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 48
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Francis Furlong was reared on the paternal farm in Red Bank township, where he lived until 1872. He had the common school advan- tages afforded in the neighborhood, and was trained to farm work from boyhood, also fol- lowing teaming. In 1872 he came to Mahon- ing township, where in 1890 he purchased and moved to the place he has since occupied, hav- ing a tract of 129 acres which is a credit to its owner and to the district in which it is situ- ated. He is recognized by his neighbors and fellow citizens generally as a trustworthy man, and has been called upon to fill various local offices, having served several terms as school director and done his duties faithfully in other positions of trust in the township. He is a Democrat in politics, is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry in Madison township, and is an esteemed member of the Baptist Church at Oakland, which he has served as trustee for several years.
Mr. Furlong was married March 18, 1869, to Margaret Cathcart, daughter of Samuel and Anna (Reed) Cathcart, of Mahoning town- ship, and granddaughter of Robert Cathcart, who settled in what is now Mahoning town- ship in 1805, being probably the first settler there. Five children have been born to Mr.
After a course in the Manor district school, Hugh F. Iseman attended school at Kittan- ning, and until he was twenty-two years old worked on his father's farm. He then spent six years in the employ of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, at Ford City. Leav- ing this concern Mr. Iseman resumed farming, and in 1908 branched out in the dairy busi- ness, furnishing milk at Ford City. He has built up a large and prosperous business, owing to the quality of his product and his straight- forward methods.
In 1907 Mr. Iseman was married to Kate Wilson, daughter of Isaac Wilson, of Kittan- ning. Mrs. Iseman is a musician of consider- able talent, and has studied to some purpose both instrumental and vocal music. For four years she was musical instructor in the Kit- tanning public schools in which she taught altogether seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Iseman
have three children : Earl and Lois Irene. Hugh Wilson, Robert Mr. and Mrs. Iseman are consistent members of Emanuel Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Iseman has been secre- tary and treasurer for more than fifteen years. In addition he served for several years as superintendent of the Sunday school. Besides looking after his personal affairs Mr. Iseman finds time to take an interest in public mat- ters, serving his township as supervisor. He is a member of the Independent Americans.
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS WALKER, a prominent attorney at law and one of the distinguished citizens of Kittanning, was born at Sykesville, Jefferson Co., Pa., Dec. 14, 1879, a son of Frederick and Christina (Zu- fall) Walker.
Frederick Walker was born in Germany, and came to the United States with his par- ents in 1847. A settlement was made in Jef- ferson county, Pa., where father and son en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, the latter also working at his trade of carpenter. Frederick Walker became the father of eleven children : Pauline R .; Mary C., wife of A. L. George ; Henry W .; George F .; Barbara C., wife of William J. Hess; James I .; John, deceased ;
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y a walker
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Gustavus A .; Clarence H .; Effie R., wife of ried; Harvey, a farmer, living on the old place Orren D. Couch; and Emma, who died in in- fancy.
Gustavus Adolphus Walker first attended public school in Jefferson county. He prepared for college at the Kittanning Academy, fol- lowing which he entered Washington and Jef- ferson College, and remained nearly three years. Returning to Kittanning, he began the study of law with ex-Judge Calvin Rayburn, of that place, and was admitted to the Arm- strong county bar in May, 1903. Since that time he has been engaged in active practice here, and connected with some very important litigation.
On May 23, 1906, Mr. Walker was united in marriage with Mary F. Swan, daughter of John M. Swan, of Wickboro, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of three children : Edith R., Charles F. and Mary A. Mr. Walker belongs to the Reformed Church, and the supervision of Division 19, with head- is one of its most liberal supporters.
HENRY NESBIT MILLER, a retired rail- road man, living in the borough of Freeport, Armstrong county, was born Feb. 6, 1835, in Young township, Indiana Co., Pa., son of Michael Miller, a native of Lancaster county, Pa., born August 28, 1806. His father was born Dec. 24, 1775. The Miller family is of German descent and has been settled in Penn- sylvania for over a century.
Michael Miller, father of Henry N. Miller, grew up in Lancaster county, receiving his education in the common schools, and there married Christian Burns, of Scotland, who came with her parents to America when three years old, the family finally settling in Young township, Indiana Co., Pa. Her father, Thomas Burns, was a farmer ; he and his wife and all their family died in Indiana county. Michael Miller learned the trade of shoemaker and followed it for a number of years, but farming was his principal occupation. He lived in Conemaugh township, and retired some years before his death, which occurred in Indiana county July 24, 1891. His wife died Oct. 19, 1883. Mr. Miller was originally an old-line Whig and later a Republican. He and his wife were members of the U. P. Church. They had the following children: Henry Nesbit; Robert Burns, deceased, who was a carpenter and farmer; Ann Elizabeth, lives at home; Jessie A. is at home.
in Indiana county, Pa .; Margaret, who died unmarried; and two who died young.
Henry N. Miller received most of his edu- cation at the common schools, attending the Jacksonville Academy for four summer terms, between 1850 and 1860. He taught eleven terms of school in his native county. In April, 1863, he entered the service of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company, as a laborer, at Blairsville, Pa., and in the fall of that year was made conductor on a construction train, being thus employed until July 4, 1864. He was on the subdivision at Saltsburg, Pa., in 1864, worked between Kiskiminetas Junction and Saltsburg, with headquarters at Apollo, Pa., and later was transferred to Blairsville, hav- ing charge of the first section on the Indiana branch. Subsequently he was made yard fore- man, and on March 1, 1874, was promoted to
quarters at Freeport, in this capacity having charge of all the track from Kiskiminetas Junction to the west end of the division. While holding that position he built, in 1887, 1888 and 1890, twenty-two miles of the second track on the West Pennsylvania railroad east of Allegheny. Mr. Miller retired in 1902, after serving the Pennsylvania Company forty- two years in all. He owned a farm in Cone- maugh township, Indiana county, but has sold the surface, reserving the coal.
Mr. Miller was married at Blairsville, Pa., April 2, 1861, to Frances C. Nesbit, of Indiana county, a daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah Nesbit. Her father was a farmer in Indiana county ; only two of his family are now living, Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Martha McMeans, the latter of Homestead, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had four children: Martin E. went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company May 1, 1875, as clerk, and later was operator at different places, agent at Freeport for many years, and now lives at home with his parents because of poor health (he is a member of the I. O. O. F.) ; Thomas went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as bookkeeper and later as conductor, and is now with the Park Mills Company at Pitts- burgh, Pa. (he married in September, 1885, Mary Johnson, and they have two children, Mary and Thomas R.) ; Wilbert H., a fireman,
who married John Lowman (both are deceased) ; Graham, at one time a railroad Mr. Miller served as member of the Free- port council three years, was on the school board for six years, and is now a member of man, who was injured on the road and after- ward worked in a store in Allegheny, Pa., the poor board. He votes the Republican where he died; Mary Jane, who died unmar- ticket. For many years he has been an Elder 47
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
in the U. P. Church at Freeport, and active in church work. The poems which appear below were written by him, and the one first given was read July 30, 1912, at the installation of the present pastor of his church. Mr. Miller has composed a number of verses and takes considerable pleasure in writing rhymes and other productions. During the panic year of 1908 he wrote about twenty poems, long and short, which were published in the town paper. Some of the old railroad men there have requested him to gather his verses into a volume for publication. A number of his poems are on the Sabbath school lessons and similar subjects, the longest containing about two hundred and seventy-five lines. Though in his eightieth year he is well preserved, has good eyesight and an excellent memory.
With hearts sincere we welcome you, This very eve as here we meet, And trust to you we'll each be true With Christian tempers pure and sweet. As a pastor and a teacher With success may you be crowned, And may your efforts as a preacher Show in doctrine that you are sound. And may God's Spirit guide your thoughts In all your sermon preparations, So that your mind may be confined To scripture facts, not speculations. And while you labor in this field, May all our members do their part To help your teachings good fruit yield And blessings bring to each one's heart.
We trust each member day by day In earnestness will pray for you, That ev'rything you do or say May help us better work to do. Then with assurance we can rest Through Spirit guidance from above That all our labors will be blest And we'll increase in faith and love. We trust that all, both young and old In unity may work together In such a way as to unfold Our Christian treatment of each other. Let Spirit guidance be our rule In all departments of church work So that our zeal may never cool And cause us in the rear to lurk. To do good work should be our aim In all church work in ev'ry line, Doing all in our Savior's name In detail at the proper time. July 30, 1912.
.
If but two days you work a week, It's better than no work at all; Cut down your own expenses, too, In all details, however small. Because you can't get in full time Don't kick; keep cool; don't be profane; For that will only make things worse, Your record blacken, stain your name. In household lines stop ev'ry leak In all details of food supplies ; The luxuries cut out complete, The cut in cost will you surprise. At supper time eat mush and milk- The best of food in winter weather; Don't purchase suits as fine as silk, Let patches hold old suits together. With plainest food and raiment, too, You'll find you can contented be ; You'll find your health will not decline From doctor bills you will be free. A penny saved, the Scotchmen say, Is just as good as one hard-earned. In many ways a man can save When common sense he once has learned. A patch on patch is no disgrace. Provided all is neat and clean ; Such will not change good looks a bit, Nor turn fat flesh to that of lean. Jan. 17, 1908.
THE ROBIN
Those charming birds we call the robin This spring did promptly come to hand, With songs as sweet as heretofore, In solos thrilling, simply grand. They skip about from day to day Among the branches of the trees, And in their habits they display No discontent but perfect ease. Their aptness in the search of food On grassy lawns, from day to day, Is demonstrated by their actions Which so acutely they display. They manifest expertness rare As to location of a nest ; Among the branches of the trees They never fail to find the best. And when it's time to build the nest, They clearly show they understand The outs and ins of nest construction In all details completely planned. And while the building's going on They cheer us with their morning song. As work progresses day by day, No strikes occur to cause delay. No architect doth them direct How they the structure should erect ;
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
By instinct guided no mistake Occurs in efforts that they make. If poor frail man was just as wise Methinks we could at once surmise That labor troubles would decline And disappear in course of time; That common sense would rule the house And judgment wise assert its power. March, 1910.
ALVIN LEONARD GEORGE, proprietor of the George restaurants in Kittanning, and a business man of more than usual ability, was born Feb. 8, 1862, in Armstrong county, Pa., son of William and Margaret (Dible) George, and grandson of Leonard George.
Henry B. Clark, son of John, was born in Leonard George moved to Armstrong county from Westmoreland county, this State, and became a prosperous farmer. He and his excellent wife became the parents of twelve children who grew up to do them credit. Pennsylvania, and lived in Allegheny county until he was eighteen years of age. Then he came to Armstrong county, where he pur- chased the farm of 200 acres in Kiskiminetas township on which he lived until his death, William George, like his father, was a farmer of Armstrong county and a well-known man. His family consisted of the following meantime adding fifty-three acres to his origi- nal tract. He carried on general farming and also raised horses, cattle and sheep. Both he children: John, Edward, Howard, Mary and wife were members of the Lutheran (wife of Andrew Metzler), Malinda (wife Church, in which he was an elder for many of W. F. Stitt), Della (wife of Joseph Spahr), years. His death occurred in 1885, his widow Alvin L., and one who died in infancy.
Alvin Leonard George was educated in the country schools of his district, and was brought up in the wholesome atmosphere of the farm. Until 1891 he remained with his father, and then began business for himself. Realizing the opening for a restaurant in Kittanning, he established himself in a small way in that line, and soon found that it would' be necessary to enlarge his field of operation. At present he owns and operates three thor- oughly modern restaurants. These cafes are well equipped with all appliances, and the cuisine is such as to command a steady patron- age. Mr. George gives them all his personal supervision, and they would be considered high-grade in any location.
Mr. George has served six years as a mem- ber of the city council, and is a man widely known and universally liked, for he is pleas- ant in manner and genial in disposition. Any worthy movement tending toward the general uplift of Kittanning finds in him an ardent supporter, for he takes great pride in civic progress. Fraternally he affiliates with the of whom are living, namely: Nora Ann, who
Knights of Pythias, Elks, Eagles, and other similar organizations. His religious home is in the Presbyterian Church.
On June 30, 1887, Mr. George married Mary Walker, daughter of Frederick Walker, of Lutheran Church.
Jefferson county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. George have five living children: William, Pauline, Margaret, Alvin and Mary. Etta died at the age of six years.
GEORGE W. CLARK, a highly respected citizen of Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong Co., Pa., who lives on his farm there now somewhat retired from active life, was born in that township Dec. 16, 1844, son of Henry B. and Lena Clark.
John Clark, his grandfather, was born in County Derry, Ireland, and after coming to America took part in the war of 1812, later settling in Pennsylvania.
surviving until 1895. Of their twelve chil- dren four sons and four daughters are yet living, George W. being the eldest of these.
George W. Clark obtained his education in the district schools of Armstrong county; attending during the winter sessions until he was seventeen years of age and for one year longer helping his father on the home farm. Then he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for two years at Kittanning and afterward in York and Juniata counties. In the fall of 1866 he came to Armstrong county and in 1867 built a blacksmith shop at Spring Church, for the next twenty-four years engaging there in work at his trade. Mr. Clark became a leading citizen of the place, served as tax collector for several years, was township supervisor for one year, and for six years was overseer of the poor.
Mr. Clark was married Sept. 21, 1869, at Apollo, Pa., to Margaret Remaley, who died in 1906, and he has since made his home with a daughter, near Spring Church. Five chil- dren were born to the above marriage, three is the wife of Edwin Stanton Jackson; Wil- liam Henry; and Jennie, deceased Jan. 29, 1913, who was the wife of R. M. Reed. Mr. Clark and family are members of the
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Samuel Yingst was born in Bagdad, and moved to that part of Allegheny township now known as Gilpin, farming until his death, which occurred July 31, 1850, when he was fifty-five years, four months, twenty-seven days old. His wife died Feb. 16, 1885, aged sixty-five years, eleven months, eighteen days. Their children were: Catherine, who married Joseph Low (who served in Company M, 5th Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery), and (second) Robison Bowser; David, who died in 1908, aged fifty-seven years ; Mary A., who married Anthony Altman and (second) his brother William; Henry E., who married Mary Hust, and lives in Totonto, Ohio; Christina, who married John Welsh; and Samuel. After the death of Mr. Yingst his widow married (sec- ond) Joseph Lessig, and they had one son, Zachariah, now living in Gilpin township.
Samuel Yingst, Jr., attended public school in his native township, and when eighteen years old began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1902, in vari- ous places, although his permanent residence was near the Forks Church. During ten years of this period he took contracts in Leechburg and the surrounding country, build- ing houses, barns and coal tipples, doing a large business. He is also engaged in the flour and feed business at Forks Church, being one of the best known men of Gilpin town- ship.
On June 1, 1871, Mr. Yingst was married to Sarah A. Bowman, daughter of George and Sarah (Turney) Bowman, and the following children have been born of this marriage: Clara B. married William Fair; George E., who married Laura Myers, lives at Leechburg; Sarah E. married Jonathan Myers ; Harry T., who married Verna Hawk, lives at New Ken- sington; J. Philip lives in Dravosburg, Pa .; Effie G. is married to Lyal Phillips and liv- ing at New Kensington ; William D. is braking on the Pennsylvania railroad.
SAMUEL YINGST, tax collector and very prominent in its work, having served as farmer of Gilpin township, was born there deacon for twelve years and trustee nine years. Aug. 29, 1849, a son of Samuel and Chris- tina (Klingensmith) Yingst. His paternal grandfather came from Germany, settling at what is now Bagdad, Armstrong Co., Pa., where he died, as did his wife, and they are buried in the cemetery at Freeport, Pennsyl- vania. When the new church edifice was built he served on two building committees, giving the church the benefit of his practical experience. Mr. Yingst gives his services as janitor and sexton of the church he loves so dearly. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows and the State Grange.
The Yingst family holds annual reunions, and Mr. Yingst is very much interested in these gatherings and active in promoting them, having been president of the association from the beginning.
WILLIAM R. THOMPSON, a farmer of Cowanshannock township, is a son of James and Jane ( Neely) Thompson.
James Thompson and his wife were both natives of County Donegal, Ireland, came to the United States, and were married in Phil- adelphia, Pa. Prior to 1847 they came to Armstrong county, Pa., settling in Cowanshan- nock township, where they bought a tract of fifty acres on which they lived for three years. At the expiration of that period they were able to buy 120 acres of land which they im- proved to some extent, and there the father died Feb. 5, 1882, aged seventy-one years. They had the following children: John B. married Leanna Lukehart; Mary A. married Albert McHenry; Sarah J. married Miles Rearick; William R. is mentioned below ; Elizabeth was next in the family; Nancy M. married Clark G. Marshall; Clara C. married David McNutt.
William R. Thompson was brought up on the homestead, where he lived for fifty-two years, and was educated in the local schools, attending what is known as the Barmara dis- trict school. His life work has been farming and he has made a success of his efforts, own- ing the old homestead of 120 acres, thirty- five acres adjoining, and the farm of ninety- five acres on which he has resided since 1906. This latter property is very valuable, and since taking possession of it he has made some very substantial improvements, including a hand- some two-story residence which he built in 1906, and a bank barn that compares favor- ably with the best in the township, which he put up in 1907.
On Feb. 25, 1892, Mr. Thompson was mar- ried to Clara J. Moore, daughter of Israel and Susan (Tetterhoff) Moore, of Rayne township, Indiana county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one living son, James M.
Mr. Yingst is a Democrat. In 1909 he was elected tax collector of Gilpin township, and reelected in 1913, for four years. He is a member of the Lutheran Forks Church, having joined when eighteen years old, and is They are members of the Presbyterian Church.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
A Republican in politics, as was his father, Mr. 25, 1901 ; and Myrtle M., Mrs. Sims, of Chi- Thompson takes a public-spirited interest in cago, Ill. In 1890 Mr. Wolf married (second) local and national affairs. An excellent Eva Smith, of Armstrong county, daughter farmer, good business man and conscientious
of Peter A. and Sarah Smith, and they have official, Mr. Thompson is an ideal citizen and had one child, Lola, now the wife of Clyde A. one who commands the confidence of all who know him.
DAVID EHRHEART WOLF, farmer of Bethel township, living at Center Valley, is a well-known citizen of his section of Arm- strong county, where he has served in vari- ous public capacities which have brought him into contact with the residents of the locality. He is a son of Samuel B. Wolf, and grand- son of Jacob Wolf, who was of German de- scent.
Samuel B. Wolf was born in Armstrong county July 26, 1825, and died March 5, 1907. He followed the blacksmith's trade. His wife, Maria (Wareham), was born in Armstrong county Feb. 22, 1830, and died in November, 1901. She, too, was of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf had a family of eight chil- dren, six sons and two daughters; four of the sons still survive.
David Ehrheart Wolf was born July 25, 1851, in Center Valley, Armstrong county, in what was then Allegheny (now Bethel) township, and received the name Ehrheart in honor of one of the early ministers of the neighborhood. He learned his father's trade, blacksmithing, which he has followed to some extent, but he is at present engaged in farm- ing, in which he has met with success. He is also an undertaker, and acts as health officer for Parks, Gilpin and Bethel townships, giv- ing highly satisfactory service to the commu- nity in this responsible office. He has been tax collector for Bethel township for a period of seven years, and was clerk for the jury com- missioner for nine years, his long continuance in office being the best evidence of his efficient work. Politically he has always been a Re- publican. He belongs to the Lutheran Church, and fraternally is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., belonging to White Rock Lodge, No. 979, in which he has passed all the chairs, and to Encampment No. 244, Kittanning.
Mr. Wolf's first marriage was to Martha J. Beattie, daughter of Samuel W. and Mary (Mott) Beattie. She died in 1883, the mother of four children, namely: Guy Smith, who is now engaged as a steamboat man ; Lottie O., who married T. S. Weaver and died in Sep- tember, 1911, the mother of four children, two deceased in infancy, and Philip and Sherman, living; Murnice R., who was drowned May
Crail, of Center Valley, who has one son, Robert.
J. A. DAVIS, an enterprising farmer of Madison township, Armstrong county, has a property of eighty-six acres located on the road between Kellersburg and Widnoon.
Andrew Jackson Davis, his father, was born and reared in Westmoreland county, Pa. When a young man of twenty years he came to Armstrong county, engaging in ore min- ing and farming in Madison township. Dur- ing the Civil war he entered the Union army as a member of Company C, 8th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and had a severe army experi- ence, being wounded while in the service and taken prisoner. He was confined in both Libby and Andersonville prisons, but was finally exchanged. Returning to Armstrong county he was engaged in farming in Madison township until his retirement, and he now makes his home at Rimerton. He is a Repub- lican, but has not been active in politics, and holds membership in the G. A. R. Mr. Davis was married in Madison township, to Eliza- beth Early, daughter of John Early, of that township, and they had the following children, all born in Armstrong county ; J. E., who lives at Templeton, this county; Margaret J., wife of John Koffman, living at Sherrett, this county ; J. A., mentioned below ; William, who was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company as watchman at Wahls station ; R. W., a street car man, residing at Pitts- burg, Pa .; A. M., of Pittsburgh, an employee of the Standard Oil Company; C. H., of Height Station, Pa., a tea salesman ; H. G., of Pittsburgh, a salesman for the Standard Oil Company ; C. L., of Allegheny, Pa., an em- ployee of the Pittsburgh Transformer Com- pany ; Pearl May, wife of James McElroy, liv- ing at Franklin, Pa. ; and A. J., Jr., who died in infancy. The mother of these died in April. 1881, and is buried at Sherrett, Pa. She was a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Davis was subsequently married (second) to Lima Greek, of Sherrett, daughter of Daniel Greek, an old settler of Washington township. Nine children were born to this marriage, viz .: Reed, employed at Vandergrift, Pa .; George, Christ and Roy, also at Vandergrift; and Sarah, Dewey, Frank, Verna and Crissie, all at home.
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