Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 147

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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ity, and soon had his affairs in a good healthy state. In 1878, he located in But- ler County, Pennsylvania, and lived on the old home farm the remainder of his days, dying on April 16, 1901, at the age of sixty- nine years. He was a stanch Republican in politics, and although frequently im- portuned to accept of public office, stead- fastly refused. He was united in marriage with Margaret F. Calvin, who was born in the Mountains of Cambria County, Penna., her people at an early period being resi- dents of Philadelphia. Six children were the offspring of their union: Orzila, wife of Charles Shaver; Sarah I., widow of Azure Reed; George W., deceased; Robert Sterling; Margaret F .; and William, de- ceased.

Robert Sterling Irwin was four years of age when brought by his parents to For- ward Township, and he was there reared on the farm and attended the district schools. He subsequently completed a business course at West Sunbury. His educational advantages were exceedingly limited, but he is possessed of a superior education, gained through individual re- search and study. He started his business career at the early age of thirteen, and as working capital had $600 which he ob- tained on his individual note, which he af- terward paid with the fruits of his toil. He entered the oil fields as teamster, and later took up contracting and drilling, running four strings of tools. He followed con- tracting successfully until 1906, and is still a producer. He has an undivided interest in the home farm of 133 acres in Forward Township, on which oil was developed. There are now eight wells on the farm, each of which averages five barrels per day.

Mr. Irwin is a broad-gauged, liberal- minded man, who has given much study to questions of importance to county and state. He has in the past given support to Republican principles, voting for Mc- Kinley and Roosevelt for president. A study of the temperance question has made

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

him an avowed Prohibitionist, on both moral and economic grounds. In 1906, he was made the candidate of that party for the State Legislature, but owing to the de- mands of his business he gave no time in making a canvass, letting the election go by default. He was again nominated for that office in 1908, and in support of his candidacy has advanced arguments show- ing that the saloon, prima facie affording relief to the tax payers through the license it pays, is in fact an additional burden to them through the increased cost of prose- cutions in crimes directly attributable to drink. He advocates a local option law which will be effective in county and state, and his activity has won many supporters to the cause. He has never been in the field to buy votes, believing that he who buys a vote will also sell his own. At the close of the election he was shown to have received 1,268 votes more than four times the amount ever polled before. He is a man of excellent personal habits, never has used tobacco nor tasted liquor; he has been interested in the cause of Prohibition since he was a boy, having signed the pledge under Burwell, "the boy orator," in his youthful days. He has been a mem- ber of the Anti-Saloon League for more than ten years. He is at the present time serving his sixth years as a member of the school board, and during that time has visited the schools 250 times; he has ever been a friend to the cause of education, and has done much to improve the school sys- tem. At the Butler County Directors In- stitute, he was the only one of thirty di- rectors from the county to be called upon to address the gathering.

June 4, 1895, Mr. Irwin was joined in marriage with Miss Ada Belle Jenkins, a daughter of Richard Jenkins, and they be- came parents of five children: Ruth E .; Rachel B .; Lois N .; Mary F .; and George W. In religious attachment they are mem- bers of the M. E. Church of Evans City, of which he has been treasurer since 1898

He has addressed the congregation from the pulpit on eight different occasions, be- ing a speaker of unusual ability. Fra- ternally, he is a member of Evans City Lodge No. 817, I. O. O. F.

FRANCIS JOSEPH FORQUER was born in Venango Township October 4th, 1861. He is a son of Hugh and Katherin (Murrin) Forquer. The paternal grand- father of Mr. Forquer was John Forquer who was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1782, and died August 13th, 1867, in Donegal Township, Butler County, Penna. The paternal grandfather on his mother's side was Joseph Murrin, one of the orig- inal settlers of Venango Township and founders of Murrinsville.

Mr. Forquer attended the township's public schools until 1871 when the family moved to Loretto, Cambria County, Penna., where he resided and went to school until 1874. He then returned to Butler County and worked upon the farm of his uncle for a couple of years. He then went to Millerstown and worked for a cousin, driving team and farming. Mil- lerstown at this time was having her big boom as an oil country. In 1877 he went to Pittsburg and went to work in The Adams Glass Factory to learn the trade and in 1878 was taken down with typhoid fever and had to give up and return home. He clerked on saw mills in Venango Town- ship for a time and then entered the Clin- tonville Academy where he attended school for about a year. The gold fever was at its height in Colorado about this time and Mr. Forquer caught it and went West to Colorado where after a time spent in prospecting he was again a victim of sick- ness and had to remove to a lower alti- tude. He returned to Kansas City, Mo., where he secured a position with the Cor- rigan Street Car Company as chief en- gineer of a team of mules and a street car. He was appointed deputy county marshal by Con. Murphy, who was marshal of

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Jackson County, Mo. After serving in this capacity until Mr. Murphy went out of office he secured a position on the famous Kansas City Fire Department where he served for five years, resigning to engage in the real estate business which at that time was booming in the city.

Mr. Forquer was prominently identified with Democratic politics in city, county and state, he being one of the six state delegates from Missouri that founded the National Association of Democratic Clubs in Baltimore in 1888. Mr. Forquer being on the Resolutions Committee of that con- vention.

Later Mr. Forquer went to Montana where he engaged in mining and real estate ; he was also interested in real estate in Salt Lake, Washington, Oregon, and California. He later returned to Kansas City and engaged in the cigar business for a time; then railroad ticket brokerage; then grain, stocks and bonds, and later came home to Venango Township where he was in time to enlist in Company F, 16th Regiment, N. G. P., for the Spanish- American war which he served through as a private with honor and distinction. After the war he returned to Venango Township, Butler County, Penna., where his father and mother were residing with a maiden aunt on the old Murrin home- stead. Mr. Forquer s father and mother both died within two months of his return from the war, and he has resided with his maiden aunt who is in her eighty-third year.

Ever since Mr. Forquer has been super- intendent for the St. Patrick Oil & Gas Company, a Pittsburg corporation, who op- erate a portion of the farm he resides on. Mr. Forquer is a Democrat, a Roman Catholic and a Moose.

LEWIS MARTSOLF, whose splendid farm of 310 acres is situated along the Franklin Road, in Brady Township, is one of the substantial and representative citi-

zens of this section and one of its most successful farmers and stockraisers. He was born March 19, 1857, in Center Town- ship, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Henry and Gertrude (Miller) Martsolf.

Both parents of Mr. Martsolf were born in Germany and both came to America when young. Henry Martsolf grew to manhood and acquired land at Little Creek, in Connoquenessing Township, But- ler County, which he later sold and bought the farm in Center Township where his family of twelve children were born. The mother of these children died March 28, 1874, and was survived many years by her husband, whose death occurred in Septem- ber, 1907, when aged ninety-one years, at Butler, to which city he had retired.

Lewis Martsolf was reared on the home farm in Center Township and attended the neighborhood schools during boyhood." He has devoted himself entirely to farm pursuits, making a specialty for some years' past of raising Shorthorn cattle. His fine herds bring high prices and he keeps as many as thirty-five head at one time. Following his marriage, Mr. Mart- solf rented land first in Franklin Town- ship, later in Clay, then Butler and Clay again, until 1889, when he bought the farm of 100 acres, which is now occupied by a son, and in 1898 he bought 130 acres more and several years later purchased an addi- tional eighty acres. This is some of the finest land in the township and Mr. Mart- solf has the best improved farm in this section. In 1900 he put up his fine resi- dence and all his farm buildings are of substantial construction.

Mr. Martsolf married Miss Mary Mc- Kinnis, who was reared in Franklin Town- ship, a daughter of Robert McKinnis, and they have had six children, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Etta, who married Daniel Ifft, of Franklin Township, has two children, Gladys and Olive; James H., residing on a part of

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

his father's property, married Lizzie Mc- Bride and they have one son, John; Laura, who is the wife of Nicholas Ifft, of Franklin Township; Clara, and Flo- rence at home. Mr. Martsolf is a member of the beneficiary order of the Protected Home Circle. He takes no very active part in politics but has always done his part in public matters when called upon to contribute labor, means or influence.

DAVID J. SLOAN is a representative citizen of the borough of Eau Claire and has been a life long resident of Butler County, Pennsylvania. He was born in Venango Township, May 23, 1832, and is a son of David, Sr. and Rachel (Mc- Laughlin) Sloan, and grandson of Samuel Sloan.

Samuel Sloan was the father of a large family of children, all of whom grew to maturity and became useful men and women. Their names follow: Samuel, who married Elizabeth Conn, daughter of Joseph Conn, and had two sons, Lyal and Perry; William, who married Jane Lay- ton, a daughter of Enos Layton, and had five children-Bascom, Charles, Flora, Margaret and Eliza; John, who married Sarah Allabaugh and had two sons, Har- vey and Samuel; James; David; Henry; Robert, who married Alice Hilliard; Joseph, who married Ellen Leslie, and had three children-George, Washington and Ephraim; Thomas, who married Sally Ann Cornelius; Andrew, who married Rachel Say; Jane, who became the wife of Thomas Jolly; Nancy, wife of Alexan- der Grant; and Betsy, wife of Samuel Sloan.

David Sloan, Sr., married Rachel Mc- Laughlin and the following were the off- spring of their union: Matthew; Samuel; Joseph; David J .; Jesse, who married Jane Stevenson; John; Jane; Elizabeth; Emeline; and Euphemia, who married David Sparks and has three children- John, Birdie and Minnie. Matthew Sloan

married Valley Welch, and seven children were born to them: Levestone, Walter, Savoy, Orval, Hormer, Anna Lena and Anna Belle. Samuel Sloan married Re- becca Davis and they had eight children: David, Edward, Gilbert, John, Sherril, Jennie, Ada and Bird. Joseph Sloan mar- ried Rosa Donaldson, by whom he had the following children: Edward, Stella, Nora, Louisa, Leonidas and Eva. John Sloan married Jane Morgan and the following were their offspring: Clyde, Winnie, Bir- die, Carl, Wesley, Myrtle, Flora and Ruth. Jane Sloan became the wife of Josiah Hol- land, by whom she had the following: Aus- tin, Plummer, John, Estella and Emma; Elizabeth Sloan married John Phitithan and they have four children: William, Ralph, Silvia and Carrie.

David J. Sloan first attended the com- mon schools in Venango Township, and later the Six Points school in Allegheny Township, after which he gave his atten- tion to farming on the old homestead in the latter township, located about three- fourths of a mile from Eau Claire. He next became proprietor of a general store and conducted the post-office for some years. In addition he was engaged in butchering for some years and sold cattle on the hoof, meeting with a high degree of success in his various business ventures. He finally sold the store, also his farm, and purchased three lots in the borough of Eau Claire. His property is well located and valuable, and each lot is well equipped with substantial buildings. He is a Re- publican in politics, and serves as con- stable of Eau Claire, and also as assessor.

Mr. Sloan was joined in marriage with Jane Bovard, a daughter of Robert Bo- vard of Eau Claire, and they too have a large family, namely: Ella, who married Fred Stalker of Pittsburg, by whom she has the following children: Earl, Plum- mer, Blanche, William, Edna, Dean and Ralph; Eda, who married Henry Rebold and has three children-William, Minnie

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and Jessie; William of Pittsburg, who married Jennie Shira and has a daughter, Dorothy; Alma, wife of Samuel Alexander, by whom she has five children-Myrtle, Cora, Joseph, Stanley and Alva; Frank- lin, who married Jennie Collinwood, daughter of Charles Collinwood of Evans City; Alva, who married Stella Harris; Olive, wife of Gerald McGuyre; and Er- nest. Religiously, Mr. Sloan is a member of the M. E. Church at Eau Claire.

DAVID MANSFIELD THOMPSON, a farmer and oil producer, is a well known citizen of Fairview Township, Butler Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, where he has a fine farm of ninety-six acres. There are five pro- ducing wells on this farm which bring him a handsome revenue. He was born on the farm on which he now lives, July 5, 1856, and is a son of David and Isabella (Mans- field) Thompson. His grandfather, John Thompson, was one of the early settlers of Butler County.

David Thompson, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in 1827, and his death re- sulted from an accident with a threshing machine, December 19, 1874. He was united in marriage with Miss Isabella Mansfield, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in 1831, and died in 1901. They were parents of the fol- lowing children : Samantha J., who was the wife of Dr. W. L. DeWolfe of Butler, and died in November, 1908, leaving two sons; David M., subject of this record; John, who lives in Greenville, Clarion County, and who married Metta Hepler, by whom he has two children, Lois and Elizabeth; H. B., who was the fourth in order of birth; Clara E .; and L. N., who married Amanda Jamison (deceased), by whom he had a son, Paul. L. N. Thompson died in 1903, and his son continues to reside in Butler County.

David M. Thompson has been a life long resident of Butler County, and received his

intellectual training in the public schools of Fairview Township. He engaged in teaming for a period of twenty-five years, but farming has been his principal occupa- tion in life, although for some years he has been active in the oil business. He pur- chased the other heirs'interests in the home farm, on which he has made most of the im- provements, having one of the best kept properties in the township. The farm orig- inally included 100 acres, but since acquir- ing possession of it, he has disposed of four acres to the Allegheny Railroad Com- pany.

Mr. Thomas was united in marriage with Miss Maria J. Glenn, the wedding occur- ring April 25, 1883, at her home near Sun- bury, the Rev. S. W. Bean officiating. She is one of the following children who were born to her parents, William M. and Kath- eryn (McMahon) Glenn : Maria J .; Sarah and Dorcas, twins; Norman; Theodore; and Frank, who died at the age of fourteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson became parents of the following, all of whom were born on the home farm: Erla B., wife of John Ellenberger, by whom she has a son, Howard; Hazel, who was born August 9, 1888, and died September 27, 1908; Frank, who is a teacher in the public schools of Butler County; Dean, who is in attendance at High School; Daisy; and Glenn. Re- ligiously, Mr. Thompson and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church of Fairview. He has frequently been called upon to serve his community in official positions of trust, having been school director six years, tax collector one year, and township treasurer two years.

MRS. NANCY A. MARTIN. The Mar- tin homestead farm of 160 acres, is one of the most valuable pieces of property in Venango Township and it is owned by Mrs. Nancy A. Martin, who has resided here since 1869. She is a lady universally es- teemed and was born December 7, 1849, in Worth Township, Butler County, Pennsyl-

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vania. Her parents were William and Mary (Shafer) Craig.

The father of Mrs. Martin was born in Ireland and her mother in Butler County. They resided for many years in Worth Township, where they were among the re- spected members of society, and there Mrs. Martin was reared and obtained her schooling. She was married October 27, 1869, to the late Christopher Martin, who died January 22, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Mar- tin became parents of seven children, namely: Cora J., who resides at Norris- town, Pennsylvania; Mary E., the wife of W. N. Milford (now deceased, on January 26, 1909), of Monroe County, Ohio; Will- iam E., who lives in Oklahoma; Bertha Irene, who is the wife of W. P. Cubbison, of Venango County; James A., who lives in Venango Township, Butler County ; Nina P., who is the wife of J. M. Collar, of Allegheny Township and Christopher C., who resides in Venango Township.

Christopher Martin was born in Ireland and was a son of Robert and Jane (Patter- son) Martin, who brought him to America when he was three years old. His par- ents came directly to Butler County and settled in Venango Township and Mrs. Martin's present farm is a part of the original estate secured by Robert Martin. He followed farming during his life and his son Christopher succeeded to the es- tate and continued to improve and culti- vate through all his active life. Mr. Mar- tin was an estimable man and was widely known. He took proper interest in every- thing that concerned the welfare of his neighborhood, but found his greatest pleas- ure in quietly pursuing an agricultural life and in looking after the rearing and educating of his children. In politics he was a Republican and when his party put him forward and elected him to local of- fices, he performed the duties of the same with the carefulness and regularity with which he managed his own affairs. He was a leading member and a trustee of the

East End Presbyterian Church, to which Mrs. Martin also belongs. She is very ac- tive in the church missionary society and attends to many private charities. The Martin home has always been known as one of great hospitality.

MARKLE J. NEYMAN, general farm- er and substantial citizen of Oakland Township, resides on the old John H. Ney- man farm of 152 acres, of which he is one of the four heirs. It is situated five miles north of Butler, near the Millinger school- house. Mr. Neyman was born in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1845, and is a son of John H. and Isabell ( Wil- son) Neyman.

John H. Neyman followed lumbering in his early manhood, in Jefferson County, but returned to farming during the child- hod of his son, Markle J. He took up his residence on his father's farm, the one now owned by his heirs, who had settled here many years ago. John Neyman, the grandfather, has long since passed away, and John H. Neyman, the father, was acci- dentally killed in April, 1881. The latter married Isabell Wilson, who still survives. They had six children, the present surviv- ors being: Markle J .; Mary, who is the wife of John T. Montgomery, of Oakland; John G., a carpenter who is employed in Pittsburg; and Margaret, who lives at home. The two deceased are Sarah E., who died aged twenty-six years; and Clark, who died at the age of twelve.

Markle J. Neyman has operated the home farm for about thirty years. He at- tended the local schools in his boyhood, since which time he has given his atten- tion to cultivating the home farm, and he has been numbered with the capable farm- ers of this township for many years. Mr. Neyman married Annie Fleeger, who was a daughter of Peter Fleeger and a sister of the late Captain Fleeger, of Butler. They had five children: Jessie Blanch, who is now deceased; Le Roy, George C.,

.5.01

MARKLE J. NEYMAN

MRS. ANNIE F. NEYMAN

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Mary Belle and Nelson. The beloved mother of this little family died in 1900. Mr. Neyman is a member and liberal sup- porter of the North Butler Presbyterian Church.

CHARLES BEACHEM, of Euclid, Butler County, Pennsylvania, has engaged in coal mining during a greater part of his active business career, but at the present time carries on farming on the tract of thirty-seven acres on which he lives. He is a native of England, the date of his birth being November 23, 1856, and is a son of Francis and Caroline (Hodges) Beachem, both of whom died in England.

Charles Beachem was reared to maturity in England, and from the time he was ten years of age worked in the mines. He was married at the age of twenty-two and immediately after moved to the United States, where he first located in Trumbull County, Ohio. He worked in the mines there for six years, then moved to Cherry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, where he farmed and mined for a period of thirteen years. In 1897, he moved to Euclid, where he has since engaged in gen- eral farming.

Mr. Beachem was united. in marriage with Miss Annie Swain, a daughter of Noah Swain, she also being a native of England; her death occurred during their residence in Cherry Township. The fol- lowing children were born to them: Noah W., who is a widower and has four chil- dren-Charles, Kenneth, Noah and Geral- dine; Francis Albert, who also has four children-Annie, Kermit, Francis, and Cecil Rhodes; Thomas; Florence; Carrie, who is the wife of I. W. Kimmel and has two children-Gerald Eugene and Charles Wilmer; Charles; and Hannah. Mr. Beachem is a man of the highest principles, straightforward and honest in all his deal- ings with his fellow men, and a most useful citizen.

ERNEST L. STEARNS, postmaster and storekeeper at Ferris Post Office, in Venango Township, was born in Sala- manca, New York, August 29, 1873, and is a son of Devillo B. and Alvira (Akerly) Stearns, and a grandson of Joseph B. Stearns.

Joseph B. and Mary Stearns, grandpar- ents of the subject of this record, had the following children: Parmilla, Cynthia, Carmeda, Devillo B. and Charles. Devillo B. Stearns married Alvira Akerly, daugh- ter of Joseph Akerly, and they became par- ents of four children, namely: Bessie, deceased; Jessie, deceased; Ernest L. ; and Fremont, who married Emma Uhera, by whom he has three children - Jessie, Florence and George.

Ernest L. Stearns attended the public schools of Salamanca, New York, and lived there until August 7, 1890, at which time he moved to Hilliard, in Butler County, Pennsylvania. He accepted a position as weigh-master, and served as such for a period of fifteen years. At the end of that time he was made manager of the Ferris Supply Company at Ferris, Pennsylvania, of which Levi Deal is treasurer. Mr. Stearns also was made postmaster on August 17, 1908, and has discharged the duties of that office in a most satisfactory manner. The business enterprise of which he is manager is in a most flourishing con- dition and has a large and well established trade.

Ernest L. Stearns was joined in mar- riage with Miss Sarah Liston, a daughter of Jacob and Lena Liston, and to them has been born one son, Devillo B. Politically, he is a Republican and has served as judge and inspector of elections. In fraternal affiliation, he is a member of Hilliard Lodge No. 111, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed through all the chairs and is now trustee; and Hilliard Lodge, No. 92, K. P. Religiously, the family attends the Baptist church.

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CLAUDE GERARD, who now lives retired from active work on his excellent farm of eighty-six acres, located in Penn Township, has been a general farmer, stockraiser and oil producer for many years. He was born in Penn Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1836, and is a son of Michael and Margaret (Mangel) Gerard.

Michael Gerard, the father, was born at Blamont, France, a son of Joseph Gerard, who was a cooper by trade. Michael worked with his father until he was twenty- one years old and then came to America and worked at coopering in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Butler County, Pennsylvania. After he married he came to Butler County and located in Penn Township in 1836, buying fifty-six acres of woodland. This land he cleared and engaged in cultivating it until 1850, when he went to California in search of gold. During the one year that he remained there he was quite successful but died before he reached home and was buried near Randolph, Kentucky, August 6, 1851. His wife was a daughter of John C. Mangel, an early settler in Penn Township. Two children were born to Michael Gerard and wife: Claude and Joseph. The latter was a member of Company D, Sixty-first Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infan- try, during the War of the Rebellion, and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 147

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