Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 99

Author: McKee, James A., 1865- ed. and comp
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1526

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JAMES S. WILSON, who is widely known throughout Butler County, Penn- sylvania, is a veteran of the Civil War and formerly was treasurer of the county, dis- charging the duties of that office during the years 1891, 1892 and 1893. He at the pres- ent time is serving as burgess of the bor- ough of Slippery Rock. He was born in the borough of Butler, July 31, 1841, and is a son of Samuel S. and Ellen (Frazier) Wilson.

Samuel S. Wilson in his early days was a woolen worker, and later took up the trade of a carpenter which he followed

many years. He died when the subject of this sketch was a small boy.

James S. Wilson was reared in Butler and attended the borough schools, but his schooling was very limited. After the de- mise of his father, he went to work on a farm in Connoquenessing Township, and later worked at what was known as Hick- ory Mill, now the Kiester Mills. After continuing there a short time he moved to Slippery Rock where he clerked in the store of E. Kingsbury. September 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Seventy- eighth Regiment, Pa. Vol. Inf., and on October 12, 1861, was mustered in with the Fourteenth Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland. He served through the vari- ous campaigns of the corps, from Louis- ville to Atlanta, through Kentucky, Ten- nessee, Georgia and Alabama. He never received any bodily injury, but his clothes were penetrated by. bullets at different times, and at Stone River he narrowly escaped capture, which would have re- sulted in his imprisonment at Anderson- ville. He was mustered out at Pittsburg, October 12, 1864, after which he clerked in a store in that city for four years. He then returned to Slippery Rock where he was married to the daughter of his former employer, Mr. Kingsbury, after which they moved to Oil City, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged as inspector of crude oil. In 1874, he returned to Slippery Rock and embarked in the mercantile business with his brother-in-law, C. O. Kingsbury, under the firm name of Kingsbury & Wilson, and they continued with uninterrupted success for eight years. At the present time, Mr. Wilson is extensively engaged in the real estate and loan business, and is a notary public. He is an enthusiastic Republican in politics, and frequently has been called upon to serve in offices of public trust.

In 1868 Mr. Wilson was united in mar- riage with Miss Harriet A. Kingsbury of Slippery Rock, and they became parents of the following children : Ellen M., widow

WILLIAM P. DONALDSON

HARRY A. DONALDSON

CLIFFORD C. DONALDSON

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

of James Patterson; Ada M .; Emma Ger- trude; James Garfield, of the Braddock Lumber Company of Braddock, Pennsyl- vania; Clara Alice, wife of Dr. Milton McClymonds, by whom she has a son, Robert Wilson; Ruth Frazier, wife of Samuel Biven of Sheridanville; Harriet A., a graduate of Slippery Rock State Normal School; Bernice; and Harold Chester. The two last named are students at the Slippery Rock State Normal. Five of the children of this family are in the profession of teaching; Ada M. and Emma Gertrude are instructors in the Thurson Preparatory School in Pittsburg, and Har- riet A. teaches in Bridgeville, Allegheny County. Religiously, the subject of this sketch and his family are members of the Presbyterian church, in which he has long been an active worker. He is one of the elders of that body. He also is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

DONALDSON BROTHERS, general merchants at Winfield Furnace, are lead- ing citizens of Winfield Township. The firm is made up of three brothers, Clif- ford C., William P. and Harry A. Donald- son, all of whom were born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, and are sons of Perry and Agnes (Smith) Donaldson, who are living retired in Armstrong County. The paternal grandparents were Robert and Mary (Campbell) Donaldson, who were probably natives of Scotland.

The three brothers were reared together and attended school in Armstrong County, the younger brother also having enjoyed academic training at Cabot Academy. They were reared on the home farm and prior to entering the general mercantile business at Winfield, in 1903, when they purchased the store of W. H. Cooper, they followed agricultural pursuits. In poli- tics they are Republicans and the eldest brother, Clifford C., is postmaster at this point. William P. pays particular atten- tion to the grocery department and

Harry A. gives assistance wherever needed. The brothers are very congenial and their combined interests in every direction present a pleasant picture of fraternal confidence and affection. They are all energetic, enterprising business men and have so fully met all demands that no other store has been opened in this place since they have come into the field. The brothers belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Harry A. is at present taking a business course in Butler, Penna.

JOHN J. MILFORD, who has been a resident of Allegheny Township, Butler County, Penna., since 1845, has a fine farm of 160 acres and is one of the most pro- gressive and substantial men of the town- ship. He was born in Venango County, Pennsylvania, December 5, 1835, and is a son of James and Susanna Milford, and grandson of Thomas Milford, who was one of the pioneer citizens of Venango County. James Milford moved with his family to Allegheny Township, Butler County, in 1845, and there lived until his death at the age of seventy-five years. Of the children born to him and his wife, the following are survivors: John J., subject of this sketch; George W., who lives in Nebraska; Benjamin F. of Venango County, Pennsyl- vania; Robert F. of Wyoming; William H. of Mercer County, Pennsylvania; and Jane M., wife of E. H. Crawford of Alle- gheny Township.

John J. Milford was about ten years of age when his parents moved to Allegheny Township, Butler County, and here his educational training was completed in the public schools. He has engaged in agri- cultural pursuits since his boyhood days, and has accumulated a handsome prop- erty. His farm of 160 acres is under a high state of cultivation, and is one of the best improved in the township. He is a Republican in politics, and is treasurer of the road fund in Allegheny Township. He was formerly a member of the School

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

Board, and for three years was collector of county funds for the township.

Mr. Milford was united in marriage with Miss Samantha Wiles, a daughter of the late Henry Wiles of Washington Town- ship, Butler County. To them were born nine children, of whom eight are now liv- ing, namely : Thomas J. of Butler County ; Charles, who lives in California; John D. of Allegheny Township; Finley; Annie; Mabel; Ollie, wife of Forest Gordon of Emlenton, Pennsylvania; and Blanche. Religiously, the subject of this sketch is an attendant at the Allegheny Presbyte- rian church. He is well known through the community and is most highly re- garded.

JOHN TRAUTMAN, one of Butler's substantial citizens, residing in his beauti- ful home at No. 317 Jefferson Street, owns a large body of valuable farming land and is interested in oil production on his own property. He was born in 1865, in Fair- view Township, Butler County, Pennsyl- vania, and is a son of Paul Trautman.

Mr. Trautman lived on the farm until he was nine years old and then accompanied the family in its removal to Buenavista, where he continued to attend school and remained until he was twenty-four years of age. After some experience in the oil fields, he went to Pittsburg where he was employed for four years in the mercantile house of Joseph Horne, and after he came to Butler, went with Julius Kauffman and continued with him for seven years, fol- lowing which he was with the firm of A. Troutman & Sons, for two and one-half years. In September, 1903, in association with his brother, L. P. Trautman, he pur- chased the old family homestead farm of 146 acres. He resides in the city of Butler but occupies himself in looking after his farm interests and the production of oil, there being twelve wells on his land.

On June 8, 1905, Mr. Trautman was mar- ried to Miss Clara Blanche Miller. who is

a daughter of Joseph S. Miller, a promi- nent resident of Butler. They have one son, Martin J. Mr. Trautman was reared in the faith of the German Lutheran Church. In 1889 he became identified with the order of Odd Fellows and has taken an active interest in the fraternity ever since, and he belongs also to the Elks.

MARION E. BLAIR, a prominent citi- zen and a member of the School Board of Allegheny Township, of which he is a life- long resident, owns a valuable farm of 175 acres, which he has under a fine state of cultivation. He was born December 2, 1868, and is a son of James and Margaret (Byers) Blair.

James Blair was born in Canada and was a son of Robert Blair, who was of Scotch-Irish extraction. When his son James was six months old he came to But- ler County, Pennsylvania, settling at Eau Claire, where he developed a good farm. There James Blair was reared and his life was spent in Allegheny Township. He was a man of sterling character and for some forty years was identified with the important movements in his section. He was a strong supporter of the Democratic party and on its ticket was frequently elected to local office. He was a leading member of the Lutheran Church. His death took place in March, 1899, and in his demise Allegheny Township lost an ad- mirable type of man. He married Mar- garet Byers, who was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, and she survived her husband but one year. The following children survive: Lavina Nancy, who is the wife of Nelson Hilliard, resides in Manistee County, Michigan; Margaret, who is the widow of Isaac H. Robb, of Mer- cer County, Pennsylvania; Robert H., who lives at Franklin, Pennsylvania; George M., residing in Manistee County, Michi- gan; John M., residing at North Hope, Pennsylvania; Frank P., residing in Mer- cer County, and Marion E., in Allegheny

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Township, Butler County. Lavina Blair married Mannas Hankey and lives at Oak Ridge Station, Armstrong County, Penna.

Marion E. Blair was educated in the schools of Allegheny Township and while he has given much attention to agriculture, he has been interested for the past eighteen years in oil production and for a quarter of a century he has been engaged in de- veloping the fine coal vein on his own land. His interests have been many and he has lived the happy life of a busy man, but he has always found time to attend to his du- ties as a good citizen. In his church rela- tions he is a member of the Allegheny Presbyterian body, in which he is an elder and has also served as a trustee and is one of its liberal supporters. In politics, he is somewhat independent but votes for the candidates who, in his judgment, will most faithfully carry out the laws of the land. · He is serving as a school director in Allegheny Township and has been road supervisor.

Mr. Blair was married (first) to Miss Margaret Sharp, of Mercer County, Penn- sylvania, and they had three children: Isabella, Frances Irene and James M. Mr. Blair was married (second) to Miss Gertrude Blair, a daughter of John Blair, who resides near Eau Claire, Butler · County.

JAMES COYLE, JR., assistant post- master at Fenelton, is a general merchant and operates his store under the firm name of James Coyle & Company. He formerly was in partnership with Mr. P. S. Fennell, under the firm name of P. S. Fennell & Company, but recently purchased his part- ner's interest. He is a successful business man, has a large and complete stock of merchandise, and commands his full share of the patronage of the community.

Mr. Coyle was born on the old home place in Clearfield township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1864, and still resides on that farm. He is a son of James and Isabella (Shields) Coyle, his

father being a native of County Donegal, Ireland. His grandfather lived and died in Ireland. James Coyle, Sr., was a mere boy when he came to the United States and became an early settler of Clearfield Township, Butler County, where he now lives on the old home farm. He married Isabella Shields and they became the pa- rents of the following children: Grace, Anthony, Cecilia, Bridget, James, Jr., An- drew, Dennis, John, Catherine, and Joseph, who is deceased.

September 14, 1893, James Coyle, Jr., was united in marriage with Miss Mabel McBride, a daughter of Squire F. P. Mc- Bride, who is a very prominent citizen of Clearfield Township. Two children were born to bless this union-James Stuart and Emma. Religiously, the family belong to the Catholic church. Mr. Coyle has always a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community, and has served one term as school director.

ALFRED W. CHRISTY is postmaster at Slippery Rock, Butler County, Penn- sylvania, and has filled that official posi- tion since March, 1899. It is one of the important postal stations of the county, and maintains six rural routes. He has had wide experience in business affairs and is one of the substantial citizens of the community.

Mr. Christy was born on a farm in Cherry Township, Butler County, June 27, 1849, and is a son of George and Mary (Wilson) Christy. His father was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and was a boy when his father, James, moved with his family to Cherry Township. Here he grew to maturity and lived the remain- der of his days, becoming a successful farmer and land owner.

Alfred W. Christy was reared on a farm in Cherry Township, and received his edu- cational training in the district schools and the West Sunbury Academy. He engaged in teaching school for some eight years, and after leaving that profession followed

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

farming and engaged in the mercantile business in his native township, conduct- ing a store at Monata. Ile then, in Feb- ruary, 1887, moved to the borough of Slip- pery Rock, where he has since maintained his residence. He purchased the store of Wilson & Sons, general merchants, which he conducted for eight years, then went on the road as traveling salesman for the shoe house of Stewart Brothers & Com- pany of Pittsburg. He continued with them for two years, after which he settled down in Slippery Rock, where his home had continued to be while on the road. As postmaster he has discharged the duties of office with characteristic ability and effi- ciency, and to the entire satisfaction of the community.

Mr. Christy was joined in marriage with Miss Dora Hackenberry, a daughter of John Hackenberry, and the following chil- dren were born to them: John H., who died at the age of thirty-four years; Mary Corrine, wife of Ren Pearson, Jr .; Mabel, who is assistant to her father in the post- office; Rosetta, who died at the age of twenty years ; and Ethel, who was six years old at her death. Religiously, they are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he is a ruling elder. Politically, Mr. Christy is a Republican, and has frequently been elected to public office. He served as justice of the peace and school director in Cherry township, and was at one time postmaster at Monata.

H. W. EBERLE, one of Butler's repre- sentative business men, a member of the firm of Eberle Brothers, contracting plumbers, was born October 9, 1877, at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, a son of John Eberle, a retired citizen of that city, who was formerly engaged in stove fitting and blacksmithing.

H. W. Eberle obtained his education in the excellent schools of Allegheny, after which he learned the plumbing trade with an Allegheny firm and worked there until

1902. He then joined his brother, C. P. Eberle, at Butler, entering into partner- ship with him in the plumbing business. Expert work and thorough reliability in every department caused the firm to quickly prosper and the first quarters soon became too constricted. Removal was made to a building erected for the firm by Mr. J. H. Harper, but in turn this became too small and in 1906 the firm of Eberle Brothers built their own commodious three-story brick building at No. 302 Center Avenue. This is of brick construction, with pressed brick front; the upper floors are fitted with all modern conveniences and are rented out as flats. The firm of Eberle Brothers leads in this city in plumbing contracting, and it is interested also in real estate and in oil production.

In 1903 H. W. Eberle was married to Miss Katherine Kunkle, of Allegheny City. Mr. Eberle is a member of the Reformed Church.

HENRY C. CRITCHLOW, one of Penn Township's most respected citizens and a veteran of the great Civil War, resides in much comfort on his well improved farm of fifty-seven acres. He was born May 4, 1844, in Connoquenessing Town- ship, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Jesse and Catherine (Wareham) Critchlow.

The father of Mr. Critchlow was born in 1812, in Butler County, Pennsylvania, and died in Allegheny County in March, 1866, as the result of an accident. He was a tanner and a shoemaker and later en- gaged in farming. His wife Catherine was a daughter of Adam Wareham, and of their family of twelve children eight reached mature years, namely: Dorcas, now deceased, who was the wife of Will- iam Rushenberger; John, who served in the Civil War, as a member of the Elev- enth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and fell before Richmond; Catherine, who is the widow of Milton

HENRY C. CRITCHLOW

MRS. MARY C. CRITCHLOW

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Jones, and lives at Butler; Adam, who was a member of the Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was taken sick and died in a hospital on David's Island; Henry C .; Mary Jane, who is the wife of Daniel Emerick, of Bakerstown, Pennsylvania; Robert G., who lives in Penn Township; and David G., who is deceased. The family was reared in the Middlesex Presbyterian Church of which both parents were con- sistent members.

Henry C. Critchlow attended school in his boyhood, near Hay's mill, and at that early age showed a remarkable talent for mechanical work. He never served any apprenticeship as carpenter, millwright, or stonemason, but he has only to call at- tention to the substantial buildings on his farm, which are of his own construction, to prove that he understands these trades very thoroughly. When he was eighteen years old he followed the example of his two brothers and enlisted for service in the Civil War. Those patriotic youths be- longed to the Eleventh Regiment, but Henry entered Company D, One Hundred Thirty-ninth Regiment, with which he went to Virginia. Enlisting in November, 1862, he served for almost three years, during this long period facing danger and death on a hundred battle fields. He was with his regiment during the entire period except when he was confined in hos- pitals, owing to his having been severely wounded, first at Chancellorsville and aft- erwards at the fall of Petersburg. Mr. Critchlow belongs to Reed Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Butler. Al- though his life has lain along peaceful paths for many years, he can still recall the din of battle, the fierce rush of con- tending armies, the thunder of the cannon and the rattle of musketry-experiences which an old soldier cannot forget.

After the return from the war, Mr. Critchlow lived in Allegheny County for several years and in 1873 came to Middle-

sex Township, Butler County, and thence, in 1875, to Penn Township, where he bought his present farm, which he now has under good cultivation. He married Mary Emma Campbell, a daughter of William J. Campbell, of Glade Mills, and they have had a family of sixteen children, thirteen of whom still survive to honor their parents and to be credits to the community. These are: Josephine, widow of Daniel Johnson, of Wellsville, Ohio; Milton, of Middlesex Township; Robert. residing at home; William, a resident of New Castle; Bert; Blanche, wife of Cyrus Snyder, of Wellsville, Ohio; Rollins, of East Pittsburg; Pearl, wife of William McCall, of East Pittsburg; Mamie, wife of John Kenethan, of New Castle; Walter, the home farmer; Mary, Jennie, and Hazel. Those deceased are Julia, twin sister of Blanche, who died aged two years; Frankie, who died aged four years; and one daughter who died unnamed.

ALEXANDER WILSON, auditor of Allegheny Township, has been engaged in the oil producing business for the past thirty-five years, and is one of the pioneer oil men of this section of Butler County. Mr. Wilson was born near Portersville, Butler County, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1850, and is a son of David and Sarah (Irvin) Wilson, the former of Scotch and the latter of Irish ancestry.

David Wilson, who had come from West- moreland County, was in his day a well known farmer of Butler County. He was a Republican in politics. For many years he was an elder in the United Presby- terian Church, in the faith of which he died . in the fall of 1892. Of his children the following survive: Ann, the wife of John R. Moore, of Portersville; Margaret, the wife of J. N. Blair, of Portland, Oregon; Henry, who resides in Venango County, Pennsylvania; and Alexander.

Alexander Wilson spent his school days in Clay Township, whence he had been

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

brought by his parents when a lad of five years, and where he lived on a farm until his eighteenth year. At this time he de- cided to start to make his own way in the world, and subsequently secured employ- ment in the oil fields of the Alleghany River, in Armstrong County. Later he came to Allegheny Township, Butler Coun- ty, where he has since been engaged as an oil producer. Mr. Wilson has been more than ordinarily successful in his business operations, and is rated among the sub- stantial men of Butler County.

Mr. Wilson's first marriage was to Mag- gie H. Sloan, of Allegheny Township, by whom he had three children: Claudie M., wife of Winfield Brown, of Allegheny Township; Roxie A., wife of S. M. Taylor, of Allegheny Township; and Clarence L., who resides at Point Richmond, California. Mr. Wilson was married (second) to Mrs. Sarah B. Sloan, widow of Finley Sloan, late of Butler County. Mr. Wilson has always taken a more or less active interest in public matters and is now serving his township in the capacity of auditor. He has always been ready to advance the cause of education, and for three years was a member of the Allegheny Township School Board. For many years he has been an elder in the Allegheny Presbyterian Church, and he now serves as treas- urer of the Allegheny Church Cemetery Association.

JACKSON E. BARD, president of the board of trustees of the Slippery Rock State Normal School and a member of the mercantile firm of Bard & Son of Slippery Rock, has been a member of that borough all his life. He was born here in 1851, and is a son of John T. and Isabelle (Cross) Bard. His father was a merchant and banker.

Mr. Bard was reared in his native vil- lage, then known as Centreville, and at- tended the public schools. His first work was in his father's store, and after the lat-

ter's death he succeeded him as president of the Centreville Savings Bank. He was nineteen years old when he was taken in as a partner to his father in the mercantile business, in which he has continued with- out interruption to the present time. He is in partnership with his brother, Horace E. Bard, but the old firm name of Bard & Son, established in 1870, remains as the name of their firm. In 1890, the two brothers erected the large business block, in which the store has since been located. They have a large general store and enjoy an extensive trade throughout this section of the country.

Jackson E. Bard was united in marriage with Miss Mary Foresman, a daughter of Robert Foresman, a Presbyterian minister of Blairstown, New Jersey, and they be- came parents of five children: Alice, a graduate of Slippery Rock State Normal School and Westminster College at New Wilmington; Sarah, a graduate of Slip- pery Rock State Normal and at the pres- ent a student of the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York; John P .; Hugh; and Rebecca. Religiously, they are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bard has been a member of the board of trustees for the Slippery Rock State Normal School since its inception, and is a member of the finance committee. He is a director of the Citizens' National Bank of Slippery Rock. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

WILLIAM AND CHARLES DIPNER. The Dipner family has long been one of prominence in Clearfield Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and the old home- stead of 180 acres lies about one mile east of Fenelton, on the Craigsville Road. The two whose names head this sketch and a sister, Miss Amelda Dipner, reside on the home place with their mother. Their father, Thomas Dipner, was a veteran of the Civil War, and passed from this life on November 1, 1906. Mention of him is

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more fully made on another page of this work, in the sketch of John Dipner. The paternal grandfather was a native of Germany and became an early settler of Butler County.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 99

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