Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 95

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 95

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and coroner of Butler County, was born in 1878, at New Galilee, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where he was reared.

After completing the public school course, Dr. Patterson entered the State Normal School at Slippery Rock, and one year later the Ohio Northern University at Ada. In 1901 he was graduated from old Jefferson Medical College, at Phila- delphia, after which he spent sixteen months gaining medical and surgical ex- perience, in the Atlantic Hospital and the Philadelphia City Hospital. He then lo- cated at Butler and here has met with a hearty recognition of his professional abil- ity. He is a member of both the county and State Medical Societies. As an active citizen he has taken an interest in public matters and in November, 1905, he was elected coroner of Butler County, a posi- tion he has acceptably filled ever since.

On November 3, 1902, Dr. Patterson was married to Miss Ella H. Hackett, a gradu- ate physician of the Woman's Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia, who later took a spe- cial course at Wills Hospital in that city and makes a specialty of eye troubles. Dr. and Mrs. Patterson have one son, Wilmer I. Both doctors are members of Grace Reformed Church.

SAMUEL R. WALKER, a director of the First National Bank of Bruin and a well-known oil producer and agriculturist, resides on his farm of eighty-seven acres near the borough of Bruin. He also owns an additional farm of eighty-four acres in Parker Township. He was born in this township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1865, and is a son of Daniel and Annie E. (Gutherie) Walker.

Daniel Walker was born in County Ty- rone, in Ireland, in 1831, and was there reared to maturity. He was about eight- een years of age when he sailed for Amer- ica in 1849, and after landing immediately proceeded to Pennsylvania, where he has

WALTER S. PATTERSON, M.D., a leading physician and surgeon of Butler been since located. He came to Parker

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Township some time prior to the War of the Rebellion, where he toiled in the fields and prospered. He became a man of af- fluence and a respected citizen, and was frequently called upon to fill local offices of trust. He was joined in marriage with Miss Annie E. Gutherie, who was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, in No- vember, 1842, and of the children born to them the following survive: William G .; Jennie, wife of Perry Snow of Armstrong County; George E., of Parker Township; Samuel R .; Nancy A., wife of Silas Hiles of Armstrong County; Annie M., wife of Oliver Hiles, of Armstrong County ; John S., of Bruin; James M., of Parker Town- ship, Butler County; and Lulu M., wife of John Brady of West Virginia. Relig- iously, Daniel Walker and his estimable wife are members of the United Presbyte- rian Church of Fairview.

Samuel R. Walker was reared to man- hood on the home farm in Parker Town- ship, and received his schooling in the pub- lic schools of his home community. At an early age he became identified with the oil industry and since 1886 has been a pro- ducer with good results. His farms are both under a high state of cultivation and well improved. He was one of the pro- moters and organizers of the First Na- tional Bank of Bruin, in which he is a stockholder and director. Mr. Walker formed a marital union with Miss Maggie F. Twaddle, a daughter of the late James Twaddle of Parker Township. Seven chil- dren were the issue of this union, namely : Wesley D., James C., Ralph H., Mckinley (deceased), Edna B., Edward D., and Theodore R. Politically, the subject of this sketch is an enthusiastic Republican, and has served some years as a school di- rector. In religious attachment, Mrs. Wal- ker is a member of the Bruin Presbyterian Church.

GEORGE FERDINAND HELLER, one of Winfield Township's substantial farm-

ers, resides on his valuable estate of eighty-four acres, which lies on the east side of the Bear Creek Road, about two miles from Cabot. Mr. Heller was born April 28, 1859, and his parents were George and Mary (Kallenbach) Heller.

The father of Mr. Heller was a native of Saxony, Germany, where he married, be- came the father of five children, and died in his old home. The mother was left with a family which she believed could be bet- ter reared in America; hence she crossed the ocean with her children and they set- tled at Mckeesport, Penna. George F. was the youngest of the family, the others being as follows: Mary, who married An- drew Stopper and lives in Arkansas; Er- nestine, now deceased, who was twice mar- ried, first to Edward Hoffman and second to August Bair; John, who married Dora Michal, and Henry Ernest, who married Emma Yunk.

George Ferdinand Heller went to school at Mckeesport for a time and was twelve years old when he accompanied the fam- ily to Allegheny County. Three years later he came to Butler County and here he has spent many years. He followed farming in early manhood and after he left home worked in the mills in Natrona for about sixteen years, thence going to the Westinghouse plant in East Pittsburg for one year. Mr. Heller then returned to Butler County and resumed farming, shortly afterward buying his present prop- erty, and here carried on general farming. His large and comfortable residence is sit- uated in the midst of a beautiful grove of chestnut trees.

Mr. Heller was married (first) to Mag- gie Freehling, a daughter of George F. and Margaret Freehling. Mrs. Heller left three children at death-Tillie and Rose, who are now deceased, and Ellen, who re- sides at home. Mr. Heller was married (second) to Emma Caroline Rudiger, who is a daughter of Frederick and Christena Rudiger, of Butler County. Mr. and Mrs.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

Heller have three children-Chester G., Willis F., and Myrtle. They are active church people, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal body and have valued friends in this connection. Mr. Heller belongs to Lodge No. 743, I. O. O. F., at Natrona, and to the Knights of Pythias at Saxon- burg.

PETER PISTORIUS, whose excellent farm of fifty-one acres is situated in Sum- mit Township, on the old State Road, about three miles east of Butler, was born on this farm on July 5, 1858, and is a son of Peter and Catherine (Gauer) Pistorius.

The parents of Mr. Pistorius were both born and reared in Prussia. They were married shortly before embarking for America, in 1838, and two years after reaching the United States, settled on this farm in Summit Township. They came di- rect to Butler County, where the father worked for two years for John Oesterling before purchasing a place of his own. Both parents died in Summit Township. They were good, kind, worthy people, who worked hard and did everything they could for their children. Of the seven born to them, six still live, as follows: Barbara, who is the wife of Louis Schuler; Mary, who is the wife of Fred Killemyer; Annie, who is the wife of John Spinne- weber; Jacob, who lives in Summit Town- ship; Margaret, who is the wife of Sebas- tian Beck; and Peter. Catherine, the fifth member of the family, died on New Year's Day, 1907. She was the wife of Barton Killemyer.

Peter Pistorius, who bears his father's name, has always lived on this farm, with the exception of two years, when he lived on the farm occupied by his brother Jacob. He carries on general farming and raises fine stock. In June, 1907, he completed his substantial barn which has dimensions of 40 by 54 feet. He is a member of the Ro- man Catholic Church at Herman. He has never married and lives very independ-

ently in the old home, where, however, a wife could be made very comfortable. He is one of the well-known and respected cit- izens of this section.

J. CLINTON ATWELL, M.D., a suc- cessful member of the medical profession, now engaged in active practice at Butler, was born in 1874, in Marion Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of David M. and Nancy (Daubenspeck) Atwell.

David M. Atwell, father of Dr. Atwell, was born in Butler County in 1836, was a son of George Atwell, also a native of But- ler County and a grandson of Robert At- well, who came here from Ireland. He was a pioneer in the county: The mother of Dr. Atwell was a daughter of Jacob Dau- . benspeck, an early and prominent citizen of the county.

Dr. Atwell attended the schools near his home through his boyhood and then en- tered West Sunbury Academy, going from there to the Slippery Rock State Normal School and was graduated in the class of 1898 from the Medico-Chirurgical College, and immediately entered into general prac- tice at Butler. He has identified himself with the county and State Medical Socie- ties and the American Medical Associa- tion. He served almost two terms as coro- ner of Butler County and is recognized as one of the ablest men in his profession in the city. He is interested in oil production and owns stock in a number of prospering enterprises.

On October 10, 1900, Dr. Atwell was married to Miss Mollie Jennings, a daugh- ter of Henry Jennings, of Butler, and they here have had two children-Bess, who is deceased, and Marion, a bright girl of three years of age. Dr. and Mrs. Atwell are members of the United Presbyterian Church. He is affiliated with the Odd Fel- lows and the Elks, and is a member of the Country Club.

MR. AND MRS. JOHN H. FLICK

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JOHN H. FLICK, who owns and re- sides upon a fine farm of eighty acres in Middlesex Township, Butler County, Penna., is a prosperous farmer and sub- stantial citizen of that community. He was born on the old home farm, of which he now owns a part, September 22, 1848, and is a son of John Q. and Margaret Ann (Henry) Flick, and a grandson of John Flick.

John Flick, the grandfather, was born in Somerset County, Penna., and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He settled in Middlesex Township, Butler County, at a very early date, and became owner of 125 acres of unimproved and uncleared land. He was joined in marriage with Catherine Quinn, who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and was two years old when her parents brought her to the United States, settling in Butler County, Pennsylvania. Her death occurred January 1, 1870, at the age of eighty-one years. John Flick died May 10, 1870, at the age of eighty- four years.

John Q. Flick, father of John H., was born in Middlesex Township, and at an early age learned the trade of a carpenter which he followed many years in connec- tion with farming. He died on the home place in 1869, at the age of fifty-one years. He was a Republican in politics, and filled numerous township offices at different times. Fraternally, he was a member of Bakerstown Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he was past grand. He was united in mar- riage with Margaret Ann Henry, a daugh- ter of James Henry of West Deer Town- ship, Allegheny County, and five children were the offspring of their union: Cath- erine Amanda, wife of William Cunning- ham of Pittsburg; John H .; James of Pittsburg; Ellen, deceased wife of James Bartley; and Elizabeth, deceased wife of George Orris. Religiously, they were members of the Deer Creek United Pres- byterian Church, of which he was an elder.

John H. Flick was reared and educated

in Clinton Township, Butler County, and when a young man learned the trade of a carpenter with his father. He followed that trade in Pittsburg for a period of five years, then returned to the home farm, where he has followed farming since. He has seventy acres under cultivation and raises corn, oats, wheat, hay and potatoes. He is a man of the highest order of intel- ligence, and carries on his work along modern and scientific lines, with most ben- eficial results. In 1881, he .erected his present comfortable home, and has gradu- ally brought his place up to the highest state of improvement. He has an oil well on the property, which has been producing in paying quantity for the past thirteen years.

John H. Flick was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Nancy J. Hemphill, a daughter of James Hemphill, of Clinton Township, and they have had nine children, namely: Hannah S., de- ceased; Sarah Bertha, residing with her parents, is the widow of Curtis McCall, and has one son, Curtis Gerald; John Quinn, residing at Duff City, married Anna Carney and they have two children, Grace Marie and Ralph Doyle; J. A. Gar- field, residing at Flat Rock, Illinois, mar- ried Stella McBride and they have one son, Everett Clair; Thompson McKnight, residing at Saxonburg, married Emma Ma- han, of Middlesex Township, and they have one child, Helen Caryne; Rollo Ed- win; Henry F., who has gone to Illinois to work in the oil business; Charles Howard, and Esther Ella. Mrs. Flick is a member of the Deer Creek United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Flick belongs to the frater- nal order of Maccabees, at Saxonburg. In politics he is a Republican, but is no poli- tician.

JAMES WILEY, a prominent repre- sentative of one of Mercer Township's pioneer families, is engaged in general farming on a tract of 107 acres, and has

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been a lifelong resident of Butler County. He was born on his present farm, July 5, 1836, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Tannehill) Wiley.

James Wiley, the father, was born in Mercer Township, on the present farm of his son and namesake, June, 1809, and was a son of Alexander and Martha (Young) Wiley. Alexander Wiley came to this country from Ireland and settled on the land now owned by our subject in 1792. Here he and his wife both died at an ad- vanced age. They were the parents of four daughters and three sons, the latter being Samuel, Robert and James.

James assisted his father in clearing the land, and obtained but a limited amount of schooling, his services being required at home. He subsequently inherited the land from his father and in 1833 married Elizabeth Tannehill, who was born and reared in Slippery Rock Township. James died January 5, 1837, leaving two sons- Samuel, deceased, and James, the subject of this sketch. His widow subsequently married James McKisson, by whom she had the following children: William; Sarah, deceased; John D .; Alice C .; and Elizabeth R., deceased.

James Wiley, of the present generation, was reared and has always followed farm- ing on his present farm. His educational privileges were very limited, for when there was work to be done he was kept at home, and his attendance at school was thus greatly interrupted. On February 23, 1860, he married Martha J. Barnes, a daughter of James and Sarah (McCune) Barnes, and of their union were born the following children: Samuel E., married Anna Mern, and has two children, Austin J. and Olive J .; Amelda; Wm. J .; Robert, married Stella Taylor and they have two children, Frances M .. and Dorothy E .; John D., married Daisy Owens.

Wiley's life has been characterized by un- tiring industry and strong determination, and it is these qualities which have gained him a place among the substantial citizens of Butler County.

HENRY HERMAN LERNER, residing on his fertile farm of thirty-two acres, which is situated in Winfield Township, on the Butler-Freeport turnpike road, has been supplying gas to the American Com- pany at Pittsburg, from a valuable gas well on his place, for the past five years. Mr. Lerner was born' March 23, 1854, in Jefferson Township, Butler County, Penn- sylvania, and is a son of Francis X. and Johanna (Krause) Lerner. The parents of Mr. Lerner came to America from Sax- ony, Germany, in 1848, and settled in But- ler County, Pennsylvania, where they were later joined by the aged paternal grand- father. The children of Francis X. Ler- ner and wife were: Harmon, Mary, an infant, who died in Germany; Anna, Ber- tha, Barney, Henry H., and Emma.

Henry H. Lerner was reared in Jefferson Township and there attended school, but he has been a resident of Winfield Town- ship for a number of years, where he has always followed farming. His land is pro- ductive and is doubly valuable on account of its gas supply. On February 22, 1885, Mr. Lerner was married to Amelia Schroth, who is a daughter of William and Eliza- beth ( White) Schroth, the former of whom carries on a harness-making business at Saxonburg, where he was one of the first settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Schroth have six- teen children. To Mr. and Mrs. Lerner have been born five children-Francis W., Elizabeth A., Edna C., Alpha C., and Will- iam B. Mr. and Mrs. Lerner are members of the Lutheran Church at Saxonburg. They are kind, hospitable people who have a wide circle of friends.

Mr. Wiley is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and gives his politi- JOHN A. BLACK, a member of the firm cal support to the Prohibition party. Mr. of D. H. Black & Company, well known oil

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producers of Bruin, Butler County, Penn- sylvania, has been identified with the oil industry since young manhood and has met with good results. He was born at Pe- trolia, Butler County, November 3, 1873, and is a son of William C. and Sadie Black.

William C. Black was born at Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, and during most of his ac- tive career in business was engaged in the mercantile trade. He conducted a store at Petrolia some years, and later engaged in the same business in what was then Mar- tinsburg, now Bruin. He died in this bor- ough after a long and well spent life. He was somewhat engaged in the oil business during his latter years. His wife was a native of Butler County, and as a result of their union three sons were born: John A. of this record; David H. of Bruin; and William R., who lives in Texas. In poli- tics, William C. Black was a supporter of Republican principles. Religiously, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was affiliated with the Ma- sonic Order.

John A. Black was reared in Martins- burg, and received a superior education in the public schools. He began work in the oil fields at an early age, and this has con- tinued his life work. He was joined in marriage with Miss Rosa Hill, a native of Monroe County, Ohio, and they are par- ents of four children-Beulah H., Mildred, Alice and George: He is a Republican in politics, and is deeply interested in all ques- tions of public importance. Fraternally, he is a member of Argyle Lodge, No. 540, F. & A. M., at Chicora, Pennsylvania.

GUS SCHLEGEL, one of Butler's rep- resentative business men and leading flo- rists, was born December 31, 1860, in Ger- many, where he obtained his education and from the age of fifteen years had been trained in the florist business.

In 1889 Mr. Schlegel came to America, well qualified for work at his trade. He located first at Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked as a florist for five years, and from

there went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he remained for one and one-half years. His next place of residence was Chicago and followed his business there up to 1906, with the exception of two and one-half years, which he spent in New York. He then sought a promising place to go into business for himself and selected Butler, and bought an already established florist trade. He has made improvements in every branch of his business, has increased his stock and added facilities and now has 20,000 feet under glass. His business is mainly in cut flowers and bedding plants. He has his greenhouses at No. 716 West Penn Street and his retail store at No. 113 South Main Street. He is a practical florist and as he thoroughly understands his business, he makes a sure success of it. In his business dealings Mr. Schlegel is strictly honest and thus has gained the con- fidence of the best people of Butler, with whom he has a large trade. In 1896 Mr. Schlegel was married to Miss Lizzie C. Goetten. He is a member of the order of Modern Woodmen of America, and is also a member of the Iowa Bankers' Associa- tion.

SCOTT OAKES, a well known agricul- turist and oil producer of Parker Town- ship, Butler County, Pennsylvania, has been a resident of Butler County since 1876, and has been located on his present excellent farm of 100 acres since 1895. He was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, August 12, 1847, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Palmer) Oakes, the father a native of Ireland and the mother of In- diana County, Pennsylvania. Samuel Oakes was six years of age when his father, Edward Oakes, brought the family from Ireland and located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. There he grew to maturity and engaged in farming, living a long and useful life. He had passed the eighty-sev- enth milestone of life when death claimed him.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

Scott Oakes was twelve years of age when he left the parental home, and since that tender age has been on his own re- sources. He began working in the oil fields in 1876, and much of the time since has been a producer, having met with un- qualified success. In 1895, he located on his farm of 100 acres in Parker Township, where he engages in general farming and stock raising. All that he possesses was gained through his individual efforts and represents years of persevering toil.

Mr. Oakes was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Mardis, who was born in In- diana County, Pennsylvania, and two chil- dren have been born to bless their home, namely: Margaret, wife of Homer J. Adams; and Howard L., who resides near Renfrew, in Butler County. In religious attachment, Mr. and Mrs. Oakes are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bruin. Politically, he is an enthusiastic Republican. Mr. Oakes' farm is under- laid with three veins of marketable coal and he is now operating in oil, which is found on his own farm and an adjoining farm.

HENRY ERNEST HELLER, who is one of Winfield Township's substantial cit- izens, resides on his well-improved farm of 100 acres, which is situated two miles east of Cabot, on the Denny's mill road. Mr. Heller was born in Saxe-Weimer, Ger- many, and is a son of Christian and Maria (Collenbach) Heller. The father of Mr. Heller was a man of prominence in his province-a government official, as was his father before him, the latter holding the office of forester. Many members of the family still remain in Saxony.

Henry Ernest Heller remained in his own land until he was grown to manhood and then came to America, finally becoming a resident of Winfield Township, Butler County, and the owner of his present valu- able farm. Here Mr. Heller carries on general farming and dairying. He is an

expert butter maker, having made a spe- cial study of this industry and his product commands the highest price paid for this commodity in any market.

Mr. Heller was married after coming to America, to Miss Emma Yunk, who is a daughter of August and Martha (Hartung) Yunk. They have three children-Albert A., Lillian Henrietta, and Milton H. Mr. Heller and wife belong to the German Lu- theran Church, of which he is organist. He takes no active interest in politics but is a good, law-abiding citizen and is always ready to do his part in the way of public improvements, increasing the efficiency of the schools, building up the churches and constructing good roads through the agri- cultural districs.

GEORGE REIBER, who, for the greater part of half a century, was known throughout Butler County as a successful miller, was an excellent type of the for- eign-born citizen to whom this country owes much of its greatness and prosperity. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 23, 1815, his parents being Mar- tin J. and Catherine Reiber.

The father, Martin J. Reiber, was a na- tive of Goeningen, in Wurtemberg, where he was a successful florist. Emigrating to America in 1832, he followed his trade in New York City, where he engaged also in market gardening. Later he came to But- ler County, and for a time was proprietor of the Reiber Hotel, in Summit Township, subsequently becoming a resident of the borough of Butler, where he remained un- til his death in 1865. He married Cath- erine Fetzer, born also in Germany, who died in 1860. They had six children- Catherine, Martin, George, Barbara, Jacob and Margaret. The youngest daughter became the wife of H. Julius Klingler, of Butler, and the eldest the wife of Martin Loefler. Martin J. Reiber was a well-known and respected citizen of But- ler and at one period of his life here, was

George Reiber

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a useful member of the city council. He was a charter member of St. Mark's Lu- theran Church and was one of its elders.

George Reiber, the second son in the family, passed his boyhood and early youth in his native land. In 1834 he fol- lowed his father to the United States, where his older brother, Martin, was also established. He began industrial life in America by following the family calling of market gardening in New York. On com- ing to Butler County in 1839, he settled in Summit Township, where he helped to ad- vance local industry by erecting a saw- mill. In 1845 he purchased a farm near Hannahstown, but two years later he re- moved to Millerstown, where, for several years, he conducted a store. In 1856 Mr. Reiber entered into the business with which he was afterward so long connected, purchasing a grist mill and 137 acres of the Clymer tract, on the northeastern lim- its of Butler. Here he established a mill- ing enterprise, remodeling and improving the property several times until he finally had equipped it with the full roller sys- tem, and continued to conduct this busi- ness for some years. Possessing initial assets in his own unremitting industry, perseverance and old-fashioned German thoroughness, united with rugged health, he achieved in time the most gratifying success and was numbered among the most prosperous citizens of the county. He had other interests and from 1865 until 1873, operated a distillery. George Reiber died January 11, 1904, widely regretted by those who esteemed him for his sterling qualities as a man and citizen.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 95

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