Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania, Part 63

Author: Wiley, Samuel T. ed. cn
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Philadelphia [J.M. Gresham & co.]
Number of Pages: 652

USA > Indiana > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania > Part 63
USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania > Part 63

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BIOGRAPHIES OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY.

" The first paper of Dr. Alter appeared in November in the year 1854, or no less than five years before the announcement of the discovery of spectrum analysis as his own achievement by Gustav Robert Kirchoff, of Königsberg, Ger- many, for a sketch of whose life and works the reader is referred to the leading encyclopædias of the day.

" It appears in Silliman's American Journal of Science and Art, 2d Series, vol. xviii., for November, 1854, pp. 55-57, under the follow- ing head : ' Article VI. On Certain Physical Properties of Light, Produced by the Com- bustion of Different Metals in the Electric Spark, Reflected by a Prism. By David Alter, M.D., Freeport, Pa.'

" A second article appeared in the same scien- tific journal for May, 1855, vol. xix., pp. 213-14, under the caption, ' Article XXI. On certain Physical Properties of the Light of the Electric Spark within certain Gases, as seen through a Prism. By Dr. Alder, M.D., of Freeport, Pa.' In this explicit article a para- graph is found indicating the application of his discovery to the detection of the elements in combustion in shooting-stars or luminons meteors ; in other words, to the application of spectrum analysis to the study of celestial phe- nomena, ad infinitum.

" Dr. Alter daguerreotyped the dark lines of the solar spectrum, two of which he sent, along with his communication, to Professor Silliman.

" It is a little matter in comparison with the above, but it is curious, and perhaps not with- out its use, to know that the prism with which Dr. Alter made his remarkable experiments was made by him from a fragment of a great mass of very brilliant glass found in the pot of a glass-house which had been destroyed in tlie great fire of Pittsburgh, on the 10th of April, 1845. Thus remotely was the burning of Pitts- burgh the solution of the combustion of the sun of the solar system, and of the otherwise incom- prchensible conflagrations of more distant fur- nace spheres in illimitable space.

" Besides the achievements of Dr. Alter, referred to above, he accomplished much more that is deserving of note. Of other in- ventions, I may mention here a rotating retort for the extraction of coal-oil from cannel-coal and the oleiferous shales. With this apparatus in operation by a company with ample capital, the philosopher was on the higli road to mak- ing a fortune, when, presto! E. L. Drake, at the depth of only seventy feet, in Venango county, struck oil or petroleum, and the days" of coal-oil and Dr. Alter's affluence were at an end."

DAYTON AND PARKER CITY,

Historical and Descriptive .- Dayton, a pro- part of it in 1819 under the name of Lawrence- gressive borough of over five hundred popula- burg. In 1840 the iron industries on Bear creek went down and Lawrenceburg slowly de- clined until 1865, when it did not contain over fifty inhabitants. The oil excitement of 1869 came, and Lawrenceburg in a few months could enumerate its population by hundreds. At the same time Parker's Landing, which contained a few houses, increased likewise in population, and March 1, 1873, both places were incorpor- ated as Parker City. In 1873 and again in 1879 the place was visited by destructive fires. In 1879 the oil production decreased largely, and Parker City went down from four thousand population to about fifteen hundred. Several industries had been established prior to 1879, and in time they caused an increase of popula- tion and business. The borough is now in a prosperous condition, with nearly two thousand population. It has five churches, seven schools, an opera-house, one newspaper-the Phoenix- and good gas and water works. It also contains two foundries, a glass works and a planing-mill. tion and a well-known school town of western Pennsylvania, is situated in Wayne township, eighteen miles northeast of Kittanning, which is its banking and shipping point. It was laid out in 1850, on lands of Robert Marshall and John Lias, was incorporated June 5, 1873, and is said to have been named after Dayton, Ohio. There were two or three houses and a store on the site of Dayton prior to 1850. The post- office was established July 13, 1855, with James McQuown as postmaster. The Methodist Epis- copal church was organized about 1821 and the United Presbyterian church was the old Glade Run Associate Presbyterian church, which was formed in 1831. Dayton Union academy was established in 1852. On December 1, 1873, the Dayton Soldiers' Orphans' school was incor- porated. Prior to its incorporation the com- pany erected school buildings which were burned in 1873 and were replaced by the present school buildings. The Dayton Soldiers' Orphans' school, opened under the charge of Rev. T. M. Elder, and has accomplished a most remarkable and highly useful work. The growth of Dayton in population and business has been slow but steady.

Parker City, the metropolis of the oil region of Armstrong county, is situated on the Alle- gheny river and the P. K. and A. V. railroads and is forty miles northwest of the county seat and eighty-two miles above Pittsburgh. It is named for Hon. John Parker, who laid out a

The Parker City water works were erected in 1872, the gas works were built in 1877 and in 1880 the planing-mill was erected. In 1880 Parker City glass works were built and now employ near one hundred hands. Its news- papers have been : Oilman's Journal, 1871-72 ; Parker City Daily, 1874-79; and the Phoenix, which was established in 1880.

The first physician was Dr. Boggs, who located about 1824, and the oldest resident physician is Dr. A. M. Hoover. Among the

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BIOGRAPHIES OF

. prominent physicians are : Drs. Hoover, Eggert and Mccullough. The Petroleum Agricultural association was formed in 1881. The churches of Parker City are: Presbyterian, organized in 1819; Catholic, 1831; United Presbyterian, 1834; Methodist Episcopal, 1836; Baptist, 1875; and Lutheran, 1879.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

REV. MATTHEW S. ADAMS is an active business man and a useful citizen of Parker City, who enjoys the respect and good- will of his fellow-men. Rev. Matthew S. Adams is a prominent local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was born near New Salem, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1820, and is a son of Rev. Alexander and Esther (Armantage) Adams. Rev. Alex- ander Adams was of English descent. He was born in Bedford county, in 1776, removed to Westmoreland county, where he remained until 1823, when he came to the mouth of Cowan- shannock creek (above Kittanning) and engaged in milling. He afterwards removed, about 1849, to Butler county, in which he died in Sep- tember, 1859, aged eighty-three years. He was a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church and lived an exemplary Christian life. He married Esther Armantage, who was a daughter of Benjamin Armantage, of Bedford county, and died in January, 1828, aged thirty- eight years. She was a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church and left, at her death, a family of ten children, of whom three are liv- ing: Matthew S. Adams, Alexander Adams and Sarah Milligan.

Matthew S. Adams was reared principally in Armstrong county, where he received his edu- cation in the rural schools of his boyhood days. In 1844 he removed to Fairview, Butler coun- ty, where in the same year he embarked in the

foundry business. Six years later he engaged in the mercantile business and conducted both his foundry and store until 1854, when he went seven miles north of Fairview and purchased Maple furnace, which he operated up to the fall of 1865. His iron was of good quality and in much demand. He hauled it to Parker's Landing, on the Allegheny river, and from thence transported it on flat-boats to Pittsburgh. In connection with the furnace he had a large store. In 1868 he engaged in oil pro- duction at Pit Hole and Parker's Landing. He has continued these different lines of business successfully until the present time, and during several years of this period was. one of the heaviest oil producers in Arm- strong county. He came, in 1870, to Parker City, where he owns the Adams House and has considerable other property. He also owns a farm of five hundred acres in Butler county, on which is situated a flouring-mill.

June 3, 1841, Mr. Adams united in marriage with Nancy A. Scott, of Brady's Bend, Arm- strong county, Pa. They have had eight children : Angie E., married to W. D. Blygh, of Grove City, who is engaged in the drug busi- ness; Mary E., married to W. J. Parker, who is engaged in the hotel business at Parker City ; Edwin D., who is engaged in the hotel business * at Parker City; Libbie E., wife of J. S. Foster, a druggist of Petrolia, Butler county, this State; James T., engaged in the oil busi- ness in Warren county ; and Charles W., now". in the oil business in Butler county, and Homer . C. and Theodore L., who are both dead. Mrs. Adams was a member of the M. E. church for ' forty years and passed away October 10, 1889, aged sixty-nine years and one month.

In politics Rev. Matthew Adams is a repub- lican. He commenced his career in life with nothing but good health, unbounded energy and inflexible honesty, and as success crowned his dif- ferent business enterprises, he was enabled to. wield a wider influence for morality and

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Christianity. He employed a large number of hands at different times in the iron business, but always saw that they were rightly dealt with in his iron-works. He is public-spirited and charitable, always willing to assist in any move- ment for the benefit of his city and ever ready to aid the sick and needy. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has been a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church for over thirty years. Rev. Matthew S. Adams, amid all the cares of various business enter- prises, has preserved his reputation for honesty, integrity and morality, and has never neglected the cause of religion, but has valued it above all others.

EDWIN D. ADAMS, the popular proprietor of the well-known Parker House, was born at Martinsburg, Butler county, Pennsyl- vania, November 27, 1851, and is the third son and fifth child of Rev. Matthew S. and Nancy A. (Scott) Adams. His paternal grandparents were Rev. Alexander and Esther (Armantage) Adams, who were both natives of Huntingdon county, and . of English descent. His father, Rev. Matthew S. Adams, has been for over half a century one of the prominent and honorable business men of Butler and Armstrong coun- ties, and an efficient. local minister in the Meth- odist Episcopal church. His life has been one of usefulness in the different communities in which he has successively resided. (For further ancestral history of E. D. Adams see sketch of Rev. Matthew S. Adams.)

Edwin D. Adams was reared in Butler coun- ty, where he attended the district schools, and then spent his last days of school-life at a lead- ing educational institution of Erie county. He was carefully trained in his father's store and mill for business pursuits. In 1869 he came to Parker City, where he was engaged for five years in pumping oil wells. He then accepted a position as mail-agent on the Parker and

Karns City R. R. At the end of one year's service as such he became a brakesman, which position he only held one year until he was pro- moted to a passenger conductor, and served as such for eight years, making in all ten years of continuous service on the P. & K. C. R. R. He next (1885) embarked in the oil producing business at Hooks City, Butler county, which he only followed one year, until he disposed of his territory and wells, and in May, 1886, became proprietor of his present hotel, tlie fav- orably known " Parker House." It is a frame structure, on River avenue. While it makes a pleasant summer resort, it is also arranged to be kept warm and cosy in winter, so that when- ever a traveler finds shelter beneath its roof he can be comfortable and happy.

In the spring of 1875, Mr. Adams united in marriage with Martha L. Gibson, daughter of John L. Gibson, of Perry township, this county. Their union has been blest with oue child, a daughter : Libbic E., who was born in February, 1876.

In political affairs Edwin D. Adams supports the Republican party. He, is a member of Parker Council, No. 179, Royal Arcanum. He and his pleasant and estimable wife well know how to conduct a first-class hotel, and make their guests at home. Mr. Adams, while agree- able and genial, is yet a thorough-going and active business man of experience, perseverance and enterprise.

CAPTAIN WINFIELD S. BARR, ex-dep- uty sheriff of Armstrong county, and the present postmaster of Parker City (P. O. Park- er's Landing), is one of the surviving captains of the old 105th regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was born at Brookville, Jef- ferson county, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1841, and is a son of Thomas M. and Sarah C. (Corbett) Barr. His paternal grandfather, Alexander Barr, was born and reared in Scot-

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BIOGRAPHIES OF

land, from which he came to Pennsylvania when quite a young man. He first settled in Dauphin county, but subsequently removed to Indiana county, where he remained but a short time, and then went to Preble county, Ohio, in which he died. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, and one of the sons born to him in Dauphin county was Thomas M. Barr, thie father of the subject of this sketch. Thomas - M. Barr was born in November, 1803, and moved, in 1830, to Brookville, where he re- sided until his death, July 4, 1882, at eighty- three years of age. He was a bricklayer, stone-mason and building contractor by occupa- tion. He was a republican politically, liad been a ruling elder for forty-five years in the Presby- terian church at the time of his death, and dur- ing his unusually long life he had never been sued or brought suit against any one. He mar- ried Sarah C. Corbett, daughter of William Corbett, of Lewistown, Mifflin county. She was reared, however, in Clarion and Jefferson counties, was a devoted presbyterian, and died at her home in Brookville, July 4, 1876, when in the seventy-eightlı year of her age. Mr. and Mrs. Barr reared a family of four sons and two daughters, all of whom are living.

Winfield S. Barr was reared at Brookville, Jefferson county, and received his education in the schools of that town and county. Leaving school, he worked on his father's farm until April 19, 1861, when he enlisted for three montlis as a private in Co. I, 8th regt., Pa. Vols. He served his term, and re-enlisted on August 26, 1861, entering Co. B, 105th regt., Pa. Vols., as a private, but was raised by suc- cessive promotions, until he was commissioned captain for meritorious conduct at the battle of Gettysburg. He commanded his company un- til its time of service had expired, January 1, 1864, when he and the most of his men re-en- listed. He served until he was discharged May 15, 1865, from the hospital at Philadelphia on account of wounds. He was slightly wounded

at Fredericksburg, then received a minie ball in his knee at Gettysburg, and was shot in the head at Deep Bottom, Va., August 16, 1864. From the last wound he carries an ugly scar. When he was discharged he returned to Brook- ville, where he remained until 1869. In July of that year he came to Parker City, and entered the oil business, in which he has con- tinued ever since. He has been engaged on the pipe lines.

In 1865, Capt. Barr married Hannah R. Emery, daughter of Jacob Emery, of Brook- ville, Pa. Capt. and Mrs. Barr have two sons and four daughters: Amy, wife of Henry E. Kelly; Winifred, Alice, Cad M., Bessie and Ralph.

Capt. Winfield S. Barr is a republican polit- ically, has served as chief of police of Parker City, and deputy sheriff of Armstrong county, and has held many other offices of trust and responsibility. He is a member of Parker City Council, No. 179, Royal Arcanum, and Col. C. A. Craig Post, No. 75, Grand Army of the Republic. On July 12, 1890, Capt. Barr was appointed postmaster of Parker's Landing, Pa., by President Harrison. As an officer he was well liked in the army, as a public official he always discharged his duties so as to com- mand the confidence of the public, and as a business man he is honorable and trustworthy.

TACOB J. BECK, a respected citizen of the borough of Dayton, and formerly a pros- perous farmer of Wayne township, is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Wagle) Beck, and was born in the Ligonier Valley, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1815. His paternal grandfather, George Beck, was of Ger- man descent, and settled in an early day in eastern Pennsylvania, probably Montgomery county, but soon came to Crooked creek, where he resided until his death. He was a farmer and a gunsmith, and built and operated a gun -;

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powder factory on the Kittanning road, not far from the county-seat. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics a demo- crat. He married Elizabeth Holsopple, and their union was blessed with nine children, six sons and three daughters. One of his sons, Jacob Beck (father), was born on Crooked creek, and lived there until after his marriage, when he went to the Ligonier Valley. He built a powder factory, which he operated for some time, and removed to Sewickley creek, Westmoreland county, where he engaged quite extensively in the manufacture of salt. In 1818 he came to Armstrong county, and located on Pine creek, in Wayne township, where he purchased a farm, and erected a saw-mill and carding-factory. During the latter years of his life he gave his time mainly to his mill and factory. In politics he was a democrat at first, but afterwards became a whig, and served as county commissioner for several terms. He held nearly all of his township's offices, and was a member of the Lutheran church in his youth, but afterwards became a methodist. He was twice married; his first wife was Catherine Wagle, and to their union were born eleven children : Elizabeth, George, Isaac, Margaret, Jacob J., John, Catherine, Adam, Martin, Si- mon and Christiana. His second wife was Barbara Clever. Mrs. Catherine (Wagle) Beck was a daugliter of Abraham Wagle (maternal grandfather), who was a farmer on Crooked creek, where he reared a family of two sons and several daughters:

Jacob J. Beck was educated in the schools of his time, and commenced life as a common laborer. At twenty-five years of age he entered his father's mill, where he worked until his marriage (1841), when he engaged in farming in Wayne township. In 1875 lie retired from active business, and came to Dayton, where he has resided ever since.

September 28, 1841, he married Margaret Rupp, daughter of Jacob Rupp. Mr. and Mrs.

Beck are the parents of two children : George, a traveling salesman for a Williamsport candy- house, who married Harriet Sease, and has two children,-Ira and Carrie; and Saralı, who married William A. Fleming, and has six children,-Cloyd, Maggie, George, Mary, Le- ona and Grace.

Jacob J. Beck is a stanch republican, has always been a warm friend of education, and has served for several years as a school direc- tor. He formerly was a member of the Re- formed church, but some years ago united with the Methodist Episcopal church of Dayton, of which he is a trustee.

SAMUEL H. BREWER, an estimable citi- zen and one of the foremost merchants and successful business men of Parker City, is the present deputy sheriff of Armstrong county, be- ing appointed to that position in the year 1882. He was born .at North Washington, Washing- ton township, Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, July 29, 1852, and is a son of Daniel and Isabella (Beatty) Brewer. Daniel W. Brewer was a native of western Pennsylvania, was born May 16, 1823, and died in Kiskiminetas town- ship, this county, March 25, 1853, at nearly thirty years of age. He was a wagon-maker by trade and was engaged in that business at North Washington, this State, for many years. He married Isabella Beatty, daughter of Wil- liam Beatty, of this county, August 14, 1845, and they had five children. Mrs. Brewer died in Kiskiminetas township, this county, December 10, 1853, aged thirty-one years. She was a native of western Pennsylvania and, like her husband, was a member of the Presbyterian church.

Samuel H. Brewer was reared in this county and attended the public schools. Leaving school, he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for five years, when in 1873 he came to

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BIOGRAPHIES OF

Parker City, where he worked first for N. H. Beatty, a coal merchant, and then for six years was employed by E. H. Randolph, a liveryman, also of that place. In 1886, Mr. Brewer began teaming, which he has continued ever since. In connection with his teaming, he engaged in the grocery business in 1887, and has been very successful in his commercial enterprise. His grocery establishment is eligibly located on the corner of Washington and Jackson streets and is well filled with selected and first-class staple and fancy groceries, flour, feed and provi- sions.

April 28, 1887, Mr. Brewer was married to Mrs. Annie (Blymiller) Teerkes, of Butler county. Their union has been blest with one child, a son, George W., who was born Febru- ary 22, 1889.

S. H. Brewer is a republican in politics and a member of the Parker City Presbyterian church. He is a member of the town council and chairman of the street committee and was constable for ten years, part of which time he was chief of police. He is now and has been for the last eight years holding the office of deputy sheriff. He is a very energetic man and an influential and enterprising citizen. His parents died when he was two years and five months old-too young to remember them --- and he had to make his own way in the world from childhood. He has been very successful in his business pursuits, employs a great many men and owns some very valuable property at Parker City. His efficiency and executive ability as a correct business man and successful public official is attested by his continued re- tention as deputy sheriff. He was first ap- pointed to his present position by Sheriff James HI. Chambers in 1882 and re-appointed in 1890 by the present sheriff, W. W. Fiscus. He is one who loses no time by idleness or inaction. As a borough officer he looked well to the prosper. ity of his town, and as deputy sheriff he never neglects the interests of his county.

NOAH F. CALHOUN, M.D., one of the leading physicians of the progressive bor- ough of Dayton and of his section of the coun- ty, is a son of James and Sarah A. (Calhoun) Calhoun, and was born in Boggs township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1844. His paternal grandfather, Noah Abra- ham Calhoun, was a farmer of Boggs township, where he resided until his deatlı, at eighty-four years of age. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics was first a whig and next a republican. He married a Miss White, by whom he had six children : James, Margaret, Mary, Susanna, Rebecca and Robert, who died young. James Calhoun (father) was born May 11, 1816, in Boggs township, where he has been engaged in farm- ing since attaining his majority. He owns over two hundred and fifty acres of land, is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and supports the Republican party. He mar- ried ,Sarah Calhoun, who died in 1856. To their union were born six children: John Calvin, who received a good education, died while engaged in reading law at Kittanning ; Dr. Albert J., a graduate of the Jefferson Med- ical college, of Philadelphia, and for some time a practicing physician of Goheenville, took typhoid fever in Philadelphia while on his way to attend the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, of New York, and came home, where he died; Noah F., Ezra Jackson (deceased); a babe that died in infancy, and William C. Calhoun.

Noah F. Calhoun was reared in his na- tive township and received a good education. Leaving school, he read medicine and attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Baltimore, and the Jefferson Medical college, of Philadelphia, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1877. He then came to Dayton, where he entered upon the practice of medicine, which he has followed actively ever since. In 1883 he took part of a post-graduate

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ARMSTRONG COUNTY.

course at the Jefferson Medical college. By his skill and close attention to his cases he has suc- ceeded in building up a large and remunerative practice.

On April 12, 1877, he united in marriage with Sarah W. White, daughter of John White, of Wayne township. To their union have been born six children, of whom five died in early infancy, while the sixth child, Arthur Wallace, is still living.

In politics Dr. Calhoun is a pronounced re- publican. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church. His profes- sional duties are such as to leave him but little time to engage in either business affairs or po- litical matters, although he is well-informed upon the current events of the day and every enterprise that in any way affects his borough or county.

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Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania, Part 63

Author: Wiley, Samuel T. ed. cn Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Philadelphia [J.M. Gresham & co.] Number of Pages: 652

Author: Wiley, Samuel T. ed. cn
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Philadelphia [J.M. Gresham & co.]
Number of Pages: 652