Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Part 21

Author: Gresham, John M. cn; Wiley, Samuel T. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia [Dunlap & Clarke]
Number of Pages: 1422

USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania > Part 21

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AMES A. SHIELDS, a leading hardware merchant of Greensburg and a descendant of one of the early pioneer families of West- moreland county, was born in Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pa., March 10, 1847, and is a son of James M. and Elizabeth (More- head) Shields. James A. Shields is fourth in line of descent from Capt. John Shields, a pio- neer settler and Revolutionary soldier. Capt. Shields came from Adams county in 1760 to Westmoreland county and in 1766 settled near the site of New Alexandria, where he purchased a large tract of land. "Ile was a tall, muscular man, well qualfied to endure the hardships inci- dent to the time and place in which he lived." HIe commanded a company in the Revolutionary war and was a brave and trusted soldier who served from Valley Forge to Yorktown. About 1774 a small fort was built on an eminence near his house. In honor of him it was named Shields' block-house and was intended as a pro- tection against Indian attacks. Capt. John Shields was a blacksmith, a justice of the peace and an elder in Congruity Presbyterian church ; died November 3, 1821, aged eighty-two years and was buried in Congruity cemetery. He was one of the five commissioners appointed in

1785 to purchase a court-house and jail site for Westmoreland county. One of his sons was James Shields (grandfather), a farmer and pres- byterian. James married Isabella MeKee, of near Chambersburg, Pa. They were the parents of James M. and Matthew Shields. James M. Shields was born November 6, 1808 and died September 13, 1889. He was a farmer by oc- cupation, a tanner by trade and very successful in all his business undertakings. He was one of the founders of New Alexandria Presbyterian church, of which he was an elder from the time of its establishment until his death. In politics he was a democrat but was no partisan. He served as school director of Salem township, and as justice of the peace never encouraged litiga- tion. Of excellent judgement and conservative views, he was a man who always commanded re- spect. In 1840 he married Elizabeth Moorehead, a daughter of Judge Samuel Moorehead, of Blairsville, Pa. Mrs. Shields was born August 30, 1817, and is now in the seventy-third year of her age.

James A. Shields was educated in the common schools of Salem township and New Alexandria academy. His first employment was clerking in the store of John M. Stuart at New Alexan- dria. In the winter of 1871-72 he was gradu- ated from Duff's Business college at Pittsburg. From 1872 until 1877 he was bookkeeper for Turney Bros. In 1877 he became a member of the firm of Shields & Mechling, dealers in hard- ware, stoves, tin-roofing, buggies and agricultural implements.

On September 7, 1876, he married Sue S. Welty, daughter of Daniel Welty. They have four children, two sons and two daughters : Eliza- beth M., Emily D., Wallace M. and James E.

James A. Shields has erected and now occupies on Second street, just below South Main street and opposite the Zimmerman house, one of the finest business buildings of Greensburg. It is an imposing three-story brick building, 45x72 feet in extent ; equipped with an elevator and

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all modern improvements and conveniences. Ile is a member and eller of the Presbyterian church. As an elder he is fourth in lineal suc- cession of his family that has held that office. J. A. Shields is of Scotch-Irish Presbyterian stock and has inherited the success-winning qualities of that iron-willed and energetic race. Ile is a- man of character and standing and in every way worthy of the success that has crowned his ef- forts.

AMES C. SHIELDS, a thorough scholar and efficient teacher and principal of Greensburg's High school, was born (near New Alexandria) in Salem township, West- moreland county, Pa., May 13, 1862, and is a son of Matthew and Frances (Sloan) Shields. James C. Shields is a descendant of a Scotch- Irish family. Ilis great-grandfather, Captain Jolin Shields, was in the forefront of the first tide of pioneer emigration into southwestern Pennsylvania, after the fall of Fort Du Quesne. Papers and patents of his for land in what is now Westmoreland county are still in the hands of his descendants. Capt. Shields east in his fortunes with the American colonies in 1775, raised a company and served under Washington from Valley Forge until the close of the Revo- lutionary struggle. He was a prominent man in his day and was for years a ruling elder in old Congruity Presbyterian church. His son, P. OBERT W. SINGER, who has been for over forty years in public life, is a popu- lar citizen of Westmoreland county and a prominent Scottish Rite Degree Mason of Pennsylvania. He was born in Donegal (now Cook) township, Westmoreland county, Pa., November 28, 1819, and is a son of Samuel and Jane (Matthews) Singer. Samuel Singer's father emigrated at an early day from Germany to Carlisle, Pa., and subsequently came to Greensburg, where he afterwards died. Samuel Singer was born at Carlisle, Pa., removed in early life with his father to Greensburg, and served James Shields, was a farmer, a democrat, an elder in the Presbyterian church, and served one term as county commissioner of Westmore- land county. His wife was a Miss MeKee, by whom he had six children. Matthew Shields (father) was born in 1817, in Salem township, where he always has been and is now engaged in farming. He is an ardent democrat. In 1857 he was the democratic candidate for office but was defeated by the " Know-Nothing" party. In 1858 he ran for the same office and was elected and also re-elected in 1859. He mar- ried Frances Sloan, daughter of David Sloan. ; in the war of 1812 under Gen. Harrison. He

Matthew Shields has one child dead and six children living : James C., Matthew II., a poultry raiser ; John Hurst, Lydia, Helen L., and Frank Sloan.

James C. Shields attended the common schools, prepared for college at New Alexandria academy, entered in 1879 the sophomore class of Washington and Jefferson college, and was graduated in 1882 from that famous seat of learning fourth in a class of forty. After pass- ing out from the walls of his ahna mater he was not actively engaged in any business for about one year. In 1884 he was engaged to teach in New Alexandria academy, but the fol- lowing year severed his connection with that institution to accept a more desirable situation in the Greensburg High school. Three years of faithful and efficient work at Greensburg se- cured for him the principalship of the High school, to which he was elected in 1888. Hlis services as principal were of such satisfactory character and attended with such gratifying re- sults that he was re-elected as principal in 1889. To the wide range of knowledge and thorough culture of a collegiate course James C. Shields has added practical observation and the valuable experience of successful teaching. He is a fine scholar and a thorough gentleman.

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'was a member of Major John B. Alexander's company, which went from Westmoreland county. At the close of the war he returned home and married Jane, daughter of John Matthews, of Donegal township, this county, by whom he had nine children, of whom eight are living. He died in 1873. He was a quiet, unpretentious man, who was upright and honorable and had many friends throughout the county. He and his wife were active and exemplary members of the United Presbyterian church. In political affairs Mr. Singer was an old line whig until 1856, when he became a republican.

Robert W. Singer attended the common schools and remained on a farm until he was eighteen years of age. He then learned the trade of blacksmith, at which he worked for seventeen years, and during this period con- ducted a store. His shop and store were at Jones' Mills, where he served as justice of the peace. In 1858 he was a candidate on the democratic ticket for clerk of the courts of West- moreland county, and was elected. His ser- vices as clerk were so well appreciated by the public and his own party that he was re-elected in 1861 and served until 1864, when he was elected justice of the peace at Greensburg. IIe served in this capacity until 1874, when he was taken up by his party and elected prothonotary of the county. At the expiration of his term he acted as clerk for his successors. In 1884 he was appointed steward of the county home and served until April 1, 1886, when he resigned to accept the position of storekeeper and gauger in the United States revenue service, to which he had been appointed at the instance of the late Hon. C. E. Boyle. His term of service expired December 30, 1889.

Robert W. Singer united in marriage with Eleanor Warren, daughter of Albert Warren, an iron manufacturer of Westmoreland county. To their union have been born two sons and four daughters : Elizabeth, who married James S. Morehead, a prominent lawyer of Greensburg;

William M., who is a merchant ; Dr. James, a leading physician at Connellsville, Pa. ; Laura K., Henrietta, and one dead.

Robert W. Singer is a man of influence in the Democratic party, and was always a warm friend and zealous supporter of the late Judge Boyle of Fayette county, Pa. Mr. Singer is popular and well liked throughout the county, and has served with honor and credit in the many positions of trust and responsibility which he has held. He is an active member of Philan- thropy Lodge, No. 225, A. Y. M., and has passed through chapter and commandery up to member- ship in the 32d degree of the Ancient and Ac- cepted Scottish Rite.

LIVER R. SNYDER, a rising young member of the Westmoreland bar, was born December 29, 1858, in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pa., and is a son of Lebbeus and Maria (Baughman) Snyder. Ilis grandfather, Daniel Snyder, was a native of Northumberland county, Pa., but when quite young was brought by his parents to this county and settled in Penn township. He was married to Elizabeth Rowe, whose parents were among the very early settlers of " old Westmoreland." Lebbeus Snyder (father) was born in 1832, in Penn township, and died April 4, 1888. He was an active democrat, served as director of the poor from 1871 to 1874, and as county auditor from 1884 to 1887. Nearly all his life he was a consistent and useful member of the Reformed church. In his boyhood he learned the trade of brickmaking, which he fol- lowed for some time, and then taught school until he engaged in the mercantile business at Bouquet, Penn township, where he continued in that line some eight years, achieving success in his business. Mr. Snyder was an upright, honorable gentleman and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was married to Maria, a daughter of Lewis Baughman, of Penn township,

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and to their union were born two children : Ira C. and Oliver R. Ira C. Snyder, the younger brother, is now attending school at Franklin and Marshall college, where he is a member of the class of 1892.

Oliver R. Suyder received his preparatory ed- ucation at New Salem academy and subsequently entered Franklin and Marshall college, Lancas- ter, l'a., from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1882. The following winter he was engaged in teaching at Salem ; in 1883 he registered as a law student with Morehead & Head, and was admitted to the bar of Westmore- land county in 1885. Mr. Snyder was ap- pointed a notary public by Gov. Pattison in 1886. Ile is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and has been financier of his local lodge for three years. He is secretary of the Pomona or county grange of Westmoreland county. Ile is an intelligent, honorable gentle- man, reliable in business, affable in society, of unblemished character and is assiduous in his attention to the duties of his profession.

Oliver R. Snyder was united in marriage February 8, 1888, with Miss Huldah Cort, a daughter of Rev. Lucien Cort, a minister of the Reformed church, who was for many years prin- cipal of the Greensburg seminary. Mr. Snyder is an unswerving democrat, and has been seere- tary of the democratic county committee for a number of years. He and his wife are members of the Second Reformed church of Greensburg.

RAU SPIEGEL. One who was early in the battle of life thrown upon his own re- sources and who has by remarkable energy and unconquerable will achieved success and won his way to prominence is J. Rau Spiegel, a member of the Westmoreland county bar, who is well known for his ability, his learning and his integrity. Ile is a son of William and Christina (Rau) Spiegel, and was born near Stuttgart, Germany, August 27, 1847. Ilis

parents emigrated to this country in 1852 and settled in East Huntingdon township, where they have resided ever since. The father, Will- iam Spiegel, is a descendant of Frederick Spie- gel, a German orientalist and professor of ori- ental languages for many years at Erlagen, and has a brother who is a colonel in the German army. A custom to this day observed in Ger- many is that the youngest of seven brothers, each serving six years in the army, receives the king's dollar from the hands of the reigning monarch, and William Spiegel is one of the few recipients of this compliment money from the hands of King William. It is an honor which he prizes very highly. Christina (Rau) Spiegel, the mother, is from one of the best German families and is a descendant of Karl Heinrich Rau, a German political economist and professor of political economy and financial science for almost forty years at Heidelberg college.

J. Rau Spiegel was reared in East Hunting- don township. At seven years of age he at- tended the Mennonite, now Stonersville, school, taught by Ex-County Superintendent Silliman, and the next year became a pupil in the Pool school, of which he was elected assistant teacher at fourteen years of age by the township board of school directors, and served in that capacity for two terms. At sixteen years of age he taught the Gaut school. He next taught at New Stanton, then three successive terms at Hillside and one term at Louck's, now Scottdale. He educated himself by means obtained by teaching in the common schools. He almost completed the course of Westmoreland college. but was in- duced by Dr. Gaut to finish his course at Mount Union college, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated July 27, 1871. Mr. Speigel re- ceived the first prize for passing the best exam- ination in differential and integral calculus. He served as principal of Mount Pleasant schools, Titusville Soldiers' Orphan school, Wilcox High school and Wiconisco and Greensburg public schools. In 1878 Mr. Spiegel was elected super-

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intendent of common schools of Westmoreland county, and was re-elected to the same position in . 1881. Ilis administration was remarkably successful and at his county institutes he af- forded the people of the county an opportunity to hear the leading talent of the nation. Among the famous orators whom he brought to deliver lectures were Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, John B. Gough, T. DeWitt Talmage, Theodore T'il- ton and Daniel Dougherty. A spell of sickness prevented Wendell Phillips, the greatest orator of his day, from lecturing at Greensburg ac- cording to contract with Superintendent Spiegel.

On December 19, 1876, Mr. Spiegel united in marriage with E. Jennie Thomas, of Wilkes- barre, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Spiegel are the pa- rents of three children : Jay, Don and Lulu, who are aged twelve, nine and nine years re- spectively.

From teaching, Mr. Spiegel turned his atten- tion to the profession of the law, and after com- pleting the necessary course of legal reading he was admitted to the Westmoreland county bar in November, 1887. Immediately after admis- sion he opened a law office at Greensburg, where he has been in active practice ever since.

II. STARK, an experienced and success- ful carriage builder, ex-burgess of Greens- burg and the proprietor of the elegant business block known as the Stark building, was born on West Otterman street, Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pa., September 5, 1830, and is a son of John Adam and Charlotte (Ilol- ser) Stark.

Jolın Stark was born in Wittenberg, Ger- many. He received his education in Germany, where he learned the trade of wagonmaker, and then emigrated to western Pennsylvania. He soon became a resident of Greensburg and was engaged, on account of his superior workman- ship, in the construction of the first stage coaches which were manufactured west of the

Allegheny mountains. After the era of stage coaches he commenced building the well remem- bered old " Dearborn Wagon." It was sup- plied with wooden springs, which he son replaced with steel springs and iron axles of his own hand-made manufacture. Many of the old wagonmakers of the country learned their trade with him while engaged in the Dearborn wagon business, which he afterwards sold to the subject of this sketch. After fifty years of active work at his trade he retired from business. He was a democrat from principle, but apart from busi- ness gave most of his time to the cause of the Lutheran church, of which he had been a mem- ber and officer for over fifty years before his death. IIe married Charlotte Holser, whose father was an officer in the Revolutionary war and whose widow drew a pension for many years. The Holsers were a sturdy and honest race, who ranked among the most influential citizens of York county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Stark were the parents of eleven children, of whom two are living, George and C. H.

C. II. Stark was reared at Greensburg, where he was educated in the common schools and Greensburg academy. At thirteen years of age he was sent east and spent two years in learning the trade of silver-plating, as used on the car- riages of that day. He then returned home, learned the trade of carriage builder and en- gaged in that business with his father until the latter retired from the firm. C. H. Stark then conducted the business upon a large scale, em- ploying from thirty to thirty-five men. His carriages were in demand in many different sec- tions until the war closed his factory. He was them appointed by the United States govern- ment as wagon inspector at Pittsburg, and served satisfactorily as such until the close of the war. In 1865 he resumed the manufacture of carriages and conducted a prosperous business until 1879. Since then he has given consider- able attention to the material prosperity of Greensburg. Mr. Stark has just completed the

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creetion of one of the finest brick business blocks of the town. It is three stories high and 160 feet front.

Hle married Lavina Ann Barnhart, daughter of John and sister of W. R. Barnhart (see sketch of latter).

Politically he is a democrat, and has served as burgess and school director, but would never allow his name to be used as a candidate for any county office. Ile is a member of the Second Lutheran church of Greensburg.

ENRY F. STARK, one of the progres- sive young business men of Greensburg, and a leading contractor and builder of Westmoreland county, was born near Barnhart's mill, Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pa., August 11, 1857, and is a son of John F. and Sybbilla (Thomas) Stark, both residents of Westmoreland county. Ilis grandfather was Gotlieb Stark, who came from Germany to the United States when quite a young man. IIe was a good wagon maker and carriage builder, which trade he pursued very profitably for many years. He was twice married and had but two children, John F. being a son of his first wife. John F. Stark was born in Greensburg, Pa., February 4, 1828. He learned his father's trade, but having more taste for chemistry and inventions than his trade, he, after years of hard labor and study, turned his attention to chemistry in which he soon became quito proficient. Itis forte is invention and he has been known nearly all his life as an inventor of far more than local note. He invented a carriage paint some years ago which is said to be one of the most durable and finest paints that is in the market. He has perfected several labor-saving inventions. Ilis latest invention is a device to detect easily and instantly any gas leakage from gas pipes. Mr. Stark is a republican, a member of the Evan- gelical Lutheran church, and devotes his time principally to chemistry. On January 27, 1852, |

he was married to Sybbilla Thomas, daughter of John and Catharine (Weaver) Thomas, by whom he had two children : II. F. and Cyrus N.

II. F. Stark was reared in his native town- ship, educated in the common schools, and left the parental roof to learn telegraphy at Con- nellsville, Pa. He was a close, hard-working student, soon learned the art and was made operator at the last named place. His services were of such a character that in 1880 he was pro- moted to be freight and ticket agent and train dispatcher at Uniontown, and served acceptably in these positions for nearly three years. In 1883 he tendered his resignation to the Penn- sylvania railroad company, but his resignation was not accepted until Robert Pitcairn had asked him to remain and he declined to do so. Leaving Uniontown he became a member of the firm of " Stark Bro's," general contractors and builders. They engaged actively in all kinds of pipe line work and masonry, and soon were thronged with applications from different parts of Westmoreland and bordering counties. They also made a specialty of opening and developing coal lands and received considerable work in that line of contracting. They widened out their busi- ness to its present proportions by receiving bids for railroad and coke-oven work, and received their full share of patronage in that important industry. They are among the largest contrac- tors in the county. In 1889 they contracted for a great glass plant at Jeannette and built the same, for which they received $250,000.

October 13, 1881, Henry F. Stark was mar- ried to Martha J. Pollock, of Ligonier. They have two children : Mary Edna, born June 2, 1884, and Frank Pollock, July 29, 1887. Mrs. Stark's father was Thomas C. Pollock, a relative of ex-governor Pollock, and was an elder in the United Presbyterian church for over twenty-five years. Mr. Pollock was a son of John Pollock and a grandson of James and Mary (Herron) Pollock, who were pioneer set- tlers of Ligonier Valley in 1767. In politics

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he is a republican, but not for gain or office. He is a member of Greensburg Council, No. 44, Royal Arcanum and Greensburg Conclave, No. 174, Independent Order of Heptasophs. Mr. Stark is a member and secretary of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian church. In Sunday school work he is very active. He is assistant superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday school of Greensburg, and by his own labor has achieved success in life.

MOS STECK, a leading business man of Greensburg and a great grandson of the founder of Lutheranism in Westmore- land county, was born at Greensburg, West- moreland county, Pa., May 2, 1851, and is a son of Caleb A. and Margaret S. (Baughman) Steck. The Stecks are of German descent and are of a sturdy, moral and substantial race. The progenitor of the family in western Pennsyl- vania, Rev. John M. Steck (great-grandfather), who was born at Germantown, Pa., October 5, 1756. Studied theology under the direction of Dr. Helmuth and served the Lutheran Congrega- tion at Chambersburg until 1784, and a number of congregations in Bedford and Somerset counties, and came to Greensburg in 1792 to preach, but was not licensed here until 1796. Ilis death occurred July 14, 1830. His remains were buried in the old German graveyard, Greens- burg, Pa. He founded two feeble Lutheran or- ganizations at Harrold's and Brush creek, which he built up into strong churches. In 1809 he also organized the first Lutheran church of Greensburg and the one at Manor. Ile also organized St. James, Hankey; St. Johns, Swopes Ridge, and Youngstown churches and established a number of stations. For a quar- ter of a century he was the only settled Lutheran minister in the county and supplied the above churches : Washington, Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Mercer and Crawford counties and sta- tions. Ile was appointed bishop of Westmore-

land and eight other counties west of the Alle- ghenies. His was a wide field of usefulness in which he was largely instrumental in advancing the interests of Christianity and establishing Lutheranism. He was elected the Senior in the Ohio Synod in 1822. Hle edited the Lutheran Catechism, published in Greensburg in 1817. Ile was respected, honored and revered by all who knew him. His son, Rev. Michael J. Steck (grandfather), one of the founders of the Pittsburg synod and its first president, was born at Greensburg, May 1, 1793. He received a liberal education, was licensed to preach, served several of his father's remote congregations and accepted a call at Lancaster, Ohio, where he served for fourteen years with wonderful success. In 1829 at his father's request he returned to assist him at Greensburg. Two years later upon the death of his father, Rev. Michael J. Steck succeeded him as pastor of the Greens- burg charge which then included eleven churches and several stations. For eighteen years he labored arduously, incessantly and successfully in Westmoreland county. During his entire ministry of thirty-two years he preached over eight thousand sermons, baptized five thousand children and received two thousand persons into the Lutheran church. About 1847 he at- tempted to found a seminary at Greensburg ; quite a number of students had been secured, several professors engaged and the plans and specifications for the building made out, when he died September 1, 1848. His death alone pre- vented its establishment.

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Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Part 21

Author: Gresham, John M. cn; Wiley, Samuel T. cn Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia [Dunlap & Clarke] Number of Pages: 1422

Author: Gresham, John M. cn; Wiley, Samuel T. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia [Dunlap & Clarke]
Number of Pages: 1422