USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Genealogical and personal history of Fayette county, Pennsylvania > Part 21
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(II) John L., eldest son of John and Eliza- betli (Beynon) Thomas, was born in Birming- ham, now South Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1854. His parents moved to Coulter, Pennsylvania, where the lad attended school five months each winter until thirteen years of age, then began working in the coal mines with his father. Later he took his brother Robert O. in with him and they worked to- gether in the mines until John L. became of age. He then saw that there were better op- portunities for an ambitious man, as mining had become so systematized that all that was wanted was a man to dig, no knowledge of ininerals or expert mining methods being re- quired except in the few positions of fire and inine boss. He had always been fond of com- merciai arithmetic and well informed in that branch, so decided to enter commercial life. He continued in the mines until he found his wished for opening with the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, under John L. Vaughn, sta- tion agent at Alpsville, Pennsylvania, who taught him telegraphy. After three months he was promoted, his younger brother, Wil- liam H., taking his former position at the key. John L. continued with the Baltimore & Ohio until June 1, 1882, then resigned to become assistant manager of the Youghiog- heny & Ashtabula Coal Company at Guffy Station, Pennsylvania, remaining there two years. He then resigned, having been of- fered by Division Superintendent Yohe the appointment of station agent for the Pitts- burgh & Lake Erie railroad at Connellsville, West Side (New Haven). After one year there he was transferred to the station at May- ville, Pennsylvania. now called Adelaide, as chief clerk in the scale office. On November 1, 1889, he was appointed general agent for the Connellsville coke region for the Pitts- burgh & Lake Erie and located at Dickerson Run, also acting as local weigh master for coal, coke and freight. He has held this posi-
tion continuously for nearly a quarter of a century, and is one of the company's old, faithful and most trusted employees. He has never regretted the ambition that drove him from the mine to seek his fortune in the great business worid outside. He has risen through his own well directed energy, and by doing well each duty that presented itself.
He is a Republican in politics, but never sought public office. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Con- nellsville in 1884, and has been a member of the official board of that church and of the church at Dawson ever since that date. Has been for several years financial secretary of the Dawson church, his home being in Daw- son, just across the Youghiogheny from his office in Dickerson Run. His method of keeping the congregation informed as to the condition of the church finances, and of their own accounts, is accomplished by mailing quarterly to each one a printed statement, showing how every cent received has been spent and of the condition of their individual account. This plan is worthy of adoption by other churches, as it has proved a valuable one for the Dawson congregation. He is a member of the Iroquois (a fraternal order).
He married, March 20, 1879, Rebecca H. Shields, born at Greenock, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 10, 1859, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Walker) Shields, both born in Paisley, Scotland, coming to Pennsylvania about the year 1856. Thomas Shields was a coal miner, but became a mine owner and operated his own plant. His children: I, John, born in Scotland about 1850, now a re- tired coal operator residing in Pittsburgh, East End, where he conducts a small store for the sake of keeping his mind employed. He is unmarried. 2, Janet, married in her native land a Mr. Welsh and died in 1879. 3. Margaret, married E. F. Cloman, a grocer of Greenoch, Pennsylvania. 4, James H., a retired coal merchant of Pittsburgh, East ! End, and Fiorida, where he maintains summer and winter homes; he married Abigail Ray. 5, Rebecca H., married John L. Thomas, of previous mention. 6, Isabella, married Henry Jones, whom she survives, a resident of Mc- Keesport, Pennsylvania. 7. Mary, married Harry Walthour, a railroad employe of Ver- sailles, Pennsylvania. 8. Walter, deceased, leaving a widow and two sons, now of Mc-
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Keesport. 9, died in infancy. 10, died in infancy. The two brothers, James H. and John Thomas, have both been conspicuous figures in the coal business in Pittsburgh, be- ing wealthy, influential operators and dealers. Children of John L., and Rebecca H. (Shields) Thomas: 1. Mary Belle, born October II, 1880; married William M. Shannon, a loco- motive engineer in the employ of the Pitts- burgh & Lake Erie railroad, now residing at Beaver Fails, Pennsylvania; child, Helen Re- becca. 2, Sibyl M., born May 19, 1882; mar- ried Albert E. Knight, a bill clerk at the Pitts- burgh & Lake Erie scales office in Dawson; children : Howard Ellsworth, Raymond Thomas, Fred Ruhl.
(II) William Henry, second son of John and Elizabeth (Beynon) Thomas, was born at Bir- thingham, now Pittsburgh, South Side, Au- gust 8, 1856. His parents soon after moved to Coulter, Allegheny county, when he at- tended the public school, and at quite an early age began working in the coal mines, contin- uing for some years in various capacities, from mine boy to skilled miner. He followed the example of his elder brother and prepared himseif for a business carcer, learning teleg- raphy while yet employed in the mines. In 1876, when his brother John L. was pro- moted, leaving a vacancy in the Baltimore & Ohio telegraph office at Alpsville, William H. was appointed to the vacant key, much to the surprise of his brother, who did not even know he was an operator, his preparatory study having been carried on quietly without display. One year later he was sent to Broad- ford, Pennsylvania, as clerk to the freight agent at that point, continuing in that posi- tion two years. In 1879 he became station agent at Broadford to succeed F. B. Hambry, remaining until July, 1883. In September of the latter year he entered the employ of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad, receiving the appointment of yard master at Dickerson Run. He was on the payroll of the company two weeks before the road was completed to Dickerson Run and ready to operate, there- fore he was the first Pittsburgh & Lake Erie employee in the coke region, of which Dick- crson Run is the centre. After six years as yard master he was made special agent -for the company, continuing as such four years .: Then for six months connected with the su- perintendent's office at Pittsburgh. He then
was appointed station agent for the company at New Haven (Connellsville, West S.de), a position he now occupies most satisfactorily to his company and the traveling public. He is an ardent Republican and active in party work. He has served as councilman of New Haven and of Connellsville; was clerk of council, and one year was collector of taxes. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is also his wife. He was made a Mason in 1881 in King Solomon's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; is a companion of Connellsville Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and a Sir Knight of Uniontown Commandery, Knights Templar.
He married, at Broad Ford, Pennsylvania, October, 1884, Ella Duke Brandhoover, born at West Liberty, Pennsylvania, daughter of Henry and Mary (Storey) Brandhoover, now deceased. Her father was a well-known hotel proprietor, having at different times conduct- ed hoteis in Pittsburgh, North Side, Eliza- beth and Broad Ford, Pennsylvania. Both her parents were born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, of German and English de- scent. The family home, on West Main street, Connellsville, was purchased by the Western Maryland railroad in 1911, and a depot building now occupies the site. Mr. Thomas has secured lots in Greenwood Addi- tion, West Side, and will there erect a mod- ern house. He has no children.
(II) Robert O., third son of John and Elizabeth (Beynon) Thomas, was born at Coulter. Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1860. He attended the public schools at Coulter, and when little more than a boy began working in the coal mine with his elder brother, John L. Thomas, first as driver, then as digger. After his brother left the mine and learned telegraphy Robert O. very quietly found means to also acquire the art. He secured a position with the Baltimore & Ohio railroad as telegrapher, became an expert despatcher and continued at the key eight years. In September, 1888, he resigned and became bookkeeper for the H. C. Frick Coke Company at their Adelaide plant. In the spring of 1889 he was appointed superin- tendent of that plant, continuing seven years, then was transferred to the Mount Pleasant branch, having charge of Summit, Eagle and White Plants, remaining two years. He next was placed in management of the Calumet
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plant, which he completely rebuilt and man- aged for five years. In 1901 he resigned and located in the city of Connellsville, where he engaged in the coal and coke business, and so continues a successful man of business and substance. He is a Republican in poli- tics, has served as school director in Con- nellsville; also was a candidate for nomina- tion for assembly in 1910 on the Republican ticket. In religious faith he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is his wife. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Connellsville Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons.
He married, September 20, 1887, Jennie Coughanour, born in Connellsville December 7, 1863, daughter of Gilbert Lafayette and Rebecca (Norris) Coughanour, of Connells- ville. Children of Robert O. Thomas: I. John Joseph, born April 28. 1890, now en- gaged with the West Pennsylvania Engineer- ing Corps. 2. Mary Margaret, born October 16, 1894. 3. William Fred, born September 8, 1896; all graduates of Connellsville high school. 4, Robert O., Jr., born February 23, 1903. 5. James Gilbert, December 8, 1906. The family home is at No. 401 East Green street, Connellsville, erected in 1908.
STILLWAGON A pioneer of this fam- ily, who deserves more than a passing notice here in view of the fact that more than one thousand of his descendants are now resi- dents of Connellsville and vicinity, was Peter Stillwagon, Sr., who was born in Germany and came to America about the year 1765. In 1775 he was married to Elizabeth Poole in the German Lutheran church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in July of the following year he enlisted in the patriot army as ser- geant of a company commanded by Captain Holmes. He was also a member of the Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment. He took part in the battles of Colts Neck, Brandywine, German- town, Trenton, Monmouth and Eatontown; he was captured by the British and confined in an old sugar house in New York for near- ly two years. During his absence his home was plundered by British troops and his wife so mistreated that she applied to General Fir- man for relief, who gave her a home with the wife of Captain Huddy. Just before the
battle of Trenton a company of Tories, com- manded by Captain David Smith, again vis- ited the Stillwagon home, plundering it of its remaining valuables and burning it to the ground. Mrs. Stillwagon, hearing of their coming, took her two little children to an ad- joining field and watched in anguish while the work of destruction was carried on. She then once more sought refuge in the camp with her husband. The commanding officer treated her kindly and allowed her to stay. She made herself useful by washing and bak- ing for the soldiers and caring for the sick and wounded. At the battle of Monmouth she distinguished herself by her courage and carried ammunition for the artillery. By some she is believed to be the "Molly Pitcher" of historic fame. At the close of the war Peter Stillwagon received an honorable dis- charge and settled with his family at Decker- town, New Jersey.
Mr. Stillwagon was the father of thirteen children: 1, Daniel. 2, Hannah. 3, William, of whom further. 4, Sarah Ann; married Henry Nash, a Methodist minister, and moved to Tennessee. 5, Mary. 6, Catherine; married a Mr. Conklin, and died at the early age of twenty-two, leaving two children, Daniel and William. 7, Andrew. 8, Peter, Jr. 9, Susan- nah. 10, Josiah Decker, of whom further. II, Andrew Poole, married Catherine Butter- more, and removed to the West. 12, Henry. 13, John, died without issue at Broad Ford, Pennsylvania. One of these daughters mar- ried Mr. Haven, an Englishman, and lived and died in Connellsville. Among her grand- children were Mrs. Annie Robbins, deceased; Mrs. Eliza Newcomer, deceased; Mrs. Mary Enos and Mrs. Kate Kurtz. Another daugh- ter married a Mr. Polk and removed to Ten- nessee.
In 1802 Mr. Stillwagon came to Connells- ville, Pennsylvania, and established a home in the neighborhood of Peach and Water streets. The children at this time numbered but nine, four of them having died. By mere chance of fortune Captain David Smith, their old Tory enemy, also came to Connellsville after the war, living with his son, Asher Smith, on the corner of Cottage avenue and East Main street, and it is said upon good authority that some of the plunder of the Stillwagon home was afterward discovered there in an old chest. Peter Stillwagon, Sr.,
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died in Connellsville in December, 1831. His wife Elizabeth, with a marvelous vitality, lived to be one hundred and fifteen years of age. Even at that advanced age she was re- markably active and able to attend to many of her household duties. One Monday after- noon she was left at home alone and her grandson on his return found the interior of the house on fire. Securing help, he put out the flames as quickly as possible, but his grandmother was already dead. It is be- lieved that she was smoking a pipe and that sparks from this set her clothing on fire.
(II) William, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Poole) Stillwagon, married Margaret Wil- son, of Deckertown, and had eleven children: Peter, of whom further; Joshua; Sophia; Eliza, married Stephen Robbins; Josialı Decker, married Elizabeth Eicher; Sarah, married Josiah Marietta, mother of a large Marietta family of Connellsville; Henry Nash, married Mary M. Curry; he was a sol- dier in the Mexican war, and received an injury while building a bridge for the ar- tillery before Vera Cruz from which he never fully recovered; Joseph; Mary; John, married Elizabeth Stouffer; William Wilson, married Maria M. Rockwell. William Stillwagon in- herited much of the patriotic fire of his par- ents and was a veteran of the war of 1812.
(III) Peter (2), eldest son of William and Margaret (Wilson) Stillwagon, married Mar- garet White and had issue.
(IV) William P., son of Peter (2) and Mar- garet (White) Stillwagon, was born in Con- nellsville, Pennsylvania, in 1844, died Octo- ber 4, 1893. He was educated in the public school, and in his early life was a contractor and coal operator, conducting the W. P. Still- wagon Coal Company; later Mr. Marietta was admitted as a partner and the name was changed to the Marietta & Stillwagon Coal Company. He also had interests in West Virginia coal lands. He was a Democrat in politics and a man of influence. He married Mary Gregg, born in Connellsville; died there in the year 1908, daughter of George and Susan Gregg. George Gregg, of Irish de- scent, was credited by his friends with being the real inventor of the armor-clad vessel which Ericsson later developed into the fa- mous "Monitor" of civil war fame. Children of William and Mary Stillwagon: I, Clair, died 1910; married Rose Hanlon, 2, Blanche,
married (first) John Woodward (second), William Rice, of Connellsville. 3, Anna, mar- ried Thomas Crush, of Pittsburgh. 4, Lar- mer, of whom further. 5, Edna, married Harry Griffin, of Glassport. 6, Rose, married Thomas Maloney, of Pittsburgh. 7, William P., now living in West Newton. 8, Rockwell, now living in Connellsville. 9, Ruth, now liv- ing in Connellsville.
(\) Larmer, son of William P. and Mary (Gregg) Stillwagon, was born in Connells- ville, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1878. He was educated in the public school and on ar- riving at suitable age learned the trade of coremaker and molder, continuing four years with the Boyt's Porter Company of Connells- ville. The succeeding four years he spent in the machine shops of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Connellsville, then en- tered business life. He is interested in West Virginia coal lands and is vice-president of the Connellsville Distillery Company. In 19II he began the manufacture of soft drinks, having bought the plant known as Deans Bottling Works, in Connellsville. He there carries on every department of soft drink manufacture, including essences and syrups. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of Connellsville city council. His fraternal order is the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He married, in September, 1905, Lily Edwards, born in Connellsville, daughter of Rolla and Margaret Edwards. Child: Lar- mer, born January 15, 1908.
(II) Josiah Decker Stillwagon, son of Peter Stillwagon (q. v.), came to Connells- ville with his parents and nine of their chil- dren, four having died before their emigra- tion from New Jersey. The date of their coming is given as both 1815 and 1802, the former being in all probability the correct date. He was a teamster on the "old pike," but later confined his teaming to Connells- ville and vicinity. He was a Democrat in politics and held several township and bor- ough offices. He married (first) in Connells- ville Elizabeth Rowtruck, of German descent, who bore him: I, Elizabeth, married Samuel Catlin, of Ohio. 2, Mary, married William Crossland. Josiah D. Stillwagon married (second) Elizabeth Coughenour, also of Ger- man parentage; children: 3, Josiah Decker, whose sketch follows. 4, Noah, died a young man. 5, Theresa, died in 1861 or 1862; mar-
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ried a Mr. Hutchinson. 6, John Wesley, of whom further.
(III) John Wesley, youngest son of Josiah Decker (1) and Elizabeth (Coughenour) Still- wagon, was born in Connellsville, Pennsyl- vania, April 2, 1833. He was educated in the public schools and on arriving at suitable age was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade. He became an expert ironworker and con- tinued in Connellsville until he moved to Broad Ford, Fayette county, and established a smithy of his own in that village. He con- tinted there for forty years, doing the greater part of the horseshoeing and ironwork for that section. He also did all the smithwork for the Overholt Distilling Company, when they started in that neighborhood. He pur- chased a small tract of ten acres when he retired from active work, and now resides there with his aged wife. He joined the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows July 4, 1863, and will soon celebrate his half century of membership in that order. He also for many years belonged to the Knights Tem- plar. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served as school director. He married, Sep- tember 5, 1855, Elizabeth, daughter of Hen- ry (2) Strickler, and granddaughter of Henry (1) Strickler, of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and an early settler in Fayette county. Henry (2) Strickler was a farmer, owning a good farm of two hundred and forty acres. He mar- ried Susanna Sloanecker and reared a family of five daughters and two sons. Children of John Wesley and Elizabeth Stillwagon: I, John Wesley (2). 2, Josiah Decker, now re- siding in Fayette county, married Margaret Oxley. 3, Henry S., now living in Colorado. 4, Frank, now living in Dawson, Pennsyl- vania, married Margaret Spaneyfelt. 5. Will- iam, died December II, 1911; for twenty years a machinist with the Overholt Distill- ing Company; married Lily May Nicholson. 6, Charles Newton, deceased. 7, Walter S., of whom further. 8, Mary Eva, now living in Dawson, Pennsylvania; married John Will- iams. 9, Ernest, now living in Chicago; mar- ried Ollie Oxley.
(IV) Walter S., seventh son of John Wesley and Elizabeth (Strickler) Stillwagon, was born at Broad Ford, Favette county, Penn- sylvania, July 1, 1869. He was educated in the public schools and worked with his father at the forge when young. He then learned
the machinist's trade, working under instruc- tion at both Broad Ford and Connellsville, and later studied plumbing and gasfitting, following that trade five years in Connells- ville. Later he became a stationary engineer, and in 1889 entered the employ of the Over- holt Distilling Company as machinist. After being with that company some years he re- turned to Connellsville for a time, then again entered the employ of the Overholt Company as chief engineer, a position he now most capably fills. He is a Democrat in politics and has served in several township offices. His orders are the Knights of Malta and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. Both Mr. Stillwagon and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
He married, in 1893, Minnie E. Newman, born in Fayette county, daughter of George and Lydia Newman. Children: Wesley G., born December 23, 1892; Oliver, June 28, 1895; Bessie, August 28, 1897; Florence, De- cember 17, 1899; Lida, July 25, 1902; Ralph, April 4, 1907; Thomas, March 7, 1910.
(III) Josiah Decker (2) Stillwagon, son of Josiah Decker (1) Stillwagon (q. v.), was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, April 8, 1828, died June 8, 1893. He was educated in the public schools, and was one of the prominent men of his day.' He became a hardware mer- chant of Connellsville, where he was in con- tinuous business for thirty-three years. He was a staunch Democrat and a leader of his party in Fayette county. Among offices held were those of postmaster of Connellsville and clerk of the city council. He was a Meth- odist, and for thirty-seven years superintend- ent of the Sunday school. He married Eliza- beth Freeman, born in Connellsville, 1828, died April 7, 1874. Among their children was a son, James Emmet, of whom further.
(IV) James Emmet, son of Josiah Decker (2) Stillwagon, was born in Connellsville, September 30, 1848, died August 9, 1901. He was educated in the public schools and early in life learned the painter's trade, but never followed it as an occupation. He was a strong Democrat, and during President Cleveland's first administration was appoint- ed assistant collector of internal revenue for the Pittsburgh district. In 1890 he was ap- pointed superintendent of the Connellsville Water Company, a position he held until his death. He was elected chief burgess of Con-
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nellsville, serving at different times five terms in that office.
His untimely death occurred August 9, 1901, being a passenger on the ill-fated Balti- more & Ohio train of Atlantic City excur- sionists that was wrecked with great loss of life at Confluence, Pennsylvania, on that date. Like all the Stillwagons, he was a Methodist. He married Mary Elizabeth Walker, born in Connellsville November 26, 1845, who sur- vives him, a resident of Connellsville. She is the daughter of David L. Walker, born July 23, 1819, died February 2, 1881, probably a descendant of the Walkers of Virginia. He was a planing mill operator and general con- tractor. He was a Democrat, and in 1887 was elected sheriff of Fayette county. H married Sarah Zarley, born September 8, 1821.
Children of James Emmet Stillwagon : Olive May, married Herbert Horn, of Pitts- burgh; Josiah David, of whom further; John Clark, now of Connellsville; Ernest Lee, a machinist; George Freeman; Minnie Hazel, married Joseph C. Herwick.
(V) Josiah David, son of James Emmet Stillwagon, was born in Connellsville, Penn- sylvania, October 7, 1871. He was educated in the public school and began business life as å clerk in his grandfather Stillwagon's hardware store, remaining three years. He was then for two years in the employ of the Union Supply Company; then two years with Jamison & Fogg. He then secured an ap- pointment as "gauger" in the United States Internal Revenue service, Twenty-third Pennsylvania district, continuing eight years. He then succeeded his father as superintend- ent of the Connellsville Water Works, hold- ing that position until his resignation in 1910.
He is now in the employ of the Fayette County Gas Company. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and of King Solomon's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
He married, in February. 1893, Mattie (Stillwagon) Stillwagon, a distant relative, daughter of George W. and Jane Elizabeth Stillwagon. George W. Stillwagon was born November 15, 1826, died April 13, 1890. His wife, Jane E., was born June 21, 1829. Chil- dren of Josiah D. Stillwagon: Hazel, born November 1I, 1893; Josiah David (2), Sep- tember 30, 1909.
The Henrys of Fayette county, HENRY Pennsylvania, descend from the Henrys of Westmoreland coun- ty, Pennsylvania, who spring from a Scotch- Irish progenitor, Edward Henry. He was born in County Down, Ireland, came to the American colonies and settled in eastern Pennsylvania prior to the revolution. Several Henrys served in the Colonial army, and one Edward Henry, who was no doubt the an- cestor. After the close of the war and late in his own remarkable life, he moved to West- inoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he died many years later, at the great age of one hun- dred and five years. He left issue, including a son Edward.
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