History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 129

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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GEORGE L. HILLIARD, general merchant, Karns City, was born in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1861, son of Simon and Lydia Hilliard, natives of Armstrong and Centre counties, respectively. Ilis father was a black- smith, and followed that occupation down to his death, in 1885. His mother now makes her home with our subject. George L. is the sixth in a family of seven children. He received a good public school education, and at the age of fifteen years commenced life as a newsboy on the railroad, to which he devoted his attention for two years. Ile next spent some time in the lumber regions of Pennsylvania, where he experienced the hardships and privations of a lumber- man's life. At the age of eighteen he returned to Foxburg, and found employ- ment as a brakeman on what is now the Pittsburg and Western railroad. He rose rapidly, and when he resigned his position in 1888, he was acting in the capacity of passenger conductor. He went to California in that year, and for the following three years was a conductor on the Atlantic and Pacific railroad. In 1891 he returned to Karns City, and established his present mercantile busi- ness. Mr. Ililliard is a member of Fox Lodge, Number 825, I. O. O. F., which he joined when twenty-one years of age, and is also connected with Valley Lodge, A. O. U. W., of Foxburg. He has been a member of Hawkins Division, Number 114, O. of R. C., at Pittsburg, for nine years. In 1890 he married Miss Mary Joy, of Foxburg. a native of Cornwall, England, who came to the United States with her parents when four years of age. Both he and wife are members

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of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Karns City. in which he fills the offices of trustee and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. Mrs. Ililliard takes an active interest in woman's work and is president of the local branch of the Epworth League, in which her husband has charge of the literary work.

CHAMBERS ScorT, deceased, was a son of Robert Scott, a native of Scot- land, who came to Butler, Pennsylvania, about IsIt, where he spent the balance of his life. The subject of this sketch was born in the borough of Butler in 1829. He learned the saddler's trade, and about 1>10 established himself in the harness and saddlery business at Fairview. Being a careful and correct business man. he prospered from the beginning, and finally engaged in general mer- chandising. which he continued down to his death, August 1, 1887. He was a public-spirited and progressive citizen, and held varion- official positions in Fair- view borough and township. In 1850 Mr. Scott married Elizabeth Campbell, born in Derry county, Ireland. in 1830. Eleven children were the fruits of this union, viz. : William 11., of Garden City, Kansas; Mary, wife of W. H. Jame- son ; Salina; Campbell McK .; Robert C .: Minerva, wife of O. W. Akins; Laura M., wife of Samuel Campbell: John C .. of Chicago; Nora. wife of C. Rankin : Rhinalda P., and Flossie E. Mr. Scott was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his political views, a Republican. Mrs. Scott resides in Fairview. and is a respected member of the United Presbyterian church. The business is still conducted by Mrs. Scott and her children, being under the personal supervision of her son. Robert C .. who. since the death of his father. bas carried it on successfully.

JAMES MAXWELL was born in Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania. in 1500. and came to Butler county with his two older brothers, William and John L., when a lad of sixteen years of age, settling near the town of Butler. In 1>20 he married Rebecca Carson, a native of Lawrence county, and settled at Mt. Jackson. Lawrence county, where he followed the hatter's trade. In IS31 he removed to Butler, where he continued the same business for several year -. In 1838 he lived on the farm now the site of the Orphan's Home, and superin- tended the erection of the building occupied by that institution. In Isjo, after a short residence in Donegal township. he removed to a farm near Middletown. where he died, January 5, 1870. His widow survived him five years, dying in March. 1875. They were the parents of twelve children, only two of whom are living, viz. : Robert T .. of Bradford, and James J .. of Fairview.

JAMES J. MAXWELL, son of James and Rebecca Maxwell, was born at Mt. Jackson, Lawrence county, on the Ohio side of the line, August Is. 1531. came to Butler with his parents the same year and grew to maturity in this county. lle was educated in the log school house of those days, walking two and a half miles through the forest to obtain the meager advantages which the schools of that period afforded. When fourteen years of age he commenced to learn the mould- er's trade at Fairview, and followed that business as a journeyman for several years, Mr. Maxwell was married October 25. 1853, to Sarah J. McMurray, a daughter of Alexander McMurray an early settler of Marion township, Butler county, and a soldier in the Black Hawk war. In 1855 they removed to Harris- ville, where Mr. Maxwell carried on a foundry for three years, then returned to

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Fairview and engaged in the same business, which he conducted until 1872, and then sold out. In 1874 he embarked in the livery business, which he has con- ducted up to the present. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell have had a family of six daugh- ters and one son, five of whom are living, viz. : Eliza J. ; Mary A. ; Margaret E .; Ella, and James M. The family are adherents of the Presbyterian church. Politically. Mr. Maxwell was first a Whig. later a Know-Nothing, and finally a Republican. He has served in the borough council and on the school board. IFe has been a member of Connoquenessing Lodge, Number 275, I. O. O. F., since 1858, and is connected with Liberty Lodge, K. of H., in which he has passed the chairs and is now financial reporter.

SAMUEL EYKES, retired merchant and farmer, was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1830, son of John and Jane Eykes, both of whom died when Samuel was a child. He was thus thrown upon his own resources, and at the age of fourteen years was working among strangers for his board and clothes. He found employment in the iron mills of his native county, and in the mines at Brady's Bend. Carefully saving his carnings, he was finally able to purchase a farm in Perry township, AArmstrong county, upon which he resided many years and still owns. In 1867 he came to Fairview and engaged in mer- chandising, and conducted a store until burned out, February 20, 1877. He pur- chased eighty-six acres of valuable land adjoining the borough, upon which he has two oil wells, and devotes his attention to farming. In 1851 Mr. Eykes was married to Catherine Reese, a native of Cambria county, and has one son, Sam- nel David. Both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Politically, he is a Republican, and has served in the borough council and on the school board.

ROBERT HAYS was born in Donegal county, Ireland, in 1812, and came to Pennsylvania with his parents when twelve years of age. The family located in Armstrong county, where his parents resided until their death. Robert was reared in that county, his first home being a little log cabin in the midst of a forest, where wolves, bears and deer roamed at will. He married Deborah McKee, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret ( Blaine ) MeKee, and settled upon the Ilays homestead in Armstrong county, devoting his attention to agricultu- ral pursuits. They resided there until 1876, in which year they removed to the village of Fairview, Butler county, where Mr. Hays died in 1877. His widow survived until 1883, dying at the age of seventy-five. They reared the following children : Eliza, wife of William Storey, of Fairview; Thomas, of the same borough; John M., of Venango township; Margaret, wife of R. O. Shira, of Fairview ; James Harvey, of Burton, Ohio ; William G., a resident of Marietta, Ohio; Robert, who lives upon the old homestead ; Samuel W., a resident of Butler, and David R., of Marietta, Ohio.

THOMAS HAYS, eldest son of Robert and Deborah Hays, was born in Arm- strong county, January 19, 1810, and grew to maturity, upon his father's farm. He attended school in the old fashioned log school building of that period, and subsequently a select school. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was assigned to service in Casey's Division, Fourth Corps, Army of the Potomac, and participated in

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the Peninsular Campaign and the battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, etc. He was later transferred to the Eighteenth Corps and stationed at Suffolk, Virginia. In November, 1862, under general orders from the war department, he re-enlisted, in Battery L, Fourth United States AArtillery. He afterwards served in the siege of Suffolk, at Yorktown, the siege of Peter -- burg, Cold Harbor, and engagements before Richmond, and was honorably di -- charged November 13, 1864. Mr. Hays was married December 21, 1865, to Kesiah J., a daughter of Christopher F. and Isabella Foster, of Armstrong county. Six children are the fruits of this union, as follows: Jennie L., wife of Dr. V. F. Thomas : Christopher F .; Robert N. ; Maud B. ; Thomas II., and Charles F. W. In the spring of 1867 Mr. Hays located on a farm in Fairview township, which afterwards became a valuable oil property, and engaged in oil producing. In [876 he erected his present residence in the borough of Fairview, which has since been his home. The family are Presbyterians, and he fills the office of elder in the church at Fairview. Mr. Hays is a member of McNair Lodge, A. O. U. W., of which he has been secretary for ten years; has also served eight years as treasurer of Liberty Lodge, K. of II., and for the past five years has been recorder of the E. A. U. He is also connected with Argyle Lodge, F. & A. M. Ile is an active Republican, and has acceptably filled various positions in the township and borough.

JAMES M. BYERS, producer, was born in Perry township, Armstrong county. December 25, 1847. His father, Henry Byers, a native of Westmoreland county, came when a young man to AArmstrong county and located upon a tract of unim- proved land. Ile married Sarah, a daughter of Michael and Sarah Shakley, born in Perry township, Armstrong county. in 1810. They took up their residence in a small log cabin, and lived upon this farm until Mr. Byers' death, in 1879. His widow is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of eleven children, the names of those living being as follows: Samuel J. ; Lucinda, wife of David Benson ; Fanny, wife of Thomas Snow ; James M. ; Rosa, wife of John McElroy ; John S., and Wallace II. When James M. was a young man he went to Millerstown and learned the wagon-maker's trade, fol- lowed that vocation for some years as a journeyman, and finally established him- self in business at Lawrenceburg. In the spring of 1878 he came to Fairview, where he established a wagon shop and also engaged in the oil industry, which he still follows. Mr. Byers was married June 21, 1871, to Elizabeth, a daughter of Jacob Frederick, of Millerstown, and has six children, viz. : Edward W .; William J. ; Minnie S. ; Pearl: Frederick, and Earl. The family belong to the German Reformed church Mr. Byers is a member of the school board, and is connected with McNair Lodge, A. O. U. W.

WILLIAM T. McCov, deceased, was born in Illinois, June 14, 1552, son of William II. and Nancy J. McCoy, and came to Mercer county, Pennsylvania, with his parents, in boyhood. Ile was reared in that county, and received a good education in the public schools and at Grove City College. He afterwards taught for a number of years in Mercer and Butler counties, and later located at Fairview, where he engaged in the mercantile business. He afterwards devoted his attention to the management of his farm and other interests until his death.

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Mr. McCoy was married October 28. 1879. to Martha Smith, a daughter of John and Rebecca Smith, to which union were born five children, two of whom are living, viz. : Martha Alice, and Margaret Isabel. Mr. McCoy died in Mani- tou Springs, Colorado, where he had gone for his health, March 3, 1889. He was a consistent member of the United Presbyterian church, was a public-spirited citizen. and took an active interest in the advancement and educational develop- ment of the community, serving in the borough council and on the school board. Ile was a man of upright character, and was respected by all who knew him.

WILLIAM C. HAWN. merchant. was born in Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, November 12. 1859. son of William Christopher and Louisa Hawn, natives of Prussia and Saxony, Germany, respectively. He came to Butler county when eleven years of age, and settled in Brady township, where his father still resides. He received a public school education in the schools of this county and Pittsburg. and at the age of eighteen he entere I the employ of the Pittsburg. Shenango and Lake Erie Railroad Company, at Harrisville, as sta- tion boy, and also commenced studying telegraphy. At the end of five months he was promoted to the position of station agent and operator at Harrisville, and two years later was transferred to Mercer, where he had charge of the station for six years, when he resigned. In 1888 he came to Fairview and engaged in merchandising, as a member of the firm of Hawn & Black, becoming sole proprietor in 1892. Mr. Hawn is an energetic, successful business man, and takes an active interest in public affairs. He is a Democrat in politics, has served in the borough council, and is secretary of the school board. He is con- nected with Petrolia Lodge, K. O. T. M. In April, 1884, he married Austa M., a daughter of H. C. Black, a merchant of Harrisville. They are the parents of three children, but one of whom, Edith, survives. Mrs. Hawn is a member of the Presbyterian church.

REV. ROBERT M. SHERRARD. pastor of the Fairview United Presbyterian church, was born near Cambridge, Ohio, June 9. 1852, son of James and Elizabeth Shertard. The family is of French descent, and traces its ancestry back to the Huguenots. His father was a native of Ireland, came to the United States when twenty-one years of age, and died in September, 1876, aged eighty- eight years. His mother died in Michigan, in September, 1886, at the age of seventy-nine. The subject of this sketch spent his early life upon the farm, receiv- ing such advantages as the district schools afforded. When fifteen years of age he went to Cambridge and began clerking in a store, and later purchased an inter- est in the business. He sold out in 1873, and in the fall of that year entered Muskingum College, at New Concord, Ohio, where he completed a classical course and graduatsd in 1876. In the fall of the latter year he entered the The- ological Seminary, at Xenia. Ohio, and in the autumn of 1877, entered Allegheny Theological Seminary, graduating from that institution in the spring of 1879. Returning to Ohio he was licensed by the Muskingum Presbytery, April 16, 1879, and was ordained by College Springs Presbytery, of Iowa, May 10, 1581. Ile received a call from the United Presbyterian congregation at Blanchard, Iowa, remained there for five years, thence removed to Commerce, Michigan, and in September, 1890. he accepted a call from the Fairview congregation, with which

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he has since been connected. Mr. Sherrard was married March 31, 1880, to Sarah E. Adair, of Delaware county, New York, a daughter of James and Mary Adair. Two sons and one daughter are the fruits of this union.

FRANCIS WHITMIRE, SR., came from Berks county to Butler county in 1798, accompanied by his wife and family, and settled on a tract of land near the site of Boydstown, Oakland township, which he purchased of Stephen Low- rey. Ilis wife's maiden name was Catherine Rust, and they were the parent- of nine children, all of whom are dead. Among them were Daniel ; John ; Fran- cis ; Julia, and Catherine. Daniel served in the War of 1812, and died on March 21, 1867, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. His wife Susan died May 14, 1861, in her sixty-ninth year. Mr. and Mrs. Whitmire spent the remaining years of their lives upon the homestead, where he died in 1832.

JOHN WHITMORE, SR., second son of Francis and Catherine Whitmire, was born in what is now Oakland township, Butler county, in 1805, and died on October 31, 1891. Hle was reared in this township, and was known as one of the most industrious and successful farmers of the community. He married Catherine Painter, who was born and reared in Westmoreland county, and edu- cated in the typical log school house of pioneer days. She died on February 1. 1882, in her eighty-first year. She was generous, industrious and economical, having a kind word for those with whom she came in contact, and was respected by all as a kind wife and a good neighbor. Nine children were the fruits of this union, six of whom are living, viz. : Peter; Jacob; John ; Eliza, wife of Rob- ert Morrow ; Mary, widow of Christopher Rider, and Susan, wife of John Beatty, all residents of Butler county. The eldest child, Frank, died at the age of tweny-two, and the other two in early youth. Mr. Whitmire was a stanch Dem- ocrat, took a commendable interest in public affairs, and filled every office in the township with the exception of justice of the peace.

FRANCIS WHITMIRE, third son of Francis and Catherine Whitmire, was born in Oakland township, Butler county, April 9, 1809, was reared upon the homestead, and devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits. He settled upon a part of the home farm, where he continued to reside until his death, June 13, 18SO. Mr. Whitmire was married to Susan Osembauch, to which union were born three children, viz. : William ; Margaret, who married a Mr. Weisenstein, and Anna Lena, who married Jacob Painter. William enlisted in Company M. Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry, was taken prisoner at Bristoe Station, August 22, 1862, and confined at Libby prison, and Belle Isle, where it is believed he died. Mr. Whitmire's second wife was Anna Painter, a daughter of Peter Painter. She was born and reared in Westmoreland county, and died May 8, 1898. in the seventy-eighth year of her age. She was a member of the Lutheran church, a kind wife and a devoted mother. Eleven children were born to this marriage, of whom four are living, viz. : Daniel : Samuel W. : Anna D., wife of L. Rider, and Catherine, wife of John T. Black. The deceased are Ellen, who married Joel Shrewsbury ; Caroline; Harper S. ; Lewis S., and three that died in early youth. Mr. Whitmire was a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics, an adherent of the Democratic party.

PETER WHITMIRE, eldest son of John and Catherine ( Painter) Whitmire,

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was born in 1831. on the farm adjoining his present homestead. He resided with his parents until his maturity, and attended school a few months during each winter season. He married Margaret Rider, of Centre township, to which union have been born six children, all of whom are dead but one. Catherine, wife of James Campbell, of Concord township. The deceased are as follows : Jacob I .; Francis P .: John : Emma Adela, and one that died in infancy. Mr. Whit- mire settled on his present place in 1845, purchasing then 100 acres, but he now owns between 300 and 400 acres, with good buildings and under a high state of cultivation. He is one of the leading farmers of his township. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B. Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, was taken prisoner and confined for sixty-two days in Libby prison, and was then exchanged. The last summer of the war he spent at Leavenworth, Kansas, and was mustered ont at Pittsburg in the fall of 1865. He is a stanch Republican, and has filled the offices of township collector and constable. Mrs. Whitmire died, August 7, 1892, at the age of sixty-two. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran church, to which denomination Mr. Whitmire also belongs. In the spring of 1894 he mar- ried Penninah Alworth, of Parker township, Butler county.

JACOB WHITMIRE, second son of John and Catherine Whitmire, was born upon the old homestead in Oakland township, Maich 17. 1833. He attended the pioneer schools of his neighborhood during the winter months, and while living with his uncle went to the Doyle school. in Buffalo township, and spent one winter at the Dugan school, in Slippery Rock township. Returning home. he remained with his parents until the age of twenty-two, and then began in life for himself. On October 6. 1856, he married Isabella G. Brown, a daughter of Robert Brown. She was born in Fairview township in 1832, lived there until the age of seventeen, and then removed with the family to Clay township, where she was living at the time of her marriage. Eight children were born to this union, seven of whom survive, viz. : Robert J .; Amanda C., wife of David D. Quigley : Anna MI., wife of Perry Gold ; Ollie 1., wife of Edward Sayler ; Laura E., wife of Edward Bowers : Ida May, wife of William Aggas, and Maggie J., wife of Elgie Hutchison. Mr. Whitmire and wife are members of Springdale Lutheran church, in which he fills the office of elder. He is an ardent Repub- lican, and has held the offices of school director, assessor, etc.

ROBERT J. WHITMIRE, eldest child of Jacob and Isabella G. Whitmire, was born on the homestead in Oakland township, October 17. 1858, and was reared and educated in this vicinity. He married Maggie W. Smith, a daughter of W. P. Smith, of Centre township. She was born at Brady's Bend, but removed with her parents to this county when four years of age. Five children are the fruits of this marriage, as follows: Cora M .; Alice E .; Belle; Grace E., and Olive C. The family are members of Springdale Lutheran church. Mr. Whit- mire is a Republican, and has been overseer of the poor and school director in his township. He resided on his father's place for a short time after his marriage, but in 18 9 located on his present farm, where he owns 180 acres of well improved land, beside other lands in Concord township.

JOHN WHITMORE, third son of John and Catherine Whitmire, was born March 10, 1835, on the old homestead in Oakland township, where he still

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resides. He was educated in the common schools, and adopted farming as his avo- cation. He was married September S, 1>59, to Jane Campbell, daughter of William and Mattie Campbell, to which union have been born ten children, viz. : Emma Z., who married Monzo Campbell, who resides on the Bailey farm, near Cooperstown; John E., who resides in Los Angeles, California, and is a cab driver ; Charles C .: Harry P .; Everett Benton : Ada Pearl; Frank G., and three who died in infancy and youth. Mr. Whitmire enlisted in Company B. Sixth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, September 2, 1864, and served with that command until June 22, 1865, when it was mustered out of service. Mr. Whit- mire and wife are members of the Lutheran church : in politics, he is a Republi- can and has held the office of township treasurer one term and of school director and treasurer of the district three years and a half.

WILLIAM NEYMAN came from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, to But- ler county, in 1799, accompanied by his parents, Harmon Neyman and wife, both of whom died here. Ile selected several hundred acres of land near the mouth of Bonny Brook, in what is now Summit township, where he erected a grist mill in the year 1800, one of the first mills built in Butler county. He was twice married, and by his first marriage was the father of three children, William, Henry and Elizabeth, all of whom were reared to maturity. His second wife was Mary Sumney, a daughter of Jacob Sumney, a leading pioneer of Butler county. Ile carried on the mill near the mouth of Bonny Brook for many years, and subsequently purchased lands and erected a mill in what is now Oakland township, which property he gave to his sons, William and Henry, and bought the farm now occupied by their sons-John L., and Josiah. Mr. Neyman died at the age of sixty years, and his wife in 1878, aged eighty-four years. They left two children, John L., and Josiah, with whom Mrs. Neyman made her home until her death. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, and always manifested a deep interest in its prosperity.

JOUN L. NEYMAN was born in the borough of Butler, November 4, 1826, son of William and Mary Neyman. He was reared upon a part of the farm now owned by his brother Josiah, and received one-half of the homestead. At the age of twenty-two he married Christina Sarver, a daughter of Henry Sarver, who was born in eastern Pennsylvania, but was reared in this county. Five children were born to this union, as follows: Mary Jane; Priscilla E., wife of George Mc Junkin, of Butler : William H., who married Dassie Paulina Hutchison, who died March 28, 1889, leaving four children, Jesse Earl, Dassie May. Fred H. and Paul ; Angeline, wife of George Keiser, of Pittsburg, and John F., now a resident of New Castle. Mrs. Neyman was a member of the Presbyterian church, and died August 1, 1892. In September, 1864, Mr. Neyman enlisted in Company B, Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, and served until mustered out at Camp Reynolds, in June, 1865. The greater portion of the time his command was on guard duty in and around Washington. Since 1858 he has been an elder in North Butler Presbyterian church, and is a leading member of that society. Mr. Neyman is a stanch Republican, and always gives his support to the candi- dates and principles of that party.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 129

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