USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 71
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Reed, of Jefferson Borough, this county, and subsequently attended the Western Reserve Medical University at Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated in 1852. In 1853 he first engaged in the practice of his profession in Greene County, where he spent the remainder of his life in active practice. His practice in Greensboro and vicinity was quite extensive from 1853 until his death, which occurred Sep- tember 18, 1884. Dr. Birch took an active interest in education, and served as school director for twelve years. He was an active member of the I. O. O. F. and the Masonic fraternity. He was mar- ried in this county, February 17, 1854, to Miss Adelia, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Kramer) Jones, who were of Welsh and English origin. Dr. and Mrs. Birch were the parents of eight chil- dren-two daughters, both deceased, and six sons, four living: Will- iam David, a carriage trimmer; B. J., a physician; George F., a book-keeper, and Samnel B., who is registered as a drug clerk. The Doctor was a member of the Disciple Church, and his wife is a de- voted Baptist. Their second son, B. J., who was born in Greensboro, attended the University at Morgantown, W. Va., and read medicine at Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated in 1883. He also attended the Medico-Chirurgical College at Philadelphia, graduating in 1887, and has since been engaged in the drug business and the practice of his chosen profession, at Greensboro, Penn.
JAMES A. BLACK, farmer and stock-grower, who was born in Greensboro, Penn., May 19, 1822, is a son of Benjamin F. and Sophia (Gabler) Black. His parents were natives of Greensboro, and of German and Scotch descent. His father, the brother of IIon. C. A. Black, a prominent attorney of Waynesburg, Penn., was a merchant and justice of the peace in Greensboro, and served one term in the State Legislature. He died in his forty-second year, June 10, 1843, leaving a family of six children. James was the second and was reared in Greensboro. He has made farming his chief occupation, and owns his present farm near Greensboro and other valuable lands. In 1844 Mr. Black married Miss Ann, daughter of James and Sarah M. (Morris) Steele, and they have a family of eight children, viz .: Charles E., John S., Emma V., wife of Rev. Mr. Patterson, of Mead- ville, Penn .; Anna, wife of Rev. Mr. McGree; James A., B. F., Samnel and Asia, five of whom, with their mother, are faithful men- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Black has served as justice of the peace at Greensboro for over a quarter of a century, and was at one time Master in the Masonic lodge.
J. S. BLACK, farmer and coal merchant, Greensboro, Penn., was born in Greensboro, March 30, 1852. His parents were James and . Sarah (Steele) Black, the former a native, of Virginia and the latter of Greene County, Penn. The subject of this sketch is the fourth in a family of eight children. He was reared in Greensboro and
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attended the common school. His first occupation was that of farm- ing. He then engaged in the coal business, which he has since carried on quite extensively. Mr. Black was married in Fayette County, Penn., December 12, 1876, to Miss Jessie Nicholson. Her parents were natives of Fayette County, and of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Black have four children-Eunice Aden, Nina May, Bessie N. and Albert Crystie. Mr. Black is a Democrat, and belongs to the Methodist Church. His wife is a Presbyterian.
JAMES E. BLACKSHERE, farmer and stock-grower, Maple- town, Penn., was born in Monongahela Township, Greene County, Penn., April 15, 1832. His parents, Frank and Sarah Blackshere, who were natives of Delaware, came to Pennsylvania early in life and settled in Greene County. Mrs. Blackshere is still living, having reached the advanced age of eighty-five years. They had a family of four children, of whom James E. is the youngest. IIe was reared on the farm and attended the common schools of the township. Mr. Blackshere is a prosperous farmer and owns a fine farm of 450 acres where he now resides. In 1856 Mr. Blackshere married Eliza, daughter of William Gray, who was among the wealthiest men of Greene County. Mr. and Mrs. Blackshere's children are six in number.
A. V. BOUGHNER is a merchant and postmaster of Greens- boro, Penn., where he was born in 1830. He is a son of Daniel and Mary (Vance) Bonghner, being the youngest in their family of six sons and three daughters. Mr. Boughner was reared in Greensboro, where he received a common-school education, and had some ad- vantages above the common schools. He learned the potter's trade, in which business he engaged for almost twenty-five years. He also carried on a store during that time, and since 1868 has given all his attention to merchandising. In 1857 Mr. Boughner married Perie Minor, who is of English descent. Their children are-Alice, wife of Harry C. Lemmon; Mary, Eunice, Sherman and Claude. Mr. Boughner is a Democrat in politics, and was appointed to his pres- ent position of postmaster in 1885. He and wife were zealous members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an official member. His wife died in 1880.
O. P. COOPER, merchant miller, Mapletown, Penn., was born in Preston County, Virginia, April 25, 1836, and is a son of John G. and Elizabeth (Kearns) Cooper, who were natives of Virginia, and of German origin. His father, who was a miller and hatter by occu- pation, died in 1868, in Fayette County, Penn., where he had resided for many years. His family consisted of eleven children, of whom O. P. is the seventh. He remained in Fayette County till he was ten years of age, then came to Greene County, and received his edu- cation from the common schools. Early in life Mr. Cooper learned
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
the miller's trade, and spent most of his life in that business. His long experience and natural mechanical ability, coupled with his universally polite and gentlemanly demeanor, eminently qualify him for his chosen occupation. In 1885 he bought the old Minor mill in Monongahela Township, which he has refitted and greatly im- proved. Mr. Cooper was married in Greene County to a Miss IIil- debrand, who was a native of this county, and of German descent. Their children are -- Walter L., principal of schools at Alton, Penn .; John F., telegraph operator and agent on B. & O. R. R .; Joseph M., practical engineer; Jefferson, in government land office in Kansas; Lewis M., a miller; Oliver P., studying medicine; Harry E., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
A. B. DONAWAY, a druggist of Greensboro, Penn., was born near Brownsville, Fayette County, Penn., April 3, 1849. He is a son of John and Margaret (Robinson) Donaway, who were of Irish and English descent. ILis father, who was a teamster, died in 1882. His mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. They had a family of three sons and one daughter. A. B., the young- est of the family, was reared in Greensboro, where he learned the potter's trade and followed it as a business until 1872. He then engaged in the drug business, in which he has met with unnsnal success. In 1878 Mr. Donaway married Elizabeth, daughter of E. O. Ewing, and they have three children-Minor G., Katie and War- ren. Mr. Donaway is a Democrat, has been a member ef the town council of Greensboro, and served as street commissioner. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum.
J. H. DULANY, merchant and postmaster, Mapletown, Penn., was born in Cumberland Township, this county, August 13, 1856. He is a son of Dennis and Elizabeth (Seaton) Dulany, natives of Greene County, and of English descent. His father is a tailor by occupation, in which he is now engaged at Garard's Fort, Penn. The subject of this sketch is the sixth in a family of seven children. He was reared in Greene County, where he attended the common schools. While at home he assisted his father in the nursery, of which he was proprietor. Attaining his majority, he engaged in merchandising at Mapletown, where he has the postoffice in connec- tion with his large general store, and meets with success in his busi- ness. In 1884 Mr. Dulany married Miss Cecilla B., daughter of Elisha and Cynthia (Coleman) Walter's, who were natives of Penn- sylvania, and of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Dulany have one child -- Maud E. Mr. Dulany is a Republican in politics, and his wife is a devoted member of the Baptist Church.
SAMUEL DUNLAP, farmer and stock-grower, Mapletown, Pennsylvania, was born in Fayette County, Penn., June 2, 1837, and is
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
a son of Andrew and Mary (Stone) Dunlap. His parents were of Scotch descent, but natives of Pennsylvania. His father came to Greene County in 1844 and settled in Monongahela Township, where Samuel now resides. Ile was successful through life as a farmer, and had been acting justice of the peace for twenty-five years-at the time of his death in 1888. Ilis family consisted of two children-Eliza- betli Ann, wife of HI. K. Barb; and Samuel, the subject of this sketch. Ile obtained only a common-school education in this county, was reared on a farm and has made farming the business of his life. Mr. Dunlap's wife was Miss Martha A., daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hedge) Spencer, who were of English and German de- scent. Her father was born in Jefferson Borough, this county, in 1805. Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap have but one child-Harry L. Mr. Dunlap is a Democrat in polities, and his wife is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church.
E. S. EVANS, farmer and stock-grower, Greensboro, Penn., was born January 27, 1845, and is a son of Evan and Rebecca (South) Evans, who were of Welsh and German origin. His father was a farmer and stock-grower by occupation, and met with marked snc- cess throughout his life. He was a deacon in the Greensboro Bap- tist Church. Enoch S. was reared on the farm and received his, edu- cation from the common schools and Waynesburg College. ITis father left him in comfortable circumstances and he follows farming more from choice than necessity. Mr. Evans has resided for many years on his farm in Monongahela Township, where he makes a specialty of raising fine stock. He was united in marriage, in 1871, with Miss Ada Lawson, daughter of A. C. and Martha D. Pennington, who were of English origin. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have an interesting family of seven children-Carrie May, Pierre O., Nona O., Evan, A. C. P. Wilson, W. B. and Nellie B. In polities Mr. Evans is a Republican. He and his wife are faithful members of the Baptist Church, of which he is deacon.
ELIAS A. FLENNIKEN, proprietor of the Greensboro hotel and livery stable, was born June 2, 1824, and is a son of J. W. and Hettie A. (Wright) Flenniken, natives of this county. IIe is the oldest of a family of seven children, and was reared on his father's farm in Cumberland Township, where he received his early educa- tion. Ile afterwards attended school in the old Greene Academy at Carmichaels, Pennsylvania. His ancestors were among the pioneers of Greene County. For many years Mr. Flenniken has bought and sold horses and has been particularly interested in fast horses. For the last twenty years he has dealt extensively in wool. For two years he was captain of a steamer on the Monongahela River. In politics Mr. Flenniken is a Republican. In 1846 he married Mary Ann, daughter of William Kerr of Cumberland Township. Mr. and Mrs.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Flenniken's children are-Joseph D., Sarah J., widow of Byrass Thompson, deceased; Thomas, Belle, wife of George Stemets; John F., James, Elizabeth, wife of Oliver McClain; George N., Mary, and William. Mr. and Mrs. Flenniken have twenty-one grandchildren now living and one dead, being the only member of the family deceased.
A. K. GABLER, a retired farmer of Greensboro, Penn., was born May 29, 1821, at the old glass works near Greensboro, and is a son of Thomas and Wilhelmina (Kramer) Gabler. Mr. Gabler's ancestors, who were of German extraction, were pioneers in the glass business in this part of Pennsylvania and established the first glass works in Greene County. Thomas Gabler was born in Mary- land in 1798 and died in 1875. His wife died in 1881, having reached the advanced age of eighty.two years. Their family con- sisted of nine children, six of whom are living-four sons and two daughters. Mr. A. K. Gabler is the oldest son. He was reared at the old glass works, received a common school education and chose farming as his occupation through life. In 1852 Mr. Gabler mar- ried Miss Maria, daughter of John Jones, of Greensboro, and they are the parents of two children-Benjamin and Thomas C., a prom- inent young attorney. Mr. and Mrs. Gabler are members of the Presbyterian Church. A. K. Gabler's brother, Kramer, who is also a farmer and stock-grower, was born and raised at the old glass works, where he received his early education, and learned the saddler's trade with his brother, J. W. Gabler, of Greensboro. He worked at the trade until 1882, when he commenced farming and has met with
success. Mr. Gabler is a Republican in politics. Angust 31, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, in the One Hundred and Fortieth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was a non-commis- sioned officer, and served until the close of the war. He has also served one term as Officer of the Day in Greensboro, G. A. R. Post. The youngest brother is George, born in 1841, who is also a farmer, and like his brothers, a Republican in politics. His farm consists of eighty-six acres of well improved land in Monongahela Township. Mr. Gabler comes of a family noted for their energy and industry. They have ever been diligent in business, and have met with finan- cial success.
J. W. GABLER, harness-maker and saddler, Greensboro, Penn. Among the successful business men of Greene County we mention the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in this county April, 3, 1825, and is a son of Thomas and. Wilhelmina (Kramer) Gabler, who were of German and English descent. His mother was born in Fayette County, Penn. His father was born in Frederick City, Md., and was a glass-blower and manufacturer, and came from Pittsburg to Greensboro, where he engaged in that busi-
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
ness for many years. He died in 1879 at the age of seventy-seven. The subject of this sketch was the third in a family of nine children. He was reared in Greensboro, where he received his early education. At the age of nineteen he learned the saddler's trade, to which he devotes most of his time. He is also a manufacturer of harness, in which he uses good material and does good work. Mr. Gabler has been in business in Greensboro for nearly forty-five years, and by means of his industry and careful investments, has secured a good competence for himself and family. He has a half interest in the Greensboro hotel, and is the owner of 350 acres of land and real estate in Greensboro and elsewhere. Mr. Gabler was married in Greensboro, December 21, 1858, to Amy, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Vance) Boughner. Mrs. Gabler is of Irish and Dutch descent. They have but one child-Myrtilla. Mr. Gabler is a Re- publican in politics, and in religion a Presbyterian, in which Church he has been teacher and treasurer for a period of twenty years.
J. R. GRAY, a farmer and merchant, of Gray's Landing, Penn., was born July 4, 1831, on the farm near Mapletown, in Monon- gahela Township, this county. He is a son of William and Cath- arine (Robinson) Gray, who were of English and Irish origin. His father, who was a wealthy farmer and prominent business man, was en- gaged in the commission business in Baltimore, Md., for several years. He died in 1885, having had a family of six children, two of whom are deceased. The subject of this sketch was the oldest, and was reared on the farm with his parents. He attended the common-school at Mapletown, Penn., and spent two years at Waynesburg College. Mr. Gray was first employed with his father in the distillery, of which he is now proprietor. He has also engaged in farming and owns 500 acres of land, in connection with a general store which they established in 1858. On February 22, 1855, Mr. Gray married Catharine, daughter of James and Catharine Huston. Their children are-L. Alice, wife of O. M. Boughner; Selisia and Selena. Their mother is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gray is a Republican in politics. He ever manifests great interest in the educational welfare of his township, and has served as school director for twelve years.
DR. WILSON GREENE, of New Geneva, Penn., was born in Monongahela Township, Greene County, Penn., December 1, 1829. His parents were Matthew and Rachel (Sycks) Greene. llis father was of English origin and his mother was of German origin. His father was born February 17, 1806, in Monongahela Township, Greene County, Penn., where he still resides and now in his old age is often visited by his son who is ever considerate of his happiness. The Doctor's mother, who died in 1869, was a member of the Syeks family who came to Monongahela Township while the Indians were still
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
inhabitants. They with the Seltzers built a fort for protection on Dunkard Creek, where the first Dunkard oil field is. Daniel Syeks, an elder brother of Rachel, was born, on the farm where she died, December 8, 1788 and died July 16, 1888, and was the oldest man in the township. When Dr. Greene's grandparents, William and Rebecca (Larue) Greene, first came to Greene County they settled on a farm near Willow Tree, on Big Whiteley Creek. They were natives of Bucks County, Penn., and descendants of the pioneer Quakers, who came from England with William Penn. Dr. Greene is the second and only son of a family of four children. IIe was reared on a farm and at an early age he made choice of the practice of medicine as his profession. His medical education was obtained at the Cleveland Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio. In 1859 he he opened an office at Bristol, Perry County, Ohio, where he soon gained an enviable reputation as a practicing physician. In order to be near his aged parents he returned in 1864 to the scenes of his childhood and settled in Fayette County, on the banks of the Monon- gahela River, in New Geneva, within three miles of his old home. Here the Doctor soon won a large and lucrative practice in Greene and Fayette counties. He was united in marriage March 23, 1859, with Miss Pleasant M., daughter of Evan and Nancy (Myers) Evans. Mrs. Greene is a sister of L. K. Evans, editor of the "Three Rivers Tribune," Michigan, and is of Welsh descent. Her father was a successful farmer of Greene County and died in 1865. Dr. and Mrs. Greene have two children, who took a course in Monongahela 'Col- lege, Isa D., wife of O. J. Sturgis, editor of the Republican Standard, at Uniontown, Penn., and Willie W., who is a graduate of Duff's College, Pittsburg, l'enn. Isa, the only daughter, received all the advantages of a good musical education and graduated at Dana's Musical Institute, of Warren, Ohio. Dr. Greene is a Repub- lican in polities. He devotes all his time to his business and pro- fession, in which he has proven himself one of the most prominent in the county. The family are prominent members of the Baptist Church.
JOIIN JONES, of the firm of Hamilton & Jones, manufacturers of earthen ware and tile roofing at Greensboro, Penn., was born in Monongahela Township, Greene County, Penn. Ile is a son of Benjamin and Laura (Kramer) Jones, natives of this county, and of Welsh and German descent. Mr. Jones' father was a glass-blower by occupation. His family consisted of eight children, all of whom reached maturity. Mr. John Jones, the fifth was reared in Greene County, and attended the common schools. Early in life he learned the potter's trade at Greensboro, and engaged in the business until 1866; when he went into partnership with Mr. Hamilton. They employ about twenty-five men, and have contributed much to the
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
improvement of the town. In 1865 Mr. Jones married Miss Mary A., daughter of W. L. Hamilton, a prominent citizen of Greensboro. They are the parents of one child, Asia K. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Jones is a Republican, and a member of the town council, of which he has served as treasurer. Ile enlisted under Captain Harper, of Carmichaels, Penn., in Com- pany F, First Pennsylvania Cavalry. Ile was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Warrington, Virginia, but managed to es- cape the first night. Mr. Jones has been engaged in the pottery business since the close of the war. He is Post Commander of the Alfred Shibler G. A. R. Post No. 119, of Greensboro.
T. P. KRAMER, a retired glass manufacturer of Greensboro, Penn., was born October 20, 1804, and is the son of Baltzer and Sarah (Phillips) Kramer. His mother was the daughter of Hon. T. P. Phillips, who at an early age was a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature. He was a farmer by occupation and resided in Fayette County, near Greensboro for many years, and in his house was the first court held in Fayette County. T. P. Kramer's grand- father, Baltzer Kramer, came from Germany to Maryland, and subsequently removed to Fayette County, Penn., and settled on a farm near New Geneva. He was afterwards one of a party induced by Hon. Albert Gallatin to settle near Greensboro and establish a glass works, Mr. Gallatin taking one-half interest and furnishing the material. The firm consisted of George Reppert, Lewis Reitz, Christian and Baltzer Kramer, Jr., and Adolphus Everhart, one of the men who carried Gen. LaFayette off the battle-field, and was recognized by the General when making his farewell visit to America. Baltzer Kramer's family consisted of seven children, of whom T. P. Kramer's father, Baltzer, Jr., was the oldest. Ile was born in Maryland in 1777, and in 1808 became a member of the glass company near Greensboro, where he died in 1852, leaving a family of six children. The subject of this sketeh is the oldest, and has been a resident of this county the most of his life. He was sent to school at Cannonsburg, Penn., but ran away and refused to go to college, so his father allowed him to learn the glass-blowing trade, and he has followed that as a business for many years. In 1834 Mr. Kramer married Sarah, daughter of George Harter. Mrs. Kramer is of German and English extraction. They had a family of ten children-S. E. B., Sarah M., Elizabeth Ann, William, May Ellen, George, Baltzer, John P., and Virtue and Edward R., deceased. Their mother died in 1884. Mr. Kramer has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly sixty years. He has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the church, and has served as elass-leader, steward and trustee. His children are all members of the church. Mr. Kramer is a Republican and a strong advocate of 42
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
the temperance cause. Although in his eighty-fifth year, he is strong and vigorous in mind and body, seldom failing to walk from his home to Greensboro every day-a distance of more than a mile.
JOHN C. KRAMER, Greensboro, Greene County, Penn .- The subject of this sketeh is a descendant of the early settlers of Greene County. He was born in Monongahela Township, September 15, 1838, and is a son of George R. and Louisa (Jones) Kramer, also natives of Monongahela Township. Mr. Kramer's mother was born in 1814, and was of German origin. His father, who was a farmer and glass-blower, was born in 1808 and died June 28, 1881. John Jones, Mr. Kramer's grandfather, was a farmer by occupation, and died at the age of forty-two. Ilis grandfather Kramer was a glass- blower, and lived to a good old age. John C. is the second in a family of six children, and was reared on his father's farm where he received his early education. At an early age he learned glass-cutting and he is now employed in that business in Pittsburg. Mr. Kramer was married in Camden, New Jersey, May 26, 1870, to Sallie C., daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Caine) Southard. Her parents were natives of New Jersey, and of German extraction. Mrs. Kramer is the third in a family of eight children, and was reared in Camden New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Kramer are the parents of four children, viz .: William M., Franklin B., Louisa J. and George R. Mr. Kra- iner is a Republican in politics, and in religion a Presbyterian. He is also a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity.
JOHN P. KRAMER, potter by trade, is the youngest son of T. P. Kramer, was born at the glass-works February 7, 1854. He re- ceived a common-school education and learned the potter's trade, which he has followed as a business very successfully. Mr. Kramer was united in marriage June 26, 1876, with Miss Josephine, daughter of William and Frances (Black) Wolverton. Mrs. Kramer is of German lineage. They are the parents of six children, viz .: Harry, Estella, Harris, Clarence, Fannie and Sarah. Mr. Kramer is a Re- ยท publican. Hle and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as steward and superin- tendent of the Sabbath-school.
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