USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume II > Part 8
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native of Prince Edward Island, though both his grandfathers were full-blooded Scotchmen. After coming to Mckeesport, he married Mary J., daughter of Richard A. Hitchens, of that city. They have six sons and two daughters, viz. : Roderick, aged twenty-four years; Hector, twenty-one; Edmund, sixteen; Lilly, fourteen; James, ten; Horace, eight; Laura, seven, and George, six. Roderick, Hector and Edmund are employed in the tube works, and the younger children are still in school. The long residence of Mr. Campbell in Mckeesport, his efficient services in the select council, and his interest in all questions relating to the general welfare, combine to render him one of the best-known men in the city. His home is at No. 530 Olive St.
MATTHEW F. KELLY, assistant superintendent of the seamless tube mill, National tube company, at Mckeesport, was born in Mifflin township, Allegheny county, Dec. 19, 1856, son of Thomas and Katherine Kelly, and was educated in the public schools. At an early age he began to work on his father's farm, after which he was employed for a time about the neighboring coal mines. For two years he worked as clerk in a general store, and at seventeen began to learn the machinists' trade in the Pittsburg & Mckeesport car and locomotive works. He remained at this for about three years, and in July, 1877, entered the employ of the National tube company, at Mckeesport, as an employe in the tool department. He was made assistant foreman of this department in 1879; seven years later, foreman of the axle department; in 1891, general foreman over the galvanizing thread department, dipping department and C. J. department; in 1896, superintendent of the lapwell department, and in 1897 was given his present responsible position. He has risen rapidly by dint of industry and attention to duty. Mr. Kelly is a member of Lodge No. 207, Knights of Pythias, and Royal Arcanum, No. 367. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Mckeesport. In politics he is a republican. In 1879 he married Anabelle Waltower, of Mckeesport, and to them have been born seven children, Lillie J., Clifton L., Blanche, Calvin E., Enoch B., Anabelle and Maud C. Mr. Kelly and family reside in Mckeesport, in the second ward.
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FRED HELD, a well-known Mc- Keesport barber, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1863, and is a son of Louis and Katherine Held. In the same year the family moved to Mckeesport, where Mr. Held was educated in the public schools and at the Normal academy. His father being a barber, Fred Held learned that trade, and, upon his father's retiring in 1886, succeeded to the business, in which he has been successfully engaged ever since at No. 420 Market St. On Feb. 12, 1888, Mr. Held married Miss Anna Diet- rich, daughter of Alex. and Lena Dietrich. They have four chil- dren, Fred J., Louis A., Amelia K. and Anna H. The family reside in the first ward, Mckeesport. In politics Mr. Held is a republican, and in religious affiliation a member of the German Lutheran church. He belongs to the Woodmen of the World.
JOSEPH B. CLIFFORD, M. D., of Mckeesport, Pa., a prominent physician, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1864, and is the son of the late C. M. Clifford. He was educated in the district schools of his native county and at the Ligonier academy. On leaving school, he taught in his home county for two years, and then for six years was engaged in commercial pursuits. In 1891 he matric- ulated at the Homoeopathic college, and the same year went to the medical depart- ment of Wooster university, the following year attended the Cleveland university of medicine, and was gradu- ated from that institution in 1893. On graduating, Dr. Clifford came to Mckeesport, and has since successfully practiced his profession in that city. In 1903 he, in company with two other gentlemen, pur- chased the Dunshee block at Nos. 512 and 514 Fifth Ave., and are remodeling that structure for the Mckeesport natatorium and med- ical institute, which concern has a capital of $150, 000 and of which he is president. He was married to Lillias J. Greenawalt, of Scott- dale, Pa., and to them have been born four sons: Charles, a student at Western Pennsylvania medical college; Elmer, a cadet at
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the Kentucky military institute; Carl and Joseph. Dr. Clifford is a member of the board of health, and has served as president of that body. He is a leading republican of Mckeesport and an active worker for the success of his party. Dr. Clifford is one of the most prominent Masons of that city, having taken all degrees to and including the consistory, and is closely identified with that ancient fraternity. He is also a member of the Elks, the Royal Arcanum, the Heptasophs, the Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Foresters.
JAMES A. IRVIN, a knobbler at the rolling mills of the National tube works, was born in Mifflin township, Allegheny Co., Pa., in 1865. While still in his boy- hood, he came to Mckeesport, where he attended the public school in the first ward, which was then called Oakdale, working meantime in the Wood's mill, where he was employed for nine years. For the last sixteen years he has been in the employ of the National tube works, in the rolling mill department. He is now serving his second term as a member of the select council, representing the ninth ward. In the council he has been for six years chairman of the property committee, and is a member of the sewer, ordinance and fire committees. In pol- itics he is a republican, and was elected to the council on that ticket. His paternal ancestors were old settlers of western Pennsylvania. His grandfather was born at Davis Island Dam, and his father, John A. Irvin, was born in Mifflin township, where he followed the occupation of coal miner for many years, and from which place he enlisted as a volunteer in the Civil war. He died there in 1889. His mother, Amelia C., was born at Peoria, Ill., in 1847, and is liv- ing in Chicago. James A. Irvin was married, May 10, 1888, to Annie, daughter of Conrad Dittmer, a prominent merchant tailor of Mckeesport. Four children have come to bless the union: Elmer R., fourteen years old; Nellie, twelve; Annie, ten, and James A., four. Believing in the old adage that "a rolling stone gathers no moss," the subject of this sketch has always lived near his birth- place, where he has been honored by his neighbors and trusted by his employers. He is a member of the A. O. U. M. and the Heptasophs, in both of which orders he is a respected member.
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CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS FAW- CETT, of Mckeesport, Pa., a prominent citizen, was born in the borough of Bir- mingham, now Pittsburg, Pa., in 1837, a son of the late William Fawcett and his wife, Margaret. Mr. Fawcett attended the schools of his native borough until his fifteenth year, when he accompanied his parents to Mckeesport, and there attended the public schools. He took a course of instruction at Meadville, and later attended a special course of study at Beaver college. In 1861, when twenty-three years of age, he enlisted in the United States army for service in the war between the States, and served with great distinction in that sanguinary contest. He was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, and in front of Petersburg was so severely injured that he was incapacitated for active work for a year. He saw nearly every phase of the hardships incident to a military career, participated in many of the leading battles, and made a splendid record in that terrible struggle. After the war, he returned to his home at Mckeesport, and shortly afterwards entered the china and glass business at Pittsburg. Subsequently he removed to Braddock, Pa., but continued his business at Pittsburg until 1901, when he disposed of his commercial interests and retired from active participation in business affairs. In 1896 Colonel Fawcett returned to his old homestead at White Oak Level, and there now resides. He was married, on Nov. 28, 1865, to Sarah E. Milliken, of Mckeesport, and to them were born six children: William L. ; Lula Belle, wife of George A. Kutcker; Annie R., wife of J. J. Boax; Mary Edna; Frank M., and Unwena M. Colonel Fawcett has been a member of the Masons since 1867, was charter member of the Braddock Fields lodge, No. 510, of which he was treasurer for fourteen years, and served as their representative in the Grand Lodge. He is a member of the Union. Veterans' league and the Grand Army of the Republic, and active in his affiliations with those orders. He is a republican in politics, and is closely identified with that party. While residing at Braddock, Pa., he was one of the incorporators of the city, served as its treasurer for three years, a member of the council for two years, and for twenty-two years was a member of the school board, serving as president of that body for two years, and the rest of his service occupied the position
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of secretary. He is a member of the Coursin Street M. E. church, and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school in Braddock for twenty-eight years. Colonel Fawcett possesses a relic of the Civil war that he prizes most highly. It is a star from the original battle-flag of the 63d Pennsylvania regiment, which was organized in August, 1861, and mustered out in September, 1864. Imme- diately after the cessation of hostilities, Colonel Fawcett delivered to Governor Curtis the old flag, the staff of which had been shot away on several occasions, and the flag itself had been riddled by shot and shell, and as the governor prepared to receive this sacred emblem, a star fell from its tattered folds and alighted on Colonel Fawcett's shoulder. This was taken as a good omen, the star was carefully treasured, and is to-day among his most valued possessions.
GEORGE F. PASTRE, justice of the peace at Glassport, was born in Alle- gheny, Pa., in 1866, being a son of the late George and Mary Pastre. The father, a barber by trade, died in 1889, and for two years after that the subject of this sketch ran his shop. Afterward he went to Chicago, remaining there three years; then to Port Arthur, Texas, in the employ of the Guardian trust com- pany. In the terrible Galveston flood he lost all he had, and returned to Pitts-
burg. A few months later he located in Glassport, where for a time he kept a barber shop, acting also as correspondent for the Mckeesport Times, and in July, 1902, became justice of the peace. In 1903 he was elected to this position for a five-year term. Mr. Pastre was married, in 1887, to Miss Mary Bingle, of Pittsburg, and is the father of five children, viz. : Howard O., Anna May, George, Clara and Fred. He resides with his family in the borough of Glassport. In politics he is an ardent republican, while his religious affiliations are with the German Lutheran church. He is a member of Lodge No. 101, Royal Arcanum, and Lodge No. 367, Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. Pastre was educated in the public schools of the sixth ward, Pitts- burg, and prior to his father's death, was for nine years shipping clerk for William K. Gillespie, a wholesale grocer.
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ROBERT W. GORDON, JR., son of R. W. and Martha A. Gordon, is one of Mckeesport's enterprising and progress- ive merchants. He was born in McKees- port in 1878, where he attended the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1895. He then completed his education at Washington and Jefferson college, and, returning to Mckeesport, was employed in various capacities in the First National bank for five years. In 1902 he bought from H. O. Murphy the stationery business on Fifth avenue which he now owns. Mr. Gordon is a young man well qualified by education and experience for a business career. He is also promi- nent in politics, especially in local affairs, and is one of the leading republicans in the eighth ward. He is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and is a member of the Mckeesport lodge of that order. Mr. Gordon attends the First Methodist Episcopal church of Mckeesport.
JOSEPH T. ROCHE, the well-known and popular painter and paper-hanger, was born in Clearfield county, Pa., in 1875, and is a son of Michael and Annie (McGinty) Roche. His mother died in 1899. Up to the age of fifteen he attended the public schools of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., where he received the greater part of his education. At the age of fifteen he went to work for Daniel Stratton, at the paint- ers' trade. He remained with Mr. Strat- ton for eleven years, learning the painting and decorating trades in all the different branches. In 1899 he went into business for himself, forming a partnership with John P. Rotharmel, under the firm name of Rotharmel & Roche. The new firm established itself at the corner of Sixth avenue and Locust street, in the city of Mckeesport, where a general business in house and sign-painting, paper-hanging, decorating, etc., is conducted. Joseph T. Roche is a fine example of a self-made man. Compelled by circumstances to forge his own
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way through the world, he accepted the situation, and by taking advantage of every opportunity that offered, he has kept pace with the march of events, and is one of the progressive men of his gen- eration. In his spare time he has improved his mind by reading, and he has kept himself fully informed with regard to current events. He takes an active interest in affairs relating to the wel- fare of the city, and in February, 1903, he was elected to represent the fourth ward in the common council. He is now serving his first term in that body, and has already demonstrated by his ready grasp of public questions that the people of the ward made no mis- take in electing him. He is unmarried, and the only fraternal order to which he belongs is that of the Eagles, being a member of Lodge No. 285, of Mckeesport.
WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL, a promi- nent young Mckeesport insurance man, son of A. B. and Eliza Campbell, is a native of that city, and was educated in the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1890. He then went into the National bank of Mckeesport, start- ing as messenger, and was advanced from one position to another until, at the end of five years, he was teller. He then left the bank, and, in 1895, went into the in- · surance and loan business with his father, and has continued in that line up to date. He still, however, works part of each year in a bank during the busy season, his experience gained in the National bank making him a valuable man in an emergency. Mr. Campbell was appointed postmaster of the city of Mckeesport March 2, 1903, took charge of the office March 19, 1903, and on July Ist the office was advanced from a second to a first-class postoffice. Mr. Campbell is a mem- ber of the Mckeesport lodge, No. 375, F. and A. M., and the Knights of Malta. In politics he is a republican, active in local party affairs, and a man of great influence in the community. He is a member of the Fifth Avenue Baptist church and secretary of its board of trustees. Mr. Campbell was married, in 1895, to Anna J. Longabaugh, of Mckeesport, daughter of George W. Longabaugh. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell reside in the fourth ward.
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HARRY O. MURPHEY, manager of the Glassport coal company, of Glassport, Pa., is a rising young business man, who has already proved himself to be a man of sound judgment and business ability. He was born in Mckeesport in 1874, was educated in the public schools and at the Park institute in Pittsburg, and then went to work in the First National bank, in which he filled several important posi- tions. After seven years in the bank, he became manager of the Glassport coal company, and also of the Lynne coal com- pany, located at Milesville, Pa., and has held that position ever since. He was also for a time manager of the Mckeesport station- ery company, but has sold out his interest in that concern. Mr. Murphey and wife reside in the second ward, Mckeesport. Mrs. Murphey was formerly Miss Lynne Roberts. In politics Mr. Murphey is a republican. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Mckeesport.
CHARLES H. WALSH, assistant postmaster of Mckeesport, was born in New Brighton, Beaver Co., Pa., in 1868, son of William E. Walsh; attended the school of his native town, and, in 1884, came to Mckeesport, where he took a commercial course at Wood's business college. He then entered the employ of the Singer sewing machine company, being located first at Mckeesport, and then at Pittsburg, where he remained in the service of the company twelve years. After this he worked for a number of years for the National tube company, at Mckeesport, as time- keeper, keeper of the pay-rolls, and in various other important capacities. On March 24. 1903, he was appointed to his present position as assistant to Postmaster W. V. Campbell. Mr. Walsh is a prominent Mason, and has risen high in that order. He is a member of Aliquippa lodge, No. 375, F. and A. M. ; secretary of Mckeesport chapter, No. 282, R. A. M .; Mt. Moriah council, No. 1, R. and S. M .; member of Pittsburg commandery, No. I, K. T .;
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of Pennsylvania consistory, of Pittsburg, and Syria temple, A. A. O. M. S., of Pittsburg. Besides this, he is connected with various other organizations, being a member of the Knights of Malta, Woodmen of the World, is secretary of Tube City council, No. 378, Jr. O. U. A. M., and treasurer of Planet circle, No. 65, Brotherhood of the Union. In politics he is a republican, while his religious affiliations are with the First Presbyterian church. His home is in the seventh ward. Mr. Walsh was married, in 1897, to Miss Ida Gumbert, daughter of Capt. John Gumbert, of Belleview, Pa.
JOHN W. FAWCETT, M. D., of Mckeesport, Pa., for many years a lead- ing druggist, was born in Mckeesport in 1854, being a son of William and Margaret Fawcett. . Dr. Fawcett was educated in the primary studies in the district schools, and later completed his literary training in the Mt. Union college, in Stark county, Ohio. He then matriculated at the Jefferson medical college, of Philadelphia, Pa., and was graduated from that noted seat of learning in 1877. He practiced his profession with much success at Pine Run, Pa., for four years, and then was compelled to take a vacation for two years on account of his impaired physical condition. In 1882 he opened a drug store at No. 901 Fifth Ave., Mckeesport, and prospered in that business until 1903, when he disposed of his stock of drugs to Miles Richards, now devoting his attention to his private interests. Dr. Fawcett was married, in 1880, to Mary P., daughter of Capt. John Gince, of Mckeesport, and their wedded life has been a happy one. Dr. Fawcett is a prominent member of the republican party, and served on the Mckeesport school board for eight years, two years of which time he was president of that body. He is a member of the Masons, the Junior Order of Amer- ican Mechanics and the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the Coursin Street Methodist church and a trustee of same. Dr. Fawcett is well known in the financial world, and is a director of the Mckeesport title and trust company, and also in the Mckees- port tin plate company.
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JOHN S. GORZYNSKI, pastor of St. Mary's Polish Roman Catholic church, Mckeesport, was born in Koronowo, Province of Posen, Poland, April 25, 1869. He received a part of his education in the schools of his native country, and then coming to Pennsylvania, attended St. Vincent's college from 1886 until 1887. He then spent a year at Cyrill and Methodins Polish seminary, Detroit, Mich., but returned to St. Vincent's in 1888 and finished his course there. He was ordained on April 23, 1893, and did his first ministerial work at Connellsville with Father Daniel O'Connel. Father Gorzynski remained there one and a half years, then spent two and a half years as pastor of St. Ladislas' church at Natrona, leaving the latter position to accept his present charge. During his pastorate at Mckeesport, Father Gorzynski has remodeled the church at a cost of $12,000, and built a convent and parish house, and has endeared himself in the hearts of all his people.
DUNCAN MACDOUGALL, superin- tendent for the Pittsburg steel foundry company at Glassport, is of Scotch birth, but has lived in America since he was six years old. He was born in 1870, and came to Pennsylvania with his parents, the family locating at Chester, where Mr. MacDougall was educated in the public schools, and later went to work for the Standard steel casting company. He remained with this company eight years, and during that time was advanced from office boy to assistant superintendent. He spent a year with the Franklin steel casting company, a year and a half as assistant manager of the casting department of the Otis steel company, and a year in the employ of Shickle, Harrison & Howard, of St. Louis. His first position with the Pittsburg steel foundry company was that of eastern sales agent. Five months later he was made superintendent of the Glassport works, which are the largest steel casting works in the United States, employing
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400 men. In 1893 Mr. MacDougall married Miss Elizabeth McClure, of Chester, Pa., and has two daughters, May and Elizabeth. In religious belief Mr. MacDougall is a Presbyterian, and in politics a republican. He is a member of the Masonic lodge of Cleveland, and I. O. O. F. and Knights of the Golden Eagle of Chester.
JAMES F. KEMP, of Mckeesport, Pa., a successful business man and a prominent citizen, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1866, son of the late Andrew Jack- son Kemp and of his wife, Lucetta. Mr. Kemp was educated in the fifth and sixth ward schools of his native city, and on leaving school he became a clerk for D. P. Black. Two years later he went with Smith Bros. in the tin and hardware busi- ness, where he learned the trade in which he is now engaged, and remained with that firm for ten years. In 1889 Mr. Kemp came to Mckeesport, opened a tin-roofing establishment, later added slate roofing, and now enjoys about the largest patron- age of any institution of that kind in the city. His home and works are located in the tenth ward, at No. 405 Ann St. Mr. Kemp was happily married, in 1889, to Missouri Lemon, and they have had five children: Cordelia, Charles, Lucetta, Otto H. (deceased) and Missouri. Mr. Kemp is closely identified with the republican party and an active worker for its interests. In 1890 he was elected to the office of school director for a term of three years, then re-elected for a similar term, and served as secretary of the board during his entire service of six years. The next two years he was a member of the city republican committee, in 1901 was elected to the common council, and, in 1903, re-elected for another term of two years. He is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World and the Masons. He is prominently connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, has served as a steward for fourteen years, and takes great interest in all works of the church. In 1898 Mr. Kemp admitted his younger brother, Andrew, as a partner in the business, and the firm of James F. Kemp & Bro. has prospered since its inception.
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JOSEPH D. STEVENS, of McKees- port, Pa., dispatcher for the Pittsburg railroad company at that point, was born in Waterbury, Conn., in 1865, and is the son of John D. and Katherine Stevens. The family removed to Irwin, Pa., and it was in the parochial school of that town that young Stevens was educated in the primary branches, and later attended St. Vincent college at Latrobe, Pa. On leaving school, he secured employment with the Carnegie company at Scotia, and later was with the same company at Beaver Falls for four years. Mr. Stevens went to Allegheny city as motorman on the car lines, and in 1901 was appointed dispatcher for the Pittsburg railroad company in that city. He continued in that capacity at Allegheny city until 1902, when he was transferred to Mckeesport, and since has acted as dispatcher for the Pittsburg railroad in that city. Mr. Stevens was married, in 1891, to Katherine Nagel, of East Liverpool, Ohio. Mr. Stevens is a mem- ber of St. Peter's Catholic church of Mckeesport, and also of the republican party. Mr. Stevens is well known in the city where he now resides, and has a large circle of warm and faithful friends.
OSCAR R. DOUGHERTY, of Mckeesport, Pa., a prominent brick manufacturer, was born in that city on March 2, 1860, being a son of Jamieson and Rachael Dougherty. Young Dough- erty was educated in the public and dis- trict schools, and, on leaving his books, began to learn his present business. He was with Peter Sworner for five years, working with other concerns in the brick business until 1898, when he began his present business of brick manufacturing in the eleventh ward of Mckeesport, and since has prospered at that location. Mr. Dougherty has been a member of the common council for the past five years, his last term having expired in April, 1903. He was married, in 1885, to Johanna Speelman, also a native of Mckeesport, and to them five children have been born, viz .: Lila, Daisy O., Oscar, Jr., Charles
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