USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 34
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Mr. Smith married, May 28, 1888, Alice G., daughter of B. F: and Nancy S. (McCam) Miller, of New Stanton, and they have four children : Mamie Marie, Anna Gertrude, Benjamin F., deceased, and James Edward. Mr. Smith is strictly and absolutely a self-made man of whom it may be truly said that he has been the maker of his own fortune, and throughout his career has set an example of total abstinence, refraining not only from intoxicating liquors, but also from the use of tobacco in every form.
A. N. SHUSTER, a prominent real estate and insurance dealer in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, was born in Penn township, near Boquet, May 12, 1873, the son of Israel and Mary (Kepple) Shuster. His mother is deceased, and his father is a farmer in Penn township. A. N. Shuster acquired his education in the public schools of his native place, and at the age of sixteen left school and entered into his first regular employment as clerk for Ed Fry, at Boquet, which position he held for five years. He then moved to Charleroi,
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where he acted as head clerk for J. E. McCardle for three years. He went to Monessen in October, 1897, becoming one of the pioneer settlers in that town. At the time of his arrival there were but three families in residence there, and he and his brother John opened a general store, the first of its kind in the placc. They conducted the business very successfully under the firm name of Shuster Brothers for five years, when they sold it to the Geer Brothers. During the succeeding year they engaged in the conduct of a feed and livery business, and at the end of the year Mr. A. N. Shuster went on a trip to California. Upon his return he organized a stock company and erected the Monessen Opera House at a cost of $45,000, and of this Mr. Shuster has since been manager and director. He was also one of the organizers of the Monessen Savings and Trust Company. of Monessen, of which he is now a member of the board of directors. In May, 1905, he formed a partnership with Milton Loeb, and established a real estate and insurance business, which they conduct under the firm name of Shuster and Loeb. They also conduct a fire insurance business. In this line they represent the Allegheny Insurance Company ; the Western of Toronto; the S. V. E. A. of Gothenburg, Sweden ; and the London, Liverpool and Globe Insurance Companies.
Mr. Shuster has always been actively identified with all public affairs, and was one of the first councilmen elected in the borough, serving for three years. He was elected on the Democratic ticket, and in 1903 was elected burgess on the Republican ticket. He has served as a member of the Republican County Convention for the past three years. Fraternally he is a member of the B. P. O. E., and one of the organizers of the Monessen Lodge, No. 773; he was made a member of the Elks in Charleroi ; he was one of the charter members of the K. P., Monessen Lodge ; and also one of the charter members of the German Ben- eficial Union. He has contributed his share toward the upbuilding of the thriv- ing borough, and erected the building occupied by Greer Brothers, on Schoon- maker avenue, which is forty-four by one hundred feet. Mr. Shuster married, March 26, 1898, Bessie McFeely, daughter of Scott and Anna McFeely, of Monongahela, Pennsylvania. They have three children: Prather, Rudell and Catharine, deceased. They are members of the Presbyterian church.
ADAM T. DARR. Among the reliable business men of West New- ton. Pennsylvania, is Adam T. Darr, born at the borough just named, Febru- ary 22, 1840, son of G. Adam and Christena ( Kolbe) Darr, both natives of Germany.
The father was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, about 1804, and died at West Newton, Pennsylvania, April 30, 1879. He learned the trade of car- peuter, and later emigrated to America, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, about 1826. After a short sojourn in that city, he went to Mount Pleasant, West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade a short time and then removed to South Huntingdon township of this county, and later to Ros- traver township. Subsequently he moved to the borough of West Newton, where he followed carpentering and building the remainder of his life, dying in 1879. His wife survived him until 1884. Both are buried in the old West Newton cemetery. The children born to G. Adam and Christena ( Kolbe) Darr were as follows: The first two died young-one at sea while sailing for America. 3. Catherine, born in Germany, married Christian Olbey ; she is now a widow residing in Kansas. 4. Henry, died 1872. 5. John C., now of Em- poria, Kansas,a farmer by occupation ; he served during the Civil war as a mem- her of the Ninety-sixth Illinois Infantry Regiment for three years. 6. Mary,
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now residing at the old Darr homestead in West Newton, Pennsylvania. 7. Adam T., born February 22, 1840, at West Newton. 8. Daniel F., a carpenter of West Newton, who was a member of the Eighth Pennsylvania Reserves in time of the rebellion and served faithfully for three years. 9. Lucetta C., married John Oldbey, of West Newton. G. Adam Darr and wife were exemplary members of the United Brethren church, and in politics he was a supporter of the Republican party.
Adam T. Darr obtained a good common school education at West New- ton, and when twenty-two years of age, August 22, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Regiment of Infantry, serving in the Union cause within the Army of the Potomac until the close of the great civil war, being honorably discharged June 29, 1865. May 3, 1863, he was seriously wounded at the memorable battle of Chancellors- ville, and was in the hospital at Washington and later at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania. After having sufficiently recovered to enter into active service he again joined his old command, and remained a true soldier until the close of the great conflict. Upon his return from the army, having seen much hard service, he resumed the peaceful calling of a civilian by taking up the trade of a carpenter and builder, in which he continued until about 1890, when he was appointed to the office of postmaster at West Newton by President Benjamin Harrison, serving for four years. In a year or two after retiring from the duties of post- master Mr. Darr engaged in the real estate and insurance business, which he still follows in a successful manner. He is, and ever has been, a staunch sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party, and has been honored with many local offices, including that of assessor, tax-collector, borough councilman and member of the Republican county committee. Since 1894 he has been secretary and trustee of the West Newton Cemetery Association, and from 1898 has been the secretary of the West Newton Building and Loan Asso- ciation. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been on the official board and trustee and treasurer of the West Newton Methodist Church. Among the various civic and fraternal societies to which he has be- longed, he is now identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Blythe Lodge, No. 593, at West Newton; Chapter No. 282, of Mckeesport, Penn- sylvania ; Lodge No. 440, I. O. O. F., at West Newton ; Royal Arcanum, No. 65, and J. C. Markle Grand Army Post, No. 623, of West Newton.
Mr. Darr married April 30, 1872, at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, Mary Frances Luker, daughter of David and Harriet Luker. The father of Mrs. Darr is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. David Luker had children : B. F., a merchant of Kittanning. Captain J. Frank, a steamboat captain. Jennie A., wife of J. P. Hamilton : she is deceased. Mary Frances, wife of Adam T. Darr. Sadie deceased. D. W., now of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. Amy E., at home in Allegheny City.
IRA B. SCHOAF, D. D. S., of West Newton, traces his ancestry to Conrad and Louise (Islie) Schoaf, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, where the former engaged in the occupations of shoemaking and farming. They were hard-working, persevering and industrious people, characteristics for which their countrymen and women are noted, and they set an example well worthy of emulation. Their death occurred in Germany in 1856 and 1839, respectively.
Jacob Schoaf, son of Conrad and Louise (Islie) Shoaf, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 24, 1819. In 1848, at the age of twenty-
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nine years, he emigrated to the United States, settling in West Newton, West- moreland county, Pennsylvania. His first occupation was in a stone quarry, after which he worked as a common laborer for Jacob Baughman for a period of four years, and then secured employment in a tannery, where he remained for twenty years. In 1875 he purchased the foundry belonging to a Mr. Downs, which he conducted with a large degree of success for many years, and his integrity and trustworthiness gained for him an enviable reputation in busi- ness circles. He was the owner of several valuable pieces of property in West Newton, including several fine residences. He served as a member of the borough council, having been elected on the Republican ticket. On August 9, 1849, he married Lena Shively, of South Huntingdon township, and their children were as follows: Elizabeth, John W., Frederick, Lena, and Kate.
Frederick Schoaf, son of Jacob and Lena (Shively) Schoaf, was born in West Newton, Pennsylvania, 1859. On attaining young manhood he entered his father's foundry and later became a partner in the business. Subsequently his father withdrew from the firm and the business was left entirely in his hands, he conducting the same in a creditable manner for a number of years, when he turned his attention to the hardware business, and a few years later disposed of his interest in the foundry. He is one of the leading merchants of West Newton, his trade being the largest and best in that line, and being accommodating, pleasant and reliable is highly esteemed by his many customers and patrons. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He served for a number of years as a member of the school board of West Newton. He married Agnes Willard, who bore him six children, five of whom survive: Ira B., of whom later ; Frederick, who is attending Duff Bros. College, Pittsburg; Clarence, Ralph, and Mable.
Ira B. Schoaf was born in West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, April 6, 1883 . His early education was acquired in the common schools of his birthplace, and later he pursued advanced studies in the academy of the same place. In the fall of 1901 he entered the Dental Department of the Western University of Pennsylvania, at Pittsburg, from which he was gradu- ated in the spring of 1904. After his graduation he returned to West New- ton and opened a commodious office for the practice of his profession, and in the short space of one year has built up an extensive and remunerative busi- ness. He is an expert operator, thorough in all the departments of his work, and is recognized as an able, skillful and progressive member of the profes- sion. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a Republican in politics. Dr. Schoaf is unmarried and resides with his parents.
JAMES P. SWAUGER, a resident of West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, proprietor of the Yough Hotel, and a man largely inter- ested in community affairs, was born in Clarksburg, Indiana county, Pennsyl- vania, November 5. 1845, son of Samuel and Catherine (Pepple) Swanger, and grandson of William Swauger, who was a native of Germany, and by trade a miller. He died in 1821, and his widow married a Mr. Stuck, who was also a miller.
Samuel Swauger, son of William Swauger, and father of James P. Swanger, was born in Bedford county, April 9, 1812. He learned the trade of miller from his step-father, followed that occupation during his active working life, and was engaged at his trade in Bedford, Westmoreland and Indiana counties. In politics he was a Democrat, and a member of the Presbyterian
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church. He married Catherine Pepple, born in Bedford county, April, 1814, and fourteen children were born to them, eight of whom survive: John, at Murrysville, Pennsylvania ; William, at Derry Station ; James P., of whom later ; Samuel T., at Coldport, Pennsylvania; A. Wilson, at Murrysville ; George, at Saltsburg : Margaret, wife of Porter J. Nesbit, Aledo, Illinois ; and Catherine, wife of George Stark, Salem Cross Roads. The father of these children died at the age of eighty-two years.
James P. Swauger obtained his education in the common schools of his native place, and early in life learned the trade of miller under the instruction of his father. He was engaged in this occupation for about a quarter of a century, and was a skilled miller in both the old burr and later the roller sys- tem. In 1889 Mr. Swauger retired from the milling business and engaged in the hotel business in West Newton, where he has since been located. The Yough hotel, of which Mr. Swauger is the proprietor, is a first-class establish- ment, and is well patronized. He has won many friends among his guests, owing to his genial and hospitable disposition. Politically he is a strong Republican, and is a firm advocate of the principles of that organization. In 1871 he married Edith Fisher, daughter of Adam Fisher, of Confluence, Pennsylvania. This marriage ceremony was culminated in Maryland, where Mr. Swauger resided for about eleven years during young manhood. Their children are: Blanche, resides in Pittsburg, wife of John F. Cummings, who is with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad; Ida, at home ; and Mazie, who lives with Mrs. G. M. Emig, of Pittsburg, by whom she was reared. Mrs. Swauger died in 1878, and in 1882 Mr. Swauger married Margaret Frye, of Indiana county, daughter of Joseph Frye, now of Blairsville, Pennsylvania. Their children are : Ethel, wife of E. G. Shepler, Monessen ; Grace, Nellie, Ruth and John, all of whom reside at home.
S. F. TODD, an esteemed resident of Scottdale, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and a man who by his own exertion and perseverence has attained an honorable place in the world of successful business men, is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Merritt) Todd, and was born in Rostraver, Westmoreland county, October 11, 1852. The Todd family in America orig- inated with Robert Todd, a native of Brittania, France, a captain in the home guards, who at the overthrow of the government at the time of the insurrection hastened from his native land, finding a haven in America. He lived and died in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He had one son, Robert, the grandfather of S. F. Todd.
Robert Todd removed from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Rostraver, Westmoreland county, in 1779. He settled on a farm located a mile and a half east of Rostraver postoffice, and which is now owned by his grandson, Robert Todd. When he took possession of the property it was a wild tract of land, but he carefully improved it, and brought it to a high state of cultivation. He followed agricultural pursuits in conjunction with the conduct of a tannery all his active working life, and achieved the most gratifying success. He affiliated with the order of Quakers. His wife was Hannah Hammond, a native of France, by whom were born the following named children: Hannah, deceased ; Polly, who became the wife of Peter Van Meter, a Frenchman ; Margaret, married John Foot, of old Connecticut extraction : Ann, marrried John Hasson; Robert, a farmer of Rostraver township; Daniel, father of S. F. Todd; Samuel, a farmer of Rostraver township; James, formerly a steam- boat captain, later a merchant. The father of these children, Robert Todd,
Г.А. Поля
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died in 1821, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was a useful, industrious citizen, a kind and loving father and husband, and his loss was keenly felt.
Daniel Todd, sixth child and second son of Robert and Hannah ( Ham- mond) Todd, was born in 1808, in Rostraver township. He obtained his edu- cation in the common schools and the old Concord school house, and upon leaving school turned his attention to the quiet but useful occupation of a farmer. In 1847 he removed to South Huntingdon township, where he engaged in the cultivation of a splendid farm of one hundred and ninety-two acres. He was a regular and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Elizabeth Merritt, a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Harrold) Merritt. Seven children, three sons and four daughters, were the issue of this marriage union : Hannah, deceased, the wife of Oliver Lenhart ; S. F., mentioned hereafter ; Daniel, deceased : James, died in youth ; Elizabeth, the wife of Hugh Espey, of East Huntingdon township; Laura, who married Robert Hill, of Scottdale. Daniel Todd died in 1863.
S. F. Todd received his intellectual training in the public schools and Normal school, spending two terms in the latter. After the death of his father he took up his residence with his uncle, Samuel Todd, and when a young man made a trip to the west, remaining there for two years. He then returned to South Huntingdon township and followed agricultural pursuits until 1886, when he removed to Scottdale and worked in the rolling-mill and clerked in stores until 1891, when he embarked upon his present successful business enterprise. His present business is that of a stone, marble and granite dealer. His is one of the leading and substantial establishments in the county. He deals in monuments of all kinds, from the smallest tombstone to the finest mausoleum. His place of business is at 211 South Broadway. Mr. Todd contracts for the erection of stone buildings, and at times employs as many as twenty men. In 1901 he erected one of the most attractive modern houses in Scottdale, made of Cleveland stone, and situated on South Broadway, where he and his niece reside in comfort and luxury.
Politically Mr. Todd strongly defends the principles of the Democratic party. Public-spirited and patriotic, he is deeply interested in all public affairs and always has the best interests of the community at heart. He has taken pride in the upbuilding and growth of his town, and is ever ready to lend his assistance to any enterprise which will advance the interests of the public. In the fall of 1904 he was strongly solicited by members of his party to become a candidate for county comptroller, but declined. He has served as a member of the borough council, and during his visit to Florida was placed on the borough ticket for burgess. He returned four days before election, and his popularity was such that he came within sixteen votes of being elected in a district strongly Republican. An upright, honorable man, Mr. Todd enjoys the entire confidence of the community. He has never married. During his mother's life he felt that she needed his support, and after her death he took care of his sister. Since her marriage he has cared for his niece, Laura, the daughter of Mrs. Lenhart and an accomplished young woman.
EDWARD MILES FRYE, a prominent and influential citizen of Monessen, Pennsylvania, and postmaster of that borough, was born at Grape- ville, Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1862, the son of Samuel and Margaret ( Branthooer) Frye, and is of German origin. The progenitor of this family in America was the paternal great-grandfather of Edward M., who emigrated to this country from Germany, and engaged in school teaching, also instructing in singing and German.
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Samuel, the father of Edward M. Frye, was born on the old homestead, at Delmont, Pennsylvania. In early life he was a contractor and builder of houses and barns, but later gave his whole attention to agricultural pursuits. He was a member of the Reformed church. Samuel and Margaret ( Brantho- over) Frye had children: Susan J., married Zephaniah Painter, of Salem township; W. John, of Grapeville; Edward M., mentioned hereafter; Elmer Ellsworth, a packer, of Jeannette; Robert P., died at the age of two years ; Hettie, deceased, wife of John McCurdy ; Mary Ann, married E. Allwine; Clara, wife of W. J. Duncan, of Harmony ; Sallie Agnes, married William Allwine, of Jeannette; Nannie, wife of W. H. Steiner, of Grapeville ; Samuel P., of Jeannette, Pa., and one who died in infancy. The father of the above mentioned children was a soldier in the war of the rebellion. His death occur- red in March, 1905, and his wife died in December, 1904.
Edward M. Frye acquired his early intellectual training in the public schools of his native place, and later attended Delmont Academy two terms ; Dayton Academy one term; Cavode Academy one term, and Grove City Coi- lege two years. Mr. Frye worked his way through the last named institutions, teaching during the winter seasons, and studying in summer, from the time he was nineteen until he was twenty-six years of age. September 24, 1888, he entered into partnership with a Mr. Painter, in Boquet, Pennsylvania, engag- ing in the general merchandise business. This arrangement existed for one year, when Mr. Frye purchased the interest of his partner, and conducted the business alone until March 1, 1899, when he removed to Monessen and opened a shoe store. This he carried on with considerable success for eighteen months, and then sold out and formed a partnership with John W. Manown, establishing a real estate and insurance business. At the end of a year he pur- chase his partner's interest, and conducted the business alone in East Monessen, until March 1, 1905, achieving the most gratifying success. In political affiliations he is a supporter of the Republican party, and has held many elective offices in his borough. March 1, 1905, he was appointed post- master of Monessen, in the duties of which position he is now engaged. He was elected borough treasurer in 1900, and occupied this office for five years. He has served as a member of the county committee for the past fifteen years, and has also served as delegate to the state convention. Fraternally he is a member of the F. and A. M., Monessen Lodge, No. 638, Monongahela City Chapter, No. 249, R. A. ; B. P. O. E., No. 773, of which he has been secretary since 1904; K. P., No. 176; I. O. O. F., Monessen Lodge ; Modern Woodmen of America and Foresters. He is a director of the First National Bank of Monessen, and is a member and one of the trustees of the Presbyterian church. Edward M. Frye married, May 13, 1890, Emaline S. Snyder, daughter of David and Mary (Cline) Snyder. They have three children: Ralph W., Wayne V. and Irene M.
G. FRANK WRIGHT, undertaker, embalmer, and furniture dealer, of Monessen, Pennsylvania, was born February 19, 1876, at Dawson, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, a son of Robert H. and Elizabeth E. Wright, and a grandson of John W. Wright.
John W. Wright was born near Washington City, where he lived until his early manhood, when he located in Fayette county and engaged in farming. He died at the age of seventy-six years. He was a church member and a consistent Christian, a man well liked and respected, although of a retiring disposition.
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Robert H. Wright, father of G. Frank Wright and a son of John W. and Susan (Patterson) Wright, is a resident of Dawson, Pennsylvania. He is now retired from business. He married Elizabeth McBride, by whom he had five children, three of whom are living, namely: G. Frank; Margaret, at home, and Eva at home.
G. Frank Wright acquired his education at the public schools of his native place and the normal school at California, Pennsylvania. He learned his pres- ent business with his uncle, Mr. Murphy, of Murphy and Company, Scottdale, with whom he was employed for thirteen years in the undertaking department of their establishment. Mr. Wright located at Monessen, December 5, 1902, where he succeeded to the undertaking business of McMahan and McMahan, located on Fifth street. This establishment was not in a flourishing condition when Mr. Wright took charge of it, but he continued at that stand for eigh- teen months, the business constantly enlarging, and then removed to his present spacious quarters on Donner avenue, in October, 1904. In the furni- ture department he handles carpets, curtains, window shades, etc., and has extended his trade beyond the confines of the one town into the neighboring boroughs. The undertaking department is complete in every detail, and Mr. Wright has taken courses in embalming at the United States Embalming School and at instruction schools in New York and Chicago. In his social relations he is a member of the F. and A. M., Monessen Lodge: Pittsburg Consistory ; B. P. O. E., Monessen Lodge, No. 773; and K. P., Monessen Lodge. Mr. Wright married, October 12, 1904, Gertrude McGill, daughter of George C. McGill, of Dawson, Pennsylvania.
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