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 85
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On April 18, 1886, Mr. Wally was married to Virginia Simpson, a daughter of William and Mary (Wilkins) Simpson, of Freeport, Pa., and they had two children, George Dallas and Virginia Ida. The mother died Aug. 25, 1888. Mr. Wally was married (second) on March 2, 1895, to Mrs. Eva Day, a daugh- ter of Washington and Nancy (Shepherd) Hogan, of Monterey, Pa. Mrs. Wally died March 1, 1902. Mr. Wally is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is identified with East Brady Lodge, No. 640, F. & A. M.
J. K. BENNINGER, farmer, fruit grower and oil producer, owning ten acres of land on the Allegheny river in Brady's Bend town- ship, was born at Millers Eddy, in Perry town- ship, Armstrong Co., Pa., April 14, 1848, son of Peter Benninger and a grandson of Peter Benninger.
Peter Benninger, the grandfather, came from Lehigh county, Pa., to Clarion county, where he located at Catfish, and there reared his family. He died in Clarion county, and is buried there. He had seven sons and one daughter, his son Peter being the fourth child in order of birth.
Peter Benninger, father of J. K. Benninger, was born at Catfish, Clarion Co., Pa., and grew to manhood there. After marriage he removed to Perry township, Armstrong coun- ty, where he was, for some time, a pilot on river boats, but later became a merchant at Millers Eddy. He died in 1865, at the age of sixty-seven years, and is buried in Perry town- ship. He was a pioneer in Perry township, as the country was practically a wilderness when he settled there and many Indians yet re- mained in the neighborhood. In politics he was a Democrat. At Millers Eddy he was
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
married to Phoebe Truby, of Perry county, Jacob Frick, a pioneer of Armstrong county. Pa., and they had five children, two daughters and one son still surviving ; one son was killed while in the army. The mother died in 1850 and was buried in Perry township. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Eleven children were born to this marriage, seven of whom grew to maturity, as follows : Church; Jacob; Alexander; Michael F .; Polly Jane, who married Andrew Wolf; Christopher ; and Nancy J., who married Ed- ward Wilson. The mother of this family was
J. K. Benninger attended school in Perry
township, leaving at the age of fourteen years. a native of Northumberland county.
He remained on the farm until he was seven- teen years old, learned boatbuilding at Millers Eddy, and afterward was associated with his father in transporting oil by boat from Oil Creek to Pittsburgh. For some time he worked in a rolling mill, later engaged in min- ing coal, and then entered the oil fields in Butler county as a driller, continuing thus for fourteen years. Mr. Benninger then bought his present place, on which he has a producing oil well, and devotes his land to growing small fruits, principally strawberries. He has lived there since 1864, has erected the residence, and made other improvements. In politics he is a Republican.
In 1866 Mr. Benninger was married to Rachel Seybert, daughter of Henry Seybert, an early settler in this township. She was the mother of four children: Peter, Curtis, Mary and Lou Emma. Mrs. Benninger died at the age of fifty years, and is buried in Brady's Bend township. In 1899 Mr. Ben- ninger married (second) . Tillie Seybert, daughter of Barney Seybert, and they have four children : Arthur Raymond, James Wesley, Alice and Stella Myrtle.
MICHAEL FRICK SMITH, who for over twelve years has served as postmaster at Oak Ridge, Armstrong Co., Pa., was born Feb. 23, 1842, son of Robert and Susanna (Frick) Smith. His grandfather was Church Smith, a native of Ireland and among the first set- tlers in Armstrong county. He located near Elderton, in Plum Creek township, where he lived and died. His children who grew to maturity were: James, George, Robert and Betsey (married David Berkey).
Robert Smith, son of Church Smith, was born in 1808, in Plum Creek township, Arm- strong county, and was there reared. He spent all his life in this county, living for up- ward of a quarter of a century in Washington township, where he engaged in farming. Later in life he removed to Mahoning town- ship, where his death occurred in 1882, when he was seventy-four years old. He was twice married, first to Miss McCoy, by whom he had two sons, George and James. Later he mar- ried (second) Susanna Frick, daughter of
Michael F. Smith was born in Washington township, and there grew to manhood, receiv- ing his education in the public schools. He located with his parents in Mahoning township in 1860, working at farming until Oct. 1, 1861, when he enlisted in Company M, 2d Penn- sylvania Cavalry, and took part in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, second Bull Run, Occoquan River, Gettys- burg, South Mountain, Bealton Station, Mine Run, Todd's Tavern, Beaver Dam, operations in front of Richmond, and engagements at Old Church Tavern, Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill, White Oak Swamp, Deep Bottom, Charles City Cross Roads, Reams Station, Wyatt House, Boydton Plank Road, Stony Creek, and Petersburg, as well as minor affairs. His service extended over three years and nine months, and he was honorably discharged at Clouds Mills, Va., June 28, 1865. After his return home he engaged in framing in Ma- honing and Wayne townships, and later in the lumber business. Since 1884 he has been a resident of Red Bank township, Armstrong county, where for ten years he was engaged in the mercantile business. Since 1900 he has efficiently filled the office of postmaster at Oak Ridge.
Mr. Smith married Nov. 28. 1865. Chris- tiana, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Gould) Clever, of Wayne township. They have had ten children, seven of whom are living, as follows : Edward: Nancy Jane, wife of S. L. Barger; Margaret, wife of George Neese; Hortense, wife of William Gerheim; J. Park; Mary, wife of Emil John- son ; and Della, wife of Edward Shaffer. Mr. Smith belongs to the M. E. Church. Socially he is a member of the New Bethlehem G. A. R. post. In politics he unites with the Re- publican party.
D. B. COULTER, a Civil war veteran, of Apollo, was born Sept. 22, 1833, at Elderton, in Armstrong county, Pa., and is now the old- est living native of that town. He is a son of William and Sarah (Sutton) Coulter.
William Coulter was born in Pennsylvania, as was his wife. His death occurred in 1871, hers in 1873. They had a family of nine
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
children, of whom D. B. was the eighth in those not acclimated, to say nothing of the the order of birth.
D. B. Coulter attended public school until
death that threatened with every discharge of the enemy's guns. The soldiers of the sixties through all this and be able to round out long and useful lives afterward.
his sixteenth year, and then began clerking in surely came of sturdy, healthy stock, to live a store, thus continuing until 1854. On Sept. 20, 1862, he responded to his country's call, enlisting in Company M, 14th Pennsylvania Returning to his home in Armstrong county after his discharge, arriving Aug. 5, 1865, Mr. Coulter resumed farming operations, con- ducting his father's property. Until 1882 he remained on this farm, then moving to Elder- ton, Pa., and still later to Apollo, where he has since remained, being now retired from business. He is a member of Charles Whit- worth Post, No. 89, G. A. R., and served seventeen times as adjutant of the post. Cavalry, and entering the service as a private was promoted to sergeant, then to second lieutenant. Still later he was made first lieu- tenant, with which rank he was discharged. His regiment was recruited at Pittsburgh, under the command of Col. J. M. Schoon- maker, and became one of the famous regi- ments that went out from the Keystone State. It entered the field of war at Harper's Ferry, and from there was sent to participate in the Mr. Coulter was united in marriage with Rachel Smith, at Elderton, Pa., and ten chil- dren were born of this marriage, nine of whom survive: H. W., born. Oct. 14, 1856; Sarah E., Sept. 10, 1857; William M., Dec. 5, 1861 ; Lida, May 8, 1866; John L., Aug. 31, 1867; Mary C., March 31, 1869; David A., Aug. 9, 1870; James E., May 24, 1872; Bruce E., Jan. 7, 1875. West Virginia campaign, under General Averill, 4th Separate Brigade, during 1863. Participating in the battles of Huttonville and Rocky Gap, the regiment was then placed in the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, Army of the Shenandoah, at Newmarket. Mr. Coulter's company then took a dismounted command at Remount Camp, Pleasant Valley, Md. Later they rejoined the regiment, which was under the command of General Hunter, and on June JOSEPH TEMPLETON, retired farmer, late of Rural Valley, Armstrong county, was born in Jefferson county, Pa., Nov. 14, 1832, son of James C. and Jennie (McCracken) Templeton, and grandson of John Templeton. 5, 1864, participated in the battle of Pied- mont, defeating the enemy there under Gen- eral Jones. In that engagement the regiment showed exceptional bravery. In addition to the more important battles, it was active in a John Templeton came from Ireland to Plum Creek township, Armstrong Co., Pa., where he bought a farm and died upon his property at an advanced age. His children were: John, James C., Rachel and Mary. number of skirmishes in the Shenandoah val- ley. Later it fell back to Hagerstown, Md., and after Chambersburg was burned helped to drive General McCauslin to Virginia, where they defeated and captured him. The regi- James C. Templeton was born in Armstrong county, and was a farmer all his life. He spent about seven years in Jefferson county, but returning to Armstrong county settled on the old homestead of his father in Plum Creek township, which continued to be his home until his death, which occurred when he was a very old man. He and his wife had the following family: Isabella, Elizabeth, Jen- nie, Mary, Finnie (of Cowanshannock town- ship), Joseph, John, and Margaret. ment then took part in the battle of Fisher's Hill, Sept. 19, 1864, and on Oct. 19th was in the battle of Cedar Creek, and still later in the battle of Winchester, where it remained until the capture of Richmond. Following the final surrender the regiment was sent to Wash- ington, where they participated in the grand review, the memory of which will live with those who formed part of it as long as life endures. The regiment was finally discharged July 31, 1865. No brief record such as this Joseph Templeton attended the local school, and was brought up on the farm. He was twenty-five years old when he located in Cowanshannock township, near Rural Valley. There he owned 120 acres of land, which he cleared to a considerable extent and developed into a valuable property. This continued to be his home until 1906, when he retired to can do justice to the work of these brave men. Not only were they in many bloody engage- ments, but they took part in the forced marches, the weary waiting, the exposure to all kinds of weather, and more than once were insufficiently fed, owing to trouble with the source of supplies. That any lived to reach even middle age is a marvel, considering the Rural Valley, and he had the distinction of privations and exposure to infection of all being one of the oldest residents of the place. kinds; and the danger of southern fever to He died March 7, 1913, aged eighty years,
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
three months, twenty-three days, and was interred at Atwood.
Mr. Templeton married Catherine Morrow, and after her death married (second) Mar- garet C. Sloan, of Cowanshannock township. Mrs. Templeton died May 9, 1898, aged sev- enty-one years, three months and nine days, and is buried at Atwood, Cowanshannock township. Mr. Templeton had two children born of his first marriage: Mary Jane, who married Johnston Fisher, and died leaving three children, John, Effie J., and Julia C .; and James C., a well-known merchant at Rural Valley, who married Elizabeth Stennett. (They had no children). Mr. Templeton was a Republican, and served very acceptably as supervisor and township treasurer. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and served on the building committee which had charge of the construction of the present edifice.
DAVID A. GORMAN, V. S., for nearly ten years a resident of Kittanning, Pa., is well known in his line of work throughout this part of Pennsylvania, particularly in his con- nection with the State Live Stock Sanitary board. He has been secretary of that body for Armstrong county since settling here, and during his residence in Indiana county held the same postion for that section.
Dr. Gorman was born April 15, 1848, in Indiana county, Pa., son of David G. Gorman and grandson of David Gorman, who came to this country from Scotland before his mar- riage. His wife, whose maiden name was Jennie George, came to America from Ireland when a child. Mr. and Mrs. David Gorman resided a short time in Armstrong county, moving thence to Indiana county, where they. settled on what is known as the old homestead of the family. He was a farmer by occu- pation.
David G. Gorman was born April 2, 1823, near South Bend in Armstrong county, Pa., and received his education in the common schools of Armstrong and Indiana counties. He taught school for some time in Indiana county, where the greater part of his life was spent, becoming one of the prosperous farmers of that section. Politically he was a Democrat of strong convictions and active in the work of the party, and he served thirty-five years as justice of the peace in Indiana county. He and his wife were members of the M. E. Church, in which he was also prominent. He married Christiana Fry, a native of Indiana county, daughter of Daniel and Mary Fry,
and ten children were born to them, namely: David A., Jane E., Martha C., Mary C., Nancy H. . William, Delillah, Henry, Sarah, and John. Henry lives on the old homestead farm, and David is the only member of the family re- siding in Armstrong county. The mother died at the age of seventy-five years, the father in his eighty-fifth year. They were buried in Indiana county.
David A. Gorman received his early edu- cation in the common schools of Indiana county and at Covode Academy there. He took the course of veterinary surgery at To- ronto, Canada, attending the Ontario Veter- inary College, class of 1887. Returning to Indiana county he established a good practice there, his work extending also into Jefferson and Clearfield counties, and to Johnstown, Cambria county. In September, 1904, Dr. Gorman located at Kittanning. He was first at No. 208 Arch street for three or four years, thence moving to North Mckean street, op- posite the post office, where he remained for two years, until he came to his location at No. 360 Arch street. In 1900 Dr. Gorman became a member of the Veterinary Medical Associa- tion of Philadelphia, and he also became a member of the State Live Stock Sanitary board, of which he was secretary for Indiana county during his residence there ; in his posi- tion of secretary for Armstrong county he also covered Jefferson, Westmoreland, Clarion and Butler counties. Dr. Gorman is a mem- ber of Kittanning Lodge, No. 688, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs. He is also a Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge No. 313, at Indiana, and to Chapter No. 228, R. A. M., at Clearfield, Pa. His religious con- nection is with the M. E. Church, and he is a Republican in politics.
On May 3, 1870, Dr. Gorman married Re- becca Jane Shaffer, who was born in Bed- ford county, Pa., daughter of S. S. and Mary (Beck) Shaffer, deceased, who were pioneer settlers in Indiana county, where they are buried. Mr. Shaffer was a farmer and stone- mason, a well educated man for his day, and one of the respected citizens of his section. He was a member of the M. E. Church and a Republican politically. To Dr. and Mrs. Gorman have been born six children: S. C., M. D., who graduated from the Baltimore Medical College, and is now practicing his profession ; Mildred, who died when twenty- three years old ; two sons, who died in infancy ; Emma, wife of David Hanna, a resident of Independence, Oregon; and Bonnie, who is employed as a clerk in the M. L. Bowser shoe store in Kittanning.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
JOHN N. WHERRY, farmer, and presi- Wherry then settled on his farm, a fine prop- dent of the South Bend Fire Insurance Com- pany, residing in South Bend township, Arm- strong Co., Pa., was born Jan. 24, 1847, in that township, son of James and Sarah (Nesbit) Wherry, and a grandson of James Wherry.
James Wherry, the grandfather, was born in Ireland, and, bringing his family to Amer- ica, located in Indiana county, Pa., where he died.
James Wherry (2), son of James and fa- ther of John N. Wherry, was born in Ireland and was four years old when his parents On Sept. 20, 1870, Mr. Wherry was mar- ried, in Indiana county, Pa., to Sarah Walker, daughter of James Walker, and they have had seven children born to them, four sons and three daughters, all of whom survive the mother, who died in 1909. ' James Elwood, who is principal of the Coraopolis schools, formerly was a student in Grove City College; Clara B., now a stenographer in Indiana, Pa., Indiana Co .; Byron P., who is a worker in the rolling mills; Rob Roy, who is a clerk; Bessie Beulah, a teacher; Oscar M., who teaches school at South Bend ; and Helen May, who is at home. Mr. Wherry is a member brought him to America, and he was reared in Indiana county, Pa. In 1830, with his brother, John Wherry, he came to Armstrong county, and they settled in South Bend town- ship, where they bought 460 acres of land which they later divided, James Wherry tak- ing 300 acres for his share. On this land he labored until it became a finely cultivated tract, and part of it is yet owned by John N. Wherry. On this farm James Wherry died about 1870, when aged seventy years. He married Sarah Nesbit, daughter of Nathaniel Nesbit. She lived to be ninety-three years of age, her death occurring Aug. 30, 1901. of the Presbyterian Church at West Lebanon, They were members of the Presbyterian Pa., in which he is a deacon. Church. James Wherry was considered an excellent farmer, and he had additional busi- HARVEY M. KING, sheet roller with the American Sheet & Tin Plate Company, at Leechburg, Pa., was born at the King home- stead in Gilpin township, Armstrong county, son of J. George King, a grandson of Conrad King and a great-grandson of Peter King. Peter King lived in Bremen, Germany, and was a farmer by occupation. He remained in the old country. ness interests, being a stone worker and con- tractor for many years. During this time he had contracts for public works all over the country, including Harper's Ferry. Seven children were born to James and Sarah Wherry, as follows : Elwood M., a missionary in India, who was sent to that field of work by the Presbyterian Church forty years ago; John N .; James, for some time a farmer in Nebraska, now living at Florence ; Thomas M., who is a lumber dealer, at Sabetha, Kans .; Harriet E., who is the wife of William St. Clair, of Indiana county, Pa .; Sarah M., who for thirty years has been a missionary worker in India, under the auspices of the Presby- terian Church; and Nancy J., who died in 1885:
John N. Wherry attended the country schools more or less regularly up to the age of twenty years, after which he spent two years on the home farm and then learned the tanning business. He carried on tanning for some fifteen years and for fourteen years operated a threshing machine, after which he became a traveling merchandise dealer and for some time made trips as far as Pittsburgh, with his wagon and team of four horses, buy- ing and selling all kinds of merchandise. Mr. He married Elizabeth Shiren, who was born
erty near South Bend, Pa., and occupies a handsome brick residence on the main road be- tween South Bend and Apollo. Politically he is a Democrat and is influential in his party, has served as school director and tax col- lector, and has been his party's chosen candi- date for county commissioner. Mr. Wherry is president of the South Bend Fire Insurance Company, a mutual organization which has been in successful operation for the last thirty- eight years.
Conrad King, son of Peter King, was born in Germany, and came from there to America when a young man with his wife and one child, a daughter. They crossed the Atlantic ocean in a sailing vessel that consumed eight weeks in making the voyage, landing at Balti- more, Md., July 4, 1832, from which city they shortly afterward made their way to Greens- burg, Westmoreland Co., Pa., by team. There Conrad King followed his trade, shoemaking, for seven years. From there he moved to Armstrong county and settled in what was then Allegheny (now Gilpin) township, where he purchased fifty-five acres of land near the Forks Church. This was known as the old John Stoops farm, but the clearing was mainly done by Conrad King, and here he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in May, 1883, at the age of eighty-four years.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
in Germany, and died in Gilpin township in children: Irwin, Margaret, and Evelyn. In 1907 Mr. King erected his handsome resi-
1870 when aged seventy years. Both she and her husband were members of the Forks dence on Third street, Leechburg. Politically Church and they are buried in the cemetery he is a Democrat, and fraternally an Odd Fel- low and a member of the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the First Lutheran Church of Leechburg. of that church. Conrad King was one of the members when the first church was built there in 1842, and always continued his active inter- est. Five children were born to Conrad and Elizabeth King, namely: Henry, who died at WILLIAM R. BRUMBAUGH, of Cowan- the age of forty years; Catherine, who mar- shannock township, Armstrong Co., Pa., car- ried Joseph T. Myers; Mary A., who died, penter and justice of the peace, was born in unmarried; Caroline, who resides at Leech- Jefferson county, Pa., Jan. 2, 1856, son of burg ; and J. George.
J. George King was reared in Armstrong county and attended the district schools, and since taking entire charge of the homestead, in 1884, has devoted himself to general farm- ing and fruit growing. During the Civil war he became a member of Company H, 14th Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, when there was danger from State invasion by the Con- federates, and was out a short time. On May 19, 1864, he married Sarah A. Snyder, daugh- ter of Conrad and Elizabeth (Bargerstock) Snyder, and the following children have been born to them: Elizabeth C. died at the age of seven years; John W., who lives in Gilpin township, married Claudia Sipes, and they have three children, William H., George E., and Grace R .; Samuel E., who is a resident of East St. Louis, married Pearl Purviance, and they have five children, Harold, Clair, Russell, Leon, and Lucille; Duetta, who is the wife of George Sipes, residing in Gilpin township, has three children, Lillian, Florence, and Beatrice ; Harvey M. is mentioned below. Mr. King has always been an active citizen, taking much interest in local politics, and several times has been elected to office on the Democratic ticket. For six years he has served as school director. in Gilpin township, and he served two terms in Allegheny township before it was divided. He has also been assessor and auditor. He is one of the representative members of the Forks Lutheran Church, which he has served as member of the council for forty years and many years as superintendent of the Sunday school.
Harvey M. King obtained a good common school education and remained at home until he was twenty-one years old, when he came to Leechburg, Pa. He began work in the roll- ing mills, accepting a place at the bottom and working his way up until he was made a roller, in 1899, a position that requires knowledge and experience. He was married in 1899 to Mr. Brumbaugh has been twice married, Jane Hawk, daughter of Aaron and Harriet his first wife being Nancy Norris, daughter (Lookabaugh) Hawk, and they have three of William Norris, of Jefferson county, and
James C. and Penina ( Snowden) Brumbaugh, and is of German and Scotch descent.
John Brumbaugh, his paternal grandfather, came from eastern Pennsylvania, probably from Berks county, and died while removing his family to Jefferson county.
David Snowden, the maternal grandfather of William R. Brumbaugh, was a pioneer of Wayne township, Armstrong county.
James C. Brumbaugh, father of William R. Brumbaugh, was a lad when he accompanied his parents to Jefferson county, and there he was reared to manhood. After attaining his majority he engaged in lumbering in Jeffer- son and Clearfield counties, and in 1900 he re- moved to Yatesboro, Armstrong county, here finding employment with the Cowanshannock Coal & Coke Company for three years. He then retired from active life, and died Oct. I. I9II. By his first wife, Penina Snowden, Mr. Brumbaugh had two children who grew to maturity, William R. and David. Then he married (second) Mattie Secrist, and they had two children to grow to maturity, Pearl, the wife of Frank Snowden; and Earl. Mr. Brumbaugh's third marriage was to a widow, Mrs. Hannigan, and they had one daughter, Twila, who married James McLaughlin.
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