History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 116

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 116

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JACOB M. ZIEGLER was born in Jackson township, Butler county, July 26. 1836, received a common school education, and grew to manhood in his native township. Ile was married March 6, 1859, to Elizabeth Markel. a daughter of Zeno Markel, of Evans City. Eight children were born to this union. as fol- lows: Samuel A. ; Mary E., wife of Joseph 1 .. Blakeley : Zeno E. : Elizabeth. deceased : Daniel W. ; Emanuel D .; Emma S., deceased, and Lucinda A. Mr -. Ziegler died February 26, 1885: her husband survived until December 10, 1891. They were members of the German Reformed church, in which denomination he filled the office of elder. Politically. Mr. Ziegler was a Republican. but took very little interest in public matters.

SAMUEL A. ZIEGLER, eldest in the family of Jacob M. and Elizabeth Ziegler, was born in Jackson township. Butler county. December 10, 1860, was reared in the home of his parents, and learned the blacksmith's trade. Ile afterwards worked four years at Renfrew, and two years at Mars. Ile sold out his shop at Mars in 1889, and went to Clinton township, where he remained one year, then purchased the old Mahood farm in Penn town- ship, upon which he has since resided. He married Mary E. Cooper, a daughter

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of Robert Cooper. of Penn township, who has had three children : Estella M. : Iva E .. and one that died in infancy. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is an adherent of the Republican party.

JESSE CRITCHLOW was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania. in 1811, his parents being among the pioneers of this county. He was reared on a farm and received his education in a pioneer subscription school. He learned the shoe- maker's trade, which he followed in connection with farming down to his death. in 1866. He married Catherine Wareham, a daughter of Adam Warcham, of Butler county, and they were the parents of twelve children, viz. : Dorcas E .. who married William Ruchenberger; John W .; Elizabeth, and Henry, the last three deceased ; Catherine, who married Milton Jones ; Adam. deceased ; Henry C .; Martha, and Matilda A., both deceased : Mary J., wife of Daniel Emerick; Robert G., and David. Mr. Critchlow was a member of the Presby - terian church, and was an adherent of the Democratic party.

HENRY C. CRITCHLOW, eldest living son of Jesse and Catherine Critchlow. was born in Forward township, Butler county, May 1, 1845, wa- reared upon his father's farm, and learned the carpenter's trade. On June 6, 1868, he married Mary E. Campbell, a daughter of William J. Campbell, of Middlesex township. Thirteen children were born to this union, as follows : Josephine : Milton ; Rob- ert ; Blanche ; Julia, deceased ; William : Birdenas ; Rollins; Pearl; Mamie ; Walter; Frank, deceased, and Mary. Politically, . Mr. Critchlow is a Democrat. but aside from exercising the elective franchise, takes no active part in public affairs.

GEORGE MARSH was born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, in 1793. son of Abraham Marsh, a Revolutionary soldier who served until the close of that war, then settled upon a farm in Monroe county, where he resided until his death. He was twice married, and was the father of five sons and three daughters. George, the youngest son, was reared upon the farm, and married Christina Sarver. They were the parents of seven children : Peter ; Sarah, who married George Wilson ; Julia, who married Aaron Ramsey; Abraham : Timothy : Han- nah, and Mary, who became the wife of Mr. Carner. Mr. Marsh was a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics, he was a Whig. Both he and wife spent their lives in Monroe county.

ABRAHAM MARSH was born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, September 2, 1822, and is the oldest living son of George and Christina Marsh. He learned the carpenter's trade in early manhood, and followed that business for thirty-tive years, then purchased a farm of fifty acres in Penn township, Butler county, upon which he has since resided. Mr. Marsh is a member of the Baptist church. is a Republican in politics, and has filled the offices of school director and treas- urer of the school board. He married Eliza M. Kinser, a daughter of Joseph Kinser, of Connoquenessing township, who is the mother of ten children, viz. : Lydia A., wife of Samuel McCandless; George L. ; William V .: Eliza B. : Meda, wife of Lorenzo Lyons : Elizabeth, wife of John Umstead : Abraham W. ; James W. ; Murilda, and Sarah, wife of Robert Dunbar.

ANDREW WIBLE was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1769. attended a subscription school in boyhood. where both English and German were

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

taught, and grew to maturity in his native county. He came to Pittsburg at an early date, and worked under Major Craig in the erection of Fort Pitt, which was built on the site of that city. In 1799 he married Mary Smith, a daughter of Adam Smith, of Northumberland county, settled upon a farm, and followed that business the remainder of his life. Thirteen children were the fruits of this union, as follows : John : Susan, who married John McPherrin, and subsequently James Thompson : George; Catherine, who married John Thompson ; Adam, (all of the foregoing are dead ) : AAndrew : Sarah, who married Andrew English; Ilarrison ; Mary A., wife of Irwin Anderson : Eliza J., wife of Will- iam Logan : William S. ; James, and one that died in early youth. Mr. Wible died in January. 1553, and his wife in 1873. They were members of the Presbyterian church.

WILLIAM S. WIBLE was born April 13. 1824, in Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, grew to manhood in that county, and in 1846 married Sarah A. Stew- art. a daughter of William Stewart, of Allegheny county, and subsequently located in Penn township, Butler county, where he yet resides. Mr. Wible is the father of five children. as follows : Almira : Mary J., wife of James Strain ; George A. ; William S., and Charles II. George A. was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, April 8, 1554, received a common school education, and adopted farming as his vocation. He married Jennie Martin, of Penn township, in 1884, and is the father of three children, viz. : Frank ; Walter, and Imo- gene. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, a Republi- can. William S. was born upon the homestead farm, in Penn township, Butler county, September 5. [858, received a common school education and has been a farmer since boyhood. He married Maggie N. Burton, a daughter of William J. Burton, of Penn township, and has three children, viz. : Olive Myrtle ; Bessie J .. and Clara M. Politically, he is a Republican, and has filled the offices of township auditor and inspector for several terms. Charles 11. was born on the homestead in Penn township, May 8, 1866. Ile received a common school education, is a farmer, a member of the Reformed church, and in politics, a Republican. Ile married Elizabeth C. Thomas, of Connoquenessing township, May 8, 1888, and is the father of two children : Sarah II., and Harry H. For more than forty years Mr. Wible has been a trustee and elder in the Presbyterian church. Politically, he is a Republican, was a school director for one term in Allegheny county, and three terms in Butler county, and has always manifested a deep interest in educational matters.

JAMES RANKIN was born in Fairview township, Butler county, Pennsyl- vania, February 24, 1846, son of David C. and Nancy (Moore) Rankin, and grandson of David Rankin, one of the pioneers of Fairview township. Mr. Rankin was reared upon the homestead in Fairview township, attended the dis- trict school of his neighborhood, and adopted farming as his vocation. In Feb- ruary, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until July 10. 1865. when he was honorably discharged. On April 25, 1868, he married Mary L. Graham, a daughter of John Graham, of Parker township, to which union were born six children. Their names are as follows : Nancy J., wife of W. F. McKelvey; Cora M., wife of George H.

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Scott ; David A. ; George C .; John O., and Ilarold G. Mrs. Rankin died June 21, 1881, and he was again married, March 31, 1886, to Margaret E. Murtland, a daughter of John Murtland, of Concord township. Four children are the fruits of this union, viz. : Lilly T. ; Mary L .; James W., and William P. Mr. Rankin is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and is superintendent of the Sabbath school. In politics, he is a Republican, and has been assessor, super- visor and collector in his township. He is recognized as one of the leading farm- ers of the township, as well as a representative, worthy citizen.

FELIX H. NEGLEY was born near East Liberty, Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, May 24, 1833, son of Casper and Elizabeth ( Fluke) Negley, natives of the same county. His father was born March 17, 1784, grew to manhood upon his father's farm, and followed farming all his life. He married Elizabeth Fluke, of Pittsburg, and was the father of nine children, as follows: Mary A., who mar- ried Aaron Reimer ; John F ; Alexander W. ; Magdalene F., who married David Mohler : George B., deceased; Felix Il .; Jacob L. ; Casper S., and Daniel F. Casper Negley died May 12. 1877, surviving his wife thirty-three years. The subject of this sketch received a common school education. was graduated at a commercial college, and afterwards embarked in merchandising at Pittsburg, remaining there four years. lle was married AApril 7, 1857, to Mary A. Simons. a daughter of William Simons, of Allegheny county, and came to Butler county the same year. Hle purchased a farm in Penn township from John Negley. upon which he has since resided. Six children were born of his marriage, as follows : Ada L., wife of Thomas M. Gibson; Jennie G., wife of David W. Lefevre : Clara M., wife of Thomas L. Duff ; William C. ; Felix Harry. and Homer D). The family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Negley has filled the offices of trustee and steward. September 3, 1864, he enlisted in Company D. Sixth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. and was honorably discharged June IB. 1865. Politically, he is a Republican, and has been justice of the peace and overseer of the poor in Penn township.

Joux R. Surroy was born in Penn township, Butler county. in 1524, where the Sutton family settled in 1815. He received a common school education, and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed the greater portion of his life. In 1851 he married Elizabeth Martin, a daughter of Richard Martin. of Summit township. to which union were born eight children, as follows: Daniel Il. : Annie M., wife of Samuel Flemming ; David B., deceased : William O. : Samuel M. ; George M. ; Mary J., wife of Milton J. Graham, and Harry R. Mr. Sut- ton died upon his homestead in Penn township, in August. 1989. His widow is still living in Penn township. Ile was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, an adherent of the Democratic party.

AMOS MATES was born in IS12. in Washington county, Pennsylvania, close to the Allegheny line. His parents were from Berks county and of German extraction. Hle came to Butler county in 1840 and settled in Muddy Creek township (now Centre), and later removed to Penn township, where he died in 1880. Mr. Mates was married about 1839, to Mary A., daughter of John Deri- more, of Muddy Creek township, to whom were born seven children: Mary. deceased ; Sarah ; Viola; Ann: W. J .; A. W., and James B. Mrs. Mates died

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

in February, 1887. In politics, Mr. Mates was originally a Whig and afterwards a Republican.

JONAS ILARTZELL was born in Bucks county. Pennsylvania. February 1, 1792. grew to maturity in his native county, learned the wagonmaker's trade. and also followed farming. He removed from Bucks county to Harmony, Butler county, lived in that village about eight years, engaged in wagon making, and then bought a farm in Jackson township. where the remainder of his days were spent. He married Mary Housekeeper, of Bucks county, and had a family of five children, as follows : Hannah. deceased wife of Jacob Goas, of Beaver county: Jacob. and Eli, both deceased ; Isaac, and George. Mr. Hartzell and wife were members of the Lutheran church, and in politics, he was a Democrat.

JACOB HARTZELL, eldest son of Jonas and Mary Hartzell. was born in Bucks county. March 19, 1817, was educated at a subscription school and was reared a farmer. He came to Butler county with his parents, where he met and married Jane E. Brown. a daughter of John Brown, of Middlesex township, March 17, 1850. Seven children were the fruits of this union. viz. : Jonas S. : Mary A. ; Ilannah, deceased ; Nannie J., wife of Robert Garraux; Letitia N. : John B .. and Lizzie M., wife of John Glascow. In IS51 Mr. Hartzell purchased a farm in Penn township, where he has since resided. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and a Democrat in politics.

JONAS S. HARTZELL was born upon the Hartzell homestead in Penn town- ship, February 12, 1557. and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. le is the eldest son of Jacob and Jane E. Hartzell, and grandson of Jonas Hart- zell. Mr. Hartzell was married September 23. 195, to Anna C. May, a daugh- ter of llenry May, of Forward township, and has three children : Floyd R .; Charles R .. and Mary E. Politically, he is a Democrat. and in religious faith, he is an adherent of the Presbyterian church.

SAMUEL RENFREW was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of John Renfrew. a native of Renfrewshire. Paisley, Scotland, born in 1750. John Renfrew came to America about 1768, and served in the Continental army throughout the Revolution. He was a member of the Covenanter church, and died in that faith. After the War of Independence had closed. he settled near Chambersburg. Pennsylvania, erected a grist and saw mill, and carried on the milling and lumbering business the remainder of his life. He married Sarah Ray, and was the father of four sons and four daughters. Samuel grew to man- hood in his native county, and upon his father's death succeeded to the mill property. which he conducted down to his death. The mill is still owned by a member of the Renfrew family. Samuel Renfrew married Hannah Lindsay, who bore him a family of four sons, viz. : John ; Robert ; David .A., and Samuel, all of whom are dead but David A. The parents were members of the Cove- nanter church, and were quite prominent in that denomination.

DAVID A. RENFREW, third son of Samuel and Hannah ( Lindsay) Ren- frew, was born at Greenwood Mills, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, was reared in his native county, and went into business with his father. In 1840 he came to Butler county and settled on Connoquenessing creek, in what is now Penn township. In 1844 he built a saw mill, and in 1868 a grist mill, which

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was the beginning of the present village of Renfrew, named in honor of its founder. Mr. Renfrew has been prominently identified with oil producing, and has several wells on his property. His original tract of 600 acres is now reduced to 200, which, however, is sufficient to support him in comfort the remainder of his life. In 1844 Mr. Renfrew married Mary Kirkpatrick, of Armstrong county, where she was born in 1824. To this union have been born ten children, as fol- lows : Samuel, who was killed in the Rebellion; Agnes J., wife of Samuel Mellon ; Elizabeth, wife of Erastus Logan; John C., who married Lena Crowe ; Robert, deceased : David, who married Susan Weber; Hannah A .. wife of John L. Walker: Kesiah, wife of A. J. White; Melissa, wife of John H. Walker, and Maggie, wife of Simeon W. Phipps. Mr. Renfrew is one of the founders of the Covenanter church at Renfrew, and has been one of the princi- pal supporters of that organization since the beginning.

H. S. MeCLYMONDS, physician and surgeon, was born in Portersville, But- ler county, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1857, son of James and Lydia (Vance) MeClymonds. His father was born in Allegheny county, in 1816, of Scotch parentage, who came to America in the Eighteenth century. His mother was of Irish descent, and was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. She died December 30, 1852. His father is still living at the age of seventy-nine year-, and has spent his life in agricultural pursuits. Both were consistent members of the United Presbyterian church. They reared a family of ten children, nine of whom are living. The subject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm, received his primary education in the common schools, afterwards attended the State Normal at Edinboro, and taught for several terms. He studied medicine with Dr. A. G. Thomas, of Freeport, attended lectures at Miami Medical College. Cincinnati, Ohio, one term, and graduated at the Medical Department of the New York University. in March, 1853. Hle at once opened an office at Browns- dale, Butler county, where he continued to enjoy a good practice until 1892, when he removed to Renfrew and purchased the drug store of J. M. Calvert. which he carries on in connection with his professional duties. Dr. McCly- monds is a member of Butler County Medical Association, also of the State Med- ical Society, and is one of the well known physicians of the county. He was married October 11, ISS7, to Ida M. Dontbett, a daughter of IIon. D. B. Douthett, of Forward township, and has two children : Bell V., and James D. Dr. McClymonds and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and he is a liberal contributor towards that denomination.

DAVID L. KIRKPATRICK was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1837, son of John L., and Naney ( Lorimer ) Kirkpatrick, and grand- son of James Kirkpatrick, a native of Scotland, who came to the United States at an early day and settled in Indiana county, Pennsylvania. During the last Indian war. James Kirkpatrick had charge of a blockhouse for the protection of the inhabitants of his vicinity. Ile died at a very advanced age. John L., the father of our subject, was a farmer and carpenter, and died at the age of seventy- five years, and his wife Nancy, at the age of seventy years. They were the par- ents of the following children : James ; Robert ; Andrew ; William ; David L. ; Mary ; Elizabeth. and Harriet. all of whom grew to maturity. They were mem-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

bers of the Presbyterian church, in which faith they reared their family. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, attended the public schools of his district, and selected farming as his vocation. In 1850 he located upon a farm in Centre township, Butler county, where he followed agriculture for many years, and then retired to Renfrew. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served in the army of the Potomac until 1863, when he was discharged because of disability through defective hearing. His brothers, Robert and William, were also soldiers in the Union army. Mr. Kirkpatrick was married January 16, 1885, to Martha J. Ramsey, a daughter of James and Elizabeth ( Maxwell ) Ramsey, of Armstrong county. Her grandfather Maxwell was one of the first settlers in Centre town- ship, Butler county. Seven children are the fruits of this union, as follows : William; Robert; Mary, wife of Lawrence MeCandless ; John ; Leslie ; Gertrude, and Everett. Mr. Kirkpatrick is a Republican, in politics, and both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

Ross M. BOWSER, lumber dealer and builder, was born in Valley township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, December 8, 1847, son of M. P. and Sarah (Baum) Bowser. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch ancestry, a soldier in the Civil war, and a Democrat in politics. He was in the Seventy-eighth regiment, enlisting in the spring of 1862, and remaining in the service for three years. Ile served in many hard-fought battles, was captured and held a prisoner for some time, and is now living at the age of seventy-six years. His mother was also of Dutch extraction, and is living in Armstrong county at the age of seventy-one years. The subject of this sketch was reared a farmer. In February, 1871, he went into the coal business on the James Milford farm, near Parker's Landing. This business he afterwards sold out, and in 1884 came to Renfrew, and has since been engaged in the oil and lumber business, the firm now being known as R. M. Bowser & Son. He is also a part owner in several producing oil wells. Mr. Bowser was married August 11. 1871, to Amanda R. Anthony. She was born July 1. 1849, and is a daughter of Benja- min and Susannah ( Zimmerman ) Anthony. They are the parents of nine chil- dren, as follows : Ilattie, deceased ; Harry M., a member of the firm of R. M. Bowser & Son : Jessie M. ; Lillian D., deceased ; Milo F. ; Flodia Z. ; Harvey F. ; Katie, deceased, and Alta E. Mr. Bowser is an adherent of the Democratic party, and favors low taxes.

DAVID W. ROBERTS, proprietor of a livery stable at Renfrew, was born in Cardiganshire, Wales, July 5, 1834. son of Rev. William and Mary ( Davis) Roberts. His father was a Baptist minister, came to the United States in 1861, was pastor of a church at Mineral Ridge, Ohio. for two years, and died at Young -- town, Ohio, in 1864, aged seventy years. His mother died in Wales, at the age of sixty-tive. The subject of this sketch immigrated to the United States in September, 1855, and found employment in the mines at Pottsville, Pennsylvania. having been a miner and rolling mill quarryman in his native land. He worked in the mines at Pottsville for two years, then went to West Middlesex, where he worked as a miner one year, and thence to Youngstown, Ohio. He worked in a rolling mill in that city four years, and also at Sharon, Pennsylvania, and later

James Rankin

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was engaged in the grocery business at Youngstown for some time, whence he removed to Venango county in 1877. In 1882 he located at Renfrew, Butler county, and embarked in the livery business, which he still continues. Ile is also identified with the oil interests of his locality, and is a part owner in an oil well. Mr. Roberts was married, June 1, 1858, to Martha Hollenbaugh, to which union have been born seven children, as follows: Mary H .; David J .; Nicholas : Rebecca J. ; Margaret M. ; Isabel, and Myra E.

A. J. WINTE, oil producer, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. May 10, 1846, son of David and Jane (Edwards) White, the former a native of the same county, and the latter of Maryland. Ilis paternal great-grandfather was the original settler on the site of Beaver Falls, coming from Down county. Ireland, to that point with his family. His grandfather was a native of Down county, Ireland, and came with his parents to Pennsylvania in childhood. His maternal grandfather was born in England, came to America with his wife soon after marriage, and settled in Maryland. Ilis parents, David and Jane White, are residents of Venango county, the former being now eighty-one years of age, and the latter seventy-six. David White held the office of justice of the peace in his native town for twenty years. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in Beaver county, but has been interested in oil producing for the last twenty

years, the first ten of which he followed the business of a driller. He is inter- ested in quite a number of producing wells, and claims to have been the first operator to put down a well in the Hundred Foot field. He is quite an exten- sive contractor in sinking wells, and superintending those which he puts down. Mr. White was married to Martha Hitchcock, who bore him three children, two. of whom survive : Effie Jane, wife of Elmer Shidler, and Ella. Mrs. White died, and he subsequently married Ida Kesiah Renfrew, a daughter of David A. Ren- frew. He is a Democrat, in politics, and an ardent supporter of that party.

DANIEL B. WHITE was born March 4, 1851, in Venango county. Pennsyl- vania, son of David and Jane (Edwards) White, and a brother of A. J. White of Renfrew. He was reared on a farm, attended the district schools, and subsequently learned the bricklayer's and plasterer's trades, which he followed for eight years as a journeyman. He then engaged in drilling oil wells, at which business he has since continued, being at present employed by his brother in putting down wells. He married Kate J. Kennedy, a daughter of William Ken- nedy. of Mechanicsville, Venango county, and has the following children : David. born March 19, 1874; Joseph J., March 2, 1877; Edward, February 2, IST9: Bertie, July 29, 1883; Ralph, July 2, 1886: Edgar, and Grace E., November >. 1891. Mr. White is an adherent of the Democratic party.

JOHN H. WALKER was born in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, October 27. 1852, son of O. B. and Sarah (McLaughlin) Walker. His father was a carpen- ter, and the subject of this sketch learned that trade with him, and was a part- ner in the business of contracting and building for many years. Mr. Walker came to Renfrew in 1887, where he has since been engaged at his trade, being one of the principal builders in the township. He was married March 15, Iss2, to Melissa II., a daughter of David .\. Renfrew, the founder of the village of Ren-

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 116

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