Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 159

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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Capt. William H. McCandless was reared on the home farm and received his educational training in the district schools. When the Civil War was in progress he enlisted, in August of 1862, as a member of Company D, 137th Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, and served nine months. He then remained at home until the sum- mer of 1864, when he re-enlisted as a mem- ber of Company A, Sixth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, bearing the rank of first

lieutenant from that time until the war closed. Upon his return home he resumed agricultural pursuits, at which he has since continued with uninterrupted suc- cess, always on the same farm.

March 8, 1866, Captain McCandless was united in marriage with Miss Harriet N. Glenn, who was born and reared in Con- cord Township, Butler County, and is a daughter of William, Sr., and Rebecca (Porter) Glenn. Five children were the issue of this union, as follows: Carrie Belle, who died October 20, 1906, was the wife of Robert Mellon; Dr. Milton Lowrie McCandless, a graduate of Western Re- serve Medical College of Cleveland and now located in practice at Rochester, Pennsylvania, married Gertrude Lyon of Butler, and they have three children- Harrison, Helen and Lowrie Thompson; Minnie R., wife of Rev. D. P. Williams, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Natrona, Pennsylvania, has two chil- dren : Samuel Harrison and Harriet Glenn; Myrta, who died in May, 1903, was the wife of H. C. Hindman, a druggist of West Sunbury, Pennsylvania, and they had one daughter, Jean Harriet, who is living; and Everett, an electrical engineer, who is in the employ of the Westinghouse Company in Pittsburg. Religiously, the subject of this sketch has been a member of the Presbyterian church at Unionville many years, a member of the session for thirty years, and is superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is a Republican in politics, and for the past two years has served as tipstaff. He has filled most of the township offices, and always dis- charged his public duties in a conscien- tious and capable manner.

E. L. GILLILAND, a leading general farmer in Connoquenessing Township, owns sixty-two acres of exceedingly valua- ble land, it being not only readily respon- sive to cultivation but also possessing oil and coal deposits. Mr. Gilliland was born

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May 8, 1866, in Cranberry Township, But- ler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of William Noble and Mary (Easton) Gilli- land.

William Gilliland, the paternal grand- father, established the family in western Pennsylvania and died in Allegheny County. His son William Noble Gilliland, father of E. L., in turn established the family in Butler County. He was born October 8, 1808, in some section east of the Allegheny Mountains and was small when his father came to Lawrence County, set- tling on a small tract of land near New Castle. In a very short time he moved to what is now White Hall, Allegheny County. A half century ago the second William Gil- liland settled on an uncleared farm in Cranberry Township and lived there until 1879, having cleared and improved the land before disposing of it. From there he came to Connoquenessing Township and lived on the present farm of his son until his death. By trade he was a carpenter and his chil- dren remember how hard he worked to clear up his farm, often walking a distance of a half dozen miles to and from his place of employment and after nightfall doing a second day's work on his property. For many years he thus led an unusually busy life, but notwithstanding he found time to capably serve in the township offices to which he was frequently elected by his fel- low citizens. In politics he was a Demo- crat. He married a daughter of George and Nancy (Clevidence) Easton, early set- tlers of English ancestry. Seven children were born to this union, four of whom reached maturity, namely : George B., of Rochester, Beaver County, Pennsylvania ; William J., deceased; Samuel E., of Con- noquenessing Township; and E. L. Will- iam Gilliland and wife were worthy mem- bers of the Baptist Church of Cranberry Township.

E. L. Gilliland was reared at home and since coming with his parents to Conno- quenessing Township has resided on the

present farm, with the exception of one year which he spent at Mars. He has fifty acres of his land under cultivation and raises corn, oats, wheat, hay and potatoes, together with a large amount of garden truck and much poultry. He keeps four cows and furnishes choice butter to partic- ular customers at Butler. He has one pro- ducing oil well and, when he is prepared to do so, will probably find an independent fortune in an underlying vein of coal.

Mr. Gilliland married Miss Dora Bolton, who is a daughter of Edward T. Bolton, of Connoquenessing Township, and they have five children, namely : Wilbur, Loyal, Clare, Earl and Carl Noble, who was born on the 100th anniversary of Mr. Gilliland's fath- er's birth. Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland are members and liberal supporters of the White Oak Springs Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Democrat and has served in many of the local offices, having been in- spector of elections, supervisor and asses- sor. He is a member of Eureka Grange, No. 244, at Eberhart.

DUNCAN McDONALD, owner of a farm of forty-eight acres of valuable land, which is situated in Jackson Township, was born May 9, 1855, in Hickory Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Dun- can and Ellen (Gardner) McDonald.

The parents of Mr. McDonald were na- tives of Scotland and came to America and settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1874. The father died at Hubbard, Ohio, in 1895, aged seventy-two years, and the mother died in August, 1903, aged seventy-eight years. They had lost some children before coming to America, but the others were as follows: John, who died in Mercer County ; Elizabeth, wife of John Whitaker; Thomas, who lives in Illinois; Matthew, who was killed in a mine accident, in Mer- cer County ; Duncan; Jane, who is the wife of John Bowie, a merchant residing at Jackson Center, Pennsylvania; Ellen, de- ceased; Mary, who married J. C. Curry, of

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Latimore, Ohio; Maggie, who married William Cook, of Mahoning County, Ohio.

Duncan McDonald is a self-made man. When only thirteen years old he went to work in the mines and later worked for the Pennsylvania Fuel Company and still later engaged in farming at Little Creek. He came first to Butler County in 1907, from Lawrence County, and in June, 1908, he purchased his present farm. Mr. McDon- ald owns this farm and some valuable real estate in New Castle, having acquired it all through his own efforts, with the excep- tion of $200, which he inherited. He has been a prudent, industrious man and can look back over a worthy and well-spent life.

In August, 1876, Mr. McDonald was mar- ried (first) to Miss Matilda Worley, a daughter of John and Martha Worley, of Hubbard, Ohio. To this union were born three children, namely: Julia, Ellen and Duncan. Julia married Ernest Salow and they reside at Hubbard, Ohio. They have two children, Jean and Arthur. Ellen mar- ried Lawrence Snyder, of Hubbard, and both of their children are deceased. Dun- can resides at Youngstown, Ohio, where he has charge of an electric plant. He served three years in the army in the Philippine Islands. He married Etta Covert.

Mr. McDonald lost his first wife by death and was married a second time, March 1, 1905, to Miss Minnie Downing, of Butler County. She is one of a family of fourteen children born to her parents, Jacob and Sarah Downing, who are residents of Little Creek. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Petersville. In politics he is a stanch Re- publican. He is a member of Lodge No. 1047, Odd Fellows, at Evans City, and be- longs also to the Knights of Pythias at that place. He is one of Jackson Township's respected and representative citizens.

WILLIAM CHRISTLEY, who has been postmaster of Euclid, Butler County,

Penna., since President Mckinley's first administration, bears an honorable record for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. He is a native of the borough of Slippery Rock, the date of his birth being March 26, 1842, and is a son of George and Leah (Keister) Christley. His father was a tanner by trade and operated a tannery in Slippery Rock for a number of years.

William Christley was reared and edu- cated in his native borough and at an early age learned the trade of a tanner under his father. When the Civil War broke out he early responded to the call to arms, enlisting September 17, 1861, for three years' service as a member of Com- pany H, Seventy-eighth Regiment, Pa. Vol. Inf. They were mustered into the service at Kittanning, where the regiment was organized, although his company was raised in Butler. He participated in all the engagements of his regiment, although he received a slight wound in the shoulder at the battle of Stone River. The regi- ment was mustered out at Kittanning, November 4, 1864, and he returned to Slip- pery Rock. He owned a part interest in the tannery there during the war, and in the meantime his father passed away. Upon his return home Mr. Christley sold out his interest in the enterprise and diverted his energies to the oil fields. For a period of seventeen years he worked as a driller and pumper, after which he en- gaged in teaming, during this time making his home in Concord Township. He fol- lowed teaming in the borough of Butler for ten years during this time, and a part of the time lived in Clay Township. As postmaster of Euclid he has given efficient service and has added greatly to his popu- larity.

Mr. Christley was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Bortemus, a daughter of Rudolph Bortemus. She was reared in Penn Township where her father farmed, but some time before his death he bought

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a farm in Clay Township. This union Charles S. McCandless. Lydia Allison resulted in the birth of eleven children, nine of whom are living, namely: Will- iam J., who lives in Oklahoma; Nellie J. (Miller) ; George R .; Leah (Allen) ; Ed- win J .; Annie L., who is assistant to her father in the postoffice; Rose B. (Law- rence) ; Cyrus O .; and Josephine. The two who died were John Russel who died at two years and eight months, and May who died at the age of one year and six months. married J. E. Russell, then of Concord Township but now of Steubenville, Ohio, and they have had three children-Eme- line, wife of Walker Crammer of Har- mony; Effie, wife of B. Fox of Allegheny County; and Augusta who also lives in Allegheny County. Emeline Allison, the youngest of the family, married Alexander Blaine of Center Township, Butler County, and six children were the issue of their union, as follows: William A., Charles, Milton, Wilber, Harry, and Jane who mar- ried George Shanor of Butler.

ROBERT LYNN ALLISON, M. D., a successful practitioner of Eau Claire, But- ler County, Pennsylvania, has been located in this borough throughout his profes- sional career. He was born in Center Township, Butler County, September 6, 1864, and is a son of William and Rachel (Gilliand) Allison, and a grandson of Robert Allison. The family is an old and respected one of the county, having be- come established here at a very early date.

William Allison, father of the subject of this record, was joined in holy wedlock with Rachel Gilliand, a daughter of John Gilliand, who came to this country from County Down, Ireland. The issue of this union is as follows: Robert Lynn; J. G. Allison, who married Elizabeth Ferguson of near Worthington, Pennsylvania, by whom he had three children-Mary, James and an infant; John N. Allison, who mar- ried Clara Johnston, a daughter of Thorn- ley Johnston, and has a daughter Lucile; and W. C. Allison, who married Anna Johnston and has a son, Wesley.

Robert Allison, the grandfather, was united in marriage with Miss Jane Coch- ran, a daughter of William Cochran of Oakland Township, and they had the fol- lowing children: Thomas, who was a sol- Dr. Robert L. Allison received his early educational training in the common schools of Center Township, and in West Sun- bury Academy, after which he entered the University of Wooster, at Cleveland, Ohio. He received his professional training in the Medical College of Indianapolis, in In- dier in the Union Army during the Civil War and died of typhoid fever in the service; William, John, Nancy, Mary, Lydia, and Emeline. John Allison mar- ried Harriet Smith, a daughter of W. P. Smith of Center Township, and they had the following issue: R. Perry, Robert, . diana, receiving his degree from that in- Lee, Olive (deceased), Jennie and Emma. stitution in 1896. Immediately thereafter he opened his office in Eau Claire, Butler County, Pennsylvania, where he has es- tablished a large and remunerative prac- tice. He owns a nice residence property and office in the borough. Nancy Allison became the wife of John Campbell of Concord Township, and their children were as follows: Amy, wife of T. J. Russell of Erie; Ada, wife of Albert Cumberland; Lowery, who lives on the Campbell homestead in Concord Town- Dr. Allison was joined in marriage with Miss Minnie Bradon, a daughter of J. C. Bradon of West Sunbury, and to them were born: DeWitt, who is a member of the Class of 1910 in Grove City College; Charles Bradon, who died on June 27, ship; T. R. Campbell of Concord Town- ship; and W. D. Campbell, who is also a resident of Concord Township. Mary Allison married W. D. McCandless of Center Township, and they have a son,

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1901; Charlotte, who attends Eau Claire Academy; and Eugene, who also is a stu- dent in Eau Claire Academy. In politics, the Doctor has been consistent in his sup- port of Republican principles, and was for six years president of the borough coun- cil, and one term a member of the school board of Eau Claire. He is a member and medical examiner of the Knights of the Maccabees, and Woodmen of the World at Eau Claire, and is also medical examiner for numerous life insurance companies, among them the New York Life and the National Life of Connecticut. In relig- ious attachment he and his family are members of the United Presbyterian Church of Eau Claire.

JOHN COLLINS, a representative of the agricultural industry of Fairview Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, also a well known carpenter and tank builder, was born December 20, 1856, in Brandon, Cork County, Ireland, and is a son of Edward and Mary Collins, natives and life-long residents of Ireland.

John Collins is the third born of a fam- ily of three children, namely: William; Mary, who still lives in Ireland; and John. Our subject was educated in his native country, attending school where the Rev. Father Welch (now deceased and formerly of Butler) received his early educational training. In 1871, when about eighteen years of age, Mr. Collins came to this coun- try and located at Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked at his trade of carpenter- ing for about three years. He then was employed by James Fisk of Fisk- ville, after which he came to Titus- ville, Pennsylvania, where for one year he worked at carpentering and tank building for Adam Good. He then, after staying a short time at Shamburg, Pennsylvania, came to Butler County and located at Mil- lerstown, where he engaged in business for himself as a carpenter and tank builder. Since 1882, when he purchased his present

farm of fifty-two acres, he has devoted his time to agricultural pursuits in connection with carpentering and building wooden tanks. Mr. Collins is a man of energy and enterprise and is well deserving of the suc- cess with which his efforts have met.

In 1869 Mr. Collins was united in mar- riage in Buffalo, New York, with Eliza- beth Ryan, a native of Dublin, Ireland, and their union has resulted in the following issue: Mary, lives in East Pittsburg; Edith, married Joseph A. Burgoon of East Pittsburg, and has two children, Regitte and Clara; Bessie; Clara; James; John J. and George, all residing at home. Mr. Col- lins and family are members of the Cath- olic Church at Chicora.

CHARLES R. BORLAND, a prosper- ous merchant, who has been identified with the industrial interests of Harrisville since 1903, was born February 6, 1859, on his father's farm in Venango County, Penn- sylvania, and is a son of Samuel and Maria (Nicely) Borland.

The Borland family was first established in this country by the grandfather of our subject, who came from Scotland with a brother and settled in eastern Pennsyl- vania. The grandfather, John Borland, came to Venango County at an early period and engaged in farming. He was the father of the following children: John, deceased; Hutchinson, deceased; Andrew, deceased; Robert S., a Methodist minister, residing at Mercer; Rachel, deceased; and Samuel, father of the subject of this sketch.

Samuel Borland was born and reared in Venango County, Pennsylvania, where he spent his entire life engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. He married Maria Nicely and to them were born: Emerson B .; Emma, deceased wife of Joseph Bowman; Charles Robert, subject of this sketch; Edward; Austin; Louie, now Mrs. Louie Felt; Arlestus and Alvin, twins. Samuel Borland died in 1892 aged sixty-one years,

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MR. AND MRS. CHARLES R. BORLAND AND CHILD

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and was survived one year by his widow, ty September 6, 1839, and is a son of K. who was fifty-six years old at the time of G. and Elizabeth (Burtner) Drane. her death.

Charles R. Borland grew to manhood on his father's farm in Venango County, and when quite young became a clerk in the general store of H. M. Davis, in whose employ he continued for a period of five years. He then clerked one year for Campbell & Mahoney of Reynoldsville, Jefferson County. He formed a partner- ship with his brother, Emerson B. Borland, in 1883, purchasing the store of William Woodburn in Venango County. They con- tinued in partnership for some twenty years, and for a part of that time another brother, Edward Borland, was associated with them. They at one time conducted a hardware store at Emlenton, and a general store at Kane. Prior to the dissolution of the firm in 1903, Edward Borland had charge of the store at Rockland, Emerson B. of the store at Harrisville, and Charles of that at Pittsville. In that year Charles removed to Harrisville, where he has since continued with uninterrupted success. He is a prosperous merchant, carries a com- plete and up-to-date stock of goods and enjoys a liberal patronage of the people of the community. In March, 1908, the store at Rockland was destroyed by fire.

In September, 1882, Mr. Borland was joined in marriage with Ella Watson of Venango County, and to them were born three children, of whom but one-Harry- is living. Mr. Borland holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics is a Prohibitionist.

PHILIP A. DRANE, who saw long and active service as a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War, and is now a well known citizen of Buffalo Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, has a fine farm of fifty-six acres, located about a quarter of a mile from Sarver, on the Freeport Road. He was born in this coun-

K. G. Drane was born in Marland, where he resided prior to his coming to Butler County, Pennsylvania. He and his wife were parents of the following children: Kinsey Gibbons; Nancy; Margaret; Mary Ann; Elizabeth, deceased; Christina; Philip A .; William A .; Sarah; and Matil- da, deceased.

Philip A. Drane attended the common schools of his home district and always ex- celled as a scholar. After leaving school he engaged as a clerk in a grocery at Al- legheny City, Pennsylvania, until the out- break of the Civil War. He was but little beyond man's estate when he enlisted as a private in the 155th Reg. P. V. I., and he served full time, being mustered out with the rank of sergeant. He was with the Army of the Potomac, and among other important engagements, participated in the following: Fredericksburg, Chancel- lorsville, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness. At the battle of the Wilderness he had the misfortune to be shot through the left chest, and was taken to the hospital at Alexandria, Virginia, being seven days en route. He was subsequently transferred to the West Penn Hospital, where he recov- ered from his terrible injury .. He then re- turned home and has engaged in farming continuously since that time. He has a nice property and has been very successful in his work.

June 3, 1868, Mr. Drane was united in marriage with Susan Huey, a daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Black) Huey, and the following children have been born to them : William A .; Effie B., wife of Thomas Humes, by whom she has the following children: Lillian, Marion, Myrtle, and Helen; Charles W., who married Amy Logan and has three children-Logan, Charles, and Ronald; Emily, wife of Charles Sautter; Anna, wife of Albert Freehling, by whom she has two children

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-Chester and Howard; Harry, who is in the mail service; Nettie, wife of John Ekas, by whom she has a daughter, Jeanette; Russell; and Jesse. Religiously, Mr. Drane and his family are members of the St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was for- merly an active member of the G. A. R. Post, but has not attended in recent years.

GEORGE N. WILSON, formerly county auditor of Butler County, Pennsylvania, and a leading citizen of Jackson Township, was born on the farm on which he lives, July 17, 1869, and is a son of Thomas I. and Mary (Minnemyer) Wilson.

The Wilson family was established in Butler County by the great-grandfather, Andrew Wilson, who came from County Tyrone, Ireland. The grandfather, George Wilson, was the first to settle on the farm now owned by George N., and his log cabin stood on the land for many years. He was born after his parents came to Butler County and he died on this farm. Here Thomas I. Wilson, father of George N., was also born and died here in 1881, aged forty-five years. He was a prominent man in the county and had he lived beyond mid- dle life, would have been doubtless still more of a leader in public affairs. He died just after being elected to the office of county commissioner. His brothers and sisters were: James and Andrew H., both deceased; George W., formerly county commissioner; Mary Jane; Esther Mar- garet, wife of Robert Brown; and Eliza- beth E., unmarried. Thomas I. Wilson married Mary Minnemyer, who was a daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Mertz) Minnemyer, who were natives of Germany. To Thomas I. Wilson and wife, the follow- ing children were born: Eva R., deceased; Ida, wife of John Bargery, of Evans City; Lulu C., wife of John Helm, of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania; Jennie G., wife of William Hudson, of Evans City; Gertrude, wife of Frank Boggs, of Evans City; Homer O.,

of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, married Clara Hoffman; and George N.

George N. Wilson grew to manhood on the farm on which he lives and attended the local schools. He was only eleven years old when he lost his father, but the family continued to live on the farm. Thomas I. Wilson purchased the farm in 1863. It is a fertile tract of 100 acres, which has been improved with substantial buildings and has been carefully and suc- cessfully cultivated.

Following the family traditions, Mr. Wil- son is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party and on its ticket has been elected to local office at various times and in the fall of 1905 was elected county auditor, a re- sponsible office that he filled most accept- ably to his fellow citizens, for three years. He has also served as township supervisor and on the board of elections, and has twice been elected justice of the peace for Jackson Township. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAM STAFF, one of Brady Township's substantial and successful farmers, owns 140 acres of valuable land, divided into two adjoining farms. He was born in Germany, November 5, 1837, and is a son of Milton and Barbara Staff.

The parents of Mr. Staff emigrated to America from Germany, in 1843, and set- tled first on a farm in Lancaster Town- ship, Butler County; Pennsylvania, from which they moved to Franklin Township, near Isle, in 1847. The father subsequently removed to Center Township, and there his death took place. His widow returned to Lancaster Township after her second marriage and died there.

William Staff was six years old when his parents came to Butler County and was ten years old when they settled in Franklin Township, where he attended school and was mainly reared. Farming and stock-raising has been his business all

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through life. Prior to his marriage he Scrubgrass Township, Venango County, bought his present home farm and all the improving, in the way of erecting sub- stantial buildings, he has done himself, to- gether with placing his land under the fin- est kind of cultivation. In 1867 Mr. Staff was married to Miss Mary E. Koch, who is a daughter of Jacob Koch, and they have three children, namely: Carrie E., who married Thomas Sager, and has two chil- dren, Edwin and Paul; and Martin L. and Orrin, both of whom reside at home. Mr. Staff and family belong to the Lutheran Church.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 159

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