USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
C. W. Sanders attended the common schools of West Virginia, but his advantages for obtain- ing an education were limited. He has, how- ever, acquired a practical education by contact with the world, which is of more value to him than a fine classical one is to many of the young men of our country. Ilis father having died when he was young he was placed among strangers to be brought up. He lived with Mr. Scott until sixteen years of age, when he went to work for his uncle, John Anderson. After one year with him he went to Harrison county, Ohio, and learned the tinsmith trade and then went to Columbiana county, Ohio, where he married. Shortly afterwards he removed to West Newton (in 1881), where he set up in the tinsmith business, after working about three years for J. M. Schroyer at the same trade. Mr. Sanders has succeeded in building up a good business and commands the respect of all good people in his locality. Politically he is a repub- liean and has served as borough auditor. Both he and his wife are useful members of the M. E. church, in which he has held the position of church steward.
J
ACOB SCHOAF, an enterprising business man of West Newton, was born November 24, 1819, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and is a son of Conrad and Louise (Islie) Schoaf. Con- rad Schoaf was a shoemaker and farmer and
312
BIOGRAPHIES OF
died in Germany in 1856. His wife died in 1839. Jacob Schoaf was educated in the com- mon schools of Germany, his " fatherland," and came to the United States in 1848, settling in West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pa. After his marriage he worked for a time in a stone quarry, then four years as a common laborer for Jacob Baughman, after which he went into a tannery, where he worked for twenty years. In 1875 he purchased the foundry belonging to a Mr. Downs, and since that time has been engaged in the foundry business. Ile has been quite suc- cessful and his manufacturing establishment has an excellent trade. Besides the foundry he owns other valuable property in West Newton, including several residences. His industry and thrift have lifted him to an honorable height in the business field, while his strict honor and agreeable nature have gained for him an envia- ble position in the social world. He is a repub- lican and has served as a member of the borough council. Both he and his wife belong to the church of God, in which Mr. Schoaf is an elder.
Jacob Schoaf married Lena Sively, of South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pa., on the 9th day of August, 1849. They have five children living : Elizabeth, now wife of James King, a foundryman of Washington county, Pa .; John W., a hardware merchant of McKeesport, Allegheny county, Pa .; Frederick, who is married to Agnes Williet, who lives in West Newton, where he is engaged in the foundry business; Lena, wife of Christian Gehring, a teamster of West Newton, and Katie.
The Schoafs, like all the better class of Ger- mans who immigrate to this country, are among the best citizens of the land. Sober, hard working and industrious they attend strictly to their own affairs, improve and benefit the com- munity in which they live and set an example which the present and future generations may follow with inestimable advantage.
ILLARD F. SCHOLL was born Jan- uary 17, 1850, in South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pa., and is a son of Christian and Alice A. (Miller) Scholl. His great-great-grandfather was a na- tive of Germany and immigrated to America in the latter part of the sixteenth or first part of the seventeenth century, settling in Vir- ginia, and his great-grandfather afterward re- moved to Bethlehem, Pa., where he died. Charles Scholl (grandfather) was born in Beth- lehem, Pa., and in 1797 emigrated to Roch- ester, N. Y., where he built two grist mills. In 1800 he fashioned a rude canoe out of a tree trunk, which was trough-like, and in which he journeyed down the Allegheny river to Pittsburg, l'a., and thence on the Monon- gahela river and the Sewickley creek to West- moreland county, where he built a grist mill on what was called the Jacob Markle farm in South Huntingdon township, where he mar- ried Susan Markle who was a sister of Gen. Joseph Markle, and who bore him nine child- ren. About 1817 he removed to what is now known as the Scholl farm in South Hunting- don township, same county, and in 1818 built the stone house which burned down January 8, 1864. In 1801 he built Lobingier's mill at Laurelville, Westmoreland county, Pa. Dur- ing the war of 1812 he served in Gen. Joseph Markle's company and took part in various battles. Christian Scholl (father) was born December 12, 1814, in South Huntingdon township, on the old Joseph Markle property, and the house in which he was born is still standing. Ile is a farmer and still lives on the old homefarm. Ile is a republican and a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian church. He is the father of three daughters, two of whom died in their infancy and four sons-one of whom died when about fourteen years old, and two of whom are farmers; Benjamin Miller (mater- nal grandfather), a native of South Huntingdon township, this county, was by trade a shoemaker
313
WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
and a consistent member of the United Presby- terian church.
Millard F. Scholl received a common school education and began to learn the carpenter trade in 1868 at Irwin, Pa., ten years later he went to West Newton, Pa., where he engaged in the planing mill and lumber business and is also a contractor and builder. His business is extensive and his success well deserved. lle is a republi- can, takes an active part in political matters and has held the office of councilman in his borough.
Millard F. Scholl married, October 16, 1879, Ruth A. Carothers, a native of Fayette county, near Fairchance, who was born July 13, 1854, and who has borne him seven children : Cyrus C., Mary M., John R., James C., Jasper T., Joseph F., and Alice A.
J AMES M. SCHROYER was born July 8, 1835, in Masontown, Fayette county, l'a., and is a son of William and Temper- ance (Renshaw) Schroyer. His grandfather, Thomas Schroyer, was of German descent, a na- tive of eastern Pennsylvania, and removed to Fayette county, Pa., where he died. He was a cabinetmaker by occupation, an old-line whig and later a republican. His political party was always favored with his zealous efforts, as was his chosen church, the Cumberland Presbyterian, in which he was prominent and held the offices of trustee, elder, etc. William Schroyer (father) was born in Fayette county, Pa., and carried on the business of cabinetmaking and undertaking at Masontown in that county. He was a whig and republican and during Grant's administra- tion was government storekeeper in the Internal Revenue service. He also served several terms as postmaster at Masontown, Pa. He married Temperance Renshaw and to their union were born seven children, six of whom are living. James Renshaw (maternal grandfather) was born in Maryland of Scotch-Irish parents, and re- moved to Fayette county, Pa., near McClelland-
town, more than eighty years ago, where he fol- lowed farming and cattle raising.
James M. Schroyer married Catharine How- ard, whose mother's maiden name was Sarah Gaut, in March 1859, who bore him three child- ren, two of whom are living : Charles O., mar- ried to Catharine Walker and living at Dawson, Pa., and Frank C., a merchant. Catharine Schroyer (nee Howard) died February 5, 1862, and Mr. Schroyer married again, his second wife being Catharine, widow of Solomon G. Wiffle, whose maiden name was Balsinger. They have had eight children : Angie (dead), Maggie, Lena B., Myrtle, Oscar Lindsey, Wil- liam Grant, James Corbley and Ira Raymond. Maggie is a milliner and Lena B. a teacher and dressmaker at West Newton.
James M. Schroyer was educated in the public schools and then learned the business of under- taking and cabinetmaking. He first located at Mt. Morris, Green county, Pa., but later took a trip to Kansas looking for a new location, but finding none to suit him he returned to West Newton in 1878, where he has since continued to conduct his business. He is an ardent re- publican and an active worker in his party. One term he served as justice of the peace in Greene county, Pa., and in 1886 was elected to the same responsible office in the borough of West New- ton, Pa. He was burgess of West Newton in 1880, Mr. Schroyer is a member of the A. O. U. W., and is one of the enterprising citizens of the county.
EORGE M. VANDYKE, M, D., a lead- ing young physician of West Newton, was born in Washington county, Pa .. ten miles south of Washington, and is a son of James B. and Mary (Thomas) Vandyke. James B. Vandyke, who is of German descent, was born in 1834, and is a native of Washington county, where he was reared on a farm. Here- ceived his education at Washington and Jefferson
314
BIOGRAPHIES OF
college and at Oberlin college, Oberlin, O. Dur- ing the past seven years he has been engaged in the mercantile business at California, Pa., and was for many years a leading and influential member of the 1. O. O. F. John Thomas (ma- ternal grandfather) was a native of Wales, but crossed the Atlantic to the " new world " and settled near Morgantown, Va., (now W. Va.), in the " Forks of Cheat." Mr. Thomas was an itinerant preacher and labored zealously in the in- terests of the Baptist, his chosen denomination.
Dr. G. M. Vandyke received his rudimen- tary education in the public schools and af- terwards attended California State Normal school, from which he graduated in the class of 1878. During part of this time and afterwards he engaged in the profession of teaching, re- maining in the pedagogie ranks nine years in all. In the latter part of his teaching life he read medicine at intervals, beginning his read- ing with Dr. Mathiot of West Newton. He at- tended medical lectures at Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, graduating therefrom in 1888. He began practice at West Newton as a partner of Dr. II. B. Mathiot and Dr. J. HI. Lawhead. After an existence of seven months this partnership was dissolved, Dr. Mathiot re- tiring and going back to Fayette county. Since that time Drs. Vandyke and Lawhead have con- tinued as partners at West Newton, where they have already built up a large and desirable practice, both being recognized as able, skillful and progressive members of their profession. Dr. Vandyke is a member of the Westmoreland Medical Society and takes an active interest in its work. He has two brothers : John, who is at home in the store, and William S., cashier of M. M. Dick's bank at West Newton.
OHIN Z. VANKIRK is a well-known citizen and proprietor of one of the finest livery, sale and feed stables of West Newton. IIe is a son of William M. and Camelia (Hayden)
Vankirk, and was born in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, Pa., November 25, 1845. His paternal grandfather was John Vankirk, who was a resident of Allegheny county, Pa., for several years. His maternal grandfather, Jeremiah Hayden, lived in Elizabeth township, Allegheny county, Pa., where he was a well-to- do farmer and a quiet, steady and useful citizen. He was an unassuming member of the Baptist church. He was an old-line whig until the dissolution of that party and then became one of the first in his section to advocate the principles of the Republican party. Ilis father, William M. Vankirk, was born in Allegheny county, this State, where he lived and died. He was a farmer and stock-raiser, and for many years served in a noted militia company of his native township. He was a democrat in politics but never aspired to office. He united in marriage with Camelia Hayden, by whom he had four children, three sons and one daughter : Westley G., who is a farmer and married Elmira Hutch- inson ; William A., John Z. and Caroline who married John Hayden, a merchant at Mc- Keesport, Pa.
John Z. Vankirk was reared in Rostraver township, where he attended the common schools and worked on the farm until he was of age. Ile then engaged in farming which he pursued for eighteen years. In 1884 he removed to West Newton, where he embarked in the livery business which he has continued to successfully pursue till the present time.
May 7, 1872, he united in marriage with Hannah Hibben, who was born and reared at West Newton.
John Z. Vankirk has a large livery, sale and feed-stable. It is eligibly located and well-stocked with good riding and driving horses, fine buggies and first-class carriages. His efforts to accom- modate and please the traveling public are well appreciated by his many patrons. Ile owns some valuable real estate in the borough and is a good business man. In politics he is rather
315
WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
independent and always votes for whom he con- ; yette county, and they have five children, four siders the best man. He is a member of West Newton Lodge, No. 440, I. O. of O. F., and the Odd Fellow Endowment Association.
...
EORGE WASHABAUGHI, the popular restaurateur of West Newton, was born August 13, 1837, in Fayette county, Pa., not far from Mt. Pleasant, and is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Mason) Washabaugh. His grandfather, John Washabaugh, was also a native of Fayette county, where he lived and died. He was a farmer by occupation and owned considerable real estate; he was a Jack- sonian democrat and a member of the Baptist church. Thomas Mason, maternal grandfather, was a native of Fayette county, a presbyterian in religious faith, a farmer by occupation and a whig and republican in politics. Thomas Washabaugh (father) was born in Fayette county and died there in the year 1852. He, too, was a husbandman and was identified with the church of God. He was married to Hannah Mason, who bore him eight children, two sons and six daughters, all of whom are living except one daughter.
George Washabaugh after attending the com- mon schools of his day embarked in agricultural pursuits which he continued for about fifteen years. He then took an agency for sewing machines and continued in that line for about six years. In 1885 he went to West Newton and engaged in the restaurant business which he has followed up to the present time. Politically he is a democrat and is active and influential. He is a good citizen, quiet and order-loving, cheerful in disposition, accommodating, pleasant and reliable ; he is highly esteemed by all who know him. He belongs to West Newton Lodge, No. 440, and the Encampment No. 275 of I. O. O. F.
George Washabaugh was married in 1856 to Mary, a daughter of David Glassburn, of Fay-
of whom are living: Lizzie, born November 19, 1857; Addie, born May 20, 1865; Jennie, born March 4, 1872; Belle, born September 8, 1876; Ashbon (deceased) was born March 5, 1861, and died June 29, 1864.
EORGE W. WASHABAUGII. Those who have had experience in war know best the value and blessings of peace, and those who fight the battles of their country should, when the strife is ended, be especially fitted to maintain the peace and advance the prosperity of their native or adopted land. One of the men who has had military experience and who moreover possesses the qualities essential to a good citizen in time of peace is George W. Washabaugh, a son of David and Sarah (Huey) Washabaugh, who was born January 4, 1839, in Fayette county, Pa. John Washabaugh (grandfather) was a farmer of Fayette county, Pa., of German descent. His son, David Wash- abaugh, father of George W., was born in 1814 in Fayette county, lived there and engaged in farming till 1852, when he removed to Mercer county, Pa., where he still lives. ITis wife died March 1, 1886. Four of their children are living, of whom David J. is a physician and re- sides at Anandale, Butler county, Pa. Robert Huey (maternal grandfather) was a native of Ireland and immigrated to near Pennsville, Fayette county, Pa. He was a farmer and a very useful public man in his day. One night he was fording Jacobs' creek, when his horse stumbled and fell, throwing him into the creek, and he, being unable to escape, was drowned. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Isabella Ross, lived to the age of almost one hundred years and died some years ago.
George W. Washabaugh married June 22, 1863, Maria E., and daughter of Aaron Arnold of Mercer county, Pa., who was a local preacher. They have two children : Belle, born March 23,
316
BIOGRAPHIIES OF
1864, the wife of Louis Brehm, a native of Beaver county, but now a resident jeweler of West Newton ; Robert W., born September 12, 1869.
George W. Washabaugh received a common school education, after which he enlisted August 28, 1861, in Co. G, (Capt. S. II. Brown), one- hundredth reg. (the famous " Round Head " regiment), Pa. Vols. He served until October 16, 1862, and took part in an engagement at Hilton Head, S. C., whence he sailed on board the Ocean Queen, by way of Port Royal, Portal entrance and Legareville, a journey of about three weeks, and from there he sailed to James Island, S. C., a journey of about twenty miles, during which time the steamer was under almost continual fire from the enemy. At the battle of James Island, S. C., June 16, 1862, Mr. Washabaugh was wounded by a portion of a shell which struck his head, and his regiment retreating, he was left lying on the field for dead and lay there unconscious for seven hours. This wound has caused the partial loss of the use of his left arm, and in fact his whole left side is partially paralyzed. Being unable to re-enter the service he was mustered out October 16, 1862. After being discharged from the army he was appointed assistant provost marshal, and March 28, 1864, he was appointed postmaster at Jackson Centre, Mercer county, Pa., which position he resigned to take charge of a hotel at Grove City, Pa., where he remained for sixteen years. While there he built a hotel called the " Washabaugh House," which is now known as the " Filer House." From Grove City he re- moved to Suterville, Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1883 and bought a grist mill, which he since sold to Taylor and Boggs. In 1885 he was elected burgess of West Newton and after serving one year was elected justice of the peace. In politics he is an active republican worker and is a member of the Methodist church, in which he is an efficient Sabbath school teacher. He was mercantile appraiser one
year in Mercer county, Pa., and was for two years the commander of J. C. Markle Post, No. 57, G. A. R., at West Newton, Pa. Mr. Washabaugh is one of West Newton's best people and worthy of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow men.
C. ZIEGLER is a son of Ludwick and Catherine (Mozer) Ziegler, and was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, January 18, 1841. All his ancestors for many generations back lived and died in the Empire of Germany. His father was born in 1800 and died in 1870. Hle was a shoemaker by trade and in religious belief adhered to the doctrines of Martin Luther. IIe was the father of four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom are in the "fatherland" except the subject of this sketch.
J. C. Ziegler, like all the other children in Germany, was obliged to attend school. Ile also in that country learned the trade of shoe- making which he followed for some time. IIe has been twice married ; his first wife was Mag- dalene Muff, of Germany, who bore him one child, Magdalene, named for her mother. At the age of twenty-six he came to the United States and worked at his trade in Allegheny county, l'a., but soon removed to West Newton, this county, where he followed his trade for a time and then took up stone-cutting, which he followed two years. After mining coal a while he went back to his trade, at which he is still engaged. In politics Mr. Ziegler is a democrat and is one of those firm, substantial Germans who always stand by their colors. lle is an excellent gentleman, a model citizen and worthy of the esteem of his fellow-men.
J. C. Ziegler's first wife died before he came to America, and after his arrival here he, in 1869, married Louisa Schaeffer, and they had seven children, all of whom are dead except one, Walter Ziegler.
Latrobe
C. ALBERT, one of the experienced, stirring and successful business men of Latrobe, was born in Unity township, Westmoreland county, Pa., August 22, 1854. Hle is a son of Casper and Mariah E. ( Kistner) Albert, who were natives of Baden, Germany, and immigrated to the United States when quite young. Casper Albert came in 1810 to Fred- ericksburg, Va., and from thence to Unity township, this county, where he married Mariah E. Kistner. Ile worked at his trade of shoe- maker until two years ago, when he retired from business and has since been living with his son George. He has seen his sixty-seventh birth- day and is a member of the Catholic church. Ile was accompanied to this country by his father, Casper Albert, Sr., a weaver by trade, but who engaged in farming after coming to Unity township until his death.
C. C. Albert attended the common schools until fourteen years of age, when he became a clerk for his uncle, George Kistner, at Crabtree, and remained in his employ at that place for nine years. In 1876 he came to Latrobe and was engaged as a clerk in a grocery house for two years. In 1878 he became a member of the firm of Mellon & Albert and they were en- gaged in the grocery business for three years, when John B. Anderson was admitted as a part- ner, and the new firm, Anderson, Mellon & Albert, limited, changed from handling groceries to dealing in dry goods, and removed their store to Depot street. In 1882 Mr. Mellon withdrew
and the firm became Anderson & Albert. Two years later Mr. Albert disposed of his interest to his partner and was out of the mercantile business until July 1, 1887, when he became a member of the firm of Mellon & Albert. On August 26, 1889, Simon Butz bought Mr. Mellon's interest and the present firm of C. C. Albert & Co. was organized. They constantly keep a large, varied stock of goods on hand to meet the demands of their numerous patrons. Mr. Albert, by business ability and honorable dealing, has placed his house among the fore- most of its kind at Latrobe.
C. C. Albert was married on June 22, 1882, to Sadie G. Kuhn, daughter of David J. Kuhn, who is now a resident of Abbeyville, Mechling- burg county, Va. They have four children : Vincent, David, Jerome and Mariah.
C. C. Albert is a member of the Chosen Friends, Catholic Knights of America and Meridian Conclave, No. 177, Improved Order of Heptasophs. Ile is independent in his po- litical views and is a member of the Catholic church.
EORGE A. BAIR, a soldier in the late civil war and a well established merchant of Latrobe, is a son of Adam and Cath- erine (Albright) Bair, and was born in Mt. Pleasant township, Westmoreland county, Pa., April 15, 1834. Adam Bair (father) was a large and portly man. He had an iron consti- tution, possessed perfect health, was six feet
318
BIOGRAPHIES OF
and one inch in height and weighed one hundred and ninety pounds. At sixteen years of age he went to teaming and drove for many years on the old pikes from Philadelphia to Pittsburg and from Philadelphia to Baltimore. Leaving the road he became a farmer and stock-raiser. Ile was a republican, a member of the Reformed church and a man ever ready to assist the poor. When the free school system went into opera- tion Adam Bair was one of the first to support it. Ile died August 22, 1880, in the eighty- fifth year of his age. His wife died December 22, 1886, aged eighty-nine years, and was buried in Pleasant Unity cemetery, where her husband's remains are entombed.
George A. Bair was reared on his father's farm, attended the common schools and then lived the quiet and uneventful life of a farmer until 1862. On August 22d of that year he enlisted in Co. B, one hundred and forty-second reg. Pa. Vols., fought in eighteen battles and was present at Lee's surrender. At Gettysburg he was wounded in the right leg by a ball and struck in the right knee by a piece of shell. He was promoted to sergeant and was honorably dis- charged at Washington City May 15, 1865. He then returned home and was engaged for twenty- one years in cultivating and improving his farm. In 1887 he embarked in his present grocery business at Latrobe and has been very successful.
On November 22, 1856, he was married to Mary A., daughter of Adam Stonaker, of Fayette county Pa. Their family consists of three sons and one daughter : Charles F., Adam W., Anna B. and Westley W., who is now a clerk in the Latrobe post-office.
His mercantile establishment is situated on St. Clair street. He has a well-selected stock, embracing staple and fancy family groceries and canned goods, and enjoys a large, rapidly increasing and paying trade. He is a good citizen, a careful business man and a member of the German Reformed church. Mr. Bair is a member of Loyalhanna Council, No. 16, Chosen
Friends and P. A. Williams Post, No. 4, Grand Army of the Republic.
f OSEPH C. BEAM is on of the best millers in the State of Pennsylvania and is the senior member of the firm of Beam & Golde, wholesale dealers in and manufacturers of roller flour and feed of all kinds at Latrobe. IIe is a son of John and Ann (Haynes) Beam and was born in Somerset county, Pa., May 17, 1836. John Beam was born in Somerset county in 1808, married Ann Haynes, a native of Eng- land, 1832, and died at Johnstown, Pa., in 1880. He was a carpenter and mill-wright by trade, moved in 1840 to Cambria county, Pa., kept hotel for three years at the foot of plane No. 3 on the Portage railroad, and at No. 4 for eleven years. He removed in 1854 to Johns- town, where three years later he built a flouring mill which he operated until his death in 1880. He and his wife were esteemed members of the Baptist church. She died in 1885, aged seventy-one years. In 1872 Mr. Beam be- came the founder of the Johnstown building and loan association of which he served as president and vice-president. .
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.