History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 158

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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religious faith, an adherent of the Presbyterian church. He is recognized as one of the representative and progressive citizens of the borough. a man always ready with his means and influence to advance the prosperity of the town.

ROBERT G. HUMPHREY, son of James Humphrey, was born in Worth town- ship. Butler county. in 1>25. He learned the wagonmaker's trade in youth, and carried on business in North Liberty township. Mercer county, until 1-65, in which year he settled in Connoquenes-ing township, Butler county, purchased a farm, and carried on that business in connection with his trade. He married Margaret Maxwell, a daughter of William Maxwell, and was the father of the following children : William M. : Milton J .. a resident of Slippery Rock town- ship : Mary A .. wife of J. C. Morton : Wellington W., of Slippery Rock town- ship : Nancy J., wife of Charles Minich : Norman \., of Pendleton, Ohio ; John G., who resides in Ottawa. Kansas, and George M. Mr. Humphrey died June 5, 1 74 : his widow resides in Centreville with her son William M. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church. at Prospect, and in politics. a Repub- Tican. Ilis only brother. Thomas G .. is a farmer, and resides in Beloit, Kansas.

WILLIAM M. HUMPHREY. eldest son of Robert G. and Margaret Humphrey, was born in Mercer county, September 21. 1549. He was reared a farmer, and was educated in the common schools. In Issthe purchased a farm of 100 acres in Connoquenessing township, which began producing oil about 1890, and has now twenty-six wells located upon it. It is in the Hundred Foot field. and has made its owner one of the wealthy citizens of the county. In 1 92 he purchased some twenty-four acres at Centreville, upon which he has erected one of the finest homes in this section of the State. He is also the owner of another farm of 148 acres, known as the David Mckee farm, in Slippery Rock township. On December 31. 1-74, Mr. Humphrey married Eveline Kiester. a daughter of Jacob Kiester. and has two sons : Clyde and Glenn. Eva D. MeClellan. a niece. now twenty-three years of age, has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Hum- phrey since she was four years old. Mr. Humphrey is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and politically. is a supporter of the Republican party.

ALBERT HI. BAKER Was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, December >, 1-16. son of James C. Baker. He was reared in his native county, and after ar- riving at manhood he engaged in various occupations, and finally became a fire- man on a railroad. In 1870 be removed to Slippery Rock township, Butler county, and engaged in the saw mill business, followed this for some time, and then began mining coal. at which he remained four years. Ile afterwards fol- lowed contracting. and also embarked in butchering. and finally went into the livery business at Centreville. under the firm name of Baker & Christley. This firm continued until August. 1892, when the firm of Baker & Nelson suc- ceeded it. Mr. Baker is also engaged in the furniture business under the firm name of Baker. Kiester & Nelson. He has been twice married. His first wife was Martha J. Downs, who died in 1893. leaving three children, viz. : Frank : Eva, and Herbert. His second wife was Mrs. Melissa Kelly. of New Wilming- ton. Mr. Baker is a stanch Republican, and has served in the borough council and other local offices. Ile is a member of the F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., and

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the Jr. O. U. A. M., and is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, of Centreville.

JOHN MCGONEGAL was born in Slippery Rock township, Butler county. May 21, 1859, son of Marcus and Lillie A. (Morrison ) McGonegal, his mother being a daughter of Benjamin Morrison. He received a common school educa- tion, and was reared upon a farm until seventeen years of age, when he com- ienced learning the carpenter's trade. He followed this business until July. 1893, at which time he was appointed engineer of the State Normal School. at Slippery Rock. In J892 he constructed his water works plant, which he operates in connection with his business as engineer. Mr. McGonegal married Mary J. Taylor, and is the father of six children, viz. : William M. ; Bessie J .; George F. ; Ruth H .; John R., and Eva F. Ile has been a member of the Centreville United Presbyterian church since boyhood, and is a ruling elder in the same church. Politically, he is a Republican.

SAMUEL BARNES, SR .. was born in Down county, Ireland, in 1786, and immigrated to one of the eastern counties of this State. About 1795. accom- panied by his wife Susanna and two children, William and Betsey, the latter of whom subsequently married a Mr. Martin, he came to Mercer township. Butler county, and settled upon 200 acres of land now the property of his great grand- sons, John A. and James B. Barnes. The patent for this land was obtained by his son William, April 6, 1832. He built his cabin in the midst of an unbroken forest, and here spent the remaining years of his life. His wife died on June 5. 1820, and himself. December 25, 1821. They are buried in the graveyard in Mercer township connected with Harmony United Presbyterian church.

WILLIAM BARNES, only son of Samuel and Susanna Barnes, was a native of Ireland, and came with his parents to Butler county. He assisted hi- parents in clearing and improving the old homestead in Mercer township, and after their decease the property came into his possession. He married Jane Black, who bore him the following children : Samuel, who died in Slippery Rock township : Jane, who married George MeElrec: William, who died unmarried. May 27, 1863: John, and James, both of whom died in Mercer township ; AAlex- ander, who died in Mercer county ; Thomas, who died July 1, 1875, unmarried, and Robert, who married Margaret Craig, and died October 6. 1887. The mother died on July 27, 1532, and the father, July 21, 1511. They were early members of Harmony United Presbyterian church, and were buried in the old graveyard in Mercer township. In politics, Mr. Barnes was an ardent Democrat.

SAMUEL BARNES, eldest son of William and Jane Barnes, was born upon the homestead in Mercer township, Butler county, and resided with his parents until settling upon the farm in Slippery Rock township. where his son Alex- ander now lives. He cleared and improved this property, and spent the balance of his life thereon. He married Martha Braden, who died in 1844. leaving the following children : William, deceased ; Ezekiel, also dead : Eva J., who mar- ried James McKee ; Alexander; Phoebe, deceased; James, and Robert, both deceased ; Ephraim, a resident of Bradford : Thomas, of Forward township, and Braden, deceased. Mr. Barnes married for his second wife Nancy Tannehill. and died about ISSO. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. In early life he sup-

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ported the Whig party, and afterwards became a Democrat. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church.

ALEXANDER BARNES, son of Samuel and Martha Barnes, was born April 15, 1829, in Slippery Rock township, Butler county, was reared upon the home- stead and received a common school education. He worked in various places until the age of twenty-eight, when he purchased the homestead, upon which he has since resided. He married Margaret J. MeDermott, a daughter of James McDermott. She died November 29, 1887, having borne him the following children : James C., deceased ; Mary, wife of George Bell ; Thomas, and Phoebe .A .. both deceased ; Samuel, and Eva. His second wife was Mary Dugan. Politically, Mr. Barnes is one of the active Democrats in his township, and has filled the office of school director. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church.

JOHN BARNES, son of William and Jane ( Black ) Barnes, was born on the old Barnes homestead, in Mercer township, Butler county, in 1800, received his education in a pioneer subscription school, and was reared amidst the scenes and trials of early days. After reaching manhood he purchased 100 acres of land where his son Hiram now resides. He cleared this farm, erected buildings, and spent the remaining years of his life in making a home for his family. Ile mar- ried Elizabeth Snyder, a daughter of Philip Snyder, of Slippery Rock township, to which union were born the following children : Sarah, wife of William McGill ; William, deceased ; Philip, a resident of Mercer county: James B. ; John H., of Mercer county ; Hiram; Jane E., wife of William Williamson; Thomas, and Eli, both of whom are dead. Mr. Barnes was an ardent Democrat, and filled most of the township offices at different periods. Both he and wife were members of Harmony United Presbyterian church. They died in 1876, and I884. respectively, and are buried in the Harmony graveyard.

JAMES B. BARNES, son of John and Elizabeth Barnes, was born on August 27, 1836. in Mercer township, received a common school education and was reared a farmer. In 1863 he purchased 100 acres of the old Barnes tract. which had passed out of the hands of the family, and has since erected all of his present improvements. On February 12. 1863. he married Mary J. Stevenson, a daugh- ter of John Stevenson, of Franklin township, Butler county. They are the par- ents of seven children, viz. : John C., deceased; Edward N. ; David E., deceased; Catherine E. ; Anna A., deceased : Josiah S .. and Manthus E. Mr. Barnes has been an elder of Harmony United Presbyterian church for twenty years, and politically, he is a supporter of the Democratic party.

HIRAM BARNES, fifth son of John and Elizabeth Barnes, was born upon his present homestead in 1843, and his entire life has been passed in his native township. On May 27, 1875, he married Harriett J. MeCoy, a daughter of Madison McCoy. Politically, he is a Democrat, and both he and wife are members of Harmony United Presbyterian church.

JAMES BARNES was born on the old homestead in Mercer township, Butler county, February 7, 1802, son of William and Jane Barnes, and grandson of Samuel and Susanna Barnes. Ile was reared beneath the parental roof, and sub- sequently purchased the farm where his son Thomas now resides. Upon this farin

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was one of the most extensive coal deposits in this part of the county, and mining was carried on here by the Mercer Mining and Manufacturing Company fortwenty years. Mr. Barnes married Sally Mc Cune, a daughter of John McC'une, an carly settler of Mercer township. To this marriage were born the following children : John A. : Mmy A., wife of Samuel Bovard : William B., who died October 26, 1858: Nancy. widow of William McTaggart : Thomas: Martha J .. wife of James Wiley : Susanna, deceased wife of James Kelly ; James M., who died June 23, 15>: Robert L., of Marion township, and Washington S. Mrs. Barne- died August 18, 1876, and her husband. December 25, the same year. They were members of Bethel United Presbyterian church. and in politics. Mr. Barnes was an active Democrat.

JOHN A. BARNES, eldest son of James and Sally Barnes, was born in Mercer township. Butler county, November 19, 1827. was reared upon the home- stead, and received a common school education. After he grew to maturity, he and his father purchased the old Barnes homestead. on a portion of which he erected all the present improvements, and has been engaged in farming thereon since the fall of 1852. Mr. Barnes was married October 21, 152, to Sarah Hlogg, a daughter of Robert Fogg. of Cherry township, and is the father of the following children : Sadie A., deceased; Mary D., wife of Charles Snyder; Susan, wife of James MeDougal : James N., who married Onic Pattison, and has three children, and Frankie, deceased. Mrs. Barnes died November 12, 1994. Mr. Barnes is an elder in Bethel United Presbyterian church, which office he has held since 1876. Politically. he is a Democrat, has filled the office of school director for twenty-one years, and has also held other township office -.

THOMAS BARNES Was born upon the farm where he now resides, in Mercer township. April 21. 1986, third son of James and Sally Barnes, After the death of his father he purchased the farm, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Sarah J. MeCreary. a daughter of Thomas MeCreary, of Mercer county. Ten children are the fruits of this union, viz. : Lizzie V., wife of William Osier: Richard. who married Catherine Gilmer: Nettie, wife of Hugh Milner : Nancy, deceased ; Alice M .: Lila E. : James O. ; Thomas M. ; Ruby G., and Flossie A. Mr. Barnes is a stanch Democrat, and is a member of the present school board.

WASHINGTON S. BARNES, youngest son of James and Sally Barnes, was born June 25, ISES, upon the homestead farm in Mercer township. Ile was reared a farmer, and has always followed that vocation. In April. 1879, he pur- chased his present farm in Mercer township, upon which he has since resided. He was married December 3, ISTS, to Mary J. Black. a daughter of R. S. Black. of Marion township, and their children are as follows : Hattie S. ; Samuel 11. ; Frank M .. and Fannie M. In politics. Mr. Barnes is a Democrat, has filled the office of poor director for a number of years, and has always taken a leading interest in public affairs. Ile is a member of Harmony United Presbyterian church, and a liberal contributor towards that society.

EBENEZER BROWN. a native of Huntingdon county. Pennsylvania, came to Mercer township. Butler county in 197, and took up 600 acres of land. He cleared and improved a farm on this tract. and died in 1832. He married a Miss

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Porter, and their family consisted of the following children : Jane : Alexander ; William P. ; Samuel; James; Elsie: Ebenezer ; Porter, and Joseph, all of whom are dead. Mr. Brown was a member of the Presbyterian church, and died in that faith. His wife died in 1830.

SAMUEL BROWN, third son of Ebenezer Brown. was born April 22. 1912. upon the old homestead in Mercer township. He received such an education as the pioneer schools afforded, and learned the tanner's trade. He subsequently established a tannery at Harrisville, which he conducted until ISSO. Mr. Brown married Eliza J., daughter of John Waddell, of Butler county, and their chil- dren were : Mary M., who married Thomas Cross; John W. : Ermina L .. deceased wife of H. M. Kerr : Orlando. deceased ; Otis P .. a resident of Ohio, and Mead S., deceased. In politics, Mr. Brown was a Democrat, and in religious faith. a Presbyterian. He died June 22, 1888, near Centreville. Butler county.

JOHN SNYDER. SR., was born in Liberty township. Mercer county. Pennsyl- vania, in 1805. a son of Jacob Snyder, a native of Germany. His father served in the Revolutionary war, and sometime prior to 1200 he settled in Liberty township, Mercer county, where he spent the remaining years of his life. The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead, and purchased 170 acres of land in Mercer township. Butler county, in 1852, upon which his son John now resides. lle married Elizabeth Uber. a daughter of Michael Uber, one of the early settlers of Mercer county, and the following children were born to this marriage : Susan. wife of Eli Beighley : Mary, wife of Alexander Rodgers ; Daniel, deceased : Michael. deceased : Sarah, deceased wife of Robert Hanna ; Rebecca, wife of A. Wilcox : Maria, wife of Joseph 1. Blair; Caroline, wife of William Van Dyke ; Lavina, and George W., both deceased : John, and one that died in early youth. Mr. Snyder was a stanch Democrat, an active worker in the party. and filled the office of school director in his township. In early life he was a member of the German Reformed church, and after his settlement in Mercer township, there being no church of his faith in that locality. he did not unite with any denomination. His wife died on March 27. 1586. and himself. February 1, ISSS.

JOHN SNYDER, youngest son of John and Elizabeth Snyder, was born in Liberty township, Mercer county, March 16, 1841, and was eleven years old when his parents came to Butler county. He attended the common schools of his district, and grew to maturity upon his present homestead, which he received from his father. In September, 1562, he married Eliza J. Bailey, a daughter of Robert Bailey, of Venango county. and they are the parents of six children. three of whom are living, viz. : Lizzie, wife of William Boyard : Joseph F., and Lawrence. The deceased are William, and two that died in infancy. Mr. Suy- der is a Democrat, but has never had any desire for official position. The family are members of the Presbyterian church, of Harrisville, and Mr. Snyder is an elder in that society. He is recognized as one of the leading and progressive farmers of the community.

WILLIAM MCGARVEY was born in Donegal county, Ireland. July 17, 1500, son of John and Nancy ( Jackson) MeGarvey of the same place. In 1-30 the family immigrated to Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. where his father died in

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1851, and his mother several years before. In 1835 he married Margaret Smith, a daughter of Matthew Smith, of Fairview township, Butler county, who bore him a family of seven children, viz. : Matthew ; Martha, who married J. A. Wilson ; Nancy, who married William Gibson ; William; John J. ; Robert, and one that died in infancy. In 1>50 Mr. McGarvey removed to Fairview town- ship, purchasing the Matthew Smith farm of 250 acres. In 1876 he settled in Fairview borough, where he died on March 10, 1885. Ilis wife died on Decem- ber 19, 1876. They were members of the United Presbyterian church, in which society he filled the office of elder a number of years. He was first a Whig and afterwards a Democrat, and served as supervisor and collector of his township.

JOHN J. MEGAARVES was born in Sugar Creek township, Armstrong county, July 17, 1844, son of William and Margaret McGarvey. Ile came with his par- ents to Butler county when about six years old, was educated in a select school and at Dayton Academy, and taught for several terms. He afterwards engaged in farming, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was mustered in at Camp Curtin, and served in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He was honorably discharged from the service on May 26, 1863, and returned to Butler county. In September, 1864, he re-enlisted in Company L, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cav- alry, joined Sheridan's army in the Shenandoah valley, and served until the close of the war. Returning home he resumed his duties upon the farm, and on October 7, 1869, married Sidney J. Campbell, of Parker township. Eight chil- dren are the fruits of this union, viz. : Margaret, wife of Willis H. Brown ; William B. ; Samuel N. ; Robert ; Harry E. ; Iloward E. ; Nancy B., and Mary. Mr. McGarvey is an elder in the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is a Republican. He has served as a school director, overseer of the poor, and auditor, and is one of the enterprising farmers of his township. He is a charter member of Post Number 325, G. A. R., of Grove City.

HON. JAMES KERR was born in Springfield township, Mercer county, Penn- sylvania, May 18, 1813, son of Samuel Kerr, and grandson of James Kerr, a native of Ireland. The latter came from Adams county about 1797, and settled in Springfield township, Mercer county. Samuel was a native of Adams county, born in 1791, grew to manhood in Mercer county, whence he came to Slippery Rock township, Butler county, to take charge of Mt. Etna and Hickory furnaces, which position he occupied for several years. He was elected to the state senate while a resident of this county, afterwards removed to New Castle, and was ap- pointed by Governor Porter superintendent of the canal. He also represented Mercer county in the legislature, and died at Sandy Lake in 1873. Ile married Mary Moore, of Mercer county, who bore him a family of eleven children, as fol- lows: James; John ; Mrs. Jane McConnell : Mrs. Mary A. Cleary ; Mrs. Martha Alexander ; Mrs. Sarah Pollock; Samuel; Lafayette; Clinton : Mrs. Lucinda Barker, and Mrs. Caroline Brown, all of whom are dead except James and Mary A. The subject of this sketch began carrying the mail from Mt. Etna to Frank- lin when nine years old, and continued to do so until he was thirteen years of age. He then followed various occupations until 1830, in which year he settled at Harrisville, Butler county. From 1837 until 1840 he was a contractor on the

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Pennsylvania canal. In the latter year he embarked in merchandising at Harris- ville, and conducted that business successfully for nearly forty years. During a large portion of this time he was also extensively engaged in farming, being the owner of twelve farms in the vicinity of Harrisville. In 1847 he built Marion furnace, in Marion township, in partnership with Robert Breaden, the only iron furnace in Butler county that did not suspend. He was also superintendent of Maple furnace, in Allegheny township, in 1846-47 and '48. He carried on an extensive business in purchasing cattle for the eastern markets during this period, and was one of the most active and energetic business men in the county. Judge Kerr was a Democrat until 1854. since which time he has been an adherent of the Republican party. He filled the office of justice of the peace for thirty years, as well as many other local positions in the township and borough. In 1860 he was an elector on the Lincoln and Hamlin ticket, and in 1861 he was elected associate judge of Butler county. In 1868 he was elected to the state senate. and throughout this period wielded a wide influence in the councils of his party. Judge Kerr was married in 1838, to Priscilla McMillan, who died in 1866, leav- ing two children, viz. : Mary, widow of J. M. Cubbison, and Lizzie K., wife of Capt. Il. A. Ayers. His second wife was Catherine McCallan, of Cherry town- ship. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since IS42, and few men in the county have a wider acquaintance or are better known than this venerable pioneer. He retired from active business in 1890, and has since devoted his attention to looking after his extensive landed interests.

DANIEL WICK was born in Sussex county, New Jersey. in 1786, and at the age of nine years removed with his parents to Washington county, and located on Ten Mile creek. When eighteen years of age the family removed to Austintown, Trumbull county, Ohio, where Daniel enlisted in the War of 1812, and served as a fifer. At the age of twenty-six he married Elizabeth Armitage, a daughter of Benjamin Armitage, of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and became the father of six children, viz. : Annie K., who married Isaac Kimmell, of Coitsville, Ohio ; Mary J., wife of T. J. Hisst, of the same place ; Robert K., of Harrisville ; Phoebe J., wife of George W. Seaton, of Westmoreland county : Daniel MI., and William H. When Mr. Wick was thirty-one years of age, he removed with his family to Coitsville, where he died on June 18, 1863. His wife survived until 1869. They were members of the Presbyterian church, in which society he filled the office of clerk of the church. 1le was a Democrat until the second election of Jackson, when he became a Whig, and in 1840 a Free Soiler. He followed farm- ing throughout his life, and never took much interest in public affairs.

ROBERT K. WICK, son of Daniel and Elizabeth Wick, was born at Coits- ville, Mahoning county, Ohio, October 15, 1818, and received his education at a subscription school, subsequently attending a select school at New Bedford. IIe received a certificate to teach, and taught for four terms, and afterwards became a salesman in a general store at Poland. He next followed the peddling business for two years, and on July 1, 1838, he located at Harrisville, Butler county, where for twenty years he was engaged in the manufacture and sale of fanning mills. Mr. Wick was married January 1, 1846, to Bulina A. Rathbun, to which union have been born six children, viz. : Mary, deceased ; Elizabeth E., wife of Samuel 78

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Bingham : Eugene E. : Clara E., wife of Robert L. Brown . Eva J., and Mar- garet G. Mr. Wick has been one of the most extensive farmers and stock-growers in this section of the State, in which he is at present largely engaged. He has purchased at different periods a large amount of land in Harrisville and vicinity. and erected his present residence in 1870. At one time he was the owner of over 1.000 sheep, which he had taken care of by different farmers, and settled the busi- ness without the loss of a cent or a lawsuit. He is one of the wealthiest citizens of Butler county. Politically, he is a Republican. has served in the borough council, and has been a member of the school board for several terms. He is an elder in the Presbyterian church. and superintendent of the Sabbath school.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 158

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