Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 151

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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Township, July 8, 1842, and is a son of Oliver H. P. and Elizabeth (Morgan) Gra- ham.

The first of the Graham family to locate in Butler County were William and Matthew Graham, sons of Matthew Gra- ham, Sr. As early as 1706 they left their home in Philadelphia, seeking a location in the western part of the state. They dickered for a time for the farm on which the city of Mckeesport now stands, but failing to consummate the deal left for But- ler County, where they purchased land in Cranberry Township. William Graham was the grandfather of the subject of this record. He was born January 27, 1783, and was but thirteen years old when he accompanied his brother to Cranberry Township. He became a prominent figure in the early life of this community, and was widely known in the county. He conduct- ed school for some seasons in different homes and was ever among the foremost in the advancement of the interests of the community. He served in the United States Army during the War of 1812. William Graham was united in marriage with Susan McDonald, who was born in Bedford Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, but was living in Mercer County at the time of marriage. They be- came parents of eleven children, as fol- lows: William, who married Elizabeth Bowers; David; John; Oliver H. P .; Eliza, who was the wife of Jacob Hartzell; Susan, who was the wife of Dr. Thomas Stewart; Joseph, who resided in Iowa at the time of his death; Samuel; Minerva, who was wife of J. M. McKee; James H., who formerly lived in Penn Township, but is now a resident of the borough of But- ler, being past the age of eighty-three years; and Harvey, who was a resident of Colorado. The mother of this family passed away in 1831, and Mr. Graham con- tinued to reside in Cranberry Township until 1856, when he went to live with his son, James H., who then resided in Bed- ford County. He died there in 1861. For

MRS. ELIZABETH B. WELSH

HENRY C. WELSH

RESIDENCE OF HENRY C. WELSH, PENN TOWNSHIP

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many years he was an elder of Plains Pres- byterian Church. He was a Whig in poli- tics until the organization of the Republi- can party, when he became one of its ar- dent supporters.

Oliver H. P. Graham was born in Cran -. berry Township May 5, 1814, and was reared on the home farm; his educational training was mainly received under the tutelage of his father. He was a great hunter in his young days, and killed many deers and other game. He lived a long and useful life and passed his declining years in the home of the subject of this sketch, dying December 5, 1895, at the age of eighty-two years. He was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Morgan, a daughter of Robert Morgan. She was born in Beav- er County, Pennsylvania, and died in 1858, at the age of thirty-eight years. Oliver H. P. and Elizabeth Graham had the following children: Ethelinda, wife of Dr. J. D. Fitzpatrick of Dunkirk, Indiana; Orin Palmer, subject of this sketch; Her- mas, who died at the age of eighteen years; Sabina, who died in 1860 at the age of eighteen; Angie, who was the wife of W. G. Sutton of Dunkirk and died in 1900; Robert E., deceased, who married Anna Baker of Beaver County, Pennsylvania ; Leander S., who died in infancy; and Rev. O. H. P. Graham, Jr., a Methodist minis- ter at Sheridan, Allegheny County, who married Elizabeth Hall of Beaver County.

Orin P. Graham was reared to maturity on the home farm, and received his educa- tion in the public schools. He has always engaged in agricultural pursuits, and since 1871 has had charge of the home farm, on which he did most of the clearing. He erected a large and substantial barn in 1876, and one year later built the comfor- table home which now stands on the place. He has always been identified with the best interests of the community and has frequently been called upon to serve in po- sitions of public trust. He was school di- rector for a number of years and is now

serving his second term as justice of the peace. He has discharged the duties of this office in a most capable manner, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.

January 28, 1869, Mr. Graham was mar- ried to Miss Mary A. Allan, whose father, Nicol Allan, was a native of Scotland. He learned the trade of a brush maker in that country, and after coming to the United States established a brush factory at Pitts- burg. He continued there with success for some years, then retired to a farm which he purchased adjoining the Graham homestead in Cranberry Township. The following children were the offspring of this union: Janet, who died at the age of nineteen years; Allan, who lives at East Mckeesport; Howard K., who died in childhood; Park F., who assists his father in conducting the farm; Franklin F., a student in Allegheny Seminary, who is preparing for the ministry; Mary V., who is the wife of W. J. Rowan and resides near Ogle, in Canberry Township; and Stanley P., who also is at home. Allan Graham was first married to Mary Rus- sell, who died July 5, 1900, leaving a son, Orin Russell, who makes his home with the subject of this sketch. Allan formed a second union in 1904 with Sarah Holler of Bedford County, and they have three chil- dren : John, Floyd and Rehobeth May. Re- ligiously, Mr. and Mrs. Graham are mem- bers of the Plains Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder. He is a Republican in politics.

HENRY C. WELSH, one of Penn Township's reliable and representative citizens, whose finely improved farm of 106 acres indicates properly that he has made a success of his agricultural enter- prises, belongs to an old Butler County family. He was born in Connoquenessing Township, December 11, 1848, and is a son of James Welsh, and a grandson of John Welsh.

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It was the grandfather, John Welsh, who founded the family in America. He was born in Ireland and came to the Amer- ican colonies in 1770 and served as a sol- dier in the War of the Revolution, receiv- ing a serious wound at the battle of Bran- dywine. Later he settled in Westmore- land County, Penna., and in 1800 moved from there to Butler County, where he in- vested in 250 acres of land and became a resident of Connoquenessing Township. At that time pioneer conditions prevailed, the country was covered with the primeval forests, wild animals and Indians still were numerous and all the luxuries and most of the necessities of life were want- ing. He lived to see, however, his lands cleared, cultivated and improved and to catch a glimpse of that civilization which has made this one of the most favored sec- tions of Butler County. His children were : William, James, Thomas, John, all of whom served in the War of 1812, and Mrs. Susan Brandon, Mrs. Elizabeth Shannon and Mrs. Morrow.

James Welsh, father of Henry C., was born in Westmoreland County, Penna., about 1785, and he accompanied his par- ents to Connoquenessing Township, where, in the course of time, he became one of the leading citizens. He came into pos- session of his father's estate and lived through life on the homestead, dying in 1878, aged ninety-three years. He was married three times and children were born to each union. In early days he was a Whig, but later became identified with the Republican party and was a stanch adherent. He was a kind, charitable man and was a worthy member of the Presby- terian Church.

Henry C. Welsh was reared on the home- stead and obtained his education in the country schools. He remained on the old farm in Connoquenessing Township until 1889, when he bought his present farm in Penn Township. He has all but ten of his 106 acres under cultivation, has consid-

erable fine stock and productive orchards. His buildings are probably as fine as can be found in any rural district in Butler County, his handsome, modern residence having been erected in 1892.

Mr. Welsh married a daughter of a neighboring farmer in Penn Township, Miss Elizabeth Brown, and they have had six children, namely : Lucile C., Clara B., Stella E., James E., Paul B. and a son who died unnamed. Mr. Welsh belongs with his family to the Brownsdale Metho- dist Episcopal Church. He has long been active in church work, has served as Sun- day-school superintendent and as trustee, treasurer and steward. Mr. Welsh is known as a man of strictness, fairness and integrity in all his dealings with his fellow citizens and as a man of such good judg- ment as to give weight to his opinions on matters pertaining to the welfare of the community. He has not been unduly active in politics, but on numerous occasions has been elected to local offices on the Repub- lican ticket.

CHARLES H. BOOK, a representative citizen of Cherry Township, residing on his farm of 101 acres of well-cultivated land, was born March 14, 1847, at New Castle, Pennsylvania, and is a son of James and Mary (Studebaker) Book.

During the infancy of Mr. Book, his par- ents returned to their farm in Worth Township, Butler County, on which they had previously lived, and remained in Worth Township until 1859, when they set- tled on the land owned by their two sons, Charles H. and Uriah H., in Cherry Town- ship. At that time the land was nothing short of a wilderness. James Book cleared it and erected a comfortable dwelling. He died here April 8, 1868, and was survived by his widow until February 2, 1885. The surviving children are: Charles H., Uriah H. and Capt. D. F. Book of New Castle. He enlisted in August of '61 in the war of the Rebellion and served to the end of the

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war; was captain of Company E, One Hun- dreth Regiment, known as the Round Heads.

Uriah H. Book, who resides with his brother, Charles H., was born October 8, 1850, in Worth Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. He learned the carriage- making trade and worked at the same for ten years at Louisville, Kentucky, Chat- tanooga, Tennessee, and Green Hill, Penn- sylvania. For several years he was also engaged in merchandising at Keisters and Coaltown, and at the latter place was post- master. For some years he was also inter- ested in oil production. He has been iden- tified considerably with public affairs in the township, and in February, 1908, he was elected justice of the peace, on the Re- publican ticket. He is serving in his sec- ond year as assessor of Cherry Township. He owns fifty acres of land and the broth- ers operate the two farms together.

Charles H. Book married Martha Was- son, who was born in Clay Township, But- ler County, and resided at West Sunbury until she was twelve years old. For the next three years she lived on a farm in Clay Township, three miles from the vil- lage and then went to Washington Town- ship, where she was living at the time of her marriage. Her parents were William and Margaret (Gordon) Wasson. Her father was killed at the battle of the Wild- erness, during the Civil War. Her mother survived her great bereavement for many years, dying in June, 1907, when aged eighty-seven years. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Book went to housekeeping on the present farm and Mr. Book imme- diately built a fine frame residence. This home was destroyed by fire, December 10, 1898, but it was soon replaced by the pres- ent still finer house, one of substantial con- struction and fitted with every comfort. On December 1, 1908, Charles H. Book had his barn burned with all hay and four head of horses and twelve head of milch cows and other cattle, as well as a wagon

shed and granary, with at least 1,500 bushels of grain and all farm machinery, entailing a loss of about five thousand dol- lars. He is now preparing to build an- other barn.

The Book brothers are connected not only by kinship, but they are congenial comrades, look at business matters in the same light and are the same in their views on politics and religion. Both are eld- ers in the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church.

JOHN SCHAFFNER, a prominent busi- ness citizen of Butler and a veteran of the Civil War, has engaged in general con- tracting for many years and has had some of the largest paving and tunneling con- tracts in this section of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Schaffner was born on the home farm in Butler Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, April 11, 1844, and is a son of Jacob and Anna Maria (Martin) Schaff- ner. His father, who was born in Ger- many, came to America with his young wife soon after their marriage and settled on a farm in Butler Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. He subsequently moved to Slippery Rock Township, where he rented a farm for a time, then returned to his farm in Butler Township, which he cleared and farmed. After the death of his wife, he lived at the home of his daugh- ter, Mrs. Frank Cook, until he too was called to the unknown beyond. Jacob Schaffner was a Republican in politics, and was one of the first census takers in Butler County. He and his wife were par- ents of five children: Frances, who has been a Sister in Notre Dame Convent for more than fifty years; Samuel; Marie, wife of Frank Cook; George of Springdale; and John, whose name heads this sketch.

John Schaffner grew to maturity on the home farm, which he aided in clearing, and received a common school education. In 1865, when nineteen years of age, he en- listed under Captain Shaw in Company

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D, Seventy-seventh Reg. Penna. Vol. Inf., and was stationed in Texas. Six months after the close of the war, he returned north to Butler County, and farmed the home farm on shares for a period of eleven years. He then worked for Davis, Hand and Dan as master quarryman for four years, after which he turned his attention to contract work. He has followed general contracting throughout this section of Pennsylvania and has had some big under- takings, always filling his contract to the letter. He has been especially active in paving and tunnel work, and among other contracts built a tunnel of 3,450 feet at DuBois, Pennsylvania, and paved fifteen miles of streets in Butler. He has the con- tract for paving Pittsburg Street in Evans City, which work is now going on, it being the first paved street of any of the smaller towns of the county: His residence in Butler is at No. 410 East Clay Street.

In June, 1868, Mr. Schaffner was united in marriage with Miss Catherine May- scheine, a daughter of Michael Mayscheine, and they became parents of seven children : Amelia, wife of George Troutman, a dry goods merchant of Butler; Harry G., who married Ella Call, and has seven children -Vinson, Ethel, Michael D., Lorine, Jo- seph, Mary and Raymond, the last named living with our subject; Agnes, wife of John Kemper, has one boy, Leonard; Paul; Cecelia; Leo, who married Lillian Munyon and has two children-Mary Catherine De- loris and Francis Patrick; and Josephine. Religiously, they are members of the Ger- man Catholic Church at Butler, and Mr. Schaffner is a member of the C. M. B. A. In political affiliation, he is a Republican.

genitor of the family, coming to the United States in 1836, first settled in Pittsburg, where for three years he followed the trade of shoemaking. He then removed to Butler County, opening a general store at Saxon- burg, where also he continued to prosecute his trade. At a later date he became pro- prietor of a hotel in that village, which he conducted for about twenty-five years. In 1866 he retired from active business and removed to Butler, where his death subse- quently took place, February 22, 1871. He was for many years a leading citizen of Saxonburg. He was at first a member of the Evangelical Church, but after locating in Butler County united with the Reformed Church, of which he was thereafter an ac- tive member. In politics he was at first a Whig and afterwards a Republican. He married in Germany Anna E. Mardorf, and their family numbered eleven children, namely : Conrad, who died in Pittsburg in 1883; Christopher, who died in Allegheny County in 1871; John, who died in Califor- nia in 1879; William, who died in Butler in 1873; George Jr., who died in Butler in 1896; Edward, who died in California in 1850; Anna, who married Frederick Holl- man, and died in 1906; Annie G., who died in infancy; Mary E., who also died young; Charles C., a resident of San Francisco; Hannah, who married Ferdinand Weigand, and died in 1895; and James, who resides in Tarentum, Pa.

William Vogeley, fourth son of George and Anna E. Vogeley, was born in Ger- many, December 10, 1822, and received a limited education in his native town. After the family settled in Saxonburg, this county, he worked for his father until 1842, at which time he came to Butler. Soon after he purchased the Rising Sun tavern, a log structure, which stood upon the site of the Vogeley House, now the Arlington. He erected the latter and conducted it up to the time of retirement in 1867. In addi- tion to his hotel interests, he was largely

THEODORE VOGELEY, of Butler, was born in this city in 1867, youngest son of William and Mary E. Vogeley. His pater- nal grandfather, George Vogeley, usually known as George Vogeley, Sr., was a native of Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, and was born August 5, 1793. This early pro- engaged in the real estate business, also in

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farming, and operated a coal mine that was situated on his farm. He was a public spir- ited citizen who took an active interest in local affairs and who exercised a strong influence for good in the community. He was one of the original members of the Reformed Church in Butler and contrib- uted liberally towards the erection of the old church building on Mifflin Street, now occupied by the Baptist congregation. He was one of the first directors of the Butler Savings Bank and was identified with that institution for many years. Mr. Vogeley married Mary E., daughter of John Oester- ling, of Summit Township, a native of Ger- many. They had eleven children, of whom six died in youth and five grew to maturity, namely : David E., who was teller of the Butler Savings Bank, and died in 1875; Annie, wife of W. H. Ensminger; Mary, wife of W. F. Metzger; Amelia, wife of W. A. Stein; and Theodore. Mr. Vogeley died October 5, 1873, and his widow died December 25, 1899.

Theodore Vogeley obtained his literary education in the public schools of Butler and at Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, and is also a graduate of Duff's Commer- cial College, Pittsburg. He began indus- trial life as bookkeeper for the Fisher Oil Company, and was later promoted to the position of superintendent. Subsequently, he was for a time connected with the oil industry in this section. In 1890 he en- gaged in the real estate and insurance busi- ness, with which line of business enterprise he has since been prominently connected. Mr. Vogeley is a stockholder in the Butler Savings and Trust Company, the Butler County Fair Association, and the Cottage Hill Land Company, of which he is secre -. tary. He is one of the stirring young busi- ness men of the city, whose wisely directed energies redound not only to his own per- sonal benefit, but contribute to the general prosperity of the community, and for whom doubtless the future holds many good things yet in store.

Mr. Vogeley was married in 1895 to Miss Mignonette Gumpper, a daughter of G. H. Gumpper of Butler. Mr. and Mrs. Vogeley are the parents of three children : Dorothy Gumpper, Theodore Kenneth, and Ray- mond Alfred. Mr. Vogeley is a member of St. Mark's German Lutheran Church. He also belongs to the Country Club and to the Sterling Club, select social organizations. In politics he is a Republican.

DENNIS P. McGUIRK, a leading stone and brick contractor at Butler, and one of the city's representative and respected cit- izens, was born October 11, 1850, in Marion Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania.

Thomas McGuirk, father of Dennis P., was born in County Cork, Ireland, emi- grated in youth to America, and came to Butler about 1844. He settled in Marion Township, Butler County, where he culti- vated land and followed his trade of stone cutter.

Dennis P. McGuirk went to school until he was thirteen years old, the sessions be- ing held in an old log building not far from his father's place in Marion Township. He then began hard work, learning the stone- mason's trade with his uncle, James Mc- Guirk. Mr. McGuirk has continued thus occupied for half a century and few masons in this section, if any, have done more or better work. Since 1884 he has given his attention to contracting and his name on a contract gives assurance that the work will be up to specifications and completed on time.

In 1873 Mr. McGuirk was married to Miss Marilla Crawford, who was born and reared in Butler County, and they have the following children: Thomas H., who is en- gaged in contracting at Butler; Grover; Sadie; and Pearl and Ethel, both residing at home. Mr. McGuirk is a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Butler. He is interested in the charitable work of the church and for fifteen years has been a member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit As-

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sociation. In his political views he is a was the son of Dennis Dugan, who made Democrat.

DANIEL McMAHON, farmer of Clear- field Township, was the son of Michael McMahon, and was born in 1840, in Ire- land. When three months of age he was brought to America by his parents, who became residents of Clearfield Township, Butler County, and here he grew to man- hood. Besides farming, the McMahon men were employed about the mills and iron furnaces of that period, and the summer of 1861 found Daniel in West Virginia en- gaged in the furnace business. The break- ing out of the Civil War put a stop to the business in which he was engaged, and Mr. McMahon enlisted in Company K, Second Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry, and served in the Federal Army until his regi- ment was mustered out of service in the fall of 1864. He was twice promoted in the line of duty, and was discharged as a ser -. geant. For distinguished service and brav- very in the line of duty, he was presented with a medal by the State of West Vir- ginia, which bears the inscription, "The State of West Virginia, 1861-1865," and on the reverse side, the coat of arms of the state.

After his discharge from the army, Mr. McMahon returned to Butler County and engaged in farming, which occupation he continued until his death, July 31, 1899. November 28, 1865, he was married to Miss Teressa, daughter of Manassa Dugan, a pioneer of Clearfield Township. Four Mr. Stoughton comes of sturdy old American stock. On both sides his grand- fathers were upright, honorable men. Grandfather Stoughton was a leading member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Franklin Township, Butler County, in daughters were born to this union, viz .: Mary T .; Katherine; Sarah B., wife of Andrew Coyle of Butler; and Grace A., known in the order of the Sisters of Mercy as Sister Veronica. After the death of Mr. McMahon in 1899, the widow and daughters . which he at times served officially, while removed to Butler, where they now reside. Grandfather Davis was equally prominent in St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church, situated in Clay Township. They both had come to the county as pioneers and both became men of substance and large The family are members of St. Paul's Cath- olic Church. Manassa Dugan, above men- tioned, came to Clearfield Township in 1794, when about twelve years of age. He

the original settlement on the tract of land now owned by Mrs. Daniel McMahon. He married Grace Dugan, daughter of Cor- nelius Dugan, of Donegal Township, who was not related to him. They were the par- ents of seventeen children. With the ex- ception of three who died in infancy, all of this remarkable family lived to maturity, and became prominent factors in the early development of Clearfield Township and other sections of the county. The names of these children were : Andrew; Mary (Duff); Peter; Manassa, Jr .; Dennis; Bridget (McClafferty) ; Margaret; Nancy (McCrea) ; Elizabeth (Denny) ; Katherine (Giles) ; Teressa (McMahon); Michael; and John. The log dwelling house which is still standing on the McMahon farm in Clearfield Township was erected by Ma- nassa Dugan about 1800, and is probably the oldest house in the township. Manassa Dugan was a soldier in the War of 1812, and up until his death, about 1840, was one of the active and progressive citizens of the eastern section of the county.

OLIVER W. STOUGHTON, who, as superintendent of the Butler County Home, has made this public institution a credit to Butler County, is one of her best known and esteemed citizens. Mr. Stough- ton was born March 6, 1853, in Clay Township, Butler County, Penna., and is a son of Matthew and Margaret (Davis) Stoughton.

MR. AND MRS. OLIVER W. STOUGHTON

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landowners. They were both of the type that promoted the solid growth of the sec- tion which was fortunate in securing them and through long and worthy lives they encouraged and promoted the enterprises which resulted in the present fertile fields, churches, schools, charities, and happy households amid peaceful surroundings.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 151

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