History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 119

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 119

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SHAFFER MAHAN was born in Allegheny county, April IS, 1859, and is the third son of John B. and Sarah J. Mahan. lle received a common school educa- tion, and has spent his life upon a farm. On June 18, 1879, he was married to Annie Burtner, a daughter of William Burtner, of Clinton township, and is the father of the following children : William J .; Samuel S., deceased ; Sarah J. : John G. ; Harper, and Floyd. Mr. Mahan is a member of the United Presby- ferian church, and is an adherent of the Republican party.

RANDALL ROSS MAHAN, son of John B. and Sarah J. (Dickson) Mahan, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, November 10, 1854, received a

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common school education, and has followed agricultural pursuits up to the pres- ent. He was married April 10, 1878, to Mary A. Chantler, a daughter of Thomas Chantler, of Middlesex township, and has six children : John E. ; Sarah E. ; Thomas C. : Ida B. ; Charles R., and Howard D. In politics, Mr. Mahan is a Republican, and is inspector of elections in his township. Both he and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church.

WILLIAM A. MAHAN, youngest in the family of Robert and Sallie Mahan, was born in Pine township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, October 1, 1836, where his parents had removed from Westmoreland county. He was reared upon his father's farm and received a common school education. He was married December 10, 1857. to Nancy Fulton, a daughter of Samuel Fulton, of Middle- sex township. Ten children have been the fruits of this union, as follows : Robert J. : Samuel F. ; Sarah J., who married James Frazier ; James A .; Nancy B., wife of William Hay ; William B., deceased ; Annie, who married Lafayette Kelly ; Eliza E., wife of Charles 1. Klingensmith ; Jessie H., wife of Stephen S. Donaldson, and Wilda. Mr. Mahan came to Butler county, in November, 1871, and purchased a portion of the Fulton farm in Middlesex township, where he still resides. He has two producing wells upon his farm, from which he receives a good income. Mr. Mahan and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, in which body he has filled the position of trustee. He is a Republican in politics, and has filled the offices of school director and supervisor in Middlesex township.

HAMILTON GILLESPIE was a native of Butler township, Butler county, born May 15, 1817, was reared upon a farm, and learned the hatter's trade. In March. 1843, he married Demans Gray, a daughter of William Gray, of Connoqueness- ing township, and settled in Whitestown, where he resided until his death, Jan- uary 13. 1892. The following children were born to this union : Julia A., who married Arthur Hillman ; Hiram ; William J ; Alexander W. ; Mary ; Catherine, who married Robert Thompson ; Emma, and Alva H. Mr. Gillespie was a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican.

WILLIAM J. GILLESPIE, son of Hamilton Gillespie, was born in Connoque- nessing township, Butler county, April 21, 1847, and was reared upon the home- stead farm. In September, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, was sent to Fort Ethan Allen, then to Washington, D. C., and next did guard duty on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, whence he returned to Fort Ethan Allen, and was honorably discharged June 13, 1865. On January 15. 1879, Mr. Gillespie married Lily A. Flick, daughter of Jacob B. Flick, of Middle- sex township. Seven children are the fruits of this union, as follows: Eliza A. : Hiram G. ; Henry A. K. ; Sarah M. ; Alice M. ; Jacob F., and Maude. Mr. Gillespie has followed merchandising for several years at Flick, and is the post- master of that office, which was named in honor of his father-in law.

ADAM NEWELL was born in eastern Pennsylvania, received a common school education, and learned the cooper's trade. He came to Butler county some years after reaching his maturity, and settled in Middlesex township, where he died in 1859. He was twice married. By his first marriage he was the father of five

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

children : Birchard ; James ; Suly, who married David List ; Mary, who married a Mr. Powell, and Sarah J. His second wife was Christina Butler, who became the mother of seven children : Elizabeth, wife of Patterson Grubbs; Samuel ; William; David ; Matilda, wife of John Messenger; Maria, wife of John McDonald, and John, who was drowned in youth. Mrs. Newell died in 1879, surviving her husband twenty years. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, was a supporter of the Democratic party.

DAVID NEWELL, third son of Adam and Christina Newell, was born in Middlesex township, Butler county, July 4, 1846. He was reared in his native township and has always been engaged in farming. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company K. One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was mustered in at Camp Reynold -. Proceeding to Washington, D. C., the regiment joined the army of the Potomac, and he participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and several skirmishes, and was honorably discharged in June, 1863. He re-enlisted the following September, in the Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, was sent to Fort Marcy, at the chain bridge, thence to Culpeper Court House, and then returned to Fort Marcy, where the battery remained until the close of the war. fle was discharged from the service at Harrisburg, July 2, 1865. Returning to his home he resumed his farm duties. Hle was married August 16, 1869, to Caroline, a daughter of Moses Dunbar. In 1879 he purchased the James McCollum farm, in Middlesex township, upon which he has since resided. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is an adherent of the Democratic party.

JOHN FREDLEY was born in Troy Hill, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in April, 1821, son of Jacob Fredley, a native of Switzerland, His father was a carpenter, and followed that business in Allegheny county until his death, in 1832. His mother was Marie Nesser, whom by her marriage to Jacob Fredley, became the mother of six children. as follows: Jacob; Susan, who married Thomas Black ; Catherine, who married James Sweeney ; John ; Marie, deceased, and Daniel. Mrs. Fredley died in 1851. Both she and husband were members of the Presbyterian church. The subject of this sketch was reared in Allegheny county, where he worked at coal mining until 1859, and then came to Butler county, and purchased the Welsh farm, in Jefferson township. He resided upon that farm for six years, when he bought the Kennedy farm, consisting of seventy- five acres, upon which he has since lived. Mr. Fredley married Catherine MeGinty, a daughter of Barney McGinty, of Armstrong county, who died soon afterwards, and he next married Mary Luty, a daughter of Rudolph Luty, of Allegheny county. To this marriage were born eleven children : Catherine ; Joseph, and John, all of whom are dead ; Christopher ; Daniel; William ; Mary A., wife of John Ritman ; Sarah E., wife of William Snyder ; Jacob, and two that died in early youth. Mrs. Fredley died, and he married Mary J. McMillen, a daughter of William McMillen, of Harrisville, Butler county, in 1884. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is a Dem- ocrat. In September, 1861, Mr. Fredley enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, joined the army at Petersburg, served in that battle, and in the closing scenes around Richmond down to the surrender of

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Lee. He was discharged at Harrisburg. June 6, 1865, and returned to his home, where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits.

DAVID M. DIBELL was born in Plum township, Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, January 29, 1822, son of Michael and Hannah ( Metzger) Dibell. Ilis maternal grandfather, Conrad Metzger, came to America from Germany with his parents when four years old, and at the age of sixteen years enlisted in the Con- tinental army and served through the Revolutionary war. He settled in Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, afterwards moved to Wayne county, Ohio, and bought a farm, upon which he passed the remainder of his life, dying at the remarkable age of 103 years. His eyesight continued unimpaired to the last, and he never wore glasses. He was married three times, and reared the following children : Polly ; David, and Hannah. by first wife : Michael, by second ; and James; John ; William : Betsy ; Peggie, and Peter, by third. Michael Dibell. Sr., was born in Allegheny county in 1789, grew to manhood there, and learned the weaver's and cooper's trades, which he followed in connection with farming. By his marriage to Hannah Metzger, he was the father of seven children. as fol- lows : John; James; Mary ; David M. : Margaret, who married George Ander- son; Nancy, and Jacob. The mother died in 1831. and in 1840 he married Jennie Kearns, who bore him one son, George. The parents were members of the United Presbyterian church, and died in that faith. The subject of this sketch grew to maturity in Allegheny county, and there learned the carpenter's trade. While working at his trade, he injured one of his hands so severely as to necessitate amputation, and he then engaged in farming. lle came to Butler county in 1864, purchased the Brown farm in Middlesex township, and has since resided upon it. Ile married Barbara, a daughter of Philip Snyder, September 3, 1863. Both he and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and politically. he is a Republican.

JACOB REIBER was born in Goeningen, Wurtemberg, Germany, May 4, 1818, and is the eldest son of Jacob Reiber, a native of the same place, born in 1788. His father was a dealer in fruit and seed, and married Barbara Haube- sauk, a daughter of George Haubesauk. in 1813. The following children were born to this union : Barbara, who married John Simmer; Margaret ; Jacob ; Mary, who married Jacob Stetsell, and Mrs. John Metzgar. The parents died in 1832. The subject of this sketch learned the baker's trade in his native land, immigrated to New York city in 1834, and remained there for fifteen years. He then came to Brady's Bend. Armstrong county, carried on blacksmithing at that point for nearly two years, and next removed to Summit township. Butler county, where he conducted a store and blacksmith shop, also a hotel and farm. Hle afterwards purchased the McGill farm, in Middlesex township, which he sold, and then bought the Dr. Blackwood farm upon which he has since lived. In February. 1840, he married Catherine Simmer, a daughter of John Simmer. She died in December, 1841, leaving one son, John. lle was again married October 15, 1842, to Elizabeth Marvin, of New York, to which union nine children have been born, as follows: William M. ; George W. ; Emma, who married William Phillips, and afterwards Alexander McMillan : Rebecca.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

deceased wife of W. P. Roessing; Albert S. ; Julia, deceased; Charles W. ; Elizabeth D., wife of Michael F. Knauff, and Harry A.

FREDERICK SWARTZ was born in Germany, in 1822. came to Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, in early youth, where he resided for some years, subsequently spent four years in Ohio, and then located in Allegheny City. He learned the carpenter's trade, and followed that occuption. In 1865 he removed to Butler county, and located on the Carner farm. He was married February 20, 1845, to Sophia Carner, a daughter of John Carner, of Middlesex township, who resided upon the farm where our subject now lives. Ten children were born to this union, as follows : Louisa, who married Frank Schrader; Charles A. : Augustus M .; Mary E., and Christian, both deceased; John L., Luella M. ; wife of George Miller ; Clara E., wife of William Bailey; Annie F., wife of William Wechter, and William F. Mr. Schwartz was a member of the Church of God, and in politics, he was a Republican. He died in Allegheny, February 17, 1891. His widow resides upon the homestead.

JOHN RIFLEY, SR., was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, about 1807, there grew to maturity and learned the carpenter's trade. About 1830 he mar- ried Barbara Sphar, a daughter of John Sphar, to which union were born the following children : Nicholas ; Elizabeth, who was twice married, first to Dan- iel Deer, and afterwards to Abraham Smith ; John; Jacob, and Frederick. Early in 1847 the family immigrated to the United States, where the father died the same year in Butler county, Pennsylvania. His widow survived him until 1879.

JOHN RIFLEY, son of John and Barbara Rifley, was born in Switzerland. March 11. 1838, and came with his parents to the United States in the spring of 1847. After arriving at manhood, in 1858, he went to Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, where he was naturalized, and cast his first vote for president in 1860. Ile remained in Illinois four years, and then returned to Butler county and took charge of the homestead farm during the war, his three brothers being in the service of the Union. Jacob was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, was sent to Annapolis Hospital, and then to Pittsburg, whence he returned to the front and served until the close of the war. Mr. Rifley was married May 25, 1865, to Mary AA. Lyon, a daughter of John Lyon, of Penn township, to which union have been born the following children : William H. ; John A. ; Thomas II .; George II .: Etta M., wife of Russell Hays, of Adams township. Mr. Rifley purchased the Haley farm, in Middlesex township, consisting of seventy acres. upon which he now resides. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has held the office of supervisor of his township.

NICHOLAS RIFLEY was born in Switzerland, and came to the United States with his family in 1847. He was a carpenter by trade. After the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Union army and served through the war. He married Laura Barclay, February 23, 1860. She became the mother of five sons, as follows : John A. ; Harry E. ; George B. ; William II., and Robert E., all of whom except George now reside in Minnesota and the State of Washington. Mr. Rifley was killed July S. 1869, while working at his trade. His widow died March 8, 1876.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOSEPH CROFT was a native of England. born about 1756, grew to man- hood in his native land, and there learned the carpenter's trade. In fs13 he was married to Mary Humphrey, a daughter of Henry Humphrey, of England, to which union were born eight children, as follows: Frederick ; Fannie ; Fran- cis ; Lewis: Emma, who married William Nesbit ; Lewis ; William, and Joseph. In 1820 Mr. Croft and family immigrated to Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and then removed to New Castle, Lawrence county, whence they came to But- ler county. He died here in 1831 ; his wife survived until June 26, 1854.

LEWIS CROFT was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1821. and is the fourth son of Joseph and Mary Croft. Ile was reared beneath the parental roof, and on December 18, 1849, he married Mary J. Mellenry, a daughter of John McHenry, of Middle Lancaster, Butler county. They are the parents of three children : James A. ; Sarah J., wife of George Rasley, of Mid- lesex township, and Mary E., wife of William Jack, of the same township. For over twenty years Mr. Croft has been a steward in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which denomination he has belonged nearly all his life. Politically, he is a Republican, and has been a school director in his township for twelve years.

JAMES A. CROFT was born in Cranberry township, Butler county, Octo- ber 22, 1850, received a common school education, and has always followed farming. He was married December 12. 1874, to Mary Henry, a daughter of Joseph Henry, of Butler township, and is the father of seven children, as follows: Minnie B .; John Nelson ; Lewis M .; Joseph M. ; two that died in infancy, and Albert C. Joseph M., and Albert C., are the only survivors.

THOMAS BAILEY was born in Nottingham, England, July 16, 1832, and came to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1848, being then only sixteen years old. After arriving at maturity he embarked in the hotel and restaurant business on Smithfield street in that city, which he conducted for many years. In 1873 he pur- chased the William Crooks farm, in Middlesex township, Butler county, and settled upon it. He died soon afterwards, his death occurring March 21, 1873. In 1850 he married Hannah Beasley, a daughter of John Beasley, of Cedar Grove, Indi- ana. They became the parents of seven children, as follows : Robert, deceased ; John W .; George ; Thomas; Samuel R. ; William, and Joshua. Mr. Bailey was a member of the Episcopal church, and a very worthy citizen. llis widow resides upon the old homestead in Middlesex township. Samuel R. Bailey was born in the city of l'ittsburg, August 28, 1858, and received his education at the public schools, and Beaver Seminary. There are several good producing wells on the homestead farm.

JOHN W. BURTON was born in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1822, and is a son of Benjamin Burton, one of the early settlesr of Wesmoreland county. His father was a native of Down county, Ireland, and came with his parents to the United States in early youth. They located in Ros- traver township, Westmoreland county, where he grew to manhood, and married Martha Wallace. Eight children were the fruits of this union : Joseph : Mary, who married James T. Wolf; John .; Margaret, who married Thomas S. Wolf ; Hetty ; Sarah, who married James Dye; Hannah ; Elizabeth, who mar-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ried George W. Dower. Benjamin Burton died January 9, 1839: his widow survived until May 7, Is 9. They were members of the Cumberland Presby- terian church. The subject of this sketch learned the carpenter's trade, and worked in the town of Washington about twenty years, then removed to Alle- gheny county and settled on a farm. In 1882 he located in Middlesex township, Butler county, where he purchased the Craig farm of fifty-four acres, and has since resided upon it. Mr. Burton was married June 3, 1852, to Rebecca, a daughter of John Algeo, of Mt. Pleasant township, Washington county, and has seven children : Benjamin P .; John L .: Jennie A .; Grace ; McNary ; David C., and Harry R. Mr. Burton and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, he is a Democrat.

BENJAMIN P. BURTON, eldest in the family of John W. and Rebecca Bur- ton, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, August 18, 1854, and has always followed farming as a vocation. He came to Butler county with his father in 1882, and purchased a part of the Boyle farm, in Middlesex township, where he now lives. He married Sarah Grabe, a daughter of Andrew Grabe, of Clinton township, and has four children: John A .; Frank G .; Vernie, and Verbie. Politically, he is a Democrat. but takes no active part in public affairs.

MATTHEW MOORE was born in Donegal county, Ireland, in November, 1808. and was a son of Matthew Moore, a native of the same county, who immi- grated to Canada in 1809, and settled in Haldeman county, where he died in 1858. Matthew Moore, Sr., was the father of five children : Matthew ; Dennis ; John ; Margaret, who married Wellington Wilson, and Ann. The mother died in 1841. Both were members of the Catholic church, in which faith they lived and died. The subject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm, and in 1838 he married Mary A. Vosburg, a daughter of Martin Vosburg, of Connecti- eut. Fifteen children were born to this union, eleven of whom grew to matur- ity, as follows : Cynthia, wife of Thomas Robbins ; Sophrona, who married Thomas Crayston ; Martin V .: Thomas ; Bradford; Elizabeth ; Henrietta, who married Harry Bross; Byron : George; Margaret M., and Ada M.

MARTIN V. MOORE was born in Haldeman county, Canada, October 6. 1843. received a common school education, and was reared upon the home- stead farm. In 1864 he came to the United States, and located at Petroleum Centre, Venango county, Pennsylvania, where he embarked in the oil busi- ness. Since that time he has followed oil producing, with the exception of four years when engaged in the hotel business in Cattaraugus county, New York, and is now located in the Gold district, Butler county. Mr. Moore has been twice married ; first to Sarah Flannigan, a daughter of F. C. Flannigan, of Westmoreland county. January 22, 1871. Two children were the fruits of this union : Abby, wife of Alexander Williams, and Frank, who died at two years of age. Mrs. Moore died in 1876, and he was again married November 17. 1879, to Elizabeth Fitzgerald, a daughter of Thomas Fitzgerald, of Union City, Pennsylvania. Four children were born of this marriage, as follows : Flora ; Fidelia ; Kent, and Martin. Mr. Moore is an adherent of the Repub- lican party, and in religions faith, he is a Protestant.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM J. DAVIS was born in Wales, in June, 1824, and there learned the stonemason's and bricklayer's trades. About 1847 he married Miss Susannah Voyle, a native of the same country, and in 1851 they immigrated to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where they remained two years. They then removed to Brady's Bend, Armstrong county, where Mr. Davis followed his trade, and thence to Queenstown, and continued to reside at that place until 1883. In that year the family removed to East Brady. Clarion county, where Mrs. Davis died, August 3, 1891. Mr. Davis, while in Queenstown, embarked in the oil business, but has now retired from active life, and is spending his declining years in East Brady. Sixteen children were born to William J. and Susannah Davis, as fol- lows : Reese ; William; Anna, deceased wife of John Meldrum ; Mary. deceased ; Philip ; Morgan ; James ; Jeffrey ; John ; David ; Russell ; Mack worth ; Mary; Charles ; Annie, and one that died in early youth.

WILLIAM DAVIS, JR., son of William J. Davis, was born in Wales, August 2, 1849, and came with his parents to the United States in 1851. Before reach- ing manhood, he learned the stonemason's and bricklayer's trades with his father. and continued to work at that business until 1874. He then engaged in oil pro- ducing at Queenstown, Pennsylvania, and has followed it ever since, as have also his nine brothers. He was married November 15, 1877, to Margaret A. Will- iams, a daughter of James Williams, of Brady's Bend. They are the parents of five children : Harry W. : Arthur G .: Florence M .; Annie L., and Mary E. Mr. Davis and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in pol- ities, he is a Republican. He has five producing wells in the Gold oil field, Middlesex township, and three wells in the Hickey field.

JEFFREY DAVIS, eighth in the family of William J. Davis, was born at Queenstown, Armstrong county, August 31, 1858, received a common school education, and has followed the oil business since boyhood. He is now in part- nership with his brothers, and is one of the well known producers of Middlesex township. Mr. Davis was married July 12, 1889, to Sarah N. Moore, a daugh- ter of Robert Moore, of Tarentum, Allegheny county. In politics, he is a Repub- lican, but takes no active interest in political matters.

LEVI R. McFANN, son of Jonathan McFann, was born in Waynesburg, Greene county, Pennsylvania, July 3. 1839. He obtained a common school educa- tion, and afterwards was engaged as a salesman in a general store at Waynes- burg. In 1865 he went to Pittsburg, and traveled for the wholesale tobacco house of Steppe & Kennedy. In 1867 he located in business at Oil City, as a manufacturer and dealer in tobacco. In 1868 he started a branch at Pleasant- ville, Venango county, also one on the Renn farm and at Parker City. 1Ie finally quit the business, and went into oil operating at Gas City, whence he removed to Fairview, Butler county, in 1872. He afterwards operated at Greece City and Buena Vista, and has followed the oil developments in Butler county ever since. In the spring of 1893 he moved to the Thomp- son oil field, started a grocery store, and has since carried on that busi- ness. The same year McFann postoffice was established, named in honor of our subject, of which he has since been postmaster. Mr. McFann was married February 15, 1870, to Mary Morris, a daughter of George Morris, of Washington

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

township, to which union have been born nine children, as follows: Maggie M .. wife of William D. Armour, of McDonald : George W .; Ida A. ; Harry H. ; Charles, deceased ; Carrie V. ; Mary S .: Levi R., and Helen B. Although inde- pendent in politics, Mr. McFann has always been quite active in political affairs, and has filled the office of justice of the peace, and other minor positions. Ile is a member of Tent, Number 96, K. O. T. M., of Renfrew, and also of the I. O. O. F. He served as second lieutenant of Company H. One Hundred and Twenty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and during his term of service was in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 119

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