History of Butler County Pennsylvania, 1895

Link to plat maps of Butler townships and boroughs from the Atlas of Butler County, G.M. Hopkins & Co., 1874. Please read the explanation and caution about this transcription. Use your browser's "search" or "find" capability to look for surnames in the chapter that are not included as biographical sketches. Transcribed by: Jim Frison

CHARLES H. MONNIE was born about fifty miles north of Paris, France, where he followed farming, and stage-driving in early manhood. He there married, and in 1845, with his wife, Harriet, three sons and four daughters, crossed the Atlantic in the sailing vessel, "Lucy," and after a voyage of thirty-three days landed in New York city. They remained in New York a few days, then came westward to Pittsburg, by canal and railroad, lived in the latter city about two months, and then located on a rented farm in Deer Creek township, Allegheny county. Two years later Mr. MONNIE purchased an improved farm of fifty acres in Middlesex township, Butler county, where they resided until about 1854. He then sold his property and purchased a farm two miles north of Butler, now owned by George REIBER. In 1859 he traded this for the George REIBER farm, two miles below Millerstown, in Donegal township, where he resided until his death, in April, 1861, aged sixty-three years. His widow married John WOLFORD, and died upon the homestead near Millerstown, in March, 1891, in her eighty-fourth year. She was a member of the Lutheran church, of Millerstown. Mr. MONNIE was the father of the following children: Charles H., a resident of Nebraska; Frederick H.; Caroline, who married James HUTCHISON, and died in April, 1891; Eliza, wife of Jacob MYERS, of Oakland; Adeline, wife of William WOLFORD, of Donegal; Mrs. Mary EVANS, of Washington county, and Alfred, who served in Company H, One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died in 1888, from the effect of disease contracted in the army, leaving a wife and four children.

FREDERICK H. MONNIE, second son of Charles H., and Harriet MONNIE, was born in France, March 12, 1834. He was about eleven years old when the family came to Pennsylvania, and received what education he possesses in his native land, attending school in this country only about two weeks. His father was an invalid and unable to do hard labor; so Frederick and his elder brother, Charles, had to support the family and assist in paying for the homestead, working out by the day and month and turning over their earnings to their parents. At the age of twenty years he began mining coal on the home farm, north of Butler, which he followed for several years. He was married on November 3, 1857, to Matilda HUTCHISON, a daughter of John HUTCHISON, rented a house in Oakland township, and continued mining until July 29, 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve. He took part in the Seven Days Fight before Richmond, and Second Bull Run. He was then taken sick with fever and sent to the hospital at Point Lookout, Maryland, where he remained for three months. He rejoined his regiment in front of Washington, and served in the battle of Gettysburg, where he was wounded in the right ankle by a minie-ball, on July 2, 1863, and lay in the hospital at York, Pennsylvania, about three months. In the spring of 1864 he was with his regiment at the Wilderness and in front of Petersburg, and participated in all of the engagements in which his regiment took part until mustered out in front of Petersburg, Virginia, August 4, 1864. Mr. MONNIE was a good soldier, and was always at his post when able to report for duty. Returning to his family in Oakland township, he resided there until 1883, when he located on his present farm of forty-five acres, lying in the Connoquenessing bottom near Oneida station. Mrs. MONNIE died on May 16, 1890, aged sixty years. She was a member of the Baptist church. Nine children were born to them, all of whom are yet living, viz.: Albert W.; Hatty Eliza, wife of Samuel SOWASH; William H.; John C.; Anna; Mary K.; Charles O.; I. Curtis, and Louis. Mr. MONNIE married for his second wife Mrs. Belle MCCURDY nee PRINGLE, a native of Mercer county, and a daughter of James PRINGLE, of Centre township, Butler county. He is a stanch Republican, takes an active part in political matters, and has held the office of tipstaff since 1885. For the past five years Mr. MONNIE has been unable to perform hard manual labor, but looks after his farm, and attends to his official duties.

JOHN MONTGOMERY was a native of Ireland, a son of Charles and Sarah (BAILEY) MONTGOMERY, and immigrated to Pennsylvania with his parents. They settled in Centre county, but later removed to Armstrong county and located below Kittanning, upon a farm of about 200 acres. Charles MONTGOMERY died there at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He was an elder in the Presby-[p. 1037] terian church from early manhood. His widow died in Clarion county, at an advanced age. She too was a devoted member of the same church. To Charles and Sarah MONTGOMERY were born the following children: Elizabeth; John; Mrs. Margaret TRUBY; Porter; Mrs. Maria MCCUTCHEON; William, and Mrs. Adeline BAILEY, all of whom are dead with the exception of Porter, who resides at Bradford. The subject of this sketch was reared in Armstrong county, and there married Mary TRUBY, a daughter of John TRUBY, at one time sheriff of that county, who built what is known as Truby's mill, about Brady's Bend, which operated for a long period. Mrs. MONTGOMERY was born on July 5, 1815, and was reared in Armstrong county. After their marriage they lived on the old homestead near Kittanning for some years, then removed to Manorville, next to Catfish, Clarion county, and finally to Van Buren, Armstrong county, where Mr. MONTGOMERY died in 1855. They were the parents of the following children: Nancy; Jane; John T.; Richard B.; Mrs. Mary LONDON; Amanda, deceased wife of Z. M. MILLER; Charles H; Robert, and Simon, both deceased. The mother lives at Van Buren, Armstrong county.

JOHN T. MONTGOMERY was born near Manorville, Armstrong county, April 7, 1844, son of John and Mary MONTGOMERY, and grew to manhood in Van Buren. At the age of twelve years he commenced boating on the Allegheny river, which he followed during the summer seasons until 1867, and was a pilot from the time he was eighteen years old, the last two years holding a commission as a pilot between Pittsburg and Oil City. In 1867 he gave up piloting, and in May of that year settled at Boydstown, Butler county, where he carried on merchandising for three years. He next went to Parker's Landing, and followed pumping oil. In 1872 he returned to Butler county, and teamed for some years at Greece City, during the oil excitement. In 1878 he purchased his present homestead of fifty-five acres, partly cleared, but without buildings, upon which he settled in 1880. He has since erected all of the buildings, cleared the land and made many other improvements. He devotes his time and attention to his farm and dealing in horses. Mr. MONTGOMERY was married May 25, 1869, to Mary M. NEYMAN, a daughter of John H. NEYMAN. She was born in Jefferson county, came to Butler county at the age of two years, and was reared on the old homestead. She received her education in the common schools and at Witherspoon Institute. Six children have been born to this union, viz.: John Ardell, deceased; Ada May; Amanda Belle; Bertha Maude; Alfred Alonzo, and Bessie Blanche. Mr. MONTGOMERY is an ardent Republican, and has filled the offices of supervisor, auditor and school director in Oakland township.

JAMES CAMPBELL, SR., of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, was one of the early settlers of Butler county. He was a son of John Campbell, who reared a family of eight sons and one daughter; namely: Robert; John; James; Andrew; William; Joseph; Thomas; Samuel, and Jane, who married James CUMBERLAND. In 1796 his father and several of the sons visited Butler county and selected lands in what is now Concord, Fairview and Washington townships, upon which they settled the following year. James located in what is now Concord township, while his parents resided with their son Robert, where both spent the remaining years of their lives. James owned a farm of 150 acres [p. 1038] of land, where his grandson, George P. CAMPBELL, now lives, upon which he died about 1832. He married Sarah CUMBERLAND, and their children were as follows: Ann, who married James GLENN; Joseph; William; James; Thomas; Robert S; Samuel; George, and Eli, all of whom are dead except Thomas and Robert S. Mr. CAMPBELL and wife were members of Bear Creek Presbyterian church, and in politics, he was a Democrat.

ROBERT S. CAMPBELL, son of James and Sarah CAMPBELL, was born upon the homestead farm in Concord township, May 5, 1818. He was reared in his native township, and received his education in the pioneer log school house of his neighborhood. After reaching his maturity his father gave him sixty acres of the old homestead, which he cleared and improved. He has since added ninety acres to the original tract, and has devoted his attention to farming pursuits. Mr. CAMPBELL has been twice married. His first wife was Nancy STOREY, a daughter of William STOREY, of Fairview township, to which union were born the following children: Mary, wife of Silas CAMPBELL; Eli, of Nebraska; Sarah, wife of Platt SUTTON; Eliza A., wife of Cyrus CAMPBELL; Mathew, of Concord township; Martha E., wife of William BARTLEY; Robert; Harvey; Maggie, wife Webster CONWAY, and Isaiah. He married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah J. RIDDLE, a daughter of James SCOTT, of Fairview township. One son has been born of this union, John A. Mr. CAMPBELL is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he was originally a Whig, and since the formation of the Republican party, he has voted that ticket. He is one of the representative farmers of his township, and a descendant of one of its oldest families.

JAMES E. CAMPBELL, eldest son of William and Margaret CAMPBELL, was born June 16, 1843, on the homestead, and was reared and educated in his native township. His father was the third son of James and Sarah CAMPBELL, and was born on the homestead in Concord township, Butler county. After William grew to manhood he settled on fifty acres of the home farm, to which he added 100 acres more, and here he spent the remaining years of his life. He married Margaret FOWLER, who survives him. Their children were as follows: James E.; John T., deceased; Simeon H., and Margaret A., wife of Wesley FOWLER. The subject of this sketch enlisted in Company G. Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, with which command he served about a year, and was then transferred to the One Hundred Fifty-fifth regiment, in which he served until the close of the war, participating in all of the battles and campaigns in which his regiments were engaged during his term of service. Before Petersburg he was severely wounded in the right leg, below the knee, by a gun shot, and was sent to McClellan Hospital, Philadelphia, where he remained until discharged, the war in the meantime having ended. He returned to his home in Butler county, but subsequently settled on a part of his father's farm, which he cleared and improved, erecting the buildings and other necessary improvements. Mr. CAMPBELL married Lilah DONALDSON, a daughter of Andrew DONALDSON, and has three children, viz.: William T.; Eva L., and Henderson. The family are adherents of the Presbyterian church. In politics, Mr. CAMPBELL is a Republican, and is a member of Kuhn Post, Number 539, G.A.R. He is one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of his township.
[p. 1039]

HUGH CONWAY, with his wife and family, immigrated from Donegal county, Ireland, to the United States, in 1771. In the last decade of the Eighteenth century they settled in Concord township, Butler county, on a tract of 400 acres of wild land, situated on Bear Creek. Here they spent the remaining years of their lives, leaving to their children the fruits of their industry. Hugh CONWAY reared a family of three sons and two daughters, as follows: William; Hugh; John; Fannie, who married John HOEY, and Jane, who married John SHRYOCK.

WILLIAM CONWAY, son of Hugh CONWAY, was born during the passage to America, came to Butler county with his parents, and grew to maturity in Concord township. He married Mary MCLAUGHLIN, and settled on a part of the land entered by his father. Eight children were born to this union, viz.: Jane, who married Samuel GLENN; Nancy, who married William MCELVAINE; Hugh; George C.; John; Margaret; Maria, and William, all of whom are dead except the last mentioned. The mother died on February 3, 1844, and the father September 17, 1846, in his seventy-fifth year. They were members of Concord Presbyterian church.

WILLIAM CONWAY, JR., youngest and only living child of William and Mary CONWAY, was born in Concord township, Butler county, March 29, 1821. He was reared amidst pioneer surroundings, and attended one of the old fashioned log school houses, where he obtained the rudiments of an English education. In 1844 he married Euphemia STARR, a daughter of John and Sarah STARR. She was born in Concord township, December 11, 1823. They immediately took up their residence on a part of the homestead farm, but three years later embarked in merchandising at Buena Vista. In 1855 Mr. CONWAY located at Middletown, and engaged in mercantile pursuits as a member of the firm of A. D. Kuhn & Company. This partnership lasted for thirty-eight years, and was dissolved by the death of Mr. KUHN in the spring of 1893. Mr. CONWAY was also engaged in farming, and is now the owner of a good farm. He is a stanch Republican, has held various township offices, and is at present township clerk.

ROBERT PATTON, with his wife Rebecca, came from Centre county, Pennsylvania, to Butler county, in 1798, and settled in what is now Concord township. He was a native of Donegal county, Ireland, and immigrated to the United States with his parents when nine years of age. The Pattons were among the first settlers of this township, and reared a family of twelve children, only two of whom survive, viz.: Sarah Ann, who married J. R. THOMPSON, and resides in Sciota county, Ohio, and David, of Concord township. Robert PATTON died upon his farm in August, 1842, aged seventy-two years. His wife died on December 12, 1864, aged eight-four years.

DAVID PATTON, son of Robert and Rebecca PATTON, was born in Concord township, Butler county, April 27, 1822, and grew to maturity upon the homestead farm. His advantages for obtaining an education were limited to a few months each year at a subscription school. Upon the death of his father he inherited the old homestead, where his entire life has been passed. Though formerly a Republican, he is now a Prohibitionist. He has held various township offices, and is a member of Concord Grange,

HENRY KUHN was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, March 30, [p. 1040] 1805, and when about eight years old came with his parents to Butler county. The journey across the mountains was made in a wagon, and they camped at night at the most convenient point on the road. The family settled in Allegheny township, on a tract of wild land, and there these sturdy pioneers began to hew out a home in the wilderness, where the balance of their lives was passed. Henry was the youngest in a family of five children, and during his boyhood assisted his parents on the farm. After reaching manhood he often made trips across the mountains for salt, which was a scarce article in pioneers days. When about twenty-five years of age he married Margaret HAWKS, of Westmoreland county, who came to Marion township, Butler county, with her parents. Mr. KUHN resided on a part of the old homestead in Allegheny township, until 1851, when they removed to a farm in what is now Concord township, which property is now owned by his sons. Here the parents died, the father in 1872, and the mother in 1879. They reared a family of six children, as follows: Alexander D., born April 29, 1831, who was a merchant at Middletown for thirty-eight years, and died in April, 1893; Catherine, born September 14, 1832, married Campbell HUTCHISON, and died in December, 1891; John COULTER, born March 17, 1835, served in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve, was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run, and died in the hospital at Alexandria; Henry, born February 1, 1837; McAllister, March 30, 1839; Lucinda H., March 19, 1841, married W. J. HUTCHISON, and died in 1893.

MCALLISTER KUHN, youngest son of Henry and Margaret KUHN, was born in Allegheny township, Butler county, March 30, 1839, and was reared in that township and upon the homestead in Concord township. On August 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville, etc., and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment. In 1867 he married Sarah Ann CAMPBELL, a daughter of Thomas J. and Mary (MEALS) CAMPBELL, and took up his residence on his present farm. He is the owner of 200 acres of well improved land, and is one of the leading farmers of his township. Five children have been born to McAllister and Sarah Ann KUHN, named as follows: Mary E., wife of W. E. DUFFY; Maggie L., deceased; Detmer T.; Frank M., and Jessie L. The family are connected with Concord Presbyterian church, and in politics, Mr. KUHN is a stanch Republican.

JOSEPH EMERY, better known as "Trapper Joseph," was a native of New Jersey, of Dutch extraction. In 1807 he removed to what is now Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, bringing with him his father, and settled close to the Butler county line. He was a fifer in a company from this part of the State in the War of 1812, and served at Erie with his command. The balance of his life was spent upon his farm on the Lawrence county line, where he was engaged in farming and trapping, being one of the well known hunter's of pioneer days. He was married in New Jersey to a Miss HULL, and their children were as follows: Jacob; John; William; Joseph; Henry; Peter; Daniel; David; Maria, who married John BOOK; Mrs. Fannie CAMPBELL, and Mrs. Catherine POUNDS.

WILLIAM EMERY, son of Joseph EMERY, was born in New Jersey in 1801, and was reared in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. At the age of fifteen he was [p. 1041] bound out to Colonel COVERT, of Brady township, Butler county, with whom he learned the carpenter's and cabinet maker's trades, which business he afterwards followed at various places for a few years. He then settled on a farm on the line between Butler and Lawrence counties, where he owned 100 acres of land. In connection with farming, he also worked at his trade the greater part of his life. In 1838 he and his brother Joseph purchased 200 acres of land in Washington township, Butler county, upon which he resided until within a few years of his death, when he sold his farm and made his home with his grand-daughter, Mrs. Lizzie MCCANDLESS, of Clay township, Butler county, where he died, March 20, 1889. His wife, Elizabeth, died on December 20, 1874. She was a daughter of James MCCUNE. They were the parents of fourteen children, seven of whom grew to maturity, whose names are as follows: Hannah, who married Samuel MEALS; Robert N.; Susannah, who married William TURNER; Mary, who married John HARTZELL, and after his death John MCCANDLESS; Joseph, and William S., both residents of California, and Nancy E., who married James BLAIN. The family are adherents of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, Mr. EMERY was a Republican.

ROBERT N. EMERY, eldest son of William and Elizabeth EMERY, was born October 14, 1827, near the line of Butler and Lawrence counties. He received a common school education, and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in connection with teaching school. In 1862 he purchased his present farm of 100 acres, in Concord township, which he has since improved. In connection with his duties on the farm, he has taught school during the greater portion of his residence in this county. In 1864 he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, and served until the close of the war. Mr. EMERY married Sarah J. TURNER, a daughter of William TURNER, of Parker township, to which union have been born the following children: Elizabeth, deceased wife of Dr. Lysander BLACK, of Butler; Alwilda J., wife of James PIERCE; William J.; Martha; John T.; Joseph McC., and Nelson R. Politically, Mr. EMERY is a Republican, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs. He is a member of Concord Presbyterian church, and an elder in that organization. He is connected with Concord Grange, P. of H., and is one of the leading farmers of his township.

JOHN THOMPSON was born in Down county, Ireland, April 6, 1833, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (BAILEY) THOMPSON. When fourteen years of age he came to the United States with his parents, and after some time spent at Kensington furnace, they settled in Washington township, Butler county, where both his father and mother died. John was reared upon the farm and received a common school education. In 1859 he married Nancy STOOPS, of Washington township, and settled in that part of the county. In September, 1864, he enlisted in Company G, Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served with his regiment in the siege and capture of Petersburg. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865, and participated in the grand review at Washington. He returned to his home and resided there until 1881, in which year he purchased and located on his present farm in Concord township. Mr. And Mrs. THOMPSON are the parents of five children, as follows: James B., a physician at Prospect; Henry; William; [p. 1042] Della, and Elizabeth. Politically, Mr. THOMPSON is a Republican, and he is a member of the G. A. R.

SAMUEL FINDLEY, SR., was one of the pioneers of Clay township, Butler county, where he settled in 1798. He built his cabin in the midst of an unbroken forest and spent the remaining years of his life in making a home for himself and family. He was a native of Ireland, and immigrated to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, with his brother William, prior to the Revolution. His brother was a soldier in the Continental army, and after peace was established became one of the most distinguished legislators of the State. He was a member of the first Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania, and was elected to Congress in 1790, as a Jeffersonian Democrat, and served in that body for twenty years. He wrote a treatise on the funding of the public debt, also a history of the Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania, in 1794, which he assisted in quelling, and other political pamphlets. He died in Westmorland [sic] county, in April, 1829. Samuel FINDLEY, Sr., had three sons and three daughters who came with him to Butler county, and afterward became well known settlers. The sons were Samuel, Robert and David. The daughters were Mrs. Elizabeth THOMPSON, Mrs. Mary CHRISTY and Mrs. Martha MILFORD. Samuel became a prominent minister in the United Presbyterian church, his field of labor for many years being in eastern Ohio, where he died in the latter part of the sixties. Robert and David patented lands in Clay township, a portion of which yet remains in the Findley name. They spent their lives in Clay township, and both died in the year 1843. Samuel FINDLEY, Sr. was commissioned by Governor MCKEAN one of the associate judges of Butler county, July 4, 1803, and served on the bench until his death, in 1816. He was one of the prominent and influential citizens of the county during pioneer days.

DAVID FINDLEY, son of Samuel FINDLEY, Sr., was born in Westmoreland county, and came with his father to Butler county, in 1798. In 1812 he married Margaret GLENN, and reared a family of four children, viz.: Jane; Samuel; James, and Mary. Jane was married to Robert HAYS, of Lancaster township, in 1851, and is yet living in Kansas. Samuel was married in 1852, to Sarah HAYS and resides upon the homestead farm. His family consisted of seven children, six of whom are living, viz.: William C.; Mary; Eveline, deceased; Chalmers; Clara; A. Lincoln, and Laura. James married Mary J. MCCANDLESS, in 1853, and resides in Kansas, and Mary died in 1855, unmarried.

JAMES MCJUNKIN was born in the north of Ireland, in 1768, immigrated to America after arriving at manhood, and in 1798 located upon a tract of 400 acres of land in what is now Clay township, Butler county, the larger part of which is still owned by his descendants. He slept the first night on a large, flat sandstone rock near where he had concluded to erect his cabin, which he built in the midst of the primitive forest. This building was used as a dwelling house down to 1830, when a large hewed-log house was erected, which subsequently gave place to a more substantial brick structure. Soon after coming to this county he married Asenath TURK, by whom he had three children, viz.: David; William; and Mary, all deceased. His wife lived but a few years, and he was again married, in 1818, to Nancy TURNER, a daughter of James TURNER, one [p. 1043] of the first settlers of Parker township. She was born in Ireland, and was only two years old when her parents immigrated to the United States. Eight children were the fruits of this union, as follows: Mary Ann and James T., both deceased; Hannah, wife of Isaac HALL, of Cherry township; Samuel, deceased; John R.; Sarah J., deceased wife of William A. Christie, of Centre township; Martha, deceased, and Susannah, wife of James ROSE, of Centre township. Mr. MCJUNKIN died March 6, 1833. After the death of her husband the widow struggled bravely to rear her family and retain the land which he had entered, but through the sharp practice of land jobbers, she lost three-fourths of it. Her son, John R., finally succeeded in after years in obtaining possession of 350 acres of the original tract. Mrs. MCJUNKIN died February 25, 1858. The parents were members of the Presbyterian church, to which denomination most of the MCJUNKIN family adhere.

JOHN R. MCJUNKIN was born upon his present farm in Clay township, Butler county, April 27, 1825, and is the third son of James and Nancy (TURNER) MCJUNKIN. His father died when John R. was in his eighth year, and when he arrived at the age of sixteen he became the main support of his mother and took charge of the homestead farm. Through untiring industry he was enabled to repurchase the lands which his mother had lost through the chicanery of land jobbers, and he has resided on this farm up to the present. Mr. MCJUNKIN was married May 8, 1856, to Mary HAYS. She was born in Connoquenessing township, Butler county, in 1827, and was the mother of five children, as follows: Agnes, wife of William TIMBLIN, of Clarion county; Harriet L., wife of Robert C. THOMPSON; Elizabeth, a teacher in the Butler public schools; James Elmer, an oil operator of Butler, and John W., deceased. Mrs. MCJUKIN [sic] died December 29, 1863. On January 15, 1866, Mr. MCJUNKIN married Amanda CLARK, of Crawford county, to which union were born two children: Amanda Eva, and Imelda J., deceased. Mrs. MCJUNKIN died February 24, 1885. The family are members of the Presbyterian church, and politically, Mr. MCJUNKIN is a Prohibitionist. He has been justice of the peace four terms, school director several terms, and overseer of the poor for many years. His homestead contains 415 aces, is finely improved, and he devotes particular attention to the breeding of fine sheep, and other stock, and has been extensively engaged in oil producing. He is one of the most progressive farmers in Butler county, and gives liberally of his means towards every worthy object.

JOHN W. MCJUNKIN, youngest son child of John R. and Mary (HAYS) MCJUNKIN, was born December 24, 1863, upon the MCJUNKIN homestead in Clay township. He received his primary education in the public schools, and completed his studies at the West Sunbury Academy, then commenced teaching in the winter seasons and working on the farm in summer. He was united in marriage October 22, 1890, to Anna STEWART, a daughter of A. G. STEWART, of Whitestown. One son was born to this union, George Herbert, who died in infancy. Mr. MCJUNKIN resided on a portion of the old homestead until his death, February 10, 1895. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and politically, a Republican.

JOHN MECHLING, SR., was a son of Jacob MECHLING, a native of Germany, [p. 1044] who first settled in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, thence removed to Westmoreland county, where he died. John was born in Northampton county, September 30, 1768, grew to manhood there and in Westmoreland county, and came to Butler county with his brother Jacob in 1796. They entered a large tract of land in what is now Washington township, built their cabins in the midst of the forest and began the work of clearing a farm. Jacob afterwards removed to the borough of Butler, went into the hotel business, and became quite prominent in the early official life of the county. John MECHLING remained on his farm in Washington township until his death in 1829. He married Margaret SAAMS, born June 6, 1768, who bore him the following children: Mary, born March 14, 1794; Catherine, February 6, 1796; William, March 5, 1798; Elizabeth, May 30, 1800; John, March 29, 1802; Margaret, March 18, 1804; Joseph, May 26, 1806; Sarah, February 21, 1809; Harriet, June 18, 1811, and Esther, August 7, 1814, all of whom are deceased. The parents were members of the Presbyterian church, and died in that faith.

WILLIAM MECHLING, eldest son of John MECHLING, was born in what is now Washington township, Butler county, March 5, 1798, grew up inured to the trials and hardships of pioneer life, and engaged in the usual avocations of a farmer's son. About the year 1824, he married Catherine KUHN, of Venango township, to which union were born eight children, as follows: George W., a minister of the Presbyterian church; John; Henry K.; Joseph; Sophia; Isaac; William S., who died December 1, 1892, and Lycurgus, a Presbyterian minister. Mr. MECHLING lived in Concord township from his marriage until 1852, in which year he removed to Scioto county, Ohio, where he died, July 29, 1870. His wife died in this county in 1851, a year before he removed to Ohio. They were members of the Presbyterian church, and earnest supporters of that denomination. In politics, he was originally a Whig, and afterwards a Republican, but took very little interest in public affairs.

JOHN MECHLING was born in Concord township, Butler county, April 22, 1827, and was reared upon his father's farm, receiving his education in the neighborhood subscription school. He learned the carpenter's trade, and located at West Sunbury in 1849. He worked at his trade in connection with wagon-making down to 1875, when he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business, which he still carries on. On December 23, 1852, he married Martha DUNLAP, a daughter of Thomas DUNLAP, of West Sunbury, and they are the parents of the following children: Albert; George W., and Emma S., both deceased; Chloe, wife of Howard C. PRYOR; Minnie, wife of Samuel HUNT, and Florence. Mr. MECHLING was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a trustee, class leader and Sabbath school superintendent until 1892, when he joined the United Presbyterian church. In politics, he is an ardent Prohibitionist, has filled the offices of school director, overseer of the poor, etc., and is the present burgess of West Sunbury.

GLENN FAMILY. -- In 1808 Joseph, John, James, William and Samuel GLENN, sons of James and Janet (STERLING) GLENN, natives of York county, Pennsylvania, who had removed to Westmoreland county, came from the latter county with their mother and three sisters, to Butler county, and located on lands in [p. 1045] Clay township previously purchased by their father, who died prior to effecting a settlement. Joseph married Annis MCELVAINE; John married Dorcas MCELVAINE; James married Anna CAMPBELL; William married Rebecca PORTER, and Samuel married Jane CONWAY. The sisters were Mrs. Margaret FINDLEY, Mrs. Mary COWDEN, and Mrs. PORTER. Their mother was a shrewd business woman, and to her foresight was largely due the purchase of the GLENN lands in Clay township. All of the sons and daughters reared families, and many of their descendants are living in Butler county.

JOHN GLENN came from Westmoreland county with his mother and brothers, and settled on a part of the land previously purchased by his father. He was captain of a company in the War of 1812, and filled the office of justice of the peace for many years. He married Dorcas MCELVAINE, who bore him seven children, as folllows(sic): Samuel; Annis, wife of John DAUBENSPECK; Mary E.; John C.; Sarah M., wife of D. P. KELLY; Amy, wife of A. G. CAMPBELL, and Robinson, who died in infancy. Mr. GLENN died in January, 1874, at the ripe age of eighty-two years. He was one of the well known men of pioneer days, and many of the present generation remember him.

SAMUEL GLENN was born in Clay township, upon his present farm, June 1, 1830, and is a son of John and Dorcas (MCELVAINE) GLENN, natives of Westmoreland county. He was the eldest in a family of seven children, and when eighteen years of age commenced teaching school. He taught until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers. He served in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville and Crampton Gap, and was discharged June 1, 1863. He returned home and taught school for six years, was elected county superintendent of schools in 1869, and filled that office three years. He then taught and farmed alternately, until 1883, when he gave up teaching and has since devoted his whole attention to his farm. Mr. GLENN was married March 13, 1872, to Maggie C., a daughter of John CHRISTLEY, of Slippery Rock township, to whom have been born three children: Florence E., Edwin L., and Karl D. Mrs. GLENN died October 26, 1892, aged fifty-one years. The family are members of the Presbyterian church. Politically, Mr. GLENN is a Republican and is connected with Dickson Post, G. A. R., of West Sunbury.

JAMES C. GLENN is a son of James and Anna (CAMPBELL) GLENN, and a grandson of James and Janet (STERLING) GLENN. His father inherited a part of the lands purchased by his grandfather in what is now Clay township, Butler county, and resided there until his death, in December, 1881, aged seventy-six years. His father reared a family of nine children, seven of whom are living. The subject of this sketch was born upon the homestead farm, in Clay township, December 4, 1840, and was the fifth in the family. After arriving at the age of twenty-two years, his father gave him his present farm, and he has since devoted his attention to agriculture. Mr. GLENN was married October 9, 1862, to Mary E. CHRISTIE, daughter of James CHRISTIE, of Washington township. She died October 28, 1863, and he was again married, September 21, 1865, to Amanthus CAMPBELL, a daughter of Robert CAMPBELL, of Parker township. Eight children are the fruits of this union, viz.: Adice O.; Thomas M.; Zilla D.; Mary D.; [p. 1046] Robert R.; Harvey J.; Clare C., and one that died in infancy. The family are connected with the Presbyterian church, and politically, Mr. GLENN is a Republican.

JACOB BROWN, SR., was born in Germany in 1783, and came to Pennsylvania with his parents, who settled in Westmoreland county. About 1801 he located in Clay township, Butler county, on a tract of 400 acres, his home being where Mrs. James COCHRAN now lives. He walked from Logan's Ferry to his new settlement in Butler county, carrying his provisions on his back. In the spring of 1802 he married Mary Catharine FLEEGER, being then in his nineteenth year, and the young couple took up their home in a small log cabin which he had erected on his land. Three sons and two daughters were the fruits of this union, viz.: John; Christian; Jacob; Catherine, widow of Jacob FLEEGER, and Mary E., who married Henry MILLER, all of whom are deceased except Mrs. FLEEGER. The mother died February 28, 1819. Mr. BROWN married for his second wife Elizabeth OSENBAUGH, who bore him three children, all of whom survive, as follows: Henry; Thomas, and Mary, who first married William YOUNG, and second to Joseph RINKER. Mr. BROWN's death occurred on July 3, 1837, and he and wife were buried close to his house; his son Jacob erected a monument to mark their last resting place. They were members of the Lutheran church, and died in that faith. At his death his tract of 400 acres was left to his children, and is still in possession of his descendants.

JOHN BROWN, son of Jacob and Mary Catherine BROWN, was born in 1804, in Clay township, Butler county, and grew to manhood in this county. He married Margaret MILLER, who became the mother of six children, viz.: Jacob, who died October 16, 1859; Isaiah, a resident of Centre township; John M., of Clay township; Alfred H., also a resident of Clay; Rosanna, wife of Jacob BROWN, of Clay township, and Sarah, wife of Nelson BORLAND. The parents were Presbyterians, and spent their lives in Butler county. Margaret BROWN died May 6, 1859, and John BROWN, January 25, 1888.

JOHN M. BROWN, third son of John and Margaret BROWN, was born February 23, 1837, in Clay township, Butler county, receiving his education in the public schools, and has followed farming since boyhood. Mr. BROWN was married, January 19, 1862, to Margaret MILLER, of Clay township. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and politically, Mr. BROWN is a Republican. He is the owner of 150 acres of well improved land, upon which he has recently erected one of the most substantial homes in the township. He devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, and is a well informed, progressive farmer.

CHRISTAIN BROWN was a son of Jacob BROWN, and was born in Clay township, December 10, 1809. He was reared upon his father's farm, and followed that vocation all his life. On February 25, 1836, he married Nancy GORDON, to whom were born six children, viz.: Samuel, deceased; Maria J., wife of George BROWN; Margaret, deceased; Mary M., wife of Matthew BROWN; James M., of Clay township, and Henry J., of the same subdivision. Mr. BROWN died June 30, 1854.

HENRY J. BROWN was born in Clay township, Butler county, son of Christian BROWN. When eighteen years of age he commenced to learn the carpenter's [p. 1047] trade, which he has followed more or less ever since. He owns and cultivates a farm of forty-seven acres, a portion of the old homestead. Mr. BROWN was married October 14, 1875, to Christina HOLSTEIN, a daughter of Philip HOLSTEIN, which union has been blessed with five children, as follows: Etta, deceased; Charles A.; Minnie E.; Adelia, and an infant, deceased. The family are members of the Lutheran church. In politics, Mr. BROWN is a Republican, and has filled the offices of assessor, constable, collector and school director in his township.

JACOB BROWN, JR., third son of Jacob BROWN, Sr., was born upon his father's homestead in Clay township, Butler county, April 27, 1814. He was reared a farmer, became an extensive breeder of stock, and owned five farms, which he left to his descendants. He received 175 acres of the original tract settled by his father. Mr. BROWN filled many of the township offices, and was an ardent supporter of the Whig and Republican parties. In religious belief, he as a Lutheran, and was a member of the Dutch Holland church. At his death, all children and grand children were remembered in his will. He died May 4, 1891, his wife having died some years before. Mr. BROWN was married in 1840, to Barbara BRIGHT, to which union were born the following children: Ann Maria, deceased; Margaret, who married James COCHRAN; Amelia B., wife of Miller HUTCHISON, and Tillie, wife of Amos YOUNG.

HENRY MILLER was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1805, and came to Butler county with his father at an early day, settling in Centre township. About 1833 he located in Clay township, where the remainder of his life was spent. In 1830 he married Mary Elizabeth BROWN, a daughter of Jacob BROWN, Sr. The following children were born to this union: Elizabeth, who married John M. HUTCHISON; Sarah C., who was twice married, first to R. J. HUTCHISON, and afterwards to Edward WALKER; Elmira, who married John HINDMAN, and Mary A., deceased wife of Thomas HUTCHISON.

THOMAS T. CHRISTIE was a son of Marvin and Hannah (TILLY) CHRISTIE, who came from Westmoreland county early in the century and settled near Portersville, Butler county. In 1840 the family removed to Washington township, where Mr. CHRISTIE purchased 500 acres of land, and died upon his farm in that township November 18, 1856, aged eighty years. Thomas T. grew to manhood on his father's farm, and married Catherine P. WILLIAMS, a native of Venango county. They settled in Washington township, and spent the balance of their lives in the county.

OSCAR LEVI CHRISTIE, son of Thomas T. and Catherine CHRISTIE, was born upon his father's farm in Washington township, Butler county, July 15, 1851, and commenced his business life by working the homestead farm on shares, which he continued to do for several years. He was united in marriage December 28, 1881, to Almira LOUDON, and settled on his present farm, which his wife inherited. One child has blessed this union, Samuel P. Mr. CHRISTIE and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and politically, he is a Republican.

CHARLES MCCLUNG, SR., was born March 15, 1781, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, there grew up and learned the manufacture of spinning [p. 1048] wheels, which he followed for many years. He came to Butler county in 1803, locating in Fairview township, where he continued to follow his trade. In 1854 Mr. MCCLUNG settled in Concord township, immediately west of Buena Vista, whence he removed to West Sunbury, and died in that borough, December 24, 1866. He married Jane ROBINSON, of Westmoreland county, who died in October, 1842. They were the parents of seven sons and five daughters. Their sons were as follows: William; Robert R.; John; Charles; David; Samuel, and James. Four of these are living, viz.: Samuel, a resident of Kansas; David, who resides in Iowa; James, a station agent at St. Louis, Missouri, and Charles, Jr. Mr. MCCLUNG was one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of Clay township, and is kindly remembered by its older citizens.

CHARLES MCCLUNG was born upon his father's farm, near Buena Vista, Butler county, January 9, 1816, received a common school education, and followed farming until 1865. In that year he embarked in merchandising in West Sunbury, which he followed about ten years, and then purchased the present MCCLUNG farm, in Clay township, upon which he resided until 1889. He then removed to Fairview borough, where he has since resided, enjoying the fruits of his early industry. Mr. MCCLUNG married Rosetta MCCLINTOCK, to which union were born nine children, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Henry DAUBENSPECK, of Washington township; Emeline, wife of Alonzo TIMBLIN, of Fairview; James, of Butler; Angeline; Rosetta, wife of Milton CONWAY, of Greenville; Charles H.; Hattie, wife of Howard HAMILTON, of Cleveland, Ohio; Villa, deceased, and Edward, a resident of Butler.

CHARLES H. MCCLUNG was born May 24, 1857, in Fairview township, Butler county, and was educated in the common schools and at West Sunbury Academy. Since reaching his majority he has lived on the old homestead. He was married May 18, 1881, to Hannah GUINN, a daughter of John GUINN, of Clay township. Three children have been born to this union, viz.: Frank A.; Bessie A., and Ralph G. Mr. MCCLUNG is a Republican, and both he and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church.

PATRICK MCANALLEN, a native of Ireland, immigrated to the United States in 1788, and some years afterwards purchased a tract of land in Butler county, where he reared a family of several children. Among them was James MCANALLEN, who followed farming all his life, and reared a family of thirteen children, nine of whom are living. Patrick and his son James both died in this county, leaving numerous descendents.

JOSEPH MCANALLEN, son of James MCANALLEN, was born in Butler county, and was reared upon his father's farm. He is now engaged in farming in Centre township. He married Maria YOUNG, and reared a family of thirteen children, ten of whom are living, viz.: William A.; James; Elizabeth; Cecelia; Martin; Manthus; Belle; Charles; John, and Florence. Mr. MCANALLEN and family are members of the Catholic church, to which faith his father and grandfather also adhered.

WILLIAM A. MCANALLEN, eldest in the family of Joseph and Maria (YOUNG) MCANALLEN, was born in Butler county, January 10, 1853, and grew to manhood upon his father's farm. When twenty-one years of age he purchased [p. 1049] his present farm of forty-seven acres, in Clay township, where he has since resided, engaged in farming. He married Hannah GALLAGHER, to whom was born one son, William L. The mother died, and he was again married May 15, 1878, to Viola RALSTON, by whom he has five children, as follows: May; Bertram; Clara; Virgil, and Maude. Mr. MCANALLEN and family are members of the Catholic church, and in politics, he is an ardent Democrat.

PHILIP SANDERSON was born in Butler county, April 10, 1820, son of Henry and Catherine (GIRE) SANDERSON, and grandson of Henry SANDERSON, a native of Germany, who came to the United States at an early day. His father settled in Parker township, Butler county, was a teacher and carpenter by occupation, married Catherine GIRE, a native of Ireland, and reared a family of seven children, viz.: Jacob; Catherine; Esther; Betsey; Philip; Peggy, and Henry. Jacob, Philip and Catherine are living. Henry SANDERSON died in 1887, at the remarkable age of over 100 years, being at that time the oldest person in Butler county. The subject of this sketch was reared upon the homestead in Parker township, and subsequently settled in Clay township. He married Kesiah HOCKENBERRY, to which union were born the following children: James, a resident of Butler county; Henry L., who resides at Greece City; Caldwell, a resident of Mount Chestnut; Sherman, who lives in Butler; Archie, of Clay township; Margaret, wife of Milo STONER; Emeline, wife of Erastus RIDER; Ioma, wife of Aaron RIDER; John; Josiah; Harvey, and Elizabeth, deceased wife of Amos D. HOGE. Mrs. SANDERSON died on July 14, 1891. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically, Mr. SANDERSON is a Republican.

HENRY L. SANDERSON, son of Philip and Kesiah SANDERSON, was born in Clay township, Butler county, January 16, 1842. He attended school for a few months during each year, held in a school house between one and two miles from his home, across Muddy creek bottom, being often compelled to wade through the water during the wet seasons. At the age of sixteen years he went to Butler, where he learned the carpenter's trade, afterwards following his trade at Parker during the oil excitement in that locality, saving sufficient money to purchase tools. He then returned home, was married and settled upon a part of the old homestead, erected a house, and resided there about eight years. He married Minerva MCCALL, a daughter of James and Rebecca MCCALL, a native of Butler county. Her father died while serving in the Rebellion, and her mother lives with Mrs. GRAHAM, one of her daughters. Mrs. SANDERSON is a descendant of Archibald MCCALL, one of the first settlers of Butler county. She is the mother of one child, Virdie. Their residence on the old homestead was burned to the ground, and they then purchased a farm of seventy-six acres in Concord township, cleared a portion of it and erected a home. This he sold with twenty acres of his farm, and then built his present residence. Oil was found on the place the same year he bought it, and there are now eight producing oil wells thereon and one gas well. Mr. SANDERSON devotes his principal attention to his trade. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, he is a Republican, and is connected with Millerstown Lodge, K. of P.

[p. 1050]
WILLIAM PATTERSON, a native of Ireland, came to Pennsylvania at an early date and settled in what is now Clay township, Butler county, where he was among he first settlers of that locality. He purchased the present Patterson homestead, and reared a family of three children, as follows: Susan; Nancy, and Robert.

ROBERT PATTERSON was born in Ireland, and came with his parents to America at the age of eleven years. He remained on his father's farm in Butler county until his death, May 17, 1850. He married Mary PRYOR, and reared a family of seven children, four of whom are living: Eli; Susan, wife of William MCKISSICK; Jennie, wife of Joseph GREER, and Abigail, wife of Charles RHODES.

ELI PATTERSON, was born upon the Patterson homestead, in Clay township, February 14, 1833, received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen he inherited the farm, where he has resided for the past forty-four years. In 1860 he married Rebecca A. BELL, to whom was born one daughter, Laura Izella, March 10, 1866. She married Adam LOGAN, and died February 19, 1891. Mrs. PATTERSON departed this life January 10, 1892, and her husband was again married, June 29, 1893, to Jennie EMERY. Mr. PATTERSON is an adherent of the Republican party.

WILLIAM CHRISTY, a native of Westmoreland county, came to Butler county at an early day and purchased a farm in Washington township, upon which he spent the remainder of his life. He married Nancy WILSON, and reared a family of nine children, four of whom are living, as follows: John, of Beaver county; Silas, of Cherry township; Sally, wife of Peter CROWL, and Josiah.

JOSIAH CHRISTY was born in Washington township, Butler county, April 15, 1830, and grew to manhood upon his father's farm. He was married January 8, 1857, to Livina HILLIARD, and the following year he purchased 108 acres of the old homestead, upon which he settled. He sold this in 1871 and bought his present farm of ninety-seven acres, and later another of fifty-four acres. He devotes his whole attention to agriculture, and is one of the prosperous farmers of the township. To Josiah and Lavina CHRISTY have been born fifteen children, ten of whom are living, viz.; Melinda, wife of William BARNES; Mary, wife of Jacob OHEISER; Sarah J., wife of Chris WONDERLAND; Amos; Nanny, wife of Joseph SMITH; Charles; Ida, wife Curt GROSSMAN; Thomas P.; Essie, and Elizabeth. The family are members of the Lutheran church, and in politics, Mr. CHRISTY is a Republican. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served ten months, participating in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.

SAMUEL CHRISTY, a son of Dunbar and Mary (FINDLEY) CHRISTY, was born in Clay township, Butler county, in 1821, and grew to manhood in his native township. He married Elizabeth PISOR, to whom were born six children, viz.: Anna E.; Sarah J., wife of John CHAMBERS; George C., a resident of Oil City; David D., a farmer of Cherry township; Jemima, and Samuel E. The parents were members of the Presbyterian church, and spent their lives in Butler county, dying upon the homestead in Cherry township.

SAMUEL E. CHRISTY was born in Cherry township, Butler county, March 9, 1862, and is the youngest in the family of Samuel and Elizabeth CHRISTY. He [p. 1051] received a common school education and grew to maturity upon his father's farm. When twenty-six years of age he purchased a farm of fifty-four acres in Clay township, upon which he has since resided. He was married November 17, 1887, to Myrtle HOCKENBERRY, a daughter of George HOCKENBERRY, and has two children: Edith, and Buna. Mr. CHRISTY and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and he is a stanch adherent of the Republican party.

ROBERT ALLEN was born in Clay township, Butler county, in 1809, and was a son of Stephen ALLEN, a native of Ireland, and one of the early settlers of Butler county. His father married Agnes PATTERSON, and they were the parents of twelve children. Robert was reared in this county, and followed farming down to his death, which occurred in 1888. He married Caroline RICHARDSON, daughter of Gideon RICHARDSON, and reared a family of five children, two of whom are living, viz.: John W., and Gideon R., both farmers of Clay township. The family resided in Clarion county for several years, but finally returned to Butler county, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives.

GIDEON R. ALLEN, son of Robert ALLEN, and grandson of Stephen ALLEN, the pioneer, was born in Clarion county, July 26, 1840, came to Butler county with his parents in 1852, and two years later located in Clay township. On November 17, 1861, he enlisted in Company H. Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served in the battles of Stone River, Dug Gap, and Missionary Ridge, and was with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign. He was discharged in November, 1864, and returned to his home in Butler county. Mr. ALLEN purchased his present farm of 139 acres from the STOUGHTON heirs, in 1883. He was married February 11, 1892, to Leah CHRISTLEY, and has one son, Gideon. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, he is a Republican. Mr. ALLEN has been township supervisor one term, and is one of the prosperous farmers of Clay township.

JAMES BARTLEY, a native of Ireland, was a son of William BARTLEY, who immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1803, and settled in Allegheny county. William was married in his native land to a Miss WILLIAMSON, and reared quite a large family. He followed the weaver's trade in Ireland, but on coming to this country he engaged in farming. In 1810 he purchased a tract of land in Butler county, upon which he spent the remaining years of his life. James came with his parents to Butler county, and followed agricultural pursuits until his death. He married Margaret BARTLEY, to whom were born the following children: William; John A.; Thomas; James; Robert; Joseph; Campbell; David; Dixson; Williamson; Mary A., wife of Thomas PIERCE, of Kansas, and Washington. Of these, John A.; Campbell; Dixson, and Mrs. PIERCE survive. The parents died in Butler county.

JOSEPH BARTLEY was born about 1813, in Butler county, learned the brick-maker's trade, but subsequently purchased a farm in Jefferson township, where he located. He afterwards sold this property, and bought a farm in Penn township, upon which he died in December, 1866. He married Margaret A. KIRKLAND, to whom were born the following children: Alfred C., deceased; Eliza J., wife of William B. GRAHAM; Charles W., deceased; Naaman F.; William J., and [p. 1052] Harriet S., both deceased; Emma A., wife of F. P. BRACKNEY; Mary A., deceased, and two that died in infancy.

NAAMAN F. BARTLEY, son of Joseph and Margaret A. BARTLEY, was born October 31, 1848, at Birmingham, Pennsylvania, and received his education in the common schools and at Reedsburg Academy. On February 11, 1865, he enlisted in Company E, Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was mustered out of the service September 21, of the same year. He returned to Butler county, where he taught school in the winter seasons and attended an academy during the summer. This course he pursued in 1865 and 1866. In the spring of 1867 he commenced farming on shares, and continued to teach in the winter for several years. He purchased his present homestead of seventy-five acres in Clay township, in the spring of 1872, upon which he has since resided. Although he never learned the carpenter's trade, he works at that business in connection with farming. Mr. BARTLEY was married March 5, 1868, to Emma Z., a daughter of William H. MCCANDLESS, of Franklin township. Four children are the fruits of this union, as follows: William M., a medical student; Viletta M., wife of Thomas O. KELLY, of Ohio; Oscar M., and Clifford F. The family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. BARTLEY is a Republican, has filled the offices of school director and supervisor in his township, and is a member of Dickson Post, G. A. R., of West Sunbury.

DAVID BARTLEY, seventh child of James BARTLEY, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1815. David learned the brick moulder's trade, which he followed for several years. He married Sarah WASSON, a daughter of Hugh WASSON, and purchased a tract of unimproved land in Clay township, from his father-in-law. His wife did not long survive, and he subsequently married Mary PHILLIPS, to whom were born eight children, six of whom are living. The parents died upon the homestead in Clay township.

JOHN WALKER BARTLEY, son of David and Mary (PHILLIPS) BARTLEY, was born in Clay township, Butler county, September 30, 1852, and is the third in a family of eight children. He was reared upon his father's farm and worked at farm labor until 1877, when he purchased his present homestead of fifty-nine acres. He was married November 22, 1876, to Emeline, a daughter of William PATTERSON. This union has been blessed with six children, as follows: Nancy M.; Mary E.; Lavina M.; Carrie E.; Frank P., and Roy P. The family are connected with the Presbyterian church, and Mr. BARTLEY is a Republican, in politics.

ASAPH P. CRANMER, a native of New York, came to Butler county in 1818, being then eighteen years of age. In 1823 he purchased a 400-acre tract of land, and devoted the remainder of his life to clearing and improving his property. He married Ellen FINDLEY, a native of Butler county, and died in 1869, leaving a family of nine children, six of whom are now living. Mr. CRANMER'S homestead was located in what is now Clay township, and he was a resident of this county for more than half a century.

ASAPH N. CRANMER, son of Asaph P. and Ellen (FINDLEY) CRANMER, was born in Clay township, Butler county, November 19, 1838, and was the seventh in a family of nine children. He resided with his parents until he attained the age [p. 1053] of twenty-one years, when he commenced life for himself, farming and coal mining alternately. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served nine months, when his term of service expired. He has since devoted his attention to the stonemason's trade and farming. Mr. CRANMER was married January 22, 1864, to Miss Mollie DAWSON, to which union were born nine children, as follows: Emma J., wife of Harry MCCURDY; John E.; Elmer, born February 26, 1867; James A., May 5, 1870; Maggie, July 24, 1871, died December 2, 1873; Norman, January 2, 1873; Almeda M., May 22, 1876; Onie, 1879, died in 1881; Harrison in 1881, died the same year, and Willie, June 5, 1883. Mrs. CRANMER departed this life August 4, 1890, aged fifty years. The famiiy [sic] are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically, Mr. CRANMER is a Republican.

THOMAS HINDMAN was a native of Washington township, Butler county, born in 1807, his parents being among the early settlers of that locality. He was reared in his native township, and followed distilling and farming. About 1833 he married Mary MCCLUNG, a daughter of Charles MCCLUNG, of Fairview township to which union were born eleven children, as follows: Margaret, deceased; Robert, deceased; Charles; Mary, who married Samuel COOK; Jane, deceased, who married Hugh SWORDS; Martha; Thomas; Charity, who became the wife of Chess STONER; John; George, deceased, and James. Mrs. HINDMAN died upon the homestead in Washington township, April 1, 1882; her husband died February 27, 1894.

JOHN HINDMAN was born in Marion township, Butler county, October 22, 1850, was reared upon the homestead farm, and has followed the occupation of a driller and tool dresser for twenty years, in connection with agricultural pursuits. He was married April 3, 1884, to Elmira MILLER, a daughter of Henry MILLER of Clay township, and is the father of two children, both of whom are dead. He came to Clay township in 1885, and settled on the Henry MILLER farm, where he has resided for the past nine years. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church, and in politics, he is a Democrat.

JESSE BRACKNEY, son of Jesse BRACKNEY, of Clay township, Butler county, was born on the old homestead in that township, January 10, 1815, and grew to manhood upon his father's farm. He spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits, and died on January 26, 1889. In 1836 he married Eliza MILLER, a daughter of Benjamin and Polly MILLER, of Clay township. She died in 1877, the mother of nine children, named as follows: Abagail, wife of S. K. ECKELBERGER; Elizabeth, wife of Levi WALKER; Lawson E.; Frank P.; Loyal M.; Annie, wife of Alfred THOMPSON; John W.; Walter G., and Charles. Mr. BRACKNEY and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a stanch Democrat, and was tax collector, school director, and postmaster at different periods for many years.

CAPT. SAMUEL LOUDON was born in Blair county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, and was a son of William LOUDON, a native of Pennsylvania, of German origin. At his father's death he was adopted into the family of John MONTGOMERY, who settled in Franklin township, Butler county, in 1818, purchasing a large tract of land. When Samuel was twenty-five years old he married Eliza Ann BREWSTER, a [p. 1054] native of Allegheny county, and rented a farm at White Oak Springs, which he cultivated for three years. In 1836 Mr. MONTGOMERY gave him a farm in Clay township, and he at once located upon it. Here his wife died, October 8, 1862, and himself, May 18, 1880. Captain LOUDON commanded Company C, Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve, and was discharged in October, 1863, because of disability. To Samuel and Eliza Ann LOUDON were born the following children: Mary Jane; Rachel; Rebecca; John M.; Catherine; Matilda, and Almira, wife of O. L. CHRISTIE. Of these John M., Matilda, and Almira are living.

JOHN MONTGOMERY LOUDON, was born in Clay township, Butler county, April 19, 1842, and was the only son of Samuel and Eliza A. LOUDON. He was reared upon his father's farm, and remained with his father working the farm, as an equal partner, until the death of the latter, when he inherited a portion of the property upon which he now resides. He was married November 20, 1873, to Hannah M. CAMPBELL, of Concord township, to whom have been born eight children, viz.: Sarah C.; Samuel; George C.; Lyda J.; Bertha M.; Edna F.; Rose C., and Myra G. Mr. LOUDON and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and he is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party.

ROBERT C. THOMPSON, youngest in the family of Robert W. and Frances THOMPSON, was born upon the homestead farm, in Brady township, July 20, 1857, was educated in the common schools, and at West Sunbury Academy and Grove City College. At the age of twenty-four he commenced farming a portion of the homestead, and also taught school for three winters. In 1887 he traded his farm in Brady township for 135 acres in Clay township, upon which he has since lived. Mr. THOMPSON was married March 31, 1881, to Harriet MCJUNKIN, a daughter of John R. MCJUNKIN, of Clay township. Eight children are the fruits of this union, viz.: Harold L.; Ralph M.; Elmer G.; Francis M.; Robert F.; George H.; Eva E., and Ruth. Mr. THOMPSON and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Politically, he is an independent voter, and has filled the office of school director for one term.

JAMES W. GIBSON, was born upon his present homestead in Clay township, Butler county, March 4, 1844, and is a son of William and Mary (SHANNON) GIBSON, natives of Pennsylvania, of English and Irish ancestry, respectively. William GIBSON was the only son of James GIBSON, (who was killed by the Indians near Cincinnati, Ohio), and came to Butler county in 1797. He was a tanner and farmer, which occupations he followed until his death. The subject of this sketch resided with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, and then began working as a coffin finisher, which business he followed for six years. He removed to his present homestead at this time, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. GIBSON was married September 27, 1866, to Catherine A. Shannon, and has one son, John D., a resident of Pittsburg. Mrs. GIBSON departed this life, December 21, 1889. He was again married May 12, 1891, to Maggie L. MILLER, and one daughter has blessed this union, Mary P. In August, 1864, Mr. GIBSON enlisted in Company B, Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, and served in that battery until the close of the war. He is a Republican, in politics, and both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

[p. 1055]
THOMAS TEBAY was the eldest son of William TEBAY, a native of England, who came to Butler county in 1822, and purchased a tract of land in Muddy Creek township. He died at the residence of his son, William, in Mercer county, in 1836, aged seventy-five years. Thomas did not come to this country until 1840. He purchased the present Tebay farm in Clay township in 1848. He was married in England to Mary GIBSON, and reared a family of four children, two of whom survive: William, and Jane, who married Mr. WIGTON. Mr. TEBAY died in 1881, at the advanced age of ninety-three years.

WILLIAM TEBAY, eldest living child of Thomas and Mary (GIBSON) TEBAY, was born January 8, 1814, in England, attended the common schools of his native land, and came with his parents to the United States in 1840. He continued to work on the homestead farm until his father's death, then inherited on-half of the same, to which he has since added twenty-five acres, purchased from an adjoining farm. In 1858 he married Miss B. Ann WILSON, a daughter of Charles WILSON, and they are the parents of the following children: John W.; Mary A., wife of John WRIGHT; Martha E.; Tillie B, and Maggie J. Mr. TEBAY and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and he is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party.

RUDOLPH BARTMASS was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1814, and was a son of Rudolph BARTMASS, a native of Germany, and an early settler of Butler county. The subject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm, and followed agriculture all his life. He married Jane MCNAIR, and of a family of ten children born to this union, seven survive, as follows: Mary, wife of William CHRISTLEY; Elvira, wife of Samuel DANIELS; John, a resident of Illinois; Ellen, wife of William MARTIN; Anna, wife of William MILLER; Ida, wife of John COYLE, and William R. Mr. BARTMASS died upon his farm in Clay township, May 23, 1889.

WILLIAM R. BARTMASS was born on the homestead farm, in Clay township, Butler county, January 15, 1863, received a common school education, and when twenty-seven years old took charge of the homestead. On September 7, 1892, he married Leonora, a daughter of E. D. and Mary EAGAL, of Centre township, and has one son, Ralph. The family are connected with the Presbyterian church, and politically, Mr. BARTMASS is a Republican.

EBENEZER C. ADAMS was born in Clay township, Butler county, August 24, 1831, son of John and Annabel (WASSON) ADAMS, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania, respectively. His father located in Butler county in 1800, and reared a family of twenty children, our subject being the eighteenth in order of birth. John Adams died in 1838, aged seventy-three years. Ebenezer C. learned the carpenter's trade in early manhood, and has followed it more or less all his life. He conducted a hotel at West Sunbury for a time, and in 1889 purchased his present farm of twenty acres, where he makes a specialty of growing small fruits. Mr. ADAMS was married October 15, 1856, to Ann SMITH, who became the mother of five children, two of whom are living: John S., and Sarah N., wife of J. P. CAMPBELL. Mrs. ADAMS died September 15, 1881, and he was again married June 29, 1882, to Margaret EKIN. Mr. ADAMS and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is a Republican.

[p. 1056]
JAMES WEBB was a son of John WEBB, who came to this country about the year 1754, as an officer in the British army, bringing with him his wife and two children and settling at Philadelphia. John WEBB was killed in Quebec in 1759, and after his death his wife went to friends in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where she was killed by the Indians, and her son James, then a boy of eleven years of age, was taken prisoner by the savages and lived with them until he was eighteen, when he succeeded in making his escape and returned to Franklin county. Here he married, and during the Revolution, removed with his family, consisting of his wife, whose maiden name was BROWN, and three sons, John, Edward and James Mitchell, to Allegheny county, where the remaining years of his life were spent. Edward WEBB was born in Franklin county and grew to maturity in Allegheny county, married Ruhama MINSON, and had a family of five children, as follows: John; Druscilla; Andrew; Newton, and Esther. He removed with his family to Butler county in 1836.

JOHN WEBB, son of Edward and Ruhama WEBB, had arrived at manhood before his parents located in Butler county. He first owned a property near West Sunbury, which he traded for the present WEBB farm. He married Prudence SNYDER, to which union were born ten children, six of whom survive, as follows: Catherine, wife of George MORROW; William M.; John M., who served through the Rebellion in Company E, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers; Martin L.; Mary J., wife of Uriah RALSTON, and Edward C. Mr. WEBB died in 1890, aged seventy-six years.

WILLIAM M. WEBB, eldest son of John and Prudence WEBB, was born in Clay township, April 12, 1840. At the age of twenty-six years his father gave him seventy-five acres of land, and since that time he has followed the vocation of a farmer. He was married February 15, 1876, to Sarah E. WICK, a daughter of William S. WICK, and has a family of six children, viz.: Florence J.; Myra B.; John; Mary P.; Lulu M., and Ora C. Mr. WEBB is an elder in the Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is a Republican.

JOHN YOUNG was a native of Pennsylvania, and a son of Peter YOUNG, a native of Ireland. His father immigrated to Allegheny county in 1790, and later removed to Beaver county, where the balance of his life was spent. He married a Miss ALGEO, and reared a family of seven children, all of whom are dead. Their names are Nancy; Martha; Rebecca; John; William; Algeo, and Robert. John was the eldest son, and came to Clay township, Butler county, about 1830, where he purchased a farm and followed agricultural pursuits down to his death. In 1813 he married Elizabeth ADAMS, a daughter of John ADAMS of this county, and reared a family of seven children, only two of whom are living: Nancy, and Robert H. The parents died in this county.

ROBERT H. YOUNG, youngest child of John and Elizabeth YOUNG, received a good education and followed teaching for twenty years. He purchased his present homestead in 1866, adding ten acres to it in 1890. In 1859 he married Mary E. STEWART, a daughter of Thomas STEWART, of Concord township, to which union were born eight children, all of whom are living, viz.: Jennie, wife of I. N. MAXWELL; James R.; William E.; John M.; Theodore; Melvin; Breaden, and Edwin J. Mrs. YOUNG died in 1874, aged thirty-four years. He married [p. 1057] for his second wife Mrs. Amanda MCFARLAND nee BRYSON, a daughter of William C. and Sarah J. (WHITE) BRYSON, of Whitestown. The family are members of the United Presbyterian church. In 1864 he enlisted in the Sixth Heavy Artillery, leaving his wife and three children, the youngest six months old, without any support but the local bounty received from Forward township. He served until June, 1865, when the regiment was discharged. Mr. YOUNG is a Republican, was elected superintendent of the public schools in 1872, filled that office three years, and has also been school director for one term, and township auditor since 1881. He makes a specialty of small fruit growing, and is one of the most intelligent and progressive citizens of the community.

RICHARD BAKER was born in Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1795, and was the first white child born in that township. His father, Robert BAKER, was a native of Ireland, and one of the pioneers of Beaver county. He married Miss Rachel WILLIAMS, and reared a family of six sons, as follows: Richard; William; Samuel; Enoch; John, and George. Robert BAKER and wife spent the remaining years of their lives in Beaver county. The subject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm, and learned the cooper's trade, which he followed until he had saved sufficient money to purchase 150 acres of land in his native township, upon which he located and engaged in farming. He married Catherine THOMPSON, a daughter of James THOMPSON, to whom were born twenty children, four of whom died in infancy. The names of the others are as follows: James, who died at Andersonville, in the Rebellion; William, of Beaver county; Saphronia; Sidney, wife of William BEATTY, of Beaver county; Lorenzo, who was wounded at the battle of Vicksburg, from the effects of which he died; John, a resident of Iowa; Robert, who was also killed in the Rebellion; George K., of Clay township; Thompson, a resident of Nebraska; Sarah, wife of Benjamin James; Mary A., who married Fred STRAHLEY; Nancy J., who married Talbert SWALTERS; Matilda, wife of Walter CRAIG; Rachel, wife of George MINNER; Richard, of Nebraska, and Catherine, wife of Robert MILLS. Mr. BAKER died in December, 1882, aged eight-three years.

GEORGE K. BAKER was born in Beaver county, December 7, 1837, grew to maturity in that county, and at the age of twenty-two years rented a farm in Centre township, Butler county, where he lived six years. He then purchased a farm of eighty acres in Clay township, upon which he has since resided. Mr. Baker was married September 20, 1860, to Martha F. RUSSELL, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (MCCANDLESS) RUSSELL, of Centre township. She was born July 9, 1834, and is the third in a family of five children. Four children were to this union, as follows: Thompson M., born April 24, 1862; Elizabeth R., widow of W. L. STOOPS, who has two children, Henry C., and Francis J.; Mary C., wife of O. D. PISOR, and William R., who is station agent at Harrisville. Mr. BAKER enlisted in Company I, Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, March 28, 1865, and was mustered out of the service July 20, of the same year. Politically, he is a Democrat, and the family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church.

ALFRED MILLER, son of Robert and Hannah (VARNUM) MILLER, natives of Butler county, of German origin, was born in this county, March 5, 1848. He [p. 1058] commenced working in boyhood for his uncle, Enoch VARNUM, and worked on his farm for several years, and then went into the oil fields and continued in that business until February 18, 1864. On that date he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war, being discharged in June, 1865. He was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, also at Cedar Creek. On his return from the army he purchased his present farm, and is engaged in farming, fruit growing and trucking. Mr. MILLER was married September 14, 1869, to Olive SUTTON, a daughter of Jesse and Mary J. SUTTON, to whom were born four children, as follows: Carrie J.; Chloe B.; Laura J., and Eve E. Mrs. MILLER died April 22, 1893, aged thirty-eight years. The family are members of the Methodist church, and in politics, Mr. MILLER is an independent voter.

JOHN DAY was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1824, and is a son of John and Sarah DAY, natives of the same county. His father was a blacksmith, and reared a family of twelve children, eight of whom are living, viz.: Elizabeth, wife of Jacob WOMER; John; Ann, wife of Robert ADAMS; Anthony; Sarah, wife of Levi WHITMORE; Catherine, wife of Daniel HECKMAN; George, and Priscilla, wife of James OGDEN. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of his native county, and when eighteen years of age commenced life for himself as a wood-chopper in winter and a charcoal burner in the summer season. These occupations he followed for seven years, and then worked on a farm for three years. At this time he purchased a farm in Washington township, Butler county, upon which he lived until 1867, then sold it, and bought his present farm of 131 acres, in Clay township, which he has ever since made his home. Mr. DAY was married February 18, 1847, to Miss Mary A. ARNER, to which union were born sixteen children, eleven of whom are living, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of W. T. REDDICK; Christina, wife of Philip B. PORTER; Mary A., wife of Andrew MCMURRAY; David, a resident of Harmony; J. C. F., a farmer of Clay township, born February 22, 1858, married Mary L. WHITMIRE, and has four children: Stella A., Samuel A., Bessie M., and Ila R.; Margaret R., wife of Levi CONN; Samuel A., a resident of West Virginia; Emma N., wife John HUGGINS; W. P. L., a teacher; Ida E., wife of James R. PRINGLE, and Peter R., who resides with his father. The family are connected with the Presbyterian church, and in politics, Mr. DAY is a Republican. He enlisted September 3, 1864, in Company K, Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, and served until mustered out of the service June 13, 1865.

MILLER HUTCHISON was born in Oakland township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1855, son of Robert And Sarah (MILLER) HUTCHISON, natives of this county. Robert HUTCHISON was a farmer, and a son of Fergus HUTCHISON, one of the pioneers of Butler county. He died October 30, 1866. The subject of this sketch is the only one living of a family of six children. At the age of nineteen years he engaged as a farm hand, and continued the same for some two years. He was married November 22, 1876, to Amelia B., a daughter of Jacob BROWN, and then located on his present farm, which Mr. BROWN had given to his daughter. It consists of ninety-three acres in Clay township, and seventy-five in Centre township. Mr. HUTCHISON makes a specialty of stock growing, [p. 1059] and is quite a successful farmer. He is the father of five children, as follows: Jacob B.; Myrtle C.; Warren E.; Barbara, deceased, and Margaret L. Mr. HUTCHISON and wife are members of the Lutheran church, and he is an adherent of the Republican party.

SEBASTIAN MERSHIMER was born in Germany, in 1758, came to America in youth, and served in the Continental army throughout the Revolution. He afterwards located at Reading, Pennsylvania, where he worked at the wagon-maker's trade, and later removed his family to what is now Lawrence county, where he died in 1845, aged eight-seven years. He married Catherine WRIGHTMEYER, and reared a family of five children, viz.: Adam; Frances, who married John SMITH; Peter; Henry, and Catherine, who married Charles CAMPBELL.

ADAM MERSHIMER was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1791, and removed with his parents to Lawrence county, where he engaged in farming. He married Catherine STICKLE, and reared a family of eight children, as follows: Peter, of Lawrence county; Sebastian, of the same county; Elizabeth, wife of Amos MESIMER; Susan, deceased wife of Thomas HANNA; Samuel S.; Catherine, wife of Stewart BOYD; Henry R., and Eve, deceased. Mr. MERSHIMER died March 15, 1865, aged seventy-four years.

SAMUEL S. MERSHIMER was born in Lawrence county, in 1829, son of Adam MERSHIMER, received a common school education, and commenced to learn the carpenter's trade when he was nineteen years of age, which business he followed in Lawrence county for twenty-five years. He then removed to Butler county and purchased his present homestead of seventy-five acres in Clay township, where he has since been engaged in farming, making a specialty of small fruits. Mr. MERSHIMER was married January 14, 1858, to Margaret MORROW, who is the mother of eight children, as follows: Clara A., deceased; James M.; George M.; Charles W.; William C.; Margaret A.; Eldora M., and Clarence D. The family are connected with the Presbyterian church, and politically, Mr. MERSHIMER is a stanch Democrat.

ZELMAN R. MERSHIMER was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1850, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (RICHEY) MERSHIMER, of that county, and a grandson of Adam MERSHIMER. His father is a resident of Lawrence county, and reared a family of five children as follows: Alsetha, wife of Milton FREW; Zelman R.; Henry R.; George B., and Adam E. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and was reared upon his father's farm. He afterwards worked for his father for five years, then settled upon a rented farm, which he carried on for two years. In 1881 he purchased his present homestead of 100 acres in Clay township, Butler county, located upon it and is now one of the successful farmers of the community. Mr. MERSHIMER was married in March, 1870, to Amanda M. WRIGHT, a daughter of John C. WRIGHT, of Beaver county. Eight children are the fruits of this union, five of whom are living: Lemira I.; Audley R.; Elizabeth M.; Peter V., and Leland H. The family are connected with the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, Mr. MERSHIMER is an ardent Democrat.

JOHN BOOZEL was born in Mercer county (now Lawrence), Pennsylvania, March 8, 1831, son of William and Betsey (WIMER) BOOZEL, natives of Pennsyl-[p. 1060] vania, and of German origin. William BOOZEL was a son of Thomas BOOZEL, and followed farming all his life. The subject of this sketch commenced business life at the age of twenty-one, as a farm hand, and worked on a farm until July, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He participated in the battles of Second Bull Run and Chancellorsville, and was honorably discharged in April, 1863. He was united in marriage with Nancy MCCONNELL, July 3, 1856, and out of a family of thirteen children born to this union, eleven are living, viz.: Austin W., who married Nettie SNYDER; William R., who married Alice LOW; Laura Ella, wife of Frank GIBSON; S. Maggie, wife of Ford CHRISTLEY; John H.; Bettie, wife of George BONNIE; Walter E.; Joseph W.; J. Homer; Elmer S., and Nelson B. In 1881 Mr. BOOZEL purchased his present homestead in Clay township, consisting of 127 acres, where he has since been engaged in farming. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he is a stanch Republican.

GEORGE W. RENICK was born in Slippery Rock township, Butler county, February 22, 1860, son of William D. and Caroline (SNYDER) RENICK. William D. RENICK is a blacksmith in Slippery Rock township. He reared a family of eight children, as follows: Jacob G.; Daniel A.; Louisa, deceased; George W.; Margaret A., wife of Melvin HALL; Adam H.; William F., and Charles E. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and resided at home until he was twenty-nine years of age. He was married April 4, 1889, to Myrtle SAGER, and has two children: Nellie C., and Evalena May. Mrs. RENICK is a daughter of Benjamin SAGER, of Slippery Rock township, and a member of the Presbyterian church. After his marriage Mr. RENICK located on a farm of 165 acres in Clay township, where he has since resided. Politically, he is a Democrat, and in religion, is an adherent of the Lutheran church.

AMOS YOUNG is a native of Butler county, born May 25, 1855, and a son of William and Mary (BROWN) YOUNG, natives of Butler county. His father was a miller by occupation, and reared a family of nine children, six of whom are living. Amos was the third in the family. When he was a child his father died, and he was taken into the family of his grandfather, Simon YOUNG, but the latter died soon afterwards, and our subject then went to live with an uncle, whose name was also Simon YOUNG. Here he resided until the age of fifteen years, working on the farm and attending school at intervals. At the age of fifteen he commenced to learn the stonemason's trade, and remained at that business for four years, and then engaged as a farm hand to Jacob BROWN, whose daughter he subsequently married. Mr. BROWN died May 4, 1891, aged seventy-seven years. Mr. YOUNG was united in marriage to Tillie C., daughter of Jacob and Barbara BROWN, November 3, 1891. He resides on a farm, formerly owned by his father-in-law, consisting of eighty-five acres, to which he has added forty-one acres. He also owns sixty-four acres in Centre township. Mr. YOUNG is a general farmer, and devotes considerable attention to the breeding of Shorthorn Durham cattle. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church, and in politics, he is a stanch adherent of the Republican party.

REV. WILLAM P. BREADEN was born in Raccoon township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1814, and was reared upon his father's farm. He received his [p. 1061] primary education in a pioneer subscription school, then entered Franklin college, New Athens, Ohio, and afterwards Allegheny Theological Seminary. He was licensed to preach by Lake Presbytery of the Associate Reformed church, in 1838, and was ordained May 11, 1843, as pastor of the Portersville and Evansburg congregations, in Butler county. He was subsequently pastor of the Fairview and West Sunbury congregations, from 1849 to 1862, when the connection between the two churches was dissolved. Mr. BREADEN continued in charge of the West Sunbury church until his death, May 13, 1880. He married Miss Charlotte KLINE, a daughter of Charles KLINE, of Mercer county, about 1842, which union was blessed with five children, as follows: Mary C., who married Rev. E. N. MCELREE, D.D., of Freeport; John C.; William J.; John H., and Tillie C., wife of Perry CONWAY, of West Sunbury. Mr. BREADEN preached the gospel in Butler county for more than forty years, and was one of the most widely known ministers in western Pennsylvania.

REV. JOHN H. BREADEN, son of Rev. William P. BREADEN, was born at West Sunbury, Butler county, Pennsylvania, January 23, 1851. He received his primary education in the public schools, then took an academic course at West Sunbury Academy, and entered Westminster College, New Wilmington, in 1870, where he was graduated in 1874. He entered the Theological Seminary, Allegheny, in the autumn of the latter year, where he took a full theological course, was licensed to preach in April, 1877, and was ordained June 11, 1878. He received a call from Oakland congregation, located near Anderson, Hancock county, West Virginia, accepted it, and remained in charge of that church until he accepted a call from Mt. Pleasant church, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, with which he remained for seven years, and was next called to take charge of the congregation at West Sunbury, over which his father was pastor for thirty-five years. Since 1887 he has been pastor of the West Sunbury church, and under his careful and judicious ministry the congregation has prospered in every way. Mr. BREADEN was married August 19, 1879, to Mary A. CRAWFORD, a daughter of W. L. CRAWFORD, of Hancock county, West Virginia, and has three children, viz.; William L. C.; Bessie H., and Charlotte K. Mr. BREADEN is an ardent Prohibitionist, and gives his earnest support to all measures which he believes are for the moral and material benefit of the community.

HORACE DECKER, son of Isaac and Abagail (ARNOLD) DECKER, was born in Orange county, New York, November 25, 1821, and followed the vocation of a farmer throughout his life. His parents were Presbyterians, and reared their son in that faith. In 1845, he married Margaret SMITH, a daughter of Luke SMITH, of Fox Hill, now Fairmount, Morris county, New Jersey, where his parents had purchased and settled on a farm, and the following year the young couple removed to Marksborough, Warren county, and in 1848 to Sussex county, the same state. With the exception of six years spent in Middlesex county, the remaining years of his life were spent in Sussex county, where he died on his farm at Freedon, February 18, 1878. His wife survived him until March 12, 1893. They were the parents of the following children: Isaac D.; Alva D.; Eliza A.; John S.; Abagail E., who married Samuel WILSON, of Scranton, Pennsylvania; Oscar, deceased, and Irving W. [p. 1062] REV. ISAAC DAVISON DECKER, eldest son of Horace and Margaret DECKER, was born at Fairmount, Morris county, New Jersey, April 19, 1846. After receiving a good common school education, he attended Blair Presbyterial Academy, at Blairstown, New Jersey, from 1863 to 1865, after which he taught several terms in the public schools of Sussex and Warren counties. He matriculated at Princeton College, in 1868, where, in his junior year, he was made an editor of the college magazine, and as a senior elected class poet, also securing the English Literature prize at graduation, in 1872. He then entered Princeton Theological Seminary, where he was graduated in 1875. In 1874, having in previous vacations taught in academies and high schools of Maryland and New Jersey, he began to preach as a licentiate at Rockland, Canada, and after graduating he assisted Dr. PHRANER, as local missionary, at Sing Sing, New York. At that time a classmate, Rev. T. S. NEGLEY, having begun the organization of a church at Fairview, Butler county, and finding it necessary to return to finish his education, requested Mr. DECKER to take up his unfinished work. The latter was licensed by Newton Presbytery, October 6, 1875, and began the work at Fairview and Karns City one month later. He was ordained and installed at Fairview, November 1, 1876. Before the close of that year about seventy-five members had been gathered, and a neat church built at each of the two points. On the evening of January 28, 1877, occurred the memorable gas explosion in the home of Mr. PATTON, with whom Mr. DECKER was boarding. Mrs. PATTON received injuries from which she died, while her husband and Mr. DECKER were very seriously burned, but by careful nursing both recovered. In May, 1878, he was married to Miss Kate M., a daughter of Elias GOBLE, of Freedon, New Jersey. She at once entered upon the work with her husband, soon becoming greatly endeared to the people on the charge, and highly esteemed in church and missionary circles throughout the Presbytery. In November, 1878, in addition to Fairview and Karns City, Mr. DECKER began to supply the organization at Petrolia, where a small church was erected a few years later. In May, 1883, he took in addition the supply of a church at Martinsburg, and thus had four congregations under his charge. He continued in the work there until October, 1888, when, having received a call from Harmony church, in Newton Presbytery, New Jersey, he left his congenial charge with deep and mutual regret, removed to that place, and took up the work there which he continued nearly five years. While in charge of Harmony church he met with a heavy affliction in the death of his wife, April 8, 1892. This, followed by his mother's death the following March, led him to consider an urgent call from the West Sunbury congregation, in his old Presbytery. He finally decided to return, and did so in July, 1893, taking in addition to this charge the supplying of the North Butler church, and the vice principalship of West Sunbury Academy. Mr. DECKER is one of the most popular ministers in Butler county, and during his labors in this field he has shown commendable zeal in building up the church and spreading the gospel. During his ministry of thirteen years in the oil country it was his privilege to see two churches organized, three houses of worship built, and over four hundred persons received into membership.

[p. 1063]
ROBERT HOCKENBERRY was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, about 1795, received his education in a pioneer subscription school and was reared a farmer. In 1815 he married Mary TIPPER, of Juniata county, to which union were born the following children: Margaret; Rebecca, who married George RALSTON; John; William; Benjamin; Joseph; George, and Eliza, who married William CRANMER. The family came to Butler county and located in what was known as the Jack settlement, in Worth township, whence they removed to Cherry township, where Mr. HOCKENBERRY died in 1848. His widow survived him until the winter of 1891-92, and died at the advanced age of ninety-three years.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY was born in Worth township, Butler county, in 1827, and was the eldest son of Robert and Mary HOCKENBERRY. He grew up upon his father's farm, and learned the wagon-maker's trade with Samuel CURRAN, of Centreville, and worked as a journeyman for five years, and then opened a shop for himself. In 1849 he married Mary J. CHRISTLEY, a daughter of John CHRISTLEY, of Slippery Rock township, and went into partnership with his brother-in-law, Edwin CHRISTLEY, and continued to carry on wagon-making at Centreville until 1867. In that year he purchased a farm in Cherry township, containing 130 acres, known as the Robert MCCANDLESS farm, upon which he died in June, 1871. His widow resides in Centreville. They were the parents of three children, as follows: Harvey D.; Bertram L., and Isadore L., who married Alfred CHRISTY, of Centreville. Mr. HOCKENBERRY was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and filled the office of steward in that denomination. Politically, he was a Democrat, and held the office of school director and other minor positions in his township at different periods.

HARVEY D. HOCKENBERRY, physician and surgeon, was born at Centreville, Butler county, October 17, 1850. He received his primary education in the public schools, and afterwards took an academic course at the West Sunbury Academy. He commenced teaching at the age of sixteen years, and taught in the public schools for ten years. In the meantime he decided to enter the medical profession, and attended lectures at the Medical Department of Wooster University, Cleveland, Ohio, and afterwards took a post graduate course at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. In the spring of 1879 he located in practice at West Sunbury, and for the past fifteen years he has continued in the active duties of his profession. Dr. HOCKENBERRY was married in April, 1872, to Miss Mary A. SMITH, a daughter of James SMITH, of Cherry township, to which union have been born the following children: John B., and James A., both deceased; Ella S.; Carl M., deceased; Zoe D.; June A., deceased; Bernice; M. S. Quay, deceased, and Hazel. Dr. HOCKENBERRY was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was a class leader, trustee and Sabbath school superintendent down to 1890, when the celebrated Pollard dissension took place in the church, and he with the majority of the congregation withdrew. He has since been an attendant of the Presbyterian church, of West Sunbury. Dr. HOCKENBERRY is a member of the Butler County Medical Society, of which he was president in 1893, and is also a member of the State Medical Society. Since locating at West Sunbury he has built up an extensive practice, and is one of [p. 1064] the well known physicians of the county. He has always been a stanch Republican, has represented his section as a delegate to the county conventions, and has taken a prominent part in political affairs.

SAMUEL DUFFORD was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1812, was reared in his native county, and there learned the gunsmith's trade. When twenty years of age he came to Butler county, and located in what is now Connoquenessing township where he worked at his trade for many years. In July, 1835 he married Margaret WAGNER, a daughter of Michael WAGNER, and they became the parents of the following children: Frederick; William; Susan, who married William DUFFORD; Anna M., who was twice married, first to Louis HEIST, and afterwards to George FREDERICK; George Lewis; Emeline, deceased, and Maria, who married Abraham FLOWERS. Mr. DUFFORD and wife were members of the Reformed church, in which he held the office of elder. Politically, he was a Democrat, and as school director took a deep interest in the progress of education. He died on May 19, 1881; his widow died September 6, 1892.

GEORGE LEWIS DUFFORD was born in Connoquenessing township, Butler county, January 18, 1845, and is the youngest son of Samuel and Margaret DUFFORD. He learned the blacksmith's trade at Butler, where he carried on business for five years, then removed to West Sunbury, afterwards purchased a property in that borough, and is now engaged in the blacksmithing business. In 1869 he married Susan HENSHEW, a daughter of Eli HENSHEW, of Connoquenessing township, and has two children: Albert, and Carrie E. Mr. DUFFORD is a member of the Reformed church, and in politics, he is a Democrat. He is now a member of the borough council of West Sunbury.

JOHN PRYOR was born in eastern Pennsylvanian [sic], January 2, 1797, and came with his parents to Butler county in 1803. They settled in Clay township, where the balance of their lives was spent. John was reared in this township, and attended a pioneer subscription school, where he obtained a meager education. About 1817 he married Eleanor MEANS, of Muddy Creek township, and they became the parents of eight children: Eleanor, who married John BELL; John, and Thomas, both deceased; Margaret, who married John G. CHRISTIE; James; William, who died in Libby prison during the Rebellion; Samuel, deceased, and one that died in early youth. Mr. PRYOR and wife were members of the United Presbyterian church, in which denomination he held the office of trustee. In politics, he was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican, and filled nearly all of the township offices at different periods. His wife died in 1873; he survived her until December 7, 1887.

JAMES PRYOR, only living son of John and Eleanor (MEANS) PRYOR, was born in what is now Clay township, Butler county, April 19, 1828. He received a common school education, and followed farming down to 1876, when he embarked in merchandising at St. Joe, but removed to West Sunbury the following year. He carried on a general store in that borough until 1886, then sold out and established a hardware store, which he has since conducted successfully. Mr. PRYOR was married July 14, 1853, to Martha J. CHRISTIE, a daughter of John CHRISTIE, of Concord township, and has two children: Mylard B., and Howard C. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, of West Sunbury, has filled all of the offices in that body, and is now an elder. In politics, he is an ardent Republican, has been justice of the peace for nine years, and has held all the other township offices excepting supervisor. He has been one of the active and enterprising citizens of the community for many years.

GEORGE WOLFORD was born in Cherry township, Butler county, November 3, 1852, son of Jacob and Lavina WOLFORD, and is a miller and farmer by occupation. On November 8, 1873, he married Etta STEWART, a daughter of David STEWART, of Cherry township. They are the parents of four children, as follows: Homer; Nannie; Bessie, deceased, and Charles B. In 1887 Mr. WOLFORD bought an interest in the Campbell Brothers flouring mill, at West Sunbury, and the firm then became Campbell & Wolford, which was changed in 1889 to J. C. Breaden & Company, but is at present as the West Sunbury Milling Company, of which Mr. WOLFORD has charge. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and is an earnest contributor to that organization. In politics, he is a Republican, and has been a delegate to county conventions at different times.

JAMES TURNER was born in Ireland about 1771, immigrated to America about 1792, and a few years later he came to Butler county and purchased 200 acres of land on Bear creek, in what is now Parker township. He married a Miss WOODS, of Butler county, who became the mother of four children, as follows: Samuel; Rebecca, who married John SMITH; Mrs. William MAPIN, and William. Mr. TURNER died upon his farm in 1856; his wife had died several years previous. They were members of the Seceder church, and in politics, he was a Whig. Mr. TURNER was one of the first settlers of Parker township, and many of his descendants are residents of Butler county.

WILLIAM R. TURNER, youngest child of James TURNER, was born in Parker township, Butler county, in 1810, attended a subscription school during the winter season, and was reared surrounded by the usual scenes of pioneer life. In 1825 he married Elizabeth CAMPBELL, a daughter of Andrew Campbell, of Fairview township. They were the parents of the following children: Andrew L.; James W.; Isabella, who married James KELLY; John C.; Samuel C.; Nancy J., who married William KELLY; William P.; George B.; Hamilton R., and Rebecca, who married Abraham MILLINGER. Mr. TURNER was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he was a Whig. He died in 1854, his widow resides in this county.

GEORGE B. TURNER, son of William R. and Elizabeth TURNER, was born in Parker township, Butler county, April 23, 1846. He grew to manhood in his native township, and was married in April, 1863, to Sarah W. GIBSON, a daughter of Harvey GIBSON, of Parker township, to which union have been born four children, as follows: William H.; John F.; Clarence B., and Clara E. The family are connected with the Presbyterian church, in which Mr. TURNER fills the office of trustee. Politically, he is a Republican, and has held every office in his township from justice of the peace to auditor. In April, 1873, he purchased the Richard ALLEN farm, in Concord township, consisting of 115 acres, upon which he resided until June, 1893. At that time he removed to West Sunbury, pur-[p. 1066] chased the George MECHLING property, and is now carrying on a meat market in that borough. He is still the owner of his farm in Concord township, and is one of the prosperous business men of the community.

JOHN F. TURNER, second son of George B. and Sarah W. TURNER, was born in October, 1867, received a common school education, and then attended West Sunbury Academy. He taught school for six years, and attended lectures at Baltimore Medical College, where he graduated in the spring of 1893. He was then appointed by the government hospital physician and stationed in Nevada, where he now is located. He married Emma, a daughter of Edward GRAHAM, of West Sunbury, September 21, 1893. She died in Nevada, March 17, 1894, and her body was brought home by her husband, --the journey consuming nine days,-- and was interred in the West Sunbury Presbyterian cemetery.

DAVID MCJUNKIN was born in Donegal county, Ireland, in 1778, and was a son of William MCJUNKIN, a native of the same place. Towards the close of the Revolution his father emigrated to the United States, and settled in Plum township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. His family consisted of three sons and six daughters. The sons were William, James, and David. James removed to Ohio in 1849, and there died. In 1796 David and William came to Butler county, and each took up 400 acres of land in what is now Centre township, but William afterward returned to Allegheny county, leaving his brother as the only representative of the family in Butler county. David resided upon that land until 1830, when he purchased the property of Dr. John THOMPSON, in Slippery Rock township, consisting of a saw and grist mill, and an iron furnace and forge, a foundry and carding mill, and 1,300 acres of land. He operated this property up to his death, in April, 1844. Mr. MCJUNKIN was a soldier in the War of 1812, and is one of the well remembered pioneers of the county. Prior to purchasing the Thompson property he built an extensive tannery in Centre township, which ultimately became the property of his son William. He married Elizabeth, a daughter of Aaron MOORE, of which union were born the following children: William, born in 1800, died in infancy; Susannah, born December 4, 1802, deceased wife of David MCCANDLESS; William, born February 26, 1805, who died upon the homestead in Centre township; Alexander M., born in March, 1807, a Presbyterian minister, who died at Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1852; Josiah, born February 25, 1811, a miller in Mercer county; Sarah A., born in 1814, married Rev. William MCMICHAEL, of Clarion county; Isaiah, born July 16, 1816, a physician, who died in Chicago in 1865; Ebenezer, one of the oldest attorneys of the Butler bar; Mary E., born March 14, 1824, married Dr. O. D. PALMER, who died in New Brighton, Beaver county. The widow of David MCJUNKIN survived until October, 1845.

WILLIAM MCJUNKIN, second son of David and Elizabeth (MOORE) MCJUNKIN, was born February 26, 1805, in Centre township, Butler county. He obtained a meager education in the pioneer log school of his neighborhood, and after attaining his majority he succeeded to his father's tannery business and farm, which he conducted until his death, April 4, 1850. He was a prominent man of his time, and was commissioned as colonel in the State Militia. He was an active member of the Butler Presbyterian church, and was an elder in that body for many [p. 1067] years. Mr. MCJUNKIN married Priscilla, a daughter of Andrew CHRISTIE, of Concord township, and their children were as follows: Elvina, who married E. L. VARNUM; Naomi, who married Washington BOVARD; Angeline, deceased wife of John MITCHELL; Abigail, who married John C. MOORE, and died in 1860; Eveline, wife of Rev. Samuel KERR, of Harrisville; J. David, attorney at law, Butler; Curtis A., deceased; Sylvester, and Imelda, both of whom are dead.

JOHN ELLIOTT was born in the Territory of Indiana, in November, 1793, and was brought by his parents to Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1796. They settled in Centre township, where John grew to maturity, inured to the hardships and trials of pioneer life. He afterwards purchased a homestead of 150 acres, upon which he resided down to his death, in 1877. When his parents located in Centre township there were no houses on the site of Butler, and only a few pioneer families within the present limits of the county. He married Margaret SCOTT, a daughter of William SCOTT, of Westmoreland county, who became the mother of the following children: William, deceased; Prudence, who married Lemuel DAVIS; Scott M., deceased; James; Mary, who married James BADGER; John, deceased; Huston, deceased; Hezekiah, deceased; Isiah N.; Nancy M.; Harvey, and George, deceased. Mr. ELLIOTT was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and an adherent of the Democratic party.

JOHN A. ELLIOTT, was born in Centre township, Butler county, March 25, 1859, and is a grandson of John ELLIOTT. He received a common school education; has filled the office of school director, and has always taken a deep interest in the growth of the public school system. Politically, he is a Democrat, has filled several township offices, and was elected a county auditor in 1893. Mr. ELLIOTT married Belle MICHAEL, a daughter of William MICHAEL, of Butler township. Nine are the fruits of this union, as follows: Bertha H.; Amos M.; Florence B.; John P.; Blanche; Ford; Roy W., deceased; Homer, and Elgie.

CHRISTIAN FLEEGER was a native of Hesse, Germany, and come with a Hessian cavalry regiment to Philadelphia during the Revolutionary war, deserted at that city and found his way to the American army. He was a shoemaker by trade, and at the close of the war located at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, there married a Miss BYERLY, and subsequently removed to Westmoreland county, whence he came to what is now Centre township, Butler county, in 1797, where he resided until his death, about 1836. His children were as follows: John; Jacob; Benjamin; Christian; Peter; Catherine, who married Jacob BROWN; Mary, who married Rudolph BORTMASS, and Elizabeth, who became the wife of John SLATOR.

JACOB FLEEGER, second son of Christian FLEEGER, was born in Lancaster county, January 17, 1785, and came to Centre township, Butler county, with his father in 1797. He married Catherine WHITMIRE, a native of Berks county, about 1807. He died July 5, 1851; his wife died January 10, 1863. They were the parents of seventeen children: John; Peter; Christian; Jacob; David; Solomon; Elizabeth; Daniel; Henry; Francis; Mary, wife of Daniel HECK; Abraham; Amy; Margaret; Andrew B.; Catherine and Rosanna, who married Robert DONALDSON. Mr. FLEEGER cleared up a farm in Centre township, upon which [p. 1068] he resided until his death. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics, a Democrat.

PETER FLEEGER, second son of Jacob and Catherine FLEEGER, was born on the homestead in Centre township, March 10, 1810, and grew to manhood under the parental roof. He afterwards settled upon a farm in Concord township, which he cleared and improved, and where he spent the balance of his life. He married Mary, a daughter of Jacob RIDER, and their family consisted of twelve children: Sarah, who died in infancy; Samuel, deceased; William B. of Concord township; George W., of Butler; Margaret, deceased wife of Sylvanus AGGAS; Catherine, wife of John T. WICK; Mary M.; John N., of Forward township; Isiah D., of Concord township; Sarah Belle, wife of W. H. WICK; Annie, wife of M. J. NEYMAN, of Oakland township, and Peter A., of Concord township. Mrs. FLEEGER died March 11, 1876; her husband survived until August 29, 1889.

JOSEPH GALBRAITH, a descendant of the old and prominent family of that name in Butler county, was born in Centre township, Butler county, August 23, 1817, being the eldest of eight children. He was the only son of Alexander WHITE and Rachel (MCCARTNEY) GALBRAITH, and the grandson of John and Annie (WHITE) GALBRAITH, who came to Butler county, from Huntingdon county, in 1797. His father, Alexander White GALBRAITH, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, May 26, 1786, and died in Ohio, May 2, 1855. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. Joseph also took a warm interest in military matters, was for years a member of the Butler militia company, and was severely wounded while out with his company, by the accidental discharge of a musket. Joseph GALBRAITH was reared upon the homestead farm and received his education in the district school and at Witherspoon Institute, Butler. He was a great student, made the best use of his opportunities, excelled in mathematics and became well grounded in sacred and general literature. His reputation as a mathematician was such that students, as well as instructors, came from considerable distances to avail themselves of his assistance, which he always cheerfully extended. He was a constant and attentive reader of the bible, and became noted for his knowledge of that sacred book and his ability to quote it readily and accurately. He was a very industrious and intelligent farmer, and, while making that his main pursuit, he developed superior mechanical ability, and was an expert in the use of tools. Mr. GALBRAITH was married November 11, 1841, to Jane EARLEY, a native of Londonderry, Ireland, and the following children were born to this union: Elizabeth Ann, widow of the late John FLINN of Pittsburg; Amy Rachel, who died in childhood; Matilda M., wife of William FOWLER, of Pittsburg; John J., a resident of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; Mary J., wife of Richard S. STEPHENS, of Pittsburg; Elvira and Nancy, twins, the first named being the wife of David MYERS, of Pittsburg, and the latter the wife of Senator William FLINN, one of Pittsburg's most prominent citizens, and William Alexander, of St. Louis, Missouri. The family removed from Butler county to Pittsburg in 1860. Several years later, his wife having in the meantime died, Joseph GALBRAITH returned to Butler county, and spent most of his remaining years at West Sunbury. He died July 2, 1882, while on a visit at the home of his daughter in St Louis. [p. 1069] Mr. GALBRAITH's intelligence and amiable character secured him the warm friendship of professional and other men of culture. He was a life-long member of the United Presbyterian church, and continued deeply interested in the affairs of that denomination until his death.

MCCANDLESS FAMILY--The progenitor of the MCCANDLESS family in Butler county, was John MCCANDLESS, a native of Ireland, who immigrated to America at an early date, and settled in Plum township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where the remainder of his life was spent. Four of his sons, John, George, James and William, all natives of Ireland, were among the early settlers of Centre township, Butler county, and from them have descended the MCCANDLESS family of this section of the State. Many of their posterity have held important public positions, and ranked among the successful business and public men of their times.

JOHN MCCANDLESS, eldest son of John MCCANDLESS, Sr., was the first sheriff of Butler county, and died in 1810. He settled in Centre township in the last decade of the Eighteenth century, married Mary A. SMITH, and reared a family of six children, as follows: Mrs. Mary TURNER; Mrs. Jane THOMPSON; Elizabeth; Mrs. Nancy PATTERSON; John S., and George.

GEORGE MCCANDLESS, second son of John MCCANDLESS, Sr., was the first of the family who settled in Butler connty[sic]. He came to what is now Centre township about 1795-96, built a cabin and commenced a small clearing. He afterwards married Mary FISH, and their first child, John, was born in the cabin home, August 24, 1798, the first white male child born in the township. They reared quite a large family and have left numerous descendants in western Pennsylvania.

JAMES MCCANDLESS, third son of John MCCANDLESS, Sr., married Margaret MOORE, and resided in this township down to his death, in 1840. His wife survived him until 1847, and many of their descendants are still residents of the township.

WILLIAM MCCANDLESS, fourth son of John MCCANDLESS, Sr., was born in Ireland, October 20, 1777, and come with his father to Allegheny county, whence he removed to what is now Centre township, Butler county, where he resided until his death, in 1850. In April, 1801, he married Nancy FISH, who was born June 11, 1783. She survived him until 1871, a period of twenty-one years. They were the parents of the following children: John F., born March 22, 1802; Nathan F., born December 28, 1803; Jane C., born January 15, 1806; Nancy, born November 1, 1808; Mary A., born May 18, 1810; Robert W., born November 22, 1812; Josiah, born March 6, 1816; Anderson, born May 26, 1818; Jemima, born January 16, 1820; Porter, born January 22, 1823, and William C., all of whom were born on the old homestead, and all dead except the youngest.

WILLIAM C. MCCANDLESS, youngest son of William and Nancy MCCANDLESS, is the only survivor of his father's family. He was born November 7, 1825, grew up on the homestead and received a common school education. He has always resided upon the farm settled by his father in the last decade of the Eighteenth century, and has taken a deep interest in local educational and political [p. 1070] matters. He is a member of Muddy Creek Presbyterian church, and is an ardent supporter of the Republican party. Mr. MCCANDLESS was married February 2, 1865, to Amelia, a daughter of William S. BINGHAM, of Centreville, Butler county. She is the mother of the following children: Mary A.; William B., Warren F., deceased; Origen G.; Olive J.; Florence J.; Jennings C.; John B., and one that died in early youth.

ANDERSON MCCANDLESS, son of William and Nancy MCCANDLESS, was born upon the MCCANDLESS homestead, in Centre township, May 26, 1818, received his education in the pioneer subscription schools, and followed farming until his death. He was married June 25, 1846, to Mary CARLIN, a daughter of William CARLIN, of Lawrence county, to which union were born nine children, five of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Porter A.; Hannah J.; Carlin W.; Kinsey, deceased; Joseph T., who resides on the old homestead, and Mary E. Mr. MCCANDLESS and wife were members of Muddy Creek Presbyterian church, and took a deep interest in the growth and prosperity of that denomination. In early life he was a Whig, but subsequently united with the Democratic party. He filled several of the minor offices in his township, and was connected with the State Militia, during his young manhood.

PORTER A. MCCANDLESS, eldest in the family of Anderson and Mary MCCANDLESS, was born May 28, 1847, on the old homestead in Centre township. He received a good common school education, and was reared upon his father's farm. In 1872, he engaged in merchandising at Unionville, but sold out and opened a store at Greece City, which he also disposed of, and then purchased his present homestead in 1876. Mr. MCCANDLESS was married December 15, 1875, to Laura C. ECKERT, a daughter of John N. ECKERT, of Lawrence county. Eight children have been the fruits of this union, as follows: Mary F., who died at the age of fourteen; Hannah E.; Estella J.; Laura C.; Anderson L.; John D.; Sarah H., and Margurette. The parents are members of Unionville Presbyterian church, in which body Mr. MCCANDLESS holds the office of trustee. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.

JOHN F. MCCANDLESS, eldest in the family of William and Nancy (FISH) MCCANDLESS, was born upon the MCCANDLESS homestead in Centre township, Butler county, March 22, 1802. He lived with his parents until he was thirty years of age, and in the year 1832 was married to Nancy HAYS, a daughter of William HAYS. Nine children were born of this union, as follows: Mary J., wife of James FINDLEY, of Kansas; Nancy A., wife of John J. MILLER; Emeline, wife of James S. GLENN; William H.; John M., deceased; Jennings C.; Sarah B.; Porter, and Minerva, both of whom died in early youth. Mr. MCCANDLESS and wife were life-long members of the Presbyterian church, in which he held the office trustee for several terms, and was also one of the building committee of the old Muddy Creek church. In politics, he was an ardent Republican, and filled several township offices at different periods.

WILLIAM H. MCCANDLESS, eldest son of John F. MCCANDLESS, was born upon the homestead in Centre township, December 21, 1840, received a public school education, and worked upon the home farm until the breaking out of the Rebellion. He enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Penn-[p. 1071] sylvania Volunteers, for the nine months service, and participated in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He served his full term, and then returned to his home, where he remained until August, 1864, when he again enlisted, in Company A, Sixth Pennsylvania Artillery, in which he served with the rank of first lieutenant, until the close of the war. Returning home in June, 1865, he resumed his duties upon the farm, and has since continued in agricultural pursuits. He was married March 8, 1866, to Hattie GLENN, a daughter of William GLENN, of Concord township, and has five children: Carrie B.; Milton L.; Minnie R.; Myrta, and Everett.

NATHAN F. MCCANDLESS was born December 28, 1803, in Centre township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, and was the second son of William and Nancy (FISH) MCCANDLESS, pioneers of that township. He was reared upon the homestead, and at the age of thirty his father gave him 100 acres of the home farm, which he subsequently cleared and improved. He resided upon this place for more than sixty years, dying January 31, 1891. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a ruling elder in that body for many years. In 1875 he was a prime mover in the erection of the Unionville church, and gave liberally of his means toward that purpose. In early life a Whig, he joined the Republican party upon its formation, and filled the office of justice of the peace for thirty years. Mr. MCCANDLESS married Elizabeth, daughter of John THOMPSON. She died in 1856, the mother of the following children: Nancy J., deceased wife of William WILSON; Martha, wife of S. R. THOMPSON; Lavina, deceased wife of Rev. Loyal HAYS; Josiah, who served in company E, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died in 1863; Jefferson W., of Centre township; Isaiah J., of Butler; Mary E., deceased wife of John L. LEE, and Clarinda M., wife of J. N. THOMPSON, of Brady township. Mr. MCCANDLESS married for his second wife Delia HOCKENBERRY nee MITCHELL, who bore him three children: Nathan F., deceased; Annetta M., wife of James RAMSEY, of Butler township, and Nathan W., of McKean county. He was one of the leading farmers of Centre township, was extensively engaged in settling estates, and a progressive public-spirited man.

JOHN M. MCCANDLESS, son of James and Margaret (MOORE) MCCANDLESS, was born in Centre township, Butler county, in 1806, upon the farm settled and cleared by his father. He attended the subscription schools of pioneer days, and became by self-application a very well educated man, and filled most of the township offices, being justice of the peace ten years, and also jury commissioner. He married Nancy MCCANDLESS, a daughter of William MCCANDLESS, of Centre township, to which union were born twelve children, as follows: Margaret J., who married Lemon DEAN, of Lawrence county; Josiah; James; Nancy A.; Abigail; Jemima; Elizabeth; Abner; Nancy, who married Calvin ROBB; Mary E., who married Leonard SHANNON, of Franklin township; William L., and one that died in early youth. The only survivors of this family are Abner, Nancy, Mary E. and William L. Mr. MCCANDLESS was a member of the Presbyterian church, and died in that faith, June 2, 1886. His wife died in July, 1894. He was one of the most intelligent farmers of the community, and always took a decided interest in religious and educational affairs.

[p. 1072]
WILLIAM L. MCCANDLESS, youngest in the family of John M. MCCANDLESS, was born upon the homestead in Centre township, Butler county, and was reared and educated in his native township. He married Miss Mary J. POLLOCK, of Centre township, and is the father of seven children, as follows: Birdie A.; Iona G.; Ethel M.; infant daughter, deceased; Arthur C., deceased; William D., and Leslie J. Mr. MCCANDLESS, like his father, is an ardent Democrat, and is a stanch supporter of the measures and principles of his party.

THOMAS SMITH was a native of Virginia, who settled in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and in 1796 removed to what is now Summit township, Butler county, locating near the site of Bonny Brook. He remained at that point for eighteen years, was one of the first tax collectors in the county, and took an active interest in public affairs. He was married in Virginia, to a Miss CUNNINGHAM, a relative of the Cunninghams who donated a part of the land which now comprises the borough of Butler. His family consisted of three sons and three daughters, as follows: Adam; John; Charles; Ruth; Cynthia, and Jane. About 1814 the family removed to Indiana, where Mr. SMITH, died in 1835.

ADAM SMITH, eldest son of Thomas SMITH, was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, came with his parents to what is now Summit township, in 1796, and removed with them to Indiana. In 1830 he returned to Butler county and settled in Centre township, upon the land where his son Washington P. now resides. He cleared a farm of 200 acres, improved it with good buildings and resided there until his death, in 1869. He married Agnes WALLACE, a daughter of Benjamin WALLACE, one of the pioneers of Centre township, who settled upon the land afterwards owned by his son-in-law, and now the property of his grandson. Their family consisted of six sons and one daughter, viz.: John; Washington P.; Milton, deceased; Harvey; Benjamin, deceased; Thomas B., and Margaret, deceased. His wife died in 1866; he survived her three years. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, was originally a Whig, and afterwards a Republican.

WASHINGTON PERRY SMITH, eldest son of Adam and Agnes (WALLACE) SMITH, was born December 10, 1821, in Harrison county, Indiana, and removed with his parents to Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1830, where he grew to manhood. He received a limited education, but was a student in boyhood, and thus became self educated. He studied surveying under David DOUGAL, of Butler, and also learned the carpenter's trade, which business he followed from 1843 to 1850. In the latter year he entered the employ of the Brady's Bend Iron Company, as superintendent of the building department, filled that position for sixteen years, and was then appointed superintendent of furnaces and railroads, which he occupied until the company suspended, in 1873. He then returned to the homestead in Centre township, where he has since been engaged in farming. Mr. SMITH has been an active worker in the Republican party since its organization, has held the office of school director for sixteen years, and has always manifested a laudable interest in the progress of the public schools. He was married in 1848, to Harriet, a daughter of Charles THOMPSON, of Massachusetts. She died in 1850, leaving one child, who died in early youth. His second wife was Emeline THOMPSON, a sister of his first wife, to whom have been born five children, as [p. 1073] follows: Harriet N., wife of John N. ALLISON; Ada, wife of Warren ALBERT; Carrie, wife of Everett RALSTON; Margaret, wife of Robert WHITMIRE, and Mary. In early life Mr. SMITH was identified with the Masonic order, but has taken no interest in that fraternity for many years. He has been one of the enterprising citizens of Centre township throughout his residence in Butler county.

JAMES ALLISON, a native of Ireland, first settled in Maryland, and came to Centre township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1802. He purchased 300 acres of land, and cleared a farm, a portion of which is now in possession of his grandson, John ALLISON, the old homestead being owned by O. D. THOMPSON. Mr. ALLISON married a Miss THOMPSON, and his family were as follows: Frank; William; Robert; Margaret, who married James PHILLIPS, and Ellen, who married Henry THOMAS, all of whom are dead. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church, was quite prominent in church affairs, and resided upon his farm down to his death.

ROBERT ALLISON, third son of James ALLISON, was born in Maryland, in 1799, and came with his parents to Butler county at the age of three years. Here he grew to manhood, and spent the remainder of his life, dying upon the old homestead in Centre township, in 1883. He filled many of the township offices, and was a Whig, and afterwards a Republican. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church throughout his life. Mr. ALLISON married Jane, a daughter of Charles COCHRAN, of Virginia. Their family consisted of the following children: Nancy, who married John CAMPBELL; Mary, who married W. D. MCCANDLESS; Lydia E., who married J. E. RUSSELL; Sarah E., who became the wife of Alexander BLAIN; Thomas C., who enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died at Belle Plain, Virginia; William, of Centre township, and John N. Mrs. ALLISON survived her husband two years, dying in 1885.

JOHN N. ALLISON, youngest child of Robert and Jane ALLISON, was born upon the homestead, in Centre township, December 26, 1848. He was educated in the public schools and at Witherspoon Institute, and taught school for six years. Being reared a farmer, he selected that as a vocation, and has followed it up to the present. He was married in 1872, to Harriet N. , a daughter of Washington P. SMITH, of Centre township, and is the father of six children, as follows: Perry C.; Carrie O.; Robert P.; Ella J.; Wesley L., and Mary E. Mr. ALLISON is a stanch Republican, has filled the offices of school director and township auditor, the latter for twelve years, and was elected county auditor in 1893. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and is a trustee in the Holyoke congregation.

WILLIAM CHRISTIE was one of the early settlers of Butler county. He was born in Ireland in 1765, came with his parents to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in early boyhood, and there grew to maturity. About the year 1778, while he and an elder brother were hunting for his father's cattle in the woods, they were surprised by Indians. His brother fled, pursued by the latter, who upon their return told William they did not capture his brother. They took their prisoner to their camp, and there produced a scalp, which he recognized as that of his brother, whom the savages had killed and scalped. William was held [p. 1074] a captive for eighteen months, when the Indians exchanged him for a few gallons of whiskey, which in this case proved of some substantial benefit. William CHRISTIE was one of a family of three brothers and one sister. His brother Andrew settled in Butler county, upon the site of Greece City. About 1800 William came to Butler county and entered 200 acres of land in what is now Concord township, upon the head waters of Connoquenessing creek, built a cabin and lived upon this tract for several years. He then returned to Westmoreland county, leaving his son John in charge of the farm. He came back again in 1824, and resided with his son in Concord township until his death. He was one of the early school teachers of Westmoreland and Butler counties, and made education one of his particular hobbies. He was an elder of the Presbyterian church, and died in that faith. He married Sarah IRWIN, who became the mother of three sons and one daughter, as follows: John; Robert, who was drowned in early manhood; William, who located in Venango county, and there died, and Betsey, who married John MCCLAIN, of Westmoreland county. Mr. CHRISTIE died at the home of his son John, in Concord township, in 1848; his wife died in 1823.

JOHN CHRISTIE, eldest son of William and Sarah CHRISTIE, was born in Westmoreland county, in 1796. In 1818 he took charge of his father's farm in Concord township, upon which the latter had settled in 1800, and devoted the balance of his life to clearing and improving it. He possessed a good education, and was one of the pioneer school teachers of Butler county. Politically, he was one of the leading Democrats of his time, and filled many of the minor township offices. In religious faith, he was a Presbyterian. Mr. CHRISTIE married Margaret, a daughter of Capt. John GUTHRIE, a veteran of the Revolution. She was a native of Westmoreland county, and became the mother of nine children, viz.: Sarah, who married Johnson TIMBLIN; Mary; William A.; John G., of Concord township; Eliza, wife of John ANDERSON; Nancy, deceased; Martha, wife of James PRYOR; Ellen, and Oliver, of Kansas. Mr. CHRISTIE died in 1861; his widow survived him ten years, dying in 1871.

WILLIAM A. CHRISTIE, eldest son of John and Margaret CHRISTIE, was born in Butler county, January 13, 1823, and received a public school education. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age, and then commenced farming upon a part of the homestead place. In 1857 he purchased a farm in Centre township, resided upon it for thirty years, and then retired from active life, locating in Unionville, where he expects to spend his remaining years. Mr. CHRISTIE has been an active member of the Republican party since early manhood, filled the office of justice of the peace for ten years, and that of county commissioner for three years. He has been an elder of the Presbyterian church for thirty years, and has always given liberally of his means towards every worthy object. In 1849 he married Sarah J., a daughter of James MCJUNKIN, to which union were born six children, four of whom are living, viz.: James L., a physician of Petersville; Mary L., wife of Dr. Albert HOLMAN, of Unionville; William M., and Henry C., both residents of Baldwin City, Kansas. Mrs. CHRISTIE died July 17, 1887, at the home of her son William M., in Kansas, where her remains were interred. He was again [p. 1075] married in 1889, to Mrs. Kesiah J. MCCANDLESS, a daughter of John S. MCCANDLESS, whose father was the first sheriff of Butler county. Mr. CHRISTIE is one of the leading citizens of his township, and is a man of progressive ideas and commendable public spirit.

DR. ALBERT HOLMAN was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1853, upon the site of the first house erected in Franklin township, son of Joseph and Nancy (NEELY) HOLMAN. His grandfather, Joseph HOLMAN, Sr., was one of the early settlers of Franklin township, Allegheny county. Our subject received his primary education in the public schools and afterwards attended Sharpsburg Academy. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which business he followed for six years. In 1878 he commenced the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. J. A. HOLMAN, and located in practice at Unionville, Butler county, in 1880, as assistant to his brother. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1881, and formed a partnership with his brother, which continued until the removal of the latter to Allegheny City, one year afterwards. In 1890 Dr. HOLMAN opened a drug store at Unionville, and in 1893 he purchased the general store of M. H. MCCANDLESS, which he carries on in connection with his profession. He was appointed postmaster at Unionville in 1893, and is still filling that position. He is one of the leading Democrats of his locality, and takes a prominent part in local campaigns. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is connected with the Jr. O. U. A. M. In 1881 he married Mary L., a daughter of W. A. CHRISTIE, and has three children, viz.: Nanny B., Florence R., and Ralph McJ. Dr. HOLMAN is a member of the Butler County Medical Society, enjoys a lucrative practice, stands well among his professional brethren, and is one of the leading citizens of his township.

HENRY HOON was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, five miles north of Harrisburg, and was of German extraction. In 1818 he settled in Oakland township, Butler county, purchasing 400 acres of land, upon which he made his home down to his death. He was twice married, his first wife being Kate THOMAS, a native of New Jersey, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Dauphin county. She was the mother of two children: John,, and Elizabeth, who married James TURK. His second wife bore him the following children: James; Henry; Samuel; William, and Anthony, all of whom are dead except Anthony, who lives upon the old homestead in Oakland township. The parents were members of the United Presbyterian church, and resided in this county until their death.

JOHN HOON, eldest son of Henry and Kate (THOMAS) HOON, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1798, and there learned the tanner's trade. He came with his parents to Butler county in 1818, and at the age of twenty-five engaged as a teamster between Pittsburg and Erie. In 1832 he settled upon the farm in Centre township, where his son Thomas R. now lives, and spent the remaining years of his life in farming. He was one of the leading Democrats of his township, held nearly all the township offices at different periods, and was lieutenant in the old State Militia. He was one of the early members of the United Presbyterian church of Butler, and an elder in that body for many years. He married Nancy B. RAINEY, a daughter of Thomas M. and Sidney (MCKIT[p. 1076] TRICK) RAINEY, who bore him the following children: Margaret J., who married Michael Thompson; Catherine, deceased wife of Dickson BEIGHLEY; Mary E., wife of Philip SEIBERT; Agnes, deceased; Maria, who married Robert GERRARD; Harriet, who became the wife of Isaac CONANT; Thomas R.; George H., deceased; John C.; Nelson, and Isaiah M. Mr. HOON died July 31, 1864, and his widow, August 1, 1865.

THOMAS R. HOON, son of John HOON, was born December 3, 1835, in Centre township, Butler county, and was reared and educated in his native township. He was employed as a teamster until 1860, then went to Oil Creek, Venango county, and engaged in the oil business. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served his full term; he then re enlisted in Company I, Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war, participating in the following engagements: South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, and the closing scenes around Richmond, ending with the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. After being mustered out he returned to the old homestead, where he has since been engaged in farming. He married Sarah J., a daughter of David JONES, of Franklin township, to whom have been born seven children, as follows: George H., deceased; Mary; William C., deceased; John R.; Nancy B.; Henrietta, and Lina. Mr. HOON is a member of John Randolph Post, G. A. R., also of the Patrons of Husbandry, and both he and wife are connected with the United Presbyterian church. He is a Republican, in politics, and has filled most of the township offices. He is the owner of 300 acres of well improved land, and is one of the progressive, enterprising farmers of his township.

JAMES THOMPSON was born in Ireland in 1778, there married Sarah GILLILAND, and immigrated to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and thence to Butler county, early in the present century. He purchased a farm in what is now Franklin township, subsequently removed to Beaver county, and then returned to Butler county, and bought a tract of 600 acres of land in Cherry township. Here he cleared a farm, made substantial improvements, and resided upon it down to his death, in 1861. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. To James and Sarah THOMPSON were born twelve children, as follows: Mary A.; Jane, and Sarah, all of whom are dead; Elizabeth; Moses; Arabella; James, deceased; Minerva; Matilda, and John, the last two of whom are deceased; Emeline, and Andrew, deceased.

MOSES THOMPSON, eldest son of James and Sarah (GILLILAND) THOMPSON, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1814, and was reared and educated in Butler and Beaver counties. In August, 1832, he came to Butler county from Beaver, and has since resided in this county. On February 19, 1833, he married Jane THOMPSON, a daughter of Anthony THOMPSON, of Centre township, to whom have been born the following children: Elizabeth A., wife of Henry WHITMIRE; Sarah, deceased; Anthony; William H., deceased; Josiah M., and James M. Mr. THOMPSON was a justice of the peace for ten years, and held most of the other township offices. In politics, he was in early life a Whig, and since the formation of the Republican party he has been an adherent of that [p. 1077] organization. He is now retired from active life, and resides in the borough of Butler. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

ANTHONY THOMPSON, eldest son of Moses and Jane THOMPSON, was born in Centre township, Butler county, May 5, 1838, and has always followed farming. He received a good common school education, and since attaining his majority he has filled nearly all of the township offices. Politically, he is a Republican, and in religion, he is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. THOMPSON was married September 20, 1860, to Elizabeth A., daughter of William RUSSELL, of Centre township. Six children have been the fruits of this union, as follows: Moses G.; Elizabeth A.; Martha J., deceased; Maggie A.; William R., deceased, and Anthony Robert. His present homestead was settled by Simon YOUNG, Sr.; was bought by Moses THOMPSON fifty years ago, and was purchased by Anthony THOMPSON from his father twenty-three years ago, since which time it has been his permanent home.

BENJAMIN JOHNSTON, was a native of Down county, Ireland, and came to America about 1794. He afterwards settled in Jackson township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased 150 acres of land, which he cleared and improved. He resided upon this farm until his death, which occurred about 1858. His family were as follows: Joseph; Wilson; John; William; Jesse; Cynthia, who married John MCGREW; Jane, who married Jesse MILLER; Nancy, who married John WALLACE; Mary Ann, who married Joshua DAVIS, and Eliza, who married a Mr. YOUNG. Mr. JOHNSTON was an elder in the United Presbyterian church for many years, and was a stanch adherent of the Democratic party.

JESSE JOHNSTON, fifth son of Benjamin JOHNSTON, was born on the homestead in Jackson township, Butler county, July 7, 1820, and learned the blacksmith's trade at Zelienople. He followed his trade for a few years at Portersville, but in 1850 he removed to Zelienople and engaged in farming in Jackson township. In 1852 he located in Jefferson township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. In 1862 he returned to Butler county and purchased the old Johnston homestead of 214 acres, in Centre township, where he died, October 17, 1865. He was a Democrat, in politics, and was one of the early constables of Portersville. For many years he was an elder in the United Presbyterian church. He married Sarah J., a daughter of Joseph ALLEN, of Zelienople, and of the ten children born to this union, eight grew to maturity, as follows: Thornley, of Centre township; Joseph A., who died in 1871; Stephen A.; Martha J., who married Calvin STEVENSON; John H., of Centre township; Mary A., deceased; James R., of Forward township; Charles C., of Center township; Rosanna, wife of A. H. CAMPBELL, and George B. McC., deceased.

THORNLEY C. JOHNSTON, eldest son of Jesse and Sarah J. (ALLEN) JOHNSTON, was born at Portersville, Butler county, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1842, and lived with his parents until his majority. He received a common school education, and afterwards attended Curry Institute, Pittsburg. He then returned to his father's home and taught school for two winters. After his father's death he remained on the homestead until 1870, in which year he married Arabella M. WALKER, a daughter of William WALKER, of Centre township, and located upon his present farm. To this union have been born seven children, as follows: [p. 1078] Jessie A.; Clara L.; Mary M.; Clarence W.; Lulu M.; Alma S., and Albert L. Mr. JOHNSTON is an elder in the United Presbyterian church of Butler. In politics, he is an ardent Democrat, and is one of the most intelligent and progressive farmers of his township.

DANIEL HECK, SR., was born in Lorraine, Germany, September 13, 1813, son of Daniel HECK, a native of the same place, who came to Butler county in 1828, where he resided until his death. Daniel came here with his parents, who settled in Prospect, where he remained about one year, and then began working at the cabinet-making business in Butler, removed two years later to Unionville, and carried on there for about five years. He then settled upon his present homestead in Centre township, where he has since resided. Mr. HECK has been twice married. First to Elizabeth ROSE, a daughter of John ROSE, of Centre township, who bore him the following children: Daniel A., a merchant of Butler; Mary A., who married Philip GRUVER; Martha, who married John D. ALBERT; Margaret; Rachel, who married John HYLE; John C., deceased; Jacob A.; Presley J., and James W. His second wife was Mrs. Mary GOLD, a daughter of Jacob FLEEGER, to which union were born four children, as follows: Clara; Emma; George B. Mc., and Elizabeth. Mr. HECK is a stanch Democrat, and is a member of the Lutheran church.

JOHN BADGER was born in Derry county, Ireland, in 1782, immigrated to the United States in 1822, and settled in Clinton county, New York. He located in Butler county about 1829, and purchased a farm of 200 acres in Centre township, which he cleared and improved. He died upon his farm August 22, 1877; his wife died in 1869. They were married in Ireland, and her maiden name was Isabella HUDSON. Eleven children were the fruits of this union, whose names are as follows: Eliza, who married John THOMPSON; Mary, who married Jacob BOYD; James; John, deceased; Rosanna, who married David CAMERON; William, and Nancy, both deceased; Matilda, who married William THORN; Jane, who married William COLBERT; Margaret, who became the wife of George SHAFFER, and one that died in early youth. Mr. BADGER and wife were members of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he was a Democrat.

JAMES BADGER, eldest son of John and Isabella BADGER, was born in Ireland, in 1813, and came to Butler county with his parents when he was about sixteen years of age. He has resided in this county sixty-five years, and has watched its development from a comparative wilderness to its present well improved and prosperous condition. He was married June 10, 1840, to Mary ELLIOTT, a daughter of John ELLIOTT, of Centre township, and has four living children, as follows: Angeline, wife of Francis O'DONNELL; Margaret B.; Isaiah, and Matilda, wife of Presley ELLIOTT. The deceased are: John; William H.; James; Mary E.; Milton, and Florence. Mr. BADGER is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, he has always been a Democrat. He is residing upon the homestead settled by his father in 1829.

JACOB RIDER was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1787, grew to manhood in his native county, and then removed to Allegheny county, where he married Sarah BRIGHT, a daughter of Michael BRIGHT, of that county. He came to Butler county in 1830, and purchased the present Rider homestead of 200 [p. 1079] acres, in Centre township, upon which he resided down to his death, in 1859. His widow survived until 1866. They were members of the English Lutheran church, in which denomination Mr. RIDER filled the office of elder for several years. In politics, he was originally a Whig, and afterwards a Republican, and filled many of the township offices at different periods, among them school director, being very earnest in his efforts in behalf of education. Jacob and Sarah RIDER were the parents of nine children, as follow: Michael, who was shot and killed while hunting, in 1839; Mary, who married Peter FLEEGER; Christopher; Jacob; John S.; Samuel B.; David; Margaret who married Peter WHITMIRE; Sarah, and George, all of whom are dead except Samuel B., Margaret, and George.

SAMUEL B. RIDER was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, January 29, 1826, and came with his parents to Butler county when four years of age. He remained on the homestead farm until his marriage to Catherine BYERS, June 5, 1851. She was a daughter of Daniel BYERS, of Centre township, and is the mother of the following children: Sarah J., deceased, who married Redick MCCANDLESS; Lorenzo; Orestes C.; Samuel A., deceased; George A.; Harriet A., wife of Edward GRAHAM; Laura A., wife of Calvin STEVENSON; Olive E., wife of John ALBERT; Jessie V., deceased; U. S. and Carrie. Mr. RIDER received a good public school education, and taught for six terms in Centre and Oakland townships. In August, 1864, he enlisted in Battery A, Sixth Heavy Artillery, attached to General Auger's Division, Twenty-second Army Corps, and served until his discharge, June 18, 1865. Most of his service was at Washington, where his battery assisted in the defence of the Capitol. He also did guard duty on the Orange and Alexandria railroad. Mr. RIDER is a Republican, and has filled the offices of school director for several terms, also that of auditor, overseer of the poor and road commissioner. He is a member of the G. A. R., and is an adherent of the English Lutheran church.

ORESTES C. RIDER was born upon the homestead farm in Centre township, October 21, 1854, received a common school education, and was reared a farmer. On October 22, 1879, he married Emeline SANDERSON, a daughter of Philip SANDERSON, of Clay township, and is the father of five children, as follows: Homer C.; Celia C.; Alvin L.; Elmer, and Leda E., deceased.

ULYSSES S. RIDER was born in Centre township, upon the homestead farm, March 23, 1869, received a common school education, and has followed agriculture as a vocation. He was married April 21, 1891, to Clara C. HOCK, daughter of Conrad HOCK, of Franklin township, and has one child, Charles D.

GEORGE RIDER, youngest son of Jacob and Sarah RIDER, was born in Centre township, Butler county, March 24, 1833, was reared upon his father's farm, and received his education in the public schools. On April 26, 1855, he married Mary A., a daughter of Jacob RUMBAUGH, of Centre township. She died May 16, 1890, having borne him a family of eight children, as follows: Margaret L., wife of Harrison MILLER; Sarah B., wife of Andrew BAKER; Olive B., deceased; Emma E.; Mary E., wife of Jacob CHRISTLEY; Maria, wife of Orin A. HUTCHISON; Elsie J., and one that died in infancy. Mr. RIDER is a member of the Lutheran church, and an elder in that organization. Politically, he is an [p. 1080] ardent Republican, has filled the office of school director and several other positions of trust in his native township.

JOHN R. POLLOCK was born in Down county, Ireland, April 2, 1812, and immigrated to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1832, were he worked for the firm of May & Andrew, of Pittsburg, for ten years. He then came to Butler county, and purchased a farm in Centre township, upon which he resided down to his death, February 11, 1893. Mr. POLLOCK was twice married, his first wife being Mary BLACK, and his second wife, Mary BLAIN. He was the father of thirteen children, two of whom died in infancy. The names of the others are as follows: Agnes, who married Alfred AGGAS; Martha; Alexander; William; Maggie; James A.; Lizzie; Mary; Isaiah N.; John, and Thomas. Of these Martha, William, Maggie, and James A., are dead. Mr. POLLOCK was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in politics, a Democrat. He held several of the offices in his township at different periods.

ALEXANDER POLLOCK was born February 27, 1848, upon the homestead farm in Centre township, and is the oldest son of John R. POLLOCK. He attended the public schools of his district in his boyhood, and has since been engaged in farming. On December 8, 1874, he married Annie PARK, a daughter of John PARK, of Pittsburg, and is the father of six children: John; Allen; Clarence; Howard; Foster, and George. Mr. POLLOCK is a Democrat, and is a member of the Holyoke United Presbyterian church.

JOHN POST, SR., was born in Germany, in 1822, was reared in his native land, and there married Elizabeth CROWLEY. They came to this country in 1843, and located at Buffalo Furnace, whence they removed to Winfield township, Butler county, where Mr. POST died at the age of fifty-four years. They reared a family of nine children, as follows: Elizabeth, who married Henry WEITZEL; Catherine, who married Jacob EISLER; Margaret, wife of John DUR; John; Mary, wife of Frank ACRE; Henry; Ida; William, and Annie, wife of William CROOKS. Mr. POST was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which denomination his wife also belonged.

JOHN POST, eldest son of John and Elizabeth POST, was born at Buffalo Furnace, December 27, 1853, received a common school education, and has been engaged in farming since early manhood. He married Margaret A. ACRE, a daughter of August ACRE, of this county , to which union have been born five children, as follows: Clarence A.; Mary E.; George A., who died December 19, 1891, and two that died in early youth. Mr. POST is a Republican in politics, but takes no active interest in political matters.

WILLIAM THOMPSON was a native of Ireland, and a son of John THOMPSON, who came from Ireland to New Jersey with a family of five children, as follows: John; James; William; Amy C., and Elizabeth. William grew to manhood in New Jersey, subsequently moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and thence to Greene county. He was married three times, and was the father of twenty-four children. By his first wife three children were born to him. His second wife, Catherine HULL, became the mother of seven children: John; Charles; Joseph; Maria; William; Sarah A., and Rush. His third wife was Annie WALLACE, to whom were born fourteen children, as follows: Isaac; James; [p. 1081] Hannah; Parker; Albert P; Harvey D.; Wesley T. F.; Isaiah E. W.; Eleanor S.; Rebecca A.; Hiram W.; Amy E.; William, and one that died in early youth.

HARVEY D. THOMPSON, son of William and Annie (WALLACE) THOMPSON, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1829, removed with his parents to Greene county at the age of ten years, and remained there until he was sixteen years old. He then went to Pittsburg to learn the coach-maker's trade, spent four years in that city, and located at Prospect, Butler county, in 1856. He there married Mary FORRESTER, a daughter of Joseph FORRESTER. She died in 1871, the mother of five children, as follows: Clarence; Flora E.; Harry F.; Millie, and John G. In 1873 he married Catherine M. ROTH, to whom were born five children: Lewis R.; Louisa R.; Annie L. E.; George W., and Marietta G. Mrs. THOMPSON died in 1881, and in 1883 he married Mrs. NEESE, and has one daughter by this union, Catherine. Mr. THOMPSON is a member of the English Lutheran church, in which he has filled the office of deacon for two terms. In politics, he has always been a Republican, has filled many of the township offices, and was elected sheriff of Butler county in 1869, in which office he served a full term. In July, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. He located upon his present homestead in 1874, is a good, practical farmer, and a very worthy citizen. He has always been active in political affairs, as well as in church and educational matters.

WILLIAM BLAIN was born in Wigtonshire, Scotland, in 1797, and grew to manhood in his native land, and there married Jane ARNOLD, a daughter of John ARNOLD, of the same shire. In July, 1852, they immigrated to Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, remained there about two years, and then came to Butler county, locating in Buffalo township. In 1864 Mr. BLAIN purchased a farm in Centre township, upon which he resided down to his death, in April, 1876. He was a member of the United Presbyterian churches at Butler and Holyoke, and in politics, he was a Republican. By his marriage to Jane ARNOLD he became the father of the following children: Mary, deceased wife of John POLLOCK; Elizabeth, wife of John PARK; John; Jane, deceased; William; Thomas A.; Alexander, and Jessie, deceased. John, William, and Thomas A. BLAIN were soldiers in the Union army. John and Thomas A., enlisted in Company D, Sixth United States Cavalry, August 26, 1861, and participated in the battles of Williamsburg, siege of Yorktown, and all the principal battles of the Army of the Potomac during their term of enlistment. John was captured during McClellan's campaign before Richmond, in 1862, was severely wounded at Savage Station, taken to Libby prison, and thence sent to Fortress Monroe. He remained in the hospital at that point four months, and was discharged on a surgeon's certificate, in October, 1862. He re-enlisted March 15, 1865, in Company K, One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served as corporal, until his final discharge at Fort Smith, Virginia, August 25, 1865. Thomas A. was never off duty a single day during his term of service. He was captured June 13, 1864, at Travellian Station, was held prisoner at Libby and Andersonville six months, was then exchanged, and was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., March 16, 1865. William enlisted in Company M, Fifth Heavy Artillery, and [p. 1082] served from the organization of the regiment until honorably discharged, June 13, 1865.

ALEXANDER BLAIN was born in Wigtonshire, Scotland, January 15, 1840, and is the youngest son of William and Jane BLAIN. He came with his parents to Pennsylvania in 1852, and to Butler county two years afterward. He received a common school education, and has been engaged in farming from early boyhood. He was married January 3, 1871, to Sarah E., a daughter of Robert ALLISON, of Centre township, and is the father of six children, as follows: William C. A.; Robert C.; John M.; Thomas H.; Agnes J., and Wilber Alexander. Mr. BLAIN is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and has been an elder and treasurer in that organization. Politically, he is a Republican, and has held many of the offices in his township.

JOHN S. SHAKELY, son of Henry SHAKELY, was born in Fairview township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1836, grew to manhood in his native township, and subsequently settled on a farm in Centre township. In 1864 he married Susan BYERS, of Centre township, and is the father of one son, Alva, who now resides upon the old homestead. Mr. SHAKELY removed from the homestead farm to Butler, where he has retired from active business life. He is a member of the German Reformed church, and in politics, he is an adherent of the Republican party.

ALVA SHAKELY, only child of John S. and Susan SHAKELY, was born upon the homestead farm in Centre township, Butler county, January 23, 1865, and was reared beneath the parental roof and received a common school education in the district school. He has always resided upon the old homestead, which he has now charge of. He married Miss Kate YOUNG, a daughter of Simon YOUNG, of Centre township, September 24, 1890, and has one child, Cleo, born April 17, 1892. Both he and his wife are members of the English Lutheran church, and politically, he is a Republican.

FRANCIS M. NEFF was a native of Meunchberg, Bavaria, Germany, born march 10, 1795. He grew to maturity in his native land, and was married in Kleinwallstadt, to Regina KESSLER, a daughter of Adam KESSLER, to which union were born seven children, only two of whom survived infancy, as follows: John Ingnatz, deceased, and John Vitus. In 1845 Mr. NEFF immigrated to Butler county, Pennsylvania, and purchased a small farm in what is now Oakland township. He was a potter, but after coming to this county he engaged in farming. His wife died upon the homestead in Donegal township, April 24, 1864. He survived here until March 19, 1872.

JOHN VITUS NEFF was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 15, 1829, and is the only survivor of his father's family. He was sixteen years of age when his parents located in Butler county, and had received a fair education in his native land. He learned the potter's and carpenter's trades after coming to this county, at which he worked until 1874. In 1875 he purchased his present homestead in Centre township, and has since devoted his attention to agriculture. He married Mary A. PALMERT, a daughter of Philip PALMERT, of Donegal township, to which union were born the following children: John P., deceased; Frank P.; Josephine B., wife of Andrew NICKEL, of Butler township; John C.; Joseph C.; Mary [p. 1083] E., wife of John SHMIEDER; Theresa M.; Clara R.; Annie B., and Barcillius F. Mr. NEFF and family are members of the Catholic church, in which faith his parents lived and died. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and is one of the enterprising farmers of his township.

[End of Chapter 72-3 (pgs.1035-1083) - Biographical Sketches: Donegal Township and Millerstown Borough; Fairview Township and Karns City, Fairview and Petrolia Boroughs; Oakland and Concord Townships; Clay Township and West Sunbury Borough; Centre Township
History of Butler County Pennsylvania, R. C. Brown Co., Publishers, 1895]

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Updated: 27 Mar 2001, 16:35