USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 57
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(IV) Olen Jay, sixth child and second son of Homer and Margaret J. (Hineman) Stevenson, was born in Brighton township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, September 2, 1882. He obtained his education in the acad- emy, and later attended Baltimore Medical College, whence he was gradu- ated in 1906. For five years after obtaining his degree he engaged in active practice at New Brighton and Woodlawn, in 1911 purchasing a farm of one hundred and eighty-three acres in Brighton township, adjoin- ing his father's, and the following year moved his residence to that place, where he has since lived. He conducts general farming operations, and also raises a great deal of fine stock, of which he is an excellent judge, his knowledge of and familiarity with the best breeds amounting to that of an expert. He is a Republican in politics ; the only official position he ever held was at Woodlawn, where he was physician to the poor. His fraternal connection is with the Masonic order, in which he holds the Knights Tem- plar degree, belonging to Beaver Commandery, No. 457. He married, October 6, 1909, Katherine Mabel, a native of Beaver county, daughter of Albert J. Ewing ; children : Bonita, and an infant, Charlotte.
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Louis Kleyle
Marie Kleyle
Francis* Kleyle
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The Kleyle family of Beaver county numbers but two Ameri-
KLEYLE can-born generations, only one of which has attained ma- turity. the residence of the family having been in Allegheny and Beaver counties. Francis X. Kleyle, the emigrant ancestor, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1806. His early life was spent in his native land, where he attended school and obtained an exceptionally fine general educa- tion, receiving, as well, instruction in music. Of the latter he was very fond and made excellent use of every opportunity available to develop his musical talent, of which he had not a little. He made rapid progress, and while never a public performer, was, nevertheless, a proficient musician. His scholastic ability was proportionate to his delight. So well equipped was he mentally that when a young man he held a position in the service of the German government, a service notoriously strict in its regulations and difficult to enter, because of the severe examination to which each aspiring applicant must submit. Leaving his native land, he came to Penn- sylvania and settled in Pittsburgh, where he was employed on the staffs of the various German periodicals of the city. Here his rare scholarly ability was given full opportunity to expand and many were the articles of merit that came from his prolific pen. Becoming accustomed to news- paper work, his liking for that occupation, increased with the passing of time and he was therein engaged until his death, which occurred May 7, 1882. His political belief was Democratic, while in religious life he was identified with the Roman Catholic church. He married Genevieve Dor- schel, a native of Germany, born in Hessen, 1822, died October 11, 1899, the result of a railroad accident. Children of Francis X. and Genevieve Kleyle: James, deceased ; Mary ; Elizabeth ; Justina ; Paul, deceased ; Stanis- laus, deceased; Philomena, deceased ; Louisa; Louis (of whom further).
(II) Louis, youngest child of Francis X. and Genevieve (Dorschel) Kleyle, was born in Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1864. His youthful life was spent in Pittsburgh, and he there obtained his preliminary education in the parochial school, completing his studies at Saint Mary's College at Dayton, Ohio. For eleven years following he was employed in Pittsburgh, for two years of that time in the government service as mail-carrier and for nine years as business manager of the Orien- tal Glass Company of Pittsburgh. On October 1, 1900, he took up his residence in Monaca and was one of the organizers of the American Glass Specialty Company, of Monaca, Pennsylvania, of which he is now secretary and treasurer. This organization is one of the most flourishing in the glass manufacturing trade, Mr. Kleyle's part in its growth and expansion having been one of faithful labor and careful financial administration. His only other business connection is as director of the Monaca Citizens National Bank. His political sympathies are strongly Republican, his interest in politics always having taken active form. He is at the present time presi- dent of the Monaca council, an office to which he was elevated through the confidence and trust of his fellow citizens. A Catholic in religious
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beliefs, he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association.
Mr. Kleyle married, June 18, 1895, Amelia Drost, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 30, 1870, daughter of Philip and Anna (Hebeur) Drost. Her father died in 1881 ; her widowed mother resides in Pittsburgh. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Kleyle: I. Aloysius, born June 20, 1897, died September 4, 1898. 2. Francis X., born September 22, 1899. 3. Amelia, twin with Francis X., died in infancy. 4. Marie Anna, born February 9, 1902. 5-6. Paul and Jerome Joseph (twins), born December 24, 1906, the latter dying in infancy. 7. Cyril Philip, born February 24, 1909.
Mr. Kleyle is possessed of a refined musical taste, and is an accom- plished violinist, and his gifts have been transmitted to his son Francis X. and his daughter, Marie Anna. Both children are enrolled as students of music in Beaver College, yet they are already recognized as artists of a high order. They particularly excel in use of the violin, and they have given several very successful concerts and parlor recitals in their home town and in other places throughout the valley. With their hereditary musical taste, inherited from both sire and grandsire, and their artistic talent, their future is bright with promise.
MARTSOLF The emigrant ancestor of the Martsolf family of Beaver county was Debold, who came to the United States in 1830. He was a native of Germany and made his first home in Wrightsville, York county, Pennsylvania, later purchasing land in Manheim township, in the same county, and there spent his entire life. Farming was his occupation, and in its pursuit he was thrifty and industrious He was a member of the German Lutheran church, the tabernacle in which he once worshipped standing at the present time. He was twice married. his wives being cousins of the same name as his own, and sisters.
Children of his first marriage: Frederick (of whom further) ; Philip, and Rudolph. Children of second marriage: Barbara, married McGraw, of Ohio; George; Eliza, married (first) Christian Haller, ( sec- ond) William Weir.
(II) Frederick, son of the first marriage of Debold Martsolf, was born in Germany, and came to the United States with his father when about eight years of age. He spent his entire life as a farmer, married, and became the father of a large family. His wife was Margaret Miller.
(III) Jacob D., son of Frederick and Margaret (Miller) Martsolf, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1858. His educa- tion was obtained in the public schools of Center township, Butler county, and when he was twenty-three years of age established in the contracting business, later becoming a member of the firm known as Martsolf Brothers, of which he is now president. The firm is favorably known throughout Beaver county, and conducts a large and profitable business in both branches, lumber dealing and contracting. He is a member of the Presbyterian
WonJohnson,
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church, holds the thirty-second degree in the Masonic order, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. Mr. Martsolf was a member of the New Brighton borough council for a number of years.
Mr. Martsolf married Anna C., daughter of David Miller of Beaver county. Children of Jacob D. and Anna C. Martsolf : David L .; Frederick, deceased; Ella, deceased; Levina, deceased; Catherine, deceased, and Margaret.
Mr. Martsolf ably directs the business of his firm, and a great share of its irreproachable reputation as a reliable and honorable house is due to the upright policy he has pursued during his connection with the business.
When the British Parliament made a law compelling the
JOHNSON use of surnames, many simply added the suffix "son" to
their Christian names, and gave it to their children as a surname, in this way forming such names as Peterson, Carlson, Johnson, and the like.
(I) Samuel Johnson was a resident of Rochester, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, where he died in 1896. He was engaged in mining operations dur- ing the business years of his life, leasing both clay and coal mines, and was very successful. He was the first ticket agent at Rochester, Penn- sylvania, for the Fort Wayne Railroad Company. He married Mary Geis- ler, who died in 1911, and they had children: Kate; Robert; Louis; Eliza- beth; Mary; Adam Marshall, of further mention; Catherine; William; Joseph; Emma; and John.
(II) Adam Marshall, son of Samuel and Mary (Geisler) Johnson, was born in Pulaski township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1858, and was there educated in the public schools. He has been engaged in the insurance and hotel business all his life, and at the present time is located in Rochester, Pennsylvania, where he has a real estate and general insur- ance business. He organized the Hotel Speyerer Company of Rochester, and was president of the same for a time. He organized the Citizens' Im- provement Company, which was instrumental in building up what is known as Doctors' Heights, near Monaca, Pennsylvania. He organized the Union Cemetery Company, the Beaver Falls Hotel Company, and the South Side Electric Light Company of Pittsburgh. He was at one time president of the Beaver County Banking and Safety Deposit Association. Politically he is a Democrat, in religion a Lutheran, and fraternally a member of Royal Arcanum.
He married, June 17, 1880, Anna Margaret Shubert, whose family history is added. They had children: 1. Howard Adam, born June 14, 1881. 2. Nellie Anna, born September 5, 1884; married Lawrence Gamble Hayden, assistant superintendent of the Tube Works at Mckeesport, Penn- sylvania. 3. Ora Mae, born December 19, 1887; was graduated from Cen- tral High School of Pittsburgh, taking second honor in a class of two hun-
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dred, after which she taught school two years; she married John R. Divens, a merchant of Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, and has children: Dorothy Leora, and John R. Jr. 4. Clara Belle, born July 14, 1893; married Fred- erick Wheatley, of Pittsburgh, manager of an insurance company.
John Peter and Anna Margaret Shubert, parents of Mrs. Johnson, emi- grated to America from Bremen, Germany. He was a weaver by trade and accustomed to weaving on a hand loom. He wove fine linens, laces, carpets, etc. He settled in Harmony, Butler county, Pennsylvania, and had children: George Frederick, a sign painter, residing in Pittsburgh, married Rose Morningdew; Magdalena, married George Stidham, a veteran of the Civil War; Mary, married Charles Marquart; Anna Margaret, who married Mr. Johnson, as above stated; Elizabeth, married Frederick Guter- muth; John Frederick, a sign painter, associated with his brother, George Frederick, in Pittsburgh, married Jennie Bardolph.
The Schleiter family of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, SCHLEITER has not yet been in this country a full century, yet it has made its mark beneficially in the business world and in many other directions.
(I) Conrad Schleiter was born in Rosenthal, Hessen, Germany, De- cember II, 1839, and acquired his education in his native land. In June, 1854, he emigrated to the United States, locating at New London, Connec- ticut, where he learned the marble monumental business. He voted for the first time in 1860, casting his presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted as soon as the first call for men came, in the Thirteenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, and was stationed at Fort Trumbull, New London Harbor, during the entire term of his enlistment. He was honorably discharged upon the expiration of his term, then returned to Germany for a visit. Upon his return he worked in New London and at Hartford, Connecticut, at his trade until 1866, when he removed to Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. The following year he was employed in the marble works of William H. Marshall, of Rochester, Pennsylvania, and toward the close of 1867 he started in business for him- self in this line. He conducted this personally until 1898 when he retired in favor of his sons, Edward J. and Conrad G., the firm being known as C. Schleiter Sons. This is a large and successful business, in which every improvement known to modern trade is at once adopted. Mr. Schleiter has been active in the public affairs of the community, and at various times has held almost all the offices in the gift of the borough. He is now living retired, is a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, and a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Schleiter married, March 30. 1865, Frederica Fliehmann, and they have had children: 1. William, born in New London, Connecticut, in July, 1866, died young. 2. Edward J., of further mention. 3. Emma, born May 29, 1869; married Gilbert Emerick, a contractor of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, and has children: Florence, Frederick, Mary and
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Edward. 4. Henry G., born August 5, 1870, is postmaster of Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania; he married Pearl Evans, and has one child, Edward. 5. Frederick, born in 1871, died young. 6. Wilhelmina, born in 1872, died young. 7. Frank, born in 1874, now deceased. 8. Adelia, born September 1, 1876; married Robert Alexander. 9. Conrad G. Jr., born April 14, 1878; now junior member of the firm of C. Schleiter Sons. He married, in September, 1901, Ida Ferguson, and has children : Frederick and Margaret. 10. August G., of further mention. 11. George H., born April 25, 1882, is unmarried, and is now living at Upland, California. 12. Carl J., born September 17, 1885, married Ada Fenstermacher, of Canton, Ohio, and had one child: Hilda Irene, who died young.
(II) Edward J., son of Conrad and Frederica (Fliehmann) Schleiter, was born September 2, 1867. He received a sound, practical education in the public schools of Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and then learned the art of marble cutting in the shops of his father, with whom he was associated in business until the latter retired. He succeeded him as senior partner in the firm of C. Schleiter Sons, and under his progressive management additional luster has been added to the reputation of the firm. He is possessed of executive ability of a high order, and is connected with a number of other important enterprises. He is president of the St. Clair National Bank of Freedom, Pennsylvania ; a director in the Beaver County Telephone Company ; and stockholder in numerous other corporations; also trustee of the Beaver County Home for the Aged, and of the Beaver County Children's (Orphans) Home Society. In spite of the manifold demands made upon his time by his business interests, Mr. Schleiter has devoted much of his attention to the political affairs of the community, greatly to its benefit. He is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Western Pennsylvania, and has been three times a delegate to Democratic national conventions. One of these was the convention at Baltimore which nomi- nated President Wilson, of whom Mr. Schleiter is an ardent admirer. He is a member of the Democratic county committee. He is president of the Freedom borough council. He is also a valued member of the American Bankers Association, the Masonic fraternity, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Woodmen of the World. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church. He has the interest of the people at large deeply at heart, and through his efforts many projects have been fostered which have greatly benefited the community and added to its credit as a progres- sive town. Mr. Schleiter married (first) April 1, 1896, Jennie C. Bartley, of Verona, Pennsylvania; no issue; she died November 2, 1897, and he married (second) April 27, 1910, Laura Fagans, of Greennp, Kentucky, and they have one child, Eleanor, born April 21, 1911.
(II) August G., son of Conrad and Frederica (Fliehmann ) Schleiter, was born February 27, 1881. He was educated in the public and high schools of Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and Butcher's Business College, at Beaver Falls. He became private stenographer for E. J. Taylor,
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chief engineer of the Pittsburgh Coal Company, then assistant secretary and treasurer of the Freedom Savings and Trust Company, now the St. Clair National Bank, for one year. He then succeeded Charles E. Sheffer as cashier, a position he was obliged to resign October 19, 1907, because of impaired health. Upon his restoration to health he became associated with his brothers in the monument works as a traveling salesman, a position he is filling at the present time. He is an ardent Democrat in political matters. His fraternal association is large and is as follows: Woodmen of the World, in which he has held all the offices, and is now past counselor commander ; Applegrove Lodge, No. 8, Women's Auxiliary Woodmen Circle, of Rochester, Pennsylvania ; Camp No. 64, Knights of the Maccabees, of Rochester, Pennsylvania; charter member of Aerie No. 1429, Fraternal Order of Eagles, of Freedom, Pennsylvania, was the first worthy president, then the first delegate to a national convention at Norfolk, Virginia, in September, 1907, treasurer four years for Freedom, Conway and Baden boroughs; United Commercial Travelers' Association, of New Brighton ; American Bankers Association.
Mr. Schleiter married, in Rochester, Pennsylvania, January 29, 1902, Villa M. A. Hays, and they have had children: Catherine Eleanor, born November 23, 1902; Dorothy Maxine, July 3, 1904; Richard Hays, June II, 1906; Franklin Fay, August 15, 1908.
There came to this country from Scotland two brothers by the TODD name of "Tod;" the name originally was spelled with one "d." Their names were James and John. James was born in Scot- land in the year 1760, and became the progenitor of the branch of the Todd family here under review. These men landed in Philadelphia and came west to Pittsburgh the same year, 1789. After a short stay in that place, James purchased a tract of land along Raccoon creek, then Washington county, afterwards becoming a part of Beaver county, after the forma- tion of said county the township of Moon, with which section of Pennsyl- vania the family has since been identified. Said James Todd remained on the farm until his death in 1846. Said family of Todds were members of the old Associate or Seceder Church, and were members of that church until the union of these churches in 1858 formed the United Presbyterian church. The said James Todd and family attended at what was known as Service Asso- ciate Church. In connection with this church the first Protestant seminary was formed in America, conducted by Dr. Anderson. In 1831 the said Todd family became leaders of the Ohio Associate Church, formed at New Scottsville. Said James Todd married Catherine Forbes, April 10, 1788, their first acquaintance being on the vessel coming from Scotland, and they had children : James, William, John, Thomas, George, Susan and Jane. With the exception of John, all were farmers, he being a minister.
(II) Thomas, son of James and Catherine (Forbes) Todd, was born in Moon township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1801, and died in 1874.
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He was reared on the homestead farm, and received the customary educa- tion of a farmer's son of that period. He was a staunch supporter of Whig principles until the formation of the Republican party, when he affiliated with that. His religious connection was with the Associate and United Presbyterian church after the latter was formed. He married Eliza Spauld- ing, born in or near Paisley, Scotland, in 1804, died in Moon township in 1888. They had children: Marion ; Joanna; James; John S., see forward; George; Sarah; Annie.
(III) John S., son of Thomas and Eliza (Spaulding) Todd, was born in Moon township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in April, 1840, and died in 1902. He was educated in the public schools of Moon township, and in Elders Ridge, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. He established himself in the mercantile business at Independence, Pennsylvania, in which line he was very successful, and served as postmaster of the town from 1872 to 1874, inclusive. Six years prior to his death he retired to a farm in Hopewell township, where his last years were spent free from business responsibilities. Mr. Todd married Hannah Bruce, born in Moon township, in April, 1839, died August 11, 1893. Charles Bruce, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Todd, settled on the Bruce estate, in Hopewell township, date not known. He lived to be forty-two years of age, and had two children-a son and a daughter. The daughter was married to a Baker and the son, George Bruce, received the homestead; he was the grandfather of the said Mrs. Todd. The said George Bruce was married to Hannah Gum. The children were: John, William, Charles, Jacob, Abraham, Jane and Margaret.
George Bruce, grandfather of Mrs. Todd, came to Hopewell township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in the early pioneer days and there acquired about four hundred acres of land, on which he and his family settled.
Abraham Bruce, son of George Bruce and father of Mrs. Todd, was born in Hopewell township, on the homestead founded by his father, and his entire life was spent there. He was a Republican, and a member of the United Presbyterian church. He married Christina, daughter of John Cooper, also a pioneer settler of Moon township, and they had children: Emma Jane; Hannah, married Mr. Todd; William; Maria; Washington ; Abraham Gum; Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Todd had children: Ira H., see forward; Frank E .; Orpha A .; Jennie S.
(IV) Ira H., son of John S. and Hannah (Bruce) Todd, was born on the family homestead in Moon township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1869. His early years were spent on the homestead, and he attended the public schools of his section. This education was supplemented by attendance at the New Sheffield Academy and the West Bridgewater Academy, and one term in the Ohio University, at Ada, Ohio. He next taught five terms in the schools of Moon township, and having taken up the study of dentistry, was graduated from the dental department of the University of Pittsburgh in the class of 1900, the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery being conferred upon him. For one and a half years he
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practiced his profession at New Sheffield, then established himself at Mon- aca, Beaver county, where he now has a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Todd is a strong Republican in his political opinions, and is at present serving as a member of the school board. His fraternal affiliations are as follows: Pennsylvania Dental Society; Odontological Society of West- ern Pennsylvania; Beaver County Dental Society ; Knights of Pythias; Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; Knights of the Golden Eagle; and several other organizations.
Dr. Todd married, September 7, 1904, Martha, born January 4, 1877, a daughter of John W. and Martha (Cooper) Zimmerly, and granddaughter of Samuel Zimmerly, a pioneer settler. John W. Zimmerly died June 29, 1902. Dr. and Mrs. Todd have one child: John W., born September 27, 1905.
McNAMEE Nearly all of the Pennsylvania of this name are de- scended from one of the three brothers, Philip, O'Hara, and Michael McNamee, who were all residents of west- ern Pennsylvania. The branch herein traced descends from the last named, Michael, who was a large land owner, being the proprietor of most of the land upon which Shousetown, Allegheny county, is built. Glass-blowing was the business he followed, although in his later years all his time was re- quired to properly care for his business and property interests. He was a Democrat in politics, and all his life was a member of the Catholic church, all of his sons but one forsaking the faith of their father and pledging al- legiance to Protestant denominations. His wife, a Miss Adams, was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and by her he was the father of several children, of whom John was one.
(II) John, son of Michael McNamee, was born in Pittsburgh, Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, and died in Hopewell township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. When he was two years of age he was taken to West Vir- ginia, and, when a youth, began work in a glass factory, having first at- tended the public schools for a time. He learned all of the various forms of glass-making and finally became a blower, a following at that time one of the most important as well as the most profitable in glass manufacture. Since then, of course, compressed air has supplanted the human blower, and dumb metal performs work then only attempted by the most skilled. In 1845 he returned to the vicinity of Pittsburgh, and spent the last years of his life on a farm in Hopewell township. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian, while in politics he supported the candidates of the Demo- cratic party. He married Sophia, daughter of John Jacob Schick, of Wurttemberg, Germany, a weaver, who came to the United States, locating in Hopewell township, Beaver county, where he and his wife resided on their farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres until death. He did not follow his trade in this country at all except for a short time in Philadelphia before coming to western Pennsylvania, making farming his new occupa-
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