USA > Indiana > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania > Part 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania > Part 56
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His marriage, too, was as fortunate as his business ventures. In October, 1869, he mar- ried Sarah P., daughter of William McBryar, and sister to Dr. William McBryar, one of the most prominent citizens and successful physi- cians of Apollo. She was graduated from Blairsville seminary, was successfully engaged in teaching for several terms, and is a woman of rare culture and refinement. During the last fifteen years they have occupied a beau- tiful home at Apollo, surrounded by all the comforts of life that wealtlı and refined taste
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BIOGRAPHIES OF
can provide. He is a consistent member of the United Presbyterian church, while Mrs. Mc- Quilkin holds membership in the Presbyterian church, where she is highly esteemed for her usefulness as a Christian worker.
H ENRY ABSALOM RUDOLPH. In the political, as well as in social and business circles in Apollo, Henry Absalom Rudolph is known as a stirring, energetic man-a citizen of honor, worth and stability. He is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Willyard) Rudolph and was born near Salina, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1831. John G. Rudolph (grandfather), who was born in Hol- land in 1748, came to America in 1771, to- gether with his brothers, George and Jacob. George located first in Berks county, afterward in Butler county. Jacob went to Ohio, settling in the Western Reserve, and one of his grand- daughters is Mrs. James A. Garfield. John G. Rudolph located in the extreme northwestern section of Westmoreland county, taking up one thousand acres of government land on the east bank of Beaver run. He was fearless and courageous, as became a pioneer, yet withal an accomplished scholar, having been educated for the ministry, was well versed in both German and English classical literature. He brought with him from Germany various fruit seeds which he planted on his farm. In 1771 he married Christina Myers, whose father, two sis- ters and a brother were killed by the Indians in 1782 while young Rudolph was trying to make liis way to Hannastown to warn the in- habitants of the coming of the Indians. He died and left nine children. His eldest son, Abraham Rudolph (father), was born in Salem township, Westmoreland county, December 11, 1773, on the old Rudolph homestead and lived all his life within one-half a mile of where he was born. He learned the trade of shoemaker at East Liberty, Pa., when there were but three
houses in the village, which trade he followed until 1836, when, losing his right arm, he went to farming. He measured six feet three inches in height and was of commanding appearance. He was a road supervisor of Salem township for many years. He was a democrat until after Polk's election, when he became a whig, and when that party went down he affiliated with the Republican party. While always interested in politics, he was no politician. He died of typhoid fever in 1851. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Frederick Willyard, who came to this country early in life from Alsace Lorraine, France, settling on Bushy run, in Hempfield township. Mr. Willyard was a cooper by trade, but left his occupation to enter the American army during the war of 1812, enlist- ing in Capt. McConan's company. He was a man of colossal proportions and immense phys- ical strength, and was considered the most ath- letic man in the county. His wife lived to be one hundred and four years old.
Henry Absalom Rudolph, after having re- ceived his education in the subscription schools of the county, learned the trade of shoemaker with John C. Rochester, at New Alexandria, Westmoreland county, and has followed the business ever since, first at Saltsburg, but for the last thirty-one years at Apollo.
He married Susan E., daughter of Col. Jo- seplı Bower, of Mifflin county, an old Revolu- tionary soldier. They had two sons and one daughter: George Law, now employed with his father; Joseph B., a book-kecper in Missouri ; Rose A., who married John Rodgers, and dying left two sons: Harry R. and Guy. After her death he married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Owens. By this second marriage he has six children: Alice G., wife of Joseph Murphy ; Harry G. Lomison, Susan E., B. F. Butler, Lottie L. and Sarah J.
He is an ardent republican, always taking an active part in local politics. He was in the secret service of the U. S. during the rebellion. In
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former years he acted as fireman and engineer on the P. R. R. between Altoona and Harris- burg. H. A. Rudolph has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1853, and has represented his lodge frequently in the Grand Lodge of that order of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Pres- byterian church.
H. R. SMELTZER, a well-established mer- chant of Apollo, and a descendant of two old pioneer families of western Pennsylvania, is a son of Joseph and Mary (Carnahan) Smelt- zer, and was born in Bell township, Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania.
The Smeltzer family came originally from Germany, and one of their number, Jacob Smeltzer (grandfather), was an early settler of Westmoreland county. He was also one of the founders of the Evangelical Lutheran church, in Bell township, and in 1803 was one of a committee of two to co-operate with a similar committee from the Reformed church to decide upon a grave-yard to be used by the families of the two church organizations. They selected a plot of ground a short distance above the once famous village of " Old Town." The commit- tee was also instructed to build a church upon the same lot and the timbers were dressed and drawn to the place, the foundation was laid and the first two or three courses of logs were placed in position when the question arose among the members of the two churches, who had gathered from far and near to the "raising," "to whom shall the church and land be deeded ?" As that important question could not be satisfac- torily answered, work ceased, and to-day heaps of hewn but decayed timber and the four logs that were placed in position still remain to mark the site of the proposed church. Joseph Smelt- zer (father), was born on his father's farm in Bell township, and was an active member of the Luth- eran church, holding the office of deacon for many
years. He was one of the founders of St. James Union church, which was built in 1838, by the Lutheran and Reformed denominations of Bell township. He was a successful farmer and sup- ported the democratic party until his death.
He married Mary Carnahan, daughter of David Carnahan, of Westmoreland county. They had three children: Benton, living at Paulton; Albert, a resident of Jeannette ; and H. R., of Apollo. John Carnahan (maternal great-grandfather), was one of the earliest set- tlers of Bell township, where he built a log block-house in 1774, which was the refuge of his neighbors when threatened by an invasion of the Indians during that year. His son, Capt. James Carnahan (maternal grandfather), commanded the 1st Independent company of Riflemen at Valley Forge and fought under Gen. Wayne at Stony Point, and served under Arnold and Morgan in the battle of Saratoga. He was accidentally drowned in the Allegheny river in the winter of 1786.
H. R. Smeltzer attended the common schools of his native township. Early in life he engaged in the general mercantile business, which he has followed ever since. Soon after coming to Apollo he opened his present mercantile estab- lishment. He has a complete stock of dry- goods, groceries, hardware and all the articles called for in a first-class store. Although he has been a resident of Apollo but for a short time, yet he has succeeded in establishing a sub- stantial and rapidly increasing business.
He married a Miss Johnson, daughter of William Johnson, of Westmoreland county, who died in a few years, and for his second wife he married Matilda Jockey, daugliter of Matthew Jockey. To this second union has been born one child.
In politics Mr. Smeltzer is a democrat. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and for the last six years has been the superin- tendent of the Lutheran Sunday-school of Apollo.
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BIOGRAPHIES OF
YEORGE W. STEELE, a descendant of G the old and substantial Steele family of Westmoreland county, and the proprietor of the Steele livery stables, of Apollo, was born in Washington township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1858, and is a son of Absalom and Susan (Kistler) Steele. The Steele family became residents of Westmoreland county at an early day and were among the nost industrious and thrifty families of western Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather of George W. Steele was Joseph Steele, who was born in Mount Pleasant township, in the south- ern part of that county. Like the most of farm- ers' sons of that early day, he turned his atten- tion to farming, which he followed until his death. He married Barbara Blystone, by whom he had six sons and three daughters of whom the eightli child was Absalom Steele (father), who was born in Franklin, township in 1820, and settled in Washington township, West- moreland county, where he has been engaged in · farming for many years. He is a republican in politics, has been successful in farming and stock-raising, and is a deacon of the Reformed church, of which he has been a useful member for many years. He married Susan Kistler, daughter of Michael Kistler, who was an old settler and highly respected citizen of West- moreland county. To them were born eleven sons and one daughter, of whom the subject of this sketch was the seventh child.
George W. Steele was reared on his father's farm. He attended the common schools and Salem academy and obtained a good English education. After farming for several years he went from Westmoreland to the oil regions of Mckean county, where he remained for one year at Bradford and then (1882) came to Apollo. From 1882 to 1884 he was engaged as a clerk in his brother's shoe and gents' fur- nishing goods store, and in the latter year em- barked in his present successful livery business on Warren avenue.
September 29, 1885, he married Mary Jones, daughter of Robert Jones, of Apollo. They have two children, a son and a daughter : Walter Raymond and Olive Grace.
In politics Mr. Steele has always supported the republican party. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Apollo and the common council of the borough. For the past .
six years he has been building up a good pa- tronage in his livery business. His stables are well-filled with a large and well selected assort- ment of carriages, buggies and carts and a fine stock of riding and driving horses. He never keeps less than fifteen head of horses and always has experienced and trusted drivers. He is a respected citizen and a prominent member of Branch No. 245, Order of the Iron Hall, and Darling Council, No. 250, Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
The Steele family is one of the old families of Ireland from which James Steele (the great- grandfather of George W. Steele) came to · Westmoreland county, this State, where he set- tled in Mount Pleasant township, and after- wards served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
ITENRY UNCAFER. By thrift and in- dustry Henry Uncafer has pushed his way to the front rank, in spite of all opposing difficulties, and now is numbered among the leading business men of Apollo. He is the eldest son of John and Matilda (Boartz) Un- cafer, and was born in Salem village, West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1845. The Uncafer family is of German de- scent. Peter Uncafer (grandfather) was born in Westmoreland county, where he lived nearly all of his life. He was a quiet, peaceable farm- er, and esteemed by his neighbors as an honest, industrious man. He married a Miss Shoe- maker. His son, John Uncafer (father), was born near Saltsburg, Indiana county, Pa., in
Hanne Uncafor
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ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
1823. Early in life he followed the trade of blacksmith, but afterwards entered upon a mer- cantile life, keeping a dry-goods store. He was one of the fortunate business men, with whom everything prospered. The latter years of his life he spent at Apollo. He was an active poli- tician, always voting the democratic ticket. He was a man of strong convictions and always endeavored to act as his conscience directed. He inherited from his German forefathers those sturdy and commendable qualities of persever- ance, energy and determination which tend so much to make a business man successful. He was a member of the Lutheran churchı. He was married to Matilda Boartz, daughter of Peter Boartz, by whom he had four children, all of whom are still living.
Henry Uncafer received his education in the public schools of Apollo, and was well trained for mercantile pursuits in his father's store He afterwards entered the store of Paul Hacke, on Sixth avenue, Pittsburgh, as a clerk, where he remained until October, 1879, when he en- gaged in the mercantile business at Apollo, where he has since resided. From a small beginning, his business has increased, until now, in propor tions it ranks second to none in Apollo. He occupies a fine establishment 40x100 feet, the upper part of which is filled with carpet and clothing. He has one of the largest general stores at Apollo and carries a well-selected stock of dry-goods, groceries and all articles usually found in a first-class mercantile establishment. He is always attentive to the interests of his business and receives a liberal patronage.
In October, 1872, he married Julia M. Ross, daughter of Samuel Ross, of Beaver county, Pa. They have two children living : Herbert Henry and Howard Ross, both of whom assist their father in his business.
In politics Mr. Uncafer is a man of inde- pendent views, and votes for whichever candi- date he considers the worthier man and the bet- ter fitted for the office. He is a member of
Apollo Council, No. 168, Royal Arcanum. Henry Uncafer's success in business is an ex- emplification of the old Scotch adage: Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves.
SIMON S. WHITLINGER. Upon honesty and industry as a foundation, Simon S. Whitlinger has built for himself not only a moderate fortune, but a reputation for honor and integrity. He is a son of John and Mary C. (Shearer) Whitlinger, and was born Decem- ber 28, 1816, in Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania. His father, John Whitlinger, a na- tive of Germany, came to the United States when a young man, and settled in Westmore- land county. By occupation lie was a farmer. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and adopted the tenets of the democratic party. He married Mary Catherine, a daughter of Louis Shearer, a farmer in what was formerly Allegheny township, Westmoreland county, and who, during the. war of 1812, served in the United States army. They had five chil- dren: John, Jr., who was killed by the Con- federates in Missouri; Margaret, wife of Samuel Harb (now deceased) ; Anna, also deceased ; Peter, living at Saltsburg, and Simon S. Whit- linger. John Whitlinger was a sturdy, honest German, frugal and industrious, as was becom- ing a son of the Fatherland.
Simon S. Whitlinger attended the schools of Allegheny township and of Leechburg. At the age of fourteen he went to learn the trade of tanner with David Kuhns, of Leechburg. After working with Mr. Kuhns for five years, he bought his employer's tannery, and conducted the tanning business for about ten years, when he sold it and removed to Apollo. Here he started a new tannery, and, after operating it for ten years, transferred it to his eldest son, J. F. Whitlinger, who still carries on the tan- ning business. In connection with his tannery,
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BIOGRAPHIES OF
he was engaged in harness and shoemaking, and also managed a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres. After he disposed of the tannery in 1858, he gave his whole attention to his store, adding to his stock a full line of ready-made clothing and furnishing goods. In spite of a serious loss which he sustained by fire, he lias steadily added to his fortune, little by little, until he has acquired a competency.
He married Violet Taylor, daughter of Mat- thew Taylor, of Leecliburg. She died in 1879. They had five children : J. F., engaged in the tanning business; Anna, married to William Worthington ; Louis, who is now a plumber and gas-fitter; Sarah Belle, wife of Henry Druby, and Priscilla Jane, wife of George Brush.
Although a republican in polities, and inter- ested in the success of his party, Mr. Whitlinger is no politician nor office-seeker. He has been steward and trustee in the Methodist church for many years, and is highly esteemed among all classes.
TAMES S. WHITWORTH, a member of the C Pittsburgh and the Kittanning bar, and now in successful practice at Apollo, is a son of Smith and Henrietta (Ford) Whitworth, and was born at Apollo, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, March 13, 1857. The Whitworth family can be traced back in England to an early period in its history, and many of its members were pro- fessional men and manufacturers. Samuel Whit- worth (great-grandfather) was a civil engineer. Samuel Whitworth was the father of Richard Whitworth (grandfather), who was a manufac- turer of woolen goods in England and afterwards in the United States. After he had been in business for some years in England he came to Maryland, where he erected and operated two large woolen-mills, both of which were burned about 1888. He died in Baltimore city after he had been in this country for some years.
Before he left England he married a Miss But- terworth, whose father was a prominent squire of the county in which he resided, and whose brother fell in the battle of Coruna, in Spain, under the celebrated Sir John Moore. They had five children : Smith, Richard, Samuel, Alice and Samuel. Mrs. Whitworth died and Mr. Whitworth married for his second wife a Miss Grant, who bore him three daughters. The eldest son, Smith Whitworth (father), was born in Lancashire, England, and about 1840 came to Apollo, where he was engaged exten- sively for some years in the boating business. He then turned his attention to grain dealing and the mercantile business, and in 1858 became a member of the firm of Mcclintock & Co., who purchased the works of the Kiskiminetas Iron company and manufactured nails for several years. In 1885 Mr. Whitworth retired from active business life. He is a stanch republican, a strong temperance man and never would accept of any office except that of school director, which he held for many years. His business life was a very successful one, and he still keeps well informed on commercial matters. He is a great reader, has a retentive memory and is well versed in history and literature and reads closely the current news of the day. He is one of the oldest members of Apollo Lodge, No. 437, F. and A. M., in which he takes a deep interest. He married Henrietta Ford, daughter of John Ford. Their children are : Dr. Richard S., of Allegheny City, Pa .; John F., a lawyer at Kit- tanning ; Alice, wife of Rev. D. K. Nesbit, a . Presbyterian minister of Peoria, Ill. ; James S. and Mary Whitworth, who died Sept. 5, 1890.
James S. Whitworth attended the public schools of Apollo and entered Vermillion college, Ohio, in which he took a three years' course. In 1878 he became principal of the Apollo schools, which position he held until 1880, when he registered as a law student with John Gilpin, a lawyer of Kittanning. On May 1, 1882, he was admitted to the Armstrong county bar and
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ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
soon thereafter went to Pittsburgh, where he . practiced for two years in partnership with - Charles Taylor, of that city. In 1884 he came to Apollo, where he has been in the successful practice of his profession ever since. He has been solicitor for the borough since 1885, is attorney for the Apollo Iron & Steel company and solicitor for the Apollo Building and Loan association. He is attentive and careful in all business matters, and his clients' affairs are never neglected in any particular. He is a re- publican in politics, but devotes his time to his profession.
October 23, 1888, he united in marriage with Caroline Orr, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Fuller) Orr, of near Spring Church, this county. They have one child, a son, named Smith Nesbit Whitworth.
A IKENS S. WOLFE, a courteous, successful and enterprising photographer, of Apollo, is a son of Wallace E. and Katharine (Miller) Wolfe, and was born in Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, August 25, 1850. His grandfather, George Wolfe, was born in Cumberland county, this State, Angust 15, 1772, married Agnes Evans, who was born in Butler county, March 22, 1788, and died in 1867. He was a farmer during most of his life and died in 1853, in the eighty-second year of his age. Wallace E. Wolfe (father) was born in Allegheny county, April 6, 1824, and in 1847 married Katharine Miller. His second wife, whom he married in 1869, was Elizabeth Miller, a sister of his first wife. They were the daughters of Joseph Miller, of Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong county. On August 27, 1864, he enlisted in the service of the United States as a private in Co. D, 6th Pa. Heavy Artillery, served ten months and was discharged June 13, 1865. He participated in the various battles and engagements of lis regiment, and after his return from the army was engaged in
farming until he retired from active life, in 1880. He was a man of sound judgment and unquestioned integrity.
Aiken S. Wolfe, after leaving the public schools, in which he received his education, learned the art of photography, and for the past twenty-one years has been engaged in that business at Apollo. He is affable in manner, progressive in spirit, keeping well up with the times in his business and is deserving of the success he has achieved.
On June 6, 1872, he married Tillie N. James, daughter of Jesse James, of Apollo, Armstrong county. Their union has been blest with three sons : Charles P., Edgar F. and Clifford J.
Although no politician, he is an earnest sup- porter of the Republican party. He is a mem- ber of Darling Council, No. 250, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Kiskiminetas Lodge, No. 1993, Knights of Honor and Apollo Camp, No. 155, Sons of Veterans. An affable, courteous gentleman, Mr. Wolfe is admired by his patrons and by following the rule that "what is worth doing is worth doing well," he has estab- lislied himself firmly in the photographic busi- ness and built up a large patronage. His gallery is complete in all of its appointments and his work has always rendered satisfaction. His integrity, business capacity and skill as an artist are beyond question, and he fully deserves the many encomiums which have been passed upon him as a first-class photographer.
FRANK T. WRAY. The progressive borough of Apollo is highly favored in having several first-class drug stores, among which is the establishment of Frank T. Wray, a practical and experienced druggist. He is a son of William H. and Susan (Townsend) Wray, and was born near Olivet, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, May 16, 1852. William H. Wray was a son of Robert Wray, who came from eastern Pennsylvania and purchased
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BIOGRAPHIES OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
the farm now known as the old " Wray Home- stead " at "Shady Plain." On this farm William H. Wray was born, December 2, 1821. On this farm he was also reared, and was afterwards employed in farming near Oliphant, Pa., until 1859, when he met with an accident which necessitated his retirement from physical labor. He then came to Apollo, where he successfully engaged in the drug business until 1882, when he was suc- ceeded by his son, the subject of this sketch. After retiring from business, he resided in Apollo until his death, which occurred April 15, 1890. He was a republican politically, a member and trustee of the Presbyterian church and a well respected man by all who knew him. He was elected justice of the peace, but being unassuming as well as modest, it took consider- able urging on the part of his friends before he would accept that office, which he held for several terms. Well informed and of good education, he was a useful citizen as well as an efficient magistrate. He married Susan Town- send, who was a daughter of Robert Townsend, and died August 5, 1888. They were the parents of five children, of whom three are living : Harry C., Frank T. and William S.
The youngest son, William S., was born October 21, 1862, and has been in the drug business ever since leaving school ; first with his father and now as a clerk for his brother. He married Agnes Gumbert, daughter of Daniel Gumbert, of Paulton, Pa. They have two children: Glaphy B. and Catherine. L. He is a republican, a presbyterian and a well- qualified druggist. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mystic Circle.
Frank T. Wray received his education in
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the public schools of Apollo and Leechburg, and Elder's Ridge academies. He then was successively a clerk in a general mercantile establishment and his father's drug store, until 1870, when he assumed charge of a drug store at Manor Station, Pa., which he conducted for seven months. He then resigned that position to become a traveling salesman for W. L. Jones & Co., of Pittsburgh. Five years later he accepted a similar situation with Harris & Ewing, now the L. H. Harris Drug Co., and traveled for them until 1882, when he pur- chased his father's drug store at Apollo, where he has continued successfully in the drug busi- ness ever since. He also has a stationery store in connection with his drug house, and carries a large stock of books and a very fine class of goods in the line of stationery, fancy goods and wall-paper.
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