Henry W. Pifer, one of the well-known members
of the Butler bar, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born in McCalmont
Township, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1886, the son of
William Thomas and Mary A. (Weber) Pifer.
William Thomas Pifer was born in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. He
received a good common school education and began life working in a
sawmill. When he was twenty-one years of age he was a raft pilot on the
Clarion and Allegheny Rivers. He was later engaged in farming and lumber
business, manufacturing lumber and shingles. For many years he was a
veterinarian. He is now living retired on a farm in Jefferson County. His
wife, Mary A. (Weber) Pifer, was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.
They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Anna, a nurse, resides
in Butler; Catherine, a missionary worker, has served in Japan for over
twenty years; Amos, Butler, is foreman of the Standard Steel Car
department; Otto, an agriculturist, resides in Jefferson County; Amy,
married H. 0. Carson, resides in Butler, where he is with the Builders
Supply Company. He was city engineer of Butler for twelve years. Mrs.
Carson was a nurse before her marriage; Vina, resides at home with her
parents; Henry W., the subject of this sketch; Norman, an agriculturist
and coal operator, resides in Jefferson County; and Frank A., an
agriculturist, lives in Butler.
William Thomas Pifer was the son of George and Anna Pifer. George Pifer
was a carpenter by occupation and served as justice of the peace in
Jefferson County for many years. His father, John Pifer, came from
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to Jefferson County. He was born on the
Atlantic Ocean when his parents were coming to this country from Germany.
He fought in the War of 1812. His father emigrated to the United States
from Germany in about 1770 and fought in the Revolutionary War.
Henry W. Pifer attended the public school in Jefferson County, Clarion and
Indiana State Normal School, and was graduated from Franklin and Marshall
Academy in the class of 1907. He then took the course in Franklin and
Marshall College, and was graduated in the class of 1911 with the degree
of Bachelor of Philosophy. He also studied for the profession of the law
in Dickinson Law School. Mr. Pifer, after his studies, taught school. He
was keen for athletics, and was coach of the football team at Conway Hall
for two years. At Franklin and Marshall College he played tackle and
center on the football team. Coming to Butler, he studied law in the
office of Levi Wise, and was admitted to the bar in 1917. He has since
practiced his profession at Butler, under his own name, with offices in
the Butler County National Bank Building.
During the World War Mr. Pifer enlisted in the U. S. Army Ordnance
Department, March 26, 1918, and was sent to Columbus Barracks. He was
transferred to State College, Pennsylvania, then to Camp Hancock, Georgia,
and later to the Officers’ Training Camp at Camp Gordon, Georgia. He was
discharged November 28, 1918. Mr. Pifer was active in “four-minute”
speaking in the various war bond drives.
In religion Mr. Pifer is a member of the Reformed Church, and in politics
he is a Democrat. He is a member of American Legion Post No. 117, Lieut.
Frederick 0. Blankenship; Butler County Bar
Association; Butler Lodge No. 772, F. and A. M.; Butler Chapter No. 273,
R. A. M. His fraternal association is with the Phi Kappa Sigma, of which
he is past president. He is also a member of Isaac Walton League of
America, and of the Central Board of Officials of Football for the State
of Pennsylvania.
History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Historical Pub. Co., 1927,
Pages 749-750.
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