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 77
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would find the same conditions existing ; some of the Wolffs must be right, for many of them are to be found in each of the political camps; and, while conservative in opinion, tolerant in judgment and purpose, and cos- mopolitan in all things, yet selfish and clan- nish in nothing. Any member of the fra -- ternity, to have the approval and support of the others, must be competent and prefer -- able, and evidently nearly right. Their pre -. disposition to see the good in others, and readiness to accept it in good faith, is no -. where better attested than in their matrimo -- nial alliances. Nearly all of the Wolffs marry . at some time in life-and as far as heard from none ever were divorced; and with singular unanimity, in all these alliances, one of the- parties thereto comes from outside the fra- . ternity. Wolffs have been known to "matri -- monialize" with Painters, Campbells, Bears,. Hares, Stiers, Foxes, Hawks, Wrens, Buz- . zards and Robins; but no Wolff was ever~ known to marry another.
Taking the ancestor Jacob as the first, four - generations have been presented in the fore- going sketch, with an occasional glimpse at some member of the fifth. Here and there an error may be detected with relation to the younger set, where personal acquaintance did not aid and inquiry of others failed to . It may be taken as an admitted fact that not many of this family have risen to places of eminence, in either military, monetary, scholarly or political achievement. There are no really distinguished men. If the patri- arch Jacob were to return to his former range of activity he might with some satisfaction bring reliable data; and doubtless some state- ments regarding former generations may be . questioned by some ; but in the main they will be found, upon careful inquiry, to be correct. In presenting facts concerning which there . may be diverging opinions, that which is best authenticated and most probable has been contemplate the plain, sober industry and in- given the preference. Of the second genera- defatigable adherence to purpose of his tion after the ancestor, twenty-one persons numerous progeny. If he search among the are now living, of the family of George, two, Dianna Dickey and Rachel Murphey; of Jacob one, Lavina Warner; of Matthias, first family one, Angeline Fry, and second fam- . ily five, Elmira M. Cornman, Nancy J. Wal- ter, Anna M. Beatty, S. D. and Solomon P. Wolff; of Joseph two, George and John G. Wolff; of John one, Dianna Dickey; and of Solomon seven, Lemuel S., Benton L., Matthias C., James M. and John V. Wolff,
shrouds for those who have climbed high on the ladder of Fame to places of distinction, his expectant old countenance would prob- ably grow dark with a cloud of disappoint- ment. But as he shifts his searchlight and carefully scans the criminal calendar and the array of faces in the old rogues' gallery, his countenance may be seen to brighten again as he observes how very rare are the names and faces of his people in these lists. He would, and Annetta Best and Susanna Walter. however, find them represented in all the These early families present a remarkable honorable professions and callings ; and per- haps a very few in occupations not so hon- orable. As to matters of faith he need not be in utter despair; for some of them would be found in all the evangelical churches, and
exhibit of race longevity, nearly all having exceeded the Scriptural measure, threescore and ten years, and several having gone many years beyond that limit. A quiet, temperate mode of life and freedom from those per-
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
daughters resided for several years after his death. It is situated on the south fork of Pine creek. Mr. McAuley purchased first a tract of 10212 acres, on which a big log house was standing. That, however, was about the only improvement. The land was overgrown with brush, but he set bravely to work, and not only succeeded in placing his original pur- chase under cultivation, but bought another tract containing sixty-one acres and a fraction. As he prospered he put up new buildings, and the fine condition the place attained under his intelligent management showed him to be a man of resource and energy, as well as pro- gressive ideas. He became a well known citi- old men, large men, men sober and honest, zen of Armstrong county, having served as men scholarly and smart, equal no doubt, tax collector for many years from 1869, and
with those among themselves; and when all these are brought into the reckoning and the straight edge of those attributes which go to make up right living, good citizenship and helpful neighborliness is applied, they will be content if found to stand near the line.
`JAMES McAULEY, late of Boggs town- ship, had lived on his farm there for almost fifty years at the time of his death. He was a native of Ireland, born July 28, 1828, in County Antrim, Province of Ulster, son of Henry and Martha (McIntire) McAuley, Scotch-Irish people who lived and died in Ireland. They left only one child. The father was a weaver of fine linen.
The mother had two brothers, John and James, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Mitchell, the latter being the only one of the family to come age of an education. to America. She and her husband settled in Ohio.
James McAuley received his early education in Ireland. His parents having died, he came to America at the age of seventeen, joining some friends in Pittsburgh who had written him of the opportunities to be found in the new land. He worked on farms about what was then the village of Mechanicsburg, now Verona, and studied under Prof. Samuel Jones until he became fitted to take up the profes- sion of school teacher, which he followed for a number of years. On March 29, 1855, he married in Pittsburgh Cornelia Remaley, and on April 5th they went to Ohio, settling on a small farm near Lucasville, where Mr. Mc- Auley had previously taught school. After a residence of a year and a half there they sold out and returned to Pennsylvania, settling Dec. 10, 1857, on the farm in Boggs township, Armstrong county, which was ever afterward
plexities and cares which burn up the nerve his home, and where his widow and three forces, has no doubt contributed largely to this result. In stature the men of the family are usually above the accepted average of five feet, eight inches, but few falling below that measure, and many of them reaching above the stature of six feet ; while many have developed the unusual avoirdupois of two hundred pounds and upward. It is not to be inferred, however, that any claim for superior fitness or merit is implied in mentioning these facts. It is simply intended that as a class they be accorded a recognition among their neighbors such as the neighbors may reason- ably claim for themselves; and recognizing always that among the neighbors there are
was quite prominent in the work of the Demo- cratic party. While he and his wife were liv- ing in Ohio he was instrumental in organiz- ing the church there, and after settling in Boggs township was prominently identified with the United Presbyterian Church, being an elder in the Mount Zion Church. He died at his home April 21, 1907.
The following children were born to James and Cornelia (Remaley ) McAuley, Martha, Susan, Mary, Margaret, Minerva, Elvira, Isa- bella, Robert James and Sara Orie. Mary died when but five years of age and Isabella in June, 1913, at the age of forty-four. Susan and Sara Orie remain with their mother. The other members of the family all married, and reside in different parts of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. McAuley appreciated the advant- In the early years of their married life, after the toils of the day were over, they made their home like a school, and as a result of their teaching all their chil- dren enjoyed a liberal education, several of them becoming prominent teachers.
George Remaley, grandfather of Mrs. Mc- Auley, was born on the German side of the Rhine, and her maternal grandfather, Christo- pher Hoffer, was born on the Switzerland side. The latter came to America, and drove a six- horse team from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, where he located. He owned a 200-acre dairy farm there, part of which is now the site of the Union depot at Pittsburgh.
John Remaley, son of George and Katie (Richards) Remaley and father of Mrs. Mc- Auley, married Mary Hoffer, and they became the parents of six children: John, Susan, Jacob, Catharine, Cornelia (born March 17, 1833, at Springdale, Allegheny Co., Pa., now the widow of James McAuley), and James.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Mrs. McAuley was but two and one-half years the Philadelphia Insurance Company at Pitts- old when her mother died, and her father died in the prime of his life, when only forty-four years old. At the death of her mother she went to live with her aunt, Mrs. Susan (Hof- fer) Wright, of Pittsburgh, where she resided until her marriage.
CHARLES HENRY FURNEE, M. D., of Kittanning, Armstrong county, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, is a native of that borough, born July 10, 1878, son of Scott Willard and Margaret B. (Williams) Furnee.
Dr. Furnee obtained his preparatory educa- tion in the public schools, attending grammar and high school, and took his medical course at the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadel- phia, from which institution he was graduated in 1896. Following this he acted as instructor in the medical department of the Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tenn., and received another degree from that institution. At the beginning of the Spanish-American war he enlisted, entering the service as hospital stew- ard. He was first connected with the Ist
burgh. The Doctor has been highly successful in his work, and his steady advancement has been well deserved, for he has worked hard and conscientiously, devoting himself to the best interests of the profession in whatever capacity he has followed it. He is a member of the Allegheny County Medical Society, of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and of the American Medical Association.
The Doctor has various social connections, being a Mason, a member of the Sons of Vet- erans, a member of the Tariff Club and a mem- ber of the DuOwama Kennel Club. He was formerly connected with the Americus Club.
On Jan. 2, 1907, Dr. Furnee was married to Fannie C. Downey, who is a daughter of Michael Downey, now retired, of Philadelphia, Pa. He was at the head of vast shipbuilding interests.
JAMES KERR, late of Bethel township, Armstrong county, was a resident of that township for over half a century, living on the farm where three of his children still Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, and later trans- reside. Mr. Kerr was a native of Scotland, ferred to the 3d Tennessee Volunteer In- born Jan. 9, 1822. His grandparents were John and Agnes (Dorman) Kerr, of Kirk- colm, Wigtownshire, who died in 1802 and 1812, respectively.
. fantry, becoming assistant surgeon, with the rank of first lieutenant. He received his dis- charge in February, 1900, at Anniston, Ala. Returning soon afterward to Armstrong coun- Stair Kerr, father of James Kerr, was ty, Pa., Dr. Furnee engaged in practice at Ma- born and reared in Scotland, and lived at Kirkcolm, where he was engaged as superintendent of farms and in the man- ufacture of cheese. In his native land he married Jennet Wither, who was born and reared there also, and they came to the United States in 1838. Settling on a farm at Worthington, Armstrong Co., Pa., they lived and died there, Mr. Kerr passing away in .November, 1865, aged ninety- three years, his wife Dec. 31, 18-, at the age of eighty-six. They were Covenanter Presbyterians. Their family consisted of fourteen children, none now living, though they were noted for longevity. The sons, Nevin and William, twins, lived to be over ninety, Nevin dying May 2, 1912, aged ninety-five years, and William Dec. 13, 191I. aged ninety-four. The former married Cath- erine McClatchey and had a family ; the latter never married. honing for seven years, meantime, in addition to attending to his private practice, acting as surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany. He then became chief surgeon for the Wabash Railway Company, holding that posi- tion for two years, when he accepted an ap- pointment as medical superintendent of the city hospitals of Pittsburgh at Marshalsea, the Pittsburgh City Asylum, Hospital and Home, the Home and city and general hospitals being under his supervision. He served under the administrations of Hayes and Guthrie, and subsequently assumed charge of the municipal hospital for one year. For the next five years Dr. Furnee was engaged in general practice, being located at No. 5747 Ellsworth avenue, Pittsburgh, and at the end of that period, feel- ing need of recuperation, after several years of close work and study, he spent a year in hunting and fishing in Texas and the Gulf of Mexico. In 1912 he returned to his native James Kerr passed his early life in Scot- land, coming to America in his seventeenth year and settling in Armstrong county, where he became a prosperous farmer and county, settling at Kittanning, where he is now practicing, making a specialty of treating dis- eases of the ear, nose and throat. Until a year ago he also carried on insurance work, being passed the remainder of his life. He died owner and manager of the general agency of June 23, 1897, at the age of seventy-five
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
years, a prominent member of the Presby- terian Church, in which he was a faithful worker, serving continuously as elder from the time he was first elected to that office, in 1855, until his death.
On Feb. 12, 1851, Mr. Kerr was united in marriage with Margaret Walker, who was born Nov. 7, 1825, in Armstrong county, daughter of Robert A. and Mary (Walker) Walker, cousins. Mrs. James Kerr died . May 26, 1891. Seven children were born to this union, of whom Mary and Hugh are deceased, Mary dying at the age of sixteen years, and Hugh when seven weeks old. The five who survive the parents are: Robert W. married Ida H. Hoffman, of Eddyville, and lives in Bur- rell township (they have nine children, R. Clifton, Reuben A., Grace E., William Gregg, John B., Ruth, Earl, Martha and Mildred) ; James W. married Maggie Young, of Kellersburg, Armstrong county, and had two sons, Hugh and Dwight, the latter dying when five years old; John S. married Maggie B. Lawther, of Whitesburg, Arm- strong county, who died in 1909, the mother of Velma J., Pauline, Blanch E., James L., and Jessie (who died when four years old) ; Misses Elizabeth and Jennet W. live with their brother John, on the old home farm in Bethel township. All the family are members of the Crooked Creek Presby- terian Church, and Miss Elizabeth is par- ticularly interested in the work of the Sun-, day school, being superintendent of the "cradle roll."
John S. Kerr and his sisters conduct the ber of the city council, and won the confi- farm very successfully, keeping the prop- erty up to the high standard it long ago attained under the management of this thrifty family.
FRED C. MOHNEY, poultry raiser and farmer of Rayburn township, Armstrong county, was born in Red Bank township, this county, Aug. 2, 1858, son of Lewis S. and Rebecca (Shick) Mohney. His great-grand- father, Jonathan Mohney, who founded the family in America, was born in Germany, and on coming to this country settled with his wife in Clarion county, Pa. He was a member of the Reformed Church, the family establishing the first Reformed Church in Clarion county, and his descendants adhere to the same faith. In politics the men of this family have all been Democrats.
a large tract of land in Red Bank township, where New Bethlehem, Hawthorn, Fairmount, etc., are now located. His death occurred in 1832. His children were as follows: John, who died in Clarion county in 1910, at the age of ninety-two years; Jonathan; Adam; Fred; Susan, Mrs. Hartsell, and Lewis S.
Lewis S. Mohney, son of Adam, was born in Red Bank township, Clarion county, in 1824, and died at the age of seventy-seven years. He died at the home of his son F. C. Mohney, in Kittanning. He enlisted in the support of the Union cause during the Civil war, but was never called upon to serve. Mr. Mohney married Rebecca Shick, who was born Aug. 20, 1827, in Red Bank township, Arm- strong county, and died at the age of sixty- eight years, at Hawthorn, Clarion county. They had the following children: Jacob, who died at Kittanning ; Dr. Adam M., who died in Clarion county ; William, who died in the West ; Fred C .; Dr. Christ, who died in Clar- ion county ; Lizzie, Mrs. Jud. McMillan, of Punxsutawney, Pa., where she died ; Charles, who died in Oklahoma; Christina, John and Monroe, all of whom died in infancy.
Fred C. Mohney grew to manhood at Haw- thorn, Clarion county, Pa., where his father had a store, moving there in 1865. He learned the trade of carpenter, and for many years was employed at such work in Kittanning, where for nineteen years he was employed by the American Planing Mill Company and the Heilman Lumber Company, becoming fore- man in the planing mill. He became quite well known in that borough, serving as mem- dence of his fellow citizens to such an ex- tent that in 1908 he was elected county audi- tor, giving highly creditable service in both capacities. He moved from the borough to engage in the poultry business, buying a piece of land in Rayburn township one mile from Kittanning, a valuable property of twenty- four acres to which he has since given the greater part of his time and attention. He built a fine brick house there, and has made many other improvements on the place. He is specially interested in poultry, raising White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red stock. The work requires scientific care and constant ap- plication, but it is an excellent field for a pro- gressive and enterprising worker, and Mr. Mohney has done very well in all his under- takings.
In 1882 Mr. Mohney was married to Reb- ecca R. Emhoff, who was born Jan. 12, 1862,
Adam Mohney, son of Jonathan, was the grandfather of Fred C. Mohney. He owned in Jefferson county, and when quite young
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
moved to Armstrong county with her parents, John and Sarah (Mohney) Emhoff, the fam- ily settling on a farm three miles from New Bethlehem. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mohney : Lloyd, born March 7, 1883, is engaged as a druggist at Kittan- ning ; in 1913 he married Jane Ann McIlwain. Olive E., born Jan. 12, 1886, died May 27, 1913; she was the wife of Henry C. Holly, from Pittsburgh, now employed as electrician at Ford City by the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company.
JOHN M. WHITE, of Mahoning, a popu- lar official and business man, is one of the best known residents of his section of Armstrong county, his numerous interests bringing him into contact with an unusual number of his fellow citizens. He was born in Pine (now Boggs) township, this county, May 4, 1853, son of David White and grandson of James White.
James White and his wife Ann (Charlton) were the first of this family to come to Arm- strong county, where they located in what was then Pine township. They died in Boggs township, she in April, 1865, he in January, 1879.
David White, son of James, was born in 1822, in Pine township. Though his educa- tional advantages were confined to such as the common schools near his home afforded, he be- came a well educated man, and taught school for several terms. He was a farmer by occu- pation, and well known and popular in his community, though he never aspired to pub- licity of any kind. In political sentiment he was a Democrat, and he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He married Nancy Jane Mateer, a native of East Frank- lin township, this county, born June II, 1824, daughter of John Mateer. Mr. and Mrs. White had four children, viz .: James, for- merly a teacher, who has been a prominent official in this section, having served in town- ship offices and for two terms as county com- missioner (he now lives in Rayburn town- ship) ; John M .; William M., at one time a teacher and for many years a well-known merchant of Mahoning, who died Jan. 9, 19TI, aged fifty-three years; and Margaret, who married Peter Elliott, a mill man, of Steuben- ville. Ohio.
John M. White obtained a common school education in the home neighborhood. When he reached his majority he began farming in Boggs township on his own account, following that calling for over a quarter of a century
with continuous success. Business pursuits have since occupied his attention. In 1901 he located at Mahoning, buying the "Mahon- ing Hotel," which he has since conducted. Mr. White's geniality and friendliness attract patrons, and his obliging disposition and good management retain custom, so that he has many qualities which insured his success as a host from the very beginning. For the last three years he has been postmaster at Mahon- ing, and he also served as registrar of births and deaths for Boggs, Pine and Madison town- ships. In 1887 he served as mercantile ap- praiser, a county office, and he has held the of- fice of school director continuously for the last eighteen years, also filling other offices. On political questions he has been associated with the Democratic party. Mr. White is a well in- formed man, fitted for the various responsibil- ities which have been intrusted to him, as his intelligent attention to their duties proves.
On Feb. 24, 1885, Mr. White married Mar- garet Hull, of Boggs township, daughter of John W. Hull, of Armstrong county, who is an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and has been a railroad man all his life. Three children have been born to them : Edith is married to Charles Beatty, of Pine township, and has two children, Margaret and John; John D. is timekeeper for J. H. Crebett & Co., on the railroad ; Harry is at home. Mrs. White is a Baptist in religious connection. Mr. White belongs to the B. P. O. Elks lodge at Kittanning.
JAMES HILL, retired farmer of South Buffalo township, one of the oldest residents of that part of Armstrong county, was born Oct. 9, 1828. in County Tyrone, Ireland, son of James B. and Margaret (Brown) Hill, of the same place. The parents grew up and married there.
James B. Hill was a cloth weaver by trade. He came to America in 1830, the sailing ves- sel in which he made the trip having a very rough passage. The sails were blown off and she was nearly wrecked, but with sails made of blankets, sheets and other bed clothing pro- ceeded on her way and Mr. Hill landed in Baltimore. continuing thence to Freeport. Pa. He found work on the Leechburg dam and also on other public works for two years. in the spring of 1832 locating in South Buffalo township, Armstrong county, where he ob- tained a piece of land which had a small house and clearing but no other improvements. Here he made a permanent home and lived until his death, at the age of eighty-four years.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
His wife had died when fifty years old. They was born June 6, 1830, in Plum Creek town- were Presbyterian Church members. This ship, this county, son of John and Sarah (Frantz) Shoup. Grandfather Henry Shoup was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His wife was born in Holland. pioneer couple had four children: Jane, who died of fever ; Margaret, who died in Ireland ; James; and William J., who died when eleven years old.
John Shoup was born in Maryland, near Harper's Ferry, and in 1824 settled on a farm of 100 acres in Plum Creek township, Arm-
James Hill had little chance to go to school, and obtained most of his education through his own efforts. He always lived with his par- . strong county. In the early days he engaged ents and followed farming, improving the in teaming across the country between Phila- delphia and Pittsburgh, and also worked in a distillery. He died in 1855, a highly respected man, and a member of the Reformed Church. He married Sarah Frantz, daughter of Jacob Frantz, who lived within two miles of Greens- burg, Westmoreland Co., Pa. The mother of Jacob Shoup died in 1878, and of the nine children of the family but two survive, Jacob and J. F., the latter now residing in Oregon. home place greatly during his active years- in fact the principal buildings are of his con- struction. In 1867 he built the barn, and in 1869 made the brick for the present resi- dence, which was erected in 1871. He served as supervisor and in other local offices, to which he was elected on the Republican ticket, and he is highly respected all over this part of Armstrong county, where he is very well known. He has been a member of the Pres- byterian Church for fifty years.
Jacob Shoup in his boyhood had the usual school advantages of the country boy of that period and remained with his father on the home farm until the latter's death, with the exception of seven years during which he was lumbering in the pine woods along the Susque- hanna river. The rest of the time he has followed agricultural pursuits.
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