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 9
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Few men have comprehended more fully than Mr. Thaw the great value of scientific investigations, and a large proportion of his gifts for educational purposes was given to enable men of the right kind to pursue their work unhampered by financial limitations. "Pushing forward the frontier of human knowledge," as he himself once expressed it, seemed to him the worthiest of achievements. His crowning gift for the acquisition and dis- semination of knowledge would seem to most people to be his contributions to the Allegheny Observatory, one of the finest in the country, and it was through his aid that the expedition of Prof. S. P. Langley, for so many years director of that observatory, to the top of Mount Whitney, in southern California, in 1881, for the purpose of continuing certain observations upon solar radiation was made possible, Mr. Thaw bearing the expense jointly with the United States Signal Service Depart- ment. Professor Langley's efforts, backed by Mr. Thaw's means, lifted the observatory from a condition of mere existence into the foremost position it has since occupied.
struggling against what seemed insuperable difficulties, to bring instruments of precision up to the highest status, this great-hearted man came unsolicited, and, appreciating the circumstances as not one in ten thousand would, lent a willing, helping hand for the benefit of science. I could point out some of the brightest lights in our scientific world who have received help of this grand, good man. The special work of our own Professor Langley (now director of the Smith- sonian) he fostered and encouraged in the same spirit with which he gave so much to the Western University and the Allegheny Ob- servatory. The world knows it well, for when we open the splendid publication of Professor Langley, we read, 'The expedition needed for this special research was provided by the liberality of a citizen of Pittsburgh.' No man held Mr. Thaw in higher regard than Pro- fessor Langley, and no man felt a deeper in- terest in the researches of Professor Langley than Mr. Thaw. Had his calling been that of a student of science, his success would no doubt have been equal to that which he achieved in business.
"To attempt to outline such a life or pic- ture the loss to his family, city, country, or the world at large, would be an impossible task, nor are words of eulogy needed. Genera- tions must pass away ere the name of Pitts- burgh's cherished and most noble son, Wil- liam Thaw, can be forgotten. He was en- trusted with large means, and grandly did he administer the trust."
Lavish tributes in praise of Mr. Thaw's character and generosity poured in from all sides, when the news of his death spread over the country. Most significant was the fact that they came from so many different sources. Nothing could afford a better indication of the breadth of his interests and sympathies. Indeed it is likely no one besides himself had until then known how far-reaching they were. Friends, business associates. fellow workers in all the lines of art and philanthropy through which his bounty flowed, beneficiaries, ex- pressed their grief at the loss of a good man, one who was a true friend to all mankind. The personal admiration and esteem he aroused in those with whom he came in con- tact is beautifully set forth in some remarks made by Rev. Dr. Purves, of the First Presby- terian Church of Pittsburgh, in his address at Mr. Thaw's funeral.
Along the same line was the support Mr. Thaw gave to the work of Prof. John A. Bra- shear, a leading man in his line, and which marked an era in the development, in Pitts- burgh, of the manufacture of instruments of precision for use in astronomical and physical research, second to none in the world. Dr. Brashear said of him: "Few men in this country have contributed more in their life- time for the advancement of human knowledge than William Thaw, not only in a monetary way, but by words of encouragement. By the best advice and counsel he made it pos- "Through all these years you have learned ered in this church this afternoon testifies sible to carry on original research. No one to love him, and the crowded audience gath- knows this better than the writer, for when
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how strong are the bonds of gratitude and in 1837. In politics he was a Democrat, in affection which hold you to his memory. The religion a member of the United Presbyterian stream of his influence has gone forth, not Church ( whose members were formerly only through this city, but throughout the known as Seceders). He married Nellie Cal- whole land there are those who are thanking len, daughter of Patrick Callen, who came from Westmoreland county, Pa., to Armstrong county at the same time as James Rayburn. Mr. and Mrs. Rayburn had seven children, six of whom grew to maturity. God today for his servant's character and deeds. Dear friends, it is worth while to live, if we can live thus. It is not worth while to live, if we merely win this world's gain. It is not worth while to live if we merely win this world's applause. But to win the love, to merit the affection, and to lift heavenward the lives of our fellow men, that indeed is to make life worth living.'
In earliest manhood Mr. Thaw united with the Third Presbyterian Church under the pastorate of Rev. David Riddle, the first pastor of that church. After the first building was destroyed by fire, in 1863, under the super- vision and largely through the generosity of Mr. Thaw, there was erected the splendid building on Sixth avenue, since razed, to- gether with the cathedral and other churches, in order to provide for expansion of the down- town business district. The life of that or- ganization is continued in a third edifice, more beautiful than its predecessor, with a church life more vigorous than at any time in its ex- istence. Thus the life of William Thaw is continued in church, business, science and all other interests that touch the life of humanity.
CALVIN RAYBURN, late of Kittanning, at one time president judge of Armstrong county, was one of the best known members of the bar in this section of Pennsylvania, and was also active in the Democratic party from early manhood. He was a lawyer of high standing and enjoyed an extensive legal practice.
Judge Rayburn was of Scottish extraction. His great-grandfather came to this country from Scotland, his native country, some years after the French and Indian war, and settled in the Ligonier valley in Pennsylvania. We have record of two of his sons who grew to maturity, Matthew and James, the former of whom was a soldier in the Continental forces during the Revolution.
James Rayburn, son of James, was born Oct. 26, 1801, and died Nov. 6, 1886. He was a farmer by occupation, and a man of intel- lect and progressive disposition, well known and esteemed in his community for his ex- cellent judgment and conservative views. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat and thoroughly identified with the workings of the party in his district, which he frequently represented in the county conventions. Though not an office seeker or desirous of public honors, he was a public-spirited citizen and ready to do his duty by his fellow citizens, and he was frequently elected to the office of justice of the peace. He was a United Presbyterian in religious faith, attending the Buffalo Church, which stood on his farm. He was twice mar- ried, the first time, in 1827, to Jane Galbraith, by whom he had five children: Hulda, Wil- liam, Jefferson, Ellen and Mary. After the death of their mother he married Margaret Boyd, daughter of Robert Boyd, an early set- tler of Sugar Creek township, Armstrong county. By this union there were six chil- dren : Margaret B., Jane (who married Sam- uel R. Steele), Boyd, Robert, Calvin and Cyrus (twins), all now deceased except Rob- ert ; he is a contractor and resides at Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Calvin Rayburn was born Oct. 25, 1850, on the old Rayburn homestead in North Buffalo township, Armstrong county, and there re- ceived his early education in the public schools. He was prepared for college at Slate Lick Academy, which was then under the control of Dr. Harvey Sloan, a noted instructor of the time. He then taught three terms of com- mon school before taking up his college work, entering Princeton University in 1871 and graduating in 1875. After that he taught one term in Brady's Bend township and served one winter as principal of the public schools at Queenstown, Armstrong county. At the
James Rayburn, the Judge's grandfather, was the younger of the two sons mentioned. He was born in Ligonier valley, and in 1797 removed to Armstrong county, settling in close of his service there, in June, 1877, he what is now North Buffalo township. The became a law student with Hon. George A. farm which he purchased, cleared and im- Jenks, of Brookville, who afterward attained prominence as assistant attorney general dur- ing President Cleveland's administration. Mr. Rayburn was admitted to the bar in June, 1879, proved has remained in the family to this day, descending in the direct line for four generations. He lived to advanced age, dying
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Calvin Rayburn
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
in Jefferson county, and the following No- Kittanning Academy and at Lawrenceville vember was admitted to practice in Armstrong School, in New Jersey. county, on Dec. Ist of that year opening up Calvin Rayburn, Jr., graduated from the Kittanning high school and attended State College for one year. Since that time he has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. an office at Kittanning. He built up a good general practice in the ten years that fol- lowed, and in 1889 was honored with the nomination of his party for president judge of Armstrong county. His nomination was unan- Margaret M. Rayburn, the youngest child, is attending the Kittanning public school, where she is very proficient in her work. imous, and he was elected by a majority of 722 votes, although the county was normally Republican by a large majority. With one ex- ception he was the youngest judge in the ALGERNON SYDNEY WIGHTMAN, president of the State Bank of Parkers Land- ing, Pa., was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Feb. 9, 1851, son of Thomas and Isabella (Russell) Wightman, and grandson of James Wightman. State, and his services on the bench were characterized by firmness, fairness and legal acumen which justified the faith his sup- porters showed in his ability and trustworthi- ness. In 1899 he was again a candidate, but James Wightman was born in Ireland, as was his wife, Catherine Smiley, and they be- came pioneers of Pittsburgh. The maternal grandfather, John Russell, a pioneer pork packer of Pittsburgh, married Catherine Anderson. was defeated by Judge Patton, who led by 422 votes. In 1909 he was a candidate for judge of the Superior court of the State. He continued to be occupied with legal work until his death, and had unusual popularity per- sonally among the members of the profes- Thomas Wightman learned the glass busi- ness and for many years was one of the well known glass manufacturers in Pittsburgh, for a quarter of a century head of the Thomas Wightman Glass Company. He was in active business until one year prior to his death, which occurred Sept. 1, 1908, when he was in. his ninety-first year. sion, the bar association in its memorial mak- ing special mention of his lovable disposition and generosity in all his relations as attor- ney and jurist. He was popular, in fact, with all classes, generally beloved for nobility of character. His death occurred May 16, 1912, and he is buried in the Kittanning cemetery.
Like his father, Judge Rayburn was an active worker in the Democratic party. He was chairman of the county committee, 1882 to 1885; was again chosen its chairman in 1901; was a delegate to the National con- vention held at Chicago in 1884, when Cleve- land was first nominated for the presidency ; and was a delegate to the National conven- tion at St. Louis in 1904, when Judge Parker was nominated. His careful and correct serv- ice in every capacity won him high esteem wherever he was known.
On Oct. 19, 1886, Judge Rayburn was mar- ried to Margaret McFadden, daughter of Dr. James McFadden, and member of a dis- tinguished family of Allegheny county, Pa. They had three children, namely: James, Cal- vin, Jr., and Margaret M. Of these,
James Rayburn is a member of the Arm- strong county bar and has already established for himself a good practice, rapidly attaining a high standing among the lawyers of the county. He was married on May 19, 1914, to Isadora Reynolds, daughter of the late Ross Reynolds, a distinguished member of the Arm- strong county bar. His preliminary education for the study of the law was obtained in the a Republican.
Algernon Sydney Wightman was brought: up in Pittsburgh and thoroughly educated in: the public schools there, as well as at the. Western University of Pennsylvania. He be- gan his business career in the glass works of his father, and for twenty-five years was man- ager of the plant at Parkers Landing, Pa. On Aug. II, 19II, he and several others or- ganized the State Bank of Parkers Landing, which opened for business Jan. 1, 1912, with Mr. Wightman as president, his name assur- ing the people of this locality that a sane, conservative policy would be followed in the management of its affairs.
On May 24, 1887, Mr. Wightman was mar- ried to Elizabeth R. Robinson, daughter of Elisha and Caroline (Truby) Robinson, of Hovey township, this county. One son, Alger- non Sydney, Jr., has been born to this union. Mr. Wightman is one of the leading men of Parkers Landing in various associations, his influence being felt not only in business circles, but in other relations of life. He is a promi- nent member of Franklin Lodge, No. 221, F. & A. M., of Pittsburgh. Politically he is
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DR. SIMEON HOVEY, in whose honor localities far remote from his home, often being called into consultations with physicians in Kittanning, Clarion, Butler and neighboring towns, he was busy night and day, and became highly esteemed for his helpful life, full of good work and of the utmost usefulness to his community. His high character, attain- ments and ability made him a most valuable citizen. He died about 1837, in his seventy- eighth year, and his nephew, Elisha Robinson, was his heir. Dr. Hovey was married to the eldest daughter of Col. Christopher Truby, but left no children. Elisha Robinson was his nephew, and Mrs. Elisha Robinson was his wife's niece. Hovey township, Armstrong county, was so named, was one of the pioneer settlers in that region and prominent in the early history of the county. Born in Connecticut Dec. IO, 1763, he was a son of Ebenezer and Dorcas (Corbin) Hovey, who were married Sept. 21, 1755. Her first husband was Theodore Dwight, a farmer of Thompson, Conn., son of Rev. Josiah Dwight, of Woodstock, Conn., and by that union she was the mother of two children : Capt. William, born Sept. 20, 1750, who died Oct. 6, 1824; and Daniel, born in 1752, who died unmarried. By her marriage to Mr. Hovey she had: Sallie, born Aug. I, 1756 (married to Josiah Burnham, and died July 2, 1803) ; Dorcas, March 24, 1758; Pat- tie, March 12, 1760; Olive, Nov. 30, 1760; Simeon, Dec. 10, 1763; Achsah, Feb. 21, Hovey township, might long since have been 1766; Asa, May 3, 1769 (married Mary Alworth).
But for the memory of the older people of the county, who knew him and estimated his worth properly, his name, now perpetuated in forgotten. This township was formed in 1870, from a part of Perry. Its territory was afterward considerably reduced by the forma- tion of Parker City from the southern part.
Ebenezer Hovey, the father, was born Feb. 21, 1723, son of Nathaniel Hovey, who was born Jan. 29, 1691. Nathaniel Hovey married Abigail Genning (Jennings). He was a son of Nathaniel Hovey (born March 20, 1657, married Sarah Fuller in November, 1676, and resided at Ipswich, 1792) and grandson of Daniel Hovey of Ipswich, who married Abi- gail . Andrews, daughter of Robert Andrews and sister of Thomas Andrews.
GEORGE AUGUSTUS NEEDLE, a re- tired newspaper publisher, vice president of the First National Bank and a prominent citi- zen of Parker, Pa., was born on the Isle of Jersey, English Channel, Feb. 25, 1842, son of Morgan George and Elizabeth (Wadhams) Needle.
Morgan George Needle for many years was a clerk in the post office at London, England. He was a prudent, careful man and accumu- lated a property, but during the panic in the early thirties his fortune was swept away. He then removed to the Isle of Jersey and from there, later in life, to France, where he died. He was buried in that country. He married Elizabeth Wadhams, daughter of Captain Wadhams, an English army officer.
Simeon Hovey had the advantages of a thorough New England training, and received a liberal education. He was a man of high ability, served as a surgeon under General Wayne during the latter's Indian campaigns, and afterward settled at Greensburg, Pa. In 1797 he came into the then sparsely settled region west of the Allegheny river, and lo- cated on a tract of land within the present limits of Hovey township. "Why a man of his talents should desire to escape from civ- ilization and bury himself in the wilderness, it is not our province to determine. It may have been that he was actuated by a love of adventure." He established himself upon his land and remained about three years. He then returned to Greensburg, where he practiced medicine about five years, at the end of that time returning to his former residence in Arm- strong county. His knowledge and skill as a medical adviser became known, and as phy- sicians were then very few in this section he was kept constantly busy ministering to the sick and afflicted in all the surrounding re- gion. His opinions were highly valued, and he ranked among the best and most skilled the newspaper plant of the Tidioute Journal, physicians in the county. Visiting patients in a daily and weekly publication at Tidioute,
George Augustus Needle attended private schools on the Isle of Jersey until he was thirteen years of age, when he was appren- ticed to the printer's trade and served six years. In the spring of 1861 he came to America and spent one year working as a typesetter at Orangeville and Toronto, Canada. In 1862 he crossed the Canadian border and located at Jamestown, N. Y., where he remained for ten years, during seven years of this period being employed as a compositor and three years as local editor of the James- town Journal. He was drafted for service in the Civil war, in 1863, but not yet being nat- uralized was released. In 1872 he purchased
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Warren Co., Pa., which he successfully con- burgh, Pa., he and his brother built and oper- ducted for two years. In 1874 he removed his plant to Parker City and established the Par- ker City Daily, which he published and edited for five years, when the plant was destroyed by fire Oct. 31, 1879. In December of the same year he established the Parker Phoenix, a weekly publication, which he conducted until his retirement from the business in 1896, at that time turning it over to his son, George Alfred Needle, its present proprietor and editor.
Mr. Needle was married Aug. 17, 1871, to Frances L., daughter of Judge Joseph E. and Margaret (Wait) Weeden, of Randolph, N. Y. They have four children: Margaret Elize married Edmund K. Morrow, who died April 6, 1901, leaving two children, Horace N. and Mary Frances ; she married (second) in April, 1909, Clayton Brewster Dailey, of Falconer, N. Y. Clara Amelia married Harry D. Barber, an efficient employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., who died in No- vember, 1899, leaving one child, George Doug- lass; she married (second) in September, 1908, Arthur Burton Troutner, of Parker. George Alfred married Mary S. Steller, Nov. 9, 1912. Rosa Weeden is the wife of John H. Williamson, of Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have four children: James Al- fred and George Edward, twins, Margaret Juliette and Helen Alberta. Mr. and Mrs. Needle are members of the Episcopal Church at Foxburg, Pennsylvania.
Politically Mr. Needle is a Republican, and he has frequently been tendered offices of trust and responsibility. He has served as school director, several terms as a member of the common and select council of the city and one term as Mayor. Since 1906 he has been vice president of the First National Bank of Parker City and is a stockholder and direc- tor. He is identified with Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 145, F. & A. M., at Jamestown, N. Y., and also belongs to the Royal Arcanum.
JAMES PARKER LEONARD (de- ceased) was for over thirty years a promi- nent oil operator and producer in the Parker oil district, his home being in Parker City, where he passed all his life. He was born Jan. IO, 1857, at Bear Creek Furnace, son of John and Margaret B. (Bordidge) Leon- ard and grandson of Reuben Leonard.
Reuben Leonard was born in England and came to the United States in the early part of the nineteenth century. Settling in Pitts-
ated the first ironworks in that city, which were known as the Kensington Rolling Mills. In 1833 he moved with his family to the mouth of Bear Creek, in Perry township, Armstrong county, and purchased the old Bear Creek Furnace, which he and his brother operated for several years, until his retirement. He died at the old Parker homestead Nov. 18, 188 -. He married Ann L. Edward, and they reared the following children: Anna, who married James Fowler; Reuben; John; Emma, who married James Parker; and Sim- eon.
John Leonard, son of Reuben, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and came thence to Bear Creek Furnace with his parents in 1833. For many years he was superintendent of the old Maple Furnace in Butler county, Pa., and he was a business man of extensive and varied interests, being a large landowner, oil produc- er, coal operator, largely interested in bank- ing, prominently identified with the promo- tion of the glass works at Parker operated by the Thomas A. Wightman Company, and one of the projectors of the Butler & Karns City railroad. For years he was one of the leading business men of this part of Pennsyl- vania. His death, which occurred in October, 1884, was the result of an accident. His wife, Margaret B. (Bordidge), was like himself a native of Pittsburgh. Their children were as follows: George; James P .; Addie, wife of Dr. George Eggert; Samuel: Emma, who married Samuel Truby Robinson; Ella, who married Albert B. Cooper ; William, and Mar- garet.
James P. Leonard was reared at Parkers Landing and received his early education in the public schools there, later attending nor- mal school at Edinboro, and Allegheny Col- lege at Meadville, Pa. He was a highly cap- able business man, as he proved in the man- agement of his father's estate, and he was for many years, up to his death, a large oil pro- ducer, operating at Parker and in the vicin- ity. Outside of such interests he was essen- tially a home man, never aspiring to public honors or office. On political questions he was affiliated with the Republican party. He died Oct. 17, 191I.
On March 24, 1887, Mr. Leonard married Carrie B. Bellette, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Brewer) Bellette, both of whom were natives of New York. Her father, who was of French descent, settled in Parker City in 1872 and there embarked in the oil business
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as operator and producer, being thus en- A. Kerr & Co., and later as Kerr & McCamey, gaged until his death, in 1903. Mrs. Leonard which continued until 1910, when Mr. Mc- was his only child. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard, as follows: Joseph B., Charles A., Mary E., James P., Jr. (deceased), Alice E. and John W.
THOMAS H. McCAMEY, of T. H. Mc- Camey & Sons, dry goods, shoes and grocer- ies, at Parkers Landing, Pa., was born at EauClaire, Butler Co., Pa., Feb. 22, 1861, son of John and Elizabeth (Ewing) McCamey, and grandson of John McCamey.
John McCamey came from Ireland to the United States with his family about 1835, settling in Butler county, Pa., where he bought a tract of 500 acres, part of which he cleared and improved, living there board of Parker. Politically he favors the
until his death, which occurred in 1862. He married Jane Rodgers, who died in 1884. They had the following children : Samuel and George, both of whom are deceased ; Susan, who married William Cook; Rebecca, who married John Chambers; Thomas and Robert, deceased; Elizabeth, who married Daniel Chambers; William, who is deceased, and John.
John McCamey, son of John McCamey, and father of Thomas H. McCamey, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and ac- companied his parents to America. He spent all his mature life on the homestead in Butler county, and at the time of his death, in March, 1888, owned Ioc acres of the original tract. He married Elizabeth Ewing, who was of Scotch-Irish parentage and was born also in County Donegal, Ireland. She died at Parkers' Landing, Armstrong Co., Pa., when aged seventy-five years. They were parents of the following children : William, who is deceased; Jennie, who is the wife of Wesley P. Miller; Eliza, who is the wife of J. F. Cochran; Sarah, who is the wife of W. A. Harkless; Thomas H .; John; U. P .; Elmer R .; and Mary, who is deceased.
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