Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 50

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 50

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).

ZELIENOPLE.

The First National Bank of Zelienople is the successor to the private bank estab- lished by M. Dambach & Son in 1881. The Dambach bank was succeeded by Amos Lusk & Son, and they in turn by Lusk & Gelbach in 1887, and in 1888 the business was conducted by Gelbach Brothers. The First National Bank which took over the business of Gelbach Brothers was organ- ized in 1902, with the following officers and official board of directors: J. A. Gelbach, president; Edwin Meeder, vice-president ; W. H. Gelbach, cashier; H. Kloffenstein, assistant cashier; Josie E. Gelbach, book- keeper. The directors were A. Sitler, C. S. Passavant, P. D. Gelbach, J. A. Frauen- heim, H. M. Wise, S. O. Wright, and C. B. Harper. In 1904 the company erected a

366

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

handsome brick block on Main Street, in which they have a banking room that is complete in all its equipments, and which is a credit to the enterprise of the directors and an ornament to the town. The bank is one of the conservative and well conducted financial institutions of the county, and has made an excellent record. It has paid four per cent. dividends semi-annually since its organization, and its surplus at the close of 1907 was $22,000.00. Ira S. Ziegler succeeded J. A. Gelbach as presi- dent. He has recently been succeeded in that office by H. M. Wise, with Fred Zeh- ner, C. S. Passavant, and C. B. Harper, vice presidents; W. H. Gelbach, cashier ; and H. Kloffenstein, assistant cashier.

Believing that there was a field for a second banking institution in Zelienople, a number of business men organized the People's National Bank in 1904, with the following officers and directors: C. J. D. Strohecker, president; W. J. Lamberton, vice-president; A. B. Crawford, cashier; and E. P. Young, assistant cashier; J. S. McNally, W. C. McKee, William Eicholtz, N. B. Duncan, J. G. Lamberton, A. Seaton, A. B. Crawford, J. H. Shiever, directors. The institution is capitalized at $50,- 000.00 and its statement in 1908 showed handsome earnings and a surplus of $6,000.00. The men at the head of the in- stitution are among the progressive and enterprising element of the Connoquenes- sing Valley, and the People's National Bank has a bright outlook for the future. The present officers are C. J. D. Strohecker, president; W. J. Lamberton, vice-presi- dent; A. B. Crawford, cashier; and E. P. Young, assistant cashier.

SLIPPERY ROCK.

The Citizens' National Bank of Slippery Rock was organized in 1904 with a capital of $25,000.00. The officers are William Humphrey, president; B. Pearson, vice- president ; and H. R. Smith, cashier. This bank is doing a good business and is one ier.

of the progressive financial institutions of the county.

The First National Bank of Slippery Rock is the successor to the private bank of W. Henry Wilson, which was estah- lished in 1887. The First National was or- ganized in the latter part of 1902, and be- gan business January 1, 1903. The offi- cers and directors are W. Henry Wilson, president; J. E. Bard, vice-president ; J. A. Aiken, cashier; Ray P. Wilson, as- sistant cashier; and the directors are, J. E. Bard, J. V. Ritts, J. A. Gelbach, W. Henry Wilson, and John Aiken. The capi- tal of the company is $25,000.00, and the statements published in 1908 show a sur- plus of $15,000.00.

MARS.

The Mars National Bank was organized and began business November 7, 1900. S. J. Irvine of Evans City was one of the pro- moters, and the first president of this bank. The officers of the bank are Christ Gel- bach, president; J. E. Hosack, vice-presi- dent; E. P. Sutton, cashier; and the fol- lowing directors: L. H. Hamilton, William Fowler, P. D. Gelbach, and H. W. Sutton. The bank is capitalized at $25,000.00 and has paid six per cent. dividend since the first year. The financial statements pub- lished in 1908 show that the institution has a surplus of $27,000.00; deposits of $243,- 000.00; cash on hand, $42,000.00; and loans, bonds and securities amounting to $259,000.00. It is one of the staple insti- tutions of the southern part of the county and is making an excellent record.

BRUIN.

The town of Martinsburg or Bruin was without banking facilities until 1908, when the First National Bank was organized and opened its doors for business the 1st of January. The officers of the institution are, J. F. Shiever, president ; C. M. Myers, vice-president ; and M. M. Lockwood, cash-

367

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

LYNDORA.

The Lyndora National Bank was organ- ized and began business in 1907 at Lyn- dora with a capital of $25,000.00. The of- ficers are Frank X. Kohler, president; O. K. Waldron, vice-president; and Elias Ritts, cashier. This bank is doing a pros- perous business in the little steel town just outside of Butler Borough, and at the close of 1908 had adopted plans for a handsome brick and stone banking house, which will be erected early in the coming years. The board of directors is composed of O. K. Waldron, I. G. Smith, J. V. Ritts, F. X. Kohler, Andrew Christianson, and W. J. McKee.

EVANS CITY.

The Citizens' National Bank of Evans City was organized in 1897 with a capital of $50,000.00 and is the successor of the private banking establishment of Jacob Dambach and Son, which was established in 1880. Jacob Dambach, who was the pio- neer banker of the town, opened an office about the year above mentioned and about two or three years thereafter formed a partnership with his son Edward and John Rohner. This partnership lasted until 1894, when they with some others took out a charter for a state bank and called it "The Citizens' Bank of Evansburg." The officers of this bank were Edward Dam- bach, president, and John Rohner, cash- ier. Mr. Rohner died in 1897 and S. J. Irvine, who had been employed by Edward Dambach at his planing mill in Evans City as office man, was elected cashier. Mr. Ed- ward Dambach's health failed, and he died in California, May 25, 1905.

On the 3d of September, 1907, the bank surrendered its charter as a state bank and entered the national system by con- version and took the title of "The Citi- zens' National Bank" of Evans City. The officers of the institution are Dr. J. M. List, president; Dr. H. M. Wilson, vice-presi- dent; S. J. Irvine, cashier; and C. H.

Behm, assistant cashier. The board of di- rectors are Dr. J. M. List, Dr. H. M. Wil- son, Jacob Dambach, P. D. Gelbach, J. D. Fowler, L. N. Burry, and S. J. Irvine. The financial statement published in Septem- ber, 1908, shows a capital of $50,000.00; circulation and undivided profits, $47,- 604.00; circulation, $25,000.00; and depos- its amounting to $238,296.00.

Jacob Dambach, the pioneer in the bank- ing business in the southern part of the county, still lives in Cranberry Township, and although past eighty years of age takes an active interest in the affairs of the bank, of which he is a director.

HARMONY.

The Harmony Savings Bank was incor- porated in 1867, and organized a few months later, in 1868, with Alfred Pearce, president, R. H. Palmer, treasurer ; George Beam, George Enslen, Henry Goehring, Joseph Schwartz, J. C. Scott, and the offi- cials named, as directors. In 1877 Henry Goehring was elected president and George Beam treasurer. They, with Messrs. Pearce, Goehring, Enslen, Jacob Sleppy, David Ziegler, E. F. Winter, and J. C. Scott, were the directors. William Wilson presided in 1882, with H. M. Wise, cashier, who held the office from 1878 to 1884. Ira Stauffer, Abraham Stauffer, and Alexander Stewart served on the board of directors subsequent to 1884, while Henry Goehring served as president of the institution.

The Harmony National Bank was organ- ized in 1876, with W. H. H. Riddle of But- ler, president, and H. J. Mitchell, cashier. John Dindinger was one of the promoters of this bank, and for a long time the prin- cipal stockholders and directors were But- ler men. Edward Mellon was elected presi- dent of the bank in 1882, and a few years later the institution closed its doors and quit business.

The last banking enterprise promoted in Harmony was The Commercial Bank es-

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

tablished by S. E. Niece, March 1, 1892. Mr. Niece was one of the early oil oper- ators in Harmony and well known in bank- ing circles, and the new bank was estab- lished for the accommodaton of the oil operator and the business men of the com- munity, but it only lasted for a brief period.

PROSPECT.

The Prospect Savings Bank was open for business May 1, 1874. David Marshall was president and J. M. Leighner, cashier. The directors were David Marshall, George Beam, John Enslen, William Dick, William R. Riddle, John Martincourt, and Joseph Allen. They carried on the insti- tution for a number of years, when J. M. Leighner became the sole owner and con- ducted it as a private bank. He was suc- ceeded in 1893 by J. H. McClure, who is the present proprietor.

MILLERSTOWN.

The Millerstown Savings Bank Associa- tion was organized June 6, 1873, with Charles Duffy, president, G. W. Stoughton, vice-president, J. C. Scott, cashier, and the following directors : Andrew Barnhart, Martin Hoch, Henry L. Westerman, Charles MeCandless, John M. Thompson, and W. G. Stoughton. The stockholders were the foregoing officers and Andrew Barnhart, Jacob and Henry Frederick, W. H. H. Riddle, John G. Myers, B. B. Seibert and G. F. Fetzer. During the year 1874, John Walker was appointed cashier, and he held that position until The German National Bank was established.

In 1875 the Savings Bank Association was reorganized under a charter dated May 1 of that year, and the new organiza- tion was given the title of "The German National Bank." In the busy oil days of the Millerstown field, the weekly deposits of this bank averaged three hundred thou- sand dollars, and the institution became

famous throughout the State and well known in American banking circles. Charles J. Westerman was the first teller, holding the position until 1880, when Henry J. Myers succeeded him. Myers was promoted to cashier and when the bank went into voluntary liquidation in 1885, he was appointed liquidating officer by the National bank commission.

The Millerstown Deposit Bank was or- ganized in 1887 by John G. and Henry J. Myers, with the latter as cashier, and Charles L. Myers, teller. It is the succes- sor of the old Savings Bank, and until 1907 was the only banking institution in the northeastern part of Butler County. It is conducted as a private bank, and does a good and safe business.

The Butler County Bank was organized at Millerstown in 1873, with John Satter- field as president, George G. Stiles, cash- ier, and H. J. Hoyt, teller, under the firm name of H. L. Taylor & Company. Six years later H. J. Hoyt took the place of Stiles as cashier, and E. C. Evans, who died in April, 1894, was appointed teller. In 1880, Patrick and Thomas Dorsey, H. J. Hoyt, and others, purchased the interest of H. L. Taylor & Company, and on Aug- ust 1st of that year assumed control with Thomas Dorsey, president, H. J. Hoyt, cashier, and C. A. Bailey, teller. With the stockholders named were Hon. Joseph Hartman, A. H. Simpson, and Owen Brady. The bank was quite prosperous for several years, and finally H. J. Hovt purchased all the stock and became sole proprietor. He conducted the business until January 29, 1892. when he assigned it to Francis Murphy, and the business was suspended. John Satterfield, who was the first president of this bank, was a member of the firm of Satterfield & Tay- lor, who were prominent oil operators in the Millerstown field in the seventies. He died in Paris, France, in April, 1894.

The Fairview Deposit and Savings Bank

369

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

was established in August, 1872, by Ral- ston, McQuade & Company, to transact a general banking and exchange business. The firm had also an office at Karns City and transacted business at both places for some time, with D. A. Ralston, president, and R. W. McKee, cashier. During the busy days of the oil' excitement about Karns City and Fairview, the bank did a good business, but later it met with finan- cial reverses, and on March 15, 1882, the concern closed its doors, leaving nominal assets and liabilities aggregating $225,- 000.00, which represented the savings of a

thousand people, and the capital of many oil operators and merchants.

PETROLIA.

The Argyle Savings Bank was an insti- tution established August 22, 1872, at Pe- trolia. The company completed an office building at Petrolia in 1873, and for sev- eral years transacted a large business with H. A. Taylor as president and E. A. Tay- lor as cashier. The firm transferred its interest to a new company in the latter part of the seventies, under whose man- agement the institution suspended.

CHAPTER XIII

THE PRESS

Newspapers and Editors of the Past and of the Present.

Journalism had its inception in western Pennsylvania July 29, 1786, when John Seull founded The Pittsburg Gazette, which was the first newspaper published west of the Allegheny Mountains. Butler County had not then been organized and there were no settlers within its limits. North of Pittsburg the first newspaper en- terprise was the Crawford County Weekly Messenger, published at Meadville, in 1805, and this was followed three years later by The Mirror at Erie, which was founded by George Wyeth. The Western Press was founded in 1811 at Mercer by Jacob Her- rington, and it probably had some circula- tion in the northern part of Butler County. After a checkered career of almost one hundred years, the Press is still in exist- ence, and is one of the leading weekly papers of Mercer County. Its present editor is Captain Whistler, who is one of the well-known journalists of western Pennsylvania.

The pioneer newspaper of Butler County -the Butler Palladium and Republican Star-was issued in 1818. Previous to this time the transactions of the county com- missioners show that Butler County de- pended on Pittsburg for enlightenment on current events and political information, and that all the legal notices of the county were published in the Pittsburg papers.

Journalism in the early days was a pre- carious way of earning a living and a thorny path to public favor. The men who entered the profession did so from the love of it and a strong adherence to principles for party, and they usually impressed their individuality on the journals they pub- lished. Thus it happened that the patrons of the old time weekly newspaper often subscribed for it because it was "Uncle Jake's" paper, or Tom Robinson's paper, or Clark Wilson's journal, and they wanted to know what these particular edi- tors had to say on the political questions of the day, whether they belonged to the same party or not. Some of the pioneer editors and those who came on the scene fifty years later, are worthy of special mention in this chapter. John Galbraith, who was the pioneer editor of the county, . afterwards gave his attention to the law, and at the time of his death in 1860, was president judge of the courts of Erie County.

Joseph Buffington, who was associated with William Stewart in the publishing of the Sentinel in 1824, afterwards removed to Kittanning, became a prominent lawyer, and filled the position of judge of the court in that district. George W. Smith, who was a lawyer of local reputation in 1830, was associated with Parker C. Purviance

371

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

in the publishing of the Sentinel, and af- terwards went to Kansas where he took an important part in the political affairs of that state.

James W. Thompson, who learned the printer's trade and was the first printer's devil in the office of the old Butler Palla- dium in 1818, afterwards became chief jus- tice of the Supreme Court of Pennsyl- vania.

Jacob Ziegler entered the office of the old Democratic Herald as printer's devil in September, 1831, and from that time . until his death in 1888 he was identified with the publication of the Herald as printer, editor and manager, with the ex- ception of a few years that he was engaged in public duties. Mr. Ziegler was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1813, son of George and Gertrude Eliza- beth Ziegler. Subsequently the family re- moved to a farm some three miles from Gettysburg, where he assisted his parents in the work on the farm. Finding agricul- tural pursuit uncongenial, he concluded to seek his fortune elsewhere, and leaving home without his parents' knowledge, and with a capital of but $1.12 in his pocket, he went to Gettysburg, thence to Pittsburg, and from the latter city came to Butler, traveling the whole disance afoot, and liv- ing on the scantiest of fare during the journey. He arrived at William Beatty's Tavern on Main Street, on the evening of August 21, 1831, with only twelve cents of his capital left. William Beatty, the pro- prietor of the hotel, became interested in the young traveler, and after learning the circumstances, gave him his supper and a night's lodging. During the evening he met David Agnew, an old school-mate, and the following day he took up his abode at Mr. Agnew's home. About a month later he entered the Repository office for the purpose of learning the printer's trade. James McGlaughlin, one of the editors, asked him to take the place just made va- cant by the death of his former apprentice,

Neil McBride, and in his personal biog- raphy Mr. Ziegler says: "I agreed to do so on condition that I was to eat at the same table with the family. He said, 'Cer- tainly, but I would find the victuals d -- n poor.' "

He remained faithful to his agreement, served his full time, and continued to work in the office as a journeyman. About this time his parents learned of his where- abouts, and came to see him. His father was so well pleased with the record that the young man had made, that he pur- chased an interest for him in the office. In May, 1842, he became a partner of Mc- Glaughlin and established The Democratic Herald, which was the successor of the old Repository, and which in later years be- came widely known as Ziegler's Herald.

In the meantime Mr. Ziegler became prominent in public affairs, and began to wield a great influence in the councils of the Democratic party. From 1835 to 1838 he served as clerk of the board of county commissioners, and in the latter year he was appointed prothonotary by Governor Porter. The office of prothonotary becom- ing elective in that year he was elected his own successor at the October election, and served for three years. During this period he had studied law under Hon. John Bredin, and was admitted to the bar April 18, 1836. He practiced for a few years, after his admission, but soon gave up the law for his chosen profession of journal- ism and politics. In 1843 he was chosen transcribing clerk of the state senate, serv- ing in that capacity for two years, and afterward was chosen assistant clerk of the same body for one year. In 1847 he was elected a member of the legislature, served one term, and was then appointed a clerk in the pension department at Washington, D. C. Civil service had not then been established in the departments in Washington, and when General Taylor became president, Mr. Ziegler's head was one of the first that fell under the official

372

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

ax. He returned to Pennsylvania and in the spring of 1849 joined the Argonauts, and went to California where he spent fourteen months in the mines of the Golden State. Returning to Pennsylvania in 1851 he was appointed chief clerk in the office of the secretary of the common- wealth, and served in that capacity during the administration of Governor Bigler. He was appointed assistant clerk in the House of Representatives in 1857, and served as chief clerk from 1850 to 1860. In 1861 he was again elected chief clerk of the Senate and served one term. While acting as chief clerk of the House Mr. Ziegler wrote a book on Parliamentary Law, which embraced the rules and laws governing the general assembly and vari- ous other matters of interest. This work became known as "Ziegler's Manual" and was the foundation of what is now "Smull's Legislative Hand Book." He was a recognized authority on parlia- mentary law and few men of his time possessed so thorough knowledge of the rules governing legislative bodies.

It may not be generally known that Mr. Ziegler was the originator of the Credit Mobilier, and that from his fertile brain sprung the plan to raise funds for the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. So wide was Mr. Ziegler's reputation for some years succeeding the rebellion that the New York Herald once mentioned his name among the prospective presidential candidates. He was again elected to the legislature in 1882 and was the recognized leader of the Democratic party in the House. Mr." Ziegler was a . fluent and forcible speaker, a celebrated story teller, and the life of every political and social gathering. For fifty years he was con- nected in various ways with the public life of the community and state and had ac- quired a knowledge and acquaintance with the leading men in state and national poli- ties that gave him a reputation that was almost international.

His title of captain was derived from his connection with the DeKalb Grays, a celebrated military company of Butler County prior to the Rebellion. He organ- ized, equipped and drilled this company and was its leading spirit during its exist- ence. When Fort Sumter was fired on, Captain Ziegler took a firm stand in the defence of the Union and became a volun- tary recruiting officer in raising men for the service and did all in his power to assist the government during the four long years of civil strife. Upon his return to Butler he served as burgess several terms and also in the borough council. In 1867 Captain Ziegler became the owner of the Herald and took his son Alfred G. Ziegler into partnership. He continued as editor and publisher to the time of his death, which occurred at Butler June 19, 1888, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. As a distinguished mark of respect, all places of business in Butler were closed during the funeral, and the whole town assumed an appearance of mourning. His sterling character endeared him most to those who knew him best, while the affec- tionate and familiar title of "Uncle Jake" given to him by young and old alike was but another tribute to his kindness of heart and fatherly bearing from the people among whom he had lived for more than half a century.

Captain Ziegler was married June 30, 1835, to Sarah Brinker, a daughter of Capt. Abraham Brinker, a pioneer tavern- keeper of Butler, and later an honored resident of the Bonny Brook settlement in Summit Township, now East Butler. He and his wife were the parents of three sons and four daughters, namely : Amelia ; George W .; Julia E .; Annie L., wife of W. A. Lowry; Mary A .; Alfred G .; and Henry. All are now dead excepting Mrs. Lowry, who resides in the old Ziegler homestead on East Diamond Street, and George W., who is a resident of California. The family were zealous members of St.

373

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church and for many years Mr. Ziegler was a vestry- man and warden in that society.

William Hazlett, who was a contem- porary of "Uncle Jake" Ziegler, was one of the well known newspaper men of the county. He established the Butler County Whig in 1846 and in later years was con- nected with The Butler American and The Butler County Press. He was also prom- inent in local politics and was elected to the legislature in 1844 and to the state senate in 1849, and again in 1863.

Dr. D. H. B. Brower, who established the Record at Prospect in 1853, afterward removed to the eastern part of the state and engaged in newspaper enterprises and before his death had established twelve newspapers.

Rev. A. S. Thorne, who was principal of the West Sunbury Academy in 1872, established the Item at Greece City, and a paper under the same name at Karns City during the oil excitement, and also established the Review at Millerstown. None of these enterprises were successful, and Rev. Thorne finally removed to Kan- sas where he became one of the pioneer publishers of that state.

Col. Sam. Young was one of the well known characters in the newspaper field in Butler County for more than a quarter of a century. He founded The Reporter at Fairview, in 1872, when Fairview was a booming oil town and subsequently .went to East Brady where he established a paper and remained for a few years. His last newspaper work was at Zelienople where he established the News, which is now the leading weekly of the Connoque- nessing Valley.

George N. Ifft is one of the Butler boys who has made good in the field of journal- ism in the present generation. He was born in Butler, received a preparatory education at Witherspoon Institute and subsequently entered college at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After completing his col-

lege course he entered a university at Heidelberg, Germany, and took up the study of political science. He subsequently attended lectures on the same subject at Paris, France, after which he returned to America and engaged in newspaper work. He was employed as Washington corre- spondent of the Pittsburg Gazette for a time, and then went to the west where he became part owner and manager of the Times, an evening paper of Salt Lake City. He disposed of his interests in Salt Lake City and removed to Pocatello, Idaho, where he became owner and editor of a tri- weekly paper, which he published until about 1903. While in the latter place he became identified with the political inter- ests of Senator Duboise and later took a prominent part in the Republican politics of that state. About this time he received an appointment to the consular service, and was sent to Canada and later to Ger- many, where he is now residing.

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 50

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