USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume I > Part 7
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tion he served four years. He is now superintendent of erection of the Andersonville State military commission, which plans to erect a monument to the 1,849 Pennsylvania soldiers who died in Andersonville confederate prison and are buried in the national cemetery at Andersonville, Ga. Colonel Walker is a member of the B. P. O. E., Americus club, and other fraternal societies. He is of Scotch- Irish extraction, and of direct descent from the fight- ing preacher of the "Walls of Derry."
F. W. MUELLER, president of the Pittsburg brewing company, was born in Germany in 1847, and reared and edu- cated in his native country. Coming to America in 1873, he located, first, at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and later at Hamilton, Ohio, where he remained twelve years. He came to Pittsburg in 1887 and engaged in the brewing business, in which he has been unusually successful. Mr. Mueller was made president of the Pittsburg brewing company, Feb. 22, 1900, as a compliment to his ability and industry, and has filled this responsible position most creditably.
JOHN P. OBER, treasurer of the Pitts- burg brewing company, was born in Alle- gheny city, Pa., Aug. 21, 1848. He was reared in Allegheny city, and educated in the common schools, leaving school when fourteen years old. He worked in the brewery of his father, George Ober, remaining in his employ until he reached the age of twenty-two, and then, in part- nership with William Eberhardt, started a brewery in Allegheny city in 1870. The company was incorporated, in 1883, as the Eberhardt & Ober brewing com- pany, and continued until 1900, when it was merged into the Pitts- burg brewing company, of which Mr. Ober was made treasurer. While a resident of Allegheny city, Mr. Ober took a keen interest in the welfare of his city, and served for sixteen years in the select council, representing the thirteenth ward. Mr. Ober is a director
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in the German National bank, in the Safe Deposit bank of Alle- gheny and in the Central accident insurance company. He has a beautiful home in Schinley park, Pittsburg. In speaking of him, a prominent lawyer friend of his makes this statement: "Mr. Ober is one of the representative business men of Pittsburg, and prior to coming to this city filled a large place in city affairs in Allegheny city, in whose highest representative body he served with distinc- tion for many years. In financial circles, both there and in Pitts- burg, he is held in high esteem. He contributes to many charitable purposes, and his public spirit was demonstrated in one instance by his donation of a beautiful fountain to the city of Allegheny. No man stands higher in business circles than Mr. Ober." Mr. Ober is a member of the Masonic fraternity, I. O. O. F. and B. P. O. E.
WILLIAM ALLEN MEANS, alder- man from the twenty-first ward, Pitts- burg, was born in Allegheny city, Pa., in 1863. He is a son of Allen Means, also a native of Allegheny county, now retired. His parents moving to Plum township, Allegheny county, in 1869, William A. Means lived there on a farm until 1874, the family moving at that - time to East End, Pittsburg. There he attended the public schools, completing his education in the high school. Leav- ing school in 1880, he became clerk in the office of A. H. Leslie, at that time alderman from the seventeenth ward, and now director of public safety. He remained in Mr. Leslie's office for thirteen years, and was engaged for several years by his brother, A. J. E. Means, then alderman from the twenty- first ward. In 1897 he becaine a candidate for the position of alderman on the republican ticket, was elected, and, in February, 1902, was re-elected, this time on the citizens' ticket. Mr. Means is a prominent Presbyterian, and has sung in the choir of his church for the past eighteen years. He was one of the organizers of the East End gymnastic club, now extinct, and was president of that organization for one year. He is at present a director of the Lincoln Avenue building and loan association. Mr. Means is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Royal Arcanum and Protected Home Circle.
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BENJAMIN L. H. DABBS, photog- rapher, was born in Edgeworth, Alle- gheny Co., Pa., in 1871, but has resided in Pittsburg since 1879. When a boy, he attended school in Pittsburg, and later completed his education at the Pennsylvania college at Gettysburg. Returning to Pittsburg, he was employed for about five years by the French spring company, and then took up photography as a vocation, his father, also named B. L. H. Dabbs, being a photographer. He was engaged with his father until the death of the latter, which occurred in September, 1899, and has since that time conducted the business most successfully for him- self. Mr: Dabbs belongs to no secret orders. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church.
STEPHEN P. STONE, United States marshal for the western district of Penn- sylvania, was born in what is now the borough of Bridgewater, Beaver Co., Pa., in September, 1854. He attended school until he reached the age of sixteen, studying in the public schools and at Beaver academy. In 1877 he was appointed deputy prothonotary for Beaver county, Pa., was elected to the same office two years later, and re-elected in 1883. In 1885 he was appointed assist- ant cashier of Beaver depository, and served as such until 1890, when his ability and attention to duty won him promotion to the position of cashier, in which capacity he is still engaged. Mr. Stone was appointed to his present office by President Mckinley in April, 1901, and was reappointed by Presi- dent Roosevelt, Jan. 1, 1902. He is a stockholder in the Beaver Valley traction company, of which he has been treasurer for the past ten years. Mr. Stone is a Master Mason and Knight Templar, and a member of the I. O. O. F., Jr. Order of United American Mechanics and B. P. O. E. In religious belief he is an Episco- palian.
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JOHN DOWNEY, alderman from the fifth ward, Pittsburg, has been prominent in public affairs for many years, and is a man widely and favorably known. He was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1840, and lived in Ireland until 1869, when he came to America, locating in Pittsburg. On coming to this city, he entered the employ of Oliver & Phillips, prominent hardware merchants; re- mained with them a year, and then spent eighteen months in Leetonia, Ohio. He then returned to Pittsburg, where he has since resided. Since 1879 he has conducted a bakery, which is doing an increasingly extensive business. Mr. Downey has served two terms on the school board and two terms on the central board of education. He was elected alderman from the fifth ward, in 1898, for a five-year term. Mr. Downey is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
JOHN H. ARMSTRONG is an enter- prising and ambitious business man, suc- cessful alike as a public officer and in his business dealings. He was born in Dub- lin, Ireland, Sept. 30, 1861, and, in 1877, came to America, locating in the twelfth ward, Pittsburg. On coming to Pitts- burg, he became bookkeeper for Frank Armstrong, coal dealer, and was thus employed until 1890. He was elected, in 1896, to represent the twelfth ward in the Pittsburg common council, and re-elected in 1898. He also served as police magis- trate by appointment under Recorder J. O. Brown. Mr. Arm- strong is an energetic business man, and does a thriving business in real estate, insurance, collections, etc. Besides this, he is presi- dent of the North Avenue stair company and the Boon & Hill wall paper company. Mr. Armstrong is a prominent Mason, being a past commander of Ascalon commandery, No. 59, Knights Tem- plars, and a Shriner, and is also a member of the B. P. O. E. He affiliates in religion with the United Presbyterian church, and resides at No. 522 Winebiddle Ave.
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FRANCIS X. BARR, clerk of courts of Allegheny county, was born in Pitts- burg, Aug. 22, 1864." He is the youngest son of the late Hon. James P. Barr, founder of the Pittsburg Post, the leading democratic newspaper in Pennsylvania. Mr. Barr received his early education in private schools in Pittsburg, and later attended Fordham college, New York. He read law in the office of Willis F. McCook, Esq., practiced his profession for six years, and then retired from active practice to associate himself with the business management of the Pittsburg Post. Mr. Barr comes from an old democratic family, whose members have been influential in democratic politics in Pennsylvania for the past fifty years. He was elected to his present position on the citizens' and democratic ticket. Mr. Barr is a young man who has established himself firmly in the business world, a man of good habits and spotless integrity.
EDWARD C. VIERHELLER, alder- man from the thirty-sixth ward, Pitts- burg, is a native of that city. He was born in 1866, and attended the public schools until he reached the age of six- teen, when he began keeping books for his father, John P. Vierheller, a dry- goods merchant. He remained in the employ of his father ten years, bought out the store, but sold it shortly after- wards to take up the fire insurance busi- ness, in which he is still successfully engaged. In August, 1897, he was appointed alderman from the thirty-sixth ward by Governor Stone to fill a vacancy, was elected to the position in 1898 for a five-year term, and again in 1903 for another five years. Alderman Vierheller has long been prominent in republican politics. He was formerly a member of the republican county committee, and is at present a member of the republican city committee. He is sec- retary of the German building and loan association.
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ALBERT YORK SMITH, attorney and register in bankruptcy, Pittsburg, was born in what is now the thirty-second ward, Pittsburg, in 1854. His father, C. B. M. Smith, was a prominent attorney in his time, and, in 1845-6, was city solicitor of Pittsburg. Albert York Smith received his primary education in his native city, mostly in private schools, and then attended Yale university, graduating from that institution in the class of 1875. After graduation he studied law with his father, and after- wards with the late Samuel Harper, who was register in bank- ruptcy. He was admitted to the bar in 1880, and, in 1889, was appointed to the office which he has filled most creditably since that time. Mr. Smith is a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon frater- nity. He is vice- president of the Yale alumni of western Pennsyl- vania, and belongs to the University club. He is a member of the Heptasophs and Royal Arcanum, and the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a republican, and takes an active interest in party affairs.
DAVID FOULKE COLLINGWOOD, treasurer of Allegheny county, Pa., was born in the "old sixth," now the seventh, ward, Pittsburg, and was reared and edu- cated in the public schools there. Leav- ing school at the age of sixteen, he went into the wholesale and retail drug house of Joseph Fleming, remaining a year, after which he worked a year at the same business for Harris & Ewing. He spent a short time in laboratory work, but being unable to stand this occupation, he soon gave it up and became weigh-master in the converting mill, and later operated "the screws" on the blooming mill rolls of the Pittsburg Bessemer steel works (now Carnegie Homestead mills). After this he entered the employ of Thos. J. Watson, oil broker, as bookkeeper and confidential clerk, holding this position until about 1884, when he went into the insurance business, in which he has since been successfully engaged.
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Mr. Collingwood resides in North Braddock, and served as school director of his borough for ten months in 1896. He is an enthusi- astic member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and is a Shriner. He is also a member of the Pittsburg and the Monongahela clubs. In religious belief he is a Presbyterian.
MILLARD F. LESLIE, funeral di- rector in Pittsburg, and treasurer of the Funeral directors' association of Alle- gheny county, was born on a farm in Westmoreland county, Pa., Sept. 5, 1850. When ten years old, he moved with his parents to Chartiers, now Edgecliff, a village in Westmoreland county, where the father kept a general store. Here Mr. Leslie attended the public school until he reached the age of fifteen, when he moved with his parents to Freeport, Armstrong Co , Pa., and spent two years at the Freeport academy. His father's death then put an end to his schooling, and the boy went to work as brakeman for the Allegheny Valley railroad, now the river division of the Penn- sylvania system. Mr. Leslie continued in the employ of this rail- road until 1882, being promoted first to freight conductor, afterwards to passenger conductor. He was employed in the latter position for the last eight years of his service. Coming to Pitts- burg, in 1882, he opened an undertaking establishment, in com- pany with his brother, A. H. Leslie, under the firm name of M. F. Leslie & Bro. This firm continued for thirteen years, until 1895, when A. H. Leslie retired, and the livery end of the business was sold. Mr. Leslie has since managed the undertaking branch of the business. He has a handsome new chapel at No. 191 Forty- third St. The new building is a credit to Lawrenceville, and shows the progressive spirit of its owner. This is the first of the kind that has ever been erected in Lawrenceville, and is indeed a beau- tiful structure. It stands on a plot of ground twenty-one by sixty- five feet, and is two stories high, facing directly on Forty-third street and Eden alley. The first floor consists of an office, assist- ants' room, bath, packing room and reception room, all of which are beautifully finished in mahogany and onyx wainscoting, tile floor with a handsome marble mantel. The office fixtures are also
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mahogany. In the basement will be found a laying-out and trim- ming room done up with cemented floors and walls. The second story is where the new chapel is located, and in the front of the room three beautiful art windows cast a lovely glow of light all over the apartment, giving it a handsome effect. On the second floor is found a reception room, toilet room, bath, etc. The entire building is lighted with electric lights, with telephone connection at his chapel and also at his residence, No. 173 Forty-third St. Mr. Leslie is a member of the I. O. O. F., Jr. O. U. A. M., Macca- bees, Royal Arcanum and several other societies. He affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a republican in politics.
EDWARD J. FRAUENHEIM, vice- president of the Pittsburg brewing com- pany, was born in Pittsburg, on Feb. 13, 1865. His father, Edward Frauenheim, was formerly, for many years, an impor- tant factor in business affairs in Pittsburg. He was president of the Iron City brew- ing company, and an officer and director in a number of other companies, among them the German National bank and the Epping-Carpenter company. The sub- ject of this sketch was educated at St. Vincent's college, from which institution he graduated with honor. He then entered his father's office. where he remained until the death of the latter. Upon the organ- ization of the Pittsburg brewing company, he was elected vice- president. Beginning his business career equipped with a good education, a splendid physique, and an abundance of energy and perseverance, Mr. Frauenheim has by close application to business, and the practice of fair dealing, earned for himself a most enviable reputation in the business world as a man of business ability and strict probity. He is interested in a financial way in various large institutions in Pittsburg, and is actively engaged in several manu- facturing enterprises. Mr. Frauenheim is president of the Iron City sanitary manufacturing company and of the Zelienople extension company; he is vice-president of the Duquesne fire- proofing company, and director in the German National bank and the East End savings and trust company. He is likewise a mem- ber of the board of directors of Mercy hospital. In June, 1903, he was appointed to the office of city treasurer by Mayor W. B. Hayes.
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Mr. Frauenheim is a democrat, and while not actively participating in politics, he was honored by his party with election to the national convention in Chicago, in 1896. He is married, and with a charming wife and seven children resides in a beautiful home on Rebecca street, in the East End, Pittsburg. Mr. Frauenheim is a . member of the Duquesne club, of the Monongahela club and the Columbus club.
THOMAS B. MORELAND, funeral director, East End, Pittsburg, was born in the twelfth ward, Pittsburg, in 1870, but has been almost all his life a resident of the East End. His father, Thomas B. Moreland, Sr., was for many years engaged in the livery and undertaking business in the East End. He was born in Dromore, County Down, Ireland, in 1828, and came to Pittsburg when twenty- two years old. He went into the livery and undertaking business in 1858, with THOMAS B. MORELAND, SR. David L. Mitchell, the firm being known as Moreland & Mitchell. A branch of the business was established in the East End, in 1870, of which Mr. Moreland took charge, but, in 1874, he dissolved partnership with Mr. Mitchell and conducted the business in the East End alone. Mr. Moreland was probably the most widely known business man in the East End, a man who enjoyed a remarkably large circle of acquaintances, and was admired and respected by all who knew him. He was a director of the Liberty National bank, of the Dime savings and loan asso- ciation, and was prominently identified with every movement to advance the interests of the East End. Thomas B. Moreland, the subject of this sketch, was reared in the East End, and graduated from the public schools in 1884, and from Newell Institute in 1888. He entered the employ of his father, and, on the latter's death, April 15, 1902, succeeded him in the livery and undertaking busi- ness. Upon the death of President William Mckinley, Mr. Moreland had the honor of being a prominent assistant at his funeral at Canton, Ohio. He is a director of the Liberty National bank and the Dime building and loan association. Mr. Moreland is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar and Shriner, and a member of Allegheny lodge. No. 339, B. P. O. E. In politics he is a republican.
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ALEXANDER BLACK, alderman from the thirty-first ward, Pittsburg, is a Scotchman by birth, and has resided in Pittsburg for over thirty years. He was born in Glasgow, in 1847, and reared and educated in Scotland. In 1865 he went to Newport, Monmouthshire, England; resided there several years, and, in 1871, was married to Miss Mary Clapp, daugh- ter of John W. Clapp. Mr. and Mrs. Black have five children, two boys and three girls. In 1872 Mr. Black came to Pittsburg, where he was engaged as a journeyman tailor until 1883, at which time he went into the real estate and insurance business, in which he has since that time been employed. In 1901 he became a candidate for alderman of the thirty-first ward, and was elected for a five-year term. Mr. Black is prominent in business circles, and is treasurer of the Home building and loan association of the thirty-first ward. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Mystic Chain, and belongs to the United Presbyterian church. He is a republican in politics.
JOHN BRADLEY, clerk in the office of the prothonotary of Allegheny county, was born in Lanarkshire, fourteen miles from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1841. He came to Allegheny county with his widowed mother in 1852, and worked in the coal pits, as he had done in Scot- land since his eighth year. He con- tinued at this work in America until 1873, except during the Civil war. In July, 1862, he enlisted to fight for his adopted country, as a private in Company C, 123d regiment, Pennsylvania volunteer infan- try, and served until disabled by a wound in the left arm, received at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862. Coming to Pittsburg in 1873, Mr. Bradley was engaged for a short time as a clerk for his brother- in-law, and, in December of that year, became clerk in the office of the prothonotary, in which office he has been a trusted official for almost thirty years. In 1885 he was elected to the office, and
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was twice re-elected, after which he became chief clerk and served as such until Jan. 20, 1903. On Jan. 10, 1903, he was appointed oil inspector for Allegheny county by the court of common pleas, No. I. Mr. Bradley is a Mason, and a member of the I. O. O. F., Royal Arcanum and Post No. 151, G. A. R.
THOMAS A. ROWLEY, deceased, was born in Pittsburg, in 1809, reared and educated there. He held the position of clerk of courts of Allegheny county prior to the Mexican war, and was so em- ployed when the war broke out. Mr. Rowley went into the war as second lieu- tenant and adjutant in the 2d Pennsyl- vania infantry; he was afterwards promoted to captain, and assigned to the regiment of Col. George M. Hughes, Maryland and District of Columbia troops, serving in that capacity until the
close of the war. Returning to Pittsburg, he became street com- missioner, and later clerk of courts. In 1856 Mr. Rowley became captain of the Washington infantry, a militia company. The company was, on the outbreak of the Civil war, raised to a battal- ion, and later to a regiment, Mr. Rowley becoming first major and then colonel. After its first three months' service, the regi- ment enlisted, its name being changed at that time from the 13th to the 102d regiment, Pennsylvania volunteer infantry. Mr. Rowley served as colonel of his regiment until Dec. 29, 1862, when he was promoted to the position of brigadier-general, and assigned to the command of the Ist brigade, 3d division, Ist army corps. At the battle of Gettysburg, after the death of Gen. J. F. Reynolds, General Rowley commanded the division, having charge throughout the battle, after the first day's fight. The gallant general was himself wounded on that bloody field, and, being incapacitated for field service, was assigned to the command of the department of Maine, with headquarters at Portland, serving until . April, 1864. He was then assigned to the department of western Pennsylvania, with headquarters at Pittsburg, holding this position until the close of the war. In November, 1864, he was brevetted major-general. After the war, General Rowley was appointed deputy United States marshal for western Pennsylvania by Presi- dent Johnson, and in Grant's first administration he served one
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term as United States marshal for the same district. After this he devoted his attention to pension claims, and was so engaged up to the time of his death, which occurred in June, 1894. General Rowley was a Royal Arch Mason and Covenanter, and a member of the Presbyterian church. He was a son of George Rowley, a veteran of the War of 1812, and a grandson of William Rowley, who served in both the Revolution and the War of 1812. General Rowley's son, Henry T. Rowley, clerk to the county commissioner of Allegheny county, is also a veteran of the Civil war, making the fourth generation of soldiers in the Rowley family. Henry T. Rowley was born in Pitt township, now the eleventh ward, Pitts- burg, in 1847. He was actively engaged in the Civil war, and at its close he returned to Pittsburg, where, for seven years, he was employed in the engineering corps of the P. & C., now the B. & O., railroad company. He worked until 1883 in the book and stationery store of J. R. Welden & Co. He then entered the office of the county commissioners, in which he has been a trusted official for twenty years. He was also for some years borough clerk of Wilkinsburg. Mr. Rowley is a member of the F. and A. M., being a Knight Templar in that fraternity.
URIAH BELLINGHAM, vice-presi- dent of District No. 5, United Mine Work- ers of Pennsylvania, was born in Stafford- shire, England, and has been a resident of Banksville, Pa., since 1880. He was born Oct. 17, 1857, and, in 1860, moved with his parents to Lancashire, going two years later to Leeds, Yorkshire. Mr. Bellingham began working in the York- shire mines when only nine years old, and continued to do so until he reached his majority. Coming then to America, he was employed in the coal mines at Banksville until 1900, when he was elected vice-president of the United Mine Workers of Pennsylvania. In this capacity his ser- vices were rewarded by re-election in 1901, and again in 1902. . Prior to this, from 1896 to 1901, he was a member of the district executive board of the same association. Mr. Bellingham is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Sons of St. George, and belongs to the Established Church of England. In politics he is a republican.
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