Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 102

Author: McKee, James A., 1865- ed. and comp
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1526

USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > Butler > Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th > Part 102

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Michael and Catherine Kramer are pa- rents of the following children: Joseph; Jacob, who married Sarah Opperman and has two daughters, Clara and Kate; Ed- ward, who married Mary Schuler and has two sons, Theodore and Raymond; Fannie, who is attending school and is engaged in dressmaking; William, who lives on the home farm; and Charles, who is in attend- ance at school. Religiously, the family be- longs to St. John's Catholic Church.

JOHN N. MUNTZ, a native of Germany, there married Christina Rapp. They came to the United States, arriving at Baltimore, Maryland, July 4, 1804, proceeded to Co. lumbiana County, Ohio, and finally to Har- mony, Butler County, Penna., where they were among the first to build a home, March, 1805. In 1806 they bought a tract of land in Beaver County, and lived there until Mr. Muntz's death, by accident, on June 4, 1812.

John G. Muntz, youngest child of John George Muntz, lived on the farm in Beaver County until the spring of 1820, when he joined his brother Henry, and they carried on a store at Zelienople, Butler County. In the fall of 1826 he went to Natchez, Mississippi, to fill the position of general manager of a store. He returned to Zeli- enople and in 1835 was appointed post- master at that place, which position he held until 1840, and then embarked in the mer- cantile business in Pittsburg, where he con- tinued until 1854. He then located in But- ler, and opened a general store, on the site of the Boos building, where he carried on business until 1861. In that year he en- tered the coal business, and was extensively engaged in operating until 1871. He was

€

MR. AND MRS. PHILIP S. FENNELL AND FAMILY

789

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

then elected justice of the peace, which of- fice he held at the time of his death, April 12, 1880.

He was an ardent Democrat and an active and prominent worker in the party. Throughout his long residence in Butler he was a prominent member of the Eng- lish Lutheran Church, and also took a deep interest in the prosperity of the public schools, being a member of the School Board for a number of years.

Mr. Muntz married Mary B. Negley, a daughter of John Negley, one of the first settlers of Butler, to whom were born five children, viz .: Mary A., wife of the late W. H. H. Fithian; Annie E., and Emeline, both of whom died in infancy; John N. and Catharine R., widow of Judson G. Crane.

John N. Muntz, only son of John G. and Mary B. Muntz, was born in Allegheny City, Penna., reared and educated in But- ler, and served an apprenticeship at the printer's trade, which he followed for a few years. In 1872 he commenced operat- ing in coal, which has since been his prin- cipal business.

Mr. Muntz was married in 1886 to Mary D., daughter of the late John P. Kramer, of Sewickley, Allegheny County, Penna. They are the parents of three children, viz .: John Philip, Edward Kramer, both deceased; and Richard, who is a student at the University of Pittsburg.

PHILIP S. FENNELL, who has been engaged in the mercantile business throughout his business career, is post- master of the village of Fenelton, which was established by his father and derives its name from that of the Fennell family. The family became established here as early as 1830, having come from east of the mountains of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Fennell was born in Clearfield Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1867, and is a son of Peter

and Lydia (Schawl) Fennell. Peter, who was a farmer by occupation for many years, settled the town of Fenelton and through his influence a postoffice was established at this point, he becoming the first postmaster. He engaged in the mer- cantile business and conducted the store until his death on September 5, 1907.

Philip S. Fennell was reared and edu- cated in Clearfield Township, and in addi- tion to the mercantile business has fol- lowed farming. He has a valuable farm of fifty-three acres, located on the north side of the Butler Road, just at the edge of Fenelton, and has been to some extent engaged in stock raising. He entered his father's store, and after the latter's death carried on the business in partnership with James Coyle, Jr. The partnership continues at the present time, the firm name being P. S. Fennell & Company, and their store is liberally patronized by the people of the community. Mr. Fennell has efficiently discharged the duties as post- master, and is a popular official.

He was married to Miss Sarah E. Rie- ger, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Iceler) Rieger. Her father was a farmer and the family has always taken a leading part in the affairs of the community. Two children have blessed this union, Floyd R. and Edith Joy. Religiously, the subject of this sketch is a member of the Metho- dist church, and is one of the stewards. He also is superintendent of the Sabbath School, which has thrived during his in- cumbency, having at present an enrollment of about 100 members. Fraternally, he was formerly a member of the Royal Arcanum.

EGBERT A. TERWILLIGER, who is one of Allegheny Township's representa- tive citizens, resides on his valuable farm, which contains about 100 acres, on which he carries on general farming and stock- raising. He was born in Clarion County,

790

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

Pennsylvania, March 14, 1857, and is a son of John and Tena (Elder) Terwilliger.

The parents of Mr. Terwilliger were both born in Clarion County, where the grandfathers were early settlers. The pa- ternal grandfather, Egbert Terwilliger, settled in Perry Township, Clarion Coun- ty, and was the founder of the family of this name in that section. The parents of Mr. Terwilliger died in Perry Township, the father in 1895. Three of their children still survive, namely: William L., residing in Clarion County ; Peter H., also residing in that county ; and Egbert A., of Allegheny Township.

Egbert A. Terwilliger obtained his edu- cation in the schools of Perry Township and his agricultural training on the father's farm. In 1883 he moved to Alle- gheny Township, Butler County, settling on the fine property on which he has re- sided ever since. He has identified himself with public interests here and has served both as auditor and as school director.

On January 4, 1881, Mr. Terwilliger was married to Miss Cora J. Horner, who was born in Clarion County and is a daughter of the late Andrew Horner, formerly a prominent farmer in Perry Township. Mr. and Mrs. Terwilliger have had eight children, the five survivors being: George B., residing in Clarion County ; William C., living in Allegheny Township; Roy C., Samuel P. and Florence M., all residing in Allegheny Township. In politics, Mr. Ter- williger is identified with the Democratic party and he takes a somewhat active part in public matters, in so far as good citizen- ship and public spirit demand. Religious- ly, he is connected with the Presbyterian Church.

CHARLES TAGGART, who was a well known and respected resident of Brady Township, where he owned property, en- gaged in farming and for many years fol- lowed the carpenter trade, died January 1, 1883. He was born in Slippery Rock Town-

ship, Butler County, Pennsylvania, in 1855, and was a son of Samuel and Mary (Gil- key) Taggart.

The late Charles Taggart was a mem- ber of the One Hundred Thirty-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infan- try, during the Civil War and his record shows that he was a faithful soldier. His one brother, John Taggart, was also a sol- dier and lost his life in the service. Mr. Taggart was widely known, his business frequently calling him to different parts of the county and his standing both as a busi- ness man and as a citizen was high. He left his family amply provided for, there being a farm of fifty acres, which his widow still owns, and twelve acres which she bought in 1892 and where she resides.

Mr. Taggart was married to Miss Lau- retta Gordon, who is a daughter of James and Catherine (Pryor) Gordon. James Gordon was born near West Sunbury, But- ler County. In his earlier years he engaged in farming but later became proprietor of one of the old landmarks of this section, the Old Stone House, in Brady Township, which he conducted for fourteen years and died there, in 1891. His widow survived until 1898. They had the following chil- dren: Armina, deceased, was the wife of Taylor Thompson; Lauretta, who became the wife of Charles Taggart; Adelaide, who married Elmer McGinness and lives at Spokane, Washington; Sarah, who is the wife of Lucas Covert of Grove City; War- ren, who is a tool dresser in the oil fields ; Salina, who is the wife of John Taggart, of Brady Township; William, deceased; and Viola, who is the wife of Harry Wads- worth, who is the ticket agent at Branch- town, Pennsylvania, for the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Mr. and Mrs. Taggart had two children, Birdie Louisa and Adelaide. Both daugh- ters were given educational advantages and grew into attractive and capable wom- en. The younger daughter carried on a millinery business at Slippery Rock, but

791

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

has recently sold out and resides with her mother. The older daughter not only graduated with credit from the Butler High School but was particularly proficient in penmanship and won the second prize for the same at the Butler County Fair. She also taught music. She married C. J. Loday and they had one daughter, Gladys, who is in her grandmother's care, as her own mother died in February, 1903. This was a heavy affliction to Mrs. Taggart and in her several bereavements she has had the sympathy of the whole community. Since settling on her present farm she has made a number of improvements. It is a pleasant location for a home, being in the country, while the village of Keister is only a mile distant.

DENNIS L. GALLAGHER, an agricul- turist of Clearfield Township, Butler Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, resides on a farm of forty acres about a mile from Coylesville on the Butler Road, and owns another of seventy-five acres on the same road about two miles from the village. He was born in Brookfield, Pennsylvania, in 1842, and is a son of John and Latitia (McLaughlin) Gallagher.

Anthony Gallagher, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came from Fayette County, Pennsylvania, to Armstrong, But- ler County, at an early day and there passed the remainder of his days. His wife's maiden name was McCue. John Gallagher was a prominent farmer of Jef- ferson Township, Butler County, and served as justice of the peace for more than score of years.

Dennis L. Gallagher was reared on the old home farm and received a preliminary education in the district schools. He at- tended school at Brooksfield, and one year in St. Vincent College, in Westmoreland County. He has a comfortable home and well improved farm property. He has leased his property to oil operators, and

has one well now being drilled on the place. He is deeply interested in matters of pub- lic welfare and is a progressive citizen.

Mr. Gallagher was united in marriage with Miss Catharine M. Green, a daughter of John and Mary (Connor) Green, her family being a well known one in this sec- tion of the county. Religiously, they are devout members of the Catholic church.

JAMES H. STEEN, proprietor of the Steen Creamery, a prosperous enterprise of Butler, was born March 8th, 1863, in Connoquenessing Township, Butler Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and is a son of the late William Steen. The father of Mr. Steen was born in Ireland and remained in his own country until he was eighteen years of age, when he emigrated to America and settled in Butler County, Pennsylvania. For many years he engaged in farming and milling, owning property in Connoque- nessing Township.

James H. Steen remained on the home farm until he was twenty years of age, securing his education in the schools of his native township. For several years after leaving home he worked as a clerk in a general store at Petersville, where, later, he engaged in a feed and creamery business. This enterprise he continued there until 1904, when he transferred his interests to Butler and established the Steen Creamery in this city, at No. 417 South Main street. The plant is a large one, the business being both wholesale and retail, the products being butter, ice cream and pasteurized milk. Having an experi- ence of fifteen years in this business, Mr. Steen is thoroughly familiar with all its details. Improved machinery is made use of, modern methods are used and sanitary and wholesome conditions prevail. Mr. Steen married (first) Miss Emma Rader, who died in 1893, leaving one child, Willa May. He was married (second), in 1900, to Miss Lavina Marshall, and they have two children, Irene and William Harold.

792

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

STEPHEN STOOPS, one of the most highly esteemed older citizens of Alle- gheny Township, who resides on his val- uable farm of 127 acres, on which he set- tled in 1863, was born at what is now An- nandale, Butler County, Pennsylvania, December 16, 1823, and is a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Vanderlin) Stoops.

Both the Stoops and the Vanderlin fami- lies were very early settlers in Butler County, Grandfather John Vanderlin lo- cating near what is now Murrinsville, when all that section was covered with tim- ber. Philip Stoops followed farming all his life in Butler County. Four of his children survive, namely: Stephen; Eliz- abeth, who is the wife of Harry Arnold, of California; Philip, who resides in Clay Township, and Nancy, who was the wife of John Thompson (now deceased), of Con- cord Township.

Stephen Stoops grew to manhood in Marion Township, Butler County, and has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits in the main, although he has also been en- gaged in the oil business. Since 1863 he has been identified with the interests of Allegheny Township and here he has done his full duty as a man and citizen. In his political views he is a Republican and on the ticket of that party he has frequently been elected to local office. Mr. Stoops has witnessed many important changes in this section since he settled here, school- houses have been built, churches have in- creased and the public highways have been vastly improved and all of these matters have come under his consideration and have received close and careful attention.

On April 29, 1852, Mr. Stoops was mar- ried to Miss Maria Hilliard, who died July 27, 1891. She was a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Hilliard, who lived in Wash- ington Township, Butler County. She was a most estimable Christian woman, a sincere member of the Mt. Vernon Presby- terian Church. Her death was a heavy burden to her husband and surviving chil-

dren, seven in number, as follows: Eliza- beth, who is the wife of Morrison Hilliard, of Clay Township; Abigail, who is the wife of Luther M. Starr, of Butler; John, who lives in Fairview Township; Sarah, who is the widow of William Morris, of Washing- ton Township; Emeline, who lives in Alle- gheny Township; Nancy, who is the wife of W. S. Jamison, of Greene County, and Henry, who lives in Fairview Township. Harriet and Margaret are deceased. Mr. Stoops is a valued member of the Mt. Ver- non Presbyterian Church, to which he has always contributed according to his means.

GEORGE IFFT, one of Slippery Rock's prominent farmers, residing on one farm of fifty-two acres, situated three miles south of Harrisville, owns a second farm, containing fifty-eight acres, situated in Franklin Township. He was born in Bea- ver County, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1836, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Lamb) Ifft. The Ifft family is an old and prominent one in several parts of the United States. A nephew of George Ifft, Hon. George Nicholas Ifft, whose home is in Idaho, is ably representing the United States as consul to Germany.

In 1845 the parents of Mr. Ifft moved from Beaver County to Franklin Town- ship, Butler County, and there he remained on the home farm until he was sixteen years old. After that he worked for about forty years as a blacksmith, learning the trade in Lancaster Township. In 1858, when he was about twenty-one years of age, he went to California, taking the Isth- mus of Panama route, and remained there for some thirty years, although during this time he made several visits to his old home. He worked as a blacksmith and also as a gold miner and met with consid- erable success. In the fall of 1888 he re- turned to make his permanent home in Butler County and at that time settled on the present farm, where he carries on dairying and general agriculture.

WILLIAM H. LUSK

795

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

During a visit home, on April 16, 1872, Mr. Ifft was married to Miss Elzira Bran- non, who was born in Worth Township, Butler County, but was reared in Frank- lin Township. Her parents were Thomas and Mary Ann (Reed) Brannon. Mr. and Mrs. Ifft's two children were born in Cali- fornia-George Howard and Charles Adams. The latter owns a farm of 136 acres in Mercer Township, Butler County. He married Miss Eva Hogg and they have the following children: George Eugene, Mary Elizabeth, Arthur Edwin, Edna L., and Valma Elzira. Mr. Ifft and family belong to the United Presbyterian Church. He has taken no active part in local poli- tics but, on account of his broadened views and years of unusual experiences, is often consulted on questions of moment in the township and he has thus often served his fellow citizens.

WILLIAM H. LUSK, formerly a lead- ing member of the bar at Butler, was a type of citizen whose removal from the community is a common loss. He was born at Harmony, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Dr. Amos and Agnes S. (Clow) Lusk, and a grandson of Dr. Loring Lusk.

For several generations the Lusks have been more or less prominent in profes- sional life and identified with the same in Butler and adjacent counties. The grand- father of the late William H. Lusk was born in 1799, in Ontario County, New York. While reading medicine with his brother-in-law at Mercer, Pennsylvania, Loring Lusk was married to Mary Smith. In 1823 he entered upon the practice of medicine at Harmony, Butler County, Pennsylvania, later removing to Beaver County. During the construction of the Pittsburg & Erie Canal he was engaged in contracting, but in 1844 he resumed medical practice at Harmony, where he continued until 1854, when he removed to Lewis County, Missouri. In 1861, at the

opening of the Civil War, he accepted the appointment of surgeon of the Twenty- first Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infan- try, and remained in the service for one year. In the meanwhile, his son, Dr. Amos Lusk, had established himself at Zelie- nople, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and to that place Dr. Loring Lusk retired, em- barking in a drug business which he con- tinued to conduct until his demise in 1878.

Dr. Amos Lusk, father of the late Will- iam H. Lusk, was born May 31, 1828, at Harmony, Butler County, Pennsylvania. After a thorough preparation he entered upon the practice of medicine in 1849, and in 1854 he received his diploma from the medical department of the Western Re- serve College at Cleveland. From 1853 until 1857 he served as surgeon at the United States Marine Hospital at Pitts- burg, and then joined his father at Canton, Missouri, where he continued to practice until the opening of the Civil War. He then established himself at Zelienople, in his native county, where he engaged in continuous practice for a period covering thirty years. In addition to his profes- sional responsibility, Dr. Amos Lusk was interested for many years in business. In 1883 he established the firm of Amos Lusk & Son, which was a successful bank- ing firm up to the time of Dr. Lusk's death, following which event the son sold his interest. Dr. Lusk was also justly celebrated as a linguist, having a genius for acquiring command of different tongues than his own. It is said that he studied no less than twenty-five different languages and that he mastered twelve. He married Agnes S. Clow, of Westmore- land County, Pennsylvania, and they had six children, namely: William H., James L., Joseph R., Amos. M., Mary V. and Julian, all of whom became prominent in the communities where the circumstances of their lives placed them. Dr. Amos Lusk died November 17, 1891. His burial

796

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

was conducted according to the Masonic ritual, he having been a charter member of Harmony Lodge, F. & A. M.

The late William H. Lusk possessed many of the leading characteristics of his distinguished father, a love of knowledge, a quick perception, a ready sympathy and a generous spirit. He completed his liter- ary education at a local academy and hav- ing access to his father's extensive library, he passed many hours in the beneficial enjoyment of its treasures. His tastes led him into the study of law rather than med- icine and he prepared for the bar under Attorney W. D. Brandon of Butler and was admitted in the autumn of 1877. His abil- ity was immediately recognized and he enjoyed a substantial patronage up to the time of his death September 5, 1907. Al- though peculiarly well equipped for public life, he took very little interest in politics, · contenting himself with the mere perform- ance of the duties resting upon him as a good citizen. He voted with the Repub- lican party, as had his father.

In 1882, William H. Lusk was united in marriage with Matilda Endres, who sur- vives, residing at her pleasant home No. 234 West Pearl Street. Mrs. Lusk is a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Woos- ter) Endres, who were prominent in Butler and Beaver Counties. Mr. and Mrs. Lusk became the parents of four children, namely : Arthur H., Amy M., James L., . and Elizabeth C. Amy M. is the wife of Frank R. Frost, a civil engineer, a govern- ment employe, located at Chattanooga, Tennessee. They have one daughter, Amy Lucille. Mrs. Lusk is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

GEORGE WORRALL, treasurer of the Leedom & Worrall Company, wholesale grocers, at Butler, is one of the city's act- ive and enterprising business men. He was born in 1869, in Morgan County, Ohio, where he was educated in the public schools.

When twenty years of age, Mr. Worrall went to Marietta, Ohio, and entered the employ of the wholesale grocery house of Penrose & Simpson, and continued there for ten years, learning the business from the ground up. He then organized the Worrall Grocery Company, in that city, which he managed for three years and then sold out to the Eldridge-Higgins Com- pany, and came to Butler. Finding a promising business field here, he organ- ized the Leedom & Worrall Company, which, in 1904, was incorporated with a capital stock of $150,000, the officers of the same being: Nelson Moore, of Rochester, New York, president; D. H. Sutton, vice president; P. W. Leedom, second vice president ; George Worrall, treasurer; and J. H. Leedom, secretary. This is a very large enterprise. The firm has seven men constantly on the road covering all West- ern Pennsylvania.

In 1893 Mr. Worrall was married to Miss Lillian Leedom and they have one child, Ralph. Mr. and Mrs. Worrall are members of the Congregational Church. In fraternal life he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. His interest in poli- tics is in no way personal, but he lends his influence at all times to forward move- ments for the preservation of life and property and for the advancement of edu- cation and morality.

SILAS H. EVANS, a prominent citizen and successful agriculturist, residing on his valuable farm of 130 acres, situated in Allegheny Township, has also been more or less identified with the oil industry for a number of years. He was born in Dela- ware Grove, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1848, and is a son of Edward E. and Mary Eliza (Black) Evans.

Edward E. Evans was a son of Thomas Evans and both were born in a southern State. In youth he accompanied his par- ents to Mercer County, where he lived until 1859. He then came to Butler County and

797

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

settled in Washington Township, where he engaged in woolen manufacturing, operat- ing what is known as the Hopewell mill, turning out the usual grades of woolens and yarns which were in demand in the neighboring towns and villages and in the lumber districts. He continued his indus- try into the eighties, his death taking place in 1898, when he was in his eighty-fourth year. He married for his second wife Isa- bella Black, who is still living, being now in her eighty-eighth year. He was widely known and thoroughly respected all through Washington Township, where he frequently was elected to office and per- formed every duty of a public-spirited cit- izen and good man. In his political sen- timents he was a Republican. For many years he was an elder in the New Salem Presbyterian Church. Four of his children survive, namely: Silas H .; Joseph T., re- siding at Bradford; George E., living in Allegheny Township; and Oscar E., living at Beaver, Pennsylvania. Three of his sons who are deceased-Thomas H., Clar- ence P., and Alfred B .- were soldiers in the Civil War.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 102

Author: McKee, James A., 1865- ed. and comp Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1526

Author: McKee, James A., 1865- ed. and comp
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1526