Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 160

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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WILLIAM HENRY SHAFFER, pro- prietor of a meat market at Eau Claire, takes rank among the substantial business men and merchants of that borough. He was born in Venango County, Pennsylva- nia, December 31, 1870, and is a son of Israel and Mary (Hellery) Shaffer, his mother being from Armstrong County.

Israel and Mary Shaffer were parents of the following children: Samuel Frank- lin, who married Elizabeth Kennedy, daughter of James Kennedy of Venango County, by whom he has four children- Harry, Frank, Bessie, and Beulah; Fran- ces, wife of Samuel Meals of Venango County, by whom she had five children- Earl, Floyd, Mary, Maud and Hilton (de- ceased) ; George, who married Ida Pierce, daughter of William Pierce of Emlenton, Pennsylvania, and has the following chil- dren-Lina, Samuel, Mabel, and William; Elizabeth, now deceased; Jennie, wife of John W. Smith of Venango County, by whom she has three children-Warner, Er- nest and Lillian; William Henry, subject of this biography; Israel A. of Venango County; Charles, who married Minnie Hovis, a daughter of Nelson Hovis of Clin- tonville; Thomas, who resides in Clinton- ville; and Lottie May, who married John Slye of Venango County and has two sons -William and Thomas.

William H. Shaffer went to school in

Pennsylvania, after which he engaged in farming on the home place. He went to Oakdale, Allegheny County, and followed the trade of a carpenter and builder, then located at Clintonville, Venango County. He worked for his brother, George W. Shaffer, in the meat business, and contin- ued until after his marriage. He then es- tablished a meat market in Eau Claire, where he has since continued with fine suc- cess. He rented a shop for a time, then purchased a residence property and a lot on which he put up a good substantial store building for use in his business. He also purchased a twenty-acre tract in the borough, and here he maintains his cattle pens, and his ice and cold storage plant. He is a man of exceptional business ca- pacity, and the success attained by him has been due to his individual efforts, unaided.

Mr. Shaffer was married, February 20, 1896, to Laura Blanche Kimes, a daughter of James and Ester (Gilmore) Kimes. Her father was born in December, 1818, and died in 1895, being survived by his widow, who lives in Eau Claire. Mrs. Kimes was born August 27, 1838, and their marriage, which occurred in 1863, resulted in the following issue : Elizabeth, who died in August, 1904, was the wife of James Mckay of Oil City; Emma died in 1890; William married Rose Latchaw, a daugh- ter of John Latchaw of Venango County, and they had the following children-Ed- ward, Grace (deceased), one who died in infancy, and Ila; Edward married Eva Layton, daughter of James Layton of But- ler County, and they had three children- Hazel, Louisa and Seba; Harry married Sarah Donaldson, daughter of William Donaldson of Clintonville, and they had the following children-Emma, Ester and Har- old; Laura Blanche married the subject of this record; and Myrta married Roy Kerr, by whom she has two children, Donald and Claire.

Politically, Mr. Shaffer is a Republican,

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and is a member of the borough council and the school board of Eau Claire Acad- emy. He and his wife are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she is president of the Epworth League.

A. A. HOCH is an enterprising and suc- cessful business man of Chicora, Donegal Township, being a member of the hard- ware firm of Hoch Brothers of that place. He is also proprietor of the Central Hotel, a well kept hostelry known to the traveling public, and is profitably engaged in oil and gas production.

WILLIAM McCAFFERTY, a respected citizen and prosperous farmer, who re- sides on a very valuable farm of 114 acres, which is situated in Buffalo Township, on the Pittsburg Road, about one mile west of Sarversville, was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1867. The grand- parents of Mr. McCafferty were James and Hannah McCafferty, and his parents were Robert and Martha (Love) McCafferty. The family has been an agricultural one for several generations.

William McCafferty has engaged in farming in Buffalo Township ever since he reached manhood. Through boyhood he attended the public schools and is one of the intelligent and well-informed men of his section. His farm shows the effect of careful cultivation, his stock is in good condition and his two-story residence, standing a short distance back from the road, indicates that it is a comfortable, modern rural home. Mr. McCafferty mar- ried Miss Zetta Smith, who is a daughter of C. F. Smith, who is a substantial farmer in Butler County. They have four chil- dren, namely: Florence M., Arthur S., James and Charles. The family belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Among his neighbors, Mr. McCafferty is known as a good citizen. He gives but little time to politics and on no occasion has he been willing to accept a public office.

HENRY F. KRIESS, proprietor of the Allerton Stock Farm, a valuable tract of 175 acres, finely improved, makes a spe- cialty of breeding fine stock, especially horses, and also carries on extensive farm- ing. He was born in Forward Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1870, and is a son of William and Margaret (Freshcorn ) Kriess.

The father of Mr. Kriess was born in Germany and in his boyhood accompanied his parents to America and grew to man- hood near Wahlville, Forward Township, Butler County. For a few years he con- ducted a hotel in Evans City but otherwise was engaged in farming all his mature life. He married a daughter of William Fresh- corn, of Forward Township, and four of their children grew up, namely: George, of Forward Township; Emma, wife of William McClure, of Evans City; Henry F .; and William, a practicing physician in Pittsburg. The whole family belongs to the German Lutheran Church. The father died in 1875, in his forty-fifth year.

Henry F. Kriess attended school through boyhood but became interested in business at an unusually early age, embarking in a butcher business at Evans City, where he continued it for one year. Finding a better opening in the oil fields he then engaged in teaming, on his own account, and later be- came an oil producer in Forward Town- ship, and was interested there for three years, retiring then to Evans City, where later he engaged in the shoe business. In the spring of 1905 he purchased his pres- ent farm and has made it one of the best stock farms in the county. His interest in horses dates as far back as his fifteenth year, when he owned a standard-bred pacer, which he successfully raced in Penn- sylvania and Ohio, up to 1904. Since tak- ing charge of his present property he has bred many fine specimens of cattle and horses, bringing with him as a starter for his stables, a team of Percheron mares that weighed 3,600 pounds. He keeps six

THOMAS H. McGUIRK

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brood mares and owns the standard-bred stallion Geronemo. At the time of writing he has fourteen head of horses and colts, perfect, spirited animals, and has cattle and other stock of standard strains. Mr. Kriess has put up one of the finest barns in all this section. He devotes 125 acres of his land to raising corn, oats, wheat, hay and potatoes.

Mr. Kriess was married (first) to Miss Mary Link, of Mars, and they had one son, George L. He was married (second) to Miss Christina Wahl, a daughter of Will- iam Wahl, of Evans City, and they have one son, William. Mr. Kriess takes con- siderable interest in politics and is a Demo- crat in his affiliation. At Evans City he was a member of the council and is now filling the office of inspector of elections in Connoquenessing Township. Mr. Kriess is a thorough business man, enterprising and progressive, and in every way is a rep- resentative citizen of the section in which he lives.

THOMAS H. McGUIRK, general con- tractor in stone, at Butler, with place of business at No. 414 North Mckean Street, has been identified with stone work since boyhood and is one of the leading men in his line of business in this city. He was born in 1876, in Cherry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Den- nis P. and a grandson of Thomas McGuirk.

The grandfather, Thomas McGuirk, founded the family in Butler County, in 1844. He was born in Ireland. Of his children, Dennis P. Guirk, father of Thomas A., was born in 1850, in Marion Township, Butler County, and is now a resident of Butler, where, for many years he has followed his trade of stone-mason and contractor.

Immediately after leaving school, Thomas H. McGuirk started to learn his father's trade, this being before he was fourteen years old. He was an apt pupil and by the time he was seventeen, he was

so thoroughly reliable in his work that he was drawing a man's wages. He soon be- gan contracting and for the past eleven years has led in the stone contracting busi- ness at Butler and in surrounding towns. It would be pleasant to call attention to all the work done by this younger member of the craft, but a few notable examples will have to suffice. Mr. McGuirk is re- sponsible for the fine stone work in that beautiful building, the Home for Old Ladies, at Zelienople; the solid masonry of the Majestic Theater; the splendid resi- dence of Mr. Glenn at Evans City and that of Thomas Philips, Jr., at Butler, the lat- ter being the most modern and expensive in the city; and the Duffy Block on the corner of North and Main Streets.

In 1898 Mr. McGuirk was married to Miss Anna Hall, of East Brady, and they have three children-Fonsie R., Harry E. and Irene L. Mr. and Mrs. McGuirk are members of the First Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, the Odd Fellows' Brotherhood and to the Protected Home Circle.

JOHN MILTON WILSON, general farmer and stockraiser, was born on the place where he now resides, in Jackson Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1855, and is a son of John H. and Margaret (Houk) Wilson. He is a descendant of one of the oldest pioneer families of Butler County and the name is as closely identified with its early history as any name in it.

Andrew Wilson, the grandfather of John M., was born in County Tyrone, Ireland. In 1766 he came to America and settled first in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1800 removing to Jackson Township, Butler County. He married Mary Hender- son, who was born in County Tyrone, Ire- land, August 12, 1769. She died December 27, 1837, aged sixty-eight years. They had the following children : Elizabeth, born De- cember 18, 1794, married William Martin,

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

April 8, 1819; George, born November 23, 1796, married Rebecca Wilson, June 20, 1822; Mary, born February 22, 1799, mar- ried George Cooper; Nancy, born Febru- ary 24, 1802, married James Garvin, June 28, 1822; Rebecca, born April 14, 1805; Eleanor, born June 29, 1807, never mar- ried, living into old age on the present home farm; and John H., father of John M.

John H. Wilson was born on the farm now owned by his son, John Milton, July 15, 1809, and died here November 29, 1883, aged seventy-four years. He spent the whole of his long and exemplary life on the farm on which he was born. On June 20, 1848, he married Margaret Houk, who died January 29, 1893, aged sixty-eight years. She was a daughter of Jacob Houk, who settled in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, in 1797. There were six children born to John H. Wilson and wife, namely : Andrew Henderson, who was born June 30, 1849, married Miss Ida Rice, a half-sister of Rosella Rice, the well known authoress, of Ashland County, Ohio, is boss carpenter for the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad and owns a farm near Perrys- ville, Ohio; Jonathan, who was born Febru- ary 5, 1851, married Miss Susan Stam, of Forward Township, Butler County, resided in Jackson Township, but died at Evans City, June 4, 1904; Mary Ellen, born June 27, 1853, married Leander Scott, of Lan- caster Township; Sarah Elizabeth and John Milton, twins, born September 20, 1855, of whom the former married Samuel Brenneman of Portersville, Muddy Creek Township; and Jennie Townsend, born No- vember 18, 1868, who married G. W. Nixon, of Jackson Township.

John Milton Wilson attended the Wilson School in Jackson Township, working on the farm in the summer seasons. This farm in the days of the grandfather con- tained 420 acres and he lived in a log cabin in such a wilderness that Indians were their only visitors for a long period. When the death of the grandfather took place, the

farm was equally divided between two sons, John II. and George. John H. Wilson made many improvements on his portion of the land, erecting the substantial barn in 1843 and the comfortable farm residence in 1870. This farm is equally well adapted to general agriculture and to grazing, and Mr. Wilson understands how to make every part of it productive.

On July 6, 1898, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Margaret A. Maharg, who was born in Penn Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of James and Catharine (Brown) Maharg. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Evans City Presbyterian Church. He is identified with the Masons and the Odd Fellows, be- longing to the Masonic Lodge-old Har- mony No. 429-at Zelienople and to the Odd Fellows at Evans City. In politics, Mr. Wilson is a Democrat and belongs to a Democratic family that has given two county commissioners to Butler County. His grandfather voted for Thomas Jeffer- son, the third president of the United States and the author of the Declaration of Independence.

GEORGE W. P. ORTON, a well known oil producer of Allegheny Township, But- ler County, Pennsylvania, a thoroughly ex- perienced man in the oil industry, was born December 26, 1861, at Corning, New York, and is a son of William H. and Sarah (Greenwood) Orton, both of whom were natives of England.

In 1869, Mr. Orton, accompanied by his mother, settled at Parker's Landing, and there he was practically reared and re- ceived his educational training. Almost in boyhood he began work in the oil fields and for a considerable time was a pumper, working mainly in Armstrong and Butler Counties. For about twenty years he has been an oil producer himself and has met with such success that he has considered it judicious to give his entire time to this in- dustry. His knowledge of the business is

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practical and reliable and he is known all through these fields.

On September 7, 1890, Mr. Orton was married to Miss Mary E. Black, who was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of the late A. R. Black, of Allegheny Township. Mr. and Mrs. Orton' have two children : Orville D. and Ethel E. Mr. Orton and wife are members of the Allegheny Presbyterian Church and he is a trustee and is also president of the Alle- gheny Church Cemetery Association. In politics, he is a Republican. Formerly he was identified with the Odd Fellows at Parker's Landing. Personally he is pro- . gressive and public-spirited and as a citi- zen commands the respect and enjoys the confidence of his neighbors.

JOHN H. WIGTON, one of Brady Township's most esteemed citizens, now living retired on his valuable farm of 264 acres, about one-half mile west of Hall- ston, was born on this farm in Brady Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, December 8, 1848, and is a son of John and Rachel (Tannihill) Wigton.

The Wigton family is of Dutch descent and it was established in Butler County by the grandfather, John Wigton, who came among the pioneers. The name of John appears in every generation and John the second, the father of John H., was born after his father came to this part of Penn- sylvania, on a farm one mile distant from

the one under consideration. At that time, Brady Township was known as Slippery Rock Township. After marriage, the par- ents of Mr. Wigton went to housekeeping on a fifty-acre tract of this farm, to which additions were gradually made until John Wigton was called one of the most substan- tial men in the township and the owner of 500 acres of fine land. He improved his property and among other buildings, put up the handsome brick residence in which John H. Wigton resides. Of the eleven children born to John Wigton and wife,

the following survive: Isaiah, who lives in Clay Township; Lewis, who lives in Cali- fornia; Josiah, who has his home in Iowa; and John H., of Brady Township. The father of the family died August 8, 1886, his wife's death having taken place Janu- ary 15, 1883.

John H. Wigton was reared on the pres- ent farm and until within a short period has been actively engaged in its manage- ment. In conjunction with farming he op- erated a stone quarry for nine years, utiliz- ing a switch track which was put in by the Bessemer Railroad, which passes through a small part of the farm. This land each year grows more and more valuable and the day may come when the village, becoming a growing town, may cover the thirty rods nów lying between its bounds and the Wig- ton farm, and even encroach upon it.

Mr. Wigton married Elizabeth Thomp- son, who was born in Concord Township, Butler County, and is a daughter of Will- iam Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. Wigton have four children: Lula, who married John Borland, who conducts a grocery business at Butler, has two children-Helen and Arthur Holdman; Pearl; Charles, who married Jennie Bollinger, has one child, Elizabeth; and Frank T., who lives at home. Mr. Wigton is one of the leading members of the Muddy Creek Presbyterian Church.

HUGH GILMORE is a prosperous farmer and oil producer of Marion Town- ship, Butler County, Pennsylvania, where the family became established at a very early period. He was born in a log cabin- the same house in which his father was born-on April 21, 1842, and is a son of John and Margaret (Kilgore) Gilmore, and a grandson of Hugh and Ellen (French) Gilmore.

Hugh Gilmore, the grandfather, was about three years of age when brought by his parents from Ireland, the family locat- ing east of the mountains of Pennsylvania.

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There was a large family of children, of whom three came west to Butler County : Joseph, John and Hugh. The last named grew to maturity in the East and engaged in farming and carpet weaving. He was a young man when he followed his two broth- ers to Butler County, where he was shortly after married to Ellen French, who was living with her father, Ayres French, on the farm now owned by her grandsons, Hugh and William. Mr. French was later thrown from his horse and killed, and the farm has since been in the Gilmore family. Hugh Gilmore partly cleared the farm, which consisted of 300 acres, and lived in an old log house on the place. He survived his wife some years, dying in 1856 at an advanced age. They were parents of the following children: Nancy, Sally, Jane, Elizabeth, Isabel, Ellen, John, William, Hugh and Joseph. The farm descended to the eldest and youngest sons, John and Joseph.

John Gilmore was born in the log house on the farm, April 19, 1807, and spent all his life on this place, which he helped to clear. He received some educational train- ing under his father, who taught the old school in the vicinity during the winter months. He married Margaret Kilgore, a daughter of John J. Kilgore of Venango County, Pennsylvania, and they became parents of the following: Jane, wife of John I .; Jobe, deceased; Ellen, wife of Newton Mortland, now deceased; Dorcas, who died quite young; Hugh; Elizabeth, wife of Alvin Mortland; John J .; Isabel, wife of Isaac Clay; William A .; and Ma- tilda, wife of Albert McCoy. John Gil- more died on the farm in February, 1886; his wife, who was born October 29, 1835, died in 1894.

Hugh Gilmore, subject of this biography, attended the public schools and assisted in the work on the farm, as he was the eldest son. He later came into possession of the place with his brother, William, and has always lived on this farm. He erected his

present house in 1876 and has made many other important improvements, making it one of the best kept farms in this locality. In November, 1906, oil was struck on the place and he now has four good producing wells. In politics, he is a Democrat and has frequently been called upon to serve the community in local offices.

Mr. Gilmore was married January 2, 1873, to Miss Minerva Walter, who was born in Venango County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Philip and Catherine (Smith) Walter. They have three chil- dren, namely: Cora Bella, who married J. A. Midbury of Marion Township, and has two children, George G. and Charles N .; Nellie G., wife of Clarence Bailey of Venango County; and John Morry, who assists his father in conducting the farm. Religiously, the family is Presbyterian, and attends the church at Clintonville.

ROBERT JOHN McMICHAEL, M. D., is engaged in the practice of his profession at Eau Claire, Butler County, Pennsylva- nia, and is the owner of considerable realty in and about the borough. He was born in Clay Township, Butler County, April 27, 1851, and is a son of Chris and Barbara (Curry) McMichael, and a grandson of William McMichael.

William McMichael, the grandfather, was born January 1, 1780; he was married on December 21, 1804, to Jennie Rankin, who was born March 7, 1784, and died No- vember 17, 1860. The following children were born to them: Jane, who was born June 1, 1806, and died January 5, 1852; Christ, who was born November 22, 1808, and died March 17, 1887; Martha, who was born January 16, 1811, and became the wife of Robert Christy of Butler County, by whom she had four children-Dixon, Will- iam, Anna and Margaret; William, who was born May 27, 1813; Martha, who was born September 22, 1815, and died July 14, 1874; David, born June 20, 1818, and died September 19, 1879; Taylor, born April

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COMMERCIAL VAUTEL

FISK OY SITERS

BAR

COMMERCIAL HOTEL, BUTLER

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13, 1821, died November 17, 1851; John, born June 18, 1824, died January 5, 1852; Samuel, born June 18, 1827 ; and Margaret, who was born May 21, 1830, and died Sep- tember 24, 1875.

Chris McMichael was first married to Elizabeth St. Clair, by whom he had the following children: Joseph, who was born February 19, 1834, and was married to Sarah McKissick, a daughter of John Mc- Kissick; Jane, who was born September 12, 1835, and became the wife of James Milford of Kansas; William, who was born November 22, 1837, and died April 17, 1839; Japhia, who was born December 18, 1839, and married Mary E. Williams, a daughter of Robert Williams of Plain Grove; Ethan, born June 1, 1842, died De- cember 29, 1890, married Helen Renick; and Zemira, born October 29, 1844, died May 28, 1845. Chris McMichael formed a second union with Barbara Curry a daugh- ter of Robert Curry, and three children were their issue: Zenias, who was born September 11, 1847, and married Sarah Williams, a daughter of Robert Williams; a daughter, who was born and died on Oc- tober 9, 1849; Robert J.

Dr. R. J. McMichael was primarily edu- cated in the common schools of Clay Township, and in West Sunbury and Day- ton Academies, after which he attended Grove City College. He later attended Wooster College, in Ohio, and received his professional training in Cleveland. After receiving his degree he engaged in prac- tice at West Sunbury, where he continued for two years, then came to Eau Claire. He has been in active practice here since and has won a high place in the regard and confidence of the people. He owns a house and five lots in the borough, and eleven acres on the east side of the borough. He has a valuable farm of 113 acres one and a half miles to the northeast, located in Al- legheny Township. He purchased this property of Thomas Milford, and oil and

gas have been developed on it. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist.

Dr. McMichael was married to Eliza- beth Campbell, daughter of James R. Campbell of West Sunbury, and the fol- lowing children have blessed their home: Elsie, born June 7, 1881; Anna, who was born November 22, 1882, and is the wife of Ralph Blair of Eau Claire; a son who was born and died November 18, 1884; John Ross, born October 3, 1885; Mabel, born December 10, 1887, who is a teacher in the common schools; James C., who was born January 28, 1890; Charles S., who was born April 17, 1892, and died Novem- ber 28, 1894; a son of who was born March 5, 1895, and died March 8th of the same year; and another son who was born and died on August 8, 1896. After the death of his first wife, Dr. McMichael formed a second union with Sarah Allen, a daugh- ter of Joseph Allen of Venango County. Religiously, they are members of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder and a teacher in the Sabbath School. Mrs. McMichael sings in the church choir, and is also active in church work.

J. G. MOSER, proprietor of the Com- mercial Hotel, and oil producer, located at No. 119 W. Jefferson Street, Butler, Penna., is a representative business man of the city. He was born November 27, 1864, son of Gabriel and Mary (Reed) Moser. His paternal great-grandfather, John Moser, Sr., was a Revolutionary sol- dier, serving at Brandywine and in other battles. After the war he removed from Northampton County to Westmoreland County and from there to Butler County in 1800.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 160

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