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 45
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James Lees, son of Charles, was born and reared in England, coming to the United States after attaining his majority. His first location in this country was at Norristown, Pa. In a short time, however, he went to Al- legheny, Pa., where he worked at his trade, blacksmithing. He and his wife now (1913) reside at Mckeesport, Pa., he being eighty years old, and she seventy-two years of age. They had children as follows: James, John, Daniel W., Anna E. (wife of E. H. Beale, of Leechburg), and four who are deceased.
James Lees, son of James and Anna (Evans) Lees, is essentially a self-developed man. He attended the Liberty school at Pitts- burgh until fourteen years old, then entering the foundry at Mckeesport, Pa., where he learned the trade of molder. After eleven years there Mr. Lees spent a few months at East Liverpool, Pa., and one year at Pitts- burgh, in March, 1891, coming to Leechburg, where he secured employment in the foundry of the Leechburg Foundry & Machine Com- pany. Remaining four years in this connec- tion, at the end of that time, in company with T. W. McClausland, N. H. Slonaker, George Shaner, and five others who sold their inter- est to the four mentioned above, he organized what is now the Hyde Park Foundry & Ma- chine Company, one of the most important concerns of its kind in the valley. Mr. Mc- Clausland is president, Mr. Lees vice presi-
JAMES LEES, JR., of Leechburg, Arm- strong county, is vice president of the Hyde dent, and Mr. Slonaker secretary and treas-
panes Les fr
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urer. They started business with a foundry only 60 by 80 feet in dimensions. Now they have a foundry 280 by 80 feet, while their ma- chine shop is 260 by 70 feet, and the pattern shop 80 by 40 feet ; there is also a power house, besides offices, etc. The company manufac- tures all rolling mill machinery. Employment is given to one hundred skilled workmen, and as the demand is constant, a full force is kept busy all the year round. For the first few years Mr. Lees had charge of the foundry, and he ran the first heat. Since 1903, however, he has been the outside man, selling for the com- pany. Toward its progress and steady growth he has contributed his full share, and his value to the plant is recognized and appreciated by all in a position to judge. His best efforts have been given to its development and efficient management, and he well deserves the reputa- tion he bears for competency, and intelligent application to whatever engages his attention. His other important business connections are with the Acme Natural Gas Company, of Leechburg, of which he is president, and with the National Gas Producer Company, of Leechburg, in which he is a stockholder.
With all his business activities, Mr. Lees has also maintained his interest in local af- fairs to the extent of serving as member of the council. Politically he is a Republican, and socially an Odd Fellow and a Scottish Rite Mason, in the latter connection belonging to Blue Lodge No. 577, F. & A. M .; Orient Chap- ter, No. 247, R. A. M., of Kittanning; Tan- cred Commandery, No. 48, K. T., of Pitts- burgh, and the Consistory at Coudersport, Pa. He has passed all the chairs in the I. O. O. F. The Methodist Church holds his membership, and he has sung bass in the choir for several years. Ever since he was a youth of eighteen, in fact, he has been well known as a church singer, his voice, which is a combination of baritone and a deep, musical bass, being of superior quality and unusual strength, and much appreciated in solo as well as choir singing.
Mr. Lees was married (first) to Flora Roesing, daughter of Florence Roesing. Mrs. Lees died in 1877, leaving one child, Corrinne F., now the wife of Wallace White, of Mckeesport, Pennsylvania.
ary stock, her grandfather, Benjamin Maple, having served in the Revolution, and also in the War of 1812, holding the rank of captain. The Maples are of English descent, and were among the pioneer settlers in Ohio, Benjamin Maple having been a farmer near Salineville, that State. He was married three times, his wife Nancy (Fitzpatrick) being the grand- mother of Mrs. Lees. Nancy Fitzpatrick's father, a native of Ireland, came of an old and distinguished family. His people wanted him to enter the priesthood, but he married young and came to America, eventually settling in the neighborhood of Salineville, Ohio.
Larrison Maple, father of Mrs. Lees, was born at Salineville, Ohio, and married Han- nah Crist, daughter of Thomas and Matilda (Cashil) Crist, who were of German descent. Thomas Crist was a farmer. Larrison Maple was a river pilot between Pittsburgh and New Orleans before the days of steam navigation on that route. The Crists and Maples were Methodists.
Mrs. Lees has decided talent as an artist, as her work in oil and crayon shows, her faculty for portraiture and her ability to produce a good likeness proving she has the true gift and artistic sense. Had she devoted the nec- essary time and study to the development of her talent she would no doubt have become a superior worker.
GEORGE K. KLINE, of Kittanning, un- dertaker and funeral director, now devotes himself entirely to his business interests, though for a number of years he was a prac- ticing dentist. His father, the late Dr. Martin L. Kline, was one of the most successful den- tists of the borough until an accident to his right hand made it necessary for him to give up work at his profession, after which he was engaged in the livery and undertaking busi- ness until his death.
The Klines have been in this part of Penn- sylvania many years. Solomon line, great- grandfather of George K. Kline, was a farmer by occupation. Some years after his marriage he moved from Indiana county, Pa., to Clear- field county, where he bought a tract of land, spending the remainder of his days in its cul- tivation and improvement.
On Nov. 6, 1889, Mr. Lees married, at East Martin Kline, son of Solomon, was born Liverpool, Ohio, Ida B. Maple, and they have in Indiana county, but grew up in Clearfield had seven children, namely: Harold M., who is deceased; J. Rolland, a student ; Walter L .; Charles R .; Kenneth, deceased; Dorothy B., and Virginia M.
county, where he resided to the end of his days. He followed the lumber business as well as farming, and was a prosperous and useful citizen. Politically he was a Democrat,
Mrs. Ida B. (Maple) Lees is of Revolution- and in religious connection a Methodist. He
46
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
married Rachel Owen, who was born and had bought the Mrs. M. E. Finley barn on reared in Clearfield county, daughter of John Owen, and to them were born twelve chil- dren.
Market street, near the "Reynolds House," bought Kerr's interest, and about a year and a half after the death of his father George K. Martin Luther Kline, son of Martin and Rachel Kline, was born June 8, 1847, in Clear- field county, Pa., and was there reared on a farm. He received his early education in the common schools of the home neighborhood. When he went to work he followed lum- bering on the Susquehanna river for seven years, after which he took up dentistry, study- ing with his uncle, Dr. Owen, of Kittanning, whose partner he became in 1870. This asso- ciation lasted three years, at the end of which time he purchased his uncle's interest, practic- ing alone until 1888. He then took Dr. E. H. Wright into partnership, and by their skillful and conscientious attention to patrons they Kline retired after the accident on July 4, 1895, in which he lost the thumb and end of second and third fingers of his right hand, the injury being caused by a giant fire cracker. Selling out his interest in the dental office to Dr. F. L. Gould, he then bought the interest of Mrs. M. E. Finley in the livery stable, which did quite a large business, having twen- ty-five horses, and he also engaged in under- taking. His son George was in partnership with him, the firm being known as M. L. Kline & Son. Dr. Kline continued his connection therewith until his death, which occurred Jan. 9, 1907. He was a member of the Royal Arcanum, Knights of Honor and B. P. O. E. and a Democrat in politics, in which, however, he took no active part beyond voting. Kline sold the same, retaining, however, the undertaking business. Later he purchased the furniture and undertaking establishment of A. T. Vosburg and took a partner, the firm be- coming Kline & Campbell. After two years they sold out and engaged in the livery busi- ness about one year, until George K. Kline sold his interest to Mr. Campbell. When E. W. Campbell retired from business Mr. Kline opened his present establishment, July 1, 1912. For a period of six years George K. Kline was undertaker for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and as such had charge of the bur- ial of the victims of the Kelly Station dis- aster. He is now in the undertaking business built up a large patronage, from which Dr. at No. 152 South Jefferson street. He has been a member of the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors' Association since 1908, and fra- ternally he holds membership in the B. P. O. Elks, I. O. O. F., Loyal Order of. Moose, P. H. C., Foresters, and Tribe of Ben Hur-all at Kittanning. He has belonged to Hose Com- pany No. 3 of the volunteer fire department for twenty-one years, having been a charter member, and is an official of the Kittanning Fair Association, of which he has been a mem- ber and director for six years ; his fellow offi- cers in that organization are O. N. Wilson. president ; Pat. Pheafy, vice president ; R. D. Heilman, secretary; John W. Rohrer, treas- urer ; and Alex. McCollough, all of whom are directors, but Mr. Rohrer. Politically Mr. Kline is a Democrat, but not active in the Church.
On March 14, 1872, Dr. Kline married Mar- party, and he is a member of the Lutheran tha E. Hamlin, daughter of John Hamlin, of Juniata county, and she survived him a short time, dying in November, 1908. Dr. and Mrs. Kline are buried at Kittanning. They had three children: George K .; Lulela H., who married Walter McEwen, and died in May, 1907; and Beulah Blanche, married to Fred- erick P. Steele, of Indianapolis, Indiana.
George K. Kline was born at Kittanning Dec. 22, 1872, and there received his common school education. He took a course in den- tistry at the University of Pennsylvania, grad- uating in 1899, after which he followed the practice of his profession for five years at Kit- tanning. For several years before his father's death he was associated in the undertaking and livery business with him, buying the Heilman interest in the firm of Kerr & Heilman in February, 1904, thus becoming a member of the firm of Kerr & Kline. His father, who grandson of George Hoffman.
On Feb. 9, 1898, Mr. Kline married Mollie C. Smith, who was born in Wayne township, this county, Sept. 4, 1872, daughter of Daniel and Lavina Smith, who live on a farm there. Three children have been born to this union: Martin L., who died in January, 1901, when two years old; George H., who attends Kit- tanning high school, and has a private teacher during the summer months; and Phoebe Lu- cile, who is attending public school. The fam- ily home is at No. 251 North Mckean street, Kittanning.
REUBEN R. HOFFMAN, merchant and justice of the peace at Belknap, Wayne town- ship, Armstrong Co., Pa., was born in Mahon- ing township, this county, Sept. 28, 1848, son of John and Susan (Smith) Hoffman, and
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
George Hoffman came from Germantown ing like balls of fire, seemingly prepared for a rush on the helpless men. He awakened the rest, and all, securing firebrands, charged at the wolves, driving them into the dense for- est. Jones was relieved from further guard duty. In 1840 Mr. Hoffman purchased a farm in Mahoning township, this county, dying up- on it in 1908, when he had attained the extreme old age of ninety-three years. His remains are interred at Eddyville cemetery. His wife died in 1873, aged fifty-three years. They had the following children : Jessie, deceased ; Reu- ben R .; George; Henry J .; Jackson J .; Dan- . iel M .; M. Turney ; D. Miles; Catherine, de- ceased; Lucy, deceased; Mary E., deceased ; and Sarah E., deceased. Mr. Hoffman was possessed of strong characteristics, and stood very high in the community that was his home for so many useful years.
(now part of Philadelphia), where his par- ents had settled., They were immigrants from the Rhine provinces near Strasburg which had been devastated by the wars waged by Louis XIV of France. George Hoffman settled in what was then called "the Manor," in West- moreland county, buying about one thousand acres of land, becoming one of the pioneers and heavy landowners in that section. During the years that followed the family passed through all the vicissitudes incident to life in an unsettled region. For some nights after their arrival they continued to sleep in the wagons which had transported them from their other home, until a little log cabin was erect- ed. George Hoffman was twice married, both wives being members of the Good family. To his first marriage were born four children: Henry, Jacob, George and Sarah. His sec- ond wife bore him nine children: Reuben, John, Polly and Hannah (twins), Fannie, Mrs. Parker, Leah, and two daughters who married brothers by the name of Saddler.
John Hoffman, son of George, and father of Reuben R. Hoffman, was born in West- moreland county. By trade he was a stone- mason, and he held one of the contracts for the construction of the Pennsylvania canal in his section, in the carrying out of which his time and attention were occupied for some time. He had a remarkable experience which he never forgot, making a trip to New Orleans by boat and walking back the entire distance. Those sturdy pioneers were made of sterner material than their descendants, for he ac- complished what would be almost impossible to his grandsons, without any serious incon- venience. The great development of steam power had not progressed far in those days, and water craft were propelled by the current of the stream, guided by oars, the boats be- ing sold at the termination of the trip down- stream. Those that manned the oars on these trips were destined to retrace their way home by walking, following the banks of streams and narrow paths through the wilderness. Their lives were endangered by Indians and wild beasts. Four men composed the party with which John Hoffman returned to Penn- sylvania, his brother Reuben, Thomas Jones and another man whose name is forgotten ac- companying him. During the night a fire was kept up, and at least one man stood guard. One night when they were in Arkansas Jones fell asleep while on guard, and Reuben Hoff- man awoke to find the fire low and the camp closely surrounded by wolves, their eyes glar-
Reuben R. Hoffman, son of John Hoffman, went to school in his district, and attended Glade Run Academy for five terms. Follow- ing this he taught school ten terms, in Jeffer- son and Armstrong counties. Entering upon a mercantile life, he clerked until he gained a thorough practical knowledge of the busi- ness, when he established himself at Eden- burg, Clarion Co., Pa., as a merchant. After a year he moved to Eddyville, where he con- ducted a similar business for three years. In 1873 he located at Belknap, in Wayne town- ship, since which time he has been the leading factor of his community. He put up all his buildings, has a very good stand, and his store is fully stocked with a full and varied line of merchandise, which he offers at prices as low as is consistent with their uniformly good quality. He also owned a farm of 130 acres in the vicinity of Belknap, which he sold to W. J. Alcorn. Having owned this property for twenty years he developed it considerably, and disposed of it at a good price. Mr. Hoff- man deals in general merchandise and sup- plies a wide territory contiguous to Belknap, as well as the people in this town. Politically he is a Democrat, and has been the nominee of his party for several county offices, but as this is a strong Republican district he was not elected. He has served as a trustee of the Kittanning Academy, while for a number of years he was school director of the independ- ent district of Wayne township. For twenty years he was postmaster at Belknap, contin- uing until the office was discontinued in 1909, mail being sent out from Echo. The shipping point is Dayton. Mr. Hoffman is a member of the Concord Presbyterian Church, which he served as elder for many years. He has
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
been supervisor and clerk of Wayne township, pany purchased the old Mesta foundry and and is a man of influence.
In 1876 Mr. Hoffman was married to Martha Thom, daughter of Craig Thom. They have no children. Mr. Hoffman is now serving his second term as justice of the peace.
WILLIAM A. SHUSTER, superintendent of the works of the Pittsburgh Shovel Com- pany, at Leechburg, Pa., was born at New Brighton, Beaver Co., Pa., Sept. 25, 1865, son of James H. Shuster.
Malachi Shuster, the grandfather of Wil- liam Shuster, and the first of the family to set- tle at New Brighton, Pa., was one of the early wheelwrights there and was a well-known man. He died when aged sixty-five years. He had four daughters and the following sons : Lowrey, George, William and James H.
James H. Shuster, father of William A. Shuster, was born at New Brighton, Pa., July 29, 1832. He learned the wheelwright's trade with his father and followed the same until he moved to Beaver Falls, Pa., where he was placed in charge of the forging de- partment of a large cutlery factory. He re- the Royal Arcanum and of the local fire mained there for some years and then accepted company. a position with the shovel works, after which he retired. In politics he is a Republican, PETER TURNEY AMMOND, proprietor of the tannery at Rural Valley, burgess and veteran of the Civil war, was born Oct. 14, 1847, in Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong Co., Pa., son of Henry M. and Susannah (Turney) Ammond. and he has served Beaver Falls in several of- ficial positions, in 1904 being elected a justice of the peace, in which office he continues. Mr. Shuster is one of the leading members of the Methodist Protestant Church at Beaver Falls. He married Clorinda Miller, and they have the following children : Emma, Ida, Ella, Blanche, Sarah, James Henry, Jr., John T. and William A. Mr. Shuster served three years, three months, nineteen days as a sol- dier in the Civil war, a member of Company M, 7th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and during this time participated in many import- ant battles which engaged the attention of the Army of the Potomac.
William A. Shuster attended the public schools at New Brighton until he was fifteen years of age, at which time he began to learn the shovel manufacturing business in the H. M. Myers shovel works at Beaver Falls, where he was employed fourteen years, be- coming an experienced and reliable shovel maker. He then went to Hyde Park, in West- moreland county, where he was employed as a foreman for two and a half years in the sheet mill. When the Pittsburgh Shovel Works were completed, in February, 1901, Mr. Shus- ter was secured as superintendent. The com- a farm in the vicinity of Yatesboro. His wife
machine shops at Leechburg, and owns five acres of land, three acres of which are covered with the buildings needed for the plant in the manufacture of shovels. The company is well financed, H. P. Goff, of Pittsburgh, being its president. Employment is given to from fifty- five to sixty men, and every known kind of shovel is manufactured, this being one of the largest plants of the kind in the country. It is equipped with all the latest improvements in the way of machinery and is one of the important industrial establishments of Arm- strong county. Mr. Shuster makes all his own patterns for the great variety of work done there.
On Oct. 20, 1887, Mr. Shuster was mar- ried to Kate Mary Lloyd, daughter of D. D. Lloyd, once a well-known merchant at Apollo, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Shuster have the follow- ing children : Paul H., Norman L., David H., Alvin and Clare. The family belongs to the Lutheran Church. Politically Mr. Shuster is a Republican, and at the present time is serving a four-years' term as councilman. He is a Knight of Pythias, an Elk, a member of
Henry M. Ammond, father of Peter T. Ammond, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., and came to Armstrong county about 1840, establishing himself in business here as a shoemaker, following the trade more or less up to 1860. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company C, 103d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he served eighteen months, being taken a prisoner at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va., and sent to Libby and Andersonville prisons, where he was con- fined for some time. He was eventually ex- changed at City Point, and was finally dis- charged on account of disability at Fairmont, Va., hospital. On the completion of his mili- tary service Mr. Ammond spent some time in Cowanshannock township, and in about 1883 or 1884 went to Michigan, where he passed away at the age of seventy-seven years. He married Susannah Turney, daughter of Peter Turney, of German descent, who was a pio- neer of Cowanshannock township, clearing up
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
was Barbara Baird. The children born to ing a member of Cap. John McClelland's com- Henry M. and Susannah (Turney) Ammond pany of rangers from 1778 to 1783. were six in number, as follows: Peter T .; John F .; Alexander; Jeremiah; Henry, and Rebecca, who married a Mr. Campbell.
Peter Turney Ammond, son of Henry M. Ammond, was reared in Armstrong county, and secured his education in the public schools of Rural Valley, which he attended until he was twelve years old. At that time he com- menced serving an apprenticeship to the tan- ner's trade, but when only a lad of seventeen years, in the fall of 1864, enlisted in Com- pany K, 104th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, with which he served eight months, taking part in the siege of Peters- burg and numerous other engagements. On his return to the pursuits of peace Mr. Am- mond resumed his trade, which he followed at permanent resident of Rural Valley. At this time he is the proprietor of the tannery in which he served his apprenticeship, and is con- sidered one of his locality's substantial and enterprising citizens. In political matters a Republican, he is serving his second term as burgess, and under the newly constituted law will have served eight years when his term expires. He has proved as able an official as he has been a business man, and the con- scientious manner in which he discharges the duties of his office has won him the confi- dence of his fellow citizens. Mr. Ammond is a popular comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a past commander of Ander- son Fleming Post, No. 449. With his family he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Ammond has been twice married, his first wife being Morrilla Armstrong, daugh- ter of James Armstrong, of Armstrong town- ship, Indiana county. By her he had two children : Laura, the wife of C. T. Schrecken- gost; and Mary, residing at home. Mr. Am- mond's second marriage was to Letitia, third daughter of John and Margaret Mclaughlin. Mrs. Ammond was first married to Thomas Templeton, who lived only about six months afterward, dying very suddenly.
WILLIAM F. TITTLE, associated with the business interests of Kittanning and Arm- strong county, although now a resident of Rayburn township, was born Nov. 10, 1847, at Brady's Bend, this county, son of James K. and Elizabeth (Jackson) Tittle.
Peter Tittle, his great-grandfather, served as a soldier during the Revolutionary war, be- through speculation.
James Tittle, son of Peter, was one of the pioneers of Westemoreland county, Pa., be- coming a prosperous farmer of his locality, owning large tracts of land. Nine children were born to him: Jeremiah, John Johnson, Jonathan, James K., Washington, Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, William F. and Elizabeth (who married a Mr. McKee).
James K. Tittle was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1812, and was a farmer and tanner. He served several years as justice of the peace. His family consisted of four chil- dren: Richard J., who was a soldier during the Civil war, serving in Company I, 78th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and died at Camp Wood, Ky., in 1862; Alexander, who died young; Anna Elizabeth, who married different places until 1877, when he became a Alexander Hood, who is now deceased; and William F. The parents of these children were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.
William F. Tittle was educated in the pub- lic schools of Rayburn township and Kittan- ning. In young manhood he worked on the homestead farm, but subsequently was inter- ested in a lumber and sawmill business for a number of years.' He was also engaged ex- tensively in the production and development of natural gas, being very successful along this line. Later on he resumed farming, and is thus engaged at present in Rayburn town- ship. He has served his township as school director, auditor and supervisor. While he was serving in the latter office through his in- fluence Rayburn township built its first mile of State aid brick road.
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