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 70
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John F. Rupp, son of Daniel Rupp, was born in Kittanning township, Nov. 26, 1854, and received a common school education. When only seventeen years old he commenced teaching, and was engaged in educational work in the public schools of Armstrong county for eighteen years. Following this he farmed until 1898 in Cowanshannock township, when he came to Rural Valley and he has since been engaged as a general merchant there. He is a justice of the peace, and a man of influence in his community.
On Nov. 10, 1877, John F. Rupp married Ella Patrick, a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Zillafro) Patrick, of Kittanning township. Five children have been born of this union: Vie, who married W. E. Turney; Ira W .; Ina, who married W. B. Brumbaugh; Aka, and Ola.
Ira W. Rupp, son of John F. Rupp, and fifth in line from the original Francis Rupp who founded the family in Kittanning town- ship, grew up in his native place, attending the neighborhood schools. He was appren- ticed to the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for four years as a journeyman, and then on Jan. 1, 1906, established himself in business at Rural Valley, where he has since
In March, 1901, Mr. Rupp was married to Ada Kline, a daughter of John A. and Sarah (Truby) Kline, of Wayne township. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Rupp: Wilbert Nay, Eva Leah (deceased),
as an engineer on the Pennsylvania railroad Ila Larue and Anna Ruth. Mr. Rupp is a and makes his home in Rayburn township; member of the Lutheran Church. His frater- nal associations are with the Odd Fellows, and politically he is a Republican. An earnest, hard-working young man. Mr. Rupp com- mands the confidence of those who know him.
PAUL DAVID CRUM, who lives in Ray- burn township, Armstrong county, and is en- gaged as a railroad engineer, is a son of Sim- eon David and Sarah (Logue) Crum and grandson of Henry Crum.
Henry Crum, the grandfather, was born came to Kittanning and followed blacksmith- ing, having his shop where Charles Jessop's house now stands, the fall before he engaged "Eagle House." He was the only blacksmith in the borough at the time. During the Civil war period he conducted the "Eagle Hotel" and in that connection became particularly well known. Moving later to Red Bank, he was blacksmith at the furnace. He died at Wattersonville, opposite Red Bank, aged sixty- seven years. Mr. Crum was a Democrat and quite active in the work of his party, was sev- eral times a candidate for office, and was a popular man wherever known. In religious connection he was a Presbyterian. At Kit- tanning he married Elizabeth Truby, who sur- vived him many years, dying March 8, 1912, at the age of ninety-eight years, two months. They had children as follows: Mary, Mrs. Arnold, who is now deceased ; John, deceased ; Nannie H., Mrs. Keener, residing at Watter- sonville; Jane, who died unmarried; and Simeon David.
Mr. Crum married Sarah Logue, who was born Nov. 12, 1858, at West Freedom, Clarion Co., Pa., daughter of John and Tena (Dukle) Logue, and she survives him, residing at East Kittanning. Eight children were born to this union, namely: Kale, who died in infancy ; Charles, born June 17, 1874, who is engaged
Harry, born in 1876, who lives in Pittsburgh and is engaged as train dispatcher on the Baltimore & Ohio road (he is married to Nora Conner ; he owns seventy acres in Ray- burn township, where his brothers make their home) ; George, born in 1881, who is deceased ; Paul David, mentioned below; Forest, born June 6, 1886, who is a finisher in the glass works at Ford City, this county (he married Leah Dickson) ; Frank, born Sept. 24, 1890, who is on the farm in Rayburn township; and Ralph, born Aug. 5, 1892, who is on the home
in Pennsylvania, east of the mountains. He farm in Rayburn township.
John Logue, father of Mrs. Simeon David Crum, was from Clarion county, Pa. During his earlier life he was a collier at Red Bank in the hotel business, as proprietor of the Furnace, and he afterward engaged as river pilot until his death. He was a Republican in politics, a Methodist in religion, and an Odd Fellow in social connection. He and his wife, Tena (Dukle), also deceased, had the following children: Nancy, Mrs. Whitesell, who is deceased; George, who is baggagemas- ter at Red Bank and lives at Wattersonville ; and Sarah, Mrs. Crum.
Paul David Crum was born Sept. 12, 1883, at Philipston, Pa. He is engaged as engineer, and is a steady and reliable young man, in- telligent and progressive, respected by all who know him for his industry and good habits. He is a member of the Knights of Malta, the Knights of Pythias and the Brotherhood of Engineers. In politics he is inclined to the doctrines of socialism. He attends the Meth- odist Church.
Mr. Crum was married to Jessie McCul- lough.
Simeon David Crum, son of Henry, was born at Kittanning Oct. 8, 1848, and attended SAMUEL MAGUIRE, retired miner, has been a resident of Mahoning township, Arm- strong county, since 1875, and was engaged in mining until 1902. He is a native of West- moreland county, born Feb. 29, 1840, and both the old "sand bank" college. He became an oil driller, and was engaged the greater part of his active life in the oil and gas fields, be- ing at Parker through the excitement at that point. He developed many properties. In his grandfathers were pioneers of that county. his later years he acted as car inspector. Mr. Crum died Oct. 10, 1905. He was a Demo- crat in politics, in religion a Presbyterian, and socially held membership in the Hepta- sophs.
Barney Maguire, his paternal grandfather, was born in County Derry, Ireland, was a sol- dier on the Colonial side in the Revolutionary war, and afterward was engaged in packing salt across the mountains. Though he made enough to pay for two thousand acres of land in Westmoreland, Pa., he died poor.
Robert Maguire, son of Barney, was born in Westmoreland county, and lived and died there. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. By occupation he was a carpenter. He married Mary Oster, daughter of George Os-
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ter, and of German descent, and to them were twins, the latter the wife of Harry Loder ; and born eleven children, eight of whom reached Clyde, deceased. manhood and womanhood: Jane, who mar- ried Adam Daugherty; George; John; Rob- FRANK MUNSHOWER, of Leechburg, Armstrong county, engaged as sheet roller in the employ of the American Sheet & Tin Plate Company at Leechburg, was born Dec. 25, 1873, son of Samuel Munshower. ert; William; Edward; James, and Samuel. All the sons but William served in the Union army during the Civil war, and Robert was killed while in the service, at the battle of Gaines's Mill. The other lived to return home.
The first ancestor of the Munshower family in America came to this country from Ger- many, settling in Maryland. Thence John Munshower, great-grandfather of Frank Munshower, came to Indiana county, Pa., set- tling in Center township, where he followed his trade, that of blacksmith, the rest of his life. He died there about 1840. In Maryland he married Catherine Baker, and a family of
Samuel Maguire was reared in Westmore- land county. His first work was as driver on the old Pennsylvania canal, and later he was a pilot. When he came to Armstrong county, in 1859, he located at Freeport, where he found employment as a miner, being thus engaged until the breaking out of the Civil war. On April 27, 1861, he enlisted, becom- nine or ten children was born to them.
ing a member of Company G, IIth Pennsyl- vania Reserves, under Capt. (later Gen.) S. M. Jackson. This command, known as the "Apollo Blues," was attached to the 5th Army Corps, and was under fire at Mechanicsville, Va., and at Gaines's Mill, June 27, 1862, where Mr. Maguire was shot in the left lung and captured. He was sent to Libby prison and after a month's confinement there was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Md., where he rejoined his regiment in November, 1862. He subsequently took part in the battles of Fred-
William Munshower, son of John and Cath- erine (Baker) Munshower, came with his parents to Center township, Indiana Co., Pa., where he grew to manhood. He was a life- long farmer, and cleared a tract of land in that township upon which he resided until his death, which occurred there in 1881 when he was eighty-two years old. The property of seventy acres was all in the woods when he came to it, and the first improvement was the clearing he made for the erection of his shanty. His wife, Anna (Kunkle), lived to the ad- ericksburg, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness, vanced age of ninety-seven years. Their chil- where he was wounded in the left leg May 6, 1864, so severely that amputation was neces- sary. He received his honorable discharge at Washington, D. C., March 16, 1865, after nine months' confinement in the Judiciary hospital in that city.
dren were: Catherine died when three years old; John died at Parkers Landing, Pa .; Sam- uel is mentioned below; William, who lives at Cookport, Indiana county, is a justice of the peace; Huston lives at Blairsville, Indi- ana county; Harrison lives at Blairsville; Mary, twin of Harrison, is the wife of Cham- bers Yuengling, of Canton, Ohio. The five survivors of this family are all over seventy. All of the sons served in the Union army dur- ing the Civil war.
Samuel Munshower, son of William Mun- shower, was born July 3, 1834, upon his father's farm in Center township, Indiana county, and in early life followed farming. During three months of the year he had such privileges as were afforded at the old log schoolhouse in the neighborhood, where the furnishings were of the most primitive char- acter, slab benches and other rude appliances being the rule at that time. He worked for his father until he was twelve years old, after which he hired out among other farmers, and following his marriage he farmed on his own account from 1857 until the spring of 1865. On March 8, 1865, he enlisted in Indiana for
.
Upon his return to Pennsylvania at the close of his army service Mr. Maguire again be- gan coal mining, in Indiana county, and later was similarly employed at Irwin, Westmore- land county. In 1875 he came to Mahoning township, Armstrong county, where he has since resided, and he followed mining here until his retirement in 1902. He has led an industrious, upright life, and is highly esteemed in the locality. For one term he held the office of justice of the peace. He is a Republican in political connection.
In 1868 Mr. Maguire married Sarah Mc- Clain, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Mc- Whorter) McClain, of Mahoning township, and twelve children have been born to them, ten of whom have attained maturity, namely : Eleanor, wife of William Bowes; Charles; Harry W. and Walter, twins; Ida, deceased ; Homer; Rose, deceased; Owen and Minnie, one year, becoming a private in Company F,
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
74th P. V. I., and was discharged at Clarks- (Van Tine) Shull, of Leechburg. They have burg, W. Va., Sept. 24, 1865. Upon his re- no family. turn home he worked at the carpenter's trade, also doing contracting, and prospered, con- MATTHEW H. PAFFRATH, proprietor of the "American Hotel" at Ford City, Arm- strong county, has lived at that place since 1888 with the exception of a brief stay at Alexander, Pa., and he is now one of its suc- cessful business men. He is a native of Ger- many, born Aug. 18, 1861, in Rheinland, son of William and Catherine (Mueller) Paff- rath, both also natives of Rheinland. tinuing in this line until his retirement, in 1906. In the spring of 1871 he moved into the borough of Indiana, where he has resided con- tinuously since, making his home at the corner of 'Church and Eleventh streets. He helped on the construction of the first of the normal school buildings at Indiana, and has worked on many other notable structures there, churches, public buildings, etc. Mr. Mun- shower is an active member of the Republican party, belongs to Post No. 28, G. A. R., of Indiana, and holds membership in the Luth- eran Church.
William Paffrath was a shoemaker by trade. He came to America with his family in 1886. To him and his wife were born six children, two sons and four daughters: Matthew H .; Theodore, a traveling salesman, who lives at Butler, Pa .; Theresa, wife of Frank Dohner, of Tarentum, Pa .; Annie, deceased, who was the wife of Arnold Tieons; Gertrude, who City ; and Bertha, who married Charles Hein- richs, of Coal Center, Pennsylvania.
On Jan. 8, 1857, Mr. Munshower married Susanna Kinnard, daughter of Joseph Kin- nard and his wife Mary Ann (Hartzel). Mrs. Munshower is a member of the M. E. married John Danhof, a glass worker, of Ford Church. To this union have been born the following children: Jemima, Mrs. John Kooser, of Rayne township, Indiana county ; Arietta, who died when three years old; Laura A., who is unmarried; Ida, widow of Corry C. Boggs, of Indiana; Charles, of Brecken- ridge, Allegheny county; Frank; and Annie G., wife of John D. Skelton of Wellsville, Tioga Co., Pennsylvania.
Frank Munshower was born at Indiana, Indiana county, and there began his educa- tion in the common schools, later attending the State normal school in that borough. He then learned the trade of marble cutter there, following same for five years, and in Feb- ruary, 1895, began to work in the sheet mill. In 1897 he became a roller, and he has since place until 1900 and then returning to Ford continued to fill this responsible position. Mr. City, where he was again in the employ of Munshower has prospered in his undertak- the glass company. In 1906 he embarked in ings, and he built the Kilpatrick block at the wholesale liquor business, in which he the corner of Third and Market streets, was engaged until 1909, at that time buying the "American Hotel," to the operation of which he has since given the principal part of his attention. He has met with gratifying success, and is one of the substantial citizens of the borough, respected for his industrious career and the enterprise he has shown in advancing himself in spite of many obstacles in his early life. Leechburg. He has long been recognized as a citizen who can be depended upon to look out for the best interests of his borough, and in the spring of 1909 was elected a member of the council. He is a Republican on politi- cal questions. Mr. Munshower takes an ac- tive part in almost every cause or enterprise with which he becomes identified. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is at present serving as chairman of the board of trustees. Socially he belongs to Leech- burg lodge of Elks, No. 377, and is one of the trustees of that body.
On Aug. 30, 1894, Mr. Munshower married Rossa B. Shull, daughter of Philip and Mary
Matthew H. Paffrath attended school in Germany, but he has had to acquire his knowl- edge of English through his own efforts. He came to America with the family in 1886. When but thirteen years old he had gone to work in the glass works at Schalke, Germany, working there until he came to this country. The family settled at Tarentum, Pa., and he went to work in the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Works, continuing at that point for two years, at the end of which time the company sent him to their plant at Ford City. Here he worked for them until 1896, in which year, he went to Alexander, Pa., working at that
On Jan. 10, 1885, Mr. Paffrath was mar- ried to Theresa Roll, of Altendorn, Germany, and they have had a family of five children : Theresa married Anton Kracht, a glass work- er of Ford City, and they have four children, August, Mary, William and Theresa ; William, who is with his father at Ford City, married Margaret Wintgens, and has two children,
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Margaret and William; Mary is at home; self well informed on all the topics of the Annie married Joseph Rauscher, a glass times, which he was able to discuss intelli- worker, at Ford City; John, a glass worker, lives at home. Mr. Paffrath and his family are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, at Ford City, and socially he holds member- ship in the Knights of St. George, Fraternal Order of Eagles (Aerie No. 606, of Ford City) and the Shooting Club of Ford City. In politics he is a Democrat.
JOHN F. TOWNSEND, a farmer of Kiskiminetas township, was born there Jan. 8, 1864, on the old homestead of his father, Absalom K. Townsend.
Isaac Townsend, his paternal great-grand- father, was born in England about 1760. His father was a large landowner, who through unfortunate investments lost all he had. Isaac Townsend came to America about 1775, set- tling in what was then Westmoreland county, but is now Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong county, where he bought 400 acres of land Catherine Ulam, daughter of Daniel Ulam, married Henry Townsend, grandfather of John F. Townsend, so that he is descended from two of the old and influential families of Armstrong county. from George Wolf, paying about seventy-five cents per acre for it. This land is now as valuable as any to be found in Armstrong county. This energetic gentleman was able to turn his hand to almost any kind of work, John F. Townsend attended common school until eighteen years old. He was born and reared on his father's farm, grew up amid healthy rural surroundings, and was taught habits of thrift and industry. He is a suc- cessful general farmer, and owner of one of the finest agricultural properties in the town- ship. He lives in a handsome residence. His barn is 60 by 70 feet in dimensions, and meets all sanitary requirements of the State. A Democrat, he is very active in the ranks of his party, and interested in its success. and as he possessed good judgment was often called upon for advice by his neighbors. A Democrat, after the formation of that party he was elected as its candidate to the offices of auditor, assessor and road supervisor of his township. Reared a Quaker, he became a Lutheran after his marriage, and served that denomination as elder for several years. In 1780 Isaac Townsend and Rachel King were married. She came of German extrac- tion. They had ten children: John, Israel, Robert, Joseph, William, Polly, Susan, and three who died in infancy. The death of Mr. ried, in Armstrong county, to Bell Virtue, a Townsend occurred in 1838, his widow sur- viving until 1847.
Henry Townsend, grandfather of John F., 1895, and Mrs. Townsend died on the same
was born on the home farm about 1795. Early in life he drilled several salt wells and manufactured salt, but later on devoted him- his support on political questions, while the Lutheran Church was his religious home. On Feb. 2, 1819, he married Catherine Ulam, and they had ten children, among them being Absalom K.
Absalom K. Townsend was born on the old Townsend homestead in Kiskiminetas town- ship in December, 1826. After attending the public schools of his day he added to his store of knowledge by wide reading and kept him-
gently and from a broad-minded standpoint. He acquired ownership of 400 acres of choice farm land, was an agriculturist of some note, and an excellent citizen. Politically he was a Jacksonian Democrat. The Presbyterian Church of Elder's Ridge held his membership and received his support. On Nov. 6, 1851, Absalom K. Townsend married Mary J. Gamble, and they became the parents of ten children, among them being John F. Town- send.
Daniel Ulam was
born in
eastern Pennsylvania about 1745, and in 1805 moved to Westmoreland county, where he bought and farmed a large tract of land. He was a Dem- ocrat. The Lutheran Church held his mem- bership. In 1775 he married, and had eight children. The death of this one-time promi- nent man took place in 1815, his widow sur- viving until 1839.
On Feb. 25, 1894, Mr. Townsend was mar- daughter of Dr. Virtue. One child, Charles V., was born of this marriage on May 23, day.
THOMAS WELDON MILLIGAN, for a self to farming. The Democratic party had few years a merchant at Worthington, Arm- strong county, was born in Clearfield town- ship, Butler Co., Pa., April I, 1877, son of Samuel and Eliza J. (Shay) Milligan.
John Milligan, his grandfather, a native of Butler county, Pa., was for many years a resi- dent of West Franklin township, this county, where he died. His wife, Nancy, was a daughter of William and Mary (Nicholson) Minteer, natives of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage, who were pioneers in what is now
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
West Franklin township. John Milligan and his wife were the parents of seven children who grew to maturity: John, a soldier in the Civil war, who died while in the Union serv- ice ; Samuel; William ; James; Thomas; Ellis, and Maggie.
Samuel Milligan, son of John, and father of Thomas W., was born on the old home- stead in Clearfield township, Butler Co., Pa., and still lives there, engaged in farming. His children who grew to maturity were: John A., deceased; James H .; Thomas W .; Mamie A., wife of George Ross, and Leslie Parks, deceased.
Thomas Shay, maternal grandfather of Thomas W. Milligan, was born in Clearfield county, Pa. By trade he was a tailor, and followed this calling for many years. He was a pioneer of West Franklin township, and later in life moved to Rimersburg, Clarion Co., Pa., where he died. His wife was Mary Hood.
Thomas W. Milligan was reared on the old homestead in Butler county, Pa., and there attended school and learned the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed for ten years in Oakmont and Worthington. In April, 1910, he embarked in the general merchandise business in the latter place, and successfully continued it until his removal to Pittsburgh.
On Sept. 10, 1901, Mr. Milligan was mar- ried to Mary Jane, daughter of Abraham and Cinderella (Claypoole) Swigart, of Worth- ington. Mr. and Mrs. Milligan have three children : Thomas W., Jr., Bessie Agnes, and Ralph Q. Mr. Milligan belongs to the M. E. Church. He is a member of the Verona (Pa.) Lodge, No. 306, and of the I. O. of A. at Worthington. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Milligan is a member of the German Baptist Church.
ELLS PRITNER BARRETT, of South Bethlehem, Armstrong county, coal miner, was born in Madison township, this county, Aug. 17, 1872, son of Daniel W. and Emeline (Duncan) Barrett, both natives of Armstrong county.
William Barrett, his grandfather, was born near Ore Hill Furnace, Armstrong county, and followed the occupation of agriculturist. He had a farm in Madison township, which he cleared and improved, and he died there. His wife was a Miss Austin, and they were the parents of six children: David, deceased; John, deceased ; Daniel W., deceased ; Martha, who married Silas Bish; Rachel, deceased, who married Edward Gardner; and William.
Daniel W. Barrett, son of William, was born and reared on the homestead and his death occurred there Sept. 8, 1911, at the age of sixty-three years. His entire life was spent on the home farm, where he followed the same work as his father. He was industrious and persevering and became a well-to-do farmer of his day. He married Emeline Dun- can, a native of Armstrong county, daughter of Jacob Duncan, a pioneer farmer of Madi- son township, and they reared a family of seven children: Ells P .; Florence, who mar- ried William Anthony; Annie, who married Leonard Powell; Estella, who married Braden McDauley; Ross; Otto, and Ralph, the last named deceased.
Ells P. Barrett was brought up in Arm- strong county, and educated in the common schools. At the age of seventeen he became employed as a coal miner, and he has ever since followed that line of work in Mahon- ing township, making his home in South Bethlehem since 1903. There he owns a com- fortable home with pleasant surroundings and enjoys the comforts of life. He has been a hard-working man and has gained all he now enjoys by honest labor. He married in 1894 Olive, daughter of Solomon T. and Alice (Mock) Shumaker, of Mahoning township, and they have two children, Alice B. and Gay- lord. Mr. Barrett is a member of the F. O. E. He has served for three years on the school board of South Bethlehem, and is a most pub- lic-spirited citizen. In politics he is a Re- publican.
Mrs. Olive (Shumaker) Barrett comes of Revolutionary stock. Her great-great-grand -. father, John Shumaker, a native of Germany, served in both the Indian and Revolutionary wars. His wife was Mary Ann Baker, and they settled about 1770 in Westmoreland county, Pa., and died there.
Philip Shumaker was the great-grandfather of Mrs. Barrett. He was born in Westmore- land county Jan. 25, 1784, and in 1814 set- tled in Mahoning township, Armstrong county, where he died April 10, 1860. His wife was Elizabeth Rose, born Nov. 18, 1790, died June 12, 1863.
Joseph Shumaker, son of Philip and Eliza- beth (Rose) Shumaker, born in Mahoning township, was a farmer, and a minister of the German Baptist Church for twenty years. His death occurred in December, 1860, when he- was aged forty-one years.
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