USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume I > Part 30
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Mr. Noble was engaged in various occupations in Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and since 1897 has been perma- nently located in Mifflin township, where he follows farming, gardening, contracting, buying and selling produce, and. coal-min- ing. He is thoroughly identified with the business interests of the township, and ranks high in financial, political and social circles. He was married to Mary Alice, daughter of William and Frances (Hague) Bowden, formerly of England, but now of Mifflin town- ship, and the home life of Mr. Noble is a happy one. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Work- men, the Modern Woodmen and the Order of Americus.
J. B. MARTIN, an esteemed and well- to-do citizen of Tarentum, is living a retired life in a comfortable home after a strenuous and successful career as a mechanic. He is of Scottish blood on both sides of the house, and can boast of a sturdy and patriotic ancestry who ful- filled all the duties of good citizenship during their quiet, but useful lives. His grandparents were John and Barbara (Forester) Martin, who came from Scot- land many years ago and located in Alle- gheny county when its population was comparatively sparse. They spent the remainder of their lives in the cultivation of the soil, and passed peacefully away after reaching more than the allotted years of three score and ten. Peter Martin, one of their sons, accompanied his parents from the old country when a young man, and subsequently became a farmer in Fawn township. He married Jenette, daughter of James Blackstock, who came from Scotland to Butler county, Pa., at an early day, and spent his last days in that part of the State. Peter Martin died in 1859, and his wife in 1888. They were the parents of eight children, of whom seven are living. The Martins were republicans in politics, and the father, who was well-to-do, contributed liberally of his money to assist the soldiers during the Civil war, and did all he could to aid the country in its great struggle for existence. J. B. Martin, one of the seven surviving children was born in Fawn township, Allegheny Co., Pa., July 27, 1851. He was brought up on his father's farm, and attended the common schools at intervals as he grew to man's
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estate. When sixteen years old, he entered a blacksmith's shop with a view of perfecting himself in that line of business, and eventually became a journeyman blacksmith of superior qualifica- tions. He worked for wages at various places in Allegheny county, but finally went into business for himself in Fawn town- ship. In 1888 he came to Tarentum and continued in his chosen occupation at that point until 1901, when he sold his business, and has since lived in retirement, in his handsome and commodious residence on East Ninth avenue. His political affiliations have always been with the republican party, and he served in the council three years. In 1879 Mr. Martin married Miss Lida A. Smith, of Fawn township, who died May 18, 1892, leaving three children, Grace, Roy and Verna. In 1896 Mr. Martin married Miss Cora, daughter of James S. Christa, a prominent farmer of East Deer township. The second wife died Aug. 26, 1896. Mr. Martin has been a stockholder in the People's National bank since its organi- zation, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and stands high in the community as an exemplary citizen.
WILLIAM G. FAWCETT, of Mckees- port, Pa., prominently identified with the brick-making industry of that city, was born on Aug. 24, 1851, in South Side, Pittsburg, Pa., son of William and Margaret (Robinson) Fawcett, his father having been street commissioner of Pitts- burg for many years, and later a promi- nent coal merchant. The elder Fawcett brought the first tow-boat up the Monon- gahela river, and was closely identified with the business interests of the county until his death in 1884. Mr. Fawcett was educated in the common schools of Allegheny county, his first work being that of a farmer on the land owned by his father in Versailles township. In 1893 he and his brothers began making brick at Mckeesport, and since that time have successfully con- tinued that business, now being among the leading manufacturers in that line in that part of the county. He was also associated with his brother in the drug business for a number of years, and has been interested in the commercial and financial growth of the town in several ways. He was married, in 1885, to Alice, daughter of William and Eliza Sittman, of Westmoreland county, Pa., and they I-22
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have five children, viz. : Wilbert, Eliza, John, Margaret and Glenn, all except the eldest attending the local schools. Mr. Fawcett is a prominent and influential member of the republican party, and has served in the council of Mckeesport, and as secretary of the board of school controllers of Versailles township. He is a member of the Methodist church, and is identified with its works of charity and benevolence.
PROF. JOHN MORROW, superin- tendent of schools of Allegheny city, was born at Midway, Washington Co., Pa., and is a son of Alexander and Eleanor Morrow, late of North Fayette township. He attended the common schools, Paris academy of Washington county, later the academy at Mansfield (now Carnegie), and the State nornial school at Millers- ville, where he graduated in 1865. After graduation he took charge of the Fallston graded schools, in Beaver county, and then of the Shady Side school, in the East End, Pittsburg. Later he succeeded Josiah (later Judge) Cohen in charge of the Hebrew school on Hancock street, then became prin- cipal of the South Pittsburg school until 1868. Professor Morrow was next chosen principal of the fourth ward schools of Allegheny city, where he remained fourteen years, until elected to succeed the well-known educator, Prof. L. H. Durling, as superintendent of the Allegheny schools, a position he has acceptably filled to the present time. He has filled many positions in educational circles, among them that of president of the Pennsylvania educational association, of which body he has also been treasurer for many years. Professor Morrow took an active part in the Civil war, enlisting from Lancaster, Pa., and is now a member of G. A. R. Post No. 162, of Allegheny. He was married, in 1898, to Mrs. S. R. Morrow, daughter of William and Allatha Gilchrist, late of Keene, Coshocton Co., Ohio. Professor Morrow is a man of easy and natural manners, not difficult to approach, and pos- sesses a keen appreciation of the humorous. His principal char- acteristic is his hard-headed, common-sense view of practical questions. Professor Morrow is a splendid example of the Scotch- Irish character, combining the sensitiveness and tenderness of the Irish with the cold, practical, hard-headed intellect of the Scotch.
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As an instructor, he is inimitable; as a superintendent, he stands unexcelled. He is the embodiment of moral power, intellectual force, and keen insight into men and events, and into the motives and principles which govern them. The teachers, in whom he takes a fatherly interest, and, in fact, all who know him, admire him as a man and a citizen.
JOSEPH STEWART, of the Ulrich- Stewart manufacturing company, of Alle- gheny, Pa., was born in Coleraine, County Derry, Ireland, March 21, 1851, and is the son of William and Mary Ann (Wray) Stewart, both of whom were natives of that county. The father was born in 1823, and died in 1891. His whole life was passed as a farmer, and he was a fine specimen of the better class of the Irish peasantry. The mother was born May 2, 1824, and is still living on the old homestead near Coleraine. She is a niece of Dr. Robert Wray, who came to Pittsburg at an early date, and who in his day was a very prominent physician. Joseph Stewart is the eldest of a family of ten children, all of whom reached the age of maturity, the others being Mary, who married Abraham Bodys; Jane W., who becaine the wife of Thomas Likin; Hugh R., now practicing law in the city of Chicago; Thomas C., connected for a number of years with the Westinghouse air brake company; Matilda M., now the wife of Samuel J. Keith; John W., living on the old homestead in Ireland; Samuel M., of Cincinnati, connected with a large manufacturing company; Robert W., a prominent physician and surgeon of Pittsburg, and Annie K., still at home. The two eldest daughters are deceased, but the others are now living. During his boyhood, Joseph attended the public schools in his native town, and in 1868 came to America. He located at Pittsburg, where he learned the trade of machinist, and in 1871 took up his residence in the first ward of Allegheny city, becoming at that time connected with the Pittsburg locomotive works. He remained with this concern until January, 1903, when he resigned to attend the session of the State legislature, to which he had been elected at the preceding election. On June 1, 1903, he became a member of his present firm, which manufactures a full line of gas and steam engines, all sorts of pulleys, hangers, etc.,
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does high-pressure steam-fitting, and makes all kinds of heating and ventilating appliances. Mr. Stewart has always taken a lively interest in questions of a public nature, and is a firm believer in the principles of the republican party. In 1895 he was elected to the common council from the first ward of Allegheny city. His record there was approved by a re-election in 1897, and two years later he was chosen to represent the ward in the select council. This position he resigned in November, 1902, when he was elected to the legislature, as already stated. He is a member of the Ninth United Presbyterian church of Allegheny, and is one of the trustees. He is also a member of the F. and A. M., B. P. O. Elks and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
JOHN OMSLAER, member of the select council from the eighth ward of Allegheny city, Pa., was born in the fourth ward of that city in 1856. His parents were Henry and Sarah Omslaer, both of whom died in the year 1894. When John was about six years old, the family removed to Duquesne borough, which later became the eighth ward of the city. There he attended the public schools, then he took a course at Newell's institute in the city of Pittsburg, and fin- ished his education at the Iron City col- lege. After spending about a year in the pine regions of Pennsylvania, he came back to Allegheny city and went to work in the river lumber trade. He followed this business until 1882, when he went into the city treasurer's office and served three years. At the expiration of that time he went back to the river, and for some time was connected in various capacities with steamboat nav- igation. In 1880 he was married to Miss Katherine Stenker, of Allegheny city, and they have four daughters: Susan, May, Katherine and Sarah. Mr. Omslaer is a solid republican, and never hesitates to declare his political opinions. In 1900 he was elected as the eighth ward member of the school board, serving two years. He was then chosen to represent the ward in the select council for a term of four years. In the council he is the chairman of the water committee, and a member of the finance and survey committees. He is a member of the United Presby- terian church; Allegheny lodge, No. 145. Independent Order of
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American Mechanics, and the Pride of the West council. As a member of the city council, and in his dealings with men, he is distinguished for his sturdy character and strict adherence to principle.
ANDREW J. MALARKEY, a long- time resident of Tarentum, has had a varied and successful career as a Union soldier, driller for oil railroads, and brick manufacturer. His ancestry, both on the side of father and mother, has been identified with Pennsylvania from the days when that State was the frontier and the scene of those bloody border wars which figure so largely in history. His father, Henry Malarkey, was born in Butler county in 1791, and his mother, Elizabeth (Wolf) Malarkey, at Allegheny city in 1801. Daniel Malarkey, the grandfather, was a native of Scotland, born in 1765, and married a Miss Margaret Hines, of Germany, born in 1764, and died July 8, 1848. He came to Butler county in boyhood, and later engaged in farming, which occupation he pursued until his death, Oct. 10, 1846. His son, Henry, father of our subject, went to Swissvale in 1864, afterwards to Tarentum, and, in 1872, removed to Missouri. A year later he returned to Pennsylvania, and died at St. Petersburg, Nov. 11, 1873, his wife surviving until 1900. The latter's parents were natives of Ireland, and became early settlers of Armstrong and Westmoreland counties. Henry and Elizabeth Malarkey had nine children-six sons and three daughters-but of these, only three are now living, John, David A. and Andrew J. Five of the sons were in the Civil war on the Union side, and two of these, George and Henry F., were killed in battle while serving as members of Company F, Tooth Pennsylvania regiment, known as the "Round Heads." John also belonged to this command, while David A. was a mem- ber of the 137th regiment, Pennsylvania volunteer infantry. Daniel, the eldest son, being exempt from military duty, enlisted and served as a member of the home guard. Andrew J. Malarkey, youngest of the children of this patriotic family, was born at Saxonburg, Butler Co., Pa., Aug. 3, 1846. He grew up on his father's farm, attended the neighborhood schools, and led the usual uneventful life of a country boy until his sixteenth year,
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after which, to use the expressive phrase of this age, "there was something doing." Not to be behind his brothers in patriotism, young Andrew enlisted, in June, 1862, as a member of Company F, of the 56th regiment, Pennsylvania militia, with which he served three months. Desiring more active service, he re-enlisted, Feb. 3, 1863, in Company L, 14th Pennsylvania cavalry, commanded by Col. J. M. Schoonmaker. With this regiment he enjoyed enough excitement during the ensuing two years to satisfy the most ambi- tious boy. He took part in the severe fighting at Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Woodstock, and was in many skirmishes during and after the famous Lynchburg raid. On Oct. 3, 1864, he was taken prisoner at Mt. Jackson, in the valley of the Shenandoah, Va., but after a detention of ten days, succeeded in obtaining a parole. With this brief exception, he lost no time with his regi- ment, to which he returned after leaving prison, and was discharged in September, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kan. After the war, Mr. Malarkey worked in the railroad service for seven years, and then engaged in the oil business. He drilled for oil from New York to Tennessee, and during his long connection with that business, a period of twenty-eight years, he met with the usual discourage- ments and disappointments, but on the whole was quite success- ful. Eventually he retired from the oil business, and for several years has been engaged in the manufacture of brick at Bartley's station, on the Bessemer road. He is also interested in the coal business and in gold-mining in Colorado. Since his retirement from the army, he has made his home at Tarentum, where he owns the finest residence in the town, built by himself on East Tenth street in 1892. Mr. Malarkey is a charter member of Eli Hemphill post, Grand Army of the Republic, which was organized in 1878. His other fraternal connections are with Pollock lodge, No. 502, F. and A. M .; Wellsville, N. Y., chapter, No. 143, R. A. M. ; St. John's commandery, No. 24, Olean, N. Y., Knights Templars, and B. P. O. E., No. 644, at Tarentum. Though a democrat originally, he supported Lincoln, also Grant at his first election, and Mckinley in 1896 and 1900. In November, 1864, Mr. Malarkey married Mary C., daughter of Samuel Wolf, who is men- tioned in another part of this work. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Tarentum. Of their three children, Harry E. died at the age of nineteen years, Samuel H. is with his father in the brick business, and John L. is a lawyer by profession.
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JOSEPH CAMPBELL, retired miller, residing at Woodville, was born in County Down, Ireland, on New Year's day, 1840. His parents were James and Mar- garet (Alberthnot) Campbell. James Campbell was a farmer in Ireland. He died in 1882, when seventy-five years old, and his wife in 1883, at about the same age. Joseph Campbell is one of twelve children, of whom five, besides himself, are living: Mrs. Charles Pierce, Mrs. Samuel McVey, Miss Eliza, Miss Mar- garet and Mrs. William Frew. Mr. Campbell was educated in Ireland, and learned there the trade of milling, at which he spent four years before coming to the United States. He landed in America on June 11, 1871, and came to Alle- gheny county two months later, locating at Woodville, where he has since resided. He at once took charge of the Woodville flour- ing mill and ran it for eleven years, then bought the property, and has been owner and manager for over thirty years. In 1901 the mill was remodeled and fitted out with the most modern milling machinery, so that it is now the best equipped mill in western Pennsylvania. The mill grinds wheat, corn, buckwheat and rye, and has a capacity of fifty barrels a day. It is excellently located on Chartiers creek, and can be run either by water power or steam. For the past four years natural gas has been used as fuel, the mill being provided with a gas well near by. A side-track on Mr. Campbell's property connects it with the Chartiers branch of the Pennsylvania railroad, and, in all, the inill has facilities of three railroads, which carry the products in every direction. The mill is a structure forty by sixty feet in size, with four stories, with a slate roof, and the sheds and side toward the railroad track pro- tected against sparks by a sheet-iron covering. As a further safe- guard against fire, there is a stand-pipe running up through the center of the mill, and each floor is provided with twenty-five feet of rubber hose. In all his long experience, Mr. Campbell has never suffered loss by fire. The fifty-horse-power engine with which the mill is equipped has never suffered a breakdown, because Mr. Campbell is, besides being a practical miller, an engineer and mechanic as well. On Dec. 8, 1860, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Agnes Rogers, a native of County Down, Ireland, and has had thirteen children. Of these, Elizabeth died when twenty-one
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years old, Robert died when twenty-three years old, Agnes died at the age of twenty-one, and three others died young, two being twins. Those living are: James, a clerk at his father's mill; William W., a miller; Maggie, who married John Wilson, who is employed in a railroad office in Pittsburg, and lives in Woodville; David R., an assistant in the mill, who married Alice Gudbub; Lottie C., Joseph L. and Clara J. W. He has also eight grandchil- dren. His daughter, Mrs. Wilson, has three children, Joseph L., Howard R. and Agnes M., and lost one child, James, who died when three years old; and his son, David R., has four children, Jacob R., Joseph A , David R. and Mary E., and had another child, Harry, who died when two years old. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Campbell are members of the United Presbyterian church of Woodville, of which Mr. Campbell is treasurer and trustee. Mr. Campbell is treasurer of the building and loan association and a member of the grain exchange. In politics he has always been a republican. Mr. Campbell is a man whose life has been as honor- able as it has been prosperous. He is a man of spotless integrity, and the products of his mill are noted for their honest value, which gives them a ready sale. He has won for himself in the community an enviable standing as a miller, a citizen and a friend.
JOHN A. KEYS, attorney-at-law, with offices at No. 604 Bakewell building, Pittsburg, Pa., is one of those men who have come up from the ranks by sheer force of will and indomitable energy. He was born in Washington township, Greene Co., Pa., Jan. 16, 1856. His par- ents, both of whom are now deceased, were John and Hannah (McLelland) Keys. As a boy, John A. Keys attended the com- mon schools of his native county. Later he took a preparatory course in Monon- gahela college, at Jefferson, Pa., and, in , 1877, graduated from Washington and Jefferson college, located at Washington, Pa., The following year he began the study of law in the offices of Wyly, Buchanan & Walton, of Waynesburg, Pa., but before completing his studies he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he took a full course' in the law department of Washington university, graduating in 1881. He was at once admitted to the St. Louis bar, and for three years practiced his profession in that
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city. In 1884 he returned to Pennsylvania, and from that time until 1898 he was engaged in school work. While thus employed he became acquainted with Miss Lucy R. Bayard, a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca A. Bayard, of Greene county, and, on Sept. 6, 1888, they were married. To this union one daughter, Florence Rebecca, has been born. In 1898 Mr. Keys was admitted to the Allegheny county bar, and since that time has been engaged in practice in Pittsburg. He is the solicitor for several corporations, and in February, 1903, was elected burgess for the borough of Wilkinsburg, which office he now holds. He is a member of Wilkinsburg council, Royal Arcanum, and a member and elder of the Presbyterian church of Wilkinsburg.
W. J. CAMPBELL, a prosperous farmer of West Deer township, comes of Irish ancestry, who, for generations back, were successful tillers of the soil. His grandfather came from Ireland during the early years of the last century, settled in Allegheny county, married a native of Pennsylvania, and died an honored citi- zen, after devoting his life to the cultiva- tion of the soil. His son, Thomas A. Campbell, married Jane, daughter of James Ross, who came from Ireland and married a Miss Anderson, of Pennsyl- vania, and died near Kirksville, Mo. His widow ended her days in West Deer township at an advanced age. Thomas A. Campbell owns ninety-five acres of land, and has farmed with success in his native township. He is an adherent of the republican party, and has held the office of road commissioner for two terms. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife was connected with the United Presbyterian church until her death, which occurred Dec. 11, 1890. Their family consisted of seven daughters and one son, all living except one of the former. W. J. Campbell, the only son, was born in West Deer township, Allegheny Co., Pa., Feb 23, 1859. He grew up on his father's farm, enjoyed the usual school routine, and obtained a thorough mastery of the details of farm work by the time he had attained to manhood's estate. For some time he has had charge of the homestead, and has managed the affairs with discretion and good judgment. Politically, he affiliates with the republican party,
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and, with his wife, renders allegiance to the United Presbyterian church. On Sept. 26, 1889, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss Rachael, daughter of George Hoffman, a prominent farmer of West Deer township. They have five children, Loyd Webster, Norman Ray, Bertha Ione, Clifford Anderson and William Kenneth.
GEORGE MAURER, of Clairton, Pa., is a native of Lawrence county, Ohio, where he was born in 1862. He is a son of Christopher and Mary Ann (Rhodes) Maurer. Christopher Maurer was born in Baden, Germany, in 1832, and came to this country at the age of eighteen years, settling in Lawrence county, Ohio, where, with the exception of one year spent in La Grange, Tenn., he remained until 1877, when he removed with his parents to Athens county, Ohio, locating in the Hocking valley, where he still resides and follows the occupation of a stationary engineer. Mary Ann Rhodes, the mother of our subject, was born in Nassau, Ger- many, in 1831. When she was thirteen years of age her family, consisting of father, mother and five children, came to America and located on a farm near Galveston, Tex. Shortly after their arrival, they were all stricken with a plague, and in three weeks the entire family, with the exception of Mary Ann and one brother, John, succumbed to the disease. After this calamity, the two survivors remained in Texas but a few months, when they removed to Lawrence county, Ohio, where Mary Ann first met and afterwards married Christopher Maurer. Seven children have been born to this union, viz. : John, Adam, George, Katy, Christian, Joseph and Frank, the two latter deceased. George, the third son, attended the Lawrence county schools during his boyhood, and upon leaving school, he began working in the mines of that county. He followed the occupation of a coal-miner in the Ohio and Hock- ing valleys until 1884, when he came to the Monongahela valley, where he continued his work as a miner. On the last day of the year 1888 he was married to Charlotte J., the eldest daughter of Evan and Sarah A. Beedle, of Jones' Station, Pa. Five children have been born to them: Evan B., born Nov. 22, 1889; Mary A., born July 28, 1891; John C., born Aug. 5, 1893; Edna M., born
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