USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume II > Part 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
WILLIAM LEVEN GRANGER, of Duquesne, Pa., borough clerk and dealer in real estate, was born at Baltimore, Md., Aug. 31, 1865, son of Leven and Martha (Joyner) Granger, both natives of Maryland. His paternal grandfather, Leven Granger, a native of Wales and a sea captain by profession, settled on the eastern shore of Maryland and there passed the rest of his days. His maternal grandfather, William B. Joyner, was a native of Maryland and a prominent citizen of Baltimore, where he lived and died. Leven Granger, father of the subject, was also a sea captain and made his home at Baltimore, where he died in 1870, at the age of sixty years. William L. Granger was reared in Balti- more, educated in the public schools of that city, and began life as a sailor. He followed that occupation for two and a half years, was a bookkeeper in Baltimore for four years, then for ten years was a traveling salesman, in 1899 located at Duquesne and engaged in the real estate business, which he has since successfully followed and is now a member of the well-known firm of E. P. Faidley & Co. Mr. Granger was married, on Sept. 12, 1899, to Gertrude B., daughter of E. P. Faidley, of Duquesne, and they have one daughter, Martha J. Mr. Granger is a member of the Masons, the Maccabees and the Royal Arcanum, and is now serv- ing his second term as borough clerk of Duquesne. His political affiliations are with the republican party, in which he is a leading and active member and a zealous worker for party superiority.
JOHN ROBERT KERRUISH, of Homestead, Pa., a pros- perous plumber and gas-fitter, was born in Toledo, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1877, son of John T. and Josephine (Robinson) Kerruish, natives of the Isle of Man and Pennsylvania, respectively. His father came to the United States in 1870 and located at Toledo, Ohio, where he embarked in contracting and building and was actively and successfully engaged in that business for twenty-nine years in that city. In 1899 he came to Homestead, and there continued building and contracting until his death, Dec. 26, 1901. He left a family of five children, viz. : Alice A., John R., Ralph J., Helen M. and Bessie M. John R. Kerruish was reared in Toledo, educated in the public schools of that city and Milan, Ohio, and served four years' apprenticeship at the plumbers' trade in Toledo. Later he worked as a journeyman for six years and in 1901 located at Homestead, where he embarked in the plumbing business under the firm name of Gibson & Kerruish. This firm prospered in their business venture and on March 4, 1903, Mr. Kerruish purchased his II-33
13 ,8% Aoth ed steder somitlef ts eron ald sisen El
7
3 4.693 6 006 150 1 98 67 14
٣٠
1.
zie sol nagysomuvi s
514
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
partner's interest and has since conducted the business under his own name. He was married, on Oct. 23, 1901, to Bertha I., , daughter of Henry and Louise (Krumm) Henning, of Toledo, Ohio," and their home life is a very happy one. Mr. Kerruish's political affiliations are with the republican party and he is generally regarded as a safe and conservative business man and a progressive and substantial citizen.
CHARLES DUWELL, of Duquesne, Pa., pastor of St. Joseph's. German Catholic church, was born in Allegheny city, Nov. 30, 1870, son of Joseph and Mary (Sauer) Duwell, natives of Germany and Allegheny county, respectively. Father Duwell was reared in his native city and educated at St. Vincent's college, at Latrobe, where he was graduated in May, 1894, and there ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1894, by Bishop Phelan. He was then appointed assistant pastor of St. Joseph's church at Mount Oliver, later transferred to St. Joseph's church at Allegheny city and in 1898 sent to St. Mary's church at Altoona. In 1899 Father Duwell was placed in charge of St. Joseph's church at Duquesne and since has ably filled that pulpit. This church was established in 1897 with a membership of forty families, the first services being held in the public schoolhouse by Rev. Joseph Ehrhard, who was suc- ceeded by Rev. Joseph Linder, and he in turn by the present incumbent, who assumed control on Aug. 13, 1899. The member- ship under the present pastor has been largely increased, necessitat- ing the building of a new church edifice, which is now in course of construction and will be of brick, with a seating capacity of 600, and will cost when completed $22,000. The church was organized in 1897 by Peter Stinner, Sr., Peter Zewe, Sr., and Melchior Wolff, all of whom are now living, and the parish school was initiated by Father Linder in 1898, with an attendance of ninety-five pupils.
FRANCIS ALEXANDER TAYLOR, of Whitaker, Mifflin township, Allegheny Co., Pa., a prominent and progressive citizen, was born in Nova Scotia, Nov. 4, 1872, son of Francis R. and Georgiana (Johnston) Taylor, natives of Nova Scotia and of English and Scotch descent. His parents removed to Allegheny county in 1877, and to Mifflin township in 1890, but prior to locat- ing in Mifflin township, his father had followed mining in several places. The elder Taylor served as supervisor of Mifflin township and held other positions of honor and prominence, and now resides at Whitaker, the father of thirteen children, twelve of whom grew
١٠
it.3 1
07: 020:37 3C
M
; 21
515
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
to maturity, viz. : Anna, wife of John Orris; William H., Francis A., Thomas J. ; Phoebe M., wife of George Orris; Samuel H., George A. (deceased), Sadie J., Agnes A., Violet E, Charles and Christiana. Francis A. Taylor was reared in Allegheny county from five years of age, educated in the public schools and at the age of twelve years began work in the mines. He was connected with the mines for a number of years, and in 1900 secured employ- ment as a steel-worker with the Carnegie steel company, with whom he remained two years, when he went with the Jones & Laughlin company and since has continued with that concern. He was married, on Oct. 8, 1891, to Christiana B., daughter of James and Jeanette (Drumble) Strang, of Mifflin township, and they have four children, viz. : Janet, Francis R., James A. and George A. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Whitaker fire department, and in his political affiliations and convictions is a republican. In 1902 Mr. Taylor was appointed one of the school directors of Mifflin township and in February, 1903, was elected to succeed himself in that position for a full term of three years.
HENRY CLAY KOOSER, of Duquesne, Pa., the pioneer flour and feed merchant of that borough, was born in Springfield town- ship, Fayette Co., Pa., Oct. 6, 1857, son of Elijah and Julia (Peters) Kooser, natives of Fayette and Adams counties, Pa., respectively. His paternal grandfather, Peter Kooser, a native of Somerset county, Pa., was a fuller by trade and spent his entire career in Somerset and Fayette counties, in the latter of which he died in 1866, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife was Rebecca Moore, a woman of many fine traits of character. His maternal grandfather was Henry Peters, a native of Adams county, Pa., who was a blacksmith by trade and married a Miss Potruff. He had a long and useful career and died in his native county at the age of eighty-one years. The father of the subject was a miller by trade and for many years was engaged in business with his brother, John A., under the firm name of Kooser Bros., at Mill Run, Pa. He died in March, 1879, at the age of seventy- eight years, and was the father of the following children : Ann, wife of George W. Henderson; Elizabeth, wife of A. B. Kern; Henry C., Jacob, John F. and Daniel R. (twins), and Frank L. and Edward E. (twins). Henry C. Kooser was reared in Fayette county, educated in the public schools and learned the millers' trade with Kooser Bros., at Mill Run, which occupation he fol- lowed for fifteen years. In 1892 he located at Duquesne, estab-
·
Ci
i. Misemid 5
516
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
lished his present business and since has continued the same with much success. He was married, on Oct. 3, 1891, to Kate P., widow of Robert Nicholson and daughter of David and Jane (Garvin) Lupton, of Pittsburg, and their married life has been a happy one. He is a prominent member of the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum, and is affiliated with the republican party. Mr. Kooser is a member of one of the old colonial families of America, his great-grandfather having served in the patriot army during the Revolutionary war and occupied a prominent place in the early history of the republic.
ANDREW FRANCIS MCCLURE, a prominent farmer of Mifflin township, was born on the farm where he now lives, Aug. 28, 1860, and is a son of Alexander McKim and Sarah (Cox) McClure. His father was a native of Mifflin township. For many years he followed farming, but later was engaged in lumbering at Big Run, where he died, in 1896, at the age of seventy-three years. His mother was a native of England. His grandfather, Andrew McClure, was a prominent farmer of Mifflin township, and his great-grandfather, whose name was also Andrew, was one of the early settlers of Allegheny county, where he held the office of associate judge and represented the county in the legislature several terms. His maternal grandfather, William Cox, was a native of England. He came to America in the early part of the nineteenth century and located in Allegheny county. For many years he operated a salt works opposite Homestead. During the latter years of his life he was one of the most prominent and wealthy farmers of Mifflin township. Alexander McClure, the father of our sub- ject, was the father of ten children, all of whom grew to maturity. They were: Hannah J., wife of James Patterson; Josephine, wife of Edward Seifert; Susan M .; William A. ; Catherine L., wife of James Barell; Andrew F. ; Emma L., wife of William Tyson; John; Nora D., wife of S. E. Thomas, and Sarah B., wife of Harvey Stuckslager. Of these children, Susan and William are now dead. Andrew F. McClure was reared upon the old homestead, where he has always lived as a tiller of the soil. On Dec. 19, 1882, he was married to Susannah, daughter of William and Mary (Johns) Charles, natives of Wales. To this union there have been born seven children: Sarah B., Alexander McK., William C., John A., Margaret M., Andrew F., Jr., and Charles H. Mr. McClure believes in the truth of the old adage that "a rolling stone gathers no moss," and has spent his entire life on the farm
apdemwot cibul: f
Vaido not to red. et eft as" tos
2 ...
517
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
where he was born. He has prospered there and successfully reared a family of children. He is regarded as one of the most progressive men in the township, and is now serving his second term as school director. He is a.republican in his political views, and it is no exaggeration to say that he is one of the leading men of his township. He is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church; Magdala lodge, No. 991, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Plutarch lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Dravosburg, and Lodge No. 650, B. P. O. Elks, of Homestead. His standing in all these organizations, as well as in the community where he lives, is of the highest order, as he is a man of many friends and few enemies.
LAWRENCE SCHOPP, a steel melter in the Homestead steel works, was born at Braddock, Pa., Dec. 26, 1855, and is a son of Frank and Lena (Ackerman) Schopp, both natives of Germany. His maternal grandfather, Nicholas Ackerman, came to America in 1845 and passed the rest of his life in Mifflin township. Five years later Frank Schopp, father of Lawrence, came from Ger- many and located in the same neighborhood. For about ten years he was employed in the mines, but upon the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in Company A, 19Ist Maryland volunteer infantry. At the second battle of Bull Run he was wounded in the thigh and was honorably discharged from the service on account of his disability. He died eleven days after reaching his home in Pennsylvania, leaving two children: Christina, now the wife of Lewis Geyer, and Lawrence. Lawrence Schopp was thus left an orphan when he was about seven years old. During his boyhood he attended the public schools and then learned the barbers' trade in Pittsburg. For about two years he worked as a journeyman barber and then went into business for himself in the city of Homestead. For the last twenty years he has been in the employ of the Homestead steel works. He owns a cozy home at Whitaker, where he has lived, man and boy, for forty years. On Nov. 20, 1882, he was married to Amelia, daughter of Charles and Amelia (Barthol) Schulz, of Braddock, Pa. They have four children: Herbert, Hilda, Frederick and Clarence. Mr. Schopp is regarded as one of the enterprising and up-to-date men of Whitaker. In politics he is a republican and takes a keen interest in all political questions, upon which he keeps himself well informed. He is a charter member of Whitaker tent, No. 425, Knights of the Maccabees, and has a high standing in the order.
6.8
1 .
PRETTYITOH
:0
518
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
JOHN CHRISTOPHER WHEATLEY, a steel worker in the great Homestead steel works, was born in Jefferson township, Allegheny county, Jan. 13, 1869. His parents, Christopher and Margaret (Chaters) Wheatley, were both natives of County Durham, England. They came to America in 1853, and settled at Mahanoy City, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where for about ten years Mr. Wheatley was engaged as a contracting miner. For the last forty years he has been a resident of Allegheny county. The greater part of that time he followed the business of mine contractor, though he is now living a retired life in Mifflin township. He reared a family of eight children: Jane A., wife of William Dobbins; George, Thomas; Mary E., wife of Samuel Danks; Margaret A., wife of James Foster; Elizabeth, wife of John Hamilton ; Sarah, wife of Jacob E. Hicks, and John C. For seven years after leaving school, John C. Wheatley followed the hazardous occupation of a coal miner, beginning when he was but fourteen years of age. Ever since 1890 he has been employed in the Home- stead steel works. He was married, Aug. 9, 1891, to Miss Agnes Dean, a daughter of Anthony and Martha (Linsey) Dean, of Mifflin township. They have two children: Sarah and Marguerite. Mr. . Wheatley is a member of the Episcopal church, and of Whitaker tent, No. 425, Knights of the Maccabees. He affiliates with the republican party and takes an interest in political matters, but has never held nor been a candidate for public office.
JOHN STEIN, of Duquesne, Pa., a prosperous painter and leader of Stein's orchestra, was born in Mifflin township, Alle- gheny Co., Pa., about 1866, and is a son of Nicholas and Mary Stein, natives of Germany, who came to the United States about 1853 and for many years resided in Mifflin township, where his mother now lives at the advanced age of seventy-three years. His father, who died in 1878, was a miner by trade and had eight chil -- dren, viz. : Peter, Jacob; Kate, wife of Peter Abells; Lizzie, wife of John Taylor; Nicholas, George; Mary, wife of John Schultz, and John. John Stein was reared in Mifflin township, educated in the common schools, and began to earn his own living in the mines at a tender age. When eighteen years old, young Stein began the carpenters' trade, but not liking that work after a trial of two years, turned his attention to painting and for the past fifteen years has prospered at that vocation. Mr. Stein possesses a natural talent for music, which he has cultivated and improved by careful and persistent study, and is now one of the best-known
:。
: 28:
٠٠٠
Again
10:25507 dort da Estejaory es ere
519
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
musicians of that section of the county. He has made a specialty of music for the past twenty years, and his services are in great demand at the various musical entertainments of that vicinity. He is a member of St. Agnes' Catholic church of Thompson's Run and of the Painters' union, and in his political opinions and associations he is independent, voting for the man rather than blindly follow- ing a party leader.
MELCHIOR WOLF, Sr., president of the Monongahela Valley brewing company, of Clairton, Pa., has been a resident of the town of Duquesne since 1887. He is a son of Joseph and Walburga (Berker) Wolf, and was born in Würtemburg, Germany, April 18, 1844. In the schools of the Fatherland he secured a good educa- tion, after which he learned the bakers' trade. He worked at this trade for nearly three years, but in 1865 he came to America and located at Pittsburg, where his brother, Anton, had come ten years before. During the Civil war Anton had been a mem- ber of the Ist Pittsburg volunteer cavalry, serving four years and being honorably discharged as the regimental color-bearer. Melchior Wolf found employment in a Pittsburg bakery and remained there about a year, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked in a bakery in that city for about two and a half years. He then returned to Pittsburg, formed a partnership with his brother, and started an ale brewery in West Elizabeth. They sold out in a short time to John Werner, and Melchior started a bakery of his own. He soon added a stock of general merchandise and continued in this business until 1887, when he removed to 'Duquesne. There he again engaged in conducting a bakery and general store until 1900, when he retired from the business. He was one of the promoters of the Monongahela brewing company, which was established in 1901 and in which he is a large stock- holder. He was elected president of the company when it first began business and has continued in that office to the present time. His long experience in business eminently qualified him for the place, and the affairs of the company have been satisfactorily con- ducted under his management. He was married, in 1869, to Johanna Stromeyer, of Pittsburg. She bore him two children: Melchior F. and Jacob. After the death of his first wife he mar- ried Mrs. Maggie (Rommel) Evans, a daughter of William and Mary Rommel, of Germany, by whom he has seven children, viz. : Maggie, wife of John McGee; Joseph, John, Mary, William, George and Anton, the last named being deceased. Mr. Wolf and his wife
ix
.2
£
1
520
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
are both members of St. Joseph's Catholic church of Duquesne, of which he was one of the founders, when it was established in 1897, and he has done a great deal toward developing and strengthening it. Politically, he is a democrat, and takes a great interest in political matters, particularly those affecting local interests. He served eight years in the council of West Elizabeth, and two years in the council since coming to Duquesne. As a councilman in both towns he always favored such policies as had a tendency to promote the general welfare, and with rare judgment he always selected the right side of every proposition.
SAMUEL TAYLOR, a resident of Kilbuck township, and a de- scendant of a pioneer family of Allegheny county, was born at the old homestead, Jan. 29, 1843. The home farm of 100 acres was left by the father to his son and the son has lived upon this estate all his life and kept it in an improved condition. Mr. Taylor was educated in the schools of his own township. He was married, on Sept. 13, 1870, to Agnes M. Oakley, daughter of A. G. and Mary A. (Wolfe) Oakley, and to them have been born ten chil- dren : Ebert (deceased), Clifford T., Jessie A., William (deceased), Ada B., Samuel G., Albert E., John S. R., Ralph W. and Malcolm S. Mr. Taylor has the confidence of the people of his community, having held different offices of trust in the township in which he lives. His father, James Taylor, was the son of John Taylor and Agnes (Carnahan) Taylor, to whom were born seven children: James, John, David, Sarah, Jane, Alexandria and Wilson C. His first wife dying, he was married the second time to Polly Means. James Taylor was born April 14, 1803, at the original Taylor homestead located in what is now Avalon borough. He was married, on Aug. 26, 1826, to Martha Parks, and to them were born ten children, three of whom are living. Those deceased are : James, John, George W., . John E., David C., William C. and one daughter who died in infancy. Those living are Ross, Joseph and Samuel, the latter being the subject of this sketch. James Taylor began his married life as a farmer on Davis island, Allegheny county, in 1827. His prin- cipal productions were melons, and on this island he prospered until the flood of 1832 swept away all that his past efforts had accumulated, excepting one horse and two cows. Endeavoring to get out of reach of a similar disaster, he decided to move to Ohio township, where he purchased a farm of 106 acres and lived there until 1870, when he again moved to Avalon. He built a new house on a part of the original homestead and lived there until his death,
1
.
. 95DE god and 7.1.
r .
DY
.3 8
٫٠١٤
521
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
in 1872 ; his wife died in 1876. John Taylor, grandfather of Samuel Taylor, was born in Ireland, and came to America in 1789. He died in 1843 and his wife in 1860, both being buried in the Presby- terian cemetery in Perrysville. John Taylor, in company with James Courtney, Wesley Dickson and Casper Reel, left Ireland in 1788 to locate in the new world. With no particular place in view, but thinking to obtain more land by going farther into the con- tinent and thinking also to avoid any entanglements by buying direct from the Indians, they traveled overland until they struck the headwaters of the Monongahela river. Here they spent one month burning and digging out canoes to continue down the river. But during this preparation they were surrounded by the hostile Indians with a view to plunder. Two weeks later they succeeded in outwitting the savages and paddled down the stream. They con- tinued their journey down to Pittsburg, the different members of the pioneer party dropping out when they found a site that pleased them. At length John Taylor was left alone on the pioneer expedition, and one night, while lying in the bottom of the canoe, he heard the noise of rushing waters, which proved upon investi- gation to be that his boat was grounded, so he decided to spend the night there. In the morning he looked over the most beautiful scene he had beheld on the long river journey. The soil was fertile and the vegetation had the appearance of being easily cleared-and thus was founded the Taylor place in Avalon. He decided to stop for a while to see how the land would please him, and on exploring the surrounding country, blundered into a well- kept corn patch, in which some Indian squaws were digging. Upon seeing him, they ran screaming into the wigwams, and the braves soon appeared in the open, whereupon Taylor hastened to assure them that he meant no harm. He found not a little difficulty in con- vincing them, however, for they could not conceive how his mission could be one of peace, after meeting with so many who were not so inclined. The Indians conducted him to their chief, and, after much bartering, he was granted Indian title to his land. After he had worked a short time, another tribe came and laid claim to his land, but Taylor refused to give it up even after threats and attempts to torture. He broke up their assault with a few rifle bullets and thus convinced them of his sturdy pioneer spirit. His title again came into dispute, when it was said to interfere with William Penn's grant, so rather than relinquish the land he had cleared, he paid for it a second time, getting a government title.
M
522
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
HERMAN P. BRANDT, a resident of Perrysville, son of Peter and Margaret (Schnabel) Brandt, was born in Allegheny county, Nov. 16, 1877. He was educated in the common schools of his own township and later entered the Pennsylvania College of Embalming, from which he graduated with honors. He then became engaged with the well-known firm of Ley & Geiselhart, and on Feb. 10, 1902, Mr. Brandt opened an office for himself in Perrysville, being the youngest undertaker in business for himself in Allegheny county. His youth seems not to have stood in the way of his success, for in point of business he is among the first of his calling, his business entering into and covering more territory than that of any other undertaker in the county. Although living out of the city, he has every convenience in the way of telephone or tele- - graph service, and, in fact, anything incident to his work. His increasing business demands a large livery hire and an assistant, the latter, Mr. Ambrose Smith, like Mr. Brandt, being one of the hustling young men of the county. Mr. Brandt has had expe- rience far beyond his years and bids fair to be one of our foremost men in the future. He is connected with several of the fraternal organizations, being a member of the Masonic order, Bellevue lodge, also a member of the I. O. O. F., of Allegheny city. He is also an active member of the Lutheran church of Franklin town- ship. Peter Brandt, father of the subject of this sketch, is a son of. Philip Brandt, one of the living pioneers of Allegheny county. Peter Brandt is the father of five children: Mrs. Amelia Miller, of Sewickley; Herman P., Walter C., Emma C., a student in the Indiana state normal and connected with the undertaking estab- lishment of Herman Brandt, and Russel L. (deceased). The Brandt family is one of the prominent families of Allegheny county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.