USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume II > Part 46
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U. GRANT JOHNSTIN, of Mckeesport, Pa., a prominent cement-work contractor, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., April 5, 1865, son of E. H. and Mary (Miller) Johnstin, of Lancaster county, Pa. Young Johnstin was educated in the common schools of Somerset county, Pa., and on leaving school, devoted his atten- tion to plastering, which business he followed with much success in Somerset, Westmoreland and Allegheny counties. In 1885 Mr. Johnstin located at McKeesport, and there continued the plaster- ing business until 1901, when he turned his attention to cement work and now makes a specialty of concrete sidewalks, walls and other structures of that nature. He was happily married, on Feb. 6, 1889, to Mary K., daughter of Robert and Mary Francis, of Connellsville, Pa., and they have five children, viz. : Louis, Grace, Carrie, Mildred and Harry, the three eldest attending the splendid schools of Mckeesport. Mr. Johnstin is a stanch republican and was elected a member of the common council in 1900, and since that time has served continuously in that body, where he has made a fine record and is regarded as one of its leading and most influential members. Mr. Johnstin is prominently identified with a number of the leading fraternal orders and holds membership in the Elks, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Arcanum, the Maccabees and the Woodmen of the World.
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JOHN M. FOSS, a well-known florist of Etna, was born in Christiania, Norway, in 1865, and educated in his native country. There he learned the florists' trade, and followed this vocation for seven years. In 1885 he decided to try his fortunes in America and located in Allegheny county. He now has a greenhouse in Etna, where he does a thriving business. Mr. Foss married Miss Bertha Cook, of Sharpsburg, and has three children. He and his family reside in Etna. Mr. Foss is a member of the German Lutheran church.
AUGUST J. NEEDLING, real estate agent and justice of the peace at Millvale, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1870. His father, Joseph Needling, was a contractor and builder, and was killed in an accident in the rolling mills at Millvale in 1876. Margaret, the mother of A. J. Needling, was the daughter of August Joseph Heil. She died in Millvale in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Needling had four children, as follows: August J., the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, now married to James Barbin, an insurance agent in Pittsburg; Mary, now a sister and music teacher in a con- vent, and Joseph (deceased). August J. Needling married Miss Minnie Trapp, daughter of John and Mary (Wirth) Trapp. Mr. and Mrs. Trapp had five other children born to them. They were: Mary, John, Annie, Joseph and Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. Needling have one child, Vronie, now five years old. Mr. Needling is a prominent and enterprising young business man of Millvale, and at his office on Grand avenue he carries on an extensive and profit- able business in real estate, besides holding the position of justice of the peace.
CHRIST L. BICKEL, of Sharpsburg, Pa., a prosperous farmer, was born in Prussia, Sept. 6, 1841, son of John Godfried and Anna Susanna (Wegand) Bickel. His father was a farmer, stone- mason and a dealer in wool and hides. Young Bickel attended the public schools of the Fatherland until he was eleven years of age, when he accompanied his parents to America and they settled on Pine creek, in Indiana township, now O'Hara, and there he resumed his interrupted studies. He later began to assist his father on the farm, where he remained until he was twenty-four years of age, when he removed to Allegheny city and there secured employment as a teamster for Allen Mcclintock. He continued in that capacity for upwards of three years, and then removed to O'Hara township, engaged in farming, and has prospered in that
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vocation up to the present time. In 1899 he added a greenhouse to his other possessions, and now conducts this in connection with his farm. He was married, in 1865, to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Herman and Anna K. Vonsende, of Allegheny city. The parents of Mrs. Bickel were formerly of Germany, but were mar- ried after coming to the United States, and had seven children, of whom Mrs. Bickel was the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Bickel are the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are now living and are: Charles L., an employe of the brick-works; John Henry, in a foundry of Pittsburg; Anna Margaret, wife of John Wagner (deceased) ; William A., with his father on the farm; George D., Mary C., and Elizabeth, now in Pittsburg learning sewing. Mr. Bickel is a leading member of the German Lutheran church of Etna, Pa., and was a member of sessions for six years. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Rebeccas and of the democratic party, and is one of the substantial citizens of that community. Henry Vonsende, the father of Mrs. Bickel, was killed in the battle of Antietam while serving the country of his adoption, and a brother of Mrs. Bickel served in the Pennsylvania volunteers during the Civil war.
ERNEST L. ERHARD, M. D., of Glassport, Pa., a prominent physician and surgeon, was born at New Millport, Clearfield Co., Pa., June 30, 1870, son of Philip and Mary (Schoening) Erhard, of Clearfield county, Pa., where his father was a successful carpenter and builder. Dr. Erhard was graduated from the public schools of his native county and later attended the State normal school at Lock Haven, where he was graduated in 1885. Subsequently he matriculated at West Pennsylvania medical institute of Pittsburg, and was graduated from that sterling institution March 26, 1895, with the degree of doctor of medicine. Dr. Erhard initiated his professional career at Indiana, Pa., in 1895, where he practiced with much success until 1900, when he removed to his present location at Glassport and since has enjoyed a high standing among the leading physicians of that part of the county. He was mar- ried, in 1897, to Laura, daughter of George and Agnes Patchin, of Clearfield county, Pa., and their wedded life has been a happy one. He is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, the Masons, the Heptasophs and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has a large and lucrative practice among the best families of Glassport and was recently elected surgeon of the mills located at that borough.
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BERNARD J. HYNES, of Coulter, Pa., pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic church of Alpsville, Pa., was born at Skerries, County Dublin, Ireland, Aug. 1, 1866, son of William and Mary Hynes, of Ireland. Father Hynes was educated in the classical courses at St. Charles' college in Howard county, Md., and at Seton Hall college in New Jersey, graduating from the latter institution in 1887. He then studied theology at Mt. St. Mary's college, Mary- land, and there was ordained by Bishop Watterson, on June 25, 1891. His first charge was at the Sacred Heart church of the East End, Pittsburg, where he remained until 1895, when he went on a Protestant mission for a short while, and later was at St. Paul's orphan asylum of Pittsburg and also assistant at St. Mary's church of that city. In 1897 he went to Leisenring, Fayette Co., Pa., where he was in charge of St. Vincent's church of that place until he came to his present church at Alpsville, Pa., in May, 1903. This church has a membership of forty-five families and is in every way a highly successful organization. Father Hynes, like the great majority of Catholic priests, is a man of the highest educational attainments and is in every way qualified for the arduous duties of his sacred calling.
OLIVER EVANS, a prominent citizen and successful farmer of Versailles township, Allegheny county, Pa., was born at Mckees- port, Pa., June 3, 1853, son of Oliver and Mary (Sampson) Evans, his father being a prosperous farmer and dairyman of Allegheny county. Oliver Evans, subject of this sketch, received his edu- cational training at the Mckeesport public schools and the Millers- ville normal school, and has devoted his entire business career to farming and kindred pursuits. He has been quite successful in his business life and now conducts a large dairy in connection with his farm in Versailles township. He was happily married, in 1873, to Fannie, daughter of Eli and Katherine (Arthur) Cook, of Mckeesport, Pa., and they have five children, viz. : Oliver, Jr., farming in Westmoreland county, Pa. ; Katie, attending school at Mckeesport; Rebecca S., Allen and Mary A. Mr. Evans is easily one of the most prominent men in that part of Allegheny county and his services have been in demand by his neighbors and friends to fill public positions of responsibility and trust. He has been a school director for the past fifteen years, is now president of the board, and for four years served as supervisor of the township, in which several positions his splendid records fully justify the good opinions of those who placed him in those offices.
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GEORGE W. LOGAN, a genial and popular B. & O. con- ductor, is a native of Allegheny county, where he was born Oct. 8, 1869. He is a son of James and Jennie (Hayne) Logan. His father was a prominent contractor and builder. G. W. Logan was educated in the schools of Mckeesport, and after leaving school he entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad company. Step by step he has been advanced, until he now has charge of a train as conductor, and has a high standing in the opinions of his superiors. He was married, in 1901, to Miss Nellie, a daughter of William and Mary Hackett, of Allegheny county. They have one little daughter named Mary.' Mr. Logan is a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, and in politics is a zealous republican. He was elected in 1898 on the republican ticket to the council of Versailles borough for a term of five years.
DAVID G. LENHART, of Greenock, Pa., the popular and efficient storekeeper of the Osceola coal company, was born in Harrison City, Westmoreland Co., Pa., June 15, 1853, son of Peter and Margaret (Gongnan) Lenhart, of Westmoreland county, where his father was a successful farmer until his death in 1889. Mr. Lenhart was educated in the common schools of his native county and on leaving school devoted his attention to the grocery and the butcher business, at which he prospered for many years. In 1889 he came to Allegheny county, located at Greenock, and for the past fourteen years has occupied his present responsible position of storekeeper for the Osceola coal company. He was married, in 1884, to Jennie Taylor, of Westmoreland county, and they have three children, viz. : Cora, Elrod and Eva, of whom Cora, the eldest, is a graduate of the Mckeesport college and is an accom- plished young woman. Mr. Lenhart is a man of ability and integrity and is widely and favorably known in that section of the county.
EDWARD C. FINNEY, a funeral director of Clairton, Pa., is a son of Joseph N. and Arabella (McClure) Finney, both of whom are natives of Allegheny county. Joseph Finney was born in Elizabeth township, and Arabella McClure in Lincoln township, where the two families are among the oldest settlers. Edward C. Finney was educated in the public schools of Reynoldton and Elizabeth, Pa. After leaving school he entered the employ of J. W. Martin, of Elizabeth, in the furniture and undertaking busi- ness, and while connected with Mr. Martin he took a complete
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course in the art of embalming. He remained in the establishment of Mr. Martin until May, 1903, when he became associated with J. Will Martin, under the firm name of Finney & Martin, and they located at Clairton in the capacity of funeral directors and livery- men. Mr. Finney was born in 1878, and is therefore only about twenty-five years of age. But what he lacks in experience, when compared with some of the older funeral directors, is more than offset by the high degree of technical knowledge of his profession which he brings into his business, and the energy and ambition of youth. He is an honored member of the Knights of the Maccabees, belonging to Tent No. 371, of Elizabeth, Pa., and is affiliated with the United Presbyterian church of Boston, Pa. In both church and lodge affairs he takes an active interest, and in these connections as well as in business matters he is entitled to the distinction of being one of the progressive men of Allegheny county.
CHARLES K. HOFFMEYER, a florist of Scott township, Allegheny county, Pa., is one of the leading citizens of his town- ship. His father, Leopold Hoffmeyer, was born in Germany, in 1809. In 1832 Catharina Tritschler was born in the same neighbor- hood, and in 1849 she became the wife of Leopold Hoffmeyer. To this marriage eight children were born, Charles being the oldest son and second child of the family. He was born on April 1, 1853. The other children are: Leopoldina, born in 1852 and now the wife of Charles Reichart, of Glasgow, Scotland; Theresa, born in 1854; Josephina, born in 1855; Emil Henry, born in 1856, now in Nebraska; Anna, born in 1857; Amelia, born in 1858, and Frieda, born in 1860. Leopold Hoffmeyer was a copper hame-smith by trade, and Charles, after acquiring a high-school education, learned the trade with his father and worked at it until he came to this country. Under the laws of the German empire, every young man capable of bearing arms is required to serve two years in the army. Charles began this service but was discharged at the expiration of thirteen months on account of the death of his father. That was in 1874; his mother had died in 1864. About four years after the death of his father, and after the younger children of the family had reached an age that no longer required the elder brother's care, Charles came to America, in December, 1877. Not finding employment at his trade, he determined to learn the florists' trade, and after four years' work went into business for himself as a florist. Beginning on a small scale he has gradually extended his
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plant until he now has more than 28,000 square feet of glass in his floral greenhouses. Most of this is supported in iron frames and the whole building is heated and ventilated by the most modern appliances. He has studied carefully the literature of floriculture, and the success that has come to him is the result of patient industry and the intelligent direction of his efforts. Mr. Hoff- meyer keeps himself well informed on the topics of the times. In politics he affiliates with the republican party but has never felt that he had the time to become an active worker in political affairs. In 1888 he was married to Miss Julia Dorothy Weiss, a native of Allegheny county, where she was born in 1855. Her father, John Weiss, came from Germany about the middle of the last century and settled at Pittsburg. For many years he followed the trade of blacksmithing, but the last years of his life were spent on a farm in Scott township, where Mrs. Hoffmeyer received her edu- cation in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmeyer are both · members of the United Presbyterian church. They have no chil- dren of their own, but about three years since they adopted a little girl, Jennie, at that time about four years of age; also in Septem- ber, 1903, adopted a boy four years old with the name Carl.
FREDERICK FINK, who owns and operates a fruit and garden farm of fifty-seven acres in Scott township, Allegheny county, Pa., is one of the most prosperous and progressive men in his section of the country. He was born in Germany, Jan. 25, 1851, and came with his parents, Ernest and Catharine (Detter) Fink, to America when he was but three years old. Ernest Fink was born in 1805, and his wife in 1815. Both were natives of Germany. Upon coming to this country they settled at Pittsburg, where his father was employed as a laborer for three years. At the end of that time they removed to Scott township, where Ernest Fink followed the occupation of a fruit-grower and gardener until his death, which occurred in July, 1888. His wife departed this life the succeeding May. Frederick Fink lived with his father until he attained his majority, attending the common schools of the town- ship, where he obtained a good elementary education. His farm is one of the best in the township and is kept in first-class condition by the industry and good management of the owner. In 1874 Mr. Fink was married to Miss Elizabeth Handenshield, who was born in Allegheny county on Dec. 10, 1854. Her father, Jacob Hand- enshield, was a native of Germany, and her mother, whose maiden name was Mary Daugherty, was born in America, but was of Irish
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extraction. To Frederick and Elizabeth Fink were born eleven children. They are : Edward, Harrison, Frederick, Charles, George, Myrtle, Elmer, Arthur, Emma, Viola and Chester. Mr. Fink votes the republican ticket as a general thing, but takes no active part in political work. He is a member of no religious denomina- tion, though his wife belongs to the United Presbyterian church. He is a man of good moral habits and his neighbors speak of him . as an exemplary citizen.
WILLIAM E. WISE, a lifelong resident of Allegheny county, Pa., and for many years a farmer of Scott township, was born on Oct. 23, 1863. He is a son of John and Margaret (Schmidt) Wise. (See sketch of John Wise.) . As a boy, William attended the neighborhood schools and afterwards took a two-year course in the school attached to the Smithfield Street German Evangelical church, in the city of Pittsburg. To the education thus acquired he has added by reading and he is one of the well-informed men of his township. Ever since he was a child he has resided upon the farm he now owns and which, by his skill and industry, he has brought to a high state of cultivation. Like several of his neigh- bors, Mr. Wise is engaged in raising small fruits and vegetables for the city markets. The buildings upon his farm are among the best in the vicinity and his orchard is always in the very best con- dition. On the last day of April, 1890, he was married to Miss Dora, the daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina (Spreen) Mohlman. Both her parents are natives of Germany. Her father came to this country when he was about twenty years of age and her mother a year or so later. They were married in Allegheny county, where their daughter, now Mrs. Wise, was born March 13, 1865. She was educated in the common schools of Green. Tree borough and the German Evangelical school of Pittsburg-the same school attended by her husband. Both of her parents are still living. The father, though seventy years of age, still follows his vocation of wagon-maker, and the mother, now sixty-six, is still hale and hearty. William and Dora Wise have two children: Julia Amelia, born July 13, 1891, and William E., born Feb. 25, 1899. Mr. Wise is a member of the German Evangelical church and his wife belongs to the United Presbyterian. In politics he is a republican, but thinks more of the comforts of his family circle and the man- agement of his farm than he does of the conflicts of the political arena.
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SAMUEL P. McCAFFREY, superintendent of the Bridgeville district for the Pittsburg coal company, was born in the town of Lindsay, Ontario, Sept. 30, 1861. His parents, Peter and Cather- ine McCaffrey, were natives of Ireland. They came to this country in their youth and were married in New York city. A few years after their marriage they removed to Canada, locating in the town of Lindsay, where Mr. McCaffrey was for several years chief of police. During the Civil war, he left his family in Canada and came back to the United States, where he found employment as a steamboat engineer on the Mississippi river. In 1865 he brought his family to the United States and the remaining years of his life were passed in the vicinity of Pittsburg. Both parents lived to a good old age. Catherine McCaffrey died at Mansfield, now Carnegie, Pa., July 5, 1901. Her husband survived her about a year and passed to his reward on July 17, 1902, aged seventy-six years. At the age of eleven, Samuel P. McCaffrey began work in a coal mine and he has followed that occupation all his life. By the conscientious performance of the work assigned him, he has risen step by step from a breaker-boy to his present position. In 1894 he became foreman for A. J. Shulte, in the Bridgeville mine. This was the first opportunity that had ever been given him to show what he could do toward the management of a mine. When the Bridgeville mining company was organized, in February, 1896, and took charge of the Shulte mine, the new owners were so well pleased with Mr. McCaffrey's work that he was continued as foreman. In November, 1899, the mine passed to the control of the Pittsburg coal company. Since that time, with the exception of about sixteen months, Mr. McCaffrey has been in the employ of that company. On Sept. 8, 1902, he was made superintendent of the Bridgeville district, a position he has held continuously ever since. Mr. McCaffrey received a common-school education only, but, being thrown on his own resources at a comparatively early age, he has developed the habit of thinking for himself. As a natural consequence of his independent thought, he is independent in his political views, voting for the man he considers the best fitted for the office, regardless of party lines. In 1902 he was elected councilman for the Bridgeville borough, on the citizens' ticket, and he has discharged the duties of the position with rare ability and a strict regard for the interests of his constituents. In 188r he was married to Miss Margaret Riley, a daughter of Philip and Margaret Riley. Mrs. McCaffrey is a native of England, where she was born on Aug. 11, 1862. She came with her parents
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to America when she was about five years of age and was educated in the common schools of Allegheny county. Her father died in November, 1895, at the age of seventy, and her mother is still liv- ing, being now sixty-seven years old. Mr. and Mrs. McCaffrey are the parents of seven children, viz. : William, Alice, Annie, John, Edward, Charles and Bernardine. He is a member of Bridgeville council, Knights of the Maccabees, and of Branch No. 60, Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. He and his wife are both members of the Roman Catholic church. He has a comfortable home in Bridge- ville, worth at least $5,000, the fruits of his industry and frugality.
JOHN SCHMITT, one of the leading farmers of Scott town- ship, Allegheny Co., Pa., is of German lineage, his parents, George A. and Magdaline (Brush) Schmitt, both being natives of Bavaria, where the father was born in 1801, and the mother about five years later. In 1835 George A. Schmitt and his wife said good-bye to the Fatherland and sought a home in America. They settled at Pittsburg, Pa., where for many years he was a workman in the Scio iron works. John Schmitt, the subject of this sketch, was born in Allegheny county in 1838. His education was obtained in the Pittsburg public schools. When he was twelve years of age he started in to learn the glass-blowers' trade and fol- lowed that occupation for more than thirty years. In 1891 he . gave up glass-blowing and moved upon the farm which he had bought some time before. Since then he has been engaged in farming and market gardening. On Sept. 27, 1862, he was married to Miss Mary C. Henkel, daughter of Martin and Rosanna (Gab) Henkel. Mrs. Schmitt was born in Allegheny city, Pa., on Sept. 18, 1844. Her parents were both natives of Germany, the father being born about 1814 and the mother about 1817. He died in 1891, and she followed him in 1895. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, and was regarded a fine workman in his day. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt are the parents of seven children, as follows: John, Rosa, Magdaline, Celia, George A., Mary and Frank. Five of the children are still living, John and Mary being deceased. Mr. Schmitt is a man of modest demeanor. Whether at the glass fur- nace or on his farm, he has always faithfully discharged his duties as he understood them. The same is true at the ballot-box. He has never been a partisan, but takes an independent view of the political situation, and votes for the best man, regardless of party affiliations.
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