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 63
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
1890; and Eliza Jane, born Sept. 9, 1855, conducted for several years. Mr. McGlaugh- who died young.
Samuel Franklin Murphy was born Feb. 15, 1848, in Gilpin township, this county, and was given a common school education, living at home until his marriage. He has always followed farming, with the exception of a short period during 1877-78, when he was employed on public works at Tarentum and other places, and he has long made his home on his father's old property, engaged in gen- eral farming. He is well known and re- spected in the township, being a typical mem- ber of a family long considered one of the most substantial in this region. Though not an office seeker he has given three years of service as school director. In politics he is a Republican.
On Dec. 26, 1872, Mr. Murphy married Elizabeth M. Srader, who was born Nov. 26, 1850, in Pennsylvania, daughter of Philip Srader, of South Buffalo township, Arm- strong county, Pa., who was a carpenter by trade, a contractor in that line, and also en- gaged in the lumber business. He went to Iowa, where he died. Mrs. Murphy. died April 13, 1912. She was a member of the Lutheran Church, to which Mr. Murphy also belongs. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Murphy: (I) A daughter, born Sept. 30, 1873, died in in- fancy. (2) Margaret, born Nov. 30, 1874, was married Dec. 18, 1895, to Jacob B. Ken- nedy, and lives at Grand Junction, Colo. They have three children, Helen, Frank and Jean. (3) Harry Lee, born April 3, 1877, has been with the Philadelphia Gas Company for the last fifteen years, and lives at home. He is a Mason, and a director of the bank at Free- port, Armstrong county. (4) James Iseman, born March 24, 1879, is now in Butler county, Pa .. in the oil fields. He married Bertha Conn, and they have two children, Gladys and Robert. (5) Nancy Jane, born Sept. 2, 1881, died July 22, 1902. (6) George Philip, born Sept. 16, 1891, attended the home school eight years, graduated from the high school at Freeport, studied one year at the Carnegie Technical School, and has been one year at the Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory, fitting himself for the profession of chemist.
lin was born July 9, 1864, in Reynoldsville, Jefferson county, Pa., son of John and Mar- garet (Roof) McGlaughlin, both of whom were Pennsylvanians by birth. They were residents of Parkers Landing for many years.
John McGlaughlin was at one time the owner of the ferry between Parker and Pol- lock, operating same for many years. In 1878 he erected the "Globe Hotel" in Parker City, the finest hotel at that place, and after conducting it for several years himself rented it and moved to Oil City, Pa., where he con- ducted the "United States Hotel" until his retirement from business. He then moved to Duquesne, Allegheny county, Pa., where he died in 1902. His family consisted of eight children: William Grant; Olive, who mar- ried Samuel Richard; George; Blanche, who married Jared Crawford; Bessie, who mar- ried William Russell; Maude, who married Louis Haberman; John, and Madge.
William Grant McGlaughlin was reared at Parkers Landing, where he received a public school education. He began work as an em- ployee in the glass works of Thomas A. Wightman, at Parker, and in 1890 entered the hotel business, becoming proprietor of the "Globe Hotel," with which he was connected until his death, July 21, 1906. Mr. Mc- Glaughlin was highly successful, giving that personal attention to the details of his busi- ness and the wants of his customers which is the secret of gaining and holding patrons. His house was popular, and he was its popu- lar host. He was always interested in the public welfare of his borough, and served sev- eral terms as member of the council, giving excellent satisfaction to his fellow citizens. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, an Odd Fellow and a member of the B. P. O. Elks. In politics he was identified with the Republican party.
In addition to his hotel business Mr. Mc- Glaughlin was quite extensively interested in the oil field as operator and producer, being one of the most active factors in that indus- try in this locality. He was well known as a lover of horses, his special hobby being ra- cers, of which he owned at different times several valuable specimens which he took on the circuit during the racing season. His death was caused by an accident which he met with while driving. He was driving down Bear Creek hill with his family when the harness broke and he was thrown from
WILLIAM GRANT McGLAUGHLIN (deceased) was for many years engaged in the hotel business at Parkers Landing; Arm- strong county, as proprietor of the "Globe the buggy, breaking his leg. Five days later Hotel," which his father before him also it was found that amputation would be nec-
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
essary, and he died as a result of the shock of the operation.
On March 30, 1886, Mr. McGlaughlin mar- ried Gertrude Wilson, daughter of Enoch and Elizabeth (Butler) Wilson, of Brookville, Pa. They became the parents of two chil- dren : Margaret Ruth and William Donald.
JOHN NOBLE, a well-known citizen of Worthington, where he has been engaged in business since he gave up farming, is a de- scendant of one of the oldest families of Arm- strong county, being of the fourth generation of Nobles in this country.
William Noble, his great-grandfather, was among the pioneer settlers in what is now East Franklin township, Armstrong Co., Pa., where he settled prior to 1800, purchasing 106 acres of land which he cleared and im- proved. It is now owned and occupied by his grandson, Harvey Noble. His wife, whose maiden name was Moon, was a native of Ire- land, and they reared a family of six chil- dren, namely : William ; John; Rosa, who mar- ried James Hindman; Polly; James, and Jane.
John Noble, son of William, spent all his life on the old homestead place. He married Eleanor Long, and they became the parents of six children : George; Margaret, who mar- ried James Monroe; Esther J .; William H .; Robert, and Harvey.
George Noble, son of John, has long been a prominent farmer of West Franklin town- ship. He married Catherine McClatchey, whose father was a pioneer of West Frank- lin township, and they have a family of five children : Lizzie, wife of Samuel Sturgeon ; John; Calvin G .; Clarence M .; and Ellen, de- ceased wife of Maynard Claypool.
John Noble, son of George, was born in West Franklin township Nov. 22, 1852, and was reared and educated there. He early became accustomed to farming, and in time engaged in that occupation on his own account, following it in his native township for a num- ber of years. Eventually he embarked in the livery business at Worthington, also buying and selling stock, in which line he is still en- gaged, having made a success of his venture from the beginning. He is one of the sub- stantial business men of the community in which he is settled.
On Feb. 4, 1874, Mr. Noble married Sarah A. Benton, daughter of Aaron and Margaret (Kennedy) Benton, of West Franklin town- ship, and they have two living children, Harry W. and Orrie G. Mr. Noble and his family 52
are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican.
GEORGE LOUSTER, a venerable resident of Kittanning township, Armstrong county, one of the best-known citizens of his section, was born Nov. 14, 1828, in Hessen-Darm- stadt, Germany, son of Martin and Catherine Louster, both of Hessen-Darmstadt.
Mr. Louster learned the trade of carpenter in his native land. He came to America in September, 1848, the ocean voyage taking fifty- two days, and landing at Baltimore, Md., pro- ceeded westward by canal to Pittsburgh, Pa. At that time it took eight days to make the trip. He lived at Pittsburgh for seven years, during which time he followed the carpenter's trade and also worked as a millwright. Mov- ing thence to Kittanning township, Armstrong Co., Pa., he acquired the ownership of some land and erected thereon a waterpower saw- mill, and also a chopping-mill, which he oper- ated for several years with considerable suc- cess. In August, 186-, he entered the Union army for service in the Civil war, being in Company A, IIth Pennsylvania Regiment, under the command of General Grant in the Army of the Potomac. He was discharged in 1865. Mr. Louster took part in the battle of the Wilderness and in several skirmishes, but he was sick a great deal of the time while in the army and was in hospital at Washington, D. C. Since the war he has continued to make his home in Kittanning township, following general farming. He is a man of intelligence and well read, in both English and German, is well preserved mentally and physically, and keeps well informed on current events. He has an excellent memory, and takes consider- able interest in the affairs of the day, though he never at any time aspired to public office. He is a Republican in his political views. Mr. Louster is widely known and universally re- spected, having many warm friends in his locality.
Mr. Louster married Anna E. Halburgh, of Saxony, Germany, who died March 28, 1898. They had a family of nine children: Mary who lives in Kittanning township, Armstrong county ; Katherine, who has always lived at home ; George, superintendent of iron and steel mills at Youngstown, Ohio; Charlie; Alex, deceased; Louisa, who resides in Allegheny, Pa .; Sarah, living in Johnstown, Pa .; Frank, who makes his home in Valley township, Arm- strong Co., Pa .; and Annie, living in Trade City, Pennsylvania.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
LEE N. BUSH, clothing merchant of Leechburg, was born at Kittanning, Arm- strong Co., Pa., Feb. 10, 1870, son of Henry E. Bush.
Henry E. Bush was born in Germany, and came to America in boyhood. Learning the tailor's trade, he followed it for a time at Pittsburgh before moving to Kittanning, where he was one of the early men in the clothing business in that borough. After fifty-four years of successful work in Kittanning Mr. Bush retired, dying at that place in 1893, and he is buried there. He married Mary J. Hutchinson, who passed away in 1887. Their children were: John B .; Philip H .; William J. ; Cornelius, who died young ; Frank ; Robert, who died when thirty-two years old; Lincoln; Mary, widow of the Rev. George E. Titzel, a Lutheran minister who died at Greensburg, Pa., aged thirty-two years; Anna, wife of George P. Cook; James E., and Lee N.
Lee N. Bush attended public school at Kit- tanning and then learned the hardware busi- ness, in which he was engaged for three years and four months. He then embarked in the clothing business at Apollo, Pa., being in the employ of his brothers Frank and Lincoln, but in two years' time he came to Leechburg, where the brothers had a store which he after- ward bought. Since then he has operated the business alone. This is the oldest clothing house in the borough, conveniently located on Market street. Mr. Bush carries a good line of clothing and men's furnishings, and his stock is at all times modern and fresh. He is a director and treasurer of the Gilpin Natural Gas Company of Leechburg.
Mr. Bush married Mary B. Watterson, daughter of James E. Watterson, of Kittan- ning. They have no children. Fraternally he belongs to Blue Lodge, No. 577, F. & A. M., Leechburg, and Orient Chapter, No. 247, R. A. M., of Kittanning, and is a member of the Fire Company. A Republican in politics, he has served on the poor board for four years. For twelve years he has been a mem- ber of the council of the Lutheran Church, as well as financial secretary for eleven years, and he is also a teacher in the Sunday school, being deeply interested in religious matters.
CHRISTOPHER STENGER, of Ford City, Armstrong county, proprietor of the "Fifth Avenue Hotel," is a well-known young business man of that place and also has inter- ests in his native city, Pittsburgh. He belongs to a family of German extraction, Adam Sten- ger, his grandfather, having come to America
with his family from Frankfort, Germany, in 1855. He settled in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he and his wife both died, his death occurring when he was fifty-five years old, and hers in 1890. He was a butcher by occupation. Three of his children still survive: Annie, who is living in Pittsburgh; Martin, of Pittsburgh, and Adam, of Baltimore, Maryland.
Martin Stenger, son of Adam, was born in 1847 in Frankfort, Germany, and came to America with his parents. He attended pub- lic school in Pittsburgh and later learned the butcher's trade, which he followed all his active life, at present living retired. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. Of the children born to their union five are living: Martin, who is a butcher in Pitts- burgh; Joseph, a hotel man at Webster, Pa .; Christopher ; Rose, at home; and Emma, wife of John Miller, of Pittsburgh.
Christopher Stenger, son of Martin, was born Jan. 14, 1875, in the Sixth ward of Pitts- burgh, and received his education in the Cath- olic schools there. He learned his father's trade, that of butcher, and commenced the business on his own account in 1897, being associated with his father for several years and also with J. W. Grove, in the meat trade. In 1910 he came to Ford City, where he has since owned and operated the "Fifth Avenue Hotel." In this connection he has become very well known in the borough, though a comparative newcomer. He was one of the organizers of the North Side Packing Com- pany, which has a plant valued at $35,000 located on Spring Garden avenue in Pitts- burgh, and has been president of this com- pany for the last three years. His business ability and qualifications as a manager have been demonstrated in every capacity in which he has been called upon to act in his various connections, and he has made his enterprises prosper by strict attention to his interests and application to everything he undertakes. He is a member of the Catholic Church.
WALKER. The Walkers may justly be numbered with the old and substantial fam- ilies of Pennsylvania, in many sections of which State its representatives may be found, and they follow the peaceful pursuits of agri- culture as well as professional lives.
Benjamin Walker, grandfather of the mem- bers of this family of whom mention is to be made below, lived at Shelocta, Indiana Co., Pa., followed farming, and died there. He married Margaret Cunningham and seven children were born to them, namely: James
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
and Benjamin, both of whom died at Shelocta, Klingensmith, who was a son of Henry Klin- Indiana county ; Alexander; Robert; Jane, gensmith. Mr. Walker has six children by his Mrs. Walker; Margaret, who married David second marriage, namely: Harry, Arlie, Mar- Johnson; and Mary, who married a Mr. garet, Lewis, Elder and Fannie. The family McCullom.
belongs to the United Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Walker has been an elder for many years. He has long been influential in politics and on the Republican ticket was elected auditor of Armstrong county, which office he held for two terms, six years; he has served also as a member of the township school board, of which body he was president for some time and is now treasurer, and he has been township supervisor. He is one of Wayne township's representative men.
Alexander Walker, son of Benjamin, was born in Indiana county, Pa., and followed farming. Later moving to Armstrong county he settled in Wayne township, near Dayton, where he acquired a farm of 166 acres. This land he improved and cultivated and on it spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in March, 1876. In politics he was a Repub- lican, and served as supervisor of his town- ship. He was a member and official of the United Presbyterian Church and was buried WILLIAM B. WALKER, M. D., physician and surgeon at Dayton, Pa., was born April 16, 1851, on the old Walker homestead in Wayne township, son of Alexander and grandson of Benjamin Walker. In boyhood he attended the township schools and later the Dayton Union Academy, where he graduated in 1872. in the graveyard of that church near Dayton, Pa. His wife, Margaret (McFarland), was a daughter of William McFarland, who lived near Bryan, Armstrong county. Mr. and Mrs. Walker had the following children : Nancy Jane is the widow of John Morrow, who died during the Civil war; Margaret C. He then spent one year as a school teacher, married R. C. Kinter, of Dayton, Pa .; Mary Ann married Dr. Joseph Sharp, who was a physician at Dayton for many years; Eliza- beth A. married W. R. Speer and resides in
during this time reading medicine in the office of Dr. J. W. Sharp, at Dayton, with whom he resided, after which he entered the Cincin- nati College of Medicine and Surgery, where
Wayne township; Sarah A. married Samuel he was graduated in 1876. The young physi- Lydic and resides in Indiana county; Alex- cian then enjoyed a period of travel through ander G. is mentioned below; Maria L. is the widow of Peter Lord and lives in Wayne township; William B. is mentioned below ; Frances E. is the wife of James Wilson and lives at Dayton, Pa .; Amanda C. married Wil- liam McMillian of Indiana county; Duffey G. died young. the West, after which he located at Clarks- burg, Indiana Co., Pa., and practiced there for twenty-six years. In 1909 he returned to his old home surroundings and established himself in his profession at Dayton, finding a ready welcome both personally and profes- sionally. He is recognized as one of the most successful and skillful practitioners in this section of the State.
ALEXANDER G. WALKER, son of Alexander and grandson of Benjamin Walker, was born March 3, 1847, on the old homestead in Wayne township,. Armstrong Co., Pa., where he still resides. He attended the township schools and later Dayton Academy, and for five years taught school very acceptably. He then spent about four years in Jefferson county, where he was engaged in lumber- ing, after which he returned to Armstrong county and purchased the part of the home- stead where he has since lived. He has made substantial improvements here, having erected all the buildings now on the place. He fol- lows farming and stock raising.
Dr. Walker married Ida Rosborough, and the following children were born to them : Clode who lives at Pittsburgh, Pa .; Clair, who is a resident of Clarksburg, Pa .; Alfred, of Dallas, Texas; Carrie, who married a Mr. Brown, of Clarksburg; Edith, Mrs. W. Lidick; and Flora B., Melvin, Bessie and Grace, at home. By his second marriage to Mrs. Jen- nie Hosack, Dr. Walker has one daughter, Grace. In politics Dr. Walker, like other mem- bers of his family, is a stanch Republican. He has served as councilman of the borough and in the fall of 1911 was elected a mem- movements relating to the general welfare have his hearty support, and he is a stock- holder in the Dayton Normal Institute and the Dayton Fair Association. He is a valued member of the medical bodies in both Arm-
Mr. Walker was married to Rebecca C. ber of the school board. All public-spirited Findley, a daughter of Archibald Findley, and they had three children : Findley .A., who died when three years old; William A., and Bert. Mr. Walker's second marriage was to Mrs. Martha (Heasley) Klingensmith, a daughter of Reuben Heasley and the widow of Laban strong and Indiana counties. Dr. and Mrs.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Walker are members of the United Presby- five acres), at the time of his purchase partly terian Church.
improved, and having log buildings. Here he spent the rest of his days, dying in his prime, team. In the fall of 1861 Mr. Wolfe enlisted in Company G, 103d Pennsylvania Volunteers, and he served until the following March, being discharged on account of disability. He was a Lutheran in religious connection and a Re- publican in politics.
ANDREW MATTHIAS WOLFE, of Kit- May 22, 1865. He was killed by a runaway
tanning, insurance agent, representing the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, of New York, was born Sept. 6, 1875, on the old homestead farm in Washington township, Armstrong county. He counts among his ancestors a number of pioneer families of the county who have furnished many good citizens On June 8, 1837, Mr. Wolfe married Eliza- beth Early, and their children were born as follows: William, May 20, 1838 (died same year) ; Evaline, May 19, 1840 (died Feb. 14, 1912) ; Andrew, Aug. 14, 1843 (died from ex- to this section of Pennsylvania, the Wolfes, Lemmons, Earlys, and Bonners (or Bohn- ers). He is descended from Revolutionary stock, and through his mother is a grandson of Col. Daniel Lemmon of the war of 1812, posure in 1863, while serving in the Civil war whose father, John Lemmon, was a soldier in the Revolution and one of the very earliest set- tlers in what is now Armstrong county, Pa., having made a settlement in 1785 on a tract of land called the "Roan." Subsequently he removed to Kentucky. He was granted a pen- sion by the government. Among his descend- ants are the brothers Barclay and Daniel Nul- ton, attorneys. One James Lemmon was a member of Col. John Armstrong's company, 1756-59.
as a member of the 103d Pennsylvania Regi- ment) ; Mary Ann, Aug. 16, 1845 (deceased) ; John Early, April II, 1850; Harriet, April 20, 1854; Margaret E., April 13, 1856; Catherine, Dec. 9, 1860 (died March II, 1863).
John E. Wolfe was born in Madison town- ship, this county, and was but one week old when he moved to the place in Washington township where he has ever since had his home. He assisted his parents and after his father's death remained home to help his John Wolfe, the great-grandfather of Andrew M., was born Jan. 27, 1791, and died Jan. 29, 1856. Settling in Washington town- ship, where he had secured about two hundred acres of wild land, he put up log build- ings and there made a permanent home, re- maining at that location until his death. He was one of the founders of the Lutheran mother, eventually taking charge of the prop- erty, part of which he now owns. It is located midway between Rimerton and Montgomery- ville. He has improved it in many ways, making it thoroughly up-to-date, and has a particularly fine orchard, making a specialty of fruit growing in his agricultural opera- tions. He has been very active in township Church at Limestone, in Washington township. affairs, and has held several important offices, having served as township treasurer, super- visor and school director. Politically he is a Republican. His religious connection is with the Lutheran Church, with which the family has long been associated, he and his wife be- longing to St. Mark's Church.
He married Ann Margaret Sontel, who was born March 4, 1796, and died Oct. 17, 1885. They had a large family, viz .: Michael, born Dec. 12, 1813, died June 20, 1883; Matthias is mentioned below ; Eve, born Jan. 6, 1819, died in 1863 (Mrs. John) ; Christena, born July 5, 1821, died Nov. 17, 1907 (married 1824, died March 17, 1893; John, born Oct. 24, 1826, died April 1, 1901; Valentine, born March 17, 1829, died July 18, 1908; Diana, born Oct. 9, 1831, married Samuel Dickey, son of Rev. Mr. Dickey; George King, born Oct. 21, 1836, died Aug. 30, 1907; Ann Margaret, born July 12, 1838, married William Fair ; there was also another daughter.
Matthias Wolfe, son of John, was born Sept. 21, 1815, east of the mountains, and was very young when the family settled in Arm- strong county. After living at various loca- tions he bought the place on part of which his son John now lives (the latter owning forty-
On Dec. 24, 1872, Mr. Wolfe married Elea- Bartholomew Wyant) ; Jacob, born April 17, nor Lemmon, who was born in Armstrong county Feb. 17, 1854, daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Bonner) Lemmon, and they have had seven children : Charles A., born Dec. 10, 1873, a merchant at Wickboro, Pa., married Laura McGaughey (they have no children) ; Andrew Matthias is mentioned below ; Eliza- beth A., born Sept. 25, 1877, married Edward S. Spencer, of Los Angeles, Cal., and has two children, Fred and Josephine; James H., born Sept. 2, 1879, in the grain elevator business near Lincoln, Nebr., married Mary Dennis (no children), Arthur Chester, born March 15, 1882, married Myrtle McGarvey and has one child, Ellen; Sarah Jane, born Sept. 8, 1888,
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
is with her brother Charles in the store at Wickboro; and John T. Sherman, born Jan. 16, 1891, died Oct. 16, 1901.
Andrew Matthias Wolfe was reared on the home farm and attended the local schools un- til eighteen years old. Meantime he had ac- quired considerable familiarity with farming assisting in the work at home, and after leav- ing school he did farm work on his own ac- count for two years. He next worked in the oil region in Mckean county, Pa., for one year, after which he became employed in the Kittanning brick works, where he continued for about ten years. For the two years fol- lowing he was in a wholesale produce house at Kittanning, and then worked in a flouring mill, which he managed for a year. But he could not stand the dust and he made a change, taking up the insurance business, in which he has since been engaged. He represents the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and has established a fine business by his applica- tion and close attention to his work.
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