History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 150

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 150

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MORRIS COVERT was the progenitor of the Covert family in Butler county. The Covert- came originally from Holland, and settled in eastern Pennsylvania. where Morris was born in 1776. He married there, and one child was born east of the mountains. About 1800 Morris Covert and family came to western Pennsylvania, and located on a farin ten miles north of Allegheny City. They subsequently removed to Butler county, and settled in what is now Jackson township, not far from the site of Evans City. He became an extensive land owner and quite prominent among the pioneers of that locality. Mr. Covert served in the War of 1812, and resided in Jackson township until his death, January 13, 1839. His widow survived until April 3, ISI. They were the parents of quite a large family, and were members of the Plains Presbyterian church, in which body he served as elder.

Joux COVERT was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1801, and was a son of Morris and Auna Covert. He came with his parents to Butler county, and grew to maturity on the homestead in Jackson township. In 1827 he married Margaret, a daughter of Isaac and Rachel Covert. She was a native of Butler county, born January 15, 1806. Immediately following their marriage, they settled upon the farm where their son, John Milton, now lives.

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which he received from his father. They began life in a log cabin. surrounded on every side by an almost unbroken forest. John Covert was a man of more than ordinary attainments for those days, and was a prominent member of the Plains Presbyterian church. He died January 19, Ist, at the advanced age of eighty years. His wife died January 5, 1870. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity : Hiram II., deceased : George W .. who died in childhood ; Isaac N .. a resident of Illinois : William Henry, who lives in Allegheny : Emma, deceased ; George W., of Adams township: John Milton. of Cranberry township, and Margaret Julia, who died in infancy.

JOHN MILTON COVERT. youngest son of John and Margaret Covert, was born June 5. 1845. upon his present homestead in Cranberry township. lle resided with his parents until he arrived at manhood. and received a common school education. Being the youngest in the family, he remained at home look- ing after the duties of the farm and assisting his father in cultivating the same. On February 20. 1871, he married Ida A., daughter of William and Emma Nes- bit, early settlers of Cranberry township, and is the father of four children. as follows : Charles M. : Eva M. : Audley M., and Leola Marie. Mr. Covert and wife are members of Plains Presbyterian church, and he is an elder in that organization. In politics, he is a Republican, and takes quite an interest in political matters.

WILLIAM HENRY GOEHRING. a native of Alsace, Germany, born about 1750. was one of the early settlers of Butler county. Pennsylvania, where he located about 1801. He purchased 200 acres of land. in what is now Cranberry town- ship, which he cleared and improved, and resided thereon down to his death. in 1831. Ile married in his native land, Catherine Baer, by whom he had the fol- lowing children: William, who died in Pittsburg, aged ninety-seven years : Adam, who died in Cranberry township; Charles; Christian, who died upon the homestead ; Rebecca, who married John Roseboro: Fredericka, who mar- ried Christian Buhl: Barbara, who died unmarried; Catherine, who became the wife of John Stamm ; Magdalena, who married Jacob Woster. and Charlotte. who married Francis Burkhart. Mr. Goehring was one of the original member- of the Lutheran church of Zelienople. Before immigrating to this country, he was a teacher in the public schools of Germany, and was a man of very good education.

CHARLES GOEHRING. third son of William Henry Goehring, was born near the City of Strasburg, Germany. in 1752, and came with his parents to Butler county. Hfe purchased a farm adjoining his father's, in Cranberry township. consisting of 200 acres, and, subsequently. was the owner of about 750 acres of farm lands in Cranberry. Muddy Creek and Worth townships, and was one of the most extensive farmers of his time. His death occurred in Cranberry town- ship, April 25, 1857, dying upon the farm which he first settled. Mr. Goehring was twice married. his first wife being Margaret Firestone, who bore him one daughter, Margaret, who married Elias Seaman, after whose death she became the wife of George Giess, and now resides at Zelienople. Ilis second wife was Elizabeth. daughter of George Hartzell, who survived him many years, and died in 1875. To this union were born the following children : Henry, and George.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

both deceased ; Catherine, who married Charles Bonzo; Caroline, wife of George Ranscher ; Eliza, who married Adam Pfeifer; Charles, deceased ; Charlotte, wife of Theophilus Fombell ; William ; Lewis; John ; Elias, and Gellert. Mr. Goeh- ring was first a Whig, and later a Republican. In religion, he was a Lutheran, and filled the office of elder in that church for many years.

WILLIAM GOEHRING, oldest living son of Charles and Elizabeth Goehring, was born upon the homestead in Cranberry township, and received a common school education. At the age of twenty-one he settled in Worth township, upon a tract of land belonging to his father, cleared and improved it, and lived there for six years. He then purchased his present farm of 150 acres in Forward township, which he has since cleared and improved. Mr. Goehring married Sarah, daughter of Christian Rape, of Cranberry township, to which union have been born eleven children, as follows; John C .; Gellert; Matilda, wife of A. II. Behm; Sarah, wife of John Endres; Sophia, wife of John Millerman ; Net- tie, wife of Christopher Marburger; Ella, wife of Martin Spithaler; Christina, wife of Henry W. Lotz; Susan, wife of William Lotz; Charles R., and Abbie. In politics, Mr. Goehring is a Republican. He is a member of St. John's Reformed church of Evans City, in which body he has filled the offices of elder and trustee.

HENRY GOEHRING, eldest son of Charles and Elizabeth Gochring, was born in Cranberry township, Butler county, in July, ISIS. After reaching his majority be removed to New Sewickly township, Beaver county, where he purchased a farin of 306 acres, upon which he resided down to his death. He was a very ex- tensive farmer, owned 1,100 acres of land and at his death left to each of his chil- dren a farm of 100 acres. Ile was president of the Harmony Savings Bank, one of the directors of the Rochester Insurance Company, also of the Spar Savings Bank, of Rochester, and a stockholder in the Pittsburg Savings Bank. He was an extensive dealer in stock, and bought and sold cattle for the Pittsburg market. He took an active interest in all public affairs, was one of the directors of the poor farm for twelve years, and one of the leading Repub- licans of his community. He married Sophia, daughter of Jacob Hartung, of New Sewickly township, Beaver county. Their children are as follows : Jacob B. ; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph B. Ziegler ; Charles F. ; Lucinda, wife of Casper Knauff ; Amelia, wife of Abraham Wise; Zeno; Rosina, wife of L. D. Bruener, and Barbara, who died in youth. Mr -. Goehring resides with her daughter Mrs. J. B. Ziegler, in Beaver county. Her husband died in August, 1884, and was buried in the Zelienople cemetery. He was a life-long member of the Lutheran church, and for many years was connected with the Zelienople congregation.

CHARLES F. GOEHRING, second son of Henry Goehring. was born January 13, 1847, upon the homestead in Beaver county. AAfter reaching his majority he received 100 acres of land from his father, upon which he settled. Hle resided on this farm down to ISS4, then removed to Zelienople, built his present resi- dence, and engaged in the coal business, which he followed for three years. Ile next established his present business of dealing in flagging and cut stone. Since becoming a resident of Zelienople, he has built five private residences in that bor-

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ough. Mr. Goehring was married in 1870, to Henrietta, daughter of George Giess, and has one son, Frank S. He is a Republican, in politics, is a member of the borough council, and also holds the office of treasurer and street commissioner. For the past fourteen years he has been an elder in the Lutheran church of Zelienople.

GEORGE GOEHRING, son of Charles and Elizabeth Goehring, was born on the homestead farm in Cranberry township, Butler county, and here grew to man- hood. Ile married Catherine May, a native of Germany, who came to Butler county with her parents. They located on a farm on the Franklin road, and died in Cranberry township. Mr. Gochring and wife were the parents of five chil- dren, as follows: Joseph, of Cranberry township; Charlotte, wife of Henry Leidabach : Louis, who died in 1892; Louisa, deceased, and Sydnia, of Cran- berrry township. Mr. Goehring died in 1860. His widow makes her home with her son Joseph, and is now seventy years of age.

JOSEPHI GOEHRING was born November 28, 1842, and is the eldest son of George and Catherine Goehring. His youth was spent on the homestead farm, and his schooling was obtained by a few weeks attendance during the winter season at the district log school house. Upon the death of his father he continued to carry on the farm, and assisted his mother in rearing the family. In 1861 he married Mrs. Catherine Deemer, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Jacob and Eva Catherine Wagner. She came to the United States with her parents in early childhood. They settled in Allegheny county, thence removed to Beaver county, where her mother died in January, 1867. Her father is still living at the age of eighty-six years. By her first marriage to Andrew Deemer, she was the mother of four children : Amelia, deceased ; Mrs. Matilda Kirchner ; Mrs. Catherine Yerger, and Mrs. Hannah Kirchner. After his marriage Mr. Goehring settled on Brush creek, resided there until 1884, and then located on his present farm, which contains 100 acres of well improved land, and substantial buildings, all of which he has erected. They are the parents of three children, as follows : Charles Lewis, of Cranberry township ; Annie M., deceased, and Amy Virginia. Mr. Goehring is a Demo- crat, is a member of the school board in his township, and is well known as an oil producer and practical farmer.

ELIAS GOEHRING, son of Charles and Elizabeth Goehring, was born upon the homestead farm in Cranberry township, Butler county, received a common school education, and was reared a farmer. After he grew to manhood he settled in Jackson township, subsequently removed to Adams township, and lived there for five years. About 1869 he purchased a farm of 200 acres in Forward town- ship, where his sons. Harvey and Edwin E .. now reside. Ilere he was engaged in farming until 1893. when he purchased a farm near New Brighton, Beaver county, where he now resides. Ile married Sophia, daughter of Michael Mick- ley, of Jackson township, and eleven children were born to this union: Edwin E., of Forward township ; Alfred, of Cranberry; Hugh, of Jackson ; Levi, a resi- dent of Beaver county ; Harvey, of Forward township; Emma, wife of William Rader ; Minerva, wife of George Burr ; Tillie, wife of William Fehl ; Theodore, of Beaver county ; Elmer, and Bertie.

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Enwix E. GOEHRING, eldest son of Elias Goehring, was born May 20, 1858. in Jackson township, Butler county, and was reared and educated in his native county. In Is83 he embarked in farming for himself in Jackson township, and later in Connoquenessing, but in less he returned to the homestead farm in For- ward township, and purchased eighty acres of the same, upon which he has erected substantial improvements. He is also engaged in oil producing, and is the owner of several good wells. Mr. Goehring was married, March 1. IS3. to Caroline. daughter of Peter Staaf, of Connoquenessing township. Politically. he is a Republican, and is a deacon and trustee in the Reformed church.

HARVEY GOEHRING, fifth son of Elias Gochring, was born in Adams town- ship, Butler county, October S. 1865, and has been reared a farmer. In 1>89 he purchased the residence and one-half of the homestead farm in Forward town- ship, which he has since cultivated successfully. Politically, he is a Republican. and has filled the offices of overseer of the poor and township assessor. He is a member of the Reformed church, and is one of the trustees in the Evans City congregation. Mr. Goehring is one of the progressive young farmers of Foward township, and enjoys the confidence of his neighbors.

GELLERI GOEHRING. youngest son of Charles and Elizabeth Goehring, was born upon the homestead farm in Cranberry township. Butler county, January 30, 1839. lle grew to maturity under the parental roof, and received a good common school education. On June 20, 1861, he married Catherine Knauff, daughter of Michael Knauff, of Jackson township, where she was born in 1841. Immediately after marriage they settled on a part of his father's farm, and he is now the owner of 126 acres there, and of seventy-one acres near Ogle. Mr. Goehring followed stock-droving for twelve years. They are the parents of eleven children, as follows : Maria, wife of Frank Mohr : David. deceased : Lovina, wife of Ilehry Rape: Malinda, wife of Daniel Rape: Mbert ; Andrew; Lewis, and Ida, the last three of whom are dead ; Ella ; Henry, and Amos, Mr. Goehring is a Republican, and has filled the offices of school director and super- visor. Both he and wife are members of the German Protestant church, of Zelienople.

JAMES ROWAN was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1792. and was a son of James Rowan, a native of Ireland, who immigrated to Amer- ica prior to the Revolution and settled near Philadelphia, where he purchased a tract of land and engaged in farming. His mother was Rebecca (Thompson) Rowan. also a native of Ireland, who had two children : Martha and James. The parents died in Delaware county. The subject of this sketch grew to man- hood near Philadelphia, and married Mary Boyd, a native of Wilmington, Dela- ware. They located upon the homestead place, which became his property on the death of his father, his mother coming to Butler county and making her home with him until her death. Her remains were interred in the cemetery at Plains Presbyterian church. In 1825 James Rowan, with his family, consisting of his wife and two children, and his mother. came to Butler county and settled on a tract of land in Cranberry township, for which he had exchanged the old homestead near Philadelphia. He was among the carly settlers of his section, the township at that time being very sparsely settled. Mr. Rowan was a Pres-

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byterian, in religious faith, and in politics, he was a stanch Democrat. He died in April, 1845. His widow survived until 1881, dying at the age of nearly eighty-eight year -. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows : John. of Cranberry township : William T .. and one unnamed. both of whom died in in- fancy : Matthew B., of Penn township: James, a resident of Missouri : William T., who resides in Illinois; Rebecca A. : Martha J., and Marietta. the last three of whom are dead : Harriet N., and Margaret, both residents of Evan- City.

JOHN RowAs, one of the oldest living residents of Cranberry township, was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, January 15. 1520, and is the eldest in a family of James and Mary (Boyd) Rowan. He was a child of only five years of age when his parents located in Butler county, and he was reared amidst the trials and privations of pioneer days. In the obstacles overcome and bravely sur- mounted was laid the foundation for the resolute determination and sterling qualities which have characterized his after life. On February 22, 1>49, he mar- ried Margaret Dixon, a daughter of 'Squire William Dixon, and located upon the farm in Cranberry township where he has since resided. He was by trade a carpenter, and has erected many of the buildings in Cranberry township. Polit- ically, Democratic, he has filled the office of justice of the peace and various other minor positions, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs. Five children are the fruits of his union with Margaret Dixon, daughter of "Squire William Dixon, as follows: Mary Ellen, wife of Alfred Shanks. of Franklin township. Allegheny county : William D., professor of commercial law at Park Institute, Allegheny county; an unnamed son, who died in infancy : Isabella, wife of J. G. Vaughn. and James M., who died in 1891, at the age of twenty-eight years. Mr. Rowan and wife are members of Plains Presbyterian church, in which he has been an elder for nearly forty years. He has always been a great reader, possesses a remarkable memory, and although in his seventy- sixth year he is as hearty and active as a man of fifty. Widely known and respected, few men of the community have wielded a wider influence or shown more public enterprise for the general good than this sturdy old pioneer.

ELDER CRAWFORD, physician and surgeon, Hendersonville. is a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, born August 1. 1>46, son of Thomas and Mary Crawford, natives of the same county. When but twelve years of age his par- ents died. and he was taken into the home of an uncle, Dr. G. G. Atkins, then living at Knoxville, Ohio, with whom he lived until he was sixteen years of age. In 1863, when in his seventeenth year, he enlisted in Company C. Fifth Inde- pendent Ohio Cavalry, and was sent into Kentucky on scouting duty. AAfter his term of service had expired. he re-enlisted in Company G, Thirteenth Ohio Cay- alry, which belonged to the Army of the Potomac, and served some time in the Ninth Army Corps, as dismounted cavalry, under the command of General Hart- ranft. Dr. Crawford followed his regiment through all its marches and cam- paigns, and participated in the battles of White House Landing, Mine Explosion. Reams Station, and Weldon Railroad. In 1565 the regiment was re-mounted and attached to the command of General Sheridan. Then came the heavy fighting at Five Forks, and the continuous nine days' engagement- until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. On the morning of Lee's surrender Dr. Crawford was on

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the skirmish line, taking part in the last engagement of the broken Confederacy. After the surrender his regiment was detached on provost duty at Weldon, North Carolina, and he was honorably di-charged at City Point, Virginia, in August, Itis, after having been in continuous service from the date of his entering the army. Although he was present in many of the hardest fought battles of the war, he was never wounded, taken prisoner, or suffered any sickness. Return- ing to his home in Jefferson county, Ohio, he resumed his studies, having been in the Academy at Knoxville when he enlisted. In 1866 he began the study of medicine under the preceptor-hip of Dr. Atkins, attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he was graduated, and in 1869 he located at Thorn Ilill. Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he practiced his pro- fession for nine years. In ISTS he purchased his present residence in Cranberry township, and during the past sixteen years he has built up and now enjoys a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Crawford was married February 19, 1869, to Mattie G., a daughter of Matthew and Harriet (Glass) Hamilton, of Allegheny county, to which union have been born the following children : Chester; Min- nie: Frank, now studying medicine under his father; Grace; Elder ; Hope, and Nellie. Dr. Crawford and wife are members of Dutillh Methodist Episcopal church in which he is a steward and trustee. Politically, he is an ardent Repub- liean, is a member of Wilson Post. G. A. R., of Zelienople, and is also connected with the I. (. O. F., and K. O. T. M.

JACOB DAMBACH, SR., and his wife Barbara, immigrated to the United States in 1832, and located on a tract of land in Butler county, near Zelienople. in what is now Jackson township. They were natives of Alsace-Lorraine, France, and were accompanied by their family of eight children, as follows : Adam ; Charles ; Frederick : Christian : Catherine : Sophia ; Caroline, and Mag- dalena, all of whom were born in Germany. The family resided in Jackson township for a few years and then removed to Cranberry township, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives. About three years after Jacob Dam- bach came to America, two sons. John Nickolas, and Jacob, whom they had left in Germany, came with their families and joined the Dambach settlement, and both spent their lives in this county.

JOHN NICKOLAS DAMBACH Was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, in ISO1. Hle married Catherine Ish, and to them was born one son, Nickolas. In 1 35 they immigrated to America, crossing the Atlantic in a three-masted sailing vessel, the voyage lasting forty-two days. They landed in New York, May 5. 1835, there shipped by water to Erie, and thence by wagon to Butler county. John Niekolas purchased the homestead from his father, and engaged in farming. He took the oath of allegiance and became a citizen of the United States, June 14, 1847. His wife died in 1>53. He survived her until October, 1882. They were members of the German Reformed church, and lie side by side in the cemetery at Burry church.

NICKOLAS DAMBACH, only child born to John Nickolas Dambach, is a native of Alsace-Lorraine, France, born March 16, 1828. He was seven years old when his parents came to Butler county. and he grew to manhood here, assisting his father in the labors on the farm. He attended the little log dis-

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trict school house for a few weeks in the winter season, and was clothed in home- made goods of the period. In 1850 he married Catherine Gross, born in Ger- many, in 1835, a daughter of Charles and Catherine Gross, who immigrated to Butler county in 1847, and in 1848 bought a farm in Lawrence county, where they afterwards resided. Mr. Dambach and wife resided on the homestead, his father making his home with him. In 1858 he purchased his present farm in Cranberry township, and in 1865 he erected his present commodious residence. Ile is the owner of 280 acres of well improved land, which is regarded as one of the best farms in the township. Three children have been born to Nickola- and Catherine Dambach, viz. : Caroline, who died in infancy ; Matilda, wife of W. A. Goehring, and Charles, a resident of Freedom, Beaver county. In ISSI Mr. Dambach established a banking business at Zelienople, under the firm name of N. Dambach & Son, which was afterwards sold to Amos Lusk & Son, and is now carried on by the Gelbach Brothers. Mr. Dambach and wife are members of Oak Grove Lutheran church, and in his political affiliations, he is a stanch Republican. The family are among the most highly respected in the county. and he is recognized as an enterprising and progressive citizen.

JACOB DAMBACH, JR., was the first member of the Dambach family to locate in Cranberry township, Butler county. He was born in Alsace-lorraine. France, December 12. IS04. and married Magdalena Beaver, a native of the same place. born January 9. 1806. On the 5th of May, 1535, the family landed in New York, having made the voyage in a three-masted sailing vessel in forty- two days, and for the first time breathed the air of liberty. Proceeding west- ward by boat and wagon, the family finally found themselves in Butler county. Pennsylvania. With a fund of $400, Mr. Dambach purchased fifty acres of land in Cranberry township, and there living in a little log cabin, surrounded by the dangers and enduring the privations incident to the times, began to make for himself and family a home in the wilderness. He afterwards added to his farm by various purchases, and hired laborers to clear the land, paying two dollars and fifty cents per acre for grubbing. In due time he erected a commodious brick residence, on what is now the F. Meeder farm, the bricks being made on the place, and the highest priced labor employed in the erection of this house was the brickmaker, who received eight dollars per month. Mr. Dambach died in 1870. He was a member of the Reformed church, and a liberal supporter of that denomination. His widow is now a resident of Evans City.

JACOB DAMBACH, son of Jacob and Magdalena Dambach, was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, November 2, 1 28, and was in his seventh year when his parents settled in Butler county. He spent his boyhood days upon the farm, enjoying only such limited advantages as fell to the lot of the average pioneer boy. Ilis educational advantages were confined to a few weeks' training in the little subscription school, and he taught himself how to read by studying the New Testament. In 1849 he married Elizabeth Gross, a native of Germany, who came with her parents to Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. Three children were born to this union, only one of whom is living. Edward W., of Evans City. Mrs. Dambach died in 1857, and in 1>59 he married Miss Ruth Hutchinson, a native of Ireland, and daughter of Michael and Martha Hutchinson, both of

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 150

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