USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume II > Part 18
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powder making in the country. In 1883 he moved to Carnegie (then Mansfield), and was the pioneer in developing the coal of the Thom's Run section of the Pittsburg district. He has been extensively interested in coal mines, and has owned several valu- able mining properties, although he has never operated more than three at one time. In 1899 Mr. Powers sold out his coal interests to the Pittsburg coal company, and very soon after engaged in coal mining in Columbiana county, Ohio. On Aug. 11, 1880, Mr. Powers married Miss Mary G. Moore, daughter of Irwin and Genette (Clapp) Moore. Both parents are now deceased. Irwin Moore came to America from Ireland when he was nine years old, his parents emigrating from that country in the first quarter of the last century. The family is a very old and respected one. Edward Powers and Mary Moore were schoolmates of the late President Mckinley at the old academy in Poland, Ohio. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Powers, Helen Du Boise died when three years old, and Edward W. when five. Frank Irwin Powers, the only living child, is a student at Rose polytechnic institute, Terre Haute, Ind.
W. J. DITHRICH, of Coraopolis, Pa., a prosperous wholesale liquor dealer, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., Feb. 1, 1863, and is the son of Michael and Mary (Ferguson) Dithrich, who had ten chil- dren, six of whom are now living, viz. : Edward C., postmaster of Coraopolis; Frank and Leonard, newspaper men in Pittsburg; Mary, widow of John Steven- son; Laura and W. J. His paternal ancestors came from Germany, and his maternal ones from Ireland. He received his early education in the splendid public schools of Pittsburg, and when eighteen years of age left school and engaged in the wholesale tobacco business. When he attained his majority he went into politics, securing a position in the office of Sheriff McCandless as a deputy sheriff, and later served in the same capacity under Sheriff McCleary. In 1895 he received the appointment of mercantile appraiser of Allegheny county, and served one year in that office, and subsequently was deputy coroner and chief clerk under Coroner McDowell, later occupying those positions under Coroner McGeary for a year. He resigned and established his present wholesale liquor business in Coraopolis.
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He was married, in 1885, to Ellen, daughter of Michael Welsh, of Pittsburg, and they have four children, Anna, May, Heber and Edward. Mr. Dithrich is a republican in his political affiliations, and is highly esteemed in the home of his adoption.
JOSEPH J. WITTMANN, of Sharps- burg, Pa., a prosperous grocer, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 2, 1859, and accompanied his parents, Joseph and Barbara (Schmidt) Wittmann, to America when he was two years of age. His father was connected with the rolling mill of Spang & Chalfant until 1888, when he retired from active life, and is now residing at Sharpsburg. His pater- nal grandfather, George Wittmann, was a farmer in the Fatherland, and lived to be seventy-eight years of age. Joseph was educated in St. Mary's parochial school, attending until he was twelve years of age, when he entered the rolling mill of Spang & Chalfant, starting at the lowest position, that of cutting sockets, at forty cents a day. Later he was with Heinz & Moble in the pickle business; for two years he was engaged in gardening; returned to the rolling mill of Spang & Chalfant as helper on the rolls, and later became a roller, and continued in that capacity for four years. In 1889 he embarked in the grocery business with his brother, three years later establishing his present business at No. 220 Eighth St., where he now enjoys a large share of the public patronage. He was married, in 1883, to Elizabeth, daughter of John F. and Katharine Prager, her father being a farmer of O'Hara township, and her mother having died in 1900, at the age of eighty years. They are the parents of ten children, the surviving ones of whom are: Mary, wife of Markus Ruess; Celia, clerking; Flora, Francis, Christina, Girard and Joseph, attending school; Dorothy and Rudolph, at home. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic church, of which he has served as a trustee for fifteen years. He is a member of the Knights of St. George, the C. M. B. A. and the democratic party. He was a member of the board of health for several years, was vice-president of the federation of Catholic societies for the diocese of Pittsburg, and was a delegate to the national convention at St. Louis. He is also a member of the German State league.
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EMIL FREDERICK AUGUST DITTMER, pastor of St. John's Evan- gelical Lutheran church, No. 519 High- land Ave., Carnegie, Pa., was born in Stettin, Germany, Aug. 3, 1851. His parents, Christian and Caroline (Stoevahs) Dittmer, came to America in 1855, to the Province of Ontario, Canada. Christian Dittmer had been interested in the grain business in Germany, and on coming to America he became a farmer, continuing at this until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he came over into the United States, and, enlisting at Detroit, fought three years as a member of the infantry. He had, previous to this time, served twelve years in the German army. After the war he returned to Canada and took up farming again. He died when about sixty-eight years old, . in 1882, and his wife in 1899, at the age of seventy-nine. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Dittmer was an ardent church-worker, a woman of kindly address, and was beloved by all who knew her. Of the eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Dittmer, four died when young, and those remaining are: August, a farmer in Canada; Frank, a farmer on the old home farm; E. F. A., the subject of this sketch, and Matilda, now the wife of August Stief, a farmer in Canada. Rev. E. F. A. Dittmer attended the graded schools of Stratford, Ontario, and the high school there, and taught two years in Canada country schools. In 1874 he came to St. Louis and studied theology in the Concordia theological college, pursuing his studies later at Springfield, Ill., and then for a year at Capitol university, Columbus, Ohio. He was ordained to the ministry at Marysville, Ohio, May 24, 1880, and immediately started his life-work at Farley, Mo., where he remained until the fall of 1882. In October, 1882, he came to Mansfield, now Carnegie, where he has since remained, and endeared himself in the hearts of his congregation and all who know him. His church, small when Mr. Dittmer took charge of it, has grown in influence and numbers, and now has a congrega- tion of 125 families, while the parochial school in connection, under charge of Prof. E. A. Mees, son of Dr. Mees, of Columbus, Ohio, is prosperous and growing steadily. The church is well housed and equipped for services. The Sunday-school has an attendance of about 135, and the young ladies' society of forty-five members is a
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valuable help to the pastor and a source of revenue for the church. Rev. Dittmer was married, Oct. 6, 1880, to Miss Mary Dietzsch, a native of Allegheny city, daughter of John M. and Regina (Barth) Dietzsch Of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dietzsch, Mrs. Dittmer and Mrs. Christina Kentzel, of Ross township, Allegheny county, are still living. Mrs. Dietzsch lives with her son-in-law, Rev. Dittmer. Of the two children born to Rev. Dittmer and wife, Estella died when three and a half years old, and Anna died at the age of eighteen months.
DOS TAYLOR, of Sharpsburg, Pa., manager of the glass works of H. J. Heinz, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., Feb. 14, 1859, son of David and Sophia (Scobell) Taylor. His father was a glass manufacturer until a few years prior to his death, when he retired from active life and resided at Aspinwall until his . death, in 1902, at the age of seventy-one years. His mother died the same year, at the age of seventy years. His father was a son of Francis Taylor, a native of Ireland, who later lived in England, and came to America in 1830. Dos Taylor was educated in the public schools of Pittsburg and at the Western University of Penn- sylvania, at Pittsburg, attending the last-named institution for four years. He learned glass-blowing and followed that business for five years; the next four years were spent in the glass-manufacturing business, and then he secured the position of superintendent of the Model glass works at Findlay, Ohio, making tableware ; later he was with the Rochester tumbler works, of Rochester, Ohio, the Brad- dock glass company, and many others over the country, thus learn- ing all branches of the glass-manufacturing business. In 1901 he was appointed to his present position of general manager of the H. J. Heinz glass factory, and since has ably managed the important affairs of that concern. He was married, in 1884, to Margaret R. (who is now deceased), daughter of William and Katharine (Dunlap) Jackson, of Tarentum, Pa., and to them was born one daughter, Katharine J., now attending college. He is a member of the Masons and of the republican party. Mr. Taylor is finan- cially interested in a large glass furnace construction company of Pittsburg, the Tarentum National bank, the First National bank of
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Birmingham, the Pittsburg clay pot company, the United States glass company, of Pittsburg, and in the lumber, oil and gas business in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Mr. Taylor has visited every State in the Union and made several foreign trips.
ANDREW J. BOYLE was born in Cambria county, Pa .. Feb. 12, 1846, son of Robert and Sarah (Sproul) Boyle. Robert Boyle was the son of John Boyle. who came to America from Ireland about 100 years ago, and his wife, Sarah (Sproul) Boyle, was a daughter of Samuel Sproul, a pioneer of Somerset county. After a brief education in the schools of his native county, Andrew J. Boyle went to work as water-carrier at the Johnstown blast furnaces in 1858, and three years later entered the finishing department of that plant. After this he worked at the rolls, and, in 1874, came to Braddock with Captain Jones, and assisted in building and equip- ping the roll mill at Braddock. At the new plant he was employed in various capacities, as catcher, rougher and roller, and when Mr. C. M Schwab became superintendent, about 1890, Mr. Boyle was promoted to the responsible position of night superintendent. This position is one requiring great executive ability, as the super- intendent has charge of about 1,000 men, and Mr. Boyle has filled the position very creditably. Mr. Boyle was married, in May, 1868, to Jennie, daughter of Samuel and Barbara (Sell) Kuntz, early settlers in Somerset county. The children of this union are: Lulu May, wife of W. J. Bennett, clerk in the East Pittsburg bank; Ida Ann, wife of John Howat, superintendent in the tin works at Sharon; Emma, wife of Earl Hanna, a civil engineer at Donara; Minnie, wife of Walter Sidel, inspector for the Westinghouse com- pany at East Pittsburg; Effie, wife of Howard Wilson, with the Cleveland wire company ; Jennie, wife of John Thomas, roll turner for Jones & Laughlin; Birdie, at home; Edgar, in the locomotive department of the Edgar Thompson steel works, and Elmer, attending North Braddock school. Mr. Boyle is a member of Braddock Field lodge, No. 529, I. O. O. F .; Braddock lodge, A. O. U. W. ; Banner council, No. 17, O. U. A. M., and the Wood- men of the World. In politics he is a republican. He and his family are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church of
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Braddock. Mr. Boyle has recently completed and now occupies a beautiful new $8, 000 home at the corner of Bell avenue and Rebecca street. Mr. Boyle served for several years as school director for the North Braddock district, and is recognized as one of the promi- nent and respected citizens of Braddock.
PETER J. OEFFNER, M. D., a prominent physician of Homestead, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., July 22, - 1865. His parents, John F. and Margaret (Twentier) Oeffner, were natives of Ger- many, and came to America in 1848, locating at Pittsburg. Here the father was for a time employed in a planing mill, and later for twelve years conducted a newspaper route. During the Civil war he owned the steamboat "Greenback," which plied for two years on the Monon- gahela and Ohio rivers. The boat was sunk shortly after the close of the war while hauling a fleet of coal boats. Mr. Oeffner was killed in a railroad accident at Homestead in 1892. The children born to John F. and Margaret Oeffner were: Lawrence; Margaret, wife of William Farquhar; Anna, who mar- ried John Briggs; John; Mary, wife of Christian Ross; Lizzie, wife of George Ross; Emma, who married Harry Beck; Peter J., and William. Peter J. Oeffner was reared in Pittsburg, and received his education in the public schools and at Curry institute. After school days he learned the tinners' trade and followed this vocation for twelve years in Pittsburg and Homestead. In 1896 he began the study of medicine at the Georgia college of eclectic medicine, and graduated from that institution in 1899. While attending col- lege he took a special course of study on the eye, ear and throat under J. Harvey Moore, M. D. Upon graduation, Dr. Oeffner located at Homestead, where he has since been actively engaged in attending to a steadily increasing practice. Since 1901 he has been surgeon for the Keystone car wheel works. He is also surgeon for the Harbison & Walker company, brick manufacturers, and the. Pittsburg railway traction company. On Dec. 13, 1889, Dr. Oeffner married Miss Emma Evans, daughter of Joseph Evans, of Pitts- burg, and a descendant of Sir Francis Drake, and has three children living, Abiram A., Ethel M. and Oliver. Dr. Oeffner is a member of the Eclectic medical association of Pennsylvania and the
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Georgia eclectic medical association. He is also a member of Pitts- burg council, No. 117, Jr. O. U. A. M .; Canton, Ohio, council, No. 41, U. C. T., and is medical examiner for the Protected Home Circle, Endowment rank of K. of P., Knights of Equity of the World and Bankers' life insurance company of New York. In politics he is a republican.
PETER HUTCHISON, deceased, of Springdale, Pa., a well-known citizen and postmaster during the latter years of . his life, was born near Glasgow, Scot- land, Oct. 29, 1823, and, when ten years of age, accompanied his parents, James and Katharine (Crawford) Hutchison, to America. His mother's father was one of the leading lace-makers of Glasgow. His paternal grandfather had charge of extensive coal mines in Scotland, and was a prominent man in his community. His father engaged in farming after locating in Allegheny county, and had three children, of whom Peter was the youngest. He was educated in the public schools of Allegheny city, and from 1837 to 1846 he assisted his father on the farm. Then he took charge of the old farm, where Kountz Bros.' brick works now stand, and later removed to Springdale and engaged in the oil business. He was an oil producer, and worked in Venango, Butler, Armstrong and Clarion counties until 1891. He returned to Springdale, was appointed postmaster and served in that capacity until his death, Dec. 20, 1897, at the age of seventy. four years. Mr. Hutchison was married, in 1846, to Anna, daugh- ter of Christian and Barbara (Neff) Wise, of Alsace-Lorraine, she being the second child of a family of five, and has resided in Spring- dale since 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison were the parents of nine children, five of whom are now living, namely: Mary, wife of H C. Patterson, of Aspinwall; Henry F., in the oil business and a resident of Cheswick; Sophia E, residing with her mother; Emma E., wife of Dr. S. H. Pettigrew, of Pittsburg, and John C., with the Brill car company, of Philadelphia. Mr. Hutchison was a member of the Methodist Protestant church and of the democratic party, and was a man that possessed the respect and esteem of all who knew him.
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PERRY O. LAUGHNER, of Coraopo- lis, Pa., a leading dealer in hardware and oil-well supplies, was born at Six Points, Butler Co., Pa., Sept. 21, 1859, son of Sam- uel S. and Jane (Grant) Laughner. His parents had twelve children, ten of whom are now living: Mrs. Nancy Wise, James M., Mrs. Melissa McMullen, Mrs. Emma Gray, Elmer E., William E., John B., Nettie Pearl, Mrs. Gertrude McGugan and Perry O. His paternal ancestors came - from Holland, and his maternal ones from Aberdeen, Scotland. His father was a carpenter in calling, was a great lover of wholesome fun, and quite proficient as a violinist. He was a republican, and a member of the German Reformed church. He died in 1884, survived by his wife, a woman of many excellent qualities, who died in 1887. Perry O. Laughner, when two years of age, accompanied his par- ents to Salem, Clarion county, and obtained his rudimentary edu- cation in the schools of that county. When seventeen years of age, he entered the State normal school, at Edinboro, and in the interim between school terms, taught in the county schools. Later he attended the Iron City college, at Pittsburg, and taught a winter term in his home school. He then went to the oil regions in Mckean county, was there until 1882, and removed to Oil City, where for eight years he was an active member of the oil exchange. Subsequently, he went to Shannopin, where he opened a store with a stock of oil-well supplies, and one year later, in conjunction with his brother, opened stores of a similar character in Coraopolis and McDonald. The store in McDonald was sold in 1893, and the other stores were run up to 1899, when his partnership with his brother was dissolved, Mr. Laughner taking the store at Coraopolis and the one at Shannopin going to his brother. He was married, on May 30, 1882, to Emma C., daughter of William P. Findley, one of the pioneers of the Standard oil company, and they have three children living, Aymer V., Chalmers C. and Gladys Marie. Mr. Laughner is a republican in his political affiliations, attends the Methodist Episcopal church, and is closely identified with the Odd Fellows and the Masons. He is a man of many excellent qualities of heart and mind, and stands high in the esteem of the people of Coraopolis.
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GEORGE B. HART, of Coraopolis, Pa., a prominent real estate dealer, was born in Allegheny city, March 16, 1860. He began his present occupation in the town in which he is now located, in 1890, and in this field of work he has been very successful throughout the State of Penn- sylvania.
JOHN Q. A. IRVINE, of Etna, Pa., principal of the public schools and a prominent figure in educational work, was born near Callery Junction, Butler Co., Pa., and is the son of John and Angeline (Johnston) Irvine, his father having been a native of Butler county and by occupation a farmer. His great- grandfather was a native of Ireland, and came to Butler county in 1796. He was the first county surveyor of that county, and also a teacher in the public schools. The grandfather and father of Professor Irvine were teachers, and he has been engaged in educational work since 1878. Professor Irvine was educated in the primary branches in the public schools of his native county, later attended West- minster college and was graduated in a classical course from that famous seat of learning in 1875. He immediately began teaching, and after one year was made principal of the Jamestown academy. He taught in the public schools of Evans City for several years, and was principal of the Utica school in Venango county for one year. In 1881 he came to Etna as assistant principal of the schools. Four years later he became principal, and since then has served in that capacity with much ability. The schools of Etna are very thorough, with a high curriculum, and stand well among the edu- cational institutions of the county. He is a member and trustee of the United Presbyterian church, member of the Heptasophs, the Junior Order of American Mechanics, the alumni of Westminster college, and of the republican party. He was married, in 1881, to
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Alta E., daughter of William and Cornelia (Carroll) Duncan, of Butler county, and they have four children: Florence V., teacher in the public schools; Ralph Eugene, attending the Western Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, at Pittsburg; Henrietta, student of the Pittsburg academy, and Helen, residing with her parents. Pro- fessor Irvine has been secretary of the Etna building and loan association for the past fifteen years, is closely identified with the progress of the community, and is one of Etna's leading citizens.
MAXIMILIAN BLUMENTHAL, of Sharpsburg, Pa., a leading dealer in clothing and men's furnishings, and a well-known athlete, was born in New York city, May 26, 1865. He is a son of Henry and Helen Blumenthal, his father having been a wholesale liquor dealer, who came to America from Prussia when a young man, located in New York city, and was engaged in the wholesale liquor business until his death. Mr. Blumen- thal was educated in the public schools of New York city, and at sixteen years of age entered an athletic school, since which time he has devoted a great deal of attention to athletics. He has instructed many per- sons well known in the ring, and has had for pupils Frank Crig; Black Sam, champion wrestler of New York; Stephen Taylor, champion boxer of New York ; Thomas Allen, of New York; Jimmie Murray ; Herman Beck, the 158-pound champion of Pennsylvania; Frank Gollo, of Etna; Eddie McConnell, champion fancy bag-puncher of the world, and many others of the leading athletes of the United States. After graduating from school, he learned the graining trade in New York city, following that business for fourteen years, and in 1889 came to Sharpsburg and opened a clothing and men's furnishing store at No. 501 South Main St. He was manager of the Blumenthal baseball club, of Sharpsburg, which was well known in western Pennsylvania during the years 1892, 1893 and 1895. For two seasons he was on the road with an athletic show. He was married on May 1, 1887, to Rica, daughter of Herman and Bertha Schener, formerly of Germany, but later of Carnegie, Pa., where her father was in the clothing business. Mr. and Mrs. Blumenthal have had four children, two of whom are now living: Helen, attending the public schools and also receiving vocal and
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instrumental instruction in Pittsburg; Harry, a student of the public schools, also studying the violin and receiving instructions in athletics and bag-punching. Mr. Blumenthal is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Royal Arcanum, and is now conducting an athletic school in Sharpsburg.
ALFRED D. CONNER, one of Taren- tum's foremost business men, was born in Armstrong county, Pa., in 1854. His father, John P. Conner, a native of Arm- strong county, and a son of Matthew Conner, followed for many years the voca- tion of steamboat pilot, and was an influ- ential member of the Baptist church. In political belief he was a republican. He died in 1877. Elizabeth (Roney) Con- ner, mother of the subject of this sketch, is still living at the age of seventy-six. Her parents were Thomas J. and Eliza- beth (Elliott) Roney, residents of Butler county, where Mrs. Conner was born. Alfred D. Conner was educated at Reid insti. tute, in Clarion county, began teaching school at the age of eighteen, and for ten years was a teacher in Armstrong and Allegheny counties. He then gave up educational work to enter upon a com- mercial career. He was for several years a clerk in Armstrong county, and, in 1887, went into business for himself in Tarentum, his store being located at the corner of Brackenridge alley and Bridge street. Mr. Conner has been most successful as a merchant, and has amassed a considerable fortune. He is now a stockholder in the Tarentum savings and trust company, and formerly had an interest in the First National bank. He owns considerable prop- erty in Tarentum, has a farm in Armstrong county, and is presi- dent of the Ford City ferry company. In politics he is an ardent republican, though never an aspirant to office. He is a member of Tarentum lodge, No. 587, I. O. O. F., and the Heptasophs, of Tarentum, and was a charter member of P. O. L. of A., of Taren- tum. In 1880 Mr. Conner married Miss Sarah M. Green, of Arm- strong county, and has had two children, Maud and Edwin C. Maud died in infancy. Edwin C. graduated from the Tarentum high school and from Duff's business college, of Pittsburg, and is now employed in the office of the Baker manufacturing company, of Tarentum.
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