History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 136

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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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

REV. ISAAC DAVISON DECKER, eldest son of Horace and Margaret Decker, was born at Fairmount, Morris county, New Jersey. April 19, 1846. After receiving a good common school education. he attended Blair Presbyterial Acad- emy, at Blairstown, New Jersey, from 1863 to 1865. after which he taught sev- eral terms in the public schools of Sussex and Warren counties. He matricu- lated at Princeton College, in 1868, where, in his junior year, he was made an editor of the college magazine, and as a senior elected class poet. also securing the English Literature prize at graduation, in 1872. Hle then entered Princeton Theological Seminary, where he was graduated in 1875. In 1874, having in pre- vious vacations taught in academies and high schools of Maryland and New Jer- sey, he began to preach as a licentiate at Rockland, Canada, and after graduating he assisted Dr. Phraner, as local missionary. at Sing Sing, New York. At that time a classmate, Rev. T. S. Negley, having begun the organization of a church at Fair- view, Butler county, and finding it necessary to return to finish his education. requested Mr. Decker to take up his unfinished work. The latter was licensed by Newton Presbytery, October 6. 1875, and began the work at Fairview and Karns City one month later. He was ordained and installed at Fairview, November 1. 1876. Before the close of that year about seventy-five members had been gath- ered. and a neat church built at each of the two points. On the evening of January 28, 1877, occurred the memorable gas explosion in the home of Mr. Patton, with whom Mr. Decker was boarding. Mr -. Patton received injuries from which she died, while her husband and Mr. Decker were very seriously burned, but by careful nursing both recovered. In May, ISTS, he was married to Miss Kate M. a daughter of Elias Goble. of Freedom, New Jersey. She at once entered upon the work with her husband. soon becoming greatly endeared to the people on the charge, and highly esteemed in church and missionary circles throughout the Presbytery. In November, 1875. in addition to Fairview and Karns City, Mr. Decker began to supply the organization at Petrolia, where a small church was erected a few years later. In May. 15$3, he took in addition the supply of a church at Martinsburg, and thus had four congregations under his charge. He continued in the work there until October, ISSS, when, having received a call from Harmony church. in Newton Presbytery, New Jersey, he left his congenial charge with deep and mutual regret, removed to that place, and took up the work there which he continued nearly five years. While in charge of Harmony church he met with a heavy affliction in the death of his wife. April 8, 1892. This, followed by his mother's death the following March, led him to consider an urgent call from the West Sunbury congregation, in his old Presbytery. He finally decided to return, and did so in July, 1893, taking in addition to this charge the supplying of the North Butler church, and the vice principalship of West Sunbury Academy. Mr. Decker is one of the most pop- ular ministers in Butler county, and during his labors in this field he has shown commendable zeal in building up the church and spreading the gospel. During his ministry of thirteen years in the oil country it was his privilege to see two churches organized, three houses of worship built, and over four hundred per- sons received into membership.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ROBERT HOCKENBERRY was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, about 1795. received his education in a pioneer subscription school and was reared a farmer. In 1815 he married Mary Tipper, of Juniata county, to which union were born the following children : Margaret ; Rebecca, who married George Ralston ; John ; William ; Benjamin ; Joseph ; George, and Eliza, who married William Cranmer. The family came to Butler county and located in what was known as the Jack settlement. in Worth township, whence they removed to Cherry township, where Mr. Hockenberry died in 1848. His widow survived him until the winter of 1891-92, and died at the advanced age of ninety-three years.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY was born in Worth township, Butler county, in 1827, and was the eldest son of Robert and Mary Hockenberry. He grew up upon his father's farm, and learned the wagon-maker's trade with Samuel Curran, of Centreville, and worked as a journeyman for five years, and then opened a shop for himself. In 1849 he married Mary J. Christley, a daughter of John Christ- ley, of Slippery Rock township. and went into partnership with his brother-in- law. Edwin Christley, and continued to carry on wagon-making at Centreville until 1867. In that year he purchased a farm in Cherry township, containing 130 acres, known as the Robert McCandless farm. upon which he died in June, ISTI. His widow resides in Centreville. They were the parents of three chil- dren. as follows : Harvey D. : Bertram L., and Isadore L., who married Alfred Christy, of Centreville. Mr. Hockenberry was a member of the Methodist Epi -- copal church, and filled the office of steward in that denomination. Politically, he was a Democrat, and held the office of school director and other minor posi- tions in his township at different period -.

HARVEY D. HOCKENBERRY, physician and surgeon, was born at Centre- ville, Butler county, October 17, 1850. He received his primary education in the public schools, and afterwards took an academic course at the West Sunbury Academy. He commenced teaching at the age of sixteen years, and taught in the public schools for ten years. In the meantime he decided to enter the med- ical profession, and attended lectures at the Medical Department of Wooster University, Cleveland, Ohio, and afterwards took a post graduate course at Jef- fer-on Medical College, Philadelphia. In the spring of 1879 he located in practice at West Sunbury, and for the past fifteen years he has continued in the active duties of his profession. Dr. Hockenberry was married in April. 1872, to Miss Mary A. Smith, a daughter of James Smith, of Cherry township, to which union have been born the following children : John B., and Jame- 1., both deceased : Ella S. : Carl M., deceased : Zov D. ; June A., deceased; Bernice ; M. S. Quay, deceased, and Hazel. Dr. Hockenberry was a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, in which he was a class leader, trustee and Sabbath school superintendent down to 1890, when the celebrated Pollard dissension took place in the church, and he with the majority of the congregation withdrew. He has since been an attendant of the Presbyterian church. of West Sunbury. Dr. Hockenberry is a member of the Butler County Medical Society. of which he was president in 1893, and is also a member of the State Medical Society. Since locating at West Sunbury he has built up an extensive practice, and is one of

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the well known physicians of the county. He has always been a stanch Repub- lican, has represented his section as a delegate to the county conventions, and has taken a prominent part in political affairs.

SAMUEL DUFFORD Was born in Luzerne county. Pennsylvania, November 12, 1812. was reared in his native county, and there learned the gunsmith'- trade. When twenty years of age he came to Butler county, and located in what is now Connoquenessing township where he worked at his trade for many years. In July, 1835. he married Margaret Wagner, a daughter of Michael Wag- ner, and they became the parents of the following children : Frederick ; William ; Susan, who married William Dufford ; Anna M., who was twice married, first to Louis Ileist, and afterwards to George Frederick ; George Lewis; Emeline, deceased, and Maria, who married Abraham Flowers. Mr. Dufford and wife were members of the Reformed church, in which he held the office of elder. Politically, he was a Democrat, and as school director took a deep interest in the progress of education. He died on May 19, ISSI ; his widow died September 6, 1892.

GEORGE LEWIS DUFFORD Was born in Connoquenessing township, But- ler county, January Is, 1845, and is the youngest son of Samuel and Mar- garet Dufford. He learned the blacksmith's trade at Butler, where he carried on business for five years, then removed to West Sunbury, afterwards purchased a property in that borough. and is now engaged in the blacksmithing busines -. In 1869 he married Susan Ilenshew, a daughter of Eli Henshew, of Connoqueness- ing township. and has two children : Albert, and Carrie E. Mr. Dufford is a member of the Reformed church, and in politics, he is a Democrat. He is now a member of the borough council of West Sunbury.

JOHN PRYOR was born in eastern Pennsylvanian, January 2, 1797. and came with his parents to Butler county in 1803. They settled in Clay town- ship, where the balance of their lives was spent. John was reared in this town- ship, and attended a pioneer subscription school, where he obtained a meager education. About ISIT he married Eleanor Means, of Muddy Creek town-hip. and they became the parents of eight children : Eleanor. who married John Bell; John, and Thomas, both deceased ; Margaret, who married John G. Christie ; James : William, who died in Libby prison during the Rebellion ; Samuel, deceased, and one that died in early youth. Mr. Pryor and wife were members of the United Presbyterian church, in which denomination he held the office of trustee. In politics, he was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican, and filled nearly all of the township offices at different periods. His wife died in 1878: he survived her until December 7. 1957.

JAMES PRYOR, only living son of John and Eleanor ( Means) Pryor. was born in what is now Clay township. Butler county, April 19, 1828. Hle received a common school education, and followed farming down to 1876, when he embarked in merchandising at St. Joe, but removed to West Sunbury the fol- lowing year. Ile carried on a general store in that borough until 1886, then sold out and established a hardware store, which he has since conducted successfully. Mr. Pryor was married July 11, 1853, to Martha J. Christie, a daughter of John Christie, of Concord township, and has two children : Mylard B., and Howard C.

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He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, of West Sunbury. has filled all of the offices in that body, and is now an elder. In politics, he is an ardent Republican, has been justice of the peace for nine years, and has held all the other township offices excepting supervisor. He has been one of the active and enterprising citizens of the community for many years.

GEORGE WOLFORD was born in Cherry township, Butler county, Novem- ber 3, 1852, son of Jacob and Lavina Wolford, and is a miller and farmer by occupation. On November 8, 1878, he married Etta Stewart, a daughter of David Stewart, of Cherry township. They are the parents of four children, as follows : Homer ; Nannie ; Bessie, deceased, and Charles B. In 1887 Mr. Wolford bought an interest in the Campbell Brothers flouring mill, at West Sun- bury, and the firm then became Campbell & Wolford, which was changed in Is 9 to J. C. Breaden & Company. but is at present known as the West Sunbury Mill- ing Company, of which Mr. Wolford has charge. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and is an earnest contributor to that organization. In pol- itics. he is a Republican. and has been a delegate to county conventions at differ- ent times.

JAMES TURNER was born in Ireland about 1771, immigrated to America about 1792, and a few years later he came to Butler county and purchased 200 acres of land on Bear creek, in what is now Parker township. Ile married a Miss Woods, of Butler county, who became the mother of four children. as follows : Samuel ; Rebecca, who married John Smith : Mrs. William Mapin, and Will- iam. Mr. Turner died upon his farm in 1856: his wife had died several years previous. They were members of the Seceder church, and in politics, he was a Whig. Mr. Turner was one of the first settlers of Parker township, and many of his descendants are residents of Butler county.

WILLIAM R. TURNER, youngest child of James Turner, was born in Parker township. Butler county. in 1810, attended a subscription school during the winter season, and was reared surrounded by the usual scenes of pioneer life. In 1525 he married Elizabeth Campbell, a daughter of Andrew Campbell, of Fairview township. They were the parents of the following children : Andrew L. ; James W. : Isabella, who married James Kelly : John C. : Samuel C. ; Nancy J., who married William Kelly ; William P. : George B. : Hamilton R., and Rebecca, who married Abraham Millinger. Mr. Turner was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he was a Whig. He died in 1:54; his widow resides in this county.

GEORGE B. TURNER, son of William R. and Elizabeth Turner, was born in Parker township, Butler county, April 23. 1:46. Ile grew to manhood in his na- tive township, and was married in April. 1-63, to Sarah W. Gibson, a daughter of Harvey Gibson. of Parker township, to which union have been born four chil- dren, as follows : William H. : John F .; Clarence B., and Clara E. The family are connected with the Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Turner fills the office of trustee. Politically, he is a Republican, and ha- held every office in his town- ship from justice of the peace to auditor. In April, 1873, he purchased the Richard Allen farm. in Concord town-hip, con-i-ting of 115 acres. upon which he resided until June. 1-93. At that time he removed to West Sunbury. pur-

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chased the George Mechling property, and is now carrying on a meat market in that borough. He is still the owner of his farm in Concord township, and is one of the prosperous business men of the community.

JOHN F. TURNER, second son of George B. and Sarah W. Turner, was born in October, 1867, received a common school education, and then attended West Sunbury Academy. He taught school for six years, and attended lectures at Balti- more Medical College, where he graduated in the spring of 1893. He was then appointed by the government hospital physician and stationed in Nevada, where he now is located. He married Emma, a daughter of Edward Graham, of West Sunbury, September 21. 1893. She died in Nevada, March 17, 1894, and her body was brought home by her husband .- the journey consuming nine days,- and was interred in the West Sunbury Presbyterian cemetery.

DAVID MCJUNKIN was born in Donegal county, Ireland, in 1775, and was a son of William Me Junkin, a native of the same place. Towards the close of the Revolution his father emigrated to the United States, and settled in Plum town- ship, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. His family consisted of three sons and six daughters. The sons were William. James, and David. James removed to Ohio in 1849, and there died. In 1796 David and William came to Butler county, and each took up 100 acres of land in what is now Centre township, but William afterward returned to Allegheny county, leaving his brother as the only representative of the family in Butler county. David resided upon that land until 1830, when he purchased the property of Dr. John Thompson, in Slippery Rock township, consisting of a saw and grist mill, and an iron furnace and forge, a foundry and carding mill, and 1,300 acres of land. He operated this property up to his death, in April, 1841. Mr. Me Junkin was a soldier in the War of 1812, and is one of the well remembered pioneers of the county. Prior to pur- chasing the Thompson property he built an extensive tannery in Centre town- ship. which ultimately became the property of his son William. lle married Elizabeth, a daughter of Aaron Moore, of which union were born the following children : William, born in 1800, died in infancy : Susannah, born December }, 1802, deceased wife of David MeCandless: William, born February 26, 1805. who died upon the homestead in Centre township ; Alexander M., born in March, 1807. a Presbyterian minister, who died at Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1852; Josiah, born February 25. 1811. a miller in Mercer county ; Sarah 1., born in 1814, married Rev. William McMichael, of Clarion county ; Isaiah, born July 16, 1816, a physician, who died in Chicago in 1865; Ebenezer, one of the oldest attorneys of the Butler bar; Mary E., born March 14, 1824. married Dr. O. D. Palmer, who died in New Brighton. Beaver county. The widow of David Mc Junkin survived until October, 1-15.

WILLIAM Me Jexkis. second son of David and Elizabeth ( Moore ) MeJunkin, . was born February 26, 1805. in Centre township, Butler county. He obtained a meager education in the pioneer log school of his neighborhood, and after attain- ing his majority he succeeded to his father's tannery business and farm, which he conducted until his death. April 4, 150. He was a prominent man of his time, and was commissioned as colonel in the State Militia. He was an active mem- ber of the Butler Presbyterian church, and was an elder in that body for many

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year -. Mr. Me Junkin married Priscilla, a daughter of Andrew Christie, of Con- cord township, and their children were as follows: Elvina, who married E. L. Varnum ; Naomi, who married Washington Bovard ; Angeline, deceased wife of John Mitchell; Abigail, who married John C. Moore, and died in 1860; Eveline, wife of Rev. Samuel Kerr, of Harrisville; J. David, attorney at law, Butler ; Curtis A., deceased ; Sylvester, and Imelda, both of whom are dead.

JOHN ELLIOTT was born in the Territory of Indiana, in November, 1793, and was brought by his parents to Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1796. They settled in Centre township, where John grew to maturity, inured to the hard- ships and trials of pioneer life. Ile afterwards purchased a homestead of 150 acres, upon which he resided down to his death, in 1877. When his parents located in Centre township there were no houses on the site of Butler, and only a few pioneer families within the present limits of the county. He married Margaret Scott, a daughter of William Scott, of Westmoreland county, who became the mother of the following children : William, deceased ; Prudence, who married Lemuel Davis; Scott M., deceased ; James; Mary, who married James Badger; John, deceased ; Huston, deceased ; Hezekiah, deceased; Isaiah N. ; Nancy M. ; Harvey, and George, deceased. Mr. Elliott was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and an adherent of the Democratic party.

JOHN A. ELLIOTT, was born in Centre township. Butler county, March 25, 1859. and is a grandson of John Elliott, He received a common school edu- cation ; has filled the office of school director, and has always taken a deep inter- est in the growth of the public school system. Politically, he is a Democrat, has filled several township offices, and was elected a county anditor in 1893. Mr. Elliott married Belle Michael, a daughter of William Michael, of Butler town- ship. Nine children are the fruits of this union, as follows : Bertha H. : Amos M .: Florence B. : John P. : Blanche ; Ford ; Roy W., deceased ; Homer, and Elgie.

CHRISTIAN FLEEGER was a native of Hesse. Germany, and came with a Hessian cavalry regiment to Philadelphia during the Revolutionary war, deserted at that city and found his way to the American army. He was a shoe- maker by trade, and at the close of the war located at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, there married a Miss Byerly, and subsequently removed to Westmoreland county, whence he came to what is now Centre township, Butler county, in 1797, where he resided until his death, about 1836. His children were as follows : John ; Jacob : Benjamin ; Christian ; Peter; Catherine, who married Jacob Brown : Mary, who married Rudolph Bortmass, and Elizabeth, who became the wife of John Slator.

JACOB FLEEGER, second son of Christian Fleeger, was born in Lancaster county, January 17, 1785, and came to Centre township, Butler county, with his father in 1797. He married Catherine Whitmire, a native of Berks county, ahont 1807. He died July 5, 1851 ; his wife died January 10, 1863. They were the parents of seventeen children : John: Peter ; Christian ; Jacob ; David ; Solo- mon : Elizabeth : Daniel ; Henry ; Francis ; Mary, wife of Daniel Heck ; Abra- ham : Amy : Margaret ; Andrew B. ; Catherine and Rosanna, who married Rob- ert Donaldson. Mr. Fleeger cleared up a farm in Centre township, upon which

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he resided until his death. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics, a Democrat.

PETER FLEEGER, second son of Jacob and Catherine Fleeger, was born on the homestead in Centre township, March 10. 1810, and grew to manhood under the parental roof. He afterwards settled upon a farm in Concord township. which he cleared and improved, and where he spent the balance of his life. Hle married Mary, a daughter of Jacob Rider, and their family consisted of twelve children : Sarah, who died in infancy ; Samuel, deceased : William B. of Con- cord township; George W., of Butler; Margaret, deceased wife of Sylvanus Aggas; Catherine, wife of John T. Wick : Mary M .; John N., of Forward township ; Isaiah D .. of Concord township ; Sarah Belle. wife of W. H. Wick ; Annie, wife of M. J. Neyman, of Oakland township, and Peter A., of Concord township. Mrs. Fleeger died March 11, 1876; her husband survived until August 29, 1889.

JOSEPH GALBRAITH. a descendant of the old and prominent family of that name in Butler county, was born in Centre township, Butler county. August 23, 1-17, being the ellest of eight children. He was the only son of Alexander White and Rachel (McCartney) Galbraith, and grandson of John and Annie (White ) Galbraith, who came to Butler county, from Huntingdon county. in 1797. Ilis father, Alexander White Galbraith. was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, May 26. 1766, and died in Ohio. May 2, 1855. He was a soldier in the War of 1-12. Joseph also took a warm interest in military matters, was for years a member of the Butler militia company. and was severely wounded while out with his company. by the accidental discharge of a musket. Joseph Galbraith was reared upon the homestead farm and received his education in the district school and at Witherspoon Institute. Butler. Ile was a great student. made the best use of his opportunities, excelled in mathematics and became well grounded in sacred and general literature. His reputation as a mathematician was such that students, as well as instructors. came from considerable distances to avail themselves of his assistance, which he always cheerfully extended. He was a constant and attentive reader of the bible, and became noted for his knowledge of that sacred book and his ability to quote it readily and accurately. He was a very industrious and intelligent farmer, and, while making that his main pur- suit, he developed superior mechanical ability, and was an expert in the use of tools. Mr. Galbraith was married November 11, 1841, to Jane Earley, a native of Londonderry, Ireland, and the following children were born to this union : Elizabeth Ann. widow of the late John Flinn of Pittsburg ; Amy Rachel, who died in childhood : Matilda M., wife of William Fowler. of Pittsburg : John T .. a resident of Williamsport. Pennsylvania : Mary J., wife of Richard S. Stephens, of Pittsburg : Elvira and Nancy. twins, the first named being the wife of David Myers, of Pittsburg. and the latter the wife of Senator William Flin, one of Pittsburg's most prominent citizens, and William Alexander. of St. Louis, Missouri. The family removed from Butler county to Pittsburg in 1860. Several years later, his wife having in the meantime died, Joseph Galbraith returned to Butler county, and spent most of his remaining years at West Sunbury. He died July 2, 18 2. while on a visit at the home of his daughter in St Louis.

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Mr. Galbraith's intelligence and amiable character secured him the warm friend- ship of professional and other men of culture. He was a life-long member of the United Presbyterian church, and continued deeply interested in the affairs of that denomination until his death.

MCCANDLESS FAMILY-The progenitor of the McCandles family in Butler county, was John MeCandless, a native of Ireland, who immigrated to America at an early date, and settled in Plum township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where the remainder of his life was spent. Four of his sons, John, George, James and William, all natives of Ireland, were among the early settlers of Centre township, Butler county, and from them have descended the MeCandless family of this section of the State. Many of their posterity have held important public positions, and ranked among the successful business and public men of their times.

JOHN MCCANDLESS, eldest son of John McCandless. Sr., was the first sheriff of Butler county, and died in 1810. He settled in Centre township in the last decade of the Eighteenth century, married Mary A. Smith, and reared a family of six children, as follows : Mrs. Mary Turner ; Mrs. Jane Thompson ; Eliza- beth : Mrs. Nancy Patterson : John S .. and George.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 136

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