History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 141

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 141

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JOHN W. KLINE, of the firm of Boggs & Kline, was born in Forward town- ship, Butler county, August 13, 1861, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth ( Barringer) Kline, now residents of Forward township. Mr. Kline received a good educa- tion in the district and select schools, and taught for ten years in the public schools of Forward and Cranberry townships, and Evans City. In 1888 he became a member of the present firm, and has since devoted his attention to merchandising. lle was married in September, ISSS, to Maggie, daughter of Christian Textor, of Jackson township, and has two children : Grace, and Roscoe T. His wife is a member of the German Reformed church. In politics, he is a Democrat, and is a member of the school board of Evans City.

LEWIS GANSZ, SR., was born in Germany, in 1803, and immigrated to the United States in 1831. A few years later his parents came to this country and settled at Zelienople, Butler county, whence they removed to Pittsburg. Mr. Gansz remained in Butler county, and became foreman of the Harmony tan- nery. In 1844 he located in what is now Evans City, later purchased the Mell- wain tannery, and operated it for many years. Politically, he was a Democrat, and filled the office of justice of the peace for fifteen years. He was a prominent member of the German Reformed church, and assisted in the erection of the church building of that denomination at Evans City. He married Margaret Tex- tor, and they were the parents of five children : Martin, who died in infancy ; Susan, who married John Ash; John, of Fayette county ; Lewis, of Evans City,

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

and Mary. widow of Dr. Thomas Kersting, of the same place. His wife died in 1876 ; he survived her until September 7. 185.

LEWIS GANSZ, oil producer, was born at Harmony, Butler county, March 26, 1839, son of Lewis and Margaret Gansz. He was reared in Evans City, and received a common school education. He learned the tanner's trade with his father, succeeded him in that business, and was also engaged in the boot and shoe trade at Evans City for some years. Mr. Gansz retired from business in 1583, began operating in oil in 1887. organized the Gansz Oil Company, of which he has been president up to the present. and is one of the most extensive and successful operators in Butler county. In ISI he enlisted in Company E, Sev- enty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers and served until the close of the war, hold- ing the rank of lieutenant. Mr. Gansz was married in November, IS79, to Liz- zie, daughter of Sylvester Ash, a native of Forward township, Butler county. Mrs. Gansz is a member of the United Presbyterian church and takes a deep interest in the prosperity of that organization. Politically, he is a Democrat, but his extensive business interests have prevented him from taking any active part in political matters.

DR. WILLIAM IRVINE. of Evans City, is one of the oldest and best known citizens in Butler county. He is a native of Adams township, where he was born February 17, 1828. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth ( Richardson) Irvine, were natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Irish and the latter of Scotch ancestry. His grandfather, James Irvine, settled in what is now Adams town- ship towards the close of the Eighteenth century, and was one of its pioneer school teachers. Dr. Irvine's boyhood was spent midst pioneer surroundings, and his education was obtained at common and select schools. He taught a few terms in early manhood, and supplemented his knowledge by diligent study during his spare time. Ile finally made up his mind to enter the medical profession. and commenced reading medicine under Dr. Willlam Sterrett, the first permanent physician of Evans City. He attended lectures at the Western Reserve Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, and subsequently at Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, and graduated from the latter institution in March, 1855. Two years prior to his graduation he begun practice at Evans City, and has thus been in the active duties of his profession for the past forty-two years. Throughout this long and eventful period he has ministered to the people of his community in such a creditable manner as to win the respect and confidence of a large clientele. Dr. Irvine was married October 13. 1853, to Elizabeth Fife, a daughter of Maj. John Fife, of Allegheny county, where Mrs. Irvine was born and reared. Of the seven children that blessed this marriage, six grew to maturity, as follows : Belle, wife of Dr. J. M. List, of Evans City; Elizabeth, wife of William II. Gelbach, of Zelienople : Henrietta, deceased wife of Prof. M. A. Sutton; Annie, wife of Prof. A. Brown : S. J., and Margaret J., who died in April, 1893. Mrs. Irvine died November 13, 1894, after a happy married life of over forty-one years, She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. a faithful and affectionate helpmate, and a fond and loving mother. The Doctor is an elder in the Presbyterian church of Evans City. Politically, he has been a Republican since the organization of that party. In 1863 he was appointed by Governor

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Curtin an examining surgeon, to examine recruits for military service, and was a loyal supporter of the government throughout the war. In 1876 he was elected to the legislature, and served in the sessions of IST and IST, performing hi- duties faithfully and well. He yet takes a deep interest in public affairs, and is recognized as one of the leading citizens of his native county.

JOHN N. MILLER was born in Alsace. France. July 26. 1 23. son of Peter and Margaret Miller. He immigrated to the United States in 1853. and located in Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, but the same year he came to Evans City. where he worked at the shoemaker's trade for seventeen years. In 1868 he embarked in the hotel business, and continued to conduct the same until 1891, when he was succeeded by his son. Charles II. He erected the Miller House in 1876. In 1853 he married Christina Rape. a daughter of Adam Rape, a native of Germany, and by this union six children were born to him : Sarah, wife of S. A. Beam, of Harmony ; Margaret, wife of Edward Dambach, of Evans City ; Charles H., proprietor of the Miller House, Evans City : Emma C .: Matilda S., and Lewis T., deceased. Before coming to America, Mr. Miller served seven years in the Marine Corps of the French army, and visited Mexico, California, the West Indies, Brazil, Spain, Chili and Aus- tralia. He died at his home in Evans City, January 26, 1894. He was a mem- ber of the German Reformed church, to which denomination his family also belongs. He was a stanch Democrat, in politics, and was a member of Evans City Lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. Miller was largely interested in farming and oil property, and by strict attention to his business he had accumulated through the passing years a handsome competence.

JOHN ROHNER, cashier of the Citizens Bank, of Evans City, was born in Bavaria. Germany, February 16, 1830, and is a son of John and Margaret Rohner. Ilis father died when our subject was a child, and his mother immi- grated to the United States in 1>IB. She located in Adams township, Butler county, Pennsylvania. where John grew to manhood. She married John Croft, and died in Forward township in 1889. By her second marriage she became the mother of the following children : John and Andrew, both deceased : Samuel, of Forward township; George, a resident of Mt. Chestnut, and Margaret, wife of Taylor Martin. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools in Germany, and the public schools of Butler county. Hle afterwards engaged as a farm laborer, and by strict economy saved enough to purchase a farm. In 1854 he married Margaret L., daughter of David Duncan. of Cranberry township, and resided upon a farm in that township until 1883. In that year he located at Evans City, and became a partner in the banking house of Jacob Dambach & Company, now an incorporated State bank, Mr. Rohner being one of the incor- porators and now cashier. Mr. Rohner is one of the incorporators of the Evans City Cemetery Company, and is a stockholder and director in the same. Ile was also one of the early oil producers in the Harmony field. In politics, he is a Repub- lican, served ten years as justice of the peace in Cranberry township, several years as school director, and has been justice of the peace in Evans City since 1890. He is the father of three children, as follows : Sarah Olive, wife of Frank P. Confer, of Allegheny ; Luella, a teacher in the public schools of Evans City,

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who married Samuel C. Crider. of Cranberry township, in Linuary, ES94. and David Elmer, who died when twenty-seven years of age. Mr. Rohner and fam- ily are members of the United Presbyterian church of Evans City, and he is now a trustee in that body.

JOHN BARKEY, SR .. was a native of Butler county, and a merchant in Evans City for several years. He married Deborah Davidheiser. to which union were born eleven children, five of whom are living. as follows: Susan, wife of Fred- erick Rohiser: John: Enos; Lizzie. wife of Richard Allen. and Sarah, wife of William Stewart. Mr. Barkey died in 1869 He was a member of the Menno- nite church, and a very worthy citizen. In politics, he was a Democrat. but took no active interest in such matters. His widow resides in Evans City.

JOHN BARKEY. coal dealer, Evans City, was born in that borough, May 10, 1854, and is a son of John Barkey, Sr. He received a common school education, and for many years was local agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. In 1890 he joined his brother. Enos, who had been in the coal business since INST. The business was a success from the beginning. and they now enjoy an extensive trade. He was married in 1889, to Ida E .. daughter of Thomas Wil- son, of Jackson township, and has three children : Charles Spurgeon; Ray Edi- son, and John Wilson. Both he and wife are members of the Evans City Baptist church, in which organization he is a trustee and a teacher in the Sunday school. He is one of the active and energetic workers in the church. He is an ardent advocate of temperance principles, and in politics, he is a Prohibitionist.

ENOS BARKEY, coal dealer, Evans City, was born in that borough, February 15. 1863, son of John Barkey, Sr. He attended the public schools until the age of fifteen years, after which he worked on a farm for five years. In 1887 he engaged in the coal business, conducting it successfully until 1890, when he admitted his brother. John Barkey, as a partner. The firm now does a very large and successful business, and is one of the leading coal dealing firms of the town- ship. In 1883 Mr. Barkey married Annie E. Barto. a daughter of Daniel and Catherine ( Wimer) Barto, of Beaver county, parents of eight children. six of whom are living. The following children. all living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Barkey : Mary Ethel, born February 25. 1564: Clara Blanch. November 4, ISS6. and Anna Luella. December 1. 1891.

EDWARD WHITE was a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and a son of Matthew White, who moved from Allegheny county. to Connoqueness- ing township. Butler county, in 1799, where the balance of his life was passed. Edward was a farmer and hotel keeper. and carried on a hotel at Whitestown, which became a well known stopping place for travelers between Pittsburg and Franklin. Ile married Elizabeth Sullivan, a daughter of Charles and Susannah Sullivan, pioneers of Butler county. to whom was born eight children. Six of these are now living, as follows : Eveline, who married John Martin, of Pros- pect : Charles M., a resident of Peebles, Ohio; James Madison, who resides at Braddock: Susan E., wife of Joseph Ash, of Evans City. and Benjamin F., and John M., both residents of Evans City. Mr. White died in 1844, and his widow married William C. Martin, and died in 1876. They were members of the

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Presbyterian church. He was a stanch Democrat, and filled various township offices, and was also captain of a militia company for fifteen years.

Jony M. WHITE. boot and shoe merchant, of Evans City, was born in Connoquenessing township, Butler county, May 25. 1841, and is the youngest living child of Edward and Elizabeth White. He received his education in the township schools and at Prospect and Sunbury Academies and afterwards engaged in teaching. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H. One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served eighteen months. He re-enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteers, and served until the close of the war, participating in all the battle- in which those regiments took part during his term of service. After the war he embarked in merchandising at Allegheny and later at Evans City, where he still carries on business. Mr. White was married in 1868, to Mary S., daughter of Jacob Stamm, of Butler county. They had one daughter, who died at the age of thirteen year -. Both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics, he is a Democrat. and is the present postmaster of Evans City, to which office he was appointed in November, 1893.

GEORGE IFFT, SR., was born in Germany, in 1815. and at the age of seven- teen years, in 1832, he immigrated to Pennsylvania, and found employment with his uncle, Peter Ifft, in Beaver county. In IS38 he married Sophia Reeb, and located on his father-in-law's farm in Cranberry township, Butler county. In 1841 be purchased a farm in Jackson township. and in 1850 removed to the present homestead in Jackson township, near the limits of Evans City. He died there April 19, 1891. His wife was born in Germany, in 1822, and came to the United States with her father, Nicholas Reeb, in 1827, and settled in Cranberry township, Butler county the same year. Her father served in one of the great Napoleon's cavalry regiments for twelve years. He finally retired from his farm to Evans City, where he died in 1869, dying as he had lived, a member of the Lutheran church. To George and Sophia Ifft were born eight children, seven of whom are living : George, of Jackson township : Catherine, widow of Peter Peiffer, of Forward township; William, of Zelienople ; Sarah, wife of George Lotz, of Forward township ; Henry J., of Evans City : Nicholas, of the same place. and Lewis, of Washington, D. C. Politically, Mr. Ifft was a Democrat, and filled a number of the township offices. He gave liberally toward- the erection of two Lutheran churches at Evans City, and was an elder in the church for many years.

HENRY J. IFFT, merchant, Evans City, was born in Jackson township. Butler county, May 1, 1849, and is a son of George and Sophia Ifft. He was educated in the public schools, and in 1866 he went to Pittsburg and became a clerk in a grocery store. In March, 1868, he embarked in merchandising at Evans City. in partnership with his father, the firm name being George Ifft. The firm was composed of his father, himself, and his brothers, William, Nicholas and Lewis. In 1872 William retired from the firm, Nicholas in ISSB, and Lewis in November. 1890, but William afterwards repurchased a quarter interest. which was recently purchased by the subject of this sketch, who is now the sole owner of the business. This is the oldest mercantile establishment in Evans

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

City, and carries on an extensive trade. In 1572 he married Agnes A .. daughter of John Lyon. of Penn township, and sister of ex-mayor Robert W. Lyon, of Pittsburg. They are the parents of four children. as follows : Carrie Leona: Charles W .: Mary Josephine, and Frances B. Mr. Ifft and family are connected with the United Presbyterian church of Evans City, in which organization he holds the office of trustee. In politics, he is a Democrat, has served in the bor- ough council, has been a member of the school board for several years, and has been president of the board for one term.

GEORGE IFFT is the eldest son of George and Sophia Ifft, and was born in Jackson township. Butler county, AAugust 26, 1839, where he was also reared and educated. At the age of twenty-two he located upon a rented farm, and subsequently entered the employ of Frazier & Metzgar, paper manufacturers of Pittsburg. with whom he remained fifteen years, In 1875 he purchased his pres- ent farm, erected buildings thereon, and otherwise improved it. He was married in 1861 to Miss Amelia Shilling, who died in 1890. She was the mother of the following children : Sophia, wife of Herman Drebert; Emma, wife of George Twentier; William : Jennie, wife of John Bandy : Sarah, wife of J. E. Brown : George; Alexander : Lydia ; Herman, and John. In politics, Mr. Ifft is a Dem- ocrat. has filled the offices of supervisor and overseer of the poor for twelve years, and is one of the present school directors of the township. For twenty years he has been an elder in the Lutheran church.

JOHN N. IFFT. son of George and Sophia ( Reeb) Ifft, was born on July 23, 1853. in Jackson township, Butler county, and received a good public school education. Upon the death of his father he purchased the home- stead, and is operating a stock farm of 125 acres. He is engaged in the breeding of French Norman. English Shire and Cleveland Bay coach horses. Among his horses are the following registered stock : Barton Boy. Number 6,680, sired by Charleston, dam Brown Bonny, imported by Bell Brothers, of Wooster, Ohio ; Reigning Monarch. Number 6,285, bred by John Robinson, of England. sired by Lincoln, Number 1.851. grandsire Bold Lincoln, Number 231, dam Rival, Number 2,85. imported by Bell Brothers; French Norman stallion. Hercula. Number 4.320. bred by J. B. Kale. of Normandy, France, sired by Brenus, Number 1,958, dam Ulina, Number 2.763, imported by Isaac Dreifoos, of Pittsburg : also Noble Prince, Number 924, Ined by William Rook, of Rooks- borough, Kirby Moorside, Yorkshire, England, imported by the Cleveland Bay Horse Company, of Paw Paw, Michigan, foaled in 1890, sired by Prince George, Number 285, dam Rose, Number 250. He is also engaged in the breeding of high grade cattle, and devotes much time to the growth and development of the stock interests in Pennsylvania. Mr. Ifft was married August 24, 1882, to Mary L., daughter of George Datt, of Richland township, Allegheny county. Three children are the fruits of this union. as follows : Maggie. Mabel, and Omer. In politics, Mr. Ifft is a Democrat, and in religious faith, he is connected with the Lutheran church.

JOSEPH AALLEN Was a native of England, and came to the United States in Isis, with his wife, Jane (Slee) Allen, and two children, Elizabeth and Will- iam. The family located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where our subject found

Um Dindinger

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employment, under Colonel Watson, in paving the streets of that city. Being a butcher, he afterwards engaged in that business in Pittsburg. In 1>36 he came to Butler county, and located on a farm in Jackson township. Here he remained eleven years, and then returned to Allegheny county, and located on a farm near Pittsburg, where he died September 25, 1865. His wife died October 12, 1832, and he married a Mrs. Polliett. who died in 1865. By his first marriage, he was the father of eleven children, seven of whom are living : Elizabeth, who mar- ried Washington Watson : William: Ann, wife of Charles Cheney, of Beaver county ; Richard, a resident of Pittsburg ; Susan, wife of James Reyburn of the same city : Sarah, wife of Jesse Johnson, of Mt. Chestnut, Butler county, and John, who resides in Pittsburg. Mr. Allen was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Protestant Episcopal church of Pittsburg, up to his death.

WILLIAM ALLEN, SR., was born in Northumberlandshire, England, April 11, 1817, and is the eldest son of Joseph and Jane ( Slee) Allen. le came with his parents to America in 1818, and in 1836 removed with them to Butler county. In 1839 he married Catherine, daughter of Anthony Byer of Zelienople. to which borough he removed from the farm in 1845, engaged in butchering and continued in the same line of business until 1880, when he retired. He is the father of eight living children, as follows : Joseph, and Richard, both residents of Pittsburg ; William. of Zelienople ; Anthony. of Butler ; Emma, wife of Will- iam Fidell, of Allegheny City : Barbara. wife of Henry Schaffer, of Harmony : Susan, wife of Charles Stokey, of Zelienople, and Mary. The family are adher- ents of the English Lutheran church of Zelienople. Politically. Mr. Allen is a Democrat, and has filled several offices in Jackson township.

WILLIAM ALLEN. JR .. of the firm of Allen & Dambach. Zelienople, was born in Jackson township, Butler county, May 17, 1845, and is the third son of William Allen, Sr. He received a common school education, and learned the butcher's trade with his father. In 1867 he commenced buying produce from the farmers, and continued that business for twenty-three years, making weekly trips by wagon to Pittsburg. In 1889 he became a member of the present firm of Allen & Dambach. Mr. Allen was married in 1878. to Mary. daughter of Henry Frank. of Jackson township. and to this union have been born six children : Harry H. : Frank : Jennie : Mary ; Elmer, and Earl. Mrs. Allen is a member of the German Reformed church of Zelienople. Politically. Mr. Allen is a Democrat. has served in the borough council. also on the school board, and has filled the office of constable in his township.

FREDERICK BURRY was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1823, and was a son of Frederick Burry. Sr .. a native of Germany, and one of the pioneers of Beaver county. Burry church in that county was named in his honor. Our subject married Catherine Phillips, and they located in Franklin township, Butler county, about 1850. They cleared a farm and resided there until 1876, when they removed to Butler, where Mr. Burry died in 1882. His widow still resides in that borough. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are liv- ing : Louisa, wife of Samuel Croup, of Butler township : Frederick. of Franklin township; Margaret. wife of Adam Renno, of Butler ; Catherine, who married Henry Wagner of the same place : Mary Ann, wife of Philip Smith. of Butler ;

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Phobe, wife of Eli May, also a resident of that borough. and Lewis N .. a resi- dent of Evans City.

LEWIS N. BERRY, dealer in hardware. stoves, etc. Evans City, was born in Franklin township, Butler county. March 10. 1862, and is the youngest son of Frederick and Catherine Burry. He was reared in his native township, and attended the public schools there and in Butler. He learned the tinsmith's trade at Evan- City, where he located in 1879, and in ISST be established his present business. In 1887 Mr. Burry married Mary, daughter of Edward Zehner, of Zelienople, and has three children : Ina, Alma. and Grace. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Evans City. He is a member of Har- mony Lodge, F. & A. M . Evans City Lodge. K. of P., and Evans City Council. Jr .. O. U. A. M. In politics, he is a Republican.

ANDREW DOUGLASS was born in Brady township. Butler county, Penn- sylvania, August 14, 1510, and was a son of Edward Douglass, a native of Scotland, who settled in what is now Brady township in May, 1797. where he took up 100 acres of land. and cleared and improved a faim. Edward Doug- lass was a wagon-maker, and was quite a handy man in the community. He was a member of Wolf Creek Seceder church. He married Hannah Kelly, a native of Ireland, and died in 1947. aged seventy-eight years. His wife survived him until 1861, living to the ripe old age of eighty-six years. They reared a family of nine children. Andrew being the third child. He was educated in the com- mon schools of pioneer days, learned the tanner's trade. and after his marriage located in Portersville, and later removed to Prospect, where he owned and con- ducted a tannery. He was married twice, his first wife being Catherine, a daughter of Capt. John Boston, to which union two children were born : Edward E., and John A., the latter deceased. He married for his second wife Ellen Douglass. to whom were born five children : John. Andrew, and Lewis, all deceased : William C .. and Margaret. wife of Harry Bloom, of Beaver Falls. Mr. Douglass and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in polities, he was a Democrat. He died in 1878; his widow resides in Beaver Falls.

WILLIAM C. DOUGLASs. harness-maker. Evans City, was born in Porters- ville. Butler county, April 12, 1851, son of Andrew and Ellen Douglass. He was reared under the parental roof and learned the harness-maker's trade at Indiana, Pennsylvania. In ISTB he commenced business at Prospect. Butler county, removed to Edenburg, Clarion county, in 1876, and in Is52 located at Evans City, where he has since carried on business. He was also identified with the Wahl and Bishop Oil Company. In 1874. he married Annie K., daughter of Henry Grine, of Prospect. who has had three children : Charles C., who graduated at the Slippery Rock State Normal School in the class of 1894, taught school for a short time and died, after a week's illness, October 27. 1894: Milton IL., and Russell W. Mr. Douglass is a Democrat, is now serving his third term as a school director in Evan- City, and has also served as burgess of the borough one term. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., and Evans City Lodge. A. O. U. W. Ile is a member of the Presbyterian church. and has been a trus- tee in the Evans City organization.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 141

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