USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 68
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
He was also the first state senator from Westmoreland county. He died in 181I and is buried at Congruity. A man of vigorous intelleet and broad experience, as well as a ripe scholar, he became a trusted friend of the young pastor who frequently visited his home. It happened, however, that the judge had a most beautiful and accomplished daughter, Mary, in whom the young man soon became interested and subsequently married. He soon afterwards bought the farm at Sardis on which the "Laird mansion," so well known to all residents of Westmoreland county, is located. He served Poke Run and Phim Creek as pastor for thirty-one years. He then became pastor of the Presbyterian church at Murrysville, where he served for nineteen years. He died April 6, 1854, and was buried in the cemetery at Murrysville. Rev. Dr. Francis Laird ex- celled as a mathematician and linguist ; nevertheless, he was well versed in all the learning of the age in which he lived, and exerted wide educating and christianizing influences. As a pulpit orator he was very logical, his manner was tinique, and his intonations rhythmical. The moulding influence he had in the community will live long ; children and children's children's children have been taught to pronounce his name with respect and reverence. Laird church (on the site of the old Plum Creek church ) and the Laird Institute at Murrys- ville, have been dedicated as monuments to his memory. He and his wife Mary had nine children, eight of whom lived to maturity: John M., William, Robert, Francis, Harrison Perry, Jane, Eliza and Mary.
John Moore Laird was born at Locust Dale, now Sardis, Westmoreland county, in 1802. During his early life he attended the schools of his neigh- borhood, and was in addition tutored by his father, Rev. Francis Laird. Al- though he did not manifest a fondness for farm work during his boyhood as occasions required, he assisted on the farm. He learned the printing trade with Judge John M. Snowden, of Pittsburg, who was editor of the "Mercury." After completing his apprenticeship he removed to Steubenville, Ohio, where for a time he edited a paper. Here he married a most estimable lady in the person of Ellen May Morton. The fruits of this marriage was a daughter, Ellen Mary. Soon after the birth of their child the angel of death entered the home and claimed as his victim the beautiful, accomplished and loving wife and mother. The death of his wife was a severe stroke to him. To make matters worse he was attacked with malaria and, broken in body and spirit, he sold out his interests in Steubenville and returned to his native county. In time his health improved, and feeling that he must be active, lest, as he put it, he "might rust out." he began to look about for something to do. Con- grnity, midway between New Alexandria and New Salem, was then a promi- nent point on the old northern turnpike, and he selected this village as his place of abode and opened a general store. In this venture commercially, he was only partly successful: but as subsequent events proved, his location there was one of the most fortunate circumstances of his life. Here he mar- ried Rebecca Moore, daughter of James Moore, Esq., a prominent farmer of that vicinity, and who was strictly speaking, a helpmate to him, and a true noble and good woman. She died July 5, 1875, and was buried in St. Clair cemetery, Greensburg. After his second marriage, with the hope of greater business prosperity, he bought the store of Mr. David Rankin, Murrysville. One who knew Rev. Francis Laird well, in writing of him said: "In selling the products of his farm he always heaped the half bushel." John M. Laird inherited the honesty of his father, and although he did a large business, he did not pile up profits as rapidly as many another would have done under like cir- cuinstances ; he always "heaped the half bushel ;" gave "down weight" and al- lowed a thumb's-breadth to the yardstick. He was, while living in Murrys-
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
ville, elected justice of the peace, and it is said that he was instrumental in bringing about an amicable settlement in the majority of cases brought before him, often times giving up his fees in order to harmonize the quarrelsome neigh- bors. He bought the "Pennsylvania Argus" in 1850 and removed to Greens- burg where he lived until his death, January 25. 1887. As editor of the "Argus" he displayed a great amount of tact, talent and energy. An extensive reader, a keen observer, and close student of men and things, the products of his pen were forcible, clean cut and convincing-a man of strong convictions who was always ready to stand by his sentiments without fear of consequences. His genial nature and kind heart were best known to his intimates, but were transparent to others who knew him only as the stern, unswerving champion of the principles he advocated. As the exponent of Jeffersonian Democracy he was absolutely fearless, and many times the burning words came as from a pen of fire. Necessarily his political enemies were numerous ; nevertehless, they admired his sterling manhood and acknowledged his honesty of purpose. He left behind him fragrant memories of his just and useful life and noble sac- rifices. The "Argus" is an endearing monument of his lifework. Full of years he was borne tenderly to his last resting place beside his sainted wife on January 27, 1887. He held but one county office, that of register and recorder, to which he was elected in November, 1872. and served the full term of thre. years. He likewise, while a resident of Greensburg, held the office of justice of the peace for several terms. In religion, like his forefathers, he was a true and devoted disciple of Calvin, and lived and died in the Presbyterian faith. His second wife. Rebecca Moore Laird, was born in Salem township, Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of James Moore.
In April, 1850, James Moore Laird came to Greensburg with his parents. brother and sister. His father, as heretofore stated, had purchased outright the good will and necessary appliances of the Pennsylvania "Argus" from Messrs. Turney and Hacke ( in which paper he was one of the principal stock- holders) on January 1. 1850. James Moore Laird and his brother, F. V. B. Laird, became infatuated with the printer's art and thoroughly mastered that profession in all its branches and details-in that day a very simple acquire- ment. However, the brothers kept pace with the progress of improvement, and are regarded as amongst the most skilled of the followers of the "art pre- servative." William, the youngest of the trio, also became a skilled compositor when of sufficient age, but died November 22, 1876.
James Moore Laird and Francis Van Buren Laird, because of their infat- uation for the printing business, spent their whole lives, beginning as printers' "devils." in the atmosphere and amid the, to them, allurements of the printing office. They attended school at Murrysville until the ages, respectively, of thirteen and ten years, when their father removed to Greensburg. Both at- tended the common schools there, working in the printing office mornings and evenings. Later James Moore Laird attended school in which the higher branches were taught. After that he essayed the study of law under the tutorship of his uncle, Senator Harrison Perry Laird. He was then about eighteen years of age, a time in one's life when that particular study possessed but little fascination. Finding he could not buckle down to the tasks assigned him by his preceptor. a man of stern and exacting disposition, he abandoned further attempt in this direction, which he always afterward regretted, and devoted thereafter his whole attention to acquiring a thorough knowledge of the printing business. Later he became foreman of his father's office, and was afterwards "promoted" to the position of local editor. In his father's declining years much of the editorial work also devolved upon him, and at his
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
father's death, January 25, 1887, he assumed charge of both the local and editorial work. It is for the future historian to say, however, whether or not he made a success of either. His brother, F. V. B. Laird, looked after and successfully managed the business affairs of the office (besides assisting in the composing and job printing department) and also as proof reader and ex- change editor of the "Argus." He organized and was elected the captain of Company I, of the Tenth Regiment, Pennsylvania militia, on December 31, 1878, afterwards by legislative enactment raised to the distinction of the Na- tional Guard of Pennsylvania. He remained as its captain until October, 1882, when he was elected major of the regiment. In this capacity he served until John B. Keenan, his successor to the captaincy, retired from the service. His old command, finding itself without a competent leader, and no one being willing to accept the office, he resigned his commission as major and, fol- lowing a unanimous election, again assumed command of his former company. This position he held until the outbreak of the Spanish-American war in April, 1898, when his regiment was ordered by Governor Hastings to report for ac- tive service at Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania, eighteen miles northeast of Har- risburg. So rigid and exacting were the requirements of the medical depart- ment, however, that he was rejected because of his age, although he then not only seemed to be, but really was, in the full vigor of manhood. To be thuis turned down after having served faithfully for twenty years in the service of his state, in which time he twice saw active service in the great industrial riots of 1891 and 1892-Morewood and Homestead-was to him the greatest humiliation of his life. Undaunted by stich treatment, Captain Laird appealed to General Alger, then secretary of war, to have the decision of the medical department annulled, and through the kind offices of Representative Robbins, a member of congress from his district, his request was complied with. Soon thereafter, General Alger authorized Governor Hastings to commission him captain of the first military company to be organized for active service in the state. It so happened that the Third Battalion of the Sixteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, was then being recruited. One company (M) was already partially recruited at Jeannette, and he was by Governor Hastings promptly commissioned and assigned as its commander. Completing the or- ganization of Company M, he was ordered to report with his new command at historic Chickamauga Park, Georgia, and on July 18, 1898, he departed for that place with one hundred and six men, the full war complement. Here he be- gan training his men in the rudiments of warfare. The First and Second Battal- ions of the Sixteenth Regiment had rendezvoused at Charleston, South Caro- lina, and while the Third Battalion was being recruited, these two battalions re- ceived orders to sail for Porto Rico. His battalion was on July 27 ordered to Newport News, Virginia, arriving there July 28. It remained there until August 17, when it was ordered to Middletown, near Harrisburg. The Third Battalion was ordered on September 13, to join the First and Second Battal- ions in Porto Rico, and on September 14 it sailed on the transport "Obdam" from Brooklyn, New York, for that island, arriving at San Juan on September 21, after a tempestuous voyage. The Spanish forces in the forts at San Juan, having ignored the protocol between the United States and Spain, the ship was forbidden to land. The captain of the vessel then. changed its course, and on the following day the harbor of Ponce was entered. The troops dis- embarked without opposition on Sunday, September 25. the city being then under the authority of the United States with General Miles in command. The Second and Third Battalions, decimated by death from disease and casual- ties in battle, were ordered on October 11 to join the First Battalion at Ponce,
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
and on that night the entire Sixteenth Regiment sailed for the United States on the steamer "Minnewaska," landing at Jersey City October 18. Two months later the regiment was mustered out of service. Upon the return of the Tenth Regiment trom the Philippines, Captain Laird was restored to his former posi- tion as captain of Company I,and ordered to reorganize the company for service in the national guard, which he did. His commission having expired in July, 1900, he declined a re-election, after almost twenty-two years of continuous service.
Captain Laird's first military experience was during the civil war. When the state was threatened with invasion by the Confederate army in June, 1863, he enlisted in Company C. Fifty-fourth Regiment, uniformed militia, and was appointed to the position of what was then known as orderly sergeant. With his company he was sworn into the United States service in camp near Wilk- insburg. Because, however, of a threatened invasion from another quarter by General John Morgan, known as Guerrilla Morgan, the Fifty-fourth was held in camp for that emergency instead of being hurried forward to partici- pate in the battle of Gettysburg. With other state troops the Fifty-fourth checked the progress of the guerrilla chieftain, and his command near Saline- ville, Ohio, on Sunday, July 16. He then changed his course, only to encoun- ter Shackleford's Michigan cavalry which, after a sharp engagement, com- pelled the surrender of the entire outfit. The regiment then returned to its camp, and all immdiate danger having passed, it was mustered out of service as an organization.
Mr. Laird then resumed his place in the office of the "Argus," where he remained until April, 1864, when he entered the job office of William G. John- ston & Company, Pittsburg, the better to qualify himself for that branch of his business. He accepted a position in the recorder's office at Wirt court house, West Virginia, in February, 1865, which position he held for several months, when the bottom fell out of the oil business and he returned to Pennsylvania. While at Wirt court house, the town was captured by a band of guerrillas un- der command of a Confederate lieutenant by the name of Pomeroy. All the county officials, himself among them, were taken prisoners and confined in a hotel. He and David Flemming, an attorney, were threatened with death, the former because of his having instructed a company of home guards in military tactics, and the latter for having, as Pomeroy alleged, given the in- habitants of the town warning of the presence of the Confederates whom he met while up in the mountains leasing oil territory, and of which fact they had sworn him to secrecy. Mr. Flemming proved his innocence of the accusation, and upon the intervention of some Confederate sympathizers, both he and Laird were released under parole, having first been robbed of what money and valuables they had in their possession.
Mr. Laird returned to Pittsburg carly in April, 1865, whence he brought back to Wirt court house as his bride, Sarah Boyd Fullwood, a former resi- dent of Greensburg. The oil excitement having subsided, as above stated, Mr. and Mrs. Laird, during the summer of 1865, returned to Greensburg, where the former again resumed his position in the office of the "Argus." Mr. Laird is one of the old school Democrats but never held any public office other than that of a military character. He is connected with the Presbyterian church, having been reared in that belief by his parents. He was married in Pitts- burg, April 13, 1865, by Rev. Dr. Joseph Smith, pastor of the Presbyterian church, Greensburg. His wife's maiden name was Sarah Boyd Fullwood. She was born October 5, 1836, and was a graduate of the Greensburg Female Semi- nary, then under the direction of Rev. William D. Moore, later one of the lead-
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ing attorneys of the Allegheny county bar. Her parents were David and Mrs. Eliza Fullwood. The former died in 1852.
Mr. Fullwood held the offices of sheriff and prothonotary of Westmore- land county. Bayard Taylor, the author and writer, was a distant relative of Mrs. Laird. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Laird are: John Francis Laird, born in Greensburg, December 18, 1867; and Margaret Fullwood Laird, born in Greensburg, October 9, 1866. John Francis Laird is engaged in the mer- cantile business at Charleroi, Pennsylvania, where he is one of the leading and progressive citizens of the town. He married, April 18, 1899, Nannie Minor, of Barberton, Ohio. Margaret Fullwood Laird was married to William J. Coshey, of Greensburg, in October, 1886. Two children were born to them: Sarah and Louise.
FRANCIS VAN BUREN LAIRD was born in Murrysville, West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1840. (See preceding sketch. ) His limited education was received in a country school at Murrysville. He removed in 1850 with his parents to Greensburg, Pennsylvania, where he entered his father's printing office, remaining there until the present time, with the exception of a temporary absence in the early sixties, when he took charge of the "Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, Monitor," a paper started by a stock company at that place. His eyesight failing, he was obliged to quit the printing business for several years, joining an engineer corps engaged on the survey of the Pan Handle railroad, near Pittsburg. He was afterwards en- gaged on the surveys of the West Penn and the Baltimore and Ohio railroads, respectively. His eyesight having somewhat improved he again entered hi, father's printing office, where he remained until his father's death, who, in association with his brother, James M., they succeeded in the publication of the "Argus." F. V. B. Laird was elected to council on the Democratic ticket in Greensburg in 1876. Twenty years later, in March, 1896, he was returned to council from the Third ward, Greensburg, where he honorably served his con- stituents until March 1903. During most of this time he was chairman of the police committee and brought the force up to a remarkable degree of efficiency, oftentimes sacrificing time and business to personal direction of his officers. He was unanimously elected president of council in 1898. He ruled the body with grave deliberation, and some of his rulings were and are yet frequently referred to. He upheld the dignity of his office with becoming grace, and declined a re-election, insisting that his fellow members were entitled to the honor. To the rigid discipline he enforced among the town's guardians, while chairman of the police committee, together with an almost constant surveil- lance of their every act, is largely due the efficiency of the present police de- partment. He is not a member of the church, but attends regularly the Sab- bath services in the Presbyterian church. He is a most positive man and is pos- sessed of rare moral courage ; consicientons to a degree, and firm and unaltera- ble in his convictions. During President Johnston's administration he was appointed deputy United States marshal.
He was married to Hetty D. Welty, daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann Drum Welty, April 19, 1871. Mrs. Laird's father was a prominent merchant in the "fifties" and was postmaster in Greensburg during President Johnson's administration. She is a niece of General Richard C. Drum, adjutant general United States army, retired, who was elevated to that exalted position from a private in the Mexican war. The Weltys and Drums were amongst the first settlers in Greensburg. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Laird, one of whom died in infancy.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Richard Drum Laird, son of F. V. B. Laird, was born in Greensburg, June 30, 1872. He was educated in the public schools of Greensburg and at Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania, where he graduated. He inherited the military spirit from both his father's and mother's side of the house. He went to the Philippines during the war with Spain as first lieutenant of Company 1. Tenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, the only Pennsylvania regiment that saw service in that war. He was wounded at the battle of Malate during the first engagement with the Spaniards. On the return of his regiment to the United States and the reorganizaion of the command, he was elected captain of Company 1. At the breaking out of the Spanish war he was a law student and ready to be admitted to the bar. At a special session of court he was admitted to the practice of law before going to the Philip- pines. While on the ocean, returning to the states, he was appointed and com- missioned a lieutenant in the regular army. The commission was awaiting him on the arrival of the transport at San Francisco. However, at the earn- est request of his parents, he declined the honor and at once entered upon the practice of his chosen profession. He married, November 15, 1904, Clara Dalby, of Greensburg.
Mary Rebecca Laird, daughter of F. V. B. Laird, was born in Greens- burg, February 18, 1874. She was educated in the Greensburg public schools and the Greensburg Seminary, and married, October 24, 1900, Frank W. Highberger, a confidential clerk in the offices of the Carnegie Steel Company. Soon after their marriage Mr. Highberger was appointed representative gen- eral of the Carnegie. or United States Steel corporation, in the city of Mexico, where they resided for two years. At the solicitation of his wife Mr. Highber- ger resigned that position and returned to Pittsburg in the employ of the same company. Mrs. Highberger was one of the founders of the Phoebe Bayard chapter, D. A. R., of Greensburg.
JOHANN MARTIN KECK. a merchant and business man of prom- inence of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and the founder of the town of Kecksburg, is a native of Germany, born January 7, 1836.
The founder of the Keck family in Germany was Jacob Keck, who was of Bohemian-Garman extraction, and served for many years in the German army. He was born September 16, 1575. On August 9, 1608, Kaiser Rudolph conferred on Jacob Keck a coat of arms for his bravery as lieutenant-colonel of his army at Pragg. Bohemia. Jacob Keck's family consisted of four chil- dren. one named Christopher, born in 1615. One of his children, named Christopher, was born in 1655. Hle located at Leiduering, Germany, in the northeast part of the black forest. He had one son Martin, born in 1698. Martin Keck had a family of three children, one named Christopher, born August 15, 1738, and one of his family, Johann Adam Keck, was born in 1779. One of his family named Christian was born October 28, 1806, in Wittenberg. Germany. He was the father of the Keck family of which Johann Martin Keck was a member. Christian Keck followed agricultural pursuits in his country. In 1869 he emigrated from his fatherland, settling in Mount Pleas- ant township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Christian Keek was mar- ried in 1831 to Rosanna Schwartz, who was born April 28, 1800, daughter of Andrew Schwartz, a salt dealer and farmer. The following children were born to this union: Adam, deceased; Andrew, residing at Faston, Pennsyl- vania; Johann Martin, of Kecksburg, Pennsylvania, author of this sketch ; Christian, of Hotel Albion, Ruffsdale, Pennsylvania : Anna, deceased ; John, of Bradford, Pennsylvania ; Frederick, deceased ; Jacob, of Easton, Pennsyl-
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vania ; George, deceased; Leonard, merchant of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Johann Martin Keck obtained his educational training in the schools of his native country, and followed the occupation of weaver and farmer in Germany until 1857, when he came to Greensburg, Westmoreland county. He engaged in the manufacture of salt at Painterville a few years after his arrival here. For several years he mined coal and worked by day's labor, beginning at the bottom rung. He was occupied in the manufacture of salt for about eight years. He then removed to Ludwick, Pennsylvania, where he opened the Eagle Hotel, and was about a year engaged in the conduct of the same. His next removal was to Kecksburg. Mount Pleasant township. He purchased five acres of ground there and laid out the town. In 1866 he entered the general mercantile business, opening a store in a room eight by ten feet, and with but five thousand dollars' worth of goods. The business and holdings rapidly increased, how- ever, and is now worth one hundred thousand dollars. The stock of goods now carried is thirty thousand dollars. His store is the largest and most com- plete in Mount Pleasant township, and contains almost every line. In 1868 he was appointed postmaster of the town, being the first man to occupy that posi- tion after the establishment of the office. He continued in this capacity for about twenty-six years. In connection with his other varied business inter- ests he was one of the largest farmers in Mount Pleasant township. In 1903 he rented his farms and retired from that business, and for a few years he kept a dairy of about forty cows, shipping the milk daily to Pittsburg. He has frequently sold from his farms one hundred and fifty logs in one season. In church relations Mr. Keck is an active Lutheran.
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