Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 143

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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JOSEPH F. SHIEVER, president of the First National Bank at Bruin, Penn- sylvania, and a member of the firm of Sproull & Shiever, leading general mer- chants at Bruin, is one of the most repre- sentative citizens of this community. He was born in Franklin Township, Beaver County, Penna., March 19, 1875, and is a son of Michael and Caroline (Gerwig) Shiever.

The father of Mr. Shiever was born in Germany and was five years old when his parents brought him to America and he was reared in Beaver County, where he later married Caroline Gerwig, who "be- longed to a German family who had set- tled there prior to her birth.

Joseph F. Shiever grew up a farm boy and he attended the Franklin Township schools through boyhood and later enjoyed a course at the Slippery Rock State Nor- mal School. For three winter terms he taught school in Lancaster Township, But- ler County, and was considered an excel- lent teacher, but he wished to become neith- er a farmer nor a school-teacher, his in- clinations leading him in the direction of a

business or commercial career. In 1901 he entered into partnership with Mr. Bol- ton, in a mercantile business at Slippery Rock, the firm name being Bolton & Shiev- er, which continued until the fall of 1903, when Mr. Shiever became manager for the mercantile department of the Coal and Limestone Company, at Redmond, Pennsyl- vania, where he remained until he came to Bruin, and in 1904 became associated with Mr. Sproull, in merchandising, under the firm style of Sproull & Shiever. Both members of this firm are practical, con- servative business men and they control the volume of trade in their line.

Mr. Shiever was one of the organizers of the First National Bank at Bruin, which was incorporated October 15, 1907, and opened for business on January 14, 1908, Mr. Shiever being elected its first presi- dent and is also one of the board of direc- tors. The business stands on a firm basis and, as its head, Mr. Shiever applies the same careful policy that has made him suc- cessful in his private enterprises.

Mr. Shiever married Miss Margaret M. Doutt, who was born in Lawrence County, Penna., and is a daughter of the late Jere- miah Doutt, formerly of Lawrence County. Mr. and Mrs. Shiever have one son, Wayne N. Mr. and Mrs. Shiever are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Bruin. He belongs to the the Butler County Mer- chants' Mutual Insurance Company, in which he is a director. In his political views he is a Republican.

JOSEPH B. HINCHBERGER, general agriculturist, residing on his well cultivat- ed farm of eighty acres, which is situated in Butler Township, was born at Philadel- phia, Penna., June 22, 1842, and is a son of Anthony and Barbara (Bosbarshield) Hinchberger.

Anthony Hinchberger was born in the province of Nancy, France, in 1792, a son of David Hinchberger, and died when aged seventy-six years. In early manhood he 7

MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH F. SHIEVER

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was a soldier under the great Napoleon, and survived the battle of Waterloo, but two of his brothers were killed in the army. When he came to America he brought his wife and their two children. He took up his residence in Philadelphia, learned the cooper and stonemason trades but took more interest in gardening and farming. He was a man of large frame and big stature, and for years was foreman of the gang of street cleaners on Market Street, Philadelphia. His death was caused by accident. His children were as follows: Christopher, who lives in Butler Township ;. Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Frank Allwein; Barbara, deceased; Josephine, who married Samuel Shaffner, of Butler Township; Joseph B .; Christian, who lives at Butler; and John, who resides in Butler Township. The parents of this family were members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Joseph B. Hinchberger was educated in the Philadelphia schools. He remained on the home farm near that city until after his father's death. In 1864 he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Com- pany G, One Hundred and First Regiment, Penna. Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service until the close of hostilities. He is a charter member of the Butler Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Be- fore purchasing his present farm he worked for some seven years on the Bal- timore & Ohio Railroad, and was foreman of the roundhouse. He has a very valuable farm, much of it being under cultivation, but sixteen acres being yet in timber, and three oil wells having been sunk, one of which is now producing. He raises both grain and stock. His improvements have all been of a substantial character. In 1908 he remodeled his residence and has a very comfortable and attractive home.

Mr. Hinchberger married Barbara Lieb- ler, who is a daughter of George Liebler, of Butler Township, and they have seven children, as follows: Amelia, who is the

wife of John Sullivan, lives in the city of Washington, D. C .; George; Helena ; Louis, who married Eliza Burns, resides in But- ler Township; Mary; William, and Joseph. The family belong to St. Paul's Catholic Church.

In politics, Mr. Hinchberger is a Repub- lican. On account of his high standing in his community and the general confidence in which he is held by his fellow citizens, he has frequently been elected to local of- fice. He has efficiently served seven terms as school director, and has been super- visor, tax collector and overseer of the Poor, and was for two terms court tipstave of the court of Butler County.

ANDREW WHITE McCOLLOUGH is a name familiar throughout the oil and gas regions of Pennsylvania. It stands for all that is honorable in business, having been for a period of more than forty years linked with hundreds of transactions with all classes of people, to emerge untarn- ished by unscrupulous or unfair practices on the part of its bearer. Mr. McCollough may well take pride in his record. The vicissitudes of fortune bore him high on the waves of success, only to dash him against the rocks; but with fortitude and courage of a weather-beaten mariner, he righted his ship, figuratively speaking, and sailed safely into port. His good fortune came not through the misfortune of others, and his misfortune, although involving bankruptcy, did not entail the loss of a sin- gle dollar to his creditors. He is one of Butler's most prominent citizens and stands high in public esteem.

Mr. McCollough was born on the old White homestead in Franklin Township, Butler County, Penna., April 15, 1840, and is a son of Matthew and Jane (White) Mc- Collough, both of whom came of pioneer families of Franklin Township. He was but four years of age at the death of his mother, and he was thereafter reared to manhood by his maternal grandparents,

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Andrew S. and Angelina White. His early education was obtained in the common and Normal schools at Prospect, supplemented by a course in Connoquenessing Academy at Zelienople. He engaged as an instructor five terms in the schools of Connoquenes- sing, Jackson and Franklin Townships, after which he followed merchandising from 1861 to 1871. The latter year marked the beginning of his oil operations at Park- er, Bear Creek, Millerstown and Greece City, which continued for several years with varying success. A student by nature he made a study of this business in all its details, and is admittedly one of the best. known and widely informed gas and oil men in the State, being a recognized au- thority on the geological structure of the oil and gas regions. He possesses the largest private collection of standard works on geology in Western Pennsylvania. He was particularly successful in gas pro- duction, having developed six of the larg- est gas fields in the State.

At the height of a prosperous career, Mr. McCollough encountered unlooked for re- verses that swept away his fortune, leav- ing him heavily involved, not only on his own account but as endorser for others. Free from these obligations by bankruptcy proceedings, he still recognized the moral obligation and set about with renewed en- ergy in operating in the gas fields, in which he had an abiding faith. In time he was enabled to discharge every moral and legal obligation of his own and others, for whom he was endorser, the latter running up into many thousands of dollars. His wonder- ful success continued and he once more took rank among the stalwart men of af- fairs in the vicinity of Butler.

October 17, 1867, Andrew White McCol- lough was joined in marriage with Miss Mary Bredin, who is of pioneer families of Butler on both sides of the house, being a daughter of Edward M. and Adelia (Pur- viance) Bredin. Three children were the issue of this union: Marian. Kelt, and

Harry Ford. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while his wife and daughters are members of St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church. Politically, he is an unswerving supporter of the Re- publican party, and in 1908 was chosen as alternate delegate to the Republican Na- tional Convention at Chicago and was one of the Taft Republican Presidential elec- tors of the state of Pennsylvania. Ile has been a member of Butler Lodge, F. & A. M., since early manhood. IIe has given lib- erally of his means toward the advance- ment of education and religion, and enjoys the respect and confidence of the commun- ity.

EDWIN A. WATSON, of the large mer- cantile firm of William Watson & Son, who conduct stores both at Isle and at Mt. Chestnut, was born October 28, 1868, in Buffalo Township, Butler County, Penna., and is a son of William and Mary A. (Sar- ver) Watson.

Alexander Watson, the grandfather of Edwin A., was born in Scotland. In 1849 he brought his family to America and set- tled in Armstrong County, Penna., where the remainder of his life was spent. He had four children : John A., William, Alex- ander and Isabella.

William Watson, father of Edwin A., was born in Wigtonshire, Scotland, Feb- ruary 12, 1838. For a number of years he was concerned in the stirring life on the frontier, engaged for a time in mining in the vicinity of Pike's Peak and other points and after he returned to Pennsylvania, served for ten months as an officer in Com- pany D, Sixth Regiment, Penna. Heavy Artillery, in defending the city of Wash- ington, during the Civil War. After the close of his military life, Mr. Watson bought a farm in Buffalo Township, which he sold in 1876, when he bought an inter- est in the mercantile business of Alexander Campbell & Sons, at Mount Chestnut. In 1878 Mr. Watson became the owner of the

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whole business, which he conducted under his own name until 1892, when he admitted his son, Edwin A. to partnership.

Mr. Watson was married (first) to Mary E. Sarver, who died in 1874. They had four children: Clara E., who is the wife of Prof. S. L. Cheeseman, of Slip- pery Rock; John W., who resides at Seat- tle, Washington; Edwin A .; and A. Walter, who is in Alaska. Mr. Watson was mar- ried (second) to Mary M. Campbell.

Edwin A. Watson was educated in the township schools and may be said to have grown up in the business in which he is now a partner. Since 1892 he has been as- sociated with his father under the firm name of William Watson & Son. In 1897 the firm established the store at Isle as a branch of the parent house and under the vigorous management of Edwin A. Wat- son, who has charge, it has developed into a larger concern than the one at Mount Chestnut. Prior to the establishing of the free delivery system, Mr. Watson was postmaster at Isle and he serves as express agent at this point. The two stores do the largest business in general merchandise, farm machinery, fertilizers and feed, in Franklin Township.

Edwin A. Watson married Miss Eva Stoops, who is a daughter of William Stoops, and they have six children: Garth, Huber, Janet, Kenneth, Charles and Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are members of the Mount Chestnut United Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a stanch Repub- lican.

ORA H. ANDERSON, one of Allegheny Township's prominent and representative citizens, a leading agriculturist and for- merly an extensive oil producer, resides on his valuable farm, which contains 200 acres. He was born March 31, 1851, in Al- legheny Township, Butler County, Penna., and is a son of Robert P. and Eliza J. (Red- dick) Anderson.

The Anderson family is of Scotch ex-

traction and it was founded in Pennsyl- vania by John Anderson, the great-great- grandfather of Ora H. He was born in Scotland and settled in Mifflin County in pioneer days. From Mifflin County, James Anderson, the great-grandfather, came to Butler County, in 1804, settling in the neighborhood of Six Points, where he erect- ed two grist mills, the first ever built in that section. Mills were among the first necessities of civilization and the Ander- son mills drew custom from a large terri- tory. John Anderson, son of James and grandfather of Ora H., operated a tannery on his farm. The Andersons have always been noted for their thrift and enterprise and they proved themselves most useful to the communities in which they had their homes.

Robert P. Anderson was born in Butler County and prior to the birth of his chil- dren, settled on the farm in Allegheny Township, which is now owned by his son, Ora H. Here his death took place, in 1898, when in his eightieth year. He was active in public matters, served frequently and acceptably in local offices and was one of the leading members of the Scrub Grass Allegheny Presbyterian Church. Two of his children survive, namely: Ora H. and Emma N. The latter resides with her ven- erable uncle, Rev. Samuel Anderson, a Presbyterian minister, who has his home at Bradentown, Florida.

Ora H. Anderson grew to manhood on his present farm and was educated at Glade Run Academy, near Dayton, Penna., and Washington - Jefferson College, at Washington, Pennsylvania, and was grad- uated from the latter institution in 1876. After a short period of school-teaching, Mr. Anderson was engaged in the oil in- dustry, but later turned his whole attention to operating, developing and improving his large estate.

Mr. Anderson married Miss Catherine Riddle, who was born in Venango County, Penna., and is a daughter of the late James

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P. Riddle, formerly of Scrub Grass Town- ship, Venango County. Mr. and Mrs. An- derson have the following children: Eliza and Mary, both of whom are successful teachers in the public schools; and Robert IL., James and Eleanor S. Mr. Anderson and family are members of the Scrub Grass Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. He is a Republican in his political views and he has served both as school di- rector and as auditor of Allegheny Town- ship.

ADAM TROUTMAN, one of Butler's most highly respected citizens, who, for many years was identified with her busi- ness interests and whose enterprise is per- petuated and name honored in the exten- sive business of A. Troutman's Sons, has been a resident here since 1847. He was born in Germany, in 1832, and is a son of Adam and Mary (Cradel) Troutman.

The parents of Mr. Troutman settled first at Harmony, Penna., after their long voy- age of three months, across the stormy ocean, and then located on a farm in Clear- field Township, Butler County, from which they moved to Penn Township, where they lived during the remainder of their lives.

Adam Troutman, bearing his father's name, was an infant when his parents set- tled in Clearfield Township, in 1832, and until he was twelve years old he assisted on the home farms. There were, however, thirteen children in the family and, as his services were not needed, young Adam bravely started out to find other work and to thereby add to the family's fortune, but after six months, during which he worked as hostler in Jacob Riber's hotel, he re- turned home and attended school through the following winter. In the spring he again started out, going to Brady's Bend, where he went to work in a coal bank, where for long hours he drove a patient old mule, and there he remained for two years. Mr. Troutman was not satisfied, however, with the education he had been

able to acquire and after his return home, he went to school for two more months. From there he went to the Zimmerman Hotel, which then stood on the present site of the Willard, and after working there for one year, he was engaged by the gro- ceryman, James Negley. For his first year's services, he received the sum of $25, clothing and board, and the second year, $50, the third year, $75, and the fourth year, $100. In the fifth year, when he married, his salary was fixed at $25 per month.

In the meanwhile, Mr. Troutman had ac- quired a good education by attending night school and had assisted his father in the purchase of land, and so careful, prudent and frugal had he been, with a constant eye to the future establishing of a business of his own, that when Mr. Negley was ready to sell out he had enough capital to go into partnership, later, with Mr. Negley in a new business, which continued for two years, when Mr. Negley bought his interest. Mr. Troutman, with George Weber, then purchased the general mercantile business of William S. Boyd and this partnership continued for five years, when Jacob Boose bought Mr. Weber's interest. Mr. Trout- man and Mr. Boose continued together for eighteen months, when the former bought out the latter and thus gratified the lauda- ble ambition he had long cherished, of owning a business for himself. The old residents of Butler recall Mr. Troutman as a merchant for many years and he contin- ued to conduct his business alone until he admitted his son, J. Henry Troutman, as an equal partner, the firm name becoming A. Troutman & Son. In 1901, Mr. Trout- man sold out his interest to two other sons, George and William Troutman, when the firm name became as it now stands, A. Troutman's Sons. It continues to be one of the leading enterprises of the city and although Mr. Troutman has lived retired ever since, it is a matter of pride with him that the business standards he established

ROBERT A. MARKS

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are still in force with the younger genera- tion. He was one of the first directors of the Butler Savings Bank. In his efforts, Mr. Troutman proved that a young man's success depends largely upon himself and that to advance beyond his fellow plodders, he must not only have brains, but also am- bition, perseverance and a proper regard for the fidelity that he owes to his employ- ers. Along that line lies preferment.

In 1833, Mr. Troutman was married to Miss Margaret Agner and they have had six children: J. Henry, who is secretary and treasurer of the Standard Plate Glass Company; George, who is one of his fath- er's successors; Mary, who is the wife of William Ziegler of Butler; Louise, who is the wife of James B. Hazlett; Albert C., who is the district attorney of Butler Coun- ty; and William, who is part proprietor of A. Troutman's Sons.

Mr. Troutman is one of the valued mem- bers of the Lutheran Church at Butler, with which he has long been identified, in his early years serving as its treasurer and later as deacon and elder.

ROBERT A. MARKS, who was former- ly engaged in mercantile pursuits and in- terested for some years in oil production in Middlesex Township, now operating the leading general store in Callery, Pennsyl- vania, which he purchased of J. H. Thom- as. He was born in Richland Township, Allegheny County, Penna., February 16, 1859, and is a son of William and Eliza (Whiteside) Marks.

The father of Mr. Marks was born in the north of Ireland and died in Alle- gheny County, Penna., in 1884, aged sixty- four years. He came to America when a young man and settled first in Middlesex Township, Butler County, from which sec- tion he moved to Allegheny County and there spent the remainder of his life. He served as a soldier in the Civil War, en- listing from Richland Township. He mar- ried a daughter of George Whiteside. She

was born also in Ireland and accompanied her parents to America and to Middlesex Township, Butler County. To William Marks and wife were born nine children, namely: Mary, deceased, was the wife of S. J. Rankin; Jennie, who is the wife of W. J. Sheppard, of Allegheny; James, who resides at Valencia, Pennsylvania; W. J., deceased; Robert A .; Agnes, who is the wife of Thomas Marshall, of Bakerstown; Luella, who is the wife of Dr. McCandless, of Butler; and an unnamed infant.

Robert A. Marks was reared and educat- ed in his native township and when twenty- three years of age he entered into partner- ship with his brother W. J. Marks, under the style of W. J. Marks & Brother, in a general store at Glade Mills. Later, J. P. Whiteside succeeded W. J. Marks and the firm style became Marks & Whiteside, which continued until 1902, when Mr. Marks bought Mr. Whiteside's interest and carried on the business alone until August, 1907, when he sold out to A. I. Aber. For some fifteen years Mr. Marks was inter- ested in the oil producing business but he has severed his connection with this line of industry along with others, in Middle- sex Township. He was one of the leading Republicans of Middlesex Township and has served in the offices of school director, clerk and treasurer of that township, and had he sought other positions of a political nature, could easily have secured them.

Mr. Marks married Miss Lizzie Belle Heckert, who is a daughter of Joseph Heckert, of Middlesex Township, and they have two children: William Leroy, who is a member of the class of 1911, in the medi- cal department of the University of Penn- sylvania ; and Robert Howard. Mr. Marks, like his father, is a leading member of the Middlesex Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a trustee. He has been affiliat- ed with the Masonic fraternity for many years and belongs to Lodge No. 272, F. & A. M., at Butler, Butler Chapter and Greenville Commandery. He belongs also

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to Connoquonessing Lodge of Odd Fellows, the Elks at Butler and to Glade Mills Camp of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, of which he is venerable council.

GEORGE W. MARBURGER, owner of eighty-five acres of valuable farm land in Adams Township, has spent all of his life from the age of eight years on this farm, and was born February 27, 1852, in Alle- gheny County, Penna. His parents were Milton and Eva (Shrum) (Mateer) Mar- burger.

The parents of Mr. Marburger were both born in Germany. The father came to Amer- ica in early manhood and his first work was done on the old canal that was then in course of construction in Butler and Al- legheny Counties. Later he bought fifty acres of land in Allegheny County, which he later sold to advantage and then pur- chased the farm in Adams Township which is now owned by his son, George W., which formerly belonged to Judge Marshall. On this farm Milton Marburger spent the re- mainder of his life. He died in 1873, aged sixty-four years. He married a widow, Mrs. Eva (Schrum) Mateer, who had three children at that time, namely: Christian; Caroline, who married B. Miller; and Sarah, who married Abraham Zeigler. The following children were born to her second marriage: Anna, who married Henry Wolfe; Catherine, who married John Burr; Eva, who married Isaac Unstead; Susan, who married Philip Geise; Mary, who mar- ried Joseph Cashdollar; Elizabeth, who married Jacob Mathay; Emma, who mar- ried B. Dunbar; George W .; and John. The mother of this family survived the father for many years. She died in 1906, when aged ninety-one.

George W. Marburger was married June 30, 1897, to Anna Walters and they have four children: Ruth, William, Bessie and Russell. In politics, Mr. Marburger is a Democrat. He belongs to a well known

family that has always stood very high in public esteem in Butler County.

EMIL F. NEUBERT, who conducts a meat market at Saxonburg where he is numbered with the reliable business men, owns four acres of land which lies in the extreme end of the town, his residence be- ing a commodious two-story house stand- ing on Main Street. He was born in 1868, in Germany and was nine years old when he was brought to America by his parents, who were Charles and Wilhelmina (Fisher) Neubert.

The father of Mr. Neubert resided first in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, then in West- moreland County, and later came to Butler County and died on the farm on which his son Oliver resides.

Emil F. Neubert attended school at Pittsburg and there soon learned the Eng- lish language. His first work was in help- ing farmers in the environs of Pittsburg and then he learned the baker's trade and later worked for his brother Oliver, in the latter's butcher shop. In the course of time he started into the business for himself and settled in the central part of the village of Saxonburg. He soon built up a fine trade and later purchased his present prop- erty and for the past twenty-two years has enjoyed the patronage of the best people of this community. He has made his own way and through business methods of hon- esty and integrity, has gained and kept the confidence of his fellow citizens. In almost any part of the surrounding country, one of Mr. Neubert's meat wagons may be seen, as he has a large country trade as well as an ample town patronage.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 143

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