USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume II > Part 4
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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
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MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
JAMES BROWN, JR., city clerk of Mckeesport, was elected to this position for a two-year term on April 6, 1903. For several years a prominent republican of the eighth ward, he was, prior to obtain- ing his present office, chosen to fill an unexpired term as clerk of the common council and ex-officio clerk of the water department, his services there showing him to be a man well qualified for the office of city clerk. Mr. Brown is a native of Scotland, born in 1871, and came to America in 1887 with his parents. The subject of this sketch, having attended the common schools in Scotland, supplemented his education by taking a commercial course at a college in Mckeesport, and then was employed for six months in the United States tin plate works. Entering, then, the service of the National tube company, he was employed by this concern twelve years, acting for the last five years as foreman of the bundling department. Mr. Brown is a member of Mckeesport lodge, No. 136, B. P. O. Elks, and of Titus lodge, No. 207, . Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Presbyterian church.
WILLIAM A. STONE, agent at Glass- port for the Pittsburg & Lake Erie rail- road company, was born in Dravosburg, Pa., in 1865. When six years old he moved with his parents, Joseph A. and Josephine Stone, to Mckeesport, where he attended the public schools, complet- ing his education later at the Penn mili- tary college, at Chester, Pa., from which he was graduated in 1885. He returned to Mckeesport, where he obtained a posi- tion as pill clerk for the Pittsburg & Lake Erie railroad company; was later, for eleven years, employed in the capacity of cashier, and, in 1902, was made agent at Glassport. Mr. Stone is a prominent and influential member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Youghio- gheny lodge, No. 583, F. and A. M. ; Mckeesport chapter, No. 282, R. A. M. ; Ascalon commandery, No. 59, Knights Templars; Penn- sylvania consistory, of Pittsburg, and Syria temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.,
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of Pittsburg. He is also a member of Lodge No. 81, Independent Order of Heptasophs, and Lodge No. 512, National Union. He belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Stone was married, in 1890, to Miss Louella Penney, of Mckeesport. They have three children, Helen I., Joseph A., Jr., and Jessie P.
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ROBERT T. CAROTHERS, a well- known real estate man and formerly mayor of Mckeesport, was born in West- moreland county, Pa., in 1848, and resided there until 1865, when he moved with his parents to Uniontown, Fayette county. He attended the public schools, and was also for a year a student at Mil- lersville normal school. Mr. Carothers came to Mckeesport in 1882 and started a livery business, which he ran until 1900. He was also, from 1884 to 1890, proprietor of the National hotel at Mckeesport. Mr. Carothers was appointed mayor of Mckeesport in 1896, and was, in 1897, elected to that office for a three-year term. He is now successfully engaged in the real estate business. Mr. Carothers was married, in 1893, to Miss Carrie F. Onions.
JOHN GILES, city assessor of McKees- port, was born at Walls End, England, April 26, 1838, and came to Mckeesport with his parents in 1853. He was for many years a coal miner, was successful in that work, and for ten years acted as mine boss for the Westmoreland com- pany. He came to Mckeesport some seventeen years ago, was for a time employed by the National tube works, and was then for some years janitor of one of the city schools. He was elected to his present responsible position of city assessor in February, 1903, receiving at that time the indorsement of both parties. Mr. Giles married Miss Rebecca Painter, and they have had ten children, of whom six are living. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Giles is a member of the I. O. O. F., Knights of Pythias, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
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ARCHIBALD DUNCAN, select coun- cilman from the fourth ward, McKees- port, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, May 2, 1868. Coming to Mckeesport with his parents in 1872, Mr. Duncan attended the public schools there until he reached the age of sixteen, when he began his long service with the National tube company. In the employ of this company he has been advanced from place to place, until now he is superin- tendent of the Lapwell mill. Mr. Dun- can has served one five-year term in the select council of Mckeesport, and at the last election received the indorsement of all parties, a circumstance which speaks well for his work as a member of that body. Mr. Duncan was married, in 1896, to Miss Katherine Williamson Murray. Mrs. Duncan is a great-granddaughter of Collen Williamson, who was a thirty-third degree Mason, a prominent man in his time, and who was invited by President Washington to come from his home in Glasgow to be present at the laying of the corner-stone of the national capitol at Washington, Sept. 18, 1793.
JAMES F. WOODWARD, superin- tendent of the Mckeesport city hospital, was born in New Brighton, Pa., Feb. 19, 1868. In 1872 he moved, with his par- ents, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Woodward, to Pittsburg, where he went to school until he reached the age of eighteen, attending first the public schools and then the Western university. Upon leav- ing school, he spent a year as a book- keeper, and was then for two years employed in the office of the county com- missioners. After this he became clerk in the Western Pennsylvania hospital, was soon afterwards pro- moted to assistant superintendent, and held this position six years. He came to Mckeesport to become superintendent of the city hos- pital in January, 1895, and has held this position ever since, having proved himself competent and faithful in fulfilling the duties of the office. Mr. Woodward was married, March 10, 1892, to Miss
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Belle Mawhinney, daughter of John Mawhinney, of Oakland, Pa., and has one daughter, Helen. He is a member of Mckeesport lodge, No. 136, B. P. O. Elks, and is an enthusiastic Mason, being a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar and Shriner. He is a member of the Young Men's Tariff club of Pittsburg, and is prominent in local party affairs, being vice-chairman of the repub- lican city committee. In religious belief he is a Presbyterian.
JACOB B. SHALE was born near Ligonier, Westmoreland Co., Pa .. in 1855, was educated in the common and private schools, came to Allegheny county in 1877, located in Mckeesport, where he embarked in the grocery busi- ness, and later in the dry goods and notion business. In company with Mr. W. J. Sharples, Mr. Shale erected a planing mill, and engaged in the lumber business and general contracting. He also, with a number of associates, organ- ized the Mckeesport building and loan association with a capital of $1,000,000, of which Mr. Shale was elected its president, serving in that capacity for four years, and declining re-election. Later, in connection with some business associates, he organized the Mckeesport construction company, of which he was president and manager during its successful exist- ence. In 1884 he was appointed postmaster of the city, which position he filled for four years and eight months, establishing the free delivery system and improving the mail service in general. At the expiration of his term, he purchased one-half interest in the Daily News, and afterwards a controlling interest, which he still retains. The News is the leading daily in western Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburg. When the United press association, of which the News was a member, failed, in 1897, the Publishers' press association was established, and Mr. Shale was elected president and general manager, with headquarters in New York city. This position he has filled up to the present time. The association has had a phenomenal growth, and is now recognized as the only rival of the Associated press. Mr. Shale has recently organized the Cripple river hydraulic mining company, with a capital of $1,000,000, chartered under the laws of the State of New York, and has been elected president and general manager. The company
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owns some very valuable property near Nome, Alaska. While all his commercial enterprises have met with good success, Mr. Shale's time has not been given up wholly to business, for he has taken a . prominent part in social and church work. He may well be classed as one of Allegheny county's most prominent citizens.
JOHN S. NAULDER, of Mckeesport, Pa., a successful dentist, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., on Dec. 25, 1848, a son of James and Barbara A. Naulder. Dr. Naulder attended the dis- trict school until his sixteenth year, and then went to Millersburg academy. Later he began the study of dentistry, and after perfecting himself in that pro- fession, commenced its practice in Fay- ette county, Pa., in 1871. Later he removed to Elizabeth and maintained branch offices in Mckeesport. In 1877 Dr. Naulder gave up his office at Elizabeth, and has since devoted his entire attention to his Mckeesport practice, which has grown to large proportions and demands his whole time. Dr. Naulder is the inventor and owner of the patent for making the Naulder gauze dental plate, which is getting to be so commonly used by the advanced members of the dental profession. This plate is regarded as a notable improvement in prosthetic dentistry, and the long- sought substitute for the ordinary rubber plate. This plate is made of one or two pieces of pure aluminum gauze swaged in a screw press and moulded to the proper shape, strengthened and reinforced by non-oxidizing wire bands, all soldered together into one piece by forcing hot rubber into the interstices. Dr. Naulder was married, on Oct. 24, 1878, to Tirza Johnson, of Pittsburg, Pa., and to them were born three children, Clarence, Ethel and Mary. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, the republican party, and is prominent in the social circles of Mckeesport.
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MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
EDWARD M. TRICH, alderman from the fifth ward, Mckeesport, was born in that city, March 7, 1850, and attended the public schools there until he reached the age of seventeen, when he went to an academy at Smithfield, Pa., and there completed his education by three years of study. Mr. Trich then became a painter, and was for twenty years a con- tractor in that line in Mckeesport. He has long been prominent in public life, and has a most excellent record in the city service. Mr. Trich was elected school director in 1888, and served on the school board of Mckees- port ten years, being its president in 1896. After this he was ser- geant of police for five years, and then resigned. In 1896 he was elected alderman in the fifth ward, and has represented that ward in the council ever since. Mr. Trich married Miss Sarah McCully, daughter of the late Major John W. McCully, of Mckeesport. Mr. and Mrs. Trich have three daughters: Margaret Louisa, now Mrs. R. E. Erwin; Anna V., wife of R. E. Taylor, and Nellie J., who married Dr. Nathan Phillips.
ALEXANDER A. NIMMO, a well- known Mckeesport manufacturer, was born in Scotland, Aug. 10, 1855, son of Alexander and Margaret (Arbuckle) Nimmo. He was educated in Scotland, worked there three years as a bookkeeper, and then, in 1877, came to the United States, and was for two years a book- keeper in Philadelphia. In 1879 he came to Mckeesport, where he worked sixteen months for T. M. Jenkins, and then formed a partnership with M. R. Smith, the firm running a general store in Mckeesport until 1890. In that year they went into the coal busi- ness in Westmoreland county, and six years later bought a coal mine in Fayette county. This mine was managed under the name of Smith & Co. until 1899, when it was sold to the trust, and Mr. Nimmo and his partner started an ornamental iron works at No. 719 Jerome St., Mckeesport, where they have since engaged in
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manufacturing. Mr. Nimmo is a prominent republican, has served as councilman, and was for three years member of the school board. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. On July 5, 1883, he married Miss Anna M. Smith, daughter of Samuel I. and Mary J. Smith, of Cumberland county, Pa., and has two children, Lloyd A. and Smith R. Mr. Nimmo and family reside in the second ward.
CLARENCE A. WALKER, of Mckeesport, Pa., health officer of that city, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1853, and is a son of Jeremiah and Olive Walker. He accompanied his parents to Buena Vista, Allegheny county, when quite young, and there attended the public schools until sixteen years of age, when he commenced to learn the painters' trade. He worked at that business for two years at Boston, Pa. ; then went to Blairville, and there served out his apprenticeship. Subse- quently he removed to Pittsburg, where he worked at his trade for one year, and returning to Buena Vista, went into business on his own account. In 1878 Mr. Walker located at Mckeesport, and there continued his business of painting, with some slight interrup- tions, until 1902, when he was elected to his present position of health officer, and turned over his painting establishment to his son, C. E. Walker. Mr. Walker is a prominent republican, and has occupied several positions of importance in connection with the municipal government. He was appointed a school director to fill the unexpired term of Florian Smith, and at the expiration of that term was elected to the same position from the first ward. Subse- quently he removed to the third ward, and was the first water com- missioner of Mckeesport, serving three years in that important capacity, and being re-elected for another three-year term. Mr. Walker was married, in 1875, to Nancy J. Boyd, of Boyd's Hollow, Pa., to whom were born four children, Collomore E., Jennie, Olive and Eliza, the last two named deceased. Mr. Walker is a member of the Masons, the Junior Order of American Mechanics; also member of the Woodmen of the World, and the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
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W. C. McCUNE, president of the Dravosburg dock company, located at Dravosburg, Pa., was born in Elizabeth, Pa., in 1861, being a son of Thomas and Sarah McCune, now deceased. He was educated in the public schools, and spent ten years on the river as a carpenter and calker. Thus prepared by experience for more responsible work, he became super- intendent at West Elizabeth for O'Neil & Co., boat builders and repairers, remaining with this firm twelve years, until 1903, when he accepted his present position. In 1882 Mr. McCune married Sarah B. Powers, daugh- ter of Calvin and Gertrude Powers, of Elizabeth, and has three children, Bessie, Hattie and William C. In religious belief the family is Methodist. Mr. McCune is a prominent Mason, a mem- ber of the Elizabeth lodge, and took the thirty-second degree in Masonry at Pittsburg. In politics he is a republican. While in West Elizabeth he took an active interest in municipal affairs, and served on the council and school board. At present he is president of Dravosburg borough council.
THOMAS W. WHITE, borough engin- eer for Glassport and Monessen, and city engineer of Mckeesport, was born in Mckeesport, Pa., in 1876, and is a son of ex-Select Councilman Patrick White. He was educated at St. Peter's parochial school, and then entered the employ of Taylor, Romine & Scott, where he remained seven years, and thoroughly learned civil engineering. After leaving the firm of Taylor & Romine, he took a trip around the world with John T. But- ler, working their way on a cattle ship. For a time he was water boy on the street improvements in McKees- port, working for Patrick Ridge. Mr. White formed a partnership with L. L. Robbins, under the firm name of Robbins & White, with offices in the Lysle & Van Kirk building. A year later Mr. White bought out his partner's interest, and has since been in busi- ness for himself. Although young in years, Mr. White has proved
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himself careful, able and conscientious, and has been successful in his chosen profession. He was elected city engineer of McKees- port by the city council on April 12, 1903. He is an earnest worker in St. Peter's church, and has been for two years president of the Young Men's institute of that church. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and of Branch No. 26, C. M. B. A. In politics he is a republican. Mr. White resides in the first ward, Mckeesport.
PETER PATTERSON, of Mckees- port, Pa., consulting engineer of the National tube company, was born in Jed- burgh, Scotland, May 12, 1842, a son of the late Peter Patterson, a blacksmith and engineer and a descendant of a long line of Scottish ancestors, and of his wife, Isabella (Burns) Patterson. Mr. Patterson attended the public schools of his native town, and then became an apprentice in his father's shop. On com- pleting his apprenticeship, he went to Edinburgh, Scotland, where he worked in several engineering establishments, and later went to Glasgow and became connected with some of the marine engine works. During these various services he secured a thoroughly practical training, which has been of vast assistance to him in his subsequent career. In 1866 Mr. Patterson came to America, and, after work- ing a short time in Connecticut, went to New York city, where for four years he was employed as a machinist. In 1871 he secured a position as machinist at the National tube works, of Boston, Mass., and six months later was sent to Mckeesport, Pa., to erect machin- ery in the mill then being built. Subsequently he was made fore- man-machinist and held that position for a number of years. He was an important assistant in the erection of the National rolling mills department of the National tube company, and later became superintendent of the National tube works. He satisfactorily filled that position until 1897, when he became consulting engineer of the National tube works company, and manager of the United seamless tube works, the latter works having been designed and constructed by him. Mr. Patterson continued to fill these positions until the spring of 1902, when he became consulting engineer of the National tube company. He has invented a number of very
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valuable improvements, as well as much machinery and a number of processes used in pipe and tube manufacturing, and is a man thoroughly equipped for the arduous duties of his profession. He was married, in 1868, to Mary Rae, of Aberdeen, Scotland, and to them were born six children: Peter C., mechanical engineer of the National tube works and a mechanic of prominence and ability ; Isabella; John R., assistant cashier for the Mckeesport title and trust company ; Mary E. ; Thomas, draftsman for the National tube company; Jean E. Mr. Patterson is a member of the engineers' society of western Pennsylvania, with which he has been connected for the past twenty years. He is a member of the First United Presbyterian church, and has served as a trustee for a number of years.
DAVID ROSENBERG, a well-known Mckeesport merchant, and an influential member of the select council of that city, was born in Austria, in 1866, son of Henry and Louisa Rosenberg. He attended the schools of his native country until he reached the age of thirteen, and then, emigrating to America, located at Mckeesport, where he has since resided. On coming to Mckeesport, Mr. Rosen- berg spent nine years in the National tube works, and then, in company with B. Firestone, embarked in the grocery and meat business on Fourth street. Four years later he bought his partner's interest, and has successfully conducted the business alone since then. Mr. Rosenberg was elected to the select council of Mckeesport in 1900, and still holds that position. He has served on numerous important committees, and is now chairman of the police committee. Mr. Rosenberg was married, about eleven years ago, to Miss Esther Leborgich, a native of Austria, and has six children. Mr. Rosenberg has, since coming to America, become conversant with eight languages, an accomplishment which is of great use to him in dealing with the varied foreign population of Mckeesport. He and his family reside in the first ward. He is a member of Lodge No. 581, F. and A. M. ; Lodge No. 561, I. O. O. F., and Zion lodge, No. 59, K. of P.
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DANIEL M. HARDY, hotel keeper, Mckeesport, was born in that city in 1872, being a son of David and Jane Hardy. He was educated in the public schools and at Gresly business college, and then began his business career in the employ of the Mckeesport ice company. He remained with this company eleven years, a part of that time having com- plete charge of all its business. He left this responsible position to go into busi- ness for himself, in 1899, and has kept a hotel at 1017 Fifth Ave. since then. Mr. Hardy is a prominent member of the Mckeesport lodge, No. 136, B. P. O. Elks, and has filled all the chairs in the lodge except that of exalted ruler. In politics he is an influential republican, and is a member of the republican city committee. He is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Hardy is an expert marksman, being a member of the Mckeesport gun club, in which he holds the cham- pionship. Mr. Hardy was married, Aug. 27, 1900, to Miss Anna Hale, daughter of Thomas and Anna Hale, of Wilkinsburg, and has one son, Hale D. He and his family reside at No. 1017 Fifth Ave., in the sixth ward.
ORLANDO M. HUNTER, vice-presi- dent and manager of the W. W. Hunter company, and partner in the firm of Hunter & Edmundson, was born at Library, Allegheny Co., Pa., in 1862. His parents were W. W. Hunter, still living, and Sarah A. Hunter, now deceased. Mr. Hunter came to McKees- port with his parents when four years old, attended the public schools, and then took a commercial course at Duff's business college, in Pittsburg. He then entered the employ of his father, who was an undertaker, and, in 1885, was taken into the firm, which then became W. W. Hunter & Son. This continued until 1899, when Mr. George L. Edmundson was taken into partnership, and the firm name was changed to W. W. Hunter, Son & Co. On July 1, 1902, W. W. Hunter sold his interest to his son, and retired from
[. .
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the business, which has since that time been run under the name of Hunter & Edmundson. The livery business is conducted in the name of the W. W. Hunter company, a corporation. Mr. Hunter was married, in 1883, to Miss Bella Caughery, daughter of the late W. Y. Caughery, of Lincoln township, Allegheny county, and has two children, Frank C. and Isabella A. He is an enthusiastic Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree in that order; is a Shriner and a Knight Templar. He is a member and past master of the Mckeesport lodge, No. 583. He is also a member of Jr. O. U. A. M., No. 109, and B. P. O. Elks, No. 136. Mr. Hunter is one of the best-known business men in Mckeesport, where he has several other interests besides his livery and undertaking busi- ness. He is director of the People's bank of McKeesport and the Mckeesport title and trust company. In politics he is a republi- can, and in religion a Presbyterian. Mr. Hunter's home is in the seventh ward, McKeesport.
GEORGE B. WARREN, son of C. B. and Susan Warren, was born in Elizabeth township, Allegheny Co., Pa., in 1852. He has been engaged, since 1897, in the wholesale grocery business at 513 Sinclair St., Mckeesport, under the firm name of Patterson, Warren & Co. Mr. Warren was educated in the district schools of Elizabeth township, and after that worked seven years on his father's farm. Coming then to Mckeesport, he engaged for ten years in the grocery and produce business at 418 Market St., and then was for five years a wholesale commission merchant, located in the Odd Fellows building. He has engaged in the wholesale grocery busi- ness since then, and has been successful. Mr. Warren was mar- ried, in November, 1879, to Miss Sarah B. Symington, of Alle- gheny city. They have five children, Susan M., Robert L., Bingham S., Lloyd and Gene Isabella. The family reside in the fifth ward. Mr. Warren is one of the progressive and prosperous Mckeesport business men, is vice-president of the Mckeesport title and trust company, and was formerly one of the founders and presi- dent of the Citizens' National bank. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and belongs to the First United Presbyterian church.
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THOMAS C. JONES, attorney, for- merly city attorney of Mckeesport, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1860. He is a son of David and Elizabeth Jones. He attended the public schools, Mckeesport academy and Waynesburg college, and received his legal education at the Uni- versity of Michigan law school, at Ann Arbor, Mich., from which he graduated in 1884. He was admitted to the bar of Allegheny county in 1885, and has success- fully engaged in the practice of his pro- fession since that time, having an office at 426 Diamond St., Pittsburg, and one in Mckeesport, at 521 Walnut St. Mr. Jones takes an active interest in the welfare of his city, is one of the directors and the treasurer of the Carnegie free library, was formerly city attorney of Mckeesport, and, prior to that, for three years a member of the council. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodges of Pittsburg and Mckeesport. In 1889 Mr. Jones married Miss Minnie E. Muse, daughter of John J. Muse, of Versailles township, and has three children, Harry M., Thomas C., Jr., and Eleanor Z. In political belief Mr. Jones is a republican. He and his family reside in Mckeesport, in the fifth ward.
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