Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 161

Author: McKee, James A., 1865- ed. and comp
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1526

USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > Butler > Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th > Part 161

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John Moser, Jr., grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, was long a resident of Bonnybrook, where he was engaged in farming. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and while at Black Rock contracted

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the dreaded Black Rock fever, from which he died shortly after returning home. He married Catherine Horne in Westmore- land County and they had three sons- Solomon, Daniel and Gabriel.

Gabriel Moser was born in Bonnybrook and received his education in the public schools. He learned the trade of wagon maker and established a wagon manufac- tory on the site of the present Commercial Hotel, and conducted it for a number of years. His death occurred about 1873. He married Mary Reed and they became the parents of nine children, . namely : Henry; Joseph, deceased; Thomas, de- ceased; William John, deceased; a daugh- ter who died in infancy; Isaiah; J. G .; Amelia, who married a Mr. Jewel; and Catherine, who became the wife of a Mr. Miller.

J. G. Moser received his education in the district schools of Butler County. He began industrial life as an assistant in the grocery store of G. W. Miller. After- wards he obtained work in a bottling es- tablishment as packer. He was then initiated into the hotel business, working first for a Mr. Idemiller and later in a hotel owned by Captain Leibold, the pres- ent owner and proprietor of the Arlington Hotel. Subsequently he quit the hotel business for a while, being occupied in painting and later becoming interested in oil production. In 1905 he bought the Steel Smith Building from Jacob Painter and turned it into the present Commercial Hotel, fitting it up in an adequate manner to meet the demands of a good class of patronage, which he has since readily ob- tained. He makes special rates to jury- men, witnesses, regular boarders and also · to theatrical people, his regular rates be- ing $1.50 per day. The hotel is conducted on the American plan and there is a bar attachment to accommodate the wants of thirsty guests.

Mr. Moser married Jane Emerick, a daughter of John Emerick, of Chicora.

He and his wife have become the parents of four children-Eugene (married Ella Vandwort whose death occurred July 7, 1908), John, Harry, and Catherine, the last mentioned of whom is now deceased. They have also an adopted daughter, Ger- trude.

Politically Mr. Moser is a Republican, but with enough independence to break party lines when he does not approve of some particular nomination, in such cases voting for the man he considers best quali- fied for the office. He is a member of the fraternal order, Woodmen of the World, and his religious connection is with the Methodist church.

BENJAMIN J. FORQUER has been proprietor of the Forquer Hotel at Chi- cora for more than thirty-five years, and has a large and well established business. He was born in Donegal Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1844, and is a son of William and Rebecca (Marsh) Forquer. He comes of one of the oldest pioneer families of this township.

William Forquer, the father, was born in Donegal Township, and died there on May 12, 1874, at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife, who was born in War- ren County, Pennsylvania, died in 1888, at the age of seventy-four years. They were parents of the following children: Eliza- beth Ann, who was born September 1, 1833, and died in 1907; Eliza J., born May 4, 1836; Robert E., who was born May 1, 1838, and died in infancy ; Rose Anna, who was born October 18, 1839, and died in in- fancy ; Benjamin J .; Amelia, who was born August 22, 1848, and died in infancy ; Mary, deceased, who was born April 27, 1849; Anastasia, who was born March 31, 1854, and married D. O. Bennett, by whom she has two daughters, Rebecca and Della ; William J., who was born September 26, 1859, and is now deceased; and Mary, who married John McCrea and has three chil- dren-Stephen, Marsh and Laura.

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Benjamin J. Forquer has thus far spent most of his life in Butler County. He spent his boyhood on his father's farm and in attendance at the common schools. In 1864 he went to the oil fields about Oil City, Pennsylvania, and for three years was en- gaged in contracting and drilling. He then became a producer and continued at that until February, 1873, when he purchased the hotel business of Michael Goodwin at Chicora. As his business grew he made many important improvements in the house and its equipment, and has conduct- ed one of the most popular houses of en- tertainment in this part of the state.

November 28, 1876, Mr. Forquer was married at Chicora to Miss Nora A. Dew- ey, a daughter of John and Johannah (Neville) Dewey of Duncreek, New York, the Rev. Father Quilter officiating. Six children are the issue of this union: Clara, wife of W. J. Battegan of Butler, by whom she has a daughter, Nora; Charles, who is in the oil fields of Oklahoma; Albert, of Butler, salesman for the National Supply Company, and exalted ruler of Butler Lodge, B. P. O. E .; Eugene, who married Catherine Spaulty and lives in Oklahoma; Irene, wife of Charles E. Stalker of Pitts- burg, by whom she has a daughter, Mary L .; and Gertrude, who is an accomplished musician and is prominent in social circles in Chicora. Religiously, the family be- longs to the Roman Catholic Church of Chicora, being liberal in its support and active church workers. Fraternally, Mr. Forquer is a member and past master of Blue Lodge No. 540, F. & A. M., which he has represented at a meeting of the Grand Lodge at Philadelphia; is a member of the Knights Templar at Pittsburg; the Chapter at Kittanning; the Knights of Pythias at Chicora; and the Order of Elks at Butler. He has taken a deep interest in the affairs of Chicora, and has capably served as a member of the borough coun- , cil and on the school board.

LOUIS HARTENSTEIN, general mer- chant at Great Belt, where, for fifteen years he was also postmaster, was born January 6, 1845, in Jefferson Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Henry and Henrietta (Leithold) Har- tenstein.

The grandfather of Mr. Hartenstein es- tablished the family in Jefferson Town- ship, cleared up the land and developed the homestead farm. Henry Hartenstein, father of Louis, spent his life on his farm of 100 acres, located near Great Belt. He was a very active citizen and was a mov- ing spirit in all public matters in his neigh- borhood.

Louis Hartenstein spent his boyhood on the home farm and attended the local schools. When eighteen years of age he enlisted in the United States Army, becom- ing a member of Company G, Twenty-sev- enth Infantry, and remained a soldier for five years. His regiment took part in the Atlanta campaign during the Civil War, under command of General Sherman. Mr. Hartenstein survived all the dangers and hardships of military life and when re- leased from the service, returned home. He taught four terms of school in Jeffer- son Township and then purchased his pres- ent business, which he has conducted ever since. He carries a large and carefully se- lected general stock and has a large trade from the surrounding country.

In May, 1877, Mr. Hartenstein was mar- ried to Caroline Divener, a daughter of Henry Divener, who was a farmer in Donegal Township. Mrs. Hartenstein died in January, 1904, leaving two children : Clara, who married Philip Krause; and Mollie, who resides at home. Mr. Harten- stein is a member of the Lutheran Church.

GILMORE A. DUNCAN, D. D. S., who has been engaged in the practice of dental surgery at Zelienople for the past nine years, is a representative of two of the

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oldest and most prominent families of But- ler County. He was born October 30, 1872, in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Nelson B. and Susan O. (Waldron) Duncan.

The Duncans originated in Ireland and the Waldrons in Holland. The paternal grandparents, Samuel and Elizabeth Dun- can, came as pioneers into Cranberry Township, and from the old home their many descendants have gone out into the world and have performed well their part in life. The first of the Waldrons to come to Butler County, located near Evans City. John Waldron, the maternal grandfather of Dr. Duncan, formerly represented But- ler County in the General Assembly.

Nelson B. Duncan, father of Dr. Dun- can, is one of Zelienople's leading citizens, at present serving as postmaster of the town. He was born in the old homestead in Cranberry Township and for a number of years engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Susan O. Waldron and to them were born the following children: Alice; Gilmore A .; William, who resides at Zelienople; John, who resides at Marietta, Ohio; Blanche, who is assistant to her father in the Zelienople postoffice; Laura, who is the wife of Edwin Kect, of Belle View; Gertrude, who is the wife of Jo- seph Cavenaugh, of Bridgeport, Illinois ; and an infant, deceased.

Dr. Duncan went from the Sample School, in Cranberry Township, to Grove City College, where he pursued his studies for two years and then took up the study of dentistry, in 1896 entering the Balti- more College of Dental Surgery, and was graduated in the class of 1899. In June of the same year he located at Zelienople, opening an office over the People's Na- tional Bank, and has built up a large and lucrative practice. He keeps thoroughly abreast of the times in the wonderful ad- vances made in his science, and makes use, in his practice, of many of the inventions

which make a visit to the dentist no longer a dreaded experience.

On April 10, 1899, Dr. Duncan was mar- ried to Miss Nancy M. Riley, a daughter of Owen Riley, of Baltimore, Maryland, and they have three children-Helen, Waldron and Francis. He belongs to the Elks at Butler and retains his membership in his college fraternity, the Psi Omega. In his political affiliation he is a Republican.

E. L. WASSON, M. D., physician and surgeon at Butler, a specialist in gynecol- ogy and a thoroughly trained member of his profession, was born at New Castle, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and has been a resident of this city since 1892.

Dr. Wasson was reared in Butler Coun- ty through his years of common-school training and after an academic course at West Sunbury, he followed school-teaching for three years, in the meanwhile prepar- ing for entrance in the Baltimore Medical College, where he was graduated in 1898. He located at Callery and remained in practice there for four years. In 1901 and 1902 he took post-graduate coursesat Johns Hopkins University, at Baltimore, and has kept closely in touch with every late dis- covery in medical science, identifying him- self with various medical organizations and frequently contributing to medical lit- erature. He is the only specialist in gyn- ecology at Butler and is the gynecologist of the Butler General Hospital. During 1904-5 he was the president of the Butler County Medical Society and belongs also to the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania and to the American Medical Association.

On September 15, 1897, Dr. Wasson was married to Miss Marie Hoon, who died March 11, 1908. She was a daughter of Thomas Hoon, formerly sheriff of Butler County. Dr. Wasson has two sons, La- Vernze DeVoe and Thomas Hoon. He is a member of the First Presbyterian

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Church at Butler. In political sentiment he has always been identified with the Re- publican party and has been its chosen can- didate for the Legislature. Fraternally he is a Mason and belongs to Harmony Lodge, and also to No. 170, Butler Lodge, B. P. O. E.

JOHN E. WOMER, who is prominently identified with the oil industry both in Butler and Venango Counties, is one of Allegheny Township's leading citizens, where he does a large business as a con- tractor and driller of oil and gas wells. He was born August 14, 1856, in Alle- gheny Township, Butler County, Pennsyl- vania, and is a son of Isaac and Emily (Morrison) Womer.

Jacob Womer, the grandfather of John E., came to Butler County from Schuyl- kill County, Pennsylvania, and was an early settler in Allegheny Township. There Isaac Womer was born and prior to the Civil War, he engaged in farming. He entered the Federal Army and was a brave and fearless soldier and was one of the many hundreds who fell on the second day of the struggle which is known in history as the battle of the Wilderness. He had married the daughter of a neighbor and four of their family of children still sur- vive, namely : John E .; Elizabeth J., who is the wife of John Glass, of Bradford, Pennsylvania; Ella E., who is the wife of George Gilles, of Coraopolis, Pennsylva- nia; and William Isaac, of Cameron, Ohio.

John E. Womer was reared to man's es- tate in Allegheny Township and as he was a soldier's orphan he was entitled to the educational advantages offered by the Sol- diers' Orphans' School at Titusville, which he attended for nearly five years. He re- turned to Allegheny Township and re- mained there until he was twenty years of age, when he entered the Clarion County oil fields, going from there to Mckean County and later to Allegheny County, New York, spending some time in each

section and investigating into others. He finally returned to Butler County and for a quarter of a century has been interested in oil development here. He is also con- nected with the firm of Eakin Brothers, in Venango County. He has met with a large amount of success in his line of business and is known all through the oil territory.

Mr. Womer's early years were filled with excitement that only war can bring, more especially when its grim reality grasps happiness from the home circle, and from boyhood the marching and counter-march- ing of troops were but too familiar sights and entered into even childish plays. Doubtless he inherited a taste for military life and evidently possessed a natural gift of command, for while he was a student at school, he was chosen, out of a score of other sons of soldiers, to command and drill a company, which became very profi- cient in the manual of arms as he taught them. When the Spanish-American War broke out, Mr. Womer through his own personal effort raised a full company and for two months he walked the distance of five miles from his home to Eau Claire, twice every week, to drill them, receiving no remuneration whatever. Mr. Womer has been a very active Republican for a number of years and is in close touch with other leaders of his party in Butler Coun- ty. He has been sent as a delegate to three Congressional Conventions and once as a delegate to the convention to nominate a delegate to the National Convention. He has always been a loyal party man and has frequently proved his efficiency. He has been a member of many important committees and was a delegate to the State Republican Convention at Harrisburg.

Mr. Womer married Miss Elizabeth Al- len, who is a daughter of the late John R. Allen, of Allegheny Township. She has one brother, Harvey L., of Allegheny Township, and one sister, Orrell, who is the wife of Josiah Pearce, of Allegheny Township. Mr. and Mrs. Womer have four

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children, namely : Della M., who is the wife of John Keating, of Allegheny Township; Emily E., who is the wife of Frederick Cobbett, of Allegheny Township; and Una E. and Carl L., the latter of whom is still in school. Mr. Womer is a member of the Allegheny Presbyterian Church and for fourteen years has served as clerk of the Session. He is identified with the Masonic Lodge at Parker's Landing.

S. G. CLAY, a well known and respected citizen of Forward Township, Butler Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, is the owner of a valua- ble farm of 140 acres. He was born on his father's farm in Venango County, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1858, a son of David and Catherine (Grove) Clay.

David Clay, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Venango County, Penn- sylvania, August 7, 1823, and was there reared to maturity. He early turned his attention to agricultural pursuits-his principal occupation through life-and also at an early day engaged in rafting down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers to Cincin- nati and Louisville. At the time of his death, which occurred May 15, 1879, when he was fifty-five years, nine months, and eight days old, he resided in Clintonville. He is survived by his widow, who was eighty years of age December 24, 1908, and is in the enjoyment of good health. They were married July 29, 1846, and became the parents of the following children : Mrs. A. J. Henderson of Clintonville, Venango County ; I. J. Clay of the same place ; Mrs. Al. Heckard of Star Crossing, Butler County; William O. Clay of Mariposa, Cal .; Simeon G. Clay of Brownsdale, But- ler County, Pa .; Alva E. Clay of Evans City, Butler County; Mrs. Charles Day of Kane, Pa .; George A. Clay of New Castle; Mrs. Charles N. Islen of Pittsburg, and three who died in infancy.

S. G. Clay was reared on his father's farm in Venango County, and continued to reside under the parental rooftree until he

reached his majority. He then became ac- tive in the oil fields, where he was em- ployed for some years with profitable re- sults. He moved on to his present farm in 1902, having purchased it of D. B. Crowe, and has engaged in general farming. An energetic and progressive man, he is high- ly esteemed by his fellow citizens.

Mr. Clay was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Crowe, who died May 11, 1903. She was a daughter of David B. and Ellen Jane (Anderson) Crowe. This union was blessed with children as fol- lows: Reatha Eleanor, wife of Lawrence Black; Cora Cathryn and Leroy David Clay. Fraternally Mr. Clay is a member of Oakdale Lodge, No. 29, K. O. T. M. In politics he is a Democrat.

LEVI THOMAS KERR, deceased, was a prominent resident of the borough of Eau Claire, where he had conducted a hotel for nearly a score of years, but at the time of his death was retired from that business. He died on August 26, 1907, and his death was mourned as a loss to the community,. in which he was so widely known. Mrs. Kerr still resides in Eau Claire, where she is the owner of some good property as well as the old Kerr homestead in Allegheny Township.

Levi Thomas Kerr was born in Alle- gheny Township, Butler County, Pennsyl- vania, December 23, 1832, and was a son of Thomas Bradon and Tammer (Williams) Kerr, and a grandson of Joseph Kerr, who was an early resident of Allegheny Town- ship. The last named was the father of the following children : Harner, Parks, James, John, Joseph, Zachariah and Thomas Bradon.

Thomas Bradon, father of the subject of this record, was married to Tammer Williams, a daughter of Levi Williams of Scrub Grass, Butler County, and his wife who in maiden life was Mary Phipps. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr had one son, Levi Thomas Kerr, subject of this sketch.

S. G. CLAY AND FAMILY (The separate picture in oval is that of Mrs. Clay)

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Levi T. Kerr attended the public schools of his home community, and then went to work on his father's farm, which he came into possession of at the time of his mar- riage. It consisted of fifty acres of land, and to this he added forty-five acres which he purchased of James Miller, who in turn had acquired it of Squire John Commigan. This made a total of ninety-five acres of valuable and tillable land, on which he erected a comfortable home and a fine set . of farm buildings. Oil and gas were de- veloped in paying quantities, and three veins of coal were discovered underlying the land. Retaining ownership in the farm, Mr. Kerr purchased a hotel at Eau Claire, rebuilt it and erected a good barn, and for a period of eighteen years he con- ducted the establishment with good suc- cess. He then sold out to William Mitchell and purchased an adjoining lot, on which he erected a fine home. He lived there un- til his death at the age of seventy-five years.

Levi T. Kerr was united in marriage with Mary Ellen Williams, who was born in Allegheny Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1835, and is a daughter of Thomas M. and Ella M. (Will- iams) Williams, and a granddaughter of Mark Williams, who was of Clarion Coun- ty, Pennsylvania. Thomas and Ella Will- iams were parents of the following: John Milton, who married Sabine Strait and has three children-Mary, Nora and Cornelius ; Sarah, wife of William Bailes of Harmony, by whom she had the following children --- Amelia, Luella, Cora Sarah; Marcus, who married Keziah Morrison, daughter of James Morrison of Allegheny Township, and has the following children-Sylvanus, Oran, Clara, Minnie, Ella, Mary, James and Newton; Abraham, who married Amanda Mock of Centerville, and had the following offspring-Louise, Roy, Rex, Ross, Maude and Mabel; Asenath, who married Thomas Williams, son of Levi Wallace Williams, and had the following

children-Emma, Effie, Della, Alice, May, Harry, Edison, Clyde, Lulu, Winnifred and Renaldo; Almira Jane, who married Ed- ward Graham of Washington Township, by whom she had three children-Charles, Verner Edward and Celora (deceased) ; James, who married Gussie Thompson, daughter of Alexander Thompson of Clarion County, and has five children- Harry, Charles, Mark, John and Mossie; and Thomas, the youngest of the family, who is deceased.

Levi T. and Mary Ellen (Williams) Kerr reared the following family : Laura Delena, who married Thomas Bovard; Carmila Carleton; Thomas Meridan; Mary Almira (Daubenspeck) ; Tammer, deceased; John Hamilton H., who died in California; Sa- bine (Hoffman) ; Levi Phipps, deceased; Bessie C., who is attaining much success as a professional nurse; and Roy. Laura Delena Kerr married Thomas Bovard, a son of Robert Bovard of Eau Claire, and the following were born to them : Gertrude, deceased; Plummer of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia; Amy, wife of Henry Kelly of Clarion County ; Cora, wife of Homer Nes- bit of Oakdale, Allegheny County; Elsie, deceased; Minnie; Sidney; Bessie; and Delbert, deceased. Carmila Carleton Kerr married Elizabeth Shook, a daughter of Henry Shook of Butler County, and the following were born to them : Ralph; War- ren, who married Elsie Hilliard of Clin- tonville; Myrth; and Elsie. Thomas Meri- dan married Rennie English of Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and to them were born the following: Roy, Lena, Elsie, Frank, Mary and Edward. Mary Almira Kerr married James Daubenspeck of Park- er Township, and the following children blessed their union: Harry, Ross, Essie, Ellis, Clifford, Vernie, and one who died in infancy. John Kerr was joined in mar- riage with Ella Mahood, daughter of George Mahood of North Washington, But- ler County, and to them were born : George, Brown, Charles, Harry (deceased), Belle,

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Mary, Ross, Paul and Flossie. Sabine Kerr married Philip Hoffman of Clinton- ville, and their children are: Carmila C., Leon, Colter, Dean, Mary and Rex. Roy Kerr married Mary Keim, a daughter of William Keim of Marion Township, and they have two children, Donald and Claire. In religious attachment, Mrs. Kerr is a devout member of the Presbyterian Church at Scrub Grass, of which her mother was a member for seventy-three years. She is a lady of many pleasing qualities, and has friends throughout the community.

THOMAS WILSON, who comes of an old and prominent family of Clay Town- ship, Butler County, Pennsylvania, is en- gaged in general farming and stock rais- ing on an excellent farm of nearly 500 acres, which is owned by him and his sister, Miss Mary Elizabeth Wilson. He was born on this farm December 15, 1844, and is a son of James and Mary (Carothers) Wilson.

James Wilson was a son of James Wil- son, Sr., and was a small boy when he ac- companied his parents from their native land, Ireland, to the United States. They settled in Butler County and the father of our subject grew to be an extensive land owner and substantial citizen of Clay Township. His death occurred here in 1888, after a long and useful life. He mar- ried Mary Carothers, a daughter of Thom- as Carothers, who came originally from Ireland, and she too is now deceased. They became parents of the following children : Nancy Jane, whose husband, Isaiah Don- aldson, died on January 11, 1908; Thom- as; Margaret Ann, deceased; James Madi- son; John, deceased; Mary Elizabeth; Al- len, deceased; and Sarah Ellen, who died in June, 1903, and was the wife of John Dull, by whom she had a son, Ralph W. Dull, who makes his home with the sub- ject of this sketch.

Thomas Wilson and his sister, Miss Mary E. Wilson, reside in the old home lo-

cated on the northeast hundred acres of the farm, which they own conjointly. Ad- joining this tract she has 220 acres, and he 150 acres making in all 470 acres. It is an excellent property, under a high state of cultivation, and is well improved throughout. They have spent their entire lives in this locality and enjoy a wide ac- quaintanceship.

JACKSON McMILLEN VAN DYKE, who comes of one of the early pioneer fam- ilies of Marion Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, is located on a part of the farm acquired by his grandfather at the time of his arrival here. He has sixty acres of good tillable land and is engaged in general farming. He was born on the old home farm February 1, 1844, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Monjar) Van Dyke, and a grandson of Samuel Van Dyke. Samuel Van Dyke, the grandfather, was of Scotch descent, and was one of the earli- est settlers of Marion Township. He set- tled on 300 acres of land, and after mak- ing a clearing erected a primitive log house, which in later life he replaced with a stone house, which was one of the best in the sur- rounding country at that time. He lived to reach a ripe old age, and died in the old stone house. He had three sons and three daughters, Thomas being the youngest son.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 161

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