History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 148

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 148

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MATTHEW W. SHANNON was born on the homestead farm in Connoquenes- sing township, Butler county, December 5. 1821, second son of David Shannon. He was reared a farmer, and is now a resident of Mt. Chestnut. In 1845 he married Mary Stephenson, a daughter of Nathaniel Stephenson, of Franklin township. to which union were born nine children, viz. : David, and Stephen- son, both deceased : Jennie, who married Abraham Hemphill ; Alfred, deceased : John F. : Annie. wife of W. J. Moore ; Sophronia 11., wife of Clarence Double : Matthew W., and Benjamin F. Mr. Shannon is an adherent of the Republican party, has filled the offices of school director, assessor, collector, and supervisor. and has been constable of the township for thirteen years. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church.

Joux F. SHANNON, Son of Matthew W. and Mary Shannon, was born in Connoquenessing township, Butler county, December 22, 1854. He received a good education and taught school for eight years. In 18 2 he became a sales- man for W. Il. Walters, was railroad agent and assistant postmaster, and sales- man for Thomas Marshall at Mars, and subsequently clerked for Frank Eich- holtz, at Saxon Station. In Is88 he purchased the store of A. M. Beers, at Callery, where he has since carried on the mercantile business. Since 1894 the firm has been Shannon Brothers. He was appointed postmaster at Callery in 1888, and served until August 15, 1894. Mr. Shannon was married on June 5, 1884, to Bessie AA. Rice, daughter of Henry B. Rice, of Cranberry township. They are the parents of five children, named as follows: Franklin W .. deceased : Harry W. : Orian F., deceased ; Myrna M., and Cleo B.

ISAAC COVERT was born in Jackson township, Butler county, Pennsylvania. and grew to manhood in this county, receiving a limited education in the pio- neer subscription schools. Like the majority of the pioneers he engaged in farm-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ing and followed that vocation, About 1819 he married Kate A. Roseboro, who became the mother of three children, as follows : Harriet, who married William Park, of Allegheny City ; Charlotte, who married Robert Spear, of Adams town- ship, and Mary A., who married Joseph Fowler, and after his death Curtis Fox. Mrs. Covert died in 1844, and he was married to Mrs. Louisa Crowe in 1845. One son, Miles, was the fruit of this union. Mr. Covert died in 1870 : his widow survived until January, 1893. They were members of the Baptist church. In polities, he was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican. Mr. Covert settled on a tract of 100 acres of land in Adams township, and through the passing years he accumulated a large estate, and at his death was the owner of 500 acres. He was one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of the township, and enjoyed the confidence of the community wherein his life was passed.

MILES COVERT was born upon the homestead in Adams township, Butler county, March 19, 1846, received a common school education, and was reared a practical farmer. On August 21. 1869, he married Maggie S. Boggs, a daughter of William Boggs, of Covington, Kentucky. Ten children were the fruits of this union, whose names are as follows : Leonard S. ; Charles JI .; Lily L., wife of George Dodds, of Butler; John W. : Andrew J. ; Albert M. ; Lida E. ; Louisa S .; Isaac, and Maggie S. Mr. Covert was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and a trustee in that denomination for many years. Politically, he was a Republican, filled the office of school director, and always took a prominent part in public affairs. He was one of the most influential and enterprising men in his native township, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He died September 11, 1893, in his forty-eighth year, after a long illness and much suffer- ing, which he bore with christian fortitude. Mrs. Covert was married Novem- ber 28, 1891, to V. K. Morrison, of Butler, but still resides on the homestead farm.

JOHN HALL was born in eastern Pennsylvania, in February, 1806, son of Joseph E. Hall, who was born in that part of the State about 1779. His father was a farmer and lumberman, and married Phoebe Covert about 1802. They were the parents of eight children : Ruhama, who married Samuel Freeman ; John ; Hall; Enoch ; Mary A., who married William McGarey; Patience, who married William Kennedy ; Priscilla, who married John Randolph, and Kerdilla, who married Jolin S. Lucas, The subject of this sketch was a stonemason, came to Butler county in 1830, where he followed his trade for several years, and purchased a farm in 1839. He married Priscilla Covert, a daughter of Morris Covert, of Butler county, and was the father of the following children : Hulda ; Algernon, deceased ; Cyrus W. ; Annie, who married Andrew Dunn ; Joseph, and Isaac, both deceased; Minerva, and Enoch. Mr. Hall was a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, he was a Democrat. He died upon his homestead in this county, in 1880 ; his wife died in 1SS5.

CYRUS W. HALL was born at Harmony, Butler county, October 13, 1836, and was the second son of John and Priscilla Hall. He received a common school education, and was reared a farmer, which vocation he has always followed. He was married three times; first to Lydia Morehead, a daughter of James More- head of Jefferson county, October 16, 1862, and had one child by this union, Rose E.

I. Q. Sterrett. M. L.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Mrs. Hall died April 30, 1866, and he was again married April 30, 1868, to Mrs. Liken, a daughter of John Covert, who died April 16, 1872. His third wife was Lena J., daughter of George Best, of Armstrong county, whom he married Sep- tember 20, 1875. Four children were born to this union, as follows: Lester C .; John M .; Wilbert, and Lizzie E. Mr. Hall is an elder in the Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is a Prohibitionist.

PETER NICKLAS was born in France, in 1777, grew to maturity in his native land, and served in the French army under Napoleon the Great. He married in France, Margaret Firestine, and was the father of four children, as follows : Margaret, who married a Mr. Obert ; Jacob; George Il., and Charles, all of whom are dead. In 1833 Mr. Nicklas and family immigrated to Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, but afterwards removed to Adams township, Butler county, where he died in 1854. His wife died in 1859. They were members of the Lutheran church, and followed farming as a vocation.

GEORGE IL. NICKLAS was born in France in May, 1807, was reared in his native land, and there learned the weaver's trade. Ile came to the United States before his parents, and located in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he cleared and improved a farm. He was married in that county, in 1831, to Mary E., daughter of Henry Lux, to which union were born ten children : Mary, who married William Staley ; Daniel P .; George; Henry ; Gundy ; Margaret, who married Barney Barron ; William ; Sarah, who married John Datt ; Lydia, who married Joseph Ott, and Michael. Mr. Nicklas moved to Allegheny county, from Beaver, and remained six years, and in 1853 purchased 116 acres of land in Adams township, Butler county. Ile resided in this township until 1869, and then bought a half section of land in Iowa, located upon it and resided there until his death, in 1879. Mr. Nicklas was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an ordained minister in that denomination. Politically, he was a Republican, and during his residence in Adams township filled most of the town- ship offices.

DANIEL P. NICKLAS was born in Beaver county, November 26, 1835, and is the eldest son of George II. and Mary E. Nicklas. Ile attended the district school of his neighborhood in boyhood and was reared upon his father's farm. Hle was married October 18, 1857, to Christina, daughter of Jacob Foltz, of Forward township, to which union have been born ten children, as follows : Daniel; Mary, and William, both deceased ; Wesley J .; Sarah L .; Grant G. ; John ; Edward; Lydia, and Margaret. Mr. Nicklas came to Butler county with his father in 1855, purchased twenty-five acres of land in Adams township in 1858, to which he subsequently added fifty acres. This farm he afterwards sold, and bought the old Sproul farm, upon which he now resides. Ile has since added forty-one acres of the Stoolfire farm. Ile is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, and an earnest supporter of that denomination. Politically, he is a Republican, and has filled the offices of collector, assessor, and overseer of the poor.

WILLIAM THIELEMAN was born in Westphalia, Germany, July 9, 1824, grew to manhood in his native land, and came to the United States in 1845. 1Ie settled in Allegheny City, l'ennsylvania, where he engaged in steamboating, sub-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

sequently going into the hotel business in that city. In December, 1857, he removed to Butler county, where he purchased the Dunn farm of ninety acres, upon which he has since resided. In 1871 he bought the Roger MeDonald farm of 108 acres, and is thus the owner of nearly 200 acres of land. Mr. Thieleman married Wilhelmina Niemier, and they are the parents of the following children : Henry C .. and Charles F .. both deceased ; Christian II. : Conrad F., deceased ; Herman 11 .; Sophia W .. wife of Mercer T. Marshall, of Mars; Mandana; Louis W. : Mary W., and one that died in youth. Mr. Thieleman is an elder in the German Lutheran church, and in politics, he has always supported the Dem- ocratic ticket.

CHRISTIAN HI. TIELEMAN was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. October 13. 1851, and is the oldest living child of William Thieleman. He came with his parents to Butler county, where he was reared upon his father's farm. In 1886 he married Caroline, daughter of Henry Thicker. of Adams township. She died June 12. 1887. Hlis second wife was Mrs. Mary S. Black, a daughter of William He-penheide. of Adams township. by whom he has two children : Francis W .. and Ehner R. Mr. Thieleman is a member of the German Lutheran church, is a director in the public schools, and in politics, he is a Democrat.

DAVID BALFOUR was born in Wigtonshire, Scotland, in 1795, grew to maturity in his native land. and in 1528 married Margaret Stevenson, a daughter of John Stevenson, of Wigtonshire. In the spring of 1836 he immigrated to Philadelphia. came to Pittsburg. in the same year, and found employment in a stone quarry. Eighteen months afterwards he settled on a farm in Allegheny county, and followed farming in that county for thirteen years. He then came to Butler county, and purchased the Zort-man farm. in Adams township, from Judge Bredin. containing 185 acres, and died in the following August. llis widow survived until IS78. They were the parents of two children, Samuel and John. Mr. Balfour and wife were members of the Established church of Scotland, and on coming to this country they united with the Presbyterian church, and died in that faith.

JouN BALFOUR was born in Wigtonshire, Scotland. August 1, 1835, and came to Butler county with his parents. He grew to manhood in this county, and has always been engaged in farming. Upon his farm are located five produc- ing wells, one of which is the celebrated " Old Balfour. Number 1." which has been producing oil since 1885, and is the oldest producing Hundred Foot well in the State. It started at sixty barrels per day, and is now producing eighteen barrels per day. Mr. Balfour is quite an active Democrat, and is a member of the United Presbyterian church. On August 21, 1873, he married Mary A .. daughter of John Cochrane. of Allegheny county, who died the following October. He was again married October 12. 1575, to Nevie A., daughter of G. W. Richardson of Adams township, to which union have been born eight chil- dren : Amelia 11 .: Stewart B. ; John O., deceased, George F. ; Margaret B., deceased : Chalmers B. : Olive M., and Dight.

FRANCIS MOCRUM was born in Derry county, Ireland, about Islo, grew to manhood in his native land, and immigrated to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 18-13, where he was employed in teaming and freighting. While there he married, in

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

1844, Mary Hunter, a daughter of William Hunter of that city. le came to Butler county about 1850, and purchased 100 acres of land in Adams township. upon which be settled and lived for nearly forty years, dying upon the home- stead in ISSS. His wife died in 1866. Both were members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, Mr. MeCrum was a Republican. They were the par- ents of seven children, as follows : William, deceased ; Lydia A., who married William Cox of Adams township; James, deceased : Annie. deceased wife of Charles Cowan : Alexander ; Francis, and Isaac, both deceased.

ALEXANDER McCRUM, son of Francis and Mary MeCrum, was born in Adams township, Butler county, December 11, 1850, and was reared upon the McCrum homestead. He learned the brick and stonemason's trade, and has fol- lowed that occupation for many years. He married Elizabeth B. Ogden, a daughter of Rev. Ephraim Ogden, of Middle-ex town-bip. July 30, 1871. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is an adherent of the Republican party.

CHARLES LANGHORST was born in Prussia, Germany, September 1, 1825, and entered the Prussian army at the age of nineteen years, and was discharged from the service in 1547. lle immigrated from Germany in September, 1847, and located in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, where he followed shoemaking. He remained there until 1866. and then came to Butler county, purchased a farm in Adams township, of Judge Samuel Marshall, upon which he has since resided. He married Regina, a daughter of William Niegengard, of Allegheny City, to which union twelve children have been born, as follows : William C. ; Henry C. : Mary A., who married James Loughead, of Middlesex township: Tillie E .. who married Christian Otto, of Allegheny City; Charles H. : Annie, wife of Benjamin Skiles, of Allegheny City: Agnes; Menie, wife of Berry Cooper. of Adams township; Regina: James E., and two died in infancy. In August. 1861, Mr. Langhorst enlisted in Company F, Seventy-fourth Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, and participated in the battles of Cross Keys. Freeman's Ford, Sulphur Springs, Waterloo Bridge, Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg. Sea- brook Island, ete .. and was in regimental hospital near Stafford Court House with frozen feet, and again at Long Isle, with rheumatism, contracted from exposure in the service. He was furloughed at Stafford Court House in the spring of 1863, rejoined his command at the same point, and was detailed in the spring of 1>64 to make leather cases for carrying shell-, which he worked at about six weeks on Mare Island. He was honorably discharged from the service near Washington, D. C., September 19, 1864. Mr. Langhorst is an elder in the Lutheran church, and in politics, he is a Republican.

JAMES SLOAN was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, June 12, 1812, and was educated at a subscription school. He always took an active interest in educational matters, and was a member of the school board for many years. He married Isabella, a daughter of William MeMarland, of Allegheny county, to which union were born eight children : Martha B., who married Joseph Logan : William A. ; Margaret J., who married James Forsythe ; Robert P. ; James R. : John D .. who served in the Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and who married Mi -- Nora Titus, of Mckean county : Catherine, who married Erastus

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

R. MeCandless, and Sarah B. Mr. Sloan was a member of the United Presby- terian church, and in politics, he was first a Whig, and afterwards a Republican. Ile died January 30, 1878 ; his wife survived him until December 21, ISSS.

WILLIAM A. SLOAN was born in Pine township, Allegheny county, June 22, 1839, and is the oldest son of James and Isabella Sloan. He was reared and educated in his native township, and September 25, 1561. he enlisted in Company C, Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Perry-ville, Nashville, Tullahoma, Chattanooga. Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, and Stoneboro. He was then discharged from the service, his term of enlistment having expired, and returned to his home. He is a Republican, in politics, and is a justice of the peace and school director in his township, and has also filled most of the other township offices. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and fills the office of elder in that organization.

JAMES R. Stoxx, son of James and Isabella Sloan, was born in Pine town- ship, Allegheny county, July 29, 1848. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and is now carrying on that business at Mt. Olive, Adams township. During the Civil war, he served in the One Hundred and Second Heavy Artillery. He married Anna E., a daughter of Andrew MeFerron, of Allegheny county, Sep- tember 25, 1802. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and is an adherent of the Republican party.

PATRICK HUMES was born in Tyrone county, Ireland, in 1771, grew to manhood in his native land, and immigrated to Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1804. In 1805 he married Miss Susan Martin, of Chester county, and in 1823 the family removed to a tract of land in western Pennsylvania. one of seven tracts for which he had traded a horse some years before, containing in all about 1200 acres. He was the father of nine children, as follows : Ellen : Rebecca ; Catherine, who married John Donaldson ; Mary, who married Daniel Haines ; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Samuel Hinds; William ; David, and Martin, both deceased, and John. Patrick Humes died in 1858, and his widow in 1862.

WILLIAM HUMES. eldest son of Patrick and Susan Humes, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1822, and came with his parents to west- ern Pennsylvania the following year. He received a limited education in the subscription school of his neighborhood, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In November, 1853, he married Sarah, a daughter of John Piersol, of Beaver county, and is the father of five children : Jemina, wife of S. B. Irvine, of Adams township; Jemella, wife of Thomas Hays, of the same township: Mary E .; Jeanette, wife of Scott Thompson, of Middlesex township, and Joseph A. Mr. Humes is a member of the Methodist church, is a Democrat, in politics, and has been connected with the State Militia.

JAMES PERRY was born in Down county. Ireland, in 1820, and came to Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, in 1849. He was employed in teaming and con- tracting in that city, in which he was fairly successful, After remaining there a few years, he purchased a farm in Adams township, Butler county, upon which he has since resided. He married Miss AAnnie Duncan, a daughter of John Dun- can, of Allegheny City, which union has been blessed by five children, as fol- lows : Mary, wife of William Martin, of Forward township : Maxwell, deceased;

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

William J. ; James D. ; Annie J., wife of Harvey Cooper, of Middlesex town- ship. Mr. Perry is a prominent member of the United Presbyterian church, and is also one of the influential Democrats of his township.

CHRISTIAN METZ was born in Germany, September 12. 1812, and was reared on his father's farm. He married Catherine Reps, to which union were born four children. as follows : Frederick W. ; Anna- : Catherine, and Christian, deceased. In 1850 Mr. Metz immigrated to Butler county, Pennsylvania, and purchased a farm in Connoquenessing township. He died April 13, ISSS ; his widow died May 11, 1891. Both were members of the Lutheran church, good neighbors and worthy people. In politics, he was a Democrat.

ANNAS METZ was born in Jackson township, Butler county, April 7. 1853, and is the second child of Christian and Catherine Metz. He has always resided in this county, engaged in farming. He was married February 17. 1879. to Mary Staples, a daughter of Seth Staples, of Adams township, and has tive children : Nancy E. : Amy B. ; Ollie P. : Sarah C., and Mandana S. Mr. Metz is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, is a Democrat, in politics, and has resided in Adams township for many years.

WILLIAM HESPENHEIDE was born in Germany, in 1828. and immigrated to Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, in 18-18. where he followed steamboating for two years. In 1849 he married Sophia Niemier, and the following year removed to Forest county, where he purchased a farm. Six children were born of this union. as follows: Henry F. : Mary, wife of William Black. of Ohio: William. deceased; John C. ; Christopher F., and Jennie. deceased. Mr. Hespenheide died upon his farm in Butler county.

HENRY F. HESPENHEIDE, ekdlest son of William and Sophia Iespenheide. was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. February 5, 1850; received a com- mon school education, and has been a farmer all his life. He married Mary, daughter of John Bell, of Ohio, and has six children : Jennie .1. : Ella MI., Sophia A. ; William C. ; Ralph C., and Herman H. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics he is a Republican.

CHRISTOPHER F. HESPENHEIDE, youngest son of William Ilespenheide, was born in Forest county, Pennsylvania, whither his father removed from Allegheny City. He was reared on the homestead farm, and has never been engaged in any other business but farming. He was married March 25. 1891, to Jennie. daughter of James Forsythe, of Adam- township. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and he is an adherent of the Republican party.

JOHN H. HESPENHEIDE was born in Germany. September 15, 1:31, and was educated in his native land. He married Miss Dora Cattleman, and has four children : Henry W. ; Frank W. : Margaret D., wife of Alvin Household. and Amelia, deceased. He came to the United States in 1815, being then but fourteen years old, and located in Allegheny City. He afterwards engaged in the wholesale liquor business in that town, which he carried on down to 1876, and then retired. He is a member of the Lutheran church, is an elder in that body. and has been president of the church council for two terms. In politics, he is a Republican.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

FRANK W. HESPENHEIDE, second son of John 11. and Dora Hespenbeide, was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1858, and received a common school education. Ile engaged in the lumber business in his native city, and followed it for about four years, then sold out and came to Butler county, locating upon a farm in Adams township. He was married April 18, 1881, to Caroline W., daughter of William Luebbe, of Pittsburg, and has five children : Frank Il. : William C. ; Maggie C. : Louisa W., and John 11. Mr. Hespenheide is a member of the German Lutheran church. and in politics, he is a Republican.

JOHN CARRUTHERS Was born in Cleveland, Ohio, January 14. 1855, son of George and Jane (Dunn) Carruthers. His parents are natives of Scotland, and came to the United States about 1849, first locating at Lowell, Massachusetts. thence removing to Cleveland, Ohio. They now reside at Duke Centre, MeKean county. During the Rebellion his father served eighteen months as a member of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry. The subject of this sketch is the third in a family of six children, and was reared in Cleveland and Ravenna, Ohio, and at Meadville, Warren, and other portions of Pennsylvania. He received a public school edu- cation, learned the machinists' trade, and has since been engaged in that business. In 1881 he established a business in the Bradford oil field, as a member of the firm of Carruthers & Wathey, which was dissolved in [890. He then located at Harmony, where he entered into partnership with M. J. Peters, in the oil well supply business. The firm of Carruthers & Peters carried on business until Jan- uary 23, 1892. when they sold out to the Oil Well Supply Company, and Mr. Carruthers was appointed superintendent of the Harmony plant. Carruthers & Peter-, were among the carly oil operators in the Harmony and Zelienople field. are the owners of the Harmony Oil Company, and are connected with Dale, lloris & Company, In November, 1893, the manufacturing firm of Carruthers. Peters & Company, of Callery, was organized, and have since carried on business at that place. Mr. Carruthers was married in 1850, to Laura J., daughter of Henry Wathey, of Bradford. He is a Republican, in politics, and is a member of the Masonic order. also of the Knights of the Maccabees.

M. J. Perens, of Carruthers, Peters & Company, of Callery. was born September 19, 1858, at Stillwater. Saratoga county, New York, a son of Thomas D. and Fannie (Morse) Peters. His parents removed to Venango county, Penn- sylvania, during the carly oil excitement, and our subject attended the public schools at different points where the family was located. In 1853 he went to Randolph Institute, New York, for one term, which completed his education. In 1871 Mr. Peters entered the employ of John T. Shirley, of Karns City, Butler county, as book-keeper, and in 1876 he accepted a position as entry clerk with Buehler. Bonbright & Company, of Philadelphia, with whom he remained two years. Ile next became manager of the mercantile house of Mrs. Staples, of Franklin, Pennsylvania. In 1580 he engaged with the Oil Well Supply Com- pany, and was stationed at Bradford, Pennsylvania. until 1890. Ile next became a member of the firm of Carruthers & Peters, of Harmony, Butler county, who sold their business to the Oil Well Supply Company, January 28. 1892. One of the terms of sale was that Mr. Peters should remain with them as manager of the plant for one year, which position he filled for that period. He is joint

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 148

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