USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 38
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MATTHEW OSBORN, proprietor of the Osborn House, was born August 25, 1836, in North Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, a son of George and Jane (Cowan) Osborn, one of four children, three of whom survive; Judith, wife of Jonathan W. Donthitt, of Eldorado, Kansas ; Eliza, wife of Eli C. Cavitt, Lake City, Iowa ; and Matthew, of whom later.
The paternal grandparents were Archibald and Judith (McWilliams) Osborn, he being a native of England and she of Protestant Irish stock, born in the north of Ireland. They were married in this country and later settled in North Huntingdon township, where they lived and died. Their homestead has passed out of the possession of the family. On the maternal side the grandparents were Joseph and Fannie ( Patton) Cowan, both natives of New Jersey, born just across the line from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, their parents having immigrated from Scotland. These grandparents came into Pennsyl- vania during the days of Indian possession, and settled in the vicinity of what is now known as Osceola Hill, Allegheny county, others coming with them, namely: George Cowan, a brother of Joseph Cowan, and veteran of the war of 1812: Rachael and Sarah, sisters in a family of the name of Hope ; one William Ekin, whose farm is still in the possession of the Ekin family, now in the fourth generation. There was one other member of the party, John Cowan, who was captured by the Indians shortly after his arrival and taken by them into the Lake Erie region, but two years later, on a trading expedition, he escaped and returned to his people.
George Osborn, son of Archibald Osborn, was born on the same farm in North Huntingdon township where Matthew Osborn was born, in 1802. In his young manhood he learned the hatters' trade, which pursuit he followed during his short life. He died at the age of thirty-three on the old home farm where he was born.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Matthew Osborn grew up in the place of his birth, attending the public schools until he had reached the age of sixteen, when he found employment as a messenger from the terminus of the Pennsylvania railroad station at - Beatly Station to the old Tavern stand of Samuel Blythe, a distance of two miles, receiving ten dollars per month, and board. He continued at this for a few months, then accepted a position in a store in his home town, Jacksonville, where he worked for one year. For the next six or seven years he was in the coal mines at Coultersville, driving a mule. He went into the mines of the Yough Coal Company as a driver in 1853. Upon the breaking out of the Civil war he and his brother-in-law contracted with R. R. McQuiston and Com- pany to haul coal to the river and load the boats, which proved a money-mak- ing undertaking. In September, 1862, he took charge of a small coal property for Scott Andrews and Company, which was incorporated with the Y. C. H. C. Company, and Mr. Osborn remained in the position of manager of the prop- erty until 1880. In 1883 he built a hotel, in company with Mr. Joseph Hough, at Smithton, but some months later he sold his interest to his partner, and in 1884 built the modern hotel building in Suterville of which he is proprietor. His hotel has the reputation of furnishing the best accommodations between McKeesport and Connellsville, and he is one of the best known men of West- moreland county.
Mr. Osborn married, in 1857. Elizabeth Gregg, of Westmoreland county. She died in November, 1904, survived by nine children, James H., office clerk in the machine shops of the Pittsburg Coal Company; George E., director of the Suterville First National Bank; Oliver O., a Baltimore and Ohio railroad conductor : Jane C. and Anna G., twins; Lawrence E., superintendent of the Douglass plant of the H. C. Frick Coke Company ; Mand H., wife of C. M. Suter, of Suterville; Edith L. and Eva A. With the exception of Mand H., the daughters all remain at home. Mr. Osborn is Democratic in politics, and is a member of the town council of Suterville. He is also a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 221, F. and A. M., of Pittsburg, Duquesne Chapter, No. 193. R. A. M., of Pittsburg, and Kedron Commandery, No. 18, K. T., of Greensburg.
EDWIN JONES, son of John and Mary (Lane) Jones, was born March 8, 1849, in Wales, one of six children, four of whom survive: John, Mckeesport : Elizabeth, wife of William Lape, Courtney, Allegheny county ; Henry J., Westmoreland county ; Edwin, of whom later. The father and mother were both born in Wales and emigrated to America in 1852, locating at Mc- Keesport, Pennsylvania. John Jones was a butcher by trade, but worked in the coal mines for some time after coming to this country. Later he engaged in the butcher business, and for many years was identified with that line of work in Mckeesport. He also opened and conducted a hotel there for many years. After his retirement he removed to Scott Haven, where his death occurred in 1902. His wife died in 1899. In politics he was identified with the Republican party, but was never an office seeker.
Edwin Jones attended the common schools, but at the early age of sixteen years left home and began to shift for himself, going to Irwin Station and finding employment in the coal mines as a mule driver. Later he went to Painter Town, where he worked as a coal digger, then went from there to Noblestown, Allegheny county, where he contracted to haul coal by the hun- dred weight. While there he married Ellen Dorning, of Pittsburg. About 1869 he returned to Mckeesport and worked in the mines for a short time, then located at Moore's Station, now known as Scott Haven, where he was
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employed in the mines for a number of years. About 1888 he engaged in the butcher business, which he conducted for three years, then sold out and settled in Suterville. He opened a butcher shop and has conducted it since in a very successful manner. Mr. Jones is a director and stockholder in the First Na- tional Bank of Suterville, and is one of the leading business men and best- known figures of the borough. He is a member of Grace Lodge, No. 405, K. of P., of Markleton, Westmoreland county.
ELI C. SUTER. The ancestors of the late Eli C. Suter, of Suter- ville, had their original home in Germany, whence they emigrated to this country. He was a son of Henry and Susan ( Waltz) Suter, and was born July 14, 1819, at Ruffsdale.
At a very early age he left home and began to work his own way. The only education he had was acquired by attending school for a short time while he worked for a farmer for the princely salary of three dollars a month. Col- onel Israel Painter, of Westmoreland county, was attracted by the sturdy boy and gave him a chance to work on the old turnpike leading from Mount Pleas- ant to Mononaghela City. He took this work by contract, working at first with pick and shovel. So straightened were his circumstances and so care- fully did he look after his financial affairs that he has often related how he wore his only pair of shoes to the scene of his daily labors, and when he ar- rived there took them off and worked barefooted in order to save the shoe leather. By his digging he earned enough to buy a blind horse, and thus added to the remuneration he gained by his work on the turnpike ditches. In this position he gradually accumulated enough to procure help, and his work was enlarged by taking contracts to repair the road. In this way he became possessed of sixteen hundred dollars which his friend, Colonel Painter, kept for him, and then turned his attention to milling, in the different departments of which he engaged during the remainder of his life. He first bought a flour mill known locally as "Waltz's grist-mill," and after operating it for several years sold it and moved to Millvale, where he purchased another flour mill. The product of this he hauled to the Youghiogheny river and floated down to Cincinnati, bringing back with him a cargo of merchandise. The business proved lucrative, and he was enabled to acquire one hundred and sixty acres of timber land. He also entered into the lumber business, erecting a saw mill which he operated by water power. The situation not being equal to the re- quirements of his trade he sold it, and in 1849 moved to the neighborhood of what is now Suterville, on the Youghiogheny river, where he spent the greater part of his life. He there operated a saw and a planing mill, managed a ferry and cultivated a farm. At one time he built coal boat bottoms and a steamboat. By all these means, aided by his industry and good management, he gradually built up a business which has become noted throughout western Pennsylvania. In the same manner, buying piece by piece, he became the owner of extensive lands. He surrounded himself with a body of competent men whom he at- tached to him by ties of personal friendship. R. D. Brown, now seventy-two years old, worked and lived with "the Colonel," as he was familiarly known among his friends, no fewer than fifty-five years, and was with him in his last hours.
Mr. Suter was one of the foremost men in the slack water river naviga- tion movement, and a strenuous advocate of navigation on the Youghiogheny river. He was largely interested in getting an appropriation of five thousand dollars from the legislature for this purpose. He laid out the town of Suter-
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ville, sold the entire plan of lots, cut the timber and built houses, yet never op- pressed any of his purchasers when in financial straits, and was never known to press a man beyond his ability to pay, or to use to the injury of another the power conferred on him by his position. In religion he was a Lutheran, gave free sites to all the churches of that denomination in his neighborhood, and was a liberal contributor to all church and charitable work. Mr. Suter was thrice married, one of his wives being Mary A. Cowan, by whom he was the father of four children, two of whom survive: Charles, who lives at home ; and C. M., who is engaged in the lumber business in Suterville. Mr. Suter's rugged constitution and well-knit frame enabled him to endure all kinds of hardship, and he retained his strength until near the time of his death. He was a striking example of what may be accomplished by pluck and ambition and by a determination to conquer adversity. His genial disposition won friends for him in every calling in life, and he maintained always his habit of self-reliance and his independent spirit.
JAMES L. FREEBLE, one of the best known and most extensive real estate dealers in Westmoreland county, was born February 24. 1877, in Mount Pleasant, the son of Thomas D. and Mary B. ( Mckean) Freeble. His father, Thomas D. Freeble, was born June 25, 1843, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and married Mary B. Mckean, born July 6, 1844, daughter of Thomas H. Mckean. Thomas H. Mckean's grandfather, the great-great- grandfather of James L. Freeble, emigrated to this country from Ireland in a very early day, and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Indepen- dence. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Freeble were: Thomas M., married lona Johnson; A. G., married Carrie Myers, daughter of John Myers : James L. : Emma M. married John W. Dodds, son of J. W. Dodds, of Youngstown, Pennsylvania : Iva M., and Benjamin F., who married Elizabeth Moffat, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
James L. Freeble, third son of Thomas D. and Mary B. ( Mckean) Frecble, received his early intellectual training in the common schools of his native place, and later attended Normal school for three years. Leaving school at the age of twenty he decided to enter into a business career, and in 1898 en- gaged in the real estate business in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where he has done and still continues to do a very extensive business. He entered into his business life with no capital but poverty and energy, and the latter with his perseverance and good business methods have raised him to a high degree of success in his chosen line of work. He now ranks among the highest tax payers and prop- erty owners in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and it is a known fact that he does the most extensive real estate business in Westmoreland county. In 1903 he erected a three-story flat house known as the Freeble building, which is situ- ated on Ligonier street, between Spring and Weldon streets, and Mr. Freeble conducts his business in a suite of offices in this building on the first floor, front. Mr. Freeble is not married.
FRANK BUMER. Through both his parents Frank Bumer, of Monessen, is the descendant of German ancestors. George Bumer emigrated in October, 1879. from Rhine-Bavaria to the United States and settled at Mill- vale, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming. His wife was Mary Ann Sherrer, and among their children was a son Frank, men- tioned hereafter. Mr. Bumer died in 1882, at Millvale.
Frank Bumer, son of George and Mary Ann (Sherrer) Bumer, was
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born March 23, 1861, in Rhine-Bavaria, and was educated in the schools of his native land, completing his course of study at the seminary in Alsace-Lor- raine. He was nineteen years old when the family came to this country, and for a time remained on the farm, assisting in his father's labors. He also acted as clerk in stores, was connected with the management of hotels, and engaged in various other occupations, all in Allegheny county. He there learned the jew- elry or watchmaking trade, having had an ambition from early childhood to acquire this branch of industry, and being endowed by nature with mechani- cal ability. For two years he conducted a jewelry establishment on Beaver avenue, Allegheny, doing his own repair work. In 1898 he moved to Mones- sen and there erected the Hotel Monessen, the second hotel built in the borough. This he opened to the public in April, 1899, and conductd it until September of the same year, when he relinquished the proprietorship in order to engage in the real estate and insurance business, handling all kinds of insurance and in his real estate operations confining himself to Monessen. In 1903, in connec- tion with William Bertelmann, he laid out a plan of lots at the head of First street, the plan being called the "B. & B. plan," and consisting of twenty-eight lots. He has been continuously in the real estate business longer than any other man in Monessen, and has probably handled more property in this borough than has any one else. In one day his sales reached as high as twenty-five thousand dollars. In addition to the hotel above mentioned he has built his own house and also three other properties. He is one of the stockholders in the trust company and also in the opera house, of which he was one of the pioneer movers, and with which he is further connected by holding the office of secre- tary to the board. In 1899 he organized the German Beneficent Union, of which he is secretary, being also a stockholder in their hall. He is secretary of the Daily Independent, of Monessen, and is now serving his second year as a member of the board of education. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum and is trustee of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, No. 773. In politics he affiliates with the Republicans. He was the organizer of the German Lutheran church, of Monessen, and it is through his efforts that the congregation now worship in a substantial and commodious edifice. He holds the office of sec- retary of the church.
Mr. Bumer married, February 12, 1888, Mary Auer, and they have five children : Minnie, Clara, Elsie, Frank L., and Marie. Mr. Bumer's house com- bines a residence and place of business, and here in 1904 he opened a grocery store which is conducted by Mrs. Bumer. It is worthy of note that the twelfth day of February appears to be a date of some significance to Mr. Bumer. On that day, in 1888, his marriage took place, as mentioned above. On the same day in 1901 he was appointed notary public, and on February 12, 1905, his appointment was renewed.
PETER AMANN. An American by virtue of citizenship, Peter Amann. of Monessen, is by birth and parentage a German. Jacob Amann, a native of Germany, was a stonecutter and contractor, and about 1888 emigrated to the United States. He settled at Irwin, in this county, and there engaged in business, and built himself a house in Penn township. He attended the Roman Catholic church. His wife, Charlotte (Von Blane) Amann, bore him the fol- lowing children : Katie, deceased ; Jacob W .. lives in Penn township, on the old homestead : Peter, mentioned hereafter ; John, a resident of Penn Station : and Ada. Mr. Amann died at his home in Penn township, October 22, 1904, aged sixty-six years.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Peter Amann, son of Jacob and Charlotte (Von Blane) Amann, was born August II, 1875, on the banks of the Rhine, and received his education in the schools of his native land. He was about eleven when the family came to this country, and in his new home sought the advantages to be derived from at- tendance at night schools. His first employment was on a farm, where he worked for two years, after which he spent one year in a glass factory in Jean- nette. He was then employed for a time in a brickyard and for three years operated a machine in a coal mine. His next venture was as a clerk, and for six years he was employed in this capacity in Jeannette. In March, 1899, he established himself in the grocery and provision business at Monessen, begin- ning in a modest way, and achieving success by giving his exclusive attention to the building up of his business. He carries a complete stock of staple and fancy groceries, his goods being all of the selected varieties. His business is now one of the finest of the kind in the borough and also the oldest of those conducted under one name. He belongs to the C. M. B. A., the I. O. H., the F. O. E., the B. P. O. E., and the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Amann mar- ried, October, 1899, Laura, daughter of Michael Doney, and they are the parents of one child, Agnes Amann. Mrs. Amann is a native of Wheeling, West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Amann are members of the Roman Catholic church.
H. N. ODBERT, borough treasurer of Monessen, and one of the prominent and influential factors in the financial and industrial enterprises of the borougli, is a native of Belleville, Washington county, Pennsylvania, born September 17, 1866, son of Arthur and Caroline (Newkirk) Odbert, both de- ceased, who were natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. Arthur Odbert was a sucessful merchant, a man who took a deep interest in educational and religious affairs, serving as a member of the school board for twenty-seven years, and active in the interests of the Methodist Episcopal church.
H. N. Odbert was reared in Belleville, educated in the common schools, learned the trades of carpentering and photography, and is now engaged in the real estate business. In 1900 he removed to Monessen, having purchased two years previously a lot on Danner avenue, between Fourth and Fifth streets, for which he paid $532.50, this property at the present time ( 1905) being valued at anywhere between six to ten thousand dollars, which clearly demonstrates the wonderful increase in the value of real estate in that borough during the last few years. Upon this lot Mr. Odbert erected, in 1899, a three-story brick building for business purposes, which was at that time the most pretentious building in the borough, he occupying the upper part or third story for a photograph gallery, which business he conducted for some years. He then disposed of the same, and since then has devoted the greater part of his time and attention to the real estate business. He has been active in real state oper- ations, having erected five or six houses for private residences. January 1, 1906, he purchased the hardware store on the corner of Fifth and Donner avenues. known as the Shell Hardware Company, and known at the present writing as the Monessen Hardware Company. He was one of the organizers and original stockholders in the Peoples' National Bank of Monessen, and was one of the original hoard of directors, serving in that capacity at the present time. He has taken a keen interest in the conduct of the affairs of the borough, and is row serving his second term as city treasurer, having been elected on the Re- publican ticket. He is one of the live, hroad-minded men of this part of West- moreland county, and stands for all that is just and upright, fully deserving
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the success which has attended his well-directed efforts. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Monessen, in which he serves as trustee and steward, and to the support of which he contributes most liberally. Mr. Odbert married, April 27, 1890, Emma J. Walker, of Mount Pleasant, Ohio, daughter of Elias and Frances H. Walker. Two children have been the issue of this marriage: Frances and Ivan Odbert.
EDWARD BARNES, M. D. The ancestors of Dr. Edward Barnes, of Monessen, were Scotch-Irish. His parents were James and Eliza ( Patter- son ) Barnes, the former a farmer of Mercer county. Both are now deceased.
Dr. Barnes was born November 30, 1849, in Mercer county, where he was reared on a farm and received his primary education in the public schools, later attending the Edinboro State Normal school. He began the study of medicine with Dr. Boyd, also enjoying the instructions of Drs. Gibson and Borlin. He entered the Eclectic Medical College, Indianapolis, Indiana, graduating in 1882 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The greater part of Dr. Barnes' pro- fessional life has been passed in Mercer county with some periods in Venango and Lawrence counties. Since April 1, 1903, he has been engaged in active practice in Monessen. While in New Castle, where he spent some time, his specialty was gynaecology, but he now makes a specialty of chronic diseases. In 1904 he was a delegate to the National Eclectic Medical convention held in St. Louis. He is a member of the National and State Eclectic Medical Socie- ties, a director of the State Eclectic Medical Association, and belongs to the order of Ben Hur. Dr. Barnes married, in 1873. Laura Anson, and they were the parents of four sons: John G., Mant McGovern, an engineer on the Penn- sylvania Railroad ; James N., a moulder ; and Byron Brun, a student. Mrs. Barnes died in 1882, and Dr. Barnes married, in 1901, Nettie Dean. Dr. and Mrs. Barnes are members of the Presbyterian church.
HARRY E. RINEHART, of Monessen, to which borough he re- moved on June 2, 1898, it being then but a small hamlet of a few houses, is a native of Waynesburg, Greene county, Pennsylvania, born June 27, 1864, son of Morgan and Elizabeth ( Pettet) Rinehart, both deceased. Morgan Rinehart (father ) was born, reared and spent his life in Greene county, where he fol- lowed his trade of shoemaker. He served four years in the Civil war, being a member of the Eighty-fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded by a piece of shell at the battle of the Wilderness. He was a son of Simon and Lettie Rinehart.
Harry E. Rinehart was reared in Waynesburg, educated in the public schools thereof, and at the age of sixteen years removed to Pittsburg and there learned the trade of painting. From thence he removed to the coke regions, where he spent several years, after which he engaged in base ball playing, starting with Scottdale and then going to Easton, Pennsylvania, where he en- tered the Interstate League, and this profession he followed up to the year 1890. He then located in Charleroi, Westmoreland county, and engaged at contract- ing, painting,operating a large force of men,and continuing the same up to 1892. He then moved to Glouster, New Jersey, where he resided for a period of almost two years, at the expiration of which time he removed to Mckeesport, Pennsyl- vania, and June 2, 1898, took up his residence in Monessen. He came to this borough for the purpose of operating a cigar factory, which business he suc- cessfully conducted for three years, at which time or during which time he was largely interested in real estate transactions. In 1901 a company was formed
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to manufacture brick, the same being composed of Harry E. Rinehart, L. M. Faust, Adolph Boes and John Menefee, but during the same year Messrs. Faust and Boes disposed of their interest to the two other members of the firm, who conducted the business under the name of the Monessen Brick Works. The plant was located at East Charleroi, is equipped with the most modern machinery for the purpose, and its daily output of fifteen thousand brick is largely disposed of in Monessen and adjacent villages. The conduct of this plant is under the personal supervision of Mr. Rinehart, who is a most thorough and capable man in every respect, and well qualified for the active management of men and affairs. He is one of the most progressive men of the borough, and by good judgment and business sagacity has accumulated a comfortable competence. He erected four buildings for business purposes in Monessen, also an elegant and modern residence for himself and family in 1904, whilst Mrs. Rhinehart has erected three buildings for residential pur- poses. Mr. Rinehart was a member of the first borough council of Monessen, and in 1900 was elected burgess of the borough, and while an incumbent of this office also filled that of tax collector, serving for three years. He was a mem- ber of the county Republican committee for several years, and one of the prom- inent factors in the ranks of the party, wielding a wider and more powerful influence than any other man in this section of the county, and being fully alive to all things which tend to promote the interests and welfare of the candidates and measures advocated by the party of his choice. He is a member of the K. P., being the prime mover in the organization of Monessen Lodge, No. 185, in which he has filled the chairs of chancellor and commander two terms. He is a member of the B. P. O. E. affiliating with Lodge No. 773.
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