USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 83
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JOHN G. CAMPBELL, a retired farmer of Harold, Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, and a veteran of the civil war, is a representative of a family which has been identified with the agricultural interests of the state for a number of years.
PUBLIC
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Jas & Mulvihill
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
George Campbell, father of John G. Campbell, was a native of Cook town- ship, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and a prosperous farmer. He was an adherent of the Republican party, and he and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian church. He married Mary - --- , born in 1813. died 1878, and they had children: William, Isaac, James, John, of whom later ; an unnamed infant, Betsey, Mattie, Mary, Jane, married John Allis, of Illinois ; Susan, Louisa, married John Hood ; and Rosa. But three of these children- John G., Louisa and Jane- are now (1900) living. George Campbell died in 1856, aged sixty years.
John G. Campbell, son of George and Mary Campbell, was born in Cook township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1836. He received his education in the public schools of Stahlstown, Pennsylvania, and in his youth and early manhood was occupied with farming. He was filled with ardor and enthusiasm at the outbreak of the civil war, and enlisted in the union army, being a member of the One Hundred and First Pennsylvania Infantry. Here he served with bravery and credit, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He returned to Cook township, and in 1865 he and his brother James bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which they proceeded to cultivate, and on which he still resides. They were thrifty and practical in their methods of cultivation, and met with well-deserved success in their under- taking. Mr. Campbell is a kind, helpful neighbor, and has many friends in the community. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is unmarried.
JAMES PATRICK MULVIHILL, one of the most enterprising, energetic and progressive men in Arnold, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, general manager of the Independent Brewing Company of Pittsburg, one of the largest brewing companies in the United States, president of the Monon- gahela. Ellsworth and Washington Street Railway Company, and director in a number of banks, is descended from sturdy Irish stock.
James Mulvihill, father of James Patrick Mulvihill, was born in county Limerick, Ireland, and came to this country with his wife in 1864. . He set- tled in Hartford, Connecticut, and there became a mill worker. He always took an active, intelligent interest in all matters of public import, whether political, educational or religious, but never held public office. His political affiliations were Democratic, and he was a consistent member of the Roman Catholic church. He married, in Ireland, Johanna Bigley, also a native of county Limerick, who was a very charitable woman. They had six children : James Patrick : Thomas, Bartholomew, Margaret, and Johanna. Parents both deceased : mother died in April. 18go, at forty-six years, and father died December 25. 1904, at sixty-two years.
James Patrick Mulvihill, eldest son of James and Johanna (Bigley) Mulvihill, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, October 8, 1865. He received his education in the public schools of the Fourteenth ward, Pittsburg. Penn- sylvania, and completed it at the age of sixteen years. He then entered the employ of the iron and steel mills, and in 1887 became connected with the de- partment of public safety in Pittsburg. Here he served with credit to him- self and satisfaction to the department, in various grades, and was one of the selected men sent to Johnstown. Pennsylvania, at the time of the great flood in May. 1889. The city of Johnstown presented him with an engraved set of resolutions for faithful and meritorious performance of his duties. The city of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, was founded in the month of August, 1891,
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
and Mr. Mulvihill, with his wife and child, immediately settled in the new town, being one of the pioneers of the settlement. His second child, Irene, was one of the first children born in this town. He opened and conducted successfully for a number of years the first hotel in New Kensington. The New Kensing- ton Brewing Company was then organized, and built a small brewery, with a capacity of ten thousand barrels, and Mr. Mulvihill was elected president of the company. It had a capital of fifty thousand dollars, and afterward be- came a branch of the Independent Brewing Company of Pittsburg, one of the largest in the United States, and of which Mr. Mulvihill is the general mana- ger. Aside from his connection with the brewing business, Mr. Mulvihill has many other business interests. He is president of the Monongahela, Ells- worth and Washington Street Railway Company, as above mentioned ; di- rector in the First National Bank of New Kensington ; and director in the First National Bank of Monongahela, Pennsylvania. He is a strong Democrat, and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his party, assisting them in word and deed. He has attended almost all the state conventions, and was a delegate to the national convention in Kansas City, Missouri, which gave William J. Bryan the presidential nomination. He has frequently been offered nomination to various positions of honor in his party, but has invariably de- clined to hold public office. He organized the first volunteer fire company in New Kensington, and was elected its first chief. This has since become the leading volunteer company in the state. He also organized the first brass band in the town. He is a devout member of St. Joseph's Catholic church, and chairman of the church committee. This was the first Catholic church built in New Kensington. He is a liberal contributor to all charities, and to any movement which has for its object the welfare of the community. He is a member of the following fraternal associations: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks: Ancient Order of Hibernians ; and Order of Heptasophs. His residence, a spacious and commodious house fitted with all modern improve- ments, is in Arnold, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and here he lives with his family, enjoying all the comforts and luxuries of a delightfully sit- tiated country home.
He married, May 14, 1889, in St. Luke's Catholic church, Carnegie, Penn- sylvania, Annie Irene Hampsey, daughter of Bernard and Bridget (Liner) Hampsey. The former was an active Democrat. Mrs. Hampsey is well known for her charity and benevolence. Mrs. Mulvihill was edu- cated at the famous Oakdale Academy, Oakdale, Pennsylvania, from which she was graduated with honor. She taught school until the time of her marriage. She is a woman of very domestic tastes, is a model wife and mother, and in spite of the manifold duties which the care of a large family entails, finds time to assist in all charitable and religious undertakings. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Mulvihill are: James Mead, born Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, February 21, 1800, educated at St. Vincent's College, Latrobe, Pennsylvania ; Annie Irene, October 13, 1891, New Kensington, Pennsylvania, educated at the Ursuline Academy, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; Bernard Hampsey, June , 8, 1893. Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania, educated at St. Vincent's College, Latrobe, Pennsylvania : William Herron, February 12, 1895, New Kensington, Penn- sylvania, public schools, Arnold, Pennsylvania: Marguerite Rosalind, April 13, 1896; Mary Ruth, April 13, 1896; Thomas Joseph, January 24, 1898; Alexander Richard, November 8. 1902; Johanna Regina, Monongahela, Penn- sylvania, August 23, 1904: Ursula Clare, March 17. 1906. Marguerite, Mary, Thomas, Alexander and Ursula were all born in Arnold, Pennsylvania.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
JOHN SLOAN SMELTZER. The father of John Sloan Smeltzer, of Vandergrift Heights, was Christopher C. Smeltzer, born July 25, 1841, in Armstrong county, where he was reared to a farm life. He has always fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, in connection with which he engaged for many years in threshing. He is a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Smeltzer married Sarah Chrissman, and six of their ten children are now living: Ada, wife of Claude Chambers, of Grove county, Kansas: Robert Charles, heater in Vandergrift mills; Anna, wife of William Meeker, of Russel county, Kansas : Jennie, wife of David Fox, of Pawnee county, Kansas ; Carrie, wife of Gibson Sloan, of the same county ; and John Sloan, mentioned hereinaf- ter. Mr. Smeltzer, the father, now resides near Ellerton, Armstrong county.
John Sloan Smeltzer, son of Christopher C. and Sarah ( Chrissman) Smelt- zer, was born February 10, 1878, in Adams county, Ohio, and received a limited common school education. In 1893 he entered the mills of the Apollo Iron & Steel Company, serving first in the capacity of matcher. Three months later he was promoted to the position of doubler, in which he served eleven months and was then made catcher. Five months later he became rougher and in this capacity served seven years. In July, 1902, he was advanced to his present posi- tion of roller. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. Smeltzer married, February I. 1898. Daisy E., daughter of Jacob B. and Mary ( Beck ) Shellhammer, of Armstrong county, and their children are: Viola M., Rita E., Ora A. T., Iva E. and Williard S.
JULES HUGG. The parents of Jules Hugg, of Arnold, were John Battis and Victoria Hugg. his birth occurring February 3, 1843, near Lyons, France, and his education being received in the schools of his native country and England. He learned the glass-blower's trade, which he followed until 1870. In that year he emigrated with his wife and three children to the United States, settling in Norristown, Pennsylvania, where for a short time he worked as a glass-blower. After a residence of seven months in Mckeesport he moved to New Albany, Indiana, remaining, however, but a short time, and going thence to Rock Island, Illinois, wher he spent one year. At the end of that time he returned to Pennsylvania and took up his abode in Belle Vernon, where he remained three years, after which he spent four years in Europe. On his return he settled at Albany, Indiana, and after remaining five years spent four years in Pittsburg. For three years threafter he lived at Jeannette, and in 1892 moved to Arnold, the borough being but one year old. He there pur- chased property on which he has lived ever since, and for ten years worked in the mills as a glass-blower. During the last two years he has lived in retire- ment.
Mr. Hugg married, January 22. 1865, Marie, born June 29, 1846, in Eng- land, daughter of Gaspar and Melina ( Wicht ) Theibert, and their children are : Ernest. born December 9. 1865, now of Jeannette: Minnie, born December 1. 1867, wife of Isaac Stidard, of Pittsburg : Clarice, born June 21, 1870, wife of Clarence Lawrence, of Arnold: Lewis, born August 20, 1877, glassblower ; Charles, born April 28, 1880, glassblower at Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania ; and Harry, born August 12, 1883. also of Reynoldsville.
JAMES KEATING. It was in Ireland that James Keating, of Arnold, was born December 20, 1850, and it was thence he emigrated in 1863. with an aunt, settling for a short time in Elmira, New York. lle then went to Pennsylvania, where for a time he worked about the mines in Canton and Fall
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Brook. Later he moved to Oil City, where he was track foreman for the Oil Creek Railroad Company, holding this position for about five or six years. In June, 1874, he went to Parnassus, where for two years he was employed in a similar capacity, and then moved to Arnold, where he has ever since resided, being continuously employed as track foreman. He and his family are mem- bers of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Keating married Mary, daughter of John and Margaret (Linch) Mc- Nerney, and their children were: Michael, died in infancy ; John W., died at the age of thirty-three, veteran of the Spanish-American war; Annie, wife of Andrew Allen, of New Kensington ; Margaret, at home, graduate of Duquesne College and clerk in the postoffice ; Thomas, railroad engineer, killed in a wreck October 17, 1905: James, ticket agent at Arnold Station; Mary, at home, graduate of Arnold high school and now a teacher in schools of that place ; Edward, died at the age of six years; Joseph, student at College of the Holy Ghost, Pittsburg; Francis, at home, graduate of Arnold high school, now teaching in Natrona ; Charles, at home ; Jane, also at home.
WILLIAM ARMITAGE. The parents of William Armitage, of New Kensington, were Robert F. and Ellen ( Lewis) Armitage, and his birth occurred in Toronto, Canada, where he received his education in the common schools. In 1883 he came to the United States, settling in New Kensington, where he has followed his trade, which he learned in Canada and which is that of a plumber. He belongs to Lodge No. 1048, I. O. O. F. and Lodge No. 81, K. P., in which latter organization he has passed all chairs. He is a staunch Republican and a member of the Reformed church. Mr. Armitage married Olive, daughter of George and Hannah Nash, and they have two sons : William O. and Edward B.
ROBERT H. COCHRAN. The parents of Robert H. Cochran, of New Kensington, were James and Martha ( Hull) Cochran, his birth occur- ring August 12, 1841, in Scotland. He was educated in the common schools of his native country, and there learned engineering. In 1863 he emigrated to the United States and settled for a time in Watertown, Connecticut. In August of the same year he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. After the return of peace he took up his abode in Pittsburg, where for nearly four years he had charge of the engines of the firm of Brook & Valentine. He then entered the service of the Cambria Iron Company, near Dunbar, where he remained twenty-two years. In 1892 he moved to New Kensington, where he became engineer at the brickyards, and was subsequently employed by different companies. For two years he served as health inspector and for nearly five years held the office of street commissioner. He affiliates with Lodge No. 110. Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed all chairs, votes with the Republicans, and is a member of the Presbyterian church of Par- nassiis.
Mr. Cochran married Annie Curran, and their children were: Elizabeth, Martha, wife of Frank Walley ; John, at home; and two who died in infancy.
DAVID H. WEBB. By birth David H. Webb, of New Kensington, belongs to the Welsh element which has played so important a part in the history and development of Pennsylvania. He was born January 18, 1871, in Wales, and in 1884 emigrated with his mother to the United States.
They settled in Pittsburg, where for eighteen months the boy attended
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
school, and then went to work in a sheet mill and there remained four years. After working eight months in the tin plate mills of Elwood, Indiana county, he was sent for by W. H. Richards, of New Kensington, by whom he was given a position in the Pennsylvania tin plate works. In 1903 he started the tin plate works at Canonsburg for Mr. Richards, and rolled the first tin plate produced in that mill under the new management. August 21, 1905, he was promoted to the position of general foreman, which he has ever since re- tained. In February, 1905, he was elected a member of the council of New Kensington for a term of three years, and in the spring of that year was appointed chairman of the finance committee. For two or three years he serve 1 on the Republican county committee. At the February election of 1906 was elected president of council at New Kensington. He affiliates with Lodge No. 548. F. and A. M., of Verona, Lodge No. 572, B. P. O. E., of New Kensington. the R. A., and Lodge No. 81, K. P., in which he belongs to the uniformed rank. He is a member of Trinity Reformed Church.
WILLIAM H. EISEMAN, of Latrobe, was one of the men who, filled with patriotic ardor and a determination to stand by the flag of the coun- try, left home and friends for service on the battlefield. He was born May 20. 1838, in Unity township, a son of Henry and Esther ( Baughman) Eise- man.
He obtained a practical education by attending the schools in the vicinity of his home. and after completing the same turned his attention to farming, which line of work he has followed throughout his active career. He is a prac- tical and progressive farmer, and a man of sound judgment. In 1864 Mr. Eiseman enlisted in Company H, Two Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteers, served one year, during which time he participated in the battle at Fort Steadman creek, and at Petersburg, which continued for forty-eight hours. He was shot in the right hip and knocked down, and but for the plate on his cartridge box would have met instant death. Mr. Eiseman married, June 4. 1863. Susanna Keys, who was born in Salem town- ship. Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania, May 10. 1837. Five children were the issue of this union, namely : William E., born August 16, 1864, was killed by electricity in Latrobe, June 16, 1898, aged thirty-three years : Samuel T., born July 5. 1866. resides in Latrobe : Charles B .. born August 2, 1869, died October 31, 1904. in the Loramie (Ohio) Hospital : Cameron H., born July 5. 1872, resides in Latrobe : and Esther C., born September 23. 1876, resides in Latrobe.
RILEY WALTON. The Walton family of Delmont is descended from one of three brothers who immigrated from England in the time of Will- jam Penn. One of these may have settled in Virginia. If so he was perhaps the ancestor of George Walton, a native of that state but a Georgian by adopt- ion, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, partici- pated actively in the defense of Savannah against the encroachment of the British during the Revolutionary war; was a member of congress from Georgia and subsequently chief justice of its supreme court. The only record relative to the origin of Judge Walton merely sates that he was of obscure parentage. From this fact it is reasonable to infer that he might have been a descendant of one of the Waltons previously referred to, thus substantiating to some extent the family tradition to this effect.
The great-grandfather of Riley Walton was Joseph Walton, who settled in Westmoreland county at an early date and acquired possession of two hun-
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
dred acres of land lying in what is now Penn township. Although exposed to the hostile savages, who roamed through the forest at will and frequently visited his home, neither he nor his family were ever molested, The maiden name of his wife cannot now be ascertained, neither is there a full record of his children. It is known, however, that he had sons, Joseph and Boaz, and a daughter Caroline.
Joseph Walton, Riley Walton's grandfather, succeeded to the possession of his father's farm, and continued to reside there until his death, which oc- curred at the age of about sixty years, about the year 1843, and was caused by an accident. While proceeding on horseback from his farm in Penn township to Greensburg, his horse stumbled and threw him violently to the ground, his head striking a stone with such force as to render him unconscious. The faith- ful animal stood by him, however, which eventually attracted someone to his assistance, and he was carried to a nearby house. After regaining con-
sciousness he insisted upon resuming his journey in accordance with the in- herent persistency of his race, and a few hours later was found lifeless, sitting beneath the branches of a shade tree upon the sheepskin saddle, which he had removed from his horse. His back rested against the trunk of the tree, and he appeared as one enjoying a comfortable siesta.
Joseph Walton, father of Riley Walton, and the third in line of descent to bear the christian name of Joseph, was born at the homestead in Penn town- ship, March 14. 1804. He attended the district school, was reared to the oc- cupation of a farmer and at an early age engaged in agricultural pursuits upon his own account. Prior to the introduction of railroads, merchandise was transported from Philadelphia to western points over the turn-pike roads in wagons. It was a remunerative as well as an extensive business, and Joseph
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Walton engaged in it, placing a large number of teams upon the road and practically establishing a regular freight line, which he operated successfully for a period of fourteen years. During this time he became well acquainted along the pike, and the thriving village of Delmont, together with its excellent hotel, met his approval to such an extent as to cause him to open negotiations for the purchase of the latter, which culminated in his taking possession of that property in 1850. This hotel, which was erected by Henry Hugus about the year 1840, was a noted resting place on the long stage line passing through Delmont, and many distinguished men, including the famous Hungarian patriotic, Louis Kossuth, have partaken of its bountiful hospitality. About the year 1837 Joseph Walton married Nancy Elizabeth Alexander, a daughter of Robert Alexander, who immigrated from Ireland with his family and set- tled in Salem township, where he found congenial neighbors. The nuptial ceremony was attended by a large number of the young people of the locality, who came to town on horseback, and remained to dance and otherwise cele- brate to an extent that is known only in a newly settled country. As proprietor of the Hotel Walton, Joseph Walton acquired wide-spread popularity among the travelling public. He was also held in high estimation by his fellow-towns- men, and his death, which occurred in 1868, was the cause of sincere regret. His wife, who survived him, attained the advanced age of eighty-seven years, dying April 6, 1905. Joseph and Nancy Elizabeth Walton were the parents of eleven children, namely: Joseph C., born September 21, 1838, died 1895; Sarah Jane, born in 1840: Alexander, died in infancy ; Martha, died April 7, 1873: Riley, whose birth will be recorded presently ; Emma M., born in 1849; Harriet Alice, born in 1852: Ella May Hugus, born in 1854: Matilda L., born in 1856; Rosanna J., born in 1858; and John H., died in infancy. Joseph C. Walton, who was a farmer, married Elizabeth Geiger, daughter of Joseph Geiger, and was the father of seven children. One of his sons enlisted in the regular army and was never afterward heard from. Another son. Charles Walton, is now in the insurance business in Latrobe. Sarah Jane Walton be- came the wife of William Hugus. Martha Walton married George Saul in 1870, and died thre years later, leaving two children, both of whom are mar- ried and nave families. Emma M. Walton married William P. McChesney, and resides in Crabtree, having seven sons and three daughters. Harriet Alice Walton is unmarried. Ella May Hugus Walton married William B. Cruthers, and has one son and four daughters. Matilda L. Walton married Jeremiah Blose, a merchant in Delmont, and has had two children, one of whom is liv- ing. Rosanna J. Walton married Dr. R. R. Bowman, and resides in Wilkins- burg, this state, having two children.
Riley Walton, of this sketch, was born in Penn township, May 14. 1846. His childhood was spent at the hotel and on his father's farm, and he was edu- cated in the public schools of Delmont. At the age of sixteen years he went to the oil region, where for about four years he was engaged in drilling wells with varying fortunes. Prospecting for oil was so uncertain that young Wal- ton finally abandoned it and turned.his energies in other directions. Prior to settling down permanently as proprietor of the Hotel Walton he followed the live stock business, cultivated a farm and was for some time engaged in mer- cantile pursuits. He conducted the Hotel Walton for the first time in 1871, was again called to its management in 1880, and from 1894 to the present time he has devoted himself exclusively to the interests of that establishment. The Hotel Walton is a famous and decidedly conspicuous landmark an the old northern turnpike. It has long been noted for its open hospitality and con- vivial cheer, the same kind of convivial cheer that characterized the inns of
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old England as described by Charles Dickens. The exuberant Mr. Weller would have felt comfortably at home here, as other notable personages have done during the long period of its existence, and its present proprietor contin- ues to preserve in every particular its time-honored customs. September 30, 1869, Riley Walton married Maria Herbert, a daughter of John Herbert, whose parents were Irish and come to this country in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Walton have had seven children, namely: John Herbert, born March 7, 1871; Joseph Alexander, born December 30, 1872; Catherine Dixon, born August 24, 1875; Florence Riley, born May 5, 1877 ; Robert Francis, born August 17, 1879, died October 14, 1881 : Anna Bertha, born January 28, 1883 ; and Nancy, born Oc- tober 15, 1887. John Herbert Walton, a sketch of whom follows this. Joseph Alexander Walton, who is residing in East Greensburg, married, March 9, 1894, Maud Evans. She is a daughter of Thomas Evans, and her grandfather served in the Civil war. Florence Riley Walton, a sketch of whom follows John H. Walton. Anna Bertha Walton married, May 19, 1902, Lee Huff- man, and has one son, Howard Alfred Huffman.
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