Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 173

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 173

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James M. Hines was reared and edu- cated in Slippery Rock Township and like his father and grandfather has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. His land, naturally fertile, has been made unusually productive by his methods of cultivation, and he has been equally successful in his management of stock, as his fine herds and flocks, scattered over his rich pastures, sufficiently prove.

Mr. Hines has been twice married, (first) to Miss Sarah Cornelius, who, at

death, left four children, namely: Mar- garet Lavina, who married Finley Taylor, and has four children; Lillie Rosella, who married Henry Taylor, and has four chil- dren; Vinnie Annetta, who married Perry Davis, and has one child, Ray; and Irona S. Muriel, who married Andrew Pounds, and has two children. Mr. Hines was mar- ried (second) to Miss Hannah Reed, and they have two children-William Reed, who is married and lives in Slippery Rock; and John Ross, who resides at home.

Mr. Hines and family have resided on the present farm since he purchased it in April, 1886, purchasing his second prop- erty in 1898. He cultivates both, and in 1901 he built his commodious modern resi- dence on the former farm and made many other improvements. Mr. Hines and fam- ily are highly respected people of this section. Neither he nor his sons are very active in politics, but they are all num- bered with the reliable and representative citizens of Slippery Rock Township.

HENRY GERNER,* general manager of the G. L. Cabot Gas and Carbon Com- pany, in Winfield Township, owns a fine farm of 106 acres, which lies on the Sar- versville Road, three miles east of Cabot, a valuable property containing agricul- tural possibilities as well as reservoirs of gas. Mr. Gerner was born January 13, 1863, near East Brady Bend, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Boltz) Gerner.

The parents of Mr. Gerner were born in Germany. The father accompanied his father to America many years ago, was reared on the paternal farm and later set- tled on the farm in Winfield Township which is now the property of his son Henry, and there Anthony Gerner and wife died.

Henry Gerner has lived in several dif- ferent States, but his native State and county have always been of most im- portance to him. During his school period

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he was with a brother in Illinois and later he engaged in farming in Bremer County, Iowa; he also visited Fargo, North Da- kota, then went back to Illinois and from there returned to Butler County. Since then Mr. Gerner has been engaged in farming and raising stock, on his present place, and also in developing his gas in- dustry, this commodity being sold as pro- duced to the G. L. Cabot Gas and Carbon Company. Mr. Gerner has been identified with this organization for some years. He began in a humble position but has always had the confidence of his employers and his promotion from one position to an- other has come about as the natural result of his fidelity and efficiency. He has been general manager for the past three years.

On April 5, 1889, Mr. Gerner was mar- ried to Catherine Roenigk who is a daugh- ter of Henry and Catherine (Schrump) Roenigk. They have four interesting, in- telligent children: Anna May, Margaret G., Herman, and Roy Arthur Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Gerner are members of the Luth- eran Church at Little Germany. Mr. Gerner is an enterprising, progressive business man who stands very high throughout the whole extent of Winfield Township.

JOSIAH BYERS,* a well known gen- eral farmer of Concord Township, and. owner of a tract of twenty-two acres of farm land, resides on a farm of seventy- three acres, on which he has a life lease. He was born December 11, 1852, in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Simon and Christina (Byers) Byers, both natives of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

Simon and Christina Byers resided for about thirty years in Clarion County and reared a family of twelve children : Henry, Simon, George, John, Samuel, and Reuben, all deceased; Thomas, Isaac, Mary, Jo- siah; David, deceased; and Esther, de- ceased.

Josiah Byers was about twelve years old when his parents moved from Clarion to Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. Owing to ill health and the distance of the school from his home, he received but a limited amount of schooling. He became a farmer by occupation and remained in Armstrong County, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1887, when he came to Butler County and located on his present farm in Con- cord Township. He has always followed general farming and in 1902 purchased his tract of twenty-two acres at a sheriff's sale.

In June, 1884, Mr. Byers was united in marriage with Anna L. King, who died in 1898, leaving four children: Mary, Ollie, John and Samuel. Mr. Byers formed a second union January 22, 1903, with Esther (Miller) Day, a widow, and by this marriage has two children: Isaac and Hazel. Mr. Byers is one of the pro- gressive farmers of the township and is regarded as one of the leading and valued citizens of his community.

MRS. ELLSWORTH EWING,* one of the well known and very highly esteemed residents of Winfield Township, prominent in church and social life in her community, resides on the old Blaine homestead, a farm of ninety acres, which is situated three miles from Cabot, on the south side of the Bricker Road. Mrs. Ewing was born on this farm, January 15, 1867, and is a daughter of John P. and Nancy (Blaine) Bricker.

The father of Mrs. Ewing died in 1887 and was one of Winfield Township's well known citizens. He married Nancy Blaine, who is a daughter of James and Margaret (Morrison) Blaine, the eldest of their seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Bricker had two children: James B. and Anna E. After the death of the father the home- stead was divided between the two chil- dren and James B. carries on the work on the farm.

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Anna E. Bricker was educated in the country schools and grew into an intelli- gent, well poised young woman, with a sunny disposition which brought many friends. On June 4, 1889, she was married to Ellsworth Ewing, who is a son of John L. Ewing, the latter of whom is engaged in the oil business in Armstrong County. Ellsworth Ewing has visited many sec- tions in his business of drilling for oil and has met with much success. He also carries on farming. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing have five children, namely: Mabel, born in 1889, is a student at the Cabot Institute; John W., born in 1891, attends school and also works on the farm; Estella, born in 1893, has musical talent which she is pre- paring to cultivate; Ralph, born in 1895, and Ruth, born in 1897, attend the local school. Mrs. Ewing and family belong to the Buffalo Presbyterian Church. She is very active in its work and is a leader in the missionary and benevolent societies. The family residence is a very comfortable two-story house set amid pleasant sur- roundings.

JAMES ANDREW GILLGRIST,* who is the owner of 100 acres of land in Marion Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, is engaged in general farming and is also a dealer in live stock. He was born on the old home farm in Marion Township, Sep- tember 2, 1868, and is a son of Thomas and Maria (Hoffman) Gillgrist, and a grandson of John Gillgrist.

John Gillgrist, the grandfather, came to this country from Ireland, and at the time he settled in Marion Township, But- ler County, Pennsylvania, it was in a wild uncultivated state. He made a clearing and followed farming here the remainder of his long and useful life. He was the father of three children-John, Thomas and Harvey, of whom Thomas is the only one now living.

Thomas Gillgrist was born and reared on the farm which is now his home, and

aided in its clearing. He has always fol- lowed farming. His first marriage was with Miss Isabella Donaldson, whose death occurred a few months afterward. He was later married to Miss Maria Hoffman, who was reared in Venango County, Pennsyl- vania, and who died in February, 1908, at the age of sixty-four years. Three chil- dren were the offspring of their union: John, who lives on the home farm; James Andrew, subject of this biography; and George, who married Zella Thompson and lives on a part of the home farm. John Gillgrist married Minerva VanDyke and they have three children-Richard, Del- bert and Thomas.

James A. Gillgrist was reared in Marion Township and attended the public school during his boyhood days. He learned and followed the trade of a carpenter when a young man, then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, at which he has been so successful. He purchased the old Mar- shall farm of 100 acres in Marion Town- ship, on which he erected all of the present modern and substantial buildings, having a highly improved property.

Mr. Gillgrist was married in May, 1892, to Miss Abbie VanDyke, a daughter of Jackson VanDyke of Marion Township, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. Five children are the issue of this union: Ralph, Hazel, Pearl, Myrtle and Dalas. Religiously they are members of the Church of God. Mr. Gillgrist is a Democrat in politics, and is serving his second term as tax collector. He is a man of high character and sterling qualities, and stands high in public esteem.

HENRY PFABE*, who owns a fine farm of thirty acres, which is situated in Jefferson Township, on the north side of the Jefferson Center Road, about one and one-half miles from Saxonburg, was born February 12, 1854, in Jefferson Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Henry and Amena (Hoffman) Pfabe.

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The father of Mr. Pfabe came to Jeffer- son Township from Germany and was one of the first settlers of Saxonburg. He was of that class of men denominated jack of all trades, that is he was able to work well at various industries and kept himself use- fully employed, at the time of his death being engaged in farming. His father also came from Germany to America and died at Red Bank, Pennsylvania.

The second Henry Pfabe, now of Jeffer- son Township, has mainly devoted his at- tention to farming, but has also been some- what interested in gas production and owns a certain percentage in one producing well. On his farm he raises the usual grains that do best in this locality and also plenty of stock for his own use. He mar- ried Caroline Cooper, who is a daughter of John and Anna Martha (Reiger) Cooper, the former of whom is a well known farmer of Jefferson Township, where he still re- sides with his wife and five children. Mr. and Mrs. Pfabe have two children: Anna Martha, who is the wife of William Jack- son, an employe of the Plate Glass Fac- . tory at Butler, and has three children, Le- roy, Theresa and Clifford; and Clifford, who married Mary Kirkpatrick, and has one daughter, Evelyn. Clifford Pfabe and family reside at Cabot, where he follows the carpenter's trade. Mr. Pfabe is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church. He takes some interest in local politics and has served two terms as township supervisor.

JOSEPH C. THOMPSON*, general farmer and substantial citizen, residing on his well improved estate of sixty acres, situated in Franklin Township, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1856, and is a son of Joseph W. and Cordelia (Caldwell) Thompson.

Joseph W. Thompson was a son of Jo- seph Thompson and was born in Beaver County, about 1829 and died in 1890. He engaged in farming, took a mild interest in public matters, voted with the Democratic

party and held minor township offices. He was one of the liberal supporters of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He married a daughi- ter of Samuel Caldwell, of Beaver County, and of their children the following grew to maturity: Elizabeth, wife of Robert Mc- Kissick, of Homewood, Beaver County; Samuel, a resident of Beaver Falls ; Joseph C .; Rosanna, wife of George Sarver, of Franklin Township; Margaret, wife of Martin McAnallen, of Center Townhip; John E., of Beaver County; and Mary, wife of Frank Thompson, of Freedom, Pennsylvania.

Joseph C. Thompson was six years old when his parents settled on his present farm. His education was secured in the public schools and he has made use of it in intelligently and successfully managing his land, giving attention to raising corn, oats, wheat, potatoes and hay and some excel- lent stock. His surroundings present an appearance of care and thrift and when the residence he has in course of construction is completed, it will be one of the handsom- est and most modern in type in the town- ship.

Mr. Thompson was married (first) to Dillie Ruby, a daughter of Harrison Ruby, of Franklin Township. She died in 1884, aged twenty-eight years, leaving three children, namely: Cora, who is the wife of Dr. Ross W. Thompson, of Mc- Kean, Pennsylvania; Pearl, residing at home; and Jessie, now deceased, who was the wife of Robert Moore. Mr. Thompson was married (second) to Miss Martha Long, who is the daughter of J. B. Long, of Franklin Township. Mrs. Thomp- son is a member of the Lutheran Church at Prospect, while Mr. Thompson belongs to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. In poli- tics he is a Democrat and has served as township auditor.

JOHN GEORGE SELL*, who is among the most successful of the younger genera- tion of farmers of Winfield Township, But-

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ler County, Pennsylvania, is the owner of a fine farm of sixty-one acres, all under a high state of cultivation. He was born in Winfield Township, is a son of Conrad and Catherine (Zier) Sell, and grandson of Nunk and Mary (Harding) Sell, the family being an old and prominent one in this part of the county.

Conrad Sell was a prosperous farmer of Winfield Township where he spent nearly all the days of his life, dying on March 11, 1906. He was the father of six children: John G., August, who married Valley Hes- selgesser and has three children-Clar- ence, Gladys, and Lionel; Herman, a stone mason by trade, who also follows threshing and sawing in the county; Bart married Rickie Fernia and has a daughter, Mary; William works on the old home farm; and Harrison also is at the old home. Mrs. Sell, the mother of this family, lives on the old home place, where she has lived for the past thirty-six years and is surrounded by many old friends.

John G. Sell received his educational training in the public schools of his native county, and has always engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, at which he has made an unqualified success. He has a comfortable. home of seven rooms, located on a part of the old home place, and has sixty-one acres of good tillable land. He was married on June 6, 1899, and is the father of four chil- dren: Catherine, deceased, Velma V., Ella, and Howard. Religiously, he is a member of the Lutheran Church of Little Germany, and is very active in church work.

P. W. LEEDOM*, second vice president of the Leedom & Worrall Wholesale Gro- cery Company, at Butler, one of the largest enterprises of its kind in Western Penn- sylvania, was born in Warren County, Pennsylvania, in 1879, but was brought to this city by his parents, when four years old.

Mr. Leedom secured his education in the Butler public schools. His first mercantile

experience was gained as a clerk in the clothing store of D. A. Heck, of Butler, and later with J. N. Patterson, in the same line, with whom he continued for eleven years. Mr. Leedom then went into the wholesale grocery business at Marietta, under the firm style of the Worrall Grocery Com- pany, and while the business remained in Ohio, he served for four years as vice president of the concern. Finding a wider commercial field at Butler, the business was transferred to this city where it has been conducted ever since under the pres- ent style of the Leedom & Worrall Whole- sale Grocery Company, and Mr. Leedom has served as second vice president ever since its organization. He is an active citi- zen, but in taking a stand in public affairs he is deliberate and cautious, as he is in the management of his own business.

In 1893 Mr. Leedom was married to Miss Ivarine Wilson, who was born in the State of New York. They have two daughters, Janet and Helen. Mr. Leedom and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a very popular citizen and is a member of the exclusive Country Club.

THOMAS D. MCFARLAND*, general farmer and respected citizen of Clinton Township, resides on his valuable estate of eighty-five acres, which is situated on the Tarentum and Saxonburg Road, two miles southeast of the latter place. He was born March 31, 1844, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of William and Rebecca (Davis) McFarland, the former of whom was a son of an early settler, who came to Allegheny County from Washing- ton County.

Thomas D. McFarland obtained his edu- cation in Allegheny County and as soon as old enough, he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until he enlisted for service in the Civil War. He was a member of the Fiftieth Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Infantry, under Colonel Swank, and was attached to the Army of the Potomac.

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He took part in a number of the serious battles toward the close of the long strug- gle, and was one of that victorious army that compelled the surrender of General Lee. In 1882, Mr. McFarland came to But- ler County and engaged in farming, and in 1900 he purchased his present place in Clinton Township, on which he carries on farming and stockraising. He has made many improvements and has a very at- tractive residence and large and substan- tial farm buildings.

Mr. McFarland was married (first) in 1877, to Miss Emma Neely, a daughter of George Neely. He was married (second) to Miss Martha Baker, a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Boone) Baker, farming people living near Bakerstown, in Allegheny County. Mr. and Mrs. McFar- land are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has long been active in poli- tics and has frequently been elected to re- sponsible offices, serving both in Penn and Clinton Townships as township treasurer, and three terms as township supervisor.

SAMUEL RENWICK WIER*, whose farm of twenty-five acres is situated in Ad- ams Township, has spent a large portion of his life in the different oil fields and is an experienced worker in the various branches of the oil industry. He was born on his father's farm in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1862, and is a son of John and Jane (Pyle) Wier.

Grandfather Wier came to America from Germany, with two brothers but they became separated shortly afterward. Grandfather Wier came to Butler County and married but disappeared shortly after the birth of his son John. It is supposed by the family that he was accidentally drowned. At a later date his widow moved to Lawrence County, where she married a Mr. Stewart and they had two sons, Thomas and James Stewart.

John Wier, father of Samuel R., grew to manhood in Lawrence County and in early

manhood married Margaret Moffett, who died very soon after the birth of their only child, Thomas, who was a soldier in the Civil War and is now a resident of Mis- souri. For his second wife, John Wier married Jane Pyle, a daughter of Caleb Pyle. of Lawrence County, and they had the following children: John C .; Caleb E .; Johanna, who married James Rander- poole; Rosetta, deceased; Samuel R., Letitia Jane, who married John Stew- art; Mary A., who married Harry Ew- ing; and Amos L. The father of the above family died at the age of forty-three years. His widow survived him until the age of sixty years.

Samuel R. Wier was reared in Beaver County, to which his father moved when he was small, buying two farms there. After the death of his father, Samuel R. remained with his mother until he was twenty years old, on the farm at Camp Run, and then went to Butler County and rented a farm of Dr. Urvine, who was an uncle of his wife. He remained on that farm for five years but when the sensa- tional discovery of oil was made in Butler County, he decided to enter into the oil business. He engaged in pumping, tool- dressing and drilling all through the oil territory of Pennsylvania and West Vir- ginia and for ten years was foreman for Walker Kirk. In 1904 Mr. Wier resumed farming, at that time purchasing his pres- ent property from the Richardson estate. It had been badly neglected but Mr. Wier's previous experience had given him the necessary knowledge required for fertiliz- ing the land and he has developed it into a productive farm. He has done a great deal of improving and probably has dou- bled the value of the place.

On November 18, 1884, Mr. Wier was married to Margaret J. McAnlis, who is a daughter of David and Elizabeth McAnlis, of Adams Township. They have five chil- dren, as follows: Alva Seward, Joseph Howard, Bessie May, Angeline E. and

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Cecil Quillen. Mr. Wier is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. In his political views he is a strong Republican. He is considered a reliable citizen and at various times offices of responsibility, in the township, have been entrusted to his management and the duties of these have been efficiently performed.

JOHN S. SPARGO*, who, for the past eight years has been the accommodating and popular agent of the Winfield Rail- road Company, at West Winfield, has been identified with railroad affairs ever since he entered into business. He was born on his father's farm two miles from Freeport, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Peter and Margaret (Bremer) Spargo.

The parents of Mr. Spargo have lived retired for some years. The grandfather was a well known river man at one time and operated a steamboat between Pitts- burg and New Orleans. The children of Peter Spargo and wife were Mary, Sarah, Amelia, Elizabeth, James and John S.

John S. Spargo was educated in the schools of Armstrong County and later learned telegraphing and the first details of railroad business, at Butler Junction, and has devoted his life to this line of work. His duties at West Winfield are numerous but are so carefully looked after that the safety of the public is ensured and the company's full confidence is placed in him.

Mr. Spargo was married in 1897, to Miss Emma Krise, who is a daughter of Dr. Krise, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, and they have six children, namely: Margaret, Cecil, Audley, Severinus, Bremer and Enos. With his family, Mr. Spargo be- longs to the Roman Catholic Church. The family home is a commodious residence situated on Walnut Street, West Winfield. Mr. Spargo is a Maccabee and is affiliated with the order at West Winfield.

PETER W. ALBERT*, one of Alle- gheny Township's prominent and most substantial citizens, who has resided on his valuable farm of 172 acres, since 1896, was born in Franklin Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1854, and is a son of Peter and Rachel (Miller) Albert.

Among the earliest settlers of Franklin Township, Butler County, was Adam Al- bert, who was born in Virginia. His fam- ily accompanied him into what was then a wilderness, and there both he and wife died. Peter Albert, son of Adam and father of Peter W., was a child when his parents came to Franklin Township and there his whole subsequent life was spent, his death taking place December 17, 1895: He married Rachel Miller, who has spent her entire life of eighty-seven years in But- ler County. Of their children, the six sur- vivors are: John D., residing at Prospect, Pennsylvania; Peter W .; Oren M., living in Franklin Township; Mary A., wife of J. G. McCullough, residing at Kittanning; Annie Z., wife of Everett Campbell, of Franklin Township; and Rachel C., also a resident of Franklin Township. The ven- erable mother, now one of the oldest pio- neer women of that section, is a daughter of Richard Miller, one of the earliest set- tlers. Mrs. Albert retains her faculties to a remarkable degree and her recollections of the early times in Franklin Township are very interesting. Both she and her · late husband were among the founders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in their neighborhood.

Peter W. Albert obtained his education in the public schools of Franklin Town- ship. He learned the shoemaking trade and worked at it for eighteen years, during the larger part of this time having his own business. Later he engaged for some years in the oil industry, in Clarion, Allegheny and Butler Counties, but in the spring of 1893, turned his attention to agricultural

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pursuits in Franklin Township, and three years later took possession of his present valuable property in Allegheny Township. During a period of residence in Mercer Township, he served for three years as constable, but has accepted no political of- fice since locating in Allegheny Township. In politics he is a Republican, as was his father.

On October 14, 1876, Mr. Albert was married to Miss Elizabeth Youkers, who was born in Center Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Jacob Youkers. They have four chil- dren, namely: Edward R., who lives in Allegheny Township; Caroline C., who is the wife of J. A. Albert, of Avalon, Penn- sylvania; Anna L., who is the wife of Aus- tin Ritter, of Allegheny Township; and Carl W., who lives at Westview, Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Albert and family belong to the Allegheny Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the order of Maccabees at Foxburg, Pennsylvania.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 173

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