USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 24
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Patrick J. Maloy was reared and educated at Uniontown, his birthplace, and in the spring of 1900 engaged in the hotel business at Masontown, Pennsyl- vania, under the firm name of Maloy and Johnson, but the following year, De- cember 18, came to the borough of Scottdale and has since assumed complete control of the Kromer House. Under his efficient management the hotel has been entirely renovated, and is now the leading hostelry in that locality. The house contains forty-five rooms, which are cheerful and well furnished, and the table is abundantly supplied with the best that the market affords. No one more fully understands or better provides for the entertainment and accommodation of the public than Mr. Maloy, who is ever obliging and courteous, and in this way he has secured a large and liberal patronage. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, but in local politics he casts his vote for the candi- date who in his opinion is best suited for office. He is a member of Scottdale Lodge, No. 777. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. November 24, 1896, Mr. Maloy was married to Grace McNally, and they are the parents of four children : Raymond J., Josiah T., John Donald and Arnold Edward. The fam- ily are members of the Catholic church.
JOHN W. MOODY, well and favorably known in religious and liter- ary circles, was born at Middle Rasen, Lincolnshire, England, October 6, 1846. His father, John Moody, was a miller, his machinery having three motive powers, wind, water and steam. When the wind failed, water was used, and when there was a scarity of water resort was had to a steam engine of primitive construction. The paternal ancestry of Mr. Moody were mostly engaged in agricultural pursuits. His father, besides being an active business man, was popular as a local preacher in the Methodist denomination. He had not been able to acquire a very extended education, but he was possessed of a natural eloquence and a gift of language which caused his services to be in constant de- mand, especially on such occasions as the anniversaries of rural churches, etc. Mr. Moody's family on the maternal side moved in somewhat higher circles.
Mr. Moody was educated in the national schools of England, and later took a classical course in the Brigg (Lincolnshire) grammar school, where many men of note prepared for Cambridge and Oxford. Failing health obliged him to curtail his studies, and when still quite a youth was apprenticed to Hinchcliffe & Holliday, of Hull, Yorkshire, England, to learn the art of print- ing and journalism in general. He remained here four years, obtaining a prac- tical knowledge of every branch of this business. At the end of this period the firm failed and went out of business. Mr. Moody was worn out with his hard work of reporting for a morning newspaper, The Hull Daily Express, and his physician ordered him into the country. At the age of eighteen years he was
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again bound apprentice, this time to a firm of grocers, J. T. & T. Varlow, of Brigg, Lincolnshire, England. He finished his apprenticeship with this firm and continued in this business until he was twenty-three years old, then again turning his attention to journalism. For a time he was engaged on the Gains- borough News, at Gainsborough, England, and then was assistant editor of the High Peak News, at Bakewell, Derbyshire, England, at the same time editing the High Peak Tourist's Guide, a society paper published at Buxton, the scene of one of the novels of Walter Scott. From Buxton he removed with his fam- ily to Preston, in Lancashire, and there became assistant editor of the Preston Chronicle, a widely circulated paper under the editorship of Anthony Hewitson, an uncompromising radical.
Mr. Moody's thoughts had often turned to the new world as offering a bet- ter field for him than the old, and a favorable opportunity offering at this time he took advantage of it in the spring of 1872 and came to America for the first time. A few days after landing he obtained employment on the True American, then owned by Naar, Day & Naar, at Trenton, New Jersey. The following spring he went into business on his own account, starting the Chambersburg Weekly News, (afterwards changed to the Mercer County News) which was a decided success notwithstanding the fact that it was a time of great panic and depression in business circles. About this times Mr. Moody, who had always been a great student, took up the study of theology. These studies finally led to the ministry, and in January, 1882, he was unanimously called to the pastorate of the Central Baptist church, at Junction, New Jersey, and was there ordained, September 27, 1882. He remained here for two years, and his success is at- tested by the fact that the membership of the church was tripled and a new church was organized at Washington, New Jersey, which is now in a very flourishing condition. In this work, as in his entire subsequent career, Mr. Moody gives much of the credit of his success to his wife. Again failing health suggested need of a change, and he accepted a call from Athens, New York, a beautiful village near the Hudson river. Here he labored for five years with his usual success, and then removed to Monongahela, Pennsylvania, where he served as pastor for three years. While in this town, in association with others, he started a denominational weekly known as The Baptist Exponent. From individual ownership to a joint stock company, composed of men who knew noth- ing of journalism but insisted upon managing the affairs, the descent to failure was swift and sure. Mr. Moody, however, had retired from the editorship six months before this culmination. From Monongahela he removed to Sewickley, Pennsylvania, and there was pastor of the Baptist church for five years. Dur- ing the greater part of this time he was a contributor to the press, both secular and religious. At the suggestion of friends he assumed control of the Baptist Expositor at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and edited the same for some time, until it was sold to the Baptist Commonwealh of Philadelphia, and incorporated therewith. From Sewickley he assumed the pastorate of the old Peter's Creek church, at Library, Pennsylvania, where he remained two years, and then re- ceived a call from the First Baptist church of Scottdale, Pennsylvania, in which he served for nearly six years, resigning his pastorate in order to organize the Scottdale Printing & Publishing Company. This company, of which he is secretary, treasurer, manager and editor, purchased the Scottdale Independent, an old and well-established weekly. This paper was enlarged and improved, and in September, 1904, a daily edition was started, which gives great promise of success. While no longer in the ministry Mr. Moody frequently occupies pulpits in neighboring towns and cities. Elliott G. Moody, of Trenton, New
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Jersey, who has held various positions of trust in the city and state of late years, is the only brother of John W. Moody, and Mrs. John Rowe, of Barnsley, Yorkshire, England, is his only sister.
John W. Moody married, January 26, 1870, Mary Elizabeth Gray, one of a family of ten children, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gray, of Long Sut- ton, Lincolnshire, England, who subsequently removed to Peterborough, Eng- land, where they died and are buried, and where most of the family now reside, some engaged in building and contracting, and others retired from business. Mr. Gray, while a farmer by occupation, was a mechanical genius, constructing with his own hands some unique articles, both useful and ornamental. Several members of this family have inherited this gift, and have utilized it to great profit and advantage in the course of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Moody have two children: Wallace Elliott, born in Gainsborough, England, December 5, 1870. He is married and has three children. Jessie Mabelle, born at Trenton, New Jersey, March 10, 1874. She married W. W. Stewart, eldest son of one of the oldest and wealthiest families of the rural districts of Allegheny county, and resides on the old Stewart homestead at Stewart, near Finleyville, which has been the home of the family for several generations. She is the mother of two children.
THOMAS JOSEPH DISKIN, an active and enterprising young busi- ness man of the borough of Scottdale, who has contributed in no small measure to its growth and prosperity, was born in the community in which he now re- sides, March 2, 1878, son of Thomas and Mary Diskin, natives of Scottdale.
He attended the public schools of Scottdale until ten years of age, when his parents removed to Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and he then attended the public schools of that city, also the Bellefonte Academy, from which institutions he was graduated. He continued his studies at the Central State College, graduat- ing therefrom in February, 1898, after which he was a student at Duff's Busi- ness College, from which he also graduated. He then engaged in the real estate, mortgages, and insurance business, which he still continues, and in which he has achieved a large degree of success. In the latter branch of the business he han- dles life, accident and fire insurance, representing some of the best companies, namely : Springfield Fire & Marine; Prussian National, of Stettin, Germany ; Teutonia, of Allegheny City ; Allemannia, of Pittsburg ; Armenia, of Pittsburg ; Star, of Lexington, Kentucky; Capital, of Hartford, Connecticut; New York Life ; and the American Casuality, of Reading. Since the establishment of his business, November, 1898, it has steadily increased in volume and importance, which fact is attributable to his honorable and straightforward methods of con- ducting business, and to the high and irreproachable character he bears among his fellowmen, who esteem him very highly. He has erected and placed on the market about twelve buildings in the borough of Scottdale, all of which were modern in their appointments, and by their architectural beauty added greatly to the attractiveness of the locality. Mr. Diskin is an Independent in politics. Mr. Diskin married, September 15, 1903, Anna Irene Dolan, of Butler, Penn- sylvania, daughter of Daniel and Margaret Dolan, the former named being an oil operator of West Virginia. One child was the issue of this marriage, Mary Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Diskin are members of the Catholic church.
JOHN C. STEINER, justice of the peace of the horough of Scottdale, a veteran of the Civil war, and an active and public-spirited citizen, promoting to the best of his ability the interests of the community in which he resides, was
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 26, 1839, son of Philip and Elizabeth ( Fox) Steiner, and grandson of John Steiner. John Stemer (grandfather ) came from Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, to Westmoreland county about the time of his marriage or shortly afterward. He located in Hempfield township and there purchased a farm of about one hun- dred and fifty acres, which he cultivated and improved, and whereupon he he- sided until his decease, when he was upwards of eighty years of age. He was a man of character and standing in the community, devoted to his home and fam- ily, and a consistent member of the Reformed church. He was a descendant of a German ancestry. His wife, who was a Miss Wentzel prior to her marriage, bore him children : Jacob, a hatter ; Daniel, a mason ; Joseph, a mason ; Philip, mentioned hereafter : Henry, a blacksmith ; John, a farmer; Hannah, married David Million ; Elizabeth, married Michael Eisenman ; and Mary, married Jolin B. Miller.
Philip Steiner ( father) was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, 1812, and died in 1894, having spent his entire life in his native township. He learned the trade of hatter during his boyhood with his brother Jacob in the village of Adamsburg, Westmoreland county. He followed this line of work for several years, then gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, and later worked at the trade of tinner, conducting a shop of his own until he attained the age of sixty-five years, when he retired from active business. As early as 1845 he served as supervisor of the township, and later served as supervisor, perform- ing the duties carefully and conscientiously. He was a member and elder for many years in the Lutheran church, and was an adherent of Republican princi- ples. He married Elizabeth Fox, daughter of Philip and Sarah (Campbell) Fox, the latter a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: John C., mentioned hereafter ; Maria, wife of John W. Finxel, of New Staunton, Pa. : Sylvester, a resident of Millersdale, Pa .; Henry V., a resident of New Staunton, Pa. ; David P., deceased ; Elsie C., wife of I. W. More, of New Stranton, Pa. : and Hannah, died in infancy.
John C. Steiner was reared in his native township, Hempfield, and educated in the public schools thereof. He worked at the trade of tinner with his father, and at the age of eighteen learned the trade of shoemaker which he followed up to 1885, conducting an establishment of his own in New Staunton, his business being one of the best and most extensive in that locality. In 1879 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he filled until 1894. Two years later he took up his abode in Scottdale, his present residence, and in 1901 was elected justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket, receiving a majority of two hun- dred and thirty-six votes. This attested to his popularity, as the borough has a Republican majority of four hundred and fifty votes. He is faithful and effi- cient in the performance of liis duties, and has had very few reversals as he weighs carefully the evidence in each and every case brought before him. He also served as constable from 1875 to 1879. He enlisted, in 1863, in the Fifty- fourth Pennsylvania Militia, and August 30, 1864, became a member of Com- pany K. Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He received a gunshot wound in the head at the battle of Petersburg, April 2, 1865, and was removed to a hospital, where he remained until his discharge from the service at the close of the war, June 22, 1865. He is a member of Colonel Ells- worth's Post, No. 209, of Scottdale, of which he is past commander. He is a member of Three Graces Lodge, No. 934. I. O. O. F., at Madison, Pennsyl- vania, and of A. O. U. K. M., No. 342, of Scottdale. He is efficient and well- liked as a public official, and stands deservedly high as a citizen of the county.
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He married, August 9, 1860, Harriet C. Pool, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hauser) Pool. She was born in Hempfield township, and bore her husband children : Curtin Philip, a hotel proprietor ; Lizzie M., wife of L. M. Hays, of East Greensburg, Pa. : Charles E., of Scottdale, employed as conductor on the Pennsylvania railroad ; Katie T., wife of James B. Funk, of New Staunton, Pa. ; Samuel O., cigar manufacturer of Scottdale; Annie M., unmarried ; Joseph Mc- Kee, cigar manufacturer, Scottdale; and Sarah W., unmarried. The family are members of the Lutheran church of Scottdale.
The firm of Steiner Brothers, cigar manufacturers and dealers, conducting business at No. 103 Pittsburg street, Scottdale, is composed of Samuel O. and Joseph McKee Steiner, mentioned above. This firm was successor to C. P. Steiner, who succeeded B. C. Fritz, who was successor to Daniel Wilhelm. When the present firm took charge of the business in 1896, it was conducted on a small scale, operating three hands a portion of the time, but they at once put new life into it, and have increased gradually until at the present time ( 1905) they give constant employment to fourteen people. They manufacture stogies exclusively, all the various grades, and their goods find a ready sale in many states of the union. In their salesrooms they handle all kinds of cigars, tobacco and smokers' supplies, also stationery, newspapers, periodicals and various other articles along that line. The proprietors of this business are among the ener- getic young business men of Scottdale, are men of character and standing, and in every way worthy of the success which has crowned their efforts. Samuel O. born September 17, 1873, is a stockholder in two of the banks of Scottdale, a member of the Lutheran church, in which he serves in various official capacities, and also active in the Sabbath School connected therewith, and a member of the A. O. U. W., of which he is a collector. He married, August 24, 1904, Lillian B. Leichleiter, daughter of L. B. Leichleiter, of Everson, Fayette county. Joseph McKee, born February 14, 1875, is also a stockholder in two of the banks of Scottdale, a member of the B. P. O. E., Scottdale Lodge, No. 777, also R. A. He married, November 20, 1901, Catherine O'Neill, daughter of Charles ('Neill, of Everson, Pennsylvania.
JOHN S. PARKER, a prominent and influential merchant, head of the J. S. Parker Company, of Scottdale, whose successful career is ample evi- dence of what a man can accomplish by energy, perseverance, concentration and good business sagacity, was born in West Newton, Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, January 28, 1842, son of John S. and Jane (Graham) Parker, natives of Ohio and Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, respectively.
John S. Parker (father) came to Westmoreland county when a young man from his native state, Ohio, which was then the western frontier of civilization, and at once engaged in mercantile business at West Newton. Later he re- moved to Reagantown and there conducted the same line of business until his death in 1857, at the age of sixty-five years. He was a substantial citizen, and always took a deep interest in every enterprise that tended toward the public good. He was stanch Democrat in politics, a consistent member of the Presby- terian church, in which body he was active officially, and a soldier of the War of 1812. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Graham, was a native of Westmoreland county, a member of the Presbyterian church, and a woman of remarkable business ability. After the death of her husband she conducted the business successfully for many years, aided by her sons. She died in 1882, aged eighty years. Their family consisted of nine children : Sarah Ann, deceased, who was the wife of James Weddle; Eliza Jane, deceased, who was the wife of
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James P. Ward ; Rebecca, deceased, who was the wife of James McCune ; Har- riet, wife of Abraham Ruff, of Mount Pleasant ; Nancy Ellen, widow of James B. Smith, of Scottdale : Euphemia, wife of John Hurst, of Scottdale : John S., mentione hereafter ; Richard G., a resident of Huntingdon township; George C., who is associated with his brother John S. in business. George C. was born in the vicinity of West Newton, October, 1847. He was educated in the public schools, and his training in the mercantile line was obtained in his father's store. About 1873 he and his brother Richard G. established a business at Reagantown, conducting a general merchandise store until 1880, and the following year he came to Scottdale and engaged in business with his brother John S., with whom he has been associated continuously, being at the present time ( 1905) a member of the firm. He is one of the organized stockholders of the Savings & Trust Company of Scottdale. He was married August, 1896, to Ida E. Fry, daughter of David and Susan Fry. They are members of the Presbyterian church of Scottdale.
John S. Parker obtained his education in the schools of Reagantown and West Newton. After the death of the father he assisted his mother in the con- duct of the store, rendering valuable service. In February, 1873, he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, James B. Smith, and engaged in the mer- cantile business at Scottdale under the firm name of Parker & Smith, which connection continued until 1881, when Mr. Smith withdrew and S. B. McMillan and George C. Parker became members of the firm. The name was then changed to J. S. Parker & Co., and so continued until 1884, when Mr. McMillan retired and the firm name became J. S. Parker & Bro., and continued as such until 1896, when the firm name was changed to J. S. Parker Co., as it stands today. They began business in a very small way, their stock consisting of gro- ceries and a limited amount of dry goods. In 1890 the grocery department was eliminated. He now carries a full line of dry goods, notions, jewelry, men's and boy's clothing, ladies' ready-to-wear suits, millinery, carpets, window shades, curtains, linoleum and numerous other articles to be found in a first-class general mercantile establishment. He has occupied the same corner, Pittsburg and Spring streets, and the old building was enlarged from time to time to meet the growing demands of the business. In 1903 it was torn down and on the site was erected a fine three-story brick-pressed gray-building, 66x100, two floors of which they occupy, there being only one establishment in the county which occupies more floor space, and this establishment now stands in the front ranks of mercantile enterprises. Mr. Parker is one of the energetic, active business men of the borough, and has taken a deep interest in all enterprises that have been inaugurated, among which might be mentioned : The Scottdale Iron and Steel Company, limited, the pipe mill, the machine shop, and in 1901 he became one of the promoters of the Scottdale Savings & Trust Company, of which he is a director, and January, 1905, was elected president of the same. He also built one of the first houses erected in Scottdale. He is a member and trustee of the First Presbyterian church, to the support and maintenance of which he contributes liberally.
November 11, 1869, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Pauline Ruff, daughter of Jonas and Ruth Ruff, of Mount Pleasant township. Mrs. Parker died in 1890, leaving five children: Richard H., an associate of his father in business ; Frank R., an associate of his father in business ; he married Olive An- derson, and their children are : Clyde, Gertrude and Pauline ; Jane G., Effie May, Clyde, who died at the age of six years. In 1894 Mr. Parker married for his second wife, Mrs. Charlotte Johnson, nee Trader, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
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HURST FAMILY. Between Buckingham mountain and the Wrightstown line lay two tracts of land of one thousand acres each which were patented to John Reynolds and Edward West, respectively, neither of whom ever settled on the land or made any claim to it. On these tracts in the first part of the eighteenth century settled sons of the earlier settlers of the commun- ity and a number of Scotch-Irish emigrants, who improved the land, and later they or the representatives of those that died thereon, sold the "Improvement," and in most cases the title was acquired by "adverse possession," though some of the tracts were later confirmed by patent. Among those early settlers was John Hirst, as the name was then spelled, who was supposed to have been a na- tive of England, and was of English or possibly Scotch-Irish origin. He died in Buckingham about 1754, and his widow, Ann Hirst, administered on his es- tate and sold the "Improvement" and his personal estate. On December 11, 1754, she petitioned the Orphans' court of Bucks county, setting forth these facts, and asked that auditors be appointed to pass upon and settle her accounts of administration. She also states that the decedent left "divers children who are under the age of twenty-one years," and asked that guardians be appointed for them so that the distribution of the estate might be made. She then gave the names and ages of the children, as follows :
"Nancy Hirst was 21 on ye 28th day of July, 1754."
"Betty Hirst was 20 on ye 4th day of October, 1754.
"John Hirst was 18 on ye 3Ist day of August, 1754."
"William Hirst was 14 on ye 5th day of October. 1754."
"Sarah Hirst was 12 on ye 5th day of February, 1754.
"Richard Hirst was 10 on ye Ioth day of March, 1754."
"Judah Hirst was 7 on ye 17th day of May, 1754."
The Improvement was sold for one hundred and fifty-four pounds and ten schillings, and must therefore have been of considerable acreage. The balance shown by the account was two hundred and forty-eight pounds, eleven shillings and two pence, but no distribution appears of record, therefore there is nothing to show who the children were who were already of age in 1754. Of the above named family John and William Hirst settled in Solebury ; in 1760 John Hirst married Mary Heston, daughter of Zebulon Heston, of Wrightstown, having applied for membership at Buckingham Friends Meeting in 1759. Their chil- dren were: John, Rebeckah, Sarah, Jesse, David and Ann. They left Bucks county about 1774. William, the other brother, married Ann Thomas, April 25, 1761 ; he was a blacksmith by trade.
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