USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume II > Part 16
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Protestant church, but Mr. Hutchison was formerly a member and steward of the United Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Junior Order of American Mechanics and the democratic party. Mr. Hutchison was postmaster of Springdale, is now a member of the council of Cheswick, and is one of the substantial citizens of that community.
JOHN W. STEWART, for over twenty years engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Mckeesport, was born in Mckeesport, Pa., in 1834. His father was Hamilton Stewart, a native of Mckeesport, born in 1799, farmer and also a carpenter. He died in 1880. The mother of the subject of this sketch was Nancy S. (Dinsmore) Stewart, who was born in Patton township, Alle- gheny county, in 1807, and died in 1878. John W. Stewart was educated in the pub- lic schools and at Mckeesport academy, attending school until he reached the age of twenty-one. He was then for eleven years a farmer, and after that, until 1880, was engaged in carpentering, and as a contractor and builder In 1880 he opened a real estate and insurance office at No. 422 Walnut St., Mckeesport, and has been successfully engaged in business there ever since. Mr. Stewart was married, in 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Gamble, of Armstrong county, and has had six children, of whom three are now living, M. Wilson, Dr. J. Boyd D. and Scott M. M. Wilson is now an attorney in Pittsburg, and Dr. J. Boyd D. is a practicing physician at Wilson Station, Allegheny county. Mrs. Stewart died in October, 1899. Mr. Stewart has been a trustee of the First Presbyterian church of Mckeesport since 1871, and treas- urer of the Mckeesport hospital since 1898.
CHARLES UHLINGER, of the firm of C. Uhlinger & Co., real estate and insurance, was born in Switzerland in December, 1841, received a high school education there, and, in 1861, came to America, locating in New Jersey, where he spent a year on a farm. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, 12th New Jersey volunteer infantry, served with distinction throughout the Civil war, and was discharged at its close in Washington, D. C. His war service over,
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he spent several years in the western States, employed in various capacities, and in 1873 came to Pittsburg, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1877. In that year he came to Hites, where he has since been an honored resident. He was in business there for a time, and for twenty years held almost continuously the positions of justice of the peace and notary public. He entered the real estate and insurance business, in company with George H. McFetridge, under the firm name of C. Uhlinger & Co. Besides this business, he has several other financial interests, being a stockholder in the National bank of Tarentum and in the J. H. Baker manufacturing company of that place, and the owner of valuable real estate in Hites and Tarentum. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, is an influential republican, and at one time held the position of township auditor. He is a mem- ber of Eli Hemphill post, No. 135, G. A. R., and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he serves as a member of the official board. Mr. Uhlinger was married, in 1876, to Miss Kate Thumm, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and is the father of twins, Kate and Emma, and two younger children, Bertha and George.
OLIVER L. CRIBBS, grocer in Verona, was born in Clarion county, Pa., March 17, 1856. His father, John R. Cribbs, a blacksmith by trade, did the first blacksmithing at Redbank furnace, Clarion county, and afterwards went to Oil City, at the time of the boom, engag- ing in the real estate and wholesale and retail grocery business there. He amassed a considerable fortune in Oil City, and, in 1866, moved to Illinois, where he remained three years. Returning to Pennsylvania, he engaged in the grocery and lumber business, and continued in active business till 1894. O. L. Cribbs, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Pennsylvania, and received a common-school education. He was for a time interested in the oil-producing business, and was for four years in the employ of the Philadelphia gas company, but has spent most of his time in mercantile pursuits, being now a prominent grocer. Although reared a republican, Mr. Cribbs has voted the prohibition ticket for about sixteen years. He has served his borough one term as councilman and two terms as registering assessor. He is
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an influential member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds the position of steward and treasurer, has been for some time class leader in the church, and was for five years superintend- ent of the Free Methodist Sunday-school. Mr. Cribbs was married in September, 1876, to Miss Emma Dunsmore, and has three daughters, Bertha, Lola and Eva. Bertha and Eva are members of the Second United Presbyterian church, while Lola attends the Baptist church.
WILLIAM NICHOLAS, of Tarentum, for twenty years a trusted employe of the Pittsburg glass company, and for ten years foreman in the polishing rooms, was born in South Buffalo township, Armstrong county, April 4, 1854, and is a son of William and Eliza (Thomas) Nicholas, and grandson of John and Mary Jane Nicholas. John, who was a Prussian by birth, was related to the Nicholas family now on the throne of Prussia. He settled in Pittsburg in an early day, but afterwards returned to Prussia, where he died. Mrs. John Nicholas took as her second husband Rev. George Venebles, a very early settler of Pittsburg, who served in the Revolutionary war as chaplain. William Nicholas, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was a peddler by trade, in politics a whig and later a republican, and in religious belief an earnest Methodist. He was for thirty-five years a resident of Creighton, and the Methodist church of that place was organized in his home. He and his wife had eleven children, and of the family, seven sons and two daughters are living. One daughter, Letesia Ellen, died in 1886, and David John, a son, in 1864. He died on Jan. 11, 1890, while his wife died in 1896. She was a daughter of Thomas Thomas, a native of South Wales, who came to America in early life, settling at Pittsburg. He died at Brady's Bend, Armstrong county. William Nicholas, whose name heads this article, was reared and educated in Harrison township, and then began his life work as a glass worker. He has been suc- cessful in his line of work, and now enjoys the confidence of his employers and the good-will and esteem of his fellow-workmen. He now owns considerable property in Tarentum. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of A. O. U. W., Jr. A. O. U. M.
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and the Tribe of Ben-Hur. In 1882 Mr. Nicholas married Miss Catherine Moss, and has by this union two children, Edna G. and David Moss, both of whom have been given the privilege of an edu- cation in the Creighton schools. Mrs. Nicholas, who was born in Allegheny city, July 16, 1856, is one of the two children born to David and Phillipina (Sneider) Moss, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America. He was, when a young man, a contractor in New Orleans, but spent his last years in Pittsburg, and died there Feb. 22, 1880. His widow is living, now a woman seventy- four years old. Mrs. Nicholas' paternal grandfather was Jacob Moss, a native of Germany, who spent his life there, and was a son of Mathias Moss, who was born in England, but died in Germany. Her maternal grandfather was William Sneider, a native of Ger- many, who died there at the age of fifty-six. He married Barbary Brown, a German woman, who lived to the unusual age of ninety- six. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
W. A. SARGEANT, of Coraopolis, Pa., assistant manager of the Consolidated lamp and glass company, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., Feb. 3, 1868, son of Robert W. and Helen Octavia (Vera) Sargeant. His parents had three children, of whom he is the sole survivor. His father was a bricklayer by trade, an exceedingly active man, who died suddenly in 1896. His mother died when he was four years of age, and he was placed with relatives to board. He remained there until nine years of age, when he ran away to shift for himself, and went to Irwin, Pa., where he was practically lost to his relatives for a year, when he was accidentally seen by an acquaintance at the railroad station, and reported to his father, who took him to Pittsburg and placed him in school in that city. He remained in school until he was twelve years of age, when he began to learn the trade of decorating on glass with the firm of Challinor & Burgin, of Pittsburg, Pa., a concern that is now out of business. He was with them for eighteen months, then secured employment with the Phoenix glass company, of Phillipsburg, Pa., now known as the town of Monaca. He remained with that establishment for five years, in the capacity of decorator, and then went to Tarentum,
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Pa., where he was employed as designer with the firm of Challinor & Taylor. . Three years afterwards he again went with the Phoenix glass company, remained with them until 1890, and then removed to Anderson, Ind., where he was connected with the American glass company. Next he returned to the Phoenix glass company, and then to Fostoria, Ohio, with the Fostoria shade and lamp com- pany. He left that company to take the management of the Chelsea pottery, of New Cumberland, W. Va., and from there again to the Phoenix glass company, and later was with the Libby glass company at the World's Fair at Chicago, where he received high honors. He went with the Fostoria shade and lamp company as manager of the decorating department, and when that company merged with another large plant and removed to Coraopolis under the name of the Consolidated lamp and glass company, Mr. Sargeant was made assistant general manager and designer of the plant. This is the largest plant of its kind in the United States, and Mr. Sargeant discharges the complex affairs of his position with rare skill and judgment. He was married, in 1892, to Ella Grace Jolley, of Monaca, Pa., and they have one child, Grandville LeMoyne. Mr. Sargeant is a republican in politics, a member of the Presbyterian church, and is a director in the Coraopolis realty company and in the Coraopolis savings and trust company. Mr. Sargeant has one of the prettiest homes in Coraopolis, and stands high in the esteem of all who know him. Mr. Sargeant's maternal grandfather was Col. Antoine François Joseph Vera, of French par- ents, who was born in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, on Dec. 9, 1795. He served in the army, as required by the laws of the country, and when nineteen years of age participated in the battle of Waterloo and witnessed Napoleon's sun set forever. In 1816 Colonel Vera sailed for New York, finally located in Beaver county, Pa., and was married, on July 14, 1822, to Eliza Couch, of Allegheny county, Pa., daughter of Joseph and Catherine Connor Couch. Their first home was at Beavertown, where he served one term as county commissioner, and in 1837 he had the brick made on the ground and erected a dwelling-house and brewery at Bridge- water. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bridgewater until their deaths, he dying on June 4, 1858, at the age of fifty-six years, and she on Jan. 10, 1867, at the age of seventy-one years. Helen Octavia Vera, one of a pair of twins, was the tenth child of Colonel Vera, and was born at Bridge- water, Pa., on Aug. 10, 1843. She was educated at Beaver semi- nary, and married Robert W. Sargeant, Jan. 5, 1865, on his return
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from the army, where he had served in the 139th Pennsylvania volunteers, Allabach's brigade, third division, fifth corps, Army of the Potomac. They had two children, Annie E. and William A., the subject of this sketch.
MICHAEL C. O'DONOVAN, of Mc- Kee's Rocks, Pa., a prominent merchant and borough treasurer, was born at Walk- er's Mills, in Allegheny Co., Pa., Sept. 20, 1863, and is the son of Michael and Cathe- rine (Collins) O'Donovan. His father came from County Cork, Ireland, and was engaged in industrial pursuits. He was the father of two children: T. C., agent of the Lake Erie railroad at Shoustown, Pa., and Michael C., the subject of this sketch. Mr. O'Donovan received his education in the common schools and at the Oakdale academy, in Allegheny county, and when fifteen years of age abandoned his studies to become a telegraph operator for the Pan Handle railroad. He was engaged for four years with that company, being located at different stations between Pittsburg and Noblestown, and later secured a similar position with the Lake Erie railroad at Boston, Pa. He was connected with that railroad for four years, part of the time as train dispatcher at McKee's Rocks. In 1888, he opened a small grocery store at McKee's Rocks, later added other lines of merchandise, and to-day has the largest mer- cantile establishment in that borough. He was married, in 1882, to Agnes, daughter of John and Mary Tracey, of Noblestown, Pa., and they have eight children, Mary Agnes, Katie, Nellie, Michael, Alice, Agnes, Margaret and Paul. Mr. O'Donovan affiliates with the democratic party, and was a member of the first council of the borough of McKee's Rocks, again held that office from 1895 to 1898, and at present is treasurer of the borough. Mr. O'Donovan has never sought office, but has consented to fill these positions solely because he regards public office as a public duty and one that good citizens should not shirk. He served as chairman of the sixth legislative district for his party in the last election, and conducted the campaign with skill and ability. He is a member of the St. Francis de Sales' Roman Catholic church, one of the church com- mittee, and chairman of the St. Vincent de Paul society. His reputation among his business and political colleagues is very high,
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and when any public question enlists his interest it is regarded as sure of a successful consummation. His ability in the line of pub- lic service was first illustrated during his term as councilman, just after the borough was organized, when a traction company wanted the right of way on certain borough streets, but refused to come on the street in which he was interested. Despite the fact that the company declined to lay their tracks on that street and the further fact that the other five members of the council were opposed to the route as outlined by him, yet he created a condition which com- pelled the company to accept his plans and the other members of the council to agree with his ideas. Since that time his ability has been known and respected, and in many other ways has he demon- strated that when he undertakes a work he is going to succeed, if there is any possible way, and where no way exists, he proceeds to create one. In a contest where he represented his church, he succeeded in raising $8,542.50 in a very short time, and created a record that has never been equaled in that diocese by a layman.
JOSEPH K. FULTON, Sr., of Taren- tum, Pa., a leading merchant and a promi- nent citizen, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., Jan. 12, 1837. He is a son of Rev. Andrew S. and Jane (Kerr) Fulton, the former a son of James Fulton, a native of Ireland, who came to the United States at an early date, first settled in Pittsburg, and, in 1837, engaged in the mercantile busi- ness at Tarentum, where he prospered until his death in February, 1850. His wife was Sarah Smith, a native of Ire- land, and she died in Tarentum in 1842. They had a family of seven children, all of whom are now dead. Jane Kerr was the daughter of the Rev. Joseph R. Kerr (one of the first professors of the United Presbyterian theological seminary, of Pittsburg), and his wife, Agnes Reynolds Kerr. Rev. A. S. Fulton was educated in the University of Pittsburg and at the United Pres- byterian theological seminary. He began his career as a minister at Union, Pa., later removing to Peoria, Ill., where, his health failing, he returned to Tarentum, where he died in 1845. They had only one child, the subject of this sketch. J. K. Fulton was reared in Tarentum, and when a boy began working in his grandfather's store; later was with his uncles, James B. and W. G. Fulton, who
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were in the mercantile business under the firm name of J. B. Fulton & Bro. At the death of J. B. Fulton, in 1884, the firm was continued by W. G. and J. K. Fulton, under the old firm name, until the death of W. G. Fulton, in 1895, when J. K. Fulton assumed entire charge of the business, which he now conducts under the name of J. K. Fulton, Sr. He was married, in 1873, to Julia B. Rynd, of Tarentum, Pa., and they have four children : Amelia; J. K. Fulton, Jr., member of the firm of Fulton & Inskeep, of Tarentum; A. J., clerk in the Tarentum savings and trust company, and William G.
JOHN JOSEPH VOGT, pastor of St. Joseph's church, Verona, was born in Dahm, Germany, Oct. 17, 1863, and is a son of Frank and Elizabeth (Goebel) Vogt, natives of Germany. Father Vogt has two brothers, also in the min- istry-William, pastor of St. Joseph's church at Carnegie, and August A., assistant at South Side, Pittsburg, to Father Goebel, an uncle. The subject of this sketch was educated first in Ger- many, and then, coming to Pittsburg at the age of twelve, studied at the College of the Holy Ghost, graduating from that institution in 1883. After this he studied philosophy and theology at St. Mary's seminary, in Baltimore, Md. He spent six years as assistant to Father Goebel, in the West End, Pittsburg. After this he was located at St. Aloysius', in Reserve township, and later came to Verona, where, after only six months' service, he suffered a stroke of paralysis, caused by a stroke of lightning, and was obliged to give up his work and go to Europe for his health. After a summer on the continent, he so far recovered that he was able to take the chap- laincy at Cresson, Pa., and was later summoned by the urgent request of the people of Hollidaysburg, Pa., to become pastor of the St. Michael's congregation there. When the diocese of Altoona was formed, he was called to Pittsburg and sent to Verona to take charge of St. Joseph's church. Here, in the two years of his min- istry, Father Vogt has endeared himself to all, and made a most enviable record as a pastor. In connection with the parish work is a flourishing school of some 150 pupils, which is managed by five school sisters of Notre Dame.
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EMIL EDGAR MAURHOFF, civil engineer and notary public, of Tarentum, was born in Butler county, Pa., Jan. 28, 1848, and is a son of Emil and Johannah (Pollard) Maurhoff. Emil Maurhoff was born in Hanover, Germany, and his wife in Philadelphia. They were married in Butler county, and there spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Maurhoff came from Germany to Baltimore in 1832, moved soon after to Butler county, and was a merchant in Saxonburg for many years. In early life he was a whig, for years the only man of his party in Saxonburg, and was afterwards a republican. In later life he was for twenty years justice of the peace, and also served eight years as postmaster. He was a sur- veyor; did much work in Butler county, and helped make the first map of the county. In his day he was one of the most prominent men of the community, and his name is still remembered with respect in that part of Pennsylvania in whose public life he played so important a part. He was one of the originators of Saxonia lodge of Odd Fellows at Saxonburg, and a charter member and organizer of Tarentum lodge, No. 587, I. O. O. F. He and his wife were members of the German Evangelical Protestant church. Mrs. Maurhoff was a daughter of John F. and Rosina Pollard, natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1830, locat- ing in Philadelphia. Afterwards they moved to North Carolina, then returned to Philadelphia, moving thence to Butler county, where they spent their last days. Emil E. Maurhoff, whose name begins this sketch, was reared and educated in Saxonburg, learned surveying from his father, and worked in his father's store. For the past twenty three years he has been a successful civil engineer, and has lived in Tarentum since 1892. He surveyed Brackenridge, laid out the borough of that name, and is now engineer of the sewer system and the grading of streets. Mr. Maurhoff is a stock- holder in the J. H. Baker manufacturing company, and has had other financial connections, being at one time interested in the manufacture of brick in Butler county. He owns property in Tarentum and in Butler county. In politics he is a republican, was for three years county auditor of Butler county, and for seven · years served as school director. He is a member of Saxonia lodge, No. 496, I. O. O. F., and of the Jr. O. U. A. M. On Sept. 6, 1870,
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he married Miss Matilda Koegler, a native of Butler county, and has had five children, of whom the third-born, Alice, is now deceased. The others are: C. H., F. W., Annie E. and Presley A. L. Mr. Maurhoff and wife are members of the English Lutheran church of Tarentum. In 1897 Mr. Maurhoff planned the church and superintended its erection.
J. CLYDE MILLER, a prominent insurance and real estate agent, of Home- stead, was born in Mifflin township, Alle- gheny Co., Pa., March 7, 1870. He is a son of Jacob C. and Christina (Fulmer) Miller, and grandson of Jacob and Catherine (Bender) Miller, natives of Wurtemburg, Germany, who came to America in the thirties. After a short residence in Maryland, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Miller, Sr., moved to Allegheny county, living there during the remainder of their lives. Jacob C. Miller, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Allegheny county, April 8, 1841. He was for twelve years a miner, and, in 1879, located in Mifflin township, where he embarked extensively in the dairy busi- ness, in which he is still interested. He has seven children living : Emma, wife of John Wilds; J. Clyde, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Albert Gordon; Ida, wife of Edward Ball, present burgess of West Homestead and assistant secretary of the Mercantile trust company, Pittsburg; Harry, teller of the First National bank of Homestead; John F., and Tena. J. Clyde Miller was educated in the public schools and at Curry institute, Pitts- burg, and Dec. 1, 1892, began his business career as a dairyman at Homestead, but has, since 1900, devoted his attention to real estate and insurance. Mr. Miller married Miss Mamie McGreevy, daugh- ter of John McGreevy, and ward of the late Dr. George Gladden, of Homestead, and has three children, Ruth, Clyde and George G. Mr. Miller is a member of the Presbyterian church. He served four years as captain of Company No. I of the Homestead fire department, and resigned because of business duties, but is still an active member of the company. He is captain of the Homestead troop, the only mounted organization in western Pennsylvania, and one of the finest in the State. Since attaining his majority, Mr. Miller has taken an active interest in politics, and is a stanch
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republican. He was elected councilman from the first ward, and during his three-year term cast more votes independent of party or faction than any other man who ever held the office of councilman in Homestead. Feb. 20, 1900, he was elected burgess of the borough of Homestead for a term of three years, also justice of the peace for five years, and has filled both positions most creditably. Out- side of politics, Mr. Miller takes an active interest in public affairs, and favors every movement to advance the welfare of the com- munity. He is prominent in charity work of various kinds, and takes great interest in athletic sports.
WILLIAM B. WHITE, of Springdale, Pa., senior member of the firm of White Bros., dealers in general merchandise, was born near Youngstown, Mahoning Co., Ohio, Dec. 22, 1858, son of John White, a prosperous farmer, and his wife, Eliza Dixon. His paternal grandpar- ents were natives of Ireland and early settlers in America. Mr. White was edu- --- cated in the public schools of Mahoning county, which he attended until seven- teen years of age, and for the next four years devoted his attention to teaching in his native county. He took a commercial course at the normal school at Valparaiso, Ind., and was graduated from that well- known institution in 1887. He went to Iowa, where he clerked in a hotel for one year, afterwards to Denver and engaged in the real estate business for a short time. He secured a position with the Singer sewing machine company in their Denver office, and later went on the road for this company as special bookkeeper. He spent eight years with them, covering Nebraska, New Mexico, Mexico and Texas, and in 1897 returned to Ohio, engaging in the mercantile business with his brother at Paulton, near Apollo. For two years they prospered there, and, in 1900, removed their business to Spring- dale, Pa., and since have enjoyed a splendid patronage, being the only general mercantile establishment in that town. They also have in connection with their general store, a grain and feed store, and supply customers in Cheswick by wagon. Mr. White was married, in June, 1900, to Mary E., daughter of Joseph and Katharine Nealy, of Saltsburg, Pa., and they have two children, John L. and Louis. Mr. White is a member of the Odd Fellows,
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