USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania > Part 29
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Harry F. Bott attended the common and academic schools of Greensburg until he was fourteen years of age, when he accepted a clerkship in a drug store of his native town. Ile soon came to understand and like the busi- ness. For nine years he served as a drug clerk before engaging in the drug trade. In 1883 he opened a drug store at Greensburg, where he conducted a successful business for three years. In 1886 he disposed of his drug establishinent and a year later removed to Scottdale as a favor- able place for the prosecution of the drug busi-
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ness. He bought a drug store, made many ad- ditions to its large and valuable stock of drugs and entered on his successful career as a popu- lar, progressive and leading druggist of Scott- dale. His room is ample in dimensions, con- venient in all its arrangements and heavily stocked throughout its every department with choice and leading lines of goods. He carefully selects and constantly keeps on hand fresh drugs, standard proprietary medicines, wall papers of the latest styles, blank books, station- ery, school books and toilet articles. Attentive, courteous and obliging, he has built up a large custom and retains it and adds to it by fair and honest dealing. Ile is manager of western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and eastern Ohio for the Eureka Medicine Company, and has de- ; veloped quite a demand for their remedies. He is also agent for the Welsbach Gas Light Com- pany and has been decidedly successful in the introduction of this light into his district. Mr. Bott is a stanch democrat and a member of In- dependent Order of Heptasophs and Ancient Order of United Workmen.
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On October 5, 1887, he was married to Ilar- riet B. Reynolds, of " Wood Circle Place," Mount Pleasant township. They have one child : Eliza Reynolds Bott.
HI. F. Bott is a member of the Second Evan- gelical Lutheran church of Greensburg. Hle thoroughly understands his business and is pro- prietor of the finest and largest drug house at Scottdale.
EPHANIAII BRINKER, a prominent citizen of Westmoreland county and one of the prominent, influential and pioneer business men of Scottdale, is descended from a stock distinguished for ability, integrity and usefulness. lle was born in Penn township, Westmoreland county, Pa., December 18, 1841, and is a son of Col. Paul and Naomi (Berlin) Brinker. Among the carly settlers of West- moreland, who came from Berks county was
Jacob Brinker, grandfather of Zephaniah Brinker. Ile was of German descent and was a leading citizen and prominent man in a community which was particularly noted for the thrift, en- ergy and economy of its inhabitants. Jacob Brinker settled in what is now Penn township and purchased a valuable tract of land in the " Manor of Denmark," which was one of the two reservations of land made by Penn in West- moreland county in 1700, for himself and his heirs. Jacob Brinker was one of the founders of the old and well-known Manor Reformed church. By his active efforts, large contribu- tions and donations of land he secured the erection of the first Manor church building, which was finished about 1815. He was a democrat in politics, but took no active part in political matters and was one of the most highly respected of the early settlers of the county. His son, Col. Paul Brinker (father), was born in 1807 and died June 12, 1884. His educa- tion was obtained in the schools of his neigh- borhood, and early in life he engaged in farm- ing, which he followed for many years. Jacob Brinker owned eight hundred acres of land. Paul Brinker became possessor of one-half. He soon acquired a high standing, based upon his excel- lent merits as a man and a citizen. In all of his dealings and intercourse with his fellow men he was honorable and just. He possessed un- usual military talents, spending thousands of dollars in military affairs to be successful, and was soon called into the military service of Pennsylvania, where he served successively as lieutenant, captain, major and colonel. While serving as captain he uniformed his company of one hundred and one men at his own ex- pense. Throughout a long life of activity and usefulness he lived above reproach and when he passed away left a wide circle of friends to lament his death. IIe married Naomi Berlin, a daughter of Jacob Berlin, who was an early and widely-known citizen of Franklin township, to which he came from Berks county, this State.
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Zephaniah Brinker was reared in Penn town- ship, received his education in the common and select schools and on attaining his majority en- gaged in farming, which he followed for five years. In 1874 he removed from Manor to Scottdale, where he became one of the pioneer settlers of that place and opened the second butchering establishment and meat market of the town. lle also engaged in other busi- ness enterprises with his usual energy and success. After fifteen years of close and steady attention to his various business interests he was compelled by ill health to seek rest, and accord- ingly removed in 1888 with his family to the mountainous part of Somerset county, Pa. After two years residence in that section he regained his health and in March, 1890, returned to Scottdale. He then embarked in the grocery business, which he has continued in until the present time, and to which he intends to add dry goods and engage in the general mercantile business upon an extensive scale. Mr. Brinker owns considerable real estate and is the propri- etor of the "Brinker Square," which is well situated for commercial purposes and is worth over $15,000.
On October 10, 1868, he married Mary E. Lauffer, of Manor. To their union have been born five children, of whom three are living : Wilson M., Myrna May and Susa Fern. The two who died were Carlton Sherwood and Lo- gan Elvi.
Politically Mr. Brinker is a democrat mn prin. ciple. He is a member of the United Brethren church, but was reared in the faith of the Re- formed church. Zephaniah Brinker is plain, unassuming, modest, but quick to think and act and possessed of a courage that knows no de- feat.
'ON. JOIIN R. BYRNE. Celtic blood flowed in the veins of many prominent citizens of the United States who have been conspicuous alike on the battle-field and in
the forum, and to-day many of that blood and race throughout Pennsylvania hold and have held important public offices of trust and honor. One of the latter class is John R. Byrne, ex- member of the Pennsylvania House of Repre- sentatives. He is a son of John L. and Mary (Lowry) Byrne and was born at Barnettstown, Carbon township, Huntingdon county, Pa., April 23, 1858.
John L. Byrne (father) was born in county Meath, Ireland, reared in the city of Dublin and as a participant in the Irish Rebellion of 1847 and '48 found it necessary to immi- grate in the latter year to Pennsylvania, where he located at Hollidaysburg. He was a brakes- man and railroad conductor for several years ; a contractor on the Broad Top railroad and en- gaged in hotel keeping at Barnettstown and Everson, Pa. At the latter named place he died January 16, 1883, aged fifty-four years. He was a delegate to the first General Assem- bly meeting of the Knights of Labor ever held in America, which convened in 1887 at Reading, Pa., and was treasurer of the Miners' and Laborers' Benevolent Association during its palmiest days. When the attempted Fenian in- vasion of Canada from the United States oc- curred it found an ardent advocate in Mr. Byrne, who was an active member of the Fenian Brotherhood. He raised a company to join the Fenian army of invasion but it never was called into service, as the Fenian forces were dispersed without much fighting.
John R. Byrne attended the common schools of Huntingdon county, l'a., till thirteen years of age. IIe then entered a coal mine as a trapper boy for which he received thirty-seven and one- half cents 'per day ; he was soon transferred to driving and shortly afterwards engaged in dig- ging, and remained in the latter employment until he attained his majority. In 1873 he moved with his father to Everson, Fayette county. In 1878 he migrated to Leadville, Colorado, where he remained one year and re-
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turned cast as far as Pittsburg, where he was married. In 1880 he returned to Everson, Fayette county, Pa., and resumed mining in which he continued until the great labor strike of 1881. He was made president of the organi- zation that controlled and conducted the above strike and during its progress established the Miner's Record, which he conducted for eigh- teen months and then changed the name to that of Scottdale Independent. In 1885 W. N. Porter became a partner with him in the news- paper business and in 1886 they disposed of the Independent to Hiram B. Strickler, who sold it in 1887 to a joint stock company which em- ployed Mr. Byrne as editor. After eight months editorial service he retired on account of his eyesight becoming affected. On July 17, 1889, he became editor of the Tribune Press, of Scottdale, which he continues to edit as a re- publican paper. It is a four-page folio of thirty-two columns and is principally devoted to local news and labor interests. In December, 1887, he formed a partnership with his brother, Arthur P. Byrne, in the boot and shoe business at Scottdale under the firm name of John R. Byrne & Co. They have built up a large trade and carry a full and well-assorted collection of boots and shoes. In 1886 he was elected from Fayette county to a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Ile had a majority of 696 votes in a county that was strongly demo- cratic prior to 1886, and was the first republi- can elected to the Legislature from that county since 1874. Ile served in the session of 1887-8 and was a member of five important committees. In 1888 he was a candidate for re-election but was defeated by a defection in the Republican party and opposition from coke operators.
On July 3, 1880, he was united in marriage to Joanna Lynch, daughter of John Lynch, of Everson. To this union have been born three children : Henry W., Arthur L. and Florence E.
He is a member of Scottdale Conclave, No.
172, Independent Order of Heptasophs. In religion he is a Roman Catholic and a republi- can in politics. Mr. Byrne has ever labored in the interests of his political party and given largely of his time for the advancement of its aims. He resides just across the Westmoreland county line, at Everson, in Fayette county, l'a., but carries on his business at Scottdile; has been identified with the interests of that borough for nearly ten years. Ile has for many years been one of the labor leaders of southern Pennsyl- vania and a recognized authority on labor sub- jects with many workingmen.
ON. EDWARD CALLAGIIAN. Prob- ably no member of the Pennsylvania Legislature ever secured more fully the attention of that honorable body than Edward Callaghan, of Westmoreland county, when he arose on Tuesday, January 4, 1887, in the House of Representatives and offered the follow- ing resolution : "Resolved, That the custom of opening the General Assembly of Pennsylvania with prayer be dispensed with." Mr. Callaghan emphatically declares that this resolution was offered by him in what he conceived to be the true interests of Christianity and not as any menace against the cause of religion, as has been so repeatedly charged against him. Edward Callaghan is a son of Felix and Alice (Curran) Callaghan, and was born at Mt. Savage, Alle- gheny county, Md., May 24, 1850. His father,
Felix Callaghan, was born in 1804 in county Armagh, province of Ulster, Ireland. His wife was Alice Curran, of county Monaghan and a relative of Mary Curran, who was betrothed to Robert Emmet. Mr. Callaghan was married in 1838 in the old cathedral of Armagh, which was built by St. Patrick. He immigrated in 1845 to Maryland where he settled at Mt. Sav- age and followed the shoe business until a few years ago. IIe is quite active for his advanced age and is a strong democrat of the Jacksonian
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type. A barber tried to cut his throat while shaving him in Baltimore, in 1845, and since then he has always shaved himself. He is a handsome old gentleman, and his wife retains much of her former beauty, while not a silver thread appears in her heavy mass of raven hair. They have had twelve children, of whom ten are living.
Edward Callaghan was reared at Mt. Savage, where he was educated in private schools and followed the shoemaking business until 1877. In that year, attracted by the favorable business openings of the Connellsville coke region, he came to Fayette county, Pa., where he worked for a time in a stone quarry in prefence to taking the place of a tippling shoemaker, who was afterward run over and killed by a train on the railroad. In 1878 be removed to Scottdale, this county, established his present shoe store and has made that stirring borough his home ever since. Mr. Callaghan is a stanch and earnest democrat, has always taken an active part in political campaigns, both local and State, and is alwas found at the polls on election day work- ing for the success of his party. In 1886 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, served in the sessions of 1887 and was a member of the important com- mittee on labor and industry. In 1888 he was a candidate for the democratic nomination for the office of State senator but was defeated, and at the ensuing election his successful opponent was beaten by the republican candidate for that oflice.
On October 16, 1888, he united in marriage with Ellen Martina Hogue, of Loretta, Pa., who was a daughter of Joseph Hogue, a wealthy citizen and ex-county commissioner of Cambria county, Pa.
Edward Callaghan, while a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, refused to accept rail- road passes offered him by the Pennsylvania, Baltimore and Ohio and Philadelphia and Read- ing railway companies. His most important
speech in the house was made on the "Anti- discrimination Bill." He introduced a bill for the founding of a hospital for disabled miners in the Connellsville coke region and another for the repeal of the conspiracy law. He has been engaged to some extent in lecturing; his last lecture was on the Johnstown flood. He is a member of the Catholic church and is always active in whatever he undertakes. At this writing Mr. Callaghan has entered suit for con- spiracy against John R. Byrne, Peter Wise, of the Knights of Labor, and T. V. Powderly, General Master Workman of that order.
Edward Callaghan is an active and aggres- sive democrat and is always ready to advocate the principles and measures of the Democratic party. He is a man whose integrity of purpose cannot be questioned, whose ideas of justice and equity are correct, and who, in his adherence to what he considers right, is firm as the adaman- tine rock.
ILLIAM S. CAMPBELL, one of the enterprising young men of Scottdale, was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pa., May 25, 1859, and is a son of Peter and Rebecca (Brown) Campbell. Peter 1 Campbell, born Septembr 12, 1828, is a native of Lancaster county, Pa., but when only ten years old was brought to Greensburg by his | mother. At the age of fifteen he undertook to learn the tanning trade, at which he worked until he arrived at manhood. Later he added butchering to his work of tanning and carried on both for many years at Greensburg. In 1868 he removed to Scottdale, where he has ever since been engaged in butchering. When he located at the latter place there were but few houses in the town ; he is therefore one of the old residents of that thriving borough. In 185+ he was married to Rebecca Brown, of Hempfield township, near Greensburg, and they ! had seven children.
William S. Campbell was reared in Greens-
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burg, the county seat of the " star of the west," where, after leaving school, he assisted his father in the meat market for several years, and in 1880 he engaged in the dairy business at Scott- dale which he continued three years. In 1884 he embarked in the livery business which he has successfully conducted up to the present time. Ile has built up a good trade, keeps a full line of saddle and harness horses, buggies and carriages, and makes a specialty of furnish- ing turnouts for funerals. Mr. Campbell is also engaged with his brother-in-law, B. C. Fretts, in the manufacture of cigars, the firm name being B. C. Fretts & Co. He is a member (uniform rank) of Fountain Lodge, No. 443, K. of P., and of Scottdale Conclave, No. 172, I. O. Heptasophs. He is a republican and frequently takes an active part in the political affairs of his town.
William S. Campbell was married September 14, 1882, to Mary, a daughter of D. S. Fretts, of East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pa.
ARON H. CUNNINGHAM, a tonsorial artist of Scottdale, was born in 1848 in
East Huntingdon township, Westmore- land county, Pa., and is a'son of John W. and Matilda (Heath) Cunningham. His grandfather, Joseph HI. Cunningham, was born in Tyrone township, Fayette county, Pa., where he lived and died on the old homestead. Hle was a farmer by occupation. John W. Cunningham (father) was born in 1818, in Fayette county, Pa., was a carpenter and farmer, and held title to a tract of land in East Huntingdon township, West- moreland county. In 1863 he quit farming, sold his land and engaged in carpentry, at which he continued until his death in December, 1886. Ile was married in 1844 to Matilda Heath, of Luzerne township, Fayette county, and to them were born two children : Aaron II. and George W., the latter of whom was killed in the battle of Fredericksburg, December, 1862.
Mrs. Cunningham died in 1857 at the age of fifty years and her husband remarried in 1860, his second wife being Cynthia, a daughter of George Mason, of Salem township, this county, who died in January, 1863, leaving no issue.
Aaron Il. Cunningham was reared on his father's farm, attended the public schools and assisted his father in his farm work. In 1866 he went on the road as travelling salesman and maker of stencils, at which he continued for four years. From 1871 to 1873 he worked at the carpenter's trade at Derry station and then re- moved to Scottdale, where he worked at car- pentry until 1878, when he embarked in his present business, at which he has been quite successful and which he has followed contin- uously for nearly twelve years.
Aaron H. Cunningham was married in 1870 to Miss Lizzie, a daughter of William Mellon, of Derry, l'a., who was born in 1848, and who has borne him five children, all living : Harry M., born in 1871; Frank W., born in 1873; Emma, born in 1875; W. Walter, born in 1877; and Bert S., born in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are members of the M. E. church and own property on Mulberry street. Mr. Cunningham is a member of the Royal Arcanum and Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is an industrious, upright man, a good citizen and adheres to the principles of the Republican party.
TOSEPII K. EICHIER, one of the earliest settlers and leading citizens of Scottdale, was born December 5, 1832, in Springfield township, Fayette county, Pa., and is a son of Joseph and Rose Ann (Kern) Eicher. Joseph Eicher was a native of Lancaster county, Pa., but removed to Fayette county in his younger days and settled in the woods of what is now Springfield township in 1818. Of that town- ship he was one of the carly settlers, and while clearing a space on which to erect a house about the only company he had was that of
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the howling wolves that daily and nightly visited the scene of his labor. He followed farming all his life and lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years. Ile was remarkably active for one so old, being able at eighty-five to put his foot in the stirrup and mount his horse quite easily without assistance. His death, which occurred in 1876, was the result of a broken leg, the bones of which, by reason of old age, would not knit.
Joseph K. Eicher remained on the farm with his father until twenty-one years of age. On the first day of his twenty-second year he began teaching school, which he continued for six years, and then, at the age of twenty-eight, commenced working at the carpenter's trade with his father-in-law, John Hamilton, who was at that time living in Somerset county, Pa. In 1862 Mr. Eicher moved to his father's farm in Fayette county, where he remained until 1864. lle enlisted that year in Co. K, 212th reg. " Sixth Artillery " of Pa., and served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged in June, 1865, at Camp Reynolds, near Pitts- burg, Pa. He returned home, and after farm- ing a year resumed work at the carpenter's trade. During 1872 he worked at Scottdale, and the next year removed his family to that place where he has lived ever since. In 1879, May 1st, he was commissioned justice of the peace by Gov. Henry M. Hoyt; received his second commission from Robert E. Pattison in 1584, and his third from Gov. James A. Beaver in 1889. Mr. Eicher was elected burgess of Scottdale on the republican ticket in 1882 and was re-elected four successive times. He has also served his borough as school director and as councilman. He is a stanch republican and an aggressive party man, always taking an active part in political affairs. Ile cast his first vote for John C. Fremont and has ever since been faithful to the principles and men of his party. He is a member of Scottdale Lodge, No. 885, 1. O. O. F .; Fountain Lodge, No.
443, K. of P., of which he is a past officer : Greensburg Council, No. 44, Royal Arcanum ; Sheridan Council, No. 351, O. U. A. M .; and Col. Ellsworth Post, No. 209, G. A. R. He is also a member of the Baptist church at Scott- dale, in which he is a deacon and a zealous worker. Mr. Eicher is one of Scottdale's best citizens, a true friend, a just judge and an honest man.
Joseph K. Eicher was married in 1854 to Mary Ellen, a daughter and only heir of John and Elizabeth Hamilton, of Somerset county, Pa., and they have eight children : LeRoy N., Alex. HI., William W., Annie E., Ellen D., Lillian L., Maggie B. and Frank.
S AMUEL FERGUSON was born March 13, 1843, in Salem township, Westmore- land county, Pa., and is a son of William and Jane (Hagerman) Ferguson. William Fer- guson, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1807 and was of Scotch parentage; he was a shoemaker by trade, but during the greater part of his life followed agricultural pursuits in his native township. He was married to Jane Hagerman who bore him eight children, seven of whom are living : Martha, Mary, Joseph, Samuel, Isaac, John and Lyda. William Fer- guson died in 1853 ; his widow is still living at the age of seventy-seven years and resides in Cleve- land, Ohio. She is a member of the Baptist church.
Samuel Ferguson was reared on his father's farm in Salem township, attended the common schools and at the age of sixteen went to work for the P. R. R. company, in whose service he remained in various capacities for seventeen years. He was then in the employ of the Key- stone bridge company of Pittsburg a year, and in 1880 went to Scottdale where he engaged with the Charlotte furnace company and re- mained five years. The next year he worked for the Scottdale rolling mill company and then
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Jav . S. Frets
Photo by Springer.
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took charge of an engine for the II. C. Frick coke company at Mt. Pleasant. After three years with this company he returned to Scott- dale where he is now engineer. Mr. Ferguson is a republican and renders his party valuable service. He is a member of Zocco Lodge, No. 385, I. O. O. F., Iron City Lodge, No. 24, A. O. U. W., and Ellsworth Post, No. 209. G. A. R.
Samuel Ferguson united in marriage in 1865 with Sarah, a daughter of Samuel and Ellen Might, of Pittsburg, Pa. They have had three children, two of whom are living : Ella and Sadie. Mr. Ferguson is a sober, industrious man, an obliging friend and a worthy citizen.
OIIN S. FRETS, a retired farmer of Scott- dale, was born in Tyrone township, Fayette county, Pa., January 24, 1813, and is a son of Henry and Susanna (Sherrick) Frets. The former was a native of Bucks county, Pa., born in 1791, and when a mere boy came with his father, Christian Frets, to Westmoreland . county ; they located in East Huntingdon town- ship where they purchased land near the present site of Scottdale. In 1812 Henry Frets was married to Susanna, daughter of John Sherrick, of Tyrone township, Fayette county, and in the following year purchased a farm in East Hunt- ingdon township two miles west of the present site of Scottdale, where he led the quiet life of a farmer until his death in 1845. His wife, who survived him thirty years, died in 1875. They were both respected members of the Mennonite church. Ile was a whig in politics. Christian Frets (grand- father) removed from Bucks county to Westmore- land in about 1800 and settled in Ea. t Hunting- don ; he did much toward the development of his adopted township and died at a very old age in 1848. Ilis wife was Agnes Overholt, of German parentage, and a native of Pennsylvania.
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