Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 142

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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Emma L .; Amanda D., wife of Edgar Shaffer; Luella C .; Iva M .; Carl H .; Zeno H .; William D .; S. Dorothy ; Mary G .; and Gene I.

Lawrence O. Markel was nine years of age when his parents located in Evans City, and he was there educated in the public schools and in John Tinstman's Academy. At the age of sixteen years he entered the office of Edward Dambach, who conducted a lumber company at Evans City, and con- tinued for ten years, after which he rep- resented the Hastings Lumber Company of Pittsburg as traveling representative for a short time. He then returned to Evans City and became a stockholder in the Burry and Markel Company, in the affairs of which concern he has since taken an ac- tive part. Upon the death of his father, Mr. Burry became preident, and he became. secretary and treasurer, in which capacity he now serves.

Lawrence O. Markel, is an ardent Demo- crat in his political belief. Fraternally, he is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 429, F. & A. M. at Zelienople. In religious faith and fellowship, he is a member of the Re- formed Church.

JOHN HINDMAN, residing on a farm of 136 acres in Clay Township, Butler County, Penna., located about two and one- half miles south of West Sunbury, is en- gaged in general farming, but for many years worked in the oil fields. He was born on the farm now owned by his brother Thomas, in Marion Township, Butler Coun- ty, on October 22, 1850, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (McClung) Hindman.

Robert Hindman, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to this country from Ireland, and with his brother, John, became owner of about 700 acres of land in Washington Township, Butler County. Thomas Hindman, father of the gentleman whose name heads this record, was born in Washington Township and there reared to manhood. After his marriage he moved to

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Marion Township, Butler County, and about the year 1866 purchased a farm in Franklin Township. He lived upon that place a number of years, then leaving the place under the care of his oldest son, Rob- ert, moved upon the farm he owned in Washington Township.

John Hindman was ten years old when his parents moved to Franklin Township. and he subsequently went with them to Washington Township, where he continued two or three years thereafter. He then went into the oil fields, working for a pe- riod of twenty-three years as driller and tool dresser, being located in Venango County and various other places. For a time he was in partnership with his broth- er, Thomas, as contractor, and they drilled a great many wells. About twenty-five years ago, Mr. Hindman took up his resi- dence on his present farm, which was the birthplace of his wife, and he has since continued here. He erected the commodi- ous frame house and the substantial barn which stand on the place, and has one of the best improved farms in the neighbor- hood. He follows general farming and also has a good gas well on the farm.

Mr. Hindman was united in marriage with Miss Elmira Miller, who was born and reared in Clay Township, and is a daughter of Henry Miller. Two children were born to them: Luther, who died in infancy; and another who died unnamed. They adopted a daughter, Jessie M., who now is the wife of Harry Sutton. Fra- ternally, the subject of this sketch is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Democrat in politics, and was elected on that ticket to the office of road supervisor. In religious faith he is a Intheran and a liberal supporter of the church.

OLIVER NEUBERT, general farmer and stockraiser, is a representative citizens of Jefferson Township, where he owns a fine farm of seventy-five acres, on the Sax-

onburg Road, about one mile north of the town. He was born in Germany, July 13, 1854, and is a son of Charles and Wilhel- mina (Fisher) Neubert.

Charles Neubert brought his family from Germany, in 1867. Ile settled at Alle- gheny, Pennsylvania, where he found work as a stone-mason-a new trade to him, as he had previously worked at silver mining. From Allegheny he moved to Westmore- land County and some years later came to Butler County and resided on the pres- ent farm of his son Oliver. He had nine children, namely: Otto, Ida, Antonio, An- na, Oliver, Oscar, Richard, Emil and Charles.

Oliver Neubert was thirteen years old when his parents emigrated to America and he here finished the education he had commenced in his native land. He assist- ed his father during the latter's life and subsequently came into possession of his present farm. The land is well situated and responds readily to Mr. Neubert's methods of cultivation, and he has made excellent improvements here. His build- ings are practically new, his residence be- ing a comfortable two-story one and his bank barn of very substantial construction, the old buildings having been destroyed by fire some years since.

Mr. Neubert married Barbara Wagner. a daughter of George and Margaret (Kalp) Wagner, farming people in Jefferson Township, and they have the following children : Ella, who lives at home; George, a carpenter by trade, married Della Le- fever; Richard and Ralph, both work in the oil fields; Otto and Albert, twins, work in the oil fields (Albert is a carpenter) ; Ida, who resides at home; Arthur and Herbert. both are in school; and Paul and Martin. Mr. Neubert and family belong to the Lu- theran Church and he is a member of its council. He takes an active interest in town- ship affairs and is so well and favorably known that he has frequently been elected to office and has served acceptably as a

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member of the Grand Jury, handling some very important cases, as a member of the Board of Elections, as supervisor, and for twelve years has been a school director.

JOHN S. McKEE, D. D., who, for many years was pastor of the United Presbyte- rian Church at Butler and enjoyed in large degree the respect, esteem, confidence and affection of the people to whom he so faith- fully ministered, was born June 22, 1850, in Pittsburg, Penna., and was a son of Will- iam and Elizabeth (Shields) McKee.

Doctor McKee came of Irish ancestry, both grandfather and father having been born in County Down, Ireland. In 1844, William McKee, the father, then being twenty years of age and a carpenter by trade, emigrated to America and took up his residence at Pittsburg, Penna., where, in 1849, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Shields, who died in 1859. In 1862, William McKee contracted a second union with Jane Cox. He was the father of five children by his first marriage and six by his second. The McKee family has been of the Presbyterian faith for genera- tions.

Doctor John S. McKee was educated in the public schools, the East Liberty Acad- emy and the Western University, and com- pleted the prescribed course at the latter institution in 1869. From boyhood it had been his cherished desire to enter the min- istry and in preparation for this important step, he entered the United Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Allegheny, where he was graduated in 1873 and in the same year was licensed to preach by the Monon- gahela Presbytery. He then visited Scot- land and enjoyed a year's training in the Free Church College at Edinburgh. On Oc- tober 19, 1875, Mr. McKee was installed as pastor of the East Brady Church, where his labors continued for five years, when he accepted a call from Mercer, Penna., and served as pastor of the United Pres- byterian Church there for four years. On

October 1, 1884, he accepted a call from the United Presbyterian Church at Butler, and he remained associated with this charge until the close of his useful life. Under his fostering care both the material affairs and the spiritual life of the congregation improved and was quickened, and the per- sonal influence he exerted will long be felt in the community.

In June, 1878, Doctor McKee was mar- ried to Sophia M. Templeton, of Brady's Bend, Penna. Mrs. McKee with their one daughter, Jeannie Elizabeth, reside in their comfortable home at No. 322 East Pearl street, Butler.

In the usual acceptance of the term, Doc- tor McKee was no politician, but he was so determined in his temperance views that he allied himself definitely with the Pro- hibition party. He was a man of many gifts, of brilliant talents, and his activities made him known far beyond the confines of Butler County.

J. R. McCANDLESS, one of the sub- stantial citizens of Cherry Township, who is carrying on agricultural operations on a fine farm of eighty-three acres, situated on the road from Pleasant Valley Church to Harrisville, has been a resident of Cher -. ry Township nearly all of his life. He was born September 21, 1832, at Parker's Land- ing, Armstrong County, Penna., and is a son of Mark and Mary (Russell) McCand- less.

When Mr. McCandless was two years of age, his parents located on a farm near Moniteau, and here he was reared to man- hood. Until twenty-five years of age he carried on various occupations, and at that time became engaged in farming, which he carried on for one year after his mar- riage in Cherry Township, then removing to Concord Township, where he resided until 1861. Since that time he has been en- gaged in general farming on his present property, a fine tract of fertile land, on which Mr. McCandless has made many im-

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provements. His present handsome resi- dence was erected by him in 1881.

Mr. MeCandless was married to Eliza Jane MeCallen, who was born in Cherry Township, and is a daughter of John and Rebecca ( Walker) McCallen. Two chil- dren have been born to this union, namely : Mary Rebecca, is the wife of Robert Bill- ingsley, residing on the line between the States of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, where Mr. Billingsley is engaged as an oil worker, and they have two children, Lewis Montrose and J. Edgar; and John Walker, married Mary Orpha Thompson, and has three children,-Charles Plummer, Hazel Z. and Gladys. Mr. McCandless is a mem- ber of the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church. His standing in his community is high, and he is regarded as an expert on agricultural matters.

MRS. MARTHA E. IMAN, widow of the late Joseph Iman, resides on a well improved farm of forty-five acres in Done- gal Township, Butler County, Penna., and is one of the honored and highly respected residents of that locality. She was born in West Moreland County, Penna., a daugh- ter of Hugh and Alice (Staller) McIntire, who were prominent old settlers of West Moreland County.

Mrs. Iman was reared in her native lo- cality, residing there for about twenty- five years and was married in Indiana County, Penna., to Joseph Iman, a son of John and Alice Iman, also residents of West Moreland County. Subsequent to their marriage, which occurred February 7, 1870, Mr. and Mrs. Iman resided for about five years in Indiana County. He was a brick molder by trade, but after com- ing to Butler County in 1875, he engaged in the oil business at Petrolia, where they resided for six months on the old Wilson farm. From there Mr. and Mrs. Iman removed to Troutman where they resided a period of seventeen years, when they moved to Thorn Creek, where Mr. Iman

engaged in the oil business for one year. After disposing of his oil interests, the family came to Butler County, locating in Donegal Township, where the death of Mr. Iman occurred December 9, 1902.

The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Iman: John, who resides on the farm with his mother, was born in 1871 and married in 1895 to Elizabeth Wilson, a daughter of Aaron Wilson (they have two children, Ella and Elmer) ; Mary mar- ried Edward Ellenburger of Fairview Township, Butler County, and has one child, Thomas; Hugh a resident of Done- gal Township, married Loretta Rentzel of Chicora and to them have been born four children-May, Joseph, Ruth (deceased), and one died in infancy ; Mary E., William J., Gertrude, deceased, and Ruth, deceased ; Thomas, died aged eighteen years, five months and fourteen days; William, died aged nine months; Charles, residing at home; Joseph, who also lives at home; George, lives in West Virginia, married Ollie Montgomery and has two children, Ardell and Lillian; Minerva married Will- iam Slater, a resident of West Virginia, and they have two children, Ethel and George Harold. The religious connection of the family is with the Methodist Church. Mr. Iman was a member of the Knights of Honor and of the K. O. T. M.

Mrs. Iman bought her present farm of forty-five acres in 1906 from Charles Duffy and has made all of the improvements on it. There are two producing oil wells on the land. Mrs. Iman is possessed of true womanly qualities and a kindly manner, which has won for her the marked regard of all with whom she has been brought in contact.

WILLIAM JOHN KENNEDY, of the W. J. Kennedy Hardware Company, a leading business concern at Mars, was born March 11, 1854, in Clinton Township, But- ler County, Penna., and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Logan) Kennedy.

MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH IMAN

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Thomas Kennedy was six years old when he accompanied his father from Ireland. The latter secured a farm of 230 acres in Clinton Township, Butler County, the larger part of which was covered with for- est, ten acres alone having been cleared. Thomas Kennedy continued to live on that property, as he grew to manhood working to clear it, and when his father died, he inherited 100 acres. This farm is now owned by Thomas G. Kennedy, one of his sons. On that farm Thomas Kennedy died in 1893, aged seventy-seven years. He married Margaret Logan, who was born in Penn Township, Butler County, and died in 1907, aged eighty-three years. They had the following children: George, deceased; Agnes (Spohr); James; Margaret, de- ceased; William John; Martha, wife of John Miller ; Thomas G., on the homestead; Mary E., wife of Reverend Monks; Clorin- da, wife of Charles Davis; and Malissa.

Until he was eighteen years of age, Will- iam J. Kennedy remained at home assist- ing his father in his agricultural work, and then learned the carpenter trade, at which he subsequently worked for thirty-two years. For twenty-two years he engaged in contracting in Pittsburg and Allegheny, where he erected some of the finest resi- dences among the noted beautiful struc- tures of those cities. For five years of his residence in Pittsburg, his son was con- nected with the Marine Bank. In 1903, Mr. Kennedy came to Mars and purchased an interest in the Craig Hardware Company, the business then being incorporated under the style of the Craig, Kennedy Hardware Company. Eighteen months later Mr. Kennedy bought Mr. Craig's interest, ad- mitting his son to partnership and chang- ing the name to the W. J. Kennedy Hard- ware Company.

On Christmas Day, 1878, Mr. Kennedy was married at Allegheny, to Mary L. Bartley, and they have four children: Thomas, Mary, Edith and Alice. With his family, Mr. Kennedy belongs to the United

Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder.

W. F. LYTLE, Justice of the Peace, at Butler, has been a resident of this city for the past twenty-one years and during the larger part of this time, was connected with its industrial life. He was born at Monongahela City, Washington County, Penna., in January, 1861, and is a son of James S. and Martha A. (Cowan) Lytle.

Robert Lytle, the paternal grandfather, was a well known man in Western Pennsyl- vania in his day. For many years he drove the stage which operated between Pitts- burg and Franklin, Venango County, and in the later years of his life he was court crier at Franklin.

James S. Lytle, father of Judge Lytle, died a victim to the cruelties inflicted at Andersonville Prison, during the Civil War. In 1861 he enlisted and served through his first term of three months. He re-enlisted, entering then Company I, One Hundred Third Regiment, Penna. Vol- unteer Infantry. At Plymouth, North Carolina, he was captured by the Confed- erates and was taken to Andersonville Prison, where he suffered unspeakable tor- tures during his ten months of incarcera- tion, and when finally exchanged. was so emaciated by disease and famine, that his brave life closed ten days later. His widow, who was a daughter of Mathias Cowan, an early pioneer of Slippery Rock Township, Butler County, removed to Slip- pery Rock when her son, W. F., was five years old.

W. F. Lytle was deprived of this tender mother's care when he was but eleven years of age, and thus being left without his natural protectors, was obliged to hew out his own way in life with no practical as- sistance. For some six years he worked on a farm in Slippery Rock Township, and then learned the carpenter trade, and later the harness-maker's trade, and worked at the latter at Prospect, West Sun-

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bury and Butler, for about seven years. About 1888 he resumed work as a carpen- ter and continued until May, 1898, when he suffered from an accidental fall from a bridge that disabled him from that time un- til the following October. His accident had occurred on the Bessemer Railroad and he was then given a position as watchman on that road, one that he efficiently filled un- til he was appointed to his present office in April, 1907. He has been an active and useful party worker for many years and this appointment is but a tardy recogni- tion of his services. He is a man of excel- lent judgment and his life experiences have fitted him, in marked degree, for this of- fice.

In 1882, Mr. Lytle was married to Miss Ellen McCall, who is a daughter of R. M. McCall, and they have two children, Bes- sie and Frances Grace. The former is the widow of the late Martin Pennebaker, of Lewistown, and she has one daughter, Jeanette Mildred. Mrs. Penniebaker re- sides with her father since her widowhood. Mr. Lytle is a member of a number of fra- ternal organizations including the Eagles, the Knights of Malta, and the National Le- gion.

ASA. WATERS HEYL, D. D. S., with office on Pittsburg Street, has been a resi- dent of Evans City, Penna., throughout his professional career and enjoys an ex- tensive practice in that community. He is a native of Butler County, having been born at Prospect, May 3, 1880. He is a son of Martin and Nancy (Albert) Heyl, and a grandson of Martin and Christina Heyl, both of whom were born in Germany.

Martin Heyl, Sr., upon emigrating from Germany, located in Muddy Creek Town- ship, Butler County, Penna., where he cleared a farm and resided until his death at the age of seventy-five years. He was survived by his widow for some years. They were parents of the following chil- dren : Martin, Jr .; Henry; John; Jacob;

Philip; George; Christina, wife of John Flinner; Margaret (Caldwell) ; and Mary, deceased wife of Adam Wilson.

Martin Heyl, father of the subject of this sketch, was born and reared on the home farm in Muddy Creek Township, and at an early age learned the trade of a black- smith. About the year 1863, he opened a shop in Prospect, Butler County, where he has since continued with uninterrupted success. He was united in marriage with Nancy Albert, a daughter of John Albert. who was of English birth. Mrs. Heyl was born about three miles east of Prospect. This union was blessed with the following children: Sidney, a blacksmith at Slip- pery Rock; Luther, manager of of the Punxsutawney Hardware Company; Will- iam, a carpenter at Prospect; George, who is associated with his father in blacksmith- ing at Prospect; Ezra, who died in child- hood; Alvin, who also died young; Asa Waters, subject of this sketch, who was named after Rev. Asa Waters, an old and respected divine of Prospect; and Ella. wife of Frank Clark.

Dr. Asa W. Heyl spent his boyhood days in Prospect, where he attended the public schools and Prospect Academy, from which institution he was graduated in 1897. He engaged in teaching school two winters in Muddy Creek Township, after which he en- tered the dental department of Western University of Pennsylvania. He was grad- uated in 1902 with the degree of D. D. S. and soon after located for practice in Evans City, where he has since continued. In 1908, he erected a fine modern home and office on Pittsburg Street near the Citizens' National Bank Building, it consisting of eight rooms and of brick construction. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Dental Society, and the Butler County Dental So- ciety. He is local examiner and demon- strator for the Sanitol Chemical Labratory Company.

October 29, 1902, Doctor Heyl was unit- ed in marriage with Miss Flo Forrester, a

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daughter of James and Agnes Forrester of Prospect. Religiously, they are active members of the Lutheran Church, he act- ing as assistant superintendent of the Sun- day-school, and president of the Luther League. Politically, he is a Republican.

MARTIN SPITHALER, one of For- ward Township's best and most respected citizens, resides on his valuable farm of ninety acres, on which he was born, Sep- tember 25, 1864, and is a son of Henry and Caroline (Householder) Spithaler.

Henry Spithaler, father of Martin, was born in Germany and came to America when he was about eighteen years of age, settling first in Beaver County, Penna. He purchased a farm and also operated an old-time horse-power threshing machine. After his marriage he sold his Beaver County farm and came to Butler County, where he purchased the farm on which his son Martin lives, in Forward Township. He was a fine business man and kept add- ing to his land until he owned two large farms and one small one, clearing the greater amount of this land himself. He died in the spring of 1899, aged seventy- two years. He married Caroline House- holder, who was born in Germany and ac- companied her parents to America, in girl- hood. They had nine children, namely : Henry; Caroline, wife of John Shutt; Jacob; Fred; Sarah, wife of Adam Wehre; Daniel; Charles; Martin; and Amelia, wife of Fred Millerman, with whom the vener- able mother resides.

Martin Spithaler grew to manhood in the old log house in which all the children were born and he remembers many occa- sions when fully an inch of snow sifted be- tween the logs and fell on his bed. In his boyhood, youths were expected to work hard, when work was waiting to be done, and Martin had few chances to go to school and when opportunity came, he had to walk a distance of two miles to the old Critch- low school. He helped his father clear the

farm, which was no small undertaking. He lived at home until his marriage, after which he operated the William Goehring farm until the death of his father, who re- warded him for his long years of faithful service, by willing him the home farm. He has made many substantial improvements here and has a fine property. There is a producing oil well on the farm, in which he has a half interest.

In December, 1862, Mr. Spithaler was married to Miss Ella Goehring, who was a daughter of William and Sarah Goehring, and they had seven children, namely : Bertha, Ida, Amanda, Walter, Elmer, Ma- tilda and Esther. Mrs. Spithaler died March 31, 1904, aged thirty-seven years, seven months and twenty-one days. She was a loving wife, a kind and careful mother and a good neighbor. Mr. Spit- haler is a member of the Reformer Church. In politics he is a Democrat. He takes an interest in educational matters in his town- ship and served four years as school di- rector.

THOMAS FRITZ COOPER, who is the present head of the old Cooper family in Butler County, owns fifty-one acres of fine land in Jefferson Township, which is sit- uated about one-half mile from Saxonburg, carries on general farming here as did his father before him. He was born March 27, 1862, on his present farm in Butler County, Penna., and is a son of Samuel and Barbara Anna Catherine (Snyder) Cooper.

Samuel Cooper was born on the above named farm, on which he lived to be sixty- eight years of age. His parents were Will- iam and Catherine Cooper, who settled here when they emigrated from County Down, Ireland. Samuel Cooper married Barbara Anna Catherine Snyder and they had eight children, namely: William J., Philip, Thomas, Levi S., Margaret, Jennie, Elizabeth and Samuel Oliver.

Thomas F. Cooper has spent his whole

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life on his present farm, with the exception of three years, during which period he was proprietor of a hotel at Saxonburg. He has made farming his main occupation, al- though he also does a large amount of teaming and is an operator to some ex- tent, in both oil and gas. He has good im- provements on his property and his two- story residence is an attractive appearing home.

Mr. Cooper was married (first) to Miss Anna Deahl, who is survived by one son, Harold. He was married (second) to Miss Edna Brown, a daughter of John and Lyda Brown, and they have one child, Catherine Elizabeth. Mr. Cooper and wife belong to the Lutheran Church and he is a member of the church Council. He is identified with the order of Knights of Pythias, at Saxonburg, in which he is much interested.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 142

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