USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume II > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
.TO
co sid
…。
Svtligt 98 /05 /
£
326
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
grift, where he became one of the first workmen in the mill at that place. In 1901 he located at Natrona and soon secured employ- ment as a sheet steel heater in the works of the Allegheny steel and iron company. Mr. Oncken has made his own way in the world, having no other assistance than his steady industry, skill and reliability in whatever positions he was selected to fill. He has become a property holder and one of the substantial citizens of Natrona, highly respected by his employers and others. He has long been prominent in fraternal work and was the organizer of the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Vandergrift Heights, which, beginning with fifty-one charter members, has increased steadily until at the present time the lodge boasts a membership of 150. In addition to his activity with this fraternity, Mr. Oncken holds membership in Mineral Point lodge, No. 615, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Armstrong lodge, No. 412, Knights of Pythias. In politics he has always been an adherent of republican principles and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs. On April 11, 1899, Mr. Oncken was united in marriage with Miss Linnie M. Foster, of Armstrong county, Pa., and they are both members of Trinity Lutheran church at Natrona.
JOHN KAPTEINA, of Springdale, Pa., foreman of the Heidekamp mirror company, was born in Prussia, April 16, 1852, son of Charles and Eva Kapteina, the former a prosperous farmer of the Fatherland. Mr. Kapteina was educated in the public schools of his native country, and when thirteen years of age became an assistant to his father on the farm, where he remained until nineteen years of age. He went into the army for two and a half years, then into the glass works at Satke, Germany, and for nine years fol- lowed that business there. In October, 1882, he came to Creighton, Allegheny county, and for eighteen years was foreman for the Pittsburg plate glass company at that place. In 1900 he removed to Springdale, and since has occupied the position of foreman of the Heidekamp mirror company at that town. He was married, in 1879, to Jennie Baranowsky, of Germany, and they have seven children: Otto, in the glass works at Springdale; Martha, a dress- maker in Springdale; Laura, a bookkeeper for the glass works;
-
Bon bas
off of conditions of
i
3:
.
: :
327
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Elfred, attending school in Springdale; John, Edward and Irene, at school. He is a member of the Lutheran church of Tarentum, the Royal Arcanum, the Heptasophs, and of the republican party. Mr. Kapteina is a prosperous and substantial citizen, and is well known and liked in that part of the county.
WILLIAM BEW, an old resident of Allegheny county, has been active for many years in the political and business life of his community. His father, Thomas Bew, was of English parentage, but emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1855, when a young man. Locating in Allegheny city, he followed the occupation of shoe- making until death closed his earthly career. He married Margaret, daughter of Isaac Kuhn, an early settler of Alle- gheny county, by whom he had seven children, five still living. Thomas Bew was a man of exemplary life, a member of the Episcopal church and a democrat in his political affiliations. His widow is at pres- ent a resident of Mansfield, Ohio, where, at the age of seventy- four years, she still takes an interest in the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she has long been an honored member. William Bew, one of the five surviving children of Thomas and Margaret Bew, was born in Allegheny city, Pa., March 16, 1861, and spent his early life in the confines of his native city. His first venture in business was an effort to master the intricacies of the drug trade, but not finding that to his liking, he soon sought occu- pation in other pursuits. After two and one-half years behind the counter, he engaged in coal-mining and continued in that line for about seventeen years. In 1901 he secured a situation with the Allegheny steel and iron company and at present fills a position as sheet steel heater in the establishment. Mr. Bew has spent his entire life in Allegheny county, and since the twentieth year of his age has resided in Harrison township. He is a property owner in Brackenridge borough and for many years has been prominent in local affairs. He was elected to the council at the time the borough was organized and at present is president of that body. As one of the leaders and popular members of the Republican party, with which he has affiliated since early manhood, Mr. Bew was elected a member of its executive committee for Allegheny county
٠٫٥٠٠
.35
328
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
and has served in that capacity for four years. His interest in fraternal matters has been chiefly confined to the Royal Arcanum, in which honorable order he has long held membership. On Sept. 8, 1881, Mr. Bew was married to Miss Hannah Bonner, a native of Westmoreland county, whose birth occurred March 16, 1862, at Lucesco. She is a daughter of Patrick and Anna (Dugan) Bonner. Her father emigrated from Ireland about 1840, coming to Penn- sylvania, and her mother came over about five years later and had been in this country but a few years when she became the wife of Patrick Bonner. Shortly after this marriage, they settled in the Allegheny valley, where they remained until their death. The mother died there Nov. 21, 1892, and the father passed away Sept. 8, 1895, after becoming the parents of seven children, of whom five are still living. Mr. and Mrs. William Bew have three chil- dren: William C., born Aug. 31, 1882; Florence M., born Feb. 24, 1884, and Elizabeth I., born Aug. 13, 1886.
PETER HEILE, of Rural Ridge, Pa., a prosperous farmer, was born in Ger- many, Nov. 17, 1834, son of George and Margaret Heile, both natives and life residents of the Fatherland. Peter Heile was reared in Germany, educated in that country in the rudimentary branches, and in 1851 came to Allegheny county and attended school at Harmarville, Pa. He resided at East Liberty for one year, at Harmarville for eleven years, and then came to Indiana township and located on the farm of seventy-one acres which he now owns. He cleared the place, made all improvements and there has prospered as a farmer since 1864. He is a republican in poli- tics and has served as school director for one term. He was mar- ried, in 1856, to Elizabeth, daughter of James and Margaret Gris- well, natives of Ireland, who, on coming to America, located at Pittsburg and subsequently removed to Harmarville. Mr. and Mrs. Heile are members of the Methodist church. They are the parents of the following four children: James, who was educated in Tarentum and at Curry's university of Pittsburg, for ten years was engaged in teaching and for the last five years has held a respon- sible position with the Real Estate and Trust company of Pitts- burg; Nellie, educated in the Pittsburg academy and is a success-
...
329
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
ful teacher; William B., a farmer, and Lizzie, who was educated at the Pittsburg academy and followed the profession of a teacher until she became the wife of John Campbell, of Pittsburg. . Mr. Heile is a prosperous and successful farmer and is a fine example of the German-American citizen, a true and worthy element in our social economy.
JAMES B. HAMILTON, of -Taren- tum, is one of the army of industrious mechanics whose combined labors have made western Pennsylvania the most important iron center in the world. Though of English nativity, he has spent most of his life on American soil, and is thoroughly imbued with devotion to the institutions of this country. His parents, Alexander and Elizabeth Hamilton, natives of Scotland, emigrated to the United States in 1878, and located at Oil City, Pa. Later they spent some time at Mckeesport, and at present reside in Scott Haven, the father hav- ing retired from business. James B. Hamilton, one of their four children, was born at Bidlington, England, July 7, 1877, and was consequently an infant in arms when his parents came to Pennsyl- vania. He received his education at Scott Haven and Volant col- lege, and in 1898 began work in the steel mill at Vandergrift. In 1901, when the mill was started at Tarentum by the Allegheny steel and iron company, he came to that place, and is now employed in that establishment as a roller. In 1902 Mr. Hamilton married Miss Nellie, daughter of George A. and Catharine (Kistler) Hunger, of Vandergrift, Westmoreland Co., Pa. Matthew Hunger, grandfather of Mrs. Hamilton, a native of Ham- burg, Germany, came to Oil City when a young man, and is now a resident of Kittanning, Pa. Captain Kistler, maternal grand- father of Mrs. Hamilton, was a boatman on the Allegheny river, and resides at Leechburg. Mrs. Hamilton's father has long been active as a republican in politics, having been justice of the peace six years and is now serving his second term as burgess in Vandergrift. He is also extensively known as a business man, being a dealer in lumber and builders' supplies. He is prominent in Masonic circles, has been an Odd Fellow for twenty-five years, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum. He and his wife are
..
公司
..
::
1.950
330
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
members of the Lutheran church, to which Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton also belong. Mr. Hamilton affiliates with the republican party, and is a member of Kiskiminetas lodge, No. 617, F. and A. M., of Vandergrift.
ADAM DAUM, a prosperous and well- to-do citizen of Brackenridge, is of Ger- man nativity, but has long been a resi- dent of Pennsylvania. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Peter) Daum, were born in Germany in 1809, and emigrated to the United States in 1854, arriving at Baltimore October 26th of that year. In 1862 they removed to Allegheny, Pa., where the father died, Oct. 8, 1881, his wife surviving until May 29, 1896. Their children, consisting of five sons and two daughters, are thus recorded in the fam- ily records: George, born Oct. 30, 1832, died Jan. 23, 1858; Louis R., born Jan. 6, 1834; John, born Nov. 18, 1835, died March 5, 1902; Elizabeth, born Nov. 12, 1839; Adam, subject of sketch, date of birth given below; Eliza, born March 9, 1844, and Ernest C., born March 22, 1848. Adam Daum, fifth of the chil- dren above mentioned, was born in Germany, Dec. 9, 1841, and hence was in his thirteenth year when the family arrived in Balti- more. He attended school in his native country, and completed his education while residing in Baltimore and Allegheny city. His father being a cooper, he learned that trade under him, and followed this occupation from 1857 until 1884. In the latter year he began work in a glass factory in Brackenridge borough, con- ducted by the firm of Schallnor & Taylor, and this has been his line of employment ever since. At the present time he is employed in the establishment of the Tarentum glass company, at Bracken- ridge. Mr. Daum came to Brackenridge borough in 1876, and has continued his residence there since that time. He owns a comfort- able home on Henry street, erected by himself in 1890, and, altogether, has met with a fair share of prosperity in his ventures, all his possessions being the result of his own industry and saving. He has borne his share in the social and political activities of his home place, and enjoys general esteem among his neighbors and fellow-citizens. He was one of the first councilmen of Bracken- ridge, and still holds that official position. Mr. Daum served as a
Borteaging and is
331
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Union soldier during the Civil war, first in Company C, Knapp's battery, and afterwards in Company I, 78th Pennsylvania regiment. He was made an Odd Fellow in 1865, and at present is a member of Robert Blume lodge, No. 414, of that order, at Allegheny city. Since 1870 he has also been a member of Humboldt lodge, No. 39, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. On Aug. 29, 1866, Mr. Daum was married to Miss Mary Ruth, of Allegheny city, and . has three children : Edward L., died at the age of twenty-five years. Ernest C., a presser in the Tarentum glass works, married Mary Brennan, and has five children: Edward, Agis, Marie, Ernest C. and William Francis. Henry, the third son, is a mold-maker in the Tarentum glass factory. He married Georgetta Thompson, and they have had four children: Edith (deceased), Ruth, Mabel and Adam. Mr. and Mrs. Adam Daum are members of the Ger- man E. P. church at Tarentum.
HARVEY THOMPSON, of Buena Vista, Pa., a prominent citizen and for many years a leading merchant, now retired, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1838, son of Matthew and Anne (Hunt) Thompson. His father was a native of Fayette county, Pa., and for a long time was identified with agri- cultural pursuits in Jefferson county, Ohio, and his mother a native of Glens Falls, N. Y. Harvey Thompson was educated in the common schools of his native State and began his business life on his father's farm in Jefferson county, of the Buckeye State. In 1862 he came to Pennsylvania, and, in 1873, located in Buena Vista, where for thirty years he was successfully engaged in the general mercantile business. He was happily married, in 1861, to Anna, daughter of James and Deborah McWilliams, of Washing- ton county, Ohio, and they have the following children: Nancy R., wife of T. M. Bell (deceased), of Buena Vista; Mary Irene, wife of William Mickleberry, of Bozeman, Mont. ; Mollie E., wife of G. L. Kent, of Bozeman, Mont .; Jennie C. Lay, of Buena Vista, Pa .; Maggie S., wife of Andrew K. Culbert; George W. and Matthew J., prominent merchants of Buena Vista; Hanna and Bessie, living at home. Mr. Thompson is a member of the United Presbyterian church.
159.1 999
, " I'
A
:
E:
عباده
332
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
BENNETT P. GREENE, one of the well-known employes of the steel mill at Tarentum, comes of New York ancestry long resident in Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather was David Greene, who married a Miss Moon, and one of the offspring of this union was a son whom they christened Joseph W. The latter married Julia F. Prindle, who, as well as himself, was a native of Thurman, N. Y. Bennett Prindle, father of Julia, was born in Connecticut, but while still young, removed with his parents to New York, where he grew to manhood. There he married ·Phoebe Downs, a native of that State. At an early day he left the Empire State and went to Jefferson county, Pa., settled at Brockwayville, and there spent the remainder of his life. Joseph W. Greene was a boy only fifteen years old when the fever of western emigration seized him, as a result of which he walked from New York to Brockwayville, with which place all his subsequent life was identi- fied. In politics he was identified first with the whig, and later with the republican party, and he rose to be a man of influence and consequence in his community. This is proven by the fact that he was county commissioner at one time, and held the office of justice of the peace for thirty-five years. His regular trade, however, was that of a painter, and the traditions of the county are to the effect that he did a great deal of excellent work during his long and busy life. By his marriage with Julia Prindle, there were eleven chil- dren, of whom seven survive. The father passed away in 1887, but his widow, now of venerable age, still resides at Brockwayville. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the edifice devoted to the worship of that denomination at Brockway- ville was built by Mr. Greene some years before his death. Both Joseph W. Greene and his father-in-law, Bennett Prindle, were soldiers in the War of 1812. Bennett Prindle Greene, one of the surviving sons, was born July 8, 1867, at the family homestead in Brockwayville. After his graduation from the city high school, to whose teachers he was indebted for a good common-school educa- tion, he learned the painters' trade under the competent care of his father. Until 1898 he followed the business of contracting, and while so engaged at Vandergrift, in the year above mentioned, decided to engage in the metal industry. With this end in view he
. 1
::
i
.0
333
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
obtained employment in the steel mill at Vandergrift and remained there until 1901, when he came to Tarentum, since which time he has been working as a sheet steel roller. While a resident of Brockwayville, Mr. Greene achieved considerable prominence in politics as a republican, acting as judge and inspector of elections and being elected auditor. When only twenty-one years old he was made a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Brockway- ville, and belongs to the lodge of the same knightly order at Tarentum. In 1885 Mr. Greene was married to Jennie, daughter of Thomas and Agnes (Smith) McMillian, both natives of Scotland, the former born in 1828, and the latter ten years later. They emi- grated to the United States in 1862, and located in Bradford county, Pa., where the wife died in 1873, and the husband, who was a coal-miner, in 1891. They were members of the Catholic church, and had nine children, of whom four are living. Mr. and Mrs. Greene have five children: Lewis W., Florence A., Pearl, Bennett P., Jr., and Nellie. Clarence W. Greene, a brother of the subject of this sketch, served as a soldier during the Spanish- American war, and was honorably discharged on account of disability.
HARRY E. BRUNER, of Tarentum, Pa., a prosperous sheet steel heater, was born in Armstrong county, Pa., Dec. 15, 1866, son of Andrew J. and Catharine (Crawford) Bruner, both born in Arm- strong county, Pa., where they now reside. His father is a successful farmer, a repub- lican in his political affiliations, has held a number of township offices, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. Harry Bruner was reared on the parental farm, attended the common schools and in 1887 was graduated from the Iron City business college. He began his business career as an employe of a plate glass concern in Armstrong county, later worked in the same line at Tarentum and then learned the trade of sheet steel heating at Leechburg, Pa. He was employed as a sheet steel heater in Mckeesport until 1901, when he came to Tarentum and is now in the employ of the Allegheny iron and steel company. Mr. Bruner is a prosperous and substantial citizen and owns a handsome residence on Third avenue. He was mar-
?'
21. 31%
٠٠٠٠
334
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
ried, in 1889, to Bertha, daughter of Charles and Mary (Hugle) Garlick, the former a native of England and the latter of Toronto, Canada. They came to Pittsburg in the sixties, removed to Tarentum in 1875, where Mr. Garlick died in 1886 and his wife three years later. Charles Garlick was a successful merchant, a republican in politics and was the father of seven children, four of whom are now living. Mr. Bruner is a republican in his poli- tical convictions, is a member of the Heptasophs, the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Patriotic Sons of America, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
JOHN H. MILLHEIM, of Hites, Pa., a prosperous farmer, was born in Spring- dale, Pa., Feb. 22, 1863, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Couch) Millheim, the former a native of Switzerland, the latter of Springdale, Pa., and the daugh- ter of Henry and Elizabeth (Albertson) Couch. Jacob Millheim came to the United States when sixteen years of age, located in Allegheny county, and was variously employed as a farm laborer and as a boatman on the canal and also on the Allegheny river. He purchased a . farm in Indiana township, and prospered as a farmer until his death in 1897. His widow now lives on the farm and is the mother of nine children, seven of whom are still living. John H. Millheim was reared on the farm, received his educational training in the common schools of Springdale and West Deer township, and has devoted his entire business career to agricultural pursuits. In 1890 he purchased a fine farm a short distance from Hites, and raises fruits and truck and also makes a specialty of breeding fine stock, several of his animals having taken prizes at fairs. He is a repub- lican in politics, but has never aspired to public office. He was married, on Jan. 22, 1884, to Katie F., daughter of Warner and Esther (McCready) Simon, the former a native of Hesse Cassel, Germany, who came to the United States when eighteen years of age, and located at Squirrel Hill, now a part of Pittsburg. Later he removed to Westmoreland county, and finally to the farm which Mr. Millheim now owns. Mr. and Mrs. Millheim are the parents of nine children, Bertha E., Harmar E., Esther J., John W., Edwin F., Mabel M. (deceased), Roy W., Earl A. and Hazel.
٢٢٠
T
.
:
.
.
.1
١/١.
335
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
ROBERT BEATTY, at present an esteemed resident of Tarentum, has spent a useful life and achieved success in the honorable occupation of an engi- neer. His parents, William and Mary (English) Beatty, were both born in Scotland, but emigrated at an early age to Pittsburg, Pa., where they reared a family of children, all of whom became honored citizens and are still living in various parts of the country. The father served in the Mexican war, and soon after that event was killed in California. His wife died in Armstrong county in 1862. James, the youngest of their three sons, is a merchant in Boone county, Ia. ; Samuel is a retired oil producer of Venango county, Pa. ; Robert is the sub- ject of this sketch, and Ellen, the only daughter, is the wife of Mr. Shrader, a wealthy farmer of Armstrong county. Robert Beatty was born in Pittsburg, Sept. 3, 1843; attended the city schools until his ninth year, and then began work in the Phillips glass house. Three years later he began studying engineering, in time became expert in that line, and has devoted most of his adult life to different branches of that business. His professional career, however, was interrupted in early manhood by the Civil war, in which he served with great credit to himself and benefit to his country. On April 27, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, 11th Pennsylvania reserve corps, with which he served until Jan. 13, 1864. On August 22d of that year he joined Company H, 18th regiment, Pennsylvania cavalry, with which he remained until June 8, 1865. He took part in eighteen battles and many skirmishes, including Bull Run, South mountain, Antietam, Seven Days' fight, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spott- sylvania, North Anna river, Bethesda church, and the cavalry engagement at Waynesboro. During the seven days' fighting around Richmond he was in the bloody battles at Malvern Hill, Gainesville, Charles City, Cross Roads and other engagements of minor importance. After returning home, Mr. Beatty resumed work in his chosen profession, being employed on railroads and in rolling mills at Pittsburg. In 1885 he entered the electric light business, and a year later had charge of the Sharpsburg water- works. In 1894 he came to Tarentum, and put the traction com- pany in operation, and in 1902 went to St. Louis with the Pitts-
1
٢٠٠
1.9
336
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
burg reduction company as chief engineer. He remained in the Missouri metropolis until May 15, 1903, when he returned to Tarentum to take charge of the electric lighting plant of that place as superintendent, which position he has since retained. He is a natural mechanic, of superior ability, and enjoys high standing with those whom he has served in various positions of trust and respon- sibility. He has adhered to republican principles throughout life, and refers with pride to the fact that he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, when that immortal martyr was making his race for re-election in 1864. He is a member of Custer post, No. 38, Grand Army of the Republic, at Etna, Pa., and, like other members of the Beatty family, has always been an adherent of the Presbyterian church. In August, 1865, Mr. Beatty was married to Miss Lucy McHenry, of Westmoreland county, Pa., and has seven children : Charles M., an engineer and electrician; Robert R., an engineer and machinist; Lillian, Bertha, Mary E., Grace and Hortense. The family reside in a handsome home on the banks of the Allegheny river, which represents part of Mr. Beatty's accu- mulations as the result of an industrious and useful life.
J. CLYDE McPHERSON, who has not reached his twenty-fourth birthday, enjoys the distinction of being the youngest sheet steel roller in the mills at Tarentum. He is a son of Alpheus and Frances (Orcutt) McPherson, both natives of Jefferson county, Pa., and residents of Leechburg since May 4, 1896. The for- mer is employed as a shearman in the Leechburg steel mill by the American sheet steel company. He affiliates with the republicans, and for thirty-three years has been a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. His father, Jackson McPherson, a native of Rehrersburg, Pa., came to Jefferson county at an early day, married a Miss Mccutcheon, and died there in January, 1899. He served as a soldier in the Civil war. The maternal grandpar- ents of our subject were James and Vina (Flick) Orcutt, the for- mer of Maine, and the latter a native of Jefferson county, now residents of Knoxville, Ia. J. Clyde McPherson, one of the seven children of his parents, of whom six are living, was born in Jefferson county, Pa., Oct. 30, 1880. He was reared and educated at Corsica,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.