USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania > Part 47
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Chambers, retaining that position until 1889, when his employer formed a partnership with II. Sellers MeKee, and Mr. Moore was made manager of the entire glass plant at Jeannette, which employs about six hundred men. George E. Moore has erected a fine residence in North Jeannette, and is a prosperous and progressive citizen, an energetic and capable man of busi- ness, a manager possessing fine executive ability and a social, pleasant companion. During the twenty-six years he has been with Mr. Chambers he never was sick a week, never lost a week's pay. Mr. Moore having never drunk a drop of intox- icating liquor, nor smoked a cigar nor chewed tobacco, stands among us like an oasis in the Great Sahara. In politics he is an independent, casting his ballot for the man who in his judg- ment is best fitted for the position. IIe is a member of the A. O. U. W. and Jr. O. U. A. M.
George E. Moore was married in October, 1872, to Sarah II., a daughter of James and Jane Esler, who was born in Lawrenceville (now Seventeenth ward), Pittsburg. and edu- cated in the public schools of that city. Mrs. Moore is a consistent member of the Presby- terian church and is the mother of four children : George E. (deceased), Charles Leonard, John T. and Edna Florence.
D R. JOIIN WESLEY MORRISON, of Jeannette, is a physician of over forty years' experience who has successfully practiced his profession in the States of Illinois, lowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania. He is a son of William and Jane (Cunningham) Morrison and was born near Somerset, Somerset county; Pa., April 12, 1826. William Morrison was born in IIuntingdon county, Pa., and died in Somerset county, this State. His business was tanning, in which he was successful and by which he acquired a competency. Ile was a strong whig and a zealous member of the Disciple church. He married Jane Cun-
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ningham, a daughter of Robert Cunningham, who was a substantial farmer of Somerset county, Pa. Of this marriage nine children were born, of whom three are living. William Morrison was a son of Samuel Morrison, who was a native of Huntingdon and a farmer of Somerset county, where he settled soon after attaining his majority.
Dr. J. W. Morrison attended the subscription schools of Somerset county and Marshall college at Mercersburg, Pa. In 1846 he began to read medicine with Dr. Michael Berkey, who at that time was one of the best physicians of Somer- set county. Two years later he attended lec- tures at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. In the spring of 1849 he com- menced to practice medicine at Meyersdale in his native county, but soon removed to Illinois and opened an office at Hudsonville, in that State. IIe remained at that place for two years and was then compelled to leave on account of ague. Ile next located in Iowa where he re- mained but a short time. He then returned to Pennsylvania where he practiced for one year at Lavansville. In 1854 he came to Westmore- land county, located at Donegal and practiced medicine for thirty-one years, excepting one year spent at Stahlstown, Pa., and a brief resi- dence at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1885 he re- moved to Connellsville, Pa., where two years later his residence and office were burned. Dur- ing 1887 he purchased a hotel at Lima, Ohio, parting with it and buying another one at Greenville, that State, which he also sold in a short time. In 1888 he removed to Greensburg and opened an office. On April 1, 1889, he came to Jeannette and has continued there suc- cessfully ever since in active practice.
Dr. Morrison was married on January 1, 1852, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Bent- ford, of Somerset county, Pa. They have had six children, of whom three are living: Emna, wife of George Brakeville, of near Pleasant Unity ; Hattie and Thomas Spurgeon.
Dr. J. W. Morrison is a stanch republican. He is a member of the Baptist church and the Masonic fraternity. He is a successful physi- cian and a fine specialist in some branches of his profession.
OSEPH MATHIAS was born November 5, 1850, in Sewickley township, Westmore- land county, Pa., and is a son of Jacob and Hannah (Seanor) Mathias. Michael Mathias, his grandfather, was born in eastern Pennsylva- nia and removed at an early day to Hempfield township, this county, where his son, Jacob Mathias (father), was born August 6, 1818. The latter has been interested in farming all his life, but has also been engaged in the mercantile business at Madison. In 1878 he became asso- ciated with Domineck Fry in the distillery at Manor Station, Pa. In 1882 they built a large new distillery which was burned to the ground in May of the following year ; they immediately rebuilt and conducted the business under the firm name of Fry & Mathias. In 1885 Mr. Fry, the senior member of the firm, died and Mr. Mathias assumed control of the entire busi- ness. Since 1886 he has had associated with him his son Joseph and A. J. Good. This dis- tillery has a capacity of thirty-three bushels, and its products are not confined to a small territory but whiskey is shipped to States as far west as Missouri. At this plant is manufactured the celebrated old rye whiskey called " Old West- moreland," which has a wide reputation. Mr. Mathias all his life has been an active worker in the cause of democracy. He is an honest and reliable business man, a faithful friend and an excellent citizen. He was married to IIan- nah, a daughter of Philip Seanor, of Hempfield township, who is the mother of six children, five of whom are living.
Joseph Mathias was reared on a farm, attended public school and began life as a tiller of the soil. In 1879 he went to Manor and engaged
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with his father and Mr. Fry, who in connection with their distillery carried on a large dairy and creamery, and since 1886 he has been asso- ciated in business at Manor with his father and A. J. Good. Joseph Mathias, familiarly called " Joe," is a young man of excellent business qualities and a social, most entertaining com- panion. He is a " dyed-in-the-wool " democrat, a member of Manor Star Lodge, No. 1,116, K. and L. of II., and of Trovilla Council, No. 158, Jr. O. U. A. M. He is genial. whole-souled and strictly honorable.
Joseph Mathias on May 16, 1871, married Malinda J., a daughter of Philip Fisher, of Madison, and they have three children : Mary Edith, born October 12, 1872, Clara H., born April 11, 1876, and Joe, born March 12, 1889.
1 . OIIN R. MORROW, M. D., a genial. pop- ular and intelligent physician of Jean- nette, was born October 19, 1863, in Beaver county, Pa .. and is a son of Hugh and Jane (McDonald) Morrow. The Morrows, who are a sturdy and well-to-do people, originally came from the northern part of Ireland. Wil- liam Morrow (grandfather) was a native of Lancaster county, Pa., and removed to Beaver county about 1835. Ile was a farmer and dealer in real estate and succeeded in accumu- lating a great deal of wealth. In his neighbor- hood he was a prominent and highly respected man and was identified with the U. P. church. Hugh Morrow (father) was born January 18, 1835, in Beaver county, and is at present engaged in the oil business and in managing his farm ; he is one of the successful business men of his county. Politically he is an unswerving democrat and has been honored with township and county offices. In 1859 he was married to Jane, a daughter of John R. and Rebecca ( Reed) McDonald of Beaver county, by whom he has five children, the eldest of whom is John R. Morrow.
Dr. John R. Morrow attended the public schools of Beaver and Beaver county and in 1882 entered Geneva college at Beaver Falls, Pa., in which institution he remained two years, pursuing the excellent course of study laid down by its officers. He then prosecuted his medical studies in the office of Dr. William A. Langfitt, a prominent physician of Allegheny City. In 1886 he entered Jefferson Medical college at Philadelphia, from which he graduated in April, 1888. Dr. Morrow at once located in the new and rapidly growing " Glass City," Jeannette, where he was the first disciple of Esculapius to arrive. Between college sessions Dr. Morrow was a resident physician at St. Francis hospital, Pittsburg, where he obtained a practical expe- rience so useful to young physicians.
At Jeannette he enjoys a large and constantly growing general practice, and is rapidly earning an enviable reputation as a skillful and success- ful practitioner. He is a member of the Pres- byterian church ; of Jeannette Lodge, I. O. O. F .; Crystal Council, No. 300, Jr., O. U. A. M. ; and of Jeannette Council, 1144. In politics Dr. Mor- row is a Jacksonian democrat and in 1885 was mercantile appraiser of his native county and secretary of the democratic county committee. Hle is a good classical scholar whose intellect is bright and keen and whose character is above suspicion.
C. OAKLEY, an energetic and enter- prising business man and superintendent of the " Western Land and Improve- ment Company," of Jeannette, was born on the corner of North avenue and Webster street, Allegheny City, Pa., September 25, 1853, and is a son of A. G. and Mary A. (Wolf) Oakley. His great-grandfather, Tolbert Oakley, was a farmer. He was born on the banks of the Hud- son river, where he lived and died. His grand- father, Jesse R. Oakley, was born in 1785; came from the Hudson river to Beaver county, Pa., about 1819 and settled at Economy, where
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he built a house for Ephraim Blaine, father of Hon. James G. Blaine. Mr. Oakley was eu- gaged at his trade of carpenter during his life- time and built many of the old houses in his section of the county. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, was a whig and a member of the U. B. church. His wife was Mary Steele, by whom he had three sons and three daughters. Her father was Robert Steele, who was an old Revolutionary soldier. His father, A. G. Oakley, was born at Rochester, Beaver county, Pa., February 8, 1824; learned the trade of carpenter with his father and has been enga ed in carpentering for over fifty years. Ile erected the Orphans' Home on Ridge ave- nue, the Thirty-second Ward school building, the asylum for the insane at Dixmont, Pa., and many other large and valuable buildings. He is a republican and has served as school director in his township for over twenty years. He is a prominent member of the Lutheran church of Stockton avenue, Allegheny City, Pa. During the last war he was employed by the United States government and sent to Nashville, Tenn., where he spent six months in building pontoon bridges for the Union army. On March 26, 1846, he married Ann Wolf, daughter of Abra- ham Wolf. They have five children. Their three sons are J. T., who is a carpenter in Pitts- burg, Pa. ; A. C., an engineer on the river, and HI. C.
II. C. Oakley was educated in the schools of Allegheny City and after leaving school learned the trade of carpenter with his father. He has followed carpentering and contracting ever since learning his trade except two winters when he taught in the common schools. He has erected many fine and beautiful buildings in and around Allegheny City. On October 9, 1888, he was employed as general superintendent of the Western Land and Improvement Company of Jeannette, and since then has been actively engaged in the management of their extensive and important business. Mr. Oakley has just
erected a very handsome residence for himself at Jeannette on the hill above the main portion of the town, with whose material interests he is so largely identified.
On December 28, 1888, he united in mar- riage with Emna Hagerman, daughter of Chris- tian Hagerman, a well-known merchant tailor, who came from Germany to Pittsburg, Pa.
HI. C. Oakley is a republican and has served as assessor of Jeannette. IIe is a member of the I. O. O. F., Royal Arcanum, K. of P. and Jr. O U. A. M. Mr. Oakley is a member of the Presbyterian church, a gentleman of excel- lent business qualifications and although con- servative yet fully imbued with the true spirit of enterprise.
R. OBERT M. ORR, one of the pioneer settlers of Jeannette and its leading butcher, was born at Maysville, Arm- strong county, Pa., August 9, 1853, and is the eldest son of James and Catharine (Clawson) Orr. Joseph Orr, grandfather, came from Ireland to Armstrong county, Pa., where he purchased a large tract of land upon which the town of Maysville has since been built. HIe was active in politics and religion and served nearly all of his life as justice of the peace. Ile married a Miss Manors, by whom he had several children. Ile laid out and was largely instrumental in building up Maysville. James Orr (father) was born about fifty-seven years ago at Maysville, and was engaged in farming and merchandise for many years. He now owns a farm in Loyalhanna township, this county, upon which he resides at present. Ile is active in politics, supports the Democratic party and has served as a justice of the peace. He married Catharine Clawson, a daughter of Peter Clawson, who was a merchant at Freeport, l'a. They reared a family of seven children, all of whom are living.
Robert M. Orr was reared on a farm, received
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his education in the common schools of Arm- strong county, and engaged in farming which he has followed for several years. He removed to Bell township, this county, in 1877, where he tilled a farm for seven years. In 1884 he embarked in the livery business at Greensburg, in which he continued for some time when he went to Mckeesport, Pa., and became proprie- tor of a marble-cutting and tombstone establish- ment. On March 16, 1888, he removed from Mckeesport to the site of Jeannette, erected one of the first houses of that place and en- gaged in teaming. On October 14, 1889, he opened a first-class meat market and commodious butcher-shop on First street, North Jeannette, where he keeps constantly on hand a good assortment of beef, pork and all other meats called for by his customers.
On April 5, 1877, he united in marriage with Anna E. Burgette, a daughter of Boston Burgette, of Jefferson county, Ohio. To their union have been born five children, of whom one, Oliver, is dead. Those living are: Ger- trude, Florence P., James Monroe and one whose name is not given. Mrs. Orr is a member of the Presbyterian church.
R. M. Orr owns a nice property in Jeannette and has a tasteful residence. In polities he has ever been a stanch democrat from principle. Hle is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. and the Presbyterian church at Jeannette. Mr. Orr is affable and obliging, has built up a large trade in his line of business and his prospective future seems full of promise and assured success.
ENRY A. RUIIE, of Jeannette, was born July 27, 1865, in the city of Pitts- burg, South Side, and is a son of Henry 1 .. and Phillipina (Weaver) Ruhe. Henry L. Ruhe was born near Bremen, Germany, and came to the United States early in life, locating at Pittsburg. Ile was a glass engraver and foreman of the department of Engraving for
HI. Sellers MeKce for about thirty-five years. Ile was a well-read man and enjoyed a good education. Originally he was a democrat, but in later years he became a republican ; he was a member of the German Lutheran church on the South Side and was for years president of its board of trustees. Formerly he was an active worker of secret societies, but for some years previous to his death, which occurred in 1884, he was not an active member of any order. He was a supporter of the Union and during the troublous times of the late war he assisted in building Fort Garrison near Pittsburg.
Henry A. Ruhe was educated in the public schools of Pittsburg, and in 1883 was graduated from Duff Commercial college of the same city. All his life except his school-days has been spent in the glass-works of II. Sellers McKee, for whom he has worked about fourteen years. He learned the art of engraving, which he followed until 1888, when he was made foreman of the engraving, cutting and general finishing department of the immense glass-works of Jean- nette. In his department from eighteen to twenty-five hands are employed, and Mr. Ruhe's work and superintendence are highly satisfactory to both employers and employés. In politics he is a republican and takes quite an interest in the affairs of his party. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Jr. O. U. A. M., and adheres to the doctrines of the Lutheran church.
Henry A. Ruhe united in marriage with Anna Ullrich, a daughter of the late Henry Ullrich, of South Side, Pittsburg, where he was proprietor of the South Side Diamond Hotel and Restaurant, and to their union has been born one child, Edna.
ILLIAM G. SIIUSTER, ex-poor house director and ex-auditor of Westmore- land county, a well-known and leading democrat and a remarkably successful man of Harrison City, is a son of Isaac and Anna
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(Blose) Shuster and was born in Hempfield town- ship, Westmoreland county, Pa., April 5, 1834. Isaac Shuster was born in this county in 1788 and died in 1859. He was a steady, honest farmer and a member and deacon of the Evan- gelical Lutheran church of Greensburg. His wife was Anna Blose, born in 1786, died in 1882, formerly of Northampton county, Pa. They had ten children : Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Shutt; George, John, Sarah, wife of Christian Huffman ; Isaiah, Joseph, Daniel, Ann, wife of Michael Kepple ; William G., and Eli, who died at eighteen years of age.
William G. Shuster attended the common schools of Hempfield township until he was twenty years of age. He then engaged in farm- ing, stock-dealing and butchering, which lines of business he pursued successfully for about twenty years. In 1864 he removed to Harrison City where he purchased forty acres of land underlaid with coal and limestone, a tannery, two dwelling houses and a general mercantile store which he has successfully conducted ever since. Also in the undertaking business for twenty years. For thirty-six years he has been active and successful in his various business en- terprises and stands high in commercial circles as an honorable and fair-dealing man.
On March 1, 1855, he united in marriage with Sophia Smail, daughter of John and Catharine Smail of Hempfield township. To Mr. and Mrs. Shuster have been born six chil- dren, of whom four are living : William 1., Emery M., Anna, wife of A. M. Hoey (see his sketch), and Solomon G.
W. G. Shuster is a democrat and has made a very creditable political record. Hle served fifteen years as school director, three terms as assesor, three terms as treasurer and twice as tax collector of Penn township; was elected county auditor in 1875 and served acceptably as poor house director from 1883 to 1886. Ile . was a deacon in Brush Creek Lutheran church for eighteen years and is now an active member
of the Lutheran church at Harrison City. He is a member of Manor Lodge, No. 90, Ancient Order of United Workmen and Harrison City Lodge, No. 112, Knights and Ladies of Honor. Mr. Shuster is a man well known for his in- tegrity, fair dealing and business ability.
HARLES JACKSON SKELLY, M. D. one of the young, ambitious and promis- ing physicians of the county and a resi- dent of Harrison City, was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pa., August 14, 1859, and is a son of Joseph and Jane (Boyd) Skelly.
The doctor's paternal grandfather, William Skelly was born in Ireland about 1788 and was brought to this county when he was about six years of age. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, in which he served with credit. In 1809 he married a Miss Byerly, who bore him eight children : John, Sarah, who married a Mr. Carver; Joseph, Jane, wife of Capt. George Cribbs (see sketch of C. Cribbs) ; William An- drew, Eliza, wife of David Rankin, and Susan, who married John Doy and after his death be- came the wife of Asher Walker. Joseph Skelly, (father) was born in North Huntingdon town- ship, October 29, 1812. At fourteen years of age he engaged in teaming from Pittsburg to Philadelphia and Baltimore, which he followed continuously for twenty-one years. In 1847 he married Jane Boyd, a daughter of James Boyd of near Jenners Cross Roads, Somerset county, Pa., by whom he had eight children : Joseph and Catherine, who both died in infancy ; Elizabeth, died at fourteen years of age; William B., James P., who died at seventeen years of age ; Margaret J., wife of Dr. M. Sowash : Sadie S. and Charles J.
Dr. Charles J. Skelly received his education in the common schools of North Huntingdon township, Circleville and Greensburg academies and Indiana (Pa.) State Normal school. Ile
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taught in the common schools for eight years and then attended the University of Michigan where he took the preparatory course in medi- cine. He then entered Jefferson Medical college of Philadelphia, from which celebrated institution he was graduated in the class of 1889. Immediately after graduation he located at Harrison City, opened an office and has re- ceived a very flattering practice for a young physician.
Dr. Skelly is an affable gentleman, a fine conversationalist and a well-read physician.
ILLIAM H. SLICKER, of Jeannette, was born January 24, 1853, in what is now the Thirtieth ward, Pittsburg, Pa., and is a son of Peter and Alice (Dunn) Slicker. His grandfather, John Slicker, a glass-blower, was a native of Germany and immigrated to the United States, settling in New Jersey. Peter Slicker, a son, was born in Sarbreaka, Germany, and was brought to America by his parents about the year 1836. Like his father he was a glass-blower, and in fact the Slickers for genera- tions back have been glass-workers. Peter Slicker became a tending-boy at the age of nine years, blowing at the age of sixteen, and for thirty-five years worked for A. & D. H. Cham- bers, now of Jeannette. He is still living and keeps the Point View Hotel, on the road from Pittsburg to Brownsville. In politics he is an ardent democrat ; he was reared in the Catholic faith and still leans toward that denomination. Ile is a self-made man and a highly-respected citizen. Ilis wife was Alice Dunn, who was born in Ireland and brought to this country in her youth by her father and mother.
William II. Slicker was educated in the public schools of Pittsburg and made good use of his time, never playing truant a single day. At the age of eighteen he entered the cutting de- artment of the glass works of A. & D. II. Chambers and has remained with the same firm
ever since, this being his twentieth year. IIe has been quite active in the Window-glass Workers' Association, in which he has held every office except those of president and secre- tary. At the present time he is president of the Universal Federation of Glass Workers in the United States, Belgium, France, Italy and England, and in the coming July (1890) will go to Europe, accompanied by delegates, as presi- dent of the organization which meets there at that time. Mr. Slicker is an active republican and takes a lively interest in the party of his choice ; while in Pittsburg he served as a mem- ber of the republican county committee. He is a gentleman of intelligent and liberal views, an earnest and honest advocate of the rights of labor, a skilled and faithful employee and a worthy and respected citizen.
William H. Slicker on July 7, 1876, was united in marriage with Jessie F. Henry, a daughter of Samuel Henry, an old resident of Allegheny City, and they have had one child, a daughter, Alice Maud, who was born February 9th, 1878, but who was carried from earth to heaven by the Angel of Death on the 18th day of July, 1884, at the tender age of six years, five months and nine days.
C. SMITH, a useful citizen of Jeannette and one whose industry and energy have served him well, was born in Mifflin coun- ty, Pa., October 24, 1848, and is the youngest living son and ninth child of John and Mary (Loveall) Smith. His paternal grandfather Smith came from Germany to the United States when a young man and resided in Pennsylvania until his death. John Smith (father) was born at Marietta, Columbia county, Pa., but soon after becoming of age removed to Mifflin county, l'a., where he resided until his death in 1882. He was a carpenter and contractor and a suc- cessful business man. He was a democrat in politics, a member of the Dunkard church and
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married Mary Loveall, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Loveall of Chambersburg, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had nine children, of whom eight are living.
I. C. Smith was educated in the common schools of Millin county. He learned the trade of carpenter with his father which he has followed ever since. In July, 1864, when only sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Co. HI, one hundred and ninety-fifth reg. Pa. Vols., and secured his term of enlistment in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, where he experienced the privations of a soldier's life in wearisome marching as well as in hard fighting. He was honorably discharged from the service of- the United States at Harrisburg, in June, 1865. Returning home he pursued his trade until 1870, when he removed to Brad- dock, Pa., and accepted the position of foreman in E. R. Dowler's large planing mill at that place. He discharged the duties of his posi- tion so successfully and satisfactorily that he remained in Mr. Dowler's employ for ten years. On August 25, 1888, he came to the newly - established and wonderfully-developed town of Jeannette, where he became foreman for the Jeannette Planing Mill Company. Ile got their large mill in running order. An idea of the importance and responsibilty of his position may be derived from the vast amount of first- class and highly satisfactory work that is turned out by the mill. To this practical and thorough knowledge of carpentering a large portion of the success of the mill is attributable.
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