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 91
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Isaac D. Doverspike was educated in the public schools of his home district and at Glade Run Academy. For some time after completing his education Mr. Doverspike worked on a farm, but his ambition not being satisfied he began drilling oil wells for James E. Brown, and continued in that line for two years. Mr. Doverspike then located at Bel- knap, Pa., where he conducted a store for four or five years. Selling it, he purchased
For some years he was a director of the Farmers' National Bank of Kittanning, was a stockholder and director in the Trust Com- pany of New Bethlehem. Pa., and interested as well in several banks of Pittsburgh. He also held large oil interests in Venango county. Pa .. near Oil City.
Fraternally Mr. Doverspike belonged to Blue Lodge No. 244, F. & A. M., of Kit- tanning : Chapter No. 247. R. A. M. : was a Knight Templar, belonging to Duquesne Com- mandery, No. 72. of Pittsburgh: and a Shriner, member of Syria Temple, Pittsburgh. For many years he was an active and devout member of the Presbyterian Church, and was on the board of trustees : for years he took a pride in being a member of the John Orr Bible Class.
On Dec. 27. 1870. Mr. Doverspike was united in marriage with Anna Clara Fleming, daughter of Arthur and Rebecca (McNay) Fleming. the former of whom was long a justice of the peace at Eddyville and also prominent in church work there, being super- intendent of the Presbyterian Sunday school for twenty years. He was also a county com- missioner of Armstrong county. John M.
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Fleming, one of Mrs. Doverspike's brothers, Christian character and lovable disposition en- served as a first lieutenant in the Union army during the Civil war ; he became a prominent man in Armstrong county, serving as county commissioner, and was justice of the peace at Eddyville and Kittanning. James B. Fleming, another brother, was a second lieutenant in Company D, in the famous 78th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
To Mr. and Mrs. Doverspike were born nine children :
Clifton Fleming died aged nine years.
Lynus Lee died July 12, 1880.
Isaac Barton died Jan. 12, 1887.
Cora Louette attended school at Dayton, Glade Run, Clarion Normal and Duff's busi- ness college, graduating from the last named institution as a stenographer. She began to teach school at the age of sixteen years and gave great satisfaction in a position where a man teacher had failed because of the pugnaciousness of the pupils.
Edna Leonore attended school at Rimers- burg and Grove City College. At the age of eighteen years she took the active management of her father's store, attending to the book- keeping and buying, and was his assistant in the post office for years. The fact that she and her father were devoted companions made the association pleasant for both. She was organist in the Lutheran Church and the Re- formed Church for a number of years. In 1901 she married James C. MacGregor, and at the time of their marriage they bought and took charge of the store at Eddyville. They now live at Kittanning. They have one daugh- ter. Anna Gladine Doverspike, born in 1903, named for her grandparents.
Margaret Rebecca Clare is the wife of Dr. R. Rudolph, of Kittanning, and they have three children, Anna Rebecca, Russell Dover- spike and Lovette Clare. Mrs. Rudolph is a graduate of the Clarion State Normal and has taught school seven terms.
Dayse Deane, born Jan. 17, 1881, at Eddy- ville. Armstrong Co., Pa., married Joseph M. Reed. M. D .. Aug. 15. 1906. Dr. Reed was born in Ligonier Valley, Pa .. Oct. 27, 1877. He graduated from the Medico-Chirurgical College, of Philadelphia. in 1904, and is now practicing medicine at Derry. Pa., where he is also president of the Citizens' Bank of Derry. To this union have been born two daughters: Deane Doverspike, born July 29, 1907, at Ford City, Pa., and Anna Mack, born Jan. 15, 1909, in Boise, Idaho.
Pearl A., who died Jan. 18, 1912, had taught school for one term at Mahoning. Her
deared her to all who came within the circle of her friendship, but it was in the home where she was best known that her sincerity and sweetness could be best appreciated, for only the intimate members of the family group knew to the full the depth and strength of her affection, and the conscientious fidelity with which she practiced the principles of her faith. Her devotion to her parents was espe- cially strong. Her untimely death, occurring between the passing away of her father and mother, was a sore affliction to her brothers and sisters, to whom her sweet influence is a blessed memory.
lvan D., who is engaged in the lumber busi- ness at Kittanning, was associated with his father in business after he was old enough to assist him, and this association continued until the father's death. Ivan D. Doverspike was married to Edna C. Ashe, a daughter of E. J. and Mattie (Ross) Ashe, who were of old Armstrong county families. E. J. Ashe is a prominent and popular citizen of this county ; he was chairman of the Republican county committee two years and has been county treasurer.
Though Mr. Doverspike's business opera- tions were always conducted on a large scale, necessitating much planning and attention to detail, yet he found time to attend to his civic duties, and never turned aside from the ap- peal of those less fortunate than himself. Like the Doverspikes generally, he was ad- mired and respected for his sterling good sense, generosity and fearlessness. Free from pretense, frank and honest toward those with whom he had dealings, he had the love and esteem of all who knew him, and as a Christian citizen and neighbor his memory will long be cherished by many besides those of his immediate family circle. After making bequests to his church, his Bible class, home and foreign missions, and charity, his will divided the still large remainder of his estate equally among his children.
Mr. Doverspike died Sept. 16. 1911, and his funeral services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Hutchison of the First Presbyterian Church, the Knights Templar also participating in the obsequies. The remains were interred in the Kittanning cemetery, where Mrs. Doverspike is also buried : her death occurred March 20, 1912. An exceptional example of all that is best in womanhood, her amiable temperament and nobility of character manifested itself in all the relations of home. As mother and wife she was revered by husband and children, who
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
looked to her for guidance and ready sympathy facture of lumber, for the trade, and princi- in all their affairs. Her splendid qualities, pally for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. charitable nature and earnest desire to aid He is interested in twenty-seven oil wells above Oil City, owns eighty acres of coal land in Bethel township, Armstrong county, lying along the river, eight acres of fire clay land near Templeton, and other property in Oil City and Ford City, besides a one-fifth interest in the lands of his father's large estate. Few any who needed her attracted friendship wher- ever she went and made her beloved by all. Mrs. Doverspike before her marriage taught several terms of school in Red Bank town- ship, and all her life she continued to enjoy reading. She was fond of exercise and in her younger days a good horseback rider. Yet men of his age are directly connected with with all these tastes she was thoroughly do- mestic, an excellent housekeeper, and devoted to the comfort of her family.
IVAN DALTON DOVERSPIKE, young- est son of the late Isaac D. Doverspike, has inherited and acquired interests in western Pennsylvania which place him, though still a young man, among the important business factors in his section. He is regarded as one of the future leaders in his special field of operation, for though it is recognized that he has had exceptional opportunities it is equally apparent that he has taken advantage of them in a masterly manner. His association with his father, many of whose most forcible traits he seems to possess, was an invaluable experi- ence, and he has shown remarkable aptitude for the management of large undertakings. with which he has been connected practically from youth.
Mr. Doverspike was born May 13. 1887. at Eddyville, Armstrong county, and attended common school there until fourteen years old. Then he came with his parents to Kittanning. where he completed his grammar school course. graduating, and afterward attending high school one year. His studies were continued in the Sayer business college, at Kittanning, from which he was also graduated, next entering Bucknell College, at Lewisburg. Pa., where he remained for a short time, changing to the university at Ann Arbor. Mich. Returning to Kittanning he became engaged in business with his father, who employed him as foreman in his lumbering operations, and he "flat- boated" lumber down the river to Pittsburgh. He took charge of the boatbuilding, having a crew of thirty-five men working under him
such large and varied enterprises, and he is showing ability in their management which has gained him the respect of his business asso- ciates without regard for his youth.
On July 1, 1911, Mr. Doverspike married Edna C. Ashe, who is a daughter of E. J. and Mattie E. (Ross) Ashe, her parents being members of old families of Armstrong and Jefferson counties, respectively. Mr. Ashe has been prominent in politics and public life in Armstrong county, having served two terms as chairman of the Republican county com- mittee. He was elected county treasurer and held that office one term, his daughter, Mrs. Doverspike, acting as his clerk, and during her father's illness of six weeks she discharged all the duties of the office. It is a fact worthy of record that her brother, Fred R. Ashe, was the youngest prothonotary in the State of Pennsylvania up to the time of his service.
Mr. and Mrs. Doverspike are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Kittanning. In political sentiment he favors the Republican party.
JAMES CHRISTOPHER MACGREGOR. of Kittanning, has conducted his various busi- ness interests from that point for a number of years. Previously he was in the mercantile business at Eddyville, and he still owns a fine farm in that vicinity, located on the line of the recently constructed Shawmut railroad. Be- sides, he has oil interests in Venango county, Pa., and lumber and sawmill investments else- where in Armstrong county. all of which he has managed successfully. He is a native of Armstrong county, born at Pine Creek Fur- nace, in Boggs township.
As may be judged by the name, the Mac- when he was but twenty-one years old, and he Gregors are of Scotch origin, and Christopher MacGregor, grandfather of James Christo- pher, was born in Scotland, whence he came to America when a young man. His occupa- tion was farming, and his home was in Valley township : in his latter days he lived with his son John B. For many years he was engaged
was a pilot on the river, from Oil City to Pittsburgh, for two summers. Thus he was actively engaged until his father's death, which occurred Sept. 16, 1911. gaining a practical knowledge of affairs acquired by few men. Since his father's death he has continued alone in the same lines, having purchased most of on public works. He was a Republican in his father's interests with which he had be- politics. He married Madeline Barr, a na- come familiar. He is engaged in the manu- tive of Germany, whose father and brothers
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
were engaged in iron manufacturing in the Cowanshannock township, where he still re- South, and all her brothers left large estates, but no families. Mr. and Mrs. MacGregor settled in Armstrong county soon after their marriage. They were members of the German Reformed Church, and were held in high esti- mation by their neighbors. They had six sons : James, a farmer ; Jacob, who became proprietor of the "MacGregor House" at Parker ; John B., who farmed in Valley town- ship ; Henry, who died in childhood; William, father of James Christopher MacGregor ; and Samuel, formerly a farmer in Valley town- ship, now living at Apollo, Armstrong county.
William MacGregor, father of James C. MacGregor, is now living retired on his farm at Bryan, Armstrong county. Early in the Civil war he enlisted for the Union service, joining Company K, 155th Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, and remained in the army for over three years, until the close of the conflict. He learned and followed the trade of ma- chinist. Mr. MacGregor is now in his seventy- fourth year, and his wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Gallagher, is seventy-one. They are active and in good health. They are mem- bers of St. Michael's Episcopal Church. Of the seven children born to them, three sons and four daughters, James Christopher is mentioned below; Rebecca taught school for nine terms, married John C. Carson, and died some eight years ago, leaving a daughter, LaRue Carson, who lives with her grandpar- ents, Mr. and Mrs. William MacGregor ; Ber- tha married James Postlewait, a merchant, and they reside at Bryan with their two chil- dren, Herbert and Gladys; Herbert O., who formerly had a blacksmith and carpenter shop at Dayton, now engaged in construction work on the railroad, married Edna Miller, and they have two children, Wilfred and Florence ; Belle married William O'Harrow, a former princi- pal of the school at Rural Valley, now a mer- chant at that place, and they have three sons, Lewis, William and James : W. Charles taught school four terms, until appointed clerk to the county commissioners, the position he now occupies (he is a member of the Elks lodge at Kittanning) ; Frances married Neale Moore, a merchant at Bryan, and they have two sons, Charles and Raymond.
sides, conducting a machine and wagon shop there besides looking after the cultivation of his property, and James helped with the farm work, as well as in the shop. He also clerked in the store of his uncle, W. M. Gallagher, at Bryan. Subsequently he went to Pittsburgh, where he worked in a grocery store for five years, at the end of that time returning to Armstrong county and locating at Eddyville, as clerk for the late Isaac D. Doverspike. After three years in his employ he married Mr. Doverspike's daughter, and he then aban- doned the plan he had in mind, to buy a store on Butler street, Pittsburgh, his father-in-law, who had decided to remove to Kittanning, persuading him to purchase his interest in the Eddyville establishment. A few years later he also purchased Mr. Doverspike's farm and homestead near that place, the farm property comprising 118 acres, to which Mr. MacGregor has since added ten acres adjoining, and he also owns thirty-five acres of timberland ad- joining this 128-acre tract. Mr. MacGregor carried on the store at Eddyville for eight years, until it was burned, his loss by the fire amounting to $1,500. Following this disaster he gave his attention to the cultivation of his farm for two years, during which time he re- sided at Eddyville. Then, at the solicitation of Mr. Doverspike, he removed to Kittanning, and purchasing a large grocery store in the borough, was engaged in the business for a year, selling his interest at the end of that time. This was the grocery now run by MacGregor Brothers, and he was a member of that firm. Since disposing of his store Mr. MacGregor has devoted all his attention to his oil, lumber and sawmill interests, having two mills, one at Mosgrove, on the Pennsylvania railroad, the other at Nichola, on the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh road. All of his business affairs are on a substantial basis and prospering. He is a citizen of recognized worth, and well known in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Blue lodge (No. 522) at New Beth- lehem ; to Kittanning Chapter, No. 247, R. A. M .; Pittsburgh Commandery, No. I, K. T. (the largest commandery in the world) ; Coudersport Consistory; and the Shrine at Pittsburgh. His political support goes to the Republican party.
James Christopher MacGregor moved with his parents to McWilliams, Red Bank town- On May 8, 1901, Mr. MacGregor married Edna Leonore Doverspike, daughter of Isaac D. and Anna Clara (Fleming) Doverspike, who are fully mentioned in this work. Mr. ship, where his father engaged in the mer- cantile business. There the boy attended school and clerked in his father's store. When he was about seventeen his father sold the and Mrs. MacGregor have one child, born in store and purchased the farm at Bryan, in 1903, named for her grandparents Anna
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Gladine Doverspike; when ten years old she has attained a high position in Kittanning by became a member of the First Presbyterian his own merits. Church of Kittanning, of which her parents are members, her mother being a member of the choir for several years.
RUSSELL RUDOLPH, D. D. S., a lead- ing dentist of Kittanning, and now serving as president of the Armstrong County Dental Association, has been at this location since 1906. He is a native of Jefferson county, this State, born in Punxsutawney March 18, 1876, son of A. A. and Rebecca Ann (Tobin) Rudolph.
The Doctor's parents were both natives of Jefferson county, and his father, who has been a farmer throughout his active years, still resides at Punxsutawney. The mother died at the age of fifty-seven years and was buried in the Ridgemont cemetery in that place. She was born at Brockwayville, daughter of James A. and Margaret (Groves) Tobin, and was of Scotch-Irish extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Ru- dolph had a family of eight children, of whom six survive, and Russell, second of the family, is the only one who resides in Armstrong county. Mr. Rudolph was a Democrat in politics in his early years, but of late has been associated with the Prohibition party. He is a member of the M. E. Church, in which he has held official position.
Russell Rudolph received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Bell township, Jefferson county, and later became a student at the Clarion State Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1898. After that he taught school for two years in Jefferson county, and then began to prepare his profes- sional career, attending the dental department of the Medico-Chirurgical College at Phila- delphia. After his graduation he opened an office at Altoona, Pa., where he was in prac- tice for a year and a half, on Jan. 1, 1906, coming to Kittanning, where he established himself in his present office in the Crawford building at No. 113 South Jefferson street. His success was pronounced from the start and by conscientious attention to all who sought his services he has built up a large patronage. He is a prominent member of the Armstrong County Dental Association, of which he has been president for the last year. and he is one of the most active members of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder as well as secretary of the Men's Bible class. He is a Mason, belonging to Blue that purpose. They drilled altogether about Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, and is also eight wells, becoming extensive manufactur- a member of the Royal Arcanum. On politi- ers in their line. Eli, Levi, Daniel and Hiram cal questions he is independent. Dr. Rudolph also engaged in the mercantile business at
On June 15, 1905, Dr. Rudolph was married to Clare Doverspike, who was born at Eddy- ville, in Red Bank township, this county, daughter of I. D. and Anna Clara (Fleming) Doverspike, of that township. They have three children : Anna Rebecca, Russell Dover- spike and Lovette Clare. The family home is at No. 112 Rebecca street, Kittanning.
LEWIS A. HILL, who resides on a fine farm in Gilpin township, Armstrong county, about four miles from Leechburg, is a rep- resentative member of the family to which he belongs and has taken particular interest in its history, having made researches which have added considerably to the knowledge of their ancestors possessed by the Hills. The account of the family compiled by him appears here- with. Mr. Hill was born April 3, 1864, in Allegheny (now Gilpin) township, Armstrong county, son of Salem Hill. He is a great- grandson of the John Hill who was captured and killed by the Indians.
John Hill, his grandfather, born Feb. 25, 1772, died Jan. 8, 1848. His first wife, Eliza- beth, Waltz, a native of Westmoreland coun- ty, of German descent, died Oct. 13, 1817, aged thirty-eight years. She was the mother of ten children : Mary (or Polly) ; Elizabeth ; John; Jacob, who died in Parks township, this county ; Levi; Eli, born in 1807, who died in October, 1843, in Leechburg (he married Susan Ashbaugh, who died in March,. 1878, aged about sixty-two years, and they had four children, John, Eveline, Mrs. Margaret Barr and Mrs. Priscilla Lytle) ; Daniel, who died at Leechburg ; Hiram, born Dec. 17, 1812, who died in Gilpin township Jan. 16, 1891 ; Israel, who died in Gilpin township; and Deborah, who died young. For his second wife the father married Susan Ament or Ammon, who died Jan. 8, 1884, aged ninety-three years. The following children were born to this union : Hetty (or Esther), who married Rev. George Ehrenfeld, a Lutheran minister : Leah, who died unmarried; Noe, widow of James Weaver, residing in Gilpin township; John; Ammon, who died in Freeport, Pa .: Shiloh ( father of John A. and James R. Hill) ; Phil- ip, who died when fifteen years old; Seni, who died young ; and Salem. The brothers Eli, Levi and Jacob engaged in the manufacture of salt, drilling the third well in this section for
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Leechburg, being extensively interested in that all the history I can find, either of record or line for about four years.
Salem Hill, son of John and Susan (Am- mon) Hill, was born Jan. 17, 1829, on the homestead in what was then Allegheny town- ship, now Gilpin, and became one of the well-known men of his day. He owned and cultivated a farm of 153 acres, making a spe- cialty of fruit growing, and was intelligent and successful in the management of his own affairs to such a degree that he was honored and trusted by all his neighbors and fellow citizens for many miles around. He served many years as justice of the peace, holding this office at the time of his death, and was undoubtedly one of the prominent men in his township. He was well read, and was looked up to for his many sterling qualities of mind and character. In political connection he was a Republican. He died March 22, 1897, and is buried in Evergreen cemetery in Gilpin township.
On June 28, 1855, Salem Hill married Het- tie (Esther) Kuhns, daughter of David and Hettie (Steck) Kuhns, of Greensburg, Pa., and she survives him, residing with her son Lewis in Gilpin township. Mrs. Hill has always been known for her high character and admirable qualities, and she is a most respected resident of her community. To Mr. and Mrs. Hill were born children as follows: Ella ; William K., who is a professor and dean of the college at Carthage, Ill .; Zelia, who married Rev. J. C. F. Rupp; Lewis A .; Maude; Florence, who is teaching in Alle- gheny county, Pa .; and Lillian, who died at the age of twenty-seven years.
Lewis A. Hill began his education in the public schools of the home locality, and later was a student in the academies at Leechburg and Blairsville. He still resides with his moth- er on the farm owned and occupied for so many years by his parents. Mr. Hill belongs to the Lutheran Church at Leechburg, and is serving as a member of the church council. He is a Republican on political questions.
HILL .- From a brief account of the early history of the Hill family, compiled by Lewis A. Hill, and read to the Hill heirs at the annual Hill reunion, 1907.
At our first reunion, as president of our association, I was expected to give some his- tory of grandfather and of his ancestry. I got together some facts that were of enough interest to a few that I have been asked to repeat them, which I will do in substance to-day. Such a paper is necessarily brief, for
tradition, is but a meager account of a long and busy life and an ancestry that was in this country for three quarters of a century before the Revolution, and which gave a number of sons to take part in that struggle.
The earliest history of our Hill ancestry of which we have any knowledge goes back to a time when they were Protestant refugees in Switzerland, having fled thither probably on account of religious persecutions elsewhere, but from what section we do not know. In Switzerland they were called Scotch, but we know they were certainly not Scotch, but more probably French Huguenots.
Later they had gone down the Rhine, mak- ing common cause with the French Huguenots. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 they were in the Palatinate in the Hunricher Mountain district and near Co- blentz, where they were called Switzers.
Tiring of the unsettled condition of the country resulting from religious wars and per- secutions, they came to America with the Pal- atine emigration in the earliest years of the eighteenth century. In America they are called Pennsylvania Dutch.
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