USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania > Part 50
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Charles W. Gaut was educated in the public schools and in Millersville State Normal, where he took a thorough commercial course. After a year's experience on his father's farm he engaged in the mercantile business in Irwin, the firm name being Hartje & Gaut. At the expiration of five years he embarked in the real estate and insurance business, which he carried on for five years. He was then appointed postmaster at Irwin by President Cleveland in which position he remains at this time.
In August, 1884, he married Rilla J., daugh- ter of Charles Fritchman, of Irwin. Their union
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has been blessed with two children, one of whom is living. Hler name is Maria Cathar ne, and the date of her birth is July 30, 1889.
C. W. Gaut is a man of excellent business qualifications and a very pleasant, modest gen- tleman. He is a presbyterian in religion and in politics is an active, unflinching democrat.
S AMUEL D. HAMILTON, of Irwin, is a son of Samuel and Isabella (Pinkerton) Hamilton, and was born September 16, 1857, in North Huntingdon township, West- moreland county, Pa. His parents were natives of county Antrim, Ireland, and immigrated to the United States in 1851, locating in Westmoreland county along the Yough river. Samuel Hamil- ton was a coal miner and resided in the vicinity of Irwin for a number of years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died in 1880 at the age of sixty-five years. Ilis wife is still living at the age of seventy-two, and she too is a member of the Methodist church of Irwin, where she now resides.
Samuel D. Hamilton received his education in the common schools, after which he worked for several years with his father and in 1882 engaged in the grocery business at Irwin, con- tinuing at that about eighteen months when he sold out. In March, 1884, he started up in his present line of business which he has suc- cessfully continued ever since, having built up a large and excellent trade. He keeps a confec- tionary store and in connection with it runs a restaurant and manufactures ice cream which he sells at retail and wholesale. The cream is made by steam and has a wide reputation for richness and purity. Mr. Hamilton carries a large and excellent stock of goods, does a large business and is located at 323 Main street. He is a member of the K. & L. of II., Jr. O. U. A. M., the Ileptasophs and the Good Templars. He is identified with the M. E. church at Irwin, of which he is steward; he is also librarian of the
Sunday school. In politics he is a republican though by no means a bigoted partisan. Intel- ligent and liberal in his views, courteous in man- ner and progressive in spirit, he is one of the enterprising young men of Irwin-a man of good qualities, excellent reputation and unblem- ished character.
In the fall of 1881 Samuel D. Hamilton was united in marriage with Annie B. Hope, a daughter of Samuel Hope, formerly of Illinois, and they have two children-Pearl and Samuel C.
LETCHIER HODGDEN, one of the en- terprising men of North Huntingdon township, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, April 11, 1838, and is a son of Henry and Catherine (Bockover) Hodgden. Henry Hodgden was born in Connecticut in the year 1800. After receiving a fair education in that State he removed to Ohio about the time the father of President R. B. Hayes settled there. Mr. Hayes and Mr. Hodgden both settled in the same county and lived side by side for many years. Henry Hodgden was a farmer but was engaged much of his time in settling up estates, auditing, etc. He was appointed during Tyler's administration to take the census of Delaware county. Mr. Hodgden was a cousin of Gen. Ilalleck, a whig in politics and a man of more than ordinary intelligence. In 1828 Henry Hodgden married Catherine Bockover, whose father came from Germany and settled in New Jersey. They had seven children, five of whom are still living : Perry, Monroe, Henry, Fletcher and Eugenia. The first three reside in Kansas and are large landowners. Perry was elected treasurer of his county and also served a term as postmaster under Grant's administration. The sister resides at Columbus, Ohio. Henry Ilodgden (father) died in July, 1880, and his wife in 1877. Henry Hodgden (grandfather) was a native of Great Britain and immigated to Connecticut while quite young. He was a ship-
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builder and amassed a considerable fortune for those days. He also engaged in trading and once lost a vessel and cargo of white oil, which were destoyed by fire after the vessel had landed.
Fletcher Hodgden was educated in the public schools of Delaware county, Ohio. In 1858 he removed to Westmoreland county and purchased a farm in Sewickley township. Since then he has been engaged in farming and in dealing in horses and cattle. Besides some coal leases he holds one-third interest in Fairmont, a new town adjoining Irwin, where he now resides. Fair- mont is owned by a stock company, of which Mr. Hodgden is president. In politics Mr. Hodgden, adhering to his mother's faith, is an ardent follower of " Old Hickory." As an evi- dence of his popularity it is only necessary to say that he was once unanimously chosen justice of the peace in the strong republican township of Sewickley.
Fletcher Hodgden married in 1858 Martha J. Greenawalt, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Greenawalt, of Sewickley township. They were married at the home of the bride's parents, having first met as school children in the public schools of Delaware county, Ohio. They have had three children: Jacob HI., born 1868; Anna C., born 1864, and Mary, born 1860, who died September 11, 1871. Anna is the wife of E. G. Cope, of Sewickley township, and has one child, born October 18, 1886, and which is named Fletcher B. Cope. Jacob HI. is un- married and is engaged in manufacturing car- riages, buggies, agricultural implements, etc. Ilis partner is Jacob Parr and their place of business is Irwin. Jacob Greenawalt, Mr. Ilodgden's father-in-law, was a very enterpris- ing man and accumulated not less than $50,000 worth of property. lle was born in 1802 and died April 8, 1878 : his wife was born in 1807 and died October 20, 1858. They had three children : Hon. Abram Greenawalt, of West Newton, Sarah Ann and Martha Jane.
J f AMES O. HOWELL, a merchant of Irwin, Westmoreland county, Pa., was born there on the 15th of October, 1860, and is a son of James O. and Ellen ( Kennedy) Howell. His father was a native of this State and lived along the Monongahela river where he followed min- ing. For a number of years prior to his death, which occurred in 1872 at the age of forty years, he resided in Irwin, where he was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ilis wife, who was also identified with this church, and a native of Westmoreland county, died at the age of thirty-seven years.
James O. Howell was reared at Irwin where he received his education. After leaving school he engaged in mining for about eight years and in March, 1884, accepted a position as clerk in the general merchandising establishment of A. Frank at Irwin, which he resigned at the end of a year to accept a similar position with D. M. Davis of the same place. Ile remained with Mr. Davis until October 18, 1889, when he purchased the general store of J. C. Black- burn of Irwin. Mr. Howell has since then been conducting this store and is meeting with excellent success. He has a good building and location on Main street and carries a large and complete stock of general merchandise, which with his years of valuable experience in this line will enable him in a few years to become one of the leading merchants of the county. Intelligent, courteous and reliable, as well as industrious and pushing, he has the qualities of a successful business man, and a little patience will place him well up in the commercial world.
James O. Howell was united in marriage March 26, 1885, to Emma Millburg, a daughter of Edward Millburg of Irwin.
ENRY IRWIN, a soldier of the Army of the Potomac and a prosperous merchant of Irwin, is a son of John and Martha (McDonald) Irwin and was born in Allegheny
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county, Pa., in 1849. John Irwin (father) was born in one of the counties in the eastern part of the State. He removed to Allegheny county, Pa., where he married Martha MeDonald. She was born in 1811 and died in North Hunting- don township, this county, in 1863. Mr. Irwin was engaged in mining for several years, then removed to the above-named township and fol- lowed farming until 1861. In the spring of that year he enlisted in Co. E, one hundred and fifth l'a. Vols. After one year's service he died in 1862 at Fortress Monroe, where his remains were interred. He was an exemplary member of the M. E. church. Three of his sons served in the Union army : Henry, John, who was a member of Co. K, one hundred and fifth Pa. Vols. and was killed during the second day's fight at Gettysburg, and William, who was in a battery of heavy artillery which was recruited in Pittsburg, Pa.
Henry Irwin was reared principally on a Westmoreland county farm and received his education in the common schools. On February 13, 1864, he enlisted in Co. K, one hundred and fifth Pa. Vols., participated in all the skir- mishes, raids and battles of his regiment from that time until the war closed and was honora- bly discharged in July, 1865. He then re- turned home, followed mining for twenty years and in July, 1885, engaged in the general mer- cantile business at Irwin, which he has con- tinued in successfully ever since.
Henry Irwin was married in March, 1867, to Catherine Peters, daughter of Leonard Pe- ters, of North Huntingdon township, this county. They have four children living : Mary E., John W., Leonard and Howard.
In politics Mr. Irwin is a republican. He is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor and Captain S. S. Marchand Post, No. 190, Grand Army of the Republic. He commenced merchandising upon a small scale and with a limited capital, but his efforts were attended with good success and he now has a large and
well-stocked store. He carries a full line of dry goods, notions, groceries and all articles usually found in a first-class general mercantile establishment. By his courtesy, promptness and honesty he has built up a very remunerative patronage. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
FOHN LANGHAM, a courteous gentleman, a successful business man and a prosperous merchant and brick manufacturer of West- moreland City, is a son of John and Jane (Wal- lace) Langham and was born in Hartfordshire, England, February 27, 1839. His parents were natives and life-long residents of Hartford- shire. They were unostentatious but useful and consistent members of the church of England. The father was an industrious, steady farmer, who thoroughly tilled his productive acres and regularly attended the church of his choice for over half a century. He died in November, 1866, aged sixty-five years. The mother was a neat and tidy woman who gave her time to her household affairs, the training of her children and the duties of her church. She was born in the same year as her husband and survived him but one month.
John Langham received his education in the public schools of England. At an early age he went to Yorkshire, where he worked in the iron- ore mines of that place until the year 1858. During that year he left Great Britain and came to Allegheny county, Pa., where he located at Mckeesport and worked for twelve years in a coal mine. In 1870 he went to Coultersville in the same county where he fol- lowed mining coal for two years. In 1872 he removed to Westmoreland City, this county, where he has continued to reside ever since. Shortly after arriving in Westmoreland county he opened a very fine grocery and by strict attention to his business so prospered that he successively added to his stock dry goods, boots
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and shoes, hats and caps, hardware, furniture and provisions. In sixteen years his custom had attained such proportions that his building was too small to contain a stock of goods suffi- cient to supply it, and Mr. Langham found it necessary in 1885 to creet his present large building at Westmoreland City. The upper part is his residence. The lower part, which is divided into two large rooms, is filled with a large, assorted and complete stock of general merchandise. His constantly increasing trade extends over a wide area of surrounding coun- try and his store is recognized as one of the largest and most important mercantile estab- lishments in that section of the county. In 1882 he engaged in the manufacture of brick and to-day finds a ready market for all that he can make. In polities he is independent as to local offices, always voting for whom he deems the best man ; but in state or national elections he supports the democratic ticket.
Ile was married in 1860 to Sarah, a daughter of Mariot Wilds and a native of Langdonshire, England. To their union have been born five children : George, Jane, Willliam, John and Mariot.
Besides his large store and residence he owns five dwelling houses in Westmoreland City. Mr. Langham has achieved his prosperity by his own unaided efforts. He has inherited from his English ancestors those sturdy and commendable qualities of perseverance, energy and determination which have enabled the Eng- lish race to overcome seemingly unsurmount- able obstacles in every quarter of the globe.
RUSH LENHART, one of North Hunt- ingdon township's most successful farmers, was born in that township on the 25th of March, 1843. He is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Baughman) Lenhart. Joseph Len- hart was born October 14, 1805, in Wilkins township, Allegheny county, where he attended
such schools as those early days afforded. After leaving his father's farm he bought one of his own and to obtain money for the payment of taxes he hauled flour to Pittsburg and soll it at three dollars a barrel. Other farm produce was delivered in the same market at equally low prices. Many long journeys were made by Mr. Lenhart on horseback, the saddle being one of the old-fashioned, uncomfortable wooden pack-saddles. Notwithstanding the surround- ing difficulties he, by his industry and thrift, furnished each of his children with a farm. He married May 23, 1826, Elizabeth Baughinan, of this county. Six of their ten children are yet living. In 1862 his wife died, and in 1807 he married Elizabeth Underwood, daughter of Philip Loughner, of Penn township. They have no children, and live alone. nicely situated in Irwin. The following are children of his first wife who are yet living: Harriet, born July 20, 1831, living at Englewood, Ill .; Sarah Ann, born December 25, 1834, wife of John HI. Flowers, of Irwin ; Lucy Ann, born January 2, 1837, wife of William Scheibeler, of Irwin ; Mary J., born March 9, 1841, wife of Adam Whitehead, of near Irwin; Margaret, born May 2, 1845, wife of James McGill, of Irwin, and J. Rush, subject of this sketch. Abraham Lenhart (grandfather) was born in Allegheny county about the time of the Revolutionary war. He remained there following his occupa- tion of farming until about 1820, when he removed to near Harrison City, this county, where he lived till his death. In 1804 he mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Michael Byerly, of Hempfield (now Penn) township. To them were born ten children, eight of whom survive : Joseph, Annie, wife of Samuel Keck. of Wash- ington, D. C .; Sarah, relict of Jacob Kunkle of Penn township; Susanna, relict of Joseph Gongaware, of Wooster, Ohio; Lavina, wife of George Knappenberger, now of Illinois, and Michael who resides in Greensburg. Abraham Lenhart died in 1837 and his wife in 1843.
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Christie Lenhart (great-grandfather) was born in Germany, and immigrated to America, settling in Wilkins township, Allegheny county where he married and continued to live until his death in 1810.
J. Rush Lenhart while at home attended pub- lic schools and worked on his father's farm. Ile afterwards bought the farm and still lives on.it. In 1862 he married Leah, daughter of Adam Whitehead of the same township and had two children, one of whom, J. William, is living. Ilis wife soon died and in 1866 he married Lydia A. Miller. Of the eight children born to this union seven are living at home : David R. M., Samuel, Leslie Ottis, Nellie, Lizzie L., Lucy, and Alice Irwin. Flora died during the past year at the age of fourteen.
J. Rush Lenhart is a farmer and also an im- porter of fine draft and driving horses. Ile is a genial, outspoken, straightforward gentleman whose word is as good as his bond. He is a member of the Lutheran church. He takes a great interest in the history of the Lenhart family, of which he may be justly proud.
AGNUS E. LINDEBLAD, a thorough- going business man and the energetic manager of the " Peoples' Corporation Store" at Irwin, was born in the district of Skone, Sweden, October 3, 1846, and is a son of Christian and Christina (Malenstrom) Linde- blad. His parents are both natives of Sweden, where they now reside in the district of Skone, which has been their home for many years. They are humble and devout members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. The father is an excellent cabinet-maker of many years experi- ence and still labors at his trade.
Magnus E. Lindeblad was reared and edu- cated in his native distriet in Sweden. Leav- ing school he learned and followed the cabinet- making trade with his father. In the fall of 1869 he embarked on a vessel bound for the
United States and in a few weeks landed at New York City. He soon came to Westmore- land county where he located at Irwin and en- gaged in coal digging for a short time. In a few weeks he found work in a carpenter shop and continued to work steadily at carpentering for twelve years. In the autumn of 1881 he be- came a clerk in the " Peoples' Corporation Store," at Irwin, which position he held for five years. In 1886 he was made manager of this store and has served creditably in that capacity ever since.
In 1872 Mr. Lindeblad was united in marri- age to Annie Nystrom, daughter of Peter Nystrom, of district Skone, Sweden. Their union has been blessed with five children, four sons and one daughter : Claus, Victor, Albert, Clara and Charles.
Magnus E. Lindeblad is an encampment member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and also a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a prominent member and the efficient treasurer of the Evangelical Lutheran church. Mr. Lindeblad is a republican in poli- ties. Ile is one of the public-spirited and enter- prising citizens of the progressive and wide- awake borough of Irwin. His abundant suc- cess has been well merited and amply deserved by his sterling integrity and patient industry.
ICHOLAS LOMMEL, of French descent and a prominent citizen and successful merchant of Robbin's station, was born in the village of La Madelaine, in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Germany, March 19, 1843. He is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Thill) Lommel, who were natives of France. Joseph Lommel was a cooper by trade, a mem- ber of the Catholic church and shortly after his marriage removed to La Madelaine, Germany, where he resided until his death in March, 1872, at seventy years of age. Ilis wife was born in 1800 and passed away in January, 1872.
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Nicholas Lounnel was reared at La Madelaine until he was eleven years of age, when he was sent to France, attended the public schools of that country and 1866 left the French Em- pire for the United States. He first located in St. Louis, Mo., remained a short time in that city and then removed to Belleville, Illinois. Hle here engaged in the coal mining and farm- ing. Four years latter he migrated eastward to Indiana. After one year's stay he made a visit to his native land, married and came back to the United States where he took up his residence at Osceola, Allegheny county, Pa. In six months he removed to Coultersville, in the same county, where he lived for three years. In 1876 he left Allegheny county and came to Robbins. The next year he embarked in the general bus- iness, which he has successfully pursued until the present time. Ile is a democrat and served as postmaster at Robbins station from 1884 to 1889.
On August 20, 1872, Mr. Lommel was mar- ried in Luxembourg, Germany, to Christina Ries, daughter of Jacob Ries, who was a government officer of Luxembourg. To their union have been born five children : Eva, born 1880 ; Mary, born 1881; Josephine, born 1882; Catherine, born 1886; and Hilda, born 1888.
Nicholas Lommel is one of Westmoreland county's energetic and prosperous citizens. Landing upon the shores of the new world with no capital or means, Mr. Lommel has steadily labored and prospered until he is now comforta- bly situated at Robbins. He has a complete and assorted stock of general merchandise, re- cecives his full share of public patronage and owns his store room, residence and other prop- erty in the village. He is a man of energy, en- terprise and good judgment.
$ AMUEL C. LONG, a successful and pop- ular druggist of Larimer and postmaster of that village under President Cleveland's administration, is a son of Benjamin and Mary
E. (Carpenter) Long, and was born in Young township, Indiana county, Pa., November 19, 1864. Benjamin Long is a prosperous farmer of Indiana county, of which he is a native. lle has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits and takes especial pride in his farm and stock. Ile is one of the leading farmers in his section of that county. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church and a democrat in politics, and has served his township in all of its various offices. In 1853 he married Mary E. Carpenter, a daughter of Daniel Carpenter, who was a native of this county and moved to the State of Indiana, where he followed his occupation of farming for several years before his death.
Samuel C. Long spent his boyhood days on his father's farm. He received his rudimentary education in the common schools and attended " Elders Ridge academy," from which he was graduated in 1883. His first employment in life for himself was teaching, which he followed for three years. In 1886 he removed to Larimer, where he embarked in his present establishment. He has a first-class stock of drugs, proprietary medicines, toilet articles and stationery and is careful in compounding prescriptions. ITIs store is well arranged and of a size to accommodate the remunerative trade which he has secured.
Samuel C. Long is a democrat in political sentiment, takes an active part in the interests of his party and served for three years and two months as postmaster of Larimer by appointment of President Cleveland. Mr. Long is one of Larimer's enterprising young men who takes an active part in everything calculated to advance the interests of that prosperous village. He is punctual, exact and honest and is always to be found at his pleasantly-located place of business.
P OBERT PRICE MCCLELLAN, M. D., a successful and rising young physician of Irwin, is a son of Robert P. and Margaret (Matthews) MeClellan and was born in Wharton
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township, Fayette county, Pa., December 13, 1862. The MeClellans were originally from the eastern part of Pennsylvania. The doctor's father, Robert P. Mcclellan, is a native of Washington county (near Canonsburg), this State. In early life he removed to Preston county, W. Va., and then to Wharton township, Fayette county, Pa., where he purchased a farm near the village of Gibbon's Glade, and engaged in farming. He was a soldier in the late war and served in the fourteenth reg. Pa. Cavalry Vols. He now gives his attention principally to the management of his farm and stock-raising. He has served acceptably as justice of the peace, has always taken an active interest in educa- tional matters and is conservative and liberal in his views. He has been successful in agricul- tural pursuits and is one of the prominent and well-known citizens of his township. In 1851 he married Margaret Matthews, daughter of James Matthews, who was an old and highly- respected citizen of the township. They have four children living.
Dr. R. P. Mcclellan received his rudimentary education in the common schools of his native township, attended the celebrated old " Georges Creck academy" at Smithfield, Pa., and after- wards studied at the Western Pennsylvania Sci- entific and Classical Institute of Mt. Pleasant, this county, but sickness compelled him to leave that institution before completing his course. Ile taught four winters in the rural schools, was principal of the public schools of new Salem, Pa., for three years and of a normal school at the same place for two years. In 1884 he began to read medicine with Drs. F. C. Robinson and I. Springer Gaddis, of Uniontown, Pa. After completing the required course of reading with them he attended (1886) one course of lectures at the college of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, Md., and in 1857 he entered Jefferson Medical college of Philadelphia, from which in- stitution he was graduated April 1, 1888. In June of that year he located at Irwin, this
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