History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 108

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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LEWIS A. KRAUSE was born in Saxe. Wiemar, Saxony, Germany, in October, 1809, and lived upon a farm in his early youth. Ile received an excellent educa- tion, and filled an important public office before his immigration to this country. In 1858 he settled on a farm in Jefferson township, Butler county, where he resided until 1861, and then took up his residence at Hannahstown. Ile engaged in the hotel business, which he continued until 1863, and then retired. In 1859 he organized the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and filled the office of president until his death, in June. 1871. Mr. Krause was married

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in his native land to Fredericka Schmerbaugh, who became the mother of the following children : Alphonso ; Alma, widow of Joseph Rhey ; Robert ; Pauline, wife of Charles Redick ; Julius, chief ear inspector of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Pittsburg ; Thielo, a merchant of Saxonburg, and Richard, deceased. Mrs. Krause survived her husband sixteen years, dying in 1887. They were members of the Saxonburg Lutheran church. In politics, Mr. Krause was an ardent Democrat, and though an active and influential member of his party, he would never accept public office.

ALPHONSO KRAUSE, eldest son of Lewis A. and Fredericka Krause, was born in Saxe-Wiemar, Saxony, Germany, May 25, 1837, was educated in his native town, and came with his parents to Butler county in 1853. He was engaged in farming until 1868, when he Formed a partnership with his brother Robert, under the firm name of R. & A. Krause, and embarked in merchandising at Hannahstown, removing to Delano in 1871. Ile has been engaged in mercan- tile pursuits up to the present, in connection with various other business enter- prises. In 1888 he was elected president of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which position he has filled up to the present. Mr. Krause was mar- ried on May 11, 1862. to Amelia Leithold, and has seven children, viz. : Emma, widow of Henry Paul ; Albert, railroad agent at Delano; Lydia; Josie ; Philip ; Clara, and Ilattic. The family are connected with Hannahstown Lutheran church, in which Mr. Krause has been treasurer for many years. IIe is also a member of the board of managers of the Concordia Orphans' Home. of Jefferson township. He was a school director in Jefferson township since 1866, and when he moved to Winfield township was elected to the same office in said township, and held the position of secretary up to 1892, since which year he has been presi- dent of the school board. In politics, he is a Democrat, and is one of the leading citizens of the community, as well as one of its most successful business men.

ROBERT KRAUSE, second son of Lewis A. and Fredericka Krause, was born in Saxe-Wiemar, Saxony, Germany, September 8, 1842, and was eleven years old when his parents immigrated to Butler county. He received a common school education in his native land, and only attended school for six months after coming to this county. He worked upon the homestead farm until the autumn of 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve, and served until mustered out in 1865. He participated in the battles of Gaines Mill, where his whole regiment was captured and sent to Belle Isle prison, but exchanged in forty days, Second Bull Run. South Mountain, Antietam, Fred- cricksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness, with many other lesser engagements. His regiment was again captured at the Wilderness, and he was held a prisoner at Danville, Andersonville, Florence, and Castle Thunder, for different periods, until the surrender of Lee. Returning to his home in But- ler county, he resumed work upon the farm. In 1867 he purchased a store at Hannahstown, and soon afterwards became associated with his brother. Alphonso, under the firm name of R. & A. Krause. In 1871 they located at Delano, where they have ever since conducted a successful mercantile business. They also carry on a planing mill at Freeport, and are one of the prosperous firms of Butler county. Mr. Krause married Maria Camphire, to whom have been born the fol-

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lowing children . Annie, wife of William Fruhling; William; Lewis; Minnie ; Flora ; Richard, and Elsie. The family are connected with the Hannahstown Lutheran church, in which Mr. Krause has filled the office of treasurer and trus- tec. In politics, he is a Democrat, but conservative in his political views and opinions. He is treasurer of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and is a leading and influential business man, as well as a progressive and public- spirited citizen.

THIELO KRAUSE. merchant. was born in Save- Wiemar, Germany, October 27. 11s, son of Lewis A. and Fredericka Krause, and came to Butler county with his parents. He was reared in Jefferson township, learned the harness- maker's trade and carried on that business for himself eight years. In 1875 he took charge of the store of E. A. Helmbold & Company, at Saxon Station, and upon the death of Mr. Helmbold. he continued as a partner under the firm name of Krause, Helmbold & Company, at Saxonburg. In 1889 he

purchased the interests of his partners, became sole proprietor of the store. and has since carried it on successfully. On May 133, IS73. he married Minnie C. Helinbold. a daughter of Ernest A. Helmbold. She was born July 5, 1853, and is the mother of eight children, as follows: Elvira; Laura; Antoinette : Carrie C., deceased : Della: Julius; Lula, and Maude, deceased. Mr. Krause is an ardent Democrat, and has filled all of the offices in Saxonburg at different periods. Ile is a member of the 1. O. O. F., both Lodge and Encampment.

Joux M. Scorr, physician and surgeon, was born in Indiana county, Penn- sylvania. September 26. 1819, son of John and Mary ( Reed) Scott. llis father was a native of Juniata county, born in 1807. and married a Miss Henderson, of Blairsville, who bore him one son. Thomas J., deceased. In 1888, he married Mary Reed, a daughter of Samuel Reed, of Indiana county, who became the mother of five children, viz .: James S., a resident of Altoona ; Sarah E., deceased : John M., and two that died in early youth. John Scott removed from Johnstown to Indiana county, where he purchased a farm of 106 acres, upon which he died. April 13, 1860. His wife survived, and resides with her son. John M .. at Carbon Black. Butler county. The subject of this sketch received a common. school education, and taught in early manhood. Ile afterwards read medicine with Dr. Willian C. Parker, of Jacksonville, Pennsylvania, attended lectures at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, whence he returned to Livermore, Pennsylvania, where he was associated in practice with Dr. M. R. Banks for a year and a half. In March, ISTB, he located at Carbon Black, But- ler county, where he has since built up a lucrative practice. Dr. Scott was mar- ried on September 26. 1872, to Agnes M. Black, a daughter of John .\. Black, of Greensburg, to which union have been born six children, five of whom survive, viz. : Mary J. . Carrie V. : John B. ; Helen, and Jane W. The family are connected with the Presbyterian church, and in politics, the doctor is a stanch Republican. He is highly respected by the citizens of the community, and in his professional duties has won the confidence of a large clientele. He is one of the well known physicians of the county, and stands well with his medical brethren.

WOMANy Wierk was born in Prussia, Germany, in ISO1, there grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's trade. In 15.1She immigrated to Pittsburg,

Robert Hause

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Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade until 1856. In that year he purchased fifty acres of land in Winfield township, Butler county, now the property of his son. Fred W. Hle improved this farm and resided upon it the balance of his life, dying in 1857. He married Sophia Wehling before coming to this country. and one son was born to this union, Fred W. Mrs. Witte died in 1883. They were members of the Lutheran church, and in politics. he was a Republican.

FRED W. Wirre, only child of William and Sophia Witte, was born in Prussia, in 1984, and came to Pittsburg with his parents when about fourteen years of age. He learned the glass-blower's trade, and obtained an education by attending the night schools in Pittsburg. He followed his trade until about IS68, when he purchased 100 acres of his present farm. to which he has since added thirty-six acres. Hle also owns two other farms of fifty and 125 acres, respect- ively, which property he has accumulated by his own industry. Mr. Witte mar- ried Amelia Bicker. a daughter of II. HI. Bicker. She died in 1869, leaving one son. William H., of Buffalo township. Politically, Mr. Witte is a Republican, has always taken a decided interest in politics, and has filled the office of school director, and other minor positions in his township. He was a delegate to the congressional convention of 1989, and is a member of the county committee. He is one of the leading and public-spirited citizens of Winfield township, and is always ready to give his support to every worthy enterprise.

GEORGE FRUHLING was born in Hesse Dannstadt, Germany, in Isto, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth K. Fruhling. His parents died when he was a child, and he was reared upon a farm and educated in the public schools of his native land. In 1849 he immigrated to Pennsylvania, and joined his brother Casper, who had previously come to Arinstrong county, and the following year he settled in Winfield township, Butler county. He found employment at the Buffalo furnace, in Clarion county, where he continued to work until Is53, when he took up his permanent residence in Winfield township. He purchased sixty seven acres of land. now owned by his son August, upon which he still resides. He married Margaret Sypher-, in Germany, and is the father of the fol- lowing children : August : Maggie, deceased, and Henry. Mrs. Fruhling died in 1877. She was a member of the Evangelical church, to which denomination her husband belongs. In politics, he is a Republican.

AUGest FRUHLING, eldest son of George an i Margaret Fruhling. was born in Ilesse Darmstadt. Germany, in 1847, came with his parents to Pennsylvania in early childhood. and grew to manhood upon the homestead in Winfield town- ship, where he is now cultivating 105 acres of land. He married Henrietta Bicker, a daughter of Rev. H. H. Bicker, to which union have been born eleven children, viz. : Annie. wife of II. 11. Roenick ; Charles : Mary : Herman: Emma; Ida ; Walter : Albert ; Edwin ; Harvey, and William. Mr. Fruhling is a mem- ber of the Evangelical church and a trustee in that society. In politics, he i- a Republican, has filled the offices of school director and overseer of the poor. and is the present assessor and collector of the township. He is a member of the K. of P .. of Saxonburg, and and a worthy and enterprising citizen.

JACOB GUESTER was born in Hesse-Cassel. Germany, and grew to manhood in his native land. He was twice married before his immigration to this country.

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His first wife left two children, Julius and Elizabeth. His second wife was Christina Seppel, who bore him five children, viz. : William ; Margaret ; Elesa; Christina, and Kate. In 184\ the family immigrated to Pennsylvania, and set - tled in Harmony, Butler county, the following year. Mr. Giesler subsequently purchased a farm of sixty acres in Winfield township, where his son William now resides. He cleared and improved this property, and died upon it in 1855. Ilis wife survived him eight years, dying in 1863.

WILLIAM GIESLER, only son of Jacob and Christina Giesler, was born in HIesse-Cassel, Germany, in 1838, came with his parents to Butler county, and here grew to manhood. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served nine months. In February, 1864, he again enlisted, in Company B, Second Pennsylvania Artillery, and remained in the service until January. 1866. After his discharge he returned to Butler county and subsequently purchased the old homestead, owning at the pres- ent time seventy-one acres of well improved land. In 1862 he married Martha Voland, a daughter of Henry Voland. Ten children are the fruits of this union, viz. : Mollie, wife of Charles Gebhart; Hemy; Kate ; John ; Tillie ; Albert ; William ; George; Emma, and Lewis. Mr. Giesler is independent in politics, and has filled the offices of school director and overseer of the poor. Ile is a member of the Saxonburg Lutheran church, and is connected with A. G. Reed Post. G. A. R.

HENRY KEASEY was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1811. His father was connected with the management of one of the early furnaces of that locality, and Henry thus acquired a knowledge of the business. In 1847, he came to Butler county, with William Spear, and built the Winfield furnace, in Winfield township. He managed the furnace for Mr. Spear and his successors, as long as it was kept in operation. He then purchased the Duff farm of 200 acres, in Winfield township, and engaged in farming until 1890, when be sold the place to Joseph Brittain, Jr., of Butler. Mr. Keasey married Elizabeth Campbell, and was the father of the following children : George W. ; Henry C. : Margaret, wife of James Dugan, a superintendent in the Carnegie Iron Works; Mary, wife of Augustus Acre, of Ohio, and Webster, of Winfield township. Mr. Keasey died on May 1, 1890; his widow is still living. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and connected with the Worthington congregation. Politically, he was a Democrat, and was one of the influential members of his party in Butler county.

GEORGE W. KEASEY. eldest son of Henry and Elizabeth Keasey, was born in Shippenville. Clarion county, March 26. 1848. lle was reared in Butler county, and was educated in the common schools of Winfield township, and at the high school of Holidaysburg. He remained upon the farm until he was twenty years of age, and then went into the oil fields of Venango county, and subsequently followed the same business in Armstrong, Beaver and Butler coun- ties, as a driller and tool dresser, until 1883. In that year he returned to Butler county and engaged in the purchase of live stock for the Butler and Pittsburg markets, which he has followed down to the present. He also carries on a retail butcher trade in connection with farming. He settled upon his present farm in

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1883. Mr. Keasey married Bridget Patterson, a daughter of Thomas Patterson, of Armstrong county, to which union have been born nine children, viz. : Lillian ; Henry, who died in September, 1893 : Cora ; George : Lulu ; Henrietta : Cleve- land : Charley, and Harry. The family are adherents of the Lutheran church, and in politics, Mr. Keasey is a Democrat.

HENRY C. KEASEY. second son of Henry and Elizabeth Keasey, was born May 19, 1849. at Winfield furnace, Butler county, and was reared upon the homestead in Winfield township. In 1881 he went to Karns City, Pennsylvania. and engaged in the hotel business, remained three years and subsequently conducted hotels at Bennett and Tarentum, Pennsylvania. In February. 1894, he went into the hotel business at Saxon Station, Butler county, where he is still located. Mr. Keasey married Fannie Burtner. a daughter of Philip Burtner, who has borne him one daughter, now deceased. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has held the offices of constable and tax collector in Winfield township. He is a member of Allegheny Lodge. K. of P., of Allegheny.

WEBSTER KEASEY, youngest son of Henry and Eliza Keasey, was born in Winfield township. Butler county, February 1. 1856. received a common school education, and in 1876 found employment in the oil fields of Mckean and Butler counties. In 1879 he went to Leadville, Colorado, and engaged in railroad contracting for four years, then returned to the homestead and followed farming until 1889. In that year he formed a partnership with J. A. Ransom, and engaged in the lumber business until 1893, when they leased the lime quarries now operated by the Acme Lime Company, Limited, and the following year organized that company, of which he is superintendent and one of the original stockholders. In May, 1894, Mr. Keasey was appointed postmaster of Rough Run, and is the present incumbent of that office. Politically, he is a Republican. Ile married Nannie Campbell, a daughter of Johnson and Annie Campbell, and has one son. Mr. Keasey is one of the enterprising citizens of his native town- ship.

Jonx H. FLEMMING, a native of Saxe-Wiemar. Saxony, immigrated to Butler county. in 1836, and settled at Saxonburg. He was a tile manufac- turer, but did not follow his business in this country. Soon after coming here he went to Butler. and was employed in the stables of the Beatty House. Remaining there for a short time he went to Pittsburg, and took charge of the stables of the Red Lion Hotel, filling that position for seventeen years. In 1853 he settled in Winfield township upon a tract of seventeen acres, disposing of a. farm of 112 acres which he owned in Buffalo township, and subsequently added forty acres to his homestead, upon which he resided down to his death. July 15, 1893. He married Christina Wiefel, who died in 1877. Their children were as follows: John M., deceased ; Charles, and Emma, wife of August Asche. In politics, Mr. Flemming, was a Democrat, and in religious faith, a member of the Evangelical church.

CHARLES FLEMMING. son of John IL. and Christina Flemming, was born September 26, 1857, upon the homestead farm in Winfield township. Ile learned the carpenter's trade and followed it for fifteen years. In ISSthe purchased his present farm of fifty-three acres, retired from the carpenter busi-

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ness in 1886, and has since devoted his whole attention to agriculture. He mar- ried Mary Gerner, a daughter of Anthony Gerner, of Winfield township, and has four children, viz. : Clara ; Tillie; Emma, and Minnie. The family are con- nected with the Hannahstown Lutheran church, in which he has served as trus- tee. In politics, Mr. Flemming is a Democrat, and is a member of Grange. Num- ber 1105, P. of II.

GEORGE WIEFEL was born in Prussia, came to Butler county in 1837. and purchased a farm in Winfield township, adjoining the Flemming home- stead, in 1840. Here he resided until his death, which occurred in 1868. ITis widow resides with her grandson, Charles Flemming. She is the mother of two children, Christina, deceased wife of John 11. Flemming, and Han- nah, widow of Fred Fries. Mr. Wiefel was a Democrat, in politics, and was a member of the Evangelical church.

JOHN LEFEVRE, SR., son of Jacob Lefevre. was born in Jefferson township, Butler county, March 20, 1818, was reared upon his father's farm, and followed farming in connection with the carpenter's business and undertaking. In 1860 he was elected coroner of Butler county, on the Republican ticket, and has also served as constable, collector and assessor. of Jefferson township. In 1842 he married Mary E. Patton, of Oakland township, to which union have been born five children, viz. : Mary E., wife of Robert Elliott ; James, deceased ; John ; Rachel, wife of Henry Kaufoldl. and Isabel, wife of Benjamin Sarver. Mrs. Lefevre died in March, 1877. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Lefevre is now a resident of Winfield township.

JACOB FRANTZ was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1806. a son of Jacob Frantz of the same county. His father was a miller and farmer, and reared a family of nine children. viz. : Jacob ; Delilah, who married Peter Painter; Sarah, who married George Berger; Abraham ; Isaac ; Emma, who married John Scott ; Peter; Mary, who married John McCormick, and Eliza- beth. The family lived in Armstrong county, where both the father and mother died. Jacob learned the milling business with his father, and also the shoe- maker's trade, which he followed in connection with farming. In 1842 he mar- ried Agnes Forrester, of Armstrong county, who bore him the following chil- dren : Annie, who married Hiram A. Shaffer; Jeanette, and Agnes, both deceased ; James, who was killed in battle while serving in the Union army ; Margaret, who first married Frank P. Painter, and for her second husband, Will- iam II. Rayworth : William; John S., and Stephen A. Mr. Frantz was a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and a charter member of Center congregation, in which he filled the office of deacon for many years. In politics, he was a Democrat. held most of the township offices, and was a member of the early state militia. He died at Slate Lick, Armstrong county, in 1883. Ilis widow resides upon the old homestead in that county.

JOHN S. FRANTZ Was born at Slate Lick, Armstrong county, son of Jacob and Agnes Frantz. He received a common school education. entered the West- ern University, at Allegheny, in [884, and spent two years at Waynesburg College. He studied engineering, and has been employed at Ford City in that capacity. He came to Butler county in 1885, resided in the borough of Butler

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one year, and then removed to Allegheny, in which city he lived for two years. Returning to Winfield township, Butler county, he purchased thirty acres of land, upon which he has erected a fine residence. and has since made this county his home. On October 6, 1885, he married Josephine Bricker, a daughter of John Bricker, of Buffalo township. Three children have been born to this union, one of whom, Edward S., survives. Mr. Frantz is a licensed preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church, but devotes his attention principally to his trade and agriculture. In politics, he is a Republican.

THOMAS FLEMING was born in Scotland, there grew to manhood, and after- wards immigrated to eastern Pennsylvania. About 1798 he came to Butler county and purchased 1,100 acres of land, in what is now Buffalo township. He built his cabin in the midst of an unbroken forest and commenced the work of creating a home for his family. He cleared a portion of the land, and the bal- ance he divided among his sons. He married a Miss Henderson, and had a fam- ily of nine children, as follows: John : Robert : Allen ; Thomas ; Samuel : Alexander ; James ; Rebecca, and Elizabeth, who first married Johnson Cravat, and afterwards John Anderson. Mr. Fleming kept a distillery, and dealt quite extensively in live stock, which he took to the eastern markets. While on one of these trips in 1836, he took sick on the summit of the Allegheny mountains, and there died. His wife died in 1833.

SAMUEL FLEMING was born in Buffalo township, Butler county, May 14, 1800, fifth son of Thomas Fleming. He was reared upon the homestead, and in 1828 married Annie Johnston, a daughter of Robert Johnston of Summit town- ship. They became the parents of five children, viz. : John, deceased ; Rebecca, deceased wife of George Hazlett ; Samuel H .: Robert, and one that died in early youth. Mr. Fleming died October 30, 1863, and his wife, in November. 1869. They were members of the Lutheran church, and in politics, he was an adherent of the Republican party.

SAMUEL H. FLEMING was born on the homestead farm in Buffalo township. May 18, 1833, son of Samuel and Annie Fleming. He received a common school education and has always been engaged in farming. On December 26, 1861. he married Margaret Ann Ekas, a daughter of Thomas Ekas, of Buffalo township. Ten children are the fruits of this union, as follows: James W. ; Harry B. : Homer H. ; Charles W. ; Emma M. ; Rachel E. ; Florence M. ; Samuel M. : Ella M., and John G. Mr. Fleming and wife are members of the Lutheran church, and in politics, he is a Republican. The family reside upon the old homestead in Buffalo township.

ROBERT FLEMING was born in Buffalo township, Butler county, March IS, 1836, and is a son of Samuel Fleming, and grandson of Thomas Fleming. He was reared upon the homestead farm, and received his education in the common schools. In 1860 his father gave him a portion of his present farm, to which he has since added by purchase, and is now the owner of 135 acres of well improved land. On April 26, 1860, Mr. Fleming was married to Sarah J. Brown, a daughter of John Brown, of Buffalo township. To this union have been born nine children, as follows : Ehner E .; Jerry A. ; John II. : Rebecca A. : Alice P. : Ulysses Grant ; Albert A. ; George O., and Oliver II. The family are connected

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with the Lutheran church, and in politics, Mr. Fleming is a Republican, He has filled the office of school director, and takes a commendable interest in the pros- purity of the public schools.

JOHN WEIR was born in Donegal county, Ireland, May 4, 1777, grew to manhood in his native land, served in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, and in 1800 immigrated to Wilmington, Delaware, where he worked in a powder factory for fourteen years. In 1812 he married Jane Roney, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Roney, natives of Ireland, and early settlers of Butler county. Soon after his marriage he enlisted in the War of 1812, and served in that struggle against England. In 1818 Mr. Weir came to Butler county, and purchased 256 acres of land in Buffalo township, known as " Disappoint- ment," and the following year, with his wife and five children, he settled upon his farm. Ilis wife's parents came with them and settled in Winfield township. Mr. and Mrs. Weir were the parents of eight children, viz. : John ; William, deceased ; Elizabeth, who married John Murray; Mary, who married David Callam ; Margaret, deceased wife of Dennis Martin ; Sophia, wife of Robert Morris ; Alfred D., deceased, and Jane, who married John H. Baird. Mrs. Weir died in 1864, aged seventy-five, and her husband, in 1872, at the advanced age of ninety-five years. He served as captain of militia until he was sixty years of age, took a deep interest in churches and schools, was one of the first school directors in his township, and was recognized as a worthy and upright man.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 108

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