History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 171

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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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

the passing years a large fortune, by successful oil operations and the development of that industry on the lands which he owned.

ARCHIBALD KELLY, a native of Ireland, was a grandson of James Kelly, who died at the siege of Derry, leaving one son, James. The latter married and reared four sons and one daughter. The sons were : Thomas ; Archibald ; John, and Samuel. Archibald was reared in his native land, there received a good education, and immigrated to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1755, where he taught school for several years. In 1796 he came to Butler county and located a claim in what is now Washington township, erected a cabin thereon, and then went back to Westmoreland county for provisions. Returning to Butler county, he found his claim had been taken possession of during his absence, and he selected another one. this time in Parker township, and then returned to Westmoreland for his wife and family. Some years previously he had married Margaret Dunseth, who had several children prior to their removal to this county. They made the journey on pack-horses through the trackless forest, being com- pelled to cut a pathway much of the distance. On arriving at his second cabin in Parker township, he found it occupied by John Jameson's family, who, after some forcible persuasion, vacated the property to the rightful owner. Mr. Kelly began at once the work of clearing and improving his farm, upon which he and wife resided the remainder of their lives. He was one of the first school teachers in this section of the State, and for many years wrote the deeds and articles of agreement for the early settlers. He was an elder in the United Presbyterian church, and died in April, 1839, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Ii- wife died some years before. They were the parents of the following children : James ; Thomas ; Hannah, who married John Jameson ; Martha, who married Thomas Martin ; John ; Sarah, who married Daniel Cannon ; David ; Esther, who married Hugh Fleming ; Margaret, who became the wife of Edward Flem- ing ; Betsey, who remained unmarried ; William, and Andrew, all of whom are dead.

THOMAS KELLY, son of Archibald and Margaret Kelly, was born in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1789. and was nine years of age when his parents settled in Butler county. He was reared in Parker town- ship, and attended the pioneer subscription school of the neighborhood. When eighteen years old he engaged in the distilling business, followed that vocation for thirty-seven years, and then settled on the homestead in Parker township, where he died on November 1, 1868. Mr. Kelly married Elizabeth Donelly. and reared a family of seven children, viz. : Archibald, deceased ; James ; Margaret, deceased ; Hannah, widow of John Thompson ; Matilda, widow of John Scott ; Jane, wife of Robert Storey, and Thomas. Mr. Kelly was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and an elder in that organization.

JAMES KELLY was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, January 6. 1815, son of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Donelly) Kelly, and grandson of Archibald Kelly. He obtained a good education, and at the age of twenty-six commenced teaching during the winter season, while in the summer he followed farming. This he continued for eight years, and then purchased a farm in Concord town- ship, upon which he resided until 1879, when he traded it for his present home-

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stead in Clay township. Mr. Kelly was married December 28, 1848, to Isabel Turner, to which union have been born eleven children. as follows : Elizabeth M. : Matilda J. ; Miriam C., and Thomas W., all of whom are dead ; Hannah V .. wife of Harvey Cumberland : Nancy A., deceased : James E., who married Sarah Carothers, and has two children, Clarence and Isabel ; Emma F., deceased ; Sarah M., wife of Charles Mershimer ; John H., of Butler, and Charles A., a resident of Chartiers, Pennsylvania. The family are connected with the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, Mr. Kelly is a Republican.

DAVID KELLY, seventh child of Archibald and Margaret Kelly, was born in Parker township, Butler county, March 22, 1800, and grew to maturity upon his father's farm. In 1824 he married Jane Tweedy, a native of Westmoreland county, born March 30. 1805. For some years they kept a hotel at New Alex- ander, and at Bairdstown, but removed to Butler county in 1833, and located near Bruin. Here David Kelly died, September 21, 1874, and his wife, April 27, 1877. He was quite a prominent citizen of that township, served seventeen years as a justice of the peace and held a colonel's commission in the militia. David and Jane Kelly were the parents of thirteen children, named as follows : John ; Archibald, and William, both deceased ; Thomas D. ; Elizabeth J., wife of David McKelvey ; David Porter; Margaret A., deceased wife of James Wilson ; Isabella, deceased wife of Abraham Daubenspeck ; Johanna, deceased wife of Samuel C. Turner ; Evaline, deceased wife of James Fleeger ; Alvina, wife of Andrew Bullman ; Salina, deceased wife of John Sutton, and Adelia, deceased wife of Myron Brawley. The parents were members of the United Presbyterian church.

DAVID PORTER KELLY, youngest son of David and Jane Kelly, was born upon the farm where he now resides, in Parker township, March 12, 1836, and was reared and educated in that locality. On September 9, 1869, he married Margaret McGarvey, to which union two children have been born, viz. : Nancy Jane, deceased, and Salina M., wife of Frank Black, of Bruin. Mrs. Kelly died October 17, 1872. He was again married May 6, 1878, to Sarah M. Glenn, a daughter of John and Dorcas (McIlvaine) Glenn, born in Clay township. Butler county. She was educated at the Sunbury Academy and for many years was a teacher in the public schools. Four children have been born to this union, viz. : Lucy Hays, deceased ; Bessie Woods : Ethel Gray, and Bertha Earnestine. Mr. Kelly and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, at Fairview, in which he fills the office of elder. In politics, he is a Prohibitionist, and has held various township offices.

THOMAS W. KELLY, son of James and Rachel Kelly, was born in Parker township, Butler county, September 17, 1833, and was reared upon the home- stead farm. In 1852 he married Rosanna Forquer, a daughter of John Forquer, of Washington township, to which union were born twelve children, viz. : Washington J .; Florence A., who married R. L. Gibson; Margaret E., who married Samuel Clark ; Sarah L., who married F. F. Howe ; Elmer E. ; Nancy J., deceased ; Maud B. ; Lewis M. ; Minnie ; Thomas L., deceased, and two that died in infancy. Mrs. Kelly died on August 23, 1894. Mr. Kelly is a member

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

of the Presbyterian church, and in politics. a Republican. He resides upon the old homestead in Parker township.

CAPT. ROBERT STOREY, one of the pioneers of Parker township. Butler county, was a native of Ireland, born December 25, 1776. Ile first settled in West- moreland county, whence he came to Butler county in 1796. and located on a 400- acre tract of land in Parker township. Ile built his cabin in the midst of the primi- tive forest, and through the passing years cleared and improved his farm, and resided thereon until his death, July 5, 1850. He married Jane Moore, a daughter of William Moore, an early settler of Oakland township. She died in 1833. Their children were as follows : Elizabeth, who married William Adams : Alex- ander; Jane : Ann, who married Eli Campbell: William : Eleanor ; Mary D. : Robert, and John. Mr. Storey was a captain in the War of 1812, serving in a company from this county. He was one of the early members of Bear Creek Presbyterian church, and was widely known and highly respected in the com- munity.

WILLIAM STOREY, son of Robert and Jane ( Moore) Storey, was born in Parker township, Butler county, February 11. 1820. He spent his boyhood days with his parents, residing with them until his twenty-fifth year, then located on a tract of land in the same township, which he began clearing and improving. He continued to follow agricultural pursuits until August, 1863, when he enlisted in Company E, Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and subsequently served in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth regiment. He participated in the battles of Hatcher's Run, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, Mine Run, etc. . \t the battle of the Wilderness he received a scalp wound which laid him up in the hospital. He is now disabled from the hardships endured in the service of his country, and draws a pension. After the war Mr. Storey returned to his home, and has since resided near the village of Martinsburg, where he owns 110 acres of land upon which there are valuable coal deposits. Though formerly a Repub- lican, he is now a Prohibitionist. He is a member of the G. A. R., also of Bruin Presbyterian church.

CYRUS CAMPBELL, a leading farmer of Parker township, was born upon his present homestead, May 18, 1826. His father, Joseph Campbell, was of Scotch descent, and came to Butler county at an early day. He married Mary Storey, a daughter of William Storey, and to them were born nine children, as follows : William ; John ; Alexander ; Joseph : James ; Andrew ; Thomas ; Mary A., who married Joseph Henlin, and Cyrus. The father died in Parker town- ship, January 13, 1875, in his eighty-eighth year, his wife having preceded him to the grave, September 22, 1869, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. Cyrus remained with his parents until their decease, looking after the farm during the latter years of their lives. He now owns 106 acres of the original homestead, upon which he resides. To this he has added 112 acres adjoining, and has made many improvements thereon, his residence being one of the finest in the town- ship. He has been very successful in business and possesses considerable inter- ests in the oil industry. In politics, he is a Republican. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, at Fairview, in which he has served as trustee.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN ALLEN, SR., a soldier of the Revolution, was born and reared in east- ern Pennsylvania, and came to what is now Parker township, Butler county. about 1796. He subsequently removed to Allegheny township, and settled on a tract of 100 acres. He resided upon this farm until an advanced age, and died at the home of his son William. He was twice married. By his first marriage he was the father of six children. His second wife was Martha Van Dyke, to which union were born the following children : John; Richard : Robert : Wash- ington ; William, and Martha, who married William Davidson.

JOHN ALLEN, eldest child of John and Martha Allen, was born in what is now Parker township, Butler county, December 20, 1799, and was reared upon his father's settlement in that township. Ile afterwards settled upon the farm where his son John R. now resides, in Allegheny township, and died July 4, 1865. Mr. Allen married Elizabeth Redic, a daughter of John Redic, who died February 22, 1864. Their children were named as follows: Eliza, deceased : Martha, deceased wife of W. T. Crawford ; Jane, and Mary A., both deceased ; John R., who resides on the homestead, and Richard H. deceased. Politically, Mr. Allen was an ardent Whig, and afterwards a Republican, and served in the office of justice of the peace for thirty-five years. He was one of the pioneer members of Parker Presbyterian church, and filled various office- in that society, being elder for many years.

JOHN R. ALLEN, the only living child of John and Elizabeth ( Redic ) Allen, was born April 4, 1827, upon the farm where he now resides, and received a common school education. lle has been a life-long Republican, and has been connected with the Allegheny Presbyterian church since its organization. Ile was married December 7. 1854, to Mary J. Campbell, a daughter of William Campbell, of Rockland township, Venango county. Their children are as fol- lows : Margaret, deceased wife of James Pearce: Elizabeth L., wife of John Warner ; Orrill Emma, wife of Josiah Pearce, and Harvey C., who married Ida J. Shimmel. Mr. Allen is a progressive farmer. and one of the enterprising citi- zens of his township.

GEORGE DAUBENSPECK was born in Parker township, Butler county, November 30, 1799, eldest son of Philip and Mary Daubenspeck, and grandson of Jacob Daubenspeck, who came from Luzerne county with his wife and family in 1796 and settled in Parker township. Here Jacob's wife died, and he removed to Clarion county. His original settlement came into the possession of his sons. George and Philip, both of whom spent their lives in this township. George Daubenspeck, Sr., married Ann Margaret Meals, and reared ten children. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in 1858, in his eighty-second year. Philip married Mary Freize, and reared seven children, as follows : Mrs. Cath- erine Warner ; George ; John ; Mrs. Mary Barnhart; Mrs. Anna HI. Kamerer : Mrs. Barbara Shakeley, and Lewis. The subject of this sketch attended a sub- scription school in boyhood, and followed the occupation of a farmer throughout his life. On December 27, 1825, he married Elizabeth Barnhart, a daughter of Daniel Barnhart of Millerstown, and settled in Parker township. Ten children were the fruits of this marriage, viz. : Daniel, who was killed in the late war : Philip; David: Abraham ; Lavina, deceased wife of Christopher Daubenspeck :

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William B , who was killed at Fredericksburg; Susanna, who was twice mar- tied, first to James Hutchison, and second to Shryock Harper, who died recently at North Washington ; George F. : Mary J., wife of James Gibson, and Jacob D. Mr. Daubenspeck and wife were members of the Reformed church, in which he filled the office of elder for many years. Politically, he was a Democrat, and served as supervisor, collector, and school director in Parker township. He died on October 7, 1881, and his wife, October 12, 1892.

CHARLES MCCAFFERTY was a native of Donegal county, Ireland, where he was born about 1754. He came to this country at an early date, and settled in the vicinity of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, where he married a Mis> Williams. Towards the close of the Eighteenth century, he removed to Butler county and purchased a tract of 110 acres in what is now Parker township. Here he cleared and improved a farm, and resided thereon until his death, in 1848, at the age of ninety-four years. His wife died some years before. The farm upon which he settled is now the property of his grandson, William J. McCafferty, of Butler. In religious belief, he was a Catholic, and in politics, a stanch adherent of the Democratic party. His children were as follows : Mary ; Mrs. Jane Kelly ; Nellie ; William, who located at Fairview and afterwards near Green- ville, Pennsylvania, and there died : John, who died in Butler, and Charles, who lived and died in Clarion county.

JOHN MCCAFFERTY, second son of Charles McCafferty, was born on the homestead in Parker township. Butler county, May 31. 1813, and grew to man- hood in his native township. He received such an education as the pioneer sub- scription schools afforded, and all of his life was spent upon the old homestead up to 1890, when he removed to Butler, where he died, November 2, 1892. Mr. McCafferty was quite an active man in his locality, and took a deep interest in the growth and. progress of the community. He was one of the leading Demo- crats of Parker township, and filled the offices of collector and assessor many years, and at his death he was one of the jury commissioners of Butler county. He married Mary A .. daughter of Joseph Murrin, of Murrinsville, Butler county ; she died October 16, 1891. Their children were as follows : Austin J., a deceased attorney of Butler : Louisa, wife of Daniel Wasson : Lena, and Lizzie, both of whom died in infancy ; Charles 1., of Washington county ; Mollie M., wife of John Barbary, of Glade Run : Joseph A., of Glade Run ; Matilda, wife of E. D. McKelvy, and William J., of Butler.

JOHN SAY, one of the oldest living citizens of Parker township, was born in this township. January 26, 1811. His father, John Say, emigrated from Hunt- ingdon county at an early day, and settled on a tract of land in what is now Parker township, Butler county. He married Sarah Martin, who bore him a family of four children, viz : John; James, deceased ; Fannie, wife of Samuel Jack ; and William. The parents spent the remainder of their lives in this county. John was reared amidst the scenes and incidents of pioneer days. In 1×36 he married Sarah Fletcher, and to this union were born five children, viz. : llamilton ; Eliza Ann, deceased wife of John Cannon ; Sallie J., and Ann Eliza, both deceased, and Perry, Mrs. Say died, and he married for his second wife Hannah Fleming. To this union were born the following children : Edgar F. ;

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George M .; Matilda, wife of William Butler, and Isabella, wife of John Heck- man. Mrs. Say died November 12, 1884. Though well advanced in years Mr. Say is still strong and active. His memory is clear and he vividly remembers many of the incidents connected with the early history of Parker township. He has been a life-long member of the Presbyterian church, and has filled the office of elder in that society.

GEORGE M. SAY, son of John and Hannah Say, was born August 24, 1863, upon the homestead farm in Parker township, and received a common school education. He was reared a farmer and has always followed that vocation. In 1883 he married Lena M., a daughter of George and Jane Knox, of Parker town- ship. They have two children : George K., and Jennie. Mr. Say owns 115 acres of the original homestead, is one of the leading farmers of the township, and takes an active interest in modern agricultural methods, his farm being a model one. Politically, he is a Republican, and a man of enterprise and public spirit.

OWEN THOMAS was a native of Virginia, born June 26, 1795, and spent his boyhood days in Ohio, whither he had gone with his parents during the pioneer history of that State. He married Martha Johnston, of Crawford county, Penn- sylvania, and was employed at Mt. Etna furnace, in Slippery Rock township. Butler county, for several years. He was a moulder and collier, and followed these occupations the greater part of his life. About 1830 he settled on a farm in Parker township, and died on July 18, 1868; his widow survived until July 21, 1870. They were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Thomas was a plain, industrious, honest man, and was highly respected by the community in which so many years of his life were passed.

WILLIAM FINLEY THOMAS was born in Slippery Rock township, Butler county, in 1825, son of Owen and Martha Thomas. He came with his parents to this township when five years old, and spent his boyhood days upon the farm, his education being obtained in the subscription schools. In 1852 he joined a party of prospectors and went to California, traveling overland on the government trail, via Fort Laramie and Salt Lake City. He remained in California eleven years, and in Idaho two years, prospecting with varying success and enduring the privations of the early gold hunter's life. In 1865 he returned to Pennsylvania and engaged in boating oil on the creek at Oil City. In 1867 he went to Mis- souri, where for a time he followed agricultural pursuits, and still owns a farm in that State. Returning to Butler county in the spring of 1870, he embarked in the oil industry, which business he has since followed, and is a stockholder in the Producers Oil Company, Limited. Mr. Thomas is connected with the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W., and the E. A. U. ; he is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, is a stanch Republican.

OWEN J. THOMAS, producer and farmer, was born where he now resides, in Parker township, July 21, 1839. He is a son of Owen and Martha ( Johnston) Thomas, and spent his boyhood days beneath the parental roof. In 1861 he went to Oil City and engaged in boating oil on the creek, also in hauling oil in wagons prior to the introduction of pipe lines. In 1869 he returned to Parker township, where he has since resided. Mr. Thomas was married Decem- 84

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ber 16, 1855, to Ida E., a daughter of I. S. and Florence Gibson. of Oil City, and has two children : Owen Gibson, and Robert Bryan. He resides upon a farm of 110 acres of well improved land, containing a splendid production, and devotes his principal attention to the oil industry. Politically, he is a Democrat, and in religions faith, a member of the Presbyterian church. Ile is connected with the K. of 11., the 1. O. U. W., and the Royal Arcanum.

HARRY M. CALDWELL, general merchant, is a native of Ireland, born in Ballymonney, Antrim county, March 28, 1812. son of Henry and Margaret (Mckay) Caldwell. He was educated in the schools of his native land. and learned the linen-maker's trade with his father, who was a manufacturer of linen. When seventeen years of age he decided to come to the New World, and embarked in a sailing vessel at Liverpool. After a voyage of six weeks he landed at Phil- adelphia, where he found employment in a harness-maker's shop, but afterwards learned the moulder's trade. In 1870 he came to Pittsburg and accepted a position as traveling salesman, later becoming a member of the firm of Morrison & Caldwell. In ISTS he located in the village of Bruin, Butler county, and established his present general mercantile business, which under his careful man- agement has proven successful. Mr. Caldwell has been closely identified with the progress of the village since his coming, and has taken an active interest in public affairs. He is a stanch Republican, and was appointed postmaster of Bruin in 1558 : he has filled various other official positions and has served as a dele- gate to both state and county conventions. In connection with his varied busi- ness interests. he also fills the position of station and express agent at that point. In January, 1876, Mr. Caldwell was married to Mary H. McKallip, to whom has been born one son, Henry K. MeK. The family are connected with Bruin Presbyterian church, and Mr. Caldwell is a Knight Templar in the Masonic order.

DANIEL WALKER was born in Tyrone county, Ireland, November 19, 1832. son of Robert and Margaret Walker, both of whom died in their native land. In 1849 Mr. Walker came to the United States, and from New York proceeded by canal and wagon to Pittsburg, and finally to Clarion county, where he engaged as a laborer at twelve dollars per month. In 1850 he removed to Par- ker township, Butler county, where he worked as a farm laborer with one man for six years, receiving as a part payment for his labor eighty acres of land. In March, 1860, he married Ann Eliza Guthrie, and settled upon his eighty acres in a little log cabin. His was prosperous from the start, and is to-day the owner of more than 500 acres of land in Butler and Mercer counties. Ten children were born of his marriage to Miss Guthrie, whose names are as follows: William G. ; George ; Samuel ; Margaret J. ; Lallah ; Annie ; John ; James ; Lulie, and Lillie. The family are connected with the United Presbyterian church, at Fairview, in which society Mr. Walker fills the office of trustee. He is a stanch Republican, and has served on the school board for ten years.

WILLIAM G. WALKER, eldest child of Daniel and Ann Eliza Walker, was born in Parker township, May 6, 1861, and was educated in the public schools and at Grove City College. On March 15, 1886, he married Lizzie J., a daugh- ter of William and Nancy J. Kelly, of Parker township, and has three children,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

viz. : Lillie May ; Lena Bell, and Charles Roland. In [891 he located upon his present farm, containing 100 acres, and is one of the progressive young farmers of the community. Ile is an ardent Republican, is quite active in politics, and has served as inspector of elections.

JAMES GIBSON was born in Parker township, Butler county, on the old Gib- son homestead, June 4, 1813, son of James Gibson, who settled in that township in 1797. He was reared amidst the scenes of pioneer days, was a farmer and riverman, and had the contract for shipping the Brady's Bend iron to the differ- ent river ports along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In 1839 he married Jane, a daughter of Walter Sloan, of Pine township, Armstrong county, who bore him a family of seven children, viz. : Miles M. ; Harvey S. ; Rebecca, who married William Gibson ; Eliza J., who married William Wilson ; James D., and two that died in infancy. Mr. Gibson was a member of the Presbyterian church, and always took a very active interest in educational matters. He died in 1856. His widow is living with her son. Miles M., at North Clarendon, Warren county.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 171

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