USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume I > Part 27
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FRANK J. McPARTLAND, proprie- tor of the Junction hotel, on the River road, near Braddock bridge, was born in Connellsville, Pa., July 23, 1874. He is a son of Charles and Mary (Collins) McPartland, both of whom are natives of Ireland, but came to this country in 1867. They settled at Connellsville, where the father worked in the mines until 1893, when he retired and removed to Mifflin township, where he still resides. They had eleven children, seven of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Anna, wife of William Collins; Margaret, wife of James H. White; Mary, wife of J. G. Guffey; Frank J. ; John, who died in the Philippine islands while in the service of the United States during the Spanish- American war, Thomas and Charles. Frank J. McPartland was reared in Connellsville, where he attended the parochial schools,
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securing a good, practical education. He began life on his own ac- count as a miner, but worked at that occupation only a short time, changing it for the more congenial one of bookkeeper in a grocery store at Homestead, where he remained for seven years. In 1901 he entered into his present business, which he has ever since success- fully conducted, his hotel being one of the most popular places of entertainment in Allegheny county. Mr. McPartland is a member of St. Mary Magdalene's Catholic church, of Homestead. He takes a great interest and an active part in political matters, being one of the most energetic republicans in Mifflin township. He is frequently called upon to serve as judge of the election, is now a member of the county central committee, and has repeatedly repre- sented his district in political conventions.
JESSE S. LANTZ, who for nearly twenty years has been a steel melter in the Homestead steel works, was born in Wheeling, W. Va., Aug. 29, 1865, and is the son of Jesse and Mary (Heppert) Lantz. When he was about one year old, his parents came to Allegheny county, Pa., where he has lived ever since. Up to the age of fourteen years he attended the common schools and then went to work in the coal mines, following this occupation for about five years, when he entered the Homestead steel works and learned the trade at which he is now employed. On Sept. 29, 1885, he was married to Miss Bertha, the daughter of Louis and Elizabeth (Ries) Dierstein, of Mifflin township, and they have four children living: Bertha, Elmer, Earl and Mabel. In 1889 Mr. Lantz became a resident of Whitaker, where he has ever since resided and where he owns valuable property which he has accu- mulated by his industry and frugal habits. He is a member of Whitaker tent, No. 425, Knights of the Maccabees, and in politics is independent. Young men can learn a useful lesson from the life of Jesse S. Lantz. Born of humble parentage and forced by circumstances to begin life for himself at an early age, he has over- come all obstacles, until now, while still less than forty years of age, he is in a measure independent. While others have com- plained of ill luck or hard times, he has boldly faced the situation and successfully solved the problem of human life. Among his
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neighbors, he is honored and respected, because he has demon- strated by his example the value of industry and self-reliance. By a faithful discharge of his duties, he has won the regard of his employers, as is shown by his long service in the employ of one of the greatest concerns of its kind in the country.
CHARLES FREDERICK GOLD. STROHM, of Duquesne, Pa., a promi- nent and progressive citizen, was born within what is now the limits of that borough, Nov. 14, 1854, son of Konrad and Rosina (Pfaff) Goldstrohm, natives of Hesse Darinstadt, Germany, who came to America in 1849, married in New York city, and settled in Mifflin town- ship, Allegheny Co., Pa., in 1852. There the elder Goldstrohm followed the occupation of a farmer for three years, and then embarked in the butchers' busi- ness at Deutschtown, where he continued with much success until 1891, when he retired from business and removed to a farm, where he died in 1894, at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a son of Youst and Barbara Goldstrohm, the latter dying in 1859, and one year later the former came to America, located at Elizabeth, Pa., where he resided until his death, in 1881, at the age of eighty-six years. The maternal grandfather of our subject was John Pfaff, who came to America in 1872, and died in New York city three months after his arrival. Konrad Goldstrohm reared a family of ten children, viz. : August, Charles F., Konrad, Frederick; Louisa, wife of William McKelravey; Heinrich, William S. ; Rosina, wife of Washington Daff; Emma and Katherina, deceased. Charles F. Goldstrohm was reared in Mifflin township, educated in the com- mon schools, and began his business career as a farmer, driving a milk wagon and later driving a meat wagon for his father. In 1874 he embarked in the meat business on his own account, in which he continued until 1892; then for four years was in the real estate and loan business; from 1896 to 1898 operated a coal works in Jefferson township, formerly owned by Thomas Foster, his father-in-law, and has since devoted his attention to the real estate and loan business at Duquesne, in which he has met with unusual success. He was happily married, on Aug. 31, 1877, to Christiana B., daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Bayne) Foster, of
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Coal Valley, and they have nine living children, viz. : Pressley R., Thomas F., Nellie, Charles F., Jr., Grover C., Vila G., Zila G., Christiana B. and Karl J. A. Mr. Goldstrohm was reared in the Lutheran church, but his family are members of the United Pres- byterian church. Mr. Goldstrohm is a prominent democrat, served as postmaster of Dravosburg under Cleveland's first administration, had the Duquesne postoffice established, and for four years he was president of the board of health of that borough, and is treasurer of the National beneficial association of Pennsylvania. He is closely connected with the advancement and progress of that part of the county, and is a man upon whom the community relies to take a leading part in any movement for the good of the borough that promises to be of a solid and substantial character.
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JOSEPH KENNEDY, of Duquesne, Pa., a retired gardener and one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of that borough, was born in Indiana county, Pa., Oct. 9, 1831, son of David and Catherine (Snyder) Kennedy. When twelve years of age, Mr. Kennedy came to Allegheny county, and for several years was employed in the mills in vari- ous capacities, and later began mining coal for W. H. Brown & Co., miners, with whom he remained for seventeen years. About 1866 he located in Mifflin township, there engaged in farming on an extensive scale, and about 1873 purchased a farm of seventy acres, on which is now located the borough of Duquesne. Mr. Kennedy sold his farm for manufacturing sites, and nearly thirty acres of the original place is now occupied by the Carnegie steel works. He has been promi- nently identified with the growth and progress of the borough, having erected nineteen houses, and otherwise been instrumental in its advancement and prosperity. Mr. Kennedy was married, on Oct. 14, 1852, to Priscilla, daughter of Joseph and Jane (McFar- land) Burchfield, of Pittsburg, and they have had the following children, viz. : Joseph B. ; David; Anna, wife of Howard L. Black; Katie (deceased), wife of Samuel Kelly; William; Charles; Lillian, wife of James O. Reneker; John; Fannie (deceased), Frank (de- ceased) and Auriles. Mr. Kennedy and his wife are consistent members of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Duquesne,
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and were among the founders of that organization, which now has a large membership and of which Mr. Kennedy was an officer for many years. His political affiliations are with the republican party, and for three years he was a member of the school board of Mifflin township. Mr. Kennedy is one of the substantial citizens of that part of the county, and commands the respect and esteem of all who know him.
EMIL W. NEU, of Homestead, Pa., senior member of the firm of Neu & Weber, sanitary plumbers, was born at Winona, Minn., Aug. 15, 1866, son of Christian Neu, who was born on July 4, 1843, at Kreishunfeldt, Kuhrhessen, Ger- many. He emigrated to America, land- ing in New York on July 4, 1857, and immediately proceeded to Pittsburg, where he learned the bakers' trade. Christian Neu served three years and three months in the Union army during the Civil war, being a member of Com- pany G, 74th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, and was so severely wounded while doing scout duty at Freeman's Ford, that he was" left on the field for dead. Subsequently he partially revived, was sent to the hospital and completely cured of his wounds, and at the end of his service received an honorable discharge. He returned to Pittsburg, resumed his trade, and, in 1865, married Maria Bieber, a native of the same place in Germany as was her husband, but who came to America on Sept. 9, 1863, and located in Pitts- burg. Christian Neu was in business for himself on the South Side, Pittsburg, for eight months and then moved to Winona, Minn., where he conducted a baking establishment for fifteen years. In 1881 he returned to Pittsburg, re-established himself in the baking business on the South Side, and there prospered until his death, April 2, 1891. His family consisted of eight children, viz. : Emil W., Adolph G .; Fredericka, wife of Louis Will; Louisa, wife of Charles Kessler; Alexander, William, Alfred and Harry. Emil W. Neu was reared in Winona and Pittsburg, attended the public schools of both cities, and received his commercial training at Duff's business college, Pittsburg. In 1884 he began his busi- ness career as clerk and bookkeeper in a Pittsburg plumbing shop, acted in that capacity for five years, and then served an appren-
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ticeship at the plumbing trade, which he completed in three years. In April, 1892, Mr. Neu came to Homestead, where he managed the plumbing establishment of Louis Heilig for two years, and then, with Henry W. Harmeier, purchased the business of Mr. Heilig, which they conducted under the firm name of Neu & Harmeier. They prospered in that venture, and the firm was con- tinued until Jan. 1, 1902, when Mr. Harmeier disposed of his inter- ests to George H. Metcalfe and Joseph A. Weber, and the business was run under the name of E. W. Neu & Co. until March 16, 1903, when the style of the firm became Neu & Weber. Mr. Neu was happily married, Nov. 25, 1891, to Annie, daughter of Bernard Krebs, of Pittsburg, and they have one living daughter, Irene. Mr. Neu is prominently identified with the Royal Arcanum, the Order of Americus, the Independent fire company, No. I, and the Turn and Gesang-Verein Eintracht. Mr. Neu is a prosperous and progressive business man, a good citizen, and a provident husband and father.
MICHAEL FRANCIS MUELLER, of Duquesne, Pa., pastor of St. Agnes' Roman Catholic church at Thompson's Run, Mifflin township, Allegheny Co., Pa., was born at Luxemburg, Germany, June 27, 1864, son of John and Anna (Steinmetz) Mueller, who came to Amer- ica in 1870, locating at Kirby, Wyandot Co., Ohio, where Father Mueller was reared to manhood. He attended the parochial schools of that section, then the college conducted by the Jesuits at Detroit, Mich., where he completed his classical and philosophical training. He received his theological education at St. Vincent's, near Latrobe, Pa., and was ordained to the priesthood in 1893, in St. Paul's cathedral, by Bishop Phelan. His first charge was as assistant to Rev. J. B. Duffner, at the Holy Name church, Troy Hill, Allegheny city; then was assistant to Rev. Joseph Suhr, at SS. Peter and Paul's church of Pittsburg, where he was for one and a half years; next was sent as pastor, pro tempore, to St. Joseph's church at Verona, where he remained for fifteen months. The next two years were spent in charge of St. Alphonsus' church at Wexford, Allegheny county, and, in 1900, Father Mueller was assigned to his present charge. St. Agnes'
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church was organized about 1867, with a membership of forty families, and now has about 120 families, although the membership was much larger prior to the erection of churches at Duquesne and Homestead, both of which have drawn from St. Agnes' member- ship. The present church edifice was erected in 1866 at a cost of $12,000, and has a seating capacity of 400. The parochial school is in fine condition, with an attendance of 120 pupils, and in every way is a high class institution. There is also a splendid parochial residence and a home for the sisters. Father Mueller organized the Ladies' Christian mutual benevolent association in 1902, which has forty-eight members, and gives promise of much usefulness in the future.
FREDERICK WILLIAM PIRL, of Duquesne, Pa., senior member of the firm of Pirl & Kroeger, general blacksmiths, and burgess of that borough, was born in Mifflin township, Allegheny county, June 22, 1867, son of Frederick and Catherine (Goldstrom) Pirl, natives of Germany, where they were married, and about 1850 came to the United States and settled in Mifflin township. There the elder Pirl worked as a coal-miner for sev- eral years, later purchased a farm and resided on the same until his death, Feb. 15, 1891, at the age of sixty-nine years. He reared a family of seven children, viz. : Margaret, wife of Henry Habermann; Mary, wife of Charles Fletcher; Rosie, wife of Fred J. Koler; Catherine, wife of Henry Doney; William; Louisa, wife of William Auberle, and Frederick W. The last five children were born in the same house, which now stands in the second ward of Duquesne. Frederick W. Pirl was reared on the old farm homestead, which he now owns, and attended the Germantown public school, and also spent three years in the public schools of Pittsburg. In 1885 he began his apprenticeship at the blacksmiths' trade in Mckeesport, and served three years, after which he worked as a journeyman until 1890, when he went to the oil fields of Venango county, Pa., where he remained for two years. In 1892 he located in Duquesne and embarked in the blacksmith business as a member of the firm of Pirl & Evans, which partnership continued for one year, when he purchased Mr. Evans' interests and conducted the business
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under his own name. He prospered in that venture, and, in 1899, sold an interest in his concern to William Kroeger, and they have since met with much success under the firm name of Pirl & Kroeger. Mr. Pirl was married, Sept. 25, 1893, to Jean, daughter of William and Jean (Frazer) Minford, of Wood Run, Washington Co., Pa., and they have five children, viz. : Catherine, Carl, Louisa, Jean and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Pirl are members of the Presby- terian church, and he is a member of the Elks, Odd Fellows and Masons. He is also a director of the First National bank of Duquesne, served ten years in the council, and is now burgess of the borough.
JOSEPH SUBASIC, of Allegheny city, Pa., director of the American baking company, of Millvale, was born in Croatia, Austria, May 11, 1854, son of Marquis and Mary (Dokman) Subasic. He was educated in the public schools of his native land, and when fourteen years of age went to Germany and there was in business for fifteen.years. He came to the United States in 1885, and was employed in Bennett's rolling mill for six years; then was stationary engineer for Banerlein brewing company for six years, and, in 1900, became a director of the American baking com- pany, of Millvale. Mr. Subasic has served as treasurer, for the last four years, of the National Croasian society, which has 16,000 members, and during 1902 above $150,000 passed through his hands. He is also president of St. Nickolas Croasian church of Allegheny city, and of the St. Cirilus and Matod societies of that city. He was married, in 1879, to Mary Bestig, of Austria, and they have had twelve children, of whom the following are living, viz. : Barbara, wife of Joseph Liebig; Mary; Joseph, a student of St. Mary's parochial school; John, attending the same institution; Emma, student at the eighth ward school; William and Anna, at home. He is a member of St. Nickolas Catholic church of Allegheny city, the Croasian German Military Shrine, the National Union, and of the republican party. Mr. Subasic is regarded as a successful business man and is a citizen of high standing, as evidenced by the numerous positions of honor and trust which he has held.
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HENRY H. BUENTE was born at No. 847 Main St., in the fourth ward, Allegheny city, March 1, 1848. He is a son of John H. and Rosina C. (Speilmyer) Buente, daughter of John H. Speilmyer. John H. Buente was born in Osenbruck, Hanover, Germany, Jan. 31, 1822; came to the United States in July, 1840, and learned the trade of plasterer, which occupation he followed for the remainder of his life. Rosina C. (Speilmyer) Buente was born in Fenna, Hanover, Germany, Jan. 8, 1827, and came to America at a very early age with her parents, who settled in Pitts- burg on Dec. 20, 1836. John H. Buente and Rosina C. Speilmyer were married, July 3, 1845, in Pittsburg, and moved to the fourth ward, Allegheny city, the same year. To them were born six chil- dren: William H., who died in infancy; Henry H., Edward A. ; Rosina H., now Mrs. George Riddle; John F. and William A., all of Allegheny. John H. Buente enlisted in Company F, 61st regi- ment, Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, Aug. 1, 1861, and was killed in the battle of Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862. Henry H. Buente's paternal grandfather was a native of Hanover, Germany, and was a farmer by occupation. His maternal grandfather came to America in 1836, was a carpenter by occupation, and died of yel- low fever while on a steamboat trip down the Mississippi, and was buried upon its shores, in 1837. Henry H. Buente, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the fourth ward public school of Alle- gheny, where he graduated. He afterwards attended night school, but was obliged to discontinue at the age of thirteen, when his father went to the war. He went to work in the tobacco factory of IV. & D. Rinehart, on Wood street, Pittsburg, where he remained one and one-half years. From there he found employment in the Samuel Reynolds malleable iron works, Allegheny city, and remained in that position for the same length of time. He was next employed in Shoenberg's horseshoe mill, Pittsburg, operat- ing a steam-hammer for nearly four years. Mr. Buente then decided to enter business for himself, and, accordingly, took up the wholesale and retail tobacco business in Allegheny city, where, two years later, he became interested in real estate. This occupa- tion he followed for seven years. In company with his brother, Edward A. Buente, he engaged in the retail grocery business in
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1877 under the firm name of Buente & Bro., in Allegheny city, in which he was very successful. He retired, however, in 1888 on account of impaired health. In 1889 Mr. Buente was first elected to the Allegheny city common council from the second ward for a term of two years, and was re-elected in 1891 and 1893, retiring from politics in 1895. He was appointed superintendent of the Carnegie library buildings on Oct. 1, 1895, which position he con- tinues to hold. As such he has charge of the entire building, with a staff of ten assistants. Mr. Buente was married to Wilhelmina
G. Myers, daughter of Henry Myers, of North Huntingdon town- ship, Westmoreland county, on Oct. 1, 1874. To them have been born two children: Ida H., born Jan. 20, 1877, married to Charles E. Mckenry, and lives in the East End, Pittsburg; and Frank H., born May 5, 1881, educated at Williams' business col- lege, and is now bookkeeper for R. J. Steenson & Co., of Alle- gheny city. Mr. Buente is a republican in politics, and has held many honorable positions in the councils of his party. In religious belief Mr. Buente and his family are Lutherans, and are members of the Bethel church of that denomination. Mr. Buente is also a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., Wm. Thaw council, No. 396; Improved Order of Heptasophs, Beaver avenue conclave, No. 83, and of Citizens' auxiliary, Post No. 88, G. A. R. Mr. Buente is a very affable gentleman, and highly esteemed by all who know him.
NICK ACKERMAN, of Whitaker, Pa., a successful contractor and builder, was born in Mifflin township, Allegheny county, March 11, 1863, son of Adam and Annie (Cramer) Ackerman, both natives of Germany. His paternal grandfather, John N. Ackerman, came to America about 1850; settled in Mifflin township, where he engaged in farming and reared a large family. His maternal grand- father was John Cramer, also a native of Germany and an early settler in Alle- gheny county, where he died at an advanced age. The father of Nick Ackerman was a farmer and is now quietly living at Whitaker. He is the father of thirteen chil- dren, eight of whom grew to maturity, viz .: Mary, wife of John Rushey; Minnie (deceased), wife of Jacob Bosh ; Frank J. ; Nick; George; Teresa, wife of Nicholas Weasion; Kate (deceased), wife of
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John Plank; Annie (deceased), wife of George Steiner. Nick Ackerman was reared in Mifflin township, educated in the graded and high schools of Pittsburg, served his apprenticeship at the car- penters' trade with John Bosh, and for the past sixteen years has been successfully engaged in building and contracting. He was married, on Jan. 1, 1887, to Mary, daughter of August and Aurelia (Scheren) Schindler, of Mifflin township, and they have five chil- dren, viz. : Harry, Amelia, Elmer, Sylvester and Cecelia. Mr. Ackerman is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church of Home- stead and of the Maccabees, and his political affiliations are with the democratic party.
WILLIAM JOSEPH FILCER, of Duquesne, Pa., senior member of Filcer & Blair, editors and proprietors of the Observer, was born in West Newton, Pa., Feb. 8, 1871, son of George P. and Anna (Strebig) Filcer, natives of Center and Fayette counties, respectively, and of German descent. His paternal grand- father, Peter Filcer, was a native of Ger- many, and his maternal grandfather, William Strebig, was born in eastern Pennsylvania, a miller by trade, and for over sixty years a resident of West New- ton, Pa. William Strebig married Mary Vance, of Brownsville, Pa., a member of a prominent Keystone family and a woman of many fine traits of character. George P. Filcer, father of William J., was a boiler-maker by trade, and spent the major por- tion of his life at Connellsville, Pa., where he was married. He was a soldier in the Civil war, served throughout that sanguinary conflict as a private, and subsequently was for many years foreman in the Baltimore & Ohio railroad shops at Connellsville, where he died in 1886. His children were: William J., George E., Margaret M., wife of William Reese, and John M. William J. Filcer was reared in Connellsville, educated in the public schools of that borough, and there learned the printers' trade in the Courier office. Subsequently he worked for six years as a journey- man in Connellsville and Mckeesport, and, in 1894, located at Duquesne, where he purchased an interest in the Observer, and has since been connected with that journal as one of the editors and proprietors. Mr. Filcer was happily married, June 29, 1893, to
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Myrtle, daughter of Harmon and Missouri (Ringler) Hay, of New Haven, Pa., and they have one daughter, Myrtle Margaret. He is a member of the Holy Name Catholic church, and his political affiliations are with the deniocratic party.
JONAS MECHLING KISTLER, of Homestead, Pa., assistant superintendent of the Prudential insurance company of America, was born in Franklin township, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Aug. 29, 1858; son of Samuel and Eva S. (Loughner) Kistler, both natives of Westmoreland county, Pa., his father having been born in Franklin township and his mother at Greensburg. His father lived for nearly seventy years on one farm in Franklin township, where he died in 1883, at the mature age of eighty-five years. Samuel Kistler was twice married, first to Miss Fink, who bore him eighteen children, thirteen of whom grew to maturity, viz. : Mary. A., wife of Jacob. Mann; Jacob, Josiah, Michael F. ; Catherine (deceased), wife of Josiah Wagaman; Henry J., Paul F .; Aggie M., wife of Levi Glunt; Annie, wife of John Carroll; Lizzie, wife of Henry Oburn; Sarah (deceased), wife of Calvin McCormick; Lydia, wife of Peter Frissell, and John (deceased). His second marriage was with Eva S. Klingensmith, widow of Lewis Klingensmith and daughter of John Loughner, who, by her former marriage, had two children, Cyrus and Lewis, and who bore Mr. Kistler five children, viz. : Jonas M. ; Phæbe R., wife of James P. Heckman ; Fannie R., wife of J. S. Stotler; Emma S., wife of Jesse B. Klingensmith, and Eli L. Jonas M. Kistler was reared on the home farm in Westmoreland county, there educated in the common schools, and when seventeen years old left home for Iowa and Nebraska, in which states he worked as a farm hand for two years. In the fall of 1879, Mr. Kistler returned to Pennsylvania and in the following spring became a locomotive fireman on the Pennsylvania railroad, being promoted to an engineer in the fall of 1885, and for ten years continued with that company as engineman. In 1895 Mr. Kistler engaged in the butcher and dairy business at Derry Station, near Latrobe, Pa., where he remained for eighteen months; then for two years was manager of a grocery business at Irwin, Pa. ; in March, 1899, located at Homestead, where he conducted a variety
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