Genealogical and personal history of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, Part 42

Author: Jordan, John Woolf, 1840-1921, ed; Hadden, James, 1845-1923, joint ed. cn
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: New York, NY : Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 510


USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Genealogical and personal history of Fayette county, Pennsylvania > Part 42


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(IV) George, eldest son of John and Margaret Hertzog, was born in Springhill township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1846. He was educated in the


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public schools, and spent his years of mi- nority as his father's assistant in farming, chopping and hauling wood. Later he es- tablished on his own farm in the same town- ship, and is engaged in dairy farming prin- cipally. His market is Uniontown, where he disposes of his cream only to the cream- ery. He is a Democrat in politics, has served as school director, and is a member of the Baptist church, his wife of the Chris- tian church (Disciples of Christ).


He married, January 7, 1882, Emma Lyons, born at Morris Cross Roads, Spring- hill township, March 24, 1853, daughter of John and Clarinda (Litman) Lyons. John Lyons was born in Springhill township, in the same house in which his father and grandfather were born, and died there Jan- uary 18, 1890. Clarinda (Litman) Lyons was born in Frogtown, in the same town- ship. Their children: 1. Maria, married Michael Baker, both deceased; children : Louisa ; John; Lizzie, married Thomas Mil- ler; Minnie; Edwin, deceased; Laura : Re- becca, married Robert Grove: Jesse : Bertha ; Helen, and another, died aged two years. 2. Rebecca, married Judson Morgan, a farmer, and lives near Gans Station. 3. Ann, married Martin Van Buren Scott, and resides in Dunbar, Pennsylvania, where he is a blacksmith; children: Boyd, married Louisa Ache; Nellie, married Rev. Wilson Winbigler ; Ned, married Cora Bear : James, married Edna Duncan; John and Lelah. 4. Harriet, married Newton Miller, now a farmer of Grundy, Iowa; children: Walter and Etta. 5. Emma (previous mention), wife of George Hertzog: no issue. The mother of these children, Clarinda (Litman) Lyons, died at the home farm in Springhill township, aged sixty-three years.


This family descends from HANNAM English ancestors on the pa- ternal side and from Ger- man forbears on the maternal. The English ancestor was born and died in England, but lived in America many years, founding the family in Baltimore, Maryland.


(I) George Hannam, born in England, came to the United States at the age of seven years. The family settled in Balti- more. In later years George Hannam re-


turned to England to claim his inheritance and settle up the English estate. He was taken sick and died there about 1838. His wife was of German parentage.


(II) William John, son of George Han- nam, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, January 27, 1827, died June 9, 1883. He was educated in the public schools, and learned the trade of boilermaker and black- smith. He lived in Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania, later in Connellsville, where he was in charge of the Baltimore & Ohio shops from 1866 until 1883, being foreman of both the blacksmith and boilermaking depart- ments. He was a Democrat in politics and served as member of the city council of Connellsville. He was a member of the English Lutheran church in early life and later became an Episcopalian. He was a man of great public spirit and aided ma- terially in the upbuilding of his town. He married, at Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1854, Matilda Catherine Reinhart, of German pa- rentage, who died July 12, 1890. They were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are now living (1912) : I. William John (2), now superintendent of the City Iron Works at Erie, Pennsylvania. 2. George B., chief boilermaker at the Cleveland, Ohio, shops of the Lake Shore & Michigan Central rail- road. 3. Mary Belle, married J. E. Miller, of Connellsville. 4. Robert Lee, of whom further. 5. Maud A., married Quincy San- born, of Cleveland, Ohio.


(III) Robert Lee, son of John Hannam, was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1870. He was educated in the public schools, and when but a boy fourteen years of age began learning the carpenter's trade in the Baltimore & Ohio shops. He began working there April 1, 1884, and con- tinued until January 1, 1897, then entered the employ of the Connellsville Planing Mill Company where he remained until Feb- ruary, 1905. In the latter year he was one of the organizers of the Keystone Planing Mill Company, of which he has been secre- tary and manager since its incorporation. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Lutheran church. He married, Octo- ber 20, 1891, Mary Ada, daughter of William A. Artis, who was born in 1846, enlisted in the civil war, serving in Company H, One


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Hundred and Forty-second Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, receiving a se- vere wound at the battle of Gettysburg; he married Theresa Sampsell, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Children of Robert Lee and Mary Ada Hannam. Ida Mae, born No- vember 25, 1892; Robert William, born September 5, 190I.


GIBSON Daniel Phillips Gibson was a prominent banker, and real es- tate owner of Uniontown. He was born on a farm in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1827, and died May, 1910, in Uniontown. He attended the com- mon schools, but also was indefatigable in his efforts to acquire knowledge by extra study during his hours at home. At the age of sixteen years he apprenticed himself to learn the harness and saddlery trade at Petersburg, Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, with John Morrow, with whom he re- mained a little over five years. On attain- ing his majority he located at Upper Mid- dletown, and was engaged in the harness and saddlery business from 1848 to 1876, a period of twenty-eight years. In this town he was very successful, building up a large business, and acquiring the reputation which he justly deserved of an honest and reliable business man. He removed to Uniontown in 1876, choosing it as the center for a wider field of operations, and his sub- sequent career attested the wisdom of his selection. Besides his regular line of work, he began in 1876 to handle buggies, and visited the factories, inspected the materials, and examined the process of construction from its earliest stages, thus securing him- self and his customers from imposition in the quality of the goods which he put upon the market. Mr. Gibson also engaged in farming, and was in the general mercantile business, and, beginning about 1862, for seventeen years he conducted two general stores, one at Upper Middletown, the other at Searights. After establishing himself at Uniontown he started also a grocery and hardware store but on account of his ill health this was sold in 1881. In every field, success marked his ventures, and the wealth thus acquired was applied in the purchase of valuable property in Osceola, Clark coun-


ty, Iowa, as well as a large amount of im- proved real estate in Uniontown in the shape of houses and city lots that returned a hand- some rental. Mr. Gibson was noted for his good judgment, and plain, shrewd conduct of business affairs. He lost no chances, missed no opportunities, made no rash ven- tures or wild speculations, and was satisfied with small but certain profits. He is spoken of truly as one of Fayette county's most successful business men. He was a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic order, and of the Great Bethel Baptist Church, of which he was a trustee for many years. He was also one of the oldest directors of the First Na- tional Bank of Uniontown, being one of the original stockholders and founders.


The parents of Daniel Phillips Gibson were Joseph and Rachel (Phillips) Gibson. Joseph Gibson was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, about 1780, son of John Gib- son, a native of Ireland. He spent his life as a farmer, and died in 1830, aged fifty years. Rachel Phillips was a daughter of Benjamin Phillips, a farmer of New Jersey, where his daughter was born, who moved to Pennsylvania when she was quite young. Daniel Phillips Gibson, in 1874, married Hannah Jane, daughter of William Brown, a well known and prominent Fayette coun- ty farmer. Their only child was Della Pearl, who married Frank Eugene Merts, on November 1, 1905. Born to them, Au- gust 30, 1908, a daughter, named Donna Gibson Merts, the only grandchild of Dan- iel Phillip Gibson.


The first of this family to GALIARDI leave their own beautiful Italy and come to the United States was Rimonti Galiardi, born in Northern Italy. He is a grandson of Ri- monti (whose name he bears), Reijina Gal- iardi, whose lives were spent in their native land. Their son Philip was born in 1825. In 1848 he was a soldier of Italy. Residing in the north where timber was plentiful, he followed the occupation of wood chopper and from his earnings supported wife and children, four of whom lived and died in Italy. three coming to the United States; one Gudita, after coming, returned to her


C


D. PGibson


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native Italy. The other two, Rimonti (2) and Constantine, died in the United States. Philip Galiardi died in Italy in 1889. His wife, Louise Galiardi (a relative before mar- riage), born 1831, died in the land of her birth in 1904. The family were all devout members of the Roman Catholic church.


(III) Rimonti (2), son of Philip and Louise Galiardi, was born in Northern Italy, March 5, 1853. He was educated in the local schools, early began working at that trade at which the Italian excels, stone cut- ting. He served two months in the Italian army, but was not engaged in actual war- fare. In 1878 he married, and in 1882, lured by the knowledge of better conditions across the seas, left the home of his ancestors to begin a new life in a new world. He ar- rived in New York City, April 17, 1882, was for a time in Buffalo finally locating in Punxsutawney, Jefferson county, where he worked at his trade with little intermission until the winter of 1886, when he returned to Italy. He had so prospered in the United States that he determined to settle perman- ently and become a citizen. Accordingly he settled all his affairs in Italy, and with his wife and son Philip came again to Punx- sutawney, where he resumed work at his trade, continuing until 1889, when he made permanent settlement at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, his present residence. He secured employment at his trade as a jour- neyman stonemason, but in 1893 began tak- ing contracts. He has been very successful in his building operations ; has done a great deal of coke oven work for the H. C. Frick Coke Company, and a great deal of concrete work, etc. He made a second return to his native land in 1900, visiting friends and relatives. In 1891 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States, and has exer- cised the franchise thus acquired in support of the Republican party. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church of Connellsville, and of the Columbus Independent Italian Club.


He married, January 8, 1878, Rosa Car- etti, whose parents, Joseph and Theresa (Battacecti) Caretti, lived and died in Italy. In 1906 Mr. Galiardi erected a modern com- fortable residence at No. 279 Fairview street, where he now lives. Children: I.


Philip, born in Italy, November 1, 1881 ; now associated in business with his father; he married his second cousin, Rosa Galiardi, and has: Lorretta, born June 28, 1908; Mag- dalena, born September 21, 1910. 2. Joseph, born in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 15, 1887; now working with his fa- ther. 3. Louis, born in Connellsville, Penn- sylvania, February 17, 1892. Two other chil- dren died in infancy.


Samuel Angle, born in Somer- ANGLE set county Pennsylvania, of German parents, settled when a young man in Morgan county, Ohio. He followed agriculture as a business all his life, married, and left issue.


(II) Henry C., son of Samuel Angle, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, July 13, 1851. He was educated in the public school, grew to manhood on the farm, and is now a pros- perous merchant of Glouster, Ohio. He is a Republican, and a member of the Christian church (Disciples of Christ). He married (first) Mary Kasler, born in Morgan county, Ohio, died 1888, daughter of Abraham and Mary Kasler, born in Morgan county, of German parentage. He married (second) Mary C. Leffler. Children of Henry C. Angle, by his first wife: 1. Ida, married L. C. Vest, of Bishopville, Ohio. 2. Dora, de- ceased. 3. Clara, married Elza Morris, of Glouster Ohio. 4. John, now living at Johnstown Pennsylvania. 5. Joseph E., of whom further. 6. Burt R., now living in Glouster, Ohio. 7. Mont, now living in Glouster, Ohio. 8. Frank, now living in Corning, Ohio.


(III) Joseph E., son of Henry C. Angle, was born at Glouster, Ohio, January 23, 1882. His mother died when he was six years old, and from then until he was thir- teen years of age he attended the public schools. He then began working for a plumber and gas fitter, with whom he learned a great deal of the business. After two and a half years with his first employer he entered the employ of the Corning (Ohio) Natural Gas Company ; being but a boy he was made tool carrier at first, and gradually advanced. He remained at Corn- ing until 1901, then came to Connellsville, where he entered the employ of the Fayette


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County Gas Company as meter reader and in charge of portions of the line work, but was soon promoted foreman of the Connells- ville division. In 1907 he was transferred to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to the employ of the Johnstown Fuel and Supply Company (a subsidiary company) and was made su- perintendent of construction of a new plant being erected in Johnstown. There were changes of ownership which resulted in Mr. Angle's appointment as superintendent of the artificial and natural gas departments of the Johnstown plant. On February 1, 191I, he returned to the Fayette Gas Company as assistant superintendent at Connellsville, and is now (1912) superintendent of the en- tire system, which conveys gas in sixteen cities in Fayette, Green and Westmoreland counties. He is eminently qualified for his position, having learned the business from the very bottom as a boy, and has made gas his life study. He is a member of the Pro- gressive Brethren Church, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Johnstown, Penn- sylvania, Knights of the Maccabees of Con- nellsville, and affiliates with the Demo- cratic party.


He married, July 3, 1903, Margaret J. Bittner, born in Fayette county, daughter of Annanias and Barbara Bittner, of Bullskin township. Annanias Bittner is a veteran of the civil war, serving in a Pittsburgh com- pany and regiment. Children of Joseph E. and Margaret Angle: Frank B., born April 8, 1904; Belford, October 27, 1905; Mar- garet, March 30, 19II.


The Kerchners descend KERCHNER from German ancestors who on coming to Penn- sylvania settled in Berks county. The first of record was William Kerchner, a farmer of Berks county, son of the emigrant from Germany, and a native born son of Berks. He married Mary Lint, also born in Berks county and of German parentage.


(II) James W., son of William Kerchner, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1855. He was educated in the public schools and learned the painting trade. He located in Reading, Pennsylvania, about 1887, where he is engaged in contracting, painting, paper hanging and interior decorating. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the


Lutheran church. He married Emma, born in Berks county, in 1855, daughter of Wil- liam Sollenberger, born in Pennsylvania, of German parentage. He was a teacher in the public schools; married Sarah also of German parentage, but born in Penn- sylvania: Children of James W. and Emma Kerchner: I. Warren B., died in infancy. 2. Morris B., now living in Reading, Pennsyl- vania, a linotype operator. 3. Lenus Sollen- berger, of whom further. 4. Mahlon S., a linotype operator, of Reading, Pennsylvania. 5. William J., clerk in the Pennsylvania Railroad office at Reading. 6. Robert, a student. 7. Mary S., a bookkeeper, living at home. 8. Lizzie, residing at home.


(III) Lenus Sollenberger son of James W. Kerchner, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1880. He was about six years of age when his parents moved to Reading, where he was educated in the public school. After completing his school years he began business life as an employee of the Reading Iron Company, in their laboratory, continuing there two years. In 1899 he came to Dunbar, Fayette county, as assistant chemist with the Dunbar Furnace Company. In 1901 he was advanced to the po- sition of chief chemist, continuing five years. In 1906 he was appointed assistant super- intendent, which position he now holds. He has private business interests, including a directorship of the Dunbar Coal Company. He is a member of the Masonic order be- longing to Lodge, Chapter and Command- ery; also a member of the Modern Wood- men of America. In religious faith he is a Lutheran, and in politics is a Republican.


He married, September 1I, 1902, Teresa May, born at Dunbar, Pennsylvania, June 21, 1882, daughter of Louis and Josephine Baer, of Dunbar, the former now living re- tired. Children: James Harold, born June 16, 1903; Lenus (2), born May 6, 1907, died December 4, 1907.


TITUS The Titus family originally set- tled in Greene county, Pennsyl- vania, where Benjamin F. Titus was born and grew to manhood. In 1873 he moved to the state of Texas, where he followed his profession of civil engineer in the employ of a southern railroad, he mak-


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ing his home at San Antonio. In 1887 he sonic Order, belonging to Uniontown Lodge returned north and is residing at Point Mar- ion, Pennsylvania. He is a Democrat in politics, has always been locally active in public affairs, filling many of the town of- fices. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and a member of the Disciples of Christ Church, as is his wife. He married Jennie M. Sadler, born in Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania. Children: 1. Moses F., a resident of Point Marion, Pennsylvania. 2. Charles L., of whom further. 3. Montie Lee, secretary of the Morris Glass Company of Point Mar- ion. 4. Bininie Leo, a master plumber of Point Marion. 5. Garrett Sadler, a master plumber of Point Marion. 6. Bertie Cotulla, married Thomas Richmond. 7. Delphus Denver, a master plumber of Point Marion.


(II) Charles L., son of Benjamin F. and Jennie M. (Sadler) Titus, was born in Wi- ley, Greene county, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1871. He was educated in the public schools of San Antonio, Texas, and of Point Marion, Pennsylvania. He later completed a course in plumbing, heating and ventilation with the Scranton School of Correspondence ; after learning the trade practically he es- tablished a plumbing business in Union- town, in 1897. He has been very success- ful and still continues in active business, be- ing also interested in other enterprises of profit. He is a member of the State Plum- bers' Association of Pennsylvania and in 1909-10 was president of that body; now (1912) state vice-president of the National Association of Master Plumbers, and a member of the board of directors. He or- ganized the Southwestern Plumbers' Asso- ciation, comprising the territory of South- western Pennsylvania, a portion of Mary- land and Western West Virginia, serving the latter organization as secretary. He has been identified with the Uniontown fire de- partment for many years, president of the Hook and Ladder Company since its or- ganization in 1901, and is assistant chief of the present fire department. He was a pro- moter of the newsboys' annual supper in 1909, which has become a permanent fea- ture of city philanthropic work. He is pres- ident of the Uniontown committee of safety, and a Democrat, always actively interested in city affairs. He is a member of the Ma-


of Perfection, fourteenth degree, and Pitts- burgh Consistory, thirty-second degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He is past grand of Uniontown Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and member of the State Grand Lodge. In religious faith he is a member of the Central Christian Church, and with his family active in church and Sunday school work.


He married, December 25, 1896, Birdie, daughter of Elisha and Bessie (Franks) Snider, of Point Marion, Pennsylvania. Child: Harry Ward, born in Uniontown, January 18, 1899.


The Hibbs family, originally HIBBS from England, settled in Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, at an early day. The earliest record found is of David Hibbs, whose line follows.


(I) David Hibbs was born July 18, 1809, on the old homestead near New Salem, Menallen township, Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, died May 18, 1868. He here en- gaged in general farming and did an exten- sive business in live stock, which he raised and sold, and if the opportunity offered when he could do so to advantage, he bought. He was an elder of the German Baptist church, and in politics a Democrat. He married, April 18, 1839, Hannah Wal- ters, born in Masontown, daughter of Eph- raim Walters. Children: 1. Jefferson Wal- ters, of whom further. 2. Mary, married Joseph Antram and lives in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. 3. Harriet, married John Hess and lives in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. 4. Lucetta, married Douglas Ammoris and lives in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. 5. George L. died 1907. 6. John Gibson, lives in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.


(II) Jefferson Walters, son of David and Hannah (Walters) Hibbs, was born on the old homestead near New Salem, Menallen township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1837, died 1907. He attended the local schools, finishing his education at Dunlap Creek Academy. He was a farmer all his life and owned two hundred acres of land in Luzerne township, one hundred and seven acres in Redstone township on which he engaged in general farming and


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raised much live stock and cattle, specializ- ing in the production of wool and succeed- ing in obtaining a very fine grade. He was a Democrat in politics and held several township offices; among them those of school director and township auditor. He was a member of the Dunlap Creek Pres- byterian Church. He married, in 1867, El- len Abigail, daughter of Theodore Vankirk. Children : Lula Edna, married Chads Chal- fant and lives in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. 2. Theodore Vankirk, of whom further.


(III) Theodore Vankirk, son of Jeffer- son Walters and Ellen Abigail (Vankirk) Hibbs, was born at the home of his fathers in Redstone township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1873. His edu- cation was obtained in the public schools of Luzerne township where his parents moved when he was young, in the Browns- ville public schools and at the Streter high school, Illinois, where he was graduated from the commercial department, class of 1892. He was engaged in farming with his father until the latter's death, when he in- herited the home farm on which he now conducts general farming, sheep and cattle raising. He is financially although not ac- tively interested in coal lands in various portions of the state. A very successful venture, which he has lately inaugurated, is the raising of fruit in Florida. He spends his winters in the south and gives his or- chards his personal attention, growing some of the best oranges and grape fruit pro- duced in that wonderfully rich and fertile section. These he ships to Pittsburgh and the other northern markets, where during our cold season they are sold for almost fabulous prices. He is a member of the Dunlap Creek Presbyterian Church, and a Democrat in politics.


He married in 1899, Mary B. English, born in Jefferson township, December I, 1873, daughter of Dr. English, a prominent physician of Jefferson township.


These families JACKSON-CURRY joined by marriage spring one from an English the other from an Irish ances- tor. The Jackson progenitor came from Ire- land and settled in Fulton county, Pennsyl-


vania, where he died leaving a widow and son.


(II) Mark Jeremiah Jackson, son of the emigrant from Ireland, was born in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1835, died in Bedford county, November 3, 1893. His mother survived his father, married a second husband, and went west, never again returning. The lad was then left to his own resources at quite an early age. He was bound out to a miller at Ackersville, in Ful- ton county, who taught him the miller's trade, an occupation he followed all his life with the exception of the three years spent in the Union army during the civil war, serving in the cavalry under General Phil Sheridan. After the war he returned to Ful- ton county, later moving with his family to Bedford county, where he settled at what was known as Jackson's Mills. He erected a mill which he operated until his death in 1893. He was a well-known influential man; a Republican, and once the candidate of the party for the state legislature. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Grand Army of the Republic.


He married Emily Jane Hickson, died at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1909, daughter of Ephraim and Cecil Hick- son, both born in Fulton county, Pennsyl- vania. Ephraim Hickson was a farmer and a blacksmith. His children: Emily Jane, of previous mention, Mary, Matilda, Nancy, Joshua, Caleb, Nathan, Jared, Amos ; all are deceased except Mary, Nancy and Jared. Children of Mark J. and Emily J. Jackson : I. Edward Vincent, born March 11, 1858, died 1887, unmarried; always remained at home. 2. John Upton, born August 9, 1859; now of Everett, Pennsylvania. 3. Laura,




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