fervent style of preaching pleased the people, and they gave him a unanimous call to become their pastor, which he accepted, and was admitted to the Redstone Presbytery on June 18, 1811.
Pittsburgh at this period was beginning to assume great commercial and manufacturing prosperity, but the spiritual life of its people was at a low ebb. The young pastor attempted to establish a prayer-meeting, but, strange as it may seem, some of his congregation opposed it. To avoid seeming to disregard their wishes, the meetings were not held in the church, but in a schoolhouse. But this did not satisfy them, and he was finally waited on and told that these meetings must stop. His reply was characteristic of the godly man. He said: "Gentlemen, these meetings will not stop; you are at liberty to do as you please, but I also have the liberty to worship God according to the dictates of my conscience, none daring to molest or make me afraid." From that day a greater degree of zeal and devotion marked the daily living of pastor and people.
Mr. Herron was not only a devoted man, but a common-sense man of affairs. A heavy debt, for those days, hung over the church property. Finally, in December, 1813, it was sold by the sheriff. The young pastor bid it in, on his own account, for $2,819. He then sold a portion of the lot to the Bank of Pittsburgh for $3,000, and after paying the purchase-money turned over the balance, $180, to the church treasury. In 1825 the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church resolved on establishing a theological seminary somewhere in the west. Dr. Herron advocated its location in Allegheny City, and was successful in his efforts. For its establishment and successful operation a vast amount of labor and judiciously directed effort had to be endured. From this he did not shrink, and to none more than to him was the success of this enterprise due. In 1827 Dr. Herron was elected moderator of the general assembly at its session in Philadelphia, an honor well deserved, for he was then in the full maturity of his powers and in the development of manly strength and beauty. And at that time, more than ever before, were his ministrations blessed, as the revivals of 1832 and 1835 amply attest. Until 1850 he continued to labor; but then, having attained the age of seventy-six, he felt that he should be relieved, and accordingly pressed his resignation upon his people. This they consented to grant, provided he would accept of one thousand dollars yearly as long as he lived. He died in the eighty-sixth year of his life.
In the centennial volume of the church he so long served is the following summing up of his character, with which this sketch may properly be closed: "As preacher, careful in preparation, biblical, experimental and always impressive. As pastor, affectionate, accessible, persuasive and progressive in methods. As presbyter, a born leader in presbytery and synod, and moderator of the general assembly in 1827. As president, directing the board of directors of the Western Theological Seminary from its first meeting till his death. As citizen, devoted to the city's interest, jealous of its morals, helpful in extending its churches, founding the first 'Moral Association,' and holding the first temperance meetings. Dr. Herron's piety was marked. It was early, tender, strong, equable, yet stimulated by revivals, characterized no less by prayer than by active zeal. He was pre-eminently a man to mold the times. 'There are but two things in Pittsburgh,' was once said, 'Dr. Herron and the devil, and the doctor seems to be getting the advantage.' In personal majesty of presence unequaled, in influence commanding and magnetic. Equal to emergencies in church or city, with pronounced convictions and well-matured opinions, sound judgment and warm sympathies, of remarkable courage, and great practical wisdom. When he died all mourned as for a father. Business and even the courts were suspended in his honor. Tributes of every description were paid to his worth. The tablet erected by a grateful people in 1874, the centennial of his birth, bears these closing words: 'Revered by the church he served and the city he adorned.'