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 88
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Wilderness, May 5-7, 1864. On May 6th he was injured, receiving a gunshot wound on the right side of his head, and he was sent to a hospital in Washington, D. C., where he remained for ten days. Thence he was sent to Baltimore, Md., for two weeks, and from there to York, Pa., for a short time, until able to rejoin his regiment at Pittsburgh, at which place he was honorably discharged, Aug. 28, 1864. During his service Mr. Neese was captured twice and was home twice on furlough.
Mr. Neese had bought a farm of thirty acres in Forest county, and after the war he bought a tract of seventy-three acres, adding to his possessions as he prospered until he owned two hundred acres .. He was actively en- gaged in general farming until his death, which occurred Nov. 5, 1910, and he is buried in the Eddyville cemetery. He was a useful citizen of his locality, serving a number of terms as supervisor, and he was a prominent member of the McWilliams United Evan- gelical Church, in Red Bank township, serv- ing as treasurer of both Church and Sunday school. Politically he was a Republican.
On Aug. 21, 1861, Mr. Neese married Susanna Emery, who was born July 20, 1844, daughter of George and Catherine (Hilliard) Emery. They had a family of five children, namely : Anna Clara, wife of Albert Womb- ler, of Jefferson county ; Mary Catherine, wife of A. C. Smith, of Red Bank township; Wil- liam P., who married Margaret Burket, and lived in Red Bank township; Robert E., of Red Bank township, who married Annie Sherry; and Silas I. The farm was divided among the children upon the father's death, Silas I. receiving the homestead.
George Emery, father of Mrs. Neese, was born May 13, 1813, in Northampton county, Pa., where his father settled after coming to America and passed the remainder of his life. George Emery came to Red Bank township, Armstrong county, and bought a farm of one hundred acres, part of which lies over the line in Jefferson county. He carried on farming all his life, from this region mov- ing to Tennessee, where he bought a tract of 125 acres, which he cultivated for twenty years. He died there in 1881 at the age of sixty-eight years, and is buried in that State. His wife subsequently sold the Tennessee property and returned to Red Bank township, buying a tract of five acres and a home from her son-in-law, Jacob Neese. She passed her closing years, however, with her daughter
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Sarah, Mrs. Holben, in Butler county. She his first wife are buried in the Lutheran grave- was born in 1820, daughter of Francis and yard in Ringgold township. Susanna (Eckert) Hilliard, of Leatherwood, Daniel Snyder, father of Mrs. Neese, was born April 19, 1855, in Jefferson county, Pa., and received his education in the schools of Ringgold township. Until he reached his ma- jority he worked for his father, later buying the farm of seventy-five acres from his father in Ringgold township, the place he is still oc- cupying, and he has been a successful farmer. He has served as supervisor and school direc- tor of his township, is a Democrat in politics, and holds membership in the Lutheran Church in Ringgold township. Jefferson county. Clarion county, and died in 1908 at the age of eighty-eight years ; she is interred in the Luth- eran Church ground in Ringgold township, Jefferson county. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Emery: Mary Ann, deceased, married John Neese, of Tennessee; Susanna is the widow of Jacob Neese; John married Maria Fisher, and lived in Red Bank township (she is deceased) ; Sarah Jane married John Holben, of Butler county, Pa .; Catherine, de- ceased, was the wife of James Duncan, of Cof- fee county, Tenn .; Priscilla died when three Mr. Snyder married Laura Alice Weaver, daughter of Amos and Eliza (Albert) Weaver, and they have had five children : An- nie, wife of Robert McCanna, of Armstrong county ; Lowry, living on the farm in Jeffer- son county, who married Della Fisher ; Mattie, who died when nineteen years old; Esther Ruth, born Dec. 16, 1892, who is the wife of Silas I. Neese ; and Iva Alma, at home. years old. The father of this family was or- iginally a Democrat in politics, but later be- came a Republican, and he was a Union sym- pathizer during the Civil war, in which he served two years as a member of the 2d Penn- sylvania Cavalry; he was discharged on ac- count of sickness. He served as supervisor of his township, and was a member of the Luth- eran Church. His daughter, Mrs. Neese, is a member of the United Evangelical Church at McWilliams, to which she has belonged for over fifty years.
Silas I. Neese has always resided on the home farm in Red Bank township. He re- ceived his education in the local schools, work- ing for his father until the latter's death, when he inherited the homestead property. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Neese married Esther Ruth Snyder, daughter of Daniel and Laura Alice (Weaver) Snyder, of Jefferson county, Pa., and they have one child, William Ivan, born April 14, 1912.
Walter Snyder, grandfather of Mrs. Neese, was a farmer in Porter township, Jefferson county, until his death. He was of German stock. He was twice married, and by his first wife, Elizabeth Sherry, had children as fol- lows: John, who died while serving in the army; Henry, of Jefferson county, who mar- ried Catherine Milliron; Simon, deceased ; William, of Oklahoma, who married Caroline Commandeiner ; David, deceased, who married Elizabeth Ellenberger; Conrad, who died young; Daniel; Catherine, who died young. Mr. Snyder's second marriage was to Annie Blanchard, who came from Germany, and they had four children : George, Mary, Samuel and William Weaver, all deceased. The mother of this family survives, living with Mrs. Daniel Bernard Coyle was educated in the public schools near his home. He lived with his maternal grandparents, the McBrides, until Snyder in Ringgold township. Jefferson coun- ty. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, to which her husband also belonged. He and they died, after which he worked at home
CHARLES PRAGER. Freeport. Arm- strong county, Pennsylvania, dealer in choice home dressed beef, veal, pork and lamb, smoked meats and provisions.
BERNARD COYLE, late of South Buf- falo township, Armstrong county, was a na- tive of that township, born Nov. 16, 1826, son of William and Sallie (McBride) Coyle. The parents were born in Ireland, and on coming to America first settled on Buffalo creek, where Mr. Coyle had a gristmill and farm. Later they located in South Buffalo township, where their son Bernard afterward lived, and here they both died. We have the following record of their children: (1) Thomas E., born Dec. 10, 1819, died in South Buffalo township. (2) Elizabeth. born Jan. 8, 1822, married Joseph Skilton, of Clinton, Pa. (3) John, born Jan. 28. 1824. was a well driller, at Oil City. Pa. (4) Bernard is mentioned below. (5) Bridget, born Jan. 27, 1829, married Hugh McCollough. (6) Sarah, born March 5. 1832, married William Brin- ton, of Brookfield, Pa. (7) Mary, born March 6, 1834, married a Mr. Hartman, of South Buffalo township. (8) William B., born March 28. 1836, died young. (9) Henry, born Aug. 12, 1842, is a retired farmer living at Tarentum, Pennsylvania.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
for some time. Later he was engaged at ing on the farm in 1905. It is a three-story boating on the river. After his marriage he modern dwelling of fourteen rooms, beauti- fully situated overlooking the Allegheny river. The family is highly respected for substantial qualities and genuine worth. settled upon the old home place in South Buf- falo township, remaining there until his death, which occurred April 29, 1901. He was a highly successful farmer, and gave all his at- tention to his own affairs, taking no active WILLIAM P. BORLAND, deceased, who part in public life or interests, though he was a large landowner and extensive farmer was a public-spirited citizen and a much es- teemed man in his home community. political connection he was a Democrat.
Mr. Coyle was married to Marsha M. A. Brinton, who was born March 9, 1838, five miles from Pittsburgh on the Brownsville road. Her father, James Brinton, was of German extraction, and was born near Pitts- burgh. He lived at East Liberty, Pa., later moving to Godfrey, Pa., where he obtained a farm which he lost afterward. Moving to Clinton, Armstrong Co., Pa., he had a store there. His wife, Christina (Feth) who was also of German stock, died at Clinton; he died at DeHaven, Pa. They were members of the M. E. Church. They had children as follows: Jane, born April 22, 1832, wife of
Henry Coffman, of Clinton, Pa .; Annie at the age of seventy-three. They had four
Eliza, born June 13, 1834, who married John Coyle (now deceased) of Oil City, Pa .; Wil- liam, born March 16, 1836, who married Ann Coyle, and lives at DuBois, Pa .; Marsha M. A., widow of Bernard Coyle; John P., born April 10, 1840, who died young; Amanda M., born Feb. 22, 1844, who married Stephen McCue; Francis, born on Aug. 27, 1848, who died young; and A., born 1850, who now lives in Florida.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Coyle were born the following children: (I) Sarah married Edward Dillon and lives at the home place. (2) Mary is at home. (3) Anna, widow of John Flinn, has five children, Hugh, William, James, Elizabeth and Catherine. They live in Allegheny, Pa. (4) William F., hotel propri- etor at Pittsburgh, Pa., married Bridget Murphy and has two children, Mary E. and William F. (5) Henry F. died at the age of twenty-eight years. (6) Bernard first en- tered the army in 1892 and is now serving in Company D, 26th Infantry, United States Regular Army, at Fort Wagner, under his third enlistment. He was in all of the land battles in Cuba. (7) Elizabeth is deceased. (8) Lawrence, employed as a stationary engi- neer at Chicago, Ill., married Catherine Mc- Collough. (9) Florence is the wife of Jo- five years, two months. They are buried in seph Bessett, of Brackenridge, Pa., and has one son, Joseph D.
Mrs. Coyle built the brick house now stand-
in Wayne township, Armstrong county, was In a member of the now somewhat numerous family founded in that section by his grand- father, Robert Borland.
Robert Borland was born in 1767 in County Donegal, Ireland, and coming to this coun- try settled in 1821 in Salem township, West- moreland Co., Pa. In 1831 he removed to that part of Armstrong county, Pa., now known as Wayne township, and locating one mile from the borough of Dayton, took up II9 acres of land, which he farmed for the rest of his active life. He died there Dec. 15, 1850, aged eighty-three years. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. His wife, Jane (Borland), also of Ireland, was born about 1767 and died May 5, 1840, sons : William, Robert, James and John, all born in Ireland, and all of whom came with the parents to America. They all settled in what is now Wayne township, Armstrong Co., Pa., purchasing large tracts of land ad- joining their father's place, having altogether about ten hundred and fifty acres. They fol- lowed farming.
William Borland, son of Robert, was born in 1803 and was a young man when he came from his native Ireland to America. He first settled in Westmoreland county, where he followed farming, and later removing to Armstrong county, bought about six hundred acres of land, for the most part covered by timber. He built a log house and made a permanent home here, devoting the remainder of his life to the improvement of his prop- erty. Here he died Oct. 28, 1874, aged sev- enty-one years, nine months, twenty-six days. He was a man well known in the locality in his day, an Episcopalian in religious connec- tion, and in politics a Republican during his later years. On March 29, 1831, Mr. Bor- land married Margaret Gartley, who was born in 1801, daughter of Andrew Gartley, of Westmoreland county, and she survived him a short time, dying July 8, 1876, aged seventy-
the Glade Run cemetery in Wayne township. The following children were born to their union: Robert, born Jan. I, 1832, who died
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
young ; John W., born April 19, 1833, now deceased; Mary J., born Aug. 18, 1834; George G., born May 24, 1836-37, who died in 1895 (he served in the Civil war) ; William P., born Feb. 20, 1839; and Robert J., born Dec. 3, 1840, who died in 1909 (he served in the Civil war).
William P. Borland was born Feb. 20, 1839, in Wayne township, and there began his edu- cation in the common schools, later attend- ing Glade Run Academy. When eighteen years old he began to teach school, and fol- lowed that profession for several winters in Wayne township. Meantime he also began farming, his first purchase being a tract of about 130 acres, and later he purchased about 130 more. He continued to live on the farm now occupied by his son J. Roscoe Borland until his death, and was a substantial, useful and respected man among all the friends and acquaintances. During the Civil war Mr. Borland served in the Union army. He was a Republican in politics and believed in doing his share in the management of local affairs, serving many years as school director and as secretary and treasurer of the school board. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and also identified with the Sunday school. Mr. Borland died Sept. 5, 1905.
On April 26, 1866, Mr. Borland married Miss B. C. Williams, daughter of William Williams, who was born in Wales and came to America when two years old, the family settling in Center county, Pa., where he passed the rest of his life. Mrs. Borland now resides in the borough of Dayton, where she built a fine residence in 1908. She is a member of Glade Run Presbyterian Church. The follow- ing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bor- land: J. Roscoe is mentioned below ; Robert M. died when two years old; Alonzo C., who married Callie Say, is living in Dayton, Pa .; Viola M. married Mason Marshall and is liv- ing in Wayne township; Dr. James C., who married Elmina M. Marshall, is residing in Falls Creek, Jefferson Co., Pennsylvania.
was born there April 24, 1867. He obtained his education in the local schools and then became familiar with farm work under his father's tuition, in time taking part of the homestead, which contained 200 acres of val- uable land. He has a fine place, which gives evidence to the intelligent and up-to-date methods used in its cultivation. For several years he was one of the managers of the Day- ton Fair Association. He is a Republican in politics and a Presbyterian in religion, be-
longing to the Glade Run Church; he has taken an active part in the work of the church and Sunday school. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and one of the promi- nent workers of his lodge, of which he is a past grand.
In 1896 Mr. Borland married Margaret Milliron, daughter of Ross and Martha J. (Elgin) Milliron. They have two children, Wilda Maine and John M.
CHARLES T. STIVANSON, manager for the Atlantic Refining Company at Kittanning, was born March 29, 1873, in Armstrong county, Pa., son of George Washington Stiv- anson.
George W. Stivanson, grandfather of Charles T. Stivanson, traced his ancestry back to Peter Stuyvesant, as the name was then spelled, first governor of New York. The latter came of Holland descent. George W. Stivanson was a stonemason by trade, and followed that calling the greater part of his life, residing in Armstrong county.
George Washington Stivanson, father of Charles T. Stivanson, served for more than twenty-three years as a constable in Arm- strong county, and for several years was spe- cial detective for what is now the Pennsyl- vania railroad. His family consisted of four children: Charles T., Nannie, Margaret, and Mary (who died young).
Charles T. Stivanson attended the Kittan- ning public schools, and learned the trade of poster, serving an apprenticeship of five years. For several years thereafter he worked at his trade, but later went to New Cumberland, W. Va., where he was employed for a while. Returning to Kittanning he was engaged at the "Reynolds Hotel" for a time. In 1896 he became identified with the Atlantic Re- fining Company, rising to his position as spe- cial agent or general manager of the Kittan- ning district, and in his work is justifying the confidence placed in him and his ability.
J. 'ROSCOE BORLAND, who is now engaged in farming on his father's old home place, of Kittanning. Mr. and Mrs. Stivanson have
In 1896 Mr. Stivanson was married to Ger- trude E. Walker, daughter of George Walker,
four children : Edna, Fay, Charles and George W. Mr. Stivanson is a member of the Episco- pal Church of the borough.
THOMAS JOHNSTON, a retired busi- ness man of Apollo, Armstrong county, was born Nov. 30, 1831, in Indiana county, Pa., son of Thomas and Margaret (Johnston) Johnston.
Thomas Johnston (the father) was born in
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Ireland, and his father came to the United States with a family of three children in 1820. After a short stay in the east he moved to Blairsville, Pa., where he took a contract for furnishing coal to the Porter Salt Works, in Indiana county. In 1832 he went to Pitts- burgh, engaged in the draying business, and Armstrong county, son of John S. Long.
remained there until his death in 1836. His widow, born in Northumberland county, Pa., survived until 1887.
Thomas Johnston, son of Thomas, attended the common schools until he was ten years old, when he began working in the rolling mills in Pittsburgh. In 1860 he came to Apollo, and for three years worked in the rolling mills here. These mills long ago passed out of existence, but are remembered by the older residents. As member of the firm of Johnston, Taylor & Co., Mr. Johnston then built a plant for the manufacture of tured. fire-brick, the concern being known as the Apollo Fire Brick Company. The company was organized by James M. and J. C. Tay- lor, and Thomas and Andrew Cornagy. Mr. Johnston withdrew after three years' connec- tion with them to engage in a stone and pot- tery business at Apollo under his own name. He manufactured crocks and jugs, continu- ing in this line from 1867 to 1874, when he went to Canton, Ohio, to embark in the re- tail furniture business, which he carried on six years. Returning to Apollo in 1881 he resumed the manufacture of fire-brick, and in 1882 went to Climax. Armstrong county, where he operated a brick manufacturing plant for six years. His next work was at Pittsburgh, as agent for the Climax Fire Brick Company, though he continued to make his home at Apollo. Resigning that position he returned to do business in the latter place, where in 1903 he embarked in the manu- facture of silica brick. He conducted opera- tions along that line until 1910, in which year he sold his interests, and has since lived re- tired.
JOHN R. LONG, vice president of the First National Bank of Leechburg, is one of the foremost business men of that borough, though at present leading a life of compara- tive retirement. He was born Jan. 20, 1843, near Worthington, in Franklin township,
Mr. Long's grandfather was a farmer in Westmoreland county, Pa., where he died. Little is known of his history, his death hav- ing occurred many years ago. His children were Jacob, John S. and Abigail (the latter never married). Of these, Jacob had four sons who served in the Civil war, one of them, John, being a member of the 139th Pennsyl- vania Regiment; he lost one of his legs in battle, and received a medal from General Grant for conspicuous bravery in placing the Union flag on some works that had been cap-
John S. Long, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., but after his marriage moved to Armstrong county, Pa., being one of the early settlers in Franklin township. He was a farmer, and followed that occupation until his death, which occurred in the year of 1897. He was a very active member of the Meth- odist Church. His wife, Mary A. (Swank), daughter of Daniel Swank, was like himself a native of Westmoreland county, and they are buried in the Middlesex cemetery in this county. They had the following children : John R .; Jacob, who lives near Butler, Pa .; Elizabeth, widow of Robert Wason, residing in Kittanning; Nancy, who married Jacob Coler; Margaret, who married Harvey Fair ; and Etta, Mrs. Russel.
John R. Long attended district school in his native township during the winter months in his boyhood, his advantages being somewhat limited. But he had plenty of practical train- ing. He was employed among farmers until his enlistment, in 1862, in Company H, 78th Pennsylvania Regiment, and later he veter- anized in Company B, 78th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, remaining in the service until the close of the war. He was in many of the important engagements in which Sher- man's army took part and after the capture of Atlanta saw continuous service. Mr. Long was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. II, 1865, and was mustered out at Har- risburg, Pa., Sept. 18, 1865. Returning home he became an engineer at the Jones & Laugh- lin Mills, then in South Pittsburgh, Pa., and in 1872 located at Leechburgh, with which
On Nov. 24, 1860, Mr. Johnston married, in Pittsburgh, Sarah Thompson, and six chil- dren have been born to this union, four of whom are living: Margaret J., John F., Car- rie Elizabeth and Anna Bell. Mr. Johnston is a Republican, and served for four years as postmaster at Apollo, having been ap- pointed to that office by President McKin- ley. His business career was one of honest and successful endeavor, and he holds the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. place he has since been identified. His first
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
employment here was running an engine for Roger & Burchfield at the steel mills, and during his service there he was the first man to suggest. to the management that natural gas could be piped from across the river for use as fuel. He was laughed at at first, but before long gas was introduced into the plant, and Mr. Long made the first burner, which was placed in the furnace and boilers and proved a success. So far as known, this is the first time natural gas was ever used for this purpose, and its use is continued to this day. Mr. Long was employed at this mill for fourteen months, after which, on a capital of three hundred dollars, he engaged in the grocery business. Later he branched out, be- coming a general merchant, and was thus en- gaged until 1907, when he retired. Mr. Long, by strict attention to business and to the wants of his patrons, established a large trade, which never diminished during his long busi- ness career, and he was one of the most re- liable merchants of the borough, his methods and standards being above question. Though he has given up his store he is not without employment. It was through his efforts that the First National Bank of Leechburg was organized, and he was elected vice president, which office he continues to hold. This bank is on the "roll of honor," a fact which stands to the credit of all its officers.
Mr. Long was one of the organizers and is a charter member of John A. Hunter Post, No. 123, G. A. R., of Leechburg, and he is past commander of that post. He has no party connections, voting independently.
In 1868 Mr. Long married Esther A. Johnson, daughter of Wilson Johnson, and they have had five children: William (de- ceased), Edward C., Calvin A., Daisy (who died young) and John W. (at home).
service rendered to all who patronize his es- tablishment. His high-principled business methods and personal interest in pleasing customers have made him popular with all who have had dealings with him. Few busi- ness men in Leechburg are better known or enjoy higher standing. He is vice president of the Acme Natural Gas Company of Leech- burg, which operates several wells; he was one of the organizers and a director of the Leechburg Electric Light Plant, now the Pittsburgh & Allegheny Railway Company, which operates a line between Leechburg and Apollo. Mr. Long is also one of the stock- holders in the First National Bank of Leech- burg, of which his father is vice president.
In 1898 Mr. Long was married to Carrie Kirkwood, daughter of James Kirkwood, of Kittanning, Armstrong county. They have had two children: Chauncey, who died when three years old; and Kenneth.
Mr. Long is a past exalted ruler of the lodge of Elks and a member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is associated with the Republi- can party.
MARTIN L. McINTIRE, who has a large farm in Wayne township, Armstrong county, near Dayton, was born near Echo, in this sec- tion, Sept. 21, 1860, and belongs to a family which has been settled here since the time of his grandfather. Some of its members spell the name McIntyre.
John McIntire, the grandfather, was of Scotch-Irish descent. He lived for some years in Westmoreland county, Pa., thence removing to Armstrong county, and settling near Echo, where he purchased a large farm, and de- voted the rest of his life to its cultivation. His children were: John, who became a Methodist minister; Daniel S .: Alexander, who died in Kansas; Altman, who died in Adams county, Ohio; Mary A., who married George McIntire, and died at Echo; and Catherine, who married John Wilson, and died in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.
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