History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 113

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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ELMER E. GRAHAM, principal of the Saxonburg public schools, was born in Connoquenessing township, Butler county, April 19, 1864. He received his primary education in the schools of his native township, and subsequently at- tended the public schools of Butler and the Witherspoon Institute. In 1882 he commenced teaching in Butler, and afterwards taught in Buffalo, Summit and Middlesex townships. In the fall of 1888 he was appointed principal of the Saxonburg schools, which position he has since occupied to the entire satisfaction of the community. Mr. Graham was married May 6, 1891, to Ida Raabe, a daughter of Christian Raabe, of Saxonburg, and has one daughter, Viola, born March 21, 1893. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, of Butler, while his wife is an adherent of the Evangelical Protestant church. Mr. Graham has been quite active in local political affairs for several years, is a stanch Republican, and has been a member of the county committee at different times. He is connected with the K. of P., the Jr. O. U. A. M., the K. O. T. M., the O. T. W., and the I. O. O. F.

CHRISTIAN J. RAABE. son of the late Christian and Caroline ( Schroth) Raabe, was born in Saxonburg. Butler county, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1867. Ile received a practical education in the schools of the borough. In 1881 he went to Freeport and learned the barber's trade. In 1883 he returned to Saxon- burg and opened a shop of his own, which he carried on until [891, when he purchased the Hotel Laube, which he still conducts. Mr. Raabe is an active member of several lodges, belonging to the Encampment and Rebekah degrees, 1. O. O. F. : K. of P., and W. of W. He is a member of the German Lutheran church, and takes an active part in church affairs. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat. In 1892 he was a delegate to the State convention at Harrisburg, and in IS9I was one of the Democratic candidates for the legislature. June 20, 1889, he married Othelia, youngest daughter of the late E. A. Helmbold, of Saxon-

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burg, to which union have been born three sons, viz. : Ilerbert. born July S. 1890; Norman, July 15, 1892, and Ellsworth, December 27, 1 93.

FREDERICK PFABE, proprietor of the Saxonburg Hotel, was born in Jefferson township, Butler county. February 20, 1860, son of Henry J. and Wilhelmina (Hoffman) Pfabe of this township. His father died in 1585, and his mother in 1890, aged sixty-four and sixty-six years, respectively. Frederick was reared upon the homestead farm. and was subsequently employed upon the West Penn railroad. In 1890 he engaged in the hotel business in Saxonburg, since which time he has carried it on very successfully, Saxonburg being quite a well known sum- mer resort for citizens from Pittsburg. Mr. Pfabe was married April 18, 1881, to Alwena Ruediger, and has three children, viz. : Lydia; Hattie, and Herbert. Politically, Mr. Pfabe is a Republican, and is a member of the K. of P., and the I. O. O. F.

FREDERICK BAUMAN, marble dealer, was born in Saxony, Germany, September 19. 1837, son of Christian Bauman and J. Christina Corning, natives of Germany. In 1838 his parents immigrated to Butler county, and set- tled on a farm in Jefferson township. His father was a carpenter, and worked at his trade in connection with farming, down to his death, October 20, 1883. aged eighty-four years. His mother died April 19, 1886, at the age of seventy- five years. Both were members of the German Lutheran church, and died in that faith. Frederick was reared upon a farm and learned the carpenter's trade with his father. At the age of eighteen he began to learn marble cutting, and engaged in business at Saxonburg in 1858, where he has been the only mar- ble dealer for many years. On November 20. 1860. he married Louisa Aderhold, a daughter of flenry F. and Johanna Aderhold. She is a sister of Albert Aderhold, of Jefferson township, and was born in Saxonburg, July 12, 1840, her parents being natives of Germany, who settled in this locality in 1833. Ten children have been born to this union, as follows; William II. : Aaron L. : Charles E. ; Harris E. ; Clara E., deceased; Alice A .; Mary Emelie; Robert M. ; Louis E., and Walter L. In February, 1865, Mr. Bauman enlisted in Com- pany E, Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. His brothers, Herman C., and Ernest A., were also soldiers in the Rebellion. John H. was the only brother not in the service. Politically, he is a Republican, and in religious faith, a Lutheran.

WILLIAM J. CHESNEY, contractor, was born in Slippery Rock township, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1843, son of John and Cath- erine (Stoner) Chesney. His father was a native of Ireland, and was brought by his parents to Chester county, Pennsylvania, when a year old, there grew to maturity, and removed with his mother to Lawrence county. where she died, his father having died in Chester county. William J. learned the black- smith's trade from his father, and worked at that business until 1863. when he became employed in the oil fields, first as a laborer and then as a contractor in drilling wells, which business he has since followed successfully. Mr. Chesney located at Saxonburg in 1891, where he has resided for the past four years. He married Eunice Elizabeth Grimm, in February, 1872. She was born January 16. 1847, and is a daughter of Michael and Mary ( Hammel) Grimm, of Columbiana

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

county. Ohio, where her father is an oil operator and merchant. She is the mother of five children, as follows : Lloyd. born November 10. 1872; May, Octo- ber 3, 1875; Kitty, October 18. 1877 : Maggie, March 3. ISSO, and Willie, March 28, 1884. Mrs. Chesney is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Polit- ically, Mr. Chesney is a Republican. is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is con- nected with the American Legion of Honor.

CHARLES WETZEL, builder, was born in Saxonburg borough. Butler county. Pennsylvania, June 17. 1856, son of Gottfried and Caroline ( Raabe) Wetzel, natives of Germany. Gottfried Wetzel came to this country in early manhood with his parents, was a wagonmaker, and among the early settlers of Butler county. He died in 1580; his widow is still a resident of the county. The sub- ject of this sketch learned the wagonmaker's trade with his father, subsequently acquired the carpenter's trade and has been a carpenter and builder for several years, and also a dealer in hunber. He has recently erected for himself one of the most commodious residences in Saxonburg. Mr. Wetzel was married June 19, 1879, to Mary Seibert, a daughter of Conrad Seibert, a retired farmer. She was born October 3, 1856, and is the mother of four children : Albert, born Jan- nary 7, 1583: Walter, born June 7. 1886; Howard, born January 31. 1890, and Della, born March 16, 1894. Mr. Wetzel is connected with the I. O O. F .. both Lodge and Encampment, and is also a member of the K. of P.

CHARLES PFEIFFER. merchant and liveryman, was born in Alsace, Ger- many, August 15, 1851. son of Anton and Elizabeth (Goetz) Pfeiffer, natives of Germany. His father was a cooper, and died in 1852. His mother died in 1865. In 1872 Mr. Pfeiffer came to the United States and settled in Pittsburg, where he worked at his trade, that of shoemaker, for eight years. He then came to Saxonburg, where he continued the same business until 1890, when he opened a flour and feed store, which he carried on in connection with a livery stable. Ile also operates the stage line between Saxonburg and the railroad station. Mr. Pfeiffer has been twice married; first to Amelia Glontz. to whom were born seven children. She died in ISS7, and he was again married, to Mrs. Minnie A. Wagner, to which union have been born two children. Mr. Pfeiffer is a Republican. and is a member of the K. of P .. and the K. O. T. M.

JAMES C. GRAY. ganger. was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania. December 22. 1853, son of William and Eleanor ( Beck) Gray, the former of Irish and the latter of German nationality. The family came to Butler county about 1876 and located at Millerstown, where the father died at the age of seventy-two years. William and Eleanor Gray, were the parents of eight chil- dren, seven of whom are living, viz. : Sarah, wife of William Turner ; Charles C .: Carrie, wife of F. A. Sutton : William II. ; Mary. deceased ; Hannah J., wife of Thomas Moore : John W., and James C. At the age of fourteen the last mentioned began to work in the oil fields. and since 1887 he has been in the employ of the National Transit Company, being now their gauger for the thirty- third district, embracing Jefferson township and some adjoining territory. Mr. Gray was married August 26. 1875. to Hanna J. Ritchie, a native of Indiana county. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the A. O. U. W .. the I. O. O. F .. and the K. of P.

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HENRY LANG. blacksmith, was born in Jefferson township. Butler county. October 21, 1863, son of John and Eva ( Kronfenstine) Lang, natives of Brier, Germany. His father was born July 1, 1815, came to the United States in 1550. worked at his trade of blacksmith, in Pittsburg, until 1857, and then located at Saxonburg, Butler county, where he followed blacksmithing down to 1880, when he retired from business. John Lang is a son of Conrad Lang. Henry learned the blacksmith trade with his father, and assumed control of the business in 1880, upon the retirement of the latter, since which time he has continued in successful business. He has been quite prosperous, and has recently erected for himself one of the finest residences in the township. He is a member of the K. of P., and in politics, he is a stanch Democrat. Mr. Lang married Lydia Dresher, in April, 1887. She is a daughter of William Dresher, of Saxonburg, and is the mother of one son, Elmer, born August 8, 1891. Mr. Lang and wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church.

HENRY SEFTON was born in Antrim county, Ireland, and was reared to man- hood in his native land. He immigrated to Pennsylvania when a young man. and in 1796 purchased a farm, then in Buffalo, but now in Clinton township, Butler county, containing 200 acres of unimproved land. The same year he mar- ried Jane Quinn, erected a cabin in the unbroken forest, and there the young couple began their married life. He was offered an adjoining tract for his rifle, but refused the offer, considering the rifle of more value than the land. He became the father of nine children, named as follows : Edward ; James; John ; Jane, who married Matthew Bicket : Henry ; Mary Ann, who married Robert Cox, and for her second husband, David Logan; Catherine. who married William Logan ; Ellen, and William, all of whom are dead. Mr. Sefton and wife were members of the Union church. He died in 1840, his wife surviving him several years. In politics he was first a Whig and afterwards a Democrat, and filled the office of township collector and other minor positions.

EDWARD SEFTON, SR., was born on the homestead in what is now Clinton township, Butler county, September 10, 1802, was educated at a subscription school, and followed farming throughout his life. In 1827 he married Elizabeth Thompson, a daughter of Robert Thompson, of Middlesex township, who became the mother of eight children, viz. : Edward ; Jane; Robert ; Esther, who mar- ried David Campbell, and afterwards Morris Craven ; Eliza, who married John Westerman ; Henry, deceased ; Isabel, who married David Hazlett, and William. Mr. Sefton died in 1869, and his wife, September 12, 1887. They were members of the Seceder church, in which he filled the office of elder for twenty-five years. In early life he was a Whig, was afterwards a Republican, and filled the offices of school director and assessor in Clinton township.

EDWARD SEFTON was born in Penn township, Butler county, May 9, 1828. and is the eldest child of Edward and Elizabeth Sefton. He was reared upon the farm, learned the carpenter's trade, and follows that business in connection with farming. On April 20, 1852, he married Margaret Hay, a daughter of James Hay, of Middlesex township, to which union have been born ten children, as fol- lows: Edward; James M .; John ; David IL .; Eliza J. ; Maggie L. ; William S. ; Joseph M .; Robert, and Thomas. Mr. Sefton is a member of the United

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Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is a Republican. He has filled the offices of school director and road commissioner, and is one of the enterprising citizens of his township. On February 14. 1565. he enlisted in Company E. Seventy- eight Pennsylvania Volunteers, was mustered in at Pittsburg, whence he went to Harrisburg, and was sent to Nashville, Tennessee. Ile remained at the latter point until September 11, and on his way home was taken sick at Cincinnati with typhoid fever, was brought on to Pittsburg, but did not recover for eight months. He was honorably discharged at Harrisburg. and then returned to his home.

WILLIAM LOVE, SR., was one of the early settlers of Clinton township. locating upon the Harvey farm in 1806. He was a native of Ireland, and came from Delaware to Butler county with his wife and family. He was married in Ireland to Martha Sorson. Several years after his settlement, he purchased 200 acres of land where his grandson. Samuel M .. now lives, and here died in Octo- ber. 1848, his wife having died the previous May. Both were buried in the Westminster graveyard. Their children were as follows: James, who died in early manhood ; Samuel, who married Elizabeth Holsten: Rachel, who married George Kernahan: Robert, who married Sarah Holsten: William, who married Mary Thompson ; Martha, who became the wife of James Kerr. and Elizabeth who married Samuel Trimble.

WILLIAM LOVE, son of William and Martha Love, was born in 1803, and came with his parents to Clinton township, Butler county. when three years old. Here he grew to manhood, and afterwards received 100 acres of the homestead from his father. He erected the brick house now occupied by George Wiske- man. spent his entire life in farming pursuits, and died on February 27. 1892. He married Mary Thompson, a daughter of Robert Thompson, who died January 1, 1885. Fourteen children were born to this union. as follows: Samuel M ; Isabel, deceased wife of Robert Speer : Thompson ; Martha, wife of John W. Loech; Mary, wife of Francis Donaldson; Ann. wife of John E. Thompson : Rachel, deceased; James; William : Elizabeth; Nancy, wife of William Peaco; Robert; George, and Newton. Politically, Mr. Love was a Whig in early days, and later a Republican. He was tirst a member of the Seceder church, but upon the organization of the United Presbyterian denomination, he united with that society.

SAMUEL M. LOVE, eldest son of William and Mary Love, was born on April 7. 1830. in Clinton township. He learned the carpenter's trade, and followed that business until 1893, in which year he settled on a portion of the old home- stead. He married Mary J. Harbison, and they are the parents of the following children : 11. W .; George H1 .. deceased ; Ella M .; Maggie J .: Inez, wife of George Wiskeman : James T. : Mary E .: Samuel II .; John H. K., deceased. and Charles A. Mr. Love is a member of the United Presbyterian church. and in politics, he is a Republican.

II. W. LOVE, eldest son of Samuel M. and Mary J. Love, was born Feb- ruary 16, 1853. in Clinton township. was reared on the homestead, and at the age of seventeen commenced learning the blacksmith's trade. Hle afterwards engaged in business at Saxonburg, and followed his trade until the spring of

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1893, when he formed a partnership with W. A. Krumpe, under the firm name of Krumpe & Love, and began the manufacture of brick and tile. Their plant consists of three acres of pits, a building twenty-four by eighty, a brick machine with a capacity of 20,000 bricks a day, and 15,000 tiles, a kiln with a capacity of 50,000 bricks and 20,000 tiles, all operated by a twenty-five horse power engine. They give employment to six men. Mr. Love married Lizzie Krumpe, a dangh- ter of C. Krumpe, and has two children, Charles and Ira. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, is connected with the Jr. O. U. A. M., and in politics, he is a Republican.

W. A. KRUMPE, son of Charles and Kate ( Bauer) Krumpe, was born December 9, 1869, in Clinton township, and was reared upon a farm. At the age of seventeen he became a salesman for the McCormick Reaper Company. which business he followed until the spring of 1893, when he formed a partner- ship with II. W. Love, under the firm name of Krumpe & Love, and has since been engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile. He is a member of the Lutheran church, is connected with the Jr. O. U. A. M., and is an ardent sup- porter of the Republican party.

JAMES LOVE. a native of Ireland, born in 1790. came to Butler county, in 1816, leaving his wife in Ireland, and settled in Buffalo, now Clinton township. His uncle, William Love. had previously settled in the township, and it is be- lieved he induced James to come to the United States. He was a son of Samuel and Betsey Love, who came from Ireland with James' wife, some two year- later, and settled on a small farm in Clinton township. Two other sons, Samuel and Robert, came with their parents. Samuel located in Jefferson township, and Robert in Washington county. The subject of this sketch was a weaver, and followed his trade in Clinton township, in connection with farming. Hle first settled on the farm now owned by George Maizland, but in 1824 purchased the property, now comprising the home of W. W. Armstrong. his son-in-law. It contained 200 acres, and was originally settled by John Heckart, and John Sny- der. This farm he improved. and spent the remaining years of his life thereon. dying in 1857. Mr. Love, was a very social, genial man, and played on the fid- dle for the amusement of his neighbors. having brought the instrument from his native land. He possessed considerable enterprise and took an active interest in the development of his adopted home. His wife's maiden name was Nancy Hutchison. who became the mother of the following children : James, born in Ireland, and died on the homestead in 1890; Samuel. who died in 1857; John, a resident of Clinton township; George, who lives on the old farm : William, who died in Missouri ; Obadiah, who died in Clinton township, in 1893 ; Mary Ann, deceased wife of William Heckart ; Robert, a resident of Westmoreland county, and Sarah J., wife of W. W. Armstrong. of Allegheny. Mrs. Love survived her husband twenty years, and died in 1877. They were members of the Cove- nanter church, and connected with the Lovejoy congregation. In harmony with his religious convictions, Mr. Love took no interest in political matter -.

GEORGE LOVE, son of James and Nancy Love, was born on the farm first settled by his father, in 1824, but was reared upon the second homestead. lle received a common school education, and remained with his parents until their

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decease. lle afterwards purchased the farm, and owned it until 1889, then sold it to his brother-in-law. W. W. Armstrong, and purchased the William Walker farm, but still resides upon the old homestead. He is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, a genial, intelligent gentleman, and one of the enterprising and successful farmers of the township.

JAMES CRISWELL was born in the City of Derry, Ireland. in 1791, there grew to manhood, and in 1819, made up his mind to come to the United States. After a stormy voyage across the Atlantic in the ship " Constellation," occupy- ing some thirty days, the vessel was wrecked off the coast of Nova Scotia, and the passengers lost everything except the clothes upon their backs. From St. John's, New Brunswick, Mr. Criswell worked his passage to Philadelphia, and walked from that city to Washington county. Pennsylvania, where he was glad to get work on a farm at four dollars and fifty cents per month, and take his pay in trade. Here he met and married, in 1825, Jane Brownlow. a native of Derry county, Ireland, born in 1804. She came with her parents to Philadelphia, and thence by wagon to Washington county. Pennsylvania. They had to pay seven dollars and fifty cents in gold per 100 pounds for their baggage transportation from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, and she, too, was weighed and charged for at the same rate, her parents walking the whole distance to save expense, and spending fourteen days on the journey. In 1830 Mr. Criswell purchased a farm from Hugh Davis, of Allegheny, containing "200 acres more or less," lying in Clinton town- ship. Butler county, for which he paid $500. When the tract was afterwards surveyed it was found to contain 240 acres. There were some four acres cleared and a small log cabin, with puncheon flooring and a door made of sawed boards, with wooden hinges, in fact one of those old fashioned structures so common in pioneer days. Mr. Criswell resided upon this farm forty years, dying April 30. 1870. His wife died on August 11, 1882. They reared a family of six sons and three daughters, and three children died in infancy. The oldest, William, was born in Washington county, February 13, 1829, learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in Allegheny, and resides in that city: James, born January 27, 1831, resides at Sharpsburg ; Letitia, born October 17. 1832, married Moses Marshall in 1854. and died in Kansas, March 19, 1894; Thomas, born August 15, 1834, went west with his sister Letitia and her husband, followed the lumber business down to the war, served in the Seventh Minnesota Regiment. and now resides at West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania; Robert. born October 11. 1836; Eliza Jane, born November 28, 1837, married John C. Norris, of Clinton township, and died November 8, 1862 ; Joseph, born April 7. 1840, remained on the home- stead with his parents, until August 11, 1861, then enlisted in Captain MeLaugh- fin's company, served until the close of the war, and now resides in Butler town- ship; John A., born February 25, 1842, served in Captain Hutchison's Com- pany, Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, and is now a resident of Washington, Penn- sylvania ; Robert Ross, born December 12. 1845, who also served in Captain Hutchison's company, and is an inmate of the Soldiers' Home, at Erie, and Susannah Belle, born October 4, 1849, married John Burtner, and resides in Clinton township. All of the children except the eldest were born upon the old homestead in Clinton township.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

THOMAS WESTERMAN was born in Manchester, England. December 11. 1809, there grew to manhood and learned the machinist's trade. He immigrated to Pennsylvania, and settled in Allegheny City, where he continued to work at his trade. In 1832 he married Hannah Tenant, a daughter of William Tenant, and in 1839 purchased a farm of 100 acres in Clinton township, Butler county, upon which he settled the same year. Both be and wife resided here the balance of their lives. He died August 16, 1887, and his wife, November 9, 1871. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: William T .; John II. : Thomas ; Mary A., who married Harrison Norris; George R .; Henry J. ; Sarah J. : Edward; Hannah B., who married Perry McCall, and Eliza E., who married Seth Mead. Mr. Westerman was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church.

EDWARD WESTERMAN was born in Clinton township, Butler county, August 2, 1851, and is the youngest son of Thomas and Hannah Westerman. He was reared upon the farm, assisting his parents with the home duties, and received a common school education. In January, 1875, he married Emma C. Burtner, a daughter of William Burtner, of Clinton township, and they are the parents of the following children : Ethel M. ; Ella M. ; Margaret E. : William P .; Sarah E. ; Emily E. ; Philip R. ; James R. : Hannah, and Cora. Mr. Westerman is a Republican.

STEWART MONTGOMERY was a native or Derry county, Ireland, and immi- grated to Pennsylvania, in 1831, and settled in Pine township, Allegheny county, where his son Samuel had preceded him. He subsequently removed to West Deer township, settling close to the Butler line, where he purchased 100 acres of land and spent the remaining years of his life thereon, dying about 1 59. He was married in Ireland to Jane Patterson, to whom were born the following children : Mrs. Mary Stewart, who lived and died in Ireland ; Samuel : John ; Archibald ; Elizabeth, who married George Ewing ; Thomas, who died in Allegheny county. in 1894, and Margaret J., a resident of the same county. The others all died in Clinton township. Mr. Montgomery was an early member of Pine Creek United Presbyterian church.

SAMUEL MONTGOMERY, eldest son of Stewart and Jane Montgomery, was born in Derry county, Ireland, in 1803. grew to manhood in his native land, and immigrated to the United States in 1827. The following year he settled in Pine township, Allegheny county, subsequently removing to Pittsburg, where he fol- lowed the brickmaker's trade until 1847, in which year be purchased 224 acres of land in Clinton township, Butler county. Ilere he settled and remained until 1858, when he removed to Pittsburg, and died in that city in 1865. Mr. Mont- gomery was married in Ireland, in 1827, to Eleanor Bard, who died in Pittsburg. in 1880. Five children were born to this union, viz. : John; Mary J., wife of Thomas Watson ; Archibald, and Samuel, both deceased, and Margaret, deceased wife of James Harrison. Mr. Montgomery was a member of Pine Creek United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he was a Republican.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 113

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