History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 106

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.

revolver, taken prisoner and confined in Libby prison three months, He served in the army one year, and was then honorably discharged.

WILLIAM NESBIT was born at Harmony, Butler county, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1805, and was a son of Thomas Nesbit, a native of Ireland, who settled at Harmony about 1797. William received a limited education in the pioneer sub- scription schools, learned the blacksmith's trade, and followed that occupation for twenty years. Ile inherited a farm in Cranberry township, upon which he resided until his death, December 27. 1891. He married Emma Croft, of Cran- berry township, to which union were born ten children, as follows: Mary J., deceased wife of David G. Marshall. of Adams township; John, deceased ; Lenora; Nancy, deceased ; Ida. wife of Milton J. Covert, of Cranberry town- ship ; Walter, deceased ; Martha, deceased : William R. ; Joseph L., who reside> on the old homestead, and Nettie .1., wife of Charles Fowler, of Allegheny county. Mr. Nesbit and wife were members of the Presbyterian church. The latter died, March 29, 1893.

WILLIAM R. NESBIT, son of William and Emma Nesbit, was born in Cran- berry township, Butler county, July 11, 1856, and received a common school edu- cation. Ile has always lived upon a farm, and in November, 1891, he purchased his present homestead in Butler township, from George Haley. Mr. Nesbit was married December 31, 1878, to Laura D. White, daughter of Robert White, now a resident of Butler, but formerly of Evans City. Three children are the fruits of this union : Edith P. ; Ethel M., and Dean A. Mr. Nesbit and wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is a Republican

JOHN RENNO was born in Alsace-Lorraine. France, November 15, 1800, was reared in his native land, and followed the vocation of a coal miner. He immigrated to the United States in 1832, came to Butler the following year, and subsequently settled in Butler township, where he resided until his death, Feb- ruary 19, 1853. Ilis wife survived him until April 21. 1885. Her maiden name was Margaret Emminger, and she was a resident of Donegal township at the time of her marriage to Mr. Renno, in May, 1836. She was a daughter of Michael Emminger, a veteran of the War of 1812. They became the parents of nine children, as follows : Regina, who married Edward Elbel ; Mary, deceased wife of Harry Burdette : Rebecca, who married John Brink ; Frederick M. ; John ; Elizabeth, wife of William Parke; Rose C., wife of J. R. Goodrich ; Adam, and George J. The parents were members of the Lutheran church, and in politics, Mr. Renno was a Democrat.

Joux Youso was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, and was reared and educated in his native county. He learned the carpenter's trade, and in Is58 he came to Butler county and settled in Butler township, where he pur- chased a part of the old Mangel farm. He afterwards purchased the McNair farm of 122 acres, but traded it for IOS acres of the old Borland property, upon which he now resides. In 1850 he married Mary B., daughter of Thomas Bur- ton of Lawrence county, to whom have been born ten children, nine of whom grew to maturity : Thomas B. ; William G. ; Susan J., wife of A. M. Hauk, of Wampum : Jacob S. ; James B. ; Martha E., wife of A. B. McCandless, of Butler township: John P. : Samuel W., and Mary II .. wife of George Graham,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

of Clarion county. Mr. Young and wife are members of the United Presbyteri .11 church, and in politics, he is a Republican.

CAPT. ABRAHAM BRINKER was one of the pioneer tavern keepers of Butler. where he erected a log building on the site of the Citizen office in 1-04. He wa- a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to West- moreland county, and later to Butler. He carried on the Mansion House until 1809, and then sold out to Jacob Mechling, who conducted this well remembered hostelry for many years. After disposing of his tavern, Captain Brinker purchased a traet of land on Bonny Brook, in what is now Summit township, and erected the old stone mill yet standing, about three miles northeast of Butler, at the month of Brinker's run, named in his honor. Ilere he operated a grist mill, a carding mill and a distillery, in connection with a large farm. He was one of the prom- inent men of pioneer days, and a man of considerable enterprise and public spirit. He commanded a company under Col. John Purviance at Erie in the War of 1812, composed of the hardy sons of Butler county. He served as county com- missioner two terms, was also a justice of the peace, and filled several of the local offices during his residence on Bonny Brook. Captain Brinker married Louisa Moser, and their children were as follows: Jacob, a well remembered hotel keeper of Butler ; John : Henry : Mrs. Catherine McCandless : Mrs. Su-an Henry; Mrs. Polly Henry; Mrs. Eliza Prosser: Mrs. Louisa McGlaughlin : Mrs. Sarah Ziegler, and Mrs. Amy M. Richey, all of whom are dead. Captain Brinker died at his home on Bonny Brook in 1850. His wife survived his death some years, and died in Butler at the home of her son-in-law, Captain Ziegler. Many of their descendants are still residents of the county and among its worthy citizens.

JAMES MITCHELL, SR., was one of the pioneers of Butler county, coming from Ireland with two brothers to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, whence. in 1796, be removed to Butler county and settled in what is now Summit town- ship. He cleared up a farm upon which he resided until his death, in 1>44. He married a Miss MeGabey and they were the parents of six children : Tame -. Samuel and Alexander, all deceased : John : Jane, who married John Jami-on. and Margaret, deceased wife of I. Seaman. Mr. Mitchell was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was one of the leading pioneers of this locality until his death.

JUDGE JAMES MITCHELL, eldest son of James Mitchell. Sr., was born upon the homestead in this county and spent his younger days in teaching school. In 1851 he was elected county commissioner. and subsequently associate judge of Butler county. He took a deep interest in educational matter- and filled the office of school director nearly all his life. Politically, he was a stanch Whig. and on the formation of the Republican party he joined that organization and for many years was one of its leading members. In religious faith. he was a Pres- byterian, and filled the office of elder for many years. He was twice married. his first wife being Sarah Marks, who died in 1-50. leaving five children : Alex- ander ; flarvey J .; Agnes, wife of J. D. Jackson : James B., and Mary, decea-ed. He married for his second wife Jane S. Hunt. and died in October, 1-21. Judge Mitchell was one of the representative citizens of his native county, and through- out his long and useful life was foremost in every worthy cause.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

WILLIAM LINDSEY was born in Down county, Ireland, June 24, 1800, a son of Moses and Jane ( Meek ) Lindsey. He came to Pennsylvania about 1834, and found employment in a planing mill in Allegheny for two year-, and later engaged in farming in North Fayette township, Allegheny county, where he resided for twelve years. In 1849 he purchased a farm of 212 acres in Summit township. Butler county, upon which he settled the following year. He subse- quently increased his farm to 300 acres, cleared the greater part of it, and erected all of the buildings. His wife was Sarah Alexander, a daughter of Joshua Alex- ander, of Down county. Ireland, who bore him ten children. viz. : Mary, wife William McCracken ; Thomas ; Moses ; Joseph; William : Susan ; Jane ; Sarah; Elizabeth, and Margaret. Mr. Lindsey was a member of the Protestant Episco- pal church, and resided in Summit township for thirty-six years. He died Novem- ber 1, 1885, in the eighty-sixth year of his age.

THOMAS LINDSEY, eldest son of William and Sarah Lindsey, was born in Down county, Ireland, January 2, 1825, and came with his parents to Allegheny. Pennsylvania, in 1834. He was educated in the common schools, and from 1850 to 1868 was a traveling salesman for the dry goods and notion house of Daniel McConville. of Steubenville, Ohio. Since the latter year he has resided on the old homestead in Summit township, and is one of the prominent and enterprising citizens of the community. Ile is a member of St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal church, of Butler, and in politics, is an adherent of the Democratic party.

MICHAEL EMRICK, a native of Pennsylvania. of German ancestry, came from Northumberland county to Butler county, with his wife. Elizabeth, four sons and two daughters, in 1813. He located near Saxonburg, where he followed the wheelwright's trade, but in later life engaged in the manufacture of baskets. He died at Butler in 1852. His children were as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Jones : Andrew : Jacob ; John : William : Catherine, wife of John Hicks, and Michael.

ANDREW EMRICK, eldest son of Michael and Elizabeth Emrick, was born in Northumberland county in 1803, and came with his parents to this county when about ten year- old. lle was one of the founders of Saxonburg, and broke the first ground and erected the first dwelling on the site of that village. He cleared and improved two farms near Saxonburg, and a third in Clearfield township. In 1×51 he purchased a farm in Summit township, resided there until 1856, then sold out and removed to Penn township, where he lived until IS-5. In that year he removed to Summit. and made his home with his son John until his death, May 15, 1885. His wife was Catherine Burtner, a daughter of John Burtner, a pioneer of Buffalo township. Ten children were born to this union. eight of whom grew to maturity, viz. : Michael : Christina, wife of John E. Gallagher ; John; Elizabeth, wife of George W. Fair: Barbara, wife of Franklin Fisher ; Andrew B. ; Maria, wife of Michael Fair, and Daniel. Mr. Emrick was a man of the highest integrity, and a respected and worthy citizen. He held numerous public offices, the duties of which he performed faithfully and well. He was an adherent of the Republican party, and in religions faith, was a member of the Lutheran church.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN EMRICK, second son of Andrew and Catherine Emrick, was born in Clearfield township. Butler county, December 26. 1831. He was reared in his native county, was educated in the common schools, and began his career as a farmer in 1855, working on his father's farm in Penn township. until 1861. In that year he removed to his present homestead in Summit township, upon which he has since erected all of the buildings and improvements. and brought his land to a high state of cultivation. In November. 1855, he married Maria Antoinette Burkhart, a daughter of Elijah and Rebecca (Richardson) Burkhart, and grand daughter of John Burkhart. one of the first settlers of Butler township. Mrs. Emrick's maternal ancestors came to America with Penn. She is the mother of eight children, viz. : Daniel B .; William J .: Asa W. : Rebecca C., wife of Augustus M. Swartz : Albert F. ; Barbara A .; Samuel M., and Mary E., wife of Samuel G. Hughes Mr. Emrick was a member of Company F. One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, from September 19, 1864. to June 20, 1865, when he was honorably discharged from the service, at Whitehall. Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He participated in the battles of Gravelly Run, White Oak Roads, and other engagements down to the surrender of Lee. Mr. Emrick is a member of the Jeffer-on Summit Presbyterian church, and is connected with AA. G. Reed Post. G. A. R .. of Butler. Politically, he is an ardent Republican.

SIMON P. YOUNG was born in Luzerne county. Pennsylvania. February 17. 1823, son of Henry Young, who came to Butler county with his wife and family in 1>29, and settled in Butler township. The family consisted of the following children : Polly : Sarah; Elizabeth ; Anna; John : Simon P. : Amos : William H. ; Catherine C': Rebecca S., and George. The father died in 1842. The sub- ject of this sketch was reared in Butler township and learned the tanner's trade, which he followed in connection with farming. In 1846 he married Eliza J. Barrickman, a daughter of Peter Barrickman, of Butler township. Nine chil- dren were born to this union, as follows: Mary P., wife of R. M. Forsythe : Titus S. : Margaret G., and Permilla, both deceased; Henry B .; Ehner E. ; Will- iam L. ; Barton E., and Howard G., deceased. In 1855 Mr. Young purchased hi- present homestead of 180 acres in Summit township, and has since devoted his attention to farming. Ilis wife died May 3, 1893. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, to which denomination he also belongs. In politics, he has always been a Republican. He is a charter member of Connoquenessing Lodge, 1. O. O. F., and during the war was enrolling clerk for Summit township.

WILLIAM BYERS was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March >. IsOs, and was reared and educated in his native county. In 1837 he was married to Rebecca MeCurdy, a daughter of James McCurdy, of Summit township, Butler county, and in 1838 he settled upon a farm in that township, where he resided until his death, in IS77. His wife died in 1 54. They were the parents of eight children. as follows : Margaret J., wife of D. M. Roney ; Rachel M., wife of Leander Wise : Thomas S., and James M .. both of whom died at Florence. South Carolina, while prisoners of war, being members of Company E, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteer -; Matilda A., wife of W. W. Dinsmore ;

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

William S., deceased ; John E., and Rebecca C., deceased. Mr. Byers and wife were members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, he was a Republican.

NICHOLAS RIOTT, a native of Bavaria, Germany, immigrated to Baltimore. Maryland, in 1825. In 1830 he purchased a farm of 316 acres of land in what is now Summit township, Butler county, cleared and improved it. and died in his eighty-third year. He married Eva Bard, and was the father of three sons, viz. : Francis ; Nicholas, and Jacob. They succeeded to the old homestead, which was equally divided between them. Mr. Riott and family were members of the Catholic church, and among the first Germans of that faith who settled in Sum- mit township.

FRANCIS RIOTT, eldest son of Nicholas and Eva Riott, was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 3. 1814, came to America with his parents in 1825. and five years afterwards located in Summit township, Butler county. At his father's death he succeeded to one-third of the original tract, containing If acres, all of which he cleared and improved, and upon which he still reside -. Ile sub-e- quently added to his farm, until it now aggregates 220 acres, the larger portion of which is under a high state of cultivation. In July, 1837. Mr. Riott married Elizabeth Smith, a daughter of John and Eva (Richard) Smith, of Oakland township. To this union have been born ten children, as follows : Nicholas : Jacob ; Mary, wife of John Leech ; Francis ; Margaret ; Barbara. wife of John Nulett ; George ; Catharine, wife of John Weyland ; Joseph, and Elizabeth. Mr. Riott and family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church, at Herman, and in politics, he is a Democrat. He has been prominent in both church and public affairs, has held nearly ever office in the township, and has served five terms as justice of the peace. He is one of the substantial and wealthy citizens of the community.

JOHN OESTERLING, a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, came to Penn- sylvania in 1831, and settled in Summit township, Butler county, near Herman station. Five years afterwards he removed to the farm now owned and occupied by his sons, Adam and Peter, on which he made many improvements, residing there down to his death, in March, 1864. in the sixty-seventh year of his age. lle was married in his native land to Elizabeth Ripper, who became the mother of fourteen children, eight of whom grew to maturity, viz. : John : Catherine. wife of Adam Schenck ; Elizabeth, wife of William Vogeley : Leonard ; Ann E., wife of George Frederick ; Peter ; Adam, and Margaret, wife of Adam Freder- ick. Mr. Oesterling was a member of the German Lutheran church of Butler.

LEONARD OESTERLING, son of John and Elizabeth Oesterling, was born in Bremen, Germany, April 18, 1831. His parents immigrated to Butler county the same year, and he was reared to manhood in Summit township. In 1852 he engaged in farming for himself. in Summit township, and the following year removed to AArmstrong county, where he found employment in the rolling mill- at Brady's Bend, until 1872. In the latter year he returned to Summit township. and located on a farm of 200 acres which he still occupies. Here he has made nearly all the improvements in buildings, etc., and has brought the land to a high state of cultivation. On February 15, 1852, Mr. Oesterling married Margaret Flohr, a native of Germany. She is the mother of twelve children. - even of

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

whom grew to maturity, viz. : John ; Mary, wife of William Kellerman ; Leonard ; Maggie, wife of Morgan Davis ; William, and Lewis. Mr. Oesterling and wife are members of the German Lutheran church, of Butler, and in politics, he is a Republican.

PETER OESTERLING, son of John and Elizabeth Oesterling, was born in Summit township. Butler county, October 9. 1535, and was reared on the family homestead, where his parents settled in 136. He received a limited education in the common schools, and has always followed farming as a vocation. During the Rebellion he was drafted twice. The first time he sent a substitute, but the next time he went into the army as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers. He participated in the battles of Hatcher's Run, and Weldon Railroad, and after nine months' service was honorably dis- charged, in June, 1865. He was married August 19, 1858, to Catherine Shoup, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Ginter) Shoup, of Oakland township, and has ten children, as follows : Elizabeth, wife of John Brown ; Kate, wife of James Spencer : Mary, wife of Milton Shaner : Peter; James; Bertha, wife of Thomas Ilite ; George ; Laura ; Amelia, and Florence Edith. Mr. Oesterling and family are connected with the German Lutheran church, of Butler. He is a stanch Democrat. and is one of the prominent farmers of his native township.

MATTHIAS BLEICHNER was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France. January 2, 1795, a son of Matthias Bleichner, who lived and died in his native land. In INB] he immigrated to Pennsylvania, and settled in Summit township, Butler county, on the farm now owned by his son Jacob. Ile cleared and improved this property, and resided upon it down to his death, in 1884, in the eighty- seventh year of his age. He was married in his native land to Catherine Engel- man, a native of Alsace-Lorraine, who bore him a family of six children, viz. : Laurence : Nicholas ; Dorothea, wife of Nicholas Hinchberger; George; Jacob, and Eva, wife of Laurence Struckens. Mr. Bleichner was a member of the Catholic church, and one of the founders of St. Mary's congregation, at Herman station.

JACOB BLEICHNER, youngest son of Matthias and Catherine Bleichner, was born on the old homestead in Summit township, February 21. 1836, and received hi- education in the public, schools. Ile was reared on the farm, and was engaged in mining coal for public work some five years, but farming has been his principal occupation throughout his life. He has owned the old homestead since 1964, and has resided upon it permanently since that time. On September 29, 1-57, he married Mary Miller, a daughter of Joseph and Ann ( Ritter) Miller, of Summit township. Eleven children have been born to this union, named as follows : Mary, wife of Headley Morris; Clara, wife of George Smith ; Joseph : James; John: William: Elizabeth. wife of William Guest; Tillie; Louisa ; Andrew, and Annie. Mr. Bleichner and family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church. Politically, he is a Democrat, has held every office in the gift of his township with the exception of justice of the peace, and has been a school director for twenty-one years. He is one of the substantial and progressive citi- zens of the community.

846

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

JACOB EICHENLAUB, a native of Weissenburg, France, immigrated to the United States, with his wife, three sons and two daughters, in 1831, and the fol- lowing year settled in what is now Summit township, Butler county, Pennsyl- vania, on lands still owned by his descendants. llere he spent the remaining years of his life. His children were as follows : Francis ; William ; Michael : Catherine, who married Matthias Heil, and Barbara, who married Joseph Reiman. Mr. Eichenlaub and family were members of the Catholic church, and among the first German settlers of Summit township.

FRANCIS EICHENLAUB, eldest son of Jacob Eichenlaub, was born in France, in [801, and came with his parents to Butler county. He cleared and improved the farm in Summit township now owned by his son William, who assisted him in the work, and died there in 1877. in the seventy-seventh year of his age. He married Margaret Schanneman, and their children were as follows : William : Barbara, wife of Martin Priester ; Mary, wife of Joseph Schillinger : Sophia, wife of Gabriel Girard: Matthias, and Agnes, wife of Matthias Hirsch. Mr. Eichenlaub was a member of St. Mary's Catholic church. at Herman, and one of the founders of that congregation.

WILLIAM EICHENLAUB, eldest son of Francis and Margaret Eichenlaub. was born in Summit township, Butler county, September S. 1834. and was reared on the old homestead, which he now owns and resides upon. In early manhood he was engaged in teaming and mining at Brady's Bend and Pittsburg. but has been a permanent resident of Summit township, since IS6s. On April 27, 1858, he married Mary A. Schell, a daughter of Bernard and Mary A. ( Swick ) Schell, of Summit township, and has four surviving children. viz. : Joseph F .; Peter : William J., and Florian H. Mr. Eichenlaub and family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church, at Herman, in which congregation he has served as trustee for several years. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has filled the office of school director for twelve years.

Jony Spony was born in Alsace. France, March 22. IS11, a son of Martin and Margaret ( Bleichner ) Spohn. He was reared in his native land, received a common school education, and immigrated to the United States in 1830. Some three years later he settled in what is now Summit township. Butler county, upon the farm where he still resides, which he has cleared and improved. He earned most of the money to pay for his land by working on the canal, and has always been one of the most industrious men of his township. Mr. Spohn was twice married, his first wife being Mary Entreiner, who died without issue. Ilis second wife was Eva Hoffman, a daughter of Michael and Louisa ( Doll) Hoffman, of Summit township. They are the parents of nine children, who grew to maturity, viz. : Philip : Catherine: Mary, wife of Adam Neinbanser; John : Anna J., wife of Peter Snyder : J. Joseph : Nicholas ; Magdalena, wife of Ed- ward Ninlist, and Eva. wife of John Voltz. Mr. Spohn is the oldest German resident of Summit township, and is one of the founders of St. Mary's Catholic church, at Herman station, to which denomination the family belongs. In poli- tics, he is independent, always casting his vote for those whom he regards best fitted for the office.

847

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

PETER SCHNUR was born in Prussia, Germany, January 20, 1824, a son of George and Anna ( Kupple) Schnur, who came to the United States in 1836, and settled in Louisville, Kentucky. His mother died soon after their arrival, and his father removed to Pittsburg, where for a time he was employed at his trade of stonemason. He also worked in Buffalo, New York, and for twenty years was employed in the Schonenberger rolling mills, at Pitt-burg. He died at the age of sixty-six, leaving three children, viz. : Catherine, wife of Nicholas Leech; Peter, and John. The subject of this sketch was reared in Pittsburg, and was educated in the parochial and public schools of that city. He afterward- entered the rolling mills of Mr. Schonenberger, where he was employed for ten year -. and later worked on a farm for four years. Ile was subsequently engaged in gardening near Pittsburg, which business he followed for seventeen years. In 1876 he removed to Summit township, Butler county, and settled upon a farm which he had purchased in 1870. Here he has since resided, devoting his atten- tion to agriculture. Oil has been found on his farm, and two wells are now pro- ducing on an average of eight barrels per day. Mr. Schnur married Elizabeth Fry, of Pittsburg, to whom have been born fifteen children, Six sons and one daughter survive, viz. : George W. ; Peter J. : Charles F. : Frank J. : David A. : Gertrude M., and Lawrence A. The family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church, and in politics. Mr. Schnur is a Democrat.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 106

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