History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 130

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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JOHN NEYMAN came to Butler county with his family during the War of

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

1812, and settled on what is now known as the Millinger farm in Oakland town- ship. He later moved to Centre township, built a grist and carding mill on Stoney run, and afterwards located on a farm later owned by his son John HI., in Oakland township, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1847. Hle was married in Westmoreland county, to Mary Markle, a sister of Gen. Joseph Markle, of that county. She was a woman of good education, and took a prom- inent part in social and church matters. She died in 1853, at an advanced age. Eleven children were born to them, viz. : Anna, who married William Robb ; Daniel : Elizabeth, who married John Cavin ; Mary ; Abraham M. ; Solomon : Sallie, who married John Beatty ; Susan, who married David McGinnis; John HI. ; Casper M., and William. Mr. Neyman and wife were members of the Presbyterian church, of Butler, in which society he filled the office of elder. He was the contractor and builder of the old stone church at Butler. In 1824 he was elected, on the Whig ticket, prothonotary of Butler county. He was an energetic, successful business man, and did his full share towards the social and material de- velopment of his adopted home.

Jonx Il, NEYMAN was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1799, and came with his parents to Butler county. Ile was reared in Centre and Oakland township-, and obtained his education in the pioneer schools of his period. In 1844 he married Isabel Wilson, a daughter of John and Isabella (Getty) Wilson, natives of Ireland. At the time of her marriage she was living in Jefferson county, where Mr. Neyman was engaged in lumbering. She was born in Indiana county in 1818, her father being a school teacher, which profes- sion he followed until his death. Her parents came to the United States in youth, were married in this State, and reared a family of eleven children, five of whom are yet living. Her mother died at the home of Mrs. Neyman in Oakland township, November 27. 1874, at the remarkable age of ninety-one years. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, and took great interest in church mat- ters. In 1818 Mr. Neyman and wife settled in Oakland township, where he continued to reside until his death, April 3, 1881. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are living, viz. : Markle J. : Mary, wife of John Mont- gomery : John Getty, and Margaret, a teacher in the Allegheny public schools. The deceased are Ella and Clark A. Mr. Neyman was a regular attendant of the Presbyterian church, and although never uniting with that body, he gave it a liberal support. Ilis wife is an ardent Presbyterian, and is now spending the remaining years of her life with her children.

MARKLE J. NEYMAN was born in Jefferson county, November 17, 1845. son of John H. Neyman. His parents removed to Butler county when our sub- ject was about three years old, and settled on the farm where he now resides. lle was reared upon this place. received a common school education, and has always followed farming. He married Anna Fleeger, a daughter of l'eter Flee- ger, and has three children, viz. : Roy ; George, and Mary. Mr. Neyman and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is a Republican.

WILLIAM HUTemsos was one of the carly settlers of Oakland township, a soldier in the War of [812, and died on May 8, 1814, in the forty-fifth year of his age. His wife, Margaret, died on January 7, 1815. They reared the follow -

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ing children : Fergus ; Mrs. Esther Campbell ; Mrs. Jane Shira ; Mrs. Eflie John- ston; Mrs. Anna Johnston; Mrs. Maria Shira: Mis. Matilda Beatty; John : George, and William.

GEORGE HUTCHISON, son of William and Margaret Hutchison, was born in Butler county in 1803. He was reared upon his father's farm, and in 1836 married Mary Larimere, a native of Westmoreland county, where she was residing at the time of her marriage. She became the mother of four sons and three daughters. five of whom are living, viz. : William J .; Thomas S .; Rachel J .. wife of Andrew Graham Campbell : Andrew M., and Margaret, wife of Charles Gerlach. The deceased are Theophilus and Mary. Mr. Hutchison continued to reside upon his farm until his death, April 17, 1855. His wife died in 1852. He was a man of remarkable size and strength, very industrious, and did his full share towards clearing and improving the township. Politically, he was a Whig, and took quite an active part in political affairs. Ile was a member of the United Pres- byterian church of Butler.

WILLIAM J. HUremisoN. eldest child of George and Mary Hutchison, was born in Oakland township, Butler county, October 14, 1839, and except the period spent in the army, has always lived in this township. Ile was educated in the common schools, attending the free schools in winter and a subscription school in summer. He served nine months in Company K. One Hundred and Thirth-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and afterwards re-enlisted in Company A. Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the surrender of Lec. lle participated in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and all the later battles down to Appomattox After the war he resumed his duties upon the farm, and now owns 184 acres of the original tract entered by his grandfather, upon which is a fine brick residence erected by his father in 1852. Mr. Hutchison married Lucinda Kuhn, a daughter of Ilenry and Margaret (Hock ) Kuhn, native- of Pennsylvania. She was the youngest in a family of six children, was born in Butler county, and died on February 2. 1893, aged fifty- two years. She was a member of North Butler Presbyterian church. To this union were born five children, viz. : Laura M., wife of W. T. Hoon ; Maggie E. ; Mary .A. ; Cora E., and Alice. Mr. Hutchison is a member of North Butler Presbyterian church. In politics, he is a Republican, has filled the office of school director, and is now acting as justice of the peace. to which position he was elected in 1892.

Joux HUTCHISON was born in Butler county, in 1806, second son of Will- iam and Margaret Hutchison. He was reared upon his father's farm, and married Eliza Johnston, whose father was an early settler of this county. They located on a farm in Oakland township. now occupied by their son William M. It contained 200 acres, and he built hi- cabin in the midst of the primitive for- ests. Ile cleared and improved this farm, and a portion of the original log cabin forms a part of the present residence, but it is weather-boarded. Here he resided down to his death, in 1>77. His widow still survives and is quite hale and hearty. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a liberal sup- porter of religious and charitable institutions. Ile was a warm friend of educa- tion, an industrious, hard-working farmer, and a very worthy citizen. His

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family consisted of the following children : Annie, wife of Thomas Templeton ; William M. ; Euphemia, deceased wife of L. Cochran ; Matilda, deceased wife of Henry Monnie : Edasa. deceased wife of Henry Neyman ; Lizzie. deceased ; Kesiah, wife of Sheldon Hulings: James, and Fergus. The last named was killed in the army during the Civil war.

WILLIAM M. Huremsoy. second child of John and Eliza Hutchison. was born near his present home in Oakland township, in 1832, assisted his parents in clearing and improving the farm, and attended school in the log school house of his neighborhood during the winter seasons. At the age of twenty-five years he married Angeline B. Thorn, a daughter of Joseph Thorn, an early settler of Butler county, and settled on his present homestead, where he has since devoted his attention to agriculture. His wife died on March 19, 1865, leaving three children. viz : Nettie, wife of P. Plaisted ; Milo, a resident of Buena Vista, who married Milzenna E. Minteer, and Lyda, wife of Campbell Daubenspeck. Mr. Ilutchison married for his second wife Lydia Daubenspeck, a daughter of Jacob Daubenspeck, of Washington township, who was born and reared in Fairview township. She was the sixth child of the first marriage, and was reared upon the old homestead in Washington township. Three children are the fruits of this union, viz. : Emma, a teacher ; Elgie, a resident of Oakland township, who married Maggie J. Whitmire. and Alissa. Mrs. Hutchison is a member of North Butler Presbyterian church. He is a Republican, in politics, has filled the office of school director, and takes quite an active interest in public affairs. He is the owner of ninety.four acres of well improved land, on which there is one of the best peach orchards in the county.

WILLIAM ROBB was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1783, son of Isaac Robb. an early settler of that county. who followed boating and was drowned in the Mississippi, opposite Natchez, in 1809, leaving a wife and five children, all of whom are deceased. William was the eldest son, grew to maturity in his native county, and there married Anna Neyman, a daughter of John Neyman, January 1, 1805. She was born October 15, 1784, and died in 1838, a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. In 1810, with his wife and three children, Mr. Robb came to Butler county and purchased 260 acres from Samuel Riddle, which had a small clearing and a log cabin. The farm is now owned by the Moores and Lightners. He resided on this place until 1837, and then bought the farm now owned by his son, William J. Here he died in 1847, aged sixty-four years. lle was an elder in Concord Presbyterian church. and a liberal supporter of that society. In politics, he was a Whig, and soon after coming to Butler county was elected a justice of the peace, which office he held for many years. Mr. Robb was the father of ten children, only two of whom survive, viz. : Isaac, and William J., both residents of Oakland town- ship. The deceased are as follows : Maria, who married William Eakin ; Han- nah ; Rebecca, who married John Christie; John N .. a tailor by trade, who married Leah Miller, and died October 15. 1892 : Elizabeth. who married Thomas Campbell ; James R., who died in Oregon ; Sarah, who married William II. Christie, and Jemima.

WILLIAM J. ROBB is one of the oldest living citizens of Oakland township.

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where he was born on September 6, 1823. the youngest child of William and Anna Robb. He was reared upon the old homestead, and received his educa- tion in the subscription schools and public schools of his district. He came with his parents to his present home, where he has since resided. On January 1, 1846, he married Nancy Ann Christy, a native of this county, born August 9, 1824. HIer parents, John and Mary Christy, were natives of Ireland. Her father came to Westmoreland county with his parents in childhood, there grew to maturity, and afterwards settled near North Washington, Butler county. He served in the War of 1812, was an elder in the Presbyterian church for many years, and died on May 29, 1855. His wife was born in 1781, and after his death resided with her daughter, Eleanor Campbell, dying on August 9, 1864. Mr. Christy and wife were the parents of ten children, three of whom are living, viz. : Jen- nie, widow of Samuel Campbell; Eleanor, widow of William Campbell, and Nancy Ann, wife of William J. Robb. The deceased are Andrew, who died in Illinois ; Sarah, who married Isaac Robb ; Ebenezer, who was mortally injured by being thrown from a buggy while on a trip to Clarion county, and James who died on the old Christy homestead in June, 1893. To Mr. and Mrs. Robb have been born fifteen children, as follows : James G., a resident of Pawnee City, Nebraska ; Abner C., of Indiana county ; Selina, deceased ; Anna L., wife of Jesse Bell, of Lincoln, Nebraska ; Andrew C., of Concord township ; Mary C., wife of J. C. Ilovis ; Isaac N., an oil operator ; Rebecca, wife of John Barr, of North Dakota ; Sarah B., wife of William J. Campbell ; William J. : Maria J., wife of J. M. Hogue, of Washington county ; \bram M. L .: Ebenezer E., of Washington county ; Emma E., and Frank M. In 1864 Mr. Robb enlisted in Company B, Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, served with the rank of corporal, and was mustered out at Pittsburg, in June, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Robb are members of North Butler Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is a Republican. He owns a well improved farm of 125 acres, and has always been an industrious, hard-working farmer, giving his whole attention to the duties of his farm.

JOHN MCGINLEY was born in Donegal county, Ireland. in 1798, and was the eldest son of John and Grace (Conway) McGinley. In 1800 his parents immi- grated to Pennsylvania, and settled in Westmoreland county. Besides his par- ents, the family consisted of two sons. John and Michael, the latter of whom was born on the Atlantic, and seven daughters. They resided for a short time in Westmoreland county, then came to Butler county and settled in Clearfield town- ship. In the taxables of old Buffalo township for 1803. John McGinley, Sr., is assessed with 300 acres of land, one cow and two oxen. They resided upon this farm until after 1830, when the family were grown to manhood and womanhood and started in life for themselves. Their father served in the War of 1812, and died about 1859, at the remarkable age of ninety-five years. His wife died. about 1827. They were pioneer members of St. Joseph's Catholic church, of Clearfield town- ship. The subject of this sketch came with his parents to Butler county and here grew to maturity. He married Margaret Gillespie, a daughter of John Gillespie, one of the pioneers of the county. They settled for a time in Cleartield town- ship ( now Summit, on the site of St. Mary's Monastery ), but subsequently pur- chased a farm in Donegal township, containing 212 acres, a portion of which

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was cleared. On this place John McGinky and family resided up to a few years before his death. when he removed to Butler and made his home with his daughter, Mr -. Ellen McShane, where he died July 21. 1>>5. in the eighty -eighth year of his age. Hle and wife were practical members of the Catholic church. in which faith they reared their family. She died July 26, 1851, aged sixty-seven. They were the parents of four sons and seven daughters, four of whom are liv- ing, viz : Michael, of Concord township: Mrs. Ellen MeShane, of Butler ; Mrs. Catherine Butler, of Ironton, Ohio, and Mrs. Margaret Kellerman, of Donegal township. John McGinley was an ardent Democrat, and took an active interest in public affairs.

MICHAEL McGINLEY was born in Clearfield township, Butler county, July 1, 1826, son of John and Margaret MeGinley, pioneers of that locality. His boy- hood days were spent upon the farm, and he obtained his education in the old fash- ioned log school house, where he attended for a few months each winter. He continued to reside with his parents until 1849, when he went to Michigan and worked in the mines of that state for two years, and then returned to Butler county. On April 17, 1855. he married Eleanor O'Donnell, a daughter of John O'Donnell, of Donegal township, where she was born December 12, 1833. They settled near St. Joe. in Donegal township, where they improved a farm. For a few years during the oil excitement, Mr. McGinley traveled around in that busi- ness, but in 1877 he purchased his present homestead in Concord township, and erected a fine residence, which has since been his home. It is one of the best improved farms in the township. To Mr. and Mrs. MeGinley have been born six children. two of whom are living, viz. : Jerome, and Mary, who married Peter Dillon, both of whom reside with their parents. The deceased are Francis; Patrick : Ellen Jane, and Theresa. The family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church. at North Oakland, of which Mr. McGinley was one of the origi- nal members. He has been liberal in his support of that organization, and was a member of the building committee when the present church was erected. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served under Captain Bippus. He has always been a Democrat, and was a justice of the peace in Donegal township for ten years. Mr. McGin- ley is one of the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of his township. and gives a liberal support to every worthy object.

MICHAEL MCGINLEY, SR., son of John and Grace ( Conway ) McGinley, was born upon the Atlantic Ocean in June, 1800, during the passage of his parents to the United States. He was the second son, assisted his parents in clearing the old homestead, and attended the pioneer subscription schools of his day. He mar- ried Nancy MeBride, eldest daughter of Patrick and Mary (Dugan) McBride, pioneers of Clearfield township, where Mrs. McGinley was born in 1800. They settled on a farm in Clearfield township, whence they removed to Oakland, November 30, 1830, which date Mr. McGinley cut on a maple tree that stood near a spring in front of his house. The farm consisted of 240 acres, with a small clearing and two log buildings, one of the latter yet standing on the place. Here he resided until his death, September 27, 1981. His wife died on May 15. 1865. They were members of the Catholic church. and in politics. Mr. McGin-

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ley was a Democrat. They reared a family of eleven children. as follows : Mrs. Mary Boyle ; Mrs. Bridget Skeers: Mrs. Ann Hanlon : Sarah. and Catherine, both deceased : Margaret : Mrs. Grace Boyle: Rosinda : Hannah, and Philo- mena, both deceased, and J. F. P. Mr. McGinley always manifested an interest in the welfare of the county, and in its social and material development.

J. F. P. McGINLEY, only son of Michael and Nancy McGinley, was born on the farm where he now resides, May 16, 1845, has always lived upon the same place, and has made farming his life's vocation. I He purchased the home place in 1866, and now owns 175 acres, with good buildings, and under a tine state of cultivation. On October 22, 1867, he married Bridget A. Rodgers, a native of Arm- strong county, and a daughter of James and Bridget ( Boyle ) Rodgers. She is the youngest in a family of twelve children, and was reared near the line of But- ler and Armstrong counties. Seven children have been born to this union, tive of whom are living, as follows: Michael J., who married Martha O'Donnell ; Catherine J. ; James A .; Mary, and Daniel C. The family are members of the St. Joseph Catholic church, and in politics, Mr. MeGinley is a stanch Demo- crat. He has filled various offices in his township, and is a progressive, public- spirited citizen.

JEREMIAH WICK was a native of New Jersey, and came to Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, with his brother John, in 1796. In 1828 he came to But- ler county and purchased 200 acres of land in what is now Clay township, upon which he settled the same year. This farm is now the property of David and Lowry Coulter. He married Isabella Brownfield, to which union were born the following children : Andrew; John ; William : Elisha ; Jeremiah C .: Mary, who married H. P. Conway, and Isabella, who married John Coulter. all of whom are dead ; and Rachel, widow of Hugh R. Conway; Eliza A., widow of Harri- son Conway, and Sally, who died unmarried. In 1857 Mr. Wick united with Concord Presbyterian church, and remained a member of that organization until his death. Many of his descendants are residents of Butler county.

ANDREW WICK, SR., eldest son of Jeremiah and Isabella Wick, was born July 3, 1806, in Armstrong county, and came with his parents to Butler county. Hle engaged in the mercantile business at West Sunbury, later followed cattle droving, and in 1844 he again embarked in merchandising at West Sunbury. In 1854 he settled upon a farm in Clay township, where he died, February 10, 1891. Mr. Wick married Sarah Shryock, a daughter of John Shryock, and their chil- dren are as follows : Alfred, of Butler ; Richard C., who was a member of Com- pany E, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died in Ander- sonville prison ; John S. ; Isabel, deceased wife of J. F. McCluing; Andrew C. ; William ; Ida MI., deceased, and four that died in infancy. In early life Mr. Wick was a Whig, and later a Republican. He was a member of West Sun- bury Presbyterian church, and died in that faith.

WILLIAM WICK, son of Jeremiah and Isabella Wick, was born in Arm- strong county, October 10, 1809, and there grew to maturity. He was twenty years of age when the family came to Clay township, Butler county. He received a good education, and taught school in this county for several terms. At the age of twenty-four he married Sarah MeCollough, a daughter of Capt. John McCol-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

lough, an early settler of Fairview township, a sketch of whom appears in this work. She was born in Fairview township. August 24. 1818. and became the mother of twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity, as follows : Amanda : Isabella ; John T .: Jeremiah 11 .; William M. : Melinda; Eliza, deceased wife of Rev. Samuel Stauffer : James M., and Olive P. Mr. Wick settled in what is now Concord township, where he died on May 27, 1892. His widow resides with her children. He never took a very active interest in public matters, was a Republican in politics, and a charter member of the Lutheran church.

WILLIAM M. Wick was born in Concord township, Butler county, in 1846, son of William and Sarah Wiek. He was reared upon his father's farm, and obtained a common school education in the district schools. He married Mattie A. McClung, December 18, 1867, and lived for a time at Buena Vista, where he followed the oil business. Hle settled upon his present farm in Oakland town- ship, in 1878, and has since devoted his attention to farming. Mrs. Wick is a daughter of William McClung, who came to this township in 1835 and settled on the farm occupied by his daughter. Mr. McClung reared a family of nine children, five of whom are living, and three served in the Union army during the Rebellion. One of the number died in a rebel prison at Florence, while another was killed in the battle of Seven Pines. To Mr. Wick and wife have been born the following children : Harry W. : William P. ; Ralph R. ; Jessie Olive; Cyrus Clyde : Ora E .: Robert M. ; Charles M. ; Mildred E., and Mattie L. The fam- ily are connected with Zion Lutheran church, of Concord township. In politics, Mr. Wick is a Republican, and has filled the offices of school director, super- visor. etc.

JAMES MARTIN came to Butler county when the lands were covered with the primitive forest and the roads were mere bridle paths between the different settlements. He settled on a farm in what is now Oakland township, built a cabin and began the work of making a home in the wilderness. Ile married Polly Moser, a daughter of John Moser. Her father was a soldier of the Revo- lution, came from Westmoreland to Butler county with his family in the last decade of the Eighteenth century, and finally settled in what is now Oakland township. where he died at the age of ninety-seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born the following children : Mrs. Catherine Lowe; Mrs. Mary AAnn Burnham ; Mrs. Jane Moser; Mrs. Esther Burfitt ; Mrs. Eliza Hoon ; Mrs. Louisa Pillifer; Mrs. Grace Duncan ; Martin ; John ; Thomas, and Abram, all of whom are deceased except Mrs. Duncan and Abram. Mr. Martin died at the age of seventy-two years.

ABRAM MARTIN was born in Oakland township, on July H. 1822, youngest child of James and Polly Martin, and has always resided in this county. He obtained his education in one of the pioneer schools, his only book being a United States spelling book. The school house was three miles away from his home. and school was kept only during the winter season. He remained with his par- ents until his maturity, with the exception of a short time spent at North Wash- ington. He afterwards went to Reed's Landing. Wisconsin, where he worked as a stonemason. While there he entered a tract of land, and was compelled to go to the land office on horseback a distance of sixty miles through an unsettled

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country, inhabited principally by Indians and wild animals. On reaching the land office he took his place in line, about seven o'clock in the evening, and stood in line until after four o'clock the next morning, before his turn came. Ile had only sufficient money to pay for his land, and made the round trip in two days and one night, a distance of 120 miles. On returning he sold his claim for sufficient to clear $275. and with this amount and some more that he made while following his trade at Reed's Landing, he purchased the farm upon which he now lives. He afterwards worked for fifty cents per day, and finally earned from five to eighteen dollars per day. He is one of the most industrious men of the township, and has cleared nearly all his present farm of 106 acres, upon · which he erected, in 1870, one of the largest and finest barns in the county. Mr. Martin married Rosa J. Campbell, a daughter of Archie Campbell, and has three children. viz. : Margaret, wife of Daniel Andres, of Greenville ; Mrs. Zillah Altas, of Butler, and Linas, who married Mary Campbell, and lives on a part of the homestead. Mrs. Martin is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a stanch Republican, and one of the most industrious farmers in the township.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 130

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