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 84
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Miles Hileman attended the public schools of his native township, and was brought up amid agricultural surroundings. He has al- ways been a farmer, and is now living on the old homestead.
In 1885 Mr. Hileman married Elmyra Kun- kle, daughter of Jacob Kunkle, of Armstrong county. Nine children have been born of this marriage; Carrie, wife of William Craven- son ; Dora, wife of Meriet Davis ; Alexander ; Tamer; Oldphrey; Elsie; Silvis; Lloyd Irin, and Laud. Mr. and Mrs. Hileman are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. The Heil- man and Kunkle family are among the best known residents of Armstrong county.
LABANNA S. TOWNSEND, farmer of Kiskiminetas township, now practically re- tired from active labor, was born in Arm-
William Townsend was born in Kiskimine- tas township in 1800. When he was fifteen years old, he began learning blacksmithing with his father, and worked at his trade with his brother until his marriage. He then bought the homestead, afterwards purchased by George Townsend, brother of Labanna S. Townsend, and removed to it in the spring of 1829. For the remainder of his life he was engaged in farming, dying April 6, 1884, his widow surviving until Sept. 1, 1889. She was born in Pennsylvania. Politically, he was a Democrat. For many years, he was a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church at Maysville, and served it as deacon and elder. Of the chil- dren born to him and his wife but two are living, George and Labanna S.
Labanna S. Townsend attended the common schools until his twentieth year, and resided with his parents until his marriage, when he rented a farm for a short time. In 1865, he moved to Maysville and worked at his trade of carpenter for ten years, when, in 1871, he bought his present farm at Maysville, on which he has a good bearing orchard, the yield from which is very large. There are apples and other fruits, the grapes being especially good. Mr. Townsend has about re- tired from active pursuits. He is recognized as an honorable, upright citizen, and has the respect of all his townsmen. His vote is cast for the candidates of the Democratic party.
On Jan. 8, 1861, Mr. Townsend was mar- ried, in Kiskiminetas township, to Julia Arm- strong, daughter of Clayton Armstrong, who located in Westmoreland county in 1845. Mr. Armstrong was a well known man in his day. Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Townsend, of which nine are now liv- ing : L. F., Flora, Emerson, Alva B., Lillie, Margaret, Flossy, Theodore and Roller.
JACOB DIEHL, retired business man and veteran of the Civil war, Parker's Landing. Pa., was born January 8, 1842, at Philadel- phia, Pa., a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Feld- tinan) Diehl.
The parents of Jacob Diehl, of Parker's Landing, were born in Hesse Darmstadt, Ger-
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
many, and came to the United States in 1840, settling in the city of Philadelphia. There the father followed the tailor's trade and re- sided in the same city until his death, Feb. 14, 1854. His widow survived him but two weeks. The orphaned family consisted of five children: Catherine, now deceased, who at Parker's Landing. was the wife of William Bull; John; Jacob ; Elizabeth, who is deceased, was the wife of Harry Fetter; and Mary, who died after mar- riage.
Jacob Diehl attended the public schools of his native city anl then learned the cigarmak- er's trade. At the outbreak of the Civil war he was one of the first young patriots to re- spond to the call of President Lincoln, enlist- ing on April 15, 1861, as a private in Co. D., 4th Bat., District of Columbia, at Washington, D. C., and served out his first term of enlist- ment and was honorably discharged July 17, 1861. On August 8, 1861, he re-enlisted, con- tracting to serve three years, or during the
He took part in the battles of Ball's Bluff, Winchester, the engagements of the Penin- sular campaign, the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. At the last named place he was captured by the Confederates, July 3, 1863, and at first was incarcerated in Libby Prison, later was transferred to Salisbury, N. C., then was sent to Macon, Ga., to Charleston and finally to the military prison at Columbia, S. C. From that stronghold he managed to es- cape after thrilling adventures and on Febru- ary 14, 1865, succeeded in reaching the Union lines, was provided with a horse and traveled with his comrades. until March 15, 1865, when he was again honorably discharged. Once more he enlisted, on April 1, 1865, entering Co. H, 6th U. S. Vet. Vols., as first sergeant, a position he held but one day, being elected second lieutenant of Co. B, 7th U. S. Vet. Vols. After one more year of service he re- ceived his third honorable discharge, at Wash- ington, D. C., in March 1866. At the time of capture he was first lieutenant of Co. C, 7Ist Vol. Inf. and during his imprisonment was elected captain of that company.
In 1866 Captain Diehl located at Titusville, Pa., where he opened a billiard room which he successfully conducted until 1871, when he removed to Parker's Landing and resumed the same business and continued until 1876, when he embarked in the hotel business and was proprietor of the Diehl Hotel, until 1889. His next business venture was the purchase of the opera house at Parker's Landing and for
fifteen years he conducted it and it was known far and wide to the public as the Diehl Opera House. From 1896 until 1900 he was en- gaged in the oil business and since 1905 he has looked after his real estate interests. He is a member of Craig Post, No. 75, G. A. R.,
On February 14, 1867, Captain Diehl was married to Mary Fowler, a daughter of Wil- liam and Harriet (Goodrich) Fowler, of Titus- ville, Pa. They have two children: Fannie, who is the wife of Patrick C. Ahern; and William C. D. In politics Captain Diehl is a Democrat and fraternally he is a Mason.
JAMES W. PATTERSON, farmer and dairyman, of Kiskiminetas township, was born Nov. 27, 1861, in Westmoreland county, Pa., a son of William and Ann (Billingsly) Patter- son.
William Patterson was born in Ireland. By his first marriage he had three children : war, as a member of Co. R, 7Ist Pa. Vol. Inf. . Martha Ellen, now Mrs. John McKey ; Jane, now Mrs. Gartly, and George C. After the death of his first wife, he married (second) the mother of James W., a native of Pennsyl- vania, and she bore him ten children, six of whom survive: Sarah C., now Mrs. Kline; Margaret A., now Mrs. Gumbert; James W .; Thomas J. ; Eliza, now Mrs. Young and Rachel J., now Mrs. R. C. George. The father was an early settler in Westmoreland county, and was one of those who helped to develop Westmoreland county from a forest to a fine farming region. He was an ex- pert railsplitter, and was once pitted against a man weighing over 200 pounds in a con- test as to the number of rails each could split in a day. The father won the prize, al- though he only weighed 150 pounds, beating his adversary by 150 rails. He died in West- moreland county in 1903, his widow sur- viving until 1909. Both were members of the old Covenanter Presbyterian Church, and were very much interested in church work.
James Patterson attended public school until his twentieth year, and lived under the paren- tal roof until he married. Following this, he resided on a rented farm for twelve years, when he moved to Armstrong county, in 1898, buying the sixty-eight acres he has since cul- tivated. It is one of the best fruit farms in this section, the apple orchard covering five acres, and his trees produce abundantly. He also raises a large variety of other fruit, in- cluding berries, and all his farm products are of the finest quality. He is also engaged in a dairying business, supplying milk to the mar-
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ket, feeding twenty-seven fine milch cows. On March 25, 1886, Mr. Patterson was mar- ried in Apollo, and eight children have been born of this marriage, five of whom are now living: Etha P., now Mrs. W. H. Jackson; James M .; Anna Mary; Sarah Elizabeth, and Wilda L. Mr. Patterson has always endeav- ored to give his children the best of edu- cational advantages, and James M. attended agricultural college, Harrisburg, Pa., in order to supplement his practical knowledge of farming, with a scientific course in methods and theories. The family reside in a beauti- ful home on the Spring Church road, and the dwelling and farm are kept in first-class order.
JOHN E. AND MARK H. SNYDER, brothers, sons of John Snyder, are in the coal business under the firm name of the Snyder Brothers Coal Company, which sup- plies a considerable share of the local trade, for both manufacturing and domestic pur- poses, and operates a mine which was first opened about 1870.
John Snyder, the father, was born in Salem, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and now resides in Kittanning, Armstrong countly. He married Magdalena Shaffer, of Armstrong county, daughter of Anthony Shaffer of Cherry Run, Kittanning township, this county, and they became the parents of twelve children, six of whom, four sons and two daughters, live in Armstrong county. The mother died Sept. 3, 1811, and is buried at Homewood, in Bethel township, Armstrong county. Like her hus- band she was a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics he has always been a Repub- lican. During the Civil war he served in Company F, 3d Heavy Artillery, 162d Penn- sylvania Volunteers.
John E. Snyder was born July 22, 1868, in Armstrong county and in his boyhood attend- ed public school, leaving, however, at an early age. But he did not give up study, buying books as he could and persevering with read- ing and the acquisition of general information to such an extent that he may be called a practically self-educated man. From early youth he has been familiar with the practical work of mining, and in January, 1906, in part- nership with his brother Mark, he bought the leases, cars and other equipment of Joseph Beck on the operation they have since worked, located a quarter of a mile down the Alle- gheny river from Kittanning, on the west bank, situated in North Buffalo township. They have about eighty acres of leased coal running from the river bridge west and ad-
joining the Fair grounds. This mine was first opened about 1870, by Mr. Mecklens, who made two entrances. The bank had been abandoned for some forty years when Joseph Beck resumed work there, in 1905, and he was soon bought out by the Snyder Brothers Coal Company, whose operations have been carried on continually since. There are two entrances to the old mine, where the coal vein is from three to four feet in thickness, and the Snyders also have a lease on the top vein of coal. From four to twelve men are em- ployed, and there are two paydays monthly, all the business of the concern being attended as systematically as is customary among the larg- er companies. The Snyders own two teams which are kept busy hauling to the Kittanning Iron & Steel Company, their largest buyers, with whom they make yearly contracts, this concern using from 200 to 400 tons monthly. They also supply the Kittanning Plate Glass Company, and sell large quantities of coal by the bushel for domestic use, two or three ex- tra teams being engaged in delivering to their customers all over Kittanning and vicinity.
Mark H. Snyder was born Nov. 9 1876, in North Washington township, Westmore- land Co., Pa., and received his education in the public schools, first attending at Manor- ville, and later the Bethel township (Arm- strong county) schools. Ever since he left school he has been engaged in mining, since January, 1906, he and his brother have been very successfully engaged in their present enterprise.
The brothers have many interests in com- mon outside of business. They served to- gether in the Spanish-American war as mem- bers of the 17th Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, and after their discharge, by special order of the War Department, re- turned to their Pennsylvania home. They are prominent members of the Baptist Church. of which John E. Snyder is now a trustee, and he was formerly a deacon for five years, his brother now holding that office. John E. Snyder is teacher of the Snyders Bible class. of the Adults' State Association, and he and his brother are active members of the Per- sonal Worker's League, which has a nation- wide membership, Mark H. Snyder serving on the devotion committee at present. The brothers have also assisted faithfully in pro- viding the music, both having good voices and belonging to the Male Quartet and to the Men's Chorus. Politically they are Repub- licans, and thoroughly in sympathy with Pro- hibition principles.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
On Aug. 15, 1901, the brothers were mar- ried, John E. Snyder to Effie Catherine Har- mon and Mark H. Snyder to Elvira Harmon, her sister, daughters of Philip and Eliza- beth (White) Harmon. Rev. A. F. Shu- maker officiated, the double wedding taking place at Ross farm, near Rosston, this county. Mr. and Mrs. John E. Snyder have two chil- dren, Hazel Marie and Mark Emerson, and Mr. and Mrs. Mark H. Snyder also have two, Charles Harmon and Florence Elvira. The former reside at No. 510 Hawthorne avenue, Kittanning, the latter in the adjoining prop-' erty at No. 512 Hawthorne avenue.
SAMUEL RUPP (deceased) was
for many years a well-known resident of Valley township, Armstrong county, where he filled several township offices. He was a farmer by occupation. He was born near the Rupp Church in the Rupp settlement in Armstrong county. In 1866 he married Hanna Cravener, who was born March 4, 1842, at. Blanket Hill, in Kittanning township, this county, daughter of John and Mary (Dunmire) Cravener, the former of whom was born east of the moun- tains, the latter in Armstrong county. Mr. Cravener was a blacksmith by trade and also followed farming. His family consisted of six sons and six daughters.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rupp lived at Blanket Hill, on a farm, until they moved to the farm in Valley township where Mrs. Rupp still continues to make her home. Here they purchased sixty-two acres of land, on which there were some inprovements. An old log house and stable which then stood on the place have been replaced by more modern structures, substantial and well kept up, and many improvements have been made during the time the Rupps have owned the prop- erty, which is now quite valuable. Mr. Rupp was a public-spirited citizen, ever ready to do his share to promote the general welfare or look after the business of the township, and he held various offices, performing his duties creditably and faithfully. He was a Republican in political sentiment. His death occurred in 1910, when he was seventy-two years of age.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rupp: David, who is engaged in farming in Valley township; Mary, deceased; Lizzie, de- ceased; Thomas, who resides at Jeannette, Westmoreland Co., Pa .; Milton, who resides at Kittanning, this county, and one that died in infancy unnamed.
SAMUEL M. WEST, a retired business man of Apollo, Pa., and a veteran of the Civil war, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., Jan. 23, 1841, son of Adam and Sarah West.
Adam West was a shoemaker and followed the trade through life. He was a hard-work- ing and highly respected man and died in his native State in 1843. His wife survived him for many years, her death occurring in 1876. They were parents of eight children, the only survivor of the family being Samuel M.
Samuel M. West was reared by an aunt after the death of his father, and he resided with her and enjoyed school advantages un- til he enlisted for service in the Civil war. This was in the fall of 1861, when he en- tered Company C, 4th Pa. Vol. Cav., as a private, later becoming first sergeant. He joined his regiment at Harrisburg, Pa., and from there the command was sent to Wash- ington, D. C., where it was placed under the leadership of General McClelland. This regiment gave a good account of itself, and as a member of it Sergeant West participated in sixty-seven engagements. It took part at Malvern Hill and White Oak Swamp, and at Gettysburg its activity prevented General Stuart making his proposed connection with the other Confederate forces. At Antietam the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment was a part of the advance guard and in that fierce engage- ment the brave Colonel Childs was killed. While the battle was in progress Mr. West was one of those detailed to give care to the wounded and dying soldiers. In the spring of 1864 he took part in the battle of the Wilder- ness, having re-enlisted in the same company and regiment in which he had served out his first term, and after the surrender of General Lee his regiment went into camp at Lynch- burg, Va., where it lay until honorably dis- charged, July 13, 1865.
Mr. West then returned home and on Oct. 26, 1865, in Westmoreland county, was mar- ried to Margaret Townsend. Four sons and one daughter were born to them : Carrie Isa- bel, Robert T., Harry H., Clayton D. C. and Elmore Murray.
After his marriage, Mr. West interested himself in farming, both in Pennsylvania and in Virginia, continuing agricultural work until he moved to Apollo, Pa. Here he went into the teaming and draying business and was so engaged until 1907, when failing health, un- doubtedly due to his years of army exposure, compelled him to retire from active life. He is a member of Whitworth Post, No. 89, G. A.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
R. In politics he is a Republican, and for He has made all of the existing improvements nine years served in the office of constable at Apollo.
BERTRAM L. WILLARD, closely as- sociated with the building interests of Arm- strong county as a contractor and builder, and one of the public-spirited citizens of Kittan- ning, was born in this city, April 26, 1875, son of Smith and Elizabeth Willard.
Smith Willard had three children: Bert- ram L .; Pearl, wife of W. G. Stephens; and Alma, wife of R. J. Kennedy.
Bertram L. Willard was educated at the Kittanning public schools, and when only sev- enteen years old was apprenticed to the car- penter's trade. After finishing his appren- ticeship he worked as a journeyman for a period of about twelve years, during this time being employed by various contractors, and thus familiarizing himself with every detail of the work and becoming qualified to go into business for himself. This he did in 1907, and has met with marked success. He is also an expert patternmaker, and specializes on making patterns for small castings in his shop. Progressive and modern in all his methods, he has taken some important contracts and carried them through to successful comple- tion. Fraternally he belongs to Blue Lodge No. 244, F. & A. M .; Orient Chapter, No. 247, R. A. M., and has taken the Consistory degrees. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows, being a past grand in that order, as he has filled all the chairs. In addition he is a mem- ber of the grand lodge, representing his local lodge in that body. His religious connections are with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a consistent member.
W. H. EYNON, farmer and justice of the peace of Brady's Bend township, is one of the substantial citizens of his section of Arm- strong county. He was born in South Wales, May 28, 1847, son of John and Catherine Eynon, both of whom died in South Wales, where W. H. Eynon was reared and educated.
In 1868 Mr. Eynon came to the United States by himself, the trip taking eleven days, and landed in New York City, whence he went West, to Illinois and Iowa, where he engaged in farming. Later he returned East, and com- ing to Pennsylvania settled on his present property of twenty-two acres, located a half mile west of Kaylor on the Butler, Brady's Bend, Chicora road, in Brady's Bend town- ship. It was formerly owned by Lewis Barn- hart, from whom Mr. Eynon purchased it. 59
upon this farm, and has a valuable place. For sixteen years he was also engaged in mining coal and ore.
Mr. Eynon married Sarah Barnhart, a daughter of the late John and Susan Barnhart, residents of Brady's Bend township. Mr. and Mrs. Eynon have had the following children : Ethel, who is at home; Myrtle, wife of Samuel P. Hillwig, of Brady's Bend township; Wil- liam J., who died when seven months old; and Harry Roland, who died at the age of eight years.
A Republican politically, Mr. Eynon has served as auditor of Brady's Bend township for eighteen years, and has been health of- ficer of his locality since the creation of that office. The Baptist Church holds his mem- bership and he is held in high respect in that congregation, as he is elsewhere, for he is a man of sterling integrity and excellent worth.
H. A. HOOKS, a veteran of the Civil war, now living retired at Adrian, Armstrong coun- ty, was born in this county, Sept. 4, 1843, son of Hugh and Catherine (Leisure) Hooks, The Hooks family originated in Scotland.
Hugh Hooks was born in 1812, in Penn- sylvania, and died in East Franklin township, Armstrong county, in 1891. He had a family of twelve children, only four of whom sur- vive, H. A. Hooks being eighth in the order of birth. The mother died in 1886.
H. A. Hooks went to the school of his dis- trict until his enlistment for service during the Civil war. He was only seventeen years old when he enlisted in Company G, 78th, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, at Kittan- ning, when the regiment was organized, and served as a private until his discharge. The regiment was transferred to Louisville, Ky., and afterward to Rock Springs, Ky., where they were first engaged with the enemy. They were in pursuit of the Confederate Gen- eral Buckner, and followed him into Tennes- see. Mr. Hooks participated in the battles of Nashville, Green River, Lavergne, Neely's Bend, Gridleyville, Franklin, Stone River. Liberty Gap, Hoover Gap. McLemore's Cove, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Dalton, Pulaski, and other engage- ments of less importance. In the battle of Stone River he was wounded, in the mouth in a cross fire engagement, and at Chickamauga he was severely wounded in the intestines. During the siege of Nashville he lost his leg,
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
being shot by a cannon ball. This lamentable on the old homestead, succeeding his father by event occurred Sept. 29, 1864, eleven days be- will and purchasing the interests of the other fore the expiration of his term of service. He heirs. He owns seven acres more than the was honorably discharged, Nov. 15, 1865, and original tract, having bought this land as a returned to Armstrong county, where he has resided ever since, his home being in East Franklin township.
Mr. Hooks is a man of considerable im- portance in this locality, and has held several of the township offices, serving as jury com- missioner, constable and school director. He has been a Republican in politics, belonging to the progressive ranks of that party. An enthusiastic member of the G. A. R. post, he enjoys meeting his old comrades. It is his pride to keep well posted upon current events, which he is able to discuss intelligently, and he enjoys Civil war reminiscences, living again through those stirring times, when he partici- pated in so many important conflicts of the mighty struggle, which cost him so much.
JAMES M. WALLY, of Perry township, Armstrong Co., Pa., a prosperous farmer, who owns the old homestead of one hundred acres, was born on that farm, June 5, 1855, son of John and Charlotte (Truby) Wally.
Charles Wally, his paternal grandfather, was a pioneer of what is now Fairview town- ship, Butler Co., Pa., where he resided until his death. His wife was Rachel Hanes and their children were: John; Nicholas ; Ebenez- er; Catherine, who married Benjamin Hanes ; Nancy, who married Charles Allsworth; Sarah, who married William Wallace; Jane, who married David Chambers; Thomas, and Alexander.
John Wally, son of Charles Wally, settled in Perry township, Armstrong county, in 1834, and cleared and improved the farm of one hundred acres, which is now owned by his son, James M., residing there until his death, which occurred in 1885, in his seventy- third year. His wife, Charlotte Truby, was a daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Lauffer) Truby, pioneers of Perry township, and twelve children were born to them, eleven of whom reached maturity, viz .: William and Phebe Ann are both deceased; Thomas sur- vives; Catherine J. married Boyd Miller ; Rachel C. was married to John Evans, and (second) to Victor B. George; Polly married Benjamin Evans ; Nancy E. married Frank W. George; John L. and James M. were next in the order of birth ; Olive Ann married Reuben Hagerson, and Letitia married Orrin A. Knox.
James M. Wally has been a lifelong resi- dent of Perry township and has always lived
valuable addition to the farm, and has carried on agricultural pursuits with much success. Besides for some twenty-four years he was employed as a driller and tool dresser in the Pennsylvania oil fields, and withal has been a very busy man. Nevertheless he has found time to pay attention to public matters as be- comes a good citizen, and on numerous oc- casions has been elected to township offices, on the Democratic ticket. For five years he served as a justice of the peace, six years as one of the overseers of the poor, and is serv- ing his third term as school director.
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