USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 33
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Alexander Fleming attended the Carnegie night school, then took a special course in LaFayette College at Easton, Pennsylvania. He studied chemistry in the laboratories of the Bellefonte Furnace Company, the Cameron Iron and Coal Company. the Joseph E. Throop Company, Everett, Pennsylvania ; the Monongahela Furnaces, Mckeesport. He then accepted a position with the Carnegie Steel Company, working at their various plants in and around Pittsburg. In 1807 he settled in Scottdale, engaged as the chief chemist of the H. C. Frick Coke Company. He filled this position for seven years, then, in 1904, entered the business world as an independent chemist, opening the laboratory where he is at present. He has the agency for the Climax Refining Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, and is distributing agent for western Pennsylvania and as far as Altoona, West Virginia, and Maryland. He makes a specialty of water analysis, and is an expert in firebrick manufacture, in addi- tion to the analysis of all kinds of ore, minerals, coal, coke, etc. He reccives commissions from all parts of the United States, and does the work for most of the independent firms in the coke regions. He already requires an assistant in order to keep abreast of the great volume of work that pours in upon him. He was one of the incorporators and is one of the stockholders of the Savage Ilill Firebrick Company, of Fairhope, Pennsylvania. He is vice-president of the
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West Virginia Fire Clay Company, Thornton, West Virginia, and it was through his experiments and professional skill that the coke-oven brick has been raisel to the present efficiency. Formerly the life of a fire brick in the ovens was from thirty days to one year, but through Mr. Fleming's untiring efforts the life of a brick has been prolonged to last from ten to twelve years. He stands at the head of his profession and is a member of the American Chemical Society. He is also a member of A. I. O. K. of M., Scotia Com- mandery, No. 116, of Mckeesport; Marion Lodge, No. 562, F. and A. M., Scottdale; Connellsville Chapter, 283, R. A., Connelsville; Uniontown Commandery, 49, K. T., Uniontown, Pennsylvania; Scottdale Lodge, No. 777. B. P. O. E. Mr. Fleming married, September 26, 1895, Josephine F. Gogley, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Amick) Gogley, of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. They have three children, Ruth, Elizabeth and Marion Flem- ing. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Fleming being also a member of the choir.
CLARENCE W. MACBETH, formerly of the regular army and now an enterprising merchant of Scottdale, was born in East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1879. He is a son of William H. and Louise (Welty) Macbeth, of East Huntingdon, and his father is a prosperous farmer of that township.
His boyhood and youth were spent in attending the public schools and assisting his father in carrying on the homestead farm. Just prior to attaining his majority (July, 1900,) he enlisted as a private in Company K, Fifth Regi- ment, United States Infantry, for three years' service in the regular army, going first to Fort Sheridan, Illinois, thence to Presidio, California, and from there to Manila, Philippine Islands. During his service in the Philippines, which covered a period of two years and nine months, he performed active duty in the field for a greater portion of the time, and consequently became perfectly familiar with the strenuous life of a soldier in the far east. His regiment, which was almost constantly on the move, visited the more important islands except two, and the following is a partial list of places at which it was stationed, viz: Caraman, Battac. Bontoc, Fayum, Dolores, San Quintin Nar- vacan, Lopez, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Keom, Unidegen, Banguend, Canyvan, Appari, Laog, Vigan, San Juan and San Tomas. Besides participating in num- erous skirmishes he was subjected to other dangers equally as menacing, and on one occasion during the rainy season was exposed to a continuous down- pour, without even a temporary shelter, for twelve consecutive days, during which time it was utterly impossible to obtain a change of clothing and the only available food was hardtack and bacon. He was twice confined to the hospital, once with yellow fever and at another time from the effects of being poisoned by impure food. In June, 1903, his regiment was ordered home and he was mustered out at Angel Island, San Francisco Bay, July 23, 1903, as first sergeant of his company, there being but thirty-two left of the one hun- dred and thirty-two officers and men originally enrolled. His long sojourn in the islands enabled him to gather much interesting information concerning the character and mode of life of the natives, and he also made two visits to Japan. Returning to Pennsylvania after his discharge from the army he entered the employ of the Union Supply Company of Painter, with whom he remained for some time, and he subsequently purchased a restaurant in Scottdale, where he now resides. In 1904 he established himself in the grocery business, enter- ing his new field of trade with a large and well-selected stock of staple and
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fancy groceries, canned goods, preserved meats, country produce, grain, feed, etc., and he has already laid the foundation of a successful mercantile business which promises to develop into large proportions in the near future.
On February 23, 1904, Mr. Macbeth was united in marriage with Miss Edna Williams, of South Huntingdon township, daughter of Daniel A. and Rebecca (Nichols) Williams. They have one daughter, Ruth Esther Mac- beth. Mr. and Mrs. Macbeth attend the Presbyterian church.
JAMES MCFADDEN CARPENTER. The family of which James McFadden Carpenter, of Pittsburg, is a representative, was founded in this county by Heinrich Zimmerman, who came hither about 1698 from the canton of Berne, Switzerland, and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. About 1703 he brought over his family, which was a large one, including six sons, five of whom became surveyors and scriveners. He is said to have been much more progressive than his neighbors, in that he believed in educating his family in English and in making them Americans. His wishes in this respect are further indicated by the fact that he translated his name and after coming to this country was known as Henry Carpenter.
Daniel Carpenter, one of his sons, was the father of a son also named Daniel. This second Daniel was the father of John Carpenter, whose son, Jeremiah Murry Carpenter, was born on Pocketos ( Puckety) creek, at a place more recently known as Hamilton's Mill. He received a common school education and in early life was a teacher. Later he became a farmer and also practiced the profession of a surveyor and scrivener. He held the office of justice of the peace, served in the militia, and in politics was a Democrat. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian and served as ruling elder in the Laird (Old Plum Creek) Church. His wife was Eleanor, daughter of James and Margaret (Stewart) McFadden, and a native of Middletown, Washington county, Pennsylvania. To them were born six children : Mary Elizabeth, married James McJunkin: John, married Isabella Herron : James McFadden, Jeremiah Murry, deceased ; Samuel Lease, at pres- ent judge of the district circuit, Denver, Colorado: who married Grace Boyd : and Bertha Eleanor, intermarried with William M. McCracken.
James McFadden, the third child, was born January 30, 1850, at Murrysville, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. The family removed to Plum township. Allegheny county, in 1852, where he received his primary education in the common schools, from which he passed to the academy at Murrysville known as Laird Institute. While studying for his profession he engaged in farming, teaching and surveying, and in October, 1874, became a member of the Pittsburg bar, since which time he has been in active prac- tice. His professional experience has lain especially along the lines of min- ing and oil interests, and he is known as a concise and forcible speaker. In early life he was a Democrat, but has always been independent of merely party considerations. Since 1896 he has been somewhat active in politics, was one of the organizers of the "Gold Democracy" and was a member of the convention that nominated Palmer and Buckner. For himself he has never sought election to any office. He is one of the trustees of Western Theo- logical Seminary, and a member of the Union Club of Pittsburg. Since 1881 he has been ruling elder in the Park Avenne Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg. (luring all of which time he has served as clerk of session. Mr. Carpenter mar- ried. June 21. 1876. Mary H., daughter of John L. L. and Rebekah H. Knox, of
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Allegheny, and their children were: Alice Lazear, Rebekah Nnox, who died . in her sixth year ; Bertha Eleanor and James McFadden. Mrs. Carpenter died July 2, 1899.
WILLIAM ELKIN, one of the best known and most influential men of West Jeannette, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, May 2, 1850. He is the son of Hugh and Margaret ( Wat- son ) Elkin, who lived and died in Ireland and were the parents of seven chiklren, three of whom survive: David, of Fayette county: Annie, widow of William Lemon, of Ireland ; and William Elkin, of whom later.
On his seventeenth birthday William Elkin left his native place and sailed for America shores, landing in Quebec, Canada, thence to Glenham, Dutchess county, New York, where he resided for four or five years, being employed dur- ing this time in a dyeing establishment. In 1872 he removed to Pittsburg, where he was employed in an iron works for fourteen years, with the exception of a few months spent in Wellsville, Ohio. In 1886 Mr. Elkin decided to enter into business for himself and accordingly opened a hotel in Pittsburg, at 1240 Pennsylvania avenue. He conducted this establishment for six years with con- siderable success, and then selling out his business removed to West Jeannette, where better opportunities presented themselves for an extensive and profitable business. Mr. Elkin established his hotel on property which he had purchased three years prior to his removal to that place, and spared neither time nor labor to make his establishment a well-equipped and commodious house. Ever since the Elkin House was opened to the public it has been counted among the most popular and best paying hotels of that section, and the proprietor, Mr. Elkin, is to be congratulated on his well deserved success. As a citizen Mr. Elkin is held in the highest esteem by his fellow townsmen, which is demonstrated by the fact that he was elected this spring to his third term as school director, and is counted among the most influential men of Jeannette. Mr. Elkin's political sympathies lie with the Republican party, and while he has never aspired to public office he takes a deep and lasting interest in all affairs bearing upon the welfare of his town and county. He is a member of Jeannette Lodge, No. 468, B. P. O. E. and the Orangemen's Lodge. In religious matters he affiliates with the Episcopal church, and was a member of the building committee during the construction of the church building in 1904.
November 10, 1875, Mr. Elkin was united in marriage to Elizabeth C. Elkin, a native of Indiana county, daughter of Francis and Elizabeth ( Pratt ) Elkin, and a sister of John P. Elkin. Their children are: William F., with his father in the hotel business; Lilly May, teacher in the Jeannette schools ; Margaret Myrtle, a teacher in Hempfield township schools; Charles Alfred, reading medicine in the University of Pennsylvania ; Olive Florence ; at home ; and Hazel Catherine, at home.
VERY REV. M. A. LAMBING, pastor of St. John the Baptist's Roman Catholic Church, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, whose ancestors had come from Alsace and Ireland about the middle of the eighteenth century, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. April 28, 1848.
His boyhood and youth were spent in Manorville, in the same county. He quit school when thirteen years old, as his help was needed by the family, and learned shoemaking with his father; but soon after left the bench for more lucrative employment in the oil business, working in a refinery and also in the Oil Creek and the Parker fields. He kept up a course of study through
Very Rev. A. A. Lambing.
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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these years and, believing he had a call to the priesthood, entered St. Michael's Seminary, Glenwood, near Pittsburg, in the fall of 1870. He was ordained from this institution by Bishop Tuigg, June 10, 1876, and immediately assigned as assistant to the pastor of St. John's Church, Southside, Pittsburg. In Feb- ruary, 1878, he was transferred to a like position in St. Patrick's Church in the same city. July 17, 1879, he was appointed to his present charge.
Scottdale was originally ( 1872-1878) a mission attended from Connells- ville, but in the latter year it was made a separate parish with Rev. Thomas M'Enrue as its first pastor. It was a small church of some two dozen commu- nicants when placed under Father Lambing's care, but being the center of the coke regions, which were then opening up, it grew rapidly in numbers. The corner stone of the present edifice, one of the finest in that section, with a seating capacity of more than four hundred, was laid in 1881. Until August, 1887, he had charge of all the territory between Connellsville and St. Vincent's with a population of a dozen nationalities. During most of this time he was assisted by Rev. S. J. Schramm and Rev. P. Rigler. Since then he has had charge of only the English and German speaking Catholics in and about Scottdale, assisted by Rev. A. P. Black (1901-1903) and now by Rev. P. C. Danner. Father Lambing erected not only his own church but also St. Joseph's Church, Mount Pleasant, and the rectory, parish school and convent, Scottdale. Seven teachers are employed in the school, which has an enrollment of three hundred and thirty. In 1902 he was appointed dean over Westmore- land, Indiana and Fayette counties by the late Bishop Phelan, and is known as rural dean ; he is also a member of important church committees of his diocese. A lifelong abstainer, he is a strong and consistent temperance advocate, and one of the most widely known leaders of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America, of which he has been a member since 1884. The total abstinence societies connected with his church ownera large hall. Since his coming to Scottdale, ten young women and four young men of the parish have entered the religious life. Two of the young igen, Revs. M. P. Boyle and P. Diskin, were ordained into the priesthood.
Father Lambing was a prominent figure in all the labor troubles of the coke regions, always striving for a just and peaceful solution of disputes and enjoying the fullest confidence of the men regardless of nationality or creed, and of their employers and the public. Catholics and Protestants alike unite in their praise of Father Lambing for the great and good work he has accom- plished in the community, in the welfare of which he has always taken an interest and an active part. With tenacity of purpose and patient perseverance, never asking nor wishing a change of place, he has labored with untiring energy for his congregation and the moral good of the community. His labors have been labors of love and well done: his greatest pleasure is his Master's service and the betterment of his fellowmen. His work is a credit to himself and an honor to his church.
MAHLON M. STANTZ. One of the old Pennsylvania families of German origin is that represented by Mahlon M. Stantz, of Scottdale. The first ancestor of whom we have any knowledge was Jacob Stantz (or Stautz. as the name was originally spelled ) who came from Franklin county to West- moreland county about a century ago. It has not been ascertained whether he was the progenitor who emigrated from Germany or whether he was of Amer- ican birth.
Jacob Stantz was a blacksmith by trade and a first-class mechanic. On his-
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arrival in Westmoreland county he settled on the "Kindig farm," in Mount Pleasant township, and later moved to South Huntingdon township, near Men- den, where he passed the remainder of his life. He owned a farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres which he cultivated in connection with his work as a blacksmith. Ile was a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Stantz married Susannah Miller, and they were the parents of the following children: John who was a farmer, and moved to Ohio. Leonard, who was a laborer, and went 10 Clarion county, Pennsylvania. Jacob, died in carly life. Christopher, men- tioned hereafter, Henry, who was a farmer, and died on the homestead. Philip who was a farmer in South Huntingdon township. Isaac, who enlisted in the army during the Civil war and died of disease contracted while in service. Peter, who also served in the army and died of wounds received in battle. A daughter who became the wife of George Painter, of Westmoreland county. Polly, died unmarried. Catharine, married Samuel McMichael, of Westmore- land county. Mr. Stantz, the father, lived to be well advanced in years, his death occurring when he was upward of eighty.
Christopher Stantz, son of Jacob and Susannah ( Miller) Stantz, was born July, 1812, in Mount Pleasant township, and in early life was a teamster, for fifteen years driving a team between Baltimore, Philadelphia and Pittsburg. From 1839 to the end of his life he lived in South Huntingdon township, where he engaged in the labors of a farmer. lle was a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Stantz was twice married. Ilis first wife was Jane McAfee, who bore him three children: Jemima; Mary R., who became the wife of L. K. llixson, of Alverton ; and Emmanuel M., mentioned hereafter. After the death of his wife Mr. Stantz married Catharine, widow of Philip Heck and daughter of AAndrew Byerly. Mr. Stantz died in 1897, at the advanced age of eighty-five years.
Emmanuel M. Stantz, son of Christopher and Jane ( McAfec) Stantz, was born February 20, 1842, reared on the farm, and received his education in the public schools. He remained at home until he had passed his majority, and in 1870 had the misfortune to lose his right hand in a clover-seed huller, after which he secured a position as stable boss for the firm of Brown & Coughran, coal miners. Ile filled this position for nine years and then retired to the farm where he remained from 1880 to 1805, when he removed to Scottdale which is his present place of abode. The family belong to the United Baptist church. Mr. Stantz married, April 4, 1867, Catharine, daughter of Michael and Nancy ( Fretts) Myers, and the following children have been born to them: Jennic, died at the age of eighteen years. Mahlon M., mentioned hereafter. Millie, who became the wife of W. H. Lynn, and is now deceased. Ella, married John Medsgar, of Charleroi, Pennsylvania. Florence, at home. Benjamin F., at home. Ruth, at home.
Mahlon M. Stantz, son of Emmanuel M. and Catharine (Myers) Stantz, was born September 12, 1860, educated in the public schools, and when but seventeen or eighteen years of age began to learn the butcher's trade. He was employed for about eight years in the stores of the W. J. Raney Company, at Vanderbilt. In September, 1898, he settled in Scottdale, where he opened a meat market and has since conducted a flourishing business. He supplies the trade in Scottdale and the suburbs, and in addition to meat handles eggs, but- ter and cheese. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Modern Wood- men of the Workl. Mr. Stantz married, June 5, 1895, Florence, daughter of Henry and Mary Snyder. Mrs. Stantz is a native of East Liberty, Fayette county, Pennsylvania.
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RALPH B. KUHNS. a representative business man of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, was born October 18. 1878, seven or eight miles south of the borongh of Greensburg, and is the son of W. H. and Mary ( Kalp) Kuhns, who are now residents of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. W. H. Kuhns was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1849. He was formerly engaged in the lumber business and also in the conduct of several saw mills. He is now en1- ployed by the H. C. Frick Coke Company in Fayette county. In the year 1877 he married Mary Kalp, and they are the parents of the following named chil- dren : Anna. wife of A. J. Brothers, of Fayette county: Ora, married Frank Greenwalt, of Fayette county : Olive, unmarried : Ida, wife of Charles Bush, of Westmoreland county ; Elsie, at home : Sadie, at home : Walter, at home ; and Ralph.
At the age of six years Ralph B. Kuhns removed with his parents to Fay- ette county, near Laurelville. There he received his early education in the. public schools, and later took a course in the Iron City Business College of Pitts- burg. ( 1899-1900). After his graduation in 1900 he secured a position as clerk in the Union Supply Company's store, and remained with them for nine months. At the expiration of this time he entered the employ of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company as clerk in the scale office at Youngwood, Pennsyl- vania. His next removal was to Everson, where he was employed as store- keeper for the same company. This position he retained from February until August, when he was transferred to Youngwood, remaining there until August of the following year. He then went to Edenborn as shipping clerk for H. C. Frick Coke Company, and at the end of a year was transferred to Sterling No. 2, same company, as paymaster, continuing in this capacity until the works were closed up. October 22. 1903, he entered the employ of the United States Cast Iron Pipe & Foundry Company at Scottdale, as shipping clerk. He was soon promoted to bill and order clerk, which position he held until he engaged in his present business. April 1, 1905.
Mr. Kuhns purchased the bakery establishment at 228 Pittsburg street, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, March 31, 1905, and one day later took possession, succeeding Mrs. C. M. Frey. This business was established in 1885 by George P. Frey, who conducted it until his death, about 1899, when his wife took pos- session and carried on the business until her death in 1905. It is the intention of Mr. Kuhns to conduct the business along the same lines which were formerly followed. Besides a general bakery and catering business, he also has an ice- cream parlor, which is one of the leading features of the establishment. A com- modious and attractive room in the rear of the apartment is devoted to this pur- pose. and in the winter seasons is used as an oyster and lunch room, being the only one of its kind in the borough. Mr. Kuhns manufactures his own cream, doing a wholesale as well as a retail business, his trade covering a large ter- ritory. When the Spanish-American war broke out, Mr. Kuhns enlisted, April 1898. in Company E. Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He served in the Philippines, and saw much active service, visiting the towns of Manila, Caviti. Malalos. Malabaao and many others of prominence. Fraternally MIr. Kuhns is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. October 12, 1901,. he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Becker, daughter of Peter J. and Eliza- beth Becker. who are natives of Scottdale. They have two children : Lillian and Florence. Mr. Kuhns and his family have their residence on Pittsburg street. near his place of business.
JAMES BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SMITH. One of the leading merchants of Mount Pleasant is James Benjamin Franklin Smith. He is a.
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grandson of Joseph Smith, whose son, David G. Smith, was born near Gettys- burg, Adams county, Pennsylvania, and at the age of fifteen or sixteen came to Westmoreland county. He there found employment in the Hurst settlement in Mount Pleasant township, and remained in this vicinity for several years. He then went to what is known as Painterville, where he was employed for twelve years in the salt works, and at the end of that time engaged in mercan- tile business at New Stanton, now known as Old Stanton. He married Mary, daughter of Joseph Bear, a farmer of Sewickley township, and they were the parents of a son, James Benjamin Franklin, mentioned hereafter. The death of Mr. Smith occurred in December, 1888. He was a good business man and a worthy citizen.
James Benjamin Franklin Smith, son of David G. and Mary (Bear) Smith, was born January 24, 1867, and received his education in the public schools and at the Greensburg Seminary. In the autumn of 1884, while still but a lad, he became a teacher, and taught four terms in Hempfield township. After four years as a teacher, he went as store manager to the Alice mines, near Mount Pleasant, East Huntingdon township, and held this position four- teen years, although during that period the concern changed hands no fewer than five different times. In 1900 the Mount Pleasant Supply Company, by whom he was then employed, transferred him to the Klondike coal field in Fay- ·ette county, there to become the manager of a store. After holding this posi- tion ten months he resigned and entered the service of the American Supply Company, as manager of their store at Edenboro. At the end of three months the same company transferred him to Lambert, where he opened a store for them, and after getting the establishment into good running order he was again transferred to Gates, Pennsylvania, to open a store there. At this place he was retained for eight months, and in 1902, when the American Supply Company consolidated with the Union Supply Company, he resigned and entered the ser- vice of the Sharon Steel Company, as manager and purchasing agent of the store at Ronco, Pennsylvania. This position he filled until April, 1903, when he resigned, went to Mount Pleasant and there purchased the dry goods estab- lishment of James S. Braddock & Company, which he has since conducted and maintained as one of the leading dry goods stores of the borough. He is a progressive business man, and the strict attention which he gives to the affairs of his establishment leaves him little time for social enjoyment, but he is a worthy member of the I. O. O. F. and the Modern Woodmen. He and his family are members of the First Reformed church of Mount Pleasant.
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