USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume I > Part 20
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REV. FRANCIS J. McCABE, pastor of the Church of the Annunciation, Alle- gheny city, Pa., and son of Andrew and Mary Ann McCabe, was born in the town- ship of Gallin, parish of Killinkere, County Cavan, Ireland, Sept. 4, 1865. At the age of sixteen years he had com- pleted the course of study in the national schools, and then entered the seminary at Ballyjamesduff, where he studied rhetoric and the classics. After a four- year course in this institution, he passed the examination for admission to All Hallows' college, Drumcondra, Dublin. In that college his studies were logic and philosophy, which he prosecuted for two years, when he came to the United States. In July, 1887, shortly after arriving in this country, he began his theological studies in St. Vincent's seminary, at Beatty, Pa. He completed his studies here, and was ordained priest on May 28, 1890. After a few weeks' vacation, he was appointed by Rt. Rev. R. Phelan, bishop of the diocese of Pittsburg, to the office of assistant priest to the Rev. Matthew Carroll, at St. Andrew's church, Beaver avenue, Alle- gheny city, Pa. About July 1, 1892, he was ordered to leave St. Andrew's and take charge of St. Mary's church at Kittanning, Armstrong Co., Pa., where he remained a little more than six months, leaving there about the middle of January, 1893, and the same month organizing, under direction of his bishop, and taking charge of the new parish of the Annunciation in Allegheny city. Father McCabe applied himself with zeal to his task of building up a church in the new parish, and measured by results, he has cer-
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tainly succeeded. At the time of his taking charge there were only sixty-five Catholic families in the parish; now there are about 300 families, and the property of the church, on Norwood avenue, is worth more than $50,000.
WILLIAM G. MANNING, city assess- or of Allegheny city, Pa., is a man of varied attainments. He was born in the city of Pittsburg, in 1851, his parents being Richard and Elizabeth Manning, both of whom are now deceased, the for- mer departing this life in 1856, and the latter in 1898. Owing to the death of his father, William's opportunities to secure an education were somewhat cur- tailed, and while still in his boyhood, he started out to fight the battle of life for himself. His first employment was with the Fort Pitt glass company, of Pittsburg, where he stayed for two years. He then entered the employ of the Armstrong & Abby machine company, and in the four years that he was with them he became an accomplished machinist. A life in the machine shop was not to his liking, however, and he went into the rolling mill of Anderson & Woods, where he remained for eleven years. Next he was in the employ of Sloan & McIlvain, contractors and builders, for about eight years. For a little more than a year he was in charge of the lights and machinery of the Allegheny county jail, and, in April, 1903, he was appointed to his present position for a term of three years. Mr. Manning has always taken a lively interest in political affairs, acting invariably with the republican party. In 1884 he was elected to the common council of Allegheny city, and was re-elected in 1885, and again in 1886. He was then out for several years, but in 1898 he was again elected to the council, serving until 1901. In 1878 he was married to Miss Gertrude Schulte, of Alle- gheny city. Three daughters-Mary, Marguerite and Martha- have been born to them. Mr. Manning is a member of Lodge No. 128, of the National Union; the Allegheny Turnverein and the Troy Hill singing society. In the various business positions he has held he has been trusted by his employers, in his political rela- tions he has been respected, and in his lodge and club membership he is universally popular.
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LAFAYETTE WILLS, city clerk of Allegheny city, Pa., is a man whose ability and popularity are attested by the successes he has achieved both in busi- ness and politics. He was born in Alle- gheny city in 1868, his parents, Henry and Henrietta Wills, being well-known residents of the city. After a few years' attendance at the fourth ward school, Lafayette went to work in the Chambers glass house, in the South Side of Pitts- burg, where he remained for five years. For the next seven years he was con- nected with the Armstrong cork company, of Pittsburg. He then learned the machinists' trade with James Reese & Son, of Pitts- burg, serving an apprenticeship of four years. In 1892 he was appointed clerk to the city comptroller of Allegheny city, holding that position until November, 1901, when he was elected city clerk for the unexpired term of one year. Mr. Wills is an enthusiastic republican, and is recognized as one of the most faithful and effi- cient of the party workers in Allegheny county. He is a member of both the city and county republican committees, and his eleva- tion to the office of city clerk is but a fitting reward for his long continued party services. He belongs to Allegheny lodge, No. 339, B. P. O. Elks, and is one of its most popular members.
REV. FRANCIS GLOJNARIC, pastor of the Croatian Roman Catholic Church of St. Nicholas, Millvale, Allegheny city, Pa., is a native of Cresnjevec, Croatia, Austria-Hungary, where he was born in 1864. In early life he decided to enter the priesthood, educated himself for that purpose in the schools of his native land, and was ordained at Zagreb in 1887. Until 1894 he had charge of a church in Croatia. Then, knowing that a large number of his countrymen were in Amer- ica without the services of a priest who could speak their mother tongue, he sailed for this country. Upon arriving in the United States, he went directly to Allegheny city, where he was at once placed in charge of the old St. Nicholas'
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church on Ohio street. In 1900 he took charge of the present parish at Millvale, a parish representing nearly 2,000 members. Since becoming the pastor of this congregation, he has built a church and a school building at a cost of about $54,000. Father Glojnaric is a tireless worker, and his work is a labor of love rather than one of ambition. Although he takes pleasure in the thought that his people are well provided for in the way of a house of wor- ship and a school building, he derives far more real pleasure from the knowledge that they are comfortable in their homes and spiritually happy.
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JOHN GRAEBING, Jr., assessor of Allegheny city, Pa., was born in what is now the third ward of that city, in 1845. His parents were John and Frederika Graebing, both of whom are now de- ceased. He attended the public school in the third ward, and afterwards a pri- vate institution, studying both English and German. His first position was with the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago railway, as a clerk in the offices of the company. About 1859 he went with his father to Beaver county, Pa., where he was engaged in the hotel business until 1869, when his father was elected sheriff of Beaver county, and he became a deputy in the office for a term of four years. Upon leaving the sheriff's office he acted as bookkeeper and secretary of several institutions, and con- tinued in this position until 1879, when he went to Pittsburg and took up the business of real estate dealer and mortgage broker. This business he conducted successfully until April, 1903, when he was appointed assessor of the city. Mr. Graebing is a solid repub- lican in all matters pertaining to politics, and for the last ten years has been a member of the Allegheny county and city republican committees. In 1899 he was elected to the common council from the fifth ward, and was re-elected in 1903. In 1866 he was married to Miss Lucinda McKnight, of Beaver county. Six children were born to this union : John C., Harry, Emma, Grace, Samuel W. and Frank. All except Frank are still living. Mrs. Graebing died in 1901. Mr. Graebing is a member of St. James' lodge, No. 459, Free and Accepted Masons, of Beaver county; Eureka chapter, No. 167, and Allegheny commandery, No. 35, Knights Templars.
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He is also a member of the Odd Fellows, Elks, Heptasophs, Home Circle, and several other orders. Mr. Graebing and family are members of the Third United Presbyterian church of Allegheny city.
ROBERT K. COCHRANE, the sixth- ward member of the common council of Allegheny city, Pa., and a well-known contractor and builder, has passed his entire life in Allegheny county, having been born in the sixth ward of Allegheny" city in 1872. His first schooling was obtained in that ward, and afterwards he took a course in Curry university, Pitts- burg, graduating in 1889. During the three years immediately following his graduation, he was the bookkeeper for the Western Pennsylvania phonograph company, of Pittsburg, and for the next five years he was with the Sherriff machinery company, also of Pittsburg. He was then with Fried & Rieneman, pork packers, of Pittsburg, until April 1, 1901. His mother, Katherine Cochrane, died in 1893, and the death of his father, George A. Cochrane, occurring on Oct. 25, 1900, he and his brother, George A., Jr., formed a partnership to carry on their father's business, which was well established. This partnership took effect on April 1, 1901, and still continues. Robert Cochrane is a steadfast republican in all things pertaining to partisan poli- tics, and was elected on that ticket, in February, 1903, to represent his ward in the common council, where he is on the committees on library, corporations and public works. Mr. Cochrane is a mem- ber of Allegheny lodge, No. 223, Free and Accepted Masons; Alle- gheny chapter, No. 217, Royal Arch Masons; Allegheny com- mandery, No. 35, Knights Templars; Syria temple, of Pittsburg, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Allegheny lodge, No. 339, B. P. O. Elks, and Manchester council, No. 124, Independent Order of United American Mechanics. He is also a member and one of the trustees of the Sixth United Presbyterian church of Allegheny city. He belongs to the Brighton country club and is an influ- ential member of the Americus republican club. In 1891 he was married to Miss Pearl Cassilly, of Allegheny city, and to this union have been born three children, George A., Robert K. and Helen V., all of whom are now attending school. In all the differ-
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ent lines of business in which Mr. Cochrane has been engaged he has been successful. Quick to grasp a situation, he soon masters the intricacies of whatever he undertakes. Although less than three years have elapsed since he and his brother succeeded to their father's business, they have managed it with such skill and judg- ment that the firm is well and favorably known, and is on the high- road to prosperity.
THOMAS W. HARVEY, banker and member of the common council of Alle- gheny city, representing the sixth ward, was born in the city of Pittsburg, Pa., in 1864. His parents were Richard and Elizabeth Harvey, the former of whom passed away in 1897, but the latter is still living. When Mr. Harvey was about three years of age the family removed to Allegheny city, locating in the sixth ward. There he received his first instruc- tion in the public school of the ward, com- pleting the course of study when he was eighteen. He then graduated from Duff's commercial college, Pittsburg, and took a position in the financial department of the Cleveland & Pittsburg railroad, where he rose to be chief clerk of the department. After leaving the railroad offices, he spent one year as traveling salesman for a wholesale glass house, and then went into the cashier's department of the Pennsylvania railroad, in the offices at Pittsburg. He remained in this position until 1888, when he went into the Enterprise National bank, at No. 1601 Beaver Ave., Allegheny city, as teller, and is still connected with this bank, holding the position of teller and assistant cashier. Politically, Mr. Harvey is a steadfast republican. For four years he was a member of the sixth ward school board, and, in February, 1903, he was one of three straight republicans elected from that ward to the common council. His appointment to the council com- mittees on finance and corporations was a fitting recognition of his qualifications for such a position -- qualifications acquired and developed by years of training and experience in the railroad offices and the bank. Mr. Harvey is a familiar figure at all Masonic gatherings in Allegheny city and Pittsburg. He is a member of Stuckrath lodge, No. 430; Allegheny chapter, No. 217; Allegheny commandery, No. 35, Knights Templars, and Syria temple, Nobles
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of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Humboldt associa- tion, No. 445, Royal Arcanum; Pittsburg conclave, No. 89, Inde- pendent Order of Heptasophs; Zion lodge, No. 1057, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Fourth United Presbyterian church of Allegheny city. In October, 1885, he was married to Miss Jessie McElwee, and to them have been born five children, Thomas E., Laura V., George B., Grace E. and Arthur W. Mrs. Harvey, like her husband, is a native of Allegheny county, where her family is well known.
PETER BOLSTER, alderman of the thirteenth ward of Allegheny city, Pa., is a native of Bavaria. In 1847, when he was but seventeen years of age, his par- ents came to America and settled at Gettysburg, Pa., and later at Reading, Pa. His father and mother, Frederick and Mary Bolster, both lived to a good old age, the former dying in 1886, and the latter in 1887. Peter received his education in the Reading public schools, after which he was apprenticed to a mason to learn the trade. He served his time- and worked at his trade in Reading until 1860, when he removed to Allegheny city, located in the third ward, and went to work as a bricklayer. In 1863 he was elected constable of the third ward and served for two years, when he was appointed to a place on the police force by Mayor John Morrison. He was soon promoted to lieutenant of police, and later to a captaincy, serving in that capacity until 1869, when he was elected alderman of his ward. He was re-elected at each succeeding election until 1879, when he became deputy sheriff, holding the position for three years. He was then appointed United States storekeeper at the Guckenheimer distillery for a term of four years. At the expira- tion of that time he removed to the seventh ward, and was soon afterwards appointed health officer, serving several years. In 1890 he changed his residence to the thirteenth ward, where he was elected alderman under Governor McGarie, was re-elected under Governor Hastings, and again under Governor Stone. During this time Mr. Bolster was a school director for twelve years, a good portion of the time being president of the third ward school board. In September, 1851, he was married to Miss Nancy Amsly, who
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died in September, 1858, leaving four children. About a year after the death of his first wife he was married to Miss Eva E. Kleihn, and to this marriage there were born nine children, three of whom -Retina E., Louis and Emilie-are still living. His second wife passed away on March 14, 1903, leaving him for the second time a widower. Mr. Bolster is a member of Jefferson lodge, No. 288, F. and A. M. ; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Granite lodge, No. 664, and Kurner lodge, No. 45, Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the German Lutheran church. For some time he was president of the church organization, and is now a member of the board of trustees. Politically, he has always been a repub- lican, and as such he has held his various official positions.
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JOHN HOCK, the thirteenth-ward member of the select council of Alle- gheny city, Pa., was born in the second ward of that city in 1863. His parents were Adam and Katherine Hock, both of whom are now deceased, the latter dying in 1880 and the former in 1892. As a boy, John attended the Name of Jesus parochial school, in which he acquired his education. Upon leaving school, he started in to learn the cabinet-makers' trade.
Circumstances, however, con- strained him to change his occupation, and during the next few years he was successively employed in a grocery, a shoe store and a machine shop. He then spent four years in learning the cabinet-makers' trade, and later learned the business of paper-hanging. In 1889 he opened a wall-paper store at No. 63 Lourie St., which he conducted until 1894, when he started his hotel and place of entertainment at No. 225 Lourie St., in which he has ever since continued. Although Mr. Hock has thus been engaged in different lines of business, it must not be inferred that he is a "Jack of all trades and good at none," for in all his ventures he has been measurably successful, and has accu- mulated enough of this world's goods to render him, if not inde- pendent, at least comfortable. On all questions of a political nature he acts with the democratic party, and his political standing may be seen in the fact that in 1899 he was elected to the common council, and in 1901 to the select council, from the thirteenth ward. In the select council he was appointed on the committees
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of public works, public safety and grade crossings, three of the most important of the standing committees. He was married, Aug. 1, 1893, to Miss Mary Walsh, of Allegheny city, Pa., and four children have been born to the union, Mary, John, Anna and Joseph. Mr. Hock is a member of the Holy Name Roman Cath- olic church. In both church and political circles he has a large number of acquaintances, who esteem him for his real worth, and who, knowing his merits, are ready to entrust him with the man- agement of their affairs.
JOHN H. KEANE, a plumber of Alle- gheny city, Pa., is one of the representa- tive young business men of that city. He was born there in 1870, and received his education in the Sacred Heart and the St. Andrew's schools. His first work was in a steel mill, where he was employed for about three years, after which he was for a few months in the sheet-iron depart- ment of the Righter & Connelly works. In 1888 he started in to learn the plumb- ing trade with Henry Fishering, one of the leading plumbers of Allegheny city, but a year later changed to the shop of Weldon & Kelly, of Pitts- burg. He remained with this firm for five years, during which time he learned the trade thoroughly, and, in 1894, went into the business for himself, locating at No. 696 Preble Ave., Allegheny city. At the close of a year he sold out to George Davis and went to Frankfort, Ky., opening a plumbing establishment there. He soon returned to Allegheny city, however, and bought a partner- ship interest in the old house with Mr. Davis, where he still con- tinues. In 1902 the firm removed to their present commodious quarters at No. 655 Preble Ave. Mr. Keane is a democrat, and is recognized as one of the leaders of that party in the ninth ward, where he resides. In February, 1901, he was elected to the com- mon council, and, in 1903, he was re-elected by a decisive majority, the general opinion being that he was an able and trustworthy representative of the ward. In the council he was appointed on the committees on corporations, grade crossings and public works. On Christmas day, in 1893, he was married to Miss Rose G. Hannan, of Allegheny city, and one son, William H. Keane, has been born to them. Mr. Keane is a member of Allegheny lodge,
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No. 339, B. P. O. Elks, and Lodge No. 285, Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of St. Andrew's Catholic church, at which he and his family are regular attendants.
RICHARD McCORMICK, a promi- nent democratic politician of the first ward of Allegheny city, Pa., was born at Richmond, Va., June 1, 1862, and is the son of Dillian J. and Bridget McCormick. When Richard was about three years old the family removed to Wheeling, W. Va., where he attended the parochial schools, securing a fair education, after which he went to work in the Riverside iron works, while still in his boyhood. At the age of seventeen he had learned the trade of a puddler and had charge of a furnace. He remained with the Riverside iron works until he was nearly twenty-two years old, when he went to Pittsburg, where for the next four years he was in the employ of Chess, Cook & Co. and Jones & Laughlin. Returning to Wheeling, he was for some time with the Whitaker iron company, when he was appointed keeper at the West Virginia State prison, and was shortly afterwards pro- moted to the position of deputy warden. He surrendered the place after a few months and worked at his trade for Lindsley & Mccutcheon, of Allegheny, until 1889. In the meantime he repre- sented Royal lodge, No. 34, Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, at the national conventions of 1887 and 1888. In 1889 he took a position with the National tube company, in the furnace department of the Mckeesport works. In 1892 he left the tube works to become a fireman on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. Two years later he became associated with the banking house of N. Holmes & Son, of Pittsburg, remaining with them until 1895, when he was granted a license to conduct a hotel in East Pittsburg. His establishment there, which he conducted until 1900, was fitted up at an outlay of about $40,000, being one of the best appointed in that section of the city. In 1900 he was a candidate for the legislature, and on account of political considerations a renewal of his license was refused. Mr. McCormick then bought his present place of business, at No. 105 Ohio St., Allegheny city, which he has ever since conducted. For ten years he has been a member of the democratic county committee, and takes an active part in all politi-
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cal movements, especially those bearing on city and county govern- ment. In 1903 he represented the first district in the democratic State convention at Harrisburg. On March 25, 1882, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary Campbell, of Wheeling, W. Va. They have one son, Dillian J. McCormick, who was graduated in 1902 from Mt. St. Mary's college, located at Emmetsburg, Md., and who is now a member of the Allegheny county engineering corps. The young man bids fair to follow in his father's footsteps. Mr. McCormick is an influential member of the Allegheny county liquor league, representing that organization in the legislature of 1901. He is also a prominent life member of Allegheny lodge, No. 339, B. P. O. Elks. Both father and son are well known in Allegheny city, where those who know them best will testify to their worth and popularity as citizens.
DR. FRANK H. FREDERICK, one of the leading young physicians of Alle- gheny city, and councilman of the fifth ward, was born in Richmond, Ohio, in 1870. He attended the district school in his boyhood days, and at the age of six- teen became the teacher of the same school. When he was seventeen years old he entered Richmond college, took the full four-year course, and graduated in 1891. He spent one term in the col- lege at Delaware, Ohio, and began his medical education in the Western Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. In 1897 he received his degree of M. D. from the university, and for the next year was interne in the Alle- gheny general hospital. In 1898 he opened an office for the gen- eral practice of medicine at No. 1335 Rebecca St., Allegheny city, where he is still located, and where he has built up a large practice. Although his first consideration is for his patients and in keeping up with the march of medical progress, Dr. Frederick still finds time to take an interest in matters relating to public policy. He is particularly interested in having a good local government, and his activity along this line led to his election to the common council, in February, 1903. He was elected on the straight republican ticket, having affiliated with that party ever since he reached his majority. As a member of the council, he was appointed to places on the committees on corporations and finance, two of the leading
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committees of the municipal legislature. Dr. Frederick is well known in fraternal orders, being a member of Stuckrath lodge, No. 430, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Pittsburg consis- tory, in which he holds the rank of a thirty-second degree Mason; Allegheny lodge, No. 339, B. P. O. Elks, and Ethel conclave, No. 314, Order of Heptasophs. He was married, in 1899, to Miss Mary Patterson, of Allegheny city, an estimable lady, who shares with him his triumphs and sympathizes with him in his troubles.
MICHAEL J. BROWN, the proprietor of the Hotel Brown, at No. 615 Preble Ave., Allegheny city, Pa., was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1854. His parents, John and Josephine Brown, are both deceased. When Michael was a small boy the family removed to Alle- gheny city, where he has resided ever since. He received his education in the public schools of the ninth ward, after which he began his business life as an employe of the Oliver & Lewis manu- facturing company, in their hinge factory. From that time until about fourteen years ago he worked in the various-mills of the county. He then assumed the management of the Hotel Brown, which he conducted for his mother until 1891, when he took full control, and has continued in that business until the present time. Under his management the Hotel Brown has become one of the popular hostelries of the city, as he has a kind word for every one and is attentive to the wants of his guests. He was married, in 1901, to Mary (Woods) Murphy, of Allegheny city, who is as popular with the patrons of the hotel as her genial husband. Mr. Brown is one of the best-known democrats of the ninth ward, and has been twice elected to represent the ward in the select council, the first time in 1897, and the second in 1901. As a member of the select council, he was honored by a place on some of the most important committees, being one of the com- mittee on public works, the committee on public safety and the committee on public corporations. His record as a councilman is characteristic of the man. It is an open book, in which one may read of his sterling integrity, his ready grasp of public questions, and his devotion to public duty.
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