USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume I > Part 17
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For two years he worked for another firm, and then started in for himself. Mr. Smith is a good workman, naturally skilful with tools, and his products are well known and find ready sale. He takes an active interest in the welfare of that community, and has held several offices of trust. In politics he is a republican. He was burgess of Carnegie two years, school director thirteen years, and has been assessor, with the exception of two terms, continu- ously since 1872. He is a member of the board of trade, and has been for the past ten years secretary of the Anchor building and iron association. On Jan. 24, 1872, Mr. Smith married Harriet Maria Lewis, daughter of Alfred and Harriet Lewis, of England. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five children, as follows: Frank B., chemist at Iola, Kan., who married Miss Bessie Lawton; Joseph A. L., a printer by vocation, captain of Company K, 14th regiment, Pennsylvania volunteer infantry ; Lillian V., a graduate of the Pitts- burg school of designs and teacher of painting; Gertrude V., who married Percy Davis, and lives in the thirty-sixth ward, Pittsburg, and William U., Jr., attending the Carnegie schools. Mr. Smith is a prominent member of several secret societies, is secretary of the I. O. O. F., and keeper of the records and seal of the K. of P. He is a member of the Union Veteran legion, of Pittsburg.
DANIEL WEBSTER WYLIE, of Pittsburg, Pa , a prominent contractor, was born in Hancock county, Pa., Oct. 31, 1854, son of John M. and Jane ( Henderson) Wylie. His parents had six children, two of whom are now living, his brother being George O. Wylie, of Pittsburg. His father was a successful farmer, and both his maternal and pater- nal ancestors were from Scotland and strict adherents to the Presbyterian faith. Mr. Wylie secured his early education in the public schools of Hancock county, later attended a preparatory course at the Frankfort Springs acad- emy, of Beaver county, and then matriculated at the Waynesburg college. He was graduated from that institution in 1880, and later studied law with James P. Sayer, of Washington, Pa., but never practiced that profession. Mr. Wylie was married, in 1882, to Ida, daughter of Jesse Hunnell, of Waynesburg, Pa., and then came to Pittsburg, where he was prominent in the insurance business as
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general agent for the Dwelling House insurance company of Boston and the Phoenix life of Hartford. He prospered in that business for eight years, then engaged in his present line of real estate and contracting, and now controls large interests. He is secretary of the City realty trust, of Pittsburg, and is also a director of the Standard trust company, of Butler, Pa., which he organized. His political affiliations are with the republican party, and he is a mein- ber of the Presbyterian church.
PAUL B. DOYLE, M. D., a promi- nent physician of Allegheny, located at No 2006 Beaver Ave., was born in Leech- burg, Armstrong Co., Pa , on April 14, 1864. His parents were Moses and Ellen B. Doyle. Dr. Doyle received his early education in the public schools, after which he took a medical course at the Western University of Pennsylvania, graduating in the class of 1897. He at once entered actively into the practice of his profession, locating in Allegheny. His efforts have been rewarded by a con- stantly increasing patronage and also by his selection as the consulting physician and surgeon of several large manufacturing concerns and insurance companies, among them being the Ameri- can locomotive company, the Pennsylvania wheel company and the Pennsylvania casting machine company. He is examiner for the Fidelity mutual insurance company, Philadelphia, also for the Bankers' life, Des Moines, Ia., and of three fraternal orders, viz. : the I. O. of Heptasophs, the Maccabees and the National Union. Dr. Doyle is a prominent Mason, holding membership in Davage lodge, No. 374, F. and A. M .; in Allegheny chapter, No. 217; in Allegheny commandery, K. T., No. 35, and consistory of the valley of Pittsburg. He is also a member of Lodge No. 339, B. P. O. Elks; of Zion lodge, No. 1057, I. O. O. F, and of tlie Maccabees, the Heptasophs and the National Union. He is a member of the alumni of Western university, a member of the Western Pennsyl- vania medical club, also of the Brighton country club, the Scilor1 club and the Humboldt club. Politically, he is a republican. He is a member of the Union M. E. church of Allegheny.
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WILLIAM WESLEY WOLFE, M. D., No. 24 North Diamond St., Allegheny, was born in what was, at that time, Alle- gheny township, but now known as Bethel township, Armstrong Co., Pa., on Jan. 16, 1851. His parents were Noah C. and Mary (Patterson) Wolfe, the former being a native of Armstrong county, where he was born, Nov. 14, 1818, reared and engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life, dying at Kittanning, Nov. 7, 1896, after a long and useful career. The mothlier of the doctor was born in Wilmington, Del., May 25, 1818, and came west of the mountains with her parents when she was two years old. They settled near Cannonsburg, Pa., but her parents subsequently removed to Arın- strong county, where she met and married Noah C. Wolfe, the marriage taking place on March 9, 1843, attended with the usual festivities so popular in those days. She survived her husband until June 6, 1902, when she, too, passed to her reward in the great beyond. Their children are: Sarah Jane, born Sept. 29, 1844, mar- ried William R. Huston, Oct. 16, 1872, and resides in Homestead, Pa .; Findley Patterson, born Feb. 23, 1846, practicing law in Kittanning, married Maggie E. Mateer, Nov. 24, 1881; Perry Fleming, born Jan. 15, 1848, married Cornelia Beissinger, March 13, 1872, and died March 5, 1874; Joseph Alcortis, born June 22, 1849, died in February, 1850; William Wesley, the subject of this sketch, and Dorcas Catharine, born Dec. 1, 1853. The grandparents of Dr. Wolfe were Mathias G. and Sarah (Wagle) Wolfe. The former was born May 5, 1788; married Sarah Wagle, April 13, 1813, and died in September, 1867. Sarah Wagle was born Sept. 24, 1791, and died in September, 1838. Their children were as fol- lows: Catharine, who died in 1895; Christina, born May 22, 1816, died Aug. 29, 1899; Noah Calhoun, father of our subject; Eliza- beth, born June 21, 1821, died Aug. 19, 1889; Adnam Robert, born March 21, 1824, died in October, 1900; Obadiah L., born May 23, 1827, died in 1892; Sarah N., born Sept. 8, 1831, and residing in Wilkinsburg, Pa., and the youngest child of this marriage is Permanda A., born April 27, 1834, now Mrs. Fry, who resides in Clinton, Pa. By a second marriage with Maria (Murphy) Keesey, there were the following children: Elmira M., born Feb. 24, ' 1844, now Mrs. Cornman, residing in Kittanning; Louis J.,
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born May 13, 1845; Solomon P., born July 2, 1846; Squire D., born March 8, 1849; Nancy J., born Feb. 9, 1850, now Mrs. David Walters, residing at Ford City, Pa .; Anna M., born Dec. 20, 1851, now Mrs. John Beatty, residing in Pittsburg. W. W. Wolfe acquired his primary education in the common schools of Armstrong county, after which he taught school for ten years in Armstrong and Clarion counties. During his. last years in the school-room, he devoted a part of his time to the study of medicine, and, in 1878, entered the Cleveland homoeopathic hospital college, Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated in February, 1880, receiving the degrees of M. D. and F. H. S. He at once began the practice of his chosen profession at Freeport, Pa., where he soon acquired an extensive practice, but decided to locate in Alle- gheny, and, since 1884, he has been in continuous practice there. He is a meinber of both the State and county homoeopathic societies, and is a member of Ionic lodge, No. 525, F. and A. M., of Allegheny ; of Allegheny chapter, No. 217, and of Pittsburg con- sistory and Allegheny council. He is a Shriner; a member of Darling council, No. 888, Royal Arcanum; Triumph circle, No. 101, Protected Home Circle; Guiding Star conclave, No. 273, Improved Order of Heptasophs; Guiosuta lodge, Order of Iroquois; Alleglieny lodge, Order of Americus; Allegheny lodge, No. 339, B. P. O. Elks; Allegheny senate; Knights of Ancient Essenic Order; Order of the Golden Rod, and council of Jr. O. U. A. M. Dr. Wolfe is examining physician for all of the above-named orders except the F. and A. M., the Elks and the Essenics. He is now serving as school director for the tenth ward. On June 14, 1899, he was united in marriage with Miss Ada Byron Swindell, of Alle- gheny, the daughter of the late William Swindell. The following children bless this union: William E., born May 22, 1900, and Harold S., born Sept. 8, 1903. Dr. Wolfe's great-grandfather, Jacob Wolfe, was a native of Berks county, Pa., and a Revolution- ary patriot, having served under Washington at Brandywine and Valley Forge, and fought in many of the principal battles of the Rev- olution. He married Christina Kepple, and their children were: George, Michael, Mathias G., Jacob, John, Christina, Elizabetlı, Joseph, David and Solomon. Jacob Wolfe was a noted violinist, and had the honor of playing many times for General Washington. A reunion of the Wolfe family was held on Sept. 14, 1888, at which all the living members of the family were present, and an address was delivered by Findley P. Wolfe, a prominent attorney of Kit- tanning, Pa. This reunion was held at the old homestead in Alle-
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gheny township, amid the scenes so dear to the hearts of those who were reared there or in that vicinity, and recalled to the succeed- ing generations present many traditions of hardship and toil, and of perseverance and pleasures, which attended the lives there of those illustrious ancestors, who persistently braved the trials of pioneer life, that they and their posterity might enjoy the fruits of their toil.
REV. JOHN SZABO, a Greek Catholic priest, was born, April 15, 1861, at Vul- sinka, Ung Co, Hungary. He is a son of the late Michael and Cecilia (Fer- encsik) Szabo. His father was a priest before him, and his mother was the daughter of Michael Ferencsik, late bishop's consultor in north Turicza, Hun- gary. Father Szabo received his ele- mentary education partly from his father and in the schools of his native town. His higher education was acquired in different schools. The first four classes were taken in the Ungvar gymnasium, or college, the fifth in Iglo, the sixth in Szigeth, the seventh in Kesmark, and the eighth in Rozsnyo, where he received the "testimonium maturitatis," or col- lege diploma. For the next four years he attended the theological seminary of Ungvar, and while in this institution he distinguished himself by being awarded the highest honors in oratory. While in the seminary he was assigned as "cantus praefectus" for one year to teach the church singing. On Sept. 7, 1886, he was married to Amalia Danilovics, a member of the celebrated priest's family. On the 26th of the same month he was ordained to the priesthood by the late Greek Catholic bishop, John Kovacs de Pasztely, and soon after his ordination he was appointed military chaplain, with the rank of lieutenant, by Emperor Francis Joseph. His first parish, which he held for about eighteen months, was in Ignecz, Hungary. After that he was assistant priest in north Mihaly for three months, when he was appointed to take charge of the parish of Hribocz (Gombas), near the city of Munkacs, Hungary. He remained in charge of this parish for three and one-half years, when he came to America, through the effort of a lifelong friend, Rev. Eugene Volkay, of Pleasant City, Ohio, landing in the United States on July 16, 1892. At that time there were only twelve I-13
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Greek Catholic missionaries in the United States. Now there are sixty pastors and many fine churches in all parts of the country. His first work after arriving in this country was at Trenton, N. J., where he settled and where he organized a Greek Catholic congre- gation and erected a fine brick church. While stationed at Trenton he also organized the first Greek Catholic congregation of Philadel- phia, Pa. After about fourteen months at Trenton, he removed to Punxsutawney, Pa., and took charge of the Greek Catholics of seven counties. About this time he became the principal mover in the organization of societies in different parts of the country, known as the "Greek Catholic Union," which has a membership now of over 12,000. In this work and other missionary work, he visited all the eastern States as far as Salem, Mass. He traveled as far south as Birmingham, Ala. ; west to Denver and Pueblo, Col. ; to Whiting and. Diamond, Ind., and to St. Louis, Mo., and also through West Virginia. Reports of his work at these points were published in the Hungarian papers, such as the Gorog Kathol- ikus Szemle, the Listok, and the Karpati Lapok, the same being edited in his native country. He remained at Punxsutawney for seven and a half years, building a church and parish house during his stay. It was while here that he took out his naturalization papers in the Brookville court-house, and became an American citizen. On July 7, 1901, he took up his residence in Pittsburg, where he has charge of a Greek Catholic church on the South Side, located on Carson street, between Sixth and Seventh streets. This congregation numbers about 500 families with a total membership of nearly 5,000 people, most of whom are from the mother country of Hungary. In 1902 the church had a jubilee celebration, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Father Szabo's arrival in this country. Father Szabo and his wife have seven children-four boys and three girls. The boys are: Nicholas, Alexius, Dionisius and John. The girls are named Yolande, Irene and Magdalena. Nicholas is attending St. Vincent's college, Latrobe, Pa., and the others are students in the Pittsburg schools. Of the seven chil- dren, three-Nicholas, Yolande and Alexius-were born in Hun- gary, the others being born in this country. A brother of Father Szabo, the Very Rev. Orestes Szabo, is the rural dean of district Szt. Miklosiensis, in Seleszto, Hungary, where he also has a sister, Mrs. Maria Petricska. Father Szabo is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and speaks several European languages. Through his influence his brothers-in-law-Rev. Basilius Volosin, pastor of the Greek Catholic church at Passaic, N. J. ; Rev. John Hrabar, a
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Greek Catholic priest of Philadelphia, and Rev. John Danilovics, theologian of the Dunwoodie seminary, of New York, and some others-have been induced to come to this country. He is very enthusiastic over his newly-adopted country, for Puritan customs and humane institutions, for freedom of religion, and from the pulpit he often advises his people to become Americanized and to bless the Almighty that He gave to mankind the glorious "land of the free and the home of the brave."
PROF. FRED F. WILCOX, No. 19 Montgomery Ave., East, in the city of Allegheny, is attracting considerable attention on account of the success he is having in the treatment of diseases through magnetic healing. He was born and reared in Geneva, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, on July 9, 1855. Calvin C. and Emily A. Wilcox, old and respected resi- dents of Ashtabula county, were his par- ents. Professor Wilcox acquired his earlier education in Geneva's excellent public schools. After arriving at the age when all young men are usually anxious to get out into the world and make their mark, Mr. Wilcox decided to try his fortunes at railroading in the west, and although successful, he finally con- cluded that the transient nature of his work would never permit him to permanently locate in any one place; therefore, he resigned his position and turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, in which he was successfully engaged at Ashtabula, Ohio, for twelve years. As he had discovered, some time prior to disposing of his business in Ashtabula, that he possessed unusual magnetic power in curing disease, he decided to thenceforth devote his whole time to the practice of magnetic healing, and, until 1899, among his friends and acquaintances of a lifetime in Ashtabula, he demon- strated beyond the shadow of a doubt his remarkable power to cure the afflicted, as numerous testimonials will prove. Desiring a larger field, he determined to locate in Allegheny, and, since 1901, he has successfully practiced his profession there. He is a member of Geneva lodge, No. 334, F. and A. M., of Geneva, Ohio. Professor Wilcox might be termed a socialist, from a political standpoint, but he rarely takes any especial interest in politics.
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GEORGE L. SUTTER, of Pittsburg, Pa., a leading attorney-at-law, with offices at No. 409 Grant St., is a native of Pitts- burg, born Dec. 15, 1874, son of Louis and Amelia (Zeigler) Sutter, both born in Pittsburg, and now residing at Beaver Falls, Beaver Co., Pa. George L. Sutter acquired his rudimentary education in the graded and high schools of Beaver Falls, Pa., and later matriculated at Geneva college, where he was graduated in 1894, with the degree of bachelor of science. He studied law at the Univer- sity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated from that excellent institution in 1898. Mr. Sutter was admitted to the Alle- gheny county bar in December, 1898, and since has been continu- ously in the practice at Pittsburg, where he is a member of all courts and has a remunerative practice. He was married in Pitts- burg, June 11, 1902, to Emma C., daughter of William and Elizabeth Ruske, and their wedded life has been one of ideal felicity. Mr. Sutter is a member of Beaver Valley lodge, No. 478, of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is closely identified with that great order.
REV. STANLEY JASTRZEMBSKI, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic church of Carnegie, Pa., was born in Lomza city, Russian Poland, Nov. 17, 1872, and is the son of Anthony and Joanna (Kowalska) Jastrzembski. After attending the primary schools of his own town, he spent eight years at the classic gymnasium, or high school, and then entered the theological and philo- sophical seminary of Sejny, Poland, where he remained until he completed the five- year course. In 1896 he was ordained to the priesthood by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Casimir Ruszkiewicz, the ceremony taking place in the city of Warsaw. His first charge was as assistant priest in Turoil, Poland, where he remained for three years, and for the next two years he occupied a similar posi- tion at Biatszewo. By permission of Bishop Anthony Baranowski,
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of the diocese of Sejny, Father Jastrzembski came to the United States, landing in this country on June 25, 1902. For the first three months after his arrival here he was assistant priest at St. Josaphat's Roman Catholic church, on the South Side of the city of Pittsburg. From there he was transferred to St. Francis de Paul's rectory, at Ford City, Pa., as an assistant priest. Five months afterwards he came to Carnegie to take charge of the Immaculate Conception church, where he is now stationed and where his labors are being crowned with success.
THOMAS B. SCANDRETT, director of the department of public safety of Allegheny city, Pa., was born in that city, in 1859, and for a number of years has been identified with some of its lead- ing mercantile institutions. He is a son of William A. and Mary A. Scandrett, both of whom were born in Allegheny city. In 1868, while Thomas was in attendance at the third ward public school, his father was appointed warden of the Allegheny county jail for four years, and the family removed to Pitts- burg. In 1871 the boy finished his education in the second ward school of Pittsburg, and soon afterwards went to work for Joseph D. Weeks. Later he entered the employ of W. C. Armor, a prom- inent merchant, with whom he remained until 1880, when he went to the Goodwin Bros., of East Liverpool, Ohio, as boss warehouse- man and shipper in their crockery establishment. He stayed with the Goodwins until 1884, when he came back to Pittsburg as general manager for D. P. Collins, of the Pioneer five and ten-cent store. This position he held a number of years, but finally left it to accept a place with the Star Union Line railroad as clerk. On April 6, 1903, he was appointed to his present position of director of public safety. In 1886 he was married to Miss Lydia K. Moore, of Alliance, Ohio, and one daughter, Mary K., has been born to them. Mr. Scandrett is a member of Riddle lodge, No. 315, Free and Accepted Masons, of East Liverpool, Ohio, and is also a mem- ber of the Methodist church. In politics he is a republican, and takes an active interest in the movements of his party. He resides in the third ward of Allegheny city, at No. 1308 Esplanade St.
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REV. AUG. A. VOGT, associate priest at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church, Mt. Olivet, Pa., is a native of Dahm, Westphalia, Germany, where he was born Jan. 26, 1875. His parents were Frank and Elizabeth Vogt, both of whom were Westphalians. Father Vogt began his education by an attendance of seven years in the parish schools of Helden, Westphalia, after which he spent three years in the gymnasium at Attendoen, and, in 1893, he came to America. He finished his collegiate education by a two- and-one-half-year course at Herman, Butler Co., Pa. He then took a two-year course in philosophy and a three-year course in theology at St. Mary's seminary, Baltimore, Md., and, on July 7, 1900, was ordained in the priesthood at St. Vincent's college, Pittsburg, Pa. Since that time he has been associate priest at St. Joseph's church, where he has made many friends
JOHN E. KUHN, whose office is at No. 435 Diamond St., is a member of the Allegheny county bar and a native of the county. He was born in Versailles town- ship, Aug. 6, 1845, where his father, the late David Kuhn, then resided. His mother was Jane (Cavan) Kuhn. Mr. Kuhn acquired a good common-school education, and afterwards attended the Wooster university, Wooster, Ohio, from which he graduated in the class of 1871. He studied law in the office of James J.
Kuhn, of Pittsburg, and, on Jan. 6, 1874, was duly admitted to practice at the Allegheny county bar, and has since continued in active practice in Pittsburg. He is a mem- ber of all the courts and the county bar association. He was mar- ried in Pittsburg, on June 12, 1879, to Miss Bella Arthurs. They have but one child, James J. Mr. Kuhn is a member of Shady Side Presbyterian church. He resides in the twentieth ward, and is a republican in politics.
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JAMES DICKSON, gardener on Ne- ville island, was born April 30, 1822, on Prince Edward island, and is a son of William and Jane Dickson. He came to America with his parents in infancy, the family landing at Philadelphia and going thence by wagon to Pittsburg. The father, William Dickson, a Scotchman by birth, married Jane Patterson, and had by this union six children: David, Wil- liam, Peter, Margaret J., Mary Anne and James. Of these, only two are living, Margaret J. and the subject of this JAMES DICKSON. sketch. William Dickson was a car- penter by trade, an excellent mechanic, and helped erect many buildings in Pittsburg. He died in Allegheny at the age of eighty- four. His wife, also a native of Scotland, died in Pittsburg. James Dickson began to work at gardening on Neville island at an early age, and afterwards went into business for himself. The firm of James Dickson & Sons, gardeners, does now the most extensive business of the kind in Allegheny county, making large shipments to New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburg. They grow the finest asparagus in the market, and had the honor of supplying the asparagus for Prince Henry's banquet in Chicago in 1902. Their other principal products are rhubarb, lettuce and cucumbers. James Dickson was married, Oct. 13, 1842, to Miss Mary Hamilton, daughter of David and Mary Hamilton, and to them have been born eleven children, all of whom are living, viz .: William, Mary Anne, Jane P., Lizzie, David, John, Emma J., A. B. DICKSON, Maggie L., Algernon B., Finley S. and Wilson C. They have forty-two grandchildren and twenty-eight great-grandchildren. There have been only three deaths in the Dickson family in the past sixty years. Mrs. Dickson was born on Neville island, Oct. 15, 1822. Mr. Dickson is one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the county, and has always been a prominent man in his community, having held all the offices in his township. He was formerly an ardent whig, a supporter of Henry
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Clay and William H. Harrison, and since the death of the whig party has been a loyal republican. He is a Presbyterian in relig- ious belief, and, with his wife, was a charter member of the Neville Island Presbyterian church. He is a prominent and enthusiastic member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and is a Knight Templar and Shriner. He and his wife, both now eighty-two years old, are still hale and hearty. They have lived happily together for over sixty years.
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