Joseph Bruce Hezlep and Martha Rath

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Husband Joseph Bruce Hezlep ^{1 2}

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            AKA: [Unk] Heazlep 3
           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 13 May 1900 2
         Buried: 

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         Father: Samuel Hezlep (      -      ) 1
         Mother: Jane Walker (      -      ) 1

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       Marriage: 1846 1

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Wife Martha Rath ⁴

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           Born:  - Allegheny Co, PA
     Christened: 
           Died: 10 Aug 1899 2
         Buried: 

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         Father: Adam Rath (      -      ) 3
         Mother: Mary Macyeal (      -      ) 3

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Children

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1 M [Infant] Hezlep ¹

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: in infancy
         Buried: 

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2 M [Infant] Hezlep ¹

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: in infancy
         Buried: 

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3 M [Infant] Hezlep ¹

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: in infancy
         Buried: 

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4 M Samuel Adam Hezlep ^{1 2}

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           Born: 7 May 1851 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 27 Jan 1883 2
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Eliza Curry (      -1894) 1

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General Notes: Husband - Joseph Bruce Hezlep

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When twelve years old he began linen-weaving, which he followed four years, and became so proficient that the premiums he earned sufficed to keep him in clothing. On arriving in America he followed farming for a time, then spent two years at blacksmithing, but becoming satisfied that he could not make a skillful mechanic, began peddling goods through the country about Pittsburgh. After his marriage Mr. Hezlep opened a small store in Snowden township, which was attended by his wife while he bought up produce for the Pittsburgh market. Beginning with one horse, he gradually extended his operations until he kept four horses busy, and so continued eight years. In 1857 he came to Turtle Creek and bought out a mercantile stock worth over $5,000. This was steadily increased till it reached $60,000 in 1865, when the whole was destroyed by fire. Unfortunately, there was only $11,000 insurance, with which he made a new beginning. Four years later his dwelling, which was erected at a cost of over $3,000, was also burned. Besides the usual goods found in a general country store, Mr. Hezlep carried stoves and furniture. Both he and his wife were members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Hezlep served as judge of election, and for three years as school director. While a republican in principle, he later acted with the prohibitionists.
He was postmaster over five years, getting his appointment in 1861. The rebellion commenced about that time, and lasted for four years, and as he was postmaster he did not have to go to war; but when Abraham Lincoln asked for 300,000 more soldiers he put his name down in a company of cavalry which Hon. James I. Larimer had raised. Each member had to take his own horse, but it so happened just about that time that Lee surrendered, and peace was declared, so the services of him and his company were not required.
He lived in the center of the village of Turtle Creek; did the largest business and had the finest stores in the place. His real estate was worth over $30,000.

1 —, The History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Part II (Chicago, IL: A. W. Warner & Co., 1889), Pg 454.

2 —, Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II (Madison, WI: Northwestern Historical Assosciation, 1904), Pg 238.

3 —, The History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Part II (Chicago, IL: A. W. Warner & Co., 1889), Pg 623.

4 —, The History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Part II (Chicago, IL: A. W. Warner & Co., 1889), Pg 454, 623.