USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 90
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Martin O. Overholt, son of Martin and Catherine (Overholt) Overholt, was born August 17, 1824. on the farm in Scottdale, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he still resides and where he has spent all his life, en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He has been successful in this line of work and enjoys the reputation of being an intelligent, honorable and upright citi- zen of his native township. Mr. Overholt is unmarried.
EDWARD JOHN RUFF. a prosperous farmer of Hempfield town- ship. Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, is a representative of two honored families of this section of the state.
Jacob Ruff, born January 26. 1823. in Hempfield township, died July 27. 1901. He was one of the most successful farmers in the entire district. Hle married, January 22, 1861. Margaret Elizabeth Kichl, born January 26, 1837. daughter of Daniel and Katherine Kichl, the former born March 17. 1790, died April 22, 1860: the latter born February 3. 1794, died April 7. 1869. They had two children: George Leasure and Margaret Elizabeth. The chil- 2- 39
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dren of Jacob and Margaret Elizabeth ( Kiehl) Ruff were: I. Daniel Frank- lin, born November 7, 1861. 2. Katherine Rebecca, July 24. 1863. 3. Henry George, March 2, 1865. 4. Alice, August 21, 1867. 5. Edward John, see forward. 6. Samuel Logan, November 8, 1872, married Nellie Evans, Octo- ber 15, 1890. She is a daughter of Abner Evans, a farmer of Hempfield town- ship. and they have one child : Joseph Evans Ruff, born August 2, 1895. 7 .. William Herman, a telegraph operator, married Grace McGuire, daughter of Rev. John McGuire, of Scottdale. 8. Charles Abraham, October 22, 1877, resides at home.
Edward John Ruff, third son and fifth child of Jacob and Margaret Eliz- abeth ( Kiehl) Ruff, was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1870. 1Je acquired his education in the common schools of Hannastown, Pennsylvania, and as soon as he had attained a suita- ble age he assisted his father on the latter's farm. He thus acquired a thor- ough and practical knowledge of what later became his life work, and in which he has been exceedingly successful. He affiliates with the Republican party, and is a member of the Lutheran church.
ALEXANDER BASHIOM, one of the substantial citizens of West- moreland county, whose time and attention is devoted to agricultural pursuits in Hempfield township, was born at Chains Mills, South Huntingdon town- ship, September 8, 1846, third child in the family of Nicholas and Sarah ( Tarr) Bashiom.
Nicholas Bashiom (father) was born in Nomeda, France, 1798. He left his native land for a home in the new world, 1821, hoping thus to improve his material welfare, and upon his arrival on these shores located in East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he fol- lowed the trade of carpenter. In early life his allegiance was given to the Catholic church, but later he joined the Church of God. He was industrious throughout life, was temperate in all things, and well deserved the success which rewarded his efforts. He married Sarah Tarr, daughter of Collin Tarr, and their children were as follows: Daniel. Rosanna, married John T. Tarr, and their children were: Austin, Joseph, and one who died in infancy. Alexander, see forward. Collin, married Margaret Beckner, and their chil- dren are: Nannie, Alice, Ray, Harry, and Edward who died when a year old. Mary, died of scarlet fever at the age of one year. Roxalena, married Daniel Little, who was killed on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, July, 1895. George, married Caroline Boyer, daugh- ter of Adam and Betsy Boyer, and their children are as follows: Frank, died at the age of two years: Charles, married Alice Bristol, a daughter of John Bristol, a farmer of East Huntingdon township; Elizabeth, married Elmer Nile, a butcher by trade, and a resident of New Salem, Fayette county ; Al- bert, Webster Orville, Alexander, died at the age of two years; Austin, George, Viola (Kosie) and Lloyd Bashiom. Elizabeth, died in infancy.
Alexander Bashiom, whose name heads this sketch, after completing a common school education entered the employ of Samuel Dillinger & Sons, distillers, at Ruffsdale, and for two decades worked at distilling for this firm, which fact is an eloquent testimonial to his faithfulness to duty and efficiency in the work. Since then he has followed farming as an occupation, has al- ways kept abreast of the times in agricultural matters, as his highly cultivated and well improved farm will attest to-day. His farm consists of a number of acres of choice land and is situated in Hempfield township. Mr. Bashiom is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a staunch adherent of the
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principles of the Republican party. In January, 1864, when the country was passing through its most crucial period, Mr. Bashiom offered his services in its defense, enlisting in Company B, Twenty-eighth Regiment, participated in a number of battles, among which were Missionary Ridge, Rasaca, Peach Tree Creek, and Atlanta, Georgia, and was honorably discharged in May, 1865.
MIr. Bashiom married ( first) Caroline Husband, daughter of William and Rebecca Husband, and one child was the issue, John, who died at the age of two years. Caroline ( Husband ) Bashiom died June, 1872. Mr. Bashiom married ( second), April 17, 1886, Ida May Keeler, daughter of Abraham and Margaret ( Reidenour) Keeler, of Cass county, Iowa. Three children were the issue of this union : Samuel Dillinger, born January 17, 1888 ; Alexander, born August 8, 1899, died September 8, 1901; and William Allen, born July 15. 190I.
B. E. LEVENSTEIN, one of Greensburg's enterprising citizens, is a son of Abraham and Leon Levenstein, and was born in Russia, December 18, 1873.
He passed his boyhood and youth in his native country, receiving his education in the common schools. In 1890 he emigrated to the United States, whither he had been preceded seven years before by his brother Isaac, who had settled in Pittsburg. Mr. Levenstein took up his abode in Mount Pleasant, where for one year he was variously employed. In 1891 he accepted a posi- tion with the Latrobe brewery as a salesman on the road. In 1896 he re- signed his position with this house and purchased a one-third interest in a distillery in Mount Pleasant. About a year later he sold his interest and ob- tained a position as travelling salesman for a wholesale liquor house of Pitts- burg. He is still in the same line of business, and is now representing Kline & Company, of Pittsburg. In 1902 he helped to organize the Star Brewing Company of Greensburg, and the success of the enterprise warranted the building of one of the modern breweries of this section of the state. Mr. Levenstein was made vice-president of the company and with him rests the placing of all agencies. Under his skillful management the business is grow- ing rapidly. He is a member of Americus Lodge, and a Republican in politics.
Mr. Levenstein married in 1897, Mary E. Vocht, of New Stanton. Mr. and Mrs. Levenstein are without children.
JOHN PORCH. John Porch, a farmer of Kecksburg, and a mem- ber of an old and well-known family of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, was there born February II, 1849, the son of John and Nancy ( Sheffer) Porch.
John Porch (grandfather) was the founder of this family in Westmore- land county. It is supposed that he came to America from Germany and set- tled in Donegal township, where he followed agricultural pursuits all his life. His wife bore him the following named children: George. Jacob, Sarah, wife of Adam Howard: Rebecca, married John Wymer; Susan, wife of Emanuel Barkley ; and John.
John Porch ( father) was born and reared in Donegal township. He was a cooper by trade, and followed this occupation in connection with farm- ing for a number of years. The last ten years of his life he resided in Woos- ter, Wayne county, Ohio. He married Nancy Sheffer, and she bore him chil- dren as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Slater; Mary, wife of William
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Overly; Benjamin, George, Jacob, Jane, married William Newell ; Ellen, wife of W. G. Newell; John, see forward; and Allen. The father of these children died in 1895.
John Porch, following in the footsteps of his ancestors, has always en- gaged in the occupation of a farmer, and has achieved the most gratifying success in this line. He married Eliza Overly, daughter of John A. and Eliza- beth ( Griffith) Overly. Mr. and Mrs. Porch are the parents of the following named children: Florence, wife of Sanford Bitner ; Luther J., a farmer of Mount Pleasant township; Rachel Elizabeth, wife of Judson Grimm; Sarah J., the wife of Robert Altman.
GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN FELGAR. One of the sons of Jacob B. Felgar is George B. McClellan Felgar, of East Huntingdon township. Mr. Felgar's father was the owner of more than three hundred acres of land, the value of which was much increased by his improvements. Two comfortable houses were erected by him as well as good out-buildings. He served one term as supervisor of the township, and was a member of the Reformed church.
Mr. Felgar married Rachel Keister, and their family consisted of the following children: Mary M. and Sara E., who lives on a portion of the homestead ; Andrew Jackson, a farmer in East Huntingdon township; Isa- dore, wife of Charles Kooser, of Scottdale ; George B. McClellan, see forward ; James, died in childhood : Emma C., married John Pool ; Charles R., a farmer on the homestead; John H., died when a young man; Frederick, a farmer and mechanic in Monessen : and Willie, died in childhood. The mother of these children died in 1871, at the early age of thirty-five. She was a member of the Lutheran church. The death of Mr. Felgar occurred in 1897, when he was seventy-two years old.
George B. McClellan Felgar, son of Jacob B. and Rachel ( Keister) Fel- gar, was born in 1865, on the homestead, where his brother Charles R. now lives, and was educated in the public schools. When about eighteen years old he went to work on a farm in his native county, where he remained two years. He then spent six months in Missouri, whence he proceeded to Montana, where for two years he worked in the quartz mill at Marysville. At the end of that time he set out on his homeward journey, which he made in a leisurely manner, availing himself of every opportunity of seeing the country. After reaching home he worked for two years for his father, and several months after his marriage moved to South Huntingdon township, where for a short time he engaged in farming on shares. He then went to Mount Pleasant and for one year was a teamster, first in town and later at the coke works. He was then for a time in business as a butcher, but sold out and returned to East Huntingdon township, settling on the farm where his brother Andrew Jackson now lives. For one season he farmed the estate on shares and then purchased the farm on which he has since resided. The purchase was made in October, 1894. The property consists of one hundred and ten acres and has been completely remodeled by Mr. Felgar, the improvements being of the very best. He carries on general farming, making a specialty of the dairy and keeping fifteen cows, also having a milk route in Scottdale. He is one of the stockholders in a company organized for the purpose of breeding horses. His political principles are those of the Democratic party. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church.
Mr. Felgar married, March 26, 1890, Dora E. Shupe, and they are the parents of one child, Arthur Russell. Mrs. Felgar, who was educated at the
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Port Royal school, is a daughter of Eli and Mary ( Kaley) Shupe. The father died in March, 1894, being upwards of sixty years of age, and the mother is now the wife of John McAdams, of Mount Pleasant.
CLARK S. MASON, superintendent of the St. Clair Coal and Coke Company, a native of Pennsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, was born May 6. 1868, and is the son of Uriah and Sarah ( Null) Mason. The father was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania.
Clark S. Mason was born on a farm and passed his life there until he grew to manhood. In the colder months of the year he attended school and the remainder of the year he devoted to agricultural pursuits, until he was eighteen years old. He then devoted his whole attention to farming with his father until he went with the employ of the Standard Oil Company for which he worked two years. His next position was with the Westmoreland Supply Company where he spent three years. Experience in business and faithful discharge of duty then brought him to the notice of the St. Clair Coal and Coke Company, and in 1904 he became superintendent of its business, a posi- tion he now holds.
Mr. Mason is a Republican in politics, but not a politician. On the 9th day of April, 1902, he was married to Edith Topper, daughter of Wilson I. and Margaret (Carns) Topper, born June 8, 1878.
HENRY BAMFORTH. Among the good citizens of Greensburg must be numbered Henry Bamforth. Mr. Bamforth was born April 26, 1842, in Sheffield, England, and is a son of Edwin Bamforth. He attended the common schools, and at the early age of eleven was employed in the steel works of Jessop & Son. He served his time and when twenty-four years of age emigrated to the United States.
Mr. Bamforth's first home in this country was at Forks Buffalo, in the southern part of Virginia, where he remained one year. He then recrossed the sea, and for six years lived in his native city. At the end of that time he returned to the United States and settled in Pittsburg. In that city he made his home for seven years, being employed by the firm of Park Brothers. Prosperity attended him, and in the course of time he removed to Greensburg where he built for himself a desirable residence. This house has since been his home, and he has proved himself to be in all respects a most worthy and public-spirited citizen, ever ready to lend his aid to any project having for its aim the advancement and welfare of his neighbors. He is a Republican in politics.
Jr. Bamforth married. July 10, 1864, Selena Charlsworth, who was born in England, June 12, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Bamforth are the parents of the following children : Henry, Joseph Edwin, Wilford James, Albert A., Sarah Lily, Clara Susia, and Emily Maria.
W. WARNER SCOTT, for a number of years a trusted employe of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and at present a locomotive engineer on that road, is a representative of an honored family of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.
On the paternal side he is of English descent ; on the maternal. Scotch- Irish. William Scott, grandfather of W. Warner Scott. was born in Sheffield, England, in 1808. He was but four years of age when he was brought to this country, and was taken to Ebensburg. Cambria county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and educated in the common schools of the town. When he
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had attained manhood he went to Indiana county, where he conducted a tav- ern very successfully in the old stage coach days. From there he migrated to Blairsville, owned and personally conducted the Central Hotel. From thence to Cokeville, of which town he was appointed the first postmaster, a position he held until his death. He was a member of the Episcopal church, and in politics was first an old line Whig, and later a Republican. He died in 1894, having survived his wife by about twenty years.
He married Elizabeth Peters, who was born in England, and her father organized a company who emigrated to this country, and for their services in the colony were granted a large tract of land in Throckmorton county, Texas, of which Mr. Scott received a share. The children of William and Elizabeth (Peters) Scott were: Mary, Agnes, Elizabeth, Rebecca. Fanny, John H., Albert, of whom later; William, who was killed in the battle of Fredericksburg, during the civil war: Alonzo, was drowned in boyhood.
Albert Scott, son of William and Elizabeth ( Peters) Scott, was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania. His education was obtained in the public schools and in the Indiana normal school. Upon reaching manhood he went to the oil fields in Venango county, and was one of the pioneers in that indus- try. He had followed this line of work for many years, having been superin- tendent for the Standard Oil Company. He is now living a life of retirement on a farm near Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He affiliates with the Republican party. He married Elizabeth Shaw, daughter of Peter Shaw, the former of whom came to Venango county from New York state, and became the owner of several farms, on which oil wells were later discov- ered. The children of Albert and Elizabeth (Shaw) Scott are: Agnes, who died in her thirty-third year, and W. Warner, the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the Episcopal church.
W. Warner Scott, only son and only surviving child of Albert and Eliza- beth ( Shaw) Scott, was born on the Shaw farm, two miles from Oil City, Venango county, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1873. He received a good edit- cation in the public schools, and then attended the Burlington Military Col- lege, at Burlington, New Jersey, for two years. Upon the completion he was apprenticed to the molding trade, which he followed a short time. He entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1892, as a fireman. His reliability and faithful attention to all the details of his work did not pass. unnoticed, and, February 2, 1901, he was advanced to the position of engineer, on the Pittsburg division. He is enterprising and progressive in his views, and takes an active and intelligent interest in the affairs of the community. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and in politics is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
He married, May 22, 1902, Mary Myrtle Hardy, born at Sherricks Station, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, daughter of John W. and Anna (Cunningham ) Hardy, and granddaughter of Ashford and Mary (Walker) Hardy, of Scotch- Irish descent. Anna (Cunningham) Hardy was born in Westmoreland coun- ty, Pennsylvania, daughter of Barnett and Mary (Chance) Cunningham. Bar- nett Cunningham was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, a son of Joseph H. and Keziah (Nornis) Cunningham, the former of whom was born near Jacobs Creek. Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Scott have one child : Mary Estelle. born May 31, 1905.
ROBERT J. THOMPSON, a police officer of Greensburg, is the son of Isaac and Margaret (Irvin) Thompson, and was born at Morris Hill, West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1862. He is descended from grand-
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parents who came from Ireland. Mr. Thompson left the common schools at the age of sixteen and followed farming four years. Ile then did mill work three years, and later went into the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany as a brakeman, holding that position five years. After mining coal for several years he was appointed, in 1902, on the police force of Greensburg, a place he now fills. His politics are Democratic.
April 10, 1887, Mr. Thompson married Lizzie M. Eisaman, daughter of Reuben and Julia (Fox) Eisaman, born October 28, 1870. They have five children: Theresa L., born November 21, 1888: Myrtle A., December II, 1890; James R., March 20, 1892 ; Luella, October 30, 1895, and Freeda M., December 2, 1900.
ALEXANDER F. HUTCHISON, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, son of William and Eliza (Clegg) Hutchison, was born De- cember 4, 1833.
After leaving school at the age of sixteen, he learned the cooper's trade with his father and then spent some years as a journeyman cooper in different parts of Pennsylvania, where he perfected himself in a knowledge of the trade. Mr. Hutchison is a believer in the political principles of Jefferson and Jack- son and votes the Democratic ticket.
December 8, 1853, he married Dressie Stillwagon, who died in 1859. leav- ing one son. John S. In 1866 Mr. Hutchison married Elizabeth Beacome. Of this marriage three children were born: Robert E., George B., and Aleck S. Elizabeth Hutchison died in 1874. In 1885 Mr. Ilutchison married Phoebe Jones, who died January 20, 1901. John S. lives at Mill Run, Springfield township : Robert married Maria Brinker and lives in Springfield township. George B. married Phebe Dile and lives at South Greensburg.
WILLIAM ROLLASON, an active and enterprising citizen of Greensburg, is a worthy representative of that class of men whose births occur in foreign countries, but who upon their arrival in a new land conform to its form of government and take an active interest in all that concerns its welfare and development. He was born March 22, 1847, in Stafford, England, son of John and Jane ( Etchin) Rollason.
He obtained a thorough education in the lower branches of study in the common schools of his native land, and in 1872, at the age of twenty-five years, came to this country and settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. After a residence of two years in that city, he removed to Mckeesport, same state, and there established the first puddling department. After a residence of three vears there he went out west, locating in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he re- mained four years. Upon his return east he located in Pomeroy. Pennsylva- nia, and there followed his trade of puddling for four years. After four years he chose the borough of Greensburg for his home, where he now ( 1905) re- sides, and he is an employe in the Iron Works of Kelly & Jones, one of the leading manufacturers in that section of the county. Mr. Rollason subse- quently returnel to his native land for a brief visit, the trip proving both pleasant and beneficial. For seven years he faithfully served as a member of the common council, four years of which time he acted as chairman of the board, and for six years or two terms he served in the capacity of school direc- tor, to which office he has recently been re-elected for a term of three years, this fact 'being conclusive evidence that his services in that direction were ap- preciated. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a Republican in politics.
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Mr. Rollason married, June 10, 1871, Emma Banton, who was born in England, March 17, 1849, daughter of Thomas and Millie ( Eachlar) Banton, and their children are: William, Jane, Emma, Millie, John, Thomas, Eliza- beth, Alice, Charles, Mable, and Richard F. Rollason.
TOBIAS HAINES, a highly esteemed citizen of Greensburg, in which town he has made his home for many years, was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1854, a son of Henry and Sarah (Henry) Haines, natives of the same township, the former having been a painter by trade.
The common schools of Westmoreland county afforded Tobias Haines the means of obtaining a practical education, and by improving his opportu- nities he became well versed in the rudimentary branches. At the early age of twelve years he began to earn his own livelihood, scuring employment in a brick yard and remaming there for seven years. He then learned the trade of plastering, and atter his term of apprenticeship had ended became an em- ploye of the Greensburg Coal Company, with which corporation he has been connected for the past twenty-one years, and in whose service he is at the present time ( 1905). As a citizen he is active and alert, ever watchful for the interests of his town, and for a number of years he served as councilman, hav- ing been elected from the fifth ward of Greensburg. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle, of Greensburg.
On February 14, 1878, Mr. Haines was united in marriage to Amanda Bender, who was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, October 3, 1859, a daughter of Solomon and Hannah ( Henry) Bender. Their children are: John, Harold, Agnes, Emma, Sarah, Edward, Charles, and Elizabeth. Mr. Haines and his family are members of the Luth- eran church. They reside in a fine, commodious house on Spring street, Greensburg, which he erected for his own use in the year 1904, and which is noted for the hospitality dispensed therein.
WILLIAM B. KELTZ. A retired farmer who is now in the enjoy- ment of well-earned leisure, is William B. Keltz, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Keltz is descended from Scottish ancestors. His father was Robert Keltz, a native of Ligonier valley, Pennsylvania, where he spent his entire life. He married Sarah Knox, whose forefathers came from Scotland.
William B. Keltz, son of Robert and Sarah (Knox) Keltz, was born March 3, 1852, in Ligonier vailey, and received his education in the common schools. At the age of sixteen he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed successfully for fifteen years. He then sold the farm and moved to Greensburg, where he purchased land on which he built for himself a comfortable dwelling. He is a public-spirited citizen and for nearly two years has served as chief of police of South Greensburg. He belongs to Lodge No. 541, I. O. O. F. He and his family are members of the Reformed church of Greensburg. He is a Republican.
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