USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume II > Part 41
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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
CHARLES A. MEYERS, superintendent of the annealing and finishing department of the American tin plate works at Mckees- port, was born in Darmstadt, Germany, in 1841, and is a son of the late John P. Meyers, who was an engineer in the German army. Charles A. Meyers was educated in the military schools of his native country, then came to America in 1860, and served throughout the Civil war. Enlisting in Company B, 14th New York cavalry, he served for a time as sergeant, was later appointed lieutenant, and finally rose to the position of provost-marshal of the 19th army corps, which position he held until discharged in 1865. After the war he located at New Orleans, where for several years he took a prominent part in politics, and in 1869 went to Cin- cinnati to become foreman for the Cincinnati coffin company. Upon leaving this concern he accepted a position as foreman of the National casket works at Allegheny, Pa., and remained there thirteen years. His connection with the American tin plate works in Mckeesport dates from 1894. Here he has filled various respon- sible positions, and now has charge of the annealing and finishing department. Mr. Meyers was married, in 1864, to Miss Mary McColly, of New Orleans. They have had six children, of whom the first-born, Elizabeth, is now deceased. The others are: Mary, Charles, John, William and James. Mr. Meyers is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a republican. His home is in the eighth ward, McKeesport.
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HENRY STAMM, for almost twenty years a well-known hotel keeper in Brackenridge borough, was born in Switzerland, July 26, 1859. His parents, Martin and Dorothea (Pletsche) Stamm, spent their lives in Switzerland, where Mr. Stamm was a farmer. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are living. Henry Stamm and two sisters emigrated to the United States, Mr. Stamm coming in 1879, and his sisters some time afterwards. Mr. Stamm located in Sharpsburg, worked on a farm there for a time, was for several years employed in an oil refinery, and .for a year kept a hotel in Sharpsburg. In 1884 he moved to Harrison town- ship, now Brackenridge borough, buying the hotel property where he is now located, and on which he has since made various improve- ments. Mr. Stamm came to America a poor boy, but has by thrift and industry won for himself financial independence and the respect and good-will of the community. He was one of the organ- izers of, and is now a stockholder in, the Fidelity glass company and the Tarentum glass company. In politics a republican, he has served a term as assessor of Harrison township. He is a member of Etna lodge, No. 861, I. O O. F., of Etna. On Aug. 12, 1884, he married Miss Barbara Lehman, of Germany, and is the father of seven children: Mary B., Annie P., Lucy, Emma, Ida, Emelia and Henry S. Mr. Stamm and family are members of the German Evangelical Protestant church.
JOHN N. KEPPEL, a successful baker of Brackenridge borough, was born in Germany, April 15, 1863, and is a son of Christopher and Margaret (Stoeher) Keppel, natives of Germany, who spent their lives there. He is one of a family of ten children -nine sons and one daughter-of whom all are living except two sons. Four of his brothers are now in the United States. Mr. Keppel was reared and educated in Germany, learned the baker trade there, and when seventeen years old embarked for America. He worked at his trade for about four years in Pittsburg and two years in Tarentum, and, in 1885, came to Harrison township, now Brackenridge borough, where he engaged in business for himself. His bakery there has been most successful, and Mr. Keppel now owns the property where he lives, and also two brick houses and lots. In 1885 he married Miss Caroline Cook, of Harrison town- ship, by whom he has had five children, viz. : Matilda, Annie, Amelia, Clara and John C. (deceased). Mr. Keppel is a republi- can, and has the distinction of having served in the first council of Brackenridge. He is a member of Tarentum lodge, No. 587,
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I. O. O. F., and, with his wife, belongs to the Rebecca lodge of that order, at Tarentum. He is also a member of the German Beneficial Union; of Tarentum tent, No. 4, K. O. T. M., and belongs to the German Lutheran church of Natrona, of which his wife is also a member.
THOMAS R. REA, priest at Glassport, was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1871, son of Patrick and Mary Rea. He was educated first in the Irish schools, where he studied the classics, . and specialized in Latin, beginning his ecclesiastical studies at All Hallows' academy, Dublin, in 1889. After a year at the academy, he came to America and studied first a year with the Franciscan fathers at Allegany, N. Y., and then, until 1894, at St. Vincent's college, in Westmoreland county. In 1894 he was ordained by Bishop Phelan, and became assistant to Father Nolan, at St. Peter's parish, Mckeesport. After that he was assistant to Father McDermott, and on Jan. 4, 1900, was sent as pastor to St. Augustine, Cambria county, where he remained a year and a half, and then, in 1901, undertook his present charge. The Glassport parish is a comparatively new one, but Father Rea has now a con- gregation of 100 families, which is housed in a comfortable church, and the people have also recently erected a home at a cost of $6,000. In 1898 there were only three Catholic families in Glassport. Dur- ing his short stay, Father Rea has proved himself a faithful and competent priest, and has won many to his faith.
GEORGE B. HERWICK, real estate and insurance agent of McKeesport and a prominent republican of that city, was born in Fayette county, Pa., in 1862, and attended the public schools there until he reached the age of fifteen. He worked three years for his father in a saw-mill in Fayette county, and when twenty years old came to Mckeesport, where he was employed for five years in the National tube works, taking at the same time a business course in a night school. In 1888 he was given his first public office-that of city clerk of Mckeesport-served one three-year term in this capacity, and in 1891 was elected to the position of city controller. Here his efficient services won him, in 1894, re-election for another three-year term. In 1897 he embarked in the real estate and insurance business, in which he has been successfully engaged since that time. He was located first at No. 911 Walnut St., and has been since 1900 at No. 418, on the same street. Mr. Herwick has been a member of the board of water commissioners of
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Mckeesport for two years. He is a member of Mckeesport lodge, No. 583, F. and A. M. ; Jr. O. U. A. M., and the Knights of Malta. He belongs to the Methodist church. Mr. Herwick was married, in 1890, to Miss Alice Gould, daughter of Daniel Gould, of McKees- port, and has four children-three daughters and one son. The family reside in the sixth ward, Mckeesport.
WILLIAM KAUFMAN HERWIG, superintendent of. the Boston iron and steel company and water commissioner of McKees- port, was born in Dravosburg, Pa., in 1859, son of George J. Her- wig, and educated in the public schools of Mckeesport. He went into the mills at an early age, and has won his present responsible position by his own unaided efforts. For three years he was weighmaster in the National rolling mills, puddler two years, heater one year, shipping and receiving clerk two years, foreman seven years, and for ten years assistant superintendent. He obtained his present position about a year ago. In political belief Mr. Herwig is a republican, active in local party affairs, and is at present water commissioner of Mckeesport. He is a member of Mckeesport lodge, No. 378, F. and A. M., and of the Pittsburg commandery of that order, and also belongs to the Mckeesport lodge, No. 136, B. P. O. E .; Knights of the Golden Eagle, No. 334, and the Royal Arcanum. In religious belief he is a Presby- terian. - Mr. Herwig was married, in 1899, to Clara V. Stein, daughter of John and Catherine Stein, of Cumberland, Md.
JOHN F. NICOL, superintendent of the Pittsburg coal and coke company, at Otto, Pa., was born in Mckeesport, Pa., in 1857, . son of William and Katherine Nicol. He was educated in the public schools of Mckeesport and at Duff's business college, Pitts- burg, and then was for three years and seven months machinist for the National tube company. After this, in the employ of the same company and other concerns, he went into the gas fields as an operator; spent some time putting in gas lines, reducing stations and pumping stations, and has the distinction of having put in the first gas pumps in the state of Texas. From 1892 to 1896 he had charge of the Mckeesport paper department, and got the depart- ment into good condition before he left it. He entered the employ of the Pittsburg coal and coke company in 1896. Mr. Nicol is recognized as an expert in his line of work, and spends a great deal of his time doing special work in various places for large con- cerns. In 1899 he married Miss Lilly Hampson, daughter of Rich-
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ard and Mary Hampson, of Mckeesport. Mr. Nicol is a prom- inent and influential member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Mckeesport lodge, No. 583; Shiloh chapter, No. 257; Tancred commandery, No. 28, Knights Templars, and Syria tem- ple, Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a republican and served sev- eral years on the county committee. Mr. Nicol resides in Glass- port borough. He is a Presbyterian in religious belief.
J. LEWIS HAMMITT, a leading Mckeesport grocer and presi- dent of the Mckeesport school board, was born in that city in 1862, being a son of J. K. and Rebecca Hammitt. He attended the Mckeesport schools, and at fourteen went to work for his father, who was a grocer. Later he succeeded to the management of the store, bought his father's interest in 1896, and has been in business for himself since then. The grocery was moved in 1880 to a loca- tion on Fourth street, was again moved three years later to the corner of Fifth and Center streets, where it has since been located. Mr. Hammitt is a prominent republican of the sixth ward, was elected to the school board in 1893, was re-elected in 1901, and is now its president. He is an enthusiastic Mason, being a member of Mckeesport lodge, No. 375; Duquesne chapter, No. 193, and Pittsburg commandery, No. 1, Knights Templars. He is an influential member of the First Baptist church, in which he holds the office of trustee. Mr. Hammitt was married, in 1891, to Miss Clare C. Hodgkinson, of New Brighton, and has one son, J. Lewis, Jr.
JEREMIAH A. BEATTIE, superintendent of the Mckeesport & Connellsville railroad at Mckeesport, was born in Pittsburg in 1856, being a son of Thomas W. and Mary Beattie. After a limited education in the public schools, he spent a year as errand boy for T. & J. T. McCance, merchant tailors, of Pittsburg, and was for four years employed in the Crescent tube works, rising in this time from a common laborer, through the different depart- ments, to the position of welder. Leaving the tube works in his seventeenth year, Mr. Beattie spent three years with his father in the study of pig iron, its different dispositions, grading, etc., and at the expiration of that period was qualified to accept a position as foreman for the Sligo iron works, South Side, Pittsburg. He remained with this concern two years, and then, the original Home- stead steel works being under construction, he became general labor foreman, William Clark being general manager of the works.
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When the works were completed, Mr. Beattie became superin- tendent of transportation and labor, and remained with the concern until October, 1886. At that time he accepted the position of superintendent of the Mckeesport connecting railway and of the works of the National tube company. Mr. Beattie has been super- intendent for the National tube company (transportation depart- ment) for seventeen years, and has proved himself at all times a capable and efficient official. He is a member of the Heptasophs and Loyal Legion, belongs to the republican party, and is a mem- ber of St. Peter's church. He was married, in 1885, to Miss Elizabeth McNamara, daughter of P. and Mary McNamara, and has three children: Thomas C., Genevieve and Charles Taylor. Mr. Beattie's home is in the seventh ward, Mckeesport.
CHARLES P. FIEDLER, clerk of the Mckeesport board of education, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1866, and is the son of Jacob and Sophia Fiedler, both of whom are old residents of Alle- gheny county. Until he was about fourteen years of age, he attended the Pittsburg public schools. His parents then removed to Mckeesport, where he finished his education so far as the pub- lic schools were concerned, though he afterwards took a course in the Iron City college. Mr. Fiedler began his business career by carrying papers, having a route for a Pittsburg man for one year. He then went to work for the National rolling mill company, his first job being that of loading iron on the cars. From there he was transferred to the furnaces, then to the weigh office, and finally to recorder, where he remained until Feb. 2, 1903, when he was elected clerk of the board of education, succeeding W. J. Roseborough. In 1898 he was married to Miss Rebecca Smith, of Mckeesport, and they have three children: James, Sarah and Mabel. He resides in the third ward of the city of Mckeesport. Mr. Fiedler is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and is an enthusiastic republican. Whatever promo- tions may have come to him in business, or honors that may have been conferred upon him in the way of holding office, are due to his own energy and sterling integrity. Whether selling papers, loading iron or weighing the product of the rolling mills, he was always careful and conscientious, thus winning the confidence of his employers, and in his present position his work is marked by the same features, insuring him the respect and esteem of his fel- low-citizens who elected him. As he is still a young man, it is more than probable that further honors await him.
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HEZEKIAH C. GRIFFIN, burgess of the borough of Glass- port and roller for the National tube company, was born in Browns- ville, Fayette Co., Pa., Sept. 14, 1855, being a son of Peter and Marie Griffin. He was educated in the public schools of Browns- ville, and then spent six years in the iron-works of J. R. Jackson & Co. Leaving Brownsville, he spent eleven months in the employ of J. R. Jackson, in Pittsburg, working as a roller. When Mr. Jackson came to Mckeesport to act as general manager of the Wharton mill, Mr. Griffin came with him and spent five years as roller in that mill. Since then he has been roller for the National tube company. He resides in Glassport, where he is serving his second term as burgess and is recognized as one of the leading citi- zens of the borough. Before becoming burgess he served three years in the council. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Griffin was married, in 1876, to Miss Mary E. Gummert, daughter of John and Martha E. Gummert, of Brownsville. They have three chil- dren: Edna, wife of C. N. Hartman; Harry C. and Vita G. Mr. Griffin is a member of the Odd Fellows and belongs to the encamp- ment at Brownsville, also the Order of Americus and of McKees- port lodge, No. 136, B. P. O. Elks.
JAMES L. PENNEY, for over forty years a practicing physi- cian in Mckeesport, was born in Library, Allegheny Co., Pa., in 1838. He received his early education in the Mckeesport schools and at Carmichael's college. After this he studied medicine three years in the office of his father, who was a leading physician in his day, and then finished his medical preparation at Western Reserve university, at Cleveland, Ohio. Returning to Mckeesport, Dr. Penney began to practice in the spring of 1859, and two years later, April 22, 1861, he was commissioned surgeon in the Union army in the Civil war. After two years of service he was called home by the fatal illness of his father, and upon the death of the latter succeeded to his practice. Dr. Penney has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Mckeesport ever since. He married Sarah Allen, daughter of the late David Allen, and has one son and one daughter. Dr. Penney traces his ancestry to a great-grandfather who was a Revolutionary patriot and fought in the battle of Lexington, and who, after the Revolution, became one of the pioneers of Allegheny county, locating there in 1786. The doctor is a member of the Sons of the Revolution and of Phil- anthropy lodge, No. 225, F. and A. M., at Greensburg. In relig- ious belief he is a Baptist.
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FRANK W. PRATT, of Mckeesport, Pa., a well-known barber and member of the common council, was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1873, and is a son of the late John Pratt and his wife, Arah. Mr. Pratt was educated in the public schools of his native town, and began to learn the trade of a barber in that city. Seven years later, in 1890, he came to Mckeesport and worked with Fred Held for a short time. Later he was with Joseph Yester, then went to Pittsburg for a few months, and subsequently to. East Liverpool, Ohio, where he worked at his trade for eighteen months. He returned to Mckeesport, purchased his present shop at No. 1003 Walnut St., and there has met with much success. He was happily married to Isabelle, daughter of John and Rebecca Giles, and to them have been born four children: Rebecca (deceased), Anna S., Arah M. and Frank W., Jr. (deceased). Mr. Pratt is a stanch republican in his political affiliations, was appointed on the city republican committee, and was re-elected at the expiration of his term. He was elected to the common council in 1901 from the third ward, receiving the largest vote ever given a candidate in that ward, and was again elected in 1902. He is a prominent member of the common council, serving on the police and auditing committees, and taking a leading part in the delibera- tions of that body. He is a member of the First Methodist church and the Woodmen of the World, and is well known and liked in the city where he resides.
JAMES N. WAMPLER, a son of John and Ellen Wampler, of Mckeesport, and a prominent merchant and councilman of that city, was born in Mckeesport, Oct. 5, 1867. He received a fair education in the public schools, and then worked four years for Shelley Bros. After this he was for three years manager for the Mckeesport Daily News, and worked the same length of time in a similar capacity for the Mckeesport Times. After this he was engaged for a time in managing routes for a Pittsburg paper, and then was for three years yard foreman for Neel & Wampler, in the lumber business. He then started, at No. 505 Fifth Ave., Mckeesport, a news stand and confectionery store, which he has since successfully conducted. Mr. Wampler is a democrat in politics, and although a resident of a ward which is strongly republican, he has for eight years represented the fourth ward in the common council of Mckeesport. His record in the council has been a most creditable one. He has served one year as president of that body, and two years as chairman of the finance committee,
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and has, during his long service, never missed a council or com- mittee meeting. Mr. Wampler married Miss Effie M. Urll, of Mckeesport, daughter of G. T. Urll, and has five children, viz .: John W., Allen James, Robert James, Olive May and Anna.
SAMUEL MILLIKEN, city treasurer of Mckeesport, was born in that city, Feb. 17, 1869,- son of James W. and Frances (Wampler) Milliken, and was educated in the Mckeesport public schools. Entering the W. Deweese-Wood works at an early age, he was promoted from place to place to the position of roller, and then, about four years ago, was appointed bond clerk in the office of the county controller. He has also, after seven years' study of law at home, passed the preliminary examination for admission to the Allegheny county bar. In the spring of 1903 Mr. Milliken was elected city treasurer of Mckeesport, having received the nomina- tion for that office from the republican party in the preceding January. He has long been prominent in local party affairs, hav- ing served on the republican city executive committee and also on the county committee. Mr. Milliken married Florence Izgood, daughter of Henry and Mary Izgood, of Mckeesport, and has four children. He is a member of the American Mechanics, Knights of Malta, Foresters, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World and B. P. O. Elks.
EMIL F. HOLINGER, superintendent of the seamless depart- ment, National tube company, of Mckeesport, was born in Sweden in 1862, and was a son of Oscar and Augusta Holinger, both now deceased. When a boy he attended the public schools in Sweden, took a thorough college course, and then spent a seven-year apprenticeship at Motola, Sweden, working in the machine shop, engine-erecting shop, boiler-erecting shop, and finally in the ship- yard. Thus excellently equipped by education and practical train- ing, Mr. Holinger began his career, and was for a year and a half superintendent in Sweden before coming to the United States. Stopping first at Brooklyn, he was for four years employed as draughtsman and foreman for the United States projectile com- pany, and in 1896 came to Mckeesport, where his first labor was to plan and superintend the construction of a new mill for the National tube company. Since then he has been superintendent of the seamless department, a position of trust and responsibility, in which he has served in a most satisfactory manner. In politics Mr. Holinger is a republican. He is a member of Mckeesport
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lodge, No. 375, F. and A. M .; Mckeesport chapter, No. 282, and Pittsburg consistory, and belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. Holinger was married, in 1891, to Miss Hilma Anderson, of Sweden, and is the father of three children: Sigred, Emil and Gertrude. He and his family reside in Mckeesport, in the seventh ward.
H. H. SPROAT, yardmaster at Mckeesport for the Pittsburg & Lake Erie railroad company, began his service with this com- pany in Pittsburg as freight receiver. He was afterwards promoted to billing officer, came to Mckeesport in 1896, and was for two years yard clerk. He filled the position of night yardmaster for three years, and in 1901 was given his present responsible position as yardmaster. Mr. Sproat was born at West Newton, Pa., in 1876, a son of N. B. and Alice Sproat; moved later to Connellsville, and was educated there, attending the ward schools and later the high school. He was for six years in the shoe business in Con- nellsville, and later entered the employ of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie railroad company, as explained above. In political belief Mr. Sproat is a republican, and in religion a Methodist. He resides in Mckeesport, in the first ward.
F. S. BRUSH, of Mckeesport, Pa., foreman of the Monon- gahela furnace, steel department, in the National tube company, was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1866, son of H. and Mary J. Brush. Mr. Brush was educated in the public schools of the "lower town" of his native city, and on leaving school secured employment with the manufacturing firm of Cartwright, McCurdy & Co. He remained with that concern for three years, worked on the farm for a year, and subsequently went to Homestead, Pa., where for two years he was in the employ of the William Clark company. The next nine years were spent in Wheeling, W. Va., with the Riverside iron company, and in 1893 Mr. Brush came to Mckeesport as blower for the Monongahela furnace of the National tube company. After a service of two years as blower, he was appointed to his present position of foreman, and has since ably filled that station. Mr. Brush was happily married, in 1888, to Laura C. Marble, of McMechen, W. Va., and they have had three children: Frank E. (deceased), Chester E. and Herbert H. Mr. Brush is a member of the Masons, the republican party and the First Presbyterian church He is well known in Mckeesport and is very popular with all classes.
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WILLIAM LEHMER CURRY, assistant manager of the Mckeesport tin plate works, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1875, son of Henry M. and Harriet G. Curry. After the customary preliminary education in the public schools, he took a course in electrical engineering at the Massachusetts institute of technology, and graduated from that excellent institution in 1899, obtaining the degree of B. S. He then spent three years in the engineering department of the Carnegie steel company's works at Duquesne, and entered upon the duties of assistant superintendent of the Mckeesport tin plate works in November, 1902. In his short service in this capacity, Mr. Curry has shown himself to be a man of ability, and his excellent preparation for the place has made him a valuable employe in this new concern. Mr. Curry is a republican in politics. He resides in the East End, Pittsburg.
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