History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 111

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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ISAC LEFEVER, youngest son of Jesse and Catherine (Stepp) Lefever, was born in Butler county, June 30. 1822, was reared upon a farm, and has always been engaged in agriculture. On November 23. 1845, he married Hannah Cooper, a daughter of William Cooper, a pioneer of Jefferson township, who served in the War of 1812. Seven children have been born to this union, as fol- lows : Catherine, who married Joseph Moser; William J., and Eliza J., both deceased ; Isaac S., who married Maggie Snyder; Lydia E., wife of James Gib- son : David W., who married Jennie G. Negley, a daughter of Felix HI. Negley, and Susan Belle, wife of A. D. Sutton. In 1846 Mr. Lefever purchased the farm upon which he now resides, not an acre of it being then improved, and now owns over 200 acres of land containing first class improvements. He is a Dem- crat, in politics, and the family are members of St. Luke Lutheran church of Saxonburg.

JOSEPH LOGAN, SR., came to Penn township, Butler county. in 1807, and settled upon a farm of 300 acres purchased from his parents, Thomas and Agnes Logan, natives of Ireland, who immigrated to Pennsylvania with their family about 1798, and settled in Lancaster county. Thomas purchased the land in 1804 from Edward Burd, the original owner, but did not settle upon it. Joseph brought his wife, Elizabeth, from Pittsburg to his home in the forest of Butler county, and both resided here until their decease. He died in July, 1839; his wife survived him eleven years, dying in August, 1850. The names of their children are as follows: David; Levi; Joseph : Nancy : Isabel ; Mary : Bar- bara, and Elizabeth.

DAVID LOGAN, eldest son of Joseph and Elizabeth Logan, was born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, in 1802. and came with his parents to Penn town- ship when about five years of age. Ile grew to manhood in this county, and purchased 225 acres of land in Jefferson township, now known as the Logan homestead, upon which he made the first improvements. To this he afterwards added 125 acres, and resided upon this farm the remainder of his life. He mar- ried Eliza Davis, to which union were born nine children, as follows : Nancy J., deceased ; John ; Joseph ; Levi : Baxter ; Samuel : Matilda ; Calvin, and Eliza B. Four of the sons, John. Levi, Baxter and Samuel, served in the Rebellion, Sam-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

nel being killed at Plymouth. Mrs. Logan died in 1956, and he then married Mrs. Mary Ann Cox, nee Sefton. who bore him two children, viz. : David HI .. and Edward P. His third wife was Nancy Cox, who died in 1892. Mr. Logan was a Whig in early life. and afterwards a Republican, and filled the office of justice of the peace for many years. He was a member of the United Presbyte- rian church, and was one of the founders of the Clinton and Shiloh churches. He died February 1, 1878, aged seventy-five year -.

JOSEPH LOGAN, second son of David and Eliza (Davis) Logan, was born upon the homestead farm. in Jefferson township. March 2, 1835. was reared a farmer, and was engaged in agriculture until his death, May 17, 1891. In 1866 he purchased a portion of his late homestead, to which he added. until he owned about 190 acres, containing one of the finest residences in the township, erected in 1892. Mr. Logan was married February 23, 1860, to Amelia Hartman, a daughter of Joseph Hartman, who settled quite carly on a part of the homestead. Six children are the fruits of this union, viz. : Clara M., wife of G. W. Maur- hoff ; Anna L., wife of George Ralshouse ; Melinda M., wife of George Baugh- man : Eliza, wife of Amos Graff : Emma, and Milton. Mr. Logan was a mem- ber of the Evangelical Lutheran church, to which society his widow belongs. Ile was a Republican, was tax collector of his township for two terms, and also filled the office of school director.

CALVIN LOGAN, youngest son of David and Eliza ( Davis) Logan, was born upon his father's farm in Jefferson township, Butler county, July 17. 1845. He was reared in his native township, received a common school education, and settled upon fifty acres of the old homestead, which he has since improved, erect- ing thereon a tine residence in 1887. On October 19, 1876, he married Mary J. Hazlett, a daughter of Lewis and Vieanna ( Morehead) Hazlett, early settlers of Winfield township. Mrs. Logan was born September 26. 1551, and is the mother of four children, as follows: Oro Neta, born July 27, 1575: Elva Vieanna, July 26. 1880: Tillie Zetta. September 6. 1881. and Zella Marie, June 6. 1892. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, in which he holds an official position. Politically, Mr. Logan is a Republican.

DAvin 11. LoGAN was born in Jefferson township, Butler county, July 14. 1858, son of David and Mrs. Mary Ann ( Cox nee Sefton) Logan. He was reared upon his father's farm in his native township and received a common school education. In 1565 his father purchased a part of the old Jacob Mechling farm, of 125 acres, which David Il. now owns. In 1890 he erected thereon a fine residence and has made many other commendable improvements. Mr. Logan was married January 20. 1851, to Martha B. Cook, a daughter of 'Squire Cook, of Allegheny county, where she was born April 10, 1859. They are the parents of four sons, as follows : Harvey W., born December IS, 1881; Clifford G., June 14, 1883; Earl R., May 22, 1890. and Elery R., February 5. 1892. Mr. Logan is a stanch Republican, and both he and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church.

LEVI LOGAN, second son of Joseph Logan, Sr., was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and came with his parents to Penn township, Butler county. He learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed in connection

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with farming in this township. In 1837 he married Mary Davis, a daughter of John Davis, of Clinton township. to, which union were born eight children : Eliz- abeth, who was twice married, first to William Lambic, and afterwards to Mr. McLaughlin; Joseph D .; Sarah, who married James Williamson ; John R .; Benja- min : William : Levi. and David, Mr. Logan was a member of the United Pre -- byterian church, and in politics, he was a Democrat. He died August 14, 1871. and his wife, February 10, 1891.

JOSEPH D. LOGAN, eldest son of Levi Logan. was born in the borough of Butler, January 22. 1839. received a common school education, and was reared to farm life. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thir- ty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, was mustered into the service at Harrisburg, then went to Washington, D. C., and was stationed at Camp Hammond. From there the regiment proceeded to Antietam, then went into camp at Stony Hill, next to Washington City, was then moved to Benning's Bridge, on the East Branch of the Potomac, and then to Aquia creek, Virginia. The regiment next moved to Fredericksburg, thence to Belle Plain, and served in the second battle of Freder- icksburg. where they encamped until mustered out of the service. Mr. Logan was married November 24. 1864. to Mary J., daughter of Samuel Marshall, of Middlesex township. They are the parents of five children, as follows : Eva. wife of John Monks ; one died in infancy ; Clara ; Ella, and Bertha. Politically, Mr. Logan is a Democrat, and both he and wife are members of the United Pres- byterian church.

BENJAMIN B. LOGAN was born in Middlesex township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1814, and is a son of Levi and Mary (Davis) Logan, and grandson of Joseph Logan, one of the early settlers of Penn township. Ile was reared upon his father's farm. from whom he learned the blacksmith's trade. which he worked at for twenty years, in connection with farming. In 1869 he was married to Mary Black, a daughter of Robert Black, of Middlesex township. and is the father of the following children : Robert ; Frank II. : Jennie L. : Antoinette: Samuel P'. ; John, and Jessie, deceased. Mr. Logan is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics. he is an adherent of the Democratic party. He was supervisor of his township for four terms, and always takes an active inter- est in public matter».

JOHN Kxoen was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1787, grew to maturity in his native land, and there learned the blacksmith's trade. He married Johannah Hartman, a native of the same place, and immigrated to Jefferson township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, settling on the farin now owned by their son Herman in 1838. He built a shop and engaged in blacksmithing and farm- ing. He assisted John A. Roebling to make the first wire rope manufactured at Saxonburg, he and his son, John A .. being the first and only blacksmiths in the town for many years. His wife died in 1860, aged sixty-five years ; he sur- vived until 1862, dying at the age of seventy-five. They were among the origi- nal members of the German Lutheran church of Saxonburg. They reared a family of five children, viz. : John A., deceased; Joseph. deceased ; Henry ; Rachel, wife of Henry Stuebgen, and Herman.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

HERMAN KNOCH was born in Saxony. Germany, in 1885. and came with his parents to Butler county when a child of two years of age. He was reared upon his father's farm, adjoining the borough of Saxonburg, and was married March 28, 1858, to Amelia Roebling, a daughter of Charles F. Roebling, a brother of John A. Roebling, the celebrated engineer and bridge builder. Her mother was Wilhelmina ( Filbert ) Roebling. and both were natives of Saxony. Germany. They were the first couple married at Saxonburg, where her father died in 1838, when she was only about one year old. Mr. Knoch is the father of seven children. as follows : Charles, a blacksmith : William H. : Julius, principal of a school in Arkansas: Elvira: Franklin. principal of the West Sunbury school ; Edward, a teacher, and Alfred. The family are members of the German Lutheran church. Politically, Mr. Knoch is a Democrat, and has filled many of the local offices in his township. He served ten months in the Rebellion, as a member of the Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery.

WILLIAM H. KNOCH was born in Jefferson township, Butler county, Penn- sylvania. June 21, 1866, son of Herman and Amelia ( Roebling) Knoch, and grandson of John Knoch. His mother is a niece of the celebrated engineer John .A. Roebling. Ile received a common school education, and followed the occu- pation of a driller for some years. In 1892 he began clerking for Mrs. Theodore Helmbold & Son, with whom he remained until March, 1893. when he accepted a position with Thielo Krause, which he filled until February 1, 1894, when he resumed his former occupation of driller. Mr. Knoch is one of the owners of the new Opera House, Charles Redick being his partner. He was married April 21. 1892, to Hattie Rhey, and has one child, Harold, born April 25, 1893. Politically. Mr. Knoch is a Democrat, and has tilled the office of borough auditor. Ile is a member of the German Lutheran church, and is connected with the I. O. O. F .. and the K. O. T. M.

JOHN B. CALDWELL was born in Jefferson township. Butler county. Penn- sylvania, December 3, 1844, son of William and Sarah Jane ( Beatty ) Caldwell. His father was a native of Washington county. and a son of Dr. Joseph Caldwell. for many years one of the leading physicians of that county. Dr. Caldwell was a native of Scotland. William removed to Armstrong county, where he resided until 1839, and then located on a farm near Frazier's Mills, in Jefferson town- ship, Butler county, where the remainder of his life was spent. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native township, and in 1866 settled upon the okl Robinson farm, containing 120 acres, where he has since lived. In October, 1865. be married Nancy J. Robinson, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah J. ( Ramsey) Robinson, early settlers of the township. Joseph Robinson and wife died upon that farm. Mrs. Caldwell was born in 1844, and is the mother of six children, as follows: Joseph C .: William Ellery; Sarah Bell, wife of Zeno Ziegler : Lynn ; Orin, and Leverne F. In 1868 Mr. Caldwell enlisted in Company B. Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, and served thirteen months in the Union army. Politically. he is a Republican, has been overseer of the poor in his township, and was the census enumerator in 1890. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church.

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GOTTFRIED REINHOLD was born in Saxony, Germany. February 10, 1825, son of Godfrey and Augusta ( Quass) Reinhold, natives of the same place. The subject of this sketch immigrated to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1849, and one year afterwards he went to the gold fields of California, where he was engaged in mining for four years, with much success. In 1854 he returned from California to Saxonburg. Butler county, and purchased the farm upon which he now lives. It then contained fifty-nine acres, to which he has since added seventy-one acres, and is now the owner of a nicely improved place. He also owns forty-seven acres of coal land in Buffalo township and three houses in Butler borough, south side. On February 22, 1855, he married Mary Krumpe, a daughter of John M. Krumpe. a pioneer of Clinton township, born in September. 1835. Mr. Rein- hold served ten months in the Rebellion, as a member of Company D, Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, his term closing with the end of the war. He is the father of eight children, as follows: W. Godfrey, who married Marit Poltz : John ; Herman : Edward ; Mina, wife of George Freithly ; Lonisa, wife of John Riemer ; Emma, wife of Charles Beckman, and Tillie. Mr. Reinhold is a Dem- ocrat, and the family are members of the German Lutheran church.

RICHARD SMALLEY was born in Manchester, England, September 3. 1833. son of John and Maria ( Westerman ) Smalley, natives of the same place. Ilis father, who was a shoemaker, was married February 18, 1529, and emigrated to America about 1834. settling in Allegheny, where he continued to follow his trade for about twelve years. He also spent a year or more in East Liverpool, Ohio. He purchased a farm in what is now Jefferson township, to which he removed in 1844, and on which he resided until his death, September 10, 1863. aged fifty-six years. His wife died December 27, 1860, in the fifty-sixth year of her age. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, he being a regular attendant and devout member of the Knox chapel. in Winfield township, during most of his residence in this county. They were the parents of eleven children, three of whom are now living, viz. : AAmelia ; Elizabeth ; Priscilla ; Richard ; Joseph ; Emily ; Mary Jane ; William, who died in Armory Square Hospital, Washington, D. C., February 18, 1863 : John D .. deceased, who served three years in the war of the Rebellion'; Sarah Ann, and George Henry, a suc- cessful contractor of Allegheny. The only surviving members are Priscilla, Richard and George II. The subject of this sketch resides upon the homestead farm, where he has lived since the coming of the family to Butler county. In 1858 he married Helena Hill Bieket, a daughter of Matthew and Jane (Sefton) Bicket, early settlers of Clinton township, Mr. Bicket being now over ninety years of age. Mr. Smalley has a family of four children. as follows : Matthew J., a Presbyterian minister ; Ella M. ; Mary E .. and William II. In politics, he is a Democrat. and both himself and wife are members of the United Presbyter- ian church of Clinton township, in which society he fills the office of ruling elder.

HENRY J. LONITZ was born in Prussia, Germany. in February, 1847. son of George and Mary (Beyer) Lonitz, natives of Prussia. The family came to the United States in August, 1852, and settled at Saxonburg, Butler county, Penn- sylvania. There were two children. Henry J., and Hannah, the latter since 56

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deceased. The father died in 1882, and the mother in 1890. Both were mem- bers of the Evangelical Protestant church. Mr. Lonitz served an apprenticeship to the carriage maker's trade, at Pittsburg, and worked at that business for twenty years. About 1ss1 he returned to Saxonburg. where he carried on a shop for a time. In April, 1887, be purchased the old Bauman farm, a short dis- tance west of Saxonburg, and the following July one of the finest oil wells in that part of the county was opened up upon his farm. In September a well pro- ducing 2,600 barrels per day was brought in upon his mother's place, and alto- gether there have been about thirteen producing wells upon his farms. This good fortune has made him one of the prosperous citizens of the community. He is the owner of 1.10 acres of land, in one of the best producing oil belts of the county. On August 2, 1868, he married Caroline J. Bushman, a daughter of Frederick and Catherine Bushman, of Pittsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Lonitz are the parents of two sons and four daughters, as follows : George, born April 13, 1869; Mary, November 23, 1870, wife of William Aderbold ; William, April 13, 1872: Clara, March 9, 1874; Anna, June 6, 1877, and Florence, December 23, 1887. The family are members of the Evangelical Protestant church, and politically, Mr. Lonitz is a Democrat.

ALPHEU'S DARLING, oil producer, was born in the Juniata valley, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, August 24, 1851. son of Thomas J. and Jane ( Purvis) Darling, the former being at one time an oil producer on Oil creek, Venango county. He died March 22. 1853, aged sixty-six years ; his widow still survives. Mr. Darling has been in the oil business since early manhood, and is the patentee of the Darling Gas Regulator. a well known invention used on gas wells. Since attaining his majority he has been in business for himself, first on Oil creek, Venango county, for thirteen years, whence be removed to Butler county, locat- ing at Criswell, and coming to Saxonburg in 1890. He has been the owner of a number of good wells, one of which produced for a time 1,000 barrels per day, another 500 barrels, and another 100 barrels. Mr. Darling was married June 27. 1881, to Lydia Parker, a native of Armstrong county, and a daughter of James A. and Sarah A. ( Ililliard ) Parker, both of whom are living.

CHARLES F. YAERNIG was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1822, son of Carl Yaehnig, a native of the same place. Charles F. was the eldest in a family of five children, grew to maturity in his native land, and in 1554 married Christina Ilerold, to which union were born seven children, as follows: Charles F. ; Adolph G., deceased ; William A. ; Mary B. ; Adolph G. ; Charles, and one that died in early youth. In 1867 Mr. Yaehnig immigrated to Pittsburg. whence he came to Saxonburg, Butler county, and followed cattle dealing for several years, at the end of which period he purchased the Frank farm, upon which he now resides. The family are members of the Lutheran church, and in politics, MIr. Yaehnig is a Democrat.

CHARLES F. YAERNIG, Jn., eldest in the family of Charles F. and Chris- tina Yachnig, was born in Frankenberg, Germany, September 11, 1855, and came with his parents to the United States in 1867. He grew to manhood in Saxonburg, and assisted his father in cattle dealing and farming. On April 20, 1882. he married Hannah B. Heller, a daughter of George J. C. Ileller of Jeffer-

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son township, and has four children, viz. : Albert F. ; Edmund C. ; Clara D., and Emma J. Mr. Yachnig came to his present homestead in ISSI, and has since devoted his attention to farming. He is a member of the Lutheran church, in which he holds the office of secretary, and in politics, he is a Democrat.

GEORGE J. C. HELLER was born in Germany, December 11, 1811, was reared in his native land, and in 1835 married Sophia Neubert. Five children were born to this union, only one of whom survives, Hannah B., wife of Charles F. Yaehnig. Some years after his marriage Mr. Heller immigrated to Butler county, purchased a farm in Jefferson township. upon which he resided until his death, July 26, 1894. His wife died in 1881. Both were members of the Lutheran church, of Saxonburg, in which he had filled the office of treasurer. Politically, he was a Democrat.

JOSEPH L. BLAKELEY, son of Andrew and Sarah Jane Blakeley, was born in Forward township, Butler county, July 22, 1858, and was reared upon the homestead in that township. He followed farming until 1890, and then embarked in the grocery trade in Allegheny, which he followed for two years. In 1886 he purchased the George Mechling farm, in Jefferson township, containing 123 acres, and in 1892-93 he erected a substantial residence and has also made many other improvements. Mr. Blakeley was married May 12. 1887. to Mary .1. Ziegler, and has three children, viz. : Della E. ; Myrtle 1 .. and Alvin W. Politically, he is a Republican, and both he and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church.

CHARLES ROETTIG was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1841, son of William and Caroline Roettig nee Hoffman, natives of Germany. llis father was a tanner, and worked at his trade in Pittsburg until his death, about 1846, and his mother then removed to Saxonburg, with her three sons, William J., Charles and Henry, the last mentioned being killed in Iss1. The widow married Charles Kohler, and had one daughter by this union, Hedwig, wife of John Kohler, of Pittsburg. The subject of this sketch learned the shoe- maker's trade, and worked at that business until 1866, when he purchased his present farm in Jefferson township, upon which he has since resided, and is quite a prosperous farmer. He was married December 27, 1867, to Paulina Krause, a sister of Thielo Krause, of Saxonburg. She was born September 4, 1844, and is the mother of four children, as follows : Hedwig, deceased ; Clara ; Charles R., and Alice. Politically, he is a Democrat, has filled the office of school director, and served seven years as township auditor. He was a soldier in the Rebellion, serving one year. Ile is connected with the I. O. O. F .. being a member of both Lodge and Encampment.

REV. JACOB WILHELM was born in Germany August 13, 1 87. and was educated for the ministry and ordained a minister of the Lutheran church, He afterwards went as a missionary to Africa, and in 1868 immigrated to Butler county and settled at Evans City, where he took charge of the Lutheran church. In 1873 be removed to Beaver county, and in 1874 to Green Oak, Allegheny county, having charge of a church in each place. In 1576 he located at White Hall, Allegheny county, as pastor of the Lutheran church at that place, but owing to ill health was unable to continue his pastorate. He then came to But-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ler county and purchased the Moser farm in Jefferson township, but subsequently removed to Sharpsburg. where he died September S, ISSS. His family returned to the homestead in Jefferson township, where they have since resided. Mr. Wilhelm was married April 28, 1868. to Fredericka Maier. a daughter of Gottlob Maier. of Kornthal. Germany. Nine children were born to this union, as fol- lows: Gottlieb T. ; Frederick P. ; John P. : Emanuel J. ; Clara C. M. ; Martha 1 .. D. ; Emilie E. L. : Emma M. T .. deceased, and Hannah J. F. Emanuel J. was kicked on the head by a horse November 28, 1894, and died December 4. following, never having fully regained consciousness. Hle was buried in the Hannahstown cemetery.

GOTTLIEB T. WILHELM, eldest in the family of Rev. Jacob Wilhelm, was born in Evans City. Butler county. April 9, 1870, received a common school education, and since the death of his father he has been engaged in farming upon the homestead in Jefferson township. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics, a Republican.

REV. FREDERICK WILHELM, director of Concordia Home, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. July 29, 1840, son of Jacob, and Christina ( Jeutter) Wilhelm. natives of the same place. He was educated in a school in his native town, and subsequently studied at a Theological Missionary Institution. at Chris- chona, Switzerland. He immigrated to Michigan in 1868, and was ordained October 11th of that year. He became pastor at Albion, and subsequently at Kalamazoo, of a German Lutheran church. coming to Butler county in 1870, as pastor of the German Lutheran congregation of Jefferson township, known as St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran church. of which he had charge for twenty-one years. He also preached at Freeport, Summit. and Little Germany, in Buffalo township, in connection with his regular pastorate. In 1891 he was elected to his present position, where he has charge of the orphans and aged people which this charitable institution succors. Mr. Wilhelm's father died in 1877, and he went to Germany and brought his mother to this country, where she spent the remaining years of her life at his home. dying in ISSS. He was married June 16, 1870, to Louis Krauss, a daughter of William Krauss, a German Lutheran minister. She was born May 2, 1837, and although they have had no children, they have reared three from infancy, viz. : Philip Wilhelm, a minister of the Lutheran church, now residing in Wisconsin: Edward Hahn, a teacher, and Frederick Lang, of Sharpsburg. In politics, Mr. Wilhelm is independent, always casting his vote for those whom he regards as best fitted for the office.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 111

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