Mount Union borough
Who Named Mount Union
Who named Mount Union, and when? The town's own histories can't quite agree.
Welch's 1909 book says Col. William Pollock gave the name, in consequence of the union of mountains at this point. A footnote adds that good authority also claims John Dougherty named it.
The founding date is no tidier. Lytle's 1876 county history says Mount Union was laid out in 1850 by Gen. George W. Speer and John Dougherty. The 1937 sesquicentennial book says William Pollock laid it out in 1840 for John Sharrer. Our September 1 post already gave you 1840 and 1849 from two other records. Now you have 1850 as well.
On one point the old books stand together: the name means exactly what it says. Lytle names the mountains in the union: Jack's and Stone mountains on the west, Chestnut ridge and Jack's mountain on the east.
And one number worth a smile: the county's 1937 history records that the first postmaster earned $6.59 for a full year's service.
If your family holds deeds, letters or records from when Mount Union was laid out, we would love to see them.
Sources
No source list was recorded with this item when it was written. It is shown here as written and has not been re-verified. Treat it as unverified until it has been.
Checked 2026-09-18 · Historic Mount Union collection