Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 126

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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Thomas Edward Kerr was afforded ex- cellent educational advantages, completing his education with two years at the Slip- pery Rock Normal School. He gained his mercantile experience as a clerk in the employ of the firm of Bard & Son, general merchants, where he continued for four years. In May, 1895, he came to Mars and purchased his present commodious gro- cery store from A. C. and E. Zeigler. He is a wide-awake business man and has a high commercial rating.

On June 19, 1906, Mr. Kerr was married to Miss Olive Campbell, who is a daugh- ter of J. C. Campbell, of Adams Town- ship. In politics he is identified with the

MR. AND MRS. THOMAS V. SMITH

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Democratic party. He belongs to the or- an excellent farm of sixty-seven acres in der of Modern Woodmen. He was reared in the United Presbyterian Church. this part of Butler County. He was born January 18, 1859, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Robert H. and Eleanor J. (Van Tine) Smith, the former of whom was born in Forest County and the latter in West- moreland County, Pennsylvania.

EUGENE SCHAEFER, the capable manager of the Butler brewing plant of the Independent Brewing Company of Pittsburg, was born in 1866, in Germany, and was about twelve years of age when he came to America.

Mr. Schaefer's education was completed in the public schools of Allegheny and at Duff's Business College at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1882. His uncle being engaged in the brewing business, offered the nephew a place in his plant and Mr. Schaefer re- mained there until 1889. From there he went to the Bauerstein Brewing Company and continued with that concern for nine years, after which he conducted a hotel at Millvale for eight years. After disposing of his hotel interests, Mr. Schaefer was out of business for about one year, taking a much-needed rest, and during this time he enjoyed a trip through the Great Lakes. In March, 1907, he came to Butler, first as bookkeeper for the Butler Brewery, of which he was later made manager. He is a thoroughly experienced man in this in- dustry and has proved a very capable executive. He owns stock in the Inde- pendent Brewing Company of Pittsburg.

In 1889 Mr. Schaefer was married to Miss Caroline Dohr, of Millvale, and they have three children, Elsie, Eugene and Ed- ward. Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer are mem- bers of the German Catholic Church. He belongs to the order of the Knights of St. George, the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association and to the Heptasophs.

THOMAS V. SMITH, a prominent citi- zen of Allegheny Township, who has been identified with the oil industry more or less continuously ever since 1872 and is a contractor and driller of gas and oil wells and for some years also a producer, owns

Mr. Smith's childhood was spent in three States-Pennsylvania, Illinois and Iowa-and he was fourteen years old when he accompanied his parents to Butler County and with them settled in Allegheny Township, which has practically been his home ever since. He attended school here but soon entered into work in the oil fields and in one capacity or another has been connected with gas and oil interests ever since. He is a member of the firm of Royal Brothers, oil producers, of Butler, and also of the firm of Steffy & Smith, oil and gas well drillers and contractors.

On December 25, 1879, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary L. Grant, who is a daughter of Robert and Nancy Grant, the latter of whom still survives and resides in Allegheny Township. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had seven children, the sur- vivors being: Ardell V., Harry A., Rob- ert G., Marion D. and Paul R. Ardell V. married Georgia Henderson and they have one daughter, Lola L. Harry A. married Maud Gaugaware and. they have one son, Kirsey O. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the Allegheny Presbyterian Church, and he is a trustee of the same. He has been a strong advocate of temper- ance for many years and votes with the Prohibition party. Personally he is known as a man of sterling character.

ROSS MECKLING BOWSER, oil pro- ducer and member of the firm of R. M. Bowser & Son, general merchants at Ren- frew, was born in Valley Township, Arm- strong County, Penna., December 8, 1847, and is a son of Matthias P. and Sarah Ann (Baum) Bowser.

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Matthias P. Bowser, who is one of Arm- strong County's most venerable citizens, resides on his farm in Boggs Township, on Pine Creek, within five miles of Kittan- ning. He was born near Worthington, in Armstrong County, in 1819, and is a son of Peter Bowser, who died in Boggs Town- ship when in his ninety-ninth year. In his early manhood, Matthias P. Bowser oper- ated a ferry at Kittanning for Ross Meck- lin, and then accompanied his parents to Valley Township, Armstrong County, and later engaged in farming and teaming near Pine Creek furnace. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted under Captain Ell- wood, in Company C, Seventy-eighth Regi- ment, Penna. Volunteer Infantry, and served through three years without injury except a short period of imprisonment. After the close of his military service he bought the farm on which he has lived ever since. In spite of his advanced age he is in good health and possesses all his facul- ties and has lost but one of his natural senses, for the past three years having been blind. As a leading Democrat of his township, he was frequently, during his active years, elected to local offices. His aged wife also survives and they both are valued members of the United Presbyte- rian Church. He married a daughter of John Baum. She was born in Westmore- land County, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1825, and was seventeen years of age when she accompanied her parents to their new home in Valley Township, about ten miles northeast of Kittanning. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bowser were ten in number, the following being the survivors: Wilson L., residing near Parker's Landing; Ross M .; Harvey P., residing on the old home- stead; Hettie, wife of Henry Troutman, of Worthington; Sarah, residing at Kit- tanning; Madison, living in New Castle; Templeton, residing at Alliance, Ohio; J. Neal, living in Indiana; Rebecca, wife of Nish Schreconghost; and George B. Mc.

Ross M. Bowser, like many another suc-

cessful man, has mainly made his own way in the world. He is self educated and early learned to depend upon his own re- sources. Through early manhood he en- gaged in teaming and farming but in the spring of 1870 he went to Parker's Land- ing and after several years of teaming in that section, in the meanwhile quietly pros- pecting, he bought an old oil well and thus entered into a business which has resulted most profitably. Later, he acquired other oil property, went to Edinburg and drilled wells there, then went back to Parker's Landing in 1880, and had the usual suc- cess and failure of oil operators. In 1884 he came to Renfrew and entered into part- nership with his brother-in-law, P. P. Kiser, and in the following year became sole owner of the lumber business. This was the first lumber firm at this point and Mr. Bowser still continues to deal in lum- ber, doing a large amount of shipping. In 1890 he started a general store, in associa- tion with his son, H. M. Bowser, under the firm name of R. M. Bowser & Son, the scope of which covers dealing in oil well supplies, lumber, agricultural implements and building materials, in addition to gen- eral merchandise. The firm is operating oil wells in both Penn and Forward Town- ships. Mr. Bowser is interested in four wells that are twenty-eight years old and are still pumping, producing, all together, six barrels of oil per day. He has an in- terest in eleven wells in all, one of which he bought seventeen years ago, from Young Brothers. It then produced two and three-fourths barrels, but he increased the production and for the past sixteen years has filled a 150-barrel tank monthly from this one well. In his business rela- tions Mr. Bowser has sustained his reputa- tion for honesty of purpose and fair deal- ing.

On August 14, 1871, Mr. Bowser was married (first) to Amanda Ross, daughter of Benjamin Anthony, of Valley Town- ship. Of the children born to this marriage

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five grew to maturity, namely : Harry M., who is interested with his father in their various enterprises; Jessie, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Purvis; Frank, who lives at home; Flodia Z., who married Wesley Kline, of Mars; and Forest, who resides at home. Mr. Bowser was married (second) to Christina Zimmerman, a daughter of Jeremiah Zimmerman, of Pine Township, now Boggs Township, Arm- strong County, Penna. Mr. Bowser and family attend the Presbyterian Church. In his political sympathies he is a Demo- crat, but he takes no active interest in campaign work.

DETMORE W. DOUTHETT, whose magnificent farm of 225 acres lies in Adams Township, has spent the whole of his use- ful and busy life in Butler County, Penna., where he was born October 15, 1849. His parents were Benjamin and Rosanna (Rea) Douthett.

The Douthetts are of Irish stock and the grandfather, Benjamin Douthett, came to America from Ireland. Here his son Benjamin was born, one of a family of seven boys and two girls. The second Benjamin Douthett acquired a large amount of land in Butler County and be- came a very successful farmer. In his younger years he had the reputation of not only covering a wheat field with his cradle faster than any of his companions, but also outstripped them when the next part of the work was undertaken, on one occasion raking and tying 110 dozen of sheathes of wheat in one day, a remark- able accomplishment. In 1880 he pur- chased the farm now owned by Detmore W., from Armstrong Irving, and owned other land at the time of his death, which took place after he had retired to Mars, when he was aged seventy years. His widow survived him some years. They had the following children: Anna, de- ceased, who was the wife of James Orr; Detmore Wallace; John A., deceased;

Mary, who is the widow of Levi Park; Amanda, who is the widow of Frank Fer- guson; and Margaret, who is the wife of B. Owens.

Detmore W. Douthett was reared on the old home farm in Adams Township and assisted in finishing its clearing and later, after his father purchased the present farm, cleared it also. His education was not neglected and after he left the district schools he attended an academy conducted by Rev. Barnes. Later Mr. Douthett bought the farm on which he lives and here carries on general farming and stockrais- ing. He has made all the excellent im- provements on this property in the way of erecting substantial buildings, and is also developing oil on his land. He is one of the prosperous farmers and representative citizens of Adams Township.

On November 6, 1879, Mr. Douthett was married to Miss Sarah Jane Stoup, who is a daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (Crawford) Stoup. They have one child, Millie L.

The Stoup family is of German extrac- tion and the grandfather of Mrs. Douthett, David Stoup, came to Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, from the East, and taught school for a number of years, being a scholarly man. James M. Stoup was born at Pitts- burg and led an agricultural life, owning a farm in Allegheny County, which is the property of his widow, a highly esteemed lady, now in her seventy-eighth year, re- siding at Mars. In that town James M. Stoup died in 1896, aged seventy-three years. He married Elizabeth Crawford and they had three children: Sarah J .; Margaret A., wife of Albert Park; and Robert, who died in infancy.

DAVID L. KIRKPATRICK, formerly engaged in the coal and teaming business at Renfrew, now living retired after a life of most honorable activity, was born in Armstrong County, Penna., January 10,

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

1837, and is a son of John and Nancy ( Larimer) Kirkpatrick.

James Kirkpatrick, the grandfather, came to Armstrong County, from Franklin County, about 1790, and settled on Cherry Run, some ten miles from the old Indian town of Kittanning. It was a courageous undertaking, for Indians still abounded and as the sequel proved, were yet danger- ous. With the help of his nearest neigh- bors, although they lived many miles dis- tant, he cleared a spot in the forest and there built a log house for himself and bride. On the morning of April 28, 1791, while a visitor was at the place, an In- dian wounded him severely, while others surrounded the cabin indicating savage in- tentions. The annals of Armstrong County relate the events of this probably last mur- derous assault made in this section by In- dians, and tell of how the babe of the fam- ily was injured in its mother's arms and how she, brave pioneer woman that she was, hastily molded bullets for her hus- band's musket, with which he watched through a loophole to ward off the assail- ants. He killed two of the savages and saw one escape into the forest and the party was seen no more. The visitor, a militiaman, was, however, fatally wound- ed. Grandfather Kirkpatrick lived for many years, served as a soldier in the War of 1812 and his remains peacefully lie in the old cemetery of the Glade Run Presby- terian Church near Dayton.

John Kirkpatrick, father of David L., was born in Armstrong County and died in 1856, when aged seventy-five years. By trade he was a carpenter and he worked also as a miller and farmer. His mill was located near Sewickleyburg. He sold his property there and moved to Allegheny City, where he lived for some years before retiring, and there he died. In politics he was a Whig; in religion he was a Pres- byterian. His eight children have all passed out of life, with the exception of David L., who was the youngest. The

others were: James; Mary, wife of David A. Renfrew; Andrew Robert; Elizabeth, wife of John Holland; Harriet, wife of Andrew Bangs; and William.

David L. Kirkpatrick was about ten years old when his parents moved to Alle- gheny and he was sixteen years of age when he accompanied his brother James to Center Township, Butler County., where he remained engaged in farming until after his marriage, when he located at what is now the pleasant village of Renfrew, but was then only a piece of the wilderness. There he engaged in farming for his brother-in-law, David A. Renfrew, for two years, and then settled on his father-in- law's farm, where he lived until 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War. He entered Company E, One Hundred Sixty-ninth Regiment, Penna. Volunteer Infantry, and remained in service for nine months, until July, 1863, doing garrison duty at Yorktown. He was then ordered to join the Army of the Potomac and four days after reaching Gettysburg was given an honorable discharge. For a number of years after his return to Center Township he continued to farm there, but in 1886 he came to Renfrew, just after the excitement in this section owing to the discovery of oil. He established a coal yard and a teaming business, which his sons still carry on. As a coal merchant he was known from one section of the township to the other, so ex- tensive was his business, his shipments for a time being three and four car loads a day. He retired from business carrying with him the cordial friendship and re- spect of those with whom he had had com- mercial relations covering more than a decade.

On October 16, 1858, Mr. Kirkpatrick was married to Martha J. Ramsey, who was born January 16, 1838. She is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Max- well) Ramsey, of Center Township, where her grandfather was one of the earliest settlers. Of the family born to Mr. and

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Mrs. Kirkpatrick, the following grew to maturity: William M. and Robert, resi- dents of Butler; John L., residing at Ren- frew; Leslie B., residing at Butler; Mary, wife of Lawrence McCandless, living at Butler; Gertrude, wife of William Mc- Laughlin, residing at Butler; and Everett M. and David L., residents of Renfrew. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick are members of the Second Presbyterian Church at Butler. He belongs to the Butler Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he is identified with the Republican party.

JAMES E. WISE, who is general man- ager of the Etna Manufacturing Company, one of Butler's important enterprises, which is engaged in the manufacture of gas and gasoline engines and oil and water pumps, is a practical machinist and the inventor of certain valuable devices in his line of work. He was born in 1870, in Arm- strong County, Pennsylvania, and has spent his life mainly in Butler and Arm- strong Counties.

When Mr. Wise left school he entered the Ball Engine Works at Butler and served his machinist apprenticeship there and then was connected for one year with the Garvin Machine Company, in New York City, where he completed his train- ing. During the two following years he was employed by the firm of Larkin & Palm, at Butler, and from there went to Pittsburg, and for some years was with the Westinghouse people. When he re- turned to Butler he bought an interest in the Etna Manufacturing Company and since 1903 he has been manager of the same and during these five years he has tripled the capacity of the plant. Mr. Wise has studied his trade on every side and has not been contented with being an expert workman and capable executive, but has been constantly experimenting and inventing new machines and methods. He was the first man to conceive the idea ' which he has embodied in several patented devices, notably his reversible belt driver

and his pumping and pulling jack. These machines are made in all sizes and are in very general use.

In 1895 Mr. Wise was married to. Miss Ella B. Thompson, of Butler County, and they have two children, Brooks and Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Wise are members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Butler. His fraternal connections are with the - Knights of Malta, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World.

GEORGE H. KNAELL, a leading busi- ness man of Mars, where he is conducting a grocery store with every evidence of success, has been a resident of Butler County since 1896. He was born on his father's farm in Illinois, December 16, 1872, and is a son of George and Rosa (Lauffer) Knaell.

The grandparents of Mr. Knaell came from Germany to Illinois and the father died when George Knaell was only six months old. He grew to manhood there and then purchased land of his own and married Rose Lauffer, who was a native of Pennsylvania. In 1878, when there was so much excitement in regard to the value of oil lands in Pennsylvania and especially in Clarion County, the parents of George H. Knaell sold their farm in Illinois and moved to Knox, Clarion County, Pennsyl- vania. The father engaged in drilling for a time in the oil fields but subsequently returned to farming and both he and wife still survive. Their children were: George H., Jacob, Lewis, John and Ida. Three children died young.

George Henry Knaell was six years old when the family came to Pennsylvania and he grew up on his father's farm in Clarion County and obtained his education in the public schools. When nineteen years old he went into the oil fields and followed tool dressing and drilling until 1902, when, with his brother Jacob, he engaged in a butchering business at Mars, which they continued for eighteen months and then

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sold out. Later, George H. Knaell bought his present well stocked store from John P. Miller and has done a fine business ever since. He has taken an active interest in the affairs of the borough and since 1906 has been president of the Board of Health. Ife has invested in property here and owns his business house on Pittsburg Street and a comfortable residence which stands on Spring Avenue.

In June, 1896, Mr. Knaell was married to Miss Anna Theiker, a daughter of the late Henry Theiker, of Adams Township, and they have two children: Kenneth and Eugene. Mr. and Mrs. Knaell are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he is a trustee. In politics he is a Democrat. Fraternally, he has member- ship with the order of Modern Woodmen.

ALBERT C. TROUTMAN, district at- torny of the district including Butler, is a leading member of the bar of this city and the junior member of the law firm of Jack- son & Troutman. He was born in 1875, at Butler, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Adam Troutman, one of the most promi- nent citizens of this section.

Mr. Troutman was reared in his native city and was graduated from her public schools in 1894. After this he entered Washington-Jefferson College, where he pursued his studies until 1898, when he was graduated with the degree of B. S. He then made a special study of the law, entering the law department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1901. In the same year he was admitted to practice, in Allegheny County, opened an office at Pittsburg, and continued in the work of his profession there until April, 1903, when he came to Butler. Here he entered into a law part- nership with John H. Jackson, under the firm name of Jackson & Troutman. Mr. Troutman's abilities have been recognized and appreciation shown by his election to

the office of district attorney, in November, 1907.

In 1905 Mr. Troutman was married to Miss Lillian Miller, who is a daughter of G. Wilson Miller, of Butler, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Troutman are members of the Lutheran Church.

JACOB DAMBAUGH, a leading citizen of Zelienople, who has large realty inter- ests both in this city and in Butler County, was born in Jackson Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1848. He is a son of Adam and Christina (Goehr- ing) Dambaugh.

The parents of Mr. Dambaugh were born in Germany, the father coming to America in early manhood, and the mother when seven years old. Adam Dambaugh resided for some years in Jackson Township, But- ler County, from which he removed to Connoquenessing Township, where he owned a farm. He died in 1870, aged sixty-two years. His wife was a daughter of John Goehring, who had brought his family to Butler County in her childhood. To this marriage were born four sons and three daughters.

Jacob Dambaugh was five years old when his parents moved into Connoquenes- sing Township and he continued to make his home there until 1890, when he moved to Harmony and two years later to Zelie- nople, in the same year erecting his pres- ent comfortable residence and four other houses on New Castle Street and four on Spring Street. He still retains his valu- able farm of 160 acres, situated in Con- noquenessing Township, on which he fol- lowed farming and stock raising prior to moving to Harmony. He has also been more or less engaged in the oil business for some years. In all his enterprises he has shown the good judgment that marks the successful business man.

Mr. Dambaugh was married (first) to Miss Margaret Staff and they had six chil-

RESIDENCE OF JACOB DAMBAUGH, ZELIENOPLE

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dren, namely: Adam Edward, residing at Zelienople, is a widower and has four children, Ellen, Gertrude, Florence and Clarence; Peter Ezra, residing at Zelie- nople, married Miss Jeanetta Eicholtz and they have three children, Loring, Grace and Thora; George Washington, residing at Ellwood City, married Miss Virginia Butler and they have two chil- dren, Marguerite and John; Laura Louisa married A. G. Eicholtz and they live at Zelienople and have one child, Margaret; Dora Matilda married Howard Zeigler and they live on New Castle Street, Zelienople, and have one child, Clayton Leroy; and Elizabeth Ellen, who still goes to school. Mr. Dambaugh was married (second) to Miss Sarah C. Haller, who was born in Jackson Township, Butler County, and is a daughter of Charles and Mary (Muntz) Haller. Mr. Haller was a well known miller.

Mr. and Mrs. Dambaugh are members of St. Peter's Reformed Church at Zelie- nople. In politics he is a Republican. He takes an active interest in public affairs, has served six years as a member of the www council at Zelienople and for many years he was a member of the School Board of Connoquenessing Township. For the past two years Mr. Dambaugh has been president of the German Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Zelienople. He is one of the town's best and most public- spirited citizens.

ROBERT M. ANDERSON, a leading citizen of Penn Township, residing on his well cultivated farm of fifty acres, on which there are three producing oil wells, was born near Prospect, in Franklin Township, Butler County, Penna., April 2, 1843, and is a son of James D. and Mary (Martin) Anderson.

The paternal grandfather, John Ander- son, was born in Belfast, Ireland, and be- fore coming to America, was engaged in

business as a weaver of hosiery, but after he settled in Franklin Township, Butler County, he followed agricultural pursuits exclusively until the close of his life. He died in 1866, when aged eighty-nine years.

James D. Anderson, father of Robert M., was born near Belfast, Ireland, in 1816, and was sixteen years old when he accom- panied his parents to America. They set- . tled in Butler County in 1833 among the pioneers of Franklin Township. James D. Anderson engaged in a mercantile busi- ness at Prospect for some years, but his main business through life was farming. He was a man of high standing in his community and frequently was elected to offices of responsibility, serving in a num- ber of local positions, and from 1876 to 1878 was registrar and recorder of Butler County. He and wife were prominent members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was a ruling elder. He married Mary Martin, who was a daughter of Rob- ert Martin. The latter came to Butler County from Ireland and for many years was a prominent farmer in Connoquenes- sing Township. He recruited a company for the War of 1812 and served as its captain. To James D. Anderson and wife were born eight children, the eldest of the family being Robert M. and the others fol- lowing: John F., residing at Butler; Elzie H., residing at Pittsburg; Mary, widow of W. V. Seaman, residing in Penn Township; Elizabeth J., deceased, for- merly wife of William Martin; Emma, deceased; William C., residing in Penn Township; and Margaret Florence, wife of Charles Graham, residing in Penn Township.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 126

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