History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including, Part 115

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868-
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Brown, Runk & Co.
Number of Pages: 1323

USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including > Part 115

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THOMAS K. GARDNER, hotel keeper and farmer, Nickleville, was born June 27, 1815, in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, son of George and Cath- arine (Karnes) Gardner, who settled near Nickleville in 1831, and were pio- neers of that locality. Our subject was married May 10, 1839, to Betsey Jolly, who died in 1838. In 1839 he married Sarah Donaldson, who died in 1882, having been the mother of one child, Mary E., deceased. In 1884 he married Josephine Karnes, daughter of Abram and Mary (Mays) Karnes. They are members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics he is a Republican.

MAURICE B. SHANNON, farmer, was born February 3, 1818, in this county, son of John and Jane Shannon, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, re- spectively. They came to this county in 1817 from Centre county. John Shannon was a shoemaker during his early manhood, but followed farming while in this county. He cleared up a farm of one hundred acres, and served in the war of 1812. He died October 22, 1872, at the age of eighty- five, and his wife died January 11, 1852, in her sixty-ninth year. His father was a Revolutionary soldier. The children of John and Jane Shan- non were named as follows: William M., deceased; John; Alexander, de- ceased; Maurice B .; James; Jane, wife of James H. Borland; Elizabeth, deceased, and Sarah, deceased. Our subject received his education in the subscription schools of this county. He was married December 15, 1842, to Sarah Ann Borland, who died February 6, 1846. He was again married August 6, 1847, to Mary Singleton, a native of this county, and to this union there were born fifteen children, thirteen of whom grew to maturity: Sarah A., wife of Joel Horne; Alexander B., of Kansas; Mary J., wife of John P. Wigton, of Kansas; John W .; Araminta E., wife of. John A. Ne- vil; G. W .; Carrie C., wife of C. B. Mortimer, of Kansas; Irena V., wife of Thomas W. Marshial; Emery E .; Ada I., wife of W. T. Samsell; Cora V .; William W., and Maurice B., Jr. The mother of these children died November 8, 1876, and he was married a third time, to Sarah J. Campbell, December 6, 1877. He has filled the office of county commissioner one term, and has been a justice of the peace for twenty-three years. He has also filled all of the township offices except constable and road commissioner. He is a member of the Evangelical association, and has always been an act- ive worker in the Democratic party.

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BIOGRAPHIES OF RICHLAND.

A. G. DOWNING, farmer and stock raiser, was born June 6, 1816, in this township, to James and Ann (Gilchrist) Downing. The former, born in Ireland in 1773, immigrated to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1780, with his parents; the latter was born in Westmoreland county in 1774, and they came to Venango at an early date. They reared eight chil- dren, three of whom are living: Jane, born in 1797, and now residing at Emlenton; Ann, wife of Samuel Sullinger, and our subject, who was mar- ried March 5, 1839, to Leanna Walters. They have had five children: Walter, deceased; James D., president of the Bank of Eldred, Mckean county; George; Charles, and Mary, wife of James Cribbs. Mr. Down- ing is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics a Republican.

SAMUEL JONES, manufacturer of stoneware, brick, and tile, was born June 6, 1820, in Vermont. His parents, Alpheus and Harriet (Davenport) Jones, were natives of the same state, and the former came to this county in 1824; he settled on a farm and devoted his time to rural pursuits and blacksmithing. He died in 1876, and his wife in 1844. Their children were six in number, three of whom are now living: Timothy S., who has a pottery in Akron, Ohio; Sarepta, and Samuel. The last named received a common school education and began for himself as a miller. However, at the age of twenty-one he turned his attention to making stoneware. In 1850 he purchased a half-interest in a pottery at Pleasantville, this county, which he and his partner, Daniel H. Parker, managed until the oil excite- ment, when he began producing this fluid, at which he continued until he established his present business. This he operates by the use of natural gas, and during each year manufactures about one hundred thousand brick, twenty-five thousand feet of tile, and fifteen thousand gallons of stoneware. He was married in 1847 to Eliza Jolly, a native of this county, who has blessed him with five children, but one of whom is living: Julius M., born February 17, 1854, and married to Martha J. Davidson, daughter of Will- iam and Hettie (Shaner) Davidson, by whom he has had four children: Victor H. ; H. Myrtle; Florence M., and Willie C. Julius M. is an elder in the Presbyterian church of Nickleville. Samuel Jones, our subject, has served twelve years as school director, and with his wife is also connected with the Presbyterian church. He is a strong Prohibitionist.

ALEXANDER GRANT, farmer, was born September 23, 1824, in Butler county, Pennsylvania, to Alexander and Elizabeth (Say) Grant, natives, the former of eastern Pennsylvania, and the latter of this county. Their chil- dren were thirteen, ten of whom are living: David; Alexander; Margaret; Elizabeth; James; Johnston; Ebenezer; Mary A .; Cynthia, and Sarah. The other three died in infancy, the father in 1877, and the mother in 1847. Our subject was educated in the common schools and began his business life as a carpenter, which vocation he followed for six years. In 1855 he went to California and there worked at gold mining for eighteen

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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

months. He then returned to his farm in Richland township, where he located in 1849, and has since resided. He was married in 1849 to Jane Jolly, a native of this county, by whom he has had eleven children: Ermi- nie, wife of John Bashline; Crawford, oil producer in Clarion county, this state; Samuel A., of Grand Valley, Pennsylvania; James R., of Findlay, Ohio; Thomas B .; Lulu J., wife of W. M. Nickle; Nannie, wife of J. W. Long; William A., merchant at Sharpsville, Pennsylvania; Charley; Nellie, and an infant, deceased. Our subject has served as justice of the peace for nine years and for six years was school director. He and wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church, and he is a Republican.

SAMUEL DONALDSON, farmer, was born July 29, 1825, in this county, son of John and Nancy (Adams) Donaldson, natives of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and among the pioneers of southeastern Venango county. They were the parents of nine children: William; Andrew; John; Samuel; Josiah; Isabella, deceased; Ann, deceased; Sarah, deceased, and one who died in infancy. Our subject has been a farmer all his life. February 13, 1850, he married Sarah E. Myers, and to this union were born nine chil- dren: Ermina; James A. ; Aldine; Emery B. ; Priscilla; Mary A .; Laura B .; Samuel P., and Jessie M. Their mother having died in 1875, he married Mary J. Gardner, March 21, 1878. She is the daughter of David Gardner, who came to this county in 1831. Mr. Donaldson is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics a Republican.

W. L. KEEFER, merchant and woolen manufacturer, was born July 28, 1828, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Long) Keefer, natives of Germany and Huntingdon county, respectively. The father died in 1838, and the mother in 1835, and their children were named as follows: William; David; John, deceased; Eveline; Elmira, de- ceased, and Moses. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and at the age of twenty years engaged on the coverlet and carpet business in Huntingdon county. He spent about two years in Illinois, returned to his native county, and was married March 31, 1853, to Mary A., a daughter of Reverend Andrew Spanogle, and to this union were born two children: Catharine E. and Della S. His wife died February 1, 1859, and he was again married, May 7, 1862, to Mary A., daughter of William David- son, a native of this county, and to this union were born seven children: Benjamin F. ; Virginia W. ; William E .; Maria E., deceased .; Willis J; James R., and an infant, deceased. His second wife died June 2, 1887. Mr. Keefer built the Good Intent woolen mill in 1856, and has carried on the business ever since. He spent one year in the oil business. He has filled the office of school director for six years, and is serving his fourth term as township treasurer, having been elected by the Republicans. He was post- master at Porterfield postoffice a score of years.

JOHN DAVISON was one of the county commissioners during the con-

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BIOGRAPHIES OF RICHLAND.

struction of the court house and the county poor house. He has served as director of the Venango County Agricultural Society a number of years, was a delegate to the state convention of 1888, and at the present time is president of the school board of Richland township. He and his estimable wife are members of the Presbyterian church, of Nickleville. He is one of the representative citizens of Venango county, and in politics is a Repub- lican.

WILLIAM HAGERTY, farmer and oil producer, was born near Anderson's Mills, in Scrubgrass township, Venango county, September 29, 1834. His father, James S. Hagerty, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, July 17, 1806, and at the age of twelve years removed with his parents to Rock- land township, Venango county. In 1844 he located in Emlenton. His father was a mill-wright, and from him James S. learned the trade which he followed for more than half a century. He was married October 18, 1832, to Miss Sarah Webster, who bore him nine children: Ann; Miranda, married to Matthew McCasland, of Colorado; William; George, married first to Sarah McCain and next to Lizzie Gault; Adaline, wife of James Pat- rick; Miles, married to Mary Coax, and three who died in infancy. Mr. Hagerty is still living, retired, in Emlenton. At the age of seven William Hagerty removed with his parents to Falling Springs, Venango county, and thence to what is now Giering's. In 1844 he removed with his father to Emlenton, where the latter erected the Exchange hotel, on the site of the present St. Cloud. Our subject attended school both in the country and Emlenton, and worked for a time at the carpenter's trade, assisting his father. In 1857 he engaged in lumbering in Forest county, and continued at the same until 1870, in which year he removed to the farm where he now resides. In December, 1858, he married Miss Caroline Weller, of Emlen- ton. From this union have sprung seven children: Carrie M., wife of Christopher Malt; Sarah A., wife of E. L. Godfrey; Curtin A., married to Libby Calvert; Mary E., wife of Harvey A. Robertson; Harry W .; Maud M., and James S. Mr. Hagerty is a Republican, and a member of the K. of L. He is actively engaged in farming, oil producing, and coal mining.

JOHN PERSING, farmer and oil producer, was born February 18, 1839, in this county, son of Abram and Mary (Walters) Persing, natives of eastern Pennsylvania, who came to this county about the year 1829. They settled on a farm and became the parents of ten children: Daniel; Susan; Mary A. ; Sarah J. ; Hannah; Amelia; John; Levina; Rachel, and William. They moved to Kansas in 1869, taking with them seven of their children, some of whom returned. Our subject was educated in the common schools and has devoted the greater part of his busy life to farming, and threshing grain during the season. He has also devoted some time to the sale of farming implements. He was married in 1860 to Anna Eliza, daughter of Henry and Frances Weeter, of Clarion county. By their union they have had ten

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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

children: William, married to Agnes Wenner; Mary, wife of H. G. Weaver; Emma, widow of P. Q. Myers; Alice, deceased; Nora E., deceased; Cora; Luella; Bertha; Myrtle, and Florence C.

CYRUS R. PORTERFIELD, farmer, was born August 7, 1833, in this county, son of Joseph and Hannah (Hall) Porterfield, the former a native of West- moreland and the latter of Venango county. They were the parents of seven children: John C .; James; William; Cyrus R .; Priscilla; Samuel, deceased, and Sarah, deceased. Cyrus R. was married in 1856 to Nancy Davidson, daughter of William Davidson, and they have had seven children: Clinton; Frank; Grant; John; Carrie; Effie, and Flora. Our subject is a Democrat in politics and has served as constable of this township. He is a member of the Masonic order, and his wife of the Presbyterian church.

W. K. McMURDY, a farmer and mason, was born August 7, 1836, in this county, son of Samuel and Mary (Karnes) McMurdy, natives also of this county. Samuel and Mary McMurdy became the parents of three children that are now living and five that are now deceased. The living are: John; Annie, wife of James A. Caldwell, and William K. Mrs. McMurdy died in 1866 and Samuel was again married in 1867 to Maria Hale, a native of this county and to which union were born four children; F. P., deceased; Amanda, wife of Charles King; Mary A., wife of William Burrel, and George. The father of the above named children was one of the leading Democrats of this township for many years. His son, W. K. McMurdy, re- ceived a common school education and began his business life as a stone mason: He was married February 16, 1862, to Mary E. Wingar, a native of this county, and to this union five children have been born: Louisa, wife of Elmer Mangel; Sarah A., wife of J. T. Stover; Samuel H., married to Jennie, a daughter of William Frye of Clarion county; J. J., and Berdie E. M. Mr. McMurdy has filled most of the township offices and is now serving as constable. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 644, and in politics he is a Democrat. With his wife he belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal church.

S. F. WEETER, farmer, was born March 26, 1838, in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, son of Henry and Frances (Frey) Weeter, natives of the same county, who still reside where our subject was born. Their children are as follows: Samuel F .; Sarah, wife of E. B. Shafer; Anna, wife of John Per- sing; William; Harriet, wife of John Wingard; L. C .; Frances, wife of Joseph Shiery; John; Ellen, wife of Harry King; Amanda, wife of Reuben Laugher, and Mary. S. F. Weeter was married February 29, 1860, to Susan, a daughter of S. J. and Tena Knaus, and to this union there have been born eight children: Frances C., wife of B. M. Kribbs; Sarah F., wife of John Beris; John J., deceased; Mary E., wife of R. Pierce; William H .; Laura B .; Harvey F., and Lizzie M. Mr. Knaus was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, came to this county about 1832, and is the

All& Henderson

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BIOGRAPHIES OF RICHLAND.

father of seven children: Freitta, wife of Robert Shively; Amanda and William James Franklin, twins, deceased; Caroline deceased; Margaretta; Mary, deceased, and A. J., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Weeter are members of the Reformed church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

D. B. LEVIER, farmer, was born in this township April 10, 1839, son of John and Jane (Maitland) Levier. The former was born at Slippery Rock, Butler county, in 1799, son of Daniel Levier, a native of France. The mother was a daughter of Andrew Maitland, one of the early settlers of Rockland township. John Levier came into this township in 1827 and bought land of the Bingham estate. D. B. was brought up on the farm where he now resides; he had limited educational advantages. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-First Pennsylvania Volun- teers, and was in the service until the close of the war, participating in the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. He was successively promoted to the position of first lieutenant and captain, serving in the latter capacity when mustered out. After several years in the oil regions, he engaged in farming in 1867. In 1869 he married Miss S. M. Gardner, a school teacher in Oil City, and a native of Callensburg, Clarion county. Of five children born to them, three are living: Clifford, Herbert, and Helen. The family are connected with the Presbyterian church of Nickleville. James Levier, who was born in 1796 and died in 1887, also settled in Richland about the year· 1828.

CHRISTOPHER C. MIDDLETON, farmer, was born October 26, 1843, in this county, son of John and Mary (Phipps) Middleton, natives of Centre and Clarion counties, Pennsylvania, respectively. Mrs. Mary Middleton is a full cousin of the celebrated Matthew Simpson. She was married in 1823, and to her were born twelve children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Mid- dleton was one of the first settlers of the locality in which he lived, an ear- nest worker in the Methodist church, did much for the advancement of so- ciety, and died January 4, 1881. His son, Christopher C. Middleton, re- ceived a common school education, and was married January 31, 1870, to Anna M., daughter of Robert G. Porterfield of this county, and to this union have been born three children: Myrtle M. ; Lucy W., and Willard Simpson. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church of Emlenton. He was a charter member of the Royal Templars of Temperance of Emlenton, and is an active worker in the Prohibition cause.

W. MARTIN PORTERFIELD, farmer, was born July 21, 1844, in this county, to Robert G. and Lucy (Lyon) Porterfield. Robert Porterfield was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and came to this county about the year 1805. Here he followed lumbering in the early part of his life, then engaged in farming, and became the father of a family of eleven children: 63

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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

Sarah M., who died in 1851; T. James; Clara C .; Lucy J. ; Robert A., who died in 1888; Annie; Joseph, who died June 23, 1838; Mary L .; John W., who served four years in the war of the Rebellion and died June 22, 1876; W. Martin, and Albert W., who died September 1, 1851. The father built the first frame house in Richland township. He died February 19, 1875. Our subject was educated in the common schools. He was married Septem- ber 21, 1870, to Cynthia J. Grant, a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born six children: Ernest R .; Blanche; Aus- tin T .; Clyde H .; Emoy M., and Clair L. Mr. and Mrs. Porterfield are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a Democrat, and belongs to the I. O. O. F., No. 644.

MONTGOMERY CRISWELL, farmer, was born September 20, 1848, a son of Robert and Hannah (Nickle) Criswell, the former a native of Centre county and the latter of Venango. He was married September 28, 1874, to Ellen Weaver, and of four children born to them three are living: Pearl E .; Blanch P., and Royal G. Mr. Criswell is a Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F. He has served as township collector and school director.

SILAS CRISWELL, farmer, is a son of Robert and Hannah (Nickle) Cris- well, and was born February 6, 1852. He was educated in the public schools, taught school three terms in this county, and has followed farming ever since. March 30, 1876, he married Lucinda Reath, and they are the parents of six children: an infant, deceased; Myrtle; Fleming; Nellie; Mary, and Edith. Mr. Criswell is a Republican in politics and with his wife a member of the Presbyterian church.

CHARLES W. SHANER, farmer, was born in Beaver township, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1845, the son of Charles and Mary (Biery) Shaner, native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. The brothers and sisters of Charles, Sr., were: Henry; Samuel; Dinah; Susan; Hettie; Sally Ann, and Jeremiah, all of whom are dead except Hattie and Jeremiah. Charles came with his mother's family from Lehigh county early in the thirties and settled in Richland township, his father having died in the East. In 1840 he was married to Mary Ann Biery, from which union sprang these chil- dren: Henry H., deceased; John B. ; C. W. ; Milton B .; Susanna; Mary M. ; Francis A., and James O. The parents located in Clarion county after marriage, but in 1857 returned to the farm on which Charles W. now lives, where the father died July 5, 1874, and his widow November 3, 1887. Our subject enlisted in Company M., Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, February 23, 1864, and served until August, 1865, when he was discharged. He was married July 26, 1866, to Mary G., daughter of Philip Crotzer of Richland township and has five living children: William H .; Ida B. ; Harry H. ; Clem- ent C., and Minnie. Mr. Shaner was engaged in the oil business until 1870, then followed butchering until 1878. During 1876-79 he was constable, collector, and assessor of his township, and mercantile appraiser of the

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BIOGRAPHIES OF ROCKLAND.

county in 1879-80. He acted as deputy sheriff from 1880 to 1883. He is a member of the G. A. R. and votes the Republican ticket.

TILGHMAN A. GIERING, miller, was born September 16, 1845, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, to Lewis and Louisa (Knass) Giering, who came to Venango county in 1855. They had five children: Sophia C., wife of Ab- . salom Beary; Herman L .; Tilghman A. ; Mary M., wife of William Bishop, and Albert E. The mother died in 1884, the father May 29, 1888. Our subject was married in 1870 to Eva Levier, daughter of John Levier, and they had five children, three of whom are living: Louie J .; Lewis H., and Irene. Mr. Giering has been identified with the milling business nearly all his life, his present mill having come into possession of his father in 1857. He is a Democrat in politics, and the present postmaster at Porter- field. Mr. and Mrs. Giering are members of the Presbyterian church.

JOHN ADAM WELLER, farmer and oil producer, was born in Emlenton, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1853, and is a son of Joseph and Angeline Weller, a sketch of whom appears in the biographical chapter on that borough. He attended the public schools of his native village and spent his early life in the store and on the farm aiding his father. He was married November 11, 1873, to Miss Mary E., daughter of William and Catharine (Billingsley) Kerr of Pittsburgh. Five children were born to this union, four of whom are living: William J .; Wallace W. ; Harry E., and Nellie G. Mr. Weller is a stanch Democrat and with his wife belongs to the Reformed church.

ROCKLAND.

ANDREW MAITLAND, a deceased pioneer of Rockland township, removed from Butler county early in the present century to a farm now in the pos- session of John Hetzler near the village of Freedom, and later located in the vicinity of Barr's Corners, where he died at the age of seventy-seven and is buried in the cemetery of Rockland Methodist Episcopal church. He reared the following family: John; Andrew; Alexander; Nancy, Mrs. John Gra- ham; Ann, who married John O'Neil; Margaret, who became the wife of Silas Brown; Sarah, Mrs. John Webster; Polly, who married James Redick, and after his death John Hendershott, all of whom are deceased except Alexander, still a resident of the township.

ANDREW MAITLAND, JR., married Jane, daughter of William Elliott of Callensburg, Clarion county, Pennsylvania; he died May 12, 1883, at the age of seventy-one, and was preceded to the grave by his wife January 26, 1871, her age having been sixty-two. They reared six children: Major John B., of Oil City; Sarah J., wife of Stephen Burgwin of Clarion county, Penn- sylvania; William A .; Sylvester, who died in childhood; Caroline, wife of William Moore of Salem City, Cranberry township, and Ellen.

WILLIAM A. MAITLAND, county commissioner, was born in Rockland township, June 22, 1842, son of Andrew and Jane (Elliott) Maitland. He

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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

obtained a common school education. In 1866-68 he resided in Richland township, part of that time engaged in the store of Shippen & Maitland at Stapley furnace. In 1869 he located permanently in Rockland and engaged in farming. In 1887 he was elected county commissioner, and is president of the board. He has also held various township offices, and is a Repub- lican in politics. In 1867 he married Miss Anna N., daughter of Samuel Echelberger, then of Rockland later of Mill Creek township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of three children: Cora J., a graduate of McElwain Institute, New Lebanon, Pennsylvania; Samuel E., and Avanella H. The family is Methodist in faith.

JOHN SULLINGER, a deceased pioneer of Rockland township, was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He married Lovina Judge of that county, and in 1805 came to Venango county and settled upon a four hun- dred acre tract of land in this township. In 1813 he brought out his wife and family, consisting of twelve children: John; Alexander; Peter; Samuel; James P .; Jacob; Andrew; Daniel; Annie, who married Captain William Karns; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Adam Karns; Mary, who married James McDonald, and Catharine, who became the wife of James Hoffman. All are dead excepting Jacob, who resides in Elizabeth, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. John, Sr., was a soldier in the Revolution, and followed the trade of weaver. He died about 1845, at Warren, Ohio, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-one years. His wife died some years previously.

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History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including, Part 115

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Brown, Runk & Co. Number of Pages: 1323

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868-
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Brown, Runk & Co.
Number of Pages: 1323