USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including > Part 84
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Mr. McGarry was married September 17, 1873, to Miss Matilda J., daughter of Alexander J. and Julia A. (Murrin) Simpson, of Butler county, Pennsylvania. The former was a son of Andrew Hood Simpson, at one time a commissioner of that county. He was born at Philadelphia November 17, 1824, and removed with his parents to Butler county in childhood. They located three miles from Butler. In that county he grew to maturity and passed the remainder of his life. He was a carpenter and one of the well- known hotel keepers of his adopted county. For several years he conducted the Simpson hotel at the old homestead. In 1869 he removed to Murrinsville, where he died February 15, 1889, dying as he had lived, a faithful member of the Catholic church. He was one of the active Democrats of the county and a delegate to the national convention at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1860. His wife was a daughter of 'Squire John Murrin, the founder of Murrinsville, who also owned a large tract of land in Cranberry township immediately opposite Franklin, and was one of the best known men in west- ern Pennsylvania. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McGarry: Mary, Evangeline, Aloysius Simpson, Claude Edmund, James A., John V., Annie Pauline, and George A. The family are members of the Catholic church. Mr. McGarry is one of the supreme trustees of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, and has organized the local branches of the I. C. B. U.,
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829
BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN.
C. M. B. A., C. K. of A., and C. B. L. Politically a Democrat, he has al- ways taken the most active interest in the success of Democratic candidates and principles, and was once the candidate of the party for mayor of Frank- lin.
PERRY DE WOODY, grocer, was born in Sandy Creek township, Venango county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1856. His parents were Benjamin and Mary (Ritchey) DeWoody, the former a native of Victory township, born in 1815, and the son of John De Woody, one of the earliest settlers of that section of the county. He married Mary Ritchey, whose parents were pio- neers of Oakland township. Nine children were born to this union: Ellen A., wife of Charles Strawbridge of Plum township; William J., a merchant of Oil City; Adaline, wife of M. O. Taylor, of Franklin; Kate M., who died May 11, 1885; John P. of Canon City, Colorado; Samuel T., of Salt Lake City, Utah; Josephine, wife of Doctor W. T. Jones, of Harris, Texas; Perry, of Franklin, and George O., of Dempseytown, Venango county. Mr. De Woody was engaged in farming in Sandy Creek until 1861, when he relinquished active business and removed to Franklin. His wife died in the Presbyterian faith in January, 1860, and he subsequently married Mrs. Sarah Graham, who bore him three sons: Charles, a Baptist minister; Albert, and Harry, of Franklin. Mr. DeWoody died May 15, 1888, and his widow resides in this city.
Our subject was reared and educated in Franklin. He learned the plas- terer's trade, but in 1877 embarked in the grocery business and has since been so engaged. He was married July 30, 1877, to Miss Ella Callahan of Akron, Ohio. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served eleven con- secutive years in the city council. He is a member of the I. O. R. M., K. of P., K. of H., and B. P. O. E., and is one of the well-known, progress- ive young business men of Franklin.
MOSES WACHTEL, clothing merchant, was born in 1843 in Germany, and was reared and educated in his native land. In 1864 he came to Franklin and entered the employ of his brothers, L. and M. Wachtel, who were en- gaged in the clothing business. In 1873 he succeeded them, and has since carried on the business successfully. Mr. Wachtel represents the oldest clothing house in Franklin, and is one of its most popular merchants. He was married in 1867 to Miss Maggie Halpin, of Franklin, who has borne him two daughters: Etta and Mabel. Politically he is a Republican, a member of the Masonic order, the A. O. U. W., the I. O. O. F., K. of H., and U. F.
BYRON MOFFETT, proprietor of livery and sales stable and omnibus and carriage line, was born in Essex county, New Jersey, near Plainfield, Janu- ary 1, 1835, and is a son of Absalom M. Moffett of that state. He was reared in New Jersey, and in 1865 located in Franklin, where he estab- lished a livery stable, in which business he has since been engaged. In
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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
July, 1876, he purchased the omnibus line and is still operating it in con- nection with his stables. Mr. Moffett has been twice married, first in Rah- way, New Jersey, March 19, 1855, to Miss Phoebe C. Marsh, who died in Franklin, in the Baptist faith, November 8, 1887. She left a family of four children: Fanny, wife of Fred Hillman, of Findlay, Ohio; Kate, wife of Judson E. McClintock, of Oil City; George, and Hattie. His second marriage occurred April 16, 1888, to Mrs. Salley Sophronia King, of Frank- lin. Politically Mr. Moffett is a stanch Republican, a member of the Ma- sonic order, I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W., K. of H., I. O. R. M., and K. of P. He is one of the charter members of the First Baptist church of Franklin, and an enterprising, public-spirited citizen.
THOMAS J. FREWEN, grocery merchant, was born in Ireland April 12, 1842, and is a son of Daniel and Delia Frewen, also natives of the "Sea Girt Isle." Our subject came to this country with his parents in 1849. They settled in Sellersville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, subsequently re- moving to Jersey City, and thence to South Carolina. In 1865 they located in Franklin, where the mother died in the Catholic faith March 25, 1889. Her husband survives her and resides in Franklin. Thomas J. learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked until 1875, when he established his present business house. Mr. Frewen was married in 1872 to Miss Mar- garet Walsh, of Buffalo, New York. Politically he is a Democrat, and both he and wife are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church of Franklin.
A. PRINTZ, merchant tailor and clothier, was born February 28, 1866, in Youngstown, Ohio, and is a son of Abraham and Rosa (Wohlgamuth) Printz. He was educated in Youngstown, and was employed for some years in a dry-goods house in his native city. In connection with his brother Bert H. they established the merchant tailoring and general clothing business in Sharon in 1886. In 1888 our subject came to Franklin and established his present business, his brother remaining in charge of the Sharon store. Mr. Printz is an ardent Republican, a member of the B. P. O. E., and one of the enterprising young business men of the city.
JOSEPH MONNIN, proprietor of the Grant house, was born at Devellier, District de Delemon, Canton Berne, Switzerland, December 23, 1836. He grew up in his native land and immigrated to this country in 1854, arriving at Meadville, Pennsylvania, May 15th of that year. In the fall of 1860 he removed to Cooperstown, Venango county, where he engaged in the mercan- tile business a few years and then changed to the harness trade, which he carried on until April 1, 1885. He then removed to Franklin and purchased the Grant house, which he has since conducted very successfully. Mr. Monnin was married August 11, 1863, to Miss Mary Glenn of Cooperstown. While a resident of Cooperstown he filled the office of assessor, collector, and constable a number of years. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and politically an ardent Prohibitionist.
831
BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN.
A. Y. FINDLAY, insurance agent, was born March 16, 1847, in Clarion county, Pennsylvania. His early life was spent on a farm. In 1865, at the age of eighteen, he engaged in insurance soliciting, first in his native county and soon afterward removed to Pittsburgh in the same capacity. In 1868 he came to Franklin and established his present agencies. He has built up one of the most extensive and successful insurance agencies in western Pennsylvania; his business extends over the counties of Venango, Crawford, Mercer, Clarion, Forest, Armstrong, and Butler, Pennsylvania, and is conducted from his main office in Franklin and branch office at Parker City, Pennsylvania. In 1870 Mr. Findlay was united in marriage to Miss Mary M., daughter of Samuel and Mary Rhodes of Clarion county, Pennsylvania. By this union they have one daughter, Maud A. Mr. Find- lay is a Mason, having twice held the position of master of his lodge. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has held official position for a number of years.
THOMAS HOGE, deceased, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1808, son of John and Mary (Irwin) Hoge. His grandparents, Robert and Mary Hoge, were natives of Ireland, as were also his maternal grand- parents, James and Martha Irwin, who emigrated in 1760 and settled in the Tuscarora valley, Juniata county. His parents were married in 1789 and reared a family of five sons, Thomas being the youngest. He received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen went to Cleveland, Ohio, remaining in the West several years. He first engaged in the iron business at Mount Etna furnace, and in 1833 took charge of Slab furnace in Cranberry township. For a number of years he was in partnership with William Cross and their early operations were quite extensive. He was among the very few men who retired from the business in this county with unimpaired fortunes. In 1853 he removed to Franklin, thenceforth his res- idence until the time of his death, March 12, 1885. A man of active tem- perament and great determination, he rose to a position of wealth and in- fluence; he was twice elected to the legislature, served as mayor of Frank- lin, and was responsibly connected with various financial enterprises. In 1835 he married Harriet Cross, who died the following year. In 1837 he married Jane Whann, who died January 31, 1854, leaving two children: Mary J., widow of Alpheus Hoover, and Harriet E., widow of William A. Cooper, both of whom reside in Franklin. His third wife was Eliza Hen- derson, who died in 1879. At the time of his decease and for some years previously, Mr. Hoge was a member of the Methodist church.
ROBERT RAMSDALE, of Ramsdale & Son, proprietors of the City Plan- ing Mills, was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, July 23, 1821, son of William and Maria (Carter) Ramsdale, both of whom lived and died in England. Robert grew to maturity in Hull, and there learned the cabinet maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of seven years. He followed his
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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
trade in England, the years 1853-55 being spent in Sheffield as foreman of a carpenter shop. In the spring of 1856 he immigrated to Franklin, Pennsyl- vania, where he has resided up to the present. He engaged in carpentering about one year, and then opened a cabinet shop in the old "Rob Roy" stand on Thirteenth street, and remained in this business until 1860, when he formed a partnership with T. A. Dodd, in contracting and building. About 1870 the firm of Howe & Ramsdale, contractors and builders, was formed, and in 1871 they were joined by Titus Ridgway, and the firm became Howe, Rams- dale, & Company. They purchased the machinery of an old planing mill in the lower end of town, and removed it to a building erected by them on the corner of Elk and Ninth streets, now the site of Hulin Brothers' planing mill. They operated this mill three years, when the partnership was dis- solved. In 1874 Howe & Ramsdale erected the City Planing Mills, on Thirteenth street, near the Lake Shore railroad, with which Mr. Ramsdale has since been connected, and of which he is the principal owner. He has built up a good business, and is well known throughout the county. He was married in Hull, England, March 4, 1843, to Miss Ellen Applegarth, of that city. Ten children have been born of this union: Ellen, wife of John S. May, of Franklin; Catharine, wife of Essington Vincent, of Frank- lin; Clara, deceased; George, of Franklin; Elizabeth, wife of E. Osborn, of Franklin; William, deceased; Charles, of Ramsdale & Son; Georgia, de- ceased, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Ramsdale and wife are Spirit- ualists, and politically he is independent. He has been a resident of Franklin for thirty-three years, and is one of its most respected citizens.
GEORGE MALONEY, of the firm of Maloney & Company, dealers in hard- ware and manufacturers of oil well supplies, was born at Ithaca, Tompkins county, New York, December 27, 1849, of Irish parentage. In the summer of 1862 the family removed to Petroleum Center, Venango county. Our subject received a limited education in the public schools, and afterward served an apprenticeship of three years at the printer's trade. While at Petroleum Center he was in the employ of the Central Petroleum Company for several years, and subsequently was connected with the banking house of George H. Bissell & Company of that then booming oil town. In April, 1871, he came to Franklin with James Smith, and was employed at the Boston Iron Works until 1879, when he formed a partnership with J. Hur- ley, under the firm name of Maloney & Hurley, dealers in oil well supplies. Since that time Mr. Maloney has been the senior member of the firm under the several changes of proprietorship, as well as the leading spirit in the growth and development of the business, which is now the largest institution of its kind in Franklin.
Mr. Maloney has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Melissa A. Gordon, of Salisbury Center, Herkimer county, New York, who bore him two daughters: Carrie A., wife of Rowland W. Stewart of Bangor, Maine,
833
BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN.
and Blanche S. Mrs. Maloney died August 17, 1886, and he was again married December 22, 1887, to Mrs. Anna J. Hanson nee Brigham, a native of Franklin. Politically Mr. Maloney has always been an active, aggressive Democrat. He has served two terms as mayor of Franklin, and several years on the city council. He belongs to the Masonic order, the I. O. O. F., K. of H., K. and L. of H., and E. A. U., and is grand master of the A. O. U. W. in this state. He is recognized as one of the most enter- prising citizens of his adopted county.
DAVID I. DALE, of Maloney & Company, was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1849, son of David and Catharine (Henlen) Dale. His parents subsequently settled in Rockland township, Venango county, where our subject was reared. He received a common school education, and on arriving at his majority engaged in oil producing which he followed until 1883. In that year he became the partner of George Maloney, which partnership has continued up to the present. Mr. Dale was married July 28, 1874, to Miss Laura C. Wilt, of Cranberry township, Venango county. One daughter, Nora, is the fruit of this union. The family adhere to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Dale is a member of the A. O. U. W., and a supporter of the Prohibition party.
DAVID T. LANE, senior member of the firm of D. T. Lane & Son, ma- chinists, was born in Allegany county, New York, June 12, 1826, and is a son of Mark and Henrietta (Kenny) Lane, the former a native of Connect- icut and the latter of Massachusetts. They were married in Massachusetts, and then removed to New York state. In 1841 they came to Sugar Creek township, Venango county, locating four miles north of Franklin. The father died on that farm, and the widow subsequently removed to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where the remaining years of her life were spent. David T. was reared under the parental roof, and afterward learned the trade of millwright. In 1859 he located in Franklin, and excepting some ten years spent on the river, he has lived in that city ever since. He estab- lished the first machine shop in Franklin, in 1859, and with the exception of the period spent in steamboating from 1865 to 1874, he has always been engaged in that business. In 1862 and 1863 he built two steamboats on the Allegheny below the Venango mills, which were the only boats of any considerable size ever constructed in Franklin. For the past four years the firm has devoted its attention largely to the manufacture of sucker-rods, which business has recently been consolidated under the name of the Frank- lin Sucker-Rod Joint Company, Limited, with the plant located in the Third ward. Mr. Lane was married in 1859, to Miss Lucy M. Smith, who bore him five children, three of whom are living: William H., junior member of D. T. Lane & Son; Theresa A., wife of Alexander McDowell, and Frank G. Mrs. Lane died in 1872, and he was again married in March, 1882, to Miss Laura L. Carey, of Franklin, who is a member of the Evangelical church.
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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Mr. Lane adheres to the Democratic party, and is to-day one of the oldest business men of Franklin.
W. N. EMERY, of the firm of W. N. Emery & Son, was born near Green- ville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1833. His parents, Jacob and Jane (Humphrey) Emery, were natives of eastern Pennsylvania and Butler county, Pennsylvania, respectively. They were married in Butler county and about 1829 removed to the vicinity of Greenville, subsequently located in Pymatuning township, and thence removed into Hickory town- ship and settled south of Clarksville, where both died. They were members of the Presbyterian church, in which body Jacob Emery was an elder for many years. Our subject grew to manhood on the home farm, and re- ceived a good education, teaching a few winter terms of school in early life. He followed farming until 1860, when he came to Venango county and went into the meat business at Franklin, which he carried on until 1868. He then engaged in his present business, first in the Boston Iron Works, which he operated one year. In 1869 he erected his present works on Thirteenth street, and excepting a few years when he rented the shops, he has been en- gaged in business at this place. The present firm was established in 1882. Mr. Emery was married January 14, 1858, to Miss Emma Love, a native of Ohio, who is the mother of three children: John P., junior member of the firm; Mary, and Jennie. The family are Presbyterian in faith, and Republican in politics. Mr. Emery has been a member of the city council for several terms, and has been a resident of Franklin for the past twenty- nine years.
JAMES SMITH, proprietor of the Boston Iron Works, was born in Brant- ford, Canada, May 24, 1839, of English parentage, and removed with his parents to Buffalo, New York, in 1851. He entered the employ of the New York Central Railroad Company, and learned the trade of machinist. In February, 1865, he came to the oil regions, and located at Plumer, Venango county, where he commenced work for Hamlin, Moore & Company. He was soon advanced to the position of foreman and continued in that capacity until the spring of 1866. The firm having changed to that of E. W. Cook & Company, Mr. Smith assumed control of the business. In October, 1868, he bought out the firm and commenced business on his own account. He remained at Plumer until April, 1871, when he purchased from Winsor Brothers & Company, the Boston Iron Works. Mr. Smith is engaged in the manufacture of oil well supplies, and affords employment to a large number of men. He is the owner of one of the most extensive establish- ments of the kind in Franklin.
JAMES R. GRANT, proprietor of quarries, was born in 1831 in Butler county, Pennsylvania, son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Say) Grant. He received a common school education, and was reared to farm life. He after- ward learned the tailor trade, which he followed until the spring of 1854,
835
BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN.
when he went to California and was engaged in the gold mines until the latter part of 1860. He then came to Venango county, and went into the oil business. On the 14th of October, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and the following month was promoted to third sergeant. In November, 1862, he was commissioned first lieutenant, and November 18, 1864, became captain of his company. He participated in the following engagements: Antietam, Fredericksburg, Kelley's Ford, Rapidan Station, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Culpepper, Sulphur Springs, Kilpatrick's raid, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Stony Creek Station, Dinwiddie Court House, and Appomat- tox. He was mustered out with his company July 1, 1865, and returning to Venango county, once more engaged in the oil business for a short time. He then went into the lumber business in Scrubgrass township. In the fall of 1869 he was elected treasurer of Venango county, and after the expiration of his term he engaged in the manufacture of brick, with which business he has been more or less connected ever since. In 1880, he made a trip to the Rocky mountains, organized a mining company, and spent four years in the West, where he still retains some mining inter- ests. Mr. Grant is at present engaged in operating a quarry, and deals in all kinds of flag and building stone. In 1866 he was married to Mrs. Mar- tha J. Moore, daughter of Peter Smith, of Rockland township. She died June 8, 1885, leaving seven children: Carrie J., Alice M., Emma E., Myra M., Orvill S., Maggie C., and Martha J. Captain Grant is an ardent Re- publican, and served in the city council in 1887-1888. He is a member of the G. A. R. (and present commander of his post), F. and A. M., and E. A. U., being president of the last mentioned society.
JAMES MEEHAN, proprietor of the Venango Boiler Works, was born in Toronto, Ontario, December 20, 1856, son of Bernard and Catharine (Mc- Mahon) Meehan, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Canada. When James was about six years old his parents removed to Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he grew up and learned the boiler maker's trade. He followed the trade at Meadville, Pittsburgh, and other points until the fall of 1876, when he came to Franklin. In the spring of 1877 he established the Venango Boiler Works which he has since operated successfully. Mr. Meehan voted the Democratic ticket until the election of 1884, when he supported the Republican candidate because of a personal interest he felt in the success of high protection. His father died in Franklin, and his mother is a resident of that city. He is a member of the Catholic church and one of the enterprising young business men of Franklin. Mr. Meehan is also engaged in the oil business, and interested in several producing wells.
J. H. WHITE, machinist, son of Harvey and Eliza J. (Robinson) White, was born at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, in 1840. He was reared in that place, and learned his trade with Childs & McConnell, of Beaver Falls. Mr.
836
HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
White was afterward employed at Youngstown and Warren, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, coming to Franklin in 1876. He entered the employ of James Smith, of the Boston Iron Works, and eventually be- came foreman of that establishment, which position he filled for nine years. In 1886 he established his present business. He was married in 1860 to Miss Emma C. Pew, of Warren, Ohio, by which union three children have been born to them: Mary, wife of Charles Ramsdale; Harry, and Grace. Mr. White is a supporter of the Prohibition party, a member of the K. of H., and an adherent of the First Baptist church of Franklin, in which body he fills the office of deacon.
M. A. JACK, of the firm of M. A. Jack & Company, hardwood manufact- urers, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1848, and is a son of Samuel Jack, a manufacturer of Apollo, Pennsylvania. He grew up in his native county, and there followed the planing mill and contracting business in connection with his father until August, 1872, when he went to Foxburg and engaged in the oil business. In August, 1882, he came to Franklin and followed his trade in this city until January, 1887, and then established his present factory on Fourteenth street. He has built up a good trade, and enjoys a fair success in his line of business. He manufact- ures all classes of stair and hard wood work, also book cases, side boards, etc., and fits up the interior of offices in any style required. Mr. Jack was married in Armstrong county, September 1, 1870, to Miss Lizzie J. Bren- ner, and has a family of three children: Stella, Euna, and Viola. He is an ardent Prohibitionist, and the family adhere to the Presbyterian church.
I. H. BORLAND, carriage manufacturer, is a son of Doctor John R. and Elizabeth Borland of Franklin. He was born at Harlansburg, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1859, and came to Franklin with his parents in 1865. He was educated in the public schools of this city and learned his trade with Myers Brothers & Humphrey. In 1884 he established his present factory on South Twelfth street, and has since carried on busi- ness quite successfully. He is turning out a good class of work and enjoy- ing a rapidly increasing business. Mr. Borland was married in 1888 to Miss Anna Cummings of Franklin, who has borne him one child. Our subject was elected a member of the city council in 1888, and is still filling that po- sition. He is one of the working members of the Republican party, and takes an active interest in its success.
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