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 69
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
Hugh C. Kells was born Sept. 21, 1849, near Latrobe, Westmoreland county, and was a child of six years when the family settled in Wayne township, Armstrong county, where he was reared and educated. He attended public school and Dayton Academy. Farming was always his occupation. From 1891 until his death he was a resident of Mahoning township, and he was regarded as one of the lic schools of the home district, and has spent all his life on the farm where he was born, now owning the homestead, a fine tract of 150 acres. Mr. McIntire is not only success- fully engaged in general farming, but he has acquired other business interests which he has. found profitable. He has found coal upon his tion, and does some teaming in addition to his. other work. He is enterprising, and has man-
WILLIAM L. McINTIRE was born on the farm in Wayne township, Armstrong county, where he now resides, and is a mem- ber of the third generation of his family in this region. His grandfather, John McIn- tire, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, re- moved to Armstrong county from Westmore- land county, Pa., was a farmer by occupation, and purchasing a large farm near Echo, in Wayne township, passed the remainder of his. life there engaged in its cultivation. His children were: John, who became a Method- ist minister ; Daniel S., father of William L. McIntire; Alexander, who died in Kansas ; Altman, who died in Adams county, Ohio; Mary A., who married George McIntire, and died at Echo; and Catherine, who married John Wilson, and died in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.
Daniel S. McIntire, son of John McIntire, was born in Westmoreland county, near Lat- robe, and came to Armstrong county with his parents. He followed farming in Wayne township throughout his active years, dying in 1893. He married Martha Lias, daughter of Peter Lias, and to this union were born the following children: Elsie J., born Feb. 27, 1856, who died April 8, 1857; John W., born Jan. 23, 1858; Martin L., born Sept. 21, 1860; Emma R., born Feb. 5, 1863, who married Turney A. Troutman ; Mary Ellen, born July 12, 1867, who died Dec. 26, 1877; and Wil- liam L., born in January, 1871. The mother of this family died Dec. 10, 1878.
William L. McIntire was born in January, 1871. He obtained his education in the pub-
On June 26, 1879, Mr. Kells married Chris- tina Doverspike, daughter of Daniel and Mar- aged his affairs with excellent judgment.
848
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
On Feb. 28, 1895, Mr. McIntire was mar- ried to Sarah E. Umbaugh, daughter of John and Hannah M. (Schrecongost) Umbaugh, and they have a family of three children, Pearl V., Lillie M. and Guy H., all now at- tending school. Mr. McIntire is identified with the Democratic party in politics. He is an influential member of the M. E. Church at Echo, which he has served officially as steward and trustee.
JOSIAH GEORGE, a veteran of the Civil war, residing in South Bend township, Arm- strong Co., Pa., was born in that township July 3, 1833, son of Jacob and Hannah (Frantz) George.
Jacob George was born in Pennsylvania and was a saddler by trade, also owning and cul- tivating a farm of 123 acres in South Bend township which he bought in 1840, and which was afterward owned by his eldest son, Sam- uel. Jacob George died in 1851. His wife, Hannah Frantz, also born in Pennsylvania, survived him many years, dying in 1894, when within seven years of the century mark. They were members of the Lutheran Church. Of the family of seven sons and one daughter, Josiah is the sole survivor.
ing the three long years of army service he saw much hardship and faced many dangers. He was in the seven days of fighting in the Wilderness, was at Malvern Hill, and at Gaines's Mill was wounded. . After a short period in hospital he rejoined his regiment, in the Army of the Potomac, at Cold Harbor, was with his comrades at Gettysburg when his regiment fell back after an attack, and was taken prisoner by the Confederate forces. With other prisoners he was sent to Belle Isle, Richmond, Va., where he was kept for ten weeks, his daily rations being eight ounces of bread and one ounce of meat, the latter cooked without salt. - Then came an order for the paroling of 550 Union soldiers, and by a fortunate chance his name was the 548th on the list, otherwise he would have been sent to the dreaded prison at Andersonville, Ga., and might never have lived to return at all. When
he reached Union headquarters he was trans- ferred to the 155th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, the former regiment having been mustered out, as it had already served five months when he joined it. In this regiment he also took part in a number of engagements with the enemy and was at Petersburg, Va., at the time of the mine explosion. He served entirely through his period of enlistment and was honorably discharged in 1864. Returning to Pennsylvania, for thirteen years afterward Mr. George worked on the farm of J. Wray, in Kiskimnetas township, Armstrong county, and is now farming in South Bend township.
Mr. George was married April 23, 1895, at Pittsburgh, Pa., to Miss M. Rupart. They are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never been an active member of the party, although he has always been deeply concerned in all that relates to the progress, development and sta- bility of the country he helped to save from disunion.
WILLIAM H. McHADDON, of Worth- ington, where he has been engaged as a mer- chant for several years, was born in Ligonier, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Nov. II, 1854, son of Robert and Mary (Hinton) McHaddon.
Josiah George was seventeen years of age when his father died and he remained with Robert McHaddon was born in Scotland, while his wife was a native of Bedford county, Pa. Coming to the United States some time in the forties, Mr. McHaddon located first in Bedford county, Pa., and later in Westmore- land county, in 1858 settling in North Buf- falo township, Armstrong Co., Pa., where he engaged in the patent medicine business and his mother until twenty years old, when he learned the carpenter's trade. Three years were given to work in this line and fifteen years to work in the oil fields of Pennsylvania and New York. In 1861 he enlisted for serv- ice in the Civil war, entering Company D, 62d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and when discharged he was a corporal. Dur- also preached the gospel, being a minister of
the German Baptist Church, whose members are commonly known as Dunkards. Thus he continued until his death, which occurred in 1876, when he was eighty years of age. He and his wife had three children: Mary J., de- ceased ; William H., and Ross, the latter living in North Buffalo township.
William H. McHaddon was brought to North Buffalo township when in his fourth year, and there reared to manhood and edu- cated in the public schools. He began business life as a huckster, and continued in that line for thirty years. His experience along this line fitted him for general merchandising, and he was thus engaged at McHaddon from 1872 until 1906. The place was named in his honor, and he was the first postmaster, holding that office for eighteen years. Leaving McHaddon he located in Worthington, where he has since successfully carried on a mercantile business.
849
A
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
On June 23, 1879, Mr. McHaddon was united in marriage with Sarah Rufaner, daughter of Alexander and Mary (Zillafrow) Rufaner, of North Buffalo township, and one daughter, Clara May, has been born to them ; she is married to Harry D. Caldwell, a commercial traveler, of Franklin, Pa. Mr. McHaddon is one of the leading business men and substantial citizens of Worthington. Politically he is a Democrat.
JOHN H. BAUGHMAN has one of the best improved farms of Mahoning township, Armstrong county, where he has passed his entire life. He was born on the farm where he now lives, son of David and Mary Barbara (Nulph) Baughman, both of whom were na- tives of Pennsylvania.
David Baughman, the father, was only eight years old when he came to Mahoning township, in 1832, and here he was reared to manhood. He always followed farming, and lived and died on the farm now owned and occupied by his son John, his death occurring in 1893, when he was sixty-nine years of age. He married Mary Barbara Nulph, whose father, Jacob Nulph, was among the pioneer settlers of what is now Mahoning township, clearing and improving a farm on which he lived and died. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Baughman, of whom seven grew to maturity, as follows: Jeannette, wife of Sharp Hosack; Rachel, wife of Samuel Gould; Maria Kate, wife of William Hensel; Jennie, wife of Samuel M. Doverspike; Eva- line, wife of George Stokes; Sophronia, wife of Charles Fawcett ; and John H.
John H. Baughman obtained his education in the common schools in the neighborhood of the old homestead, where he has always re- sided. It comprises 105 acres of valuable land, which Mr. Baughman has cared for according to the most up-to-date standards, his property bearing many evidences of his intelligent man- agement. He has devoted all his time to his own affairs, taking no part in public matters, though he is thoroughly interested in the wel- fare of his locality. In politics he is a Re- publican.
On May 15, 1890, Mr. Baughman married Ida M. Eberhart, daughter of Jonathan and Jane (McElwain) Eberhart, of Mahoning township, and granddaughter of John and Julia Ann Eberhart, the former a pioneer of Indiana county, Pa., where his father, John Eberhart, settled at a very early day. The latter was a stonemason and farmer. Jona- than Eberhart, Mrs. Baughman's father, was
born Oct. 26, 1830, and though now (1912) eighty-two years of age is as active as most men at sixty. He was a soldier in the Civil war, serving eleven months as a member of Company D, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, which was attached to the 24th Corps, Army of the James, and was honorably dis- charged at Richmond, Va., in June, 1865.
Mr. and Mrs. Baughman are the parents of three children: Eva M., Lyle Clair and Lo- rena Grace.
GEORGE SZAFRAN, business man of Ford City, Armstrong county, has been en- gaged in different lines since he settled there and has become one of the prosperous citizens of the borough. He was born Oct. 30, 1874, in Austrian Poland, son of Walter and Maggie Szafran, of that country. The father, who was a farmer there all his life, died in 1888. The mother is still living there. They had a family of six children, of whom George was the only one to come to America.
Mr. Szafran had few advantages for edu- cation in his native land, as he had to begin hard work when a mere boy. As he reached maturity he determined to try his fortune in the new world, and borrowing money secretly from one of his sisters he started for this country in 1892. He had worked at civil en- gineering in Poland. After his arrival in America he located at Ford City, Armstrong Co., Pa., where he remained for a short time, doing different kinds of work. Then he went to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he was employed in the coal mines, and from there proceeded to Pittsburgh, where he was engaged on bridge work from May 6th to July 4th, 1893. His next change was to Richmond, Ind., where he worked a year for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Later he was employed in coal mines on the Monongahela river, but meeting with an accident in which one of his legs was broken he was incapacitated for such work for some time. Later he was at Mckeesport, Pa., where he was employed in the rolling mills, and there he had another bad accident, having his right arm badly burned. Return- ing to Ford City in 1899, he worked for A. C. Bailey, in his general store, for over a year, and then was employed at different places for a while, eventually coming back to Ford City. In company with Joseph Izalanking he opened a grocery store, continuing in this business for a short time. On Dec. 12, 1901, he opened a wholesale liquor store on Fifth avenue, and in 1904 built the place at No. 1910 Fifth avenue where he is now doing business. Selling out in
54
850
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
City, which he carried on for two years, after which he took the "American Hotel" in the borough, which he ran until Nov. 30, 1907. From that time to the present he has been in the wholesale liquor business again, and he has a thriving trade, which he has built up by satisfactory service to his patrons, and he oc- cupies a substantial position among the solid business men of the place. Though he had little chance to attend school after coming to America, only two weeks of night school at Wilkes-Barre, he has acquired a thorough, practical knowledge of English, and the fact that he is self-taught in his native as well as his adopted language speaks volumes for his ambition and perseverance. So far as his worldly standing and prosperity are concerned, he is self-made, and he is a respected member of the community in which he has settled.
In 1902 Mr. Szafran was married, in Ford City, to Annie Morda, of Poland, and they have had three children, Jennie, Helen and Gerhart; the last named was killed by a street car July 15, 1910, when three and a half years old.
Mr. Szafran is a member of the St. Francis Polish Catholic Church at Ford City, and is prominently connected with Branch No. 1197 of the Polish National Alliance, of which he was president for five years, and is now serv- ing as treasurer. He also belongs to Branch No. 544, and to the Roman Catholic Branch No. 30.
WILLIAM J. BARGERSTOCK, a pros- perous and enterprising farmer of Wayne township, Armstrong Co., Pa., was born on the land where he now resides, June 16, 1855, son of Henry and Mary (Neal) Bargerstock.
John Bargerstock, his grandfather, was born in Germany and brought his family to America, settling on the farm now occupied by his grandson, William J., as one of the pio- neers of this region. He passed through the
arduous experiences incident to life in the tion, and Mr. Swigart's great-grandfather was
wilderness at that period, cleared the timber from his land, cultivating it until his death.
His children were: Peter, who died in 1888, grandfather, was a native of eastern Pennsyl-
aged seventy-two years; John; Anna, who married Charles Ellenberger; Catherine, who married John Bittenger; Henry; and Eliza- beth, who married Conrad Snyder.
1904 he became interested in the hotel busi- of thirty-six. Mr. Bargerstock came to hess, buying the "Hotel Anderson" at Ford America in 1832, at the age of five years, being brought here by his father. Growing to man- hood on the farm in Wayne township, near Belknap, he inherited the homestead in time from his father, and made many improve- ments upon it. He put up all the buildings on it, and burned the brick with which he con- structed the farmhouse. Until his death he operated the 160 acres with profit. His father had at one time owned over 300 acres. Mr. Bargerstock married a daughter of William C. Neal, of Red Bank township, this county, and she bore him the following children: William J .; and Harriet Frances, who married James R. Orr and resides at Kittanning.
William J. Bargerstock attended the town- ship schools and was brought up to farm work on the old homestead. After the death of his father he took charge of this property, now owning IIO acres of valuable land in Wayne township, on which he carries on general farm- ing. There is one gas well on this property, and it is also underlaid with coal.
Mr. Bargerstock married Anna Hoffman, daughter of Reuben Hoffman, and after her death he married Jennie Farster, daughter of Joshua Farster. They have had two children : Mary Teresa, born Sept. 28, 1912, and Char- lotte Edmona, born April 24, 1914. Mr. Barg- erstock is a Democrat, has served as school director, and has also been treasurer of his township. A member of the Reformed Church, he is now serving as elder. An ener- getic worker and an intelligent citizen, Mr. Bargerstock is numbered among the leading men of his locality.
JOHN B. SWIGART, of Kittanning, con- ductor on the Pennsylvania railroad, has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company from the age of eighteen years, and has held his present position, as passenger con- ductor between Kittanning and Pittsburgh, for fourteen years.
The Swigart family is of German extrac- a well-to-do farmer of Bedford county, Pa., where he lived and died. John Swigart, the vania, and about 1812 moved to the vicinity of Kittanning, Armstrong county, where for some time he followed his trade of stonemason and bricklayer. In this capacity he helped
Henry Bargerstock was born in Germany in to build the "Eagle" hotel, and a number of 1827, and died in Wayne township Aug. 10, the other brick buildings of Kittanning. 1883, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife, Later he was engaged in farming. He and his born in 1836, died Nov. 12, 1872, at the age wife, Sarah Bowser, were members of the
851
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Dunkard Church, and he voted the Demo- wife of Harry D. Utley, has one child, Jack cratic ticket for fifty-four years. She died D .; H. B. C., who lives at Ford City, this at the age of sixty years, he in 1878 at the county, married Mabel Leech, and they had age of seventy-six, and they are buried five one child, Ruth L., deceased; Mollie R. is at miles northwest of Kittanning. They had home. children as follows: Abraham, W. D. (a Baptist minister of Indiana, Pa.), Jonathan, Joseph F., Nancy and Sarah.
Joseph F. Swigart, father of John B. Swig- art, was born in Armstrong county, and passed all of his long life here. After his mar- riage he settled at Mosgrove, and he was al- ways an ambitious and industrious worker, following farming and railroading, and also engaging in the building of coal boats and barges. In his early years he was a singing teacher, as such being well known to the resi- dents of his section. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics an active Democrat. He married Sarah Ann White, daughter of James White, of Armstrong county, and she died in 1902 at the age of sixty-five years. He lived to the age of eighty-two, his death occurring in 1912; they are buried at Kittanning. To Mr. and Mrs. Swigart were born the following children: Malinda, Curtis, James W., D. M., John B., Anna, William W., Alex L., Sadie B. and Emma.
John B. Swigart was born Sept. 22, 1863, at Mosgrove, Armstrong county, where he was reared, receiving a public school educa- tion there. At the age of eighteen years he went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as brakeman, and was promoted in time to conductor, acting as freight conductor for eight years before being given a passen- ger train. He has been on his present run between Kittanning and Pittsburgh for four- teen years. Mr. Swigart married Mollie Re- becca McNeil, daughter of John A. and Mar- garet McNeil, of East Brady, Pa., both of whom were natives of this State, the father born at Jefferson county, the mother in Indi- ana county. Mr. McNeil was a resident of Verona, Allegheny Co., Pa., at the time of his death, which occurred Nov. 18, 1907. His wife died Aug. 28, 1913, while on a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Swigart in Kittanning, aged seventy-four years. They were buried in Oak- mont (Pa.) cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Neil were members of the Presbyterian Church. They had a family of four children : Mollie (Mrs. Swigart), William E., Thomas W. (deceased), and Samuel A. For a num- ber of years Mr and Mrs. Swigart made their home at East Brady, Pa., where their three children were born, namely : Sarah Bertha,
During his residence at East Brady Mr. Swigart served one year as school director. He is a Democrat in politics, and fraternally he is a Mason (belonging to blue lodge and chapter) and a member of the Order of Rail- road Conductors. He attends the Presbyter- ian Church. His home is at No. 488 East High street, Kittanning.
DAVID GEORGE, a farmer of Plum Creek township, Armstrong county, was born May 26, 1861, son of Peter and Susan (Schull) George, of Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong county, and grandson of Leonard and Sarah (Gonaware) George. The grand- parents came from eastern Pennsylvania and Westmoreland county Pa., respectively and were of Pennsylvania German stock. They had a family of twelve children, namely : Jacob, born in 1826, who died in 1904; Philip, born in 1828, who died in 1900; William, born in 1830; John, born in 1832; Peter, born in 1834, who died in 1911; Margaret, born in 1836; Josiah, born in 1838; Samuel, born in 1840, who died in 1911; Sarah and Catherine, twins, born in 1842; Susanna, born in 1844, who died in 1906; and Lewis, born in 1846.
Peter George, son of Leonard, was born in 1834, and died in 19II. He enlisted dur- ing the Civil war for service in the Union army, becoming a member of the 5th Heavy Artillery, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and took part in the battle of Cedar Mountain and other engagements. He was discharged June 30, 1865. He married Susan Schull, who was of German antecedents, and they had a family of nine children: David; John, of Apollo, Armstrong county ; Irving, who died leaving a family of six children ; Jacob, deceased ; Sadie, of Pittsburgh, who is the wife of Herbert Myers, and has three children; Anna, de- ceased; Emory, who married Mary Ayres, a native of Switzerland, and has one child (they live in Canton, Ohio) ; Maggie, who married Charles Forrester, a farmer of Plum Creek township, and has two sons; and Sam- uel, deceased.
David George was educated in the country schools in the vicinity of his early home. He is a successful farmer of Plum Creek town- ship, where he owns the tract of land upon which he resides.
On May 17, 1883, Mr. George married Car-
852
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
rissa J. Bierer, of Plum Creek township, who strong county, Pa., Feb. 9, 1880, son of John is of German extraction, daughter of John F. and Ella ( Patrick) Rupp. Bierer. They have had two children : Susanna Francis Rupp, the great-great-grandfather, born in Germany, became a pioneer of what Frances, born April 2, 1884, who is at home ; and John R., born April 9, 1888, a farmer in is now Kittanning township, clearing and im- Plum Creek township, who married Myrtle proving a homestead, upon which he died. Smeltzer, of that township, and has one child, a daughter, born May 23, 19II. The family attend the German Reformed Church. Mr: became a farmer and brought under cultiva- George is a Democrat in political sentiment.
HENDERSON H. HARKLEROAD, of Cowanshannock township, was born at Clo- ver Run, Clearfield county, Pa., Feb. 3, 1862, son of William and Lavina ( Ruppert) Har- kleroad.
Christopher Harkleroad, his grandfather, came from Bedford county, Pa., into what is now Plum Creek township, Armstrong county, Pa., at an early day. He was killed in middle age, by being thrown from his horse.
William Harkleroad, son of Christopher Harkleroad, was born and reared in Plum Creek township, and soon after attaining to his majority moved to Bell township, Clear- field county, Pa., where he developed a farm from wild land, and there made his home until death claimed him. His children were: Julia Ann, who married Joseph Davis; Elizabeth, who married Andrew Walls; Alexander ; Susan, deceased; Sophia, deceased, who mar- ried Henry Reefer ; Sarah, who married Arch. Penrod; George; Henderson H. and Reed, twins, the latter being deceased; Jackson; Frank; and Rachel, who is also deceased.
Henderson H. Harkleroad, son of William Harkleroad, was brought up in Clearfield county, residing there until he was seventeen years old. In 1879 he located in Cowanshan- nock township, where he has since been en- gaged in farming. In 1892 he bought the George Harkleroad farm of 150 acres, which still continues to be his homestead.
In 1883 Mr. Harkleroad married Susan Harkleroad, a daughter of George Harkle- road, and they became the parents of six chil- dren, three of whom survive: Ervin, Charles and William. Mr. Harkleroad's second mar- riage was to Laura Boyer, a daughter of Peter Boyer, of Plum Creek township. Mr. Harkleroad is one of the leading agriculturists of his township and his success in life has come through his own efforts. Politically he continued.
is a Democrat.
IRA W. RUPP, a blacksmith of Rural Val- ley, was born in Kittanning township, Arm-
Francis Rupp, son of Francis Rupp, above, was born in Kittanning township, where he tion the farm now owned by his son Samuel W. Rupp, upon which he died. He married Elizabeth Gollinger.
Daniel Rupp, son of Francis Rupp (2) was also a farmer, and lived and died on a por- tion of the old homestead. His wife, Sarah, was a daughter of John and Sarah (White) Moorehead, early settlers of Clarion county; Pa., who later came to Kittanning township, Armstrong county, Pa. The children of Daniel Rupp were: Sarah E., who married James Bell; John F .; Samuel W .; Flora, who married Ulysses G. Hobough; James W .; David M .; Mary Ann, who married John Boyer; Alice, who married Thomas Watter- son ; Arthur; Howard, and Charles.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.