History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 104

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania > Part 104

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JAMES A. BONNER. son of Archibald D. and Susannah Bonner, was born in Clinton township, Venango county. Pennsylvania, October 18, 18H. He attended the public schools of his township, and worked upon his father's farm until 1864, when he went into the oil business at East Sandy, Venango county, and subsequently followed the same business at Scrubgrass, Foxburg, and Foster Island, also operated at different points along the Allegheny river, and at Bullion, Venango county. In 1876 he entered the employ of the Phillips Brothers, and has continued with them for the past eighteen years. In Isst he came to Butler county, and located in the borough of Butler, and in 1891, purchased a part of

2.2. A.Kennedy

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

the Heiner property, upon which he erected his present residence. Mr. Bonner was married in 1866, to Catherine Riddle, a daughter of John P'. Riddle, of Clinton township, Venango county, to which union have been born the following children : John R. ; Ada C .; Tilton A. ; Linnie L. ; Charles P. ; Florence J., and Floyd A .. twins, and Edna K. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, he is an ardent Democrat, and is a member of the school board.

HORACE Z. WING was born in Stillwater, New York, May 28, 1845, son of Charles H. and Fannie ( Keech ) Wing. His father was a son of Isaac and Per- melia Wing, and was born in Saratoga county, New York, in 1815. He was an inventor and a manufacturer of stoves, plows and machinery. In 1839 he married Fannie, a daughter of Rev. Israel Keech, of Clifton Park, New York, and died in 1850. His wife died in 1867. They were the parents of four children, viz. : Elon G. : Laura O. ; Horace Z., and Lottie A. The subject of this sketch wa- educated in the public schools, and afterwards clerked in a general store until the war commenced. He then enlisted in Company H. Second New York Infantry. and went to Washington, D. C., where he was rejected because of his youth. Returning to his home, he afterwards enlisted in Company II, Fifteenth New York Infantry, and participated in all the battles of his regiment. He was mus- tered out at Raleigh, North Carolina, in June, 1865. He then went to Hoo-ic Falls, and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1869 he located at Titusville, and engaged in the oil business, and in 1872 came to Parker City, Armstrong county. in the employ of the Union Pipe Line Company. From there he removed to Karns City, Butler county. where he was employed by the same company, which consolidated with the United Pipe Line Company in 1877-78. In 1853 he settled at Millerstown, and in 1890 removed to Butler, where he now resides. In July. 1892, Mr. Wing accepted the superintendeney of the Producers and Refiners Oil Company, Limited, which position he now holds. On May 13, 1871, he was united in marriage with Caroline Wickes, a daughter of Owen Wickes, of Dela- ware county, New York, and has two children, Fannie and Millie. Mr. Wing i- a Republican, is a member of McDermott Post, Number 223, G. A. R., of Miller -. town. and Butler Encampment, Number 45, U. V. L. He is also connected with the Union Ex-Prisoners of War Association, of Allegheny county.

J. B. BLACK, oil operator. is the eighth son of James and Nancy A. (Rus- >ell ) Black, and was born on the homestead in Marion township, Butler county. July 6, 1847. He attended the schools of his native township until the age of fourteen and then went to Clarion county, where he learned the tanner's trade with John Reynold -. In 1863 he enlisted in Company D, Fifty-seventh Penn- sylvania Militia, and served six weeks. He subsequently entered the employ of James Callery, a tanner of Pittsburg, with whom he was employed until Febru- ary 25. 1864, when he enlisted in Company HI, One Hundred and Sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war, being di-charged July 14, 1865. Mr. Black participated in the battle- of the Wilderness, Spott- sylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor and Peter burg. Returning to Franklin in 1865, he soon after located at Pithole, Venango county, and engaged in the oil business, since which time he has followed oil producing and contracting in

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the oil fields of Pennsylvania and New York. He married Emma, daughter of Rev. Edmund Burke, November 19, 1884, and has three children : Kate ; Maude, and James E. He was chairman of the borough council in 1891-92, when the streets and sewer improvements were made. lle is P. M. of Butler Lodge, Num- ber 272. F. & A. M . is a member of Butler Chapter Number 278. Tancred Com- mandery, Number IS, and Consistory of Pittsburg, and is connected with A. G. Reed Post, G. A. R .. the 1. O. O. F., K. of P., and B. P. O. E. He takes an active interest in political and public affairs, and is a stanch adherent of the Republican party.

JOHN YOUNKINS, Son of William and Sarah Younkins, was born in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania. May 5, 184S, received a common school educa- tion. and was reared upon a farm. In July, 1869, he went into the oil business at Parker's Landing, afterwards at Shamburgh, Venango county, and then at Mount Hope. Clarion county. In 1871 he came to Petrolia. Butler county, and subsequently operated in the Bradford and Warren fields, whence he returned to Butler in September, 1884, since which time he has followed oil producing in this county. On December 27. 1877. he married Naomi C .. a daughter of Robert Campbell, of Parker township, Butler county, and has a family of four children, viz. : Edith M. : Myrtle F. : Earl L., and Vera G. Mr. Younkins is an adherent of the Democratic party, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In February. 1594, he was elected tax collector of the borough of Butler, which office he is now filling. Ile is a member of Ziegler Lodge. 1. O. O. F., and is a charter member of McNair Lodge. A. O. U. W.

DANIEL YOUNKINS, off operator, was born near Slate Lick. Armstrong county. June 27. 1854, son of William and Sarah Younkins, natives of West- moreland county. After arriving at maturity, he came to Butler county, and in the fall of 1876 he engaged in the oil industry at Fairview, whencc he went to the Bradford field, thence to Mckean, Forest and Warren counties. successively. In 1844 he returned to this county and settled in the borough of Butler, which has since been his home. On September 10, 1884, he married Eva E. Minteer. a daughter of Joseph Minteer, of Craigsville, Armstrong county, and has five children, viz. : Josie S. ; Mabel V. : William M .: Victor D .. and Florence E. In 1889 he erected his present residence on Brady street, and is also the owner of a brick block on South Main street, besides a farm of eighty acres in Arm- strong county. Mr. Younkin- is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and a liberal contributor towards that society. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is a member of the borough council. He is connected with Ziegler Lodge. 1. O. O. F., and also with the W. of W.

AMOS STRELSMITH, oil operator. was born near Edenburg, Clarion county, Pennsylvania. September 15, 1851, son of Michael Steelsmith, a native of the same place, born March 10, IS12. In IS43 Michael Steelsmith married Mary E. Levy, a daughter of Christopher Levy, of Union county, who bore him the fol- lowing children : Mary A. : Nancy ; Jane E: John 11 .; Alice: Permilla (). : Amos, and Vine P. In 1858 the family removed to Mercer county, where the mother died, January 19, 1989. Her husband survived her nearly six years, dying July 7, 1891. at the home of his daughter Mary, in New Lebanon. Mercer county.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

They were members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, adherents of the Republican party. Amos was about seven years old when his parents removed to Mercer county. He was reared upon the homestead farm, and attended the common schools of his district. In 1874 he engaged in the oil business at Eden- burg, subsequently at Sandy Point, Butler county, and later at Clarendon, War- ren county. In May, 1886, he went to the Findley, Ohio, oil field, where he remained until coming to Butler county, in January, 1890. He commenced operations in the Glade Run field, where he is still interested, and is also operating successfully in the Cooper-town field. In 1893 he established the Butler Lubricating Oil Company, the business office being at 119 West Jefferson street, Butler. Mr. Steelsmith was married August 15, 1573. to Elizabeth Davidson, a daughter of Thomas Davidson, of Emlenton, Venango county. One daughter, Sadie, wife of Prof. William F. Braun, of Pittsburg, was born to this union. The family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, Mr. Steelsmith is a Prohibitionist. He is a charter member of the Producers Protective Associa- tion of Butler, and is extensively engaged in the refining business.

BLAIR HOOKS was born in Washington township, Armstrong county, July 8, 1850, son of William and Penina Hooks, of Cambridge county, Ohio. He was reared in his native county. and afterwards went to Venango county, where he worked in the oil fields. In 1867 he located at Parker, spent six years at that point, and then removed to the Millerstown field. In 1884 he began oper- ations at Martinsburg, where he remained seven years. Coming to Butler in 1890, he embarked in the natural gas business, later assisted in organizing the Peoples Gas Company, of Butler, of which he was chosen the first president, and is still actively engaged in the same business. Mr. Hooks was married August 14. 1875, to Sarah E. Phillips, a daughter of George Phillips, of Brady's Bend. Three children are the fruits of this union, viz. : Harry G. : Elsie M., and Grace.

JOHN F. ANDERSON was born at Mt. Chestnut, Butler county, February 11. 1:52, and is a son of James D. and Mary A. Anderson. He was educated at the public schools. and Witherspoon Institute, subsequently taught school and then went west, where he remained for three years. Returning to Butler county, he embarked in merchandising at Renfrew, in partnership with his brother, under the firm name of Anderson Brothers. Ile sold out his business and came to But- ler, where he engaged in oil producing, but is now book-keeper for the Natural Gas Company. Mr. Anderson was married June 25, 1883, to Miss lona M. Hleap, and has two children : Frank C., and James G. He is a member of the Presbyterian church of Butler, is a ruling elder in that body, and is president of the Christian Endeavor Society of the Presbyterian church.

ELZIE H. ANDERSON. Son of James D. and Mary A. (Martin ) Anderson, Was born in Prospect. Butler county, July 22, 1851. He obtained a common school education and then took a course at Witherspoon Institute, after which he taught for two years. He afterwards entered the register and recorder's office as assis- tant to his father, who was elected to that position in November, 1575. remained until the election of 11. 11. Gallagher, and served with him during his term of office. In 18 2 he went to Denver, Colorado, but returned to Butler county in May, 1883, aud embarked in merchandising with his brother John F., at Ren-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

frew. In October, 1886, he sold his interest in the store, and removed to Butler, and engaged in the grocery business. He erected a new store building, which he sold to Kirkpatrick & Reed, in 1890, and then purchased his present home on the corner of Clay and Bluff streets. In 1892 he bought the undertaking establish- ment of Jacob Keck, which he carried on some two years. In 1893 he became manager for the Butler Lubricating Oil Company, and has since filled that posi- tion. Mr. Anderson was married on February 18, 1875, to Agnes Harper, a danghter of R. M. Harper, now a resident of Butler, and has three children, viz :. Engene E. ; Madge B., and Helen A. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. and has been a trustee in that organization since 1856. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is a member of Ziegler Lodge, 1. O. O. F., and also of the Y. M. C. A.

MORGAN DAVIS, off operator, was born at Queenstown. Armstrong county. Pennsylvania, February 5. 1855, son of William J., and Susannah (Voyle) Davis, who were the parents of sixteen children, eleven sons and two daughters. thirteen of whom are living. Morgan received a common school education. and after arriving at manhood he engaged in the oil business near his home, a- a driller. He afterward became a contractor and operator, which he has continued down to the present. He is now interested in the Butler oil field, also in the Sisterville field, where he has been quite successful. Mr. Davis has always been an ardent sportsman, an admirer of a good dog and a good horse, and among his dogs may be found sons of the champion, Breeze Gladstone, and other leading hunters. On April 18, 1893. Mr. Davis married Margaret Oesterling, a daugh- ter of Leonard Oesterling, of Summit township, Butler county. He is one of the well known residents of the borough, and a gentleman of enterprise and public spirit. In politics, he is an ardent Republican, and is a prominent member of the Masonic order.

PHILIP V. DAVIS, son of William J. and Susannah Davis, of Brady's Bend, Armstrong county, was born at Brady's Bend. July 26. 1858. He obtained a common school education, and when twenty-one years of age he commenced the business of tool dressing, at Criswell City, and within two year- began operat- ing. Since that time he has been contracting and oil producing, with the excep- tion of two years, during which he traveled through the gold and silver produc- ing states, and the Califorina oil region, with Emmett Queen, now of Queen & Guffey, of Pittsburg. Mr. Davis is now operating in the Cooperstown, Hickey. Gould and Herman fields. In politics, he is an unswerving Republican, and is an active party worker. lle is a member of the Masonic order, and is connected with the Lodge. Chapter and Consistory, and is also a member of Butler Lodge. Number 170, B. P. O. E.

JOHN NEVIN JonNSTON, Son of John and Elizabeth ( Crawford) Johnston. was born in Pine township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1856. He obtained a common school education and took a commercial course at Duff's Com- mercial College, Pittsburg, graduating in 1878. He then carried on a general store at Grove City until 1879. when he engaged in the oil business on the Grant farm. in Butler county. He had previously been in the same business in Hovey township. Armstrong county. In 1882 he located in Butler, and has since continued in the

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oil business. His first operations were in the Bald Ridge field. and he subse- quently operated in the Thorn Creek, Glade Run, Mars. Peter-ville and Adams township fields. Ile afterwards operated in Washington county. but returned to Butler county in 1893. where he has continued operating in the Brownsdale and Cooperstown districts. Mr. Johnston was married May 11, 1592, to Lulu V. Fritz. a daughter of Frank R. Fritz, of St. Petersburg, Clarion county. and has one daughter. Helen R. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church. and in politics. a Republican Hle is connected with Ziegler Lodge. I. O. O. F .. and is a charter member of the Producers Protective Association.

Jons FERGUSON was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, was educated at a subscription school and learned the stone mason's trade. In 151 he came to Butler county and the following year married Julia Graham, a daugh- ter of Capt. Alexander Graham, of Forward township, soon after moved to Arm- strong county, and, in 1853, returned to this county and located at Petersville. He subsequently removed to Prospect, where he died October 2, 1867. He was the father of five children, as follows: Rolandu- II. ; Margaret ., wife of S. C. Bell of Millerstown : Sarah A., wife of A. K. Gillespie of Bradford; Alexander L .. and Eliza J. His widow survived him several years, dying February 25. 1>>7. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in that faith.

ROLANDUS HI. FERGUSON was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. April 10. 1553, eldest son of John and Julia Ferguson. He learned the painter's trade, and worked at it until 1872, in which year he embarked in the oil business at Greece City. Since that time he has followed drilling and oil producing at Greece City, and St. Joe, also in Bradford and Warren counties, and at Evans City, Butler county. In 1857 he located at Butler where he has since resided. Mr. Ferguson had charge of the Bovaird & Seyfang Company's business, in But- ler, until February, 1894, since which time he has been in the machinery and oil well supply business. He is a stanch Republican, is a member of the Masonic order, and is a trustee of Butler Lodge, B. P. O. E.

JEFFERSON C. CARNER was born in Rockland township, Venango county, January 1, 1859, son of John Carner. and grandson of John Carner. His father was born at Bellefont, Centre county, March 22, 1817, removed to Venango county with his parents in 1827, and settled in Rockland township, where his father purchased a farm. He married Sarah A. Turk, of that township, in 1$17. and became the father of seven children, as follows: Elizabeth, deceased wife of Benjamin F. Donaldson : Eva, deceased wife of Frederick Fry ; Albert; Sarah. deceased ; Jefferson C .; Gilbert C., and Martha J. John Carner is still a resi- dent of Rockland township. The subject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm and went to work in the oil country as a pumper. He followed the oil industry until 1880. and then engaged in the torpedo business, removing to Butler in 1884, where he continued the same. In 1886 he went to Allegany county, New York, where he followed drilling and afterwards put down two wells in Venango county for himself. He finally located in Butler permanently, becoming a member of the torpedo firm of C. H. Ford & Company. In ISS9 he sold his interest to O. M. Russell, and has since devoted his attention to oil pro-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ducing. Mr. Carner was married November 29. 1888. to Ella A. Stevenson. a daughter of Nathaniel and Martha Stevenson, of Centre township. Butler county. Three children have been born to this union, viz. : Georgia A .. and Glennie S .. both deceased, and Hellen 1. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church. and in politics, a Republican. He is connected with Ziegler Lodge, Number 1039, and Clement Encampment, Number 238, I. O. O. F., also with Tent, Num- ber 34, K. O. T. M.

LAWSON E. BRACKNEY was born on the homestead in Clay township, Butler county, January 10, 1851, was reared upon the farm, and attended the common schools of his district. He went to Parker's Landing in 1870, and became a tool dresser and driller, and in 1880 began operating in the Washington township tield. Ile afterwards operated several years in the Bradford field, coming to the borough of Butler in 1885, since which time he has been engaged in oil produc- ing in the Glade Run field. Mr. Brackney was married to Elizabeth Hunt. a daughter of Samuel Hunt. of Clay township, October 26. 1872, and has four children, viz. : Orvill J .: Harry: Ralph, and Ruth. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, he is a Democrat. He is connected with Ziegler Lodge, 1. O. O. F., and the Uniform Rank. K. of P.

ELMER E. KELLY son of Thomas W. and Rosanna Kelly, was born upon the homestead farm in Parker township, Butler county. October 3, 1561, obtained a common school education, and when fifteen years of age commenced working at the oil business, at which he has since continued. In ISTS he went to Colo- rado and Arizona, whence he returned to Butler county and located at Petrolia, where he was connected with a pipe line company four years. In 1856 he located at Butler, and became superintendent of the W. and A. Pipe Line. Upon the organization of the Citizens Ga- Company, he became superintendent. which position he still occupies. On November 3, 1891, he married Dorette Wisener, a daughter of Philip Wisener, of Butler. Mr. Kelly isone of the active workers in the Republican party, and is a member of Millerstown Lodge. K. of P., Petrolia Lodge, R. A., and Butler Lodge B. P. O. E.

THOMAS J. MCBRIDE, son of Francis Me Bride, was born in Butler. Pennsyl- vania, in 1882, and was reared and educated in his native county. In 1862 he enlisted in Captain Frampton's company. Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Volun- teers, was mustered in at Mercer, and served with his regiment until the close of the war. In 1865 he embarked in the oil business, and continued to follow it until his death. In 1854 he married Ellen Bailey. of Mercer county, to which union were born seven children, as follows: Laura, who married J. S. Cooper ; Sarah, who married Dennis O'Connor ; William C. : Mary : Frank. deccased; Paul J .. and Jerry, deceased. Mr. McBride was a member of the Catholic church. and in politics, a Democrat. He died in Butler, October 1, ISSS.

PAUL J. MCBRIDE was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, March 11. 1867, received a common school education, and when quite a youth commenced working at the oil business, In 1876 he went to Parker.and three years later located ted at Bradford, where he remained until the Thorn Creek excitement, and then came to Butler. He continued operating in the Butler field until 1892, since

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which year he has been engaged in West Virginia. Mr. McBride is a stanch Democrat, and in religion, is a member of the Catholic church.

MARK HARGEN BROOKS was born in Groton, Tompkins county, New York. son of Mark H. and Betsey ( Wood) Brooks, of that town. His parents were natives'of New York, his mother being a daughter of David Wood, a deacon in the Presbyterian church, to which denomination both she and husband belonged. The subject of this sketch was the youngest in a family of nine children, eight of whom are living, was reared in his native place, and received his education at Groton Academy. His eldest brother, Samuel, having studied law with John W. Ryon, of Lawrenceville, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, located there in practice, and Mark II., while on a visit to Lawrenceville, engaged in teach- ing school in Tioga county, where he followed that vocation for three terms. Ile afterwards engaged in clerking in a hotel in connection with the insur- ance business, which he has since followed in western Pennsylvania. In 1890 he came to Butler as a clerk in the Willard Hotel, and has since been con- nected with the Willard and Lowry. At the present time he has charge of the business of George Palm, of Butler, a patentee of and dealer in oil well supplies. Mr. Brooks is an unswerving Democrat, and during his fifteen years residence in Mercer county he became a popular member of that party, and was nominated for clerk of the courts in 1890. Although the county had a Repub- lican majority of 1,400, he was defeated by less than 400 votes.

CHAPTER LXXL.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

BUTLER, SUMMIT, CLEARFIELD, WINFIELD AND BUFFALO TOWNSHIPS-JEFFERSON TOWN- SHIP AND SAXONBURG BOROUGH -CLINTON, PENN AND MIDDLESEX TOWNSHIPS.

THOMAS MCKEE, a soldier of the Revolution, was the progenitor of the Mc Kee family of Butler township. He was born in Ireland, in 1749. a son of David McKee, and came to Pennsylvania with his brother John in 1767. They settled in the Cumberland valley, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and on the breaking out of the Revolution, Thomas enlisted in Captain Cluggage's Com- pany, First Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line, and was in the battles of Brandy- wine and Germantown. At the close of the war he settled in the Tuscarora valley, Mifflin county, whence he removed to Ligonier. Westmoreland county. in 1794. In 1796 he came to Butler county, whither his son James had preceded him, and settled on a tract of land three miles west of the site of Butler, the farm now occupied by William Barnhart. His wife was Martha Hoge, and they

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

reared a family of seven sons and two daughters, as follows : James, who served - sheriff of Butler county, and also in the legislature, and died in 1832; Hugh, who died in Butler, in 1835: Robert (1), who died in infancy : David, who joined the Mormons, and died at Nauvoo, Illinois : John, who died on the Mis- sissippi; Thomas, who moved to Kentucky, and was mortally wounded while making an arrest as a police officer : Robert, who died on Red river, Arkansas, in 1847 ; Letitia, who married John Dunbar, and moved to Indiana, and Jane, who married James McKee. of Butler county. The father died in June, 1815, and was buried in the old cemetery at Butler.

JAMES MCKEE was born in 1780, and was the eldest child of Thomas Mc- Kee. Ile came to Butler county in 1795, one year before his father, and pur- chased a tract adjoining that of his father, in Butler township. He married Mary McKee, a daughter of John and Mary ( Hoge) McKee, of the Tuscarora valley, who became the mother of seven children, as follows : John, who served one term as sheriff of Butler county, and died in 1864; Robert, who resided upon the old homestead until 18ss, then removed to Butler, and died December Is, 1890; Martha, who died in youth; Thomas, who died at the age of twenty-one : Mary A., who resided in Butler down to her death. July 2. 1890; James, who was drowned in the Ohio river in 1852. while en route to Califor- nia, and Hugh, a surveyor of Butler county, and afterwards appointed surveyor of Kansas, by President Buchanan, died April 30, 1886. James and his brother Hugh, served in the War of 1812, and both did the duty required of them in common with the other soldiers of the county. The former served as sheriff of the county. also one term in the legislature, and died on October 1, 1832. His wife survived him more than thirty years, and died in 1874, aged eighty-seven.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 104

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