The Architects TRUXELL & KLINE, Architects Greensburg, Pennsylvania
George Henry Truxell, a well-known architect of Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, associated in business with Harry S. Kline, with offices in the Press building, is a member of a family which has shown its patriotism in no unstinted measure. Many of its members have shown their readiness to lay down their lives in defense of their beloved country.
William Truxell, father of George Henry Truxell, was a farmer in East Huntingdon Township, and later went into the general merchandise business, locating successively at New Stanton, Boquet, Circleville, McKeesport, and finally Greensburg, where he personally conducted a store until his death, which occurred March 3, 1897. He was a member of the Methodist church of Greensburg, and in politics was a Democrat. He married (first) Catherine Doster, and they had children: George Henry, of whom later. Mrs. Truxell died in 1854. He married (second) Mary Plough, and they had three children: James I., married Nannie Hartly, and has children: Arnold, Louise, Ira, and an infant not yet named (1906). Louise, died at the age of twenty-one years. John Latta, died in 1905.
George Henry Truxell, only child of William and Catherine (Doster) Truxell, was born in East Huntingdon Township, September 13, 1852. His educated was acquired at Harrold's district school, and at the Greensburg academy. He learned the trade of carpentering with Louis Moffit, of Allegheny City, and with the firm of Lindsey & Stewart, of Pittsburg. He worked at this trade for a number of years and gradually merged it into architectural work, in which he is now engaged. He associated himself in business with Harry S. Kline, of Greensburg, and they have commodious offices in the Press building in Greensburg. His record as a soldier is an honorable and creditable one. He enlisted in Company M., Sixteenth Regiment, Infantry, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served in the Spanish-American war under Captain James M. Laird. He was honorably discharged from service at Jeannette, December 28, 1898. He married, December 26, 1872, Anna Elizabeth Miller, born June 26, 1854, daughter of Charles and Margaret (MCutcheon) Miller, of North Huntingdon township. Mr. Miller was a mason by trade, and died July 9, 1896. The children of George Henry and Anna Elizabeth (Miller) Truxell are: 1. William McCutcheon, born October 4, 1873, served in the Spanish-American was in Company M, Sixteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Captain James M. Laird. He was honorable discharged from service at Jeanette, December 28, 1898. He died December 28, 1900. 2. Elbridge Gerry, born November 14, 1874, served in the Philippine war under Captain Finney, in Company I, Tenth Regiment Infantry, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorable discharged from service at San Francisco, August, 1899. He married Henrietta Sickenberger, and they have children: Gerry Peckworth, born December 28, 1900, and Margaretta, born January 1, 1901. 3. Estella Dell, born April 5, 1876, married James Wagoner. 4. Mary Rebecca, born May 5, 1878, was killed in a runaway accident, June 4, 1891, at Carbon Works. 5. Charles George, born April 19, 1887. Reprinted from History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania: Genealogical Memoirs, John W. Jordan, editor, Volume III, page 512, New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
George Henry Truxell
(September 13, 1852 – March 1, 1920)
Senior Partner, Truxell & Kline, Architects
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Henry Sills Kline
(October 12, 1881 – July 25, 1911)
Truxell & Kline, Architects
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Mr. Truxell died in 1919 and he is buried in the Harrold Zion Lutheran Church cemetery in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, PA. Mr. Kline died July 25, 1911 and he is buried in the St. Clair Cemetery, Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA.
“The Work of Architects Truxell & Kline of Greensburg, Pa.” “It is sometimes thought that large cities have a monopoly on architectural ability, but such is far from the fact. It is true that the larger cities give opportunities for development in the profession which the smaller cities do not afford, and yet many of the best educated and most proficient designers are found in the smaller cities and towns. Just as some men prefer in other professions to dwell in smaller cities rather than to engage in the swifter life of the great municipalities, so also do certain architects prefer to proceed more modestly in their particular spheres than others who seek immense centers of population. It is not necessary for an architect to be located in a large city in order to gain an enviable reputation. “Among the Architects to prove the truth of this statement are Truxell & Kline, of Greensburg, Pa. The offices of this firm are located in the Brunot Building, and a visit to the same will convince any observer that they are well equipped for planning buildings of every character. In this issue of the Ohio Architect and Builder will be found a number of photographs of handsome buildings erected from the plans of this firm. “Both members of the firm have had careful training in their chosen profession. Mr. George H. Truxell, the senior member, is a native of New Stanton, Pa., a town located about seven miles south of Greensburg. He began work as a carpenter, but appreciated the finer art and engaged as a student of Architecture. In 1874 he started into business for himself in Greensburg, and in 1905 formed the present partnership with Mr. Harry S. Kline, the firm name having since that tie been known as Truxell & Kline. The junior member of the firm ws for several years in the employment of the late Mr. F. W. Mowbray. “Among the many buildings erected from plans of Truxell & Kline are the remodeling of the Merchants, Keystone, Kunkle Hotel and Hotel Rappe; one of the most conspicuous is the new Hotel Rappe. Work on this building was started by Architects Beezer Brothers, of Pittsburg, but was transferred to Truxell & Kline when the building reached the fourth story. Certain changes were made in the plans and when completed the building will be one of the handsomest in Greensburg. “Truxell & Kline prepared plans for a temporary court house, which is now completed, having occupied but forty-seven days in construction. The photograph is shown in this issue. Truxell & Kline have erected work in all parts of the United States and are worthy all the praises that can be given them for the high character of the plans issued from their offices.” This article is reprinted in its entirety from The Ohio Architect and Builder, Volume 9, Number 4, Cleveland, Ohio, April 1907, pp. 47-48. Along with 36 black and white photographic plates, this reference is the only definitive source that this researcher found for Truxell & Kline, Architects.
TRUXELL & KLINE, ARCHITECTS
Body of Work*
Residential Buildings**
Residence of H. S. Ackerman, Greensburg, Pa. 631 Alexander Street, SWG
Residence of Lydia Ehalt, Greensburg, Pa. 637 East Pittsburgh Street
Residence of C. B. Ferguson, Coraopolis, Pa. (?)
Residence of Frank Good, Greensburg, Pa. 765 West Pittsburgh Street
Residence of Elrod Johnson, Greensburg, 146 Westminster Avenue
Residence of W. B. Lucas, Greensburg, 546 North Main Street
Residence of D. Arter Miller, Greensburg, 316 Walnut Avenue
M. E. Campbell, Contractor, Greensburg, Pa.
Residence of W. F. Overly, Greensburg, 304 West Newton Avenue
M. E. Campbell, Contractor, Greensburg, Pa.
Residence of George W. Pooler, Greensburg, 425 West Otterman Street
Residence of James Potts, Greensburg (?), 307 West Pittsburgh Street
Residence of Rev. Alexander Siewiec (sp?), Mt. Pleasant
F. S. Shaw, Contractor, Mt. Pleasant, Pa.
Residence of John Shoemaker, Greensburg (?)
Residence of C. W. Shuey, Greensburg, Pa. Jeannette Road
C. W. Shuey, Contractor, Greensburg, Pa.
Residence of David Shupe, Greensburg, Pa. 329 West Pittsburgh Street
Residence of H. F. Stark, Greensburg, Pa. 507 East Pittsburgh Street
Residence of Thomas Steel, Greensburg, 708 Foster Street, SW Greensburg
S. C. Lindsay, Contractor, Greensburg, Pa.
Residence of Mason Welty, Greensburg (1907), 431 East Pittsburgh Street
Religious Buildings**
Polish Catholic School House, Mt. Pleasant F. S. Shaw, Contractor, Mt. Pleasant, Pa.
Episcopal Church, San Antonio, Texas
Italian Catholic Church (Highland and Tremont),Greensburg (Truxell & Boyd)
Commercial Buildings**
The Merchants Building (Remodeling), Greensburg, Pa.
Keystone Building, Greensburg, Pa.
Kunkle Hotel, Greensburg, Pa.
Hotel Rappe, Greensburg, Pa.
Ludwick Hotel, Edward Bechtold, Prop., Greensburg, Pa.
Temporary Courthouse, Greensburg, Pa.
Armory of Company I, Pennsylvania Regiment, Greensburg, Pa.
Bank Building of John Tonkey, Greensburg, Pa.
O. P. Long, Contractor, Greensburg, Pa.
Apartment Building for C. P. Pope, Greensburg, Pa.
T. E. Wible, Contractor, Greensburg, Pa.
Apartment House for M. C. Kunzman, Greensburg
John E. Snyder, Contractor, Greensburg, Pa.
Apartment House for C. Dugan, Greensburg (?)
The Road House for C. P. Steiner, Owner, (South) Greensburg
S. L. Foster, Contractor, Greensburg, Pa.
St. Clair Theater, Greensburg
Greensburg Storage & Transfer Company, Greensburg, Pa.
The Pollins Department Store, South Main Street, Greensburg, Pa.
Good & Co., Contractors, Greensburg, Pa.
Jennings Building, Greensburg, Pa.
T. E. Wible, Contractor, Greensburg, Pa.
Tribune-Press Publishing Company Building, N. Main Street, Greensburg
T. E. Wible, Contractor, Greensburg, Pa.
Westmoreland Grocery Company Building, Greensburg, Pa.
Shuster & Gormly Grocery Warehouse, Jeannette (?)
Shenango Furnace Company, Wilpen, Pa. (?) (Truxell & Boyd)
*This listing is compiled using photographic images from The Ohio Architect & Builder,
Volume IX, Number 4, April 1907, Cleveland. More architecture follows design styling.
**Where a physical address could be ascertained, it is given here.