USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 29
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He was among the early stockholders in the banking interests of the bor- ough of Mount Pleasant, becoming interested in the First National Bank, of which institution he later became a director, was the active head of the same for many years, and at the time of his death was serving as vice-president. Later in company with William B. Neel and J. C. Crownover he formed the Mount Pleasant Bank, which they operated until 1893, when it became known as the Citizens' National Bank of Mount Pleasant, and in this he held a directorship until his death. He was recognized as one of the ablest financiers of the county, conservative, but just. In 1884 he served as county chairman of the Republican party, and through his generalship the county went Republican, the first time in its history. He never sought political preferment, although a warm and active supporter of the party. He contributed largely in building up the town of Mount Pleasant, having erected a goodly number of buildings, and in various other ways added to its prosperity. He was a liberal, broad-minded man, well and favorably known throughout the community, and he possessed
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a host of true friends, who fully appreciated his great moral worth as a man and citizen. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, to the support of which he contributed liberally.
January 2, 1861, Mr. Hitchman married Elizabeth Shields, daughter of James Shields, of Mount Pleasant, and six sons and two daughters were born to them: Mary, unmarried ; Alice E., also unmarried ; James S., mentioned hereafter : Edward T., a coal operator at Wheeling, West Virginia, head of the Hitchman Coal & Coke Company ; John D., William M., a teller in the City Savings & Trust Company of Mount Pleasant; Walton M., and Arthur. Will- iam J. Hitchman, father of these children, died September 26, 1894; he was survived by his wife, who is living at the present time ( 1905).
James S. Hitchiman, eldest son of William J. and Elizabeth (Shields) Hitchman, was born in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1865. He attended the public schools of Mount Pleasant, Pennsyl- vania, and at Blairstown, New Jersey, and then entered Princeton College, but was shortly afterward called home to take up business duties. In 1886 he en- tered the First National Bank of Mount Pleasant in the capacity of teller, serving as such until 1893, when he was appointed to the presidency of the Citizens' National Bank, which position he held until the reorganization, April 2, 1904, when it became known as the City Savings & Trust Company and he was elected president of the same. He is also largely interested in the coal in- dustry, from which he derives a goodly income. He is a staunch Republican in politics, but not in any sense of the word an office-seeker, and exercises a potent influence in behalf of the party whose principles he advocates. He is one of the progressive young men of the community, keenly alive to everything which concerns in any way the well being of the town and county.
ALFRED R. WOODS, of New Kensington, is the son of William P Woods, who was born in 1811, in the north of Scotland, whence he came in 1831 or '32 to the United States, settling in Center county, Pennsylvania. He was a shoemaker by trade, but after his emigration engaged in the lumber bus- iness and in farming. In 1861 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until 1864, when he received wounds which proved fatal. He was a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Woods married Mary, daughter of Andrew Vasbinder, and their children were : : Oliver P., deceased ; William A., assistant warden of insane criminal asylum, Ionia, Michigan : Nancy A., deceased wife of William Covert; Joseph V., deceased ; John B., harness manufacturer of Indiana ; Samuel M., also of Indiana; and Alfred R., mentioned hereafter.
Alfred R. Woods, son of William P. and Mary (Vasbinder) Woods, was born November 14, 1857, near Brookville, Jefferson county, and received his education in the Soldiers' Orphan school, Dayton, Armstrong county, and at the Union Academy. At eighteen he went to learn the marble cutter's trade with J. S. Moore, of Brookville, where he remained sixteen years. He then entered into partnership with A. B. McLain, and together they established the marble and granite business in Brookville under the firm name of A. P. McLain & Company. At the end of three years they moved to New Kensington, being among the pioneers, and there successfully continued the business. Since the spring of 1905 Mr. Woods' son, Robert A., has been sole proprietor. In politics Mr. Woods is a Republican. He and his family are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Mr. Woods married Mary, daughter of John Hains, and their children are : Edna M., wife of John C. Sullivan ; Robert A., successor to
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
his father's business; Lillie E., graduate of Duff College, stenographer for D. J. Kennedy, of Pittsburg ; Maud M., at home; Anna E., in telephone office, Pittsburg ; James B., at home ; William M., at home ; Jackson E., at home ; and Dorothy, at home.
ALBERT S. KAUFMAN, M. D. The father of Dr. Albert S. Kauf- man, of New Kensington, was Harrison Kaufman, who was born August 9, 1840, in Indiana county, son of Samuel Kaufman, who was born May 31, 1812, died July 27, 1870, and Sarah (Heckman) Kaufman, born April 28, 1811, died February 12, 1890, both were born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania. Samuel Kaufman was a son of Joseph Kaufman and Nancy ( Myers) Kaufman, born August 8, 1794, died March 9, 1878; both were born in Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania. Harrison Kaufman received his education in the Plumville Academy. For twenty-five years he taught during the winters and in the summers en- gaged in farming in Indiana county. For some time he held the office of town- ship auditor. He is a Republican, and for thirty years or more has served as elder in the Presbyterian church of Bethel, Pennsylvania. Mr. Kaufman mar- ried Margaret, daughter of Levi and Jane Young, of Indiana county, and they have children : Albert S., mentioned hereafter ; Harry E., minister of Pres- byterian church at Harrisville, Pennsylvania ; Ella Blanche, wife of J. M. Rob- inson, teacher in Indiana county ; George W., student at Allegheny Theological Seminary ; and Grace E., wife of Harry S. Pounds, farmer of Westmoreland county.
Albert S. Kaufman, son of Harrison and Margaret (Young) Kaufman. was born June 11, 1869, in Indiana county, where he received his primary cd- ucation in the common schools, passing thence to the Jacksonville Academy and the Indiana State Normal school. During four years he taught in the schools of his native county. After spending three years in the office of Dr. W. L. Shields, of Jacksonville, he entered Baltimore Medical College, from which he graduated in 1893 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, afterward receiving the endorsement of Western Pennsylvania Medical College, of Pittsburg. Im- mediately after graduation he opened an office in New Kensington, where he has since continuously remained and has built up a successful pratice. Dr. Kaufman is first vice-president of the Westmoreland County Medical Society, is also a member and ex-president of the Allegheny Valley Medical Society, and of the New Kensington Physicians Association. He is examiner for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York, Metropolitan of New York, Aetna of Hartford, Connecticut, Sun Life of Canada, Penn Mutual of Phila- delphia, Pittsburg Life and Trust, Equitable of Des Moines, Iowa, Bankers of Des Moines, Iowa, and Modern Woodmen of America. At one time he held the office of auditor of the borough. He is a Republican in politics. He is an elder in the United Presbyterian church of Parnassus. Dr. Kaufman married Susan E., daughter of M. H. and Jane Henry, of Indiana county, and they have children : Mary M., born August 5, 1893: Albert R., born September 5, 1895 : Grace Elizabeth, born July 5, 1898, died February 21, 1900 ; Anna Bell, born November 25, 1900: Ruth D., born February 28, 1903, died August 23, 1905, and Helen, born October 13, 1905.
JAMES M. PATTERSON, of New Kensington, is the grandson of James Patterson, who was born in 1773, in county Down, Ireland, and at the age of sixteen emigrated to the United States, settling for a short time near 'Steubenville, in Virginia. After three or four years he went to Washington
a.S. Kaufman. M. KQ.
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county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a farm, and for the remainder of his life gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. In politics he was allied suc- cessively with the Whigs, the Know-Nothings, and the Republicans. For about forty years he served as elder in the United Presbyterian church of North Hope. Mr. Patterson married Mary Miller, and their children were: Alexander, Thomas, James, mentioned hereafter : David, John, Jane, wife of James Armstrong, of West Middletown : Elizabeth, wife of James Richmond, of West Finley township, Washington county, and about 1868 they moved to Colorado, where both died: Margaret, wife of Samuel Leiper, of the neigh- borhood of Hookstown, Beaver county : Mary, wife of James Tagert, of Alle- gheny county. Mr. Patterson, the father, lived to be almost a centenarian, his death occurring about 1867.
James Patterson, son of James and Mary ( Miller) Patterson, was born in 1816, on the old homestead, near West Middletown, where he remained until after his marriage, settling then on a farm adjoining the homestead. In 1848 he sold the property and bought a farm of ninety-six acres near Goodintent, where he remained about six years. He then sold this farm and purchased an- other of one hundred and seventy-five acres on what was known as Block- house run. On this property he made his home until 1866, when he sold it and went with his son, James M. Patterson, to Beaver county, where he became the owner of a farm of two hundred and seventy-three acres, situated some fifty miles from his former home at Tumbleson run, near Hookstown. He lived on this farm until about 1885. when he abandoned agriculture and moved to Hookstown where he made his home until the death of his wife. He then sold his house and resided with his sons on the homestead during the remainder of his life. He was a Republican, and for some years an elder of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Patterson married Jane, daughter of Hugh and Esther Leiper, of Hookstown, and their children were: James M., mentioned hereafter : Esther A., deceased wife of Alford Marks, of East Liverpool ; Hugh, died in childhood ; Sarah, wife of Joseph Armstrong: Anna Mary, wife of Pollock Thompson, near Frankford Springs; Hugh (2), farmer on the homestead ; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Ramsey, near Mill Creek Church, Beaver county : Amanda, died unmarried ; Anderson, farmer on part of the homestead ; Della, deceased wife of David Strauss: Eva, wife of William Richmond ; David, drowned in the old well when about three years of age. The mother of this family died in 1891, and the father passed away in 1895.
James M. Patterson, son of James and Jane (Leiper) Patterson, was born July 10. 1843, near West Middletown, on the homestead which had been the birthplace of his father and the home of his grandfather. In 1863 he enlisted in Company K. Sixteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, served to the close of the war and was present at the surrender of Lee.
After his return home he engaged in farming until 1875. when he went to Wellsville, Ohio, and there learned the machinist's trade, the practice of which, however, he found injurious to his health. He therefore took a position with the Brook Oil Company of Cleveland, which he retained twelve or thirteen years. In 1894 he moved to New Kensington and established himself in the undertaking business, which he has successfully conducted to the present time. He is a member of New Kensington Post. No. 636. G. A. R., P. O. S. of A., of New Kensington, and Lodge No. 1048, I. O. O. F., also of New Kensington In the last-named organization he has passed all chairs and has held for one year the office of treasurer. He is a Republican, and during four years served on the county committee.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
ALBERT M. BEATTY. The great-grandfather of Albert M. Beatty. of Ligonier, was William Beatty, who spent his entire life in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, where he followed the trade of a wagonmaker and was also engaged in business as an undertaker. His wife was Isabella Colwell, and their children were: James, mentioned hereafter ; William, Absalom, Samuel, Jane married William Bowman ; and Margaret, married Samuel Patterson.
James Beatty, son of William and Isabella (Colwell) Beatty, was born in 1812, in Armstrong county, and learned the wagonmaker's trade which he fol- lowed in connection with that of a carpenter and cabinetmaker, and also en- gaged in the milling business. He was a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Beatty married Catherine Richard, and their children were: Mary, married Silas Wareham ; Michael, deceased ; William ; Miles, lives in Armstrong county ; James, a carpenter and builder in the same county ; Samuel A., mentioned here- after ; John, a resident of Pittsburg ; Daniel, also lives in that city ; and Cath- erine, wife of Thompson Kelley.
Samuel A. Beatty, son of James and Catherine (Richard) Beatty, was born February 24, 1847, in Armstrong county, and received his education in the common schools. For some years he worked among the farmers of his native county. In 1865 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Regiment, Sixth Army Corps, Pennsylvania Volunteers, for one year or during the war, and was mustered out of service August 25, 1865. Mr. Beatty married Elenora Hawk, and they had children : Ora, wife of Edward Fry ; Albert M., mentioned hereafter : Wyron W., at home ; Smith E .; Florence A., at home ; Gertrude A., married Edward Lowry, of Ligonier.
Albert M. Beatty, son of Samuel A. and Elenora (Hawk) Beatty, was born July 29, 1870, and received his education in the common schools. In 1893 he began to learn the business of a barber with Jacob Hamilton, of Ligonier, with whom he remained one year, and then opened an establishment of his own in partnership with C. L. Bonser, after conducting the business alone for two years. The connection was maintained five years, and in April, 1902, Mr. Beatty leased the National Hotel, in Ligonier, of which he has ever since been the successful proprietor. He is a member of Lodge No. 964. I. O. O. F., of Ligonier. Mr. Beatty married Martha, daughter of James and Martha (Long) Gillespie, and they have two children : Margaret, and Eugene.
MILLER BROTHERS. Clifford E. and Irwin C. Miller, constitute the firm of Miller Brothers, proprietors of one of the largest department stores of Westmoreland county, located at Arona. The former was born April 22, 1880, and the latter born September 28, 1876. They are sons of John W. Miller and Catherine (Bussard) Miller, the former of whom was born in Hemp- field township, in 1851, his parents being Lewis and Susan ( Fox) Miller. John W. Miller was reared in his father's home, acquired his education in the com- mon schools and when about twenty years of age, in company with W. H. Bus- sard, purchased the mercantile business of Adam Miller, at Arona. This was the nucleus of the present extensive house conducted by the Miller brothers. John W. Miller and his partner conducted the business up to the time of the former's death, in 1881, when Mr. Bussard purchased Mr. Miller's interest, becoming sole proprietor and carrying on the same until 1895, when it was destroyed by fire. Following the death of her first husband, Mrs. Catharine Miller became the wife of G. W. Miller, in 1884, and in 1889 G. W. Miller embarked in merchandising in Arona. In 1894 his wife became the owner of the business and conducted the same up to the time of her death, in May, 1902,
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when Clifford E. and Irwin C. purchased the same and have since been its proprietors.
Clifford E. Miller was educated in the county schools and at Leach's Bus- iness College, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania and in Grove City College, where he pursued a classical course. When only nine years of age Clifford E. Miller entered the store and being apt and ambitious, quick in his movements and courteous to the patrons, he soon became a valued factor in the conduct of the enterprise and it was only a few years until he was practically manager of the business. His brother, who pursued his education in the public schools, se- cured a position in early youth with W. H. Bussard, his father's successor, with whom he remained until the destruction of the store by fire. He then ac- cepted a position with the Madison Supply Company, with whom he remained for eight years, four years of the time acting as general manager. In 1902 he accepted a position with Eli Sell and Company, of Greensburg, with whom he continued for a year, when his business interests in Arona demanded his at- tention and he resigned his position there. The brothers have since been closely associated in the conduct of the store and in addition to their mercantile enter- prise they own and operate a stock farm. Their business in Arona is a large department store and within space of ten years their trade has grown so rap- idly that their floor space has been increased from six hundred to ten thousand square feet, while from forty to fifty carloads of goods are purchased annually. The trade has long since reached profitable proportions and in the conduct of the enterprise the brothers display marked executive ability, keen discrnment and indefatigable energy. Both are supporters of the Democratic party and they are members of the United Brethren church, in which Irwin C. Miller is now serving as elder and also as a member of the board of trustees. Clifford E. was married, June 7, 1905, to Minnie, daughter of Irwin W. Moore, of New Stanton, Pennsylvania. Irwin C. Miller was married May 2, 1905, to Eleanor, daughter of Robert J. Anderson, of Manor, Pennsylvania.
W. H. BUSSARD. For three generations the Bussard family has been represented in Westmoreland county, and in colonial days was established in Pennsylvania, the great-grandfather serving as a soldier of the Revolution- ' ary war in defense of colonial interests. Being captured by the British troops, he was imprisoned and was starved to death while still held in captivity.
Conrad Bussard, the grandfather, was born in Northampton county, Penn- sylvania, and the year 1779 witnessed his arrival in Westmoreland county, ac- companied by his wife and one child. They also brought with them a cow and around its neck was fastened a bell, which is still in possession of the family. Conrad Bussard secured a tract of land near Irwin Station and there success- fully carried on general farming for many years. His death occurred in 1852, when he was about seventy-six years of age.
Conrad Bussard, junior, son of Conrad Bussard, senior, was born on the home farm at Irwin Station, in 1812, and there he assisted his father in gen- eral agricultural pursuits until his thirty-third year, when he was married and went to a home of his own, settling at what is now Bussardtown, which place was founded by his father. In early life he learned and followed the cooper's trade and when his labors had brought him sufficient capital to purchase land he became the owner of a farm near Adamsburg and there turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits. In 1865 he purchased his father-in-law's farm, which now lives in the heart of Arona and in the midst of the richest coal fields of Pennsylvania. He afterward bought Joseph Rombaugh's farm and made 2 -- 13
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his home thereon until his death in 1881. He held membership in the Brush Creek Lutheran church and gave his political support to the Democracy. He married Catherine Shumaker, daughter of William Shumaker, who was the owner of the farm now occupied by George (). Bussard. Their children were: Mary, wife of Michael Erhart, of Arona; W. H., and George O., who is also carrying on agricultural pursuits in Arona.
W. H. Bussard was reared at home, acquired a common school education, and at the age of eighteen years apprenticed himself to the blacksmith's trade which he followed for four years. He afterward returned home and took charge of the property, his brother George having left home. There William H Bussard remained for a year, at the end of which time he purchased a half- interest in the mercantile business of John W. Miller and Company, at Arona. Following the death of Mr. Miller, in 1882, he became sole proprietor of the business, which he conducted successfully until 1894, when the store was com- pletely destroyed by fire. He then purchased the farm where he now resides, owning and operating a good tract of land and in addition he is the owner of a sawmill, where he engages in the manufacture of lumber. He is likewise a coal operator, having one of the valuable coal banks of this portion of the state. Mr. Bussard is a Phohibitionist in his political views, taking an active interest in the work of the party. He belongs to the Free Methodist church, of which he is a steward, and he is classsed with the leading and highly respected citizens of Hempfield township.
Mr. Bussard was married in 1874 to Eliza Errett, daughter of Jacob Er- rett, of Hempfield township, and they had eight children. of whom seven are living : Clarence F., a veteran of the Spanish-American war : Dirbin J., John W., James H., Jennie E., Robert E., and Clark E., all at home.
LESTER L. LOWE. Four generations of the Lowe family have been represented in Westmoreland county, the great-grandfather having removed to Ruffsdale, this county, from east of the mountains. His son, George Lowe, was born at Ruffsdale and became a prominent farmer of that locality, spending his entire life there.
Marks Lowe, son of George Lowe, was also born and reared at Ruffsdale, becoming a leading agriculturist of that community, and continued to make his home there until his life's labors were ended in death. He married Sarah Brant.
Lester L. Lowe, son of Marks and Sarah Lowe, was born at Ruffsdale, July 13, 1855, and in his youth became familiar with the labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He acquired a common school education and for four years engaged in teaching in the district schools. When about nineteen years of age he apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade and in 1884 he accepted a position with the firm of Hecla Coke Company at Hecla and Trauger, which company owned a number of stores. He was identified with the company for thirteen vears and a portion of the time acted as manager. On the expiration of that period he removed to Ruffsdale, where he was variously employed for three years, and during that time he built the Empire Coke Works. In the spring of 1901 he came to Youngwood, then a mere hamlet, containing only three or four houses. Here he turned his attention to the lumber business and also began contracting and building in partnership with Charles R. Haller, the style of the firm being Lowe and Haller. In the rapid transformation when Youngwood developed from a village into a borough the firm took an active part in its improvement, erecting the greater number of the residences in the town.
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HISTORY OF WESTMOREL.IND COUNTY.
They now own extensive property interests in the town and have laid out a considerable portion of the borough.
Mr. Lowe is a Democrat in politics, with strong Prohibition tendencies and in 1892 he was a candidate on the Prohibition tickets for the state legisĩa- tutre. An active and influential member in the Reformed church, he is now serving as one of its deacons, and he belongs to Ruffsdale Lodge, No. 8, O. of M. He is accounted one of the leading business men of Youngwood. In the spring of 1905 he was elected to borough council.
Mr. Lowe was married in 1894 to Sadie Fiscus, daughter of John Fiscus, of Whitney, Washington county, and their children are: Ethel G., Mary E., and Alvin F.
ROBERT ELLIS. The family of which Robert Ellis is a representa- tive had its origin, so far as the ancestral history can be traced, in Wales. His grandfather was a native of that country and when about six years of age was brought to the United States, the family locating near Jones Mill, in Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared. He afterward located on a farm, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which resulted from being thrown from a cart in which he was standing, when the horses gave a sudden start, throwing him to the ground and breaking his neck. He was twice married, his second wife being the grandmother of Robert Ellis. By the first marriage there were seven children, all of whom are now deceased. By the second marriage there were two children-James and Robert. The latter is now in his eighty-eighth year and resides in Linn county, Iowa, near Cedar Rapids, being the oldest living resident of that section of county, having located there in May, 1838, when the Indians were far more numerous in that region than the white men.
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