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 73
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of the First Presbyterian Church established at Glade Run, near Dayton, and in his barn was preached the first sermon ever delivered in the neighborhood. Mrs. Marshall, who died in 1817, is buried upon the farm of Ben- jamin Irwin in Wayne township. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall had a family of nine children : Joseph, Elizabeth (or Betsy, Mrs. McClel- land), Margaret (Mrs. Benjamin Urban), Mary (or Polly, Mrs. Abel Finley), William, John, James, Robert and Samuel.
(III) Robert Marshall, son of William and. Catherine (Wilson) Marshall, was born Aug. 19, 1799, in what is now Indiana (then West- moreland) county, in the vicinity of Clarks- burg. After his marriage he and his wife set- tled on Glade run, where he built a log house about one and a half miles south of what is now Dayton borough. The property was then woods, and he cleared some of the land and ran a distillery. He then bought and moved to a large tract at what is now the site of Day- ton borough, and built a house a half mile from town, residing there for some time. At both these places he followed farming. He also bought grain and other farm products which he hauled to Phillipsburg, Old Town and Curwensville and exchanged for mer- chandise. In 1850 Mr. Marshall took his sons William and Thomas H. into partnership with him in the management of his growing inter- ests. They had a general store in Dayton, one of the first established there, and about three hundred acres of land, William and his father looking after the farm and Thomas H. devot- ing his time to the mercantile end of the busi- ness. On April 9, 1868, Robert Marshall sold his real estate to his sons, but he retained his interest in the store until his death. There were few men who did more notable work for the advancement of this section than he ac- complished in his lifetime. The cause of edu- cation always had a hearty supporter in him, and he gave the ground on which the building of the Dayton Academy stood and was the promoter of that institution. He was one of the originators of the Dayton Soldiers' Or- phans' School and its heaviest stockholder. A member of the Associate or Seceder Church, he was one of the founders of the church of that denomination at Glade Run, and its house upon land donated by him for that purpose. After its formation he became a member of the U. P. Church, being one of the organizers
(II) William Marshall, third son of Wil- liam and Elizabeth (Armstrong) Marshall, was born June 3, 1756, and married Catherine Wilson in 1779. Moving to western Pennsyl- vania, they settled on a tract of land in what is now Black Lick township, Indiana county, but being unable to secure a title to this prop- erty they moved in 1803 to Armstrong county, making their home in what is now Wayne township. They were the first white settlers in that region, and they had no neighbors within five miles. Their location was on Glade run, on what is now the site of the Dayton fair grounds, and Mr. Marshall cleared land and built a cabin. In 1813 he of worship and burying ground were located moved with his family to the place where the home of his son William afterward stood, built a house, and there passed the remainder of his days. Here he died April 28, 1831, of that church at Dayton and taking an active and he was buried in the Glade Run cemetery. part in its work. In politics he was originally
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a Whig, later a Republican. Mr. Marshall tile business from 1861 until his death, after died Oct. 1, 1881, in the village of Dayton, where he resided from the time of his second marriage.
On Dec. 4, 1821, Mr. Marshall married interest, the firm from that time being C. R. Mary Hindman, who was born June 6, 1801, daughter of Rev. John Hindman. Mrs. Mar- shall was a native of the same locality where her husband was born and reared. They had the following children: William ; Thomas H. ; Catherine, who married John Wilson Marshall (son of John, grandson of Archibald and great-grandson of William, to whom his wife traced her line ) ; Caroline, Mrs. William Sloan ; Emaline, who died unmarried; Jonathan, who died when seventeen years old; Mary, widow of David W. Lawson, living in Wayne town- ship ; and Rebecca K., widow of Rev. Samuel C. Reed, a U. P. minister, now making her home at Beaver, Pa. The mother of this fam- ily died .Dec. 29, 1869, and Mr. Marshall mar- ried for his second wife, July 25, 1871, Mary Jane Armstrong, who was born Sept. 14, 1834. She now makes her home in Wayne township, Armstrong county, with her niece, Mrs. Samuel P. Butler. No children were born to the second marriage.
John D. Armstrong, father of Mrs. Mary Jane (Armstrong) Marshall, was a native of Ireland. He and his wife Ellen (Lindsey) came to America with their family of five children in 1839 and settled in Wayne town- ship, Armstrong county, Pa., near Belknap, Mr. Armstrong buying a farm which he culti- vated during the remainder of his active life. He died there. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong after their arrival in Wayne township, Margaret Ellen, who died young ; the others, the five whom they brought to America, were: James L., Henry H., Sarah, Mary Jane (Mrs. Marshal!), and John B.
(IV) William Marshall, son of Robert and Mary (Hindman) Marshall, was born Sept. 24, 1822, near Dayton, in Wayne township, Armstrong county. In 1829 he removed with his parents to Dayton, and in 1850 became a partner with his father and brother Thomas H. Marshall in the store at Dayton and the personal property on the large farm. He was intrusted with the management of the exten- sive farming interests, his brother looking after the store, and this arrangement continued until 1868, on April 9 of which year the father sold his real estate to the two sons, the busi- ness association between these three being sub- sequently limited to the store interests. Mr. John Campbell was a partner in the mercan-
which the firm was known as W. & T. H. Mar- shall until the death of Mr. William Marshall. His son C. R. Marshall then succeeded to his & T. H. Marshall. Mr. Marshall continued to increase his land holdings until he had as much as 550 acres in Wayne, 290 acres of this being under cultivation. Like other members of his family he was interested in the Enter- prise Lumber Company, the Dayton Soldiers' Orphans' School, and the Dayton Union Acad- emy. He was a Republican in politics and was honored with election to many township offi- ces, and that he had the confidence of those who knew him well is shown in the fact that he was several times chosen as administrator of estates. He was a member and elder of the U. P. Church. Mr. Marshall died Sept. 15, 1891.
On April 19, 1860, William Marshall mar- ried Mary Ann Blair, who was born May 7, 1835, near Dayton, Pa., and now makes her home in that borough. She is a member of the U. P. Church. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Marshall: (I) Laura D., born Jan. 29, 1861, became the wife of James Story and died in 1909. She had children : Clarence, Mary, Mildred and William. (2) Calvin Reed, born Nov. 21, 1862, is a mer- chant at Dayton and vice president of the First National Bank. He married Molly Ellenber- ger and their children are Ethel, Alice T. and Lillian R. (3) Mary Rebecca, born Jan. 19, 1865, married Jan. 2, 1880, John W. Lias, who is a traveling salesman, and they have had children: William Raymond, Eugene (de- ceased), Marie, Harold, Kenneth, Dale, Ralph, Gladys and Ronald. (4) Jemima, born April 1, 1867, married John Bott and re- sides at Apollo, Pa. Their children are: Vir- ginia T., Adriet, Paul, Florence, Charles, Erotha, Bernard, and Jean. (5) a child born Oct. 21, 1867, died in infancy. (6) Caroline, born Dec. 1, 1870, formerly a teacher, was graduated from the Woman's Medical College at Philadelphia and is now engaged in the practice of medicine at Pittsburgh, Pa. (7) Blair P. is mentioned below. (8) Thirzah M., born Jan. 3, 1878, is engaged in teaching school in Pittsburgh.
James Blair, grandfather of Mrs. William Marshall, came to this country from Ireland, first settling in Huntingdon county, Pa., and thence removing to Westmoreland county, where he lived and died. His wife, whose maiden name was Hunter, was born in Scot- land.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
William Blair, son of James Blair, was school until he was fifteen years old, when he reared in Westmoreland county. Coming to entered Slippery Rock State Normal School. Armstrong county, he lived for a time in He taught school for three winters, and took Wayne township, and eventually returned to his native county, but he spent his last days with his daughter, Mrs. Marshall at Dayton, where he died at the great age of ninety-six years. His wife, Annis (Patterson), was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Lytle) Pat- terson, the former of whom came from Ire- land; the latter was of Derry township, West- moreland county.
(V) Blair P. Marshall received his educa- tion in the local public schools and at Day- ton Academy. He began work as his father's assistant upon the home farm, and has been interested in agriculture all his life, in con- nection following the lumber and stock busi- ness. He farms the old homestead of IIO acres, besides which he has another farm in Moose.
Wayne township of 120 acres, as well as wood- land property. He is one of the prominent agriculturists of his section, intelligent and thoroughly progressive in his work, is one of the managers of the Dayton Fair Association, and one of the most respected citizens of his locality. He is interested in the Dayton Nor- mal Institute. In politics he is a Republican, in religion a member of the U. P. Church.
Mr. Marshall was married June 27, 1901, to Gertrude Mclaughlin, daughter of Isaac and Ellen (Patton) Mclaughlin, and they re- sided upon the homestead for five years, Mr. Marshall then building the home in Dayton borough which they have since occupied. Their children are: John, Thomas, Clarence, Blair and George.
CHARLES M. MCLAUGHLIN, M. D., a physician and surgeon of Freeport, Armstrong county, was born Sept. 28, 1878, in Westmore- land county, Pa., son of Charles S. and Ade- line (Stewart) Mclaughlin.
and died in Westmoreland county, where he farmed successfully and also dealt extensively in stock. He moved there before the Penn- sylvania railroad was constructed.
Charles S. Mclaughlin had a family of three children, all sons, two of whom survive. Charles M. was the second in order of birth. The father died in 1902, after a well-spent life, during which he gained many friends. He adhered to the principles of the Democratic party, and held membership in the Presby- terian Church. By occupation he was a farmer.
Charles M. Mclaughlin attended public
his higher literary course in the college at Grove City, Pa., from which institution he was graduated in 1901, with the degree of A. M. Having decided upon a medical career, he took a course in Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, and was graduated therefrom with the degree of M. D. The following year he spent as interne at the Pittsburgh hospi- tal, and then, in 1905, located at Freeport, where he began the practice of his profes- sion and has built up a large and lucrative cli- entele. He belongs to the Armstrong County Medical Society, the Pennsylvnia State Medi- cal Society, and the American Medical Asso- ciation. Fraternally he holds membership in the B. P. O. Elks and the Loyal Order of
On Jan. 16, 1907, Dr. McLaughlin was mar- ried, in Oakmont, Pa., to Mary M. Murray, daughter of J. E. Murray, an old soldier, now living retired. Mrs. McLaughlin was edu- cated in the high school and at Pittsburgh Academy, and prior to her marriage was a teacher in the schools of that city. One child, Charles Samuel, was born to Dr. and Mrs. McLaughlin, April 27, 1908.
JOHN F. ROSS, one of the influential and successful residents of Kittanning, a man well and favorably known all over Armstrong county, whose activities have always been ex- erted for the general uplift as well as for the purpose of securing personal advancement, has gained a well-merited reputation for pro- bity and uprightness. He was born in 1829, son of Joseph Ross.
Joseph Ross, the father, was likewise a suc- cessful business man, for several years asso- ciated with the mercantile interests of his lo- cality and also engaged in farming. His death
Samuel Mclaughlin, his grandfather, lived occurred in 1867. His wife, born in Ireland in 1803, died in 1874. They had children as follows: James, Nancy Jane, John F., Mary Ann, Margaret E., Catherine J., Samuel and Phoebe.
John F. Ross secured such educational training as the somewhat primitive schools of his period and locality afforded, and when six- teen years old began farming, thus continu- ing until he attained his majority. In 1851 he went out to the gold fields of California, returning therefrom in 1853. It was then he engaged in the lumber business, and for a num- ber of years commanded an extensive trade in that line, building a planing mill which he
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operated from 1880 to 1888. During the man of unblemished character, kind and char- greater part of this period he was also farm- ing, but retired from active business of all kinds in 1888.
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In 1857 Mr. Ross was married to Mary Simpson, who died in 1892. On March 29, 1893, he married (second) Susie J. Gutherie, daughter of James Gutherie, of Jefferson county, Pa., and to this union was born one child, John F., who died in infancy. Mr. Ross for many years has been a devout mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, having united with it when thirty-six years old. During the years which have followed he has been one of the strong and reliable pillars of the church, on whom the pastor and flock could always de- pend as a safe and sympathetic adviser and friend.
The experiences of Mr. Ross in the gold fields were interesting and profitable. He was five days on the Chagres river, and walked across Panama, a distance of . twenty-one miles. Arriving at his destination, he formed a partnershp with several others and the little company was successful in gold mining, Mr. Ross with a competency to repay him for his exertions. It required about four tons of pro- visions a year to supply the seventeen men in the company, and it cost them five thousand dollars a ton. Mr. Ross has traveled exten- sively, having been in seventeen different states (including Iowa), as well as Mexico and Canada, and made visits to various large cities, such as New York, New Orleans and Philadelphia. Possessing a very retentive memory, his recollections of these places, as well as of Panama in its earlier days. are in- tensely interesting.
CYRUS J. KEPPLE, of Apollo, a business man of long and honorable standing, was born Nov. 17, 1831, in Westmoreland county, Pa., son of George and Isabella (Hoffman) Kepple.
George Kepple was born in Westmoreland county in 1806, and came of German ancestry on the paternal side, and English on the ma- ternal side. His wife was born in 1809 and passed away in 1863, the mother of eight children. Cyrus J. Kepple was the eldest of this family, and all his brothers became farm- ers. One brother and one sister are still liv- ing. At the time of his death George Kepple owned 100 acres of land, situated between Leechburg and Cochran Mills. The Lutheran Church had in him a consistent member, and he also served it as elder. His death oc- curred in 1869, and he is remembered as a
itable to all, extending a ready sympathy to the unfortunate. Although his educational advantages had been limited, he was a man of considerable ability, and held various town- ship offices, and he advocated the establish- ment and maintenance of good schools. Until the Civil war he was a Democrat, but there- after a Republican.
Cyrus J. Kepple attended the common school in his home neighborhood until he was sixteen years old, and then devoted all of his time to assisting his father on the farm. When he was twenty years of age he began learning the cabinetmaker's trade at New Salem, serving three years as an apprentice. He then embarked in the business for himself, opening a shop. When the introduction of Machinery-made furniture interfered with his trade he confined himself to the undertaking branch which he had established, and still con- tinues in that line. In 1870 he moved to Arm- strong county, and after being in business by himself for a time entered into partnership with Robert Young, under the firm style of Kepple & Young. They handled furniture and carried on an undertaking business until the association . was dissolved in 1880, Mr. Kepple continuing the furniture and under- taking branch, while Mr. Young took charge of the hardware trade which they had built up. Mr. Kepple's establishment is one of the oldest and most reliable in this section, and as a furniture dealer he handles the finest grades of walnut, oak, ash and maple parlor and bed- room sets, sideboards, lounges, etc., as well as the more ordinary qualities. His large store is on Fourth street. As a funeral direc- tor he is widely known, people sending for him from all over the county ; his knowledge, experience, professional skill and sympathetic understanding of the requirements of his work in that line have made him the friend of many who have called upon him in times of bereavement.
On May 7, 1857, Mr. Kepple was married to Caroline Keck, in Westmoreland county, Pa., daughter of Isaac Keck, a soldier of the Revolution, who served with General Wash- ington at Valley Forge. Mrs. Kepple, who was born March 26, 1832, died April 24. 1900, aged sixty-eight years. Six children were born of this marriage: Sarah Isabelle, born April 21, 1858: George S., born Sept. 13. 1863 : Cy- rus W., born Jan. 6, 1869: Bessie Eltes, born Sept. 10, 1870, and Isaac Newton and Anna. both deceased. Mr. Kepple is a member and elder of the Lutheran Church, belongs to
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Mineral Point Lodge, No. 615, I. O. O. F., about 1879 or 1880, he had the mail brought and in political faith is a Democrat. Mr. Kep- ple distinctly remembers the time when boats to Pittsburgh ran on the Kiskiminetas river.
CYRUS W. KEPPLE was taken into partner- ship with his father in 1891, the style becom- ing C. L. Kepple & Son, under which name the business is still conducted. He, too, is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and Knights of Malta. Politically he is an active Democrat, having been committeeman of his ward in Apollo for some years, and he has served in the borough council. On Aug. 21, 1892, at Pittsburgh, occurred the marriage of Mr. Kepple to Ida Brewer. One child has
been born to them, Harold, on May 1, 1898. county. After the death of Joseph Foringer
The Kepple family is one of the most highly honored in Armstrong county. During the many years Mr. Kepple has been an under- taker he has been called upon to care for over one thousand bodies, and his patrons hold him in the highest esteem not only for the value of his professional services, but because of his tact and consideration. As citizens both father and son are known to be men of high character, who take a deep interest in the wel- fare of their community and are anxious to promote its further development.
CHARLES E. FORINGER, a general mer- chant at Kaylor, Armstrong county, Pa., was born at that place Oct. 20, 1871, son of Joseph Foringer and a grandson of Devalt Foringer. The grandfather came to Armstrong county in an early day.
Joseph Foringer, father of Charles E., was born within one mile of Kaylor, and with the exception of a period of three months in Ohio passed his life in or about that town. He was a man of excellent judgment and great force of character, and although he had but thirteen months of regular schooling became a legal adviser for people all over his section of the county. He was the second merchant at Kay- lor, a member of the firm of Foringer, Graft business. When he moved to New Philadel-
to his store and there distributed. Kaylor was served by the Star route from Brady's Bend until 1884, since when it has been on the Star route from East Brady. For a number of years Joseph Foringer was a Republican in politics, but for the last twelve years of his life he was a Prohibitionist. At times he served his township officially. He married Hannah Barnhart, who died Aug. 26, 1906, at the age of seventy-three years, one month, thirteen days. Mr. Foringer died when aged seventy years, two months, twelve days, and both are buried in the dilapidated cemetery in Sugar Creek township. They had eleven children, seven of whom are surviving, one son and two daughters living in Armstrong the business was owned by Mrs. Joseph For- inger until 1903, when it was sold to the Alle- gheny Supply Company.
Charles E. Foringer was educated in the public schools at Kaylor, Pa. Afterward he assisted his father in the store and post office, and from 1892 until 1898, when he was ap- pointed postmaster, he served as assistant postmaster under W. H. Eynon. The Kaylor post office has Star route service, two mails in and two mails out daily, has twenty-seven lock boxes and 261 call boxes. Mr. Foringer has Miss Arminta Rumbaugh as his assistant ; the post office is located in a separate building, just across the road from Mr. Foringer's general store. In politics he is a Republican, and he served one year as township auditor by appointment.
In 1908 Mr. Foringer was married to Mary B. Foster, daughter of Christopher Foster, and they have one son, Carl Foster. Mr. Fos- inger belongs to the Masonic Blue lodge, at Chicora; the Knights of Pythias at Chicora ; and the Red Men, the Odd Fellows and Pa- trons of Husbandry, all at Kaylor, Pa. He and his family attend the Baptist Church.
AMOS M. WILLISON, who is engaged in the general merchandise business at Kel- & Company, and later sole proprietor of the lersburg, Pa., was born in Mahoning town- ship, Armstrong county, April 20, 1854, son phia, Ohio, he sold a quarter interest in his of William and Priscilla (Buzzard) Willison, store to Jacob W. Meyer and another quarter both natives of Pennsylvania.
to W. S. Foringer, and the business was car- ried on as Foringer & Company until 1887, when he bought back these interests and con- tinued to conduct it alone under his own name until his death. From 1840 to 1867 he also ran a carding machine. Before he succeeded a large family, as follows : William Willison was among the pioneers of Mahoning township, where he owned 184 acres of land near Climax. He cleared a large portion of it, and his death occurred here in 1871, when he was aged fifty years. He had James A .; in having the Kaylor post office established, Amanda, married to G. W. Lobaugh; Amos
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
M .; Thomas S., deceased; G. W .; Samuel P .; Ross, deceased. The mother of this family Jane B., married to G. W. McDonald; Ma- died at Rockville when fifty-nine years old, tilda, married to W. D. Smith; and Wilbur, and is also buried in the Heilman cemetery. deceased.
Amos M. Willison was raised on the home farm and attended the common schools. For twenty years he was engaged in mining, and Republican in political connection and served various other occupations, but in 1907 he em- four years as road supervisor.
barked in the general merchandising business at Kellersburg (Mahoning post office), Arm- strong county, and he has continued in this line ever since. He has a good flourishing business, and is industrious and painstaking in his service to the people, which brings him a steady patronage.
Mr. Willison married in 1875, Margaret M., daughter of George L. and Elizabeth (Truitt) Hetrick, of Madison township, and they have seven children, viz: Olive V., wife of C. E. Furling; Charles F .; Orial L .; Mead A .; in the town.
Fred S .; Bessie M., wife of Perry Wolfe ; and
On May 7, 1912, Mr. Wray was married in Blanch L. A., wife of Harry Lamberson. Mr. Indiana, Pa., to Josephine McConnell, daugh- Willison is a member of the Evangelical Lu- ter of John and Fannie McConnell, of Indi- theran Church of Kellersburg, of which he is a trustee. Fraternally he is a member of Wid- noon Lodge, No. 39, I. O. O. F., and the P. of H. In politics he is a Republican.
RICHARD D. WRAY, senior member of the firm of McClister, Wray & Co., who have been engaged in the grocery business in Kit- tanning since 1911, is one of the progressive young citizens of that place. He was born May 7, 1884, in Rockville, Armstrong county, Pa., son of Robert and Sara (Neale) Wray.
Robert Wray was a native of,. Ireland, where he was reared and educated. Coming to America alone when a young man of twenty-one years, he stayed a short time in New York, where he had found employment, but soon came to Armstrong county, Pa., after his marriage settling at Rockville, where he engaged in farming. He had a tract of forty-three acres, where he died when fifty- three years old, and he is buried in the Heil- man cemetery. This property was sold after his death. He was married at Manorville, Armstrong county, to Sara Neale, a native of that place, daughter of Michael and Mar- tha (Heilman) Neale, who died before her marriage. She was brought up in Manor- ville 'and received all her schooling there. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wray: Robert S., who lives in Kittanning township; James, married and living at Man- orville; William, of Pittsburgh; Frank, of Kittanning, employed as a clerk by L. E. Biehl; Richard D .; Charles, deceased ; and
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