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 II > Part 44
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FRANKLIN J. KIMPEL, farmer and stock raiser of Kittanning township, Arm- strong county, at present serving as supervis- or, has passed all of his life on the old Kimpel homestead where he now resides. He was born there in 1862, son of John and Anna Catherine (Darbaker) Kimpel.
John Kimpel, the father, was a native of
he landed at New York City, proceeding thence by canal to western Pennsylvania, to Leechburg, Armstrong county. He located first on a farm near Kelly Station, where he lived for four years, and then bought the place of 135 acres now occupied by his son Frank- lin. He built the house and made many other improvements during his lifetime, the barn and the other substantial buildings which add so much to the value of the property being put up by the present owner. He also embarked in the mercantile business, selling through the country from a wagon for a number of years, and in 1872 he went to Kittanning, where he had a store for five years. His industry and good management brought him success, and his honorable methods won him the respect of all who had dealings with him. He died in 1896, at the age of seventy-six, and his wife lived to the age of eighty. In religious be- lief he was a Lutheran, in politics a Democrat. He and his wife had a large family, namely : Elizabeth, born in Germany, died there; Con- rad (deceased) was a farmer in Kittanning and Burrell townships; Elizabeth (2) married J. A. Woodward; Jacob, who died in 1907, at the age of fifty-nine, learned the baker's trade and later followed farming (he married Alice Rupert and they had two children, Perry C. and Maude P.) ; Lewis Edward was for- merly engaged as a barber and is now a postal clerk at Driftwood, Pa .; Emma C. (deceased) married Fred A. Wood, master mechanic for the Westinghouse Company at Hammond, Ind .; Franklin died in infancy; Franklin J. is mentioned below.
Franklin J. Kimpel received a common school education. He has always lived at home, taking care of his parents in their old age, and improving the farm until it is now one of the most up-to-date places in this local- ity. He carries on general farming, raises berries and other fruits, and garden stuff, and has been very successful with his Jersey cat- tle, fine draft horses, O. I. C. hogs and Grey Wyandotte chicks. His intelligent manage- ment and well-directed labors have been well repaid, and he is considered one of the most progressive farmers in Kittanning township. He has given some attention to the local gov- ernment, having served two years on the town- ship school board, and is at present supervisor. In politics he is identified with the Demochili
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
party. He is a member of the Lutheran Myrtle and Martha both died in 1910. Mar- Church.
On April 7, 1886, Mr. Kimpel married Su- sanna Hankey, of Kittanning township, who died Nov. 2, 1892. In 1896 he married (sec- ond) Martha A. Miller, of Logansport, Pa., whose parents were farming people, formerly Mr. Logan is a member of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 792, of Brady's Bend, and has passed all the chairs in this lodge. For many years he has been a member of the Presby- terian Church. He has served as superinten- dent of the North Buffalo and Bethel town- ships Sunday school. When Pennsylvania called for help during the Civil war he en- of Kittanning township, both now deceased. Her mother's maiden name was Sarah J. Klinglesmith. Mr. Kimpel is the father of the following children: Elvena B., who lives at home, and who has been a teacher in Kittan- ning township for several years ; Elsie F., wife of Edw. Guidel, a mill man and carpenter of Kittanning township (they have one child, Mil- listed in the 22d Pennsylvania Regiment and dred E.) ; Harry L., a carpenter and contract- or, who lives at home; John F. and Grace M., at home.
JAMES D. LOGAN, a farmer of Manor township, Armstrong county, was born Oct. lin township, Armstrong county, was born April 7, 1853, in this county, son of Frank and Rebecca (Dougherty) Ambrose.
I, 1838, in Bethel township, this county, son of Thomas and Esther (Hood) Logan, the latter of whom was born in Ireland, but came to the United States when quite young.
Grandfather John Logan was born in Ire- land, and came to this country in young man- hood, settling at Bakerstown, Allegheny Co., Pa., where he bought a large tract of land.
Thomas Logan, son of John, and father of James D. Logan, was born on the old home- stead in Allegheny county. In early life he was a distiller at Bakerstown, continuing in that business ten years, and then came to Arm- strong county. Here he bought a large farm, which he operated the balance of his life. The town of Logansport was named after him, and he died there April 13, 1897, and is buried in Manor cemetery. For many years prior to his demise he had been a member of the Presby- terian Church, serving same as elder for sev- eral years. His wife died in 1884. They were the parents of five children : William, Thomas, Martha, James D. and John A.
James D. Logan was educated in the local schools of Manor township, an academy, and the Iron City business college at Pittsburgh, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1862. He has devoted most of his active years to farming, with very gratifying results and has also followed his trade of carpenter, having been employed in that capacity at the Ford City plate glass works for twenty years.
In 1863 Mr. Logan was married to Adaline Boney, daughter of James Boney, of Arm- strong county. They had five children : Harry W .: Carrie, deceased; Martha, deceased ; Oll- e; and Myrtle, wife of E. E. Schaffer.
tha was a graduate of Kittanning hospital, and was a trained nurse; she was also a grad- uate of a New York hospital. Myrtle was also engaged as a nurse for about a year prior to her marriage.
went out to defend his state, serving but a short time, however, when his regiment was honorably discharged in 1863.
J. H. AMBROSE, a farmer of East Frank-
Benjamin Ambrose, his grandfather, was of German descent. He had a family of seven children. His death occurred many years ago.
Frank Ambrose was born in 1830, in West- moreland county, Pa., and at an early date his parents brought him to East Franklin town- ship, this county. His wife was born in 1832 in Washington county, Pa. They had a fam- ily of ten children, eight of whom are still liv- ing. The father died Feb. 2, 1906, the mother in 1888. In political faith Mr. Ambrose was a Republican. He was a man of good com- mon sense, and the common school training he received was well supplemented by his experi- ences in life.
J. H. Ambrose was the eldest in his parents' family and remained at home with his father, giving him assistance as long as he lived. After attending district school, he took a com- mercial course in the Iron City Business Col- lege of Pittsburgh, and coming home resumed his agricultural duties. The farm once owned by his father is now his property. It is well stocked with good horses and cattle, and he specializes in the production of apples, peaches and grapes, his orchard and grape arbor be- ing in splendid condition. "
On March 27, 1901,. Mr. Ambrose was mar- ried to Ida Florence Miller, daughter of Wil- liam and Julia Miller. One daughter, Anna Maud, was born to this union, and died Aug. 15, 19II, aged nine years, one month, and ten days. Mr. and Mrs. Miller reside with Mr. Ambrose; he was born in New York State in
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
1832, and his wife in Clarion county, Pa., in derson, of England, a pioneer of Plum Creek 1840. They are all members of the M. E. Church and in politics believe in the principles of the Republican party.
WILLIAM COCHRAN (deceased), who for a number of years was engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in Armstrong county, was a veteran of the Civil war, in which he received injuries that caused him to be partially dis- abled throughout his life. He was born in Indiana county, Pa., Feb. 16, 1840, son of Alexander and Sarah (Strauss) Cochran.
Samuel Strauss, the maternal grandfather of William Cochran, was a pioneer of Indiana county, where he became a property owner and substantial farmer. He suddenly disap- peared 'one day while plowing in his fields, and it is supposed that he was captured and murdered by Indians, as he was never again heard of. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Buckley, afterwards mar- ried John Heffelfinger.
Alexander Cochran, father of William Cochran, was a native of Ireland, and when a young man emigrated to the United States. In 1856 he purchased the property where his son William's widow is now living, a tract of 104 acres, and there he continued to be engaged in farming during the remainder of his life, dying in 1872. He married Sarah Strauss, who was born at Shelocta, Indiana Co., Pa., and they became the parents of three children, namely: Rebecca, who married Lewis Wagner, of Indiana county; William; and Lillie, who married Jacob Shank, of Indi- ana borough.
William Cochran, son of Alexander Coch- ran, came to Cowanshannock township with his parents in 1856, and was here engaged in farming until Sept. 17, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, 78th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Col. William Sir- well. At the battle of Stone River, Tenn., he was twice wounded, once in the left side and
once in the sciatic nerve of his right foot, the auditor of Bethel township, Armstrong county,
latter wound, which never entirely healed, causing him to be disabled during the rest of his life. On receiving his honorable dis- charge, on account of disability, he returned to his farming operations, in which he was engaged until his death, which occurred Feb. 21, 1900.
On September 15, 1864, Mr. Cochran was married to Mary J. Henderson, daughter of William and Sarah (Willis) Henderson, na- tives, respectively, of England and Ireland. Her paternal grandfather was Benjamin Hen-
township, Armstrong county, who cleared up part of a farm and died there in 1857. He was twice married, his first wife being Nancy Rose and his second Susan Anderson. Mrs. Cochran's maternal grandfather was John Willis, of County Derry, Ireland, also a pio- neer farmer of Plum Creek township, where he died, being buried in St. Thomas cemetery. His wife was Sarah Minteer. There were nine children born to William and Mary J. Cochran, of whom eight grew to maturity : Sarah E., who was the wife of Robert Rey- nolds; Nancy J., wife of L. A. Grunley ; Nathan Alexander; Dillie, the wife of Cur- tis Bell; Hannah; James E., married and liv- ing in Hammond, Ind .; Henderson; and John E., married and living in Hammond, Ind. Nancy, Alexander, Dillie, James and John are living.
Mr. Cochran was a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church of Rural Valley, to which his widow also belongs. He was a faithful comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic and a member of the Odd Fellows, in both of which he had numerous friends, as he had, indeed, wherever his many excel- lent qualities of mind and heart were known. A Republican in his political views, he served for sixteen years as a supervisor of Cowan- shannock township, and gave to his duties the same earnest and conscientious attention that characterized his private activities. Mrs. Cochran, who survives her husband, resides on the old homestead place, which she bought after the death of her father-in-law, at the administrators' sale, her people helping her to purchase it. She is seventy-two years of age, and at this writing (1912) has twenty grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family is well known throughout Arm- strong county, where its members are held in the highest esteem.
HOMER J. BEATTY, who has served as and is one of the substantial farmers of that locality, was born Aug. 5, 1869, on the old Beatty farm in that township, son of Michael and Rebecca J. (Davis) Beatty, both of Arm- strong county. His grandfather, James Beatty, was Scotch-Irish, and his grandmother, Cath- erine (Richards), was of German descent.
Michael Beatty was born Dec. 30, 1835, in what is now Bethel township, and died July 17, 1904. He was a farmer and carpenter. On Oct. 13, 1859, he married Rebecca J. Davis, born Feb. 18, 1837, and they had four chil-
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
dren, two sons and two daughters: Lizzie, were born to this marriage: V. Grace, Estella who became the wife of W. F. Logan and died M., Ina P. (deceased), Cora R. and Florence. at the age of twenty years; John, born Aug. Mrs. McMillen died Dec. 12, 1894. On Feb. 20, 1860; Homer J .; and Ida, born Feb. 2, 9, 1905, Mr. McMillen was married (second) 1862, who died Jan. 8, 1864.
Homer J. Beatty was reared and educated in Bethel township and has become one of the well-to-do farmers of his section. He is a much respected citizen, and his neighbors and friends in the community have shown their confidence in him by electing him to the position of auditor.
On Feb. 14, 1906, Mr. Beatty was married to Carrie I. Spang, born Aug. 12, 1886, and they have one son, Everett Homer, born Jan. 8, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Beatty attend the harmoniously, being well equipped for their Methodist Church, in which he is an active business. Both have a large following, and worker serving as deacon. Fraternally he is thoroughly deserve the success which crowns a member of White Rock Lodge, No. 979, I. O. O. F. On political questions he is a Democrat.
The Spang family, to which Mrs. Beatty belongs, is of German origin. Her parents were Amos and Mary Ann (Klingensmith) Spang, the latter a daughter of Joseph and Maria (Klingensmith) Klingensmith (they were not related, though bearing the same name), who resided in Bethel township. They were General Synod Lutherans.
A. J. McMILLEN, one of the leading opto- metrists of Armstrong county, proprietor of the McMillen Optical Company, No. 127 North Mckean street, Kittanning, was born June 20, 1860, in Mahoning township, this county, being a son of Robert and Nancy (Moore) McMillen, and grandson of John McMillen. Mr. McMillen came of Scotch- Irish parentage and is therefore of good hardy stock.
A. J. McMillen attended public school, and later the Philadelphia Optical College, from which he was graduated in 1901. He also took a course of study at the South Bend Col- lege, South Bend, Ind. Mr. McMillen began the practice of his profession at Punxsutaw ney, Jefferson Co., Pa., remaining there for five years. He then located at Newark, Ohio, but after a few months came to Kittanning, arriving here in 1906. Since then he has built up a large and valuable practice, and is an eye specialist of marked ability. His parlors are admirably fitted for all the requirements of his practice, and he gives satisfaction to his many patrons.
In 1884 Mr. McMillen was married to Sarah E. Mohney, daughter of Lewis and Rebecca Mohney. The following children
to Anna R. Rupert, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Rupert, of Clarion county, Pa. She was educated in the public and high schools of her native county, subsequently entering the Northern Illinois College of Optics, Chicago, from which she was graduated in a course of optical studies in 1905. She then entered the Kansas School of Optometry, at Topeka, Kans., graduating therefrom Jan. 17, 1906. Mrs. McMillen is an expert in her profession, and she and her husband work together very
their expert efforts. Mr. McMillen is a mem- ber of the Knights of Malta, the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and the Royal Arcanum, and a past officer in all of the lodges to which he belongs.
J. R. COULTER, farmer and justice of the peace, in South Bend township, Armstrong Co., Pa., is a native of that township, born March 15, 1855, son of Joseph T. and Eliza (Lambing) Coulter.
Samuel Coulter, his grandfather, came to America from Ireland and at an early day settled near Avonmore, in Armstrong county. Joseph T. Coulter, son of Samuel Coulter, was born in Armstrong county, Pa., in 1822, and died in 1878. He was an excellent farmer and good business man, and at the time of his death owned 300 acres, which by hard labor he had converted into a richly producing farm. He had started out in life a poor boy and it was entirely through his own efforts that he acquired much more than independence. He was an active member of the Democratic party in South Bend township for many years and served in minor offices. Fraternally he was associated with the Masons. In 1847 he married Eliza Lambing, who died in 1896, and they had seven children, J. R. Coulter be- ing the only survivor of the family.
Until he was sixteen years of age J. R. Coulter attended school regularly, and he en- joyed three terms of instruction at the Elder's Ridge Academy. He has been a continuous resident of his township and during his entire mature life has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. His productive farm contains 250 acres of finely cultivated land. Having lived among his fellow citizens so long and won their respect and esteem and their confidence
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
in his integrity and superior judgment, it Mattie, Mrs. W. R. Bowser ; Robert R .; Mag- seems particularly fit that he should fill the gie, Mrs. Hugh Thompson, and Sadie, Mrs. office of justice of the peace, to which he was David Welton. first elected in 1895. Both officially and per- sonally he is a highly regarded and popular citizen of South Bend township.
Robert R. Campbell has spent all his life in the old homestead, and he now owns and cul- tivates 269 acres of the original tract bought by his grandfather, being one of the most pros- perous agriculturists of the locality. He fol- lowed stock raising as well as general farming, and has made a success of both lines, devot- ing all his time and energies to his work. Though a loyal and public spirited citizen, he confines his activities to supporting and en- couraging good movements, never aspiring to office himself. In political opinion he is a Democrat.
On April 9, 1895, Mr. Campbell was mar- ried to Cora Burk, a native of Armstrong county, daughter of Charles Burk, and they have had eight children, of whom four sur- vive: Carrie, Grace, John and William. Ed- ward, Margaret, Mabel and Viola are de- ceased.
REV. TERENCE MCCABE, priest in charge of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Cor- aopolis, Allegheny Co., Pa., was born Dec. I, 1867, in County Cavan, Ireland, son of John and Bridget (Smith) McCabe.
Father McCabe secured his classical and ecclesiastical education in Ireland, and came William Campbell came to this country from Ireland, and made a permanent home in Arm- strong county, Pa. When he settled on his to the United States in November, 1898. Im- mediately upon his arrival here he proceeded to Pittsburgh, Pa., to become assistant priest purchase of 440 acres in Washington (now at the Mount Washington Catholic Church.
still standing, and there he reared his family, St. Patrick's Church, Pittsburgh ; and St. Al-
Sugar Creek) township it was all wild, in the woods, and though the Indians were still nu- merous he never had any trouble with them. The log cabin he built for his first home is which consisted of two sons, John N. and Rob- ert, the latter dying at the age of five years. William Campbell was prominent in the pub- lic affairs of his locality, and in politics was associated with the Democratic party. He lived to the age of ninety-four years, dying July 6, 1885, and is buried at Kittanning. His wife, Sarah (Nelson), died Feb. 24, 1869, and is buried in the Kittanning graveyard.
Later he was sent as assistant priest to St. John's Church, in Altoona, Pa., and held the same office at St. John's Church (South Side), Pittsburgh; St. Patrick's Church, Newry, Pa .; phonsus Church, Murrinsville, in Butler coun- ty, Pa. In June, 1906, he became priest in charge of St. Mary's Church at Freeport, where he remained five and one-half years. He organized the Catholic parochial school in Freeport, and had placed it and the church in a flourishing condition. In December, 1911, Father McCabe was transferred from Free- port, Pa., to Coraopolis, Pa., and has charge of the Catholic Church in that borough at present.
John N. Campbell, son of William, always remained at home with his parents and farmed the place until his retirement, when his son Robert succeeded to its management. He mar- JOHN H. HUSTON, a farmer of Manor township, was born June 15. 1843, in Arm- strong county, Pa., son of John P. and Eliz- abeth (Hindman) Huston. ried Nancy Montgomery, who died April 23, 1879, at the age of fifty-three, Mr. Campbell surviving her thirty years. His death oc- curred in 1909, when he was eighty-one years The paternal great-grandfather was a native old. They had a family of four children: of Ireland who settled in Cumberland county,
Mr. Coulter was married Nov. 2, 1882, in Armstrong county, to Laura Miller, who died in 1900. She was a daughter of E. Miller, of Spring Church. Of their eight children there are six survivors : Vinnie M., Joseph T., Rose L., Olive B., Jessie B. and Archer A. The eldest daughter is the wife of F. H. Baker. Mrs. Coulter was a lady of many virtues and will long be remembered by a wide circle of friends. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Elder's Ridge, to which Squire Coulter also belongs. He cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley and declares his present political sympathy to be with the progressive branch of the Demo- cratic party. For many years he has been a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.
ROBERT R. CAMPBELL, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Sugar Creek town- ship, is a member of one of the oldest families of his section of Armstrong county. He was born Jan. 20, 1863, on the farm where he now lives, this being part of the property pur- chased by his grandfather, William Campbell.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Pa., at an early period in the history of the Park Foundry & Machine Company, whose State, and there followed farming.
Samuel P. Huston, son of the original Huston in America, was born in Cumberland of the river. His association with that con- county, where he too followed farming.
John P. Huston, son of Samuel P., and father of John H., learned the trade of car- penter, and followed that calling several years, but later in life was a farmer. He bought the farm on which his son John H. now resides, in Manor township, in 1848, dying there in 1880; his wife passed away in 1872. They were the parents of eleven children, two of whom died young, the others being: Thomas M., who was a soldier of the Civil war, in Company A, 8th Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, and was killed on the first day of the seven days' fight before Richmond; Eliza, who married Jefferson Williams and (second) Joseph Irwin; Rosanna, wife of James At- kinson; Samuel P., who was first in the 25th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and later in the 197th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry ; John H .; William; David H .; Harvey S .; and Mary, wife of Prof. Alexander T. Osmand, president of Grove City (Pa.) College.
John H. Huston was educated in the pub- lic schools of Armstrong county, and all his life has been engaged in farming. On June 23, 1863, he enlisted in Company B, Second Six Months' Volunteers of Pennsylvania, and was discharged Jan. 20, 1864. He reenlisted Aug. II, 1864, in Company A, 5th Pennsyl- vania Heavy Artillery, from which he was discharged July 7, 1865, at Vienna, Va. Re- turning home, he resumed farming and has since continued that line of work.
On Dec. 29, 1869, Mr. Huston married Mary E. Hindman, daughter of George Hind- man. Mr. and Mrs. Huston have two chil- dren: George H., who married Nettie Schu- maker, and has five children, Elenora, Harold, Ethel, Blanche, and Ruth; and John M. In addition to rearing their own children Mr. and Mrs. Huston adopted a little girl then only a few months old, Margaret Esther Brun- ton, who has been given the same parental love and care as the two sons. She married Arlo Campbell, and her four children, Alice, Caroline, Hindman and Allison, are loved as grandchildren. Mr. Huston and his family belong to the Presbyterian Church, which he has served as elder for more than forty years. He has also taken an interest in the Sunday school, both as a teacher and superintendent.
plant is conveniently located a short distance above the borough, on the Westmoreland side
cern alone, in view of its great importance as an industrial asset of the town, would justify his standing as one of the leading citizens of the place, but he has won and kept the good will and friendship of his townsmen in as great a degree on his personal merits. Since his settlement at Leechburg, in 1891, all his interests have been centered here.
Mr. Lees is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., born Jan. 4, 1864, son of James and Anna (Evans) Lees, the latter born at Bilston, Staffordshire, England, daughter of George and Keziah (Chambers) Evans. She is a descendant of Sir Humphrey Jennings, and one of the legal heirs of the Jennings estate. Paternally Mr. Lees is also of English extraction, his grand- father, Charles Lees, having passed all his life in England. He was a farmer at Denton, near Manchester, a freeholder, owning a large prop- erty. The family is an old one in the neigh- borhood.
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