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 56
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Thomas Dickson spent his life in Indiana county, Pa., where he followed the trade of stonemason and also engaged in farming. He had four sons: Samuel, James, and Benjamin and George, twins. George died when fourteen years old.
Benjamin Dickson, son of Thomas and father of John A. Dickson, was born in Indi- ana county. He was reared on the home farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits during a part of his life, was also a coal. miner in Butler county, and worked at lum- bering. His present residence is Butler, Pa.,
Samuel Walker was born March 8, 1856, in Manor township, where he still resides. He married Mary J. King, whose father, Matthias King, also lives in Manor town- ship; the latter married Margaret Campbell, who was born in Ireland and was but two years old when brought to this country by her parents. Mrs. Mary J. (King) Walker died in 1897, at the age of thirty-six years. and he is keeper of the tollgate on the Butler
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plank road. He married Elizabeth Gamble, training in the public schools. He learned who died in 1885, and they had two chil- the brewer's trade at New Kensington, but dren, John A. and Mary, who married John Conley and lives at Butler, Pa.' The mother was a daughter of John Gamble. in 1909 engaged in butchering at that place, conducting a meat market there until 1910. At this time he purchased the hotel prop- erty at Rimerton, which he has since con- ducted successfully. He is courteous and considerate, making a special effort to please his patrons, and he has become respected and most popular among all those who have come to know him.
John A. Dickson attended the common schools in Butler township, Butler county, and afterward worked on the home farm and as a coal miner until 1893, when he came to Leechburg, finding employment in the Kirk- patrick mill, which was absorbed by the American Sheet and Tin Plate Company. Mr. Dickson worked his way up from the bottom to his present responsible position of a roller, which he has filled since 1898. He is a competent workman and a practical and prudent business man. 'In 1896 he erected his present residence, and in 1910 built a fine double house on other property, besides lican in political sentiment.
which he has still another house at Leech- burg and one at Butler, Pennsylvania.
On Nov. 25, 1892, Mr. Dickson was mar- ried to Leona Simpson, daughter of Thomas Simpson, of New Castle, Pa., and they have eight children: Benjamin C., A. Warren, Ernest, L. Josephine, Calvin E., Johnwendle, Paul K. F. and M. Vivian. Mr. Dickson and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a Republican.
GEORGE J. ZEIS, the popular proprietor of the "Hotel Rebolt," at Rimerton, Arm- strong county, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Jan. I, 1884, son of George and Elizabeth B. (Feth) Zeis.
George Zeis, the father, was a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and came to the United States in 1870. He located first in Pittsburgh, where he followed his trade of wagonmaker and blacksmith. He embarked in business for himself and conducted it with marked success until 1886, when he went to Harmarville, Allegheny county, and engaged in the hotel business. Later he took up farming near Jeannette, following that until 1892, when he again went into the hotel busi- ness, at New Kensington. A year later he moved to Lower Burrell township, West- moreland county, and here his death occurred April 30, 1899, when he was forty-nine years old. Mr. Zeis married Elizabeth B. Feth, and their children were: Mary, wife of Andrew Kautzman; Annie, wife of Robert Verzinski; Katie, wife of Charles Dearborn; George J .; Frederick W .; and Emma, wife of William Keopp.
George J. Zeis was reared in Westmore- land county, and received his educational
On Nov. 12, 1904, Mr. Zeis married Min- nie, daughter of Fred and Augusta (Miller) Stemmler, of Natrona, Pa., and they are the parents of three children, Margaret, Elnora and George F. Mr. Zeis is progressive and takes a deep interest in all public affairs, though he has held no office. He is a Repub-
SAVERIO CAPANO, general merchant and notary public at Rural Valley, Pa., was born in San Donato, Ninea, Italy, Oct. 16, 1871, son of Dominic and Anna Maria (Mar- tino) Capano.
Until he was thirteen years old Saverio Capano lived in his native place, and at- tended the schools of his neighborhood. At that time he came to the United States and secured employment on railroad construc- tion, and later at other work in different parts of Pennsylvania until 1889. As opportunity offered he attended school to learn the Eng- lish language, in Philadelphia, Clearfield and Bellefonte, Pa. In 1891 he returned to Italy, and remained there until 1894, when he came back to Pennsylvania and resumed railroad work. In 1899 he located in Rural Valley, Pa., and embarked in the general merchandise business, in which he has been eminently suc- cessful. In 1905 he was made a notary pub- lic, and he is still holding that office.
On Jan. 20, 1894, Mr. Capano was mar- ried to Filomena Iannuzzi, daughter of Vin- cent and Clementina (Esposito) Iannuzzi. Mr. and Mrs. Capano have seven children, namely : Domenica, Anna, James, Emily, Ernestina, Henrietta and Oreste. Mr. Ca- pano is the pioneer Italian merchant of Rural Valley, and he is popular with all the people. as well as with those of his own nationality. He and his family belong to St. Mary's Ro- man Catholic Church of Yatesboro, Pa. He belongs to Rural Valley Lodge, No. 766, I. O. O. F. Politically he is a Republican, but aside from being a notary public, he has not sought office.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
PAUL P. LIBARAKIS, who has the lished himself as a butcher and general mer- leading confectionery establishment in Kit- chant and his progress shows that he was tanning, is one of the younger business men wise in making the change. Although he is one of the pioneer Italian merchants of the valley, his trade is not confined to those of his own nationality, his store being liberally patronized by all the people in the neighbor- hood. of that place, but by industry and attention to his affairs he has already made a good start in life. He was born Jan. 21, 1884, at Sparta, Greece, son of Peter and Contillo (Benekas) Libarakis, the latter a daughter of Athanasias Benekas. His paternal grand- parents were Harry and Marie (Surafos) Libarakis.
Mr. Libarakis left his native country when sixteen years old, coming to America with an uncle. For a year and a half he lived at Olean, in New York State, from there going to Jamestown, N. Y., where he was located four months. He then went to Salamanca, N. Y., where he remained for a year and a half, thence removing to Jeannette, West- moreland Co., Pa. He was there for two years, after which he spent one year in Pitts- burgh before coming to Kittanning, Arm- strong county, where he has since made his home. He at once engaged in the confec- tionery business, and he has built up one of the reliable enterprises of the borough, hav- ing not only thorough training for his line but aptitude and taste. His store is always neat and attractively arranged, he has one of the best equipped soda fountains and ice cream parlors in western Pennsylvania, and America. his place is conducted on model lines. It has been well patronized from the start, and he has held his customers by ready service and reliable goods.
On Nov. 10, 1907, Mr. Libarakis married Edna Wolfe, of Kittanning, daughter of Henry and Mary (Weaver) Wolfe, and they have one child, Paul, born June 9, 1909.
In fraternal connection Mr. Libarakis is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Heptasophs, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Order of Moose.
CARLO BRUNO, general merchant and butcher of Rural Valley, was born in Longo- bard (Lombardy), Italy, Jan. 15, 1860, a son of Vincenzo and Rosa (Provinzana) Bruno.
In 1888 Mr. Bruno came to the United States, and for the next eight years worked as a laborer on railroads and in the mines, during that period saving his money thriftily, so that in 1896 he was able to embark in busi- ness as a butcher at Walston, Jefferson Co., Pa. For four years he did a good business at this point, and then sold to come to Rural Valley, Armstrong Co., Pa. Here he estab-
On Jan. 29, 1895, Mr. Bruno was married to Josephine Pellegrino, daughter of Frank and Francisca Pellegrino of Castiglione Marittimo, Italy. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bruno, Vincenzo and Carmino. Mr. Bruno and his family belong to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church at Yatesboro. He is a member of St. Joseph's Society, and is an excellent representative of the substantial class of Italians who have settled in this county and developed into such reliable business men. Politically Mr. Bruno is a Republican, but he has never sought office.
MICHAEL RAYMOND, retired business man, residing at Leechburg, Armstrong county, was born Jan. 18, 1859, about three hundred miles distant from the city of Rome, in Italy. The place in which he was born was a fishing village, and he became a fisher- man and continued as such until he came to
In January, 1888, with his wife and eldest son, Daniel, Mr. Raymond reached the har- bor of New York, and from there came di- rectly to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he engaged in the fruit business for a short time. He then went to Omaha, Nebr., but three months later returned to Pennsylvania. For some four months he resided at Oil City and then came to Leechburg, where he embarked in the fruit and produce business and continued from 1889 until his retirement, in 1911. Mr. Raymond proved an excellent business man, and through his energy, prudence and good judgment acquired a comfortable competency. He is the owner of valuable real estate at Leechburg. He was married in Italy to Phillipe Bordnord.
DANIEL RAYMOND was born in Italy in 1887 and was brought to America by his par- ents. He obtained his education in the pub- lic schools of Leechburg and afterward as- sisted his father. When he first left home he was employed for three years in the Pitts- burgh Shovel Works, and then worked for one year in the steel mill at Leechburg, after- ward for three years being employed in a billiard hall. At the end of that time he
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learned the barber's trade and since then has schools of Manor township and at the Mur- given his entire time to his patrons, having phy school in Rosston, Pa. From boyhood a first-class, well appointed shop on Market he worked on the farm, and learned the de- street, Leechburg.
Mr. Raymond married Rosa Smith, daugh- ter of Andrew Smith. Like his father he is a Republican, the former having been natur- alized and made an American citizen in 1899, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
JOHN JACOB BORGER, brewmaster at the Elk Brewery of Kittanning, was born Feb. 27, 1877, in Germany, son of John Jacob and Julia (Wendel) Borger.
remaining here for several years before he bella Wilson, of New Castle, Pa., daughter of
John Jacob Borger, father of John Jacob Borger, Jr., was a native of Germany who came to the United States in young manhood, returned to his native land. There he mar- ried, and remained until his son John Jacob was nine years old. The father then decided upon again trying his fortune in the New World, and brought his family to Cleveland, Ohio, arriving there in 1886. For a time he worked on a railroad, and then engaged in the liquor business.
John Jacob Borger, Jr., attended the public schools of Cleveland, and a business college of that city. Following this he learned the trade of brewing, in various places, accumu- lating much useful information, which he has since found very valuable. Wishing to per- fect himself in his line of endeavor, he went to Chicago, where he attended the Institute of Fermentology, where brewing is taught as an art. In 1900 he was graduated from this institution, and returning to Pennsylvania accepted a position as brewmaster in a brew- ery at New Kensington. In 1903 he was made brewmaster of the Elk Brewery at Kit- tanning, and has since proved his fitness to discharge the duties of his important posi- tion. He is a member of the United States Brewmasters' Association. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows, the Moose, and the B. P. O. Elks.
In 1901 Mr. Borger was united in marriage with Julia Spahlinger, daughter of C. F. Spahlinger, of Cleveland, Ohio. Two chil- dren have been born of this marriage, Valetta A. J. and John Jacob.
STEPHEN H. CHRISTY, a farmer of Manor township, Armstrong county, was born on the old Christy homestead there Feb. 10, 1848, son of John and Sarah Ann (Ross) Christy.
tails of its work thoroughly. With the ex- ception of eight years he has spent his life in agricultural pursuits, for two years having been engaged with a mercantile venture at Rosston, and for six years conducting a fur- niture and house furnishing business at Wil- kinsburg, Pa. He disposed of his interests therein, however, to resume farming. Under- standing his work intelligently, he has been able to pursue it systematically and profitably. He is interested in educational matters, and has served his township capably as school director.
In 1876 Mr. Christy was married to Isa-
Johnson Wilson. Three children were born of this marriage: Jennie H., wife of Robert Murdock; George W., who died at the age of twenty-three years; and Roy, who died in infancy. Mrs. Christy passed away in April, 1891. In 1893 Mr. Christy married (second) Mrs. Emma (Hill) Dickson, daughter of Wil- liam Hill, of Pittsburgh, and widow of Ed- win Dickson. Mr. and Mrs. Christy are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, which he has served as elder, and he has also been superintendent of the Sunday school, being strongly interested in promoting religious work and enterprises.
GEORGE W. COOK, stock dealer and 1 capitalist, Leechburg, Pa., was born in Allegheny county, Pa., June 5, 1855, son of John and Sophia (Garrard) Cook. The par- ents were born in England and married in that country, and came to America on their wedding trip. After landing at New York they came to Pennsylvania and located on the Ross estate, near Pittsburgh, and lived on one farm for fifty-five years. At that time this estate owned 1,800 acres, on which land the newer part of the great "Iron City" has been built. John Cook was a successful farmer and stock dealer and continued in the business during all his active life. He lived to be eighty-six, and his wife Sophia to be sixty- six years old. They were both buried in Evergreen cemetery, near Sharpsburg, Pa. They had nine children: Caroline, Mary A., Eliza, John, Charles, George W. and three who died in infancy.
George W. Cook attended school on the present site of Aspinwall. Allegheny Co., Pa. He remained with his father until he was
Stephen H. Christy was educated in the sixteen years of age, when he started out for
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
himself. For some six years he worked for had served five years in the German army farmers through Allegheny county and later in Westmoreland county, where he was in the cattle business for ten years. After locat- ing at Leechburg he purchased a livery busi- ness which he conducted here for nine years, and after disposing of that bought an under- taking business and engaged for two years in undertaking and funeral directing. After selling out he engaged in farming for his father-in-law, in Westmoreland county, for two years, and then returned to Leechburg and here conducted a meat market for two more years, at the end of that time selling it to his son, Herbert T. Since then Mr. Cook has devoted his time and attention to dealing in stock and has interests in both Armstrong and Westmoreland counties. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers' National Bank of Leechburg, and has been one of its direc- tors ever since. In all essentials Mr. Cook is a self-made man.
before coming to America, and when the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the support of the Union, becoming a member of Company G, 78th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and being at once made orderly sergeant. He was ever afterward known as Sergeant Huber. He was with the Army of the Cumberland, and served three years. After his return from the army Mr. Huber lived retired until his death, which occurred in July, 1891. He is buried at Rural Valley. Mr. Huber was always faithful to his mili- tary training and continued to take an inter- est in such matters, was a member of the G. A. R. and took an active part in its work, and was a man highly respected by all who knew him. His wife, Anna B. (Busenger), was born in Germany, July 6, 1810, and came to America with her parents when three years old, the family settling in Harrisburg, Pa. She died at Rural Valley April 23, 1885, Mr. Cook was married to Ollie Morrison, daughter of James Morrison, of Westmore- land county, and they have had six children, as follows: Eddie, who is deceased; George C., who is auditor of the Los Angeles Trust & Savings Bank, Los Angeles, Cal .; Herbert T., who is in the butcher business at Leech- burg, Pa .; Elza, who is deceased ; James, who conducts a meat business at Hyde Park, Pa .; and Caroline, who is a student in high school. Mr. Cook and his family attend the Meth- aged nearly seventy-five years. The follow- ing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ber- nard Huber: Elizabeth, born Aug. 14, 1841, died unmarried; Lewis F., born June 13, 1843, served during the Civil war in Com- pany G, 55th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teers, Col. Harry White's Regiment, and died at Beaufort, S. C., Jan. 5, 1863, at the early age of nineteen, while in the service; Charles H. is mentioned below; Joseph B., born May 30, 1848, died at Rural Valley ; Anna M., odist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a born Nov. 23, 1850, died in childhood.
Republican, and on numerous occasions he Charles H. Huber was but four years old has been selected for offices of responsibility. when the family settled at what is now Rural For eight years he has been a member of the town council, and he has also served for three years as director on the poor board.
CHARLES H. HUBER, of Rural Valley, has lived in that borough almost all his life, and is its oldest inhabitant in point of years of residence. He was born Dec. 19, 1845, in Philadelphia, Pa., and is a son of the late Bernard Huber, who settled at what is now Rural Valley, Armstrong county, in 1850.
Valley, and as previously stated is now the longest resident of that borough. He ob- tained his education in the local public schools and academy, and then learned the trade of blacksmith, which he followed for about thirty years. Meantime he began to study the science of veterinary medicine and sur- gery, reading by himself, and since 1891 he has been following that profession regularly, being a registered practitioner and one of the most trusted men in his line in this section. He has a large practice, and having the repu- tation of keeping up to date in everything pertaining to his work stands well among his patrons.
Bernard Huber was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Nov. 6, 1819, and came to America when he became of age. He was a tailor by trade. After his marriage he located at Lan- caster, Pa., where he followed tailoring for Dr. Huber served as treasurer of Cowan- shannock township, and he has always been interested in the public affairs of Rural Val- ley, his activity at the time the borough was incorporated having been supplemented by many years of service in the council, where a time, and thence removed to Philadelphia, where he lived, in what is now West Phila- delphia, until 1850. Coming to Armstrong county, he bought property and in the fall of that year settled at what is now Rural Valley, where he continued to work at his trade. He he did good work. He served as postmaster
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
during President Cleveland's second term. He is independent on political issues, voting for the men and measures he likes regardless of the party advocating them. In fact, he has been a public-spirited and all-around useful man in his district, a representative member of a solid old family. The Hubers are Pres- byterians in religious connection.
Dr. Huber married Anna J. McFarland, daughter of William B. McFarland, of Cowanshannock township. She died May 28, 1907, and is buried at Rural Valley. Nine children were born to this union, namely : Lewis F., a resident of Rural Valley; Clar- ence R .; Bertha, who married John F. Neal and lives in Rural Valley; Jessie, who mar- ried James Ambrose and lives at Rural Val- ley; Arthur, who died in infancy; Susan, who died in' infancy; Walter, a carriage- maker, of Rural Valley ; Herbert and Charles, both of whom are still at home.
Clarence R. Huber, son of Dr. Charles H. Huber, was born Sept. 18, 1874, and has passed all his life at Rural Valley. He learned the carpenter's trade. He served as assistant to his father while the latter was serving as postmaster, and in 1901 was elected justice of the peace, in which capacity he has since served continuously, having been reelected in 1906 and 1911. He is a Democrat in political connection. Mr. Huber was married to Cora Richards, and they have had three children: Annie, who is deceased; John L .; and J. Mil- lard.
SAMUEL M. TURK, postmaster at Par- ker's Landing, Pa., was born at Black Fox, Clarion Co., Pa., Sept. 30, 1863, son of John and Mary (Marshall) Turk, and grandson of Samuel Turk.
Samuel Turk and his wife, Martha (Thompson) Turk, were born in Ireland and were pioneers in Muddy Creek township, Butler Co., Pa., where they lived for many years.
John Turk, son of Samuel Turk, above, was born in Butler county, Pa. In early man- hood he was engaged in teaming for the Black Fox, Brady's Bend and Maple Fur- naces. After the excitement over the discov- ery of oil broke out at Parker City he em-
Marshall and granddaughter of John Mar- shall. The latter was born in Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage, and was a pioneer in Westmoreland county, Pa. He married Cath- erine Truby, who was of German birth and ancestry.
John Marshall (2), son of John Marshall, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa. He was a cousin of Chief Justice Marshall of the United States Supreme court. John Mar- shall came very early to Armstrong county and located on the present site of the Second ward, Parker City, and there he lived until his death, at the age of eighty-seven years. He married Charlotte Thome, who died at the age of forty-four years, and their chil- dren were as follows: Mary, William, John, Samuel, Elisha, Henry (a Civil war soldier) and Frederick, the survivors being Elisha and Mary, who is now in her eighty-fifth year. John Marshall laid out the Second ward of the city of Parker and sold the land for build- ing purposes.
To John and Mary (Marshall) Turk the following children were born: Marshall, Eliz- abeth and Elisha R., all of whom are de- ceased ; Henry, Samuel M., and Anna M.
Samuel M. Turk was reared at Parker City and educated in the public schools. At the age of fifteen years he entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company as a messenger boy, at Parker City, acting in that capacity for five years, during which pe- riod he learned telegraphy. In 1883 he ac- cepted a position as operator for the Alle- gheny Valley Railroad Company, at Parker's Landing, and a month later resigned to accept the position of agent for the Adams Express Company, serving as such for twelve years. Mr. Turk then embarked in the general mer- cantile business at Parker City, which he con- tinued four years. On Jan. 1, 1898, he was appointed postmaster at Parker's Landing (postoffice of Parker City) and has held the office continuously ever since, to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is a pro- gressive and enterprising citizen and has been closely associated with the advancement of his section. Among his business associates he is held in the highest esteem, and is presi- dent of the Weisfield Manufacturing & Chem- line of proprietary medicines and extracts, from the formulas of Dr. C. A. Weisfield, of Parker City.
barked in the oil business with others in 1869. ical Company, manufacturers of a superior
This venture, for certain reasons, proved a failure, and he became superintendent of leases for other companies for about twelve years. He died in 1902, at the age of seventy- Politically Mr. Turk is a steadfast Repub- two years. His wife, Mary Marshall, was lican. He served one term as a member of born in Butler county, Pa., daughter of John the common council of Parker City and was
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
elected to the select council, but resigned the he gives his work all the care and attention latter position in order to assume the duties of mayor, to which honorable office he was elected in 1892; he gave the city a fine ad- ministration.
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