USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 91
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Mr. Keltz married Ursula Khums, who was born December 13, 1853, in Youngstown, Pennsylvania, and they have four children: Sarah A., Curtis A., Carrie J., and James W.
LOWRY A. BARNHART, one of the upright, industrious and en- terprising citizens of Greensburg, was born in Blairsville, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, July 13, 1871, a son of Daniel and Catherine ( Brinkley) Barn-
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hart. His grandfather was a native of Ireland, from whence he came to Pennsylvania, settling in New Alexandria, Westmoreland county, where he was killed by a bucket falling upon him while digging in a well, about the year 1800. 1lis grandmother came to this country with her parents when four years of age, they settling in Blairsville, Pennsylvania. Daniel Barnhart ( father ) was a carriage trimmer by trade, and at the time of his death, which was occasioned by a hurt he received at Allegheny Junction, he was serving as foreman in the Blairsville shops.
Lowry .\. Barnhart attended the common schools of his neighborhood until fourteen years old, and then went to learn the trade of moulder, which he has followed up to the present time ( 1905) with the exception of five years that he spent at railroading, being in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He is conscientious and thorough in the performance of his laber, and therefore merits the esteem and confidence reposed in him by his employers. He is a member of the Knights of Maccabees, and an adher- ent of the principles of Democracy, casting his vote for the candidates of that party.
Mr. Barnhart married Alice A. Miller, who was born March 4, 1868, in Pleasant Unity township, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Miller) Miller (no relatives), the ceremony being performed June 18, 1889. They are the parents of four children: Jessie M., born January 23, 1890; George E., July 9. 1892 : William R., May 31, 1896; and James M., November 26, 1900. The family are members of the Christian church.
SICKENBERGER FAMILY. Henry Sickenberger, a native of Germany, who was the first ancestor of this family in America of which there is any knowledge and but little is known of him, save his name and nativity and that he married and reared a family.
Henry Sickenberger, son of Henry Sickenberger was born in Germany in 1810. He became a druggist by profession and followed the same in his native country, but upon coming to this country took up farming. He married Mary Numen and they effected settlement in Blair county, Pennsyl- vania, and moved to Indiana county in 1846. There he gardened and worked about lawns. He was a Republican in politics. Early in life he was of the Roman Catholic faith, but later united with the Presbyterian church. The children born to Henry and Mary ( Numen) Sickenberger were: Sebastian, died in 1809: Peter: Henry C .: Frank M., born January 18, 1846, of whom later : Mary Ann, wife of Mr. Swank : Eleanor, wife of Woodman Turk ; and Joseph. The mother died in Indiana county in 1891, aged about eighty-one years.
Frank M. Sickenberger was born January 18. 1846, at Hollidaysburg. Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools of the section. He learned the carpenter trade in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and since living in West- moreland county has been employed by the Keystone Coal and Coke Company, and the past eight years doing repair and carpenter work for Lloyd Inff, of Greensburg. He is a Republican in politics and in religious belief and pro- fession is connected with the Christian church .. July 19, 1866, he married Mary, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth ( Stevison) .Altman, of Arm- strong county, Pennsylvania. Their children are: 1. Harvey T., born February 15: 1867, first married Ida Diviny, who died, and for his second wife he married Anna George. 2. Nannie M., born June 17, 1868, married Har- rison Patch. 3. Henry N., born January 2, 1870, married Bertha George. 4. J. Frank, born November 19, 1872, now a railroad engineer on the Penn-
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sylvania system and lives at his parental home. 5. Nettie, born June 24, 1874, deceased. 6. Henrietta May, born July 9. 1876, married George Truxell. 7. Lawrence W., born April 7, 1878, married Minnie Painter. 8. Blair E., born April 4, 1880, married Lena Haukeson, of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. 9. Homer J., born December 5, 1882. 10. Emma B., born July 13, 1885. II. Norris E., born March 28, 1887. 12. Chrissie E., born September 16, 1889. 13. Merril D., born March 18, 1893, died when one and one-half years of age.
CHARLES M. HILL. One of those men who are sure to make their way in any community and under all circumstances is Charles M. Hill, of Latrobe. The father of Mr. Hill was Joseph H. Hill, who was a carpen- ter and followed his trade nearly all his life. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran church. His wife was Catherine Piffe, and their children were: Katie, Albert, Charles M., see forward; George M., deceased ; and William H.
Charles M. Hill, son of Joseph H. and Catherine (Piffe) Hill, was born May 19, 1860, in Westmoreland county, where he was educated in the common schools. After leaving school he worked four years at the carpenter's trade and then turned his attention to civil engineering which he has followed suc- cussfully ever since. His political influence and vote are given to the Demo- crats. Mr. Hill married, in 1886, Tillie Longstreath, and their children are: Gertrude May, born August 14, 1887; Charles W., October 12, 1889: Katie, November 18, 1891; George A., November 21, 1893; Ida M., September 12, 1896; John D., December 31, 1898; Leroy, February 23, 1900; and Harry R., June 24, 1903.
The father of Mrs. Hill was John Longstreath, a native of Armstrong county, who all his life followed the calling of a miner. He married and reared a family of eight children, one of whom was a daughter, Tillie, who was born December 20, 1870, in Leechburg, Pennsylvania, and became the wife of Charles M. Hill, as mentioned above.
ALBERT K. WILLIAMS, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad, son of David and Margaret D. (Wise) Wil- liams, was born in Greensburg. March 25, 1858. His education was obtained in the common schools of his native city and was concluded when he was four- teen years of age. His first employment was on the Erie and Pennsylvania Railroad where he remained six months in the capacity of mail agent. He then took a place on a steamboat and learned the baker's trade at which he worked three years. For several years following he cooked in restaurants and on steamboats, returning to Greensburg in 1879. Preferring an out- door life and a more active employment he next became a brakeman on the Pennsylvania Railroad system and followed that occupation until an injury to one of his hands compelled him to relinquish that kind of work, and he went to work in the coal mines. Several years were spent in mining and then he returned to the railroad service, where he worked two years as a brakeman. From 1886 to 1888 he had leave of absence and had other employment. In 1888 he returned and was employed as a flagman. In 1898 he was promoted to freight conductor, and for some years has had a steady run.
Mr. Williams is a member of Lodge No. 114. Order of Railroad Conduc- tors, Pittsburg : also of Lodge No. 484 Knights of Pythias, Greensburg. In politics he is a Republican. He was married July 22, 1880. to Ida N. Sin- dorf, daughter of John and Louisa (Truxal) Sindorf, a native of Greens-
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burg, born December 29, 1859. They have two children, Ida MI., born April 7, 1881, and Clarence E., born February 28, 1887. Mr. Williams and his family are members of Christ Church, Greensburg.
GEORGE W. BAILEY. Prominent among the successful agricul- turists of Greensburg, who are noted for the practical and progressive man- ner in which they conduct their operations, and who derive goodly incomes from their labors, is George W. Bailey, who was born in Springfield town- ship, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1850, son of J. Riley and Polly (White) Bailey.
J. Riley Bailey (father) was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, June 15. 1814. His parents were natives of this country, but descendants of a German ancestry. J. Riley Bailey followed the quiet but useful calling of agriculture, served as supervisor and school director of his township, and was a prominent and active member of the Baptist church. He married Polly White, who was born in Salt Lake township, Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, and whose parents were natives of Ireland. Their children were : Samuel W., John, deceased; E. K., deceased ; Jane, Fanny, George W., Wil- liam H., John, Rebecca, and Anna. E. K. Bailey, third son of the above named parents, was born near Indian Creek Baptist church in Springfield township, Fayette county, March 25, 1844. He served as a private in the Civil war. In 1880 he was ordained to the Baptist ministry and one year later was elected pastor of a charge in the state of New Jersey. A few years later he returned to Pennsylvania and was appointed pastor of a church at West Newton, later was engaged in gospel work at Greensboro, and subse- quently was appointed pastor of the churches at Greensboro and Sugar Grove, serving for a little more than one year prior to his death, February 28, 1905, during which time he was held in the highest esteem by all the people of that community, regardless of church affiliations. On December 21, 1865, the Rev. E. K. Bailey was married to Arthilla Skinner, daughter of Abram and Hulda Skinner, of Mill Run, Pennsylvania, and ten children were born to them, four of whom still survive.
The educational advantages enjoyed by George W. Bailey were obtained in the common schools of the neighborhood, which he attended until he at- tained the age of eighteen years, and since then he has devoted his entire atten- tion to farming, and justly deserves the success that his energy and thrift have achieved. He is recognized as one of the reliable men of the community, and every duty devolving upon him has been performed in a highly creditable and efficient manner. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.
On February 18, 1875, Mr. Bailey married Anna M. Hutchinson, the ceremony being performed in Springfield township. She was born August 25. 1852, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Smiley ) Hutchinson, and died August 1, 1894. Ten children were the issue of this marriage, as follows : Edmund H., born December 14, 1875. died June 20, 1904; J. Riley, November 8, 1877: William II., October 20, 1878; Richard. September 20, 1880, died December 18, 1880: J. Alva, April 29. 1882: Jennie E., July 9, 1884: Aldora, October 4, 1886; G., January 27, 1889 : F. Wayland, February 14, 1891 ; and Russell Lowell, February 13. 1893. died July 20, 1894. Two sons served as privates in the war of the Philippines. On May 23, 1900, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary M. George, the widow of Ambrose George, and daughter of Rutan and Sarch
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(Martin) Davison. She was born in West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1861.
DANIEL M. WILLIAMS, traveling yardmaster of the Pennsylva- nia Railroad, was born at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, June 2, 1849, and is the son of David and Margaret ( Wise) Williams. His paternal grandfather was a native of Wales, and coming to the United States when a young man, married Margaret Fiscus, a native of Westmoreland county. He resided in Greensburg, and there David Williams, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born and resided.
Daniel M. Williams received his education in the common schools of Greensburg, which he left at the age of fourteen years to enter the employ- ment of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as a water-boy on a work train. After a year's service there he was a laborer for a short time and then became a brakeman on a freight train, filling that position for eighteen months. His efficiency brought him promotion and he was made conductor of a freight train. In this capacity he spent the next ten years of his life. While in the discharge of his duties he had the misfortune to suffer so severe an injury to his right hand that amputation was necessary. He continued in the train service, how- ever, until 1880, when he was promoted to yardmaster, performing the duties of that position until 1901. He was then given the place of traveling yardmas- ter which he now fills. He is also roadmaster at Radebaugh, and holds a similar position on the Radebaugh & Hempfield branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
In the terrible railroad riots of 1887, when legal restraint was thrown to the winds and the wild passions of men led them into the commissions of all sorts of excesses, this city and its immediate vicinity were the theatre of the fiercest, wildest and most sanguinary acts of that period. Mr. Williams, then yardmaster at Derry, left his place there and proffered his services to the offi- cials of the company at this place. The tracks outside of the Union Station were then in possession of the rioters and the company was using every effort to get its trains through to other points. Mr. Williams volunteered to take charge of a freight train and attempt to take it to its destination. The under- taking was full of danger as the rioters were determined that no train should be moved. As the train started the strikers attacked it, and Mr. Williams received a bullet in the leg, making a wound that was painful and annoying, but he succeeded in his effort and took the train through to Erie. As a reward for this service, Thomas A. Scott, then president of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company, presented Mr. Williams with a valuable gold watch, chain and pendant and a check for one hundred and fifty dollars. This watch is natur- ally one of the most valued pieces of property Mr. Williams has ever pos- sessed.
Since he entered upon his career as yardmaster Mr. Williams has had other exciting experiences while looking after the interests of the Pennsylvania road. In 1880 he captured two men who had attempted to wreck a train at Southwest. They were tried, convicted and sentenced to a term of five years each in the penitentiary. He also captured several parties of car robbers and broke up a desperate gang of thieves. In 1878 he was struck by a fast run- ning express train in the East Liberty yards, thrown a great distance and severely injured, but finally recovered.
As a natural consequence of his long and faithful service, the dangers he has braved and the injuries he has suffered in the performance of his duty, Mr. Williams is highly esteemed by the officers of the great corporation he
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has served for more than forty years. In the discharge of his duties he has been fortunate, and in all the years of his service has never had a wreck. His relations with his fellow employes have always been such that he was popular with them. He is a member of many fraternal orders, both those connected with railroad service and those independent of it. He is a member of the fol- lowing associations and orders: Veterans Association of the Pittsburg Divis- ion of the Pennsylvania Railroad ; The Yardmaster's Association of the United States ; the Order of Railway Conductors, No. 114, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 701, of Jeannette ; Lodge No. 571, Royal Arcanum of Derry Station ; Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 225, Pittsburg. His political affiliations are with the Republican party.
July 19. 1885, Mr. Williams married Anna Good, born October 7, 1867, at Port Perry, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, daughter of William and Clara (Woolslayer) Good. Of this marriage there are two children: Cecelia May, born April 13, 1886, and Margaret, born April 3, 1896.
WILLIAM HUDSON. Those seeking for a type of the successful, progressive farmer will find it in William Hudson, of Latrobe. Mr. Hudson's paternal grandfather emigrated to this country from Ireland, while through his grandmother he comes of German ancestry. His parents were William and Sarah (Fishel) Hudson, the former a native of Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, whence he came to Westmoreland county.
William Hudson was born July 7, 1852, in Unity township, and obtained his education in the common schools of Salem township. At the age of four- teen he left school and has since devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He has lived sixteen years on the farm which is now his home and which is one of the finest in the township, Mr. Hudson being at the same time advanced in his ideas and practical in his methods. He is the only man in the county who raises thoroughbred English horses. Politically he is a Republican.
Mr. Hudson married Mary E .. daughter of John and Susan ( Dible ) Kepple, and they were the parents of two children : a son. D., and a daughter who became the wife of William Dean. After the death of his wife Mr. Hud- son married Sada K., daughter of Sehvir and Susan ( Kilgore ) Lattie, and on being left a widower for the second time, married Emma J. Hunter. By this marriage he became the father of one child, Hazel.
GEORGE R. HUGU'S. The family of which George R. Hugus, of Latrobe, is a representative, is of French origin. It was planted in this coun- try by three brothers who came from France early in the eighteenth century, one of them settling in Brown county, Pennsylvania, whence he or his descend- ants emigrated to Westmoreland county, where Paul Hugus was born and passed his life, dying at the age of eighty-three.
John Hngus, son of Paul Hugus, mentioned above, was born in 1798, in Westmoreland county, and in early life was for several years engaged in mer- cantile business in Blairsville, Pennsylvania. During the remainder of his days he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, always finding time, however, for the indulgence of the scholarly tastes which formed a striking feature of his character. He read widely, could use his pen with facility and was an accom- plished mathematician. He was a member of the Reformed church. He mar- ried Rebecca Hackey, a native of Westmoreland county, and they were the parents of a son, George R., of whom later. Mr. Hugus died in May, 1888, at the venerable age of ninety years.
George R. Hugus, son of John and Rebecca ( Hackey) Hugus, was born,
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September 18, 1835, in Unity township, and was educated at the Sewickley Academy. At the age of eighteen he left school and engaged in farming which he has made the business of his life. His political principles and opin- ions are those advocated and upheld by the Democratic party. Mr. Hugus married, June 3. 1857, Jane Latta, and their family consists of three sons : Edward L., born May 12, 1859; John H., April 10, 1864; and Harry R., April 18, 1871.
Mrs. Hugus is the daughter of Moses Latta, who belongs to a family of English origin. He was born in Mount Pleasant township, and in 1833 moved to Unity township, and bought the farm where his daughter, Mrs. Hugus, now lives. His wife was Elizabeth Graham, and their daughter, Jane, was born April 16, 1834, in Unity township, and became the wife of George R. Hugus, as mentioned above.
PARKER F. HEFFELFINGER. Among the well known and highly respected citizens of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, may be mentioned the name of Parker F. Heffelfinger, a descendant of a German origin. He was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1877, a son of Albert and Mary ( Rosenberger) Heffelfinger. The father of Albert Heffelfinger was for many years a resident of Somerset county, from whence he removed to Westmoreland county at an early date.
Parker F. Heffelfinger received his education in the common schools of Armstrong county, and after completing his studies, at the age of fifteen years, he engaged in farming for William Harmon and continued this occupation for a period of four years. On December 27, 1884. he took up his abode in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and the first five years thereafter he devoted his attention to farming, which proved remunerative to a more or less degree. He then accepted a position as night watchman on a railroad, running from Beatty to Donahoe, in which capacity he worked for one year. He then entered the employ of the H. C. Frick Coal Company, beginning as a miner and gradually working his way up until he attained the responsible position of stationary engineer, which office he is filling at the present time ( 1906). This was gained by perseverance and industry, and by faithfully and conscientiously discharging the duties devolving upon him gained the respect and confidence of his employers. Mr. Heffelfinger is a Democrat in politics.
Mr. Heffelfinger married, May 24, 1898, Nellie McGuire, born April 13, 1879. in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Christopher and Julia McGuire. Their children are : Myrtle, Augusta, and Celia.
JOHN BRADLEY, of Latrobe, son of Patrick and Julia Bradley, natives of Ireland, from whence they came to the United States and settled in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, at a very early day, was born in Blairsville, Westmoreland county, February II. 1877. He acquired the educa- tion afforded by the public schools of that vicinity, which he attended until he attained the age of nineteen years, and for a number of years thereafter was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He then became an employee of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company, retaining his position ten months, after which he secured employment in the Saxman Mines, which continued for three years, and in 1898 he came to Latrobe. For some time he was employed on the Stemler farm, but at the present time (1905) is acting as traveling sales- man for M. R. Moore. Mr. Bradley is unmarried.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
GEORGE W. HAWK. Among the early settlers of Allegheny township was the paternal grandfather of George W. Hawk, of Paulton, who emigrated from Germany about the beginning of the nineteenth century and passed the remainder of his life on a farm in that township.
Samuel Hawk, son of the emigrant, followed agricultural pursuits in Allegheny township until some time in the sixties, when he moved with a part of his family to Iowa, and there spent his remaining years. His wife was Eliza Eck, and the following were their children: Julia, deceased; Belle (twin to Julia), wife of a Mr. Cline, of Kansas; Katharine, wife of Joseph Nelly, of Bell township; George W., mentioned hereinafter; John (twin to George W.), resides in Iowa; Samuel; Margaret, wife of a Mr. Bronner ; Mary, wife of a Mr. Fisher; Albert; Jennie, deceased; and Lizzie. The death of Mr. Hawk, the father, occurred in 1880, and was followed one year later by that of his widow.
George W. Hawk, son of Samuel and Eliza (Eck) Hawk, was born July 4, 1847, in Allegheny township, where he received a common school edu- cation. In youth and early manhood he was engaged in farming, a calling which he abandoned in 1873 in order to enter the service of the American Sheet Steel Company, with whom he now holds the position of cold roller. He is a Democrat in politics and in religious belief a Presbyterian. Mr. Hawk married, July 4, 1874. Mattie Spahr, and they are the parents of the following children: Gertrude, wife of George Ament, of Saltsburg; Ida M., wife of Ivan R. Shockey, of Paulton : Marion Earl, deceased; Edith C. ; and Albert Willis. Mrs. Hawk is a daughter of Dr. James and Katharine (Steffy) Spahr, of Maysville, Armstrong county, where the former practiced medicine for a number of years. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. His death occurred in 1870, and his widow survived until 1904.
JOSEPH REED. The family of which Joseph Reed, of Apollo, is a representative, is of Irish origin, and was founded in this country by James Reed, who in 1811 emigrated with his family to the United States and settled in Washington township, where he purchased a farm. James Reed died at the extraordinary age of ninety-six.
John Reed, son of James Reed, was born in 1800, in Ireland, and was about twelve years of age when his parents emigrated to America. In early life he became a farmer, and later engaged in general mercantile business in North Washington, where for thirty years he served as justice of the peace. He also held the office of postmaster at that place for many years. His wife was Jane Miller, and but four of their thirteen children are now liviala Joseph, mentioned hereinafter ; Belle, wife of James Sweeney; Mary Jane, wife of R. R. McQuilkin : and Henry Foster, of Wellsville, Ohio. The father of the family died in 1877, and the death of his widow occurred in 1883.
Joseph Reed, son of John and Jane (Miller) Reed, was born in 1845, near his present home. He attended the common schools and on reaching manhood chose to devote himself to farming, in which he is engaged at the present time. He owns and occupies the old Reed homestead which has been in the family for more than half a century. Mr. Reed married, December 19. 1868, Mary E., daughter of Henry and Katharine (Coy) Hartman, and the following are their children: Robert M., Calvin Smith, James T., Mabel, deceased : Della Love, Ida Katharine, John Stewart, Ilarry Giles, Maud Gert- rude, Lottie M., and Joseph Alonzo.
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