History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 125

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 125

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

C., deceased; Perry A., and Zilla, wife of I. B. Gilmore, of Millerstown. Mr. Bell retired to Millerstown several years ago, and here his wife died, June 28, 1885. She became a member of the old Bear Creek United Presbyterian church in 1846, to which denomination he also belongs. Politically, he is a Republican. and is the agent of the Humane Society in Butler county.

FREDERICK WILLIAM PURUCKER, son of Erhardt and Louisa Purucker, wa- born in Bavaria, Germany, August 4, 1844. His father was a manufacturer of uniform and regimental goods for the use of the army, and both his parents died in Germany. At the age of fourteen years our subject became an apprentice at the butcher's trade, serving two years and paying twenty-five florins for his tui- tion. Ile then followed his trade as a journeyman in Austria, Russia, Hungary, Turkey, France, Switzerland and Italy. In 1866 he served as a soldier in the Thirteenth German Infantry, and for meritorions service on the field was pro- moted to the rank of corporal. In 1869 he came to America on a visit and determined to remain in this country. In 1870 he established himself in business at Pittsburg, and in 1877 he located at Millerstown, where he has since conducted a successful business. Ile was burned out in the fire of 1892, but immediately afterwards erected his present substantial building, which is twenty-four by seventy and two stories high, one of the finest business houses in the borough. In 1871 Mr. Purucker was married in Pittsburg, to Miss Louisa Stayer, a native of Baden, Germany, to which union have been born eleven children. The family are members of the German Lutheran church, at Millerstown, and in politics, are adherents of the Republican party. Mr. Purucker is a member of the A. O. U. W., and the E. A. U., and is one of the substantial business men of the borough.

P. G. FREDERICK, youngest child of George and Catherine Frederick, was born in Summit township, Butler county, in 1851, grew to maturity upon his father's farm, and received his education in the district school. In 1872 he engaged in merchandising at Millerstown, as a member of the firm of B. Freder- ick & Company, and followed the mercantile business for several years, when he sold out and engaged in blacksmithing. In 1883 he embarked in the lumber business, as a member of the firm of Seibert & Frederick, now P. G. Frederick & Company, and conducts a planing mill and general lumber business. On Octo- ber 3, 1884, he married Sarah M. Frederick, a daughter of Jacob Frederick, and they are the parents of four children. The family are members of the German Lutheran church. In politics, Mr. Frederick is a Democrat, and is connected with the K. O. T. M.

ADAM SCHULTZ, of the firm of P. G. Frederick & Company, planing mill and lumber dealers, was born at Brady's Bend, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1857, son of Adam Schultz, who came to Armstrong county from Germany about 1855. His mother died when he was a child, and his father in 1872. Adam was the fourth in a family of five children, and when twelve years of age commenced working in an iron furnace at Brady's Bend, where he con- tinned until he was sixteen years old. Ile came to Millerstown January 1. 1874, and found employment with H. L. Westermann, clerking and delivering goods. Ile remained with Mr. Westermann until December 13, 1888, when he purchased an interest in his_present business. On May 6, 1879, he married

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Magdalena Frank. a native of Alsace, Germany, who came to the United States in 1871. She returned to her native land in 1877, but came back again in the fall of that year. Mr. Schultz and wife are members of the German Lutheran church of Millerstown.

GEORGE P. TADDER was born in Nunda, New York, March 10, 1845, son of James and Margaret ( Wheatrick ) Tadder. His father was a native of Massa- chusetts and his mother a native of Germany. She came to America with her parent- at the age of nine years, where she grew to womanhood and married James Tadder, who had -erved in the War of Is12. He died in 1861, and his widow in 1991. They were the parents of seven children, only two of whom are living : William W .. and George P. The subject of this sketch was reared upon the homestead farm in New York, and received h's education in the public schools, In Is64 he enlisted in Company E. First New York Dragoons, and served in the Shenandoah campaign, participating in the battles of Winchester and Cedar Creek. He was discharged at Rochester, New York, July 18, 1865. At the battle of Winchester the color bearer dropped the flag and Mr. Tadder picked it up, and for this action was made color bearer, with the rank of corporal. He was captured at Lovettsville, but escaped. After the war he located at Pit- hole, Venango county, where he followed oil producing. In 1873 he came to Greece City, Butler county, and established a livery and casing business, and also had a similar business at Troutman. In 1882 he located at Millerstown, where he carried on a livery stable until 1894. Mr. Tadder is the inventor of several tools for the removal of casing- from wells, which are now being largely adopted. On July 3. 1872. he married Mary J. Mark well, a daughter of Stephen Markwell. She was born near Toronto, Ontario, and came to Pithole, Venango county, with her parents, who now reside at Greece City. They are the parents of six children, viz. : Frank W. ; Florence: Archie : Winifred : George L., and Mabel, deceased. Mr. Tadder is a Republican, in politics, and is a stanch sup- porter of that party.

Jony MURTLAND was born in Concord township, Butler county, in 1812, son of Robert Muntland, who came to this county about 1803, where he re- sided until his death. Robert was a soldier in the War of 1812, and reared a family of five sons and two daughters. John grew to manhood upon his father's farm, amidst the pioneer scenes and incidents of the period. He married Mar- garet Flemming, of Butler county, and settled upon a part of the homestead in Concord township, where he remained during his life time. He died in Febru- ary. 1876; his widow died March 26. 1891. Twelve children were the fruits of this union, seven of whom are now living: Ann E., wife of Simon Young, of Centre township : William F .. of Clay township; James IL .. of Fayette county ; John C., of Millerstown; Maggie, wife of James Rankin, of Penn township ; Johanna, wife of C. P. Gordon, of Venango county, and I. P., who resides upon the old homestead.

Jony C. MURTLAND, Son of John and Margaret Murtland, was born in Concord township, Butter county, April 1. 1548, and spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm. He received his education at the little log school house not far from the old home, and at the age of eighteen years entered upon an

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

apprenticeship of two years at the stonemason's trade, which business he followed for seven years. In 1878 he engaged in merchandising at Troutman, in Concord township, and continued in the same business in various parts of Butler county until 18$3. For the following seven years be conducted a furniture and undertaking business at West Sunbury. In the spring of 1890 he located in Millerstown, where he has since carried on a grocery store. In December, 1871. he married Lizzie Hindman, a daughter of John Ilindman, of Cherry township, and the is father of eight children. The family are members of the English Lutheran church, of Millerstown. Politically, Mr. Murtland is a Prohibitionist, takes quite an active interest in public affairs, and is a member of the Royal AArcanum.

CAPT. JOHN McCOLLOUGH, the progenitor of the family in Butler county, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and was born in Westmoreland county. Pennsyl- vania. His parents were pioneers of that locality and his father a practicing physician. During the absence of the latter from home, his wife was murdered by the hired man and the cabin burned to the ground. Young John escaped into the woods, and afterwards found a home with a German family, with whom he lived some years and became quite proficient in the German language. He served as an Indian scout upon the frontier during the troubles with the savages, and was afterwards a captain in the War of Is12. As an illustration of the hard- ships endured by these brave defenders of the nation, he often related how, upon one occasion, the soldiers of his company, worn out by forced marches, stretched themselves upon the damp ground to sleep and in the morning found their cloth- ing and hair frozen fast to the ground. Captain MeCollough married Elizabeth Spangler, a native of Luzerne county, who became the mother of ten children, as follows : William : James ; John ; Elizabeth, wife of James Crawford, of Con- cord township: Mary, deceased wife of Daniel Kridler : David; Sarah, wife of William Wick, of Concord township ; Susan, wife of William Truxal, of Butler ; Catherine, wife of John Miller, of Allegheny county, and Phoebe, wife of John Geets, of Fairview township. Late in the last or early in the present century Captain McCollough and wife settled in Fairview township, Butler county. where he entered a large tract of land. Ile subsegently removed to Butler, resided in that borough for many years, but finally located at Millerstown, where he died in 1847, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was an elder in the English Lutheran church, a man of clear judgment, and took a prominent part in the public affairs of his times.

JAMES McCOLLOUGH, second son of Capt. John and Elizabeth McCollongh, was born upon the homestead in Fairview township, November 4, 1503. He was reared beneath the parental roof, and married Elizabeth R. Sanderson, born August 18, 1804, a daughter of Samnel and Elizabeth Sanderson. They settled upon a portion of the land entered by his father, in Fairview township, where Mrs. McCollough died, July 1, 1-55. Her husband survived until May 1. 189. They were the parents of seven children, only three of whom grew to maturity. viz. : William S., of Fairview township; Eliza, wife of E. Christy, of Oakland township, and Mary Ann, deceased wife of Jacob Wolford.

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IHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

WILLIAM S. McCOLLOUGH, eldest child of James and Elizabeth R. McCol- lough, was born upon the homestead farm in Fairview township, November 10, 1826. Hle grew to maturity with his parents, assisting them to clear the farm, and wearing the coarse homespun clothes of the period. Ilis education was obtained in a subscription school, the first school he attended being held in a little log building on the farm he now owns. On June 1, 1854, Mr. McCollough was married to Hannah. a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Kamerer, and settled upon his present homestead. The land was unimproved, and the young couple took up their residence in the little log school house previously mentioned. They are the parents of cleven children, as follows : James M., born August 14, 1855 ; Adam M., June 19, 1858; Robert L., January 11, 1861, died April 3, 1865; Henry K., October 29, 1863, died October 15, 1883; Charles P., May 23, 1866; Allan C., August 19, 1868; Elizabeth C., August 12, 1872; William F., July 11, 1875; Frederick I1., April 27, 1878: Sarah P., May 29, 1881, and Ralph L., December 2, 1855, died April 25, 1892. The family are members of the English Lutheran church, of Millerstown, in which Mr. McCollough has served as elder and trustee. He is a stanch Republican. and has filled the offices of justice of the peace, supervisor, and school director. He is the owner of 100 acres of well improved land, has a good oil production, and is a successful and respected citizen.

JAMES MYLET MCCOLLOUGH, son of William S. and Hannah ( Kamerer) McCollough, was born in Fairview township. August 14, 1855. llis boyhood days were passed upon the farm in assisting his parents with the home duties, and he attended the district school of his neighborhood, supplementing this with a course at Edinboro State Normal School and the Prospect Academy, after- wards teaching in the public schools. On May 28, 1877, he married Mary Belle Singer, and located upon his present homestead. This union has been blessed by four children, viz. : Edmund K. ; Kenneth M. ; Carrol Wayne, and James Eden. Mrs. McCollough is a daughter of David and Amanda ( Bole) Singer, the former a native of Dauphin county, and the latter of Armstrong county. Her father died in AAllegheny county, and her mother is spending her last years with Mrs. McCollough. Though now in her seventy-fifth year, she is a well-preserved, hale and active old lady. Mr. MeCollough is a stanch Republican ; a leading member of his party in Fairview township ; has filled the various local offices of his community, and was a delegate to the State convention in 1894. He is one of the progressive farmers of the county, and gives a liberal support to every worthy enterprise. He is a member of Derrick Lodge, K. of P. ; also of Millers- town Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Jr. O. U. A. M.

DAVID McCOLLOUGH, sixth child of Capt. John and Elizabeth MeCollough, was born April 11, 1811. in Fairview township. Butler county. When eleven years of age he removed with his parents to Butler, where he attended the public schools and learned the potter's trade. He married Mary King, a daughter of Philip King, born in Armstrong county in 1803. They located upon a part of the MeCollough tract in Fairview township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. McCollough died July 22, 1863, and her husband December 12, 1880. They were the parents of seven children, viz. : Richard J. ; John C .;

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Sarah. wife of William Pontius; Phoebe, deceased ; William H. ; Diana. deceased, and Margaret M .. wife of S. Yager.

RICHARD J. McCOLLOUGH was born upon the homestead farm, February 14, 1837, and is the eldest child of David and Mary McCollough. He grew to maturity in Fairview township and was educated in the little log school house of pioneer days. In 1856 he married Elizabeth Kamerer, a daughter of Daniel and Harriet (Daubenspeck ) Kamerer, born May 27, 1840. They took up their resi- dence in Fairview township. where Mrs. McCollough died, October 12, 1883. leaving two children, viz. : Alvin A., since deceased, and Elmer S., of Fair- view township. On August 20, 1884, Mr. McCollough married Lavina Kam- erer, a sister of his first wife. She was born January 2. 1848. They are mem- bers of the English Lutheran church, of Milerstown. Politically, a Republican, he has held various positions in the township, and is recognized as one of the successful farmers of the community.

ELMER S. McCOLLOUGH, son of Richard J. and Elizabeth McCollough, was born in Fairview township, May 13. 1863, was reared upon the homestead farm, and was married January 21, 1885, to Maude Herron, of Armstrong county. They located in Fairview township, where Mr. McCollough devotes his time to farming and stock-raising. Ile is particularly interested in fine trotting-bred pacers and has some valuable stock in that line, among them being Sandy Wilkes, with a three-year old record of 2 : 47, sired by Crawford, with a record of 2:075. Ile is a stanch Republican, and takes an active interest in the public affairs of his township. To Mr. and Mrs. McCollough have been born three sons, viz. : Alvin E. ; Richard HI., and AArthur L.

JOHN C. McCOLLOUGH, son of David and Mary ( King) MeCollough, was born in Fairview township, Butler county, February 25, 1839, and was reared and educated in his native township. In 1861 he married Mary A., a daughter of Daniel and Harriet (Daubenspeck ) Kamerer, born March 27, 1839. They located upon their present homestead, which they have since greatly improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. Mr. McCollough enlisted in Company K, Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, July 16, 1863. His regiment formed a part of the Second Brigade, First Division of the Fifth Army Corps. He par- ticipated in the battles of the Rappahannock, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Ber- muda Hundred. Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Five Forks, Siege of Petersburg, and the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. He was transferred to the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth regiment, July 3, 1864, and was honorably discharged June 5. 1865, after having done service in fifty-two battles and skirmishes. He is a mem- ber of Robert MeDermott Post. G. A. R., of Millerstown. For many years he has been connected with the English Lutheran church of that borough, in which he has filled the offices of elder and treasurer.

SAMUEL W. McCOLLOUGH, county commissioner, is a son of William and Elizabeth ( Rumbaugh) McCollough. His father was the eldest child of Capt. John McCollough, and was born in Butler county in 1801. He married Eliza- beth Rumbaugh and settled in Fairview township. retiring to Millerstown after attaining old age. Mrs. McCollough died in 1878, in her seventy-seventh year. and her husband in 1880. William McCollough had been an active, prominent

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

citizen for many years, held various official positions, and accumulated a large amount of property. Four of his children grew to maturity, as follows : Mary, who married George M. Craig ; David S .; Peter, and Samuel W. The last men- tioned was born upon the homestead in Fairview township, March 10, 1814, and grew to maturity beneath the parental roof. On August 6, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, under the command of Col. M. S. Quay, the regiment forming part of Humphrey's Division, Army of the Potomac. He did good service at Antietam, Fredericks- burg and Chancellorsville, and followed the fortunes of his regiment down to May 21. 1863, when he was honorably discharged from service. In 1864 Mr. McCollough married Catherine Kamerer, a daughter of Daniel L. Kamerer, of Fairview township. She was born June 7. 1846, and is the mother of seventeen children, viz. : Elizabeth C., deceased ; George G. ; AAdrian II. ; Louis L .; Mary L. : Emma G .: Maggie J .; John L. ; Albert A. ; Cora A. ; Lillian B. ; Florence M .: Merrill : Eliner C., deceased ; Clarence B. ; Sylvester D. B., and Esther M. In 1869 Mr. MeCollough located upon his present farm in Fairview township, and ranks among the leading agriculturists of the county. He has always been an ardent Republican, has filled various positions in his township, and was elected a county commissioner in the fall of 1893 by a flattering majority. Ile is a P. C. of Robert McDermott Post, G. A. R., and is a member of Millerstown Lodge, Number 947. I. O. O. F. Mr. McCollough and wife are members of the Eng- lish Lutheran church, and he is recognized as one of the progressive and success- ful citizens of the county.

DAVID S. MeCOLLOUGH, son of William and Elizabeth ( Rumbaugh) Mc- Collough, was born in Fairview township, April 10, 1830. His boyhood days were spent upon the farm, and he enjoyed the meager advantages afforded by the common schools of that period. He was married December 8, 1853, to Mary, daughter of William Emerick, born in Fairview township. February 10, 1833. She became the mother of seven children by this union, as follows : Elizabeth P., wife of John Lewis, of Steuben county, New York ; Lydia A., wife of David Kirkland, of Pittsburg ; Anna M., wife of George Hays, of Washington, Pennsylvania ; William W. : Laura A. : Sarah B., and Curtis F. E. Mrs. Mc- Collough died, July 5. 1866, respected and esteemed by all who knew her. Aside from his various interests in this community, Mr. McCollough has large land interests in Chesterfield county, Virginia. He is a Republican in politics, and is recognized as a prosperous and progressive citizen.

PETER MCCOLLovan, son of William and Elizabeth (Rumbaugh ) McCol- lough, was born .April 10, 1835, upon the homestead in Fairview township. He was reared to farm life and attended the district school of his neighborhood dur- ing boyhood. On October 30, 1857, he married Anna Margaret, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Daubenspeck. She was born in Washington township. Butler county, April 19, 1838, and is the mother of eight children, as follows : Catherine E., born August 8, 1857, died February 28, 1861 ; Rheuemma, wife of R. R. MeDermott, of Fairview township : Henry C., a resident of Oakland town- ship; Newton C., a graduate of Grove City College and now county superinten- dent of schools; Euphema, a graduate of Wooster University, Wooster, Ohio,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

wife of John Steindorf, of Madison, Kansas; Clara M., a graduate of the State Normal School, at Centreville ; Jacob D, and Jessie Olivia. The family are con- nected with the English Lutheran church, of Millerstown, of which Mr. McCol- lough tills the office of deacon. Ile is a member of Millerstown Lodge, Number 157, K. of P., and is a leading citizen of the community. He located on his present farm immediately after marriage, renting it from his father, and has resided upon the same up to the present. He has been quite successful in the accumulation of real estate, and is the owner of much valuable lands in different sections of the county. Politically, he is a Republican, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs.

HENRY C. McCOLLOUGH was born in Fairview township, November 7, 1860, son of Peter and Anna M. ( Daubenspeck ) McCollough. He is the eldest son in a family of eight children, was reared on the homestead and attended the common schools of his district. On September 24, 1885, he married Lena Mil- ler, a daughter of Franklin and Elizabeth ( Elliott) Miller. She is the second in a family of five children, was born in Clarion county, and came with her parents to Butler county in childhood. Her parents are now residing in the borough of Butler. One son, Clarence Campbell, has been born to this union. Mr. McCol- lough has a well improved farm of 123 acres, with substantial and commodious buildings, and is recognized as one of the progressive farmers of the township. In politics, he is a Republican. Ilis wife is a member of the Presbyterian church, and the family are highly respected in the community.

DANIEL, L. KAMERER, one of the oldest living citizens of Fairview town- ship, Butler county, was born in Armstrong county, July 23 1811. His parents, Peter and Elizabeth ( Bush) Kamerer, were natives of Westmoreland county. and removed to Armstrong county about 1806, where the mother died, leaving a family of six children, viz. : Adam ; Daniel L. : Hannah, who married Henry Shakely, and lives in Perry township, Armstrong county; Catherine, who married Philip Barnhart ; Elizabeth, who became the wife of William Rum- baugh, and Sarah Ann, second wife of Philip Barnhart. Peter Kamerer married a second time, but had no children by this union. He died in Butler county, March 7, 1860. Daniel 1. was reared amidst the scenes of pioneer life, when the coarse homespun clothing, the product of the frugal housewife's labor upon the little home loom, was the only kind in use, and when the hatter and shoe- maker came around once a year to manufacture the hat- and shoes for the settler's family. During his earlier years he labored many a day in the harvest field, cutting the grain with a sickle, and afterwards threshed the same with a flail. Mr. Kamerer was married October 15. 1833, to Anna Harriet Daubenspeck, a daughter of Philip Daubenspeck, born in Butler county. February 16, 1812. In 1854 Mr. Kamerer came to Butler county and located upon the farm where he now resides. It was then covered with an unbroken forest, but he went bravely to work to make a home for himself and family. He brought the first threshing machine into this section of the county and operated it a number of years. "Uncle Dan", as he is familiarly known, and his worthy wife still reside upon their original homestead in Fairview township, and are both in the enjoyment of good health and quite active for people of their years. They are the parents of

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

thirteen children, as follows : Peter, born June 3, 1835, who resides.in Butler ; Margaret Ann. August 31, 1836, wife of M. Myers, of Armstrong county ; John. November 17. 1837, a resident of Concord township; Mary Ann, March 27, 1839, wife of J. C. McCollough ; Elizabeth, May 27. 1840, married R. J. McCol- lough, and died November 16. 1883; George D., December 8, 1841. a resident of Butler : William, December 17, 1843. died March 28, 1892; Adam, February 2, 1815, who resides in Butler ; Catherine, June 7. 1816, wife of S. W. McCollough : Lavina, January 2, 1848, wife of R. J. MeCollough ; Lewis, October 7, 1849, a resident of Greenville. Mercer county; Hannah. February 10. 1851, wife of Gilton Myers, of Armstrong county, and Samuel II.

SAMUEL H. KAMERER was born in Armstrong county. January 25. 1853, and is the youngest child of Daniel and Anna Harriet Kamerer. He was but one year old when his parents located in Fairview township, and here he was reared and educated. On November 29. 1882, he married Nina Hinton, a daughter of Charles Hinton, of Erie county, and they located on their present farm in Fair- view township. They have a family of three children, viz. : Ethel L. ; Obed G., and Edna B. Besides his farming interests, Mr. Kamerer is also actively engaged in oil producing, having five good wells upon his farm. He is quite an ardent Republican, and gives his earnest support to the principles and measures of that party. He has filled the office of school director and has been treasurer four years. The family are adherents of the Lutheran church.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 125

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