USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > Armstrong County, Pennsylvania her people past and present, embracing a history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I > Part 82
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
coal 4 feet 10 inches thick. His interests are very extensive and ably managed. Though he had nothing to start with except his energy and ambition, he has done unusually well, and he has, moreover, maintained high standing for honor in all his dealings with his fellow men.
Josiah W. Klingensmith grew to manhood on the farm and obtained his education in the Mr. Klingensmith has long been active in local politics as a member of the Republican party, for whose success he has worked effi- ciently. He was elected assessor of Parks township when it was formed, serving three years. In religious connection he holds mem- bership in the Boiling Springs Evangelical Lu- theran Church, and for sixteen years served as a member of the church council. local public schools. During the summer of 1857 he engaged in boating on the old Pennsyl- vania canal, continuing that work for the sea- son. During the next five years he was em- ployed as a farm hand, working for ten or twelve dollars a month. In 1862 he entered the Union service, becoming a private in Com- pany C, 139th Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, for three years. He saw much act- On Feb. 20, 1866, Mr. Klingensmith married Lucinda Knappenberger, daughter of John Knappenberger, and they have had eight chil- dren, viz .: Mary A., who died Oct. 21, 1911, ive service, taking part in every battle in which his regiment was engaged. He helped to bury the dead who had lain for eleven days upon the battlefield of Second Bull Run. His was the wife of William Ayers ; John A., who regiment then moved on to Sharpsburg, Md., resides at Mateer, Pa., conducting a store at joining the 6th Corps of the main army, and that place, married Lavina Brown; William
421
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Francis, who now conducts his father's old five sons and two daughters, all born in Vir- store at Dime, married Vivian Elliott; Nancy ginia ; Henry, who died in Illinois; Jolin, who I. married Charles Bortz; Susan M. married died in Westmoreland county, Pa .; Jacob, who Harry Gilchrist; Josiah W., who died in No- died in Westmoreland county ; Baltzer, who vember, 1910, was married to Nellie B. Riggle; Olive L. married Harry Lafferty ; Sarah Myr- na married Frank Riddel.
The first of the Knappenberger family in this part of the State was Conrad Knappen- berger, who came hither from central Pennsyl- vania. Philip Knappenberger was the grand- father of Mrs. Josiah W. Klingensmith. Ilis son John Knappenberger came to Armstrong county in 1837, and died at the age of seventy- eight years. He is buried at Spring Church in Kiskiminetas township. He was a farmer by occupation. He married Anna M. Hill, daugh- ter of John Hill, of Westmoreland county, Pa., and they had the following children : Daniel, Jacob, Augustus, Henry C., and Lucinda (Mrs. Josiah W. Klingensmith ).
DAVID P. TROUT, D. D. S., of Leechburg, Armstrong county, one of the oldest practicing dentists in this part of Pennsylvania, has been located there for over fifty years. As one of the first dentists to settle there he is one of the most widely known, and his high reputation has been maintained by conscientious and sat- isfactory work which places him among the foremost practitioners of his profession in this section. Dr. Trout was born Oct. 22, 1839, in Allegheny township, Westmoreland county, Pa., and is a great-grandson of the founder of his family in America.
died in Greenfield, Pa .; Daniel, who died in Westmoreland county; Catherine, wife of Philip Walters; and Elizabeth, wife of John Jonston. The father of this family died July 5, 1837, in Allegheny township, Westmoreland county, Pa., and the mother died in December of the same year; they are buried in the Poke Run churchyard. Mr. and Mrs. Trout were members of the Methodist Church.
Jacob Trout, son of Baltzer Trout, was born Jan. 28, 1798, in Virginia, and came with his father to Westmoreland county, where he fol- lowed farming in Allegheny township from 1832 until he retired because of his advancing years. He owned 137 acres, and had a well im- proved farm, which he cultivated intelligently, the place showing the result of his good man- agement. Outside of his farm work he was not particularly active in the community ex- cept in his connection with the Lutheran church, of which he was a prominent member, taking a leading part in its work. He died June 5, 1868. Mr. Trout married Mary A. Hawk, daughter of Daniel and Magdalena (Bricker) Hawk. A large family was born to this union : William R .; Baltzer, who is deceased; Jacob, deceased ; Daniel, living in California ; Henry, living in Iowa ; David P .; Mary A., who mar- ried George H. Goodsel; Harriet, deceased ; Jennie, unmarried; Melvina R., who married Cochran Vantine; Jemima, unmarried; and Caroline E., who died young.
The Doctor's great-grandfather came to this country from Germany, in company with one William R. Trout, eldest son of Jacob, was born Sept. 26, 1829, in Washington township, Westmoreland county, Pa., and was reared upon the farm, where he remained until twen- ty-four years old. He was educated in the common schools and at Leechburg Academy, and taught school for fourteen years, for six terms of that time being engaged in Armstrong county, the balance in Westmoreland county. For several years he followed farming on part of the old homestead in Allegheny township, Westmoreland county, and since he retired from agricultural pursuits, in 1904, he has made his home at Vandergrift, Pa. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Leech- burg, and teaches in the Sunday school. He was made a Mason at Freeport, Pa., in 1866. Mr. Trout has made a special study of Indian of his brothers, and first settled at Germantown, near Philadelphia. They separated, and the family never afterward succeeded in locating the brother mentioned. The great-grandfather married in Philadelphia, and after living there some years went to the Colony of Virginia, where he died. His son, Baltzer Trout, grand- father of Dr. Trout, was born at Germantown and went with his father to Virginia. He was a stonemason by trade. During the Revolution he served as a soldier in the Colonial forces, was with Washington at Yorktown, and in his later years received a pension for his services. He was married in Virginia, his wife's maiden name being Ritinour, and in 1806 removed to Westmoreland county, Pa., among the pioneers of that region, settling in the woods three miles from Delmont. There he cleared a tract of times and history in this section, on which sub- land and continued to make his home for ject he has become an authority. He married eighteen years ; his place is now known as the Maggie Lang, daughter of John Lang, and they Branthouver farm. His family consisted of had five children; Judson L., who is a resident
422
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
of Leechburg; Mary, unmarried; Cora, who wright and farmer. In the year 1878 he went married N. H. Slonaker ; Anna, who married to Cedar county, Nebr., where he devoted H. E. Walthour ; and Malvina R., unmarried. himself exclusively to farming. During the Mrs. Trout died in 1891, and is buried in Pleas- ant Hill cemetery, in Allegheny township, Westmoreland county. Civil war he enlisted in Company A, 6Ist Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and at the expiration of his term of service reenlisted, David P. Trout began his education in the common schools and later attended Leechburg Academy. He then entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Wooster, at Wooster, Ohio, after which he took his course in den- tistry under a private preceptor, at Leechburg, as there were but two schools of dentistry in the United States at that time. He began practice in 1862 and has continued with- out interruption since, for the long period of fifty years maintaining his standing as one of the leading dental practitioners in this locality. Dr. Trout owns a fine farm one and a half miles west of Leechburg, in Westmoreland county. He has been a useful citizen in the borough, giving good service upon the school board for a period of ten years, and has always given his aid and influence to progressive movements in the community. serving until the close of the war. He entered the service as a private, but when discharged held the rank of lieutenant. Having been con- nected with the Army of the Potomac, he par- ticipated in every battle the 61st Pennsylvania was engaged in during the war, and had the misfortune to be slightly disabled at Fair Oaks and the Wilderness, and also in the charge at Mary's Heights, before Fredericks- burg. Originally a Democrat, before the close of the war he became a Republican, and affil- iated thereafter with the party. In his after life he served as justice of the peace for a number of years. Having been baptized in the faith of the Reformed Church, he attended services held by that denomination. His wife was a daughter of George Hoffman, who came from eastern Pennsylvania, and settled near Harrison City, Westmoreland On Oct. 21, 1879, Dr. Trout married Mina Cooper, daughter of John Cooper, who resided at Oakdale, in Allegheny township, Westmore- land county, and died March 10, 1914, aged ninety-four years ; he was able to read the daily papers without the aid of glasses. He was a nephew of James Fenimore Cooper, the famous historian and writer of Indian stories. Dr. Trout and his wife have two daughters, Maude and Maria, both of whom live at home. They have had the advantages of extensive travel. county. Her paternal grandfather, Goode, was a commissioned officer in the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. David McCullough had twelve children. She died in 1867, and her husband later married a Mrs. Conger, of Clarion county, Pa. The eleven children of the Mc- Cullough family who grew to maturity (for one died young) were: Margaret, wife of John Doverspike; Sarah, wife of William Shields; Lavina, wife of Robert Montgom- ery; Susan, wife of David Walton; Nora, wife of Clark Olsen, of Nebraska ; Rev. Charles, now deceased, a minister of the United Brethren Church; David; Hiram; John, deceased; Reuben A., and William.
Dr. Trout is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Socially he is a Mason, having be- longed to Leechburg Lodge, No. 377, F. & A. M., for the last forty-five years.
REUBEN A. MCCULLOUGH, attorney at law, and one of the eminent men of his pro- fession in active practice at Kittanning, was born in Wayne township, this county, July 7, 1859. He is a son of David and Frances (Hoffman) Mccullough.
Alexander McCullough, his great-grand- father, was a pioneer in eastern Pennsylvania, and served two years in the American army during the Revolution.
David McCullough, Sr., paternal grand- father of Reuben A. Mccullough, came from Lancaster county to Westmoreland county, Pa., settling near Salem.
David McCullough, Jr., was born in 1820. About 1845 he moved to Mahoning township, Armstrong county, and worked as a wheel-
Reuben A. Mccullough attended public school in Mahoning township, and Oakland Academy, from which after a four years' course, he was graduated in 1882. He then studied law under Edward S. Golden, and edited a country paper for a livelihood, and was admitted to the Armstrong county bar in 1887. That same year, he began the prac- tice of his profession. In 1904 he entered into a law partnership with H. A. Heilman, of Kit- tanning, under the firm name of Mccullough & Heilman. After four years this partnership was dissolved, and since then Mr. Mccullough has continued alone. He has for some years been solicitor for Kittanning borough. In 1909 he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for county judge. Mr. Mccullough was sent by his district as a delegate to the
423
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Democratic national convention held at Chi- kind in the neighborhood. In 1836 he had cago in 1896, and was one of the two Pennsyl- vania delegates who refused to bolt that stormy convention after the free silver platform was adopted, contending the right of the majority to rule. For several years he served as chair- man of the Democratic county committee. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian
completed his gristmill which he successfully conducted until 1840, during which period he had also cleared considerable land and built several tenement houses. About this time he contracted to furnish a large amount of tim- ber for the completion of dam No. I on the Monongahela river at Pittsburgh, which he Church of Kittanning, and for several years expected to fill with the aid of his son George has been an elder in same. Not only is he S. Through unforeseen circumstances there
active in church work, but is teacher of the John Orr Bible class, consisting of about 160 members. Mr. Mccullough is recognized as one of the most efficient and interesting Bible class teachers in the State, and the people of Kittanning take deep pride in the standing of this very remarkable class.
In 1889 Mr. Mccullough was married (first) to Susan Heeter, daughter of George Heeter, of Clarion county. Three children were born of this marriage: Ruby, Ward and Charles. Mrs. McCullough died in 1894. In 1898, Mr. Mccullough married (second) Ada M. Brown, daughter of Robert E. Brown, of Kittanning, a prominent attorney and success- ful iron manufacturer of that city.
BOYD H. PUTNEY, the leading mer- chant of Putneyville, is a member of a repre- sentative family of that section, members of which have been conspicuous citizens of the locality, having been the means of building up that town and aiding in bringing it to its present flourishing condition.
here. He was born in Connecticut Oct. 18, 1794, and before he reached his majority lo- cated at Pittsburgh, Pa. Here on Sept. 29, 1818, he married Lavina Stevenson, who was born Jan. 7, 1796. Shortly after his marriage he removed with his wife to Freeport, Arm- strong county, and in 1833 purchased a thou- sand acres of land from the Holland Land Company at a dollar and a half an acre. This land surrounded and included the present vil- lage of Putneyville, which was named in Mr. Putney's honor. Soon after this his sons James T. and George S. settled on this spot, where the village of Putneyville now stands. Mr. Putney worked here a year on a headrace and dam, and taking out timber for a grist and saw mill, employing from ten to twelve men. In the meantime he had established a store stocked with a limited assortment of staple merchandise brought from Freeport and Pittsburgh, and later he erected a frame dwelling of a story and a half, the first of the
was a loss of timber which hindered them from carrying his contract to completion, and Mr. Putney became involved financially. In 1842 he was obliged to effect a sale of the greater part of his property to meet his in- debtedness, and he then turned his grist and saw mill over with about 190 acres of land surrounding it to his sons James T. and George S. by the request of his creditors for the sum of $4,000. However, David Putney lived to see the county in which he settled developed and become well settled, and to en- joy the sight of a well ordered village, which he and his family had done much to accom- plish, this village being on land he took up in 1833 in its virgin state.
David Putney was honored by election to the Legislature in 1854, and was prominently identified with every movement tending toward the welfare of the community in which he lived. He and his wife were the parents of these children: James T .; George S .; Da- vid T .; Mary Eleanor, who married Absalom Smullin ; William N .; Samuel B .; Nelson O., and Ezra J. He died Aug. 31, 1879, and Mrs.
David Putney, grandfather of Boyd H. Putney, was the first of the name to settle Putney passed away April 20, 1872.
Samuel B. Putney, born in Freeport in 1828, came to Mahoning township with his parents in 1833. Here he grew to manhood assisting his father in conducting the business, and he was identified with Putney business interests until his death, principally in the boating de- partment. His death occurred in 1862, at the early age of thirty-four, from illness con- tracted while running boats to Pittsburgh. His wife, who was Harriet A. Williamson, was a daughter of Robert C. Williamson, who was a pioneer foundryman of Freeport, where he operated a foundry for several years. He was an early settler of Mahoning township, set- tling near Oakland and engaging in farming. He finally moved to New Bethlehem, where he died in 1878 at the age of seventy-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Putney were the parents of three children: David W., who died in 1881; Boyd H. ; and Harry E. J., of Kittanning.
Boyd H. Putney was born in Putneyville Oct. 7, 1858, and was there reared to man-
424
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
hood, and educated in the public schools. At ler county, and died there at the age of sixty- the age of eighteen he began life for himself two years. The following family were born to them: William Campbell, James, Hannah, Webster, Raymond, Elmira, Cora, and an- other daughter, deceased. as a bark peeler in the lumber woods of Elk county, remaining there one winter, and in 1877 went to Perrysville, in what is known as the Park Oil Fields, where he embarked in the coal business and general teaming. This he continued for four years, in 1881 returning to Putneyville where he was engaged in various lines of business as contracting painter, and leasing oil and gas property, until the year 1902. At this time he purchased the Putney Store property and has since conducted it with marked success, having the largest stock of general merchandise to be found in this sec- tion of his county. He is up-to-date and pro- gressive and his courtesy and enterprise have won him most complimentary results in his business.
Mr. Putney married Sept. 24, 1884, Cor- nelia M., daughter of John F. and Eliza (Burd) Gearhart, of Mahoning township, and their children are: Lena G., wife of T. J. Orr; Verda. V .; Edna B .; Nellie H .; Dee A .; Paul Edwin; Walter Samuel and Owen Eu- gene. Mr. Putney and his family are mem- bers of the M. E. Church. In fraternal con- nection he is a member of the K. of P. and A. O. U. M. He has followed the attitude of his fathers before him in his duty toward his locality and has served as school director, treasurer of the school board, and treasurer of the township. He has given his best efforts to aid in the betterment of conditions in his town- ship, and is much esteemed by all his fellow citizens. In politics he is a Republican.
WILLIAM CAMPBELL STOREY (de- ceased), who spent his latter years in retire- ment at Wickboro, Kittanning, was for a num- ber of years a successful business man of Brady's Bend, Armstrong county, and was also prominent in public life, having served a term as county commissioner.
William Campbell Storey was born March 4, 1840, at Brady's Bend, and was reared prin- cipally in Butler county, where he received all his schooling except a business course at Iron City College, Pittsburgh. He became a fine penman, and taught school for several years, being engaged in teaching both before and after his marriage. After this event he went into business at Brady's Bend, at which place he became a leader, as a builder of tanks and oil well derricks or rigs. He was three times elected justice of the peace of Brady's Bend township, holding that office for a period of fifteen years. In 1862 he settled on his farm, the place his widow still owns in Perry town- ship, living there while engaged in business at Brady's Bend. He was also engaged in farm- ing. While living on his farm Mr. Storey was elected on the Republican ticket county commissioner, in which office he gave highly efficient and creditable service for the term of three years. Retiring from his farm and business interests Mr. Storey moved to Kit- tanning, where he passed the rest of his life. He died, suddenly, March 6, 1902, at Wick- boro, of heart trouble, to which he had been subject, and was buried in Kittanning ceme- tery. Mr. Storey belonged to the I. O. O. F., and was a prominent member of the Baptist Church, in which he held the office of deacon. A man of many sterling qualities, he had the high character and strength of purpose which typify the substantial citizen to whom his fel- lows may look for good service in any capac- ity, and he was a worthy and highly respected member of his community.
On Feb. 23, 1861, Mr. Storey was married to Elizabeth Crawford, who was born in Perry township, Armstrong county, daughter
Though a native of Brady's Bend Mr. of William and Jemima (Berford) Crawford, Storey passed his early life in Butler county, and six children were born to them, namely : James B., who is a resident of West Virginia, married Elizabeth Shott, and their children are Emma, Harrison and Ruth. William A., who died Sept. 6, 1913, also lived in West Virginia, near Mannington, and married Lyd- ia Copenhaver; they had Mabel, Walter, James, Lottie (deceased), Elizabeth, Julia May, Robert and another child. Lottie mar- ried Chamber Bowers, of Queen street, Kit- tanning, and has four children, Wilbert, Mil- dred, Ruth and George. Elizette is the wid- Pa. His father, Alexander Storey, was a na- tive of that county. For a number of years he was engaged as a mill man at Brady's Bend, but when he had saved enough he bought a farm near Petrolia, in Butler county, upon which he passed the remainder of his life, dying there at the age of seventy-five years. He was buried in the Fairview cemetery in Butler county. His religious connection was with the Baptist Church, and in politics he was a Republican ; he never held public office. His wife, Julia (Campbell), was also born in But- ow of Mac. Mildren and has five children,
425
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
John, Arthur, Horace, Frank and Chester. spelled, Heilman, Heylman, Hileman and John S., proprietor of a restaurant and con- Hyleman in old records. fectionery at Wickboro, where he resides, married Olive Siebert, and they have one child, Sharon. Mary (deceased) married J. D. Cuffman (no living children). Mrs. Storey continues to make her home in Wickboro, liv- ing at No. 1102 Orr avenue. She still owns the farm in Perry township, a tract of forty- two acres.
WILLIAM CRAWFORD, father of Mrs. Storey, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., where he spent his early life and received his school- ing. When a young man he settled in Arm- strong county, buying a farm at Cresswell, in Perry township, where he passed the rest of his long life, dying there at the advanced age of eighty-six years; he is buried in Perry township. He became a large land owner, his holdings including considerable oil lands, and was widely known, having served twenty years as a justice of the peace. This section was all wild when he settled here, bears and other wild animals being still numerous, and he cleared the property on which he contin- ued to make his home until his death. Ener- getic and progressive, he was always a leader in movements for the well-being or advance- ment of his township, and was a notably good citizen. In politics he was a Republican, in religion a member of the M. E. Church.
Mr. Crawford married Jemima Berford, a native of Armstrong county, daughter of Reu- ben Berford, who was of English parentage. She died at the age of eighty-two years and was buried in the same cemetery as her hus- band. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford became the parents of twelve children, five of whom are now living, and Mrs. Storey was the fifth of this family in the order of birth.
URIAH OURY HEILMAN, M. D., who has practiced medicine at Leechburg for over a quarter of a century, is an honorable repre- sentative of a family which has been settled in Armstrong county for almost one hundred and twenty years. He was born Sept. 23, 1853, on the old homestead farm of his father, Solomon Heilman, and near the old farm of his grandfather, Daniel Heilman.
The Heilmans are of German origin, and the name dates from 1305, when a German Palatine, "Veit the Heilman," was knighted by the Emporer Albright and given a nobility diploma, his descendants calling themselves Heilman. The name is found in the German Genealogical Register from that time down to the sixteenth century. The name is variously
Peter Heilman, Sr., the Doctor's great- grandfather, was born in 1750 in Alsace-Lor- raine, and was two years old when he came to America with his father, Christian Heilman; his mother, the wife of Christian Heilman, died during the voyage. They settled in Northampton county, Pa. It is not known whether Christian remarried or not, but Peter said he had a brother or half-brother named Michael. Peter Heilman learned the trade of weaver. According to some accounts he and his wife, Elizabeth (Harter), came to what was later Kittanning township, Armstrong county, in 1795-96, and (according to his garndson, John Heilman, 1913) died in 1833, at the age of eighty-two years. His son Jacob, who was eighty-six years old in 1882, was according to one account born there. In another Jacob's birth is given as occurring in Northampton county, Pa., in April, 1791, and in that account he is said to have died Jan. 27, 1877 (or December 27, 1876), aged nearly eighty-six (if he had lived to April 12th fol- lowing he would have been eighty-six.) At any rate, the Heilmans were among the pio- neer families of Kittanning township, and of the substantial class of early settlers. Var- ious members of the family were recorded in the assessment lists of 1807 as owners of mills, distilleries and large tracts of land, and the Heilman whiskey, made by Jacob Heilman, was celebrated in its day.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.