History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 102

Author: Brown, Robert C., ed; Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Meagher, John, jt. comp; Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899, jt. comp
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1658

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

merchandising in Concord township. whence he removed to Mount Chestnut, afterwards to Brown-dale, then to Butler, and finally to Boydstown. Hle mar- ried Rachel J., daughter of George Hutchison, of Oakland town-hip. August 7, 1-62. and they are the parents of six children, as follows : Alexander M. ; Eliza A .. wife of John 11. Robb : Thomas A. ; William J. : Charles F., and Millard II. In August, 1-62. Mr. Campbell enlisted in Company C. One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was mustered in at Harrisburg the same month. The regiment was moved to Arlington Heights, and took part in the battle of AAntietam. He afterwards served on detail service with the supply train, and continued in that capacity until his discharge, June 16, 1865. Return- ing to hi- home he resumed his old business of farming and milling, and also embarked in merchandising. In 1893 he was elected, on the Republican ticket, sheriff of Butler county, and took charge of his office January 1, 1 94. Mr. Campbell is a capable and popular official, and has many wann friends in every township of his native county.

RICHARD KELLY, third son of Thomas and Miriam ( Wilson) Kelly, was born in Washington township, Butler county, March 8, 1841. Hle grew to man- hood on the farm, working at farm labor during the summer and attending school during the winter, and thus gained a fair common school education. At the age of nineteen he began teaching, receiving fourteen dollars per month and "boarding round" with the scholars, and with the exception of two winters dur- ing the Civil war, he has been engaged in teaching in the public schools of But- ler county ever since. Mr. Kelly received an academic education in institu- tions of that kind at Fairview and Harrisville, Butler county, and at Dayton, Armstrong county. In the fall of 186I he enlisted in Company B, One Hun- dred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and saw some hard service on the march and on the battle field, being engaged in the siege of Yorktown, in the battles of Williamsburg. Fair Oaks. Jones Bridge, and other battles and skir- mishes incident to a change of base from the York to the James river, Near Harrison's Landing he became disabled by reason of chronic diarrhea and lung disease, and was sent from that point to the general hospital on David's Island, New York, where he was treated without success, and in the spring of 1863 he was honorably discharged as unfit for further service in the army. After remaining at home for about a year, and having partially regained his health. he was overtaken by the draft of 1861, and went back again to the army as a member of Company G. Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers. . With this regi- ment he engaged in the siege of Petersburg, and spent most of the winter of 1864 at Fort McGilvery, on the Appomattox river. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and returned to his home, but being unable to engage in heavy labor he resumed his life work as a teacher. In May, 169, Mr. Kelly was married to Nannie J. Hillard, of Venango township, Butler county, who became the mother of his eight children, viz. : Theodore P. ; Nola B. : Ivy M. : Richard .A. : Ethel 1. : Zillah M. : Jonathan R., and Marcus R. He was at one time a candidate for county superintendent of common schools, but was defeated. In 193 he was nominated for the office of county commissioner, by the Republican party, and was elected to said office, which position he now occupies.

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WILLIAM RUSSELL was born in Down county, Ireland, in 1820, and when six years of age his parents immigrated to Philadelphia, where he grew to man- hood, receiving in the public schools of that city a common school eeucation. Ile came to Butler county when a young man, and purchased property in Har- risville, Mercer township. He followed school teaching for some years, and in 1549 went to California and remained on the Pacific coast twenty-six years, then returned to Butler, where he died October 20, 1885, at the home of his son, Alexander. In 1837 Mr. Russell married Sarah Buchanan, a daughter of Alex- ander Buchanan, of Mercer township, to which union were born seven children, as follows : Martha. who married Dr. McConnell, of Mercer township ; Alex- ander; David H. : Mary, wife of Stewart Duncan, of Mercer county ; Nancy J .. wife of Ilenry Watson, of Clarion county, and two that died in infancy. Mr. Russell and wife were members of the United Presbyterian church. Politically, he was a Republican, and filled the office of justice of the peace for some years.

ALEXANDER RUSSELL, eldest son of William and Sarah Russell, was born in Harrisville, Butler county. November 19, 1840, received a common school education, and completed his studies at the Rimersburg Academy and the Har- risville High School, then under the principalship of Dr. W. T. Hamilton. Mr. Russell followed school teaching for many years, and in ISTS was elected, on the Democratic ticket, prothonotary of Butler county, and filled the office to the satisfaction of the people. Since ISSS he has been deputy prothonotary, under Mr. Brown and Mr. Seaton, the latter being the present incumbent. In August. 1862, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers. was mustered into the service at Harrisburg. and served in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, when his term of service having expired, he was honorably discharged, May 26, 1863. Mr. Russell is a member of A. G. Reed Post. G. A. R., of Butler, of which he has been commander. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, has filled the office of elder in that society, and is one of the leading members of the Democratic party in Butler county. In Isos he married Ann Eliza Conway, a daughter of Hugh Conway. of Cherry township, and has a family of four children, viz. : William G. ; Della;

Sadie, and John.

NATHAN SLATER was born near Plainfield, Connecticut, in 1786, was reared upon a farm, and learned the carpenter's trade. He married Freelove Crossman, of New York, and became the father of five children, as follows : Sarah M .. who married Nathaniel Walker, of Butler county ; Amaty M., deceased ; Henry, and Calista F., both deceased. and Nathan M. In 1820 Mr. Slater came to But- ler county, and settled upon a farm in Cranberry township, near the site of Callery Junction. His wife died upon this farm in 1852, and he subsequently removed to Sharon, Pennsylvania, where he died at the home of his daughter. in 1-70. He was a member of the Baptist church, and a very worthy man. In politics, he was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, when he joined that organization. He filled the offices of school director and supervisor in Cranberry township, and during his residence there was one of its well known citizens.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

NATHAN M. SLATER, youngest child of Nathan and Freelove ( Crossman ) Slater, was born in Cranberry township, Butler county, December 1, 1822; received his education in the district school, and subsequently studied civil engi- neering, which he has followed since early manhood. In 1865 he was elected surveyor of Butler county, was re-elected in 1868, and again in 1871; was appointed to the same office by the court of common pleas in 1875, and was again elected in 1880. Since the expiration of his last term of office, he has devoted his attention to civil engineering, Mr. Slater was married April 28, 1848. to Sarah McCandless, a daughter of James McCandless, of Middlesex township. Seven children are the fruits of this union, as follows: Howard; Daniel C. ; James M. : Matilda B., wife of Paul Mitchell ; Angelica C. ; Leila A., and Mary L. Mr. Slater is one of the most thoroughly informed men in the county in regard to the early surveys and land titles, because of the many years he served as county surveyor ; while his long residence in the county has made him familiar with its pioneer history, upon which he is a very good authority. He is an unswerving Republican, and delights in political discussion.

CAPT. HENRY PILLOW was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1824, a son of William Pillow, one of the pioneer carpenters of the county, who died in Connoquenessing township. William Pillow was twice married. and by his first marriage was the father of four children, as follows: William ; Henry ; John, and Ellen, wife of C. Shanor. By his second wife he was the father of one son, Matthew. The subject of this sketch learned the carpenter's trade with his father, at which he worked many years, and was later a surveyor, following the latter business until his death. He married Caroline Ensley, and their chil- dren were as follows : Susan. wife of J. M. Lieghner; Raymond H. : George ; Sallie, who married Edward Vogeley ; Carrie, wife of Valentine Hickman, and Alta, wife of Adam Sarver. Captain Pillow commanded Company F. One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the late Rebellion. He was a leading Republican. served in the legislature in 1865-66, and was a man of some local prominence in political circles. lle died in Iss1. His widow resides in Butler.

CHARLES F. L. MeQuisTION was born in Brady township, Butler county, April 17. 1867, and is the eldest in the family of James P. and Eleanor Mc- Quistion. He received a public school education, and subsequently prosecuted hi- studies at Grove City College. He learned civil engineering under R. F. Hunter, of Pittsburg, and located in Butler in ISSS, where he has since been engaged in the duties of his profession. He has been city engineer four years, and is now serving his second term as county surveyor. Mr. MeQuistion was married Janu- ary 19, 1887, to Sarah, a daughter of James Stewart. of Washington county, Pennsylvania. His wife died March IS, 1890. lle was again married, May 11. 1891, to May, daughter of William Royle, of Allegheny township. Butler county. and has two children : Vane L .. and Byron F. Mr. McQuistion is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is a Republican.

ISAAC MEALS. clerk of the board of county commissioners, was born in Washington township, Butler county, November 19, 1813, son of Joseph G. and Hannah ( Hilliard ) Meals. He was reared on the homestead farm, was edu-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

cated in the common schools and at West Sunbury Academy, and graduated at Iron City College, Pittsburg, in 1867. The autumn after graduating he com- menced teaching in his native township, which he followed during the winter seasons for five years, working on the farm in summer. He followed agricul- tural pursuits until February, 1891, when he was elected to his present position, which he has since filled in a highly satisfactory manner. Prior to his removal to Butler, he filled the office of county auditor, from 1871 to 1878. Mr. Meals was married December 22, 1870, to Clara Gilmore, a step-daughter of Judge James Kerr, who is the mother of three children, as follows : Horace G. : Bernice. and Erla. The family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, Mr. Meals is a consistent Republican.

ADAM KAMERER was born in Brady's Bend township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1845, son of Daniel and Anna Harriet Kamerer. Ile remained with his parents working upon the farm until February, 1864, when he enlisted in Company C, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. and was mustered into the service at Pittsburg. He went with his company to Martinsburg, West Virginia, and participated in the Shenandoah campaign. He was honorably dis- charged at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, August 24, 1865, and returned to his home in Butler county. Mr. Kamerer was married May 9, 1867, to Julia A. Hepler, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Hepler, of Fairview township, and to this union have been born seven children, viz. : Lizzie A., wife of Harry Turner, of But- ler: Cora J .. deceased; Maggie E. ; Mary E. ; Calvin E., deceased : Annie O., and Ida P. Mr. Kamerer followed farming in Donegal township until his removal to Butler in 1890. He is now filling the position of janitor in the court house. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a member of Connoquenessing Lodge, Number 278, I. O. O. F., Butler Tent. Number 34, K. O. T. M., and .1. G. Reed Post, Number 105, G. A. R.

JOHN HUSELTON was born near Lambertsville, New Jersey, in 1815, received a common school education, and was reared a farmer and tanner. He removed to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he embarked in farming in connection with the lumber business. From there he came to Butler county and settled in Butler township, purchasing a farm of ninety acres. He also followed butcher- ing, and was a contractor in the construction of the plank road. He finally pur- chased property in Butler, upon which he built a home. where he resided until his death, February 2. 1893. His wife survives, and resides in the old homestead. Mr. Huselton was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a very worthy citizen. He was a Republican in politics, and served as justice of the peace for fifteen years. He took a very active part in developing the oil field- of Butler county.

JOHN F. HUSELTON was born in Butler county. August 9, 1-53, and is a son of John Huselton. After receiving a common school education, he remained with his parents until attaining his majority, then went to Philadelphia, where he was married to Josephine, daughter of Christopher Hinchberger of that city. Four children were born of this union : Christopher H. : John F. : Elmer S .. and Josephine E. After his marriage he returned to Butler county, followed farming for two years, and then removed to Philadelphia, where he engaged in a wholesale

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

stationery business, which he has continued up to the present. Desiring to make his home in Butler, he purchased a part of the Dougal property, upon which he erected the Huselton block, and two years later bought the Anderson block adjoining, also the residence of Frank Biedenbach, on MeKean street, in which he resides, Mr. Huselton is a member of the Episcopal church, and in politics. be is a Republican.

STEPHEN II. HUSELTON was born in Butler township. Butler county, July 5. 1862, son of John Huselton. He received a common school education, came to Butler with his parents, and read law in the office of W. D. Brandon. He was admitted to the bar April 10. 1886. and in Is'S embarked in the oil busi- news, which he has since continued in connection with his legal practice. Mr. Huselton was married May 25, 1>91. to Leverne, daughter of Capt. D. R. Rodgers, of Butler. Politically, he is a Republican, and was chairman of the county committee during the gubernatorial campaign of 1890.

CHARLES A. BAILEY, cashier of the Butler County National Bank. is a son of Capt. Daniel W. and Mary T. ( Rorke) Bailey, and was born in Buffalo, New York. February Is. 1558. His father came to Pithole. Venango county, in 1865, and subsequently embarked in the fancy good- business at Franklin, with branch stores at the different oil centers of Butler county. He returned to Buffalo, where he was appointed book. keeper in the pension department, which position he still occupies. The subject of this sketch was reared in Venango and Butler counties, and received his education in the public schools and at the State Normal School, at Edinboro. He was employed in the postoffices at Franklin, Petrolia. Millers- town, Butler and Pithole, at different period-, his father being postmaster at the last mentioned place. In 1952 Mr. Bailey was appointed teller of the Butler County Bank, of Miller-town, held that position three years, and. in 1885. became book-keeper of the Butler Savings Bank, which position he filled until January, 1890. He then became book-keeper for the Butler Manufacturing Company, entered the Butler County National Bink in the capacity of assistant cashier that year, and in August, 1591, was elected cashier of the latter institution. In 1877 Mr. Bailey was married to Abbie L., a daughter of Luther Badger. of War- ren county, and is the father of six children, as follows : Julian G. : Bell T. ; Raymond W. : Francis F. : Agnes M., and Reese C., the last two of whom are deceased. Fle is a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal church of Butler, is a Prohibitionist, in politics, and is connected with K. of P., and K. of Il.

JOHN W. BRowy was born in Harrisville, Butler county, Pennsylvania, November 9. 1>13, son of Samuel and Eliza J. ( Waddell) Brown, and grandson of Ebenezer Brown, one of the first settlers of Mercer township. He grew to manhood in his native village, obtained a good common school education, and also received instruction from private teachers. Fle learned the tanner's trade, which he followed until 1879, and was then appointed to a clerkship in the pro- thonotary's office, by Alexander Russell. lle served under Mr. Russell and bis successor, M. N. Greer, for several years, and in 1885 was elected a justice of the peace for Butler, which position he held until 1887. He was then elected to the office of prothonotary, and was re-elected in 1890, filling that position six years. Mr. Brown was also a jury commissioner in 1870 and a director of the public

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

schools for six years. Politically, he is a Democrat, and one of the leading mem- bers of his party in Butler county. In August. 1864. he enlisted in Company Il, Sixth Heavy Artillery, and served until discharged, because of sickness, May 22. 1865. He is a member of A. G. Reed Post, G. A. R., also of the I. O. O. F .. K. of P., A. O. U. W., and B. P. O. E. Mr. Brown married Emma F .. daughter of W. S. Bingham. of Centreville, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of six children, four of whom are living : Jennie M. : Maude, wife of H. H. Goff. of Erie, Pennsylvania : Bertie, and Horace B. The family are connected with the Presbyterian church of Butler.

EDWARD EVERETT ABRAMS was born July 9, 1856, at Rimersburg, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of James II. and Hannah ( Mccutcheon) Abrams, and grandson of David Abrams, whose parents were pioneer settlers at Turkey Foot. Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Their ancestors came from Scotland, and the bible, over 100 years old, containing the beautifully written family record, is now in possession of Mr. Abrams. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native town, where he attended the common school and Clarion Collegiate Institute. He also attended the seminary at Clarion, and Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He received his business education at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie. New York. and his military training at Tarrytown-on-Hudson. He was, when eighteen years old, first sergeant of Company F. Seventeenth Regiment, N. G. P .. and while in camp with two reg- iments was complimented by inspecting officers for best records. His father being largely engaged in the oil business, he began to assist him at Karns City in 1876, and from 1877 to 1879 they operated in the Bradford oil field. On August 20, 1879, Mr. Abrams was married, by the late Bishop Stevens, to M. Genevieve, daughter of Charles M. AAllen, late consul to the Bermuda Islands, to which position he was appointed by President Lincoln during the Rebellion, and continued to fill it through every administration since that time up to his death, in ISSS. Having purchased the farm on which Karns City is situated. he removed there in 1879, and thence to Butler in 1556. He is an ardent Repub- lican, was elected a delegate to the State convention that nominated Senator Quay for State treasurer. in 1855, served his party as chairman of the Republican county committee in the Beaver campaign, in 1856, and in 1992 was elected alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention at Minneapolis, Hav- ing been in a banking house several years, he was one of the active incorpora- tors of the Butler County National Bank, of which he continues to be a director and member of the discount board. He continues to manage his property at Karns City and is engaged in the oil business and other enterprises. He is a newspaper writer of known reputation, having written many letter- and sketches both for the oil country and metropolitan press. under the nom de plume of "Van Winkle." Mr. Abrams' family consists of the following children : Myra Gene- vieve ; Edward Everett ; Allen: Lucile ; Eleanor, and John McClelland. The death of Dorothy Hannah, aged two years, recently occurred. The family are adherents of the Presbyterian church. He is recognized as one of the progres- sive citizens of the community.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

CHARLES A. ABRAMS, son of James Il. and Hannah ( Mccutcheon ) \brams, was born March 5, 1855, at Rimersburg, Clarion county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools and at Clarion Collegiate Institute, and afterwards attended Sprague Commercial College, Kingston, New York. He then settled at Pittsburg, where he engaged in the brokerage business, and also filled the posi- tion of private secretary to J. 11. Walter, of the Penn Bank. In 1888 he came to Butler and embarked in the real estate and insurance business, which he has suc- cessfully continued up to the present, and has been secretary of the Mechanics' Building and Loan Association of Butler for four years. In 1885 he married Jennie B., a daughter of William Blakely, of Pittsburg, and has two children, Louisa HI .. and James H. Mr. Abrams is a supporter of the Republican party, and in religious faith. he is a member of the Presbyterian church.

HION. THOMAS W. PHILLIPS, the leading oil operator of western Pennsyl- vania, and member of Congress from this district, was born in what is now Law- rence county, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1835. Though a resident of New Castle, his prominence and success in the development of the Butler oil field have made his name a household word in every town and hamlet of Butler county. His father was a native of New Jersey and his mother of Philadelphia. They settled on the site of Old Enon, Lawrence county, in ISIS, where his father soon after erected a fulling mill and saw mill. Ten years later they removed to a farm of one hundred acres near Mt. Jackson, where his father died, leaving a family of eight children, Thomas, the youngest, being about ten months old. The devoted wife and mother had a long and painful struggle to rear, support and educate her children. Thomas obtained his education in the common schools, supplemented by private instruction and self application in later years. He improved every opportunity and became well versed in the most practical branches of a general English education. He read, widely and judiciously, history, biography and scientific literature, was fond of the lyceum, and obtained local distinction as an original thinker and debater. He finally concluded to enter the ministry of the Disciples church, and at the age of twenty gave promise of attaining the ambition of his young manhood, but an injury to his lungs compelled him to abandon this purpose and turn his attention to some out-door pursuit, with a view to restoring his health.

About this time the oil business was attracting considerable attention, and he visited the oil region, embarked in the industry, and success crowned his efforts from the start. The business thus commenced was continued under the firm of Phillips Brothers, and attained such magnitude as to place this firm among the largest and most successful operators in the world. The firm was finally dis- solved, and for a number of years Mr. Phillips has been pursuing the business alone. From that time down to the present he has continued the development of many different fields, and has led the van of enterprising operators to whom Butler county largely owes its present prosperity. In every movement for the protection or improvement of the producing industry, Mr. Phillips has taken an active and leading part, and the producers and operators of western Pennsyl- vania owe him a debt of gratitude for his watchful care in thwarting hostile legis- lation. When the movement was undertaken to limit production and thus reduce

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the excessive stock of oil on hand, he firmly refused to curtail operations until a satisfactory provision, which he proposed, was made to compensate and protect the labor engaged in the industry. by setting aside 2.000,000 barrels of oil for its benefit.

Mr. Phillips has had a remarkable business career, both for its success and the courage, honesty and tenacity displayed, when success was followed by reverses and the latter by greater good fortune. That which would have appalled a less courageous man only served to bring out his strong character, and, when almost overwhelmed with losses brought on by the unforeseen panic of 1873, the firm declined any financial compromise for their benefit, saying they would pay their indebtedness with interest. With indomitable energy Mr. Phillips launched into oil producing on a vast scale and a plan exclusively his own, and in the short term of fifteen years paid off over $500,000, and made good his promises to his creditors. Not only did he pay his indebtedness, but he accumulated besides a handsome fortune. It is not strange that he has won the unbounded confidence of the people of western Pennsylvania. His whole career has been characterized by remarkable executive ability, untiring industry and perseverance, great public enterprise, unswerving integrity and munificent charity.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 102

Author: Brown, Robert C., ed; Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Meagher, John, jt. comp; Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899, jt. comp Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago : R. C. Brown Number of Pages: 1658

Author: Brown, Robert C., ed; Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Meagher, John, jt. comp; Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899, jt. comp
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1658