History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 124

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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WILLIAM . BRADEN was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1832, son of Jacob and Mary Braden. Jacob Braden was a native of Ger- many, came to the United States when a young man and settled in Crawford county, where he married Miss Mary Norris. When our subject was but five years old his father died, and he went to live with a family in Erie, with whom he remained until his fifteenth year. Ile then found employment elsewhere, and in the meantime obtained a fair common school education. After spending a year in Illinois he returned to Pennsylvania, and engaged in the cherry lumber business, at Waterford, Erie county. In November, 1854, Mr. Braden married Miss Sarah A. Thompson, a native of Erie county. They resided in Missouri

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until 1862. and then returned to Pennsylvania. and the following year located in Venango county. In 1872 he came to Millerstown, Butler county, and for three years conducted the Union Pump Station in that borough. He then engaged with a dealer in heavy oils, and erected a refinery in 1877. In 1880 he established an extensive teaming business in connection with the Pipe Line Company, which he still continues. Mr. and Mrs. Braden are the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters, as follows : Glenn T .. general superintendent of the National Transit Pipe Line ; Charlie A., foreman of the Zelienople district of the National Transit Pipe Line ; La Verne : Euretta, and Sarah. Mr. Braden is P. C. of Millerstown Lodge, Number 457, K. of P., and is also connected with Ris- ing Sun Lodge. O. O. T., of the same borough.

WILLIAM J. LOGAN, merchant and producer, is a native of Venango county, Pennsylvania, born at Petroleum Centre, June 1, 1867, son of Thomas B. and Mary E. (Sampson) Logan. His father was a native of New York, and served three years in the Rebellion as a member of a New York regiment. He was married July 6, 1866, at Petroleum Centre, to Mary E. Sampson. She was born in Buffalo, New York, November 10, 1850, a daughter of James T. and Jane Sampson. Iler father was a native of England and served as a soldier in the English army, while her mother was a native of Ireland. Mrs. Logan received a thorough educational training in the public schools of her native city, and, in 1865, went to Petroleum Centre, where she was married the following year. In 1876 she embarked in business at Millerstown, where she carried on a restaurant until May, 1880, when she established a grocery and confectionery business, which she successfully conducted until her death. Mrs. Logan was a woman of more than ordinary business ability, and by a strict application of busi- ness principles, she was prosperous from the start. She was very charitable, and on every Thanksgiving and Christmas the poor of the town were remembered by liberal donations from her store. So unostentatiously was her charity dis- tributed that many of her good deeds remained unknown until after her death. She died at Millerstown, October 7, 1893, and was buried at Forest Lawn ceme- tery, Buffalo, New York. She was the mother of six children, three of whom grew to maturity, as follows : William J. ; Casper T., and Charles G., who died November 17, 1893. The subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Millerstown and Buffalo, worked as a boiler maker and machinist, and also as a clerk, assisting with his earnings in the support of the family. In 1892 he went to Latrobe, where he followed his trade until the fall of 1893, when he returned to Millerstown. After the death of his mother he took charge of the grocery and confectionery business, which he has since conducted. He is also interested in oil producing. Mr. Logan was married September 27, 1893, to Emma Hindman, of Millerstown. He is a member of Millerstown Lodge, Num- ber 947, 1. O. O. F., MiHlerstown Lodge, Number 457, K. of P'., and also of Lin- ton Division, Number 59, Uniformed Rank, K. of P., at Latrobe.

FRANCIS MURPHY was born in Drumore, Down county, Ireland, May 25, 1843. He comes of a long line of Irish ancestry who for generations have been members of the Church of England, and prominent Orangemen. When but four years of age he was brought to America by his parents, who located in

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Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, where his mother soon afterwards died. His father engaged in the mercantile business at Pittsburg. later removed to Niles, Ohio. and died there at the age of sixty seven years. Our subject is one of a family of three children. and received a good education in the public schools of Pittsburg. At the age of eighteen he commenced an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade, and followed this vocation as a journeyman for some years. In 1877 he came to Millerstown, and the following year became a member of the firm of Campbell & Murphy, which still exists and carries on a general machinist business, with Mr. Murphy in charge of the works. On December 24, 1866, he married Jen- nie, a daughter of John Fulton, to which union have been born four children, viz. : Carrie, wife of Dr. A. L. Gibson, of Millerstown ; Francis II., a graduate of Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania: Annie E., a graduate of the Beethoven School of Music, at Meadville, and Agnes May, deceased. The family are members of the Millerstown Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Murphy is a stanch Republican, and is a member of the borough council. He is past master of Argyle Lodge, Number 540, F. & A. M .; is a charter member of Butler Chapter, Number 273, R. A. M. : is a member of Mount Calvary Commandery, Number 67, K. T., of Greenville. and of Syria Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Pittsburg.

RICHARD F. WESTERMANN, one of the leading business men of Millerstown. is a native of Sulzbach, Germany, a small town near the River Rhine, born Jan- uary 4, 1863, son of Charles and Louisa (Busse) Westermann. both residents of Germany. His father is a brother of Henry L. Westermann, deceased. for many years the head of the largest mercantile establishment of Millerstown. Richard F. is the ninth in a family of fourteen children, of whom twelve survive. His boyhood days were spent in his native town, where he received a thorough edu- cational training, and at the age of twelve years began a course of study prepar- atory to entering a university. He continued his studies until he had attained the age of sixteen years, when he decided to try his fortune in the New World. Leaving behind him the tender associations of kindred and home, he embarked at Antwerp, May 20, 1879, and landed at Jersey City, June 1, following. He was met there by his uncle, Henry L. Westermann, who brought him to Millerstown. The appearance of the country and the prosperous towns along the route impressed him with the advantages of this land. and he determined to master the language and familiarize himself with our customs. Upon his arrival at Millers- town, he entered the employ of Westermann Brothers, for whom he clerked seven years. In 1886 he became a member of the firm of R. F. Westermann & Company, dealers in clothing and men's furnishing goods, to which business he has since devoted his attention, and is the only exclusive clothing house in the borough. Mr. Westermann was married January 16, 1889, to Lucinda Burnett. a daughter of Singleton and Rose ( Potter) Burnett. She was born on the cele- brated Tar farm, in Venango county, October 24, 1866. Her father died while she was quite young, and her mother married B. II. Griswold, a well known oil producer of Millerstown. To Mr. and Mrs. Westermann has been born one child, Karl F., born August 18, 1890. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has voted that ticket since he became a citizen of the United States in 1884. He is secre-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

tary of Argyle Lodge. Number 510, F. & A. M. : has passed the chairs in Mil- lerstown Lodge. Number 917. 1. O. O. F., and in Miller-town Lodge. Number 157. K. of P.

JOHN SHOWALTER. of Rockingham county, Virginia, came to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, with his family, about 1810. and took up a large tract of land, upon which he spent the remainder of his days. He was widely and favor- ably known among the pioneers of that county. He reared a family of ten chil- dren, viz. : Reuben, and Levi. both deceased ; Benoni, a resident of Kentucky ; Eliza, and Jacob L., both residents of Fayette county : Sarah, deceased wife of Major 1. M. Abraham ; Susannah, deceased wife of Hugh Gilmore : John M., deceased ; James W., now the oldest school teacher in Fayette county, and Sam- uel, deceased.

LEVI SHOWALTER. second son of John Showalter, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, October 22, 1805, and was about five years old when his par- ents settled in Fayette county. He there grew to manhood, and in 1839 married Elizabeth Baltzell. a native of Waynesburg. Pennsylvania, born September 12, 1818, and a daughter of Joseph Baltzell, an early settler of Greene county. Mr. Showalter resided in Fayette county during his lifetime, with the exception of two years spent in Butler county. He died in Fayette county, December 13, 1889. He served in the army as trainmaster during the Rebellion, being too far advanced in years to enlist in the ranks, although he endeavored to do so. He was a strong Whig and Abolitionist, and later a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for John Quincy Adams, in 1828, and his last one for Benjamin Harrison, in 1888. His widow resides in the old home in Fayette county, in her seventy-sixth year. They were the parents of the following children : Mary Catherine, deceased : Sarah E., wife of Prof. Archie Woodside, of Wilkinsburg ; Samuel F .. of Millerstown : Hattie A., who resides with her mother : John J., and Joseph B., both of whom are residents of Millerstown.

Hox. JOSEPH B. SHOWALTER was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1851, and is the youngest in the family of Levi and Elizabeth Sho- walter. llis boyhood days were spent upon his father's farm, and he obtained his education in the public schools and at George's Creek Academy, at Smith- field. When sixteen years of age he commenced teaching school in Preston county, West Virginia, and followed this vocation for some years in West Vir- ginia. Indiana and Illinois. Hle then returned home and taught for two years in his native county. In 1878 he came to Millerstown, Butler county, and, in com- pany with his brothers, began operating in the Millerstown oil field, striking their first well on Christmas day. 1873. These operations have been extended to various fields, and the Showalter Brothers are now among the extensive producers of the State. While teaching he began reading medicine, and spent the year of 1883 at Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, New York. He later entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Maryland, where he was graduated, March 1, 1884. He at once commenced practice at Millerstown, and continued his professional duties for six years, retiring from practice in 1890. In 1886 Dr. Showalter was elected. on the Republican ticket, to the legislature, and during his term was a member of the committee on con-

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stitutional reform. In 18SS he was elected to the State Senate, and served his constituents with ability and fidelity. He was chosen chairman of the commit- tee on health and sanitation, and introduced and secured the passage of the med- ical examination bill, for which he received a vote of thanks from the Pennsyl- vania State Medical Society. Senator Showalter entered into his work with determination and good judgment, soon won the respect and confidence of his colleagues, and fully justified the expectations of his many friends. He intro- duced several bills, all of which were highly beneficial. Ilis oil bill is now gen- erally endorsed by producers as a wise and conservative measure. On March 25, 1879, Mr. Showalter married Ella M. McKee. a daughter of Hon. David McKee, of Slippery Rock township, to which union have been born five chil- dren, viz. : Levi M. deceased : Genevieve; Pauline ; Joseph B., deceased, and Lucile. Mr. and Mrs. Showalter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Millerstown.

SAMUEL F. SHOWALTER, a son of Levi and Elizabeth ( Baltzell) Showalter, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, August 16, 1845. His early life was spent upon a farm, and his education was obtained in the public schools, supple- mented by a thorough course in George's Creek Academy. At the age of six- teen he began teaching in the public schools, and taught in Preston county, West Virginia, where he received the highest remuneration of any teacher in the schools. For seven years he successfully followed his vocation in Pennsyl- vania, West Virginia and Indiana. In 1868 he engaged as a pumper in the War- ren county oil field, and later secured some valuable leases and became a pro- ducer. In August, 1873, he came to Millerstown and organized the firm of Showalter Brothers, oil operators and producer -. Their operations in the Mil- lerstown field have been large and particularly successful, putting down twenty- six wells before striking a dry hole. Their first well in this field came in on Christmas, 1873, at one hundred barrels a day. Mr. Showalter was married Sep- tember 19, 1877. to Sadie C., a daughter of Isaac Lamborn, of Centre county, to which union have been born seven children, six of whom are living : Hattie Beryl; Sarah Freda ; Blanche Elizabeth ; Mary Elva; Jennie R., and Helen Ruth. Mr. Showalter is a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a member of Millerstown Lodge, No. 947, 1. O. O. F. Politically, a Republi- can, he was a member of the county committee during the constitutional campaign, and has also served several terms on the school board of Millerstown. Hle is now a member of the board, and is one of the prominent and respected citizens of his adopted home.

JOHN J. SHOWALTER, son of Levi and Elizabeth Showalter, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1849, received a common school educa- tion, and also attended George's Creek Academy. At the age of fifteen years he started in life for himself, engaging as a driller in the oil country. Later, with his brothers, he embarked in the oil business. and in 1873 began operating in the Millerstown field. He is now one of the well known and successful producers of the county. He is a stockholder in the Producers Pipe Line Company. In 1880 Mr. Showalter married Miss Jennie Robinson, a daughter of Samuel Robin- son, of Fayette county . Though this union has not been blessed with children, 62

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they have an adopted son. Robert, now seven years old, whom they have reared from infancy. Mr. Showalter is a stanch Republican, and both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

DR. WILLARD L. DEWOLFE, son of E. Darwin and Catherine ( Christley ) De Wolfe, was born in Slippery Rock township, Butler county, February 25, 1856. and spent his early boyhood upon the farm, and in attending the district school of his neighborhood. When he was in his tenth year his father died, and, the family being broken up, he went to Butler, and found a home with Thomas Robinson. He afterwards lived with Samuel L. Riddle, of Karns City. After remaining there one year, he went to Mercer county and found employment as a woodsman, working for his board, and attended the district school during the winter. When fourteen years of age, he entered a select school at Grove City, now the Grove City College, then under the principalship of Rev. William T. Dixon, and for two years be devoted himself assiduously to his studies. In the winter of 1871 he entered Allegheny College, at Meadville, where he continued his studies for three years. then, because of failing health, he was compelled to retire from school in his junior year. He spent some time teaching in the public schools, and as a pumper in the oil fields; but. in the meantime, had commenced to read medicine under Dr. Rumberger. In 1877 he went to Philadelphia, and continued his studies under the preceptorship of Dr. J. V. Shoemaker, now pro- fessor of therapeutics and clinical surgery, in the Medico Chirurgical College of that city, and the author of many standard medical works. He attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, and graduated from that institution in 1879. Dr. De Wolfe commenced practice at North Liberty, Pennsylvania, and two years later located at Coaltown, where he remained until 1886, in which year he removed to Millerstown. He has since won the confidence of the community in his medical skill, and has built up a large and lucrative practice. In 1890 he engaged in the drug trade, and in 1893 he erected his handsome business block in that borough, where he has since carried on business. In 1876 Dr. De Wolfe mar- ried Miss Jennie Thompson, a daughter of David and Isabella Thompson, of Buena Vista, Butler county, to which union have been born three children, two of whom are living, viz. : Charles L., and Harry R. The Doctor has been highly successful in his many business ventures and is an enterprising, progressive citi- zen. Aside from his professional duties he is extensively interested in oil pro- ducing, and is one of the substantial citizens of the community. He is a promi- nent member of the Masonic order; is W. M. in Argyle Lodge, Number 540, F. & .A. M. ; is a member of Butler Chapter, Number 273, R. A. M. ; is a charter member of Mt. Calvary Commandery, Number 67, K. T. ; is a member of Penn- sylvania Consistory, S. P. R. S., and has attained the thirty-second degree. He is commander of Blaney Tent, Number 123, K. O. T. M., and was elected G. M. E., for the State in September, IS93. He is also connected with the I. (). O. F .. and K. of P. fraternities. Dr. De Wolfe is a member of the Butler County Medical Association, of which he was president in 1887, and is also a member of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and the National Association of Rail- way Surgeons.

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JOHN W. TITLEY. proprietor of Chestnut Hill Stock Parm, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, November 5, 184s. son of Walter and Sirah (Bish ) Titley. His father was a native of Shropshire, England, where the family lived for generations, and came when a young man to Armstrong county, where he married Sarah Bish, and died in 1872. His widow is still living. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living, four sons being resi- dents of Millerstown, viz. : John W. : James J. ; George A., and William E. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common school- and at Iron City College, Pittsburg, which he entered at the age of sixteen and completed his course. At the age of nineteen he embarked in the stock business, as a breeder of fine draft horses, and has ever since been engaged in the stock business. In partnership with his brothers, he owned and operated the Titley farm, which had a production of 700 barrels per day. In 1987 he came to Millerstown, purchased and conducted a livery stable for a few years, and then disposed of the business. He is the owner of Star Pointer, with a record of 2:11; by Brown Hal, out of the dam of Hal Pointer, whose record is 2 :043 ; also Grand View. with a record of 2:212. by Bay Tom, dam by Tom Ilal. He has thirty head of pacing stock, of the Hal strain, and owns a stock farm of 300 acres in Donegal township. Mr. Titley was married in 1868, to Lavina Stephens, of Armstrong county, to which union have been born four sons and four daughters. Politically, he is a Repub- lican, and is a member of Millerstown Lodge. Number 947. I. O. O. F.

JAMES J. TITLEY was born in Arinstrong county, January 28, 1-61, son of Walter and Sarah ( Bish) Titley, and was but ten years of age when his father died. He remained with his mother until his twentieth year. when he purchased a farm and engaged in agriculture. Three years later he sold the farm and became a member of the firm of Titley Brothers, oil operators and producer -. operating the famous Titley farm, in Armstrong county. In 1ºss he located at Millerstown, since which time he has continued as an operator in this fickl. He also devotes considerable attention to raising fine horses, and is the owner of Vespasian, with a record of 3 :24}. Mr. Titley was married March 9, 1852, to Margaret I. McKee, a daughter of Thomas V. and Mary McKee of Armstrong county, where her father has served two terms as county commissioner, and is a prominent and leading citizen. Five children are the fruits of this union. viz. : Mary Blanche ; James Arthur ; Edgar Ralph; Walter, and Leroy Mckee. Politic- ally, Mr. Titley is a Republican, and is also connected with Millerstown Lodge. Number 157. K. of P'.

WILLIAM E. TITLEY was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 26, 1867, son of Walter and Sarah ( Bish) Titley. At the age of fourteen years he entered Clarion Normal School, where he pursued a thorough course of study, and afterwards engaged with his brothers in the oil industry on the famous Titley farm. He also embarked in the breeding of fine horses, and later became a partner with his brother, John W., in the last mentioned business. which partnership existed until the fall of 1892. Mr. Titley is the owner of a fine stock farm of 240 acres in Armstrong county, well stocked with high bred horses. He is a breeder of pacing stock, and the owner of Hal Braden, with a record of 2: 073. by Brown Hal, the fastest horse in Pennsylvania, and with a

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

record of the six fastest heats in one race of any horse in America. Since 1889 Mr. Titley has made his residence in Millerstown. Ile is a member of the Mill- erstown Lodge, Number 947, 1. O. O. F .. and in politics, he is a stanch Republican.

JOSEPH P. CAMPBELL, son of John and Margaret ( Beers) Campbell, pioneers of Butler county, was a native of this county, and here grew to manhood. He married Margaret Jane Varnum, also a native of Butler county, and after a short residence here removed to Armstrong county ; later returned to Fairview town- ship, Butler county, and thence removed to Lawrence county, where, after a res- idence of eleven years, Mr. Campbell died, his death occuring December 10, 1888, aged sixty-eight years. His widow now resides in Centreville, Butler county. They were the parents of six sons and six daughters, six of whom survive, as fol- lows: Elvira, wife of II. P. Kiskaddon ; Joseph L., of Millerstown; George M., of Centreville: Carrie, wife of J. L. McKee, of Millerstown; Samuel E., of Brady township, and Thomas C., a resident of Centreville.

JOSEPH L. CAMPBELL, physician and surgeon, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1861, and came to Butler county with his parents, Joseph P. and Margaret Jane Campbell. At the age of eighteen years he entered Grove City College, where for three years he prosecuted his studies assiduously. He afterwards remained with his parents on the farm for some time, and, in 1884, engaged in merchandising at Kiester station, where he remained two years. In 1887 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore, Mary- land, where he attended two courses of lectures, and then began practice in Washingtonville, Ohio. Returning to Pennsylvania in the winter of 1888, he entered the Western Pennsylvania Medical College, at Pittsburg, and graduated from that institution. March 28, 1889. The following June Dr. Campbell located in Millerstown, where he has since won and retained a large and successful prac- tice. Politically, he is a Republican, and the family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Campbell was married March 9, 1881, to Miss Sadie F. Seth, of North Liberty, Mercer county, and has three children, viz. : Mary E. ; Leonora F., and Claire, The Doctor is a member of Butler County Medical Association, and is one of the well known practitioners of the county.

SAMUEL S. BELL, son of Samuel Bell, and grandson of William Bell, pio- neers of Washington township, Butler county, was born about a mile north of North Washington, February 15, 1822, was reared on the homestead and attended the common school of his neighborhood. He learned the blacksmith's trade with Il. P. MeClymonds, of North Washington, and followed that business, first at Brady's Bend and afterwards at Boydstown, for several years. He subsequently removed to Wisconsin, where he lived from 1853 to 1856, then returned to But- ler county and continued working at his trade for a few years at North Wash- ington. Since that time he has been engaged in farming, oil producing and mer- chandising. On September 15, 1816, he married Margaret McClymonds, a daughter of James McClymonds, of Washington township. The McClymonds family originally came from Scotland, and were among the early settlers of But- ler county. Mrs. Bell was born and reared in Washington township, and became the mother of four sons and one daughter, viz. : Sylvester D. : James M: Samuel

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 124

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