Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 139

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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SOLOMON DUNBAR is a prosperous farmer of Forward Township, Butler County, Penna., where he owns a farm of forty acres located on the Freeport Road, about two miles east of Evans City. He was born on his father's farm in that part of Cranberry Township, which is now Forward Township, May 6, 1836, and is a son of William and Margaret (McGregor) Dunbar, and a grandson of Solomon and Ceneth (Snow) Dunbar. The family is of Irish origin, and upon coming to Amer- ica became established in New York State.

Solomon Dunbar, the grandfather, moved with his wife and the three chil- dren then born, to Butler County, Penna., from New York State, making the trip with a yoke of oxen. He settled on a farm of 200 acres in Cranberry Township, but later sold out and moved to Johnson, Ohio, where he conducted a hotel until his death. He and his wife were parents of ten chil- dren, as follows: Ambrose; William; Dan- iel; Phyrus; Tarlton; Lafayette; John; Barney; Mary, wife of Joseph McCartney ; and Hannah, wife of Dr. Mulford. All are now deceased but Barney, who resides in Ohio.

William Dunbar was a mere child when his parents moved to Butler County, Penna., and there he was reared to matur- ity and helped to clear the home farm in Cranberry Township. He later moved to

that part of the township which afterward became Forward Township, and followed farming there the remainder of his days, dying in 1892, at the age of eighty years. He was joined in marriage with Margaret McGregor, who was of Scotch descent. She survived her husband about six years, dying at the age of eighty-six years. They were parents of ten children, namely : John, who was a member of the Eleventh Penna. Reserves during the Civil War, and was killed at Gaines' Mills; Solomon; Mary Jane, deceased wife of Edward Ir- vin; Alexander, who served in the Seventy- eighth Regiment Penna. Volunteer Infan- try during the Civil War; William W., a member of the Fourth Cavalry of Penn- sylvania; Alfred, a member of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry; Alpheus, also of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry; Irvin; Anna, deceased wife of Miller Mckinney; and Daniel L.

Solomon Dunbar, subject of this biog- raphy, was born in the crude log cabin which stood on his father's farm for so many years, and assisted in clearing the place in his boyhood days. He resided on that farm until his marriage in 1860, and has always farmed. After the death of his mother, he purchased the farm of the other heirs and has since lived upon it. He has followed general farming with a high de- gree of success, and has four producing oil wells on the farm, which have been a source of considerable income to him.

Mr. Dunbar was married July 3, 1860, to Miss Rachel C. Johns, a daughter of Mordicai Johns, and they became parents of eight children: Leonidas; John; Camp- bell, who married Anna Barrett and lives in the city of Butler; Austin, who met an accidental death in Virginia when thirty- four years of age; Margaret, widow of Edgar McAnallen; Grant; Anna, wife of A. L. Thompson, by whom she has two children, Helen and Hazel; and Stewart, who married a Miss Lewton, now deceased. Mr. Dunbar is a Republican in politics, and is at the present time township road

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master, having served as supervisor for more than thirty years. * He also has served on the School Board, and has worked for the elevation of the schools to a higher plane of efficiency. Fraternally, he is a member of Evans City Lodge No. 292. K. of P.

S. NELSON RUSSEL, who has been a resident of West Sunbury since 1902 and is proprietor of a livery stable at the pres- ent time, was prior to that date engaged in farming operations in Concord Township, Butler County, Penna. He was born on the farm he owned there, October 3, 1846, and is a son of Samuel and Julia Ann (McCal- len) Russel. His grandfather, James Rus- sel, was one of the earliest pioneer settlers of Concord Township.

Samuel Russel was also a native of But- ler County, and was a farmer by occupa- tion. He married Julia Ann McCallen, who was born in Cherry Township, Butler County, and they became parents of the following children: J. E. Russel of Steu- benville, Ohio; S. Nelson, subject of this record; W. G. Russel of West Sunbury; Emma, wife of A. W. Storey; Dr. J. C. Russel of Warren, Pennsylvania; Dr. H. B. Russel of Sheffield, Pennsylvania; O. H. P. Russel, who was a member of the Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Re- serves, during the Civil War, and died in Libby Prison of wounds received in bat- tle; and R. M. Russel, who also was a sol- dier in the Union Army, dying several years after leaving the service,

S. Nelson Russel was reared on a farm and always followed farming until he moved to West Sunbury in 1902, having a valuable tract of eighty-seven acres in Concord Township. In February, 1907, he purchased the livery stables of H. C. Pryor and Breaden Young, and by com- bining the two made an exceptionally fine stable. He has ten good roadsters, and a full equipment of fine vehicles, enabling

him to give the public the very best of service.

Mr. Russel was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Campbell, daughter of Thomas Campbell of Concord Township, and they became parents of the following : Oliver F., who is with his father in the liv- ery business, and who married Lillian M. Campbell, by whom he has a daughter, Dorothy; Margaret, wife of Charles Ekis, by whom she has a daughter, Frances Lu- cile; Flora M., who is the wife of C. C. Campbell and has two children, Ronald and Helen; Anna, who is wife of W. O. Bryan and has a son, Clayton; Alice; and Lorena. Mr. Russel is a member of the Town Council of West Sunbury. Frater- nally, he is a member of the Royal Ar- canum and in religious attachment belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

LOTT IRVING LEECH, postmaster at Chicora and a leading citizen of Millers Town Borough, is also an honored veteran of the Civil War and a valued member of Robert McDermott Post, No. 223, Grand Army of the Republic. He was born No- vember 6, 1836, at Penn's Valley, Center County, Penna., and is a son of James and Jane (McKeag) Leech.

Mr. Leech was left an orphan when about eight years old and being deprived of his natural protectors, he had but meager ed- ucational opportunities. When he was twelve years of age he began to be self supporting, his first work being done in a stove factory where he learned the art of shining stoves. After working at this place for two years he went to another similar factory where all his chances were better, and he learned the making of brass and iron molding. In 1861 he enlisted for service in the Civil War, as a musician in the band of the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Penna. Volunteer Infantry, in which he remained until August, 1862, after which he reenlisted, entering the

LOTT I. LEECH

MRS. ANNA F. LEECH

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Third Regiment, Penna. Artillery, his gift of fine penmanship causing his appoint- ment to clerical duty, being stationed at , that time at Fortress Monroe. Later he was transferred, April 16, 1864, to the One Hundred Eighty-eighth Regiment, Penna. Infantry. He was appointed first com- missary sergeant of this regiment and later quartermaster sergeant, with rank of first lieutenant. He participated in a num- ber of the most important battles of the war. At Cold Harbor his regiment was at- tached to the division of the army under General Grant, and spent eighty-one days in front of Petersburg, took part in the capture of North Harrison and was in the celebrated tobacco raid at Fredericksburg. He helped in the building of the bridge at White House Landing, which was erected for the crossing of General Sheridan's army. Mr. Leech survived all the fearful dangers of war and was honorably dis- charged and was mustered out at City Point, Virginia, December 14, 1865.

On June 16, 1857, Mr. Leech was mar- ried to Miss Anna Elizabeth Fulton, of Strattenville, Penna., and they have the following children: Albert, Robert, Frank, Mrs. Ella Tillman, Mrs. May Waldron; and Mrs. Sarah Smock.

Of the above family, Frank Leech has one son, Robert Gordon. Mrs. Ella Till- man has five children : Eva, Robert Leech, Ivan, Laurell and Hilda. Mrs. May Wal- dron has one daughter, Hazel. Mrs. Sarah Smock has one son, William. There are, also, three great-grandchildren: Jane Goddard, John White and Hazel Waldron.

In 1883, Mr. Leech came to Chicora, from Turkey City, Clarion County, Penna. For twenty years previously he had been en- gaged with the Standard Oil Company. On July 1, 1906, Mr. Leech was appointed postmaster at Chicora and is a popular and efficient official. He has a genial, friendly way with him that invites confi- dence and when he has made friends he has no difficulty in keeping them. He is

a member of Argyle Lodge, No. 546 F. & A. M., of Chicora, and of Lodge No. 170, Elks, of Butler.

LAWRENCE H. STEPP, M. D., physi- cian and surgeon residing at the village of Glade Mills, in Middlesex Township, was born at Freeport, Armstrong County, Penna., January 22, 1867, and is a son of William and Sarah Ann (Barnett) Stepp.

John Stepp, the great-grandfather of Dr. Stepp, came to Pennsylvania from Germany and settled near Freeport, in Armstrong County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits through the rest of his active life. His death awaited his ninetieth year. John Stepp, his son, lived to the age of eighty-four years. He had been born before his parents reached Western Pennsylvania, and he grew to manhood in Armstrong County, where he married Susan Heckert.

William Stepp, father of Dr. Stepp, was born at Freeport, March 3, 1843. He was a soldier during the War of the Rebellion, a member of Company A, One Hundred Thirty-fourth Regiment, Penna. Volunteer Cavalry, and it was his hard fortune to suffer capture and to be imprisoned at An- dersonville. He was finally released from that terrible place and still survives. He is . member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, at Grove City. After his return from military duty he engaged in farming and followed the same until 1905, when he retired to Grove City, where he now re- sides. In politics he is a Republican and he has held many public offices in his com- munity. He married a daughter of John Barnett, of Kittanning, and they had seven children born to them, namely: Lawrence H .; Lillie J., who is the wife of Adam Baker of Freeport; Amanda M., who is the wife of John H. Harper, of Tarentum; Dyson J., who resides at Bellvue; Cora, who is the wife of Ellsworth Fullerton, re- sides at Chillicothe, Missouri; Anna Belle, who is the wife of Reuben Myers, of Wil-

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kinsburg; and Jessie L., who resides at home. The mother died June 30, 1886. She was a consistent member of the Pres- byterian Church.

Lawrence H. Stepp attended the public schools at Freeport and Slate Lick and later Grove City College, leaving the lat- ter institution in his senior year. For some seven years he then followed teach- ing and began the study of medicine under Dr. S. F. McComb, of Tarentum, attending lectures in the Western University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1895. Dr. Stepp settled immediately after- ward at Glade Mills, where he has built up a fine steady practice, and his calls come also from five or six miles in the adjacent country in every direction. He is a mem- ber of the Butler County Medical Associa- tion and keeps fully abreast of the times in all modern research pertaining to medical science.

Dr. Stepp married Miss Rosella Kelley, who is a daughter of David M. Kelley. Mrs. Stepp was born at Portersville and was reared in Center Township. She was a successful teacher for some eight years in the Butler schools, and has a wide circle of appreciative friends. Dr. and Mrs. Stepp have one son, Lawrence L., who at- tends the Butler High School and is a member of the class of 1909. Dr. and Mrs. Stepp are members of the United Presby- terian Church at Glade Mills. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum and to Pollock Lodge, No. 502, F. and A. M., at Tarentum. Both personally and professionally, Dr. Stepp is a leading man in his community.

SAMUEL C. TRIMBLE, general farm- er and prominent citizen of Middlesex Township, residing on his valuable farm of 112 acres, was born in Butler County, Penna., January 15, 1858, and is a son of Robert and Eliza A. (Hays) Trimble.

The great-grandfather of Samuel C. Trimble was Thomas Trimble, who emi- grated from Ireland to America in 1790.

He founded the family in Butler County, where many of them still reside, being among the most respected and useful citi- zens of this section of Pennsylvania. Sam- uel Trimble, the grandfather, was born in Clarion County, before his parents set- tled in Middlesex Township, Butler County. He became a man of consequence in his neighborhood, served in the militia in the early days and later gave one of his sons to the cause of liberty in the Civil War. He married (first) Isabella Thomas, (second) Ellen C. Beery, and (third) Elizabeth Love. He died April 10, 1855.

Robert Trimble, son of Samuel and El- len C. (Beery) Trimble, was born March 12, 1829, in Middlesex Township, Butler County, Penna. In his early manhood he learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked for a few years, but his later life was devoted to agricultural pursuits and to the performance of the duties incident to the numerous public offices to which he was elected. Although his early educa- tional opportunities had been meager, he became a well-informed man and one whose ripened judgment was often sought in the adjustment of public affairs. He was married April 14, 1857, to Eliza A. Hays, a daughter of William M. Hays, of Middlesex Township, and they reared a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters.

Samuel C. Trimble was reared on his father's farm. He was educated in the public schools and at Curry Institute in Pittsburg, taking a full course at the lat- ter institution, after which he engaged in teaching school for seven years. From youth he has been interested in agricul- tural pursuits and owns one of the best managed farms in Middlesex Township.

Mr. Trimble was married (first) to Miss E. Park, who died in 1889, leaving two children. He was married (second) to Miss Wilda Leslie, who is a daughter of S. A. Leslie, Esq., of Middlesex Township, and they have four children. Mr. Trimble

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has been very active in politics and exerts a large amount of influence in his commu- nity. He is a man of sterling character and in the spring of 1908 he was nominat- ed on the Republican ticket for the office of county treasurer, by a majority of 426 votes over his opponent, J. W. Clauson. He is widely known and has friends all over Butler County.

FRED E. MILLER, proprietor of the Evans City Rolling Mill, is a prominent and progressive business man of that vil- lage and conducts one of its most import- ant industries. He was born on a farm in Lancaster Township, Butler County, Penna., January 11, 1856, and is a son of Fred and Catherine (Flinner) Miller, and grandson of Peter Miller.

Peter Miller, the grandfather, was a hardware merchant in France, his native land, and was a well-to-do citizen. The freedom of American life and its institu- tions appealed strongly to him, and in 1847 he emigrated to the United States, passing through Louisiana and later locat- ing at Pittsburg, Penna., moving from there to Lancaster Township, Butler County, where he located on a farm on Yellow Creek. He and his wife were par- ents of four children, namely: Fred; Peter; Catherine, who was the wife of Hartman Bendarm, both now deceased; and Catherine, wife of Michael Flinner.

Fred Miller, Sr., was born in France and in that country was accorded superior edu- cational advantages ; he spoke both French and German fluently. He was twenty years of age when he accompanied his par- ents to the United States, and after his arrival in Pennsylvania he devoted his efforts to agricultural pursuits. He be- came the owner of a valuable farm of 110 acres in Lancaster Township, and also town property in Mars. His death oc- curred in 1898, at the age of seventy-two years, and is survived by his widow, who

has passed her seventy-eighth birthday anniversary. Three children blessed their union : Caroline, wife of Charles Workly of Butler County; Fred Edward; and Sophia, wife of J. F. Brachi.

Fred E. Miller was reared on the home farm in Lancaster Township and received his educational training in the public schools and a select German school. At the age of twenty years he left the home place and rented of his uncle, Peter Miller, a farm in Lancaster Township. He re- mained there four years, then purchased of the Wilson heirs a farm of sixty acres in Jackson Township, Butler County, on which he lived ten years and which he still cultivates. He also purchased property in Mars when that village was in its infancy, dividing it into town lots and selling it off at a handsome profit, and also erected two houses in that place. He purchased the in- terest of Mr. S. M. Iseman, who was in partnership with Mr. A. Sechler, in the milling business at Evans City, and three years later, after learning all of the de- tails of the business, bought the interest of Mr. Sechler. The mill, with its modern equipment and improvements, represents an investment of more than $8,000, and is one of the best in the county. It has a capacity of fifty barrels of wheat flour, thirty barrels of buckwheat flour, and ten tons of feed per day, and is operated steadily.

March 21, 1882, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Wilson, a daughter of James Wilson, and they are parents of seven children: Herman, an oil contractor at Robinson, Illinois; Mabel; Fred, Jr .; James; Zella; Anna; and How- ard, who died in infancy. Mr. Miller and his family belong to the United Presbyte- rian Church. He is a Democrat in politics.

PAUL RUDERT, president and man- ager of the Saxonburg Mineral Springs Company, is a prominent resident of Sax-

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onburg borough, where he owns a beauti- ful home of modern construction, with four acres of land surrounding it. Mr. Rudert was born February 16, 1857, in Germany, and is a son of Oscar and Emelia (Albert) Rudert. The parents of Mr. Rudert came to America when he was about twelve years of age. The father died in 1902 but the mother survives and re- sides at Saxonburg. They had four chil- dren-Paul, Lena, George and Max.

After Paul Rudert completed his educa- tion, he learned the jeweler's trade and worked at that for some twenty years, be- ing a resident of Tarentum, Allegheny County, coming from there to Saxonburg. Here he acquired the Mineral Springs property, located one-half mile north of the town, and has developed it into one of the best known resorts in this section of the State. The springs have remarkable medicinal properties, the water being a specific for rheumatism, and kidney and stomach troubles, and is very generally recommended by physicians. Mr. Rudert has already expended large sums in im- proving the property and is proposing much more, this including the installation of an artificial lake and the completion of a modern hotel which will be kept open the whole year. Mr. Rudert will have sixty private rooms for visitors with every equipment for their comfort, including baths of all kinds. With the finishing of his present plans, Mr. Rudert will have a magnificent property and it will doubtless draw visitors from all over the country.

Mr. Rudert was married at Tarentum, Pennsylvania, to Miss Rose Senn, who is a daughter of Peter and Susan Senn. They have four daughters, namely: Amelia, re- siding at Allegheny, is the wife of F. W. Buck; Estella and Flora, both of whom are college graduates; and Edna, who is yet in school. Mr. Rudert and family are members of the Lutheran Church. He be- longs to the Elks, being connected with Tarentum Lodge, No. 644.

JOHN AUGUSTUS HALLSTEIN, a representative farmer of Clay Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, is the owner of a fine farm of 100 acres, located about one and a half miles south of West Sun- bury, on the Butler Road. He was born on this farm September 12, 1860, and is a son of Philip and Christina (Trippmacher) Hallstein.

Philip Hallstein and his wife were both born in Germany, but were not married un- til after their arrival in the United States. They became parents of seven children, of whom five are now living, namely : Jacob, of Concord Township, Butler County; Catherine, wife of George Kle- ver; Christina, wife of H. J. Brown, of Clay Township; Elizabeth, wife of W. J. Mckinney; and John Augustus. The father of this family died in February, 1900, and is survived by his widow, who still lives on the old home farm.

John A. Hallstein was reared to matur- ity on the home place and was accorded a good common school education. He early learned the trade of a carpenter but after following it a few years turned his atten- tion to farming, exclusively. He is a man of marked ability and a citizen who is a credit to the community in which he lives.

Mr. Hallstein was joined in marriage with Miss Nannie Minerva Conn, who was born in Clay Township and is a daughter of Robert B. Conn, further mention of whom appears upon another page of this work. They became parents of five chil- dren, to-wit: Paul Conn, Harry W., Carl Z., Lena, who died at the age of three years, and Sylvia Alberta. Religiously, they are members of the Springdale Lu- theran Church, of which Mr. Hallstein was deacon for six years prior to 1907, at which time he resigned.

J. BERNARD EVANS, granite and marble dealer of Evans City, Penna., comes of one of the very earliest pioneer families of Butler County. He was born

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in Brownsdale, Penn Township, Butler County, Penna., March 30, 1852, and is a son of Andrew Jackson and Martha B. (Brown) Evans. His grandfather was Reese Evans, and his great-grandfather, Isaac Evans, who was a child when he came with his parents from Wales to the United States. The family is of the same stock as Admiral (Fighting Bob) Evans, of the United States Navy.

Upon their arrival in this country, the Evans family located in Mifflin County, Penna., where Isaac grew to maturity and was married, his wife being the only daughter of Judge Bailey. Some time after marriage he moved to Butler County, settling in Connoquenessing Township, and the family has since been prominently identified with the development and growth of the county and its institutions. One of the sons of Isaac was Thomas B. Evans, who became the owner of a big farm on the present site of Evans City, which bears his name. He laid out the land in lots and founded the village which for many years was known as Evansburg.

Reese Evans, grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Butler County, and during his active career fol- lowed the trade of a millwright. He mar- ried Margaret Boggs, who came of one of the first white families located in Butler County. They were parents of eleven children, of whom but one now lives, Mary E., widow of William Motheral.

Andrew J. Evans was born in Forward Township, near Brown's Mills, in 1824, and spent his entire life in Butler County. He was a blacksmith by trade and a sub- stantial man of his day. He was united in marriage with Martha B. Brown, who was born in Forward Township, and was a daughter of John Brown. Mr. Evans died in 1895, and his wife in 1907, at the age of seventy-six years. Five children were the offspring of their union: J. Ber- nard; William C., of Pittsburg; George L., and Grant, twins, both residents of

Pittsburg; and Walter B., of Pittsburg.

J. Bernard Evans spent his boyhood days at Brownsdale and there attended the public schools. At the age of seventeen years he went to Butler, which was then a small place, and learned the carpenter trade under Malcomb Graham, with whom he worked for three years. He then worked a few years in the planing mill of S. G. Purvis, and nine years in that of the Edward Dambach Company at Evans City. In 1893, he embarked in the marble and granite business, purchasing the shop of Charles Marshall. He has been very successful in this field of operations, and is one of the substantial men of the village.

February 16, 1876, Mr. Evans was united in marriage with Eva M. Waldron, a daughter of W. S. and Eliza M. Waldron, a sketch of the Waldron family appearing on another page of this work. One son, E. Burt, is the only issue of this union. He is a successful business man of Evans City, conducting the only exclusive tobacco store in the village, it being located in the Waldron Block, on Main Street. Burt Evans was united in marriage with Mary A. Kersting, a daughter of the late Dr. Kersting. He is a member of the John Irwin Volunteer Fire Company, and fra- ternally is a member of Evans City Lodge, K. P.

J. Bernard Evans has some interesting relics of bygone days which have been handed down by his family. The dining room table brought from Wales by his great-great-grandparents was willed to him by Reese Evans, before he was ten years old. He also has tax recepits found in the possessions of Isaac Evans, showing the taxes for the entire township of Con- noquenessing in 1819 to have been little more than nine dollars. By reason of his possession of these papers, Isaac Evans was undoubtedly tax collector at that time. The subject of this sketch is a Mason, be- longing to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Butler, and the Commandery at Green-

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 139

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