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 86
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William R. Brumbaugh, son of James C. Brumbaugh, was reared in Jefferson county, and after attending the public schools became apprenticed to the carpenter's trade. He fol- lowed lumbering for seventeen years as fore- man for Andrews & O'Donnell, of New Beth- lehem, Pa., and in 1899 came to Yatesboro, Armstrong county, where he has since been in the employ of the Cowanshannock Coal & Coke Company as carpenter. He had formerly worked for this company at Eleanor. Jefferson county. Mr. Brumbaugh is a skilled mechanic. and his faithful attention to the duties of his position has made him one of his company's most trusted and valued employees.
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by her he had three children: Alvin, Ella, the wife of M. Truesdell; and Burt. Mr. Brum- baugh was married second to Mrs. Sally (Rinn) London, and they have also had three children : Morris, Margaret, and Jennie.
Mr. Brumbaugh is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church of Yatesboro, of which he is an elder and trustee. His fra- ternal affiliation is with the Knights of Pythias. A Republican in politics, Mr. Brumbaugh has always taken an active and intelligent interest in public matters, and at this time is serving his third term as justice of the peace of Cowanshannock township. He stands high in the esteem of his fellow townsmen, who know him as a reliable citizen, a kind neigh- bor and a stalwart friend.
W. E. ANDERSON, of Kittanning, con- ductor on the Pennsylvania railroad, between Pittsburgh and Kittanning, is a native of Clarion county, Pa., born near Kissinger Mills, in the vicinity of Rimersburg, Jan. 19, 1869. He is a son of Lott Anderson and grandson of Abraham Anderson, the latter of whom was of Scotch parentage.
Mr. Anderson grew to manhood in Clarion county, and there received a common school William McKinstry was born in Pennsyl- vania, Oct. 20, 1819, and died Nov. 21, 1902 ; his wife was born in this State, Aug. 16, 1820, and died Dec. II, 1904. They were consistent members of the Lutheran Church. At the time of his death the father owned III acres of good farming land, which he had operated sucessfully for a number of years. In all of his transactions he was upright and honor- able. A man who kept himself well posted on current events, he read the newspapers carefully, and was able to discuss the prob- lems of the day accurately and logically. A charitable man, he was known for his kind- ness to the poor and afflicted. Eleven chil- dren were born to him, of whom William C. was seventh in the order of birth. education .. Assisting his father with the farm work until seventeen years old, he then started out for himself, finding employment in a shop at Philipston, Clarion county, where he re- mained for five years. He was next at Butler, Pa., for a few months, and then went to Oil City, where he was employed in the oil well supply business for a year. He then engaged with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in whose employ he has since remained, begin- ning as a freight brakeman, being thus em- ployed for only one month, however, when because of a crippled hand he changed to the position of fireman. After some time he again became a brakeman, being thus employed until May 24, 1904, since which time he has been a conductor. He worked some time as extra man before being put on a steady run. Mr. Anderson is a member of the O. R. C., and has an excellent standing with his fellow of the latter. For twenty-seven years he and workers, as well as his employers. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politi- cal matters is independent, voting as he sees fit, and taking no active part in public affairs. Since his marriage his home has been at sev- eral places, being now at No. 409 North Grant avenue, Kittanning.
In December, 1889, Mr. Anderson married Miss L. Hulings, who was born at Philipston, Clarion county, daughter of Seth and Nancy
Hulings, and has two children, namely: Arden Ellis, a graduate of the Pittsburgh Central high school, now assistant secretary of the McNeal Plate Works, and W. Hulings, at present attending high school in Kittanning.
M. Hulings, grandfather of Mrs. Ander- son, married Sarah Meyers, and they had a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, all now deceased; one died young, the rest living to old age. The mother lived to the age of ninety-two years, and is buried in the Philipston, Pa., cemetery.
Seth Hulings, son of Marcus, was born in Clarion county, Pa., and died in Pittsburgh, aged seventy-four years. He was engaged for some time as pilot on the river boats, and was an oil speculator in McKean and Clarion counties. Politically he was a Republican and took quite an active part in public affairs. He held the office of school director. He was a member of the M. E. Church.
WILLIAM C. MCKINSTRY, a farmer and dairyman of Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong county, was born in this county, Feb. 8, 1856, son of William and Lydia (An- drew ) Mckinstry.
William C. Mckinstry attended public school until his nineteenth year, and resided on the farm with his father until the death his wife lived in a log house on the home- stead, which still stands, although Mr. Mc- Kinstry expects to demolish it in the near future. When his father died, he moved his family into the homestead. During the many years he has been engaged in farming, Mr. 'Mckinstry has given special attention to dairying. He now owns this old farm, which was one of the first to be developed in the township. In all his operations he has met
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
with well merited success, for he has carried on his work intelligently and scientifically, and helped to raise the agricultural standard in his neighborhood.
On Dec. 4, 1879, Mr. Mckinstry was mar- ried in Armstrong county to Wilhelmina Mil- ler, whose parents were old settlers of Arm- strong county. Mr. and Mrs. Mckinstry be- came the parents of children as follows: Ada O., now Mrs. Z. U. Smith ; Boyd P .; Clara E., Mrs. John Hilty; Myra, Mrs. Walters; Flor- ence, Mrs. Grant Sewart; Cleascy and Clinton, twins; Emmet, and Earle. In politics Mr. Mckinstry is a Democrat, and has served his township as school director and supervisor for a number of years. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is as respected in that body as he is everywhere else.
D. W. BISH is one of the progressive agri- culturists of Red Bank township, where he has an up-to-date farm of 147 acres located a half mile southeast of Oak Ridge.
George Bish, his father, was reared in Madi- son township, this county, near Kellersburg, at which place he received his education. He married Rachel Howard, who was born in Indiana county, Pa., and they lived in Madi- son township, Armstrong county, for five years afterwards, thence moving to Porter town- ship, Jefferson county. Mr. Bish was a prom- inent man of that section, served fifteen years as school director of Porter township, and for fifteen or twenty years as justice of the peace. He was a lifelong Democrat. His death occurred in Jefferson county when he was sixty-six years old, and his wife died at the age of sixty-four years. They were mem- bers of the Brethren Church at Oakland, Pa., and they had a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters, of whom three sons and one daughter now survive.
D. W. Bish, son of George, was born Feb. 2, 1869, in Porter township, Armstrong county, where he was reared, attending the Fairview schoolhouse. He became familiar with farm- ing in boyhood, and has always been engaged in that line. For six years he lived near Brinkerton, Clarion Co., Pa., selling his farm there and buying his present farm in Red Bank township, Armstrong county, from John C. Shafer. It was known as the I. Kunselman farm, and at that time was only half improved. About eight acres are still in woodland, but the rest is under excellent cultivation. Mr. Bish has been very successful in his farming and stock raising operations. For the last two years he has been especially interested in Hol-
stein cattle, Belgian horses and Berkshire hogs. He has taken an active part in. pro- gressive movements, especially those which promise benefit to the immediate locality. He is a stockholder of the Oak Ridge Independ- ent Telephone Company, of which he is presi- dent, and he is also president of the Farmers' Co-operative Buying Club, which has seventy- two members in Red Bank township and Clarion county. He has also taken some in- terest in the administration of public affairs, though no direct part since he settled in Red Bank township, and he was road supervisor and school director while in Clarion county, Politcally he is a Republican and his religious connection is with the M. E. Church at Oak Ridge. He holds membership in the K. O. T. M. at New Bethlehem.
Mr. Bish married Effie Lingerfelter, of Sprankle Mills, Jefferson county, daughter of J. U. and Eva (Mauk) Lingerfelter, old set- tlers of Jefferson county, who came to that section from the East. Mr. and Mrs. Bish have had eight children, namely: Guy, Wil- liam, John, Dale, Mary and Marie, twins (the former deceased) ; Frank, and Eugene.
SAMUEL HENRY McNAUGHTON, for many years a resident of Parker City, Arm- strong county, was born at Madison Furnace, Clarion Co., Pa., Jan. 14, 1839, son of James and Barbara (Brenneman) McNaughton, and grandson of Alexander McNaughton.
Alexander McNaughton was born in Scot- land, and one of the fine farms of Clarion county, Pa., was a tract on which he settled prior to 1815 and which he subsequently cleared. The balance of his life was passed there, as was that of his wife, Hannah Boyd. They had children as follows: John, Alex- ander, James, Samuel, William, Robert, George, Hannah (who married John Boyd). Sarah (who married William Cook). and Mary (who married William Brenneman).
James McNaughton, son of Alexander Mc- Naughton, was born in Clarion county. Pa., and in early manhood followed farming. Afterward, for many years, he was employed at Madison Furnace, where he died at the age of sixty years. He married Barbara Bren- neman, a daughter of Peter Brenneman, who was born in Germany, emigrated to Amer- ica, and became a substantial farmer in Clarion county, Pa. Mrs. James McNaughton lived to be seventy-five years of age. Their chil- dren were as follows: Mary Ann, deceased ; Jane, deceased, who married Samuel Klingen- smith ; Catherine, deceased, who married John
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
D. Lyon; John, deceased; Fanny, deceased, son of John and Catherine ( Bargestock) Bit- who married Absalom Vechtel; James, de- tinger. ceased; Esther, deceased, who married Lo- renzo Dow ; Elizabeth, deceased, who married John Boyd; Washington, deceased; Daniel, deceased ; Samuel H .; and Barbara, now de- ceased, who married John Rifenberrick.
Samuel H. McNaughton was reared in his native county, was educated in the district schools, and began life as a farmer, continu- ing to follow agricultural pursuits until he enlisted in the United States army, Feb. 28, 1863, as a member of Company N, 16th Penn- sylvania Cavalry for three years or during the continuance of the Civil war. He saw much hard service, taking part in the battles of Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Hatcher's Run, and all the other engagements in which his regiment was engaged. At the battle of Hatcher's Run he was wounded in the left arm. When he was honorably discharged with his regiment, at Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. II, 1865, it was with the rank of corporal.
For two years after his military life was over Mr. McNaughton was engaged in a mer- cantile business at Vienna, Ohio, removing then to Venango county, Pa., where he fol- lowed farming for four years and was in the oil business for five years. In 1873 he came to Parkers Landing, where he has since been well known, residing there continuously with the exception of three years when he was in the oil fields of Butler county. His business interests have been in different industries, in- cluding teaming, coal operating and oil de- velopment.
Mr. McNaughton was first married to Rachel Crosin, of Clarion county, and (sec- ond) to Margaret Allen, who died in 1900. She was a daughter of John and Sarah (Boyd) Allen, of Butler county. Eight children were born to the second union, namely: Mina, who is the wife of Donnelly Sutton; Daniel W .; Samuel H., Jr .; Ida, who is the wife of Charles Christy ; John T .; Charles A .; Franklin R., and Mabel. Mr. McNaughton is a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Parker City. In politics he is a Republican, and for three years has served as health officer of his city. For many years he has been identi- fied with Craig Post, No. 75, G. A. R., which he served for six consecutive years as adju- tant.
ROBERT ELMER BITTINGER, farmer, residing in Wayne township, Armstrong Co., Pa., was born in Cowanshannock township, near Rural Valley, this county, Jan. 31, 1868,
John Bittinger was born March 2, 1832, in Franklin county, Pa., and came from there to Armstrong county in early manhood, settling at what is now Rural Valley. He had a farm of eighty acres, a valuable property which is now owned by the Yatesboro Coal Company. In 1879 Mr. Bittinger bought property in Wayne township and on that land spent the remainder of his life. He died April 14, 1897. For many years he was a member of the Presbyterian Church and an active worker in church activities. He was twice married, first to Sarah Schrecongost, daughter of John Schrecongost, and later to Mrs. Catherine (Bargestock) Neal, widow of Robert Neal and daughter of John and Mary Bargestock. To his first marriage four children were born : Lavina C., Andrew J., Mary E., and William W. To the second marriage seven children were born, namely: Henry; Miles and Ida, both of whom are deceased; Robert Elmer; James H .; A. Preston, who is a minister in the Presbyterian Church; and Alice M., who married George Fritz. By her first marriage Mrs. Bittinger had one son, James B. She now resides with her son, Robert E. Bittinger, in Wayne township.
Robert Elmer Bittinger was educated in the public schools of Cowanshannock and Wayne townships and at Glade Run Academy, after- ward assisting his father on the home farm and at times, as opportunity offered, being employed on public works. In 1896 he took charge of the homestead, which contains eighty-five acres, situated near Belknap, Pa. This is considered a very valuable property, rich in gas and coal, together with many acres capable of producing excellent crops. Mr. Bittinger devotes all his time to his farm in- terests, aside from that devoted to official duties, as he has frequently been elected to important township offices. He is a Demo- crat in his political views and is serving as supervisor of Wayne township, of which he has also been assessor. For fourteen years he was a director in the independent school district in Wayne township and during the entire time was secretary of the board.
Mr. Bittinger married Lillie Gould, daugh- ter of Daniel Gould, of a well-known family of Wayne township, and they have five chil- dren : Henry C., Mary C., Marlan B., Samuel P., and Clinton E. Mr. Bittinger is a mem- ber of the Concord Presbyterian Church, of which he is a trustee, and is also treasurer of the Sunday school.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
H. A. HEIDRICK resides on his farm of the survivors being: Mrs. Henry Vogt; Mrs. 100 acres lying in Sugar Creek township, which is the old Heidrick homestead. He was born at Brady's Bend, Armstrong Co., Pa., May 16, 1867, son of Adam and Katherine (Heidrick) Heidrick (they were not re- lated). Adam Heidrick was born in Germany and married there, and with his wife came to America.
H. A. Heidrick attended school at Brady's Bend and in Sugar Creek township, and after his school days were over remained on the homestead, giving his father assistance. After his marriage he settled on the property as a permanent resident and carries on general farming.
Mr. Heidrick married Miss E. Bippus, who was born in North Oakland township, Butler Co., Pennsylvania, and they have two chil- dren: Stella Viola, now fourteen years of age; and John Adam, who is six years old. Mr. Heidrick is a member of the Presbyte- rian Church at Midway, Pa., in which he has been an elder for sixteen years. In politics he is a Republican, and for several years was a member of the Republican township com- mittee. The first public office he held was that of auditor, in which he served one term, after which for nine years he was tax collector, and three years school director; for three years has been treasurer of the school board. He is acting foreman on the State road be- tween Cowansville and Chicora.
THOMAS S. LINABERGER, farmer, was born on his present place, a farm of 140 acres, situated in Brady's Bend township, Armstrong Co., Pa., Sept. 19, 1876, son of John and A. M. (Snow) Linaberger. His paternal grandparents were early settlers of this place.
John Linaberger, father of Thomas S., was born on the present home farm in Brady's Bend township and frequently related to his children how, as a boy, he would be sent by his father to chase the deer out of the grain fields. He became a farmer and in 1861 bought the other heirs' interests in the farm, and when called on to enlist in the Civil war paid a substitute. In politics he was a Re- publican, but did not seck public office, con- senting, however, to serve as a school director in Brady's Bend township for two years be- fore his death, which took place on his sev-
enty-eighth birthday, in February, 1907. He herited his father's farm, and operates it. He is buried in the Crawford cemetery.
John Linaberger married A. M. Snow, who was born in Perry township, Armstrong Co., Pa., and eleven children were born to them,
John Seibert ; Jacob S., of Sugar Creek town- ship; Albert, of Kittanning, and Thomas S .- all of Armstrong county; Mrs. George Ponches, of Donegal township, Butler county ; Mrs. Gabe Kaylor, of Fairview township, Butler county ; Mrs. Henry Kaylor, of Butler county ; and Mrs. William Kelley, of Salts- burg, Indiana Co., Pa. The mother died June 2, 1892. The family was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Thomas S. Linaberger received his school- ing in Perry township and afterward came to Brady's Bend township. At the death of his father he and his brother, in 1907, bought the homestead. In 1911 he bought his brother's interest. He attends to all his farm indus- tries himself, raising crops and keeping his land in good condition, and also raises cattle and sheep. He takes much interest in his agricultural matters and is one of the mem- bers of the local Grange.
WILLIAM C. FRANTZ, overseer of the poor in South Buffalo township, Armstrong county, was born May 23, 1853, in the town- ship which is his home, son of Jacob and Agnes (Forrester) Frantz.
Isaac Frantz, his grandfather, was an old Indian fighter who lost his life in an Indian outbreak in the vicinity of Greensboro, West- moreland Co., Pa., whither he had moved at an early day.
Jacob Frantz was born in 1805, in Penn- sylvania, coming of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. His wife was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and her family has long been prominent in Arm- strong county. Mr. and Mrs. Frantz had eight children, five of whom are now living. Jacob Frantz received a fairly good education, and made good use of his opportunities, so that when he died he owned sixty acres of good farm land. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which he served as an elder. In politics he was a Democrat, and was elected assessor and col- lector of his township. A quiet, unassuming man, he tried to carry out the teaching of the golden rule in his life, and died after a useful career in 1881. His widow survived until 1897.
William C. Frantz attended common school until he was eighteen years old. He has in- also worked at the carpenter's trade for four years at Pittsburgh. Returning to Armstrong county he located on his farm, where he has had his home ever since. He is a member of
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as is was brought to Brady's Bend township by his his wife. In politics he is a Democrat, and in 1908 was elected overseer of the poor, which office he still holds.
On Sept. 24, 1874, Mr. Frantz was mar- ried to Olive Rayburn. The Rayburn family is one of the most prominent in South Buf- falo township. Mrs. Frantz was the young- est child born to her parents, and was care- fully educated in the schools of Armstrong county. Mr. and Mrs. Frantz became the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, viz .: Matthew W., born Feb. 19, 1876, named for his maternal grandfather; Jacob A., born Sept. 5, 1878; Agnes Forrester, born Nov. 12, 1880; Mary M., born June 15, 1883; William R., born Jan. 14, 1887, and Samuel G., born April 25, 1890.
MRS. MARY E. NICHOLSON, widow of Robert Sloan Nicholson, residence No. 127 Rebecca street, Kittanning, Pennsylvania.
B. C. BISHOP, of Brady's Bend town- ship, surveyor, and present auditor of that township, was born in Fairview township, Butler Co., Pa., Sept. 24, 1886, son of John and Mary J. (Jameson) Bishop.
Jacob Bishop, grandfather of B. C. Bishop, came with his wife Mary from Ohio to Arm- strong county, and settled at Brady's Bend, where he followed mining for some years.
John Bishop, father of B. C. Bishop, was born in Ohio, and was reared mainly in Brady's Bend township, Armstrong Co., Pa. After his school days were over he worked in the mines and also as a pumper at oil wells, and he is interested in oil wells on the William Bishop farm. He has always been a Repub- lican in politics and has served in the office of school director. At Chicora, in Butler county, Sept. 24, 1885, he married Mary Jane Jameson, a native of Butler county and a daughter of John and Margaret Jameson, both now deceased, the former a native of Butler county and the latter of Brady's Bend town- ship. With the exception of two years spent in Butler county Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have always lived in Brady's Bend township. They have had four children: B. C .; Della, who died at the age of eight years, and was buried in the Brady's Bend cemetery ; and Mary and Mont, both of whom live at home. John Bishop is a member of the Lutheran Church and his wife of the United Presbyterian. They are well-known people, both belonging to the local Grange.
B. C. Bishop was two years old when he
parents and here obtained a public school edu- cation. Under the direction of the Scranton Correspondence School he took a course in surveying, after which he took a position as surveyor for the Great Lakes Coal Company and the Western Allegheny Railroad Com- pany, and is still so connected. Later he took a course in mechanical drawing, also with the International Correspondence School at Scran- ton. In politics he is a Republican, and he was elected to his present office on that party ticket. He belongs to the Odd Fellows at Kaylor and the Knights of Pythias at East Brady.
W. C. BOWERS, of Kittanning, has been in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for the last forty years, being now engaged as conductor on the through run be- tween Oil City and Pittsburgh. Mr. Bowers was born at Manorville, Armstrong county, March 1, 1852, son of George Bowers and grandson of Henry Bowers. The family is of German extraction, his great-grandfather having been a native of Germany, whence he came to America before his marriage, and spent the remainder of his life in Armstrong county, Pa., engaged in farming. He died here in old age.
Henry Bowers was reared in Armstrong county and received such education as the common schools of the day afforded. He spent his life on a farm in this county, where he married, and he and his wife had a family of six children: Barbara, Susan, Sarah, Re- becca, George, and Henry, all of whom are now deceased. The father was originally a Democrat in politics, but afterward became a Republican. He was a member of the M. E. Church, devoted in its work.
George Bowers, son of Henry, was born at Pine Creek, Armstrong county, and re- ceived his education in the local public schools. After his marriage he settled at Kittanning, where he followed his trade of tanner for ten years, thence moving to Manorville, this county, where he had his home for twenty- five years. His wife, Mary (Giben), was a native of Westmoreland county, this State, daughter of William Giben. She is buried with her husband in the Manor ceme- tery. They were members of the M. E. Church, in which she was particularly active as a worker. Politically he was a Republican. They had children as follows: Johnston, Nancy, Robert, Henry, Mary, W. Chambers,
1
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
George and Edward, twins (both deceased), Butler county, where he bought fifty acres of and Sarah.
W. Chambers Bowers grew up at Manor- ville, and there received his education. After his school days were over he engaged in boat- ing on the Allegheny river, and then went to Johnstown, where he was employed in a mill for two years. At the end of that time he entered the employ of the Allegheny Railroad Company, now the Allegheny division of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, beginning work as a brakeman. He received promotions until he became passenger conductor, which position he has held for the last thirty-two years. For twenty-two years he was a con- ductor on the accommodation train between Kittanning and Pittsburgh, and he has been on his present run between Oil City and Pitts- burgh for the last four years, working every other day. He is a member of the Railroad Association, and fraternally of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Bowers has been a lifelong Republican on political questions and, like his parents, he belongs to the M. E. Church.
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