History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 41

Author: Boucher, John Newton, 1854-1933; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 860

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Howard, November 6, 1875: George E., January 2, 1878; John W., February 22 1880: Mary Jane, July 9, 1882 ; and Robert W., July 9, 1885. James Ho- ward died February 25, 1878, and John W. passed away September 15, 1881. The other children are living and all still remain residents of Latrobe, where the family is one of distinctive prominence in business, civic and social life. Thomas Belford Anderson, the second son of Colonel Anderson, maintained the family reputation for patriotism by serving with fidelity as a soldier of the United State army in the Philippines, where he remained two years. He is now the business manger of the firm of George C. Anderson and Sons, ( Incorpor- ated). He married Ruth Keener, and they have one child, Julia B., born in 1901. Colonel Anderson and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

EDMUND SMITH. One of the sterling citizens and prominent business men of Latrobe, Westmoreland county, is he whose name initiates this article and who has here maintained his home for many years, while his course has been such as to win and retain to him the high regard of the people of the community. He is engaged in the livery business, having large and finely ap pointed stables at No. 132 Depot street, and catering to the demands of a large and representative patronage. He keeps an average of about twenty head of horses, and the vehicles sent out are of the best type, both in heavy and light rigs, while the genial personality of the proprietor has been an important factor in the upbuilding of the successful enterprise at whose head he now stands.

Mr. Smith is a native of the fair old city of Philadelphia, where he was born March 22, 1852. Edmund Smith has been in a significant way the archi- tect of his own fortunes, since he has been dependent upon his own resources from his boyhood days, and has shown in his career that earnest endeavor and integrity of purpose will bring at least a modicum of success, while the disci- pline will develop the initiative power of the individual and make him a force in his chosen sphere of endeavor. He secured a common school education of limited order, having been but twelve years of age when he abandoned his studies to assume the practical responsibities of life. He was identified with farm work until he had reached the age of eighteen years, when he entered upon an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, in which he became a skilled work- man and to which he devoted his attention for the long period of thirty-two years, at the expiration of which time he established himself in his present line of enterprise, in which his efforts have been attended with most gratifying suc- cess. He took up his residence in Latrobe in 1872, and here he has ever been known as a reliable, and enterprising business man and loyal and public-spirited citizen. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and he takes a deep interest in public affairs of a local nature, though the honors and emoluments of public office have had no allurements for him. He is a member of the Royal Ar- canum. Mr. Smith married, December 15, 1873, Elizabeth Fisher, born and reared in Westmoreland county, this state, a daughter of Adam and Marie (Oats) Fisher. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have six children ; Edmund, Jr., engaged in the blacksmith business at Bradenville, this county, where he has a pleasant home : Hattie, remains at the parental home : Marie. wife of Nicholas Dillon, and they reside in Latrobe ; and Alexander, Elizabeth and Charlotte, who re- imain with their parents.

FRANK BENTLEY HARGRAVE was born March 4. 1867, in West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, son of the Rev. O. P. and Re- becca (Harbaugh) Hargrave. Henry Hargrave, grandfather of Frank B.

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Hargrave, emigrated to this country from Ireland at a very early day, and was married to Mary Ann Peart. Their son, O. P. Hargrave, father of Frank Bentley Hargrave, was born January 16, 1828, in West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He was ordained into the Baptist church ministry, and in 1884 organized the first Baptist church in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, with which church he was connected until his death, which occurred in 1892. He was also moderator for many years in the Pittsburg Baptist conference.

Frank Bentley Hargrave, son of the Rev. O. P. Hargrave, was graduated fro mBucknell University, at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1889. Deciding to follow the legal profession he entered into the study of law, and was admitted to the Westmoreland and Allegheny county bars in 1892, and since then has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Latrobe and Greensburg, in which he is eminently successful.

In politics, Mr. Hargrave affiliates with the Republican party. When the Spanish-American war was in progress he enlisted in Company I, Tenth Penn- sylvania Infantry, United States Volunteers, and participated in the battle of Malate, which engagement took place July 31 and August 1, 1898, and in the capture of Manila, August 13, 1898. While at Manila with his regiment he was elected a member of the house of representatives, November, 1898.

ARCHANGELO ABBATICCHIO. The career of this well-known and popular citizen of Latrobe, Westmoreland county, illustrates what is pos- sible of accomplishment on the part of the honest and earnest man who comes to our shores from foreign lands and here puts forth his best efforts in making his way to the front. Mr. Abbaticchio came from his native land to America without financial reinforcement or influential friends, and hy industry and good management has gained a position of no questionable prosperity, while he has so ordered his course as to commend himself to the confidence and good will of those with whom he has come in contact in the various relations of life. He is now the proprietor of the Latrobe Hotel, where he offers excellent accommo- dations to the traveling public and where he has built up a large and prosperous business, being one of the successful hotel men of this section of the state.

Mr. Abbaticchio is a native of the famous city of Naples in the fair land of Italy, where he was born January 26, 1842, the son of Nicholas and Pauline Ab- baticchio, who there passed their entire lives, the father having been a grocer. Archangelo was reared to manhood in his native land, in whose schools of none' the highest order he secured his education. He followed the trade of a barber from his fourteenth year until 1873, when he, by having a friend in Monastry, near Latrobe, Pennsylvania, was induced to seek higher fortune in the New World. He landed in New York City, July 16, 1873, and soon found his way to Westmoreland county, where he operated barber shops in Latrobe, Greens- burg, Scottdale, Connellsville, Indiana and Derry for a period of seventeen years. His was the first Italian family to settle in Latrobe, where now so many of his countrymen reside. While working the above period at his trade he had carefully conserved his resources in a financial way, and having higher am- bitions he engaged in the hotel business at Latrobe, where he purchased "The Latrobe House," a good property upon which many additional improvements have been made in the intervening years. He has succeeded in building up an excellent businesss, having given his personal attention to every detail during the past sixteen years. His motto has ever been "honesty and uprightness." Indeed he may well be called a model, and his actions may well be paterned after by not only the foreign born butt native born citizens. Since he landed

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

on our shores his theory has been to save something from his carnings each year, be that more or less, hence with the passing years he has added to his re- sources, and has always been wise enough to invest in real estate properties within his own county and generally in his home borough. From good invest- ments in realty he has year by year added to his fortune, which has come to be a handsome competency. He now possesses thirty-five residences and business houses in Latrobe, from which he draws an excellent income. Besides this he is materially interested in local coal mine speculations and is accounted among the best financiers of Latrobe. Politically, Mr. Abbaticchio is a supporter of the Democratic party in national politics. The family including himself are of the Catholic faith.

Concerning his domestic relations let it be said that in 1858, beneath the sunny skies of Italy, he married Mary Sorrentino, born in Italy, August 24, 1842, and who accompnied her husband on his removal to America. Mrs. Ab- baticchio came from a family of high standing and from which came senators and superior officials in Italy. Of their eight children, three are still at home. The following are the names of the children: 1. Nicholas, born in Italy, 1859, is now a practicing physician at Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He married Georgia Williamson, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and they have one daughter, Marie. 2. Albert, born in Italy, 1860, is now conducting a brokerage and exchange busi- ness and sells steamship tickets at Latrobe. 3. Pauline, born in Italy, 1862, was educated at St. Xavier College, taught two years and then took the sacred vows of a Sister of Mercy. 4. Horace, born in Italy, 1864, is a merchant in Elwood City, Pennsylvania. He married Bessie Cartright, of that place. 5. Edward, born at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, 1877, became a prominent professional base-ball player, following it for the last nine years, and for the past three years has been with the Boston National League team. He married Annie Connor, of Nash- ville, Tennessee, and they have one son, Edward, born October 27, 1904. 6. Caroline, born at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, 1881, at home. 7. William, born at Latrobe, 1882, now engaged in the wholesale liquor trade at Mckeesport, Penn- sylvania. 8. Raymond, born at Latrobe, 1883, now taking his post-graduate course in law at Georgetown (D. C.) College, from which institution he grad- nated in 1904. He was graduate in law with the class of June, 1906. Too much praise cannot well be given to one whose educational advantages in a foreign land were very limited, but who upon becoming an adopted citizen of the United States practiced even much self-denial in order that his own children might enter and continue in colleges of a high class until fitted to graduate with high honors. Of such foreigners this country can never have too many, for in their hands will our free government ever be secure.

CHARLES H. BOLTON, postmaster of Herminie, was born March 3. 1867, at Irwin, Westmoreland county, one of nine children of William and Catherine ( Luffler ) Bolton, eight of whom are living: Cora B., wife of C. A. Thompson, of Irwin, Pennsylvania : Ida, wife of John Soles, Mckeesport, Pennsylvania ; Emma B., wife of John T. Small, of East Mckeesport; Frank L., also of East Mckeesport ; Howard E., who works for Charles II .; Nellie living at home ; Gertrude, wife of Frank Gregg, of Irvona, Pennsylvania ; and Charles H.

The family is of English descent, the grandfather of Charles H., Jonathan Bolton, coming from England in 1841 and locating at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the butcher business. He died in his sixty-fourth year from an injury received in an accident. His son, William, the father of 2-18

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

Charles H., was born at Pittsburg, Allegheny county, in 1842, and was reared at home, acquiring his education in the common schools. At the age of fifteen he left home and went to Irwin, where he found employment in the coal mines and continued for fifteen years. He then engaged in the butcher business at Circleville, where he still resides and transacts business. He is very active in church work and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican, and has served as member of the school board for many years and also as township auditor. The wife of William Bolton, Catherine Luffler Bolton, was born in 1844, on Squirrel Hill, Allegheny county, a daughter of George Luffler. He was a native of Germany, buit came to this country in 1838 and located in Allegheny county, where he followed his trade. a carpenter and builder.

Charles H. Bolton was educated in the common schools of his birth- place ; at the age of fourteen he took charge of his father's books and became his assistant in the butcher business, and at twenty-one years his father took him into partnership. In 1895 he severed his business relation with his father as a partner, but was employed by him for two more years, during which time he was engaged in building houses at Hermine. In 1897 he went into the butcher business at Herminie, in company with A. H. Plough, under the firm title of Bolton and Plough. Two years later Mr. Plough's interest was pur- chased by Frank Bolton, and the firm for two years did business under the title of C. H. Bolton and Bro. In 1901 Charles H. bought his brother's interest and has since conducted the business alone. In addition to this he is connected with C. A. Thompson in the real estate business, at Irwin ; owns a three-fourth interest in nine residence properties and forty building lots in Herminie ; has a one-half interest in the Scott farm in Washington county, Pennsylvania ; one-third interest in an oil farm in Washington county, on which there are six producing wells; is the president and organizer of the C. H. Bolton Sand Company of Irwin and Mckeesport. He received his appointment as post- master in 1902, during the administration of President Mckinley. He is one one of the leading business men and financiers of that section of the county. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and of Westmoreland Lodge, No. 518, Free and Accepted Masons of Greensburg. Mr. Bolton mar- ried June 20, 1894, Margaret White, daughter of James White, of Jacksonville Westmoreland county, by whom he has four children, three of whom survive: Helen, Fred and Margaret Bolton.

ALBERT CLARK HENSEL, an undertaker and liveryman of Her- minie, was born in Salem township, Westmoreland county April 5. 1875, a son of Jacob and Mary ( Bash) Hensel, one of fourteen children, eleven of whom are still living, namely: William, of Greensburg, engaged in the milk business ; Harvey, of Congruity, Pennsylvania, an agent for Bradstreet; Charles Mc- Quown, of Vandergrift ; Weslev, of Blissfield, Michigan, county superinten- dent for Lanawee county ; Margaret, widow of G. B. Waugaman, Greensburg, Pennsylvania ; Minnie, wife of J. G. Kemp, Greensburg; Sarah, wife of Ed- ward O'Neil, Chambersburg, Indiana ; Josephine, a trained nurse in the Mc- Keesport Hospital; Charles, a farmer, at home ; Robert, express agent at Monroe, Michigan, for the United States Express Company.

The paternal grandfather was William Hensel, a native and lifelong resi- dent of Westmoreland county. He was a farmer, and also a justice of the peace for many years of Bell township-Squire Hensel-as he was called, be- ing one of the best-known men of that section. He died at the age of eighty-

Um B Jones 12

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

two years. Jacob Hensel, the father of Albert C. Hensel, was the son of William and Elizabeth ( Buzzard) Hensel, and was born September 18, 1832, or '33. in Bell township, this county. He adopted farming as his occupation, and about 1865 removed from Bell township to Loyaltromia township, where he still makes his home. He is a Republican in politics, and for three years served as poor director, also many years as a member of the school board. He is a member of the German Reform church, and was an officer of that body for several years.

Albert C. Hensel attended the common schools of his native place until he had reached the age of eighteen years, when he went to Apolla, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and found employment in the rolling mills, continuing there for about three years. He then learned the butcher's trade, and was em- ployed in various towns at that business until November, 1904. when he pur- chased the livery business of James Crosby, of Herminie, where he is at present located. This livery stable was in a run-down condition, but he has fully re- organized the business, and now has one of the best-regulated and most pros- perous livery establishmerts in the county. Mr Hensel served in Porto Rico during the Hispano-American war, a member of Company M, Sixteenth Reg- iment. Politically he is a Republican, but has never aspired to any office. He is a member of Homestead Lodge, No. 1049. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married April 23. 1902, Emma Hylwick, of Madison, this county. a daughter of Lemuel Hylwick, for many years deceased.

WILLIAM B. JONES, SR., was born in Wales, June 4. 1848. He was the son of Joseph and Gwenny (Gwellem) Jones, and was one of twelve children, of whom two survive: Rachel, wife of John Watkins, Monmouth- shire, Wales; and William B., of whom later. Joseph and Gwenny Jones (father and mother) were natives of Wales and spent their entire lives there. Joseph Jones was employed the greater part of his life as foreman in a mine.

William B. Jones came to America when eleven years of age with his brother, John Jones. They located in Oliphant, Luzerne county, Pennsyl- vania, where they were employed in the mines. William had worked the year previous in a mine in Wales as a trapper boy. After spending two years at Oliphant, working in the coal mines, William and his brother went to George's Creek, Maryland, where John went into the hotel business. Wil- liam, however, continued to work in the mines for ten years, when he came tc Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Here he continued mining for sixteen years, and was fire boss the last six years. In 1886 he accepted the same position in the coal mines at Port Royal, Pennsylvania, remaining for six years. He then went to Smithton and opened a hotel known for three years as the Smith House. Later he sold out and came to Suterville, where he opened the Harrison House. When his lease ran out, three years later, he purchased the Suter House, which was a modern brick hotel, and changed the name to the Hotel Jones. Mr. Jones was very successful in the hotel business and deserves much credit. He was educated in the common schools and, being very am- bitious, he attended the night school while in Oliphant. In politics he was a liberal Democrat. He was a member of Smithton Lodge, No. 25, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a member of the Sons of St. George.

He married in 1872, Sophia Gallentine, of Salt Lick township, Fayette county, daughter of the Rev. John W. Gallentine, a well known divine of the Church of God, of Fayette county, and who is still living in the county. Mr. Jones had ten children, of whom eight survive: Margaret, wife of Odell Cor-

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win, Bell Vernon, Pennsylvania; Gwenny, at home; Lena Leota, at home ; Rachael, at home; William, Jr., who works for his father; John, a miner at Suterville ; Joseph, who works for his father; Charlie attending school. Mr. Jones died February 13, 1906, but with those who knew him his memory will long be cherished.

DAVID H. SMITH, postmaster of Yohoghany and a merchant of Shaners Station, was born in Milesville, Allegheny county, October 7, 1872. He was the son of Samuel and Martha E. (Murray) Smith, and was one of a family of nine children, four of whom survive: Emma, wife of Alfred Dulin, Shaner ; Ruth, wife of William Brown, Sewickley township, Westmoreland county ; Edward, Massillon, Ohio ; and David H., of whom later. His father, Samuel Smith, was born in 1833, probably in Washington county, on the Yohoghany river. He was reared here and engaged in the work of mining. In 1861 he enlisted in the service of Company D, Ringold Cavalry, serving until the close of the war. While out on scout duty he was severely injured by his horse falling on him. The injury was in the spine and made him a crip- ple for life. Upon his return from the war he settled at Monongahela City and resumed his work in the mines. About 1872 he removed to Gratstown, and about five years later to Suterville, where he resided up to the time of his death, in 1884, which was occasioned by his being struck by a train while crossing the railroad track. His daughter, who was with him at the time, was so badly injured that she was made a cripple. Mr. Smith was a Republican in politics, and a member of Rankin Post, No. 127, G. A. R., of Boston, Penn- sylvania. Martha E. (Murray) Smith, wife of Samuel Smith, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, opposite Monongahela City, in 1837. She was the daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Carney) Murray, natives of Ire- land. Her grandfather was a farmer. Her grandmother lived to the age of ninety-eight, while her mother died at Mckeesport at the very advanced age of one hundred and three.

The paternal grandparents of David H. Smith were John and Sarah (Boyd) Smith. John Smith was born in Washington county, his ancestors having come from Ireland. He was a farmer and resided the greater portion of his life in Allegheny county. He died in 1884 at the age of eighty-two. Sarah (Boyd) Smith, his wife, was of German parentage, and was the adopted daughter of Archibald Boyd, a prominent farmer of Westmoreland county.

David H. Smith was sent to the Soldiers' Orphans' school at Uniontown, where he received his education. When sixteen years old he left the school and returned to Suterville, where he was employed in the mines for five years. He then entered the employ of Rhodes and Smith, general merchants of Bly- thedale. as a clerk, remaining with them for six years, after which he came to Shaner Station and was employed three years in the store of L. D. Sisler. In 1901 Mr. Smith engaged in business for himself, opening a general store in Shaners Station, where he has built up a prosperous business. On Novem- ber 22, 1899, Mr. Smith received an appointment as postmaster under Post- master General Perry S. Heath and has held the office ever since. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Yohoghany Council, No. 255, Junior Order of United American Mechanics of Suterville, and of the Yohoghany Valley Lodge, No. 555, of Coulter, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the school board, and is one of the well known men of this section of Westmore- land county. Mr. Smith is unmarried.

THE

Milipp do essmann

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

PHILIPP HERRMANN, a merchant of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, was born February 14, 1853, in Seckenheim, Germany, the son of Frank B. and Eva C. (Heckmann) Herrmann.

Philipp Hermann emigrated to this country, November 15, 1881, at the age of twenty-eight, landed in New York city, and later traveled to Latrobe, Pa .. where he settled. He received a part of his educational training in Germany, and also attended school for two years in Latrobe, thus acquiring a good knowledge of the English language. For the nine succeeding years after leav- ing school he was occupied in farming and also in the coal business. In 1890 he entered into partnership with August Schneider, and together they built and opened the Loyalhanna brewery, which since has become one of the largest and most successful breweries in Latrobe. Mr. Herrmann is a large property holder, and still deals quite extensively in the coal business. He is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 514. of Latrobe, Pennsylvania ; the B. P. O. E., of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and the F. O. E. Mr. Hermann married, June 22, 1882, Susanna Hacker, and their chil- dren were: Philipp, deceased ; Susanna, deceased ; Frances J., Charles J., and Frederick W. Mrs. Herrmann passed away May 7, 1889, and Mr. Herrmann took for his second wife, November 6, 1891, Catharine Phoebe Cramer, born June 8, 1863, daughter of John Cramer. Their children were: Elsie, deceased ; Harry, deceased: Eddie, Daisy, Minnie and George. In politics Mr. Her- mann is a Republican, and has been a councilman from the First ward. In religious affairs Mr. Herrmann and family are members of the Reformed church.

DAVID ELWOOD ALBERT. Most consistently may we enter in this work a memoir to one who stood as one of the honored citizens and suc- cessful business men of Latrobe, Westmoreland county, while he won the regard of the men by reason of his sterling attributes of character and at- tained to success through his own well directed efforts. He was a man of fine intellectuality, and wielded no little influence in the community with whose civic and public interests he was so intimately identified, while he was one of the prominent merchants of Latrobe at the time of his death, which occurred January 6, 1901. His life was such as to offer both lesson and incentive, and his name will be long held in reverent memory by those who came within the sphere of his gracious and beneficent influence. David Elwood Albert was born in Youngstown, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1850, a son of George and Sidney (Jack) Albert, representative of old and honored families of this section, where both were founded in the pioneer era. The father of David E. Albert was a well known and influential citizen of this county, where he and his wife continued to reside until death.

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History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 41

Author: Boucher, John Newton, 1854-1933; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921 Publication date: 1906 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 860

Author: Boucher, John Newton, 1854-1933; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 860