Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 119

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

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trial city, James Sheridan learned the blacksmith trade. In 1868 he left the rail- road shops in which he had been working, and entered the oil fields, and in 1868, opened a shop of his own, at Franklin, Venango County, and ever since then, at different times, has operated a shop at that point. In 1894, in association with his two sons, John J. and William A., he founded the present Sheridan shops at Mars, and together they conducted the business until March, 1901, when William A. and James Sheridan sold their interests to C. L. Norton and Joseph Colestock, at which time the name of the organization was changed from James Sheridan & Sons, to The John J. Sheridan Company. The capacity of the plant was then doubled and the company now occupies a space 210x175 feet, and have excellent trans- portation facilities, on account of abutting on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Em- ployment is given to ten men and the busi- ness is in an exceedingly flourishing condi- tion.

John J. Sheridan, the able general man- ager of the large business above described, is a practical machinist and blacksmith. From early boyhood until he was eighteen years of age, when he became an appren- tice under his father, he had attended school through the winters and assisted in the shops during the summers, and thus had become acquainted with the details of the business before actually starting to learn it. He remained in the shop at Franklin until he came to Mars. He is one of the substantial citizens of this place and is a stockholder in the Mars National Bank.

THOMAS J. GRAHAM, general farmer in Penn Township and one of the repre- sentative citizens of this section, was born March 16, 1847, at what is now Glenshaw, Allegheny County, Penna., and is a son of Robert and Sarah Ann (Wigfield) Graham.

The Graham family was established in Butler County by the grandfather, Robert

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Graham, who came from east of the moun- tains and settled on the present site of the city of Butler, in 1797, and the distinction belongs to him of having been one of the first settlers. He was much more, for he was a man of energy, enterprise and judg- ment and in association with the Cunning- ham family, also early settlers, he assisted in the founding of churches, schools and enterprises of various kinds that gave an impetus to industries which have made Butler and Butler County what it is today.

Robert Graham, father of Thomas J., was born in the little pioneer settlement of Butler, in 1807, a son of Robert and Sarah (Brown) Graham, and died in August, 1873. After learning the trades of brick- maker and bricklayer and working at the same, he became a building contractor and also acquired farming lands. His father had been a prominent Whig and in his early years he also supported that party but later became identified with the Re- publicans and to the close of his life took an interest in the success of that organiza- tion. He married a daughter of Matthew Wigfield, who had settled as a pioneer in what is now Clinton Township. Of the nine children born to this marriage, the following six grew to mature years: Eliza, now deceased, who married Theodore Huselton; James H., who is a resident of Allegheny; Wilson W., deceased; Mary, deceased, who married Arthur Hays; Ma- tilda, who married William Kennedy; and Thomas J. The parents of this family reared their children by Christian precept and example. They were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being one of the founder families of the Thorn Creek Church. The father survived the mother, her death taking place May 17, 1861, when she was aged fifty-six years.

Thomas J. Graham attended the country schools and from boyhood has been accus- tomed to all the details which make up a successful farmer. On his Penn Township farm he raises bountiful crops of corn,

oats, wheat, hay and potatoes, keeps twelve head of cattle and manufactures a high grade of butter.

Mr. Graham married a daughter of Ross Porter, a farmer of West Deer Township, Allegheny County. Mary A. Porter was reared and educated there, but her mar- ried life was spent in Butler County. She died in 1903, aged fifty-five years. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gra- ham five survive, namely : Cora, who is the wife of Thomas L. Huselton, of Penn Township, has three children, Mary, Mar- tha and Victor; Alma and Robert W., both residing at home; Eliza, who is the wife of William Montag, of Jefferson Center; and Porter, who married Ella Lavery, has a son, John Porter, and resides in Jeffer- son Township. Mr. Graham is a member of the United Presbyterian Church and has served as a trustee of the Shiloh church.

In politics Mr. Graham has been a very active Republican. He was elected town- ship collector in 1882 and is serving in his third term and has also filled the offices of school director, auditor and treasurer. For five years prior to 1900, he was a justice of the peace. He has sustained the repu- tation of the Graham family for public use- fulness and good citizenship.

HON. ELMER E. BELL, the popular mayor of Butler and one of the most ener- getic and public-spirited of her citizens, was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1862, and is a son of Amzi and Eliza (Stewart) Bell.

Mayor Bell spent his boyhood and early youth assisting his father in farming the lands he rented at different points. There were six children to rear and educate and the parents were able to give them no bet- ter advantages than those afforded by the country schools. In 1896 Elmer E. Bell was appointed county detective by District Attorney Christley, and he continued in that office until 1899. He then entered the employ of the glass company at Butler and

GEORGE MILLIRON

MRS. BIRD C. MILLIRON

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had charge of the power plant until 1902. He was then connected with the Davis Lead Company in the capacity of engineer for two years, after which he returned to the glass company and remained in that con- nection until 1906, when he was elected to the honorable office he so efficiently fills. He was the candidate on the Republican ticket and was elected by a majority of 303 votes over his opponent, John W. Vogel.

Mayor Bell married Miss Lizzie Byles, who is a daughter of Dr. Cornelius A. Byles, who is a prominent physician of Fredonia, Mercer County, Penza. The Mayor's residence is at No. 609 Brown avenue, Butler. Both he and wife are mem- bers of the Second Presbyterian Church. He was reared in this faith by parents who were noted for their zeal and piety. His fraternal connections unite him with the Woodmen and the Maccabees.

WILLIAM OESTERLING, general farmer and oil well contractor and driller, resides on his farm of fifty-four acres, which is situated at Carbon Center, Sum- mit Township. He was born at Brady's Bend, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1867, and is a son of Leonard and Margaret (Floor) Oesterling.

William Oesterling was three years old when his father settled on the farm at Car- bon Center, where he still resides, and here the child grew to youth and manhood. When he was twenty-one years old he be- gan work in the oil fields as a driller and as such was employed in Armstrong, But- ler and Allegheny Counties. For about ten years he was in partnership with his brother, in oil contracting, and he still con- tinues his interest in the oil business. In 1894 he purchased his present farm from his father and moved on the place in the fall of 1895. In 1898 he erected the large frame residence, selling the one he had built in 1895, to the B. R. & P. Railroad. There is still another house standing on the farm, which Mr. Oesterling rents out.

He is a man of first-class business qualifica- tions and stands high personally in his neighborhood.

Mr. Oesterling married Emma L. Forcht, ·who is a daughter of Henry and a niece of George Forcht, well known residents of Butler County. Mr. and Mrs. Oesterling have three children, Florence, Ethel and Bertha. They belong to St. Mark's Lu- theran Church at Butler.

GEORGE MILLIRON, superintendent of the works of the A. G. Morris & Son Lime and Stone Company, at West Win- field, Butler County, Penna., was born at Brady's Bend, Armstrong County, this state, August 31, 1869, and is a son of W. H. Milliron. He received a good common school education, and began industrial life as a laborer in the quarries, since which time he has worked his way up to the re- sponsible position he now holds. For the past eighteen years he has been engaged in the mining and manufacture of lime. While he was obtaining a practical knowl- edge of mining limestone and preparing it for the market, he also made a study of geology, mining engineering, and the com- mercial end of the business, and he is now one of the best informed men in this field of industry. He has held his present posi- tion with A. G. Morris & Son since 1900, the business being the largest of its kind operated in western Pennsylvania.

Mr. Milliron was married June 11, 1900, to Miss Bird, daughter of W. J. Campbell, of Winfield Township. Mrs. Milliron is a granddaughter of William Wise, who was a prominent furnace man in the days when the charcoal iron furnaces were in operation in western Pennsylvania. He superintended the Buffalo furnace in Arm- strong County and assisted in the opera- tion of the West Winfield and Pine Creek furnaces. Mrs. Wise lighted the first fire in the old Buffalo furnace.

Mr. and Mrs. Milliron reside in a com- fortable cottage at West Winfield, and are

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

among the leaders in the social affairs of the town. They attend the Presbyterian Mission at West Winfield and take an active interest in all church and benevo- lent affairs. Mr. Milliron is a member of the Maccabees and is a Democrat in poli- tics.

CHARLES W. ALLEN, a general farmer residing on his valuable estate of seventy acres, which is situated in Franklin Township, was born in Franklin Township, Butler County, Penna., in what is now the village of Prospect, March 9, 1864, and is a son of Samuel and Kate M. (Witty) Allen.

The father of Mr. Allen was born in 1841, at Whitestown, Penna., and died in February, 1907. His leading occupation was farming, although for two years he conducted a hotel at Prospect and resided for several years at West Liberty. He subsequently settled on the farm in Frank- lin Township which his son Charles W. now owns, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Odd Fellow organization at Prospect. He married a daughter of John Witty and they had the following children : Charles, Mary, Robert, George, Harry and Margaret, the last men- tioned of whom is the wife of David Sny- der of Brady Township. Of the above fam- ily Mary and Robert are deceased. The parents were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which the father was active, serving as a trustee and for a long period as superintendent of the Sun- day-school.

Charles W. Allen was reared and at- tended school in Franklin Township and, with the exception of about sixteen years, during which period he was employed as a pumper and tool dresser in the oil fields, he has confined his attention to farming. His land is productive and his main crops are potatoes, hay and corn, thirty-five acres being devoted to the latter grain. He is well known all through this section,

has friends on every hand and is a valued member of the order of Maccabees at Pros- pect.

CASPER FEHL, a well known resident of Forward Township, Butler County, Penna., is the owner of a fine farm of 105 acres, located in that and Connoquenessing Township. He was born in Pittsburg, March 23, 1854, and has lived in Butler County since 1858.

George Fehl, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Germany and there grew to manhood. Sometime after the death of his wife, he, accompanied by his two children, Michael (now deceased) and Elizabeth, mother of Casper Fehl, came to the United States and located in Pittsburg, where he worked in a plate glass works for some years. They all later moved to Butler County, making the trip afoot, while their goods were hauled in the wagon. They settled on a farm in Forward Township, which the mother of the subject of this sketch now owns. She is now past seventy-five years of age and makes her home with her son.

Casper Fehl was about four years of age when his people came to Forward Town- ship, and the farm on which they located was unimproved and uncleared. They erected a log cabin and a barn, and set about getting the land into a cultivatable state, and in this work, as he grew older, Casper assisted. Oil was later struck on the place, and became the source of con- siderable income. In 1874, he began work- ing at the trade of a mason, and continued at it for a period of seventeen years, with a high degree of success. He made a pur- chase of twenty-five acres of land in Con- noquenessing Township, to which he added from time to time, and on which he erected a fine set of buildings. Unfortunately the barn was destroyed by fire in 1898, and all its contents lost. In 1899 he erected a large and substantial modern barn which now stands on the place. He is engaged in gen-

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eral farming and raises some stock. He interest for it has become one of the large has fifty-five acres in Forward Township, where he lives, his home being on the north side of the Butler and Harmony road. He has four producing wells on the place, and for a time worked a coal bank at Wahlville, in partnership with Mr. George Hicks. He has always been energetic and industrious, and the success achieved has been by hard knocks and honest dealings with his fellow men.

September 4, 1880, Mr. Fehl was united in marriage with Miss Catherine L. Miller, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Young) Miller, and they are parents of the following children: Frank, Cora, Vina, Joseph, Iva, Linda and Clarence. Reli- giously, the family belong to the Reformed Church. In politics, he is a stanch Demo- crat, and has served as township tax col- lector, school director, and in other capaci- ties.

JOHN STEIN, one of Butler's substan- tial citizens and reliable business men, is proprietor of an extensive baking plant, in his building on the corner of Main and Wayne streets, Butler. He was born in 1847, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and re- mained in his native land until he was nine- teen years old.

When John Stein reached the United States he selected the city of Pittsburg for his home and there he went to work in a bakery store, learned the business and con- tinued to live in Pittsburg for two years. In 1874 he came to Butler, where he found work at his trade, but in February, 1875, he returned to Pittsburg and continued work as a baker there until 1876. Then Mr. Stein returned to Butler, with the intention of embarking in a bakery business of his own. Like many another successful busi- ness man, he was compelled to begin in a small way, his first bakery being estab- lished in a rented log house. There are many who recall the first Stein bakery and have watched its gradual development with

city enterprises. Through his industry and good management, coupled with the excel- lent quality of his goods, Mr. Stein pros- pered and in 1887 he was able to build a two-story brick building on the corner of Wayne and Main Streets, with dimensions of 61x65 feet. His business continued to expand and to meet the growing demands Mr. Stein has added a third story to his building and has also invested in other val- uable property.

In 1874 Mr. Stein was married to Miss Eliza Rudolph, who was born in Germany and came to America when twenty years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Stein have eight chil- dren, namely: Louise, who married Theo- dore Schenck, a prominent citizen of But- ler, and Paulina, Caroline, Marie, Emma, Waldo Harry, Elma and Hilda. Mr. Stein and family belong to St. Mark's Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM BACHMAN, residing on his finely improved farm of sixty acres, which is situated in Jefferson Township, on the south and east of the Saxonburg and Cabot road, about one mile north of the former village, was born on his father's homestead, September 24, 1865, and is a son of August and Mary (Smith) Bachman.

August Bachman was born in Germany and came to Butler County many years ago and followed farming in Jefferson Town- ship. His father also came to America but died shortly afterward. August Bachman married Mary Smith and they had the fol- lowing family of children born to them, all of whom survive except the eldest: Han- nah, Henry, Joshua, William, Charles, John, Emma, Lewis, August and Joseph.

William Bachman attended school in Jefferson Township and his first work done away from home, was in a brick-yard. He then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he continued to work until 1907, when he purchased his present farm, which he culti- vates and also raises stock for his own use.

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Ile has done a large amount of building in the county and the improvements on his own place were made by himself. His hand- some residence and substantial barn, both of which have slate roofs, scarcely have equals in this section. He is also interested in oil production and has visited the oil fields all over Butler County and at present has fourteen producing wells. He is a man of business enterprise and his investments have proved good ones as he made them judiciously.

In January, 1891, Mr. Bachman was mar- ried to Miss Emma Rudert, a daughter of William and Hannah (Lensner) Rudert, of Jefferson Township, and they have the fol- lowing children: Aaron, Nora, Wilbert, Nelma, Mary and Raymond, Nora and Raymond being deceased. The eldest son, now a bright youth of sixteen years, is be- ginning to learn the carpenter's trade with his father. The family belong to the Lu- theran Church at Saxonburg.

WILLIAM T. HOON, a prominent citi- zen and prosperous farmer, resides on his excellent farm of 110 acres, situated in Oakland Township, this being a part of the original tract on which his grandfather, Henry Hoon, settled in 1818. He was born on this farm on March 1, 1859, and is a son of Anthony and Mary Ann (Beatty) Hoon.

Henry Hoon came to Butler County from Harrisburg, Penna., bringing his family and many of his household possessions. His grandchildren still preserve his rifle and the old copper kettle, which, in those days, was the thrifty housewife's most val- ued possession. Grandfather Hoon built a log house on his wild farm in Oakland Township and the remainder of his life was mainly given to the clearing and improving of his land, the larger part of which is still owned by his descendants.

Anthony Hoon, father of William T., was born in Dauphin County, Penna., August 27, 1817, and was one year old when his parents brought him to Oakland Township,

on which his subsequent life was spent. He married Mary Ann Beatty, who was born in Ireland and in girlhood was brought to Oakland Township by her father, Hugh Beatty. Born in 1824, she died October 7, 1897, aged seventy-three years. Her hus- band survived her until February 27, 1900, his age being eighty-two years and six months. Of Anthony Hoon's twelve chil- dren, the following survive: Robert B., Henry A., Hugh B., A. I., William T., Clark W. and Mary E. Robert B., Hugh B. and A. I., all reside at Mercer, Pennsyl- vania. Henry A., residing at Avelon, Penn- sylvania, and Robert B., are children of his first marriage, with Martha Black.

William T. Hoon was reared on his pres- ent farm and has always devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. On June 20, 1888, he married Laura M. Hutchison, who was a daughter of William J. Hutchison. Mrs. Hoon died August 17, 1906. They had four children; Vangie L., who died aged twenty- one months; and George A., Loyal R. and Carl H. Since the death of Mrs. Hoon, Mr. Hoon's sister, Miss Mary E. Hoon, a most estimable lady, has looked after his house- hold. In the year following his marriage, Mr. Hoon erected his large frame house, having built his substantial barn in 1884. Mr. Hoon is a member of the United Pres- byterian Church at Butler. In politics he is a Republican and he has frequently been elected to township offices, in which he has served most acceptably.

HENRY JOHN IFFT, owner and pro- prietor of the large general store conducted under the title of George Ifft & Sons, is one of the best known citizens and business men of Evans City, Penna. He was born in the country near that village May 1, 1849, and is a son of John George and Sophia (Reeb) Ifft, and grandson of John George, Sr., and Anna Barbara (Pfeifer) Ifft, the two last named dying in Hessen, Darmstadt, Ger- many, their native land.

John George Ifft, father of the subject of

R. R. LLOYD

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this sketch, was born in Vollmarz, Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany, and was sixteen years old when he accompanied his two older brothers, Michael and Peter, to America and located in Butler County, Penna. He took to agricultural pursuits and prospered, and in 1850 he purchased the Daniel Boggs farm at Evans City, on which he passed the remainder of his days. He became interested with his sons in the general store in 1868 which bore his name, but did not participate actively in its man- agement. He was joined in marriage with Sophia Reeb, who was born in Alsace, France, and was fourteen years of age when she accompanied her father, Nich- olas Reeb, to the United States. Her father became a resident of Butler County, and lived there until his death in 1870, at the age of eighty-seven years. Mr. Reeb served twelve years as cavalryman under Louis Napoleon. This union resulted in the birth of eight children, as follows: George, who died in April, 1908; Cath- erine, widow of Peter Pfeifer; William H., who died in December, 1894; Sarah, wife of George G. Lutz; Henry John, whose name heads this sketch; J. Nicholas, who lives on the old home place and is a breed- er of blooded stock; Lewis J. of Washing- ton, D. C .; and a daughter who died in in- fancy. Mr. Ifft died in April, 1891, at the age of seventy-four years, and his widow in December, 1893, at the age of seventy- three years.

Henry J. Ifft was about one year old when his parents moved to the old home place, where his boyhood days were spent. He attended the old township school about four months in the year, to which he walked, it being two miles from his home. At the age of seventeen, in May, 1866, he left home for Pittsburg, where for thir- teen months he worked in the grocery of James Montooth & Son, on Smithfield Street. He then spent nine months in a store in Allegheny, after which, in March, 1868, he returned to Evans City and estab-

lished a general store with his father and brothers under the name and style of George Ifft & Sons. In 1874, the store of J. M. White was purchased and the two stores consolidated, and two years later a large and commodious store building was erected on the corner of Pittsburg and Washington Streets, which the firm has since occupied. In 1886, a ware house was erected along the railroad and is provided with a private siding. John George Ifft withdrew from the business in 1880, John N. in 1883, Lewis J. in 1890, and William in 1893, the subject of this sketch becom- ing at that time sole owner. He carries a large and complete line of dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hardware and farm implements, and flour and feed, com- manding a liberal patronage at the hands of the people throughout this section of the county.

November 7, 1872, Henry J. Ifft was united in marriage with Miss Agnes A. Lyons, a daughter of John Lyons, who was a veteran of the Civil War. Her brother, Major R. W. Lyons, was formerly mayor of Pittsburg and he also served in the Civil War. Nine children were the re- sult of this union, four of whom died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity were: Carrie Leona, wife of Charles Lynch of Evans City, Pennsylvania, by whom she has three children: George Ifft, James Donald, and Mary; Lyon, Charles W., who assists his father in running the store; Mary Josephine; Frances Beulah; and Emma Kathlyn. Mr. Ifft is a Democrat in politics, has served on the School Board and in the council and is at present a mem- ber of the board of directors of Evans City Cemetery Association. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, but is now a member of the United Presbyterian Church, to which his family also belong.

R. RUSSELL LLOYD, treasurer and manager of The Lloyd Company, Incor- porated, wholesale dealers in confection-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

ery, cigars and tobacco, was born at Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Col. David D. and Mary (Fritzius) Lloyd.

When Mr. Lloyd was eight years old his parents moved to Beaver Falls and there he obtained his education. When he left school he went into factory work and has filled almost every position in factories, learning the business from the ground up. He began for himself on a small scale, at Apollo, as wholesale confectioner, and re- mained there until his enterprise had practically outgrown the village and then went to Butler, where with his father he embarked in the wholesale business which is one of the city's most prosperous con- cerns at the present time. In 1904 The Lloyd Company was incorporated, with a capital stock of $20,000. Its officers are Col. David D. Lloyd, president ; R. Russell Lloyd, treasurer and manager; and W. E. Lloyd, secretary. The company keeps four men on the road, and the territory cov- ered includes six counties in Western Pennsylvania. The success of this busi- ness is due to the excellent qualities of the goods handled and to the honorable busi- ness methods and careful, intelligent and conservative administration of its affairs. Mr. Lloyd is a member of the fraternal orders of the Elks and Eagles and he belongs also to the Country Club. He was reared in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a member.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 119

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