USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume I > Part 48
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and in this institution also Mr. Naylor has taken an important part. It is a public institution containing free baths and reading- rooms open to all. Mr. Naylor has taken up the cause of the chil- dren of the ward, and to him more than to any other man in the ward are due the excellent advantages enjoyed by young and old. Mr. Naylor is a republican in politics, is a member of the citizens' party, interested in party reform in the county, and in favor of good, clean administration in public offices. Mr. Naylor is a Mason, belonging to Allegheny lodge, No. 223; Allegheny chapter, No. 217; No. 35, Knights Templars, and to Syria temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Pittsburg; also to No. 25, A. O. U. W., Allegheny, of which he is past master workman. Mr. Naylor was married, on Dec. 2, 1882, to Mary Ada Wolf, the youngest daugh- ter of King Wolf, of Armstrong county, a farmer and blacksmith. They were married by Rev. Dr. Sloan, of the Presbyterian church, and now reside in the fifteenth ward, Allegheny. They are mnem- bers of the Central Presbyterian church, of which he is also a trustee. The parents of Mr. Naylor were married April 20, 1863, and have seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the oldest, the others being: Mazie, a teacher in the public schools of Oil City; Della Baldwin, married to Fred M. Morgan, living in Denver, Col. ; James D., of Pittsburg; Annie M., at home ; John A., of Uniontown, Pa., and Bernice U., living with Mr. Naylor in Allegheny. Mr. Naylor is a splendid example of physical man- hood, and shows his English lineage in his sturdy physique. He makes stanch friends and some enemies. His progress has been rapid, and he has climbed the ladder of success by hard work and faithful, conscientious attention to duty.
THOMAS PROSSER, general contractor in Carnegie, with an extensive business in street-paving, building sewers and excavat- ing, was born in Staffordshire, England, March 24, 1846. His father, Thomas Prosser, came to America in 1871, and died in 1881 at the age of seventy. His wife, Mary Ann Prosser, died in Eng- land, March 8, 1867, at the age of sixty-one. Thomas Prosser, Sr., was a miner in England, and continued to work in the mines after coming to America. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Prosser had ten chil- dren, of whom Thomas, Jr., the subject of this sketch, and two others are living: James, a miner, who resides in Carnegie, and Jane, who married George Betz. The subject of this sketch was educated in England, and followed coal-mining there. Coming to America in 1868, he settled near Sharon, Pa., where he was
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engaged in mining for fifteen years, and then turned his attention to the contracting business, in which he has met with marked suc- cess. His contracts amount to between $40,000 and $50, 000 yearly, and he employs from thirty-five to forty men most of the time. Mr. Prosser has done much valuable work in Carnegie and nearby towns, but most of his contracts are for improvements in Pittsburg and Allegheny. Prior to his coming to Pennsylvania, Mr. Prosser was married to Miss Catherine Cox, of Staffordshire, their mar- riage occurring on June 7, 1867. She was the daughter of Thomas and Hannah Cox, both of whom lived and died in England. Mr. and Mrs. Prosser have had ten children born to them, viz. : Thomas, a resident of Carnegie, who married Miss Musgrave, and has six children: Kate, Lillie, Jennie, Edna, Thomas and George; Jennie M., who married William Tatterdale, a steel-worker, and has one child, Ethel; James, an assistant in his father's business, living at home; Katie, who died in 1890 in her seventeenth year ; William H., a resident of Carnegie, who married Miss Berdella Bell, and has one child, Berdella; Hannah J., who married Samuel Sarner, a farmer, and has one child, Harold; George H., at home, a civil engineer employed by the National mining company; Laura H., at home; Albert E., a plumber, and Edith, in school. Mr. Prosser and family are members of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Prosser is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also a member of the Sons of St. George. In politics he is a republican, and cast his first vote for President U. S. Grant.
PROF. R. M. SHERRARD, principal of the No. 2 eleventh ward public school of Allegheny city, was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, Oct. 1, 1869. The Sherrard family is an old and respected one in Ohio, John Sherrard being the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Robert A. Sherrard the grandfather, and John Hindman Sherrard the father. Mr. Sherrard, the father, was born on Sugar Hill farm, near Steubenville, Ohio, March 24, 1830. His mother was Keziah Neulon Fulton, daughter of Abram Fulton, of West Newton, Pa. The Sherrards and Fultons came from the north of Ireland in a very early day, the former coming in 1770, and the latter in about 1768. The father attended Washington col- lege, graduating in 1857, and in the fall of the same year was mar- ried. He graduated from the Western theological seminary in 1861, and located in Rimersburg, Clarion county, remaining there from 1861 to 1867. During the Civil war he was in the Christian commission at Chattanooga as a missionary among the soldiers.
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From 1867 to 1878 he was pastor of the Presbyterian church of Bucyrus, Ohio, and going from there to Washington, Pa., he became a member of the faculty of the Washington female semi- nary, at the same time holding the pastorate at Prosperity. In 1882 he moved to Delphos, Ohio, remaining until 1888, when he went to Rockville, Ind., then to Thorntown in 1896, retiring in 1900 on account of ill-health. He moved to Wilkinsburg, Pa., where he now resides. Professor Sherrard was educated in the schools of the towns in which his father was pastor, entered the preparatory department of the Washington and Jefferson college in 1886, gradu- ating in 1891. From 1891 to 1894 he attended the academy at Chambersburg, then spent a year at private study, and in 1895 took charge of the department of Latin and Greek in Indiana state normal school. In September, 1899, he was elected to the eleventh ward public schools, his present position, with 600 children and thirteen teachers under his charge. Professor Sherrard has made his own way to the front, and stands to-day as one of the leading young principals in the city. He was married, Nov. 25, 1903, to Lyda Reid, daughter of Charles W. Cochran, of Pittsburg. Professor and Mrs. Sherrard are now living at No. 307 Neville St., Pittsburg.
WILLIAM VOGT, pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church, Carnegie, was born in Germany, near Cologne, June 13, 1870. His parents, Francis and Elizabeth (Goebel) Vogt, are still living, his father being now seventy-three years old, and his mother sixty nine. Francis Vogt, now a farmer in Germany, served in the German army five years in the fifties. He and his wife are loyal members of the Roman Catholic church. They had six children born to them, as follows: Frank, a farmer in Europe; Joseph J., a priest, residing in Verona, Pa. ; Sophia, at home with her parents; William, the subject of this sketch; Herman, who died in 1882, when ten years old, and August, also a priest, located at Mount Oliver, Allegheny county. Rev. William Vogt received his early education in Germany, and studied three years in a gymna- sium in his native land. Coming to America in 1886, he resumed his studies, and, completing his education in 1895, was ordained to the priesthood at St. Vincent's, Beatty, Pa., and at once began his life-work as a priest, his first position being that of assistant pastor of St. Martin's Roman Catholic church, Pittsburg. After five years' faithful service in Pittsburg, Father Vogt took up his present charge, in June, 1900, where his application and attention
,
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to duty have made him popular with his congregation and strengthened and enlarged his church. St. Joseph's church has in connection a parochial school of some 200 pupils, taught by four of the sisters of St. Agnes, and the Sunday-school has an attend- ance of about 300. Father Vogt is an enthusiastic church worker, a diligent student, and his church is prosperous and well equipped.
JARED B. FIFE, real estate, loan and insurance agent at Carnegie, Pa., was born in Allegheny county, Pa. His parents, Nathaniel and Eleanor B. Fife, were natives of Pennsylvania, where Mr. Fife farmed a part of an estate in Allegheny county, which was bought in 1766 and is still in possession of the Fife family. Jared B. Fife attended the public school, and later Bethel academy, and on July 4, 1861, enlisted in the Union army as a private in Company H, 62d Pennsylvania volunteers; served three years, taking part in the battles of Yorktown, Gaines' Mill, Malvern hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Petersburg, and in numerous other engagements, coming out with the rank of corporal. After the war he spent several years in mercantile pur- suits, keeping a general store for a time, and afterwards a hardware business in Mansfield (now Carnegie). He sold out in 1874, when he became superintendent of Chartiers cemetery for nine years, being engaged in his present business since 1885. In the fall of 1888 he was elected tax collector of the borough, which position he has held ever since. In 1869 he married Mary A. Marshall, daugh- ter of the late Rev. George Marshall, D. D., and Mary Lee Marshall. Mr. Fife's eldest child, George M., died Feb. 25, 1893; his daughter, Agnes Genevieve, is now at home. In religion the family are Presbyterians. J. B. Fife is a prominent Mason, and a member of Espy post, No. 153, G. A. R., of which he was the second commander. In politics he is a stanch republican.
W. H. ERSKINE, superintendent of the Rosslyn brick com- pany, Carnegie, was born in Hancock county, W. Va., Jan. 28, 1867. His father, John Erskine, came to America in 1848, settling in Steubenville, Ohio, but is now living in Carnegie, at the age of sixty-seven. His wife, Eleanor ( Eaton) Erskine, is also living. She is sixty-one years old. Mr. and Mrs. John Erskine had five children, of which the subject of this sketch was the second born. The others are: Eva, now Mrs. S. Steadman, of Baltimore, Md. ; Nora E., now Mrs. William Bindley, and a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio; Louise, at home, and Hannah, who died when three years
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old. W. H. Erskine attended the public schools, and later studied two years at Mount Union, Ohio. After completing liis education he started at once to learn the brick business and became a molder. His next position was that of foreman, which he followed for several years in Pennsylvania and at Saginaw, Mich., remaining four years at the latter place. In April, 1897, he came to Carnegie, and was for four years superintendent at the Fort Pitt brick-yard. Since 1891 Mr. Erskine has been superintendent of the Rosslyn brick company. This company is doing so flourishing a business that it is unable to keep up with its orders, although it employs about forty-five mnen, and produces 40,000 bricks a day. On Oct. 20, 1894, Mr. Erskine married Miss Laura Hunt, daughter of William and Julia (Hood) Hunt. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt had two other children besides Mrs. Erskine. They are: Charles, an engineer, married to Rose O. Wesley, and George, who married Stella Crawford. William Hunt is an engineer, and has followed this vocation all his life. His wife died in February, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Erskine have two children : Earl Roy and Mildred. Mr. Erskine and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Erskine is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. He is not actively interested in politics, but votes the republican ticket.
WILLIAM HEISEL, glass-worker, residing on Beechwood avenue, Carnegie, was born in Pittling, Prussia, Dec. 17, 1846, His parents, John and Gertrude ( Baker) Heisel, came to America in 1848, and settled at first near Homestead, Allegheny Co., Pa., and four years later moved to South Side, Pittsburg. The father was a coal-miner all his active life, and met his death in an acci- dent while working in a coal mine, leaving a widow and four young children to mourn his loss. In all, six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Heisel, and of these only two survive, William, the subject of this sketch, and Anna, now Mrs. Adam Epp, residing in West End, Pittsburg. The inother died of apoplexy, in her eighty- fourth year. William Heisel attended St. Michael's school, on Pine street, South Side, Pittsburg, and at an early age went to work in the glass-works. He has been a glass-worker continuously since 1857. Mr. Heisel has always been a skillful workman, and, beginning at the bottom, has worked up through all the depart- ments of the glass trade. He spent six years of his life at his trade at Elwood, Ind., and four years at Muncie, Ind., but has been a resident of Pennsylvania most of the time, and is now working at McDonald. On May 11, 1870, Mr. Heisel married Mary Marion,
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a native of Pennsylvania. Of the children born of this marriage, Gertrude is a stenographer and typewriter, Edward died when fifteen months old, Amelia is a bookkeeper in Carnegie, Elmer died in 1878 when four years old, Lillian is a stenographer in Pitts- burg. Olivia, Alice and William are younger children in school. Mr. Heisel and family are members of the Roman Catholic church, as were Mr. Heisel's parents before him. Mr. Heisel is a member of the Knights of Maccabees and of the American bottle-blowers of the United States and Canada. He takes an interest in politics, and has been a delegate to political conventions on several occasions, but has never cared to hold office. He and his family occupy a residence which he purchased in 1898 on Beechwood avenue, one of the most sightly residence localities in Carnegie.
WILLIAM H. McKELVY, one of the foremost physicians of Allegheny county, was born Sept. 21, 1843, near Wilkinsburg, Pa. He is a son of James McKelvy, a native of County Down, Ireland, who came to Allegheny county when five years old, settling in Wilkinsburg and living there until his death at eighty-eight years. His wife, Rosanna Swisshelm, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and was a daughter of Lieutenant Swisshelm, an officer in the Revolution. They were the parents of six children: James, circuit judge in the seventh judicial district of Minnesota, 1866-83, and died in St. Cloud in 1884; Elizabeth Hagen, who died in Lamar, Mo., where her husband, Rev. Mr. Hagen, was a Presbyterian minister; John S., Martha J., Wilbur F. and William H., the sub- ject of this sketch. Mr. McKelvy was educated in Wilkinsburg academy and at Allegheny college, in Meadville, Pa. He was graduated from the College of physicians and surgeons in New York city in 1866, and opened an office in Pittsburg in 1867. In 1868 he was elected physician to the county jail, a position he held for thirteen years. Mr. McKelvy is interested in educational matters, being a member of the central school board for twenty- seven years and president of the same for twenty years. He is a member of the library association, and was one of the trustees of the Carnegie library for six years. Mr. McKelvy is a member of the Allegheny county medical society of Pittsburg and of the American medical association. He is a Mason and Knight Templar, and active in promoting the good of the order in the state. He is a republican and a stanch supporter of his party. He was married, March 23, 1897, to Margaret Youngson, of Pittsburg.
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GEORGE W. BODEN, mine foreman of the Bower Hill coal mine, was born in Mercer county, Pa., June 23, 1869, a son of David and Ellen (Cook) Boden, both natives of England. The father was a mill worker in England and also worked in the mines there, and on coming to America, in 1859, continued to follow his voca- tion as a miner. He located first at Pottsville, Pa., and later at Banksville, where he opened up a mine of his own but discontinued it after about a year, and became a mine foreman in the same place. He next spent a year prospecting for coal in Mahoning county, Ohio, and then, returning to Pennsylvania, was a mine foreman in Mercer county. In 1876 he opened up the Nixon mine and was foreman and stockholder in this mine until about a year before his death. He died Jan. 6, 1888, when fifty-six years old. His wife is still living at the age of sixty-six, a member of the Free Methodist church and an honored resident of Carnegie. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. David Boden, Mary A. and Nellie both died when young and William David died when seventeen years old. William was a boy of unusual promise and his death was a sad blow to many. Of the others, Elizabeth A. married William Lindsley, superintendent of mines for the Pittsburg coal company; Lina E. is the wife of James M. Sloan, also a mine superintendent; George W. is the subject of this sketch; Chauncey C. is conductor on the Great Northern railway and David J. is an engineer on the Wabash railway. George W. Boden was educated in the public schools of Carnegie, and then went to work in a mine under his father, remaining there four years. After this he spent a year as an employe at the Schultz bridge works at Mckeesport, and was for eighteen months fireman on the Pittsburg & Lake Erie railway. The next five years of his life he was weighmaster in a coal mine and then became shipping clerk for his uncle, David Boden, at the Mansfield coal mine. After this he was for four years employed by the Alexander Black coal company and when the company sold out, he remained as weighmaster at the mine until June, 1902, when he obtained his present position. The Bower Hill coal mine, situated two miles west of Carnegie, on the Pan Handle railway, is a valuable property and employs 125 men. Mr. Boden has a certificate from the state of Pennsylvania to act as mine foreman in any bituminous coal mine in the state. This cer- tificate is a valuable testimonial to the experience and ability of its owner. On June 26, 1894, Mr. Boden was married to Miss Leila T. McMillen, a native of Allegheny county and daughter of Alexander J. and Matilda (Brown) McMillen. Mr. McMillen is a
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farmer in Upper St. Clair township and is prominent in educational affairs, having held the position of school director in his township. His wife died when forty-five years old. A son of Mr. and Mrs. McMillen, Ellis B., is a railroad man and makes his home with Mr. Boden, and a daughter, Maud B., also lives at the Boden home. Mr. Boden and wife have had three children : James A., Harold R. and George W. George W. died July 23, 1900, when six months old. Mrs. Boden died July 28, 1900. She was born Oct. 25, 1871. She was a faithful wife and mother and esteemed by her family and friends. Mr. Boden is a prominent citizen of Carnegie, takes an active interest in the welfare of the city and is a stockholder in the Building and Loan association. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, a past commander and present mem- ber of the Knights of Malta and a member of the Royal Arcanum. In politics he is a republican.
JOHN PHILIP BOHLANDER, of Elizabeth, Pa., a successful and prosperous carpenter, was born at Dravosburg, Allegheny Co., Pa., March 8, 1859, son of Philip and Catherine ( Miller) Bohlander, both natives of Germany. His father came to America in 1852, located at Dravosburg, and there was engaged in mining coal for John F. Dravo until about 1866. He then removed to Armstrong, Westmoreland county, where he worked as a butcher for a year, thence to Shaner Station of that county and there followed the trade of butchering for two years. In 1869 the elder Bohlander located at Elizabeth, where he conducted the leading meat-market of that borough until his retirement in 1902. He has some valuable real estate in Elizabeth and is reckoned one of the solid and progressive citizens of that borough. He was born in Ger- many in 1832, and, in 1854, married Catherine Miller, also a native of Germany, who died in 1867, leaving three children: Leonard, John P. and George. Philip Bohlander was again married in 1874 and on that occasion espoused Susan Messersmith, also a native of the Fatherland, who bore him three children: Christian, Alexander and Catherine, the latter deceased. Philip Bohlander is now enjoying the fruits of a well-spent career and is a member of the Presbyterian church, the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. John Philip Bohlander was reared in Elizabeth and educated in the public schools of that borough, completing his course in 1877. He then devoted his attention to the carpenters' trade, served an apprenticeship of four years and since has successfully followed that vocation. He resided in Homestead from 1897 until 1903,
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when he moved to Elizabeth, where he has valuable property interests. He was married, on Nov. 29, 1883, to Caroline F., daughter of Peter and Anna (Altmeyer) Yellig,, and they have three sons: John P., George L. and William H. Mr. Bohlander and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a member of Elizabeth lodge, No. 444, Knights of Pythias; Old Monongahela lodge, No. 209, Odd Fellows; Boaz council, No. 814, Royal Arcanum; Homestead council, No. 21, Order of Amer- icus, and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. His political affiliations are with the republican party and he is an active worker for its advancement and success.
JAMES M. SCHOULTS, a prominent contractor and builder, of Carnegie, was born in Allegheny county, Pa., Dec. 25, 1843. His parents, James and Sarah A. Schoults, both died of small-pox when the subject of this sketch was about a year and half old, and Mr. Schoults was reared by William McElhany on a farm in Indiana township, now called Richland township. As a boy he worked on the farm and attended the district school, and, when less than eighteen years old, began to learn the carpenters' trade. He has followed that vocation continuously since that time and has met with marked success. He has built many houses in Crafton and other places in Allegheny county and erected, in 1896, the Hustler building, which was the first tall building to be built in Carnegie. In former years, when a contractor was expected to understand architecture, he planned all his buildings, but has not given any attention to architecture for several years past. Mr. Schoults has won for himself a reputation for excellent work and enjoys the confidence of all who know him. On April 21, 1859, he married Miss Elizabeth Crummy, a native of Allegheny county, and daughter of David Crummy. The children born of this mar- riage were: Nancy Jane, who married John Leslie and has five children living: Pearl, Margaret, Edna, John and May; Margaret, who married John Hall of Allegheny, and has two children: Fern and Albert; and Mary F., now married to Adam Frederick of Alle- gheny, who has five children: Roy, Norman, Wilmer, Verna and Milford James. Mrs. Schoults died Aug. 10, 1881. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On May 1, 1883, Mr. Schoults married as his second wife, Miss Emma J. McClelland, daughter of William and Mary ( Anderson) McClelland, and grand- daughter of James and Sarah ( Peebles) Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. McClelland were born on the same day, Aug. 14, 1836. Mr.
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McClelland died Feb. 2, 1897, and his wife Jan. 12, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. McClelland were the parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Schoults is the only one now living. The others were: Mrs. Steven Large, James E., Mrs. John Culbert, George Elmer, William John, Joseph S. and David Henry. By his second marriage Mr. Schoults is the father of two children, Minnie Myrtle and Earl Milford. Mr. Schoults belongs to no secret organizations. In political belief he is a republican, but takes no active interest in party politics. Mrs. Schoults, Minnie and Earl are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Carnegie.
GEORGE T. KIRKBRIDE, of the firm of Kirkbride & San- ford, dealers in general dry goods, Carnegie, is one of the most prominent business men in Carnegie. He is secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Fort Pitt stone and brick company, Carnegie, and a member of the Carnegie board of trade. He was born Oct. 15, 1861, in Mansfield, now Carnegie, in the historic Davis house, which he has recently purchased. Mr. Kirkbride's parents were Capt. Thomas E. and Annie E. (Moreland) Kirk- bride. They were married in 1857 and came to Carnegie, then called Mansfield. At the first call for men to fight in the Civil war, Mr. Kirkbride volunteered and was made captain of a company recruited in the West End, Pittsburg. The company was one of those which composed the 13th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry and afterwards was merged into the 102d volunteer infantry, Army of the Potomac. The intrepid Captain Kirkbride fought in all the battles of his command until, on May 5, 1864, he received a mortal wound while fighting in the Wilderness. He was taken to a hos- pital at Washington, where he died sixteen days later. His young wife was at his bedside when the end came. Captain Kirkbride and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mansfield. They had two other children besides the subject of this sketch. Of these, the daughter, Ida M., afterwards Mrs. J. M. Belleville, of Philadelphia, died when thirty-seven years old; and the son, Charles E. Kirkbride, is a machinist of Allegheny. George T. Kirkbride, the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools of Carnegie, and when twelve years old was employed by the late W. J. Ford, who was then a banker and postmaster of Carnegie. He remained with Mr. Ford for two years and then learned teleg- raphy and was a telegraph operator until 1887. Then, in company with Mr. Sanford, he bought out the dry goods business of A. W. Waldie, and has since been engaged in the dry goods business with
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