USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 55
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John Steel acquired the homestead in Mount Pleasant township and, as is noted above, purchased the Robert Hanna farm in 1826. Upon his removing there it became the homestead farm of the Steels, and at his death he be- queathed it to his son. William Steel, the present owner. The children of John and Martha (Walker) Steel were as follows: I. Sarah, intermarried with Henry Byers, of Grapeville, Pennsylvania. 2. Eliza, intermarried with Andrew Machesney, of Greensburg. 3. James, intermarried with Elizabeth Hanna, of Pleasant Unity, Pennsylvania. 4. Joseph Walker, intermarried with Malinda Brechbill, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. 5. John, intermarried with Susan Geiger, near Beatty, Pennsylvania. 6. Margaret, intermarried with James M. Steel, of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. 7. Mary J., intermarried with Henry T. Hanna, of Smithton, Pennsylvania. 8. Martha, intermarried with Major David P. Mechling, of Greensburg, Penn- sylvania. 9. William Steel, born October 1, 1833, intermarried with Sarah Jane Brown, of near New Alexandria, Pennsylvania. All of this family are now dead except William Steel and Mary J. Hanna. John Steel, their father, was one of the best of business men and one of the largest land owners in his county. His wife dying, he contracted another marriage, with Mary Byers, by whom there were no children. He died May 22, 1860, and was buried in the Congruity Presbyterian church yard. Sarah J. Brown, the wife of William Steel, was a daughter of Thomas Oliver and Nancy Beatty Brown, and was born and brought up near New Alexandria. For her family genealogy see the sketch of Judge John B. Steel. Mrs. Sarah J. Brown Steel, after a linger- ing illness, died March 25, 1906, and was buried in the New Alexandria ceme- tery. The children of this union were: I. John B., (see sketch of Judge John B. Steel above referred to). 2. Mary Herron, intermarried with George N. Coleman, of East End, Pittsburg. 3. Eliza Martha, intermarried with Samuel C. Patterson, and living near New Alexandria, Pennsylvania. 4. Agnes Beatty, intermarried with George S. Barnhart, who lives near Greens- burg. Pennsylvania. 5. Helen Milligan, intermarried with Samuel O. Hugus, and lives near New Alexandria Pennsylvania. 6. Margaret Elder, intermar- ried with Samuel B. Moore, and lives near Latrobe, Pennsylvania. 7. Clara Malinda. residing at home. 8. William Oliver Steel, deceased. 9. Joseph Walker Steel. 10. Sarah Jane Steel, both of whom are unmarried and resid- ing at their home. 11. Henrietta Marie, intermarried with L. A. Nichols, and lives in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.
William Steel has added many acres by purchase to the Hannastown farm since he has been the owner. It lies between the Jamison No. 2 and Jamison No. 3 plants of the Jamison Coal and Coke Company, and is under- laid with a thick vein of coking coal. All his life he has been a very successful farmer. He was the first in the county to engage in the breeding of short horned cattle. A herd of short horns which he raised and disposed of in 1882 has been felt in all parts of the county. He has also been a great fancier of horses, has made two trips to Scotland for the purpose of purchasing horses, and has made three importations of the Clydesdale horses to his farm in 2-24
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Hempfield township. The Steel family have for generations been members of the "Seceder" church and later of the United Presbyterian church, although the family of William Steel are largely members of the Covenanter church, of which Mrs. Steel and her ancestors have been influential members for several generations. Mr. Steel has always been an active and energetic member of the Republican party. In 1866 and 1867 he built his present splendid residence and barn, which are without doubt among the best in Westmoreland county. His chief characteristics are his untiring energy, foresight, industry and in- tegrity. Although seventy-three years old he is still actively engaged in busi- ness relative to his estate.
. JACOB G. WEAVER, a well-known mill owner in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, is a descendant of a family which has been prominently connected with the commercial and church interests of the state for a great many years. They came originally from Germany.
(I) Rev. John William Weber, founder of what is now known as the Weaver family, was born in Fehdingen, province of Wittgenstein, Germany, March 5. 1735. He received his earlier education in Westphalia, Germany, and took a course of theological studies in Stockholm, Sweden. He emigrated to America in 1762 and settled in New Jersey. He had charge of Reformed churches in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1782-3. Reformed people from the eastern counties, as well as from Maryland and Virginia, came as settlers to Westmoreland county some years before the Revolution, and thus in 1782-3 we find a request was made to Rev. Coetus for a Reformed minister. Answering their petition, Rev. John William Weber was accordingly sent thom, and he entered upon his work in the beginning of June, 1783. He preached at Harrolds and Brush Creek, in Hempfield township ; at Kintighs, in Mount Pleasant township : at the Ridge, in Unity township ; and he was the founder of the German Evangelical Lutheran church at Sixth and Smithfield streets, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where most probably no stated services or or- ganized congregation existed before he came, as there were less than one hun- dred rude log huts outside the fort at that time. His pastorate over these churches extended over a period of thirty-three years. On his arrival he had to find a home in a rude log cabin until he secured a more suitable place. He pur- chased a farm on the Sewickley creek, afterward owned by Colonel Israel l'ainter, and here he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in July, 1816. He was buried in Milliron cemetery, and a suitable monument marks his last resting place.
He married ( first) October 5, 1767. Maria Agnes Born, a native of Ober- cortens, Baden-Baden, Germany, with whom he became acquainted on ship- board, while crossing the ocean in 1762. She was born January 18, 1743. Their children were: John, born July 17, 1768; Marie Catherine, June 21, 1770 : Elenora Phillippena, January 20, 1772; John William, Jr., July 31, 1774. in Morrisville, Sussex county, New Jersey : Elizabeth, November 29, 1776, in Plainfield. Northampton county, Pennsylvania : Abraham, January 23, 1779; Jacob, March 22, 1781 : John Nicholas, July 25, 1784.
The mother of these children died at the birth of John Nicholas. Rev. John William married (second) Mrs. Maria Robinson, November 11, 1784, a daughter of Adam Sarver, of Greensburg. Pennsylvania. He was married by Rev. Finley, and by this marriage their children were: Maria Martha, born October II, 1785 : a son, born August 12, 1787 : Daniel. July 15. 1789: Maria Magdalena, November 28, 1790; Hannah, April 9, 1791; Anna Margaretta, June 20, 1793; Catharine, April 12, 1795: Adam, May 20, 1797; Susanna,
& G. Theaver
MARY
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
September 16, 1799; Christena, May 14, 1802 : Daniel Lewis, August 26, 1804. (II) John William Weaver, Jr., son of Rev. John William (1) and Maria Agnes ( Born) Weaver, was born in Morrisville, Sussex county, New Jersey, July 31. 1774. He removed with his family to what is now known as Weaver's Mills, Cook township, in 1812, where he purchased a farm of three hundred acres of land, most of it heavily timbered, and resided there until his death, December 28, 1828. Several years prior to the purchase of the above mentioned farm, a grist mill had been built thereon, and Mr. Weaver continued the milling business in connection with farming throughout the active years of his life. He was a man of giant strength, and weighed three hundred pounds. His wife, also, was of extraordinary size and strength, and weighed upward of two hundred pounds. After the death of her husband, she continued to live on the farm until her death, May 9, 1855. Their remains are buried side by side in the cemetery near the site of the old Dutch Reformed church, two miles south of Ligonier, Pennsylvania, now destroyed, they being members of the same. This is one of the oldest church organizations in the Ligonier valley. A suitable monument marks their grave. Their children all lived to maturity, and were of more than average size. John William Weaver, Jr., married, in 1802, Anna Mary Ankeny, born January 11, 1787. of Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, and their children were: 1. Christian A., born September 4. 1803, mar- ried Magdalena Mechling. of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, December 5, 1826. For his second wife he married Anna Catharine Kinsley, of Stutgart, Germany. at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, October 14. 1841 : all his children are dead ex- cept Mrs. Sophie L. Howland, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. 2. Elizabeth, born May 25. 1805, married Solomon Blank, of Hempfield township. Two of their daughters-Josephine M. Zimmerman and Mary Feightner-reside in Greensburg. Elizabeth Blank died March 3, 1895. 3. Mary Ann, born No- vember 2. 1806, died unmarried September 13, 1890. 4. William, of whom later. 5. Rosanna, married Frederick Amborse, and left a family of four sons and three daughters. 6. Jacob, married Matilda Harrold, of Adamsburg, Pennsylvania, and left a family of two sons and three daughters. Jacob died April 16, 1896. 7. Margaret, married Daniel Rhoads, of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, no children : died May 9, 1855. 8. Catherine, married John Gensinger, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, and had children : George and Will- iam. residents of Wilkinsburg. Pennsylvania. 9. Martha, born June 14. 1816, died July 14. 1901, unmarried. 10. John, born April 18. 1817, married, Susan Ankney, had two sons and seven daughters : (lied in Prohibition, Ohio, March 19. 1905. II. Hannah, married William Rumbaugh, of Hempfiekl town. hip, and left four sons and three daughters. 12. Joseph, born February 18. 1819, married Nancy Rice, of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, left one son and one daughter : died February 13. 1887. 13. George, married Anna Catherine Wilson, left two daughters; died September 26, 1851. 14. Isaac, born No- vember 25. 1824. married Elizabeth Shape : died December 9. 1901, leaving one son : Richard Shupe Weaver. 15. Lewis M., born February 18, 1828, died May 19, 1903. unmarried.
( III) William Weaver, fourth child and second son of John William, Jr .. (2), and Anna Mary ( Ankeny) Weaver, was born September 18, 1807. He resided at home at the time of his father's death, took charge of the mill, and lived with his mother until his marriage. He was what may be called a four square man, strong on all sides, of sterling honesty and integrity, and a leader in the community in which he lived. He was a staunch Democrat all his life, his first presidential vote being cast for General Jackson, and he never failed to record his vote at the elections. He served as a school director for
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
many years, and was a commissioned officer in the militia of the state. He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Presbyterian church from his early man- hood, and served as a ruling elder for more than half a century. He was widely known as a churchman, took a scholarship in the organization of Wash- ington and Jefferson College, represented his church in her several church courts at Presbytery frequently, and was several times a member of the synod. His seat in the church was seldom vacant, and as a Bible reader he had few equals among the common people. At the death of his father in 1828 he took charge of the grist mill and continued to operate it until 1842, when he became the owner of the same, the property having been partitioned and he taking that part at the valuation placed upon it, his brother Isaac accepting the remainder. William continued the business until March 4, 1861, when his son, Jacob G. Weaver, succeeded him. He resided on the old homestead until his death, April 15, 1896. He married, September 7, 1837, Jane Grove, of Donegal township, born September 16, 1811, died April 16, 1888. Their children were: I. Mary, born September 10, 1838, married Lewis N. Phillippi, resides in Milan, Kansas. 2. Jacob G., of whom later. 3. Margaret, born April 27, 1846, married J. W. Phillippi, of Kregar, Pennsylvania. 4. William C., born October 17, 1847, married Sarah J. Prissy, of Somerset county, and resides in Somerset, Pennsylvania. 5. Lewis A., born December 12, 1852, married Mary E. Lawson, and resides in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.
(IV) Jacob G. Weaver, eldest son and second child of William (3) and Jane ( Grove ) Weaver, was born May 28, 1840. He was engaged in teaching school for several terms prior to attaining his majority. He engaged in the milling business March 4, 1861. in the grist mill which had been owned and operated by various members of the Weaver family for almost a century. It has been built more than one hundred years on land patented to General Arthur St. Clair for services rendered during the War of the Revolution, and was afterward owned by John Spring, who built the mill in 1802. It was pur- chased by John William, Jr., in 1812, and from that time continued in the Weaver family. Jacob G. Weaver operated it on shares until 1867, when the entire mill was torn down and a new frame building erected on the site of the old log house, and it was greatly enlarged. The business was then conducted under the firm name of William Weaver & Son, until 1886, when Jacob G. purchased the property from his father, remodeled the mill, enlarged the building. equipped it with the latest improved machinery, thus making it a full roller process mill, with a capacity of thirty to forty barrels. He continued to operate the mill until 1892, when he retired and his son, William T. Weaver, took charge of the business and is still conducting the same in the name of Weaver Brothers, making an excellent grade of flour.
In politics Jacob G. Weaver has always been a Democrat. He served as school director seven terms, and was commissioned a justice of the peace for six consecutive terms. He was the candidate of his party for the legislature, but failed of election. the county being strongly Republican. He has been a member of Pleasant Grove Presbyterian church for nearly half a century, and a ruling elder for forty years. He represented his church in the presbytery many times, twice in the synod, and once as commissioner to the general as- sembly. He took an active part in church matters, being a very regular at- tendant. The Pleasant Grove church was organized in 1781. The first church building in which they worshiped was built of round logs and served its purpose for some years. When the country became more thickly settled a larger house of worship was a necessity, and this was built of hewn logs and served the triple purpose of church, dwelling and schoolhouse. The school-
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
master occupied half of the lower story and the second story as his dwelling place, and the other half of the lower story was used for church services and as a schoolhouse, where spelling, reading, writing and the fundamental rules of arithmetic were taught. There was no time devoted to other branches in those days. The building was thus used until 1832, when it was too small for church purposes owing to the increase in population, and schoolhouses had been built in various places in this locality, namely : Mansville, Stahlstown, one farther up the valley, known as the Franklin schoolhouse, and one about one mile east of the location of the old log house, and which was known as the stone jug schoolhouse. These schoolhouses were all built of stone, having very thick walls, small windows, and were heated with wood fire in what is known as the old ten plate stove. A large and commodious church building was erected in 1832, close by the log building. The new edifice was forty-five feet wide and sixty-five feet long, a fourteen foot story at the outer walls and eighteen feet in the center. It has a seating capacity of five hundred. The walls, which are of stone, are very thick and are still used for a church build- ing, the edifice having been remodeled in 1892, covered with tin shingle roof, all inside of the walls made new, fitted with modern pews and furniture, and heated with a hot air furnace. The church is built on five acres of land con- veved to the trustees of the Presbyterian church in Donegal township, "the name being changed afterward to Pleasant Grove Presbyterian church," by Robert Campbell, who served as a ruling elder in this church for sixty-five years, and who was commonly called Elder Bob. When a mere boy he was captured by the Indians ; his mother and a small child were killed, their house burned, and two brothers and two sisters with Robert were carried off. One brother never returned, the other brother and the two sisters were returned after several years, but Robert was kept for seven years. He then returned. and lived and died on the farm from which he had been carried off. The other brother and sisters resided for many years in the same nighborhood. Robert Campbell died in 1857, at the extreme old age of ninety-nine years, and his remains wer interred close by the old stone church, where a monument marks his grave. Notwithstanding the great age of this church, it has had but eight pastors, namely : Rev. George Hill, Rev. Samuel Swan, Rev. Albert B. Clark, Rev. David Harbison, Rev. John A. Brown, Rev. Ross Stevenson, Rev. E. G. Mckinley, and the present pastor, Rev. E. H. Dickinson. Mr. Weaver owns and resides on the farm on which he was born, and is highly esteemed and re- spected by all with whom he is brought in contact.
He married, December 4, 1860, Sarah Jane Hood, born October 4, 1841. in Cook township, daughter of John and Elizabeth ( McClean) Hood, of Cook township. John Hood was a son of William and Catherine ( Felgar) Hood, pioneer settlers of the upper end of Ligonier valley, and Methodists in religion. Elizabeth (McClean) Hood was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah ( Matthews) McClean, who were also among the pioneer settlers of the county. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Weaver: 1. John Hood, born January 20. 1862, died August 24, 1877. 2. Emma Jane, born March 22, 1864, died Au- gust 12, 1877. 3. Mary E., born July 17, 1866, married, September, 1885. Jacob MI. Grove, a descendant of Revolutionary stock, his great-grandfather having served in the War of the Revolution. Mr. Grove is a graduate of Iron City Business College, is engaged in teaching school and farming in Cook township, is a Presbyterian in religion, and a Democrat in politics. They have five children : Clyde. born August 12. 1886, died July 2, 1901 : May Belle, July 19. 1880: William Earl. May 15, 1801: Jacob Weaver, August 13, 1806; Mary Jane, November 11, 1808.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
William T. born July 24. 1870, succeeded his father in the milling busi- ness, acquired a common school education, is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Pleasant Grove Presbyterian church. He married, December 21, 1893, Rachel Weller, daughter of Ambrose and Jane ( Withrow ) Weller, and their children are: Sarah Jane, born May 31, 1895; William Barron, De- cember 31, 1897, died January 23, 1899: James Frederick, February 23, 1901 ; Hiram Withrow, October 27, 1902, died September 23, 1903. Milton Henry, born Angust 3, 1873, died August 29, 1877. 6. Josephine Margaret, born No- vember 3, 1876, died September 10, 1877. 7. Ross Stevenson, born November 26, 1878, married, October 8, 1903, Nellie Buell, daughter of Rev. John S. Buell, of the United Brethren church, whose ancestors came from Kentucky and are related to the Buell stock, of which General Buell, of military fame, was a member. Ross S. Weaver is the proprietor of a general store at Weaver's Mills, is a Presbyterian in religion, and a Democrat in politics. He has one daughter, Olive Catharine, born September 11, 1905. 8. Zerelda Pearl, born October 8, 1882, is unmarried and resides at home with her parents.
JOHN D. STEINER, of Hempfield township, a farmer and carpen- ter, was born in the township in which he now resides, September 6, 1834, the son of Daniel and Mary ( Altman) Steiner, and grandson of John and Susanna Steiner, who were the parents of the following children : Daniel, mentioned hereinafter : Jacob, married Elizabeth Thomas; Anna, married David William ; Joseph, married Susanna Miller ; Philip, married Elizabeth Fox ; Henry, mar- ried Anna Whitehead : Mary, married John Miller ; Elizabeth, married Michael Iseman : John, married Sophia Mench. John Steiner (grandfather ) died 1861, aged eighty-four years, and his wife died 1855.
Daniel Steiner ( father) was born in Hempfield township, Pennsylvania. March, 1801, died April, 1851. He was a farmer, a member of the Lutheran church, and always supported the Republican party. He married Mary Alt- man, and their children were: 1. Jacob, married Polly Rosensteel, had one laughter, Sarah, who married Amos Miller, of Wilkinsburg : Polly ( Rosen- steel) Steiner, died about one year after their marriage and Jacob, married Mariah Mench, of Middletown, and their children are: George, August, Will- iam. Herman and Daniel. 2. Eliza, married Jacob Baker, of Armstrong county, and their children are: Elizabeth, Kate, Sophia, Leah, John and Sarah. 3. Michael, married Katherine Wentzel, daughter of Philip Wentzel, a farmer of Hempfield township, and their children were : Philip Marian, mar- ried Mary French, daughter of Alexander French, and they have four children : Maggie, married Lewis Jones; Alice, married James Fox, and had one son ; Harry, married Leah Kunkle, and had one son ; George, resides at Lewis Ratter ; Sadie, deceased ; and Anna, resides in Greensburg. 4. Leah, married Philip S. Baer, a farmer of Hempfield township, and their children were : Henry, mar- ried Alatilda Lee, had one son, Gilmore : Kate, married Amos Beirer, a farmer of Ohio, and their children were: Lillian, Ray, Martin, William and Alice, all at home ; Adam, married -, and had one son ; Anna, married James C. Wentzel, a contractor of Greensburg, son of Isaac Wentzel, and their children were: Arthur W., died July 16, 1890, aged eleven years, seven months. and ten days ; Garfield, a surveyor for a railroad company ; William, a musician ; John, married Laura Wright, and their children were: Mildred and Russel ; Tarl, married Daisy Fletcher, and their children were: Arthur and Elizabeth ; Daniel, married Margaret Fletcher, one child, Ethel; William, married Ena Madden, has four children, and resides on a farm out west ; Lucy; Elizabeth,
insstrade
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
and two who died in childhood. 5. John D., mentioned hereinafter. o. Mary. married Isaac Mench, and died soon after her marriage. 7. Lucy, married Isaac Mench, of Greensburg, and their children were : Mary, married John Fox. of Middletown, and their children were : James, married Alice Steiner, one son ; Harry, an infant, deceased : Isaac, married Livinia Henry, one daughter, Cath- erine Minnie: Lucy : William, at home: William, married Laura Miller : Michael and Daniel. 8. Daniel D., married Mary Miller, daughter of Con- rad Miller, a farmer of Hempfield township, and their children were : Laura, married Jacob Wentzel, son of David Wentzel, a farmer of Hempfield township ; she died October 6, 1905: Lillian, married Joseph Wentzel, brother of Jacob Wentzel ; and three sons who died in childhood.
John D. Steiner, whose name heads this sketch, learned the trade of car- penter with Michael Miller and has followed it during the greater part of his life. He is one of the veterans of the Civil war, having been a member of Com- pany H. One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, under Cap- tain John Todd Fulton, in the nine months' service, from which he was honor- ably discharged. He then re-enlisted. in Company A. One Hundred and First Regiment, in 1863, under Captain Powell, and was finally discharged in May, 1864. Mr. Steiner is a Democrat, and in church relations is connected with the Lutheran church.
He married, in November, 1861, Elizabeth Mench, and their children were : 1. John, died in childhood. 2. Mariah E., born August 5. 1869. married Frank A. Steiner, a lumber dealer of South Greensburg, and they have three children : Stella. deceased ; Edna and Lillian, at home. 3. James Wakefield, born April 6, 1871, married Laura Jane Ong, and their children were : Mable, Grace, deceased : Violet May, and Burnas Adaline. 4. John Todd. born Sep- tember 6, 1874. died September 6, 1880. Mrs. Elizabeth ( Mench) Steiner died September 16, 1877. Mr. Steiner married (second) Elizabeth Jane Altman. daughter of Reuben G. Altman, employed on the Pennsylvania railroad, and their children are: Arthur Clarence, born August 5, 1881 ; Matilda, born May 3. 1884. married. June 28, 1904. Lewis Rufle, one child, Janet Irene ; Lucy M., born December 6. 1887: Anna L., born December 17, 1889: all these children are at home.
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