History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 157

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 157

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

GEORGE N. CHANDLER was born in Lawrence county, December 2. 1>54. son of Samuel T. and Mary A. Chandler. He was about six years old when his parents located in Slippery Rock township, and he has ever since resided upon the homestead farm. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is a member of Mylert Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Centreville. He has followed general farming. and is the owner of 126 acres of well improved land.

ROBERT MeFATE was born in Londonderry, Ireland, in IS16, and immi- grated to Pennsylvania, in 1886, where he found employment in the construction of the Pennsylvania canal. Later he removed to Venango county, and pur- chased a farm near Oil City. In 1860 the oil excitement in that vicinity brought him a purchaser, and he sold his farm at a good price, and bought the land where his son, Robert A., now lives, in Slippery Rock township, embracing 150 acres. Ilere he died July 14, 1892, and is buried in the new cemetery at Cen- treville. He married Mary MeElwee, to which union were born the following children : Martha, deceased : Margaret, wife of J. E. Watt : Mary, wife of _1. C. Perry ; Eliza, wife of T. M. Johnson : Flo, wife of W. J. Johnson, and Rob- ert A. In politics, Mr. McFate was a Democrat, and in religion, was a member of Bethel United Presbyterian church, of Slippery Rock township.

ROBERT A. MeFATE, the only son of Robert and Mary McFate, was born June 18, 1865, upon the homestead farm, was educated in the public schools. and upon the death of his father he purchased the farm from the other heirs. Hle married Ella MeFate, a daughter of Joseph MeFate, and has two children. viz. : Robert W. C., and Thomas Johnson. The family are connected with the United Presbyterian church, of Centreville, and in politics, he is a Democrat. Hle is a

1220

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

member of the Farmers Alliance, and is a stockholder in the Centreville Cream- ery Company, and in Slippery Rock State Normal School.

THOMAS MCCOY. a native of Tyrone county, Ireland, immigrated to Penn- sylvania towards the close of the Eighteenth century, and settled in Springfield township, Mercer county. He entered 200 acres of land, which he cleared and improved, and died upon his farm in 1844. He married Rebecca Denniston, whose parents were among the first settlers of Springfield township. She became the mother of the following children : John ; Maria, who married William Alex- ander ; Sarah, who married Andrew Coulter; Nancy, who married Moses Par- shall : William ; Thomas; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Andrew Rose ; Jane, who married Philip Painter; Alexander, and Robert. Mr. McCoy and wife were members of the Presbyterian church. She died some years before her husband, and both are buried in the Stevenson graveyard, in Springfield town- ship, Mercer county.

Joux McCoy, eldest son of Thomas and Rebecca McCoy, was born in Springfield township, Mercer county, October 7, 1500, and was reared upon the homestead farm. He learned the carpenter's trade, and followed that business many years at Centreville, to which place he removed from Mercer county. In 1861 he settled on a farm in Slippery Rock township, where his son Robert resides, which property he purchased some years before, and here he died on August 24, 1884. Mr. McCoy was twice married ; first to Jane Hall, a native of Ireland, who died without issue. On October 19, 1850, he married Elizabeth Armstrong, a daughter of Thomas AArmstrong, a native of Tyrone county, Ire- land, who came to Mercer county in 1842. The children of this union are as follows : Thomas, a resident of Lawrence county ; Robert ; John E., of Pendle- ton, Oregon ; Rebecca, wife of John G. Uber, and Elizabeth, a professional nurse in Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. McCoy resides upon the old homestead. Mr. McCoy was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party.

ROBERT McCor, son of John and Elizabeth McCoy, was born in Centre- ville, Butler county, October 25, 1554, and received a public school education. He was reared a farmer and has continued to follow that vocation up to the present. In November, 1883. he married Grace Morehead, a daughter of Harvey Morehead, of New Castle, and has three children : Robert T., Max E., and Martha E. Mr. McCoy devotes considerable attention to the breeding of fine stock, and is quite a successful farmer. Both he and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church. In politics, he is a Democrat, is a member of the K. of P., and has served five years in Company F, Fifteenth Regiment, N. G. P.

SAMUEL BARD, a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry, was born in 1795, and married Margaret Mc Arthur, who was of Irish descent. He learned the tailoring trade in his youth, and after his marriage moved to New Lisbon, Ohio, where he followed his trade for some time. In 1822 he removed to Slippery Rock township, Butler county, settled on the present site of Centreville, and was the first tailor in the village. About 1836 he engaged in manufacturing fanning mills, and in 1838 started a foundry, the first between Pittsburg and Erie. This be operated until 1840, when he sold it to his

I221

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

son, John T., who carried it on for two years, and it then was bought back by our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Bard were the parents of the following children : Mary Ann, wife of William L. Bingham ; John T., who died in December, 1879 : William B., who died in 1892 : Benjamin F., who enlisted in the Union army, and was killed at the battle of Pea Ridge ; two who died in youth ; A. J., and R. M., the latter a retired merchant of Centreville. Mr. Bard was a Democrat, in politics, and though he never held office, he took a lively interest in public affairs.

A. J. BARD, son of Samuel and Margaret (McArthur) Bard, was born in Centreville, Butler county, June 5, 1828. He attended the village school until he was twelve years of age, when he entered the store of his brother, John T., asa clerk. Here he remained until 1856, having in the meantime become a partner with his brother, J. T., whom he soon bought out and engaged in business for himself, until 1858. In 1861 he was elected a justice of the peace, and served four terms. He was engaged in the timber business for outside parties for one year ; was appointed a notary public, and combined with its duties the business of fire insurance, until May, 1993. when he was appointed by President Cleveland postmaster of the borough. Mr. Bard was married June 1, 1854. to Marion McKnight, a daughter of Robert MeKnight. to which union have been born four children, viz. : S. S. a hardware mer- chant of Mckeesport: R. M., who is in the gas business in Centreville : Jennie D., wife of Peter Bartz, and Annie May, wife of Rev. U. S. Bartz, a I're-byterian minister. M1. Bard has spent his entire life in Centreville. and is the oldest living person born in the town. He is known and recognized as a public-spirited citizen and a man of high integrity. In politics. he has always been an unswerving Democrat, and an ardent advocate of the principles and doctrines of his party. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1549, and is a charter member of Slippery Rock Lodge, No. 105. A. O. U. W. The family are members of the Presbyterian church.

JONATHAN MAYBURY, SR .. a native of Virginia, born about 1767. came to Butler county early in the present century, and entered the employ of Dr. Det- mar Basse, sometimes called Dr. Basse Muller. the founder of Zelienople, as book-keeper at his iron furnace. He subsequently went to Westmoreland county where he engaged in farming, and while there was appointed a weigh-master on the Pennsylvania canal, with headquarters at Johnstown. About 1-3s he again came to Butler county. as book-keeper for the Hickory furnace, in Slippery Rock township, and died in Centreville about IS42. Mr. Maybury was twice married. His first wife died in Virginia, and he married his second wife, Mary Williams, of Westmoreland county, while a resident of Zelienople. Their children were as follows : Julia, wife of John Bigert: Charles. deceased ; Elizabeth. deceased wife of George Dorn ; Polly, deceased. and Jonathan. Mr. Maybury is buried in the old cemetery at Centreville.

JONATHAN MAYBURY, son of Jonathan and Mary Maybury, was born at Zelienople, Butler county, in 1829. He was reared at Centreville, received a common school education, and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1 50 he com- menced business for himself. and has followed contracting and building for the

1222

IHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

past forty-four years. He has erected the larger portion of the homes in Centre- ville, including the Humphrey residence, and has remodled the extensive build- ings of the State Normal School, in that borough. The firm of Maybury & Son. is one of the well known building firms of Butler county. In connection with his business. he also carries on farming. Mr. Maybury married Frances M. Crane, a daughter of Dr. Crane, and his children are as follows : Austin : Orrie F .. and Harriet. all of whom are dead ; Edward M., a member of the firm of Maybury & Son : Mary : Cyrus 11., and William. Politically. he is a Republi- can. and in IS79 was elected county commissioner. Ile has served three terms as burgess of Centreville, and is one of the leading citizens of the borough. The family are adherent- of the Presbyterian church.

DR. ELI G. DE WOLF was one of the early physicians of Butler county. Ile came from Ohio to Slippery Rock township in 1825. where for twenty-two years he was engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, dying in 1847. Ile married Eliza Harris, a native of Butler county. and their children were as fol- lows : Ephraim II., of Freeport. Ohio : Oratio J., editor of the Fostoria Daily and Weekly Dispatch. at Fostoria, Ohio : Eli G .. deceased, founder and for many years editor of the Findlay Daily and Weekly Republican, Findlay. Ohio : E. Darwin, deceased : Isaac S. P., a resident of Centreville. Butler county, and Ann Eliza, wife of Thomas Robinson, of Butler.

E. DARWIN DE WOLF. son of Dr. Eli G. De Wolf, was born in Slippery Rock township. Butler county, and spent his early years amidst pioneer surroundings. lle married Catherine Christley. a daughter of Michael Christley. of Slippery Rock township, and resided upon his homestead in that township down to his death. in 1965, at the age of thirty-eight years. Mrs. De Wolf now resides in California. They were the parents of four children. viz. : Joel P. editor of the Fostoria Daily and Weekly Review. Fostoria, Ohio: Willard L., of Miller- town : Melvin, and Ella. the last two of whom are dead.

BENJAMIN PEARSON, physician and surgeon, is a son of Thomas W. and Margaret J. ( Rodgers) Pearson, the former a native of Mercer, Pennsylvania. and the latter of Ohio. His grandfather, Bevan Pearson. a native of Philadelphia, was one of the early settlers of Mercer, where he lived and died. The subject of this sketch was born in Mercer. December 24. 1838, received a common school education, and subsequently attended the Mercer Academy, and Duff's Commer- cial College. He read medicine with Dr. S. S. Mehard. of Mercer, commenced practice at Centreville, Butler county, in March, 1862. where he remained until Ist, in which year he removed to Tionesta, because of ill health, and continued his professional duties at that point for two years. In 180% he returned to Cen- treville, where he has been engaged in continuous practice for the past twenty- six years. In the spring of Isst he graduated at Jefferson Medical College. Philadelphia. Dr. Pearson has always taken an active interest in educational matters, and was one of the leading spirits in obtaining the State Normal School tt Centreville. He was one of the building committee, and is now serving as trustee of that institution. He is one of the incorporators and original directors of the Centreville Savings Bank. and has been prominent in the social and interial development of the borough. Up to 1584 the doctor was a Democrat,

1223

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

but since that year he has supported the Prohibition party. In IS92 he was the nominee of theProhibitionists of Butler county for Congress, and was one of the nominees of the same party for the legislature in 1894. He is an elder in the Presbyterian church, and is one of the charter members of the .1. O. U. W. On August 13, 1863, Dr. Pearson married Lizzie Wise, a daughter of Jacob Wise, of Emmitsburg, Maryland, to which union have been born five children, as follows : Effie I .; Thomas W., a Presbyterian minister ; Benjamin; Eugene O., and Alfred, deceased. Dr. Pearson is one of the leading and prominent citizens of the community, and gives a liberal support to every worthy enterprise.

GEORGE MAXWELL was born in Plain Grove township. Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, August 13, 1841, son of William and Nancy ( Waddle ) Maxwell, and grandson of James Maxwell. one of the pioneers of Lawrence county. He was reared upon the homestead farm, and in 1861 enlisted in Company E, One Hundredth Pennsylvania Volunteers, known as the "Round Heads," and served until the close of the war. He participated in the following engagements : James Island, where he was slightly wounded, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Moun- tain. Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg. Jackson, Knoxville. the Wilderness, and Spottsylvania Court House ; was wounded in the last mentioned battle. May 12. 1864. by a gun shot in the right knee, was sent to the field hospital. thence to Gro-venor Hospital, Alexandria, Virginia, thence to McClellan Hospital. Phila- delphia, where he remained until August 28, 1865, on which date he was honorably discharged from the service. In 1866 Mr. Maxwell located at Cen- treville, Butler county. where he engaged in the purchase of live stock for the eastern market, which business he has followed up to the present. He is a man of commendable public enterprise, and was one of the first citizens of the com- munity to offer his means and influence towards obtaining the State Normal School, at Centreville. He was one of the original stockholders of that institu- tion, served on the building committee, and has been president of the board of trustees since its organization. Few men of his locality have done more for the material prosperity of the community than the subject of this sketch. He is a leading Republican. and is a prominent member of O. G. Bingham Post, Number 805, G. A. R., of Slippery Rock.

DR. ALBERT E. MALTBY, principal of the State Normal School, at Slip- pery Rock, Butler county, was born in Pulaski, Jefferson county. New York, October 27, 1850. son of John and Rachel ( Crawford ) Maltby, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Ireland. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Fayetteville, Onondaga county. New York, and at the Fayette- ville Academy. He subsequently entered Cornell University. and was graduated with honors in 1876. A pupil of AAgassiz and Goldwin Smith, he enjoyed unusual advantages in science and history. He began teaching in the Ury school in Philadelphia, and was soon offered an instructorship in Cornell University. but declined the offer. In ISTS he was appointed an engineer on the survey of the boundary line between Guatemala and Mexico. In ISSO he accepted the pro- fessorship of mathematics and astronomy in St. Lawrence University, New York. and during his residence in that place was married. December 26, 1853. to Harriet Dezell, a daughter of Robert Dezell, of Canton. St. Lawrence county.

1224

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Dr. Maltby became professor of natural sciences in the State Normal School at Indiana, Pennsylvania, in 1984, and after five years of very successful work at that institution. he resigned to take charge of the training department of the State Normal School at Millersville. As a master of methods and the detail of model school work, his power was soon evident to all who visited that school. The enthusiasm of the young teachers under his instructions was unbounded, and was shown in the work which they were able to do. In 1890 Dr. Maltby accepted the principalship of the State Normal School at Slippery Rock, Butler county, and the rapid growth of this institution is a fair index of his executive ability. As an institute instructor and lecturer, he has acquired a State repu- tation, and his admirable efforts in that field of labor have gained many students for the Slippery Rock State Normal, and placed that school in the foremost rank. As a writer on theoretical and practical school methods, he is singularly happy in taking his readers into confidential sympathy with his views and con- verting them to his original ways of putting them into school-room practice. It would be impossible for a teacher to follow him through any illustrative teach- ing, either as observer, auditor, or reader, and not feel a strong desire to investi- gate and undertake the work for himself. This power to inspire others to think and to work. is of the first importance in the training and supervision of teachers, and is one secret of Dr. Maltby's success in attracting live people within his cir- cle of influence. In addition to giving close attention to the duties of his responsible position, Dr. Maltby has found time during recent years to write and publish three volumes that have given him a wide reputation as an author. Two of these books" " Froebel's Square," and " Map Modeling in Geography," have taken a high rank as text books. The third volume is entitled ". The Story of Onr Flag." and deals with a patriotic subject in an exceedingly entertaining and interesting manner.

PROF. ISAAC NEWTON MOORE, of the State Normal School, was born July 27, 1858. upon the homestead farm in Brady township, son of Samuel and Martha (Graham) Moore, and grandson of Samuel Moore, the pioncer. Ile received a good English education, and in 1877 commenced teaching in the pub- lic schools of Lawrence county. In Isst he entered Westminster College, at New Wilmington, and was graduated in ISS5. In the latter year he was appointed principal of the High School at New Castle. filled that position two years, and in ISST accepted the principalship of the Waterford Academy, at Waterford, Erie county, where he continued until the autumn of ISSS, when he was appointed professor of ancient languages and natural science, in the State Normal School, at Slippery Rock, which position he has filled acceptably up to the present. Professor Moore was married August 30, 18Ss, to Adella MeDow- ell, a daughter of David McDowell. of Sheakleyville, Mercer county, and has one son. Ralph. Politically. he is a Republican. and in religious faith. is a member of the United Presbyterian church.

PROF. ISAAC M. MCCLYMONDS, Son of James and Lydia ( Vance ) McClym- onds. was born on the MeClymonds homestead in Muddy Creek township, But- Jer county. June 15. 1847. After receiving a good common school education, he entered Westminster College, at New Wilmington, and subsequently the Edin-

1225

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

boro State Normal School, and graduated from the latter institution. He taught in the public schools of Butler and Armstrong counties from 1868 until the spring of 1881, when he was appointed superintendent of the model department of the Edinboro State Normal. In 1889 he was appointed professor of school economy algebra, at Slippery Rock State Normal School, which position he has filled with credit up to the present. Professor MeClymonds was married Sep- tember 2. 1869, to Elizabeth R. Glenn. a daughter of Robert Glenn, of Worth township, to which union have been born seven children. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and fills the office of elder in that society.

FRANK CLUTTON, son of Jonathan Clutton, one of the early settlers of Brady township, Butler county, was born in Franklin township, November 15, 1:57. He was reared in Brady and Worth townships, attended the district schools, and began clerking in his father's store in boyhood. At the age of twenty-two he took charge of the store at Coaltown, for Bard & Son, with whom he remained three years. He then became manager of the Hazard Coal Company's store, in Mercer county, where he remained some two years and a half. He next entered the employ of the Westermann Brothers, of Millerstown. as book-keeper. In 1877 he and his brother George W. purchased the drug store of M. L. Kelly, at Slippery Rock, which they conducted under the firm name of Clutton Brothers until 1893, when it was changed to Clutton Brothers & McGaffic, and the gents furnishing business, and boots and shoes were added thereto. Mr. McGaffic retired from the firm in September, 1894, and it then became Clutton Brothers. whose business is now confined to drugs exclusively. George W. Clutton located in New Castle, in August, 1891, where the firm carry on the drug business under the name of Clutton Brothers. Mr. Clutton was married September 11, 1579. to Lola F. Riddle, a daughter of James D. Riddle, deceased. Their children are as follows : Bertha. deceased : William K .; Paul D. ; Augustus T., and Francis E. Politically, Mr. Clutton is a Republican, is president of the borough council. and was one of the original stockholders and trustees of the Slippery Rock State Normal School. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has filled the offices of trustee and steward. He is also a member of Hebron Lodge. F. & A. M., and Slippery Rock Lodge, K. of P. He is one of the lead- ing business men of the town, as well as a progressive. enterprising citizen.

GEORGE W. CLUTION was born in Franklin township, Butler county, April s, 1864, and received a common school education. In Is7s he entered the employ of John H. Walker, who established the first drug store in Slippery Rock. After serving his apprenticeship. he went to Coaltown and took charge of a drug store, which he afterwards purchased, and which he continued to carry on until the fall of 1586, when it was burned out. In the spring of ISS7 his brother Frank and himself purchased their present place in Slippery Rock. In August. 1891, he went to New Castle and took charge of the Central drug store, which is also carried on under the name and style of Clutton Brothers. Mr. Clutton married Ellen Ridgeway. a daughter of Henry Ridgeway, of Coal- town. Butler county, and has one son. Fred. He is a member of the I. O. O. F .. and the K. of P., also of the Methodi-t Episcopal church.

1226

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

W. IT. GRINE was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1854, son of Helwig and Catherine ( Croll) Grine, natives of Germany, and residents of Franklin township, Butler county. Our subject was reared in Allegheny county, and Franklin township. Butler county, his parents locating here in 1868. He received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen began clerking in Pittsburg, remained there one year, and then went into the oil fields of Ven- ango, Me Kean and Clarion counties. After two years spent in that region, he again went to Pittsburg and resumed clerking in a store. In 1884 he settled at Centreville, and engaged in the huekster business, which he followed for several years. In 1898 he became interested in the creamery business, and it was mainly through his efforts that Centreville Cooperative Creamery Association, Limited. was organized, and a creamery established. Mr. Grine was elected general mana- ger, and in connection with the duties of this position he also follows farming. He married Anna Kennedy, a daughter of J. K. Kennedy, of Butler county, to which union have been born ten children : William IL. ; Arthur E. : Catherine E. ; Charles R. : Albert F., deceased : Clifford C. : Eugene E. : Raymond K .. deceased : Mary, and Ilelen G. In politics, Mr. Grine is a Republican, has filled the office of burgess, and also served in the borough council. In early life he was a Lutheran, but after settling at Centreville he united with the Presbyterian elmuch. Ile is a member of the K. of P., the Jr. O. U. A. M., and the K. of H .. and is one of the enterprising citizens of the borough.

11. P. GRIFFITH was born in Utica, New York, November 17, 1832. son of Henry and Jane ( Hughes) Griffith. At the age of fourteen he went to New York city, where he learned the cooper's trade. In 1860 he located at Titis- ville, Pennsylvania, established himself in business, and manufactured the first iron bound oil barrels made in Pennsylvania. Ile established several cooper shops throughout the oil region, and conducted an extensive business. He sub- sequently engaged in the oil industry. and followed producing in the Oil Creek feld from 1862 until 1874. In the latter year he began operating in Greece City, Butler county, and afterwards in the Millerstown field, which he continued until 1877. In that year. under the firm name of Hays & Griffith, he commenced operations in the Bradford field. In March, 1>85, he returned to Butler county, and leased a strip of land extending from Wurtemburg, Pennsylvania. to a point six miles northeast of Centreville, and with I. E. Pickett. organized the She- nango Gas Company, to supply New Castle with natural gas. This company carried out its plan successfully, and is in operation at the present time. In 1586 Mr. Griffith drilled a well west of Centreville, put down another the following Year on the John Wolford farm, and in 1890 drilled a third on the Williams farm. in Slippery Rock township, and in 1592 a fourth well on the Evth farm. In 1957 he piped the borough of Centreville, and the foregoing wells supply his plant, and furnish fuel for about 500 fires. Mr. Griffith married Barbara Kahler. mnd is the father of four children, viz. : Jane .A. ; Grace: Prank E .. and Helen. lle was one of the leading spirits in obtaining the location of the State Normal School at Centreville, and was the largest cash subscriber to the building fund. Ile has been a trustee of that institution since its organization, and also a mem- ber of the sanitary committee. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and in

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 157

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