USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 86
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Samuel Lincoln Harrold, son of Daniel and Louisa ( Gress) Harrold, received a common school education and taught school in North Huntingdon township for ten years. He has since devoted himself to the care and man- agement of the homstead, succeeding his father as one of the successful farmers of the township. He is active as a citizen and has served one term as supervisor and two terms on the school board. His political principles are Republican. He is a member of the Brush Creek Reformed church, of which he was at one time deacon, and in which he has served for eighteen years as superintendent . of the Sunday school.
Mr. Harrold's three brothers, mentioned above, have directed their ener- gies in the channels of agriculture and electricity, and have been prospered in their different callings. John Harrold has traveled extensively through Kan- sas, Colorado and Missouri, is now living at home unmarried, and is associated with his brother, Samuel Lincoln Harrold, in the management of the home farm. Anson Forney Harrold is an electrical engineer and president of the American Transformer Company of Newark, New Jersey, his home being at East Orange, in the same state. He married Maude Hubley, and two chil- dren have been born to them: Hope, deceased, and Elizabeth. George Har- rold is connected with his brother, Anson Forney Harrold, in the electrical business, and also lives at East Orange. He married Jean Morrow.
HENRY E. WENRICH. The family of which Henry E. Wenrich, of North Huntingdon township, is a representative, was planted in this coun- try not less than two centuries ago. The earliest known progenitor, though not by several generations the emigrant ancestor, was Benjamin Wenrich, who is buried in the Heidelberg church cemetery, Heildelberg, Berks county, the date of death being given on his stone as 1735. His wife, Marguerite Reneatt, died the same year and is buried beside him.
It is doubtful just how many. generations interevened between Benjamin Wenrich and his lineal descendant, Daniel Wenrich, but the latter was born in the same township and resided there all his life. His children were: John, buried in Heidelberg church cemetery; Daniel, interred in the same place ; Susan, married Seltzer : another daughter who became the wife of
Caldbach ; a third daughter, who was married to -- Lengle ; and David, mentioned hereinafter.
David Wenrich, son of Daniel Wenrich, married ( first ) Hannah Boyer. by whom he had four sons and one daughter. After her death he married Maria Henrich, by whom he was the father of two daughters and two sons. The latter, Benjamin and William, both served in the army during the Civil war. William died in a hospital in the south and Benjamin survived until January, 1897. The third wife of David Wenrich was Catherine, daughter of John and Susanna (Hain) Fischer, of Berks county. The former owned immense tracts of land in Heidelberg township and also conducted a paper-
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
mill thereon, probably one of the first paper-mills in the state. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wenrich were: Catherine, who has been since April, 1802, the widow of James Ruth, and lives in Berks county ; Elijah, married Susan Leininger, and died in September, 1902: his widow lives in Robisonia, Berks county ; Amanda, who has been since February, 1897, the widow of James Bechtel, and lives in Berks county ; Emma, who became the wife of Franklin Wagner, of Coatesville, Chester county, Pennsylvania ; James, married Isabel Scaffer, and lives at Reading. Pennsylvania : Henry E., mentioned hereinafter ; Susan, married Samuel Stamm, and died in 1869. in Ohio.
Henry E. Wenrich, son of David and Catherine ( Fischer) Wenrich, was born February 14. 1844. in Heidelberg township, where he received a common school education and worked on the farm with his father until he attained his majority. He then learned the trade of the flouring-mill, and at the age of twenty-four operated his own flour-mill, near Stouchsburg. He continued to do this until the spring of 1873, when he went to Reading and bought a gro- cery, in partnership with his brother-in-law, John Burkholder, the firm being known as Burkholder & Wenrich, and their place of business being situated on the corner of Third and Spruce streets. At the end of two years he re- turned to Stouchsburg and paid some attention to farming until 1880, when he moved to his present home in North Huntingdon township. Here. for about twenty-five years, he has cultivated a large tract of land for the West- moreland Coal Company. the estate being situated near Biddle Station, which is in the neighborhood of Manor. In following the calling of a farmer he walks in the footsteps of his ancestors, who have always been agriculturists and large landowners. In his political affiliations, also, Mr. Wenrich acts in accordance with the traditions of his family. He is a Republican, the family having been as far back as they are traceable Whigs, and having identified themselves with the Republican party at its organization. His church con- nections, which are Lutheran, are also an inheritance from his ancestors. He has been a deacon and trustee of the church.
Mr. Wenrich married, December 24. 1867, Mary Burkholder, and two sons have been born to them: I. Martin Luther, born June 17. 1860, at Stouchsburg, and at the age of twenty-three became a fireman on the Penn- sylvania railroad, out of Pitcairn. Twelve years later he was promoted to the position of engineer and is now settled at Youngwood, Pennsylvania. He is a member of Shidle Lodge, F. and A. M., Irwin. 2. Morris Rambler, born July 27. 1873, died October 9, 1878, and is buried at Myerstown.
Mrs. Wenrich belongs to an old Pennsylvania family, the earliest known ancestor being George Burkholder, of Lancaster county. His forefathers had been Mennonites for many generations, but on his marriage with a Miss Brubeck he was converted to the faith of his wife, which was that of the Lutheran church, with which his descendants have ever since been connected.
Peter B. Burkolder, son of George Burkholder, was a farmer on a large scale for that region, his farm of two hundred acres joining the town of Strouchsburg, and his home buildings being in the town. He married Marie Bergman, and their son, Daniel, carried on a wagon shop in Strouchsburg. where he built connestoga wagons. He married Sarah Reed and they were the parents of a son. Augustus, mentioned hereinafter. Mrs. Wenrich was a daughter of Benjamin and Susan (Wagner) Reed, and a granddaughter of Daniel Reed. The latter was a lincal descendant of Johannes Reith, the earliest known ancestor, who is buried in the Reeds church graveyard, near Strouchs- burg, the date of his death being given at 1735. The patronymie was variously spelled Reith, Reid and Reed.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Augustus Burkholder, son of Daniel and Sarah (Reed) Burkholder, con- ducted a general store at Strouchsburg for a number of years, and for a time was postmaster there, being appointed by President Lincoln. For a few years he operated a foundry at Meyerstown, Pennsylvania, returning to Strouchs- burg in 1861. His wife was Mary Rambler, and they were the parents of a daughter, Mary, who was born January 10, 1850, in Meyerstown, Lebanon county. Pennsylvania, and became the wife of Henry E. Wenrich, as men- tioned above.
SAMUEL WATTERS, of Irwin, was born at Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, October 5, 1855, son of William and Margaret (Mccullough) Watters, and grandson on the paternal side of Samuel Watters, who was a resident of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, a number of years prior to his death, and who operated the farm for James Irwin, near the town of Irwin, now the property of Thomas H. Irwin, and grandson on the maternal side of John and Martha McCollough, of New York City.
William Watters ( father) came to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, at an early age. He farmed with his father for several years, later settling at Jacksonville and driving a stage on the old Pittsburg and Philadelphia pike. When the Pennsylvania railroad was constructed and the traffic on the pike fell away, he was one of those to adapt himself to the new enterprise and secured employment as conductor. He ran continuously until killed, in 1865, by the explosion of an engine on the strip of track known as Beatty's Level, near Beatty's Station. He married Margaret McCullough, daughter of John and Martha McCullough, of New York city, and their children were: Agnes, became the wife of William Milner, and they reside in Pittsburg; Samuel, born October 5, 1855, mentioned hereinafter ; Jennie, became the wife of Milton Phillipi, and they reside at Derry, Pennsylvania; John, married Ida Gilchrist, and they reside at Altoona, Pennsylvania. After the death of Mr. Watters his widow married Hunter S. Love, of Westchester, Pennsylvania, an employee of the Pennsylvania railroad, who later conducted a hotel at Derry Station. Pennsylvania. Mrs. Love died November 4, 1894.
Samuel Watters received a common school education, and at the age of twelve years went into the glass works, where he remained five years. He then took up his residence in Derry and secured employment with the Penn- sylvania railroad, tending the water plug at that place. At the age of eight- teen he went on the road as fireman, and in the fall of 1875 was promoted to the post of engineer. His run at first was from Pittsburgh to Conemaugh, which he held one year, and then a vacancy occurring on the shifter at Irwin he transferred to that place. In 1899 he took the run on the Yough branch of the Pennsylvania railroad, which he has since held. He is a member of the Methodist church, in which body he served as trustee six years and treasurer five years. He is a member of Irwin Council, No. 44, Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He is a Republican in politics.
On August 20, 1876, Mr. Watters married Jennie Hunsburger, born September 5, 1859. daughter of John and Catherine (Taylor) Hunsburger of Blairsville, Pennsylvania. John Hunsburger died March 16, 1877, and his wife, Catherine, died September 21. 1870. The great-grandparents of Mrs. Jennie ( Hunsburger) Watters on both sides of the family were from Ger- many. The issue of this union were: Alice, born June 29, 1877, became the wife of Frank Brush, of Youngwood. Pennsylvania : issue, Samuel Watters. Jennie, Harry Diltz, deceased ; and Nellie Rhodes Brush. Matilda Cleophis, born November 28, 1879, died November 16, 1881. Maggie Malvina, born
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
February 23, 1881, became the wife of G. Brooks Ross, May 28, 1901, issue : Chauncey Brooks Ross.
JOHN W. KENNEDY, son of John and Julia Kennedy, was born January 29. 1858, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools of his native county until he was about fifteen years of age, when he began to earn wages as a weigher in the coal mines. He was identi- fied with mining operations for about five years, then located at Everson, Fayette county, and engaged in the hotel business, conducting the Everson House, and continued at that for some ten years. He next engaged in the brewing business, and in company with some others erected the brewery at Scottdale and the ice plant in connection with it. In 1899 the two establish- ments were sold to the Pittsburg Brewing Company, since which time Mr. Kennedy has been manager of the plants at Scottdale and Mount Pleasant. He is one of the stockholders of the Pittsburg Brewing Company and devotes his time and attention entirely to this line of business. Mr. Kennedy has ever been active in works for the good of the borough and has done a good share in building up the community. He is the owner of considerable prop- erty on the main street of Scottdale, and his name is one of the best known in that part of the state. Politically he is independent, but as a rule he is a Democratic voter.
He married, November 30. 1882, Ellen T. Connor, daughter of Mrs. Margarett Connor. They have a family of seven children: Robert J., a law student at the Georgetown Law School at Washington; Margarett, a student at Seaton Hill Seminary, Greensburg; Mary, a student at the same institution ; Joseph, student at St. Vincent's College : Clare, studying at a paro- chial school: Frances, also at a parochial school; John W., Jr. They are members of the Church of St. John the Baptist at Scottdale.
F. A. BLACK, president of the F. A. Black Manufacturing Com- pany, is a native of Connecticut. He began the manufacture of cutlery in Bridgeport. Connecticut, in 1879 and continued there until 1891, when he removed to Allegheny, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the same in- dustry until 1902. His whole business life has been confined to this line of business, in which he has a thorough and practical knowledge of every branch of the trade, having had personal experience in all grades of the industry from that of mechanic through every department. The company of which he is the head was incorporated November 22, 1904, successor to the Lahille Cutlery Company, formerly of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. The company was incorporated with a capital of $1,000.000, the officers being: F. A. Black, president : A. B. Laucks, vice president ; E. R. Laukes, secretary and treasurer. Their plant has a floor space of about twenty thousand feet, and they furnish employment to one hundred people in the manufacture of Berlaw pocket cut- lery. The products of this company are a distinct type, quite different from the output of any similar concern, being the original conception of Mr. Black. His plant will turn out annually one hundred thousand dollars worth of goods, which will be disposed of to the largest hardware establishments of the country, through the central west. He is one of the ambitious men of the country and looks forward to the development of one of the great in- dustries of the country, which will have a fame extending throughout the civilized world.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY
WILLIAM F. TRIGGES, general superintendent of the Paige War- ren Wire Company at Monessen, Pennsylvania, is a native of Lenawee county, Michigan, born September 18, 1866, son of William M. and Mary ( Fuller) Trigges.
Rev. Robert Trigges (grandfather) was a native of Bristol, England, who emigrated to America in 1839, landing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained for a short time, thence to Zanesville, Ohio, where he re- eeived a contract to letter fingerboards for road intersections, his first employ- ment in Ohio. He was a miller and baker by trade in his native land. From Ohio he removed to Michigan, settling in Washtenaw county, near Chelsea, and entered the itinerant ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, for years covering a large circuit, preaching in log cabins and school houses. He lived to the age of ninety-two years, dying at the home of his son in Ripan, Wisconsin.
William M. Trigges ( father), son of Rev. Robert Trigges, educated him- self, working at the carpenter's trade to pay his way through college. He at- tended Albion and Evanston college in Illinois. He entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church in Michigan, following this calling for forty years. He is now living a retired life at Morenei, Michigan. He married Miss Mary Fuller, and of the children born to them was a son, William F.
William F. Trigges was reared in Michigan and obtained a common school education there. At the age of sixteen he engaged in work as a stationary engineer, following this occupation for five years. He then entered a machine shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he spent four years. The next two years he was employed as chief engineer for the Water Works Company at Grand Rapids. He removed from there to Adrian, Michigan, where he asso- ciated himself with the Hand Milling Company as chief engineer, being thus engaged for two years. Then, in 1893, he established himself with the Paige Warren Wire Company, at Adrian, where he was located for six years, being employed in the engineering department. In the spring of 1897 he removed to Monessen in the interest of the company, and was on the spot at the inception and first move made toward the erection of the magnificent plant at this place. superintending the construction of the plant. He has since acted as general superintendent and manager of the plant. His ability to perform the responsi- ble duties incident to this position has been fully demonstrated, as the plant each year assumes larger proportions and grows continuously.
Mr. Trigges is a Republican in politics, and active in all affairs pertaining to the welfare of the community. He was one of the organizers and is a director of the Monessen Savings & Trust Company and is also a stockholder in the Paige Warren Wire Fence Company. He has served on the borough council-first an unexpired term for three years and is now serving another term. In 1903 he was president of the council.
June 28, 1888, Mr. Trigges married Eloise Baldwin, of Morenci, Michi- gan, daughter of Edgar Baldwin. They have three children, viz: Percy, born December, 1889: Olive, October, 1893; and Morris, November, 1899. . Their home is at 50 Reed avenue, and they affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church.
EDWARD WERKMAN, of Hawk Eye, was born in Hempfield township, October 13, 1858, a son of John P. and Christine Werkman.
Edward Werkman attended the common schools and remained on the homestead until 1882, when he entered the service of Graul & Werkman, bak- ers and confectioners, with whom he remained until 1884. He then went to
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Ironbridge, where for ten years he was engaged in the general merchandise business. While there he established the postoffice, was made postmaster and served in that capacity for about ten years. In the autumn of 1893 his store was destroyed by fire, and in the spring of 1894 he purchased the farm on which he has since lived and which at the present time consists of twenty-two acres. This land he has, for the last twelve years, cultivated as a gardener, doing a general business. He is a Republican in politics, and in the spring of 1894 was elected tax collector of East Huntingdon township, an office which he filled for six years. He belongs to the Knights of Malta, and he and his family are members of the Reformed church.
Mr. Werkman married, September 7. 1887. Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Robinson) Holtzer, and they are the parents of the following children : John Edward, Jennie Holtzer, Elizabeth Christine, William Holtzer. Martha Agnes, Ruth Theodosia, Paul Holtzer, and Sarah Gail. Mrs. Werk- man is a native of Hempfield township, having been born there September 19. 1865.
MICHAEL KEPPLE. The Kepple family is of German lineage and was established in Westmoreland county by Michael Kepple, grandfather of Michael Kepple, of this review, who came from Germany to the new world and purchased the farm upon which his grandson and namesake now resides. However, at the time of his arrival he entered a tract of land from the govern- ment, which is now in possession of John Rugh. The Indians were then nun- erous in this part of the state and were often hostile, so that Michael Kepple built upon his farm a block house, which was still standing until about fifteen or twenty years ago. After owning his father's farm for a number of years, he sold that property and purchased the farm now owned and occupied by his grandson. It came into his possession in the latter part of the eighteenth century. He was one of three brothers who came to America and all settled in Westmoreland county. The grandfather continued to reside on what is now the old family homestead until his life's labors were ended in death.
Jacob Kepple, son of Michael Kepple, was born upon this farm in 1795 and spent his entire life there, passing away in the fall of 1857. His energies were always devoted to agricultural pursuits and he lived the quiet life of an honest farmer. His political allegiance was given the Democracy, and he held membership in the Lutheran church, in which he served as deacon and elder for many years. He married Margaret Deemer and they became the parents of ten children, of whom seven are living, namely: Susanna, wife of Solomon Barnhart: Jacob, of Greensburg; Martha, wife of Reuben Snyder ; Michael, see forward: Sarah, wife of Amos Kunkle ; Hannah, wife of William Garry ; and Levina, the wife of John Blank.
Michael Kepple, son of Jacob Kepple, was born on the farm where he now resides, April 7. 1833, and is indebted to the public school system of the county for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He was also early trained to farm life and when still quite young took charge of the farm. continuing its management for his father until 1862, when he and his brother George, now deceased, purchased the farm and in partnership continued its operation for fifteen years or more. Michael Kepple then purchased his brother's inter- ests and has since been sole owner of the property, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Lutheran church, while his wife belongs to the Reformed church. He sered as church officer for a number of years.
He was married in 1862 to Magdalena Nappenberger, a daughter of Solo-
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
mon Nappenberger, and they became the parents of five children, of whom four are living: Ida, wife of John Johnson, of Greensburg; Edward, an oil well driller, of Missouri; Margaret J., wife of Leroy Nicholas, who operates her father's farm; and Ezra, living in Greensburg.
GEORGE SHOEMAKER, owner of a fine farm in Hempfield town- ship, Westmoreland county, was born in this township, August 9, 1837, his parents being Jacob and Mary A. ( Wagner) Shoemaker. The father was born in Switzerland, where he was reared. Immediately after his marriage, how- ever, he emigrated to the United States and after a voyage of six weeks landed at Baltimore, Maryland. He proceeded with his young wife to Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, where he was employed for six months, and they then started for Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Sending their trunk across this state by wagon, he and his wife walked and on reaching Westmoreland county he was told that many who went to Pittsburg returned to this county, so that he and his wife decided to remain and locate in Hempfield township, where they lived for ten or fifteen years. Mr. Shoemaker worked as a farm hand for Fred Bierer, and while thus employed saved his money which he put out at interest, and when he had accumulated sufficient capital purchased a small farm of forty acres. Through his frugal habits, careful management and economy he was at the time of his death one of the well-to-do farmers of the township, leaving an estate of more than thirty thousand dollars. He voted with the Democracy and was a member of the Lutheran church. His death occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-five years. In his family were eleven children, eight of whom are living, namely: George; John, of Greensburg: Elizabeth, wife of Gottlieb Wagner, of Harrison City, West- moreland county ; Rebecca, widow of Joseph Walters, of Oil City ; Barbara, wife of Michael Potts, of Salem township; Westmoreland county ; Catherine, wife of George Scott, of the same township; Rosanna, wife of Jerry Bush, ·of Grensburg : and Sabilla, also living in Greensburg.
George Shoemaker was reared in his father's home and in his early boy- hood days worked for Fred Bierer. When his father purchased a farm he assisted in its cultivation and development until eighteen years of age, when he apprenticed himself to the wagonmaker's trade and for fifteen years fol- lowed that pursuit. In 1867 he purchased a farm of fifty-five acres in Salem township, where he resided eight years. He then sold the property and bought a farm of one hundred acres near Greensburg. In 1888 he sold forty acres of his farm to the Keystone Coal Company and the same year purchased ninety acres adjoining Benjamin Eiseman, upon which he erected a handsome resi- dence, making it his home continuously since. He is a Prohibitionist in his political views, and religiously is connected with the Lutheran church of Greensburg. In 1867 he married Mary Painter, a daughter of Peter Painter, of Salem township, and they have four children: Marion P., Chalmers G., Mary L. and Pearl. The sons now operate the home farm.
FRANK R. DALBEY, engineer in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and a resident of Youngwood, was born in Derry town- ship, Westmoreland county, March 29, 1874, a son of Iden B. and Rachel (Huston) Dalbey. His father, residing in Greensburg, this county, has for forty years been in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and is now yardmaster at Youngwood. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church and in his political faith is a Republican. He also belongs to the An- cient Order of United Workmen and the Royal Arcanum. His wife died when
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