USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume II > Part 40
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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
WALTER S. ABBOTT, editor and proprietor of the Mckees- port Daily Times, was born in Mckeesport, Pa., March 12, 1853, and attended school there until he reached the age of sixteen. He then gave up his studies and learned the printing trade, at which he was engaged for about five years. At twenty-one he entered the employ of R. G. Dun & Co., and remained with this concern fourteen years, filling all the positions in the Pittsburg office, and. in 1885, taking charge of the company's office at Wheeling, West Va. On July 1, 1887, he purchased the Mckeesport Times, and has since devoted his attention to the management of a paper which is daily becoming more popular. While in the employ of R. G. Dun & Co., Mr. Abbott was also engaged in newspaper work, so that he under-
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took the management of the Times well equipped by past journal- istic experience. The Times is the pioneer Mckeesport news- paper, its first issue having been in August, 1871. At the time Mr. Abbott took charge of it, it was a small, four-page sheet, but under his management it has been increased to a paper of eight and ten pages, with adequate telegraph and local service, and now has a daily circulation of about 5,000. Mr. Abbott is a charter member and past master of Youghiogheny lodge, No. 583, F. and A. M., and a member of Mckeesport chapter, No. 283, Royal Arch Masons. He is also a member of Pittsburg commandery, No. I, Knights Templars.
JAMES MORRISON, who holds the responsible position of superintendent of the works of the Fidelity glass company at Brackenridge, was born in Philadelphia, Jan. 8, 1867, son of Henry and Anna (Grimes) Morrison, natives of the north of Ireland, who emigrated to America and were married in Philadelphia. Later, in 1872, they moved to Pittsburg, where Mrs. Morrison died in 1876. Mr. Morrison is now a well-known baker in Pittsburg, and owns a bakery there. He is a democrat in political belief, and in religion a Methodist. Mrs. Morrison was a member of the Method- ist church. They had, besides the subject of this sketch, a daugh- ter, Martha, who died in Pittsburg, in 1892. James Morrison was reared in Pittsburg, attended school there in the eighth, eleventh and thirteenth wards, and then learned the trade of a glass-blower. He first worked for eleven years for J. T. & A. Hamilton, Twenty- sixth and Railroad streets, Pittsburg, and while a resident of Pitts- burg, served three years on the O'Hara school board. In 1892 Mr. Morrison moved to Anderson, Madison Co., Ind., where he worked for several years at his trade, and was then made superintendent of the American flint bottle company at Summitville. He held that position two years, and then came, in 1901, to Brackenridge to accept his present position with the Fidelity glass company. In politics he is a democrat, is actively interested in the welfare of his party, and while a resident of Anderson, in 1898, represented Madi- son county in the State legislature. He is a member of the B. P. O. Elks, of Tarentum. Mr. Morrison was married, in 1887, to Miss Catherine Hannan, of Pittsburg, and is the father of three children : Adda B., James A. and Lewis. The Morrison family are regular attendants upon the services of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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HERBERT S. VAN K. ? K, M. D., a prominent young Mckeesport physician, was be + in Mckeesport in 1876, being a son of T. R. Van Kirk. He attended the public schools, Penn military academy and Lehigh university, and later entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1899. After graduation he practiced a short time in Philadelphia, and then came to Mckeesport, where he has since devoted his attention to a steadily increasing practice. He is also a member of the staff of the Mckeesport city hospital. Dr. Van Kirk's office is at No. 1021 Walnut St. In political belief, the doctor is a republican.
J. E. O'BRIEN, local agent for the Cudahy packing company at Mckeesport, was born in Keokuk, Ia., in 1875, son of John and Mary O'Brien. He attended the public schools and also took a business course, and then spent two years as clerk for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad company. After this he entered the employ of the Cudahy packing company, serving first in various capacities at Keokuk for four years, and then for a time as man- ager of the Clinton branch. From this position he was advanced to the management of the company's office at Lincoln, Neb., where he remained a year, and then, in 1899, was transferred to Mckeesport. As agent for the Cudahy company, he has met with unusual success, and has made many friends. Mr. O'Brien was married, in 1899, to Miss Louise Krone, of Lincoln, Neb., and has two children : Mary L. and John K. The family reside in the fifth ward, Mckeesport. Mr. O'Brien is an ardent republican in poli- tical belief. He is a member of St. Peter's Roman Catholic church.
CONARD G. KRIGBAUM, flour and feed dealer of Mckees- port, was born at Marietta, Ohio, in 1868, son of the late Capt. C. G. and Katherine Krigbaum, and educated in the public schools and at an academy. While attending school he worked in a flour- mill and learned the milling business. Later he went into railroad work, being employed at first by the C. W. & B. railroad company and learning with this company to be a telegraph operator. He was for a year station agent at Harmar, Ohio, for a time after that brakeman for the T. & O. C. railroad company, and when only eighteen years old was made conductor. He held this position a year, was for eight months conductor for the Big Four railroad company, and then gave up railroading to enter a flour-mill at
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Newark, Ohio. After five months' : rvice he was sent to McKees- port to represent Londenslager . Co. in the flour and feed busi- ness. In 1897 he bought out his employers, and has since been successfully engaged in the flour and feed business for himself, being located at the corner of Sinclair and Jerome streets. Mr. Krigbaum is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Youghiogheny lodge, No. 583; Mckeesport chapter, No. 282; Ascalon commandery, No. 59, and Syria temple, of Pittsburg. He is a member of the Masonic country club of Pittsburg. He is also a member of Titus lodge, No. 207, Knights of Pythias, and Ariel commandery, No. 145. In politics he is a republican. He belongs to the First Baptist church. Mr. Krigbaum was married, in August, 1890, to Miss Eleanor Anderson, daughter of Thomas B. and Amanda Anderson, of Newark, Ohio, and has one daughter, Katherine, now about nine years old. Mr. Krigbaum's home is in the sixth ward, Mckeesport, Pa.
CHARLES D. KOEHLER, foreman for the Mckeesport machine company, was born in Hollidaysburg, Pa., Oct. 12, 1863, son of Charles D. and Ruth Koehler. He attended the public schools until he reached the age of sixteen, then spent two years on a farm, and then, coming to Mckeesport, was for seven years molder for the National tube company. In 1886 he became fore- man for the Mckeesport machine company, and has filled that responsible position most creditably since then. Mr. Koehler was married, Nov. 27, 1883, to Miss Effie Hayse, daughter of Charles Hayse, of Duquesne, Pa. He is a member of Lodge No. 121, Inde- pendent Order of Heptasophs; Lodge No. 116, Knights of Malta, and the Woodmen of the World. He is a republican in politics, and a Presbyterian in religious belief. Mr. Koehler and wife reside in the sixth ward, Mckeesport.
HARRY ETHERIDGE, superintendent of the Allegheny county light company at Pittsburg, was born in Maisemore, Glouces- tershire, England, in 1865, son of the late Henry and Elizabeth Etheridge, and was educated in the English schools, specializing in scientific studies. His first employment was with an India rubber and gutta-percha company at Silvertown, Essex, near London, where he remained seven years as foreman. Coming to the United States in 1887, he spent two years as electrician for the Allegheny county light company, then four years with the Writing telegraph company, and after that came to Mckeesport. Here he was
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general superintendent of the Monongahela light and power com- pany, whose territory embraces the southwestern part of Allegheny county. Mr. Etheridge is endowed with an excellent scientific training, which accounts for his success. He resides in the fourth ward in Mckeesport, and takes an active part in its political affairs from a republican standpoint. He is a prominent Mason, being a member and past master of Mckeesport lodge, No. 375; a member of Pittsburg commandery, No. 1, Knights Templars; high priest of Mckeesport chapter, No. 282; a member of Pennsylvania consistory, of Syria temple, and Mount Maria council, No. I. His religious affiliations are with the Episcopal church.
H. W. GRAY, accountant, was born in Mckeesport, being a son of the late G. W. and Martha Gray. G. W. Gray, in his time a prominent river man, was widely known as "Captain Wash" Gray. He was a native of Mifflin township, Allegheny county, and died in 1879. H. W. Gray, whose name heads this sketch, was born in 1858, educated in the public schools, and spent five years on the river with his father. He entered the employ of the National tube company, going into the rolling mills as weigh- master. After this he was employed for a time in the axle depart- ment, spent a year with the National tubular axle company, of York, Pa., and on returning to Mckeesport, went into the Monon- gahela furnace and steel department of the National tube company. Here he has since been employed as expert accountant, having entire charge of the office force. Mr. Gray married, in 1888, Miss Mary J. Lewis, daughter of Thomas E. and Rachael Lewis, and has two children: Rachael and Jack. Mr. Lewis is a republican in politics and a Presbyterian in religious belief. His home is in Mckeesport, in the fifth ward.
DANIEL BRINEY SPENCER, of Natrona, Pa., a leading undertaker and liveryman, was born in Armstrong county, Pa., Jan. 22, 1863. He is a son of Chambers and Elizabeth (Briney) Spencer, the former a son of Flavel Spencer, and a grandson of William Spencer, a native of Germany and a pioneer of Armstrong county, and the latter a daughter of Daniel Briney, and a grand- daughter of Michael Briney and his wife, Elizabeth. The wife of Flavel Spencer was Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Wattenbaugh, a native of Germany and a pioneer of Armstrong county, who had the distinction of capturing the last hostile Indians in that county. Chambers Spencer was for many years a farmer of prominence, but
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· has now retired from active life, and is residing at Parnassus, Westmoreland county. He is a democrat in politics, a member of the Presbyterian church, and the father of ten children. Daniel B. Spencer was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and followed farming until 1893, when he came to Natrona and engaged in the livery business. He prospered in that venture, and, in 1901, added embalming and undertaking to his business, and is also engaged in the sale of flour, feed, hay and straw. Mr. Spencer is an independent in politics, and formerly was a justice of the peace of Indiana county. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and prominently identified with that order. Mr. Spencer was married, on Oct. 10, 1887, to Sophie Ashbaugh, of Westmoreland county, Pa., and to them were born two children, Delnora and Alta May, the latter of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Spencer and her daughter are members of the Presbyterian church, and are identified with the religious and social affairs of that body.
YOST BROS., foundrymen, began their foundry business at Hites in 1900, and have been most successful. Prior to this they followed threshing two years, and were for eight years in the saw- mill business. The father of George H. and William F. Yost, who compose the firm of Yost Bros., was Conrad Yost, a native of Ger- many, while their mother, Kate (Unger) Yost, was born in Colum- bus, Ohio. They were married in Allegheny county, where Conrad Yost came when a young man, and reared a family of four sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. Both parents were members of the German Evangelical church. The father was for the greater portion of his life employed in salt works, but spent his last days on a farm in East Deer township. He died in 1894, and his wife in 1892. George H. Yost, the senior member of the firm of Yost Bros., was born on a farm in East Deer township, Alle- gheny Co., Pa., April 12, 1869; educated in the common schools, and learned the molders' trade at Creighton, Pa. In politics he is a republican. William F. Yost was born June 3, 1872; was edu- cated in the public schools, and learned the molders' trade before going into business with his brother. He is also a republican. He is married and has three children : Garnett, Carl W. and William G. Mrs. Yost was formerly Miss Mary Wilson, of East Deer township. William F. Yost is a member of the Orangemen of Hites. Besides their foundry at Hites, the Yost Bros. own a valuable farm of sixty-five acres in East Deer township.
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JOHN N. BOCK, of Natrona, Pa., a prosperous blacksmith, was born in Germany, July 16, 1863, son of Conrad and Liza (Boman) Bock, both life-residents of the Fatherland. His father was a blacksmith, and reared a family of six children, all of whom remained in Germany except the subject of this sketch. He was reared and educated in his native land, and there learned the blacksmith trade under his brother. In 1891 he came to Natrona, and, after working two years at his trade for other people, opened a blacksmith shop on his own account in 1893. This business has prospered, and Mr. Bock, by his thrift and energy, has accumu- lated a competency, and has fine holdings of property in Natrona. He is a republican in politics, and is a member of the German beneficial society. He was happily married in Natrona to Mary, daughter of Peter Smith, a pioneer of Allegheny county, Pa., and to them have been born three children, Freda, Carl and George. Mr. Bock's family are members of the German Lutheran church, and are prominent in religious and social circles. In deciding to become a blacksmith, Mr. Bock was following in the footsteps of his father and older brothers, and his success in his chosen calling naturally suggests that his talents in that line are more or less inherited. He is a thorough workman, a master of his trade, and one of Natrona's substantial citizens.
--- WILLIAM J. CLINTON, of Natrona, Pa., foreman of the acid works of the Pennsylvania salt manufacturing company, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., Feb. 11, 1865, and is a son of John and Mary (Ross) Clinton, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Robert Ross, a pioneer of Alle- gheny county, and later a resident of Tarentum. John Clinton came from Ireland to Pittsburg, subsequently removed to Hites, and there was well known as a coal-miner and also as an extensive dealer in live-stock. He was a member of the Catholic church, the father of ten children, five of whom are living, and is survived by his widow, who is now seventy-eight years of age and resides at Natrona. William J. Clinton was reared and educated at Hites, and when twelve years of age began to work in the coal mines. Later he learned the trade of lead-burning, followed that occupa- tion for eighteen years, and has been an employe of the Pennsyl- vania salt manufacturing company for twenty-one years. In 1901 he was appointed foreman of the acid works of that company, and is now filling that position. Mr. Clinton is an ardent republican, and is a school director of Natrona. He is a member of Natrona
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lodge, No. 743, of the Odd Fellows, and an active worker for the society. He was married, in 1887, to Mary M. Stellar, of Natrona, and they have had four children : Clyde Harrison, Edith May, Walter, and Garnett (deceased). Mr. Clinton and his wife are members of the Methodist church, and are prominent in religious and social affairs.
FRANK WOLFE, of Natrona, Pa., a well-known employe of the James H. Baker manufacturing company, was born in Alle- gheny county, July 5, 1864, son of John and Mary (Miller) Wolfe, both natives of Illinois and early settlers of Allegheny county. His father was a republican in politics, and a prosperous coal- miner, who died May 18, 1891. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church, and were the parents of six children, five of whom are now living. Frank Wolfe was reared and educated in Harrison township, the most of his business career being spent in the employ of the Pennsylvania salt manufacturing company, but now holding a responsible position with the James H. Baker manu- facturing company. Mr. Wolfe is a man of energy and ability, has accumulated some money, and owns property in Natrona. He is a republican in political matters, and he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church of Natrona. He was married, on Jan. 1, 1885, to Mary E. Bergman, a native and resident of Natrona, and a daughter of Henry and Louisa (Glesencamp) Bergman, both natives of Germany, who came to America in 1865, and now reside in Harrison township. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe are the parents of five children, four of whom are living and are as follows: Harry B., Frank L., Lawrence E. and Leonard J.
GEORGE R. JOHNSTON, of Natrona, Pa., a prosperous and successful farmer, was born on Jan. 9, 1863, on the old homestead in Harrison township, Allegheny county, son of George and Sarah (McKee) Johnston, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter born in Allegheny county, Pa. She was a daughter of James and Mary (Wise) McKee, early settlers and long residents of Allegheny county. George Johnston came to America in 1842, located in Canada, and two years later removed to Pittsburg, Pa., and subse- quently went to Etna, Pa., where he resided until 1852, when he went to California. He was successful in the west, and in 1857 came to Harrison township, purchased 156 acres of land, and there resided until his death in 1887. He was a member of the Episco- pal church, and the father of the following nine children : Mary J., born Jan. 10, 1851, and died Oct. 21, 1853; Lizzie, born April 17,
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1853: Joseph C., born Aug. 23, 1857; Phoebe, born July 29, 1859, and died Dec. 21, 1863; Mary A., born Dec. 27, 1861, and died March 25, 1862; George R., born Jan. 9, 1863; Emma, born Aug. 6, 1865; Maggie, born Oct. 25, 1867, and died Aug. 6, 1868; Robert, born Sept. 25, 1869, and died Feb. 15, 1872. Mr. Johnston, the father, was a leading democrat, and closely identified with the Odd Fellows. George R. Johnston was reared on the farm, attended the common schools, and has been a practical farmer all of his business career. He still owns the greater part of the old homestead, and devotes his attention to general farming and trucking. He is prominently identified with the democratic party. He is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Johnston was married, in 1896, to Ruth M. Brown, of Westmoreland county, and they have three children, Doratha, Joseph B. and George.
DAVID H. LYNCH, of Mckeesport, Pa., a prominent citizen, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1840, and is the son of the late John Lynch and his wife, Margaret. Mr. Lynch received his elementary training in the district schools, and was graduated at Duff's college, of Pittsburg, in 1860. In 1863 he enlisted in Company M, 4th Pennsylvania cavalry, and served until Septem- ber, 1865, taking part in many engagements and seeing the various phases of life incident to a military career. After the war he returned to Allegheny county, clerked in a general store for two years, and then went to Louisville, where he was in the coal busi- ness for two years. He was one of the principal men in the forma- tion of the firm of Lysle, Bailey & Co., general merchants, of Camden, Pa., but three years later disposed of his interests in that concern and became a member of the firm of Walton, Lynch & Co., carrying a very extensive line of general merchandise. Three years later Mr. Lynch built a boat, the "Samuel Miller," of which he was captain for a number of years, engaged in towing coal between the cities of Pittsburg and Louisville. He was also inter- ested in coal-mining at Webster, Pa., up to 1878, and was shipping coal to the southern markets for several years. Captain Lynch is now vice-president of the Thomas Moore distilling company, of Mckeesport, and has occupied that position since the business was incorporated. He was married, in 1861, to Melissa Allen (now deceased), and has four grown children: Jessie, Grace Dale (deceased), Edwin Stanton and Madison B. Captain Lynch is a republican in his political affiliations, and is a highly-esteemed citi- zen of McKeesport.
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D. P. McCUNE, of Mckeesport, Pa., a prosperous contractor and builder, was born in Elizabeth township, Allegheny Co., Pa., in 1846, being a son of John B. and Mary W. McCune. He was educated in the rudimentary branches in the district schools of his .
native township, and later attended the Curry institute, of Pitts- burg. On completing his education, he began as a contractor in Pittsburg, and five years later became superintendent of construc- tion for the Robert H. Powell furnace company, in Bradford county. He went to Dunbar, Fayette county, and supervised the building of the furnace in that city, being in that line for eight years. In 1891 Mr. McCune came to Mckeesport and began his present business of contracting and building, having offices at No. 520 Locust St., doing a large and profitable business. He was married, in 1872, to Louise J. Colbert, of Boston, Pa., to whom have been born five children: William H., Arthur C., Emma B., D. Pollock and Jessie W. Mr. McCune is a prominent republican, resides in the second ward, and has served five years as a member of the council of Mckeesport, having four years yet to serve. He is a leading member of that body, being on the printing, poor, auditing and other committees, and takes a prominent part in its proceedings. He is a Mason of the chapter degree, and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. J
PETER C. PATTERSON, a capable young engineer in the employ of the National tube company, comes of that sturdy stock from which so many successful men in the world's history and progress have been developed, his father and mother, Peter and Mary R. Patterson, both being natives of Scotland. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 31, 1869, but when he was about three years old his parents removed to Mckeesport, Pa., where he attended the ward and high schools, and later spent some time as a student in the Western University of Pennsylvania. While attending school, and when only about twelve years of age, he apprenticed himself, during vacations, to the National tube com- pany, in the machine shops at Mckeesport, and after finishing his education he was employed for a year in the shops. Though there is a popular belief that corporations have no souls, it has never been truly said of them that they fail to recognize and reward special ability when it is developed among their employes. The truth of this is fully illustrated in the case of Mr. Patterson. As fast as he has demonstrated his ability to assume new responsibil- ities, promotions have come to him at the hands of the National
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- tube company. From the machine shop he was transferred to the draughting department, and after some time there he was made foreman of the shops in which he had served his apprenticeship. Next he was made constructing engineer, then superintendent of the lap mill, and for the last three years the National tube com- pany has claimed his services in the capacity of mechanical engineer, with headquarters in the city of Pittsburg, Pa. While engaged in these various positions his inventive genius brought forth new ideas in machinery for the manufacture of tubing, and a number of his patents are now used in the works. Mr. Patterson is a member of the American society of mechanical engineers, the Engineers' society of western Pennsylvania, the Iron and Steel institute of Great Britain, and has served on the board of water commissioners of the city of Mckeesport, Pa., where his practical knowledge of water-works plants proved a valuable acquisition to the board.
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