USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania > Part 27
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On January 4, 1861, Robert Ramsay was united in marriage with Janet Erskine, a daughter of William and Margaret (White) Erskine, of Elgin colliery, near Dunfermline. They have twelve children, eight sons and four daughters : William, Erskine, Robert, Jr., Mor- ris, John, Charles, Andrew, George, Margaret, Lizzie, Janet and Mary. Like their father the sons as they grow up take to the engineering profession ; the second son, Erskine, is chief mining engineer at the Pratt mines near Bir- mingham, Alabama.
Robert Ramsay and his wife in religion are Presbyterians and members of the Presbyterian church at Mt. Pleasant. His skill as an engi- neer is recognized in the design and arrange- ment of the new Standard shaft which he built in 1886, and which is considered the finest shaft in this country by the best mining authorities. He also engineered and superintended the erection of the Mt. Pleasant water works and quite a number of other improvements in the Connellsville coke region. Hle is a man whose kindness, usefulness, blameless character, perse- vering energy and intellectual force are building for him a monument of respect and love that will be bright and sacred in the hearts of future generations when time shall have crumbled to dust the graven monolith, the gorgeous mauso- leum, and the heaven, pointing obelisk of this century ; for man goes to his long home, his bones are placed beneath the sod, but his works live after him, and his influence for good goes
3
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down through the ages, on and on "until our race has run its course and the wide firmament is rolled up like a seroll."
ORRIS RAMSAY, a mining engineer of more than local reputation and super- intendent of the Morewood, Warden, Dillinger, Alice and Tarr coke works, was born at Dumfermline, Scotland, June 4, 1848, and is the third son of William and Elizabeth Ramsay (For their history, see sketch of Robert Ram- say).
Morris Ramsay commenced to work at the trade of machinist at Dumfermline, but finished his trade at Pittsburg, Pa., to which place his parents had immigrated in 1852. From 1864 to 1869 he worked in the mines of the Westmore- land coal company and in the latter year became mining boss at the Shafton coal mines. After holding this poition for ten years he removed to IIoutzdale, Clearfield county, Pa., and was superintendent of the Kittanning Coal Com- pany's mines for two years. In 1882 he be- came superintendent of mines at Morewood, which position he resigned two years later to become mining engineer for the Frick Coke Company. His services in this capacity were of great value to his employers. In 1886 he was made superintendent by the above company of their coke plants at Morewood, Warden, Dil- linger, Alice and Tarr's. The ovens at these works number 1151, of the eight thousand owned or operated by the H. C. Frick Coke Company. These mines and works are extensive and are operated upon an intelligent and practical basis. " Every improvement that engineering talent and long practiced experience could devise has been introduced by this company."
Morris Ramsay was united in marriage on March 15, 1870, with Sadie Greer, who is a native of Larrimer and a daughter of George A. Greer. They have ten children : William, born 1870; Sadie M., born March 16, 1873; Lizzie
S., August 14, 1874; Hannah G., June 17, 1876; George M., born March 25, 1878; Mary C., born April 13, 1881; Jeanet R., born Sep- tember 30, 1882; Robert A., born September 16, 1884 ; Alice I., born March 13, 1886, and Nellie, born October 4, 1887.
Morris Ramsay is a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 69, Ancient Order of United Workmen. Among the works of his engineering in the Con- nellsville coke region are: the Rist tipple, the air shaft at Morewood, the Trotter plant and the new Henry Clay coke works near Broad Ford, in Fayette county, Pa. He is a worthy repre- sentative of the strong-willed and self reliant Scottish race, which is distinguished for its in- telligence, morality, prudence, patient industry and honest thrift.
FOHN LAWRENCE RUTHI, one of Mount Pleasant's active and energetic young men, is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Love) Ruth and was born in East Huntingdon town- ship, Westmoreland county, Pa., June 16, 1867. His paternal grandfather, John Ruth, was born in Bucks county in 1795, migrated to near the site of Stonersville, Westmoreland county, in 1815, and was married in 1819 to Julia Ann Tintsman of near Mount Pleasant, and soon afterward removed to East Huntingdon town- ship where he purchased a farm and spent the remainder of his life. Joseph Ruth (father) was born in East Huntingdon township, Janu- ary 5, 1836. He was educated in the common schools and was engaged in farming with his father until 1866. On March 27, 1866, he was married to Catherine Love, daughter of Ben- jamin Love. He located near Mount Pleasant, purchased a farm and engaged actively and suc- cessfully in farming and stock-raising. His life of promising usefulness was of but short duration for he passed into the dreamless sleep of death January 8, 1869. His loss was deeply felt, as he had been a loving husband, kind
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father, true friend and obliging neighbor. The widow remained on the farm for two years and then removed to Mount Pleasant.
John L. Ruth was reared at Mount Pleasant where he received his education in the public schools and Mount Pleasant Institute; from the latter he was graduated in the class of 1888. During school vacations he engaged in clerking and thus obtained a practical knowledge in the various branches of the mercantile trade. He also served for some time as assistant in the Mount Pleasant post-office. In 1888 he ac- cepted his present position of salesman in the grocery and queensware establishment of S. W. Stoner & Co. Mr. Ruth is well qualified by education and experience to occupy almost any position in the mercantile business.
OIIN L. SHIELDS, editor of the Mount Pleasant Journal, was born near Salem, (Delmont), Westmoreland County, Pa., June 6, 1857, and is a son of Matthew and Sarah (Larimer) Shields. Matthew Shields, during his working life, followed agricultural pursuits but has now retired from active business.
John L. Shields received his education at Chambersburg academy and at Princeton col- lege, which* celebrated institution he attended for two years. In 1878 he returned to West- moreland county, and the next year engaged at Mt. Pleasant in the newspaper business, forming with his brother-in-law the firm of Kennedy & Shields, editors of the Mt. Pleasant Journal, a weekly paper. This firm continued in business until 1885, when Mr. Shields purchased the interest of his partner, thus becoming sole pro- prietor and editor of the Journal. This paper is a well edited weekly, largely devoted to local news, in which respect it has the reputation of being one of the very best in the county. Politi- cally it is independent although its editor is a republican in principle. Mr. Shields devotes
his time and energies to the management of his paper and has the satisfaction of seeing his efforts crowned with success.
ONATHAN G. SHOPE, assistant cashier of the Mt. Pleasant bank, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Huntingdon county January 27, 1859. Hle is a son of Jere- miah and Margaret Belle (Gilliland) Shope, both natives of Huntingdon county. The Shope family is of German origin. J. G. Shope's paternal great-grandfather, John Shope, immigrated from Germany to the United States during the latter part of the last century and settled in Perry county, Pa. llis paternal grandfather, John Shope, removed from Perry to Huntingdon county, this State, and was engaged in farming. His maternal grandfather, Andrew Gilliland, was of Irish descent and a native of Huntingdon county, Pa. His father, Jeremiah Shope, is a well-situated farmer in Huntingdon county. In 1864 he was employed by the United States government as a bridge builder, and served in that capacity for six months under General Sherman in the march from Atlanta to the sea.
Jonathan G. Shope attended the common schools of his county for several years and was afterwards engaged for some time on his father's farm. During 1882 and 1883 he taught in the common schools of Huntingdon and Juniata counties. In March, 1884, he went to Pittsburg, where he attended the Iron City Commercial and Business college, from which he was graduated July 3, 1884. July 29, 1884, he accepted the position of assistant cashier of the Mt. Pleasant bank, and has since conducted the business of that substantial institution with credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers and the business public. Jonathan G. Shope is one who has relied upon his own efforts to win success in the great battle of life and has succeeded. That energy and industry allied to an ambition to succeed gains friends and wins success has proved
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to be true in his case. Ile is a member of Moss Rose Lodge, No. 850, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Mt. Pleasant Conclave, No. 173, Independent Order of Heptasophs. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and stands high as a citizen and business man.
LIVER P. SHUPE, one of Mt. Pleas- ant's most intelligent and enterprising citizens, was born January 5, 1843, in Westmoreland county, Pa., near the borough in which he now lives, and is the eldest son of Daniel and Caroline (Hitchman) Shupe. Isaac Shupe, his grandfather, was an energetic and successful business man and carried on farming and milling in connection with general mercan- tile business Assisted by his son he erected the distillery at Mt. Pleasant which has since been transformed into an extensive flouring-mill. Mr. Shupe was an esteemed citizen, a useful member of the U. B. church and was born on the old Shupe homestead. He married Elizabeth Whitmore. of Westmoreland county. Daniel Shupe (father), their eldest son, was born June 26, 1816, on the Shupe homestead, and was one of the best and most public-spirited men with whom Westmore- land county has ever been favored. From his door none ever went unfed, none ever asked of him a boon in vain ; to him the " rarity of Chris- tian charity " did not apply ; dishonesty was a stranger to him ; hypocrisy was as far removed from him as the east is from the west; warm- hearted and generous, no friend appealed to him in vain for sympathy, encouragement or aid. Genial, whole-souled and affectionate, many Christian graces clustering around his life and character, it was no wonder that a friend tear- fully exclaimed shortly after his death, " God made but one Dan Shupe." Mr. Shupe was for twenty-five consecutive years a member of the school board of Mt. Pleasant township and took a lively interest in all that pertained to the per- fection of the schools. In urging commodious
and modern school houses he was met with many objections from penurious and illiterate taxpay- ers, but by his force of character and persever- ance he bore down all opposition and had built in every district a substantial and handsome house, which placed Mt. Pleasant township ahead of all others in the line of improvements. Hle labored diligently for a scc e of years to have a railroad built to Mt. Pleasant, and was one of the most active promoters of the branch road from Broad Ford to that town. He was also one of the successful pioneers in the oil busi- ness, but most of his life he spent in the milling business. From his mill many a sack of flour went to relieve the hunger of needy families, and especially was his generosity felt and appreciated during the great panic of 1873 and the consequent depression. Mr. Shupe was cheerful in disposition and, like Abou Ben Adhem, loved his fellow-men, taking great pleasure in making others happy. Mr. Shupe was twice married, his first wife being Caro- line Hitchman, a cousin of William J. Ilitch- man, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. She died May 24, 1848, at the age of twenty-nine years. The fruits of this union was three children : Oliver P., Lucy A., born in 1845, and Buenavista T., born in 1847. His second wife was Sarah Cease, who was a daugh- ter of Jacob Cease, of Mt. Pleasant township.
Oliver P. Shupe received his education in the public schools of Mt. Pleasant, and at the age of twenty-one became superintendent of Shupe & Wade's distillery and held this position some fourteen years. . After the death of his father he purchased the distillery and converted it into the first roller-process flouring mills in western Pennsylvania, which now have a capacity of one hundred and twenty-five barrels per day. Under his control these mills have become widely and favorably known. Mr. Shupe has been quite successful in business, and besides his town pro- perty owns large tracts of timber-land. Before becoming a resident of this borough he was a
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member and treasurer of the school board of Mt. Pleasant township, and when that portion of the township in which he resided became the third ward of the town he represented his ward in the borough council. Ile is a director of the Mt. Pleasant branch of the B. & O. R. R., and was largely instrumental in securing the charter for the Mt Pleasant water company. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Knights of Honor, Royal Arcanum, Improved Order of Heptasophs and the A. O. U. W.
Oliver P. Shupe was married in 1863 to Sallie B., a daughter of Rev. William B. Dick, formerly a minister of the U. B. church at Mt. Pleasant. Their union has been blessed with six children : James Wade, William D., Virginia B., Irene, Sadie and Caroline (deceased.)
ILLIAM R. SIMPSON, the popular proprietor of the " Hotel Jordan," Mt. Pleasant, was born in Hempfield town- ship, Westmoreland county, Pa., August 3, 1829, and is a son of William and Phoebe (Hutchinson) Simpson, The Simpson family originally came to this country from Holland, immigrating early in the seventeenth century, when most of the United States was an unbroken wilderness, uninhabited save by the wild red man of the forest-the " poor untutored Indian." Thomas Simpson (grandfather) settled in West- moreland county in the carly part of the eighteenth century and was in his day a well-to- do and successful farmer. William Simpson (father), one of his sons, obtained a good educa- tion and became an able teacher. To the pro- fession of teaching he devoted his carlier years, but later in life he gave his time and attention to farming, at which he was more than ordinarily successful.
William R. Simpson was reared on his father's farm, attended the common schools and finished his education at the Mt. Pleasant Institute, which he attended four terms. At the age of
twenty-six years he joined thearmy of pedagogues and gave eight years of his life to the profession of teaching in Westmoreland county. Upon the death of his father he purchased the interest of the other heirs in their father's farm, and thus became sole owner of the property-the home of his boyhood, no doubt saying with the poet :
" llow dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood, When fund recollection presents them , view."
In 1863 he moved to the farm and devoted his attention to its management. In 1884 he bought an adjoining farm and now owns a large tract of excellent land. March 15, 1887, he left the farm and moved to Mt. Pleasant, having previously purchased the property known as the " Central Hotel," and there carried on the hotel business until December 25, 1887, when the house was destroyed by fire. He then bought the " Hotel Jordan," and since April 27, 1888, has managed that hotel, proving himself a suc- cessful and agreeable landlord. Mr. Simpson is also a civil engineer, a competent surveyor, but never followed it as a profession.
William R. Simpson on November 19, 1857, was united in marriage with Eliza Jane, a daughter of Jacob Lowry, of Portsmouth, Ohio, and they had eight children, six of whom are living : Lewis Lowry, now living in Idaho ; David Bennett, an attorney-at-law, in New York city; John Z., a jeweler, of Mt. Pleasant ; Laura ; Christy Ann and Lida. Mrs. William R. Simpson has been dead for a number of years, having gone to her eternal home on March 26, 1875.
a DJUTANT JOIIN A. STEVENSON, one of the prominent and leading busi- ness men of Mt. Pleasant, and a wounded Union veteran of the late war, was born near Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland county, Pa., March 9, 1838. Ile is a son of John and Mary L. (Sherbondy) Stevenson. Ilis paternal grand- father and grandmother were natives of West- moreland county and were carly settlers of
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Robstown, now West Newton. They were Ger- mans, and Mrs. Stevenson was never able to converse in any language except her mother- tongue. John Stevenson (father) was born in this county in 1810. Ile was a cooper by trade but largely devoted his time in early life to teach- ing in both English and German schools. Later in life he devoted all of his time to farming. He was a member of the old-time and well- known " Washington guards," and was on duty as one of that body at the hanging of a murderer at Greensburg over sixty years ago. Ilis death occurred April 20, 1873.
John A. Stevenson was educated in the common schools, Mt. Pleasant college and the Pennsylva- nia State normal school at Millersville, Lancas- ter county, Pa. In 1855 he began teaching in the common schools of Westmoreland county and continued in that line of work until 1862. On February 18, 1862, he enlisted in the Union army as a member of the Anderson body-guard, in which he served until it was mustered out of the service March, 26, 1863. In March, 1864, he re-enlisted and entered the 11th Pa. Vols., under command of Col. Richard Coulter, and appointed to the office of sergeant-major. Hle was promoted on September 5, 1864, to first lieutenant of Co. C, appointed soon after acting adjutant and was commissioned adjutant Novem- ber 23, 1864. At the battle of Five Forks, April 1, 1865, he was badly wounded and was conveyed first, to field hospital, City Point, and afterward to Army Square hospital, Washington, D. C., where he remained until honorably dis- charged, July 1, 1865.
On October 16, 1866, he married Sarah J. Ilissam, a daughter of Samuel Hissam, a Mt. Pleasant township farmer. To this union was born three daughters : Lizzie (dead), Ada (dead) and Maggie. Mrs. Stevenson died March 29. 1878. He was re-married August 16, 1882, to Lida Jane Churns of Latrobe. To the second union one child was born which died in infancy. The mother died April 25, 1886.
After the war Adjutant Stevenson again en- gaged in teaching and was principal of the West Newton public schools from 1866 to 1877. In the latter year he removed to Mt. Pleasant where he became business manager and editor of the Mt. Pleasant Dawn, now Journal. At the same time he embarked in a drug store and con- tinued in both lines of business until 1883. In 1883 he opened his present large and well stocked hardware, seed, feed and implement es- tablishment and commands an extensive and paying patronage. He is also associated with his brother, S. C. Stevenson, under the firm name of Stevenson Bros., in the fire insurance and real estate business. He is a member of the G. A. R., Odd Fellows, K. of II. and A. O. U. W., and was a member of the Mt. Pleasant school board for several years. Adjutant Ste- venson has been a member of the Presbyterian church for thirty-four years. He is a republican in political matters and is recognized as a scholar. a gentleman and one of Mt. Pleasant's foremost business men.
LBERT ROSS STRANG, of Mount Pleasant, Pa., was born May 17, 1866, at Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, and is a son of James C. and Jane T. (Stratton) Strang. His father was born in New York, but when quite young emigrated to Ohio, where he has since been working at his trade, carriage trimming.
Albert Ross Strang attended the public schools of his native place until fourteen years of age, when he began to learn the trade of car- riage trimming at his home in Fredericktown, where he worked till 1887. During the winter seasons he devoted his time to the study of music, and at the age of fifteen years he be- came a member of the Mechanics band of his home town, and soon thereafter its musical di- rector. In 1887 Mr. Strang came to Pennsyl- vania, locating in June at Uniontown, where he-
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was employed at his trade until November. Since that time ho has been engaged as carriage trimmer at the carriage works of Galley Broth- ers, Mount Pleasant. On the 5th of December, 1887, he connected himself with others in the organization of the "Star band," and was chosen its conductor and instructor. That this band has already attained a high degree of pro- ficiency is indicated by its frequent engagements both at home and abroad. Mr. Strang is a member of the orchestra just organized at Mount Pleasant, which furnishes the excellent music at the "Grand Opera House." He is also a member of the tenth reg., N. G. P., and is its chief trumpeter. He is identified with the Baptist church choir and the Independent Order of Heptasophs.
ARRY OVERIIOLT TINSTMAN was born September 27, 1836, in East Hunt- ingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pa., and is a son of John and Anna (Overholt) Tinstman. His great-grandfather was a native of Germany and immigrated to the United States, locating in Bucks county, Pa., whence he re- moved to Westmoreland county, Pa., where he remained, following the occupation of farming until his death. His son, Jacob Tinstman (grandfather), was born in Bucks county, Pa., January 13, 1773, and united in marriage December 11, 1798, with Anna Fox of West- moreland county, Pa., who was a native of Chester county in the same State, and who was born August 8, 1779. John Tinstman (father), their fourth child, was born January 29, 1807, in East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pa. He was reared on the farm and devoted most of his life to agricultural pursuits. In 1867 he retired from active work and died in 1877 at the age of seventy years. Abraham Overholt (maternal grandfather), also of German descent, was one of the early settlers and best known men of the county. He was born in
Bucks county, Pa., in 1774, but removed to Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1500, and settled on the farm now occupied by the village of West Overton. He was a very successful business man, a large land-owner, and for many years conducted one of the best known distilleries in western Pennsylvania. Ilis wife was Maria Stauffer, of Fayette county, Pa. Harry O. Tinstman's mother Anna (Ove holt) Tinstinan, a daughter of Abraham and Maria (Stauffer) Overholt, was born July 4, 1812, married John Tinstman in 1830 and died in 1866.
Harry O. Tinstman was educated in the pub- lic schools and in Iron City Commercial college, at Pittsburg, Pa. After leaving college he entered the commission house of A. and L. II. Overholt at Pittsburg, where he remained till 1861. In August of that year he enlisted for service in the army in the Anderson body guard, afterwards called the " Anderson troop," and patricipated in the engagements at Pitts- burg Landing and Corinth, Miss. Owing to an attack of fever he returned home in the summer of 1862, but in September of the same year he rejoined his regiment, the fifteenth Pa. cavalry, which was then stationed at Car- lisle, Pa. Mr. Tinstman took part in the battle of Antietam, after which he marched to Louisville, Ky., thence to Nashville, Teun., and was engaged in the several skirmishes in that locality and at the battle of Stone River, being lieutenant in rank and commanding two com- panies. In the spring of 1863 he left his com- mand, received his discharge, returned to Mount Pleasant and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, which he soon quit, and in the spring of 1864 took charge of the " Overholt distillery," at Broad Ford, Fayette county, Pa., where he remained about seven years. In 1871 he went to Irvin, Pa., and engaged in the foundry busi- ness as a member of the firm of Lauffer, Hurst & Co. ; sold out to his partners in 1873 and re- turned to Mount Pleasant, where he now re- sides.
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Harry O. Tinstman married October 15, 1863, Miss Lydia K., a daughter of Jacob Armel, of Mount Pleasant, and the fruits of their union are four sons : Charles Armel, born April 15, 1866; George Bonbright, born November 17, 1868; James Bonbright, born April 10, 1871, and Benjamin Evans, born February 4, 1875.
Mr. Tinstman is a member of Westmoreland Lodge, No. 518, F. and A. M .; also of the K. of II., I. O. O. F., Sr. O. U. A. M. and Post No. 163, G. A. R.
INDLEY S. TINSTMAN, an active and successful business man and a mem- ber of the " Mount Pleasant Milling Com- pany," is a son of Christian and Catherine (Shupe) Tinstman. Ile was born in East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pa., November 7, 1848, and is of German de- scent. Ilis paternal great-grandfather was born in Germany and came to Pennsylvania, locating in Bucks county and from thence removed to near Mount Pleasant in this county, where he ; was engaged in farming until his death. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Tinstman, was born in Bucks county, Pa., January 13, 1773, and was married on December 11, 1798, to Anna Fox, of Westmoreland county, who was born in Chester county August 8, 1779. Ile was a man of fine education and followed farming. He served as justice of the peace and county surveyor and held other offices of trust and re- sponsibility. His father, Christian Tinstman, seventh child and fifth son of Jacob Tinstman, was born in East Huntingdon township, Decem- ber 26, 1813, and on April 16, 1840, married Catherine Shupe, by whom he had three chil- dren. Ile was engaged in faming until 1873, when, at the beginning of the financial panic of that year which swept over the United States and the effects of which were felt for several years afterward, he took charge of the banking house of Lloyd, Huff & Co. in order to protect
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