History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 165

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 165

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JACOB BAUDER, second son of John and Anna Bauder, was born May IS, 1834, in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, and grew to maturity in that county. He accompanied his parents to Butler county, and remained with them until 1865. when he purchased a farm in Muddy Creek township, upon which he lived for seven years. Ile then returned to the homestead farm, where he has since resided, being now the owner of 225 acres. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany H, Thirteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served three months. He was married in 1865, to Louisa Bratschi, a daughter of Samuel Bratschi, who resided. in Muddy Creek township down to his death. Four children have been the fruits of this union, as follows : John N., a resident of Portersville : Elizabeth A .. wife of John G. Lutz, of Lancaster township ; Franklin E., and Henrietta R. Politically, Mr. Bauder is a Republican, is a member of Portersville Lodge. Number 909, I. O. O. F., and is one of the leading farmers of Muddy Creek township.

NICHOLAS BAUDER, third sou of John and Anna Bauder, was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1835, received a common school education, and was reared a farmer, He came with his parents to Butler county. and assisted his father in clearing and improving the lands purchased in Muddy Creek township. In 1864 he bought fifty acres from his father, erected a resi- dence upon it and made other necessary improvements ; he has also added con- siderable to the acreage of his farm since making his first purchase. In connec- tion with his farm duties, Mr. Bauder has been engaged for some years in purchasing and selling live stock. In 1861 he married Anna Bratschi, a daughter of Samuel Bratschi, who emigrated to this county in 1856, from Switzerland, and settled near Middle Lancaster. After his wife's death Mr. Bratschi made his home with the subject of this sketch until his death, in 1892, at the age of eighty- three years. He was a member of the German Reformed church of Middle Lancaster, and in politics, a Republican. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bauder, as follows: Anna, wife of George Barkley ; Nich- olas, deceased : Samuel, who married Nettie Powell; Helena ; Emma, deceased wife of William Covert ; Hays. and Herman. Politically, Mr. Bauder is a Republican, and has filled the office of overseer of the poor for one term, and also that of supervisor four terms. He is a member of the German Reformed church of Middle Lancaster, is connected with Portersville Lodge, Number 909. I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the Encampment.

FREDERICK BAUDER, fourth son of John and Anna Bauder, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1839, and when thirteen years of age came with his parents to Butler county, where he attended the public schools of his district, and grew to manhood upon his father's farm in Muddy Creek township. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundredth Penn- sylvania Volunteers, known as the " Round Heads," and served until December 28, 1863, he then re-enlisted and remained in the army until mustered out, July 25, 1865. He participated in the following engagements: The capture of Port Royal, James Island, where he was struck with a piece of shell on the shoulder. but not severely injured, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, where he was wonnded in the right index finger, Antietam. Fredericksburg, siege

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of Knoxville, Vicksburg, the Wilderness, and Spottsylvania Court House. In the last mentioned battle he was severely wounded. A minie-ball entered his upper lip, on the left side, and came out through the right cheek, tearing out his teeth and nearly severing his tongue. He was confined for several months in Mount Pleasant and MeClellan Hospitals, Washington, D. C., and at the hospitals in Germantown, near Philadelphia, and Pittsburg. He was discharged from the last mentioned hospital October 15, 1864, was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and located in Washington, D. C., doing guard duty, until mustered out of the service. Returning to his home in Muddy Creek township he purchased a part of the old homestead, and has since been engaged in general farming and coal operating, having two coal banks upon his farm. Mr. Bauder was married in 1867, to Rebecca J. Wimer, a daughter of Isaac Wimer, of Muddy Creek township, and has four children, viz. : Robert J .: Frederick U., deceased ; Jeannette, wife of James Powell, and Eliza, wife of John Wagner. Mr. Bauder is a member of Watson Brothers Post, Number 478, G. A. R., also of Portersville Lodge and Encampment. I. (), (). F. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, takes quite an active interest in the local politics of his township, and has served as supervisor and collector.

REUBEN FISHER was born in Slippery Rock township, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, in 1817. son of George Fisher, a native of Westmoreland county, who removed to what is now Lawrence county about 1797. He settled upon 100 acres of land in Slippery Rock township, where he spent the remainder of hi- life. His children were as follows : John ; Solomon ; Henry ; Jacob ; Reuben; Isaac ; William ; Polly ; Katie ; Bessie, and Andrew. Reuben was the fifth son in the family, and resided in Lawrence county until 1845, in which year he pur- chased a farm in Butler county, close to the county line, upon which he lived for fourteen years engaged in farming. He then bought a grist mill at Harlansburg, Lawrence county, which he operated until 1863. In that year he purchased 180 acres of land in Muddy Creek township, Butler county, where his sons, Wash- ington and Thomas, now live, and resided upon it until his death, in 1869. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Kennedy, who did not long sur- vive her marriage. His second wife was Barbara Burton, to whom were born the following children : Washington; Reuben, of Cranberry township; Thomas ; Phoebe, who married Jacob Leight ; Catherine; Salina, wife of William Upde- graff, and Lizzie. Mr. Fisher was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, of Rose Point, Lawrence county, and died in that faith.

WASHINGTON FISHER, eldest son of Reuben and Barbara Fisher, was born .August 9, 1840, in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, received his education at the common schools, and resided with his parents in Lawrence and Butler counties until his manhood. He married Sarah E. Pollock, a daughter of Alexander Pol- lock, of Lawrence county, and has one son, Chester L. He is engaged in farm- ing on a portion of the old homestead in Muddy Creek township.

THOMAS FISHER, third son of Reuben and Barbara ( Burton) Fisher, was born in Slippery Rock township, Lawrence county, September 7, 1859, and was reared upon the homestead in Muddy Creek township, Butler county. Upon the death of his father he received fifty acres of land, to which he has since added

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twenty acres more, erected buildings and otherwise improved his farm. He mar- ried Dora Taylor, a daughter of William Taylor, of Lawrence county, which union has been blessed by three children, viz. : Ernest ; Madge, and Winifred. Mr. Fisher was reared in the Covenanter church, and is now a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, of Rose Point, Lawrence county, in which society he is superintendent of the Sunday school. He is one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of the community.

ALEXANDER C. WELLER is a son of John and Mary (Vance) Weller, and a grandson of Philip Weller, who came from New Jersey, in 1812, and located on Big run, near New Castle, Lawrence county. John Weller was born in New Jersey, in 1800, came with his parents to Lawrence county, there grew to manhood, and married Mary Vance. He died in that county in 1888. They were the parents of six sons and five daughters. Alexander C. is the youngest son, and was born September 5, 1845. He received a common school education, and lived with his parents until 1867, when he settled upon his pres- ent farm of 114 acres, in Muddy Creek township, Butler county, where he has since been engaged in general farming. In 1866 he married Mary A. Riddle, a daughter of John Riddle, of Butler county. Ten children have been the fruits of this union, as follows : Cynthia E., wife of Jonas Fry; Willliam N. ; Mar- garet J., wife of Dallas Wimer; Minnie, wife of Glenn Goves; Elizabeth A .; John R .; Laura; George A. ; Ada R., and Wealthy Emma. In 1864 Mr. Weller enlisted in Company I, Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, and served until the close of the war. He is a member of Watson Brothers Post, G. A. R .. of Portersville, and is an ardent supporter of the Republican party.

CHAPTER LXXV.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CHERRY, WASHINGTON, MARION, VENANGO, PARKER AND ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIPS.

JOHN CHRISTY, a native of Ireland, immigrated to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, toward the middle of the last century, and settled on a farm near the site of Greensburg. He there married Sarah Dunbar, and in the spring of 1799 removed to Butler county and purchased 400 acres of land in what is now Cherry township, situated where his grand-daughter, Mrs. Martha Campbell, now lives. Here he erected a cabin in the primitive forest, and spent the remain- ing years of his life in clearing and improving a home for his children. His death occurred about 1820. The following children were born of his marriage to Sarah Dunbar : Andrew, and David, both of whom died in Cherry township;

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

John, who died in Donegal township; James, who died in Cherry : William, who died at Parker's Landing : Dunbar, who died in Cherry : Robert. and George, both of whom died in the same township ; Gilbert, who died in Mercer county ; Mary ; Anna ; Elizabeth, and Sarah, all of whom became the heads of families.

DUNBAR CHRISTY, Son of John and Sarah Christy. was born in Westmore- land county, in 1793, and was six years old when his parents settled in Cherry township. Here he grew to manhood, and purchased a tract of 400 acres in Clay township, his farm being where James Porter now resides. In 1837 he sold the original farm and purchased the property where Mrs. Eliza- beth Christy lives, consisting of 200 acres, and died upon this farm March 7. 1883. Mr. Christy was married on June 16, ISIS, to Mary Findley, a daughter of Judge Samuel Findley, of Clay township, one of the first associate judges of the county. She died in 1870, at the age of eighty-two year -. Their children were as follows : Mary, who died in early youth ; John F., who died in 1885; Samuel D., who died in 1864, while serving in the Union army ; David D., a minister of the United Presbyterian church, residing in Kansas; Robert F .. of Cherry township, and Sarah A., who died in infancy. Mr. Christy was a mem- ber of the Associate Reformed church in early life, and one of the original mem- bers of West Sunbury United Presbyterian church, being one of the first elders in that society. In politics, he was first a Whig, and afterwards a Republican, and took an active interest in public affairs.

ROBERT F. CHRISTY, youngest son of Dunbar and Mary Christy, was born August 20, 1828, upon the homestead farm in Clay township, received a com- mon school and academic education, and remained with his parents until their death. He followed teaching for several years, and was engaged in farming until 1893, in which year he retired from active busmess life. Ile is a member of the United Presbyterian church, at West Sunbury, is a Republican, in poli- tics, and is one of the esteemed and progressive citizens of his township.

ROBERT BLACK, a native of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, born about 1770. was one of the early settlers of Cherry township, Butler county. He was married in Huntingdon county, to Elizabeth Grossman. a daughter of Ben- ediet and Betsey (Stivert) Grossman, and in 1797 the whole family came to Butler county. Mr. Grossman brought out a small stock of goods, opened a store in a log building in Washington township, and placed Robert Black in charge of the same, but the store was soon removed to their new home in Cherry township, where they carried on the business for several years. About 1800 Mr. Black purchased 250 acres of land in Cherry township, where his son Joseph now resides. Here he cleared a farm and passed the remaining years of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. His children were as follows : Benjamin. born in 1800, and died in Cherry township; Henry, who died in Brady town- ship; Margaret, deceased : Robert, who went west and there died: John, who died in Concord township: Elizabeth, deceased wife of John Pierce: Adam, who died on a part of the old homestead ; James, who died in Allegheny town- ship: Simon, who died in the same township; Joseph ; Mary, deceased wife of John Turner, and Eli, of West Sunbury. Mr. Black and wife were life-long

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics he was a Whig. He was one of the pioneer constables of his township.

JOSEPH BLACK, son of Robert and Elizabeth Black, was born in Cherry township, on his present homestead, July 6, 1820. He was reared on the farm. and followed the millwright's trade four years. He then settled on the old homestead, subsequently purchased 178 acres of the original tract, and continued to farm the same until 1882, in which year he retired, and now resides with his daughter, Mrs. Henry Peters. Mr. Black married Polly MeCallen. a daughter of Robert McCallen, who became the mother of the following children : Mary E., wife of Joseph Kenahan ; Robert McCallen, who married Keziah McCoy in 1872, and who resides on the old homestead ; Julia Ann, wife of Henry Peters ; John C. ; Eli C., and Maria, the last three of whom are deceased. Politically. Mr. Black is a Republican, and is an adherent of Pleasant Valley Presbyterian church, in which society he has filled the office of trustee. He is one of the oldest citizens in the township, and is highly respected by the people of the community.

HENRY PETERS was born in Germany, in 1854, and is a son of Henry Peters. He immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1874, and found employment in the mines and oil fields of Butler county. In 1879 he married Julia Ann Black, a daughter of Joseph Black, and settled upon eighty acres of the Black homestead. In politics, Mr. Peters is a Republican, and takes a deep interest in public affairs. He is a member of Pleasant Valley Presbyterian church, and is a public-spirited and progressive farmer.

JAMES BOVARD was born in Ireland. in 1776. a son of John Bovard, # native of Donegal county, who immigrated to Pennsylvania about 1786, and set- tled in Westmoreland county. The family of John Bovard consisted of five chil- dren, viz. : John ; Charles ; James; Fanny, who married William Chambers, and Mary, who married Robert Foster. James was the only member of the family who settled in Butler county. In 1795 he purchased 200 acres of land in what is now Fairview township, a part of the site of Karns City, and resided there until the spring of 1824. The previous year he bought 250 acres of land in what is now Cherry township, to which he removed with his family the following spring. The homestead is now in possession of his grandson. Charles B. Bovard. He cleared the land, erected buildings thereon, and resided there down to his death. In youth he obtained a very limited education, but through the passing years acquired a wide knowledge of public affairs. He was a stanch Democrat, filled the various township offices, was county commissioner one term, and associate judge of Butler county for thirty-six years. In early life he was connected with the Associate Reformed church, known as Unity church, but when Centreville United Presbyterian church was organized he joined that body and gave liberally of his means toward the erection of a church building. He filled the office of elder until his death, which occurred in 1853. Mr. Bovard was married in Westmoreland county, before his removal to Butler county, to Jane Chambers, a daughter of James Chambers. Ten children were born to this union as follows : William ; John ; Jane. who married Thomas Floyd ; James C. ; Fanny: Johnson;

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Hutchison ; Charles; George, and Washington, all of whom are dead except the last mentioned.

WASHINGTON BOVARD, youngest son of James and Jane Bovard, was born in Fairview township, Butler county, April 9, 1819. He resided with his par- ents until maturity, and received his education in the pioneer schools of his neigh- borhood. In 1845 he embarked in merchandising at West Sunbury, which busi- ness he followed for five years. He then settled upon a part of the homestead farm in Cherry township, where he has resided down to the present, owning a farm of 140 acres of well improved land. In 1847 he married Naomi MeJunkin, a daughter of William Mc Junkin, to which union have been born the following children : Imelda, wife of John Bailey ; James, deceased, who married Sarah HIall: Angeline, wife of Clarence Campbell; William D., who married Belle Buchanan ; Orrin D., of Pittsburg, and Margaret, wife of H. Q. Walker. Mr. Bovard and wife are members of Bethel United Presbyterian church. in which society he fills the office of elder. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist. always true to his party and an ardent advocate of its principles. In 1855 he was elected a justice of the peace, in which office he served five years. He has been a school director for twenty years, and has filled many other offices in the town- ship. The postoffice at Bovard, also the railroad station, were named in his honor. He is one of the prominent, respected and enterprising citizens of the community.

CHARLES B. BOVARD, son of Charles and Mary Bovard, was born upon the homestead where he now resides, September 3, 1859, received a public school education, and has followed farming since boyhood. He now owns fifty-four acres of well improved land. In politics, he is a Democrat, and in religious faith, is a member of the United Presbyterian church, of Centreville. Mr. Bovard is connected with Lodge, Number 408, Farmers Alliance, of Branchton, and is one of the enterprising farmers of his community.

JOSEPH McCOY was a son of Thomas and Catherine McCoy, who removed from Virginia to Mercer county, Pennsylvania, prior to 1800. Ile remained with his parents in Mercer county until 1802, in which year he settled in Mercer township, Butler county. He had previously married Isabella Craig, a native of Virginia, to which union were born the following children : Thomas; John ; Nancy, who married David Johnson; Hiram C. ; Elizabeth, who married Alex- ander Black, and after his death Robert Mitchell ; Hugh ; David ; William, and Lewis. Mr. McCoy remained upon his farm in this county until 1820, when he went to Louisiana for the purpose of erecting a mill. and there died of yellow fever. He was a soldier from Butler county in the War of 1812.

IIIRAM C. McCOY was born in Mercer township, Butler county, August 17, 1811, third son of Joseph and Isabella McCoy. He was about nine years old when his father died, leaving the family in straightened circumstances, and his opportunities for an education were thus limited to a few months each year in the pioneer schools of his neighborhood. At the age of seventeen he com- menced to learn the wagon-maker's trade, which he followed for some years. He then entered the employ of Thomas Kyle, a merchant of Harrisville, later engaged in business with his employer, and opened a store in Wolf Creek township,

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Mercer county. In 1850 he formed a partnership with Judge Kerr and opened a store at Anandale, Butler county. He subsequently purchased Kerr's interest and continued the business until 1861, in which year he was elected to the legis- lature, and re-elected in 1862. In 1863 he embarked in the hotel business at Anandale, and conducted a hotel there for several years. About 1868, in part- nership with Jacob Grossman, he built a grist mill at New Hope, Cherry town- ship, and operated it for several years. In 1870 he was appointed an associate judge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Cummins, and was the Republican nominee for the same office, but was defeated by the late Samuel Marshall. In 1871, in connection with Charles Duffy, he opened a general store at Anandale. and this partnership continued until 1878, when the firm of II. C. McCoy & Son was formed, and existed until the death of Judge McCoy, October 20, 1893. In politics, he was originally a Whig, but upon the formation of the Republican party he cast his fortunes with that organization and continued to support it down to his death. He was quite prominent in local affairs, and besides serving in the legislature and on the bench, he was a justice of the peace for some years, and also filled the positions of school director, postmaster, etc., for a long period. He was quite an extensive dealer in real estate, and actively identified with agricultural interests throughout his life. Judge McCoy was twice married; first in 1834, to Sarah McCallen, a daughter of Robert McCallen. She died in 1837, leaving three children, viz. : Lewis B., of Washington ; Mary A., wife of Robert Shira, and Sarah M., wife of Ephraim Black. His second wife was Ilarriet McCallen. a sister of his first wife, to which union were born two children : Isabella, deceased wife of Lewis Seaton, and John F. Mrs. McCoy survives her husband and is spending her last years with her children. Judge McCoy was a member of the United Presbyterian church, a man of strong religions convictions, and gave liberally of his means toward the erection of the church building at Mt. Vernon. He was a man of broad views and liberal opinions, and one of the leading men of the community, being progressive, enter- prising and public-spirited.

JOHN F. McCoy. youngest son of Iliram C. MeCoy, was born May 10, 1857, in Butler county. He received a common school education, and was associated with his father in business until the death of the latter, since which event he has continued alone. lle married Clara Christley, a daughter of T. F. Christley, of Cherry township. Ile has filled the office of postmaster of Anan- dale, and his wife is now holding the same position. Politically, he is a Repub- lican.

HENRY WOLFORD, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, settleet in Slippery Rock township. Butler county, in 1804, where he purchased 125 acres of land, erected a cabin and began life in the forests of this county. His father, John Wolford, was a native of eastern Pennsylvania, and came of Dutch ancestry. He lived and died in Westmoreland county where he followed the occupation of a miller and farmer. His family consisted of the following chil- dren : George; John: Peter; Henry; Christian : Daniel ; Jacob; Betsey, and Susan. All of these died in Westmoreland county excepting George, who set- tled in Indiana county. John who located in Mercer county, and Henry who came

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to Butler county, and spent the remaining years of his life here. After residing in Slippery Rock township for many years. Henry purchased a small place at Coaltown. Cherry township, where he died. He married Mary Frick, of West- moreland county, to which union were born thirteen children, as follows : Mary. deceased wife of Daniel Kiester; John, of Prospect; Henry, deceased : Betsey, widow of Samuel Ralston; Margaret, deceased wife of Jesse Kiester ; Catherine, deceased wife of Joseph Fair ; Jacob ; Daniel, deceased ; Sarah, deceased wife of John Kiester; George, deceased ; Peter, of Venango county : Eli, a resident of Ohio, and Angeline. wife of Henry Bolinger. Mr. Wolford was a member of the Lutheran church, and both he and wife died in that faith. In politics, he was a Whig.

JACOB WOLFORD. son of Henry and Mary Wolford, was born on the farm in Slippery Rock township, Butler county, April 22, 1817. He attended the pioneer subscription schools, and worked upon the farm assisting his parents in the home duties. At the age of twenty-two he settled in Clay township, and in 1848 he purchased 100 acres of land where he now resides, to which he has since added fifty acres, and also owns an adjoining farm of sixty-two acres. He has one of the best improved farms in Cherry township, but of late years has prac- tically retired from active labor, being now in his seventy-eighth year. Mr. Wol- ford married Lavina Adams, a daughter of John Adams, who bore him the fol- lowing children : Perry : Emeline, wife of Foster Hindman : Milton, a resident of Illinois; Lewis, of the same State; Charlotte, and Nelson, both deceased ; George : John, deceased : Sarah M .. wife of William Stewart, and Angeline. wife of W. Tinker. Mr. Wolford is a Republican, and has filled the office of school director and other official positions in his township. He is one of the original members of the United Presbyterian church of West Sunbury. in which society he has been a trustee for twenty years. He has been a liberal contributor towards the erection of three church building> in West Sunbury, and is a gen- erou- supporter of every worthy enterprise. He is one of the leading citizens of Cherry township. where he has resided for nearly half a century.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 165

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