Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 35

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 35

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Charles McCandless of Butler. He was admitted to the bar May 25, 1891, and practiced until his death, in December, 1903.

Thomas M. Baker, who was admitted to the bar in September, 1888, gave up the law for the banking business and is now cashier for the Guaranty Safe Deposit Company, of Butler.

William A. Ralston, a native of Slippery Rock Township, read law with his brother, E. L. Ralston of Butler, and was admitted to the bar in 1894. He subsequently prac- ticed in Pittsburg and in Wheeling, but finding the practice of law distasteful he gave it up and he is now farming in his native township, residing on the old Ral- ston homestead.

Joseph T. Donley, a native of Venango County, was admitted to the Butler bar April 29, 1874. He was elected to the legislature on the Republican ticket in 1882, his contemporary being Hon. Jacob Ziegler, a Democrat. After his term in the legislature he practiced in Butler un- til 1892, when he removed to Pittsburg, where he died about 1901. A few years previous to his death he published a book on "Land Titles," which had a large cir- culation.

Frank M. Eastman was admitted to the bar April 14, 1873. He served as clerk of courts from 1869 to 1872 and was court stenographer from 1875 to 1885, and in 1888 was appointed postmaster of Butler by President Cleveland. At the close of his term as postmaster he removed to Saluda, Middlesex County, Virginia, where he is engaged in farming.

Joseph B. Bredin was the son of Hon. John Bredin and was born in Butler. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1875, and practiced until his death October 17, 1907.

A. T. Black is a native of Harrisville, . Butler County, and was admitted to the bar October 19, 1875. He practiced in Kansas City, Kansas, for a few years and

256

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

was in that state when the grasshoppers devastated the country. Seeing nothing in the country at that time but future pros- pects of howling desolation, Mr. Black re- turned to Butler and has built up a good practice in his native county.

James F. Brittain is the son of Joseph Brittain of Butler and was admitted to the bar in 1877 and practiced in Butler until the middle eighties when he moved to Tennessee.

Paul Cummings, a nephew of Hon. James Bredin, read law in Butler and was admitted to the bar in June, 1888. He spent a number of years in Chicago and in Denver in the practice of his profession and in 1903 he returned to Butler, where he has since resided.

N. W. Campbell, a native of West Sun- bury, was admitted to the bar June 20, 1900. He died November 6, 1901, aged thirty-four years.

George A. Black, who was admitted to the bar in December, 1865, died in Butler July 5, 1881.

William H. Black read law with Capt. George W. Fleeger and was admitted to the bar June 14, 1869. He died in Butler in 1875.

B. L. Pollock was admitted to the bar June 11, 1877. After practicing in Butler for a few years he went to the west and is now in Denver, Colorado.

Joseph A. Humphry, a son of James Humphry, of Worth Township, read law with J. D. Marshall, and was admitted to the bar May 4, 1896. He taught in the Butler schools for several terms and is now practicing law at Ellwood City, Penn- sylvania.

George C. Stewart, a native of Butler, was admitted to the bar August 22, 1899. After his admission he spent a few years in Denver, Colorado, after which he re- turned to Butler and engaged in the bank- ing business. He was one of the organ- izers of the Guaranty Safe Deposit

Company of Butler, and is the present secretary of the company.

THE BAR IN 1908.

The Butler bar in 1908 consisted of eighty-one members, all of whom with a few exceptions are in active practice. The oldest member in point of continuous serv- ice is Hon. John M. Greer, who began to practice in 1867, and has continued since, with the exception of ten years spent on the bench in the county. He is now at the head of the law firm of The Greers, and has as his partners his son Thomas H. and John B. Greer.

William H. H. Riddle preceded Mr. Greer at the Butler bar three years, but he has since retired and is not now in active practice.

Hon. J. David McJunkin was admitted to the Butler bar in 1863, and is the oldest living member, but he practiced in Warren County for ten years before locating in Butler in 1873.

The bar of today compares favorably with the bars of any of the county courts of western Pennsylvania, both in the per- sonnel of its members and in intelligence and ability.

Hon. J. David McJunkin is the oldest of the practicing attorneys of the Butler bar in 1908, having been admitted June 8, 1863. Mr. McJunkin was born September 3, 1839, on the old homestead in Center Township, and is the son of William and Priscilla McJunkin. His primary educa- tion was obtained in the common schools, and he subsequently spent four years at the Butler Academy, the Witherspoon In- stitute, and West Sunbury Academy, and pursued the study of law under the late Judge Ebenezer McJunkin. After his ad- mission to the bar he went to Franklin, Venango County, where he was elected to the legislature in 1869, and reelected in 1870 and 1871. Returning to Butler in 1873, he resumed the practice of law.

----- ---- -- ---- : !

257

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Politically Mr. McJunkin was a Repub- lican and in 1880 and 1882 he was the choice of the Republicans of Butler County for the Congressional nomination. He was also choice of his party in Butler County for the Congressional nomination in 1908, but was set aside by the political arrangement that was entered into when the district comprised of Butler and West- moreland Counties was formed, which gave the latter county control of the dis -. trict. During the Civil War Mr. McJun- kin was a member of Company G, Four- teenth Pennsylvania Militia, which was called out to assist in repealing Lee's in- vasion of the State.

William H. H. Riddle, who is now re- tired, is next to Mr. McJunkin in point of membership at the Butler bar. He was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1840, and is the son of Sam- uel L. and Mary A. Riddle. He was edu- cated in the public schools and at West Sunbury and Harrisville Academy, and read law with Col. John M. Thompson. He was admitted to the bar in 1864 and the following year was elected district at- torney on the Republican ticket.

Washington D. Brandon was born No- vember 1, 1847, on the Brandon homestead in Connoquenessing Township, Butler County, and is the son of John W. and Ruth A. Brandon. He was educated in the common schools, at Witherspoon In- stitute in Butler, and was graduated at Washington and Jefferson College in 1868. He commenced reading law with the late Judge E. McJunkin and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He continued to practice with Judge McJunkin for three years and was next in partnership with Clarence Walker, but since 1875 he has practiced alone and has built up a large legal busi- ness.

Robert P. Scott was born July 11, 1842, at Fairview, Butler County, and is the son of John Scott, who was sheriff of the county in 1860. After seeing service in the

army he became a student of the Wither- spoon Institute at Butler, and subse- quently read law with Col. John M. Thompson. He was admitted to the bar in January, 1869, and the following year formed a partnership with Colonel Thomp- son, which continued until 1881. He has been attorney for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for twenty years and has built up a large legal practice.

Levingston McQuistion was the fourth son of William and Mary McQuistion and was born in Butler Borough May 16, 1849. He was educated in the public schools and the Witherspoon Institute, and read law in the office of L. Z. Mitchell. He was ad- mitted to the bar June 10, 1870, and for the past thirty-eight years has been en- gaged in the practice of his profession. Mr. McQuistion is a Democrat in politics and has taken an active part in the affairs of his party in Butler County and in the state. He was elected district attorney in 1874 and was twice the choice of his party in Butler County for Congress, and twice for president judge. In 1880 he was a del- egate to the National Democratic Conven- tion which nominated General Hancock for President, and in 1888 was delegate to Denver convention, which nominated Will- iam J. Bryan for President, and was leader of the Bryan Ring of the Pennsyl- vania delegation. Mr. McQuistion is rec- ognized as one of the leaders of the Butler Bar and has built up a large and lucrative legal business. He has associated with him in his office his son C. L. McQuistion, who is a graduate of Bucknell University, and was admitted to the bar June 3, 1901.

S. F. Bowser was born February 11, 1842, near Kittanning, Armstrong County, and is the son of Matthias and Margaret (Williams) Bowser. He received his pre- paratory education at Columbia Uni- versity, Kittanning, and graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1872. He read law with Thompson and Scott, in Butler and was admitted to the

258

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

Butler County bar in 1874. He has con- tinued in active practice ever since, and has taken a leading rank as a counselor and an advocate. He has associated with him in his office his brother, A. L. Bowser, who was admitted to the bar September 1, 1883.

Theodore Chalmers Campbell was born in Butler in 1848 and is the son of James and Rebecca Campbell. He was educated in the public schools of the town and sub- sequently attended Witherspoon Institute in Butler and Phillips Academy at An- dover, Massachusetts. He commenced to read law with Col. John M. Thompson in 1866, and completed his studies under Hon. Samuel A. Purviance in Pittsburg, where he was admitted to the bar in 1869. He practiced in Pittsburg until 1872, and then located in Butler, where he has since engaged in the duties of his profession, being now recognized as one of the leading members, as well as one of the oldest at- torneys, at the Butler bar.

James B. McJunkin is the son of Hon. E. McJunkin, and was born in Butler. He was admitted to the bar on the 11th of March, 1875, and has continued in the active duties of his profession with the exception of several years devoted to the oil business. He was associated with Hon. James M. Galbreath as a law partner from 1882 until 1901, and since then has been practicing by himself. He has been elected a member of the school board and of the city council from his ward, which is strongly Democratic, and in 1906 he was appointed attorney to the county commis- sioners.

Andrew G. Williams, attorney-at-law, was born in Richmond, Virginia, Septem- ber 8, 1840, and removed with his parents to Etna, Allegheny County, in 1848. He saw service in the Civil War and after his return home pursued a course of studies in Duff's Commercial College in Pittsburg and also read law at home. For some years he was engaged in working at his

trade of nail-maker, which he had learned in Etna, keeping up his law study during the period. Mr. Williams came to Butler in 1875 and read law in the office of Hon. John M. Greer, and was admitted to the Butler bar the same year. Soon after he formed a law partnership with Alexander Mitchell, which is still in existence, and the firm of Williams and Mitchell has taken rank as one of the leading legal firms at the bar. Politically Mr. Williams is a Republican, and has taken a promi- nent and active part in public affairs. He filled the office of notary public from January, 1876, to 1891; was elected to the legislature in November, 1890, for one term, and to the State Senate in 1894.

Joseph C. Vanderlin is the son of Stephen and Eliza (Seaton) Vanderlin, and was born in Venango Township, But- ler County. He commenced reading law in the office of L. Z. Mitchell of Butler in 1870, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. With the exception of a few years he has been in partnership with Levingston Mc- Quistion and has continued an active prac- tice up to the present time. Politically ·Mr. Vanderlin is a Democrat, and in 1894 was the Democratic nominee for Congress in the Twenty-fifth Congressional District.

Alexander Mitchell, attorney-at-law, is the eldest son of James Mitchell, who was associate judge in Butler County in 1861. He received a common school education and afterward attended the Witherspoon Institute in Butler. He was employed in the United States Revenue Department during the Civil War, and in 1864 he en- listed in Company A, Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, and served until the close of the war. After his discharge in the army he entered the office of Charles McCandless of Butler, under whom he read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1869. He then accepted the position of cashier in the First National Bank, of Butler, which he filled until that institution went out of existence in 1879, when he formed a law

----- -- ----- -- i !

259

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

partnership with Andrew G. Williams, and resumed the practice of his profession. Mr. Mitchell is an ardent Republican, and takes a deep interest in the success of his party, but has never held any public office.

Henderson H. Goucher was born in Richmond, Ohio, May 9, 1847, and was admitted to the Venango County bar in 1873. In April of the same year he located in Butler, and with the exception of five years spent in the West, has continued in the practice of his profession. He has been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the United States District Court and many of the courts of the surrounding counties, as well as the courts of the state of Washington, where he resided for several years. He was ap- pointed United States register in bank- ruptcy in 1878, which office he filled until 1883. Mr. Goucher has been in active practice for thirty-five years and has ac- quired a reputation as a sound lawyer and a safe advocate, and enjoys a lucrative practice.

Alexander M. Cornelius was born in Worth Township, Butler County, Decem- ber 6, 1844. He was educated at the West Sunbury Academy and completed his studies at the Witherspoon Institute, But- ler, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. Previous to his admission he was clerk in the prothonotary's office, and at the same time completed the study of law under W. D. Brandon. His death occurred in Butler, December 24, 1903.

William H. Lusk was the son of Dr. Amos and Agnes S. Lusk, and was born in Harmony, Pennsylvania. He was edu- cated in the Butler schools of his district, and at the old Harmony Academy, and read law with W. D. Brandon in Butler. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1877. His death occurred in Butler, Sep- tember 5, 1907.

Oliver D. Thompson, who was admitted to the Butler bar in June, 1880, is the son of Col. John M. Thompson, of Butler, and

was born September 24, 1855. He was educated in the common schools of Butler, Witherspoon Institute, Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., and at Yale College, graduating at the latter institution in 1879. In November following his admission to the Butler bar he was admitted to the Pittsburg bar, where he is now engaged in practice. Mr. Thompson was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Pennsyl- vania in 1883 and to the United States Court in 1893.

James N. Moore, attorney-at-law, is the son of Thomas and Mary Moore, and was born in Worth Township, Butler County, August 23, 1859. He was educated in the common schools of the county, subse- quently entered Grove City College, where he graduated in 1880. He read law under the late Charles McCandless and was ad- mitted to the bar in September, 1882. In 1887 he formed a law partnership with the late Capt. George W. Fleeger, which con- tinued until 1889, and in 1896 he was associated with Levingston McQuistion in the practice of law. Mr. Moore has always been a stanch supporter of the Repub- lican party, and has represented the party as a delegate in State and County Conven -. tions and has been secretary of the county committee a number of times. He was elected to the legislature by the Anti-Quay Faction of the Party in 1894, reelected in 1896, and again in 1898. His last election was one of the historical political battles in Butler County, but Mr. Moore tri- umphed over his enemies by a safe major- ity. Mr. Moore was journal clerk of the House in the sessions of 1905 and assist- ant clerk in the session of 1907.

James B. Mates, attorney-at-law, is a native of Muddycreek Township, Butler County, where he was born September 2, 1859. His early life was spent in Penn Township. He pursued the study of law under Charles McCandless, was admitted to the bar in 1883, and in 1886 he opened a law office in Butler where he has since

260

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

been engaged in the active duties of his profession. In 1890 he formed a law part- nership with Elmer E. Young which con- tinued until 1905. Mr. Mates is one of the leading Republicans of the county, has served his party as chairman of the county committee in 1887, and in 1890 was ap- pointed census supervisor of the Tenth District, the duties of which office he dis- charged in a satisfactory manner. He was elected to the legislature in the fall of 1892 and reëlected in 1900.

Alfred M. Christley was born in Cherry Township, Butler County, January 13, 1860. He read law in the office of Col. John M. Thompson of Butler and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1888. He has since been engaged in the active duties of his profession and has built up a large prac- tice. Mr. Christley is one of the active Republicans of the county, has served as chairman and secretary of the county com- mittee, and has always given his earnest support to the candidates and measures of his party. He was elected district attor- ney for one term in 1896, and was chosen city solicitor of Butler Borough in 1905. Mr. Christley was one of the ardent sup- porters of President Roosevelt in 1908, and was the delegate from this district to the Chicago Convention, which nominated William H. Taft for President. Mr. Christley was one of the three delegates from the Pennsylvania Delegation who voted for President Roosevelt when the ballot was taken. The other two delegates who voted with him were Hon. Thomas M. Phillips of New Castle and Mr. Davis of Mercer.

James W. Hutchison was born in Parker Township, Butler County, June 17, 1864. He is the son of James G. and Susan (Daubenspeck) Hutchison and the grand- son of William Hutchison, who was one of the early settlers of Parker Township. He received a common school education, entered North Washington Academy in 1879, and graduated from Westminster

College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, in 1887. The same year he entered the office of S. F. Bowser with whom he read law, and was admitted to the bar Decem- ber 2, 1889; since that time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession. Mr. Hutchison is a Republican in politics and at present holds the position of ref- eree in bankruptcy in this district.

John D. Marshall is the eldest son of James M. Marshall, and was born in Pros- pect, Butler County, June 20, 1860. He read law with W. D. Brandon at Butler, and was admitted to the bar in 1882. He has taken a leading rank among the mem- bers of the profession, and in 1908 was one of the leaders of the Butler bar.

William C. Findley was born March 23, 1864, in Clay Township, Butler County, and is the eldest son of Samuel and Sarah Findley. He read law with the late George A. Black and A. T. Black of Butler, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1878. He has taken an active interest in politics, was chairman of the Republican County Com- mittee in 1888 and was delegate to the state convention in 1889.

Albert T. Scott was born in Kiskiminetas Township, Armstrong County, October 21, 1856, and is the son of Samuel and Mary S. Scott. He received a good education and in 1886 entered the office of McJunkin and Galbreath of Butler as a law student and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1888. With the exception of a year which he spent in the service of the United States, he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, and has a large clientage.

Elmer E. Young was born in Summit Township, Butler County, April 9, 1864, and is the son of Simon P. and Eliza Young. He began the study of law in 1887 in the office of the late Judge Charles Mc- Candless and was admitted to the bar in June, 1890. He continued in practice until 1905, when impaired health compelled him to give up legal work, and he retired to

- -- -. .

261

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

the Young homestead in Summit Town- ship, where he is now residing.

Aaron E. Reiber is the youngest son of Martin and Mary Reiber of Butler and a brother to Ferdinand Reiber. He was graduated at Princeton College in 1882, read law with T. C. Campbell of Butler, and was admitted to the bar in 1885. He was elected district attorney on the Demo- cratic ticket in 1889 and served in that capacity until 1893. Since leaving that office he has devoted his attention to the practice of his profession and was one of the promoters and secretary of the Butler Passenger Railway Company, which be- gan business in 1901.

Porter W. Lowry is the son of Alexan- der Lowry of Butler, and was born Febru- ary 12, 1855. He read law with Hon. E. McJunkin and was admitted to the bar in 1876. He has since been engaged in the active duties of his profession. Mr. Lowry was chairman of the Republican county committee in 1894, and reading-clerk of the Senate in 1903.

Frank X. Kohler is a native of Butler and a son of Gabriel Kohler, deceased. He read law with Hon. Charles McCand- less and was admitted to the bar in Sep- tember, 1882. He has since continued in the active duties of his profession and has built up a large clientele among the Ger- man-speaking residents of the county.

John R. Henninger is a native of Penn Township, Butler County, and is the son of Frederick Henninger. He was admitted to the bar January 13, 1896, and in 1901 was elected district attorney on the Demo- cratic ticket, a position which he dis- charged with acceptability to the people of the county and credit to himself, for three years. Mr. Henninger is now en- gaged in the active duties of his profession and is considered one of the rising attor- neys at the Butler bar.

tained a common school education and had attended Witherspoon Institute at Butler, he was appointed a cadet in the United States Naval Academy, at Annapolis, Md., by Col. John M. Thompson, who was then congressman from this district. He grad- uated from the academy in 1881, and after spending two years on the Asiatic Station in the United States Service, he was hon- orably discharged in 1883, and returned to Butler. He commenced the study of law the same year with Hon. E. McJunkin and was admitted to the bar April 10, 1886, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession. He was elected district attorney of Butler County on the Republican ticket in 1892, and was elected to the legislature in 1906, and was one of the Republican candidates for re- election in 1908.

Clarence Walker is the son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Slater) Walker, and was born in Butler March 24, 1848. He read law with Hon. E. McJunkin and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession and is one of the leading attor- neys at the Butler bar.

Ferdinand Reiber, a son of Martin Rei- ber of Butler, was admitted to the bar in 1869. He was elected district attorney on the Democratic ticket in 1871 and filled the position for three years. He contin- ued to practice law until 1881, when he went into the oil business in which he has since continued.

George R. White was born in the bor- ough of Butler in 1848 and is the son of Rev. William White, deceased, who was a prominent Episcopal minister of Butler. He received a primary education in the public schools and completed his studies in the old Butler Academy. He read law with Hon. James Bredin and was admitted to the bar of Butler County in March, 1871.

Capt. Ira McJunkin was born in Butler, February 13, 1860, and is a son of James Francis J. Forquer is a brother of the C. and Martha McJunkin. After he ob -. late William A. Forquer and was admitted

262

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

to the bar in 1879, having completed his legal studies under his brother's direction. He was associated with W. A. Forquer un- til the latter's death, and since then has been engaged in the active duties of his profession by himself.

William Z. Murrin is a native of Ve- nango Township, Butler County, and the son of John and Mary (Fielding) Murrin. He was educated in the common schools of the county and Grove City College, and he then studied law under William A. Forquer, of Butler, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1891. With the excep- tion of a short time that he practiced in Clearfield with his uncle, Francis Fielding, he has been engaged in the active duties of his profession in Butler. He formed a law partnership with Jacob M. Painter soon after his admission to the bar, which continued until 1902. In that year he formed a partnership with his brother, John Murrin, Jr., under the firm name of Murrin & Murrin. Mr. Murrin is a Demo- crat in politics and takes an active interest in his party organization. He has been elected a member of the school board and on the town council, has served as city solicitor, and has been prominently men- tioned for higher political honors, which he has always declined.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 35

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