History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 94

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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WILLIAM R. COLBERT, eldest son of Isaac and Fannie Colbert, was born in Sugar Creek township, Armstrong county, January 31, 1525. He learned the hatter's trade with his father, and was connected with him in business until he stopped the manufacture of hats. He then engaged in engineering, which busi- ness he has followed up to the present, having had charge of stationary engine- at Pittsburg, Butler and other points. He married Jane, daughter of John Badger, of Centre township, Butler county, and they are the parents of nine children : Isaac N., deceased ; Isabel : Ada : William II., deceased ; Edwin D .; Henry B .; John 1 ..; Eliza J., wife of C. E. Graham, of Oil City, and Frank. Since 1843 Mr. Colbert has been a member of the Presbyterian church, joining that denomination at the age of eighteen years. In politics, he was identified with the Whig party up to the formation of the Republican party, since which he has been a supporter of the latter organization.

EDWIN D. COLBERT is the oldest living son of William R. and Jane Colbert. and was born November 24, 1856. in Butler, Pennsylvania. Ilis primary educa- tion was received in the public schools, and he completed his studies at Wither- spoon Institute. He then entered the employ of J. & H. Schneideman, of Butler, as clerk, and worked for that firm, Harvey Colbert and others until 1879, when he was appointed clerk in the United States mail service, which position he held for ten years. In 1889 he formed a partnership with David E. Dale. under the firm name of Colbert & Dale, and they have since carried on one of the leading hat and gents furnishing houses in Butler. Mr. Colbert is an adherent of the Republican party, and in religion, he is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is connected with Butler Lodge, Number 272, F. & A. M .. Butler Chapter. R. A. M .. the K. of P .. the R. A., and the B. P. O. E.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

DAVID E. DALE, merchant. and ex-register and recorder of Butler county, was born April IS, 1862, in Slippery Rock township, Butler county, son of Rev. AAbner and Sarah ( AAdams) Dale, the latter a daughter of James Adams of Slip- pery Rock township. Abner Dale was a native of Dale's Mills, Center county, Pennsylvania, and was educated for the ministry. About 1 56 he came to Butler county as pastor of the Sugar Creek and Fairview Reformed churches, where he remained a short time, and then accepted a call to a church in Mercer county. About 1870 he returned to this county to accept the pastorate of the Sugar Creek, Fairview and Millerstown Reformed churches, but subsequently, on account of failing health, he resigned all but the Fairview charge, where he died January 16, 1875. His widow resides with the subject of this sketch in Butler. Their family consisted of four children : David E. ; Margaret ; James, and Thomas A., all of whom are dead except the first mentioned. After his father's death the family removed to Butler, where David E. attended the common schools and Witherspoon Institute, subsequently spent one year at Thiel Col- lege. Greenville, Pennsylvania, and completed hiseducation under private tutors. In January, 1852, he entered the register and recorder's office as clerk under H. W. Christie's administration, and remained in that office until 1887, when he resigned to become a candidate for the office of register and recorder, but was defeated for the nomination. He then engaged in the insurance business until 1889, when he entered the gent's furnishing business with E. D. Colbert, under the firm name of Colbert & Dale, which is still in existence. In November, 1890, he was elected register and recorder, and retired from office in January, 1894. In politics, he is a Republican, and in religious faith, a Presbyterian. He is a member of Butler Lodges, Number 272, F. & A. M., and 278, I. O. O. F., and also of the K. of P. Mr. Dale was married October 7, 1891, to Mary. a daughter of Alfred Wick of Butler. He is a popular and enterprising citizen. and stands well in the community where a large portion of his life has been passed.

JOHN CLEELAND. eldest son of Robert and Phoebe ( Wimer) Cleeland, and grandson of Arthur Cleeland, was born July 16, 1811, upon the old home- stead in Muddy Creek township, Butler county, Pennsylvania. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and commenced business in a shop on the home farm, whence he removed to Portersville, where he carried on business fourteen years. In 1854 he located in Perry township, Mercer county, where he conducted business until 1579, and then removed to Sandy Lake, and continued business at that point until March. JS92. At that time he retired from active life, and now resides with his son, David L. of Butler. He has always been connected with the Whig and Republican parties. In religion, he is a Presbyterian, and one of the early mem- bers of the Portersville church. Mr. Cleeland married Betsey, daughter of William Morrison, of Muddy Creek township. She died in 1883, the mother of cleven children, whose names are as follows : Robert, deceased ; William M., a resident of Great Falls, Montana : Phoebe, who married Lewis E. Clark, and after his death J. R. Snyder; Sarah, wife of Jacob Kibler : Maria, wife of John Pattison : Arthur K., who was a member of Company F, Eighty-third Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, died from exposure while in the service, and was buried at

I. Lloleeland

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Harrison's Landing ; Isaac, deceased ; John S .; Hamilton, deceased ; David L., and Lizzie, wife of C. M. Farrah, of Sandy Lake.

DAVID L. CLEELAND, jeweler, was born in Perry township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1855, and is a son of John and Betsy Cleeland. After receiving a good English education, he entered the employ of J. R. Snyder, of Har- risville, Butler county, with whom he learned the watchmaker's trade, and subse- quently purchased the business. In 1881 he removed to Butler, where he continued the same business, and in 1888 he became a member of the firm of Cleeland & Ral- ston. This firm conducted business until the fall of 1893, when Mr. Cleeland opened his present commodious jewelry house, in a building purchased by him in 1890, which he remodeled and fitted up for the purpose. Mr. Cleeland is a professional optician, and holds a diploma of graduation awarded him June 15, 1859. Ile was married November 14, 1878, to Miss Flora Cubbison, a daughter of George Cubbi son, of Harrisville. They are the parents of four sons, as follows : Earl C .; Frank W .; Roy A., and Carl L. Mr. Cleeland and wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Butler, in which body he fills the office of elder. He is connected with Connoquenessing Lodge, I. O. O. F., and in all the relations of life he is one of the respected citizens of the community.

MARTIN J. REIBER was born in Goeningen, Wurtemburg, Germany, and was a dealer in seeds, flowers and fruit trees in his native land. lle emigrated to New York City in 1832, where he followed the occupation of a market gar- dener and importer of seeds, bulbs and flowers. From New York he came to Butler county, and purchased what was later known as the Reiber Hotel, in Summit township, whence he removed to the borough of Butler, where he died in 1865; his wife died in 1860. lle was one of the charter members of St. Mark's Lutheran church, of Butler, and was an elder in that organization. lle also served in the borough council at one time, and was a very worthy citizen. Mr. Reiber married Catherine Fetzer, in Germany, a native of the same town where he himself was born, and six children blessed this union : Catherine ; Martin; George ; Barbara, who married H. Julius Klingler, of Butler ; Jacob, and Margaret, who married Martin Loefler.

MARTIN REIBER was born in the same town as his father, and learned the florist business with the latter .. He came with his parents to New York, and thence to Butler, where he was married, in 1846, to Mary, daughter of Isaac and Mary Yetter of this borough. Ile at once purchased the old tavern which stood on the site of the Hotel Lowry, which he conducted until his removal to Millerstown, where he embarked in the mercantile business and carried it on some five years. Returning to Butler he erected the brick store still standing on the northwest corner of Main and Jefferson streets, and establishing the firm of Reiber & Yetter, began dealing in general merchandise. In 1859 he sold out his interest in the store and went into the foundry business, on Washington street, in partnership with H. J. Klingler. During this time he also operated a dis- tillery. In 1875 he engaged in the grocery business under the firm name of M. Reiber & Son, and in 1880 removed to the George Reiber block. He died in 1882 ; his widow resides in the old homestead. To Martin and Mary Reiber were born the following children : Ferdinand ; Lena ; Albert ; Martin H. ; Emma, 48

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

who married Charles F. Hosford of Wheeling, West Virginia ; Howard : Aaron E., and Cora, deceased. Mr. Reiber was a charter member of St. Mark's Lutheran church, and was connected with the I. O. O. F. Politically, he was a Whig in early days and afterwards a Republican. He was one of the charter members of the Bald Ridge Oil Company, and was a successful, enterprising and progressive business man.

FERDINAND REIBER. eldest son of Martin and Mary Reiber, was born at Millerstown, Butler county, June 19, 1847. He received a common school edu- cation, entered Washington and Jefferson College in 1863, and graduated in 1867. He then commenced reading law with Colonel John M. Thompson, and was admitted to the bar in 1869. In 1871 he was elected to the office of district attorney and filled that position until 1875. He continued to practice law until 1881, when he went into the oil business, organizing the Bald Ridge Oil Com- pany, the pioneer company in the oil development south of Butler. Mr. Reiber was also connected with the Mutual Gas Company, in which he held the position of secretary and director. He is now operating very successfully, and i- joint owner of some of the most valuable off properties in Butler county.

AARON E. REIBER, youngest son of Martin and Mary Reiber, was born in the borough of Butler. April 9. 1863. After receiving a common school educa- tion he attended Witherspoon Institute, and subsequently entered Washington and Jefferson College, and Princeton College, New Jersey, graduating from the last mentioned institution in 1882, at the age of nineteen. On his return to Butler he commenced reading law with T. C. Campbell, was admitted to prac- tice in 1855, and in 1859 was elected. on the Democratic ticket, district attorney of Butler county, and served in that capacity until January 1. 1593. Since leav- ing that office he has devoted his attention to the practice of his profession. He is connected with the K. of P .. and is a director in the Y. M. C. A. of Butler. lle is a member of the English Lutheran church, and takes an active interest in the prosperity.of that organization.

GEORGE REIBER was born in Wittemburg, Germany, November 23, 1815, son of Martin J. and Catherine Reiber. Ile was reared in his native land, and in 1834 immigrated to New York, where he joined his father and brother Martin, who had preceded him to the New World. He engaged in the hotel business, and also followed the occupation of a market gardener. In 1839 he came to Butler county and settled in Summit township, where he erected a saw mill. In 1846 he purchased a farm at Hannahstown, removed to Millerstown in 1848, and kept a general store in that borough for several years. In 1856 he purchased a grist mill and 137 acres of the Clymer tract, on the northeastern limits of Butler. and for the past thirty-eight years he has successfully conducted the milling busi- ness. He has remodeled and improved the property several times, until it is to-day a comparatively new structure, and contains a full roller process, besides the original buhr system. He also operated a distillery from 1865 to 1873. Mr. Reiber was married in 1842. to Mary Rigger. a daughter of Jacob Rigger, of Summit township. Eleven children were born to this union, as follows : Martin G. : Caroline, wife of William F. Miller, of Butler : Henry : Wilhelmina, wife of Rev. Mieser, of Detroit ; Mary L. ; Anna M. ; Elizabeth : George L. : Edward : Ida

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

F., and Agatha, deceased. Mrs. Reiber died on March 3, 1883. Henry, George L. and Edward Reiber, are prominently identified with the natural gas business, as the owners of the Independent Natural Gas Company, of Butler. Mr. Reiber is one of the oldest and best known citizens of the borough, where he has been engaged in business for nearly forty years. Inheriting a robust and vigorous constitution, his whole life has been marked by rigid industry, perseverance and energy. Coming to western Pennsylvania comparatively penniless, he has accum- ulated through the passing years a large estate, and ranks as one of the wealthiest men of Butler county.

GEORGE REIBER, SR , second son of John M. Reiber, was born in Germany, was educated in his native land, and there learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1838 he emigrated to New York, where he remained about six years, and then came to Butler, Pennsylvania, and became a member of the firm of Walter & Reiber, subsequently changed to Reiber & Boos, and finally to Reiber & Brother. He afterwards engaged in the distillery business, as a member of Jacob Reiber & Company, then in the wholesale liquor business, which he continued until his death, April 10. 1892. Ile married Margaret, daughter of Michael Burkhalter, of Alsace, Germany. in 1841. The fruits of this union were nine children, six of whom died in their childhood. Those living are : George J .; Mary. wife of John McComber. and Alfred M., all residents of Butler. Mrs. Reiber is living in the old homestead, which was erected by her husband in 1848. The family are adherents of the Lutheran church, and in politics, Democratic.

GEORGE J. REIBER. son of George Reiber, was born in the borough of Butler, September 22, 1850. He received a public school education, and after- wards spent a year and a half in a grocery store. In 1879 he went to Colorado and was engaged in the silver mining business for eight years. Returning to Butler he clerked in the dry goods store of Alfred MI. Reiber a number of years, and is now a member of the firm. lle is a member of the Lutheran church, and Democratic in politics.

ALFRED M. REIBER, son of George Reiber, was born in Butler, Pennsyl- vania. November 22, 1855, was educated in the public schools, and then engaged in clerking for Joseph Horne & Company, of Pittsburg, and afterwards for Horne & Ward, of the same city. In 1886 he returned to Butler and engaged in the dry goods business, which he has successfully continued up to the present. Polit- ically, he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Lutheran church.

JACOB F. REIBER is the third son of John M. and Mary C. Reiber, of Goeningen, Germany, where his father practiced medicine. His parents were married in 1800, and had a family of six children, as follows: John M., and George, both deceased ; Jacob F. : Martin : Mary C, wife of Christian Hauben- sauk, and Barbara. deceased. The parents both died in Germany, the father dying in 1833. and the mother in 1867. Jacob F. was born at Goeningen, No- vember 5, 1828, and there learned the business of a market gardener. Ile served in the German army, and in 1854 immigrated to the United States and settled in Butler. Pennsylvania, whither his brother George had preceded him. He en- gaged in clerking for Roessing & Stein, and afterwards for Eli Yetter, then traveled through the south in the wholesale seed business. In 1856 he formed a

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

partnership with his brothers, George and Martin, under the firm name of Jacob Reiber & Company, erected a distillery and operated the same until they went into the wholesale liquor business. The firm was dissolved in 1871, Martin retir- ing, but the firm continued in the wholesale business. Mr. Reiber was married in 1859, to Melissa, daughter of David Henshaw, of which union have been born seven children : Jacob, deceased ; Annie, wife of Dean Campbell of Millers- town; Margaret ; Frederick T. ; Mary ; Elizabeth, and Bertha. The family are connected with the Lutheran church. In politics, Mr. Reiber is a Democrat, and has filled the offices of overseer of the poor and collector.

FREDERICK T. REIBER, Son of Jacob F. and Melissa Reiber, was born in ·Butler, February 8, 1866. He received a common school education, supplemented by a course at Iron City College and at Witherspoon Institute. He worked first for J. C. Hill & Company, of Pittsburg. He was next employed as a hotel clerk for about six years, two years of which he spent at the Willard Ilotel, in Butler, and four years at the Central Hotel, East Liberty. In November, 1891, he went into the grocery business in his present store building, on the corner of Jefferson and MeKean streets, Butler, erected by his father the same year. He is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church, in politics, is a Democrat, and is connected with Good Will Hose Company.

JACOB KECK. justice of the peace and merchant tailor, was born June 26, 1830, in Baden, Germany, on the River Rhine, son of John George and Catherine Keck. He received a common school education in his native land, and also obtained a good knowledge of the French language, and after coming to Butler he took a course in English under a private teacher. He learned the cabinet- maker's trade in Butler, Pennsylvania, to which place he immigrated in 1850. In I>60 he started in business for himself, and conducted a growing trade until .13, and from the beginning up to 1892 he was also extensively engaged in the undertaking business. From 1877 to Is83 he carried on a book and stationery store in connection with merchant tailoring, the latter of which he still con- tinues. In 1869 he was elected a justice of the peace, which office he has filled continuously up to the present. He has been a member of the borough council six years, has served on the school board for the same period, and is secretary of the Workmen's Building and Loan Association, which position he has filled five years. In politics, he is a Democrat, and one of the active members of his party. Since 1850 he has been a member of the Lutheran church, and has liberally sup- ported that organization. Mr. Keck was married in 1853. to Margaret Kradel, a daughter of John Kradel, of Summit township. She died in 1872, leaving three children, viz. : Elizabeth, wife of Louis Keck ; Louisa, wife of Harry S. Kling- ler. and George F. Ile married for his second wife, Louisa, a daughter of Adam Trautman, of Pittsburg ; she died in 1887, the mother of four children : Theo- dore C. H. ; Edward A., deceased ; Gertrude Mary, and Walter J., the last de- ceased. Squire Keck is one of the public-spirited and progressive business men of Butler, and during his residence here of forty-five years he has won the con- fidence and respect of its best people.

JACOB Boos, grocery merchant, was born in flesse Darmstadt, Germany, October 21, 1835, and is a son of Charles Boos, born in the same place March 6,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

1800. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and died in 1880, having served as a soldier in the German army. He married Barbara, daughter of John Eich, in 1820, and they were the parents of four children : Barbara, who married John Fell, of Germany ; William, deceased ; Elizabeth, who married Jacob Hahn, of Germany, and Jacob. The mother died in 1853. Both she and her husband. were members of the German Reformed church. The subject of this sketch. learned the blacksmith's trade in Germany, and emigrated to the United States. in 1853. He settled at Pittsburg, and worked at his trade in that city until Sep- tember 12, 1854, when he came to Butler and entered the employ of Walter &. Reiber, blacksmiths. In 1857 he embarked in the blacksmithing business for. himself, and in 1860 he purchased the George Egner farm in Butler township, upon which he resided ten years. In 1870 he sold the farin and bought the. interest of George Webber in the firm of Webber & Troutman, which title was changed to Troutman & Boos. In 1872 he purchased a half interest in the flour -- ing mills of Grohman & Walter, which then became Walter & Boos, and he. owned a half interest in the property until 1890. In 1881 he embarked in the" grocery business on the corner of Main and Wayne streets, which site he pur -: chased in 1889, and afterwards erected his present substantial store building. Mr. Boos is one of the enterprising and successful merchants of the borough .. He was married, October 21, 1855, to Barbara, daughter of Jacob Walter, of: Butler, to which union ten children have been born : Annie M., deceased wife of Adam Hoffner; George, deceased; Louisa, wife of William Voskamp, of Pittsburg ; Emma, wife of Charles Kaufman, of Butler; Augusta, deceased ; Charles, deceased ; Clara, wife of Charles Gregg, of Butler; William, deceased ; Catherine, and Lida. Mr. Boos is a Democrat in politics, and the family is connected with the English Lutheran church.

THANEUS NIGGEL was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1814, and learned the stone cutter's trade in his native land. He emigrated to America in 1836 and. settled in Butler township, Butler county, Pennsylvania. He married Julia, a daughter of Frederick Stehle of Butler township, in 1844, and located at Bakt Ridge, whence he removed to the borough of Butler in 1846. lle worked at his trade and also ran a restaurant for some years, and then rented the Faller Hotel. which he carried on for two years, and afterwards engaged in operating a res-, taurant and bakery in Dougal's row. He was also in the stock-raising business. for some time. He died in 1862; his widow resides with her son David. They were the parents of five children : Joseph ; Thomas F. ; John ; David, and Rose,. wife of S. B. Hughes of Pittsburg. Mr. Niggel and family were early members. of St. Peter's Catholic church of Butler.

JOSEPH NIGGEL was born in Butler township, Butler county, August 15 .. 1845, and is the eldest son of Thaneus Niggel. He attended the common schools in boyhood and learned the cabinetmaker's trade, at which he worked until 1866; and then engaged in the restaurant business for one year. Ile afterwards. embarked in general merchandising on the corner of Main and Jefferson streets, which was subsequently changed to the hardware business, under the firm name of C. Koch & Company. In 1872 the firm became Niggel & Brother, and for the past twenty-three years this firm has carried on a successful hardware business.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Mr. Niggle was married October 5, 1869, to Barbara, daughter of A. Rocken- stein, Sr., of Butler, to which union have been born six children : Florian T .: Bertha R. N. ; Mary D., deceased ; Emma C. ; Valetta, and Mary. In politics, Mr. Niggel is a Democrat, and has filled the office of assessor for two terms. Ile is a member of the Butler Brass Band, and the Germania Orchestra. He is also connected with the C. M. B. A., and is a member of St. Paul's Catholic church of Butler.

CHARLES Koch was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1834, received a a good education in his native land, and was a clerk in a government office before his immigration to Williamsburg, New York, in 1854. The following year he located in the borough of Butler, where he found employment as a sales- man in Boyd's store. In 1868 he engaged in the hardware business, as senior member of the firm of C. Koch & Company, but in 1872 he sold out and embarked in the grocery business, which is still carried on under the firm name of C. Koch & Sons. Mr. Koch was married in New York to Cresentia Stegher, a daughter of Aurelius Stegher, June 14, 1851. Eight children blessed this union. as follows : Mary. deceased ; Frank W. : John G. ; Caroline ; Charles T. ; Stephen A .: Josephine, deceased, and one that died in infancy. Mr. Koch died at his home in Butler, August 5, 1872. He was a life-long member of the Catholic church, to which faith the family belong. His widow is now head of the firm which he established.

FRANK W. Koen, eldest son of Charles Koch, was born in Butler June 1. 1858, received a common school education, and afterwards attended St. Vincent's College. He then entered his father's store, where he continued clerking until 1887, in which year he became a member of the firm of C. Koch & Sons. Ile is a member of St. Peter's Catholic church, and in politics, a Democrat.

Jons G. Koen, son of Charles Koch, was born in Butler July 12, 1861, was educated in the common schools, entered his father's store as a clerk, and became a member of the present firm in 1887. In politics, he is a Democrat, and is a member of St. Peter's Catholic church.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 94

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