Source: History of Butler County Pennsylvania 1895

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Full title: 1895 History of Butler County Pennsylvania, Robert Brown, Brown & Company.

The complete text of this book is available online here. The following ancestors are mentioned in this book:

Excerpts from the book

The text in the sections below is quoted directly from the book. Links have been added to direct ancestors and other persons of note to this ancestry.

Pg. 48

[Taxables of 1803 for Buffalo Twp.]
John Gallagher - 400 acres, 1 cow, 1 horse or ox, Value: $283. Tax: $0.85

Pg. 51

[Taxables of 1803 for Connoquennessing Twp.]
John Gallagher - 400 acres, 3 cows, 1 horse or ox. Value: $250. Tax: $0.75

Pg. 53

{Taxables of 1803 for Middlesex Twp.}
James Hoge - 150 acres,1 cow. Value $158; Tax: $0.47

Pg. 61

[Taxables of 1803 for Slippery Rock Twp.]
John Hockenberry - 150 acres, 5 cows, 1 horse or ox. Value: $58. Tax: $0.52


Pg. 581

The story of the settlement of [Centre] township is interesting from the fact that its pioneers came in a body to take posession of the land without the aid of constitution or by-laws. In 1796, sixty men from Allegheny, Westmoreland, Juniata and Cumberland counties appeared in this part of the wilderness and selected sixty eligible farms and sites for cabins. ... ...within the year the following named tract owners were actual residents: ... James Hoge, 150 [acres]; James McCandless, 400; John McCandless, 400; Robert McCandless, no land taxed; ... Archibald St. Clair, 400; ...

Pg. 582

Six male members of the McCandless family accompanied the pioneers of 1796, and four of them located in [Centre] township. They were the sons of John McCandless, who came from Ireland, and settled in Allegheny county with his family. John, one of the colonists of Centre township, was the first sherriff of Butler county. He died in 1810.


Pg. 584

Unionville Presbyterian Church was organized October 30, 1877. For three-quarters ofa century previous the Presbyterians of this section were members of the churches at Butler, Muddy Creek, and other places. The following is a list of the original members of this church: N. F. McCandless, Anetta McCandless, N. W. McCandless, Robert W. McCandless, Matilda McCandless, J. M. H. McCandless, Martin L. McCandless, W. C. McCandless, Amelia McCandless, A. Moore McCandless, Kezia McCandless, W. S. Thompson, Deborah Thompson, Emerett Thompson, William H. McCandless, Harriet N. McCandless, John M. McCandless, Nancy McCandless, Thomas T. Stewart, Nancy C. Stewart, Keziah McCandless, Anderson McCandless, Mary S. McCandless, Joseph T. McCandless, Mary E. McCandless, Elvira Varnum, H. A. McCandless, Martha J. McCandless, Robert J. Miller, Malinda A. Miller, Alfred Brown, Mary J. Brown, John M. Russell, Mary Eagal, Nelson Borland, Sarah A. Borland, J. W. McCandless, Sabina McCandless, J. M. Brown, Margaret Brown, Robert M. Russell, Keziah Russell, and Joseph Coulter. The present membership is eighty-four.


Pg. 587

The pioneers of what now constitutes Franklin township were John McCandless and Aaron Moore, who are sid to have located lands here in 1795, before the colony of sixty settled in Centre township. In 1796, a branch of the Centre colony drew lots for the cabins built west of the line, and the same year James, George, William, and it is said Garrett Moore, sons of Aaron, came into the township as residents. At the same time Lewis Wilson, the two William McCandless, Robert McCandless, Henry Montooth, Eliakim Anderson, and Charles Sullivan, all fellow colonists and all natives of Ireland, located here. Charles Sullivan selected a beautiful tract of 300 acres about one mile east of Prospect, on what is now the Butler road. One of the McCandless settlers was a tailor and farmer, the other a distiller and farmer. Both were named William, and in order to distinguish between them the formwer was known as "Tailor Billy" and the latter as "Stiller Billy."


Pg. 588

Muddy Creek Baptist Church was organized October 19, 1819, among the members being Henry Shaffer, Jacob Rose, Samuel Stoughton, William Carter, Euphemie Rose, Jacob Stoughton, Catherine Stoughton, Ann Shaffer, Margaret Spear, and John Oelton. Revs. Henry Spear and Nathaniel Tibbett preached here prior to 1822, when Rev. Samuel Stoughton was chosen preacher. He remained until 1862, when Rev. D. L. Clouse succeeded him.
...
The old deacons of this organization were Jacob Rose, John Shaffer, William Shaffer, Robert Hampson, C. Baker, Andrew Stoughton, Daniel Smith, Oliver Pisor, Robert McGinnis, Simon Stickel,...

Pg. 601

James Cratty, with his sister Rachel, and brothers Robert and Thomas, came [to Muddy Creek Township] about 1798, and Henry Shanor arrived the same year and died here in 1838.
...
...Thomas Christie came in 1812; James English was here about that time, and also John Wimer.


Pg. 610

[concerning Worth Township]
Thomas Humphrey, Andrew, Edward and James Douglass, Christopher Wimer, and, it is said, Charles Coulter, arrived in 1798, all except one being natives of northern Ireland.

... Robert Glenn and his large family settled on the Hockenberry claim in 1810.


Pg. 612

[concerning Worth Township]
Zion Baptist Church was organized November 15, 1841, by Elders Thomas Daniels, Reese Davis, and Daniel Daniels, with Brothers Hazen and Hockenberry, of Muddy Creek township, and Vaugn and Barnes, of Muddy Creek Baptist church. The first members were John and Margert Oelton, Wiliam and Annie Book, Robert and Mary Hampson, and Phoebe Cooper. On the same day thirteen were admitted by baptism, namely: William Emery, Ruth Brant, John Book, Thomas and Sarah Josephs, Burton and Margaret Josephs, Samuel and Jame Book, Harlan and Mary Vogan, Barnard Stoughton, and Nancy Uptegraft.

Mount Union Church of Godd was organied late in 1871 by Elder Joseph Grimm, with the following members: Mrs. nancy Uptegraft, Archibald Bryan and wife, Retta Bryan, Robert Davis and wife, Mrs. Mary Mackey, Henry Dillman and wife, H.W. McClure and wife, Mrs. Viola McClure, Joseph Alexander, Mary Sinclair, J.P. Gallagher, Alexander Gallagher, M. H. Davis, Isaac Fields, and James Fields.


Pg. 615

When the pioneers looked in upon the two valleys of Slippery Rock [Brady Twp.]—the Piscataqua of the Indians—and Muddy Creek, they hesitated not in settling here. The advance was led by Luke Covert in 1796. A native of Holland, he varied from ancestrial tastes for lowlands and made his home west of where the Stone House was built in 1822. His son, John, the last of his family, died in 1873. Old Luke, it is thought, was a Hessian who became attached to the American cause, and by some means found his way into the New Jersey Line, during the Revolution, by being made prisoner or otherwise. Afterward settling in Nothumberland county, he resided there until 1796, when he brought his family into the wilderness of Covert's run. James Campbell, Alexander Irvine, and Bartol Laffer entered the township later in 1796, and with the Covert's, formed the vanguard of the pioneers.


Pg. 616

[concerning Brady Township]
Conrad Snyder became a tavern keeper on the Franklin road. John Hockenberry arrived with his family in 1803, but after some years removed to Cherry township. ... In 1810 Robert Hockenberry settled near West Liberty, and then moved to the site of Coaltown. ... The Smith Neil grist mill on McDeavitt's run was erected about 1810. Nicholas Klingensmith purchased or leased the property from Neil, and the Hoge Brothers ultimately became owners.


Pg. 618

West Liberty [Worth Twp.] was surveyed February 13, 1829, by James J. Hoge, surveyor.

Pg. 1240

Christopher Wimer came from Adams county, Pennsylvania, to Butler county, in the year 1798, and located in Worth township, immediately north of the (continued below).

Pg. 1241

site of Mecahnicsburg. Mr.Wimer married a Miss Snyder, of Adams county, and reared a family of seven children, vis.: Samuel; John; Peter; Jonathan; William; Isaac, and Rebecca, who married Thomas Kelly, one of the early settlers of the township. The parents resided in this county the balance of their lives, leaving numerous descendants. Mr. Wimer was a Whig, in politics, and a member of the Seceder church.

Samuel Wimer, eldest child of Christopher Wimer, was born in Adams county in 1792, and was six years old when his parents settled in Worth township. Here he grew to manhood enduring the trials and privations of pioneer days, and obtaining such an education as the schools of the period afforded. He later purchased the farm now owned by his son George, and resided upon it down to his death, in 1873. He married Elizabeth Hines, a daughter of Richard Hines, and reared the following children: Samuel, of Worth township; Mary J., deceased wife of James Abinett; Abner, deceased, and George.

George Wimer, youngest child of Samuel and Elizabeth Wimer, was born upon his parents farm in 1835. Upon his father's death he inherited the old homestead, where his entire life has been passed. He makes his home with his brother Samuel. He owns 210 acres of well improved land, and is quite a successful farmer. In politics, he is a Republican, and an adherent of the United Presbyterian church.


Benedict Grossman, a native of Germany, immigrated to York county, Pennsylvania, and there married Betsey Stivert. When six years old she was captured by Indians and held a prisoner for seven years. In 1797 Mr. Grossman, with his wife and five children, Simon, Benjamin, Jacob, Betsy, wife of Robert Black, and Catherine who subsequently married Jacob Kissinger, and his son-in-law, Robert Black, came to Butler county, and purchased lands in Cherry township. Another daughter, Polly, the wife of Robert McCallan, did not come for two years. Mr. Grossman brought with him a small stock of merchandise, which he placed in a log building in Washington township, in charge of Robert Black, but soon afterwards removed the goods to his home in Cherry township, and carried on a small store for several years. He was thus on of the pioneer merchants of the county. Mr. Grossman and wife died upon the homestead, and were buried on the Abner McCallan farm. Their sons, Simon and Benjamin, served in the War of 1812. Simon settled in Brady township, while Benjamin and Jacob made their homes in Slilppery Rock.

Simon Grossman came with his parents to Butler county, and spent the remaining years of his life in this section of the State. He married a Miss Carothers, and reared the following children: Benjamin, born in 1801, and died in Brady township; Alexander, who died in Missouri; Eliza, deceased wife of Henry Black; Hugh C., who died in Brady township; John, who died in Franklin township; Simon and James, both of whom died in Brady; Robert, who died in St. Joseph, Missouri, and Polly, wife of William Webber. The parents died in Franklin township, the mother in 1841, and the father in 1849.

Hugh C. Grossman, son of Simon Grossman, was born in Brady township, Butler county, April 3, 1810, was reared a farmer, and always followed that occupation. He married Mary A. Moore, October 13, 1842, to which union (continued below).

Pg. 1242

-Hugh C. Grossman, cont.-
were born the following children: Elizabeth A., wife of John Carnahan, of Kansas; Hugh H., of Worth township; James M., of Cherry township; Sarah C., wife of James Dunn, of Brady; Catherine S., deceased wife of Ezra Christie; Mary E., wife of Robert Fowser, of Butler; Ashley W., of Slippery Rock; Dora L., wife of James Stoughton, of Clay; Richard b., of Brady; Joseph G., of Worth; Lydia A., wife of Charles Hunt, of Lawrence county, and John S., a resident of Brady township. Mr. Grossman died on January 10, 1891, and his wife, April 12, 1892.

John Moore, Sr., was born in Chester county Pennsylvania, in 1761, son of William Moore, a native of Ireland. After reaching his maturity, he went to Washington county, lived there a short time, and about 1800 came to Butler county and located about two miles south of the present Moore homestead, which he purchased two years later. He resided upon this farm until his death, in 1851. He married Elizabeth McClintock, who died in 1840. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are dead, viz.: William, James, Sarah, John, and Mary.

Pg. 1244

[Margaret Gibson Baron's] maternal grandfather, Richard Hines, came to this country in 1800, with his wife and five children, viz.: Richard; George; Eleanor; Betty, and Jane, leaving behind Alexander and Susan. They afterwards settled in Brady township, Butler county. Alexander later came to this country, and died at the home of his parents. Their children, George, Eleanor, and Jane, also died at home. Richard located on a farm in Brady township, married Betsey Brandon, and two of his children, Eli and Mrs. Mary Gibson, reside on the old Hines homestead.

Pg. 1246

John Hockenberry, a native of Perry county, Pennsylvania, came to Butler county about 1803, and settled in Brady township. He resided there for several years, and then removed to Cherry township, where he died. He married Hannah Kelly, and was the father of eight children, viz.: John; Casper; Jonathan; Eizabeth, who married James Buchanan; Jane, who married Moses McCandless; Annie, who married and died in Ohio; Ellen, who married William Graham, and Joseph, all of whom are dead.
Casper Hockenberry, Sr., second son of John & Hannah Hockenberry, was born in Perry county, in 1785, came with his parents to butler county and about 1810 located on Muddy creek, in Worth township. He purchased 200 acres of land, upon which he spent the remaining years of his life, and died on October 29, 1860. He married Margaret Shaffer who bore him the following children: Annie who married Jonathan Wimer; Joseph, a resident of butler; Catherine, wife of J. J. Baker; Hannah, deceased wife of William Gallagher; Effie, wife of Joseph Forrester; Mahala, wife of Sheplar Boston; William, who died recently in Worth township, and Mary, wife of Elijah Rolls.
Joseph Hockenberry, eldest son of Casper and Margaret Hockenberry, was born January 16, 1814. After arriving at maturity he purchased a farm in Worth Twp., but subsequently removed to Franklin twp., and followed agriculture until 1891. He then retired from active business life and located in Butler, where he is spending his declining years. Mr. Hockenberry has been twice married. His first wife was Eliza Kennedy, a dau. of David Kennedy. She died in 1878, leaving six children, viz.: Casper; Euphemia, wife of Jacob Shields; Mary J., wife of J. S. Snyder; Margaret, who married William Bennet, and after his death John Hunt; Mahala, wife of James Cratty, and J. Pierce. His second wife was Mrs. Mary J. Lepley who died in 1883.

Pg. 1262

James Gallagher, eldest son of John Gallagher, Sr., was born in Ireland, and came with his parents to Muddy Creek township, Butler county. He subsequently settled on a farm in what is now Franklin township, where the remainder of his life was spent. Mr. Gallagher was twice married. His first wife bore him a family of three children, as follows: George; William, and Margaret, who married George Elliott, all of whom are deceased. By his second marriage he became the father of nine children, viz.: John, a resident of Franklin township; Sarah A., deceased wife of William Rose; Nancy, wife of Lot Wilson;, James, who resides in California; Robert, who was a member of Captain Pillow's company, and died in the Rebellion; Henry, of Pittsburg; Mahala J., wife of Samuel Burnsides; Amelia, wife of Dinwiddie McCollough, and Matilda, wife of James Dunn.

John Gallagher, Sr., one of the pioneers of Butler county, was a native of Down county, Ireland, and settled in Muddy Creek township, late in the Eighteenth or early present century. He purchased a tract of 400 acres of land, erected upon it a log house, and resided there the remainder of his life. The site of his home is now the property of Henderson Wilson. With him came his wife and the following children: James; John; William; Mary, who married James English; Margaret, and Jane. The eldest son, James, was twice married, his first wife being Sarah Forrester, and his second, Mary Albright. He died in Muddy Creek township, as did also his brother William.


Pg. 1277

Lot Wilson was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1821, son of James and Mary (Baum) Wilson, and came with his parents to Butler county in 1844. His father was a native of Berks county, whence he removed to Westmoreland county, and afterwards to Butler county. After a few years' residence in Connoquenessing township, he removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he died. By his marriage to Mary Baum he became the father of the following children: Martha J., who married Hiram Milhuisen; Tamson, who married James Cratty; William, of Lancaster township, and Lott. The subject of this sketch learned the cooper's trade, which he followed until 1854, and then settled upon the farm where he now resides. It contains 100 acres, which he has cleared and improved, and for the past forty years he has devoted his attention to farming. Mr. Wilson was married in 1854, to Nancy Gallagher, a daughter of James Gallagher, to which union have been born five children, vis.: Dunwoody; James; Henderson; Robert; William; Jane, wife of Vest Sharp; Tillie, and two that died in infancy. In politics, Mr. Wilson is a Republican, and he is a member of the Lutheran church of Prospect.

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