USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume I > Part 50
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is also interested in and was one of the organizers of the Duquesne trust company, of which he is vice-president and which began opera- tions on May 25, 1903. He is also a dealer in real estate, handling his own property, and is one of the most enterprising and progres- sive citizens of the borough. The religious belief of Mr. Richards is that of the Presbyterian faith, but he is liberal and broad-minded in his views, and is a supporter of all denominations. He is a member of Duquesne lodge, No. 751, B. P. O. Elks; Vesta lodge, Knights of Pythias, and is prominently identified with the operations of these orders. His political affiliations are with the republican party, and he has represented the first ward in the borough council, where he made a good record and there displayed the business acumen and sound judgment which have marked his private affairs.
STEPHEN S. CRUMP, of Dravosburg, Pa., president of the State bank, was born near Wheeling, W. Va., Nov. 6, 1830, and is the son of John and Ruth (Robinson) Crump, both natives of Virginia. His paternal grandfather, Stephen Crump, was, in later life, a farmer of Washington county, Pa., and married Nancy Sisson. His maternal grandfather, John Robinson, was a native of the north of Ireland and an early settler of Ohio county, W. Va., where he followed his occupation of farming. John Crump, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a wagon-maker by trade, and during the latter years of his life resided at Beaver, Pa., where he died. Stephen S. Crump was reared in Ohio county, WV. Va., until his sixteenth year, attending the common schools of that county, and in 1847 located in Pittsburg, where he was employed as clerk in the oyster house of Holt & Maltby for two years. Then he went to Mckeesport, where he clerked in a general store until 1852, when he went to Dravosburg, accepting a position in the store of John F. Dravos, in whose employ he remained until 1863. In that year he formed a partnership with his father-in-law, J. C. Risher, and began operating the Amity coal mines under the firm name of J. C. Risher & Co. By the death of Mr. Risher in 1899 the firm was dissolved, but the busi- ness was continued by Mr. Crump as S. S. Crump & Co. until 1899, when it was sold to the Monongahela River consolidated coal and coke company. While operating the Amity mines, Mr. Crump did an extensive and profitable business, mining some 2, 500,000 bushels of coal annually, which he shipped to Cincinnati, Louisville and New Orleans. He also shipped a great deal of coal for other
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mines, and during this period conducted a general store at Dravosburg. In 1903 the State bank of Dravosburg was organized, with a capital of $75,000. Mr. Crump was elected president, and since that time has ably filled that position. He was married, on June 3. 1856, to Agnes, daughter of John C. and Nancy (McClure) Risher, of Dravosburg, and their home life is an ideal one. Dur- ing his residence at Dravosburg he has served many years as post- master under the different administrations, and when the borough of Dravosburg was incorporated in 1903, was elected its first burgess. He is exceedingly prominent in financial circles, being vice-president of the Tradesmen's National bank of Pittsburg, president of the Dravosburg bridge company, director in the Mckeesport title and trust company, treasurer of the Richland cemetery company, and trustee of the J. C. Risher estate.
CHARLES WILLIAM ALLEBRAND, the pioneer funeral . director of Duquesne, Pa., was born in Mckeesport, Pa., June 26, 1862, son of John and Rachel (Nicholaus) Allebrand, both natives of Germany. His paternal grandparents were John and Margaret (Hach ) Allebrand, who came to America in 1842, and shortly after- wards settled at Mckeesport, where his grandfather engaged in butchering, an occupation at which he prospered until his death in 1864. His wife had died in 1861, leaving the following children, viz. : Nicholaus, John, Philip, and Elizabeth, the latter the wife of George Kinzenbach, a prominent citizen of Mckeesport. Philip Allebrand was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting as a private in Company I, 63d Pennsylvania volunteer infantry; was promoted to a corporal- ship, and served as such until his death in the fights around Peters- burg in 1864. The maternal grandfather of the subject was William Nicholaus, who married a Miss Schoeller, both natives of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and they settled at Mckeesport in the early forties, where his grandfather was engaged in the butchering business until his death. John Allebrand, father of Charles W., was born at Charhesen-Steinhau, Germany, May 11, 1833, and accompanied his parents to the United States in 1842. In 1854 he went to California, where he was engaged in the butchers' busi- ness, and also was part owner of a gold-producing mine, and in 1860 returned to Mckeesport, where he married Rachel, daughter of William Nicholaus, of that city, and at once opened a meat- market. He conducted the market with much success until 1878, when he removed to his farm in North Versailles township and there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1890, when he retired
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from active business, and now makes his home at Mckeesport, though he spends much of his time in traveling. He had six chil- dren that grew to maturity, viz. : Charles W., Margaret (deceased), John N. ; Louisa, wife of Frank Hoag; Fredericka, wife of Charles F. DeLong, and George A. Mr. Allebrand is a mem- ber of Aliquippa lodge, No. 375, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; his religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church, and in his political opinions and associations is a republican. Charles W. Allebrand was reared in Mckeesport, educated in the public schools of that city and at Duff's business college, of Pitts- burg. Then he spent two years in a mining venture in Colorado, and in 1889 located at Duquesne, where he embarked in his present business of undertaking, and has since continued in that line with much success, being the leading funeral director of that com- munity. He was married, on Dec. 16, 1885, to Lida, daughter of James and Hetty (Carpenter) Michael, of North Versailles town- ship, and a member of a prominent family of western Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Allebrand are the parents of four children, viz. : Henrietta, Carl F., J. George and J. Neeland. He and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church of Duquesne, and Mr. Allebrand is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Allebrand is a prominent republican, and has served as school director of the borough for two terms. He was one of the promoters and organizers of the Duquesne electric light company and president of that corporation for three years.
MRS. ANNA T. WINTERS, of Glenfield, Pa., a prominent woman of that borough, was born on Oct. 17, 1852, daughter of Hugh and Wealtly Annie Luster. She was married, on July 17, 1873, to Alexander Winters, and they are the parents of the fol- lowing children: John W., who was born Aug. 29, 1874, and mar- ried Jennie Steward, Jan. 15, 1901; Blanche R., born Sept. 29, 1875, and married Charles Vaughn, Nov. 14, 1900; Minas T., born May 27, 1877, and married Nellie Walker, Aug. 20, 1902; Lula M., born July 17, 1880; Lily M., born July 17, 1880; Fern E., born Oct. 20, 1883; Olive L., born April 28, 1886, and Cuba H., born Nov. 25, 1888. Mrs. Winters' father, Hugh Luster, was the son of Arthur Luster, who was one of the first settlers of Allegheny county and a soldier in the patriot army during the struggles of the colonies to secure independence from the mother country. Hugh Luster was a soldier of the Civil war, first entering for a service of six months and later enlisting for three years, during which service he
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received a gunshot wound that entirely severed his thumb from his hand. This wound physically incapacitated him for service and he received an honorable discharge, returned to his home at Kilbuck, now known as Glenfield, where later he was accidentally killed by a moving train. Mrs. Winters had four sisters and an equal number of brothers, viz .: Mary, Mellie, Cordelia, Sarah, Charles, James, Amos and Arthur. Her husband, Alexander Winters, is the son of Robert Winters, and is a prosperous and suc- cessful plasterer and one of the most highly respected citizens of Glenfield, where he has made his home for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Winters have reared a family of intelligent and energetic children, supplied them with every necessity and given them all the advantages afforded by the educational institutions of that community.
HENRY D. THOMSON, superintendent of the Nixon, Leesdale and Summer Hill coal mines, resides with his family on School Hill avenue, Glendale, Woodville postoffice. He was born at Mckeesport, Allegheny Co., Pa., Sept. 2, 1858. His par- ents, Joseph and Jane (Donaldson) Thomson, were born in Scot- land, and married there, the father being engaged in sinking mine shafts. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thomson came to America in 1856, settling first in Allegheny, later at Mckeesport, and moving thence to Westmoreland county. Joseph Thomson was an able mine fore- man most of his active life. He died July 8, 1897, when seventy- one years old. His wife is still living at the age of seventy-five, a devout member of the Presbyterian church and a respected resi- dent of North Huntington township, Westmoreland county. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thomson were the parents of ten children, of whom six are living, viz. : Grace, wife of John Shields, a book- keeper at Robbins Station, Westmoreland county; Henry D., the subject of this sketch; Ellen, now Mrs. S. P. Radisbaugh, of Shaner Station; Mary, wife of Charles Thomas, of Mckeesport; Jennie, now Mrs. Robert Morrison, of Etna, and Guy, an engineer in charge of the power plant at Woodville. Henry D. Thomson was educated in the public schools and in Curry institute, Pittsburg, graduating from that school in 1888. After graduation he was employed until 1897 as mine foreman for John Blyth & Co., and then came to Carnegie as mine foreman for the Pittsburg coal com- pany. On Jan. 1, 1902, he was appointed superintendent of the company's interest as a reward for faithful and efficient services. Before coming to Carnegie, Mr. Thomson was school director in
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Westmoreland county for six years. He was married, Dec. 29, 1889, to Miss Christina Torrence, a native of Scotland, but a resi- dent of America since 1887. Mrs. Thomson is a daughter of William and Isabel Torrence, who reside in Braddock, where Mr. Torrence is a boiler-maker. She is the second of seven living chil- dren. The others are: Mrs. Alexander Kerr, of Mckeesport; John, a foreman of the boiler-makers at Braddock; Mrs. C. P. Sanborn, of Huntington, W. Va .; William, employed as a scalper in the Homestead mills, residing in Braddock; Andrew, learning the machinists' trade at Huntington, W. Va., and James, employed at the Westinghouse plant at Wilmerding. Mr. and Mrs. Thomson have four children : Alexander, Isabel, Henry and William T. Mr. Thomson and wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Carnegie. Mr. Thomson is an enthusiastic member of the Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed through all the chairs. He is also a member of the Knights of Malta, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and is chief of the Order of Scottish Clans. In politics he has always been a republican.
JOHN SLOAN, conductor on the Pan Handle railway, residing with his family in Carnegie, was born in Westmoreland county, Dec. 5, 1838. His parents, Canada and Mary ( Williamson) Sloan, were- both born in Ireland and married tliere. They came to America before 1830, and after a year's residence in Quebec, where they landed, came to Pittsburg, and from there moved to West- moreland county. The father farmed there in the summer, and in the winter went from house to house, plying his trade as a shoemaker. He died Feb. 10, 1861, when about fifty-one years old, and his wife died two years later at about the same age. They were worthy people, respected in the community where they lived. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living, viz. : Joseph, a stone contractor of Johnstown; Sarah, widow of James Galbreath, residing in Johnstown; Mary, wife of Nathan Griffey, a farmer in Ligonier valley, Westmoreland county; John, the subject of this sketch; Matilda, now the wife of Amel Boucher, a member of the police force of Johnstown, and Frank, a passenger conductor, residing in Pittsburg. The others died in childhood. John Sloan was educated in the public schools of Ligonier township, Westmoreland county, and after school days learned to be a miller and followed this vocation ten years. In 1863 he became a railroad brakeman, and was ten months later
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given charge of a train as conductor. He has been on the pay-roll for thirty-eight years, always for the same company, with the exception of five months, when he came to Carnegie in 1870. He has been in many wrecks and accidents, but has escaped injury and is still hale and hearty, although one of the oldest conductors on the road. Mr. Sloan is a genial, pleasant gentleman, and his long service testifies to the esteem in which he is held by his employers. He was married on Dec. 5, 1860, his twenty-second birthday.
CHARLES AMER HAMILTON, one of the most popular young politicians of Allegheny county, is a descendant of one of the oldest families in western Pennsylvania. His paternal grand- father was for many years one of the best-known coal operators in the vicinity of Pine Run. He was also prominent in river naviga- tion. Charles A. Hamilton was born in West Elizabeth, Jan. 17, 1874, and is a son of Denny P. and Sophia J. ( Kelley) Hamilton. His father served with distinction in the Civil war, and is now residing at Braddock, Pa. His maternal grandfather, Jacob Amer Kelley, was also a soldier in the Civil war, and was killed in battle. Charles Hamilton has always lived in Allegheny county. He was educated in the public schools and entered upon his business career as a clerk. At the present time he holds a responsible position at Clairton. As a political worker he has few equals. He is an excellent mixer, a good judge of human nature, fertile in resources, and withal a young man of cool judgment. He is a republican, but during the campaign in Allegheny county in 1902 he took an active part in the citizens' movement. This shows that he places the public welfare above any mere question of party, and, with his superior ability, genial disposition and general popularity, there is certainly a brilliant future awaiting him.
CHARLES F. KNODERER (deceased), of Glenfield, Pa., for many years a prosperous and successful blacksmith of that borough, was born in Alsace, Germany, and when a young man came to America, settled at Kilbuck, now Glenfield, Pa., about 1844, and after a long and prominent career died on March 13, 1880. He was the son of Christian and Margaret Knoderer, the former of whom was a famous soldier, having been a captain under the great Napoleon for seventeen years and accompanying the emperor on the Russian campaign with 386 men, of which number only five returned with their captain to France. Christian Knoderer was an expert swordsman and fought many hand-to-hand fights, and on
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one occasion was severely wounded in a combat with three men, armed with sabers, whom he met single-handed. He came to the United States in 1844, purchased a farm of 106 acres in Ohio town- ship, where his wife was born, in 1804, and remained on his farm until his death, at the age of eighty-five years. Charles F. Knoderer also upheld the family reputation for military prowess, participating in the Civil war and there rendering distinguished services to the Union army for two years and making a splendid reputation as a soldier. He was married, in 1868, to Amelia Lauderbaugh, and to them were born the following children: Albertiana, Clara, Christian, Emma and Sarah Elizabeth. Mrs. Knoderer was the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Lauderbaugh, the former having been a soldier of the Civil war and a member of Company D, 63d regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and died while in the service. Charles F. Knoderer was a man of fine busi- ness ability and possessed a clear conception of his duty to his fel- low-men, according to each one his rights and privileges and living according to the admonitions of the Golden Rule. He was very popular in Glenfield, where he was widely known, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of his entire acquaintanceship.
JOHN BERKENBUSH, of Haysville, Pa., a well-known citizen and a highly successful farmer, was born in Johnstown, Cambria Co., Pa., Jan. 25, 1860, son of George W. and Johanna ( Bradour) Berkenbush, his father having been born in Germany, coming to America in 1844 and settling in Cumberland, Md., where he remained for several years and then removed to Johnstown, Pa., where he died in 1887. The elder Berkenbush was a baker and miller, and devoted the greater part of his career to the latter calling. His parents had ten children born to them, viz. : Elizabeth, Henry, Emma, Mary, Charles F., John, Anna, Catharine, Carrie and George W., of whom Elizabeth, Henry and Emma are deceased. John Berkenbush was educated in the public schools of Johnstown and was an employe of the Cambria steel company and the Pittsburg steel company (limited) during a num- ber of years. He was a cupola foreman in the works of the Pitts- burg steel company for four years; then for fourteen years was night superintendent of the Schoenberger works of Pittsburg, and now resides on his fine farm in Aleppo township, where he is pleasantly and profitably engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Berkenbush was happily married to Margaret, daughter of Benja- min and Martha Murphy, Sept. 5, 1888, and they have had seven
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children, viz. : John B. (deceased), George W., Edna B., Mabel I., Charles F., Clarence and Kenneth. He is identified with two fraternal orders, holding membership in the Maccabees and the Masons and being in close sympathy with their high objects and purposes.
DAVID FRANKLIN BAIR, of Homestead, Pa., a prominent contractor and builder, was born near Greensburg, Pa., Feb. 27, 1844, son of Benjamin and Catherine (Shuey) Bair, both natives of Westmoreland county, Pa. His father was a prosperous farmer of that county, where he spent his entire life and there died in 1901, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He reared a family of eight children, viz. : Isaac, Jacob; Susannah, wife of George Smail; David Franklin, Hannah; Kate, wife of Jerry Congaware; Joseph and Emanuel. David F. Bair was reared in his native county and educated in its common schools. He served an apprenticeship as a carpenter, worked as a joiner for four years and for several years was engaged in contracting at Greensburg. In 1879 he came to Homestead as foreman in the McClean planing mill, where he remained for a number of years, and then became foreman of the carpenter department of the Homestead steel works. Since 1900 Mr. Bair has been following contracting and building with much success and has erected some of the handsomest structures in Homestead. He was married, in 1873, to Margaret, daughter of Abner and Mary A. (Kestler) Evans, of Greensburg, and they are consistent members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bair is also a member of the Knights of Honor, the B. P. O. Elks and of the republican party.
WILLIAM GRAY, tax collector of Homestead, and prominent real estate and insurance agent, is the son of John S. and Cather- ine (Jenkins) Gray, and was born at Banksville, Allegheny Co., Pa., Nov. 4, 1872. His father was a native of England and his mother of Wales. His maternal grandfather, William Jenkins, was for many years a resident of the South Side, Pittsburg, where he followed the occupation of a shoemaker. John S. Gray, the father of William, came from England in 1869 and settled in Allegheny county. For about fifteen years he was employed in the mines, but in 1885 he removed to Homestead and since that time has been connected with the Homestead steel works. He had twelve chil- dren, five of whom grew to maturity. They are: Isaac, William, Thomas, John and Anna. William Gray was educated in the public
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schools of Allegheny county and at the age of fifteen years he entered the Bryce glass works, where he remained as an employe for eight years. He then became interested in base-ball and for the next five years played with various clubs. From 1898 to 1903 he was employed in the Homestead steel works. In the spring of 1903 he was elected tax collector of Homestead by a decisive majority. Upon taking his office he also embarked in the real estate and insurance " siness. He was married, Nov. 19, 1896, to Estella L., daughter of Peter and Louisa (Wietz) Stemmler, of Homestead, and they have four children: Naomi A., Ruth L., Ella C. and Charles S. He and his wife are both members of the First Baptist church of Homestead. He is also a member of Homestead lodge, No. 479, Knights of Pythias, and the uniform rank of the same order. In politics he is a republican and as such was elected tax collector.
THOMAS MERRIMAN, of Glenfield, Pa., a successful and prosperous farmer, was born on Jan. 2, 1842,. and has devoted the major part of his life to agricultural pursuits. He was a soldier of the Civil war, first enlisting for three years in Company C, 61st regiment, Pennsylvania infantry, and at the expiration of that service re-enlisting for the remainder of the war in Company E of the same regiment. He was in many of the leading battles, par- ticipating in the fights of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamps, seven days around Richmond, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, and also served under Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley and with Grant at the capture of Richmond. At the close of the war he was hon- orably discharged, returned to his home, and on Nov. 14, 1873, married Mary Eckerman, and they had the following children : Pansy (deceased), Frank, Albert, Josephine, Perry, Catharine, Mary, Jacob, Thomas and Archie. Mrs. Merriman died on April 21, 1893, and is sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends and admirers. The paternal grandfather of the subject, Samuel Merriman, was one of the first settlers of Allegheny county and owned a large tract of land in what is now Aleppo township. He was a soldier of the patriot army during the struggles of the colonies for independent government, and his remains are buried in the family cemetery on the Merriman farm, which is one of the oldest burying-grounds in Allegheny county and in which all of Mr. Merriman's grandparents are interred.
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