Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 134

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 134

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).

turing Company. He manufactures the best telephones that are now in use and also chandeliers. His business is a con- stantly growing one and is a standard con- cern in the commercial life of Butler. Mr. Allen is a director and secretary of the Ozark Uplift Oil and Mining Company, a corporation that controls 9,000 acres of land in the Ozark regions of Missouri.

In 1881, Mr. Allen was married to Miss Mollie E. White, a daughter of Thomas B. White and a great-granddaughter of Matthew White, who was one of the first commissioners of Butler County, this fam- ily being one of the old-settled ones of this section. Mr. Allen's maternal grandfather. was a McQuiston and his father came to Butler County as early as 1796. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have five children, namely : Roy M., who resides in New York City; Frank W., who lives at Dubois, Pennsylvania; and Carrie B., Marion E. and Ruth M., at home. Mr. Allen and family are members of the First Baptist Church, in which he has served as a deacon for many years. In his political views he is a Prohibitionist and in former years served as secretary of the Butler County Committee of that party.

ELI OESTERLING, a representative citizen of Butler Township where he re- sides on his valuable farm of seventy-five acres, which he devotes to general agricul- ture and dairying, is a member of one of the oldest families in Butler County. He was born in Summit Township, February 22, 1853, and is a son of John and Mary Weisenstine Oesterling.

John Oesterling, father of Eli, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and died in Butler County in 1870, aged fifty-two years. He was thirteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to America. They were John and Elizabeth (Ripper) Oesterling and they came to Pennsylvania from Germany, in 1831, and settled near Herman Station, in Summit Township,

1098

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

Butler County, where John Oesterling died in his sixty-seventh year. Eight of his fourteen children grew to mature years, his son John being the eldest of the family. Although this son never enjoyed robust health, he engaged in farming through life and also performed many offices of a good citizen. He was a Whig in his earlier years and later a Democrat. In his town- ship he was highly esteemed and his fel- low citizens elected him school director and also tax collector. He gave liberally of his means in support of the German Luth- eran Church, in which he was one of the elders. He married a daughter of John Weisenstine, who was a farmer in Luzerne County. To this marriage were born nine children, namely : Henry, deceased; James, deceased; Katherine, wife of Harvey Bal- douff, of Butler; Frederick, of Summit Township; Eli; Margaret, wife of Jacob Shoup, of Oakland Township; Charles, of Millerstown; Lewis, residing on the old homestead; and Sarah, deceased.

Eli Oesterling was reared in Summit Township and there obtained his educa- tion. After his marriage he left the home farm and moved on his grandfather Weis, enstine's farm, in Butler Township, where he remained for four years, when he moved to the Mitchell farm, on which he lived for . fifteen years. In 1897 he bought his pres- ent property and has given close and care- ful attention to developing it ever since. He keeps fifteen head of cattle and has over sixty-five acres of his land in corn, oats, wheat and hay. His oldest son oper- ates a successful milk route in Butler, which was started fifteen years ago, and about thirty gallons of milk are disposed of daily.

Mr. Oesterling married Catherine Brau- tegan, who was born in Kur-Hessen, Ger- many. She was thirteen years of age when her parents brought her to America and settled at Etna, Allegheny County, in 1863. Seven of Mr. and Mrs. Oesterling's family of eight children grew up and they are.

named as follows: Ferdinand H., who manages the milk route; Raines David, re- sides at home; Gertrude married William McDowell and they live on the home farm; Alice married Gilbert Ford of Butler Township; and Daniel, Sarah and Clar- ence, reside at home. Mr. Oesterling and family belong to the German Lutheran Church. He is one of the township's lead- ing Democrats and for nine years served as a school director, for three years was supervisor, for four years was assessor and is now serving in the office of roadmas- ter. His excellent judgment and sound business sense make him one of the most useful citizens of his community.

HENRY WAHL, who lives on the north- ern line of Forward Township, Butler County, Penna., comes of an old and re- spected family of the community, the town of Wahlville deriving its name from his father who was engaged in coal mining at that point. He has a fine farm of seventy- one acres, and has had a most active career in the fields of business.

Henry Wahl was born on the home farm in Forward Township, August 6, 1853, and is a son of Martin and Christina (Kreis) Wahl. Martin Wahl was born in France and was ten years of age when he accom- panied his parents to the United States, they locating in Jackson Township, Butler County, Penna., and he lived there with his parents until his marriage, then pur- chased a farm where Wahlville now stands. The latter years of his life were spent at Evans City. He was always a hard work- er and, starting as a poor man, accumu- lated a competency, becoming one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of the township. He purchased his farm at a price of $11 per acre. He operated a coal bank on the farm, and later was engaged in the milling business at Evans City. In politics, he was an unswerving Democrat. His first marriage was with a Miss Holt, who died a short time afterward. He later

1099

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

married Christina Kreis, who also was a native of Germany, and to them were born the following children: Christina, wife of Henry Basemaker; William; Henry; Catherine, wife of Henry Mickley; An- drew; Lena, wife of John Marburger; Aus- mus; Matilda, wife of W. C. Lauderer; George; and Anna, wife of Adam Dom- baugh. The mother of the subject of this sketch died in 1895. Martin Wahl formed a third union with Mrs. Winrater. His death occurred in 1903, at the age of eighty years.

Henry Wahl spent his boyhood days upon the farm, which he aided in clearing. He had very limited educational advan- tages as his assistance was needed at home, and early became inured to hard work, he and his brother, William, starting in to haul coal before they were able to harness the horses. He resided at home until his marriage, then purchased a farm of fifty- one acres in Forward Township, of the Grahams; he later sold this property and returned to the home place of 120 acres which he farmed for his father. He re- mained there until he purchased his pres- ent farm of seventy-one acres of Henry Ziegler, and here he has engaged in gen- eral farming and stockraising, although he has also given considerable time to the oil and coal business, in which he has been very successful. He has a fine brick resi- dence, and the farm is well equipped with other substantial buildings and improve- ments so necessary to the successful prose- cution of farming.

June 15, 1880, Mr. Wahl was joined in wedlock with Miss Anna Schilling, sister of Alexander Schilling, a record of whom appears on another page of this work. Five children are the issue of this union, namely : Emma, wife of Charles Fageley; Christina, a trained nurse at Pittsburg; Herman, who is attending school at Cin- cinnati, Ohio; Lena; and Minnie. Re- ligiously, the family belong to the Luther- an Church, in which he has been an officer

for more than twenty years. Politically, he is a Democrat, but is inclined to be in- dependent locally, giving his support to the man best fitted for the office. He has served as school director and was the first supervisor elected under the new law.

HON. WILLIAM S. WALDRON, who was long known throughout Butler County as a type of its best and most representa- tive citizenship, was born in Forward Township, this county, June 23, 1823, and died August 13, 1907. He was the young- est son of John S. and Maria (Lindsey) Waldron. His education, though confined to the English branches, was thorough, and for some years he was engaged in the profession of teaching, in 1848 being prin- cipal of a public school in Peoria, Illinois. Subsequently returning home, he pur- chased the old homestead, and a year or two later, about 1854, remodeled and im- proved the buildings. He took a promi- nent part in local affairs, being one of the school directors of Forward Township for thirty years, and served for three years on - the School Board of Evans City. The con- fidence of his fellow citizens in his capacity as a man of affairs was shown in 1856, when they elected him county auditor, and again in 1872 when he was elected to the Legislature, in both of which positions he served with credit. He was a man of broad and liberal views, but by no means super- ficial, to the end of his life keeping him- self well informed in regard to all impor- tant subjects, and carrying out thoroughly every enterprise in which he engaged. With so many of the old time Whigs, he joined the Republican party on its forma- tion, and was always influential in the local councils of the party. He was a member and past master of Harmony Lodge, F. & A. M., and was also prominent in Oddfellowship, being a charter mem- ber of Evans City Lodge of that order, and a member of the Encampment. By diligence in business he accumulated a fair

1100

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

share of this world's goods, and was rated among the substantial and prosperous citi- zens of the county.

On September 3, 1846, Mr. Waldron was united in marriage with Eliza M. Bellis, who died in 1904. She was a daughter of John and Susan (Kline) Bellis. Mrs. Waldron came to Butler with her parents in 1842 from Luzerne County, Penna.

To Mr. and Mrs. Waldron were born the following children: O. K. Waldron, Susan O., Theodore C., William S., Laura H., J. C., Eva M., Reuben O., Maria B., Fred V., Elizabeth A. J., Ulysses S. G., Ada M. and Leota E. O. K. Waldron is a graduate in dentistry, but not now engaged in the prac- tice of his profession. He was the first regular graduate practitioner in the coun- ty. His present business activities are in connection with the Lyndora Bank, of which he is vice president. He owns and resides on a fine farm about two miles from Butler. Susan O. is the wife of Nelson B. Duncan. Theodore S. resides in Wash- ington State. Laura H. is the wife of R. M. Kinnear; Eva M. is the wife of J. B. Evans. Maria B. is the wife of F. B. Dodds, Ada M. the wife of B. S. Buhl, and Leota E. of O. S. Sutton. Mr. and Mrs. Waldron will long be remembered as among the worthiest residents of their day, in Butler County.

JOHN BERINGER is the owner of a valuable farm of 132 acres lying about one mile north of Evans City, in Forward Township, Butler County, Penna. He was born on this farm, March 31, 1851, and is a son of John, Sr., and Catherine (Har- tung) Beringer.

John Beringer, Sr., was born in Ger- many and came with his parents, Conrad and Catherine Beringer, to the United States, being on the water about fifty-two days. They stopped for a short time in Beaver County, Penna., then came on to Forward Township, where they purchased the farm owned by the subject of this

sketch. The country was at that time but little developed, and but sparsely settled. They erected a log house and began clear- ing the place. Conrad Beringer, during the war, left on a visit to his brother in Indiana, but never reached his destination nor was heard from again. Much money was spent in tracing his movements, but all that was found concerning him was that he was shipped from Rochester on the lakes, a ship's books bearing his signa- ture. His wife, Catherine, lived to an ad- vanced age. They had four children : John, father of the subject of this record; Eliza, wife of Nicholas Kline, both now deceased; Conrad, deceased; and Cather- ine, wife of Fred Kreise, both deceased.

John Beringer, Sr., the eldest of the children, was about sixteen years old at the time of the family's arrival in this country. He spent his winters in working in the lumber camps, rafting logs down the river, and earning money with which to improve the home farm. The summer months were spent in clearing and cultivat- ing the land. He was a hard worker and prospered, and lived on this farm until his death in 1900, at the age of seventy-two years. He was joined in marriage with Catherine Hartung, who was born in But- ler County, and is now living, in the en- joyment of good health. Five children were the offspring of this union : John, Jr .; Mary, wife of John M. Miller; Catherine, wife of William Wilson; Harry; and Em- ma, wife of James Elder.

John Beringer, Jr., was reared and has always lived on his present farm. He at- tended the old Stamm school, through the woods, for a time, but his educational ad- vantages were exceedingly limited. His father was ill for three years during his boyhood, and as he was the eldest of the children, it became necessary for him to remain at home and look after the farm. He helped clear the farm, and hauled the lumber and stone used in the construction of the barn which now stands on the place.

1101

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

He continued to manage the affairs of the farm from an early date, and after his father's death purchased the outstanding interests of the other heirs to the farm. He is energetic and progressive, and takes rank among the foremost men of the town- ship.

Mr. Beringer was married to Miss Mary Cooper, a daughter of James Cooper, and in the spring of 1908 he was called upon to mourn her loss through death. Three children were born to them: Blanche, Harry, and Susan. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Republican.

Mr. Beringer is engaged in general farming and dairying; he keeps an aver- age of fifteen head of cows, and ships milk to Pittsburg. He has nine producing oil wells on the farm, and this too has been the source of a handsome income.

JAMES B. CALDWELL, a prominent resident of Jefferson Township, Butler County, Penna., resides on a fine farm of 116 acres located about five miles south- east of Butler, on the Butler and Freeport Pike. He also has another tract of thirty- eight acres in this Township, on both of which oil and gas are produced in remu- nerative quantities. Mr. Caldwell engages in farming, as well as oil producing, and is one of the substantial men of the township. He was born in Armstrong County, Penn- sylvania, June 14, 1842, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Beatty) Caldwell.

Richard Caldwell, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to this country from County Antrim, Ireland, be- ing accompanied by his wife, who in maid- en life was a Stewart. Samuel Caldwell was born in Washington County, Pennsyl- vania, whither his parents had come from their native land, and there he grew to ma- turity. He moved to Butler County and later to Armstrong County, but finally re- turned to Butler County, where he became owner of some good farming property.

James B. Caldwell attended school some in Armstrong County, but his educational training was mainly obtained in the schools of Butler County. He turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and has one of the best improved places in the neighborhood. Some twenty years ago he discovered oil on his property, the first being a twenty- five barrel well. He now has nine good wells on the place, and five wells on his other property. Although he has been one of the most active oil men, he has not worked off his own land, his wells giving him all he could attend to. Underlying his land are two strata of coal, about ten feet thick, at a depth, respectively, of fifty feet and 200 feet.

November 7, 1867, Mr. Caldwell was joined in marriage with Miss Rebecca J. Barr, a daughter of Henry Harrison and Ann Eliza (Lyon) Barr, and grand- daughter of Michael and Martha (Holmes) Barr. Michael Barr came from Germany to this country, and at his death was lo- cated in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, from whence came Henry H. to Butler County. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell became parents of the following children: Sam- uel H., who married Jane Davis and has three children,-Elsie R., Elton and Beu- lah; Mary, a graduate of Sunbury, who married Frank Hinchberger of Butler, by whom she has the following children : Bea- trice, Bertha, Luella, and Stella (de- ceased) ; Elizabeth, wife of L. B. Steele of Portersville, by whom she has six chil- dren,-Floyd, Ferda, Erla, Nellie, Vena and Pearl; Sadie, wife of John McIlvain, by whom she has three children,-Ralph, Homer and Eveline; Caroline and Adaline, twins; Ellen Rebecca; James Foster, de- ceased; Bertha, deceased; and two who died in infancy. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Thorn Creek, to which Mrs. Caldwell also belongs. He has ever taken a deep interest in the progress of the com- munity and has been especially interested

1102

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

in the betterment of the school system, serving some years as a member of the School Board.

JOSEPH E. HOLBEIN, secretary and treasurer of the Edward Dambach Com- pany of Evans City, Pennsylvania, is one of the successful business men of Butler County. Throughout his active career he has been identified with the lumber busi- ness, beginning in his boyhood days, and is well qualified to direct the affairs of a concern of such magnitude as the Edward Dambach Company.

This enterprise was established in 1885 by J. and E. Dambach, who successfully conducted the lumber yard and planing mill in partnership until about 1895. Jacob Dambach retired at that time and was suc- ceeded in the business by Edward Dam- bach, who continued it alone until 1904. In that year it was organized into a stock company with Edward Dambach as presi- dent; Joseph E. Holbein, vice-president; and H. W. Dambach, secretary and treas- urer. After the death of H. W. Dambach, March 24, 1904, and that of Edward in May, 1905, the Edward Dambach Com- pany was reorganized with the following officers: S. J. Irvine, president; . W. P. Kinsey, vice-president; and J. E. Hol- bein, secretary and treasurer. The lum- ber-yard and planing-mill, at which about fifty men are employed, covers four acres of ground and is the largest plant in Evans City, as well as one of the largest of its kind in Western Pennsylvania.

Joseph E. Holbein was born on his father's farm in Medina County, Ohio, October 12, 1867, and is a son of Elias and Lydia (Kulp) Holbein. The father was a farmer and a harness maker but died early in life, our subject being but four years old at the time. The latter was one of five children born to his parents, and at the tender age of eight years began work. At the age of thirteen years he began working in the woods for a lumber yard at Wads-

worth, Ohio, and later at a saw-mill, de- - voting his attention to learning the details of the business. He was ambitious to ac- quire an education, having received very little schooling in his younger days, and when eighteen years old entered Western Reserve Normal School, having saved enough to enable him to attend that insti- tution two years. During that time he spent his evenings in newspaper work. In 1890 Mr. Holbein moved to Evans City and entered the employ of the Edward Dambach Company as a general mill man. His advancement with this firm was rapid, and in 1904 became a stockholder and now has general charge of the plant.

Mr. Holbein was united in marriage in 1898 with Miss M. M. Mickley, a daughter of Henry Mickley, and they have a son, Delmont E. Fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 429, F. & A. M., of Zelienople, Pennsylvania. He is a Democrat in poli -- tics, and has served as auditor of Evans City, a member of the board of health, and is at present a member of the school board. In religious attachment, he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

WILLIAM P. KINSEY, a successful business man and well known citizen of Evans City, Butler County, Pennsylvania, is vice-president of the Edward Dambach Company, which operates a large planing mill and lumber yard in that. village. He was born in Portersville, Butler County, February 17, 1869, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wimer) Kinsey.

Jacob Kinsey was born in 1832 in Bed- ford County, Pennsylvania, his father hav- ing come from Germany and settled there at an early date. Jacob subsequently moved to Portersville, Butler County, where he followed his trade as a shoe- maker and lived until his death, in De- cember, 1899. He married Elizabeth Wimer, who is of English descent and was born at Portersville in 1845. Her father, Jacob Wimer, was a blacksmith by trade

JOSEPH E. HOLBEIN

WILLIAM P. KINSEY

1107

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

and was one of the first residents of that village. Five children were born to Jacob and Elizabeth Kinsey, namely: Margaret, who died at the age of two years; William Penn, Frank, George, and John.

William P. Kinsey spent his boyhood days in his native village and there at- tended the public schools. He attended the academy at that place two years, and one year at Slippery Rock, after which he engaged in teaching school. In 1889. he began teaching and continued for eight years, five years of which time he was lo- cated near Ogle, in Butler County. He later entered the employ of L. N. Burry, a well known hardware dealer of Evans City, and served as bookkeeper for two years, after which he continued six years in the same capacity for Burry & Markel. In 1904 he came to the Edward Dambach Company as bookkeeper, and the following year became a stockholder and was elected vice-president of the firm. He is a man of exceptional business capability, and one of the substantial citizens of the village.

June 22, 1892, Mr. Kinsey was joined in marriage with Aurelia Cookson, a daughter of E. J. and Hannah Jane Cook- son, and they reside in a fine home on Jef- ferson Street, which he erected at the time of his removal to Evans City. They are parents of three children-Ada May, Wil- bur Lowery, and Ernest Dewey. Relig- iously, they are members of St. John's Reformed Church. Fraternally, he is a member of Evans City Lodge No. 295, K. P .; Lodge No. 429, F. & A. M., at Har- mony; and Eastern Star No. 37, Evans City. Politically, Mr. Kinsey is an ardent Republican and has filled all the village offices except that of justice of the peace.

O. P. CAMPBELL, a substantial citi- zen of West Sunbury, where he has served as postmaster since July 1, 1901, and an honored veteran of the great Civil War, was born in 1843, in Bruin, Butler County,

Pennsylvania, and is a son of Robert and Jane (Sheppard) Campbell.

Mr. Campbell's father having died when he was still a lad, he was reared on the farm of his great-uncle, Thomas Campbell, in Parker Township. In December, 1861, he enlisted at Kittanning, Pennsylvania, in Company K, One Hundred and Third Reg- iment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving three years and then veteranizing with the same regiment, his service in all covering a period of three years and seven months. Mr. Campbell was captured by the Confederates at Plymouth, North Car- olina, April 20, 1864, and was taken to Andersonville. Prison, where he was de- tained five months. For the following three months he was confined in a tem- porary prison at the Charleston Fair Grounds, and was then taken to Florence, South Carolina, where he remained a pris- oner until his exchange, in December, 1864. From that time until the spring of 1865, Mr. Campbell was sick at the home of his great-uncle, but on recuperating he rejoined his regiment and remained with them until receiving his discharge at New- burn, North Carolina, in June, 1865. He proved himself a brave and faithful sol- dier, and had an army record of which any man might be proud. After his services to his country were completed, Mr. Campbell returned home for several weeks, then going to Oil Creek, near Oil City, and for two years was employed in the oil fields, after which he engaged in farming in Washington Township. After about eight years spent in the latter township, Mr. Campbell removed to Cherry Township, where he followed the same occupation for a period covering seventeen years, and in the spring of 1896 he came to West Sun- bury, where he has since been a leading citizen.

Mr. Campbell was married in 1868 to Abigail Glenn, who is a daughter of James Glenn, of Clay Township, and they have

1108

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

three children, namely : Dr. Willard B., of Harrisville, Pennsylvania, married Jennie Stewart, of Cherry Township, and they have three children,-Charlotte, Malcolm P. and Paul; Melvin G., engaged in the real estate business in Pittsburg, married Florence McCall, of Clay Township, and has two children,-Mildred F. and Grayda G .; and Claude C., in the hardware busi- ness in West Sunbury, married Flora Rus- sel, of Concord Township, and has two children,-Ronald and Helen. Mr. Camp- bell is a member of the Presbyterian Church at West Sunbury.

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 134

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