Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 130

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 130

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In politics Mr. McBride is a Republican and for many years he has taken an active part in party councils and public matters in his section. In 1903 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace and was subsequently re-elected and will serve until 1913. He is one of the representative men of this part of Butler County and is held in general esteem.

RICHARD ERNEST ELRICK, a well known druggist and prominent business man of Harrisville, has been a lifelong resi- dent of this village and was born December

22, 1873, and is a son of Dr. J. H. and Mary Jane (Black) Elrick.

Dr. J. H. Elrick was born and reared on his father's farm in Indiana County, Penn- sylvania, and after leaving school taught for some years. He then entered Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and after graduating, located at Harrisville, where he embarked in the practice of his profes- sion. For a period of fifty years, Dr. El- rick continued his practice in Harrisville, commanding an extensive and lucrative patronage, and is now at the age of eighty years living in retirement in the enjoyment of a well earned rest after years of unceas- ing activity. He married Mary Jane Black, whose parents came to this country from Ireland, and settled in Harrisville, where the father conducted the first general store established in that locality. Dr. and Mrs. Elrick reared a family of four children: Elizabeth, wife of J. A. Walker; John, cashier of the First National Bank of Harrisville; Robert, who is practicing med- icine at Petrolia, and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania; and Richard Ernest, the subject of this sketch.

Richard E. Elrick was reared in his na- tive town and obtained his primary educa- tion in the common schools, supplementing this with a course of study in pharmacy at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. After graduating in July, 1893, he returned to Harrisville and worked in the drug store owned by his brother John, until 1898, when he purchased the business, in which he has continued with much success since that time.

On April 20, 1908, Mr. Elrick was united in marriage with Carrie Crawford Bing- ham and has one child, Margaret. By a former marriage he had two children, Mary and Richard. Mr. Elrick is one of the leading young business men of Harris- ville; he is a man of public spirit and en- terprise and is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens. In politics he is a Demo- crat. .

RESIDENCE OF S. L. BRAHAM, HARRISVILLE

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SAMUEL WALKER GLENN, general contractor, doing a large and satisfactory business at Butler, is a representative citi- zen, owner of property and supporter of public-spirited enterprises here. He was born December 27, 1847, at West Sunbury, Butler County, Pennsylvania.

William Glenn, father of Samuel W., was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, and was yet a young man when he came to Butler County and settled down to farming, which was his occupation through life.

Samuel W. Glenn remained on the home farm until he was eighteen years of age and in the meanwhile had secured a good education in the schools of West Sunbury. He then went to Michigan, where he fol- lowed farming for eleven years and after returning to Butler County he went into general contracting, which has been his business ever since.

In 1867 Mr. Glenn was married to Miss Emma McCandless, who belongs to one of the old county families. They have eight children, namely : Eva, who is the wife of J. T. McCandless, of Center Township; William M., of Kingman County, Kansas; Nannette, who is the wife of Samuel Thompson, residing in Mexico; Earle C., who follows contracting at Butler; Lina, who is the wife of J. H. Shaffer, of Butler County ; and Harriet, Roy and Esther, all residing at home. Mr. Glenn and family are members of the Second Presbyterian Church at Butler.

SAMUEL LUTHER BRAHAM, who is engaged in general farming and dairying on a tract of 215 acres in Mercer Town- ship, Butler County, Pennsylvania, was born May 26, 1851, on the old farm near Forrestville, Butler County, and is a son of William P. and Rebecca (Snyder) Braham.

Samuel Braham, grandfather of our subject, was but two years old when he

came to this country with his parents from Ireland. His parents located on a farm near New Castle, where he was reared and became a farmer by occupation. He married Mary Patton and in 1834 moved to Butler County and settled on a farm near Forrestville, where he remained until late in life, when he removed to Slippery Rock, where he died at an advanced age. He was the father of sixteen children, of whom William Patton, the father of Sam- uel L., was among the oldest.

William P. Braham was born on his father's farm, near New Castle, January 6, 1824, and was about ten years old when his parents moved to Butler County. He was reared near Forrestville and became a farmer by occupation. He bought and sold stock on an extensive scale, and be- came possessed of large landed interests, having at one time about 1,000 acres of land. He was elected to the Legislature in 1880 and served during the sessions of 1881-2. He was married to Rebecca Sny- der, who was reared near Slippery Rock and died December, 1904, aged seventy- nine years. William Braham passed out of this life August 27, 1907, aged eighty- five years. They became the parents of eleven children, but seven of whom grew to maturity: Mary, wife of W. H. Orr; Deborah married John Orr; Samuel Luther, our subject; Sarah, married Dr. D. J. Washabaugh; Isabella, wife of Dr. A. M. Davis; Rebecca, who married W. E. Brown; and Ida May, who is the wife of J. R. Black.

Samuel Luther Braham, the subject of this sketch, has spent his entire life on a farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Like most other boys reared on a farm, he spent his time in assisting with the work and attended the schools of that locality. He remained on the home farm until after his marriage in 1872, when he located on his present farm, which is part of the homestead place. Here he follows general

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farming and dairying, having about fifty head of cattle. Mr. Braham has recently completed a fine, large, nine-room, brick residence and has one of the best improved farms in the township.

On March 12, 1872, Mr. Braham was joined in marriage with Louisa Cochran, a daughter of Charles Cochran, a well known resident of Butler County. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bra- ham, namely: Grace R., who teaches in Knoxville, Tennessee; Ruth teaches in the Butler County schools; William married Minnie King and has four children, Fran- cis, Ruth, Edna, and Eleanor (he resides on the home farm, which he farms in part- nership with his father) ; Charles C., mar- ried Minnie Cochran and has one child, Luther C .; Olive F., attending Westmin- ster College; and Louisa, who died, aged five years. The religious connection of the family is with the United Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Braham is politically a Prohibitionist.

ROBERT WALKER STEWART, whose excellent farm in Penn Township, on which is a fine gas well, contains ninety- four acres of valuable land, was engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1904, when he retired from active work. He was born in Brady Township, Butler County, Penna., May 9, 1841, and is a son of Robert and Lydia Elizabeth (McNees) Stewart.

Robert Stewart, father of Robert Walk- er, was born in New Jersey, a son of John Stewart, who was also a native of that State. During his younger years he taught twenty terms of school, in Butler County, to which he came in boyhood, with his par- ents. Later, Robert Stewart engaged in farming on Muddy Creek, and in 1849 he bought the farm on which his son, Robert Walker, now resides. It contained 107 acres and was a wild tract of land at that time, covered with forests, and deer were

plentiful. He was a man of strong and sterling character and, being better edu- cated than many of his neighbors, was often offered local offices, and consented to serve as school director and township audi- tor, but when made a justice of the peace he declined the honor. He was a strong Whig in his political views. Both he and wife were active in the early religious movements in the township and he was one of the founders of the Middlesex Presbyte- rian Church, becoming a ruling elder in the same. He married a daughter of Taylor John McNees, of Worth Township, and they had a family of eleven children born to them, nine of whom survived infancy, namely : James, who lives at Manchester, Delaware County, Iowa; Amanda, now de- ceased, who was the wife of the late John Fisher; John and Isaac C., who are both deceased; Joseph, who was a member of Company H, One Hundred Second Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War, died in the army; Robert Walker; George W., now deceased; Lydia Elizabeth, residing at Evans City, who is the wife of Alfred Dunbar; and Mary Rebecca, now deceased.

Robert Walker Stewart has always re- sided on the home farm, with the excep- tion of three years following his marriage. He obtained his education in the early schools and this was supplemented by ex- cellent home training. His main interests have always been identified with agri- cultural pursuits and during his many years of activity he brought his land to a high state of cultivation and production.

Mr. Stewart married Annie A. Rasely, a daughter of Matthias and Priscilla Rasely, of Connoquenessing Township, and they had ten children, all but two of whom reached maturity, namely: Sylvia Lau- retta, who married R. K. McGowan, of Connoquenessing Township; James H., who is a resident of West Virginia; Laura May, who married David Walker; Albert

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F., deceased; Lydia Eva, who is the wife of David Stevenson, of Connoquenessing Township; Nettie P., who married Thomas Watson, of the same township; Frank E., who resides at Seattle, Washington; and Cecil A., who is a stenographer for the Grove City College. Mr. Stewart and fam- ily belong to the Middlesex Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Stewart has always been a loyal citi- zen and during the Civil War he served . one year in the Union army, enlisting in September, 1864, in Company B, Sixth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. He is a member of Reed Post, G. A. R., at Butler. In politics he is a Republican. He has served as township collector and for eight years was overseer of the poor, before the County Home was established. He stands as one of Penn Township's leading and representative citizens.

DR. WILLARD BURTON CAMP- BELL, vice-president of the First National Bank of Harrisville, has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in this village since the fall of 1897, and is one of the influential citizens of this local- ity. He was born August 25, 1869, on a farm in Forest County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Perry and Abigail (Glenn) Campbell.

Perry Campbell, father of our subject, was born in 1845 in Fairview Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Robert Campbell, who settled in Butler County at a very early period. Perry Campbell was one of a family of five chil- dren: Lorina; Samantha; Shepherd, who served in the war; Perry, father of our subject; and Milton, who died in the army. Perry was reared on a farm by his uncle, with whom he remained until 1861, when he enlisted in the army. He served until the close of the war, participating in many battles and skirmishes and enduring many hardships, being imprisoned for some time in the well known Andersonville and Flor-

ence prisons. After the close of the war he married Abigail Glenn and located on a farm near North Washington, where he was engaged for many years in general farming. During President Mckinley's administration he was appointed postmas- ter of West Sunbury and still serves in that capacity, having proved himself a worthy and efficient officer. He is the father of three children: Willard Burton, our subject; Melvin, who is engaged in the real estate business at Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania; and Claude, who is proprietor of a hardware store at West Sunbury.

Willard Burton Campbell was reared in Butler County, his parents having re- moved here and located on a farm in Cherry Township, when he was a mere babe. His primary schooling was obtained in the common school, this being supple- mented with a course at West Sunbury Academy, from which institution he grad- uated in 1893, after which he taught in Cherry Township, Brownsdale and Fair- view for about five years. During that period he began reading medicine with Dr. H. D. Hockenberry at West Sunbury. In 1894 he entered the Baltimore Medical Col- lege, from which he graduated three years later, after which he embarked in the prac- tice of his profession in the borough of Harrisville, where he enjoys a large and lucrative practice and has won the confi- dence and esteem of his many friends and patrons. In connection with his profession Dr. Campbell is vice president of the First National Bank of Harrisville, having held that office since the organization of that institution in 1897.

In 1899 Dr. Campbell was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock with Jennie Stewart, a daughter of Levi and Charlotte Stewart of West Sunbury, and to them have been born the following children: Charlotte, Malcolm and Paul. Politically, Dr. Camp- bell is a Republican. He has served as a delegate to the State Convention and is at present president of the Harrisville Bor-

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ough Council. He is fraternally a Mason, No. 603 Grove City, and also the Butler County Medical Society. Dr. and Mrs. Campbell hold membership with the Pres- byterian Church of Harrisville.

CASPER SHERMAN, proprietor of the Sherman Baking Company at Butler, with business quarters on Center Avenue, is one of the leading business men of this city, in which he has resided since the summer of 1876. He was born near Frankfort, Ger- many, in 1843.

When fourteen years of age Mr. Sher- man came to America and for a time he attended school, quickly learning the Eng- lish language. When the Civil War broke out he was one of the first to offer his serv- ices, in April, 1861, escaping from home in order to enter the Union army. His first enlistment, which covered three months, was in Company K, Fifth Regiment, Penna. Volunteer Infantry, and during this period he was located at Washington City and Alexandria, Virginia. In the meanwhile his people had moved to Butler and he joined them there, but three months afterward he re-enlisted for three years or during the war, entering Company I, Sev- enth Regiment, Penna. Volunteer Cavalry. At the close of his three years of brave and loyal service, he was veteranized and con- tinued in the army until the end of all hos- tilities. He saw much hard service and had two horses shot from under him, but received only a flesh wound. He was one of that immortal army that marched to the sea under General Sherman.

After the close of the war, Mr. Sherman went to work in an iron foundry in Alle- gheny City, where he continued until 1876 and then came to Butler, where he later opened up a bakery and confectionery busi- ness. This he has developed into a very large enterprise, dealing both wholesale and retail, and shipping to many points. He is at the head of the company, the other members of which are his three sons, all

capable business men, possessing many of the sturdy, solid qualities of their success- ful father.

On March 18, 1869, Mr. Sherman was married to Miss Elizabeth Knapp, of Pitts- burg, and they have six sons and two daughters, as follows : Harry K., who mar- ried Maud Adsit; Amelia W., who is the wife of N. C. Mccullough, a prominent at- torney of Butler; Joseph D., who married Ora Kennedy, of Butler; William N., who married Lola Stamm; John C., who mar- ried Catherine Dutter; Francis Edward, who is a member of the Phoenix Engraving Company, at Pittsburg; Elizabeth C., who is the wife of Raymond E. Reed, a druggist at Butler; and Walter S., who resides at home. Harry, Joseph and John C. are all associated with their father. Mr. Sherman and wife are members of the First English Lutheran Church and at one time he was a member of its official board. He belongs to the Union Veteran League. Probably there is no man in Butler who is held in higher regard as to business honesty and personal integrity than Mr. Sherman.

MRS. JOSEPHINE CAMPBELL, oil producer and capable business woman of Penn Township, is descended on both pa- ternal and maternal sides from early pio- neers of Butler County, the Bartleys, the McGees, the Adams' and the Haggertys being names borne by many of this sec- tion's most useful and prominent people.

John Bartley, father of Mrs. Campbell, was born near Bedford Springs, .Penna., and was a son of Robert and Margaret (Adams) Bartley. Grandfather Bartley served with Commodore Perry on Lake Erie, in 1812, and before the war settled in the southeastern part of Penn Town- ship, Butler County. He conducted a dis- tillery, which, in those days, was an en- tirely reputable business, and he became a man of large means. John Bartley was five years old when his parents settled in Penn Township, where he attended the

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early schools and then went to Philadel- known as the Shiloh Wells, in Penn Town- ship. They have seven producing wells at this point and eight on the Samuel Kelly farm in Butler Township. phia, where he learned the blacksmith's trade and worked at that business for seven years before returning to Butler. He was married in Penn Township to Hen- Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have had two children: William, who is deceased; and Sophia Belle, who resides at home. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Odd Fellows. rietta McGee, and it was one of the most important social functions that had taken place in this section for many years. The guests numbered more than 400 people, coming from adjoining counties to partici- GEORGE SEARING, one of the repre- sentative young farmers of Mercer Town- ship, residing on a farm of 146 acres, was born November 9, 1881, on his father's farm in Worth Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. He is a son of M. Cowden Searing, who was born in Worth Township, Butler County, where his father, Benjamin pate in the festivities, the young people be- ing very popular. After their marriage, John Bartley and wife moved to Arm- strong County, where he followed his trade. They had eleven children, of whom ten grew to maturity, namely: Hugh; William, deceased; Robert, who died in the Civil War; Mary and Eliza, both deceased; . Searing, settled at a very early period. John, residing in Colorado; Josephine; Margaret, deceased; Mrs. Isabella Jones, residing in Pittsburg; and Letitia, wife of Fred Allen, residing at Los Angeles, Cali- fornia. The . family was reared in the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1875 Josephine Bartley was married to William J. Campbell, at Freeport, Arm- strong County. Mr. Campbell was born at Buffalo, New York, January 18, 1851, and is a son of William and Sophia (Bell) Campbell. His parents came to America from Scotland, where his mother was born in May, 1815. She survived until March, 1907. The father of Mr. Campbell was a bookkeeper and was employed in business houses in Buffalo. William J. Campbell was one of a family of eight children, the fifth in order of birth, and was the first one born in the United States. He learned the carpenter's trade and in 1869 he came into the oil country and followed tank setting. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Campbell lived for three years at Buffalo and then came to Bradford, Pennsylvania, where they resided for six years. In 1890, Mrs. Campbell and her husband started into business as oil producers and located first at Golden City, near Saxonburg, and in 1898 they purchased what are locally

M. Cowden Searing followed farming in Worth Township, the greater part of his life, and dealt extensively in stock, at which he made considerable money. Later in life he sold his farms in Worth Town- ship and moved to Slippery Rock, where he lived in retirement until his death, in August, 1905, when fifty-five years of age. He is still survived by his widow. The parents of our subject reared a family of eight children, namely: Estella, wife of George McWilliams; William; Maude, died at an early age; George, subject of this sketch; Carrie; Ethel, married Fred Fields ; Clyde, and Verne.

George Searing lived on his father's farm in Worth Township until in early manhood, when his parents removed to Slippery Rock. Here he conducted a meat market for his father for a period of four years, and in 1905 purchased his present farm of 146 acres in Mercer Township. Since then he has followed general farming and dairying, keeping about thirty head of cattle. Mr. Searing is one of the most pro- gressive agriculturists of Mercer Town- ship and is a citizen who gives his support in a large measure to those movements which tend toward the advancement of this community.

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In June, 1904, Mr. Searing married Nel- lie Cochran, a daughter of James Cochran, and they have two children, James Paul and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Searing are members of the United Presbyterian Church. He is politically a Republican.

C. C. JOHNSTON, whose valuable farm of 149 acres, the old family homestead, is situated in Center Township, is one of the best known men of Butler County, and his farm, on which he breeds registered Guern- sey cattle and Percheron horses, has a . State reputation. He was born in May, 1858, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Jesse and Sarah J. (Allen) Johnston.

Mr. Johnston was six years old when his . parents came to Butler County and the father died shortly afterward. The mother survived until August, 1904, and after her demise, C. C. Johnston purchased the old home. Of the ten children, the following survive: C. C .; James R., who lives in Ohio; T. C., who is engaged in farming in Center Township; John H., who resides at West Sunbury; Martha J., who is the wife of N. C. Stevenson, of Center Township; Rosanna, who is the wife of A. H. Camp- bell and lives in Franklin Township.

C. C. Johnston was reared in Center Township and obtained his education at the Ridge and Brewster Schools. For eighteen years Mr. Johnston engaged in farming in Franklin Township and then re- turned to the homestead, on which he has resided ever since. For eighteen years he has been a salesman for the McCormick agricultural machines and is now traveling for the International Harvester Company. He is deeply interested in home enter- prises and is one of the stockholders in the Butler County Fair Association.

On October 27, 1881, Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Electa Bright, of Franklin Township, Butler County, and they have seven children, namely: Bert B., who is engaged in the practice of dentistry in Pittsburg; Myrtle, who is the wife of J. F.

Truman, of Butler; Ila Maud, who is the wife of Arnold Wacsmuth, of Butler; and Auda Floss, Harry R., Albert Charles and Frank H., all at home. Mr. Johnston and family belong to the Mt. Chestnut United Presbyterian Church and he is a member of the official board.

ROBERT KRAUSE, member of the well known firm Krause and Freehling, of Marwood, Pennsylvania, has been a resi- dent of Butler County since 1853. He was born September 8, 1842, and is a son of Louis and Frederica Krause, natives of Germany, with whom he came to this coun- try in 1853, having resided here continu- ously since that time.

In 1867, at the age of twenty-five years, he was united in marriage with Maria Camphire, a daughter of Jacob Camphire, and to them were born seven children: Anna, wife of William T. Freehling, men- tion of whom appears elsewhere in this work; William, Louis, Minnie, Richard, Elsie, and Flora, the last mentioned being now deceased.

Mr. Krause is one of the enterprising business men of Winfield Township and for the past twelve years has been a mem- ber of the firm Krause & Freehling, gen- eral merchants and lumber dealers, who also carry a general line of goods used by farmers in the oil regions, including ce- ment, paints, brick, plaster, lime, wagons, furniture, etc. Mr. Krause and family are members of the Lutheran Church. He was also in business from 1867 to 1896 in gen- eral merchandise as partner of Heidrick Krause & Bro. and R. & A. Krause.

ENOS BARKEY, one of Evans City's progressive business men, is engaged in the coal and feed business and enjoys the liberal patronage of the citizens of the com- munity. He was born in Evans City, Feb- ruary 15, 1863, and is a son of John and Deborah (Davidhizer) Barkey.

John Barkey came to Butler County

: . :

ROBERT KRAUSE

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from east of the mountains of Pennsyl- vania, and located on a farm one-half mile north of the towns of Evansburg. He en- gaged in farming until the close of the Civil War, then became a merchant in Evans City, continuing until his death in 1869, when in the prime of life, being at that time but forty-nine years of age. He married Deborah Davidhizer, whose death occurred in June, 1908, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. They were parents of eleven children: Isaac, who died at the age of fourteen; Maria, who died at twenty- two years; Henry, who died in 1883; Eliza- beth, widow of Richard Allen; Anna, who died in infancy; John, a dealer in hay at Evans City ; Susan, wife of Fred Royhizer ; Sarah, wife of William Stewart; Matilda, who died in infancy; Enos, subject of this record; and Lewis Alvin, who died in in- fancy.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 130

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