The Porterfield Family of Emlenton, Pennsylvania

This family is of Scotch origin. The emigrant was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, of Scotch-English parentage, and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Three sons grew up in Lancaster county, and later all became farmers of Venango county:

1. Robert Porterfield.
2. George Porterfield.
3. John Porterfield.

(II) Joseph Porterfield

Joseph, fourth son of the Emigrant Porterfield, settled in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, later moving to Venango county, where he built the first iron furnace in the Mill Creek district. He also engaged in lumbering and milling, owning a saw mill and grist mill on Mill Creek, Richland township. He married Hannah, daughter of James Hall, of Richland township. Children:

1. John C. Porterfield, of whom further
2. Cyrus Porterfield, yet living in Venango county
3. William H. Porterfield, died in Oil City, Pennsylvania
4. James Porterfield, twin of William H.
5. Priscilla Porterfield, married Captain Alexander Frazier, whom she survives, now living in Cooperstown, Pennsylvania.

(III) John C. Porterfield

John C., son of Joseph and Hannah (Hall) Porterfield, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1828, died in Emlenton, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1894. He spent his youth at the home farm, attended the public schools, and for a short time taught school and worked in the store operated by the proprietors of Shippen Furnace. When nineteen years of age he located in Emlenton, Pennsylvania, where he became clerk in the Morgan dry goods store, then situated near the bridge. In 1849 he became manager of the “Iron Store” established by Brown, Phillips & Company, of the Kittanning Iron Works. He continued in that employ until 1857, when he became the senior member of the general hardware firm of Porterfield, Teitzell & Company, John McCombs being the silent partner. In 1860 the firm became Porterfield & McCombs, so continuing until the death of Mr. McCombs in 1890, Mr. Porterfield continuing the business until his death four years later. Under his management the business had grown and expanded from that of the “Iron Store” to one of great proportions, combining four departments. It was not only the oldest business house in Emlenton, but the largest in that section. The stocks in every department were complete and every customer was dealt with in absolute fairness. This policy has been continued by his successor, Howard Hall Porterfield, who in all things has proved a worthy son of his honored father. John C. Porterfield was a man of varied activities and a most potent factor in the development of Emlenton and Venango county. He maintained a large, general mercantile establishment at Foxburg, and for twenty-four years was a director and stockholder in the Foxburg Bank. He was treasurer of the Emlenton Bridge Company; director of the Emlenton Gas Light and Fuel Company; interested in the St. Petersburg Bank, and in oil and gas properties elsewhere. Another enterprise with which he was connected and one that gave Emlenton its first great impetus was the building of the Emlenton & Shippensville railroad. The corporation was organized June 17, 1875, Mr. Porterfield being chosen a member of the first board of directors. He was a charter member of Allegheny Valley Lodge, 552, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he was a Republican, and a most liberal, public-spirited and valuable citizen. From an humble beginning he built for himself a name synonymous with integrity and success, leading where others followed and bequeathing to his posterity not only riches, but an honorable name.

He married, in 1851, Susan, daughter of Henry Allebach and granddaughter of Jacob and Verona Allebach, of Germantown and Venango county, Pennsylvania (see Allebach II). Mrs. Susan Porterfield survives her husband and resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Children:

1. Emma Porterfield, married W. S. Watson and resides in Pittsburgh.
2. Howard Hall Porterfield, of whom further.
3. Jessie A. Porterfield, married P. O. Heasley, whom she survives, a resident of Pittsburgh.
4. Henry A. Porterfield, now manager of the Dexter Oil Company, of Pittsburgh.

(IV) Howard Hall Porterfield

Howard Hall, son of John C. and Susan (Allebach) Porterfield, was born in Emlenton, Pennsylvania, January 6, 1856. He received his early education in the public schools, then entered Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, whence he was graduated in 1873. Choosing a business career he entered his father’s employ as manager of the Porterfield general store at Foxburg, holding that position until the death of John C. Porterfield in 1894. He then continued in management for the estate, of which he was executor, of both the Foxburg and Emlenton stores until 1905, when he purchased the interests of the heirs and became sole owner. The Emlenton business was diversified to include four principal departments and became the largest general mercantile establishment in the county as well as the oldest. The business done was not only of a retail character, but a large wholesale trade was carried on extending beyond local limits. Since 1905 Mr. Porterfield has been sole owner of the Foxburg store and has proved his excellent business capacity in its management. He is also vice-president of the Foxburg Bank, of which his father was an organizer, and is also interested in the Pennsylvania Fuel Company and other enterprises of lesser importance. He is a past master of Emlenton Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; a companion of Venango Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; a Knight of Franklin Commandery, Knights Templar; a thirty-second degree Mason of Pennsylvania Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and a Noble of Syria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; the two latter bodies located in Pittsburgh. He married, October 26, 1900, Anna L., born in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, January 6, 1870, daughter of Rev. David Latshaw.

(The Allebach Line.)

(I) Jacob and Verona Allebach

The founders of this family in the United States were Jacob and Verona Allebach, who came from Germany, settling in Germantown, Pennsylvania. During the revolution they were driven out of Germantown by the British and their home burned. They found refuge and safety in Berks county, Pennsylvania. Jacob and family later settled in Venango county, Pennsylvania, where the parents died.

(II) Henry Allebach

Henry, son of Jacob and Verona Allebach, was born November 5, 1800, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, died in Emlenton, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1888, after an illness of but ten days. His early life was spent in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he worked in a woolen mill. Later he moved to Reading, where he learned the jeweler’s trade and carried on business until 1837, when he moved to Beaver township, Venango county, Pennsylvania, where his parents had preceded him. There he bought a farm on which he resided three years, then sold and moved to Emlenton, Pennsylvania, where he was the first jeweler to locate, having his store on Main street. He continued in business until 1852, when his eyesight failing he turned the business over to his son Levi and for five years engaged in a mercantile business less trying to the eyesight. He then returned to the jewelry business, continuing until his retirement in 1872. At his death he lacked but two years of a half century residence in Emlenton. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and helped organize the first congregation of that faith in Emlenton. He married, November 30, 1823, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, Sarah, daughter of Christian Shaner; she died in Emlenton, January 3, 1888, aged eighty-six years, eleven months and twenty days. The business founded by Henry Allebach continued by his son Levi, is still continued by his grandson under the firm name of Allebach Brothers. Children of Henry and Sarah Allebach:

1. Maria Allebach, deceased; married George Truby.
2. Sarah Allebach, married John Sloan.
3. Levi Allebach, deceased; he was his father’s successor in business.
4. Susan Allebach, widow of John C. Porterfield (see Porterfield III).
5. Henry Allebach, died young.

See: Genealogy of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content has been preserved.