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Harry E. J. Putney
HARRY E. J. PUTNEY, who is engaged in the real estate and insurance
business at Kittanning,, was born at Putneyville, Armstrong Co., Pa., Nov. 27,
1862, a son of Samuel B. and Harriet A. (Williamson) Putney.David Putney, his paternal grandfather, was the founder of Putneyville. He
was born in Connecticut, Oct. 18, 1794. On Sept. 29, 1818, he married Lavina
Stevenson, born Jan. 7, 1796, and their children were: James T., George, David
T., Mary E., William N., Samuel B., Nelson O. and Ezra J. Mr. and Mrs. Putney
subsequently moved to Freeport, Pa., and in 1833 Mr. Putney bought from the
Holland Land Company, at $1.50 per acre, a tract of one thousand acres
surrounding and including the site of the present village of Putneyville. The
bottom lands and the hillsides were covered with laurel and hazel brush. A
little shanty was put up on the creek bank, where later a gristmill was
erected, and this served as the home of the Putneys for about four months,
until it was replaced with a cabin. This cabin was stocked with goods, to be
sold to the surrounding farmers. Later a story and a half frame dwelling was
built, which was the first of its kind in the neighborhood. In the meanwhile
Mr. Putney successfully conducted his mercantile operations. In 1840 he
contracted to furnish a large amount of timber to complete dam No. 1 on the
Monongahela river at Pittsburgh. By this time a little settlement had sprung
up about his location, and a few houses had been erected.Samuel B. Putney, son of David was for the greater part of his life
extensively engaged in a lumber and boat building business. His death occurred
in 1865. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: David W.,
Boyd H. and Harry E. J. Mr. and Mrs. Putney were both active members of the
Methodist Church, which Mr. Putney served as trustee. He was also active in
Sunday school work, and exerted a powerful influence for good among his
associates.Harry E. J. Putney attended public school at Putneyville, the Reidsburg
Clarion Academy, and the Clarion Normal School. After leaving school he became
an apprentice to the painter’s trade, which he followed for a time. Mr. Putney
then spent six years in the employ of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, and
later was engaged in a gas, oil and coal business. When he located at
Kittanning he engaged in the general insurance business, in which he has since
continued. In 1908, Mr. Putney, with H. A. Colwell and Mr. Pollock, cashier of
the National Kittanning Bank, organized the Chicago Air Brake Company. This
air brake acts upon a different principle from those manufactured by the
Westinghouse people, and it is believed by those who are competent to pass
judgment that it is destined to revolutionize the air brake system. A bright
future appears to be before the promoters of this invention. Mr. Putney is
active in fraternal circles, belonging to the Masonic order, in which he has
taken the thirty-second degree, and also to the Elks.On July 19, 1899, Mr. Putney was married to Marie Jones, daughter of David
and Emma Jones, of Pittsburgh. Four children have been born to them: Harriet
E., Jean D. J., Madge M. and Francis C.Source: Pages 799-800, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and
Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed October 1998 by James R Hindman for the Armstrong County Beers
Project
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
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