History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 120

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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JOSEPH HAYS was born upon the old Hays homestead in Adams township, Butler county, about the year 1820, and received his education in a pioneer sub- scription school. He was reared to farm life, afterwards kept a store for sev- eral years, and then returned to agriculture. which he followed the balance of his life, dying January 1, 1891. He married Mary A. McCandless, a daughter of John McCandless, of Butler county, and was the father of five children, as fol- lows: Evert R .; Elizabeth A., and John, both deceased; Joseph W., and Mary .\., wife of James Cashdollar. Mrs. Hays died in 1866. Both were members of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he was a Whig, in early days, and afterwards a Republican.

EVERT R. HAYS, son of Joseph and Mary A. Hays, was born upon his father's farm in Adams township, Butler county, and has always been en- gaged in farm pursuits. In March, 1893, he purchased the Ramsey farm, in Middlesex township, consisting of fifty-eight acres, where he now resides. Mr. Hays has traveled extensively through Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Michigan, Indiana, and West Virginia, and has also followed steamboating on the Ohio river. Politically, he is a Republican, and in religious belief. he is an adherent of the United. Presbyterian church.

John Ferguson.

CHAPTER LXXII.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DONEGAL TOWNSHIP AND MILLERSTOWN BOROUGH-FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP AND KARNS CITY, FAIRVIEW AND PETROLIA BOROUGHS-OAKLAND AND CONCORD TOWNSHIPS -CLAY TOWNSHIP AND WEST SUNBURY BOROUGH-CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

CHARLES DUFFY, SR., was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1754, and immigrated to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1793. He resided there until the spring of 1796, when he removed to what is now Butler county, with the advance guard of pioneers, and located upon the farm in Donegal township, known as the Duffy homestead, where he resided until his death. in July, 1523, aged sixty-nine years. In a notice of his death published in the Repository, August 1, 1823, the following tribute is paid to his memory : " The deceased was among the first settlers of this county ; as a father he was tender, as a hus- band, industrious, careful and affectionate, and as a neighbor he was highly respected and esteemed." His wife, Ellen Duffy, survived him two years, dying in 1825, aged sixty-five. They were the parents of four sons and five daughters, as follows : Edward, who died in 1799, aged seventeen years. being one of the first persons buried in Butler county ; John, who died in 1864, aged eighty years ; Peter, who died in 1883, aged eighty-six years ; Michael, who died in 1823, aged twenty-one; Barbara, who married Lieut. Neal Gillespie, an officer in the War of 1812, and died in 1875, aged eighty-seven years; Bridget, who married Pat- rick Duffy, and died in 1855, aged sixty-two; Ellen, who died unmarried, in 1855, aged fifty-nine; Mary, who died in infancy, and Margaret, who married Col. Manasses Gillespie, and died in 1871, aged sixty-seven years. Charles Duffy, Sr., was one of the founders of St. Patrick's Catholic church, at Sugar Creek, and in politics, he was a Jeffersonian Democrat.

PHILIP HARTMAN, a native of Holland, settled near Greensburg, Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, prior to the Revolution. He enlisted in Colonel Ogle's regiment, of the Pennsylvania Line, and served throughout the struggle for independence. His brother Michael also served in the Continental army. and subsequently settled in Manor township, Armstrong county. Prior to 1796 Philip Hartman came to what is now Oakland township. Butler county, and took up 200 acres of land, upon which he lived for several years, dying in Armstrong county. Ilis family consisted of the following children : James : William ; Sarah, who married Richard Connell; Kate, who became the wife of James Cochran ; Mary, who married Edward Boland; Margaret, who married John Bell, and Elizabeth. The family were adherents of the Catholic church.

WILLIAM HARTMAN, second son of Philip Hartman, was born on his father's homestead, in Oakland township, Butler county, July 4, 1796. and is said to have

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

been the first white male child born in the township. He resided with his parents until his majority, then went to Pittsburg, learned the blacksmith's trade and worked there some four years. He married Mary Winters, and settled in Armstrong county, but in 1849 they removed to Donegal township. Butler county, where he continued to work at his trade in connection with farming until his death, Feb- ruary 14, 1879. His wife died September 10. 1561. Their union was blessed with the following children : Catherine, who married John Holobaugh ; Mary Ann, who became the wife of William Holobaugh : Joseph : James ; Margaret A .. wife of Silas Dann : Sarah Frances, who died at the age of eighteen years : Edward F. ; William Lawrence, and John Ambrose, the last two of whom died in childhood. The parents were members of the Catholic church, in which faith they reared their children.

ARCHIBALD BLACK. St., the progenitor of the Black family of this town- ship, was a native of Donegal county. Ireland, and inherited those fundamental principles of industry. economy and determination of purpose so characteristic of the Irish race. Becoming impressed with the bright prospects of the New World, he left the associations of kindred and home, and immigrated to Pennsyl- vania, where he found employment in the iron mills at Carlisle. There he mar- ried Alice Haggerty, also a native of Donegal county, Ireland, who like himself. had come to seek her fortune in the New World. In 198 Mr. Black came to Donegal township. Butler county, and located on a tract of land in the southern part of the township, and in [809 took out a patent, in conjunction with Archi- bald McCall, on 100 acres. The young couple located upon their new purchase. and, with hopes bright for the future. set about clearing and improving the place, hewing out from the wilderness which surrounded their humble log cabin. a home for themselves and their children. They were among the first settlers, and bravely endured the privations and overcame the obstacles of frontier life. The pioneers had ample opportunity to indulge their love for hunting, as wild game was plentiful, and roamed at will through the forest -. While the husband and father was busy in the clearing. the housewife, when not assisting him by piling the brush, would be working at her loom, weaving the fax and wool into blankets and clothing for the family. Money was a very scarce article in those days, the system of exchange being the basis of nearly every transaction. The products of the farm would be taken to market, many miles distant, on a pack- saddle, and exchanged for salt. sugar and other necessarie- of life. Archibald Black was a man for the times, one of those ready, earnest souls that a new and wild country always develops, that are equal to any emergency, prepared to face any danger and confront any hardships that may arise. He was a representative citizen of the period, taking an active interest in any public enterprise for the improvement of his county, and the family have been highly instrumental in the development of Donegal township. Mr. Black and wife were practical mem- ber- of the St. Patrick's Catholic church. at Sugar Creek. and reared their family in the faith of their fathers. He was a stanch Democrat, and took an active and leading part in the public affairs of his day. Both he and wife spent the remainder of their lives upon the homestead in Donegal township, and now lie side by side in the cemetery at Sugar Creek. They reared the following chil-

947

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

dren : James : Daniel : John : Mary : Ellen ; Peggy ; Patrick ; Nancy ; Catherine; Alice, and Archibald. Of this family but two survive, viz. : Catherine, wife of John Shields, of Armstrong county, and Archibald, a resident of Donegal town- ship.

ARCHIBALD BLACK, JR., youngest son of Archibald and Alice Black, was born upon the old homestead in Donegal township, Butler county, in October. 1820, and is the youngest in a family of eleven children. He spent his boyhood days upon the farm, assisting his parents in clearing and improving it, wearing the home-made clothing, and enjoying the limited advantages of the period. For a few weeks during the winter season he attended the subscription school of the neighborhood. held in a little log building, with the rudest furnishings and accommodation -. But this school house was a fair sample of the majority of the buildings throughout Butler county during pioncer day -. On April 19, 1842, Mr. Black married Catherine McBride, a daughter of Connell and Queen Mc Bride, early settlers of Sugar Creek township, Armstrong county, where Mrs. Black was born in October, 1818. The young couple settled on the old homestead, and two years later rented the farm where they now reside, which they afterwards pur- chased, to which they have added until the farm now contains 300 acres, all in Donegal township. Upon this farm are located forty-one oil wells, and the small log cabin in; which Mr. Black and wife first lived has been replaced by a more commodious structure of brick. They are the parents of the following chil- dren : Owen F .. born May 26. 1844: James, August 13, Is16, died Jannary 5. 1888: John. January 26, 1850; Daniel, February 23. 1853. and Mary A., Jan- uary 2. 1857. Mr. Black and family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church, at Sugar Creek. Politically, he is a Democrat, and formerly took an active part in politics. He has held the offices of assessor, collector and constable. and has always manifested a deep interest in the success of the measures and principles of his party. The family are among the most prominent in the town- ship, and are recognized as progressive, enterprising people.

OWEN F. BLACK, eldest in the family of Archibald and Catherine Black, was born upon the homestead farm in Donegal township, Butler county, May 26. 1844, grew to maturity under the parental roof, and received his education in the district school. On June 16, 1868, he married Mary J. Minor, of Armstrong county. and settled upon a farm in Donegal township. Mr -. Black died June 20. 1872, the mother of two children, viz. : Archie, and Stephen, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Black was again married, October 14. 1875, to Theresa Burns, of Donegal township, to which union have been born three children, as follows : Bessie : Vincent, and Catherine. The family are members of St. Pat- rick's Catholic church, at Sugar Creek. Politically, Mr. Black is a Democrat, and is one of the leading farmers of his township.

JOHN BLACK. third son of Archibald and Alice Black, was born September 10, 1802. upon the homestead farm in Donegal township, Butler county, and was reared amidst pioneer surroundings. He married Elizabeth Me Elroy, of Donegal township, and reared eight children, as follows : Alice, wife of Charles Webber : Margaret, deceased wife of Joseph Hartman : Patrick ; Mary J. ; James ; Archi- bald: John F .. and Matilda, wife of John Mclaughlin. Mr. Black was a prom-

948

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

inent citizen of South Buffalo township, Armstrong county, where he settled after his marriage, and spent the remainder of his life upon his farm in that county. Ile was a member of the Catholic church, and a stanch adherent of the Democratic party.

ARCHIBALD BLACK, son of John and Elizabeth Black, was born in AArm- strong county, May 16, 1841, spent his boyhood days upon the farm with his parents, and attended the public school of his native township. Ile married Miss Catherine Maley, of Armstrong county, and subsequently located in Donegal township, Butler county. They are the parents of six children, as follows : James ; William : Stephen ; John : Charles E., and Francis, deceased. The family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church, at Sugar Creek, and in poli- ties, Mr. Black is an ardent Democrat. He is one of the leading farmers and oil producers of his section of the county.

JAMES BLACK, son of John and Elizabeth Black, was born May 16, 1841, upon the old homestead in AArmstrong county, grew to maturity beneath the parental roof. and was educated at the district school. In 1879 he located upon his present farm, a part of the homestead, and has greatly improved it by the erection of substantial buildings. He is one of the leading farmers of his town- ship, and devotes considerable attention to the breeding of fine stock. Ile is also an oil producer, and is quite a prosperous business man. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic church, at Sugar Creek.

JOHN F. BLACK, son of John and Elizabeth Black, was born in South Buffalo township, Arinstrong county, September 16, 1843, and grew to manhood upon his father's farm. He was educated in the district school of that period, and remained with his parents until November 25, 1879, when he married Mary Gra- ham. a daughter of John and Sarah Graham, of Sugar Creek township, Arm- strong county, and located on a part of the old homestead. In 1891 he purchased his present fram of 100 acres, which contains one of the finest residences in the township, finished in modern style and architecture. Mrs. Black was born January 13. 1860, and is the mother of seven children, as follows: Jerome, born April 12. 1880: Henry, March 29, 1882; Albertus, September 3, 1883; Joseph, Oeto- ber 27, 1885: Leo, October 7, 1890: John, July 16, 1892, died the following month, and Walter, June 11. 1893. The family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church, at Sugar Creek. Politically, Mr. Black is a stanch Democrat, and is quite active in the interests of his party. Besides cultivating his farm, he is also interested in oil producing, and is one of the substantial citizens of Done- gal township.

JOHN SLATOR, the progenitor of the Slator family in Butler county, was a native of Alsace (then belonging to France), Germany. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in Rochambeau's army, and came to America to participate in the Revolutionary war. He served in that memorable struggle under Lafayette, for four years, as a cavalry man, his term of service closing with the end of the war. Ile was present at the framing of the Constitution of the United States, and was one of the few men who witnessed the signing of that famous document. After the close of the war he concluded to remain in America, and some years

949

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

later came to Butler county and took up a claim of 200 acres, where the station of St. Joe now stands, and now known as the Martin farm. He erected a little log cabin on his claim, and with wild animals and Indians as his nearest and most numerous neighbors, began the work of clearing and improving his place. Mr. Slator removed to Clarion county some years later, where he resided a few years, then returned to Butler county, and made his home with his son Henry, near St. Joe, until his death. He was a pioneer member of the Catholic church in Butler county, and is buried in the old Catholic cemetery at Butler. His wife, Catherine, died in Clarion county. Their children were as follows : John : Jacob ; Henry ; Christopher, and a daughter who died in childhood.

IIENRY SLATOR, SR., third child of John and Catherine Slator, was born in Donegal township, (now Oakland), Butler county, and there grew to maturity. Ile married Susan Ann Dunbar, a daughter of Samuel Dunbar, a native of Ire- land. who came to Butler county in the last decade of the Eighteenth century. The following children were born to this union : Mary, who married Thomas Dodson, and died in Clarion county ; Samuel. of Donegal township: John, deceased : Peter. of Millerstown ; Elizabeth, deceased wife of John Sagaser : Susan. wife of Cornelius Ilall, of Clarion county ; Agnes, wife of James Sher- key, a resident of New York : Magdalena, wife of Jacob Goodyear, of Pittsburg : Margaret, wife of John McCready, of Clearfield township. and Ellen, who died at the age of twelve years. Mrs. Slator died in Donegal township, where the family had settled soon after marriage, and her husband married Eva Keistler. He was a veteran of the War of 1812. in which he served as a corporal in Cap- tain Brinker's company. Ile died in Clearfield township.

SAMUEL SLATOR, eldest living child of Henry and Susan Slator, was born upon the homestead farm. July 16, 1817, and was reared during pioneer times and privations. In 1836 he married Margaret Ransil, a native of Westmoreland county. born October 11. 1819, and a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Topper) Ransil, both natives of Westmoreland county, and a granddaughter of Valentine Ransil. a Revolutionary soldier. When three years of age she came with her parents to Butler county, and both died here, her father at the age of eighty-four. and her mother aged eighty-two. After their marriage Mr. Slator and wife set- tled on a tract of land in Donegal township, a part of the Ransil homestead. and have since resided in this township. Six children are the fruits of their marriage. viz .: Henry, who died in infancy ; Elizabeth, wife of Sebastian Wilson, of Venango county ; Susan, wife of James Delaney, of Armstrong county ; John WV., of Donegal township ; Mary Ann, and Margaret J., who died at the age of twelve years. Mr. Slator and wife are one of the oldest couples in the township. and both are in the enjoyment of good health. They are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church, at Sugar Creek, and politically, he is a stanch Democrat.

JOHN W. SLATOR. only living son of Samuel and Margaret Slator, was born in Donegal township. Butler county, October 25, 1846. He grew to maturity upon the homestead farm, and attended the district school of the neighborhood. On June 4, 1867, he married Sarah F. Wilson, of Donegal township, settled in that township and has since devoted his attention to agriculture. They are the parents of the following children : Samuel M. ; Sebastian D. : Emma Isabel ; Stephen A. :

950

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

William J. : Stella M .. and Joseph F. The family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church, at Sugar Creek, and politically, Mr. Slator is ardent Democrat.

HENRY SLATOR, son of Jacob Slator, and grandson of John Slator, was born on the farm vet owned by his descendants, in Summit township, But- ler county, in 1816. His father was a native of Clearfield township, and his grandfather was one of the early settlers of the county. Henry was reared on a farm, and after attaining his majority he settled in Oakland township, where he died in 1849, aged thirty-three years. He married Mary O'Donnell, a daugh- ter of Connell O'Donnell, an early settler. They had a family of two sons and one daughter. viz. : James, who died at the age of eighteen : Jacob, and Cather- ine, who married Jacob Graham, and died in 1867. Henry Slator's widow mar- ried a Mr. Callen, and is now living with her son. Mr. Slator was a member of the Catholic church. to which denomination his widow belongs.

JACOB SENATOR, son of Henry and Mary Slater, was born on his present homestead in Oakland township. and was educated in the public schools and at Witherspoon Institute. He has always followed farming, and inherited the old homestead settled by his father. He married Kate Langraff. a daughter of Conrad Langraff. She was born in Germany, but came to Butler county with her parents in childhood. Four children have been born to this union, viz. ; Augusta : Jennie : Charles, and Fronic. The family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church. of North Oakland. Mr. Slator is a Democrat, and has filled several of the minor offices in his township.

CONSELL O'DONNELL was one of the first settlers of what is now Clearfield township. Butler county. Pennsylvania, where he located in 1798. He was a native of Donegal county. treland, was there married, and subse- quently immigrated with his family to the United States. He erected his cabin in the midst of the primitive forest, his neighbors being principally natives of Ireland. The township in which he lived, upon the organization of Butler county, was named Donegal, because of the large number of its inhabitants who came from that county in their native land. Connell became quite a famous hunter, and supported his family from the fruits of the chase, together with what little he could raise on a small patch of ground which the family cleared the first few years of their settlement. The father died in 1813, leaving to his wife, Mary. the care of a family of eight children. She, however, was equal to the occasion, and with the assistance of her children, cleared and improved the farm, and resided thereon until her death. They were pioneer members of St. Patrick's Catholic church, at Sugar Creek.

DENNIS O'DONNELL. a younger brother of Connell O'Donnell, was born in Ireland, and came with his brother's family to Butler county. Hle married Margaret Me Avea, a native of Westmoreland county, and settled in a small log cabin on a tract of land in Donegal township, where they resided until the death of Mrs. O'Donnell, about 1821. She left a family of seven children, viz. : Edward, who resides in Venango county ; James; Patrick ; Connell : John ; Michael, and Peter, all of whom are dead excepting Edward and John. For his second wife, Mr. O'Donnell married Nancy MeGinley, of Armstrong county. to which union were born seven children, viz. : Charles: Dennis; Ellen ;

951

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Bridget A. ; Frank ; Catherine, and one that died in infancy. Frank, of Oakland township, is the only survivor of this family. Mr. O'Donnell died February 22, 1852, in his seventy-eighth year, and was interred in the Catholic cemetery at Butler, to which church the family belong. He was a veteran of the War of 1812, and a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, Ilis widow died at the age of eighty-four years.

JOHN O'DONNELL, son of Dennis and Margaret (McAvea ) O'Donnell, was born in Donegal township, Butler county, April 28, 1816, and spent his boy- hood days upon the farm, surrounded by the limited advantages which that period afforded. He likes to recall now many incidents of carly times, and relates many amusing tales of that period. He wore the coarse homespun clothing, and attended the subscription schools, with rude furnishings, and endured the many privations connected with pioneer life. At the age of sixteen he left home and secured employment upon the canal. then in course of construction, at Franklin, Venango county. At the age of twenty years he went to Alle- gheny county, where he worked at farming and contracting. In [840 he pur- chased and located on a farm in Clearfield township. It was unimproved, and he erected a small log cabin, cutting the timber near its site, and completing it in three and a half days. In 1839 he married Ellen Duffy, a daughter of Ed- ward Duffy, who died in 1842. leaving one daughter, Margaret. She afterward- became the wife of James Mclaughlin, and has since died. In 1844 he mar- ried Catherine Slator, a daughter of Jacob Slator, to which union was born one son, Michael, who died in childhood. Mr. O'Donnell resided upon his original purchase until 1857, when he settled upon his present farm, a portion of the original O'Donnell lands, which he purchased after the death of his father. Ilere he has since made his home, and is one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Donegal township. His wife died in August, IS5. She was a life-long member of the Catholic church, to which Mr. O'Donnell also belongs, and he has always been a liberal contributor towards its support. In politics, he has been a Democrat since casting his first vote, and has served as supervisor and overseer of the poor.

GABRIEL PONTIC'S came to Butler county when a young man, and located in Donegal township about [803. He was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1786, and after coming to Butler county, he married Mary Barnhart, of Donegal township, sub-equently purchased a tract of 200 acres, erected a log cabin and began the work of making a home. The country was then compar- atively a wilderness, and some time after settling in Donegal township, Mr. Pon- tius established a small pottery, which business he followed for nearly thirty years, making many of the dishes and much of the pottery used by the pioneers of that locality. Ilis patrons sometimes paid for their ware by working on his farm, while he was engaged in the pottery. He died upon the homestead in IS72. and his wife in 1875, aged eighty-eight years. They were the parent- of eight chil- dren, as follows: Elizabeth, deceased wife of George Ellenberger, of Arm- strong county ; John, deceased, who resided in Donegal township ; William, a resident of Armstrong county ; Polly, deceased, who married John F. Wiles ; Solomon, who lives upon the old homestead ; Catherine, deceased, who married

952

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 120

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