Ira B. Schoaf, D.D.S

IRA B. SCHOAF, D. D. S., of West Newton. traces his ancestry- to Conrad and Louise (Islie) Schoaf, natives of Wurtemberg. Germany. where the former engaged in the occupations of shoemaking and farming. They were hard-working, persevering and industrious people, characteristics for which their countrymen and women are noted, and they set an example well worthy of emulation. Their death occurred in Germany in 1856 and 1839, respectively.

Jacob Schoaf, son of Conrad and Louise (Islie) Shoaf, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 24, 1819. In 1848, at the age of twenty nine years, he emigrated to the United States, settling in West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. His first occupation was in a stone quarry, after which he worked as a common laborer for Jacob Baughman for a period of four years, and then secured employment in a tannery, where he remained for twenty years. In 1875 he purchased the foundry belonging to a Mr. Downs, which he conducted with a large degree of success for many years, and his integrity and trustworthiness gained for him an enviable reputation in business circles. He was the owner of several valuable pieces of property in West -Newton, including several fine residences. He served as a member of the borough council, having been elected on the Republican ticket. On August 9, 1849, he married Lena Shively, of South Huntingdon township, and their children were as follows: Elizabeth, John W., Frederick, Lena, and Kate.

Frederick Schoaf, son of Jacob and Lena (Shively) Schoaf, was born in West Newton, Pennsylvania, 1859. On attaining voting manhood he entered his father's foundry and later became a partner in the business. Subsequently his father withdrew from the firm and the business was left entirely in his hands, he conducting the same in a creditable manner for a number of years, when he turned his attention to the hardware business, and a few years later disposed of his interest in the foundry. He is one of the leading merchants of West Newton, his trade being the largest and best in that line, and being accommodating, pleasant and reliable is highly esteemed by his many customers and patrons. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He served for a number of rears as a member of the school board of West Newton. He married Agnes Willard, who bore him six children, five of whom survive: Ira B., of whom later; Frederick, who is attending Duff Bros. College, Pittsburg; Clarence,. Ralph, and Mable.

Ira B. Schoaf was born in West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1883 . His early education was acquired in the common schools of his birthplace, and later he pursued advanced studies in the academy of the same place. In the fall of igoi he entered the Dental Department of the Western University of Pennsylvania, at Pittsburg, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1904. After his graduation he returned to West Newton and opened a commodious office for the practice of his profession, and in the short space of one year has built up an extensive and remunerative business. He is an expert operator, thorough in all the departments of his work, and is recognized as an able, skillful and progressive member of the profession. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a Republican in politics. Dr. Schoaf is unmarried and resides with his parents.  

Source: Page(s) 224-225, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed August 2008 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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