History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 159

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 159

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ROBERT BLACK, an early merchant of Harrisville, was born in Donegal county, Ireland. in October, 1809, there grew to manhood, and in 1834 married Elizabeth MeElhaney. of the same county, a daughter of Robert McElhaney. The young couple immigrated to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, soon after their mar- riage, and lived in that city until Is BB. when they removed to Harrisville, Butler county. Mr. Black embarked in general merchandising, which he carried on suc- cessfully until his death, October 20. 1870. His widow lives with her son Robert. In 1815 Mr. Black purchased the Harris property, where the postoffice is now located. He was a stanch Democrat, was a member of the school board. and also served in the borough council of Harrisville. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church, to which his widow also belongs. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom survived infancy, as follows . William, deceased ; Mary J .. wife of Dr. J. Il. Elrick, of Harrisville : Fannie, deceased wife of Rev. J. F. Armstrong. of Mercer county : Robert. merchant and postmaster of Har- risville : John F., and Richard.

ROBERT BLACK . SR .. was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania. son of Adam and Polly Black, natives of the same county. His parents removed to Washington county in 1803, and the following year located in Springfield township, Mercer county , where his father died in 1816, and his mother in IS1. They were mar- ried in 1787. and remed a family of nine children, eight of whom were born before the settlement in Mercer county, the youngest having been born in Mercer county in 1805. The names of their children were as follows: Betsey, who married John Chambers : Henry ; Alexander: Joseph : Adam ; Robert ; Maria. who married Major John Harris; Iby, who married Rev. John Munson, and Chambers. Robert was reared upon the homestead farm, which he afterwards purchased. He married Sarah Courtney, to which marriage were born two chil- dren, both of whom died in infancy. His wife died in 1826, and he was again married, to Sarah Uber. to which union were born the following children : Har- riet, who married Scott McCready, of Lawrence county : Margaret, who married Joseph Burns, of the same county: Caroline, who became the wife of T. W. Mor- row. of Harrisville : Sarah, wife of John Fitzgerald. of lowa : Sibbie : Il. Calvin, and two that died in infancy. Mr. Black was a leading member of the Whig party, and served two terms in the legislature. He died at Harrisburg during his second term. in 1945. His wife died upon the homestead in Mercer county. in 1×46.

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II. CALVIN BLACK was born in Springfield township. Mercer county. Janu- ary 1, 1838, only son of Robert and Sarah Black, and grandson of AAdam Black, the pioneer of the family in Mercer county. He was left an orphan at the age of ten years, and then went to live with his uncle, Alexander Black. with whom he made his home until of age. He received a good common school education. and afterwards attended a Commercial College in Pittsburg. Mr. Black clerked for a few years in West Virginia, and subsequently in Mercer county, and in 1861 embarked in the mercantile business at Balm, where he carried on business for three years. In 1867 he located at Harrisville, where he clerked for Harris & Morrow, and afterwards became a member of the firm of Morrow & Black. He finally became sole proprietor of the business, later took his two oldest sons into partnership, and carried on under the firm name of Black & Son- until his death. October 27. 1894. In 1861 Mr. Black married Adaline Painter, a daughter of Philip and Jane Painter of Mercer county. Three sons and four daughters blessed this union, named as follows: Robert N. : Austa M., wife of W. C. Hawn. of Fairview : John R. : Harriet N., deceased ; Florence E. ; Nora M., and Garfield. In 1867 he united with the Presbyterian church of C'entre, served as elder in the church at Harrisville until a few years ago, and then transferred his membership to the United Presbyterian church of Harmony. Politically. he was a stanch Republican, and always took an active interest in public affairs. He filled several of the borough offices, and was one of its progressive and public- spirited citizens. His many sterling qualities of mind and heart endeared him to the community at large. He was successful in business, a good citizen, an accommodating neighbor, and a worthy and liberal supporter of the church. Mr. Black was an affectionate husband, and a kind and indulgent father.

JAMES C. CURRY, eldest son of Isaac Curry, was born in Centre township. Butler county, December 23, 1804. His father was a native of Ireland, and settled near Unionville at an early date, where he reared the following children : Jame> C .; Robert; David : Isaac; Barbara : Julia Ann ; Nancy, and Elizabeth. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native township, and received a good common school education. which he afterwards utilized in teaching school. On February 24, 1>25. he married Martha Edgar. a daughter of John Edgar. of Franklin township. to which union were born six children. viz. : John E .; Isaiah D., who died in the Union army, at Baltimore, April 15, 1865: Sarah .A., wife of Harvey H1. Smith, of Butler county : Angeline, wife of Alexander Duggins, of Missouri : Martha A., wife of William Gould, of this county, and Amanda MI., deceased. Mr. Curry removed to Greenville, Mercer county, some years after his marriage. but returned to Butler county in 1850. and settled at Ralston's mill. He afterwards went to Indiana, and located at Elizabeth. Harrison county, resided there some years and then moved to Missouri, where he died. His wife died at Elizabeth. Indiana. Mr. Curry served in an Indiana regiment during the Rebellion.

JOHN E. Cunky was born in Franklin township, Butler county, May s. 1>27. eldest child of James C. and Martha Curry. He learned the chairmaker's and painter's trades, and in the fall of 1850 located at Harrisville. In 1853 he purchased a business property, which was twice burned, being completely

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destroyed in March, 1890. He immediately erected his present store building and residence, where he carries on the grocery, confectionery and notion business. On December 31. 1850, he married Maria E. McNair, a daughter of Thomas McNair, of Butler. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, in which he fills the office of treasurer. In politics. Mr. Curry is an ardent Democrat. was postmaster of Harrisville for eight years under Pierce and Buchanan, has served in the borough council, and also as treasurer for several years.

REV. DAVID IMBRIE, one of the earliest ministers of the Associate church in Pennsylvania, was a native of Philadelphia, born of Scotch parentage on August 28. 1777. Ilis parents returned to Scotland, and remained there until the termination of the War of Independence, when they again came to this country, and settled at Darlington. Beaver county, Pennsylvania. David was educated at Canonsburg Academy, and was one of nine students who founded the Franklin Literary Society, November 14, 1797. He studied theology with Dr. John Anderson, was licensed December 14, 1803, by Chartiers Presbytery. and ordained September 3. 1506. He was pastor of Bethel and Darlington con- gregations from 1808 until his death, June 13, 1842, on which date he was stricken with apoplexy, soon after his arrival at Bethel church, and died at the home of a member near by.

REV. DAVID REED IMBRIE. son of Rev. David Imbrie, was born at Dar- lington. Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1812. He was educated at Darlington Academy, under Dr. George Scott, studied theology at Canons- burg, was licensed on July 16. 1839, by the Ohio Presbytery, and was ordained by the Shenango Presbytery. April 26, 1542. He was installed as pastor of New Wilmington, Prospect, and New Castle congregations, but resigned the last mentioned charge in [847, Mt. Prospect in 1853, and New Wilmington in 1867. In 1870 he removed to Kansas, and served Ottawa congregation until his death, January 29, 1878. Mr. Imbrie married Nancy R. Johnston, a daughter of John Johnston, of Mercersburg, Franklin county, in June, 1513, and was the father of eight children, as follows: Rev. John J. : Almira J., deceased ; Rev. David R. ; Melverin M., deceased ; Nancy S., wife of Robert Clark ; Alexander M., deceased ; Caroline R., wife of John Kelso, and Mary M., deceased. His widow resides with her daughter. Mr -. Kelso, at New Galilee.

REV. JOHN J. IMBRIE was born on June 29, 1844, at New Wilmington, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, was educated at Westminster College, and studied theology at Monmouth. In 1863 he enlisted in Company I, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served in West Virginia under General Negley. Ile afterwards resumed his studies, and was licensed by the Garnett Presbytery. April 6, 1872, and ordained on November 10, 1875, by Wheeling Presbytery. Ilis first charges were Brownsville and Mt. Pleasant, Monroe county, Ohio. In 1875-76 he had charge of the congregation at Wampum, Lawrence county ; in 1876-79 was pastor of the Remington Harbor and Shenango churches, and since 1882 he has had charge of Scotch Ilill, Ebenezer and West Unity congre- gations, these being his present charges. In 1886 Mr. Imbrie purchased the Robert Black property at Harrisville, consisting of sixteen acres, and erected his

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present residence the same year. Hle was married on September 23, 1878, to Maggie A. Sharp, a daughter of James Sharp, of Darlington, Beaver county. Ten children have blessed this union, as follows: Clarence E. ; Wilburt D. : Leroy S. : Maggie E .; David R .; John A. ; Ocie A. ; Bessie R. ; Theron D., and James E. Mr. Imbrie is an adherent of the Republican party, but aside from exer- cising the elective franchise, takes no active interest in political matters. He devotes his whole attention to the spiritual and material welfare of his congrega- tions, which have been quite prosperous during his pastorate.

DAVID W. HUMPHREY, SR., was born in Worth township. Butler county. September 6, 1843, son of William Humphrey. He received a common school education, and was a farmer and carpenter, which business he followed through- out his life. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Seventy-eighth Penn- sylvania Volunteers, under Capt. William H. Jack, and was mustered into the service at Camp Orr, near Kittanning. The regiment proceeded down the Ohio river with General Negley, and he took part in the following battles : Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain. Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost Gap, Reseca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, and Atlanta. Returning to Nashville he was honorably discharged on November 4. 1864, and thence came home and resumed his duties upon the farm. On Decem- ber 29. 1864, he married Julia A. Studebaker, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Studebaker, of Worth township, to which union were born two children, viz. : David W., and Mary R., deceased. Mr. Humphrey was a member of the Bap- tist church. and died on July 16, 1871. His widow married Andrew Allison, of Worth township. where she is still living.

DAVID W. HUMPHREY, only son of David W. and Julia A. Humphrey, was born upon the homestead in Worth township, February 3, 1566, was educated in the public schools, and afterwards spent two terms at Grove City College and one term at the Edinboro State Normal. He then taught school for a period. and subsequently embarked in merchandising at Eau Claire. as junior member of the firm of Gardner & Humphrey. In 1889 he purchased his partner's interest and continued to carry on the business alone until 1893. when he sold out to W. 1. Jamison & Company, and bought the store of S. B. Bingham, of Harrisville, where he now carries on merchandising under the firm name of D. W. Humphrey & Company. He married Nettie A. Pisor, a daughter of John and Mary J. Pisor, of Worth township, February 9, ISSS. Five children have been born to this union, three of whom died in infancy. The remaining two are Paul A .. deceased, and Ralph. Mr. Humphrey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. and has filled the office of steward in that society. He isconnected with Tent No. 187, K. O. T. M .. of Harrisville, and in politics, is an adherent of the Democratic party.

JOSEPH CUMMINS was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, was reared in his native county, and there married Eleanor Moore, a daughter of John Moore, in 1831. In 1837 they came to Butler county and purchased a farm in Marion township, where Mr. Cummins died in December, 1869. Ilis widow resides upon the old homestead. They were the parents of thirteen children, viz. : William A. : Lycurgus R. ; Mary J .. deceased ; Melinda. wife of A. F.

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Hollister. of Youngstown. Ohio: John M., deceased : Lysander F. : Joseph ; Walter C. : Mary E., wife of AAlphonzo Forquer, of Marion township : Mellville, and James, both deceased : Samuel F .. and Elizabeth J., wife of James M. Scott, of Butler. Mr. Cummins was an elder in the Presbyterian church, and one of the prominent members of that denomination in Butler county. Politically, he was a Republican, served in the legislature in 1843-14, was associate judge of Butler county for two terms, and justice of the peace for eighteen years.

LYCURGUS R. CewwINS was born in Washington county on September I!, 1831. and was three years old when his parents, Joseph and Eleanor Cummins, settled in Marion township. He remained with his father throughout his boy- hood days, and subsequently learned the butcher's trade, which he now carries on at Harrisville. In October, 1861. be enlisted in Company HI, Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was mustered in at Camp Orr, near Kittanning, and went down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers with General Negley, where hi- regiment joined the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Tunnel Hill, Buz- zard's Roost, Reseca, Dallas, New Hope Church. Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta, and was mustered out on November 1, 1864, at Nashville, with the rank of ser- geant. Mr. Cummins is a charter member of Z. C. Quillen Post, No. 216, G. 1. R., also of the U. V. L., of Butler. On June 11. 1866, he married Margaret 1. Timblin, of Concord township, a daughter of Jonathan Timblin. Eight chil- dren have been born to this union, viz. : Joseph A .. deceased; Edwin L. : Sadie E. ; Frank; Harry : Paul; Nellie G .. and Eva M. Mr. Cummins is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a stanch Republican, has been delegate to county conventions several times, has served on the school board, and is a mem- ber of the K. of Il .. and the A. O. U. W.

THOMAS HUMPHREY, a native of Tyrone county. Ireland, who came to Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania. after the Revolution, settled in what is now Worth township. Butler county, in 1798, where he owned 200 acres of land, two cows and one horse. in 1803. He purchased a tract of land from a jobber named Irwin, adjoining the James Me Nees claim, which MeNees was holding for Irwin, and cleared a large area. Before leaving Westmoreland county he married Elizabeth Coulter, and died in 1839, leaving a widow and nine children. The widow died in ISIS, and the last of the children, Mr-, Margaret Riddle. died in 1892. The names of the sons and daughters were as follows: James, who went west in 1830, and died there; William, who died in 1861; Thomas Armstrong, who died in Arkansas, in 1886: Harvey, who died in Missouri, in 1890: Jane. deceased wife of Jacob Emery ; Margaret, deceased wife of John Riddle; Elizabeth, deceased wife of George Book : Mary, deceased wife of Michael Steintorf. and Sarah, who married Ebenezer Christy.

WILLIAM HUMPHREY, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Humphrey, was born in Westmoreland county. in 1797. came with his parents to Butler county, and was reared upon the homestead in Worth township. He received from his father one-half of the 200-acre tract which he had entered, and upon this land he spent the remaining years of his life. In 1825 he married Elizabeth Dunbar, to which union were born the following children : Angeline, widow of Alexander

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Rutter, of New Castle; James, who married Ruth Studebaker, and lives in Worth township ; Mary. who married David Bennett ; John ; William, a resi- dent of Portersville ; Washington, who married in Texas and died there ; Wilson. who married Annie Studebaker, and Ruth. who married D. P. Davis, of Worth township. Mr. Humphrey and wife were members of the Presbyterian church. and in politics, he was an ardent Democrat.

JoUN HUMPHREY was born in Worth township, Butler county, July 16. 1833, son of William and Elizabeth Humphrey, and grandson of Thomas Humph- rey. Ile attended the old Rocky Spring> school, when his uncle, Thomas Humphrey, was teacher, but like other boys of the period was compelled to give more attention to farm work than to school matters. During the winter of 1852-53, he studied surveying under J. Irwin Hogue, and at the same time com- menced to learn the carpenter's trade under Porterfield Martin. In the winter of 1853-54 he took charge of the old Rocky Springs school, where he presided for one term, subsequently teaching in the " Eight Square " and the " Centre" schools of Worth township, and the Martin school in Lawrence county. Mr. Humphrey worked at the carpenter's trade in connection with agricultural pur- suits. the latter being always his favorite vocation. On August 28, 1856, he married Lydia Studebaker, a daughter of Henry, and a grand-daughter of David Studebaker, the first settler of Worth township. Five children were born to this marriage, viz. : Josephine ; Lillian R., wife of W. F. Gardiner, of Jacks- ville : William 11., who married Sadie llay; Sherman C., who married Clara Studebaker, and Elizabeth, wife of Franklin Book. The mother died on Jan- uary 6, 1879, aged forty two years, and was buried in Zion Baptist cemetery. On October 13, 1892, Mr. Humphrey married Mrs. Millie Book, of Worth town- ship. Politically, 'Squire Humphrey has always been an unswerving Democrat, and in 1865 he was elected a justice of the peace. served two full terms, and then retired from public life. When his brother James was elected to the legislature in 1878, he resigned the office of justice, and the subject of this sketch was chosen to fill the vacancy. In 1882 he was elected for a full term, and re-elected in 1887. In January, 1890, 'Squire Humphrey was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of county commissioners, and in the fall of that year he was elected to the same office, and served until January, 1894. He is one of the leading members of his party, and throughout his official life has retained the confidence of the best people of the community.

MATTHEW MCCOLLOUGH, SR., was born near Belfast, Ireland, in 1778, son of James McCollough. He acquired a fair education in his native land, and at the age of nineteen immigrated to Pennsylvania and located at Carlisle, where he engaged in teaching. Hle there learned the stonemasons's trade, which he fol- lowed in Cumberland and Butler counties for many years in connection with farming. Soon after settling at Carlisle he married Jane Hunter, a daughter of William Hunter, and about 1803. accompanied his father-in-law and family to Butler county. Mr. Hunter purchased 100 acres of land on and near the site of Prospect, in Franklin township, fifty acres of which he gave to Mr. McCollough. On a part of this the present borough of Prospect now stands. A proviso was attached to the gift that if he moved off the land he was not to sell it, but give

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

it to his two eldest children, which he did in 1818, at the time he removed to Muddy Creek township. Mr. MeCollough erected a cabin, and began the work of clearing a farm, carrying on his trade in connection therewith. He assisted in the erection of the first jail at Butler, being employed by John Negley, the contractor. In 18IS he purchased 300 acres of land in Muddy Creek township, which now embraces the lyle farm, and the Robert, William F., and William B. MeCollough farms. He cleared and improved 100 acres of this tract, and erected the brick house on the farm now occupied by Robert and William B. MeCollough. Here he remained throughout the balance of his life, dying in 1858. Ilis wife died in 1842, and both are buried in the United Presbyterian graveyard at Prospect. Mr. McCollough was a member of Captain Martin's company in the War of 1812, and was stationed at Erie. His family consisted of the following children : Mary. deceased wife of David Jones ; William, deceased ; James, who died in Indiana ; Thomas, deceased ; Matthew, of Worth township; George W., a resident of New Castle ; Robert, and Dinwiddie, both of whom died on the homestead. Mr. McCollough was one of the early mem- bers of White Oak Springs Covenanter church, but when the United Presbyterian church of Prospect was organized he united with that society, assisted in the erection of a church building, and was connected with it until his death. Ile was one of the oldest .1. Y. Masons in Butler county, having been a member of a lodge in Belfast, Ireland. In politics, he was a life-long Democrat, filled many of the township offices, and took an active interest in public affairs.

MATTHEW McCOLLOUGH, fourth son of Matthew and Jane MeCollough, was born on the site of Prospect, Butler county, December 15, 1813, received a limited education in the pioneer schools, and was reared upon the home farm, He remained with his parents until 1831. then rented a farm in Franklin town- ship, where he lived for seven years, and subsequently lived on two other rented farms in the same township for nine years. At the end of this time he pur- chased 117 acres in Worth township, upon which he has resided down to the present, devoting his sole attention to agriculture. Mr. McCollough has been twice married : his first wife was Jane White. only child of Andrew Spear and Angelina (Ford) White, pioneers of Franklin township; she died in 1844. Two children were born of this union, viz. : Andrew W .. a prominent oil and gas operator of Butler, and Marion F .. who was killed at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, while serving in Company D. Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve. His second wife was Fanny J. Shannon, a daughter of David Shannon, of Connoquenessing township, to which union were born nine children, as follows: Annie, wife of James Tebay; Jane. deceased wife of James Reed: Angelina, wife of Oscar McClymonds ; Nannie, wife of S. B. Martincourt ; Emma, wife of Archibald Marshall; David, and Marion. Mr. MeCollough is a member of Portersville United Presbyterian church, and a liberal supporter of religious and educational institutions. In politics, he has always been a supporter of the Democratic party, and has filled several of the offices in his township. He is a man of commendable public spirit, and one of the representative pioneers of the community.

CHRISTOPHER WIMER came from Adams county. Pennsylvania, to Butler county, in the year 1798, and located in Worth township. immediately north of

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the site of Mechanicsburg. Mr. Wimer married a Miss Snyder, of Adam> county, and reared a family of seven children, viz. : Samuel; John; Peter . Jonathan ; William ; Isaac, and Rebecca, who married Thomas Kelly, one of the early settlers of the township. The parents resided in this county the balance of their lives, leaving numerous descendants. Mr. Wimer was a Whig, in politics and a member of the Seceder church.

SAMUEL WIMER, eldest child of Christopher Wimer, was born in Adams county, in 1792, and was six years old when his parents settled in Worth town- ship. Here he grew to manhood enduring the trials and privations of pioneer days, and obtaining such an education as the schools of the period afforded. lle later purchased the farm now owned by his son George, and resided upon it down to his death, in 1873. He married Elizabeth Iines. a daughter of Richard Hines, and reared the following children : Samuel, of Worth township ; Mary J ... deceased wife of James Abinett : Abner, deceased, and George.

GEORGE WIMER, youngest child of Samuel and Elizabeth Wimer, was born upon his present farm in 1835. Upon his father's death he inherited the old homestead, where his entire life has been passed. Hle makes his home with his brother Samuel. Ile owns 210 acres of well improved land, and is quite a suc- cessful farmer. In politics, he is a Republican, and an adherent of the United Presbyterian church.

BENEDICT GROSSMAN, a native of Germany, immigrated to York county. Pennsylvania, and there married Betsey Stivert. When six years old she was captured by Indians and held a prisoner for seven years. In 1797 Mr. Gross- man, with his wife and five children, Simon, Benjamin, Jacob, Betsy, wife of of Robert Black, and Catherine, who subsequently married Jacob Kissinger, and his son-in-law, Robert Black, came to Butler county, and purchased lands in Cherry township. Another daughter, Polly, the wife of Robert McCallan, did not come for two years. Mr. Grossman brought with him a small stock of mer- chandise, which he placed in a log building in Washington township, in charge of Robert Black, but soon afterwards removed the good- to his home in Cherry township, and carried on a small store for several years. He was thus one of the pioneer merchants of the county. Mr. Grossman and wife died upon the home- stead, and were buried on the Abner McCallan farm. Their sons, Simon and Benjamin, served in the War of 1812. Simon settled in Brady township, while Benjamin and Jacob made their homes in Slippery Rock.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 159

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