USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania > Part 81
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Robert Galloway (maternal grandfather), a native of the Emerald Isle, immigrated to the United States about 1772 and settled near New Salem, Fayette county, Pa. He was a mill-wright by trade, built a mill at New Salem and afterwards removed to Washington township, Fayette county, Pa., where he built what is known as " Galloway's mill," near Fayette City. Ile was a presbyterian and a working democrat. His eyes first beheld the light in 1768 and he closed them forever in 1817. He married Annie Moss, of New Salem, Fayette county, Pa., who bore him nine children, seven of whom lived to manhood and womanhood.
Robert G. P'atton married Naomi, a daughter of George and Mary (Stephens) Patterson, of Fayette county, Pa., and to their union have been born five children : Mary O., Allie S., Ocea A., George W. and Fred E.
Robert G. Patton was educated in the public schools and studied dentistry under Dr. S. S. Patton, of Waynesburg, Pa., and in 1867 began the practice of dentistry at Fayette City and Belle Vernon, Pa., since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. Ile also owns a fine farm formerly the property of Michael Finley, one of the first settlers of the county. Dr. Patton devotes some of his time to the affairs of his farm and to raising and dealing in stock. He is an active democratic worker and has held various offices in his township ; is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and I. O. O. F., at Fayette City. Dr. Patton is a self- made man. He began life very poor and by industry, economy and integrity he has achieved success. Ile has a brother, Noah W. Patton, who is a physician at Smithton, Pa .. and another, Joseph G., who is a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Brownsville, Fayette county, Pa. Dr. R. G. Patton belongs to an intelligent family and is a man whose social, moral and intellectual qualities are far above the average.
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D R. N. W. PATTON, is a leading physician of South Huntingdon township. Ilis father was born in Perry township Fay- cette county, Pa., in 1805. Ile was married to Hannah, a daughter of Robert Galaway in 1838. Dr. Patton's father was also a native of Fayette county, Pa., and his grandfather, an early settler in western Pennsylvania, was a native of Ireland.
Dr. Patton worked in the cabinet-shop of his father till at the age of twenty-one; he then attended school at California for six terms and was graduated from there in 1878. In the meantime Dr. Patton began the study of medi- cine. Ile afterward attended lectures at Jeffer- son Medical College, Philadelphia, and was graduated March 29, 1884. Immediately after his graduation he practiced for nine months with Dr. John II. Davidson of Perryopolis. At the expiration of the nine months with Davidson, he practiced medicine alone at Perry- opolis until 1887. In 1887 he came to Smith- ton, Westmoreland county, where he has since resided, built up a lucrative practice, and is recognized as an able and successful young physician. He has been twice married; in 1878 to Miss Emma R., daughter of Rev. William Wilson, of Kansas ; she died in 1879, and he was afterward, married to Miss Anna, daughter of J. S. Ellwell, a farmer of Perry township, Fayette county, Pa. He has two children ; William W., by his first wife, born March 22, 1879, and Edwin W. by his present wife, born August 18, 1885. Dr. Patton is a Past Grand in the Lodge of Odd Fellows. In politic: he is a democrat and was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church at California. Since his residence at Smithton he has been a member of the M. E. church, a class leader in the same and an efficient Sabbath school worker.
ORGAN S. PAUL, of Rostraver town- ship, was born November 16, 1827, in Richmond county, Ohio, and is a son of Benjamin and Catherine (Sowash) Paul. ITis
grandfather, Morgan Paul, was a native of Maryland, immigrated to the vicinity of West Newton, and died on what is known as the Oliver farm in Rostraver township. He was by trade a miller, in politics a whig and republican and in religious belief a methodist. Benjamin Paul (father) was born in Rostraver township, this county, and in politics and trade followed in the footsteps of his father. IIe was twice married, the first time to Catherine Sowash, who died when her son Morgan S. was but two years of age. ITis second wife was Frances Brenneman, who bore him eleven children.
On the 4th of October, 1855, Morgan S. Paul was united in marriage with Mary J. Monroe, who bore him four children, two sons and two daughters : Morgan, Andrew F., Nettie and Kate. Mr. Paul on the 5th of May, 1870, remarried, his second wife being Margaret Jane Hamilton, a daughter of Samuel Hamilton, of Sewickley township, who served in the War of 1812.
M. S. Paul received his education in the common schools, and is a miller by trade, own- ing the mill on his property, which is located on Pollock's Run in Rostraver township. He is a stanch republican and with his wife connected with the United Presbyterian church at West Newton. He is a progressive, enterprising citi- zen and a man of excellent moral, social and business qualities.
LBERT PENNEY, a son of Richard and Harriet (Barclay) Penney, was born Jan- uary 19, 1846, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, Pa. His grandfather, David Penney, was a native of Rostraver town- ship, where he remained until his death. IIe lived on the banks of the " Yough" river, was a farmer and large landowner, a democrat and a member of the Baptist church. His old homestead was called the "Baptist Hotel." Stephen Barclay, maternal grandfather, lived
C
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and died in West Newton : he was a silver- smith by trade and belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812 and was wounded, on account of which his widow drew a pension in later years. Richard Penney (father) was born on the old homestead in Rostraver township, where he followed farming. He married Harriet Bar- clay and they had five children, of whom four are living. After his wife's death he re married, his second wife being a Miss Walters, who bore him four children.
Albert Penney was educated in the common schools of Rostraver township and began life for himself as a farmer, then teamed for a time and worked two years as a deck hand on the Missouri river. In 1886 he accepted the posi- tion of watchman for the Pittsburg, McKees- port and Youghiogheny railroad and has held the same ever since. Mr. Penney is an indus- trious, well-to-do man, owning good property in his native township, is a democrat in politics and with his wife belongs to the Baptist church at West Newton.
On the 31st of December, 1867, Albert Penney was united in marriage with Josephine Sterner, a daughter of George Sterner, a farmer of Rostraver township. Mr. and Mrs. Penney are the parents of five children, of whom four are living.
AMES PINKERTON, of South Hunting- don township, was born May 12, 1833, in Sewickley township, Westmoreland county, Pa., and is a son of John and Mary (Barr) Pin- kerton. Ilis grandfather, James Pinkerton, was born near Carlisle, Pa., and after the Revolu- tionary war, in which he served as a soldier, immigrated to Westmoreland county, settling on the banks of the Sewickley creek, about two miles above Bell's Mills. He was a blacksmith, and his old account book, which is in the pos- session of James Pinkerton, indicates that he located there about 1783. He made annual
trips to Carlisle to pack over the supplies neces- sary to carry on his business. He owned a farm on Sewickley creek that now belongs to the Westmoreland Coal Company. In religious belief he was a seceder, an elder in his church, of which he is one of the organizers. It is now called the "Old Sewickley " United Presby- terian church and in its burial ground Mr. Pin- kerton, who died in 1811, and quite a number of his descendants, lie entombed. John Barr (maternal grandfather) was a native of Ireland and immigrated to this country, settling near Carlisle, Pa., where he married Mary Nelson and soon came on west to this county, locating in South Huntingdon township about 1791. Ile at that time had one child, which together with all his effects he conveyed across the mountains on three horses. He settled on the land now occupied by Mr. Pinkerton, which was origi- nally a part of a tract of land patented by the Martin boys, who after being freed by the In- dians who had captured them took out a patent for the land which is now contained in the Hun- ter, Fullerton and Pinkerton farms. Mr. Barr was a farmer and distiller. He died in 1847 and is buried at the cemetery of the "Old Se- wickley " United Presbyterian church, of which he was a member. John Pinkerton (father) was born in 1801, in Sewickley township and died in 1878. He was the youngest of a family of five sons and four daughters, all born in Se- wickley township except two. He was identi- fied with the United Presbyterian church, a member of its session and was politically a whig and later a republican. He served his township four years as justice of the peace. He married Mary Barr, by whom he had six children, one of whom (John) served in the civil war from 1862 until the close of the contest, going out as a private but serving most of the time as ser- geant. He (John) was in Gen. Thomas' army, Co. II, fifteenth reg. Pa. Cavalry and took part in the battles of Chickamauga (where he was Gen. Thomas' orderly), Stone River, Mossy
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Creek, the expedition against Hood and others. At Stony Creek he was captured and held about two months in Libby prison. He died in 1882 from the effects of his life in the field and the dungeon.
James Pinkerton has always followed farming in South Huntingdon township, having located there when but eighteen years of age. Ile owns a good farm, is connected with the United Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder, and is in politics a republican. IIe is one of the directors of the Sewickley Mutual Fire In- surance Company, which was chartered in 1882 and is a reliable, cheap and first-class organiza- tion.
James Pinkerton was married October 13, 1882, to Lucinda M. Scholl, and to them have been born three children : Mary Logan, John and Anna, the last two being deceased.
ILLIAM A. POOLE, a prominent farmer, was born in East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pa., September 4, 1816, and is a son of Peter and Rosanna (Suter) Poole. Peter Poole was born in 1780 in Berks county, Pa., near Reading and removed in his youth to East Huntingdon town- ship where he worked for some time as a farm band and in 1809 married a Miss Tintsman. He then purchased a small tract of land and began farin- ing and keeping " road tavern " at what is known as the old " Bull's Head" tavern stand on the pike near Bethany, where he remained until his death in 1839. His first wife, who bore him three children, one of whom is living, died in 1815, and in 1816 he re-married, his second wife being Rosanna, a daughter of Joseph Suter, of Westmoreland county, who bore him five chil- dren, all living, of whom the eldest is William A. Poole. Mrs. Rosanna Poole (nee Suter) died in 1877. Mr. Poole was a member of the Lutheran church and a democrat in politics.
William A. Poole was reared on his father's
farm and remained at home till his father's death. In 1840 he began life for himself as a farmer on one of his father's farms, where he remained till 1877 when he sold it and bought another near Tarr's station on the S. W. P. R., where he now resides.
In 1840 he married Hannah, a daughter of William Husband of East Huntingdon township, and to them was born five children : Winfield, at home with his parents; Annetta, wife of William Sears, who lives in Elkhart county, In- diana ; Artie, married to Israel Painter, a son of Israel Painter, and now a resident of South Huntingdon township; Mollie, wife of William ITissem of Salem township, and John, who is at home with his parents.
William A. Poole is a democrat, takes an active part in the affairs of his party and is a member of the M. E. church, as is also his wife. He is one of the old and reliable inhabitants of his native township, and is now living a quiet life on his farm which is nicely located and un - derlaid with an excellent vein of coal. Mr. Poole believes in the saying of Byron, "There is a pleasure in the pathless woods," and finds abundant enjoyment in the solitude of country life.
LIVER PORTER, one of the leading citizens and most substantial farmers of the county, was born March 16, 1829, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, Pa., where he still resides and is a son of Horatio and Elizabeth (Armstong) Porter. His grandfather, Caleb Porter, was of Welsh extrac- tion and a native of Maryland, but immigrated to Westmoreland county, settling in Rostraver township in the early days when Indian fight- ing was one of the necessities of existence there. He was at one time captured by the savages, but managed to regain his freedom. He was a Free Will Baptist and a democrat of the Jacksonian type. Robert Armstrong (maternal grandfather) was of Irish descent and spent most of his life in
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Rostraver township, where he died. Horatio Porter (father) was born in Rostraver township on the old homestead in 1800 and died in 1853. Like his father he was a farmer and a sterling democrat. He was married to Elizabeth Arms- trong, who bore him seven children-one son and six daughters.
Oliver Porter received his education in the public schools of his native township and has devoted his life to farming, threshing and stock- raising. He holds title to a valuable farm of two hundred acres and is a reliable and success- ful man of business. Politically he is a demo- crat and one of the most active and useful mem- bers of the party in his township. Mr. Porter is a man of generous impulses, intelligent and liberal views, firm convictions, prepossessing appearance, agreeable manners and excellent character.
In August, 1860, Oliver Porter was united in marriage with Mary HI. Houseman, a daughter of Joseph Houseman, of Washington township, Fayette county, and they have had eight chil- dren, of whom seven are living : Ella W., Joanna II., Jacob II., Charles V. Mary E., Oliver T., and Lydia M. Ella W. Porter was married March, 1886, to William D. Waltz, of South Huntingdon township, who devotes part of his time to agriculture and the reminder to the profession of teaching.
'OIIN S. REEVES was born May 20, 1842, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, Pa., and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Smock) Reeves. Ilis great-great-grand- father, Samuel Reeves, was born in Manchester, England, in the latter part of the seventeenth cen- tury. He was a tiller of the soil and immigrated to America, locating in Philadelphia, Pa., where he died. During Queen Anne's war (1702-1713) he served in the British army. Abner Reeves (great-grandfather) was born near what is now the city of Newark, N. J., migrated to West-
moreland county, Pa , in 1834, settling in Ros- traver township at the advanced age of ninety years. Samuel Reeves (grandfather) was born in Rostraver township, where he carried on the cooper trade and farming and was for twenty years a justice of the peace. Ile assisted in putting down the Whiskey Insurrection of 1794. being a Lieutenant of the Pennsylvania militia at that time. Samuel Reeves (father), one of his sons, was born in 1918 in Rostraver township, where he is still living, owning a large farm and engaging in stock-raising. Very early in life he evinced a taste for military life and served two terms of seven years each in the guard of Pennsylvania, in which he was a commissioned officer. At the breaking out of the Mexican war he tendered his services to the government, but his weight being two hundred and thirty-two pounds he was considered too heavy. Mr. Reeves has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church more than half a century and is regarded by all as a gentleman of unquestioned integrity and probity. He is a man whose love of country, adherence to duty and devotion to principle are indeed worthy of commendation. In early life he was a whig, but later a repub- lican, an abolitionist who was active in the sup- port of every measure that tended to effect the freedom and advance the cause of the negro. He is the father of four children, three of whom are living: Nancy, John S. and Elizabeth. Abraham Smock (maternal great-grandfather) was a native of Bohemia, immigrated to the United States, located in what is now Lan- caster county, Pa., but afterwards removed to Westmoreland county, same State, where he died. Henry Smock (maternal grandfather) was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1773, and died at Belle Vernon in 1857. His wife, Elizabeth (Sheffler) Smock, died in 1881, at the advanced age of ninety-six years.
John S. Reeves was educated in the public and academic schools of his native township and immediately thereafter entered the civil war at
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the age of twenty. He joined the Ringgold Cav- alry, an independent organization, July 16, 1861, and remained with it until 1864, when it consolidated with the twenty-second Pa. Cavalry. Mr. Reeves continued with his regiment and served till the close of the war, participating in the battles and campaigns under Kelly, Rose- crans, Lander, Shields, Fremont, Banks, R. B. Hayes, Averill, Custer, Sheridan and Meade. Mr. Reeves did valiant service for his country, and in recording his deeds, as well as his father's . love of country, the historian is justified in en- circling their names with the halo of patriotism. After the war John S. Reeves went to Illinois, engaged with the American Art Association of Chicago, then dealt in stock until married and returned to Pennsylvania. In 1867 he went to Nebraska and was engaged with the Western Express Company as assistant division superin- dent on the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1868 he again returned to Pennsylvania, where he farmed until the Centennial year, when he went into the United States Revenue Service. In 1886 he was removed from this service for par- tisan reasons, the democrats having control of the national government. John S. Reeves has always been an ardent republican and was a member of the county committee continuously from 1869 till 1888. In the county convention held at Greensburg in 1873 he presented the first resolutions declaring James G. Blaine the choice of the republicans for the presidency ; he has been chairman of county conventions as well as secretary and reading clerk. Twice did his fellow citizens elect him justice of the peace, and twice he refused to serve ; but in 1886 he was again elected and has since been serving in that capacity. Ile is a prominent member of the G. A. R., at Belle Vernon, having joined the original Post No. 3, at Freeport, Illinois, or- ganized by John A. Logan in 1866, and is a} present representative to the State Encamp- ment. He is also a member of the K. of l'., the Jr. O. U. A. M., the Sr. O. U. A. M. and
the Royal Arcanum, in which he has filled every position up to State representative. Mr. Reeves is at present engaged in the real estate and col- lecting business and in securing pensions for deserving soldiers. Ile is a prolific writer, con- tributing extensively to the county and city papers. The members of the Reeves family have been noted for longevity and size ; their average weight is at least two hundred pounds.
John S. Reeves married September 18, 1866, Clarissa C., a daughter of W. F. Beebe, of Freeport, Stevenson county, Illinois, and they have two children : Samuel O. and Cora B.
OUIS S. RHODES, postmaster and a leading merchant and business man of South Huntingdon township, was born on Jacob's creek, same township, Westmoreland county, Pa., April 2, 1858, and is a son of Dan- iel and Rebecca (Armstrong) Rhodes. Daniel Rhodes was married to Rebecca Rhodes, a daugh- ter of Ezra and Elizabeth Armstrong of Fayette county, and at the old frame church on Jacob's creek by Rev. Joshua Newbold. She died on January 24, 1888. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was a native of Berks county, Pa., and one of the pioneer set- tlers in the neighborhood of Smithton.
Louis S. Rhodes attended the public schools. He took special courses at West Newton under the management of John II. Stephens ; after- wards entered California Normal school and was graduated from there in the class of 1880. Pre- vious to his graduation he had taught school for seven years : two years in South Huntingdon, one year in Perry township, Fayette county, and four years in Sewickley township. After his graduation he taught for two years and received a State teacher's certificate. On June 26, 1882, he began merchandising at Jacob's creek where he has built up a paying and substantial business. In February, 1886, he was elected justice of the peace for his township, for a period
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of five years. He was married to Miss Lizzie, a daughter of John Duncan (deceased), of Mt. Pleasant, February 26, 1885, by the Rev. Wakefield of the same place. To their union have been born two children : Florence G., born December, 1885, and Edith R., born November 16, 1887. He is an influential republican, served as a delegate in 1887 to the republican State convention at Harrisburg, and was ap- pointed postmaster at Jacob's creek in April, 1889.
NDREW ROBERTSON, of Rostraver township, a son of Thomas and Jane (Mitchell) Robertson,, was born May 4, 1824, in South Huntingdon township, West- moreland county, Pa. His grandfather (James Robertson) was of Irish extraction but lived and died in South Huntingdon township, where he followed the occupation of farming and was one of the carliest settlers. He was in religious be- lief a presbyterian and in politics a democrat. Ilugh Mitchell, maternal grandfather, was a native of Ireland and im migrated to America, settling in this county, where he was one of the very early settlers of South Huntingdon town- ship. He was a husbandman and in political matters a federalist. In the above mentioned township Thomas Robertson (father) was born in 1784. About 1835 he moved to Rostraver township where he purchased a large tract of land, owning in all some eight hundred acres. Hle engaged largely in the raising of stock and especially fine sheep, and was one of the most successful farmers of his day. He was a whig, later a republican and served as elder in the Presbyterian church. He married Jane Mitchell and they had eleven children. Thomas Robert- son, during the War of 1812, served as a soldier in the army of the west. He died in 1871 at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.
Andrew Robertson received his education in the common and select schools and has devoted his time and attention to the pursuits of agri-
culture, taking a special delight in raising fine stock. He and his brother own about eight hundred acres of well cultivated land in one body. He is a prosperous, progressive and enterprising citizen. Ho has always been a republican and has served his township as school director. Both he and his wife are connected with the Presbyterian church at West Newton in which Mr. Robertson is an elder.
Andrew Robertson was married December 12, 1850, to Rebecca Irwin of Allegheny county, and they have ten children, all living : James, Isaac I., Thomas, Belle, Oliphant P., Alexander M., William, Rebecca J., Lizzie F., and Calvin Knox. Oliphant P. Robertson was graduated from Washington and Jefferson col- lege, studied law at Pittsburg, was admitted to the bar in 1887, and has since then been prac- ticing in that city.
ACOB EDMUND ROBERTSON, one of South Huntingdon's prosperous farmers and reliable citizens, is a son of William and Matilda (Weaver) Robertson and was born in the house in which he now lives, in South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pa., November 3, 1855. Ilis great-grandfather, James Robertson, was one of the early settlers of Rostraver township, where he followed farm- ing. He was a presbyterian and democrat. Thomas Robertson (grandfather) was born in 1784, served as a sollier in the War of 1812, moved about 1855 to Rostraver township, where he purchased eight hundred acres of land and was noted for the fine sheep which he raised. He was a whig and elder in the Presbyterian church and died in 1871. His wife was Jane Mitchel who bore him eleven children, one of whom was William Robertson (father) who was born in 1814 in South Huntingdon township, where he died March 15, 1876. He was a tailor by trade but quit tailoring to engage in the mercantile business at West Newton, which
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he followed until 1851, when he removed to the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. Hle was a republican in politics and a member and trustee of the Presbyterian church at Se- wickley. Ile married Matilda Weaver, who was a daughter of Jacob Weaver, and died March 17, 1883, aged sixty-seven years. They were the parents of nine children : Mary J., Margaret, widow of James Irwin, of Allegheny county, Pa., and now lives in Ohio ; Elizabeth, wife of William II. Milligan, a farmer of Ros- traver township ; Thomas J., of Harrison county, Ohio, who married Letitia Wall, and after her death was married to Maggie Andrews; Salina, wife of Joseph Mayes, of Jefferson county. Pa. ; James W., who married Sarah Sherbondy and is engaged in farming; Mattie, wife of James S. Black, a farmer and stock-raiser of Ohio; Jacob E. and Hattie (deceased).
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