USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 36
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William Shirwell Frantz, son of Henry Lewis and Sarah J. ( McCain) Frantz, was born June 27, 1849, and has spent the greater part of his life in Mckeesport where he is engaged in the insurance business. He married Sarah Ann Snyder, and the following children have been born to them: William, mentioned hereafter; Laura, died in childhood; Robert, superintendent of the Metropolitan Insurance Company at Tarentum, Pennsylvania; Jennie, resides at home ; George, a clerk in the auditor's office of the United States Steel Com- pany, of Pittsburg ; Edward, a mercantile clerk; and Harry, a clerk in the shipping department of the Seamless Tube Works, Mckeesport. The two last named reside at home.
William Frantz, son of William Shirwell and Sarah Ann (Snyder) Frantz, was born May 14, 1870. He attended the public schools and then en- tered the service of Samuel Goldman, clothier. Later he was employed by Max Bachman, who was in the same line of business, and with whom he remained until coming to Monessen to engage in business on his own account. August I, 1903, in partnership with James K. Boyd, he established the firm of Frantz & Boyd, clothiers, furnishers and hatters, starting with about eight thousand dollars worth of stock which has since been increased to fifteen thousand. Their stock and accommodations would do credit to a city much larger than Mones- sen. Mr. Frantz is master of his calling in each and every department, and is thoroughly equipped for the successful handling of the business in any field in which he might be placed. He was one of the founders of the five and ten cent store at Donora and is now one of the firm, which is known as that of Jack & Company, and is under the management of Frank Jack. Mr. Frantz is a member of Monessen Lodge, No. 638, Free and Accepted Masons, and Mc- Keesport Chapter. No. 285. He also belongs to Monessen Aerie, No. 492, Fra- ternal Order of Eagles. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Frantz married, October 27. 1891, Ida May, daugh- ter of Moses and Felicia Dias, of Webster, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of one child, William Byron Frantz.
JAMES KELLY BOYD. Although a resident of Westmoreland county James Kelly Boyd, of Monessen, belongs by birth and descent to Alle- gheny county. He is a son of J. K. and Margaret (Wyland) Boyd, and was born December 13, 1871, in Allegheny City, where he was reared and edu- cated. His father died in 1879, aged forty-two, and his mother survives.
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Mr. Boyd's first employment was in the capacity of office boy for James W. Drape, of Pittsburg, and his next was with the U. P. Railroad, whence he passed to the service of the C. A. Railroad, where he remained several years in the capacity of clerk. He then associated himself with the W. Dewees Wood Company, of Mckeesport, with whom he remained eight years. At the end of that time he entered the service of the United States Steel Company, retiring some years after as head bookkeeper. He then turned his attention to the clothing business, formed a partnership with William Frantz, and in 1903 they established their present business in Monessen. Mr. Boyd is a member of Monessen Lodge, No. 638, Free and Accepted Masons, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, No. 492, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 773, the Versailles Council, No. 238, Royal Arcanum, of Mckeesport, and the Improved Order of Heptasophs, No. 81, also of Mckeesport. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Monessen, No. 168. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, of Monessen. Mr. Boyd married, February 22, 1893, Susan, daughter of John and Mary Toy, of Pittsburg.
E. M. MOYER, founder and senior member of the E. M. Moyer Company, jewelers, of Monessen, is of German origin, his grandfather, Fred- erick Moyer, having immigrated from Germany early in the last century and settled in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. His father, Enoch Moyer, was a native of Mifflin county, as is also his mother, who was before marriage Cath- erine Baker.
Enoch Moyer was a tailor by trade but relinquished that occupation in order to engage in agriculture, and he resided upon a farm in Lewistown, Mifflin county, for the remainder of his life, which terminated in August, 1866. one month prior to the birth of his youngest child, E. M. Moyer, the principal subject of this sketch. His widow is still living. Enoch and Catherine ( Baker) Moyer reared a family of four children, namely: Henry K., a retired farmer of Edgar, Illinois; Howard, a live-stock dealer in Kansas City, Mis- souri : Lizzie, wife of J. E. Harman, of Lewiston, Pennsylvania, and E. M., of Monessen.
Born in Lewistown, September 26, 1866, E. M. Moyer began his studies in the public schools and completed his education at an academy. At the age of fourteen years he entered the telegraph service of the Pennsylvania railroad as an apprentice, and having acquired proficiency as an operator he followed that business for about fourteen years, during which time he was employed by different railroad companies in various parts of the country, notably in Elk Garden, West Virginia, where for a period of eight years he acted as operator for the West Virginia Central, which was subsequently absorbed by the Wabash system. Relinquishing telegraphy he accepted a position as travelling salesman for a Philadelphia mercantile house (H. Goldsmith), with which he remained some two years. In 1901 lie engaged in the jewelry busi- ness at Monessen, establishing the E. M. Moyer Company, which he owns. They occupy a centrally located store, forty-eight by twenty-two feet, and in addition to carrying the largest and most complete stock of jewelry and kin- dred articles, they maintain a fully equipped repairing department, replete with every facility in the way of stock, appliances, artisans, etc., for executing with neatness and despatch the simplest as well as the most intricate work known to the jeweler's art. Since locating in Monessen Mr. Moyer has become widely and favorably known both in business and social circles. He is a member of the Benevolent and Frotective Order of Eagles, Lodge No. 492. In 1891 he was
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united in marriage with .Miss Flora Mckinley, daughter of William and Anna Mckinley, of Lonaconing, Maryland. Their children are: Vira, Vesta, Frederick, Bettie and Flora.
SAMUEL S. JONES, a highly esteemed business man of Monessen, residing in Belle Vernon, is a son of George W. and Eliza J. ( Minehart) Jones, of Bridgeport, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and a grandson of Samuel Jones, the latter a native of Virginia, who settled in Greene county, this state.
George W. Jones located in early life at Bridgeport, where he followed the business of a distiller, and was a progressive, public-spirited citizen. His death occurred March 24, 1886, at the age of fifty-four years. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Royal Arcanum. Besides his widow, who is still residing in Bridgeport, he is survived by three children, namely: George W., a resident of Bridgeport and a travelling sales- man for T. C. Jenkins, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; Elizabeth J., unmarried ; and Samuel S., of whom later.
Samuel S. Jones was born in Bridgeport, January 7, 1874. Having con- cluded his studies at the age of sixteen years he entered, as an apprentice, a window-glass factory, where he acquired the art of glass-blowing, and he was engaged in that industry some nine years. He then became a travelling sales- man for the Canfield Oil Company of Cleveland, Ohio, his field of operation embracing western Pennsylvania, southeastern West Virginia and a portion of Ohio, and he travelled in the interest of that concern for about three years. In 1902 he located permanently in Monessen, where he became associated with D. A. Miller under the firm name of the Monessen Paint and Glass Company. Withdrawing from that firm a year later he established himself in business alone as a dealer in ornamental mantels, tile work, fireplace, furniture and fixtures, and other fancy decorative materials. In addition to handling these goods as merchandise he takes contracts for adjusting mantels, etc., the laying of tile floors, walks and other ornamental work throughout western Pennsylvania, being about the only one engaged in that line of business in this section of the state. Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic Order and the Royal Arcanum. He was married January 22, 1896, to Lee Anna Lenhart, daughter of William C. Lenhart, of Fayette City, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have two sons, William S. and George W.
ROBERT TAYLOR, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Bosler) Taylor, was born near Turtle Creek, Allegheny county, September 3. 1829. He was one of a large family, but four of whom are still living: Edward, residing at the old homestead ; James, also at the homestead; Elizabeth, living with her brothers on the farm ; Joseph, living near Long Run Church, Allegheny county. Isaac Taylor, father of Robert Taylor, was born and reared in Allegheny county. . Upon reaching manhood he located at Turtle Creek, where he man- aged a hotel for many years, meanwhile acquiring valuable farm lands. Later he retired from the hotel business and settled on one of his farms, where he spent the remainder of his years.
Robert Taylor grew up at home, acquiring his education in the common schools. At the age of eighteen or twenty he engaged in the tanning business in the vicinity of Greensburg. He carried on this business for a number of years, and then came to West Newton and engaged in the lumber and the grain business, in which he prospered, having excellent business qualifications. In 1895, in company with W. S. Van Dyke and S. C. Weimer, he organized the
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banking firm of Van Dyke, Weimer and Taylor, which became the leading banking institution of this section of the county. They sold the business to the First National Bank in 1899. In politics Mr. Taylor was a staunch Republican, and served nine years as a school director, but refused other offices which were tendered him. He was a public-spirited citizen and was ever active in any movement to promote the business welfare of West Newton. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and its treasurer for many years. He married, March 18, 1856, Sidney Markle, a daughter of General Joseph and Elizabeth (Lloyd) Markle. They had four children, two of whom survive: Ada B., wife of Dr. L. B. Sutton, of West Newton ; and Caroline, wife of W. S. Van Dyke, a banker, of Pittsburg. Robert Taylor died in January, 1899. Mrs. Taylor still resides at West Newton.
REBECCA GREENAWALT, nee MeGrew, is the daughter of Archibald and Susanna (Gilbert) McGrew, both of Quaker stock. She is one of three children surviving of eleven. Her father, the son of James Mc- Grew, was born in Sewickley township, and lived there throughout his life. He was a farmer and one of the well-known men of that section of the county. Politically he was a Democrat, but took no active part in political affairs ; in his religious faith he was a Quaker.
In 1860 Rebecca McGrew married Jacob W. Greenawalt, second son of Henry Greenawalt. He was born in Westmoreland county, October 27, 1837, and attended the common schools of that county, then entered Union College, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He went west after leaving college and began to read law, and was admitted to the bar at Mount Pleasant, Iowa. In the spring of the year 1860 he returned home and November 22, 1860, was admit- ted to the practice of law in the several courts of Westmoreland county. Early in April of the following year he entered into a law partnership with James H. Hunter, Esq., a member of the Greensburg bar. A few days after, April 17, 1861, in response to a call from the president for 75,000 men, he, with Richard Coulter (afterward colonel of the Eleventh Regiment), raised a com- pany which became Company I, Eleventh Regiment. He was elected second lieutenant, was subsequently promoted to first lieutenant, and was mustered out of service with his company August 1, 1861. Immediately after his return home he energetically set about raising a company for three years' service, and this company was mustered into the army as Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Upon the promotion of Captain Dick to the rank of major of the regiment, Lieutenant Greenawalt was raised to captain, September 20, 1861, and on the resignation of Major Dick, he was promoted to major, November 29, 1862. His next promotion was to the rank of lieutenant- colonel, May 4, 1863, and he was with his regiment through all the battles in which it participated. He was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, and while in command of his regiment at the battle of the Wilderness, fell mortally wounded, May 4, 1864, and died a few days after, May 17. 1864. His remains were brought home and interred with military honors in the presence of a great concourse of his old friends and neighbors at Mars Hill, a quiet country churchyard. He left a widow to mourn his untimely end but no children. Colonel Greenawalt was immensely popular with his men, treating them with kindness and consideration, and avoiding all display of anthority or the use of harsh language, which too often fell upon the ears of the private soldier. He had the warm esteem of his fellow-officers and the confidence of his superiors. Brigadier General Graham, in a letter to Governor Curtain asking for the pro-
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motion of Major Greenawalt to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in his regiment, speaks of his conduct at the battle of Chancellorsville, saying, "he exhibited the firmness and knowledge of a veteran." One who knew him well says of him, "he was an earnest, brave, patriotic man, knowing no fear and entering into whatever he did with his whole soul-the longer he was known the more was he respected and beloved, in all the relations of life." Colonel Greenawalt was a consistent Christian, a worshipper in the Baptist church. His widow is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, an accomplished woman who is held in great esteem within the circle of her friends and acquaintances.
JOHN PALANAFSKY. One of the progressive business men of Westmoreland county, an industrious, useful citizen, and a man prominently and actively interested in community affairs, is John Palanafsky, proprietor of the Hotel Andrews, at Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. He was born in Autsria, May, 1867, and when a lad of some thirteen years emigrated to this country with his parents, Michael and Katie Palanafsky. His father is a resi- dent of Mount Pleasant, making his home with his son John.
John Palanafsky received his education in the public schools of Westmore- land county, and on leaving the school room, entered into his first regular employment in the mines in Pennsylvania, remaining there until 1894. He was then for a time in the employ of the Mount Pleasant Brewing Company, and in 1897 he engaged in the hotel business in Mammoth, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, remaining there for two years and seven months. In 1901 Mr. Palanafsky purchased the Hotel Andrew at Mount Pleasant. This hotel is a three story structure, located on Main street near the depot. It is a first-class house and accommodates thirty-two guests. Politically Mr. Pa- lanafsky is a Democrat. He is one of the enterprising citizens of the borough, and is ever willing and anxious to lend his assistance to any enterprise for the good of the public. He is a member of the I. O. R. M., No. 337, and the Eagles, No. 493. In matters of religion, he is a devout member of the Catholic church. He married, in 1800, Kate Babrura, and their children were: Thomas, Katie, Joseph, John and Alice.
JOSEPH E. NEWCOMER. The grandfather of Joseph E. New- comer, of Monessen, was Christian Newcomer, a farmer, who went from Maryland to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Tyrone township. His son. David M. Newcomer, spent his life in Fayette county, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a member of the Christian church. David M. Newcomer married Mary E. Walter, and they were the parents of three sons : William W., president of the Newcomer School of Expression of Lima College, of Lima, Ohio; Lawrence O., pastor of the Christian church at Eaton, Indiana ; and Joseph E., mentioned hereafter. Mr. Newcomer died August 8, 1903, and his widow resides with her son Joseph E. At the time of his death Mr. New- comer was sixty-five years old.
Joseph E. Newcomer, son of David M. and Mary E. ( Walter) Newcomer. was born August 8, 1876, on the homestead, near Dawson, Fayette county, where he received his primary education in the public schools, afterward attending Redstone Academy, Uniontown, and Mount Union College, Ohio. Later he entered the classical department of the Ohio Northern University. whence he graduated in 1897. He then engaged for two years in teaching, and in 1898 took a business course. He was five years in the school at Ada, taking a thorough course in military tactics, and leaving with the rank of
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John Palanofsky
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Aster Lem : and Tilden Foundations.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
lieutenant-colonel, the highest honor which it is in the power of the school to confer. The first school of which he had charge was his home country school in Fayette county and he was for several years vice-principal of the New Haven publie schools. In the autumn of 1898 he took up his abode in Mones- sen as principal of the schools of that place, a position which he filled for three years, resigning at the end of that time in order to engage in the real estate business. He formed a partnership with Jesse S. Cook, under the firm name of Newcomer & Cook, real estate agents, and on August 1, 1903, sold out to Luce & Sutman. April 1, 1904, he entered into partnership with Eli H. Wolf, under the firm name of Newcomer & Wolf, sueeessors to Mitehell & Myers who had established the business some two years previously. The present firm carries on a general land ageney, limited to Monessen. They have erected several residence properties during the last year, and expect to construct in 1905 at least half a dozen. Aside from this, Mr. Newcomer has erected personally some seven properties. The firm also handles all kinds of insurance, including fire, life and accident. They have the exclusive management of the business of the Monessen Improvement Company, which is of considerable seope and embraces a large amount of property, and are also special agents for the Essen plan of lots. They do no little business in placing loans on mortgages, and Mr. Newcomer being a notary public, are prepared to execute all legal papers. He is a director in the People's National Bank of Monessen, and was appointed executor of his father's estate, which is of considerable magnitude, lying chiefly in Fayette county. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is an elder in the Diseiple church of Monessen, also serving as superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Newcomer married, September 10, 1902, Esther N., daughter of John A. and Martha Hunter, the former an attorney at Fort Recovery, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer have had one child, Clyde H., who died at the age of three months.
ALLEN P. MUSICK. The family of which Allen P. Musick, of Monessen, is a member belongs to Westmoreland county. Samuel Musick married Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham Brinker, also of this county, and among their children was a son, Allen P., mentioned hereafter. Mr. and Mrs. Musick are now residents of Lyeippus.
Allen P. Musick, son of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Brinker) Musiek, was born April 14. 1872, near Hannestown, where he received the greater part of his education in the common schools, finishing with one term at Greensburg Seminary. After leaving school he entered the service of the Farmers' Trading Company, with which he was connected for some ten years. During that period.he advanced to be head of the force and for several years had charge of the Hosteller store. During the two last years he was virtually manager of both the Hosteller and Whitney stores of the company, thus gaining a large and varied experience which has proved of much benefit to him in his own personal business. In 1901 he left this position and went to Monessen and October 3, 1901, he opened a grocery and provision store on Schoonmaker ave- nue, and is still carrying on the business on the same site. He purchased the property, this providing himself with a residence and a place of business. His stock is one of the best selected in the borough and he has built up a flourishing trade. When he established the business he was associated with his brother under the firm name of Musick Brothers, and the partnership was eontinned until February, 1903, when Mr. Musick bought out his brother's interest and has since condueted the business alone. He is one of the board of directors 2-16
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of the People's National Bank of Monessen, and was elected first president of Merchants' Exchange, also of Monessen. He belongs to the I. O. O. H .; also the F. and A. M., of Monessen. He is a member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church and also superintendent of the Sunday school. He was elected to the office of councilman from the third ward for a term of three years. Mr. Musick married, September 17, 1894, May, daughter of W. J. and Deborah Peterson, of Ligonier, and they have two children: William S., and Merle Wilfred Musick.
CLARENCE W. GREER. One of the old families of Penn town- ship is that represented by Clarence W. Greer, of Monessen. He is a son of Joseph Collins and Jennie E. Greer, and was born November 24. 1875, in Lum- ber City, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania.
He received his education in the schools of Johnstown. His first employ- ment was with the B. White Coal Mining Company at Anita, Pennsylvania, whom he served as bookkeeper and manager of the company's store, positions which he retained for six years. He then went to Nansen, Elk county, where he became one of a firm conducting a general store of which he had the man- agement for a year or more. At the end of that time he sold out his interest, went to Monessen and formed a partnership with his two brothers, W. S. and J. C. Greer, under the firm name of Greer Brothers. In April, 1903, they purchased the general merchandise business which had been established in 1897 by Shuster Brothers. They carry the heaviest stock in this line in Monesseen, occupying two rooms and employing a small army of clerks. They make the grocery department the main feature of the establishment, and are doing a large and increasing business. Their store is situated on Schoonmaker avenue. The active member of the firm is Mr. Greer, he having charge of the conduct of the entire business. Mr. Greer married, May 12, 1896, Mary, daughter of J. L. McKeerer, of Irwin, and they have three children: Lois E., J. Collins, and Janice M. Mr. Greer and his wife are members of the Presby- terian church.
HARRY J. BEARER, a resident of Monessen, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and member of the firm of H. J. Bearer & Company, at 449-45I Danver avenue, was born in Carrollstown, Cambria county, Pennsyl- vania, June 6, 1875, a son of John G. C. and Magdalena (Hopple) Bearer, and grandson of Francis Bearer, a native of Germany, who emigrated to this coun- try, and resided in Berks county for a few years, later locating permanently in Cambria county, where he followed the occupation of a farmer, and subse- quently became the owner of considerable property.
John G. C. Bearer ( father) is a resident and retired farmer of Spangler, Cambria county, where he was born and reared. He is an active Democrat, and a devout member of the Roman Catholic church. He married Magdalena Hopple, and of their children the following named are those now living : Frank, a farmer of Carrollstown ; Elmira, wife of E. M. Binder, of Barnesboro; Etta, a nun of the Benedictine order, located at Carrollstown; Harry, mentioned hereafter : Fannie, wife of J. J. McCormick, of Spangler ; Augusta, wife of William M. Gordon, of Barnesboro; Adda and Edith, reside at home; and Ralph, employed by his brother Harry J. as clerk. Mrs. Bearer, the mother of these children, died December 31, 1888.
Harry J. Bearer obtained his educational training in the public schools and convent at Carrollstown, and at the age of fifteen years went to Charleroi,
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where he learned the trade of tinner and roofer. After one year's residence in the latter place he removed to Altoona, Pennsylvania, and there completed his trade, and remained for four years. His next removal was to Barnesboro, where he engaged in the conduct of a hardware store for E. M. Binder, con- tinuing until August, 1900, when he went to Monessen. Upon his arrival in Monessen he formed a partnership with Mr. E. M. Binder, and they entered into the tinning and roofing business, being the successors of George Dinkle. The business was continued in this way until the spring of 1905, when they added a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, paints, oils, house furnishings, etc. They also have a large trade in ceilings and cornices. This is one of the largest and most successful stores of its kind in this part of the country. He is one of the active and prominent Republicans of Monessen, and is interested in all community affairs. He has served as member of the Republican county committee, member of the school board of Monessen, and was for three years chief of the Monessen fire department. Fraternally he holds membership in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, No. 773, and is a charter member of same ; Knights of Columbus, No. 604, Beaver Valley Council. December 28, 1904, Mr. Bearer married Theresa Lynch, daughter of John Lynch, of Cleveland. Ohio. They are members of the Roman Catholic church, and their residence is at 124 McKee avenue, Monessen.
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