History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 139

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 139

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AMos M. LUSK, fourth son of Dr. Amos Lusk, was born in Zelienople, Jan- uary 14, 1863, and received his education in the public schools and under the private instruction of his father. He studied civil engineering, and followed that profession until 1883, when he engaged in the banking business with his father. Soon after the death of the latter he sold an interest in the bank to John A. Gel- bach, and subsequently disposed of the remaining interest to Mr. Gelbach's brother. Since retiring from the bank Mr. Lusk has devoted his attention to oil producing. In ISS4 he was married to Laura, daughter of George Stahl. of Zelienople, to whom have been born three children : Eva Elizabeth: George Amos, and Herbert. In politics, Mr. Lusk is a Republican, has served as presi- dent of the Zelienople council, and also as burgess of the borough. He is a member of the Masonic order, also of the 1. O. O. F., and Jr. O. U. A. M.

CHRISTIAN BUIL was born in Germany, in 1776, came to the United States in 1800, and in 1802 settled at Zelienople, Butler county, Pennsylvania. where he was married the following year to Dorothy Goehring, also a native of Germany. He was a hatter, and conducted that business in Zelienople for many years. He possessed a good education for that period, served as justice of the peace for many years, and was an associate judge of Butler county for one term. In politics, he was a Democrat, and in religious faith, a member of the German Lutheran church. and helped to build the old stone church at Zelienople. Mr.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Buhl died in 1864; his wife survived until 1968. living to the ripe old age of ninety year -. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living : George, and Christian H., both residing in Michigan : Charles, a resident of Dan- ville, Illinois: Henry, of Zelienople : Jane. wife of Robert Hay, of Allegheny. and Elizabeth, wife of Robert King, of Detroit, Michigan.

HENRY BUI, was born in Zelienople, Butler county, August 13, ISI3. son of Christian and Dorothy Buhl. He was reared in his native place, became a builder of steam engines, and was an engineer on the river for many years. In 1813 he married Christina W. C., daughter of Frederick C. Speyerer, of Cranberry township. AAfter marriage they located on a farm in Forward township, residing there until f891, and then took up their residence at Zelienople. Mr. Buhl also conducted a grist mill in connection with his farm for twenty-five years. Politically, he has always been a stanch Democrat. He is the father of seven children, as follows : Marie Christina, wife of Russell H. Boggs, of the firm of Boggs & Buhl, Allegheny ; F. C., of Evans City ; Henry, a member of the firm of Boggs & Buhl ; Fredericka J., wife of Jacob Gelbach, of Evans City : Emma, wife of Ferdinand Winter, of Altoona ; Matilda, and Benjamin S. who resides on the farm in Forward township. Mr. Buhl and wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Zelienople.

A. V. CUNNINGHAM, M. D .. was born in North Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 14, 1837. His father, Robert Cunningham, also a physician, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He came to Beaver, where he met and married Jane Allison. a daughter of Hon. James Allison. a leading lawyer of western Pennsylvania, in 1832. Her father represented his dis- triet in Congress two terms, as did also her brother, Hon. John Allison. The subiect of this sketch was reared in Beaver county, and was educated at the North Sewickley and Beaver Academies, but was prevented from taking a col- legiate course because of an injury. He read medicine with Dr. Goucher, of Pittsburg, and commenced the practice of his profession at Wampum, Lawrence county. in 1863. thence removed to Poland, Ohio, and in 1867 located at Zelien- ople, Butler county. Ile is the oldest physician in that borough, and during the past twenty-seven years he has built up a lucrative practice, He is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and was appointed one of the cen- sors of the Medico Chirurgical College of that city in May, 1894. During his early life he studied dentistry, under Dr. M. E. Gillespie, of Pittsburg, and was thus enabled to conduct the dental business in connection with his regular pro- fession. Dr. Cunningham has been identified with the oil interests during the past few years, and was the pioneer in the Harmony and Zelienople fields, where he was quite successful. In politics, he has been a Republican, and acted with that party up to within a few years, since which time he has been an independ- ent voter, casting his ballot in favor of those who in his judgment would add dignity to the office to which they aspired, claiming that it is better to swear allegience to principle than to party. Consequently he associated himself with the Prohibition party for a time, received the nomination of his district for Con- gress, and, as anticipated, was defeated. He has recently been acting with the Republican party, except when the other parties presented better material. He

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

has always voted for the presidential nominee of that party since casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Cunningham was married, September 16, 1869, to Jane B. Wallace. a daughter of Francis Wallace, of Zelienople, to whom have been born eight children, viz. : Nora Viola; Francis W .: A. Vincent : Jennie W .; Lee Smith ; Walter C. : Ralph. and Adaline F. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. while his family are identified with the Presbyter- ian church. Dr. Cunningham was appointed on the board of examining surgeons of pensions for Butler county, August 1. 1894, without solicitation on his part.

SAMUEL YOUNG, the founder and late editor of the Connoquenessing Valley Veres. was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1821. After receiving a common school education, he entered the book binding establishment of L. Loomis, of that city, and later took editorial charge of the American Eagle, of Pittsburg, published by Arthur A. Anderson. At the same time he was a cor- respondent for the Philadelphia and New York papers. He was the author and publisher of two books entitled "The Smoky City, a Tale of Crimes," and "Tales and Sketches," which found a ready sale and proved for the times a profitable enterprise. In 1847 he moved to Franklin, Venango county, and took charge of the stock department of the iron mills, then owned by Henry Coulter. Hle later became connected with the Conneautville Courier, as associate editor. and was afterwards associated with A. J. Gibson, as editor and publisher of the Clarion Banner, with which he was connected until June, 1868, when they sold the paper. In 1869 Mr. Young started the Independent, at East Brady, which proved a good investment, and in 1871 he erected a residence at East Brady, at a cost of $5.000. He afterwards sold the Independent, and in 187S, at the solicitation of some of the prominent business men of Zelienople, he started the Connoquen- essing Valley News, his son. J. R. Young, becoming associatated with him. The News soon gained a fair circulation throughout Butler county and surround- ing territory, and he continued in editorial charge until his death. The News has since been edited and published by his son, J. R. Young. Mr. Young was married December 3, 1814. to Miss Mary W. Armstrong. The surviving chil- dren of this union are : Belle A., wife of W. Il. Taylor, of Centre county : J. R., of Zelienople, and Mary C., wife of S. F. Bowser. of Butler. Mrs. Young died June 20, Isst. He was again married. June 27. 1852. to Miss Emeline G. Boggs, who became the mother of one son, Samuel W., of Zelienople. Mr. Young died at his home in Zelienople, March 27. 1891. Politically, he was a Republican, and was one of the well known citizens of the county. Shortly before his death he published an autobiography, which contains many interesting references to Butler county and her people.

LEWIS DINDINGER Was a native of Alsace, France, where he met and mar- ried Christina Miller. In 1830 they immigrated to Franklin township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where they purchased and improved a farm. Mr. Din- dinger was also engaged in the construction of the canal from Pittsburg to Eric. They reared a family of ten children, seven of whom are living as follows : George, of Lancaster township; Jacob, a resident of Wampum, Lawrence county ; John, of Zelienople : Caroline, wife of Lewis Kerl, of Allegheny ; Chris- tina, wife of Henry Bloom, of Portersville ; William, of Harmony, and Henry.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

of Allegheny. The parent- removed from Beaver county to Zelienople, where they united with the Lutheran church. Mr. Dindinger died in that borough. and his widow subsequently returned to the homestead in Beaver county, where she spent the remaining years of her life.

JOHN DINDINGER, merchant, was born in Franklin township. Beaver county. December 26, 1839, and is the third son of Lewis and Christina Din- dinger. Ile was educated in the public schools of his native township, and in 1861 began clerking in a store. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G. One Ilun- dred and Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served nine months, at the expiration of his term of service he returned to Beaver county, and, in 1864, engaged in merchandising, in Perry township, Lawrence county, where he con- tinued until 1872, when he sold his store and purchased a farm in Franklin township, Beaver county. In 1874 he came to Zelienople and established his present mercantile business, also erected his store building. He has built up a large trade and is one of the representative business men in that section of the county. Mr. Dindinger is also interested in oil production. and was one of the organizers and a director in the National Bank of Harmony. He was married in December, 1863, to Miss R. T. Pyle, daughter of Caleb Pyle, of Lawrence county. Seven children have been born to this union : C. L., who is in part- nership with his father ; Louis Wilber, deceased ; Franklin Howard, deceased : Ada, deceased ; Eva Leola: Estella, and Norman Roy. The family are con- nected with the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, Mr. Dindinger is a Republican. He served as postmaster under Garfield's administration, and he is a member of Wilson Post, Number 469, G. A. R., of Zelienople.

WILLIAM DINDINGER was born in Franklin township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1850, son of Lewis and Christina (Miller) Din- dinger. He was reared in Beaver county, received a common school education, and was engaged in farming until 1884, when he came to Zelienople and embarked in the hardware business. In January, 1886, he became a member of the firm of W. A. Goehring & Company, the largest dealers in hardware. agricultural implements, and oil well supplies in the borough. Mr. Dindinger is a member of the Breackneck Oil Company. He was married March 13, IS73, to Mary L .. daughter of Justus Alborn, of Franklin township. Beaver county, and is the father of four children : Lewis A. : Charles H. ; Walter \., and Arthur William. The family are members of the German Lutheran church, of Zelienople, in which body Mr. Dindinger has served as trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school, and is also a member of the church council. In politics, he is a Republican, and is recognized as one of the enterprising business men of Harmony.

JOHN REED was born near Steubenville, Ohio, and married Elizabeth Ran- dolph, born at Elizabeth, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Reed came to Harmony, Butler county, in 1819, and carried on the Abraham Ziegler tannery until 1821, and then removed to Zelienople, where he and wife resided until their death. They reared a family of eight children, as follows: Mary Jane. deceased ; W. A., of Washington county ; Lewis of New Brighton, Beaver county : J. V., deceased ; Edward, who died in infancy ; Louisa. deceased; Mar- garet, wife of Milton Henry, of New Castle, and Charles E.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

CHARLES E. REED, druggist, was born in the borough of Zelienople. June 3. 1. 18, and is the youngest son of John and Elizabeth Reed. He attended the public schools until the age of thirteen year-, and then entered a drug store in Allegheny City, where he learned the drug business. In 1865 he formed a part- nership with his brother, and established a drug store in Allegheny City, which they continued for six years. In 18:2 he opened his present drug store at Zelienople, where he has since continued in the same line. Mr. Reed was mar- ried in 1864, to Mary S., daughter of John Blair, of Allegheny City. She died in ISSA, leaving five children, as follows : W. A., an employee on the Pennsyl- vania Railroad at Oakdale ; J. B., train dispatcher at New Castle Junction : C. L., who is operating a sheep ranch in Montana ; Mary F., and Elizabeth. In ISS5 Mr. Reed married Jeannette E. McClure, daughter of John McClure of Lan- caster township. Both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Zelienople, in which body he fills the office of trustee. Politically, he is a Dem- ocrat, and was postmaster of Zelienople under Cleveland's first administration. lle has been president of the Zelienople school board, and is now filling the office of notary public. Ile is a member of Harmony council. Number 698, Royal Arcanum.

ALBERT WINTER, jeweler. was born in Phillipsburg, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, February 16. 1850, son of Rev. E. F. and Johanna ( Swartz) Winter, natives of Germany. His father was educated in Germany, and became a noted divine in the Evangelical church. having charge of four churches in Beaver county for a period of twenty-five years, during which time he erected eleven church buildings. He was pastor of the Evangelical church at Zelienople for twenty-five years. He was also pastor of the Burry church for forty-four years, and was organist for all the churches for which he was pastor. He died May 22. 1854. After his death his widow resided in Rochester. Beaver county. until December. 1998. when she moved to Zelienople. Her death occurred July 15, 1991. They were the parents of nine children, and are kindly remembered in Butler county. The subject of this sketch is the sixth child and was reared at Phillipsburg. He received a public school education, and conducted his father's farm for several years : afterwards learned the jeweler's trade at New Brighton, Pennsylvania. and commenced working at the bench in Is6s. In 1869 he estab- lished his present business house at Zelienople, where he has since enjoyed a lucrative trade. Mr. Winter is also interested in oil producing, and was asso- ciated with Dr. Cunningham in drilling the first well in the Zelienople field. In December. 175, he married Annie C., daughter of Damel Brenner, of Beaver county, and both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Zelien- ople, in which body he holds the office of elder. He has also served as teacher and superintendent of the Sunday school. In politics. Mr. Winter is a Prohi- bitionist, and has served as school director in the borough.

REv. J. A. KRIBBS, superintendent of the Orphan's Farm School at Zelienople, was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and was educated in the district schools, and the Zelienople Academy. He graduated from the Theo- logical Seminary. Philadelphia. in 1968, and for ten years was pastor of the Lutheran church at Kittanning. In 197> he came to Zelienople, Butler county.

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and had charge of two churches for three years. In the same year he became connected with the Orphan's Farm School. as superintendent. and has since filled that position with great satisfaction to the many friends of the institution. In August. 1862. he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, composed of two companies from Clarion county, one company from Armstrong county, and seven companies from Pittsburg and Allegheny county, under Colonel Allen, but afterwards commanded by General Pierson. The regiment was organized at Pittsburg, September 2, 1862, and Mr. Kribbs participated with his command in the great battles fought by the Army of the Potomac. He was commissioned first lieutenant of his company, and com- manded it at the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg. the Wilderness. the Richmond campaign and Petersburg. Mr. Kribbs was married in 1872, to Miss M. A. Dinwiddie, of Philadelphia. In politics, he is a Republican, and is one of the highly respected citizens of Zelienople.

HENRY STOKEY was born in 1821, in Alsace, France, and immigrated to the United States in 1847, and settled in New Orleans. Ile remained there for two years, and returned to his native country in 1> 19 for the purpose of settling up his business with a view of making America his home. Hle returned to the United States in 1851. and again located at New Orleans, pursuing his trade. that of blacksmith and machinist. until 1852, when he located at Pittsburg, where. in the year 1853, he married Margaret Baer, also a native of Alsace, France. In 1856 he removed to Evans City, Butler county, and engaged in farming in AAdams township, and also owned a farm in Jackson township. In 1864 Mr. Stokey became proprietor of a hotel in Evans City, which he con- ducted until 1865. when he resumed farming in Jackson township. In IST he purchased the Eagle Hotel. at Zelienople, which he carried on until his death, in 1883. Hlis widow resides on the homestead in Jackson township. He was a member of the German Reformed church, while his widow is connected with the Lutheran denomination. Their family consisted of five children, as follows : Henry W .; Charles; Jacob; Lewis, and Theodore, who was drowned when sixteen years of age, Mr. Stokey was a Democrat, in politics, and served in the Zelienople council. He was a member of Connoquenessing Lodge. 1. O. O. F .. of Butler, which he joined in 1866, and was also a charter member of Harmony Lodge, I. O. O. F.

HENRY W. STOKEY, proprietor of the Grand Central Hotel, Zelienople. was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. September 28, 1854, and is the eldest son of Henry and Margaret Stokey. He was educated in the common -chools, and has always followed farming and hotel keeping. In 1881 he became propri- etor of the Central Hotel at Evans City, and afterwards purchased the Stokey House, in the same place, and conducted it until ISss. In that year he removed to Zelienople, and shortly afterwards purchased the Bastian House, which he has rebuilt and named the Grand Central. It is a first class hotel, and finished in modern style. Mr. Stokey was married May 5, ISSI, to Amelia, daughter of Lewis Teets, of Beaver county, and has one child. Caroline Matilda. He and wife are adherents of the German Lutheran church. Politically, he is a Demo-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

erat. He is a member of Harmony Lodge. F. & A. M., and is one of the well known citizens of Zelienople.

CHARLES STOKEY, proprietor of the Stokey House, Zelienople, was born in Jackson township, Butler county, April 22. 1856, son of Henry and Margaret Stokey. He received a common school education and remained on the home- stead farm until 1874, when he embarked in the harness business at Evans City, which he continued until the spring of ISTS. At that time he removed to Zelienople with his father, who conducted the Stokey House until his death, when our subject became the proprietor, and has carried on that hotel success- fully up to the present. Mr. Stokey was married in 1875, to Susan C., daughter of William Allen, Sr .. of Zelienople, and has five children : Leila 1. ; Ells- worth B. ; Russell L. : Herschel, and Karl Sidney. Mrs. Stokey is a member of the English Lutheran church. A Democrat, in politics, Mr. Stokey has taken very little interest in political matters for some years. Ile is a member of Har- mony Lodge, F. & A. M., also of Butler Chapter, R. A. M .: of Tancred Com- mandery, Number IS, of Pittsburg, and of Syria Temple, A. A. N. O. M. S.

SAMUEL E. RALSTON, physician and surgeon, was born in Connoquenessing township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1863, son of William and Hannah (Riddell) Ralston, both natives of Butler county, and now residents of Prospect. His grandfather, William Ralston, was a native of Philadelphia, and by trade a miller. In 1815 he located at New Castle, Lawrence county, where he erected the first grist mill in that town. Hle later built a mill at Slippery Rock, Butler county, and another on the Connoquenessing creek, in Butler town- ship, which he operated for many years. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native township. learned the milling business with his father, and followed that business for four years. He received his literary education at Mt. Union College, Stark county, Ohio, read medicine under Dr. Joseph Lusk, of Butler. and graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in ISS9. Dr. Rals- ton began practice in Harmony. where he remained until January, 1892, when he removed to Zelienople. Since commencing practice he has built up a lucra- tive business, and is recognized as a progressive physician. Politically, he is a Republican.

II. G. MeKis, insurance and real estate agent. is a son of R. A. and Ellen (Gould) MeKim. natives of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and was born at Mercer, July 9, 1860. Ile was educated in the public schools, and at the age of nineteen entered the store of J. G. Moore of Mercer, as salesman and book - keeper, where he remained five years. He next accepted a position as traveling salesman for a Pittsburg house, with which he remained five years. In 1886 he came to Zelienople, Butler county, to accept the position of book-keeper for A. Seaton, which he filled for three years, and then established his present insurance and real estate business. Among the companies represented by Mr. MeKim, may be mentioned the New York Life, The United States Accident, of New York city, the German Fire, of Pittsburg, the North American of Philadelphia, and many other old and prominent fire and life insurance companies. In 1893 he was elected a justice of the peace for the borough of Zelienople, and has also filled the position of borough clerk. He is a Republican, in politics, and is a

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member of Evans City Lodge, K. of P., Zelienople Lodge, K. O. T. M .. and Connoquenessing Council. Jr. O. U. A. M.

GEORGE STAHL, distiller, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. April 22, 1839, son of Jacob and Magdalene (Vocht) Stahl. His father was a native of Jackson township, Butler county, was a member of the Economite Society, and moved with that organization to Freedom, Beaver county. George received a common school education in the district schools of his native township, and in 1870 moved to Zelienople, where he engaged in the distilling business, which he has since conducted successfully. In 1862 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham Ziegler of Harmony, and has four children : Laura. wife of Amos M. Lusk of Zelienople ; John Abraham ; Janet, and George Washington. Politic- ally, Mr. Stahl is a Republican, and he and family are members of Grace Reformed church of Harmony.

WILLIAM EICHHOLTZ was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1853. son of Conrad and Elizabeth ( Holtzer) Eichholtz, natives of Germany. His parents immigrated to Allegheny City in 1838, subsequently removed to Beaver county, and settled upon a farm, where his mother died in 1886, and his father in 1891. Soon after locating in Beaver county, Conrad Eichholtz engaged in huckstering, which business he followed for fifteen years, shipping his produce to Pittsburg. About 1860 he became interested in oil producing at Pithole and Petroleum Centre, Venango county, and was quite a successful operator for about fifteen years. He then returned to Beaver county, and retired from active business. Conrad and Elizabeth Eichholtz, were the parents of eleven children. viz. : Margaret, wife of Nicholas Gardner : Frederick ; John ; Catherine : Lewis ; George : Louisa, wife of John Kocher; Mary, deceased : William : Edward, and Frank. The parents were members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Eich- holtz was connected with the Masonic order. The subject of this sketch worked upon the homestead farm until he became of age. when he married Louisa Lutz. a daughter of William and Fredericka Lutz, of Butler county. After his mar- ringe his father gave him the homestead of 160 acres, upon which he lived about twelve years. He then purchased and settled upon his present farm of H12 acres. situated near Harmony, in Lancaster township, Butler county. This farm has proved a profitable oil producing property. and now contains fifteen wells, operated by J. Q. A. Kennedy, of Butler, Guckert & Steel. and M. L. Lock- wood, the total output being about 1,000 barrels per day. Mr. Eichholtz was for- merly engaged in the dairy business, and shipped as high as 1,600 gallons of milk to Allegheny every month. Mr. Eichholtz has a family of seven children. viz. : Frank ; Nettie; Albert ; Iliram ; Conrad ; Annie. and Omar. His wife died in 1892. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, to which denomination her husband belongs. lle is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and in politics, he is a Democrat.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 139

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