Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 89

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 89

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Mr. Brannan married Ruth Ellen Craig, a daughter of John Craig, of Liberty Town- ship, Mercer County, and they were the parents of the following children: Will- iam, residing in West Virginia; Margaret, wife of Herbert Mclaughlin, residing at Fredonia, Mercer County ; John Craig, liv- ing in Colorado; and Howard Clement and Clarence D., both at home. The beloved wife and mother died in 1893, when aged forty-four years. Mr. Brannan is a mem- ber of the Muddy Creek Presbyterian. Church. He is a man of genial manner, hospitable and kind-hearted, and is well informed on matters of local history.

WILLIAM KESSELMAN, of the firm of Kesselman & Company, manufacturers of oil mill drilling tools, at Butler, is a practical machinist who has been continu- ously engaged in work at his trade ever

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

since he came, a young man of twenty-two years, to America. He was born in Ger- many October 1, 1832.

Mr. Kesselman located at New Castle, Pennsylvania, and worked there as a ma- chinist from 1856 until 1870. He then moved to Parker's Landing, where he started a shop of his own, which he con- ducted until 1875, when he removed to Saint Joe, Butler County, working there, with his own shop, until 1883. In the lat- ter year he established his business in But- ler and operated it as the Kesselman Ma- chine Shop until about 1887, when C. J. Brandberg became associated with him and the firm assumed its present style of Kesselman & Company. In addition to the large amount of work done in the Butler establishment, the firm has found it ad- vantageous to also carry on a machine shop at Parkersburg, West Virginia.

In 1860 Mr. Kesselman was married to Miss Magdeline Moser, who died in 1899. A family of five children was born to this marriage, namely: Edward H., who is connected with the Kesselman interests at Butler; William, who has charge of the business at Parkersburg; Minta; Floyd; and Lewis, who resides at Parkersburg. Mr. Kesselman is a member of the Lu- theran Church. He is one of Butler's most respected citizens.

R. J. GROSSMAN, M. D., physician and surgeon at Butler, has been established in practice in this city since 1893 and has met with a hearty recognition of his profes- sional skill. Dr. Grossman was born in Cherry Township, Butler County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1858, and is a son of John Grossman and a grandson of Benjamin Grossman.

The Grossman family is of German ex- traction but has been of American birth for several generations. John Grossman was born in Cherry Township, in 1828, where he was a farmer of prominence for many years prior to his death, which oc-

curred in July, 1903. His father was Ben- jamin Grossman, who was born east of the Allegheny Mountains and who accompa- nied his father, Benedict Grossman, when he settled in Butler County, in 1793. The father of Benedict Grossman was Simon Grossman, who was born on the Atlantic Ocean during the voyage of his parents to America.

Dr. Grossman was reared in Clay Town- ship and attended the public schools and West Sunbury Academy. Later he en- tered the medical department of the West- ern Reserve College, at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1886. For seven years following he engaged in prac- tice at Coaltown and then came to Butler, where he has been in active practice until the present. He has met with professional success, as above mentioned, and stands with the leading men in the medical fra- ternity in Butler County. He is a member of the Butler County and the State Medical Societies and the American Medi- cal Association.

In 1886, Dr. Grossman was married to Miss Eliza Shryock, who died December 30. 1895, leaving one son, Loyal MeClellan. Dr. Grossman is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church of Butler. Frater- nally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen. Politically, he is a Democrat and has been active in politics and is his party's candidate for state sena- tor. His office is located at No. 408 Center Avenue, Butler.

HERMAN LEWIS BICKER, a promi- nent farmer of Winfield Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, is owner of a fine farm of 125 acres located about one and a quarter miles east of Cabot on the Winfield and Saxon Station Road. He was born April 9, 1849, a son of Herman Henry and Mary (Roll) Bicker and a grandson of Herman Bicker, a native of Germany who always lived in his native country. Her- man H. Bicker and his wife were the

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parents of a large family of children, namely : Hannah, deceased, formerly wife of Frederick Witte; Catherine, is the wife of August Feehling; Herman L., subject of this sketch; William Henry, who mar- ried Minnie Wetzel; George E., now de- ceased; Charles T., who married Mary Bracken; Mary E., deceased; John F., who married Elizabeth Hartung; and Samuel A., who first married a Miss Stewart and secondly, after death, Lizzie Bachman.

Herman L. Bicker began his early edu- cation in Pittsburg, Penna. He first came to Butler County in 1857, after which he completed his education in the common schools of the county. He then turned his attention to blacksmithing, working at that trade both in Pittsburg and Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, but for the past thirty-six years has followed general farming on an extensive scale, also raising the stock on his place.

Mr. Bicker was united in marriage Jan- uary 9, 1873, with Frederica Beinecke, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Wil- thorn) Beinecke, of Allegheny City, Penn- sylvania. ' Her paternal grandparents were natives of Germany and among the very earliest settlers of Allegheny County. Mrs. Bicker was one of a family of seven chil- dren born to her parents, namely: Mary L., wife of George W. Kettenburg; Caro- line, wife of M. Baehr; Frederica, now Mrs. Herman L. Bicker; Minnie, who mar- ried George W. Evans; Charlotte, who married Frank Shearing; William, de- ceased; and Elizabeth, also deceased. There were the following children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bicker: William H., who married Amelia Worthington; Frank L., who married Emma Hartung; Charlotte, born March 28, 1878, who died February 27, 1907 (she married William J. Fox and was the mother of two children-Louis H. and Howard) ; George, who resides on his father's farm; Ida H., who lives at home with the subject of this sketch; Harvey D., a machinist, residing in Sacramento, Cali-

fornia, who married Louise Hansen; and Frederick R. Mrs. Bicker is a lady of con- siderable literary ability and worked for a period of eight years in Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, on the well known German paper, Freiheits-Freund.

Religiously, Mr. Bicker is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is also a trustee and a liberal supporter. He is actively interested in politics and has served his township efficiently in various offices. He served two terms as school di- rector, was secretary of the school board for six years and was for a time superin- tendent of charities of Winfield Township. For the past four years he has been justice of the peace of Winfield Township. Mr. Bicker is fraternally a member of the Herder Lodge, No. 279, Knights of Pythias, with which he has been affiliated for the past thirty years, having served through all the chairs. Mr. Bicker is a man held in high esteem both in his church and in busi- ness circles, not only in his own vicinity but throughout the entire county.

SAMUEL MCKINNEY, a leading citi- zen of Zelienople, residing in his handsome residence on New Castle Street, has been engaged in agricultural pursuits almost all his life and owns and superintends his valuable farm of 200 acres, which is situ- ated in Perry Township, Lawrence County. Mr. Mckinney was born at Braddock, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Febru- ary 27, 1860, and is a son of Robert and Catherine (Lannon) Mckinney.

The Mckinney family is of Irish extrac- tion and the first of this branch to come to America was William McKinney, the grandfather, who left County Derry, Ire- land, in 1822, and for a time resided in Pittsburg, Penna. Robert Mckinney, his son and the father of Samuel Mckinney, was born in County Derry, Ireland, August 1, 1812, and died in America in 1890, aged seventy-seven years. He followed agricul- tural pursuits through his active years.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

His widow survives and has reached her eightieth year. The family consisted of eight children, namely: William J., Mary and Robert, all deceased; Samuel; Har- vey, who resides in East Pittsburg; Cath- erine, who is the wife of C. A. Anderson; Mrs. J. P. McKelvey ; and Elnora.

Samuel Mckinney attended the public schools at Braddock until old enough to assume the duties expected of him, on the home farm. In 1884 he moved to Law- rence County and followed farming there until he retired to Zelienople, in December, 1903. He no longer engages in the active work on the farm but in superintending its operation his time is pleasantly and profitably occupied.

Mr. Mckinney was married to Matilda Blanche Wilson, who died February 6, 1904; she was a daughter of Frank Wil- son, formerly a prominent farmer in Lawrence County. They had four chil- dren: Catherine, William J., Robert and Elnora. William J. is deceased. Mr. Mc- Kinney and family are members of the United Presbyterian Church. In his polit- ical views he is a Democrat.

ANDREW D. GROOM, justice of the peace, at Glenora, Butler County, has car- ried on a blacksmith, horse-shoeing and general repair business in this village for over thirty years and is numbered with the representative citizens of the place. He was born October 16, 1843, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of William D. and Susan (Thornburg) Groom.

William D. Groom was born at Balti- more, Maryland, where he learned the trade of ship builder. In 1834 he came to Western Pennsylvania and lived for a time in Pittsburg, later removing to Scully's Springs. He died in Allegheny County.

Andrew D. Groom grew to manhood, ob- tained his education and learned his trade, all in Allegheny County. In 1876 he came to Glenora, where he has spent his time

ever since, carrying on his business and also taking an active part in public affairs, particularly those pertaining to the com- munity in which he lives. He is a Repub- lican in his political adherence and is in close touch with the local leaders. He has accepted few offices for himself but he has loyally worked for his friends. He is an advocate of public education and served seven years as school director, in Parker Township, being secretary of the board, and since 1891 he has served continuously as justice of the peace. At one time he was postmaster of the village and his name is connected with much of the town's pros- perity. From 1887 to 1890 he was partner in a grocery business at Glenora, under the firm name of Groom & Bell.

Mr. Groom was married (first) to Miss Anna M. Robb and they had three chil- dren, namely: Ethel Izetta, who is the wife of J. H. Kepple, of Butler; Cather- ine M., deceased; and Minnie B., of Glenora. Mr. Groom was married (sec- ond) to Miss Rebecca E. Walley, of Glenora, and they have the following chil- dren: Ella S., Peter C., Charlotte W., John R., Mabel M., Laura E., and Samuel E. P. Mr. Groom is one of the leading members of the New Salem Presbyterian Church, belonging to the Board of Ses- sions. He belongs to the beneficiary order of Protected Home Circle, being connected with Ogden Circle, No. 39, at Glenora.

GEORGE A. TROUTMAN, of A. Trout- man's Sons, conducting the largest store at Butler, located at Nos. 202-204 Main Street, is one of the representative busi- ness men of Butler County. He was born in this city in 1865 and is a son of Adam Troutman, who was the founder of the present large enterprise.

George A. Troutman may be said to have grown up in the business of which he is one of the proprietors, having been identified with it since leaving school. In 1894, in association with his brother,

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William J., he bought his father's interest and the firm name of A. Troutman's Sons was adopted. An older brother, J. H., is secretary and treasurer of the Standard Plate Glass Company. This family has ben prominently connected with the mer- cantile interests of Butler for many years and the present proprietors control the larger part of the trade. They have com- modious, finely equipped quarters, occupy- ing the entire Troutman building, on the corner of Main and Cunningham Streets, a structure four stories in height, 40 by 160 feet in dimensions, including base- ment. The firm gives lucrative employ- ment to form forty to fifty people. As an excellent business man and valuable citi- zen, Mr. Troutman commands the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.

In 1900 Mr. Troutman was married to Miss Amelia Schaffner, who is a daughter of John Schaffner, a well known citizen and a member of one of the old and sub- stantial families of this place. Mrs. Trout- man's grandfather, when he first settled here, was accustomed to walk all the way to Pittsburg, to attend church. Mr. and Mrs. Troutman enjoy what is undoubtedly the finest private residence in Butler. It is situated on the corner of North and Washington Streets and both in architec- ture and inside finish, is beautiful in the extreme. All the inside woodwork, except in the dining room, is in oak, while that tasteful apartment is finished in mahog- any. Mr. and Mrs. Troutman are mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church at Butler. He is president of the Majestic Theater Company and was one of the builders of this handsome structure.

JOHN F. BICKER, a highly respected citizen and prosperous farmer of Winfield Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, resides on a well improved farm of 113 acres, situated one and a half miles east of Cabot on the Freeport road. He was

born on his father's farm in Butler County, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1860, and is a son of Herman H. and Mary (Rowl) Bicker, the former a well known minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John F. Bicker is one of a family of nine chil- dren, namely : Hannah, deceased, formerly wife of Frederick Witte; Catherine, who is the wife of August Freehling; Her- man L., of whom further mention is made in this work; William Henry, who married Minnie Wetzel; George E., deceased; Charles T., who married Mary Bracken; Mary E., deceased; John F., the subject of this sketch; Samuel A., who first mar- ried Clara Stewart, and after her death Lizzie Bachman.

John F. Bicker was reared on his father's farm and received his educational training in the schools of Butler County. He has always devoted his time and inter- ests to agricultural pursuits, carrying on farming in a general way, also raising all of his own stock. His farm lies on both sides of the road and is well stocked, and equipped with substantial out buildings and other conveniences now so necessary to the up-to-date methods of farming.

On April 15, 1886, Mr. Bicker was joined in marriage with Mary Elizabeth Hartung, a daughter of George and Cath- erine (Loos) Hartung, prominent farmers of Butler County. Her mother came from Indiana County. Mrs. Bicker was reared and educated in Jackson Township, Butler County. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bicker-Ellen E., George H., Alice C., and Amos A., all of whom are living at home.

Mr. Bicker is a prominent worker and member of the Methodist Church Evangel- ical Association. His fraternal connection is with the Herder Lodge No. 279 of the Knights of Pythias and the Winfield Grange No. 1105, of which he has been treasurer for the past two years and has served through all the offices of that order.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

Hle has always taken an active interest in polities, is a member of the school board, of which he is now president, has served as township assessor several terms, and has served a number of times on the vari- ous boards of election.

JOSEPH BANCROFT BREDIN, for- merly one of Butler Township's most es- teemed citizens and useful men, was born on the old Bredin homestead, which stands on the Diamond, in Butler, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1846, and for many years was one of the ablest members of the bar of Butler County. His death took place October 17, 1907. His parents were Hon. John and Nancy ( McClelland) Bredin.

Hon. John Bredin came to Butler County with his parents in 1802. He was born at Stranola, in County Donegal, Ire- land, in 1794. When aged sixteen years he went to Pittsburg, where he became a clerk in a general store. In 1812 he bought a tract of wild land in what is now Sum- mit Township, Butler County, which later became valuable. In 1817 he was ap- pointed clerk in the office of the protho- notary at Butler and thus he had his first opportunity to read a little law, and later completed his law studies under Gen. Will- iam Ayers, and soon made a special study of land laws and titles which subsequently proved to be of much importance to him in his practice. In 1824, in association with a brother, he engaged in the news- paper business and continued in it until 1830. In the following year he was ap- pointed presiding judge in the Judicial District in which Butler is situated, and continued on the bench until his death, which occurred May 21, 1851. In 1829 he married Nancy McClelland, who was a na- tive of Franklin, Venango County, and of their children, the late Joseph Bancroft was the youngest.

Joseph Bancroft Bredin attended the schools of Butler and later took courses at the State Agricultural Colleges of Penn-

sylvania and of Michigan. He then took up the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. Stephen Bredin, and attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Later he went into bus- iness as a druggist, conducting a drug store in Minnesota, but later returned to Butler and then turned his whole attention to the study of law, his leaning in this di- rection being an inheritance, fifteen mem- bers of the Bredin family having been members of the Butler bar. Mr. Bredin read law with George R. White and was admitted to the bar in 1875 and continued in the practice of law until his death. Like his father, he was a man of versatile tal- 'ent, and his many-sided education but added to his brilliancy in his profession. In the trial of his cases, Mr. Bredin was noted for his fearless attitude and devo- tion to his clients. So well known was his personal integrity, however, that never a cloud rested upon his professional suc- cess.

From his father Mr. Bredin inherited the farm on which his widow resides, a beautiful tract of 135 acres, which is lo- cated just outside of the borough of But- ler. Hay is the principal crop produced. There is a valuable gas well on the farm and undoubtedly coal and oil are under the surface soil.

Mr. Bredin married Mary Spear, who is a daughter of William L. Spear, one of the older residents of Butler. Two chil- dren were born to this marriage: James, who is a resident of Denver, Colorado, married Grace Volis of that city and has two daughters, Mary and Elvira ; and Nor- man, who resides at Sacramento City, Cal- ifornia.

In politics Mr. Bredin was a stanch sup- porter of the Democratic party. He was ever willing to advance the interests of his friends to the limit of his ability, but he sought no honors for himself. In his death Butler lost one of her best citizens.

JOSEPH BANCROFT BREDIN

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ALBERT W. YOUKERS, a representa- tive citizen and prosperous farmer of Center Township, residing on his valuable farm of 137 acres, which is situated near the Brewster school-house, was born in Center Township, Butler County, Pennsyl- vania, July 11, 1863, and is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Walters) Youkers.

The parents of Mr. Youkers were born and reared in Germany and were married there before coming to America. They settled in Butler Township, Butler County, the father securing work in the rolling mill in East Brady, at that time being a man of such strength that he could straighten steel rails with an 80-pound hammer. Later he moved to Center Town- ship and engaged in farming for about thirty years and then sold his property and located at Butler, where he died.

Albert W. Youkers was reared on the farm in Center Township and attended the country schools through his boyhood. For about twenty years he worked in the oil fields as a driller, retiring from that in- dustry in 1906 and devoting himself since then to farming. He purchased the prop- erty in 1890 and has lived on it since 1891 and has made very substantial improve- ments here, building his fine barn and residence after settling on the place. Mr. Youkers proposes to again take up drill- ing, his young sons being old enough to look largely after the farming.

Mr. Youkers married Cora Weigle, a daughter of Abraham Weigle, and they have had nine children, namely: Clara Belle, Veva Anna, Hazel, Ralph Frank, Joseph Albert, Carl Walters, Pearl Mar- garet, Harry Cedric and Clarence Delmas. The eldest daughter died when aged twelve years. Mr. Youkers is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

JAMES W. BAKER, a successful gen- eral farmer of Franklin Township, resides on his birthplace farm, a valuable tract of 170 acres, a large part of which he has

under a fine state of cultivation. He was born in Franklin Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1852, and is a son of Joseph Cadwallader and Katherine (Kockenberry) Baker. The grandfather, Cadwallader Baker, was the first settler in this part of Franklin Township when he came here from New York about 1808. He purchased 600 acres of Government land and cleared up a large part of it for his own use. He lived to the age of eighty- two years.

Joseph Cadwallader Baker, father of James W., was born in Franklin Township in 1812 and died February 2, 1892, from an attack of grippe, having formerly en- joyed good health, in spite of his advanced years. He followed farming all his active life. In politics he was an old-time Demo- crat and in his earlier years filled township offices. Of his family of eight children the following reached maturity: Frank, who resides near North Liberty, in Brady Township; Sarah Jane, who is the widow of Jacob Campbell, of Isle; Polly, who is the widow of Robert Brown, of Clay Township; Maria, who is the wife of Matthew Badger, of Franklin Township; Margaret, who is the wife of Israel Shaf- fer, of Franklin Township; James W .; and Effie, who is the wife of John Stine, of Franklin Township. The parents of the above mentioned family were worthy members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, in which Mr. Baker was a deacon for several years.

James W. Baker attended the district schools through boyhood and ever since reaching manhood has engaged in farming and stockraising. His main crops are corn, oats, wheat and hay, and he keeps about six cows and raises thirty head of sheep. He is ranked with the best farmers of this section. Mr. Baker married Miss Katherine Stine, a daughter of Henry Stine, of Brady Township, Butler County, and they have had six children, as follows: William, residing at Pittsburg; Joel, liv-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

ing at Butler; Emma, wife of Herbert Shever, of Butler Township; Harry (de- ceased), and Earl and Clarence, both at home. Mr. Baker and his family are mem- bers of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Like his father he votes with the Democratic party but he takes no very great interest in politics.

SAMUEL WALKER, an able member of the Butler bar, formerly district attor- ney and a prominent factor in county poli- tics, was born at Butler, Pennsylvania, July 10, 1873, and is a son of Capt. Samuel and Caroline (Zimmerman) Walker, who were representatives of several of the old- est families in this section of Pennsyl- vania.

Following his graduation from the But- ler High School, Mr. Walker spent two years in the Pennsylvania State College and then entered the law department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1899. Mr. Walker immediately located at Butler and during the first four years of practice, was associated with his uncle, Attorney Clar- ence Walker, since which time he has been alone. He enjoys a large local practice and has admission also to the Supreme and Superior Courts of the State. He served one term as district attorney but prefers the field of private practice to one of polit- ical prominence. He was reared in the principles of the Republican party and from early manhood has taken a deep in- terest in the success of that organization. He is serving as chairman of the Butler County Republican committee. Frater- nally he is identified with the order of Odd Fellows. For a number of years he has been a member of the First Presby- terian Church at Butler.

ISAIAH COLLINS, a representative citizen of Parker Township and formerly a justice of the peace, resides on his well cultivated farm of more than fifty acres,

its management being his main occupation. He was born in Butler County, Pennsyl- vania, May 24, 1843, and is a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Conley) Collins.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 89

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