History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 151

Author: Brown, Robert C., ed; Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Meagher, John, jt. comp; Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899, jt. comp
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1658

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

whom are dead. To this union were born three children, one of whom is living, Jacob II., born April 27, 1866. Mr. Dambach has been a very successful busi- ness man, and is the founder of the bank in Evans City, originally Jacob Dam- bach & Son, but now The Citizens Bank. He is largely interested in the lum- ber business with his son at Evans City, and is one of the substantial citizens of the community. He is a member of Oak Grove Lutheran church. Politi- cally, he is a Republican. but takes no active interest in public affairs.

ADAM DAMBACH, SR., was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, and came to the United States with his father. Jacob Dambach, Sr., when a young man, and settled in Cranberry township, Butler county, Pennsylvania. He married Chris- tina Goehring, of Beaver county, settled on a farm in Cranberry township, later moved to Connoquenessing township, and died there in 1872. His wife died in 1>>0. They were members of the United Presbyterian church. Eight children were born to them, five of whom are living. as follows : Sophia. wife of John R. Boyer, of Lancaster township; Adam. of Zelienople ; Catherine. who resides at Petersville : William, a resident of Connoquenessing township, and Jacob, of Zelienople.

ADAM DAMBACH was born in Cranberry township, Butler county, March 13. 1836, and is a son of Adam Dambach, Sr., and grandson of Jacob Dambach, Sr. He remained in Cranberry township until seventeen years of age. and then removed with his parents to Connoquenessing township, where he worked on his father's farm for some years. He then engaged in merchandising at Peters- ville, and afterwards removed to a farm in Forward township. In 1559 he mar- ried Miss Dora Garwig, of Beaver county, to which union have been born nine children : Sidney J .. a merchant at Petersville: William G .. of Forward town- ship; Henry W .. of Zelienople: Louisa, deceased; Adam J., of Evans City ; Christina : Frank, a merchant at Petersville : Washington J., and Matilda S. In 1890 Mr. Dambach retired from farming. and settled in Zelienople. where he still resides. A Republican, in politics, he has served as assessor and school director of Forward township. He and wife are members of the United Pres- byterian church.

HENRY W. DAMBACH. of the firm of Allen & Dambach, of Zelienople, was born in Forward township, Butler county, April 1, 1865, son of Adam and Dora (Garwig) Dambach. He was educated in the public schools, and at the Wither- spoon Institute, and afterwards attended the State Normal School at Edinboro. Ile then taught school in Jackson and Forward townships for three years, and next acted as agent for the Pittsburg Water Elevator and Purifying Company. In April. Iss9, he became a member of the firm of Allen & Dambach, merchants of Zelienople. He was also one of the first oil producers in the Harmony Oil field. Mr. Dambach was married May 16. 1859. to Nettie, daughter of H. M. Ziegler, of Jackson township, and has one son, Loyal Earl. He and wife are members of the Reformed church, and in politics, he is a Republican.

JOHN LOUIS ROLL. was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, July 20, 1790, and was a son of Stephen Roll. He grew to maturity there, and in Is17 married Jeanne Susanne Chardoussin, a native of Wurtemberg. born January 24. 1793. Both the Roll and the Chardoussin families were of French

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origin, and the ancestors lived in the south of France until the year 1160, when they were driven by religious persecution into Germany. John Louis Roll served in the French army, under Napoleon the Great, in 1818, 1814 and 1815. and participated in many of the battles and brilliant campaigns of Napoleon, clos- ing with the disastrous battle of Waterloo. In 1828 he immigrated to the United States with his family, consisting of his wife and five children, as follows : Magdalena, who married H. H. Bicker, of Winfield township, Butler county ; Margaret Catharine, wife of Christian Holland. of Beaver county ; John P., a resident of Cranberry township; Catherine, wife of James Anderson, of Alle- gheny, and Louis, since deceased. After a voyage of ten weeks and three days on the sailing vessel William Penn, the family landed at Baltimore, from whence they journeyed overland by wagon to Pittsburg, where a settlement was was made. Mr. Roll followed the trade of stonemason in Pittsburg, until his removal to Cranberry township, Butler county, in 1832, having purchased a tract of land there in 1830. Mr. Roll and wife resided upon this farm down to their death. which occurred in 1881. One child was born to them after coming to America, viz .. Hannah, wife of Peter Metz, of Beaver county. Both he and wife were members of the German Reformed church, and during their residence in this county, were known as quiet, unostentations people, but nevertheless public-spirited and interested in the advancement and improvement of the com- munity.

JOHN P. ROLL was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 27, 1822. and came with his parents to Pittsburg when a lad of five years old, and was ten years of age when the family settled in Cranberry township, Butler county. He remained at home, assisting in improving the farm, and enjoyed the limited advantages of that period. Pittsburg was the nearest trading point and market- ing place, and loading the wagon with grain, he would start with his ox team for that city. After selling his produce, and making a few necessary purchases, he would return home, the trip usually requiring two days or more. Living in a rude log cabin and surrounded by such privations, he passed hi- days upon the farm. and remained with his parents until their decease, being their mainstay in their declining years. In 1844 he married Miss Eliza Noss, a native of Ilesse- Darmstadt, Germany, born October S, 1825. Her parents, John and Elizabeth Noss. came to Butler county in 1832, and settled in Cranberry township, where the balance of their lives was passed. Mr. Roll settled on the okl homestead which he rented from his father, and after the death of the latter, he purchased the interest of the other heirs. They are the parents of thirteen children : John Louis ; Ann Elizabeth. deceased ; Simon; Catherine, wife of Walter Campbell ; William II. : George C .: James: Margaret A .. wife of Ira Porter : Wilson R. : Robert M .; Lucinda, wife of Christian Frey : Frank E., and Charles, deceased. Mr. Roll and wife are members of St. John's Reformed church, of Cranberry township. He is a Republican, in politics, has been a member of the school board nine years. tax collector for five years, and is at present overseer of the poor.

JOHN HALL was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. February 27. 1806, son of Joseph and Phoebe ( Covert ) Hall, who belonged to one of the pio- neer families of Lycoming county. He came with his parents to Pittsburg, and

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

later to Zelienople. His parents died in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, whither they had removed. John Hall purchased a farm in Cranberry township, Butler county, and went bravely to work clearing and improving it. In 1830 he mar- ried Priscilla, daughter of Morris and Annie Covert, to which union where born eight children : Ilulda J., of Cranberry township: Algernon C., who died in 1:54: Cyrus W., of Adams township; Joseph, who died June 10, 1870: Annie, wife of Andrew Dunn ; Isaac, who died August 25, 1877; Minerva, and Enoch, of Cranberry township. Mr. Hall and wife were members of the Plains Presby- terian church. He died April 13, 1880; his widow survived until March 10. 1887. He was a quiet, unassuming man, and always took an interest in the development and progress of the county.

ENOCH HALL, youngest child of John and Priscilla Hall, was born upon the homestead farm in Cranberry township, September 6, 1849. He remained with his parents until arriving at his majority, assisting them in the duties of the farm and later taking charge of the same. Upon the death of his parents he succeeded to the homestead, which he has since carried on. He is a member of Plains Pres- byterian church, and in politics, he is a Democrat. The Hall family are among the most respected in the township.

DAVID BARTO was a son of David Barto, who came from castern Pennsyl- vania to Beaver county, and later settled in Cranberry township, Butler county, where he died. David, Jr., was one of a family of six children, and after arriving at manhood he married Mary Ann McMahon, of Beaver county, who born him a family of nine children, -even of whom are living, as follows : Margaret A., wife of James Flender ; Permelia, wife of Thomas Jamison; Jesse, of Cranberry township : Isabella. wife of Joseph Sutherland : Agnes, of Cranberry township ; John, a resident of Jackson township, and William, who resides at Evans City. Mr. Barto died in Jackson township in 1859. His widow survived until July, 1690.

JESSE BARTO, eldest son of David and Mary Ann Barto, was born in But- ler county, July 22, 1816. here grew to manhood, and in March, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, and served in the Ninth Army Corps under General Burnside. He participated in the battles of Cold Harbor, Mine Explosion, and others, and was taken prisoner at Mine Explosion. lle was confined in Danville for five months, was then taken to Libby prison. where he spent nearly three months, and was then exchanged and returned to his home. In 1865 he purchased his present homestead in Cranberry township. He is a stanch Republican. and gives an earnest support to the candidates and meas- ures of his party.

JouN BUHLER, Son of John and Catherine Buhler, was born in Jackson township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1551. and grew to manhood engaged in farm labor. In Isst he purchased his present home in Cranberry township. On October 31, 1885, he married Caroline Knauff, a daughter of Henry and Margaret Knauff. to which union have been born three children, as follows : Ella : Amanda, and Maggie. Mr. Buhler and wife are members of the Lutheran church at Zelienople.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HENRY KNAUFF was born in Prussia, July 20, 1517, son of Hartman and Elizabeth Knauff. In 1:34, when in his seventeenth year, he came to the United States, being on the voyage fifty-eight days, and landed at Baltimore, Maryland. From Baltimore he came to Butler county, as he had an uncle, Michael Knauff. living near Zelienople. His parents came from Germany in 1836. and lived in Cranberry township, Butler county, where they purchased the tract of land upon which Henry now resides. Both died in this township, and Henry then pur- chased the interest of the other heirs. In 1841 Henry married Margaret Schceber. a native of Germany, who came to this country with her father. He first rented a farm in Cranberry township, and continued to rent for twelve years. Three children were born to Henry and Margaret Knauff, as follows: Jacob. who resides in this county ; Elizabeth, wife of George Leonberg, and Caroline, wife of John Buhler. Mrs. Knauff died in 1890. She was a member of the Zelien- ople Presbyterian church, to which body her husband also belongs. In politics, he is a Democrat.

JOHN EHRMAN, SR., is one of the leading farmers of Cranberry township. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 28, 1821, son of Bastian and Annie (Kaugh) Ehrman. When but a lad his parents died, and at the age of fourteen years he was thrown upon his own resources. lle became a valet to a gentleman of wealth, and traveled with him through Europe and a portion of .Asia, spending some time in India. In 1848 he came to the United States, arriv- ing at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in June of that year. He found employment in carrying bricks to the builders, and being imbued with the principles of economy. he saved his earnings carefully and was thus enabled to embark in the grocery business in that city. In 1852 he married Annie Oble, a native of Germany, and the following year they came to Cranberry township, Butler county, and estab- lished a grocery store at Ogle. Owing to losses sustained by reason of the dis- honesty of a former partner in Pittsburg, he was compelled to make a new start in Cranberry, where he commenced life on a capital of thirty dollars and a team of horses. He afterwards rented a farm, and resided thereon until he finally became its owner. By industry and economy they kept accumulating their means through the passing years, until he is now the owner of over 300 acres of land in Cranberry township. Four children have been born to John and Annie Ehrman, as follows : John, of Cranberry township : Peter, born November 24, 1854, married Hannah Hartzell. and has two children. Arthur and Annie : George, a resident of Cranberry township. and Sadie, deceased. Mr. Ehrman and wife are members of the German Lutheran church at Evans City. He is one of the substantial and enterprising farmers of Butler county, where he has resided more than forty years.

JOHN EHRMAN, ellest son of John and Annie Ehrman, was born in Pitt -- burg, Pennsylvania. March 29, 1853, and grew to maturity on his father's farm. lle received a common school education in the district school of his neighbor- hood, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. In 1575 he married Mary Knauff, a daughter of Casper Knauff, of Zelienople. The young couple settled on a farm in Cranberry township, where they have since resided. They are the parents of four children : Annie L. ; Henry William : John E., and Emma M.

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Mr. Ehrman is one of the active and influential Democrats of his township, and has served as assessor and collector, and has been a member of the school board for three years. Both he and wife are members of the German Lutheran church at Evans City.

GEORGE EHRMAN, youngest son of John and Annie Ehrman, was born in Cranberry township, Butler county, April 7. 1858. His boyhood days were spent upon his father's farm, and he received a common school education at the district school of the neighborhood. On June 15, 1882, he married Sophia Shoup, a daughter of Jacob and Barbara ( Knauff) Shoup. They settled on a farm in Cranberry township, which they have since made their home, and erected in 1>90 a substantial residence. Five children have been born to them, three of whom survive. as follows : Annie Flora ; Laura Adelina, and Amos Oscar. Mr. and Mrs. Ehrman are members of the German Lutheran church of Evans City, and in politics, he is a Democrat. He is one of the leading farmers and progress- ive citizens of his native township.

ANDREW G. THOMPSON was born in Allegheny county. Pennsylvania, in 1×12. son of James and Isabella Thompson, natives of Ireland, who immigrated to Allegheny county, and resided there down to their death. Andrew G. Thompson married Mary English, a native of Ireland, born in 1809, who came to America with her parents in childhood. They spent their lives in Allegheny county. Mis. Thompson died May 28, 1880, and her husband, August 17. 1883. They were consistent members of the Presbyterian church. Six children were born to them, four of whom grew to maturity : James, of Cranberry township ; Mary. wife of James Jackson ; Andrew. a resident of Allegheny county, and Samuel, who resides on the old homestead in the same county.

JAMES THOMPSON was born on the homestead farm in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1835, and is the eldest living child of Andrew G. Thompson. His boyhood days were spent in the usual routine of farm life, and he obtained a common school education at the district school of his neighbor- hood. On March 21, 1861, he married Mary Thorn, a native of Butler county. and a daughter of John M. and Martha ( Campbell) Thorn, who came from Westmoreland county to Butler county at quite an early day and settled in Oakland township. Here Mr. Thorn, who was one of the first teachers of the county, died. in June. 1840. Soon after his marriage Mr. Thompson located on his present farm in Cranberry township. Their first home was a log cabin, and the land was comparatively uncleared, but the young couple had been reared in pioneer surroundings, and bravely set to work to make themselves a permanent home. The farm now consists of ninety-five acres of highly improved land, and the humble cabin has been replaced by a handsome and commodious dwelling. They are the parents of seven children, viz. : Andrew II., of Braddock : Martha .1 .. wife of R. W. Garvin ; Lida M. ; Alvin T. : Eva P. ; Samuel A., and Cora, deceased. Mr. Thompson is an elder in Plains Presbyterian church, to which society both he and wife belong, and in which the latter takes a prominent part in woman's work as president of the Ladies Missionary Society. In politic-, he is a Republican, and is active in the promotion of the public school system. Ile

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is a member of Cranberry Grange, and is one of the progressive farmers of his township.

FREDERICK LEISE was a native of Hesse, Germany. born in 1816, and immigrated to the United States with his father, John Leise. in 1842. His mother and three brothers, John, George and Henry, came at the same time. The last mentioned is living in Lawrence county, but John and George are dead. The parents located in what is now Brady township, Butler county. where the father purchased a tract of seventy-five acres, now owned by John Stein, and resided there until their death, in 1854. Frederick grew to manhood in his native land, and married Susannah Keine, a native of Germany, who came to America with her parents. Four sons and three daughters were the fruits of this union, as fol- lows : John, of Cranberry township ; Henry, deceased ; Caroline, wife of George Helwig. of Iowa ; Margaret, wife of Philip Burr ; Christina, wife of Isaac Burr ; Jacob deceased, and William J., who died in infancy. At his father's death Mr. Leise purchased the old homestead, lived there until 1855, and then located in Jackson township. His wife died September 24, 1856, and he married for his second wife Barbara Kleinfelter, a native of Germany. Five children were born to this union, four of whom are living, as follows : Katharine, wife of William Fehl : George; Frederick, of Cranberry township, and Mary, wife of Benjamin Johnson of the same township. Mr. Leise moved into Cranberry township in 1869. and died there in 1871. llis widow is still a resident of that township. He was a member of the Reformed church, and a very worthy man.

JOHN LEISE, eldest son of Frederick and Susannah Leise. remained with his parents until his majority, enjoying but limited advantages for an education. In 1>71 he married Dora Pflugh, a native of Beaver county, and located on his present homestead, buying out the other heirs. Since it came into his possession he has made many improvements, has erected a handsome residence and sub- stantial barn, and is now the owner of 165 acres of well improved land. They are the parents of seven children, six of whom are living, as follows: William F .. who died in childhood ; John C. ; Laura B. ; Mary E. : Josephine A. ; Clar- ence E., and Myrtland L. Mr. Leise and wife are members of the Reformed church at Evans City. He is a Democrat, and has filled the offices of township collector and assessor. He is a member of Cranberry Grange. and represented it at the convention of the State Grange at Harrisburg. in December, 1592.

GEORGE MEEDER was born July 19. 1-51, son of Frederick and Caroline (Ilaine) Meeder. of Cranberry township. He spent his boyhood days upon the homestead farm, and attended the common school of the district. In 1-79 he married Dena Frantz, born September 3, 1857, in Allegheny county. Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of John Frantz, a native of Zelienople, Butler county, Pennsyl- vania. Immediately following their marriage the young couple settled on a farm in Cranberry township, where they now reside. They are the parents of three children : Charles Frederick. born November 18. 1579: Elmer. born August 6. 18\7, and Edward B .. born June 15. 1891. Mr. Meeder is a Democrat, and takes a decided interest in the political questions of the day. Both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Zelieneople.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

JOSEPH WEST came from Beaver county. Pennsylvania, with his family in 1861, and settled in Cranberry township, Butter county. He was born in Frank- lin township. Beaver county, in 1>15. married Maria Powell. of Beaver county, and followed farming as an occupation. He reared a family of three sons and three daughters, viz. ; Mary Ann, wife of T. S. Wilson, of Allegheny county ; Fleming, of Cranberry township : Calvin J., of Evans City ; S. J., wife of Addi- son Ramsey, of Cranberry: Andrew J., also a resident of Cranberry, and Maria A .. wife of James Croft, of the same township. Mr. West died February 9, 1 92: his widow survives him.

FLEMING WEST was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, March 10. 1 13. and is the eldest son of Joseph West. He came with his parents to Cranberry township in 1861, and remained with them assisting in the duties of the farm, and attending the common school of the district. In 1867 he married Mary M. Wilson, a native of Cranberry township. Butler county, and a daughter of Will- iam and Margaret ( Bryan) Wilson, early settlers of that township. Soon after their marriage they located upon their present farm. a part of the original homestead, which he has since improved in many ways. Five children are the fruits of this union, as follows : Ida A., wife of Edwin Ramsey : Charlie L .. who died June 10, 1890, aged nineteen years ; Mary M. ; Joseph V., and Murt- land R. The family worship at Crestview Presbyterian church, in which Mr. West is an elder. He has held various offices in the township, and is an ardent supporter of the Democratic party.

ANDREW J. WEST was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. in 1849. and is the youngest son of Joseph and Maria (Powell) West, who came to Cranberry township, Butler county, in 161. He spent his boyhood days upon the farm with his parents, and received a common school education. In ISSO he married Annie M., a daughter of Michael and Sarah A. Knox, whose family were early settlers of Jackson township, where Mr. Knox and wife were born and reared. Mrs. West is a native of Butler county. Immediately following their marriage Mr. West settled upon a part of the old homestead, where they have since resided. They have two children, Eury lona and Beulah. He and wife are members of Crestview Presbyterian church, at Callery, and in politics, he is a Democrat. Ile has served as a member of the school board, has always been a warm friend of the public schools, and is one of the well known citizens of Cranberry town- ship.

JOHN SMITH was born in Here-Cassel, Germany. October 5, 1520, and came to the United States with his brother Henry, in April, 1846. They located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where John worked as a roller in an iron mill. He was married in 18 17, to Miss Elizabeth Helsel, a native of Alsace, Germany, bom March 23, 1817. She came to this country with a brother in 1846, landing in New York on Christmas day. In 1860 Mr. Smith and wife removed to a farm in Beaver county, lived there until 1864, and then located on a farm in Cran- berry township. Butler county. In 196> they removed to another farm in the same township, where he died, December 1, 1885. His widow resides with her son on the old homestead. Mr. Smith was a member of the German Reformed church, and was a public-spirited citizen. He possessed a good education, took

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

a deep interest in school matters and was highly respected and esteemed. Of their family of seven children, three are now living : Elizabeth, wife of Il. J. Gibson ; John II., of Cranberry township, and Mary, wife of Andrew Keck.

JOHN H. SMITH was born in the City of Pittsburg, January 25, 1857, and is the only living son of John Smith. He was three years old when his parents removed to Beaver county, and seven when they settled in Cranberry township, Butler county. Here he grew to maturity, engaged in the usual routine duties of a farmer's life, and attended the public school of his district during the win- ter seasons. He was married March 20. 1884, to Amelia Deemer, a native of Cranberry township, and a daughter of Andrew and Catherine Deemer. One child was born to them, Emma Amelia, who died August 24, 1885. Mrs. Smith died February 16, 1885. She was a consistent member of the Reformed church, to which denomination her husband also belongs. Mr. Smith purchased the homestead where he now resides, containing ninety-four acres of well improved land. upon which he has erected substantial buildings. Politically, he is a Demo- crat, and is well known as one of the energetic and progressive citizens of the community.

WILLIAM WRIGHT was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1791, son of Robert and Betsey Wright, who came from Ireland to Allegheny county at an early day. William Wright married Sarah Smith, a native of Allegheny county, born in May, 1792, and a daughter of John Smith, who was killed in the War of 1812. Mr. Wright and wife lived and died in Allegheny county, the former dying July 5, 1870, and the latter October 13, 1881, in the ninetieth year of her age. They were the parents of fourteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 151

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