History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 158

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor
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Through his brother Christopher he became at one time largely interested in the cotton trade, making a number of trips to New Orleans in that interest. His operations in real estate were carried on upon the most extended scale. These embraced the purchase and sale of over one hundred farms in Westmoreland County alone, while he also operated largely in lands in Fayette, Indiana, and other Western Pennsylvania counties. At the time of his death he was the owner of thirty-two farms. He operated largely in oil and oil lands; was president of the "Ozark Petroleum Company" from its organization to its dissolution. He purchased the farms of John Rynd, John Brown, and -Lake, situated in Venango County, and good producing oil territory, and held them at the time of his death. In 1853 he built the " Weaver" Grist-Mill at Painter's Station, at a cost of $25,000, capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels per day, the largest flouring-mill in its day in Western Pennsylvania. He was the owner of the Union Mills at Uniontown, with Henry P. Kifer of the steam grist-mill at Manor, and with Governor. Geary of the "Latrobe Mills" at Latrobe.

From 1865 to the time of his death Col. Painter gave much attention to coal and coal lands. He was the first to introduce into the Eastern market Western Pennsylvania coal as a gas coal, Eastern manufacturers of gas using up to that time an imported coal for that purpose. In company with John George, Jr., Col. Lewis McFarland, and others, he purchased large 42

In company with Gen. Herman Haught, John Derbyshire, H. N. Burroughs, S. B. and C. P. Markle, he bought and sold many hundred acres of coal lands in Sewickley township.

In 1878 he built seventy-four coking ovens in Bull- skin township, Fayette County, and carried them on till 1879. He owned one hundred and seventy acres of coking coal lands near Mount Pleasant at the time of his death.

He was interested in contracts for the construction of sections of the Pennsylvania Railroad, of the Northwest Pennsylvania Railroad, also of the Pitts- burgh and Erie and Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroads.

He was a stockholder in the Mount Pleasant and Robbstown pike, also in the Youghiogheny Naviga- tion Company. He was prime mover in the building of the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad, also the Mount Pleasant and Broad Ford Railroad, and a director in both, as also in the Pittsburgh and Con- nellsville Railroad.

He was associated with Governor John W. Geary in contesting the will of Stephen Girard, in behalf of the heirs of the latter against the city of Philadel- phia. He represented his district in the House of Representatives from 1846 to 1848; was canal com- missioner from 1849 to 1852; was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Charleston, S. C., identifying himself with the Douglas wing of the party. He was at one time a candidate of his party for nomination to Congress, but was defeated in the convention by Hon. H. D. Foster. His death was the result of an accident. By a fall a glass bottle was crushed in his hand, by which the latter was so badly cut and lacerated he survived the effect of it only ten days. He died on the 4th day of July, 1880. It has fallen to few men "to fill a larger space" in their locality than did Col. Israel Painter. His energy and will seemed inexhaustible. He was constantly on the alert. With him to think was to act. Difficulties and obstacles which would have overwhelmed and swamped most men only inspired in him renewed exertions. All his enterprises were conducted on a large scale. To figure in a small way with him was an impossibility. In his disposition he was whole- souled and genial, consequently few men commanded a wider or warmer circle of friends.

GEN. JOSEPH MARKLE.

Gen. Joseph Markle was born in the township of South Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, Pa., Feb. 15, 1777. The family are of German descent. His grandfather, John Chrisman Merklin (written in this country Markle), was born at Alsace, on the Rhine,

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about the year 1678. Some time after the Edict of Nantes, in 1685, he fled from Germany, passing down the Rhine into Holland, and settled in Amsterdam. Here he married Jemima Weurtz, or Weurtzen, a sister of the admiral of that name. In 1708 he emigrated to the United States, and settled at a place called "Salem Springs," in Berks County, Pa., Here he purchased fifteen hundred acres of land. He was by trade a coach-maker, and established on his purchase a wagon-maker's shop, blacksmith-shop, and grist-mill. He had nine children, of whom Gaspard Markle, the father of Gen. Markle, was the youngest. He (Gas- pard) was born in Berks County in 1782. He mar- ried Elizabeth Grim, and in 1770 removed to West- moreland County. Not long after his removal to the West his wife died, and in 1776 he returned to Berks and married Mary Roadarmel. Gen. Markle was the eldest child by this marriage.

Gaspard Markle died in September, 1819, aged nearly eighty-eight years. For several years after the settlement of the family in Westmoreland the neighboring settlements on the Allegheny and Kis- kiminetas were harassed by the Indians, and the residence of Gaspard Markle was the post of refuge to which the settlers fied for succor and safety. Gen. Markle's elder brothers were active participants in repelling the attacks of the savages, and distin- guished themselves by their courage, intrepidity, and power of enduring fatigue and exposure. Several of the general's near relations were engaged in both the war of the Revolution and that of 1812. George Markle, a cousin, was in the battle of Brandywine. Jacob Markle, a brother of George, was in the naval service under Commodore Barney, and was on board the "Hyder Ally" at the capture of the " General Monk." Barnet Markle, a cousin of both Jacob and Gen. Mar- kle, was also on board the "Hyder Ally" on the same occasion, and was wounded in the engagement. Jo- seph Roadarmel, the uncle after whom he was named, was in the battle of Long Island in August, 1776, was wounded, captured, taken on board a prison-ship lying in the harbor of New York, where he died of the wounds received in the battle. There were four of Gen. Markle's family connection in the troop which he commanded in the war of 1812.

One of the first of Gaspard Markle's enterprises after his settlement in Westmoreland County was the erection, in 1772, of a grist-mill on Sewickley Creek, which traversed his ancient homestead. Here was made some of the first flour manufactured west of the Alleghenies. It was transported in flat-boats by Jacob Yoder, a citizen of Reading, in Berks County, to the New Orleans market. This feat of the enter- prising Yoder was repeated five different times subse- quently by Gen. Markle. The services of his elder brothers being required on the farm, at the early age of thirteen, and for several years thereafter, the duty of transporting from the Eastern cities the supply of salt necessary for the family devolved on Joseph.

This was accomplished by pack-horses, and being through an almost unbroken forest, with taverns or habitations of any kind being " few and far between," the dangers and hardships attending one of these journeys can hardly be conceived by people of the present day.

His first trip to New Orleans was made in 1799, followed by others in 1800, 1801, 1803, and 1809. From the first trip he returned by what is called the wilderness route by way of Natchez, Nashville, Lex- ington, Chillicothe, etc. From the vicinity of Natchez to Nashville the route was by the Indian trail through the Chickasaw nation of Indians, a distance of about six hundred and fifty miles. In all this distance there were no houses or white inhabitants, and the traveler was compelled to camp out overnight. The thrilling incidents attending such a journey, its narrow escapes from the fording of rivers and attacks of savages, would fill a volume in their description. From the trip of 1800 Gen. Markle returned by sea, having entered as a common sailor on board the ship "Mars," Capt. George, owned by Tench Cox, of Philadelphia. She carried seventeen guns, with letters-of-marque, and was bound from New Orleans to Philadelphia, where she arrived after a passage of thirty-two or three days. From his other trips he also returned by sea, but al- ways as a passenger, his ambition as a sailor being satisfied by the first experiment. Previous to his first voyage his father had retired from active business, and devoted the whole management of the estate upon him. He farmed largely. In 1806 he erected another large grist-mill, and in 1811 he formed a part- nership with Simon Drum, of Greensburg, and dur- ing that year erected a large paper-mill, the third establishment of the kind erected west of the Alle- ghenies. Mr. Drum residing at a distance from the paper-mill, its entire superintendence was added to his other duties. He was in the midst of these various employments when the war of 1812 broke out.

In May of that year, in prospect of the war, he had raised from among his neighbors a troop of cavalry, of which he was elected captain. Their services were immediately tendered to the President. The accept- ance was a long while delayed, but upon the sur- render of Hull at Detroit they received orders to join the North western army. Upon arriving with the troop at Pittsburgh, provisions which had been prom- ised were not forthcoming. In this exigency Gen. Markle raised the necessary funds by giving his own note, indorsed by his friends, William Fullerton, Major Joshua Budd, and John Daily, payable at six months, of $1250, which was discounted at the old bank at Pittsburgh. This amount, together with $800 raised by Quartermaster Capt. Wheaton, en- abled him to go forward with the troop. On their arrival at headquarters the commander-in-chief as- signed them the first rank in the volunteer cavalry. Of the distinguished part which Gen. Markle and his companions in arms bore in the service which fol-

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lowed the following general orders issued by Gen. Harrison at the termination of their term of service sufficiently attesta :

" After (General) Orders. " HEADQUARTERS, SENECA TOWN, " 16th August, 1818.

"The period for which the troop of Light Dra- goons commanded by Capt. Markle was engaged being about to expire, the commanding general directs that they proceed to Franklinton for their baggage, and that they be there discharged, or proceed embodied to Pittsburgh before they are discharged, as Capt. Markle may think proper. The General (Harrison) returns Capt. Markle, his subalterns, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, his thanks for their good con- duct whilst under his command. In the course of eleven months' service, in which they have performed as much severe duty as any troops ever did, the Gen- eral has found as much reason to applaud their steady and subordinate deportment in camp as their coolness and valor when opposed to the enemy, both of which were eminently displayed at the battle of Missis- sinewa and at the siege of Fort Meigs.

" A. H. HOLMES, Adjt. General. " A true extract."

A short time after his return from the army he was elected major-general of Pennsylvania militia for the division composed of the counties of Fayette and Westmoreland.

Upon his return home he entered upon the duty of retrieving his private affairs, which had greatly suf- fered during his absence. The dam of his paper-mill had been swept away by an extraordinary flood in the Sewickley. It was repaired, and the manufacture of paper extensively carried on. He supplied a great portion of Western Pennsylvania with paper, and personally distributed large quantities of it through Kentucky and Ohio. His farm, too, in the mean- while was cultivated with great industry and vigor. His flour-mill was kept constantly employed. He also kept a store, out of which the hands employed by him were partly paid for their services. The profits of the whole were no doubt very great, but the free- dom with which he lent his name to his friends ultimately swallowed them up and left him deeply involved.

indicated by his votes cast for President. His first vote was given for Mr. Jefferson. He voted for Mr. Madi- son in 1808. Being in the army in 1812, he did not vote. He voted for Mr. Monroe, was in favor of Mr. Adams. In 1828 voted for Gen. Jackson, but became estranged from him and the party in consequence of his course in relation to the tariff from the first, and always maintaining strong ground in favor of a protective tariff. He was a stanch supporter of his old commander-in-chief Gen. Harrison, and also of Henry Clay, and indeed of every Whig and Republi- can candidate for the Presidency to the time of his death. With one exception (when nominated by his party as their candidate for Governor, to which his assent to the use of his name was given with great reluctance), he never was with his own consent a candidate for any civil office, though often urged to do so, and a number of times placed upon the ticket against his earnest protest, on one occasion as candi- date for the Assembly, and on another occasion in 1838 as a candidate for Congress, on both of which occasions he electioneered against himself. He lacked only about 4000 votes of an election at the time he ran for Governor in 1844, when Mr. Clay lost the State by over 8000 votes. The general was a great reader, and his memory, especially of facts, dates, and num- bers, was remarkable. His hearty good humor, his great fund of information, united with a vivacity of manner, made him excel in the social circle. Per- haps the most prominent traits of his character were his courage, honesty, hospitality, and benevolence. A physician who practiced several years in his neighborhood says he scarcely ever visited a poor family in sickness where he did not find that Gen. Markle had been in advance of him with a supply of whatever was necessary to their comfort. Traveling ministers of the gospel always found a welcome at his board and fireside, and the poor were never turned away without experiencing his kindness and liberal- ity. During the war of the Rebellion, when Penn- sylvania was threatened with an invasion, the gen- eral, though eighty-four years of age, promptly re- sponded to the call, and was elected captain of a company formed in the neighborhood for home pro- tection.

He was for many years a member of the old Sewick- ley Presbyterian Church.

In 1829, in order to relieve himself from the vexa- The general was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Judge Jacob Painter, whom he married Jan. 18, 1805, and by her he had four children, viz. : Shepard B., a resident of Rostraver township ; Mary E., widow of John Boyd, living in West New- ton ; Elias R., died at the age of fourteen, in 1818; and Gen. Cyrus P. (a sketch of whom will be found in this volume). His second wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Col. Joseph Lloyd, of Westmoreland County, whom he married Sept. 27, 1825. By this union there were twelve children, seven of whom are tion consequent upon his embarrassments, he trans- ferred to two of his sons two tracts of land containing over three hundred acres, including the paper-mill, upon the condition of their paying his responsibili- ties. This condition was faithfully performed by the payment of every dollar for which he was morally or legally bound. He retained the ancient homestead of his father, and thenceforward devoted himself to its cultivation, and from this source, together with the proceeds of his flouring-mill, he supported his family. The political principles of Gen. Markle are sufficiently | living, viz. : Lafayette, editor of the Nyack Chronicle,

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Rockland County, N. Y .; Joseph and George W., owners and occupants of the old homestead farm ; Roxanna, wife of Dr. William L. Miller, of Alle- gheny City ; Sidnie, wife of Robert Taylor, of West Newton ; Margaret, living with Mrs. Boyd at West Newton; and Hannah, who died at the age of fifteen.

GEN. CYRUS P. MARKLE.

Gen. Cyrus P. Markle was born in the township of Sewickley, county of Westmoreland, Pa., April 18, 1810, the third in a family of four children of Gen. Joseph and Elizabeth (Painter) Markle. (For gene- alogy of family see biography in this volume of Gen. Joseph Markle.) His education was limited to an attendance at the common school. One of the most pleasing incidents of his boyhood, and one remem- bered with no little pride, was his meeting Gen. La Fayette at Uniontown, Pa., and acting as one of his escort on horseback from that place to the city of Pittsburgh. This occurred when he was fourteen years old. Very early in life he became actively em- ployed in the business enterprises carried on by his father, and foreshadowed in the boy a capacity in the management of affairs which has been a marked characteristic of the man. In 1829, at the age of nineteen, a partnership was formed with an elder brother, Shepard B. Markle, under the firm-name of 8. B. and C. P. Markle, which partnership continued for more than half a century. The manufacture of paper was the business in which the firm was chiefly employed, though farming was also quite extensively carried on. Two tracts of land containing over three hundred acres and the paper-mill at Millgrove were deeded them by their father on condition of their meeting certain pecuniary obligations for which he had become liable by undersigning. These obliga- tions were eventually fully met by the firm. For thirty years the firm continued in the manufacture of paper at the " Millgrove" mill. In 1859, in order to meet the increasing demand for their products, and at the same time to avail themselves of better facili- ties for transportation, they built a large paper-mill (brick) at West Newton. At this mill paper from rags was manufactured until 1865, when they erected a straw pulp-mill (wood), and subsequently the pro- duction of wood pulp was introduced.

In 1870, Mr. S. B. Markle retired from the firm, since which time the business has been carried on, largely extended, under the firm name of "C. P. Markle & Sons," the firm consisting of Gen. C. P. Markle and his sons, Capt. C. C. Markle and Shepard B. Markle, Jr. In 1881 this firm built at West New- ton another mill (brick), designated "Mill B," fifty- three by three hundred and twenty-nine feet, the largest and one of the most complete in the State, and one into which they have introduced all of the latest and most improved machinery. These mills are situated on the bank of the Youghiogheny River,

between it and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. (A representation of them appears on another page of this volume.)

In 1880 the firm purchased five thousand acres of coal and timber land in Milford township, Somerset County, Pa., and in 1881 built thereon extensive wood- pulp works. The pulp-mill is two hundred and fifty by eighty-three feet, the evaporator one hundred and fifty by fifty feet. In addition to the works, a station house, store, and twenty-four dwelling-houses were built by them. The place, named after the general, is named Markleton. It is situated on the Castleman River, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. A better conception of the magnitude of these works can be formed by a visit to them. Something of an idea may be formed from the representation of them on another page of this volume.

About twenty tons of paper are manufactured from the pulp produced at their Markleton and West New- ton mills. While their mills at West Newton are devoted exclusively to the manufacture of printing paper, a very superior quality of hardware paper is produced at the " Millgrove Mill." The firm have their warehouse at 126 Second Avenue, Pittsburgh.'

While the manufacture of paper has been the lead- ing business of the general, he has also been largely interested in the product of coke. In 1871, in com- pany with John Sherrick, of Mount Pleasant, unden the firm of "Sherrick & Markle," he built on the Mount Pleasant Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad the "Eagle Coke-Works," one hundred ovens. Sold his interest in these works in 1879 to H. Clay Frick. In 1873 he purchased of Peter Sher- rick and William McMasters their farms, two hundred and sixty acres, in East Huntingdon township, near Mount Pleasant, and in company with the former firm, Markle & Sherrick, erected on the Sherrick farm the "Rising Sun" Coke-Works, one hundred ovens. On the McMasters farm C. P. Markle & Sons built the " Bessemer Coke-Works," one hundred and fifty ovens. In connection with these works about fifty tenant-houses were built, also about a mile and a quarter of railroad, which is known in that section as the "June Bug" Branch of the Baltimore and Mount Pleasant Railroad.

In company with Col. Israel Painter, Gen. Lari- mer, Horatio Burrows, and Gen. Haupt, Gen. Mar- kle has operated extensively in coal lands in the township of Sewickley. To the original homestead tract of three hundred acres he has added nine hun- dred acres adjoining in the townships of Sewickley and South Huntingdon.

For a number of years the general and his sons

1 While the firm have been more than ordinarily successful in their business as paper manufacturers, they have met their full proportion of losses by fire. The old frame mill on Sewickley Creek was burned in 1862. In 1876 the brick mill, in 1877 the frame, and again in 1878 the brick mill at West Newton were burned, but were all rebuilt the same year they were burned.

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have taken interest in blooded stock. Four of the finest "Jerseys" in the country may be seen at their stock-farm. Their yearly sales of stock run into the thousands.

In all the operations of C. P. Markle & Co. about six hundred men are employed. Owing to a partial stroke of paralysis, from which he has never fully recovered, Gen. Markle has for a number of years left the active conduct of the business to his sons, by whom he is kept thoroughly posted in regard to all operations, and who fully appreciate the value of his advice and mature judgment in all business matters. The general became very early in life interested in the military, a taste undoubtedly inherited from his father. At the age of fourteen he became a member of the Sewickley Artillery Company, afterwards its adjutant, and then captain. Still later he was elected major and finally general of the Thirteenth Legion Pennsylvania Militia, composed of the counties of Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland.

In politics he has been a firm supporter of the princi- ples of the Whig and Republican parties, but, like his father before him, has always been more ready to help a friend to office than to accept official position him- self. Indeed, the successful conduct of his extensive business interests, which have made him one of the busiest men of his times, would have precluded his entrance upon public life, even if he had entertained any aspirations in that direction. He was interested in the construction of the Pittsburgh and Connells- ville Railroad, and served as one of its directors. He was for many years a member of the Sewickley Pres- byterian Church, but at the present time is a member of the church of the same denomination at West Newton.

He married, May 5, 1835, Sarah Ann, daughter of James and Margaret Lippincott. Mrs. Markle was born June 12, 1814, at Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland Co., Pa. Their children are as follows: Margaret Ann and Mary Elizabeth, twins, born Jan. 28, 1836. The former, widow of Thomas McMasters, residing at Turtle Creek. She has one child, Rachel, wife of M. C. Miller, Esq. Mary Elizabeth, died June 14, 1843; Joseph L., born Nov. 7, 1837, died July 4, 1843; Jesse Henry, born Jan. 8, 1839, died June 10, 1843; Cassius C. Markle, born Oct. 31, 1840;1 Shepard B. Markle, Jr., and Cyrus P., twins, born May 15, 1844' (Cyrus P. died Jan. 8, 1845) ; Mary Emily, born Sept. 7, 1846, wife of John M. Larimer, a merchant at Turtle Creek. Two children living, viz., Cyrus P. Markle and Thomas McMasters Markle. Harriet Cornelia, born Sept. 28, 1847, wife of A. O. Tintsman, living at Turtle Creek. One son, Cyrus Painter Markle. Amanda, born July 26, 1850, died Nov. 18, 1850; Winfield Scott, born Feb. 14, 1852, died November, 1853.

1 See biography on another page of this volume.

" For biography of former see following sketch.

Mrs. Markle died Nov. 26, 1869. In the death of this most estimable woman the family, her church, and indeed the entire community in which she lived met with an irreparable loss. She possessed in large measure all the rare qualities which characterize the devoted wife and inother and the truly Christian woman. In the home and social circle she was easily a leader, and she was a helpmeet indeed in the dispensation of a hospitality for which the Markle home has always been distinguished,-a hospitality without stint, extended to the stranger equally with relatives and friends.

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History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 158

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: