History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 161

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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CONRAD SNYDER, JR., son of Conrad and Nancy Snyder, was born in Phil- adelphia county, Pennsylvania, in 1777, and came with his parents to Butler county when about twenty-three years of age. He purchased 400 acres of land, now known as the Watson farm, but subsequently sold one-half of this tract, and gave the remaining half to his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Double. After residing here some years he purchased 200 acres in Brady township, where his son Con- rad now lives, and here he spent the remaining years of his life. He was the most extensive farmer and stock-breeder in this section of the country, and a few years before his death owned 3.000 acres, situated in Brady, Franklin, and Slip- pery Rock townships. He gave to each of his children 200 acres of land, and at his death the remainder was sold and the proceeds divided among his children. Mr. Snyder was quite a celebrated hunter, and during pioneer days made con- siderable money in this way, which he carefully invested in stock and lands. He was a self educated man, and could read and write both English and German fluently. In politics, he was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican, but would never accept any public office. He was one of the pioneer members of Muddy Creek Presbyterian church. Mr. Snyder married Ann M. Bryan, a daughter of Seth Bryan, of Westmoreland county. Nine children blessed this union. named as follows : John. who married Elizabeth Ralston, and lived and died in Brady township ; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Seth Double ; Mary, de- ceased wife of Thomas Strain ; Nancy, deceased wife of Isaac Double ; Zepha- niah. who married Rachel Kennedy, and died in Brady township ; Prudence, deceased wife of John Webb; Effie J., widow of Humes Thompson : Conrad, of Brady township, and Catherine, widow of John Croll. Mr. Snyder died Feb- ruary 27, 1866, and his wife. January 2, 1869, in the eighty-eighth year of her age.

CONRAD SNYDER, youngest son of Conrad and Ann M. Snyder, was born upon his present farm in Brady township. November 2, 1822. He received such an education as the common schools afforded, and grew to manhood beneath the parental roof, assisting his parents in carrying on the farm, which his father gave to him a few years before his death. He retired from active business life in 1893, and the farm is now managed by his son, Everett C. He married Nancy Mc- Candless, a daughter of James McCandless, of Franklin township. She was born January 6, 1826, and died November 28, 1863. Mrs. Snyder was the 79

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

mother of the following children : Lavina, wife of Lyman P. Hilliard; Elva T., who married Sarah McCall ; Emeline S., wife of John Allen : Alfred HI., who married Ann Campbell: Alvin C., who married Laura MeNees; Mary A., wife of Josiah P. McCall ; Everett C., who married Edith Abernathy. and Nancy J., deceased. Politically, Mr. Snyder is a Republican, but like his father would never accept office of any kind. He has been a life-long member of Muddy Creek Presbyterian church, and is one of the leading citizens of the community.

ZEPHANIAH SNYDER, son of Conrad and Ann M. Snyder, and grandson of Conrad Snyder, Sr., was born upon the old homestead in Brady township, But- ler county, January 17. 1818, and grew to manhood amidst the scenes of pioneer days. lle settled on 200 acres of land where John Grossman now lives, in Brady township, and here he resided down to his death, June 12, 1887. He married Rachel Kennedy, a daughter of John Kennedy, of Franklin township, who resides with her daughter, Mrs. John Mc Nees. Nine children were the fruits of this union. viz. : Louisa, who died in 1892: Joseph C. : Mary E., wife of John Mc Nees : Eleanor J., widow of Nicholas Ifft : Ettie. wife of Robert Allen ; Harvey N., of Kittanning ; Rachel E., wife of W. B. Curry; Seth, and Lorenzo B. Mr. Snyder was a Republican, and took quite an active interest in local political matters. lle was a member of Muddy Creek Presbyterian church.

JOSEPH C. SNYDER, eldest son of Zephaniah and Rachel Snyder, was born November 24, 1837, upon the homestead farm. He received a common school education, and at the age of twenty-one engaged in merchandising, which busi- ness he followed for a few years at West Liberty. He then purchased hi- pres- ent farm of 1 H acres, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his attention. In 1859 he married Mary J. Hockenberry, a daughter of Joseph Hockenberry, who has borne him a family of eight children, viz. : Rachel 1., wife of Oscar Boozel; Joseph A .. of Butler; Mary F., deceased ; Armada, wife of Milo V. Gold ; Hosea Z. ; David L. : Robert K., and Clara M. Mr. Snyder is a stanch Republican. was elected justice of the peace in 1876, and served five years. Ile has also filled the office of school director, and has been quite active in the local councils of his party. He is a member of Muddy Creek Presbyterian church, in which society he has served as trustee. He is recognized as one of the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of his township, and gives his support to every worthy project.

ROBERT GLENY was a son of John Glenn, a native of Ireland, who settled in C'entre county. His father was twice married, and on his second marriage he purchased land in Kentucky for the children of his first wife, and the Glenns of that State are his descendants. Robert was a son of the second marriage, and was born in Centre county about 1778. He came to Mercer county about ISOS. purchased 200 acres of land in Pine township, and 175 acres in Butler county, but did not settle upon either. The same year he bought of John Hockenberry and William Elliott 300 acres of land where his grandson, John A. Glenn, now resides, in Worth township. upon which he settled in 1810. He built the stone house still standing, where he died in 1833. He is buried in the United Presby- terian graveyard of Worth township. Mr. Glenn married Martha Borland, of C'entre county, who bore him a family of eight children, viz. : John, who served

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in the War of 1812, and died on the homestead; Mary, deceased wife of John Gilfillan ; Andrew : Catherine, deceased wife of James Humphrey : Robert, who died in Worth township; Margaret, deceased wife of John Christie : William. who died in Beaver county, and Archibald, who died in Muddy Creek township.

ANDREW GLENN, son of Robert and Martha Glenn, was born in Centre county, and came with his parents to this county in childhood. He was reared upon the homestead farm, and learned the blacksmith's trade with John Emery. whom his father had established in business on the Glenn farm. About 1524 he settled on a portion of the homestead, in Brady township, where his son Robert F. now lives. He erected a blacksmith's shop and carried on that business until 1833, in connection with farming. Ile returned to the old homestead after his father's death, then purchased the property, and resided there the balance of his life. He died in 1869. In politics, he was a Republican, and in religion. was an adherent of the Seceder church, in which society he filled the office of elder. Mr. Glenn married Ann Eakin, a daughter of Robert Eakin, of Lawrence county. She died in 1844. the mother of the following children : Robert F. : Alexander, and Martha J., both deceased ; Aaron, of Iowa ; Polly, deceased ; Martha J., widow of Ezekiel Wilson : Wilhelmina. wife of Presley Gill: John 1., and Margaret, deceased. Ilis second wife was Mary Maxwell, who bore one daugh- ter, Annie E., wife of Benjamin Thompson.

ROBERT F. GLENN, eldest son of AAndrew and Inn Glenn, was born Sep- tember 21, 1820, upon the old homestead farm. Ile assisted his parents in the farm duties during boyhood days, and attended the district school of his neigh- borhood. In 1842 he settled upon his present farm, the site of his father's first set- tlement, and here he has resided for more than fifty years, following the peaceful avocation of a farmer's life. He owns 200 acres of well improved land, and is a prosperous and well-to-do citizen. In 1842 he married Sarah Moore, a daughter of Samuel Moore, one of the pioneers of Brady township, and has two children. Margaret, and Samuel C., the latter of whom carries on the farm for his father. Mr. Glenn was a member of the first Republican organization in the county, and has always supported that party. Originally a member of the Seceder church. he later united with the Centreville United Presbyterian society, in which he fills the office of trustee.

JOHN Wick, a native of New Jersey, came to Armstrong county in 1796, and early in the present century removed to what is now Brady township, But- ler county. He married a Miss Ferguson, and their children were as follows : James ; John ; Elisha ; William ; Jeremiah ; Margaret : Sarah : Jemima ; Eliza- beth, and Jane. The parents spent the balance of their lives in this county. The second son. John, was born in 1795, and came with his parents to Butler county. where he grew to manhood. He married Mary Wigton. a daughter of John Wigton, and was the father of the following children : Henry E .: Perry; Mary J. ; Ilarvey ; Sarah ; Alfred, and Lewis. The family lived in Slippery Rock and Brady townships, and the parents spent their lives in that part of the county.

HENRY E. WICK was born in Slippery Rock township, Butler county. August 22, 1825, eldest child of John and Mary Wick. Ile grew to manhood upon the homestead farin, and then commenced buying and shipping horse -.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Ile afterwards followed merchandising and the lumber business over forty-five years, a portion of the time at Wick station, which was named for him and where he was the first postmaster. Mr. Wick married Elizabeth Smith, a daugh- ter of Daniel Smith, a Scotchman. an early settler of Brady township. Thir- teen children were the fruit- of this union, as follows: John S. : Mary J .; Rebecca A. : Lewis C. ; Sarah M., deceased; Elizabeth Z. ; Alfred Il. ; Perry C. : Rosallia A. ; William S. ; Walter S., deceased : Florence A., and Amy F. Mr. Wick has been a Republican since the organization of the party, and was a delegate from Butler county to the first Republican convention at Pittsburg, in 1855. In 1857 he located at Oil City, but is now a resident of Butler.

JAMES P. MeQUISTION was born in Brady township. Butler county, Penn- sylvania, in 1844, received a common school education and was reared a farmer. After arriving at manhood he embarked in stock-dealing and merchandising at Centreville. Soon after the war commenced he enlisted in the three months' service, and when his terin expired he re-enlisted in the artillery and served three years. Ile was honorably discharged when his term had expired, and then returned to his home in Butler county. In 1865 he married Eleanor, a daughter of William Hunter, of Pittsburg, to which union were born six children, as follows : Charles F. L. ; Clare E. ; Emma V. ; Orville, deceased ; Frank E., and Rolla H. Mr. MeQuistion was a member of Bingham Post, G. A. R., of Centreville, and resided in that locality down to his death. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church, a trustee in that denomination, and also a Sabbath school teacher. Politically, he was a Republican, and filled the offices of justice of the peace and school director.

JOSEPH DONAGHY was born in Antrim county, Ireland. December 27. 1805, a son of Thomas and Catherine ( Gordon) Donaghy. He learned the carpenter's trade in his native land, and in 1830 immigrated to St. Johns, New Brunswick, where he found employment until 1832. In the latter year he removed to Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, where he continued to work at his trade, and later engaged in the grocery business until 1840. lle then located at Centreville, Butler county. and embarked in merchandising. In 1844 he purchased 175 acres of land in Brady township, and here he devoted the remaining years of his life to agriculture. He married, in Ireland, Nancy Murray, March 23, 1827. She was a daughter of George Murray, of Antrim county, Ireland, and bore him the following children : Thomas; Jane M, wife of James Hall; George, who died in infancy ; George W., of Pittsburg : Mary A., wife of J. C. Gill; Martha M., wife of William Gill ; Lucinda G. ; Amanda M. ; Nancy, and Emma F., the last four of whom are dead, and James HI. Mr. Donaghy was a stanch Democrat, and served as bur- gess of Centreville. He was one of the original members of the Centreville United Presbyterian church, and died January 17, 1863. His widow resides with her son, James H., upon the old homestead, where she has lived for more than a half a century.

JAMES H. DONAGHY, youngest son of Joseph and Nancy Donaghy, was born upon the farm where he now resides, June 4, 1848. He was educated in the common schools and at Duff's Commercial College, of Pittsburg, and has

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devoted his entire attention to agriculture. He is one of the leading Demo- crats of his township, as well as one of its progressive and enterprising citizens.

SAMUEL RIDDLE, SR., came from Chester county, Pennsylvania, about 1800, and settled in Butler township, Butler county, close to what is now the limits of the borough of Butler. He subsequently purchased a farm in Franklin township, upon which James Cratty resides. It contained 100 acres, upon which he erected a log house and began the work of making a home for himself and family. Hle prospered in his efforts, and afterwards purchased the two farms where his grandsons, James and Samuel Riddle, now live, but died upon his original purchase, at the remarkable age of ninety-six years. Mr. Riddle married Hannah Harvey, and by this union became the father of the following children : Martha, who married Dr. Andrew Spear; James : Matilda, who married Jacob Brinker ; Eliza, who married Norbert Foltz; John ; Samuel, and Julia, who married James Harvey.

JAMES RIDDLE, eldest son of Samuel Riddle, was born in 1796, in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and was about four years old, when his parents settled in Butler county. He was reared upon the homestead in Franklin township, and afterwards located upon the farm now owned by his son Samuel, which he cleared and improved. He died there in 1870, aged seventy-four years. He married Sarah Potts, a native of Ireland, who died in 1837, leaving a family of seven children, viz. : William : Samuel ; John. deceased : James ; George, who died in Tennessee ; Alfred, a resident of Missouri, and Abner J., who lives in Kentucky. Mr. Riddle married for his second wife Eliza Potts, a sister of his first wife, who bore him the following children : Francis S. ; Sarah, deceased wife of Joseph Sponsler : Anna E., wife of John MeClure ; Theodore, and Nel- son, who died from wounds received at Chancellorsville. Mr. Riddle was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Prospect, and in politics, he was an adherent of the Democratic party.

SAMUEL RIDDLE, second in the family of James and Sarah Riddle. was born May 22, 1825, upon the farm where his brother James resides, in Franklin town- ship, Butler county. He received a common school education, and was reared a farmer. In 1850 he went to California, where he worked in the mines for two years, then returned to Butler county, and embarked in merchandising and hotel keeping at Prospect, in partnership with Jacob Phipps, under the firm name of Phipps & Riddle, which existed for two years. He next located at Wesleyville. Venango county, where he conducted a store and hotel for one year. Return- ing to Prospect, he was interested in various enterprises until 1:59, when he again went to California, but remained on the Pacific coast only a short time. He then established a confectionery business at Prospect, which he carried on for several years. In 1867 he was elected a justice of the peace, and served in that capacity for twenty-six years, removing to his farm in Franklin township in April, 1893. Mr. Riddle was married in 1853, to Elizabeth Allen, a native of Ireland, and their family are as follows: James ; Margaret, deceased ; Victor E. : Letitia, deceased wife of George Cowan; Alvin. and Annie, widow of George Cowan. While a resident of Prospect, Mr. Riddle was one of the pro- gressive citizens of the borough. and filled many of the public offices. He has

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

been a life-long Democrat, and is an ardent supporter of the measures and prin- ciples of that party.

THOMAS CRErenLow was born in Connoquenessing township. Butler county, Pennsylvania, October 5. 1812, son of John and Sophia ( Gray ) Critchlow, early settlers of this county. His father enlisted in the War of ISI2, and died at Black Rock, on the Niagara river. From an old diary of Thomas Critchlow's, it is learned that he was at Bald Ridge, in Connoquenessing township, at the age of sixteen, working upon a farm, believed to have been purchased by his father. Hle possessed a good education, and engaged in teaching in that locality. In 1844 he embarked in merchandising at Petersville, erected a store building there, and carried on business until 1859, when he removed to Prospect. He erected a store building in the borough, on the site of S. S. Forrester's store, where he conducted business two days a week. Fridays and Saturdays, until 1983, when he retired, transferring his business to his sons, F. P. and T. J. In 1862 be purchased the original fair grounds at Prospect, which he owned for several years, as well as considerable real estate in and around that borough. Politically. he was an ardent Democrat, and served as school director, always taking an active interest in educational matters. Mr. Critchlow married Eliza Dodds, a daughter of James Dodds, which union was blessed with four children, viz. : Frank P. ; George W .. a minister : Thomas J., and Dillie, wife of O. M. Russell. Mr. Critchlow died December 28, 1889, and his wife, July 27, 1891.

FRANK P. CRITCHLOW, eldest son of Thomas and Eliza Critchlow, was born at Petersville. Butler county, December 4, 1825. He received his primary education in the common schools and subsequently attended Waynesburg College. He taught in the schools of Franklin, Washington, Muddy Creek and Clay town- ships, for some years, and afterwards engaged in the huckster business. He next entered the employ of Thomas Wilson, of Centreville, as clerk, and in 1883 formed a partnership with his brother, Thomas J .. and succeeded to their father's business at Prospect, which they have since successfully carried on. Mr. Critch- low was married February 28. 1888. to Maggie R. Thompson, to which union have been born four children, viz .: Howard T .: T. Roscoe ; Robert F., and Alice. Politically. he was a Democrat until within a few years, when he became a Prohibitionist, and was the candidate of that party for the legislature in Iss7. Hle has filled the office of school director for nine years, and is also a member of the borough council of Prospect. Mr. Critchlow is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Prospect, and is an eldler in that society. He is connected with the Jr. O. U. A. M., and the 1. O. U. W.

REV. GEORGE W. CRITCHLOW. second son of Thomas Critchlow, was born in Petersville. Butler county, received a good education and afterwards studied for the Lutheran ministry. He is now located at Sagerstown. Crawford county, where he has charge of the Lutheran congregation. He married Felecia Nesbit, and they are the parents of five children.

JAMES CRATTY came to Muddy Creek township, Butler county. from the vicinity of Chambersburg. Pennsylvania, early in the present century, and settled upon the land now owned by Joshua McCandles. He was accompanied to this county by his brothers, Robert and Thomas, and sister Rachel. His

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brothers each selected a tract of 400 acres, upon which they settled. James was twice married, his first wife being Mary Johnston, a daughter of Bernard John -- ton, to whom were born two children, viz. : Sarah, deceased wife of Joseph White, and Mary, wife of James McDonald. His second wife was Jane English. who became the mother of the following children : Thomas ; Jane, deceased wife of David Dunmire : Margaret, deceased wife of Robert Morrison : Elizabeth, wife of James Morrison ; Rachel : Anne, deceased wife of Nelson Mvers : Matilda. deceased wife of William Phillips ; James, deceased ; Prudence, deceased wife of Alexander Wilson : Catherine, wife of Conrad Shanor ; Samuel; William ; Robert, and John. the last four of whom are dead. Mr. Cratty was a member of Mt. Nebo Presbyterian church. Ile was one of the early assessors and collec- tors of the township, was a Democrat in early life, and later a Republican. Ile served in the War of 1812, as a member of Captain Martin's company.

THOMAS CRATTY, oldest son of James and Jane ( English ) Cratty, was born in Muddy Creek township, Butler county, December 19, 1811, and grew to man- hood upon the homestead farm. At the age of twenty-eight he settled upon the farm where he now resides, in Franklin township, and has since cleared and im - proved the same. In 1839 he married Sarah Morrison, a daughter of John Morri- son, and is the father of three children, as follows : James A. ; Mary, deceased, and John M. The last mentioned married Hannah J. McCandless, and has four children. Ife cultivates the old homestead, upon which his father has lived for fifty-five years. Politically, Mr. Cratty has always been a Democrat, and in religious faith, he is a member of Mt. Nebo Presbyterian church. Ile is one of the oldest citizens of Butler county, being now in his eighty-fourth year.

ALEXANDER CAMPBELL was born in Parker township. Butler county. Pennsylvania, April 13, 1813, and was reared upon his father's farm. In 1837 he purchased a farm in Concord township. and April 11, 1839, he married Eliza J .. daughter of Thompson Jamison, of that township. Three children were born to this union, as follows : Joseph C., who enlisted in Company E, Thirty-first Ohio Volunteers, in August, 1861, participated in twenty-two battles and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga ; William T., and Andrew G. In 1878 he bought property in Mount Chestnut, where he resided until his death. Novem- ber 13. 1877. His widow survived until December 3. 1883. They were mem- bers of the United Presbyterian church, and died in that faith. Mr. Campbell was a Whig during the existence of that party, and afterwards a Republican.

ADAM ALBERT came from Virginia to Butler county, Pennsylvania, about 1799. and located on a tract of 500 acres of land in Franklin township. He resided upon that farm until he died, clearing and improving it. Ile was the father of twelve children. as follows : Daniel : Adam ; George : William ; Henry ; John ; Peter ; Andrew ; Elizabeth, who married Charles Henshew : Margaret. who married James Miller; Mary, who married Thomas Dunn, and Nancy, who became the wife of David Pearce. Mr. Albert was a member of the Lutheran church, and was one the pioneers of that denomination in Butler county.

ANDREW ALBERT was born in Franklin township. September 12. 1>24, son of Adam Albert, and grew to manhood in his native township. In January, 1846, he married Maria Baker, a daughter of Cadwallader Baker, and they were

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the parents of the following children : William W. ; Matilda J., deceased wife of John Stewart : Emma, who married Andrew J. Avery; Uriah, deceased ; Levi ; Mary E., wife of John Robinson ; Warren ; Alfred, deceased, and Cora B., who married R. O. Quigley. Mr. Albert and wife were members of the Luth- eran church, in which faith he died, June 3. 1890. Ile was a Republican. and filled several of the township offices.

WILLIAM WEIGLE was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, there learned the carpenter's trade, and subsequently removed to Lawrence county, where he married Sarah Hogue, in 1830. They were the parents of nine children, as follows : Abraham ; Samuel ; Jeannette, wife of William MeGinnis; John ; James, deceased ; William ; Charles ; Daniel, and Cyrus. The family removed to Butler county and settled in Franklin township, where Mr. Weigle died in 1880, and his wife in 1882. They were members of the Baptist church, and in politics, he was an adherent of the Republican party.

SAMUEL WEIGLE was born at Weigletown, Lawrence county, in June. 1833, learned the blacksmith's trade. and came to Butler county with his parents. In 1854 he married Barbara Albert, a danghter of George Albert, of Franklin township, and has five surviving children, viz. : George P. ; John M. ; Raymond S. ; William G., and Charles E. Mr. Weigle is engaged in business at Prospect, where he has carried on blacksmithing for many years. He is a member of the . Baptist church, and in politics, a Republican.

SIPE BELLIS was born in Harmony, Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1521, received a common school education and learned the black smith's trade. From Harmony he went to Portersville, thence to Muddy Creek, Worth and Franklin townships, consecutively, coming to the last mentioned in 1861. Here he pur- chased the C. Shannon farm, upon which he now resides. Mr. Bellis was married in 1845, to Mary, daughter of John Myers, of Yellow Creek, which union has been blessed with nine children : John C., deceased : George C. ; Lewis ; Cath- erine, deceased ; William : Samuel ; Charles ; Mary, wife of Benjamin McLangh- lin of Titusville, and Ollie, deceased. In politics, he is a Democrat, has filled the office of school director, and is a trustee in the Presbyterian church.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 161

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