History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 107

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 107

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JOSEPH HEINZER was born in Canton of Schwytz, Switzerland, October 7. 1825, and is a son of Francis and Mary A. ( Wieget) Ileinzer. He was reared and educated in his native land, and came to the United States in Is17. He first located in Ohio, removing to Pittsburg the following year, where for the snc- ceeding seven years he was engaged in the dairy business, the last two years for himself. In 1>53 he came to Butler county, and settled in Summit township, and in 1868 located on the farm where he now lives. He cleared a good share of the land himself, and has made all of the improvements, in buildings, etc. On. November 17. 1851, he married Anna Mary Sailer, a daughter of Andrew and Anna ( Kesselmeyer ) Sailer, of Bavaria. Germany. Twelve children blessed this union, ten of whom grew to maturity, viz. : Theresa, wife of Stephen Michel ; Mary, wife of Peter Leinenbach : Barbara, wife of John Spohn: Joseph: Eliza- beth : Anna C. : Magdelena, wife of Peter Green : Frank : Andrew, and Martin. Mr. Heinzer is one of the leading and enterprising farmer- of Summit township. He and his family are members of the Catholic church, and in politics. he is an ardent Democrat.

M. B. DITTMER was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 12, 1856, a son of Bene- dict and Margaret (Snyder) Dittmer. He was reared and educated in his native country, and there learned the tailor's trade. In ISTB he immigrated to Penn- sylvania, and located in Butler county, working at his trade in various town- until 1882. In that year he embarked in merchandising at Herman station, where he has continued to carry on business successfully down to the present. In August, 1881, he married Catherine Bayer, a daughter of Frank and Mary (Schrozenstaler ) Bayer, of Armstrong county, and has six children. viz. : Frank : Albert ; Ludwig: Katie : Margaret, and Anna Regine. Since 1557 Mr. Dittmer has been passenger and express agent at Herman station, and in June. 1594, he

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

was appointed postmaster at Herman, and fills his numerous positions with gene- ral -atisfaction to the public. He and his family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church. Politically. he is a stanch Democrat, and has filled the office of township auditor for six years, and overseer of the poor for two years. Ile is one of the popular and enterprising citizens of the community.

Joux KRADEL, a native of Prussia. Germany, and a son of George and Bar- bar ( Shaffer) Kradel. immigrated to Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, in 1830, and found employment in a rolling mill in that city for four years. In 1831 he removed to Harmony, Butler county, where he was engaged in farming until 1543. In the latter year he purchased the farm in Summit township now owned and occupied by his son Adam. He and his sons cleared and improved this property, upon which he died in 1859, at the age of fifty-five years. He married Dora Nicholas, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Nicholas, of Wurtemberg, Germany, who still survives at the age of eighty-four. Eight children were born to this union. as follows : Margaret, deceased wife of Jacob Keck ; Anna, wife of Jacob Hol- -tein : John ; Adam ; Eliza, wife of Charles Welfel ; Elizabeth. deceased wife of Adam Frederick ; Christina, wife of Adam Frederick, and Barbara, wife of Henry Farner. Mr. Kradel was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran church, of Butler.

ADAM KRADEL, son of John and Dora Kradel, was born at Harmony, But- ler county. November 30. 1839, and was reared on the homestead in Summit township, which he assisted his father to clear and improve. Since the home- stead came into his possession, he has made nearly all of the present improve- ments, including the buildings, etc. On May 7. 1863, he married Christina Dam- bacher, a daughter of Nicholas and Barbara ( Hock ) Dambacher, of Butler town- -hip. Nine children have been born to this union. viz. : Dora, wife of John Miller : Christina, wife or John Schenck : Emma, wife of Lewis Harold; John ; Leonard ; Anna : Kate; Minnie S., and M. Gertrude. Mr. Kradel and family are members of St. Mark's Lutheran church, of Butler, and in politics, he is independent.

FREDERICK BAUER, SR., a native of Saxony, Germany, immigrated to Penn- -ylvania in 1837, and settled near Saxonburg, Butler county, where he cleared and improved a farm, erected a grist mill, and resided down to his death, which occurred in 1553. His wife. Christina Myers, bore him a family of nine children who grew to maturity, as follows : Mena, deceased wife of John Knoch : George L. : Augusta, wife of John Knoch : Sophie. wife of Peter Tuscherer: Rose A .. wife of llenry Heller : Frederick : August; Charles, and Caroline, wife of Henry Bauman. Mr. Bauer was a member of the German Lutheran church, and in pol- ities. an adherent of the Democratic party.

FREDERICK BAUER, son of Frederick and Christina Bauer, was born in Sax- ny. Germany. February Is. 1531. and came to Butler county with his parents when about six years of age. Ile was reared in this county, received a limited education in the public schools, and continued to work upon the homestead until 1×63. Ile lived in Jefferson township until 1867, and then removed to his present farm in Summit township. a good share of which he has cleared and improved. On January 17, 1856. he married Hannah Krumpe. a daughter of Christopher Krumpe, of Jefferson township, and has ten living children, viz. : Charles ;

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

William : Frederick ; Albert : Edward : Emma, wife of William Sloan : Caro- line. wife of Henry Bachman : Amelia ; George. and Andrew. Mr. Bauer and wife are members of the German Lutheran church, of Butler. He is a stanch Democrat, and is recognized as one of the substantial and progressive farmers of the township.

PATRICK MCBRIDE, a native of Donegal county, Ireland, was one of the pioneer- of Clearfield township. Butler county, where he settled in 1795. He built his cabin in the midst of an unbroken forest, upon a tract of 100 acres of land which he had purchased, lying a short distance east of the site of Coyles- ville. For the first few years his most numerous neighbors were the wild animals that roamed at will, and the first year he lived on the product of a small patch of corn and the game killed with his trusty rifle. For making the settlement he received 100 acres of the tract from Archie McCall, the agent for the lands in that section. Mr. MeBride was married in Ireland to Mary Dugan, who came with him to his new home in the wilderness. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children : Nancy, who married Michael McGinley ; Bridget, who mar- ried William Spencer; Cornelius; Enos, who died while serving in the Union army: Francis: Catherine. who married John Swain : Sallie, who married Daniel Conevery, and Mary, who married Joseph Downey. The last mentioned is the only survivor of the family. Mr. McBride and wife spent the remaining years of their lives upon the homestead in Clearfield township. where he died in IsJs. his wife dying some years before. He left his property to his son Enos, daughter- Catherine and Sally, and a daughter of Mrs. Nancy McGinky. The old homestead is now in possession of his grandson, John Swain. The family were among the first Catholic settlers of Butler county. and belonged to the first congregation of that faith organized within its limits.

CORNELIUS MCBRIDE, eldest son of Patrick and Mary McBride, was born in Clearfield town-hip. Butler county, in 1913, was reared upon the farm. and received his education in the pioneer schools of his neighborhood. AAbout 1848 he purchased 180 acres of land in Clearfield township, now owned by his son Francis P. Here be cleared a farm, erected buildings and resided to the time of his death, which occurred January 7, 1891, at the advanced age of eighty one years. Mr. McBride married Mary McDevitt, a daughter of James McDevitt. of Donegal county, Ireland. She was the only member of her family who came to this country. By her marriage to Mr. McBride she became the mother of the following children : Francis P. ; James C. ; Henry J : Mary, wife of Smith Titus. and Susan, of Butler. The mother died on April 19, 1869. Mr. McBride was an ardent Democrat, and filled most of the township offices at different periods. He and family were members of the Catholic church, and gave liberally towards the erection of St. John's church, of Clearfield township.

FRANCIS P. MCBRIDE, eldest son of Cornelius and Mary McBride. was born upon the homestead in Clearfield township, in 1952. He received a public school education and was reared upon the farm, assisting his parents in the home duties. He followed agriculture until 1891, when he engaged in oil producing, operating in the Hundred Foot field. In 1892 he located at Braddock, as a foreman for the Edgar Thomson Steel Company, which position he resigned 5.1

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

to accept one upon the police force of Braddock. He continued to act in that capacity until March, 1894, and then returned to the old homestead in Clearfield township. Mr. McBride is a Democrat, was elected a justice of the peace in 1880, and is now serving his fourth term in that office. In 1883 he was a delegate to the State convention, and has been a member of the county committee many times. He married Emma Rodgers, a daughter of James Rodgers, of Pittsburg, May 8, 1877, and has the following children : Mabel G .; Estella C .; Stephen ; Tillie, and Joseph E. The family are members of St. John's Catholic church, of Clear- field township.

IlUGH GALLAGHER, a native of Donegal county, Ireland, immigrated to Pennsylvania about 1800, and settled in Clearfield township, Butler county. He purchased 300 acres of land, erected a cabin, and spent the remaining years of his life engaged in making a home for his family. The old homestead is now occupied by Paul Kausler. He married Jennie Butler, a native of Maryland, and their family consisted of the following children : John, who died in Winfield township : William, who died in Clearfield township ; Hugh, who died upon the old homestead ; Eunice, deceased wife of Patrick Dougherty ; Marjorie, deceased wife of Robert McCormick ; Bridget, deceased wife of Mr. Cole ; Mary, deceased wife of John Dugan ; Catherine, wife of Edward Winner, of Oakland township, and Jane, who married Abraham Brinker, and for her second husband John Cochran. Mr. Gallagher and family belonged to the Catholic church, and he was buried in the oldl Catholic cemetery at Butler.

WILLIAM GALLAGHER, Second son of Hugh and Jennie Gallagher, was born in Clearfield township, Butler county, in 1811, there grew to manhood, and spent his entire life in his native township. After arriving at his majority, he purchased 100 acres of land, for which he paid $300, and to this he afterwards added seventy-five acies. He cleared and improved this farm, and there died, December 2. 1891. His wife survived until December 26, 1893. Her maiden name was Grace Dugan, a daughter of Andrew Dugan, one of the early settlers of Clearfield township. They were the parents of four children, viz. : Andrew; Simon ; Sarah A., wife of Dennis O'Donnell, and Hugh P. Both he and wife were members of St. John's Catholic church, and liberal supporters of that con- gregation. Politically, he was a Democrat, and one of the respected citizens of the community.

ANDREW GALLAGHER was born on the homestead farm in Clearfield town- ship, July 26, 1841, son of William and Grace Gallagher. He obtained a com- mon school education, and remained with his parents until their decease. He received 100 acres of the home farm, and has devoted his whole attention to agri- culture. He married Elizabeth McLanghlin, a daughter of Patrick McLaughlin, of Clearfield township, and their family are as follows : William; Daniel; Grace; Edward, deceased ; Leo ; Joseph ; Michael, and Ella. Mr. Gallagher and family are members of St. John's Catholic church, of Clearfield township, and in poli- tics, he is a stanch Democrat.

CHARLES REILLY was born in Kildare county, Ireland, in 1831, son of John and Catherine ( Fagan) Reilly. At the age of eighteen he immigrated to the United States, and remained in New York city for several months. He then

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

went to Pittsburg, and entered the employ of John Oliver, of Allegheny City, as a driver in his livery stable, with whom he remained until 1857. In that year he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he continued the same business, but returned to Allegheny in 1859, and entered the employ of John Painter, as coach- man. He subsequently purchased, in partnership with Lewis Hancock, the livery stable- of John Oliver, his former employer, but remained in the employ of Mr. Painter until 1864. In that year he removed to his present farm in Clear- field township, Butler county, consisting of 150 acres, which he purchased in 1859. Since settling upon his land he has cleared the majority of it and made all the improvements. Mr. Reilly married Ellen Clark, of Albany, New York,

a daughter of William Clark, a native of Ireland. They are the parents of thirteen children, as follows: John, deceased : Charles : William . \., a resident of Washington ; James, and Michael, both deceased; John HI .. of Glade Run ; Joseph F., Stephen J. ; Richard J., and four that died in infancy. Politically, Mr. Reilly is a stanch Democrat, has filled the office of school director for eighteen years, and treasurer and overseer of the poor fourteen years, also jury commis- sioner for three years. He and family are members of St. John's Catholic church, of Clearfield township, and he is one of the enterprising and respected citizens of the community.

EDWARD GEORGE LEITHOLD, was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1819, and at the age of twenty years immigrated to Pennsylvania, and purchased fifty acres of land in Jefferson township, Butler county, which he cleared and improved. Ilis father came to Jefferson township shortly after our subject, accompanied by his two daughters, and settled upon a farm. In ISTB Mr. Leithold removed to Delano, opened a hotel, and also engaged in the mercantile and lumber business. He married Henrietta Bauer, and reared a family of three children, viz. : Caroline, wife of Charles Whitehouse: Amelia, wife of Alphonso Krause, of Winfield township, and William, of Clearfield township. He was a member of the Sax- onburg Lutheran church, in which society be filled the office of elder. In poli- tics, he was a Democrat, and quite active in the local councils of his party. He died December 27, 1893.

WILLIAM LEITHOLD, only son of Edward George and Henrietta Leithold, was born in Jefferson township, Butler county, January 15, 184t. Ile was reared a farmer and received his education in the public schools. He first settled in Jef- ferson township, and in 1870 purchased his present farm of 164 acres, in Clear- field township, upon which he has erected all of the buildings, and otherwise improved it. He married Elizabeth Bauer, a daughter of Peter Bauer, and has three children : Clara ; Benjamin, and William. The family are adherents of the Lutheran church, and are connected with the Butler congregation. In politics, Mr. Leithold is a Democrat, but in local affairs is an independent voter. He is the owner of one of the finest improved farins in the county, upon which he has three producing oit wells, which bring him in considerable income. He is a man of commendable public spirit, and is recognized as a successful and enter- prising citizen.

ROBERT GALBREATH, SR., came to Butler county in company with his four brother-, from Indiana county, Pennsylvania, about the close of the last century.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

and settled in Buffalo (now Winfield) township. It is said that three of his Inothers settled in the southeast part of the county and one in the northern part. Robert took up a tract of 100 acres, cleared a farin and resided thercon up to his death. He was one of the early justices of what is now Winfield township, in which part the family settled. His children are as follows : Robert : William : and Joseph. all of whom died in this county : Samuel, who died in Wlegheny county ; Mrs. Mary Ralston : Mrs. Elizabeth McCain : Mrs. Margaret Hill ; Rebecca, and Mrs. Jane Rayburn, all of whom are dead. William and Joseph resided upon the homestead until their decease, and it is now the property of their descendant -.

WILLIAM GALBREATH, second son of Robert Galbreath, was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and came with his parents to Butler county. He married Esther Riddle, and their children were : Robert : Mary, wife of Thomas Wat- son, and Anne, who married William McClung. all of whom are dead. excepting Mrs. McClung, who resides in Oakland township. The father died about 1857. Ile was prominent in the Whig party. and was a member of the Covenanter church.

ROBERT GALBREATH, only son of William Galbreath, was born on the homestead in what is now Winfield township in 1-19. He followed farming throughout his life. and died in his native township. He was active in the Whig and Republican parties, and was recognized as a worthy citizen. For many years he was an elder in the United Presbyterian church. He married Isabella. daughter of James McCafferty of Buffalo township. to which union were born nine children, sis of whom grew to maturity: Annie, deceased wife of James Thompson : Henry, who resides on a part of the okl homestead : Caroline, wife of Dr. Mckee of Armstrong county : Mary. wife of R. B. Ivory. an attorney of Pittsburg ; Belle: who reside- at home. and James M .. a practicing attorney of the Butler bar.

MATTHIAS CYPHER. a soldier of the Revolution, is believed to have settled in the Shenango valley. Virginia, whence he removed to Winfield township, But- ler county, Pennsylvania, about 1798. He purchased 250 acres of land, upon which he settled, situated where his grandson, William Cypher, now lives. Here he resided until his death. He married, in Virginia, Elizabeth Little, and was the father of the following children : John, who died in Winfield township; David, who served in the War of Is12, and died in the same township : William, who also died in Winfield : Matthias, who died in Jefferson township; Theresa. who married Patrick Collins: Hannah, who married Peter Gallagher ; Mrs. Nancy MeCandless; Mrs. Ann Rufner; Mrs. Peggy Morrow, Mr -. Catherine Friel, and Mrs, Betsey Marshall, all of whom are dead.

Jony CYPHER. was born in Virginia, in 1787, son of Matthias and Eliza- beth Cypher, and came with his parents to Butler county when about eleven years old. Ile was reared in Winfield township, and in 1837 purchased the farm now owned by Mrs. Keck. Here he resided until his death. engaged in clearing and improving his land and making a home for himself and family. He mar- ried Mary Hagen, a native of Ireland, and their children are as follows : John ; Philip; Matthias: Bernard : Mrs. Kate Miller: William; James; Michael ;

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Henry ; Barbara, who married Joseph Smith, Kesiah. and Francis. Mr. Cypher died in 1871, and his wife in 1872. They were life-long members of the Catho- lic church, and are buried in St. John's graveyard.

PHILIP CYPHER, Second son of John and Mary Cypher, was born upon the homestead in Winfield township, Butler county, June 13. 1st6. He was reared a farmer, and in Is51 purchased eleven acres of land, where bis son Martin now resides, and settled upon it. Ile afterward- added fifty acres to this tract, and devoted his life to agriculture. He was a prominent member of the Democratic party, and filled the office of justice of the peace for many years. lle married Nancy Denny, a daughter of James Denny of Clearfield township. She was born June 6, 1920. They were married by Father Cody, July 5, 1842, and lived to celebrate their golden wedding, July 5, 1-92. Six children were the fruits of this union, as follows: William : James : Martin ; John B. : Mary. and Philip, all of whom are dead with the exception of Martin. Mr. Cypher. like his father and grandfather, was a member of the Catholic church, and was connected with St. John's congregation. He died on March 12. 1 94, and is buried in St. John's graveyard. His widow resides upon the old home- stead.

MARTIN CYPHER, only living child of Philip and Nancy Cypher, was born upon the homestead farm in Winfield township, June 20, 16. He received a common school education, and afterwards spent three years at Witherspoon Insti- tute, where he was graduated. Ile engaged in teaching in connection with farm- ing, and taught in the public schools of Butler county for nineteen years. Mr. Cypher married Eva Bleichner, a daughter of Nicholas Bleichner, of Clearfield township, at Summit Catholic chinch April 11, 1870. They have had nine children : Martha. born April 26, 1871, wife of Alfred Fleming, of Buffalo town- ship, to whom she was married at Mayville. New York, June 25, 1991 : Mary Agnes, born December 29, 1872, married at St. John's church, Clearfield town- ship. to William Hutzler, June 7, 1>94: Vincent, born December 13. 1 71; Harry, born March 15, 1876: Philip, born August 7, 1877; Ilelen, born Jan- uary 27. 1879; Philomen, born October 11, 1580, and died August 10, Iss1; Melinda, born April 15, 1882, and Martin B .. born January 10, 1884. Mrs. Cypher was born April 5, 1552, and died April 5, 1586. The family are mem- bers of St. John's Catholic church, and in politics, Mr. Cypher is a Democrat. He is one of the most intelligent and progressive citizens of his native township.

JAMES DENNY was born in Donegal county. Ireland, in 1778, a son of Michael Denny. In 1794 he immigrated with his parent- to Pennsylvania and settled in Cumberland county, near Carlisle. He was a shoemaker, and fol- lowed his trade in that county. as well as after his removal to Butler county, where he settled in 1799. His parents came with him, also His brother William. Another brother, Michael, settled in Armstrong county, and died there. Will- iam afterwards located on the lands first entered by James, married An Daugh- erty, and his descendants are still residents of the township. James Denny entered 200 acres of land in Clearfield township, upon which he lived until 1803, and then purchased 200 acres in the same township, where he resided down to his death. February 25. 1572. He married Mary O'Donnell, a daughter of Arthur

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

O'Donnell, of Clearfield township, who immigrated from Ireland to Butler county, in 1798. She died on July 4, 1835. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children : James, who married Eliza Hazlett, reared three children and died in 1844: Michael, who married Elizabeth Dugan, and died in Nevada ; William ; Arthur. who died in Clearfield township, married Bridget Sheridan. and had eight children : Mary, deceased wife of Edward Cypher; Daniel : Nancy, widow of Philip Cypher, and John. The family were among the first members of St. John's Catholic church, and in politics, Mr. Denny was a Democrat. Ile was one of the substantial pioneers of Winfield and Clearfield townships.

WILLIAM DENNY, third son of James and Mary Denny, was born in Clearfield township, Butler county, February 15, 1812, and was reared to manhood upon the homestead. In 1830 his father purchased 500 acres of land in what is now Winfield township, and James Denny, Jr., and William Denny went into busi- ness on it in 1837. James Denny died in 1844, and his interest was purchased by Daniel Denny. In 1847 William, Daniel and John Denny went into busi- ness together, and have continued their partnership to the present time. They rebuilt the old mill and have carried on farming and milling. In 1870 they built three miles of the West Penn railroad, and on the completion of the road they opened a general store at Delano, where our subject was the first postmaster, the office being named in honor of the family. The Dennys operate 600 acres of land, and are among the leading farmers of the county. Mr. Denny is a mem- ber of St. John's Catholic church. of Clearfield township, is a Democrat, in poli tics, and is an energetic and enterprising citizen.

DANIEL DENNY, son of James and Mary Denny, was born in Clearfield township, Butler county, May 4, 1818, attended a subscription school of pioneer days, and since early manhood has been associated with the business enterprises of his brothers, William and John. He married Helen MeLaughlin, who died in 1866, leaving four children, viz. : Elvira, wife of John Easley, of Armstrong county : James, of Salt Lake city : Mary, who is unmarried, and Eleanor, wife of John Millhauser. Mr. Denny was married again to Margaret Easley. The family are connected with St. John's Catholic church, and in politics, he is a Democrat.

JOHN DENNY. son of James and Mary Denny, was born August 15. 1824. upon the old homestead in Clearfield township. He was reared to manhood upon the farm, and has since been connected with the various business enter- prises of his brothers. Ile married Sarah A. Sheridan, and both he and wife are members of St. John's Catholic church. Politically, Mr. Denny is a stanch Democrat.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 107

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