These pages contain the biographies, autobiographies and memoirs of Glassporters.
Biography of R. H. Baxter
Taken from "Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; personal and genealogical.(2 Volumes)"; Madison, Wis., Northwestern Historical Association, 1904. Copied From Historic Pittsburgh
R. H
BAXTER, of Glassport, Pa.. manager and treasurer of the Glassport lumber
company, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., Nov. 5, 1868, and is the
son of William A. and Harriett M. Baxter. Mr. Baxter was educated in the
primary branches in the public schools of Burrell township, and completed
his literary training at Parnassus college.
On leaving school, Mr. Barter began to learn the carpenters' trade at Apollo, Pa., to which town his family had removed in 1888. He then went to Homestead for a two-year stay, and later located in Pittsburg, where he made a special study of the building business, while continuing to work at his trade. In 1894 he returned to Apollo; later removed to Vandergrift, where he was engaged in contracting for one year, and then became superintendent of construction for the Vandergrift lumber company, continuing in that capacity until 1900, when he came to Glassport, Pa., as manager and treasurer of the Glassport lumber company, and is also in charge of the Clairton lumber company.
Mr. Baxter was married, in 1891, to Mae M. McElroy, and they have one daughter, Helen. Mr. Baxter is a member of the republican party, and is prominently identified with the business and social affairs of the city in which he resides.
Biography of Fiore De Julius
Biography of Fiore De Julius taken from a Testimonial Banquet Program. The Testimonial Banquet was given on April 30, 1967, by the Glassport Sons of Italy Lodge No. 941, Glassport, Pa.
Fiore De Jullis was born on July 12, 1895 in Gamberale, Province of Chieti, Italy, one of five children to the late Mr. and Mrs. Francesco De Julius. He left his homeland and arrived in Pittsburg on June 2, 1915, moved to Rankin in January, 1916 where he became an original employee of a new concern known as the Copperweld Steel Company. Fiore remained with this firm until his retirement in June, 1963, moving to Glassport with them in 1928, and was the oldest employee of the firm.
Brother Fiore is a veteran of World War I, being inducted into the Army in February 23, 1918, sailing to France on May 7, 1913 where he served with valor in the 112th Infantry Regiment of the 28th Division. He received the Victory Medal and the Purple Heart while serving in France, and was discharged on May 6, 1919. As a result of his undying loyalty to his adopted country, he was granted his Naturalization Papers on October 28, 1919.
He married Elettera Ferrone on May 17, 1928 and took up residence in his beloved community where he began raising his family consisting of three sons and two daughters. His first son Frank A. Is residing in Panama City, Florida; daughter Mary Ciesiewicz in McKeesport; son Fiore, Jr. in Jefferson Boro; son Anthony P. and Marlene Raszewski in Glassport. Fiore is justly proud of his children, but has even more pride in his eighteen grandchildren.
Not being satisfied to just raising a fine family, he also felt it was his civic duty to become active in community organizations. He gave of himself as an officer and active member of the Glassport American Legion Post 443, the Glassport Lions Club, St. Cecilia Holy Name Society and Catholic Mens Organization.
These activities have been an important part of Flore's life, but none has received the tireless, continuous, dedicated, devoted and uninterrupted service he has provided to the "Loyal Order of Loggia Libera Italia No. 941." He Joined the Lodge in 1933, and was elected Recording Secretary in 1935, and has been serving in this capacity continuously until his retirement in February, 1967. He set his goal on making our Lodge not only the best in the district, but the best in the State of Pennsylvania. It was Flore's warm and personable approach to those of Italian decent that encouraged them to become members of our organization. The Lodge grew to 315 members because of his untiring efforts and was recognized by the Grand Lodge by their presentation of many awards consisting of rings, cameras, gifts and cash prizes.
Brother Fiore was appointed a Grand Deputy to the Swissvale, McKeesport and Monosson Lodges where he continued his faithful service. He was elected a member of the Mortuary Commission of the Grand Lodge for six years, and served as a delegate to the state conventions for our Lodge. He has been a member of the Morra League since its beginning twenty-six years ago, and served many of those years as an officer.
Fiore De Juliis has taken time to be friendly, because he knew it was the way to happiness; he has taken time to laugh for it is the music of the soul; he has taken time to give, because he felt it is too short a day to be selfish; he has taken time to work, as this is the price of success- and he has taken time to do charity, as it is the key to heaven. It is all of this, and more that we give Testimony to our "Brother Fiore De Julius", the little man with such a big heart.
Banquet committee: Anthony D'Angelo, chairman, Angelo Schinosi, Robert George, Frank Capuzzi, Dom Borelli, Dino De Felice, Anthony De Simone, Louis Martino, Joseph Borrelli. The author of the biography is not known at this time.
Biography of Duncan MacDougall
Taken from "Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; personal and genealogical.(2 Volumes)"; Madison, Wis., Northwestern Historical Association, 1904. Copied From Historic Pittsburgh
DUNCAN
MacDOUGALL, superintendent for the Pittsburg steel foundry company
at Glassport, is of Scotch birth, but has lived in America since he was
six years old. He was born in 1870, and came to Pennsylvania with his parents,
the family locating at Chester, where Mr. MacDougall was educated in the
public schools, and later went to work for the Standard steel casting company.
He remained with this company eight years, and during that time was advanced
from office boy to assistant superintendent.
He spent a year with the Franklin steel casting company, a year and a half as assistant manager of the casting department of the Otis steel company, and a year in the employ of Shickle, Harrison & Howard, of St. Louis.
His first position with the Pittsburg steel foundry company was that of eastern sales agent. Five months later he was made superintendent of the Glassport works, which are the largest steel casting works in the United States, employing 400 men.
In 1893 Mr. MacDougall married Miss Elizabeth McClure, of Chester, Pa., and has two daughters, May and Elizabeth. In religious belief Mr. MacDougall is a Presbyterian, and in politics a republican. He is a member of the Masonic lodge of Cleveland, and I. O. O. F. and Knights of the Golden Eagle of Chester.
Biography of George L. Edmundson
Taken from "Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; personal and genealogical.(2 Volumes)"; Madison, Wis., Northwestern Historical Association, 1904. Copied From Historic Pittsburgh
GEORGE
L. EDMUNDSON, of the firm of Hunter & Edmundson, funeral directors,
600 Market St., McKeesport, was born in Lincoln township, Allegheny Co.,
Pa., on Nov. 14, 1871, on the same farm on which his father, Havilla G.
Edmundson, only son of Levi Edmundson was born June 16, 1842 and sdied
June 7, 1879. His mother, Sarah C. Edmundson, oldest daughter of Joseph
Peairs, of Elizabeth township, Allegheny County, remained on the farm until
1890, when her present home was built at Rhodes Station, now a part of
Glassport.
In 1891, Mr. Edmundson entered the employ of the Diamond lumber company, remained with this concern two years, and then began a successful career as undertaker with the firm of W. W. Hunter & Son. In 1899 he was made a member of the firm, which was then called W. W. Hunter, Son & Co., and two years later, upon the retirement of Mr. W. W. Hunter, the name was again changed and has been known since then as Hunter & Edmunds.
Mr. Edmundson married Mary R. Harrison, daughter of John and Mary Harrison, of McKeesport, and has one daughter, Helen R. The family resides in the second ward, McKeesport. Mr. Edmundson is in political belief a republican. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of McKeesport,
Biography of Ernest L. Erhard, M. D.
Taken from "Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; personal and genealogical.(2 Volumes)"; Madison, Wis., Northwestern Historical Association, 1904. Copied From Historic Pittsburgh
ERNEST L. ERHARD, M. D., of Glassport, Pa., a prominent physician and surgeon, was born at New Millport, Clearfield Co., Pa., June 30, 1870, son of Philip and Mary (Schoening) Erhard, of Clearfield county, Pa., where his father was a successful carpenter and builder. Dr. Erhard was graduated from the public schools of his native county and later attended the State normal school at Lock Haven, where he was graduated in 1885. Subsequently he matriculated at West Pennsylvania medical institute of Pittsburg, and was graduated from that sterling institution March 26, 1895, with the degree of doctor of medicine.
Dr. Erhard initiated his professional career at Indiana, Pa., in 1895, where he practiced with much success until 1900, when he removed to his present location at Glassport and since has enjoyed a high standing among the leading physicians of that part of the county. He was married, in 1897, to Laura, daughter of George and Agnes Patchin, of Clearfield county, Pa., and their wedded life has been a happy one. He is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, the Masons, the Heptasophs and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has a large and lucrative practice among the best families of Glassport and was recently elected surgeon of the mills located at that borough.
Biography of Hezekiah C. Griffin
Taken from "Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; personal and genealogical.(2 Volumes)"; Madison, Wis., Northwestern Historical Association, 1904. Copied From Historic Pittsburgh
HEZEKIAH C. GRIFFIN, burgess of the borough of Glassport and roller for the National tube company, was born in Brownsville, Fayette Co., Pa., Sept. 14, 1855, being a son of Peter and Marie Griffin. He was educated in the public schools of Brownsville, and then spent six years in the iron-works of J. R. Jackson & Co. Leaving Brownsville, he spent eleven months in the employ of J. R. Jackson, in Pittsburg, working as a roller.
When Mr. Jackson came to McKeesport to act as general manager of the Wharton mill, Mr. Griffin came with him and spent five years as roller in that mill. Since then he has been roller for the National tube company. He resides in Glassport, where he is serving his second term as burgess and is recognized as one of the leading citizens of the borough. Before becoming burgess he served three years in the council. In politics he is a republican.
Mr. Griffin was married, in 1876, to Miss Mary E. Gummert, daughter of John and Martha E. Gummert, of Brownsville. They have three children: Edna, wife of C. N. Hartman; Harry C. and Vita G. Mr. Griffin is a member of the Odd Fellows and belongs to the encampment at Brownsville, also the Order of Americus and of McKeesport lodge, No. 136, B. P. O. Elks.
[H. C. Griffin was the first burgess of Glassport.]
Biography of P. S. McMullen
Taken from "Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; personal and genealogical.(2 Volumes)"; Madison, Wis., Northwestern Historical Association, 1904. Copied From Historic Pittsburgh
P.
S. McMULLEN, of Glassport, Pa., a prominent architect and engineer,
was born in Armstrong county, near Kittanning, in May 3, 1861, son of George
H. and Salome (King) McMullen, of Armstrong County, where his father was
a successful contractor and builder. Young McMullen was educated in the
common schools and later took a course in civil engineering at Delmont
academy, where he was graduated in 1883. Since that time Mr. McMullev has
been engaged in architecture and engineering, being stationed at Apollo
and Vandegrift, Pa., and in 1889 came to Glassport, where he has since
followed his professions with much success.
He was elected borough engineer of Glassport in March, 1901, and since has filled that position to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, but prior to this election had served the borough in that capacity. He was also borough engineer of Apollo for ten years, while living in that borough, and is one of the leading engineers of the county. He was happily married, in July, 1888, to Mattie A. Willard, of Apollo, Armstrong county, and they have had born to them the following children: Beatrice; Aug. 14, 1889; Ruth, Feb. 2, 1894, and Paul G., February, 1897.
Mr. McMullen is prominent in financial circles as a director of the Glassport National bank, and was one of the organizers of the Presbyterian church, of which he is a member and elder. His political associations and affiliations are with the republican party, and he is actively interested in its advancement and success.
Biography of Harry O. Murphy
Taken from "Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; personal and genealogical.(2 Volumes)"; Madison, Wis., Northwestern Historical Association, 1904. Copied From Historic Pittsburgh
HARRY O. MURPHEY,
manager of the Glassport coal company, of Glassport, Pa., is a rising young
business man, who has already proved himself to be of sound judgment and
business ability.
He was born in McKeesport in 1874, was educated in the public schools and at the Park institute in Pittsburg, and then went to work in the First National bank, which he filled several important positions. After seven years in the bank, he became manager of the Glassport coal company, and also of the Lynne coal company, located in Milesville, Pa., and has held that position ever since. He was also for a time manager of the McKeesport stationery company, but has sold out his interest in that company.
Mr. Murphey and wife reside in the second ward, McKeesport. Mrs. Murphey was formerly Miss Lynne Roberts. In politics Mr. Murphey is a republican. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of McKeesport.
Biography of John F. Nicol
Taken from "Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; personal and genealogical.(2 Volumes)"; Madison, Wis., Northwestern Historical Association, 1904. Copied From Historic Pittsburgh
JOHN F. NICOL, superintendent of the Pittsburg coal and coke company, at Otto, Pa., was born in McKeesport, Pa., in 1857, son of William and Katherine Nicol. He was educated in the public schools of McKeesport and at Duff's business college, Pittsburg, and then was for three years and seven months machinist for the National tube company. After this, in the employ of the same company and other concerns, he went into the gas fields as an operator; spent some time putting in gas lines, reducing stations and pumping stations, and has the distinction of having put in the first gas pumps in the state of Texas.
From 1889 to 1896 he had charge of the McKeesport paper department, and got the department into good condition before he left it. He entered the employ of the Pittsburg coal and coke company in 1896. Mr. Nicol is recognized as expert in his line of work, and spends a great deal of his time doing special work in various places for large concerns.
In 1899 he married Miss Lilly Hampson, daughter of Rich. and and Mary Hampson, of McKeesport. Mr. Nicol is a prominent and influential member of the Masonic fraternity, being a ember of McKeesport lodge, No. 581; Shiloh chapter, No. 257; Tancred commandery, No. z8, Knights Templars, and Syria tem-ple, Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a republican and served several years on the county committee. Mr. Nicol resides in Glassport borough. He is a Presbyterian in religious belief.
Biography of George F. Pastre
Taken from "Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; personal and genealogical.(2 Volumes)"; Madison, Wis., Northwestern Historical Association, 1904. Copied From Historic Pittsburgh
GEORGE
F. PASTRE, justice of the peace Glassport, was born to Allegheny, Pa.,
in 1866, being a son of the late George and Mary Pastre. The father, a
barber by trade, died in 1889, and for two years after that the subject
of this sketch ran his shop. Afterward he went to Chicago, remaining there
three years; then to Port Arthur, Texas, in the employ of the Guardian
trust company.
In the terrible Galveston flood he lost all be had, and returned to Pittsurg. A few months later he located in Glassport, where for a time he kept a barber shop, acting also as correspondent for the McKeesport Times, and in July, 1902 became justice of the peace. In 1903 he was elected to this position for a five year term.
Mr. Pastre was married in 1887, to Miss Mary Bingle, of Pittsburg, and is the father of five children, Howard O., Anna May, George, Clara And Fred. He resides with his family in the borough of Glassport.
In politics, he is an ardent republican, while his religious affiliations are with the German Lutheran church. He is a member of Lodge No. 101, Royal Arcanum and Lodge No. 307, Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. Pastre was educated in the public schools of the sixth ward, Pittsburg, and prior to his father's death, was for nine years shipping clerk for William K. Gillespie, a wholesale grocer.
Biography of Thomas R. Rae
Taken from "Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; personal and genealogical.(2 Volumes)"; Madison, Wis., Northwestern Historical Association, 1904. Copied From Historic Pittsburgh
THOMAS R. REA, priest at Glassport, was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1871, son of Patrick and Mary Rea. He was educated first in the Irish schools, where he studied the classics, and specialized in Latin, beginning his ecclesiastical studies at All. Hallows' academy, Dublin, in 1889. After a year at the academy, he came to America and studied first a year with the Franciscan fathers at Allegany, N. Y., and then, until 1894, at St. Vincent's college, in Westmoreland county. In 1894 he was ordained by Bishop Phelan, and became assistant to Father Nolan, at St. Peter's parish, McKeesport. After that he was assistant to Father McDermott, and on Jan. 4, 1900, was sent as pastor to St. Augustine, Cambria county, where he remained a year and a half, and then, in 1901, undertook his present charge.
The Glassport parish is a comparatively new one, but Father Rea has now a congregation of 100 families, which is housed in a comfortable church, and the people have also recently erected a home at a cost of $6,000. In 1898 there were only three Catholic families in Glassport. During his short stay, Father Rea has proved himself a faithful and competent priest, and has won many to his faith.
[Fr. Thomas Rae was the first pastor of St. Cecelia's church.]
Biography of William A. Stone
Taken from "Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; personal and genealogical.(2 Volumes)"; Madison, Wis., Northwestern Historical Association, 1904. Copied From Historic Pittsburgh
WILLIAM A.
STONE, agent at Glassport for the Pittsburg & Lake Erie railroad
company, was born in Dravosburg, Pa., in 1865. When six years old he removed
with his parents, Joseph A. and Josephine Store, to McKeesport, where he
attended the public schools, completing his education later at the Penn
military college, at Chester, Pa., from which he was graduated in 1885.
He returned to McKeesport, where he obtained a position as bill clerk for the Pittsburg & Lake Erie railroad company; was later, for eleven years employed in the capacity of cashier, and in 1902, was made agent at Glassport. Mr. Stone is a prominent and influential member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Youghiogheny lodge, No. 583, F. and A. M., McKeesport chapter. No. 282, R. A. M. ; Ascalon commandery, No. 59, Knights Templars; Pennsylvania consistory, of Pittsburg, and Syria temple, A. A.O. N. M. S., of Pittsburg. He is also a member of Lodge No. 81, Independent Order of Heptasophs, and Lodge No. 512, National union. He belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Stone was married, in 1890, to Miss Louella Penney, of McKeesport. They have three children, Helen I., Joseph A., Jr., and Jessie P.
Frank Werner Memoirs
McKeesport Daily News June 4, 1987
I joined the Boy Scouts in 1918. St. Cecelia's Church in Glassport, Pennsylvania was the sponsor and we were affiliated under the McKeesport Council. We were issued by the Council as Troop No. 2. Joe Stein, a discharged World War I veteran, was our Scoutmaster. There were four patrols of eight boys each. The patrol I was in was the Wolf's patrol. Whitey Cheray was patrol leader. Cyril Belusar, Mile Ondrayko, John Koller, Albert Hacker, Thomas,Wadding, Thomas Richerson and myself. Joe Stein worked with all of us. Saturdays and Sundays we went on hikes, got our tenderfoot badges and worked as a group receiving our first class pins at a Court of Honor held in McKeesport. As a group, we went to camp in 1919 to 1925. The camp was located at Confluence, Pennsylvania on the Youghionheny. To reach the camp, we boarded a Baltimore and Ohio train to McKeesport to Confluence. At the camp, were large World War I army tents that held eight cots with single springs in one tent. Straw was kept in one tent and you got a bag, filled it up with straw, and that was your mattress. The mess hall had plank tables and benches. A large open tent covered it. We went for two weeks each year at this camp. Two days a week you served on K.P. Six scouts were on milk detail. Fifteen gallons of milk in three five gallon cans were brought from a farmer one-half mile away at 5:00 a.m. On K.P., you had to have eating utensils on the table for the camp to get breakfast and also dinner and supper. After every meal, the utensils were washed and made ready for the next day.
In 1923, when President Harding died, two hundred of us in camp put on clean uniforms and went to Confluence and stood at attention while the funeral train passed us. There was a pilot train first, then came the train on the Baltimore and Ohio tracks carrying the President's body with the coaches draped in black.
I received the Eagle award in 1923, and earned my radio merit badge by building a receiving set with a piece of golena; a fine piece of wire. It was called cats whiskers with earphones. I built a transmitter with a morse key, a model T spark coil and two pieces of carbon for the spark to jump across. I received my license to send as a ham radio operator in 1922. My license call number was 8C.N.T.
I earned my money to go to camp by working on a milkwagon delivering milk from the wagon to the customers. In those days, there were no bottles. Milk was taken from a spotless round barrel that had a spigot on the bottom of the barrel. The wagon carried from one-pint to one-half gallon cans. I would fill the can, size depending on what the customer wanted, and rapped on their door. The lady of the house would have a pan ready. I poured her milk in her pan. The pay was $1.50 a week.
I became the first Eagle Scout in Glassport and I stayed with the troop until 1926.
In 1927, I became Scoutmaster of Troop No. 5. The sponsor was the Baptist Church of Glassport. Roy Keller was my assistant. The McKeesport Council moved their camp from Confluence to Champion, Pennsylvania, at which time, I was camp counselor. Thus camp was named Camp Aliquippa. This scout camp is not in existance now. Troop No. 5 was active until 1929. In 1928 balloon races were held for the national championship. At our first airport, called Bettis Field, U.S. air mail was picked up. Mail bags were pulled up to atop of a high pole and released on an open hook. The mail plane would fly by and pick the mail up off the hook. On the balloon races, the balloons were filled with helium gas. Our scouts filled ten-pound sand bags and hooked them on the gondola. The balloonist had a small garden digger which he used to throw the sand out to get more height. To lower the balloon, he left gas out real slow to land the balloon. There were twenty-four balloons in the race. The Los Angeles Dirigible came over and hovered over the field for about two hours after all of the balloons were airborn. Later a bad thunderstorm came up that wrecked six balloons. Four balloonists were killed.
Back in the thirties, we had sports competitions with all of the troops in the council, including signaling, swimming, running, broad jumping, pole vaulting, high jumping and other events. Today, you would call it olympics.
In 1929, Troop No. 5 was disbanded. Lorenzo Washburn was Scoutmaster of Troop No. 1. They had their meeting in the 3rd Ward School. He got in touch with me to act as his assistant Scoutmaster and I worked with him until I moved out in the country. The closest scout troop was fifteen miles from my home.
In 1946, we moved to Craford County and I started a fishing resort. Mr. Ken Williams at that time was the editor of the Meadville Tribune. He brought his son, who was a scout, out to go fishing. I showed Mr. Williams my merit badges, sash, scout hat and neckerchief, and he printed the photo in the paper. I received a call a few days later from the County Scout Executive. I believe his name was Petruso. This was around 1966. He asked me if I would like to join the District Committee. I told him, yes I was glad to be of assistance. He asked me if I would serve as Assistant Chairman on the Activity Committee. Our Chairman was McCoy, manager of the Erie Federal Wildlife Refuge. He was transferred two years later and I was named Chairman from 1968 to 1977. I worked and started up Boy Scout window displays, adopted a Stream Program, District Recognition Dinner (1973 to 1978), Scout O'Rama (1973 to 1978), and the Pinewood Derby.
I was the Olympic judging assistant in Linesville. I received the District Merit Award in 1976, and the Silver Beaver Award in 1979.
At the present time, I am serving on Troop 214 Committee and District Committee. The merit badges I earned to become an Eagle have gotten me many skills on what I have done. I learned how to wire a home, build homes, do plumbing, cook, drive a car and so many other things. I encourage all scouts to climb the ladder. In their latter years, they will find out what they do now, when they are young, will repay them in their latter years of life.
Biography of Thomas W. White
Taken from "Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; personal and genealogical.(2 Volumes)"; Madison, Wis., Northwestern Historical Association, 1904. Copied From Historic Pittsburgh
THOMAS
W. WHITE, borough engineer for Glassport and Monessen, and city engineer
of McKeesport, was born in McKeesport, Pa., in 1876, and is a son of ex-Select
Councilman Patrick White. He was educated at St. Peter's parochial school,
and then entered the employ of Taylor, Romine & Scott, where he remained
seven years, and thoroughly learned civil engineering.
After leaving the firm of Taylor & Romine, he took a trip around the world with John T. Butler, working their way on cattle ship. For a time he was a water boy on the street improvements in McKeesport, working for Patrick Ridge. Mr. White formed a partnership with L. L. Robbins, under the firm name of Robbins & White, with offices in the Lysle & Van Kirk building. A year later Mr. White bought out his partner's interest, and has since been in business for himself.
Although young in years, Mr. White has proved himself careful, able and conscientious, and has been successful in his chosen profession. He was elected city engineer of McKeesport by the city council on April 12, 1903. He is earnest worker in St. Peter's church, and has been for two years president of the Young Men's institute of that church. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and of Branch No. 26, C. M. B. A. In politics he is a republican. Mr. White resides in the first ward, McKeesport.
Page last updated June 23, 2002