USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 30
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James Ellis, father of Robert Ellis, was born in Westmoreland county and as his father was in humble financial circumstances at the time of his death, his children were placed in the homes of neighbors by whom they were reared. On attaining his majority, James Ellis learned the cabinetmaker's trade, in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and afterward went to Ligonier, Pennsylvania, where he worked as a journeyman, and while there he became acquainted with the lady whom he made his wife. Later he removed to Madison, Pennsylvania, where he opened a shop, and in 1856 he went with his family to Indiana, but finding that fever and ague were prevalent in the state at that day, he returned to Westmoreland county, after two weeks spent in the middle west. For a brief period he lived in New Alexandria, Pennsylvania, and then went to Greensburg, while in 1858 he opened a mercantile store in Ludwick, now Greensburg, at the corner of West Ottoman and Hamilton streets, where James Seanor is now located. There he carried on merchandising until 1895, when he sold his business and retired to private life. In early manhood he gave his political support to the Democracy, but in 1856 joined the new Republican party, which in that year placed its first presidential candidate in the field and con- tinued one of its supporters up to the time of his death. He held membership in the First Presbyterian church and he died April 22, 1897, at the age of seventy- seven years, eight months and seven days. He married Isabelle Mcclintock and of their eight children, six are now living, namely : Maggie, wife of M. M. Clark, of Claridge, Westmoreland county : Elizabeth, wife of W. J. Porter, of Fremont, Iowa : Nannie E., wife of J. L. Mckeever. of this county ; Robert : Albert C., who for thirty years was a merchant at Pittsburg, Pa. ; and Josie, wife of J. C. Zeak, of Morristown, N. J.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Robert Ellis, son of James Ellis, was born in Madison, Westmoreland county, October 26, 1848, and was a public school student. At the age of twenty years he went west, spending two years in Iowa and two years in Mis- souri at farm work. He then returned home and entered his father's store. During the following four years he saved his money, and in 1876 entered into partnership with his father, a business relation that was maintained until 1881, when he sold his interest and began an independent business for himself at Weaver's Old Stand, in Westmoreland county. There he remained for nine years, enjoying a good patronage, which brought him a desirable, financial re- turn. During the latter part of that period conditions changed much, the Hecla mines being opened about two miles away from that place. As this left him away from the railroad, he began to look around for favorable location, and decided and found that Youngwood furnished the opening that he desired. In 1890, therefore, he removed to the New Light building, the first structure erect- ed in the now prosperous borough. There he opened his line of goods and con- ducted business successfully for ten years, when he retired from active mer- cantile life and is now enjoying a well earned rest. He, therefore, owns sev- eral propertites in Youngwood, together with the old farm homestead in Lud- wick, and is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of the county. Inter- ested in political questions and issues, Robert Ellis has always been a Republi- can and active in community affairs, is now serving as president of the school board and is secretary of the board of trade in Youngwood. He was also for five years postmaster at Weaver's Old Stand and has continued in the same office in Youngwood ten years, and in all that time he never missed a connection with any train. It was through his instrumentality that the postoffice in Youngwood was established in 1891. Mr. Ellis married, October, 1876, Charlotte Byers, daughter of John H. Byers, who lived near Weaver's Old Stand. There were three children of this marriage, but only two are living-James B. and Robert Ellis, both at home.
A. H. CAVEN, M. D., engaged in the practice of medicine in Young- wood, is a grandson of Alexander and Esther (Brugh) Caven, residents of Westmoreland county, the grandfather following the occupation of farming. Their son, Eli Caven, born in Harrold, this county, was there reared and still resides upon the old homestead farm. He gives his political support to the Re- publican party and served for several years as justice of the peace. He is a man of large influence locally and transacts much public business, frequently serving as administrator of estates. He enjoys the unqualified trust of the general public. For fifteen years he acted as school director, and he has long been a member of the United Brethren church, in which for many years he has held office. He mar- ried Clara M. Campbell, and of their five children, four are yet living : Mary A., wife of Dr. F. G. McKlveen ; William A., a practicing physician of Pittsburg, Pa. ; A. H., Addison V., at home.
Dr. A. H. Caven was born at Bottsville, now Harrold, Pennsylvania, in Westmoreland county, April 23, 1877, and after attending the common schools, became a student in Ligonier, Pennsylvania Classical Institute, and later in Ot- terbein University, at Westerville, Ohio. In 1897 he began the study of medi- cine, entering the Western Pennsylvania Medical College, at Pittsburg, in which institution he was graduated in the spring of 1901. He then located in Pitts- burg and for six months practiced with his brother at No. 2126 Fifth avenue. On the expiration of that period he returned to Youngwood, and in the three years here passed has built up a large and gratifying practice. He has through-
Nicholas
Tromer
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
out this period been surgeon of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He is a member of Youngwood Lodge, No. 667, I. O. O. F., Woodland Lodge, No. 310, K. P., and Y. U. Lodge, No. 108, Grand Fraternity, also Ivy Comman- dery, K. of M., Greensburg. He also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and is serving as secretary of its board of stewards.
NICHOLAS KROMER, the proprietor of the Columbia Hotel, at Alverton, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, is a native of France, born February 21, 1839. He received his educational training in the land of his birth, and in 1869, in company with his wife and family, came to America, locating in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. He immediately found employment in the coal mines, and after ten years of this occupation embarked in the busi- ness of photographer, being thus engaged for six years. He was then elected to the position of constable of Connellsville, and after serving for one year in this capacity removed to Everson, where he purchased a hotel known as the Ureka House, which he successfully conducted for six years. He then erected what is now known as the Kromer House, in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and was its proprietor for eight years. Owing to failing health Mr. Kromer re- tired from active business pursuits for two years, during this period visiting his native country and renewing his acquaintance with his relatives and the friends of his youth. When he was again able to engage in business he re- moved to Alverton, Pennsylvania, and there purchased property on which he erected the present Columbia Hotel, and in the conduct of which he is now engaged. This is an excellent house, well known to the traveling community, and enjoys a generous patronage. In religious faith Mr. Kromer is a Luthi- eran, and his wife affiliates with the Roman Catholic church. Fraternally he is a member of Castle No. 238, Knights of Pythias, of Connellsville, Penn- sylvania ; Lodge No. 242, Improved Order of Red Men, Connellsville; also the German Lodge, of Connellsville.
Mr. Kromer married in 1866, in France, Catherine Weibel, who was born June 14, 1844, daughter of Henry and Christine ( Clair) Weibel. Of this mar- riage the following named children have been born: Jacob, a resident of Youngwood, proprietor of the Youngwood Hotel; Harry, a foreman in the Scottdale Foundry and Machine Shop; Charles, an engineer in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company ; Phillip, a roller in the Scottdale Mills ; Catherine, wife of Nicholas Kaeff, and Elizabeth, wife of H. MI. Davis.
W. H. BROWN, M. D., engaged in the practice of medicine in Youngwood, was born in Uniontown, Maryland, June 21, 1868, a son of John A. and Mary E. ( Engler) Brown, while his paternal grandparents were Moses and Susan ( Harbaugh) Brown. The grandfather, who was of Swiss descent, was a railroad contractor and lived and died in Ellicott City, Maryland. John A. Brown was born and reared in Ellicott City and when a young man went to Uniontown, where he learned the trades of painting and paper-hanging, be- coming a contractor in those departments of business activity. In 1884 he re- moved to Washington, D. C., where he was employed in the treasury depart- ment of the government service. He died in 1895, at the age of sixty-three years. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a man of influence in the coun- cils of the party in Maryland, and while there he held a clerkship in the state legislature of Maryland for several years. He held membership in the Metho- dist Protestant church. His widow is still living and resides with her daugh- ter at Armbrust, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of four children, of whom three are living: Susie C., wife of G. C. Mawkberz, of Waynesboro, Pa .; Nellie G., wife of T. F. Armbrust, living in the borough of Armbrust ; and W. H.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Reared in his parent's home, Dr. Brown supplemented his early educa- tional privileges by study in the Western Maryland College, at Westminster, Maryland, and when eighteen years of age he began reading medicine under Dr. T. J. Shreeve, of Uniontown, Maryland, with whom he remained for a year, and in the fall of 1886 he matriculated in the University of Maryland, being graduated from the medical department in the spring of 1880. He lo- cated for practice in New Stanton, Pennsylvania, where he remained for three and a half years, and then removed to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, but after a brief time he went to Washington, D. C., where he was located for two years. In the winter of 1895 he came to Youngwood, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice, having the confidence of his professional brethren and of the general public as well.
Dr. Brown was married in 1902, to Irene M. Gibbons, a daughter of Joseph and Mary ( Scott ) Gibbons, of Washington, D. C. Dr. Brown belongs to Woodland Lodge, No. 210, K. P., of Youngwood ; Painterville Lodge, J. O. U. A. M., of New Stanton ; and the Youngwood Lodge of the Grand Frater- nity. In the line of his profession he is connected with the Westmoreland County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is one of its trustees. When the borough of Youngwood was or- ganized he was elected a member of the town council, which position he now holds, and he is a man of sterling character and much esteemed, both pro- fessionally and socially.
PHILO N. PYATT. The ancestor of Philo N. Pyatt came to the United States from France about 1786. He was a Baptist and an earnest worker in behalf of Christianity as he interpreted its teachings. Taking part in the French revolution, he was deported by his government and became an American citizen. The family name was originally spelled Payette.
Rev. James B. Pyatt, father of Philo N. Pyatt, was born in Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, where his father was engaged in contracting and building. The former was reared in his native city and after completing his literary education he prepared for the ministry as a student in Bethany College, in Virginia, after which he was ordained as a preacher of the Disciple church. After filling pul- pits in connection with several different churches, he accepted a call to the pas- torate of the church at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he remained for sev- eral years, and about 1882 he went to Los Angeles, California, where several members of the family had preceded him. There he died when about eighty years of age. He filled the pulpit there on Sunday prior to his demise, and con- tinucd his active work in behalf of the church throughout the years of his man- hood. During the Civil war he was chaplain of the Ninth Pennsylvania Re- serves, and was one of the well known and honored Christian men who joined the army to administer religious teachings among the soldiers. He had a brother, Joseph O. Pyatt, who was one of the noted educators of the United States, and was also an author of note. For years he and his wife were in- structors in the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. and his reputation along educational lines extended throughout the United States. Rev. James B. Pyatt married Mary C. Stevenson, and they had eight children, but only two are living, the daughter being Maggie, wife of William Horner, of Los Angeles, California.
Philo N. Pyatt was born in Evansburg, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1856, and he attended the public schools between the ages of six and sixteen years, when he began earning his own livelihood. He took up the study of telegraphy, and i? 1873 was assigned to duty in an office in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In 1878 he
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left the telegraphi service, and for eight years was a trainman in the passenger service of the Philadelphia and Erie railroad, being located at Harrisburg. In 1886 he went to Scottdale where he again entered the telegraph service, and in February, 1902, he removed to Youngwood, where he established himself in the mercantile business, but left the active management of his store to his son, while he continued his duties as a telegrapher. He was promoted to the posi- tion of train dispatcher of the Pittsburg division of the Pennsylvania railroad in July, 1902, and is now acting in that capacity. He votes with the Republican party, and is influential in political circles. He served two terms as councilman of Scottdale, and during the last year was president of the council. He is a member of Westmoreland Lodge, No. 518, A. F. and A. M. ; Scottdale Council, No. 807, R. A. : and also belongs to the Baptist church. Mr. Pyatt married, in 1880, Harriet E. Strickler, a daughter of Isaac Strickler, of South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county. Their children were: Caleb F., now de- ceased : Thomas Earl, manager of his father's mercantile business, and postmas- ter of Youngwood ; and Oscar, still in school.
GEORGE W. COX, proprietor of a bakery in Youngwood, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, January 4, 1851, and is descended from Revolutionary ancestry, his grandfather, Abraham Cox, having fought for in- dependence. He was an iron moulder by trade and removed from the eastern to the western slope of the mountains when the latter district was being opened up, and worked for its iron deposits, the old charcoal furnaces being used with the iron moulding business in Fayette county, where he was employed.
To a limited extent George W. Cox attended the public schools, but his privileges in that direction were not extensive. His active career has been a varied one, he having been engaged in numerous business enterprises in differ- ent parts of western Pennsylvania. He removed, August 19, 1901, to Young- wood from West Newton, where he was engaged in the grocery business for four years. On coming to Youngwood he established a bakery which he is now conducting, and in this enterprise is meeting with desirable sucess. There were only four or five houses in the borough when he located here, but with the rapid growth of the place his business has also grown. He is a man of genial disposition and commercial integrity, and numbers among his friends the best people of the borough. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. Mr. Cox was married, in 1872, to Sarah Keihl, a daughter of Adam Keihl, of North Huntingdon township.
W. HERBERT NISWONGER, son of John H. and Rebecca M. (Deusenbury) Niswonger, was born August 13, 1875, near Mendon, West- moreland county, Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools and worked on the farm in his native place until he had reached the age of twenty-one years. He then struck out for himself, going to Everson, Fayette county, and took a position in a grocery store, in January, 1897. He followed this business until February, 1904, when he went into partnership with John F. Eicher and opened a shoe store, under the firm name of Niswonger and Eicher, at Scott- dalc. They carry the highest grade of goods, making a specialty of the Din- lap and Crawford shoes for men and the Patrician shoe for women. Mr. Nis- wonger is the business manager of the establishment and is a man well suited to the business, being of an unusually affable and enterprising disposition. In addition to this business he is a stockholder in the Kinney Company, of Scott- dale, the Beltom Coal and Coke Company, of West Virginia, and is also inter-
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ested in South Sharon Mercer Company, of Pennsylvania. He is active po- litically, a Republican, and always takes a deep interest in public affairs, and while a resident of Everson he was elected tax collector of Upper Tyron town- ship. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, master at arms, Scottdale Fountain Lodge, No. 443, and of the Independent Order of Puritans, and is a member of the Bankers' Life Insurance Company. Mr. Niswonger married, June 10, 1897, Hattie J. Crise, daughter of William and Kate Crise, a native of South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county. They have had two sons who died in infancy. They are members of the United Brethren church, Mr. Niswonger being a trustee. He has twice represented his church at the Allegheny conferences, in 1903 at Philipsburg, and again in 1904 at Scottdale. He is also active in Sabbath school work.
I.EVI T. GILBERT, M. D., son of Alexander and Sarah (Tarr) Gilbert, was born June 8, 1865, at Bullskin, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. His father was born near Gettysburg, Adams county, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1824, and at the age of seventeen years came to Fayette county where he worked at his trade, bricklaying, which he had learned in Adams county, and after five years he purchased fifty acres of wild land in Bullskin township. This he constantly improved, clearing the land, erecting buildings and culti- vating the soil. Later he added twenty acres, and followed his trade in con- nection with his farming until he was seventy years of age. Most of the brick buildings in this section of the country were erected by him. In politics his sympathies have been always strongly Democratic, but he has ever displayed the tolerance for other people's views of a true gentleman. At the advanced age of eighty-one years he still displays his natural activity. His wife, Sarah Tarr Gilbert, a daughter of James R. Tarr, was born in Westmoreland county, near Tarr's Station. She died in 1901, aged seventy-one. Eight children were born to them: Josephine, wife of Frank Gilbert, of Columbus, Ohio; John, a bricklayer, of Butler county, Pennsylvania ; Mary, deceased wife of James Marsh, of Irwin, Pennsylvania ; Minerva, deceased wife of Irwin Muir, Brad- dock, Pennsylvania; Lydia, wife of John T. Farmer, Homewood, Pennsyl- vania ; James R., a farmer at Bullskin, Pennsylvania; Levi T., of whom later ; and Frank, who died in childhood.
Levi T. Gilbert was reared on the farm and lived there until he reached the age of twenty-two years. When he was seventeen years old he began to teach in the public schools of his native town and continued this vocation for five years. His education was acquired at the public schools of his native place, at the Edinboro Normal school and at the Institute at Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. In 1888 he went to Mount Pleasant to live, and was employed there for three years in the general store of D. P. Lowe. In 1891 he removed to Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, and found employment. In 1892 he took up the study of medicine with Dr. J. E. Rigg, then entered the Western Penn- sylvania Medical College, in the fall of 1893, from which institution he grad- uated in 1896. He first took up practice in Alverton, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and continued there, engaged in general practice, for eight years. In April, 1904, he located at Scottdale and has established a large prac- tice, due to his high position in the profession and also to his genial and trust- inspiring disposition. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Westmoreland County Medical Society and the Pennsylvania State Med- ical Association. Also a member of A. I. O. K. M., No. 342. the M. W. of A., Camp 9779, of which he is also medical examiner, Orpad Commandery of
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Scottdale, of Phi Beta Pi, of which fraternity he was chairman during his col- lege days, and of the Western Pennsylvania Alumni Association. He is also, in addition to his regular practice, medical examiner for the New York Mu- tual, the Equitable and the Prudential Life Insurance companies. He is a contributor to the New York Medical Journal and the Pennsylvania Medical Journal.
Dr. Gilbert married. June 12, 1887, Rebecca Brooks, daughter of George W. and Lucinda Brooks, of Fayette county. They have two children, Carl A. and Earl V. Gilbert. The family is active in church work, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal church, the doctor being class leader and active in the Sabbath school. He is the owner of a comfortable home at 100 North Chest- nut street, and is one of the leading men of his town, standing at the head of his profession, commanding the sincere respect and admiration of all who come in contact with him.
W. J. BARKELL, son of William and Eliza (Piper) Barkell, was born July 16, 1849, at Cornwall, England. He received a limited education, beginning to work at the copper mines at the age of nine years, receiving the munificent sum of eight cents per day for the first year, ten cents per day for the second and twelve cents in the third year. This was for work about the offices, and at the age of twelve he went into the mines and worked for the sum of seven dollars and fifty cents per month. continuing there until he was sev- enteen years old, his wages increasing yearly until he was receiving twenty dollars a month. He then removed to the north of England, to a town called Cramlington, where he found employment in the coal mines and continued there or twenty-one years, during fifteen years of which time he was mine boss and fire boss combined. In 1887 he came to America and located at Scottdale, Pennsylvania, where he has since made his home. He was em- ployed for some ten years in the sheet mill, then opened a small music store and has since given his entire attention to the business. He is an excellent musician, having taken up the study of music when a lad of fifteen years, giving atten- tion to both string and brass instruments, and when twenty-five years old he began to teach. While at Cramlington he conducted one of the finest brass bands and directed one of the most excellent choirs in England, competing with all the famed bands and choirs of the country. For sixteen years he was director of the P. M. choir and of the Cramlington prize brass band, which company of musicians he organized, trained and perfected. Five of his former pupils have come to this country and become successful teachers of band music. Upon first coming to Scottdale he gave his entire attention for a short time to teaching music but then entered the sheet mill, thus dividing his time between music and mechanics. In his present establishment, which he opened in 1898, he handles all kinds and grades of musical instruments and m11- sicians' supplies, and in addition a full line of kodaks, photographers' supplies, bicycles, sewing machines, and their necessary appurtenances. About the year 1892 or 1893 there appeared in the Metronome, a musical journal published by Carl Fischer, of New York city, a voting contest for the most popular cornet- ist and conductor in the United States, the contest open for six months. When the votes were counted it was found that W. J. Barkell had received the great- est number by a large margin, the votes coming from all parts of the United States and Canada. The prize he received was a cornet valued at two hun- dred dollars. His orchestra is in constant demand in all parts of the state, and is composed of the best talent to be found. He is a member of one of the exe-
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
cutive board of the American Federation of Musicians, and a member of the A. I. O. K. M., Arpad Commandery, No. 342, of Scottdale.
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