Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Part 9

Author: Gresham, John M. cn; Wiley, Samuel T. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia [Dunlap & Clarke]
Number of Pages: 1422

USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania > Part 9

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BIOGRAPHIES OF

a good officer, a brave soldier and one who never feared danger. He left a record of which his country may be justly proud, as it is undimmed by a single act unbecoming a brave officer or a consistent church member, and his name will live forever in the history of Westmoreland county. Capt. Cribbs was married September 4, 1845, to Jane Skelly, of Adamsburg, Pa. They were the parents of eight children, two sons and six daughters, of whom one son and three daughters are living : Alice, who married Capt. J. N. Thomas, and after his death became the wife of U. G. Kemp; Sarah J., wife of Cyrus Cope, proprietor of the Grant Hotel at Greensburg; Amelia E., wife of Samuel Rumbaugh, and Christopher. Capt. Cribbs and his wife are both highly respected members of the Second Lutheran church of Greensburg.

Christopher Cribbs received his education in the common schools of Hempfield township and Greensburg. Leaving the school room, he began life for himself. Hle engaged in the livery busi- ness for a short time, when he disposed of his livery interest. From 1872 to 1879 he was a tobacconist on Main and Pittsburg streets in Greensburg. In 1881 he was a candidate on the republican ticket for register and recorder, and was defeated for the nomination by 27 votes ; in 1885 was a candidate for prothonotary but was again defeated at the republican primary election. In 1882 he became a United States storekeeper, appointed January 25, 1882; served in that capacity until March 25, 1883, at which time he became Internal Revenue storekeeper and ganger. This assignment was revoked April 24, 1886, and Mr. Cribbs relieved May 1, 1886, having served 4 years, 2 months and 27 days. In 1887 he was the nominee of the Republican party for register and recorder of Westmoreland county and was elected, receiving the largest majority of any candidate on the re- publican ticket. On September 4, 1872, Mr. Cribbs was married to Amanda Ann Potteiger, daughter of John Potteiger, of Lebanon county,

Pa. They had three children, of whom two are living : John Evans, born April 1, 1873, and Warren C., September 20, 1878. Mrs. Cribbs died June 19, 1885, and on New Years Day, 1889, Mr. Cribbs was united in marriage to Mary B. Mckean, daughter of Samuel Mc- Kean, of Belle Vernon, Fayette county, Pa.

Christopher Cribbs is a member of Westmore- land Lodge, No. 840, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Protection Council, No. 11, Chosen Friends ; Greensburg Council, No. 82, Junior Order of United American Mechanics ; Lodge No. 100, Ancient Order of United Workmen ; and General Coulter Camp, No. 37, Sons of Veterans. Mr. Cribbs has always been a re- publican, and was qualified by twenty years of experience for register and recorder. Ilis suc- cessful management of the office is evidence suf- ficient of his ability to fill any important county office. He is a popular and obliging public of- ficial and is a member of the First Reformed church of Greensburg.

EORGE CULBERTSON, D. D. S., a prominent and successful dentist of Greensburg, was born near Pleasant Unity, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1859, and is a son of Alexander Cul- bertson.

Alexander Culbertson, an excellent sur- veyor and a prominent citizen of Westmoreland county, died March 21, 1871. He was reared on a farm, where he was inured to hard labor and became well trained in the management of farming. His education was necessarily limited, as the schools of his time only furnished an elementary but practical course of instruction. Leaving school to engage in farming, he still kept up his study of mathematics and in a short time he commenced to learn surveying, in which he made rapid progress and soon became an efficient surveyor. He was afterwards employed by the United States Government to make sur-

WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

veys in the then territory of Minnesota. Ac- companied by his brother, he rode down the Ohio river in a rough canoe and ascended the " Father of Waters" to his appointed field of operations in the same rude craft. On the Min- nesotian plains and prairies, he spent two years · in making Government surveys. Mr. Culbert- son, while engaged in western surveying, never neglected his landed interests in his native county. Returning home, he engaged in farm- ing and general business, whereby he accumu- lated considerable property. To him belongs the credit of being the first man who drilled for salt water at Pleasant Unity. He was a life- long member as well as an carnest advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and was a ruling elder for many years of Unity Presby- terian church which was founded March 1, 1774. During the late civil war he was among the most active engaged in recruiting troops for the Union service, in which his oldest son Ed- ward served as a private.

George Culbertson attended the common schools and finished his education in Greens- burg academy. At sixteen years of age he went to Gidenburg, Clarion county, Pennsyl- vania, where he was engaged for some time as engineer at the oil wells in that county.

In 1876 he was one of the great throng of visi- tors to Philadelphia at the " Centennial." During the winter of the last-named year he was em- ployed as a clerk by Joseph Taylor of Greens- burg. In the spring of 1877 Mr. Culbertson removed to Missouri, where he engaged in farm- ing with Foster Lightcap. Early in 1880 he and his brother Griffin went into the adjoining State of Nebraska, where they had charge of a large sheep ranch until the fall of 1881. In October of that year George Culbertson returned to Greensburg, where, on the first of November, 1881, he entered as a dental student the office of Dr. J. S. Waughaman, now of Pittsburg. In September, 1882, he entered the Philadel- phia Dental college and attended during the

winter term. He spent the summer of 1883 in practice with T. L. Smith, M. D., of Unity, and returned in the fall of the same year to the Philadelphia Dental college, from which he was graduated in February, 1884. Soon after his graduation he established himself at Greens- burg, where he continued successfully in the practice of dentistry up to the present time. Ilis dental parlors are well furnished and equipped with everything pertaining to a first- class dental office.

In June, 1883, he was married to Jennie S. Smith, a daughter of William Smith, of Pleas- ant Unity. To their union have been born two sons : William Smith born, August 5, 1884, and Alexander Edward, January 19, 1888; Mrs. Culbertson was born January 19, 1859, and is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church.

Dr. Culbertson is a member of the Greens- burg Presbyterian church.

R J. CURNS, who has been a successful contractor in stone and wood-work for over thirty-five years in Canada and the United States, was born in the beautiful valley of Pine Creek, in Pine Creek township, Clinton county, Pa., February 1, 1833, and is a son of John R. and Jane White (Henry) Curns. His grandfather, James Curns, was born in Lancas- ter, but settled in what is now Clinton county, this State. He was a farmer, and married Margaret Davis of Scotland, whose father was Henry Davis. IIer mother's maiden name was Ford. One of their children was John R. Curns, who was born on Chartiers run, Novem- ber 28, 1811, and was killed by the fall of a derrick on the Lewisburg bridge on October 16, 1868. IIe was a stone contractor and bridge builder. He was an open-handed, warm- hearted man, went out of his way to oblige his neighbors, and was always prominent in all matters of importance in his community. He was a large man physically, and belonged to the

BIOGRAPHIES OF

Whig party, but before his death became a democrat. He was a leading Odd Fellow, and in 1830, married Jane W., daughter of Robert and Anna (Love) Henry. Mr. Curns had twelve children, of whom one son and one daughter died. Five sons and five daughters are living : Mary E., living in California ; La- vina J., wife of Mr. Myers, of Fort Scott, Kan- sas; Nancy M., who married a Mr. Smith ; Margaret A., wife of Mr. Strayer, of Rowles- burg, Ohio ; Alice A., at home with her mother ; Thomas H. and Robert A., contractors at Fort Scott, Kansas; John M., who is a successful real estate agent at Winfield, Kansas ; Samuel M. and R. J. Mrs. Curns was born February 22, 1809, and still retains all her mental facul- ties unimpaired.

R. J. Curns attended the common schools until fourteen years of age, and then learned the trade of stone-cutting with his father. For several years, during the rafting season he took contracts and ran large rafts of timber from Rockland to Marietta, on the Susquehanna river. He soon became an extensive contractor in Canada and the " Middle States." He built the Welland canal in Canada, Lock No. 4, above Charleston, on the Kanawha river in West Virginia, and many railroad bridges and jails. At the present time he is engaged in erecting forty dwelling houses at Jeannette for S. Macamont. In 1886 he removed to Greens- burg, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Curns is a republican from principle, attends the Presbyterian church, of which his family are members, and is a member of several secret societies.

On March 10, 1858, he was married to Mary E., only daughter of Tillman Rouch, of Rouch's Gap, Pa. They have three sons and three daughters : Ada Jeannette, teacher of music; George B., who is a stone cutter in St. Louis, Mo .; Sallie J., engaged in the millinery busi- ness ; Maud B., music teacher ; Clyde C., who is engaged in stone and bridge business; and

Tillman Russel, attending school. Mrs. Curns was born in December, 1839, and was educated at Diocesan seminary at Rouchtown, which was named in honor of her father.

R. J. Curns is a practical stone-cutter, pos- sesses good judgment, understands thoroughly stone and wood work, and has been successful in his business of contracting.

EORGE W. DATZ. One of the many en- terprising young business men of Greens- burg is George W. Datz, carriage and wagon manufacturer and dealer in carriages, buggies and spring wagons.

He was born on the old Datz homestead farm in Penn township, Westmoreland county, Pa., August 30, 1862, and is a son of John and Rose (Greaninger) Datz. Jacob Datz (grandfather) was a farmer in Germany, where he was born. He married Catherine Keber, who bore him three sons and one daughter. One of these sons was John Datz (father), who was born in Rhein, Prussia, May 26, 1825. Ile emigrated from Germany to this country in 1849. Shortly after arriving in the United States he removed to Penn township, this county, where he was en- gaged for many years in market-gardening and truck-farming. He has now retired from busi- ness of all kinds. Ile is a democrat in politics and a member of the Second Reformed church. Ile was a member of a cavalry company in Ger- many, and to avoid serving in the Revolution, then threatening in that country, he left home, where he was on furlough, and came to America. At New York city he became acquainted with Rose Greaninger, whom he married in a short time. They had eleven children, of whom ten are living. Mrs. Datz is a daughter of Benja- min Greaninger, who was a founder by trade. George W. Datz was reared on his father's farm in Penn township, where he attended the com- mon schools until he was seventeen years of age. Leaving school, he came to Greensburg, where

WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

he learned the trade of carriage maker with his brother, who is now in Pittsburg. He worked for seven years at his trade and then purchased the carriage works of the late James Stewart. These ho refitted, enlarged, and has successfully operated ever since.

G. W. Datz is an earnest democrat and a member of the Union Order of United American Mechanics and the Reformed church. His car- riage and wagon manufacturing establishment is at No. 85 West Otterman street, opposite Ilar- rison avenue. He employs seven to eight men, and in addition to his regular manufacturing operates a repairing department, in which special and prompt attention is given to all kinds of work in that line. Mr. Datz thoroughly under- stands his business and has a good trade in Greensburg and in Westmoreland and adjoining counties.

OIIN L. DAVIDSON, a popular justice of the peace and a leading citizen of Ludwick borough, is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Christman) Davidson, and was born near Madison, in Sewickley township, Westmoreland county, Pa., January 27, 1836. The David- sons are of English descent. Their progenitor in the United States was Rev. Robert Davidson, who emigrated to this country from England prior to the Revolution and located at Philadel- phia, Pa., where he died in 1784. He was a minister of the gospel, but of what persuasion or denomination is not known to the writer. Ilis wife and two children-Elizabeth and Jacob- who survived him, moved to Hummelstown, Pa., soon after, where the mother died, leaving the children helpless and destitute. Elizabeth, on reaching maturity, married Robert Wright, and migrated with him to Montgomery county, Ohio. Jacob Davidson, the younger of the two chil- dren, was apprenticed to a German or Dutch- speaking family named Neisly, and after serving them several years he learned the burr-making

and millwrighting business. Jacob Davidson was born in Philadelphia in 1781, and died April 15, 1856. He was married to Mary Young, daughter of Peter and Salome Young, of Lan- caster county, Pa., in 1802, and soon after with his wife came to Westmoreland county, locating on Big Sewickley creek, at the place known later as Funk's Mill, and now as Apple's Mill, which is near West Newton. He at once busied him- self in erecting a mill at that point, at which place he remained until 1812, when he purchased a farm near Madison, then owned by Alexander Campbell. In 1832 he sold this homestead to his son Samuel, in whose ownership it remained more than half a century. Jacob then bought the land on which the borough of Madison now stands of Henry G. Spayth, which he afterward sold to James and John McAyeal in 1835, and then moving to a farm which he purchased near Brownsville, Fayette county, Pa., and residing there the remainder of his life. IIe was an un- tiring laborer, following his trade of burr-mak- ing continuously, and supplied mills on the western slope of the Alleghenies with mill stones of his manufacture, some of which are still to be seen, if not in actual use. He was also a minis- ter of the gospel, preaching as opportunity pre- sented itself, and assisted in holding the General Conference of the United Brethren church at or near Mt. Pleasant in 1815. Samuel Davidson was born January 30, 1807, and was married to Hannah, daughter of Jacob and Anna Christ- man, of near Mt. Pleasant, in the year 1827. To them were born six children : Mary, married to George Miller, and died in 1874; Elizabeth, wife of James M. Milligan, of Sewickley town- ship (see his sketch); Jacob C., of Greensburg ; John L., Sarah J., wife of B. F. Phillips, of Scarights, Fayette county, Pa .; and Henry, who died at the age of five years. Samuel was a farmer by occupation during the greater part of his life. He was industrious, frugal and hon- est, strongly attached to the principles of morality and religion, a member of the United Brethren

BIOGRAPHIES OF

church and a leading citizen in the community. Ile died July 18, 1883.

John L. Davidson grew up on the farm, ac- customed to industry and the toil of farm life, just prior to the general use of modern machi- nery, when labor was more fatiguing than now. He received his educational training in the com- mon schools and normal schools, and later in Mt. Pleasant college. Before the close of his school days he engaged in teaching, continuing in that profession until after his marriage, when he en- gaged in mercantile pursuits, and was postmaster at Madison from 1862 until 1869. Removing to Ludwick in 1871, he taught in the borough schools, and again embarked in the hardware and grocery business in Greensburg for a number of years. After retiring from that occupation he resumed his chosen profession, and is thus en- gaged now in the schools of Ludwick.

On July 4, 1880, he was married at Pittsburg by the Rev. William M. Paxton to Mary Jane Evans, daughter of the late William Evans, of Hempfield township. Four children were born to them, only one of whom, Maggie M., is living. The family are all members of the United Breth- ren church at Greensburg. In politics he has always been a republican, has served as justice of the peace, and is always interested in any enterprise calculated to morally benefit the com- munity in which he lives.

P. DEEMER, A. M., an experienced and able educator, and soldier of the late war, was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pa., August 23, 1837. Ile is a son of Andrew and Sarah (Gressinger) Deemer. The Deemers are among the oldest settlers of the county and are of German de- scent. John Deemer (grandfather) was born in Hempfield township. He was a tall, powerful man, yet he was very quiet and unassuming. One of his sons, Andrew Deemer, was born June 9, 1800. Ile was a cabinet-maker and was very

successful as a business man. He was a democrat of the strongest kind, while in religious affairs he was a plain and modest member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. On October 17, 1822, he married Sarah Gressinger, daughter of Andrew Gressinger. To this union were born nine children, of whom five are living: Maria Hunter, of Greensburg; Susan, wife of Henry A. Wal- ter, of Latrobe; Flora Harrison, of Greensburg; Hannah, wife of James Grace, of Greensburg, and Prof. A. P. Mrs. Deemer was born in 1806. Prof. A. P. Deemer was educated in the common schools, Sewickley academy, and Capitol university at Columbus, Ohio. He entered the latter institution as a member of the senior class, and graduated July 2, 1862. On August 13, 1862, he enlisted in the fifteenth Pa. cavalry, was a member of the Anderson troop, detailed as Gen. Buell's body guard, fought in the battles of Stone river, Nashville and Mumfordsville, and was discharged in 1863 on account of a disease of the eyes contracted in the army. At seventeen years of age he began teaching to enable him to finish his education. After the war he was principal of Mt. Pleasant schools for four years; of Latrobe schools three years ; Ligonier schools four years, and is now principal of the Ludwick schools, besides having taught eight normal schools and several terms in the common schools.

On October 16, 1866, he was united in mar- riage to Mary L., daughter of Samuel Hays, of Lycippus. They have four children : Cora, born September 17, 1867, now teaching her third term of school; Dana, February 8, 1871, attending Iron City college; G. M. Hays, December 11, 1876, and Arthur P., September 29, 1881. Mrs. Deemer is descended from an old settled family and is a member of the Lutheran church.

Prof. A. P. Deemer is a member of the I. O. of O. F., the Masonic fraternity, G. A. R., and the Evangelical Lutheran church. He is a fine scholar, a thorough teacher, and one whose name has been mentioned frequently in connec-

WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

tion with the county superintendency of West- moreland county.

ILLIAM DESMOND, a citizen of the "Old Dominion " and an expert plumber of Greensburg, is a son of Morris and Honora (Hurley) Desmond, and was born at Alexandria, Virginia, November 8, 1859. Morris Desmond was born in county Cork, Ire- land. IIe crossed the Atlantic and settled in Virginia, where he soon engaged in the paving business. Being a fine paver his services were soon secured by the United States government contractors, and he has been in government em- ploy ever since. He is a democrat and a mem- ber of the Catholic church. He owns property of considerable value at Alexandria, Va., where he now resides. He married Honora Hurley, by whom he has had four enildren, of whom two are William and Kate S. Mr. Desmond has been successful in various business enterprises in which he has been interested at different times.

William Desmond was reared at Alexandria, where he attended private schools and St. John's academy. Leaving school, he learned the trade of plumber with Joseph Higgins, and worked for some time at the plumbing business in his native town, where he averaged two thousand dollars worth of work per year. He came to Greensburg and entered the employ of the firm of Stark Bro's, general contractors and builders.

On January 3, 1887, Mr. Desmond united in marriage with Amanda R. Smith, of near Greensburg.

In polities he is a democrat, and has always yielded his party a hearty and faithful support. He is a skilled and experienced workman, and has been successful in his particular line of business, and at Greensburg and throughout Westmoreland county his social and business standing remain unimpeachable.

GEORGE DETAR, one of Greensburg's successful young business men and a de- scendant of one of the early settled fami- lies of Westmoreland county, was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, P'n., October 9, 1857, and is the eldest son of Simon and Maria (Uncapher) Detar. As the name in- dicates, George Detar is the descendant of an old French family. His paternal grandfather was born in France, and left his native land when the star of Napoleon Bonaparte was in the ascendant. He came to near Greenburg, where he died soon after his arrival. IIe had six children : Joseph, settled in Venango county, Pa .; Philip went to Indiana county, Pa. ; Simon, and three whose names are not given. Simon Detar was born on the Detar homestead, near Greensburg, in 1804, and was an octogenarian in years when he passed off the stage of life in 1884. Ile was a farmer by oc- cupation and a member of the German Re- formed church and held all its local offices. Ile was successful in all of his undertakings and enterprises. Ile was a democrat of the old school, served as treasurer of Westmoreland county, and later was elected county commis- sioner. In 1864 he removed to Greensburg, where he served as justice of the peace for fif- teen years. Ile married Maria Uncapher, daughter of Andrew and Susanna (Ludwick) Uncapher. Mrs. Uncapher is living near Punxatawney, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Detar were the parents of five children, of whom three are living : George, Anna S., and Jacob, who is a civil engineer.

George Detar was reared on a farm until he was six years of age, when he was taken by his parents to the county seat. He was educated in Greensburg public schools and academy, and took a full course in Duff's Commercial and Business college in Pittsburg, Pa. Having spe- cially fitted himself by his commercial course for a business life, he became a member of the firm of C. H. Fogg & Co. They are engaged

BIOGRAPHIES OF

in the lumber business and operate a planing mill and lumber yards at Greensburg. They are extensive and successful dealers in rough and dressed lumber, and furnish all kinds of planing-mill work. In politics Mr. Detar holds to the democratic faith of his forefathers. He is a pleasant and affable gentleman, and is al- ways interested in whatever tends to promote the business interests of his town and county.

D. K. DICK was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pa., January 2, 1859, and is the eldest son of John and Priscilla (Allshouse) Dick. John Dick was born September 10, 1832, in Switzerland, and emigrated to the United States in 1848, settling at Greensburg, where he carried on the mer- chant tailoring business for many years. Not long after the late war he removed to Ligonier, this county, where he died February 2, 1885. He was a democrat and quite active in party work, especially in local politics, and held the offices of mercantile appraiser and county au- ditor for two terms. Ile was a member of the Reformed church at Greensburg, active in his support thereof, a man of decided convictions, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was identified with the I. O. O. F., and was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. He married Priscilla Allshouse, who is yet living, and by whom he had eleven chil- dren, nine of whom are living.

Ed. K. Dick, after receiving an education in the public schools of Greensburg and Ligonier, began his business life as a jeweler at Greens- burg, and continued in that line for five years. In November, 1888, he sold his jewelry store and embarked in the dry goods line in the ele- gant store room on the corner of Main and Sec- ond streets, Greensburg, where he is now located and doing a flourishing business.

Ile was married February 16, 1882, to Car- rie, a daughter of Jacob Mensch, of Greensburg,

and to their union have been born two children : Mary, born April 14, 1884, and Paul, April 20, 1886.

Ile is a member of Greensburg council, No. 44, R. A., belongs to the M E. church and believes firmly in the principles of democracy. Though young in years he is a prosperous and popular business man, and deserves the success already achieved as well as a life-long continu- ation of good fortune.

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Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Part 9

Author: Gresham, John M. cn; Wiley, Samuel T. cn Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia [Dunlap & Clarke] Number of Pages: 1422

Author: Gresham, John M. cn; Wiley, Samuel T. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia [Dunlap & Clarke]
Number of Pages: 1422