USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume I > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
HENRY HULL NEGLEY, of Pitts- burg, Pa., a leading attorney-at-law, with offices at No. 413 Grant St., was born in Pittsburg, Nov. 12, 1868, son of Maj. Felix C. and Margaret A. (Dickson) Negley, his father having died on Oct. 5, 1901. Maj. Felix C. Negley was a son of John and Elizabeth (Patterson) Negley, the former having been born in East Liberty, then known as Libertytown, where his father owned the tract of land extending from Penn avenue to the Alle- gheny river, and from Black Horse hill, now Rebecca street, to Negley's Run, and included all of the present Highland park. John Negley for many years owned and operated a stage-coach line from Pittsburg to Buffalo, and was also extensively engaged in agriculture, quarrying stone and granite and the manufacture of brick. He was a prominent member of the state legislature and at one time was tendered the nomination for governor by the democratic party. He had a long and useful career and died at the ripe old age of ninety-four years. Maj. Felix C. Negley was born in Butler, Pa., Feb. 28, 1825, and was a civil engineer by profession. At the commencement of the Civil war, he organized and equipped, at a personal cost of over $60,000, a battalion of cavalry, known as the Negley scouts, of which com- mand he was major. This battalion saw active service during the threatened invasion of Pennsylvania and was the nucleus from which was formed the Ist Pennsylvania volunteer cavalry, of which organization Major Negley was lieutenant-colonel. He was also commissioned as major in the recruiting service by Governor
418
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Curtin, and performed his v :k well, which was that of enlisting negroes in Georgia and Alabama for the northern army. While in this latter service, he was twice drafted but on each occasion paid a substitute and continued in the recruiting branch of the army. At the close of the Civil war he returned to his home in the north and engaged in his customary pursuits. He was prom- inent in political affairs and was closely identified with the repub- lican party. He held the office of school director in the second and fifth wards of Pittsburg for many years, was a member and president of the Pittsburg central board of education for twenty- one years and represented the various districts as school director for over forty years. He amassed considerable wealth but lost heavily in the panic of 1873-74. Henry H. Negley acquired his elementary training in the public and high schools of Pittsburg, and later spent two years at the United States military academy at West Point, which he was compelled to leave on account of his failing health. Subsequently he entered the Ohio Northern university and there was graduated with the degree of bachelor of arts. He then matriculated at the Ohio college of law and was graduated in the class of 1898, with the bachelor of laws degree. He was admitted to the bar of Ohio in October, 1898, and to practice in Allegheny county, in March, 1902, the intervening time having been devoted to traveling in Ohio. Mr. Negley is a mem- ber of all courts, has a fine practice and enjoys a splendid standing among his brother attorneys. He is a member of the Masonic order and an active and enthusiastic republican, taking consider- able interest in political matters but never seeking office. He is also prominently identified with Company E, 3d regiment, United Boys' Brigades of America, and holds a commission in that organization.
WILLIAM J. GLENN, clerk in the prothonotary's office, Pitts- burg, has a military record equaled by few men. He served with distinction in the Civil war, during riots and other difficulties in Pennsylvania after the war, and finally in the late Spanish-Amer- ican war. Colonel Glenn was born on a farin in Scott township, Allegheny county, in 1840, and was educated in the country schools and at an academy at Mansfield, now Carnegie. In August, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company E, 6 ist regiment, Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, and served until mustered out in September, 1864. He was promoted to sergeant-major in September, 1861, and to second lieutenant in May, 1862. He had charge of his company
- 449
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862, Was recommended for promotion on account of gallant service in that battle, and in January, 1863, was made captain. Colonel Glenn fought at Williamsburg, Va., and then at Fair Oaks, where, on May 31, 1862, he was severely wounded and disabled for sixty days, so that he missed the seven days' fight at Richmond. After this he took part in the engage- ments at Chantilly, at second Bull Run, at Antietam, where he was acting adjutant, and at Fredericksburg, Va. His regiment took a leading part in the battle of Mary's Heights, making the first charge over the bridge, taking the heights; then marching on to Salem church, where another fierce conflict took place, and then returning across the river. The gallant 6ist arrived at Gettysburg on the second day of July, 1863, after a march of forty-three miles without stopping for coffee, one of. the hardest marches in the history of the war. After Gettysburg, Colonel Glenn fought with his regiment at Mine Run, the Wilderness, and on the James river, being wounded in the arm in the last-named fight, and later took part in engagements near Petersburg and Harper's Ferry. At Harper's Ferry, where he had charge of the regiment, he was wounded in the leg. After a few minor skirmishes, Colonel Glenn was mustered out of the service, spent several years in the oil region of Pennsylvania, and then returned to Mansfield, where, in 1874, he was made justice of the peace. He served ten years in this capacity and in 1884 became superintendent of the Allegheny county home, holding this position until 1897, when he resigned to go into the county commissioners' office. In April, 1898, Colonel Glenn again took up arms for his country in the Spanish-American war, as colonel of the 14th Pennsylvania national guard. He went with the regiment to South Carolina and remained there until mustered out in March, 1899. Returning then to civil life, he was employed in the coroner's office until April, 1902, when he entered upon his duties as clerk in the prothonotary's office. Besides his careers in two wars, Colonel Glenn can be proud of his record in the national guard. In August, 1874, he organized Company K, 14th regiment, Pennsylvania national guard, and was elected its captain. In 1885 he became major of the regiment, was made lieutenant-colonel in 1889 and colonel in 1895. He served as such until September, 1899, when, his time having expired, he was mustered out. He served with his regiment at the railroad riot in Pittsburg in 1877, and shortly afterwards at the coal riots in Luzerne county. He also distinguished himself for gallantry dur- ing the Johnstown flood, and at the Homestead riots in 1892.
I-29
450
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Colonel Glenn attended the inauguration of every president from Garfield to Mckinley. He is a member of Post No. 153, G. A. R., of which he was the first commander, and belongs to the Union Veteran Legion, No. 1, of Pittsburg, and the Pennsylvania Loyal Legion. As a great-grandson of James Glenn, a Revolutionary war soldier who served at Valley Forge, he is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Presbyterian church.
WILLIAM HUGH FRANCIES, fourth-ward member of the common council of Allegheny city, Pa., is one of the younger members of that body. He was born in the ward he now represents, Dec. 31, 1874, and is of Scotch-Irish extraction, his parents being Samuel and Prudence Francies, long-time residents of Allegheny city. William received his primary instruction in the public schools of the fourth ward. In 1890 he completed the course of study in the ward school, and soon after entered the engineering department of the Western University of Pennsylvania, graduating as a civil engineer in 1896. For three years he was associated with A. G. Shaw in the engineering business, and was then for two years in the same line of work with the Monongahela street rail- road company. In 1901 he accepted a position in the engineering department of the American bridge company, of Allegheny city, which position he still holds. Mr. Francies is a young man of high moral ideals. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church and has been a teacher in the Sunday-school. He is also a mem- ber of the Central Young Men's Christian Association, of Pittsburg, and of the Americus club of the same city. In politics he repre- sents the younger element of the republican party, which in recent years has wielded such a powerful influence in shaping the destinies of that organization. He was elected, in February, 1903, to the common council, where his technical knowledge of engineering was recognized by an appointment on the committee on public works. He is also a member of the library and water committees. In the exercise of his official functions, he is actuated by the same conscientiousness that has distinguished his conduct in his private affairs, and to which is due his high standing in the community.
451
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
JOHN CAHILL, a prominent Pittsburg real estate man and formerly alderman from the eighth ward, was born in Pittsburg in 1854. When a boy he attended the city schools, but received only a limited education, being compelled to leave school at the age of twelve. He learned the trade of glass-blower and followed this vocation until 1891, when he was appointed by Governor Pattison to serve as alderman from the eighth ward. In 1892 he was elected to the position for a five-year term and re-elected in 1897. In 1902 he was again a candidate, but was defeated by Isaac Levy. Mr. Cahill has been for years an influential democrat and still takes an active interest in party matters. While engaged at his trade as a glass-blower, he acted as delegate to several conventions, notably the one in 1878 which organized the American flint glass workers' association. Since that time he has served as secretary of the association. Mr. Cahill belongs to no secret orders. He is a member of the Catholic church.
GEORGE L. HOUSE, superintendent of masonry at the Duquesne furnaces, but a resident of Braddock, was born in Pittsburg, Dec. 18, 1852. He is a son of Daniel and Margaret (Horton) House, the father a native of Lancaster, Pa., and a son of George House, who came to America from Baden-Baden, Germany, in the eighteenth century. Margaret (Horton) House, the mother of the sub- ject of this sketch, was the daughter of James and Mabel (McCune) Horton, of Minersville, Pitt township, Pa., now the thirteenth ward of the city of Pittsburg. George L. House received his education in the common schools of his native city, in Wheeling, W. Va., whither he had moved with his parents in 1865, and in Sciotoville, Ohio, which became his home three years after leaving Pennsylvania. Upon finishing his school work, Mr. House learned the brick-layers' trade, and has since devoted the greater part of his time to that line of business. In early manhood he returned to Pittsburg, his native city, and worked for a time at the rolls in the Carnegie mills, on Thirty-ninth street. In 1876 he became a street-car conductor for a time, but on March 6, 1878, entered the employ of the Edgar Thompson steel company, work- ing at his trade, and at the end of a year was made foreman. This
452
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
responsible position Mr. House held for ten years, and then embarked in the contracting business with William Porter under the firm name of House & Porter. This firm has been very suc- cessful and has earned a just reputation for first-class and expert workmanship. July 20, 1895, Mr. House became superintendent of masonry at the Duquesne steel works and blast furnaces, where he has had entire charge of all the brick-work in the construction of the four large furnaces, from each of which about 500 tons of pig iron is turned out daily. His industry, skill and faithful atten- tion to business has gained for him the complete confidence of his employers and the good-will of his fellow-citizens. Mr. House is a member of Braddock Field lodge, No. 510, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Shiloh chapter, No. 257, Royal Arch Masons, and Braddock Field lodge, No. 180, Ancient Order of United Work- men. He is a stanch republican, and is now serving as school director in the borough of Braddock. He is also a past member of the borough council.
JOHN J. WALKER, justice of the peace of Allegheny county, with headquarters at No. 911 Wood St., Wilkinsburg, has held that position since 1871, and is the oldest justice in continuous com- mission in Allegheny county. He was born in the third ward, Alle- gheny city, Pa., Feb. 1, 1841, was reared there and attended its schools, studying also at Mercer academy, Mercer, Pa., and at the Western university. He left school when sixteen years old, working as a painter in Allegheny city and Philadelphia. On April 17, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company E, 7th Penn- sylvania volunteer infantry and was one of the first to take up arms for his country against the rebels. Mr. Walker served his three months with this regiment, then returned to Allegheny city and engaged for a short time in the painting business. In September, 1861, he began to raise a company of artillery, which afterwards became Company C, 2d Pennsylvania heavy artillery. Mr. Walker was first lieutenant of the company until March, 1862, when he resigned and returned for a time to his business. Unable to remain away from duty, he re-enlisted in August, 1862, as a private in Company G, 139th regiment, Pennsylvania volunteer infantry. He served until Dec. 15, 1864, rising to the position of corporal. He then was commissioned captain of artillery in the regular army and served by order of Mr. Stanton, secretary of war, on detailed duty in Georgia and Tennessee until Dec. 9, 1866. when he resigned and came home. During the war Mr. Walker fought at second
453
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Mary's Heights, second Chancellorsville, Gettysburg (three days), Mine Run, Savage Station, the Wilderness, Winchester, Petersburg and Sailor's Creek. In the Wilderness he was wounded and for six weeks prevented from active service. He was at Petersburg from July, 1864, to February, 1865. The war over, Mr. Walker resumed his painting business in Wilkinsburg and was thus engaged until 1879, when he became assistant in the office of the clerk of courts, in Pittsburg. He remained there until 1885, then became clerk in the office of the county treasurer for one year, and in 1888 was elected jury commissioner, serving three years. Mr. Walker has since that time devoted his attention to his business as justice of the peace and has not held other offices, although still taking an active part in republican politics. He is a member of Post No. 548, G. A. R .; B. P. O. E., I. O. O. F., K. of P., and Jr. O. U. A. M. He is past grand master of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM H. SARVER, the twelfth- ward member of the Allegheny city com- mon council, was born in Allegheny city, Pa., in 1864, and is the son of William J. and Helena Sarver. His father is one of the oldest jewelry merchants in the city, his store on Federal street having been a landmark for the last forty years. After attending a private school for some time and the public schools of the first ward until he completed all the grades, Mr. Sarver went into the jewelry store with his father, with whom he is still asso- ciated, having an interest in the business. As a member of the council, he is on some of the most important standing committees, among which are the committees on public works and corporations. He is also a member of a sub-committee on public parks and prop- erty. His appointment to these committees is a fitting recognition of his public spirit, his executive ability and his business integrity. In politics he is a republican and he is always ready to defend his political opinions. He has frequently been called upon to serve his party in the capacity of a delegate to the nominating conven- tions. On such occasions he has invariably given his support to the candidates who had nothing in their records which they might be
454
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
called upon to explain or for which they might have to apologize, believing with the late President Hayes that "He serves his party best who serves his country best," and believing also that defeat with a clean ticket is better in the end than victory with a corrupt one. Mr. Sarver is well known in church and Masonic work, being a member of Perrysville Avenue Methodist Episcopal church and Stuckrath lodge, No. 430, Free and Accepted Masons. He was married, in 1887, to Miss Lydie R. Osborn, of Allegheny city, and two bright boys, Earl F. and William J., Jr., have been born to them. In business, in his official position and in his church and lodge relations, Mr. Sarver sustains an irreproachable character, due to his genial disposition and his inherent good qualities.
FREDERICK RUOFF, pastor of the First German Evan- gelical Protestant church, of Pittsburg, was born in Balingen, Würtemberg, Germany, June 16, 1851, and raised and educated in Germany. Rev. Ruoff received an unusually complete education in the schools of his native country. He first attended the Latin school in his home town, and then went to a high school in Tübingen, from which he graduated in 1865. After this he attended the theological seminary in Blaubeuren, graduating in 1868, and in May, 1870, graduated from the University of Tübin- gen. He then joined the German army and fought throughout the Franco-Prussian war. Entering as a private in the 13th flying artillery, he was promoted to ensign after the battle of Woerth, and was made second lieutenant after the battle of Sedan. In the battles of Villiers and Champigny he was twice wounded and captured by the enemy. He was sent a captive to Paris and there held for two months. On being released, he spent six weeks in the hospital at Lagny and then joined his battery near Paris and served until the end of the war. Besides the battles already mentioned, he took a creditable part in many minor battles and skirmishes. After the war, Mr. Ruoff was selected to go to the government riding school at Hanover, where he remained six months and then served a year and a half with his regiment. In 1873 he left the army and the following year became pastor of the church of Mount Auburn, at Cincinnati. Here he remained until 1879, when he came to Pittsburg and assumed his present charge. During his long service in Pittsburg, Rev. Ruoff has fulfilled his duties as pastor to the satisfaction of his congregation and has made friends among all classes. He is a member of the F. and A. M., and A. O. U. W.
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY . 455
ISAAC NEWTON PATTERSON, of Pittsburg, Pa., a prominent attorney-at- law, with offices at No. 413 Fourth Ave., was born in Allegheny city, July 2, 1851, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Young) Patterson, the former born in County Down, Ireland, in 1808, and when two years of age accompanied his parents to America and located in Mercer county, Pa. Abraham Patterson removed to Allegheny city in 1825, there spent the remainder of his life, and was engaged in building and timber manufacturing. He served in the councils of Allegheny city and Manchester, and was prominently identified with the progress of the city until his death, July 13, 1865. Elizabeth Young, mother of the subject, was born in Scotland and came to America with her parents in 1819, located in Allegheny city, where she was married, on Nov. 20, 1837, and died in November, 1895. Abraham and Elizabeth (Young) Patterson had the following children : Alexander (deceased), David Leslie, Elizabeth Y., wife of the late J. G. Stephenson, who was a prominent dry goods merchant of Pittsburg and president of the Arbuthnat-Stephenson company; Abram, better known as Abe (deceased) ; Agnes P., wife of Alexander McClure, president of the Alexander McClure timber company; Isaac Newton, Thomas Howe, Lillian B., Frank P., and four others that died in infancy. Isaac Newton Patterson was educated in the rudimentary courses in the public schools of Allegheny city, later attended the Penn- sylvania military academy, and was graduated from the Western university, in the class of 1871, with the degree of bachelor of arts, and three years later his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of master of arts. In 1871 he registered as a student of law in the office of Stoner & Patterson, and in 1874 was admitted to the bar of Allegheny county, and since has successfully practiced in Pittsburg, where he is a member of all courts and of the Alle- gheny county bar association. Mr. Patterson has served as council- man and as a member of the board of education of the fifth ward of Allegheny city, and is a prominent figure in the public affairs of that corporation. He was married in Pittsburg, March 25, 1880, to Sadie J., daughter of J. Adolphus and Jane J. You, and though they have no children, their married life is a happy one. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson attend the Sixth United Presbyterian church, and
·
456
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
reside in the fifth ward of Allegheny city. Alexander Patterson (deceased), oldest brother of our subject, was a prominent citizen of Allegheny city, where he was identified with the lumber busi- ness and was a leader of the republican side in political matters. He served in the Manchester council, was one of the first council- men from that party of Allegheny city, and died in February, 1895. Abram Patterson, known to his friends as Abe, was born in Alle- gheny city in August, 1843; succeeded his father in the contracting business, and was a progressive and prosperous citizen. When eighteen years of age he enlisted in the 13th Pennsylvania volun- teer infantry, served three years in the Civil war, and participated in many important engagements, being severely wounded in the seven days' fights around Richmond. He was a member of Post No. 88, Grand Army of the Republic, which is now called the Abe Patterson post, after him. He served seven terms as post com- mander, and was occupying that position at the time of his death, February, 1882. David Leslie Patterson, another brother, was born Feb. 2, 1840, and has spent his entire life in Allegheny city, where he is engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber. He has served as councilman from the sixth ward for seven years, and for a number of years was school director for the fifth ward. He is president of the Standard building and loan association, and a member of the Sixth United Presbyterian church, of which organi- zation he has been a member of the board of trustees for twenty- one years. He was married in Allegheny city, Sept. 26, 1866, to Duney E. Dean, a cousin of William Dean Howells, the novelist, and they have the following children : Alexander A., an attorney; May S., wife of Alexander Marion; David Leslie, who has served as city editor of the Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph; Edna V., wife of Preston C. Farrar; Agnes L., and Stuart Young.
JOHN C. HENRY, chief clerk to the bureau of health, Pitts- burg, has been for years a leader in republican politics and active in local party affairs. He was born in the third ward, Pittsburg, in 1864, and was reared and educated there, graduating from the high school in 1881. He finished his education by attending night school, being employed during the day by John Paul, the hatter. After this he was for some time purchasing agent for the North American construction company and then became general traveling agent for R. D. Mettell & Co., dealers in electrical street railway material. For a time also, he worked as city salesman for the Electrical supply and construction company, now Doubleday, Hill
457
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
& Co., and then, in 1897, was appointed assistant clerk to the mayor of Pittsburg, at that time H. P. Ford. In the third year of Mayor Ford's term, Mr. Henry was appointed chief clerk and succeeded to the same position under Mayor William J. Diehl. When the new charter went into effect, in June, 1901, Mr. Henry was made chief clerk to the recorder, Hon. A. M. Brown, and in the same year obtained his present position. Mr. Henry was secretary of the fourteenth ward republican association for four- teen years, and has been secretary of the Young Men's republican tariff club, of Pittsburg, for ten years. In 1900 he was secretary of the League of republican clubs of Pennsylvania, and in 1901 acted as vice-president of the same organization. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Jr. O. U. A. M .; A. O. U. W. and Royal Arcanum and belongs to the Episcopal church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.