History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 97

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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HENRY MILLER, second son of William and Helena Miller, was born in Newport township, Luzerne county, September 15, 1856, and received a com- mon school education. In November, 1869, he began clerking for S. R. Dieffen- bacher & Company, of Butler, and remained with them and their successors for some two years. He next entered the employ of Charles Duffy, for whom he clerked for three years. In 1875 he formed a partnership with his brother, G. Wilson, under the firm name of G. Wilson Miller & Brother, which continued until 1890. In 1891 he established his present grocery store and has since built up a good trade. Mr. Miller is one of the original stockholders of the Citizens' Gas Company, and the Butler Agricultural Association, In politics, he is a Democrat, but takes no active interest in political matters. He was formerly a member of the German Reformed church, but is now connected with the Ger- man Lutheran church. He was married July 25, 1875, to Mary, daughter of Ilenry Eitenmiller, to which union have been born three children : Charles II. ; William W., and Alice E., deceased.

HENRY EITENMILLER was born in 1821, in Darmstadt, Germany. He learned the tailor's trade in youth, and early in the forties settled in Butler. where he engaged in that business. In 1869 he opened the Diamond Hotel, now known as the Park, which he carried on for several years. In INSS he purchased the property now known as the Hotel Butler, which he carried on as the Eiten- miller House until 1892. He then retired from active business, and died May 30, 1893. He married Elizabeth Rimp, of Germany, who survives him. They were the parents of one daughter, Mary, now the wife of Henry Miller. Mr.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Eitenmiller was a stockholder in the Bald Ridge Oil Company, and was quite successful in the accumulation of real estate. He was a Democrat in politics, and was a member of the German Lutheran church.

MARSHALL A BERKIMER was born in Rochester, Pennsylvania, August 23. 1859, and is a son of George HI. Berkimer. The latter was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, August 11, 1833, and after arriving at manhood, he was a sales- man in the dry good- house of John Dean of that city, also at the Bee Hive. In 1865 he started a general store at Rochester, and then traveled in the wholesale boot and shoe business until his death, which occurred November 12, 1892. In 1-56 he married Annie M .. daughter of William D. Renno, Sr., of Rochester, and had two children, Jennie E., and Marshall A. His widow resides with her son in Butler. Mr. Berkimer was a member of the Royal Arcanum, and also of the I. O. O. F. The subject of this sketch received a common school education and learned the undertaking business with John Murphy & Company, of Pittsburg, with whom he was ten years prior to January 1, 1893, when he established the undertaking business at 251 South Main street, Butler, under the firm name of Berkimer & Taylor. He married Mary J., a daughter of the late Rev. James A. Clark. of Prospect, Butler county, February 3, 1897. He and wife are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is a Republican.

JACOB C. BURCKHALTER, Son of George and Mary Burckhalter, was born in the City of New York, December 19, 1850, received a common school education, and learned the blacksmith's trade with George Reiber, of Butler, where he located in 1867. He followed his trade for many years, and finally went into the undertaking business, purchasing an establishment in 1893, from E. H. Anderson, which he sold to Berkimer & Taylor. On December 23, 1873, Mr. Burckhalter married Maggie Koch, a daughter of Fred Koch, of Butler, and has two children, George N. and Charles J. He is a member of the German Lutheran church, and in politics, he is an adherent of the Democratic party. He served as constable for two years, and has been a member of the Butler Fire Department since its organization. Mr. Burckhalter has recently opened an undertaking establishment on West Cunningham street, in the Troutman block.

ROBERT M. HARPER, son of Thomas and Margaret Harper of Concord township. Butler county, was born in that township, May 9, 1830. He was reared upon a farm, and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1850 he went to Cali- fornia, worked in the gold mines for two years, then returned to Butler county, and embarked in merchandising at North Washington. In 1872 be engaged in the oil industry at Parker, and in 1890 removed to Butler, where he is at present residing. He married Eliza J. Mechling, a daughter of Joseph Meching, of Washington township. The following children are the fruits of this union : Alwilda ; John H .; Agnes, who married E. H. Anderson, of Butler ; Elmer, deceased ; Josephine ; Jessie, and Frederick. Mr. Harper is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a trustee, and in politics, he is an adherent of the Republican party.

JOHN H. HARPER, son of Robert M. and Eliza J. Harper, was born at North Washington, Butler county. August 23, 1857. received a common school educa- tion, and clerked in his father's store at North Washington for several years. He

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was afterwards in business at that point as a member of the firm of Harper Brothers. In 1886 he came to Butler and opened a general store, which he has since carried on. Mr. Harper was married March 20, 1883, to Aggie Graham, a daughter of Malcolm and Mary Graham of Wilkinsburg. They are the par- ents of two children, Frances L., and Grace K., deceased. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, in politics, a Republican, and has served in the borough council. He is connected with Ziegler Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the K. of P.

PHILIP SCHAUE, son of Sigismond and Minna Schaul, was born in the town of Buk, Province of Posen, Prussia, August 1, 1866, and came to the United States with his parents in 1874. They settled at Hornellsville, New York, where he was reared and received a common school education. He began clerk - ing in the clothing house of Simon Turk, and in 1885 went into the clothing business as a member of the firm of Schanl Brothers, at Ilornellsville. In 1890 the firm of Schaul Brothers & Company was formed and located in Butler, and continued in the clothing trade until 1893, when our subject formed a partner- ship with Philip Nast, purchased the interests of Schaul Brothers and organized the present firm of Schaul & Nast. This store is one of the largest of its kind in this section of the State, and the largest clothing, hat and gent's furnishing goods establishment in Butler county. Mr. Schaul is a member of Ziegler Lodge, I. (). O. F., and of Clement Encampment, and is connected with Tent, Number 34, K. O. T. M., also with Butler Lodge, Number 170, B. P. O. E.

PHILIP NAST, son of Meyer and Etta Nast, was born at Schusk, Prussia, in October, 1851, and came with his parents to Seneca Falls, New York, in August, 1861. Hle sold goods in his father's store, and also traveled on the road in the same capacity. In 1890 he came to Butler as a member of the firm of Schaul Brothers & Company, which was succeeded in 1893 by the present firm of Schaul & Nast. Mr. Nast was married on July 29, 1890, to Sarah, a daughter of Rev. Sigismond Schaul, of Hornellsville, New York, and has two children, Max and Etta. Ile is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and one of the progressive busi- ness men of the community.

JAMES P. AIKEN, son of Alexander Aiken, of Wurtemburg, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, was born in that village on October 12, 1826. Ile received a good education, and followed school teaching and farming. He was a justice of the peace for three terms, associate judge of Lawrence county for two terms, and served many years as a member of the school board. In 1855 he married Nancy J. Frew, a daughter of David Frew, of Slippery Rock township, Law- rence county. Eight children were born to this marriage, as follows: David 1 ..; Agnes, wife of Charles Rhodes; Elsie M., wife of James E. Campbell ; Thomas W .; Elizabeth C .; James A. ; Annie, wife of Luther Clark, and Edna. Mr. Aiken and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and died on October 12, 1892, and November 20, 1893, respectively.

DAVID L. AIKEN was born on the homestead at Rose Point, Lawrence county, September 27, 1856, and was educated in the common schools, at Edinboro State Normal, and at Duff's Commercial College, graduating from the latter insti- tution in 1884. The following year he came to Butler, and subsequently embarked

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in general merchandising, as a member of the firm of Aiken & Campbell, which is still carrying on the same business. He was married on November 12, 1880, to Mary V., daughter of Maj. James H. Klein, of Slippery Rock township, Law- rence county, to which union have been born three children, viz. : Lillian. deceased ; James C., and Hazel J. Mr. Aiken is a member of Company E, Fif- teenth Regiment, N. G. P., and served with his company in the Homestead riots. Politically, he is a Republican, is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and is connected with the I. O. O. F., K. of P., and the K. O. T. M.

JAMES E. CAMPBELL, Son of Edward and Lavina Campbell, was born in Hickory township, Lawrence county, June 6. 1858, attended the common schools of his district, and followed farming and the plasterer's trade. After reaching his maturity, he embarked in the mercantile business at Grant City, Butler county, and was postmaster of that place. In ISSS he entered the firm of Aiken & Camp- bell, and has since been engaged in merchandising in Butler, as a member of that firm. On June 80, 1881, he married Elsie M., a daughter of James P. Aiken, of Lawrence county, and has five children, viz. : James E. ; Roy .A .; Lela; Frank 11., and Clarence E. Mr. Campbell is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics a Democrat, He is connected with the K. of P. and the W. of W. The firm of Aiken & Campbell is interested in oil producing, and also stockholders in the Armory Building.

PETER MANGOLD was born in Buffalo township. Butler county. August 11. 1862, son of John and Caroline Mangold. He was reared in his native township and at Freeport, and received a public school education. He afterwards followed mining in California, Colorado and Idaho until November, 1887, when he returned to Butler county and started a bakery in this borough. He sold out in [SS9, and then purchased the grocery store of Charles Minnick, which he has since carried on. Mr. Mangold was also in the ice business, which he disposed of to D. H. Sutton. He was married January 10, 1888. to Anna M. Kline, of Allegheny township, Westmoreland county, and is the father of three children, viz. : George, deceased ; Clara May, and one that died in infancy. Politically, he is a Republican.

JOHN GEORGE MUNTZ, a native of Germany, there married Christina Rapp. They immigrated to the United States, arriving at Baltimore, Maryland, July 4. 1804, proceeded to Columbiana county, Ohio, and finally to Harmony, Butler county, Pennsylvania, where they were among the first to build a home, in March, 1805. In 1806 they bought a traet of land in Beaver county, and lived there until Mr. Muntz's death, by accident, on June 4, 1812.

JOHN G. MUNTZ, youngest child of John George Muntz, lived on the farm in Beaver county until the spring of 1520, when he joined his brother Henry, and they carried on a store at Zelienople, Butler county. In the fall of 1826 he went to Natchez, Mississippi, to fill the position of general manager of a store, whence he returned to Zelienople. In 1835 he was appointed postmaster at that place. which position he held until 1810, and then embarked in the mercantile business at Pittsburg, where he continued until 1851. He then located at Butler, and opened a general store on the site of the Boos building, where he carried on busi- news until 1861. In that year he commenced the coal business, and was exten-

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sively engaged in mining down to 1871. He was then elected justice of the peace, and was re-elected in 1876, which office he held at the time of his death. April 12, 1880. Ile was an ardent Democrat. and an active and prominent worker in the party. Throughout his long residence in Butler he was a promi- nent member of the English Lutheran church, and also took a deep interest in the prosperity of the public schools, being a member of the school board for a number of years. Mr. Muntz married Mary B. Negley, a daughter of John Negley, one of the first settlers of Butler, to which union were born five children, viz. : Mary A., wife of W. 11. 11. Fithian ; Annie E., and Emeline, both of whom died in infancy; John N .. and Catherine R., widow of Judson G. Crane. Mrs. Muntz resides in the old homestead on South Main street.

JOHN N. MUNTZ, only son of John G. and Mary B. Muntz, was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, reared and educated in Butler, and served an appren- ticeship at the printer's trade, which he followed for a few years. In 1972 he commenced operating in coal, which has since been his principal business. Mr. Muntz was married in 1886, to Mary D., daughter of the late John P. Kramer. a banker of Allegheny. They are the parents of three children, as follows : John P. : Edward K., and Richard.

JOSEPH COULTER was born in Fermanagh county, Ireland, in 1817, a son of Henry and Sarah (Car-on) Coulter. llis parents immigrated to the United States when he was a young man, and settled in Franklin township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where they died. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and afterwards spent one year in the wholesale grocery store of his brother llenry, in Pittsburg. Ile then went to Memphis, Tennessee, where he was employed as a salesman in the wholesale house of R. A. Parker & Company four years, and later was connected for two years with a branch of the same firm at New Orleans. On his return from the South, he opened a general store at Wurtemburg, Beaver county, which he carried on for a short period. In June, 1847, he located at Unionville, Butler county, opened the first general store in that village, and conducted it successfully forty-four years. He was also exten- sively engaged in farming and was postmaster of Unionville for many years. Mr. Coulter was married in July, 1859. to Margaret A. MeCleary, to which union were born five children, as follows : Annie, wife of Thomas F. Wiley, of McKees- port ; Joseph H. ; William, deceased: John C., and Margaret. Mr. Coulter was one of the founders of Unionville Presbyterian church, and contributed lib- erally of his means towards that organization. lle was a stanch Democrat, and took an active interest in the success of the measures and principles of his party. In April, 1891, he retired from active business, removed to Butler the following June, and died on September 20, 1891.

JAMES SELLERS was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, June 27, 1828, son of Robert Sellers, a native of Yorkshire, England. Ilis father was a tailor, and was married three times, his second wife being the mother of four children, viz. : Thomas; Mary A .. who married Captain Dunbar, of Cleveland ; Robert, and James, all of whom are dead. In 1826 the family immigrated to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where Mr. Sellers worked at his trade, and also carried on the merchant tailoring in Cleveland, where his wife died in 1830. He mar-

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ried for his third wife a Mrs. Ogram, a native of England, who bore him two children, Elizabeth, wife of Solomon Smith, and Jeffrey, who was drowned in Frazier river, British Columbia. He died in the fall of 1859. The sub- ject of this sketch worked on a farm for many years, and when twenty-one years of age went to California, and spent thirteen year- in the gold mines. In [864 he came to the oil country and the following year located in Franklin, where he carried on the livery business for ten years, and afterwards conducted the same business at Millerstown, until the spring of 1852. He then located in Butler, conducted a livery stable for a year and a half, and then purchased the Eitenmiller House. He ran this hotel until March, 1893, when he sold it to F. S. Clark, and retired from active business. Mr. Sellers was married on November 16, 1866, to Melvina J. Lindsey, of Franklin, and was the father of two chil- dren, Frank and Charles. Politically, he was a Republican, was a member of the K. of P., of Millerstown, and also the A. O. C. W., of which he was past M. W.

PHILIP DAUBENSPECK, son of George and Elizabeth Daubenspeck, was born on the homestead in Parker township, Butler county, August 28, 1829, and grew to manhood beneath the parental roof. In 1851 he married Nancy Scott, a daughter of James Scott, of Fairview township, and in 1854 he purchased the Reep farm, consisting of ninety-seven acres, which he sold in 1861 and pur- chased the William Barnhart farm. He resided in Fairview township until 1884, and then removed to Butler, where he had purchased a house and lot of twelve acres of land within the limits of the borough. He has since devoted his principal attention to dealing in real estate. Mr. Daubenspeck is a deacon in the Reformed church, and was the largest contributor towards the erection of the new church building in Springdale. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist. Ile is one of the wealthy, substantial citizens of his native county.

WILLIAM BORLAND was born east of the mountains, in 1799, and was reared upon a farm in Butler county, where his parents settled when he was a child. In 1818 he married Annie Freeman, of Butler township, to which union were born thirteen children, viz : James; Lucinda, who married Abner Bartley ; John ; Margaret, who married Ellis Russell ; William ; Rachel, who married W. C. Glenn ; Mary J., who married Thomas Armstrong; Lydia A., who married Thomas D. Christie; David F. ; Nancy, who married Thomas Graham ; Martha ; Samuel, and one that died in infancy. Mr. Borland and wife were members of the United Presbyterian church, in which he filled the office of elder for many years. In politics, he was a Democrat. He died in 1867, and his wife in 1843.

DAVID F. BORLAND WAS born in Butler township, Butler county, March 11, [834, and was reared upon his father's farm. On April 7, 1858, he married Frances J. Ramsey, a daughter of William Ramsey, of Butler township, and has five children, as follows : William J. ; John S .: Emma J., wife of J. B. Argyle; Charles E. and Lynn D. The last mentioned was born in Butler township, December 23, 1867, and in 1883 entered the dry goods store of Ritter & Ralston, and has continued in the same establishment down to the present. Ile is a mem - ber of Connoquenessing Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is P. G., and also of Clement Encampment, and is connected with the B. P. O. E., of Butler. David

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F. Borland is a member of the United Presbyterian church. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has filled the offices of school director, overseer and supervisor. lle is engaged in farming and in the dairy business.

JOHN MICHAEL ZIMMERMAN is well remembered as one of the prominent citizens of Butler during his residence here of half a century. He was born at Goeningen, in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, in June, 1802, the oldest in a family of five children, and obtained a fair common school education. In 1816 he accompanied Martin J. Reiber to Holland, where they purchased a sup- ply of bulbs and flower seeds, and establishing their headquarters at Moscow, Russia, traveled over that empire disposing of their goods, also through Turkey, Egypt, and other eastern countries, as well as the southern nations of Europe. A severe illness in the fall of 1821 compelled Mr. Zimmerman to return home, and he did not resume his business until the spring of 1826. The following two years he spent in selling his seeds over his former routes. After a brief rest at home. he laid in a supply of flower bulbs and seeds, and crossing the Atlantic located at St. Louis, Missouri, and spent nearly two years selling goods through the southern states and portions of Mexico. In 1880 he returned to Germany, but the following year he again visited this country, bringing with him a supply of seeds, besides a number of old fashioned wooden clocks so familiar in pioneer days, which he sold in the principal towns of the northern states and Canada. Returning to Germany once more, he brought with him his wife and child to Philadelphia, and in 1832 came westward to Butler county, settling on the old Brinker farm, in Summit township. In 1533 he moved into the borough of But- ler, taking charge of the tavern which then stood on South Main street, where Miss Sarah MeQuistion now resides. About 1838-39 he bought the old Rising Sun tavern, later known as the Vogeley House, which he carried on until 1847- 48, when he sold it to William Vogeley, and purchased the Pennsylvania House, where the present Willard Hotel now stands. He conducted business here until 1868, then sold the property to Benjamin Jack and retired to private life. Mr. Zimmerman married Mary B. Vatter, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, to which union were born fourteen children, eight of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Mary, deceased; Margaret, wife of Walter L. Graham : Jacob, and Annie, both deceased ; Catharine, widow of Charles McCandless ; Caroline, wife of Capt. Samuel Walker ; George M. and Frederica, wife of HI. A. Wise. Mr. Zimmerman died in 1876, and his wife in 1883. They were Lutherans in relig- ion, and he tood quite an active part in the erection of the old German Lutheran church, of Butler. In politics, he was a Democrat, filled the office of county treasurer one term, and served in the borough council for several years.

DR. GEORGE M. ZIMMERMAN, son of John Michael Zimmerman, was born in Butler, November 18, 1842, he received his primary education in the public schools, afterward attended Witherspoon Institute, and graduated from Washing- ton and Jefferson College in 1867. Hle commenced reading medicine with Dr. Weaver of Canonsburg during his senior year, and after graduation he contin- ued his studies under Dr. Stephen Bredin, of Butler. He attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, in 1867-68, and was grad- uated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in March, 1870. He began

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practice in Butler, but removed to Hubbard, Ohio, in the spring of 1871, and in 1872 went to Winona, Minnesota. In 1873 he returned to Butler, where he has continued in active practice up to the present, having been also interested in a drug store during this period. Dr. Zimmerman is a Republican, and has served as a school director for three years. Since 1866 he has been connected with But- ler Lodge, Number 272, F. & A. M. He was married in August, 1876, to Mrs. Jennie E. Ralston, a daughter of Charles E. Ritter, of Allegheny. Four children have been born to this union, viz. : Mamie G. ; Sadie ; Frederick M., and John Donald.

BENJAMIN JACK was born in Worth township, Butler county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1823, received a common school education, and followed farming until 1858. when he came to Butler and took charge of the old Lowry House. He carried on this hotel for three years, then returned to Worth township and con- tinned to farm until 1864, when he purchased the present Lowry House, which he conducted until 1868. He then purchased the Zimmerman Hotel. now the Willard, where he died, February 12, 1877. After his death the property was sold to Robert Barron. Mr. Jack was married in 1853, to Hannah, daughter of John Kelly, of Parker township. They were the parents of six children, as fol- lows : John S. ; Annie E., wife of L. B. Roessing : Benjamin HI. ; William P. ; Clara A., and James P. Mrs. Jack resides with her son, John S. She is con- nected with the Presbyterian church, to which denomination her husband be- longed. In politics, he was originally a Whig and then a Republican, and was an enterprising business man.

JOHN S. JACK, eldest son of Benjamin Jack, was born in Worth township, Butler county, January 5. 1855. He received a common school education, and clerked in his father's hotel until the death of the latter. He subsequently became book-keeper for J. G. & W. Campbell, with whom he remained until April 1, 1893. when he purchased the book and stationery store of Norbert T. Weser. which he has since carried on successfully. Mr. Jack is a member of Conno- quenessing Lodge, and Clement Encampment. I. O. O. F., and in politics, he is a Republican.

HOWARD THOMPSON was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, November 21, 1852, son of John and Elizabeth ( Murray) Thompson. In 1868 be located in Venango county, Pennsylvania, where he found employment in the oil field. In 1872 he came to Butler county and engaged in oil producing, in which business he has been very successful. In 1890 he formed a partnership with John D. Brown, purchased the Hotel Lowry, and conducted it until July 31. 1891, when they leased the property and took charge of the MeClure House, Wheeling. West Vir- ginia. Mr. Thompson is still largely interested in oil producing in the Pennsyl- vania and Indiana fields. In 1878 he married Alice Watters, of Martinsburg, But- ler county, to which union, one son. Arthur, has been born. Mr. Thompson is a Republican in politics, and is a member of Butler Lodge, F. & A. M.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 97

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