Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 145

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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JOHN C. TWADDLE, one of the sub- stantial business men and well known citi- zens of Bruin, Pennsylvania, is a success- ful oil producer and is a director of the First National Bank of that borough. He was born in Parker Township, Butler County, April 20, 1876, and is a son of James and Sarah (Sylvus) Twaddle. His father was born near the city of Pittsburg, and his mother near Saltburg, Pennsyl- vania.

James Twaddle, father of the subject of this sketch, was resident at Parker's Land- ing prior to locating in Parker Township, Butler County, where he spent the most of his mature life. His death occurred in this township, December 14, 1907. He was a progressive citizen and was closely identi- fied with the development of the community and its institutions. He was a Republican in politics, and served some years as a school director. He saw active service in

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the Union Army during the Civil War and participated in numerous hard-fought en- gagements. Ile afterward became a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic. Religiously, he was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church of Bruin. His widow belongs to the Presbyterian Church. She is a lady of the highest Christian char- acter and is now living at Bruin, at the age of sixty-five years, surrounded by many close friends of long years' acquaint- anceship. Of the children born to her and her husband, the following survive: Mar- garet, wife of S. R. Walker of Parker Township; Samuel A. of Chicora, Penn- sylvania; James E. of Oklahoma; John C .; Della J., an instructor in music in Bruin and vicinity ; and Elizabeth B., wife of John S. Walker of Bruin.

John C. Twaddle was reared on the farm in Parker Township, and received a supe- rior educational training in the public schools. In early manhood he began work in the oil fields and this has been his prin- cipal field of operation since ; he has been a producer since 1904. He was one of the promoters of the First National Bank of Bruin, of which he is a director, and was one of the building committee which super- vised the construction of the bank building.

June 9, 1898, Mr. Twaddle was united in marriage with Miss Anna May Odenweller of Bruin, and they reside in a comfortable home in that borough. He is a Republican in politics, and, fraternally a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

ARCHIBALD THOMAS JAMISON has a fine home about two miles northeast of Murrinsville, in Venango Township, Butler County, Penna., and sixty acres of land, but does not engage in farming. He has been identified with the oil fields off and on for many years and is now engaged in drilling in connection with Jacob Sheas- ley of Franklin. He was born in Venango Township, January 10, 1870, and is a son

of George W. Jamison, and a grandson of Archibald Jamison.

Archibald Jamison, the grandfather, was married to Elizabeth Patterson, a daughter of John Patterson, and they had the following offspring: Elizabeth, de- ceased; Matilda, wife of Henry Kelly; Margaret, wife of Washington Johnston; Eliza, wife of John Hilliard; John M., who married Margaret Kelly; James, who married Hulda Tawnyhill; and George W.

George W. Jamison was first united in marriage with Harriet Kelly, a daughter of Michael Kelly, and to them were born: Margaret, wife of John Bell; Melinda, wife of Elmer Delancy; and Archibald Thomas. He was married, secondly, to Elizabeth Brandon, a daughter of William Brandon of Venango Township.

Archibald T. Jamison attended the Rock school house in Venango Township, and assisted his father in the work upon the farm. He then went to work as a tool dresser in the oil fields about Murrins- ville, and from there to drilling in the oil fields of Washington County, Ohio. After his marriage there in 1896, he moved to Forest County, Pennsylvania, where he was for a time connected with a saw mill. He was subsequently located at New Mar- tinsville, West Virginia, Marietta, Ohio, and Cameron, West Virginia, before re- turning to the old home in Venango Town- ship. Upon the death of his father, March 28, 1905, he purchased the home farm of sixty acres, on which he has since lived. All of the buildings were erected by his father but the house, which our subject built. He was for one year engaged in butchering at West Sunbury and then sold out, but his wife is still the owner of a house and lot in that borough. For the past five years he has worked at drilling with Jacob Sheasley.

August 19, 1896, Mr. Jamison was joined in marriage with Miss Martha Garner, a daughter of John Garner of

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Mercer County, and five children were born to them: Charles Thomas, who died at the age of six months; Harriet Ann; Marguerite Viola; Ula Bessie; and Ralph Edward. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church at West Sunbury. He is a Demo- crat in politics and served one term as road superintendent. Fraternally, he is a member of West Sunbury Lodge No. 1154, I. O. O. F.

WILLIAM H. RAMSEY, a representa- tive citizen of Jackson Township, where he owns a valuable farm of sixty acres, belongs to a family that has been estab- lished in Butler County for more than 100 years. Mr. Ramsey was born in Jackson Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1845, and is a son of James and Annie (Covert) Ramsey.

Alexander Ramsey, the grandfather of William H., came to Pennsylvania from County Down, Ireland, in early manhood. He married Grace Smith, who was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and sub- sequently acquired 400 acres of land in Butler County. He built his first house on the site of Emanuel Cashner's resi- dence, in Cranberry Township. Both he and wife died on their farm, on which they had reared a large family, many of whom have descendants all through this portion of the State. The children of Alexander and Grace Ramsey were: James, father of William H .; John, who lived and died on the home farm, and married Sarah Covert; Alexander, who married Sarah McGeorge and reared a large family, died on an adjoining farm; Anthony, a farmer, who married Eliza McGeorge; Mary, who married Isaac Young, died in Jackson Township; and Hannah, who died near Butler, married John Robinson.

James Ramsey was born in Cranberry Township, Butler County, in 1805 and died in 1869. He married Annie Covert, a daughter of Morris Covert, who came

to Jackson Township about the time the Ramseys settled here. James Ramsey owned 150 acres of land which he culti- vated and improved, erecting the com- fortable farm-house in 1844. His widow survived until 1890. Their surviving chil- dren are: William H .; Alexander, who resides on an adjoining farm, married Sophia Powel; and Nancy and Lizzie, who reside at Beaver Falls. One brother of the above, James Ramsey, is deceased; and a sister, Mary Ann. The latter was married (first) to Henry Honoddle, who was killed in the army during the Civil War, and (second) to Isaac Coble, of Whitestown.

William H. Ramsey was educated in the district schools and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. His land has proved to be rich in oil as well as adapted to agri- culture, and at present there are five pro- ducing wells on his farm. He has con- tinued the improving which was com- menced by his father, and in 1871 he put up the substantial barn:

Mr. W. H. Ramsey married Miss Nancy Conkline, who is a daughter of the late Lawrence Conkline, of Butler County, and they have had five children, namely : Vivie, residing near Callery, is the wife of Miles Cashdollar; Kittie, who married Vance Cashdollar, residing on the old Cashdollar farm; Nettie and Chloe, both residing at home with their parents; and a son, de- ceased. W. H. Ramsey's family are mem- bers of the Free Methodist Church, but he, like his parents, has membership in the United Presbyterian. In his political views he is a stanch Democrat. For many years the Ramseys have been among the most important people in Jackson Town- ship.

THE STANDARD COAL MINING COMPANY, located on the Hilliard branch of the Bessemer Railroad, in Washington Township, Butler County, Penna., is owned and operated by Harry

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and Fred J. Hamilton. The mine had been in operation prior to 1899, but was abandoned; in that year, the Hamilton brothers re-opened it and it has been in full operation since. They have about 230 acres of land under lease, employ a force of 100 men, and mine from 250 to 300 tons per working day, of nine hours. The com- pany is in a very prosperous condition.

THE MUTUAL COAL MINING COM- PANY, operating what is known as the Royle Coal Mine, is owned and controlled by Harry and Fred J. Hamilton, men of long experience in the mining business. This mine, which had been opened by Royle Brothers of Hilliard, in 1903, was taken over in 1905 by a partnership firm, consisting of H. S. Miller, Fred Rowe, and Harry and Fred J. Hamilton. A stock company was organized with a capital stock of $30,000, and was given the name of the Mutual Coal Company, it being now owned by the two Hamiltons, who pur- chased the interests of their partners. The business of this concern has thrived through judicious management and the ex- cellence of its product, and their present output of about 300 tons per day will soon be enlarged to about 500 tons. The mining is done by the compressed air process, and employment is given to a force of ninety men. This company is operating at Ar- gentine, in Washington Township, and has shipping facilities through the Hilliard branch of the Bessemer Railroad.

ALBERT W. SMITH, a prosperous agriculturist, of West Liberty Borough, Brady Township, Butler County, Penna., was born on his father's present farm of 133 acres, June 16, 1868, son of John B. and Catherine (Croll) Smith. He is a great-grandson of Elisha Smith, who was born and reared in New Jersey and who was a ship carpenter by trade. Elisha married Rebecca Bowen, August 17, 1778,

and among their children were Enoch, Ruth, Anne, Daniel, and Dan. Daniel died in infancy. Dan, who came from New Jer- sey to Butler County with the rest of the family in 1807, married Rebecca Boston. They had eleven children, namely: Eliza- beth, Hannah, Rebecca A., Ruth, Alzira, Kate, Sarah, Margaret, John B., Emaline and Mary.

John B. Smith, son of Dan and father of the subject of this sketch, married Catherine S. Croll and is now a prominent farmer in West Liberty Borough, Brady Township. He and his wife were the par- ents of four children-Mary, deceased; Albert W., whose name appears at the head of this article; Annie L., wife of Thomas A. Hines; and Clara L., wife of W. L. Morrow.

Albert W. Smith received a thorough training in agricultural work and is in every respect a practical farmer, intelli- gent and progressive. He lives in a fine brick residence, on his father's farm. The farm when first settled was in what was then Slippery Rock Township, the first settler thereon being Enoch Smith, son of Elisha Smith above mentioned, who occu- pied the place as early as 1805. Coming to the locality in 1805 he stayed here one year, then went back to his home in Deer- field, N. J. He returned with his sister Ruth in the spring of 1806 and stayed here until the fall. They then returned to New Jersey, but in 1807 they came back to this locality and took up their residence on this farm with the other members of the family.

Albert W. Smith was married, May 21, 1890, to Mary E. McConnell, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Bennett) McConnell. They have seven children, namely: Ella L., Elizabeth R., Annie L., John A., Alton D. B., Amy R., and Paul S. Mr. Smith is a member of the M. E. church, and frater- nally he belongs to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Slippery Rock, No. 350.

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM T. MARTIN

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REV. JOHN A. KRIBBS, the very com- petent superintendent of The Orphans' Home and Farm School, at Zelienople, Pennsylvania, has given thirty years of his life to this institution, which is con- ducted under the Board of Managers of the Institution of Protestant Deaconesses of Pennsylvania. Mr. Kribbs has long been a minister of the Evangelical Luth- eran Church. He was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Capt. George and Susanna Kribbs.

Mr. Kribbs spent his boyhood on his father's farm in Clarion County. In 1857 he became a student in the academy at Zelienople, which had been opened by Rev. Dr. W. A. Passavant, D. D., and Rev. G. Bassler, where he was under the instruc- tion of Prof. Josiah Titzel. Following this academic training, Mr. Kribbs taught school at various places and very accept- ably. In the spring of 1862 he returned to Clarion County and assisted in recruit- ing a company for service in the Federal army. This company went to the front in August, 1862, with John A. Kribbs as its first sergeant and he continued in that rank until after the battle of Fredericks- burg, in December of that year, when his gallantry procured his promotion to the first lieutenancy of Company G, One Hun- dred Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Fifth Army Corps, and in that capacity he served until the close of the Rebellion and cessation of hostilities. Mr. Kribbs commanded this Company the greater part of the time and participated in all the great battles fought by the Army of the Potomac, with two exceptions, from August, 1862, until the close of the war.

To name them recalls the historic names so familiar at one time in even the most secluded sections of our now great and united country: Antietam, Fredericks- burg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spott- sylvania Court House, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Rail- road, Prebles Farm and Hatchers' Run.

He was with his company in the wonderful review of the tattered but victorious troops that took place at Washington, after the end of the long and cruel war and was mustered out of the service on June 9, 1865, and returned to his home in Clarion County. He had gone out with ninety-three men, he came home with twenty-eight and all of these twenty-eight had been wounded, except five.

In September of the same year Mr. Kribbs became a student in the Lutheran Theological Seminary, at Philadelphia, where he remained until his graduation in June, 1868. In the latter part of the same month he took charge of a mission church at Kittanning and served that congrega- tion for ten years, acceptably and success- fully. In April, 1878, he resigned that charge and accepted the pastorate of two congregations and also the directorship of the Orphans' Home, at Zelienople, Pa.

The Zelienople Orphanage was founded at Pittsburg in 1852, and was brought to Zelienople in 1854. Since 1878 Mr. Kribbs assumed the full directorate and has de- voted thirty years of his life to this work of mercy. The annual enrollment is from seventy-five to ninety orphans and at the - present writing (1908) there are eighty- four children in the Home receiving the benefits of Christian care and training. In this great beneficent work Mr. Kribbs is admirably assisted by his estimable wife, to whom he was married in 1872. She was formerly Miss Margaret A. Din- widdie of Philadelphia, Pa.

WILLIAM T. MARTIN, retired farmer and representative citizen of Penn Town- ship, residing on his valuable farms of 120 acres, on which he has ten producing oil wells, was born September 9, 1851, in Con- noquonessing Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of James and Margaret (Anderson) Martin.

The father of Mr. Martin was born also in Connoquonessing Township, in 1818, and

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died in 1892. In 1865 he bought what was known as the Wise farm, in Penn Town- ship, and there he resided until his death. He married Margaret Anderson and they had eight children, namely: Alice, wife of Samuel Dunbar, of Pittsburg; William T .; Benton, O., of Allegheny County; Jennie, wife of Albert Wible, of Penn Township; Margaret, wife of Albert Starr, of Penn Township; Robert H., of Allegheny City; Agnes, wife of Judson Klinginsmith, of Penn Township; and Frank C., of Cleve- land, Ohio.

The grandfather of Mr. Martin was Rob- ert Martin, who came with his parents from Ireland in 1801 and settled in what is now Connoquonessing Township, Butler County. He subsequently took part in the War of 1812 and was called Captain Martin on account of his rank as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment Penna. Militia. He served as a justice of the peace for nearly forty years and was county auditor and county commissioner. He died in 1847. In 1808 he married Keziah McClure, who died in 1843.

William T. Martin was twelve years old when his parents moved to his present farm and has continued here ever since and until within three years, carried on ex- tensive farming and stockraising. His land has been found rich in oil and sixteen wells have been drilled, ten of these being producers at present, as mentioned above.

Mr. Martin married Elizabeth Anderson, who died in 1905, aged forty-five years. She was a daughter of James D. Anderson, an old settler. Mrs. Martin was a consist- ent member of the Middlesex Presbyterian Church. She was known and beloved by a wide circle. In politics, Mr. Martin is a Democrat but he takes no very active in- . terest. He has served as justice of the peace but has accepted no other public office. Since the death of Mrs. Martin he has not been actively engaged in farming. His winters are spent in travel and he has

visited many pleasant sections, especially through the South.

JOHN F. MILLER, a well known citi- zen of Venango Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, where he owns a valuable property of 100 acres, was born on his present farm on March 25, 1858. He is a son of James E., Jr., and Susanna (Dur- nell) Miller, and is a grandson of James E. Miller, Sr.

James E. Miller, Sr., was united in mar- riage with Isabelle Cochran, a daughter of Thomas Cochran of Mercer County, Penn- sylvania, and they reared the following family: Robert, who married a Miss Gallaway; Jane, who married Lycurgus Abel, both now deceased; William Frank- lin, who married Ellen Kirkton of Ohio; Isabelle, wife of John Parker of Bellaire, Ohio; Thomas, deceased; Elizabeth, de- ceased; John, deceased; Eliza, deceased; and James E., Jr.

James E. Miller, Jr., married Susanna Durnell, a daughter of John Durnell of Butler County, and they had the following offspring: Sarah, wife of T. A. Crawford of Grove City, by whom she has two daughters-Blanche and Mazie B .; John Franklin, subject of this record; James Erskin, who married Margaret Hulings, a daughter of Alfred Hulings of Alle- gheny Township, and has two daughters -Josie and Susan; Elizabeth, who mar- ried Harper Eakin of the state of Wash- ington, by whom she has three chil- dren-Frank, Twilla and Morna; Ella J., who lives at Franklin; Lulu, wife of C. J. Weigand of Trenton, New Jersey, by whom she has three sons-James, Robert and Charles; Ida, who is the wife of Will- iam Jamison of Foxburg; and Robert H., who married Lulu Bovard, a daughter of John Bovard, and has a daughter, Miss Rachel.

John Franklin Miller first attended the Cherry Valley school in Venango Town-

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ship, and later the school conducted by I. C. Kettler in the Scrubgrass Church. He then assisted his father on the home- stead, which is located one and one half miles north of Eau Claire, until after his marriage when he went to work as a pumper in the oil fields. He continued in the oil fields for ten years, then worked as a huckster for six years, gathering prod- uce which he shipped in cars to Pittsburg. He was very successful in this work and at the end of the time mentioned pur- chased thirty acres of the old homestead. This he subsequently sold to O. H. Tebay, then bought the remainder of the home- stead of his father. He has a rich farm of 100 acres, fifty of which is under culti- vation. He has nine good producing oil and gas wells, and there are two veins of coal underlying the land, one of them a three-foot vein which was opened some years ago but is not now being worked. He has a fine grove of Hard Maples which produce from seventy-five to 150 gallons of maple syrup annually.

On December 28, 1881, Mr. Miller was joined in marriage with Miss Carrie E. Jamison, a daughter of George S. Jami- son of Venango Township, and they be- came parents of the following children : Blanche Gertrude, a teacher in the schools at Grove City; Clare A., who is also teaching school; George Floyd, who is a member of the class of 1909 in Eau Claire Academy; Lulu Belle; James Erskin; and Frank Dewitt. Politically, he is a member of the Democratic party, and has filled various township offices, among them that of school director and auditor. He is an elder in the Scrubgrass Presbyterian church, of which he has been a member for twenty-nine years. He served three terms as superintendent of the Sabbath School, and his daughter, Miss Gertrude, sings in the church choir.

HENRY W. HENSHAW, a respected „ citizen of Zelienople, Butler County, Penn-

sylvania, has been a lifelong resident of this county, making his home at Prospect, prior to locating where he now lives, in 1898. He is employed at the pattern filing trade and is a very successful business man. Mr. Henshaw was born in Prospect, August 19, 1855, and is a son of Joseph and Susanna (Dunn) Henshaw, and a grandson of Jacob Henshaw.

Jacob Henshaw, the grandfather, came from east of the Alleghany Mountains to Butler County at a very early period and first located at Harmony. He soon after moved to Prospect and became the owner of a good farm in Franklin Township. He died at the home of a son-in-law, George Albert, in 1864, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years.

Joseph Henshaw was born in Prospect on July 2, 1824, and throughout his entire business career followed the business of a shoemaker. He was a man of the bright- est intellect and enjoyed quite a prestige as a mathematician. He compiled a mathematical compendium, which is now a treasured possession of his son, Henry W. His death occurred on January 7, 1880. He was married to Susan Jane Dunn, who was born September 28, 1831, and died in 1894. They were parents of the following children: William Frank- lin, whose death occurred in 1895; Marcia, who died August 24, 1854, while in in- fancy; Henry W .; Susanna, wife of Sam- uel Crawford of Shamokin; Dora, who is the wife of Henry Shriber and resides at Allegheny; Drusilla, who died in July, 1892, and was the wife of William L. Albert; Charles, who died January 12, 1862, in childhood; one who died un- named; Jacob, whose death occurred May 14, 1877; Jefferson, a marble cutter by trade, who resides at Prospect; and Jen- nie. Religiously, Mrs. Henshaw was a member of the Lutheran church.

Henry W. Henshaw attended the com- mon schools at Prospect, and at an early age learned the trade of a shoemaker un-

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der his father, in whose shop he worked for eight years. Hle then worked as a journeyman shoemaker at different points until his marriage. He continued to live in Prospect and work at his trade until 1898, when on November 18, he removed to Zelienople. There he continued at his trade for about four years, then turned his energies to pattern filing. Of a mechanical turn of mind, it was with little difficulty he mastered this trade, at which he has since worked. During the past six years he has maintained his residence on West Mill Street.

September 23, 1882, Mr. Henshaw was united in marriage with Miss Emma Lutz, a daughter of William Lutz, and she died April 21, 1884, leaving one daughter, Miss Mabel. He formed a second marital union on November 18, 1885, with Miss Eva Dunn, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Covert) Dunn of Fairview, and they have two children, Emma and Joseph. Emma Henshaw married Clyde Ramsey of Evans City, who is a son of Samuel Ramsey. Fraternally, the subject of this sketch is a member of Rustic Lodge No. 882, I. O. O. F., at Prospect; and Modern Woodmen at Zelienople. Politically, he is a Demo- crat. In religious attachment he and his wife are members of the Zelienople Pres- byterian Church.

HON. WILLIAM M. KENNEDY, for- merly mayor of the city of Butler, and for many years one of its foremost men, was born January 1, 1858, in Summit Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John D and Jean N. (Max- well) Kennedy.

The Kennedy family was established in Butler County by the great-grandfather of William M., who came from the North of Ireland to the United States. James Ken- nedy, the grandfather, was born in Butler County, and his son, John D., father of William M., was born in Clearfield Town- ship, Butler County, in 1820 and died in

1902. He served four years in the Civil War and for ten months was confined in Andersonville and Libby Prisons, where he contracted scurvy and from this dis- ease he was a sufferer until the end of his life. He was a member of the One Hun- dred Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, and he participated in twenty-seven battles. On all these fields he faced danger with courage and escaped injury, only to fall a victim to cruelty that amounted to inhumanity. He married Jean N. Maxwell, who was born in Sum- mit Township, Butler County, during the time her father, Abraham Maxwell, was serving as sheriff.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 145

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