USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 35
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MICHAEL E. HALLIMAN, real estate dealer and insurance man, was born December 11, 1880, in Columbiana county, Ohio, a son of Martin and Mary E. (Gorman) Halliman. The father, a resident of New Brighton, was born near Olean, New York, a son of Michael and Anna Halliman, botn natives of Ireland, who came to this country and settled on a farm in New York State. He was a machinist in early life, latterly a master mechanic with the Kennedy Company, keg manufacturers, of New Brighton.
Michael E. Halliman was reared in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and edu- cated in the public schools of Beaver Falls. At the age of thirteen years he entered the employ of the Carnegie Steel Company at Beaver Falls as office boy, and advanced through various departments, remaining through the changes of management until he reached the position of assistant paymaster. The plant was then purchased by the American Steel and Wire Company, and he remained with them until they closed the Beaver Falls plant, when he was transferred to the Twentieth street works at Pittsburg, and for one year worked for them as paymaster. He then was engaged as foreman of the rivet department by the Oliver Iron and Steel Company of Pittsburg, remain- ing with that company until 1900. He then came to Monessen as paymaster of the local plant of the Paige Wire Fence Company and held that position until March 7. 1905, when he resigned to take up the real estate and insurance business. His office is at No. 519 Schoonmaker avenue, previously occupied by E. M. Frye, to whose business Mr. Halliman succeeded. In connection with his real estate business he does a general insurance business, being the representative of eight fire insurance companies, both foreign and domestic, one life insurance company, the New York Life, and two casualty companies. He is also a notary public, and is a stockholder in the Savings and Trust Company of Monessen, one of its original stockholders. For a time he was
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a stockholder in the Paige Wire Fence Company of Monessen, but has recently sold his holdings in that concern. In local affairs he has been an active worker for the public good, in politics an ardent Republican, and is one of the best known but most unassuming citizens of the town. He is a member of B. P. O. E., Monessen Lodge, No. 773, of the K. C., and of a Batchelors' Club of Monessen.
SAMUEL JONES, of Belle Vernon, a dealer in lumber and building material of all kinds, also a contractor and builder, conducting his operations at Monessen and Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, was born on a farm in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1857, a son of William and Sarah Jones.
His early ettcation was obtained in the common schools, and this was supplemented by a course in the Duff Business College, and in the Allegheny high school, which he attended several terms. After completing his studies he associated himself with his father in the lumber business at Belle Vernon, beginning in 1885 and continuing until 1891, when he opened yards at Chaleroi, Pennsylvania, conducting business there for three years. After disposing of the same he devoted his attention to the business at Belle Vernon, known as the Belle Vernon Planing Mill Company, up to 1897, when the town of Mo- nessen was started. He purchased the first lots that were sold in that town, and from its very inception has been active in all the building operations therein. He established the first lumber yards in Monessen, 1897, and has continued to conduct the same ever since, it being known as the Monessen Lumber Company. He has been engaged in the contracting and building business for the last two decades, and has done as much if not more than any one other man in the building up of the town of Monessen. In 1901, in company with his brother, J. S. Jones, of Belle Vernon, he opened up McMahon, a second addi- tion to Monessen, comprising twenty acres, which they platted and sold, and which proved a most lucrative investment. He was associated with three other men in the organization of and platting of the Erent Land Company's plat, an addition to Monessen, comprising forty acres. This company, which was organized in 1905, is composed of the following members : Samuel Jones, president ; George Nash, J. S. Jones and C. F. Eggers. He is also interested in the Perry Manufacturing Company of Perryopolis, Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, which was organized in 1905 for the purpose of manufacturing plas- tering and brick making materials, also shippers of a fine grade of silica clay. The esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens is evidenced by the fact that he was chosen to serve on the directorate of the Monessen Savings & Trust Company, of which he was one of the organizers. He is a stockholder in the Valley Deposit & Trust Company of Belle Vernon. In all his business rela- tions he is integrity personified, and is a member of that class whose honor, en- terprise and social qualities give character to a community.
Mr. Jones was married February 25, 1886, to Annie C. Murphy, daugh- ter of Joshua and Mary Murphy, the former of whom is deceased and the lat- ter a resident of Belle Vernon, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They reside at the corner of Vine and Broad avenue, North Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania.
HARMER S. NEFF, of West Newton, a leading business man, who' has rendered valuable service to his community in various important official
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
stations, is a native of the borough in which he now resides, born October 1, 1862, son of Reuben F. and Ann (Gressley) Neff.
Reuben F. Neff was born in Sewickley township, Westmoreland county, a son of Reuben Neff, a farmer. He was reared on the home farm, and on reaching manhood engaged as a contractor in sinking coal mine shafts. Dur- ing the Civil war he served faithfully and honorably for two and a half years in the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, participat- ing in some of the most stirring campaigns and notable battles which marked the annals of the famous old Army of the Potomac. His capability was such that he was marked for a lieutenancy, but this preferment was withheld from him through chicanery. On his return from the army he resumed his contract work, but soon came to his death in the line of his duty. He had been re-engaged in this pursuit not more than three months, when he was killed while sinking a mine shaft at West Newton, His wife survived him many years, remaining un- married, and devoting herself to the service of her family, which was left in straitened circumstances. They were the parents of four children. 1. William, engaged in the stock business in Missouri ; 2. Frank, resides in Stephen county, Kansas, where he is engaged in the stock business ; he has served as county su- perintendent of schools, and is the present clerk of court. 3. Wesley, a carpenter at Mckeesport, Pennsylvania. 4. Harmer S. All these children took employ- ment very early in life in order to assist their widowed mother in keeping her family together.
Harmer S. Neff worked upon a farm until he was eleven years of age, and at fifteen, engaged with a blacksmith. His education was necessarily limited, but his ambition enabled him to compensate for meagre school advantages by directing him to the acquisition of knowledge from other sources. After black- smithing with A. W. Smith, at Mckeesport, for a time, he took a position with the Markle Paper Company, in West Newton, his duties being caring for their machinery. He acquitted himself with credit in this position for several years, developing the capabilities of a skilled machinist, and entered the employ of the Osborn Seagern Coal Company, being charged with the care of the ma- chinery in their various mines in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In 1893 he resigned this position to connect himself with the National Tube Works in McKees- port, with the desire of entering upon a larger knowledge of a different class of machinery. After two years so occupied he was for a short time employed in the capacity of foreman in the machine shops of the Pittsburg Coal Com- pany, which he left to accept the position of machinist for the United States Radiator Company in West Newton. After two years of this employment (in 1902) he resigned, with an excellent record as a workman and a man, never once leaving a position under compulsion, but only on his own motion in order to enter upon a more desirable situation. His retirement from his last employ- ment was due to his determination to enter upon an independent career, and he at once opened a machine shop in West Newton, a venture in which he has been eminently successful, as is attested by the large and important pa- tronage which has been accorded him, and which is constantly increasing. He is actively identified with the life of the community, and his public spirit and capability have found cordial recognition in his election to various positions of usefulness. He has served one term as a member of the town council, and two terms as a member of the board of health, while he is at present a member of the school board. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he is a Republican. He is a member of West Newton Lodge, No. 440, I. O. O. F. Mr. Neff married in 1882, Sadie Harned, a daugh-
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ter of William Harned, a leading farmer of Bruston Mills, West Virginia. They have three children: Edna, Frank and Gordon. The first named is a graduate of the California State Normal school, and is a highly esteemed teacher in the West Newton public schools.
CHRISTIAN GOEHRING. Among the leading business men of West Newton, whose enterprise, energy and thrift have been leading and im- portant factors in the material growth and development thereof, may be men- tioned the name of Christian Goehring, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born May 17, 1859, who possesses in a marked degree the characteristics of his native land. His parents, Martin and Mary ( Hunker) Goehring, also na- tives of Wurtemberg, Germany, emigrated to the United States with their family, locating at Hunkers Station, from whence after a short stay they re- moved to West Newton. They are the parents of seven children, all of whom are living at the present time ( 1005) : Christian, of whom later ; Martin, Jr., a merchant of West Newton; Mary, wife of George Binder, of West Newton ; John G., a druggist of West Newton, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work ; Frederick, engaged in the furniture business in West Newton : William, a dry goods merchant of West Newton; and Anna, wife of Harry Albig, of West Newton.
The common schools adjacent to his home afforded Christian Goehring the means of obtaining a thorough, rudimentary education which qualified him for an active and useful career. In 1881 he engaged in teaming, which occu- pation proved highly remunerative and which he followed up to 1895, a period of fourteen years. In connection therewith he established a livery business in the town of West Newton, in 1895, which has also proved very successful, and which is recognized as one of the leading establishments of its kind, receiving the patronage of the best residents of the town. It is well equipped with ve- hicles suitable for all occasions, and the patrons thereof receive at all times prompt and courteous treatment. Mr. Goehring has served as burgess of the town for four years, and is now ( 1905) a member of the town council, these facts attesting to his worth as a citizen. His religious views are in accord with those of the Lutheran church, of which he is a member, and his political alle- giance is given to the Democratic party. In 1882 Mr. Goehring married Lena Schoaf, daughter of Jacob and Lena (Shively) Schoaf, and granddaughter of Conrad and Louise (Islie) Schoaf, her parents, now deceased, having been among the early settlers of West Newton. Their children are: Harry, a stu- dent in the College of Pharmacy in Pittsburg: William, engaged with his father in the livery business : Paul, George, and Mary, all of whom reside at home.
FREDERICK GOEHRING, one of the leading and substantial busi- ness men of West Newton, Pennsylvania, was born February 21, 1871, the son of Martin and Mary (Hunker) Goehring, who were both natives of Wurtem- berg, Germany, where they were reared in humble circumstances. After their marriage, they emigrated to the United States, locating at Hunkers Station. After a short time they removed to West Newton, where they spent the re- mainder of their lives. Martin Goehring was a laborer, and was variously oc- cupied after he came to this country. Mrs. Goehring is still living. Their children were: Christian, engaged in the livery business at West Newton ; Martin, a clerk in West Newton : Mary, wife of George P. Buider, West New-
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ton ; John G., a druggist ; Frederick, of whom later; William L., a merchant ; and Anna.
Frederick Goehring was reared in West Newton and acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of that place. When twenty years of age he entered the employ of Frederick Schoaf in the foundry business in West Newton, re- maining there some eight years, and was for a short time employed in the coal company's store. However, Mr. Goehring decided to enter in business for himself, so he formed a partnership with Henry A. McLain and they estab- lished a furniture business. Their business increased so rapidly during the succeeding four years that they were obliged to remove to more commodious quarters. They established themselves in the Weimer building, where they have a large, attractive salesroom. From the outset the business has been a success, owing to the good management and general fair dealing which have characterized all their transactions. The proprietors are certainly to be con- gratulated upon their well-deserved patronage. Politically Mr. Goehring is a staunch Democrat, and strongly advocates the principles of that party. He is a member of the K. O. T. M., and in matters of religion he accords with the doctrines of the Lutheran church, of which he is a regular and consistent at- tendant. April 9, 1896, Frederick Goehring married Martha B. McLain, daughter of Henry A. McLain, and their children are : Cynthia Dorothy and Albert McLain.
W. S. BUMBAUGH, president of the Monessen Foundry and Ma- chine Company, and prominently identified with several other important en- terprises, although not yet forty years old, has worked his way forward to the position of affluence he now occupies among the leading business men of Westmoreland county, solely through his own personal efforts, and he is one of the few men whose past records actually justify this application of that honorable distinction.
Born in Morgantown, West Virginia, October 26, 1866, son of James and Isabelle (Peterson) Bumbaugh, W. S. Bumbaugh was deprived of a mother's care at the tender age of eighteen months, and confided to the care of his sister, who resided in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania. It seems, however, to have been preordained by the inevitable degree of destiny that young Bumbaugh should work out his own salvation without the aid of parent or kindred, as when he was eight years old his sister was summoned to her final resting place, and the boy was, therefore, thrown absolutely upon his own inherent re- sources to obtain sustenance and education as best he could. That he was equal to the emergency and that he fully accomplished the arduous task, so harshly meted out to him by destiny, is amply attested by the success he has already attained, which, considering the almost insurmountable obstacles he was forced to overcome, seems little less than phenomenal. After the death of his sister, which occurrred in 1874. young Bumbaugh set out with a will to master the somewhat difficult proposition of supporting himself, beginning by selling newspapers, and subsequently accepting eagerly any other honest em- ployment that would contribute toward securing an existence. At the age of twelve years he entered the foundry department of the National Tube Com- pany's works at Mckeesport as an apprentice and there obtained the knowl- edge and experience which ultimately enabled him to promote and establish the industrial enterprise of which he is now the official head. After mastering the foundry business in its entirety he withdrew from the employ of the Na- tional Tube Company in order to acquire additional experience in other parts
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of the country under different conditions, and having accomplished his object, his next move was to obtain an opportunity of using his knowledge and ability for his own advancement. Coming to Monessen in 1898, he was soon able to secure capital sufficient to organize the Monessen Foundry and Machine Com- pany, of which he was chosen president, an enterprise which has been success- ful from the start. This concern, which was originally located at the West End, moved its plant in 1903 to the East End, where it occupies an area of three acres, and in addition to carrying on an extensive general foundry busi- ness it gives its particular attention to the manufacture of certain kinds of machinery for which it is provided with special facilities. At the present time it employs a force of one hundred and twenty-five hands, and there is a large and constantly increasing demand for the products of both departments. Al- though the Monessen Foundry and Machine Company naturally occupies his principal attention, Mr. Bumbaugh is interested financially and officially in several other enterprises, being vice-president of the First National Bank of Monessen, second vice-president of the Monessen Savings and Trust Company, president of the Monessen Opera Company, and vice-president of the Grand View Cemetery Association, all of which he assisted in organizing. He is one of the incorporators and largely interested in the "Grand View Plan" (so called), a real estate enterprise which purchased a tract of thirty-five acres lying in the western part of the borough and has divided it into house lots. He is also otherwise interested in the development of real estate in Monessen, and has erected several fine dwelling houses as an investment. Aside from his interest in developing the natural resources of Monessen and expanding its industries, he is actively concerned in the public affairs of the borough, having served as a member of the council since 1899, and in 1904 was chosen president of that body. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Monessen Lodge, No. 773. B. P. O. E. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Bumbaugh married, November 4, 1890, Dora Taylor, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth ( McFarland) Taylor, of Mckeesport. They have two children, Hazel and Carl Bumbaugh.
HARRY R. PORE, manager and editor of the Monessen Daily In- dependent, and president of the borough council, is a representative of an old and highly estimable Westmoreland county family. He is a son of Jacob and Sarah Ann ( Miller) Pore, and his ancestors on both sides were among the pio- neer tillers of the soil in this section of the state. His paternal grandparents, Adam and Margaret (Lobinger) Pore, resided in South Huntingdon townhip, and his mother was born in Mount Pleasant, daughter of William Miller, of that township. His father in early life followed the carpenter's trade and was a well-known building contractor in South Huntingdon, West Newton and ad- jacent townships. He finally relinquished that business and turned his atten- tion exclusively to agricultural pursuits. He owned a farm of one hundred and six acres in South Huntingdon township, known as the old Snyder place, the fertility of which he greatly improved, making it one of the most valuable pieces of agricultural property in that section of the county. Being naturally domestic in his habits he preferred the peace and tranquility of a simple life and took special delight in devoting his attention wholly to the care of his homestead and the welfare of his family. In his younger days he was a mem- ber of the old Sewickley Presbyterian church, but afterward united with the same denomination in West Newton. Jacob Pore died in 1890, aged sixty-five years. His widow is still living and resides in West Newton. Jacob and
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Sarah Ann (Miller) Pore were the parents of seven children, six of whom grew to maturity, namely : William H., deceased ; Charles S., a hardware mer- chant in Monessen; Luella, residing in West Newton: Harry R., of whom later ; Blanche E., wife of L. S. Shupe, who is in the hardware business in Monessen ; and Josiah MI., a resident of West Newton.
Harry R. Pore was born in South Huntingdon township, July, 1872. He pursued his preliminary studies in the public schools, was a graduate from the Northern Indiana Normal school at Valparaiso in 1899, and from King's School of Oratory, in 1900. Endowed by nature with elocutionary ability of a high order, which was enhanced and perfected by the careful training received at the above mentioned school of oratory, he decided to utilize his talents as a ineans of obtaining a livelihood, and joining the ranks of public entertainers as a monologue artist he toured through the western states with gratifying success, providing unassisted an entire entertainment which was invariably received with excellent satisfaction, emphasized with vociferous applause. But physical exhaustion resulting from constant travel, together with the long con- tinued strain to which the nervous system of a public entertainer is necessarily subjected. at length compelled him to relinquish that calling and seek a less arduous occupation. Accordingly he turned his attention to journalism and in July, 1901, he established the Monessen Daily Independent, of which he be- came both manager and editor. Having succeeded in placing his journalistic enterprise upon a secure financial basis he determined to control, as far as possible, the newspaper business of this locality, and with that end in view he successfully arranged in 1903 for the consolidation of his paper with the Monessen Weekly Leader, extinguishing the name of the latter and issuing the united organs under the name of the Independent. The Monessen Daily Independent entered its enlarged field of usefulness under the control of a stock company with A. M. Wyant as president, Frank Bumer as secretary and treasurer, and Harry R. Pore as manager and editor. Typographically it pre- sents an attractive appearance, and in its editorial policy and ideas it is optimis- tic, progressive, keenly alive to the conditions within its environments and ab- solutely without prejudice in its discussion of the important issues of the day. Its circulation is large, which, together with its popularity, establishes beyond question its value as an advertising medium. It generally appears, unless en- larged to meeet the contingencies of some extraordinary occasion, in four six column pages, which contain all the latest news, foreign, domestic, local, etc., with such selected matter from exchanges and other sources as is deemed in- teresting to its readers. In politics, or "profession of faith," as some news- paper wag has humorously called it, it advocates the principles of Independent Republicanism. Although not the youngest newspaper men in the state, Mr. Pore is certainly entitled to be considered as one of the youngest managing edi- tors within its borders, and his future advancement in his chosen field of use- fulness is exceedingly promising. Nor is his activity confined solely to his profession as he takes a profound interest in local public affairs, and at the present time is serving with marked ability as president of the borough council.
On October 15, 1902, Mr. Pore was united in marriage at the Second Presbyterian church, Pittsburg, by the Rev. Edwin S. Young, with Louise M. Wagner, who was a schoolmate at the Northern Indiana Normal school. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Wagner, of Kilbourn City, Wisconsin.
WILLIAM FRANTZ. The family represented in Monessen by Will- iam Frantz was brought to this side of the Atlantic by an emigrant from Ger-
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
many who founded the Frantz settlement near Leechburg, Pennsylvania. Peter Frantz was a resident of this settlement, but whether the founder or not does not appear.
Henry Lewis Frantz, son of Peter Frantz, spent his boyhood in his native place and subsequently went to Pittsburg where he engaged in boating. Later he had charge of a wharf and also of the coal shipments, and some time after purchased a large tract of land five miles above Mckeesport, where he engaged in farming. A number of years later he divided this property into different farms which he sold, and then retired to Mckeesport where he is still living. He is a man of the highest moral rectitude and his always been a Republican in politics. He was for many years a member of the Presbyterian church, but latterly connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Mr. Frantz married Sarah McCain, and they were the parents of two sons: William Shirwell, mentioned hereafter; and James, who lives in the west. After the death of his wife Mr. Frantz married Elizabeth Actor, and by this marriage is the father of another son, Ulysses Grant, who is a resident of Dakota.
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