Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 156

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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Elijah Burkhart married Rebecca, daughter of Joseph and Isabelle Kennedy Richardson (in July, 1831), whose ances- tors came to this country with William Penn. His wife died leaving four children, of whom Rebecca was the eldest. Her father was a teacher by profession and fol- lowed that occupation for many years. He finally married a second time, moved to the State of Indiana and died there at the age of eighty-three.

Elijah and Rebecca Richardson Burkhart had eight children, all born on the farm owned by Mrs. Criswell. They were: Maria, who married John Emerick (deceased) ; Hiram, a child deceased; Joseph E., living in Kansas ; Rebecca M. and Washington F., deceased in childhood; Baxter C., who died

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in the army; Jacob, now deceased; and Catherine S. (Mrs. Criswell). Elijah Burk- hart died in 1865, March 24th, on the old farm. Rebecca, his wife, died October 7th, 1879.

Mr. and Mrs. Criswell have been the par- ents of the following children: Jean Re- becca, who was a teacher, and is now the wife of W. C. Littlewood, a foreman in the Vandegrift Mills; Joseph T., who died in infancy ; James B., who taught school, went South and is now in the wholesale shoe house of Haynes, Henson & Co., at Knox- ville, Tenn .; Letitia M., who married R. C. Little (deceased), leaving two children now living with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Criswell; Kathryn M., married to T. C. Stephens, an employe of the Colonial Trust Co., Pittsburg, Penna., and residing in Crafton; Josephine E., married to P. E. Henninger, an electrician now living in Port Huron, Mich., where he has been su- perintending the wiring of the tunnel under the St. Clair River. Mr. and Mrs. Cris- well, though living at Lyndora for the past five years, still retain the old farm which, as Mrs. C. says, fills an important place in her life history. They belong to the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Criswell is a Mason and has served his lodge as worthy master for three terms. He is past commander of the Union Veteran Legion and is also past commander of A. S. Reed Post, Grand Army of the Republic.

ANDREW SCHOEFFEL, one of the leading business men and successful mer- chants of Evans City, Pennsylvania, has been engaged in merchant tailoring in that borough for more than eighteen years. He has a fine home and farm in Jackson Township, Butler County, located about one mile from his place of business.

Mr. Schoeffel was born in Germany, October 10, 1866, and is a son of Christoph and Elizabeth Schoeffel. His father died in Germany and his mother came to the United States, making her home at the

present time in the State of Washington, where a number of her sons and daughters are located. She is the mother of the fol- lowing children in addition to the subject of this sketch: Anthony J., who lives at Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania; Margaret, wife of Henry Hinnebush of Pittsburg; Adam, a tailor; Carl, a merchant tailor of Seattle, Washington; Elizabeth, wife of Anthony Plader, a farmer in Washing- ton; Annie (Ochsenfeert), whose husband is also a farmer in Washington; Mar- guerite, wife of William Everett of the State of Washington; and Catherine, wife of Joseph Sailer, who is connected with a sugar factory at Oxnard, California.

Andrew Schoeffel, in his boyhood days, learned the trade of a tailor in his native land, and worked at it some seven or eight years in that country. He was in his seventeenth year when he came to the United States, taking up his residence in the city of Pittsburg, where he worked at his trade until 1890. In that year he moved to Evans City, where he has con- ducted a merchant tailoring establishment both continuously and successfully since. He was reared to hard work and becoming of an economical and frugal disposition he made his way to the front without the aid of other resources than those with which nature endowed him. He has accumulated a competency, and in 1904 purchased a farm of sixty-six acres in Jackson Town- ship, one mile from the borough, on which he has since made his home. He is widely known throughout this vicinity, and enjoys the confidence and good will of everyone.

Mr. Schoeffel was united in marriage with Catherine Werner, who also was born in Germany, and is a daughter of John Georg and Carlotta Werner. Ten children were the issue of this marriage: Andrew, deceased; Edward, who married Lulu S. Smathers; Carl; Catherine, wife of Charles Carson; Anthony; George; John; William; Marguerite, and Francis. Re- ligiously the family is Lutheran and at-

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tends services at Evans City. Mr. Schoef- fel has been a member of this church for eighteen years.

SAMUEL BELL, a well known agricul- turist of Allegheny Township, residing on his valuable farm of fifty-eight acres, was born February 13, 1864, in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of William and Nancy (Brown) Bell.

The parents of Mr. Bell were both born in Ireland, and were acquainted with each other there. They crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the same vessel, in 1848, and were married after reaching America. They first settled in Clarion County, Penn- sylvania, where they resided until 1868, when they came to Allegheny Township and settled on the farm on which Samuel Bell now resides. They were not only closely united in life, but were separated but a few days by death, the wife passing away July 31, 1903, and the husband dying on August 6 following. They were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church at Annis- ville. Four of their children survive, namely : John, who lives in Clarion County; William, of Venango Township, Butler County; Margaret E., widow of Harry R. Thompson, lives in Allegheny Township; and Samuel.

Samuel Bell was four years old when his parents moved from Clarion to Butler County and his home ever since has been in Allegheny Township, where he has fol- lowed farming for a number of years, devoting himself exclusively to this indus- try. He obtains excellent returns from his land and is one of the township's most progressive agriculturists. He secured a good public school education in what is known as the Campbell School.

On October 24, 1895, Mr. Bell was mar- ried to Miss Sarah E. Jolly, who was born in Venango Township, Butler County, and is a daughter of Thomas and Annie (Rus- sell) Jolly, of Venango Township. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are members of the Asso- .

ciate Presbyterian Church, at Eau Claire. Like his father, Mr. Bell has always been a Democrat and on the Democratic ticket he was elected road commissioner, one of the most important of the local offices in farming districts. To all who know Mr. Bell it is unnecessary to state that the duties of the office were faithfully per- formed.

HUGH SPROUL, one of Cherry Town- ship's most respected citizens, has resided on his present valuable farm for a period covering sixty years, coming here a young man and developing wild land into a fer- tile and finely improved property. He was born near Mt. Chestnut, Butler County, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1824, and is a son of John and Elinor (Pillow) Sproul.

John Sproul, father of Hugh, was born in Ireland and lived on his own land until he was twenty years of age, when he came to America, settling soon after at Oil Creek, in Venango County, Pennsylvania. He was master of a good trade, having learned linen weaving in his native coun- try, but found little opening for work in that line where he first settled, and after his marriage he removed to a farm near Mt. Chestnut, on which he lived until his death. His widow did not long survive him.

Hugh Sproul remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age. On October 1, 1857, he was married and one year later moved on his present farm, which is situated three miles north of West Sunbury, on what was formerly known as the furnace road. It was a wild place at that time, neither clearing nor improving having been done, but condi- tions were soon changed. When sixteen years of age, Mr. Sproul had learned the carpenter's trade and as soon as he was prepared to do so, he began to put up sub- stantial buildings, doing the work himself until he had all the structures necessary for family comfort and for carrying on

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extensive farming and stockraising. The cultivation of the farm has mainly been done by his sons, Mr. Sproul continuing to follow carpenter work. Seventy years is a long time to have been active and busy in one line, but for this lengthened period Mr. Sproul has worked at his trade, giving almost his entire attention to it since his sons have been old enough to take the management of the farm off his shoulders. In spite of advancing years, Mr. Sproul enjoys doing carpenter work, his judgment being just as sound as formerly and his hand steady and his eye true.

Mr. Sproul was married, at the date above mentioned, to Miss Sarah Glenn, a daughter of James Glenn, of what is now Concord Township, Butler County. To this marriage were born twelve children. The survivors are the following: John Perry, who is a physician, lives at Grove City, with his family; Elizabeth, who is the wife of C. S. Stoner, of Butler; An- drew, who is engaged in a mercantile busi- ness at Bruin, Pennsylvania; Ada, who is the wife of J. G. Renick, of Center Town- ship; Clara, who is the wife of John Christie, of Cherry Township; Rella, who is the wife of Samuel Hineman, of Branch- ton, Pennsylvania; Minnie, who is the widow of D. L. Hockenberry ; and Everett, unmarried, who lives at home. The chil- dren deceased were: two who died as in- fants; James, who died at Cleveland, a student of medicine; and Robert, who died on the home farm, leaving a widow.

Mr. Sproul served as a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting in September, 1864, in the Sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, under Colonel Barnes. This regiment had headquarters at Fort Marcy, near Washington, D. C. After hostilities had ceased, it was mustered out at Camp Reynolds, near Pittsburg. Mr. Sproul has been recognized as one of his township's representative men by his fel- low citizens and has frequently been elected to office. He has served as school

director, assessor and collector. He is a member United Presbyterian Church at West Sunbury.

MULVAIN DUNLAP, farmer and oil producer of Marion Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, is located on a farm of ninety-five acres, which formed a part of a tract of 350 acres which his great-uncle, Alexander Dunlap, purchased of the Indians during the pioneer days of this locality. He was born near Kittan- ning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1848, and is a son of John M. and Jane (Hartford) Dunlap. The Dun- laps came to this country from Ireland. John, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was probably born after the family became established in this country. The latter had three brothers-James, Alexander and William-and a number of sisters.

John M. Dunlap was born on his father's farm in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, in 1819, and late in life came to Butler County, Pennsylvania. He was located in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, some years prior to coming here in 1852, and upon his arrival he purchased the farm now owned by his son, Mulvain. His uncle had acquired title to this land by purchase from the Indians, and had moved here from Beaver County. Alexander Dunlap had cleared but little of the land up to the time of his death, which occurred at an advanced age. John M. Dunlap also died on this farm, the date of his death being 1864. He married Jane Hartford, who was born and reared in Beaver County, and who died at the age of seventy-nine years. Ten children were born to them: Margaret Jane, deceased; John, who saw service in the Union Army during the Civil War; McAllister, deceased; Saman- tha, wife of Lewis Miller; Mulvain; Lisan- der, deceased; Clementine; Orsina, de- ceased wife of Eli Van Dyke; James L .; and Violet Ann, widow of Perry Farren.

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE McMURRAY

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Mulvain Dunlap was about four years of age when his parents moved from Arm- strong County to Marion Township, where they first lived in a log cabin. He attended the rude and poorly equipped common schools of that period for a few months each winter, and assisted in clearing up the home farm. Upon the death of his father he bought out the interests of the other heirs and has continued to reside there ever since. He rebuilt the house in 1904, and in the meantime made many other desirable improvements, making it one of the best equipped farms in the township. He has nine producing oil wells on the place, which have proved very remunerative.

May 14, 1874, Mr. Dunlap was united in marriage with Miss Emeline Pohlman, a daughter of Herman Pohlman, who came to this country from Germany when a young man. He married Catherine Stover, who was born and reared in Venango County, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap have had seven children, as follows: Homer Leroy, who died in in- fancy; Clinton O., who runs the home farm; John M., who attended Slippery Rock State Normal School, and was for- merly engaged in teaching school, but is now located in the borough of Butler; Cyrus E., who attended Slippery Rock State Normal and is a graduate of Iron City Commercial College of Pittsburg, engaged in teaching school; Elsie May, deceased, and Elva Maude, twins; and Etta A. John M. Dunlap was united in marriage with Miss Sadie Bailey, and they have a daughter, Myrl Genevieve. Religiously, the family attends the Metho- dist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Dun- lap is treasurer. He is a Democrat in politics, and has filled the office of con- stable.

MRS. MARGARET McMURRAY, a well known resident of Washington Town- ship, Butler County, Pennsylvania, is the

widow of George McMurray, a native of Ireland, who became one of the substantial citizens of this community. Mr. McMur- ray's death occurred in 1896.

Mrs. Margaret McMurray was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 2, 1837, and was a young girl when her parents moved to Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Here she was reared to maturity, receiving her schooling in the city of Pittsburg. She is a daughter of Franklin and Rebecca (Scott) Goldthorp, and a granddaughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Pillon) Gold- thorp. She was one of nine children born to her parents, and of these, she and a brother, Thomas J. Goldthorp of North Hope, are the sole survivors. With a brother Horatio she inherited a tract of fifty-five acres of land, and upon the lat- ter's death in 1900 she became sole owner of the property. It is a farm in a high state of cultivation and is underlaid with three veins of coal, which have never been mined. The house in which she resides was erected by Rev. Mr. Black, and by him was sold to Mr. Hutchison, from whom the Goldthorps obtained it. Mrs. McMurray also owned a valuable property of sixty-two acres in Scott Township, Alle- gheny County, lying about midway be- tween Carnegie and Mt. Lebanon, and this she disposed of to a corporation to good advantage. She has displayed excellent business judgment in the handling of her affairs, and has the good-will and esteem of her fellow citizens. In August, 1905, she went abroad, visiting in London, Leeds, Oxford, Birmingham and Manches- ter, in England, and also in Scotland, Ireland and France. Just before her re- turn to America, she paid a visit to the historic old battleground at Waterloo. She is a broad-minded and intelligent woman and takes a deep interest in the affairs of the day. In religious affiliation, she at- tends the United Presbyterian church at North Hope.

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R. P. JACK, one of Washington Town- ship's substantial citizens, residing in his comfortable home in North Hope, owns also thirty acres of very valuable farm and coal land, three veins of coal having been discovered. Mr. Jack was born on a farm about one-half mile southeast of North Hope, Butler County, Pennsyl- vania, September 22, 1865, and is a son of Andrew Jackson and Mary Ann (Will- iams) Jack.

Andrew Jackson Jack was born in Scrub Grass Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of John and Margaret (Harper) Jack, the latter of whom was a daughter of an old settler, Thomas Harper. In boyhood, the late Andrew J. Jack went to what is now known as the Himand School but was then called the Macklin School. It was his father, John Jack, who settled first in Washington Township, and acquired 440 acres. When he died his son, Andrew J., received 267 acres. After he had com- pleted his education Andrew J. Jack en- gaged in farming and then became pro- prietor of the North Hope Hotel, which was built on his land. Later he sold the hotel and during the oil excitement he built another hotel at Rousville, which he also sold and then moved to Parker's Landing. He became interested in oil pro- ducing and continued until his death in the oil fields of Parker's Landing, Trout- man and Petrolia. At the time of his death, in 1900, was in a hotel at North Hope. The late Andrew Jack was the sixth born in a family of eight children, the others being: William, who married Polly Seaton; David; Samuel, who mar- ried Fannie Say; John; Joseph, who married Katie Simock; James Harper; and Polly, who married Rev. Thomas Graham, a Methodist minister.

R. P. Jack was educated at the Mt. Emory School in Washington Township, the North Hope public schools and the North Washington Academy, after which

he first engaged in farming and later went to the oil fields as a tool dresser. He then resumed agricultural operations.

Mr. Jack married Miss Maude C. Me- Garvey, who is a daughter of Matthew S. McGarvey, of Washington Township. Mr. and Mrs. Jack have seven children, name- ly: Andrew M., who is a tool dresser ; Gertrude C., who is a popular teacher in the public schools; Ross R., a student who will be a member of the graduating class of 1910, at North Washington Academy; Mary M., who will be in the class of 1912, at the same institution; Robert F. and Nellie A., with Frank P., the youngest, are still in the public schools. Mr. Jack has an unusually intelligent family and he is giving them every educational advantage in his power. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church, the two older daugh- ters being members of the choir and Miss Gertrude being also a teacher in the Sunday-school. In his political views, Mr. Jack is a Republican. For a long time this family has been one of ample means and social prominence in Washington Township.

JULIAN A. CLARK, one of Butler County's leading citizens, whose pleasant home is at No. 117 Grand Avenue, Butler, has been long a prominent factor in the politics of the county and is now serving in the office of registrar and recorder. He was born September 1, 1862, near Pros- pect, Butler County, Penna., and is a son of Rev. James A. Clark.

The Rev. James A. Clark settled near Prospect in 1858 and for thirty-six years was the faithful and beloved pastor of the United Presbyterian Church at that place -or until his death. During all that time he missed but two sabbath days. His long and useful life terminated there in July, 1894, when he was aged sixty-three years.

Julian A. Clark was educated at Pros- pect and for some years after leaving

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school followed the occupation of farming. He then entered into business as a horse dealer, which for a considerable time he found profitable. Afterwards he turned his attention to the insurance business and during the decade in which he was con- nected with the Equitable Life Insurance Company, of Butler County, he proved himself one of the most competent insur- ance men in the field in this section. After the death of his father he returned to the old homestead and took charge of the farm, where he soon established and devel- oped a large wholesale dairy business. Later he moved to Butler Township and there engaged in a retail dairy business for awhile. Five subsequent years were spent in Center Township on a larger farm, and then the educational needs of his growing family caused him to give up country life and he purchased his present attractive and commodious residence in the city of Butler, of which place he has since been one of the progressive and esteemed residents. For a while after coming here he was connected in an indus- trial way with the car shops. He is politically a stanch Republican and was elected to his present office on that ticket, November 3d, 1908.

In 1886 Mr. Clark was married to Miss Laura M. Thompson, who is a daughter of the late Rev. Warren M. Thompson, a minister in the Baptist Church, in Jeffer- son County. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have had five children, namely: Margaret A., who resides at home; James A., a bright am- bitious youth, who died in his fourteenth year; Mary M., who died aged eleven years; Edward S., who resides under the parental roof-tree; and Jean Elizabeth, who died at the age of six years. The three who are deceased died within four days of each other of measles-pneumonia and their bodies were all consigned to the earth in one grave. This terrible domestic affliction aroused general sympathy in the neighborhood for the bereaved family.

Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and the for- mer has taken a very active part and inter- est in church affairs. In 1892 he was a delegate to the International convention of the Young People's Christian Union at East Liverpool, Ohio. While a resident of Center Township he was superintendent of the sabbath school at Holyoke for three years.

REV. PETER C. PRUGH, retired min- ister, was born September 13, 1822, in Montgomery County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Catherine (Haynes) Prugh. Mr. Prugh was reared on the homestead farm, and after receiving a common school edu- cation, entered the Dayton, Ohio, Academy. He entered Marshall College, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1845, and graduated in 1849. He then entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church at Mer- cersburg, and when he had completed his studies accepted a call to the Reformed Church at Zenia, Ohio, in 1851, remaining there for twenty-five years .- During the war Mr. Prugh was connected with the Ohio Relief Society, and did duty at Washi- ington, Fort Royal, the Wilderness and White House Landing, caring for the wounded soldiers. He was also connected with the Ohio militia at the time General Kirby Smith attempted a raid upon Cin- cinnati. While a resident of Zenia he was instrumental in founding the Soldiers' Orphan School at that place, and by his own personal efforts raised twenty-five thousand dollars in Green County alone. After the completion of the home he was appointed as chaplain and filled the posi- tion for two years. In 1873 he accepted a call from the Church of the Cross, Cincin- nati, Ohio, where he remained for three years. He then located at Germantown, Ohio, where he was pastor of the Reformed Church at that place until 1882, when he accepted the position of superintendent of St. Paul's Orphan Home of Butler. After

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a service of twenty years as superintend- ent of this school Mr. Prugh resigned and retired to private life, and is now a resi- dent of the South Side, in Butler. He was married April 2, 1852, to Charlotta, a daughter of Jacob Hassler, of Mercers- burg, Pennsylvania, a musician in the War of 1812. They are the parents of eleven children, seven of whom lived to manhood and womanhood. They are: Edwin N .; John H., pastor of the Grace Reformed Church, Pittsburg; Daniel K .; William S .; Etta K., deceased; Mary A., wife of Rev. D. N. Harnish, of Butler; and Frances Grace.

WILLIAM L. KEPPLE, who comes of an old and respected family of Fairview Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, is the owner of a fine farm of sixty-five acres, which has one producing oil well upon it. He was born in Buena Vista, Fairview Township, October 1, 1854, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Thorn) Kepple.

Isaac Kepple, father of the subject of this sketch, was a young man at the time he located at Buena Vista, and there con- tinued to live the remainder of his days. He was employed on a canal boat in his early life, running between Freeport and Johnstown, but afterwards always followed farming. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and lived to the advanced age of eighty-one years. His wife died at Buena Vista at the age of seventy-three years. She was the daughter of George Thorn, who was a very early settler of Fairview Township. Mr. and Mrs. Kepple settled at Buena Vista about the year 1852, and there all their children were born with the exception of the eldest. Four children were born to them, as fol= lows, and all are living within the limits of Fairview Township: Angie; William L .; W. S., and A. D.

William L. Kepple was educated in the public schools of Buena Vista and contin-

ued to reside in that village until he was thirty years of age. He has always fol- lowed farming and worked about oil wells. In 1876 he came into possession of the farm he now owns, which was pur- chased by his father from the Union Oil Company. He located on the place in 1884, and has since lived there, a period of nearly a quarter of a century. With the exception of the house, which was standing at the time he located here, he has made all the improvements on the place and has one of the best kept farms in the community.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 156

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