History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 167

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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United Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Shira has filled the office of ruling elder for several years. Politically, he has been a life-long Republican, has taken quite an active part in public affairs, and was elected prothonotary of But- ler county in 1884, in which office he served three years. lle has also filled the office of school director many years, and is one of the leading farmers of the community.

SAMUEL SHIRA, Second son of David and Maria (Hutchison ) Shira, was born January 7, 1836, upon the homestead farm in Washington township. He received a common school education, was reared a farmer, and is now the owner of 125 acres of well improved land. Mr. Shira was married on February 22. 1859. to Ruth E. Steintorf, who was born July 6, 1810. They are the parents of the following children : Calvin C., who married Clara Dodds, and lives in But- ler ; Ida M., wife of J. Horace Glenn, of Washington township; Annie E., wife of Edward Bell; Madge A. : David W .: Thomas P., and Eva F. Mr. Shira has a fine oil development on his farm, one of the most productive wells in the Washington field being struck there in 1893, which now contains nine oil wells and one gas well. He is one of the progressive business men of the town- ship, and gives his support to every worthy enterprise. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and has filled most of the local offices of his township. Ile and family are members of the United Presbyterian church.

PETER SHIRA, son of John Shira. was born October 15. 1800. and is still living in Washington township at the remarkable age of more than ninety-four years. On January 2, 1826. he married Jane Hutcheson, born May 12, 1800, and immediately following their marriage they settled in Washington township. Butler county, and began the work of making a home. They became the par- ents of four sons and four daughters, viz. : William H., of Parker township; Margaret .1., wife of William Lewis, of Washington township ; John M., and Fergus M., both residents of Parker township: Matilda, wife of M. J. Christy. of Washington township : Esther, wife of William Christy, of Venango town- ship ; Pelina, wife of D. M. Waldron. of Mercer county, and Alfred G., who enlisted in Company B. One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died in the service. The mother died April 6. 1892, after a happy married life of sixty-six years.

FERGUS M. SHIRA was born in Washington township. Butler county, February 4, 1833, third son of Peter and Jane Shira. He was reared upon a farm and received his education in the common schools and at Witherspoon Institute. On January 1, 1857, he married Catherine J. Kelly, a native of Slip- pery Rock township, where she was born September 1, 1839. Iler father. Samuel Kelly. was born in Down county, Ireland. December 25. 1800. and died April 28, 1880. Her mother, Eliza (McKee) Kelly, was born in Antrim county, Ireland, in 1814, and died April 17, 1880, eleven days before her husband. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Shira took up their residence in Washington township, where he followed the carpenter's trade, and also engaged in oil operating in Venango county. In 1869 he located near Parker City, which has since been his home. Ile followed his trade for some years, but Jater devoted his attention to oil producing, which he still continues to follow. Mr. and Mrs.

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Shira are the parents of two children, viz. : Samuel Curtis, born December 6. 1857, and Caspian H., March 17, 1860. He is an elder in the Presbyterian church, is a member of the Masonic order, and is connected with the Roval Templars. Politically, he is a leading Republican of his township, has served a- justice of the peace, and was a candidate for sheriff in 1882.

JAMES MANOOD was a native of Ireland. whence he came to the United States, where he married Sally Mahood, whose parents had immigrated to this country at the same time. They stopped for a short period near Hollidaysburg. Pennsylvania, coming to Butler county about 1800. His wife's family settled in what is now Penn township, while he located on a tract of 500 acres lying northwest of the site of North Washington, a portion of which is still owned by his grandson, James A. Mahood. He reared a family of seven children, as fol- lows: John: George; James; Adam: Thomas; Ann. and Sarah, who married Jacob Miller, all of whom are dead except James and Mrs. Miller. Mr. Mahood became a man of some local prominence. He was killed in middle life.

JOHN MAHOOD, eldest son of James Mahood, was born in 1800, grew up amidst the scenes of pioneer life, and endured the privations incident to that period. He married Lydia Meals, whose parents were pioneers of Washington township, and reared four children, viz. : James A .: George W .; Samuel, and Joseph. Mr. Mahood was one of the original members of the United Presby- terian church of Mt. Vernon, and died in 1851. His widow belonged to the same organization, and survived him more than forty years, dying January 16. 1893, aged eighty-six years.

JAMES A. MAHOOD. eldest son of John and Lydia Mahood, was born on the farm near where he now resides, January 14, 1830, was reared to farm life. and has followed that vocation up to the present. In early manhood he worked for a few years at wagon-making. On March 18, 1856, Mr. Mahood married Marilda Hilliard, a daughter of Samuel R. Hilliard, a descendant of one of the early settlers of the township. They are the parents of six children, as fol- lows: John L .: Margaret A .; Samuel E .; Cora M., wife of W. R. Turner : William E., and W. Scott. Mr. Mahood and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church of Mt. Vernon, and in politics. he is a Republican.

JACOB IHILLIARD, a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, was a son of Isaac Hilliard, a native of Germany. Jacob was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and after its close engaged in farming. In 1802 he located in what is now Washington township, Butler county, purchasing 300 acres of land where Oscar Meals now resides. Soon afterwards he and two of his sons secured a second tract of about 300 acres, and in the course of a few years the family owned about 1200 acres in that locality. Jacob Hilliard reared a family of nine sons, all of whom lived to a ripe old age, and became heads of families, except Philip, who never married. Their names are as follows : Francis ; Jacob ; Peter; George: Abraham ; Isaac ; John; Philip, and Elisha. Abraham and Isaac served in the War of 1812. The father died at the age of eighty-one years. He was a man of considerable local influence and prominence, and led an active and useful life.

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JOHN HILLIARD, son of Jacob Hilliard, Sr., was born August 3, 1795, and came to Butler county with his parents when a lad of seven years. He was reared in Parker township, and was married December 11. 1820, to Mary Parker. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom grew to maturity. Four of the sons served in the Rebellion, viz. : Eli, Israel, Peter and James. Eli was a lieutenant, and was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg. In 1823 Mr. Hilliard erected the first grist mill on Slippery Rock creek, at Hilliards, and followed that business the remainder of his life. He died December 11, 1869.

PHILIP HILLIARD, fourth son of John and Mary Hilliard, was born in what is now Washington township, February 10, 1828, was educated in the common schools and at Butler Academy, and taught several years in the public schools of the county. In 1856 he was elected a county commissioner, and at the close of his term was twice appointed to fill a vacancy as clerk of the board. In 1860 he was elected a justice of the peace, and served continuously for twenty years. In 1870 he was census enumerator for six districts in the northeast part of the county. In 1877 he engaged in merchandising, which he followed for six years. He is at present filling several township offices, and is one of the useful men of the com- munity. Mr. Hilliard was married on June 7. 1859, to Mary S. Coe. to which union were born four children, all of whom are dead. Politically, he is a Repub- lican, a high protectionist, and a stanch supporter of the principles of his party. He served as postmaster under Harrison's administration, and for forty years has filled some official position. He is the oldest living representative of this pioneer family, after whom the village of Hilliards was named.

PETER P. HILLIARD. miller, is the seventh son of John and Mary ( Parker) Hilliard, and was born in the village, of Hilliards, December 24, 1582. He received a common school education, and in boyhood commenced to learn the milling business with his father ; subsequently became his partner, and at his father's death succeeded to the business, which he continued down to 1888. He and his brother Philip are the only surviving members of the family in this vicinity. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty- fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served eleven months. He was taken pris- oner at the battle of Fredericksburg, and was kept in Libby prison for twenty- three days, when he was exchanged. He participated in many hard fought battles, and was mustered out of service with the rank of corporal. Mr. Hilliard was married to Sarah A. Rider, September 18, 1860, who became the mother of four children, viz. : John M. F .; Newton E. ; Nancy Bell, deceased, and Mar- garetta A. Mrs. Hilliard died July 11, 1863. He was again married, to Effina M. Hilliard, a grand-daughter of Z. A. Hilliard, of Washington township, who is the mother of one daughter, Chloe M. Politically, Mr. Ililliard is a Republi- can, and both he and wife are members of the Lutheran church.

HILLIARD BROTHERS, farmers and manufacturers of brick and tile, consist of P'. Lyman Hilliard, born December IS, 1848; M. Luther Hilliard, born Sep- tember 21, 1861, and William P. Hilliard, born in July, 1869. All were born upon the old homestead, where they now reside, and are sons of Samuel and Elizabeth (Jamison ) Hilliard. Samuel was a son of Isaac Hilliard, and a grandson of Jacob Ililliard, Sr., the first of the family to settle in Washington

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township. Their mother was the grand-daughter of a Hessian soldier who served in the German contingent of the English army, in the Revolution, and settled in Pennsylvania at the close of the war. The old homestead of Samuel Hilliard has been divided into three farms, the property of his sons. In 1887 they estab- lished a brick and tile yard upon the old farm, which is rapidly developing into a lucrative business, being the only one of the kind in the township. The family are Republicans, in politics. The Hilliard Brothers are recognized as enterprising and progressive business men.

THOMAS KELLY, JR., son of Thomas Kelly, was born in Parker township, Butler county, received a good common school education, and followed school teaching for many years. He afterwards settled in Washington township and engaged in farming. He was a Whig during the existence of that party, and afterwards a Republican. Ile filled many of the offices in his township, and one term as county commissioner. From his youth he was a member of the Seceder church, and after the union, in 1858, he was a United Presbyterian. He was an elder in both denominations, and was known as one of the most pious, God- fearing men in Butler county. Mr. Kelly married Miss Miriam Wilson, and to them were born the following named children : James W. ; John T. ; Richard ; Melinda, now the Widow Maxwell ; Thomas D., deceased ; Nancy, deceased wife of H. H. Daubenspeck ; Isabella ; Milton A., and Melvin B., the last three of whom are dead, and Amelda J., wife of Frank Peffer. Mr. Kelly was a natural mechanic, an industrious man, a fine penman, and was strong in body, mind and character. He died on October 2, 1867, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. His wife, a sincere Christian and a kind mother, survived him until March, 1871.

HARMON SEATON Was born in Washington township, Butler county, June 9, 1842. His grandfather, Robert Seaton, came from eastern Pennsylvania to Butler county in 1800, and settled in Marion township. entering 400 acres of land, upon which he afterwards carried on a tannery and woolen mill. The sub- ject of this sketch enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Second Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, in August, 1861, and served three years. In September, 1864, he enlisted in the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. At the battle of Fair Oaks he was wounded in the right thigh, and has been a pensioner since the Rebellion ended. In politics, Mr. Seaton is a Republican, and is now filling the offices of collector and constable.

ALEXANDER CLARK was born in eastern Pennsylvania, May 30, 1800, a son . of Col. William Clark, a native of Scotland, who served in the Revolution. After the war Colonel Clark settled in this State, and married a Miss Nesbit. Alexander was reared in Pennsylvania, came to Butler county in 1835, and set- tled on a farm near the center of Washington township, where he remained the balance of his life. Ile was one of the prosperous farmers of the community for half a century. Ile was twice married ; first to Eliza Storey, May 23, 1848. She was born in Fairview township, Butler county, March 18, 1817, and became the mother of nine children. By his second marriage Mr. Clark was the father of seven children. He died December 25, 1889. Ile was a Republican, in politics, and filled the various offices in his township. A member of the United P'res- 82

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byterian church, he always manifested a commendable interest in religious affairs.

JOHN C. CLARK. fourth son of Alexander Clark by his second marriage, was born upon the old homestead where he now lives, December 31, 1856. He was reared and educated in his native township, and has devoted his energies towards agricultural pursuits. Ile has recently engaged in oil producing on his own farm, most of which he has leased for that purpose. He is an active Repub- lican, and one of the prosperous young farmer- of his township.

WILLIAM ROYLE was a native of Chester county, England, and by trade a machinist. He married Sarah Simmons in his native land, and immigrated with his family to Pennsylvania in 1837. In 1840 he came to Butler county, and ten years afterwards purchased a farm in Allegheny township, upon which he lived until his death. They had a family of four sons, named as follows : William, of Allegheny township; Charles, deceased ; Robert, deceased, and Henry, of Washington township.

HENRY ROYLE, farmer and coal dealer, was born in England, in August, 1825, and came to Butler county with his parents. Ile purchased his present homestead in 1867, consisting of seventy acres, upon which he has since resided. In 1876 he leased some coal lands near his farm, which he has developed into a very lucrative trade, shipping as many as thirty tons per day. He has recently constructed a switch to his mine, and hopes in the near future to largely increase his business. Mr. Royle was married November 13, 1851, to Eliza Crozier, a native of AArmstrong county. Eleven children have been born to this union, whose names are as follows : Mrs. Sarah Jenkins ; Mrs. Harriet Cook : William; Mrs. Julia A. MeKee : John : Robert: Washington M. : Clara : James 11. : Isa- bella, and Catherine. Four of the sons, Robert. Washington, James, and John are in business with their father. Mr. Royle was a Democrat up to 1893, when he declared his intention to henceforth support the Republican party and a high tariff.

EDMUND JENKINS was born October 5. 1842. a son of Joseph Jenkins. On May 14, 1871, he married Sarah Royle, a daughter of llenry and Eliza Royle. He was then a resident of Brady's Bend, Armstrong county. Mrs. Jenkins was born August 31, 1853, and has two children, viz. : Mary, born December 6, 1877, and Ilattie, born March 29, 1879. Her husband died August &. 1878.

JOHN BEATTY, a native of Ireland, came to Pennsylvania with his parents in boyhood, and settled in Westmoreland county. He grew to manhood in that county, and there married Jane Guthrie, December 31. 1789, a sister of Jack Guthrie, a celebrated Indian scout of that period. Iler brother William was killed by the Indians during the massacre at Hannahstown. In 1792 John Beatty removed to Perry township, Armstrong county, and settled on a farm, where he spent the balance of his life, His children were as follows: Jane, who married William Campbell; Agnes, who married James Shepard : Margaret, who mar- ried a Mr. Hall, and after his death. James Guthrie ; John G. : Samuel : William; Elizabeth, and Sarah.

WILLIAM BEATTY, youngest son of John and Jane Beatty, was born in 1805, in Perry township. Armstrong county. Hle there grew to maturity, and married

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Elizabeth A. Sedgwick. They lived upon the old homstead in Armstrong county until 1854, in which year they located upon a farm at Annisville, Washington township, Butler county, where he died the same year. Mr. Beatty was an okl- line Whig and an Abolitionist, and was a strict temperance man. He served as a justice of the peace in his native county for many years. He reared a large family, and has many descendants residing in this section of the State.

JOHN L. BEATTY, druggist, was born in Perry township, Armstrong county, November 1. 1833. On the death of his father the care of the family largely devolved upon him, as he was the eldest. He worked for his mother for some years, and then purchased the farm and carried it on until 1871, in which year he sold out and engaged in oil producing. Ile followed the oil business for four years, removing to Hilliards in 1875, where he engaged in the lumber trade. He continued in that business until 1883. and then embarked in a drug store, which he has since conducted. Mr. Beatty was married June 25, 1857. to Henrietta D. McCool, whose ancestors came from Ireland. Nine children were the fruits of the union, five of whom are living, viz. : Edwin C. ; William S. : Gertrude E., wife of Joseph Burnett ; Maud M., and Clarence L. The deceased are : Laura B., who married W. B. Fowler ; George P. ; Philo .A., and Elizabeth L. Mr. Beatty and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he fills the office of Sunday school superintendent. In politics, he is a Republican, and has held many of the offices in his township. Ile is the owner of a farm of 125 acres adjoining the village of Hilliards, from which the Standard Plate Glass Company of Butler obtain the sand for polishing purposes. It is thus a valuable property, and brings him in a respectable income.

REV. R. B. STARKS, pastor of the Lutheran church at North Washington. was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, January 17, 1842. Ile is a son of Robert P. and Margaret ( Wills) Starks, natives of Mitlin county, of Scotch ancestry, and of the same lineage as Gen. John Stark, of Revolutionary fame. His father was a laborer, and had a brother who died while serving in the Mexi- can war. The subject of this sketch was educated at Selins Grove Missionary Insti- tute, and was ordained in 1879. He commenced his ministry in Will county. Illinois, where he remained for two years, and then located at Elderton, Arm- strong county, Pennsylvania, where he was pastor of a Lutheran charge for four and a half years. In January, 1885, he became pastor of his present charge, which position he has occupied up to the present. Mr. Starks served in Com- pany C, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, for nearly three years, being hon- orably discharged on May 29, 1865. He was wounded in the right thigh by a gun shot in front of Petersburg, for which he draws a pension from the govern- ment. His brother, Charles T., served in the same company, and died in the rebel prison at Salisbury, North Carolina. Mr. Starks was married May 12, 1880. to Jennie Kistner, who died July 27, 1882, leaving two sons : Benjamin K., born February 27, 1881, and Robert W., deceased. He was again married August 8, 1883, to Maggie Black, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Crissman) Black, of Indiana county. Since becoming pastor of his present charge, Mr. Starks has done much towards its spiritual and material prosperity, and the congregation is now in a flourishing condition.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

O. P. PISOR, physician and surgeon, North Washington, was born in Slip- pery Rock township. Butler county. January 16, 1853. son of John and Mary (Emery) Pisor, both natives of this county. The Pisors were among the first set- tlers of this section of the State, and located in Butler county as early aa 1795, their original entries being situated in what is now Worth township. We find in the first assessment of original Slippery Rock township, made in 1803, the names of Jacob and John Pisor, spelled in records " Poyzer." Jacob is assessed with 400 acres of land, one horse and one cow. and John with a saw mill and distil- lery. Adam and George Pisor came about the same time as John and Jacob, and settled in the same locality. Adam married a daughter of David Studebaker, the first settler of Worth township, and their son John, was the father of our subject. The family is of German origin, and numerous descendants of the original settlers are still living in the county. John Pisor, son of Jacob, was the first white child born within the limits of Worth township, his birth occurring on October 31, 1798. David Studebaker, the maternal great grandfather of our subject, came to Butler county from Westmoreland county. Ilis father was a soldier in the Revolution, and a captive among the Indians in boyhood for nine years. John Pisor married Mary J. Emery, located in Worth township in 1857, and was quite a successful farmer. He was a Democrat, in politics, and was an elder in the Presbyterian church. The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, attended the common schools in boyhood, and completed his education at Pine Grove Academy and at Waynesburg College. Ile afterwards engaged in teaching, which profession he followed for several years, commencing in the meantime the study of medicine with Dr. Patterson, of Slippery Rock. le attended lectures for two seasons at the Medical Department of the University of Wooster, Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1881 he attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, graduating from that institution in March, ISS1. He began practice at Harrisville, Butler county, remaining there for seven years, and then removed to North Washington. He has since built up a lucrative practice, and is recognized as one of the progressive physicians of the county. Dr. Pisor is a member of the Butler County Medical Society, and takes a deep interest in the growth and development of medical science. Ile is prominent in educational affairs, and has served as a member of the school board, and secretary of the same for several years. Ile is an elder in the Presbyterian church, and for some years superintendent of the Sunday school. Dr. Pisor was married October 4, 1881, to Margaret A. Jordan. a daughter of Henry and Isabella ( Orr) Jordan, a native of Lawrence county. Three children are the fruits of this union, as follows : Marshall Orr; John Plummer, and Frank Jordan. Politically, Dr. Pisor is a Democrat, and is a stanch supporter of the principles and measures of his party.

CAMDON MCKEE, of the firm of McKee & Company, merchants and man- ufacturers, was born in Allegheny township, Butler county, September 11, 1857, son of Josiah and Julia A. (Low) McKee. His father was born in Armstrong county, in 1819, and his mother in Butler county, in 1822. They removed to Ohio in 1887, where they now reside. His maternal grandparents were early settlers of Allegheny township, where the subject of this sketch was reared. On September 23, 1887, he married Loretta Sloan, a daughter of Samuel and Mar-

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garet (Irvin) Sloan of Venango township, Butler county, where her family were pioneers. Mrs. McKee died February 21, 1891. The firm of McKee & Com- pany carry on an extensive business in hardware, stoves, agricultural implements. wagons, etc., and also conduct a planing mill at Hilliards. The mill was estab- lished by Mr. McKee's father at Six Points, Butler county, in 1870, and removed to Hilliards in 1876. It was carried on by Josiah McKee until 1884, in which year it came into the possession of its present owners.

- WILLIAM K. PARTRIDGE, of the firm of McKee & Company, was born in French Creek township, Venango county, February 19. 1853, son of Thomas and Margaret (Kilgore) Partridge, both natives of Mercer county, who located in Venango county about 1843. William K. was reared on a farm, and on May 25, 1882, was married to Ada McKee, a daughter of Josiah and Julia \. McKee. She was born in Allegheny township, Butler county, and is the mother of two children : Mabel, born February 17, 1883, and Fred, April 17, 1885. Mr. Part- ridge located at Hilliards in 1884, where he formed a partnership with Camdon McKee in the mercantile and manufacturing business, which they have since carried on successfully. Politically, he is a Democrat, and in religious faith, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of North Washington.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 167

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