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■liilii 


3  1833  01202  1827 


Gc 

974.801 
In2s 
V.2 

1129635 


reynolds  historical 
oh:nealogy  collection 


INDIANA  COUNTY 

PENNSYLVANIA 

HER  PEOPLE,  PAST  AND  PRESENT 


Embracing  a  History  of  the  County  Compiled  by 

PROF.  J.  T.  STEWART 
And  a  Genealogical  and  Biographical  Record  of  Representative  Families 


IN  TWO  VOLUMES 

ILLUSTRATED 


VOLUME  II 


CHICAGO 
J.  H.  BEERS  &  CO. 

1913 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


1129635 


PAGE 

Abel,   William    1465 

Ackerson  Families    1106,   1178 

Ackerson,  James  W 1220 

Ackerson,  Dr.  Lewis  E 1178 

Ackerson,  WUliam  E 1106 

Adams,    Alexander    M 1339 

Adams,   Mrs.   Amanda 1423 

Adams  Family 1339 

Adams,  Lert 1297 

Adams,  William  W 1423 

Ake,  Jacob  G- 976 

Ake,   James   Dewier 976 

Albert,   Leslie  E 1430 

Alexander    Family    813 

Alexander,  Eay  M.,  M.  D 813 

Allison,  Alexander  H.,  M.D..   851 

AlUson,   Elmer   W 818 

Allison  Families 819,  851,  957 

Allison,  Harry  E 955 

Altemus  Families 1117,  1336 

Altemns,    Mrs.    Jennie 1274 

Altemus,    MatMas    S 1338 

"Altemus,  Newton  G 1117 

Altemus,  Mrs.  Terzah  P 1118 

Altemus,  W.  H 1274 

Altemus,   William  W 1337 

Altimus  Family   780 

Altimus,  Nicholas  D 780 

Amend,   Charles   E 1122 

Amend  Families   1036,  1122 

Amend,  Frank  C 1036 

Anderson   Family    1395 

Andersen,   John   C 1395 

Ankeny,  Edmund  K 1199 

Ansley,  Edward  M 816 

Ansley  Family 801,  816 

Ansley,  Dr.  William  B 801 

Anthony  Families 1058,  1307 

Anthony,  John  J 1307 

Anthony,    Simen    1058 

Archibald  Family    610 

Archibald,    John   P 610 

Armstrong,   Andrew    1453 

Armstrong  Family 1377 

Armstrong,  Isaac  N 1377 

Arnold  Family 995 

Arnold,  John  N 995 

Askins  Family   771 

Askins,  Wesley 771 

Aul   FamUy    1294 

Aul,  Thomas  H 1294 

Auld  Family    1399 

Auld,    John   M 1399 

Badger,   Ferguson   W 1130 

Badger,  William    1130 

Baker,   Andrew   P 707 

Baker   Family    707 

Baker,  George    1356 

Baker,    Hezekiah   W 1356 


PAGE 

Baker,  Samuel  F 1443 

Banks,  John  N 389,  605 

Barber,    Ezekiel    A 1505 

Barber  Family 1505 

Barbour,   Arthur  L 1090 

Barbour,  Augustus  F 1090 

Barbour,   William    1090 

Barclay,    Alexander   M 1396 

Barkley  Family   1222 

Barkley,  John  M 1222 

Bamett  Family   1344 

Barnett,   Samuel    1344 

Baron,  Eev.  Anthony 986 

Bareon  Family  1376 

Bareon,  Harvey  H 1376 

Barrett  Families   1140 

Barrett,  John  D 1574 

Barrett,    William    E 1140 

Barron,   Albert   M 998 

Barron  Family 998 

Bartholomew  FamUy    1583 

Bartholomew,  Jacob    1583 

Bash   Family    1142 

Bash,   William  Dripps 1142 

Baughman   Family    1335 

Baughman,   Jonas  B 1334 

Baun,   David    1463 

Baun  Family   1463 

Baun,  Henry 1204 

Baun,   Joseph   G 1204 

Beam,   John    1150 

Beatty  Family   1077 

Beatty,   James  A 1077 

Beck,   Elmer  C 1586 

Beck  Family 1586 

Bee,  Daniel  H 1246 

Bee  Families   1246,  1448 

Bee,  Jacob    1149 

Bee,  John  A 1149 

Bee,   Leroy    1448 

Bell  Families 867,  884 

Bell,  .r.  J 1091 

Bell,  John  T 393,  867 

Bell,  Milton  S 884 

Bence,  Charles  L 1206 

Bence  Families 958,  1207 

Bence,   George    1450 

Bence,  Henry   1450 

Bence,   John  L 958 

Bennett,   Abraham   B 1521 

Bennett,  Archie  A 1526 

Bennett  Families 

991,  1139,  1521,  1526,  1543 

Bennett,  Harry  W 1139 

Bennett,   John    659 

Bennett,   Norris  W 1543 

Bennett,    Peter     658 

Berkeypile,  Hezekiah    1251 

Berkeypile,  Steele   1252 

iii 


PAGE 

Best  Family   1092 

Best,  Martin  W 1092 

Bier,    John    J 1319 

Billingslee  Family 1065 

Billingslee,    Thomas   F 1065 

Bishop,   John    1321 

Black,   Adam    699 

Black  Family   699 

Black,  John 1159 

Black,   Solomon    1159 

Blackburn,   Enos  E 1420 

Blair  FamUy 679 

Blair,  Hon.  John  P 388,  679 

Blakley  Family    1566 

Blue,  David    1593 

Blue,   John    , 1593 

Boden   Family    918 

Boden,   Todd  E.,   M.  D 918 

Beggs   Family    1070 

Beggs,  Harry  Austin 1070 

Bolar    Family    1250 

Belar,   John   A 1250 

Bestic,  Edward  K 1214 

Bostic,  Jacob    1214 

Bothel,  James 816 

Bothel,    Nelson   M 816 

Boucher  FamUies.  .805,  1035,  1205 

Boucher,  Harry  K 1205 

Boucher,    John    1 1035 

Boucher,    Joseph   T 805 

Bovard   Family    920 

Bevard,    James    C 920 

Bowers,  Abraham    1401 

Bowers   Family    1294 

Bowers,    George    W 1401 

Bowers,   John   S 1294 

Bowser,  Anderson   876 

Bowser   Family    1554 

Bowser,  Dr.  WiUiam  E 876 

Bowser,    Wilson    M 1554 

Boyer   Family    1097 

Beyer,    Harrison   B 1097 

Brandon   Family    892 

Brandon,    Thomas   J 892 

Braughler  Family   1285 

Braughler,    George    S 1285 

Brickell  Family   1091 

Brickell,    George   A 1091 

Bricker,  John  G 1458 

Brieker,    Philip    1458 

Brilhart   Family    883 

Brilhart,  William  W 883 

Brinkman,  WiUiam   1333 

Brody,  Solomon   1199 

Brown,   Chester   A 1284 

Brown,  Daniel    1078 

Brown  FamUies   

1137,  1282,  1387,  1402 

Brown,   Harry   Y 1283 

Brown,  Herbert  M. 1402 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


PAGE 

Brown,  Jacob  1137 

Brown,  Michael  E 1347 

BrowD,  Samuel  F 1387 

Brown,   Thomas  C 1348 

Brown,  William  J 1283 

Brownlee,  Eev.  J.  Day. 319,  325,  625 

Bryan  Family 893 

Bryan,    John    E 893 

Buchanan  Families  ..  .645,  750,  794 

Buchanan,  George  T 750 

Buchanan,    Harvey    S 794 

Buchanan,   William  L 645 

Buchman,  Eobert 1597 

Burgess,   Joseph   H 1072 

Burkett,  Harry  W 1501 

Burkett,  Jacob 1501 

Burkett,  J.  &  Son 1501 

-^^^Burkhart  Family 829 

Burkhart,    Jesse   W 829 

Burns   Family    1034 

Burns,  Harry  E 1133 

Bushnell,  E.  M.,  M.  D 984 

Buterbaugh,  Amariah  N 1015 

Buterbaugh,  Amos  L 1433 

Buterbaugh  Families 1015 

1295,  1302,  1369,  1400,  1433,  1557 

Buterbaugh,  George  M 1361 

Buterbaugh,   George  W 1400 

Buterbaugh,  Harry  E 1293 

Buterbaugh,  Howard  B.,  M.  D.1557 

Buterbaugh,  John   1492 

Buterbaugh,  John  H 1302 

Buterbaugh,  Levi  M 1487 

Buterbaugh,  William  H.    (son 

of  Levi  M.) 1487 

Buterbaugh,  William  H 1369 

Butler  Family    1172 

Butler,   George   W 1172 

Butler,  John  H 1207 

Butler,  Eichard   1123 

Butler,  Mrs.   Sadie  J 1124 

Butler,  Samuel 1123 

Cable,  Benjamin    1517 

Cable  Family   1518 

Calclerwood,  Andrew 1408 

Calderwood,   Eobert    1450 

Calderwood,  Samuel    1408 

Calderwood,  Ward 1450 

Calhoun,   Alexander  P 1472 

Calhoun,  Mrs.  Annie  E 1113 

Calhoun  Families.  .733,  1004,  1155 

Calhoun,  Jefferson  C 733 

Calhoun,    William   L 1155 

Calhoun,  William  E 1004 

Calhoun,  William  T 1444 

Cameron,  Dr.  Clark  J 881 

Cameron   Family    881 

Cameron,  John  G 954 

Camp  Family   854 

Camp.    Francis    B 853 

Campbell,  Adam 1131 

Campbell,  A.  W 905 

Campbell,     Prof.     Christopher 

A 943 

Campbell,    Clement   L 1177 

Campbell,   Cornelius    643 

Campbell,   Elsworth  B 992 

Campbell  Families 

897,   905,   968,   992 

1073,  1131, 1177, 1190,  1239,  1440 
Campbell,  James   943 


PAGE 

Campbell,   James   S 1239 

Campbell,   Joe   J 1072 

Campbell,  John   1055 

Campbell,  John  G.,  M.D 1073 

Campbell,    Joseph    L. 1190 

Campbell,  Eobert  S 1132 

Campbell,  Thomas  P 1440 

Campbell,  William  H 896 

Carnahan  Families. .  .684,  895,  920 

Carnahan,  Israel    895 

Carnahan,  Michael  L 684 

Carnahan,  William  S 920 

Carney,  Emerson  E 1265 

Carney   Family    1166 

Carney,    MUton    1166 

Carr  Family   1481 

Carr,    John    C 1481 

Carson  Families   888,   1552 

Carson,  Harry    1552 

Carson,  John  M 888 

Cessna  Family   1528 

Cessna,  George  W 1120 

Cessna,  Milton  E 1528 

Cessna,  Eichard  C 1120 

Chapman  FamOy 837 

Chapman,  James   837 

Churchill  Families    1288,  1544 

Churchill,   Dr.   Merton   E 1.544 

Churchill,  Philander    1288 

Clark,   Armor  P 888 

Clark  Families 

.,676,  686,  787,  888,  1032,  1112 

Clark,   Harry   E 688 

Clark,  John  W 686 

aark,  Joseph  0 688 

Clark,  Samuel  L 689 

Clark,  Hon.  Silas  M.,  LL.D.388,  676 

Clark,  Thomas  B 1112 

Clawson,  Benjamin   1188 

Clawson,    Boyd   J 1189 

Clawson  PamOies 1188,  1459 

Clawson,  Gere   1189 

Clawson,   Thomas  P 1459 

Cline   Family    761 

Cline,    Harry    A 762 

Cline,  John  H 761 

Qowes,    Austin    W 859 

Clowes  Family   859 

Coble,  Epyrus 1286 

Coe,  Benjamin  F.,  M.  D 637 

Coe  Family   637 

Coleman,  C.  B.  C 966 

Coleman,  Eev.  Elijah 1212 

Coleman  Families  .  .966,  1017,  1212 

Coleman,  Samuel  C 1017 

Coleman,  Wesley  B 1212 

Compton,   Edward  C 1579 

Compton  Family    1579 

Compton,  Jackson  A 1328 

Condron  Family 1329 

Condron,  James  A 1329 

Conner  Family 1033 

Conner,    Jacob    C 1033 

Conrad  Family 1023 

Conrad,  Franklin  G 1023 

Conrath  Families 1079,  1506 

Conrath,   George   A 1079 

Conrath,   Eoy    1506 

Coon  Family  1482 

Coon,  Samuel  G 1482 

Cooper,  Erasmus  E 1091 

Cooper,  John  F 1091 


PAGE 

Cooper,  Naum 1486 

Coy  Family 1072 

Cramer  FamUies 660,'  1424 

Cramer,   Joseph   660 

Cramer,   Eobert   G 661 

Cramer,  Thomas  W 661 

Cramer,   William  E 1424 

Cramer,   WUson    660 

Cranraer,  Carl  B.,  M.D 1026 

Cranmer   Family    1027 

Craven    Family    986 

Craven,  Mrs.  Martha 986 

Craven,  Thomas 986 

Crawford  Families 

769,   901,   1087,   1293 

Crawford,  Miss  Mary  B 770 

Crawford,   Max    1293 

Crawford,   Samuel   1086 

Crawford,  WUliam  B 901 

Crawford,  William  H 769 

Creamer   Family    1226 

Creamer,    Thompson    1226 

Creps,  Elbie  E 395,  836 

Creps  Family   836 

Cribbs  Family 830 

Cribbs,  George  W 830 

Cribbs,    John    1394 

Cribbs,    Joseph   M 1394 

Croasmun,  Everett  L 1415 

Croasmun  Families 1410,  1415 

Croasmun,  Miles 1410 

Cronk,  Charles   879 

Cronk,  James   879 

Crossman,  Asa   900 

Grossman,   James   A 900 

Crossman,  Samuel  A 1403 

Cumings   Fanuly    1495 

Cumings,   Miss  Margaret   B..149o 

Cummins,  Andrew  J 914 

Cummins  Family   914 

Cunningham,  Alphonse   1051 

Cunningham,    David    1 627 

Cunningham  Families 

627,  719.  996,  1051 

Cunningham,  Eobert  H 996 

Cunningham,  S.  Eoy 997 

Cunningham,  Thomas  D 719 

Curfman,  George  H 872 

Daugherty   Family    829 

Daughertv,   John  W, 1425 

Daugherty,   WiUiam   S 829 

Davis,  Alvin  1 1238 

Davis,   Cameron   1504 

Davis,  David  W 1281 

Davis,   Evan  G 1340 

Davis  Families  . . .  .681,  1238,  1281 

1340,  1348,  1428,  1504,  1539 

Davis,  John  L 1539 

Davis,  Price   1428 

Davis,  William  H 1348 

Davis,  Wilson  C 681 

Davison  Family 814 

Davison.   James   C 814 

Deabenderfer,   John    1441 

Deabenderf er,  Lewis 1441 

Decker,    Christopher    1348 

Decker,  Peter  E 1348 

DeLancey  Family    808 

DeLancey,    Jacob    0 808 

DeVinney  Family   945 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


PAGE 

DeViimey,   James  D 945 

DeVinney,  George  C 947 

Devlin  Family   1227 

Devlin,    WiUiam    1227 

Dick,    David   H 1028 

Dick,  Dinsmore    1011 

Dick  Families 1011,  1028,  1549 

Dick,    George    H 1549 

Dick,    Jacob    M 1123 

Dick,  Jacob  P 1123 

Dick,    Martin    H 1424 

Dickie  Families.  .  .632,  1125,  1564 

Dickie,  George  C 632 

Dickie,  Joseph  Dixon 1125 

Dickie,   William   H 1564 

DUl,  Benson  S 692 

Dill   Family    689 

Dill,   Harry   E 692 

Dilts   Family    1590 

Dilts,    Eobert    H 1590 

Dinger,  Elmer  E 1585 

Dinger  Family 1585 

Dixon  FamUy 809,  1262 

Dixon,  James   809 

Donahey,  Benjamin  F 1417 

Donahey  Families.  .859,  1293,  1417 

Donahey,  James  H 1292 

Donahey,  Theodore  M 859 

Dormire  Family 1324 

Pormire,  Jacob    1324 

Dorn  Family    1150 

Dorn,  John    1150 

Doty  Families 652,  951,  1240 

Doty,  GUlis  M 951 

Doty,  John    1240 

Douds,  David  W 609 

Douds  Family     607 

Douds,  James   B 608 

Douds,  Samuel  W 607 

Dougherty  Family 1451 

Dougherty,  Joseph     1451 

Douglas,  James  C 1272 

Douglass  Families.  .896,  1270,  1578 

Douglass,    John    E 1270 

Douglass,  Johnathan 1578 

Douglass,  Samuel  A 387,  896 

Dowler  Family     864 

Dewier,  Harry  P 864 

Dreese  (Treese)  Family 1499 

Dugan,  Thomas    627 

Duncan,  Andrew    1481 

Duncan,  Archie   W 1464 

Duncan  Families    

....629,  1355,  1464,  1481,  1535 

Duncan,  Thomas  B 1535 

Duncan,  "William 1355 

Dunlap,  Clark     1194 

Dunlap  Family     1194 

Dunlap,  Thomas 1102 

Dunsmore,  William    D 741 

Dwyer,  Edward   650 

Earhart,  Dr.    E.    Bruce 634 

Earhart  Family   635 

Edmunds,  Edward 1320 

Elbel,  Charles   E 1418 

Elbel,  Charles    W 1418 

Elbel  Family    1141 

Elbel,  George   H 1141 

Elder,  Aaron    W 917 

Elder  Families 917,  960 

Elder,  Eobert    Y 960 


PAGE 

Elkin  Families 593,  766,  838 

Elkin,  Francis    594 

Elkin,  Hon.  John  P 392,  590 

Elkin,  WiUiam  F 394,  766 

EUiott  Family    1118 

EUiott,  Harry    M 1118 

Emerick  Families    1075,    1483 

Emerick,  Harvey  G 1075 

Emerick,  Eobert  L 1483 

Empfield,  Edward    1421 

Empfield  Families    1248,   1421 

Empfield,  William   H 1248 

English,  Hugh  Craig    799 

Evans,  Benjamin    F 913 

Evans  Families    

773,  878,  913,  1053,  1252 

Evans,  John  S 878 

Evans,  Josiah    G 1252 

Evans,  Samuel  W 1053 

Evans,   Mrs.   Sarah 1054 

Evans,  William  A.,  M.  D 644 

Evans,  William  A 772 

Everhart  Family   1002 

Everwine,  Jacob    1550 

Everwine,  Jacob  J 1550 

Ewing,  Alexander    663 

Ewing  Family    1413 

Ewing,  Eobert    A 1413 

Ewing,  Eev.  William  D 


Fair  Families   

.882,   1164 

Fair,  James 

600 

Fair,  E.  Willis,  M.  S.,  Ph.  D.   600 

Fair,  WUliam  M 

882 

Faloon,  Alexander  .... 

1360 

Faloon  Family 

1360 

Farabaugh,   Charles  G. 

1396 

Farnsworth  Family  . . . 

1228 

Farnsworth,   John    

1228 

Farri,   Eev.  Emilio    .  .  . 

1331 

Fassett,   Emory    

1589 

Fassett,  Leonard  K... 

1589 

Fee  Family 

923 

Fee,   Harry   W 

..394,  923 

Fennell   Family    

1036 

FenneU,    Harvey    H... 

1589 

Fennell,  John  A 

1036 

Fenton  Family 

1485 

Fenton,  William  H 

1485 

Ferguson,    Charles   D .  . 

904 

Ferguson   Families    .  . . 

.904,    1581 

Ferguson,   W.   Sherman 

1581 

Ferrier,   Andrew  C 

1215 

Ferrier   Family    

1215 

Fetterhoff  FamUy 

1420 

Fetterhoff,  John  W 

1420 

Findley  Families 

.775,1005 

Findley,  James  G 

1005 

Findley,  William  H... 

775 

Fiseus,  Alexander    

1221 

Fiseus,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  . 

1221 

Fisher,  Alva  C 

1018 

Fisher  F'amilies.638,  812, 

1018,1218 

Fisher,  Henry  A 

1218 

Fisher,  James  G.,  M.  D 

812 

Fisher,  Hon.  John  S.  . . 

..393,  638 

Fleck,  Mrs.  E.  M 

824 

Fleck  Family   

824 

Fleck,  Henry  M 

824 

Fleeger,  Albert  P 

1389 

Fleming,  David  A 

1508 

PAGE 

Fleming  Families 

993,  1335,  1508 

Fleming,  Francis  J 1407 

Fleming,  George  H 1407 

Fleming,   James   G 993 

Fleming,  Eobert  F 993 

Fleming,  Eoss  S 1335 

Fleming,  Thomas  H 693 

Flickinger  FamUy 807 

Flickinger,  Harry 490,  807 

Foose,   JoTm    1469 

Foster,   Andrew    1406 

Fouts  Family   1544 

Fonts,  Taylor  W 1544 

Frantz  Family   1U81 

Frantz,  Jacob  1082 

Frantz,  James  D 1084 

Frantz,   Thomas  H 1083 

Frasher,  Elmer  F.,  M.  D 926 

Frasher  Family   926 

Freeh  FamUy 811 

Freeh,    Peter    811 

Fry  Families   1276,  1589 

Fry,   Kinter    1276 

Fry,  Oliver  C 1589 

Fulton,   Clyde   E 1490 

Fyock  Families    857 

Pyock,  Eev.  John  W 857 

Fyock,    Samuel   L 1366 

GaUey  FamUy 952 

Galley,   Samuel    952 

Gallagher,   Jacob  A 1315 

Gallaher  Family 1476 

Gallaher,  Dr.  John  W 1476 

Gamble  FamUy    908 

Gamble,    George    F 908 

Gardner,  Charles  H.,  M.  D.  . .   798 
Gardner  FamUies.  .797,  1133,  1532 

Gardner,  James   797 

Gardner,  John  B 1133 

Gardner,  William   S 1532 

Gates  FamUv   889 

Gates,  WiUiam  D.,  M.  D 889 

George  Families 

825,   835,   1225,   1462 

George,  John  P 1225 

George,    Joseph   W 1461 

George,  Walter  B 825 

George,  WUUam  H 835 

Gerhard,  Jacob  F 1185 

Gessler,   Charles   U 1122 

Gessler,  Mrs.  Hannah 1122 

Getty  FamUy   989 

Getty,  James  S 989 

Getty,   Samuel  J 1243 

Gibson,   Mrs.   Elizabeth 739 

Gibson  FamUies 770,  1358 

Gibson,  Ira  E 770 

Gibson,  Irving  W 1358 

Gibson,    James 1060 

Gibson,   Samuel  S 739 

GUbert,   Luman   1181 

Gilbert  Family 1181 

GiU,  John  E 1323 

GiUespie,  Amos  E 922 

Gillespie  Family    1274 

Glass  FamUy    1084 

Glass,  Thomas  Burns 1034 

Glass,  William  A 1084 

Glasser   Family    1542 

Glasser,  John  F 1542 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


PAGE 

Glenn,  Daniel   1121 

Glenn,  Joseph 1121 

Glenn,   Joseph  J 1480 

Glenn,    WilUam    A 1480 

Golden    Family    1560 

Golden,  Mabry  J 1560 

Gordon  Family 1313 

Gorman,  Clinton  D 791 

Gorman  Families    791,   1468 

Gorman,  John  W 1468 

Gourley  Family 693 

Gourley,  John  C,  M.  D 693 

Graff  Family   711 

Graff,  George  W 1429 

Graff,  Henry 711 

Graff,  James  G 713 

Graff,   Sumner    713 

Graham,  Allen  S 1289 

Graham  Families 

694,  1289,  1529,  1523 

Graham,  James 694 

Graham,    James    B 1523 

Graham,  William  J 1529 

Gray,  Alexander 1392 

Green,  Elisha 899 

Green  Family 899 

Green,    James   B 899 

Greiner,  George  W 1447 

Greiner,  John  A 1157 

Greiner,  William   1157 

Griffith,  A.  B 1457 

Griffith,  Charles   1357 

Griffith,  Charles  E 713 

Griffith,    Evan    W 1555 

Griffith  Families 713 

866,  1039,  1191,  1354,  1357,  1457 

Griffith,  George  S 866 

Griffith,    Henry   S 1354 

Griffith,  Stephen  B 1039 

Griffith,   Thomas    1555 

Griffith,  William 1191 

Grubbs  Familv 1563 

Grubbs.  John  M.,  M.  D 1563 

Grumbling  Family 1060 

Grumbling,  Hudson  E 1060 

Hadden  Family   1456 

Hadden,   James  W 1456 

Hahn,    Mrs.    Annie 1006 

Hahn,  Louis  J 1006 

Hall,  Willis  D.,  M.  D 1579 

Hamilton,  Aubrey  M 1224 

HamOton  Families 

806,  826,  1099,  1265,  1412 

Hamilton,   Stewart   S 1412 

Hamilton,  William  A 1099 

Hamilton,  William  S 806 

Hamilton,  William   W 1224 

Hanna  Family   1592 

Hanna,  James  A 1591 

Harbison,  Alexander  M 1046 

Harbison,   Mrs.   Elizabeth 864 

Harbison  Families. 863,  1030,  1046 

Harbison,  John 863 

Harbison,  Joseph  W 1030 

Harbison,  Miss  Martha  J 864 

Harbison,  William  W 1048 

Harmon,  Clair  G.,  M.  D 1172 

Hart    Familv    1375 

Hart,  Harry  H 1375 

Hart,  Mrs.  John  A 1039 

Harvey  Family    752 


PAGE 

Harvey,   Nathan  C 752 

Hastings,  Carl  M 629 

Hastings  Families 629,  1208 

Hastings,   Eeuben    1208 

Hawes,  Boyd  W 875 

Hawes  Family   875 

Hay  Family   721 

Hay,  Eev.  Lewis,  D.  D 301,  721 

Hazlett   Families    1516,   1517 

Hazlett,  George  W 1517 

Hazlett,  James  M 1516 

Hazlett,  Samuel  C 1264 

Hedden,   Manlev  J 1500 

Heffliek,  David 1468 

Hefflick,   John   0 1467 

Heilman,  Elmer  E..  M.  D 1001 

Henderson,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  C.  885 
Henderson   Families    

617,  885,  965 

Henderson,  John  W 885 

Henderson,  Joseph  A 965 

Henderson,  Samuel  C 1457 

Henry.    Daniel    B .  .  .' 1460 

Henry  Families 657,  934,  1460 

Henry,  Hon.  James  T 657 

Henry,  Matthew  H 934 

Herbison    Family    1135 

Hess,    Albert    H 1095 

Hess   Family    1095 

Hess.   George    1053 

Hess,  George  F 1404 

Hewitt.  Irvin  A 729 

Hicks,  Abram 1135 

Hicks  Families 1135,  1441 

Hicks.  Lawrence    1441 

Hildebrand  Family   1001 

Hildebrand.   Thomas  E 1001 

Hileman.   Charles  E 1210 

Hileman  Families 1055,  1211 

Hileman,  James  M 1055 

Hill  Families   810,  873 

Hill,  Eev.  George,  D.  D..236,  810 

Hill.  William  B 873 

Hines,  Albert  J 1430 

Hines,  Celestian 1416 

Hines  Familv 1436 

Hines.  Joseph 1390 

Hines,  Eov  J 1390 

Hoffman,  Henry    1025 

Hoffman.   Milton 1352 

Hollis  Family 735 

Hollis,    McCiellau    735 

Hollsaple,   Joseph    1123 

Hood  Family   648 

Hood,   James    648 

Hood,    Eobert    J 649 

Hoover,  A.  Clifford 963 

Hoover  Family 963 

Hoover,  Fred 1377 

Hoover,   George  W 1066 

Hoover,    John    T 1066 

Hopkins  Family 938 

Hopkins.   William  W 938 

Horton  Family 666 

Hotham,     Brentwood     H.     De 

Vere.  M.  D 1301 

Houck  Families 1041,  1155 

Houck,  George  F 957 

Houck,  Henry 1016 

Houck,  J.  Ward 1041 

Housholder,  John  E 1556 

Housholder,  Solomon 1556 


PAGE 

Houston   Family    959 

Houston,  William    959 

Howard,    Daniel    753 

Howard  FamUy   753 

Hughes  Family :  . . .  1551 

Hughes,  Thomas  A 1551 

Hunter,  Alexander 1583 

Hunter   Families    856,    1454 

Hunter,  George,  M.  D 856 

Hunter,   Kinlev    1453 

Hutchison  Family   1176 

Hutchison,  James  J 1176 

Imbrie  Family   828 

Imbrie,   Eev.   James   M 828 

Irwin,  Samuel „  .  1116 

Irwin,    WilUam   W 1116 

Jack  Families 606.  1002 

Jack,  Hon.  Summers  M..391.  606 

Jack,  William  B 1004 

Jackson,  Walter  H 927 

Jacoby,  John    1470 

Jacoby,   William    1471 

Jamieson,  Eev.  John 329,  931 

Jamison,   William    1144 

Jeffries  Familv   743 

Jeffries,   George  H 743 

Johns,  William,  M.  D 1093 

Johns.  Wilson  P 1093 

Johnston,    Dr.    Alexander....   647 

Johnston,   Alexander  E 647 

Johnston  Family   903 

Johnston,  J.  Milton 903 

Johnston,   Stephen  A 646 

Joiner.  George  M 1101 

Jones  Family   922 

Jones,  John  "E 1401 

Jordan  Family 1109 

Jordan,  Joseph  A 1109 

Jordan,  Eobert   1109 

Kametz,  Andrew   1488 

Kanarr  Family 1257,   1290 

Kanarr.  Jacob   1214 

Kanarr,  Moses   1290 

Kanarr,   Simon   T 1257 

Kauffman  Family   1166 

Kauffman,  James  S 1166 

Kaufman,   Michael    1479 

Kaufman,  Samuel    1479 

Keagle,  George  S 1475 

Keeley.   James  M 937 

Keelv,  Daniel 936 

Keelv  Family 936 

Keib'ler,  E.  j.   (John  E.)....1525 

Keibler  Family   1525 

Keith  Families 1413,  1545 

Keith,  George 1545 

Keith,  Jeremiah 1413 

Kelly  Families 1305,  1596 

Kellv,  George  W 1305 

Kelly,  Henry  C 1596 

Kennedy  Family    1114 

KennedV,  Sylvester  C 1114 

Kerr,  Albert  C 1594 

Kerr  Families 

1202,  1426,  1542,  1594 

Kerr,  John  W 1426 

Kerr,  Mrs.  Mary 1594 

Kerr,  Thomas 962 

Kerr,  Thomas  C 1201 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


Kerr,  William 1542 

Killin,,  Capt.  Daniel   1044 

Killin  Family 1044 

Killin,  Mrs.  Nancy  T 1045 

Kimple,    Capt.   William 1284 

King  Families   1156,  1570 

King,   Isaac   Norman 1156 

King,   Samuel   T 1381 

King,  William  J 1570 

Kingston,  Isadore   1488 

Kinnan   Family    1111 

Kinnan,  Jolm  T 1111 

Kiuter,  Mrs.  Elisabeth 1199 

Kinter    Families    

630,  742,  974,  1105,  1198 

Kinter,   Herbert   P 742 

Kinter,  Capt.  John   974 

Kinter,  Capt.  John  A 631 

Kinter,  Peter  W 1198 

Kinter,  P.   Watson 975 

Kinter,  Mrs.   Sophia  A 1106 

Kinter,  William  H 1105 

Kirkwood,  James  S 1249 

Kish,  Frank    1385 

Kissinger   Family    1502 

Kissinger,    William 1502 

Kleinstub,  Herman   1317 

Kline  Family   847 

Kline,  George  K 847 

Klingensmith  Family   1438 

Klingensmith,  Matthias  T 1438 

Knauf,   Henry  W 1025 

Knox  Family   1233 

Koontz   Family    1497 

Koontz,   Homer  W 1497 

Krider  Family   973 

Krider,  Samuel  A 973 

Kunkle,  Calvin  S 1119 

Kunkle  Family    1119 

Kunkle,  John  C 1262 

Kunkle,  Lowry  G 1244 

Kunkle,  Mrs.  Sarah  E 1262 

Laflferty,  John  P 987 

Laney,  John   1278 

Lang,  Aaron  W 1291 

Langham    Families    ....654,    1243 

Langham,   Harvey  B 1248 

Langham,  Jonathan  N 393,  654 

Langham,  Sharp  S 1243 

Lariff,  Harry   1489 

Laughry  Family    1009 

Laughry,  Johnson  L 1009 

Lawrence  Family 1376 

Lawi-ence,  William  S 1376 

Leard  Family 822 

Leard,  Zachariah 823 

Learn  Families 1080,  1491 

Leard,   Frank  H 1080 

Learn,  Oakley  E 1491 

Leasure,   David   C 1209 

Leasure,.  Mrs.  Evaline 1209 

Leasure  Families 702, 

•  •. 1215,  1216,  1533 

Leasure,  John  C •. 702 

Leasure,  John  W 1533 

Leasure,  Sainuel  B 1216 

Leib,   Paul    1499 

Lemke,  Charles 1372 

Lemke,  Lewis  W 1373 

Lemmon  Families 1124,  1269 

Lemon  Family 1359 

Lemon,  John"G 1359 


Leonard,  Miss  Jane  E.  .  .  .227 

Lettie    Family    

LeVine,  Sol 

Levinson,   Harry    

Lewis,    Enoch    F 

Lewis,  Estell  B.,  M.  D 

Lewis,   Capt.    Even 

Lewis  Families   1012, 

..  .1237,  1266,  1322,  1536, 

Lewis,  Hugh  P 

Lewis,   John    

Lewis,   Samuel    

Lewis,  Thomas  S 

Liggett  Families 944, 

Liggett,  J.  Nelson 

Liggett,  WUliam  N 394 

Lightcap,  Mrs.   Elizabeth  S.  . 

Lightcap  Families 1134, 

Lightcap,  J.  Scott 

Lightcap,   Sam  uel    

Lightner,   Joseph   F 

Limrick,  Andrew  J 

Ling,  Benjamin  F 

Ling  Family  

Lingle,    Chester    M 

Lingle  Family    

Lintner,  D.  Elliott    

Lintner  Families 1127, 

Lintner,    Joseph   P 

Lintner,  Miss  Mary  I 

Lintner,  William   

Liptak,    George    

Little  Family   

Litt,le,   William    S 

Lloyd  Family 

Lockard,  Elsworth  M 

Lockard    Family    

Long,  Archibald  A 

Long   Families 

685,  1313,  1505, 

Long,  Henry  H 

Long,  Jesse  M 

Long,  Jesse  E 

Long,  Thomas  H 

Long,  William  T 

Longwill  Families   ....1216, 

Longwill,  J.  Clair 

Longwill,   John   S 

Lore,  James    

Lore,   John   H 

Lose,  James  E 

Lose  Family   

Loughry  Family 

Loughry,  Joseph  H 

Loughry,  Mrs.  Martha  B .  . .  , 

Loughry,  Miss  Mary  E 

Loughry,  James   A 

Loughry,   Samuel  L 

Loughry,  W.  E , 

Lower  Family 

Lower,   William   H 

Lo'mnan,   George 

Lowman  Families 1472, 

Lowman,   Hugh    

Lowry  Family 

Lowry,  Horace  M 

Lucas  Families 12S7, 

Lucas,  Samuel  S 

Lucas,  Thomas   

Lukehart    Family    

Lukehart,   Wallace  E 

Lukehart,   William  L 


PAGE 

,  853 
1029 
1488 
1596 
1104 
1556 
1266 
1104 
1556 
1012 
1322 
1237 
1536 
1356 
1356 
,  944 
1134 
1510 
1510 
1134 
1447 
1411 
1157 
1157 

680 

680 
1128 
1341 
1341 
1128 
1127 
1503 
1235 
1235 
1051 


1514 
1313 
1164 
1164 
685 
1514 
1439 
1439 
1216 
1470 
1470 
1189 
1189 
1347 
1347 
1347 
597 
598 
598 
604 
1592 
1592 
1519 
1519 
1472 
663 
663 
1306 
1287 
1306 
1532 
1533 
1532 


PAGE 

Lute,  Frederick   1471 

Lute,  Harvey  S 1471 

Lydic,  Chapman 1450 

Lydic,   Elmer    1498 

Lydic  Family 1444 

Lydic,  WUliam  H 1444 

Lydick,   Azariah   J 1277 

Lydick,  Elliott  M 1382 

Lydick  Families 

871,  890,  1277,  1382,  1427 

Lydick,  Harry  E 890 

Lydick,  John  P 1427 

Lydick,  Joseph 871 

Lynn   Family    1558 

Lynn,  Thomas  S 1558 

Lyons   Family    958 

Lytle  Famines 998,  1455 

Lytle,  John  H 1455 

Lytle,  Eobert    1056 

Lytle,  William  B 998 

MeAfoos,   Benjamin   M 1021 

McAfoos,  George  F 1021 

McAfoos,  Mrs.  Mary  E 1021 

McAnulty,  Asa  E 1552 

McAnulty  Family   1552 

McCartney  Families 664,  1223 

McChesney,  Eobert,  M.  D 697 

McChesney,  William  A.,  M.  D. 

374,    697 

McClaran   Family    873 

McClaran,  Joseph  A 872 

McClaran,    Hon.    William 1001 

MeComb  Families 663,  1038 

McComb,  Gen.  James 662 

McComb,    John    1039 

McCormick  Family 848 

McCormick,  John  B 542,  848 

McCormick,  John  B.,  Home  of  848 
McCormick,    John    B.,    in    his 

Workshop    848 

McCormick,  Mrs.  S.  J 1393 

McCormick,   Winfield   S 1393 

McCoy,  Columbus    874 

MeCov  Families   874,   1442 

McCoy,  Samuel  A 1442 

McCracken    Family 804 

McCraeken,  Joseph  J 804 

MrCrea,  Dr.  Chalmers  S 717 

McCrea  Family    1088 

McCrea,  Gilbert  T 716 

McCrea,   Eobert    E 717 

McCrea,  Thompson  C 1088 

McCrea,  WiUiam  P 1090 

McCreary  Family    718 

McCreary,    Harry    718 

McCreery   FamUy    1584 

McCreery,   John    G 1584 

McCrory  Family   832 

McCrory,   John   G 832 

McCuUough,  Andrew  W 886 

McCullough  Families 

886,  975,  1305 

McCullough,  George  W 1305 

McCullough,  Harmon  L.,  M.  D.  975 

MeCune,   George   J 1462 

McDonnell   Family    1100 

McDonnell,  Simon   1100 

McElhoes  Family 870 

McElhoes,  James  S 870 

McFarland,  Clifford    1135 

McFarland  Families   

676,  1135,   1.561 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


PAGE 

MeFarland,   Maj.   Irvin 604 

McFarland,   John   E 1561 

MeFarland,  William   1135 

MeFeaters,   Charles   A 1365 

McFeaters  Families 1334,  1365 

MeFeaters,   John   M 1334 

McFeatters,  Miss  Clara  E 1573 

MeFeatters,  James  S 1572 

MeFeatters,  John  A 1572 

MeGaughey,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  J.  1437 

McGaughey    Family 1437 

MeGaughey,   Joseph    1437 

McGee  Family   588 

MeGee,  John 588 

MeGee,  Mrs.  Sarah  H 589 

McGovern,  Peter  J 715 

McGregor  Families 698,  941 

McGregor,   James  C 697 

McGregor,  William  H 941 

McGuire,  John  H 1171 

McGuire  FamUy   962,  1171 

McGuire,  Levi    962 

McHenry,  Mrs.  Clara   1026 

McHenry,  E.  Quay,  M.  D 723 

McHenry  Fanfilies 

723,  880,  1438,  1519,  1587 

McHenry,  John    1026 

McHenry,  Ealph  F.,  M.  D 880 

McHenry,    Samuel   E 1519 

McHenry,  Smith  M 1026 

McHenry,  U.  S.  Grant 1587 

McHenry,  William  Simpson.  .1438 

McHenry,   William    1511 

Mclsaae   Family    855 

Mclsaac,  Hugh  A 855 

McKalip  Family    1059 

McKalip,  James  D 1059 

McKee    Family    1273 

McKee,   James   A 1273 

McKendriek,    Mrs.   Emma 1372 

McKendrick  Families  ..1019,  1371 

McKendriek,   James    1019 

McKendriek,  John 1371 

McKiDip,  Miss  Anna  J 1132 

McKillip  Families   1132,  1537 

McKillip,   HamUton    1132 

McKillip,   Mrs.  Martha   . 1538 

McKUlip,  WilUam  W 1537 

McKnight,  Col.  Amor  A 930 

MeKnight    Family    930 

McKnight,    James   A 613 

McKnight,    Miss   Mary  C 613 

McKnight,    Hon.    William   J., 

M.  D 928 

McLain,  Capt.  Charles   763 

McLain  Families 701,  763 

McLain,  Capt.  Gawin  A 701 

McLaughlin   Family    898 

McLaughlin,  Gillis  L 899 

McLaughlin,  John   898 

McMillen,  Simon   1144 

McMillen,   Sylvester    1547 

McMillen,  W"illiam 1144 

McNeils,  Eev.  NeU  P 282,  1036 

McNutt,  Alvin  T 865 

McNutt  Family   865 

McQuilkin,  Archie  S 1148 

McQuilkin    Family    1148 

McQuilkin,  William  H 827 

MeQuown  FamUy    968 

McQuown,  James  A 968 

Mabon,  Archie  W 633 


PAGE 

Mabon  Families 633,  755,  1328 

Mabon,   Isaac   H 755 

Mack,  David  W 741 

Maek   Families    635, 

740,  778,  1006,  1098,  1169,  1569 

Maek,  George  F 741 

Mack,  Hugh  St.  Qair 1570 

Maek,  Jacob  W 1569 

Mack,   James   W 1098 

Mack,    Eobert   G 635 

Mack,  Eobert  H 778 

Maek,    Sylvester    S 1008 

Mack,  Thomas  C 1006 

Mack,  William  C 1169 

Maguire   Family    837 

Maguire,  Eev.  Harry  W.  .311,  837 

Mahan  Family   948 

Mahan,  Harry  E 948 

Mahan,  James  C 949 

Mahan,  William  H 948 

Mallory,  Eev.  Dr.  Ira  0 797 

Mankovich,  Eev.  Paul 1249 

Manner,    Elmer    1378 

Manner  Family   1378 

Marasco,  Anthony 1388 

Marasco,  Joseph 1388 

Mardis,  Jliss  Agnes    731 

Mardis,  Dr.  Benjamin  F 730 

Mardis  Family 729 

Mardis,  Samuel  J 730 

Mardis,  Samuel  L 730 

Marshall,  Alvertus  P 1259 

Marshall,  Clark  G 977 

Marshall  Families  .  .789,  977,  1259 

Marshall,  James  F 1261 

Marshall,  Godfrey   1048 

Marshall,   Eobert   J.,   M.   D.  . 

373,    789 

Marshall,  Thomas  D 791 

Martin  Family 1163 

Martin,  John  D 1514 

Martin,  Mrs.   Maria    1514 

Martin,    William    H 1163 

Mathews  Family   817 

Mathews,  George  H 818 

Mayer,  Mrs.  Olive  F 676 

Meade,    Charles    1165 

Meaner  Family    1388 

Meanor,    William    P 1388 

Meekins,    Thomas    1540 

Meekins,    William    H 1540 

Metz,   Michael    1104 

Miiesell  Families.  1071,  1168,  1202 

Mikesell,   John   K 1071 

Mikesell,  John  P 1168 

Mikesell,  Eobert  E 1202 

Mikesell,  Mrs.  SalUe  E 1168 

Millen,  Eobert   H 1113 

Millen,  Thomas  H 1458 

Millen,  William  A 1113 

MHler,  Amos  S 1411 

Miller,  Edward  A 1161 

MiUer  Families    

994,  1027,  1042,  1095,  1161,  1182 
1230,     1286,     1344,     1351,     1548 

MiUer,   Herman    H 1027 

Miller,  Isaac  K 1095 

Miller,  Jacob  W 1182 

Miller,  Milton  G 994 

Miller,    Moses   B 1548 


PAGE 

Miller,  Eev.  Noble  G 1351 

Miller,  Robert  N 1344 

MiUer,   Samuel   M 104? 

Miller,  William  S 1230 

Micser  Family   1417' 

Minser,  George  A 1417  ■ 

Minser,  Samuel  L 1255 

Mitchell  FamUies   ..653,  785,  1065 

Mitchell,  James   653' 

Mitchell,  Miss  Flora  Jane.  . .  .    789 
Mitchell,  Dr.  Eobert.  .496,  653,  785 

Mitchell,  Eobert 789- 

Mock  Family    1541 

Mock,  Harry  C 1541 

Mock,  Jesse  E 1429- 

Mock,  Joseph  M 1130 

Mock,  William  H 1429' 

Moore,  Charles  H 1165 

Moore  Families   1165,  1538 

Moore,  Frank  Fisher,  M.  D. . .  1167 

Moore,  Henry  W 1538 

Moore,  James  C 642 

Moore,  William    642' 

Moorhead,  Alexander  T 757 

Moorhead  Families 841,  1302 

Moorhead,    Frank    1302 

Moorhead,  Joseph   841 

Moorhead,  Mrs.  Mary  A 1245 

Moorhead,   Samuel  N 1245 

Moreau,  Albert  F 1125 

Moreau  Family 1125 

Morrow  Family   1056 

Morrow,  John   E 1560 

Morrow,  John  W.,  M.  D.  .373,  1056 

Mulberger  Family   1102 

Mulberger,  Samuel  J 1102 

Mumau   Family    1435 

Mumau,   Samuel  E 1435 

Munshower  Families   . .  1300,   1432 

Munshower,  Samuel    1432 

Munshower,  William  H 1300 

Myers  Families  ..1280,  1387,  1582 

Myers,  Ira  A 1280 

Myers,  Ira   C 1387 

Myers,   Jacob  W 1582 

Neal  Families 

771,  849,  1061,  1115,  1400,  1545 

Neal,  Harry  B.,  M.  D 771 

Neal,  Hugh  K 1115 

Neal,  John    1538 

Neal,  John  L 1061 

Neal,  Josiah   1400 

Neal,    Sharp,    Sr 1545 

Neal,   Thomas   S 849 

Nealer,   Henry    887 

Nealer,  John 1161 

Nealer,  John,  Deceased 1162 

Neeley  Family '.  1563 

Neeley,  Hon.  William  F 1563 

Nelson  Family 916 

Nelson,  Ulysses  G 916 

Nesbitt  Families 1068,  1183 

Nesbitt,  Samuel  M 1183 

New  Family  683 

New,   George   J 685 

Nichol,    Charles    A 735 

Nichol  Families   

735,  1318,  1430,  1492 

Nichol,  James 1430 

Nichol,    Wesley   W 1318 

Nichol,  *  William   A 1492 

Niel,  David  T 668 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


PAGE 

Kiel  FamUy   668 

Niel,  James    1398 

Niel,  John  J 1398 

Nippes,  Chester  W.  C 1299 

Nippes    Family    1299 

Nippes,  J.  C 1299 

Nisewonger,  Andrew 1278 

Nisewonger   Family    1278 

Nixon,  Edward 978 

Nixon,  Miss  Fanny  W 979 

Noerr,  George 1527 

Nogel,  John   1104 

Nogel,  Mrs.  Margaret    1104 

North    Family    1448 

North,   Nathaniel   S 1448 

Norton,  Eoscoe  E.,  M.  D 1397 

Notley,  Delmont  E 922 

Notley  Family   922 

Nowry,   James  1 1275 

Nowry,    Samuel    H 995 

Nupp,  Cyrus 1374 

Nupp  Families 1370,  1374 

Nupp,  John  M 1370 

Oakes,  Clifford  J 1354 

Oakes  FamUies   984,  1354 

Oakes,  TVilliam  E 984 

Oatman  Family   746 

Oatman,  Franklin  P 746 

Oatman,  Mrs.  S.  E 748 

Ober,  David    1466 

Ober,  Lewis  W 1432 

Ober   Family    1053 

Ober,  Joseph 1466 

Ober,  William  S 1431 

Oberlin,   Curtis  A 844 

Oberlin   FamUy    842 

Oberlin,  Harry  W 843 

Oberlin,  William  P 842 

Ogden,   George    D 625 

Ogden,  Capt.  George  H 624 

Ogden,  Joseph  C 625 

Ogden,  Mrs.  Nancy  H 625 

Oliver  Family 924 

Oliver,  John  S 924 

O  'Neill,   Clarence   B 742 

O'Neill,    Edward     753 

O'Neill  Families    742,   753 

Orner,    Daniel   J 1107 

Orner  Family 1107 

Orr  Family 670 

Orr,    James    L 670 

Ortner,  John  A 1298 

Ortner,   John   S 1298 

Osmun,  Earl  C 1500 

Palmer,  Alvin  K 1581 

Palmer,  Anthony  A 926 

Palmer,  Davis  A 1016 

Palmer  Families 

1016,   1203,   1342,   1581 

Palmer,   Joseph    1253 

Palmer,  Mrs.  Martha  M 1253 

Palmer,  Miss  Mary  E 926 

Palmer,  Michael  H 1203 

Palmer,  Samuel   926 

Palmer,   Samuel  M 1342 

Park  Families   758,  939 

Park,    John    T 939 

Park,  Dr.  Leon  N 758 

Pamell,  Joseph  E 954 

Parry,  Henry   1380 


PAGE 

Parry,  Judson    1380 

Patterson,  D.  Donald 1145 

Patterson,  Harry  C.  W 802 

Patterson  Families.  802,  1145,  1549 

Patterson,  John  W 1549 

Pattison  Family 1467 

Pattison,  Orrin  J 805 

Pattison,   Eobert    1467 

Pauch,   Charles  F 1491 

Paul    Family    1409 

Paul,  William  H 1409 

Paytash,    Peter    1437 

Pearce,  Charles  H 1523 

Pearee  Families 1454,  1523 

Pearce,  James  A 1454 

Peddieord,   Clark   D 1221 

Peddicord,  J.  Wilson   1366 

Peffer   Family    1478 

Peffer,    Micheal    1478 

Peterman  Family 1040 

Peterman,  James  H.,  M.  D . .  1040 

Petraitis,   Frank    1496 

Pettigrew,  Samuel   1391 

Pettigrew,  Mrs.   Sarah  A 1391 

Pettigrew,  Thomas  S 1391 

Pfordt,  Charles  C 1513 

Phythyan,  Frank   1435 

Pierce  Families 765,  1138 

Pierce,   John  H 765 

Pierce,  Peter  C 1138 

Pittman  Family 1494 

Pittman,   Leonard   D 1494 

Plotzer^  Family    1479 

Plotzer,  George  W 1479 

Plowman,  Solomon  E 1367 

Postlewait  Family 1129 

Postlewait,  J.  Scott 1129 

Postlewait,  Joseph  W 1129 

Pounds  Family 1567 

Pounds.   John   F 1567 

Pratt  Familv   596 

Price,  David  J 1419 

Pringle,    David    E 1474 

Pringle  Family    1474 

Prothero    Family    1200 

Prothero,   Henry    1200 

Eamsay,  Morris  1110 

Eamsay,  William 1110 

Eank  Family    1032 

Bank,  Samuel  K 1032 

Eankin,  Charles  M 1343 

Eankin,  David  A 1373 

Eankin    Families 

887,  1343,  1373,  1539 

Eankin,  James  B 1098 

Eankin,  Joseph  W 886 

Eankin,  Matthew  T 1097 

Eankin,  William 1539 

Earaigh,   David  W 839 

Earaigh  Family 840 

Eay  Family    682 

Eay,    Hugh   D 1454 

Eay,  Miss  Margaret  J 1024 

Eay,  Eobert  N 682 

Eay,  Samuel   1024 

Eay,  William    1454 

Eeed,  Earl  D 1498 

Eeese,  George  J.,  M.  D.  .  .372,  665 
Eeisinger   or  Eisinger  Family  639 

E^zzolla,  John    1500 

Ehea,   Clarence  B 1303 


PAGE 

Ehea  Family 1303 

Ehoads  Family 685 

Ehoads,   Harry   P 685 

Ehoads,  Spencer  H 1035 

Ehoads,  William 1109 

Eice  Family   1469 

Eice,   WiUiam   B 1469 

Eiehards  Family    919 

Eichards,   John   J 919 

Eiehards,   John  E 919 

Eichey  Family   1391 

Eichey,   William   C 1391 

Eiddell,  Arthur  M 644 

Eiddle  Family   983 

Eiddle,  Peter   983 

Einn,   Daniel  F 1008 

Einn    Family    1008 

Eishel,    Henry    1232 

Eisinger,  Daniel  E 1057 

Eisinger  Families.  .639,  1049,  1057 

Eisinger,  James  M 641 

Eisinger,  Michael  H 1049 

Eisinger,    William    P 641 

Eobinson,  A.  J.  Weir 970 

Eobinson  Families 

613,  744,  970,  1045,  1146 

Eobinson,  John  W 613 

Eobinson,  Samuel  J 1045 

Eobinson,  William  E 744 

Eobinson,  William  G 1146 

Eochester  Family 774 

Eochester,  John  H 774 

Eodkey,  George   1577 

Eodkey,  John  H 1577 

Eolley,    Eobert     1593 

Eomance,  Wasil   1593 

Eoney  Family 861 

Eoney,   Henry  E 861 

Eoof,   George  W 1254 

Eoof,   John   H 1254 

Eose  Family   1067 

Eose,  John" Calvin 1067 

Eose,   Samuel  W 1192 

Eoser,    Dennis    1077 

Eoser  Families 1077,  1316 

Eoser,  Fry 1316 

Eoss  Families 988,  1317 

Eoss,  Harry  T 1317 

Eoss,  John  Smith 988 

Eowe,  Mrs.  Catherine 1297 

Eowe,   Daniel    1298 

Eowe  Families...  1069,  1363,  1425 

Eowe,   George   F 1425 

Eowe,  George  L 1363 

Eowe,   Samuel  L 1069 

Eowland,  Eev.  Elias 298,  845 

Eowland  Family 844 

Eowland,    John    D 1383 

Eowland,  Eev.  Martin  L 

293-4,   846 

Eowland,    William   S 846 

Eowley,    Josiah    1548 

Eowley,  William  W 1549 

Euffner,  Dr.  Harry  E 1573 

Euffner,  Joseph  E 1573 

Eugh  Family   965 

Eugh,   Samuel   Truby 965 

Eunyan,  Eev.  Andrew  B 1187 

Eunzo,  Frank   1596 

Eupert    Family    1461 

Eupert,   Hezekiah    1461 

Eupp,  H.  Eussell 1384 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


PAGE 

PAGE 

987 

Siverd  Family    

Siverd,  John  B 

1308 

Eyall,  Eev.  George  M....255,  987 

.1308 

Skmner  FamOy    

.   907 

Sandberg,    George   E 

.1345 

Skinner,    Lon    H 

.   907 

Sandles  Family    

.1595 

Skog,  J.  Oscar 

.1386 

Sandles,   Harlan   P 

.1595 

Sloan,  Barclay  S 

.   686 

Sawyer,  Peter 

.1324 

Sloan  Family   

.   686 

Schall,  Eeuben  E,  M.  D.... 

.   891 

Smith,  Mrs.  Alfred  L 

.   604 

Schrader,  Mrs.  Mary  A 

.1080 

Smith,  Andrew   J 

.   987 

.1079 

Smith,  Clarence  R 

.   911 

Schrader,   William   J 

.1080 

Smith,  Ebby  W 

.1349 

.   890 

Seanor  Family   

.   695 

891,  910,  911,  94: 

2,  963 

Seanor,    Harrison    

.   695 

987,  1254,  1349,  1445,  1458 

,  1580 

Sechler  Family 

.1196 

Smith,  Howard  D 

.1580 

Sechler,    Joseph    G 

.1196 

Smith,  Jacob   

.1445 

Serena,  Joseph  

.   901 

Smith,  John    

.1254 
.1472 

Serena,  William  B 

.   901 

Smith,  Dr.  John  H 

Sexton,  Mrs.  Alice  T> 

.   765 

Smith,  John  R 

.   910 

Sexton    Daniel 

.   765 
.   764 

Smith,  John  T 

Smith,  Stacy  H 

.   963 

Sexton,    Jeremiah    

.1458 

Shaffer  Families 1217, 

Shaffer,  Frank  H 

Snyder   Families                .  .  .  . 

.1507 

....949,  1085,  1318,  1495, 

1562 

Shaffer,    Harry    

.1373 

Snyder,  George  J 

.1318 

Shaffer,  Jacob   

.1373 

Snyder,  Harry  A 

.1561 

.1217 

Snyder,  Harvey  C 

Snyder     Jackson    K   

.1495 

Shaffer,  Uoyd  S 

Shank  Family 

1346 

.1086 

.1154 

Snyder,    John    D 

.   949 

Shank,    Harvey   W 

.1154 

Snyder,  John  W 

.1552 

Shaulis,  Edward  F.,  M.  D .  . . 

.   907 

Snyder,  William  H 

.1086 

Shaulis   Family    

.   907 

Somerville,   Ezekiel    

.1280 

Sheaffer,    Elliott   W 

.1587 

Somerville  Family 

.1280 

Sheaffer,  Henry   

.1587 

Sommerville,  Alan  0 

.   718 

.1304 

Speedy  Family 

.1382 

Shearer,  Samuel  W 

.1304 

Speedy,  J.  Clark   

.1382 

Sheffler   Family    

.1220 

Spencer  Family   

.1159 

ShefBer,  Samuel   

.1219 

Spencer,  Capt.  Peter  C 

.1159 

Sherman,  Jonathan  C 

.1540 

Spicher,  Clarence  C,  M.  D.  . . 

.   956 

Sherman,  John  H 

.1074 

Spicher,  Samuel   

Spiers  Family 

Spiers,  Harrison 

.1327 

Shields  Families         

.1153 

861,  1010,  1050,  1074 

,  1234 

.1153 

Shields,   Franklin  0 

Shields,  George  C 

1010 

.1050 

Sproull,  Eev.  William  J.. 251 

S,  762 

Shields,   Samuel  M 

.1234 

620,  803,  1014 

,  1575 

Shields,  William 

Shields,  William  D 

1035 

.1085 

St.   Clair,  James   

.1393 

Shields,  W.  L.,  M.  D 

.   860 

St.  Clair,  James  J 

.   803 

Shirley   Family    

Shirley,  Thomas  Elgin 

1031 

619 

.1031 

St.  Clair,  Mrs.  Mary  E 

.1370 

Short,  Blaine 

.1405 

St.  Clair,  Samuel  G 

.1575 

Short  Families.  .  .  .767,  1405, 

,  1586 

St.  Clair,  William  A 

.1014 

Short,  George  M 

.1586 

Stadtmiller,   Bennet    

.  1509 

Short,  William  J 

.   767 

Stadtmiller  Family   

.1509 

Shultz,  Henry 

.1016 

Stahl,  Harry  D 

.1269 

Shultz,  Thomas  G 

.1016 

Stahl,   Samuel  E 

.  1269 

Sickenberger  Family 

.1353 

Stahl  Family 

.1268 

Sickenberger,  William  N.  . .  . 

.1353 

Stahll,  Washington   

.1123 

Sides,  Adam   

Sides  Families.  ..  .1200,  1312 

1466 

,  1466 

Stanley,  Tracy  C 

.1482 

Sides,   Stuart  J 

.1312 

Stear  Family    

.1130 

Sides,  William    

.1200 

Stear,  John 

.1237 

Silvis,  Jacob 

.1447 

Stear,  John  C 

.1130 

....754,  775,  1022,  1063 

,  1407 

Steele  Family 

.   651 

Simpson,  George  E.,  M.  D.  . . 

.   775 

Steele,    Samuel    C 

.   651 

Simpson,   Hugh    

.   874 

Steffey,  Calvin  H 

.1484 

Simpson,  Nathaniel  C 

.1063 

Steffey  Families   1484, 

,  1506 

Simpson,  Robert  E 

.1407 

Steffey,   Scott  V 

.1506 

Simpson,  William  A.,  M.  D. 

.    754 

Steffy,  Mrs.  Mary  J 

.  1511 

PAGE 

Steffy,   Thomas   S 1511 

Stephens,  Benjamin  L 1443 

Stephens,   Edward  H 1466 

Stephens  Families   

670,  862,  1211,  1296,  1466 

Stephens,  George  M 674 

Stephens,   Harry    1296 

Stephens,  John  H 675 

Stephens,  Judge  Marlin  B 675 

Stephens,    Samuel    H 1538 

Stephens,  T.  D.,  M.  D 862 

Stephens,  WiUiam  S 672 

Stephens,    Thomas    P 1211 

Sterner   Family    1496 

Sterner,   Harry   E 1496 

Stevens,  Samuel   1039 

Stewart,  Alexander  H.,  M.  D.   954 

Stewart,    Archibald    T 1497 

Stewart,  Archible 1174 

Stewart,    Archie   J 1172 

Stewart,  Charles  C 706 

Stewart  Families  .  .  .  703,  793,  954 

1020,   1120,   1172,   1174 

. . .  .1314,  1321,  134.5,  1497,  1504 

Stewart,  George  R 1314 

Stewart,  James  C 704 

Stewart,  James  N 793 

Stewart,   John    1321 

Stewart,  John  G 704 

Stewart,  Joseph  C 1037 

Stewart,  J.   Milton    1345 

Stewart,  John  Murdock,  M.  D.1120 

Stewart,  Joshua  T 705 

Stewart,  Miss  Marinda 1174 

Stewart,   Robert   L 1504 

Stewart,  Robert  M 1020 

Stewart,   Welmer   D 1020 

Stiffey,  Cyrus   1255 

Stiffey  Family   1255 

Stitt  Family   824 

Stitt,    William    H 824 

Stiver,    Adam    T 858 

Stiver  Family 858 

Stonebraker  Family    1431 

Stonebraker,  Henry 1431 

Stoops,  David 1474 

Stoops,  Robert   1474 

Stouffer,   Cyrus    1126 

Stouffer  Family   1126 

Strawbridge,  Eobert   1486 

Streams,   J.   A 1162 

Streams  Families 1076,  1162 

Streams,  Samuel 1162 

Strong    Family    1489 

Strong,    Lowry   F .  -. 1489 

Strong,  Wavne  P 1110 

Stuehul,   Robert   H 1148 

Sutor  Family   1258 

Sutor,  Eufus  A 1258 

Sutton  Families    602,  912 

Sutton,   J.   Blair    912 

Sutton,  Thomas   602 

Swank  Family    1386 

Swank,   George  W 1386 

Swartz,  D.  Harvey   1490 

Swartz    Family    1490 

Swasy  Family    957 

Swasy,   John   H 957 

Taylor  Families 724,  1512 

Taylor,  Harrison  L 634 

Taylor,  John  Bell   724 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


PAGE 

Taylor,  William  B 1512 

Telford,  Eev.  John  C,  D.  D. .   603 
Telford,  Judge  Stephen  J 

384,  392,   603 

Templeton  Families 1067,  1303 

Templeton,  Eobert  F 1067 

Templeton,  William  N 1503 

Thomas,  Evan  J 1152 

Thomas  Families   

....616,  1151,  1168,  1328,  1331 

Thomas,  Hiram    1325 

Thomas,   H.   Wallace 616 

Thomas,   Jesse    1331 

Thomas,   John  C 1227 

Thomas,  Lewis 1151 

Thomas,  Lewis  M 1309 

Thomas,   Thomas   D 1168 

Thomas,  Verna  C 1328 

Thomas,   Wilson   C 1325 

Thompson  Families .  .  708,  782, 

1054,  1178,  1422,  1578 

Thompson,    Harry    E 785 

Thompson,  Horace  J 782 

Thompson,  John  D 1054 

Thompson,  John  G 1422 

Thompson,  J.  Wilson   1178 

Thompson,  John  M 784 

Thompson,  Eobert  A 708 

Thompson,  Thomas  W 1578 

Thompson,  WilHam 882 

Tiger    Family    1263 

Tiger,  Jacob 1263 

Timblin  Family 1574 

Timblin,  Ward  N.,  V.  S 1574 

Tomb  Families   737,  795 

Tomb,  Hugh  D 795 

Tomb,  John  C 797 

Tomb,  Eobert  J.,  M.  D 737 

Travis  Family   1531 

Travis,  Harry  M 1531 

Travis,   William   G 1531 

Treese    (Dreese)   Family 1499 

Treese,  William  C 1499 

Trefny,  Eev.  Charles  L 997 

Trimble,    Mrs.    Drusilla 1358 

Trimble,  Felix  B 1206 

Trimble,   George    1358 

Trimble,    Thomas    1206 

Trindle,  Eobert   1379 

Trindle,  William    1379 

Truby,  Simeon  H 1186 

Truby    Family     1186 

Truitt  Family 985 

Truitt,  Dr.  Harry  W 985 

Tuck,    Charles   W 832 

Uncapher,   Albert   F 1147 

Uncapher  Families 1147,  1384 

Uncapher,  Joseph  W 1384 

Urey,    William    M 1197 

Vogel   Brothers    1339 

Vogel,  Edward  G 1340 

Vogel,   John  W 1340 

Waddell  Family 1485 

Waddell,    Samuel   E 1485 

Waddle  Family    971 

Waddle,  James  E 972 

Waddle,    Samuel    972 

Wagner  Families 732,  1310 


PAGE 

Wagner,   John  W 1310 

Wagner,  Joseph  Sides 1311 

Wagner,   William  B 732 

Wainwright  Family 1332 

Wainwright,  Samuel  M 1332 

Wakefield,  Edward  B 950 

Wakefield  Families 700,  950 

Wakefield,  James  M 700 

Walker  Families  ..666,  1093,  1101 

Walker,   James   G 1093 

Walker,  Eobert  A 666 

Walker,  Samuel  W 1101 

Walker,  Zenas  T 1584 

Wallace,  Ephraim    999 

Wallace  Families   999,  1385 

Wallace,   Harry  W 1385 

Walter  Family 910 

Walter,    William 910 

Waltemire  Family   1267 

Waltemire,   Jesse   B 1267 

Warden  Familv   1076 

Wardrop,  William  B 1525 

Warrick,  James   887 

Warrick,  Mrs.  Margaret    887 

Family 1152 

J  Peter  W 1152 

Waterson,  John   1362 

Watson,  Alexander  P 1350 

Watson  Families   655,  1350 

Watson,  James  P 656 

Watson,  Thomas  C 656 

Watt  Families 728,  1403 

Watt,  John  W 728 

Watt,  Thomas  M 1403 

Way    Family    1330 

Way,    Jesse   L 1330 

Weamer,   Andrew    1326 

Weamer  Family 1326 

Weamer,    Harrv   L 764 

Wehrle,  Eichard  W 1184 

Wehrle  Family 1184 

Weir   Family    1196 

Weir,  John    1196 

Weiss,  Frederick    1228 

Weitzel  Families 876,  950 

Weitzel,    Frederick    875 

Weitzel,  William  F.,  M.  D 950 

Welch,  Edgar  J 1078 

Welch  Family 1078 

Welehonee  Family 1028 

Welchonee,    Harry   M 1029 

Welehonee,   Svlvester   C 1028 

Wells,   John  C 1561 

Wells  Family   1561 

Welteroth,  Joseph   1405 

West   Family    723 

West,  Frank  W 723 

Wetzel    Family    955 

Wetzel,   Samuel  S 955 

Wheeler,   John    1390 

White  Families   575,  1149 

White,  Gen.  Harry.  .  .384,  387,  580 
White,  Judge  Thomas. 383,  385,  575 

Widdowson,   Clark   B 1052 

Widdowson,  Edmund 777 

Widdowson,  Mrs.  Estella 962 

Widdowson  Families 

777,  1052,  1136,  1236,  1244,  1367 

Widdowson,  Harvey  D 1136 

Widdowson,  Harvey  E 1236 

Widdowson,  John  D 962 

Widdowson,  Joseph  A 1244 


PAGE 

Widdowson,  Nelson 1367 

Wieczorek,  Eev.  Francis  L . . .   943 

Wiggins,  Albert  A 1457 

Wiggins,  Judge  Coulter 

389,  470,   669 

Wiggins,   Mrs.  Elizabeth   1457 

Wiggins  Families 669,  1231 

Wiggins,   James   E 1231 

Wiggins,  Mrs.  Sarah  J 1529 

Wiggins,   Thomas    1529 

Wiley   Family    1276 

Wiley,    James    M 1276 

Wilhelm,  Augustus   1041 

Williams,  Elmer  E 736 

Williams,    Hugh    E 1273 

Williams  Families  . .  736,  990, 
1101,  1171,  1193,  1210,  1273,  1364 

Williams,  John   J 1193 

Williams.  John  W 1170 

Williams,  Joseph  T 1364 

Williams,    Eichard    990 

Williams,  William  M 1209 

Williamson    Family    906 

Williamson,  Jesse  J 906 

Willy,   Christ    1509 

Wilson,  Andrew  W 393,  720 

Wilson,  Bradley  W 1043 

Wilson  Families 

617,  626,  720,  819,  966,  1362 

Wilson,   Frank   1362 

Wilson,  Harry  W 720 

Wilson,  J.  Willis 626 

Wilson,  Marsellen  C 1366 

Wilson,  Mrs.  Marsellen  C 1366 

Wilson,  Eobert 1043 

Wilson,  Eobert  H 617 

Wilson,  Eobert  M 393,  734 

Wilson,  Eev.  AV.  J 247,  1597 

Wimer  Family   963 

Wineberg  Family    1477 

Wineberg,  Martin  C 1477 

Wingert,    Henry    G 1527 

Winsheimer,  Frank   1175 

Winsheimer   Family    1175 

Winters,  Henry  C 1508 

Wissinger,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  El- 
len      1271 

Wissinger  Family    1421 

Wissinger,  Lewis  S 1271 

Wissinger,  James 1421 

Wohlers,  Qaus   1452 

Wohlers.    Mrs.    Flora 1453 

Wood,  Dr.  Edwin  K 825 

Woolweaver   Family    1453 

Woolweaver,   John   A 1453 

Work,  David  Brown 981 

Work  FamiUes 744,  980 

Work,  Milton   744 

Work,  Silas  W 982 

Work,  William  A.  S 982 

Wortman,   Calvin   M 1415 

Wortman   Family    1415 

Wray  Family   619 

Wright   FamOy    1427 

Wright,  JefEerson    1427 

Wyncoop  Family   1547 

Wyncoop,  James  S 1547 

Wynkoop  Families 664,  1290 

Wynkoop,  Matthew  B 1290 

Wynkoop,    Matthew    C 664 


xii  BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 

PAGE  PAGE  PAGE 

Young  Family   815  Yoimkins,  Jacob    1463  Zelmer  Family   1076 

Young,    Mrs.    Jane 815  Younkins,   Jacob   B 1463  Zehner,  Peter   1076 

Young,  Prof.  Josias  H 877  Zener  Family   1414 

Young,  Levi   815  Zacur,  George 1507  Zener,  Mary   1414 

Young,  Eobert   877  Zanoni,   Dante    1593 


^u 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


WILLIAM  B.  ANSLEY,  M.  D.,  of  Salts-  college  course,  after  which  he  taught  several 
burg,  has  made  a  record  in  his  profession  terms  in  the  common  schools.  Having  de- 
which  places  him  second  to  none  in  Indiana  termined  upon  medicine  as  his  life  vocation, 
county.  Besides  giving  unflagging  attention  he  began  study  in  the  office  of  Dr.  C.  Mc- 
to  the  demands  of  a  large  private  practice,  he  Ewen,  of  Plumville,  and  after  reading  six 
has  been  president  of  the  county  medical  months  with  him  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  R. 
society,  vice  president  of  the  State  society,  a  S.  Sutton,  of  Pittsburg.  The  rest  of  his  pro- 
contributor  to  medical  literature  and  a  cit-  fessional  preparation  was  received  in  the  Jef- 
izen  whose  activities  have  always  been  di-  ferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  where 
rected  toward  serving  general  interests.  He  he  attended  three  courses  of  lectures  and  was 
has  been  in  practice  for  over  forty -five  years,  graduated  in  1867.  Immediately  afterward 
since  1877  at  Saltsburg.  he  opened  an  ofRee  at  Apollo,  Armstrong  Co., 

Dr.  Ansley  is  a  native  of  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  where  he  practiced  for  ten  years  with 
born  Aug.  2,  1847,  in  South  Mahoning  town-  good  success,  thence  in  1877  moving  to  Salts- 
ship,  and  is  of  pioneer  and  Revolutionary  burg.  Dr.  Ansley 's  skill  and  conscientious 
stock,  his  great-grandfather,  John  Ansley,  devotion  to  those  who  depend  upon  him  for 
having  served  in  the  Revolution  as  a  soldier  professional  services  has  attracted  and  held 
in  the  American  army,  while  his  brother  com-  an  extensive  patronage,  nevertheless  his  liigh- 
manded  a  company  on  the  British  side.  John  minded  zeal  for  the  good  of  his  profession 
Ansley,  who  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  has  led  him  to  be  active  and  useful  also,  in 
moved  from  New  Jersey  to  Westmoreland  association  with  his  fellow  physicians,  in  pro- 
county.  Pa.  His  son,  Daniel  Ansley,  the  moting  its  welfare  as  a  whole,  raising  its 
Doctor's  grandfather,  was  born  in  1798  in  standards,  and  working  faithfully  along  lines 
that  county,  and  followed  farming  there  until  favorable  to  its  progress.  His  valuable  serv- 
1837,  when  he  came  to  Indiana  county.  He  ices  have  received  public  recognition  in  va- 
died  in  1858,  aged  sixty  years.  rious  ways.     He  was  elected  president  of  the 

James  Ansley,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born  in  Indiana  County  Medical  Society ;  was  a  mem- 
1825,  and  became  extensively  interested  in  ber  of  the  committee  on  medical  legislation  of 
farming  and  stock  raising  in  Rayne  town-  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Society ;  has 
ship,  this  county.  He  was  prominent  in  lo-  been  one  of  the  vice  presidents  of  that  so- 
cal  affairs,  serving  as  a  deacon  in  the  Bap-  ciety,  and  was  a  United  States  pension  ex- 
tist  Church,  and  in  important  public  capaci-  aminer,  serving  as  secretary  of  the  board 
ties,  having  been  auditor  of  Indiana  county,  while  holding  the  latter  position.  He  is  a 
and  justice  of  the  peace  of  Rayne  township,  member  of  the  American  Medical  Association, 
In  politics  he  was  a  Republican.  He  mar-  and  of  the  Pittsburg  Obstetrical  Society,  and 
ried  Sarah  Spencer,  who  was  born  near  Johns-  has  found  some  time  for  writing,  having  pre- 
town,  in  Cambria  county,  and  she,  too,  was  pared  articles  for  various  medical  journals. 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Ans-  He  is  a  past  master  in  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
ley  died  Feb.  23,  1895,  Mrs.  Ansley  April  13,  and  a  past  grand  in  the  I.  0.  O.  P.  Like  his 
1909.  parents  he  is  a  Baptist  in  religion,  being  a 

William  B.  Ansley,  the  second  of  the  three  leading  member  of  the  Saltsburg  Church,  of 
children  born  to  his  parents,  grew  mp  on  a  which  he  is  a  deacon,  and  he  has  also  been 
farm.  He  received  his  early  literary  edu-  active  in  the  Sunday  school,  at  present  teach- 
cation  in  Dayton  academy,  and  later  took  a    ing  the  men's  Beracha  class,  which  has  an  en- 

51 

801 


802 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


rollment   of   thirty-eight    members.     lie   was 
formerly  superintendent. 

In  politics  Dr.  Ansley  is  a  progressive  Re- 
publican. He  has  served  twenty-six  years  as 
member  of  the  board  of  school  directors,  of 
which  body  he  first  became  a  member  in  1882, 
and  during  the  greater  part  of  this  time  has 
been  president  of  the  board. 

HARRY  CALVIN  WATT  PATTERSON, 
president  and  treasurer  of  the  Patterson  Mill- 
ing Company,  of  Saltsburg,  Indiana  county, 
present  burgess  of  that  borough,  is  one  of  the 
leading  citizens  of  that  section,  where  in  busi- 
ness and  official  connections  he  has  been  able 
to  advance  local  interests  in  various  ways.  He 
was  born  at  Murrysville.  ^Vestmoreland  Co., 
Pa.,  Oct.  29.  1878,  son  of  the  late  Jlartin  V. 
Patterson  and  grandson  of  IMartin  Patterson. 
Martin  Patterson,  the  grandfather,  was  a 
native  of  Ireland,  boni  in  County  Down,  and 
married  in  that  country  Ann  Kidd,  of  the 
same  county.  On  coming  to  America  they  set- 
tled near  Murrj-sville.  in  Westmoreland 
county,  Pa.,  where  ilr.  Patterson  became  ex- 
tensively interested  in  farming,  owning  a  tract 
of  three  hundred  acres.  He  died  in  1865,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-nine  yeai-s,  his  wife  passing 
away  in  1874,  at  the  age  of  seventy -seven.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  both  were 
membei-s  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  They 
had  the  following  children:  James,  David, 
Samuel,  Joseph,  Jane,  Martin  V.,  Sadie,  Re- 
becca and  Bell. 

Martin  V.  Patterson,  son  of  Martin,  was 
born  Dec.  12,  1839,  at  Murrysville,  in  Fi-ank- 
lin  township,  Westmoreland  county,  and  re- 
ceived a  common  school  education.  When  a 
young  man  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pitts- 
burg Street  Railway  Company,  and  in  1861 
went  to  Oil  City,  Pa.,  being  interested  in  the 
oil  business  for  a  number  of  years  following, 
first  as  a  well  driller,  but  soon  becoming  a 
contractor,  operating  in  different  fields  in 
western  Pennsylvania,  eastern  Ohio  and  north- 
ern West  Virginia.  In  1875  he  became  en- 
gaged in  the  sawmill  business  in  Indiana  and 
Westmoreland  counties.  Pa.,  carrying  it  on 
until  1881,  when  he  established  a  waterpower 
flour  mill  on  the  Conemaugh  river  at  Salts- 
burg. In  1885  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
John  Hersliey  and  they  purchased  the  Salts- 
burg Flouring  Mill,  which  they  conducted 
under  the  firm  name  of  the  Saltsburg  Flour- 
ing Jlill  Company  until  1900.  The  water- 
power  of  this  mill  was  destroyed  by  the  Johns- 
town flood  in  1889.  In  ]89()  ]Mr.  Pattei-son  re- 
modeled his  mill,  putting  in  steam  and  the  rol- 


ler process,  and  continued  to  manufacture 
high  and  fancy  grades  of  roller  flour,  most  of 
which  went  to  supply  the  local  demand, 
though  some  was  shipped  to  other  markets. 
In  1903  Mr.  Patterson  admitted  his  son  Harry 
to  partnership,  and  the  elder  man  retained  his 
interest  and  connection  with  the  business  un- 
til his  death,  which  occurred  July  1-4.  1909. 
He  is  buried  in  the  Saltsburg  cemetery. 

ilr.  Patterson  was  one  of  the  foremost  men 
in  the  administration  of  public  affairs  in  Salts- 
burg in  his  day.  He  sei-ved  fifteen  years  as 
a  school  director,  ten  years  as  member  of  the 
town  council,  and  two  terms  as  burgess,  and 
was  once  a  candidate  for  sheriff  of  Indiana 
county.  He  was  prominent  in  all  matters 
affecting  the  welfare  of  his  town  and  county, 
was  a  Democrat  in  political  association,  and 
in  his  religious  connection  was  a  Presbyterian 
and  active  in  church  work,  holding  the  office 
of  trustee.  He  was  particularly  well  known 
in  the  fraternal  bodies,  holding  membei-ship 
in  Williamson  Lodge.  No.  431,  F.  &  A.  M. ; 
Local  Branch  No.  141.  Order  of  the  Iron  Hall ; 
Kiskimiuetas  Castle,  No.  223,  Knights  of  the 
Golden  Eagle;  Saltsburg  Commandery,  No. 
22.  K.  G.  E. ;  Saltsburg  Council,  No.  381,  Royal 
Arcanum;  Loyal  Lodge,  No.  165,  Knights  of 
Honor;  and  Diamond  Council,  No.  248,  Jr. 
0.  U.  A.  M. 

On  June  15,  1876,  Mr.  Patterson  married 
Anna  L.  Watt,  daughter  of  Judge  Isaac  Watt, 
of  Homer  City,  this  county,  who  served  one 
term  as  associate  judge  of  the  courts  of  In- 
diana county.  Mrs.  Patterson  now  makes  her 
home  with  her  son  Harry  at  Saltsburg.  Two 
children  were  born  to  her  and'  her  husband : 
Harry  C.  W.  and  Grace  Rella,  the  latter  the 
wife  "of  Dr.  J.  K.  Beatty,  of  Ford  City,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Harry  C.  W.  Patterson  obtained  his  early 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  Salts- 
burg and  Saltsburg  high  school,  graduating 
from  the  latter,  and  then  attended  the  Kis- 
kimiuetas Springs  School,  from  which  he  was 
graduated.  Then  he  took  a  course  at  the 
Eastman  Business  College,  Poughkeepsie,  N. 
Y.,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1896.  and 
also  attended  the  State  normal  school  at  In- 
diana, Pa.  During  the  Spanish- American 
war  Mr.  Patterson  was  in  the  ser^^ice  nine 
months,  as  a  member  of  Company  D,  5th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers,  and  was  stationed  at 
Chickamauga.  After  that  experience  he  went 
to  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
studied  dentistry  for  two  years,  but  he  did 
not  finish  his  preparation  for  the  profession. 
For  a  time  he  was  in  tlie  cmjiloy  of  the  United 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


803 


States  Steel  Company,  at  Vandergi-ift,  Pa.,  as 
paymaster,  and  then  became  his  father's  part- 
ner in  the  flour  milling  business,  in  which  he 
has  ever  since  been  interested.  On  Sept.  13, 
1911,  the  mill  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  he 
is  now  erecting  a  new  plant,  40  by  60  feet  in 
dimensions,  five  stories  high,  to  be  equipped 
with  the  most  approved  i;p-to-date  machin- 
ery, and  operated  throughout  by  electricity. 
It  will  be  the  model  establishment  of  its  kind 
in  this  region.  The  business  was  incorpoi-ated 
in  1911  as  the  Patterson  Milling  Company,  of 
which  Mr.  Patterson  is  president  and  treas- 
urer. He  also  has  extensive  real  estate  in- 
terests in  and  around  Saltsburg,  and  has  had 
some  important  dealings  in  that  line. 

ilr.  Patterson  has  been  actively  associated 
with  the  local  government,  has  served  as  bor- 
ough auditor  for  six  years,  and  in  1909  was 
elected  burgess,  in  which  ofiice  he  still  is  serv- 
ing. He  is  one  of  the  most  popular  officials  of 
Saltsburg,  his  wideawake  disposition  and  pro- 
gressive spirit  doing  much  to  encourage  and 
promote  local  enterprises.  In  politics  he  is 
a  'Republican.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  sev- 
eral orders,  the  Elks,  Odd  Fellows  and  Ma- 
sons, and  has  been  prominent  in  such  circles, 
being  a  past  grand  in  the  Odd  Fellows  and  a 
past  master  of  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  431,  of 
Saltsburg.  He  is  a  member  of  Kedron  Com- 
mandery.  No.  18,  Knights  Templars,  of 
Greensburg,  and  of  Syria  Temple,  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Pittsburg.  Mr.  Patterson  has  the 
Masonic  papers  his  grandfather  brought  to 
this  country  from  Ireland,  introducing  him 
to  the  fraternity,  dated  1829.  His  religious 
connection  is  with  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
to  which  his  wife  and  mother  also  belong. 

On  June  20,  1906,  Mr.  Patterson  married 
Marion  Dougherty,  daughter  of  James  R.  and 
Ellen  (Welsh)  Dougherty,  of  Newcastle,  Pa., 
and  they  have  one  child,  Martin,  born  Sept. 
7,  1907. 

JAMES  JAMESON  St.  CLAIR,  of  West 
Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  county,  is  one 
of  the  typically  representative  members  of  a 
family  which  has  been  well  and  favorably 
known  in  this  locality  for  considerably  more 
than  a  century. 

The  St.  Clairs  are  of  Scotch-Irish  origin,  a 
branch  of  the  St.  Clair  family  of  Scotland, 
which  was  founded  in  the  middle  ages  by 
Sir  Walderne  de  St.  Clair,  a  Norman  knight, 
who  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Richard, 
Duke  of  Normandy.  Their  second  son,  Wil- 
liam, settled  in  Scotland,  and  one  of  his  de- 
scendants, William  St.  Clair,  became  prince 


of  the  Orkney  islands  under  the  king  of  Nor- 
way, and  high  chancellor  of  Scotland  under 
the  royal  house  of  Bruce.  In  1741  the  St. 
Clairs  exchanged  their  lofty  title  and  island 
domains  for  the  earldom  of  Caithness,  which 
they  still  hold.  The  name  has  since  become 
Anglicized  to  Sinclair.  Two  of  the  descend- 
ants of  one  of  these  earls,  through  a  younger 
son,  were  Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair  and  his  cousin 
James  St.  Clair,  Sr.,  the  former  of  whom  was 
president  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  1787 
and  commander  in  chief  of  the  armies  of  the 
United  States  in  1791. 

James  St.  Clair,  Sr.,  was  the  great-great- 
grandfather of  James  Jameson  St.  Clair.  His 
parents  were  natives  of  the  North  of  Ireland, 
and  he  was  born  in  1741  in  eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  lived  nine  miles  from  York,  Pa., 
where  he  owned  a  valuable  farm  and  mill,  and 
he  was  not  only  a  prosperous  citizen  of  his 
time  but  an  earnest  sympathizer  with  the 
Colonial  cause,  serving  throughout  the  Revo- 
lutionary war.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was 
Miller.  James  St.  Clair,  Sr.,  died  in  York 
county  in  1806,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 

James  St.  Clair,  one  of  the  sons  of  James 
St.  Clair,  Sr.,  was  born  in  York  (now  Adams) 
county,  Pa.,  May  4,  1774,  and  passed  the 
greater  part  of  his  mature  life  in  Indiana 
county.  Pa.  In  1809  he  came  to  Bi-ushvalley 
township,  in  1816  removing  to  what  is  now 
the  northern  part-  of  White  township,  where 
he  took  up  a  quarter  section  of  government 
land  and  followed  farming  for  many  years. 
He  died  in  Center  township,  this  county,  April 
8,  1855,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-one. 
He  was  an  old-line  Whig  in  politics.  He  mar- 
ried Jennie  Slemmons.  who  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster, Pa.,  of  Irish  descent,  and  was  reared 
in  Washington  county,  Pa.,  her  father,  Wil- 
liam Slemmons,  removing  from  Lancaster  to 
Washington  county  in  1790  and  there  follow- 
ing farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1820,  in  his  sixtieth  year.  Mr.  Slemmons 
was  justice  of  the  peace,  by  governor's  ap- 
pointment, for  a  period  of  thirty  years,  and 
he  was  a  man  of  the  highest  character  and  of 
honorable  standing.  His  wife's  maiden 
name  was  Boggs,  and  they  had  several  chil- 
dren. Mrs.  Jennie  (Slemmons)  St.  Clair  died 
Oct.  15,  1855,  aged  seventy-one  j'ears,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  She  and  her 
husband  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  namely : 
IMargaret,  William  S.,  Mary  W.,  James,  Sam- 
uel, Isaac,  John,  Robert,  Thomas  and  Hiram. 
Samuel  St.  Clair,  son  of  James  and  Jennie 
(Slemmons)  St.  Clair,  passed  all  his  life  in 
West  Wheatfield  township,  following  farming 


804 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


on  a  large  tract  of  land  now  owned  by  James 
Overdorff.  For  many  yeara  he  served  as  con- 
stable. He  married  Rebecca  Jameson,  and 
they  are  buried  in  Bethel  Church  cemetery. 
They  had  fourteen  children,  two  of  whom  died 
in  infancy,  the  others  being :  Nicholas,  James, 
Daniel,  Archie,  Samuel,  Hugh,  Jane  (who 
married  Andrew  Alcorn),  Catherine,  Pollie, 
John,    Rebecca    (who   died   unmarried)    and 


Hugh  St.  Clair,  born  in  West  Wheatfield 
township,  grew  to  manhood  there.  He  fol- 
lowed milling  all  his  life,  for  some  time  run- 
ning the  Jacob  Gamble  mill  on  shares,  receiv- 
ing one  tliird  of  the  profits.  But  he  did  not 
devote  all  his  time  to  that  work,  also  conduct- 
ing a  farm  of  seventy-five  acres  in  West 
Wheatfield  township,  and  engaging  in  stock 
raising,  lumbering  and  teaming.  Before  the 
war  he  was  a  Democrat  in  polities,  subse- 
quently a  Whig  and  Republican,  and  he  was 
prominent  in  all  affairs  affecting  the  welfare 
of  his  township,  though  he  never  sought  or 
held  office.  He  was  married  to  Julia  Ann 
Rutter,  whose  mother's  maiden  name  was  July 
A.  Gamble.  Mrs.  St.  Clair  died  in  West 
Wheatfield  township,  and  she  and  her  husband 
are  interred  in  the  Germany  Church  cemetery 
there.  They  were  members  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.  This  couple  had  children  as  follows, 
all  born  in  West  Wheatfield  township :  John 
married  Nancy  Jane  Buchanan  (lie  followed 
the  lumber  business  in  Tennessee)  ;  Rebecca 
became  the  wife  of  Samuel  Felton ;  Catherine 
married  Isaiah  Brantlinger;  Samuel  mar- 
ried and  resides  in  Logan,  Ohio ;  Harriet  Jane 
became  the  wife  of  Thomas  Brantlinger; 
Emma  married  William  Lickenfeld,  and  both 
died  in  West  Wheatfield  township;  Sarah 
Elizabeth,  born  March  6,  1857,  married  James 
M.  Wakefield,  commissioner  of  Indiana 
county ;  James  Jameson  is  mentioned  below ; 
Jacob  B.  married  Emma  Lickenfeld,  and  re- 
sides in  Conemaugh  township,  this  county; 
Julia,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Samuel  Brend- 
linger. 

James  Jameson  St.  Clair  was  horn  Dec.  16, 
1859,  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  and  at- 
tended the  Gamble  and  Dick  schools  there. 
He  worked  with  his  father  at  the  mill  and  also 
learned  mill-wrighting  and  carpentry,  being 
thus  engaged  until  his  marriage.  At  that  time 
he  moved  to  Garfield,  where  he  was  employed 
by  the  Lincoln  Fire  Brick  Company  for  six 
years,  afterward  assisting  in  the  construction 
of  the  present  Robinson  brickyards.  In  time 
he  became  interested  in  contracting  and  build- 
ing, which  line  he  now  follows,  and  he  has 


erected  many  fine  residences  and  barns  in  his 
own  and  surrounding  townships  and  in  the 
neighboring  towns.  He  has  shown  himself  to 
be  a  reliable  architect,  and  he  is  an  all-around 
mechanic,  having  acquired  the  greater  part 
of  his  information  by  practical  experience 
and  making  the  most  of  his  opportunities.  He 
can  repair  almost  any  piece  of  machinery.  In 
connection  with  his  other  work  he  carries  on 
a  100-acre  farm  which  be  bought  from  the 
Sides  estate,  is  engaged  in  stock  raising  to 
some  extent,  and  also  does  teaming  and  lum- 
bering. Though  so  thoroughly  occupied  with 
his  private  affairs  he  has  found  time  for  pub- 
lic service,  having  been  auditor  of  West 
Wheatfield  township  for  a  number  of  years. 
In  politics  he  is  an  independent  Republican. 
Mr.  St.  Clair  married  Emma  Clara  Wake- 
field, daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ann  (Sides) 
Wakefield,  and  they  have  had  six  children: 
(1)  Samuel  Bert,  born  July  28,  1879,  was  an 
employee  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany at  Pitcairn,  Pa.,  for  ten  years,  and  is 
now  at  home,  farming  with  his  father.  (2) 
Ira  Alvin,  formerly  a  school  teacher  in  West 
Wheatfield  township,  is  now  employed  by  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  at  Pitcairn, 
Pa.  (3)  Joseph  Carl,  formerly  a  school 
teacher  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  is  now 
following  the  carpenter's  trade  at  Turtle 
Creek,  Pa.  (4)  Clara  Estella  married  R.  B. 
Mack  and  resides  at  Pitcairn,  Pa.  (5)  Charles 
Ivan  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company  at  Pitcairn,  Pa.  (6) 
Flora  Mildred  was  born  Feb.  6,  1903.  AU 
of  the  family  belong  to  Bethel  M.  E.  Church, 
of  which  Mr.  St.  Clair  has  been  steward,  trus- 
tee and  class  leader. 

JOSEPH  J.  McCRACKEN,  justice  of  the 
peace,  undertaker,  and  contractor  and  builder 
of  Creekside,  Washington  township,  was  born 
in  the  northern  part  of  Indiana  county,  in 
1858,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Hun- 
ter) McCracken,  natives  of  Ireland. 

On  first  coming  to  the  United  States,  at  the 
age  of  fourteen  years,  Joseph  McCracken 
settled  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  later 
married.  He  then  came  to  Indiana  county  and 
started  a  tannery,  having  learned  the  trade 
in  his  native  land,  and  he  subsequentlj'  opened 
a  tannery  in  the  town  of  Kelleysburg,  which 
he  operated  for  some  time.  Turning  his  at- 
tention to  agricultural  pursuits,  he  took  up 
timbered  land  in  the  northern  part  of  In- 
diana county,  cut  down  the  logs  to  build  his 
fii-st  house,  and  spent  the  balance  of  his  life 
in  tilling  the  soil.    His  death  occurred  at  the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


805 


home  of  a  daughter.  He  and  his  wife  had 
nine  children,  as  follows:  David,  who  lives 
at  Kent,  Pa. ;  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  William 
Gardner,  living  at  Glen  Campbell ;  Alexander, 
deceased,  who  was  a  farmer  near  Creekside, 
and  was  accidentally  killed  on  the  Buffalo, 
Rochester  &  Pittsburg  railroad,  during  the 
latter  part  of  1910;  Sarah,  wife  of  Daniel 
Smith,  living  at  Gipsy;  Joseph  J.;  Emma, 
wife  of  James  Lowe,  living  at  Homer  City, 
Pa.;  Anna,  widow  of  P.  Savar,  of  Rochester 
Mills;  Hughey,  who  died  in  infancy;  and 
Thomas,  who  is  deceased. 

Joseph  J.  McCracken  was  born  on  the  home 
farm  and  attended  the  Doty  school,  and  as  a 
youth  devoted  his  energies  to  wood  chopping 
and  to  rafting  on  the  Susquehanna  river, 
subsequently  becoming  a  pilot  between  Lock- 
haven  and  Cherrytree.  He  afterward  learned 
the  trade  of  carpenter,  which  he  followed  for 
a  long  period,  and  came  to  Creekside  long  be- 
fore the  railroads  reached  that  point.  He 
has  erected  many  of  the  residences  of  the 
borough,  assisted  in  organizing  same,  and 
shortly  after  coming  here  was  elected  justice 
of  the  peace,  in  which  office  he  is  serving  his 
third  term,  in  addition  to  which  he  has  acted 
in  the  capacity  of  overseer  of  Grant  township. 
He  has  also  established  himself  in  the  under- 
taking business. 

In  August,  1889,  Mr.  McCracken  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Lillian  Riggs,  who 
was  bom  in  Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of 
George  and  Mary  (McKee)  Riggs,  the  former 
of  whom  was  in  early  life  a  farmer.  After 
coming  to  Reynolds ville,  Pa.,  Mr.  Riggs  was 
elected  constable.  ■  He  met  with  a  sudden 
death  and  was  buried  in  Beechwood  cemetery, 
his  widow  still  surviving  and  making  her  home 
at  Reynoldsville.  There  were  three  children 
in  their  family:  Myrtle,  who  is  deceased; 
Mack,  in  the  service  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company ;  and  Mrs.  McCracken.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCracken  there  have  been  born 
seven  children :  Edna,  wife  of  Ramy  Stutsil, 
living  in  Creekside,  who  has  one  child,  Jo- 
seph ;  Clyde,  who  lives  at  Steubenville,  Ohio ; 
Ralph,  employed  in  the  drug  store  at  Creek- 
side; Clifford,  at  home;  Ritta ;  and  Beulah 
and  Bessie,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  McCracken  is  a  member  of  the  Fra- 
ternal Order  of  Eagles,  and  of  Savar  Lodge, 
I.  0.  0.  F.,  at  Rochester  Mills,  Indiana  county, 
in  which  he  has  passed  all  the  chairs. 

ORRIN  J.  PATTISON,  proprietor  of  the 
large  livery  and  sales  stables  at  Penn  Run, 
Pa.,  and  also  engaged  in  farming  in  Cherry- 


hill  township,  was  bom  at  Penn  Run,  Indi- 
ana county,  Aug.  2,  1885,  son  of  "William  C. 
and  Addie  M.  (Empfield)  Pattison,  both  of 
whom  were  born  and  reared  in  Indiana  county. 

William  C.  Pattison  was  reared  to  the  vo- 
cation of  an  agriculturist  and  throughout  his 
life  devoted  himself  to  tilling  the  soil.  His 
death  occurred  in  California,  but  the  causes 
and  exact  place  are  unknown.  His  widow  still 
resides  in  Penn  Run.  They  had  two  children, 
Orrin  J.  and  June  E. 

Orrin  J.  Pattison  spent  his  boyhood  days 
in  Penn  Run,  where  he  attended  public  school, 
subsequently  going  to  school  at  Marion  Cen- 
ter. After  leaving  scliool  he  was  employed 
at  work  on  the  home  farm,  and  while  there 
prepared  himself  for  teaching,  subsequently 
following  the  profession  of  educator  in  Cher- 
r3diill  township  for  eight  terms,  and  later  in 
Pine  township.  In  1910,  however,  he  gave  up 
teaching  to  enter  the  livery  business  in  Penn 
Run,  and  this  he  has  continued  to  conduct 
to  the  present  time,  also  following  general 
farming  in  Cherryhill  township. 

On  Juhr  24,  1907,  Mr.  Pattison  was  mar- 
ried to  Elsie  Shank,  who  was  born  March  7, 
1881,  in  Penn  Run,  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Mary  Fyock  Shank.  Her  father,  an  early 
settler  of  Penn  Run,  and  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war,  died  in  November,  1910,  while  her 
mother  still  survives  and  makes  her  home  at 
Penn  Run.  They  had  five  children :  William 
E.,  residing  at  Gary,  Ind. ;  Anna,  the  wife 
of  Louis  Follmar,  of  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Savila, 
wife  of  Augustus  Geesey,  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y. ; 
Louis ;  and  Elsie,  the  wife  of  IMr.  Pattison. 

Mr.  Pattison  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  takes  a  dis- 
tinct interest  in  public  and  educational  mat- 
ters, and  serves  as  auditor  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, and  as  trustee  of  the  Sumner  normal 
school  at  Penn  Run. 

JOSEPH  TAYLOR  BOUCHER,  tax  col- 
lector for  Indiana  borough,  is  a  native  of  In- 
diana county  and  has  passed  all  his  life  in 
Indiana  and  the  adjoining  territory. 

The  Boucher  family  is  of  French  extraction, 
and  one  branch  has  been  established  in  Can- 
ada, one  of  its  members  being  John  Boucher, 
a  noted  character,  whose  skill  as  a  guide  and 
trapper  in  the  wilds  of  Canada  gave  him  a 
wicle  reputation;  on  his  father's  side  he  was 
of  French  and  Irish  blood,  and  his  mother 
was  a  full-blooded  Chippewa  Indian.  Fran- 
cois Boucher,  the  noted  French  painter,  was 
also  of  this  family. 

Henry  Boucher,  grandfather  of  Joseph  Tay- 


806 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


lor  Boucher,  was  born  in  Virginia.  Slay  15, 
1780.  and  was  a  cabinetmaker,  following  an 
occupation  in  which  many  of  the  family  have 
been  engaged.  In  April.  1802.  he  married  at 
Hanover.  Pa..  Elizabeth  Wolfe,  of  that  place, 
born  Jan.  6.  17S4.  and  they  subsequently  re- 
moved to  Frankstown,  Pa.,  on  the  Juniata, 
thence  to  Brushvalley.  in  Indiana  county.  In 
1815  they  remoyed  to  Rayne  township.  Indi- 
ana eountv.  Mrs.  Boucher  died  here  Mav  31, 
1852.  Jlr.*  Boucher  on  Dec.  6,  1853.  Their 
children  were  as  follows:  John,  born  Dec. 
17,  1802;  Henry,  born  Oct.  4,  180-4;  Eliza- 
beth, born  Feb.  6,  1807;  Slargaret.  born 
March  9.  1809;  David,  born  Aug.  21.  1811; 
Andrew,  born  Aug.  31, 1813 ;  Eve.  born  ]\Iareh 
4,  1816;  Catherine,  born  May  19,  1818;  Jacob, 
bom  Julv  12.  1820;  William,  born  Oct.  4, 
1822 ;  and  Susan,  born  Jan.  22,  1827. 

Henry  Boucher,  son  of  Henry,  born  Oct.  4, 
1804,  at  Frankstown,  Pa.,  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools.  He  was  reared 
to  farm  life,  and  also  learned  his  father's 
trade,  cabinetmaking.  for  which  he  had  great 
aptitude,  being  able  to  make  anything  in 
wood,  and  under  his  father's  skillful  instruc- 
tion became  a  fine  workman.  The  father  used 
to  make  the  old-fashioned  windmills.  Heniy 
Boucher  (Jr.)  lived  in  White  township  and 
later  in  the  borough  of  Indiana,  where  he  died 
Aug.  9.  1865.  He  married  Catherine  Dod- 
son,  of  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Jo- 
seph Dodson,  and  she  survived  him  a  few 
years,  dying  Aug.  21,  1869.  Their  children 
were  born  as  follows:  Elizabeth.  Nov.  16, 
1834  (married  Isaac  Kening  and  died  in 
1870)  :  George,  April  30,  1836  (died  in  Oc- 
tober. 1869)  :  Blarv  C,  March  29,  1838  (died 
March  8.  1857)  :  "Alexander,  Mav  25,  1841 
(died  :\rav  29,  1875)  ;  Nancv  J.,  March  29, 
1844  (died  in  1875)  ;  Joseph  Tavlor,  Aug.  17, 
1848:  Sarah  I.,  1854  (died  in  1857). 

Joseph  T.  Boucher  passed  his  early  life  in 
White  township  and  the  borough  of  Indiana, 
■receiving  his  education  in  the  common  schools. 
He  began  work  when  twelve  years  old,  at  the 
paper  mill  there,  his  wages  being  one  dollar 
a  week,  for  which  he  did  chores  and  per- 
formed miscellaneous  duties.  In  1865  he  be- 
gan house  painting,  at  which  he  was  engaged 
for  some  time,  in  the  emplo.v  of  others,  about 
1874  embarking  in  the  business  on  his  own 
account.  He  acquired  a  profitable  patronage, 
keeping  a  crew  of  men  busy,  and  continued 
in  this  line  until  1884.  He  then  opened  a 
wall  paper  and  paint  store  on  Church  street, 
Indiana,  commencing  modestly,  in  a  small 
building,  and  as  his  business  grew  moved  to 


more  commodious  quarters,  on  Philadelphia 
street,  being  in  the  ('unningham  building  un- 
til 1904. 

Mr.  Boucher  has  taken  considerable  part 
in  the  local  government  and  the  affairs  of  the 
borough  generally,  having  served  four  years 
in  the  council  (during  three  of  which  he  was 
on  the  finance  committee),  and  he  was  after- 
ward elected  tax  collector,  in  which  he  has  been 
serving  for  the  last  six  years.  He  has  given 
excellent  satisfaction  in  his  public  work,  his 
business  ability  and  integrity  winning  the 
confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens  generally.  In 
politics  ]\Ir.  Boucher  is  a  straight  Republican. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  First  I'nited  Presb3'- 
terian  Church  of  Indiana. 

In  1870  Mr.  Boucher  married  Mary  C.  Cole- 
man, daughter  of  Robert  Coleman,  and  she 
died  in  1874.  the  mother  of  one  child.  Bertha 
E.,  who  died  when  seven  yeai-s  old.  On  Feb. 
15,  1882,  Mr.  Boucher  married  (second)  in  In- 
diana Mrs.  Annie  M.  (Leidig)  Kline,  daughter 
of  ]\I.  A.  Leidig,  of  Hellertown.  They  have 
no  children. 

WILLIAM  S.  HAMILTON,  superintendent 
of  the  Clymer  Water  Company,  of  Indiana, 
Indiana  county,  is  a  native  of  Jefferson 
county.  Pa.,  and  belongs  to  one  of  the  old 
settled  families  of  that  section  of  the  State. 
He  was  born  Aug.  6.  1848.  son  of  Robert  and 
Margaret  (Johnston)  Hamilton,  and  grand- 
son of  David  Hamilton,  who  was  born  in  Ire- 
land and  came  to  Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  in 
the  year  1808.  He  took  up  a  large  tract  of 
land,  and  followed  farming.  His  wife's 
maiden  name  was  jMcFarland.  In  religion 
he  was  a  Presbyterian. 

Robert  Hamilton  also  became  a  farmer  in 
Jefferson  county  and  was  one  of  the  largest 
land  holders  in  that  county  in  his  day.  He 
was  a  highly  successful  business  man  in  every 
line  he  entered,  being  extensively  engaged  as 
a  merchant  and  lumberman  in  addition  to  his 
agricultural  interests,  and  prospering  in  all 
his  undertakings.  To  him  and  his  wife  Slar- 
garet  (Johnston)  were  bom  the  following  chil- 
dren :  James ;  William  S. ;  David  :  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  Dr.  A.  D.  McCombs.  of  Jeffer.son 
county.  Pa. ;  Laura,  wife  of  Dr.  J.  A.  Miller, 
now  of  ^Mexico;  and  Martha,  wife  of  Dr.  J.  A. 
Brown,  of  Brookville.  Pa.  The  three  daugh- 
ters all  married  physicians.  The  father  of 
this  family  died  in  1904.  the  mother  in  1898. 
They  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

William  S.  Hamilton  attended  public  and 
select  scliools  in  his  native  county.     At   the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


807 


age  of  eighteen  he  began  to  clerk  in  his  father's 
store,  where  he  continued  until  1876,  in 
which  year  he  first  came  to  Indiana.  For 
five  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  here  on  his  own  account,  at  the  end 
of  that  period  going  to  Pittsburg,  where  he 
was  engaged  as  a  broker  for  five  years.  Re- 
turning to  Jefferson  county,  he  lived  there 
again  for  the  next  fourteen  years,  in  1904  re- 
turning to  Indiana,  at  which  place  he  has 
since  nuide  his  home.  Some  time  afterward, 
in  ilay,  1909.  he  became  superintendent  of 
the  Clymer  Water  Company  of  Indiana,  a 
position  he  still  holds,  having  proved  him- 
self highly  competent. 

In  1898  Mr.  Hamilton  married  Esther 
Drenning,  daughter  of  Dr.  Drenning,  of  Oil 
City,'  Pa.  They  have  two  children,  R.  Dren- 
ning and  David  James.  Mr.  Hamilton  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  re- 
ligious connection,  and  fraternally  he  belongs 
to  various  ^lasonic  bodies.  Blue  Lodge  No. 
313,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Indiana,  the  Consistory 
of  "Williamsport,  Pa.,  and  the  Shrine  at  Al- 
toona,  Pennsylvania. 

HARRY  FLICKINC4ER  is  one  of  the  most 
progressive  business  men  of  Homer  City  and 
his  section  of  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  and  as  his 
father 's  successor  as  merchant  and  undertaker 
is  upholding  a  name  which  has  long  stood 
for  solid  worth  in  that  vicinity.  He  was  born 
in  Homer  City  Nov.  8,  1869,  and  is  a  member 
of  a  family  which  has  been  settled  in  Pennsyl- 
vania from  Provincial  days. 

The  Flickinger  family  is  of  Dutdi  extrac- 
tion. Peter  Flickinger,  the  founder  of  this 
line  in  America,  was  born  in  Rotterdam,  Hol- 
land, Sept.  14,  1753,  and  there  grew  to  man- 
hood. At  the  age  of  twenty-three  years  he 
left  his  native  land  for  America,  and  made  a 
location  in  Dauphin  county.  Pa.  His  wife's 
maiden  name  was  Decker,  and  they  had  five 
sons:  Christian,  Peter,  Henry,  George  and 
John. 

George  Flickinger,  son  of  Peter,  settled  in 
the  Cumberland  valley,  in  what  is  now  Periy 
county.  Pa.  He  lived  to  the  age  of  ninety- 
three  years. 

Abraham  Flickinger,  son  of  George,  was 
born  Feb.  6,  1804,  in  Perry  county.  Pa., 
where  he  grew  to  manhood.  On  April  25, 
1826,  he  was  married  there  to  Anna  Postel- 
wait.  who  was  born  Feb.  4,  1804,  daughter 
of  Samuel  Postelwait,  of  England,  and  in 
1836  they  moved  out  to  Indiana  county.  Pa., 
locating  on  a  tract  of  160  acres  in  Center 
township ;  Mr.  Flickinger  erected  a  log  house 


upon  that  property  and  settled  down  to  farm- 
ing, continuing  to  devote  himself  to  the  cul- 
tivation of  his  land  for  over  twenty-five  j-ears. 
In  1858  he  moved  to  Homer  City,  making  his 
home  thei-e  on  a  tract  of  nineteen  acres  which 
he  bought  and  on  which  he  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  He  died  March  20,  1885, 
and  was  buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery,  at 
Indiana.  Mr.  Flickinger  was  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Chureli  at  ilechanicsburg, 
in  Brushvalley  township,  and  in  politics  he 
was  originally  a  Whig,  later  a  Republican. 
Jlrs.  Flickinger  passed  away  Feb.  1,  1884,  and 
is  also  buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery.  They 
liad  a  large  family,  as  follows:  Barbara,  born 
March  6,  1828,  married  Jesse  I\Iiekel  and  re- 
sides in  Hancock  county.  111. ;  George  W.,  born 
June  5,  1830,  married  Sarah  A.  Kurtz ;  Sam- 
uel, born  Feb.  18,  1832,  married  Eliza  Z.  Fee, 
of  Brushvalley ;  Elizabeth,  born  April  3,  1834, 
married  Robert  Loughry;  Margaret  Susan, 
born  March  31.  1837,  married  Joseph  Mickel; 
Christianna,  born  May  25,  1839,  married 
Henry  Miller ;  John  A.,  bom  j\Iay  5,  1841,  a 
Lutheran  minister  now  located  at  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  married  Wilmina  Hendrickson; 
James  Simpson  was  born  Dec.  24,  1844 ;  David 
J.,  born  Nov.  3,  1846,  died  in  Rock  Island,  111. ; 
Lewis  P.,  born  May  29,  1849,  married  Jennie 
Lucas  and  lives  in  Charleroi,  Pennsylvania. 

James  Simpson  Flickinger,  son  of  Abraham, 
born  Dec.  24,  1844,  attended  public  school  in 
Center  township  and  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm.  In  March,  1865,  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Union  army,  becoming  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  G,  103d  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  under  Capt.  Joseph  Daugh- 
erty  and  Col.  R.  Lyman.  He  served  four 
months,  being  on  duty  at  Roanoke  Island  and 
Camp  Palmer,  N.  C,  where  he  continued  un- 
til after  the  close  of  the  war.  Upon  his  re- 
turn home  he  went  to  work  driving  team,  and 
later  became  engaged  in  carpenter  work  and 
contracting.  In  1872  he  embarked  in  busi- 
ness as  an  undertaker,  and  he  continued  to 
follow  that  line  for  a  period  of  thirty-three 
years,  until  his  retirement  in  1906,  when  he 
sold  out  to  his  son  Harry.  Meantime  he  was 
also  employed  in  the  mercantile  and  livery 
business  for  fifteen  .years.  Mr.  Flickinger  ac- 
quired various  interests  during  his  active 
career,  erected  his  own  fine  dwelling  and 
stoi'e  room,  and  put  up  a  number  of  houses 
which  he  rents.  Thus  he  has  done  his  share 
toward  the  material  upbuilding  of  the  bor- 
ough, while  he  has  also  been  interested  in  its 
government  and  general  welfare,  having 
served  a.s  member  of  the  borough  council  and 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


as  member  of  the  school  board.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican in  politics.  Mr.  Flickinger  has  long 
been  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in 
which  he  is  a  leading  worker,  having  served 
as  elder  and  Sunday  school  teacher.  He  was 
married  Feb.  20,  1866,  to  Amanda  J.  Ped- 
dicord,  a  native  of  Blairsville,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  Richard  and  Hannah  G.  (Allison) 
Peddieord,  and  they  have  had  a  family  of 
four  children:  Maud,  deceased,  wife  of 
Charles  Wagel;  Harry;  Edith,  married  to 
Joseph  Clark,  of  Homer  City ;  and  James  Al- 
bert, who  married  Nell  Roberts. 

Harry  Flickinger,  son  of  James  S.  FUck- 
inger,  obtained  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Homer  City.  For  fifteen  years  he 
worked  along  with  his  father,  learning  the 
mercantile  business,  and  then  for  some  time 
he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Joseph  Wharton 
Coal  &  Coke  Company  of  Coral,  Pa.,  of  which 
he  became  assistant  superintendent.  He  was 
with  that  concern  until  he  bought  out  his 
father  in  1906,  and  during  his  service  with 
them,  and  under  his  supervision,  the  company 
expended  nearly  one  million  dollars  in  im- 
provements and  building  up  the  property.  He 
resigned  when  his  father  retired  and  pur- 
chased the  general  mercantile  business  the 
latter  had  established,  as  well  as  the  under- 
taking business.  Mr.  Flickinger  has  thor- 
oughly qualified  himself  to  conduct  the  lat- 
ter branch,  having  taken  a  special  course  in 
embalming,  and  he  has  been  notably  success- 
ful, being  the  leading  undertaker  in  Indi- 
ana county  outside  of  the  borough  of  Indi- 
ana. He  is  a  man  of  entei-prise  and  wide- 
awake ideas,  is  noted  for  his  genial  disposi- 
tion and  friendly  manners,  as  well  as  his  busi- 
ness-like methods,  and  he  has  done  well  in  the 
mercantile  line,  increasing  his  trade  steadily. 
He  is  a  director  in  the  Homer  City  National 
Bank,  and  has  served  one  term  as  burgess  of 
the  borough.  Mr.  Flickinger  is  independent 
in  political  matters,  though  a  Republican  in 
principle  and  a  stanch  admirer  of  Roosevelt 
and  his  policies.  He  is  well  and  favorably 
known  in  local  fraternal  circles,  belonging  to 
the  Masons,  the  Odd  Fellows,  "Woodmen  of  the 
"World  and  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Homer  City  M.  E.  Church 
and  has  served  as  one  of  its  trustees  for 
twenty  years.  In  1891  ]\Ir.  Flickinger  mar- 
ried Lottie  Sickenberger,  daughter  of  Henry 
Siekenberger,  of  Homer  City,  and  they  have 
three  children.  Lisle  Stanley,  Harry  Carlton 
and  "Virginia.  Mrs.  Flickinger  is  a  member 
of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  for  a  number  of 
years  served  as  organist.    She  is  fond  of  mu- 


sic and  of  artistic  temperament,  and  though 
devoted  to  her  home  and  family  enjoys  social 
liCe.  She  is  a  faithful  member  of  the  Fort- 
night Club  of  Homer  City,  of  which  she  was 
one  of  the  organizers. 

JACOB  OLIVER  DeLANCEY,  who  is  now 
living  retired  at  his  home  in  Plumville,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.,  after  a  long  and  active  career 
as  a  contractor  and  builder,  was  born  in  South 
Mahoning  township,  this  county,  Jlarch  14, 
1834,  son  of  Jacob  F.  and  Susan  (Knepper) 
DeLancey.  The  name  is  of  French  origin, 
and  the  family  in  America  was  established  in 
Bedford  county. 

John  DeLancey,  the  paternal  grandfather 
of  Jacob  Oliver  DeLancey,  was  a  farmer  of 
Bedford  county.  Pa.,  and  there  spent  his  en- 
tire life. 

Jacob  F.  DeLancey,  son  of  John  DeLan- 
cey, and  father  of  Jacob  Oliver  DeLancey,  was 
born  in  Bedford  county  in  1801,  and  about 
1832  migrated  to  Indiana  county,  settling 
on  a  tract  of  110  acres  in  South  Mahoning 
township,  which  at  that  time  was  a  wilder- 
ness. Here  he  erected  a  pioneer  cabin,  con- 
structed of  hewed  logs,  later  built  primitive 
barns,  and  set  to  work  to  clear  and  develop  his 
land.  A  man  of  industry,  enterprise  and  per- 
severance, as  the  years  went  by  he  succeeded 
in  making  his  land  productive,  gradually 
adding  improvements  from  time  to  time,  until 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1865,  when  he 
was  sixty-four  years  of  age,  he  was  counted 
one  of  the  substantial  agriculturists  of  his 
community.  He  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Bap- 
tist Church  cemetery  at  Mahoning.  In  poli- 
tics he  was  originally  a  "Whig  and  later  a  Re- 
publican, but  never  sought  or  cared  for  pub- 
lic ofSce.  Mr.  DeLancey  was  married  to  Su- 
san Knepper,  who  was  born  in  1802,  in  Cam- 
bria county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Godfrey  Knep- 
per, and  she  died  on  the  farm  of  her  son  Jacob 
0.,  in  1882,  and  was  buried  beside  her  hus- 
band. They  had  the  following  children: 
Sarah  Ann,  who  died  young;  ]\Iary  Ann,  who 
married  Anthony  Gallagher,  both  now  de- 
ceased: Lavina,  who  married  Phineas  Run- 
yon,  of  Plumville ;  Jacob  Oliver ;  John,  of  At- 
wood,  Armstrong  county;  "^''illiam  S.,  who 
died  in  young  manhood ;  Daniel  J.,  who  en- 
listed in  Company  F,  63d  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  during  the  Ci\'il  war,  was 
captured  by  the  Confederates,  after  one  year 
and  two  months'  service,  and  died  at  Salisbury 
prison,  of  starvation ;  and  George,  who  re- 
sides at  Blairsville.  Pennsylvania. 

Jacob  Oliver  DeLaneev  was  educated  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


public  schools  of  South  Mahoning  township, 
also  spending  one  term  in  Glade  Run  acad- 
emy, and  continued  to  reside  on  the  home 
farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  At 
that  time  he  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter 
with  John  Moore,  of  Indiana,  following  which 
he  worked  for  two  years  as  a  journeyman  and 
then  took  up  contract  work,  with  his  home  in 
Plumcreek  township,  Armstrong  county. 
During  the  eight  years  that  followed  he 
erected  numerous  structures  in  that  county, 
including  dwellings  and  schoolhouses,  and  the 
German  Reformed  and  United  Presbyterian 
church  edifices,  and  also  operated  with  gratify- 
ing success  a  farm  of  106  acres.  In  1874  he 
returned  to  South  Mahoning  township  and 
continued  contracting  and  building  until 
1910,  in  which  year  he  retired  from  business 
activity.  He  has  made  his  home  in  Plumville 
since  1905,  and  has  a  nice  residence  there. 

In  1864  Mr.  DeLancey  enlisted  in  Company 
M,  5th  Heavy  Artillery,  under  Colonel  Gallup, 
of  Pittsburg,  and  Capt.  John  B.  Alword,  of 
Kittanning,  and  served  with  that  organiza- 
tion until  the  close  of  the  war,  seeing  active 
service  in  Virginia  and  Maryland,  and  par- 
ticipating in  the  defense  of  Washington,  D.  C. 
His  record  as  a  soldier  shows  him  to  have 
been  faithful,  brave  and  gallant,  at  all  times 
ready  to  discharge  fully  the  duties  intrusted 
to  him.  He  has  ever  been  a  stanch  Republican, 
and  while  a  resident  of  Armstrong  county 
served  in  1870,  1871  and  1872  as  county  audi- 
tor, being  the  only  county  officer  elected  on 
the  Republican  ticket.  He  has  sei-ved  as  a 
member  of  the  board  of  school  directors,  and 
was  a  prominent  factor  in  the  organization  of 
the  borough  of  Plumville,  and  in  all  of  his 
public  service  has  demonstrated  his  fitness  for 
office  by  the  conscientious  regard  he  has  had 
for  his  duties.  For  many  years  he  has  been 
superintendent  of  the  Baptist  Sunday  school, 
is  a  member  of  the  building  committee  of  the 
church,  and  has  held  all  the  offices  in  the  In- 
diana Baptist  Association,  of  which  he  is  a 
prominent  member. 

On  March  19,  1863,  Mr.  DeLancey  was  mar- 
ried to  Sarah  M.  Morehead,  who  was  born  in 
Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Morehead,  and  to  this  union  there  have 
been  born  nine  children,  as  follows :  Preston 
F.,  educated  in  the  public  schools.  Glade  Run 
Academy,  Reidsburg  Academy  and  Lewisburg 
Tlieological  Seminary,  and  now  a  minister  of 
tlie  Baptist  Church,  stationed  at  Meadville, 
Pa.;  Clara  B.,  who  married  James  Franklin 
Marshall,  and  resides  on  the  old  homestead  in 
South  Mahoning  township;  Addison  R.,  who 


is  engaged  at  the  carpenter's  trade  at  Pitts- 
burg; John  C,  a  farmer  in  Armstrong 
county;  Carrie  B.,  secretary  and  manager  of 
the  school  furniture  firm  known  as  the  Pea- 
body  Supply  Company;  Luella,  who  married 
John  N.  Lewis,  a  contractor  of  Smicksburg, 
Pa. ;  ]\Iinnie  Ella,  who  married  Clover  Pierce, 
with  the  B.  &  S.  Coal  Company ;  William  F., 
a  butcher,  of  Pittsburg;  and  Daniel  C,  man- 
ager of  the  Electrical  Supply  Company,  of 
Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

JAMES  DIXON,  the  "grand  old  man"  of 
Blacklick  township,  is  the  oldest  living  citizen 
of  that  township,  where  his  entire  life  of  over 
ninety  years  has  been  spent.  He  has  lived  at 
his  present  home  for  sixty-eight  years.  He  is 
a  native  of  the  township,  born  June  25,  1822, 
and  is  a  notable  representative  of  one  of  the 
oldest  and  most  prominent  families  of  south- 
ern Indiana  county.  The  Dixons  are  of 
Scotch-Irish  extraction. 

The  first  of  the  family  to  settle  in  Indiana 
county  were  Joseph  and  Samuel  Dixon,  sup- 
posedly brothers,  who  came  from  the  Cumber- 
land valley  in  Pennsylvania,  and  located  in 
Blacklick  township,  then  a  part  of  Westmore- 
land county.  Their  tract  of  land  adjoined 
General  Campbell's.  Both  participated  in 
the  Indian  wars.  Joseph  Dixon  was  obliged 
to  retreat  from  his  land  to  Wallace's  fort, 
and  purchased  or  took  up  land  adjoining  the 
fort,  where  the  rest  of  his  life  was  spent,  and 
where  most  of  his  children  were  born.  They 
were:  John,  said  to  be  the  first  white  child 
born  north  of  Blacklick,  Pa.,  who  married 
Elizabeth  McQuiston,  and  died  in  1843;  Re- 
becca, who  married  Israel  Grey;  Nancy,  who 
married  Joseph  Colbertson ;  and  Joseph. 

Joseph  Dixon,  son  of  Joseph,  is  supposed  to 
have  been  born  at  or  near  Wallace's  fort,  in 
October,  1781.  In  1804  he  came  to  Blacklick 
township,  and  settled  on  the  land  which  his 
father  owned.  He  had  a  tract  of  300  acres, 
which  he  improved  and  cultivated,  and  later 
added  200  acres  to  the  homestead,  becoming 
one  of  the  largest  land  owners  of  his  day,  and 
was  a  well-known  and  respected  citizen  of  that 
section.  The  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent 
on  his  farm,  where  he  died  Feb.  24,  1853, 
aged  seventy-one  years,  four  months,  ten  days, 
and  he  was  laid  to  rest  in  Hopewell  cemetery. 
He  was  a  Whig  in  politics.  His  first  mar- 
riage was  to  Margaret  Caldwell,  his  second  to 
Mary  Dixon,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Nancy 
(Dixon)  Dixon.  Nancy,  wife  of  Samuel 
Dixon,  was  the  second  white  woman  to  land 
on  the  west  bank  of  Blacklick  creek.     The 


810 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


nhildren  horn  to  Joseph  Dixon  were:  Jane 
married  George  Dickie,  of  "White  and  Center 
townships;  Nancy  married  Daniel  Smith,  of 
Center  township;  Samuel  married  Ellen 
Shields  and  (second)  Mary  McGuire;  Joseph 
married  Margaret  Campbell  and  died  in  Bur- 
rell  to-iVBship ;  John  died  on  the  homestead ; 
James  (born  to  the  second  marriage)  is  men- 
tioned below.  Mrs.  Mary  Dixon  died  June 
24,  1860,  aged  sevent.y-two  years,  and  was 
laid  to  rest  in  Hopewell  cemetery.  She  was 
a  member  of  Hopewell  I\I.  E.  Church. 

James  Dixon  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the 
homestead.  He  attended  the  little  log  school- 
house  located  in  Dixon  district,  and  contin- 
ued to  make  his  home  on  the  homestead  with 
his  parents  until  he  came  of  age.  Then  he 
started  to  make  his  own  way.  He  worked  on 
a  near-by  farm  for  one  year,  and  in  1844  lo- 
cated at  his  present  place,  a  tract  of  212 
acres,  where  he  has  made  his  home  for  the 
last  sixty-eight  years.  During  the  gi-eater 
part  of  that  period  he  has  given  most  of  his 
time  to  agricultural  pursuits,  cultivating  and 
improving  his  homestead,  to  which  he  has 
added  other  land.  For  the  last  twenty  years 
he  has  lived  retired  from  active  labor.  Now 
in  his  declining  days  he  is  tenderly  eared  for 
by  his  daughters.  Although  past  fourscore 
and  ten  .years  he  is  still  active  in  mind  and 
body,  retaining  all  his  faculties  except  his 
hearing,  and  takes  a  deep  interest  in  all  the 
doings  of  the  day  as  well  as  his  own  business 
affairs.  He  is  a  man  of  strong  convictions, 
and  possesses  an  indomitable  will,  and  when 
he  considers  himself  in  the  right  will  fight  to 
the  end  against  any  obstacles.  He  is  imbued 
with  the  spirit  of  the  strong  Scotch-Irish  race 
which  has  been  such  a  potent  factor  for  good 
in  the  development  of  this  country  and  her 
institutions.  In  politics  he  was  originally  a 
Democrat,  casting  his  first  Presidential  vote 
for  James  K.  Polk,  and  he  has  never  missed  a 
Presidential  election  since.  Since  the  days 
of  Lincoln  he  has  supported  the  Republi- 
can candidates  down  to  and  including  Wil- 
liam H.  Taft.  The  only  public  office  he  ever 
held  was  that  of  township  assessor.  Mr.  Dixon 
has  been  a  lifelong  member  of  Blaekliek  M. 
E.  Church,  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  first  church  of  that  denomination,  in  the 
town  of  Blaekliek,  being  now  the  last  survivor 
of  that  zealous  company.  He  served  the 
church  as  member  of  the  building  committee, 
Sunday  school  teacher,  and  later  superintend- 
ent of  the  Sunday  school.  No  resident  of 
Blaekliek  township  is  more  highly  respected 
than  ]\Ir.  Dixon.     He  has  lived  to  see  many 


changes  in  that  region,  most  of  them  for  the 
betterment  of  social  conditions,  and  during 
his  long  life  has  witnessed  remarkable  prog- 
ress in  every  line  of  human  endeavor  as  well 
as  in  agricultural  work,  where  his  chief  in- 
terest lay. 

In  1843  Jlr.  Dixon  married  Mary  Earhart, 
who  was  born  Oct.  27,  1823,  in  Blaekliek 
township,  daughter  of  William  and  I\Iary  C. 
(Keener)  Earhart,  and  died  Nov.  1,  1899, 
after  a  married  life  of  about  fifty-five  years. 
She  was  interred  in  Blairsville  cemetery.  Mrs. 
Dixon  was  a  member  of  Hopewell  M.  E. 
Church  and  a  true  Christian  in  all  the  rela- 
tions of  life,  noted  for  her  goodness  and 
charity.  Twelve  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Dixon:  Mary  Catherine  married 
John  Le^vis,  of  Jacksonville,  Pa. ;  Nancy  died 
in  infancy;  Elizabeth  died  in  infancy;  Clara 
died  in  infancy;  Annie  E.  resides  at  home 
with  her  father;  William  E.  is  engaged  in  the 
meat  business  at  Coke^^lle,  Pa. ;  Isaac  Newton 
resides  at  Latrobe,  Pa.,  where  he  holds  the 
office  of  county  poor  director;  Joseph  Harry 
died  after  reaching  maturitj' ;  Samuel  Ed- 
ward died  &fter  reaching  manhood ;  Charles 
resides  with  his  father;  Hettie  L.,  now  at 
home,  was  married  and  had  two  childi-en. 
Hazel,  who  died  when  four  years  old,  and 
Charles,  who  is  now  studying  at  the  State 
normal  school  at  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Emma  died 
when  j^oung. 

REV.  GEORGE  HILL.  D.  D.,  deceased. 
In  the  death  of  Rev.  Dr.  Hill  Blairsville  lost  a 
most  beloved  citizen.  Tliere  for  sixty  years  or 
more  he  had  made  his  home,  during  that  period 
being  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  he  was  the  founder  of  the  Blairsville 
Female  Seminary,  an  institution  well  known 
throughout  Western  Pennsylvania. 

Dr.  Hill  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  h)orn 
in  the  Ligonier  valley,  in  Westmoreland 
county,  Sept.  18,  1815.  His  grandfather.  Rev. 
George  Hill,  was  a  native  of  York  county.  Pa., 
born  March  13.  1764,  and  at  the  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  war  the  family  moved  from 
their  home  in  York  county  to  locate  in  Fayette 
county.  Pa.,  where  Rev.  GeDrge  Hill  entered 
upon  the  duties  of  his  first  pastorate.  He 
was  educated  at  Princeton,  and  was  licensed 
to  preach  Dee.  22.  1791.  The  following  year 
he  was  installed  as  pastor  of  Fairfield,  Done- 
gal and  Wheatfield  Congregations,  which  he 
continued  to  serve  for  a  period  of  six  years. 
On  April  11.  1798,  he  resigned  the  charge  at 
Wheatfield  and  accepted  the  call  to  Ligoniei-, 
where  he  administered  to  the  spiritual  wants 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


811 


of  his  people  for  upward  of  a  quarter  of  a 
century.  He  died  there  June  9,  1822,  and 
was  buried  in  Fairfield  cemeteiy.  He  was  a 
man  well  known,  and  respected  for  his  many 
virtues.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  McClelland,  was 
a  native  of  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania. 

John  Hill,  son  of  Rev.  George  and  Eliza- 
beth CMeClelland)  Hill,  was  born  March  20, 
1790,  in  Fayette  county.  He  made  his  home 
in  Westmoreland,  whei-e  he  became  a  leading 
citizen,  serving  the  county  well  as  representa- 
tive in  both  branches  of  the  State  Legisla- 
tui-e,  having  served  as  member  of  the  State 
Senate  for  several  terms  as  well  as  in  the  lower 
house.  During  the  war  of  1812  he  commanded 
a  company  of  troops  under  Gen.  William  H. 
Harrison.  He  was  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  a 
firm  believer  in  the  doctrines  of  his  party. 
He  died  at  Fairfield,  in  Westmoreland  county, 
Aug.  22,  1856,  and  is  buried  in  Fairfield  ceme- 
tery. Mr.  Hill  was  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  He  married  in  Derry  town- 
ship, Westmoreland  county,  Jane  Moorhead, 
a  native  of  Derry  township,  born  June  30, 
1795,  who  died  Dee.  18,  1854,  and  was  buried 
in  Fairfield  cemetery.  She  was  an  intelligent 
woman  and  a  devoted  mother. 

Rev.  Dr.  George  Hill,  son  of  Hon.  John  and 
Jane  (Moorhead)  Hill,  began  his  education  in 
the  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  later  grad- 
uated from  Jefiferson  College,  Canonsburg,  Pa., 
in  the  class  of  1837.  He  then  took  up  the 
stud.y  of  theology  in  the  Western  Theological 
Seminary,  Allegheny,  graduating  in  1840. 
He  was  invited  to  preach  at  Blairsville  and 
Salem,  and  accepting  in  1841  was  ordained 
and  installed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Blairs- 
ville as  co-pastor  with  Rev.  Thomas  Davis,  who 
died  May  28,  1848.  In  October  of  the  latter 
year  Dr.  Hill  was  released  from  Salem  to  give 
all  his  time  and  attention  to  the  church  at 
Blairsville,  to  which  he  devoted  himself  for  a 
period  of  fift.v-four  years.  Then,  in  1882, 
Rev.  J.  W.  Criswell  was  called  as  co-pastor. 
On  June  8-11,  1890,  the  church  celebrated  the 
semi-centennial  of  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Dr. 
Hill,  the  celebration  continuing  for  three  days. 
During  the  time  that  Dr.  Hill  was  pastor  of 
the  church  upward  of  twelve  hundred  mem- 
bers were  received.  In  recognition  of  his 
faithful  services  in  the  ministry  Washington 
and  Jefferson  College  in  1869  conferred  Bpon 
him  the  degree  of  D.  D.  In  1883  he  was 
elected  president  of  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  Western  Theological  Seminary,  which  he 
had  served  as  director  from  1847,  and  he  was 
elected  first  vice  president  in  1870.  In  1861 
he  was  elected  moderator  of  the  Presb3'terian 


Synod  of  Pittsburg.  In  1851  Dr.  Hill 
founded  Blairsville  Female  Seminary,  which 
for  the  last  sixty  years  has  done  excellent  serv- 
ice in  the  cause  of  Christian  education.  Dr. 
Hill  was  a  man  of  broad  intellect,  progres- 
sive, a  forceful  preacher  of  the  gospel,  a  true 
Christian  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  He 
died  at  his  home  in  Blairsville  Aug.  2,  1895. 

Dr.  Hill  was  twice  married.  On  Sept.  21, 
1841,  he  married  Harriet  Lewis,  daughter  of 
Rev.  David  Lewis,  pastor  of  Ebeuezer  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  she  died  Nov.  3,  1852,  the 
mother  of  four  children,  namely:  Harriet; 
Sarah,  who  married  I.  W.  Mitchell;  and  two 
who  died  young.  Dr.  Hill  married  for  his 
second  wife,  on  March  23,  1854,  Abigail 
Hawes,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  and  to  this  union 
three  children  were  born:  Abigail  Grace, 
who  married  Rev.  A.  C.  Brown;  George  H., 
who  is  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Beechwood;  and  Helen,  wife  of  Frank  B. 
Andre. 

Dr.  Hill  was  a  stanch  advocate  of  temper- 
ance and  voted  the  Prohibition  ticket  for 
many  years,  and  was  a  strong  supporter  of 
the  cause.  Mrs.  Hill,  who  is  still  living,  is 
noted  for  her  many  acts  of  charity  and  Chris- 
tian virtues. 

PETER  FRECH,  ex-county  commissioner 
of  Indiana  county,  and  a  retired  farmer  of 
Georgeville,  was  born  on  the  Rhine,  in  Prus- 
sia, Germauv,  Nov.  24,  1842,  son  of  Peter 
Freeh. 

Peter  Freeh,  the  father,  was  born  on  the 
Rhine,  in  Prussia,  Dec.  25,  1810,  and  there 
married  Anna  Mary  Jaeoby.  A  wheelwright 
by  trade,  he  followed  that  calling,  but  as  his 
family  increased  he  felt  that  there  were  not 
enough  opportunities  in  his  native  land,  so 
left  Germany  in  1847  and  came  to  America, 
making  the  vo.vage  in  a  sailing  vessel.  Owing 
to  the  fact  that  this  was  an  old  ship,  an  acci- 
dent the  first  day  compelled  the  captain  to 
return  to  land  for  repairs,  so  that  the  journey 
consumed  five  weeks.  Eventually  the  little 
party  landed  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  July, 
1847,  and  proceeded  to  Indiana  county.  Pa., 
where  the  Freehs  had  a  relative.  She  lived  in 
Ra.yne  township,  not  far  from  Dixonville. 
They  located  on  126  acres  of  land,  which  they 
bought  for  $300,  and  built  a  log  cabin.  The 
propert.y  was  in  the  midst  of  heavy  timber, 
and  it  was  hard  work  to  clear  off  the  land, 
so  in  1855  this  farm  was  sold,  and  another 
was  purchased  near  Kelleysburg,  containing 
135  acres.  On  this  place  the  father  built  a 
frame  house  and  substantial  barn  and  made 


812 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


other  improvements,  so  as  to  bring  his  prop- 
erty into  a  good  state.  He  died  upon  the  farm 
of  his  daughter,  ]\Irs.  Stormer,  Oct.  1,  1882, 
aged  nearly  seventy-two  years,  and  is  buried 
in  Grove  Chapel  cemetery.  He  was  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  of 
which  he  was  deacon  and  elder.  His  wife 
died  in  April,  1882,  and  is  buried  by  his  side ; 
she  also  was  a  Lutheran.  Mr.  Freeh  was  a 
Lincoln  Republican,  but  later  became  a  Demo- 
crat. He  was  a  man  who  always  commanded 
universal  respect.  The  children  born  to  him 
and  his  wife  were;  Catherine,  widow  of 
Charles  Stormer,  now  residing  in  Indiana, 
Pa. ;  Peter ;  George,  who  lives  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  Rayne  township ;  Mary  Elizabeth, 
widow  of  John  Lemp ;  and  John,  who  is  a 
farmer  of  Rayne  township. 

Peter  Freeh  was  only  four  and  a  half  years 
old  at  the  time  of  the  family  immigration,  and 
could  not  speak  English  when  they  settled  in 
Rayne  township.  He  had  to  walk  three  miles 
to  get  to  school,  but  in  spite  of  his  disadvan- 
tages learned  English  and  at  the  same  time 
made  himself  useful  on  the  farm,  remaining 
at  home  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  old. 
At  that  time  he  settled  on  ninety -two  acres  in 
Rayne  township,  fifteen  acres  of  which  were 
improved.  After  four  years  of  hard  work 
upon  this  property  he  sold  it  at  a  profit,  and 
then  went  to  North  Mahoning  township,  one 
mile  east  of  Georgeville,  and  bought  200  acres 
known  as  the  John  Knight  farm.  With  the 
possession  of  this  fann  came  his  opportunity 
to  develop  into  a  successful  agriculturist,  and 
he  made  good  use  of  it,  improving  his  prop- 
ei-ty  in  every  way,  until  he  had  one  of  the  best 
farms  in  his  township.  He  continued  to  oper- 
ate this  land  until  1899,  when  he  sold  sixty 
acres,  now  owning  140  acres,  and  moved  to 
Georgeville ;  he  oversees  the  farming  of  his 
land,  his  son  being  in  charge. 

During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Freeh  gave  prac- 
tical demonstration  of  his  feeling  for  his 
adopted  country  by  enlisting  in  August,  1862, 
in  Company  I,*  135th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  under  Capt.  J.  A.  Kinter  and  Col. 
James  R.  Porter.  He  served  nine  months, 
and  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of 
his  enlistment,  in  June,  1863.  Still  feeling 
that  he  ought  to  give  further  service,  he  re- 
enlisted  in  March,  1865,  in  Company  F,  74th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  upder  Capt. 
John  kinter  and  Colonel  Holorger.  Promoted 
to  second  sergeant,  he  continued  to  serve  as 
such,  and  was  discharged  Aug.  27,  1865,  at 
Clarksburg,  "W.  Va.,  where  he  had  been  sta- 
tioned, once  more  returning  home  with   the 


record  of  having  acquitted  himself  bravely 
and  gallantly. 

In  1899  i\Ir.  Freeh  was  elected  county  com- 
missioner, the  other  members  of  the  board  be- 
ing James  K.  Dick  and  Thomas  P.  Stevens, 
and  served  for  one  tei-m  of  three  years,  dur- 
ing which  period  several  bridges  were  built 
and  extensive  improvements  made  on  the 
courthouse.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  was  school 
director  for  ten  years  in  North  Mahoning,  and 
for  two  and  a  half  years  held  the  same  office 
in  the  independent  district  of  Georgeville. 
He  has  also  been  on  the  election  board  as  in- 
spector, and  has  been  collector  of  taxes,  in 
every  way  proving  himself  efficient  and  public- 
spirited,  a  man  of  force  of  character  and 
strength  of  purpose.  The  Lutheran  Church 
of  Trade  City  holds  his  membership,  and  he 
has  served  it  as  elder  for  many  years,  being 
very  active  in  the  good  work  of  his  denomina- 
tion. The  G.  A.  R.  post  of  Punxsutawney  has 
in  him  an  enthusiastic  member. 

In  addition  to  his  farming  interests,  Mr. 
Freeh  has  been  quite  prominent  as  a  breeder 
of  fine  horses,  having  owned  the  trotting  mare 
Bell  Onward,  and  now  owns  Onward  Higgi- 
son,  which  he  raised. 

On  May  2,  1867,  Mr.  Freeh  was  married  to 
Rebecca  Kimple,  of  Rayne  township,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Mary  (Sigler)  Kimple,  old 
settlers  of  Indiana  county,  and  people  of 
prominence  in  their  day.  She  died  Jan.  11, 
1913,  and  is  buried  at  Gilgal  Church.  Mrs. 
Freeh  was  also  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  seconding  her  husband's  efforts  in 
the  advancement  of  its  interests.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Freeh  had  children  as  follows:  IMary 
Lavina,  who  married  C.  M.  Wortman,  pro- 
prietor of  the  "Clawson  House,"  of  Indiana, 
Pa. ;  twins,  a  son  and  a  daughter,  who  died  in 
infancy ;  George,  who  is  at  home ;  and  Annie 
A.,  who  married  Fred  Jamison,  of  "Washing- 
ton, Pa.,  and  has  a  daughter,  Mary  Jane. 

ilr.  Freeh  has  attained  all  his  prosperity 
through  natural  ability  and  a  willingness  to 
work.  No  labor  was  too  hard  for  him,  and  he 
always  saved  his  money,  so  that  when  oppor- 
tunity offered  he  was  able  to  invest  wisely  and 
profitably. 

JAMES  G.  FISHER,  M.  D.,  of  Indiana, 
has  but  recently  settled  in  that  borough,  com- 
ing from  Rossiter,  Indiana  county,  where  he 
had  been  in  practice  for  several  years.  He 
was  born  April  16,  1875,  at  Pluraville,  this 
county,  son  of  Samuel  R.  and  Maria  (Mc- 
Gaugiiey)  Fisher. 

Samuel  R.  Fisher  was  born  and  reared  in 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


813 


"Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  and  followed  farm- 
ing. His  death  occurred  in  January,  1911. 
He  was  a  prominent  and  active  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church.  Nine  children  were  bom  to 
him  and  his  wife:  Two  died  in  infancy,  the 
survivors  being  Josiah,  Miles,  John,  Mary, 
Charles,  EfiSe  (wife  of  Samuel  Buchanan)  and 
James  G. 

James  G.  Fisher  attended  the  common 
schools  in  Mahoning  township  and  the  borough 
of  Indiana,  and  then  took  a  course  at  the  State 
normal  school  at  Indiana,  graduating  in  1899. 
He  then  (1899)  went  to  St.  Louis  and  there 
took  charge  of  the  geological  survey  under 
Professor  Thompson,  following  this  work  for 
a  period  of  four  years.  Entering  the  medical 
department  of  George  Washington  University 
at  Washington,  D.  C,  he  was  graduated  from 
that  institution  in  1904,  after  which  he  spent 
about  one  year  traveling  in  the  South,  being 
mainly  at  St.  Louis,  BIo.  He  began  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  at  Dixonville,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.,  in  February,  1905,  remaining  there 
until  October  of  the  same  year,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Rossiter,  having  become  physician 
for  the  Clearfield  Bituminous  Coal  Company 
at  that  point.  In  addition  to  his  work  in  that 
capacity  he  attended  to  a  large  private  prac- 
tice, having  established  a  reputation  for  skill 
and  devotion  to  his  patients  which  drew  a 
large  patronage.  Perhaps  few  physicians  of 
his  years  and  length  of  practice  have  exceeded 
his  success  and  popularity,  and  he  gained  a 
variety  of  experience  which  cannot  fail  to 
prove  valuable  to  him  in  the  coming  years. 
He  remained  at  Rossiter  until  March  1,  1912, 
when  he  changed  his  location  to  Indiana,  the 
wider  field  appealing  to  one  of  his  ambition. 
He  is  a  hard  worker,  conscientious  and  untir- 
ing, and  has  every  prospect  of  a  very  active 
and  useful  career.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Medical  Society  of  Indiana  county,  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Medical  Society  and  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association. 

On  April  5,  1905,  Dr.  Fisher  married  Amy 
Frothingham  Kane,  daughter  of  Rear  Admiral 
James  I.  Kane,  U.  S.  N.,  retired,  of  New 
York.  They  have  had  four  children :  George, 
Samuel,  John  (deceased)  and  Peter  Wright. 

RAY  McKELVY  ALEXANDER,  M.  D., 
practicing  physician  in  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  with  office  at  Garfield, 
was  born  May  7,  1879,  in  that  township,  son 
of  William  and  Margaret  (Liggett)  Alex- 
ander. 

William  Alexander,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  Dr.  Alexander,  was  bom  in  1793  in 


Ireland,  and  came  to  the  United  States  with 
his  parents  when  he  was  two  years  old.  The 
family  first  settled^  at  Philadelphia,  where  the 
father,  a  carpenter  by  trade,  met  an  acciden- 
tal death,  falling  from  'a  building,  and  the 
family  subsequently  moved  to  West  Wheat- 
field  township  and  settled  on  a  200-acre  farm, 
this  property  now  being  owned  by  the  Lynn 
heirs.  William  Alexander  followed  the  trade 
of  stonemason,  and  became  well  and  favorably 
known  in  his  community.  He  was  a  faithful 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
in  the  faith  of  which  he  died  in  1880,  in  West 
Wheatfield.  His  wife,  Martha  Jamison,  was 
born  in  Scotland,  and  died  in  West  Wheat- 
field  township,  and  both  were  buried  in  the 
United  Presbyterian  cemetery  there.  They 
had  the  following  children:  Margaret  mar- 
ried Thompson  Lynn ;  Elizabeth  married  Wil- 
liam Crawford;  Jane  married  Rev.  D.  Reed; 
Mary  was  married  to  William  Hutchinson; 
Moses  died  at  the  age  of  thirty  years;  Jami- 
son died  in  infancy ;  William  was  the  father  of 
Dr.  Alexander. 

William  Alexander,  son  of  William,  was 
born  Feb.  25,  1834,  in  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, and  there  attended  public  school  and 
worked  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  At  that  time  he  purchased 
a  farm  of  100  acres,  on  which  he  resided  for 
one  year,  when  he  sold  out  and  moved  to 
Chei-ryhill  township,  where  he  remained  for 
five  years,  cultivating  a  tract  of  105  acres. 
On  his  return  to  West  Wheatfield  township 
he  bought  the  Reed  farm  of  153  acres,  and 
there  built  a  large  house  and  barn  and  took 
up  farming,  but  later  this  house  was  torn  down 
to  make  room  for  the  right-of-way  of  the 
Pennsylvania  railroad,  and  Mr.  Alexander 
erected  the  substantial  residence  which  is  still 
occupied  by  his  widow,  son  and  daughters. 
He  was  a  member,  elder  and  trustee  of  the 
New  Florence  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  served  on  its  building  committee,  and 
also  acted  as  school  director.  He  was  origi- 
nally a  Whig  and  subsequently  adopted  the 
views  of  the  Republican  party.  A  man  of 
temperance  and  probity,  he  led  an  honest. 
God-fearing  life,  and  when  he  died,  Sept.  23, 
1907,  the  community  felt  the  loss  of  one  of 
its  best  and  most  highly  respectfed  citizens. 
Mr.  Alexander  was  married  Jau.  11,  1859,  to 
Margaret  Liggett,  who  was  born  July  29, 1838, 
and  is  now  living  with  her  son  on  the  home- 
stead. They  had  the  following  children: 
Mary,  born  Oct.  7,  1859,  died  June  24,  1860 ; 
Elmer  Ellsworth,  born  July  23,  1862,  mar- 
ried Mary  Vinnie  Vance,  May  21, 1890,  resides 


814 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


at  Ii-wiu,  Pa.,  and  is  employed  on  the  Penn- 
sylvania railroad;  Martha  Elizabeth,  born 
Jan.  31,  1865,  married  Anderson  Fowler,  May 
6,  1891,  and  has  one  child,  Clyde  Alexander; 
Samuel  L.,  born  Jan.  18,  1867,  is  unmarried 
and  conducts  the  homestead  farm ;  William  J.. 
born  :\Iareh  3,  1869,  died  Sept.  2,  1870 ;  Mag- 
gie Wilhelmina,  born  July  16,  1871,  married 
Oct.  31, 1905,  Harry  W.  Wakefield ;  Julia  A., 
born  Feb.  14,  1874,  and  Lulu  M.,  born  Dec. 
4,  1876,  are  both  unmarried  and  residing  with 
their  mother  on  the  old  homestead;  and  Ray 
M.  is  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

Ray  ilcKelvy  Alexander  attended  Indiana 
public  school  No.  9,  and  then  went  to  the  New 
Florence  school,  following  which  he  took  in- 
struction under  Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart  at  Ar- 
magh and  Prof.  C.  A.  Campbell.  At  the  age 
of  sixteen  years  he  commenced  to  teach,  at 
which  calling  he  was  engaged  for  three  years 
in  West  Wheatfield  township  and  two  years 
in  Derry  township,  as  well  as  one  year  in 
New  Florence.  At  that  time  he  went  to  Pitts- 
burg and  there  entered  the  University,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1905  with  the  de- 
gree of  doctor  of  medicine,  and  immediately 
located  in  West  Wheatfield  townsliip.  He  has 
built  up  a  practice  that  extends  throughout 
this  part  of  the  county  as  well  as  into  West- 
moreland County,  and  is  known  as  a  skilled, 
able  and  sympathetic  physician.  His  reputa- 
tion is  high  among  his  professional  colleagues, 
as  one  who  recognizes  and  respects  the  un- 
written ethics  of  the  profession. 

On  Feb.  24,  1909,  Dr.  Alexander  was  mar- 
ried to  Essie  DuShaue,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Addie  (Eberhardt)  DuShane,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Andrew  DuShane,  who  was  a 
blacksmith  and  pioneer  settler  of  Westmore- 
land county,  where  he  had  his  home  near  Boli- 
var. Dr.  and  Mrs.  Alexander  have  one  daugh- 
ter, Margaret  DuShane. 

Dr.  Alexander  was  made  a  member  of  the 
National  Geographic  Society  Feb.  9,  1910, 
and  also  belongs  to  the  Alumni  Association 
of  the  University  of  Pittsburg,  the  grand 
chapter  of  the  Phi  Chi  fraternity,  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Pennsylvania  Department  of 
Public  Instruction  and  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania Board  of  Health.  Fraternally  he  is 
connected  with  the  ilasons  (holding  member- 
ship in  Acacia  Lodge,  No.  355,  Blair-sville, 
Pa.),  the  Royal  Arcanum  and  the  Knights  of 
the  ]\Iaecabees.  His  well-appointed  offices  arc 
situated  at  Garfield,  with  postoffice  at  Robin- 


son, while  he  makes  his  home  at  Bolivar,  in 
Westmoreland  county. 

JAMES  C.  DA\aSON,  contractor  and 
builder,  of  Clymer,  Indiana  county,  is  one  of 
the  leading  citizens  of  that  borough,  being 
prominent  in  its  public  life  as  well  as  in  busi- 
ness. He  is  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  notary, 
and  is  at  present  serving  as  president  of  the 
boroiigh  council,  ilr.  Davison  was  liorn  June 
13,  1851,  in  Blair  county.  Pa.,  and  is  a  son 
of  John  Armstrong  and  Ellen  (Dunlap)  Davi- 
son. 

John  Armstrong  Davison,  his  great-grand- 
father, was  born  in  Scotland  and  from  that 
country  went  first  to  Ireland,  settling  in  Ty- 
rone, where  he  was  interested  in  the  great 
iron  industries  of  that  region.  He  came  to 
America  some  time  during  ^he  eighteenth 
century  and  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life 
in  Maryland,  engaging  in  the  iron  industry 
throughout  his  residence  there.  During  the 
Revolution  he  raised  a  militia  company  in 
Marj'land,  of  which  he  became  captain,  serv- 
ing as  such  under  General  Washington. 

John  Armstrong  Davison,  the  second  of  that 
name  in  this  country,  was  born  in  ^Maryland. 
Like  his  father  he  carried  on  business  as  an 
ironmaster.    He  served  in  the  war  of  1812. 

John  Armsti-ong  Davison,  son  of  John  Arm- 
strong Davison  2d,  was  born  in  the  State  of 
Delaware.  He,  too,  became  associated  with 
the  iron  business,  being  a  machinist  and  ax- 
maker.  When  a  young  man  he  came  to  Penn- 
sylvania, settling  in  Blair  county,  where  he 
spent  the  rest  of  his  days.  In  his  later  years 
he  purchased  a  farm  and  engaged  in  agi-i- 
cultural  pursuits.  He  married  Ellen  Dun- 
lap,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  be- 
longed to  a  family  which  came  originally 
from  Ireland,  and  they  had  nine  children, 
namely :  John  Armstrong,  who  lives  in  Ty- 
rone, Pa.  (he  served  a  short  time  during  the 
Civil  war)  ;  Mary,  wife  of  Major  Bell,  who 
served  as  a  major  during  the  Civil  war  (both 
are  now  deceased)  ;  Martha,  wife  of  George 
Traister,  who  served  during  the  Civil  war 
(both  are  deceased);  Elizabeth,  deceased; 
Sarah,  widow  of  Daniel  Wesley,  residing  at 
Tyrone.  Pa. ;  Emily,  Mrs.  Van  Scoyoc.  of  Ty- 
rone; Capt.  George  C,  now  living  at  Tyrone, 
who  served  throughout  the  Civil  war,  in  which 
he  held  the  rank  of  captain ;  Robert,  deceased, 
who  served  during  the  Civil  war  in  the  7th 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry  and  was  under  Gen- 
eral  Sherman;  and  James  C. 

James  C.  Davison  passed  his  early  days  in 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


815 


Blair  county,  where  he  attended  school.  At 
the  age  of  seventeen  he  went  to  Philipsburg, 
Center  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade,  remaining  there  for  about 
four  years.  After  that  he  traveled  over  Penn- 
sylvania for  a  time,  working  at  his  trade,  and 
for  a  time  was  located  in  Clearfield  county,  en- 
gaged in  contracting.  Leaving  that  county  he 
returned  to  Tyrone,  Blair  county,  where  he 
remained  for  a  period  of  five  years,  when  the 
town  of  Clymer,  in  Indiana  county,  was 
started  coming  to  that  place.  There  he  has 
since  carried  on  a  most  successful  business 
as  a  conti'actor  and  builder,  also  including 
the  lines  of  heating  and  plumbing.  He  has 
put  up  many  residences  and  business  struc- 
tures in  the  borough  and  has  built  up  a  sub- 
stantial custom,  his  thoroughly  reliable  work, 
good  management  and  up-to-date  ideas  gain- 
ing him  many  patrons  who  appreciate  the 
advantages  of  first-class  work. 

When  the  borough  was  organized  Mr.  Davi- 
son had  his  share  in  the  initial  work,  and  he 
has  continued  his  interest  in  its  good  govern- 
ment and  development  to  the  present  time. 
He  is  now  serving  as  president  of  the  coun- 
cil, is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  and 
is  also  acting  as  justice  of  the  peace,  to  which 
office  he  was  elected  three  years  ago.  He  is 
also  a  prominent  church  worker,  he  and  his 
wife  belonging  to  the  IMethodist  Church,  and 
he  is  holding  the  presidency  of  the  commit- 
tee board.  Mr.  Davison  was  formerly  a 
member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.  and  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 
On  Jan.  12,  1872,  Mr.  Davison  was  married 
to  Martha  E.  Strong,  a  native  of  Clearfield 
county,  Pa.,  born  Sept.  2,  1855,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Caldwell)  Strong, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Clearfield  coun- 
ty, and  both  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  Strong 
was  extensively  engaged  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness. His  family  consisted  of  eight  children: 
Joseph  A.,  the  eldest,  who  lives  in  Clearfield 
county.  Pa. ;  Martha  E.,  late  wife  of  James 
C.  Davison ;  Mary,  widow  of  Harvey  H.  Swan, 
living  in  Clearfield  county;  William  C,  a 
merchant  of  Clymer;  Charles  S.,  who  has  a 
meat  market  in  Clearfield;  Harvey  L.,  also  of 
Clearfield  county;  Calvin  V.,  a  farmer  on 
the  old  homestead  in  that  county ;  and  Edith, 
a  professional  nurse,  who  is  in  Tennessee. 

Mrs.  Davison  died  March  1,  1909.  She  was 
the  mother  of  eight  children:  Avouia,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Harry  L.  Witherell,  a  farmer 
of  Clearfield  county,  and  has  three  children, 
Amy,  Henry  and  Paul;  Clyde,  residing  at 
home;  Harvey  A.,  who  is  a  teacher  in  Indi- 
ana county;  Willard  F.,  a  carpenter,  at  home  ; 


Walter,  who  is  in  the  emplo.y  of  T.  C.  Stan- 
ley at  Clymer;  Lula,  wife  of  Robert  G.  Wil- 
liams, of  Ernest,  this  county  (they  have  four 
children,  Beatrice,  Hobart,  Ruth  and  Bar- 
nice)  ;  Russell,  at  home;  and  James. 

LEVI  YOUNG,  late  of  Indiana,  passed  his 
latter  years  in  retirement  in  that  borough.  He 
was  born  at  Morrisons  Cove,  Bedford  Co.,  Pa., 
Dee.  29,  1820,  son  of  James  and  Catherine 
(Metz)  Young,  both  of  whom  died  in  Bed- 
ford county.  He  was  a  charcoal  burner  by 
occupation.  They  had  five  children :  Henry, 
Andrew,  Peggj',  Harriet  and  Levi.  After  the 
father's  death  the  mother  became  the  wife  of 
James  Kirkland,  an  Englishman,  and  in  1835 
the  family  moved  to  Indiana  borough,  set- 
tling in  White  township,  where  they  followed 
farming. 

Levi  Young  was  given  a  good  education  and 
taught-  for  a  time  in  the  old  subscription 
schools.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  became 
clerk  in  the  store  of  James  MeCannon,  at  the 
corner  of  Sixth  and  Philadelphia  streets,  In- 
diana, where  ]\Ir.  William  R.  Loughry  is  now 
established.  After  his  marriage  he  and  his 
wife  moved  onto  the  farm  of  her  uncle,  Alex- 
ander Bartley,  in  Conemaugh  township,  In- 
diana county,  and  later  bought  that  place, 
farming  it  for  seven  years  in  all.  Selling  this 
property,  they  removed  to  the  farm  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Lewis,  in  the  same  township,  upon  which 
they  remained  four  years,  and  then  bought  the 
Turner  farm  in  Center  township,  Indiana 
county,  a  large  and  valuable  property  of  272 
acres,  improved  and  with  good  buildings. 
They  made  their  home  there  for  twenty-five 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  they  sold  .it 
to  a  Mr.  Cajupbell,  and  then  bought  the  Judge 
Clark  farm  at  the  edge  of  Indiana  borough. 
They  lived  there  for  the  next  seven  years,  sell- 
ing "that  property  to  j\Ir.  Bath,  and  in  April, 
1890,  moved  into  the  borough  of  Indiana. 
There  Mr.  Young  continued  to  reside  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1907.  He  was  a 
man  of  the  highest  standing  and  one  of  the 
venerable  citizens  of  the  place.  In  politics 
he  was  a  Democrat,  and  in  religion  adhered 
to  the  M.  E.  Church. 

On  July  4,  1842,  at  Greensburg,  Pa.,  Mr. 
Young  married  Jane  Dixon,  who  was  born 
Dec.  12,  1824,  in  Blacklick  township,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Bart- 
ley) Dixon.  Though  advanced  in  age  she 
still  reads  the  daily  paper  and  is  very  active. 
Nine  children  were  born  to  this  union:  Al- 
bert, who  died  of  fever  in  a  Rebel  camp  while 
serving  in  the  army;   Margaret   Ellen,   Mrs. 


816 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Harrison  Kauffman,  of  Indiana;  Frank,  of 
Chicago;  Nancy  Jane,  Mrs.  William  Gilmer, 
of  Blairsville;  Clara,  Mrs.  Benson  Lewis,  of 
Chicago;  George,  M.  D.,  of  Evansville,  Ind. ; 
Ella,  Mi-s.  Alexander  Graham,  of  Conemaugh 
township;  Lizzie,  Mrs.  George  Ray,  of  Arm- 
strong township,  this  county;  and  Foster 
Bartley,  now  living  in  Canada,  where  he  has 
taken  up  a  homestead. 

JAMES  BOTHEL,  the  oldest  living  resi- 
dent of  Center  township,  Indiana  county,  has 
been  settled  at  his  present  home  there  for  a 
period  of  forty  years  and  is  a  highly  esteemed 
citizen  of  his  neighborhood.  He  was  born  in 
Armstrong  township,  this  county,  Oct.  8, 
1822,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (MeCrea)  Bethel, 
the  latter  a  native  of  Wilmington,  Del.  John 
Bothel  was  drowned  in  the  Allegheny  river. 

Mr.  Bothel  followed  farming  throughout 
his  active  years.  After  living  in  Washington 
township,  Indiana  county,  for  a  time,  he 
came  to  Center  township,  in  1872,  locating  on 
the  David  Fleming  farm,  a  tract  of  112  acres 
where  he  has  since  continuously  made  his 
home.  He  retired  some  years  ago  from  ar- 
duous labor,  the  farm  being  now  cared  for 
by  his  son  Nelson  M.  Bothel,  with  whom  he 
makes  his  home.  But  though  past  ninety  Mr. 
Bothel  retains  all  his  faculties,  and  he  has  a 
remarkable  memory.  During  the  Civil  war, 
though  past  the  age  limit,  he  offered  his  ser- 
vices in  behalf  of  the  Union  cause,  in  1862  en- 
listing in  Company  I,  135th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Capt.  Andrew  Kin- 
ter  and  Colonel  Porter.  He  served  nine 
months,  twenty  days,  and  took  part  in  numer- 
ous engagements,  among  them  the  battle  of 
Chancellorsville.  He  has  been  a  stanch  Re- 
publican since  the  party  was  founded,  always 
upholding  its  principles,  and  is  a  great  ad- 
mirer of  Roosevelt.  In  religious  connection 
he  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  which  he  has  served  as  trustee. 

On  Jan.  12,  1865,  Mr.  Bothel  married  Mrs. 
Mary  J.  Campbell  Dickson,  who  was  born  in 
Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  near  New  Alex- 
andria, and  was  the  widow  of  John  Dickson. 
She  had  two  children  by  her  first  marriage, 
Sarah  and  Samuel.  To  her  marriage  with 
Mr.  Bothel  were  also  born  two  children.  Nel- 
son McCrea  and  Edith  (married  to  William 
Anthony).  Mrs.  Bothel  died  Jan.  14,  1909, 
and  was  buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery  at 
Indiana.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Crete 
United  Presbvterian  Church. 

Nflson  McCrea  Bothfl,  onlv  son  of  James 
Bothel,  was  bom  June  25,  1867,  in  Washing- 


ton township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  there 
passed  his  early  years.  He  has  been  a  farmer 
all  his  active  life,  and  after  commencing  on 
his  own  account  lived  and  farmed  in  Arm- 
strong township,  this  county,  for  a  period  of 
sixteen  years,  owning  sixty-five  acres  there. 
In  1908  he  returned  to  his  father's  farm  in 
Center  township,  where  he  is  now  successfully 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising. 

Like  his  father  Mr.  Bothel  has  always  been 
a  Republican  in  his  political  principles,  but 
is  independent  when  it  comes  to  choosing  can- 
didates for  any  office.  While  living  in  Arm- 
strong township  he  served  his  fellow  citizens 
for  six  years  in  the  office  of  school  director, 
and  was  secretary  of  the  board  during  that 
time.  He  is  particularly  interested  in  church 
work,  being  a  leading  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  which  he  has  served  in 
an  official  capaeitj^  for  many  yeai-s,  having 
been  elder,  trustee,  Sunday  school  teacher  and 
superintendent. 

Mr.  Bothel  was  married  in  December,  1890, 
to  Lottie  Carnahan,  of  Armstrong  township, 
this  county,  daughter  of  David  and  Levenia 
(Berkebile)  Carnahan,  and  four  children  were 
born  to  them:  Florence  (who  is  now  the 
wife  of  William  Anthony,  and  has  one  daugh- 
ter, Edith  M.),  Esther,  Lavinia  and  Bessie. 
Mrs.  Bothel  died  Jan.  13,  1906,  and  is  buried 
in  Greenwood  cemetery,  at  Indiana. 

EDWARD  M.  ANSLEY,  county  commis- 
sioner of  Indiana  county,  lives  in  Rayne 
township  on  the  farm  where  he  was  bom  and 
which  was  bought  by  his  father  in  1854. 

John  Ansley,  his  great-grandfather,  served 
as  a  soldier  in  the  American  army  during  the 
Revolutionary  war,  and  his  brother  com- 
manded a  company  in  the  British  army.  John 
Ansley  came  from  New  Jersey  to  Westmore- 
land county,  Pa.,  in  the  early  days  of  the  set- 
tlement of  that  region.  He  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation. 

Daniel  Ansley,  son  of  John,  was  born  in 
Westmoreland  county  in  1798,  and  followed 
farming  there  until  1837,  when  he  removed  to 
Indiana  county.  He  died  in  1858,  at  the  age 
of  sixty. 

James  Ansley,  son  of  Daniel,  was  bom  in 
1825  and  died  Feb.  23,  1895.  He  was  a  far- 
mer throughout  his  active  years,  being  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  general  agriculture  and 
stock  raising  in  Rayne  township,  and  was  not 
only  a  successful  business  man  of  his  locality 
but  also  active  in  public  life,  serving  as  jus- 
tice of  the  peace  of  his  township  and  as  audi- 
tor of  Indiana  county.    He  was  a  Republican 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


817 


in  political  sentiment.  He  married  Sarah 
Spencer,  who  was  born  near  Johnstown,  in 
Cambria  county,  and  she  survived  him,  pass- 
ing away  April  13,  1909.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ans- 
ley  were  membere  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
which  Mr.  Ansley  served  ofScially  for  many 
years  in  the  capacity  of  deacon.  He  was  a 
pi'ominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
James  Ansley:  Louisa,  who  married  J.  F. 
McLaughlin,  and  is  now  deceased;  William 
B.,  a  physician ;  and  Edward  M. 

Edward  M.  Ansley  was  bom  Feb.  20,  1858, 
and  attended  the  local  public  schools  in  his 
early  boyhood,  later  going  to  the  Reidsburg 
Academy,  in  Clarion  county.  Some  time  after 
he  commenced  to  work  he  became  a  traveling 
salesman  for  a  Avholesale  shoe  house  of  New 
York  and  Philadelphia  and  was  thus  engaged 
continuously  for  a  period  of  thirty-one  years, 
becoming  one  of  the  expert  salesmen  in  his 
line  while  he  remained  on  the  I'oad.  In  fact, 
his  long  connection  with  the  one  concern  is 
sufficient  evidence  of  the  value  of  his  services. 
After  his  father's  death,  in  1895,  he  managed 
the  home  farm  in  addition  to  looking  after  his 
interests  as  salesman. 

Mr.  Ansley  has  long  been  connected  with 
public  affairs.  He  served  his  township  as 
school  director  for  twelve  consecutive  years, 
and  for  three  years  was  chairman  of  the 
county  convention  of  school  directors.  In 
November,  1911,  he  was  elected  on  the  Repub- 
lican ticket  to  the  office  of  county  commissioner 
by  the  largest  majority  received  by  any  man 
on  the  county  ticket,  and  he  assumed  the 
duties  of  the  office  in  January,  1912.  His 
popularity  has  been  well  deserved,  for  he  has 
given  satisfaction  in  every  position  to  which 
he  has  been  chosen.  Like  his  father  he  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of 
which  he  has  been  a  deacon  for  more  than 
fifteen  years. 

In  March,  1888,  Mr.  Ansley  was  married  to 
Ella  M.  Chambers,  daughter  of  James  Cham- 
bei-s,  of  Library,  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.  On  her 
mother's  side  she  is  related  to  the  Philips 
family,  one  of  the  noted  families  of  Allegheny 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ansley  have  had  three 
children,  namely :  Arthur  B. ;  Edward  W., 
who  died  when  one  year  old ;  and  Paul  Ansley. 

MATHEWS.  One  of  the  oldest  settled 
families  in  East  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana 
county,  is  that  of  Mathews,  which  is  of  Irish 
extraction  and  has  lived  in  Pennsylvania  since 


a  few  years  after  the  close  of  the  Revolution- 
ary war. 

William  Mathews,  the  first  of  the  line  in  this 
State,  was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  there  mar- 
ried Martha  McLain.  In  the  early  part  of 
1786  the  family  crossed  the  Atlantic,  coming 
to  Pennsylvania  and  first  locating  in  Somer- 
set county,  where  they  remained  for  six  years. 
In  1792  they  moved  to  Westmoreland  county, 
making  a  home  in  Fairfield  township  where 
Mr.  Mathews  passed  the  rest  of  his  life,  fol- 
lowing farming.  He  died  between  1812  and 
1814,  his  wife  a  few  years  later.  Their  chil- 
dren were  as  follows:  Mary,  who  married 
Matthew  Ray;  William,  who  married  Eliza- 
beth Snodgrass;  Archibald;  James,  who  mar- 
ried Nancy  Hammill;  Jane,  who  married 
James  Lemon;  Sarah,  who  married  Thomas 
Trimble;  Margaret,  who  married  Archibald 
Johnson ;  Samuel,  who  married  Mary  Pollock ; 
Ann,  who  married  John  Nesbett;  John,  who 
married  Nancy  Trimble;  and  Martha,  who 
married  Hugh  Knox. 

Archibald  Mathews,  son  of  William,  was 
born  in  1784  in  Ireland  and  was  two  years 
old  when  brought  to  America.  He  passed  his 
first  years  here  in  Somerset  county,  coming 
with  the  family  to  what  was  then  Westmore- 
land county,  and  received  such  education  as 
the  subscription  schools  of  the  day  afforded. 
But  there  were  few  in  this  section,  and  his 
assistance  with  the  farm  work  was  necessary. 
When  he  settled  in  what  is  now  East  Wheat- 
field  township,  Indiana  county,  he  located  on 
the  farm  of  George  Findley,  the  first  white 
settler  in  the  county.  Mr.  Mathews  was  a  man 
of  advanced  ideas  for  his  time,  and  he  had  the 
enterprise  to  carry  out  his  projects.  Thus 
he  was  the  first  in  the  county  to  erect  a  woolen 
factory,  which  stood  near  the  Baker  furnace. 
He  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  the 
township,  engaged  in  farming  on  the  Findley 
place  as  well  as  manufacturing  and  milling, 
and  died  in  1851,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven. 
He  is  buried  on  the  farm,  in  the  family  lot  re- 
served for  burial  purposes.  Mr.  Mathews  was 
an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  On 
June  12,  1806,  he  married  Elizabeth  Findley, 
who  was  born  Jan.  28,  1784,  at  Hagerstown, 
Md.,  daughter  of  George  Findley,  of  whom  a 
complete  account  may  be  found  elsewhere. 
She  survived  him  many  years,  dying  in  1881, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-seven.  Like  her 
husband  she  was  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  They  had  a  family  of  eleven 
children,  namely :  Jane,  born  April  26,  1807, 
married  Dec.  22,  1827,  Thomas  Chapman,  and 


818 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


died  Feb.  10,  1828 ;  Martha,  born  Jan.  9, 1809, 
married  Feb.  14,  1834,  Isaac  Rogers ;  Isabella, 
born  Jan.  24,  1812,  married  July  23,  1838, 
William  Lapsley;  Eliza,  born  in  1814,  mar- 
ried May  19,  1836,  Joseph  Kennedy;  George 
Findlev  was  born  Aug.  19,  1815 ;  ]Man'  Ann, 
born  Nov.  22,  1817,  married  April  23,  1840, 
James  Taylor,  and  died  Jan.  14,  1843 ;  Sarah, 
born  April  8,  1820,  married  Feb.  10,  1842, 
Samuel  Noble,  and  died  Oct.  11,  1846;  Wil- 
liam and  Archibald,  twins,  were  born  Aug. 
15,  1822,  the  latter  dying  July  23,  1824,  the 
former  Oct.  12,  1847,  in  the  city  of  IMexico, 
while  serving  in  the  United  States  army; 
James,  born  Oct.  2,  1825,  died  Feb.  13,  1830 ; 
Archibald  (2),  born  Feb.  2,  1828,  married 
Matilda  J.  Mitchell. 

George  Findley  Mathews,  son  of  Archibald, 
was  bom  Aug.  19,  1815,  and  obtained  his  edu- 
cation in  the  subscription  schools,  such  as 
they  were.  He  worked  on  the  home  place  and 
made  farming  his  life  occupation,  operating 
a  tract  of  two  hundred  acres  where  he  can-ied 
on  general  agriculture  and  stock  raising,  also 
dealing  in  stock.  He  was  an  energetic  and 
progressive  man,  succeeded  in  his  various  un- 
dertakings, and  was  a  substantial  and  re- 
spected citizen  of  the  township.  His  mother 
was  devotedly  cared  for  at  his  home  during 
her  declining  years.  He  died  on  the  farm 
Aug.  10,  1893,  when  a  few  days  less  than 
seventy-eight  years  old,  and  is  buried  in  the 
family  lot  near  the  home.  He  was  a  member 
and  trustee  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr. 
Mathews  was  married  in  Philadelphia  to  Re- 
becca Jane  Mathews,  daughter  of  William 
Mathews,  and  she  also  died  on  the  farm  and  is 
buried  in  the  cemetery  there.  ^Irs.  ilathews, 
too,  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
She  was  the  mother  of  seven  children  :  Eliza- 
beth, who  married  R.  B.  Hamilton ;  John  Find- 
ley,  who  is  on  the  homestead ;  Jennie  R.,  who 
died  young:  AVilliam,  who  died  when  two 
years  old;  Robert  I.,  who  died  in  1900  at 
Altoona ;  George  Herbert ;  and  Annie,  who 
died  young. 

George  Herbert  Mathews,  youngest  son  of 
George  F.  Mathews,  was  bom  June  24,  1863, 
on  the  farm  and  grew  to  manhood  there,  at- 
tending the  local  public  schools  and  later  a 
commercial  college  at  Altoona.  In  his  early 
manhood  he  worked  on  the  home  place  and 
also  did  considerable  teaming,  hauling  bark, 
ties  and  other  timber  products.  For  some  time 
he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Buffington,  this  county,  where  he  wa.s  post- 
master for  eight  years,  and  for  ten  years  he 
was  established  on  the   Clark  homestead  in 


BufSngton  township,  a  tract  of  186  acres  which 
he  eventually  sold  to  the  Lackawanna  Coal 
Company,  in  1894  returning  to  the  old  Find- 
ley  farm  where  three  generations  of  his  fam- 
ily had  lived  before  him.  Here  he  has  since 
devoted  his  time  to  general  farming  and  stock 
raising,  also  dealing  in  stock  and  making  a 
specialty  of  dairying,  keeping  twenty  cows. 
He  owns  and  operates  two  hundred  acres,  and 
by  hard  work  has  kept  his  property  in  first- 
class  condition,  being  noted  for  his  weU- 
directed  industry  and  thrifty  management. 
Many  up-to-date  ideas  have  been  put  into 
practice  on  his  place,  which  bears  eveiy  mark 
of  intelligent  care.  Mr.  Mathews  has  inter- 
ested himself  in  local  affaii's,  serving  two 
terms  as  school  director  and  three  terms  as 
clerk  of  the  township  election  board.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a  Republican,  though  he  votes  in- 
dependently. His  religious  connection  is  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  which  he  has  served 
as  trustee  and  member  of  the  building  com- 
mittee. 

On  March  15,  1888,  Mr.  Mathews  married 
in  Buffington  township  Louisa  Y.  Clark,  a 
native  of  that  township,  daughter  of  Thomp- 
.son  Clark,  who  was  justice  of  the  peace  in 
Buffington  township  for  many  years.  Six 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union :  Jennie 
Rebecca,  who  married  Frederic  Knoepfle  and 
now  resides  at  Johnstown.  Pa.  (she  graduated 
from  the  State  normal  school  at  Indiana  and 
taught  for  four  years  prior  to  her  marriage")  ; 
Annie  Laura,  who  was  educated  in  the  local 
public  schools  and  at  summer  normal  under 
Professors  Campbell  and  Weaver,  and  has 
taught  school  for  two  years ;  Lester  Clark,  now 
living  at  home,  who  was  educated  in  the  local 
public  schools  and  at  summer  normal  under 
Professors  Campbell  and  Weaver;  and  Edith 
Adele,  George  Herbert,  Jr.,  and  Mabel,  all 
at  home. 

ELMER  W.  ALLISON,  druggist,  of  the 
borough  of  Indiana,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
there  July  9,  1866,  son  of  Robert  W.  and 
Nancy  (Lewis)  Allison.  After  taking  a  pub- 
lic school  course  in  his  native  place  he  entered 
the  State  normal  school  at  Indiana,  and  taught 
school  some  years  in  the  count.v.  He  then 
entered  the  employ  of  Dauglierty  Brothers, 
an  old  established  drug  firm  of  tliat  place, 
with  whom  he  remained  for  a  period  of  eight 
years,  when,  ha'^nng  become  thoroughly 
familiar  with  the  business,  he  commenced  on 
liis  own  account.  He  has  been  successful  from 
the  start,  and  has  been  conducting  his  own 
place  for  sixteen  years  at  the  present  writing 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


819 


(1912).  Mr.  Allison's  standing  as  a  business 
man  and  record  as  a  good  citizen  of  the  com- 
munity show  him  to  be  a  worthy  member  of  a 
family  which  has  always  been  known  for  high 
character  and  usefulness.  He  has  been  par- 
ticularly prominent  as  a  member  and  worker 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  he  is  an 
elder  and  Sunday  school  teacher,  and  for 
nearly  thirty  years  has  been  a  member  of  the 
choir.  He  has  considerable  musical  talent  and 
is  endowed  with  a  good  voice,  and  his  devo- 
tion to  the  church  has  been  highly  appre- 
ciated. In  June,  1907,  he  was  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  th€  school  board  of  Indiana,  and  is  still 
serving.  Mr.  Allison's  maternal  great-grand- 
father, John  Wilson,  was  one  of  the  organizers 
and  an  elder  of  the  first  Presbyterian  Church 
founded  in  Indiana,  in  1807,  and  from  that 
time  continuously  down  to  the  present  both 
the  Wilsons  and  Allisons  have  been  active 
factore  in  the  welfare  of  the  Presbyterian  de- 
nomination in  this  vicinity. 

On  Oct.  26,  1892,  Mr.  Allison  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Mary  L.  Tiffany. 

The  following  account  of  the  Allison  fam- 
ily, "A  Sketch  of  the  Allison  Family,  Espe- 
cially the  Line  of  the  Compilers,  Mary  C.  and 
James  L.  Allison,  Aug.  21,  1906,"  shows  the' 
line  of  Elmer  W.  Allison,  brother  of  Mary  C. 
and  James  L.  Allison. 

The  line  of  descent  of  this  family,  of  which 
the  compilers  are  members,  from  Robert  Alli- 
son is  through  John  Allison,  Robert  W.  Alli- 
son and  Robert  Wilson  Allison,  father  of 
James  L.  and  Elmer  W.  Allison. 

Robert  Allison,  the  great-gi-eat-grandfather, 
was  a  member  of  a  family  that  fled  from  Scot- 
land during  the  time  of  the  persecution  of  the 
Protestants.  They  settled  in  the  North  of  Ire- 
land, and  leaving  there  in  1750,  came  to 
America  and  settled  in  Cumberland  county. 
Pa.  In  1752  he  married  a  lady  by  the  name 
of  Beckie  Baird,  a  granddaughter  of  Charles 
Stuart,  a  descendant  of  the  house  of  Stuart. 
Robert  and  Beckie  had  been  passengers  on 
the  same  vessel  and  formed  an  acquaintance 
at  that  time  which  resulted  in  their  marriage 
two  years  later.  The  result  of  this  union  was 
six  sons  and  one  daughter.  The  names  of  the 
sons  were  Tate,  John,  Andrew,  Robert,  James 
and  Thomas,  and  the  daughter  was  Jane,  who 
married  William  Hamilton. 

John  Allison,  one  of  the  above  named  sis 
sons,  and  our  great-grandfather,  married  Han- 
nah Graham.  They  had  five  sons  and  two 
daughters.  Robert  W.,  John,  James,  Andrew 
and  a  son  that  was  kiUed  when  a  boy  were  the 


sons,  and  Jane  and  Elizabeth  were  the 
daughters. 

The  first  wife,  Hannah  Graham,  died,  and 
John  Allison  married  Martha  Taylor.  They 
had  three  children :  Samuel,  who  died  in  boy- 
hood; Martha,  and  Hannah.  John  Allison 
was  married  a  third  time,  to  Polly  Ohara. 

Before  the  family  had  been  raised  the 
father,  with  part  of  them,  made  a  settlement 
on  Plum  creek,  Armstrong  county,  at  a  place 
where  the  Altimus  mill  is  now  located.  This 
place  was  not  long  in  their  possession,  as  the 
Indians  drove  them  away.  They  took  all  their 
lielongings  that  could  be  carried  on  the  backs 
of  their  horses  and  fled  to  a  fort  built  on  the 
land  now  within  the  limits  of  Homer  City. 
After  the  Indian  troubles  had  quieted  Allison 
bought  twenty  acres  of  land  at  the  junction 
of  Twolick  and  Yellow  creeks,  within  the  pres- 
ent boundary  of  Homer  City.  On  this  tract, 
and  on  the  bank  of  Yellow  creek,  he  and  his 
boys  built  a  "grist"  mill,  the  first  one  con- 
structed in  that  locality,  if  not  the  first  one 
within  the  bounds  of  Indiana  county.  All  of 
the  machinery  and  iron  used  in  the  building 
of  the  mill  were  carried  on  the  backs  of  horses, 
on  "pack  saddles."  from  Franklin  county, 
Pa.  When  this  mill  was  worn  out  a  new  one 
was  constructed  on  the  bank  of  Twolick  creek. 
The  water  to  turn  the  mill  was  taken  from 
Yellow  creek  and  the  "tail  race"  emptied  the 
used  water  into  Twolick  creek.  This  latter 
mill  stood  just  above  where  the  present  mill 
building  now  stands  and  near  the  place  where 
the  old  "water  power"  mill  stood. 

Robert  W.  Allison  was  born  in  Franklin 
county.  Pa.,  Jan.  11,  1780,  and  he  was  twelve 
years  old  when  his  father  built  the  first  mill 
referred  to  above.  The  members  of  the  family 
must  then  have  been  cjuite  young  when  they 
moved  from  Franklin  county.  The  sons  of 
John  Allison  all  learned  the  trade  of  their 
father,  that  of  miller.  There  was  not  sufS- 
cient  grain  to  be  ground  to  keep  them  busy  aU 
the  year,  so  they  farmed  and  "  'tended  the 
mill"  as  occasion  required. 

It  was  while  "  'tending  the  mill"  that  Rob- 
ert W.  Allison  became  acquainted  with  a 
young  girl,  Mary  Wilson,  who  "packed 
grists"  to  the  mill  and  waited  until  the 
"grist"  was  ground  and  took  the  flour  or  meal 
honjie  with  her.  This  Mary  Wilson  was  the 
daughter  of  John  Wilson,  a  pioneer  settler  of 
Indiana  county.  He  had  moved  to  a  tract 
of  land  two  miles  south  of  Indiana,  on  a  small 
farm  that  had  been  cleared,  a  few  acres  only, 
by  some  one  a  few  years  before.  This  location 
was    desirable    on    account    of    the    natural 


820 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


meadow  land  that  was  found  along  the  run 
south  of  Indiana,  and  which  furnished  hay 
and  pasture  for  the  horses  and  cattle.  This 
Mary  Wilson  told  us  often  that  she  and  her 
sister  hauled  the  hay  from  this  meadow  land 
to  their  home  b.y  means  of  hand  sleds,  during 
the  winter,  and  hauled  sufficient  to  feed  the 
stock,  and  that  they  did  this  until  they  had 
sufficient  land  cleared  so  that  they  could  raise 
their  own  hay. 

John  Wilson,  with  his  family,  moved  to  this 
farm  at  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  in 
which  he  had  served  for  five  years  as  a  member 
of  the  "Washington  Life  Guards."  He  put 
in  two  winters  at  Valley  Forge  at  the  darkest 
periods  of  the  war,  and  many  times  has  his 
daughter,  our  grandmother,  told  us  of  their 
anxiety  concerning  his  welfare  and  his  suffer- 
ings and  privations,  accounts  of  which  he  had 
related  to  them. 

John  Wilson  was  one  of  the  men  who  laid 
out  the  town  of  Indiana.  The  streets  were 
plotted  and  marked  among  the  trees  and  un- 
derbi'ush  and  for  many  years  after  the  loca- 
tion was  fixed  there  were  few  buildings. 
(Thomas  McLain  was  another  pioneer  who 
helped  lay  out  the  town  of  Indiana.) 

John  Wilson  was  a  ruling  elder  and  promi- 
nent in  organizing  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Indiana.  He  was  buried  in  the  old 
Lutheran  graveyard,  but  the  grave  is  un- 
marked and  its  location  is  unknown. 

The  friendship  that  the  young  miller,  Rob- 
ert W.  Allison,  had  formed  for  the  farmer's 
young  lass,  Marj^  Wilson,  ripened  into  love, 

and  on  Nov.   18,  ,  they  were  united  in 

marriage.  This  young  couple  took  up  their 
abode  in  a  cabin  on  the  old  Loughry  farm, 
joining  the  Wilson  farm,  more  recently  known 
as  the  Allison  farm,  or  the  "Ortondale  Stock 
Farm."  They  moved  from  that  fanu  to  one 
adjoining  it  on  the  south,  known  as  the  Banks 
farm,  where  they  lived  many  years,  and  where 
our  father,  Robert  W.  Allison,  was  born  and 
lived  until  he  was  eight  yeai-s  old.  They  then 
moved  to  the  Wilson  farm,  where  Robert  W. 
died,  on  Nov.  2,  1857,  aged  seventy-seven 
years.  Grandmother,  wife  of  Robert  W.,  died 
at  the  same  place,  in  March,  1863,  aged  eighty- 
five  years. 

Robert  W.  and  Mary  Wilson  Allison  raised 
a  large  family  of  children,  viz. :  Robert  Wil- 
son, John  W..  James,  Martha,  Hannah,  Anne, 
Jane,  Sarah.  Elizabeth  and  Mary  S..  all  of 
whom  are  now  dead. 

Robert  Wilson  Allison,  father  of  the  writers, 
married  Nancy  Lewis,  daughter  of  James  and 
Catherine  Loughry  Lewis,  pioneer  residents 


of  Washington  township,  Indiana  countv,  on 
Oct.  10,  1849.  She  was  born  Dec.  2.3,  1828, 
and  died  Nov.  2,  1892.  Her  husband,  Robert 
Wilson  Allison,  was  born  Aug.  17,  1822,  and 
died  June  25,  1899.  This  union  resulted  in 
the  birth  of  five  sons  and  three  daughters. 

Blar.y  Catherine  was  born  Aug.  5,  1850.  She 
lives  at  the  old  home,  formerly  known  as  the 
"Repine  Farm,"  adjoining  Indiana  on  the 
west.  This  farm  was  purchased  by  father  in 
1879. 

James  Lewis  was  born  July  9,  1853,  and  is 
now  superintendent  of  the  public  schools  of 
Wilkinsburg,  Pa.  He  married  Anna  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  James  Harvey  and  Mar- 
garetta  Rankin  Bruce,  of  White  township, 
near  Indiana,  Pa.,  on  Sept.  19,  1883.  She 
died  on  Aug.  29,  1910.  They  located  in 
Puuxsutawney,  Pa.,  soon  after  their  marriage, 
where  Mr.  Allison  had  charge  of  the  public 
schools  for  nineteen  years,  or  until  he  took 
charge  of  the  schools  of  Wilkinsburg,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1902.  Their  children  are:  Mary 
Edith,  born  Aug.  28,  1884 ;  Margaretta  Bruce, 
born  June  9,  1886;  James  Lewis,  born  Feb. 
11,  1892,  and  Robert  Wilson,  born  May  10, 
1895. 

Da-idd  Milton,  who  died  on  the  old  home- 
stead, adjoining  Indiana,  on  Dec.  20,  1906, 
was  born  Sept.  16,  1856.  On  Nov.  18,  1886, 
he  married  Elizabeth  Hamilton,  daughter  of 

William  and  Hamilton,  of  White 

township,  north  of  Indiana.  They  had  one 
son,  Edwin  Hamilton,  born  Aug.  19,  1891. 

Robert  Wilson  was  born  Dec.  30,  1858.  He 
is  a  practicing  physician  of  Wilkinsburg,  Pa., 
having  located  there  immediately  after  his 
graduation  from  Jefferson  Medical  College, 
Philadelphia.  He  married  Martha,  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Martha  Kerr  McElroy,  of  Wil- 
kinsburg, Pa.,  on  Sept.  24,  1891.  They  have 
one  daughter,  Anna  Lewis,  born  Nov.  5,  1894. 
Nancy  Anna  was  born  May  8,  1862.  On 
June  20,  1888,  she  was  married  to  Henry  Turk, 
of  Parkers  Landing,  where  they  reside.  Their 
children  are  Mary  Allison,  born  June  16,  1892 ; 
John  Howard,  born  Feb.  13,  1894;  Elizabeth 
Gertrude,  born  Feb.  16,  1900;  and  Charlotte 
Lewis,  born  March  31.  1901. 

John  Scott,  who  is  unmarried,  and  lives  in 
Indiana,  was  born  May  8,  1862. 

Elmer  Watt,  who  is  a  druggist  at  Indiana, 
was  born  July  9,  1866.  On  Oct.  26,  1892,  he 
married  Mary  Louise,  daughter  of  B.  B.  and 
Josie  Tiffanv,  of  Indiana,  Pa.  Their  children 
are  Marion* Estell.  born  Sept.  25,  1896,  and 
Elinor  Louise,  born  Feb.  23,  1904. 
Elizabeth  Gertrude  was  born  July  6,  1870. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


821 


She  is  married  to  Edward  C.  Green,  of  East 
Brady,  Pennsylvania. 

John  W.  ■  Allison,  son  of  Robert  W.  and 
Mary  Wilson,  married  Margaret  Hutchison. 
After  their  children  were  all  bom,  the  family 
moved  to  Clinton  county,  Iowa,  where  the  par- 
ents both  died.  John  died  on  April  8,  1867, 
ten  years  after  locating  in  his  new  home. 
Their  children,  of  whom  Hutchison  and  Mary 
Jane  died  some  time  after  they  located  in  Iowa, 
are :  Newton,  Thomas,  Clark,  and  others  who 
are  living  some  place  in  the  West. 

James  S.,  youngest  son  of  Robert  W.  and 
Mary  Wilson  Allison,  married  Lucinda  Rice, 
of  Indiana,  Pa.  Their  children  are:  Robert 
Wilson,  Elizabeth  and  Martha,  who  went  with 
their  parents  to  Clinton  county,  Iowa,  in  1866. 
The  children  are  all  married  and  live  in  that 
section  of  the  country,  but  the  father  was 
drowned  in  the  Mississippi  river  June  19, 
1895,  and  the  mother  died  at  Lyons,  Iowa, 
since  that  time. 

Martha,  eldest  daughter  of  Robert  W.  and 
Mary  Wilson  Allison,  was  married  to  James 
Johnston  on  April  20,  1836,  and  she  died 
March  12, 1880,  her  husband  having  died  many 
years  previous.  Her  children  were:  James, 
deceased,  who  married  a  Miss  Hill,  and  they 
have  a  family  of  children  living  in  Center 
township;  John  W.,  who  married  a  Miss  Mc- 
Feeters,  living,  with  a  family  of  children,  in 
Center  township ;  and  Mary  Jane,  who  is  mar- 
ried and  living  in  the  southern  part  of  In- 
diana county. 

Hannah,  a  daughter  of  Robert  W.  and  Maiy 
Wilson  Allison,  was  married  to  Joseph  White, 
of  Center  township,  on  Oct.  6,  1842.  She  died 
on  July  4,  1881,  long  after  her  husband,  leav- 
ing one  son,  William  W.,  who  married  Jane 
Campbell,  of  Center  township.  They  raised 
a  family  of  children  and  William  is  living  in 
Homer  City. 

Anne,  a  daughter  of  Robert  W.  and  Mary 
Wilson  Allison,  was  married  to  James  W.  Alli- 
son Oct.  4,  1848,  and  she  died  July  18,  1850, 
leaving  a  daughter,  Anna  Mary,  who  died  in 
1860. 

Jane,  a  daughter  of  Robert  W.  and  Mary 
Wilson  Allison,  was  married  to  George  W. 
Johnston,  of  Center  township,  on  June  3,  1844. 
She  died  Aug.  17,  1847,  leaving  one  daughter, 
Mary  Jane,  who  married  John  Feit.  She  died, 
leaving  one  son,  George  J.  Feit,  of  Indiana, 
Pennsylvania. 

Sarah,  Elizabeth  and  Mary  S.,  daughters 
of  Robert  W.  and  Mary  Wilson  Allison,  never 


inarried.  They  died,  respectively,  Sept.  17, 
1843,  Oct.  26,  1854,  and  Nov.  25,  1892. 

James,,  son  of  John  and  Hannah  Graham 
Allison,  married  a  Miss  McCracken.  They 
spent  their  lives  on  a  farm  in  Center  town- 
ship, where  they  reared  their  family,  of  whom 
Nancy  married  Joshua  Reed  and  is  living  in 
Homer  City;  Joshua  married  Elizabeth  Fair 
and  they  with  their  four  children  are  living  in 
Kansas;  Robert  married  a  Miss  Alexander, 
and  they  with  their  one  child  are  living  in 
Homer  City. 

John,  son  of  John  and  Hannah  Graham  Al- 
lison, married  Jane  Henry.  They  spent  their 
entire  lives  on  the  farm  in  Center  township, 
where  some  of  their  children  reside.  Their 
son,  John  H.,  married  Sarah  i'air,  and  they 
spent  their  lives  on  a  farm  adjoining  that 
of  the  father  until  the  death  of  the  husband, 
but  the  wife  is  still  living  there  with  two  un- 
married daughters.  Flora  and  Hattie.  Walter, 
their  eldest  son,  is  married  and  living  in  Kan- 
sas; Robert  Orr,  their  second  son,  married 
Catherine  Wilson,  and  they  live  on  a  farm 
in  Center  township,  they  having  raised  a 
family  of  thirteen;  the  youngest  son,  James 
H.,  married  Elizabeth  Johnston,  and,  with 
one  daughter.  Belle,  they  are  living  in  Indi- 
ana. 

Isabelle,  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  Henry 
Allison,  was  married  to  Jackson  Miller,  of 
Center  township.  They  had  one  daughter  and 
two  sons. 

Mary  Jane,   daughter  of  John   and  Jane 

Henry  Allison,  was  married  to 

France,  of  Bolivar,  Peimsylvania. 

Andrew,  son  of  John  and  Hannah  Graham 
Allison,  went  ' '  West, "  as  it  was  then  known, 
and  his  history  is  not  known. 

Jane  Delia,  daughter  of  John  and  Hannah 
Graham  Allison,  was  married  to  William 
Dickie.  They  lived  on  a  farm  in  White  town- 
ship, where  their  children,  George,  Lavinia, 
Elizabeth,  Hannah,  Mary,  James  and  Ursula, 
were  reared. 

George,  son  of  William  and  Jane  Allison 
Dickie,  married  Jane  Dixon.  They  had  five 
children:  William,  married  to  a  Miss  Fair, 
and  living  in  Blacklick  township  (have  two 
daughters  and  one  son)  ;  Nancy,  man-ied  to 
J.  H.  Ogden,  of  Homer  City  (two  sons)  ;  Jo- 
seph D.,  Avho  first  married  a  Miss  Harrold, 
who  died  leaving  two  daughters,  Mrs.  Elmer 
Campbell,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  Jennie  (de- 
ceased), and  (second)  Jennie  Campbell,  they 
having  three  daughters,  Pearle  (married  to 
J.  T.  Henry,  Blairsville,  Pa.,  and  has  chil- 


822 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


dren),  Mabel  (married  to  Clarence  Smith,  In- 
diana, Pa.)  and  Esther  (at  home  with  her 
parents  in  Indiana). 

Elizabeth  Dickie  married  Frank  Brosky, 
and  died  leaving  no  children. 

George  C.  Dickie  married  Margaret  Ann 
Johnston,  and  lives  in  Indiana,  Pa.  Their 
children  are:  Clai-k,  a  dentist,  of  Vander- 
grift.  Pa. ;  Laura,  married  to  Dr.  Nix,  living 
at  Wehrum,  Pa.;  the  mother  of  one  child ;  and 
Belle,  Mrs.  Glen,  of  Vandergrift,  Pa.,  who 
has  one  child. 

Lavinia,  daughter  of  William  and  Jane  Al- 
lison Dickie,  was  married  to  Jacob  Kaufman, 
of  Center  township.  Of  their  children,  James 
married  Miss  Mikesell;  Banks  married  Miss 
Boyer;  Nannie  died,  and  Jane  married  John 
Baker.    Those  married  have  children. 

Hannah,  daughter  of  William  and  Jane  Al- 
lison Dickie,  was  married  to  T.  B.  Allison,  of 
Marchand,  Pa.  Of  their  children,  Jane  mar- 
ried Samuel  Brown,  their  children  living  about 
Marchand;  Nancy  married  T.  B.  McComb, 
Marchand,  and  their  one  daughter  is  married 
to  Dr.  Miles  Gnibe,  Liudsey,  Pa. ;  Nancy  was 
married  a  second  time  to  Robert  St.  Clair,  late 
of  Denver,  Colo.,  she  having  died  before  her 
husband,  and  they  left  some  children:  David 
B.  married  first  Jemima  Coulter,  and  second 
Mrs.  Laura  Hamilton. 

Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  and  Jane 
Allison  Dickie,  married  John  ilcMulliu,  who 
moved  to  Illinois.    They  had  two  sons. 

Mary,  daughter  of  William  and  Jane  Al- 
lison Dickie,  was  married  to  Samuel  Ray,  of 
Armstrong  township.  Of  their  children,  Rich- 
ard man-ied  Miss  Anderson,  and  had  three 
sons  and  one  daughter ;  George  married  Miss 
Young ;  and  Jane  married  Robert  Johnston. 

James,  son  of  William  and  Jane  Allison 
Dickie,  went  to  California  in  the  excitement  of 
'49,  and  died  there. 

Ursula,  daughter  of  William  and  Jane  Alli- 
son Dickie,  married  a  minister  by  the  name  of 
Jordon,  and  they  moved  South  before  the 
war. 

Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  and  Hannah 
Graham  Allison,  was  married  to  Michael 
Trainer,  of  Clarion  county.  Pa.  They  had 
five  children,  of  whom  the  compilers  knew 
nothing  except  of  John,  who  married  Caro- 
line Burnham  and  raised  their  family  on  a 
farm  near  Strattanville,  Pa.  The  wife  is  liv- 
ing. Of  their  children,  James  married  a  lady 
in  Chicago,  but  be  lived  only  a  few  years 
after  his  marriage;  John  Core  raan-ied 
Blanche  Smith,  of  Strattanville,  but  she  lived 
only  a  short  time  after  their  marriage,  and 


he  married  again  and  is  living  in  Iowa ;  Mor- 
ris M.,  who  married  Irene  Stear,  of  Smicks- 
burg,  now  deceased,  has  two  sons  and  is  liv- 
ing in  Sibley,  Iowa  (he  married  a  second 
time)  ;  Emma  is  married  to  Dr.  0.  K.  Moore, 
of  Knox,  Pa.,  and  they  have  the  following 
children,  Allie  (married,  has  two  children), 
Freda,  Mamie,  Charlie  and  Otis,  at  home; 
Anne,  married  to  Joseph  Strattan,  of  Strat- 
tanville, is  living  with  their  family  at  that 
place;  Winfield  Scott  married  Carrie  Strat- 
tan, of  Strattanville,  and  was  killed  a  few 
years  ago,  leaving  Otis,  Howard,  Guemey, 
Morris,  John  and  Rose,  all  at  home  with  their 
mother  in  Indiana,  Pennsj'lvania. 

Jane  is  a  teacher  of  music  at  Indiana,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Martha,  daughter  of  John  and  Martha  Tay- 
lor Allison,  was  married  to  a  Mr.  Hendrick- 
.son,  of  Homer  City.  Of  their  children,  Will- 
mina  married  Rev.  John  Flickinger;  Pemelia 
married  William  McKissen,  of  Homer  City, 
and  died  leaving  one  daughter ;  Elizabeth,  de- 
ceased, was  not  married;  Samuel  married  a 
Miss  Boyd,  and  they  live  along  the  W.  P. 
railroad. 

Hannah,  daughter  of  John  and  Martha  Tay- 
lor Allison,  was  married  to  Richard  Peddi- 
cord,  of  Center  township.  She  lived  to  a  ripe 
old  age,  and  of  her  children  Mary  Ann  mar- 
ried William  Hill,  of  Homer  City,  and  thej' 
have  a  family ;  Amanda  married  James  Flick- 
inger, of  Homer  City,  and  tkey  have  a  family ; 
Sarah  married  a  Mr.  ]\IcMastei-s,  and  they 
have  a  family ;  Hannah  mari'ied  Albert  Jami- 
son and  has  a  family;  Clara  and  T.  Benton, 
unmarried,  are  living  in  Virginia;  and 
Jefferson. 

LEARD.  The  Leards  of  Blackliek  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  are  one  of  the  best 
known  among  the  pioneer  families  of  their 
part  of  Pennsylvania.  The  family  is  of  Scotch 
origin,  but  for  generations  the  home  of  this 
branch  has  been  in  the  North  of  Ireland, 
where  Zachariah  Leard,  the  founder  of  the 
line  in  Indiana  county,  was  born  and  grew  to 
manhood.  There  he  married  Judith  Elliott, 
and  with  their  family  they  left  their  native 
land  in  February.  1796,  coming  to  America. 
Proceeding  across  Pennsylvania  to  the  west  of 
the  Allegheny  mountains,  they  settled  in  what 
is  now  Young  township,  Indiana  county,  on 
a  farm  near  Ebenezer  Church,  establishing  a 
permanent  home  there,  where  the  parents 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  IMr. 
Leard  followed  farming.  He  died  on  his  farm 
about  1820,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  of 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


823 


the  Ebenezer  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which 
he  was  a  faithful  member.  His  wife  sur- 
vived him  several  years,  dying  about  1826, 
and  is  buried  beside  him.  She,  too,  was  a 
member  of  the  Ebenezer  Church.  They  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  viz. :  Mary, 
born  April  1,  1785,  who  married  James  Hart, 
of  Young  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.;  Wil- 
liam, born  March  31,  1788 ;  James,  born  Nov. 
2,  1790;  Eleanor,  born  in  Ireland  March  20, 
1793,  Mrs.  McCoomb ;  John,  born  in  America 
May  16,  1796;  Judith,  born  May  26,  1799, 
who  married  William  Stewart,  of  Saltsburg, 
Pa.;  Samuel,  born  Dec.  2,  1801,  who  died 
young;  and  Zachariah,  born  Oct.  12,  1807. 

John  Leard,  third  son  of  Zachariah  and  Ju- 
dith (Elliott)  Leard,  was  born  May  16,  1796, 
in  Young  township,  and  there  grew  to  man- 
hood. Continuing  to  reside  on  the  homestead 
until  three  years  after  his  father's  death,  he 
then  moved  to  Eldersridge,  in  the  same  town- 
ship, to  farm  the  Robert  Elder  place  for  his 
wife's  mother,  Mrs.  Robert  Elder.  He  was 
on  that  farm  until  1828,  when  he  moved  to 
Blacklick  township  and  bought  a  tract  of  226 
acres  opposite  the  village  of  Livermore.  There 
was  a  log  house  on  the  property,  and  he  and 
his  family  occupied  it  until  1836,  when  he 
built  the  substantial  brick  dwelling  which  stiU 
stands  on  the  place.  The  bricks  used  in  its 
construction  were  made  on  the  farm.  Other 
improvements  were  made  on  the  tract  from 
time  to  time,  and  as  the  land  became  cleared 
and  available  for  cultivation  Mr.  Leard  en- 
gaged extensively  in  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing, prospering  throughout  life.  He  died 
there  in  March,  1858,  aged  almost  sixty-two 
years,  and  was  buried  in  the  Ebenezer  Church 
cemetery.  He  was  a  faithful  member  of  that 
church,  and  served  as  one  of  the  trustees.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Whig.  He  took  a  great  in- 
terest in  the  local  militia,  in  which  he  held  the 
rank  of  major.  At  Eldersridge  Mr.  Leard. 
was  married  to  Mary  Ann  Elder,  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Mary  (Smith)  Elder,  and  a  de- 
scendant of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of 
Young  township.  Mrs.  Mary  Ann  (Elder) 
Leard  also  died  on  the  homestead,  and  is  bur- 
ied in  the  family  plot  in  Ebenezer  Church 
cemetery.  She  was  the  mother  of  five  chil- 
dren: Zachariah,  Maria  Ann  (married  Rob- 
ert Elder,  of  Livermore),  Margaret  (married 
David  Morrow),  Robert  (married  Nancy  Jane 
Sterling)  and  Judith  (died  in  infancy).  For 
his  second  wife  Mr.  Leard  married  Jane 
Smith  of  Eldersridge,  sister  of  John  and  Rob- 


ert Smith,  and  by  that  union  there  were  six 
children :  Elenor,  who  is  buried  in  Ebenezer 
cemetery;  William,  a  machinist,  who  is  now 
living  retired  in  Blacklick  township ;  Jane,  de- 
ceased; John,  deceased,  who  is  buried  in  Mis- 
souri (he  was  married)  ;  Sarah,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  eighteen  years;  and  James,  who 
died  in  boyhood.  The  mother  of  these  chil- 
dren died  on  the  farm,  and  is  buried  in  Eben- 
ezer cemetery. 

Zachariah  Leard,  son  of  John  and  Mary 
Ann  (Elder)  Leard,  was  born  Jan.  3,  1823, 
in  Young  township,  and  was  six  years  old 
when  the  family  settled  in  Blacklick  township, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his 
early  education,  attending  public  school  at 
Roaring  Run.  He  studied  surveying  there. 
Settling  on  the  homestead  place,  he  engaged 
in  general  agricultural  pursuits,  but  he  also 
gave  much  time  to  surveying  in  Indiana  and 
Westmoreland  counties,  and  he  was  frequently 
called  upon  to  settle  up  estates,  draw  up 
deeds,  etc.  His  proved  integrity  held  the  con- 
fidence of  all  his  fellow  citizens,  and  he  was 
not  only  called  upon  to  help  them  adjust  their 
personal  affairs,  but  he  was  also  honored  with 
public  trusts  of  various  kinds,  serving  as 
school  director,  assessor,  etc.  He  was  active 
in  everything  with  which  he  became  identified. 
A  Republican  in  politics,  he  was  a  valued  sup- 
porter of  that  party  in  his  neighborhood.  In 
religious  matters  he  was  a  Presbyterian,  and 
a  prominent  member  of  the  Ebenezer  Church 
of  which  his  family  have  been  leading  mem- 
bers for  so  long;  he  served  as  trustee  and  as 
a  member  of  the  building  committee  which 
had  charge  of  the  construction  of  the  new 
church.  He  died  on  his  farm  Jan.  3,  1900, 
on  the  seventy-seventh  anniversary  of  his 
birth,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Ebenezer 
Church  cemetery.  Few  men  in  the  locality 
were  better  known,  and  none  more  respected 
for  high  moral  worth. 

On  April  8,  1852,  Mr.  Leard  married  Jane 
Kelly,  a  native  of  White  township,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Meek  and  Jane  (^loor- 
head)  Kelly,  and  granddaughter  of  Fergus 
Moorhead.  Mrs.  Leard  died  Feb.  10,  1863, 
while  still  in  the  prime  of  young  womanhood, 
leaving  three  children:  Sarah  Augusta,  who 
resides  on  the  homestead;  Meek  Kelly,  who 
is  a  member  of  the  lumber  manufacturing 
firm  known  as  the  C.  P.  Hough  &  Leard  Com- 
pany, at  Tarentum,  Pa.  (he  married  Mary 
Elizabeth  Pownall)  ;  and  Mary  Jane,  who 
lives  at  the  old  homestead  with  her  sister. 
The  Misses  Leard  are  members  of  the  Eben- 
ezer   Presbyterian    Church,    to    which    their 


1129635 


824 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


mother  also  belonged.     She  is  buried  in  the 
cemetery  of  that  church. 

HENRY  MARTIN  FLECK,  deceased,  who 
was  a  man  not  only  well  known  in  Marion 
Center  but  also  throughout  Indiana  county, 
was  born  Feb.  22,  1837,  in  Huntingdon 
county.  Pa.,  son  of  George  and  Catherine 
(Noble)  Fleck. 

Conrad  Fleck,  grandfather  of  Henry  Mar- 
tin Fleck,  is  the  first  of  the  family  of  whom 
there  is  definite  knowledge. 

George  Fleck,  son  of  Conrad  Fleck,  was 
married  in  Sinking  Valley,  Huntingdon  Co., 
Pa.,  and  in  1S40  came  to  Indiana  county,  set- 
tling in  North  Mahoning  township,  where  he 
and  his  wife  died.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by 
trade,  and  worked  as  such  all  his  life.  The 
children  born  to  George  Fleck  and  wife  were : 
Samuel,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war, 
married,  and  died  in  the  Soldiers'  Home  at 
Dayton,  Ohio ;  Sarah  Ann  became  Mrs.  Frank 
Ramey,  and  died  in  Ti-ade  City,  Indiana 
county;  Mary  Jane,  who  married  Joseph 
Gates,  is  living  at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  being  now 
eight}'- two  years  old  (she  has  had  sixteen 
children)  ;  Henry  Martin  is  mentioned  be- 
low;  Martha  Ellen  married  Taylor  Ritcliie, 
of  West  Mahoning  township;  Frank  died  in 
Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Gabriel  lives  at  Johnstown. 

Heniy  Martin  Fleck  grew  to  manhood's 
estate  in  West  Mahoning  township,  and  there 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  following  it 
during  the  summer  and  working  in  the  lum- 
ber woods  in  the  winter.  He  was  crushed 
between  two  logs  and  so  had  to  abandon  hard 
manual  labor,  and  hence  embarked  in  the  ho- 
tel business  at  Marion  Center,  in  March,  1884, 
so  continuing  until  his  death,  which  occuri-ed 
July  15,  1912.  He  was  a  Presbyterian  in  re- 
ligious faith,  and  a  Republican  politically. 

On  Jan.  29,  1863,  Mr.  Fleck  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  McClusky,  of  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship, a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Eve  (Ga- 
hagan)  McClusky.  The  fonuer  was  county 
commissioner  and  county  treasurer  of  In- 
diana county  and  a  man  of  importance.  A 
brother  of  Mrs.  Fleck,  Benjamin  Franklin  Mc- 
Clusky, was  county  treasurer,  and  died  while 
in  ofSce  Aug.  15,  1882.  j\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Fleck 
became  the  parents  of  the  following  children : 
Frank  Earl,  who  is  deceased ;  William,  who  is 
deceased;  and  il.  Edith,  who  married  John 
Adamson,  and  is  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Fleck  was  a  man  of  fine  traits  of  char- 
acter, and  developed  into  a  citizen  of  sub- 
stance. His  hotel  was  popular  and  he  is  still 
remembered  by  those   who  were  his  guests. 


In  his  death  Marion  Center  was  deprived  of 
a  reliable  and  honorable  citizen,  and  his  fam- 
ily of  a  valued  member.  It  is  such  men  as 
he  who  demonstrate  that  faithfulness  and  de- 
votion to  duty  pay  in  the  long  run. 

WILLIAM  H.  STITT,  a  real  estate  dealer 
and  insurance  agent  of  Blairsville,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Oct.  8, 
1846,  son  of  Alexander  and  Anna  B.  (Lippy) 
Stitt. 

John  Stitt  came  from  Huntingdon  county. 
Pa.,  to  Pittsburg  at  an  early  day,  and  there 
died  aged  fifty-seven  years. 

Alexander  Stitt,  son  of  John  Stitt,  and 
father  of  William  H.  Stitt,  was  born  in  1820  in 
Huntingdon  county,  and  moved  with  his 
father  to  Pittsburg,  where  he  became  a  pros- 
perous plastering  contractor.  His  death  oc- 
cuiTed  in  1883  in  Blairsville,  Pa.  His  wife, 
who  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  was  also  born 
in  1820,  and  lived  until  1904.  Alexander 
Stitt  joined  the  Republican  party  on  its  or- 
ganization and  gave  it  his  undivided  support 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a  man  of 
energy,  and  not  only  gave  valuable  support 
to  local  affairs,  but  could  be  counted  upon  in 
matters  relating  to  larger  things.,  for  there 
was  never  a  big  or  wholesome  movement  on 
foot  iu  the  State  that  he  was  not  interested  in. 
A  thoroughly  competent  man  in  his  special 
line,  he  developed  a  prosperous  business  and 
died  a  man  of  considerable  means. 

William  H.  Stitt  attended  the  public 
schools  of  the  Fourth  ward  in  Pittsburg, 
Shafer's  commercial  college,  and  art  school, 
being  taught  mechanical  drawing  in  the  latter 
institution.  Following  this  he  learned  the 
cai'penter  trade  with  Slack  &  Sholes,  remain- 
ing with  this  firm  for  six  years.  His  business 
career  was  broken  into  by  his  service  to  his 
country  during  the  Civil  war,  liut  in  1869  he 
began  conducting  a  planing  mill  at  the  Fifth 
avenue  extension  to  Pittsburg,  thus  continu- 
ing for  two  years.  In  the  fall  of  1871  he 
located  at  Blairsville,  where  he  has  since  re- 
mained, at  that  time  becoming  a  member  of 
the  planing  mill  firm  of  Walker,  Stitt  &  Co., 
and  so  operating  until  1874.  In  that  year 
he  sold  his  interest  to  his  partners,  and  con- 
tinued to  work  at  his  trade  until  1882,  when 
he  bought  the  ' '  Silver  Maple  Hotel ' '  in  Blaii-s- 
ville,  now  the  "Mei-ehants'  Hotel."  and  put  it 
into  first-class  order,  conducting  it  for  six  and 
a  half  years.  In  1890  he  leased  this  property, 
although  he  retained  the  ownership,  and  in 
1898  he  embarked  in  an  extensive  realty  busi- 
ness, later  adding  the  writing  of  insurance. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


825 


His  success  along  these  kindred  lines  has  been 
very  gratifying,  and  his  holdings  are  given 
consideration  by  prospective  buyers. 

On  Aug.  23,  1864,  Mr.  Stitt  was  mustered 
into  the  Union  service  under  Capt.  George 
jMorgau  at  Pittsburg,  where  he  had  enlisted, 
and  among  many  engagements  participated  in 
the  following:  Weldon  Railroad,  Peebles 
Farm,  Thatcher's  Run,  Dabney  Mills,  Quak- 
er's Road,  Boydton  Plank  Road,  "White  Oak 
Grove  and  Five  Forks.  He  was  honorably 
discharged  at  Columbia  College  hospital, 
Washington,  D.  C,  on  account  of  a  wound  in 
the  abdomen  received  at  Quaker's  Road,  Va., 
March  29,  1865. 

In  1868  Mr.  Stitt  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Anna  E.  McKinlej%  of  Allegheny,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  McKinley.  She  died  in  1869. 
In  1872,  Mr.  Stitt  was  married  to  Jennie  M. 
Hoffman,  of  Parnassus,  Pa.  The  following 
children  were  born  of  this  marriage :  Harry 
E.,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio;  Millie  I.,  who  is  the 
wife  of  William  Spear,  of  Blairsville;  Anna 
Blanche,  who  is  deceased;  Jean  and  Eugene, 
twins;  and  Arthur  of  Blairsville. 

Mr.  Stitt  has  been  a  member  of  the  council 
of  Blairsville  several  times,  and  has  proved 
himself  a  very  efficient  man  in  that  ofHce.  A 
charter  mem,ber  of  Finley  Patch  Post,  No. 
137,  G.  A.  R.,  he  was  its  tirst  quartermaster, 
and  has  been  its  commander  as  well.  In  1866 
he  joined  the  Methodist  Church  and  has  been 
a  generous  supporter  of  same  ever  since.  A 
man  of  progressive  ideas,  Mr.  Stitt  has  lived 
in  conformity  with  what  he  believes  to  be  the 
best  interests  of  his  community,  and  no  one 
stands  higher  in  the  public  estimation  than  he. 

EDWIN  K.  WOOD,  D.  D.  S.,  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  dental  surgery  in  Indiana  bor- 
ough. Pa.,  was  born  in  old  West  Indiana  bor- 
ough, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  Nov.  29,  1879,  and  is 
a  son  of  William  Hervey  and  Mary  (Kim- 
mell)  Wood. 

Edwin  K.  Wood  received  his  preliminary 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Indiana  bor- 
ough, following  which  he  became  a  student  in 
the  Indiana  high  school,  being  graduated 
therefrom  with  the  class  of  1896.  He  sub- 
sequently spent  one  year  in  the  Indiana  State 
normal  school,  for  three  years  devoted  his 
activities  to  civil  engineering,  and  spent  one 
year  at  State  College.  He  next  became  a  stu- 
dent in  the  Medico-Chirurgical  College  of  Den- 
tistry, at  Philadelphia,  from  which  he  received 
his  degree  and  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1903.  He  immediately  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  at  Smithton,  Westmore- 


land county,  and  after  three  years  there  came 
to  Indiana.  He  is  a  young  man  of  undoubted 
ability,  and  has  built  up  a  large  professional 
patronage. 

Dr.  Wood  was  married  May  28,  1907,  in  In- 
diana, to  Mary  M.  Jones,  of  Latrobe,  West- 
moreland county,  daughter  of  Daniel  W.  and 
Mary  Jones.  Dr.  and  JMrs.  Wood  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a 
member  of  Indiana  Lodge,  No.  313,  P.  & 
A.  M.,  the  Phi  Kappa  Sigma  Fraternity  which 
he  joined  at  State  College,  the  Psi  Omega  Den- 
tal Fraternity  (at  the  Medico-Chirurgical 
college),  and  the  Society  of  Stomatology.  In 
polities  he  is  associated  with  the  Republican 
party,  but  he  has  never  sought  public  pre- 
ferment. 

WALTER  BATES  GEORGE,  who  Uvea 
two  miles  west  of  Homer  City,  in  Center 
township,  Indiana  county,  is  one  of  the  most 
enterprising  and  successful  farmers  of  that 
section.  He  was  born  Oct.  2,  1835,  in  Arm- 
strong township,  Indiana  county,  son  of  John 
and  Mary  (Brown)   George. 

James  George,  grandfather  of  Walter  Bates 
George,  was  the  tirst  of  this  family  to  come 
to  America.  He  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and 
was  only  a  small  boy  when  he  worked  his  way 
over  on  a  sailing  vessel,  landing  in  the  New 
World  with  just  one  shilling  in  his  pocket. 
Being  entii-ely  without  friends,  he  was  soon 
obliged  to  part  with  that,  spending  his  last 
penny  for  a  crust  of  bread  and  a  tin  of  but- 
termilk, but  he  soon  found  work,  and  before 
long  had  succeeded  in  saving  enough  money 
to  bring  him  over  the  Allegheny  mountains 
into  western  Pennsylvania.  He  stopped  near 
New  Alexandria,  on  the  Loyalhanna  creek  in 
Westmoreland  county,  where  he  obtained  em- 
ployment chopping  timber  and  clearing  land, 
the  region  being  then  a  wilderness.  After 
working  thus  for  a  time  he  took  up  300  acres 
of  land  for  himself  near  Snodgrass's  Mills, 
where  he  built  a  stone  house,  using  the  small 
stones  found  on  the  place.  Working  early 
and  late  he  managed  to  clear  a  farm  and  make 
a  home  for  his  family,  and  he  lived  to  enjoy 
the  fruits  of  his  labor,  reaching  a  ripe  old 
age.  In  religion  he  was  a  Presbyterian,  in 
politics  a  Democrat.  He  married  Mary  Mc- 
Clure,  of  Westmoreland  county,  and  they  had 
eight  children:  Polly,  who  married  Robert 
Woodward;  Sally,  who  married  William 
Trimble ;  Jlartha,  who  married  William  Cald- 
well, of  Indiana,  proprietor  of  the  old  "Gom- 
pers  Hotel";  Eliza,  who  married  James  Fos- 
ter, of  Westmoreland  county;  John,  of  Arm- 


826 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


strong  township,  Indiana  county;  Thomas,  of 
Clarion,  Pa. ;  James,  of  BrookviUe,  Pa. ;  and 
William,  who  remained  on  the  homestead, 
earing  for  his  parents. 

John  George,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Me- 
Clure)  George,  was  a  young  man  when  he  lo- 
cated in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county, 
on  a  tract  of  250  acres  where  he  first  erected 
a  hewed  log  house.  He  cleared  the  land  and 
continued  to  make  improvements  until  by  his 
industry  and  thrift  he  had  established  a  good 
home,  and  there  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life 
as  a  farmer,  dying  at  the  age  of  eighty  years. 
His  wife  Mary  (Brown),  daughter  of  Walter 
Brown,  was  born  in  England,  and  came  to 
America  with  her  parents  when  twelve  years 
old.  She  was  noted  for  her  intelligence  and 
many  sterling  qualities,  and  her  tine  penman- 
ship won  much  admiration.  Mrs.  George  died 
on  the  homestead  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years, 
and  she  and  her  husband  are  buried  side  by 
side  in  the  Jacksonville  cemeterJ^  They  were 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In 
politics  ;\Ir.  George  was  a  Democrat.  Nine 
children  were  born  to  this  couple:  Selina 
married  Leasure  McKean,  of  Janette,  Pa. ; 
James  Walter,  twin  of  Selina,  is  deceased,  and 
is  buried  in  Oakland  cemeterv,  at  Indiana; 
Evaline  Emma,  now  the  widow  of  Elliott 
Thompson,  resides  in  Pocahontas,  Iowa ;  Wal- 
ter Bates  is  mentioned  below;  Hannah  Mary 
married  Ephraim  Davis  and  (second)  a  ]\Ir. 
Cunningham,  and  resides  in  Janette,  Pa. ; 
Phoebe  died  when  six  years  old ;  Wm.  Hai-vey 
died  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years;  ^Martha 
Ann  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen;  John  A.,  a 
retired  railroad  man,  resides  in  Allegheny, 
Pennsylvania. 

Walter  Bates  George  attended  school  in 
Armstrong  townaship  and  worked  on  his 
father's  farm  until  he  reached  the  age  of  eigh- 
teen years.  Then  he  left  home  to  learn  the 
trade  of  carpenter  with  Charles  McCrackeu, 
with  whom  he  worked  two  years.  While  an 
apprentice  he  received  a  dollar  a  week,  and 
for  the  six  years  following,  when  he  was  work- 
ing for  himself,  he  earned  from  sixteen  to 
eighteen  dollars  a  month  and  his  board.  Dur- 
ing this  time  he  was  employed  at  Shelocta. 
and  Marion  Center,  Indiana  county.  In  1850 
he  came  to  Center  township  and  purchased  the 
Thomas  Hamilton  farm  of  130  acres,  upon 
which  he  erected  a  large  frame  barn,  modern 
dwelling  and  other. buildings.  The  barn  was 
destroyed  by  fire  July  31,  1909.  As  a  busi- 
ness farmer  Mr.  George  has  few  equals  in  his 
section.  His  skill  as  a  carpenter  has  naturally 
aided  hhn  in  keeping  his  buildings  in  first- 


class  repair,  but  he  is  a  thorough  manager  in 
every  respect,  neglecting  nothing  that  would 
add  to  the  value  or  appearance  of  any  of  his 
holdings.  He  has  been  able  to  add  to  his 
landed  possessions,  having  bought  three  farms, 
of  168  acres,  sixty  acres  and  sixty-nine  acres, 
respectively,  adjoining  his  original  purchase, 
and  he  has  also  bought  and  sold  three  hun- 
dred acres  near  Josephine  and  sixty-eight 
acres  east  of  Homer  City.  His  practical 
methods  and  systematic  work  have  made  him 
verj'  successful  as  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
and  though  now  in  his  seventy-eighth  year 
he  continues  to  direct  the  farm  work,  his 
property  bearing  evidence  of  his  master  hand 
in  its  well-kept  buildings  and  altogether  at- 
tractive surroundings  no  less  than  in  its  fer- 
tility. Though  he  has  alwaj^s  worked  steadily 
he  is  vigorous  in  mind  and  body,  and  as  in- 
terested in  the  affairs  of  his  familj'  and  com- 
munity as  ever.  He  has  been  a  man  of  strictly 
temperate  habits,  never  using  tobacco  or 
spirits. 

On  March  3,  1859,  Mr.  George  married 
Nancy  Jane  Hamilton,  who  was  born  ]\Iareh 
1,  1835,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Anna 
(Johnson)  Hamilton,  of  Center  township, 
and  died  June  16,  1909.  They  celebrated  the 
golden  anniversary  of  their  wedding  appropri- 
atel.v  in  ]\Iarch,  1909.  Mrs.  George  was  a 
woman  of  high  Christian  character,  a  lifelong 
member  of  the  Bethel  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  is  buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery',  at  In- 
diana. Mr.  George  became  associated  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Homer  City  in 
early  manhood,  helped  to  build  a  church  there, 
and  was  elder  for  many  years.  He  now  at- 
tends the  Bethel  Church,  of  which  he  is  an 
active  member.  In  his  political  views  he  has 
always  been  a  Republican. 

Pour  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George :  ( 1 )  Anna  Marv,  born  April  14, 
1860,  married  William  B.  Crawford,  of  Eld- 
ersridge.  Pa.,  and  has  one  child,  Walter  Ham- 
ilton. (2)  James  Harvey,  born  Oct.  1,  1861. 
married  Elsie  Baker,  of  Center  township,  and 
has  one  child,  Leah  Jane.  (3)  Thomas  Frank- 
lin, born  Oct.  3,  1869,  who  lives  on  a  farm 
near  the  homestead,  married  Catherine  Rob- 
inson, of  Armstrong  township,  and  they  have 
five  children,  Wayne,  Nancy  Elizabeth.  Wil- 
mer,  Esther  and  Carl.  (4)  William  Hamil- 
ton, born  July  11.  1877,  lives  on  the  home- 
stead. He  married  Wilda  J.  Clark,  of  Center 
township,  daughter  of  John  R,  Clark,  and 
they  have  three  children,  Martha  Jane,  Elsie 
Genevra  and  Walter  Clark. 

Hamilton.     The  Hamilton  family  of  Cen- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


827 


ter  township,  of  whicli  the  late  Mrs.  Walter 
Bates  George  was  a  descendant,  is  of  Scotch 
extraction,  but  this  branch  has  been  on  this 
side  of  the  Atlantic  for  over  one  hundred 
fifty  years.  The  early  home  of  the  family 
was  at  Hawmilltown,  Scotland,  and  the  coat 
of  arms  was  a  sawmill. 

James  Hamilton,  the  first  of  this  line  to 
settle  in  Pennsylvania,  came  to  America  in 
1750  and  married  a  JMiss  Laughlin.  They  had 
three  sons,  Hugh,  James  and  "William,  all  of 
whom,  according  to  family  tradition,  partici- 
pated in  the  Revolutionary  war  in  defense  of 
the  Colonial  cause.  After  the  close  of  the  war 
the  family  came  to  western  Pennsylvania,  lo- 
cating in  that  part  of  Westmoreland  county 
which  became  Indiana  county,  William  Ham- 
ilton (son  of  James)  settling  on  what  is  now 
known  as  the  Brookside  farm,  on  Cherry  run, 
owned  by  Walter  B.  George.  He  owned  a 
tract  of  130  acres  which  he  cleared  and  culti- 
vated, built  a  house  and  a  barn,  and  made 
other  improvements,  though  his  arm  was  crip- 
pled as  the  result  of  injuries  he  received  while 
serving  in  the  Revolution.  He  became  one  of 
the  leading  men  of  the  township  in  his  day, 
taking  a  deep  interest  and  active  part  in  pub- 
lic afi'airs  of  town  and  county.  He  was  justice 
of  the  peace  or  trial  justice  for  many  years, 
holding  his  court  on  the  farm,  where  he  had 
an  office  constructed  of  round  logs.  He  had 
charge  of  all  the  court  work  east  of  the  river. 
He  spent  all  his  days  on  the  farm,  dying 
there  July  8,  1839,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four 
j'ears;  he  was  born  in  1755.  His  remains  rest 
in  the  Bethel  Church  cemetery  in  Center 
township,  where  a  fine  marble  headstone, 
ei-ected  by  his  gi-anddaughter,  Mrs.  Walter  B. 
George,  marks  his  last  resting  place.  In  re- 
ligion he  was  a  stanch  Presbyterian,  and  a 
ruling  elder  of  the  church  in  which  he  held 
membership.  Mr.  Hamilton  married  Jane 
Allison,  who  was  born  in  1765,  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Beekie  (Baird)  Allison,  and  died 
Oct.  25,  1842,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  They 
had  the  following  children:  James,  Robert 
and  John,  all  of  whom  died  in  White  town- 
ship, Indiana  county;  Thomas;  Mary  S.,  who 
died  unmarried;  I\Iargaret  L.,  who  died  un- 
married ;  and  another  daughter  whose  name 
is  not  given. 

Thomas  Hamilton,  son  of  William,  was 
born*  March  16,  1797.  He  settled  on  the 
homestead  place,  where  he  followed  farming 
and  stock  raising  all  his  life,  and  he  became  a 
well-known  and  highly  respected  man  in  his 
locality.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics  and 
in  religious  connection  a  Presbyterian,  serv- 


ing as  elder  of  the  Bethel  Church.  He  died 
Jan.  8,  1877,  and  is  buried  near  his  parents 
in  Bethel  Church  cemetery.  On  Dec.  15,  1825, 
J\Ir.  Hamilton  married  Anna  Johnson,  who 
was  born  Dec.  12,  1799,  daughter  of  James 
Johnson,  and  died  Oct.  11,  1870;  she,  too, 
was  a  member  of  the  Bethel  Church  and  is 
buried  in  the  cemetery  there.  Nine  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hamilton:  Mary 
Ann,  born  Jan.  31,  1827,  died  Oct.  11,  1851; 
Jane,  bom  Feb.  16,  1828,  died  Feb.  23,  1835 ; 
Sarah  Tate,  born  Oct.  13,  1833,  died  June  25, 

1875,  was  the  wife  of  Robert  Thompson,  of 
Rayne  township,  Indiana  county ;  John  John- 
son, born  Oct.  13,  1833,  died  Nov.  5,  1834; 
Nancy  Jane,  born  March  1,  1836,  married 
Walter  Bates  George;  William  Wilson,  born 
March  18,  1837,  died  May  16,  1842;  Eliza- 
beth Margaret,  born  Oct.  29,  1838,  married 
James  George,  of  Armstrong  township,  In- 
diana county ;  Euphemia,  bom  Nov.  13,  1840, 
died  July  14, 1842 ;  James  Johnson,  born  Sept. 
9,  1842,  died  May  31,  1850. 

WILLIAM    HUDSON    McQUILKIN,    of 

Glen  Campbell,  Indiana  county,  chief  clerk 
and  paymaster  at  that  point  of  the  Indiana 
Coal  Company,  and  manager  of  the  Mammoth 
Supply  Company's  general  store  in  the  bor- 
ough, has  lived  in  this  part  of  Indiana  county 
practically  all  his  life.     He  was  born  Oct.  3, 

1876,  in  Montgomery  township,  son  of  John 
Thomas  and  Anna  Elizabeth  (Gardner)  Mc- 
Quilkin.  The  father  was  a  carpenter  and  mill- 
wright, and  particularly  skillful  and  well 
known  as  a  barn  framer.  He  died  Aug.  27, 
1908 ;  Mrs.  McQuilkin  died  in  1888. 

William  H.  McQuilkin  attended  public 
school  and  acquired  a  good  education,  in  his 
earlier  manhood  following  the  teacher's  pro- 
fession, at  which  he  was  engaged  for  a  few 
terras  in  Glen  Campbell.  Then  he  took  a 
business  course,  attending  the  Tri-State  Nor- 
mal College,  at  Angola,  Ind.  In  1903  he  en- 
tered the  employ  of  the  Indiana  Coal  Com- 
pany, at  Glen  Campbell,  in  the  capacity  of 
chief  clerk  and  paymaster,  and  has  continued 
to  fill  that  position  ever  since,  in  addition  act- 
ing as  manager  of  the  general  store  of  the 
Mammoth  Supply  Company  at  Glen  Camp- 
bell. He  is  also  interested  in  the  Giant  Elec- 
tric Light,  Heat  &  Power  Company  and  is 
one  of  the  directors.  Mr.  McQuilkin  has  done 
his  share  in  promoting  good  government  in 
the  borough,  having  served  as  member  of  the 
council.  In  fraternal  connection  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 

On  June  14,  1904,  Mr.  McQuilkin  married 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Lola  Asenatli  Holman,  of  Friendsville,  Md., 
daughter  of  W.  F.  Holman,  a  blacksmith  and 
wagon  manufacturer,  and  they  have  had  one 
son,  John  Holman,  born  Aug.  8,  1906. 

Mr.  McQuilkin  is  one  of  the  most  progres- 
sive and  enterprising  young  business  men  in 
his  part  of  the  county,  and  his  intelligence 
and  foresight  entitle  him  to  rank  among  its 
most  valuable  citizens. 

REV.  JAMES  M.  IMBRIE,  whose  long  and 
faithful  service  has  made  him  one  of  the  best- 
beloved  ministers  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
ministry  in  Indiana  county,  was  born  Jan.  22, 
1841,  in  Mahoning  county,  Ohio,  and  is  a  son 
of  Robert  and  Isabella  (McConahey)  Imbrie. 

James  Imbrie,  his  gi-andfather,  was  born  in 
Glasgow,  Scotland,  and  wa.s  married  in  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.,  to  Euphemia  Smart,  also  a  native 
of  Glasgow.  They  left  America  at  the  time  of 
the  outbreak  of  the  Revolutionary  war  to  re- 
turn to  their  native  land  and  take  possession 
of  certain  property  which  had  been  left  ^Irs. 
Imbrie  by  her  father.  They  then  again  set 
sail  for  this  country,  but  were  caught  in  a 
shipwreck,  and  although  their  lives  were 
spared  they  lost  nearly  all  their  earthly  pos- 
sessions. Mr.  Imbrie  was  in  poor  health  and 
hired  a  substitute  to  serve  in  his  place  in  the 
Continental  army,  but  had  a  narrow  escape 
from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  British  sol- 
diers stationed  at  Philadelphia,  who,  hearing 
that  he  had  been  keeping  powder  in  his  little 
store  to  supply  the  Colonial  troops,  searched 
the  place.  Jilrs.  Imbrie,  however,  was  more 
than  a  match  for  the  Britishers,  for  she  slipped 
around  by  a  rear  entrance,  secured  the  powder 
and  hid  it  in  a  pile  of  ashes.  In  later  years 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Imbrie  moved  to  Washington 
county.  Pa.,  where  both  died,  his  wife  meet- 
ing her  death  by  being  gored  by  a  mad  bull 
in  the  barnyard.  They  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: David,  a  United  Presbyterian  minis- 
ter, at  Darlington,  Pa.,  who  married  a  Miss 
Reed;  James,  who  married  a  Miss  Maloney, 
and  died  near  Salem,  Ore. ;  Robert ;  John,  who 
died  in  Beaver  county.  Pa. ;  George,  who  died 
at  Wellesley,  Ohio;  Euphemia,  of  Holmes 
county,  Ohio,  Avho  married  a  Mr.  Beaver,  and 
(second)  a  Mr.  Guinn;  Elizabeth,  who  mar- 
ried a  Mr.  Guinn;  Jane,  who  married  Henry 
IMaloney ;  and  Mary,  Mrs.  Flack. 

Robert  Imbrie,  son  of  James  Imbrie,  and 
father  of  Rev.  James  M.  Imbrie,  was  born  in 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  about  the  year 
1790,  and  with  his  parents  removed  to  "Wa.sh- 
ington  county.  Pa.  He  received  a  good  edu- 
cation, attending  the  country  schools  and  a 


seminary,  and  was  reared  to  the  life  of  an 
agriculturist,  a  vocation  which  he  followed 
throughout  his  career.  He  held  a  captain's 
commission  in  the  minute-men,  and  had  com- 
mand of  a  company  which  participated  in  the 
activities  of  the  war  of  1812.  His  first  wife, 
Mary  Stewart,  died  without  issue,  and  his 
second  union  was  to  Isabella  McConahey,  the 
widoAv  of  James  AlcConahey.  They  located  in 
JIahoning  county,  Ohio,  where  Mr.  Imbrie 
died  at  the  remarkable  age  of  ninety-five  years, 
Jlrs.  Imbrie  passing  away  when  eighty  years 
of  age.  They  had  a  family  of  three  children, 
as  follows :  Rev.  James  M. ;  Mary  J.,  who  mar- 
ried Isaac  M.  Justis;  and  Robert,  deceased. 
The  last  named  served  for  three  years  during 
the  Civil  war,  first  enlisting  for  nine  months 
in  the  134th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers, and  at  Chancellorsville  he  w-as  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner.  He  was  subsequently  ex- 
changed and  sent  home,  and  later  enlisted  in 
the  60th  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry. 

James  M.  Imbrie  grew  to  manliood  in  Ma- 
lioning  county,  Ohio,  and  as  a  lad  attended 
the  country  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his 
father's  farm.  He  was  subsequently  sent  to 
Westminster  College,  where  he  had  been  a 
.student  two  years  when  the  Civil  war  broke 
out,  and  he  became  a  private  in  Company  E, 
23d  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  the 
same  regiment  in  which  the  late  Presidents 
McKiuley  and  Hayes  served.  Mr.  Imbrie 's 
service  covered  a  period  of  three  years, 
twenty-three  days,  his  regiment  being  attached 
to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  he  served  in 
such  hotly-contested  engagements  as  South 
]\Iountain  and  Antietam.  At  the  conclusion 
of  a  brave  and  brilliant  service  he  returned  to 
college,  but  while  he  was  in  his  junior  year  his 
brother  died  and  he  was  obliged  to  return  to 
his  home.  Subsequently  he  read  law  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar,  later  going  to  Nebraska, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  practice  in  Cass 
<'ounty  for  some  time.  While  there  he  became 
interested  in  the  work  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  later  returning  to  Penn- 
sylvania entered  Allegheny  Theological  Semi- 
nary, from  which  he  was  graduated  diu-ing 
the  following  spring.  While  in  that  institu- 
tion he  was  a  roommate  of  Rev.  Samuel  G. 
Fitzgerald,  who  now  has  a  charge  in  Phila- 
delphia. Mr.  Imbrie  was  first  sent  as  pastor 
of  the  churches  of  Clinton  and  Shiloli.  in  But- 
ler county,  later  had  charge  of  the  Mt.  Zion 
congregation  in  Armstrong  county,  and 
eventually  was  sent  to  Murrysville  and  Beu- 
lali.  Finally  he  came  to  Indiana,  where  he 
has  since  been  located.     He  is  a  member  of 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


829 


G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  28,  and  in  his  political  views 
is  a  Prohibitionist. 

In  1867  Mr.  Imbrie  was  married  to  Rachel 
Catherine  Rankin,  daughter  of  Thomas  Ran- 
kin, a  former  elder  of  the  Mt.  Prospect  con- 
gi'egation,  and  six  children  have  been  born  to 
this  union:  Catherine  Alberta,  who  mai'ried 
Jacob  C.  Starr,  of  Kittanning;  Maud,  who 
married  John  Doyle,  deceased;  G.  IMildred, 
who  married  R.  R.  Ryerson,  of  Nebraska ;  and 
Bessie,  who  is  unmarried  and  resides  with  her 
parents;  two  other  children,  sons,  died  in 
infancy. ' 

JESSE  W.  BURKHART  has  a  well-estab- 
lished hardware  and  general  merchandise 
business  at  Penn  Run,  where  he  has  been 
settled  ever  since  he  began  on  his  own  ac- 
count. He  was  born  Aug.  28,  188.5,  in  Pine 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  his  grand- 
father, Samuel  Burkhart,  settled  at  an  early 
day,  farming  there  until  his  death. 

Henrj^  A.  Burkhart,  father  of  Jesse  "W. 
Burkhart,  was  born  in  Blair  county,  Pa.,  and 
came  with  his  father  to  Pine  township,  In- 
diana county.  He  was  a  farmer  in  his  earlier 
life,  and  later  followed  the  trade  of  carpen- 
ter in  connection  with  his  agricultural  pur- 
suits. During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  from 
Indiana  county  in  Company  E,  177th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  till 
tiie  close  of  the  war.  After  the  close  of  the 
war  he  returned  to  Pine  township,  where  he 
lived  until  his  removal  to  Cherryhill  township, 
in  1901.  He  settled  at'  Penn  Run,  where  he 
made  his  home  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred March  11,  1907.  He  married  Sarah  A. 
Rhodes,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  county, 
whose  parents,  William  and  Margaret  Rhodes, 
were  early  residents  of  Pine  township  and 
lived  and  died  there.  Mrs.  Burkhart  died 
Sept.  29,  1909. 

Jesse  W.  Burkhart,  only  child  of  Henry  A. 
and  Sarah  A.  (Rhodes)  Burkhart,  spent  his 
early  life  in  Pine  township  and  attended  school 
there  and  at  Penn  Run.  His  school  days  over 
he  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Penn  Run,  in  Cherryhill  township,  also  selling 
hardware,  and  he  has  a  very  profitable  trade, 
which  is  growing  steadily.  Though  one  of  the 
youngest  business  men  at  that  place  he  has 
been  highly  successful,  and  his  extensive  busi- 
ness has  been  built  up  as  a  result  of  hard 
work  and  good  management.  He  has  been 
honored  with  election  to  the  office  of  school 
director  of  Cherryhill  township,  in  which  posi- 
tion he  is  now  serving. 

On  June  12,  1907,  Mr.  Burkhart  married 


Ruth  0.  Fyock,  who  was  born  Aug.  26,  1891, 
in  Penn  Run,  daughter  of  James  M.  and 
Christina  (Holsopple)  Fyock,  natives  of  In- 
diana county,  who  live  at  Penn  Run,  where 
j\Ir.  Fyock  has  a  general  merchandise  and  un- 
dertaking business.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burkhart 
have  had  one  child,  Eva  V.,  born  Jan.  3,  1908. 
ilr.  Burkhart  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  his  wife  belonging  to  the  Brethren 
(German  Baptist)  Church.  He  is  a  member 
of  Lodge  No.  1168,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  at  Pine  Flats. 

WILLIAM  S.  DAUGHERTY  has  con- 
ducted a  planing  mill  business  at  Indiana  for 
almost  a  quarter  of  a  century,  succeeding  his 
father  as  proprietor  of  an  establishment  with 
which  the  latter  first  became  connected  in 
1866.  He  has  a  large  patronage  in  this  local- 
itj^  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  its  substantial 
business  men.  In  his  earlier  years  he  was 
quite  prominently  identified  with  public  life 
in  the  county. 

j\lr.  Daugherty  was  born  Jan.  22,  1846,  at 
Saltsbui-g,  Indiana  county,  son  of  James  R. 
and  Mary  A.  (Hart)  Daugherty,  and  grand- 
soil  of  IJugh  Daugherty.  The  latter  was  a 
native  of  Ireland.  He  came  to  western  Penn- 
sylvania in  1799,  settling  at  what  is  now  the 
site  of  Irwin,  in  Westmoreland  county,  in  what 
is  now  North  Huntingdon  township. 

James  R.  Daugherty,  father  of  William  S. 
Daugherty,  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county 
and  there  spent  his  youth  until  he  reached  the 
age  of  fourteen  years.  He  then  came  to  what 
is  now  Saltsburg  to  work  upon  the  old  Penn- 
sylvania canal.  In  1863  he  was  elected  sheriff 
of  Indiana  county  and  removed  to  Indiana, 
where  he  ever  afterward  made  his  home. 
After  serving  one  term  in  that  office,  in  1866, 
he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Coleman, 
Ewing  &  Co.,  in  the  planing  mill  business, 
withdrawing  from  that  association  in  1872, 
when  he  entered  upon  his  second  term  of 
service  as  sheriff.  At  the  end  of  that  term 
(three  years)  he  purchased  the  planing  mill 
of  which  he  had  formerly  been  part  owner, 
carrying  on  the  business  until  he  sold  it  to 
his  son  William  S.  Daugherty,  in  1889.  Mr. 
Daugherty  was  one  of  the  foremost  citizens 
of  Indiana  county  in  his  day,  a  member  of 
the  community  in  whom  all  his  fellow  citizens 
had  the  highest  confidence.  He  held  many  im- 
portant borough  offices,  and  was  one  of  the 
original  trustees  of  the  Indiana  State  nonnal 
school,  serving  for  many  yeare,  until  his  death. 
In  politics  he  was  a  Republican,  in  religion  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

In  1839  Mr.  Daugherty  married  Mary  A. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Hart,  who  was  bom  in  1820,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Hart,  who  was  of  Scotch  descent;  Mr. 
Hart  settled  in  Indiana  county,  where  he  re- 
sided until  his  death.  Like  her  husband  Mrs. 
Daugherty  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  The}'  were  the  parents  of  eight  chil- 
dren: Robert  J.,  who  joined  the  Union  se^■^'- 
ice  during  the  Civil  war,  becoming  a  member 
of  Company  C,  9th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteei-s,  and  died  of  exhaustion  in  the 
Seven  Days'  fight;  William  S. ;  Martha,  wife 
of  John  P.  St.  Clair;  James;  Frank;  Annie; 
John,  and  Silas  C. 

WilUam  S.  Daugherty  has  passed  practically 
all  his  life  in  his  native  county — all  but  one 
year  in  Kansas,  1870,  and  one  year  in  Brook- 
ville,  1872.  He  received  his  early  education 
in  the  common  schools  and  later  attended 
Saltsburg  Academj'.  After  leaving  school  he 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time 
becoming  interested  in  the  drug  business,  in 
which  he  continued  to  be  engaged,  off  and  on, 
until  1872.  At  that  time  he  became  deputy 
sheriff  under  his  father,  who  was  then  serving 
as  sheriff,  and  he  served  three  successive  terms 
in  that  office,  continuing  with  Sheriffs  Wil- 
liam C.  Brown  and  Daniel  Ansley  after  his 
father's  tenn  expired.  Toward  the  close  of 
his  third  term,  in  1881,  he  was  elected  protho- 
notarj'  of  Indiana  county,  was  reelected  in 
1884,  and  continued  to  hold  that  office  until 
1888,  when  he  retired.  In  1889  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  superintend  the  erection  of  the 
West  Indiana  school  building.  Late  in  the 
fall  of  that  year  he  purchased  the  planing 
mill  from  his  father,  and  he  has  continued  to 
carry  on  the  business  ever  since.  This  mill, 
erected  in  1856,  is  a  large  two-story  frame 
structure,  fitted  throughout  with  all  the  most 
approved  conveniences  for  carrying  on  the 
work  in  hand.  The  building  has  been  en- 
larged and  improved  from  time  to  time  to 
meet  the  gi-owing  demands  of  the  business  and 
to  bring  it  up  to  date  in  equipment,  and  the 
facilities  for  turning  out  the  work  required 
by  modern  contractors  are  ample  and  com- 
plete. Mr.  Daugherty  manufactures  and  deals 
in  rough  and  worked  hunber  of  all  kinds, 
flooring,  weather  boarding,  ceiling  and  bill 
lumber,  handles  doors,  sash,  moldings  and 
brackets,  and  is  able  to  turn  out  anything  for 
the  custom  trade.  His  patronage  is  not  con- 
fined to  the  immediate  locality,  but  extends 
all  over  the  southern  part  of  the  county. 

Since  retiring  from  the  office  of  prothono- 
tary  Mr.  Daugherty  has  not  been  as  active  in 
public  life  as  formerly,  but  he  has  continued 


his  interest  in  the  general  welfare  and  has 
been  mterested  in  the  good  government  of  his 
home  community,  which  he  has  served  for 
thirty-four  years  in  the  capacity  of  school 
director,  still  holding  that  office.  He  has 
been  a  trustee  of  the  normal  school  for  seven- 
teen years,  having  been  first  appointed  to  that 
position  in  1894,  and  still  continuing  to  fill  it. 
He  is  an  influential  member  of  the  Republican 
party,  showing  his  progressive  spirit  in  poli- 
tics as  in  business  and  all  the  other  relations 
of  life. 

On  Sept.  19,  1876.  Jlr.  Daugherty  married 
Martha  V.  Sansom,  daughter  of  John  Sansom, 
and  sister  of  James  B.  Sansom,  at  one  time 
editor  of  the  Indiana  Democrat.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Daughertv  have  two  children,'  Hart  B.  and 
Ross  S. 

'Sir.  Daugherty  has  been  well  known  in 
local  fraternal  circles,  as  a  member  of  Palla- 
dium Lodge,  No.  346.  I.  0.  O.  F.,  Indiana 
Lodge,  No.  21,  A.  0.  U.  W.,  and  the  Masons, 
in  the  latter  connection  belonging  to  Indiana 
Lodge.  No.  313.  F.  &  A.  M..  Zerubbabel  Chap- 
ter, No.  162.  R.  A.  M.,  Pittsburg  Command- 
ery.  No.  1,  K.  T.,  and  Syria  Temple.  A.  A.  O. 
N.  M.  S.,  of  Pittsburg.  In  1898  he  was  ap- 
pointed district  deputy  grand  master  of  the 
Thirty-ninth  district  and  is  still  serving.  For 
five  years  he  served  as  master  of  the  blue 
lodge.  In  religious  connection  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  C  R  I  B  B  S, 
farmer  of  West  Wheatfield  township.  Indiana 
county,  and  formerly  also  engaged  in  black- 
smithing,  is  an  enterprising  and  respected  citi- 
zen of  that  section  and  has  lived  at  his  present 
home  there  for  over  thirtj'-five  3'ears.  He  was 
bom  April  28,  1840,  on  the  present  Joseph 
McCraeken  farm  in  the  same  township,  and  is 
a  son  of  George  Cribbs  and  grandson  of 
Jacob  Cribbs. 

Jacob  Cribbs  settled  at  an  early  day  in 
Blacklick  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where 
he  owned  a  large  tract  of  land.  He  was  a 
wheelwright  by  trade  and  became  a  noted 
wagonmaker  in  his  day,  in  addition  following 
farming  and  stock  raising.  He  served  as  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  In  religion  he 
was  a  Lutheran,  belonging  to  the  Evangelical 
Church,  and  he  was  laid  to  rest  in  the 
Lutheran  cemetery  in  Blacklick  township. 
His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Stofenel, 
was  a  native  of  Germany.  They  had  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Jacob  was  twice  married; 
George  is  mentioned  below;  David  married 
Catherine     Cribbs;     Betsey    married    John 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


831 


Eepine  and  went  West;  Maiy  married  Wil- 
liam Fair  and  lived  for  a  time  in  Blacklick 
township,  later  moving  to  Altoona,  Pa.,  where 
they  died  (their  children  were:  Peter,  Susan, 
who  married  Washington  Bell;  Mary  Jane, 
who  married  Jackson  Bell;  Elizabeth,  who 
married  Samuel  Doty;  Henry,  who  married 
a  Miss  Gilger;  Sarah,  who  married  Abe 
Mikesell;  Julia,  who  married  Christopher 
Mikesell;  and  William). 

George  Cribbs,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  in 
1798  in  Blacklick  township,  on  his  father's 
farm  (now  the  George  H.  Cribbs  farm),  and 
there  received  his  education  in  the  subscrip- 
tion schools.  After  learning  the  trade  of 
blacksmith  he  moved  to  West  Wheatfield 
township,  where  he  bought  the  Samuel  Wad- 
dell  farm  of  ninety  acres  and  settled  down  to 
farming  and  stock  raising,  also  following  his 
trade.  He  was  a  Democrat  up  to  1852,  sub- 
sequently joining  the  Republican  party,  and 
took  some  interest  in  local  affairs,  serving  as 
school  director.  Originally  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  he  later  joined  the  M.  E. 
Church,  toward  which  he  contributed  liber- 
ally. He  died  in  1866,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
eight  years. 

Mr.  Cribbs  was  married  to  Jane  Barr,  who 
was  born  in  1800  in  Ireland,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel and  Margaret  (Patterson)  Barr,  and  died 
in  1884.  Six  children  were  born  to  this  union, 
viz.:  Jacob  married  Nancy  Bojde  and  (sec- 
ond) Margaret  Repine,  and  had  one  child  by 
the  first  wife,  George  I.,  and  the  following  by 
the  second  marriage,  Charles,  Jesse,  Albert 
and  Ida ;  Andrew  J.  B.  died  while  serving  in 
the  Civil  war  as  a  member  of  the  2d  Iowa 
Regiment ;  Peter  I.,  who  also  served  in  the  2d 
Iowa  Regiment  during  the  Civil  war,  mar- 
ried Adaline  McBride,  and  has  children,  Mar- 
celles  Mc,  Mary  A.,  Catherine  and  Joseph; 
George  W.  is  mentioned  below;  Christopher 
M.,  who  served  in  the  112th  Pennsylvania 
Provisional  Regiment,  Heavy  Artillery,  mar- 
ried Margaret  Crusan  and  (second)  Cather- 
ine Metz,  and  resides  in  Blacklick  township 
(his  children  are  Lina,  Ralph  and  Nellie)  ; 
Mary  J.  married  Joseph  D.  McCracken,  and 
they  had  six  children,  William,  J\Iai-ion.  Barr, 
Edward,  Mary  Elizabeth  and  George  I. 

George  Washington  Cribbs  received  a  com- 
mon school  education,  and  learned  the  trade 
of  blacksmith  with  his  father.  Shortly  after 
he  attained  his  majority,  on  Aug.  5,  1861,  he 
enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  becoming  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  A,  83d  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers, with  which  he  served  over  three  years. 


being  honorably  discharged  in  October,  1864. 
His  officers  were  Capt.  Charles  Mox-gan  and 
Capt.  D.  P.  Jones,  and  Cols.  John  M.  Mc- 
Clane,  Strong  Vincent  and  0.  S.  Woodward. 
Besides  twenty  small  battles  and  skirmishes, 
he  saw  active  service  at  Yorktown,  Meadow 
Bridge,  Hanover  Court  House,  second  Bull 
Run,  Brandy  Station,  Bristoe  Station,  Rap- 
pahannock Station,  Aline  Run,  Fredericks- 
burg, Chancellorsville,  Wilderness,  Spottsyl- 
vania.  Laurel  Hill,  Bethesda  Church,  Cold 
Harbor,  four  engagements  at  Petersburg  and 
two  at  Yellow  House. 

From  1864  to  1866  Mr.  Cribfcs  followed 
blacksmithiug  at  Oil  City,  thence  moving  to 
Heshbon,  in  Brushvalley  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  continued  to  work  at  his 
trade  until  1875.  That  year  he  bought  the 
Palmer  farm  of  106  acres  in  West  Wheatfield 
township,  and  besides  cultivating  that  prop- 
erty he  worked  at  his  trade,  having  a  shop 
opposite  his  home.  He  gave  up  blacksmith- 
iug in  1907.  Mr.  Cribbs  has  given  particular 
attention  to  the  raising  of  small  fruits,  in 
which  he  is  quite  extensively  interested,  though 
he  follows  general  farming  very  successfully. 
He  has  done  well  at  his  various  undertakings, 
and  has  also  taken  part  in  the  administration 
of  public  affairs  in  the  township,  having  served 
twelve  years  as  justice  of  the  peace,  and  he 
also  held  the  office  of  school  director  for  ten 
years,  and  was  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the 
"board.  In  1890  he  was  census  enumerator. 
He  has  been  a  prominent  worker  in  the  M.  E. 
Church  at  Heshbon,  serving  as  trustee  and 
class  leader,  and  was  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school.  Sociallv  he  holds  membership 
in  Findley  Patch  Post,"  No.  137,  G.  A.  R.,  of 
Blairsville,  Indiana  county. 

Mr.  Cribbs  was  married  April  20,  1865,  to 
Sarali  Elizabeth  Palmer,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Sarah  Ann  (Oaks)  Palmer,  formerly  of 
Burrell  township,  this  county,  and  five  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  them,  namely:  (1) 
Harry  Albert  is  a  civil  engineer  by  profession, 
but  is  now  employed  as  chief  clerk  of  the 
Northern  Pacific  Railroad  Company,  at  St. 
Paul,  Minn.  He  married  Gertrude  Hoskinson, 
and  their  children  are  Ernest,  Margaret,  A^ir- 
ginia,  George  and  William.  (2)  William  B. 
0.  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Shelby  county, 
Ind.  He  married  Eva  Limpus,  and  has  chil- 
dren, Edith  and  Irene.  (3)  Orrin  L.,  station 
master  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany at  Dunbar,  Pa.,  married  Clara  Wake- 
field, and  their  children  are  Bertha,  Grace, 
George  and  Kenneth.     (4)  Charles  Ci'ocker  is 


832 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


deceased.  (5)  Clarence  Alexander  Scott,  who 
works  with  his  brother  at  Dunbar,  Pa.,  mar- 
ried Dora  i\Iaek,  and  their  children  are  Fran- 
cis, May,  Merwin  and  Harry  Mack. 

CHARLES  W.  TUCK,  of  Homer  City,  In- 
diana countj^,  senior  member  of  the  manu- 
facturing firm  known  as  the  L.  C.  Hassinger 
Company,  has  been  connected  with  that  busi- 
ness throughout  his  residence  in  Homer  City 
and  is  one  of  the  best-known  of  this  section's 
lumbermen  and  mill  men. 

Mr.  Tuck  is  a  native  of  Maine,  born  at 
Houlton,  Aroostook  count}-,  in  February, 
1849,  son  of  Lafayette  Tuck,  who  was  a  well- 
known  lumber  manufacturer  of  that  section 
of  the  Pine  Tree  State  and  who  was  for  years 
engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, later  removing  to  the  Pacific  coast  and 
locating  in  Washington,  where  he  died.  Mr. 
Tuck 's  educational  opportunities  were  limited 
to  such  as  the  local  school  of  his  native  town 
afforded.  He  was  but  twelve  years  old  when 
he  first  started  to  work,  in  a  sawmill  with  his 
father  at  his  native  place,  where  he  continued 
until  1869.  Then  he  came  west  to  Indiana 
county,  about  four  months  before  his  father, 
with  whom  he  became  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business,  also  operating  a  sawmill  at  Diamoud- 
ville  for  twelve  years.  It  was  then  he  came 
to  Homer  City  and  became  manager  in  the 
planing  mill  of  J.  M.  Guthrie,  with  whom  he 
continued  until  1895,  a  period  of  fourteen 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  he  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  the  sous  of  IMr.  Guthrie,  with  whom 
he  was  associated  in  business  until  1908,  their 
product  being  handles,  insulator  pins  and 
brackets.  "When  the  Guthrie  brothers  sold 
out  their  interest  to  L.  C.  Hassinger,  of  In- 
diana, Mr.  Tuck  continued  with  the  business 
as  senior  member  of  the  firm,  and  it  is  now 
conducted  under  the  name  of  the  L.  C.  Has- 
singer Company.  Many  improvements  have 
been  made  in  the  plant  and  equipment  in  the 
thirty  years  and  more  of  Mr.  Tuck's  associa- 
tion with  it,  and  the  business  has  so  increased 
that  ten  hands  are  now  given  steady  employ- 
ment. 

Mr.  Tuck  is  a  thorough  lumberman,  having 
been  in  the  business  over  half  a  century,  and 
he  is  a  man  of  expert  judgment  in  his  line  and 
thoroughly  familiar  with  the  demands  of  the 
trade. 

In  1871  Mr.  Tuck  was  married,  in  Cherry- 
hill  township.  Indiana  county,  to  Nora  L. 
Sickenbirger,  daughter  of  Henty  Sickenbirger, 
and  they  have  had  six  children:  Gertrude,  a 
music  teacher,  who  lives  at  home;  Lafayette; 


Laura,  who  was  a  public  school  teacher,  now 
the  wife  of  Edward  Gonier;  Mabel,  at  home; 
Clyde,  a  railroad  man ;  and  Eleanor,  a  school 
teacher,  ilr.  Tuck  is  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  and  actively  interested  in  its 
work,  serving  as  trustee.  He  is  inclined  to- 
ward the  principles  of  the  Republican  party, 
but  independent  on  vital  issues. 

JOHN  G.  McCRORY,  president  of  the  J. 
G.  JlcCrory  Company,  now  operating  over  one 
hundred  5  and  10  cent  stores  situated  princi- 
pally in  the  eastern  and  southern  part  of  the 
country,  was  the  founder  of  this  great  con- 
cern and  is  its  principal  stockholder.  Its  de- 
velopment has  been  a  great  part  of  his  life 
work,  and  his  best  thought  and  best  ideas  have 
gone  into  its  upbuilding.  From  an  unosten- 
tatious beginning  at  Scottdale,  Westmoreland 
Co.,  Pa.,  in  1882,  when  he  started  what  proved 
to  be  the  first  link  of  a  long  chain  of  stores, 
he  has  built  up  a  business  whose  success  lias 
brought  it  national  reputation,  and  this  section 
is  proud  of  its  connection  therewith  as  the 
starting  point  of  a  business  which  has  as- 
sumed vast  proportions.  In  many  respects 
the  McCrory  corporation  is  unique.  There 
are  other  successful  enterprises  of  the  kind, 
but  its  evolution  has  been  along  lines  sug- 
gested by  experience  or  proved  by  trial,  iind 
the  result  is  an  organization  of  such  amaz- 
ing efficiency  that  it  is  not  onlj'  automatic  in 
operation,  but  in  self-perpetuation  and  ex- 
pansion as  well.  Mr.  McCrory  has  gathered 
around  him  in  this  association  a  group  of 
able  men,  whose  cooperation  makes  possible 
the  maximum  of  achievement  with  the  mini- 
mum of  labor.  The  record  of  his  life  is  one 
of  unceasing  activity.  He  has  always  ex- 
erted himself  to  make  the  most  of  whatever 
opportunities  have  been  at  hand,  and  though 
willing  to  venture  forward  has  built  up  his 
business  conservatively,  on  such  a  sound 
basis  that  added  responsibilities  have  entailed 
extra  work  but  no  worry.  He  comes  of  that 
substantial  race  from  the  North  of  Ireland 
whose  representatives  have  become  known 
in  Pennsylvania  for  thrift,  shrewdness  and 
strength  of  intellect,  coupled  with  a  hardiness 
of  physique  which  adapted  them  admirably 
for  the  struggle  against  adverse  conditions 
which  the  early  emigrants  faced. 

John  McCrory,  grandfather  of  John  G.  IMc- 
Crory,  was  the  founder  of  the  family  in  In- 
diana county.  He  was  a  native  of  County 
Down,  Ireland,  born  in  1788  near  the  town 
of  Armagh,  and  his  wife  Jennie  or  Jane 
(Campbell),  daughter  of  Christ.y  and  Jennie 


'^^rW^ 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


833 


Campbell,  was  born  in  1789.  He  came  to  tbis 
country  about  1814,  a  young  man  of  twenty- 
six,  and  that  year  settled  on  land  in  East 
■Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  He 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church,  at  Bethel,  in  West  Wheat- 
field  township,  and  was  one  of  the  officials  of 
that  church  to  the  close  of  his  life.  He  died 
Sept.  29,  1867,  aged  seventy-nine  years,  and 
was  buried  with  his  wife  in  the  Bethel  Church 
cemetery;  she  died  Sept.  25,  1864,  aged  sev- 
enty-five years.  Eight  children  were  born  to 
this  couple,  as  follows:  Elizabeth,  Oct.  2, 
1818  (married  Joseph  Mack)  ;  David,  Jan. 
14,  1820;  Jennie,  May  17,  1821  (died  Oct.  28, 
1857)  ;  James,  Nov.  17,  1822  (died  Jan.  20, 
1826)  ;  Mary  Ann,  March  23,  1824  (married 
Hugh  Mack)  ;  Nancy,  May  9,  1827  (married 
James  McGriffin,  of  Jefferson  county.  Pa.)  ; 
James,  Nov.  23,  1829;  Isabelle,  Oct.  11,  1831 
(died  Sept.  19,  1844). 

Grandfather  McCrory  was  a  Mason  and 
when  leaving  Ireland  for  America  a  letter  was 
given  him  by  his  lodge,  No.  683,  at  Armahill, 
Ireland.  Said  letter  is  still  in  the  possession 
of  the  grandchildren  and  shows  he  was  well 
advanced  in  Masonry. 

James  McCrory,  youngest  son  of  John  and 
Jennie  (Campbell)  McCrory,  was  born  Nov. 
23,  1829,  in  East  Wheatfield  township.  He 
grew  up  on  a  farm  in  the  same  township,  ad- 
joining the  place  where  he  was  born.  He  was 
reared  to  farming,  and  followed  agricultural 
pursuits  until  he  entered  the  service  of  his 
country,  Nov.  2,  1862,  during  the  Civil  war. 
He  became  a  member  of  Company  K,  177th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Cap- 
tain Killin  and  Lieut.  Col.  Hugh  J.  Brady. 
He  was  taken  ill,  and  died  March  5,  1863,  near 
Suffolk,  Va.,  leaving  his  young  wife  with  two 
children,  John  G.,  then  in  his  third  year,  and 
Jennie,  less  than  a  year  old.  The  remains 
were  brought  to  Indiana  county  and  buried  in 
the  Bethel  United  Presbyterian  Church  ceme- 
tery. Mr.  James  McCrory  had  married  Mary 
A.  Murphy,  who  was  born  June  28,  1834, 
near  Mechanicsburg,  Brushvalle.y  township, 
daughter  of  George  and  Margaret  I.  Murphy. 
She  survived  him  many  years,  dying  March 
16,  1900,  and  is  also  buried  in  the  Bethel 
Church  cemetery.  A  few  years  after  her  hus- 
band's death  Mrs.  McCrory  moved  with  her 
children  to  Mechanicsburg,  to  take  advantage 
of  the  better  school  facilities  offered  and  to  be 
nearer  church,  remaining  there  until  her  son 
reached  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  Then  she 
returned  to  the  farm.  Later  the  daughter 
married  John  H.  McCullough,  then  of  DuBois, 


Pa.,  who  is  now  associated  in  business  with 
her  brother  John  G.  McCrory,  being  vice 
president  of  the  J.  G.  ilcCrory  Company  and 
equally  interested  with  Mr.  McCrory  in  ax- 
tensive  investments  in  Florida  lands  and  other 
real  estate.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCullough  live  in 
Orlando,  Fla.,  and  have  two  children,  Mary 
and  Ruth. 

John  G.  McCrory  was  born  Oct.  11,  3860, 
in  Indiana  county.  Pa.  His  boyhood  and 
youth  were  spent  in  and  about  Mechanicsburg, 
where  he  received  a  public  school  education, 
engaging  in  vacation  time  with  farmers  or  aa 
clerk  of  a  country  store,  and  when  a  youth 
of  eighteen  he  returned  with  his  mother  to  the 
farm.  However,  he  did  not  remain  there 
long.  Finding  employment  in  the  mills  of 
the  Cambria  Steel  Company,  at  Johnstown, 
Pa.,  he  soon  was  given  a  position  in  their  large 
general  store,  then  conducted  under  the  name 
of  Wood,  Morrell  &  Company  (James  Mc- 
Millen  then  manager),  where  he  remained 
about  two  years,  and  thus  began  his  career  as 
a  merchant.  He  had  faith  in  the  openings 
which  the  small  towns  in  the  vicinity  afforded, 
and  was  anxious  to  have  an  independent  ca- 
reer, so  with  what  money  he  had  saved  and 
some  borrowed — but  a  few  hundred  dollars 
in  all — he  opened  in  Scottdale,  Westinoreland 
Co.,  Pa.,  what  he  called  a  5  and  Id  Cent 
Store,  using  side  counters  for  this  line,  but 
handling  also  some  higher  priced  merchan- 
dise. This  was  in  1882.  The  idea  appealed 
to  the  residents  of  the  locality.  And  by  hard 
work  of  1  he  young  man  to  please  liis  customers 
and  keep  his  expenses  within  limits,  he  by  the 
next  year  had  accumulated  enough  capital  to 
take  advantage  of  the  second  opening,  which 
was  in  the  town  of  DuBois,  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa. 
He  started  this  store  in  1883,  almost  clear  of 
debt,  and  his  subsequent  operations  no  doubt 
owe  much  of  their  profitableness  to  this  pol- 
icy, to  which  he  has  adhered.  He  disposed  of 
his  Scottdale  store  to  good  advantage  soon 
after  he  established  the  DuBois  store,  but  as 
a  matter  of  sentiment  and  respect  for  the  lo- 
cality of  his  first  venture  he  marked  the  spot 
by  reestablishing  a  store  in  Scottdale  Dec.  15, 
1910.  The  DuBois  store  was  discontinued  in 
the  year  1892  but  reopened  Sept.  9,  1912. 

Many  more  stores  were  opened  and  closed 
during  the  first  ten  years  of  Mr.  McCrory 's 
business  career.  His  game  those  days  was  to 
open  two  or  three  stores  each  year  and  close 
out  that  many,  aiming  to  make  money  at  both 
times,  always  having  from  eight  to  twelve 
stores  going.  A  slump  from  high  to  low  prices 
on  some  lines  of  goods  was  taken  advantage 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


834 

of  about  then,  but  the  time  came  when  there 
was  less  opportunity  to  buy  low  and  throw 
out  bargains  with  profit,  and  besides  a  desire 
to  control  more  stores  made  it  necessary  to  dis 
continue  handling  the  higher  priced  goods  as 
the  chance  to  lose  by  leakage  on  perishable 
and  seasonable  goods  became  greater  each  time 
an  additional  store  was  acquired. 

The  first  store  handling  5  and  10  cent  goods 
exclusively  was  opened  at  Lawrence,  Mass., 
about  the  year  1891,  and  a  Uttle  later  the 
second  one  was  opened  at  Jamestown,  N.  ^. 
From  this  beginning  to  the  present  the  busi- 
ness has  had  a  record  of  unbroken  prosperity. 
After  he  had  established  a  number  of  stores 
in  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  McCrory  found  oppor- 
tunities in  neighboring  States.  His  activity 
brought  him  again  and  again  to  the  discovery 
of  available  sites  and  fields  for  business  too 
good  to  be  ignored,  and  the  accumulated  prof- 
its of  each"  new  store  gave  him  capital  to 
widen  his  interests  constantly. 

To  save  continual  renewing  of  leases,  also 
safeguard  against  chance  to  undermine  on 
same,  it  became  necessary  to  rent  for  long 
periods  and  today  the  property  not  owned 
outright  is  generally  leased  on  twenty-one- 
year  terms,  or  longer. 

Thus  he  kept  adding  to  his  string  of  estab- 
lishments until  now  they  are  to  be  found  in 
most  States  east  of  the  ilississippi.  Hardly 
a  year  passed  but  several  new  stores  were 
opened,  and  the  growth  in  recent  years  has 
been  so  rapid  as  to  be  phenomenal.  Yet 
the  increase  has  been  normal  in  every  respect, 
its  wonderful  expansion  within  the  last  few 
years  being  only  the  result  of  the  system  which 
has  been  undergoing  steady  improvement  un- 
til its  workings  now  seem  to  be  practically 
perfect. 

To  illustrate  the  remarkable  expansion  of 


late  years,  we  quote  from  a  statement 
in  1912,  showing  forty-eight  stores  in  1907 
and  1908.  forty-nine  in  1909,  sixty-one  in 
1910,  sixty-nine  in  1911  and  eighty-one  in 
operation  "early  in  1912.  In  May,  1913.  there 
are  112  stores,  and  eight  new  locations  en- 
gaged; annual  volume  of  business  about 
$8,000,000.  The  sales  for  the  first  half  of 
1912  (fiscal  year)  showed  an  increase  of  thir- 
ty-six and  a  half  per  cent  over  the  same  period 
in  1911— the  greatest  increase  known  in  this 
line  of  business.  Neither  is  there  anything 
small  about  the  expenses.  For  instance,  taxes 
paid  into  the  difi'erent  towns  where  stores  are 
located  run  at  least  ,$35,000  annually,  not  in- 
cluding the  corporation  and  other  taxes.  An- 
nual rent  bills  alone  amount  to  more  than  a 


half  million ;  and  three  million  dollars '  worth 
of  fire  insurance  is  carried  by  the  company. 

In  1912  the  J.  G.  McCrory  Company  was 
incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  State  of 
Delaware,  and  the  business  was  turned  over 
to  same  by  Mr.  McCrory.  The  following  of- 
ficers are  now  in  control:  J.  G.  McCrory, 
president;  J.  H.  McCullough,  first  vice  presi- 
dent; B.  L.  Horner,  second  vice  president; 
F.  D.  Jolly,  third  vice  president  and  treas- 
urer; P.  A.  Prior,  secretary;  W.  M.  Cleaver, 
comptroller.  The  board  of  directors  consists 
of  J.  G.  McCrory,  B.  E.  McSheehy,  W.  W. 
JIcLellan,  B.  L.  Horner,  W.  M.  Cleaver,  E.  E. 
Holmes  and  W.'  J.  Maloney,  with  J.  G.  Mc- 
Crory, B.  E.  McSheehy  and  W.  W.  McLellan 
as  members  of  the  executive  committee.  Most 
of  the  men  in  whom  the  administration  of  the 
business  rests  have,  like  the  founder,  devoted 
the  better  part  of  their  lives  to  its  advance- 
ment, and  have  long  been  associated  with 
him.  Each  is  a  specialist  in  his  own  line. 
The  concern  has  now  an  authorized  capital  of 
$10,000,000,  common  stock  $7,000,000,  pre- 
ferred stock  $3,000,000,  practically  all  of  the 
common  stock  being  owned  by  jMr.  McCrory. 
The  fact  that  he  is  willing  to  keep  the  princi- 
pal part  of  his  own  investments  in  the  busi- 
ness is  the  best  evidence  of  his  faith  in  its 
stability  and  prospects  of  continued  earning 
power. 

The  ]\IcCrory  headquarters  for  some  years 
was  at  DuBois,  Pa.,  but  when  the  stores  were 
about  fourteen  in  number  ofiSces  were  opened 
at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  and  when  about  forty  in 
number,  trips  to  the  cities  were  so  frequent 
that  it  became  necessary  to  move  the  offices  to 
New  York. 

About  three  thousand  people  are  now  on 
the  company's  pay  roll,  and  more  than  a  hun- 
dred in  the  general  offices  and  purchasing  de- 
partment, which  is  situated  at  No.  621  Broad- 
way, New  York  City.  Mr.  JlcCrory  has  al- 
ways been  liberal  in  his  treatment  of  em- 
ployees, and  the  relations  between  them  have 
been  cordial. 

Mr.  McCrory  has  also  been  very  active  in 
real  estate  and  it  is  a  question  if  the  natural 
increased  value  on  real  estate,  together  with 
rents  collected  from  same  (up  to  within  the 
last  few  years")  was  not  equal  to  the  profit 
from  stores.  Early  he  discovered  the  close  re- 
lation existing  between  inside  (or  best)  real 
estate  and  the  up-to-date  retail  store  and  came 
to  know  that  in  order  to  locate  retail  stores 
and  make  each  a  sure  success,  meant  to  ac- 
quire a  correct  knowledge  of  city  real  estate 
and   actual   value   of  same.      The   vast  fields 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA  835 

to  be  covered  gave  unlimited  opportunity  for    Lawrence  Co.,  Pa.     Two  children  have  been 

thorough  knowledge  which  was  not  overlooked,    born  to  this  marriage,  Lois  Jean  and  Eunice 

but  comparisons  of  location,  value  and  prices    Marjorie. 

for  best  spots  in  various  towns  of  the  States  vir  rr 

was  continualb'  going  on,  and  manv  fine  prop-     _,  ^yLLIAM  HARVEY  GEORGE,  a  well-to- 

erties  in  thrifty,  rapid  growing  towns  were  ^'^  if™^^'  °\  Armstrong  township,   Indiana 

purchased  outright  instead  of  being  closed  on  ?°o^f^'  '^'^,  ^'^^  ^V  u*  township  April  2, 

a  rental  basis.    Establishing  his  owh  store  al-  l^ll'T^'i^ZZ   if        p'°'^''  '""f  ^'  '' 

T    ,,    J.        ^-         £        .                J      1  ^  gi eat-graudson  ot  James  George,  who  was 

ways  made  that  portion  of  rentsure  and  col-  tJie  first  of  this  family  to  come  to  America, 

lections  easy     At  the  time  of  mcoiToratmg,  j^^^es  George  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and 

twenty-odd,  but  not  all,  of  these  city  prop-  „-as  only  a  small  boy  when  he  worked  his  way 

erties  were  turned  over  to  the  company.  over  the  ocean,  on  a  sailing  vessel,  landing  in 

Coal  and  timber  lands  have  also  had  their  the  new  world  with  just  one  shilling  in  his 

attractions,  in  some  cases  appealing  to  Mr.  Mc-  pocket.     Being  entirely  without  friends    he 

Crory  so  that  heavy  investments  have  been  was  soon  obliged  to  part  with  that,  spending 

made.     One  of  the  Florida  purchases  is  es-  his  last  penny  for  a  crust  of  bread  and  a  tin 

pecially  interesting.     Some  years  ago  ninety-  of  buttermilk,  but  he  soon  found  work,  and 

eight  thousand  acres  of  pine  and  cypress  tim-  before  long  had  succeeded  in  saving  enough 

her  lands  located  in  Orange  and  Osceola  coun-  money  to  bring  him  over  the  Allegheny  moun- 

ties,    Fla.,   were   jointly   purchased   by    him  tarns  into  western  Pennsylvania.    He  stopped 

and  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  J.  H.  McCulloui?h,  ^^ar    New    Alexandria,    on    the    Loyalhanna 

embracing  a  continuous  tract  six  miles  wide  feek  m  ^\  estmorelaud  county,  where  he  ob- 

by  more  than  twenty-seven  miles  in  length.  !wLr^  "^         .^lioPPi^g    timber    and 

L^r,  twenty  thousand  acres  were  put  under  ^:-l^;:^fZ^^  ^Z!  ^^ 

fence,  now  being  used  as  a  cattle  ranch.    The  ^p  300  acres  of  land  for  himself  near  Snod- 

timber  stall  remains  m  its  virgin  or  original  g^ggs's  Mills,  where  he  builf  a  stone  house, 

state.  using  the  small  stones  found  on  the  place. 

The  Florida  East  Coast  Railroad   (known  Working  early  and  late  he  managed  to  clear  a 

as  the  Henry  M.  Flagler  Road)  has  just  com-  farm  and  make  a  home  for  his  family,  and  he 

pleted  a  new  line  to  Lake  Okeechobee  within  lived  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  labor,  reaching 

the  last  year,  passing  over  this  tract  for  a  a  ripe  old  age.    In  religion  he  was  a  Presby- 

distance  of  twenty  miles,  locating  three  sta-  terian,  in  politics  a  Democrat.     He  married 

tions  about  six  miles  apart.    Mr.  McCrory  and  Maiy  McClure,  of  Westmoreland  county,  and 

Mr.  McCuUough  at  the  same  time  built  a  rail-  they  had  eight  children :    Polly,  who  married 

road  of  their  own,  starting  at  one  of  the  sta-  Robert  Woodward;  Sally,  who  married  Wil- 

tions  mentioned  and  extending  a  distance  of  ^^^  Trimble ;  Martha,  who  married  William 

ten  miles  toward  the  town  of  Orlando  (county  h'^^'^^'^ll'  of  Indiana    proprietor  of  the  old 


seat  of  Orange  county).     It  is  intended  to  ^^GompersHoM";  Eliza,  who  married 

continue  the  road  later  on  to  Orlando.  S°''l''^,f     Westmoreland     county ;     John, 

Mr.  McCrory  has  always  been  interested  in  ^Ltl^TLrfZ':^^.  Ja^rof  TrS: 

churches  and  the  cause  of  religion,  and  he  ^He,  Pa.;  and  William,  who  remained  on  the 

has  been  a  most  liberal  contributor,  not  only  homestead,  caring  for  his  parents 

to  churches  in  the  place  of  his  nativity,  but  in  John  George,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Me- 

many   other   localities.     He   has   also    given  Clure)   George,  was  born  Jan.  30,  1799,  and 

generously  to  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  in  many  lo-  was  a^oung  man  when  he  located  in  Arm- 

ealities.  strong  township,  Indiana  county,  on  a  tract 

On  April  26,  1893,  Mr.  McCrory  married  of  250  acres  where  he  first  erected  a  hewed  log 

Lillie  May  Peters,  daughter  of  Rev.  Cering  house.    He  cleared  the  land  and  continued  to 

and  Hanna   (Ryde)    Peters,  of  DuBois,  Pa.,  make  improvements  until  by  his  industry  and 

and  she  died  April  16,  1902,  leaving  one  son,  thrift  he  had  established  a  good  home,  and 

Van   Clair,  now    (1913)    seventeen  years  of  there  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  as  a  farmer, 

age ;  he  is  attending  school.    On  Dec.  8,  1904,  dying  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.     His  wife' 

Mr.  McCrory  married   (second)    Carrie  May  Mary  (Brown),  daughter"  of  Walter  Brown' 

McGiU,  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Anderson  and  was  born  Dec.  28,  1808,  in  England,  and  came 

Belinda  (Clark)  McGill,  of  New  Wilmington,  to   America  with  her  parents  when   twelve 


836 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


years  old.  She  was  noted  for  her  intelligence 
and  many  sterling  qualities,  and  her  fine  pen- 
manship won  much  admiration.  Mrs.  George 
died  on  the  homestead  at  the  age  of  sixty-one 
years,  and  she  and  her  husband  are  buried 
side  by  side  in  the  Jacksonville  cemetery. 
They  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  In  politics  Mr.  George  was  a  Demo- 
crat. The  following  children  were  bom  to 
this  couple :  Selina,  born  April  4,  1830,  mar- 
ried Leasure  McKean,  of  Janette,  Pa. ;  James 
Walter,  twin  of  Selina,  is  mentioned  below; 
Eveline  Emma,  born  Sept.  5,  1833,  is  the 
widow  of  Elliott  Thompson,  and  resides  in 
Pocahontas,  Iowa ;  Walter  Bates,  born  Oct.  2, 
1835,  is  fully  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this 
work ;  Hannah  Mary,  born  Feb.  5,  1838,  mar- 
ried Ephraim  Davis  and  (second)  a  Mr.  Cun- 
ningham, and  resides  in  Janette,  Pa. ;  Phebe 
Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  24,  1840,  died  March  17, 
1847;  William  Harvey,  born  April  29,  1843, 
died  Dec.  31,  1862 ;  Martha  Ann,  born  June 
3,  1846,  died  Jan.  1,  1863;  John  Alexander, 
born  Feb.  22,  1850,  a  retired  railroad  man,  is 
now  residing  in  Allegheny,  Pennsylvania. 

James  Walter  George,  son  of  John,  was 
born  April  4,  1830,  in  Armstrong  township, 
Indiana  coiinty,  and  there  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools.  He  did  farm 
work  until  his  marriage,  after  which  he 
"cropped"  part  of  his  father's  farm  until  he 
bought  the  place  upon  which  he  settled,  erect- 
ing a  log  house  and  barn  as  his  first  improve- 
ments in  the  way  of  buildings.  Later  he  pur- 
chased the  Alexander  Lucas  farm  of  110  acres, 
and  subsequently  acquired  221  acres  more,  be- 
coming extensively  interested  in  farming, 
which  he  followed  there  the  remainder  of  his 
days.  He  not  only  managed  his  own  affairs 
with  notable  success,  but  was  prominent  in 
all  township  matters,  acting  as  supervisor  of 
roads,  and  school  director,  and  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  Bethel  Presbvterian  Church, 
which  he  served  as  elder  and  member  of  the 
building  committee.  Politically  he  was  a  Re- 
publican. His  death  occurred  Sept.  9,  1906, 
and  he  was  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery. 

Mr.  George  married  Elizabeth  Hamilton, 
who  was  bom  Oct.  28,  1838,  in  Center'  town- 
ship, where  she  gi-ew  up  on  the  farm  now- 
occupied  bv  W.  Bates  Georee,  mentioned  else- 
where in  this  work.  Her  parents  were  Thomas 
and  Ann  (Johnston)  Hamilton.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  George  had  the  following  familv:  Mary- 
Ann,  born  Jan.  28,  1861.  married  William  M. 
George,  a  carpenter,  and  resides  in  Spnne- 
dale.  Pa.:  Nancy  Ella,  bora  June  4.  18R2, 
married  William   Barkley,   deceased;   Sarah 


Emma,  born  Jan.  27,  1864,  lives  at  home; 
Thomas  H.,  born  Oct.  17,  1865,  a  farmer,  mar- 
ried Jennie  Davis;  Martha  Jane,  born  Nov. 
23,  1867,  married  G.  C.  Devinney,  a  farmer  of 
Armstrong  township  ;  William  H.  is  mentioned 
below ;  John  Alexander,  born  April  28,  1870, 
died  in  September,  1870 ;  Lizzie  M.,  born  July 

21,  1872,  is  at  home ;  James  W.,  born  Aug.  10, 
1873,  is  at  home;  Robert  Gill,  born  Aug.  25, 
1875,  is  at  home ;  Harry  Milton,  born  Sept. 

22,  1876,  is  at  home ;  Maggie  Bell,  born  Feb. 
5,  1879,  died  March  7,  1880 ;  Murray  Henry, 
born  May  27,  1883,  is  at  home.  The  mother 
of  this  family  continues  to  reside  at  the  home- 
stead with  her  children,  who  are  caring  for 
her  tenderly  in  her  declining  years. 

William  Harvey  George  grew  to  manhood 
in  Armstrong  township,  where  he  attended 
public  school.  In  his  early  manhood  he  did 
fami  work  for  others,  being  in  the  employ  of 
G.  H.  Cribbs,  in  Blacklick  township,  one  year, 
and  afterward  with  N.  S.  Rankin  in  Center 
township  until  Feb.  16,  1893,  when  he  bought 
a  tract  of  forty-five  acres,  part  of  the  Barkley 
tract,  known  as  the  William  Barkley  farm,  in 
Armstrong  township,  to  which  he  removed, 
residing  there  until  1905.  In  that  year  he 
settled  upon  the  Michael  Lowman  farm  of  140 
acres  in  Armstrong  township,  which  he  pur- 
chased, and  here  he  has  since  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. Mr.  George  has  made  numerous  improve- 
ments on  his  place,  adding  steadily  to  its 
value  during  his  ownership.  Like  his  father 
he  has  been  active  in  public  affaii-s  and  church 
work,  having  been  school  director  of  the  town- 
ship for  the  last  five  years,  and  being  a  mem- 
ber and  trustee  of  Bethel  Presbyterian  Church. 
In  political  sentiment  he  is  a  Progressive  Re- 
publican. 

On  Feb.  16,  1893,  Mr.  George  was  married 
to  Mary  Schurr,  who  was  born  Aug.  26,  1864, 
daughter  of  John  Frederick  and  Christina 
(Walker)  Schurr.  and  they  have  four  chil- 
dren, born  as  follows:  Lizzie  C,  Dec.  22, 
1893;  James  Walter,  Nov.  27,  1895:  Harry 
Lawrence,  Oct.  13,  1897;  and  Annie  May, 
Aug.  19,  1900. 

ELBIE  E.  CREPS  was  born  on  a  farm  in 
Rayne  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  Feb.  20, 
1886,  and  is  the  son  of  J.  A.  and  IMinnie  A. 
Creps,  nee  Ray,  the  daughter  of  Robert  Ray, 
of  Rayne  township.  Jacob  Creps.  the  grand- 
father of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
prominent  in  the  affairs  of  Indiana  county 
during  his  lifetime,  having  held  the  office  of 
sheriff  of  the  county,  was  a  member  for  two 
terms  of  the  Legislature  of  the   State,  and 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


837 


having  served  with  distinction  in  the  Civil 
war  as  captain  of  Company  A,  61st  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers,  besides  being  connected 
with  many  business  enterprises  in  the  county. 
He  died  in  1891,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  yeai-s. 
His  son,  J.  A.  Creps,  father  of  Elbie  E.  Creps, 
died  April  8,  1913,  aged  fifty  years,  while  in 
the  auditor  general's  department  of  the  State, 
with  which  he  had  been  connected  for  a  period 
of  eight  years.  His  widow,  Minnie  A.  Creps, 
and  these  children  survive  him:  Mrs.  James 
Manners,  Elbie  E.,  Howard  D.  and  Florence 
Creps. 

The  sub.iect  of  this  sketch  received  his  early 
education  in  the  old  "Creps  school"  in  Rayne 
township,  and  upon  removing  to  Indiana,  Pa., 
with  his  family,  entered  the  high  school,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1901.  He  completed 
the  course  at  the  Indiana  State  normal  school 
in  1904,  and  later  attended  Pennsylvania 
College,  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  for  two  years. 
He  was  for  two  years  a  student  in  the  law 
department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania 
at  Philadelphia,  and  in  October,  1912,  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  Supreme  court. 
He  is  now  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  at 
Indiana,  Pa.,  being  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Langham,  Elkin  &  Creps. 

REV.  HARRY  WHITE  MAGUIRE,  pas- 
tor of  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Cookport, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Young  town- 
ship, this  county,  Feb.  26,  1873,  son  of  Elliott 
and  Sarah   (White)  Maguire. 

William  Maguire,  his  paternal  grandfather, 
was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Indiana 
county,  a  pioneer  school  teacher  and  subse- 
quently a  farmer. 

Elliott  Maguire,  son  of  William,  and  father 
of  Rev.  Harry  W.  Maguire,  was  born  in  Green 
township,  Indiana  county,  and  during  his 
early  years  followed  the  business  of  tanning. 
Eventually  he  took  up  a  farm  and  located 
at  Eldersridge,  in  Young  township,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  during 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring 
in  March,  1901.  He  was  a  personal  friend  of 
Judge  Harry  White,  after  whom  his  son  Rev. 
Harry  White  Maguire  was  named.  Mr. 
Maguire  married  Sarah  White,  and  she  died 
in  1889,  the  mother  of  seven  sons  and  four 
daughters,  the  eldest  o:^  the  family  being 
Joseph,  a  resident  of  Apollo,  Pa.,  where  he  is 
chief  of  police;  the  others  were:  Scott,  Jamea 
and  John,  who  are  deceased;  David,  a  resi- 
dent of  Salina,  Westmoreland  county;  Mat- 
thew, a  resident  of  Loxley,  Ala. ;  Rev.  Harry 
White ;  Mary,  wife  of  Benjamin  Shearer,  and 


now  deceased ;  Harriet,  who  first  married  Wil- 
liam Caldwell  (deceased)  and  is  now  the  wife 
of  J.  W.  Starry,  a  resident  of  Jeannette,  Pa. ; 
Sarali,  the  wife  of  David  Watt,  of  Windber, 
Pa.,  and  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Rev.  J.  W. 
Shafi'er,  of  Homer  City,  Pennsylvania. 

Henry  White,  the  maternal  grandfather 
of  Rev.  Harry  W.  Maguire,  was  of  English 
descent,  and  was  born  in  Indiana  county,  a 
member  of  a  pioneer  family  of  this  section 
who  settled  on  the  present  site  of  Saltsburg, 
in  Blacklick  township,  where  Mr.  White  was 
engaged  in  farming  all  his  life. 

Harry  W.  Maguire  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Eldersridge,  in  Young  town- 
ship, and  at  Eldersridge  Academy,  and  as  a 
young  man  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits. Subsequently  removing  to  Pittsburg, 
Mr.  I\Iaguire  was  there  associated  with  the 
Bell  Telephone  Company  for  fifteen  years, 
meantime  also  engaging  in  missionary  work 
in  that  city.  In  this  way  he  became  interested 
in  ministerial  work,  and  eventually  he  be- 
came a  student  at  the  Susquehanna  Uni- 
versity and  prepared  for  the  ministry.  His 
first  charge  was  the  Lutheran  Church  at 
Yatesboro,  in  Armstrong  county,  but  after 
two  years  there,  in  1910,  he  came  to  Cook- 
port  as  supply  pastor,  a  position  which  he 
has  since  filled  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
his  congregation.  He  belongs  to  Shinley  Park 
Lodge,  "No.  1036,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  of  which  he  is 
a  past  grand ;  is  a  past  chief  patron  of  the  I. 
0.  O.  F.,  at  Pittsburg;  and  belongs  to  Pitts- 
burg Commandery,  Knights  of  Malta. 

JAMES  CHAPMAN,  who  for  many  years 
has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in 
North  Mahoning  township,  was  born  Sept.  15, 
1839,  in  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  son  of 
James  and  Mary  (Rogers)  Chapman. 

James  Chapman,  the  father,  was  bom  in 
County  Monaghan,  Ireland,  there  grew  to 
manhood,  and  married  Mary  Rogers,  of 
County  Tyrone.  He  was  engaged  in  farming 
in  his"  native  laud  until  1849.  in  which  year 
he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  locating 
first  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed by  Zugg,  Lindsay  &  Company  until 
18a6.  In  that  year  he  went  to  Porter  town- 
ship, Jefferson  county,  where  he  secured 
seventy  acres  of  land,  and  this  he  continued 
to  cultivate  until  his  retirement,  in  1895, 
after  which  he  made  his  home  with  his  son 
James  until  his  death,  in  1899,  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  ninety  years.  His  wife  passed 
away  in  April,  1898,  when  eighty-eight  years 
of  age.     They  were  members  of  the  Fourth 


838 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Pittsburg. 
Ten  children  were  born  to  them,  as  follows : 
Eliza,  who  died  in  1850 ;  Margaret,  who  mar- 
ried David  Elkin,  of  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship, both  now  deceased ;  John,  twin  of  James, 
who  served  in  Company  I.  78th  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  1862; 
James;  Robert  and  William,  who  both  died 
of  cholera  while  at  sea  on  the  family's  journey 
to  this  country;  Mary,  who  died  in  infancy; 
Henry,  who  served  in  Company  F,  9th  Penn- 
sylvania Reserves,  during  the  Civil  war.  and 
was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Antietam.  Sept. 
17,  1862;  Sarah,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife 
of  Andrew  Fleming;  and  Ellen,  who  died  in 
infancy. 

James  Chapman  was  ten  years  of  age  when 
he  accompanied  his  parents  to  the  United 
States,  and  while  residing  in  Pittsburg  was 
employed  as  a  nail  cutter  by  the  firm  of ' 
Graff,  Bennett  &  Company.  In  1869  he  came 
to  West  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  purchased  a  farm,  but  five  yeara 
later  sold  it  and  purchased  the  Hoover  place, 
in  North  Mahoning  township,  a  tract  of  100 
acres  on  which  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
In  1884  he  erected  a  modern  house,  and  in 
1905  built  the  large  substantial  barn,  in  addi- 
tion to  which  he  has  made  numerous  other 
improvements.  His  land  is  well  cultivated 
and  he  is  justly  considered  one  of  the  leading 
agriculturists  of  his  township. 

On  Jan.  12,  1865,  Mr.  Chapman  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Sarah  Elkin,  of  County 
Tyrone,  Ireland,  daughter  of  William  and 
Martha  (Beattie)  Elkin.  of  that  county. 
Mrs.  Elkin  died  in  Ireland,  and  her  husband 
subsequently  came  to  the  United  States  and 
located  in  the  Loop,  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship. By  his  first  marriage  ilr.  Elkin  had 
ten  children,  namely:  Francis,  father  of 
Judge  John  P.  Elkin,  a  sketch  of  whom  ap- 
pears elsewhere  in  this  work;  Eliza,  who 
married  John  Bond  and  (second)  Benjamin 
Barrett,  and  both  are  deceased;  William,  liv- 
ing in  West  Mahoning  township ;  James,  also 
a  resident  of  that  township ;  Henry,  who  died 
in  August,  1912,  in  Pittsburg;  Annie,  who 
married  Spencer  Barrett,  of  Wendell,  Idaho ; 
John,  who  died  in  infancy;  Sarah,  who  mar- 
ried Mr.  Chapman;  John  (2),  who  died  in 
infancy;  and  Mary,  who  is  deceased.  Mr. 
Elkin 's  second  marriage  was  to  Jane  Rippey, 
of  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  who  died  in  1892, 
and  he  followed  her  to  the  grave  in  May,- 
1896.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren,  as   follows:      David,   who   is   living  on 


the  homestead  place:  flattie,  the  widow  of 
Thomas  Ralston,  of  Brockwayville,  Pa. ;  and 
John,  living  on  a  part  of  the  old  place. 

The  children  born  to  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Chap- 
man were  as  follows;  (1)  John,  M.  D..  edu- 
cated in  the  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  Louisville, 
Ky.,  schools,  has  practiced  medicine  at  Fly, 
Ohio,  Shirley,  W.  Va.,  and  Jacksonburg,  W. 
Va.,  at  which  latter  place  he  is  known  as  a 
leading  physician  and  surgeon.  He  married 
Rosie  Underwood,  and  has  two  children,  Anna 
and  Walter.  (2)  William  died  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  years,  eleven  months.  (3)  James 
F.,  a  graduate  of  the  normal  school,  class  of 
1896,  was  for  sixteen  years  a  teacher,  and  is 
now  county  superintendent  of  schools  of 
Indiana  county  and  a  resident  of  Indiana 
borough.  He  married  Bessie  Cunningham, 
and  has  one  child,  Harriet.  (4)  Ellen  ^M.  was 
formerly  a  teacher  until  her  marriage  to 
Joseph  H.  Wingert,  of  Caneadea,  N.  Y.,  by 
whom  she  has  one  son,  Wallace.  (5)  Joseph, 
a  farmer  of  Caneadea,  married  Grace  Burr, 
and  has  three  children,  Lawrence,  Averell 
and  Zelda.  (6)  Anna  resides  with  her  par- 
ents. (7)  Wallace  C,  living  at  Indiana.  Pa., 
graduated  from  the  Indiana  State  Normal 
school  in  1899,  taught  school  four  years,  at- 
tended Dickinson  Law  School,  at  Carlisle,  Pa., 
and  was  admitted  to  the  Indiana  county  liar 
in  1905.  He  married  Lottie  Smith,  and  has 
two  children,  Martha  and  Charlotte.  (8) 
David,  W'ho  is  assisting  his  father  in  the  work 
of  the  home  farm,  was  married  Dec.  30,  1908, 
to  Ella  Blose,  of  Perry  township,  Jefferson 
county,  daughter  of  Addison  Blose,  and  has 
one  son,  Arthur  C,  born  jMarch  22,  1910. 

Mr.  Chapman  has  been  residing  on  his 
present  property'  since  1874,  and  during  that 
long  period  has  gained  and  maintained  a 
reputation  for  the  strictest  integrity.  A  man 
of  high  principles,  with  profound  respect  for 
the  value  of  hard  work,  he  has  conducted 
himself  in  such  a  manner  as  to  gain  the  good 
will  and  friendship  of  a  wide  circle  of  ac-  ^ 
quaintances.  He  has  lived  a  clean,  upright 
life,  and  in  spite  of  his  seventy-three  years  is 
in  full  possession  of  his  faculties  and  attends 
to  his  business  matters  in  the  same  able  man- 
ner that  brought  him  success  in  his  younger 
days.  In  political  matters  he  is  a  Republican, 
and  his  fellow  citizens  have  honored  him  with 
election  to  public  office,  he  having  rendered 
his  community  valued  services  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board  of  his  township.  With  his 
family  he  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran 
Church,   and   has  manv   friends  in   the   con- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA  839 

gregation    of    that    faith    at    Trade     City,    of  Dr.   William  A.   Simpson,   residence  and 
Pennsylvania-.  office  of  Judge  Elkin,  residence  of  Dr.  M.  M. 

Davis,  residence  of  J.  M.  Stewart,  residence 
ELSWORTH  M.  LOCKARD,  who  does  the  of  M.  C.  Watson,  the  Lutheran  church  (de 
most  extensive  business  in  his  line,  contract-  signed  and  remodeled),  J.  W.  Clements'  resi 
ing  and  building,  in  Indiana,  is  a  native  of  deuce  (designed),  residences  of  R.  E.  Young, 
Indiana  county,  born  in  1862  in  Cheri-yhill  William  C.  McGregor,  Edwai-d  Rowe,  W.  P 
township.  His  grandfather,  Robert  Lockard,  Wettling,  J.  C.  Wallace,  A.  S.  Wallace,  J.  L, 
was  born  in  Indiana  county,  of  Scotch  par-  Getty,  Harry  McCreary,  S.  J.  St.  Clair,  A, 
entage,  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  died  W.  Mabon,  Dr.  J.  M.  Torrence,  J.  E.  Powell, 
in  1869.    He  married  Naomi  Bagley.  J.  G.  Fleming,  J.  P.,  T.  E.  A.  Dugan,  Charles 

Hiram  R.  Lockard,  father  of  Elsworth  M.  A.  Gessler,  R.  E.  Forester,  and  the  Y.  M.  C 
Lockard,  was  a  lumberman  during  the  greater  A.  building,  which  latter  was  started  April 
part  of  his  life.  He  mai-ried  Susan  Mock,  20,  1912 ;  Mr.  Lockard  is  not  only  the  designer 
daughter  of  Peter  Mock,  who  was  born  in  and  builder  of  this  structure,  but  was  also 
Bedford  county,  Pa.,  and  followed  sawmilling  one  of  the  four  largest  contributors  toward 
and  lumbering  for  many  j^ears.  Mrs.  Susan  its  erection.  This  list  will  give  a  general 
(Mock)  Lockard  was  also  a  descendant  of  the  idea  of  the  wide  patronage  which  he  enjoys 
Carrolltons  of  CarroUton.  She  died  Nov.  13,  and  the  extensive  business  he  has  acquired. 
1889,  and  Mr.  Lockard  died  Aug.  31,  1909.  it  is  almost  needless  to  say  that  his  reputa- 
They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children:  tion  has  been  established  upon  a  foundation 
Lincoln  M. ;  Elsworth  M. ;  Alma  M.,  wife  of  of  honorable  work  and  reliable  dealing  which 
S.  A.  McCoy ;  Dr.  Wilmer  G. ;  A.  Kate,  wife  of  has  never  been  called  into  question  in  any  of 
■  John  I.  Bueher;  Clara  G.,  widow  of  Andrew  his  transactions.  His  high  character  would 
S.  Lockard ;  Ralph  W. ;  Robert  S.,  and  Madge  give  him  prestige  in  any  community.  He 
E.,  wife  of  E.  A.  AVeller.  has  always  been  specially  interested  in  the 

Elsworth  M.  Lockard  attended  public  school  question  of  public  education,  and  has  served 
in  Indiana  county  and  later  continued  his  as  school  director  of  Indiana  borough  for  over 
studies  under  a  private  tutor.  Then  he  en-  fifteen  years,  serving  for  eight  consecutive 
tered  Coleman's  business  college,  at  Newark,  years  of  that  time  as  president  of  the  board; 
N.  J.,  and  on  May  7,  1879,  began  his  appren-  at  present  he  is  secretary  of  the  county  board 
ticeship  to  the  carpenter's  trade  under  John  of  school  directors.  His  work  has  been  pub- 
E.  Miller,  with  whom  he  remained  for  a  lie-spirited  and  effective,  and  is  highly  appre- 
period  of  eight  years.  He  then  engaged  in  ciated  by  his  fellow  citizens, 
business  for  himself,  at  Cookport,  Indiana  On  July  23,  1885,  Mr.  Lockard  was  mar- 
county,  where  he  remained  about  one  year,  pied  to  Nancy  Elizabeth  Daugherty,  daughter 
During  the  winter  of  1886-87  he  taught  of  Evert  Daugherty,  who  was  a  soldier  during 
school.  On  March  27,  1887,  he  located  at  the  Civil  war,  serving  nearly  four  years,  dur- 
Indiana,  where  he  has  since  had  his  home,  ing  part  of  which  time  he  was  in  the  7th 
After  working  one  year  for  Klingensmith  &  Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lock- 
Hastings,  during  which  time  he  was  foreman  ^rd  have  three  children :  ilary,  who  is  a 
on  the  construction  of  the  new^  jail  of  Indiana  public  school  teacher  at  Johnstown,  Pa. ; 
county,  he  began  contracting  on  his  own  ac-  Margaret,  also  a  teacher,  at  Franklin,  Cam- 
count,  in  the  spring  of  1889.  In  the  twenty  hria  county,  near  Johnstown;  and  Donald  W. 
four  years  which  have  elapsed  since  he  has  The  family  are  Presbyterians, 
put  up  more  buildings,  and  done  more  gen- 
eral business  in  the  line  of  contracting  and  DAVID  WALKER  RARAIGH,  farmer  of 
building,  than  any  other  man  in  the  town  of  South  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county, 
Indiana.  Among  the  many  structures  upon  ^nd  director  and  vice  president  of  the  Plum- 
which  he  has  been  engaged,  either  as  builder  yille  National  Bank,  was  born  on  the  home- 
or  remodeler  and  designer,  we  mention  the  stead  farm  of  his  family,  near  the  Armstrong 
First  National  bank,  the  Deposit  bank,  the  county  line,  June  15,  1868. 
Farmers'  bank,  the  Citizens'  National  bank,  The  Raraigh  family  is  of  German  extrac- 
the  Episcopal  church  and  parsonage,  the  tion,  but  the  founder  in  America  is  not  def- 
Leonard  Hall  of  the  State  normal  school  initely  known.  In  1803  John  Raraigh,  great- 
group,  the  Thomas  Sutton  Hall  (known  as  the  grandfather  of  D.  Walker  Raraigh,  moved 
"dining  hall"),  the  Silas  M.  Clark  Hall  from  Bedford  county,  Pa.,  with  his  wife  and 
(known  as  the  boys' dormitory),  the  residence    their  children  John,  Jacob,  George,  William 


840 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


aud  Samuel,  Catherine,  Polly  and  Susie. 
They  settled  at  Rossmoyne,  Indiana  county, 
in  the  Mahoning  district,  which  at  that  time 
was  a  wilderness.  In  after  years  they  moved 
to  Cowanshannoek  township,  Armstrong  Co., 
Pa.,  near  Slate  Hill,  where  they  died,  and 
they  were  buried  in  the  German  Baptist 
Church  cemetery  near  that  place. 

Samuel  Raraigh,  son  of  John,  was  born  in 
1801  in  Bedford  county,  Pa.,  moving  with 
his  parents  to  Indiana  county  in  1803.  About 
1830  he  made  a  home  for  himself  in  the 
woods,  securing  110  acres  on  the  Armstrong 
county  line,  in  South  Mahoning  township. 
He  was  fond  of  the  forest  and  the  haunts  of 
large  game,  and  was  very  successful  in  hunt- 
ing the  same,  killing  a  bear  when  he  was  but 
twelve  years  of  age.  He  devoted  his  life  to 
farming,  and  under  his  fostering  care  his 
property  was  greatly  improved,  so  that  when 
he  died,  in  1877,  aged  seventy-six  years,  it  was 
very  much  more  valuable  than  when  he  se- 
cured it.  He  married  Nancy  Hollowell,  of 
East  Mahoning  township,  who  lived  to  the 
age  of  ninety-one  years.  Samuel  Raraigh 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  German 
Baptist  Church  of  Cowanshannoek  township, 
in  whose  cemetery  their  remains  were  buried. 
Their  children  were:  Rachel  married  John 
Wells,  of  South  Mahoning  township,  and  died 
at  the  age  of  fifty-seven;  Nancy  died  at  the 
age  of  eighty-three  years;  Mary  married  Wil- 
liam Wells,  and  died  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
nine;  Samuel  married  Hannah  Mikesell,  and 
died  in  Brushvalley  township,  aged  sixty- 
nine  years;  Jacob  married  Barbara  Stauffer, 
and  died  at  Smicksburg,  aged  eighty-one 
years ;  Lydia  married  David  Ruffner,  of 
South  Mahoning  township,  and  died  at  the 
age  of  seventy-four;  Daniel  is  mentioned  be- 
low ;  Sarah  Ami  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen ; 
Joseph  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-five; 
Ephraim  died  in  childhood. 

Daniel  Raraigh,  son  of  Samuel  Raraigh, 
was  born  June  1,  1836,  and  was  reared  on  the 
home  farm,  attending  the  local  school  when 
opportunity  offered.  He  cared  for  his  par- 
ents in  their  declining  years,  and  bought  the 
homestead,  on  which  he  made  many  improve- 
ments, including  a  residence  which  he  built  in 
1887,  and  barns  in  1894.  He  also  added  to 
the  value  of  the  property  in  other  ways  and 
was  an  excellent  farmer.  Later  he  bought  the 
Tratz  farm  of  seventy-two  acres  in  Cowan- 
shannoek township,  Armstrong  county,  oper- 
ating this  in  conjunction  with  his  own  home- 
stead. He  not  only  farmed  upon  an  extensive 
scale  but  also  carried  on  stock  raising,  special- 


izing in  the  latter  line,  and  continued  in  active 
business  until  within  a  few  years  of  his  death, 
when  he  retired,  dying  March  22,  1912,  on 
the  farm  on  which  he  was  born,  in  his  seventy- 
sixth  year.  His  remains  were  buried  in  the 
cemetery  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  South 
Mahoning  township.  He  was  a  faithful  mem- 
ber of  that  church,  which  he  served  as  trustee 
for  many  years.  A  Republican  in  politics, 
he  served  his  township  ofBcially,  and  his 
count.y  as  juror.  He  was  a  good  citizen,  and 
kind  and  affectionate  in  his  family  relations. 

Daniel  Raraigh  married  Sarah  F.  Byrley, 
wlio  was  born  in  Fayette  county.  Pa.,  daugh- 
ter of  David  Bryley,  and  died  Sept.  11,  1902, 
aged  sixty- four  years;  she  lies  in  the  Baptist 
Church  cemetery  in  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship. She  joined  that  church  in  girlhood  and 
was  a  consistent  member  of  it  for  half  a 
century.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raraigh  had  children 
as  follows:  Joseph  died  in  childhood;  Ma- 
lissa  married  Ross  Moore,  of  Cowanshannoek 
township,  Armstrong  county;  Amanda  mar- 
ried E.  T.  Neigh,  and  resides  in  Cowanshan- 
noek township,  Armstrong  county;  David 
Walker  is  mentioned  below;  Dillie  married 
Clark  Davis,  of  Washington  township ;  Idella 
married  A.  H.  Bowser,  of  West  Mahoning 
township,  and  died  March  4,  1901,  aged 
twenty-eight  years. 

David  Walker  Raraigh  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  his  home  neighborhood  and  in  the 
Plumville  normal  school,  then  conducted  by 
D.  H.  Tomb.  He  is  an  intelligent,  well- 
informed  man,  and  his  enterprise  and  busi- 
ness ability,  combined  with  industrious  appli- 
cation to  his  undertakings,  have  brought  him 
prosperity.  From  childhood  he  lived  with  his 
parents,  caring  for  them  as  they  grew  old. 
He  has  always  been  a  farmer,  and  in  addition 
to  the  homestead  in  South  IMahoning  town- 
ship, and  the  seventy-two  acres  in  Cowan- 
shannoek township,  Armstrong  county,  he 
owns  the  Byrley  farm  of  sixty-five  acres  and 
two  other  tracts  in  South  Mahoning  township, 
and  a  tract  of  land  in  Plumville  on  which  he 
has  erected  several  dwelling  houses.  His 
holdings  aggi-egate  300  acres,  and  he  is  one 
of  the  heaviest  land  owners  of  his  township. 
Mr.  Raraigh  devotes  his  land  to  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising,  making  a  specialty  of 
raising  blooded  horses  and  .other  good  stock, 
his  product  being  noted  the  country  over. 
Mr.  Raraigh  takes  a  deep  interest  in  the  up- 
building and  development  of  his  locality,  and 
is  a  man  of  public  spirit  and  integrity.  He 
is  interested  in  otlier  than  agi-ieultural  mat- 
ters, having  for  the  last  eighteen  years  been 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNT.Y,  PENNSYLVANIA 


841 


agent  for  fire  insurance  companies,  both  home 
and  foreign.  Among  other  institutions  with 
which  he  has  been  connected  is  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Plumville,  which  he  helped 
to  organize,  and  which  he  has  served  faith- 
fully as  director  and  vice  president  for  six 
years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  and  stock- 
holder in  the  Johnston-Beyer  Hardware  Com- 
pany of  Rural  Valley  and  Wallopburg,  and  a 
member  of  the  Dayton  Agriculture  and  Me- 
chanical Association.  In  political  sentiment 
he  is  a  sound  Republican.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  election  board  for  several 
years,  served  his  township  as  auditor  for 
fifteen  years,  and  has  served  on  the  petit  jury 
at  Indiana  upon  more  than  one  occasion. 

On  Oct.  21,  1897,  Mr.  Raraigh  was  mar- 
ried, at  Chambersville,  to  Annie  B.  Cummins, 
daughter  of  John  D.  and  Margaret  (Hears) 
Cummins,  and  a  descendant  of  one  of  the 
oldest  families  in  Indiana  county,  a  full  his- 
tory of  whom  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
She  died  April  28,  1911,  aged  thirty-eight 
years,  a  devoted  wife  and  mother  and  a 
worthy  Christian  woman,  faithful  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church.  She  was  laid  to 
rest  in  the  little  cemetery  .connected  with 
that  church  in  South  Mahoning  township, 
where  lie  the  remains  of  so  many  of  her  hus- 
band's family.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raraigh  be- 
came the  parents  of  three  children:  Dufi!  C, 
born  July  23,  1899 ;  D.  Myron,  born  Aug.  2, 
1900 ;  and  Davis  Walker,  born  Sept.  4,  1906. 

Mr.  Raraigh  is  a  member  of  the  Mahoning 
Baptist  Church,  which  organization  he  has 
served  as  trustee  and  also  as  deacon.  A  man 
of  high  principle,  devoted  to  his  home  and 
community,  he  represents  the  highest  type 
of  citizen,  and  is  welcomed  wherever  he  goes. 

JOSEPH  MOORHEAD,  head  of  the  firm 
of  Joseph  Moorhead  &  Son,  printers  and  pub- 
lishers of  Blairsville,  Indiana  county,  has 
been  one  of  the  leaders  of  public  opinion  in 
that  community  for  a  quarter  of  a  century. 
His  long-continued  connection  with  the  Blairs- 
ville Enterprise,  as  editQr  and  proprietor,  has 
kept  him  in  touch  with  the  people  and  inter- 
ests of  this  section,  and  his  readiness  to  de- 
fend the  right  and  defeat  the  wrong  has  made 
his  influence  a  factor  to  be  reckoned  with. 
So  well  has  he  used  his  power  that  he  has 
thoroughly  gained  the  confidence  of  his  fel- 
low citizens,  and  he  has  never  abused  their 
trust. 

Mr.  Moorhead  »is  a  native  of  Indiana 
county,  born  Aug.  16,  1829,  in  Burrell  town- 
ship, where  the  family  has  been  settled  since 


1812.  In  both  paternal  and  maternal  lines 
he  is  of  North  of  Ireland  ancestry,  and  of 
Revolutionary  stock  through  his  grandmother, 
Agnes  (Craig),  whose  father  lost  his  life  in 
the  war  for  independence.  Samuel  Moor- 
head, his  grandfather,  was  born  in  Cumber- 
land county.  Pa.,  in  1769.  He  became  a  tan- 
ner, and  as  there  was  no  tannery  in  the 
northern  part  of  Westmoreland  county  when 
he  moved  there  he  established  a  highly  pros- 
perous business,  which  he  continued  to  carry 
on  for  many  years.  He  became  very  wealthy 
for  his  day,  acquiring  the  ownership  of  eight 
or  ten  farms.  His  death  occurred  in  1853, 
when  he  was  eighty-four  years  old. 

Hon.  Samuel  Moorhead,  son  of  Samuel  and 
Agnes  (Craig)  IMoorhead,  was  the  father  of 
Joseph  Moorhead.  He  was  born  in  DeiTy 
township,  Westmoreland  county,  married, 
and  came  in  1812  to  Indiana  county,  where  he 
spent  practically  all  the  rest  of  his  life  en- 
gaged in  farming.  However,  he  was  a  man 
of  active  disposition  and  intelligence,  and  had 
other  interests.  He  built  the  dam  below 
Blairsville  on  the  old  Pennsylvania  canal. 
He  was  appointed  associate  .iudge  of  the 
courts  of  Indiana  county  in  1830,  by  Gov- 
ernor Wolf,  and  served  as  such  very  credit- 
ably for  a  period  of  six  years,  his  keen  per- 
ceptions and  remarkably  good  judgment  mak- 
ing him  a  valuable  man  in  that  position.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  in  religion  a 
Presbyterian.  On  March  13,  1812,  he  married 
Martha  Bell,  who  was  born  March  24,  1793, 
daughter  of  John  Bell,  who  removed  from 
Cumberland  county  to  Westmoreland  county 
in  early  life.  Mrs.  Moorhead  also  belonged 
to  the  Presbyterian  Church.  To  this  union 
were  born  nine  children :  Agnes,  Elizabeth, 
Samuel,  Rebecca,  John,  Joseph,  Myrtilla, 
Wallace  and  Alexander.  The  eldest  son 
helped  to  capture  the  city  of  Mexico  under 
General  Scott,  and  of  the  five  sons  four,  in- 
cluding him,  were  in  the  Union  army  during 
the  Civil  war. 

Joseph  Moorhead  grew  to  manhood  on  his 
father's  farm,  and  obtained  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  locality.  His  early 
life  was  devoted  to  agricultural  work,  in 
which  he  was  engaged  until  he  entered  the 
Union  army,  in  July,  1863,  as  a  member  of 
Company  A,  101st  P.  V.  I.  He  served  until 
April,  1865,  when  he  was  honorably  dis- 
charged at  Camp  Reynolds,  in  Allegheny 
county,  and  returning  home  he  resumed 
charge  of  his  farm  in  Burrell  township. 
Farming  continued  to  be  his  chief  interest 
unti]  1886,  in  which  year  he  removed  to  the 


842 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


borough  of  Blairsville,  and  took  charge  of 
the  Enterprise  as  editor  and  proprietor. 
The  paper  had  been  established  in  1880,  and 
was  an  eight-column  quarto,  which  under  Mr. 
Moorhead's  direction  soon  acquired  a  high 
reputation  as  a  weU-conducted  sheet.  Its 
news  columns  are  devoted  chiefly  to  local 
affairs,  important  county  and  borough  hap- 
penings, church  and  social  items,  and  well- 
selected  general  reading  matter.  'Sir.  Moor- 
head  has  pursued  a  clean,  independent  policy 
which  has  won  him  the  respect  and  admira- 
tion of  all  his  fellow  citizens  in  Blairsville, 
and  which  has  directly  and  indirectly  helped 
to  raise  moral  standards  in  this  locality  very 
materially.  Though  able  and  willing,  when 
necessary,  to  state  his  own  position  or  objec- 
tion to  other  tactics  with  vigor  and  force,  he 
has  never  resorted  to  vituperation  or  un- 
worthy methods  to  accomplish  any  good  end 
toward  which  he  may  be  working,  and  the 
skill  he  has  shown  in  quiet  but  persistent 
opposition  to  wrong-doing  has  met  with  much 
success  and  made  him  many  friends  among 
the  best  element.  Politically  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  on  July  24,  1890.  under  the  Har- 
rison administration,  was  appointed  post- 
master at  Blairsville  for  a  term  of  four  years. 
Socially  he  belongs  to  Findley  Patch  Post, 
No.  137,  G.  A.  R.,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  which  he  has  served 
as  elder  for  fifty-two  years. 

In  1852  IMr.  Moorhead  married  Rebecca 
Armel,  who  was  bom  June  2,  1834,  in  West- 
moreland county,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mar- 
garet (Sease)  Armel,  of  Burrell  township. 
She  died  in  April,  1870,  leaving  three  chil- 
dren :  Richard  E.,  George  R.  and  Jessie  Mil- 
dred. In  1871  Mr.  Moorhead  married  (sec- 
ond) Rebecca  Hosack.  who  was  born  in  West- 
moreland county  in  1843,  daughter  of  Mr. 
and  Jlrs.  Alexander  Hosack,  of  Westmore- 
land. Thev  have  had  six  children,  namelv : 
John  W.,  RIyrtilla  B.,  Alice  C,  Mary,  Harry 
S.  and  Joseph  P. 

WILLIAM  PENN  OBERLIN,  deceased, 
who  for  upward  of  twenty  years  was  a  well- 
known  business  man  of  Rochester  Mills,  Pa., 
was  born  Nov.  14,  1836,  in  the  city  of  Pitts- 
burg, Pa.,  son  of  Christopher  and  Cathai-ine 
(Kubach)  Oberlin. 

Christopher  Oberlin,  the  father  of  William 
Penn  Oberlin.  was  born  near  the  Rhine,  in 
leaden,  Germany,  in  1701.  and  there  grew 
to  manhood  and  learned  the  trade  of  weavei'. 
He  was  married  in  the  Fatherland  to  Cath- 
arine Kubach,  and  with   Ihcir  threi'  children 


they  left  their  native  country  as  early  as  1833 
and  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  a  sailing  vessel. 
On  arriving  in  this  country  they  came  to 
Lancaster,  Pa.,  where  they  remained  a  short 
time,  ^Ir.  Oberlin  following  the  trade  of  stock- 
ing weaving,  and  then  crossed  the  Allegheny 
mountains  and  located  in  the  city  of  Pitts- 
burg, where  the  father  continued  the  same 
business  and  also  opened  a  store  for  the  sale 
of  his  product.  The  familj'  home  was  located 
on  Penn  street,  and  there  the  mother  died  in 
1840.  at  the  age  of  thirtj'-eight  j-ears,  her 
death  being  caused  by  homesickness,  as  she 
had  always  longed  to  return  to  her  native 
country.  She  was  the  mother  of  four  children, 
namely :  Lewis  F.,  deceased,  who  was  an  Ohio 
river  captain  and  married  Christina  Shelby; 
Charles,  born  in  1824,  a  shoemaker  of  West 
Mahoning  township,  who  married  in  1846 
Catharine  Grossman,  and  died  at  the  home  of 
his  son  in  Puuxsutawney ;  Samuel,  who  died 
while  the  family  was  coming  to  this  country 
and  was  buried  at  sea;  and  William  Penn. 
Christopher  Oberlin  was  married  ■  (second) 
at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  to  Mary  Eschelman,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  two  children :  Su- 
sannah C,  who  married  Henry  Beecher,  both 
dying  at  Belle  Center,  Ohio ;  and  Nancy,  ^ 
who  married  T.  S.  Neal,  ex-sherift'  of  Indiana 
county,  and  a  resident  of  North  Mahoning 
township.  Christopher  Oberlin  died  in  1859, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years,  and  was  buried 
in  the  Allegheny  cemetery.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  German  Evangelical  Church. 

William  Penn  Oberlin.  son  of  Christopher 
Oberlin,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Pittsburg,  and  was  still  a  small  lad  when  he 
lost  his  mother.  He  learned  the  trade  of  shoe- 
maker with  his  brother  Charles,  at  Smicks- 
burg,  where  he  worked  at  same  and  subse- 
ciuently  opened  a  shop  of  his  own,  being  thus 
engaged  at  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  war.  On  Aug.  27,  1862.  he  enlisted  in 
Company  E,  148th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infautiy,  Capt.  John  Sutton,  Col.  James  A. 
Beaver,  of  Center  county,  and  this  company 
was  mustered  into  the  service  Sept.  2.  1862. 
^Ir.  Oberlin  continuing  to  serve  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  Among  the  numei-ous  engage- 
ments in  which  he  participated  may  be  men- 
tioned the  following:  Chancellorsville,  ^lay 
3,  1863;  Haymarket,  July  25.  1863;  Gettys- 
burg, July  2  and  3,  1863.  where  he  contracted 
bowel  trouble  from  the  impure  drinking 
water,  and  was  confined  to  the  hospital  for 
several  months.  He  rejoined  his  regiment 
in  lime  to  participate  in  the  battle  of  tlie 
Wilderness.    May    4-7,    1S64:    Spottsylvania. 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


843 


May  9-14,  1864;  Cold  Harbor,  June  3,  1864; 
Petersburg,  June  15-30,  1864;  Deep  Bottom, 
July  27,  1864;  Ream's  Station,  Aug.  24,  1864; 
second  Deep  Bottom,  Aug.  14-20,  1864 ;  charge 
on  works  at  Petereburg,  Oct.  27,  1864 ;  Hatch- 
er's  Run;  Adams  Rim;  Sutherland  Station, 
and  numerous  minor  engagements.  He  was 
at  the  evacuation  of  Richmond,  and  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  Confederates  and  was  taken 
to  Libby,  but  was  subsequently  released  and 
rejoined  his  regiment.  At  the  battle  of  Get- 
tysburg he  received  a  slight  wound  in  the 
knee. 

On  receiving  his  honorable  discharge,  after 
a  service  that  was  characterized  by  bravery 
and  devotion  to  duty,  Mr.  Oberlin  resumed 
his  trade,  locating  in  the  western  part  of  West 
Mahoning  township,  near  the  Armstrong 
county  line.  There  he  settled  on  a  farm  that 
is  now  the  property  of  John  ShafEer,  and  con- 
tinued his  trade  and  farmed  until  1873,  when 
he  was  aiipointed  manager  of  the  shoe  de- 
partment of  the  Dayton  Soldiers'  Orphans' 
Home,  a  position  which  he  held  for  three 
years.  He  then  spent  one  year  as  male  at- 
tendant in  the  same  institution.  His  brother 
Charles  later  held  the  position  of  superin- 
tendent of  the  shoe  department  there.  In 
1877  Mr.  Oberlin  resigned  his  position  and  lo- 
cated in  Smicksburg,  where  he  took  up  the 
manufacture  of  shoes,  with  several  men  in 
his  employ.  In  1879  he  came  to  Richmond 
(Rochester  Mills)  and  here  embarked  in  a 
mercantile  business  with  James  Adams,  in 
the  center  of  the  town,  under  the  firm  style 
of  Adams  &  Oberlin,  this  partnership  contin- 
uing until  1885,  when  Mr.  Oberlin  moved  to 
the  eastern  part  of  the  valley,  or  near  the 
banks  of  the  Little  Mahoning.  There  he 
erected  a  store,  26  by  65  feet,  two  stories  in 
height,  where  he  entered  business  with  his 
sous  as  partners,  under  the  firm  name  of  W. 
P.  Oberlin  &  Sons,  and  continued  active  in 
same  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred suddenly,  Aug.  21,  1897,  from  the  ef- 
fects of  disease  he  had  contracted  iu  the  array. 
He  was  buried  in  Pine  Grove  cemetery.  Mr. 
Obei-lin  was  a  member  of  Frank  W.  Brown 
Post,  No.  266,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
at  Richmond.  In  political  matters  he  was  a 
Republican,  and  his  religious  belief  was  that 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  in  which  he 
was  class  leader  and  Sunday  school  teacher 
and  superintendent.  A  well-read  man,  he 
was  domestic  in  his  tastes  and  devoted  to  his 
family,  and  among  his  business  associates  had 
■a  reputation  for  the  strictest  integrity. 

Mr.  Oberlin  was  married  iu  "West  Mahoning 


township,  March  14,  1860,  to  Anna  M. 
Stauffer,  who  was  born  in  that  township, 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Susanna  (Beyer) 
Stauifer.  Mrs.  Oberlin 's  family  came  from 
Huntingdon  county,  and  were  early  settlers 
of  Indiana  county.  She  is  still  living,  active 
and  in  full  possession  of  her  faculties,  and 
makes  her  home  in  Richmond.  Four  children 
were  born  to  IMr.  and  Mrs.  Oberlin,  namely: 
Ella  M.,  Ida  C,  Harry  Walter  and  Curtis  A. 

Ella  M.  Oberlin,  daughter  of  William 
Penn  Oberlin,  was  bom  Feb.  22,  1861,  and  is 
the  widow  of  James  H.  Elkin.  She  resides 
in  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  is  the  mother  of  Linus 
J.  and  Curtis  Elkin,  both  graduates  of  the 
State  normal  school,  Indiana. 

Ida  C.  Oberlin,  daughter  of  William 
Penn  Oberlin,  was  born  Sept.  3,  1862,  and 
married  Linus  M.  Lewis,  of  Canoe  township, 
Indiana  county,  a  farmer.  They  have  two 
children,  Ruelba  M.  and  William  Edward. 

Harry  Walter  Oberlin,  son  of  William 
Penn  Oberlin,  was  born  in  West  IMahon- 
ing  township,  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  June 
22,  1865,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Dayton,  Smicksburg  and 
Grant  township,  and  at  Dayton  academy,  un- 
der Hugh  McCandless.  He  taught  school  for 
one  term  in  Grant  township,  but  when  his 
father  embarked  in  business  on  his  own  ac- 
count he  and  his  brother  Curtis  A.  became 
clerks,  and  in  1890  were  admitted  to  partner- 
ship, under  the  firm  style  of  W.  P.  Oberlin 
&  Sons.  When  their  father  died  the  brothers 
formed  a  partnership  under  the  style  of 
Oberlin  Brothers,  an  association  which  has 
continued  to  the  present  time.  In  1907  they 
erected  one  of  the  finest  stores  in  Indiana 
county  north  of  Indiana,  a  three-story  struc- 
ture, 30x90  feet,  where  they  are  conducting 
a  very  successful  business.  Both  are  thorough 
business  men,  of  pleasing  personality,  good 
judgment  and  inherent  business  acumen,  and 
have  inherited  their  father's  love  for  integ- 
rity and  honest  dealing.  Harry  W.  Oberlin 
is  a  Republican,  although  he  has  never  been 
an  office  seeker,  and  his  religious  belief  is  that 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  in  which  he 
has  served  as  class  leader,  trustee  and  in  other 
capacities.  Besides  his  mercantile  business, 
he  and  his  wife  are  largely  interested  in  real 
estate,  coal  lands  and  timber  tracts,  in  East 
Mahoning,  Grant  and  White  townships,  and 
Mr.  Oberlin  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Indiana 
Savings  and  Trust  Company. 

In  August,  1896,  Mr.  Oberlin  was  married 
to  Luella  M.  Leasure.  who  was  born  July  3, 
1868,    daughter    of    Daniel    Leasure.      Mrs. 


844 


PIISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Obeiiin  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  is  widely  known  in  religious 
work  and  social  circles.  Six  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oberlin,  namely: 
Evelyn,  a  student  in  the  State  normal  school, 
Indiana ;  David  William  and  Martha,  who  re- 
side at  home  with  their  parents ;  Louise,  who 
met  her  death  by  drowning  when  three  and 
a  half  j'ears  old;  Ruth,  who  died  when  she 
was  two  years  old;  and  Mildred,  who  died  in 
infancy.  Mr.  Oberlin  is  a  charter  member  of 
Robert  Doty  Camp,  Sons  of  Veterans,  at  Rich- 
mond. 

Curtis  A. .  Oberlin,  son  of  William  Penn 
Oberlin,  was  born  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  Pa.,  May  30,  1867. 
He  received  his  educational  training  in  the 
public  schools  of  Dayton,  Pa.,  and  West  Ma- 
honing and  Grant  townships,  and  worked  at 
home  until  entering  his  father's  store  as  a 
clerk,  in  1890.  There  he  received  the  train- 
ing that  has  made  him  so  successful  as  a  busi- 
ness man,  and  like  his  brother  he  is  thorough- 
ly conversant  with  every  detail  of  their  en- 
terprise. Like  him,  also,  he  has  gained  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  the  people  of  his  com- 
munity, and  the  confidence  of  the  customers 
of  the  establishment,  through  his  thoroughly 
business-like  dealings  and  the  honorable  man- 
ner in  which  he  lives  up  to  the  letter  of  his 
contracts.  He  has  also  invested  his  money  in 
various  other  enterprises,  and  is  the  owner  of 
timber  tracts,  coal  land  and  other  real  estate, 
a  stockholder  in  the  Marion  Center  National 
Bank,  and  the  owner  of  the  well-known  Wid- 
dowson  hotel  property  in  Richmond.  Essen- 
tially a  business  man,  he  has  devoted  his  en- 
tire attention  to  his  private  affairs  and  has 
not  cared  to  enter  the  public  arena  as  a  seeker 
for  preferment,  although  he  supports  the 
principles  and  candidates  of  the  Republican 
party.  His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Gold- 
en Rule,  and  his  social  connection  with  Robert 
Doty  Camp,  Sons  of  Veterans,  of  which  he 
is  a  charter  member. 

In  1907  Mr.  Oberlin  was  married  to  JIaria 
R.  Moore,  who  was  bom  in  East  Mahoning 
township,  daughter  of  William  Moore.  They 
have  one  child,  Ralph  C. 

ROWLAND.  The  Rowland  family  of 
southern  Indiana  county  is  well  represented 
there  at  the  present  time,  and  its  members 
have  not  only  been  substantial  citizens  who 
contributed  to  the  material  prosperity  of  the 
section  but  zealous  church  workers,  associated 
with  the  Baptist  denomination.  Some  of  its 
members  have  entered  the  ministry  of  that 


church.  Rev.  Elias  Rowland,  a  retired  minis- 
ter, now  residing  at  Mechanicsburg,  and  Rev. 
Martin  Luther  Rowland,  also  retired  and  liv- 
ing in  South  Mahoning  township,  having  done 
notable  work  in  their  day. 

The  family  is  of  Welsh  origin.  William 
Rowland,  the  fii-st  of  the  line  in  America,  was 
a  native  of  Wales,  came  to  this  country  with 
his  wife  Elizabeth  Ellis,  and  settled'  near 
Ebensburg,  Pa.  His  son,  Griffith  Rowland, 
bom  in  Wales  about  1771,  married  Jane  Jones, 
daughter  of  William  Jones,  and  both  the  Jones 
and  Rowland  families  came  to  America  about 
1795,  settling  first  near  Ebensburg,  Pa.  The 
Rowlands  continued  to  make  their  home  in 
Cambria  county,  locating  about  1800  in  Cone- 
maugh  township,  where  Mr.  Rowland  became 
a  land  owner  and  followed  farming.  Settling 
in  the  wilderness,  he  hewed  out  a  home  for 
himself  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  dying  in  1847,  aged  seventy-six  years; 
he  is  buried  in  Bethel  Church  cemetery,  near 
Ebensburg.  His  wife  also  died  on  the  farm, 
and  is  buried  in  the  same  cemetery.  Their 
children  were :  William  ;  ilaria,  who  married 
John  Crumb  and  (second)  Joseph  Craig; 
Isaac,  who  married  Elizabeth  Keller;  Jacob; 
Griffith  J.,  who  married  Mary  Mikesell  and 
(second)  Margaret  Jordan,  and  died  in  1871; 
John,  who  man-ied  Jane  Conrad,  and  lived 
in  Brushvalley  township ;  and  Eliza,  who  mar- 
ried Enoch  Reese. 

William  Rowland,  son  of  Griffith,  was  born 
Oct.  3,  1801,  in  what  was  then  Conemaugh 
(later  Blacklick)  township,  Cambria  county, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  became  en- 
gaged in  fanning,  at  first  on  the  homestead. 
Settling  on  a  farm  in  Blacklick  township, 
Cambria  county,  among  the  first  settlers  of 
that  section,  he  remained  there  about  six 
years,  following  farming,  and  made  extensive 
improvements  on  his  place.  Later,  in  1838, 
he  removed  to  South  Mahoning  township,  In- 
diana county,  buying  a  tract  of  112  acres 
from  Mr.  Stannard  which  was  all  woods  at 
the  time.  He  built  a  log  house,  hewing  the 
logs  himself,  put  up  a  stable  and  set  to  work 
to  clear  his  property,  making  extensive  im- 
provements on  the  farm,  where  he  spent  the 
rest  of  his  days,  dying  there  Aug.  8,  1883. 
On  April  12,  1832,  he  married  Clarissa  Run- 
del,  who  was  born  May  26,  1809,  daughter  of 
Gilbert  and  Amy  (Nichols)  Ruudel,  of  Gen- 
esee county,  N.  Y.,  and  died  on  the  farm  Aug. 
5,  1897,  aged  eighty-eight  years,  two  months, 
ten  days.  Her  son  AVilliam  S.  Rowland  cared 
for  her  in  her^declining  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Rowland  were  membei-s  of  the  Baptist  Church, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


845 


and  wei-e  buried  in  the  Baptist  Church  ceme- 
tery in  Mahoning  township.  In  politics  he 
was  a  Whig  and  Republican.  Thirteen  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  pioneer  couple :  Elias, 
born  Feb.  16,  1833,  is  mentioned  below;  Wil- 
liam S.,  born  July  25,  1834,  is  mentioned  be- 
low; John  G.,  born  Jan.  16,  1836,  married 
Tabitha  Milliron;  Isaac,  born  Aug.  28,  1837, 
married  Susan  Neville  and  (second)  Mary 
French,  and  he  died  in  the  State  of  Washing- 
ton; Jacob,  born  March  28,  1839,  married 
Romina  Curry  and  settled  in  Jefferson  City, 
Mo.,  where  he  died;  Emma  Jane,  born  July 
17,  1841,  died  young;  Annie  Maria  (de- 
ceased), born  Jan.  30,  1843,  married  Isaac 
Wisinger,  of  Cambria  county.  Pa. ;  Elizabeth, 
born  Dee.  5,  1844,  married  Thomas  Mitchell; 
Mary  E.,  born  July  12,  1846,  is  the  widow  of 
John  Davis,  who  was  a  farmer  and  merchant 
of  Nanty  Glo,  Pa. ;  Mahala,  born  March  23, 
1849,  died  in  infancy;  Rev.  Martin  Luther, 
born  Jan.  16,  1848,  is  mentioned  below; 
Amanda,  born  Nov.  4,  1851,  married  Thomas 
Jones,  and  resides  at  Seattle,  Wash. ;  Sarah 
Rebecca,  born  June  3,  1854,  married  Coleman 
Miller,  and  resides  at  Toledo,  Ohio.  The  eld- 
est five  sons  of  this  family,  Elias,  William  S., 
John  G.,  Isaac  and  Jacob,  were  soldiers  in 
the  Civil  war,  and  John  G.  died  of  starvation 
in  Salisbury  prison,  where  he  was  confined 
for  six  months. 

Rev.  Elias  Rowland,  the  grand  old  man 
of  Mechanicsburg,  a  retired  minister  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  though  in  his  eighty-first 
year  is  still  active  in  mind  and  body,  and  after 
years  of  fruitful  labor  in  the  Lord's  vineyard 
can  look  back  in  his  declining  years  with  pleas- 
ure and  pride  to  the  good  work  that  he  has 
accomplished.  His  life  has  not  been  lived  in 
vain. 

Mr.  Rowland  was  born  in  Blacklick  town- 
ship, Cambria  county,  spent  his  boyhood  days 
on  the  farm  and  attended  the  local  school,  but 
most  of  his  education  he  gained  by  reading 
and  observation,  becoming  a  well-read  man. 
He  continued  on  the  farm  until  1852,  when 
he  found  employment  in  the  Cambria  Iron 
Works,  at  Johnstown,  working  there  some 
time.  Then  he  turned  his  attention  to  farm- 
ing, which  he  followed  for  eight  years.  Wish- 
ing to  follow  a  professional  life  he  took  up 
the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  R.  Morris 
and  was  preparing  to  attend  medical  lectures 
when  he  enlisted,  June  13,  1863,  in  Company 
A,  Battalion  of  Emergency  Men,  serving  un- 
til Lee  was  driven  across  the  Potomac.  He 
was  discharged  Aug.  8,  1863.  On  March  31, 
1864,  he  again  enlisted,  becoming  a  member 


of  Company  K,  187th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  which  was  attached  to  the  5th  Army 
Corps,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Cold 
Harbor,  Petersburg,  second  engagement  on 
the  Weldon  railroad,  and  Fort  White.  He 
was  discharged  at  Harrisburg  Aug.  3,  1865. 
Returning  home  he  again  took  up  farming, 
in  Cambria  county,  where  he  also  served  as 
justice  of  the  peace  for  nearly  thirty  years. 
Meantime  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  study 
of  theology,  and  in  1892  he  was  licensed  to 
preach.  In  1896  he  was  ordained  a  minister 
of  the  gospel,  and  began  to  preach  at  Bethel 
Baptist  Church,  in  Cambria  county,  where 
he  continued  until  the  early  part  of  the  pres- 
ent centurj^  at  that  time  coming  to  Mechanics- 
burg. There  he  has  made  his  home  ever  since, 
and  he  preached  here  for  several  years.  He  is 
now  retired,  but  still  active  mentally  and 
physically,  and  preaches  occasionally.  While 
justice  of  the  peace  he  had  the  remarkable 
record  of  having  all  his  judgments  sustained 
by  the  courts.  At  Mechanicsburg  he  has 
served  as  member  of  the  borough  council, 
and  for  the  last  four  years  he  has  served  as 
burgess  of  the  borough.  He  is  a  man  of  genial 
personality,  and  strong  character.  Mr.  Row- 
land is  a  firm  believer  in  temperance. 

On  Nov.  28,  1854,  Mr.  Rowland  married 
Isabelle  Wilson  Simson,  daughter  of  Levi 
Simson,  and  she  died  June  23,  1911,  after  a 
married  life  of  nearly  fifty-seven  years.  She 
was  a  good  Christian  woman,  a  devoted  wife 
and  mother,  a  loving  helpmate,  and  a  sweet 
influence  for  good  in  her  home  and  in  the 
community.  She  was  her  husband's  sympa- 
thetic associate  in  his  Christian  work,  and 
much  of  his  pleasure  in  its  performance  was 
due  to  her  kindly  co-operation.  She  is  buried 
at  Bethel,  Cambria  county,  Pa.  Children  as 
follows  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rowland: 
John  Luther,  born  Jan.  29,  1856,  died  Oct. 
14,  1869.  James  E.,  born  June  9,  1858,  died 
Dec.  28,  1903,  married  Alice  Keller  and  left 
a  family  of  one  son  and  five  daughters,  all 
living.  Isaac  E.,  born  June  14,  1861,  died 
Sept.  14,  1865.  Alvah  H.,  born  April  30, 
1866,  died  Aug.  27,  1907,  married  Rosy  J. 
Michaels  and  left  a  family  of  two  sons  and 
three  daughters,  three  of  whom  are  deceased. 
Austin  E.,  born  May  21,  1869,  died  April  5, 
1874.  Harvey  Chalmers,  born  July  23,  1873, 
was  educated  in  the  Cambria  county  public 
schools  and  taught  school  for  some  time.  He  is 
now  engaged  in  the  jewelry  business,  and  also 
as  an  electric  mechanic.  A  young  man  of  in- 
ventive mind  and  a  genius  in  his  line,  he  is 
making  a  success  of  his  work  and  is  a  much 


846 


HISTOKY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


respected  citizen.  He  lived  at  liome  until  his 
marriage,  June  26,  1913,  to  Alice  C.  ShafiCer, 
daughter  of  the  late  John  Shaffer,  of  Brush- 
valley,  Pa.,  the  marriage  ceremony  being  per- 
foi-med  by  the  Rev.  Elias  Rowland,  assisted 
by  Rev.  P.  0.  Wagner. 

Rev.  Mr.  Rowland  is  a  Republican,  and  for 
some  twenty-five  years  or  more  served  on  the 
board  of  school  directors,  much  of  the  time 
acting  as  secretary  of  that  body.  He  has 
taken  an  active  interest  in  all  matters  of  a 
literary  or  educational  nature.  Socially  he 
is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

William  S.  Rowland,  a  well-known  and 
successful  farmer,  of  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  was  born  July  25,  1834, 
in  what  is  now  Blacklick  (then  Cambria) 
township,  Cambria  county,  and  was  quite 
young  when  the  family  moved  to  Indiana 
county.  When  he  was  about  seven  years  old 
he  went  to  live  with  his  uncle  and  aunt,  IMr. 
and  Mrs.  Enoch  Reese,  in  Blacklick  township, 
Cambria  county,  where  he  continued  to  make 
his  home  for  five  years,  attending  school  there. 
Returning  to  the  parental  home  he  remained 
but  a  short  time,  going  from  there  to  Brush- 
valley  township,  Inditoa  county,  to  live  with 
his  uncle  John  Rowland,  near  Meehanicsburg, 
spending  a  period  of  eight  years  there.  Dur- 
ing that  time  he  also  had  opportunity  to  at- 
tend school.  After  his  return  home  he  became 
a  student  at  the  Dayton  academy,  aud  then 
taught  school  for  one  term  in  West  ^Mahoning 
township,  Indiana  county.  He  went  back 
home  again,  and  was  engaged  in  farming  un- 
til 1864,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  B.  Tth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  in  which  command  his 
brother  Jacob  was  also  a  private ;  it  was  un- 
der command  of  Colonel  McCormack  and  was 
attached  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 
Mr.  Rowland  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  being  discharged  at  Nashville  in  1865, 
and  coming  home  he  settled  down  to  farming 
on  the  homestead,  buying  the  property  from 
his  parents,  for  whom  he  cared  during  their 
remaining  days.  He  made  extensive  improve- 
ments on  the'  fann,  putting  up  a  new  house, 
barn  and  other  buildings,  and  continued  to 
reside  there  foi-  the  next  forty  years,  follow- 
ing farming  and  stock  raising.  In  1904  he 
sold  the  farm  and  bought  the  smaller  tract 
on  the  Smicksburg  and  Plumville  road  which 
he  now  occupies,  this  being  fifty-two  acres 
formerly  known  as  the  Bracken  farm.  He 
has  remodeled  tlie  house  and  made  other  im- 
provements, the  appearance  of  his  home  and 
surroundings  denoting  the  thrift  character- 
istic  of  the   owner.     Though  he  has  never 


sought  ofBce,  preferring  to  devote  his  time  to 
his  own  affairs,  ^Ir.  Rowland  has  served  as 
supervisor  of  his  township,  and  he  was  also 
school  director  for  one  term,  when  the  first 
Davis  school  was  built.  In  politics  he  was 
formerly  a  Republican  but  now  associated 
with  the  Prohibition  party,  being  a  strong  ad- 
vocate of  temperance  and  a  stanch  supporter 
of  the  cause.  For  some  years  Mr.  Rowland 
was  an  active  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at 
Plumville. 

In  1861  Mr.  Rowland  was  married  to  Mary 
Jane  Lukehart,  who  was  born  in  1837,  in  In- 
diana county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Lena  (Davis)  Lukehart,  and  died  Oct.  25, 
1884,  the  mother  of  seven  children,  namely: 
Emer}'*  Prescott,  who  makes  his  home  uear 
Jeft'erson  City,  Mo. ;  John  Davis,  a  meat  deal- 
er of  ilarion  Center.  Pa. ;  Elvena  Bertha, 
wife  of  Jesse  E.  McDevitt  and  residing  in 
Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  Ira  Curtin,  a  carpenter 
and  builder,  of  Pittsburg;  Homer,  who  died 
young;  Allura  Estelle,  who  died  young;  and 
Clara,  who  married  John  Lydick  and  died  in 
North  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  couutv,  in 
1912.  In  1888  Mr.  Rowland  married  (second) 
Lydia  Agnes  Lukehart,  sister  of  his  first  wife, 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  three  chil- 
dren: Mayme  Tessie,  who  married  George 
Nolf  and  resides  in  Apollo,  Pa. ;  Olive  Leuora, 
who  is  a  dressmaker  at  home ;  and  William 
Clair,  at  home.  Mr.  and  ^Mrs.  Rowland  are 
valued  members  of  the  ^Mahoning  Baptist 
Church,  which  he  has  served  as  deacon,  and 
he  has  also  been  a  faithful  Sunday  school 
worker,  serving  as  teacher  and  superin- 
tendent. 

Rev.  Martin  Luther  Rowland,  youngest 
son  of  William  Rowland,  was  born  Jan.  16, 
1848,  in  South  JMahoning  township,  Indiana 
county,  on  the  old  homestead  now  owned  by 
McKee  Wilson,  and  attended  the  local  schools. 
Remaining  at  home  until  he  was  fourteen 
years  old,  he  then  went  to  Punxsutawney, 
Jeft'erson  county,  where  he  worked  a  short 
time  for  a  Dr.  Wood,  after  which  he  went  to 
Blacklick  township.  Cambria  county,  and  en- 
gaged in  shookmaking  for  four  years.  While 
there  he  became  converted,  under  the  preach- 
ing of  Rev.  J.  W.  Evans,  a  Baptist  minister 
who  preached  at  Bethel  Church,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  him  when  eighteen  years  old.  Mean- 
time returning  home  he  remained  on  the  home- 
stead with  his  father  while  his  five  brothers 
were  serving  their  country  in  the  Civil  war. 
Wishing  to  become  a  minister  of  the  gospel, 
lie  attended  Reed's  Institute  at  Reedsburg, 
Clarion    county.    Pa.,    taking   a   preparatory 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


847 


course,  of  three  years,  and  was  licensed'  to 
preach  in  1870,  delivering  his  first  sermon  in 
the  Williamsburg  schoolhouse,  two  miles  from 
the  institute.  He  was  ordained  Oct.  14,  1874, 
at  the  old  Pine  Creek  Church,  in  the  Clarion 
Association,  by  Rev.  Aaron  Neff,  moderator, 
and  Rev.  W.  S.  Bowser,  clerk  of  the  council, 
with  laying-  on  of  hands  by  seven  other  min- 
isters. For  the  next  five  years  he  was  pastor 
of  the  Pine  Creek  Church,  where  he  built 
the  present  house  of  worship,  during  that 
time  also  preaching  two  years  at  the  Frank- 
lin Union  Church  and  two  years  at  the  Red 
Bank  Church,  of  the  Clarion  Association.  For 
one  year  following  he  was  preacher  at  the 
West  Lebanon  Baptist  Church,  and  from 
there  went  to  the  Fairview  Church  and  the 
Shiloh  Church,  in  the  Indiana  Association, 
preaching  at  the  former  for  six  years  and  at 
the  latter  four  years.  From  there  he  trans- 
ferred to  the  Twolick  Church,  where  he  re- 
mained five  years,  at  the  end  of  that  period 
going  to  the  Baptist  Church  at  Spencerville, 
Allen  county,  Ohio,  in  the  Auglaize  Associa- 
tion, serving  that  one  year  and  the  Mount 
Zion  Church  for  six  months.  He  next  preached 
six  months  at  Ada,  Ohio,  returning  to  Penn- 
sylvania at  the  end  of  that  time  because  of 
the  ill  health  of  his  wife  and  child,  taking 
the  pastorate  of  the  Old  Union  Baptist 
Church,  south  of  Kittanning,  Armstrong 
county,  for  one  year.  That  was  in  the  Clar- 
ion Association.  From  there  he  went  to 
Leechburg,  same  county,  for  two  years,  thence 
back  to  the  Twolick  Church  (where  he  had 
formerly  served  five  years)  for  seven  years, 
during  the  latter  part  of  that  period  also 
serving  as  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Churches  at 
Blairsville  and  East  Mahoning — two  years  at 
each  place.  Then  he  resigned  to  become  pas- 
tor of  the  Sugar  Creek  Church  in  the  Monon- 
gahela  Association,  being  there  one  j'ear  and 
subsequently  at  ilonongahela  Union  four 
years.  While  there  he  organized  the  Baptist 
Church  at  Mount  Morris  and  was  pastor 
of  the  Zora  Church  one  year  in  Monon- 
galia county,  W.  Va.,  and  also  built  an  out 
station.  Resigning  from  that  charge  he  re- 
turned to  the  bounds  of  the  Indiana  Associa- 
tion, where  he  lived  five  years.  Then  he  be- 
came pastor  of  the  Mount  Zion  Church  in 
Butler,  Pa.,  for  three  years,  having  an  as- 
sistant there.  Returning  to  Indiana  county, 
he  has  since  made  his  home  on  a  small  farm 
in  South  Mahoning  township,  east  of  Plum- 
ville.  Since  settling  here  he  has  served  the 
Twolick  Church  for  about  four  j^ears,  and 
has  also  supplied  at  the  West  Mahoning  and 


Crooked  Creek  Churches,  and  Ambrose  Bap- 
tist Church.  Mr.  Rowland  has  been  preaching 
for  about  forty  years  altogether,  and  has  done 
notable  work  in  this  section  for  his  denomina- 
tion. He  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  temperance, 
and  has  taught  its  principles  wherever  and 
whenever  possible.  In  political  sentiment  he 
is  a  Republican. 

OnMay  6,  1874,  Mr.  Rowland  was  married 
to  Nannie  A.  Hull,  daughter  of  James  and 
Nancy  (Bell)  Hull,  and  they  have  had  four 
children:  Emma  Bell,  born  May  4,  1875, 
died  young;  Clara  Ross,  born  April  30,  1877, 
died  when  five  months  old;  Wilda  D.,  born 
Aug.  20,  1879,  graduated  from  the  State  nor- 
mal school  in  1896,  and  taught  nine  terms  of 
school,  four  in  the  borough  of  Kittanning, 
Pa.,  and  married  H.  H.  Claypole  Aug.  7, 
1912;  William  James  Mentor,  born  July  14, 
1881,  is  at  home. 

GEORGE  K.  KLINE,  who  has  one  of  the 
principal  dry  goods  establishments  in  Johns- 
town, Pa.,  is  a  native  son  of  Indiana  county, 
born  Oct.  13,  1863,  in  the  borough  of  Indiana. 
He  is  a  son  of  Wellington  B.  and  Annie  M. 
(Custer)  Kline,  and  a  grandson  of  George 
Kline,  and  his  earlier  ancestors,  who  were  of 
German  and  French  origin,  were  among  the 
early  settlers  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania. 

George  Kline,  the  grandfather,  was  born  in 
Berks  county,  Pa.,  March  12,  1807,  and  died 
Feb.  5,  1876,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years, 
in  Indiana  county.  Pa.  He  was  a  merchant 
and  hotelkeeper  by  occupation. 

Wellington  B.  Kline,  son  of  George,  was 
born  in  Berks  county,  Feb.  4,  1840,  and  from 
1863  lived  at  Indiana,  Pa.,  where  he  was  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  mercantile  house  of 
Marshall  &  Kline,  in  their  day  one  of  the 
largest  dry  goods  concerns  in  that  part  of 
the  State.  The  partnership  continued  until 
Mr.  Marshall's  death,  in  1894,  after  which 
Mr.  Kline  moved  to  Johnstown  and  formed  an 
association  with  his  son  George,  under  the 
name  of  W.  B.  Kline  &  Son.  He  was  one  of 
the  substantial  business  men  of  that  place 
until  his  death,  March  15,  1904. 

George  K.  Kline  obtained  all  his  education 
in  Indiana,  attending  the  public  schools  until 
his  graduation  in  1875 ;  he  then  took  a  course 
in  the  State  normal  school.  In  1878  he  be- 
gan to  clerk  regularly  for  his  father,  remain- 
ing with  the  firm  of  Marshall  &  Kline  until 
1891,  when  he  located  at  Johnstown.  In  1894, 
when  the  firm  of  W.  B.  Kline  &  Son  was 
organized,  he  became  junior  member,  and  since 
his  father's  death  has  carried  on  the 


848 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


alone  as  George  K.  Kline.  His  stock  and  ac- 
commodations have  been  increased  steadily  to 
meet  the  wants  of  the  constantly  enlarging 
trade,  and  the  store  is  up-to-date  in  every 
particular,  ranking  among  the  best  in  that 
section  of  Pennsylvania.  His  line  of  goods  is 
varied  and  complete.  Mr.  Kline  has  been 
notably  successful  in  the  line  of  business  with 
which  his  family  has  been  associated  for  sev- 
eral generations,  and  it  is  only  just  to  say 
that  his  large  trade  has  been  built  up  by  the 
most  honorable  methods,  coupled  with  the  fac- 
ulty of  providing  excellent  service  for  all  who 
patronize  his  store. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Kline  has  various  connec- 
tions and  is  well  known.  He  is  a  Mason,  be- 
longing to  Indiana  Lodge,  No.  313,  P.  &  A. 
M.;  Zerubbabel  Chapter,  No.  162,  R.  A.  M., 
of  Pittsburg;  Commandery  No.  1,  K.  T.,  of 
Pittsburg;  Syria  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S., 
of  Pittsburg.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Johnstown  Royal  Arcanum  and  Johnstown 
Lodge  of  Elks,  No.  175.  His  religious  con- 
nection is  with  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

On  Aug.  5,  1891,  Mr.  Kline  married  Sarah 
Morley,  daughter  of  James  and  Ann  ilorley, 
of  Johnstown.  They  have  one  son,  James 
Morley,  born  May  3,  1892. 

JOHN  BUCHANAN  McCORMICK  was 
born  Nov.  4,  1834,  in  the  little  village  of  Sink- 
ing Valley,  near  Tyrone,  Huntingdon  (now 
Blair)  Co.,  Pa.,  of  Scotch-Irish  parentage, 
descending  from  the  McCormicks  and  Con- 
leys  on  the  paternal  side,  and  the  Buchanans 
and  Bards  in  the  maternal  line.  They  set- 
tled in  Colonial  times  in  Pranklin  and  Cum- 
berland counties.  Pa.,  and  at  Bardstown,  Ken- 
tucky. 

In  March,  1838,  Joseph  A.  McCoi-mick, 
father  of  John  B.  McCormick,  moved  with  his 
family  from  Sinking  Valley  to  Smicksburg, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  on  sleds,  the  growth  of  tim- 
ber being  so  heavy  at  that  time  that  the 
snow  remained  until  late  in  the  season  of 
springtime.  The  lad  was  now  about  three 
years  and  four  months  old.  At  the  age  of 
six,  ba'-efooted  and  bareheaded,  he  followed 
after  the  hounds.  Ranger  and  General  Jack- 
son, from  the  hills  across  the  creek  to  the 
loop  hills  and  back  where  the  deer  would 
generally  take  to  the  water  above  the  village. 
A  tow  shirt  and  tow  trousers  to  cover  his 
nakedness  and  keep  out  the  sun,  with  a  straw 
hat  (which  was  soon  torn  up  in  the  brush), 
made  up  his  summer  costume.  In  the  winter- 
time later  he  carried  a  cowbell  while  trailing 
the  deer  through  the  snow  for  his  highly  es- 


teemed friend.  Dr.  William  N.  Sims,  to  head 
at  well-known  crossings.  The  advantages  for 
education  at  that  time  were  meager  enough. 
His  first  teacher  was  a  Mrs.  McCumber,  wife 
of  a  Baptist  minister.  The  iMcCumbers  came 
from  the  State  of  Connecticut.  The  largest 
room  in  their  house  was  the  schoolroom,  and 
the  seats  were  two  pine  slabs,  brought  from 
Travis's  sawmill,  with. four  legs  to  each,  and 
placed  around  the  wall.  Mrs.  McCumber 
was  an  accomplished  artist  in  water  colors, 
and  her  pupils  received  cards,  decorated  with 
flowers,  or  foxes,  dogs,  cats,  deer,  coons  and 
other  animals  as  rewards  of  merit,  hand- 
painted  and  beautiful,  and  much  appreciated 
by  her  handful  of  "scholars."  This  no  doubt 
accounts,  in  part  at  least,  for  Mr.  McCor- 
mick's  artistic  tastes.  He  picked  up  most 
of  his  knowledge  piecemeal,  while  all  through 
his  life  experience  has  been  his  best  teacher 
About  this  time  his  Grandmother  Buchanan 
who  was  the  daughter  of  Rev.  David  Bard 
visited  them,  and  being  an  artist  in  mezzo 
tints  and  other  lines  she  taught  him  to  out- 
line horses,  cattle,  houses  and  various  other 
objects  with  grains  of  corn  on  the  bottom  of 
wooden  seated  chairs  or  table.  Those  were 
the  little  things  that  started  the  restless  young 
mind  to  work  out  other  matters  later.  He 
went  into  the  shop  to  assist  his  father  at  the 
age  of  eight.  At  that  time  all  the  material  for 
the  making  and  repairing  of  tarpole  wagons 
was  taken  from  the  woods.  "White  oak  was 
used  for  the  tongues,  and  a  tree  that  would 
split  out  eight  pieces  was  selected,  and  placed 
heart  up  to  season.  For  axles  hickory  was 
used,  split  and  seasoned.  February  was  the 
month  for  cutting.  Mr.  McCormick  said: 
"My  father  and  I  used  to  cut  this  timber  when 
I  was  only  able  to  steady  the  crosscut  saw, 
and  our  dinner  would  be  cold  boiled  pork 
and  corn  pone  and  sometimes  bread,  which 
people  now  would  consider  entirely  too  plain. " 
At  the  age  of  ten  he  was  a  fair  workman, 
and  turned  the  material  on  a  tramp  lathe  and 
framed  and  painted  a  little  rockingchair  for 
his  baby  sister.  At  the  same  time  he  turned 
clothespins  from  dry  wild  cherry  to  place  in 
the  bedrooms  of  the  double  porch  house  in 
Smicksburg  built  in  1844,  by  Hezekiah  Christ- 
man.  When  seventeen  years  of  age  he  was 
allowed  to  start  in  with  his  uncle,  David  B. 
Buchanan,  in  an  old-fashioned  cabinet  and 
chair  shop,  where  all  the  work  was  done  by 
hand,  and  he  thoroughly  mastered  the  trade 
in  all  its  details,  from  the  woods  to  the  fin- 
ishing. At  the  same  time  he  cultivated  a  taste 
for  music,  and  the  first  violin  he  played  upon 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


849 


was  made  by  himself.  His  musical  talents 
he  turned  to  advantage.  For  about  five 
months  in  the  year,  for  about  twenty-two 
years,  he  taught  old-fashioned  singing  school 
in  schoolhouses  and  churches  in  Indiana  and 
adjoining  counties,  where  the  name  of  Mc- 
Cormick  became  as  familiar  as  household 
words.  Trudging  from  place  to  place  (and 
he  did  not  wear  an  overcoat),  he  estimates 
that  in  looking  after  his  schools  alone  he 
walked  42,000  miles  in  the  twenty-two  years. 
It  was  in  this  manner,  and  in  house  painting 
and  graining,  he  made  the  money  which  after- 
ward enabled  him  to  develop  and  bring  forth 
his  turbine  wheels. 

In  1873  Mr.  McCormick  went  to  Brookville, 
Pa.,  to  Brown,  Son  &  Co.,  where  the  shops  and 
patterns  were  bui-ned  twice.  After  the  test- 
ing of  the  "Hercules"  turbine  at  Holj'oke, 
McCormick  and  Brown  made  an  agreement 
with  the  Stilwell  &  Bieree  Company,  of  Day- 
ton, Ohio,  which  proved  very  disastrous  for 
them.  Mr.  McCormick  went  into  their  em- 
ploy to  perfect  patterns.  After  six  months 
they  had  received  all  of  the  information  they 
desired,  and  unknown  to  him  took  out  patents 
on  the  so-called  "Victor  Turbine,"  which  em- 
bodied everything  in  the  "Hercules."  Mr. 
McCormick  went  to  Holyoke  in  1877,  and  en- 
gaged with  the  Holyoke  Machine  Company  to 
manufacture  the  ' '  Hercules, ' '  remaining  with 
them  for  about  eleven  years,  putting  eighteen 
sizes,  right  and  left  hand,  above  eighty  per 
cent  useful,  an  efficiency  percentage  which  Mr. 
Emerson  highly  commended.  After  perfect- 
ing the  "Hercules"  there  was  a  misunder- 
standing between  Mr.  McCoi-mick  and  the 
company,  and  he  had  to  sue  them  to  obtain 
his  rights.  Hon.  George  D.  Robinson,  es- 
governor  of  Massachusetts,  was  his  attorney 
and  won  his  suit  against  the  company. 

Mr.  McCormick  then  brought  out  a  turbine 
about  twenty-five  per  cent  stronger  as  to  di- 
ameter than  the  "Hercules,"  entitled  " Mc- 
Cormick's  Holyoke  Turbine,"  which  was  per- 
fected in  all  sizes  at  the  shops  of  J.  &  "W. 
Jolly,  Holyoke,  Mass.  It  was  also  made  by  the 
S.  Morgan  Smith  Company,  York,  Pa.,  and 
the  Dubuque  Turbine  &  Roller  Mill  Com- 
pany, Dubuque,  Iowa.  James  Emerson,  the 
great  tester  of  wheels,  said:  "IMr.  McCor- 
mick as  a  designer  and  perfecter  of  hydraulic 
motors  stands  upon  the  top  rung  of  the  lad- 
der, has  stood  there  for  twenty  years  without 
a  parallel,  not  in  the  United  States  alone,  but 
upon  this  planet. ' ' 

Mr.  McCormick  has  published  two  musical 
works,  viz.:  "School  &  Concert,"  310  pages. 


and  "The  Village  Choir,"  336  pages,  said  to 
be  the  greatest  collections  in  their  class  in  the 
English  language.  Mr.  McCormick  is  unas- 
suming about  what  he  has,  or  has  accom- 
plished, but  he  prizes  a  few  old  paintings 
which  he  executed  many  years  ago,  in  particu- 
lar a  night  view  of  "Donati's  Comet"  as  it  ap- 
peared at  Smicksburg  in  1858,  when  it  was  at 
its  brightest  (size  30  by  28  inches)  ;  "The 
Country  Boj'  on  Sunday  Morning"  (size  10 
by  12  inches)  and  the  beautiful  hills  which 
surround  the  farm  where  he  makes  his  home. 
It  seems  to  be  his  artistic  delight  to  show  and 
describe  the  view  to  strangers. 

Now,  in  his  seventy-ninth  year,  Mr.  Mc- 
Cormick is  working  at  all  kinds  of  farm  labor 
as  though  he  were  compelled  to  do  so  to  keep 
the  wolf  from  the  door.  His  greatest  delight 
seems  to  be  the  improvement  of  his  land  and 
bringing  his  farms  to  the  highest  state  of 
cultivation,  and  to  find  out  for  a  certainty 
what  can  be  produced  per  acre  on  Indiana 
county  soil. 

THOMAS  SHARP  NEAL,  formerly  sheriff 
of  Indiana  county,  has  also  served  in  various 
minor  offices,  and  has  long  been  a  popular  and 
respected  citizen  of  his  section.  He  makes 
his  home  at  Trade  City,  where  he  was  in  the 
mercantile  business  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  has  been  associated  with  the  typical  in- 
dustries of  the  region  throughout  his  active 
career,  and  has  acquired  considerable  land. 
Mr.  Neal  was  born  Sept.  2,  1841,  on  the  old 
Neal  homestead  in  North  Mahoning  township, 
son  of  John  and  Rachel  (Blose)  Neal  and 
grandson  of  William  Neal.  His  great-grand- 
father, William  Neal,  the  first  of  this  branch 
of  the  family  to  settle  in  America,  was  from 
the  north  of  Ireland.  His  wife  was  Mary 
Reynolds.  They  first  located  at  Philadelphia, 
later  in  Franklin  county.  Pa.,  and  eventually 
came  to  Indiana  county,  in  the  seventeen  hun- 
dreds, where  he  obtained  nearly  three  thou- 
sand acres  of  land  west  of  Indiana,  near 
Jacksonville.  He  was  a  surveyor,  and  became 
very  well  known.  His  death  occurred  in  1813, 
when  he  was  seventy-seven  years  old,  and  he 
was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Bethel  Church, 
in  this  county.  We  have  the  following  record 
of  his  children:  (1)  Thomas  lived  on  part 
of  his  father's  old  place  at  Jacksonville,  where 
he  put  up  a  gristmill,  and  later  moved  to  near 
Georgeville,  this  county.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried, first  to  Margaret  Creviston,  by  whom 
he  had  four  children:  William,  who  was 
burned  to  death  at  Phoenix,  Pa. ;  John,  who 
had  a  gristmill  east  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa.; 


850 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  Samuel  and  Thomas,  who  went  West.  To 
his  second  marriage,  with  Catherine  Barn- 
hart,  were  bom  five  children :  Margaret,  who 
married  S.  Hoover  and  (second)  George 
Weaver,  and  lived  in  Perry  township,  Jeffer- 
son county,  Pa.;  Arr,  who  lived  in  Punxsu- 
tawney,  Pa. ;  Ogg,  who  was  killed  by  a  live 
wire  at  Horatio,  Pa. ;  Thomas,  who  was  killed 
by  a  boiler  explosion  in  Homer  City,  Pa. ; 
and  Mary  R.,  who  married  R.  Trusel.  (2) 
John  lived  near  Jacksonville  and  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  sawmilling.  He  mar- 
ried Lydia  Lewis  and  they  had  four  children, 
John,  Hugh,  Rachel  Loman  and  Kissie.  (3) 
Mary  died  unmarried.  (4)  Rosanna  died 
unmarried.  (5)  William  was  the  father  of 
John  Neal. 

William  Neal,  son  of  William  and  Mary 
(Reynolds)  Neal,  was  boi-n  in  Franklin 
county.  Pa.,  on  Caneoguages  creek,  and  had 
little  opportiiuity  to  acquire  an  education. 
He  was  noted  in  his  day  for  his  musical  at- 
tainments. Prior  to  1807  he  settled  on  the 
Big  Mahoning,  where  there  were  only  two 
white  settlers  at  that  time,  and  it  was  he  who 
ran  the  first  raft  down  Big  Mahoning  creek. 
His  home  was  half  a  mile  from  Perrysville, 
where  he  cleared  three  acres  of  what  is  now 
the  Robert  Hamilton  farm.  Later  he  moved 
to  where  Charles  Neal  now  lives,  in  North 
Mahoning  township,  which  place  he  im- 
proved, making  his  home  there  for  a  number 
of  years.  In  1832  he  moved  across  the  creek 
north,  to  where  H.  Neal  now  lives,  and  he 
died  March  17,  1869,  when  nearly  ninety 
years  old,  at  the  home  of  his  son  John,  in  West 
Mahoning  township.  In  the  early  days  he  was 
noted  for  his  skill  and  success  as  a  hunter 
and  trapper,  one  winter  killing  forty  bears. 
He  was  well  known  in  northern  Indiana 
county  and  the  adjoining  territory  in  Jeffer- 
son county.  Ten  children  were  born  to  his 
first  marriage,  with  Mary  Cunningham,  of 
Jacksonville,  Pa.,  viz. :  Abraham  L.,  born 
Dec.  29,  1807,  lived  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship. Elizabeth  (Betsy),  born  Oct.  22.  1809, 
married  Jacob  Young.  Ann,  born  Nov.  22, 
1811,  married  James  JIcHenry,  and  lived  at 
Northpoint,  Pa.  Catherine,  born  April  15, 
1813,  married  James  Neal  and  (second) 
Joseph  Sharp,  and  all  are  now  deceased.  John, 
born  Dec.  -4.  1816,  married  Rachel  Blose,  and 
is  mentioned  below.  Thomas,  born  April  11, 
1818.  lived  in  West  Mahoning  township ;  he 
married  Elizabeth  McClellan  and  (second) 
Nancy  Wingrove.  Mary  R.,  born  Sept.  2, 
1820,  maiTied  Artemus  Purdy  and  lived  in 
Illinois.     Sarah,  born  Sept.  2,  1823,  married 


John  Chambers.  Margaret  (Peggy),  born 
Feb.  18,  1826,  married  Robert  Patterson. 
Hardy  Hill  married  Margaret  Timblin;  he 
lived  in   Porter   township,   Jefferson   county. 

The  second  wife  of  William  Neal  was  Susan 
Neff,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  namely: 
James  C,  a  merchant  of  Perrysville,  Pa., 
married  Catherine  Hadden ;  Winfield  Scott, 
of  Perrysville,  married  Rebecca  Piper ;  Amelia 
(Millie)  married  Joseph  Unkerphire;  Euphe- 
mia  died  unmarried;  Sauford.  who  married 
Lydia  Lewis,  was  a  land  owner,  and  lived  at 
Punxsutawney ;  Sharp  is  mentioned  else- 
where. 

John  Neal,  son  of  William  and  Mary  ( Cun- 
ningham) Neal,  bom  Dec.  4,  1816,  in  North 
Mahoning  township,  had  limited  educational 
advantages,  but  he  was  a  business  man  of 
ability  and  had  practical  experience  which 
supplied  any  lack  of  early  training.  He  lived 
along  the  Mahoning  creek  and  was  a  pilot 
and  raftsman  on  that  stream,  also  engaging 
as  a  farmer  and  drover.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  the  public  affairs  of  his  locality  as  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  held 
various  township  offices.  His  wife,  Rachel 
(Blose),  was  born  at  Perrj^sville,  Jeft'erson 
county,  and  died  in  October,  1906.  Mr.  Neal 
was  killed  on  the  Buffalo,  Rochester  &  Pitts- 
burg railroad  bridge  Oct.  28.  1903.  They 
were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  They 
were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  as  follows: 
Cynthia  is  the  widow  of  Joseph  Coon,  of 
North  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county; 
Thomas  Sharp  is  mentioned  below;  Martha 
is  the  widow  of  William  McKillip,  of  West 
Mahoning  township;  George  (deceased),  who 
was  a  farmer,  married  Lueinda  Van  Horn; 
Aaron,  of  Seattle,  Wash.,  who  is  engaged  in 
breeding  and  dealing  in  fast  horses,  married 
Maggie  Morgan,  who  is  deceased ;  Sarah  mar- 
ried Peter  Stear,  of  North  IMahoning  town- 
ship ;  Emma  married  Frank  0.  Harrat,  of 
West  Mahoning  township ;  Josiah  lives  in  In- 
diana, Pa. ;  William  R.,  a  traveling  salesman, 
of  Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  married  Cora  Wins- 
low :  I\Iary  (deceased)  was  the  wife  of  Austin 
Strickland,  of  Jefferson  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Thomas  Sharp  Neal  lived  at  home  until 
twenty-six  years  old  and  was  reared  to  farm- 
ing on  his  father's  place  in  North  Mahoning 
township,  where  he  lived  for  eighteen  years. 
He  obtained  a  common  school  education. 
Settling  at  Trade  City,  he  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business,  which  he  followed  for 
eighteen  years  and  also  acted  as  postmaster. 
He  has   always   been   a   prominent   figure   in 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


851 


official  circles,  has  held  numerous  local  offices, 
and  in  1897  became  sheriff  of  Indiana  county, 
serving  one  term  of  three  years,  until  1900. 
He  is  at  present  supervisor  of  North  Mahon- 
ing township.  Mr.  Neal's  interests  have  be- 
come qiiite  extensive,  his  various  undertak- 
ings having  been  successful,  and  he  now  owns 
several  farms,  and  residence  property  in 
Punxsutawney,  Pa.  He  has  a  fine  peach  or- 
chard, eight  hundred  trees,  located  west  of 
Trade  City.  His  fine  home  in  that  town  was 
built  in  1912.  Mr.  Neal  has  bought  and  sold 
considerable  timber  in  his  day;  one  fall  he 
sold  140,000  cuhiQ.  feet.  He  became  a  pilot 
on  the  Big  Mahoning  when  fifteen  years  old, 
and  has  been  familiar  with  lumbering  opera- 
tions in  their  various  branches,  becoming  very 
well  acquainted  all  over  the  county  in  this 
connection  and  in  following  his  other  indus- 
trial interests. 

In  1866  Mr.  Neal  married  Annie  Oberlin, 
of  Pittsburg,  and  seven  children  have  been 
born  to  this  marriage:  Preston  died  when 
nine  years  old;  Naoma  married  Dr.  George 
E.  Simpson,  of  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Lawrence  grad- 
uated from  the  State  normal  school  at  In- 
diana, Pa.,  attended  law  school  at  Ann  Arbor, 
Mich.,  and  went  to  Seattle,  Wash.,  where  he 
is  a  practicing  attorney  (he  is  married  and 
has  one  child)  ;  Selina  married  Ezekiel  Bar- 
ber, of  Dixonville,  Pa. ;  Irene  married  Joseph 
Buchanan,  of  Dubois,  Pa. ;  Harry,  M.  D.,  is 
practicing  medicine  at  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Walter,  a 
farmer  and  mill  man  at  Trade  City,  married 
Emma  Smith. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neal  are  active  members  of 
the  Lutheran  Church  at  Trade  City,  Pa.,  and 
politically  he  is  a  stanch  member  of  the  Re- 
publican party. 

ALEXANDER    HAMILTON    ALLISON, 

M.  D.,  is  now,  after  many  years  of  iisefulness 
in  his  profession,  living  retired  on  the  farm 
where  he  was  born,  in  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  county.  He  was  in  active  prac- 
tice for  about  forty  years,  throughout  which 
period  he  was  in  Indiana  county,  though  at 
various  locations. 

The  Allisons  were  among  the  first  white  set- 
tlers in  Indiana  county.  Robert  Allison,  the 
founder  of  the  family  in  this  country,  was 
a  native  of  County  Derry,  Ireland,  whence 
he  came  to  this  counti-y  as  a  young  man,  in 
1750,  locating  in  Cumberland  county.  Pa.  In 
1752  he  married  a  lady  by  the  name  of  Re- 
becca (Beckie)  Beard,  a  granddaughter  of 
Charles  Stuart,  a  descendant  of  the  house  of 
Stuart.     Robert   and   Beckie  had  been  pas- 


sengers on  the  same  vessel  and  formed  an  ac- 
quaintance at  that  time  which  resulted  in 
their  marriage  two  years  later.  The  result 
of  this  union  was  six  sons  and  one  daughter, 
the  names  of  the  sons  being  Tate,  John,  An- 
drew, Robert,  James  and  Thomas;  the  daugh- 
ter, Jane,  married  William  Hamilton.  The 
Allison  family  fled  from  Scotland  during  the 
time  of  the  persecution  of  the  Protestants, 
settling  in  the  North  of  Ireland. 

Coming  west  to  what  is  now  Indiana  county. 
Pa.,  the  Allison  family  located  in  Center  town- 
ship, on  what  is  now  known  as  the  McCon- 
aughey  place  near  Homer  City.  One  of  the 
sons,  Andrew,  boni  in  Cumberland  county 
in  1757,  "after  following  General  Washing- 
ton through  the  most  gloomy  period  of  the 
Revolution,"  returned  to  his  father's  family 
in  Cumberland  county,  but  did  not  remain 
there  long.  In  1785  he  crossed  the  mountains 
and  settled  in  Westmoreland  county,  near 
the  site  of  the  present  village  of  New  Derry. 
There  he  commenced  an  improvement,  making 
his  home  with  John  Pumroy  in  times  of  peace, 
and  when  the  Indians  invaded  the  settlement 
he  took  refuge  in  a  fort  in  the  vicinity.  Dur- 
ing his  sojourn  in  Westmoreland  county  the 
settlement  was  frequently  attacked  by  In- 
dians, and  several  men  were  killed  and  others 
wounded.  In  1788  he  sold  his  improvements 
to  Francis  Pumroy,  crossed  the  Conemaugh 
river  and  settled  on  the  bank  of  Twolick,  on 
the  site  of  an  old  Indian  town,  opposite  what 
was  later  the  village  of  Homer.  Here  he 
built  a  cabin  and  cleared  some  ground  for 
agricultural  purposes.  The  cabin  was  without 
a  door,  a  hole  in  one  side  serving  for  entrance. 
In  the  year  1790  his  father  came  from  Cum- 
berland county,  and  took  charge  of  his  im- 
provements, Andrew  going  farther  into  the 
forest  and  opening  up  the  farm  later  owned 
by  Archy  Nichol,  three  miles  east  of  Indiana. 
"Here  he  was  the  frontier  settler,  with  noth- 
ing between  him  and  the  Susquehanna  river 
but  the  howling  wilderness,  abounding  with 
wild  beasts,  and  traversed  by  hostile  savages. ' ' 
In  October  of  that  year  he  married  Sally 
Barr,  and  they  remained  at  that  location 
until  1792,  when  the  Indians  again  showed 
hostility  and  they  fled  with  their  one  child, 
to  the  nearest  neighbor,  Ii-win  Adams.  Re- 
turning after  several  days  to  look  after  his 
farm,  and  get  some  articles  that  had  been  left, 
Andrew  Allison  found  that  the  cabin  with  all 
its  contents  had  been  burnt  by  the  Indians. 
He  returned  to  his  father's  place  on  Twolick 
and  Yellow  creek,  on  an  improvement  made 
at  an  earlier  date  by  one  John  Henry,  who 


852 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


returned  to  his  i'oi-iuei'  home  in  Virginia  on 
account  of  the  dangers  of  the  locality.  Alli- 
son remained  there  until  1795,  when  he  pur- 
chased an  improvement  made  in  1772  by 
Joseph  Hopkins,  about  three  miles  south  of 
Indiana,  Hopkins  and  his  family  having  left 
on  account  of  Indian  troubles.  Here  again 
he  was  on  the  frontier,  with  neither  a  horse 
nor  a  public  road,  bridge,  church  or  school- 
house  within  ten  miles.  It  was  trulj'  a  se- 
cluded spot;  the  silence  of  the  forest  was 
seldom  broken,  except  by  the  howling  wolves, 
the  yelling  panthers  or  the  crack  of  the  hunt- 
er's rifle.  Here  he  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  days,  and  cleared  out  a  large  farm.  He 
died  in  1815,  aged  fifty-eight  years. 

John  Allison,  another  of  the  sons  of  Robert 
and  Beckie  (Beard)  Allison,'  was  a  miller, 
he  and  his  sons  following  milling  and  farming 
in  this  section  for  j'ears.  His  descendants 
are  still  to  be  found  among  the  best  citizens 
of  the  county,  and  a  lengthy  account  of  this 
branch  of  the  family  will  be  found  elsewhere 
in  this  work. 

Robert  Allison,  fourth  son  of  Robert  and 
Beckie  (Beard)  Allison,  was  the  ancestor  of 
Dr.  Alexander  H.  Allison.  Bom  about  1768 
in  Cumberland  county.  Pa.,  he  came  west 
with  his  parents  and  settled  near  what  is 
Homer  City,  in  Center  township,  where  the 
family  acquired  land  and  engaged  in  farming. 
He  continued  to  make  his  home  in  that  sec- 
tion the  remainder  of  his  life,  owning  and 
operating  the  first  gristmill  in  the  locality; 
he  built  the  race  to  run  it.  Mr.  Allison  died 
there  in  1832,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years, 
and  is  buried  in  the  cemeteiy  of  Bethel 
Church  in  Center  township.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  Allison 
married  four  times.  His  firet  wife  was  Mary 
Simpson,  his  second  Ann  Ramsey,  by  whom 
he  had  two  sons :  Robert  T.,  who  married  Isa- 
belle  Brown;  and  David  Ramsey,  a  doctor, 
who  died  at  Salt.sburg,  this  county,  and  who 
married  Lydia  Roney.  His  third  marriage 
was  to  Nancy  Riddle,  whose  children  were: 
John  R. ;  William  B.,  who  married  Auij 
Brown;  Thomas  B.,  who  married  Hannah 
Dickey  and  (second)  Isabelle  Kinter;  and 
Andrew  B.  By  his  fourth  union,  with  Rhoda 
Anderson,  Mr.  Allison  had  three  children: 
Rebecca  J.,  who  married  George  Bratton; 
Samuel  A.,  who  married  Mary  E.  Bothel  and 
(second)  Jennie  McCluskey;  and  Margaret, 
who  married  George  Hammers. 

John  R.  Allison,  son  of  Robert  and  Nancy 
(Riddle)  Allison,  was  liorn  in  Center  town- 
ship,  near    Homer   City,    and    Ihero   grew    to 


manhood.  About  1837  he  came  to  what  is 
now  East  Mahoning  township,  locating  on 
what  was  known  as  the  William  Riddle  tract, 
a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  which  at  that 
time  was  a  wilderness.  By  occupation  he 
was  a  carpenter,  ha^•ing  learned  the  trade 
from  Colonel  Altimus,  of  Indiana,  and  he 
continued  to  follow  that  calling  for  some 
years.  He  built  the  first  house  in  Brook- 
ville,  Jefifei"son  county.  Settling  on  the  farm, 
he  first  lived  in  a  house  constructed  of  round 
logs,  later  building  a  frame  dwelling  and 
making  various  other  improvements  on  the 
place.  He  did  not  live  to  enjoy  for  long  the 
comforts  which  he  gained  by  his  industry, 
dying  Dee.  7,  1853,  at  the  age  of  forty-five 
years,  six  or  seven  months.  He  was  buried 
in  Gilgal  cemetery.  He  was  a  Presbyter- 
ian, attending  the  Gilgal  Church,  and  was 
active  in  its  work,  serving  as  trustee  and  Sab- 
bath school  teacher.  He  was  a  well-read  man 
for  his  day,  a  good  penman,  and  looked  upon 
by  all  who  knew  him  as  a  valuable  and  in- 
telligent citizen.  He  filled  the  office  of  col- 
lector of  taxes. 

Mr.  Allison  mai'ried  Rebecca  James,  who 
was  born  in  1814  of  English  descent.  She 
died  Jan.  25,  1884,  and  was  buried  in  the 
cemetery  of  Gilgal  Church.  Like  her  hus- 
band she  was  a  Presbyterian  in  religious 
connection.  They  had  a  large  family,  viz.: 
Nancy  Jane  (deceased)  married  Henxy  K. 
Dilts;  William  R.,  who  was  a  prominent  law- 
ver  of  Indiana,  serving  as  district  attorney 
■from  1871  to  1874.  died  in  1883,  at  the  age 
of  forty-six  yeai-s;  Robert  died  young;  Alex- 
ander Hamilton  is  mentioned  below;  Andrew 
W.  became  a  member  of  Company  A,  61st 
United  States  Regiment  (regular  army), 
served  during  the  Civil  war,  and  died  while 
in  the  army;  Adeline  married  Ebert  Kinter, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  Mrs.  John  B.  Me- 
Cormack,  of  East  Mahoning  township:  M;ir- 
garet  L.  is  deceased ;  John  Harry  resides  in 
East  Mahoning  township ;  Robert  Cromwell 
T.,  a  physician,  resides  in  Chicago,  111. ;  So- 
phia married  William  H.  Kinter  and  resides 
in  Grant  township,  Indiana  county. 
.  Alexander  Hamilton  Allison  was  born  June 
6,  1842,  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm. 
He  received  excellent  educational  advantages 
for  the  day,  attending  public  school  in  the 
home  locality  and  the  Glade  Run  and  Covode 
academies.  For  a  shoi-t  period  he  taught 
school  in  Jeflt'erson  county.  As  he  was  only 
eleven  years  old  when  his  father  died  he  had 
to  assist  witli  the  work  at  home  from  early 
l)oylioo(l,  but  Ills  ambition  was  to  enter  pro- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


853 


life.  When  a  young  man  he  began 
to  study  medicine,  under  Drs.  McEwen  and 
Ansley,  of  Plumville,  in  1862,  later  entering 
Jefferson  Medical  College  at  Philadelphia, 
from  which  institution  he  was  graduated 
March  4,  1867.  On  May  13th  of  that  year 
he  began  the  independent  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  Cookport,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  was  the  pioneer  physician,  and  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  there  for  a  period  of  thirteen 
years,  building  up  a  fine  practice  and  be- 
coming prominently  associated  with  the  de- 
velopment of  the  best  interests  of  the  place. 
In  1880  he  moved  to  Marion  Center,  where 
he  was  established  for  the  nineteen  years  fol- 
lowing, and  there  he  not  only  commanded  a 
wide  practice  but  also  became  engaged  in  the 
drug  business,  which  he  began  in  1881.  In 
1884  he  built  a  fine  store  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  his  growing  trade,  and  carried  it  on 
for  some  years.  In  1899  he  moved  from  Mar- 
ion Center  to  the  borough  of  Indiana,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  practice  for  the  next  seven 
years,  retiring  in  1907  because  his  health 
could  no  longer  stand  the  demands  of  his 
professional  labors.  While  practicing  he  had 
given  some  attention  to  agricultural  and  busi- 
ness pursuits,  owning  the  old  Allison  home- 
stead in  East  Mahoning  township,  where  he 
kept  some  of  the  finest  thoroughbred  horses 
to  be  found  in  Indiana  county.  There  he 
took  up  his  home  when  he  withdrew  from  his 
profession,  and  he  now  gives  all  his  atten- 
tion to  farming  and  kindred  pursuits,  having 
his  fine  tract  of  two  hundred  acres  under 
first-class  cultivation.  His  enterprising  and 
progressive  ideas  have  been  put  into  practice 
in  its  improvement.  He  has  never  lost  his 
love  for  fine  horses  and  still  takes  consider- 
able interest  in  raising  thoroughbreds.  For 
some  years  be  conducted  the  Marion  Cream- 
ery, turning  out  from  one  hundred  to  two 
hundred  pounds  of  butter  daily,  shipping  to 
various  parts  of  the  county.  It  was  destroyed 
by  fire.  Dr.  Allison  is  one  of  the  oldest  sur- 
viving physicians  in  the  county  who  practiced 
under  the  old  order  of  things.  He  and  Dr. 
W.  B.  Ansley  of  Plumville  read  medicine  to- 
gether at  Plumville. 

In  politics  Dr.  Allison  has  always  been  a 
stanch  adherent  to  the  principles  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  he  was  a  strong  admirer  of 
President  Cleveland.  In  1893  he  was  ap- 
pointed postmaster  at  Marion  Center,  and 
served  four  years,  proving  a  painstaking  and 
highly  satisfactory  incumbent  of  the  office. 
He  also  served  as  burgess  of  Marion  Center, 
as  member  of  the  council  board  and  school 


director,  being  thoroughly  public-spirited  and 
interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  community 
in  which  he  made  his  home.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  Gilgal  Presbyterian  Church  for 
fifty  years  and  has  been  active  in  all  its  work, 
serving  as  trustee,  Sunday  school  teacher  and 
its  siaperintendent ;  his  wife  is  also  a  member 
of  that  church  and  teaches  in  the  Sunday 
school.  Socially  Dr.  Allison  belongs  to  the 
I.  0.  0.  F.  lodge  at  Cookport,  is  a  past  grand 
of  that  lodge  and  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  State.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Indiana  County  Medical  Society. 

In  1863,  during  Lee's  threatened  invasion 
of  Pennsylvania,  he  was  in  the  army  for  a 
short  period,  having  enlisted  in  Company  B, 
62d  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Militia. 

On  July  4,  1879,  Dr.  Allison  married  Mary 
Lockhard,  who  was  born  in  Green  township, 
this  county,  daughter  of  David  and  Sarah 
Jane  (Jones)  Lockhard.  Her  father  owned 
the  well-known  Lockhard  flour  miUs  of  In- 
diana. Dr.  and  Mrs.  Allison  had  one  child. 
Birdie,  who  died  in  Marion  Center  when  six 
and  a  half  years  old. 

MISS  JANE  E.  LEONARD  is  an  educator, 
one  of  the  most  widely  known  and  honored  in 
the  State.  She  and  her  father  were  born  at 
Leonard,  near  Clearfield,  Pa.  Leonard's  sta- 
tion, Leonard's  run,  the  "Leonard  House," 
and  the  Leonard  graded  schools  are  traces  of 
her  father  and  his  brothers. 

On  her  mother's  side  Miss  Leonard  is 
descended  from  a  line  of  Quakers  from  Wil- 
liam Penn's  time — ^Quakers  who  were  official 
members  of  the  first  Yearly  Meeting  in  Phila- 
delphia. 

The  aim  and  work  of  Miss  Leonard's  life 
is  that  of  a  teacher.  She  has  spent  almost 
the  whole  of  her  adult  life  in  the  two  leading 
normal  schools  of  the  State,  first  as  a  student 
and  then  as  a  teacher  in  the  normal  school 
at  Millersville.  Later,  when  the  normal 
school  at  Indiana  was  founded,  she  was  called 
there  and  there  she  has  remained  ever  since, 
holding  both  the  office  as  preceptress  as  well 
as  acting  as  instructor.  She  has  seen  the 
school  grow  gradually,  from  thirty  boarders 
the  first  winter  of  its  existence — the  winter 
of  1875 — to  more  than  a  thousand  students 
now.  She  looks  upon  what  she  may  have  done 
for  Indiana  as  her  life's  work,  and  the  honor 
and  esteem  of  its  students  as  her  life's  re- 
ward. I  .   I 

FRANCIS  BRADLEY  CAMP  is  one  of 
the  leading  citizens  of  Montgomery  township, 


854 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Indiana  county,  where  he  has  been  associated 
with  some  of  the  most  progressive  enterprises 
which  have  characterized  the  advancement  of 
the  region.  He  has  the  strength  of  purpose 
and  executive  abilitj'  which  have  been  marked 
traits  of  all  the  members  of  the  Camp  family 
in  this  section,  where  his  grandfather  settled 
some  twenty-five  years  ago. 

Heth  F.  Camp  came  to  Indiana  county  in 
1837  from  Washington,  D.  C,  in  the  inter- 
est of  a  land  company,  for  whom  he  continued 
to  act  as  agent  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
selling  thousands  of  acres  of  land  in  this 
vicinity.  He  settled  at  what  is  now  Cherry- 
tree,  laid  out  that  town,  and  sold  the  land  on 
which  it  stands.  Though  he  lived  only  twelve 
years  after  his  arrival  here,  dying  in  1849, 
he  had  borne  a  large  part  in  the  early  activi- 
ties of  the  locality,  becoming  interested  in 
farming  on  his  own  account,  engaging  in  the 
mercantile  business  and  also  acting  as  civil 
engineer.  He  had  married  in  Connecticut 
Phoebe  Bates,  and  they  had  a  family  of  five 
children,  of  whom  Elizabeth  M.  Camp,  a  resi- 
dent of  Cherrj'tree,  is  now  the  only  survivor. 
Eben  Bates  Camp,  son  of  Heth  F.  and 
Phoebe  (Bates)  Camp,  was  born  Jan.  H, 
1825,  in  Connecticut,  and  was  but  a  boy  when 
the  family  settled  in  Indiana  county.  He  at- 
tended public  school  and  an  academy  at  In- 
diana, this  county,  and  had  entered  college, 
but  was  called  home  upon  the  death  of  his 
father  to  look  after  his  landed  interests.  Few 
men  of  his  day  were  more  intimately  asso- 
ciated with  the  progress  and  development  of 
this  locality.  He  continued  the  general  mer- 
cantile business  established  by  his  father,  be- 
ing interested  in  that  line  for  fifty  years  alto- 
gether. He  also  followed  lumbering,  buying, 
selling  and  rafting  timber  on  the  Susque- 
hanna river,  was  a  civil  engineer,  and  in  fact 
was  an  all-around  active  business  man.  He 
retired  about  twenty  years  before  his  death. 
He  held  the  offices  of  school  director  and 
member  of  the  town  council,  and  was  a  great 
worker  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  serving 
for  years  as  ruling  elder  and  trustee.  He  died 
July  3,  1910. 

Mr.  Camp  married  Frances  E.  "Waller,  a 
native  of  Washington,  D.  C,  born  IMarch  17, 
1830,  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of 
Montgomery  township,  and  she  survives  him, 
still  residing  at  Cherrytree.  Of  the  seven 
children  born  to  this  union  two  are  deceased : 
Arthur  Bates,  wlio  was  an  attorney,  of  Chi- 
cago, 111. ;  and  Maria  Coe,  who  married  Rev. 
Thomas  W.  Hine,  of  Saulsburg,  Pa.  The  five 
surviving  are:  Cecilia  Crawford,  wife  of  Rev. 


Thomas  Parry,  who  was  a  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  for  many  years  and  is 
now  .superannuated  (they  reside  at  Cherry- 
tree)  ;  Eben  Howard,  of  Mountain  City,  Tenn., 
a  lumber  manufacturer;  Fi-ancis  Bradley; 
Hannah  Waller,  wife  of  William  M.  Boal,  of 
Ronceverte,  W.  Va. ;  and  Everett  Brace,  a 
lumber  manufacturer,  of  Waynesville,  North 
Carolina. 

Francis  Bradley  Camp  was  born  July  28, 
1857,  in  Indiana  county,  and  was  reared  at 
Cherrytree,  receiving  his  early  education 
there  in  the  public  schools.  He  also  attended 
the  Glade  Run  academy,  in  Armstrong  coun- 
ty. When  twenty-two  years  old  he  was  taken 
into  partnership  with  his  father  in  the  gen- 
eral store,  the  firm  becoming  E.  B.  Camp  & 
Son,  and  continued  to  hold  an  interest  in 
same  until  his  father  sold  out  and  retired. 
He  also  established  a  wholesale  lumber  busi- 
ness which  he  conducted  successfully  for 
some  time,  and  for  a  number  of  years  he  has 
been  engaged  in  farming,  having  a  fine  place 
of  two  hundred  acres  in  Montgomery  town- 
ship, one  of  the  best  farms  in  that  township, 
tastefully  improved  and  thoroughly  well  kept 
up.  Several  local  entei-prises  which  mark  the 
progress  of  this  section  have  counted  him 
among  their  early  advocates.  He  was  one  of 
the  organizers  of  the  Farmers'  Telephone 
Companj^  and  has  been  president  since  it  was 
established ;  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
Schryock  Grange,  Patrons  of  Husbandry, 
and  is  now  sei-ving  as  master  of  that  body ; 
and  was  one  of  the  early  friends  of  the  rural 
free  delivery  system,  doing  his  share  toward 
the  practical  realization  of  what  seemed  to 
many  an  impossibility.  He  has  served  twenty 
years  as  school  director  of  his  township.  He 
is  a  leading  worker  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  being  a  ruling  elder,  and  formerly 
served  as  ti-ustee;  and  he  is  equally  inter- 
ested in  the  Sunday  school,  being  president 
of  the  Presbyterian  District  Sunday  School 
Association. 

Mr.  Camp  married  Elizabeth  Notley. 
daughter  of  John  F.  and  Amanda  (Jones) 
Notley,  of  Montgomery  township.  Her  father, 
who  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  came  to 
Indiana  county  about  1836,  and  I\Ir.  Camp's 
grandfather  sold  the  Notley  family  their  fii-st 
farm  here,  a  tract  of  one  hundred  acres.  Mr. 
Notley  was  reluctant  about  buying,  saying, 
"No,  we  can't  live  there:  uothingr  cleared." 
So  Mr.  Camp  clinched  the  sale  by  clearing  ten 
acres.  The  property  is  now  owned  by  Francis 
B.  Camp.  Jlr.  and  Mrs.  Camp  have  had  five 
children,   of  whom   Leila  Waller  died   when 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


855 


fifteen  years  old,  and  Arthur  Brown  when 
two  years  old.  The  three  who  survive  are: 
Howard  Delmout,  who  lives  at  home  and  as- 
sists his  father  on  the  fai-m;  John  Notley,  a 
student  of  the  Philadelphia  Medical  School, 
of  Temple  College,  at  Philadelphia;  and 
James  Jones,  at  home. 

HUGH  ALEX  McISAAC,  farmer,  dairy- 
man and  stock  raiser  of  North  Mahoning 
township,  Indiana  county,  was  born  Sept. 
24,  1859,  in  that  township,  son  of  Robert  and 
Mary  (McCune)  Mclsaae. 

Hugh  Melsaac,  the  grandfather  of  Hugh 
A.  McIsaac,  was  born  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland, 
and  there  married  Jane  McKisock.  'They 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1827,  and  after 
a  six  weeks'  voyage  on  a  sailing  vessel  landed 
at  Philadelphia,  remaining  in  that  locality 
.for  several  years  thereafter.  Subsequently 
they  moved  to  Westmoreland  county.  Pa., 
and  lived  on  the  Chestmit  Ridge  until  1843, 
when  they  came  to  North  ]\Iahoning  township 
and  located  about  one  and  a  half  miles  south- 
west of  Marchand.  Here  they  secured  about 
two  hundred  acres  of  wild  land,  on  which 
there  had  been  made  a  small  clearing,  and  a 
log  cabin  and  stable  had  been  erected.  On 
this  farm  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives,  Hugh  McIsaac  dying  Aug.  28,  1865, 
and  his  wife  April  6,  1853.  They  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Matilda,  who  married  Joseph 
Murphy,  of  Ligonier,  Pa. ;  Jane,  who  became 
the  wife  of  Robert  Pollock,  formerly  of  In- 
diana county ;  Robert ;  and  two  children  who 
died  in  youth. 

Robert  McIsaac,  son  of  Hugh,  and  father  of 
Hugh  A.  McIsaac,  was  born  March  29,  1823. 
in  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  and  was  four  years 
of  age  when  he  was  brought  to  this  country 
by  his  parents.  He  had  only  a  limited  educa- 
tion, but  was  observant,  made  the  most  of  his 
opportunities,  and  became  a  well  informed 
man.  At  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years  he 
was  married  to  Mary  McCune,  who  was  born 
in  Derry  township,  Westmoreland  county. 
Pa.,  daughter  of  Alex  and  Martha  (ilclntire) 
McCune,  natives  of  Ireland,  and  pioneer 
farming  people  of  Westmoreland  county.  Mr. 
McCune  died  in  1870,  and  his  wife  the  year 
following.  Their  children  were :  Sarah,  who 
married  James  Kinley  and  (second)  Han-ison 
Gourley,  and  lived  in  Armstrong  county; 
Mary,  Mrs.  McIsaac ;  Eliza,  who  married  Wil- 
liam McClelland,  a  merchant  of  Kittanning, 
Pa. ;  James,  who  farmed  the  homestead  in 
Westmoreland  county;   Nancy,   who   married 


Smith  White,  of  Delaware  county,  N.  Y. ; 
Martha,  who  married  Jonathan  Doty,  of  Ash- 
land, Ohio;  John,  who  went  to  California 
and  later  to  South  America,  where  he  died; 
and  Margaret,  who  married  Samuel  Barnett, 
of  Latrobe,  Pennsylvania. 

In  1843  Robei't  McIsaac  came  with  his  pai-- 
ents  to  North  Mahoning  township,  and  with 
them  settled  down  to  the  hard  work  inciden- 
tal to  the  struggles  of  a  family  to  gain  a  foot- 
hold in  a  strange  and  uncultivated  section. 
Reared  to  the  life  of  an  agi-iculturist,  he  con- 
tinued to  follow  that  vocation  throughout  his 
life,  and  died  in  1898  on  the  old  home  place, 
where  he  had  spent  his  entire  mature  life. 
His  wife,  Mary  (McCune),  died  Dec.  29, 
1893,  preceding  him  five  years.  Mr.  Mc- 
Isaac was  an  active  church  worker.  He  was 
called  upon  to  write  for  a  number  of  news- 
papers, but  never  entered  public  life,  his  am- 
bitions being  satisfied  by  his  farm  and  his 
home.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  (1)  Matilda,  born 
July  24,  1857,  is  unmarried  and  living  on  the 
old  home  place.  (2)  Hugh  Alex  is  mentioned 
below.  (3)  Robert  James,  born  January  12, 
1862,  attended  Geneva  College,  graduating 
with  honors  in  1889,  following  which  he  took 
a  theological  course  in  the  Reformed  Presby- 
terian Seminary  at  Allegheny,  Pa.  He  was 
superintendent  of  missions  at  Knox  Academy, 
Selma,  Ala.,  principal  of  Knox  Academy, 
and  is  now  located  at  Beaver  Palls,  Pa.,  where 
he  holds  a  professorship  in  Geneva  College. 
He  married  Hannah  Howland,  and  has  two 
sons,  Milton,  attending  Geneva  College,  and 
Archibald,  a  public  school  student.  (4)  John 
Brown,  born  March  19,  1867,  a  graduate  of 
Geneva  College,  is  now  pastor  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Leechburg,  Pa.  He 
married  Matilda  Belle  Murphy,  and  has  three 
children,  Howard,  George  and  Helen. 

Hugh  Alex  Mclsaae  received  an  academic 
education,  following  which  he  taught  school 
for  two  terms  in  North  Mahoning  township, 
one  term  in  East  Mahoning  township  and  one 
term  in  Jefferson  county.  Pa.  He  was  mar- 
ried Aug.  6,  1890,  to  Mary  T.  Stewart,  of 
Rayburn  township,  Armstrong  county,  Pa., 
daughter  of  John  D.  and  Elizabeth  (Harris) 
Stewart,  the  former  of  County  Donegal,  Ire- 
land, son  of  James  Stewart,  of  Scotland,  and 
grandson  of  David  Stewart.  The  last  named 
went  to  Ireland  as  a  young  man,  and  there 
married  Elizabeth  Scott,  by  whom  he  had 
seven  sons  and  two  daughters.  He  was  a 
strong  Presbyterian,  and  took  his  sons  regu- 
larly to  services,  the  whole  party  riding  horse- 


856 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


back.  James  Stewart  married  Rebecca  Dook, 
and  in  1827  they  came  to  America  on  the 
sailing  vessel  "Lazy  Manchester."  landing 
at  Philadelphia  after  a  voyage  of  thirteen 
weeks.  They  started  from  that  city  on  the 
old  turnpike,  intending  to  go  to  Pittsburg, 
but  when  they  had  reached  the  old  Geiger 
Hotel  they  were  advised  not  to  go  further,  be- 
cause of  the  scarcity  of  work.  In  1830,  how- 
ever, they  came  as  far  as  Caldwell  furnace, 
in  Armstrong  county.  James  and  Rebecca 
Stewart  had  children  as  follows:  George 
went  to  New  Orleans,  La.,  and  married  a 
planter's  daughter,  and  later  went  to  Kings- 
ton, 6a.,  where  both  died;  David,  who  mar- 
ried Peggy  Oliver  and  (second)  JMary  Ann 
Sirens,  was  a  farmer  in  Armstrong  county; 
Fannie  Ann  married  Matthew  Steele,  a  flour 
merchant  of  Pittsburg;  James,  a  farmer, 
married  Isabella  Dill,  of  Rural  Valley,  Pa., 
and  had  eleven  children;  John  D.  was  the 
father  of  Mrs.  Mclsaac. 

John  D.  Stewart  was  married  in  1852  to 
Elizabeth  Harris,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Ann  (Powers)  Harris,  natives  of  County 
Derry,  Ireland,  and  pioneers  of  Armstrong 
county,  and  owners  of  land  near  Kittanning, 
where  both  died.  They  were  parents  of  four 
children:  Joseph,  who  died  when  about  fif- 
teen years  of  age;  a  daughter  that  died  in 
infancy;  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Stewart,  and  Wil- 
liam, deceased,  a  farmer,  who  married  Re- 
becca Powers  and  had  three  children. 

Mr.  Stewart  received  a  public  school  edu- 
cation, and  worked  at  home  until  he  was 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he 
secured  a  position  on  the  Pennsylvania  canal, 
receiving  fourteen  dollars  per  month.  Later 
he  purchased  a  farm  in  Rayburn  township, 
Armstrong  county,  and  two  and  a  half  years 
later  was  there  married.  He  continued  to  be 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  during  the 
remainder  of  his  life,  and  died  in  the  spring 
of  1904,  his  wife  having  passed  away  seven 
years  previously.  Both  were  faithful  mem- 
bers of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mclsaac  have  had  children 
as  follows:  John  Stewart,  born  May  3,  1893, 
attended  the  home  schools  and  Indiana  nor- 
mal school,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1911, 
taught  school  for  one  term  in  North  Mahon- 
ing township,  and  a  school  at  Plumville,  and 
is  now  attending  Geneva  College  at  Beaver 
Falls,  Pa. ;  Robert  Hugh,  born  April  6.  1897, 
has  been  educated  in  the  home  schools;  Alex 


McCune  died  in  infancy  Dec.  IS,  1902 ;  Mary 
Elizabeth  was  born  Jan.  29,  1905.  Mrs.  Mc- 
lsaac is  a  woman  of  character  and  refine- 
ment, and  prior  to  her  marriage  was  for 
some  years  engaged  in  teaching  school  in 
Kittanning,  Pennsylvania. 

In  1905  Mr.  Mclsaac  built  his  present  fine 
residence,  a  ten-room  home,  two  and  a  half 
stories  in  height,  and  his  commodious  51  by 
51  foot  barn,  with  silo  attached,  which  ac- 
commodates twenty  'head  of  cattle  and  six 
horses.  He  keeps  ordinarily  from  nine  to 
eighteen  thoroughbred  Jerseys,  with  about 
twelve  milch  cows,  and  finds  a  ready  market 
for  his  cream  in  Punxsutawney.  His  hogs 
are  of  the  Chester  "White  breed,  and  a  fine 
flock  of  Plymouth  Rock  and  Wyandotte  chick- 
ens gives  evidence  of  his  skill  as  a  poultry- 
man.  About  100  of  his  170  acres  are  under  the 
plow,  and  "Morven  Farm,"  as  it  is  known, 
is  one  of  the  most  valuable  of  its  size  in 
North  Mahoning  township.  Among  his  busi- 
ness associates  Mr.  Mclsaac  is  known  as  a  man 
who  can  be  thoroughly  and  implicitly  relied 
upon ;  as  a  citizen  he  assists  all  movements 
tending  toward  good  government,  while  his 
wide  circle  of  friends  will  willingly  testify 
to  the  fact  that,  having  succeeded  himself, 
he  is  ever  ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand  to 
others  who  are  trying  to  succeed. 

GEORGE  HUNTER,  M.  D.,  one  of  the 
leading  medical  practitioners  of  Blairsville, 
Indiana  county,  is  accounted  one  of  the  most 
public-spirited  citizens  of  that  borough. 
His  uncle.  Dr.  William  Hunter,  was  for  years 
one  of  the  foremost  physicians  in  this  section 
of  the  country,  and  he  has  maintaned  the  high 
reputation  of  the  name  in  the  medical  pro- 
fession bj'  his  own  skillful  and  conscientious 
services  to  a  wide  circle  of  patients. 

Dr.  Hunter  is  a  native  of  the  State  of 
Indiana,  born  Sept.  27,  1863,  at  Idaville, 
where  his  parents  had  settled  some  time  pre- 
viousl.y.  His  grandfather,  James  D.  Hunter, 
was  a  native  of  Londonderry,  Ii-eland,  where 
he  grew  to  manhood,  and  there  married  Nan- 
cy Dougherty.  In  1838  the  family  came  to 
America,  locating  at  Greensburg.  Pa.,  where 
j\Ir.  Hunter  made  a  permanent  home,  there 
spending  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died 
there  in  1851;  his  wife  survived  him  until 
1881. 

Thomas  Hunter,  son  of  James  D.  Hunter, 
was  born  in  Greensburg,  and  there  grew  to 
maoliood.  He  learned  the  trade  of  painter, 
wliicli    lie   followed   both   in   his  native   town 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


857 


and  in  Philadelphia.  Moving  West  to  the 
State  of  Indiana,  he  located  at  Idaville,  where 
he  followed  his  trade  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  Aug.  28,  1872,  while  he  was  still  in 
the  prime  of  his  life;  he  was  buried  there. 
Mr.  Hunter  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  and  a  Republican  in 
politics.  His  first  wife,  Elizabeth  (Dimmit), 
died  May  11,  1854,  and  is  buried  at  Idaville. 
She  was  the  mother  of  three  children:  Wil- 
liam J.,  who  resides  in  Idaville,  Ind. ;  Levina, 
who  married  Jonathan  Ireland;  and  a  child 
that  died  in  infancy.  Thomas  Hunter  mar- 
ried for  his  second  wife  Lavina  Dimmit,  sis- 
ter of  his  first  wife,  and  she  died  Sept.  4, 
1872,  and  is  buried  in  Idaville.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  U.  P.  Chiirch.  The  following 
children  were  born  to  this  union:  Joseph, 
who  resides  in  the  State  of  Indiana ;  Prank, 
who  is  a  farmer  at  Andover,  Ashtabula  Co., 
Ohio ;  George  ;  Anna ;  John  Wesley,  who  died 
young;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Benjamin 
Sherif,  of  Blairsville,  Pa. ;  Amanda,  who  mar- 
ried David  Forest;  and  Ida  M.,  who  died 
Sept.  22,  1872,  in  infancy. 

George  Hunter  was  only  in  his  ninth  year 
when  he  lost  both  his  father  and  mother  by 
death.  He  and  his  sister  Elizabeth  were 
taken  to  Blairsville  by  their  uncle.  Dr.  Wil- 
liam Hunter,  and  at  Blairsville  the  young 
orphan  began  his  education,  first  attending 
the  public  school.  He  also  studied  in  the 
Blairsville  academy,  and  eventually  took  up 
the  study  of  medicine  under  the  preceptor- 
ship  of  his  uncle.  Dr.  Hunter.  Later  he  en- 
tered Hahnemann  Medical  College,  at  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  graduated  in  1886,  with 
the  degree  of  M.  D.  Returning  to  Blairsville 
he  practiced  his  chosen  calling  for  a  while 
with  his  uncle,  and  then  opened  an  office  of 
his  own,  on  North  Walnut  street,  where  he 
has  been  located  ever  since.  His  devotion  to 
his  work,  and  the  confidence  his  experience 
and  skill  have  created,  has  increased  his  pat- 
ronage until  his  practice  is  very  extensive. 
Though  his  professional  work  occupies  the 
greater  part  of  his  time,  and  he  also  has 
farming  interests,  he  has  taken  opportunity 
to  serve  his  fellow  citizens  in  a  public  capac- 
ity, having  been  a  member  of  the  street  com- 
mittee and  being  at  present  a  member  of  the 
borough  council.  In  political  connection  he 
is  a  Republican.  He  is  an  influential  mem- 
ber of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Blairsville,  of  which  he  is  elder. 

On  Nov.  18,  1896,  Dr.  Hunter  was  married 
in   Blairsville    to    May    Eleanor    Lintner,    a 


native  of  Blairsville,  daughter  of  J.  P.  and 
Violet  Lintner.  Mi-s.  Hunter  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  and 
much  interested  in  church  work. 

REV.  JOHN  AV.  FYOCK,  pastor  of  the 
Church  of  the  Brethren  in  Green  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  also  engaged  in  farming 
there,  is  a  well-known  resident  of  that  sec- 
tion, doing  good  work  in  his  ministerial  capac- 
ity and  highly  esteemed  as  a  man  of  honor- 
able character  and  the  good  qualities  which 
make  for  useful  citizenship.  He  was  born 
in  Green  township  Jan.  22,  1861,  son  of 
David  and  Catherine  (Wise)  Pyock,  gi-and- 
son  of  John  Fyock  and  great-grandson  of 
David  Fyock.  David  Fyock  and  his  son 
John  moved  into  this  region  at  an  early  day, 
from  Somerset  county.  Pa.  They  are  buried 
in  the  cemetery  at  Taylorsville,  in  Green 
township.  John  Fyock  bought  land  in  that 
township,  which  he  farmed  until  his  death; 
he  and  his  father  were  blacksmiths  as  well 
as  farmers,  and  followed  that  trade  in  con- 
nection with  agricultural  work. 

David  Fyock,  father  of  Rev.  John  W. 
Fyock,  was  bom  in  Somerset  county,  and 
came  with  his  father  to  Green  township  when 
quite  young.  He  passed  the  rest  of  his  life 
there,  farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1893.  He  married  Catherine  Wise,  daugh- 
ter of  Solomon  Wise,  an  e^rly  settler  in  this 
part  of  Indiana  county,  who  followed  farm- 
ing in  Green  township.  Mrs.  Fyock  died  in 
1865.  She  was  the  mother  of  five  children, 
the  eldest  being  Tillie  M.,  wife  of  Edward 
Donahey,  a  resident  of  Grant  township,  this 
county ;  Benjamin  lives  in  Johnstown,  Pa. ; 
John  W.  is  mentioned  below;  Catherine  and 
Moses  are  deceased. 

John  W.  Fyock  obtained  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  of  Green  town- 
ship. He  began  fanning  in  boyhood,  and  fol- 
lowed it  for  several  years  before  he  entered 
upon  his  regular  preparation  for  the  min- 
istry, in  1892.  His  first  pastorate  was  the 
Manor  congi-egation  in  Green  township,  and 
he  is  now  pastor  of  the  Church  of  the  Breth- 
ren in  that  township,  where  his  work  has  been 
very  successful. 

,  On  April  2,  1885,  Mr.  Fyock  was  married 
to  Elvira  Minser,  a  native  of  Lawrence 
county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Mark  and  Elizabeth 
(Stanley)  Minser,  who  came  to  Indiana 
county  and  lived  in  Green  township  for  thirty 
years.  Mr.  Minser  is  deceased,  and  Mrs. 
Minser,  now  (1912)  eighty-four  years  old, 
makes  her  home  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fyock. 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Pyoek:  Earl,  the  eldest,  was  accidentally 
killed  when  seven  years  old,  having  been  run 
over  by  a  wagon;  Bessie  E.  is  the  wife  of  Bert 
Pyoek,  a  resident  of  Grant  township;  Ray 
L.  is  engaged  in  teaching  public  school  in 
Green  township;  Mark  G.,  Anna  Mary  and 
Ira  J.  are  at  home. 


ADA:\I  T.  STIVER,  who  is  enj 
general  farming  operations  in  Canoe  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  where  he  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  supervisors,  was  born 
near  McKeesport,  Pa.,  April  22,  1856,  son  of 
Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Lutz)  Stiver. 

Daniel  Stiver,  father  of  Adam  T.  Stiver, 
was  bom  in  Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  and  was 
there  married  to  Elizabeth  Lutz,  a  native  of 
Hersburg,  Germany.  Moving  to  Indiana 
county,  they  settled  on  a  farm  of  seventy- 
two  acres  located  in  Canoe  township,  a  wild 
and  unimproved  tract,  on  which  not  a  fur- 
row had  been  turned.  He  erected  a  log 
cabin,  and  with  characteristic  energy  began 
the  development  of  his  land,  which  in  eoiu'se 
of  time  was  made  to  yield  him  abundant  har- 
vests. There  he  continued  to  carry  on  agri- 
cultural pursuits  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred when  he  was  seventy-two  years  of  age. 
In  his  youth  he  had  not  been  able  to  gain 
many  advantages  of  an  educational  nature, 
but  close  observation  in  later  years,  in  con- 
nection with  much  reading,  made  hira  an 
exceedingly  well-informed  man,  and  he  was 
known  for  his  many  excellencies  of  mind  and 
heart.  His  first  wife  died  at  the  age  of  forty- 
four  years,  and  he  was  married  (second)  to 
Louisa  Mickel,  of  Canoe  township,  who  is 
still  living.  Mr.  Stiver  and  his  first  wife 
had  a  family  of  thirteen  children,  namely: 
Adam  T. ;  David,  deceased,  who  married  Mrs. 
Kate  Toy,  widow  of  Harvey  Toy;  Annie, 
who  married  Park  Loyd,  and  both  are  de- 
ceased; Abraham,  who  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  North  iMahoning  township;  William, 
also  a  farmer  in  that  district,  who  man-ied 
Melinda  "Wining;  Belle,  who  married  Samuel 
Law,  of  Horatio,  Pa.;  Margaret,  who  mar- 
ried William  Smith,  of  Juneau,  Pa. ;  Daniel, 
who  died  young;  Emma,  deceased,  who  mar- 
ried Joe  Neal.  of  Horatio,  Pa. ;  Aaron,  farm- 
ing a  part  of  the  homestead  in  Canoe  town- 
ship, who  married  Annie  Walker;  Ella,  who 
married  W.  C.  Wliite,  of  Canoe  township; 
Lizzie,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  George 


Lyke;  and  a  daughter  who  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Stiver  and  both  his  wives  were  members 
of  the  Evangelical  Association. 

Adam  T.  Stiver,  son  of  Daniel  Stiver,  went 
to  the  home  schools  when  he  could  be  spared 
from  the  work  of  the  farm,  his  boyhood  hav- 
ing been  one  of  constant  industry  and  hard, 
unremitting  toil.  The  scenes  and  experiences  g 
of  pioneer  life  in  Indiana  county  are  familiar  I 

to  him,  and  when  he  was  in  his  .youth  the 
wild  and  unimproved  condition  of  this  sec- 
tion gave  but  little  indication  of  the  rapid 
changes  M-hich  were  to  work  so  wonderful  a 
transformation.  He  continued  to  remain  on 
the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty-four 
years  of  age.  On  July  27,  1882,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Eva  Hefiflick,  of  Canoe  township, 
daughter  of  John  and  Eliza  (Emei-ick)  Heff- 
liek,  natives  of  Germany  who  came  to  the 
United  States  and  settled  in  Canoe  town- 
ship. They  spent  the  i-emainder  of  their  lives 
in  this  section,  and  their  son  David  and 
daughter  Mary  now  live  on  the  homestead. 
Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Stiver:  (1)  Walter  E.,  the  eldest,  born 
Sept.  21,  1884,  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  the  select  summer  schools,  and  was 
graduated  from  the  State  normal  school,  at 
Indiana,  in  1910.  Por  several  years  before 
his  graduation  he  was  engaged  in  teaching, 
and  has  since  continued  to  follow  the  pro- 
fession, having  taught  the  Crawford  school, 
a  room  at  Rossiter,  the  Henry  school,  the 
Canoe  school  (all  in  Canoe  township),  at 
New  Alexandria,  in  Westmoreland  county, 
the  Doty  school  in  Grant  township,  and  in  the 
schools  at  Richmond,  where  he  is  now  located. 
(2)  Samuel  Lee,  the  second  child,  was  born 
July  22,  1886,  was  educated  in  the  home  and 
select  schools,  and  also  took  up  the  vocation  of 
educator,  now  being  engaged  in  the  Widdow- 
son  school.  (3)  Edna  Ruth,  the  youngest, 
born  Sept.  17,  1900,  attended  the  home  schools 
and  is  now  engaged  in  pursuing  her  musical 
studies,  for  which  she  has  shown  considerable 
talent. 

After  his  marriage  ilr.  Stiver  purchased 
seventeen  acres  of  the  old  homestead,  on 
which  he  has  made  numeroiis  improvements, 
and  in  addition  to  which  he  owns  fifteen  acres 
at  Locust  Lane,  Pa.  He  has  carried  on  gen- 
eral farming,  and  has  been  uniformly  suc- 
cessful in  his  ventures.  The  high  esteem  in 
which  he  is  held  by  his  fellow  citizens  has 
been  evidenced  by  his  election  to  numeroias 
township  offices.  In  1888  he  was  chosen  a 
member  of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Canoe 
township,  and  several  times  since.     He  has 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


859 


also  held  the  offices  of  overseer  of  the 
poor,  school  director,  inspector,  road  master, 
ti-easurer  of  the  school  board,  and  collected 
the  road  taxes,  and  at  this  time  is  efficiently 
serving  in  the  capacity  of  supervisor.  He 
has  always  been  a  stanch  supporter  of  Demo- 
cratic principles  and  candidates.  Mr.  Stiver 
has  also  found  time  to  devote  to  church  work, 
attending  St.  Mark's  United  Evangelical 
Church,  at  Juneau,  where  he  has  acted  as 
class  leader  and  superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day school. 

THEODORE  M.  DONAHEY,  of  Tunnel- 
ton,  Indiana  county,  general  merchant  and 
farmer,  has  a  high  reputation  in  his  section 
for  business  ability  and  honor.  He  is  a  native 
of  the  county,  born  Feb.  17,  1856,  in  Young 
township,  son  of  Samuel  C.  Donah ey  and 
grandson  of  William  and  Sarah  (Clawson) 
Donahey,  who  had  a  large  family,  namely: 
Samuel  C,  Richard,  Benjamin,  Joseph,  An- 
drew, Ross,  Ellis,  William,  Mary  Ann,  Re- 
becca, Sarah  and  Jane. 

Samuel  C.  Donahey  was  bom  Feb.  6,  1822, 
in  Young  township,  this  county,  and  there 
followed  farming  and  stock  raising  all  his 
life,  for  many  years  also  dealing  in  live  stock, 
shipping  to  Philadelphia.  He  cultivated  a 
farm  of  nearly  two  hundred  acres,  and  was 
a  successful  and  progressive  man,  though 
quiet  in  disposition  and  thoroughly  unas- 
suming. He  was  interested  in  anything  he 
believed  would  contribute  to  the  general  good, 
and  was  a  generous  supporter  of  the  Hope- 
well M.  E.  Church  in  Blacklick  township. 
He  was  a  strong  believer  in  the  principles  of 
the  Democratic  party.  On  March  5,  1846, 
Mr.  Donahey  married  Lavina  Clawson,  who 
was  born  in  Yoiing  township,  July  15,  1825, 
and  died  June  10,  1897.  Mr.  Donahey  sur- 
vived her,  passing  away  Dec.  24,  1907.  They 
are  buried  in  the  Hopewell  M.  E.  Church 
cemetery.  Children  as  follows  were  born  to 
them:  (1)  William  Albert,  born  Jan.  9,  1847. 
married  Sarah  Thompson  and  (second)  Sarah 
Ann  Rosenberger.  He  resides  at  Tunnel- 
ton.  (2)  Sarah  Jane,  born  Jan.  12,  1849, 
died  Jan.  9,  1911,  unmarried.  (3)  Richard 
Milton,  born  July  9,  1852,  died  Sept.  14, 
1870.  (4)  Theodore  M.  is  mentioned  below. 
(5)  Anna  Mary,  born  Oct.  28,  1858,  married 
Robert  IMontgomery  Sheffler,  a  blacksmith 
and  farmer  living  at  West  Lehanon,  this 
county.  (6)  Samuel  Henry,  born  Nov.  13, 
1861,"  married  Anna  Belle  Morton.  (7) 
John  Clark,  born  Feb.  6,  1867,  married  Sarah 
M.  Fulton,  daughter  of  Joseph  H.  and  Eliza- 


beth (Coulter)  Fulton,  and  they  have  one 
son,  Arthur  LeRoy,  born  April  19,  1894. 
Mr.  Donahey  is  in  the  trucking  business  in 
the  borough  of  Indiana,  in  partnership  with 
his  brother  Samuel. 

Theodore  M.  Donahey  first  attended  the 
common  schools  in  Young  township,  and  later 
continued  his  studies  at  the  Eldersridge  acad- 
emy and  the  Indiana  (Pa.)  State  normal 
school.  He  was  engaged  in  teaching  school 
for  fourteen  years,  in  Young  township, 
Clarksburg,  this  county,  Armstrong  township, 
Conemaugh  township  and  Jacksonville — all 
in  Indiana  county.  He  then  (during  the  ad- 
ministration of  President  Cleveland)  moved 
to  Petersburg,  Va.,  and  for  a  period  of  six 
years  carried  on  the  mercantile  business  there, 
in  1898  returning  to  Young  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.  After  devoting  himself  to  farming 
for  a  short  time  he  moved  to  Tunnelton,  in 
Conemaugh  township,  where  he  bought  the 
general  store  of  David  Duncan,  and  has  since 
been  doing  a  thriving  business  at  that  point 
as  butcher  and  general  merchant.  He  owns 
a  farm  of  sixty-two  acres  near  by,  which  he 
cultivates,  and  he  raises  a  large  number  of 
fine  horses,  in  which  line  he  has  been  highly 
successful.  In  fact,  he  has  done  well  in  all 
his  undertakings,  and  is  one  of  the  most  pros- 
perous citizens  in  his  section.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics  and  a  Presbyterian  in  religion. 

Mr.  Donahey  was  married  in  September, 
1895,  to  Levina  Logan  Gould,  daughter  of 
Josiah  Gould,  of  Petersburg,  Va.  They  have 
no  children.  ' 

AUSTIN  WEAMER  CLOWES,  a  stock- 
holder and  director  of  the  Second  National 
Bank  of  Plumville,  and  a  farmer  of  South 
Mahoning  township,  was  born  in  Washington 
township,  this  county,  July  29,  1857. 

The  Clowes  family  is  of  Welsh  origin. 
Isaac  Clowes,  the  first  of  the  name  of  whom 
there  is  definite  knowledge,  married  Anna 
Conner. 

John  Clowes,  a  son  of  Isaac  Clowes,  was 
born  in  Sussex  county,  Del.,  Jan.  15,  1798, 
and  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  county. 
In  1820  he  came  to  Indiana  county,  locating 
in  Washington  township  on  a  farm  which 
later  became  the  property  of  William  Sutton. 
Having  learned  carding  and  weaving  prior 
to  leaving  Delaware,  John  Clowes  followed 
this  line  of  work  in  his  new  home  and  built 
a  mill  to  manufacture  woolens  on  his  farm. 
He  was  a  man  of  affairs  for  his  day,  owned 
and  operated  300  acres  of  land,  and  made 
improvements  as  they  were  required.  His  first 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


house  was  built  of  round  logs,  as  was  his 
barn.  In  1836  he  sold  his  first  farm  and 
bought  another,  on  which  he  died  in  October, 
1880,  aged  eighty -two  years ;  he  was  buried  in 
the  cemetery  connected  with  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Washington  township. 
"While"  not  connected  with  anj'  religious  de- 
nomination, he  lived  according  to  the  Golden 
Rule  and  was  a  most  excellent  man. 

In  1829  John  Clowes  married  Sarah  Hicks, 
a  daughter  of  Isaac  Hicks,  and  she  died  in 
1866,  being  buried  in  the  same  cemetery  as 
her  husband.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church.  The  following 
children  were  born  to  John  Clowes  and  his 
wife:  Louise,  who  married  George  Lutz,  of 
Rayne  township ;  Hannah,  who  married  Wil- 
liam Jamison ;  Lucinda,  who  married  David 
Adams;  Jacob;  Isaac;  Elsie,  who  married 
Reuben  Heyes;  David,  who  was  a  soldier 
during  the  Civil  war,  now  living  on  the  old 
homestead;  John,  who  settled  in  Iowa;  and 
Sarah,  who  is  the  widow  of  Archibald  Mc- 
Adoo,  of  Young  township. 

Jacob  Clowes,  son  of  John  Clowes,  and 
father  of  Austin  Weamer  Clowes,  was  born 
in  Washington  township  in  1834,  and  was 
reared  and  educated  in  his  native  place.  He 
worked  on  the  home  farm  until  he  came  of 
age,  at  which  per-iod  he  began  fai-ming  for 
himself  on  eighty-seven  acres  of  land  in  Wash- 
ington township.  After  operating  this  pro- 
perty for  a  time  he  added  other  land,  being 
the  possessor  of  ISO  acres  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  his  homestead  in 
1892.  His  remains  were  interred  in  the 
Lutheran  Church  cemetery  at  Five  Points. 
A  good  Lutheran,  he  gave  his  hearty  support 
to  the  church,  and  being  a  temperate  man 
was  a  member  of  the  Prohibition  party.  For 
some  time  he  was  a  school  director,  and  did 
his  full  duty  wherever  placed.  During  the 
Civil  war,  he  served  his  country  for  one 
year  as  a  private  in  the  same  company  as  his 
brother  David,  and  was  never  found  lacking 
in  any  respect. 

Jacob  Clowes  married  Mary  Weamer,  who 
was  born  in  South  Mahoning  township, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Weamer  and  sister  of 
Andrew  AVoamer,  of  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship. She  died  at  the  home  of  her  daughter 
in  Vandergrift,  Pa.,  a  consistent  member  of 
the  Lutheran  Church.  The  children  of  Jacol) 
Clowes  and  wife  were:  J.  Clark,  who  was  a 
carpenter,  resides  in  Michigan ;  Albert  died 
when  three  months  old ;  Austin  Weamer  is 
mentioned  below;  Orville  M.  married  S.  R. 
Coulterby,  of  Vandergrift;  Sarah  Emma  mar- 


ried Matthew  McCreary;  Altha  May  married 
Michael  Mench ;  Adda  married  James  Peter- 
man  ;  Jay  R.  married  i\Iary  McCracken,  of 
South  Mahoning  township,  and  resides  at 
Denver,  Colo.;  Ferna  Edith  married  Jack 
Fisher. 

Austin  Weamer  Clowes  received  a  good 
common  school  education  and  worked  at  home 
until  1881,  when  he  came  to  South  Mahoning 
township,  and  located  on  a  farm  not  far 
froiii  the  Armstrong  county  line.  This  farm 
contained  122  acres  of  laud  and  was  formerly 
owned  by  Rev.  Aaron  Neff.  For  the  last 
thirty-one  years  Mr.  Clowes  has  been  engaged 
in  farming  on  his  property,  which  he  has  de- 
veloped to  a  considerable  extent,  and  in  the 
raising  of  high-grade  stock.  He  not  only 
sells  his  own  product  but  also  deals  quite 
extensively  in  cattle  which  he  buys.  His 
handsonie  frame  house  was  built  by  him,  and 
he  has  in  contemplation  other  improvements. 
While  a  busy  man  of  affairs,  he  found  time 
for  a  trip  through  the  West  with  his  wife, 
thus  broadening  his  outlook  and  adding  to 
his  fund  of  experience.  In  addition  to  his 
agricultural  interests,  he  is  a  stockholder  and 
director  of  the  Second  National  Bank  of 
Plumville.  An  independent  in  political 
faith,  he  has  served  as  a  school  director,  su- 
pervisor and  election  inspector.  The  Baptist 
Church  holds  his  membership,  and  receives 
his  generous  support. 

On  Oct.  9,  1879,  Mr.  Clowes  was  married 
to  Agnes  J.  Neff,  of  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship, a  daughter  of  J.  J.  and  Agnes  (Davis) 
Neff,  and  a  niece  of  Rev.  Aaron  Neff,  who  was 
a  well-known  Baptist  divine  of  South  Mahon- 
ing township  in  his  day.  Mrs.  Clowes  made 
her  home  with  him  prior  to  her  maiTiage, 
and  was  trained  by  him  in  high  Christian 
ideals.  Mr.  and  Rlrs.  Clowes  have  had  the 
following  children:  Arthur  N.,  who  died  of 
heart  trouble  May  15,  1906,  and  is  buried  in 
the  cemetery  connected  ^vith  the  Baptist 
Church  in  South  Mahoning  township ;  Anna, 
who  married  Henry  IMarshall,  of  Henry 
county.  111.;  Mabel  Emma,  who  is  at  home; 
Alice  Blanch,  who  lives  in  Henry  county. 
111. ;  Homer  J.,  an  electrician,  of  Pittsburg, 
and  Beulah,  Hazel  and  Wade,  at  home. 

W.  L.  SHIELDS,  M.  D.,  of  Jacksonville, 
Indiana  county,  has  been  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine  there  twenty-four  years,  and 
is  one  of  the  active  citizens  of  that  borough, 
not  only  as  a  professional  man  of  the  high- 
est standing  but  also  in  his  connection  with 
local   interests  of  a  public  nature.     He  was 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


861 


born  in  South '  Mahoning  township,  Indiana 
county,  Feb.  3,  1863,  son  of  Ralph  G.  Shields 
and  grandson  of  James  Shields.  The  latter 
was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  settled  in  Wash- 
ington township,  this  county,  where  he  lived 
and  died.  He  acquired  land  and  followed 
farming. 

Ralph  G.  Shields,  son  of  James,  was  born 
in  Washington  township  and  grew  to  man- 
hood there.  He  learned  blaeksmithing  and 
followed  that  occupation  for  a  long  period 
at  Plumville,  in  South  IMahoning  township, 
where  he  remained  to  the  end  of  his  days. 
He  is  buried  in  Plumville  cemetery.  Mr. 
Shields  was  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  con- 
nection, and  politically  a  Republican.  His 
first  wife,  Mary  Lydick,  daughter  of  William 
B.  Lydick,  died  in  1864,  and  he  married 
(second)  Sarah  Streams  or  Stearns.  There 
were  two  children  by  the  first  marriage,  W. 
L.  and  a  daughter  that  died  in  infancy.  By 
the  second  union  there  were  three :  Anna, 
who  married  Samuel  McClain  (Mack)  Miller, 
of  Center  township;  Elda,  who  married 
Charles  Hookey;  and  Blair,  of  Pittsburg. 

W.  L.  Shields  obtained  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools  and  attended  Glade 
Run  academy,  at  Dayton,  Armstrong  county, 
and  for  five  years  was  engaged  in  teaching 
in  public  school  in  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship and  at  summer  normal.  He  began  his 
medical  course  at  Jefferson  Medical  College, 
Philadelphia,  which  he  attended  in  1881-82, 
later  studied  at  the  Southeastern  Tennessee 
College  from  1882  to  1884,  and  aftei-ward 
attended  the  University  of  Kentucky  at  Louis- 
ville, graduating  from  that  institution  in 
1885,  with  the  degi-ee  of  M.  D.  He  practiced 
for  a  time  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  and  then  located  at  Dayton,  Arm- 
strong Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  a  few 
years,  in  1889  coming  to  Jacksonville,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  succeeded  Dr.  W.  R.  Reed. 
He  has  been  a  conscientious  physician,  and 
has  the  esteem  and  patronage  of  a  wide  circle 
in  the  vicinity,  where  he  is  known  and  trusted 
as  a  friend  as  well  as  in  his  professional 
capacity.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Indiana 
County  Medical  Society  and  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Medical  Society,  and  for  ten  years 
was  a  member  of  the  United  States  pension 
examining  board  for  Indiana  county.  He 
has  served  in  various  other  public  positions, 
having  been  school  director  for  eighteen 
years,  during  which  time  he  has  been  presi- 
dent and  secretary  of  the  board  and  one  of 
its  most  efficient  members;  and  he  has  been 
a  member  of  the  liorough  council  of  Jackson- 


ville. He  is  a  Republican  politically,  and  in 
religious  connection  is  a  Presbyterian,  being 
a  valued  member  of  the  church,  of  which  he 
is  at  present  a  trustee.  Fraternally  he  holds 
membership  in  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 

In  1885  Dr.  Shields  married  Nancy  Bowser, 
of  Plumville,  daughter  of  Anderson  and  Mary 
(Templeton)  Bowser,  and  she  died  at  Jack- 
sonville and  is  biiried  at  Plumville.  She  was 
the  mother  of  three  childi'en :  Jay  H.,  who  is 
manager  for  the  Mahoning  Supply  Company, 
at  Lucerne,  Indiana  county ;  Edith,  and  Anna 
Martha.  Dr.  Shields'  second  marriage  was 
to  Lizzie  Cunningham,  daughter  of  Robert 
Cunningham,  of  Young  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  they  have  had  four  children: 
Robert  DeL.,  Dorothy,  Ralph  (who  died 
young),  and  William   (who  died  young). 

Jay  H.  Shields,  who  is  one  of  the  well- 
known  young  men  in  his  district,  was  born 
at  Dayton,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  Aug.  11, 
1886.  He  attended  Eldersridge  academy 
when  a  boy  and  for  several  sessions  studied 
at  the  Indiana  State  normal  school,  taking 
up  a  business  course.  For  three  terms  he 
taught  school,  two  in  Blacklick  township  and 
one  in  Center  township.  Following  this  he 
went  with  the  Ridge  Supply  Company  at 
leelin,  as  bookkeeper,  and  continued  there 
for  a  period  of  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
he  went  to  Chambersville,  Pa.,  for  one  year. 
For  some  time  following  he  was  with  the 
Seneca  Mercantile  Company  and  from  their 
employ  changed  to  the  Jefferson  Supply 
Company,  at  Ernest,  Pa.  After  remaining 
with  that  company  until  October,  1911,  he 
accepted  his  present  position  as  manager  of 
the  Mahoning  Supply  Company  at  Lucerne, 
which  is  among  the  largest  houses  in  Indiana 
county  and  does  a  large  business.  He  mar- 
ried Sara  Leinbach,  daughter  of  the  late 
Daniel  Leinbach,  and  they  have  one  son,  Wil- 
liam J.  Mr.  Shields  is  a  member  of  Indiana 
Lodge,  No.  313,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Indiana 
Lodge  of  Elks.  He  is  a  Presbyterian  in  re- 
ligious connection. 

HENRY  E.  RONEY,  a  merchant  of  Trade 
City,  Indiana  county,  was  born  at  Kittanning, 
Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  William  G.  and 
Elizabeth  (Smith)  Roney.  Robert  Roney, 
his  grandfather,  was  a  farmer  of  Westmore- 
land county.  Pa.,  where  he  died. 

William  G.  Roney  was  born  in  Westmore- 
land county.  Pa.,  while  his  wife  was  a  native 
of  Jefferson  county.  He  grew  up  in  hia 
native  county,  and  in  young  manhood  went 
to  Puuxsutawney,  Pa.,  where  he  engaged  in 


862 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


lumbering  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil 
war.  He  enlisted  during  the  first  years  of  the 
conflict  in  Company  L,  114th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  was  assigned  to  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
after  three  years  of  faithful  service.  Re- 
turning to  Pennsylvania  he  went  to  Kittan- 
ning.  Securing  a  farm  in  East  Franklin 
township.  Armstrong  county,  he  lived  upon  it 
until  1885,  when  he  came  to  North  Mahon- 
ing township,  this  county,  and  here  died. 
While  living  in  Armstrong  county  William 
G.  Roney  served  as  county  auditor,  as  super- 
visor of  his  township  and  held  other  lesser 
offices.  He  was  active  in  the  ranks  of  the 
Republican  party.  In  religious  matters  he 
was  a  Baptist.  He  and  his  wife,  who  is  also 
deceased,  became  the  parents  of  the  follow- 
ing children:  John,  deceased,  was  a  black- 
smith at  Slatelick,  Pa.,  being  in  business  for 
years  with  his  brother  Robert,  and  went  to 
McKeesport,  Pa. ;  he  married  Fannie  Henry. 
Robert,  after  leaving  his  brother  John,  went 
into  an  undertaking  and  furniture  business 
at  Kittanning,  Pa.,  and  is  now  in  the  wagon 
business  at  Latrobe,  Pa. ;  he  maiTied  Lizzie 
Rhodes.  Mary  married  Martin  Conuelly  and 
(second)  George  Sayers,  both  of  whom  are 
deceased,  and  she  is  now  living  at  Lock 
Haven,  Pa.  William  T.,  who  lives  at  Du 
Bois,  Pa.,  has  been  with  John  DuBois  for 
thirty-three  years,  as  filer;  he  married  Abbie 
Yoder.  Jane  married  Smith  Rudolph,  and  is 
deceased.  James  H.,  chief  of  police  of  Du 
Bois,  Pa.,  for  nine  years,  a  director  of  the 
B.  R.  &  P.  Railroad  Co..  lives  at  DuBois.  Pa. ; 
he  married  Nannie  Weston.  Sarah  Edith, 
who  mai-ried  George  Shields,  of  Covode,  is 
deceased.     Heni-y  E.  completes  the  family. 

Henry  E.  Roney  was  sent  to  the  local 
schools  and  was  engaged  at  farm  work  in  his 
young  manhood.  In  1901  he  engaged  with 
the  J.  B.  Eberhart  Company,  of  Punxsutaw- 
ney,  and  continued  with  that  concern  for  nine 
years,  conducting  the  carpet  and  furniture 
department.  At  the  expiration  of  this  period 
Mr.  Roney  came  to  Trade  City  and  bought  the 
general  merchandise  business  owned  b.y  T.  S. 
Neal.  and  has  since  continued  it  with  gratify- 
ing results,  as  he  now  has  a  large  and  con- 
stantl.v  increasing  business,  and  carries  a  fine 
stock  of  goods.  In  addition  to  his  pi'ivate  busi- 
ness interests  Mr.  Roney  discharges  the  duties 
of  postmaster  at  Trade  City  and  is  an  efficient 
official.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Malta  at  Punxsutawney  and  the  Royal  Ar- 
canum of  the  same  place.  The  First  English 
Lutheran   Church   of  Trade   City   holds   his 


membership,  and  he  not  only  teaches  a  Sun- 
day school  class,  but  is  interested  in  church 
work. 

On  Dec.  29,  1894,  Mr.  Roney  was  married 
to  Anna  M.  Martin,  of  Trade  City,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Philip  J.  and  Catherine  Martin,  the 
former  of  whom  is  deceased,  but  the  latter 
survives,  living  on  the  old  homestead  south  of 
Trade  City.  Mr.  and  I\Irs.  Ronev  have  four 
children :  Millie,  Effie,  Ellsworth  and  Myrtle. 
Mr.  Ronej'  is  admittedly  one  of  the  leading 
men  of  Trade  City,  and  his  position  has  been 
fairly  won  through  faithful  service  and  hon- 
orable methods. 

T.  D.  STEPHENS,  M.  D.,  of  Penn  Run, 
Indiana  county,  is  a  native  of  that  place, 
born  Aug.  4,  1869,  son  of  John  and  Mary 
Jane  (Lockard)  Stephens.  His  grandfather, 
Thomas  Stephens,  was  a  farmer  at  Penn  Run, 
which  is  in  Cherryhill  township,  and  his  wife 
was  a  member  of  the  McPheeters  family  of 
that  place.  The  Stephens  and  Lockard  fam- 
ilies are  both  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction. 

John  and  Mary  Jane  (Lockard)  Stephens- 
were  farming  people  of  Penn  Run.  They  had 
a  family  of  five  children,  two  sons  and  three 
daughters,  namely:  Emma,  who  is  the  wife 
of  Frank  Moorhead,  of  Indiana.  Pa. ;  Jlar- 
garet,  wife  of  George  Lowman,  of  Penn  Run ; 
Almira,  wife  of  Johnson  Moorhead.  of  Cherry- 
hill  township ;  T.  D. ;  and  Shadwick  or  Chad- 
wick,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Mary  Jane 
(Lockard)  Stephens  had  relatives  who  en- 
tered the  service  during  the  Civil  war  and 
died  while  in  the  anny. 

T.  D.  Stephens  began  his  education  in  the 
local  public  schools,  later  attending  summer 
normal  at  Greenville,  Indiana  covinty,  and 
the  Ohio  Wesleyan  Univei-sity,  at  Delaware, 
Ohio.  He  studied  medicine  at  the  University 
of  Pittsburg,  receiving  his  degree  of  ;\I.  D. 
in  ;\Iarch,  1895.  Dr.  Stephens  is  one  of  the 
most  active  physicians  in  Indiana  county.  He 
is  so  well  and  favorably  known  as  a  physician 
that  his  services  are  sought  by  many  outside 
his  own  territory.  He  is  at  present  a  member 
of  the  Indiana  County  ;\Iedical  Examination 
Board. 

Dr.  Stephens  is  active  not  only  in  his  pro- 
fession, but  equally  so  in  all  movements  that 
are  for  the  best  interests  of  the  community  in 
which  he  lives.  For  yeai-s  he  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  politics.  He  is  a  Republican, 
and  has  always  stood  for  clean  politics.  He 
is  an  energetic  worker  in  the  Harmony  Pres- 
byterian Church,  of  which  he  is  a  member. 
"  While  taking  the  teachers'  training  course 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


prescribed  by  the  State  Dr.  Stephens  was  the 
teacher  of  the  class,  and  passed  his  examina- 
tions with  a  perfect  grade.  At  present  he  is 
a  trustee  of  the  Greenville  Select  School. 
He  has  always  upheld  the  cause  of  education. 
He  displayed  his  ability  as  pupil  and  teacher 
in  the  public  schools.  As  a  supporter  of  the 
select  schools  of  his  own  town  he  cannot  he 
too  highly  spoken  of.  The  large  attendance 
of  the  Greenville  school  for  the  last  fifteen 
years  is  due  in  a  great  measure  to  his  efforts. 
He  not  only  solicits  students  for  the  school, 
but  gives  them  medical  attention  free  of 
charge  while  they  are  students  there.  Tlie 
writer  remembers  that  during  an  epidemic  of 
measles  all  the  studeuts  who  were  afflicted  re- 
ceived medical  aid  from  him  gratis.  He  is 
unselfish  and  extremely  liberal,  always  ready 
to  assist  students  in  their  games,  or  in  any- 
thing that  may  bring  sunshine  into  their  lives. 

The  Doctor  has  a  wide  circle  of  i^atients 
and  is  highly  esteemed  by  all  with  whom  he 
comes  in  contact,  whether  in  his  professional 
capacitj'  or  any  of  the  other  relations  of  life, 
being  recognized  as  a  man  of  character  and 
worth,  and  an  honorable  representative  of  the 
respected  name  he  bears. 

On  June  27,  1895,  Dr.  Stephens  was  mar- 
ried to  Martha  Jane  Simpson,  daughter  of 
Nathan  Simpson,  of  Indiana.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Stephens  have  two  children :  Roy  S.,  born 
June  4,  1899,  and  Drew  H.,  lioni  March  2, 
1901. 

JOHN  HARBISON,  late  of  Armstrong 
township.  Indiana  county,  was  a  member  of 
one  of  the  oldest  pioneer  families  of  that 
section,  and  was  born  on  Blacklegs  creek,  in 
Young  township,  in  the  twenties,  son  of 
Joseph  Harbison  and  grandson  of  Francis 
Harbison.  It  is  supposed  the  latter 's  father 
was  stolen  from  the  coast  of  England  and 
brought  to  America  as  a  deckhand,  presum- 
ably impressed  into  service.  He  escaped 
from  the  ship  on  which  he  was  held  at  either 
New  York  or  Philadelphia. 

The  Harbison  family  is  supposedly  of 
Scotch-Irish  extraction,  and  Francis  Harbi- 
son, who  founded  the  branch  living  in  Indi- 
ana county,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
born  near  Philadelphia.  During  the  memor- 
able struggle  of  the  Colonies  for  independ- 
ence he  served  as  a  soldier,  and  was  taken 
prisoner.  In  1798  he  came  to  western  Penn- 
sylvania, crossing  the  Allegheny  mountains 
and  settling  with  his  family  in  what  is  now 
Young  township,   Indiana   county,  where  he 


was  among  the  early  pioneers  who  opened  up 
this  region.  His  land  was  south  of  West 
Lebanon,  where  the  station  is  now  located, 
and  he  became  the  owner  of  a  large  body, 
having  over  one  thousand  acres,  then  in  its 
primitive  condition.  He  built  a  house  of 
round  logs,  and  also  a  log  barn,  and  set  him- 
self to  work  to  clear  his  land  and  prepare  it 
for  cultivation.  He  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  life  there,  dying  on  his  farm  in  1823.  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five  years,  and  is  buried  in 
the  Ebenezer  Church  cemetery  in  Conemaugh 
township.  He  was  a  Presbyterian  in  relig- 
ious connection.  His  wife,  Catherine  (Hart), 
lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years, 
dying  in  1849,  and  is  also  buried  in  the  Eben- 
ezer Church  cemeteiy.  They  had  children  as 
follows  :  Joseph,  mentioned  below ;  Robert, 
born  in  1785,  who  married  Mary  Millen,  and 
died  in  1855;  Mary,  who  married  Thomas 
Cunningham;  Jane,  who  married  James  Sw- 
ing; Anna;  William,  who  married  Sarah 
Hutchinson;  Sarah,  who  married  William 
McNeil;  and  Matthew,  who  married  Mary 
Heney. 

Joseph  Harbison,  eldest  son  of  Francis  and 
Catherine  (Hart)  Harbison,  came  with  his 
parents  to  Young  township  and  became  one 
of  the  leading  agriculturists  of  his  day  in 
that  vicinity.  He  acquired  a  tract  of  several 
hundred  acres.  His  first  dwelling  was  con- 
structed of  logs,  and  he  later  erected  a  frame 
house  and  barn,  also  making  many  other  im- 
provements on  his  property,  where  he  spent 
his  life.  The  frame  residence  which  he  built 
there  in  the  latter  forties  is  still  standing  and 
is  in  an  excellent  state  of  preservation.  Mr. 
Harbison  died  on  his  place  and  was  buried  in 
West  Lebanon  cemetery.  He  was  a  strong 
antislavery  man,  a  Whig  and  Republican  in 
political  sentiment,  and  served  as  justice  of 
the  peace.  A  prominent  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  he  served  as  elder  of  the 
church  at  West  Lebanon,  which  he  helped  to 
organize;  he  w,as  originally  a  member  of  the 
church  at  Eldersridge.  He  was  a  man  of  high 
Christian  character,  devoted  to  his  home,  his 
family  and  the  best  interests  of  the  com- 
munity, and  was  a  desirable  citizen  in  every 
sense  of  the  term.  His  wife,  Rebecca 
(Ewing),  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Moore)  Ewing  and  a  sister  of  Alexander 
Ewing.  one  of  her  nephews  being  the  late 
Rev.  T.  R.  Ewing.  Mrs.  Harbison  died  on 
the  farm  and  was  interred  in  the  West  Leb- 
anon cemetery.     She  was  a  member  of  the 


864 


HISTOEY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Presbj'terian  Church.  Eight  children  were 
born  to  Joseph  and  Rebecca  (Ewing)  Har- 
bison: Anna,  wife  of  Silas  Fulton;  Sarah, 
wife  of  Joseph  Cunningham;  William,  boi'n 
in  1814,  who  died  March  6,  1850 ;  Mary,  wife 
of  William  Cooper,  residing  at  Slippery 
Eock,  Butler  Co.,  Pa. ;  Francis,  who  married 
Parmelia  Cooper,  and  resided  in  Young 
township ;  Catherine,  who  died  unmaiTied ; 
John,  who  married  Elizabeth  Beatty;  and 
Jane,  who  died  unmarried. 

John  Harbison  attended  common  school  in 
Young  township,  and  became  familiar  with 
farm  work  at  home,  assisting  Iris  parents. 
When  a  young  man  he  bought  a  threshing 
machine  and  commenced  to  work  at  thresh- 
ing and  baling  all  over  this  section,  a  line  of 
work  which  he  continued  to  carrj^  on  all  his 
life.  He  also  became  interested  in  farming  on 
his  own  account,  in  1862  moving  to  Armstrong 
township  and  settling  on  the  Beatty  farm  of 
124  acres,  which  he  subsequently  bought  from 
the  Beatty  heirs,  establishing  his  permanent 
home  upon  this  tract.  His  widow  still  resides 
there,  cultivating  the  laud  with  the  assistance 
of  hired  help.  She  also  owns  the  coal  rights. 
j\Ir.  Harbison  was  one  of  the  most  i-espected 
citizens  of  his  neighborhood,  where  by  a  long 
Ufe  of  industry  and  usefulness  he  had  gained 
the  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him.  He  died 
in  May,  1896,  aged  seventy-two  years,  and  is 
buried  in  the  cemetery  of  the  Curry  Run 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Armstrong  township. 
He  was  a  member  of  that  church. 

Mr.  Harbison  married  Elizabeth  Beatty, 
who  was  born  Dec.  7.  1830.  in  Armstrong 
township,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Nancy 
(Borland)  Beatty,  and  though  now  eighty- 
two  years  of  age  is  in  possession  of  all  her 
faculties,  active  mentally  and  physically. 
She  is  regarded  by  all  her  neighbors  as  a 
woman  of  high  character  and  intelligence. 
Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Harbison:  Maria  M.,  deceased,  who  was  the 
wife  of  Harry  McClellan;  Mary  A.,  deceased; 
R.  Edwin,  deceased,  who  was  a  school  teacher 
in  Armstrong  township ;  and  Martha  J.,  the 
only  survivor  of  the  family.  The  last  named 
attended  common  school  in  Armstrong  to\\Ti- 
ship  and  later  went  to  select  schools  at  Park- 
wood  and  Shelocta,  and  to  Grove  City  College. 
After  teaching  five  terms  in  Armstrong  town- 
ship and  for  a  time  in  the  liigh  school  at  Salts- 
burg  she  went  back  to  Grove  City  College  for 
another  term's  study,  and  she  has  since  been 
teaching  eighth  grade  in  the  McNair  school  at 


Wilkinsburg,  Pa.,  where  .she  has  now  been 
engaged  for  eight  years.  She  has  been  very 
successful,  and  is  a  valued  worker. 

HARRY  PATTON  DOWLER,  superin- 
tendent of  the  Penn-]Mary  Coal  Company,  at 
Heilwood,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  is  a  native  of 
Clearfield  count}^,  this  State,  bom  June  5, 
1869,  a  son  of  Capt.  James  and  Cornelia 
(Patton)  Dowler. 

Capt.  James  Dowler  was  bom  in  Ireland, 
and  as  a  lad  was  taken  to  England  by  his 
father,  a  guardsman  in  the  British  Resei-ves. 
On  coming  to  the  United  States,  Capt.  James 
Dowler  first  located  in  New  York  City,  where 
he  remained  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  that 
time  coming  to  Clearfield  county,  Pa.,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  lumbering  and  farming 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1904.  He 
married  Cornelia  Patton,  who  was  bom  in 
Center  county,  Pa.,  and  she  died  in  1907, 
the  mother  of  ten  children,  as  follows:  Wil- 
liam, now  deceased,  who  was  a  physician 
and  surgeon  of  Patton,  Pa. ;  Susanna,  wife 
of  James  Martin,  living  on  the  old  homestead 
in  Clearfield  county;  John,  residing  at  Burn- 
side,  Clearfield  county;  Elizabeth,  also  a  resi- 
dent of  Burnside;  James,  who  lives  in  West 
Virginia ;  Josephine,  wife  of  Ellery  Harts- ' 
horn,  of  Texas;  Harry  Patton;  and  three 
who  are  deceased. 

John  Patton.  maternal  gi-andfather  of 
Harry  Patton  Dowler,  was  a  native  of  Cen- 
ter county.  Pa.,  where  he  owned  considerable 
laud.  His  father  was  a  member  of  Gen- 
eral Washington's  bodyguard  during  tlie 
war  of  the  Revolution,  being  colonel  of  t!ie 
ICth  Additional  Continental  Regiment,  and 
subsec|uently  becoming  ma.ior  general  of  a 
division  of  the  State  militia.  He  had  charge 
of  the  defenses  of  Philadelphia  during  the 
Revolution,  and  was  one  of  the  most  patri- 
otic merchants  of  that  city,  where  he  died 
in  the  year  1804.  His  wife.  Susan  (Antes). 
was  a  daughter  of  Philip  Antes,  an  early 
settler  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  well-known 
justice  of  his  day. 

The  early  education  of  Harry  Patton  Dow- 
ler was  oiitained  in  the  piiblie  schools  of 
Clearfield  county,  and  in  1894  he  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  Pennsylvania  State  College  in 
mining  engineering,  subsequently  accepting 
a  position  with  the  Mitchell  Coal  Company, 
at  Tyrone,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  four 
years.  During  this  time,  in  1898,  he  served 
as  first  lieutenant  in  the  State  Cavalry,  2d 
Sheridan  Troop.  From  1899  to  1900  he  was 
engaged  in  coal  operations  at  Glen  Campbell, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


865 


aud  then  Aveut  to  Pittsburg,  where  he  started 
dealing  in  coal  and  timber  lands,  and  was  so 
employed  until  1906,  in  the  spring  of  which 
year  he  accepted  his  present  position  as  su- 
perintendent of  the  Penn-Mary  Coal  Com- 
pany. j\Ir.  Dowler  is  also  president  of  the 
Lasoya  Oil  Company,  of  Oklahoma,  and  a 
director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Glen 
Campbell.  He  is  known  as  a  capable  busi- 
ness man,  and  one  who  is  thoroughly  con- 
versant with  the  mining  industry.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Coal  Mining  Institute  of  Amer- 
ica, and  to  the  Engineers'  Society  of  West- 
ern Pennsylvania,  and  also  to  the  American 
Institute  of  Mining  Engineers. 

In  1S98  Mr.  Dowler  was  married  to  Erae- 
liue  Patchin,  who  was  born  in  Clearfield 
county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Aaron  W.  and 
Elizabeth  (Barrett)  Patchin.  J\Ir.  Patchin, 
who  was  one  of  the  most  extensive  lumber- 
men on  the  Susquehanna  river,  died  in  1898, 
while  his  widow,  a  native  of  England,  still 
lives  on  the  old  family  homestead.  Three 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dowler:  Aaron  P.,  eleven  years  old;  Eliza- 
beth Jane,  who  is  seven;  and  Mary  Wini- 
fred, aged  four  years. 

Mr.  Dowler  has  interested  himself  closely 
with  fraternal  matters  and  is  especially 
prominent  in  Masonry,  holding  membership  in 
Tyrone  Blue  Lodge  and  Chapter,  Mountain 
Commandery.  K.  T.,  of  Altoona,  Williams- 
port  Consistory  (thirty-second  degree),  and 
Syria  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  of  Pitts- 
l3urg.  He  also  belongs  to  Bumside  Lodge 
of  Odd  Fellows  and  to  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks 
lodge  at  Indiana.  With  Mrs.  Dowler  and 
their  children  he  attends  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Heilwood. 

ALVIN  TAYLOR  McNUTT.  proprietor  of 
the  Orchard  Grove  farm  of  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, which  has  been  in  the  McNutt  family 
for  five  generations,  is  one  of  the  progressive 
farmers  of  that  section  of  Indiana  county. 
He  was  born  Nov.  17,  1854,  on  the  farm  where 
lie  now  makes  his  home. 

The  ]McNutt  family  is  of  Scotch-Irish 
extraction,  tlie  founder  of  the  Indiana  county 
branch  being  -Tames  McNutt.  who  was  a  native 
of  Ireland,  and  came  to  this  country  at  an 
early  date.  He  settled  in  Bnishvalley  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  which  was  then  a  wil- 
derness. Here  he  took  up  a  tract  of  500 
acres,  which  later  was  patented  by  his  son 
John.  Mr.  AIcNutt  here  erected  a  log  house, 
and  by  hard  labor  hewed  out  a  home  for  him- 
self in  the  wilderness,  settling  down  to  farm- 


ing. He  continued  to  make  his  home  there 
the  rest  of  his  life.  A  part  of  his  farm  is 
now  owned  by  Mr.  John  G.  McCrory,  the 
well-known  owner  of  a  chain  of  five  and  ten 
cent  stores.  Mr.  McNutt  died  on  the  farm 
and  was  buried  in  what  is  known  as  Matters 
graveyard,  near  the  homestead.  In  religious 
belief  he  was  a  Methodist. 

Mr.  McNutt  married  Sally  Amatage,  who 
was  also  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  twelve  children,  viz. :  John ; 
Joseph ;  Wesley ;  James ;  Henry,  who  settled 
in  Ohio;  Asbury,  who  died  young;  Robert, 
who  settled  in  New  Orleans;  Samuel,  Nelson 
and  William,  who  all  died  in  infancy ;  Miram, 
who  married  Jesse  Hiuer;  and  Betsey  M., 
who  died  young. 

Joseph  McNutt,  son  of  James,  was  born  on 
the  old  homestead,  where  he  grew  to  man- 
hood. He  learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith, 
which  he  followed  during  his  active  life.  In 
his  earlier  years  he  worked  at  his  trade  in 
different  sections  of  the  State,  but  later  in 
life  he  settled  down  in  Bnishvalley  township, 
where  he  erected  a  shop  on  a  part  of  his 
father's  farm  and  here  followed  his  trade  as 
a  general  blacksmith  for  many  years.  His 
last  .years  were  spent  in  Johnstown,  where 
his  death  occurred,  and  he  was  buried  there. 
Air.  ilcNutt  married  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship Elizabeth  (Betsey)  Evans,  daughter  of 
Hugh  Evans,  who  was  a  pioneer  settler  of 
that  township.  Children  as  follows  came  to 
this  imion :  Mary  Ann,  who  married  Robert 
Swarts,  of  Brushvalley  township ;  John  E. ; 
Hiigh,  who  went  West ;  Hannah,  who  married 
Jacob  IMcKay;  Sarah,  who  married  James 
Summerville;  and  Samuel,  who  resided  in 
Boswell,  Cambria  county.  After  his  first 
wife's  death  Mr.  McNutt  was  married  (sec- 
ond) to  Margaret  Gebhart,  and  they  had  four 
children,  Lizzie,  Catherine.  Jane  aud  Elmer. 

John  Evans  McNutt,  son  of  Joseph  and 
Elizabeth  (Evans)  McNutt,  was  born  in 
Brushvalley  township,  where  he  was  educated. 
He  worked  at  farming  from  an  early  age, 
and  when  he  reached  manhood  settled  on  the 
farm  of  his  uncle,  John  McNutt,  where  the 
remainder  of  his  active  life  was  spent.  The 
place  is  now  in  the  possession  of  his  son,  Alvin 
Taylor  McNutt,  and  it  is  known  as  Orchard 
Grove  farm.  He  here  operated  a  tract  of  100 
acres,  engaging  in  general  farming  all  his 
active  life.  Upon  his  retirement  Mr.  McNutt 
removed  to  ilechanicsburg,  and  continued  to 
live  there  until  his  death,  in  September,  1891 ; 
he  was  buried  in  the  Evans  cemetery,  in 
Brushvalley  township.     In  polities  he  was  a 


866 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


stanch  Republican,  and  he  was  assessor  and 
supei-^'isor  of  his  township.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  M.  E.  Church  and  was  active  in  all 
church  work. 

Mr.  McNutt  married  Catharine  McXutt, 
daughter  of  John  j\IcNutt,  who  for  years  was 
a  well-known  local  preacher  and  exhorter  of 
the  M.  E.  Church,  and  who  was  the  owner  and 
patentee  of  the  land  taken  up  by  his  father 
in  Bi-ushvalley  township.  Mrs.  ^IcNutt  is 
still  living,  residing  with  her  grandchildren 
in  Center  township,  near  Homer  City.  She 
is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  also.  The 
following  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McNutt:  (1)  Edward,  who  died  at  Blairs- 
ville,  was  a  farmer  in  Burrell  township.  He 
married  Lizzie  Younkiu.  (2)  Alvin  Taylor 
is  mentioned  below.  ^ 

Alvin  Taylor  McNutt  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  the  township,  and  grew 
to  manhood  on  the  farm  where  he  aided  his 
father  in  the  cultivating  of  the  homestead.  In 
1889,  when  his  father  retired,  he  took  charge 
of  the  property,  then  a  tract  of  100  acres,  to 
which  he  has  added  130  acres,  being  now  the 
owner  and  operator  of  a  tract  of  230  acres, 
where  he  is  -engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  He  has  made  extensive  im- 
provements on  the  farm,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  progressive  and  successful  agi-iculturists 
in  his  part  of  the  county. 

Mr.  McNutt  married  March  4,  1879,  Lu- 
cinda  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Allegheny, 
Pa.,  daughter  of  John  and  Amy  (Cross) 
Smith.  Sirs.  McNutt  is  a  member  of  the 
Evangelical  Church.  She  has  always  been  a 
devoted,  and  affectionate  mother,  and  her 
husband  has  always  had  in  her  a  loving  help- 
mate. Seven  children  have  been  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McNutt,  viz.:  (1)  Alvin  Gilford 
died  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  (2)  Etta 
Maude,  born  July  17,  1881,  married  Charles 
Ross,  and  has  four  children,  Cora  Bela,  War- 
den Melvin,  "Wilda  Adeline  and  Orlene 
Retula.  (3)  One  child  died  in  infancy.  (4) 
George  Taylor,  born  ]\Iarch  2,  1884.  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  and  worked  at 
home  with  his  parents  until  1911,  when  he 
went  to  Alberta,  Canada,  and  he  is  now  a 
ranchman  in  ]\rontana.  He  is  affiliated  with 
the  I.  0.  0.  F.  (5)  Annie  Catharine,  born 
Sept.  21,  1890,  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  the  summer  normal  school  taught 
by  Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart.  She  resides  at  home. 
(6)  John  Smith,  born  Oct.  16,  1891,  received 
his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Brushvalley  township,  later  stud.viug  at 
Greenville,  Pa.,  under  Professor  "Weaver,  and 


at  Mechanicsburg,  Pa.,  under  Prof.  C.  A. 
Campbell.  He  taught  school  for  two  years 
in  Brushvalley  and  Butfington  townships,  and 
is  now  a  student  at  the  Illinois  Holiness  Uni- 
versity at  OUvet,  Illinois,  preparing  himseK 
for  the  life  of  a  missionary.  (7)  Robert 
Vivian,  born  Sept.  16.  1897,  was  also  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  Brushvalley 
township,  and  resides  at  home. 

Mr.  Alvin  T.  McXutt  is  a  Republican  in 
politics.  He  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the 
principles  of  Colonel  Roosevelt,  and  one  of 
his  most  ardent  admirers.  He  has  been  di- 
rector of  the  public  schools  of  his  township 
for  one  term. 

GEORGE  S.  GRIFFITH,  a  prosperous 
farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  his  section  of  Indi- 
ana county,  was  born  in  South  Mahonins: 
township  Feb.  22,  1861,  son  of  David  Griffith. 

Evan  Griffith,  a  native  of  South  Wales, 
brought  his  family  to  America  in  1840,  in  a 
sailing  vessel.  Coming  to  Pennsylvania,  they 
first  settled  in  Rayne  township, '  Indiana 
county,  and  followed  farming,  but  later  the 
parents  went  to  Cambria  county,  where  they 
rounded  out  their  lives,  owning,  the  farm  on 
which  they  died.  Evan  Griffith  and  his  wife 
Mary  had  these  children :  Evan,  who  settled 
in  California;  John,  who  settled  in  Illinois; 
Griffith,  who  settled  in  Cambria  county; 
Lewis,  who  died  young :  Daniel,  who  settled  in 
Conemaugh  township;  David,  who  settled  in 
Indiana  county;  Mary,  who  died  in  Cambria 
countj' ;  Sarah,  who  died  in  Cambria  county ; 
Margaret,  who  married  Alexander  St.  Clair, 
and  lived  in  Illinois;  Winnie,  who  married 
Daniel  Thomas,  and  lived  in  Johnstown; 
Elizabeth,  who  lived  in  Cambria  count.v;  and 
a  son  who  died  in  infancy,  unnamed. 

David  Griffith  was  bom  in  1821,  in  South 
Wales,  and  came  with  his  father  to  America 
when  about  twenty  years  old.  After  a  year 
spent  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana  county,  he 
went  to  East  ilahoning  township,  where  he 
farmed  until  1850,  and  then  went  to  West 
Mahoning  township  and  bought  the  farm  now 
owned  by  his  sou  Evan.  It  contained  130 
acres  ancl  he  improved  it  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent before  his  death  upon  it,  in  1878,  when 
he  was  fifty-seven  years  old.  He  is  buried  in 
the  Baptist  Church  cemetery  in  South  Ma- 
honing township.  He  was  a  good  man,  fol- 
lowing out  the  Golden  Rule  in  his  evervday 
life. 

David  Griffith  married  Sarah  Kimple,  who 
was  born  in  Delaware  county,  N.  J.,  in  1831, 
daughter  of  John  and  I\Ian-  (Sigler)  Kimple, 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  granddaughter  of  Philip  Sigler,  who  was 
a  Revolutionary  soldier.  She  died  on  the 
homestead  in  1885  and  is  buried  in  the  same 
cemetery  as  her  husband.  The  children  of 
this  excellent  couple  were :  Evan  W.,  who  is 
a  farmer  of  West  Mahoning  township,  mar- 
ried Flora  Spencer;  John  K.,  who  resides  in 
Kansas,  married  Margaret  M.  Schall ;  George 
L.  died  j'oung;  Mary,  who  married  Scott 
Fitzgerald,  resides  in  Kansas  City;  Sarah  L., 
who  married  James  Hazelett,  is  deceased; 
George  S.  is  mentioned  below;  Margaret 
Adessa  is  unmarried;  Amanda  Emma  is  the 
widow  of  William  Carahan,  and  resides  in 
Chicago;  Annie  Maria  is  a  physiciaij;  Philip 
S.  lives  in  Nebraska ;  Jennie  V.  married  Wil- 
liam McKinnev,  of  Goodland,  Kansas. 

George  S.  Griffith,  son  of  David  Griffith, 
attended  the  district  schools,  and  assisted  with 
the  work  on  the  homestead  until  he  was 
twenty-two  years  old.  He  then  bought  fifty 
acres  of  the  Crawford  farm,  paying  down 
$300,  and  giving  notes  for  the  remaining 
$2,300.  For  a  time  he  had  to  economize 
closely  to  clear  off  this  debt,  but  he  succeeded 
and  added  forty  acres  more,  which  farm  was 
known  as  the  Allison  pi'operty.  At  present 
he  operates  ninety  acres.  In  addition  he  owns 
104  acres  formerly  known  as  the  Capt.  Peter 
Spencer  farm,  in  South  Mahoning  township, 
and  a  five-acre  tract  in  Plumville,  which  has 
been  built  upon.  His  land  is  devoted  to  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising,  and  he  has 
also  dealt  in  cattle,  horses  and  sheep.  Mr. 
Griffith  made  many  improvements  on  his  barn, 
which  was  struck  by  lightning  in  1899,  after 
which  he  rebuilt  it. 

A  Republican,  he  served  as  assessor  for 
three  years  and  constable  for  three  years.  He 
was  a  candidate  for  county  treasurer  of  Indi- 
ana county  in  1911,  but  after  making  a  hard 
fight  lost  the  nomination  by  a  few  votes.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  has 
many  friends  in  that  connection  as  he  has 
elsewhere,  his  genial,  pleasant  personality 
winning  them  for  him. 

In  1881  Mr.  Griffith  married  Annie  Kerr, 
who  was  born  in  West  Mahoning  township, 
daughter  of  William  Kerr,  and  died  ia  1900 ; 
she  is  buried  in  the  Baptist  Church  cemetery 
in  South  Mahoning  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Griffith  had  these  children :  Charles  William 
is  a  farmer  of  East  Mahoning  township ; 
Sarah  is  deceased;  Pearl  is  a  widow  and  re- 
sides at  home;  Bert  was  a  fii-eman  and  was 
killed  on  the  Buffalo  &  Susquehanna  railroad ; 
David  K.  resides  at  Cleveland,  Ohio;  an  in- 
fant  daughter   died  unnamed.     Mr.    Griffith 


married,  for  his  second  wife,  Thea  Bell  Neil, 
who  was  bom  in  South  Mahoning  township, 
a  daughter  of  Julin  and  Annie  (Orr)  Neil. 
Mrs.  Griffith  was  taken  to  Missouri  by  her 
parents  when  five  years  old,  and  was  there 
reared  to  maturity.  She  is  a  woman  of  in- 
telligence and  admirable  character.  She  and 
Mr.  Griffith  have  had  two  children:  Irene, 
Avho  died  young;  and  George  Sylvester,  Jr. 
Mrs.  Griffith  is  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

Mr.  Griffith  has  always  shown  a  public- 
spirited  interest  in  local  institutions,  believ- 
ing in  encouraging  them.  At  one  time  he 
gave  his  support  to  the  First  National  Bank 
of  Plumville  as  a  director,  his  name  lending 
strength  to  this  concern.  His  career  has  been 
marked  by  hard,  unremitting  work,  but  his 
efforts  have  met  with  a  commensurate  reward, 
and  his  standing  in  the  community  is  con- 
sistently high. 

JOHN  TAYLOR  BELL  has  been  asso- 
ciated with  the  business  life  of  the  bor- 
ough of  Indiana  dui-ing  the  greater  part 
of  his  residence  there  and  is  a  citizen 
thoroughly  interested  in  the  general  welfare, 
as  he  has  shown  practically  in  his  more 
than  twenty-five  years  of  service  as  member 
of  the  board  of  school  directors.  He  is  one 
of  the  foremost  men  of  Indiana  county, 
and  the  fact  that  he  has  attained  his  honor- 
able and  substantial  position  through  his 
own  efforts  make  his  success  the  more  note- 
worthy. He  belongs  to  a  family  whose  his- 
tory in  this  part  of  Pennsylvania  begins  in 
pioneer  days,  and  whose  members  have  been 
typical  representatives  of  the  hardy,  thrifty 
Scotch-Irish  race  to  which  they  belong.  The 
State  has  this  element  to  thank  for  many  of 
its  most  desirable  citizens.  Combining  intel- 
lectual vigor  and  strong  moral  qualities  with 
physical  sturdiness,  they  faced  the  hardships 
of  the  early  days  courageously,  made  the  most 
of  their  opportunities,  inaugurated  move- 
ments for  the  advancement  of  the  general  good 
as  soon  as  prosperity  relieved  them  from  the 
pressure  of  unremitting  devotion  to  their  im- 
mediate needs,  and  helped  to  establish  a  civil- 
ization which  reflects  credit  on  all  who  have 
taken  part  in  its  accomplishment.  Members 
of  the  family  have  intermarried  with  the  Mc- 
Garas,  Speedys,  McKees,  Johnstons,  Davises 
and  Hughes,  and  other  worthy  and  respected 
families,  all  of  Avhom  are  well  represented  at 
the  Bell  reunions  held  from  time  to  time,  a 
family  association  having  been  organized  some 
years  ago.     The  Bells  as  a  rule  are  Presby- 


868 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


terians  in  religious  eounection,  though  there 
are  many  of  the  Methodist  and  Baptist  per- 
suasion among  them. 

It  seeiiis  likely  that  the  home  of  the  Bells 
was  originally  in  Scotland,  whence  they 
spread  into  Ireland,  England  and  Wales,  and 
thence  to  America,  "possibly  ahead  of  the 
'Mayflower,'  "  according  to  one  member  of 
the  family.  However,  Robert  Bell  was  born 
in  1736  near  Belfast,  in  the  north  of  Ireland, 
and  came  to  this  country  with  two  brothers, 
landing  at  Philadelphia.  One  of  the  brothers 
went  South,  and  one  remained  in  eastern 
Pennsylvania,  Robert  going  first  to  Center 
county.  Pa.,  and  thence  to  Westmoreland 
county,  where  he  made  a  settlement  near  Se- 
wickley.  Among  his  descendants  are  the  Bells 
of  Kentucky,  his  son  Joseph  Bell,  who  was 
born  in  Westmoreland  county.  July  17,  1765, 
dying  in  Kentuckj%  January  16,  1803.  Robert 
Bell  died  June  11,  1826,  long  surviving  his 
wife,  Jane,  who  died  April  3,  1791.  Their 
children  were:  (1)  Joseph,  born  July  17, 
1765,  died  in  Kentucky  January  16,  1803. 
(2)  James  was  born  December  10,  1766.  (3) 
Elizabeth,  born  in  February,  1768,  never  mar- 
ried. (4)  John,  born  January  28,  1770,  is 
mentioned  below.  (5)  Samuel,  born  Febru- 
ary 10,  1773,  died  June  9,  1856,  at  the  Bell 
homestead  near  Chambersville,  Indiana 
county.  He  was  "squire"  for  over  thirty 
years"  and  surveyov  for  the  Holland  Land 
Company  of  Philadelphia,  and  his  surveying 
instruments,  bearing  his  initials,  "S.  B.," 
were  owned  by  some  one  near-Newville,  In- 
diana county,  Pa.,  some  years  ago.  He  moved 
from  Sewickley  to  six  or  seven  miles  southwest 
of  Greensburg,  thence  to  near  Saltsburg, 
where  he  lived  until  his  removal  to  ilcKees 
Mill  in  1807.  From  there  in  1814  he  moved 
to  Chambersville,  where  he  bought  a  large 
tract  of  land  known  as  "the  Steward 's  lands," 
belonging  to  some  English  heirs,  sold  at  com- 
missioners' sale  for  taxes,  for  $17.53,  in  1811. 
Samuel  Bell  married  Jane  Welsh,  sister  of  his 
brother  John's  wife.  (6)  William,  born  Feb- 
ruary 10,  1776,  died  in  Kentucky,  where  he 
left  a  family,  two  of  whom,  AVilliam  and  John, 
became  practicing  physicians  in  Louisville, 
while  another,  James,  made  his  home  near 
there.  (7)  :Margaret,  born  in  February,  1778, 
married  James  McLaughlin,  of  Indiana 
county.  (8)  Jane  married  Archie  Fleming, 
of  near  Greensburg,  and  their  descendants 
are  found  in  Ohio  and  Illinois. 

John  Bell,  son  of  Robert,  was  the  great- 
grandfather of  John  Taylor  Bell.  He  was 
born  January  28,  1770,  in  Virginia,  and  was 


but  an  infant  when  his  father  moved  to  Cum- 
berland county,  this  State,  and  soon  after  to 
Sewickley  settlement  in  Westmoreland  county, 
where  he  gi-ew  up.  One  of  the  interesting  ex- 
periences of  his  young  manhood  was  his  part 
in  the  overthrow  of  the  Whiskey  Insurrection, 
and  he  remembered  perfectly  incidents  con- 
nected with  the  march  of  the  forces  through 
this  region  for  its  suppression.  He  was  mar- 
ried there  to  Elizabeth  Welsh,  and  about  1800 
moved  to  the  vicinity  of  what  is  now  the  bor- 
ough of  Indiana.  He  was  the  first  constable 
elected  in  Indiana  county  after  its  formation, 
in  1806,  but  in  1809  he  moved  farther  into 
the  wilderness,  in  May  of  that  year  settling 
upon  the  farm  near  Perrysville,  now  Hamil- 
ton, in  Jefferson  county,  about  one  mile  north 
of  Big  ilahouing  creek,  where  he  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  life,  dying  there  ilay  18, 
1855,  in  his  eighty-sixth  year.  This  was  the 
first  settlement  made  north  of  that  creek  in 
Jefferson  county.  The  country  for  miles 
around  was  a  wilderness  without  human  habi- 
tation, his  only  neighbors  until  1812  being 
nine  miles  distant,  and  the  onlj^  road  in  that 
part  of  the  county  four  miles  away.  John 
Bell  was  "a  true  specimen  of  the  pioneer 
who  with  ax  and  rifle  subdued  the  forests  and 
opened  the  waj-  for  civilization,  and  combined 
the  manly  virtues  and  striking  traits  which 
distinguished  that  class  of  men.  now  almost 
extinct,"  their  sti-ongly  marked  peculiarities 
being  known  more  by  tradition  than  observa- 
tion to  the  present  generation.  "xVs  may  be 
inferred,  the  silence  of  the  forest  was  as  often 
bfoken  by  the  crack  of  Squire  Bell's  rifle  as 
by  the  stroke  of  his  ax.  In  those  days  clear- 
ing land  and  hunting  game  were  employments 
which  claimed  an  equal  share  of  the  pioneer's 
attractions.  Indeed,  for  a  long  time  after  he 
settled  there,  the  rifle  was  almost  his  only 
means  of  subsistence,  for  the  heavy  and 
thickly  grown  timber  of  that  region  was  not 
easily  cleared  off.  And  thus  in  the  simple 
but  rugged  employments  of  the  forest  passed 
many  of  his  years.  Of  his  hunting  exploits 
no  better  description  can  be  given  than  to 
state  that  during  his  residence  in  Jefferson 
county  he  killed  two  panthei's,  ninety-three 
wolves,  three  hundred  and  six  bears  and  over 
eight  hundred  deer.  Incredible  as  this  state- 
ment may  appear  to  the  degenerate  hunters  of 
the  present  day,  none  who  knew  John  Bell  will 
doubt  its  truth ;  for  it  was  taken  from  his  lips 
by  a  gentleman  whose  taste  in  hunting  and 
whose  care  and  industry  as  a  collector  of 
statistics  are  well  known.  But  he  was  not  a 
hunter  merely,  for  in  addition  to  his  duties  on 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


869 


the  farm  he  fulfilled  all  the  duties  of  a  citizen. 
In  1818  Governor  Findlay  appointed  him  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  an  office  which  he  held  for 
twenty-five  years  with  credit  and  usefulness. 

"We  have  said  that  John  Bell  was  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  early  American  character  as 
developed  in  pioneer  life ;  but  he  was  more  a 
type  of  its  virtues  than  of  its  faults.  Brave 
and  enterprising,  he  avoided  neither  exposure 
nor  fatigue  and  cheerfully  underwent  labors 
from  which  most  men  would  shrink,  and, 
familiar  with  the  dangers  of  forest,  he  knew 
no  fear.  But  his  most  striking  characteristics 
were  love  for  truth  and  sterling  honesty  dis- 
played alike  in  his  own  business  and  in  his  in- 
tercourse with  others.  The  common  fault  of 
professing  what  we  do  not  feel  he  did  not 
possess.  He  called  no  man  friend  whom  he 
did  not  respect;  his  sturdy  independence  of 
character  disdained  to  conceal  any  opinions 
he  might  have  of  others,  either  from  them- 
selves or  from  the  world.  But  for  those  who 
possessed  his  friendship,  no  personal  incon- 
venience or  sacrifice  was  too  gi-eat.  For 
twenty-five  years  or  more  his  hospitable  home 
was  the  resting  place  of  the  Indiana  bar  in 
their  periodical  pilgrimage  to  Brookville,  and 
so  long  at  least  as  its  members  live  his  simple, 
manly  virtues  will  be  appreciated  and  his 
memory  kindly  cherished. ' '  He  died  May  19, 
1855,  in  his  eighty-sixth  year.  (Quotations 
from  an  article  published  in  the  Punxsutaw- 
ney  Nei/}s  as  being  of  interest  in  connection 
with  the  meeting  of  the  Bells  at  the  residence 
of  John  H.  Brown,  near  Marchand,  Indiana 
county,  in  1893.) 

The  proverbial  thriftiness  of  the  Bells  in 
providing  for  their  wants  in  the  face  of  diffi- 
culties, and  their  hard-working  disposition, 
is  dwelt  upon  by  a  member  of  the  family  in 
an  article  prepared  for  one  of  the  reunions. 
"The  Bells  are  noted  for  the  providence  of 
the  men  and  the  skill  and  economy  of  the 
woman  in  'laying  up'  an  abundance  of  the 
good  things  of  life."  Speaking  of  the  brothers 
Squire  Samuel  and  Squire  John,  he  says: 
"Their  homely  larders  were  always  well 
stocked  with  a  plentiful  supply  of  game,  fish, 
etc.,  including  deer,  bear,  wild  turkey,  wild 
pork,  wild  honey,  nuts  and  berries.  Nowhere 
I  have  ever  been  have  I  seen  any  people  more 
industrious  in  providing  for  winter  than  the 
people  of  western  Pennsylvania,  *  *  * 
and  I  am  sure  none  more  than  the  Bells. 
*  *  *  The  Bells  were  "Whigs  and  Demo- 
crats, and  very  'sot'  in  their  religious  and 
political  views,  but  I  am  inclined  to  judge 
that  there  were  more  Democrats  and  Presby- 


terians than  anything  else.  *  *  «  Yet, 
whether  Presbyterians,  Methodists,  Baptists 
or  what  denomination,  they  were  generally 
true  to  their  convictions  and  consistent  in 
their  lives." 

Squire  John  Bell  married  Elizabeth  Welsh, 
of  Sewickley,  Pa.  By  this  marriage  there 
were  thi-ee  children,  James,  Jane  and  Joseph. 
Of  these,  James  married  Hannah  Jordan  and 
had  nine  children,  Robert,  James  Welsh,  Jo- 
seph, John,  William,  JIary  (married  to  Alex. 
Hughes),  Eliza  (married  to  Samuel  Swisher),  , 
Margaret  (married  to  Job  Brown)  and  Kate 
(married  to  Daniel  North).  Jane  married 
David  Postlewaite  and  had  ten  children,  John 
B.,  James  M.,  Joseph  Warren,  David  Minor, 
Thomas  J.,  Benjamin  F.,  William  P.,  Emily 
Jane,  Sarah  and  Mary.  His  first  wife  having 
died.  Squire  Bell  later  married  Jane  Potter, 
by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  named  Rachel, 
who  married  Samuel  Weaver,  and  now  resides 
at  Valier,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

Joseph  Bell,  son  of  John  Bell  by  the  first 
wife,  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  near 
Perrysville  in  January,  1796,  and  died  June 
19,  1850.  aged  fifty-four  years.  In  1825  he 
married  Sarah  McKee,  who  died  in  1833,  leav- 
ing two  sons,  Hugh  McKee  and  Frank  Welsh. 
He  afterward  married  Rachel  Backman,  by 
whom  he  had  three  daughters:  Jane,  de- 
ceased, wife  of  Miller  ^Means,  of  Punxsutaw- 
ney.  Pa. ;  Elizabeth,  also  deceased,  wife  of 
William  McGee,  and  Mary  E.,  widow  of  W.  P., 
Morris  of  Jefferson  county. 

Frank  Welsh  Bell,  tlie  younger  son  of 
Joseph  Bell,  married  Sarah  Robinson,  of  Jef- 
ferson county,  and  they  had  five  children: 
Hattie  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Armstrong  and  lives 
in  Kane,  Pa. ;  Mattie,  IMinnie,  ]\Iack  and 
Charles,  and  both  parents,  are  deceased. 

Hugh  McKee  Bell,  the  elder  son  of  Joseph 
Bell,  was  born  August  15,  1826,  and  was  a 
farmer  in  Jefiierson  county,  living  on  the  old 
homestead.  On  July  22,  1852.  he  was  married 
to  Eleanor  Martin,  and  seven  children  were 
born  to  this  couple :  John  Taylor  married 
Elizabeth  Todd,  of  Indiana,  now  deceased, 
and  still  lives  in  Indiana ;  Joseph  C.  married 
Annie  Cook,  of  Iowa,  and  is  now  deceased ; 
George  R.  married  Hattie  McGee  and  prac- 
tices dentistry  in  Punxsutawney ;  Frank 
Welsh  married  ilary  Smitten  and  now  lives 
in  Oregon ;  Sarah  Elizabeth  married  B.  E. 
Carrier,  of  near  Brookville,  Pa.,  and  now  lives 
near  Salem,  Oregon ;  William  M.  and  Lot  are 
deceased.  The  father  died  on  the  old  home- 
stead March  23,  1911,  and  the  mother  just 
eleven  days  later,   on  April  3.     They  were 


870 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


members  of  the  M.  E.  Churoli,  which  he  had 
served  in  an  official  capacity  for  many  years. 

John  Taylor  Bell  was  born  September  16, 
1853,  at  Frostburg.  Jefferson  county,  and  ob- 
tained his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  county.  Later  he  attended  the 
normal  school  at  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  ]\Iount 
Union  College,  at  Alliance,  Ohio,  after  which 
he  read  law.  with  Hon.  S.  ]\I.  Clark  and  J.  N. 
Banks,  both  of  Indiana,  ileantime  he  had 
commenced  teaching,  when  but  sixteen  years 
old,  his  first  experience  being  at  what  is  now 
known  as  the  Pickering  Run  school,  in  East 
Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county.  He  re- 
mained thei'e  one  year,  and  was  subsequently 
engaged  in  different  parts  of  Indiana  county 
for  ten  years,  during  the  summer  teaching 
in  a  school  for  teachers  at  Plumville.  When 
he  came  to  Indiana  he  was  assistant  to  the 
principal,  and  followed  his  profession  in  the 
borough  for  three  years,  continuing  to  teach 
while  he  was  reading  law.  He  was  very  suc- 
cessful as  an  educator,  and  became  well  known 
throughout  the  county  as  an  ardent  friend  of 
education.  In  1886  Mr.  Bell  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  Indiana  county,  and  for  two  years 
practiced  his  profession,  but  owing  to  poor 
health  decided  to  give  up  legal  work,  and  has 
since  devoted  himself  to  general  business  pur- 
suits. He  has  been  engaged  principally  as  a 
salesman  for  school  books,  first  for  Porter  & 
Coates,  of  Philadelphia,  later  with  the  Werner 
Company,  of  Akron,  Ohio,  and  more  recently 
with  the  American  Book  Company,  of  New 
York.  He  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  In- 
diana Savings  &  Trust  Company,  and  his 
standing  in  commercial  and  financial  circles 
is  a  credit  to  his  abilitj'  and  honorable 
standards.  As  previously  stated,  ]\Ir.  Bell  has 
been  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  In- 
diana for  over  twenty-five  years,  and  has 
given  intelligent  as  well  as  faithful  service  to 
the  community  in  that  connection.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  IL  E.  Churcli.  and  in  social 
connection  is  a  ^Mason,  belonging  to  Indiana 
Lodge,  No.  313,  F.  &  A.  U..  to  the  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  :Ma.sons,  at  Pittsburg,  and  Pitts- 
burg Lodge  of  Perfection. 

On  September  15.  1885,  Mr.  Bell  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  Todd,  daughter  of  Col.  Wil- 
liam A.  Todd,  of  Indiana,  and  they  had  two 
children :  Edna  T.,  who  is  attending  Ilollins 
College,  at  Hollins,  Va..  and  Hugh  T.,  a  stu- 
dent at  the  Universitv  of  Jlichigan.  at  Ann 
Arbor.    .Mrs.  Bell  died  June  4,  1004. 

JAMES  S.  McELTIOES.  hm^x  connected 
with    the    Indiana    Woolen    ^Mills    Company, 


which  has  its  plant  in  the  borough  of  Indiana, 
has  been  one  of  the  energetic  citizens  who  have 
kept  the  business  spirit  in  that  place  up  to 
the  modern  standard,  adding  to  the  value  of 
every  other  industry  in  the  place  by  the  intel- 
ligent management  of  his  own.  He  was  born 
in  Indiana  county  April  4,  1847. 

Thomas  McElhoes,  his  great-grandfather, 
was  born  in  Scotland,  of  Scotch  parents,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  company  with 
two  of  his  brothers,  settling  in  the  Cumber- 
land valley,  in  Pennsylvania,  at  an  early  day. 
He  followed  farming. 

John  McElhoes,  son  of  Thomas,  was  born 
in  Cumberland  county,  Pa.,  near  Carlisle, 
and  learned  the  trade  of  miller,  which  he  fol- 
lowed in  connection  with  farming.  When 
comparatively  a  young  man  he  settled  in 
Indiana  county,  where  he  was  similarly  en- 
gaged.    He  died  in  1856. 

Isaiah  McElhoes,  son  of  John,  was  born 
and  reared  in  Indiana  county,  receiving  such 
educational  advantages  as  the  schools  of  his 
time  afforded.  Like  his  father  he  became  a 
farmer  and  miller,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  j 
some  years,  later  becoming  interested  in  the  I 

manufacture  of  wool,  for  which  he  established  I 

a  mill  on  Pine  run  which  is  supposed  to  have 
been  the  first  woolen  mill  in  Indiana  county. 
He  was  an  enterprising  business  man,  and  the 
undertaking  prospered.  He  married  Isabella 
Kinter,  and  they  had  a  family  of  four  chil- 
dren: Jane,  wife  of  George  Collins;  John 
K. ;  James  S. ;  and  Bell,  wife  of  James  Allen. 
The  mother  died  in  1874.  the  father  surviv- 
ing her  many  years,  until  1894. 

James   S.   McElhoes  was  educated   in  the  I 

public  schools  of  the  home  locality.     AVhen  I 

(juite  young  he  began  work  in  his  father's  " 

woolen  mill  on  Pine  run,  remaining  there 
until  1890.  The  experience  he  gained  under 
his  father's  careful  oversight  has  proved  in- 
valuable to  him  in  his  subsequent  career. 
When  the  old  mill  at  Pine  run  was  destroyed 
b.y  fire,  in  1890,  he  removed  to  Indiana  bor- 
ough, forming  a  partnership  with  John  A. 
Finley  for  the  manufacture  of  woolen  goods, 
which  they  carried  on  under  the  firm  name 
of  IMcElhoes  &  Finley.  This  firm  did  busi- 
ness until  1902.  when  their  establishment  was 
bui-ned  out.  and  ^Ii*.  McElhoes  then  organized 
the  present  concern,  which  does  business  under 
the  name  of  Indiana  Woolen  ]Mills  Company. 
It  was  incorporated  with  a  capital  stock  of 
^35.000,  and  at  the  beginning  Mr.  :\[cElhoes 
became  superintendent,  filling  that  position 
for  several  years.  He  then  became  secretary, 
and  in  every  capacity  has  given  the  utmost 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA  871 

satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  The  company  Ellen  Harrison  and  (second)  Sarah  Miller; 
makes  a  specialty  of  woolen  blankets,  and  the  Joseph,  married  Nancy  ilabon ;  Mary,  mar- 
business  is  thriving  and  shows  steady  growth,  ried  Archibald  Jamison ;  Nancy,  married  Ed- 
There  are  a  number  of  live  concerns  in  the  ward  Turner;  Hannah,  married  Samuel  K. 
borough  which  contribute  steadily  to  its  pros-  Lockhart :  Margaret,  married  James  Mabon. 
perity,  and  the  Indiana  Woolen  Mills  Com-  Isaac  Lydick,  son  of  Patrick  Lydick,  was 
pany  is  numbered  among  them.  As  a  citizen  born  in  1800,  in  what  was  then  Green  (now 
]\Ir.  MeElhoes  enjoys  the  highest  standing.  Rayne)  township,  and  was  educated  in  the 
He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Presby-  schools  of  his  period,  conducted  upon  the  sub- 
terian  Church,  which  he  has  served  as  elder,  scription  plan,  as  there  were  no  public  schools 
and  he  has  also  been  Sunday  school  superin-  in  those  early  days.  He  worked  on  the  farm 
tendent.  from  early  boyhood  until  he  reached  his  ma- 
in 1897  Mr.  JIcElhoes  married  Orpha  jority,  when  he  located  in  South  ilahoning 
Rupert,  daughter  of  George  Rupert.  They  township  on  150  acreS,  which  land  he  devel- 
have  two  children,  George  and  Marion,  oped  into  a  valuable  property.  In  addition 
George  is  still  a  student  at  college,  and  he  to  farming  he  built  and  operated  the  first 
also  has  the  management  of  the  home  farm,  gristmill  in  that  section,  now  known  as  the 
Mr.  MeElhoes  now  makes  his  home  on  a  farm  Rossmoyne,  and  kept  a  country  store.  His 
in  Rayne  township  (Home  post  office),  near  remaining  years  were  spent  there,  and  he  died 
Kelleysburg,  to  which  he  removed  from  In-  in  1838,  when  still  in  the  prime  of  life.  His 
diana,  some  months  ago.  remains  were  interred  in  Gilgal  cemetery.   He 

was  a  Baptist  in  religious  belief,  and  a  "Whig 

JOSEPH  LYDICK,  late  of  South  Mahon-  politically, 
ing  township,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war.        The  first  wife  of  Isaac  Lydick  was  Ann 

and  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  his  locality.  Turner,  and  his  second  marriage  was  to  Eliza 

He   was   born   in   West   Mahoning   township  Sutor.     The  latter  was  born  in  Washington 

Oct.  13,  1829.  county.    Pa.,    daughter   of   John    Sutor,    and 

John  Lydick,  founder  of  the  family  in  In-  died  in  East  Mahoning  township  in  1884.  aged 

diana  county,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  seventy-six   years;   she   is   buried   in   I\Iarion 

came  to  America  at  an  early  day.     He  was  Center  cemetery.    The  children  born  to  Isaac 

among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Indiana  conn-  Lydick  were:     George   T..  who  is  deceased; 

ty,  locating  on  the  :McGaughey  tract,  in  what  Joseph ;    Mary,    who   married   Hugh   Lawson  . 

is   now    Cherryhill   township,    and   owing   to  (both  are  deceased)  ;  Margaret,  who  married 

the  wild  conditions  prevailing  was  driven  out  Dr.  Young ;  Beal,  who  died  young ;  Agnes,  who 

several  times  by  Indians.     The  last  time  he  married     Enoch     Hastings,     of     Armstrong 

remained    away    seven    years   before    risking  county;  Adoniram  Judson,  who  is  deceased; 

his  life  again.    Eventually,  however,  he  found  Enoeli.   who   died   in  Arkansas;   Emma,  who 

he  could  live  peaceably. 'and  followed  farm-  married  Albert  Ponehes  and  lives  in   Ohio; 

ing  and  hunting  with   profit.     His  children  and  John  S.,  who  lives  at  Vaudergrift,  Penn- 

were :  John,  Jacob,  Patrick,  James,  Elizabeth,  sylvania. 

Barbara,  Margaret  and  Catherine.  "  Joseph  Lydick  received  a  good  common 
Patrick  Lydick,  son  of  John  Lydick,  was  a  school  training  during  the  winter  seasons,  at- 
farmer  all  of  his  useful  life,  and  made  his  tending  school  in  Green  township  and  at  Day- 
home  on  the  new  State  road,  in  Rayne  (what  ton  and  Brookville,  working  on  his  mother's 
was  then  Green)  township.  During  the  war  farm  in  summer.  He  was  only  nine  years  old 
of  1812  he  gave  his  country  patriotic  service  when  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  father, 
as  a  soldier.  The  death  of  this  excellent  man  and  he  helped  his  mother  at  home  and  worked 
occurred  on  his  property,  and  his  remains  as  farm  assistant  to  others  for  small  wages, 
were  interred  in  Washington  Church  eeme-  When  he  was  seventeen  years  old  he  began 
tery.  In  religious  faith  he  was  a  Presby-  learning  cabinetmaking  at  Brookville,  and  fol- 
terian.  Patrick  Lydick  married  Mary  Mc-  lowed  the  trade  for  several  years,  establishing 
Henry,  who  also  died  on  the  farm,  and  is  himself  in  business  at  Brookville.  Continuing 
buried  beside  her  husband.  Their  children  same  for  five  years,  he  sold  out  m  1855  and 
were:  John,  married  Elizabeth  Chapman:  returned  to  the  homestead,  and  devoted  his 
Isaac  is  mentioned  below;  James,  married  150  acres  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
Sarah  Chapman  and  (second)  Rebecca  John-  for  many  years.  At  last  he  sold  sixty  acres, 
son;  William,  married  Mary  Neff;  Patrick,  and  still  retaining  ninety  acres,  which  his 
married  Jane  A.  Hamilton;  Samuel,  married  son   operated   after   the   father's   retirement. 


872 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ilr.  Lydifk  made  many  valuable  improve- 
ments upon  his  property,  taking  a  pride  in 
having  it  well  managed.  The  Buffalo  &  Sus- 
quehanna railroad  runs  through  one  end  of 
the  farm,  and  its  value  was  verj'  materially 
increased  by  this.  There  is  gas  on  the  land, 
and  two  wells  are  now  in  operation.  Always 
a  man  of  earnest  convictions,  Mr.  Lydiek  had 
a  strong  character,  and  his  habits  of  industry 
and  thrift  made  him  universally  respected. 

On  February'  li,  lS6i,  ilr.  Lydiek  was  en- 
tered as  a  member  of  Compauj-  H,  78th  Penn- 
sylvania Infanti-y,  under  Colonel  Bonueton, 
and  Capt.  Paul  Crawford,  and  was  mustered 
out  in  October,  1865,  after  having  been  a 
brave  and  efficient  soldier.  Always  a  strong 
Republican,  he  gave  his  hearty  and  enthusias- 
tic support  to  President  Taft  during  the  cam- 
paign of  1912.  For  many  years  he  was  a  val- 
ued member  of  the  ^Mahoning  Baptist  Church, 
taught  in  the  Sunday  school,  and  served  as 
Sunday  school  superintendent. 

In  March,  1853,  Mr.  Lydiek  was  married 
to  Helen  A.  Silvis,  who  was  born  in  Clinton 
county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Henry  Silvis.  They 
had  the  following  children:  George  T.,  who 
is  operating  the  homestead ;  Virginia  B.,  who 
is  at  home ;  Harry  S.,  who  is  of  Pittsburg,  as 
is  Ernest  B. 

]\Ir.  and  ^Mrs.  L.ydick  were  married  nearly 
sixty  years,  ilr.  Lydiek  was  well  preserved 
and  in  good  health,  and  had  remarkable  eye- 
sight, being  able  to  read  without  glasses;  "his 
other  faculties  were  also  in  excellent  condi- 
tion, with  the  exception  of  his  hearing.  His 
death  occurred  February  9,  1913.  Mrs.  Ly- 
diek has  been  an  invalid  for  several  years. 

GEORGE  HENRY  CURFMAN,  late  of 
Arcadia,  Indiana  county,  was  in  charge  of 
the  office  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  &  Coke 
Company  at  that  place  for  the  last  ten  years 
of  his  life.  He  had  become  intimately  asso- 
ciated with  the  bests  interests  of  that  vicinity 
and  town  during  his  residence  there.  He 
filled  public  positions  of  trust,  was  serving  as 
justice  of  the  peace  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
and  had  the  esteem  of  all  who  came  in  con- 
tact with  him,  in  business  life,  in  his  official 
capacity  or  as  a  private  citizen,  ilr.  Curf- 
man  was  a  native  of  Baltimore,  Md..  born 
November  6,  1861,  son  of  Daniel  and  S.  ( Jlase- 
more)  Curfman,  both  of  whom  were  born  in 
Maryland.  His  father  was  a  manufacturer 
of  paper. 

Mr.  Curfman  attended  school  at  Baltimore 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  thirteen  years. 
He    subsequently    continued    his    studies    at 


Bloomington,  111.,  and  at  Ashland  and  Fair- 
field, Neb.,  at  the  latter  place  going  to  Fair- 
field College.  For  two  years  after  leaving 
school  he  was  emploj^ed  as  a  telegraph  opera- 
tor in  the  West,  and  then  spent  eighteen 
months  in  California  before  returning  East,  to 
Altoona,  Pa.  Taking  a  position  as  telegraph 
operator  at  Roaring  Spring,  Blair  county. 
Pa.,  with  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany; he  remained  there  until  transferred  to 
.ilartinsburg,  same  county,  where  he  was 
agent  and  operator  five  years.  He  was  next 
at  Patton,  Cambria  county.  Pa.,  as  agent  and 
operator  for  the  Peuns.vlvauia  Railroad  Com- 
pany, being  at  that  point  for  ten  years,  at  the 
end  of  which  period  he  resigned  to  take  a  posi- 
tion- with  the  Beech  Creek  Coal  &  Coke  Com- 
pany, as  civil  engineer.  He  was  engaged  in 
that  capacity  until  the  end  of  December,  1902, 
on  January  1,  1903,  being  sent  to  Arcadia,  to 
take  charge  of  the  company's  office  there. 
The  Beech  Creek  Coal  &  Coke  Company  has 
.since  become  a  part  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal 
&  Coke  Company,  which  he  continued  to  serve 
in  the  same  capacity.  He  was  also  superin- 
tendent of  the  Hooverhurst  &  Southwestern 
railroad,  which  has  ten  miles  of  track  in  In- 
diana county,  and  is  an  important  feature  in 
the  development  of  coal  properties  in  this 
region,  aifordiug  a  convenient  outlet  for  the 
product  of  several  mining  companies.  He 
was  one  of  the  original  surveyors  in  the  local 
coal  district — in  ^Montgomery  township  and 
the  surrounding  portion  of  Indiana  county. 

Mr.  Curfman  was  a  Republican  and  took 
considerable  interest  in  politics,  and  he  was 
active  in  local  affairs,  having  served  as  audi- 
tor of  Banks  township,  and  in  1908  assuming 
the  duties  of  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  a 
director  of  the  Fir.st  National  Bank  of  Glen 
Campbell.  ]Mr.  Curfman  was  a  leading  mem- 
ber in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he 
was  a  ruling  elder,  and  fraternally  he  held 
membership  in  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  His  death, 
which  was  accidental,  occurred  at  Arcadia 
July  9.  1912. 

On  December  2-t,  1891.  ^Ir.  Curfman  mar- 
ried Annie  Katherine  Miller,  of  Martinsburg. 
Blair  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  John  and  Hen- 
rietta (Kocher)  ^liller:  her  father  was  a  cab- 
inetmaker by  occupation.  ]\Ir.  and  Jlrs.  Curf- 
man had  one  child,  John  Edwin,  born  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1898.  ilrs.  Curfman  now  resides 
at  JMartinsburg.  Pennsylvania. 

JOSEPH  A.  McCLARAN.  druggist,  of 
S.iltsburg.  Indiana  county,  is  one  of  the  old- 
established    business    mem    of   that   borough. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


873 


where  he  has  also  become  well  known  in  his 
ofScial  capacity  as  postmaster.  He  was  born 
there  May  25,  1866,  son  of  James  and  Cather- 
ine (Andre)  McClarau,  the  former  of  whom 
was  of  Scotch-Irish  antecedents,  the  latter  of 
German  descent. 

James  McClaran,  the  father,  was  born  in 
February,  1829,  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa., 
and  died  in  1883.  He  was  a  saddler,  and  fol- 
lowed Ms  trade  for  a  number  of  years,  later 
engaging  in  business  as  a  merchant.  He  mar- 
ried Catherine  Andre,  who  was  born  in  In- 
diana county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Joseph  Andre, 
of  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  died  in  1910.  They  were 
the  parents  of  four  children:  Fred,  a  drug- 
gist, of  Beaver  Falls,  Pa. ;  Joseph  A. ;  ilary, 
who  died  in  1886,  when  eighteen  years  old; 
and  Rome,  who  is  assistant  postmaster  at 
Saltsburg. 

Joseph  A.  McClaran  began  the  drug  busi- 
ness in  young  manhood,  and  has  been  en- 
gaged in  that  line  of  trade  at  Saltsburg  for 
the  last  twenty-seven  years.  He  has  built  up 
a  thriving  patronage  by  honorable  dealing  and 
reliable  goods,  and  merits  the  confidence  in 
which  he  is  held  by  his  acquaintances  in  all 
the  relations  of  life.  He  is  serving  as  post- 
master at  Saltsbui-g,  a  position  to  which  he 
was  appointed  March  3,  1901,  by  President 
McKinley,  and  reappointed  under  both  Roose- 
velt and  Taft,  and  his  highly  satisfactory 
service  in  the  office  is  characteristic  of  all  he 
does.  For  twenty-three  consecutive  years, 
since  1889,  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  board 
of  school  directors  of  the  borough.  Mr.  Mc- 
Claran attends  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  is  a 
member  of  Saltsburg  Lodge,  No.  431,  F.  &  A. 
M.,  and  of  Bloomsburg  Consistory  (thirty-sec- 
ond degree). 

On  April  23,  1889,  Mr.  McClaran  married 
Anna  A.  Gamison,  daughter  of  S.  S.  and 
Angeline  (Beaty)  Gamison,  of  Saltsburg,  and 
five  children  have  been  born  to  them:  Ken- 
neth, born  in  1890,  now  in  Pittsburg;  Mary 
Beatrice,  at  home;  Angela,  who  died  iu  in- 
fancv  ;  Fred,  born  in  1900 ;  and  Anna  L.,  born 
in  1904. 

WILLIAM  BIGLER  HILL,  at  one  time  an 
extensive  lumberman,  now  engaged  princi- 
pally in  buying  and  selling  coal  lands,  is  a 
resident  of  Indiana  and  has  lived  all  his  life 
in  Indiana  county.  He  was  born  on  the  home 
farm  in  jMontgomery  township,  Indiana 
county,  Feb.  20,  1852.  son  of  Daniel  Hill.  In 
both  the  paternal  and  maternal  lines  he  is  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent.  His  grandfather,  Daniel 
Hill,   Sr.,   was   born    in   the   eastern   part   of 


Pennsylvania  and  remained  there  until  he  at- 
tained his  majority,  when  he  joined  the  hardy 
pioneers  who  were  venturing  into  the  forest 
regions  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains,  set- 
tling iu  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  where  he 
died. 

Daniel  Hill,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born  in 
1817,  and  died  at  Twolick,  in  White  township, 
Indiana  county.  He  learned  the  trade  of  mill- 
wright. Removing  to  Armstrong  county,  Pa., 
he  remained  there  until  1855,  when  he  came 
to  Indiana  county  and  embarked  in  the  lum- 
ber business  on  the  Susquehanna  river,  fol- 
lowing same  until  1880.  He  then  removed  to 
White  township,  and  also  lived  in  Green  and 
Cherryhill  townships.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Democratic  party  and  took  considerable 
interest  in  its  work,  holding  several  township 
offices.  In  religion  he  was  a  Presbyterian.  He 
married  Eliza  A.  Trimble,  who  was  born  in 
1811,  daughter  of  Thomas  Trimble,  a  life- 
long resident  and  well-to-do  farmer  of  West- 
moreland county.  Pa.,  who  died  in  1850.  Mrs. 
Hill  died  in  1866. 

William  Bigler  Hill  passed  his  early  years 
in  Montgomery  township,  and  was  twelve 
years  old  when  his  father  moved  to  Green 
township.  His  first  work  was  on  the  mail 
route  conducted  by  his  brothere,  Jethro  and 
Thomas.  When  they  went  to  serve  in  the 
Union  army  during  the  Civil  war  another 
brother,  John  (now  an  attorney  in  Indiana), 
took  Jethro 's  place,  and  when  John  went  to 
the  war  William  took  his  place.  He  carried 
mail  in  1863-64  from  Cherrytree  to  George- 
ville.  He  then  went  into  the  woods  and  en- 
gaged in  lumbering  with  his  father,  working 
in  the  timber,  and  driving  logs  on  the  Sus- 
quehanna. About  1870  he  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business  with  his  brother  Archie,  and 
they  did  an  extensive  business,  for  ten  years 
driving  from  seven  million  to  ten  million  feet 
of  lumber  annually;  it  was  mostly  pine  and 
hemlock.  In  1884  "the  lirothers  dissolved  part- 
nership, and  for  some  time  thereafter  Wil- 
liam B.  Hill  was  occupied  in  looking  after  his 
sawmills,  of  which  he  had  several,  also  ship- 
ping lumber,  which  he  still  continues.  For 
the  last  ten  years,  however,  he  has  devoted 
most  of  his  attention  to  buying  and  selling 
coal  land,  having  disposed  of  ten  thousand 
acres,  to  coal  companies ;  he  now  has  an  option 
on  15,000  acres.  I'ntil  1904  he  lived  on  his 
farm  of  eighty-four  acres  in  White  township, 
moving  thence  to  the  borough  of  Indiana, 
where  he  built  the  fine  two-stoiy  brick  resi- 
dence at  the  corner  of  Sixth  street  and  Carter 
avenue  which  he  and  his  family  have  since 


574 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


occupied.  Mr.  Hill  has  uot  taken  any  part 
in  public  matters,  but  he  is  a  stanch  Democrat 
iu  his  political  views.  In  religion  he  is  a 
Presbyterian. 

On  Dec.  24,  1880,  Mr.  Hill  was  married,  in 
Cherryhill  township,  to  Minetta  Long,  of  that 
township,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Susan 
(Burnham)  Long.  They  have  had  a  family 
of  eleven  children :  Carrie,  who  lives  at  home ; 
Thomas  T. ;  Ross,  an  electrician,  now  living 
in  Liverpool,  Ohio,  who  married  Florence 
Helm,  daughter  of  Rev.  Mr.  Helm,  of  Leech- 
burg,  Pa. ;  Robert,  an  electrician,  of  Liver- 
pool, Ohio;  James,  at  home;  Norman,  of 
Akron,  Ohio;  Edgar,  at  home;  Arthur,  at 
home ;  Mildred :  Jean ;  and  one  deceased. 

Thomas  T.  Hill,  eldest  sou  of  William  Big- 
ler  Hill,  was  born  in  Cherryhill  township,  In- 
diana county.  He  attended  the  .country 
schools  in  White  township,  graduated  from 
the  Indiana  high  school,  and  then  entered  the 
normal  school  in  that  borough,  from  which 
institution  he  was  graduated  with  the  honors 
of  his  class.  For  the  next  two  years  he  taught 
mathematics  at  the  normal  school,  and  then 
wpnt  to  Ann  Arbor  (Mich.)  LTniversity  to  take 
a  course  in  law.  He  graduated  in  1910,  at 
the  head  of  his  class.  IMr.  Hill  then  became 
principal  of  the  high  school  at  Leechburg, 
Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  which  position  he  has 
filled  with  the  highest  efficiency  for  the  last 
two  years. 

COLLTIMBUS  McCOY,  former  commissioner 
of  Indiana  county,  now  living  iu  retirement 
in  Indiana  borough,  was  born  there  Jan.  14, 
1S51,  son  of  Church  Smith  McCoy.  His  pater- 
nal grandfather  came  from  Ireland,  was  mar- 
ried in  this  country  to  a  iliss  Smith,  and 
settled  on  a  fann  in  Armstrong  county,  Pa. 
Their  children  were :  Daniel,  who  mai-ried  a 
]\Iiss  Smith,  and  died  in  Armstrong  count.v. 
Pa.,  aged  over  seventy-two  years:  Church 
Smith ;  and  John,  born  June  4,  1827,  who  died 
June  24,  1899,  unmarried.  Mi-s.  McCoy  mar- 
ried for  her  second  husband  a  Mr.  Millen,  and 
they  liad  three  children:  Mary  Jane,  Mrs. 
John  Ballentine,  deceased :  Nanc.v.  Mrs.  John 
Wagner,  of  Armstrong  county;  and  Jackson, 
a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  who  died  unmar- 
ried and  is  buried  at  Marion  Center. 

Church  Smith  McCoy,  born  July  5.  1824,  in 
Armstrong  county,  was  given  a  common  school 
education  and  reared  to  farming.  He  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade  in  Indiana  and  followed 
it  all  liis  life,  doing  contract  ^vork.  He  was  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  took  some  part  in 
local  affairs,  serving  as  member  of  the  town 


council.  He  died  in  Indiana  Oct.  18,  1890. 
Church  Smith  McCoy  married  Mary  Jane  Me- 
Cardell,  who  was  born  Feb.  1,  1825,  in  Sink- 
ing Valley,  Huntingdon  Co.,  Pa.,  and  died  in 
Indiana  May  31,  1886.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCoy 
were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  To  them 
was  born  a  family  of  twelve  children,  namely  : 
Bmeline,  ilrs.  John  G.  Thompson,  of  Black- 
lick  township,  this  county ;  John  S.,  deceased, 
who  seiwed  ninety  days  during  the  Civil  war. 
in  a  Pennsj'lvania  regiment,  and  who  married 
ilargaret  Kline;  Sarah  Jane,  Mrs,  W.  T. 
Lively,  of  Blacklick  township,  who  died  Jan. 
1,  1913 ;  Columbus ;  William,  who  died  j'oung ; 
David  Milton,  of  Vandergrift,  who  married 
Mary  Gibson ;  George  S.,  of  Vandergrift,  who 
married  Mary  Heffelfiuger;  Edward,  who 
died  in  infancy;  Mary  Mirelda,  Mrs.  William 
Lockard,  of  Homer  City ;  Clara  Myrtle,  ]\Irs. 
William  P.  Stormer,  of  White  township ; 
Charles,  who  died  at  Wilkinsburg,  Pa,,  Feb.  2, 
1913  (he  married  Catherine  Stephens)  ;  and 
Arabelle,  Mrs.  Harry  Wohler,  of  Homer  City. 

Columbus  McCoy  has  spent  all  his  life  in 
Indiana  and  White  township.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  in  Indiana  and  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade  under  his  father,  and  in 
time  became  engaged  in  contracting,  which 
he  followed  for  some  years.  In  1888  he  moved 
to  a  farm  in  White  township  which  he  culti- 
vated for  ten  years,  coming  to  Indiana  in 
1898.  Mr.  McCoy  has  been  ciuite  prominent  in 
the  work  of  the  Republican  party  in  his  sec- 
tion, and  has  servecl  one  term  as  county  com-  * 
missioner.  1903-04-05.                                                     | 

On  aiarch  21.  1872.  Mr.  :McCoy  married  " 
Jlartha  Eleanor  Simpson,  who  was  bom  May 
10,  1850,  on  her  father's  farm  in  Brushvalley 
township,  this  count.v.  She  received  her  early 
education  in  the  country  schools,  later  attencl- 
ing  night  school  at  Mechanicsburg.  She 
taught  for  three  years  in  Buffington  township. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCoy  live  at  No.  50  Soutli 
Fifth  street.  They  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  (1)  William  E.,  born  June  30, 
1873,  now  living  in  Pittsburg,  married  Nannie 
J.  Johnston,  and  has  one  child.  Darrel.  (2) 
Albert  Clinton,  bom  April  27,  1875,  now  liv- 
ing in  Center  township,  married  Anna  ^lary 
Reed,  and  has  had  children.  J.  Wilson,  Elmer 
Simpson  (deceased'*,  IMurray  Reed,  Ruth 
Pearl,  John  Blair  and  Mai"y  Luella,  (3^ 
'SUna  Pearl,  born  April  30.  1878,  married 
Clark  Myers,  and  lives  iu  Homer  City;  they 
have  children,  Edward  Clair,  Martha  Pearl 
and  Helen  Jean,  The  parents  are  members 
of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Tlugli  Simpson,  father  of  !\lrs.  ]\IcCoy,  was 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


875 


born  in  County  Donegal,  Ireland,  Sept.  5, 
1818,  son  of  Solomon  Simpson,  who  married 
Catherine  Smith,  of  County  Donegal.  The 
family  came  to  Amei-ica  in  1820,  and  settled 
on  wild  land  in  Indiana  county,  where  the 
parents  died.  Hugh  Simpson  married  Mar- 
garet J.  McFeathers,  who  died  in  Brushvalley 
township  at  the  age  of  thirty -three  years,  and 
he  subsequently  married  (second)  Martha 
Findley.  He  removed  to  West  Virginia,  buy- 
ing a  farm  in  Hampshire  coi;nty  upon  which 
he  lived  until  his  death  Sept.  29,  1909.  His 
children  were  as  follows:  Martha  Eleanor, 
Mrs.  McCoy;  Catherine  Ann,  Mrs.  William 
Campbell,  of  Johnston.  Pa. ;  Margaret  Jane, 
Mrs.  John  Allender,  of  West  Virginia;  Wil- 
liam, of  West  Virginia,  who  married  Ellen 
Dennison ;  and  Hugh  Solomon,  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, who  married  Nancy  Cheney  and  (sec- 
ond) Iliff  Lang.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hugh  Simpson 
were  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church. 

BOYD  AV.  HAWES,  member  of  the  firm  of 
Hawes  Brothei-s,  general  merchants,  at 
Cherrytree,  Indiana  county,  is  a  leading  busi- 
ness man  of  that  borough,  and  the  establish- 
ment which  he  and  his  brother  conduct  was 
founded  by  their  father  over  twenty  years  ago. 
Mr.  Hawes  was  born  Dec.  25,  1868,  in  Clear- 
field county.  Pa.,  son  of  Henry  B.  Hawes  and 
grandson  of  Jacob  Hawes,  a  farmer,  who 
passed  all  his  life  in  Lancaster  county,  this 
State.     The  family  is  of  Dutch  ancestry. 

Heni-y  B.  Hawes,  father  of  Boyd  W.  Hawes, 
was  born  Sept.  4,  1845,  at  Turkey  Hill,  in 
Manor  township,  Lancaster  county,  and  there 
passed  his  early  life.  During  the  Civil  war 
he  enlisted  from  that  county  in  the  Union 
service,  first  becoming  a  member  of  Company 
B,  20th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  was  later  in 
Company  I.  and  still  later  in  Company  H,  1st 
Provisional  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teer Cavalry,  serving  to  the  end  of  the  con- 
flict. He  was  discharged  July  22,  1865,  at 
Clouds  Mills,  Va.  After  the  war  he  went  to 
Clearfield  county,  where  he  engaged  in  wagon- 
making,  having  learned  the  trade  of  black- 
smith, and  he  also  carried  on  lumbering,  at 
Bi;rnside.  Clearfield  county.  In  1887  he  came 
to  Cherrytree.  Indiana  county,  where  he  first 
was  interested  in  manufacturing  wagons  and 
buggies,  and  conducted  a  foundry,  after  a 
few  years  engaging  in  the  general  mercantile 
business,  which  he  continued  for  eighteen 
years.  In  time  his  two  sons.  Boyd  W.  and 
Norman  G.  Hawes.  took  over  his  mercantile 
interests,    under    the    firm    name    of 


Brothers.  Mr.  Hawes,  the  father,  is  now  re- 
tired, he  and  his  wife  continuing  to  make  their 
home  at  Cherrytree.  In  1878  he  drilled  the 
first  gas  well  on  the  Twolick  creek,  in  Indiana 
county. 

On  March  5,  1868,  Mr.  Hawes  married 
Sarah  Glass,  daughter  of  William  Glass,  who 
settled  in  Indiana  county  at  an  early  day,  liv- 
ing in  Brushvalley  township.  To  this  union 
were  born  four  children,  of  whom  Boyd  W.  is 
the  eldest;  Norman  G.  is  his  partner  in  the 
firm  of  Hawes  Brothers ;  Harry  is  also  a  resi- 
dent of  Cherrytree,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
the  general  mercantile  business ;  Paul  died  in 
the  year  1880. 

Boyd  W.  Hawes  received  considerable  of 
his  early  education  in  Butler  county.  Pa.,  and 
after  coming  to  Indiana  county  attended 
school  here.  When  a  young  man  he  learned 
the  trade  of  blacksmith,  which  he  followed  at 
Cherrytree  for  some  time  before  engaging  in 
mercantile  business.  He  and  his  brother  have 
done  a  steadily  increasing  business,  and  by 
irreproachable  transactions  and  a  thoroughly 
progressive  polix;y  have  maintained  a  high 
position  in  the  ousiness  circles  of  the  place. 
As  their  trade  grew  they  moved  to  more  com- 
modious quarters,  now  having  one  of  the  larg- 
est stores  in  Indiana  county.  Boyd  W.  Hawes, 
in  addition  to  his  interest  in  the  firm  of  Hawes 
Brothers,  has  had  other  business  connections 
in  the  borough,  being  a  stockholder  in  the 
Cherrytree  Electric  Light,  Heat  &  Power 
Company,  and  in  the  Cherrytree  Water  Com- 
pany. He  has  given  some  of  his  time  to  secur- 
ing adeciuate  public  service,  at  present  being 
a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Cherrytree 
borough. 

On  June  6,  1893,  Mr.  Hawes  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Rose  Patrick,  a  native  of  Burn- 
side,  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Chamber- 
lain and  Catherine  (Kneedler)  Patrick,  the 
former  of  whom  is  deceased.  He  was  engaged 
as  a  blacksmith  and  carriagemaker  at  Burn- 
side.  Eight  children  have  been  born  to  l\Tr. 
and  Mrs.  Hawes,  namely :  Zelda ;  Mary ;  Mar 
garet,  deceased:  Harry;  Lynn;  Alice,  de- 
ceased; Sarah,  and  Frederick.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hawes  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  socially  he  belongs  to  Lincoln 
Lodge,  No.  28.  Knights  of  Pythias,  of  which 
bodv  he  is  treasurer,  and  to  Indiana  Lodge, 
No.'931,  B.  P.  0.  Elks. 

FREDERICK  WEITZEL  has  been  a  suc- 
cessful business  man  and  farmer,  active  in 
public  affairs,  a  leading  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church  and  a  prominent  worker  in  the 


876 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Prohibition  party  in  his  township  and  the 
county.  He  is  a  resident  of  Banks  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  one  of  its  best-known 
citizens.  Born  May  6,  1836,  in  Hessenstaat, 
Germany,  he  is  a  son  of  Jolm  George  and 
Elizabeth  Weitzel.  His  father  was  a  farmer 
and  tailor  in  Germany,  and  continued  to  fol- 
low farming  after  he  brought  his  family  to 
this  country,  settling  in  Indiana  county,  Pa., 
where  he  bought  135  acres  of  land  in  Canoe 
township,  which  he  cleared  and  cultivated. 

Frederick  Weitzel  received  his  education  in 
Germany,  graduating  from  school  there  in 
1850.  Coming  with  his  father  to  America,  he 
was  trained  to  farming  and  has  followed  that 
occupation  all  his  life,  now  owning  farm  prop- 
erty in  Banks  township,  about  130  acres  of 
good  land.  For  twenty  years  Mr.  Weitzel  was 
in  business,  carrying  on  furniture  and  under- 
taking establishments  at  Glen  Campbell  and 
^  Smithport  (postoffice  Ilortons),  this  county. 
He  was  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  F.  Weit- 
zel &  Sons,  his  sons  W.  P.  and  J.  C.  Weitzel 
having  been  associated  with  him.  Though 
busy  with  the  management  of  his  private  af- 
fairs he  also  found  time  to  talje  part  in  public 
matters,  and  he  was  honored  with  election 
to  offices  of  trust,  having  served  many  years 
as  school  director,  and  also  in  the  positions 
of  township  auditor  and  township  clerk.  IMr. 
Weitzel  is  a  strong  Prohibitionist,  and  has 
always  been  an  earnest  worker  in  Indiana 
county  in  the  cause  of  Prohibition,  which  he 
has  aided  whenever  possible  by  his  influence. 
He  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the 
Christian  Church  at  Hortons,  and  has  served 
as  elder  since  the  organization.  Highly  re- 
spected in  all  the  associations  of  life,  he  has 
an  enviable  standing  in  the  communitv. 

On  Dec.  20,  1860,  Mr.  Weitzel  married 
Elizabeth  Coy,  of  Westmoreland  county,  Pa., 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Coy,  and 
six  children  have  been  born  to  them:  (1) 
Laura  Bell  is  the  wife  of  R.  Y.  Smith,  of 
Baldwin  county,  Ala.,  a  inercbant  and  planter, 
and  their  children  are  Walter  K.,  Lula  Grace, 
Thomas  Boyd  and  Fredei-ick  Lloyd  (twins), 
Sandy  John,  Allen  Frost  and  Goldie.'  (2) 
Joseph  C.  is  a  traveling  salesman  and  makes 
his  home  in  Indiana  borough.  He  married 
Jennie  Guthrie,  of  Indiana  county,  and  they 
have  three  children,  Frederick.  Marion  and 
Eugene.  (3)  Luther  ;\[iles,  a  merchant  of 
Rome,  Ga.,  married  Josephine  Stephenson,  of 
Jefferson  county,  who  died  leaving  one  child, 
Carl.  Mr.  Weitzel  married  for  his  second 
wife  Lelia  Wilt,  of  York.  Pa.,  and  they  have 
one  child.  LeRov.     (4)  Anna  Alfaretta   (Dol- 


lie)  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  P.  Brickel,  a  mer- 
chant of  Smithport,  and  they  have  a  family 
of  five  children :  Imogene,  Roxie,  Viola, 
Bertha  Lucile  and  another  daughter.  (5) 
Bertha  E.  is  the  wife  of  Harry  Fairbank,  of 
Omaha,  Nebr.,  government  meat  inspector. 
(6)  William  Forest,  who  is  a  practicing  physi- 
cian at  Indiana,  married  Arveda  Gourley,  of 
Jefferson  county,  Pennsylvania. 

WILLIAM  E.  BOWSER,  D.  D.  S.,  is  one 
of  the  best-known  residents  of  Plumville,  In- 
diana county,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  dentistiy  and  carries  on  the  livery  busi- 
ness, besides  acting  as  postmaster.  He  is  a 
native  of  Armstrong  county,  born  Feb.  5, 
1860,  at  Elderton,  where  his  father,  Anderson 
Bowser,  was  in  business  for  some  time. 

Anderson  Bowser,  the  father,  was  a  native 
of  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  son  of  George  Bowser. 
Coming  to  Armstrong  county  he  settled  at 
Brady's  Bend,  near  Elderton,  where  he  fol- 
lowed the  trade  of  molder  and  foundryman. 
Later  moving  to  Kittanning,  same  county,  he 
also  worked  at  his  trade  tliere,  and  afterward 
went  to  Elderton,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
foundry  business  with  John  Craft.  He  sub- 
sequently followed  the  business  on  his  own 
account  for  twelve  years,  and  at  the  end  of 
that  period  came  to  Plumville,  in  South  Ma- 
honing township,  Indiana  county,  where  he 
continued  to  make  his  home  to  the  end  of  his 
days.  He  was  in  business  for  himself  there, 
always  working  in  the  same  line,  and  met  with 
success.  Mr.  Bowser  died  May  8,  1876,  and 
is  buried  at  Plumville.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  M.  E.  Church,  to  which  his  wife,  Mary 
(Templeton),  also  belongs.  She  died  Feb.  3. 
1913,  when  over  eighty-three  years  old,  and 
had  made  her  home  with  her  son  Dr.  Wil- 
liam E.  Bowser,  at  Brady's  Bend,  Armstrong 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowser  had  children 
as  follows:  Mary,  who  is  now  deceased; 
]\Iartha;  Jerry,  deceased;  Thomas,  deceased: 
Clarilla,  deceased;  William  E. :  and  Nancy, 
deceased. 

William  E.  Bowser  was  six  years  old  wlien 
tlie  family  came  to  Plumville,  Indiana  county, 
and  there  he  had  the  advantages  afforded  by 
file  public  schools.  For  a  time  he  worked  in 
the  foundry  with  his  father,  after  which  he 
look  up  the  study  of  dentistry  with  Dr.  N.  L. 
Park,  at  Marion  Center,  later  attending  dental 
college  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  gradu- 
ated in  1893.  He  practiced  for  three  years 
before  coming  lo  Plumville.  in  1893.  where  he 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


has  had  an  office  for  nineteen  years  and  es- 
tablished a  protitable  patronage.  He  is  one 
of  the  leading  dentists  in  Indiana  county,  his 
work  standing  the  test  of  time,  and  his  i-epu- 
tation  extending  beyond  the  limits  of  his 
home  district.  Over  twenty  years  ago  Dr. 
Bowser  started  in  the  livery  business  at  Plum- 
ville,  being  the  pioneer  in  that  line  there,  and 
he  has  been  engaged  in  same  continuously 
since.  In  1898,  dui'ing  President  McKinley's 
administration,  he  was  appointed  postmaster 
to  succeed  J.  C.  Pierce,  and  has  continued  to 
serve  the  community  in  that  capacity  since. 
Dr.  Bowser  is  recognized  by  all  who  know  him 
as  a  broad-minded,  intelligent  citizen,  and  he 
has  given  eminent  satisfaction  in  his  public 
services  and  in  all  the  other  relations  of  life. 
He  is  conscientious  in  his  professional  work,  a 
thorough  business  man  in  all  his  undertakings, 
and  interested  in  everything  Avhich  concerns 
the  general  welfare.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Postmasters'  Association,  and  socially  belongs 
to  the  Odd  Fellows'  lodge  at  Plumville.  In 
political  opinion  he  is  a  Republican,  but  in 
politics  as  in  other  affairs  he  is  liberal  and 
inclined  to  support  whatever  he  thinks  will 
conduce  to  the  good  of  the  greatest  number. 
On  March  8,  1888,  Dr.  Bowser  was  married 
in  North  Mahoning  township,  this  county,  to 
La  Vinnia  Pounds,  who  was  born  in  George- 
ville,  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  James  and 
Hannah  (Kimple)  Pounds.  They  have  no 
children.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Bowser  are  members 
of  the  M.  E.  Church  at  Plumville,  and  highly 
esteemed  in  that  connection. 

PROF.  JOSIAS  H.  YOUNG  has  been  asso- 
ciated with  the  business  and  educational  life 
of  the  borough  of  Indiana  almost  continuously 
since  the  close  of  the  Civil  war.  Though  he 
prepared  for  the  ministry  he  did  not  follow 
the  profession  long,  because  of  his  health.  He 
was  born  in  April,  1837,  in  Belfast,  Ireland, 
son  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Hillman)  Young, 
the  former  also  a  native  of  Belfast,  and  a 
watchmaker  and  jeweler  by  occvipation.  The 
mother  died  in  Ireland,  when  her  son  Josias 
was  quite  young,  and  the  father  subsequently 
came  with  his  family  to  America.  He  worked 
at  his  trade  with  his  son  Robert  in  Indiana, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  died  there  in  1859,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-four  years.  He  and  his  wife 
were  Presbyterians  in  religious  faith.  They 
had  children  as  follows :  Margaret,  who  mar- 
ried James  Blair,  of  Ireland,  with  whom  she 
came  to  America,  settling  with  her  brother  in 
San  Francisco  eventually,  and  she  remarried 
there  after  Mr.  Blair's  death  and  died  there 


(her  second  husband  was  named  Anderson)  ; 
Maria,  who  married  Bei'nard  McQuade,  and 
died  in  Ireland;  James,  who  married  Eliza- 
beth McGonigle,  and  died  in  California ;  Rob- 
ert A.,  who  died  in  Indiana  in  1888;  Eliza- 
beth, who  married  James  McGonigle  and  (sec- 
ond) Matthew  Steele,  and  died  in  Belfast, 
Ireland;  William,  who  died  in  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  when  seventy-six  years  old  (he  married)  ; 
Mary,  Mrs.  Gardner  Pepper,  who  died  in 
Pennsylvania;  and  Josias  H. 

Josias  H.  Young  attended  school  in  his 
native  land  until  he  came  to  the  United  States 
with  his  father,  at  the  age  of  twelve  years. 
He  spent  his  first  few  years  in  this  country  at 
Philadelphia,  and  attended  what  was  known 
as  the  Presbyterian  Institute,  taught  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Coleman,  a  noted  linguist,  under  whom 
the  youth  studied  German,  Latin  and  Greek. 
He  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  trade  of 
jeweler,  but  gave  it  up  to  continue  his  studies, 
and  entering  the  University  of  Pennsylvania 
was  graduated  from  that  institution  with  the 
class  of  1859.  He  then  took  a  course  at  Prince- 
ton Theological  Seminary,  graduating  there- 
from in  1862.  He  entered  the  ministry,  but 
soon  gave  it  up  on  account  of  his  health,  and 
has  since  been  engaged  in  business  and  edu- 
cational pursuits.  When  the  Civil  war  broke 
out  he  went  to  enlist,  and  was  offered  a  second 
lieutenancy  in  the  Philadelphia  Zouaves,  who 
covered  the  retreat  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull 
Run.  His  guardian  interfered  with  his  plans 
for  serving-  in  the  Union  army,  but  allowed 
him  to  become  a  member  of  the  United  States 
Christian  Commission,  which  did  hospital 
work,  nursing  the  sick  and  wounded  on  and 
off  the  field.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  came 
to  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  engaged  in  the  jewelry 
business  with  his  brother  Robert  here  for  eight 
years,  during  which  time  he  was  also  con- 
nected with  the  normal  school,  having  been 
elected  to  the  chair  of  languages,  which  he 
filled  for  seven  years.  He  then  acted  as 
principal  of  the  borough  public  schools  for 
seven  years,  at  the  end  of  which  period  he 
went  to  New  Yorlf  City,  where  he  was  in  the 
jewelry  and  diamond  business  for  three  years. 
Returning  to  western  Pennsjdvania,  he  was 
principal  of  a  ward  school  in  Pittsburg  for 
two  years,  and  then  came  again  to  Indiana. 
where  he  became  interested  in  the  Indiana 
Leather  Company,  for  which  he  traveled,  and 
was  also  similarly  associated  with  the  Indiana 
Ladder  Company.  He  has  disposed  of  his 
intei-ests  in  both,  and  is  now  following  other 
lines  of  business. 

Three  years  ago  Mr.  Young  took  up  the 


878 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


study  of  Esperanto,  the  world  lan^age,  and 
he  now  has  a  class  of  twelve  in  Indiana,  in- 
eluding  representative  citizens  of  the  borough. 
He  has  been  a  Republican  in  politics,  recently 
taking  up  Progressive  principles. 

In  1871  Mr.  Young  was  married  in  Indiana 
to  Laura  L.  Hildebrand,  of  that  place,  daugh- 
ter of  Edward  P.  and  Elizabeth  (Woods) 
Hildebrand,  and  they  have  had  three  children : 
Florence  B.,  now  the  wife  of  Walter  H.  Jack- 
son; Edith  M.,  wife  of  John  A.  Scott,  of  In- 
diana; and  Elizabeth,  who  was  married  in 
June,  1912,  to  Harry  P.  Beans,  of  Indiana. 

EVANS.  Jlembers  of  the  Evans  family  of 
Indiana  county  were  among  the  first  of  the 
early  settlers  of  western  Pennsylvania.  The 
first  of  the  name  in  this  county  was  Hugh 
Evans,  who  was  a  native  of  Wales,  born  in 
Cardiff,  where  he  grew  to  maturity.  When  a 
young  man  he  left  his  native  home  to  try  his 
foi-tune  in  the  western  world.  He  crossed  the 
Atlantic  on  a  sailing  vessel,  working  for  his 
passage.  Among  his  fellow  passengers  was  a 
young  English  girl  who  intended  to  make  her 
future  home  in  the  United  States,  and  the 
young  Welshman  wooed  her  so  successfully 
that  when  they  landed  at  Philadelphia,  where 
they  spent  a  short  time,  they  married.  The 
young  couple  then  came  West,  locating  first 
at  the  Welsh  settlement  near  Evausburg. 
They  soon  moved  from  there  to  Indiana 
county,  locating  in  Brushvalley  township,  on 
a  tract  of  land  where  Hugh  Evaiis  built  his 
little  log  home  and  started  to  clear  a  farm 
from  a  wilderness.  After  remaining  on  this 
farm  for  a  few  years  he  sold  it  and  bought  a 
400-acre  bush  and  timber  tract,  a  part  of 
which  is  now  included  in  Mechanicsburg. 
Here  he  started  to  make  his  future  home, 
erecting  a  log  cabin  and  barn.  By  hard  work 
he  cleared  up  much  of  his  land  and  made  other 
improvements  on  the  property,  putting  up  a 
frame  dwelling  house,  barn,  et  cetera.  He 
also  erected  a  saw  and  grist  mill,  the  first  of 
its  kind  in  the  township,  ilr.  Evans  spent  his 
life  on  this  farm,  and  there  died  at  the  age  of 
sixty  years.  He  was  buried  on  the  farm,  in 
what  is  now  known  as  the  Evans  family  ceme- 
tery. A  man  noted  for  his  enterprise  and 
progressive  ideas,  he  was  hardworking  and 
industrious,  much  devoted  to  his  home  and 
family.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  as  were  also  his  wife  and  children. 
His  widow  died  on  the  farm  and  was  buried 
in  the  family  plot  there.  The  seven  children 
born  to  this  marriage  were  as  follows:  John  ; 
Ann,  wlio  married  John  Kelley  and  (second) 


James  Stewart;  Hugh,  who  died  in  Altooua, 
Pa, ;  Mary,  who  married  Henry  Grumbling ; 
Elizabeth  (Betsey),  who  married  Joseph  Mc- 
Nutt,  of  Brushvalley  township;  Evan,  who 
lived  and  died  in  Brushvalley  township ;  and 
James,  who  died  in  Center  township, 

John  Evans,  eldest  son  of  Hugh  Evans,  was 
bom  in  Brushvalley  township,  and  what  edu- 
cation he  i-eeeived  was  obtained  in  the  schools 
of  that  section.  He  grew  up  on  the  farm  of 
his  father  and  made  farming  and  stock  raising 
his  life  occupation,  receiving  250  acres  of  the 
homestead  farm.  There  he  erected  buildings 
and  made  other  improvements,  passing  all  his 
life  on  the  place,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of 
seventy  years,  seven  months,  and  is  buried  in 
the  family  lot,  the  Evans  graveyard.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  which  he 
was  deacon.  He  was  a  Whig  and  Republican, 
but  took  no  active  part  in  public  life.  He  was 
a  strong  admirer  of  the  martj'red  President 
Lincoln  and  during  the  Civil  war  his  sympatliy 
was  with  the  Union,  his  only  son  enlisting  to 
uphold  the  flag  and  preserve  the  Union.  He 
was  mari-ied  in  Brushvalley  township  to  Eliza- 
beth Sanderson,  a  native  of  Hagerstown,  Md., 
daughter  of  Thomas  Sanderson,  who  had  set- 
tled in  that  township,  Mrs.  Evans  died  on  the 
farm  and  is  buried  in  the  family  cemeteiy. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  a 
devoted  wife  and  mother,  doing  her  duty  by 
her  family,  which  consisted  of  eight  children : 
Ben.iamin,  who  died  in  Brushvalley  township ; 
Maria,  who  married  John  Bracken,  and  both 
died  in  East  Wheatfield  township  :  Emily,  who 
married  John  Finley,  of  Blairsville  (he  died 
in  Brushvalley  township)  ;  Lucinda,  who  is 
the  widow  of  William  Conrad  and  resides  in 
East  Wheatfield  township;  Susan,  who  mar- 
ried David  Overdoff  (both  are  deceased)  ; 
Elizabeth,  who  married  Thomas  Gregory,  and 
died  in  Franklin,  Pa. ;  Rebecca,  who  married 
Finley  Campbell,  and  died  in  Johnston;  and 
John  Sanderson. 

JoriN  Sanderson  Evans,  youngest  child  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  ( Sanderson 'i  Evans,  was 
born  on  the  homestead  farm  in  Brushvalley 
township  Aug,  13,  1844,  His  education  was 
acquired  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
to^^Tlship,  and  from  early  life  he  was  ac- 
customed to  work  on  the  farm,  which  he  helped 
to  operate  until  the  death  of  his  father.  He 
tlien  became  the  owner,  and  continued  to 
cultivate  the  place  during  his  active  life,  en- 
iraging  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
He  also  bought  the  Chambers  farm  in  the 
same  townsliip,  a  tract  of  162  acres  which  he 
likewise  operated.     In  1908  he  retired  from 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


879 


farming,  moving  to  Homer  City,  where  he 
built  a  home  and  where  he  and  his  wife  are 
enjoying  the  evening  of  a  well-spent  life,  reap- 
ing the  benefits  of  years  of  toil. 

During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Evans  enlisted, 
Aug.  20,  1864,  in  Company  H,  206th  P.  V.  I., 
1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  21th  Army  Corps, 
being  under  the  command  of  Capt.  J.-  C.  Grear 
and  Col.  Hugh  J.  Brady.  He  was  stationed 
for  a  time  in  front  of  Petersburg  and  later  at 
Richmond.  Mr.  Evans  spent  ten  months  in 
the  service,  being  mustered  out  at  the  close  of 
the  war,  June  10,  186.5.  He  has  been  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  a  firm  be- 
liever in  its  principles,  and  is  a  strong  admirer 
of  Roosevelt.  He  served  the  townshiji  of 
Brushvalley  as  supervisor,  was  assessor  two 
terms,  tax  collector  one  term,  school  director 
and  overseer  of  the  poor  two  terms.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Arm_y  of  the  Republic, 
belonging  to  Bolar  Post,  at  Homer  City,  and 
is  chaplain  of  his  post.  He  and  his  family 
are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  of  which  he 
is  steward,  trustee  and  class  leader.  Mr. 
Evans  is  a  strong  advocate  of  temperance,  a 
citizen  and  family  man  who  wo.uld  do  credit 
to  any  community.  He  educated  his  nine 
children  well  and  gave  them  all  a  fair  start  in 
life,  and  they  reflect  credit  on  him  and  his 
devoted  wife,  being  thrifty  and  industrious 
citizens,  of  sterling  worth. 

On  July  16,  1865,  Mr,  Evans  married 
Metilda  Helman,  who  was  born  in  Wheatfield 
township,  daughter  of  Adam  and  Mary  (Fry) 
Helman.  To  this  union  were  born  children 
as  follows:  (1)  Harry  H.,  born  March  28, 
1867,  is  an  electrical  engineer,  and  resides  at 
Renton,  Wash.  He  married  Rhoda  Croyle, 
and  has  five  children,  Joseph,  John  Bair, 
Name,  Beulah  and  Edwin.  (2)  Bennett  B., 
born  March  21,  1869,  is  an  engineer  on  the 
Pennsylvania  railroad  and  makes  his  home  at 
Pittsburg.  He  married  Sally  Swaring,  of 
Steubenville,  Ohio,  and  their  children  are 
Ralph,  Merle,  Claretice  and  Harold.  (3) 
Ella  N.,  born  Jan.  8,  1872,  married  James  K. 
Altman,  and  resides  in  Brushvalley  to^vn- 
ship.  They  have  two  children,  Charles  and 
Fanny.  (4)  Charles,  born  March  8,  1875,  an 
engineer  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  resid- 
ing at  Pittsburg,  married  Ida  Echinger.  (5) 
Albert  P.,  born  June  9,  1877,  a  farmer  in 
Brushvalley  township,  married  Mamie  Bench- 
man.  (6)  Frank,  born  Dec.  5,  1880,  residing 
in  Pittsburg,  married  Nora  Mock.  (7)  Ger- 
trude, born  July  2,  188.3,  resides  at  home.  (8) 
Clair,  born  March  4,  1886,  who  lives  on  the 
homestead  farm,  married  Alma  McCrea,  and 


they  have  two  children,  Blanch  and  Robert. 
(9)  Elsie  Edna,  bom  Sept.  2,  1889,  married 
George  Kelley,  of  Homer  City,  and  has  one 
child,  Ruth. 

CHARLES  CRONK,  superintendent  of  the 
Lucerne  Coal  Mines,  at  North  Homer,  In- 
diana county,  owned  and  operated  by  the- 
Rochester,  Pittsburg  Coal  &  Iron  Company, 
has  filled  that  position  of  trust  and  responsi- 
bility since  July,  1912.  Mr.  Cronk  is  a  na- 
tive of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  Luzerne  county 
in  June,  1862,  a  sou  of  James  and  Jane 
(Dean)  Cronk.  James  Cronk,  the  father,  was 
a  lumberman  and  sawmill  owner,  being  en- 
gaged in  that  kind  of  business  nearly  all  his 
life,  both  in  Pennsylvania  and  on  the  Pa- 
cific coast. 

Charles  Cronk  attended  the  local  schools 
at  his  birthplace  and  was  nine  years  old  when 
he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Bradford  county, 
Pa.,  the  family  locating  at  Carbon  Run,  where 
he  continued  his  education.  When  a  youth 
of  fourteen  years  he  went  with  an  elder 
brother  to  work  in  the  coal  mines  at  Carbon 
Run,  where  he  was  employed  as  a  coal  miner 
until  1885,  in  which  .year  the  family  moved 
to  Jefferson  county.  Pa.  There  Mr.  Cronk 
followed  his  occupation  of  coal  miner  in  the 
mines  of  the  Jefferson  Coal  Company,  and 
remained  until  1901,  at  which  time  he  went 
to  West  Virginia,  locating  in  Barbour  eoiinty. 
Becoming  mine  boss  for  the  Jefferson  Valley 
Coal  &  Coke  Company,  he  continued  in  that 
capacity  until  July,  1904,  when  he  accepted 
the  position  of  superintendent  of  the  mines 
of  the  Tygarts  River  Coal  Company,  at  Arden, 
Barbour  Co.,  W.  Va..  holding  it  for  two  years. 
Then  he  came  to  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  and  on 
Nov.  15,  1906,  became  assistant  siiperintend- 
ent  of  the  Lucerne  Mines  at  North  Homer, 
for  The  Rochester,  Pittsburg  Coal  &  Iron  Com- 
pany. He  acted  in  that  capacity  for  six 
years,  and  in  July,  1912,  was  made  superin- 
tendent. The  Lucerne  mines  were  opened 
in  December,  1905,  on  the  Risinger  farm,  and 
the  property  was  in  the  early  stages  of  its 
development  when  Mr.  Cronk  assumed  his 
duties  as  assistant  superintendent.  He  has 
more  than  five  hundred  hands  under  his 
charge.  He  has  become  a  most  respected  resi- 
dent of  his  adopted  borough,  and  is  at  present 
serving  as  school  director  of  Center  township. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  polities.  He  and  his 
family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  of 
Homer  City. 

Mr.  Cronk  married,  in  Jefferson  county, 
Jennie  Jones,  and  to  this  union  six  children 


880 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


were  born:  Margaret,  who  died  when  three 
years  old;  Cora  H.,  who  married  Thomas 
Robinson ;  James,  a  steam  engineer ;  Alice,  at 
home;  Catharine  and  William,  both  attend- 
ing school. 

RALPH  F.  McHENRY,  M.  D.,  practicing 
physician  and  surgeon  of  Heilwood,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  also  conducts  a  modem, 
well-equipped  hospital,  was  born  at  Frost- 
biu-g,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  Aug.  30,  1869,  son 
of  George  Washington  and  Anna  Rebecca 
(Keck)   McHenry. 

The  first  of  this  branch  of  the  McHenry 
famil,y  to  come  to  this  country  was  Isaac 
McHenry,  who  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1734, 
and  whose  wife's  name  was  Jane  Smith  or 
Sm>i:he,  likely  the  latter,  as  the  Scotch  often 
spell  the  name  that  way.  The  first  we  know 
of  Isaac  is  his  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance, 
with  Abraham  Leasure  and  John  Stutehel 
(Dallas  Albert's  History  of  Westmoreland 
County).  The  name  is  there  spelled  Mc- 
Hendry.  This  was  in  1777.  Later,  before 
1800,  "he  settled  three  miles  north  of  In- 
diana on  what  has  been  known  as  the  James 
Hamilton  farm.  Thence  he  moved  to  what 
is  now  North  IMahoning  township,  where  he 
and  his  wife  and  two  sons  died  in  the  fall 
of  1812,  all  during  the  same  week,  the  par- 
ents aged  aboiit  eighty  years,  the  son  James 
aged  thirty-three  years  and  the  son  Samuel 
aged  thirty-six  years.  They  lie  in  the  ceme- 
tery at  Cilgal  Church  (this  church  was  or- 
ganized in  1808).  The  father  served  as 
major  in  the  Pennsylvania  State  militia. 
Isaac  and  Jane  McHenry  had  children  as 
follows:  John  married  i\Iiss  McCord :  Wil- 
liam, born  in  1770.  married  Sidney  Gordon, 
and  they  were  the  grandparents  of  Squire 
McHenry.  of  Spangler,  Pa.,  whose  mother 
was  a  Row;  William  was  with  Anthony 
Wayne  in  Ohio  in  1793  and  1794.  and  with 
him  was  his  brother  Isaac,  who  died  in  the 
service:  ]\Iary  married  Patrick  Lydick : 
James  is  mentioned  below:  Samuel  married 
Marv  :\IcCall:  Joseph  married  Elizabeth 
Bovd:  Jane  married  Robert  Morrison; 
Sai-ah:  Hannah  married  Daniel  Morrison. 

James  :\rcHenrv.  son  of  Isaac  and  Jane 
IMcHonry.  was  born  Feb.  15.  1779.  three 
miles  north  of  the  town  of  Indiana.  He  was 
a  major  in  the  State  militia,  serving  two 
terms  under  Governors  Snyder  and  MeKean, 
and  took  part  in  the  Indian  war.  He  died 
in  1812  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-three  years, 
as  already  related.  In  1795  he  married  Eliza- 
beth Stutehel  (daughter  of  John),  who  was 
born  Feb.  15.  1779,  and  died  in  1851.    There 


were  born  to  them  the  following  children: 
Catharine  married  Joseph  Crossman;  Isaac 
married  Catharine  McClelland ;  John,  born  in 
1801,  married  Martha  Jordan;  James  married 
Ann  Neal;  Mary  married  Asa  Crossman; 
Elizabeth  married  George  Timblin;  Jane  mar- 
ried William  Postlewait.  Of  these,  James 
and  Ann  (Neal)  had  children:  Elizabeth 
married  JMartin  Reits ;  William  man-ied  Lu-  ■ 
cetta  Light  and  (.second)  Rachel  Lantz ;  Mar- 
garet married  Austin  Welchans;  Benjamin 
married  Catharine  Beck;  Maiy  married 
George  Goheen  and  (second)  Rev.  Uriah 
Conly ;  Sarah  married  John  C.  Stear. 

Isaac  McHeni-y,  eldest  sou  of  Maj.  James 
and  Elizabeth  (Stutehel)  McHenry,  was  the 
grandfather  of  Dr.  Ralph  F.  McHenry.     He 
was  born  July  4,  1797,  in  North  Mahoning 
township,  and  in  his  early  days  followed  fann- 
ing in  his  native  township,  assisting  to  clear 
and  operate  the  home  farm,  also  engaging  in 
lumbering.      Later    he    moved    to    Jefferson 
county,  and  made  the  first  settlement  at  Ford- 
ham.     Isaac  McHenry  was  at  Punxsutawuey 
when  the  site  was  a  windfall  and  an  Indian 
sugar  camp.     After  his  marriage  he  and  his 
wife  lived  for  a  time  at  Fordham.  on  what  is 
known  as  the  old  Bath  farm  at  Whitesville,         ^ 
thence  removing  to  the  vicinity  of  Frostburg,         *. 
Jefferson   count}',   where   Mr.   IMcHenry   was         ' 
engaged  in  farming  for  over  forty  years.    In 
1886.  however,  the  farm  was  sold  and  the  old 
couple  moved — on  Nov.  16th — with  their  son 
George  W.  to  a  farm  which  had  been  bought 
in  East  ^lahoniug  township.  Indiana  county, 
where  Isaac  ^lellenry  died  Dec.  28.  1886.    On 
Oct.  6,   1825,  he  married  Catharine  McClel-         ; 
land,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  whose  parents        | 
had  come  from  Scotland  to  America  at  an        i 
early  day,   and  she   sui'vived  him.   dying  in 
:\Iarch,  1897.     Mr.   and  Mrs.  McHenry  had 
children  as  follows:    James  W..  who  married 
]\rary  C.   Horton;  William   P..  who  married 
Julia  A.  Ruth:  and  George  W.  j 

George  Washington  JIcHenry.  son  of  Isaac  i 
and  Catharine  (McClelland)  ^McHenry.  was 
born  March  3,  1830.  at  what  is  now 
Fordham.  Jefferson  Co..  Pa.,  and  there 
resided  until  the  removal  of  the  family  to 
near  Frostburg,  Jefferson  county.  Then  he 
moved  to  East  ^Mahoning  township,  Indiana 
county,  taking  his  parents  with  him.  in  1886, 
and  they  lived  with  him  till  they  died.  George 
W.  McHenry  sold  his  farm  and  is  now  living 
retired  at  Marion  Center.  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
where  he  has  had  his  home  since  1905.  Mr. 
McHenry  married-  Rachel  M.  Swisher,  and 
'second"!  Anna  Rebecca  Keck.    The  latter  was 


/fk|//7%<^ 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


881 


born  Jan.  26,  1843,  near  Perrysville,  Jeffer- 
son county,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  as  follows:  Rachel  died  at 
the  age  of  thirteen  years;  Grant  is  engineer 
of  the  power  plant  at  Lucerne,  Pa. ;  Laotta 
is  the  widow  of  W.  L.  Stewart,  a  lawyer,  of 
Indiana,  Pa.;  Ralph  F.  is  mentioned  below; 
Lelia  is  deceased;  Bessie  is  the  wife  of  Rob- 
ert aicKee,  of  Horton ;  Walter  is  a  veterinary 
surgeon,  of  "Waverly,  Iowa. 

Joseph  Keek,  the  maternal  grandfath,er  of 
Dr.  McHenry,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
of  German  descent.  He  was  a  sawyer  by 
trade  and  followed  that  occupation  in  Jeffer- 
son county  for  some  years,  also  devoting  some 
attention  to  farming.  He  married  Sophia 
Spare,  and  both  died  in  Jefferson  county. 

Until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  Ralph  F. 
McHenry  resided  on  the  home  farm  in  Jeffer- 
son county,  obtaining  his  early  education  in 
the  schools  of  Frostburg.  On  coming  to  In- 
diana county  he  attended  the  Pickering  Run 
school,  and  after  academic  work  taught  public 
school  four  years  in  Indiana  county.  Follow- 
ing this  he  entered  in  1892  the  Western  Penn- 
sylvania Medical  College,  from  which  insti- 
tution he  was  graduated  with  his  degree  of 
M.  D.  March  21,  1895.  For  the  ten  years 
that  followed  he  was  engaged  in  practice  at 
Marion  Center,  on  JMarch  11,  1905,  coming 
to  Heilwood,  where  he  has  since  had  a  suc- 
cessful professional  career.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Indiana  County  and  State  Medical 
Societies  and  of  the  American  Medical  As- 
sociation, is  local  surgeon  for  the  Pennsyl-. 
vania  Railroad  Company,  and  has  charge  of 
the  Heilwood  hospital.  Dr.  McHenry  has 
lone  considerable  studying  along  advanced 
lines,  having  taken  a  post-graduate  general 
course  in  1899  at  the  New  York  Polyclinic ; 
a  post-graduate  course  in  special  diagnosis 
and  general  surgery,  1901-02;  a  course  in 
general  medicine  and  surgery  at  the  New 
York  Post  Graduate  JMedical  School  in  1907; 
and  he  did  special  work  in  surgery  and  diag- 
nosis at  that  institution  in  1911. 

Fraternally  the  Doctor  is  a  thirty-second 
degree  Mason,  being  a  member  of  the  Scot- 
tish Rite  ]\Iasons  at  Williamsport ;  and  Jaffa 
Temple.  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  of  Altoona.  Pa. 
He  was  one  of  the  chai-ter  members  of  Beth- 
any Commandery,  No.  83,  K.  T.,  at  DuBois, 
Pa".,  and  the  Indiana  lodge  of  B.  P.  0.  Elks. 
The  Doctor  has  taken  a  very  active  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  the  public  schools  of  Indi- 
ana county,  and  for  the  last  sixteen  years  has 
held  the  office  of  school  director. 

On  Dec.  25,  1890,  Dr.  McHenry  was  mar- 
ried to  Gertrude  J.  Wilson,  who  was  born  at 


Plumville,  in  South  Mahoning  township,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa.,  March  7,  1869,  daughter  of  Jo- 
seph M.  and  Rebecca  (Neal)  Wilson.  Her 
father  was  born  in  South  Mahoning  township, 
her  mother  in  East  Mahoning  townslnp,  and 
tlley  are  now  residents  of  Plumville;  Mr. 
Wilson  spent  his  active  years  in  farming.  He 
is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war. 

Dr.  and  ]\Irs.  McHenry  have  had  three  chil- 
dren: Elizabeth,  born  in  November,  1894, 
now  deceased ;  Joseph,  liorn  June  6,  1896,  also 
deceased;  and  Ralph  Wilson,  born  May  1, 
1910.  The  Doctor  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

CLARK  J.  CAMERON,  D.  D.  S.,  has  been 
engaged  in  tlie  practice  of  dentistry  at  Cherry- 
tree,  Indiana  county,  for  over  a  quarter  of  a 
century,  and  has  the  reputation  of  being  one 
of  the  most  reliable  men  in  his  profession  in 
this  region.  He  was  born  in  Green  township, 
this  county,  Feb.  5,  1856,  son  of  Daniel  and 
JIargaret  (Bartlebaugh)  Cameron,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Indiana  county. 

Hugh  Cameron,  the  Doctor's  grandfather, 
was  a  native  of  Scotland.  Settling  in  Indiana 
county  at  a  very  early  day,  he  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  life  here,  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  lumbering. 

Daniel  Cameron,  father  of  Dr.  Cameron, 
settled  in  Green  township  in  the  early  fifties, 
purchasing  the  farm  where  his  son  Clark  was 
born,  and  which  is  now  owned  by  J.  C.  Leas- 
ure.  There  he  farmed  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  February,  1885.  He  married 
Margaret  Bartlebaugh.  daughter  of  Matthias 
Bartlebaugh,  a  native  of  Indiana  county  who 
in  his  day  was  a  prominent  farmer  of  Green 
township.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of 
the  local  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  Bartle- 
baugh lived  to  be  ninety-six  years  old,  and 
when  ninety  years  old  walked  from  his  home 
to  the  borough  of  Indiana.  'Sirs.  Margaret 
(Bartlebaugh)  Cameron  died  early  in  the 
year  1858,  the  mother  of  four  children, 
namely :  Emmeline,  who  became  the  wife  of 
John  McFeaters,  of  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Amanda, 
deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  S.  B.  Leasui-e, 
of  this  county;  ilarlin  J.,  a  resident  of  Al- 
bany, Oregon,  engaged  in  the  lumbering  busi- 
ness; and  Clark  J.  After  the  mother  of 
these  died  Mr.  Cameron  married  Rucilla  Bar- 
tlebaugh, for  his  second  wife,  and  for  his 
third  Cordelia  McNeal.  By  the  second  union 
there  were  two  children:  Phoebe,  wife  of 
Robert  Dunwiddie,  a  merchant  in  Cherryhill 
township ;  and  Lloyd,  deceased.  To  the  third 
marriage  were  born :     Cordelia,  who  married 


882 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Isaac  Work,  both  now  deceased;  Daniel,  a 
resident  of  Homer  City,  this  county;  Sharp, 
a  resident  of  Brownsville,  Payette  County, 
Pa.,  and  Howard,  who  lives  at  Braddoc'k, 
Pennsylvania. 

Clark  J.  Cameron,  youngest  child  of  Daniel 
and  Margaret  (Bartlebaugh)  Cameron,  ob- 
tained his  early  education  in  public  school 
m  Green  township,  where  he  followed  farm- 
ing in  his  youth  and  young  manhood.  In 
1884  he  entered  the  Philadelphia  Dental  Col- 
lege to  prepare  for  his  chosen  calling,  was 
graduated  from  that  institution  in  1885,  and 
immediately  thereafter  commenced  practice 
in  Indiana  county,  first  locating  at  Cookport. 
The  same  year,  1885,  he  moved  to  Cherry- 
tree,  where  he  has  since  been  in  active  prac- 
tice, having  built  up  a  large  and  steadily 
widening  patronage.  In  1908  he  took  a  spe- 
cial course  in  the  treatment  of  teeth  and 
bridge  and  crown  work  in  the  Peeso  School 
at  Philadelphia,  and  he  has  always  made  it 
a  point  to  keep  abreast  of  the  times  in  his 
ideas  and  practice,  a  fact  which  has  been 
thoroughly  appreciated  by  his  patrons  in  and 
around  Cherrytree. 

Dr.  Cameron  has  taken  a  special  interest  in 
the  welfare  of  the  public  schools  in  Cherry- 
tree  and  is  at  present  serving  as  school  direc- 
tor, being  also  secretary  of  the  board.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  borough  council,  and 
highly  public-spirited  in  advocating  and  en- 
couraging all  projects  for  the  advancement 
of  the  place,  being  connected  with  the  Cherrv- 
tree  Electric  Heat.  Light  &  Power  Compaiiv 
as  secretary,  treasurer  and  member  of  the 
board  of  directors;  and  he  is  vice  president 
of  the  Cherrytree  Water  Company.  He  is 
well  known  in  the  fraternities,  being  a  promi- 
nent member  of  Cherrytree  Lodge,  No.  417, 
I.  0.  0.  F.,  of  which  he  is  chaplain  and  treas- 
urer; a  member  of  Susquehanna  Lodge,  No. 
31,  A.  0.  v.  W.,  of  which  he  is  financier ;  and 
a  member  of  Indiana  Lodge,  Royal  Arcanum. 

On  Feb.  19,  1885,  Dr.  Cameron  was  mar- 
ried to  Alice  Maria  Thompson,  who  was  born 
in  Rayne  township,  this  county,  daughter  of 
William  and  Caroline  (Shields")  Thompson, 
both  of  whom  were  born  in  Indiana  county, 
and  both  are  now  deceased.  They  were  fann- 
ing people.  Jlr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  had  a 
family  of  eight  children:  Amanda,  wife  of 
James  M.  Martin,  living  at  Mount  Washing- 
ton, Pa. ;  Martha,  wife  of  Dr.  Park,  of  Marion 
Center,  Indiana  county;  Silas  W.,  a  resident 
of  Springfield,  Ohio:  Mary,  who  married 
Moorhead  Coleman,  of  Indiana,  both  now  de- 
ceased; Alice  M.,  Mrs.  Cameron;  Harry  V., 


a  resident  of  Alberta,  Canada;  Emma,  wife 
of  James  Moore,  of  Indiana  county;  and  one 
that  died  in  infancy. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Cameron:  Gertrude  Gay;  Guilford 
Thompson  and  Jlartha  Slargaret,  twins;  and 
Alice  Imogene.  The  Doctor  and  his  family 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Cherrytree,  and  he  has  been  quite  active  in 
its  work,  at  present  serving  as  elder. 

WILLIAM  McQUAID  FAIR  is  known  as 
one  of  the  most  progressive  dairymen  in 
Center  township,  Indiana  count.v,  where  he 
has  been  engaged  in  agi-icultural  pursuits 
all  his  life.  He  belongs  to  an  old  family  of 
the  county,  his  great-grandfather,  Peter  Fair, 
having  been  one  of  the  hardy  pioneers  who 
settled  here  in  the  early  days.  He  was  a 
scout  and  spy  during  the  French  and  Indian 
war. 

William  Fair,  son  of  Peter,  was  born  in 
Indiana  county.  He  became  the  owner  of  a 
farm  in  Blacklick  township  upon  which  he 
lived  and  died.  He  married  Mary  Cribbs, 
of  Indiana  county,  and  the.v  became  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  Peter 
Cribbs ;  Mary  Jane,  wife  of  W.  Bell;  Sus- 
anna, wife  of  J.  Bell;  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
Samuel  Doty;  Sarah,  wife  of  Abraham 
Mikesell;  Julia,  wife  of  C.  Mikesell;  Henry, 
who  married  Frances  Gilger  and  (second") 
Augusta  Rodgers;  and  William,  who  married 
Hettie  Willoer. 

Peter  Cribbs  Fair,  son  of  William,  received 
his  education  in  the  subscription  and  free 
schools  of  the  home  district,  but  meantime 
he  had  to  assist  his  father  with  the  work  on 
the  farm,  which  was  extremel.v  laborious  in 
those  days.  So  although  the  school  teniis 
were  short  he  did  not  attend  every  day. 
However,  he  was  a  diligent  student,  and  he 
managed  to  acquire  enough  schooling  to  fit 
himself  for  teaching,  which  profession  he  fol- 
lowed for  twenty  years  during  the  winter 
season.  The  rest  of  the  year  he  was  engaged 
in  farming.  For  a  time  he  worked  on  a  farm 
in  Blacklick  township,  later  buying  the  Hugh 
McClaren  farm,  in  Center  township,  which 
comprised  120  acres,  and  there  he  lived  to  the 
end  of  his  da.vs.  prospering  in  his  own  inter- 
ests and  becoming  closel.v  a.ssoeiated  with  lo- 
cal affairs,  political  and  social.  He  not  only 
improved  his  home  place,  but  was  able  to  ac- 
quire other  property,  at  one  time  owning  about 
throe  hundred  acres.  He  was  independent  in 
politics,  having  progressive  ideas  in  that  re- 
spect as  in  everything  which  engaged  his  at- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


883 


tention,  was  public-spirited  in  advocating  and 
supporting  every  movement  for  the  welfare 
of  the  community,  was  a  prominent  member 
of  the  Grange,  and  in  fraternal  connection  a 
member  of  Blairsville  Lodge,  P.  &  A.  M.  He 
was  a  good  conversationalist,  and  an  interest- 
ing and  forcible  public  speaker,  his  intelligent 
and  broad-minded  views  winning  him  the  re- 
spect and  confidence  of  all  who  came  in  con- 
tact with  him.  He  was  originally  a  member 
of  the  Lutheran  Church,  later  joining  the  M. 
E.  Church  at  Homer  City.  When  a  young 
man  Mr.  Fair  married  Sarah  Young,  by  whom 
he  had  two  children:  Louisa,  who  married 
Robert  Wilson  and  (second)  Jesse  Long,  and 
Helen,  who  died  young.  The  mother  died 
aged  about  forty-three  years,  and  is  buried 
in  the  Homer  City  cemetery.  Mr.  Fair's  sec- 
ond marriage,  to  Martha  Jane  Doty,  daugh- 
ter of  Nathaniel  and  Margaret  (Reed)  Doty, 
of  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  took  place  in 
Westmoreland  County.  Mrs.  Fair  still  lives 
on  the  homestead  with  her  son  William.  Mr. 
Fair  died  June  16,  1903. 

William  McQuaid  Pair,  only  child  of  Peter 
C.  and  Martha  J.  (Doty)  Fair,  was  born  July 
27,  1876,  on  the  farm  in  Center  township 
where  he  now  lives,  and  was  reared  there.  He 
was  educated  in  the  locality,  being  given  ex- 
cellent common  school  advantages,  and  from 
boyhood  was  his  father's  assistant  with  the 
work  on  the  home  place,  becoming  thoroughly 
familiar  with  farm  work  under  an  able  in- 
structor. After  his  father's  death  he  assumed 
charge  of  the  farm  as  owner,  and  has  since 
been  engaged  in  general  farming  and  dairy- 
ing. He  began  to  make  a  specialty  of  dairy- 
ing a  number  of  years  ago.  and  has  been  very 
successful  in  that  line,  in  which  he  has  profit- 
ably adopted  the  most  up-to-date  methods. 
In  1905  he  built  a  silo,  and  he  has  other  mod- 
ern facilities  for  the  care  of  his  stock  and 
product  which  stamp  him  as  a  wide-awake 
dairyman,  thoroughly  alive  to  the  advantages 
of  hygienic  surroundings  and  scientific  meth- 
ods. He  has  a  valuable  herd  of  high-grade 
Holsteins. .  His  product  is  shipped  to  Pitts- 
burg. He  is  energetic  and  reliable  in  every- 
thing he  undertakes,  being  considered  one  of 
the  most  substantial  men  of  his  township,  and 
he  has  served  his  fellow  citizens  as  school  di- 
rector, giving  eminently  satisfactory  service 
in  that  capacity.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics and  takes  a  keen  interest  in  the  welfare 
of  his  party;  he  has  served  on  the  board  of 
elections. 

Mr.  Fair  was  married  Dee.  6,  1903,  to 
Laura  Stair,  of  Center  township,  daughter  of 


Michael  and  Jennie  E.  (Keener)  Stair,  and 
they  have  had  eight  children:  Gail,  Hazel, 
Margaret  (who  died  in  infancy),  Edna  May, 
Roxie,  Viola,  Margaret  Louise,  and  Paul  Mc- 
Quaid (who  died  in  infancy  Oct.  17,  1912). 

WILLIAM  W.  BRILHART,  who  has  been 
in  business  as  a  .jeweler  and  optician  at  In- 
diana since  1880,  was  born  in  East  JMahoning 
township,  Indiana  county,  Feb.  25,  1847,  son 
of  Jacob  Brilhart  and  grandson  of  John  Bril- 
hart.  The  latter  was  born  in  the  Shenandoah 
valley,  in  Virginia,  whence  he  came  to  In- 
diana county.  Pa.,  in  1820,  settling  on  a 
tract  of  300  acres  in  East  Mahoning  township. 
He  married  Catherine  Hufif,  who  was  from 
near  Baltimore,  Md.  They  died  in  East  Ma- 
honing township. 

Jacob  Brilhart,  son  of  John,  was  born  in 
1802  in  Virginia,  where  he  passed  his  early 
life,  being  eighteen  years  old  when  he  came 
to  Indiana  county  with  his  parents.  He  was 
a  gunsmith  by  trade,  and  found  consider- 
able to  do  at  his  new  home  making  steel  traps 
for  trappers.  He  succeeded  his  father  on  the 
homestead,  where  he  continued  to  reside  to 
the  close  of  his  long  life,  dying  there  in 
1884.  He  married  Mary  Braugher,  of  In- 
diana county,  who  was  born  in  1815,  and 
died  on  the  home  farm  in  1875.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Brilhart  were  devout  Presbyterians  in  relig- 
ious faith.  He  was  a  Democrat  before  the 
Civil  war,  after  which  he  supported  the  Re- 
publican party.  He  served  as  postmaster  at 
Mahoning  for  many  years,  and  was  one  of 
the  best  known  men  in  his  locality.  To  him 
and  his  wife  were  born  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Caroline,  Mrs.  Peter  Beer,  of  near  Du- 
Bois,  Pa. :  Jonah  H.,  who  died  in  Indiana ;  J. 
Clark,  of  Grant  township,  Indiana  county, 
who  served  during  the  Civil  war  in  the  206th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Regiment ;  Abraham 
H.,  of  Grant  township;  John  A.,  of  Scottdale, 
Pa. ;  and  Amanda,  Mrs.  L.  C.  Spicker,  of  the 
eastern  shore  of  Maryland. 

William  W.  Brilhart  spent  the  first  few 
yeai-s  of  his  life  on  the  home  farm,  but  he 
was  only  a  boy  when  the  family  moved  to 
Georgeville,  this  county,  and  he  received  his 
education  in  the  local  schools.  In  the  fall 
of  1863  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  105th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  for  three 
years  or  during  the  war,  serving  under  Capt. 
William  Kimkle  and  Colonel  Miller,  in  Han- 
cock's 2d  Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He 
took  part  in  the  following  battles :  Culpeper, 
Wilderness,  Spottsylvania  Court  House, 
North  Anna  River,  Cold  Harbor,  Petereburg, 


884 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Hatcher's  Run,  and  Appomattox,  and  was 
present  when  Lee  gave  his  sword  to  Grant. 
He  was  mustered  oiit  near  Pittsburg  in  July, 
1865,  and  returning  home  applied  himself  to 
learning  the  business  of  jeweler,  at  which 
he  has  ever  since  been  engaged.  He  spent 
several  years  in  Clarion  eountj%  in  1880  mov- 
ing to  the  borough  of  Indiana,  where  he  has 
lived  and  worked  up  to  the  present  time.  He 
has  established  a  steady  patronage  in  his  line, 
and  has  acquired  a  reputation  for  honorable 
dealing  as  a  jeweler,  and  for  skill  in  the  opti- 
cal branch,  which  holds  all  his  patrons.  As 
a  citizen  he  is  highly  esteemed  for  his  sub- 
■  stantial  worth.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  and  belongs  to  Post  No.  28.  G. 
A.  R.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

In  1873  Mr.  Brilhart  was  married  to  Anna 
C.  Galbraith,  of  Indiana  county,  daughter  of 
former  sheriff  J.  C.  Galbraith,  and  they  have 
three  children:  Geer  E.,  a  jeweler,  of  Pitts- 
burg; Percy  W.,  a  civil  engineer,  now  in  Van- 
couver, B.  C. ;  and  William,  an  optii-ian.  who 
lives  at  Indiana  with  his  parents. 

MILTON  SAMUEL  BELL,  proprietor  of 
the  general  mercantile  business  at  Blackliek, 
Indiana  county,  conducted  under  the  name  of 
J.  H.  Bell  Company,  is  a  representative 
of  a  family  which  has  been  resident  in  this 
part  of  Pennsylvania  continuously  since  Colo- 
nial times.  John  Bell,  his  great-grandfather, 
made  his  home  in  Westmoreland  county.  He 
married  Martha  Kilcrearn,  and  their  children 
were:  John,  Walter,  James,  Jane,  Elizabeth 
and  Martha. 

John  Bell,  son  of  John  and  Martha  (Kil- 
crearn) Bell,  also  lived  in  Westmoreland 
county,  where  he  followed  farming  all  his 
life.  He  and  his  wife  Rebecca  (Hanson)  be- 
came the  parents  of  ten  children,  namely: 
John,  James  Hanson,  Samuel  M.,  Alfred  M., 
Jlargaret  M..  Martha  K.,  Sarah,  Elizabeth, 
Mai-y  and  Aligara. 

James  Hanson  Bell,  son  of  John  and  Re- 
becca (Hanson)  Bell,  was  born  Feb.  2*^.  1826, 
on  a  farm  in  Derry  township,  Westmoreland 
county.  He  was  given  an  excellent  educa- 
tion, attending  public  school  and  the  academy 
at  Blairsville,  and  having  decided  to  enter 
professional  life  read  medicine  with  Dr.  J. 
W.  Blackburn,  of  Derry  township,  Westmore- 
land county.  Later  he  attended  lectures  at 
Jefferson  Medical  College.  Pliiladelphia.  and 
a  medical  college  in  Vermont,  from  whicli 
latter  institution  he  was  graduated  in  18.'i2. 
He  began  the  practice  of  his  cliosen  profession 
at    Clarksburg.    Indiana    Co.,    Pa.,    where   he 


continued  for  four  j'ears,  at  the  end  of  that 
period  moving  to  Elder's  Ridge,  same  county, 
practicing  there  the  next  five  years.  His  next 
change  was  to  Butler  county,  Pa.,  where  he 
also  became  engaged  in  the  drug  business, 
which  he  sold  out  on  account  of  ill  health 
in  the  spring  of  1868,  returning  then  to  In- 
diana count.y.  Locating  at  Blackliek,  he 
opened  a  general  mercantile  business  which 
has  ever  since  lieen  carried  on  under  the  name 
of  J.  H.  Bell  Company,  and  in  which  he  was 
interested  until  his  death.  A  man  of  sterling 
honesty  and  irreproachable  standards,  he  also 
had  the  commercial  instinct  which  made  him 
successful  in  the  management  of  his  business, 
and  his  courteous  bearing,  natui-al  disposi- 
tion to  oblige  and  intelligent  comprehension 
of  the  needs  of  his  patrons  made  his  establish- 
ment one  of  the  most  popular  in  this  part  of 
the  county.  In  1868,  under  President  John- 
son, he  was  appointed  postmaster,  and  held 
that  office  continuously  for  nuiny  years.  He 
took  a  deep  interest  in  all  that  concerned  the 
town  of  liis  adoption,  her  people  and  institu- 
tions, being  a  highly  useful  citizen  in  every 
sense.  He  died  in  Blackliek  in  September, 
1896,  and  is  buried  in  Blairsville  cemetery. 

On  Aug.  31,  1852,  Dr.  Bell  maii-ied  Mary 
Doty,  who  was  born  Jan.  5,  1827,  in  Indiana 
county,  and  survived  him,  dying  April  18. 
1906,  at  the  age  of  sevent.v-nine ;  she  is  buried 
in  Blairsville  cemetery.  Mrs.  Bell  was  a  de- 
scendant of  one  of  the  pa.ssengers  of  the 
"Mayflower,"  having  been  a  daughter  of 
Gillis  M.  and  Jane  (Dixdn)  Doty.  She  and 
her  husband  had  a  family  of  seven  children: 
Rebecca  Jane,  born  Sept.  8.  1854,  died  Sept. 
22,  1865 :  Gillis  Doty,  born  Jan.  24.  1857,  is 
a  hardware  merchant  in  Cleveland.  Ohio; 
John  Hunter,  born  April  14,  1859,  died  in 
1909 ;  James  Hanson,  born  Oct.  5.  1861.  died 
in  1862:  Sarah  Elizabeth,  born  July  19.  1863. 
is  unmarried :  IMilton  Samuel  was  born  May 
12,  1869:  Alfred  Marks,  bom  Sept.  28,  1871. 
resides  at  Wilkinsburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Milton  S.  Bell  obtained  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Burrell  townsliip.  When  a 
boy  he  began  to  clerk  in  his  father's  store, 
and  subsequently  going  out  to  Ohio  clerked 
for  about  ten  years  with  his  bi-other  in  the 
hardware  business.  On  his  ri'turn  to  Black- 
lick,  in  1897.  he  bought  out  the  general  mer- 
cantile business  fi-om  his  father's  estate  and 
lias  conducted  it  on  his  own  account  ever 
since,  giving  all  his  time  and  attention  to  the 
store.  It  has  enjoyed  undiminished  popu- 
larity under  his  capable  management.  He 
has  made  extensive  improvements  in  the  ae- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


885 


eoiumodations,  bringing  the  establishment  up- 
to-date  in  equipment  and  convenient  arrange- 
ment, and  his  genial  personality  and  ready 
attention  to  the  wants  of  his  customers  has 
kept  the  business  up  to  the  high  standards  set 
by  his  father.  The  store  is  the  largest  of  the 
kind  in  Blacklick,  and  deservedly  has  a  wide 
patronage  from  the  town  and  adjacent  ter- 
ritory. Mr.  Bell  was  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Blacklick,  which 
he  serves  as  director,  and  his  public-spirited 
interest  in  the  town  has  made  him  a  sympa- 
thetic aid  of  every  good  movement  for  its  ad- 
vancement and  betterment. 

On  June  27,  1902,  Mr.  Bell  was  married, 
at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  to  Jessie  G.  Bruce,  a  na- 
tive of  that  city,  daughter  of  Charles  Bruce. 
They  have  no  children.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bell 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Science  Church, 
and  both  have  been  ardent  admirers  of  the 
late  Mrs,  Eddy  and  her  doctrines.  Socially 
he  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  Mason,  belonging 
to  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  lodge  at  Blacklick,  and  to 
Halcyon  Lodge,  No.  498,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  and  Thatcher  Chapter,  No.  101, 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  of  Cleveland.  He  is  a 
stanch  Republican,  but  takes  no  active  part 
in  politics. 

JOHN  WIGGINS  HENDERSON,  late  of 
Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  who 
died  Jidy  4,  1907,  was  a  native  of  Center 
township,  this  county,  born  Jan.  6,  1839. 

The  Henderson  family  came  to  this  section 
from  Cumberland  county.  Pa.,  where  Samuel 
and  Elizabeth  (Wiggins)  Henderson,  grand- 
parents of  John  Wiggins  Henderson,  lived. 
On  their  removal  to  Indiana  county  they  set- 
tled in  Center  township,  where  they  followed 
farming  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Samuel,  John,  Brice,  Margaret, 
Nancy  and  Sarah. 

John  Henderson,  born  in  Cumberland 
county,  moved  to  Indiana  coiinty  and  was 
engaged  in  farming  and  milling  in  Center 
township.  Later  he  moved  to  Tunnelton,  in 
Conemaugh  township,  this  county,  where  he 
farmed  for  a  time,  and  he  subsequently  re- 
sided in  White  township.  He  was  interested 
in  agricultural  pursuits  all  his  life.  He  died 
in  1871,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years.  His 
wife,  Nancy  (Wiggins),  died  near  Saltsbiirg, 
in  Conemaugh  township.  They  had  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Jane  died  unmarried  in 
1900,  aged  seventy-six  years;  Samuel  died  in 
1898,  at  the  age  of  seventy;  Nancy  married 
Thomas  Wolverton  (they  were  both  blind), 
and  had   one   child,   Sarah   Jane;   Margaret 


died  when  three  years  old;  Brice  died  when 
ten  yeat-s  old;  William,  now  living  at  Oil 
City,  Pa.,  married  Margaret  Lemon  (who 
is  deceased),  and  had  one  child,  Nancy  Jane; 
Sarah  is  the  widow  of  Jolin  JMcLaughlin,  and 
resides  in  Philadelphia;  John  W.  is  men- 
tioned below;  Maria  died  unmarried  April 
17,  1870,  aged  twenty-seven  years;  Brice  (2) 
married  Anna  W.  Barker  and  now  lives  at 
Oil  City. 

John  W.  Henderson  was  brought  up  like 
the  ordinary  farmer  boy  and  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  home 
neighborhood.  He  was  engaged  in  farm  labor 
in  his  youth  and  early  manhood,  and  also 
learned  and  followed  the  trade  of  tanner  at 
Tannery  village,  in  Armstrong  township.  Af- 
ter his  marriage  he  settled  on  a  tract  of  sixty- 
nine  acres  in  that  township,  upon  which  he 
followed  general  farming  for  many  years 
From  1891  until  1895  he  was  in  business  at 
Beaver  Falls,  Pa.,  where  he  had  a  grocery 
store,  and  he  also  lived  in  Pittsburg  for  four 
years;  he  was  employed  as  caretaker  at  the 
free  dispensary  there  during  that  period.  He 
was  actively  interested  in  the  public  questions 
of  his  day,  in  early  life  upholding  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Republican  party,  and  later 
becoming  a  Prohibitionist.  He  served  as 
school  director  in  Armstrong  township.  Mr. 
Henderson  was  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church,  served  as  elder  of  the  church 
he  attended  in  Pittsburg,  and  also  held  that 
office  in  the  Crete  Church  in  Center  town- 
ship for  many  years.  He  met  an  accidental 
death,  being  thrown  from  a  buggy  and  killed, 
at  his  farm  in  Armstrong  township,  July  4, 
1906.  i''        J     ' 

On  April  14,  1864,  Mr.  Henderson  married 
Elizabeth  Clarissa  MeCullough,  member  of 
a  highly  respected  family  of  this  section.  She 
was  born  on  the  home  farm  in  Armstrong 
township,  Indiana  county,  received  her  edu- 
cation at  the  Hilltop  school  and  select  school 
in  Jacksonville,  and  began  teaching  at  Elder- 
ton,  Armstrong  county,  when  only  fourteen 
years  old.  She  continued  there  until  she  was 
twenty,  teaching  twenty-six  days  a  month  and 
receiving  fifty  cents  for  each  pupil.  After 
two  terms  in  the  Derry  township  (Westmore- 
land county)  school  and  one  term  in  Green 
township  (Indiana  county),  she  went  to  Iron- 
ton,  Ohio,  to  assist  her  brother,  who  was  prin- 
cipal of  the  school  there,  and  then  attended 
Saltsburg  Academy  for  two  terms  under  Prof. 
Albert  Brown.  Following  this  she  taught  in 
Young  township  (Indiana  county)  for  two 
terms  and  at  the  Uncapher  school  in  Arm- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


strong  township  one  term,  studied  two  terms 
at  the  Jacksonville  Academy  and  then  re- 
sumed teaching,  being  engaged  one  term  at 
the  Hilltop  school  in  Armstrong  township 
and  one  term  at  No.  5  school  in  Oouemaugh 
township.  Then  she  married  in  lS6i,  and 
settled  with  her  husband  in  Armstrong  town- 
ship, of  which  she  is  a  highly  respected  resi- 
dent. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henderson  had  children 
as  follows:  (1)  Elmer  Lynch,  bom  Jan.  17, 
1865,  is  now  connected  with  the  pottery  busi- 
ness at  Carlton,  Ohio.  He  married  :\Iillicent 
Rhoades,  who  died  IMarch  28,  1893,  the  mother 
of  two  children,  Roy  Evan  and  Clara  Ellen. 
He  has  since  married  (second)  Luella  A. 
Hard.  (2)  Naney  Narcissa,  born  Jan.  14, 
1867,  married  J.  M.  Hawk,  and  resides  at 
Beaver  Falls,  Pa.  They  have  had  children: 
Le  Movne  (deceased'),  Meriam  (deceased). 
Wan-en  Clifford,  Ravinond  Perry  and  Clara 
Esther.  (3)  Clara  Mary,  born  May  24,  1869. 
married  Joseph  Lytle  I\ie6aughey,  a  resident 
of  Armstrong  township,  this  county.  (4) 
William  Price,  born  Oct.  12,  1871,  died  in 
1880.  (5)  Randal  Wiggins,  born  Feb.  2, 
1874,  graduated  from  the  Pittsburg  College 
of  Pharmacy  (Western  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania^, and  now  has  a  drug  store  of  his 
own  at  Avalon,  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.  He  mar- 
ried Margaret  Pierce.  (6)  Walter  Lowry 
first  became  a  druggist  and  then  took  up  the 
study  of  medicine,  graduating  from  the  West- 
ern Pennsylvania  :Medical  College,  Pittsburg, 
and  he  is  now  engaged  in  practice  at  East  Me- 
Keesport.  He  married  Vill«  K.  Fleeger.  and 
they  have  two  children.  John  Walter,  born  in 
June,  1906,  and  Annita  Elizabeth,  born  Aug. 
20,  1910. 

The  ileCullough  family,  to  which  IVIrs. 
John  W.  Henderson  belongs,  came  to  this 
country  from  Ireland.  David  :\IcCullough, 
her  grandfather,  was  born  on  what  is  now 
the  Samuel  Stephens  farm  in  Armstrong 
township,  Indiana  county,  and  died  at  Elder- 
ton.  Armstrong  county.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth George,  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  they 
had  the  following  children:  Samuel,  James. 
Martha,  John,  David  (died  young),  David 
(2)  rdied  young),  Jackson.  William,  David 
(3),  Robert  and  Alexander. 

Samuel  jMcCullough.  father  of  Mrs.  John 
W.  Henderson,  was  born  in  1813  in  Arm- 
strong to^vnship.  Indiana  county,  on  what  is 
now  the  Samuel  Stephens  farm,  and  later 
lived  near  Elderton,  Armstrong  county.  By 
trade  he  was  a  tanner  and  harnessmaker,  fol- 
lowing that  line  at  Elderton  for  two  years, 
and  he  also  conducted  a  tannery  on  his  farm, 


which  is  now  owned  by  IMi-s.  Henderson.  He 
bought  hides  all  over  the  county,  tanning 
them  and  shipping  the  leather  to  Pittsburg, 
and  was  a  well-known  man  in  this  section  in 
his  day,  his  various  business  ventures  bring- 
ing him  in  touch  with  a  large  number  of  peo- 
ple. In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat  and  dui-- 
iug  Biichanan's  administi-ation  was  appointed 
postmaster  at  Tannery  village;  the  office  has 
been  abandoned  since  the  establishment  of  the 
rural  free  delivery  service.  He  also  served 
as  school  director.  i\Ir.  McCullough  died  on 
his  farm  Dee.  23,  1875,  and  was  buried  in 
the  cemetery  of  the  West  Union  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Armstrong  township.  His 
wife,  Martha  (Wiggins),  was  born  Nov.  20, 
1820,  on  what  is  now  the  Thomas  Whatt  farm, 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Rebecca  (Lji:le) 
Wiggins,  and  died  in  March,  1875,  on  the  Mc- 
Cullough home  place.  She  is  buried  in  the 
same  cemeterA-  as  her  husband.  Mrs.  Hender- 
son and  Andrew  W.  were  their  only  children. 

AxDREw  Wiggins  ]\IcCullough,  son  of 
Samuel,  was  born  April  13,  1839,  in  Arm- 
strong township,  and  there  began  his  educa- 
tion at  the  Hilltop  schoolhouse.  Later  he 
attended  the  academy  at  Jacksonville.  Dur- 
ing the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  I, 
11th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  under  Cap- 
tain Coder,  and  served  one  year.  Most  of 
his  earlier  manhood  was  spent  in  teaching. 
He  taught  at  Saltsburg  and  Pineflats,  in  In- 
diana county:  at  Ironton,  Ohio,  for  three 
years  being  principal  there ;  at  New  Wilming- 
ton, Pa.,  college  three  years:  at  Salt.sburg 
again ;  at  Eldersridge,  Indiana  county,  assist- 
ing Dr.  Donaldson;  at  Belmont,  Ohio,  four 
years;  and  then  came  back  to  Anustrong 
township,  Indiana  county,  and  taught  three 
years.  Having  studied  theology-,  he  was  or- 
dained a  minister  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in 
1866,  and  1877  moved  to  Brushvalley.  Indiana 
county,  and  became  pastor  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  there.  He  died  Feb.  10,  1913,  at 
Homer  City,  this  county. 

]Mr.  McCullough  married  Siisan  Simpson, 
of  Eldersridge,  in  Young  township.  Indiana 
county,  and  they  had  the  following  children : 
Charles  Clai-ence,  Samuel  Xoel,  Frank  (de- 
ceased), Ella  Jane  (married  William  Nevins, 
both  deceased).  Dial  Lewis,  Herbert,  David 
Elmer,  Jlargaret  (married  Herbert  flyers), 
Herman  and  John. 

JOSEPH        WIDDOWSON        RANKIN, 

though  one  of  the  youngest  of  the  group  of 
wide-awake  business  men  who  have  brought 
the  Iwrough  of  Clymer,  within  the  compara- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


887 


lively  brief  period  of  its  existence,  to  a  fore- 
most position  as  a  business  center  in  Indiana 
county,  has  been  one  of  the  most  active  and 
most  successful  in  achieving  results  of  the 
greatest  importance  to  the  general  welfare. 
His  principal  interests  are  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness, but  he  has  numerous  other  connections 
which  make  his  influence  felt  in  many  things 
vital  to  the  advancement  of  this  section.  Mr. 
Rankin  was  born  Feb.  16,  1880,  on  a  farm 
near  the  town  of  Hillsdale,  in  Montgomery 
township,  Indiana  county. 

William  Rankin,  father  of  Joseph  W.  Ran- 
kin, was  also  born  in  ilontgomery  township, 
and  was  a  son  of  Hugh  R.  Rankin,  a  native 
of  Hillsdale,  Indiana  county.  In  early  life  he 
engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  which  he  con- 
tinued to  follow  for  many  years,  later  set- 
tling on  a  farm  in  Montgomery  township 
which  he  cultivated  for  a  considerable  period, 
being  there  thirty  years.  Thence  he  moved 
to  Green  township,  where  he  and  his  wife 
still  have  their  home  at  Purchase  Line.  He 
mari'ied  Nancy  F.  Buterbaugh,  who  was  born 
in  Grant  township,  Indiana  county,  daughter 
of  Frederick  Buterbaugh,  who  at  one  time 
served  as  commissioner  of  Indiana  county. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rankin  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: Margaret,  who  is  the  wife  of  D.  H. 
Tomb,  a  prominent  lawyer  of  Indiana,  Pa.; 
John  H.,  deceased;  F.  C,  deceased;  Dean  S., 
who  lives  on  the  old  home  place ;  Ruth,  who 
died  in  infancy;  and  Joseph  Widdowson. 

Joseph  Widdowson  Rankin  obtained  his 
education  in  the  country  schools  in  his  native 
township.  Later  he  attended  a  commercial 
school  in  Detroit.  His  first  work  was  on  a 
farm,  but  for  some  years  after  giving  up  agri- 
cultural work  he  was  employed  as  a  traveling 
salesman,  visiting  almost  every  State  in  the 
Union  during  the  five  years  he  was  thus  en- 
gaged. He  also  saw  considerable  of  South 
America  during  that  period.  Returning  to 
his  native  county  he  settled  at  Clymer,  which 
was  then  in  its  infancy,  and  few  men  have 
had  more  to  do  with  founding  its  business 
enterprises,  establishing  its  government  upon 
a  modern  basis  and  promoting  its  develop- 
ment along  the  most  approved  modern  lines. 
He  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  bor- 
ough, has  held  nearly  all  of  the  borough  offi- 
ces, and  is  at  present  serving  as  treasurer, 
in  which  position  his  ability  and  excellent 
management  are  fully  appi-eciated.  Upon 
settling  here  he  embarked  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness, later  adding  the  coal  business  to  the 
original  line,  and  besides  this  independent 
venture,  which  he  carries  on  under  the  name 


of  Joseph  W.  Rankin,  he  is  interested  in  the 
Dixon  Run  Lumber  Company,  of  which  he 
is  the  secretary.  He  is  also  associated  with 
two  other  most  important  concerns  in  the 
borough — the  Citizens'  Water  Company,  of 
which  he  is  president,  and  the  Cljnner  Na- 
tional Bank,  in  which  he  liolds  stock,  and 
of  which  he  was  formerly  vice  president.  Mr. 
Rankin  holds  membership  in  the  Clymer  lodge 
of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  in  Indiana  Lodge,  B. 
P.  0.  Elks. 

On  July  12,  1910,  Mr.  Rankin  married  Ella 
i\l.  Evans,  daughter  of  John  E.  and  Ellen  M. 
(Allen)  Evans;  all  of  her  surviving  brothers 
and  sisters  live  in  Clymer.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Rankin  have  a  beautiful  home  in  the  borough. 

JAMES  WARRICK,  deceased,  who  for 
many  years  was  engaged  in  the  contracting 
business  in  Indiana,  where  he  is  remembered 
as  the  builder  of  the  city  jail,  Mrs.  Reeder's 
house,  the  Lutheran  church,  Mr.  Courtney's 
residence,  the  Wissell  home,  and  other  struc- 
tures, was  born  in  1831  in  Westmoreland 
county,  Pa.,  where  were  born  also  his  two 
brothers,  George  and  Charles,  and  his  sister, 
Rachel. 

Mr.  Warrick  was  reared  in  his  native  county 
and  there  attended  public  school,  following 
which  he  learned  the  trade  of  brick  mason 
with  his  brother  George.  He  came  to  Indiana 
before  his  marriage,  and  was  here  married 
Jan.  15,  1880,  to  Margaret  Nealer,  who  was 
bprn  at  New  Bethlehem,  Clarion  Co.,  Pa., 
Aug.  16,  1862,  went  to  the  schools  of  Clarion 
county,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  was 
brought  to  Indiana  by  her  parents,  Henry 
and  Margaret  (Ziegler)  Nealer.  ]Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Warrick  went  to  housekeeping  on 
Church  street  until  he  erected  a  home  at  No. 
280  Philadelphia  street,  and  at  this  home  he 
died  Oct.  16,  1890,  at  which  time  he  was  one 
of  the  leading  contractors  of  the  city.  He 
was  a  Democrat  in  his  political  views.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Warrick  had  four  children :  Minnie, 
who  is  deceased ;  Nevada,  who  married  George 
Lydick,  and  died  leaving  one  daughter, 
Frances  Charlotte;  and  Virginia  and  John, 
twins,  who  died  young. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Warrick  were  of  Ger- 
man birth,  and  were  married  in  the  Father- 
land, one  child  being  born  to  them  there  who 
died  on  the  ocean  while  they  were  making 
the  journey  to  this  country.  Mr.  Nealer,  a 
farmer,  first  settled  in  Clarion  county,  but 
subsequently  moved  to  Indiana  county,  but 
his  death  occurred  at  Brady,  in  the  former 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


county,  whither  he  had  removed  some  time 
before.  His  wife  passed  away  at  New  Bethle- 
hem. They  had  the  following  children :  The 
one  who  died  at  sea;  Mrs.  Warrick;  Annie, 
who  married  Henry  Steving,  of  Indiana ; 
Catherine,  who  died  unmarried;  Paul,  of 
East  Brady,  Pa. ;  and  Mary,  who  died  un- 
married. 

ARMOR  P.  CLARK,  of  West  Wheatfield 
township,  Indiana  county,  a  leading  farmer 
in  his  section,  Avas  born  Nov.  2,  1867,  on  the 
farm  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  He  is  of 
Irish  extraction,  his  paternal  grandfather 
having  been  a  native  of  Ireland,  in  which 
country  he  spent  all  his  life. 

Samuel  Clark,  father  of  Armor  P.  Clark, 
was  born  in  1815  in  Ireland  and  came  to 
America  when  a  young  man.  For  some  time 
he  lived  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  and  that  vicinity, 
then  coming  to  Indiana  county.  For  a  few 
years  he  followed  farming  at  Homer  City, 
was  afterward  a  resident  of  East  Wheatfield 
township  for  some  time,  and  then  bought  the 
Wheary  farm  in  West  Wheatfield  township, 
a  tract  of  106  acres,  most  of  which  he  had 
cleared  and  under  cultivation  at  the  time  of 
his  death.  He  put  up  buildings,  and  improved 
the  property  in  many  ways,  being  a  thrifty, 
industrious  man,  one  who  was  respected  by 
his  neighbors  and  held  the  confidence  of  all 
his  fellow  citizens.  He  died  May  10,  1880,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five  years,  and  was  buried  in 
the  Bethel  cemetery  in  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship. His  wife,  Jane  (Oliver),  also  a  native 
of  Ireland,  born  March  16,  1825,  came  to 
America  when  sixteen  years  old,  and  died 
March  11,  1900.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  had  a 
large  family :  Thomas,  James,  John,  Samuel, 
Robert,  Armor  P.,  Mary  (died  young),  Hester 
(married  J.  R.  Dick  and  Philip  Rhen),  Dassa 
(married  Samuel  Coleman),  Viola  (man-ied 
Charles  Duncan),  Jennie  (married  John 
Auld)  and  Clara  (married  Lloyd  Penrose). 

Armor  P.  Clark  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  township.  He 
was  only  a  youth  of  thirteen  when  his  father 
died,  and  he  took  hold  of  the  work  and  re- 
mained on  the  farm,  carrying  it  on  for  his 
mother  after  he  was  old  enough.  After  her 
death,  in  1900,  he  bought  out  the  other  heirs' 
interest  in  the  place,  becoming  the  sole  owner, 
and  he  has  devoted  himself  to  general  farming 
and  stock  raising  ever  since.  This  farm  lies 
along  the  Clay  pike  about  four  miles  from 
New  Florence.  There  is  a  fine  residence  on 
the  place,  built  in  1895,  and  the  house  and 
surroundings  are  carefully  kept  up  in  every 


respect,  Mr.  Clark  taking  great  pride  in  hav- 
ing his  home  neat  and  attractive,  and  its  ap- 
pearance indicates  the  prosperity  and  intelli- 
gent management  for  which  Mr.  Clark  has 
justlj'  won  a  high  reputation. 

On  Dec.  20,  1898,  Mr.  Clark  married  Alpha 
M.  Mack,  daughter  of  R.  H.  Mack,  of  East 
Wheatfield  township.  She  died  April  7,  1905, 
and  is  buried  in  Bethel  cemetery.  Four  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  union :  Virginia,  Paul, 
Imogene  and  Samuel. 

Mr.  Clark  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church  at  Bethel.  In  political  connec- 
tion he  is  a  Republican. 

JOHN  M.  CARSON,  postmaster  at  Homer 
City,  Indiana  county,  is  a  native  of  that 
town,  born  July  27,  1868.  His  grandfather, 
John  Carson,  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Pa., 
where  he  grew  to  manhood.  His  father  died 
in  middle  life,  leaving  a  family.  John,  one  of 
the  sons,  came  to  Indiana  county,  where  his 
brothers  Alexander  and  William  settled,  also 
his  sisters  Susan  and  Jane.  He  learned  the 
trade  of  cooper  in  Peny  county,  but  when 
he  located  in  Center  township,  Indiana  county, 
he  rented  a  farm,  and  followed  farming  all 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  on  the 
farm  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  He  was 
twice  married,  the  second  time  to  Elizabeth 
Steel,  who  was  a  native  of  Franklin  county, 
daughter  of  Matthew  Steel.  She  lived  to  the 
ripe  age  of  ninety-two  years.  She  was  the 
mother  of  eight  children:  Maiy,  who  died 
unmarried ;  James,  deceased ;  Matthew,  de- 
ceased ;  John,  deceased ;  William,  deceased ; 
Estella,  deceased;  Robert  P.;  and  Thomas, 
also  deceased. 

Robert  P.  Carson,  father  of  John  M.  Car- 
son, was  born  in  Center  township  April  15, 
18-35,  and  educated  in  the  public  schools 
there.  Although  he  worked  on  the  farm  until 
seventeen  years  old  he  also  learned  the  shoe- 
maker's trade,  in  1856  locating  in  Homer 
City  and  following  his  trade.  He  has  been  in 
business  there  continuously  for  the  past  fifty- 
six  years  and  is  still  actively  engaged,  being 
one  of  the  best-known  men  in  the  borough, 
highly  respected  for  his  honest,  industrious 
career.  He  has  always  been  a  good  citizen  and 
deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  his  town. 
He  cast  his  first  vote  for  Lincoln  and  has  been 
a  stanch  Republican  since.  Mr.  Carson  was 
married  in  Homer  City  to  Mary  C.  Foust,  who 
was  born  in  Somerset  county.  Pa.  Mr.  and 
Mi-s.  Carson  attend  the  ]\T.  E.  Church.  They 
are  the  parents  of  ten  children :  Albert ;  Kate, 
wlio  married  Robert  E.  Roberts;    Cora,  who 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


died  young;  John  M. ;  Loie  Ellen,  who  mar- 
ried Henry  E.  Phillips;  Annie,  married  to 
John  F.  Barkley ;  Edgar  D. ;  Gertrude,  mar- 
ried to  Bruce  D.  Kramer ;  George  H. ;  and 
Mary  Estella,  married  to  Henry  A.  Trusal. 

John  M.  Carson  attended  public  school  in 
Homer  City.  At  an  early  age  he  started  out 
to  make  his  own  way,  finding  his  first  employ- 
ment in  the  planing  mills  of  J.  M.  Guthrie  & 
Co.,  of  Homer  City,  where  he  remained  twelve 
years,  during  half  of  which  time  he  was  fore- 
man. His  next  position  was  with  the  Prairie 
State  Incubator  Companj',  of  Homer  City,  by 
which  concern  he  was  employed  for  a  period 
of  eleven  years,  five  of.  which  he  was  foreman 
of  the  plant.  On  Nov.  4,  1903,  under  the  ad- 
ministration of  President  Roosevelt,  he  was 
appointed  postmaster  at  Homer  City,  suc- 
ceeding B.  B.  McConnaughtJ^  The  office  was 
at  that  time  in  the  fourth  class.  On  Feb.  1, 
1906,  it  was  raised  to  third  class,  and  on  Jan. 
3,  1910,  to  second  class,  being  the  first  office 
in  the  county  raised  to  second  class  within 
such  a  short  period.  Mr.  Carson  was  reap- 
pointed by  Roosevelt,  and  again  under  Taft, 
having  held  his  position  continuously  since  he 
first  assumed  its  duties.  His  business-like 
management  and  the  satisfactory  service  he 
has  given  to  his  fellow  citizens  have  won  him 
their  respect  and  a  well-deserved  reputation 
for  ability  and  efficiency.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Postmasters'  Association.  For  eight  terms 
he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Homer  City 
school  board,  on  which  he  is  still  serving,  and 
has  been  president  the  last  two  years.  He  is 
a  leading  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  in 
which  he  holds  the  office  of  trustee.  Socially 
he  belongs  to  I.  0.  0.  F.  Lodge,  No.  41,  at 
Homer  City,  and  to  Indiana- Lodge,  No.  313, 
F.  &  A.  M. 

In  1891  Mr.  Carson  married  at  Homer  City 
Elizabeth  Sloan,  and  they  have  three  chil- 
dren: Martha,  who  is  a  clerk  in  the  post- 
office;  Jaj',  and  Robert. 

WILLIAM  DUNN  GATES,  M.  D.,  has  a 
large  practice  in  and  around  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  where  he  has  been  located  since 
1898.  He  is  a  native  of  Bradford  county,  Pa., 
born  Oct.  24,  1865,  at  Springfield,  where  his 
father,  William  Gates,  was  also  born.  Seth 
Gates,  his  grandfather,  was  born  in  one  of  the 
New  England  States,  presumably  Connecticut, 
and  was  a  farmer  during  the  greater  part  of 
his  life.  He  was  a  descendant  of  the  well- 
known  General  Gates,  of  Revolutionary  fame. 


His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Greene, 
was  a  descendant  of  the  famous  Gen.  Nathan- 
ael  Greene. 

William  Gates,  the  Doctor's  father,  was  a 
farmer  and  stock  dealer.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Dunn,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  two 
children :  William  Dunn  and  Adelia,  the  lat- 
ter the  wife  of  Lewis  Chatham.  Mr.  Gates 
died  in  1878,  his  wife  surviving  until  March, 
1909.  They  were  members  of  the  M.  E. 
Church. 

William  Dunn  Gates  attended  district  school 
at  Springfield  and  the  elementary  and  high 
school  at  Troy,  Bradford  county.  His  father 
dying  when  he  was  quite  young,  it  became 
necessary  for  him  to  rely  upon  himself  at  an 
unusually  early  age,  but  he  was  ambitious  to 
become  a  professional  man  and  let  no  obsta- 
cles stand  in  the  way  of  an  education.  He 
was  industrious  and  economical,  as  well  as 
studious,  and  he  applied  his  hand  earned 
savings  to  this  end,  attending  school  as  far 
as  his  means  would  permit.  The  law  first  at- 
tracted him,  and  he  read  for  a  short  time  along 
that  line,  but  soon  abandoned  it  for  the  study 
of  medicine.  After  reading  under  Dr.  H.  D. 
LaPlant,  of  Sayre,  Bradford  Co.,  Pa.,  he  en- 
tered Hahnemann  Medical  College,  at  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  completed  the  four  years' 
course,  graduating  in  1898.  The  same  year 
he  began  practice  at  Indiana,  where  he  has 
since  found  his  field  of  labor.  He  has  built 
up  a  large  practice,  being  one  of  the  busiest 
general  practitioners  in  this  region,  and  be- 
sides acts  as  examiner  for  the  Standard  Mu- 
tual Life  Insurance  Company  of  North 
America  and  for  the  Pension  Life  Insurance 
Company  of  Pittsburg.  For  ten  years  he  was 
surgeon  for  the  Joseph  Horton  and  Graceton 
Coal  and  Coke  Companies,  and  he  served  a 
term  of  three  years  as  coroner  of  Indiana 
county.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Indiana 
County  Medical  Society  and  of  the  Indiana 
Physicians'  Protective  Society,  and  also  be- 
longs to  the  Pennsylvania  State  Homeopathic 
Society,  to  the  Clinical  Congress  of  Surgeons 
of  North  America,  and  to  the  National  Medi- 
cal Association.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
I.  0.  0.  F.  and  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks  at  Indiana. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  views,  and 
in  religious  connection  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church. 

On  Oct.  23,  1902,  Dr.  Gates  married  Carrie 
Baldwin,  of  Sayre,  Pa.,  and  they  had  one 
child,  Ruth  A.    His  second  marriage,  on  Nov. 


890 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


12,   1912,   was  to   Carrie   Burnham   Hill,   of 
Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

HARRY  E.  LYDICK,  who  was  engaged  in 
the  drug  business  in  the  borough  of  Clymer, 
Indiana  county,  for  several  years,  was  born 
April  17,  1873,  in  Cherryhill  township,  and 
belongs  to  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  this 
region. 

John  Lydiek,  his  great-great-grandfather, 
the  founder  of  the  family  in  this  country,  was 
a  native  of  Holland.  On  coming  to  America 
he  first  settled  at  Hannastown,  AYestmorelaud 
Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  In  the 
year  1760  he  brought  his  family  to  Indiana 
county,  settling  in  what  is  now  Cherryhill 
township,  where  they  built  a  fort,  part  of 
which  is  still  standing.  The  following  year 
the  hostility  of  the  Indians  drove  them  back 
into  AYestmorelaud  county,  where  they  re- 
mained for  seven  years  before  again  ventur- 
ing to  live  at  their  new  home.  AYhen  they 
returned  they  settled  permanently  in  Cherry- 
hill township,  on  the  fanu  which  is  still  in 
the  family,  and  here  John  Lydiek  died  at  an 
advanced  age.  He  served  in  the  Revolution- 
ary war.  One  of  his  descendants  is  Harry  S. 
Lydiek,  of  Pittsburg,  deputy  United  States 
district  attorney,  who  is  a  second  cousin  of 
Harry  E.  Lydiek. 

Jacob  Lj-dick,  son  of  John,  grew  to  man- 
hood in  Cherryhill  township,  where  he  lived 
and  died.  He  reached  the  ripe  old  age  of 
ninety-four  years. 

Patrick  Lydiek,  son  of  Jacob,  also  passed 
his  entire  life  in  Cherryhill  township.  Like 
his  father  and  grandfather  he  lived  to  be  very 
old.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children, 
all  now  deceased. 

Russell  Lydiek,  son  of  Patrick,  was  born 
March  20,  1834,  in  Cherryhill  township,  on 
the  farm  where  his  great-grandfather  had  set- 
tled, and  farmed  there  all  his  life,  dying  on 
that  place  Jan.  18.  1900.  He  married  Nannie 
Martin,  who  was  born  in  Cherryhill  township 
March  12,  1851,  and  to  them  were  born  five 
children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters, 
namely :  William,  the  eldest,  resides  on  the 
old  family  homestead  in  Cherryhill  township; 
Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  Levi  Ilouck,  of  On- 
berg,  Indiana  county;  Harry  E.  is  mentioned 
below ;  John  P.  also  resides  on  the  old  home 
place,  he  and  his  brother  William  cultivating 
the  property;  Ella  M.  is  the  wife  of  Earl 
Long,  and  resides  in  the  boroiigh  of  Indiana. 
Airs.  Lydiek  died  May  20,  1882. 

William  Martin,  father  of  Mrs.  Nannie 
(Martin)  Lydiek,  was  born  in  February,  1819, 


in  Cherryhill  township,  son  of  John  Martin, 
a  native  of  Ireland,  who  on  coining  from  that 
country  to  the  United  States  settled  in  that 
township  and  engaged  in  farming  there.  His 
son  William  also  followed  that  occupation,  and 
both  died  in  Cherryhill  township.  William 
Martin  married  Martha  MacCauley,  who  was 
born  in  County  Donegal,  Ireland,  and  was 
only  three  years  old  when  her  parents  came 
to  America.  The  family  lived  first  on  Long 
Island,  and  then  came  to  Ax-mstrong  county. 
Pa.,  where  they  made  a  permanent  settlement. 
William  and  Martha  (ilacCauley )  Martin  had 
a  family  of  nine  children,  two  of  whom  sur- 
vive:  John,  who  lives  at  Tyrone,  Pa.;  and 
George,  living  at  Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

Harry  E.  Lydiek  obtained  his  schooling  in 
Cherryhill  township.  Meantime  he  began 
farming,  but  when  eighteen  he  began  to  teach 
school  there,  being  thus  engaged  in  his  home 
township  for  seven  years  and  later  in  Rayne 
township,  this  county,  for  one  year.  Taking 
up  the  study  of  pharmacy,  first  under  Dr. 
Stevens,  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business  after 
the  completion  of  his  course,  establishing  his 
store  at  Clymer  in  1906.  That  was  in  the 
early  days  of  the  borough,  and  he  assisted  in 
organizing  the  town.  His  business  expanded 
steadily  with  its  growth,  and  he  built  up  a 
prosperous  trade,  which  continued  on  the  ■ 
increase  until  he  disposed  of  his  store  recentl.v. 
Mr.  Lydiek  is  a  member  of  Indiana  Lodge,  No. 
346,  I.  0.  0.  F. 

On  Aug.  24,  1909,  Mr.  Lydiek  married 
Esther  Delmer,  the  ceremony  taking  place  at 
Niagara  Falls,  N.  Y.  She  is  a  native  of  Houtz- 
dale,  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.,  born  April  20,  1889, 
daughter  of  Enoch  and  Mary  (McCabe)  Del- 
mei-,  natives  of  England,  the  father  born  in 
Loudon,  the  mother  in  the  County  of  Durham. 
They  settled  early  at  JIoutzdale,"and  Mr.  Del- 
mer engaged  in  mining.  He  and  his  wife  now 
live  in  Cambria  county,  Pa.  They  have  had 
the  following  children:  Priscilla,  wife  of 
Clarence  Getty,  of  Houtzdale.  Pa.:  Alasgie, 
deceased,  wife  of  David  Davis,  of  Scrantou, 
Pa.  •  I\Iar.v,  wife  of  Frank  Kittleberger.  of 
Clearfield,  Pa.;  John,  living  at  home;  Esther, 
Mrs.  Lydiek;  and  James,  Nan,  George,  Nellie 
and  William,  all  at  home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lydiek  have  had  one  child, 
Russell,  who  was  born  Jan.  29,  1911. 

EBENEZER  W.  SMITH  has  been  leading 
a  somewhat  retired  life  since  1904,  when  he 
moved  to  the  borough  of  Cherrytree,  giving 
up  farming,  to  which  he  had  previously  de- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


891 


voted  all  his  time.  However,  he  has  not  relin- 
quished all  active  connection  with  the  business 
world,  serving  as  president  of  the  National 
Bank  of  Cherrytree,  with  which  institution  he 
has  been  associated  for  several  years.  Born 
in  Green  township,  this  county,  Sept.  18,  1842, 
he  belongs  to  a  family  which  has  been  settled 
there  for  almost  a  century. 

Richard  W.  Smith,  his  grandfather,  was  a 
native  of  New  Jersey,  born  Oct.  19,  1768,  near 
Newark.  When  a  young  man,  in  1788,  he 
settled  in  Marion  county,  Va.  (now  West  Vir- 
ginia), and  engaged  in  lumbering  and  farm- 
ing, also  buying  and  selling  cattle  and  stock.. 
In  1824  he  moved  to  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  his 
family  following  him  to  this  section  in  1828. 
They  lived  in  Green  township,  where  he 
bought  land  and  prospered,  adding  to  his  pos- 
sessions until  he  owned  one  thousand  acres. 
At  first  the  nearest  postoffice  was  Indiana, 
Diamondville  being  established  later.  Richard 
W.  Smith  remained  on  his  farm  there  until 
his  death.  He  married  Elizabeth  Walker,  who 
was  a  native  of  Greene  county.  Pa.,  born  Oct. 
1,  1779. 

Ebenezer  W.  Smith,  son  of  Richard  W.  and 
Elizabeth  (Walker)  Smith,  was  born  Dec.  20, 
1805,  in  Marion  county,  Va.,  and  was  the  eldest 
child  of  his  parents.  He  came  with  his  par- 
ents to  Indiana  county,  and  after  the  death 
of  his  father  continued  to  carry  on  farming 
on  the  old  place,  where  he  passed  the  rest  of 
his  life.  He  died  Dec.  15,  1876.  Before  his 
death  he  divided  his  tract  of  land  among  his 
children,  who  settled  on  the  portions  given 
them.  He  was  married,  Sept.  8,  1831,  in  West 
Virginia,  to  Lovina  Hayhui*st,  who  survived 
him,  dying  June  2,  1884.  They  became  the 
parents  of  five  children,  four  sons  and  one 
daughter,  namely :  Richard,  born  Nov.  13, 
1832,  was  a  resident  of  Indiana  county,  and 
is  deceased;  Benjamin,  born  July  2,  1834, 
died  in  1912 ;  Sarah  B.,  born  Feb.  2,  1837,  is 
the  wife  of  William  Hou.sehold,  and  they  live 
in  Westmoreland  county,  Pa. ;  Ebenezer  W.  is 
mentioned  below ;  John  B.,  born  Oct.  1,  1848, 
is  a  resident  of  Clarksburg,  West  Virginia. 

Benjamin  Hayhurst,  father  of  Mrs.  Lovina 
(Hayhurst)  Smith,  was  a  native  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, and  there  passed  all  his  life,  settling  in 
Marion  county.  He  came  from  a  long-lived 
race  and  himself  lived  to  be  ninety-nine  years 
of  age,  and  his  father  reached  the  age  of  107 
years.  Benjamin  Hayhurst -served  as  a  soldier 
during  the  Llexican  war. 

Ebenezer  W.  Smith,  son  of  Ebenezer  W.  and 
Lovina  (Hayhurst)  Smith,  spent  his  boyhood 
days  on  the  farm  in  Green  township  and  there 


attended  public  school.  Farming  was  his  oc- 
cupation from  the  time  he  began  work,  and 
he  remained  on  the  old  Smith  farm  in  Green 
township  until  about  eight  years  ago,  in  1904 
abandoning  active  agricultural  work  and  mov- 
ing in  to  Cherrytree.  In  connection  with  his 
farm  work  Mr.  Smith  also  carried  on  lumber- 
ing to  some  extent.  He  has  long  been  an 
official  of  the  National  Bank  of  Cherrytree, 
and  is  now  the  executive  head  of  that  institu- 
tion, holding  a  substantial  and  influential 
position  among  the  recognized  leaders  in  finan- 
cial circles  in  the  community.  He  was  one  of 
the  organizers  of  the  County  National  Bank 
of  Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  which  he  is  now  serv- 
ing as  a  director,  and  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Savings  &  Trust  Company,  of  Indiana. 

On  July  7,  1870,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to 
Sadie  C.  Garman,  who  was  born  Sept.  20, 1846, 
in  Cambria  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Peter 
and  Lucinda  (Dunkle)  Garman,  the  former 
a  native  of  Franklin  county.  Pa.,  the  latter  of 
Green  township,  Indiana  county.  Mr.  Gar- 
man was  a  prominent  resident  of  his  section 
of  Cambria  county  for  many  years,  engaging 
in  lumbering  and  farming  and  also  conduct- 
ing a  sawmill.  He  organized  and  founded  the 
town  of  Garman,  named  in  his  honor.  In  his 
later  life  he  moved  to  Indiana  county,  where 
he  lived  retired  for  a  number  of  years  before 
his  death.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine 
children.  No  children  have  been  born  to  Mr. 
and  IMrs.  Smith,  but  they  have  reared  two 
children :  H.  R.  Spieher,  who  lived  with  them 
from  the  time  he  was  five  years  old,  is  now 
married  to  Rachel  McCullough,  of  Cookport, 
and  they  live  upon  Mr.  Smith's  farm  in  Green 
township.  Sadie  C.  McCloskey,  who  was  also 
raised  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith,  is  now  the  wife 
of  W.  J.  Henry,  and  they  reside  in  Punxsu- 
tawney, Pa.,  where  Mr.  Henry  is  proprietor 
of  the  White  Front  restaurant. 

In  1906  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  made  a  trip  to 
California,  spending  five  months  in  travel. 

REUBEN  ELMER  SCHALL,  M.  D.,  of 
Arcadia,  Indiana  coimty,  has  built  up  an  ex- 
cellent private  practice  during  the  six  years 
of  his  residence  there  and  also  acts  as  physi- 
cian for  local  coal  companies,  his  various  in- 
terests keeping  him  fully  occupied.  He  is  a 
native  of  the  neighboring  county  of  Arm- 
strong, born  July  16,  1876,  at  Shay,  son  of 
Savandas  and  Rebecca  J.  (Heilman)  Schall. 
His  father  was  a  mason  and  contractor  in  his 
active  years. 

Dr.  Schall  obtained  his  preliminary  educa- 
tion at  the  public  schools,  later  attending  the 


892 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Elderton  (Pa.)  Academy  and  the  Clarion 
State  normal  school.  He  taught  school  four 
terms  in  Armstrong  county.  Taking  up  the 
study  of  medicine,  he  entered  the  College  of 
Physicians  and  Surgeons  at  Baltimore,  Md., 
graduating  from  that  institution  in  1904.  The 
same  year  he  located  at  Rural  Valley,  Arm- 
strong county,  where  he  practiced  for  eighteen 
months,  in  1906  settling  at  Arcadia,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  has  since  found  a  lucrative 
field  for  practice.  He  is  chief  physician  at 
that  point  for  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  &  Coke 
Company  and  the  Ellsworth  &  Dunham  Coal 
Company,  both  of  Arcadia,  who  have  about 
eight  hundred  employees  at  Arcadia.  Dr. 
Schall  is  also  physician  for  all  the  old-line  in- 
surance companies  doing  business  in  Arcadia. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Indiana  County  Medi- 
cal Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical 
Society  and  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion, and  socially  is  connected  with  the  Knights 
of  the  Maccabees,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  Masons,  having  attained  the 
thirty-second  degree  in  the  latter  fraternity; 
in  that  connection  he  holds  membership  in 
John  W.  Jenks  Lodge,  No.  534,  F.  &  A.  M., 
the  Consistory  at  Williamsport,  Pa.,  and  the 
Shrine  at  Altooua,  Pa.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  belonging  to 
the  Synod.  As  a  citizen  Dr.  Schall  takes  an 
intelligent  and  public-spirited  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  the  community,  and  exerts  his  in- 
fluence for  good  movements  whenever  possible. 
On  June  21,  1911,  Dr.  Schall  married  Nellie 
H.  Mahaffy,  of  Burnside.  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa., 
daughter  of  John  and  ]\Iary  Jane  Mahaff>-, 
the  former  of  whom  was  a  hotel  proprietor. 

THOMAS  JEFFERSON  BRANDON,  a 
successful  farmer  and  one  of  the  bcst-kno\vn 
citizens  of  Center  township.  Indiiuia  county, 
was  born  in  Plumcreek  township,  Armstrong 
Co.,  Pa..  March  2,  1848,  son  of  Thomas  Jeffer- 
son and  Bella  fMcCracken)  Brandon. 

John  Brandon,  the  grandfather,  was  a 
native  of  "Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  where  he 
was  somewhat  prominent  in  county  affairs, 
serving  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  later  as 
sheriff.  Subsequently  he  removed  to  Arm- 
strong county,  where  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  serving  there  also  as  a  justice  of 
the  peace  until  his  death,  which  occurred  while 
he  was  away  from  home,  having  been  called  to 
perform  a  marriage  ceremony.  The  immediate 
cause  was  undoulttedly  heart  trouble.  His 
children  were:  Samuel,  of  Washington 
township.  Indiana  county,  John,  a  soldier  in 


the  ilexican  war;  James,  of  Brookville,  Pa.; 
and  Thomas  Jefferson. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Brandon,  youngest  son 
of  Sheriff"  John  Brandon,  was  born  in  1802  in 
Armstrong  county,  Pa.,  where  he  grew  to  ma- 
turity. In  1855  he  left  his  native  county  and 
removed  to  Center  township,  Indiana  county, 
near  Homer  City,  where  he  purchased  the 
farm  on  which  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  his  death  occurring  in  1870.  He  was 
known  as  a  man  of  strong  chai-acter,  honest 
and  upright  and  enterprising  as  a  citizen, 
serving  Center  township  as  an  official  a  num- 
ber of  times.  In  politics  one  of  the  early  Re- 
publicans, and  an  abolitionist  in  his  senti- 
ments regarding  slavery,  he  was  a  great  ad- 
mirer of  Abraham  Lincoln.  When  the  Civil 
war  was  declared  he  endeavored  to  enlist,  but 
was  refused  on  account  of  his  age.  Of  pleas- 
ing personality  and  great  physical  strength, 
he  was  a  figure  in  any  gathering  he  attended 
and  was  very  highly  esteemed.  In  1825  he 
married  Bella  ilcCracken,  daughter  of  Joseph 
McjCraeken,  an  old  settler  of  Armstrong 
county,  whose  ancestors  came  from  Ireland. 
To  Sir.  and  Mi's.  Brandon  were  born  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Barbara,  who  married  Wil- 
liam Auld.  of  Brushvalley,  Pa. :  John,  who  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  the  first 
engagement  in  which  he  took  part  as  a  soldier 
in  the  Civil  war;  Joseph,  who  died  young; 
Slary,  who  married  John  Peddicord,  of  Bur- 
rell  township ;  Jane,  who  married  Robert  Mc- 
Cleam,  of  West  Wlieatfield  township;  Wil- 
liam, residing  in  Adair  coiint.y,  Iowa,  who 
married  Margaret  McCune;  Isabella,  who  is 
the  widow  of  William  Bracken,  and  lives  in 
Somei-set  county.  Pa. ;  and  Thomas  Jeffei-son, 
who  bears  his  honored  father's  name. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Brandon  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  Center  township  schools,  work- 
ing on  the  home  farm  in  the  summer  and  at- 
tending school  in  the  winter  iintil  he  was 
twenty  years  old.  Remaining  at  home  he  then 
took  charge  of  the  farm,  and  looked  after  the 
comfort  of  his  parents  until  Ihey  died,  when 
he  became  the  owaier  of  the  homestead.  He 
remained  on  the  fann  until  1894,  when  he 
sold  it,  and  later  purchased  the  A.  H.  Mike- 
sell  place  in  Center  township,  at  Homer  City, 
which  at  the  present  time  of  writing  (1912) 
is  liis  place  of  residence.  For  three  years  he 
conducted  a  meat  market  at  Homer  City,  and 
for  the  same  length  of  time  owned  a  livery 
stable,  but  has  always  continued  farm  opera- 
lions,  in  which  he  is  still  interested,  and  also 
l)uys  and  sells  stock.  In  this  branch  of  agri- 
(•\ilt\ire  he  has  been  unusually  successful,  be- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ing  an  excellent  judge  of  cattle  and  stock.  In 
political  matters  he  is  a  stanch  Republican, 
and  since  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age  has 
served  continuously  in  office  in  his  township, 
faithfullj'  performing  his  duties  withont  fear 
or  favor.  He  has  served  as  treasurer  of  the 
school  board  and  is  now  president  of  that 
body.  In  addition  to  looking  after  his  other 
interests,  he  is  serving  on  the  directing  board 
of  the  Homer  City  National  Bank.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

On  March  5,  1872,  Mr.  Brandon  was  mar- 
ried to  Nancy  Jane  Hildebraud,  who  is  a 
daughter  of  Eli  Hildebrand.  a  well-known 
farmer  of  Brushvalley  township,  and  five  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  them,  as  follows :  "Wil- 
liam Franklin,  whose  death,  in  young  man- 
hood, was  a  crushing  grief  for  his  family; 
Gillis,  who  died  in  childhood :  Mary  Matilda, 
who  married  William  McNutt.  a  business  man 
of  Homer  City;  ililton.  who  married  Frank 
Campbell,  a  daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  J.  G. 
Campbell,  of  Homer  City ;  and  Tracy,  who  at 
present  is  in  the  United  States  government 
service,  being  a  rural  mail  carrier  out  from 
Homer  City. 

Mr.  Brandon  is  an  example  of  the  inodern, 
intelligent,  well-informed  agriculturist,  and 
his  farm  industries  and  land  cultivation  are 
carried  on  according  to  scientific  methods 
unknown  to  farmers  of  an  older  generation. 
He  has  spent  time  and  means  to  improve  his 
property  suitabl.y,  and  it  woiild  be  difficult  to 
find  in  any  part  of  the  county  a  more  attrac- 
tive rural  home  than  that  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Brandon,  situated  as  it  is  on  an  eminence  over- 
looking the  pleasant  town  of  Homer  City. 

JOHN  R.  BRYAN,  former  school  teacher 
and  business  man  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  now 
living  retired,  was  born  Jan.  8,  1838.  on  the 
old  family  homestead  in  White  township,  near 
Indiana,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  is  a  son  of 
John  MacCartney  and  Mary  Barr  (Allison) 
Bryan. 

Nathaniel  Bryan,  the  great-grandfather  of 
John  R.  Bryan,  was  bom  in  Ireland,  and  was 
there  married  to  a  Scotchwoman.  He  was  a 
farmer  in  his  native  country,  and  on  coming 
to  America  with  his  wife  and  seven  sons 
located  at  the  present  site  of  Cumberland, 
Md.  His  eldest  son  was  finely  educated,  and 
was  one  of  the  early  government  surveyors. 
laying  out  the  town  of  Cumberland,  Md.,  and 
later  going  to  Kentucky,  where  he  was  mar- 
ried. Two  of  the  sons  of  the  progenitor  set- 
tled in  Virginia,  and  from  one  of  these,  it  is 
•supposed,    William    Jennings   Bryan    is    de- 


scended. Two  other  sons  settled  in  New  York 
State,  one  remained  in  Maryland,  and  the 
remaining  son,  the  grandfather  of  John  R, 
Brj'an,  came  to  Indiana  county,  Pa.  Nathaniel 
Bryan  fought  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  for 
American  independence. 

Nathaniel  Bryan  (2),  son  of  Nathaniel,  and 
grandfather  of  John  R.  Bryan,  was  born  in 
Ireland  and  was  a  lad  when  brought  to  the 
new  world.  He  was  reared  to  n\anhood  in 
Cumberland,  Md.,  and  came  to  Indiana  county. 
Pa.,  some  time  prior  to  his  marriage,  which 
occurred  in  Brushvalley  township,  to  a  Miss 
MacCartney.  When  he  had  reached  advanced 
years  he  went  to  live  at  Greensburg,  Decatur 
Co.,  Ind.,  the  home  of  his  three  sons  and  one 
daughter,  and  died  at  the  home  of  his  son 
Joseph,  when  he  had  reached  the  remarkable 
age  of  ninety-six  years.  His  wife  died  in  In- 
diana county.  Pa.  They  were  both  members 
of  the  Church  of  the  Covenant.  Their  chil- 
dren were  ;  Samuel,  a  cabinetmaker  by  trade, 
when  twenty-two  .vears  old  accompanied  a 
colony  of  Indiana  county  people  to  the  woods 
at  what  is  now  Decatur,  Ind.,  where  he  became  , 
a  prominent  man,  serving  as  justice  of  the 
peace  and  as  judge  of  the  county  court,  hold- 
ing the  latter  position  at  the  time  of  his  death 
(he  left  two  daughters);  Hannah,  who  mar- 
ried Robert  Allison,  settled  on  a  farm  in  White 
township,  and  died  there  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
two  years :  ]\Irs.  Joseph  McCartne.y  died  on  a 
farm  in  Wheatfield  township ;  John  MacCart- 
ney is  mentioned  below;  Charles,  who  as  a 
youth  learned  the  tanner's  trade  in  Mahoning 
township,  where  he  married  a  Miss  Saddler, 
with  his  wife  and  two  sons  removed  to  Greens- 
burg, where  he  superintended  the  construction 
of  a  railroad,  and  where  his  wife  died,  Mr. 
Bryan  subsequently  returning  to  Mahoning 
township  to  marry  her  sister.  Martha  (he 
died  at  Greensburg,  Ind.);  Joseph,  who  ac- 
companied the  colony  to  Greensburg,  Decatur 
Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  hard- 
ware business  up  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
married  a  Miss  IMcCartney,  and  had  two  sons 
and  two  daughters;  Martha  made  her  home 
with  her  brofher  Joseph,  at  Greensburg,  De- 
catur Co.,  Ind.,  and  died  there,  unmarried. 

John  IilacCartuey  Bryan,  son  of  Nathaniel 
(2),  and  father  of  John  R.  Bryan,  was  born 
June  10,  1808,  on  the  old  homestead  in  Wheat- 
field  township.  Though  during  his  entire  life 
he  received  but  three  months  of  schooling,  and 
in  order  to  obtain  that  was  obliged  to  walk 
five  miles,  no  man  in  the  county  could  keep  a 
better  set  of  books.  After  his  marriage  he 
settled  at  Strongstown.  Indiana  county,  where 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


he  kept  the  old  tavern  for  two  j^ears,  and  then 
purchased  138  acres  of  land  one  mile  north  of 
Indiana  from  David  Ralston,  subsequently 
piirchasing  another  property  of  the  same  size, 
located  in  the  woods.  He  spent  his  entire  life 
in  the  cultivation  of  these  properties,  and 
died  April  10.  1860,  in  the  faith  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  of  which  he  was  a  trustee  for 
man}"  years,  and  to  which  his  wife  also  be- 
longed. He  was  a  Whig  in  his  political  views. 
Mrs.  Bryan,  who  died  June  24.  1872,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-five  years,  was  the  mother  of 
these  children:  Sarah  Jane  married  Thomas 
Ebey,  and  died  in  Topeka.  Kans.,  at  the  age  of 
seventy  years;  Samuel,  who  married  Rebecca 
A.  Rowe.  lived  and  died  on  the  old  home- 
stead ;  Rebecca  nlarried  Samuel  Rowe,  of  Oska- 
loosa.  Iowa,  who  w-as  for  thirt.v  years  in  the 
fruit  business  there,  and  when  Guthrie.  Okla.. 
was  opened  for  settleinent.  went  to  that  point 
and  was  there  engaged  in  fruit  raising,  Mrs. 
Rowe  still  being  a  resident  of  Guthrie,  al- 
though her  husband  is  deceased ;  Allison  died 
at  the  age  of  four  years;  John  R,  is  men- 
tioned below;  Harrison,  who  married  Maggie 
Wigens,  lives  on  the  old  homestead ;  "William 
B.,  a  retired  farmer  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  married 
Deborah  Berkepile,  now  deceased;  James 
Mitchell  died  at  the  age  of' three  years;  Tay- 
lor W..  who  fought  with  the  55th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers  during  the  Civil  war,  following 
that  went  to  Sedalia.  Mo.,  engaged  in  scene 
painting,  married  and  died  there. 

John  R.  Bryan  received  his  education  in  the 
old  subscription  schools  of  Indiana  borough 
and  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the  home  farm. 
He  started  out  to  make  his  own  way  in  the 
world  with  little  else  than  determination, 
energy  and  a  good  mind  and  steady  habits, 
and  at  the  age  of  eigliteen  years  was  teaching 
school  at  Ta.vlorsville,  following  that  during 
the  winter  months.  Mdiile  the  summer  season 
w^as  spent  in  advancing  his  own  education,  in 
Dayton  Academy  and  the  seminary  at  ]\Iarion 
Center.  At  the  latter  place  his  sister,  Mrs. 
Rowe,  resided,  her  husband  being  postmaster 
and  conducting  a  general  store  at  that  place. 
Mr.  Bryan  worked  in  his  brother-in-law's 
store  and  cari'ied  mail,  thus  earning  board  and 
clothes,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years 
endeavored  to  enlist  in  the  11th  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry.  On  account  of  his 
small  stature,  however,  he  was  advised  by  the 
recruiting  officer  to  "go  home  and  grow  a 
bit."  Returning  to  his  duties  as  teacher,  Mr. 
Bryan  spent  tlie  recesses  in  drilling  his  pupils, 
and  the  patriotic  fever  finally  became  so  strong 
that  a  company  was  foriiicd,  which  was  sub- 


sequently accepted  and  merged  with  Company- 
I,  67th  Regiment,  Pennsjdvauia  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, under  Col.  John  F.  Stanton,  a  full 
cousin  of  the  famous  Secretary  of  War  Stan- 
ton. They  went  to  camp  in  Philadelphia,  and 
after  drilling  there  and  at  the  navy  yard  in 
Annapolis,  were  sent  to  do  guard  duty  on  the 
railroad.  Later  thej-  went  to  Annapolis  and 
eventually  to  Harper's  Ferry,  to  assist  in  pre- 
venting Jackson's  crossing  into  Maryland. 
AVith  the  2d  Corps,  the  regiment  served  in 
the  Shenandoah  valley,  but  during  the  fall  of 
1863  was  trausferred  to  the  3d  Division,  6th 
Army  Corps,  with  which  it  was  identified  until 
the  close  of  hostilities.  Mr.  Bryan  was  cap- 
tured at  Winchester,  Va.,  and  taken  to  Libby 
prison  and  thence  to  Belle  Isle,  whence  he 
was  transferred  to  a  pai'ole  camp  at  Annap- 
olis. From  that  city  he  walked  home  to  see 
his  mother,  and  on  rejoining  his  regiment  was 
discharged  at  Washington  and  mustered  out 
of  the  service  at  Harrisburg,  on  account  of 
the  close  of  the  war. 

Returning  home,  the  .voung  soldier  was  en- 
gaged in  buying  stock  for  one  year,  and  on 
March  20,  1866,  was  man-ied  "to  Mary  E. 
Dunn,  of  Penn  Run.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Cyrus 
and  Sarah  fEmptield)  Dunn.  Mr.  Bryan 
then  engaged  in  business  as  a  huckster,  but 
after  four  years  entered  the  commission  busi-- 
ness,  in  which  he  continued  twenty-nine  years. 
For  more  than  a  decade  he  has  lived  retired  in 
Indiana,  where  he  is  widely  known  and  highly 
esteemed.  Mr.  Bryan  is  essentially  a  self- 
made  man,  having  gained  success  in  life 
through  the  medium  of  his  own  efforts.  He 
has  had  an  able  assistant  in  his  worthy  wife, 
who  has  shared  with  him  all  the  vicissitudes 
of  a  long  and  useful  career.  They  are  con- 
sistent members  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  in  political  matters  ilr.  Bryan 
is  a  stanch  Republican,  having  seiwed  as  over- 
seer of  the  poor  for  twelve  years  and  in  various 
other  offices.  He  is  a  remarkably  well  pre- 
served man.  and  in  spite  of  his  seventy-five 
years  reads  the  newspapers  without  the  aid  of 
glasses  and  has  a  very  retentive  memory. 

Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Bryan  have  had  three  chil- 
dren:  Minnie  J.,  who  married  R.  M.  Smith, 
of  Indiana ;  a  child  who  died  in  infancy :  and 
Wallace  Steele.  The  latter  was  born  in  In- 
diana. Pa.,  April  5,  1867.  and  after  attending 
•the  public  schools  of  the  borough  and  the  In- 
diana State  normal  school  entered  Washing- 
ton and  Jefferson  College,  and  subsequently 
took  a  course  at  Jefferson  Medical  College, 
Philadelphia,  where  he  graduated.  He  at  once 
engaged    in    practice   at   ^IcKeesport,   but   at 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


895 


present  is  practicing  in  Eamey,  Clearfield 
county,  where  he  is  also  the  proprietor  of  a 
drug  store.  Dr.  Bryan  married  Clara  Howell, 
and  they  have  one  daughter:  Mary. 

ISRAEL  CARNAHAN,  farmer,  business 
man  and  public  official  of  Armstrong  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  was  born  Sept.  18,  1849. 
in  Bell  township,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa., 
where  the  Carnahans  lived  prior  to  their  set- 
tlement in  Indiana  county. 

The  Carnahan  family  is  numbered  among 
the  early  settlers  of  this  section  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  Carnahans  having  come  to  America 
at  the  same  time  as  the  well-known  Tomb  fam- 
ily of  East  Wheatfield  township,  this  county. 
Thomas  Carnahan,  grandfather  of  Israel  Car- 
nahan, i-esided  in  Perrysville,  Westmoreland 
county,  five  miles  from  Saltsburg.  He  mar- 
ried a  Miss  McKinley,  and  they  had  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Israel,  Thomas,  Elizabeth 
(married  Matthias  Jockey),  Wilson  (who 
went  to  California  in  1849,  returned  to  Pitts- 
burg and  engaged  in  the  shoe  business),  Sam- 
uel and  David  R. 

David  R.  Carnahan,  son  of  Thomas,  was 
born  at  Perrysville,  in  Bell  township,  AVest- 
moreland  county,  and  died  aged  ninety-one, 
in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county.  His 
schooling  was  limited,  and  at  an  early  age  he 
became  head  of  a  family.  Fanning  was  his 
principal  vocation,  and  he  was  enterprising 
and  progressive,  being  the  first  man  in  West- 
moreland county  to  own  a  grain  cradle.  Later 
he  went  to  J\IcKeesport,  Pa.,  where  he  fol- 
lowed mining  for  a  time,  and  then  returning 
home  to  Westmoreland  county  bought  a  farm 
of  150  acres,  which  he  subsequently  laid  out 
into  building  lots  and  sold,  this  being  what  is 
now  Perrysville.  In  1846  he  became  interested 
in  salt  works  on  the  Kiskiminetas  river,  near 
Saltsburg,  and  for  a  time  was  engaged  in  mak- 
ing salt,  and  at  the  same  time  conducted  a 
steam  gristmill  located  on  the  Kiskiminetas. 
He  then  moved  to  what  is  now  Salina  station 
and  followed  milling,  then  moved  to  the  old 
farm  at  Perrysville,  and  in  1848  came  to  In-~ 
diana  county,  where  he  purchased  the  James 
Clark  farm  of  150  acres  in  White  township.  A 
number  of  years  afterward  he  made  a  trade 
with  John  Cunningham,  giving  that  place  for 
a  tract  of  180  acres  in  Armstrong  township, 
upon  which  he  passed  the  rest  of  his  days, 
carrying  on  general  farming.  He  was  much 
respected  in  his  neighborhood,  served  at  one 
time  as  supervisor  of  roads,  held  other  offices 
of  trust,  and  was  a  valued  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church.    His  first  wife, 


Martha  (Morrison),  died  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
seven  years,  and  he  subsequently  married 
(second)  Lavina  Berkeypile.  There  were  five 
children  by  the  first  union:  Thomas  M.  is 
mentioned  elsewhere;  ilary  Agnes  married 
Thomas  Hearn ;  Israel  is  mentioned  below ; 
Martha  (deceased)  married  Sansom  Person; 
John  Morrison  (deceased)  married  Margaret 
Cunningham.  Eight  children  were  born  to 
the  second  marriage  :  Albert,  Carrie,  Harvey, 
Lottie,  Levi,  Levina,  David  M.  and  Dick. 

Israel  Carnahan  came  to  Indiana  county 
with  his  parents  in  1848  and  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  in  this  county. 
He  continued  to  reside  with  his  parents  till 
he  was  married,  when  he  located  on  part  of 
the  homestead,  a  tract  of  seventy-two  acres 
in  Armstrong  township,  to  which  he  has  since 
added,  now  having  eighty-five  acres,  and  he 
has  been  improving  the  place  continuously 
throughout  the  period  of  his  residence  there. 
In  1893  he  built  a  large,  substantial  house  and 
a  fine  barn,  and  by  reason  of  natural  ad- 
vantages and  intelligent  management  the 
property  is  now  one  of  the  most  valuable  of 
its  size  in  this  section.  It  is  richly  underlaid 
with  coal.  Mr.  Carnahan  is  thoroughly  up-to- 
date  in  all  his  work,  engaging  in  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising.  He  was  one  of  those 
chiefly  instrumental  in  having  the  telephone 
line  between  Indiana  and  Parkwood  estab- 
lished. In  December,  1909,  he  and  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Glass  started  out  to  take  subscriptions 
for  the  enterprise,  and  when  they  had  enough 
guarantees  to  insure  its  success  went  to  the 
Bell  Telephone  Company  with  the  proposition 
and  were  promptly  accommodated.  It  has 
proved  a  benefit  to  all  its  patrons,  which  is 
Mr.  Carnahan 's  best  reward  for  his  labors. 
He  was  elected  president  of  the  local  com- 
pany, known  as  the  Indiana  &  Parkwood  Tele- 
phone Company  (a  subsidian'  of  the  Bell  Tele- 
phone Company),  and  served  as  such  two 
years ;  he  is  still  a  stockholder.  Mr.  Carnahan 
was  foreman  of  the  State  road  from  Indiana 
to  Apollo,  Pa.,  during  1912-13,  and  he  has  fre- 
quently been  honored  with  election  to  public 
office,  "having  served  his  township  as  school 
director,  assessor,  tax  collector,  road  super- 
visor and  member  of  the  election  board.  Polit- 
ically he  is  a  Republican.  For  thirty-four 
years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Crete 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  to  which  his  fam- 
ily also  belongs,  and  he  has  served  same  twelve 
years  as  trustee  and  for  the  last  twenty  years 
as  elder.' 

On  Dec.  26,  1873,  Mr.  Carnahan  married 
Nancy  Angeline  Anthony,  daughter  of  David 


896 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


W.  and  Margaret  (Miller)  Anthony,  of  Arm- 
strong township,  and  they  have  had  a  family 
of  twelve  children,  namely:  Harry  David, 
who  is  an  employee  in  the  United  States  mail 
service  in  Armstrong  township,  man-ied  Mar- 
tha Lowry ;  Minnie,  who  is  teaching  at  Girty, 
Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  was  graduated  from  the 
Indiana  State  normal  school  in  1905;  Eliza- 
beth married  Samuel  Shearer,  a  farmer  in 
White  township;  Annie  graduated  from  the 
Indiana  State  normal  school  and  from  busi- 
ness college,  was  a  school  teacher  in  Vandei'- 
grift  at  one  time,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Lisle 
Coltbaugh;  Lorretta  is  the  wife  of  Arthur 
Warner,  a  farmer  in  Center  township ;  Bertha 
married  Robert  McCurdy,  an  engineer,  of 
West  Lebanon,  Pa. ;  Sadie  gi-aduated  from  the 
Indiana  State  normal  school  in  1910,  and  is 
now  teaching  school  in  Armstrong  township; 
Lisle  M.,  a  farmer  in  Armstrong  township, 
married  Zula  Rowe ;  Wilbur,  Grace,  Hazel  and 
Imogene  are  at  home. 

SAMUEL  A.  DOUGLASS,  senior  member 
of  the  Indiana  County  Bar  Association,  was 
born  in  Indiana,  Pa.,  July  13,  1827,  in  the 
same  scpiare  in  which  his  office  is  now  located, 
and  where  he  has  resided  for  over  eighty 
years.  He  is  a  son  of  Woodrow  and  Mary 
(Truby)  Douglass.  Samuel  Douglass,  the 
paternal  grandfather,  with  his  wife,  Lydia 
(Adams)  Douglass,  located  at  Newport,  on 
the  Conemaugh,  near  the  mouth  of  Blacklick 
creek,  in  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  in  1791.  and 
removed  to  Indiana  in  1805.  Their  children 
were:  John,  William,  Samuel,  Woodrow, 
James  and  Rachel,  all  now  deceased. 

Woodrow  Douglass  was  born  at  Newport 
in  1799,  and  his  wife  Mary  (Truby)  wks  born 
at  Greensburg,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  June 
12,  1801.  They  were  married  in  1826.  On 
Feb.  3.  1832,  Woodrow  Douglass  was  ap- 
pointed a  .justice  of  the  peace  by  Gov.  George 
Wolf,  and  on  Jan.  3,  1836,  he  was  appointed 
by  Gov.  Joseph  Ritner  clerk  of  the  Orphans' 
court  and  register  of  wills  for  the  county  of 
Indiana.  In  1843  he  was  elected  to  the  office 
of  eount.y  treasurer.  His  death  occurred 
March  15,  1850,  and  his  widow  died  Oct.  11, 
1893.  The  cliildren  born  to  him.  and  his  wife 
were:  Samuel  A.,  Mary  A.  (who  died  Julv 
14,  1830),  Lydia  A.,  Simeon  W.  (who  died 
Sept.  29,  1884),  Washington  (who  died  I\Iay 
2,  1835\  Henrietta,  John  (since  deceased), 
Elizabeth  A.  (married  to  M.  F.  Sherretts), 
William  Q.  (who  died  Nov.  16,  1851)  and 
James  (who  died  Nov.  27,  1851). 

Satinifl    A,    Douglass  was  educated   in   the 


common  schools  and  Indiana  academy,  read 
law  with  William  M.  Stewart,  Esq.,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  at  the  September  term, 
1851.  For  some  time  afterward  he  was  en- 
gaged at  teaching  school,  clerking,  etc.  In 
the  year  1S54  he  received  appointment  to  a 
clerkship  in  the  District  court  of  Indianapolis, 
in  the  State  of  Indiana,  and  was  engaged 
there  for  some  time,  but  owing  to  ill  health 
returned  to  his  home  at  Indiana,  Pa.,  and 
resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession,  in 
1855.  He  was  elected  secretary  and  solicitor 
of  the  council  of  the  borough  of  Indiana,  Pa.. 
in  1856,  in  which  he  served  continuously,  with 
the  exception  of  the  years  1857,  1863  and 
1864,  until  September,  1895,  making  a  service 
of  thirty-six  years.  He  was  appointed  deputy 
collector  of  internal  revenue  of  the  Twenty- 
first  district  of  Pennsylvania  in  1869,  and 
held  the  position  for  three  years. 

Mr.  Douglass,  having  enlisted,  was  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  June  1,  1863,  as 
a  private  in  Company  I,  transferred  to  Com- 
pany H,  2d  Battalion,  six  mouths'  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  and-  was  honorably  dis- 
charged Jan.  25,  1864.  After  his  discharge  he 
resumed  the  practice  of  law,  and  is  now  also 
engaged  as "  secretary-treasurer  and  manager 
of  Greenwood  cemetery.  He  is  a  member  of 
Post  No.  28,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 
One  of  his  fellow  practitioners  expresses  the 
high  opinion  the  fraternity  holds  of  him  and 
his  work  thus: 

"Mr.  Douglass  never  took  an  active  part 
ill  the  trial  of  causes.  He  was  a  careful 
counselor,  an  excellent  auditor,  a  good  penman 
and  accountant,  honest,  upright  and  compe- 
tent. He  has  the  respect  and  confidence  r>f 
liis  fellow  members  of  the  bar  and  the  public. 

"In  1903.  when  the  eount.y  celebrated  its 
i-entennial,  at  the  request  of  the  bar  Mr.  Doug- 
lass wrote  a  sketch  of  the  early  history  of  the 
bar  and  of  its  members  up  to  the  time  of  writ- 
ing, a  copy  of  which  was  filed  with  the  Law 
Association  of  the  county.  It  is  a  valuable 
document,  and  contains  ranch  information 
that  would  have  been  lost  had  it  not  been  for 
his  care  and  research  in  preparation." 

WILLIAM  H.  CA:MPBELL,  farmer  of  Bur- 
i-ell  township.  Indiana  county,  is  a  member  of 
an  old  settled  family  of  this  section  and  a 
citizen  whose  industrious  life  has  gained  him 
the  respect  of  all  who  know  him.  He  is  a 
veteran  of  the  Civil  war.  Jlr.  Campbell  was 
born  Feb.  29,  1844.  in  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, this  count.v,  son  of  John  Campbell,  and 
grandson  of  David  Campbell,  the  first  Ameri- 
ran  anccMor  of  tliis  branch  of  the  family. 


^  (2.  yd~cH^f/&^ 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


897 


Toward  the  end  of  the  eighteenth  century 
Wheatfield  township  embraced  all  the  terri- 
tory south  of  the  Purchase  Line ;  sixteen 
townships  have  since  been  formed  within  her 
original  boundaries.  The  first  settlers  in  this 
district  were  emigrants  from  Ireland,  from  the 
Counties  of  Antrim  and  Armagh,  they  land- 
ing in  America  July  21,  1792.  Stories  of  the 
New  World  soon  attracted  others  left  behind, 
and  David  Campbell,  who  was  born  in  Ireland 
in  1794,  came  some  time  later  to  join  this 
colony  in  Wheatfield.  Leaving  his  native 
home  he  took  passage  on  a  sailing  vessel  to 
America,  and  after  a  stormy  voyage  of  more 
than  six  weeks  found  himself  on  the  shores  of 
the  New  World.  He  proceeded  westward  over 
the  Allegheny  mountains  to  the  Conemaugh 
valley  and  finally  located  on  Blacklick  creek 
near  the  present  site  of  the  village  of  Heshbon. 
He  came  to  what  is  now  East  Wheatfield 
township  in  1814,  later  purchasing  by  patent 
219  acres  of  land  on  Blacklick  where  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  Assisted  by  his 
sons  he  cleared  the  land  and  erected  buildings, 
and  his  farm  became  one  of  the  productive 
tracts  in  the  locality.  Mr.  Campbell  was  laid 
to  rest  in  the  Campbell  graveyard  on  the 
homestead  place. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  twice  married,  his  first 
wife  being  Elizabeth  Kerr,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel and  Jane  Kerr,  and  by  her  he  had  two 
children,  John  and  Elizabeth  (who  married 
William  Murphy).  By  his  second  wife,  Mar- 
garet (Mahan),  he  had  a  large  family:  Chris- 
topher, Robert  M.,  James,  Samuel,  David,  Por- 
ter M.,  Jane  (who  married  William  Palmer), 
Margaret  A.  and  Alexander  (who  died  young). 
Samuel,  David  and  Porter  were  all  ^Idiers 
in  the  Civil  war. 

John  Campbell,  son  of  David,  born  Dee.  19, 
1812,  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  grew  to 
manhood  there  and  obtained  his  education  in 
the  subscription  schools  then  in  vogue.  But 
he  made  such  good  use  of  his  rather  meager 
opportunities  that  he  became  a  schoolmaster, 
following  his  profession  in  West  Wheatfield 
for  some  years.  He  also  followed  farming 
there,  owning  a  tract  of  ninety -six  Pcres  upon 
which  he  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  Well-informed,  intelligent,  and  in- 
terested in  all  that  went  on  in  the  community, 
he  was  a  valued  and  esteemed  citizen.  He 
lived  to  a  ripe  old  age,  dying  on  the  farm 
June  8,  1896,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years, 
five  months,  twenty  days,  and  was  buried  in 
the  Bethel  Church  cemetery  in  West  Wlieat- 
field  township.     In  politics  he  was  a  Demo- 


crat, in  religion  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church.  On  Dec.  30,  1841,  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Herron,  who  was  bora  in  East 
Wheatfield  township,  daughter  of  William 
Herron,  and  is  also  buried  in  Bethel  Church 
cemetery.  She,  too,  was  a  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church.  The  following 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell : 
Elizabeth,  born  Aug.  23,  1842,  married  Isaac 
Alcorn,  of  West  Wheatfield  township;  Wil- 
liam H.  is  mentioned  below;  Christopher  D., 
born  Feb.  27,  1846,  farmer  of  Brushvalley 
township,  married  Sarah  Campbell;  David, 
born  July  30,  1848,  died  young;  John  H.,  born 
Jan.  18,  1851,  is  a  farmer  in  Burrell  town- 
ship ;  Martha  Jane,  born  April  25,  1853,  mar- 
ried John  McNutt ;  Mary  Ellen,  born  Jan.  9, 
1856,  died  young;  Margaret,  born  in  1858, 
married  John  Piper,  of  Garfield,  Pa. ;  Samuel 
H.,  born  Dee.  4,  1860,  lives  at  East  Liverpool, 
Ohio. 

William  H.  Campbell  grew  to  manhood  on 
the  home  farm,  spending  his  boyhood  days  in 
attendance  at  the  local  public  schools  and  in 
assisting  his  father.  He  remained  at  home 
with  his  parents  until  he  enlisted,  in  August, 
1864,  in  Company  H,  206th  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  under  Capt.  J.  C.  Greer  and 
Col.  H.  J.  Brady,  serving  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Richmond, 
Va.  Returning  home  he  continued  to  do  farm 
work  in  West  Wheatfield  township  until  he 
settled  upon  the  Sides  farm  in  Burrell  town- 
ship, a  tract  of  ninety  acres  which  he  operated  . 
for  six  years.  He  next  moved  to  the  Samuel 
Ray  place  in  Burrell  township,  containing 
130  acres,  which  he  operated  for  Mr.  Ray 
until  1908,  when  the  property  was  sold  to 
Wilber  P.  Graft,  of  Blairsville,  this  county, 
for  whom  Mr.  Campbell  has  since  carried  it 
on.  He  is  a  practical  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
as  his  long  management  of  the  same  farm 
would  indicate,  and  everything  about  the 
place  testifies  to  his  neatness  and  good  taste 
as  well  as  to  his  industry.  He  is  a  hard 
worker,  and  is  well  liked  by  his  associates. 
Mr.  Campbell  takes  a  public-spirited  interest 
in  whatever  concerns  the  general  welfare,  but 
has  been  particularly  active  in  securing  good 
public  school  facilities  in  his  locality,  having 
served  for  over  twenty  years  as  school  direc- 
tor of  Burrell  township ;  he  has  served  three 
years  as  president  of  the  school  board  and 
five  years  as  secretary.  He  cast  his  first  vote 
while  in  the  army,  for  Lincoln,  and  has  been 
a  Republican  ever  since.  His  religious  con- 
nection is  with  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Blairsville,  of  which  he  is  a  leading 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


member,  having  served  as  member  of  the 
building  committee,  as  member  of  the  finance 
committee  and  (at  present)  as  ruling  elder. 
He  takes  a  deep  interest  in  every  branch  of 
church  work.  Mrs.  Campbell  also  belongs  to 
that  church. 

Mr.  Campbell's  first  marriage  was  to  Mary 
Miller,  a  native  of  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, daughter  of  David  Miller,  of  Somerset 
county,  Pa.  Children  as  follows  were  born  to 
them :  John,  who  is  a  resident  of  Vandergrift, 
Pa.,  where  he  is  employed  in  the  tin  sheet  mill ; 
David  Miller,  an  employee  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company,  now  residing  at  Madison, 
Pa. ;  and  Elva  Jane,  who  married  John  J. 
Armstrong,  of  Girard,  Ohio.  Mrs.  Campbell 
died  April  5,  188(^  on  the  homestead.  On 
March  22,  1883,  Mr.  Campbell  married  (sec- 
ond) Pirmillia  (Anna)  Hutchinson,  of  West 
Wheatfield  township,  daughter  of  Cornelius 
and  Catherine  (Fry)  Hutchinson,  and  by  her 
has  had  five  children :  Elsie,  who  is  deceased ; 
Harry  Ray,  who  is  engaged  in  the  postoffice 
at  Turtle  Creek,  Pa.;  William  Lloyd,  in  the 
employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany at  Blairsville,  Pa. ;  Earl  Scott,  also  in 
the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany at  Blairsville;  and  ]\Iary  Catherine,  at 
home. 

JOHN  McLaughlin,  in  whose  death 
Brushvalley  township  lost  one  of  its  best  citi- 
zens and  successful  agriculturists,  was  a 
native  of  Indiana  county,  born  in  Center 
township,  near  the  line  of  Brushvalley  town- 
ship. May  13,  1843. 

John  McLaughlin,  father  of  John,  was  a 
native  of  Ireland,  and  came  of  that  sturdy 
race  of  men  which  has  done  much  to  make 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania  one  of  the  best  in 
the  Union.  He  w-as  born  in  County  Down,  in 
1799,  and  came  to  America  in  the  prime  of 
manhood,  locating  in  Center  township,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  became  the  owner  of 
a  tract  of  177  acres  in  the  wilderness.  Here 
he  settled  down  to  pioneer  life  in  the  forest, 
erecting  a  log  house  and  barn,  and  he  ever 
afterw^ard  made  this  spot  his  home.  He 
worked  hard  to  clear  up  his  place,  but  death 
came  while  he  was  still  in  middle  age,  on  Jan. 
6,  1850,  and  he  was  laid  to  rest  on  the  farm 
which  he  had  helped  to  clear  up.  He  was  a 
man  of  strict  honesty,  integrity  of  purpose, 
industrious  and  hard-working.  His  devotion 
to  his  wife  and  family  made  his  death  most 
hard  for  those  he  left  to  mourn  him.  ^Iv. 
IMcLaughlin  married  Mary  McLaughlin,  and 
their    children    were:      Catharine,    who    died 


young;  Eve,  who  married  Hiram  Clawson; 
Mary,  w^ho  married  Daniel  Byers;  Michael, 
who  resides  at  Parkers  Landing,  Pa. ;  Phebe, 
who  married  Anderson  Clauson;  and  John. 

John  McLaughlin  was  but  seven  years  old 
when  his  father  died.  He  attended  the  local 
schools  and  worked  on  the  homestead  from 
early  boyhood,  caring  for  his  widowed  mother, 
who  passed  away  there.  He  continued  to 
operate  the  home  farm,  engaging  in  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  until  1886,  when  he 
moved  with  his  family  to  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, on  the  Thomas  Fee  farm,  which  was  the 
home  of  his  father-in-law,  a  tract  of  thirt}"- 
three  acres.  This  he  operated  together  with 
the  homestead  farm  in  Center  township  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  Mr.  IMcLaughlin  was 
occupied  also  in  butchering,  selling  his  meats, 
etc.,  at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  and  he  did  a  large 
business  in  that  line. 

:\Ir.  McLaughlin  died  May  17,  1908,  aged 
sixty-five  years,  and  was  buried  in  the  ceme- 
tery at  Armagh,  Pa.  He  made  the  Golden 
Rule  his  chief  religion  in  life  and  most  con- 
scientiously lived  up  to  it.  He  was  an  honor- 
able, industrious  man,  an  excellent  citizen, 
and  one  who  did  much  for  his  community.  A 
Republican  in  politics,  he  served  as  school 
director  for  nine  years,  and  for  many  years  as 
overseer  of  the  poor,  and  took  an  active  part 
in  all  town  affairs.  He  was  hard-working,  his 
chief  aim  in  life  being  to  make  his  family  com- 
fortable and  afford  them  the  opportunities  of 
good  education. 

Mr.  McLaughlin  married  Nov.  4,  1869,  Mar- 
garet Ella  Fee,  born  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, daughter  of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Mahan) 
Fee.  Mrs.  McLaughlin  is  still  living  on  the 
old  homestead,  tenderly  cared  for  in  her  de- 
clining years  by  her  devoted  family.  Five 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  ^IcLaugh- 
lin,  viz.:  (1)  Effie  M.  is  at  home.  (2)  Clif- 
ford Thomas,  born  Nov.  15,  1874,  was  edu- 
cated in  the  Brushvalle.v  schools,  also  attended 
summer  normal  school  under  Prof.  J.  T. 
Stewart  and  Prof.  C.  A.  Campbell,  and  taught 
school  for  fifteen  years,  principally  in  Brush- 
valley and  East  Wheatfield  townships,  In- 
diana county,  though  he  was  also  engaged  in 
Cambria  and  Allegheny  counties.  Later  he 
became  manager  of  the  five  and  ten  cent  store 
of  Mr.  Bonner,  at  Braddoek,  Pa.,  filling  that 
position  for  one  year,  and  he  is  now  in  the 
United  States  postal  service  at  Windber.  Pa., 
serving  as  letter  carrier.  He  married  Fannie 
Wakefield,  and  they  have  one  child,  Jennett 
C.  (3)  Myrtle  obtained  her  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Brushvalley  and  the  summer 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


school  at  Homer  City,  studying  under  Mr. 
Bracken  and  Mr.  Welsh.  She  has  been  a  suc- 
cessful school  teacher,  having  taught  in  public 
school  in  both  Indiana  and  Cambria  counties. 
(4)  Gillis  Lloyd,  born  July  17,  1882,  was  also 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Brushvalley 
and  summer  normal  schools  under  Prof.  J.  T. 
Stewart  and  Prof.  C.  A.  Campbell,  and  at- 
tended summer  school  at  Homer  City  under 
Messrs.  Bracken  and  Welsh.  He  taught  school 
for  five  years  in  the  townships  of  Brushvalley, 
West  Wheatfield,  Burrell  and  Center,  and 
now  resides  on  the  homestead,  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising.  (5)  J.  Ralph, 
born  Sept.  25,  1888,  was  also  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Brushvalley,  and  summer 
normal  school  under  Profs.  J.  T.  Stewart  and 
C.  A.  Campbell,  and  taught  four  years  in  East 
Wheatfield  and  Burrell  townships.  He  was  a 
bookkeeper  for  the  Lumber  Manufacturing 
Company  of  Johnstown. 

ELISHA  GREEN,  a  druggist  of  Plumville, 
Indiana  county,  where  he  is  also  justice  of 
the  peace  and  notary  public,  was  born  near 
Sagamore,  in  Cowanshannock  township,  Arm- 
strong Co.,  Pa.,  June  13, 1853,  son  of  Abraham 
Green. 

Ezekiel  Green,  father  of  Abraham  Green, 
was  born  near  Williamsport,  Pa.,  came  to  Arm- 
strong county  with  his  father,  and  was  a 
blacksmith  and  farmer  at  Sagamore,  where 
his  death  occurred. 

Abraham  Green,  son  of  Ezekiel  Green,  was 
a  farmer  of  Cowanshannock  township,  where 
he  owned  120  acres  of  land.  This  he  devoted 
to  stock  raising  and  general  farming,  and  be- 
came a  successful  agriculturist,  making  many 
improvements  upon  his  property.  As  he 
cleared  his  land  he  converted  the  trees  into 
lumber,  being  thus  employed  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  when  he  was  eighty-one  years 
old.  For  many  years  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  St.  John's,  and  was  buried 
in  the  cemetery  attached  to  that  church.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Republican,  but  he  did  not 
seek  public  office.  Abraham  Green  was  mar- 
ried in  Armstrong  county  to  Esther  A.  Smith, 
who  died  on  the  homestead  and  is  buried  in 
the  same  cemetery  as  her  husband. 

Elisha  Green,  son  of  Abraham  Green,  re- 
ceived a  good  practical  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  township,  at  Glade  Run  academy 
and  a  select  school  at  Plumville,  and  then  for 
eleven  years  taught  school,  being  engaged 
eight  years  in  Armstrong  county,  and  three 
years  in  Indiana  county.  In  1883  he  bought 
the   drug   store   at   Plumville   owned   by   the 


Winrer  brothers,  and  has  since  devoted  his 
energies  to  conducting  it.  This  is  the  leading 
drug  store  in  South  Mahoning  township,  and 
Mr.  Green  meets  popular  demand  very  capably 
by  carrying  a  fine  and  varied  line  of  station- 
ery, wall  paper  and  similar  goods  in  addition 
to  his  drugs.  Besides,  he  owns  a  fine  eighty- 
acre  farm  on  which  he  raises  stock  and  carries 
on  general  farming.  Having  been  appointed 
a  notary  public  by  Governor  Tener  in  1901, 
he  was  a  logical  candidate  for  justice  of  the 
peace  and  was  elected  by  a  handsome  majority 
in  1902  and  reelected  in  1907,  receiving  his 
commission  from  Governor  Stewart.  No  ap- 
peals have  been  taken  from  his  decisions,  for 
those  who  come  before  him  recognize  his  sense 
of  justice  and  appreciate  his  interest  in  giving 
them  a  fair  deal,  while  at  the  same  time  en- 
forcing the  law  vigorously.  He  took  an  im- 
portant part  in  the  organization  of  the 
borough  of  Plumville,  and  is  a  strong  Repub- 
lican of  the  old  school,  steadfastly  adhering  to 
President  Taft,  of  whom  he  is  a  great  ad- 
mirer. An  Odd  Fellow,  belonging  to  the 
lodge  at  Plumville,  he  is  now  a  past  grand  of 
that  body  and  a  member  of  the  grand  lodge 
of  the  State;  he  also  belongs  to  the  Rebek- 
ahs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Woodmen  of 
the  World  of  Indiana.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  active  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  which  he  is  serving  as  elder,  and  he 
has  long  been  a  Sunday  school  teacher  and 
superintendent,  carrying  into  his  everyday 
life  the  creed  he  professes. 

In  1874  Mr.  Green  was  married  in  Arm- 
strong county  to  Clarinda  Adam,  born  in 
Plumville,  a  daughter  of  David  Adam.  Mrs. 
Green  is  one  of  the  most  devoted  of  wives  and 
mothers,  and  her  home  reflects  her  high. 
Christian  character.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Green  be- 
came the  pai-ents  of  three  children :  David 
Nelson  (who  died  when  seven  years  old),  Sara 
Etta  and  James  Blaine.  Sara  Etta  Green, 
who  was  educated  in  music  at  Irwin  College, 
taught  music  in  the  public  schools  of  Plum- 
ville for  six  years  prior  to  her  marriage  to 
Moody  A.  Speedy,  an  electrical  engineer  with 
the  Westinghouse  Company  of  Pittsburg,  by 
whom  she  has  one  son,  Alexander  Blaine. 

James  Blaine  Green,  youngest  child  of 
Elisha  Green,  was  born  Aug.  3,  1884,  in  Plum- 
ville, where  he  attended  public  school,  later 
going  to  the  summer  normal  held  in  that  town. 
He  fitted  himself  for  a  business  life  by  taking 
a  course  in  the  Bliss  commercial  college  of 
Columbus,  Ohio,  from  which  he  was  gi-aduated 
June  30,  1902.  Following  this  Mr.  Green  en- 
tered Allegheny   College,   at  Meadville,   and 


900 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


took  a  classii-al  i-ourse,  but  did  not  graduate 
owing  to  ill  health.  Later  he  pursued  his 
studies  ill  pharmacy  in  the  pharmaceutical 
department  of  Pittsburg  College,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  1905.  with  the  degree  of 
Ph.  G.  For  several  years  thereafter  he  as- 
sisted his  father  in  the  drug  business,  but  on 
July  12,  1911,  was  made  assistant  cashier  and 
bookkeeper  of  the  Fii-st  National  Bank  of 
Plumville.  and  held  that  position  until  Octo- 
ber, 1912,  when  he  resigned  to  resume  the 
drug  business.  His  skill  as  a  druggist  has 
long  been  appreciated  by  the  people  of  Plum- 
ville, and  both  he  and  his  father  are  well 
known  over  a  wide  territory  that  embra.ces 
several  counties. 

In  1905  Governor  Pennypacker  appointed 
Mr.  Green  a  notary  public,  and  he  was  reap- 
pointed by  Governor  Tener.  Mr.  Green 's  con- 
nection witli  the  Odd  Fellows  is  of  such  a 
nature  as  to  reflect  credit  upon  him  as  a  man 
and  a  member  of  that  fraternitv.  He  lielongs 
to  Plumville  Lodge  No.  803,  I.  0.  O.  F.,  of 
which  he  is  a  past  gi-and,  and  also  belongs  to 
the  grand  lodge  of  the  State ;  he  is  past  cliief 
patriarch  of  Dayton  Encampment.  No.  121. 
I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  is  active  in  Desdemona  Lodge, 
No.  350,  Rebekah  degree,  of  Plumville.  Mr. 
Green  is  also  interested  in  the  Elks  at  In- 
diana. Like  his  father  he  is  a  strong  Repub- 
lican. He  has  been  judge  of  election  of  his 
borough,  and  having  been  on  the  l)oard  of 
health  for  some  time  has  given  Plumville  the 
benefit  of  his  professional  knowledge,  and 
placed  it  under  lasting  obligations  to  him.  He 
is  also  serving  as  secretary  of  the  borough 
council.  During  1910  Mr.  Green  did  effective 
and  conscientious  work  as  a  census  enumera- 
tor in  South  Mahoning  township  and  Plum- 
ville. 

During  recent  years,  Mr.  Green  has  found 
recreation  and  profit  in  giving  some  attention 
to  stock  breeding  and  raising  in  partnership 
with  his  father,  and  they  have  specialized  with 
favorable  results  in  Jersey  cattle. 

In  an  age  when  there  is  such  decided  com- 
petition, it  is  necessary  for  a  man  to  train  his 
faculties  carefully  in  order  to  keep  abreast 
of  the  tide  of  human  events.  It  is  not  often, 
however,  that  men  are  found  who  not  only 
succeed  in  one  or  other  of  the  learned  pro- 
fessions, but  who  hold  equally  important  posi- 
tions in  public  affairs  and  the  business  world 
as  well.  Yet  this  is  the  case  with  the  Greens, 
father  and  son.  They  are  men  of  unusual 
endowments,  who  recognize  the  requirements 
of  their  times  and  endeavor  to  live  up  to  them. 
Men  of  high  character,  they  manage  to  imbue 


others  with  some  of  their  public  spirit,  and 
whatever  undertaking  they  espouse  is  likely 
to  be  carried  on  effectivelj'  under  their  com- 
petent leadership.  They  have  both  been  active 
in  municipal  affairs,  always  giving  the  people 
more  than  their  ofdces  demand,  and  few  are 
held  in  such  high  regard  as  they.  Such  citi- 
zens prove  conclusively  that  right  living,  high 
thinking  and  honorable  methods  of  action  do 
pay  not  only  in  the  long  run,  but  at  all  times. 

JAJVIES  A.  GROSSMAN,  who  has  long 
been  justice  of  the  peace  and  is  at  present  also 
sei-ving  as  burgess  of  Indiana,  has  been  identi- 
fied with  official  circles  in  Indiana  county  for 
many  years.  He  is  interested  in  several  local 
business  enterprises,  and  is  one  of  the  repre- 
sentative citizens  of  this  section,  where  he  has 
spent  all  his  life.  Mr.  Grossman  was  born 
May  3,  1819,  in  Indiana  county,  son  of  Asa 
and  Mary  (Robinson)  Grossman.  His  grand- 
father was  bom  in  the  East,  presumably  in 
IMassachusetts,  and  came  to  Indiana  county. 
Pa.,  when  a  young  man,  following  farming 
here. 

Asa  Grossman  was  born  and  reared  in  In- 
diana county,  and  was  a  farmer  bj'  occupation. 
He  married  Mary  Robinson,  whose  father  was 
born  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  of  Scotch-Irish 
pai'entage,  and  emigrated  to  the  L^nited  States 
in  early  life,  settling  in  Indiana  county,  Pa., 
where  he  engaged  in  farming.  Mr.  Grossman 
died  in  1900,  his  wife  in  1902.  They  had  a 
family  of  eight  children,  namely :  Henrietta, 
wife  of  Daniel  Siler;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John 
Enterline ;  James  A. ;  Anna,  wife  of  Hulet 
Smith;  Everett  L. ;  Augusta  H.,  wife  of 
Charles  Oberlin ;  Isaac ;  Susan,  wife  of  M.  L. 
Stevens.  The  parents  were  members  of  the 
M.  E.  Church. 

James  A.  Grossman  began  his  education  in 
the  public  schools,  later  continuing  his  studies 
at  the  Dayton  (Pa.)  Academy.  He  taught 
school  for  a  period  of  five  yeai-s,  after  which 
he  was  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  busi- 
ness for  two  years.  In  1893  he  became  clerk 
to  the  county  commissioners,  which  position 
he  filled  for  five  yeai-s,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace.  He 
has  since  served  continuously  in  that  office, 
having  l)een  twice  reelected,  the  present  be- 
ing his  third  five-year  term  in  that  office.  In 
1907  Mr.  Grossman  was  elected  burgess  of  In- 
diana and  served  three  successive  yeai-s,  and 
in  December,  1911,  he  was  appointed  to  that 
office,  to  fill  a  vacancy,  serving  now  under  that 
appointment.  Mr.  Grossman  is  thoroughly  in- 
terested  in   and  associated  with   local  indus- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


901 


tries,  being  a  stockholder  in  the  Dugaii  Glass 
Company  and  other  concerns  in  the  borough, 
and  he  is  verj-  well  known  in  fraternal  con- 
nection, belonging  to  the  Elks,  Eagles,  Royal 
Arcanum  and  Jlodern  Woodmen,  and  a  past 
officer  of  the  Elks  and  Eagles.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

Mr.  Crossman  married  Agnes  Oberlin, 
daughter  of  Charles  Oberlin,  and  they  have 
three  children:  Lesbra  C,  wife  of  George 
Rigg;  Charlotte,  wife  of  Clyde  Seanor,  and 
Gertrude. 

WILLIAM  B.  SERENA,  senior  member  of 
the  firm  of  W.  B.  Serena  &  Sons,  of  Saltsburg, 
was  born  Oct.  28,  1836,  in  Ligonier  township, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  a  son  of  Joseph  Serena 
and  grandson  of  Joseph  Serena,  the  latter  a 
soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  His  wife 's  maiden 
name  was  McGee. 

Joseph  Serena,  son  of  Joseph  Serena  and 
father  of  William  B.  Serena,  was  a  farmer  in 
Loyalhanna  township,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa., 
becoming  the  owner  of  over  200  acres  divided 
into  two  farms.  He  continued  to  be  a  farmer, 
teamster  and  lumberman  throughout  his  life. 
Mr.  Serena  married  Catherine  Baker,  who  was 
born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  of  German  ancestry, 
and  their  children  were:  Lucinda;  Mary; 
William  Baker;  Elizabeth;  Philip,  who  en- 
listed in  Company  I,  11th  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  later  reenlisting  in  1862,  in 
Company  K,  62d  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, again  in  Company  C,  191st  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  and  the  fourth 
time  in  Company  E,  155th  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry;  Joseph;  and  David,  who 
served  in  the  4th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  from 
the  early  part  of  1865  until  the  close  of  the 
war. 

William  B.  Serena  attended  the  local  schools 
of  his  native  township,  but  at  an  early  day 
began  working  on  the  McFarland  farm,  re- 
maining in  charge  of  it  for  two  years.  He 
then  went  to  New  Alexandria,  Westmoreland 
Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade  with  his  uncle,  and  at  the  completion  of 
his  apprenticeship  worked  in  the  oil  fields  in 
Titusville  and  Oil  City,  Pa.,  with  a  fair  meas- 
ure of  success. 

In  1882  Mr.  Serena  came  to  Saltsburg,  where 
he  embarked  in  a  meat  business,  and  com- 
manded a  large  trade  drawn  from  all  over 
that  part  of  Indiana  county.  Later  he  opened 
a  meat  market  on  Salt  street,  on  the  present 
site  of  Stahl's  store,  and  occupied  these  prem- 
ises until  1902,  when  he  built  his  present  com- 
modious quarters  on  Indiana  street,  having  a 


three-story  frame  structure,  equipped  with  all 
the  modern  machinery,  including  a  magnifi- 
cent ice  plant,  for  a  first-class  slaughterhouse. 
Mr.  Serena  now  conducts  a  large  wholesale 
and  retail  butchering  business  in  conjunction 
with  his  sons  under  the  firm  style  of  W.  B. 
Serena  &  Sons,  and  controls  an  immense  trade 
that  covers  a  wide  area.  In  addition  to  carry- 
ing all  kinds  of  meats,  both  cured  and  fresh, 
he  handles  sea  foods,  which  he  ships  direct 
from  the  ocean  ports  to  accommodate  his  pa- 
trons. Mr.  Serena  raises  a  number  of  his  cat- 
tle and  other  stoc^k  on  his  farm  in  Loyalhanna 
township,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  and  buys 
the  remainder.  Having  been  in  this  line  of 
business  so  many  years,  he  is  thoroughly  con- 
versant with  its  every  detail,  and  his  patrons 
benefit  through  his  wide  experience  and 
thorough  knowledge.  His  judgment  with  re- 
gard to  stock  is  excellent,  and  is  relied  upon 
by  many  who  look  to  him  in  matters  relating 
to  his  line  of  business. 

Mr.  Serena  married  Theressa  Kaney,  a 
daughter  of  Stephen  and  Hannah  (Jackson) 
Kaney,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  children 
as  follows :  James  Clifford,  Beletta  M.,  Joseph 
W.,  Clyde  Washington  and  Philip  C,  the  two 
last  named  dying  in  infancy. 

For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Serena  has  been 
a  consistent  Methodist.  His  political  views 
make  him  a  Republican,  and  he  has  always 
given  a  stanch  support  to  the  principles  of 
his  party.  In  1863  he  enlisted  in  Company  K, 
62d  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  serving 
with  this  regiment  one  year,  after  which  he 
was  transferred  to  Company  B,  155th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  of  which  he  was 
also  a  member  for  about  one  year.  He  was 
then  changed  to  Company  E,  191st  Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment,  serving  in  all  about  two  years, 
six  months. 

WILLIAM  BAXTER  CRAWFORD,  owner 
of  over  six  hundred  acres  of  improved  land  in 
Young  township,  is  the  leading  agriculturist 
of  his  part  of  Indiana  county  and  also  has  ex- 
tensive interests  in  other  lines,  being  a  man 
of  all-around  business  ability  and  remarkable 
enterprise.  He  has  done  threshing  in  Indiana 
county  and  adjoining  sections  of  Armstrong 
and  Westmoreland  counties  for  the  last  forty 
years,  and  for  thirty  years  has  carried  on  the 
manufacture  of  lumber,  in  both  Indiana  and 
Armstrong  counties.  Mr.  Crawford  was  born 
in  Young  township  Sept.  22,  1855.  William 
Crawford,  his  gi'andfather,  was  a  pioneer  set- 
tler in  the  Eldersridge  section  of  that  town- 
ship, where  he  became  the  owner  of  a  tract 


902 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  four  hundred  acres,  on  part  of  which  land 
the  mining  town  of  Iselin  now  stands.  He 
followed  farming  and  spent  his  life  there, 
dying  on  his  farm,  and  is  buried  in  the 
Ebenezer  cemetery.  He  was  of  Scotch  extrac- 
tion and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
McDowell,  also  died  on  the  farm  and  was 
buried  in  Ebenezer  cemetery.  Their  children 
were :  Ann,  who  married  James  Clemens  and 
lived  in  Allegheny  county,  Pa. ;  Isabelle,  who 
married  Daniel  Shearer;  Sarah  Jane; 
Matthew,  who  lived  in  Armstrong  county; 
James;  and  John,  who  died  in  the  West. 

James  Crawford,  son  of  William,  was  born 
near  Eldersridge  in  Young  township,  and 
there  attended  public  school.  At  an  early  age 
he  began  work  on  the  construction  of  the 
Pennsylvania  canal,  and  also  engaged  in  other 
lines,  eventually  settling  down  to  farming  in 
Conemaugh  township,  this  county,  on  a  128- 
acre  tract  near  Clarksburg.  He  devoted  his 
time  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and 
passed  the  remainder  of  his  long  life  on  that 
place,  dying  there  at  the  age  of  eighty-three 
yeai-s,  eleven  months,  twenty-three  days.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  United  Presb.yterian 
Church,  and  is  buried  in  the  U.  P.  cemetery 
at  Olivet.  Armstrong  county.  In  politics  he 
was  originally  a  Whig,  later  a  Republican. 
Mr.  Crawford  married  Jane  Baxter,  who  was 
born  in  Allegheny  county,  Pa.,  daughter  of 
William  Baxter  and  sister  of  William  Baxter, 
prominent  oil  operator  in  his  day  and  well 
known  in  both  Indiana  and  Armstrong  coun- 
ties. ]\Irs.  Crawford  died  at  the  homestead 
and  is  buried  in  the  same  cemetery  as  her 
husband.  Six  children  were  born  to  their 
union:  Mary  Jane,  who  is  on  the  old  home- 
stead :  William  Baxter ;  John,  now  a  resident 
of  Pittsburg,  in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company ;  Nancy,  who  married 
Frank  Gordon ;  James,  who  is  on  the  old  home- 
stead ;  and  Sarah  Belle,  on  the  old  homestead. 

William  Baxter  Crawford  was  allowed  the 
advantages  the  schools  near  his  home  afforded, 
and  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty  did 
farm  work  on  the  home  place  for  his  father. 
He  then  began  threshing  on  his  own  account, 
being  one  of  the  first  in  this  region  to  follow 
that  line  on  the  plan  now  generally  adopted. 
He  began  with  a  three-horsepower  machine, 
and  as  he  became  able  to  improve  his  equip- 
ment came  to  own  an  eight-horsepower  outfit. 
and  since  he  commenced  to  use  steam  power 
has  had  five  engines.  His  work  has  taken 
him  all  over  Young.  Conemaugh  and  Arm- 
strong townsliips,  in  Indiana  county,  and  into 


ArnLstrong  and  Westmoreland  counties,  and 
he  has  always  commanded  a  large  patronage; 
liis  sons  now  assist  him  in  this  business.  For 
seven  years  in  his  early  manhood  Mr.  Craw- 
ford worked  with  liis  uncle  William  Baxter  in 
the  oil  fields  of  Clarion  county.  Pa.,  drilling, 
pumping  and  gauging.  In  1879  he  settled 
down  to  farming  on  the  Matthew  Crawford 
place,  near  what  is  now  Iselin,  and  he  has 
added  to  his  farming  property  steadily  since 
then,  having  bought  other  land  in  the  town- 
ship until  he  now  owns  and  operates  over  six 
hundred  acres.  His  purchases  include  the  old 
Robert  Elder  homestead,  a  tract  of  125  acres ; 
the  T.  C.  Watson  farm,  and  the  McCombs 
farm.  All  these  properties  have  been  greatly 
improved  with  buildings,  fences,  etc.,  during 
his  ownership,  his  thrifty  management  and 
good  judgment  being  apparent  in  the  sub- 
stantial nature  of  all  the  building  he  has  had 
done  and  the  careful  attention  to  detail  in  evi- 
dence everywhere  on  his  holdings.  He  also 
continues  the  manufacture  of  lumber,  in  which 
he  has  been  interested  for  thirty  years.  There 
is  no  more  progressive  man  in  the  locality, 
and  he  has  not  onl.v  been  active  in  promoting 
his  own  interests  but  influential  in  encourag- 
ing every  movement  for  the  general  good,  his 
support  being  regarded  as  a  valuable  asset  to 
any  project  for  the  benefit  of  the  community. 
Though  a  Republican  in  political  sentiment 
he  is  independent  in  his  advocacy  of  meas- 
ures and  his  support  of  candidates  for  public 
position. 

On  June  6,  1878,  Mr.  Crawford  married 
]\Iattie  J.  Dunmire,  of  Maysville,  Armstrong 
Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Andrew  Dunmire.  The 
ceremony  was  performed  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Tel- 
ford. Four  children  were  ])orn  to  this  mar- 
riage: Oliver  Rowland,  born  Jan.  29.  1879, 
who  remained  on  the  homestead,  and  died 
April  29,  1908;  James  Carl,  born  Oct.  28, 
1881,  at  home;  Andrew  Claude,  born  Aug.  28, 
1887,  who  is  at  home;  and  William  Baxter, 
Jr..  born  Aug.  13,  1889.  at  home.  The  motlier 
died  May  19.  1890.  On  Jan.  11.  1894,  Mr. 
Crawford  was  married,  by  Rev.  S.  A.  Hughes, 
of  Bethel  Church,  in  Center  township,  In- 
diana county,  to  Annie  M.  George,  a  native 
of  Center  township,  daughter  of  Walter  Bates 
George,  of  that  township,  full  mention  of 
whose  family  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this 
work.  They  have  had  one  child.  Walter  Ham- 
ilton, born  July  8,  1896,  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Craw- 
ford and  their  children  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Eldersridge.  Fra- 
(ernallv    he    is    an    Odd    Fellow    and    I\Iason 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


903 


(Lodge  No.  -131,  F.  &  A.  M.),  belonging  to 
the  lodges  at  Saltsburg,  this  county. 

J.  MILTON  JOHNSTON,  agriculturist  and 
dairyman  and  a  man  well  known  all  over  In- 
diana county,  Pa.,  was  born  Oct.  24,  1863, 
son  of  James  and  Martha  (Gibson)  Johnston. 

James  Johnston,  great-grandfather  of  J. 
Milton  Johnston,  in  1814,  came  with  his  wife, 
Mary  (Perry),  from  Franklin  county.  Pa.,  to 
Indiana  county,  settling  on  a  small  tract  of 
land  in  Center  township,  which  had  been 
cleared,  and  a  log  cabin  erected.  In  this 
neighborhood  they  spent  the  remainder  of 
their  lives,  rearing  a  family  of  ten  children, 
namely :  Adam,  Elizabeth,  James,  Anne,  Rob- 
ert, Mary,  Sarah,  John,  William  and  Greorge 
W. 

Adam  Johnston,  the  oldest  son  of  James 
and  Mary  Johnston,  was  born  in  Franklin 
county  and  accompanied  his  parents  to  In- 
diana county,  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  giv- 
ing his  father  assistance  in  clearing  up  the 
pioneer  farm.  In  1824  he  married  a  member 
of  the  McNulty  family,  bearing  the  name  of 
either  Mary  or  Nancy,  and  to  them  the  fol- 
lowing children  were  born:  IMary,  who  be- 
came the  wife  of  Charles  McCracken ;  James ; 
Isabella ;  Margaret,  who  married  Hiram  St. 
Clair;  John;  Robert,  who  married  Mary  E. 
Latimer  and  (second)  Cynthia  Meredith;  and 
George  W.,  who  married  Mary  Dixon.  Mr. 
Johnston  was  one  of  the  first  men  in  Center 
township  to  serve  as  a  justice  of  the  peace  and 
filled  that  office  for  many  years.  He  pur- 
chased 156  acres  of  land  from  a  tract  war- 
ranted to  Dr.  Robert  Johnston  in  1786,  pat- 
ented in  1796,  which  was  part  of  a  tract 
known  as  ' '  The  Valley. ' '  and  on  this  laud  his 
life  was  spent  in  farming  and  his  children 
were  reared.  He  was  buried  in  the  Bethel 
Church  graveyard  in  Center  township. 

James  Johnston,  son  of  Adam  Johnston, 
was  born  and  reared  on  the  old  homestead  and 
received  the  usual  educational  training  that 
country  boys  then  enjoyed.  At  the  time  of  his 
marriage  he  bought  fifty  acres  of  his  father 
and  fifty  more  from  the  Harold  farm,  adjoin- 
ing, and  with  this  land  to  cultivate  he  became 
busy  and  industrious  and  soon  was  regarded 
as  one  of  the  prosperous  men  of  his  commu- 
nity. Wliile  cultivating  his  land  he  made  im- 
provements for  the  comfort  of  his  family  and 
his  buildings  wei-e  substantial  and  attractive. 
For  many  years  he  devoted  a  large  amount  of 
attention  to  the  buying  and  selling  of  cattle 
and  all  kinds  of  stock,  which  he  either  shipped 
or  drove  to  Reading,  Pa.,  a  convenient  mar- 


ket. For  a  time  he  had  as  partners  in  this 
business  first  Peter  Harold  and  later  J.  D. 
Dickie,  both  of  Center  township,  but  he  was 
([uite  capable  of  carrying  on  large  transac- 
tions alone.  He  continued  to  increase  his 
land  holdings  until  he  had  acquired  300  acres 
at  the  time  of  retirement  from  activity. 

Mr.  Johnston  was  elected  on  Nov.  8,  1881, 
a  county  commissioner  of  Indiana  county,  and 
served  three  years,  his  colleagues  being  Wil- 
liam Mabon  and  James  A.  McQuown.  In 
polities  he  was  a  stanch  Republican,  and 
served  his  constituents  and  party  in  a  faith- 
ful manner  in  every  office  to  which  he  was 
elected.  In  addition  to  serving  as  a  county 
official  he  was  useful  in  township  offices,  for 
nine  years  being  overseer  of  the  poor  and  sev- 
eral terms  township  assessor.  Far  and  wide 
he  was  known  for  his  genial  disposition  as 
well  as  for  his  keen  business  qualifications. 
During  the  greater  part  of  his  life  he  was  a 
member  of  Bethel  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
was  a  trustee  for  many  years.  In  1893  he 
retired  from  active  business  and  moved  to  In- 
diana, where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  May,  1904;  he  was 
interred  in  Oakland  cemetery. 

On  March  29,  1849,  Mr.  Johnston  married 
]\Iartha  Gibson,  daughter  of  Robert  Gibson, 
of  Center  township,  the  ceremony  being  per- 
tonned  in  the  Gibson  (now  Pounds)  stone 
house,  which  was  built  about  1800.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Johnston  were  born  the  following 
children  :  Annie,  who  married  John  Kinnan ; 
Lizzie  and  Jennie,  both  of  whom  reside  at  In- 
diana ;  James  Stewart,  now  deceased,  who  was 
a  merchant  at  Jacksonville,  Pa.;  and  J. 
J\Iilton. 

J.  Milton  Johnston  received  his  educational 
training  in  the  Harold  or  jMyers  school  in 
Center  township  and  continued  to  assist  his 
father  until  his  own  marriage.  At  this  time 
he  located  on  the  Adam  Johnston  farm,  and 
when  his  father  retired,  in  1893,  assumed 
charge  of  the  homestead  which  he  bas  man- 
aged successfully  ever  since.  At  the  present 
time  of  writing  he  is  residing  temporarily  at 
Indiana,  but  continues  to  direct  his  farming 
operations  as  carefully  as  he  did  when  living 
on  his  farm.  At  present  he  owns  630  acres  of 
land,  on  which  a  large  herd  of  cows  is  kept 
and  an  up-to-date  dairy  is  maintained  under 
his  careful  supervision. 

On  Dec.  26.  1889,  Mr.  Johnston  was  mar- 
ried to  Louie  IMabon,  a  daughter  of  Francis 
Mabon.  who  formerly  was  a  county  commis- 
sioner of  Indiana  county,  and  four  children 
have  been  born  to  them,  namely:     Stewart, 


904 


HISTORY  OF'INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


who  lives  on  the  Harold  farm  near  the  home- 
stead, married  to  Edna  Britton,  of  Jefferson 
county ;  Francis  Perry,  who  is  a  student  in 
the  Indiana  State  normal  school ;  Martha,  and 
Ernest. 

A  Republican  in  politics,  Mr.  Johnston  has 
been  a  conscientious  voter  but  has  never  ac- 
cepted any  office  except  on  the  school  board, 
serving  for  twelve  years  in  Center  township, 
during  eight  of  which  he  was  secretary  of  the 
board.  He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  of  which  he  is  a  trustee,  and 
was  formerly  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school. 

CHARLES  DEVINNEY  FERGUSON,  of 
Burrell  township,  Indiana  count3%  belongs  to 
one  of  the  oldest  families  of  that  section.  He 
was  born  Sept.  29,  1866,  on  the  old  Ferguson 
homestead  on  Stewards  run,  in  Blacklick 
township,  this  coiinty,  where  several  gener- 
ations of  Fergusons  have  lived  and  labored. 
They  are  of  Scotch  origin. 

James  Ferguson,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of 
the  family,  was  born  March  17,  1746,  in  Scot- 
land, where  he  passed  his  early  life.  On 
Dec.  31,  1770,  he  was  married  there  to  Eliza- 
beth Elliott,  who  was  born  Jan.  4,  1750,  and 
they  came  with  their  family  to  America  about 
the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  settling 
tirst  at  ]\Iorrison's  Cove,  in  Huntingdon  coun- 
ty. Pa.  In  1786  they  removed  to  what  is 
now  Blacklick  township,  Indiana  county 
(then  a  part  of  Westmoreland  county),  locat- 
ing on  a  tract  of  land  which  was  patented  in 
the  name  of  Barbara  Elliott.  The  family  re- 
mained for  a  short  period  at  the  Dixon  block- 
house, at  Broad  Ford,  but  made  a  permanent 
home  in  Blacklick  township,  where  Mr.  Fer- 
guson died  April  30,  1813.  His  wife  had  died 
Oct.  26,  1792,  at  the  age  of  forty-two  years. 
They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren:  William,  born  Nov.  14,  1771  (died 
Sept.  23,  1819);  Rebecca,  April  20,  1773; 
John,  May  20,  1775  (died  Jan.  11,  1791): 
Hanee,  March  3,  1777  (died  April  30,  1813)  ; 
Elizabeth,  March  30,  1779;  James,  Feb.  17, 
1781;  Samuel,  March  27,  1783  (died  Dec.  14, 
1843),  David.  Jan.  30,  1786  (died  Aug.  9. 
1862)  ;  Jean,  April  17,  1788;  Elliott,  Dee.  14, 
178P  (died  June  7,  1852)  ;  Marv,  Sept.  10, 
1792. 

James  Ferguson,  son  of  James  and  Eliza- 
beth (Elliott)  Ferguson,  was  lioni  Feb.  17, 
1781,  in  Scotland,  and  soon  afterward  was 
brought  to  America  by  his  parents.  He  was 
in  his  sixth  year  wlieii  the  family  settled  in 
Blacklick    township.    Indiana    county,    where 


he  was  reared  and  became  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, spending  the  rest  of  his  life  there.  He 
died  March  2,  1846,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five 
years,  thirteen  days.  His  wife,  JIargaret 
(Devinney),  born  Oct.  7,  1793,  died  Nov.  27, 
1861,  aged  sixty-eight  years,  one  month,  twen- 
ty days.  They  had  a  family  of  twelve  chil- 
dren, namely:  Elliott,  born  July  8,  1812,  died 
June  19,  1883;  Aaron,  born  March  25,  1814, 
died  Jan.  4,  1881;  Elizabeth,  bom  Jan.  2, 
1816,  married  James  Patticord;  William,  born 
Jan.  21,  1818,  died  June  16,  1885,  in  Ohio; 
Jane,  born  ilay  14,  1820,  died  Sept.  7,  1907, 
unmarried ;  James,  born  March  8,  1822,  lived 
at  New  Florence,  Pa.,  and  later  went  to  Kan- 
sas, where  he  died;  Eli,  born  April  25,  1824, 
a  doctor  and  minister,  resided  at  Latrobe,  and 
later  went  to  Kansas;  Andrew  D.  was  born 
Feb.  17,  1826;  John,  May  12,  1828:  Joseph, 
March  24,  1831;  David,  Jan.  2,  1833;  Mar- 
garet Ann,  Sept.  12,  1836. 

John  Ferguson,  sou  of  James  and  Mar- 
garet (Devinney)  Ferguson,  was  born  May 
12,  1828,  at  the  Ferguson  homestead,  and  at- 
tended the  Ferguson  school.  The  land  on 
which  the  school  building  stood  was  given  by 
his  father  for  that  purpose.  He  began  to 
assist  his  father  when  a  mere  boy,  and  con- 
tinued to  follow  farming  and  stock  raising  at 
the  homestead  all  his  life,  making  extensive 
improvements  on  the  property  during  his 
ownership.  During  the  Civil  war  his  sym- 
pathies were  with  the  Union,  and  he  sei'ved 
three  months  in  the  Penns.ylvania  militia.  He 
was  a  stanch  Republican,  and  took  an  active 
interest  in  local  politics,  and  he  held  a 'num- 
ber of  the  township  offices,  serving  as  school 
director,  supervisor,  and  tax  collector.  He 
was  a  leading  member  of  the  Hopewell  M.  E. 
Church  and  prominent  in  all  its  woi-k,  serv- 
ing as  steward,  trustee  and  cla.ss  leader.  He 
died  on  his  farm  jMay  22,  1895,  and  is  buried 
in  Hopewell  M.  E.  Church  cemetery.  On 
Nov.  24,  1863,  at  Livermore,  Pa.,  Mr.  Fergu- 
son married  Sybilla  Kells,  who  was  born 
June  2,  1846,  d'nnghter  of  Robert  and  Mary 
(Cunningham)  Kells,  the  fonner  a  native  of 
Ireland  who  came  to  America  with  his  par- 
ents and  settled  in  Philadelphia,  later  moving 
to  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  where  he  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  life:  he  is  buried  at 
Livermore.  Mv.  Kells  was  a  carpenter  and 
boatbuilder  by  occupation.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fer- 
guson had  the  following  children:  (1) 
Frank. Ulysses,  boni  Dee.  12.  1864,  attended 
Blairsville  Academy  and  later  was  a  student 
at  the  James  Boacom  private  school  for  five 
terms.     He   then   studied   medicine   and  was 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


905 


in  the  drug  business  at  Glitsou  and  is  now  en- 
gaged in  tlie  practice  of  medicine  there.  He 
married  Margaret  Bradley.  (2)  Charles  D. 
is  mentioned  below.  (3)  Mary  Savannah, 
born  Feb.  21,  1870,  married  E.  C.  Ryder  and 
lives  in  Pittsburg.  (4)  Jennie  May,  bom 
Nov.  23,  1872,  married  Thomas  N.  Dougherty. 
(5)  George  Crooks,  born  May  31,  1875,  is  a 
farmer  in  Indiana  county,  Pa.  He  married 
Effie  Fritz.  (6)  Rebecca  Kells,  born  Sept. 
13,  1878,  married  Roy  Torrence.  (7)  James 
Thomas,  born  Oct.  10,  1883,  now  in  Port 
Arthur,  Texas,  is  shipping  clerk  for  the  Gulf 
Refining  Company. 

On  July  5,  1900,  Mrs.  Ferguson  married 
(second)  Matthew  H.  Henry,  of  Blairsville, 
Pennsylvania. 

Charles  Devinney  Ferguson  attended  the 
Ferguson  school  near  the  homestead,  and  sub- 
sequently worked  there  with  his  parents  un- 
til 1891,  when  he  married  and  started  life 
on  his  own  account.  Renting  the  Smith  farm 
he  cultivated  that  place  for  a  year,  the  next 
year  farmed  the  Walker  place,  and  in  1893 
moved  to  Burrell  township,  where  he  car- 
ried on  the  Sloan  place  for  five  years.  In 
1898  he  bought  the  Laughlin  farm  of  ninety- 
eight  acres  (originally  known  as  the  McCrea 
farm)  and  there  settled  down  to  farming  and 
stock  raising.  Ambitious  and  honorable,  he 
has  made  a  substantial  and  respected  place  for 
himself  in  the  community,  having  been  suc- 
cessful in  his  work  and  a  thoroughly  reliable 
and  useful  citizen.  He  still  retains  the  coal 
.interests  on  the  old  homestead,  and  also  has 
acquired  other  coal  interests  in  the  State. 

On  Feb.  25,  1891,  Mr.  Ferguson  married 
Lenora  Hazlett,  daughter  of  Lesley  and  Mar- 
garet (Streams)  Hazlett,  and  they  have  be- 
come the  parents  of  ten  children:  Alma 
(now  engaged  in  teaching  school,  living  at 
home),  Lesley,  Gladys,  Lena,  :Margaret,  Lynn, 
Clair,  Winifred,  Evabel  and  Wayne  G.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ferguson  and  their  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Blairsville,  and  he  has  served  as  elder  for 
four  years.  He  has  been  deeply  interested  in 
politics  as  a  progressive  Republican,  and  has 
taken  some  part  in  the  workings  of  the  party 
in  his  section,  having  served  as  member  of 
the  township  election  board  and  as  a  member 
of  the  county  Republican  committee.  He  has 
been  school  director  of  his  township  for  three 
years. 

A.  W.  CAMPBELL,  merchant  and  justice 
of  the  peace  of  Heshbon,  Indiana  county, 
owner  of  the  big  "Square  Deal"  store  in  that 


town,  is  one  of  the  most  popular  citizens  of 
Brushvalley  township.  He  is  a  native  of 
the  county,  born  Jan.  12,  1872,  in  West 
Wheatfield  township,  son  of  David  and  Mar- 
tha C.  (Caruahan)  Campbell.  The  father  was 
also  born  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  where 
he  was  reared,  and  was  a  farmer  throughout 
his  life.  He  served  on  the  Union  side  during 
the  Civil  war,  enlisting  Aug.  30,  1864,  in 
Company  H,  211th  Regiment,  and  was  in  the 
army  almost  a  year,  being  discharged  May  18, 
1865.  He  received  a  gunshot  wound  above 
the  right  knee  during  his  service.  His  death 
occurred  Feb.  18,  1901,  in  West  Wheatfield 
township.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics  and 
in  religious  connection  a  member  of  the  U. 
P.  Church,  in  which  he  held  the  office  of 
elder.  His  first  wife,  Nancy  J.  (Palmer),  was 
the  mother  of  two  children:  Robert,  now  a 
resident  of  Blairsville,  Indiana  county;  and 
Polly,  wife  of  James  Brown,  of  Wisconsin. 
To  his  second  marriage,  with  Martha  C.  Car- 
nahan,  were  born  seven  children:  John  A., 
fonnerly  commissioner  of  Indiana  county, 
who  now  resides  in  Blairsville,  Pa. ;  James  E., 
of  Pueblo,  Colo. ;  A.  W. ;  Ella  M.,  wife  of  Bert 
Donnellson,  of  Josephine,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. ; 
Zurah  I.,  Mrs.  W.  B.  Wagner,  of  Heshbon; 
Rosa,  Mrs.  James  Wadsworth,  of  Josephine; 
and  Joseph  E.,  a  teacher,  of  Heshbon.  The 
mother  died  May  21,  1902. 

A.  W.  Campbell  went  to  the  common  schools 
near  home  for  his  early  education,  later  at- 
tending different  normal  schools  in  the  coun- 
ty— a  summer  normal  at  Armagh,  the  Green- 
ville normal  and  the  Indiana  normal.  He  had 
a  successful  career  of  fourteen  years  as  a 
school  teacher,  which  he  began  when  only  six- 
teen years  old.  During  this  time  he  was  an 
instructor  in  ungraded  schools  for  seven  years 
and  for  the  other  seven  was  principal  of 
schools  in  Indiana,  Cambria  and  Westmore- 
land counties,  and  for  five  summers  trained 
teachers  at  summer  normals  held  in  various 
sections.  In  July,  1906,  he  became  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  at  Heshbon,  own- 
ing what  is  widely  known  in  his  territory  as 
the  "Square  Deal"  store  on  Broadway,  which 
as  the  result  of  his  efforts  to  give  full  value 
for  every  expenditure  is  one  of  the  most  popu- 
lai'i  trading  places  for  the  people  in  and 
around  Heshbon.  He  has  a  larse  stock._  reas- 
onably priced  in  accordance  with  his  policy  of 
doing  the  best  possible  bv  his  custom ers.  who 
have  shown  their  appreciation  by  steady  pat- 
ronage. His  good  business  judgment  and 
enterprise  are  so  generally  recognized  that 
for  several  years  his  services  as  auctioneer 


906 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


have  been  in  great  demand,  and  in  that  ca- 
pacity he  has  presided  at  many  public  sales 
in  his  own  and  adjoining  counties. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  a  poor  boy  when  he 
started  life  on  his  own  account  and  whatever 
position  or  means  he  has  now  can  be  accredited 
to  his  own  exertions.  He  has  been  successful 
not  only  in  a  financial  way,  but  in  keeping  the 
good  opinion  and  respect  of  all  with  whom 
he  has  been  brought  into  contact  by  his  scrup- 
ulous observance  of  the  rights  of  others  and 
his  keen  sense  of  responsibilitj'  toward  his 
fellow  men. 

On  May  1,  1910,  Mr.  Campbell  was  com- 
missioned a  justice  of  the  peace,  "and  has 
been  dispensing  law  with  equity  and  justice 
in  that  section  of  the  county."  This  compli- 
ment to  his  official  services  appeared  in  the 
Indiana  Progress,  issue  of  May  22,  1912,  apro- 
pos of  the  progressive  stand  he  has  taken  on 
the  marriage  question.  At  that  time  he  had 
just  announced  his  intention  of  refusing 
thenceforth  to  perform  a  marriage  ceremony 
unless  the  contracting  parties  presented  him 
a  certificate  signed  by  a  responsible  physician, 
testifying  to  their  physical  and  mental  fit- 
ness. He  was  the  first  justice  in  this  section 
to  take  such  a  step  and  his  action  caused  con- 
siderable comment. 

Mr.  Campbell  has  been  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  Democratic  party  in  this  part  of 
Pennsylvania  for  years.  Although  this  is  a 
Republican  section  he  has  made  a  good  show- 
ing as  candidate  on  more  than  one  occasion. 
His  heart  is  with  the  new  Progressive  move- 
ment. He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

JESSE  J.  WILLIAIISON,  who  is  the 
owner  of  196  acres  of  good  farm  and  timber 
land  in  West  Mahoning  township,  was  born 
in  South  ]\Iahoning  township,  Indiana  county, 
Oct.  6.  1841.  son  of  William  G.  and  Nancy 
Ann  (Colkett)  Williamson. 

Hiram  Williamson,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  Jesse  J.  Williamson,  was  of  English 
descent  and  coming  to  what  is  now  known  as 
Indiana  county  settled  in  what  is  now  West 
Mahoning  township  (then  included  in  Ly- 
coming county'),  where  he  secured  land.  He 
married  a  Quaker  lady.  Miss  Evans,  of  Ches- 
ter county,  and  they  spent  the  rest  of  their 
lives  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  West  ]\Ta- 
honing  township,  where  they  were  among  the 
earliest  pioneers.  Their  children  were :  Hi- 
ram, Evan,  William  G.,  Mary  and  Sarah,  all 
except  William  C.  moving  to  Illinois. 

John  Colkett,  Ihe  maternal  grandfather  of 


Jesse  J.  Williamson,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Colonial  army  during  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, and  was  wounded  in  battle,  after  which 
he  i-eturned  to  his  home  in  eastena  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  followed  farming  during  the  rest 
of  his  life.  He  had  five  children:  John, 
Robert,  Nancy  Ann,  Maiy  and  Sarah. 

William  G.  Williamson  was  born  in  Hunt- 
ingdon county,  Pa.,  Feb.  16, 1799,  and  his  wife, 
Nancy  Ann  (Colkett),  was  a  native  of  Indi- 
ana county.  They  became  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  Hiram,  deceased,  lived 
to  manhood  in  West  Mahoning  township ; 
John  C,  Louisa  and  Annis  died  when  but 
a  few  years  old,  of  diphtheria;  William  E., 
deceased,  who  lived  in  Banks  township  and 
carried  on  farming,  was  a  soldier  in  Company 
A,  103d  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
was  three  times  married,  (first)  tO'  Mary 
Braughler,  (second)  to  Elizabeth  Leausure, 
and  (third)  to  Sarah  E.  Horton,  the  last- 
named  still  surviving  and  residing  in  Banks 
township;  Charles  W.,  deceased,  a  farmer 
and  stonemason  of  South  Mahoning  township, 
married  Mary  Work,  and  the.v  had  children, 
James  0.,  John  P.,  Russell  and  Alice,  now  Mrs. 
Alex.  Birnie,  of  Sharpsburg,  Pa.;  John  P., 
deceased,  who  served  as  a  soldier  in  Company 
F,  105th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
was  wounded  near  Fair  Oaks,  and  died  there, 
where  he  is  buried;  Jesse  J.  is  mentioned 
below ;  Ann  Eliza  died  unmarried ;  Silas  R., 
who  served  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  member  of 
the  1st  Pennsylvania  Battalion,  now  a  farmer 
of  West  Mahoning  township,  married  Mary 
Stewart  and  (second)  Annie  E.  Weaver,  and 
has  children  as  follows  by  the  second  mar- 
riage: Charles  W.  (who  lives  at  home,  fol- 
lowing farming),  Otis  C.  (a  public  school 
teacher),  Alverda  H.  and  Samuel  B.  (both  at 
home). 

Jesse  J.  Williamson,  son  of  William  G.  Wil- 
liamson, received  a  common  school  education, 
and  was  reared  to  the  occupation  of  agricul- 
turist, following  the  same  on  the  home  farm 
until  after  the  death  of  his  father.  In  1876 
he  was  married  to  Catherine  Morrow,  of  South 
Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county,  daugh- 
ter of  David  and  ^largaret  (Lytle)  ^Morrow, 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  childi-en  as 
follows :  Edwin  M.  was  a  teacher  in  the  pub- 
lie  schools  for  some  years,  later  going  to 
Evans  City,  Pa.,  where  he  was  employed  in 
the  oil  fields;  while  there  he  contracted  an 
illness  which  caused  his  death  op  Oct.  5. 
1906.  Frank,  also  a  teacher,  is  now  follow- 
ing the  occupation  of  farming.  Anna  May 
and  Emma  were  graduated  from  the  Penn- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


907 


sylvauia  State  normal  school  at  Indiana,  Pa., 
in  the  class  of  1907,  and  have  since  been  en- 
gaged as  teachers  in  the  public  schools  of 
western  Pennsylvania. 

On  March  31,  1865,  Mr.  Williamson  enlisted 
in  the  103d  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  with 
which  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
On  his  return  he  resumed  farming  in  West 
Mahoning  township,  where  he  still  resides. 
Mr.  Williamson  cast  his  first  vote  for  Abra- 
ham Lincoln,  and  has  since  that  time  voted 
the  Republican  ticket,  as  a  rule.  He  has  held 
minor  offices  in  the  towniship,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  his 
wife  being  a  United  Presbyterian. 

LON  H.  SKINNER,  a  stonecutter  and  con- 
tractor of  _West  Mahoning  township,  was  born 
in  Porter' township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  Jan, 
23,  1859,  son  of  John  and  Maria  (Gahagan) 
Skinner. 

Cornelius  Skinner,  a  native  of  Scotland, 
came  to  tlie  United  States  when  eighteen  years 
old,  and,  marrying  a  Miss  Andrews,  settled 
in  Jefferson  county,  Pa.,  where  he  farmed 
until  his  death,  at  which  time  he  was  sixty 
years  old.  His  widow  long  survived,  dying 
when  ninety-one  years  of  age.  They  reared 
a  large  family,  and  were  highly  respected 
people. 

John  Skinner  was  given  the  common  school- 
ing of  those  days,  attending  in  log  cabins. 
He  resided  in  Jefferson  county  until  the  fall 
of  1870,  when  he  moved  to  Home  post  office, 
Indiana  county,  securing  a  farm  in  that  vicin- 
ity. In  later  life,  however,  he  resided  with 
his  children.  In  addition  to  farming  he  fol- 
lowed lumbering,  and  was  an  active  man,  hold- 
ing many  of  the  township  offices,  being  elected 
on  the  Democratic  ticket.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Church.  In  1844  he  married 
Maria  Gahagan,  and  they  had  seven  children: 
Robinson,  deceased,  who  was  a  stonecutter, 
lived  in  West  Mahoning  township ;  Emeline, 
who  is  the  widow  of  E.  Adams,  lives  in  Punx- 
sutawney.  Pa. ;  James,  deceased,  was  a  farmer 
of  West  Mahoning  township :  Annie  died 
young:  Henry  is  a  retired  farmer  of  Eau 
Claire,  Wis. :  Martha  married  John  Scott,  of 
Sunbury,  Pa. ;  Lon  H.  is  mentioned  below. 

The  early  ancestors  of  Maria  Gahagan,  wife 
of  John  Skinner,  came  from  Ireland,  emigrat- 
ing to  this  country  in  an  early  day.  They 
settled  in  Maryland,  and  from  there  James 
Gahagan.  her  father,  came  to  Jefferson  county. 
Pa.,  settling  near  what  is  now  called  Zion 
Church.  He  was  an  exemplary  citizen,  and 
especially  active  in  the  advancement  of  the 


Methodist  Church,  of  which  he  was  a  lifelong 
member.  His  house  was  a  home  for  the  early 
day  preachers,  and  services  were  often  held 
there.  He  raised  a  large  family,  and  died  at 
the  age  of  seventy-eight  years;  his  remains 
rest  in  the  Zion  cemetery. 

Lon  H.  Skinner  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  native  place,  and  remained 
with  his  father  until  he  was  eighteen  years 
old,  when  he  began  working  for  himself. 
After  his  marriage  he  and  his  wife  settled  on 
his  farm  on  the  Mahoning  creek,  in  West  Ma- 
honing township,  and  in  addition  to  operating 
his  property  Mr.  Skinner  has  been  for  years 
one  of  the  most  expert  stonecutters  and  build- 
ers of  the  count}'.  He  is  at  present  serving 
on  the  school  board,  and  takes  a  deep  inter- 
est in  politics,  as  a  member  of  the  Republican 
party.  Mr.  and  Airs.  Skinner  are  members 
of  the  JMethodist  Church,  and  active  in  its 
good  work,  and  are  as  highly  respected  in  the 
congregation  as  they  are  in  other  circles 
throughout  the  county. 

Mr.  Skinner  was  married  to  Mary  Donald, 
of  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of 
John  and  Mary  Donald,  of  the  same  county. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Skinner  have  had  children  as 
follows :  Theresa,  a  music  teacher,  married 
R.  M.  Bond,  and  is  now  residing  in  Johnstown, 
Pa. ;  Wilda,  at  home,  has  been  a  teacher  for 
the  last  three  yeare  in  the  public  schools  of 
Indiana  county;  Edith,  at  home,  is  also  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  this  county; 
Jessie  is  in  college  at  the  present  time;  Min- 
nie is  attending  school  and  lives  at  home.  Mr. 
Skinner  has  given  his  children  good  educa- 
tional advantages  and  has  every  reason  to 
be  pi-oud  of  them. 

EDWARD  F.  SHAULIS,  M.  D.,  of  Indi- 
ana, has  been  in  practice  in  that  borough  since 
1903,  and  is  counted  among  the  successful 
physicians  of  Indiana  county.  He  is  respected 
by  all  who  know  him,  as  physician  or  as  pri- 
vate citizen,  and  leads  a  busy  and  useful  life 
which  entitles  him  to  a  place  among  the  valu- 
able members  of  his  community.  Dr.  Shaulis 
was  born  Feb.  3,  1873,  near  Bakersville,  in 
Somerset  county.  Pa.  His  grandfather,  Sam- 
uel Shaulis,  was  born  and  reared  in  Somerset 
county,  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 

Frederick  Shaiilis,  the  Doctor's  father,  was 
born  in  Somerset  county,  and  like  his  father 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  At  the  time  of 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1907,  he  had  been 
a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  for  fifty- 
seven  years.  He  married  Mary  A.  Pile,  who 
survives  him,  and  they  became  the  parents 


908 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  twelve  children,  three  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased. The  survivors  are:  Anna,  wife  of 
Peter  F.  Broiigh ;  Rev.  Samuel  A.,  a  Lutheran 
minister  now  located  on  the  old  homestead  in 
Jeffei-son  township,  Somerset  Co.,  Pa.;  Sadie, 
wife  of  A.  J.  Weimer,  of  Somerset  county; 
Ella,  wife  of  Dr.  C.  R.  Bittner,  of  Hoovers- 
ville,  Somerset  county;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  S. 
E.  Knupp,  of  Friedens,  Pa. ;  Edward  F. ;  Car- 
rie, wife  of  W.  B.  Putnam,  of  Jefferson  town- 
ship, Somerset  county;  Charles,  who  is  a  pro- 
fessor in  the  public  school  at  Coleta,  111. ;  and 
Wesley,  a  farmer  in  Jefferson  township,  Som- 
erset county. 

Edward  F.  Shaulis  attended  public  school 
in  Jefferson  township,  Somerset  county,  and 
preparing  himself  for  teaching  followed  that 
profession  in  his  native  county  for  five  years. 
He  then  entered  the  State  normal  school  lo- 
cated at  Indiana,  Pa.,  from  which  institution 
he  was  graduated  in  1898,  after  which  he  took 
up  the  study  of  medicine,  reading  with  Drs. 
C.  R.  Bittner  and  S.  J.  H.  Louther,  both  of 
Somerset  county.  Entering  the  Eclectic  Med- 
ical Institute  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  he  was 
graduated  in  1902,  and  the  same  year  began 
practice  on  his  own  account,  at  Newcastle, 
Lawrence  Co.,  Pa,  He  remained  there  one 
year,  in  190.3  moving  to  the  borough  of  In- 
diana, where  he  has  since  been  located.  He 
has  prospered  from  the  start,  now  having  a 
wide  practice  to  attend  to,  being  one  of  the 
busiest  physicians  in  this  section  of  the  county. 
He  is  a  member  and  corresponding  secretary 
of  the  Eclectic  Medical  Association  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  a  member  of  the  National  Eclec- 
tic Medical  Association. 

In  1901  Dr.  Shaulis  married  Ethel  Maud 
Steinrod,  of  Indiana  county,  and  to  them  has 
been  born  one  child,  Frederic  S.  Dr.  Shaulis 
is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  \yhich 
he  has  served  officially  as  member  of  the 
board  of  elders. 

GEORGE  FRANKLIN  GAMBLE,  miller, 
farmer  and  Civil  War  veteran,  a  resident  of 
West  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  county,  is 
a  son  of  George  Washington  and  Mary  (Wake- 
field)  Gamble. 

Albert  Gamble,  his  great-grandfather,  was 
the  founder  of  the  family  in  the  United  States, 
coming  here  from  County  Antrim,  Ireland. 

William  Gamble,  son  of  Albert,  and  grand- 
father of  George  Franklin  Gamble,  was  born 
at  Morgantown,  W.  Va.,  and  married  Jane 
Carrington,  who  died  Jan.  22,  1849,  aged  sev- 
enty-nine years,  two  months.  She  was  buried 
in  "the    Gaiiil)le    and    Wakefield    cemeteiy    in 


West  Wheatfield,  while  her  husband  was  laid 
to  rest  at  Black  Rock,  Pa.  He  was  an  exten- 
sive brick  manufacturer,  and  was  prominent 
in  business  circles  during  a  long  period  of 
years.  They  had  the  following  children :  (1) 
Jacob  E.,  who  died  June  17,  1888,  aged  sev- 
enty-five years,  seven  months,  and  three  days, 
married  (first)  Elizabeth  Wakefield,  who  was 
born  Aug.  24,  1808,  and  died  Feb.  28,  1859, 
and  they  had  six  children,  Harrison,  Mariah, 
George,  Harriet,  Eliza  and  John  M.  He  sub- 
sequently married  (second)  Catherine  Lutz, 
and  they  had  six  children,  Jacob,  Archie, 
James,  Perry,  ]\Iary  and  Edmund  R.  (2) 
Harriet,  who  married  Henry  Shomo,  a  black- 
smith by  trade,  had  four  children,  Lizzie,  Jo- 
seph, Harry  and  Charles.  (3)  July.  (4) 
Eliza  married  Ed.  Milligan,  of  ,Blacklick 
township,  and  had  six  children,  Adeline, 
Maud,  Jessie,  Mary,  Elmore  and  Andrew.  (5) 
George  Washington  is  mentioned  below.  (6) 
John  went  West,  where  he  died. 

George  Washington  Gamble,  son  of  Wil- 
liam, was  born  in  1813,  and  died  May  17, 1879, 
aged  sixty-six  years,  one  month,  seven  days. 
He  married  Mary  Wakefield,  who  was  bom  in 
West  Wheatfield  township,  and  she  died  June 
17,  1879,  aged  sixty-eight  years,  five  months,  ■ 
eighteen  days,  the  mother  of  the  following 
children:  John  Burgoyne,  who  married  Ag- 
nes Shomo,  died  Sept.  18,  1880,  aged  forty- 
four  years,  two  months,  eleven  days;  Nelson, 
born  Febniary  6,  1852,  who  died  Aug.  26, 
1861 ;  George  Franklin  is  mentioned  below : 
Percy  Quitman,  carpenter  and  millwright  at 
Ross  Furnace,  Westmoreland  county,  married 
ilary  McBurney,  of  that  county,  and  has  three 
children,  John  M.,  Eleanor  and  Vinnie ;  Mar- 
iah married  James  Armour,  of  Iowa,  and  has 
three  children,  Bruce,  George  and  Ellen ;  Jane 
married  Robert  Fee,  of  Seward,  Pa.,  and  has 
four  children,  Ida,  Amanda,  Pearl  and  Essie ; 
:\Ialinda,  who  died  July  11,  1876,  aged  thirty- 
four  years,  two  months,  nineteen  days,  the 
wife  of  Jonathan  Gorman,  had  three  children, 
Sadie,  Frank  and  Harry;  Caroline  married 
Thomas  Dickie,  of  West  Wheatfield,  and  had 
three  children,  Edward,  George  and  Clara; 
Amanda,  born  July  26,  1848,  died  May  15, 
1887,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Wagner,  of  Brush- 
valley,  and  had  children,  John,  Bert,  Clyde. 
Curtis,  Sadie  and  Harry  (born  in  1887,  died 
.Mav  21,  1888). 

George  W.  Gamble  secured  excellent  educa- 
tional advantages  in  his  native  town  of  JMor- 
gantown,  W.  Va.,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen 
years  went  to  Johnstown,  Pa.,  where  he 
learned  the  trade  of  millwriglit  and  miller  with 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


909 


his  older  brother,  Jacob  Gamble,  and  together 
they  erected  many  mills  in  the  surrounding 
counties,  George  W.  also  following  the  car- 
penter's trade  in  Johnstown  for  two  years. 
He  then  purchased  Kring's  Mill,  in  Soraei-set 
county,  made  numerous  improvements  thereto 
and  subsequently  sold  the  same  to  John  Leh- 
man. At  that  time  he  moved  to  "West  Wheat- 
field,  Indiana  county,  and  continued  mill- 
wrighting  and  erecting  mills  until  he  pur- 
chased the  Wakefield  estate,  a  tract  of  106 
acres,  from  the  heirs.  He  was  road  super- 
visor for  many  years,  and  was  an  active  sup- 
porter of  the  Democratic  party.  A  man  of 
temperance  and  probity,  he  Avas  one  of  the 
founders  of  Bethel  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  to  which  he  was  a  liberal  contributor, 
and  in  which  his  wife  was  an  active  worker  all 
of  her  life.  They  were  laid  to  rest  in  the 
Gamble  and  Wakefield  cemetery  in  West 
Wakefield.  For  some  years  Mr.  Gamble  was 
connected  with  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  had 
numei'ous  friends  in  the  local  lodge,  as  he  had, 
indeed,  in  various  other  circles  throughout  this 
section. 

George  ^Franklin  Gamble,  son  of  George  W. 
Gamble,  was  born  Feb.  9,  1841,  at  Kring's 
Mills,  and  received  his  education  there  and  at 
Johnstown,  Pa.,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years 
went  to  work  in  the  sawmill  of  Samuel  Hart- 
man.  Later  he  learned  the  millwright's  trade 
with  his  uncle,  Jacob  Gamble,  in  West  Wheat- 
field  township,  and  there  followed  his  trade  in 
the  erection  of  flour  and  grist  mills.  In  1878 
Mr.  Gamble  went  to  Kansas,  and  purchased  a 
farm  in  Reno  county,  in  connection  with  the 
operation  of  which  he  also  worked  at  his 
trnde.  In  1885  he  returned  to  West  Wheat- 
field,  where  he  purchased  Gamble's  Mills  and 
a  tract  of  160  acres,  formerly  owned  by  his 
uncle,  on  which  he  made  many  improvements. 
He  also  built  a  sawmill  on  Richard's  run,  a 
quai'ter  of  a  mile  north  of  the  gi-istmill,  and 
both  of  these  he  is  still  conducting  with  uni- 
form success.  In  addition  to  these  enterprises, 
he  is  the  owner  of  the  Gamble's  Mills  general 
store,  which  is  managed  by  hial  wife  and 
daughter.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Gamble's  Mills  Telephone  Company,  and 
has  interested  himself  in  various  other  enter- 
prises. A  man  of  strict  integrity  in  all  his 
business  dealings,  he  has  built  iip  a  reputation 
that  makes  his  word  of  more  value  than  any 
legal  parchment.  Politically  a  Democrat,  he 
is  progressive  in  his  ideas,  and  always  re- 
serves the  right  to  cast  his  vote  for  the  man 
he  deems  best  qualified  for  the  office  under 
consideration.     A  member  of  the   Germany 


jMethodist  Episcopal  Church  since  boyhood, 
he  is  a  steward  and  trustee  thereof,  and  has 
been  a  Sunday  school  teacher  for  twenty 
years.  In  all  the  relations  of  life  he  is  known 
as  an  upright  and  public-spirited  citizen,  one 
who  never  knowingly  made  an  enemy  and  who 
never  lost  a  friend  except  through  death.  He 
holds  membership  in  Mead  Post,  No.  14,  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  at  Rice,  Kansas,  by  vir- 
tue of  his  service  in  Company  F,  2d  Battalion, 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  under  Col.  J.  C. 
Liniuger  and  Capt.  Dan  Tinkham,  in  which 
he  enlisted  at  Pittsburg,  June  16,  1863.  He 
participated  in  a  number  of  skirmishes,  but 
the  greater  part  of  his  services  was  in  guard- 
ing bridges.  He  was  known  as  a  good  and 
faithful  soldier,  and  one  who  always  per- 
formed his  duties  cheerfully  and  well. 

Mr.  Gamble  was  maiTied  (first)  to  Mary 
Hutchinson,  who  was  born  in  1844,  and  died 
in  1872,  daughter  of  Cornelius  and  Catherine 
(Fry)  Hutchinson,  and  they  had  four  chil- 
dren :  Milton,  who  traveled  all  over  the  world 
as  a  member  of  the  United  States  signal  corps, 
now  lives  in  the  West ;  Frank,  living  at  Kan- 
sas City,  Mo.,  mai-ried  Nettie  Barman,  who  is 
deceased ;  Clinton  lives  in  Pittsburg ;  Delbert 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years.  Mr.  Gam- 
ble's second  marriage  was  to  Elizabeth  Trim- 
ble, daughter  of  George  W.  and  Mary  Trim- 
ble, and  they  have  had  three  children :  Olive, 
who  married  Samuel  Marshall  and  lives  with 
her  parents,  Mr.  Marshall  assisting  his  father- 
in-law  in  conducting  the  mill,  while  Mrs.  Mar- 
shall and  her  mother  take  care  of  the  store; 
Pearl,  who  died  aged  twenty-two  years;  and 
HarrJ^  who  died  in  infancy. 


The  following  notes  of  interest  concerning 
the  Gamble  family  were  taken  from  a  history 
of  Indiana  county: 

Jacob  K.  Gamble,  son  of  William  and  Eliza- 
beth (Doyle)  Gamble,  was  born  in  Morgan- 
town,  W.  Va.,  in  1808.  William  Gamble's 
children  were :  .  John,  deceased ;  Elizabeth, 
who  married  Archibald  Fleming;  Han-iet,  de- 
ceased, who  married  (first)  John  Rutter  and 
(second)  a  Mr.  Carr;  William,  who  married 
Marian  Scott;  Julia  A.,  deceased,  who  mar- 
ried John  Hoskinson;  George  Washington; 
and  Jacob  K.,  who  married  Elizabeth  Wake- 
field, deceased,  and  (second)  Catherine  Lute. 
The  children  of  Jacob  K.  Gamble  were  as  fol- 
lows— by  his  first  wife :  William  H. ;  Maria, 
deceased ;  John  M.,  who  married  Carrie  Simp- 
son ;  George  W.,  who  married  Mary  Shaffer ; 
Harriet,  who  married  Henry  Shomo;  and 
Elizabeth,  who  married  Edward  Milliken.    To 


910 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  second  union  there  were  born :  Jacob  A. ; 
James  St.  Clair;  ]\Iary,  who  married  Thomas 
Gamble ;  Archibald  F. ;  Hugh  P. ;  and  Edwin 
R.  William  H.  and  John  Gamble,  of  this 
family,  served  in  the  Civil  war.  William 
Gamble,  father  of  Jacob  K.,  served  under  Gen- 
eral Wayne  in  the  Indian  wars,  and  lost  his 
life  in  the  war  of  1812.  Jacob  K.  Gamble 
settled  in  Indiana  county  in  1827,  and  learned 
the  millwright's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  in 
Fayette  and  the  surrounding  counties  for 
several  years.  He  purchased  Gamble's  Mills 
in  1830,  rebuilt  same  in  1844,  and  continued  to 
conduct  same  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
The  old  mill,  which  stood  on  the  site  of  the 
present  one,  was  erected  in  1818  by  Hugh  St. 
Clair.  Jacob  K.  Gamble  was  one  of  the  promi- 
nent men  of  his  day  and  community  and 
served  one  term  as  county  commissioner  and 
one  as  justice  of  the  peace. 

JOHN  R.  SMITH,  farmer  and  stock  raiser 
of  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  in  Green  to«^lship,  this  county.  May  23, 
1874,  son  of  Richard  R.  and  Elizabeth  (Stueh- 
sell)   Smith. 

George  W.  Smith,  gi-andfather  of  John  R. 
Smith,  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  brought  his 
family  to  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  in  1827,  set- 
tling in  Green  township,  where  he  purchased 
over  one  thousand  acres  of  land,  being  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  lumbering  throughout 
the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Richard  R.  Smith,  son  of  George  W.,  and 
father  of  John  R.  Smith,  was  born  in  Green 
township,  and  continued  to  live  on  the  old 
homestead  for  many  years,  eventuaUy,  how- 
ever, removing  to  Cookport,  Indiana  county, 
where  his  death  occurred  in  February,  1902. 
His  widow  still  suiwives,  making  her  home 
with  a  daughter,  Mrs.  Leda  Williams,  of  In- 
diana. Six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Richard  R.  Smith:  Mollie,  who  is  de- 
ceased ;  two  who  died  in  infancy ;  William  G., 
of  AVhite  township,  Indiana  county;  John  R. ; 
and  Leda,  who  married  R.  B.  Williams,  of 
Indiana. 

John  R.  Smith  attended  school  in  Green 
township,  and  worked  on  the  old  home  place 
until  aceompanjang  his  father  to  Cookport, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  for  eight 
years.  In  1903  Mr.  Smith  moved  to  Cheriy- 
hill  town.ship,  here  purchasing  his  present 
farm.  He  has  carried  on  general  agricultural 
operations,  has  been  uniformly  successful  in 
his  ventures,  and  at  present  is  a  director  of  the 
Clymer  National  Bank. 

In  December,  1896,  Mr.  Smith  was  united  in 


marriage  to  Catherine  Gorman,  who  was  born 
in  Montgomery  township,  daughter  of  Alex- 
ander and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Gorman,  early 
settlers  of  Banks  and  Montgomery  townships, 
this  county,  where  Mr.  Gorman,  who  is  now 
deceased,  was  engaged  in  farming.  His  wife, 
who  still  survives  and  resides  in  Indiana,  bore 
him  nine  children,  as  follows:  William,  who 
is  deceased ;  Hallie,  widow  of  John  Baird,  and 
now  a  school  teacher  of  Pittsburg,  Pa. ;  Orrin, 
a  resident  of  Montgomeiy  township;  Harry, 
who  lives  in  Colorado;  Maggie,  the  wife  of 
John  Wright,  of  Montgomery  township ;  Mrs. 
Smith;  Lucy,  wife  of  Clair  D.  Lydick,  of 
Gipsy,  Indiana  county;  Ray,  a  resident  of 
Banks  township ;  and  Rose,  who  lives  with 
her  mother  in  Indiana. 

]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  had  a  family  of 
seven  children:  Marj-,  Harry,  Gertrude, 
John,  Jr.,  Ralph,  Evelyn  and  Helen.  With 
his  wife  and  children  Mr.  Smith  attends  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  WALTER,  general  farmer  and 
fruit  grower  of  Burrell  township,  Indiana 
county,  is  also  well  known  there  iu  other  con- 
nections, having  served  in  public  offices,  and 
he  is  a  leading  member  of  the  Free  Methodist 
Church  of  Blairsville. 

The  Walter  family  is  of  Gennan  extraction, 
but  has  long  been  settled  in  eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  there  Peter  Walter,  grandfather 
of  William  Walter,  was  born,  it  is  supposed 
in  Lebanon  county.  In  1817  he  came  west- 
ward with  his  family,  locating  in  Derry  town- 
ship, Westmoreland  county,  near  what  is  now 
the  town  of  Latrobe,  and  there  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  engaged  in  farming.  He 
died  at  that  place.  His  wife's  name  was 
Catherine. 

Peter  Walter,  son  of  Peter,  above,  was  born 
March  21,  1817,  in  Lebanon  county.  Pa.,  and 
was  but  an  infant  when  broiight  by  his  par- 
ents across  the  Allegheny  mountains.  He 
grew  to  manhood  in  Derry  township,  near  La- 
trobe, and  had  such  limited  opportunities  for 
education  as  the  subscription  schools  of  the 
time  and  place  afforded ;  they  were  conducted, 
however,  for  only  a  few  months  during  the 
winter  season.  From  early  boyhood  he  was 
familiar  with  farm  work,  which  he  followed 
all  his  life,  and  when  he  commenced  on  his 
own  acco\int  settled  on  a  tract  of  128  acres  in 
Unity  township.  Westmoreland  county,  where 
he  continued  to  make  his  home  until  his  death. 
He  was  noted  for  his  thrifty  and  industrious 
habits,  and  his  un()uestionable  honesty  in  all 
Ills  transactions;  was  a  quiet  unassuming  man 


HISTOKY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


911 


of  temperate  habits  and  irreproachable  life, 
and  a  sincere  member  of  the  Mennonite  Breth- 
ren Church — a  good  citizen  and  true  to  his 
principles  in  all  the  relations  of  life.  In  poli- 
tics he  was  a  Republican,  a  firm  believer  in  the 
doctrines  of  Lincoln  and  Blaine.  He  died 
Nov.  24,  1889,  and  his  wife,  Sarah  (Kimmel), 
who  was  born  April  15,  1821,  in  Somerset 
county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Solomon  and  Cather- 
ine Kimmel,  died  in  1908 ;  they  are  buried  in 
Unity  cemetery.  Nine  children  were  bom  to 
them:  Daniel,  born  Sept.  18,  1841,  died  Jan. 
30,  1861;  Lydia  E.,  born  Dee.  29,  1843,  is 
unmarried  and  lives  in  Unity  township,  West- 
moreland county ;  David,  born  Sept.  20,  1846, 
now  residing  in  Kingman  county,  Kans.,  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Ferguson,  and  they  had  chil- 
dren, Grace,  Maud,  Lawrence,  Jeanette  and 
Corea;  Caleb  W.,  born  Dec.  8,  1848,  died  in 
1911,  married  Frances  McParlin,  and  had  chil- 
dren, Rolley,  Clyde  and  Mack;  Catherine, 
born  March  30,  1851,  is  the  wife  of  Isaiah 
Small  and  resides  in  Unity  township  (thej^ 
have  had  two  children,  Lydia,  deceased,  and 
Dora )  ;  William  is  mentioned  below ;  George 
M.,  born  April  6,  1858,  is  a  resident  of  Panola 
county,  Texas,  married  Lizzie  Victor,  and  has 
had  three  children,  Laura  (deceased),  Milton 
and  McKinley;  Mary  E.,  born  Aug.  16,  1860, 
married  Harry  Jamison,  of  Hempfield  town- 
ship, Westmoreland  county,  and  has  three 
children,  Walter,  Ray  and  Mabel ;  Ida  Sarah, 
born  April  15,  1863,  is  unmarried  and  lives  in 
LTnity  township. 

William  Walter  was  bom  Nov.  5,  1855,  in 
Unity  township,  Westmoreland  county,  and 
there  passed  his  boyhood  days  on  the  farm. 
He  attended  the  local  public  school  and  also 
Sewickley  Academy,  near  Pleasant  Unity,  and 
in  his  young  manhood  taught  school  one  term. 
But  he  preferred  fanning,  and  for  a  number 
of  years  continued  to  follow  that  calling  at 
the  home  place  with  his  father,  who  carried 
on  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  stock 
raising.  There  he  remained  until  he  came  to 
Indiana  county,  in  1889,  locating  at  his  pres- 
ent home  in  Burrell  township.  He  bought  a 
tract  of  twenty-five  acres,  part  of  the  Ear- 
hard  farm,  and  began  fruit  culture,  in  which 
line  he  was  the  pioneer  in  the  township.  Now 
he  has  over  twenty-five  hundred  trees,  of 
different  kinds,  including  peach,  plum,  cherry 
and  apple,  besides  strawberry,  raspberry  and 
blackberry  vines,  all  of  which  are  doing  well 
under  his  capable  management.  In  1911  he 
bought  the  Bowden-Repine  farm  of  135  acres, 
near  his  first  purchase,  ajid  is  planting  part 


of  that  tract  in  fruit.  The  substantial  dwell- 
ing house  and  barn  were  on  the  Earhard 
place  when  he  settled  there,  but  he  has  made 
many  of  the  most  valuable  improvements,  and 
his  recent  purchase  also  has  begun  to  give  evi- 
dence of  his  up-to-date  care.  By  strict  at- 
tention to  the  details  of  his  special  line  of 
work,  and  unremitting  industry  in  everything 
he  has  undertaken,  he  has  won  success,  and 
his  practical,  intelligent  methods  have  proved 
profitable  and  effective.  He  is  a  man  of  high 
character  and  thoroughly  respected  in  his 
neighborhood,  as  may  be  judged  by  the  fact 
that  his  fellow  citizens  have  chosen  him  audi- 
tor (in  which  office  he  served  one  term)  and 
school  director;  he  has  held  the  latter  office 
four  terms,  and  has  acted  as  president  and 
secretary  of  the  board.  In  political  connection 
he  is  a  Republican,  but  he  is  independent  in 
voting,  supporting  the  men  and  measures  he 
prefers,  regardless  of  party. 

In  1887  Mr.  Walter  married  Nettie  B.  Shu- 
maker,  who  was  born  at  Deanville,  Armstrong 
Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Lucinda  (Shu- 
maker)  Shumaker,  and  she  has  been  a  de- 
voted helpmate.  Six  children  have  been  born 
to  this  marriage :  Goldie  M.  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  and  at  the  Indiana  State 
normal  school,  has  taught  three  terms  in  Bur- 
rell township  and  three  terms  in  Kingman 
county,  Kans.,  and  is  now  teaching  at  Homer 
City,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. ;  James  G.  Blaine  died 
when  thirteen  years  old;  Mary  Velma  re- 
ceived a  public  school  education  and  is  now 
living  at  home ;  Russell  D.  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  and  lives  at  home ;  Zell  and 
Glenn  Shumaker  are  at  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Walter  and  their  family  are  members  of  the 
Free  Methodist  Church  at  Blairsville  and 
take  an  active  part  in  all  its  work ;  he  is  serv- 
ing at  present  as  class  leader,  steward  and 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 

CLARENCE  R.  SMITH,  of  Indiana,  presi- 
dent of  the  Indiana  Bent  Rung  Ladder  Com- 
pany, and  otherwise  identified  with  the  busi- 
ness life  of  the  borough,  belongs  to  the  fourth 
generation  of  his  family  which  has  resided  in 
Indiana  county.  He  was  born  in  this  county 
July  5,  1877,  and  is  a  great-grandson  of  Rich- 
ard Smith,  who  came  hither  when  this  region 
was  a  wilderness  and  took  up  large  tracts  of 
land.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of 
Friends. 

Richard  W.  Smith,  son  of  Richard,  was  bom 
in  West  Virginia,  and  came  to  Indiana  county 
with  his  father.    He  became  engaged  in  saw- 


912 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


iiiilling  aud  luiuberiug,  doing  an  extensive 
business  for  his  day. 

Ellis  ti.  Smith,  son  of  Richard  W.,  was 
born  in  Indiana  county  and  here  passed  all 
his  life.  Like  his  father  he  did  a  large  busi- 
ness sawmilling  and  lumbering,  and  was  also 
engaged  in  farming.  He  married  a  native  of 
Cleartield  county,  this  State,  Ruth  Ettie 
Weaver,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  three 
children :  Siviter  W.,  Jay  C.  and  Clarence  R. 
The  father  was  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows' 
fraternity. 

Clarence  R.  Smith  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Indiana  county.  At 
the  age  of  nineteen  he  began  business  life  on 
his  owh  account,  engaging  in  various  lines,  aud 
in  190-1  became  president  of  the  Indiana  Bent 
Rung  Ladder  Company,  an  association  which 
he  has  maintained  to  the  present.  This  com- 
pany has  built  up  a  flourishing  business,  giv- 
ing employment  to  between  forty  and  fifty 
hands,  so  that  it  is  one  of  the  factors  in  the 
material  welfare  of  the  borough.  Mr.  Smith 
is  a  stockholder  in  and  director  of  several 
other  thriving  enterprises  in  this  locality, 
where  he  is  looked  upon  as  an  energetic  aud 
reliable  citizen,  one  of  those  whose  ability  and 
resource  conserve  the  best  interests  of  any  com- 
munity. He  is  a  Mason,  belonging  to  Blue 
Lodge  No.  313,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Indiana,  of 
which  he  is  a  past  master. 

In  February,  1903,  Mr.  Smith  married 
Mabel  Dickie,  daughter  of  Joseph  Dickie,  of 
Indiana.  They  have  two  children,  Genevra 
Ruth  and  Helen  Louise. 

J.  BLAIR  SUTTON,  register  and  recorder 
of  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  son  of  James  M.  and 
Martha  (Stuchell)  Sutton,  was  born  in  In- 
diana borough.  His  grandfather,  Peter  Sut- 
ton, was  a  native  of  Indiana  county,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  in 
1865.  Peter  Sutton  was  married  to  Nancy 
Fisher,  of  Dauphin  county.  Pa.,  who  survived 
him,  dying  in  1897.  They  were  both  highly 
respected  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

James  il.  Sutton,  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  began  life  on  his  father's  farm  in 
Indiana  county.  In  1861  he  enlisted,  becom- 
ing a  private  in  Company  E,  148th  Regiment, 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  His  gal- 
lant and  meritorious  conduct  soon  won  him 
promotion  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant.  He  took 
part  in  all  the  many  battles  in  which  the  gal- 
lant 148t]i  partic-ipated,  including  Gettysburg 
and  Spottsylviuiia  Court  House,  at  which  lat- 


ter engagement  he  received  the  wound  which 
ended  his  service  as  a  soldier,  causing  the  loss 
of  a  leg,  and  eventually,  after  years  of  intense 
suffering,  ending  his  life.  Returning  to  his 
native  county,  James  il.  Suttou  located  in 
Plumville  and  there  engaged  in  various  enter- 
prises until  1869,  when  he  was  elected  county 
treasurer,  which  office  he  filled  with  ability 
and  fidelity,  making  his  residence  in  Indiana 
borough.  He  died  in  1882  in  a  Philadelphia 
hospital,  where  he  had  gone  for  treatment 
of  his  wound.  His  soldier  record  was  excel- 
lent, lu  the  same  regiment  served  his  three 
brothers,  Joseph,  Ayers  and  Capt.  John,  all 
of  whom,  with  the  exception  of  John,  are 
now  deceased.  Mr.  Sutton  was  an  elder  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church  from  the  age  of 
thirty  until  his  death.  He  was  prominent  in 
the  locar  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  28,  of  Indiana 
borough. 

James  M.  Sutton  was  twice  married,  his 
first  wife,  Martha  (Stuchell),  dying  at  a  com- 
paratively early  age.  Her  children  were: 
Clara  B.,  deceased;  Emma  (wife  of  Ernest 
Stewart),  deceased;  Frank,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy, and  John  Blair.  His  second  wife  was 
Elizabeth  Wilson,  daughter  of  Samuel  Wilson. 
By  this  union  there  was  one  child,  Ella  ]May, 
who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Wil- 
son) Sutton  was  not  only  a  devoted  wife,  but 
was  also  an  exceptionally  kind  and  loving 
mother  to  her  stepchildren,  who  thoroughly 
appreciated  her  goodness  and  conscientious 
care. 

J.  Blair  Sutton  received  his  education  prin- 
cipally in  the  public  schools.  Before  he  was 
ten  years  of  age  he  was  appointed  court  page 
by  Judge  John  P.  Blair  (for  whom  he  was 
named) .  Two  years  later  Judge  Harry  White 
reappointed  him  to  that  position,  iu  which 
capacity  he  served  until  1892,  when  he  be- 
came a  clerk  in  the  .store  of  A.  W.  Wilson  & 
Sou,  aud  so  continued  until  he  entei'ed  the  law 
office  of  Hon.  George  W.  Hood  as  a  student, 
in  1897.  In  1898,  during  the  Spanish-Ameri- 
can war,  Mr.  Sutton  helped  to  organize  Com- 
pany B,  21st  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Pro- 
visional Guards,  was  elected  second  lieutenant, 
and  served  as  such  until  the  regiment  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service.  In  1902  he  was 
appointed  deputy  register  and  recorder  of 
Indiana  county.  In  this  capacity  he  served 
six  yeai-s,  and  by  his  genial  and  accommo- 
dating ways,  and  careful  and  efiScient  dispatch 
of  public  business,  fairly  earned  the  large 
majority  by  which  he  was  elected  register  and 
recorder  at  the  end  of  his  service  as  deputy. 
In  1911  he  was  reelected,  lu-ai-ticalh-  without 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


!)i;j 


opposition.  Mr.  Sutton  is  a  member  of  the 
Order  of  Elks.  He  served  Indiana  Lodge 
one  year  as  secretaiy.  He  is  also  prominent 
in  the  affairs  of  the  Cosmopolitan  Club,  of 
which  organization  he  has  been  treasurer  for 
more  than  fifteen  years. 

Mr.  Sutton  continues  to  perform  the  duties 
of  the  oiSces  of  register  of  wills,  recorder  of 
deeds  and  clerk  of  the  Orphans'  court  in  a 
manner  highly  satisfactory  to  the  people  of 
the  county.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Indiana.  He  stands  high 
in  the  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens  in  every 
relation  of  life. 

BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN  EVANS,  a  well- 
known  agriculturist  of  Brushvalley  township, 
Indiana  county,  prominent  also  in  other  con- 
nections, was  born  there  Nov.  9,  1861.  A 
citizen  whose  activities  have  made  him  valu- 
able to  the  community,  he  bears  worthily  a 
name  which  has  long  been  synonymous  with 
good  citizenship  in  this  section. 

Mr.  Evans  is  descended  from  one  of  the 
oldest  pioneer  families  in  Brushvalley.  The 
Evanses  are  of  Welsh  extraction,  the  founder 
of  the  family  in  this  country,  Hugh  Evans, 
having  been  a  native  of  Cardiff,  Wales,  who 
crossed  the  Atlantic  when  a  young  man,  wor^k- 
ing  for  his  passage  on  the  vessel.  Among  the 
passengers  was  a  young  English  girl  named 
Hannah  Dill,  with  whom  he  fell  in  love,  and 
they  were  married  when  they  landed  at  Phila- 
delphia. They  came  west  to  the  Welsh  set- 
tlement near  Ebensburg,  in  Cambria  county, 
Pa.,  where  they  remained  for  a  short  time, 
until  they  came  to  Indiana  county,  locating 
in  Brushvalley  township.  They  were  among 
the  first  settlers  there.  Settling  in  the  wildei'- 
ness,  Mr.  Evans  built  his  log  cabin  and  set  to 
work  clearing  up  the  land.  He  remained  but 
a  short  time  on  his  first  farm,  buying  a  400- 
acre  tract,  all  brush  aud  timber,  near  the  site 
of  Meehanicsburg,  upon  which  he  settled 
down  to  farming.  Much  of  this  land  is  still 
in  the  family  name.  Here  he  built  a  dwelling 
house  and  barn,  and  also  erected  a  saw  and 
grist  mill,  the  first  of  the  kind  in  Brushereek 
valley.  The  mill  was  of  stone,  aud  stood  on 
Brush  creek  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  be- 
low the  present  site  of  Meehanicsburg,  and 
for  many  years  was  a  prominent  landmark. 
He  also  owned  a  distillery.  He  worked  hard 
and  faithfully,  prospered  in  his  own  affairs, 
and  did  his  full  duty  as  a  citizen,  being  one 
of  the  enterprising  and  progi-essive  men  of 
his  day  and  generation.     He  was  a  strong 


abolitionist.  He  died  on  his  farm  in  1849,  at 
the  age  of  seventy  years,  and  was  buried  in 
what  is  known  as  the  Evans  graveyard.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  the  first 
Baptist  to  settle  in  the  township.  His  first 
wife  died  leaving  children  as  follows:  Ann, 
who  married  John  Kelly  aud  (second)  James 
Stewart ;  John ;  Hugh,  who  died  at  Altoona ; 
Mary,  who  married  Henry  Grumbling;  Eliza- 
beth (Betsy),  who  first  mai'ried  Joseph  Mc- 
Nutt;  Evan,  who  lived  in  Brushvalley;  Wil- 
liam, who  married  Susan  Wilkins ;  aud  James, 
who  died  in  Center  township.  Mr.  Evans 
married  for  his  second  wife  Esther  Cresswell, 
and  she  bore  him  three  children:  Ellen,  Re- 
becca and  Lucinda  (who  married  Rev.  A.  B. 
Runyan,  a  well-known  Baptist  minister  of 
Meehanicsburg). 

John  Evans,  eldest  son  of  Hugh  Evans,  was 
educated  in  Brushvalley  township  and  there 
grew  to  manhood  ou  the  farm.  Receiving 
250  acres  of  land  from  his  father,  he  settled 
down  to  farming  and  stock  raising,  made 
many  improvements  on  his  property  and  was 
an  industrious  and  successful  man  through- 
out his  long  life.  He  was  an  honored  resident 
of  his  locality,  a  member  and  deacon  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  and  in  politics  a  Whig  and 
Republican  in  turn,  and  a  strong  admirer  of 
the  martyred  President  Lincoln.  During  the 
Civil  war  his  sympathies  were  with  the  Union 
cause,  and  his  two  sons  went  out  as  Union  sol- 
diers. He  died  on  his  farm  at  the  age  of 
seventy  years,  seven  months,  aud  is  buried  in 
the  family  lot  iu  the  Evans  cemetery.  He 
married  in  Brushvalley  township  Elizabeth 
Sanderson,  a  native  of  Hagerstown,  Md., 
daughter  of  Thomas  Sanderson,  who  settled 
in  that  township.  Mrs.  Evans  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church.  She  was  the 
mother  of  eight  children:  Benjamin,  men- 
tioned below;  Emily,  who  married  John  Pin- 
ley,  and  died  in  IBlairsville ;  Lucinda,  who 
married  William  Conrad,  and  is  now  a  widow 
residing  in  East  Wheatfield  township ;  Susan, 
who  married  David  Overdorff,  both  being  de- 
ceased ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Thomas  Greg- 
ory, and  died  in  Franklin,  Pa. ;  Rebecca,  who 
married  Finley  Campbell,  and  died  in  Johns- 
town; John  Sanderson,  who  now  makes  his 
home  in  Homer  City;  and  Maria,  who  married 
John  Bracken,  and  died  in  Indiana  county, 
Pennsylvania. 

Benjamin  Evans,  son  of  John,  born  Feb.  16, 
1826,  on  the  homestead  farm  in  Brushvalley 
township,  attended  the  local  school.  He  took 
up  farming  as  an  occupation,  following  in  his 
father's  footsteps.     Settling  on  the  100-acre 


914 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


tract  of  land  now  owned  bj'  his  son  Benjamin 
F.  Evans,  he  improved  the  land,  erected  a 
dwelling  house  and  barn,  and  added  to  the 
value  of  the  property  in  many  other  ways. 
As  he  prospered  he  bought  another  place,  of 
126  acres,  known  as  the  Isaiah  Bonner  farm, 
which  he  gave  later  to  his  son  John  W.  He 
spent  his  life  in  agi-icultural  pui'suits,  carry- 
ing on  stock  raising  as  well  as  general  farm- 
ing, and  died  on  his  farm  in  Api'il,  1895,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-nine  years,  three  months.  He 
was  buried  in  the  Evans  cemetei-y  near  Me- 
chanicsburg.  Mr.  Evans  was  one  of  those  men 
of  unassuming  disposition  but  strong  char- 
acter whose  lives,  following  what  they  deem 
oulj'  the  simple  paths  of  duty,  have  a  lasting 
effect  on  the  welfare  of  the  community.  He 
was  intelligent  and  well  read  and  took  an  in- 
terest in  all  things  which  tended  to  promote 
the  general  good.  During  the  Civil  war  he 
fought  for  the  Union  cause  as  a  member  of  the 
6th  Heavy  Artillery.  He  served  five  years 
as  school  director  of  his  township,  and  was  an 
active  church  member,  belonging  to  the  M. 
E.  Church,  which  he  served  as  class  leader 
and  steward.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republi- 
can. Mr.  Evans  married  Margaret  Finley, 
of  Brushvalley  township,  daught&r  of  David 
and  Margaret  (McCormack)  Finley,  and  they 
had  three  children,  namely:  John  W.,  now 
retired  and  living  at  Homer  City,  Pa. ;  Mar- 
garet J.,  who  married  Frank  Stake,  of  Cherry- 
hill  township  (both  are  deceased)  ;  and  Ben- 
jamin F.  The  mother  died  in  1901  while  liv- 
ing with  her  son  Benjamin  and  is  buried  in 
the  same  cemetery  as  the  father.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Benjamin  Franklin  Evans  obtained  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  the  home  neigh- 
borhood. From  early  boyhood  he  worked  on 
the  farm  with  his  parents,  and,  continuing  to 
make  his  home  there,  took  charge  of  the 
homestead  after  his  father's  death  and 
cared  for  his  widowed  mother.  In  time 
he  bought  other  land  in  the  township,  and 
is  now  cultivating  over  two  hundred  acres, 
engaging  in  farming  and  stock  raising  on  a 
large  scale.  He  built  his  present  home  and  re- 
built the  barn  which  his  father  erected,  and 
which  wa.s  destroyed  by  fire.  Mr.  Evans  is 
thoroughly  enterprising,  and  vinder  his  well- 
directed  labors  his  farm  has  become  one  of 
the  best  cultivated  in  his  section  of  the  county. 
He  has  shown  his  public  spirit  by  his  efficient 
work  in  the  township  offices  to  which  he  lias 
been  chosen  by  his  fellow  citizens.  During  his 
olovpii  years'  .service  as  member  of  the  school 
board  he  has  been  president  of  that  body  for 


several  years;  he  has  been  assessor  for  one 
term.  Mr.  Evans  has  been  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican and  is  an  ardent  supporter  of  Roose- 
velt and  the  principles  he  stands  for.  In  le- 
ligion  he  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
of  which  he  is  a  trustee.  As  the  representa- 
tive of  a  family  whose  members  have  always 
been  regarded  as  estimable  citizens  he  is  liv- 
ing up  to  the  obligations  of  an  honored  name, 
connected  for  several  generations  with  the 
best  element  in  the  community. 

On  Oct.  IS,  1883,  Mr.  Evans  married  Clara 
B.  Hileman,  who  was  born  in  Bnishvalley 
township,  daughter  of  George  and  Louisa 
Hileman.  They  have  had  a  famil}-  of  ten 
cliildren :  George  S.,  a  farmer  of  Brushvalley 
township,  who  married  Mary  Appleton; 
Charles,  a  raih-oad  man,  who  resides  at  ]\Ians- 
field,  Ohio;  Louisa,  Bessie  and  Eleanor,  at 
home;  Marion,  who  died  when  sixteen  years 
old;  Elizabeth,  at  home;  Dick;  Ruth,  and 
Boyd. 

ANDREW  JACKSON  CUM.AIINS.  who  is 
now  living  retired  on  his  farm  in  Center  town- 
ship, is  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest  pio- 
neer families  of  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  and  was 
born  on  the  homestead  farm  where  he  still  re- 
sides June  22,  1844.  The  family  came  hither 
from  Virginia. 

David  Cummins,  the  great-grandfather  of 
Andrew  J.  Cummins,  was  the  first  of  the 
name  to  come  to  Indiana  county.  He  was 
born  in  Rockingham  county,  Va..  where  he 
grew  to  manhood  and  came  to  what  is  now 
"White  township  prior  to  the  Revolutionary 
war.  He  settled  on  a  tract  of  400  acres,  which 
was  then  a  wilderness,  and  is  now  known  as 
the  Adam  ]\Iikesell  place.  Here  he  erected  a 
little  rough  log  hut  and  with  his  young  wife 
took  up  the  life  of  a  pioneer,  two  of  his  chil- 
dren being  born  in  this  primitive  little  cabin 
in  the  wilderness.  In  1777  the  little  band  of 
settlers  was  driven  from  the  new  home  by  the 
outrages  of  the  Indians,  Mrs.  Cummins  hiding 
her  pewter  plates  and  various  other  articles 
in  Spring  run,  while  her  husband  secreted  his 
saws  and  other  tools  and  implements.  Put- 
ting the  remaining  household  effects  on  a 
horse,  with  his  wife  and  two  young  children 
on  another  animal,  Mr.  Cummins  set  out  with 
his  gun  on  his  shoulder,  driving  the  cow.  and 
made  his  way  back  to  his  native  State,  al- 
though a  stop  was  made  at  Wallace  fort.  In 
Virginia  the  rest  of  the  children  of  this  pio- 
neer couple  were  born,  and  there  Mr.  Cummins 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  widow 
and  children  returned  to  Indiana  county  to 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


915 


the  place  of  their  first  settlement,  and  there 
she  continued  to  make  her  home  for  some  years. 
Finally  she  removed  to  the  home  of  her  son 
William,  and  there  her  death  occurred.  The 
children  of  David  Cummins  were  as  follows: 
William,  born  in  1775,  who  settled  on  Crooked 
creek,  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana  county, 
after  the  return  of  the  family  from  Virginia ; 
John,  born  in  1777;  Mary,  who  married 
Charles  Morrow,  and  settled  in  Ohio;  Eliza- 
beth, who  married  Jeremiah  Brown,  of  In- 
diana; and  David,  who  settled  in  Crawford 
county,  Ohio. 

John  Cumjnins,  son.  of  David,  and  grand- 
father of  Andrew  J.  Cummins,  was  born  in 
the  little  log  home  in  White  township,  in  1777, 
and  was  but  an  infant  when  taken  by  his 
mother  to  Virginia.  When  he  was  fourteen 
years  of  age,  in  1791,  he  was  brought  back  to 
Indiana  county,  and  continued  to  reside  at 
home  until  1807,  at  which  time  he  purchased 
1.200  acres  of  land,  now  known  as  a  part  of 
the  Harbrage  tract.  Here  he  built  a  log  house 
aud  barn,  and  later,  in  1814,  the  present 
dwelling  was  erected,  numerous  other  im- 
provements being  also  made.  By  hard  work 
Mr.  Cummins  managed  to  clear  up  a  large 
part  of  the  homestead,  but  he  died  in  1827,  at 
the  comparatively  early  age  of  fifty  years,  and 
is  buried  in  Bethel  Church  cemetery,  in  Cen- 
ter township.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat. 
Mr.  Cummins  married  Nellie  Todd,  who  was 
a  native  of  Ireland,  daughter  of  Samuel  Todd, 
and  she  died  on  the  farm  and  was  buried  in 
the  same  cemetery.  They  had  the  following 
children:  Susanna,  who  married  Samuel 
Stewart,  of  Center  township ;  Jane,  who  mar- 
ried Archibald  Stewart,  of  Greenville,  Pa. ; 
David ;  Samuel,  who  was  a  farmer  of  Center 
township ;  William,  who  was  a  stock  raiser 
of  Tipton,  Iowa,  which  town  he  named;  John 
D.,  who  settled  at  New  Philadelphia,  Ohio, 
was  a  congressman  from  that  State,  and  died 
in  1849,  at  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  from  the  effects 
of  cholera;  and  Margaret  and  EUen,  who 
died  unmarried. 

David  Cummins,  son  of  John,  and  father  of 
Andrew  J.  Cummins,  was  born  July  4,  1804, 
and  was  educated  in  the  subscription  schools 
before  the  advent  of  free  schools.  He  gi-ew 
to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  made  agri- 
cultural pursuits  his  life  work,  and  always 
remained  on  the  homestead,  acquiring  400 
acres  of  land.  He  built  barns,  made  exten- 
sive improvements  on  his  place,  and  was 
known  as  one  of  the  good  practical  farmers 
and  stock  raisers  of  his  locality.    He  died  on 


the  farm  July  30,  1877,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
three  years,  and  was  buried  in  the  old  ceme- 
tery in  Center  township.  He  was  a  stanch 
Democrat,  a  strong  admirer  of  Andrew  Jack- 
sou,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  captain  of 
the  local  militia.  He  belonged  to  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  David  Cummins  married 
Mary  Wilson,  who  was  bom  in  Center  town- 
ship, Jan.  27,  1810,  daughter  of  John  Wilson, 
and  her  death  occurred  April  10,  1888,  in  her 
seventy-ninth  year.  She  was  buried  in  Green- 
wood cemetery,  at  Indiana.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cummins  had  the  following  children:  John 
D.,  bom  Dec.  19,  1831,  died  at  Crooked  Creek, 
Rayne  township,  Sept.  11,  1906;  William, 
bom  March  28,  1834,  captain  during  the  Civil 
war  in  the  78th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  is  now  living  retired  at  Shel- 
by, Ohio;  Joseph,  born  Oct.  16,  1835,  died 
April  15,  1858 ;  Caroline,  born  June  11,  1838, 
married  Joseph  Repine,  and  resides  at  Blairs- 
viile,  Pa. ;  Thomas  Benton,  bom  April  19, 
1841,  was  a  farmer  of  Center  township,  and 
died  March  28,  ]  903  ;  Andrew  Jackson  is  men- 
tioned below;  Elizabeth,  born  May  27,  1848, 
is  the  widow  of  Dr.  S.  B.  Thomas,  and  lives 
in  Conemaiigh  township,  Indiana  county. 

Andrew  Jackson  Cummins  attended  tlie 
little  log  schoolhcuse  in  his  district  during 
the  winter  terms,  which  lasted  three  months, 
and  his  summers  were  spent  in  assisting  with 
the  hard  work  of  the  home  farm.  The  oppor- 
tunities for  obtaining  a  good  education  were 
decidedly  limited,  but  by  home  study  and 
close  observation  he  managed  to  acquire  good 
mental  training.  He  continued  to  reside  with 
his  parents,  helping  them  to  run  the  home 
farm  and  caring  for  them  during  their  de- 
clining years,  thus  doing  his  full  duty  as  a 
son.  At  the  present  time  Mr.  Cummins  is 
operating  157  acres,  on  which  he  has  made 
numerous  improvements,  and  devotes  his  at- 
tention to  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
Mr.  Cummins  has  been  quite  active  in  educa- 
tional affairs,  having  served  for  twelve  years 
as  a  member  of  the  school  board,  during  nine 
years  of  which  he  was  treasurer  of  that  body, 
and  has  also  been  auditor  of  the  township  for 
three  years.  He  is  a  stanch  Democrat  in  his 
political  views. 

In  December,  1875.  Mr.  Cummins  was  mar- 
ried to  Margaret  Peddicord,  who  was  born  in 
Brushvalley  township,  Indiana  county,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Peddicord.  Two  children  have 
been  born  to  this  union:  Joseph  Todd,  bom 
March  25,  1885,  now  operates  the  homestead; 
Mary  Blanche,  bom  Dec.  16,  1888,  married 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Ralph  D.  Cuiumius,  resides  at  Derry,  "West- 
moreland county,  and  has  one  child,  Margaret. 

ULYSSES  GRANT  NELSON,  who  owns 
and  operates  the  Maple  Valley  farm  in  Brush- 
valley  township,  is  rated  as  one  of  the  most 
enterprising  agi-iculturists  of  his  section  of 
Indiana  county.  He  is  a  native  of  Armstroni? 
county,  Pa.,  born  Aug.  22,  1871,  near  Atwood, 
son  of  Samuel  Nelson  and  grandson  of  An- 
drew Nelson. 

Andrew  Nelson,  the  grandfather,  was  a 
farmer  and  land  owner  near  Elderton,  Arm- 
strong count.y,  where  he  followed  fanning  all 
his  active  life.  His  childi'en  were :  William ; 
Andrew;  one  son  who  died  of  starvation  in 
Libby  prison  during  the  Civil  war;  Samuel; 
Mary,  and  Hannah. 

Samuel  Nelson,  father  of  Ulysses  Grant 
Nelson,  was  born  near  Elderton  ilay  22,  1827, 
and  there  made  his  home,  following  farming, 
until  1871.  In  that  year  he  moved  with  his 
wife  and  family  to  near  Atwood,  in  Plum- 
creek  to\^Tiship,  Armstrong  county,  where  he 
farmed  for  eight  years,  owning  his  land,  which 
he  sold  when  he  moved  to  Indiana.  Indiana 
county.  For  a  year  he  lived  on  a  farm  east 
of  that  borough,  in  1880  settling  on  the  Kauff- 
man  place,  in  White  township,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, n  tract  of  109  acres  where  he  resided  for 
twenty-one  years,  engaged  in  farming.  Dur- 
ing that  period  he  erected  all  the  buildings 
on  the  place  and  made  many  other  improve- 
ments. In  1901  he  moved  to  Mechanicsburg, 
in  Brushvalley  township,  where  he  entered 
the  hotel  business  as  proprietor  of  the  "Nel- 
son Hotel,"  and  also  kept  a  livery  and  feed 
stable  in  connection.  After  nine  years  there 
he  gave  up  the  hotel  and  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Brushvalley  township  for  a  year,  at  the 
end  of  that  time  returning  to  Armstrong 
county  and  taking  up  his  residence"  with  his 
sister.  He  died  not  long  afterward,  April 
22,  1911,  in  his  seventy-fourth  year,  and  is 
buried  at  Elderton.  I\Tr.  Nelson  was  a  stftnch 
Repiiblican  in  political  faith,  and  always  took 
considerable  interest  in  public  matters.  While 
at  Mechanicsburg  he  served  as  a  member  of 
the  borough  council,  was  school  director  of 
the  borough,  and  also  held  other  local  offices. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
served  as  deacon  of  the  church  at  Indiana. 
On  Nov.  29,  1855,  Mr.  Nelson  was  married  in 
Armstrong  county  to  Agnes  Jane  Johnson, 
daucrhter  of  John  Johnson.  She  died  Feb.  4, 
189.3,  in  White  township,  and  was  buried  in 
Oakland  cemetery  at  Indiana.  To  this  mar- 
riage were  born  eight  children:  jMargaret  M., 


born  Nov.  27,  1856,  married  Milton  Kerr  and 
had  one  child,  Harry  A.,  dying  when  he  was 
born,  in  March,  1876  (he  lives  in  Erie,  Pa., 
and  is  engaged  in  the  automobile  business) ; 
Jennie  j\I.,  boi-n  Jan.  28,  1858,  married  Jacob 
Burkett  March  20,  1880 ;  Sloan  Alexander  was 
born  Aug.  28,  1860;  George  W.,  born  Aug. 
10,  1862,  removed  to  Kansas;  Charles  Sum- 
ner, born  Oct.  6,  1865,  lives  in  Pittsburg,  Pa. ; 
Laura  Belle,  born  June  24,  1867,  died  Feb.  7, 
1901;  Daniel,  born  March  18,  1869,  died  in 
infancy;  Ulysses  Grant  was  born  Aug.  22, 
1871.  On  March  1,  1894,  Mr.  Nelson  married 
(second)  Nannie  Sweeny,  at  Morrellville,  Pa., 
and  three  children  were  born  to  this  union: 
Bessie  l!.  (bom  Aug.  8,  1895),  Blanch  Cula. 
and  Bliss. 

Ulysses  Grant  Nelson  obtained  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  the  various  lo- 
calities where  the  family  lived  during  his 
boyhood,  principally  in  White  township,  In- 
diana county.  He  worked  on  the  farm  with 
his  father  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old, 
at  which  time  he  married.  After  spending 
pnother  year  on  his  father's  farm  he  went  to 
Homer  City,  remaining  there  for  a  year,  and 
then  settled  on  the  Brandon  fann  in  Center 
township,  upon  which  he  lived  for  two  yeai-s. 
He  then  located  on  Mrs.  Jaeoby's  farm  in 
Wliite  to^vuship,  a  tract  of  110  acres  which 
he  farmed  for  a  year,  the  next  three  years 
living  on  his  father's  place  in  White  town- 
ship. In  1901  he  moved  to  the  J\IcDonald 
farm  in  Brushvalley  township,  where  he  spent 
one  year,  in  1902  buying  the  Maple  Valley 
farm  in  the  same  township,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  This  property  consists  cf 
eighty-six  acres,  formerly  owned  by  George 
Risinger.  ]\Ir.  Nelson  has  improved  it  gr.-^atly 
since  it  came  into  his  possession.  He  follows 
general  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  by 
hard  work  has  Earned  success  and  the  respect 
of  all  his  fellow  men.  He  has  served  as  treas- 
urer of  Biiishvalley  township,  and  is  a  citizen 
who  enjoys  the  coufidence  of  all  who  know 
him. 

On  May  3,  1893,  Mr,  Nelson  was  married 
to  Carrie' May  McNutt.  of  Homer  City,  this 
county,  daughter  of  William  and  Lucinda  J. 
(MeKissen)  McNutt,  and  they  have  had  four 
children :  Ethel  Claire,  born  April  19,  1894, 
formerly  a  student  in  the  summer  normal 
school  at  Mechanicsburg,  now  a  school  teacher 
in  Center  township ;  Viola  Pearl,  born  June 
2G,  1896;  Ahnn  Blair,  born  July  20,  1897; 
and  Mary  •l\Iar.iorie,  born  March  22,  1899. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mr.  Nelson  is  a  Republican  in  poUtics  and 
a  stanch  supporter  of  the  principles  of  his 
party. 

AARON  W.  EliDER,  farmer  and  justice 
of  the  peace  in  East  Mahoning  township,  was 
born  Feb.  1,  1851,  in  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  a  son  of  John  Reed 
and  Lettice  E.  (Work)  Elder,  and  a  grand- 
son of  Robert  Elder. 

Great-grandfather  Elder  was  born  in  Ire- 
laud  about  1725,  and  emigrated  to  America 
in  1750.  Although  he  claimed  the  United 
States  as  his  home  after  settling  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, he  made  several  visits  to  his  native 
land.  He  had  been  a  sailor  and  was  able  to 
work  as  such  on  the  vessels  across  the  ocean, 
and  thus  did  not  entirely  break  away  from 
his  native  place.  His  first  settlement  was 
in  the  Path  valley,  in  Franklin  county,  Pa., 
and  he  later  moved  to  Center  county  and  still 
later  to  Spruce  Creek,  in  Huntingdon  county. 

Robert  Elder,  grandfather  of  Aaron  W. 
Elder,  was  born  Feb.  9,  1790,  and  died  Jan. 
29,  1859.  He  married  Elizabeth  Reed,  who 
was  born  April  9,  1791,  and  died  Aug.  25, 
1873,  and  they  had  the  following  children: 
Jane,  born  Jan.  28,  1817,  died  Dec.  4,  1866 ; 
David  Watt,  bom  Aug.  12,  1818,  died  July 
29,  1820;  Margaret,  bom  Jan.  24,  1821,  died 
Aug.  18,  1823;  John  Reed,  bom  April  1, 
1823,  died  May  19,  1904;  David  Watt  (2), 
bom  Aug.  22,  1825,  died  Nov.  24,  1894;  Mary 
Ann,  born  Dec.  IS,  1827,  died  Feb.  5,  1911 ; 
Elizabeth,  born  March  14,  1830,  died  IMay 
19,  1913 ;  Robert  Boggs,  born  April  15,  1832, 
died  June  7,  1861;  Margaret,  born  Sept.  18, 
1834,  died  Feb.  10,  1842.  Robert  Elder  fol- 
lowed farming  as  his  occupation  in  life,  own- 
ing a  farm  of  100  acres  in  East  Mahoning 
township. 

John  Reed  Elder,  son  of  Robert  Elder, 
was  bom  in  Spruce  Creek,  Huntingdon  Co., 
Pa.,  April  1,  1823.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
owned  land  in  North  Mahoning  township, 
which  he  sold  in  the  spring  of  1860,  when  he 
came  to  East  Mahoning  township  and  took 
charge  of  his  father's  farm  on  which  he  re- 
mained until  the  close  of  his  life,  his  death 
occurring  May  19,  1904.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried. On  April  4,  1850,  he  was  united  to 
Lettice  Ewing  Work,  who  was  bom  April 
1,  1833,  and  died  June  10,  1854;  she  was 
buried  in  the  Mahoning  cemetery.  They  had 
two  sons  born  to  them,  Aaron  W.  and  David 
Harris.  The  latter,  born  June  17,  1852,  is 
a  resident  of  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  and  mar- 
ried Amy  Gray,  of  Rome,  N.  Y.     The  sec- 


ond man-iage  of  John  Reed  Elder  took  place 
on  March  17,  1857,  to  Maiy  Ann  Work,  who 
was  a  cousin  of  his  first  wife.  She  was  bom 
March  13,  1826,  and  died  March  2,  1907, 
leaving  no  issue.  John  Reed  Elder  and  his 
second  wife  were  interred  in  the  Richmond 
cemetery.  In  his  early  political  life  he  was 
a  Republican,  but  later  voted,  according  to 
his  convictions  of  right,  with  the  Prohibition 
party.  Occasionally  he  accepted  local  ofiSces, 
serving  his  township  as  supervisor  and  school 
director. 

Aaron  W.  Elder  acquired  his  education  in 
the  schools  of  East  Mahoning  township  and 
in  the  meanwhile  gave  his  father  assistance 
on  the  home  fai-m,  continuing  thus  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  old.  Then  he  engaged 
in  lumbering,  and  finding  it  profitable  car- 
ried on  the  same  Line  for  twenty  years,  spend- 
ing four  of  these  in  the  State  of  Colorado. 
In  June,  1892,  he  returned  to  East  Mahon- 
ing township  and  took  charge  of  the  old  home- 
stead farm,  and  has  continued  there  ever 
since,  devoting  himself  to  the  carrying  on  of 
the  usual  farm  industries. 

On  Jan.  25,  1872,  Mr.  Elder  was  married 
to  Cyrena  C.  Williamson,  a  daughter  of  Hi- 
ram and  Lydia  (Pierce)  Williamson,  formerly 
of  Jefferson  county.  Pa.  Six  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elder,  namely: 
Lettice,  who  was  born  Feb.  5,  1874,  mar- 
ried William  Collins,  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  and 
(lied  Feb.  6,  1893;  Lydia  Mabel,  born  July 
14,  1877,  married  C.  W.  Vamer,  and  they 
live  at  Big  Run,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.;  Lulu 
Myrtle,  bom  Nov.  7,  1880,  married  Ira  Drum- 
mond,  and  they  reside  at  Johnstown,  Pa.; 
Ijysle  Reed,  born  April  8,  1884,  lives  in  the 
State  of  Washington,  making  a  name  for  him- 
self in  that  wonderful  part  of  the  country; 
Eugene  Everett,  born  May  10,  1886,  who  re- 
mains at  home,  assisting  his  father,  married 
lone  Frederick,  of  South  Mahoning  township ; 
David  Watt,  bom  Nov.  25,  1896,  resides  at 
liome. 

Mr.  Elder  is  a  broad-minded,  thinking  man, 
temperate  in  all  things,  and  gives  his  polit- 
leal  support  to  the  Prohibition  party.  He 
stands  high  in  the  esteem  of  his  fellow  citi- 
zens, as  has  been  shown  by  their  frequent 
selection  of  him  for  responsible  public  offices, 
and  he  has  served  his  township  nine  years  as 
a  school  director,  one  year  as  supervisor  and 
fifteen  years  as  a  justice  of  the  peace.  In 
all  movements  that  give  certain  promise  of 
.'jubstantial  benefit  to  his  section  Mr.  Elder's 
cooperation  may  be  counted  on.    He  is  a  mem- 


918 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ber  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Richmond,  of  which  he  has  been  an  elder  for 
thirty  years. 

TODD  R.  BODEN,  M.  D.,  physician  and 
surgeon  at  the  Jacksonville  mines,  Mclntyre, 
Young  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born  in 
Kiskiminetas  township,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa., 
son  of  James  B.  and  Emily  (Caldwell)  Boden. 
He  is  a  member  of  a  family  of  Scotch-Irish 
extraction. 

John  Boden,  the  great-grandfather  of  Dr. 
Boden,  and  founder  of  the  family  in  America, 
came  from  Bothwell  Castle,  Scotland,  and 
settled  in  what  is  now  White  township,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  became  a  land  owner 
and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  married  a  Miss  Marks,  and  they 
had  the  following  children:  James;  John; 
Samuel;  William;  Margaret;  Sally;  Jane, 
who  married  Jacob  Peeler,  and  Polly,  who 
married  Thomas  Lucas. 

Samuel  Boden,  son  of  John,  was  born  in 
White  township  in  1800,  and  there  grew  to 
manhood,  subsequently  removing  to  Arm- 
sti-ong  county,  where  he  rented  a  farm.  Later 
he  purchased  land  there,  in  South  Bend  town- 
ship, on  which  he  made  numerous  improve- 
ments, and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  dying  in  1854,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four 
years; "he  was  buried  at  Curry  Run  cemetery. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Samuel  Boden  married  Elizabeth  Cowan, 
daughter  of  John  Cowan,  and  she  died  in 
Kiskiminetas  township,  and  was  laid  to  rest 
in  Ridge  View  cemetery,  at  Eldersridge. 
Their  children  were:  John,  deceased,  who 
was  a  Union  soldier  during  the  Civil  war; 
Mary,  who  died  in  youug  womanhood;  Mar- 
garet, who  died  unmarried ;  Esther,  who  mar- 
ried David  Wray,  of  Ainnstrong  county; 
James  B. ;  George  Washington,  who  resides  in 
Kiskiminetas  township,  Annstrong  county, 
and  John,  who  died  young. 

James  B.  Boden,  son  of  Samuel,  and  father 
of  Dr.  Boden,  was  born  Dec.  10,  1837,  and 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
and  Eldersridge  academy,  under  Dr.  Donald- 
son. Ho  worked  with  his  father  until  the 
latter 's  death,  and  then  continued  to  reside 
with  his  mother  until  Feb.  23,  1864,  when  he 
enlisted  at  C.reensburg,  Pa.,  in  Company  D, 
14th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  Capt. 
William  W.  Murphy,  Colonel  Sehoonmaker, 
of  Pittsburg.  Contracting  illness,  he  was  con- 
fined to  the  hospital  at  Leavenworth.  Kans., 
and  received  his  honorable  discharge  Aug.  24, 
1865.    Mr.  Boden  then  retui-ned  to  his  home 


and  took  up  the  peaceful  occupation  of  tilling 
the  soil  in  Kiskiminetas  township,  Armstrong 
county,  on  the  homestead,  subsequently  buy- 
ing a  farm  of  fifty-one  acres,  which  he  oper- 
ated until  1893.  At  that  time  he  located 
on  his  present  farm  at  Eldersridge,  in  South 
Bend  township,  near  the  Indiana  county  line, 
where  he  has  115  acres  of  land  in  a  high 
state  of  cultivation.  He  is  .still  an  active 
farmer,  and  one  of  the  best  citizens  of  his 
community.  Formerly  a  Republican,  he  now 
gives  his  support  to  the  Prohibition  party. 
He  is  an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Eldersridge. 

On  April  6,  1869,  James  B.  Boden  was  mar- 
ried at  Saltsburg,  Pa.,  to  Emily  Caldwell, 
who  was  born  jMareh  7,  1843,  daughter  of 
James  and  Margaret  (Crawford)  Caldwell. 
and  the.v  have  had  the  following  cliildren : 
Alfred  W.,  bom  Dee.  13,  1869.  formerly  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  and  now  a 
farmer  of  South  Bend  toismfship,  Armstrong 
count.y,  was  married  Sept.  10,  1896,  to 
Mary  E.  Hindman;  Sigournev  Blanche,  born 
Feb."  4,  1871,  died  Oct.  26,  1878 ;  Charles  C, 
born  Aug.  5,  1872,  died  Nov.  16,  1878 ;  Prof. 
Samuel  F.,  born  Dee.  23,  1874,  has  been  an 
instractor  in  schools  in  Armstrong  and  Indi- 
ana counties  and  is  now  principal  of  the  Iselin 
schools:  James  C,  his  twin,  an  undertaker 
and  real  estate  man  of  Saltsburg,  Pa.,  was 
married  ]\Iay  1,  1907,  to  Nannie  M.  McBride : 
Todd  R.  and  Wallace  C.  were  bom  April  23. 
1884,  the  latter  d.>Tng  June  10,  1884;  Cordie 
Emily,  born  May  10,  1887,  is  residing  with 
her  parents. 

Todd  R.  Boden  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Kiskiminetas 
township,  following  which  he  attended  El- 
dersridge academy  under  Thomas  T.  Gealey. 
There  he  was  gi-aduated,  and  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  years  began  teaching  school.  He 
continued  as  an  educator  for  six  years  in 
Armstrong  and  Indiana  counties,  and  then 
entered  the  Western  Pennsjdvania  I'niver- 
sity  at  Pittsburg,  where  he  spent  two  years. 
Subsequently  he  became  a  student  in  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  from 
which  he  gi-aduated  with  the  degree  of  ]M. 
D.,  in  May,  1910,  and  became  assistant  to 
Dr.  Clark,  "at  Emest,  Pa.  In  April,  1911,  he 
entered  practice  on  his  own  account  in  what 
is  now  the  mining  to-\vn  of  Mclntyre,  in 
Young  to'ivnship,  and  in  addition  to  earing 
for  the  medical  needs  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  families  in  the  immediate  vicinit.v,  he 
has  a  large  country  practice.  Dr.  Boden  is 
devoted  to  his  profession,  is  interested  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


919 


town  and  its  people,  and  is  constantly  striving 
to  better  local  conditions  in  every  possible 
way.  He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  but  reserves  the  right  to  vote  for  the 
candidate  whom  his  judgment  tells  him  is 
best  fitted  for  the  ofSce.  His  religious  views 
are  those  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Dr. 
Boden  is  popular  throughout  this  section, 
where  he  has  a  wide  circle  of  warm  personal 
friends. 

JOHN  J.  RICHARDS,  now  living  retired 
in  Indiana,  was  born  Dec.  4,  1845,  at  Brady's 
Bend,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Jenkins)  Richards,  natives  of  Wales, 
the  father  born  in  Cardiganshire. 

John  Richards,  the  father,  was  a  miner  in 
his  native  land,  working  in  lead  and  other 
ore  mines.  Having  decided  to  try  his  for- 
tune in  the  United  States,  he  came  over  with 
his  sister,  Jemima,  leaving  his  family  until 
he  could  prepare  a  home  for  them.  He  was 
three  months  and  fourteen  days  on  the  ocean, 
had  the  misfortune  to  be  shipwi-ecked,  and 
was  alone  when  he  landed  at  New  York,  his 
sister  having  died  at  sea.  Proceeding  at  once 
to  Carbondale,  Pa.,  he  did  not  find  work  as 
he  expected,  so  he  walked  thence  to  Pitts- 
burg, where  he  arrived  with  but  twelve  cents 
in  his  pocket.  From  there  he  went  on  to 
Brady's  Bend,  in  Armstrong  county,  where 
he  commenced  to  work  in  the  mines,  but  the 
company  which  employed  him  went  under 
soon  afterward,  and  in  company  with  another 
miner,  Richard  Ulley,  he  made  a  raft  and 
went  down  the  Allegheny  river  to  Pittsburg. 
He  dug  coal  at  Sawmill  run  for  a  cent  a 
bushel,  but  soon  went  west  to  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
in  which  section  he  dug  coal  for  one  winter. 
Coming  back  to  Brady's  Bend,  he  found  the 
mines  had  started  again  and  he  was  employed 
there  for  several  .years.  Meantime  he  had 
sent  for  his  wife  and  family,  then  consisting 
of  four  children,  and  in  1843  they  moved  to 
Johnstown,  Pa.,  where  he  worked  in  the  coal 
mines.  The  family  made  their  hom*  at  that 
place  until  1858.  Mrs.  Richards  died  there 
in  1856,  and  Mr.  Richards  subsequently 
(1858)  moved  to  Broad  Top,  Huntingdon 
Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
days,  dying  Jan.  12,  1873,  at  the  age  of 
sevent3^-two  years.  IMr.  and  Mi*s.  Richards 
were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  They 
had  the  following  children:  Jemima,  Mrs. 
Jeremiah  Griffiths,  who  died  jn  Punxsutaw- 
ney.  Pa. ;  ^largaret,  Mrs.  David  Shorthill, 
who  died  in  Livingston,  Mont. ;  Thomas,  of 
Punxsutawney ;     Angeline,     Mi's.     "William 


Johns,  who  died  in  Punxsutawney ;  John  J. ; 
Abigail,  Mrs.  Joseph  Higgins,  who  died  in 
Clearfield,  Pa.,  and  ilary  Jane,  Mrs.  William 
Hill,  of  Johnstown,  Pennsylvania. 

John  J.  Richards  passed  the  greater  part 
of  his  early  life  at  Johnstown  and  Broad  Top, 
Pa.,  attending  school  in  both  places.  At  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  he  ran  away  twice 
and  tried  to  enter  the  army,  but  his  father 
brought  him  back.  The  third  time  he  made 
the  attempt  he  was  successful,  and  he  enlisted 
at  Hollidaysburg,  Blair  Co.,  Pa.,  Feb.  24, 
1864,  for  three  years  or  during  the  war,  be- 
coming a  private  in  Company  K  (Capt.  John 
H.  Boring),  22d  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  (Col. 
George  Higgins),  with  which  he  served  twenty 
months,  being  discharged  at  Harrisburg,  Pa., 
Oct.  26,  1865.  He  was  under  Sheridan  in  the 
Shenandoah  valley,  and  took  part  in  the  bat- 
tles of  Newmarket,  Port  Republic,  Lynchburg, 
Fisher's  Hill,  Port  Republic  (again),  Aspa 
Gap,  Opequan  Creek,  Winchester  and  Cedar 
Creek.    He  was  wounded  while  on  scout  duty. 

Coming  home  from  the  army,  Mr.  Richards 
went  to  work  in  the  mines,  being  thus  em- 
ployed in  Pennsylvania,  Ohio  and  Maryland. 
On  May  21,  1871,  he  married  Anna  Matilda 
Drennen,  of  Huntingdon,  Pa.,  daughter  of 
Robert  Drennen,  who  was  born  and  reared  in 
Huntingdon  county;  he  worked  on  the  con- 
struction of  the  Juniata  canal.  Locating  at 
Powelton,  Center  Co.,  Pa.,  Mr.  Richards  lived 
there  two  j^ears,  moving  thence  to  Hunting- 
don county,  and  from  there  to  Clearfield 
county  and  later  to  Jefl'erson  county.  On 
his  retirement,  in  1903,  he  moved  from  the 
latter  county  to  the  borough  of  Indiana,  where 
he  has  since  had  his  home.  He  bought  his 
present  residence,  at  No.  115  North  Fifth 
street,  and  is  very  comfortably  established 
there. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richards  have  had  one  son, 
John  R.  Mr.  Richards  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  0.  0.  F.,  belonging  to  Lodge  No.  261,  of 
Coalmont,  Huntingdon  Co.,  Pa.  He  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

JOHN  R.  RICHARDS,  one  of  the  most 
successful  coal  drillers  in  the  fields  of  west- 
ern Pennsylvania  and  West  Virginia,  resides 
at  Indiana,  Indiana  county,  and  is  thor- 
oughly interested  in  the  progress  of  that  re- 
gion. He  was  born  at  Powelton,  Center  Co., 
Pa.,  Oct.  1,  1872,  and  is  of  Welsh  descent,  be- 
ing the  only  son  of  John  J.  Richards. 

John  R.  Richards  attended  public  school  in 
his  native  county,  and  later  went  to  the 
Palms  business  college  at  Philadelphia.     He 


920 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


then  went  to  work  for  the  Berwind  Coal  Min- 
ing Company,  being  employed  in  the  mines 
until  he  was  seventeen  years  old,  when  he 
started  drilling.  This  has  since  been  his  prin- 
cipal occupation.  Following  it  continuously 
until  1893,  he  worked  in  the  mines  again  for 
a  few  years,  until  1897,  when  he  returned  to 
the  drilling  business.  In  the  spring  of  1898 
he  bought  a  one-fourth  interest  in  a  drilling 
business,  his  partners  being  William  Pifer, 
H.  Olson  and  T.  G.  Alabran,  with  whom  he 
was  associated  until  the  spring  of  1900,  when 
he  sold  out  to  his  partners  and  entered  the 
business  alone.  He  contracts  to  bore  for  coal, 
and  has  acquired  an  extensive  patronage  in 
the  fields  of  this  locality  and  West  Virginia, 
being  one  of  the  best  and  most  favorably 
known  men  in  his  line  in  those  sections.  As 
he  has  prospered,  Mv.  Richards  has  invested 
in  other  lines,  being  a  stockholder  in  the  Du- 
gan  Glass  Company  of  Indiana  and  in  the  In- 
diana Lumber  Supply  Company.  '  He  has 
shown  decided  ability  in  the  management  of 
his  affairs,  and  has  built  up  a  flourishing  busi- 
ness by  close  application  to  his  work  and  a 
thorough  study  of  the  most  approved  meth- 
ods. 

In  1904  Mr.  Richards  married  Belle  Swarts, 
of  Indiana  county,  and  they  have  four  chil- 
dren, namely:  Esther,  John  D.,  Robert  M. 
and  Thomas  J.  Mr.  Richards  is  well  known 
in  fraternal  circles,  holding  membership  in 
Lodge  No.  313,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Indiana,  in  the 
Modem  Woodmen  and  in  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks, 
being  a  past  exalted  i-uler  of  the  last  named 
organization. 

JAMES  C.  BOVARD,  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Bovard  &  Ellis,  of  Marion  Center,  In- 
diana county,  was  born  May  9,  1865,  on  the 
Bovard  farm  in  East  Mahoning  township,  this 
county,  son  of  James  Bovard. 

The  Bovard  family  is  of  French  extraction, 
the  name  being  spelled  Bouvard  in  France, 
where  representatives  bearing  it  are  very 
prominent.  This  family  was  founded  in  West- 
moreland county.  Pa.,  in  an  early  day,  and 
the  original  homestead  of  the  immigrant  Bo- 
vard is  a  half  mile  from  what  is  now  Delmont, 
being  owned  at  present  by  the  widow  of  Sam- 
uel Bovard,  an  aunt  of  James  C.  Bovard. 
This  property  was  devoted  to  general  farm- 
ing and  on  it  a  saw-mill  was  erected. 

John  Bovard,  the  grandfather  of  James  C. 
Bovard,  died  on  this  Westmoreland  county 
homestead. 

James  Bovard,  a  son  of  John  Bovard  and 
father  of  James  C.  Bovard,  was  born  on  the 


family  estate  in  Westmoreland  county  in  1818. 
He  married  IMary  Bovard,  who  was  born  near 
Saltsburg,  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  and 
the  young  couple  moved  to  Indiana  county, 
where  for  thirty-five  years  Mr.  Bovard  was 
engaged  in  a  mercantile  business  in  East  Ma- 
honing township.  In  1866  he  settled  at  Mar- 
ion Center,  where  he  continued  in  business 
as  a  merchant  until  1879,  when  he  retired. 
He  died  in  Armstrong  county  September  26, 
1905,  firm  in  the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  was  a  member.  A  Re- 
publican, he  served  as  the  first  burgess  of 
JMarion  Center.  His  wife  died  Dec.  12,  1900, 
the  mother  of  children  as  follows:  William 
C,  who  was  gi-aduated  from  Jefferson  Medi- 
cal College,  now  practicing  his  profession  at 
IMamont,  Pa.  (he  married  Marie  Courtney 
Merchant)  ;  Alice,  who  married  William  Sim- 
ons, of  Chicago;  Melissa,  who  died  in  child- 
hood; and  James  C. 

James  C.  Bovard  attended  the  school  at 
Marion  Center  presided  over  by  Mrs.  L.  N. 
Park,  and  later  had  Miss  Ada  Brady,  William 
Coulter,  William  G.  Stewart,  John  S.  Helm, 
Butler  Simpson  and  Samuel  Wolf  as  instruc- 
tors. When  he  was  sixteen  years  old  he  left 
school,  and  took  the  management  of  a  plan- 
ing mill  off  the  bauds  of  his  father,  who  had 
more  than  he  could  attend  to  at  that  time. 
Later  on  he  enlarged  the  scope  of  his  opera- 
tions to  include  the  handling  of  lumber,  con- 
tinuing alone  until  1898,  when  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  I.  C.  Ellis,  under  the  name 
of  Bovard  &  Ellis.  The  present  plant  was 
erected  in  1907,  and  is  a  thoroughly  modern 
affair.  The  firm  cany  on  a  general  planing 
mill  and  lumber  business  and  have  a  large 
trade. 

On  Oct.  18,  1888,  Mr.  Bovard  was  married 
in  Marion  Center  to  Eva  L.  McCormiek,  of 
that  place,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  C.  and  Re- 
becca (Shorthill)  McCormiek.  ]\Ir.  Bovard 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
which  he  supports  liberally.  He  takes  a  pride 
in  being  a  regular  Republican,  but  aside  from 
giving  his  influence  as  a  private  citizen,  he  is 
not  active  in  politics. 

WILLIA]\I  SEWARD  CARNAHAN  is  one 
of  the  leading  business  men  in  Armstrong 
township,  Indiana  county,  the  finu  of  W.  S. 
Carnahan  &  Brother,  of  which  he  is  senior 
member,  conducting  two  well-appointed  gen- 
eral stores,  one  at  Pai-kwood  and  one  at  She- 
locta.    His  home  is  at  Shelocta. 

The  Carnahan  family  is  numbered  among 
the  early  settlers  of  this  section  of  Pennsyl- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


921 


vania,  the  Carualians  having  come  to  America 
at  the  same  time  as  the  well-known  Tomb 
family  of  East  Wheatfield  township,  this 
county.  Thomas  Carnahau,  great-gi-and- 
father  of  William  S.  Carnahan,  resided  in 
Perrysville,  Westmoreland  county,  five  miles 
from  Saltsburg.  He  married  a  Miss  McKin- 
ley,  and  they  had  the  following  children: 
Israel,  Thomas,  Elizabeth  (married  Matthias 
Jockey),  Wilson  (who  went  to  California  in 
1849,  returned  to  Pittsburg  and  engaged  in 
the  shoe  business),  Samuel  and  David  R. 

David  R.  Carnahan,  son  of  Thomas,  was 
born  at  Perrysville,  in  Bell  township,  West- 
moreland county,  and  lived  to  the  age  of 
ninety-one  years,  dying  in  Armstrong  town- 
ship, Indiana  county.  His  schooling  was  lim- 
ited, and  at  an  early  age  he  became  head  of 
a  family.  Fanning  was  his  principal  voca- 
tion, and  he  was  enterprising  and  progressive, 
being  the  first  man  in  Westmoreland  county 
to  own  a  grain  cradle.  Later  he  went  to  Mc- 
Keesport,  Pa.,  where  he  followed  mining  for 
a  time,  and  then  returning  home  bought  a 
farm  of  150  acres,  which  he  subsequently  laid 
out  into  building  lots  and  sold,  this  being  what 
is  now  Perrysville.  In  1846  he  became  inter- 
ested in  salt  works  on  the  Kiskiminetas  river, 
near  Saltsburg,  and  for  a  time  was  engaged 
in  making  salt,  and  at  the  same  time  he  con- 
ducted a  steam  gristmill  located  on  the  Kis- 
kiminetas. He  then  moved  to  what  is  now 
Salina  station  and  followed  milling,  then 
moved  to  the  old  farm  at  Perrysville,  and  in 
1848  came  to  Indiana  county,  where  he  pur- 
chased the  James  Clark  farm  of  150  acres  in 
White  to\vnship.  A  number  of  years  after- 
ward he  made  a  trade  with  John  Cunning- 
ham, giving  that  place  for  a  tract  of  180 
acres  in  Armstrong  towmship,  upon  which  he 
passed  the  rest  of  his  days,  carrying  on  gen- 
eral farming.  He  was  much  respected  in 
his  neighborhood,  served  at  one  time  as  sup- 
ei-visor  of  roads,  held  other  offices  of  trust, 
and  was  a  valued  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church.  His  first  wife,  Martha 
(Morrison),  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven 
years,  and  he  subsequently  married  (second) 
Lavina  Berkeypile.  There  were  five  children 
by  the  first  union:  Thomas  M.  is  mentioned 
below;  Mary  Agnes  married  Thomas  Hearn; 
Israel  married  Nancy  Anthony,  and  they  are 
mentioned  elsewhere ;  Martha  (deceased)  mar- 
ried Sansom  Person;  John  IMorrison  (de- 
ceased) married  Margaret  Cunningham. 
Eight  children  were  born  to  the  second  mar- 


riage :  Albert,  Carrie,  Harvey,  Lottie,  Levi, 
Levina,  David  M.  and  Dick. 

Thomas  M.  Carnahan,  father  of  William 
Seward  Carnahan,  was  bom  Aug.  27,  1837, 
at  McKeesport,  Pa.,  and  obtained  a  common 
school  education.  He  assisted  his  parents 
with  the  farm  work,  and  in  1848  moved  with 
his  father  to  Indiana  county,  continuing  to 
farm  with  him  until  1888.  He  also  owned  a 
farm  of  his  own,  in  Armstrong  county,  upon 
which  he  lived  about  fourteen  years.  In  1890 
he  sold  his  farm  and  engaged  in  the  general 
store  business  at  Shelocta  as  senior  member 
of  the  firm  of  Thomas  M.  Carnahan  &  Sons, 
retaining  his  interest  in  this  business  until 
his  sons  bought  it  On  June  15,  1896,  he 
entered  upon  his  duties  as  postmaster  at  She- 
locta, and  has  served  as  such  ever  since;  the 
office  is  located  in  his  sons'  store.  Mr.  Car- 
nahan has  been  associated  with  public  af- 
fairs in  his  township  practically  throughout 
his  mature  life,  has  held  the  offices  of  super- 
visor and  school  director,  and  in  political  con- 
nection is  a  Republican.  In  his  younger  days 
he  belonged  to  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  and  in  his 
early  manhood  he  was  a  member  of  the  State 
militia,  at  Chambersburg.  He  is  an  earnest 
member  of  the  Shelocta  United  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Armstrong  township,  and  is  at  pres- 
ent serving  as  elder  in  the  cbvirch. 

On  Dec.  25,  1855,  Mr.  Carnahan  married 
Mary  Ellen  Hamilton,  who  was  born  in  WTiite 
township,  near  Indiana,  daughter  of  James 
and  Margaret  (Rhea)  Hamilton,  and  died 
June  15,  1911,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years. 
She  is  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery  at  Indi- 
ana. Children  as  follows  were  born  to  this 
union :  James  Otis,  now  a  retired  farmer  liv- 
ing at  Indiana,  married  Eva  Portifield;  Jane 
married  James  Hill,  who  is  in  the  livery  busi- 
ness at  Indiana,  where  they  reside ;  David  Ed- 
ward, a  farmer,  now, living  in  Ligonier,  Pa., 
married  Belle  Ralston ;  Ella  M.  married  John 
S.  Anderson,  a  farmer  of  Center  township; 
William  Seward  is  mentioned  below;  Mary 
Cynthia  (deceased)  was  the  wife  of  E.  G. 
Orr;  Thomas  Wilson,  who  conducts  the  store 
of  W.  S.  Carnahan  &  Bro.  at  Parkwood  and 
also  serves  as  postmaster  at  that  place,  mar- 
ried Mary  Luella  McGaughey,  daughter  of 
Joseph  W.  McGaughey,  and  after  her  death 
married  Zella  M.  MeAdoo,  by  whom  he  has 
three  children,  Sarah  M..  Thomas  Archibald 
and  Mary  Ellen ;  Maud  died  when  three  and 
a  half  years  old. 

William  Seward  Carnahan  was  born  March 
24,  1865,  in  Wlaite  township,  Indiana  county, 
one  and  a  half  miles  from  the  town  of  In- 


922 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


diana,  and  there  gi-ew  to  manhood,  receiving 
his  education  in  the  public  schools.  In  his 
early  manhood  he  was  engaged  in  the  sawmill 
business  in  association  with  his  two  brothers, 
and  they  also  operated  threshing  machines 
and  hay  binders.  On  Jan.  1,  1892,  he  and  his 
brother  Thomas  bought  their  father's  inter- 
est in  the  general  store  at  Shelocta,  in  the 
conduct  of  which  they  had  previously  been 
associated  with  him  under  the  firm  name  of 
Thomas  M.  Carnahan  &  Sons,  and  a  few  years 
later,  in  1895,  thej'  opened  another  store,  in 
Parkwood,  having  conducted  both  places  ever 
since.  As  before  noted,  his  father  is  post- 
master at  Shelocta,  and  his  brother  at  Park- 
wood.  Mr.  Carnahan  has  demonstrated  his 
business  ability  in  everything  with  which  he 
has  been  connected,  and  his  fellow  citizens 
have  recognized  his  fitness  by  calling  him  to 
various  public  positions  of  trust.  He  is  at 
present  serving  as  assessor  of  his  borough  and 
president  of  the  school  board.  Politically  he 
is  a  Republican.  His  success  in  his  own  ven- 
tures, and  his  usefulness  to  the  community, 
have  brought  him  into  prominence  among  the 
progressive  residents  of  his  locality. 

On  March  8,  1893,  Mr.  Carnahan  married 
Jessie  Lowraan,  daughter  of  Samuel  Marlin 
Lowman,  and  they  have  three  children: 
Charles  Kelly,  Julia  Marie  and  William  Ham- 
ilton. 

DELMONT  E.  NOTLEY,  a  retired  lum- 
berman residing  at  Cherrytree,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  in  Montgomery  township, 
this  county,  March  21,  1859,  son  of  John  F. 
and  Amanda  E.  (Jones)  Notley. 

John  Notley  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  came 
to  America  with  his  family  in  1829,  landing 
at  Quebec,  Canada,  whence  he  drove  across 
the  country  to  Burnside,  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa. 
After  a  short  stay  there  he  came  on  to  Mont- 
gomery- township,  Indiana  county,  where  he 
arrived  in  1830,  being  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
that  region.  Later  on  he  assisted  in  the  build- 
ing of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  and  was  a 
man  of  some  property.  Here  he  died  in  1863. 
Of  his  nine  children,  John  F.  was  the  young- 
est. 

John  F.  Notley  was  engaged  in  farming  and 
lumbering  in  Montgomery  township  until 
1881,  when  he  moved  to  Cherrytree,  there  liv- 
ing retired  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1898,  when  he  was  seventy-one  .years  old. 

The  Jones  family,  Mr.  Notley's  maternal  an- 
cestors, originated  in  Wales,  the  founders  of 
the  branch  in  America  coming  from  that  coun- 
try at  an  early  day.     Dolmont  Jones,  grand- 


father of  Delmont  E.  Notley,  came  to  In- 
diana county  early  in  life,  living  for  a  time 
at  Cookport,  but  later  went  to  Pittsburg.  He 
became  the  owner  of  a  farm,  but  lived  in  Pitts- 
burg until  his  death.  Jlrs.  Amanda  E. 
(Jones)  Notley,  daughter  of  Delmont  Jones 
and  mother  of  Delmont  E.  Notley,  was  born 
in  Pittsburg.  She  survives  her  husband  and 
makes  her  home  with  her  daughter,  I\Irs.  C. 
M.  Shaffer,  of  Barnesboro. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  F.  Notley  were  the  par- 
ents of  nine  children:  Elizabeth,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Frank  B.  Camp,  resides  on  the  old 
homestead  in  Montgomeiy  township ;  Delmont 
E.  is  mentioned  below;  Mary  is  deceased; 
Robert  F.  is  a  merchant  of  Altoona,  Pa. ;  James 
M.  lives  at  Ocean  City,  N.  J. ;  Simeon  is  de- 
ceased; John  died  in  infancy;  Rosie  is  de- 
ceased; Celia  is  the  wife  of  C.  M.  Shaffer,  a 
druggist  of  Barnesboro,  Pennsylvania. 

Delmont  E.  Notley's  boyhood  was  passed  in 
a  healthy,  nonnal  way  in  ^Montgomery  town- 
ship, where  he  alternated  attendance  at  school 
with  assisting  his  father.  When  he  attained 
his  majority  he  embarked  in  a  lumber  business 
at  Cherrytree,  and  found  this  line  of  endeavor 
so  profitable  that  he  continued  in  it  until  his 
retirement.  For  thirty-three  years  he  has 
been  a  resident  of  Chenytree,  and  his  inter- 
ests are  centered  there.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbj1:erian  Church  of  Cherr}i;ree,  while 
Ifraternall.y  he  belongs  to  Summit  Lodge,  No. 
312,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Ebensburg. 

On  Aug.  14,  1880,  Mr.  Notley  was  married 
to  Jennie  M.  ]\IcKeag,  born  in  Indiana  county, 
a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Jennie  (Atchison) 
McKeag,  the  former  born  in  Clinton  county. 
Pa.,  and  the  latter  in  Clearfield  county.  Pa. 
They  were  pioneers  of  Indiana  county,  set- 
tling at  Cherrytree,  where  the  father  rounded 
out  his  life  as  a  lumbennan,  dying  in  1882. 
his  wife  surviving  him  until  1883.  Mrs.  Not- 
ley passed  away  Nov.  7,  1912,  the  mother  of 
four  children:  Emma,  who  died  April  1, 
1883 ;  Octa,  who  is  the  wife  of  V.  0.  Tonkin, 
of  Cherrytree,  and  has  one  child,  Robert;  W. 
Delmont,  who  is  living  at  home;  and  Esther, 
also  living  at  home. 

A]M0S  E.  GILLESPIE,  general  superin- 
tendent of  the  plant  of  the  Josephine  Furnace 
&  Coke  Company,  at  Josephine,  Indiana 
county,  has  been  stationed  there  in  that  ca- 
pacity since  1906,  and  much  of  its  develop- 
ment has  been  carried  on  under  his  super- 
vision. He  has  been  in  his  present  line  of 
work  ever  since  he  entered  business  life. 

]\Ir.  Gillespie  was  born  Dec.  8.  1874,  in  Ris- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


923 


ing  Sun,  Cecil  Co.,  Md.,  son  of  William  E.  and 
Mary  R.  (Ewing)  Gillespie.  His  early  edu- 
cation was  obtained  in  the  schools  of  his  na- 
tive county,  and  he  subsequently  took  a  course 
at  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology, 
Boston,  graduating  in  1896.  Immediately  af- 
terward he  took  a  position  as  chemist  with 
the  Carnegie  Steel  Company  at  Duquesne,  Pa., 
where  he  continued  until  1899,  in  that  year 
receiving  appointment  as  assistant  superin- 
tendent of  the  blast  furnaces  at  Youngstown, 
Ohio,  for  the  Carnegie  Steel  Company.  He 
was  there  for  two  years,  in  1901  returning  to 
Duquesne  to  become  assistant  superintendent 
of  the  Carnegie  Steel  Company's  blast  fur- 
nace at  that  point.  After  one  year  in  that 
position  he  came  to  Scottdale,  Westmoreland 

.Co.,  Pa.,  to  take  the  superintendency  of  the 
Scottdale  Furnace  Company,  which  he  held 
for  four  years,  from  1902  to  1906,  since  when 
he  has  been  at  Josephine  as  general  superin- 
tendent of-  the  Josephine  Furnace  &  Coke 
Company.  Like  the  Scottdale  plant,  this  is  a 
subsidiai*y  Company  of  Corrigan,  McKinney 
&  Co.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

•  At  that  time  the  Josephine  establishment 
was  in  its  infancy,  and  the  large  plant  was 
constructed  under  his  supervision;  a  second 
furnace  is  now  in  operation.  A  settlement 
of  considerable  size  has  grown  up  around  these 
works,  190  dwelling  houses  having  been  built, 
streets  laid  out,  and  various  improvements 
made  necessary  for  the  comfort  and  well-be- 
ing of  the  community,  all  of  which  has  been 
accomplished  economically  and  eiSciently  un- 
der his  able  management.  The  company  has 
a  chartered  railroad,  a  chartered  electric  light 
plant  and  two  water  systems,  one  to  supply 
the  town  and  one  to  supply  the  works,  over 
two  million  dollars  having  been  expended  in 
land  and  construction  work  (this  including 
the  dwellings  and.other  buildings)  during  his 
incumbency.  Josephine  is  one  of  the  most 
prosperous  and  best  ordered  mining  towns  in 
Indiana  county.  Over  three  hundred  hands 
find  employment  at  the  works,  and  the  town 
has  a  total  population  of  a  thousand  or  more, 
of  various  nationalities.  The  employees  are 
comfortably  housed,  and  the  company  has 
done  many  things  to  contribute  to  their  com- 
fort and  convenience — more  than  the  average, 
as  the  spirit  of  contentment  which  prevails  in 
the  town  testifies.  A  general  store  and  bank 
was  conducted  by  the  company  until  the  build- 
ing (which  cost  .$45,000)  was  destroyed  by  fire 
in  1910.  Six  hundred  tons  of  pig  iron  are 
turned  out  from  the  furnace  daily.  Mr.  Gil- 
lespie takes  a  personal  interest  in  the  welfare 


of  the  men  under  his  charge  and  their  famil- 
ies, and  he  has  used  his  influence  whenever 
possible  to  obtain  benefits  for  them,  the  pub- 
lic schools  and  the  general  prosperity  in  all 
lines  receiving  his  best  thought  and  attention. 
He  has  served  as  member  of  the  board  of 
school  directors  of  Burrell  township,  in  which 
the  town  lies,  and  is  at  present  road  super- 
visor, being  particularly  interested  in  the  good 
roads  movement. 

On  June  27,  1899,  Mr.  Gillespie  was  mar- 
ried, at  Duquesne,  Pa.,  to  Florence  L.  Mc- 
Clure,  daughter  of  Matthew  L.  and  Hannah 
S.  (Read)  AlcClure,  and  they  have  a  family 
of  five  children:  Helen  McClure,  J.  Read, 
William  E.,  Florence  L.  and  George  F.  The 
family  live  at  Blacklick,  where  Mr.  Gillespie 
has  a  fine  brick  residence,  one  of  the  hand- 
somest in  that  part  of  Indiana  county.  Mr. 
and  Jlrs.  Gillespie  are  membere  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  are  active  in  its  work,  Mj-. 
Gillespie  serving  as  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 
Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  582, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  at  Homestead,  Pa.,  and  of  the 
B.  P.  0.  Elks  lodge  at  Scottdale,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

HARRY  W.  FEE,  attorney  at  law  at  In- 
diana, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  present  post- 
master of  that  borough,  was  born  March  9, 
1870,  near  Reed  Station,  this  county,  a  few 
miles  south  of  the  town  of  Indiana. 

(I)  Andrew  Fee,  the  great-grandfather  of 
Harry  W.  Fee,  was  an  early  settler  of  what 
is  now  Armagh  borough,  and  his  first  child, 
Jeannette,  was  the  first  child  to  be  born  in 
that  borough — her  birth  occurring  about  1800. 
She'  died  at  Blairsville,  Pa.,  when  about  sev- 
enty-two years  of  age.  Later  in  life  Andrew 
Fee  removed  to  Wlieatfield  township,  settling 
at  what  is  now  Heshbon,  Indiana  county,  and 
there  his  death  occurred. 

(II)  Thomas  Fee,  son  of  Andrew  Fee,  and 
grandfather  of  Harry  W.  Fee,  married  Jane 
Mahan. 

(III)  John  Fee,  son  of  Thomas  Fee,  and 
father  of  Harry  W.  Fee,  was  for  a  number 
of  years  engaged  in  farming  at  Heshbon,  in 
Brushvalley  township,  whence  he  removed  to 
a  farm  near  Mechaniesburg,  and  thence  to  the 
borough  of  that  name,  where  he  became  the 
proprietor  of  a  chopping  and  planing  mill. 
There  his  death  occurred  in  August,  1910, 
when  he  was  aged  seventy-three  years.  He 
died  in  the  faith  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  which  he  had  held  various  offices; 
his  political  connections  were  with  the  Demo- 


924 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


cratie  party.  Mr.  Fee  married  Ellen  Duncan, 
who  still  survives  him,  and  resides  at  No.  533 
Railroad  avenue,  Indiana.  They  became  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  as  follows :  Laura, 
who  is  now  Mrs.  Aaron  Gamble,  of  Johns- 
town; William  J.,  a  former  member  of  Com- 
pany E,  20th  United  States  Infantry,  who 
died  at  Fort  Assinniboine,  Mont. ;  Alice,  who 
died  when  a  j'oung  woman,  in  1885;  Hany 
W.  and  Jennie,  twins,  the  latter  of  whom  is 
married  to  Henry  Koei-bel,  and  resides  at 
Millvale,  Pa.;  Lawrence  M.,  who  married 
Sarah  Stogden,  and  lives  in  Pittsburg;  and 
Elizabeth,  who  lives  with  her  mother. 

David  Duncan,  the  maternal  grandfather 
of  Harry  W.  Fee,  was  bom  in  what  is  now 
Green  township,  Indiana  county,  near  the 
present  town  of  Beringer  (Union town  post 
office),  and  married  Llargaret  Pierce,  who 
was  born  near  the  present  town  of  Plumville, 
Pennsylvania. 

(IV)  Harry  W.  Fee,  son  of  John  Fee,  was 
reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Brushvalley 
township  and  iti  the  Mechanicsburg  home,  and 
received  his  primary  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  the  former  and  summer  school  at 
the  latter  borough,  and  at  Armagh,  Pa.  In 
1888  he  began  teaching  school  in  Brushvalley 
township,  where  he  continued  two  terms,  then 
spent  two  terms  at  Homer  City,  a  term  at 
Mechanicsburg,  one  in  the  borough  of  Ar- 
magh and  one  at  Rosedale,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa. 
In  1893  he  began  studying  law,  in  the  offices 
of  David  H.  Tomb,  of  Indiana  borough,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1898.  He  con- 
tinued in  a  general  practice  in  Indiana  until 
called  for  sei-vice  during  the  Spanish- Ameri- 
can war.  He  had  enlisted  Feb.  25,  1893,  be- 
coming a  private  in  Company  D,  5th  P.  N.  G.. 
and  on  June  8,  1897,  was  transferred  to  Com- 
pany F.  He  was  promoted  to  corporal  ]\Iarch 
5,  1897,  to  sergeant  April  27,  1898,  and  re- 
ceived his  honorable  discharge  May  11,  1898. 
On  that  day  he  reenlisted,  becoming  sergeant 
of  Company  F,  5th  Pennsjdvania  Volunteer 
Infantrj-,  and  was  mustered  out  with  his  com- 
pany Nov.  7,  1898.  He  again  entered  the  ser- 
vice as  a  private  of  Company  F,  Jru.  2,  1899. 
was  elected  second  lieutenant  March  29,  1899, 
first  lieutenant  March  IS,  1902.  captain  Oct. 
26,  1903.  and  major  of  the  5th  Regiment  June 
29,  1907.  nnd  was  transferred  Jan.  1.  1910,  io 
major  of  the  10th.  His  commission  expired 
June  29,  1912,  and  since  that  time  he  has  been 
on  the  retired  list. 

On  his  return  to  private  life,  Major  Fee 
again  turned  his  entire  attention  to  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.     He  became  secretary 


of  the  Democratic  county  central  committee 
in  1896,  was  its  chairman  in  1897  and  1898, 
and  in  July,  1912,  was  again  elected  to  that 
position.  He  has  held  the  county  office  of 
auditor,  in  1900-1-2,  and  also  has  served  three 
years  as  county  solicitor,  1902-3-4:.  On  Aug. 
12,  1913,  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  In- 
diana, and  is  now  serving  in  that  position. 
Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Elks, 
the  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Woodmen  of  the 
World,  and  in  the  latter  is  a  charter  mem- 
ber of  Indiana  Camp,  No.  40,  of  which  he 
has  been  clerk  since  its  organization  in  1897. 
His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church.  Major  Fee  is  widely 
known  in  public,  professional  and  military 
circles,  and  the  universal  popularity  which 
lie  enjoys  is  eloquent  evidence  of  the  high 
esteem  in  which  he  is  held. 

On  Jan.  2,  1901,  Major  Fee  was  married  to 
Cora  Myers,  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Mar- 
garet (Allison)  Myers,  and  to  this  union  has 
come  one  child,  Eunice,  born  May  9,  1903. 

JOHN  SCOTT  OLIVER,  farmer  of  Cone- 
maugh  township  and  justice  of  the  peace,  was 
born  there  July  4,  1849,  sou  of  James  and 
jMary  K.  (Hart)  Oliver. 

James  Olivei-,  the  paternal  great-gi-and- 
father,  came  to  America  in  1784,  landing  at 
Philadelphia.  He  was  from  County  Derry, 
Ireland,  although  of  English-Irish  extraction. 
Mr.  Oliver  brought  both  friends  and  relatives 
with  him  in  addition  to  his  immediate  family, 
his  influence  among  his  associates  being  such 
as  to  make  them  follow  his  example  even  to 
the  extent  of  leaving  their  homes  for  a  new 
rountry.  The  party  settled  near  the  present 
Gettysburg,  and  there  Mr.  Oliver  took  up  a 
large  tract  of  land,  cultivating  it  for  a  few 
years.  After  his  death,  his  widow  moved  over 
the  intervening  mountains  and  settled  in  In- 
diana county.  James  Oliver  married  a  Miss 
Smith,  and  their  children  were:  Alexander, 
who  settled*  in  Armstrong  county,  where  his 
descendants  now  live ;  William,  who  lived  and 
died  near  Indiana  town :  John,  who  went  on 
a  trip  West  and  then  down  the  Ohio  river, 
and  was  never  heard  from  again ;  and  James. 

James  Oliver,  son  of  James,  the  American 
founder  of  the  family,  and  grandfather  of 
John  Scott  Oliver,  was  bom  in  Ireland  in 
1778,  and  was  but  a  few  years  old  when 
brought  to  this  country  by  his  parents.  His 
first  location  after  he  began  to  earn  his  own 
li\ing  was  near  Lebanon,  biit  later  he  moved 
to  Livermore,  settling  on  the  large  tract  of 
land  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering.    On 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


925 


this  property  he  built  a  large  house  and  barn, 
both  of  logs,  as  was  the  custom  in  those  days. 
The  Covenanter  Church  had  in  him  a  consist- 
ent member,  and  he  took  an  active  part  in  all 
its. good  works.  In  politics  he  was  a  Whig. 
On  July  10,  1810,  James  Oliver  was  married 
to  Mrs.  Margaret  (Colemaii)  Mathews,  born 
Oct.  5,  1779.  He  passed  away  in  1865,  and 
he  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the  little  ceme- 
teiy  in  Conemaugh  township.  The  following 
children  were  born  to  them:  James  is  men- 
tioned below ;  John,  who  was  a  carpenter  and 
farmer,  and  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  at 
Lebanon  for  thirty  years,  married  Nancy  Pat- 
tison;  William,  bom  April  23,  1817,  died 
Feb.  18,  1856,  who  followed  farming  at  Eld- 
ersridge,  married  Liza  Anderson,  and  had  one 
child,  Margaret  Elizabeth ;  Robert,  born  Nov. 
6,  1819,  died  Jan.  12,  1862,  married  Elizabeth 
Pattison  and  (second)  Jane  S.  Marshall,  and 
had  children,  Coleman,  William,  Martha 
(married  to  John  C.  Frederick)  and  Ida  L. ; 
Nancy,  born  Jan.  11, 1814,  died  June  10, 1814 ; 
Nicholas,  born  April  23,  1817,  died  Julv  28, 
1817. 

James  Oliver,  Jr.,  son  of  James  Oliver  and 
father  of  John  Scott  Oliver,  was  bom  April 
29,  1811,  and  died  July  6,  1875.  His  birth- 
place was  Conemaugh  township.  Indiana 
county,  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood  amid 
rural  surroundings,  learning  to  farm  while 
attending  tl'e  local  schools.  When  he  grew  to 
maturity  he  began  farming  on  his  own  ac- 
count, becoming  interested  in  stock  raising  as 
well.  Buying  the  James  Nesbett  farm  of  131 
acres  now  owned  by  his  heirs,  he  had  it  pat- 
ented in  1849.  Active  in  church  work,  he  first 
connected  himself  with  the  Seceder  Church, 
later  joining  the  Covenanters,  became  an 
elder  of  that  body,  and  held  that  office  until 
his  death.  Devoted  to  home  and  family,  he 
was  domestic  in  his  tastes  and  took  his  pleas- 
ures surrounded  by  his  own  circle.  James 
Oliver  married  Mary  K.  Hart,  who  was  born 
in  1814,  daughter  of  John  and  Abigail  (Scott) 
Hart,  of  White  township,  and  died  June  11, 
1885.  Children  as  follows  were  born  to  them : 
James  Mathews,  born  Oct.  17,  1839,  is  on  the 
old  homestead  near  Livermore  (during  the 
Civil  war,  he  served  in  Company  G,  206th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  from  1863 
to  1864,  under  Captain  ^MeCombs  and  Col. 
William  A.  Brady,  being  under  fire  at  James 
River  and  while  on  the  reserve  force)  ;  a  son, 
bom  Feb.  1.  1841,  died  Feb.  15,  1841 ;  Abigail, 
born  July  2,  1842,  died  Aug.  1.  1844;  Mar- 
garet Amanda,  born  Dec.  27,  1844,  died  Dec. 
8,   1900,  unmarried,   having  made  her  home 


with  her  brother  all  her  life;  Nancy  Jane, 
liorn  Feb.  20,  1847,  is  now  her  brother's  house- 
keeper; John  Scott  was  next;  Martha  Ann, 
Ijorn  Oct.  20,  1851,  has  long  been  a  school 
teacher  in  Allegheny  city.  Pa.,  and  for  the 
last  twenty-one  years  has  been  teaching  in 
the  Eleventh  Avard  public  school;  Sarah  Eliza, 
liorn  May  4,  1854,  died  March  6,  1894,  un- 
married. 

Squire  John  Scott  Oliver,  son  of  James 
Oliver,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Conemaugh  town- 
ship, .Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  July  4,  1849,  as  be- 
fore stated.  He  attended  public  school  in  dis- 
tricts Nos.  11  and  5,  and  was  then  sent  to  a 
select  school  at  Livermore.  Folloiving  this 
he  taught  school  one  term  in  Conemaugh 
township,  and  one  term  in  DeiTy  township, 
Westmoreland  county.  Having  earned  the 
necessai-y  funds,  he  then  entered  Geneva  Col- 
lege, at  Geneva,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  from 
1873  to  1878,  taking  a  course  in  civil  engi-  ^ 
neering.  After  he  had  thus  fitted  himself 
for  the  work,  he  went  to  the  oil  fields  at  Eden- 
burg,  Clarion  coimty,  where  he  spent  six 
months  suiweying  and  doing  engineering  work 
in  connection  with  the  production  of  oil. 
Then,  from  1879  to.  1885,  Mr.  Oliver  was  con- 
nected with  the  Bingham  Estate,  in  McKean 
county,  Pa.,  and  from  1885  to  1887  was  with 
the  J.  J.  Vandergriff  Engineering  and  Con- 
struction Company,  laying  pipe  lines  from 
Hickory,  Washington  Co.,  Pa.,  to  Wheeling, 
W.  Va.  In  1886  Mr.  Oliver  was  employed 
by  the  Apollo  Iron  and  Steel  Compan.y  as  sud- 
erintendent  of  the  gas  company  at  Apollo, 
holding  that  position  until  1891.  In  the  lat- 
ter year  he  went  with  the  Philadelphia  Com- 
pany and  Joseph  Creig,  producers  of  oil  and 
gas,  and  was  engaged  in  their  land  depart- 
ments. 

In  1896  Mr.  Oliver  returned  to  his  father's 
homestead  in  Conemaugh  tovsoiship,  and  began 
farming  and  dairying  in  partnership  with  his 
brother,  selling  milk  to  Pittsburg  dealers.  He 
continued  thus  until  1911,  when  he  sold  his 
dairy,  now  devoting  himself  to  his  farming 
interests.  The  fanii  is  well  equipped  for  the 
work  carried  on  there,  having  running  water 
and  all  modern  conveniences ;  Mr.  Oliver 
piped  the  water  from  a  large  spring  on  the 
hill  to  his  house  and  barn.  A  man  of  experi- 
ence of  the  outside  world,  he  appreciates  the 
value  of  scientific  methods,  and  applies  them 
in  his  everyday  work  with  gratifying  results. 
He  and  his  brother  conduct  the  homestead  of 
131  acres,  in  addition  to  100  acres  which  they 
added  to  the  original  holdings.  Mr.  Oliver 
now  controls  nearly  250  acres  of  land,  230 


HISTORY  OF  INDIAXA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


acres  of  which  are  under  cultivation.  This 
property  is  all  underlaid  with  two  rich  veins 
of  coal,  one  being  180  feet  down  and  the  other 
210  feet  below  the  surface.  There  is  an  open- 
ing near  the  Conemaugh  river. 

On  May  1,  1901,  Mr.  Oliver  was  elected  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  and  still  holds  that  office. 
In  addition  to  his  other  interests,  he  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Conemaugh  Township  Eural 
Telephone  Company.  Although  he  has  been 
giving  the  better  part  of  his  time  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  he  still  follows  his  profession 
when  his  services  are  called  for,  and  has  exe- 
cuted some  important  surveying  and  engineer- 
ing contracts  in  Conemaugh  and  surrounding 
townships.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  for  seven  years  has  acted  as  a  trustee ;  his 
adult  Bible  class  is  largely  attended.  Mr. 
Oliver  is  unmarried. 

SAM-UEL  PALMER,  late  of  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
where  he  was  successfully  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  law  for  many  years,  was  a  native 
of  Philadelphia,  and  a  son  of  Anthony  Allaire 
Palmer. 

Anthony  Allaire  Palmer  was  born  in  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  lived  and  died,  his  family 
subsequentlj'  moving  to  western  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  a  local  preacher.  He  married  Mary 
Bryan,  who  was  a  daughter  of  James  Bryan, 
and  they  had  a  family  of  six  children,  namely : 
Thomas,  who  married  Irene  Hooper,  of  Balti- 
more, Md.,  and  died  in  Pittsburg  (he  was  a 
wall  paper  merchant) ;  Maiy  A.,  who  married 
Thomas  M.  Howe,  of  Pittsburg;  Samuel,  who 
died  young;  Samuel  (2)  ;  Rebecca,  who  died 
unmarried ;  and  Hattie  A.,  who  died  unmar- 
ried. 

William  Bryan,  the  first  maternal  ancestor 
of  his  name  to  come  to  America,  was  a  native 
of  France,  of  noble  birth.  He  was  a  Hugue- 
not, and  left  his  native  land  on  account  of  re- 
ligious persecution,  going  with  his  })rothers  to 
London,  England,  where  they  all  i-esided  for 
a  time.  One  brother  remained  there,  William 
and  the  other  brother  turning  to  America. 
After  stopping  for  a  time  in  New  Jei-sey  he 
came  to  Pennsylvania  and  purcliasfd  a  con- 
siderable tract  of  land  in  Bucks  county,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  While  in 
England  he  had  married  a  Welsh  lady,  and 
they  had  several  children,  one  of  whom,  a 
beautiful  daughter,  was  thought  worthy  of 
eulogy  in  Thomas  ^loore's  poem,  "Farewell 
to  the  Banks  of  the  Schuylkill." 

James  Bryan,  son  of  William,  was  reared 
in    Bucks   county.    Pa.,    and    owned    and    op- 


erated a  large  dairy.  Later,  about  1810-11,  he 
moved  with  his  family  to  Cecil  coimty,  Md., 
where  he  purchased  Bohemia  Manor,  where 
his  remaining  days  were  passed.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Yeaman  or  Yeoman,  by  whom  he 
had  thirteen  childi-en,  ten  of  whom  grew  to 
maturity.  Of  these,  Mary  was  the  wife  of 
Anthony  A.  Palmer. 

Samuel  Palmer  was  a  small  boy  when  the 
family  moved  to  Pittsburg,  where  he  grew 
up,  receiving  his  early  education  in  the  local 
schools.  He  later  took  a  course  at  Washington 
and  Jefferson  College,  at  Washington,  Pa., 
from  which  institution  he  was  gi-aduated,  and 
after  completing  his  law  course  he  settled 
down  to  practice  in  Pittsburg,  where  he  fol- 
lowed his  profession  until  his  death,  July  7, 
1889,  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years. 

In  1855  jMr.  Palmer  was  maiTied,  in  St. 
Louis,  to  Rebecca  L.  Bryan,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel Bryan,  of  Bohemia  Manor,  Cecil  Co.,  Md., 
and  she  died  in  Pittsburg,  Feb.  12,  1857.  leav- 
ing one  child,  Maiy  R.,  an  infant  three  weeks 
old,  born  Jan.  18th.  Mr.  Palmer  subsequently 
married  (second)  ^lary  Stokes,  of  Philadel- 
phia, who  survived  him  several  years.  He  was 
a  prominent  member  of  the  Third  Presbyte- 
rian Church  of  Pittsburg,  which  he  served  for 
j-ears  in  the  office  of  elder.  In  politics  he  was 
a  Republican.  His  daughter,  Miss  Mary  R. 
Palmer,  has  made  her  home  at  Indiana,  Pa., 
for  the  last  seventeen  years. 

ELMER  F.  FRASHER.  M.  D.,  physician 
and  surgeon  at  Smicksburg,  was  born  in  Port 
Washington,  Tuscarawas  Co.,  Ohio,  Nov.  12, 
1861,  son  of  Jacob  ^1.  and  Grace  E.  (Johns- 
ton) Frasher. 

Fieldren  Frasher,  the  paternal  grandfather 
of  Dr.  Elmer  F.  Frasher,  was  a  native  of  Fay- 
ette county.  Pa.,  and  married  Catherine  Tant- 
linger,  of  Somerset  county.  They  lived  in 
Burnsville,  where  they  kept  a  hotel,  but  later 
moved  to  Guernsey  county.  Ohio,  ilr.  Frasher 
taking  up  a  farm  on  which  they  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives.  They  had  two  chil- 
dren :  Luke,  living  on  the  old  Ohio  home- 
stead; and  Jacob  M. 

Jacob  M.  Frasher,  son  6f  Fieldren  Frasher, 
and  father  of  Dr.  Elmer  F.  Frasher,  was  boi-n 
in  Fayette  county.  Pa.,  in  1833,  and  died  in 
1903.  He  was  a  teacher  during  the  greater 
part  of  his  life,  being  for  thirty  years  pro- 
prietor of  a  Business  College  and  Normal  In- 
stitute at  Wheeling.  W.  Ya.  He  also  taught 
school  at  Troy.  N.  Y..  Springfield,  JIass..  and 
Port  Washington.  Ohio.  He  was  a  pupil  in 
penmanship  under  P.  R.  Spencer,  of  Spencer- 


HISTOKY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


927 


ian  fame,  the  "Father  of  Penmanship."  For 
thirty  years  JMr.  Frasher  was  a  resident  of 
"Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  but  his  last  years  were 
spent  in  Washington  county,  Pa.  As  a  young 
man,  he  joined  the  Masons,  and  was  connected 
with  the  fraternity  to  the  end  of  his  life,  and 
his  religious  association  was  with  the  Presby- 
terian'Church.  On  May  19,  1860,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Grace  E.  Johnston,  of  Conneaut  Lake, 
Crawford  Co.,  Pa.,  and  they  had  three  chil- 
dren: Ada,  the  wife  of  George  Dunbar,  an 
electrician  of  Pittsburg,  who  has  one  son, 
Harold;  Elmer  F. ;  and  Zanna  J.,  the  wife  of 
Dr.  D.  Sherman  Smith,  a  dentist  of  Lancaster, 
Pa.,  who  has  one  child,  Grace  E.  Both  Mrs. 
Dunbar  and  Mrs.  Smith  are  graduates  of  the 
Wheeling  Female  Seminary. 

Matthew  K.  Johnston,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  Dr.  Elmer  F.  Frasher,  was  bom 
in  Mercer  county.  Pa.,  and  married  Jane 
Johnston.  He  was  educated  at  Meadville,  Pa., 
and  studied  under  Dr.  Cossett,  subsequently 
engaging  in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Mer- 
cer, Pa.,  and  later  at  Newton  Falls,  Ohio.  On 
account  of  his  health  he  engaged  in  the  jew- 
elry business  at  Port  Washington,  Ohio,  and 
there  his  death  occui-red,  while  his  wife  passed 
away  at  Meadville,  Pa.,  of  typhoid  fever,  in 
1848.  They  had  two  children:  John,  who 
died  when  young;  and  Grace  E.,  who  married 
Mr.  Frasher. 

Elmer  F.  Frasher  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Wheeling,  W. 
Va.,  following  which  he  became  a  student  at 
Washington  and  Jefferson  College,  at  Wash- 
ington, Pa.,  from  Avhich  institution  he  was 
graduated  in  1883.  He  then  entered  the  med- 
ical department  of  the  University  of  Mary- 
land, at  Baltimore,  where  he  received  his  de- 
gree of  doctor  of  medicine  in.  1887.  During 
the  next  year  he  served  as  interne  in  the  L^ni- 
versity  Hospital,  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  then 
entered  the  Western  Pennsylvania  Hospital, 
Pittsburg,  of  which  he  was  resident  physician 
for  one  year.  He  was  also  assistant  physi- 
cian in  the  Eye  and  Ear  Hospital,  Baltimore. 
He  took  the  eye  and  ear  prize  of  his  class  while 
in  college,  as  well  as  the  gold  medal  prize  for 
the  highest  number  of  points  in  practice  in 
medicine,  taking  two  of  the  five  prizes  offered 
in  a  class  of  ninety  pupils. 

In  1888  Dr.  Frasher  embarked  upon  the 
practice  of  his  profession  in  Pittsburg,  where 
he  remained  during  the  next  five  years,  then 
going  to  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  where  he  acted" 
in  the  capacity  of  medical  examiner  for  var- 
ious insurance  companies  for  five  years.  He 
was  next  located  in  the  suburbs  of  Pittsburg 


for  three  years,  and  built  up  a  lucrative  prac- 
tice, but  in  1905  came  to  his  present  location, 
at  Smicksburg.  Dr.  Frasher  carries  on  a 
general  practice.  His  wide  and  varied  ex- 
perience in  his  profession,  his  inherent  sym- 
pathy, his  acknowledged  ability  and  kindness 
of  heart,  all  have  combined  to  assist  him  in 
the  alleviation  of  the  ills  of  mankind,  and  to 
build  up  a  large  patronage.  He  has  kept 
abreast  of  the  various  discoveries  and  ad- 
vances of  his  pi'ofession,  subscribing  to  the 
leading  medical  journals  and  attending  lec- 
tures, and  takes  a  great  interest  in  the  work 
of  the  various  organizations,  in  which  he  holds 
membership.  Dr.  Frasher  is  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  He  has 
not  taken  an  active  part  in  political  matters, 
but  has  always  maintained  an  intelligent  in- 
terest in  those  movements  which  have  affected 
the  welfare  of  his  community.  A  leader  alike 
in  professional  and  social  life,  he  has  numer- 
ous friends  throughout  this  section,  and  no 
man  stands  in  higher  general  esteem  among 
the  people  of  Smicksburg. 

WALTER  H.  JACKSON,  managing  edi- 
tor of  the  Indiana  Evening  Gazette,  was  born 
on  a  farm  near  Sewickley,  Pa.,  Dec.  16,  1867, 
his  father  being  Andrew  Jackson,  for  years 
a  successful  farmer  near  Shelocta,  this  county, 
and  his  mother  being  Rebecca  (]\IcClarren) 
Jackson,  whose  girlhood  was  spent  in  Indi- 
ana. When  but  seven  years  of  age  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  lost  both  his  parents  by 
death.  After  that  and  until  his  marriage,  in 
1895,  he  made  his  home  with  an  uncle  and 
aunt,  the  late  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  B.  Hilde- 
brand,  in  Indiana.  His  education  was  ob- 
tained in  the  Indiana  public  schools,  the  local 
model  school  and  the  Indiana  State  normal 
school,  from  which  he  graduated  with  the 
class  of  1886.  During  the  following  winter 
he  taught  school  in  Shelocta,  this  county,  and 
then  worked  for  several  years  in  stores  in  In- 
diana. 

In  1891  Mr.  Jackson  became  connected  with 
the  Indiana  Gazette,  then  a  weekly  paper,  as  a 
reporter.  After  a  year 's  service  here,  he  was 
called  to  Altoona,  Pa.,  to  accept  an  editorial 
position  with  the  Altoona  Evening  Gazette; 
but  in  six  months  he  was  recalled  to  Indiana 
to  assume  the  management  and  editorial  chair 
of  the  Indiana  Gazette,  with  which  paper  he 
has  ever  since  been  connected.  In  editorial 
policy,  Mr.  Jackson  has  always  stood  for  the 
industrial  advancement  of  Indiana  county. 
He  proclaimed  the  mineral  wealth  of  this  rich 
section   at  a  time  when  his  statements  were 


928 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ridiculed  as  overdrawn,  but  he  kept  plug^ng 
away,  calling  attention  to  every  new  devel- 
opment and  endeavoring  to  direct  the  atten- 
tion of  capital  to  Indiana  count}'.  Naturally 
considerable  satisfaction  has  come  to  him  as 
a  result  of  the  wonderful  developments  of  the 
last  few  years. 

In  1895  air.  Jackson  married  Florence  B. 
Young,  daughter  of  Prof,  and  Mrs.  J.  H. 
Young,  of  Indiana,  and  shortly  thereafter 
erected  the  handsome  residence  on  South  Sixth 
street  in  which  they  now  reside. 

JMr.  Jackson  served  as  chief  bui-gess  of  In- 
diana for  three  j-ears  and  was  a  member  of 
the  town  council  for  a  short  period,  filling 
out  the  unexpired  tei'm  of  a  member  who 
had  died.  In  past  years  he  has  been  officially 
identified  with  a  number  of  his  town 's  organi- 
zations, being  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the 
Indiana  Street  Railway  Company,  now  the  In- 
diana County  Street  Railways  Company.  He 
was  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  Young  ]\Ien's 
Christian  Association  and  had  considerable 
part  in  the  raising  of  the  $50,000  fund  for  the 
building  and  equipping  of  the  present  mag- 
nificent Y.  ]\I.  C.  A.  building.  He  is  one  of 
the  boai'd  of  directors  of  the  Association. 

In  religion  Mr.  Jackson  is  a  Presbyterian, 
being  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Indiana  and  superintendent  of  the 
primary  department  of  its  Sunday  school. 

HON.  WILLIAM  JAMES  McKNIGHT, 
M.  D.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 
and  raised  in  the  town  of  Brookville,  Jeffer- 
son Co.,  Pa.,  the  date  of  his  birth  being  May 
6,  1836.  Thrown  upon  his  own  resources 
when  a  boy,  at  an  age  when  little  was  ex- 
pected of  a  youth,  by  his  own  indomitable 
will,  push  and  determination  (which  were 
marked  characteristics  in  his  early  boyhood) 
he  rose  from  the  humble  and  obscure  farm 
laborer  and  "printers'  devil"  to  a  position 
and  prominence  which  few  men  attain,  carv- 
ing out  for  himself  a  name  and  fame  in  the 
annals  of  his  profession,  town,  county  and 
State,  to  which  his  descendants  and  his 
friends  can  always  point  with  pride. 

Dr.  McKnight  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
prominent,  influential  and  well-to-do  citi- 
zens of  his  section,  one  who  has  alway.s  taken 
an  active  and  beneficial  interest  in  the  ad- 
vancement of  town,  county  and  State,  a  man 
who  has  always  held  his  word  as  sacred  as  his 
bond ;  one  who  has  taken  a  great  interest  in 
the  uplifting  of  mankind,  and  who  has  never 
willfully  misu.sed  or  wronged  his  fellowman. 
This  sketch  is  taken  largely  from  an  article 


wliich  appeared  in  the  Brookville  Republican 
of  JMarch  24,  1897.  Dr.  McKnight 's  parents 
were  Alexander  and  ]\Iary  (Thompson)  ]\Ic- 
Knight,  the  father  dying  when  W.  J.  was  but 
thirteen  mouths  old.  The  Doctor  received  a 
limited  education  in  the  common  schools. 
"When  he  was  about  eleven  years  of  age 
he  was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources, 
and  began  the  struggle  of  life.  For  five 
years  he  lived  and  worked  upon  a  farm. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  began  teaching  school 
and  working  in  the  office  of  the  Jefferson 
Star,  learning  the  printer's  trade.  Two  years 
later  he  began  reading  medicine  under  Dr. 
A.  M.  Clarke,  of  Brockway^'ille,  and  held  a 
position  as  compositor  on  the  Elk  County  Ad- 
vocate. During  the  next  three  years,  by  prac- 
ticing such  economy  as  is  rarely  thought  of  by 
the  young  man  of  the  present  day,  he  had 
saved  enough  money  to  enable  him  to  take  a 
single  course  of  medical  lectures  at  Cinchinati, 
Ohio,  during  the  winter  of  1856-57,  and  in 
March  following  (1857)  he  began  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine  in  his  native  town.  In  1859 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  Niver,  of 
Brockwaj-Aille,  which  was  tei-minated  four 
years  later  after  they  had  established  a  large 
and  extensive  practice.  In  186.3  Dr.  Mc- 
Knight returned  to  Brookville,  where  he  op- 
ened a  drug  store  on  Oct.  8th,  carrying  on 
the  same  in  connection  with  his  practice,  and 
which,  together  with  his  son,  J.  B.,  he  still 
operates  under  the  firm  name  of  McKnight 
&  Son.  It  is  the  oldest  store  in  point  of  con- 
tinuous management  in  Jefi'erson  county.  On 
Aug.  4,  1862,  Governor  Curtin  appointed  the 
Doctor  examining  surgeon  for  Jefferson  and 
Forest  counties.  He  was  also  appointed,  and 
served  for  seven  years,  as  United  States  pen- 
sion surgeon,  but  other  duties  made  it  neces- 
sary for  him  to  resign  this  position.  He  served 
as  private  and  orderly  sergeant  in  Company 
G,  57th  United  States  Emergency  Regiment: 
was  promoted  to  quartermaster  sergeant,  and 
took  part  in  the  campaign  against  Morgan. 
In  1869  he  attended  lectures  in  Philadelphia 
and  received  the  degree  of  M.  D.  He  after- 
ward attended  two  full  coui-ses  in  succession 
at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  from  which  institution  he  was  gi-aduated 
in  March,  1884,  and  the  same  year  received  a 
degree  from  the  school  of  anatomy  and  sur- 
gery. In  1S85  he  took  a  post-graduate  course 
at  Jefferson  College. 

Dr.  McKnight's  political  activities  began 
when  a  boy.  In  1876  Jefferson  county  Re- 
publicans presented  him  for  State  senator, 
and   Indiana   county   Republicans   presented 


ir3(^ 


iu-H^/^4XC  /^/.3 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


929 


Dr.  St.  Clair,  Indiana  and  Jefferson  counties 
forming  the  37tli  Senatorial  district.  Three 
conventions  were  held  "sVithout  a  nomination, 
when  for  the  good  of  the  party,  to  save  the 
Congi-ess  nominee  of  Indiana,  and  to  secure 
harmony  among  the  voters,  Dr.  McKnight  in 
a  most  magnanimous  and  manly  letter  with- 
drew from  the  contest.  In  1880  Jefferson 
county  Republicans  again  presented  Dr.  Mc- 
Knight as  her  choice,  and_  Indiana  county  Re- 
publicans presented  George  W.  Hood.  After 
a  three  days'  convention  of  delegates  from 
the  two  counties,  no  nomination  being  agreed 
upon,  a  second  conference  was  held  with  no 
result.  Another  meeting  was  held,  at  which 
G-en.  James  S.  Negley,  of  Pittsburg,  acted  as 
umpire,  when  Dr.  McKnight  was  nominated; 
he  was  elected  at  the  polls  and  served  in  the 
Senate  from  1881  to  1885.  The  Doctor  took 
a  very  active  part  in  all  public  measures 
♦brought  before  the  Senate  during  his  term  of 
ofSce.  He  was  the  author  of  several  very  im- 
portant bills,  and  through  his  conservative 
and  practical  business  methods  were  enacted 
a  number  of  needed  reforms  whereby  the  Com- 
monwealth was  saved  several  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  per  annum.  Honesty  and  econ- 
omy with  the  people's  money  was  his  slogan. 
His  reform  in  printing  public  documents 
saves  the  State  forty  thousand  dollars  a  year. 
He  advocated  and  secured  the  first  additional 
appropriation  under  the  new  constitution  to 
the  schools  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars;  advocated  the  furnishing 
of  schoolbooks  free  by  the  State  to  all  the 
schools;  and  free  schools  in  fact — school  tax 
abolished,  schools  to  be  maintained  and  sup- 
ported by  the  State.  The  attention  he  called 
to  careless  auditing  brought  into  the  State 
one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  He 
carried  through  a  reform  in  the  commence- 
ment of  borough  and  township  offices.  He 
took  an  active  interest  in  the  wards  of  the 
State  and  gave  a  hearty  support  to  the  sol- 
diers' orphans'  schools,  advocating  justice 
to  the  soldier,  his  widow  and  his  orphan.  He 
introduced  a  bill  providing  for  the  classifi- 
cation of  the  insane,  and  advocated  that  the 
expense  of  their  support  be  paid  by  the  State. 
He  originated  and  introduced  a  number  of 
valuable  reforms  that  fell  for  want  of  time. 
He  pushed  through  the  Senate  in  1881  the 
bill  authorizing  counties  to  refund  their  bonds 
at  a  lower  rate  of  interest.  He  originated, 
agitated  and  pushed  through  the  Senate  bill 
No.  117,  entitled  An  Act  For  Promotion  of 
Medical  Science,  by  the  distribution  and  use 


of  unclaimed  human  bodies  for  scientific  pur- 
poses, through  a  board  created  for  that  pur- 
pose, and  to  prevent  unauthorized  uses  and 
traffic  in  human  bodies,  which  was  approved 
and  signed  June  18,  1883.  This  law  has  now 
been  enacted  in  nearly  every  State  in  the 
Union.  He  supported  and  voted  for  the  fol- 
lowing laws:  The  law  of  1881,  Act  No.  21, 
which  provides  proper  means  of  conveyance 
of  persons  injured  in  and  about  the  mines,  to 
their  homes;  Act  No.  54,  1881,  "To  provide 
the  means  for  securing  the  health  and  safety 
of  persons  employed  in  the  bituminous  coal 
mines  of  Pennsylvania";  Act  No.  173,  1881, 
' '  To  secure  to  operators  and  laborers  engaged 
in  and  about  coal  mines,  manufactories  of 
iron  and  steel,  and  all  other  manufactories, 
the  payment  of  their  wages  at  regular  inter- 
vals and  in  lawful  money  of  the  United 
States"  (this  law  regulates  and  prevents  the 
excessive  profit  on  merchandise)  ;  law  of  1883, 
Act  No.  16,  "To  provide  for  voluntary  tribu- 
nals, to  adjust  disputes  between  employers 
and  employed";  Act  No.  46,  1883,  "To  pro- 
tect the  miners  in  the  bituminous  coal  regions 
in  this  Commonwealth"  (this  law  secures  the 
miner  pay  for  all  clean  coal  mined  by  him 
without  regard  to  size;  makes  seventy -six 
pounds  of  coal  a  bushel  and  two  thousand 
pounds  a  ton ;  requires  all  cars  to  be  branded 
and  uniform  in  size ;  creates  the  office  of  check 
weighman  and  defines  his  duties)  ;  Act  No. 
48,  1883,  which  now  compels  props  and  timber 
to  be  furnished ;  Act  No.  97,  1883,  creating  a 
mining  boss  and  defining  his  duties,  providing 
for  cut-throughs  and  holes  for  shelter,  bore 
holes,  printed  rules,  safety  lamps,  board  of 
examiners,  etc.,  also  for  six  bituminous  mine 
inspectors  instead  of  three,  and  also  for  two 
mining  engineers ;  Act  No.  104,  1883,  "For  the 
better  protection  of  the  wages  of  mechanics, 
miners,  laborers  and  others"  (this  law  gives 
the  laborer  preference  against  insolvent  com- 
panies or  debtors). 

In  a  speech  advocating  reform  in  the  Sen- 
ate, March  14,  1883,  Dr.  McKnight  used 
these  words,  ' '  and  now,  Mr.  President,  to  fur- 
ther assist  in  the  public  good,  to  promote  hon- 
est government  and  purify  the  public  service, 
I  would  make  all  offices  in  both  State  and 
nation,  except  the  merest  clerkships,  elective 
by  the  people.  I  would  elect  postmasters,  col- 
lectot-s,  marshals,  and  especially  United 
States  senators."  His  zeal  and  entei-prise 
gained  for  him  State  celebrity,  as  well  as  re- 
flecting much  credit  upon  his  ability  and 
statesmanship.     In  1884  Dr.  McKnight  and 


930 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


G.  W.  Hood  were  again  pitted  against  each 
other  for  the  nomination.  The  established 
usage  of  the  party  entitled  Dr.  McKnight  to 
a  second  term,  especially  as  Indiana  county 
had  had  the  senator  for  sixteen  out  of  twenty 
years,  and  all  acknowledged  that  he  had 
served  with  honor  and  credit  to  his  district, 
his  constituents  and  himself.  He  was  regu- 
larly and  fairly  renominated  at  a  party  con- 
ference in  Indiana,  but  was  defeated  at  the 
polls  by  Hood,  who  ran  as  an  independent 
candidate. 

Dr.  McKnight  has  been  a  bituminous  coal 
operator  since  1895,  opening  and  running  the 
Toby  Valle.y  Coal  Company,  also  the  ^Ic- 
Knight  Coal  Company,  which  are  still  (in 
1913)  in  active  operation. 

As  a  writer  Dr.  McKnight  is  the  author  of 
"My  First  Recollections  of  Broolndlle,  Pa.," 
"Recollections  of  Ridgway.  Pa.."  also  of  the 
"Pioneer  History  of  Jefferson  County,  Pa.," 
"A  Pioneer  Ovitline  History  of  Northwestern 
Pennsylvania,"  embracing  fourteen  counties, 
and  of  "Pioneer  Sketches  of  the  Cities  of  Al- 
legheny, Beaver.  DuBois,  and  Towanda,  Pa." 
And  now.  in  1913.  as  director  and  vice  presi- 
dent of  the  National  Bank  of  Brookville,  Pa., 
merchant,  coal  operator,  writer  and  author, 
he  is  still  active. 

Dr.  McKnight  married  Penelope  Goddard 
Clarke,  Jan.  9, 1860,  and  they  celebrated  their 
golden  wedding  Jan.  9,  1910.  Seven  children 
were  born  to  this  union,  four  of  whom  are 
now  lix-ing.  viz.:  Amor  Archer;  Mary  Ade- 
line, wife  of  H.  H.  Kennedy ;  Jay  Byron ;  and 
Bonnie,  the  wife  of  George  R.  Matson.  All 
reside  in  Brookville. 

COL.  AMOR  ARCHER  McKNIGHT  was 
a  gi-eat-grandson  of  Alexander  and  Isabella 
(McBride^i  McKnight,  natives  of  County 
Down.  Ireland.  About  the  year  1790  they 
immigrated  to  Franklin  county.  Pa.  Alex- 
ander McKnight  here  pursued  agriculture. 
In  1795  he  removed  to  and  located  on  the 
place  now  known  as  the  I\IcKnight  farm,  on 
Crooked  Creek,  in  Washington  township,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.  Six  children  were  born  to  his 
union  with  Isabella  McBride,  two  sons  and 
four  daughters,  the  sons  being  Alexander,  Jr., 
and  James. 

Janies  McKnight,  son  of  Alexander  and 
Isabella  CMcBride)  McKnight,  located  in  the 
town  of  liidiaiia,  where  he  died  May  14.  1819. 
aged  about  forty-one  years.  He  filled  a  num- 
ber of  offices  there  credit^nbly.  lieing  an  excel- 
lent scholar.  He  was  the  first  burgess  of  the 
new  borough  of  Indiana  in  1816,  and  was  re- 


elected to  that  office  for  the  year  1817.  He 
was  commissioners'  clerk  for  the  years  1807 
and  1811.  He  was  county  treasurer  for  the 
years  1811-12.  When  the  Indiana  Academy 
was  incorporated,  March  28,  1814,  Rev.  John 
Jamieson  and  James  JMcKnight  were  two  of 
the  thirteen  trustees.  He  married  Jane  Mc- 
Nutt,  May  25,  1807,  and  to  this  union  were 
born  two  children:  William,  born  Mav  5, 
1808,  who  died  Jiyie  9,  1830,  in  Blairsville, 
Pa. ;  and  Alexander,  born  June  9,  1810.  Jane 
McKnight,  the  mother  of  these  children,  died 
Aug.  15,  1811.  James  McKnight  married 
(second)  Nov.  19,  1812,  Jane  ilcComb,  and 
to  this  union  were  born  three  children,  viz. : 
(1)  James,  Jr.,  born  Sept.  9,  1813;  while  a 
young  man  he  migrated  to  Texas,  where  he 
was  elected  mayor  of  Galveston  city.  Losing 
his  health,  he  died  in  South  America,  while 
on  a  visit,  aged  forty  years.  (2)  John  died 
in  infancy.  (3)  Jane  accompanied  he» 
brother  to  Texas,  where  she  was  twice  mar- 
ried. Her  first  husband.  Colonel  Sandusky, 
was  secretary  to  Gen.  Sam  Houston,  the  first 
president   of  the  Texas  republic. 

Alexander  McKnight.  second  son  of  James 
and  Jane  (ilcNutt)  MeKnidit.  married  Mav 
10,  1831,  JIary  Thompson,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Thompson,  of  Altman's  Run,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Rev.  John  Jamieson,  the  pioneer 
preacher  to  locate  in  Indiana.  Alexander  and 
Mary  (Thompson)  ^IcKnight  commenced 
married  life  in  Blairsville,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
and  on  the  19th  day  of  Slay.  1832,  their  son 
Amor  Archer  was  born;  he  afterward  became 
distinguished  in  the  war  for  the  Union  as 
colonel  of  tlie  105th  Regiment  of  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers.  Late  in  the  fall  of  1832 
the  young  couple  moved  into  the  wilderness 
of  Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  locating  in  Brook- 
ville, and  Alexander  taught  the  first  term  of 
school  in  the  borough.  Their  son  W.  J.  ile- 
Knight  was  born  in  Brookville,  ]\Iay  6,  1836. 
Alexander  McKnight  was  a  good  scholar,  but 
having  contracted  fever  and  ague  in  New  Jer- 
sej%  was  an  invalid :  yet  he  filled  the  offices 
of  lieutenant  colonel  in  the  militia,  justice  of 
the  peace  and  county  treasurer,  holding  the 
latter  position  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  June.  1837,  when  he  was  but 
twenty-seven  years  old. 

Amor  Archer  JIcKnight,  son  of  Alexander 
and  J\Iary  (Thompson)  McKnight.  was  born 
in  Blairsville.  Indiana  county.  May  19,  1832. 
In  November,  1832,  he  was  brought  by  his 
parents  to  Broolcville,  Jefferson  county,  and 
in  June.  1837,  his  father  died.  At  an  early 
age  young  McKnight  returned  to  Blairsville 


AMOR  ARCHER  McKNIGHT 
Colonel  105th  Reg't.  Pa.  Vols. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


931 


and  learned  the  art  of  printing  in  the  Appa- 
lachian office,  and  afterward  worked  for  Mr. 
Samuel  MeElhose  on  the  Jefferson  Star,  of 
Brookville,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.  In  1853  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  entered  into 
partnership  with  the  late  George  W.  An- 
drews, Esq.  He  had  a  strong  predilection 
for  military  matters,  and  from  1854  until  the 
breaking  ovit  of  the  Civil  war  had  been  cap- 
tain of  a  militia  companj'  called  the  "Brook- 
ville Rifles."  Long  before  the  actual  storm 
burst  he  felt  that  trouble  was  at  hand,  and  as 
early  as  the  winter  of  1860  commenced  to 
recruit  his  company  so  as  to  be  ready  when 
the  emergency  might  arise.  When  the  news 
of  the  firing  upon  Sumter  reached  him  he  at 
once  offered  the  services  of  his  company,  and 
with  Company  I,  Sth  Pennsylvania  Regiment, 
served  three  mouths.  As  soon  as  that  term 
of  service  had  expired  he  recruited  the  105th 
Pennsylvania  Regiment,  a  regiment  that  had 
no  superior  in  the  Civil  war.  A  rigid  disci- 
plinarian, he  made  his  command  one  whose 
fame  was  known  throughout  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  He  was  an  intrepid,  daring  soldier, 
winning  the  praise  of  his  superior  officers,  and 
fell  May  3,  1863,  at  the  head  of  his  gallant 
veterans  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville 
while  leading  them  against  the  command  of 
Stonewall  Jackson,  who  had  fallen  only  a  few 
hours  before. 

Amor  Archer  McKnight  at  an  early  age 
evinced  a  deep  love  for  study,  and  proved  an 
apt  and  diligent  student  in  the  common  schools 
and  the  Brookville  Academy,  obtaining  a  good 
average  education.  He  was  a  close,  careful 
reader,  and  when  quite  young  gathered  to- 
gether, as  his  means  would  permit,  a  collec- 
tion cf  books,  which  in  after  years  proved  the 
nucleus  of  an  excellent  and  extensive  library. 
The  death  of  his  father  when  he  was  so  very 
young  made  him  the  main  support  of  his 
mother  and  her  little  family,  and  the  loving 
care  he  gave  that  mother  as  long  as  she  lived 
was  one  of  his  pleasant  duties. 

The  late  Mr.  Samuel  MeElhose,  who  was 
editor  of  the  Star,  in  his  notice  of  Colonel 
McKnight 's  death  said  of  him:  "He  was  an 
excellent  workman;  what  he  found  to  do  he 
did  with  all  his  might."  The  practical  and 
general  knowledge  he  gained  in  the  printing 
office,  he  admitted  in  after  years,  had  been  of 
incalculable  benefit  to  him.  On  leaving  the 
Star  office  he  entered  the  law  office  of  W.  P. 
.Tenks,  Esq.,  where  he  applied  himself  to  the 
study  of  law  half  of  each  day;  the  balance 
of  the  time  he  had  to  work  at  the  "case"  in 
the  printing  office,   as  a  means  of  support. 


At  the  February  term,  1855,  he  was  admitted 
to  practice,  and  soon  afterward  entered  into 
partnership  with  G.  W.  Andrews,  Esq. 
Their  firm  was  one  of  the  most  successful  and 
had  as  large  a  practice  as  any  at  the  Brook- 
ville bar.  When  the  first  alarm  of  war 
sounded  forth  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  en- 
list in  defense  of  his  country,  but  his  military 
record  is  given  elsewhere  in  the  history  of  his 
regiment.  The  court  of  Jefferson  county  ap- 
pointed R.  Arthurs,  W.  P.  Jenks,  G.  W.  An- 
drews, A.  L.  Gordon  and  D.  Barclay,  Esqs., 
to  report  resolutions  upon  the  death  of  Col- 
onel McKnight,  when  he  fell  at  Chancellors- 
ville, one  of  which  reads  as  follows: 

"Resolved,  That  whether  regarded  as  a  sol- 
dier, patriot,  citizen,  friend,  brother,  or  pro- 
tector of  his  aged  parent.  Colonel  ilcKnight 
was  true  to  duty.  By  his  death  our  country 
has  lost  one  of  its  brightest  ornaments,  the 
legal  profession  a  well-informed,  trustworthy 
and  honorable  member." 

Again,  on  May  27th,  the  Star  said:  "He 
eared  most  tenderly  and  affectionately  for  his 
mother.  He  mourned  in  deep  sorrow  over 
her  death,  and  gave  the  most  convincing 
proofs  of  the  great  nobleness  of  his  heart.  No 
man  is  without  his  faults,  and  of  course  he 
had  his,  but  one  trait  we  cannot  overlook, 
and  that  was  his  perfect  abstinence  from  gam- 
bling and  intemperance.  He  spent  his  earn- 
ings for  standard  books,  and  his  spare  time 
in  perusing  them.  He  was  laborious  and  stu- 
dious. He  was  fearless  and  outspoken,  gen- 
err,  us  and  obliging,  he  was  an  ardent  admirer 
of  the  free  institutions  of  his  native  land,  of 
the  right  of  man  to  self  government,  and 
loathed  the  institution  of  human  slavery.  His 
career  on  earth  is  ended.  He  has  sealed  his 
love  of  country  with  his  life's  blood."  Col- 
onel McKnight  never  married. 

The  biography  of  his  brother.  Dr.  W.  J. 
McKnight,  appears  above. 

REV.  JOHN  JAMIESON  was  born  at 
Thorn  Hill  farm,  Scotland,  about  eight  miles 
from  Glasgow,  in  1747.  His  father  was  Allen 
Jamieson.  One  of  Allen  Jamieson's  ancestors 
was  land  steward  to  Mai-y  Queen  of  Scotland. 
This  ancestor  turned  Protestant,  left  the 
court  and  returned  to  Thorn  Hill  farm.  Al- 
len Jamieson  was  a  descendant  of  Robert 
Bruce,'  who  was  crowned  King  of  Scotland  in 
1306.  In  this  same  year  Bruce  was  defeated 
by  an  army  of  English  and  fled  to  Ireland, 
whence  he  afterward  returned  to  Scotland, 
fought  many  engagements,  and  in  1314  de- 
feated King  Edward  at  the  battle  of  Ban- 


932 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


uockburn,  after  which  in  1328  Bruce  was  ac- 
knowledged king,  and  Scotland  declared  in- 
dependent. At  this  time  Bruce  had  the  lep- 
rosy and  died  from  it  in  1329,  having  reigned 
almost  twenty-four  years. 

All  Scotch  people  who  spell  their  name 
Jamieson  are  of  one  blood,  to  wit:  Jamie's 
son. 

Rev.  John  Jamieson  enjoyed  the  advan- 
tages of  wealth.  He  graduated  from  St.  An- 
drew's University,  and  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  John  Brown,  of  Haddington.  Rev. 
John  Jamieson  was  licensed  and  ordained  by 
a  burgher  presbytery  of  Scotland  in  about  his 
twenty-fifth  year.  He  preached  from  the  He- 
brew and  Greek  Bible,  translated  his  own 
texts,  and  was  an  expert  shorthand  writer. 
According  to  his  diary  he  preached  at  Bath- 
gate, Scotland,  in  1776.  Rev.  John  Jamie- 
son's  early  life  embraced  a  stormy  period  in 
Scotland,  between  the  Scotch  and  the  English. 
His  adult  life  was  suiTOunded  b.y  a  period  of 
literary  activity.  The  poems  of  Ramsay, 
Thompson,  Burns,  Scott,  Holmes  and  others 
were  written  and  published  from  1730  to 
1785.  The  known  Scottish  poets  then  ex- 
ceeded two  thousand.  In  1775  Rev.  John 
Jamieson  married  Agnes  (otherwise  called 
Nancy)  Gibbs,  daughter  of  John  Gibbs,  of 
Paisley.  Gibbs'  wife  was  a  Miss  Jackson. 
The  young  couple  set  up  housekeeping  in 
Edinburgh,  Scotland,  where  they  resided 
seven  years.  Three  children  were  born  to 
them  in  that  city,  viz.:  Jeanette,  John  and 
Agnes,  otherwise  called  Nancy.  Rev.  John 
Jamieson,  considering  himself  prepared  for 
thorough  gospel  labor,  determined  to  migrate 
to  America  and  devote  his  life  to  missionary 
work  in  the  new  world.  It  might  be  well  to 
state  here  that  Pollock,  author  of  the  ' '  Course 
of  Time,"  was  born  on  the  adjoining  farm, 
and  that  these  two  farms  are  now  literally 
covered  with  houses  and  form  a  part  of 
greater  Glasgow.  At  the  age  of  thirty-six, 
with  his  wife  and  three  children.  Rev.  John 
Jamieson  started  from  Edinburgh,  Scotland, 
for  America,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  Novem- 
ber, 1783,  landed  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  where 
he  immediately  connected  himself  with  the  As- 
sociate Reformed  Church.  He  resided  liere 
and  went  on  missionary  journeys  on  horse- 
back through  the  wilderness  as  far  south  and 
west  as  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  until  Sept. 
22, 1784,  when  he  located  at  Big  Spring,  Cum- 
berland Co.,  Pa.,  at  which  place  he  preached 
in  a  log  church  for  eight  years,  also  in  houses 
and  barns  at  other  points,  to  wit:  Stony 
Ridge,  Shippensburg,  Marsh  Creek  and  Cono- 


cocheague.  He  also  purchased  six  hundred 
acres  of  land  and  erected  a  gristmill  at  or 
near  Big  Spring,  and  his  son  John  (Jr.)  re- 
sided here  until  after  1809.  Three  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  j\Irs.  Jamieson  while 
living  at  Big  Spring,  viz. :  William,  Isabelle 
and  Margaret. 

In  the  early  spring  of  1792  Mr.  Jamieson 
resigned  his  charges  in  Cumberland  county 
and  crossed  the  Allegheny  mountains  with 
his  wife  and  three  children,  with  their  effects, 
all  on  horseback,  or  pack  horses,  and  located 
in  Hannastown,  in  Westmoreland  county, 
leaving  John  Jamieson  (Jr.)  and  two  other 
children  on  the  homestead  at  Big  Spring.  In 
1794  he  removed  to  Derry,  and  in  1796  to 
Altman's  Run,  where  he  erected  his  log  cabin 
in  what  is  now  Conemaugh  or  Blacklick  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  being  the  first  minister 
to  locate  in  what  is  now  Indiana  county. 

In  1794  Rev.  John  Jamieson  organized  the 
Crete  Church,  in  Indiana  county,  preaching  to 
the  people  first  from  a  small  platform,  5  by  8 
feet,  supported  by  wooden  brackets  between 
two  large  oak  trees,  the  congregation  being 
seated  on  logs  on  the  ground.  His  mode  of 
preaching  was  to  lecture  or  expound  the  Scrip- 
tui-e  in  the  morning,  and  to  preach  a  sermon 
divided  into  firstly,  secondly,  etc.,  in  the  after- 
noon. At  Crete  a  tent  was  secured  for  a 
while,  and  then,  in  1815,  a  log  church,  24  by 
30,  was  erected.  He  preached  at  this  point 
until  near  1820.  From  his  diary  it  is  found 
that  he  also  preached  at  Conemaugh,  Crooked 
Creek,  Bethel  (Indiana  county).  Plum  Creek 
and  Kittanning,  and  that  he  held  services  in 
cabins  and  log  barns.  The  names  of  these 
places,  dates,  etc.,  are  recorded  in  his  diar.y, 
as  well  as  notes  of  texts  and  sermons,  many 
of  these  in  shorthand.  The  country  being 
new,  he  proceeded  from  settlement  to  settle- 
ment. For  roads  he  had  forest  paths ;  bridges 
there  were  none,  and  in  devotion  to  duty  he 
braved  alike  the  beasts  of  the  forest,  the  sum- 
mer's heat  and  the  winter's  cold.  Truly  his 
was  the  "voice  of  one  crying  in  the  \vilder- 
ness " ;  in  the  wilderness  crying  almost  daily 
somewhere  for  thirty-six  years,  either  in  the 
open  air,  or  in  the  cabin  in  the  woods,  in  the 
log  barn  or  in  the  log  chiirch. 

The  Associate  Reformed  Church  flourished. 
It  spread  rapidly  to  the  westward,  and  was 
largely  and  steadily  increased  by  immigra- 
tion. In  1793  he  had  a  firm  hold  on  the  ter- 
ritory now  known  as  Western  Pennsylvania. 
In  that  year  the  original  Presbytery  of  Penn- 
sylvania was  divided  into  two — the  Fii-st  and 
Second   Associate  Reformed  Presbyteries  of 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


'r_r.'+      >    -I     ->    -      /i-     «<^  C,      ^v     ^  J,.  ^2    «,      .4     ,n    V.    7f  I  ;-»-?-    »-    "'    A-..    7    !,  •, 
.(•»  — X  —    l^-  J.    t<r   fle.   rc%    I-  ■<   /"  -y^*;*<'<iy^  •-•  ar    rl^    u  -^yn.{    -  ^ 

/*-»     L,  ,7.    /■•'••r^      i_     TTv     v/c    v«^   -.-1^.  t-    i-^^.     /J"^     r-^-v     r,^     ^,o    7  y^      .*y/i -^  ,— 

^^ir  -rf-   M'^    ^    ^    ;^'  ;<'-»'.-•,:  T/-  .,^  ^,^^,£1^    ,.   /7,1    ^^  w,   -/•  'v,'i    -vl-v-T^T. 


2.    «'r 


Rev.  John  Jamieson  's  Shorthand.  A  sermon  written  and  delivered  by  him,  in 
Bathgate,  Scotland,  February,  1776.  This  is  photographed  from  his  diary  book  of 
lectures,  sermons  and  notes  from  1776  to  1800.  The  system  is  dead  and  there 
is  no  key  to  it.  (Isaac  Pitman  was  born  in  1813  and  published  his  system  in 
1836.)  When  this  sermon  was  written  it  was  a  crime  (conspiracy)  to  write 
phonography. 

[Plate  loaned  by  Dr.  W.  J.  McKnight.] 


934 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Pennsylvania.  The  Second,  by  order  of  the 
Synod,  took  the  name  of  the  Monongahela.  It 
was  composed  of  four  ministers — Revs.  Jolm 
Jamieson.  Henderson,  Warwick  and  Rankin, 
■with  their  elders.  This  was  the  first  presby- 
tery organized  in  connection  witli  any  of  the 
Reformed  Churches  west  of  the  Allegheny 
mountains.  Its  boundary  lines  were  the  Alle- 
gheny mountains  on  the  east  and  the  Pacific 
ocean  on  the  west. 

Jamieson  was  a  man  of  decided  abilities 
and  theological  attainments,  so  that  his  pres- 
bytery placed  its  theological  students  under 
his  care,  Alexander  Porter,  Alexander  McCoy 
and  Da^^d  Proudfit. 

From  1783  to  at  least  1816  Mr.  Jamieson 
went  about  his  Master's  business.  Money  he 
did  not  need,  for  every  cabin  door  was  open 
wide  to  him,  while  his  wife  and  family  were 
busy  at  his  own  cabin  raising  food,  scutching, 
spinning,  weaving,  knitting  and  making  the 
family  homespun  clothing. 

Of  the  twenty-six  religious  bodies  in  Penn- 
sylvania that  Rev.  John  Jamieson  organized 
through  his  personality,  twenty-four  are 
strong,  wealthy  United  Presbyterian 
Churches,  each  under  the  jurisdiction  of  one 
of  the  following  presbyteries:  Big  Spring, 
Westmoreland,  Conemaugh  or  ilouongahela. 
Of  the  two  remaining  organizations  one  is  a 
Covenanter  Church,  Alexandria,  Westmore- 
land county,  and  the  other  is  the  Covenanter 
Church  at  Clarksburg,  Indiana  county. 

Rev.  John  Jamieson  was  six  feet,  three 
inches  high,  and  dignified  in  bearing.  Men- 
tally he  was  able,  thoroughly  educated,  and 
possessed  wonderful  vigor,  energy  and  endur- 
ance. His  voice  was  strong,  clear  and  far- 
reaching;  his  oratory  magnetic,  holding  the 
attention  of  his  hearers  as  well  through  a 
long  service  as  a  short  one.  To  aid  in  the 
civic  interests  of  Indiana  county  he  contracted 
for  the  erection  of  the  first  county  jail.  He 
served  as  county  commissioner  for  Indiana 
county  for  the  years  1809,  1810  and  1811.  He 
was  actively  engaged  in  educational  matters, 
and  was  one  of  the  pioneer  trustees  of  the 
Indiana  Academy,  incorporated  INIarch^  28, 
1S14.  It  appears  in  his  diary  that  he  was  ac- 
tivijly  and  regularly  preaching  in  and  around 
Kittanning  from  1813  to  Jan.  8.  1815;  in 
Freeport  region  from  1813,  and  what  is  now 
West  Union  and  Conemaugh,  Plumville  and 
Crete  up  to  1816;  his  services  in  these  years 
were  held  in  cabins  and  barns  and  log 
churches. 

He  died  in  March,  1821,  aged  seventy-four 
years,   and   is  buried  at  Crete,   Indiana   Co., 


Pa.  His  wife,  Nancy,  died  in  1841,  aged 
ninety-one,  and  is  buried  at  Lewisville,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.  Their  daughter  Agnes  mar- 
ried William  Thompson,  and  had  three  sons 
and  two  daughters,  to  wit :  Hon.  Joh,n  Jamie- 
son Ypsilanti,  Rev.  Robert,  William  Gordon, 
Nancy  and  Mary.  Nancy  married  Washing- 
ton Craig,  of  Clarion  county.  Pa.  Calvin  A. 
Craig,  second  colonel  of  the  105th  Regiment, 
who  was  killed  at  Deep  Bottom,  Ya.,  was  one 
of  this  family.  Mary  married  Alexander  Mc- 
Knight,  who  left  two  sons,  to  wit :  Col.  Amor 
Archer  McKnight,  of  the  105th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  who  was  killed  while  leading  a 
charge  at  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  and  William 
James  McKnight. 

William  Thompson  and  wife  settled  on  a 
farm  near  Lewisville,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  This 
farm  was  deeded  by  Rev.  John  Jamieson  and 
Agnes,  his  wife,  to  William  Thompson  and 
Agnes  Jamieson  Thompson,  his  wife,  the  deed 
being  dated  March  26,  1817,  and  afterward 
known  as  the  "John  Gallagher  Farm." 

Col.  Robei-t  M.  Thompson,  of  New  York 
City,  is  a  son  of  John  Jamieson  Ypsilanti 
Thompson  and  grandson  of  William  and 
Agnes  (Jamieson)  Thompson.  The  Colonel 
has  a  world  celebrity  in  naval,  athletic,  finan- 
cial and  charitable  cii'cles. —  [Contributed  by 
Dr.  W.  J.  McKnight.] 

MATTHEW  H.  HENRY,  now  living  re- 
tired at  Blairsville,  Indiana  county,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  a  family  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction 
which  has  been  associated  with  the  growth  and 
progress  of  Indiana  county  for  over  eighty 
years. 

John  Henrj',  the  first  of  the  family  to  set- 
tle in  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  was  a  native  of 
Ireland,  born  near  Londonderi-y,  in  County 
Deri-y,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  There  he 
married  Margaret  ^liller.  In  1833,  with  his 
wife  and  one  child,  he  sailed  from  Belfast, 
Ireland,  for  the  New  World,  and  after  a  seven 
weeks'  passage  landed  in  New  York,  ilaking 
their  way  west  by  canal  and  the  other  means 
of  transportation  then  available,  they  located 
first  in  Young  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  they  rented  the  farm  of  Matthew  Har- 
bison. After  farming  there  for  a  short  pe- 
riod they  moved  to  Armstrong  township,  same 
county,  settling  on  a  tract  of  seventy-three 
acres  of  uncultivated  land.  They  were  the 
pioneers  in  that  section.  Mr.  Henry  built  a 
little  log  house  and  made  strenuous  efforts  to 
clear  the  land.  Three  years  later,  when  his 
hard  work  was  meeting  with  some  success,  he 
met  with  an  accident  at  a  barn  raising  from 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


935 


the  effects  of  which  he  died  in  March,  1838. 
He  was  buried  in  the  West  Union  cemetery, 
near  the  homestead  farm.  The  widow,  left 
with  five  small  children  to  care  for,  and  eking 
out  an  existence  as  best  she  could,  had  a  hard 
struggle,  but  she  worked  day  and  night  to 
keep  her  family  together  and  succeeded.  She 
grew  her  own  wool  and  flax,  carded  it  and 
wove  it  into  cloth,  and  rode  on  horseback  from 
her  home  to  Blairsville  to  dispose  of  the  prod- 
uct for  the  necessaries  of  life.  It  was  a  trip 
of  thirty-two  miles.  In  spite  of  toil  and  hard- 
ships she  lived  to  the  age  of  seventy-three 
years,  dying  in  1876  at  her  home,  a  comfort- 
able frame  structure  which  had  supplanted 
the  log  cabin.  She  bore  her  struggles  with 
the  Christian  fortitude  for  which  she  was 
noted,  and  instilled  her  faith  into  her  chil- 
dren, whom  she  lived  to  see  surrounded  with 
comforts.  She  was  a  consistent  member  of 
the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Chui-ch  in  every 
sense  of  the  word.  The  five  children  were  as 
follows :  Sarah  Jane,  who  married  John  Cold- 
well,  resided  in  Armstrong  township,  and  died 
in  Young  township ;  Catherine  married  Rob- 
ert Blakley  (deceased)  and  (second)  Samuel 
M.  Knox;  Margaret  married  William  Dean, 
and  both  are  deceased;  John  married  Martha 
Porsythe  and  passed  all  his  life  on  the  home 
farm  (both  are  deceased)  ;  Matthew  H.  is 
mentioned  below. 

Matthew  H.  Henry  was  born  in  the  little 
log  cabin  on  the  homestead  farm  Aug.  18, 
1838,  five  months  after  the  death  of  his  father. 
Though  he  never  knew  the  love  or  devotion  of 
a  father  he  was  tenderly  cared  for  by  a  sac- 
rificing mother.  His  opportunities  for  ac- 
q^^iring  an  education  were  limited  to  the  ad- 
vantages afforded  by  the  local  school,  which 
was  two  miles  distant  from  the  home.  He 
grew  up  on  the  farm  and  worked  it  with  his 
brother  John  until  twenty-one  years  old,  af- 
ter which  he  spent  two  years  with  his  widowed 
sister,  Mrs.  Blakley,  in  Young  township,  op- 
erating her  farm.  Returning  to  the  home- 
stead, he  farmed  that  place  with  his  brother 
John  for  one  year,  and  then  settled  on  the 
Alexander  Gilmore  farm  (in  Young  town- 
ship), where  for  a  period  of  thirty-eight  years 
he  was  engaged  in  general  agi-iculture  and 
stock  raising.  During  twenty-five  years  of 
this  time  he  was  a  dealer  in  all  kinds  of  live 
stock,  buying  in  western  Pennsylvania  and 
finding  a  market  in  Philadelphia  and  other 
near-by  places.  He  shipped  a  carload  of 
stock  each  week  for  a  period  of  three  years. 
In  1901  he  retired  from  farming  and  located 
in  Blairsville,  where  for  five  years  he  was 


engaged  in  the  retailing  of  meat  and  other 
products.  Then  he  turned  over  the  business 
to  his  sons  and  has  since  lived  retired  in 
Blairsville.  In  1896  he  was  elected  county 
commissioner,  which  office  he  filled  for  three 
years.  While  a  resident  of  Young  township 
he  filled  the  office  of  school  director  for  six 
years,  and  was  for  eight  years  assessor  of  the 
township.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  and  was  elder  of  his 
church  in  Young  township  for  nine  years.  He 
has  filled  the  office  of  elder  in  IBlairsville 
Church  for  four  years.  Mr.  Henry  is  a  stanch 
Republican,  though  not  a  politician  in  the 
ordinary  meaning  of  the  word.  He  is  con- 
sidered a  thoroughlv  good  citizen. 

On  Feb.  14,  1862,  Mr.  Henry  married  in 
Young  township,  Indiana  county,  Mary  Jane 
Lowman,  who  was  born  in  that  township  in 
1843,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Susan  Low- 
man.  Mrs.  Henry  died  in  January, '1894,  the 
mother  of  eight  children:  (1)  John  G.,  iDom 
at  West  LelDanon.  Pa.,  Dec.  16,  1862,  is  a 
traveling  salesman  for  the  United  States  Steel 
Company  and  resides  in  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 
On  Dec.  30,  1886,  he  was  mamed  at  Indiana, 
Pa.,  to  Clara  Thomas,  and  they  have  one 
daughter,  Mary  Thomas,  born  June  21,  1896, 
at  No.  204  Coltart  Square,  Pittsburg,  Pa.  (2) 
Susan  Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  20,  1866,  married 
Dr.  Albert  S.  Kaufman,  of  New  Kensington, 
Pa.,  born  June  11,  1869.  and  they  have  had 
a  family  of  eight  children,  namely:  Mary 
M.,  born  Aug.  5,  1893;  Albert  R.,  Sept.  5, 
1895;  Grace  Elizabeth.  July  5,  1898  (died 
Feb.  21,  1900):  Anna  Bell,  Nov.  25,  1900; 
Ruth  D.,  Feb.  28,  1903  (died  Aug.  23,  1905) ; 
Helen.  Oct.  13,  1905 ;  Elanor  Louise,  Jime  8, 
1908;  Lois  Caroline,  Dec.  9,  1910.  (3)  Wil- 
liam Lowman,  born  Sept.  20,  1869,  resides  on 
the  homestead  in  Young  township.  On  June 
9.  1897,  he  married  Lyda  M.  Cribbs,  who  was 
born  May  20,  1876,  and  they  have  four  chil- 
dren: Mathew  Frank,  born  Jan.  29,  1898; 
Marv  Esther.  April  4.  1899;  Rubv,  July  13, 
1901 ;  John,  Feb.  3,  1904.  (4)  Clark  M.,  born 
March  12,  1872,  succeeded  his  father  in  the 
meat  business  at  Blairsville.  (5)  George  H., 
born  Dec.  19,  1874,  is  with  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company  and  resides  at  New  Ken- 
sington, Pa.  On  April  18,  1900,  he  married 
Lola  Belle  Shaffer,  who  was  born  Nov.  11, 
1880,  and  they  have  three  children,  who  were  ' 
born  as  follows:  Albert  Franklin.  Jan. 
22,  1901 ;  Mary  Elizabeth,  Sept.  27,  1904 ;  and 
Charles  Matthew,  Dee.  20,  1908.  (6)  IVTat- 
thew  Hugh  Dean,  born  March  1,  1876.  died 
in  1895.     (7)  Alexander  Ross,  born  Nov.  13, 


936 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1879,  is  a  contractor  and  builder  in  Los  An- 
geles, Cal.  On  July  17,  1907,  he  married 
Eartha  Miller,  of  Los  Angeles,  and  they  have 
one  child,  A.  Ross,  Jr.,  bom  April  17,  1912. 
(8)  Robert  S.,  born  Jan.  20,  1882,  is  engaged 
with  his  brother  Clark  M.  in  the  meat  busi- 
ness. 

Mr.  Henry  married  for  his  second  wife, 
July  5,  1901,  Sybilla  Kells,  who  was  born  in 
Livermore,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Mary 
( Cunningham )  Kells,  and  widow  of  John  Fer- 
guson, who  died  May  22,  1895.  He  is  fully 
mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

KBELY  is  an  honored  name  in  Indiana 
county,  where  many  of  its  representatives  are 
to  be  found  occupying  positions  of  trust  and 
responsibility  in  the  various  communities  to 
which  they  have  scattered.  The  family  his- 
tory is  interesting  and  in  brief  is  as  follows : 
•  Daniel  Keely,  grandfather  of  Daniel  Keely 
and  great-grandfather  of  James  Milton 
Keeley,  both  respected  residents  of  Cone- 
maugh  township,  was  a  native  American,  who 
lived  for  a  time  in  Ligonier  Valley,  but  later 
moved  to  Conemaugh  township,  settling  near 
tlie  salt  works  on  the  township  line,  upon  a 
farm  which  he  purchased  (now  owned  by  a 
Mr.  McBride  and  known  as  the  Saltsburg  Ex- 
tension). Daniel  Keely  followed  farming  all 
his  long  and  useful  life.  He  was  buried  in  the 
Saltsburg  cemetery.  He  married  Jane  Ed- 
dings,  who  was  born  near  Poke  Run  Church, 
in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  and  the  chil- 
dren born  to  them  were  as  follows:  John, 
who  married  Nancy  "Watson,  was  a  tanner  by 
trade,  and  lived  near  Boiling  Springs,  Arm- 
strong Co.,  Pa.;  Samuel  is  mentioned  below; 
Hannah  married  Joe  Anderson,  a  hotel-keeper 
of  Saltsburg;  Eliza  married  John  Kipp;  An- 
nie married  a  Mr.  Kennedy;  Mary  married 
Henry  McKallip,  a  merchant  of  Leechburg; 
Jane  married  Samuel  Culp,  a  carpenter;  Al- 
ice married  John  Imon,  a  farmer;  Susan  mar- 
ried Thomas  Gleason,  a  farmer ;  Amanda  mar- 
ried James  Wyatt,  an  oil  developer  and  farm- 
er of  Crooked  Creek,  Armstrong  count  v. 

Samuel  Keely,  son  of  Daniel  Keelv,  was 
bom  in  1807,  and  died  in  1882.  Hi.s  birth 
occurred  in  what  is  now  known  as  Saltsburg 
Extension,  Conemaugh  township,  near  the  salt 
works,  and  he  remained  with  his  pai-ents  on 
the  farm,  later  taking  charge  of  the  property. 
He  also  engaged  with  Samuel  M.  Kier,  owner 
of  canal  boats,  and  became  captain  of  a  sec- 
tion boat,  which  ran  from  Philadelphia  to 
Pittsburg,  over  the  mountains.  Mr.  Keely 
was  also  employed  in  the  salt  works  for  some 


time,  but  finally  devoted  all  his  time  to  farm- 
ing, becoming  the  owner  of  two  farms,  one 
of  140  acres,  and  the  other  of  118  acres.  The 
first  farm  he  sold  before  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred while  he  was  living  ^^^th  his  son  Dan- 
iel, who  cared  for  him  in  his  declining  years. 
His  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  Saltsburg 
cemetery. 

Samuel  Keely  married  Jane  E.  Barber,  who 
was  born  in  1822,  and  died  in  1908,  daughter 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Barber)  Barber. 
Eighteen  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Samuel  Keely,  but  thirteen  of  them  died  in 
infancy,  the  others  being:  Daniel;  Sarah 
Elizabeth,  who  married  Isaac  Barber,  a  re- 
tired oil  worker  and  rural  mail  carrier  of 
Paulton,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.;  John,  who 
married  j\Iatilda  Couch,  and  is  in  the  oil  busi- 
ness at  Pleasantville,  Pa.,  owning  thirty-five 
oil  wells:  William  N.,  a  farmer,  living  in 
Nebraska ;  and  Samuel  H.,  who  married  Ma- 
tilda Whatt,  mentioned  below. 

A  man  of  quiet,  unostentatious  manner, 
devoted  to  his  family,  and  a  hard  worker, 
Samuel  Keely  was  a  most  estimable  citizen, 
and  a  credit  to  his  locality,  as  well  as  to  his 
name.  He  did  much  to  advance  agricultural 
interests  in  Conemaugh  township,  and  always 
was  willing  to  try  new  methods,  although 
many  ideas  now  generally  accepted  were  not 
thought  of  in  the  days  of  his  activity.  Trying 
to  practice  the  Golden  Rule  in  his  everyday 
life,  he  had  developed  into  a  fine  character, 
and  earned  and  held  public  esteem,  although 
he  did  not  aspire  to  come  before  the  people  as 
a  candidate  for  office.  Such  men  as  he  are 
rare  in  these  days  of  self-advancement,  and 
his  memory  is  tenderly  cherished  by  his 
family  and  by  many  friends  as  well,  and  his 
example  is  held  up  to  the  rising  generation  as 
one  to  follow,  for  such  a  life  leads  to  honor 
and  prosperity. 

Daniel  Keely,  son  of  Samuel  Keely,  and 
grandson  of  Daniel  Keely,  was  born  Nov.  12, 
1842,  on  the  homestead  that  his  father  and 
grandfather  owned.  He  attended  the  local 
schools  during  the  winter,  and  in  the  sum- 
mer, as  was  the  custom,  worked  on  the  farm. 
In  1867  the  family  moved  to  his  present  farm, 
on  which  he  and  his  father  built  the  present 
residence.  This  was  completed  and  ready  for 
occupancy  in  the  fall  of  1867,  and  they  then 
turned  their  attention  toward  the  erection  of 
suitable  bams  and  outhouses.  TJie  property 
comprises  116  acres,  all  of  which  is  operated 
by  Mr.  Keely,  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock 
raiser.  His  methods  are  recognized  as  ad- 
vanced in  character,  for  he  is  a  ]iraetical  man. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


937 


one  who  realizes  that  farming  does  not  stand 
still  any  more  than  any  other  line  of  busi- 
ness, and  that  the  man  who  succeeds  is  the 
one  who  is  willing  to  get  out  of  a  iiit  and  use 
every  means  at  hand  to  further  his  ends.  His 
home  is  beautifully  located  on  the  brow  of  a 
hill,  so  that  there  is  a  magnificent  view  of 
the  Conemaugh  and  Kiskiminetas  rivers. 

In  1868  Mr.  Keely  married  Margaret 
Sweeney,  by  whom  he  had  two  children  :  Mar- 
garet Jane,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Annie, 
who  married  Harvey  McClellan,  and  is  now 
deceased.  Mr.  Keely 's  second  marriage  was 
to  Ruth  A.  Johnson,  by  whom  he  has  the 
following  children:  William,  engaged  as  a 
roller  in  a  tin  plate  mill  at  New  Castle,  Pa., 
married  a  Miss  Waddle  and  resides  in  New 
Castle;  Julia  married  Robert  Woodend,  cap- 
tain of  a  company  of  the  Pennsylvania  Na- 
tional Guard;  Emma  R.  married  John  C. 
Frampton,  who  works  in  a  tin  plate  mill  at 
New  Castle;  Samuel  B.,  a  teamster,  married 
Martha  V.  Richards ;  Roy  D.  married  Mar- 
garet Weinell ;  Jennie  is  at  home ;  Eugenia 
is  at  home ;  Olie  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Keely  is  an  independent  Democrat,  and 
has  been  active  in  township  affairs,  serving 
on  the  election  board  all  of  his  mature  life. 
For  nine  years  he  was  road  supervisor,  serv- 
ing as  such  with  William  Bert,  Isaac  Mc- 
Laughlin and  Thomas  Hughes  when  the  ma- 
cadamized road  from  Saltsburg  to  Clarksburg 
was  built,  and  feels  proud  of  that  monument 
to  his  enterprise  and  public  spirit.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is 
active  in  its  good  work.  It  is  difficult  to 
express  in  so  brief  a  record  all  that  such  a 
man  as  Mr.  Keely  has  become,  has  accom- 
plished. Not  only  is  he  a  good  farmer  and 
business  man,  but  he  has  developed  into  the 
best  kind  of  citizen,  one  who  places  public 
interest  before  private  gains,  and  whenever 
he  has  been  in  office  has  given  his  constitu- 
ents conscientious  service  and  handled  public 
affairs  wisely  and  capably. 

Samuel  H.  Keely,  son  of  Samuel  Keely  and 
grandson  of  Daniel  Keely,  was  for  years  a 
well-known  farmer  of  Young  township,  this 
county.  While  residing  in  that  township  he 
rented  land  upon  which  he  farmed  during 
earlier  years.  Eventually,  however,  he  bought 
the  farm  upon  which  he  still  resides  with  his 
wife,  and  is  one  of  the  substantial  agricul- 
turists of  the  county. 

He  man-ied  IMatilda  Whatt.  and  they  have 
had  five  children,  as  follows :  James  jMilton ; 
Hattie  Bell,  who  is  unmarried ;  Minnie  Pearl, 
who  married  John  Kennedv.   and  resides  at 


Vandergrift,  Pa. ;  Jane,  who  married  Charles 
Shields ;  and  Myrtle,  who  is  unmarried. 

Mr.  Keely  has  always  endeavored  to  live 
up  to  his  best  ideals,  and  has  endeared  him- 
self to  all  who  know  him.  Never  desiring 
public  life,  he  has  spent  his  strength  in  car- 
ing for  his  own,  and  his  prosperity  has  been 
attained  through  hard,  earnest  effort,  for  he 
has  had  no  outside  assistance.  His  children 
have  been  carefully  reared  to  honor  their 
parents  and  obey  the  laws,  and  they  have  de- 
veloped into  noble  men  and  women,  who  are 
the  pride  of  their  parents,  and  substantial 
citizens  of  their  neighborhoods. 

James  Milton  Keeley,  dairyman  of  Cone- 
maugh township,  was  born  Jan.  14.  1875,  son 
of  Samuel  H.  and  Matilda  (Whatt)  Keeley,  at 
White  station,  in  Conemaugh  township. 
Growing  up  at  home,  he  received  a  common 
school  training  at  Sloan's  school  house.  After 
leaving  school  he  engaged  with  Ira  C.  Ewings, 
a  merchant,  of  Avonmore,  Westmoreland  Co., 
Pa.,  and  remained  with  him  for  eighteen 
months.  Following  that  he  went  to  work  for 
J.  C.  Moore,  a  hardware  dealer,  of  Saltsburg, 
and  remained  with  him  for  another  eighteen 
months.  His  next  position  was  with  P.  H. 
Laughlin  &  Co.,  proprietors  of  the  steel  mill  in 
Conemaugh  township,  and  he  rose  to  be  a 
sheet  roller.  Mr.  Keeley  remained  with  that 
firm  for  over  fifteen  years,  gaining  their  full 
confidence,  and  left  them  only  when  the  busi- 
ness was  closed.  However,  as  good  a  work- 
man as  he  had  no  difficulty  in  placing  himself, 
and  he  engaged  with  W.  L.  Ray,  at  Adri, 
Conemaugh  township,  operating  and  cropping 
his  farm  for  two  years.  Mr.  Keeley  then 
liought  the  J.  O'Neil  farm  of  136  acres,  for 
coming  of  a  long  line  of  agriculturists  he  is 
naturally  fitted  for  farming,  and  since  July 
15,  1910,  when  he  went  on  his  property,  he  has 
developed  into  one  of  the  most  enterprising 
farmers  and  dairymen  of  his  township.  He 
keeps  about  twenty  cows,  and  retails  his  milk 
in  Saltsburg.  His  farm  is  located  one  mile 
outside  of  Saltsburg,  so  that  he  is  convenient- 
ly situated  for  the  successful  prosecution  of 
liis  dairy  business.  As  his  product  is  of  the 
best  quality,  and  produced  according  to  the 
latest  sanitary  methods,  he  sells  to  the  best 
trade  in  his  field  of  opei-ations.  In  addition 
to  his  herd  of  cattle  Mr.  Keeley  raises  con- 
siderabfe  stock,  including  several  horses  each 
year,  which  he  sells  to  the  market.  His 
buildings  are  models  of  cleanliness  and  neat- 
ness, and  he  is  proud  of  the  fact  that  the 
inspectors  find  no  fault  with  his  arrangements. 
Such   a   man   as  he   does   much   to   raise   the 


938 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


standard  of  excellence  in  the  dairy  business 
and  consumers  owe  him  a  heavj^  debt  for  his 
conscientiousness  and  experienced  conduct  of 
his  affairs. 

Mr.  Keeley  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Eliza  Jane  O'Neil,  daughter  of  John  O'Neil, 
who  was  born  at  Greenville,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keeley  are  the  parents  of  chil- 
dren as  follows:  Margai'et  Helen,  Nancy 
Mary,  Virginia  Pearl,  Ralph  Kermit  and 
James  Howard. 

In  political  faith  Mr.  Keeley  is  a  Repub- 
lican, is  now  registered  assessor,  and  has  held 
a  number  of  other  township  ofSces.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Saltsburg  Presbyterian  Church, 
in  which  he  is  an  usher,  while  for  years  he 
has  served  as  secretary  of  the  Sunday  school. 
Like  others  of  his  family  'Sir.  Keeley  is  a 
man  of  home  instincts,  and  takes  his  pleasure 
in  the  midst  of  his  family.  Ilis  wife  and  chil- 
dren do  him  honor,  and  he  is  exceedingly 
proud  of  them,  as  he  has  every  reason  to  be. 
The  enterprise  he  has  shown  in  all  of  his 
work  demonstrates  that  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits he  has  discovered  his  natural  calling, 
and  his  township  is  to  be  congratiilated  upon 
the  fact  that  he  has  returned  to  it  and  to  the 
line  of  business  which  his  ancestors  found  so 
profitable,  for  good  farmers  are  rare  and 
more  needed  than  any  other  kind  of  workers. 

WILLIAM  WORK  HOPKINS,  president 
of  the  Farmers'  Telephone  Co.,  of  Armstrong, 
Jefferson  and  Indiana  counties,  is  a  lumber 
manufacturer  and  farmer  of  East  Mahoning 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  he  was  born, 
on  the  Point  Breeze  farm,  now  owned  bv 
him,  July  10,  1852. 

The  Hopkins  family  is  an  old  and  honored 
one  in  Indiana  county,  and  is  of  Scotch-Irish 
extraction.  John  Hopkins,  the  founder  of 
the  family  in  this  counti">'.  was  a  native  of 
Ireland,  and  coming  to  the  United  States  in 
1791,  located  at  Baltimore.  JMd.,  where  he 
spent  four  years.  He  then  returned  to  Ire- 
land, but  came  back  here  in  1801,  spent  some 
time  in  Philadelphia,  and  then  went  to  Adams 
county,  Pa.  Other  sections  were  visited  by 
him  in  a  search  for  a  pennanent  home,  and 
in  1808  he  came  to  Indiana  county,  where, 
conditions  suiting  him.  he  located  in  what  was 
then  Wheatfield  township.  After  eight  years 
he  came  to  the  northern  part  of  the  county 
and  purchassed  a  farm  of  ]6o  acres  in  what 
is  now  East  ^Mahoning  township,  paying  one 
dollar  per  acre  for  same,  and  there  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  in  1851.  when 
eighty-one   years   old.      In    1809   he    married 


Margaret  Jamieson,  who  died  in  1854.  They 
were  buried  in  the  ilahoning  graveyard,  near 
Mahoning  U.  P.  Church,  of  which  they  were 
members. 

John  Hopkins,  son  of  John  Hopkins,  was 
born  in  East  Mahoning  township  in  1818,  and 
there  he  gi'ew  to  manhood's  estate.  Like  his 
father,  he  became  a  farmer,  locating  on  part 
of  the  homestead,  which  is  now  known  as 
Point  Breeze  farm  and  owned  by  William 
W.  Hopkins.  There  he  erected  a  residence 
and  made  other  improvements,  cariying  on 
farming  and  stock  raising  mitil  his  death, 
which  occurred  April  27,  1898.  He  is  buried 
in  the  cemetery  attached  to  the  Mahoning 
L'nited  Presbyterian  Church,  having  been  one 
of  its  organizers  and  a  consistent  member.  A 
Republican,  he  held  local  offices  and  was  a 
man  of  sterling  integi-ity.  At  one  time  he  was 
a  school  director  and  always  a  friend  of  the 
public  school  system. 

John  Hopkins  married,  in  1851,  in  East 
]Mahoning  township,  Miriam  Scroggs  Work, 
who  was  born  Nov.  12,  1825,  a  daughter  of 
Alexander  Scroggs  and  Margaret  (Brown) 
Work.  Mrs.  Hopkins  died  April  1,  1864,  and 
is  buried  in  the  same  cemetery  as  her  hus- 
band. They  had  children  as  follows:  Will- 
iam Work;  Almira  (Myra),  born  in  June. 
1854,  a  school  teacher,  who  married  Dwite  H. 
Cole  and  lives  in  Nebraska :  Alexander  Mur- 
i-ay,  born  in  February.  1857,  a  farmer  of  East 
Mahoning  township,  who  on  March  12,  1891. 
married  Rosetta  Hamilton,  a  daughter  of 
Hugh  Hamilton:  and  ]\Iargaret.  born  in  May, 
1859.  who  married  Robert  G.  Work  and  died 
in  May.  1881. 

William  Work  Hopkins  was  brought  up  on 
the  homestead  and  attended  the  local  schools, 
supplementing  his  meager  educational  advan- 
tages, however,  with  home  reading  and  study. 
Working  ou  the  farm  until  eighteen  years  of 
age,  he  then  began  learning  the  cai-penter's 
trade  with  his  uncle.  John  B.  Work,  of  West 
Mahoning  township,  who  was  located  near 
Smicksburg.  At  first  he  received  fifty  cents 
a  day  for  his  labor,  and  after  he  became  a 
.iourneyman  his  wages  were  one  dollar  a  day. 
Completing  his  apprenticeship,  he  went  to 
Pittsburg,  where  he  received  $2.50  per  day. 
but  later  returning  to  Indiana  county  he  lo- 
cated in  Canoe  towTiship,  and  an  opportunity 
presenting  itself  established  himself  as  a 
manufacturer  of  dooi-s,  sashes  and  frames 
under  the  name  of  the  Enterprise  Lumber 
Company,  acting  as  secretary,  treasurer  and 
bookkeeper  of  the  concern.  Eleven  years  later 
he  came  to  West  iMahoning  towusliip.  and  for 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


eighteen  years  was  one  of  the  leading  build- 
ers and  contractors  of  the  locality,  erecting 
residences,  schools  and  churches.  After  the 
death  of  his  father,  in  1898,  he  moved  to  the 
Point  Breeze  farm,  and  is  now  devoting  his 
time  to  operating  his  property  and  handling 
his  lumber  business,  as  he  has  contracts  for 
supplying  the  Buffalo.  Rochester  &  Pittsburg 
Railroad  Company  with  all  kinds  of  lumber 
required  by  the  road.  He  owns  portable  saw- 
mills and  has  operated  with  them  in  different 
parts  of  the  country. 

In  addition  to  his  other  concerns,  Mr.  Hop- 
kins is  interested  in  the  Farmers'  Telephone 
Company  of  Armstrong,  Indiana  and  Jeffer- 
son counties,  and  served  as  its  treasurer  for 
three  years ;  he  has  been  its  president  for  the 
past  three  years.  Mr.  Hopkins  is  essentially 
a  self-made  man,  one  who  has  risen  steadily 
by  reason  of  solid  worth,  and  deseiwes  the 
good  fortune  that  has  attended  him.  His  farm 
shows  that  he  takes  a  pride  in  its  appearance, 
as  its  buildings  are  in  excellent  shape,  well 
adapted  for  their  several  purposes,  and  his 
equipment  is  thoroughly  modern. 

Mr.  Hopkins  takes  a  deep  interest  in  the 
local  schools  and  for  sixteen  years  has  been 
a  school  director,  and  was  secretary  of  the 
board.  He  has  also  been  auditor  of  his  town- 
ship, as  well  as  supervisor.  'Politically  he 
was  formerly  a  Republican,  but  with  the 
organization  of  the  Prohibition  party  he  felt 
that  its  platform  more  nearly  embodied  his 
principles  and  he  now  gives  it  his  hearty 
support.  A  temperate  man  himself,  he  lives 
out  his  own  ideas,  and  exerts  quite  as  much 
influence  throiigh  his  example  as  by  his  pre- 
cepts, althQugh  he  is  a  good  talker  and  knows 
how  to  present  convincing  arguments  in  favor 
of  his  cause.  It  is  such  men  as  he  who  are 
bringing  about  a  more  sane  view  with  rela- 
tion to  the  liquor  traffic  and  teaching  the 
people  what  intemperance  is  costing  the 
country  in  every  respect.  Mr.  Hopkins  is  also 
very  prominent  in  church  work,  serving  as 
elder  and  trustee  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  is  a  popular  Sabbath  school 
teacher.  His  influence  over  young  men  is 
especially  powerful  and  it  would  be  difScult 
to  say  just  how  many  he  has  convinced  of 
the  error  of  wrong  living  and  turned  into 
paths  of  rectitude  and  right. 

On  Dec.  27,  1877,  Mr.  Hopkins  was  mar- 
ried to  Laura  Bell  Ewing,  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  Ewing,  of  Nebraska,  and  she  is  a 
■devoted  wife  and  mother  and  a  consistent 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hopkins  are: 


Ruth  Gertrude,  bom  in  November,  1878, 
married  Clark  Steele,  and  lives  on  the  home- 
stead; Lottie  Myra,  born  in  December,  1880, 
married  J.  T.  Crawford,  and  lives  in  Wash- 
ington township ;  Wallace  Edwin  was  born, 
in  July,  1883;  John  Paul,  bom  in  March, 
1888,  is  at  home;  Mary,  Louise,  born  in 
March,  1891,  is  a  student  in  the  normal  school 
at  Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

Wallace  Edwin  Hopkins,  son  of  William 
Work  Hopkins,  began  his  edi;cation  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  place,  and  taught 
school  for  two  terms,  after  which  he  attended 
the  State  normal  school  at  Indiana,  being 
graduated  therefrom.  Then  he  taught  in  the 
winter  in  various  districts,  and  the  summer 
school  at  J\Iarion  Center  until  he  entered  the 
University  of  Michigan,  at  Ann  Arbor,  from 
which  he  graduated  with  the  degree  of  JI.  D. 
in  1912.  He  is  now  an  interne  in  the  Uni- 
versity hospital  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan. 

JOHN  THOMPSON  PARK  is  the  owner 
of  Park  Place  farm,  a  beautiful  tract  of  110 
acres  overlooking  the  borough  of  Marion  Cen- 
ter, Indiana  county,  where  he  has  passed 
practically  all  his  life,  having  been  born  there 
July  2,  1845,  son  of  Roliert  and  Margaretta 
(Thompson)  Park.  The  Park  family  has 
been  closely  associated  with  the  history  of  the 
town  from  the  very  beginning,  ilr.  Park's 
grandfather,  John  Park,  having  laid  out  the 
place,  and  they  have  always  held  high  stand- 
ing among  its  best  citizens. 

The  family  is  of  Irish  origin.  Robert  Park, 
great-grandfather  of  John  Thompson  Park, 
was  married  in  1775  in  County  Down,  Ire- 
land, to  Jane  Bailey,  and  they  had  three 
children,  namely:  John  and  Mary,  twins, 
bom  Jan.  12.  1776.  in  Baltiwalter,  County 
Down ;  and  Elizabeth,  born  there  in  1782.  In 
1794  this  family  removed  to  Philadelphia, 
where  Robert  Park  instructed  classes  in 
mathematics,  navigation  and  surveying.  He 
died,  however,  about  a  year  after  his  location 
there,  in  1795-96,  and  his  widow  and  children 
removed  to  Greencastle,  Franklin  Co.,  Pa.. 
Mrs.  Park  marrying  Col.  James  Johnston,  the 
surveyor,  who  resided  near  Greencastle.  and 
whose  name  is  associated  with  the  early  sur- 
veys of  northern  Indiana  county.  i\Irs. 
Johnston  died  in  Johnstown,  Cambria  county, 
at  the  age  of  108  years. 

John  Park,  born  Jan.  12,  1776,  in  the  town 
of  Baltiwalter,  County  Down,  Ireland,  came 
to  this  country  with  his  parents.  He  studied 
surveying  with  his  father  and  stepfather,  and 
received  a  commission  as  deputy  surveyor  for 


940 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  western  district  of  Pennsylvania  from 
Governor  Snyder.  To  quote  from  a  history  of 
Indiana  county  issued  in  1891,  "Marion  (post 
oiSce  Brady)  is  on  Pine  run  in  the  southern 
part  of  East  Mahoning  township,  and  is  the 
largest  town  north  of  the  purchase  line  in 
Indiana  county.  It  was  laid  out  by  John 
Park  in  1842  and  incorported  as  a  borough  in 
1872.  'Marion  is  situated  on  a  tract  of  land 
which  originally  embraced  408  aci'es,  the  pat- 
ent of  which  was  issued  to  James  Johnston,  a 
deputy  surveyor,  on  the  31st  of  January, 
1798.  In  the  patent  the  tract  is  called 
"Greenland,"  and  is  described  as  situated  on 
the  waters  of  Pine  run.  In  1795  John  Park 
came  to  this  portion  of  Pennsylvania  to  make 
surveys  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Johnston. 
In  1798  he  purchased  the  "Evergreen"  body 
of  land,  though  he  did  not  get  his  deed  until 
the  2d  of  December,  1803.  In  1799  he  erected 
a  log  cabin  16x20  in  what  is  now  the  south- 
west end  of  the  village,  on  the  lot  now  owned 
by  the  Ritehey  heirs.  The  Ritchey  house 
stands  on  the  old  foundation.  This  is  said  to 
have  been  the  second  house  erected  in  this 
section  north  of  the  purchase  line.  Elisha 
Chambers,  Hugh  Thompson,  Fergus  Moor- 
head,  Jacob  Shalleberger,  William  McHenry, 
five  Seneca  Indians,  a  squaw  and  a  papoose 
were  at  the  raising.  The  Indians,  according 
to  tradition,  would  not  work  until  the  bottle 
of  whiskey  was  passed  and  each  had  drunk  a 
portion  thereof.  Then,  upon  a  signal  from 
the  chief,  who  shook  energetically  a  gourd 
partly  filled  with  coi-n,  they  went  to  work  with 
much  awkwardness  but  good-naturedly,  and 
in  a  few  hours  the  lone  cabin  had  risen. 

"  'It  is  said  that  when  Mr.  Park  first  came 
to  this  region  he  encamped  on  the  site  of  his 
cabin.  Near  it  was  a  fine  spring.  On  the 
opposite  bank  of  the  run  were  some  Indians 
who  had  erected  their  wig\vams  there,  no 
doubt  on  account  of  the  spring,  as  well  as  the 
abundance  of  game  in  the  surrounding  forest. 
After  the  raising  they  all  went  to  Hugh 
Thompson's  place,  about  two  and  one-half 
miles  down  Pine  run,  where  the  Indians  and 
the  whites  had  a  grand  frolic.  The  red  men 
danced  to  the  music  of  the  shaken  gourd,  and 
there  was  naught  to  disturb  the  harmony  of 
the  hour.' 

"John  Park  was  the  life  of  the  settlement 
that  was  gathering  around  the  site  of  his  fu- 
ture town.  In  1810  he  built  a  tanyard" 
(which  was  pati'Oiiized  liy  settlers  and  hunters 
for  twenty  and  twenty-five  miles  around,  for 
moccasin  and  shoe  leather),  "and  soon  after- 
wards tmilt  11  lioi'sc])ow('r  gi'istmill,  which  li(> 


replaced  in  1834  with  a  waterpower  flouring- 
mill,  with  a  capacity  of  thirty  bushels  per 
day.  His  son  James  had  a  cabinet  factory 
and  carpenter  shop  in  connection  with  the 
mill  for  several  years. 

"Marion  was  laid  out  by  John  Park  in 
August,  1842,  and  the  first  sale  of  lots  oc- 
curred in  the  succeeding  month.  The  plat 
embraced  eight  acres,  with  one  main  street  and 
two  rows  of  lots  on  either  side.  The  first  house 
erected  after  the  platting  of  the  town  was 
the  residence  of  Hezekiah  Wood,  the  pioneer 
chair  and  spinning-wheel  maker.  This  is  still 
standing"  (until  recently),  "on  the  south 
side  of  West  Main  street,  and  is  the  property 
of  John  Riddle"  (now  belonging  to  Dr. 
Shields).  "Mr.  Wood  worked  at  his  trade  in 
James  Park's  shop.  The  second  Imilding  was 
erected  by  James  Park  for  James  McKelvey, 
the  first  blacksmith.  .  .  .  The  first  painter 
was  Linton  Park,  whose  experience  has  justly 
entitled  him  to  be  designated  as  the  master  of 
the  craft  in  the  Mahoning  Valley." 

John  Park  died  Aug.  10,  1844.  In  1807, 
in  Greencastle.  Franklin  county,  he  married 
Mary  Lang,  daughter  of  Rev.  James  Lang, 
a  Presbyterian  minister,  of  White  Spring, 
Franklin  county.  She  died  in  1864,  when 
eighty-one  years  old.  Jlr.  and  Mrs.  Park 
were  Presbyterians  in  religious  connection. 
They  had  the  following  children :  Jlargaret 
H.  married  Samuel  Craig;  Robert,  born  Jan. 
6,  1810,  is  mentioned  below;  Jane  R.,  born 
Dec.  30,  1812,  married  Alexander  Sutor ; 
Mary  B.,  born  Feb.  11,  1814,  man-ied  Joseph 
Brady;  James  L.,  born  Aug.  25,  1816,  married 
Susannah  Early  and  (second)  AnnaLoughry; 
Ann  E.,  bom  Dec.  13,  1818,  married  James 
Martin;  Amanda,  born  May  5,  1821,  married 
Robert  Barbour;  John,  born  Dee.  21,  1823. 
married  Martha  Curtiss  (or  Wibort)  ;  Linton, 
born  Dee.  16,  1826,  was  for  six  years  in  the 
United  States  service,  one  year  of  which  he 
was  a  member  of  the  "Pi'esident's  Guards," 
2d  Regiment,  District  of  Columbia  (he  en- 
graved the  broad-axe  presented  to  Lincoln  in 
1860).  Of  this  family,  sons,  sons-in-law,  etc., 
there  were  thirteen  in  the  Union  army  during 
the  Civil  war,  two  dying  while  in  the  service, 
and  two  others  being  wounded. 

Robert  Park,  son  of  John,  bom  Jan.  6, 
1810,  passed  all  his  life  on  the  farm  where 
his  birth  occurred,  dying  there  July  10,  1899. 
He  attended  common  school  in  the  locality. 
His  first  marriage,  wliich  took  place  in  Jan- 
uary, 1836,  was  to  Mary  Cannon,  by  whom 
he  had  four  children :  Hugh,  wlio  died  in 
infancy;  James,  wlio  died  in  infancy;  Mary 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


L.,  born  March  20,  1838  (now  deceased),  who 
married  E.  H.  Griffith  and  became  the  mother 
of  C.  R.  Griffith;  and  James  (2),  born  June 
10,  1839.  By  his  second  wife,  Margaretta 
(Thompson),  whom  he  married  in  1842,  and 
who  died  April  13,  1851,  Mr.  Park  had  chil- 
dren: Matilda  J.,  Mrs.  A.  W.  Lang;  John 
Thompson,  mentioned  below;  Benjamin  F., 
born  June  12,  1847,  now  a  resident  of  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  who  was  in  the  signal  corps  during 
the  Civil  war  (he  married)  ;  and  Robert  L., 
bom  July  18,  1849,  who  died  May  10,  1851. 
For  his  third  wife  Mr.  Park  married  ilartha 
Caruthers  (sister  of  Rev.  John  Caruthers), 
on  May  28,  1866,  and  she  died  in  1885.  They 
had  no  children. 

John  Thompson  Park  spent  his  boyhood 
and  youth  in  the  manner  of  the  average  farm 
boy,  receiving  a  common  school  education  in 
the  home  locality.  On  June  26,  1863,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  A,  2d  Battalion,  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  for  six  months,  and 
on  Aug.  26,  1864,  again  enlisted,  this  time 
in  Company  A,  206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  for  one  year.  He  served  until  the 
close  of"  the  war.  Most  of  the  time  his  regi- 
ment was  stationed  in  front  of  Richmond, 
being  the  first  regiment  to  enter  the  city. 

Returning  home  after  the  war  was  over, 
Mr.  Park  went  to  farming,  and  upon  the 
death  of  his  father  became  the  owner  of  the 
home  place,  the  management  of  which  he  had 
assumed  long  before.  He  is  a  typical  repre- 
sentative of  a  family  which  has  long  stood 
high  in  the  community.  On  Dec.  25,  1873, 
Mr.  Park  was  married  to  Caroline  Ryckman, 
of  Marion  Center,  daughter  of  Tobias  and 
Susan  (Stoops)  Ryckman,  and  they  have  had 
six  children,  namely:  Franklin;  Bertha  M., 
wife  of  Dr.  W.  C.  Byers,  of  Webster,  Pa.; 
Howard;  Margaretta,  deceased;  Charles,  at 
home;  and  Dorothy. 

Mr.  Park  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
In  political  opinion  he  is  a  Republican,  but 
he  is  independent  in  his  support  of  the  men 
and  measures  he  approves. 

"WILLIAM  H.  McGregor,  now  engaged 
in  business  in  the  borough  of  Indiana,  is  the 
second  son  of  James  McGregor,  for  many 
years  a  prominent  public  official  of  Indiana 
county.  The  McGregor  family  is  of  Scottish 
origin,  and  its  first  representative  in  America, 
Alexander  McGregor,  was  born  in  Scotland, 
and  on  arriving  in  this  country  settled  in 
Pennsylvania,  near  Bedford,  in  Bedford 
county.     He  was  a  millwright  by  trade,  but 


his  principal  business  after  settling  in  his 
new  home  was  farming,  he  having  purchased 
a  place  which  he  cultivated  until  his  death. 

Daniel  McGregor,  son  of  Alexander,  was 
born  in  Bedford  county,  where  he  grew  to 
manhood,  meantime  learning  the  carpenter's 
trade.  Coming  to  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  he 
lived  in  Washington  township  for  four  years, 
at  the  end  of  that  time  moving  to  Porter 
township,  Jefferson  county,  where  he  made  a 
permanent  home,  remaining  there  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  April,  1880,  in  his 
eighty-ninth  year.  He  followed  farming.  In 
religious  connection  he  was  a  Baptist. 

Mahlon  McGregor,  one  of  the  sons  of  Dan- 
iel, was  born  in  1810,  in  Bedford  county.  Pa., 
and  when  in  his  twenty-first  year  moved  to 
Jefferson  county,  settling  in  Porter  township. 
He  was  there  engaged  in  farming  and  stock 
raising  until  1869,  when  he  moved  to  Cowan- 
shannock  township,  Armstrong  county,  pass- 
ing the  remainder  of  his  life  there,  engaged 
in  the  same  line  of  work.  His  death  occurred 
July  12,  1873.  He  was  an  enterprising  and 
capable  business  man,  and  gave  all  his  at- 
tention to  his  private  affairs,  taking  no  part 
in  public  matters.  He  was  a  Republican  in 
politics.  His  wife,  Margaret  (Chambers), 
was  born  in  Perry  township,  Jefferson  Co., 
Pa.,  daughter  of  John  Chambers,  a  wealthy 
farmer  of  Jefferson  and  Indiana  counties,  Pa., 
who  also  carried  on  the  general  mercantile 
business.  Mrs.  McGregor  died  Feb.  4,  1845, 
in  her  twenty-sixth  year.  She  was  baptized 
and  married  by  the  same  minister,  Rev.  John. 
Carothers,  who  also  preached  her  funeral  ser- 
mon. Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGregor  were  members 
of   the   Presbyterian   Church. 

James  McGregor  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm  and  attended  the  public  schools  of  the 
neighborhood.  When  thirteen  years  old  he 
went  to  work  in  a  brickyard,  where  he  was 
employed  for  one  year,  and  he  also  continued 
his  studies,  three  years  later  commencing  to 
teach.  He  was  thus  engaged  for  one  year, 
and  then  became  clerk  in  a  store.  After  seven 
years'  experience  in  that  capacity  he  em- 
barked in  the  mercantile  business  on  his  own 
account  and  in  connection  therewith  also 
dealt  in  live  stock,  at  ]\Iarion  Center,  Indiana 
coiinty.  In  1884  he  was  honored  with  election 
to  the  oiSce  of  sheriff  of  the  county,  beginning 
his  three  years'  term  Jan.  1,  1885.  -In  1889 
he  was  elected  county  register  and  recorder, 
taking  office  on  the  first  Monday  in  January, 
1890,  and  being  reelected  at  the  close  of  the 
term,  served  another,  having  six  yeai*s  of 
continuous  service  in  that  office.    He  has  also 


942 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


held  local  offices,  having  been  school  director 
of  the  borough  of  Marion  Center  for  a  long 
period  and  justice  of  the  peace  five  years. 
In  eveiy  position  to  which  he  has  been  chosen 
he  has  justified  the  confidence  of  his  fellow 
citizens,  his  ability  and  integrity  having  been 
demonstrated  in  a  long  career  of  successful 
business  and  official  activity.  His  courtesy 
and  invariable  fairness  in  dealing  with  all 
made  him  exceedingly  well  liked  in  his  various 
public  capacities.  He  has  always  been  a 
stanch  Republican.  For  over  forty  years  he 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
and  he  has  been  one  of  the  most  pffective 
workers  in  the  congregations  with  which  he 
has  been  associated,  having  served  as  presi- 
dent of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  church  at 
Marion  Center,  and  a  member  of  the  building 
committee  which  erected  the  present  church 
there.  After  removing  to  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  in  1884,  where  he  has  since  lived, 
he  was  elected  to  the  same  position  he  had 
held  at  Marion,  and  was  one  of  a  committee 
which  had  charge  of  the  building  of  the  hand- 
some Meth'odist  parsonage  there,  in  1888. 

On  Sept.  20,  1860,  Mr.  McGregor  was  mar- 
ried to  Catherine  Pounds,  daughter  of  John 
Pounds,  of  East  Mahoning  township,  this 
county.  Mrs.  McGregor  died  March  11,  1880, 
leaving  a  family  of  eight  children:  Daniel 
E.,  William  H.,  James  C,  May  0.,  Clara  L.. 
Alice  C,  Anna  D.  and  Hai-vey  M.  On  March 
14, 1883,  Mr.  McGregor  married  (second)  Mrs. 
Agnes  A.  (Duncan)  Sutton,  and  of  the  chil- 
dren born  to  this  marriage  three  survived, 
two  sons  and  one  daughter,  John,  Frank  and 
Ola  A. 

William  H.  McGregor  was  born  at  Marion 
Center  in  May,  1865,  and  received  a  public 
school  education,  attending  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  nineteen  yeai's.  He  then  engaged 
in  the  livery  business  at  Greensburg,  Pa., 
continuing  same  for  several  years,  from  that 
place  moving  to  Indiana,  where  he  embarked 
in  the  same  line,  in  1901  selling  his  interest. 
For  the  last  several  years  he  has  been  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  lightning  rods 
at  Indiana,  and  he  is  also  interested  in  the 
oil  business,  being  president  of  the  American 
Independent  Oil  Company,  producers  of  high- 
grade  Pennsylvania  oils  and  greases,  dealers 
in  petroleum  and  its  products;  the  offices  of 
the  company  are  in  the  Marshall  building 
at  Indiana.  Mr.  McGi-egor  is  also  one  of  the 
stockholders  in  the  Savings  &  Trust  Company, 
of  Indiana.  He  may  truly  be  called  a  self- 
made  man,  for  he  has  attained  a  high  position 
through  his  own  efforts,  and  he  is  respected 


for  his  ability  and  intelligence  as  well  as 
liked  for  his  congenial  disposition,  which  has 
won  him  many  friends  among  his  associates 
in  the  various  relations  of  life.  He  is  a 
Republican  on  political  questions. 

On  Aug.  24,  1899,  Mr.  McGregor  married 
Julia  Smith,  of  Cherrytree,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
and  they  have  two  children:  Paul  Smith, 
born  May  19,  1901 ;  and  William  H.,  Jr.,  born 
March  20,  1903. 

Mrs.  McGregor's  great-great-gi-andfather, 
James  Smith,  arrived  in  Ireland  with  his 
cousin,  the  Prince  of  Orange,  and  remained 
there.  All  the  male  )nembers  of  this  connec- 
tion were  in  the  English  army.  One  uncle 
of  Mrs.  Smith's  father  was  a  quartermaster 
general  in  the  British  army  and  died  leaving 
large  possessions  in  London,  England ;  his 
estate  is  unsettled.  He  was  the  father  of  two 
sons,  James  and  William,  one  of  whom  died 
in  a  Spanish  port,  while  captain  of  an  Eng- 
lish frigate. 

Mrs.  McGregor's  great-grandfather  Smith 
was  a  captain  in  the  English  army.  His 
brother  David  was  taken  prisoner  at  York- 
town,  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and 
his  brother  Robert  was  at  the  burning  of  the 
church  in  New  Jersey,  and  was  taken  pris- 
oner at  Saratoga  while  serving  as  a  soldier 
in  the  English  army. 

William  Smith,  Mrs.  McGregor's  grand- 
father, was  born  in  Ireland.  He  was  a  soldier 
during  the  rebellion  of  1798  in  that  countiy. 
On  May  25,  1829,  he  sailed  from  Dublin  with 
his  wife,  Ellen  (Finney),  and  their  eight 
children,  four  sons  and  four  daughters,  for 
Quebec,  Canada,  where  they  arrived  in  Au- 
gust. One  of  the  daughters  died  and  was 
buried  on  the  Island  of  Newfoundland.  Ac- 
companying the  family  were  three  of  William 
Smith's  brothers,  David,  John  and  Andrew, 
and  another  brother,  Robert,  had  preceded 
them,  coming  across  the  Atlantic  as  a  soldier 
under  General  Pakenhani;  he  was  at  New 
Orleans  when  "Old  Hickory"  defeated  the 
British  in  1815,  and  remained  in  this  coun- 
try, settling  at  Otsego,  New  York. 

William  Smith  brought  his  family  to 
Schuylkill  county.  Pa. ;  he  and  his  wife  died 
in  Clearfield  county,  this  State.  Two  of  their 
sons  served  their  adopted  country  as  soldiers, 
William  in  the  Mexican  war  under  General 
Taylor,  and  Robert  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  vol- 
unteer under  General  Hunter. 

David  Finney  Smith,  son  of  William  and 
Ellen  (Finney)"  Smith,  was  born  May  3,  1821, 
in  County  Leitrim,  Ireland,  and  came  to 
America  with  the  family,  and  passed  the  re- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


943 


mainder  of  his  life  in  western  Pennsylvania, 
becoming  one  of  the  leading  lumber  merchants 
of  that  region.  He  married  twice,  the  second 
time  to  Hanna  E.  Thompson,  of  Clearfield, 
by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  Mrs.  William 
H.  McGregor,  of  Indiana,  being  the  eldest 
daughter.  She  obtained  her  education  in  the 
public  schools  at  Cherrytree  and  at  the  Indi- 
ana (Pa.)  State  normal  school.  The  Smiths 
are  Episcopalians  in  religious  connection. 

EEV.  FRANCIS  LEO  WIECZOREK,  pas- 
tor of  St.  Francis'  Clnirch,  at  Rossiter,  Pa., 
has  been  in  Indiana  county  continuously  since 
entering  the  priesthood.  He  is  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  April  11,  1879,  in  Silesia,  and 
there  obtained  his  early  education.  He  fur- 
thered his  studies  at  Rome,  completed  his 
theological  course  at  St.  Vincent's  College, 
Beatty  (Latrobe),  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa., 
where  he  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  by 
the  Rt.  Rev.  Regis  Canevin,  Bishop  of  the 
Pittsbin-g  diocese,  June  28,  1908.  celebrating 
his  first  mass  at  Mammoth,  that  county.  The 
Bishop  first  appointed  him  pastor  at  Iselin, 
Indiana  county,  where  he  administered  to  the 
spiritual  wants  of  his  parishioners  for  a  year 
and  a  half,  after  which  he  was  stationed  at 
Indiana  borough  as  missionary  pastor  to 
Father  McNeils,  as  such  attending  to  the  mis- 
sions in  Clymer,  Homer,  Graeeton,  Coi'al, 
Josephine,  Lucerne,  Ernest  and  Chambers- 
ville.  Pa.  In  1910  he  was  appointed  pastor 
of  St.  Bonaventure  Church  at  Josephine  and 
of  St.  Francis'  Church  at  Graeeton,  Homer 
and  Lucerne,  both  of  Indiana  count.v,  where 
he  labored  zealouslj^  in  the  interest  of  the  two 
parishes  under  his  charge.  His  duties  there 
were  many  and  arduous,  the  parish  of  St. 
Bonaventure  embracing  Blacklick  and  Jo- 
sephine, and  the  parish  of  St.  Francis  Grace- 
ton,  Lucerne,  Coral  and  Homer  City,  with  a 
membership  in  the  former  of  three  hundred 
and  in  the  latter  of  five  hundred.  A  number 
of  nationalities  are  represented,  and  Father 
Francis,  as  he  is  popularly  known,  was  par- 
ticularity well  adapted  to  the  work  because 
of  his  ability  as  a  linguist,  having  several 
languages  at  his  command.  He  resided  at 
Josephine,  in  one  of  the  houses  of  the  Jo- 
sephine Furnace  &  Coke  Company,  of  whose 
emploj^ees  (with  their  families)  the  popula- 
tion is  practically  composed.  From  that 
charge  he  was  transferred  July  18,  1912,  to 
the  present  church  at  Rossiter,  Pa.,  where  in 
a  short  time  he  built  a  rectory  and  made 
many  improvements  in  this  parish  and  church. 
Father   Wieczorek's    genial    personality    has 


brought  him  into  friendly  relations  with  all 
his  parishioners,  and  his  devotion  to  their 
welfare,  temporal  as  well  as  spiritual,  has 
won  him  the  aflieetionate  esteem  of  all  with 
whom  he  comes  in  contact.  The  diversity 
of  nationalities,  and  consequent  difference  in 
temperament  and  s.ympathies,  with  which  he 
has  to  deal,  entails  unusual  responsibility  in 
the  management  of  his  people,  for  he  has  had 
to  overcome  many  prejudices  and  control 
racial  tendencies  not  always  easy  to  handle. 
But  he  is  an  untiring  worker,  and  never  dis- 
couraged in  the  task  of  keeping  the  various 
elements  harmonious  and  working  together 
for  the  general  good. 

PROF.  CHRISTOPHER  A.  CAMPBELL, 
for  thirty-five  years  a  teacher  in  the  schools 
of  Indiana  county,  is  a  native  of  this  county, 
having  been  born  in  September,  1859,  at  Ar- 
magh, in  East  W^heatfield  township,  son  of 
James  Campbell. 

James  Campbell,  father  of  Prof.  Chris- 
topher A.  Campbell,  was  born  on  the  old 
homestead  in  Indiana  county,  and  followed 
farming  all  of  his  life.  He  became  the  owner 
of  the  homestead,  which  he  cultivated  and  on 
which  he  made  numerous  improvements.  He 
died  in  1873,  and  was  buried  in  Bethel  Church 
cemetery,  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  on 
Sept.  27,  1873.  Mr.  Campbell  married  Lethica 
Murphy,  daughter  of  George  Murphy,  and 
she  died  in  1876  in  Armagh,  and  was  burled 
beside  her  husband.  They  were  members  of 
the  LTnited  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  par- 
ents of  eleven  children :  Jennie,  bom  July  2, 
1837,  who  died  Oct.  20,  1861;  Mary,  bom 
March  27,  1839,  who  died  young;  Elizabeth, 
born  Jan.  4,  1841,  who  died  April  5,  1864; 
Annie,  born  Feb.  23,  1843,  who  married  John 
D.  Dreppo;  Mary  (2).  bom  Jan.  21,  1846, 
who  married  William  Southwick,  of  Armagh ; 
John  M.,  born  Feb.  14,  1849,  who  died  Oct. 
29,  1861;  James,  born  Sept.  1,  1851,  who 
died  Oct.  20,  1861;  Martha,  bora  June  15, 
1854,  who  died  March  1,  1860 ;  Thomas  Jef- 
ferson, born  Dec.  1,  1857.  who  died  Dec.  26, 
1861 ;  Christopher  Alexander,  bora  Sept.  6, 
1859;  and  Margaret  I.,  born  Nov.  11,  1862, 
who  married  Rev.  Mr.  Dorer. 

Christopher  A.  Campbell  received  his  pre- 
liminary education  in  the  schools  of  East 
Wlieattield  township,  following  which  he  at- 
tended Dayton  Academy,  under  Professor 
Love,  and  a  select  school  at  Armagh,  under 
Prof.  D.  H.  Tomb  and  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson.  He 
taught  his  first  school  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years,   in   BufSngton   township,    one   of  his 


944 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


pvipils  being  Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart,  the  scholar 
and  historian,  who  later  was  Professor  Camp- 
bell's assistant  in  conducting  summer  nor- 
mal schools,  the  principal  ones  being  at  Ar- 
magh and  New  Florence ;  he  taught  two  terms 
at  Hutchinson,  twenty  terms  at  Armagh,  four 
years  at  Greenville,  and  seven  at  Mechanics- 
burg.  Professor  Campbell  is  known  through- 
out the  counties  of  Indiana  and  Westmore- 
land, and  has  been  the  instructor  of  thou- 
sands of  young  men  and  women  who  are  to- 
day occupying  honorable  positions  in  the 
world  of  lausiness  and  social  life.  In  his  po- 
litical belief  he  relies  upon  his  own  judgment 
as  to  M'hich  candidates  to  support,  irrespec- 
tive of  party  connection,  and  has  been  elected 
to  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility  in 
his  native  township.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  is 
an  elder  and  Sunday  school  teacher,  having  a 
Bible  class.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with 
the  I.  0.  0.  F.  Lodge  (No.  50,  at  Johnstown), 
the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  and  the  Royal  Arcanum. 

In  1877  Professor  Campbell  was  married 
to  Sadie  Makesell,  whose  father  died  during 
the  Civil  war,  and  they  have  the  following 
children:  Millard,  a  graduate  of  Lancaster 
Business  College,  who  has  been  a  school 
teacher  for  two  terms;  Mabel,  a  graduate 
from  the  same  college  and  now  a  teacher; 
Amanda,  who  is  studying  under  her  father 
with  the  idea  of  becoming  an  educator; 
Dwight ;  Gladys ;  Dee,  and  Marion. 

WILLIAM  NELSON  LIGGETT  has,  in  a 
comparatively  brief  period  of  practice  at  the 
bar  of  Indiana  county,  attained  such  standing 
as  to  give  promise  of  unusual  achievement 
and  usefulness.  He  is  a  resident  of  the  bor- 
ough of  Indiana,  where  his  energy  and  popu- 
larity have  already  led  him  into  vfirious  ac- 
tivities lielpful  to  the  community  and  demon- 
strating his  thorough  sympathy  with  all  that 
affects  the  general  welfare.  Mr.  Liggett  was 
bom  April  29,  1881,  at  Centerville,  in  West 
Wheatfield  township,  this  county,  son  of  Rob- 
ert Carr  Liggett,  and  belongs  to  a  family  of 
Scottish  origin  whose  first  representative  in 
Indiana  county  was  his  great-grandfather, 
Robert  Liggett. 

Robert  Liggett  was  a  native  of  Glasgow, 
Scotland,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  There 
he  married  a  Miss  Carr  and  they  came  to 
America,  settling  in  Wheatfield  township,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.,  where  Mr.  Liggett  became  a 
fanner,  owning  a  tract  of  200  acres.  He  was 
among  the  first  settlers  in  that  section  of  the 
couutv,  and  was  one  of  the  most  respected 


men  of  his  day.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  to  which  his  wife 
also  belonged.  Their  children  were  :  John ; 
William :  Margaret,  who  married  John  Ma- 
bon ;  and  Jane,  who  married  Hugh  Best. 

William  Liggett,  son  of  Robert,  was  born 
Jan.  24,  1818,  in  what  is  now  West  Wheat- 
field  township,  and  there  grew  to  manhood. 
He  followed  farming  all  his  life,  owning  a 
tract  of  125  acres  near  Centerville,  upon 
which  he  built  a  brick  home  and  made  other 
improvements.  He  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  life  there,  dying  on  the  farm,  and  is  bur- 
ied in  the  Bethel  Church  cemetery.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  U.  P.  Church,  in  politics  a 
Whig  and  Republican  in  turn,  and  took  suffi- 
cient interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  township 
to  fill  the  position  of  school  director.  Mr. 
Liggett  married  Mary  Wallace,  who  was  born 
in  Wheatfield  townsliip.  daughter  of  Samuel 
Wallace,  and  died  Nov.  7,  1882,  aged  seventy- 
four  years,  seven  months.  She,  too,  is  buried 
in  Bethel  Church  cemetery.  Fom-teen  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  couple:  Agnes,  who 
died  in  June,  1871 ;  Juliann,  who  died  Dec.  9, 
1865;  Samuel,  who  died  June  2.  I860:  Mary, 
who  died  Oct.  22,  1880;  Josephine,  who  died 
Feb.  28,  1879;  Emma,  who  married  Aiken 
Stivender,  and  died  at  Leesburg.  I^'la.,  IMay 
28,  1891;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Seymour  Hol- 
lingsworth;  Sarah  Ellen,  who  died  young: 
Robert  Carr;  Margaret,  married  to  William 
Alexander,  of  West  Wheatfield  township ;  Lu- 
cinda,  who  married  Lawson  iMcKelvey,  and 
resides  in  Toungstown,  Ohio ;  William,  a 
farmer  of  West  Wheatfield  township;  John, 
who  resides  on  the  homestead;  and  J.  Nelson, 
of  Brushvalley  township. 

Robert  Carr  Liggett,  son  of  William,  was 
horn  on  the  Liggett  farm  in  what  is  now 
West  Wheatfield  township  Sept.  5,  1836,  and 
had  such  educational  advantages  as  the  neigh- 
boring public  schools  afforded.  He  helped 
with  the  work  at  home  from  boyhood,  remain- 
ing with  his  parents  until  he  attained  his 
ma.iority.  Farm  work  had  been  his  principal 
occupation,  but  when  he  started  out  for  him- 
self it  was  as  a  laborer  on  the  work  train  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  his 
wages  being  eight  cents  an  hour.  After  being 
employed  in  that  capacity  for  some  time  he 
became  a  brakeman,  running  between  Pitts- 
burg and  Altoona,  and  he  received  $1.35  for 
the  trip,  which  took  from  twelve  to  twenty 
hours.  He  was  on  the  main  line  for  a  while, 
until  promoted  to  conductor  on  work  trains, 
liaving  forty  miles  of  road  under  his  juris- 
diction.    He  was  thus  engaged  for  twenty- 


^,  ;^^.^#- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


945 


nine  years,  being  one  of  the  oldest  conductors 
in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Company 
at  that  time.  It  was  during  this  period  that 
the  famous  Johnstown  flood  occurred,  and  his 
name  will  live  in  history  as  one  of  the  heroes 
of  that  disaster.  He  took  it  upon  himself  to 
run  his  train  as  rapidly  as  possible  thi'ough 
the  threatened  district  with  whistle  screaming, 
warning  the  people  of  their  danger  and  urg- 
ing them  to  flee  to  the  hilltops.  Thousands 
of  lives  were  saved  through  his  foresight  and 
courage.  When  the  flood  was  over  he  worked 
night  and  day  with  his  train  to  get  the  road 
in  passable  condition  again.  He  retired  from 
railroad  work  in  1890  and  settled  down  to 
farming  on  a  forty-acre  tract  in  West  Wheat- 
field  township,  part  of  the  original  Liggett 
homestead,  where  he  has  since  continued  to 
reside.  He  has  erected  buildings  and  made 
other  improvements  on  this  tract,  having  a 
very  attractive  home.  Though  past  seventy- 
five  years  of  age  he  is  still  active  in  mind  and 
body,  looking  after  his  own  affairs  and  taking 
a  zealous  interest  in  local  matters.  He  has  al- 
ways been  regarded  as  a  valuable  citizen,  be- 
ing highly  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him  for 
his  sterling  worth  and  high  character.  His 
genial  disposition  has  endeared  him  to  his 
family  and  a  large  circle  of  friends.  Though 
a  stanch  Republican  in  political  sentiment  he 
is  independent  in  his  support  of  measures  and 
candidates.  He  has  served  his  township  as 
school  director.  Mr.  Liggett  is  a  member  of 
the  U.  P.  Church  at  New  Florence,  of  which 
he  is  a  trustee. 

On  March  8,  1871,  Mr.  Liggett  married 
Barbara  Wagoner,  who  was  born  in  Fairfield 
township,  Westmoreland  county,  daughter  of 
John  and  Betsey  (Galbreath)  Wagoner.  She. 
too,  is  a  member  of  the  U.  P.  Church.  Seven 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  one  of 
whom  died  in  infancy,  the  others  being :  Sam- 
uel W.,  born  Aug.  11,  1873.  married  Eliza- 
beth Matthews  Keller:  Amy  G.,  bom  Feb.  2, 
1876,  married  Robert  B.  Rogers  and  resides  in 
Conemaugh,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa. ;  Lottie  V.,  born 
April  20,  1878,  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  at  summer  normal  under  Prof. 
J.  T.  Stewart:  William  Nelson  is  mentioned 
below :  Marv  Enuna,  born  Nov.  27,  1883,  died 
in  1887;  Joseph  R.,  born  Oct.  23,  1886,  is  en- 
gaged in  farming  at  home. 

William  Nelson  Liggett  was  reared  on  the 
farm  in  the  Conemaugh  valley  where  his 
father  still  lives.  After  receiving  a  good  pub- 
lic school  education  lie  taught  school  in  his  na- 
tive State  for  some  time.  Taking  a  collegiate 
course    in    the    Ohio    Northern    University, 


at  Ada,  Ohio,  he  was  graduated  in  1902  with 
the  degree  of  A.  B.  In  1904  he  graduated 
from  the  McGibeney  College  of  Oratory,  Phil- 
adelphia; next  took  the  course  in  the  college 
of  law  at  the  Ohio  Northern  University,  re- 
ceiving the  degree  of  LL.  B.  in  1906;  was 
dean  of  the  College  of  Rhetoric  and  Public 
Speaking,  Ohio  Northern  University,  in  1906 
and  1908 ;  received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  from 
the  Ohio  Northern  University  in  1908:  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Ohio  that  year. 
In  1909  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  has  since  been  enaged  in  practice 
in  the  borough  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Liggett  was  a 
zealous  and  conscientious  student  throughout 
his  preparatoi-y  years,  and  his  devotion  to  Ins 
work  and  high  abilities  augur  a  useful  and 
successful  career  for  him  in  his  chosen  line. 
He  has  the  respect  and  good  will  of  all  who 
know  him,  and  his  friends  feel  that  he  is  des- 
tined to  take  a  leading  part  in  matters  af- 
fecting the  public  good  in  his  own  iocality 
and  perhaps  in  wider  fields.  He  is  a  staunch 
Republican  and  has  advanced  ideas  concern- 
ing honorable  and  public-spirited  citizenship 
as  shown  in  the  clean  administration  of  gov- 
ernment and  disinterested  partisanship  in 
politics.  He  fights  his  battles  in  the  open,  and 
is  opposed  to  any  compromise  with  the  enemies 
of  right,  and  his  broad-minded  views  and  keen 
intellect  make  him  a  powerful  champion  of 
any  cause.  He  has  already  established  him- 
self as  a  criminal  lawyer  and  an  exponent  of 
patriotic  citizenship  and  clean  manhood  from 
the  public  platform. 

In  1904  Mr.  Liggett  married  Emma  Pearl 
Mack,  who  was  born  Nov.  12,  1879,  daughter 
of  Robert  G.  Mack,  of  Indiana  county,  and 
they  have  two  children,  Beulah  and  Robert. 
Mr.  Liggett  is  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Indiana  and  takes  an  ac- 
tive interest  in  the  church  and  Sabbath  school 
work. 

JAMES  DEVLIN  DeVINNEY  has  a  large 
farm  in  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, where  he  is  engaged  in  general  agricul- 
tural pursuits  and  stock  raising;  he  makes 
and  sells  large  quantities  of  butter.  Mr. 
DeVinney  was  born  in  Armstrong  township, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  Oct.  26,  1862,  son  of  James 
DeVinney. 

Daniel  DeVinney,  his  paternal  grandfather, 
was  born  at  Connor,  County  Antrim,  Ireland, 
Jan.  1,  1803,  son  of  Walter  and  Margaret 
(Cawfield)  DeVinney.  He  was  a  Mason  and 
an  Oransreman.  holding  fast  to  his  faith  until 
the  time  of  his  death,  Oct.  27,  1883.     Mary 


946 


IIISTOEY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Moutgonien*.  who  became  liis  wife  March  2, 
1823,  was  born  at  Connor,  Jan.  8,  1803.     On 
Oct.  28,  1890,  she  peacefully  passed  away  on 
the  old  homestead,  and  her  remains  were  laid 
to  rest  in  St.  John's  Lutheran  cemetery,  in 
Armstrong  count.v,  midway  between  Atwood 
and  Plumville.     She  was  a  daughter  of  James 
and  Elizabeth  (Kid)  ^Montgomery,  and  niece 
of  Gen.  John  ^lontgomery,  who  was  born  in 
County  Antrim.  Ireland,  in  1759.  coming  to 
America  in  1774,  and  enlisting  in  the  Ameri- 
can army  in  1776,  at  which  time  he  was  ap- 
pointed  on   Wa-shington 's   staff,    with    which 
he   served  until   the   close   of  the   great   war 
for    independence.      He    died    at    Lewisville, 
Indiana   Co.,   Pa.,   Nov.   11,   1840,   where  his 
remains  repose.     Daniel  and  Mary  DeVinney, 
with  three  children,  came  to  America  in  1832, 
coming  on  to  Conemaugh  in  1833,  and  later 
settling  on  a  400-acre  tract  of  land  near  At- 
wood,  Armstrong  Co.,   Pa.,  a  part  of  which 
is  still  the  old  homestead.     Besides  James, 
the  eldest  cliild,  there  were  born  to  them  in 
Ireland,  two  children:     Marv.  born  April  21, 
1830,    married   July   11,    1850,    William   Mc- 
Laughlin, who  was  killed  in  one  of  the  early 
battles  of  the  Civil  war,  and  his  widow  still 
resides  in  their  old  home  near  Atwood,  Pa. ; 
Ann  S.,  born  Aug.  18,  1832,  died  at  the  home 
of  her  brother.  William  C.  DeVinney    (with 
whom    she    had   resided    from    the    time    her 
parents  died),   corner  of  Rosedale  and   Sus- 
quehanna streets,  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Nov.  5.  1912, 
and  was  laid  to  rest  in  Woodlawn  cemetery, 
Wilkinsburg,    Pa.      The    following    children 
were  born  to  Daniel  and  ]\Iary  DeVinney  in 
this    country:       (1)    John,    born    March    22, 
1835,   at  Atwood,   Armstrong  Co.,   Pa.,   died 
unmarried  Oct.  13,  1866,  and  was  buried  in 
St.  John's  Lutheran  cemeterv.     (2)  William 
C.,  born  Aug.  12,  1837,  at  Atwood,  Pa.,  en- 
listed   from    Indiana,    Pa.,    in    Company    E, 
148th    Regiment,    Pennsylvania    Volunteers, 
Aug.  16,  1862,  and  served  with  the  Army  of 
the    Potomac    in    General    Hancock's    Corps 
(the  2d),  under  Col.  James  A.  Beaver,  stay- 
ing with  that  great  army  until  it  was  mus- 
tered out  at  the  close  of  the  war.     He  was 
promoted    to    quartermaster    sergeant.      He 
taught    in    the    public    schools    of    the    State 
thirty-five  years.     On  Aug.  29.  1866.  he  mar- 
ried  Miss   Bell,   youngest   daughter  of  John 
and  :\raria  Kelly,"  of  Willet,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. 
To   this   union  were  born:     April  13,   1867, 
John  K.  DeVinney;  Oct.  3,  1876,  Daniel  B. 
DeVinney;  Dee.  7,  1877,  James  S.  DeVinnev. 
On   Feb.    9,    1876.   John   K.    died,    and   was 
buried  in  St.  John's  Lutheran  cemetery.    Dan- 


iel and  James  attended  the  public  schools,  and 
later  entered  the  Indiana  (Pa.)  high  school, 
from  which  they  graduated  in  1896.  James 
entei-ing  the  Pennsylvania  State  noridal  school 
at  Indiana,  Pa.,  where  he  graduated  in  the 
commercial  course  in  1897,  Coming  to  Pitts- 
burg he  entered  upon  his  pi-ofessional  career 
with  the  Westinghouse  Electric  and  Manufac- 
turing Company.  The  following  year  Daniel 
and  his  parents  located  in  Pittsburg.  Daniel 
taking  up  machinist  work  and  mechanical  en- 
gineering. But  these  two  brilliantly  opening 
careers  were  cut  short  bv  the  death  of  James 
S.,  Feb.  14,  1899,  and  Daniel  B..  Sept.  6.  1902. 
Both  were  removed  from  their  home  in  Pitts- 
burg and  buried  in  St.  John 's  Lutheran  ceme- 
terj-,  near  their  old  home,  Atwood,  Pa.  Dur- 
ing their  stay  in  Indiana  at  school,  their  Aunt 
Ann  kept  house  for  them,  she  coming  with 
Daniel  and  his  parents  to  Pittsburg  and  mak- 
ing her  home  with  them  until  the  time  of  her 
death,  Nov.  5,  1912.  (3)  :\Iartha.  born  Sept. 
21.  1839.  on  March  3,  1864,  became  the  wife 
of  Joseph  Lukehart,  of  Plumville.  Indiana 
Co,,  Pa.  :\Ir.  Lukehart  was  born  Feb.  3,  1827, 
and  died  April  16,  1907.  and  was  buried  in 
St.  John's  Lutheran  cemetery.  His  widow 
lives  at  Smicksburg.  Indiana  Co..  Pa.  (4) 
Elizabeth,  born  at  Atwood.  Pa.,  Oct.  3.  1842, 
married  in  October.  1871.  John  P.  Lukehart, 
of  Plumville.  Indiana  Co..  Pa.  For  some  years 
they  made  their  home  at  Vandergrift.  Pa., 
where  she  died  in  February,  1905.  She  was 
buried  in  St.  John's  Lutheran  cemetery. 

James  DeVinney,  father  of  James  D.  De- 
Vinney, was  the  eldest  child  of  Daniel  and 
Mary  DeVinney,  and  was  born  at  Connor, 
County  Antrim^  Ireland,  Sept.  1.  1827.  Com- 
ing to  America  with  his  parents  at  the  age  of 
five  years,  he  assisted  them  on  the  farm  as 
he  grew  from  boyhood  into  young  manhood, 
until  Feb.  27,  1855,  when  he  married  Re- 
becca McCausland.  of  Atwood.  Soon  after- 
ward he  bought  a  farm  near  by  and  engaged 
in  farming  for  himself.  To  this  union  was 
born,  Feb.  23.  1857.  William  M.  DeVinney, 
who  was  left  an  orphan  by  the  death  of  his 
mother  March  15th  of  the  same  year.  His 
grandparents.  Daniel  and  ^lary  DeVinney. 
took  charge  of  him  and  nurtured  him  throiigh 
to  boyhood  and  young  manhood,  and  their 
home  was  his  home  until  they  died.  From 
that  time  until  his  marriage  he  livetl  with 
his  uncle.  William  C.  DeVinney,  and  his  aunt 
Bell,  and  his  aunt  Ann.  He  was  sent  to 
the  public  schools,  and  later  to  Glade  Run 
Academy,  after  which  he  entered  the  profes- 
sion  of  teaching.     Later  he  studied  at   the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


947 


Pennsylvania  State  normal  school  at  Indiana, 
Pa.,  from  which  he  graduated  in  the  famous 
class  of  '"89,"  his  aunt  Ann  keeping  house 
for  him  during  his  three  years'  stay  in  Indi- 
ana. In  1890  he  married  Jennie  E.  Winters, 
of  Edinboro,  Erie  Co.,  Pa.,  a  graduate  of 
the  Northwestern  Conservatory  of  Music. 
Through  his  further  school  work  she  ably  as- 
sisted him  by  superintending  the  musical  de- 
partments of  the  special  summer  normal  in- 
stitutes he  conducted  the  following  seasons. 
After  having  spent  fifteen  years  in  the  pro- 
fession of  teaching  he  abandoned  his  work  as 
teacher  and  principal  and  they  moved  to 
Pittsburg,  where  he  became  assistant  to 
County  Superintendent  Samuel  Hamilton,  of 
the  Allegheny  county  public  schools,  which 
position  he  finally  resigned  to  enter  business, 
which  he  has  since  pursued.  Mr.  William  M. 
DeVinney  was  brought  up  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  as  to  his  political  affilia- 
tions he  is  an  untiring  worker  in  the  cause  of 
Prohibition,  and  is  ever  active  in  the  councils 
of  his  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Alle- 
gheny County  Prohibition  executive  com- 
mittee, and  was  elected  a  delegate  to  the  Pro- 
hibition State  convention  which  met  at  Phil- 
adelphia July  9,  1912,  and  also  to  the  Pro- 
hibition National  convention  which  convened 
at  Atlantic  City,  July  10-13,  1912.  His  wife 
is  a  strong  advocate  of  this  great  cause  and 
a  faithful  W.  C.  T.  U.  worker,  and  is  ready, 
when  women  are  given  their  rights  in  this 
great  Keystone  State,  to  place  her  ballot 
squarely  against  the  great  blighting  evil,  in- 
temperance. They  live  at  No.  5618  Broad 
street,  Pittsburg. 

In  1859  James  DeVinney  married  as  his 
second  wife  Margaret  Devlin,  who  was  born 
in  1826  in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  James  and  Ann  (Ram- 
sey) Devlin,  of  that  township,  and  died  Aug. 
22,  1907,  at  the  home  of  her  son  James;  she 
was  buried  in  the  West  Union  cemetery.  She 
was  the  mother  of  six  children:  Harvey, 
.born  March  17,  1860,  married  Rose  Halstead 
and  now  resides  in  Haskell  county,  Kans. ; 
John,  born  July  29,  1861,  died  when  twelve 
years  old ;  James  Devlin  is  mentioned  below ; 
Harriet,  bom  April  1,  1864,  unmarried,  lives 
at  Fort  Collins,  Colo.;  Taylor,  born  Dec.  1, 
1866,  married  Ella  McDowell,  and  lives  at 
Reno,  Kans.,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the 
threshing  business  and  is  a  lumber  dealer; 
George  Calvin  married  Martha  J.  George, 
daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Hamilton) 
George,  and  resides  on  the  homeste.ad  in 
Armstrong  township. 


In  1862  James  DeVinney  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany E,  148th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteers, from  Atwood,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa., 
being  mustered  into  the  service  from  Indiana, 
Pa.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  moved  to 
Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  remained  until  the  time  of  his  death,  Aug. 
19,  1904.  He  bought  a  tract  of  117  acres 
there  from  the  Samuel  Wiggins  heirs,  all  of 
which  was  in  timber  at  the  time  of  purchase, 
and  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  there, 
clearing  his  land,  selling  timber  and  follow- 
ing farming.  He  is  buried  in  the  West  Union 
cemetery. 

James  Devlin  DeVinney  attended  common 
school  in  Armstrong  township  and  began 
work  as  his  father's  assistant,  continuing  to 
help  his  parents  until  1888,  when  he  married. 
He  was  then  engaged  on  Samuel  Robinson's 
farm  in  Armstrong  township  for  a  year, 
"cropping,"  and  for  the  next  few  years 
"cropped"  the  Sampson  Pershing  farm  in 
Armstrong  township.  That  place,  which  con- 
tained 106  acres,  was  willed  him  by  his  father, 
and  he  lived  there  and  cultivated  the  land 
until  1905,  in  which  year  he  sold  it  to  the 
Saxton  Coal  Company  and  moved  to  Cone- 
maugh  township,  where  he  purchased  the 
Daniel  Hawks  farm  of  217  acres,  on  which  he 
has  since  had  his  home.  In  addition  to  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising  he  is  interested 
in  dairying,  producing  butter  only,  and  ship- 
ping it  to  Livermore.  In  1907  he  built  a 
fine  large  barn,  and  he  is  constantly  making 
changes  on  his  place  to  improve  the  property 
or  facilitate  the  work,  which  he  conducts  along 
up-to-date  lines.  His  farm  is  under  excellent 
cultivation,  and  everything  about  the  prop- 
erty indicates  intelligent  care. 

On  May  10.  1888,  Mr.  DeVinney  married 
Margaret" Robinson,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Isabelle  (Cunningham)  Robinson,  of  Arm- 
strong township,  Indiana  county,  and  they 
have  had  a  family  of  six  children,  bom  as 
follows :  Elsie  Mav,  May  9,  1889  ;  Nettie  Bell, 
March  6,  1891;  Elder  Paul,  Nov.  13,  1892; 
Mary  Margaret,  Aug.  26.  1895 ;  Bertha  Viola, 
Sept.  23,  1898 ;  Edna  Blanch,  Dec.  26,  1901. 
All  of  the  family  belong  to  the  Ebenezer  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  take  an  active  part  in 
the  church  and  Sabbath  school  work.  Mrs. 
DeVinney  is  superintendent  of  the  Home  de- 
partment, and  their  oldest  three  daughters 
have  been  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Sab- 
bath school.  The  other  two  have  been  present 
at  every  session  the  last  year. 

George  Calvin  DeVinney,  youngest 
brother   of   James  D.    DeVinney,    was   born 


948 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Aug.  22,  1868,  ou  the  homestead  farm  in  Arm- 
strong township  and  there  passed  his  early- 
life,  attending  public  school.  When  a  young 
man  he  went  west  to  Dickinson  county,  Kans., 
where  he  worked  on  a  farm  for  two  years,  at 
the  end  of  that  time  returning  home  and  re- 
suming work  with  his  parents,  conducting 
the  farm  for  his  father  until  the  latter 's 
death.  He  now  owns  the  old  place,  having 
117  acres  which  he  keeps  in  fine  condition, 
following  general  farming  and  dairying;  he 
makes  considerable  butter,  which  he  ships  to 
Indiana  borough.  He  is  decidedly  enteip ris- 
ing and  progressive,  and  has  become  one  of 
the  prominent  agriculturists  of  his  section 
of  the  county.  He  has  always  taken  a  deep 
interest  and  active  part  in  the  public  affairs 
of  the  locality,  and  has  served  three  years 
as  member  of  the  board  of  school  directors ;  he 
has  been  active  on  the  election  board  for  sev- 
eral years.  In  political  opinion  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyter- 
ian Church.  Mr.  DeVinney.  is  a  wide-awake, 
public-spirited  citizen,  one  whose  activity  in 
the  affairs  of  the  community  has  been  for  the 
general  good,  and  actuated  by  a  real  desire 
to  serve  his  fellow  men  as  much  as  possible. 

Mr.  DeVinney  has  two  children :  Ina  Mar- 
garet, bom  Oct.  6,  1898.  and  James  Murray, 
born  Sept.  29,  1905. 

HARRY  E.  MAHAN,  though  scarcely  in 
his  prime  at  the  time  of  his  death,  Nov.  20, 
1900,  was  one  of  the  most  esteemed  resi- 
dents of  his  district.  As  a  progressive  farmer 
and  stock  raiser,  a  man  active  in  public  af- 
fairs and  interested  in  advancing  the  welfare 
of  the  community,  he  had  made  an  enviable 
reputation,  and  he  left  an  honored  name.  Mr. 
]\Iahan  was  bora  May  22,  1862,  in  Washing- 
ton township,  Indiana  county,  on  the  farm 
now  managed  by  his  two  sons.  ' 

This  Mahan  family  came  originally  from 
Ireland,  where  Patrick  Mahan,  grandfather  of 
Harry  E.  Mahan,  was  ])orn.  He  came  to 
America  with  his  father,  John  Malian.  and 
settled  on  a  tract  of  225  acres  in  Washington 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  building  a  log 
cabin  within  a  few  rods  of  the  site  of  the 
handsome  modern  residence  now  on  that  place. 
He  cleared  the  land  and  improved  it  greatly 
during  his  long  life,  dying  June  30,  1871.  at 
the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  He  was  a  Se- 
ceder,  and  .ioined  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
liis  neighborlinnd.  In  politics  he  was  an  aboli- 
lionist.  ami  R('|)ublicfin.  We  have  the  fol- 
lowing record  of  his  children:  Rebecca  died 
Sept.  16,  1876,  aged  sixty-three  years:  I\Iary, 


born  April  23,  1816,  maiTied  George  Trim- 
ble, and  died  Sept.  5,  1893;  JIargaret  died 
Dec.  21,  1847,  aged  twentv-nine  vears;  Mar- 
tha, born  Sept.  28.  1829,  married  William 
Roug,  and  died  Feb.  9,  1912;  Jennie,  born 
Feb.  21,  1831.  died  April  7,  1906 :  Elizabeth, 
born  March  23,  1833,  married  James  Dickson, 
who  died  Aug.  1,  1891,  aged  sixty-seven  years, 
two  days,  and  I\Irs.  Dickson  now  makes  her 
home  on  the  ]\Iahan  farm  in  Washington  town- 
ship which  William  H.  and  James  C.  Mahan, 
sons  of  Harry  E.  Mahan.  conduct  (she  had 
no  children  bj'  Mr.  Dickson,  but  he  had  two 
by  a  previous  marriage,  to  Eliza  Jane  Rob- 
inson, John,  now  deceased,  and  Elizabeth, 
Mrs.  Warner,  of  Saltsburg)  ;  Nancy  Ann, 
born  in  1835,  is  Mrs.  Andrew  Duncan ;  David 
E.,  born  Feb.  2,  1837,  was  a  well-known  school 
teacher,  having  taught  for  forty  terms ;  Eben- 
ezer,  born  Dec.  8,  1838,  entered  the  Union 
army  during  the  Civil  war  and  was  killed 
May  27,  1864,  while  taking  part  in  Sherman's 
march  to  the  sea. 

Harry  E.  Mahan  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  at  the  Indiana  State  normal 
school.  During  his  young  manhood  he  taught 
four  or  five  terms  of  school  in  Washington 
township,  and  was  married  .iust  before  the 
beginning  of  his  last  term.  Then  he  settled 
on  the  farm  where  he  resided  the  rest  of  his 
life  and  which  is  now  owned  by  his  heirs.  It 
consists  of  125  acres  in  Washington  township, 
upon  which  he  made  extensive  improvements, 
bringing  the  property  into  most  jirofitable 
shape.  In  addition  to  general  farming  he 
made  a  specialty  of  stock  raising,  breeding 
registered  Percheron  liorses.  Jersey  cattle, 
Shropshire  sheep  and  Berkshire  hogs. 

Mr.  Mahan  was  a  most  enterprising  man, 
and  took  a  public-spirited  interest  in  the  good 
of  the  communit.v,  encouraging  the  various 
movements  for  the  general  welfai'e  which 
seemed  to  him  to  promise  good  results.  Orig- 
inally a  Republican  in  politics,  he  later  be- 
came a  prominent  member  of  the  Prohibition 
party,  of  which  he  was  county  chairman.  He 
served  his  township  as  auditor.  In  church 
connection  he  was  a  United  Presbyterian,  and 
he  was  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school. 

On  Feb.  11,  1886,  Mr,  Mahan  married  Ida 
R.  Lydic,  who  was  born  Oct.  29,  1862.  in 
Washington  township,  daughter  of  William 
II,  Lvdic,  and  thev  had  two  sons:  William 
H.,  born  Sept,  19,  1887,  and  James  C.  born 
Jan.  16,  1890. 

William  II.  M.mian  obtained  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  and  later  at- 
tended the  State  Normal  school  at  Indiana, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


949 


Grove  City  College  and  Muskingum  College. 
He  taught  four  terms  of  school  in  Indiana, 
meantime,  in  partnership  with  his  brother, 
also  engaging  in  the  farm  work  on  the  place 
lately  owned  by  their  father.  The  brothers 
continue  to  work  along  the  lines  laid  down 
by  their  father,  looking  after  their  agricul- 
tural work  in  the  most  approved  modern  fash- 
ion and  raising  registered  stock  which  has 
quite  a  reputation  in  the  neighborhood. 

James  C.  ILihan  received  his  literary  edu- 
cation in  the  local  common  schools,  Indiana 
State  normal  school  and  Grove  City  College, 
and  is  now  preparing  for  the  medical  pro- 
fession, having  only  one  more  year  of  study 
before  him  to  complete  his  course.  ]\Iean- 
time  he  has  also  engaged  in  teaching  in  In- 
diana county  and  W.  H.  Mahan,  his  brother,  is 
looking  after  the  fine  family  estate. 

JOHN  D.  SNYDER,  a  leading  agriculturist 
and  one  of  the  largest  land  owners  of  Brush- 
valley  township,  Indiana  county,  belongs  to 
an  old  New  Jersey  family  of  Holland  extrac- 
tion which  has  been  settled  in  this  county 
since  the  middle  of  the  last  century.  He  was 
born  Aug.  2,  1847,  at  Newton,  Sussex  Co., 
N.  J.,  son  of  George  B.  Snyder  and  grandson 
of  William  Snyder.  The  Snyders  have  be- 
come connected  by  marriage  with  many  of 
the  old  families  of  New  Jersey. 

William  Snyder,  the  grandfather,  was  a 
native  of  Warren  county,  N.  J.,  where  he 
was  a  land  owner  and  farmer.  He  moved  to 
Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  and  there  continued 
farming  until  1853,  when  he  came  out  to 
Pennsylvania,  locating  first  in  Burrell  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming.  Later  he  owned  land  upon  which 
he  lived  and  farmed  in  White  township,  but 
returned  to  Burrell  township,  where  the  rest 
of  his  life  was  spent,  and  where  he  died  Dec. 
3,  1884.  He  was  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery, 
at  Indiana.  His  wife  Elizabeth  (Quick), 
whom  he  had  married  in  his  native  county, 
died  in  Burrell  township  some  years  before 
him,  and  is  buried  in  the  same  cemetery. 
They  had  two  children,  George  B.  and  Sally 
Ann,  the  latter  marrying  William  Ackerson 
and  dying  in  young  womanhood. 

George  B.  Snyder  was  born  in  1827  in  War- 
ren county,  N.  J.,  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Sussex  county,  that  State,  and  there  followed 
farming  near  Newton.  He  married  Hannah 
Ackerson,  and  in  1853,  in  company  with  his 
parents,   his  wife   and  theiir  three   children 


came  to  western  Pennsylvania.  Their  first 
home  in  this  region  was  in  White  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  later  they  lived  in  Bur- 
rell township,  near  his  father,  spending  but 
a  short  time  there,  however.  Moving  to  Brush- 
valley  township,  Mr.  Snyder  bought  a  tract 
of  240  acres  known  as  the  Joseph  Stewart 
farm  which  he  continued  to  cultivate  and 
nnprove  during  the  remainder  of  his  life 
dying  there  Aug.  8,  1905.  His  wife  also  died 
on  the  farm,  in  September,  1895,  and  they 
are  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery,  at  Indiana. 
Mr.  Snyder  was  a  Democrat,  but  took  no  part 
in  polities  and  never  aspired  to  ofiice.  His 
three  children  were:  AVilliam,  who  died  at 
Latrobe,  Westmoreland  county ;  John  D. ;  and 
Emma,  who  married  Luther  B.  McDonald  and 
resides  in  Brushvalley  township. 

John  D.  Snyder  was  a  boy  when  the  fam- 
ily removed  from  New  Jersey,  and  he  re- 
ceived his  education  in  Brushvalley  township, 
attending  public  school.  Prom  an  early  age 
he  has  done  farm  work,  which  he  has  always 
followed,  and  in  Avhich  he  has  been  highly 
successful  as  the  result  of  hard  work  and 
thrifty  management.  His  energetic  and  pro- 
gressive disposition  is  shown  in  the  condition 
and  appearance  of  his  various  tracts,  all  of 
which  have  been  gi-eatly  improved  during  his 
ownership.  His  holdings  now  comprise  about 
four  hundred  acres  in  Brushvalley  township, 
all  furnished  with  substantial  houses  and 
barns,  and  well  looked  after  in  every  respect, 
no  detail  being  considered  too  trivial  to  merit 
attention.  As  a  man  he  is  honorable  in  all 
his  dealings,  liberal  and  broad-minded  in  his 
outlook  on  life,  and  has  the  good  will  of  all 
who  come  in  contact  with  him. 

In  1870  Mr.  Snyder  married  Margaret  Stev- 
ens, a  native  of  Brashvalley  township,  bom 
May  16,  1851,  daughter  of  David  and  Cath- 
erine (Winkelman)  Stevens,  and  ten  children 
have  been  born  to  them :  William  L.,  who 
is  a  farmer  of  Brushvalley  township ;  Emma, 
wife  of  Robert  Shearer,  of  Buffington  town- 
ship ;  Alice  J.,  wife  of  Daniel  Barkley ;  John 
P.,  a  farmer  of  Brushvalley  township;  Eliza- 
beth, widow  of  Clark  Barkley,  living  at  home : 
Charles  B.,  at  home;  Clark,  who  died  young; 
George  Cleveland,  at  home ;  Lillian,  who  mar- 
ried Andrew  Mickesel  and  (second)  Russell 
Campbell ;  and  Hannah  A.,  at  home.  The 
family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  In 
politics  ]\Ir.  Snyder  is  a  Democrat  of  the  old 
school,  takes  an  active  interest  in  public  mat- 
ters,   and  is   independent   about   supporting 


950 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


whatever  men  and  measures  he  deems  most 
likely  to  contribute  to  the  general  welfare. 

WILLIAM  F.  WEITZEL,  M.  D.,  general 
medical  practitioner  of  Indiana,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, was  born  in  Banks  township,  this  county, 
Dec.  18,  1877,  son  of  Frederick  and  Elizabeth 
(Coy)  Weitzel.  His  grandfather  was  a 
farmer,  and  his  father  also  followed  farming 
in  early  life,  and  later  engaged  in  business 
in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  line.  The 
Docter  is  one  of  a  family  of  eight  children, 
the  others  being:  Joseph  C. ;  Luther  M.; 
Laura  B.,  wife  of  Robert  Y.  Smith;  Dolly, 
wife  of  Thomas  P.  Brickell;  Bertha  C,  wife 
of  Dr.  Harry  H.  Fairbanks ;  George,  who  died 
aged  twenty-one  years ;  and  John,  who  died  in 
infancy. 

"William  F.  Weitzel  attended  public  school 
in  his  native  township.  After  studying  medi- 
cine for  some  time  he  entered  the  Baltimore 
Medical  College,  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  from 
which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  the 
spring  of  1903,  beginning  practice  on  his  own 
account  that  year  at  Gipsy,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. 
There  he  was  located  until  1911,  when  he  took 
a  post-graduate  couree  at  the  Philadelphia 
Polyclinic,  a  special  course  on  the  eye,  ear,  nose 
and  throat.  Upon  its  completion  he  opened 
an  office  in  the  borough  of  Indiana,  where  he 
has  since  been  engaged  in  general  practice. 
He  has  acquired  a  large  patronage,  and  was 
also  for  some  time  medical  examiner  for  the 
New  York  Life,  Prudential  Life,  and  Equit- 
able Life  Insurance  Companies.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Indiana  County  Medical  Society,  of 
the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Society,  and 
of  the  American  Medical  Association,  and  fra- 
ternally holds  membership  in  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 
and  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America.  He 
belongs  to  the  Christian  Church.  Dr.  Weit- 
zel's  high  professional  standing  has  been 
gained  by  conscientious  devotion  to  the  inter- 
ests of  his  patients,  and  his  public-spirited 
disposition  and  intelligent  interest  in  the  gen- 
eral welfare  have  won  the  respect  of  all  who 
know  him. 

On  June  5,  1906,  Dr.  Weitzel  married  x\r- 
veda  Gourley,  daughter  of  Gaskel  A.  Gour- 
ley,  of  Jefferson  county,  Pennsylvania. 

EDWARD  BRADY  WAKEFIELD,  gen- 
eral superintendent  of  the  J.  G.  McCrory  es- 
tate in  Brushvalley  township,  Indiana  county, 
was  bom  there  May  20, 1872,  and  is  a  descend- 
ant of  a  family  of  Irish  extraction  which  has 
been  associated  with  the  history  of  this  sec- 


tion for  over  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
years. 

David  Wakefield,  who  founded  the  family 
here,  was  born  in  Ireland  and  there  married 
Mary  Houge.  They  came  to  America  about 
1775,  and  in  1785  settled  with  their  family 
in  what  was  then  Wheatfield  township,  now 
in  Indiana  county  but  then  part  of  West- 
moreland county.  The  place  where  they 
made  their  home  is  now  included  in  West 
Wheatfield  township.  Their  property  was 
then  in  the  woods,  and  the  rest  of  their  lives 
was  spent  in  its  improvement  and  cultivation. 

Jeremiah  Wakefield,  son  of  David,  was  the 
grandfather  of  Edward  B.  Wakefield.  He 
made  his  home  in  Brushvalley  township,  on 
a  tract  now  included  in  the  large  estate  there 
owned  by  J.  G.  MeCrory,  of  'Neyf  York,  and 
there  remained  to  the  end  of  his  days.  To 
him  and  his  wife  Mary  (Wakefield)  Wakefield 
were  born  six  children :  Isaac  N.,  who  became 
a  farmer  in  Allegheny  county.  Pa. ;  John  F. ; 
Elizabeth,  who  married  George  Grumbling; 
Caroline,  who  married  Zaehariah  Olierdorff 
and  is  deceased ;  Margaret,  now  the  widow  of 
Thomas  Wakefield ;  and  David  C.  who  mar- 
ried Blanche  Smith  and  resides  at  McKees- 
port,  Pennsylvania. 

John  F.  Wakefield,  son  of  Jeremiah,  was 
born  July  31,  1836,  on  the  farm  in  Brushval- 
ley township,  and  there  attended  public 
school.  In  his  youth  and  earl.y  manhood  he 
worked  at  farming  and  stock  raising  on  the 
home  place  with  his  father,  being  thus  engaged 
until  his  marriage,  when  he  removed  to  his 
present  place  near  Greenville,  in  Cherryhill 
township.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served 
oVer  two  years  in  the  Union  army,  enlisting  in 
February,  1863,  in  Company  E,  11th  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  and  receiving  his 
discharge  in  May,  1865.  He  was  wounded 
in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  IMr.  Wake- 
field is  a  substantial  and  respected  citizen  of 
his  community,  a  member  of  tlie  ^1.  E.  Church 
at  Greenville,  Cherryhill  township,  and  a  man 
who  has  been  faithful  to  all  his  responsibili- 
ties. In  1868  he  married  Elizabeth  Brady,  of 
Westmoreland  county,  who  died  in  1875,  the 
mother  of  three  children,  namely:  Edward 
Brady  and  Harry  PL.  twins;  and  Grant  W.. 
who  lives  at  home.  Mr.  Wakefield's  second 
marriage  was  to  Martha  Fetterman.  of  Brush- 
valley township,  who  died  in  1904.  There 
was  one  child  by  this  union.  Ida,  who  lives 
with  her  father. 

Being  only  three  years  old  when  his  mother 
died,  Edward  Brady  Wakefield  went  to  live 
at    the    home    of   his    gi-andfathor,    Jeremiah 


HISTOEY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Wakefield,  on  whose  farm  he  grew  to  man- 
hood. He  attended  the  local  public  school. 
Kemaining  at  that  place  until  his  grandfather 
died,  he  then,  at  the  age  of  twenty,  went  to 
Pittsburg,  where  he  found  employment  with 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  continu- 
ing with  same  for  nine  years,  during  which 
time  he  worked  his  way  up  from  the  position 
of  fireman  to  that  of  locomotive  engineer. 
After  giving  up  railroading  he  worked  in  the 
store  of  J.  G.  McCrory  for  a  period,  and  then 
started  in  business  for  himself  at  Young 
Wood,  Westmoreland  county,  where  he  was 
engaged  as  a  merchant  for  two  years.  Selling 
out  in  1906  he  became  superintendent  of  the 
large  estate  of  J.  G.  McCrory  in  Brushvalley 
township,  Indiana  county,  which  comprises 
fourteen  hundred  acres  and  includes  some 
of  the  oldest  settled  tracts  in  the  township. 
Mr.  McCrory  has  spared  no  expense  in  the 
improvement  of  these  farms,  putting  up  mod- 
ern dwelling'  houses,  barns  and  other  build- 
ings, the  construction  of  which  has  been  car- 
ried on  under  Mr.  Wakefield's  supervision. 
He  also  has  entire  charge  of  the  farming, 
stock,  etc.,  and  has  had  ample  opportunity  to 
demonstrate  his  ability  and  executive  qualities 
in  the  administration  of  this  immense  prop- 
erty. His  trustworthiness  no  less  than  his 
qualifications  as  an  agriculturist  have  been 
displayed  in  his  management  and  adjustment 
of  the  numerous  problems  which  arise  in  the 
conduct  of  so  extensive  an  estate,  and  that 
his  services  have  been  eminently  satisfactory 
is  evidenced  by  the  long  continued  confidence 
h'3  has  enjoyed. 

On  Jan.  "l,  1900,  Mr.  Wakefield  married 
Nannie  E.  Mack,  who  was  born  in  Brushvalley 
township,  daughter  of  the  late  John  Mack,  a 
well-known  resident  of  that  township.  Pour 
children  have  been  born  to  this  marriage: 
Violet,  Helen,  Lillie  and  IMack. 

Mr.  Wakefield  is  a  member  of  the  Firemen's 
and  Engineer'  Association.  In  political  con- 
nection he  is  a  stanch  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican party. 

GiLLis  Mcpherson  doty,  who  is  now' 

living  retired  at  Blacklick,  Indiana  county,  is 
a  descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  best- 
known  families  of  New  England. 

The  name  was  foimierly  spelled  Dotey, 
Doty,  Dote  and  Dot  en.  (j)  Edward  Doten 
or  Doty,  a  native  of  England,  was  a  youth 
when  he  came  to  America  with  the  little  band 
of  Pilgrims  which  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  the 
"Mayflower"  in  1620,  landing  on  Plymouth 
Rock,  in  what  is  now  the  harbor  of  Plymouth, 


Mass.  He  was  in  the  service  of  Stephen  Hop- 
kins, and  he  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the 
solemn  compact  made  in  Cape  Cod  harbor 
N  ov.  11, 1620,  on  board  the  ' '  Mayflower. ' '  He 
married  Jan.  6,  1634-35,  Paith  Clarke,  bom 
m  1619,  daughter  of  Thurston  and  Paith 
Clarke.  In  16.52  Mr.  Doty  was  one  of  the 
purchasers  of  Dartmouth,  Mass.,  but  later 
removed  to  Cape  Cod,  locating  in  the  town  of 
larmouth,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  life.  He  died  there  Aug.  23,  1655.  His 
widow  married  (second)  John  Phillips,  of 
Duxbury.  Children:  Edward,  John, 
Ihomas,  Samuel,  Desire,  Elizabeth,  Isaac, 
Joseph  and  Mary. 

(II)  Samuel  Doty,  son  of  Edward  and 
Paith  (Clarke)  Doty,  born  in  Plymouth,  in 
1643,  became  quite  prominent  in  the  affairs 
of  Plymouth  and  Cape  Cod.  Later  he  re- 
moved to  New  Jersey,  locating  at  Piscataway, 
Middl_esex  county,  where  he  was  well  known. 
In  1675  he  was  commissioned  lieutenant  of  the 
military  company  of  New  Piscataway,  of 
which  Prancis  Drake  was  captain ;  this  -com- 
mission was  received  in  1678.  He  became  a 
member  of  the  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Church, 
which  was  formed  in  1700.  He  died  about 
October,  1715.  In  Piscataway,  N.  J.,  he  mar- 
ried Jeane  Harman,  of  that  town. 

(III)  Jonathan  Doty,  son  of  Samuel  and 
Jeane  (Harman)  Doty,  was  bom  in  Piscata- 
way, N.  J.,  Feb.  24,  1687-88.  About  1717  he 
married  Mary,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  eight  children:  William,  born  Sept.  11, 
1719;  Jonathan,  born  about  1724;  Daniel,' 
born  about  1727;  Joshua,  born  about  1730; 
Joseph,  born  about  1735;  Mary;  Jane,  who 
married  Oct.  21.  1747,  John  Johnson;  and 
Elizabeth. 

(IV)  Jonathan  Doty  (2),  son  of  Jonathan 
and  Mary  Doty,  born  about  1724,  in  Piscata- 
way, N.  J.,  removed  with  his  parents  to  Bask- 
ing Ridge,  N.  J.,  where  he  was  a  famier  and 
where  he  died.  He  married  Patience  Sutton, 
and  their  children  were:  Jonathan,  born 
about  1754 ;  Zebulon,  born  about  1758 ;  Nath- 
aniel, born  Oct.  19,  1761 ;  Joseph,  born  Aug 
31,  1764;  William,  born  Oct.  8,  1767;  and 
Rebecca,  who  married  and  settled  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

(V)  Jonathan  Doty  (3),  son  of  Jonathan 
(2)  and  Patience  (Sutton)  Doty,  bom  at 
Basking  Ridge,  N.  J.,  about  1754,  there  grew 
to  manhood.  It  is  supposed  he  served  in  the 
Revolutionary  war  as  teamster,  in  Capt.  Asa- 
hel  Hinman's  Team  Brigade  of  New  Jersey, 
as  a  Jonathan  Doty  was  on  the  list  of  team- 
sters ;  it  must  have  been  this  Jonathan  or  his 


952 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


father.  Mr.  Doty  about  17S4,  at  the  close  of 
the  Revolution,  came  West  with  his  wife  and 
children,  locating  in  Derry  township,  AVest- 
moreland  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  farmed  and  also 
kept  a  tavern.  He  met  with  fair  success,  and 
was  a  man  well  known  and  respected  there  in 
his  day.  Subsequently  he  removed  to  Blairs- 
ville,  Indiana  county,  where  he  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life,  dying  at  the  ripe  age  of 
.ninety-six  years,  in  1850.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  M.  E.  Church,  in  which  he  was  quite 
active,  being  a  local  preacher  and  exhorter  of 
that  denomination.  His  first  wife.  Abigail 
(McPherson),  died  at  Blairsville,  Pa.,  about 
1815.  and  he  married  (second")  :Mrs.  Nancy 
(Simpson)  Dixon,  widow  of  Samuel  Dixon. 
His  children,  all  born  to  the  first  marriage, 
were :  Jonathan,  born  about  1780 ;  John, 
born  about  1783  ;  Robert,  born  in  Derry  town- 
ship, Westmoreland  county,  about  1785;  Bet- 
sey, born  about  1787;  Nathaniel,  born  about 
1789 ;  and  Gillis,  born  about  1790. 

(Vl)  Gillis  Doty,  son  of  Jonathan  (3)  and 
Abigail  (McPherson)  Doty,  born  in  Derry 
township,  Westmoreland  Co..  Pa.,  there  grew 
to  manhood  and  there  followed  farming  until 
his  marriage.  At  that  time  he  settled  in 
Blacklick  township,  Indiana  county,  on  a  farm 
of  200  acres  on  which  stood  a  log  cabin.  He 
worked  hard  to  clear  the  land,  and  later,  as 
prosperity  enabled  him,  built  a  fine  stone 
house  and  made  other  improvements  on  the 
place.  He  continued  to  engage  in  stock  rais- 
ing and  general  farming,  and  lived  to  a  ripe 
old  age,  dying  on  the  fai-m  Dec.  21,  1870.  lie 
was  buried  at  Blairsville.  J\Ir.  Doty  was  one 
of  the  best-known  men  in  his  section,  honor- 
able, intelligent  and  not  only  successful  in 
his  own  affairs,  but  deeply  interested  in  the 
good  of  his  township  and  its  people;  he  was 
a  strong  believer  in  free  education.  In  1817 
he  married  Jean  Dixon,  who  was  born  :\Iay 
16,  1798,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Nancy 
(Simpson)  Dixon,  and  died  on  the  homestead 
Aug.  3,  1884.  She  was  buried  in  Blairsville 
cemetery.  Eleven  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Doty:  Abbie,  born  Jan.  29,  1818, 
married  Samuel  Douglas  Aug.  18,  1836; 
Nancv,  born  March  26.  1820,  married  Henry 
B.  Harrald  July  29,  1841;  Samuel,  born 
April  6.  1822,  died  on  the  homestead;  Jona- 
than, born  Nov.  5,  1824,  died  Aug.  16,  1872. 
at  Newcastle,  Pa.;  Mary,  born  Jan.  5,  1827. 
married  Dr.  James  Hansen  Bell,  and  died 
April  18.  1906:  Robert,  born  Jan.  4.  1829, 
died  Oct.  30,  1832;  Elizabeth,  born  Nov.  9, 
1831.  is  the  widow  of  Joseph  H.  Campbell, 
Ph.  D..  and  resides  in  New  York  City;  'Slav- 
garot  Jane,  born  :Mav  13.  1834.  died  Fob.  26. 


1908,  on  the  homestead;  Rebecca  C,  horn 
Dec.  15,  1836,  married  James  Falls  and  died 
April  20,  1906;  Sarah  Ann.  born  March  2, 
1839,  married  Jan.  1,  1862,  Hugh  Flynn,  who 
died  July  6,  1878,  and  she  resides  at  New- 
castle, Pa. ;  Gillis  McPherson  was  born  July 
8,  1843. 

(VII)  Gillis  ilcPherson  Doty,  j'oungest  son 
of  Gillis  and  Jean  (Dixon)  Doty,  was  born 
on  the  homestead  in  Blacklick,  where  he  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  town- 
ship. Remaining  on  the  homestead  with  his 
mother  and  sister  ]\Iargaret  J.,  he  made  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising  his  business,  and  contin- 
ued to  follow  those  lines  during  his  active  life. 
In  1910  he  had  to  give  up  business  on  account 
of  his  health,  and  he  located  in  the  village  of 
Blacklick.  where  he  is  now  living  retired.  He 
still  retains  the  ownership  of  the  homestead 
farm.  Mr.  Doty  is  well  known  all  over  In- 
diana county.  He  is  a  man  of  genial  manner, 
and  has  hosts  of  friends  with  whom  he  is 
popular.  He  is  a  member  of  F.  &  A.  M.  Lodge 
No.  313,  of  Indiana,  which  he  joined  in  1864, 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  and  also  be- 
longs to  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks.  He  has  always 
been  a  Republican,  and  is  at  present  keenly 
interested  in  the  Progressive  movement  headed 
by  Colonel  Roosevelt. 

Mr.  Doty  was  married  Nov.  21,  1910,  to 
Grace  M.  Lea,  born  at  Pittsburg,  daughter  of 
John  Lea  and  granddaughter  of  Richard  Lea, 
who  for  sixty  years  was  a  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Pittsburg.  No  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  this  union. 

SAMUEL  GAILEY.  a  highly  respected  re- 
tired citizen  of  Indiana  county,  who  has  the 
distinction  of  being  the  oldest  man  in  Cone- 
maugh  township,  has  been  a  lifelong  resident 
of  that  township,  where  he  was  born. March 
5,  1829,  son  of  Andrew  and  Jean  (Barr") 
Gailey. 

James  Gailey,  the  paternal  grandfather  of 
Samuel  Gailey.  was  born  in  Ireland  and  came 
to  the  United  States  in  young  manhood,  set- 
tling in  what  is  now  known  as  ITniontown. 
Pa.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  cattle  busi- 
ness. For  some  years  he  drove  cattle  to  Bal- 
timore, Md..  but  later  moved  to  Conemaugh 
and  settled  on  333  1-3  acres  of  land,  the  deed 
for  which,  sisrned  bv  King  Georqro  TIT..  July 
18.  1776.  William  Penn  and  William  Penn. 
Jr..  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Samuel  Gailey. 
j\Tr.  Gailey  was  married  in  1787  to  Letitia 
Smith,  who  died  Jan.  10.  1845.  and  he  passed 
away  June  28.  1838.  both  beine  buried  at 
Clarksburg  cemetery,  in  Conemaugh  township. 
]\Ir.   Gailev's  first  residence  was  n   small  log 


HISTORY  OF. INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


95a 


cabin  in  the  wilderness,  but  at  the  time  of  his 
death  he  was  the  owner  of  a  comfortable  home 
and  had  more  than  one-half  of  his  land  cleared 
and  in  a  state  of  cultivation.  A  sturdy  and 
robust  man,  he  had  great  powers  of  endurance, 
■  and  on  one  occasion  walked  from  his  farm  to 
Pittsburg  and  back  in  one  day,  a  distance  of 
seventy  miles.  He  and  his  wife  had  the  fol- 
lowing children,  all  born  in  the  United  States  : 
Mary,  born  Nov.  27,  1788;  Andrew,  Dec.  19, 
1789;  Samuel,  Nov.  18,  1791;  James,  Oct. 
12,  1794  (who  was  a  blacksmith)  ;  Cornelius, 
June  9,  1797  (who  was  twice  married  and 
made  his  home  in  Cherryhill  township,  In- 
diana county)  ;  Thomas,  Nov.  5,  1799  (mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Brown)  ;  and  Ann, .Aug.  18, 
1802   (died  unmarried). 

Andrew  Gailey,  son  of  James  Gailey,  and 
father  of  Samuel  Gailey,  was  born  Dee.  19, 
1789,  near  Uniontown  (then  known  as  Bea- 
sontown).  Pa.,  and  as  a  lad  removed  with 
his  parents  to  what  is  now  Conemaugh  town- 
ship. He  did  his  share  in  the  clearing  and 
cultivating  of  the  wilderness  farm,  as  a  re- 
ward for  which  he  was  given  a  tract  of  land 
by  his  father  and  also  purchased  more  land 
from  him,  his  subsequent  life  being  spent 
there  in  farming  and  cattle  raising.  His 
death  occurred  June  6,  1868.  He  became  one 
of  the  prominent  stock  raisers  of  his  town- 
ship, and  was  also  well  known  in  public  life, 
satisfactorily  filling  a  number  of  local  offices. 
With  his  family  he  attended  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church.  On  Dec.  23,  1823,  Mr. 
Gailey  was  married  to  Jean  Barr,  who  was 
born  Dec.  3,  1791,  daughter  of  Samuel  Barr, 
and  they  had  the  following  children:  Ann, 
born  Nov.  9,  1824,  died  unmarried  in  1853 ; 
James  Wilson,  born  Oct.  20,  1825,  married 
Eliza  Walp,  and  is  now  a  retired  carpenter, 
of  McKeesport.  Pa. ;  Letitia,  born  April  12, 
1827,  married  William  Momeyer ;  Samuel  was 
born  March  5,  1829 ;  Andrew,  born  Sept.  16, 
1830,  married  Agnes  Kirkpatrick  and  (sec- 
ond) Margaret  Hersehberger,  and  resides  in 
Indiana  borough;  and  Thomas  Johnson,  born 
July  28,  1834,  died  Aug.  17,  1844. 

Samuel  Gailey,  son  of  Andrew  Gailey,  was 
given  the  advantages  offered  b.v  the  subscrip- 
tion schools  of  his  day  and  locality,  attending 
a  little  log  schoolhouse  situated  a  long  dis- 
tance from  his  father's  farm.  While  not  at 
school  he  assisted  his  father  and  brothers  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  home  property,  and  was 
reared  to  habits  of  industry,  integrity  and 
sobriety.  Mr.  Gailey  was  a  pioneer  in  the 
threshing  business,  for  many  years  traveling 


over  the  country  with  his  threshing  outfit,  but 
did  not  allow  this  to  interfere  with  his  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising  operations,  and  for  a 
long  pei'iod  he  was  known  as  one  of  his  town- 
ship's  leading  stockmen.  Mr.  Gailey  has 
reached  the  time  of  life  when  he  feels  that  he 
is  entitled  to  rest  from  the  activities  of  former 
years,  but  his  faculties  are  still  unimpaired, 
and  he  reads  readily  without  the  aid  of  glasses.' 
His  fine  farm  of  140  acres  is  being  operated 
under  his  direction  by  his  son,  who  has  in- 
herited many  of  his  father's  excellent  traits 
of  character.  For  many  years  Mr.  Gailey 
has  been  prominent  in  Republican  politics, 
serving  as  overseer  of  the  poor  and  school  di- 
rector, and  no  important  movement  in  Cone- 
maugh  is  regarded  as  complete  unless  it  has 
enlisted  his  support.  One  of  the  founders  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  he  has  been 
a  lifelong  member  thereof,  and  is  now  serving 
as  an  elder  and  trustee. 

Mr.  Gailey  was  married  to  Catherine  Alex- 
ander, who  was  bom  near  Greensburg,  West- 
moreland county,  and  reared  near  Freeport, 
daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Maiy  (Brown) 
Alexander.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gailey  have  had 
the  following  children:  Renwick  Cameron, 
born  May  19,  1856,  married  Winifred  Davie) 
and  resides  at  Edgewood,  Pa.,  where  he  is 
engaged  in  the  insurance  business  (they  have 
one  son,  Samuel  Davie)  ;  Andrew  Porter,  a 
resident  of  New  Kensington,  Pa.,  married  Re- 
becca Shearer, and  (second)  Mi-s,  Nettie  Alex- 
ander, and  has  a  daughter,  Martha  C,  and 
a  son,  Samuel  W. ;  N.  Elmer,  the  proprietor 
of  a  grain  elevator  at  Dodge  City,  Kans.,  mar- 
ried Delia  Wehr;  Mary  Elmira  married  W. 
C.  Shearer,  a  farmer  of  Armstrong  county. 
Pa.,  and  their  children  are  Meade,  Ren  G., 
George,  Naomi  R.,  William  C,  Margaret 
Jean,  John  D.  and  Catharine  E. ;  John  Hen- 
derson, who  married  Emma  Wehr,  has  three 
children,  Dorothy,  Jennie  W.  and  John  Alex- 
ander, and  they  reside  in  Pittsburg;  Elza 
Brown  is  unmarried;  Margaret  Matilda  re- 
sides at  home  with  her  parents;  Josiah  Ful- 
ton, who  lives  at  home,  is  conducting  the  farm 
for  his  father. 

Samuel  Gailey  has  had  a  long  and  useful 
life,  and  now,  in  his  declining  years,  may 
look  back  over  his  career  without  regret,  con- 
tented in  the  knowledge  that  he  has  assisted 
in  no  small  degree  in  bettering  his  commu- 
nity, and  that  the  success  which  has  been  his 
has  come  to  him  through  no  unfair  means. 
He  has  a  wide  circle  of  appreciative  friends 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  is  well  deserving  of  the  universal  respect 
and  esteem  that  is  undoubtedly  his. 

ALEXANDER  H.  STEWART,  M.  D., 
physician  and  surgeon  at  Marion  Center,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  the  village  of 
Plumville,  this  county,  July  22,  1880,  son 
of  Joseph  Harvey  and  Mary  (Miller)  Stewart. 

Joseph  Stewart,  the  gi-andfather  of  Dr. 
Stewart,  was  an  early  settler  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  having  been  brought  to 
this  section  by  his  father  when  he  was  a  lad. 
He  later  removed  to  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship, and  there  continued  to  engage  in  farm- 
ing until  his  death,  in  1882. 

Joseph  Harvey  Stewart,  son  of  Joseph  Stew- 
art, was  born  in  Rayne  township,  and  in  his 
early  life  was  engaged  in  school  teaching  in 
Indiana  county,  continuing  as  an  educator 
throughout  his  life  and  dying  in  1898.  His 
wife,  who  was  born  in  South  Slahoning  town- 
ship, still  survives,  and  is  a  resident  of  the 
town  of  Indiana,  Pa.  They  had  only  one 
child,  Alexander  H. 

Alexander  H.  Miller,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  Dr.  Stewart,  and  for  whom  he  is 
named,  was  an  early  settler  of  South  Mahon- 
ing township,  where  the  greater  part  of  his 
life  was  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits. 

Alexander  H.  Stewart  secured  his  prelimi- 
nary education  in  the  public  schools  of  In- 
diana, and  in  1897  was  graduated  from  the 
high  school  there.  Subsequently  he  attended 
the  Indiana  State  normal  school,  and  after 
some  preparation  became  a  student  in  the 
"Western  University  of  Penns.ylvania,  where 
he  received  his  medical  degree  in  1907.  For 
the  two  years  following  he  was  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Marion  Center, 
in  December,  1909,  moving  to  Idamar,  in 
Green  township,  Indiana  county,  where  he 
has  acquired  a  large  and  lucrative  profes- 
sional patronage.  On  Sept.  3,  1912,  he  moved 
thence  to  his  present  location,  at  Marion  Cen- 
ter. He  is  a  member  of  the  Indiana  County 
Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Med- 
ical Society  and  the  American  Medical  As- 
sociation, in  the  work  of  which  bodies  he  takes 
a  keen  and  active  interest,  and  bears  a  high 
reputation  among  his  professional  confreres. 

On  Aug.  19,  1908.  Dr.  Stewart  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Maud  V.  Cameron,  who 
was  born  in  Cherryhill  township  April  12, 
1883,  daughter  of  John  G.  and  Elizabeth 
(Wilson)  Cameron,  the  latter  of  whom  died 
in  1901.  Mrs.  Stewart's  father  was  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  engaged  in  farming,  but  after 
serving  one  term  as  commissioner  in  1892  en- 


gaged in  the  insurance  business,  with  which 
he  is  at  present  connected,  having  made  his 
home  in  the  town  of  Indiana  since  that  year. 
Mrs.  Stewart's  parents  had  six  daughters: 
Clara,  the  wife  of  J.  N.  Langham,  an  at- 
torney of  Indiana;  Chrissie,  a  teacher  in  the 
public  schools  of  Pittsburg;  Cora,  living  at 
home ;  Miriam,  the  wife  of  Oscar  A.  St.  Clair, 
of  Chicago;  Madge  V.,  living  at  home;  and 
Maud  v.,  who  married  Dr.  Stewart.  The 
two  last  named  are  twins. 

Dr.  and  ]\Irs.  Stewart  have  one  child,  John 
Plarvey.  The  Doctor  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
During  his  residence  in  Green  township  he 
served  as  president  of  the  school  board. 

JOSEPH  E.  PARNELL,  senior  member  of 
the  insurance  firm  of  Parnell,  Cowher  &  Co., 
is  engaged  in  business  on  lines  so  typical  of 
the  advanced  spirit  of  the  age  that  his  work 
deserves  special  mention. 

The  Parnells  are  of  English  descent,  and  he 
was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pa.,  son  of  John 
Parnell.  The  early  years  of  his  life  were 
spent  at  Houtzdale*  Clearfield  Co..  Pa.  This 
was  in  a  mining  district,  and  by  reason  of 
this  early  association  with  that  industry  Mr. 
Parnell  had  the  opportunities,  of  which  he 
took  full  advantage,  of  acquiring  a  Itorough 
and  technical  knowledge  of  all  departments  of 
the  mining  industiy.  At  the  age  of  seventeen 
he  began  to  teach  school,  following  that  oc- 
cupation for  two  years.  At  that  time  and 
afterward,  for  a  total  period  of  three  years, 
the  study  of  law  engaged  his  attention,  but 
recognizing  the  unusual  opportunity  offered 
at  that  time  by  the  insurance  situation  in  this 
country,  Mr.  Parnell  decided  to  specialize  in 
that  direction  instead  of  entering  on  the  gen- 
eral practice  of  law.  At  that  time,  to  a  very 
large  extent,  there  was  a  lack  of  trained  men 
in  the  insurance  business,  who  possessed  not 
only  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  technical 
side  of  insurance,  but  also  a  more  or  less  com- 
plete technical  knowledge  of  the  mining  and 
manufacturing  industries,  tocether  witli  suffi- 
cient legal  training  to  furnish  the  necessary 
equipment  for  the  proper  handling  of  insur- 
ance on  the  properties  of  large  manufactur- 
ing and  mining  corporations.  This  is  espe- 
cially true  regarding  the  fire  hazards  in  con- 
nection with  properties,  the  elimination  of 
which  has  furni.shed  the  demand  for  a  new 
class  of  trained  men,  known  as  "insurance 
engineers,"  whose  diity  it  is  to  give  most  care- 
ful attention  to  the  removal  from  property  of 
fire  hazards,  and  in  this  work  Mr.  Parnell  is 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


955 


recognized  as  one  of  the  leaders.  Along  these 
lines  the  firm  of  Pamell,  Cowher  &  Co.  has 
worked  for  the  last  eighteen  years  and  has 
achieved  a  large  degree  of  success,  handling 
at  the  present  time  a  larger  volume  of  busi- 
ness than  any  other  firm  between  Pittsburg 
and  Philadelphia.  They  maintain  offices  at 
Patton,  Pa.,  and  Windber,  Pa.,  but  the  office 
at  Indiana,  Pa.,  under  the  personal  direction 
of  Mr.  Parnell  since  1909,  at  which  time  he 
moved  to  Indiana,  is  the  largest  and  most  im- 
portant of  the  three. 

This  combination  of  insurance,  engiueer- 
ing,  legal  and  industrial  training  and  ability 
has  proved  of  so  much  value  to  the  customers 
and  clients  of  this  firm  that  the  business  is 
growing  rapidly  and  the  services  of  Parnell, 
Cowher  &  Co.  are  becoming  more  and  more 
in  demand  each  year.  Mr.  Parnell  is  recog- 
nized as  the  leading  spirit  in  this  successful 
firm  and  is  regarded  throughout  the  State  as 
one  of  the  best  authorities  and  experts  on 
all  phases  of  insurance. 

In  1897  Mr.  Parnell  married  Vindetta  C. 
Smith,  daughter  of  John  G.  Smith,  of  Tip- 
ton, Blair  Co.,  Pa.,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Gilbert  Smith  Parnell  and  Elizabeth 
Stewart  Parnell.  The  entire  family  is  identi- 
fied with  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

HARRY  E.  ALLISON,  principal  of  the 
public  school  at  Dixonville,  Indiana  county, 
has  been  engaged  in  teaching  in  the  schools  of 
this  county  ever  since  he  commenced  his  in- 
dependent career  and  has  established  a  high 
reputation  in  his  pi-ofessiou.  Mr.  Allison  was 
born  in  Indiana  county  Jan.  20,  1888,  son  of 
Harvey  and  Susanna  (Bartlebaugh)  Allison. 
The  father  is  a  native  of  Jefferson  county,  Pa., 
the  mother  of  Indiana  county.  Harvey  Alli- 
son was  engaged  in  farming  for  a  number  of 
years,  and  is  now  living  retired  in  East  Ma- 
honing township. 

Harry  E.  Allison  obtained  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Indiana  county,  and  was 
a  j'outh  of  only  seventeen  when  he  commenced 
teaching.  He  was  thus  engaged  in  Pine, 
Cherryhill  and  Rayne  townships  before  he 
came  to  Green  township,  and  meantime  pre- 
pared himself  for  more  advanced  work,  at- 
tending summer  schools  at  Penn  Riin  and 
Marion  Center,  this  county.  In  April,  1912, 
he  came  to  Dixonville,  Green  township,  and 
was  appointed  to  his  present  position  as  prin- 
cipal of  the  public  school.  He  is  a  young  man 
of  sterling  qualities,  his  high  character  as  well 
as  his  mental  attainments  fitting  him  for  his 
chosen  field,  in  which  he  has  won  the  good 


will  and  approval  of  all  who  have  come  to 
know  and  appreciate  his  work. 

On  Sept.  1,  1910,  Mr.  Allison  married  Fan- 
nie E.  Myers,  who  was  born  Dec.  9,  1890,  in 
Rayne  township,  Indiahia  county,  daughter  of 
Foster  and  Ella  ( Pence )  Myers,  who  live  on 
a  fami  in  Rayne  township ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  My- 
ers are  natives  of  Indiana  county. 

SAMUEL  SHERWOOD  WETZEL,  pro- 
prietor of  the  Locust  Hill  Stock  Farm  in  East 
Mahoning  township,  was  born  in  Bell  town- 
ship, Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.,  July  20,  1850. 

The  Wetzel  family  comes  of  German  stock, 
and  its  representatives  have  long  been  associ- 
ated with  the  growth  and  development  of 
Pennsylvania.  Rinehart  Wetzel,  the  founder 
of  the  family  in  this  region,  was  born  in  Ger- 
many and  was  nine  years  of  age  when  brought 
to  this  country  by  his  parents.  They  lo- 
cated in  Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  where  he  grew 
to  maturity,  there  marrying  Sarah  Yost. 
Later  he  moved  with  his  family  to  Clearfield 
county,  and  there  he  rounded  out  his  life,  dy- 
ing in  1848,  when  still  in  the  very  prime  of 
life,  being  only  fifty-two  years  old.  His  wife 
died  in  1840,  aged  forty-two  years.  Their 
children  were :  Enoch  B.,  who  married  Har- 
riet Campbell ;  Henry ;  Jacob  Yost ;  John  M. ; 
Mary,  who  married  Daniel  K.  McGee ;  James 
S.,  who  married  Sarah  Bird;  Sarah,  who  mar- 
ried John  Brown;  and  Christiana. 

Henry  Wetzel,  father  of  Samuel  Sherwood 
Wetzel,  and  son  of  Rinehart  Wetzel,  was  born 
at  Miffiintown,  Juniata  Co.,  Pa.,  in  1821,  and 
was  still  a  child  when  the  family  went  to 
Clearfield  county.  Locating  in  Bell  township, 
that  county,  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade, 
and  worked  at  it  for  some  time  after  he  was 
married,  but  eventually  engaged  in  farming, 
settling  on  the  homestead  of  183  acres.  This 
property  had  been  secured  by  his  father,  and 
was  a  valuable  tract  of  land.  He  was  also 
engaged  in  rafting  logs  down  the  Susque- 
hanna to  Marietta.  In  1864  he  came  to  In- 
diana county,  settling  in  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship, where  he  bought  145  acres  of  land  known 
as  the  David  Alp  farm,  and  on  it  he  erected 
a  substantial  house  and  barn  and  made  other 
adequate  improvements,  residing  there  until 
1878,  when  he  retired  to  Marion  Center.  In 
that  village  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days 
in  a  house  he  built,  dying  there  April  24, 1894, 
aged  seventy -two  years,  eight  months,  six  days. 
His  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  Marion  Cen- 
ter cemetery.  A  strong  Methodist,  he  was  a 
trustee  of  the  church  for  many  years.  Elected 
school  director  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  he 


956 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


gave  good  service  in  that  office,  and  also  in 
that  of  supervisor. 

Henry  Wetzel  married  Mary  Katherine 
"Weaver,  who  died  on  the  homestead  and  is 
buried  by  his  side.  She,  too,  was  a  ^Methodist. 
Their  children  were:  Samuel  Sherwood  is 
mentioned  below  ;  Ruth  Amanda,  who  married 
John  S.  Glasser,  resides  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship; Sarah  Ellen  married  Kinley  Hunter, 
of  East  Mahoning  township,  and  is  deceased ; 
John  Rinehart,  a  farmer  of  Burrell  township, 
married  Nina  Smyers;  Harry  Pater  married 
Bell  J.  Rankin;  James  Burton  died  young; 
Wilbur  Enoch  lives  at  Homer  City,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Samuel  Sherwood  Wetzel,  son  of  Henry 
Wetzel,  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  township,  growing  up  amid  healthy 
rural  surroundings.  He  learned  farming  and 
also  engaged  in  rafting  until  the  family  came 
to  Indiana  county,  when  he  was  fourteen  years 
old.  From  then  on  he  continued  to  work  with 
his  father  until  he  attained  his  majority,  and 
then  started  out  for  himself,  engaging  in  lum- 
bering and  rafting  for  a  time,  taking  rafts 
down  the  river  from  Cherrytree  to  Lock- 
haven.  Eventually,  however,  he  began  farm- 
ing in  Raj-ne  township,  on  the  James  Mc- 
Laughlin farm  of  300  acres,  which  he  oper- 
ated for  four  years.  Mr.  Wetzel  then  located 
on  the  Luther  Richards  farm  in  East  Mahon- 
ing township,  and  farmed  its  100  acres  for 
four  years,  during  which  period  he  became 
largely  interested  in  stock  raising  and  handled 
an  immense  lot  of  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs.  At 
the  expiration  of  the  four  years  he  moved 
onto  his  father's  homestead  in  the  same  town- 
ship and  continued  his  stock  operations,  deal- 
ing heavily  in  horses  and  mules,  having  as  a 
partner  in  the  latter  line  N.  Cook  Simpson. 
These  men  sold  their  stock  to  the  coal  mines 
in  Jefferson,  Clearfield.  Clarion.  Cambria  and 
Indiana  counties  and  controlled  an  extensive 
business.  In  1891  ]\Ir.  Wetzel  settled  on  his 
present  property,  known  as  the  Locust  Hill 
Stock  Farm,  which  was  formerly  owned  by 
Hugh  Lawson.  continuing  his  stock  business. 
In  time  Mr.  Wetzel  added  to  his  original 
holdings,  and  now  has  350  acres,  a  portion  of 
which  is  in  Rayne  township.  He  has  made 
extensive  and  valuable  improvements  on  his 
property,  ,nnd  is  very  extensively  engaged  in 
raising  Jersey  cattle"  and  blooded  stock.  For 
the  last  thirteen  years  he  has  been  operating 
a  coal  bank  on  his  farm,  from  which  he  has 
already  mined  over  lOO.OOO  busnels  of  coal, 
sellins  it  in  the  locality.  In  addition  to  his 
valuable   agricultural   holdings.     Mr.   Wetzel 


is  a  stockholder  and  director  of  the  Marion 
Center  National  Bank,  and  a  man  of  depend- 
able solidity  in  the  business  world. 

For  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Jlethodist  Church  of  JIarion  Center,  and  ow- 
ing to  his  own  temperate  habits  and  belief  in 
the  abolition  of  the  liquor  traffic,  he  has  given 
his  hearty  support  to  the  Prohibition  party. 
He  has  been  the  nominee  of  his  party  for  va- 
rious eountj'  offices,  but  owing  to  the  predomi- 
nance of  other  parties  was  not  elected,  al- 
though he  ran  ahead  of  his  ticket  because  of 
his  personal  popularity. 

In  1872  Mr.  Wetzel  was  married  to  Dor- 
inda  Griffith,  who  was  born  in  Somerset  coun- 
ty. Pa.,  daughter  of  Hiram  Griffith.  They 
had  children  as  follows:  Silas,  who  has  been 
on  the  police  force  of  New  York  City  since 
1895 ;  Lewis  G.,  who  is  car  inspector  for  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  at  Pit- 
cairn,  Pa. ;  Henry  Harrison,  who  is  farming 
a  portion  of  the  homestead ;  Charles,  engaged 
in  coal  mining;  George  R.,  at  home;  Sarah, 
unmarried;  JIary.  who  died  young;  and 
James,  who  died  young.  Mrs.  Wetzel  died  in 
1893,  and  in  1895  Mr.  Wetzel  married  (sec- 
ond) Mary  Work,  a  daughter  of  William  A. 
Work,  and  they  have  two  children :  Wil- 
liam, who  is  attending  the  high  school  of  In- 
diana; and  Ernest,  who  is  at  home.  In  ad- 
dition Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wetzel  have  adopted  a 
daughter,  Grace  Ella,  whom  they  are  rearing 
with  tender  parental  care  as  their  own. 

Having  worked  very  hard  all  his  life,  Mr. 
Wetzel  can  .justly  lay  claim  to  being  a  self- 
made  man.  What  he  is  and  has  is  the  result 
of  his  own.  unaided  efforts,  and  he  has  every 
reason  to  be  proud  of  what  he  has  accom- 
plished. In  addition  to  securing  his  own  ma- 
terial advancement  he  has  exerted  a  powerful 
influence  for  good  in  his  community,  both 
through  the  church  and  the  interests  of  the 
Proliibition  party.  He  has  brotight  up  a  tine 
family  and  has  trained  them  to  be  useful  citi- 
zens, and  they  are  strong  factors  in  the  moral 
uplift  of  the  several  communities  in  which 
they  have  settled. 

CLARENCE  C.  SPICHER,  M.  D.,  physi- 
cian and  surgeon,  who  has  been  established  in 
his  profession  at  Starford,  Pa.,  since  1904, 
was  born  in  Montgomery'  township.  Indiana 
county.  Sept.  20,  1874.  a  son  of  John  D.  and 
Mary"  Elizabeth    (Stahl)    Spicher. 

The  srreat-great-grandfather  of  Dr.  Spicher 
came  from  Germany  and  settled  in  Somerset 
county.  Pennsylvania. 

Samuel  Spicher.  the  great-grandfather,  was 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


957 


born  in  Somerset  county,  Pa.,  in  1801,  and 
married  Magdalene  Barkey  in  1821. 

Peter  Spicher,  son  of  Samuel,  and  grand- 
father of  Dr.  Spicher,  was  born  in  Somerset 
county,  but  was  an  early  settler  in  ^lont- 
gomery  township,  Indiana  county,  which  con- 
tinued to  be  his  home  until  his  death,  and  he 
was  survived  by  several  sons  and  daughters. 

John  Decker  .Spicher,  son  of  Peter,  and 
father  of  Dr.  Spicher,  was  born  in  Montgom- 
ery township,  Indiana  county,  and  now  lives 
retired  at  Hillsdale,  Pa.  For  some  years  he 
has  been  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking 
business  and  he  also  cultivated  part  of  the 
old  homestead  farm.  He  married  Mary  Eliza- 
beth Stahl,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  county, 
and  died  in  iloutgomery  township  in  1908. 
Her  father,  Samuel  Stahl,  was  an  early  set- 
tler in  Cherryhill  township  and  owned  a 
farm  there.  Seven  children  were  born  to  the 
parents  of  Dr.  Spicher,  namely  :  Orange,  who 
is  now  deceased ;  Geary,  who  lives  in  ]Mont- 
gomery  township;  Clarence  C. :  ISertha  ilay, 
who  is  deceased;  OUie  JMinerva,  who  is  a  pro- 
fessional nurse  residing  in  Philadelphia  ;  Flor- 
ence, who  is  deceased;  and  Emory  E.,  who  is 
in  the  U.  S.  navy. 

Clarence  C.  Spicher  attended  school  in 
Montgomer.v  township  through  boyhood  and 
early  youth  and  then  taught  the  local  school 
prior  to  entering  the  State  normal  school  at 
Indiana ;  later  he  was  a  student  for  one  year 
at  Lebanon  University.  He  received  his  medi- 
cal training  in  the  Baltimore  ^Medical  College, 
at  Baltimore,  ]\Id.,  where  he  spent  four  years. 
being  graduated  in  May,  1903.  For  one  year 
he  engaged  in.  practice  at  Dixonville,  Pa.,  and 
then  came  to  Starford. 

In  December,  1899,  Dr.  Spicher  was  married 
at  Greensburg,  Pa.,  to  Ada  Houck,  who  was 
born  at  Purchase  Line,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  a 
daughter  of  George  F.  and  Sarah  (Buter- 
baugh)    Houck,  the  latter  now  deceased. 

George  F.  Houck,  father  of  Mrs.  Spicher, 
was  a  shoemaker  in  his  earlier  years,  but  later 
became  a  farmer.  He  still  survives.  His  ehil- 
dred  are:  Ada,  who  became  ]Mrs.  Spicher; 
Alice,  who  is  the  widow  of  Jesse  Churchill ; 
Earl,  who  is  a  physician  and  surgeon,  gradu- 
ating from  Baltimore  iledical  College  in  1906  ; 
and  Roy,  who  is  a  pharmacist.  Four  children 
have  been  born  to  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Spicher: 
Lweyn,  Irene,  Gwendolin  and  Helen.  Dr. 
Spicher  and  family  are  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church.  Fraternally  he  is  identitied  with 
the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Elks,  the 
former  at  Starford  and  the  latter  at  Indiana, 
.and  professionally  belongs  to  the  county  and 


State  medical  societies,  and  the  American  Med- 
ical Association. 

JOHN  HARRISON  SWASY,  a  successful 
farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Blacklick  township, 
Indiana  county,  is  a  native  of  that  part  of  the 
county,  born  Feb.  10,  1850,  in  Ccnlcr  tiwu- 
ship.  This  family  has  long  been  settled  in 
New  York  State,  and  many  of  the  name  are 
to  be  found  on  Long  Island  and  in  central 
and  northern  New  York,  as  well  as  in  New 
Jerse.y  and  elsewhere.  It  has  been  spelled  in 
various  ways. 

John  Swasy,  the  founder  of  the  branch  in 
Indiana  county.  Pa.,  was  a  native  of  New  York 
State,  and  crossed  the  Allegheny  mountains 
when  a  young  man,  looking  for  a  location 
where  he  could  make  a  home.  He  settled  not 
far  from  what  is  now  Homer  City,  in  Center 
township,  this  county,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  and  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
dying  on  his  farm.  He  owned  a  tract  of  109 
acres.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Bonner,  also  died  on  the  homestead.  They 
were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Three 
children  were  born  to  this  pioneer  couple: 
Rebecca,  John  and  Jane. 

John  Swasy,  son  of  John,  was  born  May  21, 
1824,  on  the  farm  in  Center  township,  and 
attended  subscription  school  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. He  followed  agricultural  pursuits  all 
his  life  on  the  homestead,  was  a  hard  worker, 
and  became  a  much  respected  citizen  of  his 
locality.  He  died  on  the  farm  July  18,  1895, 
and  is  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery,  at  Indi- 
ana. Mr.  Swasy  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church  at  Homer  City.  In  political  associ- 
ation he  was  a  Democrat,  but  he  never  took 
any  part  in  public  matters.  On  Nov.  17. 
1846,  he  was  married,  in  White  township, 
this  county,  to  Sarah  B.  Allison,  who  survives 
him,  residing  on  the  home  farm.  She  became 
the  mother  of  five  children  :  IMartha  married 
Houston  Monshower  and  resides  in  Worcester. 
Mass. ;  John  Harrison  is  mentioned  below ; 
Hannah,  wife  of  Lemuel  Kunkle,  resides  on 
the  homestead  in  Center  township ;  Mary  Ann 
mai-ried  John  Anthony,  of  Armstrong  town- 
ship. Indiana  Co..  Pa.:  Robert  Allison  makes 
his  home  ;it   Hiii'.  Pennsylvania. 

The  Allisdii  family,  to  which  Mrs.  Swasy 
belonas,  were  among  the  first  white  settlers 
in  what  is  now  Center  township.  A  full  his- 
tory of  its  early  representatives  here  will  be 
found  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Andrew  Alli- 
son, son  of  Robert,  settled  in  Center  township 
in  1788;  he  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tionarv  war.     His  son   Robert  Allison,  born 


958 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Feb.  9,  1794,  married  April  14,  1819,  Hannah 
Brj'an,  who  died  March  24,  1879;  his  death 
occurred  Aug.  15,  1866.  They  had  a  family 
of  eleven  children,  born  as  follows:  Han- 
nah, April  14,  1820  (died  Sept.  25.  1S3S) ; 
Jane,  Feb.  24,  1822;  Nathan  B.,  Jan.  7,  1824 
(died  April  6,  1828)  ;  Sarah,  Jan.  27.  1826 
(now  the  widow  of  John  Swasy )  ;  Eebecca. 
March  31, 1828;  Martha,  Feb.  16,  1830;  Mary, 
Feb.  19,  1832  (died  Jan.  17,  1853);  Nancy, 
March  1,  1834;  Charles  T.,  Feb.  15.  183— 
(died  Aug.  25,  1863,  while  serving  in  the  Civil 
war);  James  S.,  Aug.  9,  1842;  Emma  J., 
March  20,  1848. 

John  Harrison  Swasy  spent  his  boyhood 
days  on  the  home  farm  and  obtained  his  educa- 
tion in  the  local  public  schools.  Remaining  at 
home  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twentj^-two 
years,  he  then  started  farming  on  his  own  ac- 
count in  Blaeklick  township,  on  the  Lyons 
homestead,  a  tract  of  126  acres  where'  he  bas 
since  resided,  and  upon  which  he  has  made 
extensive  improvements.  In  1901  he  built  a 
substantial  and  convenient  barn,  and  in  1908 
erected  the  handsome  residence  which  he  and 
his  family  now  occupy.  Other  buildings  have 
also  been  put  up  which  add  materially  to  the 
equipment  and  value  of  the  property,  and 
Mr.  Swasy  has  been  very  well  rewarded  for 
the  years  of  thrifty  labor  he  has  put  upon 
the  place.  He  is  not  only  interested  in  the 
prosperity  of  his  own  affairs,  but  also  in  the 
advancement  of  the  general  welfare,  and  sup- 
ports every  movement  which  promises  to  bene- 
fit his  township  and  fellow  citizens,  beinp;  pub- 
lie-spirited  on  all  matters  pertaining  to  his 
community.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Demo- 
crat. He  was  one  of  the  organizers  and 
charter  members  of  the  local  Grange,  No.  317, 
Patrons  of  Husbandly,  and  has  acted  as  stew- 
ard of  that  l:)ody,  in  the  promotion  of  whose 
interests  he  has  taken  an  active  part.  His  re- 
ligious connection  is  with  Hopewell  M.  E. 
Church,  of  which  he  is  a  trustee. 

On  June  3,  1875,  Mr,  Swas.v  married,  in 
Blaeklick  township,  Myrtilla  Lyons,  who  was 
born  there,  daughter  of  William  and  Eliza 
(De\ane.v)  Lyons,  and  they  have  had  three 
children:  Myrtle,  formerl,v  a  school  teacher 
of  Indiana  countv,  who  married  J.  Elder 
Smith,  son  of  John  T.  Smith,  of  Blaeklick 
township ;  Logan,  at  home ;  and  Charles  0., 
who  is  now  clerking  for  the  Josephine  Fur- 
nace &  Coke  Company  of  Josephine,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

James  Lyons,  the  first  of  his  family  to  set- 
tle in  Indiana  county,  was  born  in  Ireland, 
and  came  to  America  in  1764,  some  years  be- 


fore the  Revolution.  He  made  his  home  in 
Pennsylvania,  at  first  in  the  Conochocheague 
valley,  moving  in  1808  to  Blaeklick  township, 
then  a  part  of  Westmoreland  county.  His 
children  were:  Samuel,  Alexander  and 
James, 

Alexander  Lyons,  son  of  James,  married 
Margaret  McFarland,  and  to  them  were  born 
five  children  :  :\Iartha,  wife  of  ^Matthew  Lich- 
enthall  of  Prairie  City,  111.;  James  A.,  of 
Beaver  county.  Pa. :  Mary,  who  married  James 
Reed,  of  Prairie  City,  111. ;  Eliza  A.,  deceased; 
and  William,  of  Blaeklick  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

William  Lyons,  son  of  Alexander,  was  bom 
on  the  homestead,  and  followed  farming  the 
greater  part  of  his  life.  He  spent  some  years 
at  Steubenville,  Ohio,  where  he  kept  store, 
later  returning  to  the  homestead,  where  he 
cultivated  a  tract  of  118  acres  now  owned  by 
George  Clawson.  He  made  a  number  of  im- 
provements on  that  place,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life,  dying  there  Jan.  31, 
1881.  He  is  buried  in  the  Ebenezer  cemetery 
in  Conemaugh  township.  In  religion  he  was 
a  Presbyterian,  in  political  sentiment  a  Re- 
publican. His  wife,  Eliza  (Deviney),  daugh- 
ter of  Aaron  Deviney,  died  in  1876,  on  the 
homestead;  she  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church.  They  had  a  family  of 
ten  children:  Newton  died  while  serving  in 
the  Civil  war;  Martha  died  in  1909:  Melissa 
married  George  Harmon,  of  Cuba,  Mo. ;  Alex- 
ander is  deceased:  William  died  in  infancy; 
Ella  married  Jlark  Hunter,  of  Peoria,  111., 
and  is  deceased;  M.vrtilla  married  John  Har- 
rison Swasy;  Harriet  married  Harry  ]\Iahon, 
of  Pittsburg;  Dudley  lives  in  Westmoreland 
county;  Luna  married  Dayton  Ray  and  re- 
sides in  Youngstown,  Ohio. 

JOHN  L.  PENCE,  of  Cherryhill  township, 
has  one  of  the  handsomest  farm  properties  in 
Indiana  county.  He  has  lived  at  his  present 
home  since  1903.  Mr.  Bence  was  born  near 
Dixonville,  in  Rayne  township,  this  county. 
Aug.  17.  1875.  His  grandfather.  Samuel 
Bence.  is  still  living  in  Ra.vne  township,  now 
(1912)  aged  ninet.v-two  ,vears.  He  and  his 
wife,  Elizabeth,  who  was  a  native  of  Germany, 
were  early  settlers  in  that  township. 

James  Bence.  father  of  John  L.  Bence 
was  born  in  Indiana  count.v.  and  became  a 
farmer  in  early  life,  always  following  that  oc- 
cupation, except  for  the  time  he  was  in  the 
Union  army  during  the  Civil  war.  His  pres- 
ent home  is  near  Dixonville.  He  married 
Rosina  Everwiue,  who  was  born  in  Indiana 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


959 


county,  daughter  of  Jacob  Everwine,  aud  they 
became  the  parents  of  ten  children,  namely: 
Laura,  who  is  the  wife  of  F.  B.  Longwill,  of 
the  borough  of  Indiana :  Harry  E.,  a  resident 
of  Marion  Center.  Indiana  county ;  John  L. ; 
Charles,  of  Dixonville.  this  county,  who  con- 
ducts a  general  store  in  partnership  with  his 
brother  Logan;  Luther,  who  lives  on  the  old 
home  place  in  Rayne  township ;  Logan,  of  In- 
diana; Mary,  wife  of  P.  Hoer.  living  near 
Dixonville;  Genevieve,  a  trained  nurse,  of 
Pittsburg,  Pa. ;  Elizabeth,  deceased ;  and 
Jacob,  deceased.  The  mother  of  this  family 
died  eighteen  years  ago. 

John  L.  Pence  received  his  education  in 
Rayne  township.  During  his  boyhood  he 
worked  on  the  farm,  and  in  his  youth  he  was 
employed  in  a  stoi-e  at  Dixonville  for  a  year. 
He  has  been  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own 
account  since  1899.  and  in  1903  removed  to 
the  home  in  Cherryhill  township  which  he  now 
occupies  and  which  he  has  bought.  He  built 
a  handsome  brick  residence,  one  of  the  finest 
farmhouses  in  Indiana  county,  and  in  other 
respects  as  well  his  farm  is  improved  accord- 
ing to  the  most  modern  ideas,  the  appearance 
of  the  place  being  highly  creditable  to  its 
owner.  Mr.  Pence  is  intelligent  and  syste- 
matic in  his  work,  and  his  profitable  agricul- 
tural operations  are  the  best  recommendation 
for  his  methods. 

On  Nov.  12,  1903,  Mr.  Pence  was  married 
to  Ada  B.  Ackerson,  a  native  of  Indiana  coun- 
ty, the  marriage  taking  place  near  Dixonville. 
Mrs.  Pence  is  a  daughter  of  James  P.  and 
Emma  M.  (Parber)  Ackerson,  farming  peo- 
ple, who  have  lived  in  this  county  since  1866. 
They  had  a  family  of  seven  children:  Dr. 
Lewis  E.,  a  dentist,  of  Clymer;  James  "Wes- 
ley, a  farmer  of  Cherryhill  township;  Mary 
M.,  deceased;  Judson,  deceased;  Ada  P., 
Mrs.  Pence;  Frank,  a  farmer  near  Marion 
Center,  Indiana  county;  and  Nora,  li\ing  at 
home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pence  have  had  two  children, 
Seward  J.  and  Ralph.  They  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Penn  Run,  and 
in  political  sentiment  Mr.  Pence  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 

WILLIAM  HOUSTON,  of  Placklick,  in 
Purrell  township,  has  served  as  justice  of  the 
peace  since  1904,  and  in  that  position  and 
other  public  relations  has  become  well  and 
favorably  known  to  the  residents  of  his  sec- 
tion of  Indiana  county.  He  was  born  in 
Placklick  township  May  20,  1847,  a  member 
of  the  third  generation  of  his  family  to  live 


in  this  region,  where  his  grandfather  settled 
in  pioneer  days. 

James  Houston,  the  grandfather,  came  in 
an  early  day  to  what  was  then  Center  town- 
ship, where  he  obtained  possession  of  a  tract 
of  640  acres,  having  what  was  known  as  a 
Revolutionary  war  gi-ant.  From  this  circum- 
stance it  is  supposed  he  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolution,  and  it  is  known  he  was  a  capable 
Indian  fighter.  Farming  was  his  occupation 
after  he  settled  here,  and  he  worked  hard  to 
clear  his  land  and  improve  it.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church  evi  noted 
for  his  high  character.  In  politics  he  was 
a  Whig.  He  died  on  his  farm  and  is  buried 
in  the  family  plot  there,  known  as  Houston's 
cemetery.  His  wife,  Mary  (Reed),  was  a 
daughter  of  David  Reed,  a  noted  pioneer  and 
Indian  fighter  of  this  section  of  Pennsylvania. 
She,  too,  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church.  Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Houston :  James ;  William  ;  Nancy,  who 
married  Norman  Landfair;  and  Emily,  who 
married  Thomas  Stites. 

James  Houston,  son  of  James  and  Mary 
(Reed)  Houston,  was  born  in  1802  in  Center 
township.  He  acquired  a  thorough  common 
school  education,  and  taught  subscription 
schools  in  his  early  manhood,  boarding  around 
at  the  homes  of  the  various  pupils,  as  was 
then  the  custom.  He  taught  the  first  free 
school  established  in  his  neighborhood  after 
the  introduction  of  the  system.  Having  re- 
ceived 100  acres  of  the  homestead  farm  from 
his  father,  he  made  farming  his  principal 
occupation.  There  were  a  log  house  and  a 
log  barn  on  this  tract,  which  was  then  in- 
cluded in  Placklick  township,  and  there  he 
continued  to  follow  agricultural  pursuits  un- 
til his  death,  which  occurred  in  1852,  when 
he  was  in  his  prime.  He  was  interred  in  the 
Houston  graveyard.  An  intelligent  and  well- 
read  man,  he  was  looked  up  to  in  the  com- 
munity and  universally  respected.  In  polit- 
ical opinion  he  was  a  Whig,  in  church  con- 
nection a  member  of  the  Christian  denomi- 
nation. His  wife,  Jennie  (Clawson),  a  na- 
tive of  Placklick  township,  was  a  daughter 
of  Josiah  Clawson,  and  her  family  were  old 
settlers  there.  She  died  at  the  home  of  her 
son  William,  who  cared  for  her  tenderly  in 
her  old  age,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  fam- 
ily cemetery.  Like  her  husband  she  was  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Six  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them:  John  W.,  who  is 
deceased;  Josiah  Clawson,  who  resides  in 
Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Mary  Jane,  who  married 
John  Pennett  and  resides  in  Burrell  town- 


960 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ship ;  James,  who  died  young ;  William ;  and 
Sarah  Margaret,  who  married  Alexander 
Rankin. 

William  Houston  was  but  five  years  old 
when  his  father  died,  and  accordingly  he  had 
to  commence  work  early.  His  opportunities 
for  education  were  such  as  the  local  public 
schools  afforded.  Remaining  at  home,  he 
farmed  the  100-acre  tract  his  father  had 
owned  for  several  years,  and  made  a  num- 
ber of  improvements  on  the  place,  which  he 
eventually  sold,  in  1875,  buying  the  sixty- 
acre  place  known  as  the  Householder  farm, 
in  Blaekliek  township.  While  residing  there 
he  followed  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing, and  also  dealt  in  stock  to  some  extent. 
He  lived  there  until  1903,  in  which  year  he 
sold  the  place,  which  was  underlaid  with  coal 
and  has  since  been  developed  along  that  line. 
He  then  removed  to  the  town  of  Blacklick, 
where  he  has  ever  since  made  his  home,  and 
he  is  now  interested  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness and  represents  the  Hartford  ^Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Company  of  Hartford,  Conn.  In 
1904  he  received  an  appointment  from  the 
governor  of  the  State  as  .iustiee  of  the  peace, 
to  succeed  the  late  justice,  S(|uire  J.  R.  Pierce, 
filling  out  his  unexpired  term,  and  he  has 
since  been  honored  with  election  to  the  office, 
in  which  he  has  been  kept  continuously.  He 
is  noted  for  his  keen  .judgment  and  imparti- 
ality, and  while  some  of  his  decisions  have 
been  appealed  to  the  higher  courts  they  have 
generally  been  sustained.  Mr.  Houston  has 
a  strong  sense  of  responsibility  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  which  has  made  him  a 
valued  official.  Before  his  removal  to  Black- 
lick  he  held  a  number  of  township  offices, 
having  been  overseer  of  the  poor,  school  di- 
rector for  nine  years,  assessor  and  supervisor, 
and  giving  thoi-ough,  satisfaction  in  every 
capacity.  In  political  association  he  has  al- 
ways been  a  stanch  Republican. 

Mr.  Houston  was  married  in  Blacklick 
township  to  Jennie  Clawson,  daughter  of  Rich- 
ard S.  and  Eleanora  (Davis)  Clawson. 
Though  bearing  the  same  maiden  name  as  his 
mother,  she  was  not  related.  Of  the  twelve 
children  born  to  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  Houston  two 
died  young,  and  we  have  the  following  record 
of  the  family:  Wesley  I.,  formerly  a  school 
teacher,  is  now  a  minister  of  the  Christian 
Church,  residing  at  Nezperce,  Idaho;  Emory 
M.  settled  on  the  Pacific  coast  and  died  in 
California:  James  R.,  formerly  a  scliool 
teacher,  now  mine  foreman  at  ^Mineral  Point. 
Cambria  Co..  T'a..  married  Gertrude  Thomp- 
son and  has  two  children.  Ruth  and  Clair: 


Alice  G.  married  J.  Dixon  Avery  and  resides 
in  Pittsburg ;  Bertha,  formerly  a  teacher,  mar- 
ried J.  Howard  Stewart  and  has  had  four 
children,  George  Howard  (deceased),  William 
Houston,  Robert  Coe  and  Emory  Jackson 
(they  live  at  Avalon,  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.)  : 
Carrie  is  engaged  as  .school  teacher  at  Blairs- 
ville;  AVilliam  Roy  resides  in  Pittsburg: 
Hood  Elder  lives  at  Detroit.  Mich.;  Nell  T. 
is  a  student  of  the  State  normal  at  ludiana ; 
Helen  is  engaged  as  stenographer  and  type- 
writer at  Pittsburg;  Ralph  died  in  young 
manhood:  Martha  died  in  infancy.  All  of 
this  family  have  received  excellent  educa- 
tional advantages,  and  have  been  well  started 
in  life.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Houston  and  their 
children  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church 
at  Indiana,  of  which  he  is  a  deacon. 

ROBERT  Y.  ELDER,  retired  citizen  of 
Saltsburg,  and  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  that  borough,  is  a  native  of  Indiana 
county.  Pa.,  born  at  Eldersridge.  in  Young 
township,  April  6,  1840.  son  of  Robert  and 
Nancy  W.  (Douglas)  Elder. 

Robert  Elder,  the  progenitor  of  the  family 
in  America,  was  bom  at  Dromore.  County 
Down.  Ireland,  and  was  of  Scotch  extraction. 
He  came  to  the  American  Colonies  in  1730, 
locating  in  Dauphin  county.  Pa.,  about  five 
miles  from  Ilarrisburg,  and  after  the  close 
of  the  Revolutionary  war  came  to  Indiana 
county  with  his  family,  making  the  journey 
over  the  mountains  with  pack  horses,  and  lo- 
cating in  what  is  now  Conemaugh  township, 
in  the  wilderness.  Here  the  family  erected  a 
temporary  hut  in  the  woods,  and  later  suc- 
ceeded in  building  a  cabin  from  hewed  logs, 
which  structiire  was  subseqiiently  used  as  a 
blockhouse.  In  this  building  the  pioneer  died 
in  1790  or  1791.  his  wife  surviving  until  April 
15,  1813.  They  were  buried  in  Ebenezer 
Church  cemetery.  Robert  Elder  married 
Mary  Taylor  for  his  second  wife,  and  to  them 
there  were  boi-n  four  childi-en.  as  follows: 
James,  who  married  Martha  Robinson  in  1792  : 
David,  born  in  1764,  who  married  Ann  Nes- 
bitt  in  1790.  and  in  1816  moved  to  Ohio: 
Robert,  born  in  1767 ;  and  Ann,  who  married 
Archibald  ^Marshall. 

Robert  Elder  (2).  son  of  Robert  the  pro- 
genitor, was  nineteen  years  of  age  when  the 
family  came  across  the  Allegheny  mountains 
from  Dauphin  county  to  the  new  home  in 
western  Pennsylvania.  He  settled  down  to 
farming,  making  his  home  in  Conemaugh 
township,  on  the  eastern  half  of  the  original 
tract.     He  died  while  in  the  prime  of  life,  in 


^^^4__ 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


961 


1813,  being  but  forty-six  years  of  age.  To 
him  and  bis  wife  Mary  (Smith),  who  died  in 
1857,  were  born  children  as  follows:  Mar- 
garet, who  mai*ried  William  Ewing;  Joshua; 
Mary,  who  married  John  Leard;  Ann;  Han- 
nah, and  Robert. 

Robert  Elder  (3),  son  of  Robert  (2),  and 
father  of  Robert  Y.  Elder,  was  born  in  1809, 
and  made  his  home  at  Eldersridge,  in  Young 
township,  becoming  the  largest  land  owner  in 
that  section  of  the  county,  where  he  had  SOU 
acres,  as  well  as  a  farm  of  100  acres  in  Arm- 
strong county.  Mr.  Elder  made  extensive  im- 
provements on  his  lands  and  built  a  fine  brick 
dwelling  house  on  the  homestead  farm  at  El- 
dersridge,  continuing  to  engage  in  farming 
and  stock  raising  there  until  his  death,  in 
1890,  in  his  eighty-first  year.  He  was  buried 
in  Eldersridge  or  Ridgeview  cemetery.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  in  his  political  views  was  a  Whig  and 
later  a  Republican.  A  very  successful  man  in 
a  business  way,  he  never  sought  public  honors, 
or  position,  but  was  domestic  in  his  tastes  and 
greatly  devoted  to  his  home  and  family.  Mr. 
Elder  married  Nancy  W.  Douglas,  daughter 
of  John  Douglas,  and  she  died  on  the  farm 
in  1896,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years,  and 
was  buried  beside  her  husband.  They  had 
children  as  follows:  Maria  J.,  who  married 
Thomas  Elder  and  resides  in  Indiana;  John 
Douglas,  who  was  second  lieutenant  of  Com- 
pany D,  62d  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Malvern  Hill,  while  in  command  of  his  com- 
pany, July  2,  1862 ;  Robert  Y. ;  Cordelia,  wid- 
ow of  Dr.  Robert  Barr ;  Julia,  who  died  young ; 
Lydia  A.,  who  married  C.  C.  Collins;  Jose- 
phine, who  is  deceased;  Agnes  V.,  who  resides 
in  Kansas  with  her  sister;  and  Lizzie  E.,  who 
married  Harry  S.  Durrett,  M.  D.,  and  resides 
in  Kansas. 

Robert  Y.  Elder  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Young  township  and  Eldersridge 
Academy,  under  Dr.  Alexander  Donaldson, 
and  worked  at  home  on  the  farm  with  his  par- 
ents until  May,  1864,  when  be  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany C,  4th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  under 
Capt.  John  C.  Horrell  and  Colonel  Young. 
He  served  in  that  company  for  a  period  of 
ten  months,  being  mustered  out  of  the  service 
at  Arlington  Heights.  Returning  home,  he 
continued  on  the  homestead  and  followed 
farming  until  1868,  when  he  embarked  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Eldersridge,  being  thus 
engaged  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  again  took  up  farming.  Mr. 
Elder  continued  to  carry  on  general  farming 


and  stock  raising  on  a  tract  of  300  acres,  on 
which  he  made  numerous  improvements,  but 
in  1903  sold  the  land  for  coal  mining  pur- 
poses to  the  Pittsburg  Gas  Coal  Company, 
and  moved  to  Saltsburg,  settling  at  what  is 
known  as  Saltsburg  Extension,  where  he  now 
makes  his  home.  After  coming  to  Saltsburg 
he  became  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  busi- 
ness, but  for  a  short  time  was  at  Mine  La- 
motte.  Mo.,  where  he  was  manager  of  a  de- 
partment store  for  over  a  year.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Saltsburg.  Mr.  Elder  is  a  member 
of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  that  place.  He  has  been  prominent 
in  6i-and  Army  circles,  having  been  at  one 
time  commander  of  Saltsburg  Post,  No.  36, 
of  which  he  is  now  adjutant.  He  is  a  past 
master  of  Saltsburg  Lodge,  No.  431,  F.  &  A. 
M.  A  stanch  Republican  in  politics,  he  has 
served  as  school  director,  and  at  this  time  is 
a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  El- 
dersridge Academy.  Formerly  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Elders- 
ridge, where  he  served  as  elder  and  was  also 
active  in  the  Sunday  school,  acting  as  assist- 
ant superintendent  and  later  as  superintend- 
ent. Since  coming  to  Saltsburg  he  has  been 
an  elder  in  the  church  of  that  denomination 
here. 

On  April  29,  1869,  Mr.  Elder  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Mary  E.  Spalding,  a  native  of 
Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Ge6rge  and 
Sarah  (Paul)  Spalding.  Mrs.  Elder  was  well 
educated,  attending  public  school  in  West- 
moreland county,  and  later  Leechburg  Acad- 
emy, Eldersridge  Academy  and  Blairsville 
Seminary.  She  taught  public  school  five 
years  in  Westmoreland  and  Indiana  counties. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elder  have  had  five  children: 
Maude  Wallace,  Robert  Roy,  George  Paul, 
Alice  Mary  and  Helen  Douglas. 

Maude  Wallace  Elder  was  born  at  Elders- 
ridge, and  received  exceptional  educational 
advantages,  attending  the  public  schools  of 
Young  township,  the  State  normal  school  at 
Indiana,  Pa.,  and  the  University  of  Chicago. 
She  taught  in  Eldersridge  Academy,  then 
spent  three  years  teaching  in  Porto  Rico,  and 
for  the  last  six  years  has  been  a  teacher  of 
languages  in  Franklin  College,  at  New  Athens, 
Ohio. 

Robert  Roy  Elder  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools,  Eldersridge  Academy  and 
Grove  City  College,  where  he  was  graduated 
in  1892.  He  then  took  a  law  course  of  three 
years  in  Pittsburg,  and  is  now  a  successful 
practicing  attorney  in  that  city.  He  married 
Flora  Edith  Bargay,  and  they  have  two  chil- 


962 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


(Ireii:  ]\Iarioii  Viola  and  Robert  Kiiox,  the 
latter  being  the  ninth  Robert  in  direct  line 
in  the  Elder  family. 

George  Paul  Elder  was  born  at  Eldersridge, 
and  after  attending  the  public  schools  became 
a  student  in  Eldersridge  Academy.  Since  his 
graduation  from  that  institution  he  has  been 
in  business  in  Seattle,  Washington. 

Alice  Maiy  Elder  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools,  Eldersridge  Academy  and  Blairs- 
vilk-  College  for  Women,  and  then  taught  pub- 
lie  school  for  two  years  in  Niagara,  N.  Dak., 
three  years  in  Porto  Rico,  and  three  years  in 
Medford,  Oregon.  She  is  now  general  secre- 
tary of  the  Young  Women's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation, at  Hershey,  Pennsylvania. 

Helen  Douglas  Elder  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools,  Eldersridge  Academy  and 
Blairsville  College  for  Women,  and  then 
graduated  as  a  nurse  from  the  Presbyteriai2 
College,  of  Allegheny,  Pa.  At  present  she  is 
at  home. 

JOHN  D.  WIDDOWSON,  late  of  Indiana, 
had  made  his  home  in  that  borough  from  1903, 
and  was  a  lifelong  resident  of  Indiana  county, 
born  in  1847  in  Cherryhill  township.  His 
father,  William  Widdowson,  was  a  native  of 
England,  and  after  settling  in  this  country 
engaged  quite  extensively  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness.    He  married  Louisa  Kime. 

Mr.  Widdowson  attended  public  school  in 
Indiana  county,  and  when  a  young  man 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  Subsequently 
he  engaged  in  lumbering  and  sawmilling,  do- 
ing a  large  and  successful  business,  which  he 
built  up  by  able  management  and  intelligent 
use  of  his  "opportunities.  In  1903  he  located 
at  Indiana,  where  he  built  an  elegant  mod- 
ern home,  and  thereafter  devoted  his  time 
principally  to  contracting  and  building,  in 
which  line  he  acquired  extensive  interests. 
Many  of  the  handsome  modem  homes  now 
standing  in  the  borough  are  of  his  construc- 
tion. The  last  structure  of  any  importance 
upon  which  he  was  engaged  was  the  Christian 
church  in  Indiana.  Mr.  Widdowson  was  pub- 
lic-spirited and  felt  strongly  on  matters  af- 
fecting the  general  welfare,  and  in  the  latter 
years  of  his  life  he  was  an  ardent  Proliibi- 
tionist.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  which  he  served  as  deacon, 
and  in  that  connection  as  in  every  other  rela- 
tion of  life  was  highly  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him.  His  upright  and  useful  life  made 
him  valued  as  a  citizen,  and  he  was  recog- 
nized by  his  business  associates  as  a  most  cap- 
able man,  who  had  won  success  by  the  most 


commendable  methods.  He  was  the  owner 
of  considerable  valuable  property  in  Indiana. 
He  died  Nov.  21,  1911. 

In  1871  Mr.  Widdowson  was  married  to 
Jennie  Hennigh,  by  whom  he  had  a  family 
of  four  children,  namely:  Luther.  Earl, 
Charles  and  Lola.  The  mother  died  in  1885, 
and  in  1887  Mr.  Widdowson  married  Estella 
Webster,  daughter  of  John  and  Emma  (Hess) 
Webster.  To  their  marriage  were  also  born 
four  children:  Maud,  wife  of  John  B.  ]Miteh- 
ell ;  Paul ;  Ruth,  and  Bernice.  Mrs.  Widdow- 
son and  her  family  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church  at  Indiana. 

LEVI  McGUIRE,  who  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  Cherryhill  township,  where  he  owns  a 
farm  on  Clymer  Rural  Free  Delivery  Route 
No.  1,  was  born  in  Cheriyhill  township  Feb. 
22,  1854,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Kerr) 
McGuire. 

James  ]\IcGuire,  grandfather  of  Levi  Mc- 
Guire, was  born  in  Blacklick  township,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.,  and  at  an  early  day  came  to 
Cherrj'hill  township,  later  moving  to  Green 
township,  settling  on  the  present  site  of  the 
town  of  Lovejoy.  There  he  continued  to  be 
engaged  in  farming  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death. 

John  McGuire,  son  of  James,  and  father 
of  Levi  McGuii-e,  was  also  bom  in  Blacklick 
towTiship,  Indiana  county,  and  as  a  lad  was 
taken  to  the  present  site  of  the  town  of  Cly- 
mer. During  his  early  days  he  was  a  boat- 
man, working  along  the  canal  from  Blairs- 
ville to  Johnstown,  but  during  his  later  years 
followed  farming  as  a  vocation,  owning  a 
handsome  property  in  Cherryhill  township. 
He  was  one  of  the  best-known  citizens  of 
his  community,  serving  for  nine  years  as  con- 
stable, and  also  acting  as  overseer  of  the  poor 
and  as  county  commissioner,  and  in  his  death, 
which  occurred  Jan.  27,  1896,  his  community 
lost  one  of  its  most  representative  men.  To 
his  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Kerr  were  bora 
five  children,  those  besides  Levi  being: 
Jennie,  the  wife  of  John  Ollinger,  a  resident 
of  Sample  Run.  who  is  engaged  in  farming; 
]Mary,  the  wife  of  Luther  Helman.  residing 
near  Sample  Run,  in  Cherryhill  township ; 
Jolin,  who  resides  in  Clymer:  and  Clara,  wife 
of  Stephen  Rowe,  of  Rayne  township. 

Thomas  Kerr,  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
Levi  jMcGuire,  was  a  native  of  Shelocta,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.,  and  followed  farming  and  car- 
pentering on  the  old  homestead  until  his 
death.  Mrs.  McGuire.  his  daughter,  is  still 
living  at  the  age  of  seventy -seven  years,  and 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


makes  her  home  with  her  son  John,  in  Clymer. 

Levi  McGuire  attended  school  in  Clierry- 
hill  township,  and  when  he  could  find  time 
assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  home 
farm.  As  a  young  man  he  learned  the  trade 
of  brickmaking,  which  he  followed  for  nine 
years,  but  since  1879  has  been  engaged  in 
cultivating  his  present  property.  Mr.  Mc- 
Guire was  married  Jan.  7,  1879,  to  Mary  M. 
Wimer,  who  was  born  in' Green  township,  near 
Cookport,  in  1856,  daughter  of  William  R. 
and  Mary  Jane  (Lydick)  "Wimer.  John  Wi- 
mer, her  grandfather,  was  an  early  settler  in 
Indiana  county,  where  he  spent  his  life  in 
farming.  William  R.  Wimer,  son  of  John 
Wimer,  was  a  farmer  in  Cherryhill  township, 
and  there  died  in  1895.  He  married  Mary 
Jane  Lydick,  who  was  bom  in  what  was 
known  as  the  Lydick  settlement,  in  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Abraham  Lydick,  a  pio- 
neer settler,  farmer  and  lumberman  of  this 
county.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  McGuire  passed 
away  in  1898.  She  had  five  children,  of  whom 
one  died  in  infancy,  the  other  being:  Abra- 
ham L.,  a  resident  of  Blairsville,  Pa. ;  Sarah 
C,  widow  of  Henry  Wissinger;  Mrs.  Mc- 
Guire ;  and  Arilla  Jane,  wife  of  Ellis  Stiffler, 
a  resident  of  Uniontown,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGuire  have  three  children : 
Blanche,  wife  of  Samuel  Craig,  of  Rayne 
township,  has  five  children,  namely,  Lillian, 
Violet,  Floyd,  Grace  and.  Donald;  Irwin  re- 
sides at  home  and  assists  his  father  in  the 
farm  work;  Maude,  also  at  home,  was  form- 
erly a  school  teacher.  Mr.  McGuire  at  this 
time  is  serving  as  school  director  of  his  town- 
ship, a  position  which  he  has  held  for  sev- 
eral years.  With  his  wife  and  family  he  at- 
tends the  Christian  Church. 

A.  CLIFFORD  HOOVER,  manager  of  the 
Central  Trading  Company,  of  Clymer,  Indi- 
ana count.y,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Clearfield 
county,  Pa.,  about  nine  miles  from  the  city 
of  Clearfield,  Nov.  6,  1884,  son  of  Anderson 
and  Mary  (Baughman)  Hoover.  William 
Hoover,  his  paternal  grandfather,  was  de- 
scended from  German  ancestry,  and  was  the 
original  settler  on  the  old  family  homestead 
situated  in  Clearfield  county. 

Anderson  Hoover,  son  of  William  Hoover, 
was  born  on  the  old  family  place  in  Clear- 
field county,  and  there  spent  the  greater  part 
of  his  life  in  agricultui-al  pursuits,  his  death 
occurring  in  June,  1906,  in  Clearfield,  to 
which  place  he  had  retired  a  short  time  be- 
fore. His  widow  is  still  living  in  Clearfield. 
They   became   the   parents   of  five   sons   and 


four  daughters,  as  follows:  Wava,  wife  of 
Lloyd  McDowell,  of  Clearfield;  Victor  and 
Lloyd,  residents  of  Clearfield;  A.  Clifford; 
Edgar,  a  traveling  salesman,  whose  home  is 
in  DuBois,  Pa. ;  Sadie,  the  wife  of  Hugh  Mul- 
ligan, of  Clearfield ;  Clayton,  who  is  deceased ; 
and  ,Vera  and  Mildred,  residing  at  home. 

A.  Clifford  Hoover  received  his  education 
in  the  country  schools  of  Clearfield  county 
and  the  public  schools  of  the  town  of  Clear- 
field, and  during  his  boyhood  days  worked 
on  the  home  farm.  The  life  of  an  agricul- 
turist, however,  did  not  appeal  to  him,  his 
natural  inclinations  running  toward  mercan- 
tile pursuits,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  years 
he  began  to  secure  a  business  training  as  clerk 
in  the  store  of  Ernest  Albert,  of  Woodland, 
Pa.  By  the  year  1905  he  had  fitted  himself 
to  accept  a  position  as  manager  with  the 
Central  Trading  Company,  and  for  a  time 
was  located  at  Winburne,  in  Clearfield  county, 
but  in  1910  was  sent  to  Clymer,  where  he  has 
since  had  charge  of  the  company's  interests. 
The  store  at  Clymer  is  one  of  the  firm's  larg- 
est establishments,  and  its  business  has  been 
materially  increased  under  Mr.  Hoover's  able 
and  progressive  management. 

On  May  6.  1909,  Mr.  Hoover  was  married, 
in  the  city  of  Pittsburg,  to  Mae  Stewart,  of 
Rathmel,  Jefferson  county,  daughter  of  John 
and  Etta  (Thomas)  Stewart,  who  are  now 
residents  of  Jefferson  county,  where  Mr. 
Stewart  is  interested  in  mining  ventures;  in 
his  earlier  years  he  gave  his  attention  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoover  have 
one  daughter,  Arlene. 

Mr.  Hoover  is  primarily  a  business  man  and 
his  duties  demand  the  greater  part  of  his 
attention,  but  he  has  not  denied  himself  the 
companionship  of  his  fellow  men,  and  has  in- 
terested himself  to  some  extent  in  fraternal 
matters,  being  a  popular  member  of  Rathmel 
Lodge,  No.  344,  Knights  of  Pythias.  He 
and  Mrs.  Hoover  are  members  of  the  LTnited 
Brethren  Church  and  are  generally  well  liked 
in  social  circles  dn  Clymer. 

JOHN  THEODORE  SMITH,  of  Blacklick 
township,  Indiana  county,  is  one  of  the  larg- 
est land  owners  of  that  township  and  exten- 
sively engaged  in  general  agriculture  and 
stock  raising.  He  was  born  there,  on  the  old 
Smith  homestead,  Nov.  3,  1851. 

The  Smith  family  is  of  English  origin. 
The  founder  in  this  country  was  James  Smith, 
a  native  of  Lancashire,  England,  who  was 
born  in  1800  and  came  to  America  when  quite 
a  young  man ;  making  Ids  way  west  of  the 


964 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Allegheny  mountaius  he  located  in  Blackliek 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  which  was  for- 
merl.y  a  part  of  Westmoreland  county,  and 
there  became  engaged  in  farming,  owning  a 
large  tract  of  land  located  near  Hopewell 
church.  He  died  while  still  in  the  prime  of 
young  manhood,  in  1833,  at  the  early  age  of 
thirty-three  years,  and  was  buried  in  Hope- 
well cemetery.  Although  he  died  so  young 
he  had  won  a  high  reputation  as  a  man  of  in- 
dustry and  frugal  habits,  having  worked  hard 
to  hew  out  a  home  in  the  wilderness.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Theresa  Wainwright,  who  was  born 
in  England  in  1802  and  died  in  1871,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-nine  years.  She  was  buried  be- 
side her  husband  in  Hopewell  cemetei-y.  Their 
children  were :  George,  born  in  1825 ;  Wil- 
liam, born  in  1827 ;  Allie  Retta,  born  in  1830, 
who  married  Isaac  Hoover  and  (second)  John 
George;  Elizabeth,  born  in  1832,  who  mar- 
ried James  Ferguson  Badger,  of  Blackliek 
township,  and  Sarah,  bom  in  1834,  who  mar- 
ried Jesse  M.  Long. 

George  Smith,  son  of  James  and  Mary 
Theresa  (Wainwright)  Smith,  was  born  in 
Blackliek  township,  on  the  Smith  homestead, 
in  1825,  and  was  only  eight  years  old  when 
his  father  died.  But  he  was  tenderly  cared 
for  by  his  devoted  mother.  His  opportuni- 
ties for  obtaining  an  education  were  limited, 
as  in  that  early  period  schools  were  few  and 
supported  by  subscription,  and  lasted  only  a 
few  months  in  the  year.  He  grew  up  on  the 
farm,  and  being  the  eldest  of  the  family  had 
to  assume  responsibilities  at  an  early  age. 
When  he  reached  manhood  he  took  charge  of 
the  farm,  a  tract  of  160  acres,  and  eventually 
bought  out  the  interests  of  the  other  heirs. 
His  home  was  originally  a  log  dwelling  house, 
but  in  time  he  made  extensive  improvements 
on  the  farm  and  became  one  of  the  prosper- 
ous men  of  his  section,  owning  at  one  time 
over  five  hundred  acres  of  land.  He  was 
noted  for  his  industry  and  enterprise  and 
progressive  methods.  He  lived  to  the  ripe 
age  of  eighty-three  yeai-s,  dying  in  1908,  and 
was  buried  in  Hopewell  cemetery.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Smith  was  a  Whig,  later  a  Republi- 
can. He  married  Priscilla  Chrow,  a  woman 
of  strong  Christian  principles,  who  was  noted 
for  her  devotion  to  home  and  family.  She 
died  in  1910,  and  was  buried  beside  her  hus- 
band. Their  married  life  covered  a  period 
cf  almost  sixty  years.  Children  as  follows 
were  born  to  them:  William  J.,  March  8, 
1850;  John  Theodore,  Nov.   3,  1851;  Sarah 


Eilen,    who    died    young;    Anna,    who    died 
j'oune ;  and  George,  who  died  young. 

John  Theodore  Smith,  son  of  George  and 
Priscilla  (Chrow)  Smith,  was  educated  in  the 
school  near  the  homestead.  He  worked  from 
early  boyhood  on  the  farm  with  his 
and  has  all  his  life  continued  to 
farming.  Wlien  his  father  retired  from  ac- 
tive life  he  cared  for  him  and  his  mother  in 
their  declining  years,  he  and  his  wife  making 
a  home  for  them  until  they  died.  Since  the 
death  of  his  parents  Mr.  Smith  has  remained 
on  the  old  place,  carrying  on  farming  and 
stock  raising.  He  has  become  one  of  the  larg- 
est land  owners  in  Blackliek  township,  hav- 
ing over  five  hundred  acres,  and  has  made 
notable  improvements  on  all  the  farms  in  his 
possession,  erecting  barns  and  other  build- 
ings, and  cultivating  the  soil  according  to  the 
best  modern  ideas.  He  is  one  of  the  most 
practical  agriculturists  in  his  township,  pos- 
sessing a  keen  knowledge  of  his  chosen  work 
and  its  requirements,  and  the  results  testify 
to  the  value  of  his  methods.  He  is  a  great 
lover  of  cattle  and  horses,  and  as  a.  stock 
raiser  has  been  decidedly  successful.  Mr. 
Smith's  home  and  surroundings  bespeak  his 
artistic  taste  and  interest  in  their  proper 
maintenance.  He  is  a  man  of  public  spirit 
and  deeply  interested  in  the  general  welfare, 
and  is  a  strong  supporter  of  the  public  school 
system,  because  he  believes  that  patriotism 
and  good  citizenship  are  fostered  in  the 
schools.  He  has  served  as  school  director. 
Mr.  Smith  is  a  Republican  of  the  Progressive 
kind,  being  a  stanch  admirer  and  supporter 
of  Colonel  Roosevelt's  policies  and  the  prin- 
ciples he  advocates.  He  and  his  family  are 
members  of  Hopewell  M.  E.  Church,  of  which 
he  is  a  trustee.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
building  committee  of  the  church.  Mr.  Smith 
has  a  genial  disposition  which  has  won  for 
him  a  host  of  friends. 

Mr.  Smith  married  April  11,  1877,  in 
Blackliek  township,  Jennie  Elder,  a  na- 
tive of  Livermore,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa., 
daughter  of  John  Elder,  a  descendant  of  one 
of  the  oldest  families  of  western  Pennsylvania. 
Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Smith :  Graeie  married  Frank  Keebler  and 
lives  in  Westmoreland  county;  Maud  resides 
at  home;  George  is  engaged  at  farming  and 
lives  at  home;  Robert  Elder,  a  farmer  in 
Blackliek  township,  married  Myrtle  Louella 
Swasy,  daughter  of  John  Swasy;  Hazel,  who 
lives  at  home,  was  educated  in  the  district 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


965 


schools  and  State  normal  school,  graduating 
from  the  latter,  and  taught  school  in  Black- 
lick  township. 

SAMUEL  TRUBY  RUGH,  a  well-known 
farmer  of  Brushvalley  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  at  Greenville,  in  Cherry- 
hill  township,  this  county,  April  1,  1876. 

Michael  Rugh,  grandfather  of  Samuel  T. 
Rugh,  was  the  son  of  Christian  R.  Rugh.  He 
was  born  and  raised  in  Burrell  township,  In- 
diana county,  north  of  Blacklick,  and  re- 
mained there  until  1853,  when  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  Cass  county,  Ind.,  spend- 
ing one  year  in  that  location.  He  then  went 
to  ilacon  county,  111.,  where  he  became  a 
large  land  owner  and  a  prosperous  farmer, 
and  lived  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death 
occurring  there. 

Samuel  Rugh,  father  of  Samuel  T.  Rugh, 
and  second  son  of  Michael  Rugh,  went  to  In- 
diana and  Illinois  with  his  father,  but  later 
returned  to  Greenville  (Penn  Run  postoffice), 
where  he  engaged  in  the  milling  and  mercan- 
tile business,  being  the  owner  of  the  Penn 
Run  Flouring  Mill.  In  1880  he  again  went 
to  Illinois,  where  he  remained  to  the  time  of 
his  death,  which  occurred  when  he  was  sixty- 
two  years  of  age.  Mr.  Rugh  married  Mar- 
garet Truby,  daughter  of  Simeon  and  Nancy 
Truby,  of  Meehanicsburg,  and  by  her  had 
three  children:  William,  of  Illinois;  Edgar; 
and  Samuel  Truby. 

Samuel  Truby  Rugh,  sou  of  Samuel  and 
Margaret  (Truby)  Rugh,  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  his  district,  and 
helped  his  grandfather,  Simeon  Truby,  in 
the  store  until  1898,  when  he  started  out  for 
himself.  Buying  a  fai-m  of  117  acres  near 
by,  he  became  engaged  in  general  farming 
and  stock  raising,  which  he  has  ever  since 
followed.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  300  acres 
of  land,  and  his  success  as  a  farmer  is  due 
entirely  to  his  own  unceasing  efforts  and  in- 
defatigable labor.  He  has  shown  excellent 
judgment  in  the  conduct  of  his  affairs  and  has 
become  a  valued  citizen  in  his  community.  In 
politics  long  a  Republican,  he  is  a  great  ad- 
mirer of  Colonel  Roosevelt.  He  is  quite  active 
in  educational  work  in  his  community,  having- 
been  a  school  director  in  his  district  for  ten 
years.  He  has  served  four  years  as  member 
of  the  council  of  Meehanicsburg  borough.  He 
is  liberal  in  his  church  views,  and  is  a  broad- 
minded,  energetic  citizen,  whose  every  effort 
is  for  the  good  of  his  community. 

On  Jan.  19,  1898,  Mr.  Rugh  was  married 
to  Annie  McCrea,  daughter  of  Gilbert  T.  and 


Jettrude  M.  (Stewart)  McCrea,  of  Brashval- 
ley  township,  and  they  have  had  eight  chil- 
dren, viz.:  Margaret  Blanche,  John  Truby, 
Jettrude  McCrea,  Cora  Agnes,  Gilbert  Samuel 
(who  died  in  infancy),  Alma  Elizabeth,  Ethel 
Virginia  and  Samuel  Clyde. 

JOSEPH  A.  HENDERSON,  of  Center 
township,  Indiana  county,  comes  of  a  family 
of  Scotch-Irish  extraction  which  was  founded 
in  America  and  Indiana  county  by  Robert 
Henderson,  his  great-grandfather.  The  latter 
married  Mary  Ann  Ralston. 

Robert  Henderson,  son  of  Robert  and  Mary 
Ann  (Ralston)  Henderson,  was  born  Aug. 
l-t,  1782,  in  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  and  was 
a  youth  of  fifteen  when  he  crossed  the  At- 
lantic with  the  rest  of  the  family  to  make  a 
home  in  the  wilderness.  He  continued  to  live 
ill  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
throughout  his  active  years,  in  his  declining 
days  making  his  home  in  the  borough  of  Salts- 
burg,  where  he  died  in  1871,  in  his  ninetieth 
year.  He  and  his  brother  Joseph  served  as 
soldiers  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  married  Fran- 
ces Graham,  who  was  born  in  1789,  daughter 
of  William  and  Frances  Graham,  and  died  in 
1864.  Their  children  were :  Mary  Ann,  who 
married  Robert  McMeans ;  Eliza,  who  married 
James  Carothers;  Jane,  who  married  D.  K. 
Daugherty;  Isabelle;  Joseph  A.;  Margaret 
G.,  who  married  Rev.  Andrew  Getty ;  Lucinda 
F. ;  and  Sarah  R.,  who  married  John  Long- 
will. 

•JJoseph  A.  Henderson,  son  of  Robert  and 
Frances  (Graham)  Henderson,  was  bom  in 
3823  in  Conemaugh  township,  where  he  grew 
to  manhood.  He  followed  teaming  in  his 
early  life,  later  engaging  in  farming  and  lum- 
bering. During  the  winter  months  he  hauled 
pine  timber  from  the  eastern  part  of  the 
founty  to  Saltsburg.  At  this  time  he  was 
living  on  the  old  Rose  farm,  a  tract  of  200 
acres.  He  was  an  energetic,  thrifty  man,  and 
was  on  the  road  to  prosperity  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  Feb.  25,  1863, 
when  he  was  in  his  prime,  but  forty  years  old. 
He  was  thrown  from  a  horse  and  received 
fatal  injuries.  A  few  months  before,  on  June 
10,  1862,  he  had  married  Julia  A.  Wilson, 
a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Letitia  Wilson,  and 
their  son  Joseph  A.  was  born  after  the  father's 
death.  Mrs.  Henderson  returned  to  her 
father's  home  in  Conemaugh  township,  and 
some  time  later  married  (second)  Joseph 
Pounds. 

Joseph  A.  Henderson  was  born  April  21, 
1863,  in  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  county. 


966 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  was  reared  by  his  maternal  grandfather, 
Daniel  Wilson,  who  then  lived  in  Conemaugh 
township,  at  what  was  called  "Wilson's  Mills, 
on  ]5ig  run,  later  moving  to  Center  township, 
to  the  Kee  farm.  The  boy  attended  the  pub- 
lie  school  in  the  neighborhood,  at  what  is 
called  the  Lytle  school.  At  the  present  writ- 
ing (1913)  he  still  lives  on  his  grandfather's 
old  homestead,  having  147  acres  of  land,  where 
he  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising. 

j\Ir.  Henderson  cast  his  first  vote  for  James 
G.  Blaine,  but  some  years  ago  changed  his 
allegiance  to  the  Prohibition  party,  being  a 
strong  advocate  of  temperance;  he  has  been 
the  Prohibitionist  nominee  for  register  and 
recorder  of  Indiana  county.  He  has  served 
two  terms  as  school  director  of  Center  town- 
ship and  four  years  as  assessor.  In  religious 
faith  he  is  a  Presbyterian,  he  and  his  family 
belonging  to  Bethel  Church. 

On  June  10,  1886.  ^Mr.  Henderson  mar- 
ried ^Margaret  A.  Harbison,  daughter  of  Ed- 
ward and  Rosanna  Harbison,  of  Center  town- 
ship, and  the.v  have  had  born  to  them  three 
children,  one  dying  in  infancy;  the  two  sur- 
vivors are  Edward  B.  and  Sarabel. 

WiLSOX.  The  Wilson  family  to  which  Mr. 
Henderson  belongs  in  the  maternal  line  is 
one  of  the  oldest  in  Indiana  county.  Robert 
Wilson,  its  founder  in  this  region,  came  from 
South  Carolina  in  1775,  and  settled  in  what 
is  now  called  the  "Loop,"  one  mile  below 
Livermore.     He  died  in  1817. 

Roliert  Wilson,  one  of  the  ten  children  of 
the  Robert  Wilson  mentioned  above,  was  born 
in  1768  in  South  Carolina  and  came  with  his 
parents  to  Indiana  county.  He  married  Anne 
McClellan.  who  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  born 
in  1771,  and  eight  children  were  born  to 
them:  James,  who  married  Jane  Barkley; 
Robert,  who  married  Anne  (Jraham ;  John, 
who  married  Margaret  Campbell ;  Daniel,  who 
is  mentioned  lielow :  Joseph,  who  married 
Anne  Douthet;  and  three  daughters. 

Daniel  Wilson,  son  of  Robert  and  Anne 
(McClellan)  Wilson,  was  born  in  1809  in 
Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  count.v,  and 
there  grew  to  manhood.  In  1867  he  moved 
to  Center  township,  settling  on  the  Kueer 
farm,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  He  died  Aug.  9,  1885,  and  was  buried 
in  the  gi-aveyard  of  Bethel  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Center  township.  Mr.  Wilson  w.is 
a  leading  worker  in  that  church,  which  he 
served  as  elder,  and  was  also  a  teacher  and 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  In 
politics    lie    was   m-iirinally    a    Whig,    later   a 


Republican.  He  married  Letitia  Henderson, 
daughter  of  John  Henderson,  and  they  be- 
came the  parents  of  eiglit  children :  Robert 
A. ;  Lucy  A. ;  John  A. ;  Julia  A. ;  who  married 
Joseph  A.  Henderson  and  (second)  Joseph 
Pounds;  Nancy  Jane,  who  married  Samuel 
Henry;  Letitia  E.  and  William  D.,  twins,  the 
latter  marrying  Nancy  E.  Campbell ;  and  Me- 
linda  C,  who  married  Robert  0.  Allison. 

CHARLES  BUTLER  CAMPBELL  COLE- 
MAN, a  well-known  agriculturist  of  Burrell 
township,  for  many  years  also  had  extensive 
interests  as  a  dealer  in  hay.  in  which  line  he 
had  business  connections  all  over  Indiana 
county. 

The  Colemans  .were  in  Indiana  county 
among  the  earliest  pioneer  settlers,  their  asso- 
ciations with  this  region  beginning  before  the 
period  of  the  Revolution.  In  the  early  part 
of  the  year  1770  Nicholas  Coleman,  the 
founder  of  the  family  here,  settled  in  Cone- 
maugh township,  which  was  then  a  part  of 
Westmoreland  county.  He  was  a  native  of 
Scotland,  born  in  1731,  and  emigrated  to 
America  when  a  young  man.  His  first  loca- 
tion was  in  the  Conococheague  valley,  in 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  married  Jane  ]\IcClel- 
land,  a  native  of  that  valley.  In  1773  they 
moved  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains,  set- 
tling in  what  is  now  Conemaugh  township, 
Indiana  (then  Westmoreland)  county.  Tak- 
ing up  land,  he  built  a  log  cabin  in  what  was 
then  a  wilderness  and  located  there  in  1774 
or  1775.  After  he  had  done  some  clearing 
and  sowed  his  second  crop  of  wheat  he  was 
driven  off  by  the  Indians,  and  returned  to 
the  Conococheague  valley,  where  he  remained 
seven  years  before  venturing  to  return  to 
his  land.  He  found  that  his  cabin  had  been 
burned,  the  land  that  he  had  cleared  was 
covered  with  a  new  growth  of  brush,  and 
the  various  effects  he  had  buried  for  safe 
keeping  were  missing — at  any  rate  he  never 
found  them.  But  he  set  to  work  again  to 
develop  a  farm  from  the  primitive  surround- 
ings, and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  there, 
dying  at  liis  home.  His  children  were  as  fol- 
lows: William,  born  in  1774,  died  in  1851. 
married  Mary  Lytle,  who  was  born  in  1776 
and  died  in  1863;  John,  born  April  9,  1776. 
died  in  1865,  married  Martha  Katon  (he  was 
a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812)  ;  Elizabeth  mar- 
ried James  ]\Iatthews ;  i\Iargaret  married  John 
Matthews  and  (second)  James  Oliver;  Mary 
married  Samuel  Craven ;  Nancy  married  Moses 
Thompson ;  Jane  married  Alexander  jMc- 
Gaughey  ;  Archibald  is  mentioned  below  :  Rol)- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


967 


ert  married  Elizabeth  McLain  (he  served  in 
the  war  of  1812)  ;  Sarah  was  next  in  the  fam- 
ily; James,  born  in  1795,  died  in  1857,  mar- 
ried Mai-y  Campbell. 

Archibald  Coleman,  son  of  Nicholas,  was 
born  in  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  (then 
Westmoreland)  county,  and  there  grew  to 
manhood.  He  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  war 
of  1812.  He  became  an  extensive  land  owner 
and  farmer  in  his  native  to\\Tiship,  owning 
a  tract  of  over  five  hundred  acres  there,  upon 
which  he  made  improvements  and  spent  all 
his  life.  He  died  on  his  farm  in  1870,  and 
was  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  the  Conemaugh 
Church.  In  politics  he  was  a  Whig  and  a 
Republican  in  turn,  and  in  religious  connec- 
tion he  belonged  to  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  lie  was  a  leading  member, 
serving  as  one  of  the  ruling  elders.  He  mar- 
ried Margaret  Jamieson,  whose  father  was  a 
minister  of  the  Associate  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  she  lived  to  the  ripe  age  of 
ninety-four  years,  dying  in  1884.  Six  children 
were  born  to  their  marriage :  John  G.,  who 
married  Elizabeth  Tajior;  Archibald;  Jane, 
who  married  William  Bruce ;  Nancy,  who 
married  Hon.  William  Irwin;  James  M., 
who  married  a  IMiss  Moore:  and  William  J., 
who  married  a  Margaret  Nesbitt. 

Archibald  Coleman,  son  of  Archibald  and 
Margaret  (Jamieson)  Coleman,  was  bom  on 
the  Coleman  farm  and  there  passed  his  early 
life.  He  was  given  a  good  practical  edi;ca- 
tion  and  became  a  well-read  man  for  his 
day.  At  the  age  of  twenty-five  he  left  his 
native  township  and  went  to  Blacklick  town- 
ship, settling  on  the  ^Michael  Campbell  farm, 
a  part  of  the  tract  once  owned  by  Gen.  Charles 
Campbell.  This  farm  comprised  360  acres, 
upon  which  ]\Ir.  Coleman  put  up  a  fine  resi- 
dence in  1869,  also  erecting  barns  and  other 
buildings.  He  had  extensive  farming  inter- 
ests, in  connection  with  which  he  established  a 
large  business  as  a  dealer  in  hay  and  grain, 
he  and  his  son  Charles  being  associated  in 
that  line,  shipping  to  Philadelphia,  Baltimore, 
Washington  and  New  York  and  as  far  south 
as  Florida.  Their  shipments  often  ran  as 
high  as  three  hundred  carloads  a  year,  and 
the.v  were  among  the  best-known  men  in  the 
trade.  Some  twelve  or  fifteen  years  before 
his  death  he  removed  from  his  farm  to  Blairs- 
ville,  where  he  built  a  home  and  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life,  dying  there  April  17, 
1885.  He  is  buried  in  Blairsville  cemetery. 
A  man  well  known  for  his  high  character  and 
many  sterling  ciualities,  he  was  greatly  re- 
spected.     He    was    a    member   of   the   U.    P. 


Church  of  Blairsville  and  quite  active  in 
all  its  work,  serving  as  ruling  elder.  In  poli- 
tics he  was  a  stanch  Republican. 

Mr.  Coleman  was  married  in  what  was  then 
Blacklick  (now  Burrell)  township  to  Mary 
Alice  Campbell,  who  was  bom  in  what  is 
now  Burrell  township,  daughter  of  Michael 
and  Elizabeth  (Ramsey)  Campbell  and  grand- 
daughter of  Gen.  Charles  Campbell.  She 
died  shortly  before  her  husband,  on  Feb.  14, 
1885,  and  is  buried  by  his  side  in  Blairsville 
cemetery.  Mrs.  Coleman  was  a  sincere  Chris- 
tian woman,  a  devout  member  of  the  U.  P. 
Church,  and  interested  in  all  good  works. 
She  and  her  husband  were  the  parents  of 
five  children:  Michael,  who  died  young; 
Archibald  IMcClelland,  who  resided  in  Los 
Angeles,  Cal.,  for  some  time,  and  recently  re- 
turned to  his  old  home,  on  Nov.  25,  1912, 
purchasing  115  acres  of  the  old  homestead  in 
Burrell  township,  where  he  expects  to  remain ; 
Alice,  who  married  Dr.  Arthur  DeVoe,  and 
lived  in  Seattle,  Wash.,  dying  Jan.  8,  1887 
(she  is  buried  at  Blairsville,  Pa.)  ;  Charles 
Butler  Campbell;  and  Margaret,  who  died 
in  infancy. 

Charles  Butler  Campbell  Coleman  was  born 
Aug.  14.  1854,  on  his  father's  farm  in  Bur- 
rell township,  formerly  the  Campbell  farm. 
He  obtained  his  education  in  the  local  public 
schools  and  at  Blairsville  academy  and  the 
Millersville  State  normal  school,  in  Lancaster 
county.  After  leaving  school  he  remained  on 
the  home  place  engaged  in  farming,  and  also 
became  interested  in  the  hay  and  grain  trade 
with  his  father,  their  business  being  conducted 
under  the  firm  name  of  A.  Coleman  &  Son. 
He  followed  that  line  for  over  fifteen  years 
in  partnership  with  his  father,  and  after  the 
latter 's  decease  continued  in  it  alone  until 
1898,  when  he  gave  it  up  to  devote  all  his 
time  to  the  insurance  business.  He  lived  on 
the  homestead  and  cultivated  a  tract  of  210 
acres.  In  1889  the  fine  barn  which  his  father 
built  was  destroyed  by  lightning  and  Mr. 
Coleman  has  replaced  it  with  a  fine  modern 
structure,  besides  making  other  improvements 
about  the  house  and  the  fami.  His  sur- 
roundings show  his  artistic  taste  and  neat- 
ness, the  whole  property  being  kept  in  model 
condition  and  giving  evidence  of  his  pro- 
gressive ideas  and  enterprise  in  putting  them 
into  execution.  In  addition  to  his  farm  work 
Mr.  Coleman  engages  in  the  insurance  busi- 
ness, having  for  over  twenty  years  been  the 
representative  in  Indiana  and  Westmore- 
land counties  of  the  Equitable  Life  Insurance 
Company  of  New  York.     He  has  also  been 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


active  in  the  local  public  government,  having 
served  as  member  of  the  council  and  board 
of  health  for  several  years  while  a  resident 
of  the  borough  of  Blairsville.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican  of  the  Progressive  type.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Blairsville. 

On  March  10,  1885,  Mr.  Coleman  married 
Isabelle  P.  Cummins,  who  w5s  born  at  Elder- 
ton,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Cummins  and  sister  of  Dr.  R.  B.  Cum- 
mins, a  well-known  dentist  of  Blairsville. 
They  have  had  two  children:  Alice,  who 
received  her  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Burrell  township  and  Pittsburg,  and  at 
Blairsville  College;  and  Archie  Byron,  who 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Pitts- 
burg and  high  school  at  Blairsville.  Mr.  Cole- 
man and  his  family  reside  in  Pittsburg  dur- 
ing the  winter  season.  Jlrs.  Coleman  is,  like 
her  husband,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Campbell.  The  Campbell  family,  from 
which  Mr.  Coleman  is  descended  in  the  ma- 
ternal line,  is  of  Scotch  extraction,  and  his 
branch  was  founded  in  Indiana  county,  Pa., 
by  Gen.  Charles  Campbell,  who  was  born  in 
1742  in  the  Conocoeheague  valley  in  Penn- 
sylvania. His  parents  were  of  Scotch  descent, 
but  came  to  this  country  from  Ireland.  Gen- 
eral Campbell  came  to  what  is  now  Burrell 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  about  1772,  locat- 
ing on  Blacklick  creek,  where  he  erected  what 
are  still  known  as  Campbell's  mills,  now  owned 
by  Andrew  P.  Baker.  "A  scant  record  exists 
of  his  captivity  among  the  Indians  and  Brit- 
ish." He  and  "five  others  of  the  early  set- 
tlers were  captured  by  the  Indians  and  held 
as  prisoners  for  five  years."  He  became  a 
large  land  owner,  having  possessions  on  both 
sides  of  Blacklick  creek,  and  was  one  of  the 
best-known  men  of  his  day  in  the  county,  tak- 
ing a  leading  and  active  part  in  its  develop- 
ment. The  positions  of  trust  and  responsi- 
bility which  he  held  in  the  county  and  on 
the  frontier  line  indicate  in  some  degree  the 
estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by  tlie  citi- 
zens and  State  authorities.  He  was  noted  for 
his  military  prowess,  having  had  honorable 
and  useful  connection  with  the  militia  of  tlie 
county  and  district ;  it  is  not  positively  known 
whether  he  did  or  did  not  take  part  in  the 
Revolution.  He  died  in  1828,  when  over 
eighty  years  old,  respected  by  all  who  knew 
him.  He  was  a  leading  member  of  the  Bethel 
Presbyterian  Church  and  for  some  years  one 
of  the  ruling  elders.  By  his  first  wife,  Mar- 
garet Clark,  he  had  twelve  children:     Bar- 


bara, wife  of  James  McLain;  Michael;  Re- 
becca, wife  of  Samuel  Denniston ;  Sarah,  wife 
of  Fullerton  Woods ;  Mary,  wife  of  John  Den- 
niston; Jane,  wife  of  Dr.  Jonathan  French; 
James,  who  married  Amy  Howard ;  Margaret, 
who  married  Abram  Spears;  Tennwell,  wife 
of  Robert  Doty;  Eliza,  wife  of  Alexander 
Spears;  Charles,  who  married  Matilda  Hen- 
derson and  (second)  Mary  Cummins;  and 
Thomas,  who  married  Elizabeth  Fair.  After 
the  death  of  his  wife  ilargaret,  Mr.  Camp- 
bell married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ramsey,  widow 
of  Maj.  William  Ramsey.     She  died  in  1821. 

We  quote  the  following  from  an  old  ac- 
count: "Mrs.  Mary  (Cummins)  Campbell 
had  several  teaspoons  over  one  hundred  years 
old,  that  were  used  by  General  Campbell.  Ma- 
tilda, daughter  of  late  Charles  Campbell,  has 
General  Campbell's  gold  watch;  this  is  a 
unique  specimen  of  old  mechanism.  It  is 
marked  'M.  and  A.  No.  5106.'  " 

Michael  Campbell,  son  of  Gen.  Charles 
Campbell,  was  born  in  what  is  now  Burrell 
township  and  there  grew  to  manhood.  He 
became  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising, 
o^vning  a  large  acreage  in  Burrell  township, 
and  died  there  in  1833.  To  him  and  his  wife 
Elizabeth  Ramsey,  daughter  of  Maj.  William 
and  ]\Iary  (Potter)  Ramsey,  were  born  ten 
children :  Charles  Butler,  born  Aug.  25, 1807, 
died  Aug.  30,  1863 :  James  Ramsey,  born  Jan. 
17,  1809,  died  Oct.  7,  1880 ;  Elizabeth  Ramsey, 
born  Jan.  26,  1811,  died  June  5,  1872,  mar- 
ried Absalom  Woodward;  Michael,  born  Feb. 
20,  1813,  died  in  Ohio,  in  1836;  Margaret 
Clark,  born  April  18,  1815,  married  Porter 
Turner;  Thomas,  born  March  8,  1819,  died 
June  6,  1886,  in  Villisca,  Iowa,  married  Eliza- 
beth J.  Wilson;  Sarah  Jane,  bom  June  17, 
1821,  married  Thomas  Wilson,  and  died  in 
June,  1853 ;  Mary  Alice,  born  June  17,  1823, 
married  June  17,  1846,  Archibald  Coleman; 
John  Ramsey,  .born  Oct.  26,  1826,  died  Jan. 
2,  1884,  married  Agnes  Jane  Hill  April  11, 
1853 ;  George  Washington,  bom  Sept.  1,  1828, 
married  Sarah  Giberson,  and  died  at  Peabody, 


JAMES  A.  McQUOWN.  .iustiee  of  the 
peace,  ex-count.v  conunissioner  of  Indiana 
county,  and  farmer  of  Grant  township,  was 
born  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa- 
Sept.  24.  1847,  son  of  William  and  Margaret 
(Shields)  ]\IcQuown. 

David  McQuown,  the  great-grandfather  of 
James  A.  McQuown,  was  born  in  Ireland, 
and  came  to  the  United  States  in  young  man- 
hood, locating  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


969 


where  he  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers.  He 
married  a  daughter  of  John  Harris,  the 
founder  of  Harrisburg,  and  spent  the  rest 
of  his  life  in  Westmoreland  county,  where  his 
death  occurred. 

Lawrence  McQuown,  son  of  David  Mc- 
Quown,  and  grandfather  of  James  A.  Mc- 
Quown, was  born  in  1777  in  Westmoreland 
county,  and  there  grew  to  manhood  on  the  old 
homestead  place.  He  enlisted  from  West- 
moreland county  in  the  American  army  dur- 
ing the  war  of  1812.  In  1827  he  came  to 
Indiana  county  and  settled  in  Eayne  town- 
ship, where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock 
raising,  continuing  to  work  faithfully  and  in- 
dustriously making  a  home  for  his  family  un- 
til he  passed  away  there,  when  fifty-three 
years  of  age,  in  1830.  He  was  a  Whig  in 
his  political  views  and  a  faithful  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  buried  in 
the  old  Washington  cemetery  in  Rayne  town- 
ship. Mr.  McQuown  married  Mary  Cham- 
bers, and  they  had  a  family  of  thirteen  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Nancy,  who  married  Wil- 
liam Fox;  David,  who  married  Isabella  Bor- 
land ;  Jane,  who  married  Robert  Daugherty ; 
John,  who  mai-ried  Hannah  Walls;  James, 
who  married  Jane  McQuown ;  Ellen,  who  mar- 
ried Alexander  Downey;  Lawrence,  who  mar- 
ried Susannah  J.  Robinson ;  Thomas,  who  mar- 
ried Ann  M.  Robinson;  Margaret,  who  mar- 
ried John  Elder ;  William,  the  father  of  James 
A.  McQuown;  Mary,  who  married  William 
Black;  Eliza,  who  married  James  Bash;  and 
Samuel,  who  married  Keziah  Snyder. 

William  McQuown,  son  of  Lawrence  Mc- 
Quown, and  father  of  James  A.  McQuown, 
was  born  in  1825,  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.,  and  there  attended  the  district 
schools  and  grew  to  manhood.  Reared  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  he  early  engaged  in 
farming  in  his  native  township,  but  later 
moved  to  Bast  Mahoning  township,  where  he 
continued  to  carry  on  operations  on  rented 
property.  In  1862  he  came  to  Grant  town- 
ship and  settled  down  to  farming  on  a  forty- 
five-acre  tract  which  he  purchased  from  Cal- 
vin Young,  and  there  erected  a  frame  house 
and  continued  to  farm  for  some  years.  In 
his  later  life  he  moved  to  Franklin,  Venango 
county,  where  he  was  an  officer  of  the  court 
under  Judge  Creswell  until  1903,  resigning 
at  that  time  because  of  advancing  age.  He 
died  in  Franklin,  May  16,  1905,  aged  eighty 
years,  and  was  buried  in  the  Franklin  ceme- 
tery. He  was  first  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  bvit  later  transferred 
his  membership  to  the  Presbyterian.    In  polit- 


ical matters  Mr.  McQuown  was  a  Whig  and 
later  a  Republican,  and  while  a  resident  of 
Grant  township  served  in  the  capacity  of 
overseer.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted 
in  Company  E,  67th  Regiment,  P.  V.  I., 
under  Col.  Harry  White,  and  in  the  battle 
of  Winchester  was  captured  by  the  Confed- 
erates. He  was  subsequently  confined  in 
Libby  prison,  and  before  he  was  finally  dis- 
charged had  become  greatly  emaciated  from 
his  sufferings.  On  his  release  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  Company  G,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
and  while  in  the  .line  of  duty  some  time  later 
was  hurt  in  a  railroad  accident,  receiving  a 
severe  injury  to  his  arm.  He  left  the  serv- 
ice with  a  record  for  bravery  and  faithful 
devotion  to  duty,  and  with  the  respect  alike 
of  his  comrades  and  officers. 

Mr.  McQuown  was  married  to  Margaret 
Shields,  daughter  of  Col.  William  Shields,  of 
the  State  militia,  and  she  passed  away  at 
the  home  of  her  son  in  Clearfield  county. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  McQuown  became  the  parents 
of  the  following  children :  James  A. ;  Annie 
M.,  who  married  John  Potts,  and  resides  at 
Punxsutawney ;  William  W.,  who  married 
Susan  Shaffer,  and  lives  at  Mahaffey,  Clear- 
field county;  Hon.  Martin  Luther,  ex-State 
senator,  former  superintendent  of  schools  of 
Clearfield  county,  and  now  editor  of  the  Rafts- 
men's Journal,  at  Clearfield,  who  married  Vir- 
ginia Flegel ;  Emma,  who  married  Robert  Mc- 
Garvey,  and  resides  at  Gazzam,  Pa. ;  and  Nina, 
who  married  George  Edmondson  and  resides 
at  Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

James  A.  McQuown,  son  of  William  Mc- 
Quown, attended  the  public  schools  of  Rayne 
and  East  Mahoning  townships,  and  worked 
on  his  father 's  farm  until  he  was  sixteen  years 
of  age,  at  which  time  he  enlisted  in  Company 
C,  11th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantiy,  un- 
der Colonel  Richard  Coulter  and  Captain 
Schall,  Feb.  29,  1864,  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  At  the  battle  of  the  Wilder- 
ness, May  6, 1864,  he  was  wounded  in  the  right 
side  by  a  minie  ball,  and  sent  to  the  hospital. 
In  September,  1864,  he  was  discharged  there- 
from and  rejoined  his  regiment,  succeeding 
which  he  participated  in  the  battles  of  Hatch- 
er's Run,  Boydton  Plank  Road,  Gravelly 
Run  and  Five  Forks,  and  was  present  at  the 
surrender  of  General  Lee,  at  Appomattox. 
Following  this  he  was  stricken  with  intermit- 
tent fever  and  was  confined  in  the  hospital  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  but  managed  to  be  dis- 
charged therefrom  in  time  to  Avitness  the 
grand  review.  On  being  mustered  out  of  the 
service,   Ma,y   31,    1865,   he   returned   to   his 


970 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


home,  and  almost  at  once  took  up  the  carpen- 
ter's trade  with  Peter  Beer,  following  that 
occupation  for  some  time  in  Jefferson  and 
Clearfield  counties.  In  1876  ]\Ir.  McQuown 
went  to  the  oil  fields,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  working  at  his  trade.  In  1868  he  pur- 
chased his  present  property,  a  tract  of  sixty 
acres,  on  which  he  erected  a  round  log  cabin 
in  the  woods.  Since  1878  he  has  given  his 
time  and  attention  to  farming  and  his  ven- 
tures have  proved  eminently  satisfactory. 
From  time  to  time  he  has  made  valuable  im- 
provements on  his  land,  which  is  now  con- 
sidered one  of  the  valuable  tracts  in  his 
township,  and  his  substantial  buildings,  his 
well-graded  fields  and  his  sleek,  well-fed  cat- 
tle, all  testify  to  the  presence  of  able  man- 
agement, thrift  and  industry. 

Mr.  McQuowu  was  a  Republican  until  the 
year  1880,  at  which  time  he  cast  his  fortunes 
with  the  Greenback  party,  and  on  that  ticket 
was  elected  county  commissioner,  his  col- 
leagues being  James  Johnson,  of  Center  town- 
ship, and  William  Mabon,  of  East  Mahoning 
township.  During  his  administration  several 
county  bridges  were  built,  including  the  stone 
arch  bridge  at  Kelleysburg,  which  cost  $1,200 
and  is  still  in  a  good  state  of  preservation, 
not  having  cost  the  county  one  dollar  for 
repairs  up  to  the  present  time.  At  this  time 
Mr.  JIcQuown  is  independent  in  his  political 
views.  In  1902  he  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace,  receiving  his  commission  from  Governor 
Stone,  and  in  1907  was  reelected  and  received 
his  commission  from  Governor  Pennypacker, 
his  present  term  expiring  in  1914.  He  is  a 
popular  comrade  of  Frank  Brown  Post.  No. 
266,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  Rich- 
mond, and  his  religious  belief  is  that  of  the 
Christian  Church.  He  has  always  labored 
faithfully  in  behalf  of  the  welfare  of  his  com- 
munity, and  has  been  the  incumbent  of  many 
offices.  For  fifteen  years  he  was  a  member 
of  the  school  board,  and  during  that  time  at 
different  periods  served  as  president,  secre- 
tary and  treasurer ;  for  twenty-eight  years  he 
was  .iudge  and  inspector  of  election;  and  he 
has  also  served  as  auditor,  township  clerk  and 
assessor.  Although  a  man  of  pronounced 
vie^ys  as  to  what  constitutes  right  and  wrong, 
he  is  always  fair  and  unbiased  in  his  official 
decisions,  and  respects  the  rights  and  opinions 
of  others.  He  is  domestic  in  his  tastes  and 
temperate  in  hi.s  habits,  a  public-spirited  citi- 
zen, an  excellent  official,  and  a  whole-souled, 
generous  man,  who  has  succeeded  in  his  own 


life  and  is  ready  at  all  times  to  assist  others 
to  success. 

On  Aug.  14,  1869,  James  A.  McQuown  was 
married  to  Mary  J.  Shankle,  who  was  born  in 
Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  daugh- 
ter of  Elias  and  Susan  (Ayers)  Shankle.  old 
settlers  of  Cherryhill  township.  Nine  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  this  union,  as  follows : 
Harry  E.,  a  farmer  of  White  township,  mar- 
ried Clara  Gardner;  Ada  M.  married  Willis 
J.  Farnsworth,  a  farmer  of  Grant  township ; 
Martin  Luther,  residing  at  Decker's  Point, 
married  Rose  Riethmiller;  James  Ernest,  a 
farmer  of  East  Mahoning  township,  married 
Jlinnie  Rorabaugh ;  Charles  resides  at  home ; 
Hazel  Virginia,  a  graduate  of  the  Summer 
normal  school  and  Purchase  Line  academy,  is 
now  a  public  school  teacher;  Murray  Clif- 
ford resides  at  Dixonville:  Paul  V.  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  and  summer  nor- 
mal school,  and  has  been  a  teacher  in  Grant, 
Montgomery,  Banks  and  Canoe  townships ; 
Ted  is  engaged  in  farming  and  resides  at 
home.  Murraj^  C.  and  Ted  McQuown  are 
members  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows. 

A.  J.  WEIR  ROBINSON,  a  farmer  and 
stock  raiser  of  Conemaugh  township,  was  born 
in  that  township  Aug.  14,  1856,  son  of  James 
W.  Robinson. 

John  Robinson,  his  grandfather,  married 
Mary  Weir  as  his  first  wife,  and  second  Jane 
Marshall.  Of  the  first  union  three  sons  were 
born :  Robert  W.,  who  married  Jane  Ritchey, 
of  Indianapolis,  Ind. ;  Adam,  who  married 
Mary  Foster,  and  lived  in  Westmoreland 
county,  where  he  followed  fanning ;  and  James 
W.  Of  the  second  union,  there  were  four 
sons  and  five  daughters,  as  follows :  John  M., 
William  I\r.,  Samuel  S..  Thomas  W.,  Jennie 
S.,  Rachel.  Jane,  Eliza  M.  and  Maria  W. 

James  W.  Robinson,  father  of  A.  J.  Weir 
Robinson,  was  born  Feb.  21,  1803,  and  died 
Feb.  4.  1865.  He  married  Rebecca  Weir, 
of  Pigeon  Creek.  Washington  Co..  Pa.,  who 
was  born  in  1813  and  died  in  1895,  and  both 
are  buried  in  Edgewood  cemeteiy,  at  Salts- 
burg.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children : 
Sarah  M.,  born  Oct.  30.  1834.  died  unmarried; 
Rebecca  J.,  born  Sept.  25,  1836,  married  Rev. 
W.  W.  Woodend,  D.  D.,  a  Presbyterian  min- 
ister, and  is  deceased;  INIartha  E.,  boni  June 
30,  1839,  married  Rev.  S.  J.  Berlin,  a  Luth- 
eran preacher,  and  both  are  deceased ;  Wil- 
liam Thomas,  born  April  27.  1841,  served  in 
the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war.  hav- 
ing enlisted  in  1863.  and  died  in  1865 ;  Ella 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


971 


M.,  boru  Sept.  13,  1849,  died  unmarried;  A. 
J.  Weir  is  mentioned  at  length  below. 

James  W.  Robinson  was  reared  on  his 
father's  homestead  in  Conemaugh  township, 
and  there  spent  his  useful  life.  In  time  he 
became  the  owner  of  200  acres  of  fertile  land, 
and  having  learned  agriculture  from  the  in- 
itial steps  pursued  that  calling  all  his  life 
with  very  satisfactory  results,  branching  out 
until  he  became  an  extensive  stockman,  rais- 
ing cattle  and  horses  that  were  recognized  as 
the  best  in  this  part  of  the  State,  all  of  blooded 
stock.  In  1833  he  erected  a  substantial  and 
comfortable  residence,  now  the  property  of 
his  son  A.  J.  Weir  Robinson,  and  remodeled 
it  in  1859.  In  addition  he  put  up  barns  and 
other  outbuildings  to  correspond,  and  took 
a  pride  in  keeping  his  premises  in  excellent 
order.  Although  he  died  before  many  mod- 
ern inventions  came  upon  the  market,  he  took 
advantage  of  the  assistance  offered  by  those 
of  his  day,  and  his  farm  was  a  model  for  his 
neighbors. 

Early  recognizing  the  importance  and  neces- 
sity of  good  roads,  he  advocated  improving 
the  public  highways,  and  after  the  office  was 
created  was  one  of  the  first  men  to  serve  as 
road  supervisor.  While  always  active  in  town- 
ship affairs  he  did  not  desire  office,  but  pre- 
ferred to  use  his  influence  in  his  private  capac- 
ity. Generous  and  consistent  as  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  his  devotion  was  re- 
warded by  his  election  as  elder,  but  he  de- 
clined the  honor,  declaring  he  felt  that  with 
the  numerous  duties  resting  upon  him  as  a 
farmer  and  business  man  he  could  not  do  jus- 
tice to  the  office.  During  the  years  of  his 
mature  life,  he  kept  the  interests  of  Cone- 
maugh township  close  to  his  heart  and  when 
he  died  this  locality  lost  one  of  its  best  and 
most  representative  citizens.  Devoted  to  his 
home  and  family  he  found  his  pleasures  in 
the  circle  of  his  relatives,  and  was  deeply 
mourned  when  death  claimed  him. 

A.  J.  Weir  Robinson,  son  of  James  W. 
Robinson,  was  brought  up  in  his  native  town- 
ship, and  early  taught  the  habits  of  industry 
and  economical  management  that  have  aided 
him  in  his  more  than  ordinarily  successful 
career.  During  his  boyhood  he  attended  the 
Robinson  district  school,  No.  1,  and  later  for 
two  terms  went  to  the  old  Saltsburg  academy. 
Being  only  nine  years  old  when  he  lost  his 
father,  he  owes  his  careful  training  to  his 
good  mother.  He  assisted  with  the  work  at 
home  until  seventeen  years  of  age.  and  then, 
although  young  for  the  responsibilities,  took 
charge   of  the   farm,   then  consisting  of  200 


acres,  and  has  since  continued  to  carry  on  his 
agricultural  interests,  although  at  times  he 
has  branched  out  in  other  directions.  His 
farm  is  one  of  the  finest  in  Conemaugh  town- 
ship, and  he  devotes  it  to  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  conducting  his  operations  ac- 
cording to  advanced  methods,  for  he  is  a 
firm  believer  in  scientific  agriculture.  His 
property  is  well  supplied  with  modern  machin- 
ery and  he  takes  advantage  of  governmental 
experiments  to  aid  him  in  his  work.  His  resi- 
dence is  the  one  built  by  his  father  in  1833, 
and  rebuilt  in  1859,  and  Mr.  Robinson  has 
added  much  to  its  original  equipment  in  the 
way  of  comforts,  having  a  very  desirable 
home.  His  barns  are  thoroughly  up-to-date 
in  every  respect,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to 
find  any  agriculturist  of  Indiana  county  who 
has  a  better  equipment  all  through  than  Mr. 
Robinson. 

In  1898  Mr.  Robinson  built  a  butcher  shop 
near  his  residence  and  went  into  the  whole- 
sale and  retail  meat  business  which  he  carried 
on  until  the  spring  of  1912,  when  he  retired. 
At  one  time  he  operated  several  butcher 
wagons,  which  carried  meat  about  the  town- 
ship. Mr.  Robinson  drilled  a  well  one  hun- 
dred feet  deep,  and  pumps  this  bountiful  sup- 
plj'  by  the  Kewanee  system  to  his  house,  barns 
and  outbuildings.  When  the  Eldersridge 
and  West  Lebanon  Telephone  Company  was 
organized-  he  was  one  of  its  promotors  and 
foundei-s,  and  carries  a  large  amount  of  its 
stock.  The  Saltsburg'  Presbyterian  Church 
has  in  him  a  warm  supporter,  and  for  the 
last  twenty-eight  years  he  has  been  one  of 
its  trustees,  and  for  eight  years  has  been  an 
elder.  From  1883  to  1898  he  rendered  val- 
iiable  service  as  a  school  director,  has  been 
township  assessor  for  the  past  ten  years,  and 
like  his  father  has  always  been  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  welfare  of  the  township  and  the 
betterment  of  its  conditions. 

On  Feb.  16,  1882,  Mr.  Robinson  married 
Eva  L.  Guthrie,  daughter  of  William  and 
Eliza  M.  (Robinson)  Guthrie,  of  Dayton, 
Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.  One  daughter  has  been 
born  of  this  union,  Ella  Maud,  boni  Feb.  16, 
1883,  who  is  at  home,  a  most  charming  young 
lady.  Mrs.  Robinson  presides  over  her  home 
delightfully,  and  she  and  her  daughter  en- 
tertain hospitably,  liaving  drawn  about  them 
a  congenial  circle. 

WADDLE.  The  Waddle  family  is  counted 
among  the  old  established  residents  of  Penn- 
sylvania, dating  back  to  Colonial  days,  and 
its  representatives  have  been  prominent  fac- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


tors  in  the  maintenance  of  peace  and  the  de- 
velopment of  the  natural  resources  of  their 
country. 

James  Waddle,  grandfather  of  Samuel  and 
James  Elmer  Waddle,  was  born  in  West- 
moreland county,  near  Loyalhanna,  and  died 
in  that  locality,  being  interred  with  his  three 
wives  in  the  cemetery  at  the  Loyalhanna 
Church,  in  Westmoreland  county.  James 
Waddle  was  married  first  to  Anna  Burns,  who 
became  the  mother  of  the  following  children : 
Frank,  William,  John,  James,  Samuel,  Mar- 
tha, Mary,  Margaret,  Jane  and  Sarah.  He 
was  a  farmer,  operating  extensively  on  a  large 
tract  of  land,  and  was  one  of  the  leading  agri- 
culturists of  Westmoreland  county  in  his  day. 

Samuel  Waddle,  son  of  James  Waddle  and 
father  of  Samuel  and  James  Elmer  Waddle, 
was  born  near  Loyalhanna,  Westmoreland 
Co.,  Pa.,  in  1818,  and  died  in  1894.  In  1846 
he  came  to  Indiana  county,  settling  in  Cone- 
maugh  township,  where  he  bought  the  salt 
works  on  the  Osprey  tract  from  a  Mr.  Ral- 
ston, as  well  as  the  farm  known  as  the  Thomas 
Reed  property.  This  latter  was  one  and  a 
half  miles  from  ^7hat  was  then  known  as 
Kelly's  station,  now  Tunnelton.  Here  he 
continued  to  manufacture  salt  and  operate 
his  farm  for  the  remainder  of  his  life,  although 
the  last  ten  years  he  lived  somewhat  retired 
from  arduous  work.  Although  interested  in 
the  development  and  advancement  of  his  town- 
ship and  county,  he  did  not  take  an  active 
part  in  politics,  for  he  was  a  retiring  man, 
happiest  when  at  home  with  his  family.  The 
Baptist  Church  at  Tunnelton  held  his  mem- 
bership and  received  his  generous  support. 
At  his  death  he  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Salts- 
burg  cemetery. 

Samuel  Waddle  married  IMartha  Smith, 
daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Ander- 
son) Smith,  who  now  resides  with  her  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Dick,  in  Conemaugh  township.  The 
following  children  were  bom  to  Samuel  Wad- 
dle and  his  wife :  Anna  Elizabeth,  born  Aug. 
30,  1845,  is  deceased ;  Martha  Ellen,  born  Dec. 
22,  1847,  married  Michael  F.  Dick,  and  had 
children  Roy  and  Roxie,  the  former  being  in 
charge  of  the  farm;  Mary  C,  born  April  29, 
1850,  married  J.  H.  Lyttle;  John  A.,  bora  in 
July,  1853,  married  Mary  Badger,  and  is  a 
farmer  of  Westmoreland  county;  Samuel  is 
mentioned  below;  Frank  E.,  born  Dec.  13. 
1859,  married  Matilda  Patent,  and  died  March 
11,  1892;  William  S.,  born  June  2,  1862,  mar- 
ried Sarah  Wiuings,  and  is  a  farmer  of  Derry 
township;  James  Elmer  is  mentioned  below. 

Samuel,  W.vddle,  son  of  Samuel  Waddle 


and  grandson  of  James  Waddle,  was  born 
May  28,  1857,  in  Conemaugh  township,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa.  He  grew  up  in  the  locality,  re- 
ceiving his  educational  training  in  the  local 
schools,  and  taught  habits  of  industry  and 
thrift  by  his  parents,  while  living  at  home 
and  assisting  his  father  in  the  salt  works  and 
on  the  farm.  In  1881,  after  he  had  attained 
to  his  majority,  Mr.  Waddle  bought  the  old 
John  Kelly  farm  of  131  acres,  which  he  has 
devoted  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
Later  he  purchased  a  sixty-acre  tract  in  West- 
moreland county  and  operated  it  for  many 
years,  but  sold  it  finally  to  the  Keystone  Coal 
Company.  The  Waddle  homestead  is  beau- 
tifully situated  on  the  Conemaugh  river  near 
Tunnelton,  and  it  is  well  improved,  Mr.  Wad- 
dle having  erected  a  comfortable  residence, 
commodious  barn  and  other  outbuildings,  as 
well  as  installed  numerous  modern  conveni- 
ences that  aid  him  in  the  conduct  of  his 
operations. 

Samuel  Waddle  married  Ida  Anna  Dixon. 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Martha  (Pierce) 
Dixon,  of  Conemaugh  township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Waddle  are  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren :  Edward  Ray,  born  in  April,  1887,  died 
in  November,  1910,  and  is  buried  in  Saltsburg 
cemetery;  Floraf  M.  attended  the  Indiana 
normal  school,  was  gi-aduated  from  the  Cline 
noi-mal  school  and  is  now  a  teacher,  having 
taught  two  terms  at  Tunnelton  and  being  now 
engaged  at  Salina,  Pa. ;  Phyllis  IM.  taught 
two  terms  of  school  at  Tunnelton  and  is  now 
teaching  at  Avonmore,  Westmoa-eland  Co., 
Pa.;  Adella  Ruth  is  now  attending  normal 
school  at  Indiana  town ;  Susan  Martha,  How- 
ard Samuel  and  Ethel  Elizabeth  are  at  home. 

A  strong  Democrat,  Mr.  Waddle  has  taken 
an  intelligent  interest  in  polities  in  his  neigh- 
borhood, serving  capably  as  township  auditor 
for  three  years,  supervisor  for  six  years,  and 
school  director  for  six  years.  The  Presby- 
terian Church  holds  his  membership,  and  he 
served  it  for  an  extended  period  as  trustee. 
A  thoi-oughly  reliable  man  and  public-spirited 
citizen,  Mr.  Waddle  has  not  only  attained  to 
well-merited  prosperity,  but  has  given  his 
community  faithfully  service  extending  over 
many  years,  which  is  appreciated  by  his  fel- 
low citizens. 

James  Elmer  Waddle,  son  of  the  elder 
Samuel  Waddle,  was  born  May  29,  1865,  in 
Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  Grow- 
ing up  amid  the  iisual  surroundings  of  a 
country  boy  of  his  day  and  community,  Mr. 
Waddle  attended  school  in  district  No.  9. 
While  going  to  school,  his  youthful  energies 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


973 


were  employed  at  the  salt  works  owned  by 
his  father  and  in  tasks  about  the  fai*m.  After 
attaining  to  his  majority,  Mr.  Waddle  be- 
came interested  along  several  lines  of  en- 
deavor before  devoting  himself  to  farming 
and  stock  raising.  For  a  number  of  years 
he  conducted  a  large  general  store  at  Tunnel- 
ton,  and  when  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company  was  doing  its  new  grading  in  1907, 
Mr.  Waddle  was  superintendent  for  C.  A. 
Sims  &  Co.,  who  held  the  contract  for  the 
work.  After  his  father's  death  Mr.  Waddle 
bought  out  the  other  heirs  and  now  owns  the 
old  Waddle  homestead  of  nearly  two  hundred 
acres,  on  which  he  carries  on  general  farm- 
ing and  I'aises  stock.  He  also  is  a  heavy  stock 
buyer  and  dealer,  shipping  to  Pittsburg. 
Owing  to  his  experience  and  the  extent  of  his 
operations,  Mr.  Waddle  is  known  all  over  the 
county  as  an  expert  on  cattle,  and  his  opin- 
ions are  respected  in  relation  to  this  line, of 
work. 

James  Elmer  Waddle  was  married  to  Mar- 
garet Elizabeth  Elrick,  daughter  of  Robert 
and  Jane  (Anderson)  Elrick.  Mrs.  Waddle 
was  born  near  Social  Hall,  Westmoreland 
Co.,  Pa.,  but  later  lived  at  Lewisville,  in 
Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Waddle  are  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Carrie  Irene,  born  Nov. 
21,  1887,  married  Clyde  Lowman,  son  of 
Squire  Hugh  Lowman,  and  their  children  are 
Olive  Gayle  and  Genevieve;  Mary  Bell,  born 
March  14,  1890,  married  Dr.  William  Johns, 
of  Mechanicsburg,  Brushvalley  township  (she 
attended  the  Indiana  normal  and  taught 
school  for  three  terms  in  Conemaugh  town- 
ship and  one  term  in  Saltsburg)  ;  Olive  Mar- 
guerite was  born  Nov.  9,  1892;  Velma  Jane, 
Sept.  12,  1895 ;  Arthur  James,  Feb.  7,  1898 ; 
Marion  Elrick,  Oct.  8,  1900;  Samuel  Paul, 
Feb.  22, 1903 ;  Helen  Elizabeth,  April  14, 1906, 
and  William  Keneth,  March  17,  1912.  Olive 
and  Velma  graduated  from  the  Saltsburg  high 
school  in  1911,  and  Velma  is  now  attending 
school  at  Mechanicsburg. 

Having  virtually  spent  his  life  in  Cone- 
maugh township,  Mr.  Waddle  is  naturally  in- 
terested in  local  affairs  and  has  given  time 
and  money  to  improve  conditions.  For  nine 
years  he  rendered  efficient  service  as  super- 
visor of  roads,  and  has  often  been  selected  as 
judge  or  inspector  of  elections. 

The  name  of  Waddle  has  long  stood  for  in- 
tegrity of  purpose  and  uprightness  of  living 
and  those  who  bear  it  now  are  living  fully  up  to 
the  high  standards  raised  by  those  who  have 
gone  before.    They  are  proud  of  their  family 


and  what  its  members  have  accomplished,  and 
are  earnest  in  their  endeavors  to  do  nothing 
to  take  from  its  prestige. 

SAMUEL  A.  KRIDER,  who  is  in  the  grain 
business  at  Starford,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where 
he  operates  a  flour  and  feed  mill,  was  born 
in  Center  county.  Pa.,  Feb.  9,  1874,  son  of 
Rev.  Samuel  and  Mary  (Royer)  Krider. 

John  Krider,  his  grandfather,  was  bom  in 
the  eastern  part  of  Pennsylvania  and  in  early 
manhood  came  to  Center  county,  where  he 
established  the  family.  He  lived  and  died  on 
his  old  farm  there. 

Rev.  Samuel  Krider  was  born  at  Gatesburg, 
Center  county,  and  was  reared  in  that  county. 
Up  to  the  age  of  thirty  years  he  was  mainly 
engaged  in  teaching  school,  at  that  period 
of  his  life  entering  the  ministry  of  the  Lu- 
theran Church.  Enlisting  in  the  army  at 
the  age  of  eighteen,  in  September,  1861,  he 
was  discharged  at  the  expiration  of  his  term, 
in  the  j^ear  1864.  He  belonged  to  Company 
E,  45th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 
and  took  part  in  the  following  engagements: 
James  Island,  S.  C. ;  Fort  Pulaski,  Falmouth, 
Va.;  South  Mountain,  Md. ;  Antietam;  Fred- 
ericksburg, Va. ;  Jamestown,  Ky. ;  Vicks- 
burg,  Miss. ;  Jackson,  Miss. ;  Cumberland  Gap, 
Md. ;  Blue  Springs,  Ky. ;  Campbell  Station, 
Ky. ;  Knoxville,  Ky. ;  Wilderness,  Va. ;  Cold 
Harbor,  Va.,  and  Spottsylvania,  Va.  He  was 
wounded  at  Spottsylvania  courthouse  in  the 
left  arm  and  wrist,  in  October,  1864.  After 
the  war  he  taught  school  for  nine  years  and 
then  entered  Susquehanna  University,  at 
Selinsgrove,  graduating  in  1884.  He  received 
his  first  call  to  Turtle  Creek,  Allegheny  Co., 
Pa.,  where  he  was  stationed  for  three  years; 
his  second  charge  was  at  Elderton,  Armstrong 
Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  labored  for  several  years, 
after  which  he  was  located  seven  years  at 
Cookport,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. ;  next  at  Hoovers- 
ville,  Somerset  Co.,  Pa.,  two  years;  then  at 
Portage,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.;  lived  in  Greens- 
burg  a  little  over  one  year,  but  was  not  in 
active  work  while  there;  and  lastly  was  at 
Johnstown,  Pa.,  after  which  he  retired. 

Mr.  Krider  married  Mary  Royer,  who  was 
born  at  Center  Hill,  Center  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter 
of  Samuel  Royer,  a  native  of  Germany,  who 
came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Cen- 
ter county.  Pa.  He  was  a  miller  and  eon- 
ducted  what  was  known  as  the  Red  mill,  in 
Center  Hill.  Three  children  were  born  to 
Rev.  Samuel  and  Mary  Krider,  namely: 
Samuel  A. ;  John  R.,  who  died  in  1904 ;  and 


974 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Alva  R.,  who  is  in  the  news  and  stationery- 
business  at  Johnstown. 

Samuel  A.  Krider  attended  public  school 
in  Green  township,  and  afterward  taught 
school  at  what  is  now  called  Union  town  (Ber- 
ringer  post  office).  He  then  became  a  clerk 
in  a  business  house  at  Johnstown  and  while 
in  that  town  was  connected  with  the  Johns- 
town Daily  Times.  His  first  independent 
start  in  business  was  made  in  July,  1898,  at 
Windber,  Somerset  Co.,  Pa.,  when  he  had  a 
general  store  which  he  conducted  only  a 
short  time.  After  quitting  the  store  he  be- 
came engaged  with  the  Kirk  Hardware  Com- 
pany, in  that  same  place,  and  was  manager  for 
a  little  over  one  year,  after  which  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Eureka  Supply  Company,  as 
assistant  bookkeeper.  He  was  with  that  com- 
pany for  over  four  years,  during  whjch  time 
he  attained  the  position  of  head  bookkeeper, 
holding  that  position  until  the  latter  part  of 
1904,  when  he  resigned  and  returned  to  Indi- 
ana county,  locating  at  Pleasant  Valley.  How- 
ever, during  this  time,  in  October,  1900,  he 
entered  into  partnership  with  A.  N.  Buter- 
baugh,  in  the  general  mercantile  business,  in 
Windber,  Mr.  Buterbaugh  taking  charge  per- 
sonally. The.v  continued  same  until  October, 
1904,  when  they  moved  their  stock  from  there 
to  Pleasant  Valley,  Indiana  county,  and  car- 
ried on  the  business  there  until  January,  1905, 
when  they  sold  out  to  another  party.  At  that 
time  they  started  in  the  feed  business  in 
Starford,  Pa.,  under  the  name  of  Buterbaugh- 
Krider  Company,  and  continued  that  until 
1908,  when  Mr.  Krider  bought  Mr.  Buter- 
baugh's  interest.  He  has  since  conducted  the 
business  himself.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
business  men  at  Starford  and  has  resided 
there  ever  since  the  town  was  started. 

Mr.  Krider  was  married  at  Lovejoy,  Dee. 
24,  1896,  to  Agnes  P.  Buterbaugh,  daughter 
of  A.  N.  Buterbaugh,  whose  father  was  one 
of  the  early  settlers  in  Green  township.  Mrs. 
Krider  is  one  of  the  following  family :  Harry 
R.,  who  lives  at  Starford;  Ollie,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Thomas  Fleming,  of  Windber;  ]\Irs. 
Krider;  J.  H.,  who  is  manager  of  the  Dixon 
Run  Lumber  Company,  Starford,  Pa. ;  Louie, 
who  is  the  wife  of  M.  L.  McQuown,  of  Jose- 
phine, Pa.;  and  Blair,  deceased.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Krider  have  two  children,  Beulah  and 
Harry  R.  They  belong  to  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  Mr.  Krider  has  some  addi- 
tional business  interests,  and  is  a  director  of 
the  Clymer  National  Bank.  He  is  active  in 
Masonry,  belonging  to  the  minor  branches  at 


Ebensburg;  to  the  Consistory  at  Williamsport, 
and  to  the  Mystic  Shrine  at  Altoona. 

CAPT.  JOHN  KINTER  has  been  one  of 
the  most  prominent  residents  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  a  leader  in  movements 
for  the  welfare  of  his  locality  and  a  public 
official  whose  services  have  lieen  satisfactory 
in  evei'y  position  to  which  he  has  been  chosen. 
He  was  born  Aug.  6,  1841,  on  the  old  Kinter 
homestead,  in  Washington  township,  now  in- 
cluded in  Rayne  township,  son  of  Isaac  and 
Hannali  (]Myers)  Kinter,  and  is  the  last  sur- 
viving member  of  their  family.  He  still  oc- 
cupies the  old  homestead — the  third  genera- 
tion  of  his  family  to  live  there. 

Philip  Kinter,  the  first  ancestor  of  this 
family  in  America,  came  to  this  country  from 
Holland  and  settled  in  Huntingdon  (now  Cen- 
ter) county,  Pa.,  at  the  headwaters  of  Spruce 
creek.  He  died  in  that  county.  He  married 
Barljara  King. 

John  Kinter,  son  of  Philip,  served  as  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolution,  enlisting  three  times 
and  serving  two  months  on  each  call.  He 
married  Isabella  Findley  and  they  had  eight 
children,  among  whom  were  Isaac,  Henry  and 
John.  In  1808  he  removed  from  Center  coun- 
ty to  what  is  now  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.,  settling  near  Kintersburg,  which 
was  named  after  him.  He  died  aged  eighty- 
two  years,  his  wife  living  to  the  advanced  age 
of  ninety-one.  One  of  their  sons,  Henry, 
served  in  the  United  States  army  during  the 
war  of  1812  and  was  at  one  time  sheriff  of 
Indiana  county. 

John  Kinter,  son  of  John  and  Isabella 
(Findley),  was  bom  in  1786,  came  to  Indiana 
county  in  1808,  and  died  on  a  farm  near  the 
old  homestead  at  the  age  of  ninety-six  years. 
His  wife,  Sarah  (Ross),  lived  to  the  age  of 
ninety.  Their  son,  Isaac  Kinter,  born  in  Cen- 
ter county,  Aug.  6,  1805,  was  the  father  of 
Capt.  John  Kinter.  He  was  one  of  the  fore- 
most citizens  of  this  section  in  his  day,  serv- 
ing for  years  as  township  treasurer,  was  su- 
pervisor and  school  director,  and  for  one  term 
county  auditor.  He  married  Hannah  Myers, 
and  they  had  eight  children,  all  now  de- 
ceased but  John;  his  last  brother  died  in 
1912.  The  family  have  all  been  fighters  and 
ready  to  give  their  services  to  their  country, 
and  three  of  the  sons  of  Isaac  Kinter  served 
during  the  Civil  war,  John,  D.  M.,  and  Peter 
('. ;  D.  M.  Kinter  was  a  first  lieutenant  in  the 
6th  Regiment,  Missouri  State  militia  (he  be- 
came a  minister  of  the  Christian  Church),  and 
Peter  C.   Kinter  became  a  member  of  Com- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


975 


pany  I,  135th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, dying  of  typhoid  fever  Oct.  18,  1862, 
at  Washington,  D.  C. 

John  Kinter,  son  of  Isaac,  was  reared  to 
manhood  on  the  homestead  and  followed  farm- 
ing, which  has  been  his  occupation  through- 
out life.  On  Aug.  7,  1862,  the  day  after  he 
reached  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  I,  135th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  which  was  assigned  to 
the  1st  Brigade,  3d  Division,  1st  Army  Corps. 
In  1862  the  regiment  did  guard  duty  and 
patrol  service  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  Mr. 
Kinter  saw  service  at  the  battles  of  Chancel- 
lorsville  and  Fredericksburg.  He  was  dis- 
charged in  May,  1863,  and  again  entered  the 
service  in  March,  1865,  this  time  .joining 
Company  F,  74th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, as  tirst  lieutenant,  and  was  subse- 
quently promoted  to  captain,  sei-ving  with 
that  rank  until  discharged,  Aug.  29,  1865.  He 
was  one  of  the  scouting  party  that  went  out 
after  Mosby.  During  his  first  enlistment  he 
had  served  as  drum  major,  and  he  still  has 
the  drum  he  carried.  He  is  an  honored  mem- 
ber of  John  Pollock  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  be- 
longs to  the  Park  Veteran  Military  Band  of 
Marion  Center,  Indiana  county. 

At  the  close  of  his  army  service  Captain 
Kinter  returned  to  Indiana  county  and  set- 
tled on  the  home  farm  in  Rayne  township, 
which  he  still  cultivates.  He  has  been  a  suc- 
cessful farmer  and  progressive  in  his  ideas, 
supporting  every  movement  which  appeals  to 
his  judgment  as  effective  for  the  advancement 
of  the  general  welfare.  He  served  two  years 
as  president  of  the  Patrons  Mutual  Fire  In- 
surance Company  of  Indiana  County,  and  he 
has  taken  an  active  part  in  public  affairs, 
serving  the  township  as  auditor,  clerk  and 
supervisor.  He  was  at  one  time  the  nominee 
for  sheriff,  but  failed  of  election.  His  polit- 
ical connection  is  with  the  Republican  party. 

On  May  21,  1868,  Captain  Kinter  married 
Elizabeth  Lingenfelter,  who  was  born  Oct. 
6,  1847,  in  Jefferson  county,  Pa.,  daughter  of 
John  and  Catherine  (Mauk)  Lingenfelter. 
They  have  had  a  large  family,  seven  of  whom 
are  still  living,  namely:  Isaac  W.,  a  farmer 
of  Rayne  township,  who  married  Sadie 
Wohlers,  of  that  township;  P.  Watson,  who 
is  mentioned  below;  Mabel  M.,  who  lives  at 
home;  Elizabeth,  who  graduated  at  the  Indi- 
ana normal  school  in  June,  1913 ;  John  L.. 
an  electrician  ;  Andrew  R.,  an  electrician  ;  and 
Martha,  who  graduated  from  the  business 
college  at  Indiana,  and  is  stenographer  for 
the  Penn-Mary  Coal  Company  at  Heilwood, 


Pa.  Three  sons  and  one  daughter  are  de- 
ceased :  Guy  N.,  who  died  in  1902 ;  D.  Benton, 
who  died  in  1906,  survived  by  his  wife,  Clara 
(Hines)  and  son  Benton;  Frank  D.,  who  died 
in  1912,  leaving  his  wife,  Lelia  A.  (Shields) ; 
and  Laura  B.,  who  married  Rev.  H.  S.  Mc- 
Clintock,  of  Somerset,  Pa.,  and  died  in  1904, 
leaving  her  husband  and  one  child,  Laura  E., 
who  lives  with  her  grandfather,  Captain  Kin- 
ter. 

Captain  Kinter  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Church  of  Christ,  in  which  he  was  at 
one  time  quite  an  active  worker,  serving  as 
deacon. 

P.  Watson  Kinter,  best  known  as  "Watt" 
Kinter,  proprietor  of  the  hotel  at  Chambers- 
ville,  Indiana  county,  was  born  April  11, 
1873,  at  Kintersburg,  this  county,  son  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Lingenfelter)  Kinter. 
He  attended  the  Shields  school  in  Rayne  town- 
ship. In  his  early  life  he  worked  in  the 
woods  for  some  time,  peeling  bark,  and  made 
a  trip  to  the  West,  where  he  was  employed  at 
threshing  and  cow  punching.  In  1899  he 
bought  a  restaurant  at  Guthrie,  Okla.,  which 
he  carried  on  for  one  year.  In  February, 
1902,  he  became  engaged  as  a  plumber  in 
St.  Louis,  Mo.  On  May  27,  1904,  Mr.  Kinter 
opened  a  hotel  at  Creekside,  Indiana  county, 
which  he  conducted  for  one  year,  at  the  end 
of  that  time  buying  the  Chambersville  hotel, 
to  which  he  has  since  given  all  his  attention. 
He  is  well  adapted  for  the  business,  in  which 
he  has  met  with  continued  success,  his  estab- 
lishment being  well  patronized.  Mr.  Kinter 
is  a  member  of  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  and  in 
politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

On  June  1,  1904,  he  married  Olive  Cost, 
of  Indiana,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary 
Elizabeth  Cost,  the  former  a  plumber.  Three 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kin- 
ter, Joseph  Watson,  Mary  Elizabeth  and 
Ebcrt  Paul. 

HARMON  L.  McCULLOUGH,  M.  D.,  phy- 
sician and  surgeon  at  Cookport,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  was  born  in  Montgomery  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  Aug.  29,  1853,  and  is  a  son  of 
David  and  Rachel  (Lovelace)  McCullough. 

John  McCullough,  the  Doctor's  grand- 
father, spent  his  early  life  in  Shelocta,  Indi- 
ana county,  but  later  moved  to  Clearfield 
county,  settling  in  Bumside  township,  where 
he  cleared  a  farm  and  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life  in  tilling  the  soil. 

David  ^IcCullough,  son  of  John  and  father 
of  Dr.  McCullough,  was  born  in  Shelocta,  In- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


diana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  which  he  followed  in  Montgomei-y 
township  for  many  years.  In  1870  he  moved 
to  Cookport,  and  there  his  death  occurred 
March  27,  1888.  He  married  Rachel  Love- 
lace, who  was  born  in  York  county,  Pa.,  and 
came  to  Indiana  county  with  her  sister  when 
both  were  young-  women,  the  other  members 
of  her  family  following  some  time  later.  She 
died  Dec.  25,  1891,  the  mother  of  six  children, 
four  of  whom  lived  to  maturity :  George  W., 
who  resides  in  Green  township;  Bruce,  who 
Lives  on  the  old  homestead  in  Montgomery 
township ;  Dr.  Harmon  L. ;  and  Samuel  I.,  a 
merchant  of  Cookport. 

William  Lovelace,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  Dr.  McCullough,  was  a  native  of 
York  county,  and  there  his  entire  life  was 
spent  in  agricultural  pursuits. 

Harmon  L.  McCullough 's  boyhood  was 
spent  on  the  home  farm  in  Montgomery  town- 
ship, and  there  he  attended  the  district  schools. 
He  was  seventeen  years  of  age  when  he  ac- 
companied the  family  to  Cookport,  and  shortly 
thereafter  he  entered  the  State  normal  school, 
at  Indiana.  Afterward  he  became  a  student 
in  the  Western  Reserve  School  of  Medicine, 
at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  there  received  his  de- 
gree in  1883,  immediately  after  which  he  es- 
tablished himself  in  practice  in  Cookport.  He 
has  built  up  a  large  professional  business, 
and  is  widely  known  in  the  medical  fraternity 
of  Indiana  county,  as  well  as  being  prominent 
in  financial  circles  as  a  director  of  the  Sav- 
ings &  Trust  Company,  of  Indiana. 

Dr.  McCullough  has  interested  himself  in 
promoting  the  cause  of  education,  and  dur- 
ing the  last  twenty  years  has  been  a  member 
of  the  board  of  school  directors  of  Green  town- 
ship. His  religious  connection  is  with  the 
Baptist  Church. 

JAMBS  DOWLER  AKE  now  gives  the 
greater  part  of  his  time  to  his  farming  and 
banking_  interests,  but  in  his  numerous  busi- 
ness activities  he  has  proved  himself  a  man 
of  varied  resources  in  the  success  he  has  made 
of  all  his  undertakings.  He  has  had  promi- 
nent connection  with  some  of  the  important 
projects  in  this  part  of  the  State  carried 
through  to  successful  completion,  and  his  ex- 
ecutive ability  is  recognized  by  all  who  have 
been  associated  with  him.  As  a  promoter  of 
large  enterprises  he  has  aided  notably  in  the 
progress  and  development  of  this  region. 

Mr.  Ake  was  born  Dec.  11,  1853,  at  New 
Washington,  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Jacob 
G.  and  Eliza  (Nuttley)  Ake.    The  father  was 


a  merchant,  lumberman  and  farmer,  engaging 
m  merchandising  at  different  times  in  New 
Washington.     But  he  finally  returned  to  In- 
diana county,  in  1865  opening  a  store  at  Hills- 
dale, m  Montgomery  township,  which  he  sold 
m  1866,   retiring  to  his  farm  at   Hillsdale. 
James  D.  Ake  obtained  his  education  in  the 
public  schools.     He  was  reared  on  the  farm 
with  his  father,  whom  he  assisted  in  his  agri- 
cultural work  as  well  as  in  the  general  store 
at  Hillsdale,  also  lumbering,  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  twenty-five  years.    From  that  time 
he  has  been  in  independent  business.     For  a 
time  he  conducted  sawmills  near  Indiana  and 
Saltsburg,  Indiana  county,  and  sold  lumber  to 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Compan}^     Then 
he  engaged  in  lumbering  on  the  Susquehanna 
river  and  in  partnership  with  his  brother  D. 
S.  Ake  conducted  a  store,  also  buying  cattle 
and  other  stock.     Buying  out  his  brother  he 
became  associated  in  business  with  George  Me- 
Keage,  and  for  some  time  was  extensivelv  en- 
gaged  in   railroad   building,    constructing   a 
road  for  the  New  York  Central  Railway  Com- 
pany, a  line  near  Williamsport,  the  line  to 
Arcadia   (Indiana  county),  the  Pittsburg  & 
Eastern  road,  the  road  from  Rossiter  Junction 
to  Rossiter  and  from  Potts  Run  to  Madina, 
and  part  of  the  road  from  Burnside  to  Cherry- 
tree.    He  also  conducted  a  store  at  Burnside, 
in  1902.    His  lumbering  operations  have  been 
extensive.    In  partnership  with  Horace  Tomp- 
kins he  put  in  78,000,000  feet  of  lumber  on 
the   Susquehanna  river,   putting  the  logs  in 
at  the  head  of  the  river.     He  was  a  partner 
of  the  late  J.  W.  Clark,  in  the  manufacture 
of  lumber,  rough  and  dressed,  of  all  kinds. 
Mr.  Ake  built  the  street  car  system  of  the  In- 
diana County  Street  Railroad  Company  at  In- 
diana and  was  general  manager  during  the 
construction.      He   is   prominently    identified    ' 
with  local  banking  interests,  being  one  of  the 
vice  presidents  of  the  First  National   Hank 
of  Glen  Campbell  and  a  director  of  the  Farm- 
ers' Bank  of  Indiana.    He  is  a  director  of  the 
Juniata    Manufacturing    Company,    of    Wil- 
liamsburg, manufacturers  of  blank  books,  etc. ; 
is  connected  with  the  Hillsdale  Coal  &  Coke 
Company  of  which  he  is  president   (the  firm 
composed  of  J.  0.  and  H.  E.  Clark),  whose 
mines  are  located  at  Madeline,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa. ;  and  is  president  of  the  Arcadia  Water 
Company  and  president  of  the  Arcadia  Land 
Company.     Mr.  Ake  has  a  farm  of  200  acres 
in  Montgomery  township,  Indiana  county,  in 
rhe  cultivation  of  which  he  is  now  actively 
engaged.     It  is  thoroughly  modern  in  all  its 
appointments  and  up-to-date  ideas  and  meth- 


(JymlA 


%-,aki 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


977 


ods  are  eveiywliere  in  evidence  about  the 
property.  The  town  of  Hillsdale  lies  on  the 
south  side  of  the  farm. 

On  June  19,  1883,  Mr.  Ake  man-ied  Sarah 
Prances  Churchill,  of  Hillsdale,  Pa.,  daugh- 
ter of  Philander  and  Elizabeth  (Rank) 
Churchill,  and  six  children  have  been  born  to 
them,  one  of  whom,  Wilfred  Hall,  died  when 
five  and  a  half  years  old.  The  others  are: 
Almont,  who  is  engaged  in  school  teaching; 
Everett  Camp,  who  is  assistant  cashier  of  the 
Pirst  National  Bank  at  Glen  Campbell;  Phil- 
ander, a  student ;  Elizabeth  Rank ;  and  James 
Hubert. 

CLARK  G.  MARSHALL,  a  farmer  and 
stockman  of  South  Mahoning  township,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  on  the  old  Marshall 
homestead,  near  his  present  farm,  Dec.  6, 
1855. 

(I)  William  Marshall,  the  first  of  this 
branch  of  the  family  in  Pennsylvania,  was 
born  in  Ireland  in  1722,  and  there  grew  to 
manhood  and  married  Elizabeth  Armstrong. 
In  1748  he  came  to  the  American  Colonies 
and  settled  in  the  eastern  part  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  followed  farming.  Later  he 
moved  to  what  is  now  Indiana  county,  but  was 
then  included  in  Westmoreland  county,  to 
which  his  son  John  Marshall  had  gone  some 
years  previously.  The  family  secured  prop- 
erty in  Conemaugh  township,  and  on  it  Will- 
iam Marshall  rounded  out  his  useful  life, 
passing  away  in  1796.  He  was  a  man  of  sub- 
stance in  his  community,  and  highly  respected 
by  all  who  knew  him.  His  remains  were  laid 
to  rest  in  Ebenezer  Church  cemetery.  He  was 
a  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith,  and  devoted 
to  his  church.  Hisr  excellent  wife  passed 
away  in  1806,  having  survived  him  for  some 
ten  years,  and  was  laid  by  his  side' in  the  little 
old  cemetery.  Among  their  children  were: 
John,  James,  William,  Andrew,  Samuel  and 
Margaret. 

(II)  William  Marshall,  son  of  William 
Marshall,  the  immigrant  ancestor,  came  to 
Conemaugh  township  with  his  parents  and 
there  engaged  in  farming,  becoming  the  own- 
er of  a  tract  of  428  acres.  Later  he  moved  to 
Armstrong  county,  settling  near  Glade  Run, 
where  his  cousin  Archibald  Marshall  had  lo- 
cated. On  this  farm  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  His  children  were :  Joseph  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Marshall;  William  married 
a  Miss  Lewis;  John  married  Martha  Kirk- 
patrick;  Elizabeth  married  John  McClellend; 
Mary  married  Abel  Pinley;  Margaret  mar- 
ried Benjamin  Irwin ;  James  W.  is  mentioned 


below;     Robert    married    Mary     Hindman; 
Samuel  married  Julia  Lentz. 

(III)  James  W.  Marshall,  son  of  William 
Marshall,  was  born  on  Blacklegs  creek,  in 
Conemaugh  township,  and  was  taken  to 
Glade  Run,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  by  his 
parents.  There  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  in 
1820  settled  in  what  is  now  South  Mahoning 
township,  Indiana  county,  near  the  home  place 
of  others  of  the  family.  This  was  almost  on 
the  line  dividing  the  south  and  west  divisions 
of  Mahoning.  His  tract  was  a  large  one, 
and  he  went  to  work  at  once  to  clear  it  of 
the  heavy  timber.  Although  he  had  devel- 
opments well  started  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
he  passed  away  while  still  in  the  prime  of 
life,  in  1844,  when  fifty-one  years  old. 

James  W.  Marshall  married  Margaret  Mai-- 
shall,  a  daughter  of  Archibald  Marshall,  who 
settled  in  Glade  Run,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa., 
where  his  cousin,  William  Marshall,  also  lo- 
cated. Mrs.  Marshall  died  in  1873,  having 
survived  her  husband  many  years.  Their 
children  were :  William ;  Margaret,  who  mar- 
ried Thomas  Davis,  and  (second)  Nathaniel 
Doty;  Joseph  ,W. ;  Archibald,  who  married 
Mary  Ann  Wadding ;  Robert ;  and  Catherine, 
who  mai-ried  Lewis  Marshall,  and  (second) 
Henry  Bowser. 

(IV)  Joseph  W.  Marshall,  son  of  James 
W.  Marshall,  was  born  Dec.  11,  1827,  on  the 
farm  in  South  Mahoning  township.  When 
he  was  seventeen  years  old  he  had  the  misfor- 
tune to  lose  his"  father.  Prior  to  that  he. 
had  attended  the  local  schools,  and  after  his 
father's  death  he  continued  working  on  the 
homestead.  Wlien  he  attained  his  majority 
he  obtained  a  tract  of  120  acres  of  the  home 
farm,  ten  acres  of  which  were  already  cleared. 
With  characteristic  energy  he  began  making 
improvements,  putting  up  all  the  buildings  on 
the  property,  including  a  frame  residence  and 
barn,  and  carried  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  throughout  his  active  years. 
Wliile  his  life  has  been  uneventful,  he  did 
his  duty  at  all  times  and  brought  up  his  fam- 
ily to  be  an  honor  to  the  name.  A  strong 
Whig,  he  espoused  the  principles  of  the  Re- 
publican party  upon  its  formation,  and  held 
many  offices,  including  those  of  school  di- 
rector, assessor,  supervisor  and  member  of 
the  election  board.  The  Presbyterian  Church 
holds  his  membership,  and  he  was  an  elder  in 
that  body  for  yeajs,  being  connected  with  the 
congi-egation  of  that  faith  at  Plumville.  Al- 
though he  is  now  eighty-five  years  old,  he 
still  possesses  most  of  his  faculties.    He  makes 


978 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


his  home  with  his  children,  by  whom  he  is 
much   beloved. 

Joseph  W.  Marshall  married  Jane  Davis, 
of  South  JIahoning  township,  a  daughter  of 
Abraham  Davis.  She  died  in  1863,  and  is 
buried  ia  the  cemeterj'  of  the  Mahoning  Bap- 
tist Church,  having  been  a  consistent  member 
of  that  church.  Children  as  follows  were 
born  to  this  marriage:  Adoniram  Judson, 
who  resides  in  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  married 
Clara  Irwin  and  (second)  Jane  Orr;  one  son 
died  in  infancy,  unnamed;  Louise  Ann  mar- 
ried Job  W.  Luckhart,  of  Punssutawney,  Pa., 
and  is  deceased;  Clark  G.  had  a  twin  sister, 
who  died  in  infancy.  In  1865  Mr.  Marshall 
married  (second)  Mary  Stewart,  a  daughter 
of  Thomas  Stewart,  who  survives.  They 
had  the  following  children :  Rebecca  J. ; 
Margaret  E.,  who  married  Clark  Sink;  Har- 
vey S.,  who  is  deceased  (his  widow,  Bessie 
Hamilton,  married  John  Kirkpatriek)  ;  Nettie 
Irwin,  deceased;  Alice  R.,  who  married  El- 
mer Shaffer,  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  Lawrence 
J.,  of  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  Minerva  Mary ;  Rainey 
W. ;  Rosella  Sarah,  who  is  deceased;  Mason 
Forbes,  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  Esther  Fran- 
ces, who  married  Homer  Hiskell ;  and  Bertha 
Dean,  who  maiTied  Homer  Sadler. 

The  ^Marshall  family  is  one  of  the  largest 
in  Indiana  county,  and  -its  representatives 
have  given  much  attention  to  agricultural 
matters.  Many  of  the  finely  developed  farms 
of  this  locality  are  owned  and  operated  by 
.  descendants  of  the  fir,st  "William  Marshall. 
The  Marshalls  are  not  confined  to  Indiana 
county,  however,  or  Pennsylvania  either,  for 
they  have  spread  over  the  country,  and 
wherever  found  are  prosperous  and  indus- 
trious, a  credit  to  their  name  and  a  valuable 
addition  to  the  community.  Good  blood  tells, 
and  careful  raising  brings  forth  the  best  in 
a  man.  The  posterity  of  the  original  Mai-shall 
who  braved  all  the  dangers,  not  inconsider- 
able in  those  early  days,  of  crossing  the  ocean 
to  an  almost  unknown  land,  does  him  credit. 
(V)  Clark  G.  Marshall  is  one  of  the  best 
examples  of  what  a  man  can  accomplish  when 
he  is  temperate,  industrious  and  fiiigal.  He 
was  educated  in  the  local  schools,  and  learned 
farming  from  its  simplest  to  its  most  com- 
plicated operations.  Until  he  was  twenty-six 
he  remained  at  home,  and  then  settled  on  a 
portion  of  the  old  homestead,'  comprising 
sixty-three  acres.  On  this  property  he  has 
made  all  the  present  improvements,  all  of 
which  reflect  credit  upon  him,  for  they  are 
modern  in  character  and  kept  in  excellent 
order.    In  addition  to  his  original  holdings  he 


bought  119  acres  of  land  in  South  IMahouing, 
and  operates  both  farms,  carrying  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  A  progressive 
man,  he  believes  in  applying  up-to-date  meth- 
ods in  his  work,  and  his  success  proves  that 
he  is  right  in  his  ideas. 

In  1881  Mr.  Marshall  was  married  to 
Nancy  Thompson,  of  Armstrong  county.  Pa., 
who  has  proved  a  most  excellent  wife  and 
mother  and  a  true  Christian  woman,  being 
connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  as 
a  member  and  active  participant  in  all  its 
good  works.  Children  as  follows  have  been 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marshall:  Salome  is 
at  home ;  Lottie  married  Professor  Ambrose, 
and  resides  at  Pittsburg;  Bessie,  Eva,  Merl, 
Wilson  and  John  are  at  home. 

Mr.  Marshall  has  always  taken  a  deep  'in- 
terest in  educational  matters,  and  donated  the 
land  for  the  Cross  Roads  school  which  is  on 
his  farm.  In  addition  to  this  liberality  he 
served  as  school  director  for  many  years,  and 
for  twelve  years  was  president  of  the  board. 
For  one  term  he  was  township  supervisor. 
His  support  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  he  is  a  member,  has  always  been  gen- 
erous and  valuable,  and  he  has  been  one  of 
its  elders  and  trustees  for  many  years. 

A  strong  Republican  in  his  political  convic- 
tions, Jlr.  Marshall  is,  however,  particularly 
favorable  to  any  candidate  who  carries  out  his 
ideas  regarding  temperance.  He  believes  the 
greatest  evil  of  the  times  is  the  liquor  traffic, 
and  he  is  unalterably-  opposed  to  encourage- 
ment of  it  in  any  way  whatsoever.  Very  tem- 
perate in  his  personal  habits,  Mr.  Marshall 
is  proud  of  the  fact  that  he  has  never  taken 
a  drink  in  his  life,  so  that  he  sets  an  excel- 
lent example,  and  teaches  it  that  way  as 
well  as  by  precept.  He  feels  that  he  owes 
much  of  his  success  in  life  to  the  fact  that 
he  has  not  wasted  his  strength  and  money 
in  intemperate  living.  Always  regi-etting  his 
own  lack  of  educational  advantages,  he  has 
labored  hard  and  long  to  provide  suitable 
schools  and  teaehera  for  the  children  of  his 
district,  and  manv  of  the  present  desirable 
conditions  have  been  brought  about  through 
his  public-spirited  efforts.  Such  a  man  as 
]\Ir.  ]\Iarshall  lends  solidity  to  any  locality, 
and  he  can  be  counted  upon  to  give  sxibstan- 
tial  assistance  to  any  movement  that  has  for 
its  object  the  better  teaching  of  the  masses  to 
a  thorough  understanding  of  right  living. 

EDWARD  NT:X0N,  a  lifelong  resident  of 
Indiana,  Indiana  county,  was  the  second  male 
child  born  at  that  place,  where  his  fatlier  set- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


979 


tied  in  the  early  part  of  the  last  century. 
He  was  a  relative  of  Col.  John  Nixon,  who 
first  read  the  Declaration  of  Independence  to 
the  people  of  Philadelphia  on  July  8,  1776. 

The  Nixon  family  is  of  Irish  extraction, 
Mr;  Nixon's  grandfather,  Edward  Nixon, 
having  been  born  in  Ireland,  where  he  mar- 
ried a  Miss  Bracken  and  reared  a  family. 

Robert  Nixon,  son  of  Edward,  above,  was 
born  in  1780  in  County  Donegal,  Ireland,  and 
came  to  this  country  when  twelve  years  old 
with  his  parents,  the  family  settling  at  Bask- 
ing Ridge,  N.  J.  He  came  to  the  vicinity  of 
Carlisle,  Pa.,  in  1794,  but  removed  the  next 
year  to  Washington  county,  and  then  in  1798 
to  Newport,  on  Blacklick  creek,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, where  he  was  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a 
store  for  several  years  with  his  second  cousin, 
Robert  Nixon.  In  1803  he  purchased  some 
of  the  first  lots  sold  at  Indiana,  and  erected 
a  story  and  a  half  hewed  log  house  on  the 
corner  of  Philadelphia  street  and  Carpenter 's 
alley,  on  the  site  of  the  present  Savings  & 
Trust  building.  He  began  business  as  a  mer- 
chant in  the  upper  part  of  this  house,  the 
store  room  being  reached  by  a  pair  of  out- 
side stairs,  and  from  this  modest  start  became 
a  man  of  affairs  in  the  town,  where  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  1812  he  re- 
moved his  store  to  larger  quarters,  and  in 
1832  opened  the  celebrated  "Nixon  Hotel," 
on  what  is  now  the  site  of  Godfrey  Marshall 's 
residence,  and  was  proprietor  of  same  for 
several  years.  He  died  at  Indiana  in  1850,  at 
the  age  of  seventy  years.  Mr.  Nixon  was 
married  in  New  Jersey  to  Mrs.  ilary  (Sutton) 
Ayers,  daughter  of  Peter  Sutton,  Jr.,  and  she 
died  in  1851,  at  the  age  of  seventy.  They 
were  originally  members  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  later  joining  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church.  Their  children  were : 
Edward ;  George,  who  died  in  Indiana ;  James, 
who  died  at  Broad  Top,  Pa.;  Mary,  wife  of 
Rev.  Robert  "White,  an  M.  B.  minister;  and 
Robert. 

Edward  Nixon,  son  of  Robert  and  Mary 
(Sutton)  Nixon,  was  born  Feb.  25,  1808,  at 
Indiana,  and  received  his  education  there,  in 
the  common  schools.  He  became  an  excellent 
mathematician  and  one  of  the  finest  penmen 
in  the  State.  When  a  boy  he  began  clerking 
in  the  store  conducted  by  his  father,  whom 
he  also  assisted  in  the  work  of  conducting 
the  "Nixon  Hotel,"  and  he  early  gave  evi- 
dence of  the  business  ability  which  won  him 
such  a  substantial  place  among  the  successful 
men  of  the  borough.  His  first  business  ven- 
ture was  in  partnership  with  John  Thompson. 


They  had  a  small  country  store  at  Sharp's 
mill,  in  this  county,  and  also  operated  Sharp 's 
mill  during  that  time,  doing  business  there 
for  four  years,  after  which  Mr.  Nixon  re- 
turned to  Indiana  and  opened  a  store  in  what 
is  now  the  Hassinger  bakery.  In  1843-44  he 
built  a  home  at  No.  34  North  Sixth  street,  a 
very  substantial  structure  of  brick;  part  of 
the  foundation  was  made  of  stone  from  the  old 
jail,  and  the  old  jail  bolt  is  still  used  on  the 
cellar  door.  The  house  being  so  large  Mrs. 
Nixon  suggested  that  he  use  the  south  side 
for  his  store,  which  he  did,  carrying  on  mer- 
cantile business  there  until  1861,  when  he 
gave  it  up  because  of  impaired  health.  He 
then  turned  the  store  quarters  into  law 
offices,  Judge  Clark  having  an  office  there 
from  1874  until  he  was  elected  to  the  Supreme 
bench.  When  Mr.  Nixon's  daughter.  Miss 
Fanny  W.  Nixon,  was  appointed  postmisti-ess 
of  Indiana  on  March  17,  1886,  she  kept  the 
office  in  the  old  store  room  of  the  house.  Mr. 
Nixon  was  more  or  less  of  an  invalid  from  the 
time  of  his  retirement,  in  1861,  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  at  his  home  June  2,  1889. 
His  remains  were  interred  in  Oakland  eeme- 
tei-y.  Few  citizens  of  the  borough  were  held 
in  higher  esteem.  He  was  honored  as  one  of 
the  most  progressive  and  intelligent  members 
of  the  community,  and  left  a  reputation  for 
integrity  and  real  worth  of  which  his  family 
may  well  be  proud.  For  many  years  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
but  some  years  prior  to  his  death  he  and  his 
wife  joined  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 
In  political  opinion  he  was  a  lifelong  Demo- 
crat. 

On  July  3,  1843,  Mr.  Nixon  was  married 
to  Phebe  Birg  Keely,  who  was  born  in  1818 
at  Mifflin,  Mifflin  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Henry 
Keely,  and  died  in  1906,  at  the  advanced  age 
eighty-eight  years.  Five  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nixon :  Robert  Henry,  who 
died  in  1901,  married  Lizzie  Haws,  of  Johns- 
town, Pa.,  and  she  and  their  three  children 
were  drowned  in  the  great  flood  there  in 
1889;  he  was  at  one  time  a  clerk  for  the 
Cambria  Iron  Company  and  later  a  clerk  in 
the  post  office  at  Indiana.  Fanny  W.,  who 
lived  at  the  old  home,  died  in  a  hospital  at 
New  York  City,  Feb.  20,  1913,  and  is  buried 
in  Oakland  cemetery,  at  Indiana.  Emma 
Theresa  died  May  31,  1890,  unmarried.  Mary 
Belle  married  Philip  A.  Williams  and  (sec- 
ond) Frank  T.  McAvoy,  of  Duke  Center,  Pa., 
who  is  now  doing  business  as  a  merchant. 
Virginia  Burye  is  the  wife  of  John  McCune, 
of  Johnstown,  Pa.    Of  these,  Fanny  W.  Nixon 


980 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


received  an  excellent  education  in  public 
and  select  schools  at  Indiana,  and  acted  as 
clerk  in  Judge  Clark's  law  ofSce  for  eight 
years.  She  was  commissioned  postmaster  of 
Indiana  for  four  years,  under  Pi-esident  Cleve- 
land's first  administration,  and  in  that  in- 
cumbency made  a  record  as  having  one  of 
the  best  conducted  and  most  systematically 
managed  offices  in  Pennsjdvania. 

"WORK.  The  "Work  family  of  East  Mahon- 
ing township  is  of  early  pioneer  stock  of  that 
section  of  Indiana  county.  Its  representa- 
tives are  numerous  and  now  to  be  found  in 
every  part  of  the  Union,  and  in  many  walks  of 
life,  a  number  having  attained  eminence  in 
the  professions,  but  here  they  have  been  for 
the  most  part  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits and  allied  lines  of  industry.  They  have 
become  noted  for  enterprise,  thrift,  ability — 
the  several  qualities  which  make  for  success 
and  substantial  worth  to  the  community. 

The  founder  of  the  Work  familj-  in  Indi- 
ana county  was  William  Work,  a  native  of 
Cumberland  county.  Pa.,  born  in  1760,  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent.  He  grew  to  manhood 
there,  and  it  is  not  known  whether  or  not 
he  took  part  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  In 
1792  he  married  Miriam  Scroggs,  who  was 
also  born  in  Cumberland  county,  in  1775, 
daughter  of  Alexander  and  Rachel  (Ireland) 
Scroggs,  the  former  a  Scotchman.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Work  crossed  the  Allegheny  mountains 
in  1801  and  made  a  location  in  "Westmoreland 
county.  Pa.,  near  what  is  now  New  Florence, 
spending  three  years  there.  Thence  they 
moved  to  Indiana  county  in  1804.  settling  in 
what  is  now  the  western  part  of  East  I\Iahon- 
ing  township,  in  which  section  Jlr.  Work 
vras  a  pioneer  farmer.  He  was  also  one  of 
the  first  teachers  there,  when  the  schools  were 
run  on  the  subscription  plan,  and  held  in  log 
structures  with  oiled  paper  windows  and 
primitive  furnishings.  Here  he  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  days,  dying  Aug.  1,  1828, 
of  cancer;  he  was  buried  in  Gilgal  cemetery. 
Mr.  Work  was  one  of  the  founders  of  Gilgal 
Church,  from  which  he  withdrew,  however, 
in  1818,  on  account  of  doctrinal  differences, 
joining  the  organization  of  the  Associate 
Church  at  Mahoning.  His  wife  died  July 
28,  1850,  and  is  buried  in  the  same  cemetery. 
They  were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children: 
(1)  Rachel,  born  Oct.  6.  1793,  married  Robert 
Hamilton,  and  died  April  8, 1878.  (2)  James, 
bom  March  2,  1795.  married  Mary  Ewing, 
and  died  Aug.  17,  1860.  (3)  Lettice,  born 
July  7,  1796,  married  John  Ewing,  and  died 


Aug.  23.  1871.  (4)  A.  Scroggs,  bom  Dec. 
7,  1797,  married  Margaret  Brown  and.  (sec- 
ond) Nancy  Beatty,  and  died  Oct.  23,  1878. 
(5)  John,  bom  June  24. 1799,  married  Martha 
Hamilton  and  (second)  Sarah  Beattv,  and 
died  jMareh  6,  1872.  (6)  William,  born  Dec. 
10,  1800,  is  mentioned  below.  (7)  Allen  N.. 
born  June  6,  1802,  married  Lydia  Lewis,  and 
died  Jan.  30,  1852.  (8)  Sarah,  born  April 
17,  1805,  married  ]\Iatthew  Steele,  and  died 
April  1,  1887.  (9)  Aaron,  born  Oct.  26,  1806, 
married  Nancv  Smith  and  (second)  Elizabeth 
Spencer,  and  died  Julv  21,  1892.  (10)  Mary, 
born  Oct.  12,  1808,  died  Dec.  27.  1853.  (11) 
Miriam,  born  July  25,  1810.  married  Alpha 
Limerick,  and  died  Aug.  11,  1850.  (12) 
Closes  Thompson,  boni  Dee.  5,  1812,  is  men- 
tioned elsewhere.  (13)  Susan,  born  Sept.  30, 
1815,  married  John  Smith,  and  died  Feb.  24, 
1844.  (14)  Elijah  I.,  bom  Nov.  23.  1818, 
married  Margaret  McCreerj^  and  died  June 
25,  1892, 

WiUiam  Work,  son  of  William  and  Miriam 
(Scroggs)  Work,  was  bom  Dec.  10,  1800, 
in  Ligonier  Valley,  in  Westmoreland  coun- 
ty, and  was  brought  by  his  parents  to 
what  is  now  East  Mahoning  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  in  early  childhood.  He  received 
a  thorough  common  school  training  under  his 
father's  tuition,  and  began  to  follow  farming 
in  his  boyhood,  continuing  that  calling  all 
his  life.  He  owned  a  farm  near  Little  iMahon- 
ing  creek,  near  what  is  now  Richmond,  and 
spent  the  rest  of  his  days  there,  successfully 
engaged  in  general  agi-icultural  pursuits  and 
stock  raising.  On  July  15,  1827,  Tilr.  Work 
married  Nancy  Brown,  who  was  born  'May  12, 
1809,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Brown,  and  died 
Sept.  24,  1854.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
LTnited  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  buried 
in  the  IMahoning  Church  cemetery'.  Ten  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  union:  (1)  Jeremiah 
Brown,  born  Oct.  24,  1828,  died  March  23, 
1852.  (2)  James  M.,  born  April  8.  1830.  was 
engaged  in  business  as  an  undertaker  at 
Marion  Center,  and  served  as  countv  com- 
missioner. He  died  Nov.  23,  1895.  On  Oct. 
13,  1853,  he  married  Margaret  Hamilton,  and 
for  his  second  wife  he  married  ]\Irs.  Annie 
Rebecca  (Getty)  IMorton.  (3)  David  B.,  bom 
]\rareh  14,  1832,  is  mentioned  below.  (4) 
Euphemia  S.,  born  JIarch  30,  1834,  Tunri'ied 
William  Hamilton  Oct.  15,  1856,  and  died 
about  1890.  (5)  Elizabeth  B.,  born  April  21. 
1836,  died  Sept.  23,  1853.  (6)  Susan  C.  bom 
May  23,  1838,  married  in  1860  J.  Thompson 
fiamilton,  of  East  Mahoning  township,  and 
died  in  January,  1908.     (7)  Mary  Jane,  born 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


981 


June  8,  1840,  married  Jan.  12,  1860,  Amos 
S.  Miller,  of  Canoe  township,  this  county,  and 
died  Dec.  10,  1910.  (8)  William  Alexander 
Scroggs,  born  Feb.  2,  1843,  is  mentioned  be- 
low. (9)  Joseph  B.,  born  April  22,  1845, 
died  April  11,  1852.  (10)  Silas  Warren,  born 
Sept.  19,  1848,  is  mentioned  below. 

On  Dec.  17, 1863,  William  Work,  the  father, 
married  (second)  Mary  T.  Hamilton,  who  was 
born  Feb.  3,  18 — ,  daughter  of  James  Hamil- 
ton, and  they  had  two  children:  Clara  B., 
born  Sept.  17,  1868,  mart-ied  Samuel  L.  Rowe, 
justice  of  the  peace,  of  Bast  Mahoning  town- 
ship ;  John  C,  born  Feb.  22,  1870,  a  resident 
of  East  Llahoning  township,  maiTied  Olive 
Winecoop  and  (second)  Mrs.  Shugart.  Mr. 
Work  died  on  his  farm  Nov.  7,  1878,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Mahoning  Church  cemetery. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church. 

D.WHD  Brown  Work,  third  son  of  William 
and  Nancy  (Brown)  Work,  now  living  re- 
tired on  a  part  of  the  old  Work  homestead 
near  Richmond,  in  East  Mahoning  township, 
was  born  on  the  paternal  farm  March  14, 1832. 
He  attended  school  in  the  home  district,  but 
as  school  was  held  only  three  months  of  the 
year,  during  the  winter  season,  he  had  more 
opportunity  to  acquire  knowledge  by  experi- 
ence, helping  with  the  work  on  the  home  farm 
from  early  boyhood.  He  was  thus  engaged 
until  twenty-four  years  old,  when  he  bought 
a  seventy-acre  farm  in  the  same  township, 
near  Marion  Center,  known  as  the  Robert 
Hastings  place,  which  he  operated  for  a  year. 
In  1857  he  went  to  Canoe  township,  this 
county,  and  bought  a  tract  of  125  acres  in 
the  woods,  which  was  owned  by  John  Pollock, 
and  on  which  stood  a  log  cabin.  There  he 
settled  down  to  what  was  practically  pioneer 
life.  He  cleared  100  acres  of  the  land,  and 
put  it  under  cultivation,  this  tract  being  now 
cultivated  by  his  sons.  In  1860  he  built  a 
frame  barn,  later  erected  a  substantial  frame 
dwelling,  and  during  his  long  residence  on  the 
place  put  up  other  buildings  convenient  or 
necessary,  having  a  well-equipped  property. 
There  he  made  his  home  until  1895,  in  which 
year  he  returned  to  Bast  Mahoning  township, 
settling  on  forty-five  acres  which  formed  part 
of  the  old  family  homestead  tract,  and  on 
which  he  made  numerous  improvements.  He 
erected  a  dwelling  house,  barns  and  other 
buildings,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock 
raising  there  until  1911,  since  when  he  has  led 
a  retired  life.  He  now  occupies  a  house  op- 
posite that  tract,  which  his  younger  son  now 
operates.    Though  he  has  always  had  agricul- 


tural interests,  Mr.  Work  was  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business  for  seven  years  while  a  resi- 
dent of  Canoe  township,  running  a  sawmill, 
and  he  was  as  successful  in  that  line  as  he  has 
been  in  his  other  undertakings.  Though  past 
eighty,  and  a  steady  worker  throughout  his 
active  years,  he  enjoys  excellent  health,  and, 
surrounded  by  his  children  and  grandchil- 
dren, in  comfortable  circumstances,  is  pass- 
ing his  years  in  enviable  content. 

Mr.  Work  has  been  actively  interested  in 
the  various  vital  issues  which  have  agitated 
the  country  in  his  day.  He  served  in  the 
Union  army  during  the  Civil  war  under  two 
enlistments,  the  first  time  joining  Company 
A,  Independent  Battalion,  under  Col.  John 
C.  Lininger  and  Capt.  Thomas  J.  Moore,  for 
six  months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  re- 
ceived an  honorable  discharge.  On  Aug.  26, 
1864.  he  again  enlisted,  becoming  a  member 
of  Company  A,  206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  under  Capt.  Thomas  J.  Moore  and 
Col.  Hugh  J.  Brady,  and  was  out  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  his  command  being  one  of 
the  first  to  enter  Richmond  after  the  sur- 
render. He  was  mustered  out  June  26,  1865. 
IMr.  Work  suffered  neither  sickness  nor  in- 
juries during  his  army  service,  and  returning 
home  at  its  close  resumed  his  agricultural 
work. 

Formerly  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  Mr.  Work  now  supports  the  Prohibi- 
tion party,  being  a  stanch  believer  in  temper- 
ance and  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  cause, 
which  he  has  aided  by  example  and  influence 
for  many  years.  He  has  taken  some  part  in 
the  administration  of  local  affairs,  having 
served  twelve  years  in  Canoe  township  and 
three  years  in  East  Mahoning  township  as 
assessor,  and  he  was  tax  collector  in  Canoe 
township  in  1869.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G. 
A.  R.,  belonging  to  Brown  Post  at  Richmond. 
His  religious  connection  is  with  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church. 

In  1854  Mr.  Work  was  married,  in  South 
Mahoning  township,  to  Sarah  E.  Colkitt,  a 
native  of  that  township,  daughter  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Stout)  Colkitt.  She  died  in  Jan- 
uary, 1867,  the  mother  of  five  children,  four 
of  whom,  however,  died  in  infancy,  the  sur- 
vivor being  Ida  M.,  wife  of  Peter  C.  Pierce ; 
they  have  three  children,  Veda  (wife  of  Ed- 
wai-d  Potts),  Hallie  (who  married  Charles 
McCullough),  and  Floyd,  the  daughters  liv- 
ing in  Canoe  township,  the  son  at  Akron, 
Ohio.  On  Sept.  3,  1867,  Mr.  Work  married 
(second)  Frances  Emaline  Colkitt,  who  was 
born  in  South  JIahoniug  township,  daughter 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  John  and  IMary  (Hover)  Colkitt,  being  a 
half-sister  of  his  fii-st  wife.  Five  children 
have  been  born  to  this  marriage,  viz. :  Charles 
C,  who  is  now  on  his  father's  old  homestead, 
is  unmarried ;  Silas  Clark,  who  is  working  his 
father's  old  homestead  in  Canoe  township 
with  his  brother  Charles,  married  Nancy 
Brochler,  and  they  have  three  children,  Ru- 
fus.  Myrtle  E.  and  Earl ;  Alice  married  Aus- 
tin Gary  Bowers,  of  Canoe  township,  and  has 
four  children,  Chai'les,  Laura,  Flora  and  ^lil- 
dred;  Floretta  C.  married  Harvey  D.  Wid- 
dowson,  a  merchant,  of  Rochester  Mills,  this 
county,  mentioned  elsewhere;  Edgar  S.,  who 
is  operating  his  father's  East  Mahoning  farm, 
married  Lizzie  Simpson,  daughter  of  Wesley 
Simpson,  and  they  have  four  children,  Mary 
Alice,  David  Brown,  Prank  Wesley  and  Lile 
Roy. 

W1LL1.VM  Alexander  Scroggs  Work,  son 
of  William  and  Nancy  (Brown)  Work,  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  home  locality  and 
worked  on  the  home  place  until  he  was  seven- 
teen years  old.  He  then  began  work  in  the 
lumber  regions,  being  employed  in  Clearfield, 
Forest,  Elk  and  Clarion  counties,  teaming  and 
jobbing  during  the  winter  season.  He  got  out 
■considerable  boat  lumber,  ship  timbers  and 
spars.  In  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  for  serv- 
ice in  the  Union  army,  becoming  a  member 
of  Company  A,  61st  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  under  Captain  Creps,  of  Indiana 
county,  and  Col.  0.  H.  Rippy,  of  Pittsburg. 
The  command  was  attached  to  the  6t.h  Corps, 
Light  Division,  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
and  Mr.  Work  participated  in  many  battles, 
including  Fair  Oaks.  Malvern  Hill.  Autie- 
tam,  Williamsport  (Md.),  Fredericksburg, 
Marye's  Heights,  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania, 
Cold  Harbor,  Fort  Stevens.  Charleston,  Ope- 
quan,  Fisher's  Hill,  Cedar  Creek,  Petersburg, 
siege  of  Petersburg  and  fall  of  Petersburg. 
He  served  over  three  years,  was  promoted  to 
sergeant  at  Bellplain,  and  was  mustered  out 
at  Pittsburg  in  1864.  Returning  home  he 
remained  there  two  yeai-s,  working  on  the 
farm,  and  was  engaged  in  lumbering  one 
winter  season.  Then  he  commenced  farming 
for  himself  in  Canoe  township,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, buying  a  tract  of  fiftj'^  acres,  to  which 
he  subsequently  added  thirty  acres,  operating 
in  all  eighty  acres,  devoted  to  general  crops 
and  stock  raising.  He  also  dealt  in  cattle 
and  horses.  In  1889  Mr.  Work  sold  out  his 
interests  there  and  moved  to  the  Simnu'l  Rc^ss 
farm  (  his  father-in-law's)  in  East  Mahoning 
township,  a  tract  of  eight>'-five  acres,  where 
he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 


ing. He  has  made  numerous  improvements 
on  the  place,  which  is  generally  considered 
one  of  the  best  kept  properties  in  the  town- 
ship, Mr.  Work  and  his  wife  taking  great 
pride  in  its  neat  and  attractive  appearance, 
bespeaking  the  thrift  and  good  taste  of  the 
occupants.  Besides  looking  after  his  own 
affairs  Mr.  Work  has  given  considerable  at- 
tention to  public  matters  and  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  their  administration  in  his  town- 
ship, having  served  as  tax  collector,  as  su- 
pervisor, and  for  thirteen  years  as  member 
of  the  school  board,  of  which  he  has  also  been 
treasurer.  He  has  been  active  in  politics  as 
a  stanch  Republican,  and  has  been  a  member 
of  the  township  election  board,  serving  as 
election  inspector. 

On  Oct.  5,  1865,  Mr.  Work  married  Mary 
Ann  Ross,  who  was  born  March  21,  1847, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Cowan) 
Ross,  the  former  a  native  of  Comity  Monag- 
han.  Ireland,  and  a  pioneer  settler  in  East 
ilahoniug  township.  Thev  have  had  children 
as  follows:  (1)  Harry  C.  bom  Aug.  31,  1866, 
now  acting  as  agent  for  the  National  Biscuit 
Company,  mamed  Florence  Hunt.  (2)  Bes- 
sie L.,  born  April  20,  1868,  married  Oct.  18, 
1887,  Harvey  Widdowson.  (3)  Ross  B.,  born 
Dec.  27,  1870,  now  engaged  in  business  as  a 
shoe  dealer  at  Grinnell,  Iowa,  married  Rachel 
Pollock.  (4)  N.  Jean,  born  ilay  11,  1873, 
married  McMurry  J.  Thompson,  a  history  of 
whose  family  will  be  found  elsewhere,  and 
they  reside  at  Heilwood,  Pa.  (5)  Mary  Eva- 
line,  born  June  3,  1878,  mamed  James  'Slor- 
ris,  a  railroad  engineer  on  the  Buffalo.  Roch- 
ester &  Pittsburg  road,  and  they  reside  at 
Punxsutawney,  Pa.  (6)  Homer  Ney,  born 
June  6,  1881,  now  general  foreman  for  the 
Western  Union  Telegi-aph  Company  at  Al- 
bany, N.  Y.,  married  Mary  Griffith,  of  Marion 
Center.  (7)  Lola  Nell,  'born  Oct.  15,  1886, 
married  Robert  M.  Sutter,  who  is  superin- 
tendent of  the  electric  light  plant  at  John- 
sonburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Work  are  membei-s  of  the 
United  Presb^■terian  Church  at  Richmond, 
this  county.  He  belongs  to  the  G.  A.  R,, 
holding  membership  in  the  post  at  Punxsu- 
tawney. 

Silas  W.  Work,  youngest  son  of  William 
and  Nancy  (Brown)  Work,  was  born  Sept. 
19,  1848,  on  the  farm  near  Richmond  in  East 
Mahoning  township.  He  grew  to  manhood  on 
that  place,  and  in  his  boyhood  attended  the 
country  school  taught  by  Thomas  Hindman, 
I\fr.  Weiner,  Miss  Rachel  Lewis  and  ]\Iiss 
Elizabeth  Lewis.     Leaving  school  when  thir- 


HISTORY  OF  INPIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


983 


teen  years  old,  he  helped  with  the  work  at 
home  until  his  enlistment,  when  he  was  but 
a  boy  of  fifteen,  for  service  in  the  Union  army. 
His  brothers  David  and  Alexander  were  at  the 
front,  and  as  he  was  rather  lonesome  at  home 
he  determined  to  follow  their  example,  his 
father's  opposition  proving  in  vain.  In  1863 
he  became  a  member  of  Company  C,  2d  Bat- 
talion, under  Capt.  William  Neal  and  Colonel 
John  C.  Lininger,  for  six  months'  service, 
after  which  he  reenlisted,  becoming  a  member 
of  Company  B,  67th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  under  Capt.  Samuel  McHenry,  sei-v- 
ing  to  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  the 
youngest  from  this  section  to  carry  a  gun  in 
defense  of  the  Union.  Returning  home  at 
the  end  of  the  war  he  remained  on  the  home 
farm  until  his  marriage.  He  then  bought  and 
located  upon  the  farm  in  Grant  township 
where  he  continued  to  live  for  a  number  of 
years,  thence  coming  in  1886  to  his  present 
place,  a  tract  of  thirty-two  acres  in  East  ]\Ia- 
honing  township,  within  the  limits  of  the  bor- 
ough of  Marion  Center.  He  is  engaged  in 
farming  and  draying,  and  is  well  and  favor- 
ably known  in  this  district,  being  one  of  the 
useful  and  esteemed  citizens  of  his  community. 
He  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  adminis- 
tration of  civil  affairs  in  Marion  Center,  hav- 
ing served  as  street  commissioner,  and  being 
at  present  a  member  of  the  borough  council. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  in  political  association  was  a  Re- 
publican until  the  organization  of  the  new 
Progressive  party,  whose  principles  he  favors. 
On  Jan.  1, 1868,  Mr.  Work  married  Caroline 
Simpson,  of  East  Mahoning  township,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Simpson,  who  married  Mary  Ann 
Hastings.    Mrs.  Work  died  April  8,  1913. 

PETER  RIDDLE,  late  of  Indiana,  was  for 
over  twenty  years  of  his  active  life  engaged 
in  business  as  a  drover,  and  after  settling  in 
the  borough  of  Indiana  carried  on  the  livery 
business  a  few  years  before  retiring.  He  was 
born  Jan.  24,  1834.  in  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  and  the  family  is  of 
Scotch-Irish  extraction.  His  grandfather, 
William  Riddle,  was  a  farmer  in  East  Mahon- 
ing townsliip.  Indiana  county. 

Michael  Riddle,  father  of  Peter  Riddle, 
was  born  in  East  Mahoning  township,  was 
reared  to .  farming,  and  followed  that  voca- 
tion all  his  life.  After  the  death  of  his  first 
wife,  Catherine  Pounds,  he  moved  out  to  the 
State  of  Indiana,  settling  at  Roekville,  and 
died  there.  He  remarried.  By  the  first  union 
he  had  four  children :    Willjam  J.,  born  May 


5,  1831,  who  married  a  Miss  Henry  and  lives 
in  Clarion  county.  Pa. ;  Margaret,  Mrs.  Henry 
Orr,  who  died  in  Indiana  borough ;  Peter ;  and 
Mary  Jane,  Mrs.  Sharp  Neal,  of  Jefferson 
county.  Pa.,  where  she  died. 

Peter  Riddle  was  but  four  and  a  half  years 
old  when  his  mother  died,  and  his  father  mov- 
ing out  west  to  the  State  of  Indiana  he  went 
to  live  with  his  maternal  grandmother,  Mrs. 
Margaret  Pounds,  who  raised  him.  She  kept 
tavern  for  many  years  at  Georgeville,  Indi- 
ana county,  having  a  double  log  building  of 
six  rooms,  known  as  the  Georgeville  Tavern, 
and  young  Peter  did  chores  around  the  place 
in  his  early  years.  He  was  well  looked  after, 
was  allowed  to  attend  school  part  of  each  year 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  nineteen,  and  had 
the  usual  experiences  of  the  youth  of  that 
day.  His  first  teacher  was  James  Van  Horn. 
The  old  subscription  school  was  held  in  a  log 
building,  furnished  with  slab  benches  and 
heated  by  a  log  fire,  the  pupils  chopping  the 
wood  during  the  noon  hour.  He  lived  with 
his  grandmother  until  her  death,  in  1862, 
when  she  was  eighty-five  years  old ;  she  had 
given  up  the  hotel  and  tavern  many  years  be- 
fore. After  her  death  Mr.  Riddle  worked 
around  among  farmers,  and  then  began  to 
work  as  drover  for  his  cousin,  William  Cham- 
bers, and  his  partner,  John  Bi-ady,  receiving 
fifty  cents  a  day.  He  was  next  employed  at 
cutting  pine  timber,  at  the  same  wages,  get- 
ting up  before  "sunup"  and  walking  miles 
to  the  tract  where  the  work  was  going  on. 
After  a  year  or  two  at  this  work  he  became 
a  drover  on  his  own  account,  in  1863,  buying 
horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs  in  Indiana,  Arm- 
strong, Jefferson  and  Clarion  counties.  The 
first  horse  he  owned  was  bought  with  money 
saved  while  he  was  working  for  fifty  cents  a 
day,  in  the  timber.  He  continued  to  follow 
droving  until  1887,  when  he  removed  to  In- 
diana, at  which  place  he  afterward  had  his 
home.  For  three  years  after  removing  to  the 
borough  he  was  in  the  livery  business  in  part- 
nership with  Calvin  Bley,  and  after  giving 
that  up  he  lived  retired.  He  died  Dec.  25, 
1912,  in  his  seventy-ninth  year,  and  is  bur- 
ied in  Oakland  cemetery,  Indiana.  Mr.  Rid- 
dle was  always  a  man  of  honorable  dealings 
and  business  methods  that  were  above  re- 
proach, and  he  was  respected  by  all  his  fel- 
low citizens.  He  was  a  Democrat  on  political 
questions. 

On  March  1,  1880,  Mr.  Riddle  was  married 
in  Indiana  to  Mary  A.  Bley,  of  Indiana, 
daughter  of  Conrad  and  Mary  (Zimmerly) 
Bley,  and  she  continues  to  reside  at  their  old 


984 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


home,  at  No.  45  North  Seventh  street,  Indi- 
ana. They  had  no  children,  but  they  raised 
a  niece,  Jennie  R.  Bley,  daughter  of  John 
Bley,  Mrs.  Riddle's  brother.  She  died  Nov. 
20,  1907;  she  had  married  Samuel  J.  Apple, 
and  left  two  sons,  Samuel  R.  and  John  A. 
Mrs.  Riddle  is  a  Lutheran  in  religious  faith. 

WILLIAM  E.  OAKES  has  an  extensive 
lumber  business  at  Clymer,  Indiana  counts', 
where  he  has  been  settled  practically  since 
the  town  was  founded.  He  was  born  April 
14,  1867,  near  Blairsville,this  county,  son  of 
John  G.  and  Sarah  (Kauffman)  Oakes. 

Edward  Oakes,  his  grandfather,  was  from 
Ireland,  as  was  also  his  wife.  They  came  to 
Pennsylvania  in  1794,  first  settling  near  Ar- 
magh, Indiana  county,  and  later  moving  to 
Burrell  township,  same  county,  near  Blairs- 
ville.  Edward  Oakes  was  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812  and  also  in  the  Mexican  war.  He 
was  killed  near  his  home,  by  a  falling  tree. 

John  G.  Oakes,  father  of  William  E.  Oakes, 
was  born  in  1832  in  Blairsville.  He  was  a 
farmer  in  his  early  days.  In  1864  he  en- 
listed in  the  Union  army  for  service  in  the 
Civil  war,  becoming  a  member  of  Battery 
K,  2d  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  and  serving 
until  mustered  out,  in  January,  1866.  At 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  he  was  wounded 
and  captured,  being  taken  to  Libby  prison, 
where  he  was  held  for  nine  months.  After 
his  discharge  he  returned  to  Blairsville,  and 
thence  moved  to  the  West,  where  he  passed 
the  brief  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  in  Oc- 
tober, 1867,  near  lola,  Kansas.  Mr.  Oakes 
married  Sarah  Kauffman,  who  was  born  in 
18-39  in  Johnstown,  Pa.,  and  whose  parents, 
Jonas  and  Sarah  Kauffman,  were  natives  of 
Switzerland.  Three  children  were  born  to 
this  marriage:  F.  J.,  the  eldest,  resides  in 
Fall  River,  Kans. ;  Jennie  is  the  wife  of  J.  E. 
Williams,  of  Johnstown;  William  E.  is  men- 
tioned below. 

William  E.  Oakes  attended  public  school 
near  Blairsville.  His  first  work  was  on  a  farm 
in  Kansas.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade 
in  Johnstown,  Pa.,  and  followed  it  there  for 
fifteen  years,  in  1898  starting  in  business 
at  Conemaugh,  this  county,  where  he  still  has 
Interests.  In  1904  he  came  to  Lovejoy,  In- 
diana county,  and  thence  shortly  afterward 
to  Clymer,  when  the  town  had  just  made  a 
start  as  such.  He  has  been  engaged  in  the 
lumber  trade  ever  since  he  settled  there,  and 
has  built  up  a  lucrative  business,  being  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  active  and  progressive 
residents  of  the  place.    He  is  very  well  known 


in  fraternal  connections,  being  a  member  of 
Indiana  Lodge,  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  and  a  high 
Mason,  belonging  to  Cambria  Lodge,  F.  &  A. 
M.,  of  Johnstown  (of  which  he  is  a  past  mas- 
ter), to  the  Consistory  at  Williamsport  and 
to  the  Shrine  at  Altoona. 

On  Jan.  28,  1890,  i\Ir.  Oakes  was  married, 
at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  to  Emma  R.  Devlin,  a  na- 
tive of  Johnstown,  daughter  of  Theodore  and 
Lydia  Devlin.  Mrs.  Oakes  died  Aug.  13,  1911. 
She  was  the  mother  of  ten  children,  namely: 
Clifford,  now  residing  at  Dixon\'ille,  this 
county,  who  married  Ellen  Clawson  and  has 
two  children;  Theodore:  Earl;  Ruth:  Car- 
rie; Carroll;  Frank;  Bessie:  Agnes,  and 
Olive. 

E.  M.  BUSHNELL,  M.  D..  of  Blacklick. 
Indiana  county,  is  one  of  the  county's  lead- 
ing young  physicians  aud  surgeons.  He  is 
a  native  of  the  State  of  Vermont,  born  at 
Williston  Feb.  3,  1877,  son  of  Nelson  and 
Sarah  (]\Iarrs)  Bushnell.  Dr.  Bushnell  is  a 
member  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  best-known 
families  of  New  England,  whose  members  have 
all  been  capable  and  useful  citizens  of  their 
various  communities. 

Dr.  Bushnell  obtained  his  elementary  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town, 
and  from  there  he  entered  Goddard  Seminary, 
at  Barre,  Vt.,  from  which  institution  he  was 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1899.  He  then  en- 
tered the  medical  department  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Vermont,  and  after  taking  the  full 
course  in  medicine  graduated  in  the  class  of 
1903.  Taking  up  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion in  I\Iassachusetts,  he  stayed  there  a  few 
months,  when  he  determined  to  come  West, 
and  he  located  at  Coral.  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  He 
practiced  for  three  years  here  with  Dr.  W. 
D.  Gates,  now  one  of  the  well-known  practi- 
tioners of  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  in  November, 
1906,  located  at  Blacklick,  in  Burrell  town- 
ship, establishing  an  office  of  his  own.  In  the 
six  years  he  has  been  there  he  has  built  up  a 
most  gratifying  practice.  He  is  energetic  and 
conscientious,  and  has  proved  a  most  skillful 
physician.  He  is  the  physician  for  the  Jose- 
phine Iron  Company,  where  he  has  an  office, 
and  where  he  has  an  assistant  for  his  work. 
His  general  pi-actice  takes  him  over  a  wide 
radius  of  territory.  He  is  popular,  genial  and 
greatly  respected  in  his  community.  He  takes 
a  deep  interest  in  public  schools  and  their 
improvement,  and  is  one  of  the  school  directors 
of  the  township  of  Burrell,  giving  much  of 
his  time  and  attention  to  that  interest.  Being 
public-spirited,  his  best  efforts  are  given  to  aid 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  the  benefit  of  his  town  and  county  and  their 
people,  but  he  is  not  an  office  seeker.  He 
votes  the  Repiiblican  ticket. 

Dr.  Bushnell  married  Winifred  Gerard,  of 
Burrell  township,  a  lady  of  refinement  and 
culture.  She  belongs '  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  I.  0. 
0.  F.  at  Blackliek,  and  also  a  member  of  the 
Woodmen  of  the  World,  for  which  he  is  medi- 
cal examiner.  He  is  medical  examiner  for 
several  insurance  organizations. 

HARRY  W.  TRUITT,  D.D.S.,  now  in  com- 
mand of  a  creditable  patronage  in  the  bor- 
ough of  Indiana,  is  a  splendid  type  of  the 
■  self-made  American.  He  has  made  his  way 
against  many  obstacles,which  makes  his  suc- 
cess the  more  notable  and  deserved.  Dr. 
Truitt  was  born  Jan.  23,  1878,  at  Truittsburg, 
Clarion  Co.,  Pa.,  which  place  was  named  in 
honor  of  his  father. 

George  Washington  Truitt,  the  Doctor's 
grandfather,  lived  and  died  in  Madison  town- 
ship, Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation.  He  married  Nancy  Coursin, 
who  was  of  Welsh  extraction,  and  they  had 
three  children,  all  sons,  namely:  Seth  C,  of 
Clarion  county;  Alcinus  Glen;  and  M.  M., 
of  Armstrong  county,  who  is  on  the  old  Truitt 
homestead  in  Madison  township. 

Alcinus  Glen  Triiitt.  son  of  George  W. 
Truitt,  was  bom  Jan.  30,  1844,  in  Madison 
township,  Armstrong  county,  and  there  spent 
his  boyhood.  He  obtained  his  early  education 
in  the  subscription  or  public  schools,  later  at- 
tended college,  and  taught  school  for  several 
years.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  14th  Pa. 
Cavalry,  and  served  during  the  war  till  its 
close.  After  his  marriage  he  located  at  the 
Truittsburg  settlement  in  Clarion  county. 
There  he  carried  on  a  general  store  in  part- 
nership with  his  brother  Seth  C,  the  firm  be- 
ing known  as  A.  G.  Truitt  &  Co.  He  was  one 
of  the  most  respected  and  popular  citizens 
in  that  section,  being  the  only  Republican 
justice  of  the  peace  there,  and  the  first  Re- 
publican ever  elected  to  that  office  in  Clarion 
county.  He  died  Feb.  2,  1885.  Mr.  Truitt 
was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  served  as  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school.  He  was  married  at  Oakland, 
Armstrong  county,  to  Jennie  E.  Corbett,  of 
that  county,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Lucinda 
(Mohney)  Corbett,  the  latter  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, who  came  to  the  United  States  in  girl- 
hood. Lewis  Corbett  was  of  Irish  origin,  his 
gi-eat-grandfather  being  the  first  of  the  family 
to  come  to  this  countrv.    After  Mr.  A.  G.  Tru- 


itt's  death  Mrs.  Truitt  returned,  with  her  only 
child,  Harry  W.,  to  her  old  home  in  Oakland. 
She  now  lives  with  him  in  the  borough  of  In- 
diana. 

Hariy  White  Truitt  was  but  seven  years  old 
when  his  father  died,  after  which,  until  he  was 
fourteen,  he  lived  in  Armstrong  county.  Af- 
ter his  grandfather's  death,  he  moved  with 
his  mother  to  Reynoldsville.  His  earliest  am- 
bition was  to  obtain  a  good  education,  and 
his  youth  was  one  continuous  struggle  toward 
that  end.  After  attending  several  elementary 
schools,  he  went  to  the  high  school  and  then  to 
the  DuBois  business  college.  At  the  age  of 
fourteen  he  became  "devil"  in  the  office  of 
the  Re.ynoldsville  Star,  and  was  the  first  boy 
to  hold  the  position  in  that  ofilce.  He  had  the 
honor  of  helping  to  put  the  Star  in  running. 
While  thus  engaged,  he  attended  night  school. 
Some  idea  of  the  untiring  efforts  and  the  sac- 
rifices he  made  to  continue  his  education  may 
be  gained  from  the  statement  that  while  he 
was  taking  his  business  course  at  DuBois  he 
made  the  round  trip  of  twenty  miles  daily  on 
an  old  bicycle,  because  he  could  not  afford 
to  pay  the  extra  board.  While  attending  the 
old  academy  at  New  Bethlehem,  he  had  to 
walk  three  miles  from  Oakland  each  way. 
He  took  private  lessons  in  Latin  and  German 
from  Hannah  Jane  Nickle,  of  Reynoldsville, 
where  she  had  a  five  and  ten  cent  store,  paying 
for  his  instruction  by  tending  to  her  store 
during  the  noon  hour.  He  pursued  his  pro- 
fessional course  at  the  Medico-Chirurgical  Col- 
lege. After  graduating  from  that  institution 
he  opened  an  office  in  New  Bethlehem,  and 
met  with  gratifying  success  while  located 
there,  but  in  June,  1906,  he  removed  to  In- 
diana, where  a  larger  field  was  opened  for  his 
efforts.  His  splendidly  equipped  offices  are 
in  the  Savings  &  Trust  Company's  building, 
and  his  beautiful  buff  brick  house  is  located 
on  South  Seventh  street.  Dr.  Truitt  is  not 
only  one  of  the  successful  dentists  of  the  bor- 
ough but  also  one  of  its  leading  citizens.  He 
stands  high  in  his  profession,  and  he  had  the 
honor  of  being  chosen  a  delegate  to  the  Re- 
publican national  convention  held  at  Chicago, 
and  later  as  a  Progressive  delegate  to  that 
city.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Steering  com- 
mittee at  the  last  State  convention  held  at 
Harrisburg,  and  was  chairman  of  the  Wash- 
ington party  of  Indiana  county,  until  his 
resignation. 

On  Oct.  4,  1900,  at  Reynoldsville,  Jefferson 
county.  Pa..  Dr.  Truitt  was  married  to  Maud 
R.  Riston,  of  Reynoldsville,  daughter  of  David 
W.  Riston.    They  have  four  children :    Harry 


986 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


W.,  Jr..  Julia  Marie,  Dorothy  Jane  and  Don 
A.  Dr.  Truitt  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church  at  New  Bethlehem,  and  his  wife  is  a 
Presbyterian. 

REV.  ANTHONY  BARON,  pastor  of  the 
Holy  Cross  Catholic  Church  at  Iselin,  Indi- 
ana county,  is  a  native  of  Silesia,  Prussian 
Poland,  born  April  18,  1873.  He  was  one 
of  the  twelve  children  born  to  Joseph  and 
Mary  (Serzysko)  Baron,  the  foi-mer  a  land 
owner  and  farmer  of  that  place.  All  of  this 
large  family  siu-vive. 

Father  Baron  obtained  his  early  education 
in  the  government  schools  of  his  native  place, 
and  thence  went  to  Rome,  where  he  prepared 
for  the  priesthood  at  the  Gregorian  Univer- 
sity, studying  theology  and  philosophy.  He 
was  ordained  in  1896  by  Bishop  Corsta,  of 
his  native  diocese,  after  which  he  spent  two 
years  as  assistant  at  home  and  also  traveled 
through  Russia.  Returning  to  Rome  he  re- 
mained there  four  years,  taking  up  the  study 
of  canon  law  and  Oriental  studies  in  the  St. 
Apollinaris  University,  completing  the  course 
in  1903.  in  which  year  he  came  to  America. 
He  became  assistant  priest  at  St.  Casimir's 
Polish  Catholic  Church  at  Johnstown,  Pa., 
in  the  Altoona  diocese,  and  was  later  ap- 
pointed pa.stor  at  St.  Stanislaus  Polish  Cath- 
olic Church  at  Boswell,  in  the  same  diocese, 
administering  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  that 
congi-egation  for  two  years.  He  then  went  to 
Rome  on  a  mission  to  the  Holy  See,  being  ab- 
sent a  year,  and  upon  his  return  to  this  coun- 
try became  assistant  to  Rev.  Father  Gorz>'n- 
ski.  at  St.  Adelbert  Church,  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
in  the  Pittsburg  diocese.  He  remained  there 
until  his  appointment,  in  January,  1911,  as 
pastor  of  the  Holy  Cross  Church  at  Iselin, 
where  he  has  been  located  ever  since.  There 
are  eight  hundred  memliers  in  this  congre- 
gation, of  different  nationalities,  iuclnding 
Poles,  Italians,  Huns  and  other  southern 
Europeans.  Father  Baron  celebrates  two 
masses  each  Sunday  and  holy  day,  and 
preaches  tliree  sei-mons.  one  in  English,  one 
in  Polish  and  one  in  Italian.  He  is  a  man 
of  scholarly  attainments,  especially  gifted  as 
a  linguist,  speaking  French,  Spanish,  Italian, 
Polish,  Russian.  German  and  English,  and  be- 
ing familiar  with  Greek  and  Latin  and  many 
of  the  Oriental  languages. 

During  his  residence  at  Iselin  Father  Baron 
has  done  inucli  toward  raising  the  moral 
standards  of  his  congregation,  encouraging 
them  to  the  practice  of  integrity,  honesty  and 
true  Cliristianity,  and  he  is  looked  up  to  by 


all  in  the  vicinity  who  have  come  in  contact 
with  him,  regardless  of  creed  or  class. 

Holy  Cross  parish  was  formed  in  1907.  A 
fine  church  and  rectory  have  been  built,  and 
missions  are  to  be  esta])lished  at  the  mining 
towns  of  Kent  and  Jacksonville.  Father 
Baron  is  energetic  and  possessed  of  marked 
executive  ability,  a  forceful  speaker,  and  is 
proving  a  strong  influence  for  good  in  the 
community  where  he  is  settled. 

THOMAS  CRAVEN,  one  of  the  oldest  resi- 
dents of  Indiana  county,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war.  and  owner  of  170  acre^  of  land  in 
White  township,  was  bom  in  Rayne  township, 
this  county,  Jul.y  20,  1826,  son  of  Nathaniel 
Simpson  Craven. 

Thomas  Craven,  the  grandfather,  married 
twice,  his  second  wife  being  a  Miss  Simpson, 
and  she  was  the  grandmother  of  Thomas 
Craven. 

Nathaniel  Simpson  Craven  was  born  in 
Cherrj'hill  township,  this  county,  in  1806,  and 
died  in  Canoe  township.  He  was  a  farmer  all 
his  life.  His  wife,  Rebecca  (Pollock),  was  a 
native  of  County  Derry,  Ireland,  and  children 
as  follows  were  born  of  this  marriage : 
Thomas;  ]\Iai'tha,  who  married  AVilliam  ]\Iitc!i- 
ell;  Robert,  who  married  Sarah  Joyant  af- 
ter going  to  some  Western  State ;  Rebecca, 
who  married  David  ]\Iitchell ;  and  David,  Lu- 
eiuda  and  Jane,  all  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 

Thomas  Craven  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  his  neighborhood,  and  when  still  a  lad  be- 
gan lumbering  and  did  considerable  rafting  on 
the  river.  In  the  summer  months  he  worked 
at  farming.  Believing  that  it  was  his  duty 
to  defend  his  country,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany A.  206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, in  1864,  and  sei-ved  until  the  close 
of  the  war,  having  been  an  able  and  efficient 
soldier. 

In  1881  Mr.  Craven  married  Martha  Colta- 
baugh.  who  was  born  Sept.  29,  1847,  in  Dun- 
cansville.  Pa.,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Mar- 
garet (Bertuette'i  Coltabausrh.  After  mar- 
riage ilr.  Craven  located  in  Washington  town- 
.ship.  but  later  bought  his  present  farm,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  The  large  coal  and  coke 
industries  of  Ernest  are  located  on  land  which 
was  formerly  attached  to  his  place.  He  is  a 
heavy  stockholder  in  the  company  controlling 
these  holdings,  and  their  present  development 
is  largely  due  to  his  business  entei-prise. 

:\rr.  and  Mrs.  Craven  have  had  the  follow- 
ing children  :  Annie  M..  living  with  her  par- 
ents; Aaron,  who  married  Mary  Hinton.  and 
is  living  in  White  township;  and  Catherine, 


HISTORY  OF  IxNTDIxySTA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


987 


at  home.  Mr.  Craven  is  independent  in  his 
political  views,  believing  in  electing  good  men 
to  office  without  regard  to  party  ties.  He  is 
very  liberal  in  his  religious  ideas,  x-ealizing 
that  each  man  must  work  out  his  own  plan 
of  salvation.  Having  always  been  a  man  of 
prominence  in  his  community,  he  has  taken 
part  in  many  public  affairs,  and  has  always 
maintained  the  full  confidence  and  respect  of 
his 


ANDREW  JACKSON  SMITH,  custom 
shoemaker,  of  Indiana,  Indiana  county,  has 
an  up-to-date  establishment  and  is  one  of  the 
most  reliable  men  in  his  line  in  this  section. 
He  is  a  native  of  the  county,  born  Oct.  27, 
1846,  at  Shelocta,  son  of  Aaron  Smith  and 
grandson  of  Jacob  Smith,  both  of  whom  were 
shoemakers.  The  grandfather  died  at  New 
Berlin,  Union  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

Aaron  Smith  was  born  at  New  Berlin, 
Union  county,  but  passed  the  greater  part  of 
his  life  at  Shelocta,  in  Indiana  county,  follow- 
ing his  trade  there.  He  was  married  in  this 
county  to  Elizabeth  Woodward,  who  died  at 
Shelocta,  the  mother  of  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Pauline,  Mrs.  Kauffman,  who  is  de- 
ceased ;  Andrew  Jackson ;  and  Edward,  now 
deceased,  who  was  only  in  his  sixteenth  year 
when  he  entered  the  service  with  his  brother 
Andrew  during  the  Civil  war.  For  his  sec- 
ond wife  Aaron  Smith  married  Margaret 
Sharp,  and  they  had  three  children:  J. 
Sharp,  now  of  Brookville,  Pa. ;  Clarence,  of 
Indiana  county.  Pa. ;  and  Hugh  M.  Mr. 
Smith  died  Oct.  19,  1898,  at  the  home  of  Mrs. 
Kauffman. 

Andrew  Jackson  Smith  grew  to  manhood  at 
Shelocta  and  there  obtained  his  education  in 
the  public  schools.  He  then  learned  his  trade 
under  the  instruction  of  his  father,  receiving 
a  very  thorough  training.  When  in  his  sev- 
enteenth year  he  enlisted  for  service  in  llie 
Union  army,  being  one  of  the  youngest  sol- 
diers that  went  into  the  field.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  G,  2d  Battalion,  57th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  six 
months  with  that  command,  after  which  he 
reenlisted  in  Company  A,  206th  Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment.  Upon  his  return  he  went  to 
work  at  Gettysburg,  Indiana  county,  at  his 
trade,  and  was  employed  there  until  1867, 
when  he  went  to  Kelleysburg,  this  county,  for 
a  period  of  three  years.  He  has  since  been  a 
resident  of  that  borough.  He  first  worked 
here  for  Samuel  Myers,  commencing  in  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account  in  1885.  His  orig- 
inal location  was  on  Philadelphia  street,  where 
Jordan's  shoe  store  is  at  present.    Thence  he 


moved  to  Carpenter  avenue,  thence  to  the 
Mitchell  building  on  Philadelphia  street,  and 
from  there  to  his  present  stand,  at  No.  24 
Carpenter  avenue.  He  does  custom  shoe  work, 
making  a  specialty  of  skillful  repairing,  and 
his  plant  is  well  equipped  with  modern  ma- 
chinery and  tools  for  carrying  on  this  work  in 
the  most  approved  manner.  He  has  prospered 
in  business  by  the  most  commendable  meth- 
ods, and  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  respected 
citizens  of  the  community  where  he  has  so 
long  resided. 

In  1874  Mr.  Smith  married  Lizzie  Myers,  of 
Indiana,  daughter  of  Samuel  Myers,  his 
former  employer.  Mrs.  Smith  died  in  1882, 
leaving  three  children:  Harry  E.,  who  is 
at  home ;  W.  Edward,  of  Indiana,  who  is  mar- 
ried to  Essie  Swarts ;  and  Mabel,  at  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  Smith  adheres  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Republican  party,  but  takes  no 
active  part  in  public  affairs. 

REV.  GEORGE  MacKINNY  RYALL,  pas- 
tor of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  bor- 
ough of  Saltsburg,  Indiana  county,  has  been 
serving  that  congregation  since  June,  1900. 
He  is  an  able  and  tireless  worker,  and  has 
accomplished  much  toward  bringing  the 
church  to  its  present  prosperous  condition. 

The  Ryall  family  came  from  New  Jersey 
but  has  long  been  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
Mr.  Ryall's  paternal  grandparents,  John  and 
Janet  (Bovard)  Ryall,  were  natives  of  West- 
moreland county,  iloving  west  to  Ashland 
county,  Ohio,  they  followed  farming  there, 
and  there  reared  their  family,  which  consisted 
of  eight  children.  Grandfather  Ryall  died  at 
the  age  of  seventy-nine  years,  his  wife  living 
to  the  age  of  eighty-seven. 

Oliver  Bovard  Ryall,  father  of  Rev.  George 
M.  Ryall,  was  born  June  3,  1835,  in  Ashland 
county,  Ohio.  When  a  young  man  he  became 
the  representative  of  a  publishing  house  deal- 
ing in  school  books,  and  while  thus  engaged 
■met  his  future  wife.  Margaret  A.  Lafferty,  wlio 
at  the  time  was  teaching  the  Millwood  school, 
in  Derry  township.  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa. 
She  was  a  native  of  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  where 
her  father  John  Pettit  Lafferty  was  also  born 
(in  1800),  her  mother  Mary  (McCurdy).  be- 
ing a  native  of  Westmoreland  county,  John 
Pettit  Lafferty  was  born  in  1800  on  a  farm 
four  miles  from  Salt.sburg,  Pa.  Early  in  his 
married  life  he  moved  to  Jacksonville,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  engaged  in  merchandising, 
was  postmaster,  and  justice  of  the  peace  for 
twenty-five  years.  It  was  through  his  influ- 
ence that  Jacksonville  became  a  borough.  He 
was  also  one  of  the  promoters  of  the  Jack- 


988 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


sonville  Academy,  a  famous  school  in  its  day, 
and  served  as  one  of  its  trustees  as  long  as  it 
existed.  He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-four 
years,  his  wife  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight. 
They  had  a  family  of  six  children.  Four  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oliver  B. 
Ryall:  George  MacKinny  was  the  eldest: 
Wallace  Wilberforee,  born  Aug.  17,  1874,  in 
Jacksonville,  Indiaia  county,  now  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  medicine  at  Youngstown,  Ohio, 
married  Emma  Vernon  Stewart,  of  Pittsburg, 
and  they  have  two  children,  Margaret  and 
"Wallace ;  Janet  Annie,  born  Dec.  26,  1876,  at 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  is  the  wife  of  Harry  Woods 
Grier,  who  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Second  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Pittsburg,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Janet  Ryall  and  Robert  Jeff  ry ;  John 
Milton,  born  Oct.  27,  1879,  now  engaged  with 
the  National  Life  Insurance  Company  of  Ver- 
mont at  Pittsburg,  married  Catherine  P. 
Stahl,  of  Homestead,  Pa.,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren, John  M.  and  Catherine  Elizabeth. 

George  MacKinny  Ryall  was  born  July  12, 
1872,  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  and  received  his  early 
education  there  in  the  Twentieth  ward  pub- 
lic school.  Later  he  entered  the  Central  high 
school,  took  his  collegiate  course  at  Washing- 
ton and  Jefferson  College,  Washington,  Pa.,  in 
the  class  of  1895.  and  prepared  for  the  min- 
istry' at  the  Western  Theological  Seminary, 
North  Side,  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  gi-aduating  in 
May,  1898.  His  first  call  was  to  West  Eliza- 
beth, Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  remained 
as  pastor  for  three  years,  from  there  coming 
to  Saltsburg  in  June,  1900.  His  labors  in  his 
present  field  are  heavy,  the  church  having  a 
membership  of  563,  and  his  intelligent,  con- 
scientious work  has  won  the  approbation  of 
all  classes  in  the  borough,  regardless  of  de- 
nomination. 

Mr.  Ryall  was  married  Sept.  6,  1901,  to 
Katherine  IMorrison  Howard,  of  Pittsburg, 
•  daughter  of  William  N.  and  Katherine  W. 
Howard,  who  had  a  family  of  five  children. 
l\Ir.  Howard  is  an  iron  broker  in  Pittsburg. 

He  is  the  eldest  son  of  Rev.  William  D. 
Howard,  D.  D.,  for  twenty-seven  years  the 
well-known  and  dearly  beloved  pastor  of  the 
Second   Presbyterian    Church    of    Pittsburg. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ryall  have  had  one  chikl. 
William  Howard,  bom  Aug.  17,  1904. 

JOHN  SMITH  ROSS,  an  undertaker  and 
mill  owner  of  Richmond,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  in  Winslow  township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa., 
Feb.  27,  1860. 

Robert  Ross,  grandfather  of  John  Smith 
Ross,  was  born  in  Ireland,  but  came  of  Scotch 


ancestrj-.  In  young  manhood,  he  left  his  na- 
tive land  for  America,  and  located  on  a  farm 
near  Strattonville,  Clarion  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he 
married  a  iliss  McKinley,  of  that  locality, 
and  to  them  were  born  the  following  children : 
James,  Dina,  Mary,  Nancy,  William,  Mar- 
gret,  Joseph,  Jane,  Robert,  and  IMartha.  He 
remarried  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  and 
to  the  second  union  was  born  a  son,  named 
John.    He  died  Aug.  5,  1861. 

Robert  Ross,  son  of  Robert  Ross,  and  father 
of  John  Smith  Ross,  was  born  in  Clarion 
countj^.  Pa.,  June  15,  1825.  Owing  to  the 
conditions  of  his  time  and  lo(?ality,  his  educa- 
tional advantages  were  limited  to  those  af- 
forded at  the  subscription  school  which  he  at- 
tended a  few  mouth.s  during  the  winter  season, 
his  time  being  otherwise  occupied  mth  assist- 
ing his  father  in  the  work  on  the  farm.  In 
early  manhood  he  went  to  Winslow  township, 
Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  married  Polly  Me- 
Creight,  daughter  of  Andrew  McCreight,  a 
pioneer  settler  of  Jefferson  county,  and  be- 
came a  farmer  and  lumbennan.  In  1864  he 
sold  his  faimi  in  Winslow  township,  and  set- 
tled in  East  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  where  he  bought  what  was  known  as  the 
John  Bovard  farm.  Here  Mr.  Ross  lived  for 
fourteen  years,  carrying  on  farming  and  stock 
raising.  In  1878  he  left  the  farm,  locating 
in  Indiana,  where  on  Nov.  12,  1878,  he  died : 
his  remains  were  interred  in  Oakland  ceme- 
tery. Twentj^-eight  years  latei',  on  Dec.  26. 
1906,  his  widow  died,  aud  her  body  was  in- 
terred by  his  side.  From  the  time  of  the 
formation  of  the  Republican  party  iintil  his 
demise  Mr.  Ross  heartily  supported  its  prin- 
ciples and  candidates,  and  was  an  honorable 
and  upright  man,  in  political  as  well  as  busi- 
ness affairs.  The  United  Presbyterian  Church 
held  his  membership  and  received  his  gener- 
ous support.  The  children  of  Mr.  and  ]\Irs. 
Ross  are:  Thomas  M.,  born  March  5,  1855. 
resides  at  Mechanicsburg,  Pa.:  Annie,  born 
Sept.  5,  1857,  married  James  M.  ]\IcCall,  and 
resides  at  Falls  Creek,  Pa. :  John  Smith  was 
born  Feb.  27,  1860;  Adda  B.,  bom  Nov.  10, 
1862,  married  Beniwel  Houffh,  of  Prescott- 
ville,  Pa. ;  and  Abram  B.,  born  Sept.  25,  1865, 
i-esides  at  DuBois.  Pennsylvania. 

John  Smith  Ross,  son  of  Robert  and  Polly 
Ross,  was  but  four  years  of  age  when  the  fam- 
ily came  to  East  Mahoning  township,  so  that 
he  was  practically  reared  in  this  locality.  In 
young  manhood  he  took  up  the  profession 
of  school  teaching,  which  he  followed  about 
Iwenty  years.  In  1888.  he  settled  in  Rich- 
mond.  Grant  township,  where  he  became  a 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


989 


general  merchant  in  partnership  with  Josiah 
Widdowson,  under  the  firm  name  of  Wid- 
dowson  &  Ross.  Four  years  later  he  became 
a  commercial  traveler  for  George  A.  Horn 
&  Co.,  of  Newark,  N.  Y.,  operating  in  New 
York  State  and  Michigan,  and  was  thus  en- 
gaged several  years.  In  1903  he  associated 
himself  with  J.  C.  Weaver;  under  the  name 
of  Weaver  &  Ross,  in  an  undertaking  busi- 
ness, which  still  continues,  and  in  which  he 
has  acquired  the  reputation  of  being  a  fun- 
eral director  and  embalmer  of  more  than  or- 
dinary ability.  In  1912  Mr.  Ross  formed  a 
partnership  with  John  A.  Nolf,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  buying  the  Patchen  Roller  Flouring 
Mill,  now  operated  under  the  name  of  Savan 
Roller  Mills.  This  plant  is  equipped  with 
both  water  and  steam  power,  with  a  capacity 
of  forty  barrels  of  flour  per  day.  Mr.  Ross 
and  his  partner  are  now  engaged  in  operating 
their  milling  plant  with  very  gi'atifying  re- 
sults. 

In  addition  to  the  activities  heretofore  men- 
tioned, Mr.  Ross  was  engaged  during  the  years 
1903  and  1904  in  leasing  and  developing  the 
coal  interests  in  South  Mahoning  township. 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  in  Cowanshannock  and 
Plumcreek  townships,  in  Armstrong  county. 
Pa.  During  this  time  the  Buffalo  and  Sus- 
quehanna Company  bought  on  options  taken 
by  Mr.  Ross  over  seven  thousand  acres  of  coal 
lands,  and  the  Buffalo,  Rochester  and  Pitts- 
burg Company  bought  1,734  acres. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Ross  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and 
a  Mason,  a  member  of  Indiana  Lodge,  No. 
313.  F.  &  A.  M.  During  all  the  years  of  his 
manhood,  he  has  been  a  stanch  Republican, 
has  served  his  township  in  the  capacity  of 
school  director  for  nine  years  and  is  at  pres- 
ent secretary  of  the  board.  Like  his  father 
he  is  a  Presbyterian,  belonging  to  the  ITnited 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Richmond,  and  is 
serving  that  body  as  an  elder,  while  for  some 
time  he  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Sab- 
bath school. 

Mr.  Ross  was  married  (first)  in  1891  to 
Electa  L.  Widdowson,  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Louisa  Widdowson,  a  history  of  whose 
family  is  to  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
Two  daughters  were  liorn  to  this  union :  Lu- 
cile.  born  Feb.  19,  1896,  and  Louise,  bom 
April  26,  1907.  Mrs.  Ross  died  May  17,  1907. 
In  1912  Mr.  Ross  married  (second")  ]\Trs.  Flora 
(Hamilton')  Schrecengost,  daushter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Lena  Hamilton,  of  South  Mahoning 
township.  By  her  first  husband.  Park  Schre- 
cengost, she  had  two  children,  Lena  and  Vir- 
ginia.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ross  have  no  children. 


Mr.  Ross  is  one  of  the  most  progressive 
men  of  his  township,  possessing  an  unusual 
degree  of  ability.  A  man  of  domestic  tastes, 
he  takes  his  pleasure  in  his  family  circle, 
and  is  proud  of  his  home  and  surroundings. 
Such  a  man  is  a  credit  to  his  community  and 
to  his  own  individual  efforts. 

JAMES  SID  WELL  GETTY,  a  farmer  and 
stock  raiser  of  Conemaugh  township,  was  born 
Feb.  28,  1851,  in  that  township,  on  the  old 
homestead  of  his  father,  James  Getty. 

Andrew  Getty  was  the  great-grandfather 
of  James  S.  Getty,  and  was  a  native  of  Ire- 
land. 

James  Getty,  son  of  Andrew  Getty,  settled 
on  Blacklegs  creek,  in  Conemaugh  township, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  about  two  miles  from  Clarks- 
burg, on  a  large  tract  of  land  opposite  the 
present  election  house,  on  the  road  between 
Saltsburg  and  Clarksburg.  There  he  followed 
farming  and  stock  raising  with  good  results, 
and  rounded  out  a  successful  life,  at  the  time 
of  his  death  holding  the  full  confidence  and 
respect  of  his  associates.  He  married  Pru- 
dence Green,  and  they  had  children  as  fol- 
lows: James;  Andrew,  who  married  Mar- 
garet G.  Henderson  and  (second)  Jane 
(Deane)  Kelley,  widow  of  Albert  Kelley  (he 
liad  six  children  by  his  first  marriage)  ;  and 
Catherine,  who  married  Archibald  Temple-, 
ton,  a  brick  manufacturer  of  Saltsburg. 

James  Getty,  son  of  James  Getty,  and 
father  of  James  S.  Getty,  was  born  Jan.  6, 
1823,  in  Conemaugh  township,  and  died  June 
6.  1903.  He  attended  the  subscription  schools 
of  the  period.  Before  he  attained  his  major- 
ity he  went  to  Ohio,  but  returned  after  a 
short  stay  and  began  boating  on  the  canal, 
owning  in  con.iunction  with  John  Elder  the 
"Sciota,"  a  section  boat.  This  they  ran  from 
Philadelphia  to  Pittsburg.  Mr.  Getty  being 
the  captain.  In  1848  their  business  had  so 
increased  as  to  justify  his  buying  the  Alex 
Templeton  farm.  This  property  comprised 
150  acres  of  good  land,  and  he  began  oper- 
ating it  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser. 
He  became  interested  in  the  diseases  of  ani- 
mals, and  studied  veterinaiw  surgery  under  a 
Mr.  Hickey,  of  Westmoreland  county.  So 
skilled  did  he  become  that  his  services  were 
called  for  by  outsiders,  and  he  soon  had  a 
large  practice,  extending  over  several  coun- 
ties. 

Wben  the  country  had  need  of  his  services 
Mr.  Getty  enlisted  in  Company  C.  4th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Cavalry,  in  September, 
1864,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 


990 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


participating  in  the  battles  of  Hatcher's  Run 
and  Five  Forks,  besides  minor  engagements, 
and  was  present  at  the  surrender  at  Appo- 
mattox. 

First  a  Republican,  he  later  changed  his 
political  views  and  died  a  Democrat.  For 
many  years  he  was  a  prominent  figure  in 
township  affairs,  and  served  as  school  director, 
overseer  of  the  poor  and  supervisor.  Until 
1890  he  continued  his  fanning  and  profes- 
sional work,  and  subsequently  lived  retired. 
He  was  laid  to  rest  beside  his  wife  in  Edge- 
wood  cemetery,  at  Saltsburg,  Pennsylvania. 

James  Getty  married  Anna  Elder  Tem- 
pleton,  who  was  born  March  26,  1820,  daugh- 
ter of  Alex  and  Anna  (Marshall)  Templeton, 
and  died  Feb.  23,  1899.  They  had  two  chil- 
dren :  Alex  Templeton,  who  was  born  Nov. 
20,  1847,  and  died  Oct.  27,  1863 ;  and  James 
Sidwell. 

James  Sidwell  Getty  was  born  in  a  log 
house  on  his  father's  homestead  and  brought 
up  amid  primitive  conditions  that  helped  to 
strengthen  his  character  and  teach  him  habits 
of  thrift  and  industry  which  have  continued 
with  him  through  life.  In  boyhood  he  at- 
tended the  common  schools  of  District  No.  8. 
and  later  went  to  Saltsburg  academy.  Fol- 
lowing this  he  taught  school  for  six  terms  in 
Conemaugh  township.  Having  earned  suffi- 
cient money,  he  took  a  course  of  one  term  at 
the  Indiana  normal,  and  a  commercial  course 
in  the  Spencerian  business  college  at  Cleve- 
land, Ohio.  Returning  home,  he  taught  school 
from  1880  to  1888  in  Conemaugh  township, 
and  afterward  bought  the  homestead  of  his 
father.  During  the  aged  father's  last  years 
Mr.  Getty  and  his  wife  took  care  of  him  and 
made  him  comfortable  with  filial  devotion. 
The  valuable  property  owned  by  ^Ir.  Getty  is 
underlaid  with  a  rich  vein  of  coal,  now  owned 
by  the  Mitchell -Watson  Company.  Mr.  Getty 
is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  and 
has  met  with  fair  success  in  most  of  his  ven- 
tures. A  Democrat  politically,  he  has  been 
called  upon  to  serve  as  school  director,  and 
has  also  been  township  auditor,  assessor  and 
supervisor,  administering  the  affairs  of  tliese 
offices  creditably. 

On  Dee.  23,  1886,  Mr.  Getty  was  married  to 
Mary  Elizabeth  Rose,  daughter  of  George  and 
Lucinda  (Alter)  Rose.  Six  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Getty,  five  of  whom 
survive:  Anna  May,  who  is  a  gradiiate  of 
the  Indiana  normal  school,  class  of  1909,  is 
now  teaching  at  "Wilmerding,  Pa. ;  Ben.iamin 
died  in  infancy ;  Sarnh  Rose,  who  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  Inrliiuia  normal  in  1911,  is  now 


teaching  at  Saltsburg  Extension,  after  having 
taught  one  term  in  the  district  schools  and  one 
term  in  Lyman  county,  S.  Dak. ;  ]Maiy  El- 
vira is  attending  the  Indiana  normal;  AUce 
Glyndon  and  Thelma  Theodora  are  attending 
school. 

Mr.  Getty  has  gone  into  the  cultivation  of 
the  soil  and  the  kindred  lines  of  work  sensibly, 
with  a  due  appi'cciation  of  the  relative  merits 
of  intensive  farming  and  the  utilization  of 
modern  machinery.  As  a  result,  with  but 
little  more  outlay,  and  in  less  time  than  be- 
fore, he  is  able  to  accomplish  many  things 
that  were  impossible  in  the  earlier  days.  In 
his  career  he  demonstrates  that  there  are  as 
good,  if  not  better,  openings  for  j'oung  men 
in  agricultural  sections  as  in  cities,  and  his 
example  ought  to  prove  beneficial  in  inducing 
more  men  to  embrace  agriculture  as  a  life 
calling. 

RICHARD  WILLIAMS,  who  is  engaged 
in  general  farming  at  Grisemore,  in  Green 
township,  is  a  son  of  William  M.  Williams,  a 
retired  farmer,  also  living  at  Grisemore.  The 
Williams  family  is  of  Welsh  origin  and  has 
been  settled  in  this  part  of  Indiana  county 
since  the  first  half  of  the  last  century. 

Richard  W.  Williams,  great-grandfather  of 
Richard  Williams,  was  born  in  1796  on  the 
island  of  Anglesea,  Wales,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1832,  first  settling  in  ]\Iadison 
county,  N.  Y.  He  then  moved  to  Pittsburg, 
Pa.,  living  in  AUeghen.v  county  for  six  j'ears, 
and  thence,  in  1845,  came  to  Indiana  county, 
settling  in  Green  township,  on  the  place  where 
his  grandson  William  M.  Williams  now  lives. 
There  he  remained  until  his  death,  in  1876.  in 
his  eighty-first  year.  He  was  one  of  the  men 
interested  in  the  establishment  of  a  Welsh 
Church  and  Sunday  school  in  the  vicinity.  Py 
his  first  wife,  Jane  (Davis),  he  had  a  family 
of  seven  children,  six  sons  and  one  daughter, 
all  born  in  Wales,  and  all  of  whom  came  to 
this  country.  For  his  second  wife  he  married 
Sarah  James,  of  Pittsburg,  a  native  of  Wales, 
wlio  is  deceased. 

William  R.  Williams,  son  of  Richard  W. 
and  Jane  (Davis)  AYilliams,  was  born  in  1814 
in  Wales,  and  was  quite  young  when  brought 
to  this  country.  He  came  with  his  father  to 
Indiana  county,  and  continued  to  live  here 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  16.  1905. 
In  1836  he  married  Elizabeth  ^Torris.  also  a 
native  of  Wales,  born  in  1816.  who  was  but  a 
child  when  she  came  to  America  with  her  par- 
ents, Robert  Morris  and  his  wife.  Robert, 
]\Torris  was  a  native  of  North  Wales.     I^pon 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


991 


his  arrival  in  this  country  he  first  settled  in 
Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  later,  in  1840,  settling 
in  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  where  he  made  his 
home  in  Green  township,  conducting  a  saw- 
mill for  some  time  and  subsequently  devoting 
himself  to  farming,  which  he  carried  on  the 
rest  of  his  life.  His  family  consisted  of  seven 
children.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Morris)  Williams 
died  March  19,  1903.  She  was  the  mother  of 
nine  children,  the  eldest  dying  in  infancy; 
William  M.  is  mentioned  below ;  Robert  is  de- 
ceased (he  was  in  the  Union  service  through- 
out the  Civil  war,  serving  in  Company  A, 
67th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  was 
captured,  and  was  confined  in  Libby  prison 
and  at  Andereonville)  ;  Jane  became  the  wife 
of  Thomas  Walter,  of  Venango  county,  Pa., 
and  both  are  deceased ;  Maiy,  deceased,  was 
the  wife  of  Henry  Kelly,  of  Pine  Flats,  this 
county,  who  survives;  Richard  is  deceased; 
Elizabeth  married  Hugh  Williams  and  is  de- 
ceased; two  died  in  infancy. 

William  M.  Williams  was  a  boy  when 
the  family  came  to  Indiana  county  in  1845, 
and  he  received  a  public  school  education  in 
Green  township.  From  an  early  age  he  as- 
sisted with  the  farm  work  and  lumbering, 
and  during  several  j^ears  of  his  young  man- 
hood conducted  a  water  mill  in  this  county 
which  he  bought  from  his  grandfather. 
Later,  with  his  father  and  brother  Robert,  he 
bought  a  steam  mill  with  which  he  was  con- 
nected for  over  forty  years,  and  which  was 
conducted  by  William  R.  Williams  &  Sons. 
Meantime  he  had  also  become  interested  in 
farming,  which  he  continued  until  his  decease 
on  Jan.  28,  1913,  on  the  old  homestead  near 
Grisemore.  Though  never  a  seeker  after  pub- 
lic honors  or  office  Mr.  Williams  was  willing 
to  do  his  duty  as  a  citizen,  and  he  was  some 
years  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Pine 
township,  serving  several  years  as  president 
of  that  body. 

On  Dec.  31,  1861,  Mr.  Williams  was  mar- 
ried in  Pittsburg  to  Sarah  Jones,  who  was 
born  in  that  city  Aug.  3.  1841,  daughter  of 
John  D.  and  Jane  Jones.  Her  father  was  a 
native  of  South  Wales,  and  after  coming  to 
America  lived  in  Pittsburg  until  his  removal 
to  Indiana  county,  where  he  bought  land  and 
engaged  in  farming  until  his  death.  He  had  a 
family  of  six  children,  of  whom  Sarah  (Mrs. 
Williams)  and  Jane  (wife  of  David  Oldham 
of  Beaver  City,  Pa.)  are  now  the  only  sur- 
vivors. 

Nine  children  were  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Williams:  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Arthur  Jones, 
of  Barnesboro,  Pa.,  has  one  child,  Ethel ;  John 


J.,  who  lives  in  this  county,  married  Eliza- 
beth Martin,  daughter  of  John  Martin,  of  In- 
diana county,  and  they  have  four  children, 
John  M.,  William  Hay,  Sarah  J.  and  George 
M.;  Mollie  is  the  wife  of  G.  M.  Joiner,  of 
Grisemore;  Richard  is  mentioned  below; 
Jane,  William  W.  and  Margaret  are  at  home ; 
Emma  died  when  seventeen  years  old  ;  Mariam 
died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Williams  was  a  member 
of  the  Nebo  Presbyterian  Church  at  Grise- 
more, to  which  his  wife  also  belongs,  and 
helped  to  build  the  present  edifice;  he  was 
serving  as  elder  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Richard  Williams  was  born  Sept.  25,  1868, 
in  Pine  township,  this  county,  and  there 
spent  his  boyhood  on  the  farm,  assisting  his 
father  with  the  agricultural  work  and  lumber- 
ing, as  well  as  in  the  mill.  In  1897  he  moved 
to  Grisemore,  and  here  he  has  carried  on  gen- 
eral farming,  having  110  acres.  He  is  one  of 
the  most  highly  respected  citizens  of  the 
neighborhood. 

On  Dec.  24,  1896,  Mr.  Williams  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Florence  Bennett,  a  native  of 
Pine  township,  and  they  have  had  two  daugh- 
ters, Emma  Mae  and  Mary  Wilda.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Williams  are  prominent  membere  of  the 
Nebo  Presbyterian  Church  at  Grisemore,  and 
he  is  serving  at  present  as  trustee  of  the 
church  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school.  He  also  takes  considerable  interest  in 
public  matters  of  local  importance,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  present  board  of  school  direc- 
tors of  Green  township.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Prohibitionist. 

John  Bennett,  Mrs.  Williams's  paternal 
great-grandfather,  was  a  native  of  London, 
England.  His  son  Michael  Bennett,  grand- 
father of  Mrs.  Williams,  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  was  an  early  settler  in  Indiana 
county,  making  a  location  in  Buffington  town- 
ship, where  he  remained  until  his  death.  His 
wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Strong,  was 
of  German  ancestry.  Of  their  sons.  Abraham, 
Peter  and  William  served  in  the  Civil  war; 
William,  a  resident  of  Clearfield  county.  Pa., 
and  George,  of  Johnstown,  Pa.,  are  now  the 
onlv  survivors. 

Jacob  S.  Bennett,  father  of  Mrs.  Williams, 
was  born  Nov.  29,  1838,  in  Indiana  county, 
and  was  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering 
here,  also  conducting  a  hotel  in  Vintondale 
for  some  time  ;  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was 
operating  a  flourmill  known  as  the  Wliite  Mill, 
in  Cambria  county,  having  been  thus  engaged 
three  years.  Mr.  Bennett  was  twice  married, 
his  first  wife,  Evannah  (Adams),  being  the 
mother  of  five  children:    Franklin,  Amanda, 


992 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Emily,  Daniel  and  William.  His  second  wife, 
Rebecca  (Downing),  was  born  Feb.  14,  1840, 
in  Blair  count.y.  Pa.,  where  the  marriage  took 
place,  the  couple  coming  at  once  to  Indiana 
county,  where  they  made  their  home  in  Pine 
township.  Her  father,  James  Downing,  was 
born  in  Blair  county.  Pa.,  and  was  of  Irish 
descent.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Chris- 
topher Rhodes,  a  native  of  Germany,  who 
came  to  America  when  twelve  years  old  with 
ten  other  members  of  the  family,  was  mar- 
ried in  Northumberland  county.  Pa.,  and  was 
the  father  of  ten  children.  He  was  a  farmer. 
In  his  later  years  he  lived  in  Blair  county,  and 
at  the  time  of  his  death  was  a  resident  of  Mor- 
risons Cove,  that  county.  He  lived  to  an  ad- 
vanced age. 

By  his  second  marriage  Jacob  S.  Bennett 
had  four  children.  He  died  Jan.  16,  1907,  his 
wife  Rebecca  passing  away  Feb.  7,  1912. 
Of  his  nine  children,  Franklin  lives  in  Cam- 
bria county.  Pa. ;  Amanda  is  the  wife  of  Hugh 
Marsh,  of  Cambria  county ;  Emily  is  the  wife 
of  Emanuel  Stiles,  of  Cambria  count.y;  Wil- 
liam S.  died  Feb.  4,  1912 ;  Mary  Florence  is 
the  wife  of  Richard  Williams;  Martha  is 
the  wife  of  Frederick  Roehm,  a  resident  of  Du- 
Bois,  Pa. ;  Joseph  Downing  lives  at  Vinton- 
dale;  Dora  ]\Iay  is  the  wife  of  W.  S.  Griffith, 
a  resident  of  Lucerne,  in  Center  township. 

ELSWORTH  BROWN  CAMPBELL,  mer- 
chant of  Indiana  borough  and  also  interested 
in  other  local  enterprises,  has  been  a  resident 
of  that  place  since  1903  and  actively  asso- 
ciated with  its  biisiness  life  since  that  tim.e. 
He  was  born  Dee.  18,  1861,  in  Jefferson 
county.  Pa.,  son  of  James  T.  and  Joannie 
(Shields)  Campbell,  both  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  of  Scotch-Irish  and  German  parent- 
age, respectively.  Hugh  Campbell,  the  gi-and- 
father,  was  born  in  Scotland,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  when  a  young  man. 

James  T.  Campbell  was  a  painter  by  trade. 
In  1861  he  enlisted  at  Brookville,  Pa.,  for 
sei'vice  in  the  Civil  war,  remaining  in  the 
army  almost  four  years  and  taking  part  in 
many  of  the  hard-fought  battles  of  the  war. 
He  had  the  good  fortune  never  to  be  wounded 
or  captured.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he 
returned  home  and  resumed  work  at  his  trade. 
He  married  Joannie  Shields,  whose  father, 
John  B.  Shields,  was  bora  in  the  North  of 
Ireland  and  came  to  the  I^'nited  States  in 
young  manhood,  locating  in  Jefferson  county, 
Pa.,  where  he  followed  farming.  Mr.  Shields 
was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
He    married    Catherine    Edmonds,    and    they 


had  children  as  follows:  John,  Thomas,  Al- 
vin,  Joana,  Abigail  and  Sarah,  and  two  that 
died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell  were 
Ihe  parents  of  five  children,  namely:  Elsworth 
B. ;  ilinerva  Catharine ;  Charles  0. ;  John  L., 
and  Mamie,  wife  of  Charles  Clark.  The  par- 
ents were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and 
Mr.  Campbell  belonged  to  the  G.  A.  R. 

Elsworth  B.  Campbell  attended  public 
school  in  his  native  county  and  later  went  to 
liusiness  college  at  Bradford,  Pa.  But  he 
had  to  rely  on  his  own  resources  from  an 
early  age,  and  when  a  lad  of  fifteen  went  to 
Brookville  to  work.  Wliatever  schooling  he 
received  afterward  was  obtained  by  economy 
and  his  ovm  efforts.  For  six  years  he  worked 
in  the  sawmill  of  E.  B.  Cartwright  &  Co., 
during  the  last  three  years  of  that  period  be- 
ing foreman.  He  then  became  filer  of  the 
gang  saws,  being  thus  employed  for  one  year. 
The  next  two  years  he  was  engaged  in  cutting 
lumber  on  contract  for  Robert  Hamilton.  He 
then  bought  a  piece  of  land  and  did  contract- 
ing of  various  kinds,  also  engaging  in  the 
general  mercantile  business,  and  continued  in 
this  way  for  about  ten  years.  In  April,  1903. 
he  moved  to  the  borough  of  Indiana,  where 
he  has  since  carried  on  his  business  activities. 
For  one  year  he  was  in  the  real  estate  and 
lumber  business,  in  whicli  he  had  an  exten- 
sive patronage.  Then  he  embarked  in  the  re- 
tail coal  business,  also  dealing  in  sand  and 
brick,  and  he  has  built  up  a  flourishing  cus- 
tom in  these  lines.  For  eleven  years  he  had  a 
general  store  at  Eleanor,  Jefferson  coiinty, 
and  for  four  years  was  in  that  business  at 
Indiana,  and  he  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
progressive  merchants  of  the  locality,  one  who 
can  be  depended  upon  to  give  satisfaction  in 
the  commodities  he  handles  and  his  methods 
of  transacting  business.  In  1907  Mr.  Camp- 
bell bought  the  old  IMorehead  farm  adjacent 
to  and  west  of  Indiana  borough,  one  of  the 
oldest  farm  properties  in  the  county.  The 
house  on  this  tract,  an  old  stone  fort,  will  be 
specially  referred  to  in  the  general  history, 
and  is  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  years 
old:  the  pioneers  at  one  time  took  shelter  in 
it  when  fighting  the  Indians  which  molested 
the  settlers  at  the  early  day  when  it  was  first 
occupied.  Much  of  this  farm,  being  low,  was 
swampy  when  ]\Ir.  Campbell  took  possession, 
but  bA-  drainage  and  judicioiis  improving  he 
has  brought  it  into  a  valuable  state  of  culti- 
vation, and  it  is  now  one  of  the  most  desir- 
able farm  holdings  in  the  county.  IMr.  Camp- 
bell has  become  financially  interested  in  sev- 
eral important  business  concerns  in  Indiana. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


993 


among  other  things  being  a  stockholder  in 
the  Citizens'  National  Bank,  which  he  serves 
as  director.  He  is  regarded  as  one  of  the 
substantial  men  of  the  borough,  one  who  can 
be  depended  upon  to  advance  her  prosperity 
by  every  commendable  means.  He  is  well 
known  in  local  fraternal  bodies,  being  a  mem- 
ber of  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  I.  0.  0.  F., 
Knights  of  Pythias  and  Sons  of  Veterans.  In 
religious  connection  he  belongs  to  the  Presby- 
terian Church. 

In  1893  Mr.  Campbell  married  Anna  Reed, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Reed,  and  they  have  two 
children,  J.  Elsworth  and  L.  DeLoss. 

JAMES  GABLE  FLEMING,  who  is  par- 
ticularly well  known  in  Indiana  as  the  pro- 
moter of  the  south  extension  of  that  borough, 
known  as  the  Fleming  extension,  is  develop- 
ing one  of  the  prosperous  residence  sections 
of  this  place.  Formerly  he  was  for  some  years 
a  merchant  of  Indiana,  and  in  every  business 
association  he  has  made  a  name  for  honorable 
dealing  and  reliability  which  reflects  credit 
upon  his  character  and  methods.  He  is  a  na- 
tive of  Armstrong  county,  Pa.,  born  in  1837 
at  Woodard's  Mill,  son  of  James  and  May 
Fleming. 

Thomas  Fleming,  his  grandfather,  was  born 
in  Huntingdon  county,  this  State,  and  his 
wife,  Bettie  (Marton),  was  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, coming  to  the  United  States  with  her 
parents  when  a  little  girl.  Mr.  and  IMrs. 
Thomas  Fleming  were  both  of  Scotch-Irish 
parentage.  In  1818  he  settled  in  Indiana 
county.    He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 

James  Fleming,  son  of  Thomas,  was  born 
in  Huntingdon  county  and  lived  in  Indiana 
county  among  the  early  settlers.  He  was  a 
machinist  by  trade,  engaged  in  farming  to 
some  extent,  and  was  also  in  the  flourmilling 
business,  being  a  part  owner  of  the  first  flour- 
mill  in  Armstrong  coimty.  During  the  for- 
ties he  was  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
militia.  His  children  were :  Elizabeth  A., 
wife  of  David  Hill;  John;  Thomas;  James 
Gable ;  William ;  May  A.,  wife  of  Israel 
Thomas ;  and  Charlotte,  wife  of  George  Cline. 
The  father  of  this  family  died  in  1891,  the 
mother  surviving  until  1902 ;  she  was  ninety- 
two  years  old.  They  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

James  Gable  Fleming  obtained  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools,  later  becoming 
a  pupil  at  the  Indiana  academy  and  the  Glade 
Run  academy.  For  about  six  years  he  taught 
school,  being  engaged  in  Indiana.  Armstrong 
and   Westmoreland   counties.     Meantime   he 


had  commenced  farming  on  his  own  account, 
and  he  followed  that  calling  for  about  thirty 
years.  He  then  went  into  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness, at  Five  Points,  Indiana  county,  con- 
tinuing same  about  eleven  years,  when  he  sold 
out  and  took  charge  of  the  grocery  and  shoe 
departments  of  the  Wilson  &  Sutton  estab- 
lishment, in  Indiana.  Subsequently  he  opened 
a  shoe  store  of  his  own  in  the  borough,  being 
associated  in  this  enterprise  with  Israel 
Thomas  under  the  firm  name  of  Fleming  & 
Thomas,  retaining  his  interest  in  this  business 
for  about  ten  years.  After  that  for  some 
time  he  was  occupied  in  looking  after  his 
farm,  which  is  in  Armstrong  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  and  is  the  old  Fleming  homestead 
owned  by  the  family  since  the  days  of  the 
early  settlement  in  this  county,  in  1818.  In 
company  with  H.  M.  Lowry,  Mr.  Fleming  pur- 
chased the  eighty  acres  of  land  now  known 
as  the  south  extension  of  Indiana  borough, 
and  they  have  opened  streets  and  laid  it  out 
in  lots,  developing  a  residence  section  which 
promises  to  become  one  of  the  most  popular 
in  the  borough. 

Some  years  ago  Mr.  Fleming  was  appointed 
justice  of  the  peace  by  Governor  Stewart,  to 
fill  a  vacancy,  and  in  1908  he  was  elected  to 
that  office,  which  he  is  now  holding.  Some 
idea  of  his  personal  standing  may  be  gained 
from  the  fact  that  he  is  the  only  Democrat 
in  Indiana  borough  holding  the  office  or  hav- 
ing held  that  of  justice  of  the  peace.  During 
Morgan's  raid  he  served  as  a  member  of  the 
State  militia.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  he  has  been 
ruling  elder  for  over  twenty  years. 

On  May  9,  1865,  Mr.  Fleming  married  Har- 
riet Bowman,  of  Westmoreland  county.  Pa., 
and  they  have  had  three  children:  jannett 
Alice,  Mary  Bell,  and  J.  D. 

ROBERT  F.  FLEMING,  carpenter  and 
contractor,  at  present  serving  as  auditor  of 
Green  township,  has  been  a  resident  of  Star- 
ford  for  several  years  past  and  is  one  of  the 
best  known  citizens  of  his  section  of  Indiana 
county.  Born  in  Green  township  Oct.  15, 
1853,  he  is  a  son  of  Francis  J.  and  Christiana 
(Haley)  Fleming,  and  grandson  of  Robert 
Fleming,  a  native  of  Scotland.  Robert  Flem- 
ing settled  in  Allegheny  county.  Pa.,  when  he 
came  to  this  country,  and  remained  there  un- 
til his  death.  His  family  consisted  of  five 
children :  Bartholomew,  William,  Francis  J., 
Elizabeth  and  Mary,  all  deceased. 

Francis  J.  Fleming  was  born  Aug.  22,  1811, 
in  Allegheny  county.  Pa.,  and  came  to  Indi- 


994 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ana  county  at  an  early  day.  He  settled  in 
Green  township,  near  Cookport,  about  1839, 
bought  land  and  carried  on  farming  in  that 
vicinit}',  living  on  what  came  to  be  known  as 
the  old  Fleming  farm  near  Cookport,  where 
he  remained  until  his  death,  Aug.  25,  1871. 
He  married  Christiana  Haley,  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, born  Aug.  22,  1814,  who  came  to  America 
when  seven  years  old  with  her  parents, 
Thomas  H.  and  Christiana  Haley,  the  family 
settling  in  Pittsburg,  where  Mr.  Haley  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  family  con- 
sisted 'of  nine  children,  three  sons  and  six 
daughters,  all  now  deceased,  namely:  Wil- 
liam, Patience,  George,  Mary,  Jane,  Christi- 
ana (Mrs.  Fleming),  Emma,  Elizabeth  and 
Thomas.  Mrs.  Christiana  (Haley)  Fleming 
died  J\Iarch  27,  1889.  She  and  her  husband 
had  a  family  of  eleven  children,  viz. :  One 
that  died  in  infancy ;  George  H.,  deceased, 
who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  wai-,  enlisting 
from  Indiana  county  (he  is  mentioned  else- 
where in  this  work)  ;  Bartholomew,  deceased, 
who  was  also  in  the  Union  service  during  the 
Civil  war;  i\Iargaret,  deceased,  who  was  the 
wife  of  William  H.  Munshower,  of  Lovejoy, 
justice  of  the  peace:  Thomas  H.,  deceased; 
Jane  Zidana,  wife  of  George  Lutman,  of  Green 
township ;  James,  deceased ;  William  I.,  a  resi- 
dent of  Indiana  county:  one  that  died  in 
infancy ;  Robert  F. ;  and  Maiy  Elizabeth. 

Robert  F.  Fleming  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Green  township,  passing  his 
boyhood  days  on  the  old  home  farm,  where 
he  continued  to  live  until  after  the  death  of 
his  mother.  He  then  sold  his  interest  in  the 
propertj'  and  went  to  learn  the  trade  of  car- 
penter, which  he  has  ever  since  followed,  now 
doing  general  contract  work.  In  190.5  he 
moved  to  Starford,  building  the  home  which 
he  occupies  there,  owning  that  as  well  as  other 
property.  He  has  succeeded  in  his  business 
undertakings,  and  has  gained  the  confidence 
of  his  fellow  citizens  to  such  an  extent  that 
he  has  been  chosen  to  various  local  offices  of 
trust,  having  been  school  director  three  years, 
and  at  present  serving  as  auditor.  He  was 
elected  on  the  Republican  ticket. 

MILTON  G.  MILLER,  wholesale  and  retail 
druggist  of  Blairsville,  was  born  at  Dayton, 
Armstrong  Co..  Pa..  June  16.  1856.  a  son  of 
Samuel  G.  and  Mar\^  Ann  ('Keener")  Miller, 
natives  of  Westmoreland  and  Indiana  coun- 
ties, respectively.  His  paternal  grandfather, 
who  was  an  Irishman  bv  birth,  came  to  Amer- 


ica in  young  manhood  and  located  in  West- 
moreland county,  Pennsylvania. 

Samuel  G.  Miller,  son  of  the  immigrant  Mil- 
ler, and  father  of  ]\Iiltbn  G.  ^liller,  spent  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  in  Conemaugh  town- 
ship, this  county,  and  died  there  in  1880 ;  his 
wife  died  in  1879.  He  was  prominent  as  a 
debater,  and  took  a  very  active  part  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church  both  as  a  member  and 
elder  for  forty  years,  and  was  sent  as  a  dele- 
gate to  the  presbyteiy  upon  several  occasions. 
The  children  born  to  Samuel  G.  Miller  and 
wife  were:  Elizabeth  C.  Reed,  of  Indiana 
county;  Dr.  S.  G.,  of  Livermore,  Pa.;  T.  S., 
of  Lewisville,  Pa.:  Dr.  M.  W.,  of  Pittsburg; 
Robert  N.,  of  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Dr.  J.  A.,  who 
died  at  Santa  Fe,  N,  M,,  in  June,  1912 ;  Milton 
G. ;  John  K.,  who  died  in  Blairsville  in  1910; 
Margaret  D.  McComb  of  Lewisville,  who  died 
in  1912 ;  I\Iary  Ann  Shields,  who  died  several 
years  ago;  and  Sarah  J.  Marshall,  who  died 
some  years  ago. 

ililton  G.  ililler  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools,  of  Indiana  county,  Eldersridge  acad- 
emy, and  the  Indiana  State  normal  school, 
and  for  ten  years  following  the  period  of  his 
study  he  taught  school.  Later  he  embarked 
in  a  general  store  business  at  Blairsville,  op- 
erating it  for  a  year,  and  then  in  1881  pur- 
chased the  diiig  business  owned  by  J.  C.  Les- 
lie. At  that  time  it  was  a  small  concern,  but 
Mr.  Miller  began  to  enlarge  it,  and  moved  to 
his  present  more  commodious  quarters.  In 
1896  he  branched  out,  becoming  a  wholesale 
as  well  as  retail  druggist,  being  the  only 
wholesale  dealer  in  his  line  in  the  country. 
Beginning  with  the  small  capital  of  $400.  he 
has  become  one  of  the  leading  business  men 
of  Blairsville,  and  fully  deserves  his  success. 

]\Ir.  ]\Iiller  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Church, 
in  whose  work  he  is  active,  and  also  holds  mem- 
bership in  the  Brotherhood,  serving  that  body 
one  year  as  president.  Fraternally  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum. 

On  Jan.  1,  1890.  Sir.  IMiller  was  married  to 
Ella  George,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Anna 
George,  of  Beatty  station.  Pa.,  who  died  March 
2.  1900.  She  was  the  mother  of  these  children : 
Mary  Glenn,  who  was  graduated  from  Wilson 
College  in  1913:  Mabel  Ruth,  who  is  a  stu- 
dent in  the  same  college :  and  Isaac  George, 
deceased. 

On  June  14.  1911.  Mr,  Miller  was  married 
to  Dawn  Fray  of  Newark,  New  Jersey. 

Mr.  IMiller  is  a  public  speaker  and  his  ad- 
dress to  the  Old  Boatmen,  a  few  years  since, 
was  regarded  as  a  masterly  effort.  He  has 
held  the  office  of  school  director  and  during 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


995 


his  term  of  office  has  filled  the  positions  of 
president  and  secretary  of  the  board.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Blairsville  council  and 
has  been  president  of  that  body. 

JOHN  NELSON  ARNOLD,  of  Conemaugh 
township,  has  farming  interests  there  and  in 
Young  township,  is  engaged  in  mining  and 
handling  coal,  and  is  of  the  best  known  resi- 
dents of  his  section  of  Indiana  county.  He 
was  bom  Aug.  10,  1860,  in  Kiskiminetas,  Arm- 
strong Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Robert  and  grandson 
of  William  Arnold.  The  grandfather  was 
born  and  raised  in  Plymouth,  Devonshire, 
England,  and  passed  all  his  life  in  his  na- 
tive country.  He  was  engaged  in  the  hard- 
ware business.  He  married  Maria  Jeffery,  and 
they  had  children  as  follows:  William:  Ed- 
ward H. ;  Robert ;  and  Amy  Rosina,  who  mar- 
ried William  Henna  Spry. 

Robert  Arnold,  father  of  John  Nelson  Ar- 
nold, was  born  Oct.  24,  182.3,  in  Plymouth, 
Devonshire,  England,  where  he  grew  to  man- 
hood, coming  to  America  in  1848  in  company 
with  his  brothers  William  and  Edward.  By 
trade  he  was  a  tinner.  His  first  location  was 
in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  one 
year,  thence  moving  to  Maysville,  Armstrong 
county,  where  he  lived  for  six  years;  to  Oli- 
vet, Armstrong  county,  where  he  remained 
eight  years;  to  Burrell  township,  Armstrong 
county,  where  he  made  his  home  four  years ; 
and  in  1868  to  Young  township,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, where  he  followed  his  trade  in  connection 
with  farming  until  his  retirement,  in  1900. 
That  year  he  removed  to  Conemaugh  town- 
ship, this  county,  where  he  died  May  11,  1905, 
in  his  eighty-second  year;  he  was  buried  in 
Edgewood  cemetery,  Saltsburg,  Pa.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Jacksonville  United  Presby- 
terian Church.  One  of  Mr.  Arnold's  prized 
possessions  was  a  box  made  by  his  great -great- 
grandfather, to  hold  guinea  scales,  in  the  con- 
struction of  which  wire  was  used  instead  of 
nails.  A  dog  which  he  had  trained  to  furnish 
the  motive  power  for  a  churn  attracted  con- 
siderable interest  in  the  neighborhood. 

In  1850  Mr.  Arnold  married  Mary  Shirley, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Catherine  (Fulmer) 
Shirley,  born  Oct.  22,  1828,  died  Oct.  7,  1906. 
They  became  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
viz. :  Maria  C.  married  R.  C.  Millen,  who  died 
in  1908  ;  he  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  and 
afterward  farmed  in  Conemaugh  township. 
Joseph  Ralston  died  when  nine  years  old. 
George  Wilson  lives  in  Girard,  Ohio,  where 
he  follows  the  business  of  machinist ;  he  mar- 
ried Rachel  Richardson.     James  H.,   a  ma- 


chinist in  the  employ  of  the  Pittsburg  Steel 
Company,  married  Carrie  Kepple.  Emma 
B.  married  Thomas  Smith  and  resides  in  Salts- 
burg. John  Nelson  is  mentioned  below.  Flora 
Adeline  married  John  A.  Knepshiel  and 
(second)  H.  S.  Oakman,  and  resides  in -Clar- 
ion county.  Pa.  Jacob  Samuel  Telford,  a 
farmer  and  machinist,  now  residing  at  Mount 
Sterling,  Ky.,  married  Mary  Gowns. 

John  Nelson  Arnold  attended  common 
school  in  Young  township,  later  went  to  the 
Eldersridge  academy  for  a  term,  and  then  fol- 
lowed farming  with  his  father,  with  whom  he 
remained  until  1894.  In  that  year  he  moved 
to  Conemaugh  township  and  settled  on  his 
present  place,  which  is  a  farm  of  forty-eight 
acres  owned  by  his  wife,  her  father  having 
willed  it  to  her.  Besides  looking  after  the 
agricultural  work  on  this  tract  he  owns  and 
conducts  a  156-acre  farm  in  Young  township, 
and  he  owns  200  acres  of  coal  land  in  that 
township.  He  works  the  coal  mine  located 
near  his  home  owned  by  Mrs.  Arnold,  this 
deposit  being  known  as  the  Pittsburg  vein, 
and  supplied  the  rolling  mill  in  the  vicinity 
until  it  was  closed.  He  now  conducts  what  is 
known  as  the  "farmers'  coal  band,"  disposing 
of  over  fifteen  thousand  bushels  during  the 
season ;  the  customers  call  for  it. 

Mr.  Arnold  has  been  very  active  in  local 
public  affairs,  being  tax  collector  at  present — 
an .  office  he  has  held  since  1909 ;  he  has  also 
served  as  roadmaster  and  member  of  the  elec- 
tion board.  Politically  he  associates  with  the 
Democratic  party.  He  is  a  member  and  rul- 
ing elder  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Saltsburg,  his  wife  and  son  also  belonging. 

On  Feb.  21,  1894,  Mr.  Arnold  was  mar- 
ried to  Mrs.  Martha  B.  (Nowry)  Wiley, 
daughter  of  Samuel  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Craw- 
ford) Nowry  and  widow  of  John  Luther 
Wiley.  By  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Arnold 
had  one  daughter,  Sadie  May,  who  is  now  the 
wife  of  Charles  Orvis  Lamer  and  resides  in 
Lorain,  Ohio,  where  her  husband  is  an  electri- 
cian in  the  employ  of  the  United  States  Steel 
Company.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arnold  have  had  one 
child,  Carl  L.,  born  May  1,  1895,  who  is  now  a 
student  at  the  Kiskiminetas  Springs  School, 
at  Saltsburg,  Indiana  coimty,  a  well-known 
institution  for  boys,  being  a  member  of  the 
class  of  1914;  after  graduating  there  he  in- 
tends to  enter  Princeton. 

SAMUEL  H.  NOWRY,  deceased,  eldest 
son  of  James  and  Mary  (Marshall)  Nowry, 
pioneer  settlers  on  Blacklegs  creek,  Cone- 
maugh township,  was  born  May  3,  1812.    He 


996 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  said  township,  and  under  private  tutors. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  taught  his  first 
school,  in  a  primitive  schoolhouse  located  near 
the  election  house  at  the  junction  of  Scrub- 
grass  run  and  Blacklegs  creek,  after  which 
school  term  he  remained  at  home  with 
his  father  for  a  period  of  three  years, 
,  helping  to  prepare  the  brick  and  erect  the 
present  brick  homestead,  now  known  as  the 
old  Nowry  homestead,  on  the  State  road.  All 
the  while  he  was  studying  for  his  much  loved 
vocation,  that  of  a  teacher  in  the  public 
school.  He  began  teaching  again  at  the  age 
of  twenty-two,  and  taught  twent.y  years  with- 
out intermission.  In  the  meantime  he  had 
saved  enough  money  from  his  scanty  wages 
as  a  teacher  to  purchase  the  farm  in  Cone- 
maugh  township  on  which  Nowry  town  is  now 
located.  He  then  retired  from  his  chosen  pro- 
fession and  took  up  farm  life  in  addition  to 
participating  in  local  politics,  being  a  stanch 
Democrat.  He  was  a  township  officer  almost 
continuously  for  ten  years.  Being  a  firm  be- 
liever in  the  axiom  that  "the  only  sure  invest- 
ment on  earth  is  in  earth, ' '  he  purchased  two 
additional  farms  in  Conemaugh  township,  the 
one  known  as  the  Walkinshaw  farm  and  later 
part  of  the  D.  S.  Galley  homestead,  the  other 
known  as  the  Lyons  farm,  now  owned  by  Wil- 
liam Schmidt.  Having  now  arrived  at  the  age 
of  fifty,  and  believing  he  had  the  wherewithal 
to  furnish  a  home  and  rear  a  famil.v,  he  hied 
himself  to  an  adjoining  county  and  formed 
an  alliance  with  a  daughter  of  a  pioneer  set- 
tler of  Armstrong  eounty,  William  Crawford, 
of  near  Olivet.  Samuel  H.  Nowry  and  Eliza- 
beth Crawford  were  married  by  Rev.  Alex- 
ander Donnelson,  IMarch  26,  1862,  and  went  to 
housekeeping  on  the  farm  on  which  Nowry- 
town  is  located.  There  were  three  children 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nowry,  one  son  and  two 
daughters:  Albert  and  Martha  B..  twins, 
born  May  18,  1864,  and  Rebecca  M.,  born  June 
8.  1866.  Albert  Nowry,  son  of  Samuel,  still 
resides  on  a  part  of  tlie  old  homestead,  and 
has  a  family  of  seven  children.  Martha  B., 
married  to  John  N.  Arnold,  is  chronicled 
with  the  Arnold  family ;  Rebecca  M.  married 
John  C.  Lahl,  of  Lorain,  Ohio,  and  has  no 
children. 

In  the  year  Foster  coal  mines  first  opened 
when  people  were  coming  over  from  England 
to  engage  in  the  mining  industry,  they  being 
of  the  best  class  of  Christian  people  and  want- 
ing to  buy  land  and  erect  new  homes,  Mr. 
Nowry  as  a  public-spirited  man  volunteered  to 
sell  fifty  acres  of  his  farm  in  lots  to  them,  that 


they  might  erect  homes  and  raise  their 
families  away  from  the  degrading  influences 
of  the  pit  mouth.  He  was  rewarded  by  having 
the  settlement  named  Nowrytown  to  perpet- 
uate his  memory. 

Samuel  H.  Nowry  died  June  6,  1887,  and 
is  interred  in  Edgewood  cemetery  at  Saltsburg, 
Pennsylvania.  His  wife,  Elizabeth,  died  April 
4,  1897,  and  is  interred  beside  her  husband. 

ROBERT  HAZARD  CUNNINGHAM,  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  and  a  farmer  and  business 
man  of  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  in  that  township  Oct.  8.  1851.  He  is 
a  son  of  John  Cunningham  and  grandson  of 
Robert  Cunningham,  who  came  to  this  coun- 
try from  Scotland  and  settled  in  Young  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  He  became  a  large 
land  owner  and  was  extensively  engaged  in 
stock  raising.  He  and  his  wife  Jane  (Hop- 
kins) are  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Jackson- 
ville. Their  children  were :  Hugh,  a  farmer, 
who  married  Martha  Hal-t;  John;  William, 
who  was  never  mai-ried ;  Robert,  a  tanner  and 
farmer,  who  married  Eliza  Hart ;  Ann,  wife  of 
John  Gilmore;  Margaret,  wife  of  William 
Gamble;  Jane,  who  married  John  Lucas,  a 
carpenter,  of  Blacklick,  this  county;  and  Re- 
becca, who  married  Milton  Neal. 

John  Cunningham,  son  of  Robert,  was  born 
in  1820  in  Scotland,  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  and 
passed  his  early  life  in  Young  township,  at- 
tending the  log  schoolhouse  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. He  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  and 
was  especially  in  demand  as  a  barn  builder,  in 
which  line  he  became  very  skillful.  He  helped 
to  build  the  locks  on  the  old  Pennsjdvania 
canal.  ]\Ioving  to  Armstrong  township  in 
1850  he  built  a  dwelling  and  tannery  (on  the 
farm  where  his  son  Robert  now  lives)  and  was 
an  energetic  business  man  up  to  his  death, 
cultivating  his  farm  of  200  acres  and  follow- 
ing tanning,  shipping  leather  to  Philadelphia. 
He  also  owned  a  coal  bank  wliich  lie  operated, 
and  was  an  all-round  enterprising  and  pro- 
gressive man.  He  served  his  to\\-nship  in  the 
offices  of  school  director,  supervisor  and  as- 
sessor, and  was  an  elder  and  trustee  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  was 
long  a  devoted  member.  Politically  he  was  a 
Republican.  His  death  occurred  in  1888.  Mr. 
Cunningham  married  Rebecca  Beatty.  daugh- 
ter of  Roliert  and  Nancy  (Borelnnd'i  Beatty. 
and  ( second  ~)  Sarah  Lucas,  who  now  makes  her 
home  with  his  son  William.  l\Ir.  Cunningham 
was  the  father  of  children  as  follows,  all  bom 
to  the  first  marriage:  Robert  Hazard;  Eliza- 
l>etli,  born  Sept.  26.  1855,  wife  of  Albert  Wig- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


997 


gins ;  "William,  bom  Dec.  19,  1853,  unmarried, 
who  is  a  farmer  and  owner  of  coal  land  in 
Armstrong  township ;  and  Harriet,  who  died 
when  three  years  old. 

Robert  Hazard  Cunningham  grew  to  man- 
hood on  the  home  farm  and  at  an  early  age 
began  to  assist  his  father  at  tanning,  and  from 
1868  carried  on  the  tanning  business  himself. 
For  a  number  of  years  the  tanning  he  did  was 
for  himself,  but  he  shipped  leather  to  Phila- 
delphia. The  hides  tanned  were  mostly  coun- 
try hides.  He  continued  to  engage  in  that  line 
until  1907,  since  when  he  has  cultivated  the 
ninety-acre  farm  in  Armstrong  township 
where  he  now  resides,  carrying  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  His  home  has  all 
along  been  on  this  same  farm,  which  is  pari  of 
the  old  home  place.  Mr.  Cunningham  has 
been  honored  liy  his  fellow  citizens  with  elec- 
tion to  local  office,  having  been  school  director 
eight  years,  and  at  present  serving  as  justice  of 
the  peace,  which  oifice  he  has  held  for  the  last 
twelve  years.  He  is  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  at  present  is  clerk 
of  the  session  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Shelocta,  Pennsylvania. 

On  June  30.  1875.  Mr.  Cunningham  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Julia  Henderson,  who 
was  born  Dec.  4,  1850,  near  Eldersridge, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  (Anthony) 
Henderson,  of  Whiskey  Run,  Indiana  county. 
Pa.  About  the  age  of  nine  years  Mrs.  Cun- 
ningham moved  with  her  parents  to  a  farm 
near  Shelocta ;  she  attended  select  school  at 
Shelocta  and  Parkwood.  She  is  the  mother 
of  four  children :  Margaret  E.,  born  May  2, 
1876,  now  engaged  in  teaching  in  Armstrong 
township :  Wilber,  born  Aug.  18,  1877,  who 
graduated  from  the  Indiana  State  normal 
school  in  1902  and  taught  in-  the  public  schools 
of  Indiana  and  Westmoreland  counties,  now 
a  plumber  of  Leechburg,  Pa.  (he  married  June 
18,  1907,  Maud  Pennman)  ;  Samuel  Roy;  and 
Sarah,  born  June  18.  1885,  who  lives  at  home. 

S.  Roy  Ci'NNiNGHAJi  was  born  "May  8, 
1881,  on  the  fa;-m  where  his  father  now  re- 
sides. After  going  to  the  public  schools  of  his 
own  township  he  entered  the  Indiana  State 
normal  school  in  1900,  and  attended  for  five 
terms,  taking  the  college  preparatory  course, 
and  completing  the  business  course  in  1904. 
Wliile  working  on  his  father's  farm  he  learned 
the  tanning  and  harnessmaking  trade.  In 
1904  he  left  the  farm  and  for  five  months 
worked  in  the  steel  mills  at  Vandergi-ift, 
Pa.  Before  going  to  Vandergrift  he  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade  at  Ernest,  Pa.,  when 
the  coal  town  was  first  started.     He  helped 


to  build  the  West  End  hotel  barn  at  In- 
diana, Charles  Mohan's  store  building,  and 
the  Elkin  hotel  at  Clarksburg,  Pa.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1906,  he  was  employed  by  Fred  Her- 
linger  to  do  carpenter  work  at  Josephine,  In- 
diana county.  After  working  there  three 
months  he  was  with  the  Indiana  Lumber  & 
Supply  Company  until  Aug.  16,  1910,  when 
he  entered  the  employ  of  J.  G.  McCrory,  to 
superintend  the  building  on  his  land  in  Brush- 
valley  township,  Indiana  county.  At  the 
present  writing  Mr.  Cunningham  is  superin- 
tending the  erection  of  two  concrete  store 
buildings  which  Mr.  McCrory  has  under  con- 
struction in  Florida. 

^Ir.  Cunningham  married,  Oct.  7,  1908, 
Katharyn  Miller,  daughter  of  M.  B.  and 
Rachel  (Mangus)  jMiller,  of  Armstrong  town- 
ship. Indiana  county.  They  lived  on  South 
Tenth  street,  Indiana,  where  his  wife  died 
Dec.  1,  1909.  He  is  a  man  of  sterling  qual- 
ities, and  a  member  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church.  He  is  an  expert  in  his  line 
of  work  and  has  always  merited  the  confidence 
of  those  who  employed  him. 

REV.  CHARLES  L.  TREFN\^  pastor  of 
St.  Elizabeth's  Catholic  Church  at  Starford, 
and  of  three  other  churches  in  that  section  of 
Indiana  country,  came  to  his  present  charge 
from  Pittsburg.  He  was  born  July  2,  1880, 
in  St.  Louis.  Mo.,  son  of  Charles  W.  and 
Frances  S.  (Zika)  Trefny.  and  his  grandpar- 
ents on  both  sides  came  to  the  United  States 
from  Bohemia,  of  which  country  they  were 
natives. 

Charles  W.  Trefny  was  born  in  the  State 
of  Illinois,  and  when  a  boy  moved  to  St.  Louis, 
where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  is 
now  engaged  in  business  there.  His  wife  is 
a  native  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.  They  have  had  two 
children,  Charles  L.  and  Louis,  the  latter 
deceased. 

Charles  L.  Trefny  began  his  education  in 
the  parochial  schools  of  St.  Louis,  afterward 
attending  the  St.  Louis  University.  He  then 
became  a  student  at  St.  Francis  Seminary,  at 
St.  Francis,  Wis.,  preparing  for  the  priest- 
hood, and  finished  the  philosophical  course 
there,  after  which  he  went  to  Rome,  in  1902. 
He  completed  his  course  in  the  American  col- 
lege there  in  1905.  was  ordained  at  Rome,  and 
returning  to  America  was  appointed  the  same 
year  to  a  charge  in  the  southern  part  of 
Arkansas  which  he  served  for  four  years,  look- 
ing after  thirty-six  missions,  in  which  twenty- 
six  nationalities  were  represented.  He  is  well 
fitted  to  meet  the  difficulties  of  such  a  posi- 


998 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


tion,  having  the  linguistic  gifts  often  found 
among  those  of  his  race.  Besides  English  he 
speaks  fluently  Gei'man,  French,  Spanish, 
Polish,  Italian  and  the  Slavic  languages. 
From  Arkansas  Father  Trefny  was  trans- 
ferred to  a  parish  in  New  York  City,  where  he 
remained  one  year,  after  which  he  was  at 
Pittsburg  for  a  short  time  before  coming  to 
Starford,  where  he  resides.  Besides  the 
church  at  that  place  he  administers  to  the 
parish  of  the  Sacred  Heart  at  Dixonville,  St. 
John  the  Baptist  parish  at  Heilwood  and  St. 
Anthony  parish  at  Clymer,  Pa.  His  labors 
are  diversified  and  arduous,  but  he  has  at- 
tended faithfully  to  the  many  demands  made 
upon  him  and  has  maintained  the  various 
churches  under  his  care  in  creditable  condi- 
tion. His  devotion  to  his  work  and  unselfish 
interest  in  all  that  concerns  the  welfare  of 
his  parishioners  have  won  him  the  unlimited 
regard  of  all  classes  in  this  part  of  the  county, 
regardless  of  creed. 

ALBERT  M.  BARRON  was  born  near 
Jacksonville,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  in  1870,  and  is 
a  son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Hendrickson) 
Barron. 

The  Barrons  are  descendants  of  a  German 
family  of  which  three  brothers  settled  in  this 
country — one  near  Philadelphia,  one  in  North 
Carolina  and  the  other  in  Somerset  county. 
Pa.  The  posterity  of  the  last  are  mimerous 
in  Somerset,  Westmoreland,  Cambria,  Fayette 
and  Indiana  counties. 

Nicholas  Barron,  paternal  grandfather  of 
Albert  I\I.,  was  a  prominent  farmer  of  Somer- 
set county.  Pa.,  for  some  years,  later  came  to 
Center  township,  Indian?)  county,  and  died  at 
the  home  of  his  son,  Peter  Barron. 

Peter  Barron,  son  of  Nicliolas,  and  father 
of  Albert  M.  Barron,  was  born  in  Somerset 
county,  Pa.,  whence  he  removed  to  Indiana 
county  with  his  parents.  For  a  time  he  re- 
sided at  Jacksonville,  but  later  purchased  a 
farm  of  207  acres  in  Burrell  township,  and  to 
this  new  home  removed  with  his  family  in 
1873.  He  erected  buildings  on  this  property, 
made  numerous  other  improvements,  and 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  cultivating 
the  soil,  dying  in  1897,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
two  years.  He  was  buried  in  the  Lutheran 
cemetery  at  Coral.  Originally  he  was  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics  and  a  firm  believer  in  the 
principles  of  the  party  until  1859,  when  he 
espoused  the  cause  of  the  Republican  party. 

In  lS.'i4  Mr.  Barron  married  Elizabeth 
Hendrickson,  of  Center  township,  a  daughter 
of  Philip   Hendrickson,   and   they   had   seven 


children,  as  follows:  Elmira,  who  married 
Alexander  Lyons ;  James,  deceased ;  Margaret 
J.,  who  is  deceased;  Marshall  JI. ;  Ida,  who  is 
deceased ;  Minta,  deceased ;  and  Albert  il. 

Albert  M.  Barron,  son  of  Peter  BaiTon,  be- 
gan his  education  in  the  Burrell  township 
schools  and  later  attended  summer  school  at 
Armagh  and  Homer  City.  He  was  principal 
of  the  schools  at  Graceton,  Blairsville  Inter- 
section and  Josephine,  and  also  worked  on  the 
homestead  farm  (part. of  which  he  now  owns) 
until  after  the  death  of  his  father.  He  has 
taught  fourteen  terms  of  school  (ten  in  his 
home  township),  besides  several  summer  ses- 
sions. He  is  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of 
his  community. 

In  1894  Mr.  Barron  was  married  to  Char- 
lotte ("Lottie")  Hildebrand,  daughter  of 
Frank  Hildebrand,  of  Burrell  township,  and 
they  have  had  eight  children,  as  follows : 
Elsie,  Albert  Roy.  Arthur  H.,  Margaret  V.. 
Charlotte  May,  Mary  Frances,  Eugene  H. 
(deceased)  and  Virgil. 

Mr.  Barron  has  been  school  director  of  Bur- 
rell township  for  two  years.  He  was  a  sup- 
porter of  the  principles  of  the  People's  party 
a  number  of  years,  and  is  now  a  Socialist, 
having  been  one  of  the  first  advocates  of 
Socialism  in  the  county,  and  was  elected  school 
director  on  the  ticket  of  that  party:  he  has 
since  received  the  nomination  for  register  and 
recorder.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  Barron  is  liberal 
in  his  church  views,  progi'essive  in  his  ideas, 
and  a  representative  type  of  his  community's 
most  enterprising  citizenship. 

WILLIAM  BLAIR  LYTLE,  farmer  and 
dairyman  of  Conemaugh  township,  a  part  of 
whose  property  was  formerly  included  in  the 
old  Lytle  homestead,  was  born  in  Conemaugh 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  July  15,  1870,  son 
of  Alexander  and  Louisa  Caroline  (Blair) 
Lytle. 

Alexander  Lytle  was  the  great-grandfather 
of  William  Blair  Lytle. 

William  Lytle,  son  of  Alexander  Lytle,  was 
born  in  1802  in  Conemaugh  township,  and 
died  June  26,  1869,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six 
years,  eight  months,  thirteen  days.  He  at- 
tended the  primitive  subscription  schools  of 
his  day  and  locality,  and  on  attaining  his  ma- 
.iority  built  a  gristmill  on  Lytle's  run,  and 
was  also  a  butcher  for  many  years,  being  thus 
engaged  at  the  time  of  his  death.  An  active 
member  of  the  TTnited  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Conemaugh,  he  was  a  trustee  of  the  congrega- 
tion  for  many  years,   and   a  member  of  the 


HISTOET  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


999 


building  committee  when  the  first  church  was 
erected.  Mr.  Lytle  was  a  Whig  and  later  a 
Republican,  and  became  a  prominent  man  of 
his  day,  serving  efficiently  and  faithfully  as 
United 'States  revenue  collector,  tax  collector, 
assessor  and  school  director,  and  to  the  end 
of  his  life  as  a  member  of  the  election  board. 
He  acquired  large  tracts  of  land  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  the  owner  of  several 
valuable  farms  in  Couemaugh  township.  By 
his  first  wife,  Mattie  (Sloan),  he  had  five 
children:  Elizabeth,  who  married  Smith 
Templeton;  Martha;  Mary  J.,  who  married 
Samuel  Ritchie ;  Sarah  F.,  and  one  other.  Mr. 
Lytle 's  second  marriage  was  to  Sarah  CoUom, 
and  they  had  a  family  of  eight  children, 
among  them  Alexander.  Of  the  others  Sarah, 
residing  at  Conemaugh,  married  Robert  Mil- 
lard, deceased;  Caroline  Margaret,  the  widow 
of  James  Gilkerson,  is  conducting  a  large  farm 
in  Conemaugh  to^^^lship ;  Llaria,  Mrs.  Staples, 
now  resides  in  South  Bend,  Ind. ;  William  F. 
lives  in  Young  township,  Indiana  county. 

Alexander  Lytle,  son  of  William  Lytle,  and 
father  of  William  Blair  Lytle,  was  born  in 
1837,  on  the  Lytle  homestead  in  Conemaugh 
township,  attended  the  common  schools  and 
followed  farming  with  his  parents.  Dur- 
ing the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  G, 
206th  Regiment.  P.  V.  I.,  with  which  organiza- 
tion he  served  one  year,  and  received  his  hon- 
orable discharge  at  Richmond.  Va.  Return- 
ing to  his  home,  he  again  took  up  the  peaceful 
occupation  of  farming,  and  the  rest  of  his  life 
was  spent  in  cultivating  his  120-acre  farm, 
where  his  death  occurred  June  16,  1892.  He 
was  a  stalwart  Republican,  and  a  faithful 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
Mr.  Lytle  married  Louisa  Caroline  Blair, 
daughter  of  William  and  Annie  (Patterson) 
Blair,  of  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  and  to 
this  union  were  born  two  children,  Annie  and 
William  B.  Mrs.  Lytle  and  her  children  still 
reside  on  the  old  homestead  place. 

William  Blair  Lytle,  son  of  Alexander 
Lytle,  received  his  educational  training  in  the 
public  schools  of  Conemaugh  township,  and 
worked  with  his  parents  until  he  took  charge 
of  the  farm  of  120  acres,  eighty-six  acres  of 
which  belonged  to  the  original  homestead  of 
the  Lytles.  Mr.  Lytle  is  an  enterprising  and 
progressive  farmer,  carrying  on  farming,  stock 
raising  and  dairying  and  shipping  a  large 
amount  of  milk  to  Pittsburg.  In  1903  he 
erected  a  large  silo  for  his  cattle,  and  he  has 
also  made  numerous  other  improvements 
which  make  this  property  one  of  the  most 
valuable  of  its  size  to  be  found  in  the  town- 


ship. The  barn  that  now  stands  there  is  in 
first-class  shape,  although  it  was  first  erected 
in  1839  by  Mr.  Lytle 's  grandfather,  but  since 
that  time  additions  have  been  made  to  it.  The 
original  Lytle  home,  built  by  the  grandfather, 
was  of  logs,  but  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1845 
and  was  replaced  by  a  large  brick  residence, 
now  occupied  by  Mr.  Lytle,  his  mother  and 
his  sister,  the  bricks  for  this  structure  having 
been  made  on  the  homestead.  In  addition  to 
taking  care  of  his  farming  interests  Mr.  Lytle 
has  been  employed  during  the  last  six  years 
by  the  West  Penn  Powder  Company,  in  team- 
ing its  product  to  the  different  mines  in  this 
section. 

Mr.  Lytle  is  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church,  which  his  mother  and  sister 
also  attend.  In  political  matters  he  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  has  served  his  township  effi- 
ciently in  the  capacity  of  school  director.  Al- 
ways ready  to  support  any  movement  of  a 
pi'Ogressive  nature,  he  is  known  as  one  of  his 
section's  best  citizens,  and  has  the  unqualified 
esteem  and  respect  of  his  fellow  men. 

EPHRAIM  WALLACE,  farmer  of  West 
Wheatfield  township,  now  residing  on  his 
father's  old  farm,  is  a  descendant  of  an  old 
and  respected  family  of  that  part  of  Indiana 
county  which  has  been  settled  there  for  sev- 
eral generations. 

Robert  Wallace,  great-great-grandfather  of 
Ephraim  Wallace,  was  born  in  Connty  An- 
trim, Ireland,  early  in  the  eighteenth  century, 
and  died  at  Ballymena,  in  that  county,  in  De- 
cember, 1772.  He  was  married  twice  and  by 
his  first  wife  he  had  an  only  son,  named 
Ephraim,  born  in  1747,  who  married  Janet 
ilcCullough ;  by  his  second  wife  he  had  four 
sons,  viz. :  John,  born  in  1750,  married  Mary 
Alexander;  James,  born  in  1752,  married 
Elizabeth  ^McDonald ;  Samuel,  born  in  1755, 
married  Mary  Barton;  Robert,  born  in  1759, 
married  Sarah  Barclay. 

Ephraim  Wallace,  son  of  Robert,  was  born 
in  County  Antrim  in  1747,  and  came  to  this 
country  about  1768.  He  bought  a  large  tract 
of  land  along  the  Conemaugh  river,  in  what 
is  now  Indiana  county.  Pa.  About  1774  he 
married  Janet  ^McCollough,  or  McCullough, 
who  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1744,  and  of  this 
union  six  children  were  born,  namely :  Robert, 
born  in  December,  1775,  married  but  left  no 
children;  John,  born  Feb.  9,  1778,  married 
Anne  Clark ;  Sarah,  born  April  15,  1782,  mar- 
ried Joseph  IMcKelvey :  Anne,  twin  of  Sarah, 
married  Samuel  McKelvey;  Samuel,  born 
Oct.  3,  1784,  married  Jane  McKelvey;  Mar- 


1000 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


garet,  boru  May  15,  1787,  married  William 
McKelvey. 

Samuel  Wallace  (son  of  Epliraim  and 
grandson  of  Robert)  was  born  Oct.  3,  1784, 
in  West  Wlieatfield  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  and  died  Jan.  24,  1860.  He  conducted  a 
large  farm  inherited  from  his  father,  the  prop- 
erties now  owned  by  Robert  and  John  Liggett, 
and  was  one  of  the  prominent  and  prosperoiis 
citizens  of  his  day.  Although  influential  in 
all  local  affairs  he  never  sought  or  held  office, 
but  he  was  active  in  the  interests  of  the  Bethel 
U.  P.  Church,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the 
founders  and  liberal  supporters.  He  married 
Jane  McKelvey,  who  died  Oct.  30,  1882,  and 
they  are  buried  in  Bethel  cemetery  in  West 
Wlieatfield  township.  IMrs.  Wallace,  like  her 
husband,  was  a  member  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church.  They  had  a  family  of  five 
children,  as  follows:  Mary,  born  Feb.  17, 
1808,  married  William  Liggett  and  had  thir- 
teen children;  Ephraim,  born  Sept.  3,  1809, 
married  Anne  Graham;  James,  born  Jan.  29, 
1811,  married  Ruth  Graham,  and  resided  in 
Iowa;  Jane,  born  Aug.  15,  1818,  married 
James  Crawford:  Margaret,  born  Sept.  1, 
1817.  died  March  15,  1900. 

Ephraim  Wallace  (eldest  son  of  Samuel, 
Ephraim,  Robert)  was  born  Sept.  3,  1809,  on 
the  homestead  in  West  Wheatfield  township, 
in  a  log  house  built  by  his  father.  He  attended 
the  log  schoolhouse  in  that  district,  and  grew 
to  manhood  on  the  home  place,  working  with 
his  parents  in  its  improvement  and  cultivation. 
On  Aug.  22,  1833.  he  married  Annie  Graham, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Hannah  Graham,  of 
West  Wheatfield  township,  where  they  were 
born.  He  bought  a  tract  of  land  from  Daniel 
Stannard  containing  over  three  hundred 
acres,  which  he  cultivated  all  the  rest  of  his 
life.  He  was  particularly  successful  Avith 
stock,  raising  some  very  fine  horses.  He  took 
an  interest  in  the  advancement  of  the  locality, 
serving  many  years  as  a  member  of  the  board 
of  school  directors,  and  was  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  serv- 
ing as  trustee  and  Sabbath  school  teaclier.  He 
was  a  man  honored  by  all  wlio  knew  him.  I\Irs. 
Wallace  died  April"  15,  1864,  at  the  age  of 
fift.v  years:  she  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  buried  in 
Bethel  cemetery.  West  Wheatfield  to\vnship. 
Mr.  Wallace  pa.ssed  away  IMarch  16,  1889,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-nine.  The.v  had  children 
as  follows:  (1)  Joseph  G.,  borii  Feb.  15.  1835, 
died  Sept.  30.  1871.  (2~l  Jane,  born  Nov.  9. 
1836.  died  Feb.  12.  1838.  (3)  Samuel  W, 
bom  Dec.  11,  1838,  married  Eliza  ]MeCune, 


and  died  Sept.  3,  1903,  his  wife  dying  :\lay  3, 
1903.  He  resided  on  a  part  of  his  father 's  farm, 
now  owned  b.y  his  brother  Ephraim.  He 
served  nine  months  during  the  Civil  war  in 
Company  C,  6th  Pennsylvania  Heavy  Artil- 
lery. (4)  Ephraim,  born  June  28,  1841,  mar- 
ried Ellen  S.  Graham.  (5) Hannah  Jane,  bom 
Dec.  30,  1843,  died  Sept.  30. 1856.  (6)  James, 
born  Aug.  10,  1847,  married  Laura  Clark,  and 
they  resided  on  a  farm  near  Blacklick  which 
was  given  him  by  his  father,  but  sold  their 
farm  later  and  moved  to  Johnstown.  Mr. 
Wallace  died  Oct.  3,  1907.  Their  children 
were:  Anna  (married  Edward  ilcCormick), 
Bertha  (married  Alvin  Davis,  and  died  Sept. 
11,  1909),  James  (married  Gertrude  Briney), 
Samuel  (died  Oct.  1,  1910),  Leola  (married 
Charles  Myers),  Clark  (died  in  October. 
1903),  Ephraim,  Joanna  and  John,  the  three 
last  named  and  Mrs.  Wallace  now  residing  at 
Long  Beach,  California. 

Ephraim  Wallace  (son  of  Ephraim,  Sam- 
uel, Ephraim,  Robert)  was  born  June  28. 
1841,  on  his  father's  farm  in  West  Wheatfield 
township,  and  attended  the  Wallace  school 
near  his  early  home.  He  worked  at  home,  help- 
ing his  father,  until  he  reached  his  ma.iority. 
and  after  he  commenced  on  his  own  account 
was  employed  at  lumbering  in  the  home  town- 
ship, getting  out  railroad  ties  and  doing  other 
work  of  the  same  kind.  On  April  23,  1885,  he 
married  Ellen  S.  Graham,  who  was  born 
March  IS,  1854,  daughter  of  George  and  Annie 
Graham,  of  West  "\\nieatfield  township.  The 
same  year  he  erected  a  house  and  barn  on  the 
southern  part  of  the  homestead  farm,  given  to 
him  by  his  father,  about  n  half  mile  from  his 
father's  home,  and  there  settled  with  his  fam- 
ily. His  children  are  as  follows:  Ephraim. 
born  June  21,  1886.  is  now  engaged  in  farm- 
ing at  home:  Joseph,  born  Nov.  20,  1887,  died 
Aug.  17,  1888:  Anna,  born  Nov.  22,  1889, 
who  taught  school  for  a  time  in  West  Wheat- 
field  township,  was  man-ied  May  29,  1912.  to 
Thomas  Mabon.  and  resides  on  his  farm,  which 
joins  her  fatlier's  place;  Paul,  born  IMay  31. 
1892,  is  teaching  school  in  West  Wheatfield 
township ;  Samuel,  born  Nov.  19,  1894,  is 
farming  at  home. 

At  the  death  of  his  brother  Samuel.  ]\Ir. 
Wallace  inherited  the  old  homestead,  giving 
him  a  tract  of  over  300  acres,  which  he  now 
cultivates,  carrving  on  general  farming,  and 
besides  raising  cattle  and  sheep  and  doing  a 
large  dairy  Inisiness,  shipping  milk  to  Johns- 
town. Pa.  He  is  a  man  of  progressive  ideas 
and  energetic  disposition,  and  his  farm  bears 
everv  indication  of  thorough  care  and  intelli- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1001 


gent  management.  A  rich  coal  vein  runs 
under  his  land.  Mr.  Wallace  has  prospered 
in  the  various  lines  he  has  followed  and  is  one 
of  the  substantial  citizens  of  his  township. 
He  gives  all  his  time  to  his  own  affairs,  taking 
no  part  in  public  matters.  In  politics  he  as- 
sociates with  the  Republican  party.  He  and 
his  wife  and  children  are  all  members  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  of  New  Florence, 
Mr.  Wallace  serving  as  trustee  of  same.  Mr. 
Wallace  now  lives  at  the  old  homestead,  rent- 
ing the  house  on  the  southern  part  of  the  prop- 
erty where  he  and  his  family  formerly  lived. 

THOMAS  E.  HILDEBRAND  is  engaged  in 
the  drug  business  in  Indiana  borough,  carry- 
ing on  the  estalilishment  founded  liy  his 
father  over  fifty  years  ago.  It  is  the  oldest 
drug  house  in  the  county.  Mr.  Hildebrand 
also  has  other  important  interests  here,  being 
cashier  of  the  Indiana  County  Deposit  Bank, 
,  with  which  he  has  been  connected  since  1884, 
and  he  is  one  of  the  most  esteemed  citizens  of 
the  community,  where  he  has  passed  his  en- 
tire life.  He  was  born  at  Indiana  Feb.  18, 
1860,  son  of  William  B.  and  Sarah  (Mc- 
Claran)  Hildebrand,  and  grandson  of  William 
Hildebrand.  His  great-grandfather,  John 
Hildebrand,  was  of  German  origin,  and  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Swigart.  The  family  has  been 
settled  in  Pennsylvania  from  the  early  days, 
and  has  long  been  identified  with  Adams 
county. 

William  B.  Hildebrand  was  born  in  1825  in 
Adams  count.v.  Pa.,  and  in  1853  removed  to 
Indiana  borough,  where  he  lived  from  that 
time  until  his  death.  He  became  a  prominent 
and  useful  citizen  of  that  place,  establishing 
the  drug  Inisiness  now  conducted  by  his  son, 
and  in  other  connections  identifying  himself 
actively  with  the  best  interests  of  the  bor- 
ough. In  1876,  as  a  tribute  to  his  recognized 
ability  and  high  personal  worth,  he  was 
elected  secretary  of  the  State  normal  school 
located  at  Indiana,  and  continued  to  serve  in 
that  position,  being  annually  reelected,  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1886,  when  he 
was  in  his  sixty-first  year.  In  every  relation 
of  life  he  was  known  as  a  man  of  the  highest 
integrity  and  honorable  methods.  He  took 
no  active  part  in  polities,  though  he  was  a 
public-spirited  citizen  and  a  stanch  Republic- 
an, but  in  all  other  causes  in  which  he  was 
interested  did  his  share  toward  advancing  the 
principles  they  represented.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Indiana. 
and  served  ten  years  as  trustee.  In  1859  Mr. 
Hildebrand    married    Sarah    McClaran,    who 


was  born  in  1826  at  Blairsville,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Hon.  William  McClaran, 
a  native  of  Indiana  county,  of  Scotch-Irish 
descent,  who  passed  all  his  life  here.  lie  was 
an  old-line  Whig  and  a  very  active  man  in 
politics  in  his  time,  representing  the  county 
twice  in  the  State  Legislature,  and  serving  two 
successive  terms  as  register  and  recorder,  to 
which  position  he  was  first  elected  in  1842. 
He  was  a  strict  Presbyterian  in  religious  con- 
nection, and  a  man  whose  high  principles 
were  apparent  in  all  his  actions,  ilr.  and 
]\Irs.  Hildebrand  had  seven  children,  four  sons 
and  three  daughters,  namely :  Thomas  E., 
Gertrude,  Frank,  Walter,  William  M.,  Mary 
and  Elizabeth.  Mrs.  Hildebrand  was,  like  her 
husband,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Thomas  E.  Hildebrand  grew  to  manhood  in 
the  borough  of  Indiana,  and  had  the  advant- 
ages afforded  by  the  eonunon  schools  and  the 
State  normal  school.  All  of  his  business  life 
he  has  been  connected  with  the  drug  store, 
where  he  began  as  his  father's  assistant,  after 
his  father's  death  purchasing  the  store  and 
taking  entire  charge  of  the  business.  In  1889 
he  tore  down  the  old  building  and  replaced  it 
with  a  substantial  three-stoiy  brick  building. 
21  by  75  feet  in  dimensions,  specially  equip- 
ped and  an-anged  for  the  conduct  of  the  busi- 
ness. It  is  located  on  Philadelphia  street. 
Mr.  Hildelirand  has  always  prided  himself 
on  having  a  complete  and  reliable  stock  of 
drugs,  and  being  himself  a  skillful  druggist 
knows  the  needs  of  his  trade,  to  which  he 
eaters  most  successfully.  He  has  kept  up  his 
wide  circle  of  patrons,  and  indeed  has  added 
perceptibly  to  the  extent  of  his  business 
throughout  his  long  career. 

In  1884  I\Ir.  Hildebrand  began  his  connec- 
tion with  the  Indiana  County  Deposit  Bank 
as  teller,  and  he  is  now  cashier,  which  position 
he  has  held  since  Feb.  26,  1907.  He  has  taken 
considerable  interest  in  the  local  government 
and  public  affairs  generally,  and  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Indiana 
(Pa.)  State  normal  school.  He  is  a  Republi- 
can in  political  connection.  Mr.  Hildebrand 
has  long  been  a  member  of  the  Cosmopolitan 
Club  of  Indiana.  His  intelligence  and  public 
spirit  entitle  him  to  rank  among  the  most 
valuable  men  in  his  section. 

EL:\[EH  E.  HEILIMAN,  M.  D.,  has  been 
engaged  in  the  general  practice  of  medicine 
at  Hillsdale.  Indiana  Co..  Pa.,  for  almost 
twenty  years,  having  settled  there  at  once 
upon  his  graduation  from  medical  school.    He 


1002 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


is  a  native  of  Armstrong  county,  Pa.,  born 
Nov.  23,  1S67,  son  of  Reuben  and  Mary  (Ever- 
hart)  Heilman,  farming  people.  Dr.  Heil- 
man's  father  and  grandfather  were  also  born 
in  Armstrong  county. 

Dr.  Heilman  obtained  his  preliminary  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools,  and  was  with  his 
father  working  on  the  farm  and  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  for  several  years  during  his 
young  manhood.  Entering  the  College  of 
Physicians  and  Surgeons  at  Baltimore,  Md., 
he  completed  his  course  there  in  1893,  and  the 
same  year  came  to  Hillsdale,  where  he  has 
found  a  congenial  field  of  labor.  Personally 
and  professionally  he  has  a  high  reputation, 
and  he  has  built  up  a  creditable  practice,  his 
sincere  interest  in  his  patients  and  unflagging 
attention  to  their  needs  winning  him  friend- 
ship as  well  as  confidence  wherever  he  goes. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Indiana  County  Med- 
ical Society. 

On  Oct.  8,  1896,  Dr.  Heilman  married 
Morna  Lee  Pittman,  of  Hillsdale,  daughter  of 
Dr.  Benjamin  and  Harriet  J.  (Barbour)  Pitt- 
man,  and  they  have  one  child,  Virginia  Irm- 
ingarde  Lee.  Dr.  Pittman  came  to  Hillsdale 
in  1863. 

EvERHART.  The  Everhart  family  of  Arm- 
strong county,  to  which  Dr.  Heilman  belongs 
in  the  maternal  line,  were  among  the  early 
settlers  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains. 
The  Doctor's  great-great-grandfather  Ever- 
hart was  born  in  Germany  and  came  with  his 
parents  to  this  country.  His  son.  Christian 
Everhart,  came  in  an  early  day  from  Hunting- 
don county,  Pa.,  to  Westmoreland  county,  and 
frequently  had  to  leave  his  farm  to  seek  safety 
from  the  Indians,  taking  refuge  in  a  neighbor- 
ing fort.  He  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  He 
was  an  elder  in  the  Lutheran  Church,  and 
died  in  Franklin  township.  Westmoreland 
county,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Snyder. 

Henry  Everhart,  son  of  Christian  and  Mary 
(Snyder)  Everhart,  was  born  in  1808.  In 
1847  he  moved  from  Westmoreland  county  to 
Kittanning  township,  Armstrong  county, 
where  .he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life,  ■ 
dying  Oct.  1,  1888.  He  was  a  fai-mer  by  oc- 
cupation, a  good  worker  and  thrifty  manager, 
and  became  one  of  the  substantial  and  re- 
spected residents  of  his  section.  He  held  vari- 
ous public  offices  in  his  township.  In  politics 
he  was  a  Democrat,  in  religious  connection  an 
earnest  meniljer  of  tlie  Lutheran  Church,  and 
served  it  many  years  in  the  capacity  of  elder. 
He  married  Susan  Keck,  who  was  born  Nov. 
25,  1810.  ill  :\[ercer  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of 


Christian  Keck,  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812, 
who  was  born  in  Mercer  county  and  died  there 
in  1854,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  Mrs. 
Susan  (Keck)  Everhart  died  in  Kittanning 
township  April  24,  1875,  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Everhart 
had  a  family  of  six  children,  of  whom  Mrs. 
Mary  (Everhart)  Heilman,  mother  of  Dr. 
Heilman,  was  one. 

JACK.  The  Jack  family  has  been  repre- 
sented for  four  generations  in  Blacklick  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  where  William  B.  Jack 
is  now  engaged  in  farming  and  prominent  in 
various 'local  interests.  The  following  is  taken 
from  a  history  of  his  ancestors  written  mostly 
by  William  Jack,  M.  D.,  of  Allegheny,  Pa., 
several  yeare  before  his  death.  (Dr.  Jack's 
account  was  written  about  thirty  years  ago. — 
1912.) 

James  Jack  lived  and  died  in  Cumberland 
county.  Pa.  He  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Jane  Carahan,  both  died  and  were 
buried  near  Newville,  that  county.  They  had 
thirteen  children,  four  sons  and  nine  daugh- 
ters, namely :  Patrick,  James,  John,  Andrew, 
Jane  (married  John  Cooper),  Ellen  (married 
James  Scroggs),  Polly  (married  John  Her- 
ron),  Betsy  (married  William  McParland), 
Peggy  (married  William  Clark),  Nancy 
(married  James  IMcCombs),  Cyntlaia  (mar- 
ried James  Hemphill),  Hannah  (married 
James  Wills)  and  Jemima  (married  Thomas 
Dunlap ) . 

Patrick  Jack,  great-grandfather  of  William 
B.  Jack,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
war.  He  was  born  in  Cumberland  county.  Pa. 
(son  of  James  and  Jane  Carahan  Jack),  and 
there  married  his  first  wife,  Margaret  Bryant, 
and  about  the  year  1786  he  moved  to  West- 
moreland county,  settling  near  Mount  Pleas- 
ant. Then  he  came  to  the  southern  part  of  Indi- 
ana county.  Pa.,  in  1791,  settling  on  a  farm  on 
Aultman's  run  in  Blacklick  township,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  He  died 
Feb.  17,  1817,  in  his  seventy-second  year,  and 
was  buried  in  Ebenezer  cemetery.  He  became 
a  very  prominent  man  in  the  community 
where  he  resided,  was  one  of  the  first  ruling 
elders  of  Ebenezer  congregation  in  Indiana 
county,  a  leading  man  in  the  church,  upright 
in  his  dealings,  and  a  wise  counselor.  For  his 
second  wife  he  married  the  Widow  Watson, 
and  his  third  marriage  was  to  Mrs.  Margaret 
Leslie  (or  Lesley),  who  died  without  issue, 
before  him.  The  second  and  third  wives  are 
also  buried  at  Ebenezer.  There  was  one  child 
liy  the  first  marriage,  called  James  after  his 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1003 


grandfather ;  and  one  by  the  second  mari-iage, 
Anna,  who  married  John  Henderson.  Many 
years  ago  John  Henderson  moved  from  Penn- 
sylvania to  what  was  then  called  the  Far  West, 
settling  on  a  farm  near  Maiysville,  the  count}' 
seat  of  Union  county,  Ohio.  His  youngest 
child,  William,  still  lived  on  that  old  farm 
when  this  article  was  written.  Jlrs.  Anna 
Henderson  died  at  the  age  of  eightj^-two.  She 
and  her  husband  had  ten  children,  of  whom 
Andrew  died  when  a  child.  The  others  were : 
Joseph,  John,  Samuel,  David  W.  (a  physi- 
cian), William,  Margaret,  Sarah  Ann,  Levinia 
and  Mary.  Dr.  David  W.  Henderson  practiced 
medicine  in  Maiysville,  Ohio,  until  his  death. 

James  Jack,  son  of  Patrick  Jack  by  his  first 
wife,  was  born  on  Christmas  night,  1779,  in 
Cumberland  county,  moved  thence  with  the 
family  to  Mt.  Pleasant  township,  Westmore- 
land county,  and  was  a  boy  of  eleven  years 
when,  in  1791,  he  came  to  the  farm  on  Ault- 
man's  run  in  Blaeklick  township,  in  southern 
Indiana  county.  Pa.,  formerly  a  part  of  West- 
moreland eount.y.  There  he  lived  and  died, 
his  death  occurring  in  August,  1861,  when  he 
was  eighty-one  years  of  age.  He  was  buried 
at  Ebenezer.  He  and  all  his  family  were 
members  of  the  Ebenezer  Church,  to  the  sup- 
port of  which  he  contributed  liberally,  and  he 
was  known  for  his  charity  and  generosity  in 
all  worthy  causes.  One  of  the  progressive 
agriculturists  of  his  day  in  his  section  of  In- 
diana county,  he  cleared  and  improved  the 
tract  of  about  four  hundred  acres  which  he 
inherited.  He  married  Mary  Alcorn,  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Esther  (Kennedy)  Alcorn, 
and  she  survived  him,  being  ninety-three 
years  old  at  the  time  of  her  death.  Although 
she  was  only  three  or  four  years  old  at  the 
time,  she  recollected  the  circumstances  of  her 
mother's  capture  by  the  Indians  while  out 
•digging  potatoes  in  a  patch  some  distance  from 
the  cabin  in  which  the  family  resided,  in  the 
Allegheny  mountains.  James  and  Mary 
(Alcorn)  Jack  had  eight  children,  three  sons 
and  five  daughters,  who  lived  to  maturity,  one 
son  and  one  daughter  dying  in  childhood.  We 
have  the  following  record  of  this  family: 

(1)  Margaret  Jack  married  Marshall 
Shields,  and  died  in  1865,  about  the  close  of 
the  Civil  war,  survived  by  one  son  and  one 
daughter,  William  C.  and  Virginia  Antoin- 
etta.  Her  eldest  child,  Milton,  died  in  child- 
hood, of  whooping  cough,  and  was  buried  in 
the  old  cemetery  at  Saltsburg,  Pa.  The  sec- 
ond child,  James  Jack  Shields,  enlisted  with 
his  father  in  the  105th  Regiment.  Penns.vl- 
vania  Volunteers,   and   was   wounded   at  the 


battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  dying  as  the  result  of  his 
injuries.  He  was  buried  in  Cypress  Hill 
cemetery,  Brooklyn,  New  Yoi'k. 

(2)  Jane  Jack,  second  child  of  James  Jack, 
maiTied  Samuel  C.  Hazlett,  a  farmer,  dealer 
in  horses,  stock,  etc.,  and  had  a  family  of  four 
children,  three  sons  and  one  daughter :  James 
J.,  who  was  an  eminent  attorney  of  Greens- 
burg,  Pa. ;  John  Leslie,  who  resided  at  Indi- 
ana, Pa. ;  ilary  Agnes,  married  to  John 
Welsh,  of  Latrobe,  Pa. ;  and  Judge  Alfred 
Hazlett,  of  Beatrice,  Nebraska. 

(3)  Esther  Kennedy  Jack,  third  child  of 
James  Jack,  married  William  C.  Marshall, 
of  Clarksburg,  Indiana  county.  Of  the  large 
family  born  to  them  only  one  son,  Theodore, 
and  one  daughter,  Ella,  wife  of  Armour 
Cribbs,  survive.  Three  of  the  sons,  James, 
Scott  and  Theodore,  were  in  the  Union  army 
during  the  Civil  war.  Lydia  married  D.  M. 
Reed,  of  Hiawatha,  Kans.  The  fourth  son 
lived  on  the  home  farm  until  his  death. 

(4)  James  McComb  Jack,  fourth  child  of 
James  Jack,  was  born  June  15,  1825,  on  Ault- 
raan's  run  in  Blaeklick  township,  where  he 
resided  with  his  parents,  growing  to  manhood 
on-  the  home  farm  and  assisting  his  father  in 
its  cultivation.  He  follow^ed  farming  and 
stock  raising  all  his  life,  residing  on  the  old 
farm  which  has  been  in  the  family  for  so 
many  years  and  a  part  of  w'hich  came  into 
his  possession  upon  the  death  of  his  father. 
Mr.  Jack  took  a  conspicuous  part  in  local 
affairs,  serving  the  townshii?  many  years  as 
school  director,  and  was  one  of  the  most 
highly  regarded  citizens  of  his  neighborhood, 
beloved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 
He  was  a  Republican  in  politics  and  in  reli- 
gious connection  a  member  of  the  Ebenezer 
Presbyterian  Church,  which  he  served  as 
elder.  He  and  his  wife  Elizabeth  are  buried 
in  the  Ebenezer  cemetery. 

Mr.  Jack  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife, 
Emma  Noyes,  from  the  State  of  Maine,  was  a 
music  teacher  in  the  Blairsville  Female  Sem- 
inary for  some  years  previous  to  her  marriage. 
.Several  children  were  born  to  this  union,  but 
all  died  in  infancy.  For  his  second  wife 
James  McComb  Jack  married,  June  11,  1868. 
Elizabeth  Fulton,  of  Westmoreland  county, 
daughter  of  Moses  Fulton,  formerly  of  West- 
moreland county.  Pa.  A  few  years  before 
her  father  and  mother  died  they  resided  near 
the  village  of  Livermore,  in  Indiana  county. 
Five  children  were  born  to  this  marriage,  four 
sons  and  one  daughter:  (1)  Fulton,  born 
June  17,  1869,  was  graduated  from  Wash- 
ington   and    Jefferson    College    in    the    class 


1004 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  1892,  studied  law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
at  Beatrice,  Nebraska,  in  1895,  and  continues 
to  practice  liis  profession  there.  He  married 
Angie  L.  Pollock,  and  they  reside  at  Beatrice, 
Nebraska.  They  have  three  children,  Fulton, 
Jr.,  Elizabeth  and  JIary  Josephine.  (2)  Will- 
iam Bryant  is  mentioned  below.  (3i  James 
P.,  born  in  May,  1872,  married  Mrs.  Heuriette 
Harrison.  (4)  Frank,  born  Jan.  28, 1874,  died 
in  September,  1889.  (5)  Mary  Agnes,  born 
Jan.  12,  1877,  gi-aduated  from  Grove  City 
College  in  the  class  of  1900,  and  has  since 
followed  teaching.  She  spends  her  vacations 
with  her  brother  William  on  the  home  farm. 

(5)  John  Henderson  Jack,  fifth  child  of 
James  Jack,  married  Mary  Reed,  of  Clarks- 
burg.   He  died  in  1897. 

(6)  Mary  Ann  Jack,  sixth  child  of  James 
Jack,  resided  at  the  old  homestead  until  her 
death,  March  16,  1912. 

(7)  Eliza  Jack,  seventh  child  of  James  Jack, 
died  in  the  year  1876. 

(8)  William  Jack,  youngest  child  in  the 
family  of  James  Jack,  became  a  physician  and 
surgeon.  He  served  three  years  as  surgeon  in 
the  Civil  war,  and  then  located  in  the  village 
of  Jacksonville,  Indiana  Co..  Pa.,  near  his  old 
birthplace,  where  he  became  acquainted  with 
and  married  Mary  J.  Bruce.  In  1875  he 
moved  to  the  city  of  Allegheny,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  until  his  death,  in  December, 
1892.  He  built  up  a  fine  practice  there  and 
won  many  warm  friends.  Dr.  and  j\Irs.  Jack 
had  four  children :  William  Bruce,  who  died 
in  1890;  Jlary  Blanche,  who  died  when  two 
years  old ;  Emma  Josephine,  who  died  in  1901, 
wife  of  William  Speedy;  and  James  Arthur, 
who  died  some  time  after  his  father. 

WiLLi.\M  Bryant  Jack,  son  of  James  ^Ic- 
Comb  and  Elizabeth  (Fulton)  Jack,  was  born 
Sept.  30,  1870,  in  Blackliek  township,  and 
there  obtained  his  eai-ly  education  in  the  dis- 
trict schools,  later  becoming  a  student  at  the 
Eldersridge  Academy.  Then  he  taught 
school  for  two  .years  in  Blackliek  and  Young 
townships  before  settling  down  to  farming 
with  his  father  on  the  farm  which  had  been 
originally  brought  into  the  famil.v  by  his 
great-grandfather.  The  house  built  by  his 
grandfather  is  still  in  first-class  condition  and 
in  use.  Mr.  Jack  helped  his  father  with  the 
farm  work  until  the  latter  died,  and  he  is  now 
the  owner  of  the  home  place  of  136  acres, 
which  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  lie 
is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers'  Telephone 
Company  of  Blackliek  Township,  being  a 
citizen  of  l)road  public  spirit  and  farsighted- 
ness in  mattei-s  affecting  the  general  welfare. 


For  eleven  years  he  has  been  township  aud- 
itor, and  he  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in 
the  administration  of  all  local  affairs.  He  is 
a  Republican,  and  has  served  on  the  town- 
ship committee  of  his  part.v.  Like  many  mem- 
bers of  the  family  he  is  a  leading  member  of 
the   Ebenezer  Presbyterian   Church. 

WILLIA:M  R.  CALHOUN,  of  Indiana,  is  a 
widely  known  citizen  of  Indiana  county,  whicli 
he  served  for  six  years  in  the  eapacit.v  of 
prothonotary,  from"  1900  to  1906.  He  had 
previousl.v  served  for  a  similar  period  as  clerk 
in  the  office.  Since  his  retirement  from  of- 
ficial life  he  has  been  engaged  in  business 
in  the  borough,  being  at  present  connected 
with  the  Penn  Enamel  Sink  Company,  of 
which  he  is  treasurer. 

Mr.  Calhoun  was  born  April  11,  1862,  in 
West  Lebanon.  Young  township.  Indiana 
eount.v,  and  is  of  Irish  extraction.  Ilis  earli- 
est ancestor  in  America  was  one  of  four 
brothel's  who  came  from  Ireland  to  this  coun- 
try. 

James  Calhoim,  grandfather  of  William  R. 
Calhoun,  died  in  Armstrong  township,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 
His  wife,  Nancy  (Robinson),  also  died  there. 

Alexander  Hai-vey  Calhoun,  father  of  Will- 
iam R.  Calhoun,  lived  in  Armstrong  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  and  was  a  wagonmaker 
by  occupation.  Later  he  located  at  West  Leb- 
anon, in  Young  township,  and  he  died  at 
Blairsville,  this  county,  Jan.  28.  1901.  Mr. 
Calhoun  sei'ved  his  coimtry  as  a  private  in 
the  Union  armj^  for  twenty-four  months  dur- 
ing the  Civil  war,  enlisting  twice,  the  second 
time  in  the  206th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantrv.  He  married  ]\Iary  Ann 
Henrv,  who  survives  him,  and  to  them  were 
liorn  children  as  follows:  William  R. ;  Alma, 
IMrs.  R.  S.  Coulter,  of  West  Lebanon ;  Nancy, 
'Sirs.  W.  J.  North,  of  Blairsville :  Lillian,  un- 
married; Oscar,  of  Blairsville,  and  Carrie, 
who  is  unmarried. 

William  R.  Calhoun  attended  public  school 
at  West  Lebanon,  and  later  took  a  course  at 
the  Curry  business  college,  in  Pittsburg,  Pa. 
Learning  the  carpenter's  trade,  he  followed 
it  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1894  he  became 
a  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  county  pi-othonotary, 
and  continued  to  serve  as  such  for  six  .vears, 
in  fact  until  he  himself  assumed  the  duties 
of  prothonotary,  to  which  office  he  was  first 
elected  in  the  fall  of  1899.  He  was  reelected 
at  the  end  of  his  first  term^  in  1902,  and  thus 
filled  the  position  for  six  consecutive  years, 
giving  high  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.    Af- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1005 


ter  his  retii-ement  from  the  office  he  spent 
six  months  in  California,  and  upon  his  return 
to  Indiana  embarked  in  the  insurance  busi- 
ness. In  October,  1911,  he  became  associated 
with  the'  Penn  Enamel  Sink  Company,  of 
which  he  is  now  treasurer.  This  is  one  of 
the  progressive  business  concerns  of  Indiana. 
The  product  is  white  enamel  kitchen  sinks  and 
similar  goods,  and  its  quality,  which  is  equal 
to  that  of  any  concern  in  the  country,  has  en- 
abled the  company  to  compete  in  this  locality 
with  many  larger  organizations.  The  main 
office  and  works  are  at  Indiana,  Pa.  Mr.  Cal- 
houn is  an  able  and  energetic  business  man,  a 
valuable  member  of  the  company,  and  does  his 
full  share  in  promoting  its  interests. 

On  July  18,  1900,  Mr.  Calhoun  married 
Annie  MeCormick,  of  Blairsville,  Pa.,  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  William  and  Eliza  MeCormick, 
of  Blairsville,  and  they  have  had  one  child, 
W.  CarL 

Mr.  Calhoun  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0. 
F.  and  AA^oodmen  of  the  "World,  and  in  re- 
ligious connection  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  is  a  Republican  in  political  mat- 
ters. 

JAMES  G.  FINDLEY  (deceased),  for 
many  years  a  highly  esteemed  resident  of 
East  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  by  reason  of  his  ability,  integrity  and 
intelligence  he  held  a  prominent  place  among 
his  fellow  citizens,  was  a  native  of  that  town- 
ship and  a  descendant  of  George  Findley,  its 
earliest  settler. 

George  Findley  is  supposed  to  have  been  of 
Scotch  origin.  He  crossed  the  mountains  and 
located  in  the  Pumroy  and  Wilson  settlement, 
in  what  is  now  Derry  township,  Westmore- 
land county,  in  1764.  The  following  year  he 
crossed  the  Conemaugh  river  to  what  is  now 
East  Wheatfield  township,  settling  on  a  tract 
of  land  now  owned  by  George  H.  Mathews, 
which  comprised  200  acres  of  land.  The  selec- 
tioi)  was  "tomahawked."  but  his  rights  were 
as  valid  in  those  days  as  if  he  had  gone 
through  the  more  complicated  methods  now 
neeessaiw.  His  visits  to  his  land  were  as  fre- 
qiient  and  his  stay  each  time  as  long  as  the 
troublesome  times  would  permit.  His  home 
was  spoken  of  May  29.  1769,  as  the  "Findley 
eabbins,"  in  some  application  warrants  of  that 
year.  When  the  Revohitionary  war  broke  out 
he  had  a  clearing  of  about  ten  acres,  on  which 
his  cabin  stood.  There  is  a  tradition  in  the 
family  that  when  he  visited  his  future  home 
with  a  bound  boy  named  George  Farmer,  to 
look  after  some  cattle,  the  Indians  surprised 


them,  and  that  Mr.  Findley  was  wounded 
through  the  left  arm,  but  escaped,  while  the 
boy  was  captured  by  the  savages  and  scalped, 
the  Indians  leaving  the  body  along  the  run 
which  adjoins  the  homestead.  Mr.  Findley 
settled  permanently  on  this  farm  with  his 
family  as  soon  as  conditions  made  it  safe  to 
do  so,  and  continued  to  make  his  home  there, 
although  frequently  obliged  to  seek  shelter 
at  Fort  Ligonier  or  Palmer 's  Fort.  Here  this 
brave  pioneer  rounded  out  his  useful  life, 
becoming  interested  along  various  lines,  for 
in  1784-85 'he  built  a  gristmill  which  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  the  second  in  the  county, 
and  in  1788  he  added  a  sawmill  to  his  plant. 
The  first  structure  was  a  small,  rude  log  mill, 
using  a  ten-foot  undershot  wheel,  and  had 
only  one  nm  of  stones.  The  second  was  worn 
out  in  1817  and  was  then  using  a  breast  wheel, 
and  it  too  had  only  one  run  of  stones.  The 
third  was  erected  in  1817  and  had  two  runs 
of  stones,  and  an  overshot  wheel  sixteen  feet 
in  diameter.  Mr.  Findley  cleared  off  much  of 
his  land,  and  was  noted  for  his  energj'  and 
industrious  habits;  his  thrift  made  possible 
the  accumulation  of  a  comfortable  fortune. 
His  death  occurred  on  the  farm  he  had  re- 
deemed from  the  wilderness  Sept.  7.  1814, 
when  he  was  fifty-eight  years  old;  his  re- 
mains were  interred  on  the  homestead.  His 
wife,  Elizabeth,  also  died  there,  and  is  buried 
by  his  side.  They  were  married  near  Hagers- 
town,  Md.  The  children  born  to  this  worthy 
couple  were :  James,  born  in  Franklin  coun- 
ty. Pa.,  Dec.  16,  1777;  Isabelle,  born  in  Ha- 
gerstown,  Md.,  who  married  Andrew  Reyn- 
olds ;  and  Elizabeth,  born  Jan.  28,  1784,  who 
married  in  1806  Archibald  Mathews,  and  set- 
tled on  a  portion  of  her  father's  fann. 

James  Findley,  son  of  George,  came  to  what 
is  now  East  Wheatfield  township  with  his 
parents  when  eight  years  old,  and  was  there 
reared  to  manhood.  During  the  war  of  1812 
he  gave  his  country  brave  service  and  assisted 
in  the  construction  of  Fort  Meigs.  Like  his 
father  he  was  a  farmer  and  miller,  and  spent 
his  useful  life  in  East  Wheatfield  township, 
where  he  died  May  30,  1837 ;  he  was  interred 
in  the  family  burial  ground  on  the  farm, 
where  a  headstone  still  marks  his  last  resting 
place.  The  remains  of  the  old  mill  which  be- 
longed to  him  is  still  to  be  seen  at  Cramer. 

On  Jan.  1,  1812,  James  Findley  married 
Permelia  Dill,  who  was  born  in  1792  near 
the  present  site  of  Dilltown,  Buffington  town- 
ship, daughter  of  Matthew  Dill  and  grand- 
daughter of  Col.  Matthew  Dill,  Jr.,  who  was 
colonel  of  a  regiment  in  the  Revolutionary 


1006 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


war.  The  children  of  James  Findley  and  his 
wife  were :  George,  born  Nov.  16.  1812 ;  Ann, 
bom  Sept.  19,  1814,  who  married  William  R. 
Dill;  Mary  Jane,  born  March  30,  1S16,  who 
married  Robert  McCormaek;  Permelia,  born 
July  11,  1818,  married  to  William  Wolf; 
James  G.,  born  Jlay  19,  1820;  Rebecca,  born 
July  4,  1822,  who  married  John  Goddard ;  A. 
Mathews,  born  April  14,  1825;  Eliza  Jane, 
born  June  16,  1827,  who  married  Samuel 
MeCuue;  and  Harriet  A.,  born  Sept.  28,  1829. 

In  his  boyhood  James  G.  Findley  followed 
farming  with  his  parents.  Subsequently  he 
learned  the  trade  of  millwright,  in  the  pur- 
suit of  which  calling  he  became  very  well 
known,  being  considered  the  most  skillful 
tradesman  in  his  line  throughout  this  section. 
He  also  did  carpenter  work,  contracting  and 
building,  and  was  a  reliable  and  conscientious 
workman.  He  was  prominent  in  local  affairs, 
serving  as  justice  of  peace  of  East  Wheatfield 
township,  and  was  also  active  in  church  work. 
He  built  a  small  church  at  his  own  expense, 
where  he  held  Bible  class,  prayer  meetings, 
and  Sunda}'  school.  He  was  a  great  reader 
and  Bible  student,  being  remarkable  for  his 
excellent  memory,  and  will  long  be  remem- 
bered for  his  many  deeds  of  charity.  During 
the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  1861-65,  he  joined 
the  S3d  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 
and  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 
In  the  year  1850  Mr.  Findley  married  Phoebe 
Burkhart,  who  was  born  Aug.  5,  1828,  in  Jack- 
son township,  Cambria  county,  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Ester  (Goughenour)  Burkhart, 
and  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  earliest  set- 
tlers of  Cambria  county.  They  had  a  family 
of  twelve  children,  all  born  in  Buffingtou  town- 
ship, viz. :  Alice,  who  died  in  infancy ; 
George,  who  died  when  twenty-one  years  old ; 
Carrie,  who  married  John  H.  Downing,  and 
died  in  1892 ;  Rebecca,  who  married  J.  C. 
Murphy;  Eliza,  who  died  when  eighteen  years 
old;  Susan,  who  married  Benjamin  Reese; 
James  Sampson ;  Joseph,  who  died  young ; 
Essie  Jane,  who  married  John  A.  Keiper; 
Ella  S.,  who  married  Charles  Scheetz,  and  re- 
sides at  Anderson,  Ind. ;  Annie,  wife  of  Louis 
J.  Hahn ;  and  Frank,  an  employee  in  the 
offices  of  the  Cambria  Steel  Company,  who 
married  Gertie  Horan  and  has  one  daughter, 
Helen  Phebe,  born  in  March,  1895,  residing 
with  her  parents  at  Johnstown.  Pennsylvania. 

James  G.  Findley  moved  to  Conemaugh 
with  his  family  in  1874,  from  that  place  mov- 
ing to  Mineral  Point  in  1886,  where  in  1889 
his  home  was  swept  away  in  the  great  Johns- 
town  flood.     His   wife,   Phoebe    (Burkhart) 


Findley,  was  drowned,  and  her  body  was 
never  recovered.  One  daughter,  Essie,  wife 
of  John  A.  Keiper,  and  her  infant  son  were 
also  drowned,  their  bodies  being  found  and 
buried  in  Grand  View  cemetery.  Mr.  Findley 
and  his  daughter  Annie  had  a  veiy  narrow 
escape,  both  being  rescued  by  people  who 
pulled  them  out  of  the  water.  Mr.  Findley 
died  while  on  a  visit  at  Erie,  Pa.,  Jan.  21, 
1903,  at  the  age  of  nearly  eighty-three  years, 
and  is  buried  in  the  soldiers'  plot  in  Grand 
View  cemetery,  at  Johnstown.  His  son,  James 
Sampson,  an  engineer  on  the  Pennsylvania 
railroad,  resides  at  Pittsburg  and  part  of  the 
time  at  his  summer  home  at  Conneaut  Lake; 
he  has  eight  children,  Edgar  Allen,  Charles 
G.,  Essie  J.,  Enid,  Donna,  Frank,  Alice  and 
Robert,  and  one  grandchild,  son  of  Essie  J., 
Jesse  Finley  Cunninghan,  born  in  1913. 

Louis  J.  H.\hn  was  born  Jan.  1,  1865,  in 
the  town  of  Grozingen,  Kingdom  of  Wurtem- 
berg,  Germany,  son  of  John  G.  and  Dorothea 
(Brodbeck)  Hahn.  He  was  educated  in  his 
native  land,  and  when  sixteen  years  of  age 
came  to  America,  first  settling  in  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.,  and  later  coming  to  Johnstown, 
Pa.,  where  on  July  5,  1892,  he  mai-ried  Annie 
Findley,  daughter  of  James  G.  Findley.  Mr. 
and  ilrs.  Hahn  have  since  made  their  home  on 
Somerset  street,  Johnstown,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged in  the  real  estate  business,  having  built 
up  a  fine  patronage  in  that  line.  They  have 
had  a  family  of  six  children :  Lionel  J.,  born 
April  28,  1893 ;  George  James,  Aug.  19,  1894 ; 
Dorothy  Lilian,  June  2,  1896;  Frances  Eu- 
gene (daughter),  Jan.  31,  1898  (died  Aug. 
5,  1898)  ;  Louis,  Jan.  21,  1899  (died  April  5, 
1904)  ;  and  Francis  Eugene  (son),  July  12, 
1900  (who  died  bv  accidental  drowning  on 
March  31,  1905).  " 

Lionel  J.  and  George  J.  Hahn.  mentioned 
above,  are  employees  in  the  office  of  the  Lo- 
rain Steel  Company  and  Dorothy  Lilian  Hahn 
is  a  student  in  the  Johnstown  high  school. 

The  above  is  a  correct  account  of  all  direct 
descendants  of  James  G.  Findley  as  far  aa 
known.  The  family  record  having  been  lost 
in  the  flood,  some  dates  are  omitted. 

THOMAS  C.  MACK,  a  well-known  farmer 
and  stock  raiser  of  East  Wlieatfield  township, 
Indiana  county,  where  he  owns  Fair  View 
farm,  was  born  Dec.  27,  1874,  on  the  old  Mack 
homestead  in  that  vicinity. 

The  early  members  of  this  IMack  family  in 
Indiana  county  were  among  the  most  re- 
spected of  the  pioneer  settlers  in  what  is 
now   East  and   West  Wheatfield   townships, 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1007 


and  its  founder  here  was  Eobert  Mack,  great- 
grandfather of  Thomas  C.  Mack.  Robert 
Mack  was  a  native  of  County  Down,  Ireland, 
born  about  1763.  There  he  grew  to  manhood 
and  married  Margaret  Campbell,  who  was 
born  about  1769,  and  four  children  were  born 
to  them  in  their  native  home :  John,  born 
about  1797 ;  Robert,  born  about  1799 ;  James, 
born  March  3,  1800;  and  Jean,  born  about 
1803.  In  the  early  part  of  1803  Robert  ilaek 
with  his  wife  and  four  children  left  their 
native  home  for  America.  "While  they  were 
crossing  the  Atlantic,  on  a  slow-going  sailing 
vessel,  their  little  daughter  Jean  died  and 
was  buried  at  sea,  the  body  being  placed  in 
a  sack,  weighted  at  the  feet  with  sand.  The 
burial  sei'vice  was  read  by  the  captain.  After 
landing  in  the  New  World  the  famih'  made 
their  way  west  of  the  Alleghenies,  locating  in 
Wheattield  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where 
Mr.  Mack  settled  down  to  farming  on  a  400- 
aere  tract.  He  had  to  erect  the  log  cabin  for 
his  family,  and  began  a  hard  tight  for  exist- 
ence in  the  wildei-ness  which  lasted  many 
years.  By  steady  industry  and  thrifty  habits 
he  managed  to  develop  his  farm  and  make 
many  improvements,  and  he  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  on  that  place,  dying  there 
Aug.  2,  1850.  He  was  buried  in  Bethel 
Church  cemetery,  in  what  is  now  West  Wheat- 
field  township,  and  a  headstone  marks  the  last 
resting  place  of  himself  and  wife.  Mr.  Mack 
in  religious  principle  was  what  was  known 
as  a  Seceder,  later  joining  the  Bethel  United 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  an  old-line 
Democrat  on  political  questions.  His  wife 
preceded  him  to  the  grave,  dying  on  the  farm 
Nov.  17,  1839,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  and 
was  laid  to  rest  in  Bethel  cemetery.  She,  too, 
was  a  member  of  the  Bethel  United  Presby- 
terian Church.  She  was  the  mother  of  thir- 
teen children,  those  born  in  Wheattield  town- 
ship being:  David;  William;  Samuel;  Ann- 
strong;  George;  Jean  (2),  who  married  Will- 
iam McLean,  and  resides  in  West  Wheatfield 
township ;  Margaret,  who  married  Hugh  St. 
Clair,  and  removed  to  Iowa;  and  Elizabeth 
(Betsey),  who  married  William  Campbell,  be- 
ing his  second  wife. 

Robert  ]\Iaek,  son  of  Robert,  was  born  about 
1799,  came  to  America  with  his  parents  and 
gi-ew  to  manhood  iu  Wheatfield  township.  He 
made  his  home  in  what  is  now  West  Wheat- 
field,  where  he  became  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock  raising,  owning  a  tract  of 
100  acres  which  he  himself  cleared  up  and 
improved,  building  a  log  house  and  barn  and 
doing  all  the  other  work  necessary  to  con- 


vert the  property  into  a  habitable  place.  By 
hard  work  he  succeeded  in  making  a  comfort- 
able home  for  his  large  family,  and  he  was 
one  of  the  most  respected  citizens  of  the  vicin- 
ity. He  died  on  his  farm  in  1854,  at  the  age 
of  fifty-five  years,  and  was  buried  in  the 
cemetery  of  Bethel  U.  P.  Church,  in  which 
he  held  membership.  In  political  conviction 
he  was  a  stanch  Democrat.  Mr.  Mack's  first 
wife,  Margaret  (ilcDonald),  daughter  of 
Joseph  McDonald,  of  Wheatfield  township, 
was  buried  in  Bethel  Chui'ch  cemetery.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  Nine  children  were  born  to  this 
union,  namely :  Joseph,  Robert,  Hugh,  John, 
Margaret  (married  Robert  Campbell),  Cath- 
erine (married  James  Campbell),  Mary  (mar- 
ried James  Smith  and  went  West),  Elizabeth 
(married  Thomas  Wertz  and  went  to  Iowa), 
and  Martha  (married  John  Campbell,  who 
died  in  Andersonville  prison,  and  she  sub- 
sequently married  David  Brandgler,  of  Johns- 
town). Mr.  Mack's  second  marriage  was  to- 
Mrs.  Nancy  (Barr)  Mikesell,  widow  of  John 
Mikesell,  and  she  died  in  September,  1897,  at 
the  age  of  eighty  years,  at  Titusville.  Pa., 
where  she  is  buried.  The  children  of  this 
union  were :  David ;  Samuel ;  Stewart,  twin 
of  Samuel,  deceased  in  infancy;  Nancy,  who 
married  William  Kerr:  and  Icareda  Belle, 
who  married  William  Henderson  and  resides 
at  Titusville. 

David  Mack,  son  of  Robert  and  Nancy  Barr 
(Mikesell)  Mack,  was  bom  in  what  is  now 
East  Wheatfield  township,  Dec.  24,  1849,  and 
obtained  his  education  there  in  the  public 
schools.  He  was  only  in  his  fifth  3'ear  when 
his  father  died,  and  he  lived  with  his  mother 
on  the  farm,  learning  agricultural  work  and 
assisting  at  home  as  soon  as  possible.  After 
some  experience  in  the  employ  of  others  he 
settled  on  the  homestead  place,  a  tract  of  140 
acres  where  he  carried  on  general  farming 
and  stock  raising,  doing  well  and  making 
many  improvements  upon  the  property,  where 
most  of  his  active  life  was  spent.  He  built 
a  frame  dwelling  house  and  barn  there.  In 
1895  he  removed  to  Armagh,  this  county, 
where  he  embarked  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness, in  partnership  with  his  son  Thomas  C. 
Mack,  the  firm  name  being  David  Mack  & 
Son.  They  had  been  associated  for  four  yeai-s 
when  David  Mack  had  to  give  up  active  work 
because  of  poor  health,  and  he  died  shortly 
afterward,  Dec.  17,  1899.  He  is  buried  in  the 
Armagh  ceraeteiy.  He  was  quite  prominent 
in  the  public  affairs  of  his  locality,  serving^ 
as  tax  collector,  school  director  and  constable 


1008 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  the  township  for  a  number  of  years.  In 
his  political  views  he  was  a  Repiiblican.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  Mr.  Mack  married  Angeline  Carney, 
a  native  of  Buffington  township,  this  county, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Carney,  and  she  survives 
him,  living  in  East  Wheatfield  township.  She 
is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Mack  had  two  children,  Sylvester  S.  and 
•  Thomas  C. 

Thomas  C.  Mack  was  educated  principally 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  township, 
and  attended  summer  normal  under  Prof.  J. 
T.  Stewart  and  Prof.  C.  A.  Campbell.  Be- 
ginning work  on  the  farm  with  his  fatlier,  he 
continued  there  until  the  family  settled  at 
Armagh,  when  he  became  his  father's  part- 
ner in  the  mercantile  business,  continuing 
same  until  a  short  time  after  his  father's 
death.  In  1900  he  sold  out  and  resumed 
farming,  settling  on  the  tract  of  110  acres 
which  has  since  been  his  home.  This  place 
was  forijierly  owned  by  A.  P.  Thompson. 
Here  he  has  followed  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  for  the  last  twelve  years,  and 
being  entei'prising  as  well  as  industrious  has 
made  many  changes  for  the  better  in  his  prop- 
erty. Mr.  IMack  is  the  kind  of  citizen  who 
believes  in  working  for  the  general  welfare 
as  well  as  for  the  advancement  of  his  private 
interests — feeling  that  the  prosperity  of  the 
one  is  favorable  to  the  other.  He  has  served 
seven  years  as  aiiditor  of  his  township,  and 
has  been  election  inspector.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican in  political  principle,  but  votes  in- 
dependently. His  religious  connection  is  with 
the  M.  E.  Church  at  Armagh,  which  he  joined 
in  1900;  he  has  served  as  trustee  of  that 
church.  He  takes  great  pleasure  in  his  auto- 
mobile, which  is  one  of  the  best  cars  in  the 
township. 

On  June  6,  1900,  Mr.  Mack  married  Mary 
A.  Shaffer,  who  was  born  in  West  Wheatfield 
township,  daughter  of  L.  S.  Shaffer,  of  Clyde, 
that  township,  mentioned  elsewhere.  They 
have  had  two  children:  David  Raymond, 
born  Aug.  6,  1901,  and  Helen  Elda,  born  Dec. 
.^),  1903. 

Sylvester  S.  Mack,  brother  of  Thomas  C. 
]Mack,  was  bom  July  23,  1873.  and  began  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  home 
townsliip.  Later  he  attended  sunnner  normal 
at  Armagh  under  Prof.  C.  A.  Campbell,  and 
the  Iron  City  Business  College  at  Pittsburg. 
For  three  years  he  taught  school,  then  be- 
coming clerk  in  a  store  at  Pitt.sburg  and  after- 
ward being  similarly  engaged  at  Johnstown 
for  a  short  period.     He  has  since  been  man- 


ager of  the  Conemaugh  Mercantile  Company's 
store  at  Conemaugh,  Cambria  county,  where 
he  now  resides.  On  Oct.  6,  1896,  he  married 
Rose  M.  Spires,  daughter  of  Wellington 
Spires,  and  they  have  had  seven  children: 
Lenore,  Angle,  Paul,  Stanley,  Dorothj',  and 
twin  daughters,  Ethel  and  one  that  died  at 
birth.  Mr.  Mack  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  in  which  he  is  an  active  worker, 
serving  as  trustee  and  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school.  He  is  a  Republican  in  polit- 
ical matters. 

DANIEL  FREDERICK  RINN  is  an  active 
business  man  of  Indiana,  whei'e  he  has  various 
associations  which  have  brought  him  into 
prominence  and  established  position.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  firm  of  St.  Clair,  Rinn  & 
Co.,  wholesale  and  retail  dealers  in  coal,  sand 
and  brick,  also  engaged  in  the  milling  and 
feed  business  at  Indiana,  and  operating  a 
large  stone  quarry  and  sand  plant  at  Kim- 
mel's  Siding,  on  the  Buffalo,  Rochester  & 
Pittsburg  railroad,  and  carries  on  lumber  op- 
erations on  his  own  account  besides  maintain- 
ing his  connection  with  that  concern.  He  was 
liorn  March  13,  1864,  in  North  Mahoning 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  John  Rinn 
and  grandson  of  Daniel  Frederick  Rinn.  The 
latter  brought  his  wife  and  family  from  Ger- 
many to  America  many  years  ago,  settling  in 
Rayne  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he 
passed  the  rest  of  his  life  on  a  farm,  where  he 
and  his  wife  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age. 

John  Rinn  was  born  in  Germany  and  was 
seven  years  old  when  he  came  with  the  family 
to  America.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  Rayne 
township,  and  what  little  education  he  re- 
ceived was  gained  in  public  school  thei'e.  He 
was  very  young  when  he  commenced  to  work, 
being  employed  in  the  timber  and  at  anything 
he  could  do.  At  the  time  of  his  marriage  he 
settled  on  a  farm  of  his  own  in  North  Mahon- 
ing township,  Indiana  county,  and  later 
bought  and  moved  to  a  farm  in  Perry  town- 
ship. Jeft'erson  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  died  in  189-4, 
when  sixty-seven  years  old.  He  was  married 
in  Indiana  county  to  Margaret  Haag,  a  native 
of  Germany,  who  came  to  Amei-ica  with  an 
okler  brother  and  a  younger  sister.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Rinn  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  and  joined  the  Evangelical 
denomination.  He  was  a  Republican  in  his 
political  opinions.  Six  children  were  born 
to  this  worthy  couple:  IMary,  I\Irs.  Walter 
Hunter,  now  deceased ;  Sanrael  A.,  a  coal  op- 
erator, of  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  Daniel  Fred- 
erick :  Sarah,  Mrs.  William  Brumbaugh ;  Jen- 


^ff^WP. 


/-^^^^ 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1009 


uie,  Mrs.  Jacob  Lingenfelter,  deceased;  and 
Lizzie,  Mrs.  Humble,  deceased. 

Daniel  Frederick  Rinn  obtained  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Jefferson 
county,  completing  his  schooling  with  a  course 
in  a  seminary  in  Perry  township,  Jefferson 
county.  For  nine  years  he  was  engaged  in 
teaching  public  school  in  Jefferson  county. 
Subsequently  he  took  a  position  as  coal 
weigher  with  the  Rochester  &  Pittsburg  Coal 
&  Iron  Company,  at  Eleanor,  Pa.,  and  was 
later  bookkeeper  with  the  same  concern. 
Since  severing  that  connection  he  has  been  in- 
terested in  the  lumber  business,  and  he  has 
also  met  with  considerable  success  as  a  coal 
dealer.  In  1904  he  settled  at  Indiana,  where 
he  has  been  associated  with  business  oper- 
ations as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  St.  Clair, 
Rinn  &  Co.,  wholesale  and  retail  dealers  in 
coal,  who  also  carry  on  a  feed  store,  engage 
in  milling,  and  deal  in  sand  and  brick.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Indiana  Hardware  Com- 
pany and  a  director  of  the  Savings  and  Trust 
Company. 

On  Sept.  21,  1886,  Mr.  Rinn  was  married  to 
Sadie  E.  Preas,  daughter  of  John  and  Cather- 
ine (Snyder)  Freas,  of  Ringgold  to^vnship, 
Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.  They  have  a  family  of 
three  children:  John  C,  who  graduated  June 
12,  1912,  .from  Gettysburg  College;  Minnie 
C,  who  graduated  May  28,  1912.  from  Combs' 
Broad  Street  Conservatory  of  Music,  Philadel- 
phia ;  and  Samuel  W.,  now  a  senior  at  the 
Kiskiminetas  Springs  school  (he  is  serving 
his  second  year  as  captain  of  the  track  team 
and  winning  his  "K"  in  track,  basket-ball 
and  foot-ball  work). 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rinn  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  and  lie  lias  lieeu  a  promi- 
nent church  worker,  at  present  serving  as 
member  of  the  church  council  and  superin- 
tendent of  the  0.  A.  B.  C.  work  in  Indiana 
county.  He  is  a  Republican  on  political  ques- 
tions. 

JOHNSON  LIGHTCAP  LAUGHRY,  a 
farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  East  Mahoning 
township,  was  born  in  that  township,  on  the 
farm  he  now  occupies,  March  21,  1846. 

The  family  is  of  Scotch  extraction,  but  the 
immediate  founders  of  it  in  Pennsylvania 
came  from  Ireland.  Some  members  of  this 
family  spell  the  name  Loughry,  while  others 
spell  it  Laughry,  the  latter  form  being  used 
by  the  branch  to  which  Johnson  Lightcap 
Laughry  belongs. 

William  Laughry,  the  founder  of  the  family 
in  this  country,  came  here  from  Ireland  and 


settled  in  "Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  later 
moving  to  Blacklick  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  settling  west  of  Campbells  mills,  in  which 
section  he  was  one  of  the  pioneers.  He  not 
only  operated  a  large  farm,  but  seiwed  as 
justice  of  the  peace  and  was  a  man  of  dignity 
and  prominence.  He  married  Esther  Allison, 
also  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  their  children 
were  :  James ;  Joseph ;  John,  who  married 
IMargaret  Graham ;  William,  who  married  a 
Miss  Chambers;  Benjamin;  Rebecca,  who  mar- 
ried Malachi  Sutton ;  and  Sarah,  who  married 
William  Robinson. 

James  Laughry,  son  of  William  Laughry, 
was  born  in  Blacklick  township,  on  a  farm. 
His  educational  opportunities  were  very  lim- 
ited, as  there  were  few  schools  during  those 
pioneer  days.  After  he  grew  up  he  settled 
in  what  is  now  White  township,  and  there 
made  his  home,  following  fanning  all  his 
life.  He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  and  lived  out  in  his 
everyday  life  the  creed  he  professed.  James 
Laughry  married  Ann  Wilson,  daughter  of 
John  Wilson,  who  during  the  American  Revo- 
lution was  one  of  General  Washington's  life 
guards.  Ten  children  were  born  to  this  mar- 
riage :  John  W. ;  Mary,  who  married  Abra- 
ham Moor;  William,  who  married  Margaret 
Lucus;  Alexander,  who  married  Louisa  Mc- 
Lean; i\Iartha;  Rebecca,  who  married  Gibson 
Stewart ;  Elizabeth ;  Margaret,  who  died  in 
childhood;  Robert,  wlio  married  Susannah 
Flickinger ;  and  Joseph,  who  married  Martha 
Allison.  Mrs.  Laughry  died,  and  Mr.  Laugh- 
ry married  (second)  Jane  Shields,  by  whom 
he  had  these  children:  Ann,  who  married 
James  Park;  ^Margaret,  who  married  Dr.  D. 
M.  Marshall ;  James  N.,  who  married  and  is  a 
physician ;  Nelson ;  Esther,  who  married  Dr. 
Burrell ;  and  Mary  J.,  who  married  Joseph 
Shields. 

John  Wilson  Laughry,  son  of  James  Laugh- 
ry, was  born  in  White  township  June  10,  1809, 
and  there  attended  school  for  a  few  months 
each  winter.  Although  his  educational  ad- 
vantages were  thus  limited,  he  was  a  well-in- 
formed man,  as  he  did  a  great  deal  of  reading 
and  was  very  intelligent.  Growing  up  on 
the  farm,  he  worked  along  agricialtural  lines 
for  a  time,  and  then  began  to  learn  tanning  in 
Young  township,  but  later  went  to  Rayne 
township,  where  he  followed  this  trade  in 
conjunction  with  farming.  In  1842  he  came 
to  East  Mahoning  township,  buying  120  acres 
of  land  owned  by  Hugh  Cannon.  On  it  he 
built  a  log  house  and  stable,  and  cleared  off 
the  land,  working  hard  early  and  late.     In 


1010 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1851  he  built  the  frame  dwelling,  and  three 
years  later  the  frame  barn,  and  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  there,  carrying  on  diversi- 
fied farming  as  well  as  stock  raising.  He  also 
bought  a  tract  of  land  from  John  C.  and  J. 
H.  Rochester,  known  as  the  Brady  farm,  thus 
becoming  the  owner  of  200  acres  of  land,  all 
of  which  he  cultivated.  His  death  occurred 
Aug.  24,  1881,  when  he  was  seventy-two  years 
old.  His  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  the 
Washington  Church  cemetery  in  Rayne  town- 
ship. From  the  formation  of  the  Republican 
party  I\lr.  Laughry  was  interested  in  the  suc- 
cess of  its  principles  and  gave  it  hearty  sup- 
port. For  years  he  held  township  offices, 
among  them  being  those  of  school  director, 
assessor  and  collector.  During  the  entire 
period  of  his  holding  office  he  gave  complete 
satisfaction,  and  was  a  man  of  extreme  pro- 
bity. The  Presbyterian  Church  held  his 
membership,  and  he  was  as  highly  respected 
in  that  connection  as  he  was  elsewhere. 

On  Jan.  31,  1834,  John  Wilson  Laughry 
married  Jane  Lightcap,  who  was  born  in 
Cumberland  county.  Pa.,  Aug.  3,  1808,  a 
daughter  of  Godfrey  Lightcap,  and  died  Nov. 
16,  1894;  she  is  buried  in  the  same  cemetery 
as  her  husband.  They  had  children  as  fol- 
lows: Samuel  W.,  born  March  22,  1835,  died 
Dec.  30,  1846;  James  M.,  born  Feb.  27,  1837, 
was  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war,  and  now  re- 
sides at  East  Mahoning  township ;  Johnson 
Lightcap  was  born  March  21,  1846 ;  Marv 
Jane,  born  Jan.  24,  1848,  died  Nov.  4,  1863 ; 
Margaret  Ann,  born  Sept.  19,  1851,  resided 
with  her  mother  on  the  homestead. 

The  Laughry  family  is  a  large  one  and  its 
members  are  scattered  all  over  the  country, 
but  wherever  found  they  are  men  and  women 
of  high  character  who  have  made  good  use  of 
their  talents  and  occupy  positions  of  trust  and 
responsibility  in  their  communities,  doing 
credit  to  their  common  ancestor,  the  sturdy 
Scotch-Irishman  who  came  to  this  country  so 
many  years  ago. 

Johnson  Lightcap  Laughry,  son  of  John 
Wilson  Laughry,  was  brought  up  on  his  fath- 
er's farm  and  taught  lessons  of  thrift  and  in- 
dustry that  have  served  him  well  all  his 
life.  He  attended  the  local  schools,  his  first 
teacher  having  been  Miss  Mary  (Molly) 
Brady.  The  youngest  son,  Mr.  Laughry,  re- 
mained at  home  and  took  care  of  his  parents 
in  their  declining  years.  Long  before  the 
death  of  his  father  he  took  charge  of  the  prop- 
erty, the  greater  portion  of  which  he  had  as- 
sisted in  clearing,  and  comineuced  further 
improving  it.    In  1881  he  built  a  frame  house 


for  his  mother  and  sister,  which  is  now  oc- 
cupied by  his  son  and  family.  In  1903  he 
put  up  his  present  fine  residence,  which  is 
one  of  the  best  in  the  township,  and  .supplied 
with  modern  improvements.  As  circum- 
stances required  he  erected  buildings  on  the 
farm  to  house  his  stock  and  machinery,  and  his 
entire  premises  are  in  magnificent  condition. 
Adding  to  the  original  homestead  he  is  now 
operating,  with  the  assistance  of  his  sons,  233 
acres  of  land,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
leading  agriculturists  of  his  section.  A  pub- 
lic-spirited man,  he  has  found  time  to  serve 
as  a  school  director,  inspector  of  elections, 
clerk  of  the  board  of  elections,  and  (for  sev- 
enteen years)  auditor  of  the  township.  The 
Republican  party  has  in  him  a  tried  and  true 
supporter.  He  has  long  belonged  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Marion  Center,  but 
holds  no  official  position  in  that  body. 

On  March  26,  1874.  Mr.  Laughry  was  mar- 
ried to  Hester  A.  McLaughlin,  a  native  of 
Rayne  township,  daughter  of  James  and  Mar- 
garet (Speedy)  McLaughlin.  After  thirty- 
seven  years  of  happy  married  life  Mrs. 
Laughry  died  Dec.  13,  1911,  very  suddenly, 
of  rheumatism  of  the  heart,  and  was  buried 
in  the  Marion  Center  cemetery.  She  was  a 
lovable  Christian  woman,  and  was  deeply 
mourned  not  only  hy  her  own  family  but  by 
the  many  who  claimed  her  as  a  friend:  The 
following  children  were  born  to  Johnson 
Lightcap  Laughry  and  his  wife:  James  Nor- 
man, born  March  29,  1877,  on  the  homestead, 
married  Ella  M.  Pollock,  daughter  of  Hugh 
M.  Pollock,  and  thev  have  one  son,  Frank 
Glade,  born  March  16,  1910;  John  Dallas  and 
Margaret  Eva  (twins),  born  April  18,  1885, 
are  at  home;  Harve.y  McKee.  born  March  7. 
1888,  died  Feb.  23,  1891. 

FRANKLIN  0.  SHIELDS,  of  Spring 
Farm,  Blacklick  township,  Indiana  count.v.  is 
a  son  of  John  Shields.  His  mother  was  Myr- 
tilla  Stewart,  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Su- 
san (Sutton)  Stewart,  granddaughter  of 
Gawin  Sutton  and  great-granddaughter  of 
Peter  Sutton,  the  Revolutionary  soldier  and 
ancestor  of  the  Suttons  in  Indiana  county. 
Her  gi-andmother — wife  of  Gawin  Sutton — 
was  Jane  Ward,  a  daughter  of  John  Ward,  of 
Morris  county,  N.  J.,  who  also  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolution,  serving  every  alternate 
month  during  the  whole  war.  and  for  his  serv- 
ice was  pen.sioned  during  the  later  vcars  of  his 
life. 

John  Shields,  great-grandfather  of  Frank- 
lin 0.  Shields,  was  the  pioneer  of  the  Shields 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1011 


family  in  this  county.  He  was  born  in  Ches- 
ter county,  Pa.,  Aug.  18,  1759,  and  moved  to 
Toboyne  township,  then  in  Cumberland  (now 
Perry)  county.  Pa.,  from  where  he  enlisted 
in  the  war  for  independence  at  the  age  of  sev- 
enteen years.  On  one  occasion  he  substituted 
for  his  father  and  at  another  for  a  neighbor, 
and  later  served  in  the  State  militia  in  quell- 
ing the  Indian  outbreaks.  In  1782  he  mar- 
ried Maiy  Marshall,  and  a  j'ear  later  moved 
across  the  mountains  into  what  was  then 
known  as  the  Indian  country,  settling  on  the 
bank  of  Blaeklick  creek,  near  where  Gen. 
Charles  Campbell  had  built  his  mill,  and  at 
what  is  now  known  as  the  Shields  ford.  He 
was  a  hunter  and  Indian  scout  and  came  from 
a  family  known  for  their  love  of  frays,  and 
was  seven  feet  tall.  The  settlers  living  be- 
tween blockhouses  depended  upon  him  to  warn 
them  of  the  movements  of  the  Indians.  His 
wife  died  leaving  him  children:  William, 
who  married  Margaret  Reed ;  Joseph ;  Jean, 
who  married  Michael  Stewart;  Martha,  who 
died  unmarried ;  John,  who  married  Elizabeth 
Speedy;  Mary,  who  married  William  McKee; 
Margaret,  who  married  James  Speedy;  and 
James,  who  married  Margaret  Getty.  On 
Oct.  8,  1818,  John  Shields  was  again  married, 
this  time  to  Elizabeth  Carson,  of  Center  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  by  whom  he  had  one 
child,  a  daughter,  named  Sarah.  He  died 
Oct.  26,  1840,  and  is  buried  in  the  Washington 
Church  graveyard.  He  was  pensioned  by  the 
government  for  his  services  in  the  war,  as 
shown  by  the  military  records  at  Washington. 

Joseph  Shields,  second  son  of  John,  born 
Nov.  22,  1783,  served  in  the  war  of  1812  on 
that  memorable  march  of  General  Ferree  from 
Pittsburg  through  Ohio  to  Fort  Meigs,  dur- 
ing the  winter  of  1812-13,  when  nearly  half 
of  the  company  perished  from  sickness  caused 
by  malaria  and  exposure.  He  married  Isa- 
bella McKnight  of  the  Indiana  McKnight 
family,  and  died  Aug.  2,  1823.  Mrs.  Shields 
died  March  31,  1847.  Their  children  were: 
Mary,  wife  of  William  Hanna ;  Eliza  and  Isa- 
bell.  twins,  who  died  unmarried ;  Alexander, 
who  married  Caroline  Graff;  John,  father  of 
Franklin  0.  Shields;  Ellen,  wife  of  Samuel 
Dixon;  and  Margaret,  wife  of  Joseph  Cum- 
mins. 

John  Shields,  father  of  F.  0.  Shields,  was 
born  Aug.  20,  1819,  and  lived  his  whole  life 
within  Indiana  county.  After  the  death  of  his 
mother  he  owned  and  resided  iipon  Spring 
Farm,  the  present  home  of  his  son.  He  was 
an  elder  in  the  Bethel  Presbvterian  Church 
for  thirty-five  years.    He  died  March  22, 1896, 


and  his  wife  Myrtilla  on  May  14,  1897.  They 
left  seven  children:  Alexander  S.,  now  of 
Omaha,  Neb. ;  Joseph  M.,  a  farmer,  of  Center 
townshiij,  this  county;  Ellen  E.,  now  Mrs. 
Rue,  of  El  Paso,  Tex.;  John  W.,  of  Cedar 
Rapids,  Iowa;  William  S.,  of  Evanston,  111.; 
Franklin  0. ;  and  James  K.,  an  I\I.  E.  min- 
ister, of  Chicago,  Illinois. 

Franklin  0.  Shields  was  bom  Nov.  1,  1863, 
and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  went  to  the  State 
of  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  farming. 
When  twenty-one  years  of  age,  imbued  with 
the  spirit  of  pioneer  ancestors,  he  filed  claim 
upon  160  acres  of  government  land  in  south- 
western Kansas,  and  helped  to  organize  the 
county  of  Scott.  After  proving  title  to  hi& 
land  he  returned  East.  Mr.  Shields  has  been 
an  important  factor  in  the  progress  of  the 
southern  end  of  Indiana  county.  He  has  in- 
troduced modern  and  more  scientific  methods 
of  farming,  proving  the  value  of  his  principles 
by  the  success  he  has  had.  He  introduced  the 
custom  of  dehorning  cattle  in  this  part  of  the 
State,  and  it  was  through  his  petitions  that 
the  government  established  the  fil-st  rural 
free  delivery  mail  route  in  this  county.  In 
1905  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  of 
his  township.  Besides  operating  an  exten- 
sive farm  he  has  conducted  a  small  store, 
carrying  a  stock  of  general  merchandise  for 
the  convenience  of  his  community.  A  man 
thoroughl.y  acquainted  with  his  work  and  at- 
tending closely  to  his  own  affairs,  he  yet  finds 
time  to  keep  up  with  the  world's  doing  and 
thinking,  and  he  has  accomplished  much.  If 
the  saying  be  true  that  he  who  causes  two 
blades  of  grass  to  grow  where  but  one  grew 
before  is  a  benefactor  to  his  country  and  the 
human  race,  the  "Squire"  has  not  lived  in 
vain. 

On  March  22,  1892,  ]Mr.  Shields  married 
Sarah  E.  Cabeen,  of  Mercer  county.  111.,  who 
died  ]\Iay  10,  1893,  leaving  him  a  son,  John 
Benton.  On  May  5,  1898,  he  married  (sec- 
ond) Ella  V.  Cabeen.  his  present  wife,  who 
is  the  mother  of  his  only  daughter,  Sadie 
Marie. 

DINSMORE  DICK,  one  of  Indiana  coun- 
ty's progressive  farmers,  is  a  member  of  one 
of  the  oldest  families  of  Wheatfield  township. 
The  founder  of  the  family  in  Indiana  county 
was  James  Dick,  who  was  a  native  of  Count.y 
Antrim,  Ireland.  With  his  wife,  who  before 
her  marriage  was  JMary  Dinsmore,  and  several 
children,  Mr.  Dick  left  his  home  in  Ireland 
in  the  spring  of  1811  and  crossed  the  Atlantic 
in  a  sailing  vessel.     When  in  sight  of  New 


1012 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


York  their  vessel  was  captured  by  the  Eng- 
lish and  taken  to  Halifax,  N.  S.,  three  of  the 
sons,  John,  Robert  and  William,  being  pressed 
into  the  naval  service  by  the  British.  They 
were  for  six  weeks  on  the  "Guerriere"  be- 
fore they  were  released,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1812  the  family  made  their  way  to  Indiana 
county.  Pa.,  locating  in  what  is  now  Center- 
ville,  West  Wheatfield  township.  ]\Ir.  Dick 
became  interested  in  agricultural  pursuits 
and  the  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent  in 
work  on  the  farm.  Here  he  and  his  wife 
passed  away.  Their  children  were :  John, 
born  in  1787,  who  married  Sarah  Griffith; 
Robert,  born  in  1789,  who  married  Jane  Laps- 
lay;  William,  who  married  Isabell  Nelson; 
Thomas,  who  married  Margaret  Hic-e :  Jane, 
who  married  William  Moffatt  and  (second) 
John  Southwell;  James,  who  married  Anna 
Graham  and  (second)  Mary  Stewart;  Jeauett, 
who  married  Thomas  Love;  and  Alexander  B. 

Alexander  B.  Dick,  son  of  James  and  ■\Iary 
(Dinsmore)  Dick,  was  born  in  February, 
1810,  and  was  but  an  infant  when  his  parents 
brought  him  to  America.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood on  the  farm  of  his  father,  attending 
the  schools  which  in  those  days  were  sup- 
ported by  subscription  and  were  open  only 
a  few  montlis  each  year.  In  spite  of  these 
limited  chances  for  an  education,  he  became 
a  well-read  man  and  well  informed  on  many 
subjects  by  close  reading,  being  of  a  studious 
mind  and  applying  himself  to  his  studies.  He 
made  farming  his  occupation,  in  1850  mov- 
ing to  Brushvalley  township  and  locating 
south  of  Mechanicsburg.  Here  he  farmed  for 
several  years,  in  1876  buying  what  is  now  the 
Charles  Hileman  farm,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  His  death  occurred 
July  4,  1897,  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years, 
five  months,  and  he  was  buried  in  the  I\Ie- 
ehanicsburg  cemeteiy.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  was  elder 
for  twenty-seven  years,  superintendent  of  the. 
Sunday  school  for  some  years,  and  served  in 
township  offices.  He  filled  the  position  of 
deputy  sheriff  under  Sheriff  Tniby.  In  poli- 
tics he  supported  tlie  Repulilican  party. 

Mr.  Dick  married  ^lary  Kelly,  daughter  of 
John  and  Mary  (Griffith')  Kelly,  and  slie  died 
in  1899  and  was  buried  in  the  Ignited  Presby- 
terian Church  cemetery  at  ^Mechanicsburg. 
She  was  a  mem])er  of  that  church.  Children 
as  follows  were  born  to  them :  Agnes  married 
Andrew  Simpson  (she  is  now  deceased)  ; 
Elizabeth  is  the  widow  of  John  Hood  and  re- 
sides in  Homer  City;  James  K.,  retired  farmer 
and  ex-county  commissioner,  resides  in  Homer 


City ;  Thompson  is  deceased ;  John,  an  under- 
taker, resides  in  Huntingdon,  Pa. ;  Albert 
is  a  resident  of  Indiana ;  Dinsmore  is  men- 
tioned below;  Robert  Nelson  is  deceased; 
Harriet  married  Joseph  Alexander,  of  Black 
Lick ;  Sarah  Jane  married  Robert  Phillips,  of 
Blairsville ;  Margaret  resides  at  Homer  City ; 
and  Annie  married  William  Kissinger  and 
resides  in  Indiana. 

Dinsmore  Dick,  son  of  Alexander  B.  and 
Mary  (Kelly)  Dick,  was  born  Sept.  16,  1851, 
in  Brushvalley  township,  where  his  boyhood 
days  were  spent,  and  where  he  attended  the 
public  schools.  He  continued  to  live  undei 
the  parental  roof  until  he  reached  manhood. 
He  spent  some  time  as  an  employee  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  until  1877, 
when  he  took  up  farming  in  Brushvalley,  and 
his  place  is  known  as  the  Cherry  Valley  farm. 
Here  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming  since, 
devoting  his  time  principally  to  stock  raising. 
He  has  made  extensive  improvements  on  the 
property,  the  present  barn  being  built  in 
1904.  Mr.  Dick  is  a  progressive  and  enter- 
prising farmer  as  well  as  a  successful  one,  and 
he  has  spent  the  best  part  of  his  life  in  de- 
veloping and  improving  his  place.  A  stanch 
Republican  in  political  principle,  he  has  filled 
the  public  offices  of  school  director  and  over- 
seer of  the  poor  in  his  township.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbvterian  Church. 

On  March  9,  1877,  :\lr.  Dick  married  Mil- 
lisia  ^Mack,  daughter  of  George  Jlaek,  and  to 
this  union  have  been  born  the  following  chil- 
dren :  George  W.,  living  at  Latrobe,  Pa. : 
Alexander,  a  school  teacher  for  nine  years, 
residing  with  his  parents:  and  Myrtle,  wife 
of  Leo  Fiola.  a  train  dispatcher,  of  Duluth. 
^Minnesota. 

HUGH  P.  LEWIS.  agriculturi.st,  of  East 
Mahoning  township,  postmaster  at  Marion 
Center,  and  ex-slieriff  of  Indiana  county,  was 
born  in  the  county,  in  Rayne  township,  April 
30.    1842,   son   of"  Samuel"    Lewis. 

The  Lewis  family  is  of  Welsh  origin,  and 
has  been  associated  with  Indiana  county  his- 
torj'  since  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war. 
The  founder  of  the  family  in  this  part  of  the 
State  was  Samuel  Lewis,  born  in  Franklin 
county.  Pa.,  in  1770,  and  there  reared  to  man- 
hood. He  crossed  the  Allegheny  mountains 
and  became  a  pioneer  of  Indiana  county,  lo- 
cating in  Young  township  in  1790.  This  part 
of  the  State  was  then  in  the  wilderness,  and 
when  Mr.  Lewis  settled  on  what  is  now  the 
Lowry  farm  he  was  surrounded  by  extreme 
ijioneer    conditions.      In    endeavorinsr   to    de- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA  1013 

velop  a  home  lie  overtaxed  liis  strength,  and  fourteen  years  old;  Lydia,  who  died  at  the 
after  ten  years  of  hard  and  unremitting  labor  age  of  eleven  years ;  Hugh  P. ;  Nathaniel,  who 
died,  still  in  the  prime  of  life,  a  sacrifice  to  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years ;  Rachel  Ann, 
the  spirit  of  early  settlement,  in  1800,  aged  who  married  Moses  Lemon;  and  Stephen 
thirty  years.  Clark,  who  married  a  Miss  Rankin  and  lives 

Samuel  Lewis  married  Lydia  Kelley,  born  in  Indiana, 
in  1779,  who  after  his  death  married  John  Hugh  P.  Lewis  attended  the  schools  of  his 
Niel,  and  lived  to  be  eighty-eight  years  old.  neighborhood  and  remained  ai  home  with  his 
She  was  a  member  of  Bethel  Church.  By  her  father  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war, 
first  marriage  she  had  three  children :  Nathan-  when  he  began  to  be  interested  in  military 
iel,  who  married  Rachel  Gossage;  Stephen,  matters.  In  the  spring  of  1862  he  enlisted 
who  married  Ann  Hopkins ;  and  Samuel.  By  in  Company  K,  14th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry, 
her  second  marriage  she  had  these  children:  under  Capt.  D.  K.  Duff  and  Colonel  Schol- 
Rachel,  who  married  Thomas  Lo^vman ;  John,  maker,  for  three  years.  After  his  promotion 
who  married  Nancy  Coleman ;  Hugh,  who  to  the  rank  of  corporal,  he  was  discharged  for 
married  Sarah  Ann  Wilkinson  (he  was  the  disability  while  in  the  line  of  duty.  To  his 
progenitor  of  the  Niel  family  of  Young  town-  loyal  spirit  it  was  a  sore  cross  to  be  obliged 
ship)  ;  and  Keziah,  who  died  unmarried.  to   return   home,   but   his   physical   condition 

Samuel  Lewis,  son  of  Samuel  Lewis,  and  made  this  imperative,  and  he  had  the  satis- 
father  of  Hugh  Parr  Lewis,  was  bom  in  faction  of  having  risked  his  life  and  lost  his 
Young  township  Jan.  18,  1801,  after  the  health  in  the  defense  of  his  country, 
death  of  his  father,  on  what  is  known  as  the  Returning  home  Mr.  Lewis  took  a  coin- 
Lowry  farm.  After  attaining  to  manhood's  mercial  couree  in  the  Iron  City  Business  Col- 
estate  he  worked  in  the  Clarksburg  gristmill,  lege  at  Pittsburg,  and  then  became  a  clerk  in 
and  later  went  to  Jefferson  county,  locating  a  store  at  Marion  Center.  Soon  afterward 
near  Frostburg.  After  some  years  there  he  though  he  began 'farming,  settling  on  a  170- 
went  to  Rayne  township,  and  bought  300  acre  farm  in  1869.  This  property  is  known 
acres  of  land  in  the  woods.  On  this  property  as  the  "Rolling  Farm,"  and  is  north  of 
he  erected  a  log  house  and  barn,  but  later  put  Marion  Center.  As  his  property  was  emi- 
up  a  house  of  frame  and  barns  to  correspond,  nently  suited  for  stock  raising,  Mr.  Lewis  be- 
and  made  extensive  improvements,  devoting  gan  experimenting  along  that  line  in  1874, 
his  land  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  found  it  so  profitable  that  he  developed 
His  life  was  spent  on  this  farm,  where  he  into  a  heavy  breeder  of  thoroughbred  horses, 
died  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years,  and  his  specially  noted  ones  being  Fleetwood  (a  Ham- 
remains  were  interred  in  the  Washington  bletonian)  and  Lewis  Dolphin.  Mr.  Lewis 
Church  cemetery  of  Rayne  township.  Both  also  raises  Jersey  cattle,  and  his  dairy  prod- 
a  member  and  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  ucts  command  the  highest  prices  because  of  su- 
Church,  he  was  one  of  its  generous  supporters,  perior  quality.  He  has  become  an  authority 
First  a  Whig  and  later  a  Republican,  his  as  well  upon  Berkshire  hogs  and  sheep.  His 
sympathies  were  with  the  abolition  movement,  farm  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  county,  the 
and  he  operated  one  of  the  stations  of  the  buildings  thoroughly  modern  and  constructed 
underground  railroad.  with  the  view  of  handling  the  stock  effectively 

In  1826  Samuel  Lewis  married  Mary  Gra-  and  scientifically.  His  profits  demonstrate 
ham,  who  was  bom  in  1808  in  what  is  now  conclusively  that  his  methods  are  wise  and 
Wheatfield  township,  a  daughter  of  William  sound,  and  many  are  following  the  example  he 
Graham,  a  native  of  Scotland  and  an  early  has  set  for  so  long.  Like  his  father  an  ar- 
settler  of  Wheatfield  township.  Mrs.  Lewis  dent  supporter  of  the  principles  of  the  Re- 
died  on  the  home  farm  and  was  also  laid  to  publican  party,  he  has  filled  the  offices  of  tax 
rest  in  Washington  Church  cemetery.  Like  collector,  overseer  of  the  poor,  auditor  of 
her  husband,  she  was  a  member  of  the  Pres-  the  township  and  supervisor.  For  three  years 
byterian  Church.  The  children  born  to  Sam-  he  was  county  auditor,  and  in  1890  he  was 
uel  and  Mary  (Graham)  Lewis  were:  Will-  elected  sheriff  of  Indiana  county,  serving  as 
iam  G.,  who  married  Margaret  Davis;  John  such  for  three  years.  In  1910  he  was  ap- 
K.,  who  married  Ruth  Thompson ;  Alexander  pointed  postmaster  at  Marion  Center,  after 
Brown,  a  lawyer,  who  was  a  lieutenant  of  he  had  taken  the  ciAnl  service  examination, 
an  Iowa  company  during  the  Civil  war  and  He  has  always  demonstrated  his  warm  inter- 
died  from  the  effects  of  wounds  received  at  est  in  school  matters  in  a  practical  way,  and 
the  battle  of  luka ;  Rachel,  who  died  when    knows  what  he  is  talking  about,  for  he  taught 


1014 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


school  several  terms  in  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship in  his  younger  days.  Since  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  John  Pollock  Post,  No.  219,  G. 
A.  R.,  at  Jlariou  Center,  he  has  been  an  en- 
thusiastic member,  and  has  held  all  the  of- 
fices up  to  and  including  that  of  commander. 
He  also  belongs  to  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  The 
Presbyterian  Church  holds  his  membership 
and  he  was  one  of  the  teachers  of  the  Sun- 
day school  and  also  served  as  superintendent. 
For  a  period  of  twenty  years,  he  led  the  choir 
in  this  church. 

In  1866  Mr.  Lewis  was  married  to  Ella 
Bingham  Ansley,  daughter  of  the  late  Dan- 
iel Ansley,  who  served  Indiana  county  as 
sheriff.  Twelve  children  have  been  bom  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis,  two  of  whom  died  in 
infancy:  William  died  young;  Naomi  Viola 
was  formerly  a  teacher  and  is  now  married 
to  H.  R.  Martin,  a  lawyer;  Estell  Bubb  was 
graduated  from  Jefferson  Medical  College  and 
is  now  a  practicing  physician  at  Glen  Camp- 
bell, Indiana  Co.,  Pa. ;  Blanch  Hope  was 
graduated  from  the  Indiana  normal  school, 
following  which  she  was  a  teacher  for  eight 
years,  and  she  is  now  the  wife  of  W.  C.  Har- 
rison, of  Painesville,  Ohio;  John  K.,  who  was 
graduated  from  the  Pittsburg  School  of  Phar- 
macy, is  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at 
Greensburg,  Pa. ;  Mary  Mabel  was  graduated 
from  the  Indiana  normal  school  and  was  a 
stenographer  and  typewriter  until  she  mar- 
ried William  H.  i\iclntire,  of  Decatur,  111., 
who  died  Jan.  19,  1913;  Ruby  Pearl  was 
graduated  from  the  Liberty  Heights  School 
for  Nurses  and  for  several  years  followed  her 
profession,  until  her  marriage  to  John  C.  Sher- 
iden,  of  Johnstown,  Pa.;  Marion  Gale 
died  at  the  age  of  eleven  years;  Noble  N., 
who  attended  the  Indiana  State  normal  school, 
married  R.  R.  Kirne,  and  resides  at  home; 
Hugh  Ansley  is  assistant  postmaster  at  Mar- 
ion Center.  Mrs.  Lewis  is  a  charming  woman, 
whose  aim  has  been  to  bring  up  her  children 
properly  and  aid  her  husband  in  every  way. 

WILLIAM  A.  St.  CLAIR,  who  has  been  a 
resident  of  Indiana  borough  since  1885  and  is 
now  living  retired,  was  during  his  active  ca- 
reer engaged  in  farming,  merchandising,  lum- 
bering and  sawmilling,  and  is  widely  known 
in  these  various  connections.  He  was  born 
Nov.  13,  1842,  in  a  round  log  house  in  White 
township,  Indiana  county,  son  of  John  and 
Nancy  (Miller)  St.  Clair. 

Mr.  St.  Clair  is  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction. 
The  St.  Clair  family  is  an  old  one  in  Scotland. 
Two    of    its    members.    Gen.    Arthur    S.    and 


James  St.  Clair,  cousins,  were  engaged  in  the 
Continental  service  during  the  Revolutionary 
war,  the  former  being  president  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  in  1787  and  commander  in 
chief  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States  in 
1791.  The  latter  was  gi-eat-grandfather  of 
William  A.  St.  Clair.  His  parents  were  na- 
tives of  the  North  of  Ireland,  and  he  himself 
was  born  in  1741,  in  eastern  Pennsylvania. 
He  owned  a  valuable  farm  not  more  than  nine 
miles  from  York  and  died  in  York  county  in 
1806,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five.  His  wife's 
maiden  name  was  Miller. 

James  St.  Clair,  son  of  James  St.  Clair,  was 
born  in  May,  1774,  in  York  (now  Adams) 
county,  Pa.,  and  in  1809  came  thence  to  In- 
diana county,  for  several  years  living  in 
Brushvalley.  In  1816  he  came  thence  to  the 
region  of  Indiana,  bringing  a  horse  and  a  cow. 
He  lived  at  Indiana  for  a  while  but  soon  re- 
moved about  five  miles  out  into  the  northern 
part  of  White  township,  where  he  had  bought 
500  acres.  There  being  no  road  to  the  new 
home  at  that  time,  he  had  to  follow  the  bridle 
path,  and  the  horse  and  cow  were  tied  to  sap- 
lings until  better  arrangements  could  he 
made.  He  had  to  cut  logs  to  build  a  cabin. 
He  followed  farming  on  that  place  for  many 
years.  His  death  occurred  in  Center  town- 
ship, this  county,  April  8,  1855.  He  was  an 
old-line  Whig  in  politics. 

Mr.  St.  Clair  married  Jennie  Slemmons, 
born  in  Lancaster  county,  of  Irish  descent, 
daughter  of  William  Slemmons,  who  removed 
from  Lancaster  to  Washington  county  in  1790, 
and  there  followed  farming  until  his  death, 
in  1820.  in  his  sixtieth  year.  Mr.  Slemmons 
served  thirty  years  as  justice  of  the  peace 
under  appointments  by  the  governor.  He 
and  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Boggs, 
had  several  children.  Of  these  Mrs.  St.  Clair 
was  reared  in  Washington  county.  She  died 
Oct.  15,  1855,  aged  seventy-one  years,  the 
mother  of  ten  children,  among  whom  were 
Thomas,  Isaac  and  John.  She  was  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

John  St.  Clair,  the  son  of  James  and  Jennie 
(Slemmons)  St.  Clair,  was  born  Aug.  L8.  1818, 
in  a  log  house  in  White  township.  His  edu- 
cational advantages  were  meager,  being  lim- 
ited to  those  afforded  by  the  old  subscription 
schools.  He  followed  farming  all  his  active 
life  in  the  place  where  he  was  born,  but  died 
while  visitinff  with  his  daughters  in  Chicago. 
Nov.  21.  1900.  His  wife.  Nancy  (I\Iiller), 
died  in  Indiana  Dee.  20.  1904.  at  the  age  of 
eighty-four.  They  were  Presbyterians  in  re- 
ligious faith.     In  politics  he  was  first  a  Whig 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1015 


and  afterward  a  Eepublican.  Four  children 
were  born  to  this  couple :  William  A. ;  Jane, 
public  school  teacher  of  Chicago,  who  died 
there  Dec.  17,  1908;  Harry,  of  Los  Angeles, 
Cal.,  a  chiropractic,  who  married  Clara 
Lowry;  and  Mary  Agars,  who  has  been  a 
teacher  in  the  Chicago  public  schools  for 
twenty.-two  years. 

William  A.  St.  Clair  grew  to  manhood  in 
White  township,  where  he  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools.  On  Aug.  25, 
1864,  he  became  a  member  of  Company  F 
(Capt.  John  A.  Kinter),  206th  P.  V.  I.,  Col. 
Hugh  Brady,  enlisting  for  one  year  or  during 
the  war.  He  served  with  the  Army  of  the 
James,  was  discharged  June  26,  1865,  at  Rich- 
mond, and  returned  home,  remaining  with 
his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of 
age.  For  some  time  Mr.  St.  Clair  conducted 
a  store  at  Newville,  Indiana  county,  piow 
knowTi  as  Creekside,  where  his  first  wife  died. 
He  continued  residing  in  Indiana  county  un- 
til after  his  second  marriage,  in  1879,  going' 
West  to  Atchison,  Kans.,  where  he  rented 
land  and  farmed  for  two  years.  Returning  to 
Pennsylvania  on  account  of  his  wife's  health, 
he  moved  back  to  his  farm  in  White  town- 
ship, and  in  addition  to  his  farm  work  ran 
a  sawmill.  In  1885  he  removed  to  the  bor- 
ough of  Indiana,  where  he  built  his  present 
home,  but  he  continued  to  operate  his  farm 
and  sawmill  until  his  retirement.  His  home 
is  at  No.  337  North  Ninth  street.  He  has  had 
various  interests  and  has  made  a  success  of 
his  different  undertakings. 

On  Nov.  5,  1868,  Mr.  St.  Clair  was  married 
to  Mary  C.  Foreman,  of  Armstrong  township, 
daughter  of  Moses  Foreman,  whose  wife's 
maiden  name  was  Anderson.  Mrs.  St.  Clair 
died  in  1874,  the  mother  of  one  child,  Minnie, 
now  the  wife  of  S.  Craig  King,  of  Vander- 
grift.  Pa.  On  July  29,  1875,  Mr.  St.  Clair 
married  (second)  Harriet  Wherry,  daughter 
of  James  and  Sarah  (Nesbit)  Wlierry,  and 
they  had  two  children :  Oscar  A.,  an  elec- 
trical engineer,  of  Chicago,  married  Merriam 
Cameron,  of  Indiana;  Hazel  M.  graduated 
from  the  Indiana  normal  school  and  is  now  a 
teacher  in  Belleville,  New  Jersey. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  St.  Clair  are  membei's  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Indiana,  in 
which  he  served  as  elder.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  polities,  and  socially  he  has  united  with 
G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  28. 

AMARIAH  N.  BUTERBAUGH.  postmas- 
ter at  Lovejoy,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in 
Green  township,  this  county,  March  20,  1850, 


a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Learn)  Buter- 


William  Buterbaugh,  his  grandfather,  was 
born  in  Maryland,  from  which  State  he  moved 
to  Pennsylvania,  settling  first  in  Huntingdon 
county  and  later  in  Indiana  county.  He  was 
the  father  of  eight  children. 

John  Buterbaugh,  son  of  William  and 
father  of  Amariah  N.,  was  born  in  Maryland 
in  1799,  and  lived  to  the  age  of  ninety-six 
years.  He  accompanied  his  father  to  Penn- 
sylvania and  after  living  in  Huntingdon  coun- 
ty for  several  years  settled  in  what  is  now 
known  as  Pleasant  Valley,  in  Green  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  the  family  acquiring 
300  acres  of  land.  In  October,  1831,  John 
Buterbaugh  married  Elizabeth  Learn,  a 
daughter  of  John  Learn,  and  to  them  thir- 
teen children  were  born,  seven  daughters  and 
six  sons :  The  eldest  born,  Mary,  was  the  wife 
of  John  Cook,  and  both  are  deceased.  Eliza- 
beth married  A.  H.  Reed,  and  both  are  de- 
ceased. Henry  L.  and  Levi  are  deceased. 
Simon  is  a  resident  of  Indiana.  Sarah  A.  is 
the  widow  of  D.  P.  Reed.  Susan  married 
Franklin  Nupp,  who  served  in  the  Civil  war, 
and  they  live  at  Windber,  Pa.  Isaac  lives 
in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county. 
Catherine,  who  is  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
H.  W.  Baker.  Ella  is  deceased.  Amariah  N. 
was  the  third  youngest  in  order  of  birth.  An- 
drew is  a  resident  of  Indiana,  and  the  young- 
est died  in  infancy.  After  coming  to  Indiana 
county  the  father  of  the  above  family  engaged 
in  the  milling  business,  erecting  a  saw  and 
grist  mill.  He  was  a  shrewd  and  successful 
business  man,  but  was  a  strict  observer  of  the 
Sabbath,  and  no  inducement  could  be  brought 
to  bear  that  would  lead  him  to  operate  his 
mills  on  Sunday.  He  was  fond  of  hunting 
and  was  a  fine  shot. 

Amariah  N.  Buterbaugh  attended  the  dis- 
trict schools  in  Green  township  and  lived  on 
the  farm  settled  by  his  father  until  he  was 
fifty  years  of  age.  In  1900  he  moved  to  Wind- 
ber and  there  embarked  in  the  mercantile 
business  and  conducted  a  store  for  four  years. 
In  the  fall  of  1904  he  came  to  the  present  site 
of  Lovejoy,  although  at  that  time  there  was 
no  town  oi'ganization,  only  the  promise  of 
rapid  settlement  which  has  been  fulfilled. 
Mr.  Buterbaugh  conducted  a  store  here  for 
several  j^ears  and  was  appointed  the  first  post- 
master, an  office  he  has  since  filled. 

On  Nov.  2,  1872,  Mr.  Buterbaugh  was  mar- 
ried to  Sarah  Houek,  who  was  born  in  Green 
township  Oct.  13,  1851,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Elizabeth  (Myers)  Houck.    Mr.  and  Mrs. 


1016 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Buterbaugh  have  had  the  following  children : 
Harry  R.,  who  lives  at  Starford,  married  Min- 
erva Fleming,  of  Green  township,  and  they 
have  two  daughters,  Mary  and  Leona ;  Eliza- 
beth Ollie  is  the  wife  of  T.  H.  Fleming,  and 
they  live  at  Windber  and  have  two  children, 
James  Amariah  and  Beatrice;  Agnes  is  the 
wife  of  S.  A.  Fridler,  of  Starford;  John 
Henry,  who  is  manager  of  the  Dixon  Run 
Lumber  Co.,  of  Lovejoy,  married  Mary  Kim- 
mell,  of  Bedford  county,  and  they  have  the 
following  children,  Alta  aiarie,  Louis  Chalmer, 
Sarah  Margaret,  Henry  Carl  and  Elmer  Ern- 
est ;  Louie  Bertha  is  the  wife  of  ^I.  L.  Mc- 
Keown,  of  Josephine,  Pa.,  and  they  have  three 
children,  Robert  Wallace,  Louise  Ulrica  and 
Sarah  Pauline.  Mr.  Buterbaugh  and  his  fam- 
ily are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Henry  Houck,  father  of  Mrs.  Buterbaugh, 
was  born  in  Germany,  and  was  seven  years 
old  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  the 
United  States.  They  settled  in  Pennsylvania, 
securing  land  first  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  moving  later  to  Green  township, 
and  there  Henry  Houck  continued  to  follow 
farming  and  stock  raising  until  the  close  of 
his  life.  He  died  about  1898,  near  Purchase 
Line,  in  Green  township.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Myers,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
of  German  ancestry,  and  they  had  the  fol- 
lowing children:  David  R.,  who  is  deceased; 
William  H.,  who  lives  at  Purchase  Line; 
George  F.,  who  also  lives  at  Purchase  Line; 
Joseph,  a  resident  of  Green  township ;  Sarah, 
who  became  Mrs.  Buterbaugh ;  Hannah,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Andrew  Buterbaugh,  a  resident 
of  White  township ;  and  Henry  H.,  who  lives 
at  Purchase  Line,  Green  township. 

THOIMAS  G.  SHULTZ,  furniture  dealer 
and  undertaker,  in  business  at  Starford,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Cambria  county.  Pa., 
in  March,  1874,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Emma 
(Hill)  Shultz. 

Henry  Shultz  was  born  in  Germany  and 
came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  his  youth, 
being  reared  in  Pine  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  his  father  bought  a  farm. 
Later  Henry  Shultz  moved  across  the  line 
into  Indiana  county,  where  he  invested  in 
farm  property  and  occupied  the  same  until 
his  death.  He  also  followed  cabinetmaking. 
His  wife  survived  him  but  a  short  time.  They 
were  parents  of  eleven  children,  the  eldest 
being  Ellen,  who  became  the  wife  of  Samuel 
Bennett,  and  they  live  in  Pine  township ;  Dilly 
is  the  wife  of  Gideon  Baum,  and  they  live  at 
Barnesboro,  in  Cambria  county;  Catherine  is 


the  wife  of  Amos  Adams,  of  Barnesboro; 
Amanda  married  J.  S.  Killins,  a  furniture 
dealer  and  undertaker  at  Barnesboro;  Anna 
is  deceased;  Thomas  G.  was  the  next  in  order 
of  birth ;  Robert  lives  in  Pennsylvania ;  Wil- 
liam is  a  resident  of  Pine  township,  and  Frank 
of  Wehrum,  Pa.  Two  children  died  in  in- 
fancy. 

Thomas  G.  Shultz  attended  school  in  Ban- 
township,  Cambria  county,  and  later  took  a 
business  course  in  a  commercial  college  at 
Johnstown,  after  which  he  was  a  student  in 
the  State  normal  school  at  Lock  Haven.  When 
he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  he  left  home  and 
started  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade  at  Por- 
tage, Pa.,  and  after  completing  his  appren- 
ticeship traveled  over  the  country  working  as 
a  journeyman.  In  1907  he  came  to  Starford 
and  here  embarked  in  the  undertaking  and 
furniture  business. 

In  1905  Mr.  Shultz  was  married,  at  Barnes- 
boro, Pa.,  to  Dessie  Westover,  who  was  bom 
in  Cambria  county,  a  daughter  of  Gideon 
Westover,  and  they  have  three  children :  Cal- 
vin, Shelton  and  Elaine  Gertrude.  Mr. 
Shultz  has  property  interests  at  Barnesboro. 
He  is  associated  with  Lodge  No.  6S0,  I.  0.  0. 
F.,  at  Cleveland,  Ohio;  with  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  at  Starford,  and  belongs  also  to  the 
Loyal  Order  of  Moose. 

DAVIS  A.  PALMER,  of  Blacklick,  Indi- 
ana county,  is  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
D.  A.  Palmer  &  Son,  furniture  dealers  and 
undertakers,  who  are  the  leading  merchants 
in  their  line  in  that  section.  He  is  a  business 
man  of  the  highest  standing  and  a  citizen  who 
commands  the  respect  of  the  entire  commu- 
nity, in  whose  welfare  he  has  sho^vn  a  com- 
mendable interest.  Mr.  Palmer  is  a  native 
of  West  Wlieatfield  township,  this  county, 
born  March  15.  1859.  His  father,  Johnston 
Palmer,  was  a  son  of  David  Palmer  and 
grandson  of  Henry  Palmer,  mention  of  whom 
is  found  elsewliere  in  this  work. 

Johnston  P:ilmer  was  born  Sept.  11,  1818,  in 
Burrell  township.  Indiana  county,  where  he 
followed  farming,  owning  a  tract  of  129  acres 
which  he  cultivated  and  gi-eatly  improved. 
He  spent  several  years  in  Jefferson  county. 
Pa.,  but  resided  iipon  the  place  above  men- 
tioned until  his  death,  which  occun-ed  Ap- 
ril 9,  1896:  he  is  buried  in  Blairsville 
cemetery,  Mr.  Palmer  was  a  prominent 
man  in  liis  township,  where  he  wa."? 
chosen  to  fill  various  important  offices,  serv- 
ing ably  as  tax  collector,  school  director  and 
constable;  lie  lield  the  latter  office  for  twentv- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1011 


eight  years.  In  politics,  he  was  a  Republican, 
in  religion  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and 
he  was  active  in  that  connection  also,  serving 
as  class  leader  and  taking  part  in  all  church 
work.  In  West  Wheatfield  township  he  mar- 
ried Jane  Palmer,  who  was  bom  Aug.  26, 
1820,  daughter  of  Charles  Palmer,  and  she 
preceded  him  to  the  grave,  dying  Jan.  21, 
1885 ;  she,  too,  is  buried  in  Blairsville  ceme- 
tery. Thirteen  children  were  born  to  this 
union,  viz. :  Sarah  Jane,  born  Oct.  8,  1843 ; 
Charles  W.,  Dec.  30.  1844;  (Rev.)  Cyrus  G., 
Oct.  1,  1846;  Clara,  June  16,  1848;  (Dr.)  J. 
W.,  June  18,  1849;  Lyman  D.,  Aug.  26,  1851; 
Eveline,  Oct.  16,  1853  (died  in  infancy)  ; 
Martha  E.,  Nov.  14,  1855  (deceased)  ;  Su- 
sanna Elizabeth,  March  11,  1857  (wife  of 
Thomas  Mabon,  of  New  Florence,  Pa.)  ;  Davis 
A.,  March  15,  1859 ;  Mary  A.,  March  28,  1861 ; 
and  Jessie  J.  and  Anna  Margaret,  twins,  Dec. 
18,  1862.  Jessie  J.  Palmer  is  proprietor  of 
the  Commercial  Printing  Company,  of  Black- 
lick,  Pennsylvania. 

Davis  A.  Palmer  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
home  farm  in  Burrell  tovraship  and  had  the 
educational  privileges  afforded  by  the  local 
public  schools.  He  continued  to  work  with 
his  father  on  the  homestead  place  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  thirty-two,  at  which  time 
he  acquired  an  interest  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness, forming  a  partnership  with  S.  A.  Kun- 
kle,  under  the  firm  name  of  Palmer  &  Kunkle. 
They  were  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
lumber  and  railroad  ties,  and  much  of  their 
product  was  disposed  of  directly  to  the  rail- 
way companies.  In  1904  Mr.  Palmer  estab- 
lished himself  as  a  merchant  in  the  town  of 
Blacklick,  in  Burrell  township,  erecting  the 
fine  frame  building  in  which  hp  has  since  car- 
ried on  his  furniture  and  undertaking  busi- 
ness, which  has  attained  large  proportions. 
Mr.  Palmer  has  taken  his  son  Lyman  D. 
Palmer  into  partnership  with  him,  under  the 
name  of  D.  A.  Palmer  &  Son,  and  through 
their  enterprise  and  progressive  methods  they 
have  become  widely  known  over  a  large  terri- 
tory. They  have  acquired  an  extensive  trade 
as  a  result  of  their  personal  integrity  no  less 
than  their  thoroughly  satisfactory  dealings 
with  their  customers,  showing  their  appreci- 
ation to  their  patrons,  by  making  their  busi- 
ness relations  pleasant  and  mutually  agree- 
able. 

Mr.  Palmer  has  interested  himself  .in  local- 
afl'airs,  particularly  the  problem  of  public 
education,  and  he  has  filled  the  office  of  school 
director  of  Burrell  township  for  three  terms, 
doing  effective  work  in  that  capacity.    He  hasl 


been  a  notary  public  for  the  last  thirteen 
years.  He  is  broad-minded  and  has  advanced 
views  on  most  questions.  In  politics  he  is  a 
sincere  Socialist,  one  of  the  foremost  men  of 
that  party  in  this  portion  of  the  State,  and 
fearless  in  upholding  the  priucij^les  of  social- 
ism as  taught  by  the  founders  of  the  party. 
He  believes  firmly  in  their  ultimate  triumph. 
Mr.  Palmer  was  married  at  Homer  City, 
this  county,  to  Margaret  Wier,  daughter  of 
Squire  D.  C.  Wier,  a  well-known  trial  jus- 
tice of  Homer  City.  Their  family  consists 
of  six  children:  Lyman  D.,  who  is  in  busi- 
ness with  his  father;  Clara,  who  is  now  the 
wife  of  B.  L.  Foreman,  and  resides  at  Day- 
ton, Pa.;  Grace,  wife  of  W.  B.  Rhodes,  of 
East  Pittsburg,  Pa. ;  Terrence  V.,  a  student  at 
the  Pennsylvania  Business  College,  of  Lan- 
caster, Pa.;  Davis,  deceased;  and  Florence, 
who  is  now  a  student  in  the  high  school  at 
Blairsville.  The  family  belong  to  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

SAMUEL  CLARK  COLEMAN,  farmer 
and  proprietor  of  an  express  business  at  Ise- 
lin,  in  Young  township,  is  a  member  of  one 
of  the  oldest  pioneer  families  of  Coiiemaugh 
township,  and  was  born  at  the  old  Coleman 
homestead  there  May  31,  1863,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Margaret  (Miller)   Coleman. 

Nicholas  Coleman,  the  paternal  great-grand- 
father of  Samuel  Clark  Coleman,  and  founder 
of  the  family  in  America,  was  born  in  Scot- 
land in  1731,  and  coming  to  this  country, 
settled  in  the  Conocoeheague  valley,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  was  married  to  Jane  Mc- 
Clelland, a  native  of  that  section.  He  came- 
to  what  is  now  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana 
county,  in  1773,  and  in  1774  or  1775  made 
the  first  improvements  on  what  has  been  the 
family  homestead  for  four  generations. 
Nicholas  Coleman  was  an  extensive  farmer 
and  large  land  owner,  hut  suffered  much  at 
the  hands  of  the  hostile  Indians,  and  on  one 
occasion  was  driven  from  his  land ;  his  cabin 
was  destroyed  by  fire.  His  children  were  as 
follows:  William,  born  in  1774,  who  died  in 
1851;  John,  born  April  9,  1776;  Elizabeth, 
who  married  James  Matthews ;  Margaret,  who 
married  John  Matthews  and  (second)  James 
Oliver ;  Mary,  who  married  Samuel  Cravan ; 
NancJ^  who  became  the  wife  of  Moses  Thomp- 
son; Jane,  who  married  Alexander  Mc- 
Gaughey;  Archibald,  who  married  Margaret 
Jamison;  Robert,  who  married  Elizabeth  Mc- 
Lane;  Sai-ah;  and  James,  born  in  1785,  who 
married  Mary  Campbell,  and  died  in  1857. 

John  Coleman,  son  of  Nicholas,  and  gi-and- 


1018 


HISTORT  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


father  of  Samuel  Clark  Coleman,  was  born 
April  9,  1776,  and  made  farming  his  vocation, 
living  on  a  part  of  the  old  homestead  in  Cone- 
maugh  township.  He  fought  as  a  soldier  dur- 
ing the  war  of  1812,  and  was  quite  a  promi- 
nent man  in  Itis  township  during  his  day,  tak- 
ing a  deep  interest  in  the  affairs  of  his  eoin- 
munitj'  and  its  people.  He  lived  to  a  ripe  old 
age,  passing  away  in  1865.  John  Coleman 
married  llartha  Katou,  and  they  had  a  family 
of  children  as  follows :  Nancy,  who  married 
John  Neal;  Nicholas,  who  married  Margaret 
Colewell ;  Samuel,  the  father  of  Samuel  Clark ; 
Elizabeth,  who  married  William  Miller;  .Mar- 
garet, who  died  on  the  old  homestead  at  the 
age  of  ninety-one  years;  and  Ebenezer,  who 
went  West  and  there  died. 

Samuel  Coleman,  father  of  Samuel  Clark 
Coleman,  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in 
Conemaugh  township,  where  he  grew  to  man- 
hood and  became  a  farmer,  following  the  same 
vocation  throughout  his  life.  He  owned  a 
tract  of  240  acres  where  he  made  liis  home, 
and  in  1856  built  a  large  brick  hoiise  on.  his 
property.  In  1879  he  had  a  fine  frame  barn 
built,  which  was  put  up  by  David  Cunning- 
ham, a  contractor,  and  other  improvements  of 
a  like  nature  were  made.  Mr.  Coleman  had  a 
long  and  useful  life,  died  Dec.  4,  1884,  and 
was  buried  in  Conemaugh  cemetery.  He  Vi-as 
a  faithful  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  his  political  views  were  those 
of  the  Republican  party,  although  he  was 
never  an  office  seeker.  'Sh:  Coleman  was  mar- 
ried in  Conemaugh  township  to  j\Iargaret  ]\Til- 
ler,  daughter  of  John  Miller,  and  she  sur- 
vives him  and  is  living  on  the  old  homestead 
at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years.  She  is  a 
faithful  member  and  active  worker  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church.  Samuel  and 
Margaret  Coleman  had  the  following  children: 
Mary,  who  died  in  young  womanhood;  I\tc- 
Leod,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years;  Ella,  who  married  Hugh  Low- 
man,  who  was  .justice  of  the  peace  at  Clarks- 
burg, Pa.,  for  forty  years;  Samuel  Clark;  Ir- 
win ]\Iiller,  who  resides  in  Westmoreland 
county;  and  Roland,  living  on  the  old  home- 
stead with  his  mother. 

Samuel  Clark  Coleman,  son  of  Samuel  Cole- 
man, attended  the  schools  of  Conemaugh  town- 
ship, and  remained  on  the  old  homestead  place 
assisting  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-two 
years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  went  to  Arm- 
strong county  and  for  one  year  was  eng.Tged 
in  farming  there.  In  1888  he  .settled  on  his 
present  place  in  Young  township,  near  Clarks- 
burg, known  as  the  Thomas  Elder  farm,  and 


now  owned  by  the  Pittsburg  Gas  Coal  Com- 
pany,  a  tract  of  202  acres,  on  which  he  has 
been  carrying  on  operations  for  a  quar- 
ter of  a  century.  Farming  and  stock  raising 
have  occupied  his  attention  and  his  ventures 
have  all  proved  uniformly  successful.  In  1909 
Mr.  Coleman  purchased  the  William  MeComb 
farm,  a  tract  of  162  acres,  on  which  he  has 
made  numerous  improvements,  and  this  he 
rents.  In  addition  to  the  fine  frame  resi- 
dence on  a  part  of  this  property,  which  is  lo- 
cated on  the  Clarksburg  and  Eldersridge  road, 
he  is  erecting  another  large  house  for  a  tenant. 
During  the  year  1909  Mr.  Coleman  branched 
out  into  the  express  business  in  Iselin,  and 
now  has  three  express  teams  and  employs  five 
hands.  He  has  shown  himself  to  be  no  less 
a  business  man  than  an  agriculturist,  the 
years  of  tilling  the  soil  having  proved  no 
less  valuable  in  commercial  affairs.  Mr.  Cole- 
man is  a  Republican  in  his  political  views, 
and  has  served  frequently  as  election  clerk 
and  inspector.  He  belongs  to  Lodge  No.  '65, 
Woodmen  of  the  World,  at  Clarksburg,  and 
has  many  friends  among  its  members.  In  his 
religious  views  he  is  liberal,  but  supports  all 
movements  calculated  to  benefit  the  cause  of 
education,  morality  and  good  citizenship,  and 
endeavors  to  live  up  to  the  teachings  of  the 
Golden  Rule. 

In  1883  Mr.  Coleman  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Sarah  T.  George,  daughter  of  William 
George,  and  they  have  had  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Beatrice  married  Edward  Shearer  and 
resides  in  Young  township :  Florence  married 
Edward  Irwin,  al.so  of  Young  township ;  Clar- 
ence McBride,  residing  with  his  father,  mar- 
ried Cora  Davis,  who  died  five  months  later; 
Elizabeth  man-ied  Frank  Getty,  of  Saltsburg, 
Pa. ;  Harry.  Jennie,  Glenn  and  Thomas  all 
live  at  home  and  are  attending  the  piiblic 
schools  of  Young  township.  The  family  at- 
tends the  United  Presb\-terian  Church.  Mrs. 
Coleman  is  a  lady  of  intelligence  and  refined 
tastes  and  like  her  popular  husband  has  nu- 
merous friends  in  their  part  of  the  township. 

ALVA  CLARENCE  FISHER,  postmaster 
at  Dixonville.  Indiana  county,  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  that  town  for  seven  years  and  has 
held  his  present  office  since  March,  1910.  He 
belongs  to  a  family  which  has  been  settled 
in  Grant  township,  this  county,  since  the  time 
of  his  grandparents.  Andrew  Fisher  and  wife, 
natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America 
and  made  their  home  in  that  to\vnship,  con- 
tinuing to  live  there  the  rest  of  their  days. 
They   were   farming  people.     Of  their  large 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1019 


family  four  sous  were  in  the  army  during  the 
Civil  war  on  the  Union  side,  and  one  on  the 
Confederate  side. 

George  F.  Fisher,  son  of  Andrew,  was  one 
of  a  family  of  sixteen  children.  He  was  born 
in  Grant  township,  Indiana  county,  and  lived 
there  during  the  greater  part  of  his  early  life, 
spending  four  years,  however,  in  Jefferson 
county,  Pa.  Later  he  removed  to  Rayne  town- 
ship, this  county,  and  then  to  Blairsville,  re- 
maining at  that  place  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  on  Thanksgiving  Day,  1902.  He  fol- 
lowed farming  and  also  his  trade  of  cooper. 
'Sir.  Fisher  was  in  the  Union  service  during 
the  Civil  war,  enlisting  in  Company  I,  67th 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry. 
Later,  when  the  ranks  of  Company  I  had  been 
depleted  by  casualties,  he  was  transferred  to 
Company  F.  Mr.  Fisher  married  Jennie  C. 
Folsom,  who  was  born  at  Johnstown,  Pa., 
daughter  of  Hiram  J.  Folsom,  a  native  of 
]\Iaine,  who  came  to  Penns3dvania  and  set- 
tled on  a  farm  near  Johnstown,  making  his 
home  there  until  his  death.  In  his  earlier 
manhood  Mr.  Folsom  taught  school  besides 
carrying  on  farming.  His  wife  was  a  native 
■of  England,  and  came  with  him  to  Pennsyl- 
vania. Mrs.  Jennie  C.  Fisher  was  well  edu- 
cated, and  taught  school  near  Johnstown  be- 
fore her  marriage:  She  died  in  1870,  the 
mother  of  three  children,  namely :  Hiram  A., 
who  is  now  deceased :  a  daughter  that  died  in 
infancy;  and  Alva  Clarence. 

Alva  Clarence  Fisher  was  born  May  16, 
1867,  in  Grant  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
there  attended  public  school.  Later  he  was 
a  pupil  at  the  Purchase  Line  Academy.  In 
his  .voutli  he  assisted  his  father  at  his  trade. 

Living  at  Blairsville  for  a  time,  he  worked 
for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  and 
subsequently  moved  onto  a  farm  with  his 
father.  Afterward  he  returned  to  Rayne 
township  and  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own 
account,  and  in  1905  he  removed  to  Dixon- 
ville,  where  he  engaged  as  a  fireman  and  engi- 
neer for  the  Russell  Coal  Mining  Company 
for  four  years.  On  March  2,  1910,  Mr. 
Fisher  was  appointed  postmaster  at  that  point, 
and  continues  to  hold  the  position.  He  is 
one  of  the  most  respected  citizens  of  that 
place. 

■On  July  24.  1895,  Mr.  Fisher  married  Mar- 
garet B.  Gilpatrick,  who  was  born  in  Grant 
township,  daiighter  of  Ben.iamin  and  Eliza- 
beth Gilpatrick.  both  of  whom  are  now  de- 
ceased ;  Mr.  Gilpatrick  was  a  farmer  and  also 
a  cooper.  Six  children,  five  sons  and  one 
daughter,   have  been  born  to   Mr.   and   Mrs. 


Fisher,  namely:  Marie,  Alva  George,  Ed- 
ward D.  E.,  John  Wesley,  Robert  Delmont 
and  Oscar  Darrell.  Mr.  Fisher  attends  the 
^Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


JAMES  McKENDRICK,  retired  farmer 
and  business  man  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  who  for 
many  years  was  identified  with  enterprises 
of  an  extensive  nature,  was  born  in  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  1829,  and  is  a  son  of 
Samuel  and  Jane   (Macbeth)  McKendrick. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  McKendrick  were  both 
born  in  Ireland,  and  were  married  in  Phila- 
delphia, from  which  city  the  father  moved 
with  his  wife,  Jane,  and  sons  John  and  James, 
when  James  was  six  months  old,  locating  in 
Indiana  county  on  a  farm  of  350  acres.  There 
the  father  died  when  about  forty  years  of  age, 
his  wife  surviving  him  some  years  and  pass- 
ing away  in  Cherryhill  township.  They  were 
members  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  and 
]\Irs.  McKendrick  were  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children :  John,  who  married  Amanda 
Gibson,  was  always  a  farmer  in  Indiana  coun- 
ty, where  he  died ;  James  is  mentioned  below ; 
Martha  married  Allison  Gibson,  and  died  in 
Cherryhill  township ;  Mary  married  James 
Nichols,  and  died  in  Rayne  township ;  Esther 
died  in  childhood. 

After  the  death  of  the  father,  the  mother 
took  her  little  brood  to  Philadelphia,  and 
James,  then  a  sturdy  lad  of  seven,  was  put  out 
to  work  until  sixteen  years  of  age  with  a  Mr. 
Rubencamp,  in  Bucks  county,  who  saw  that 
he  received  a  little  schooling  during  the  win- 
ter terms,  but  paid  him  no  wages.  "When  he 
was  sixteen  years  of  age  his  mother  and  other 
children  returned  to  the  Cherryhill  township 
farm,  and  James  joined  them,  but  remained 
only  one  year,  going  again  to  Bucks  count}% 
where  he  quickly  secured  employment  as  a 
hand  at  a  salary  of  eight  dollars  a  month. 
He  remained  two  years,  and  then  once  more 
returned  to  the  farm  in  Cherryhill  township, 
he  and  his  brother  John  operating  the  farm 
together  until  they  divided  it,  at  which  time 
James  received  176  acres  of  coal  land.  Sub- 
sequently he  purchased  fifty-three  acres  in 
Rayne  township,  where  he  resided  eighteen 
years,  and  near  which  he  later  bought  sev- 
enty-two acres.  He  farmed  both  these  tracts 
until  November.  1903,  when  he  moved  to  In- 
diana, where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  For 
some  time  Mr.  McKendi'ick  was  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  Venetian  blinds,  shades, 
lace  curtains  and  all  kinds  of  window  fittings, 
and  also  conducted  a  general  store  at  George- 
ville.  Pa.,  for  four  or  five  years,  his  next  ven- 


1020 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


tiire  being-  in  a  store  at  Dixonville,  Pa.,  with 
Samuel  Gibson  as  a  partner.  For  the  last  five 
or  six  years,  however,  he  has  lived  retired 
from  all  business  enterprises. 

Mr.  McKendrick  was  married  (first)  to 
Hannah  Adams,  and  (second)  to  Margaret 
Calahan,  and  there  were  two  children  by  the 
second  union,  both  of  whom  are  deceased. 
His  third  marriage  was  to  Anna  Short,  of 
Rayne  township,  daughter  of  James  and  Eliza- 
beth (Hewett)  Short,  and  they  have  had  one 
child,  Myrtle  Jane,  who  was  born  on  the  farm 
in  Rayne  township.  She  received  her  pre- 
paratory education  in  the  public  schools, 
graduated  from  the  Indiana  normal  school  in 
the  class  of  1909,  and  began  teaching  at  school 
No.  2,  in  Cherryhill  township.  After  one  year 
there  she  was  transferred  to  the  Walnut  Grove 
school,  at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  and  is  now  teaching 
in  the  city  of  Johnstown. 

ROBERT  M.  STEWART,  of  Jacksonville, 
Indiana  county,  is  a  well-known  merchant  and 
popular  official  of  that  borough,  where  he  has 
resided  for  over  twenty  years.  He  was  born 
on  a  farm  near  that  place,  in  Blacklick  town- 
ship, April  17,  1S50,  son  of  William  and  Jane 
(Lytle)   Stewart.  . 

William  Stewart  was  bom  about  1790  m 
County  Dublin,  Ireland,  and  there  grew  to 
manhood.  He  married  Jane  Lytle,  who  was 
born  in  1799,  and  in  1830,  with  their  daughter 
Martha,  they  left  their  native  country  for 
America,  landing  at  Baltimore,  ^Id.  Coming 
overland  to  Pittsburg  through  the  Allegheny 
mountains  with  a  four-horse  team,  they  made 
a  settlement  in  Westmoreland  county,  near 
Perrysville,  where  ]\Ir.  Stewart  was  engaged 
in  farming  for  five  years.  Then  he  crossed 
the  Conemaugh  river  into  Indiana  county, 
locating  in  Blacklick  township,  where  he 
bought  the  Porter  Turner  fann,  a  tract  of 
seventy-two  acres  on  which  stood  a  stone  house 
and  frame  barn.  Tliere  he  settled  down  to 
farming  and  stock  raising,  and  prospered  so 
that  he  was  able  to  buy  another  small  tract, 
from  the  Lucas  family.  He  had  a  fulling  and 
carding  mill  on  his  farm,  running  same  by 
water  power  except  when  the  water  was 
scarce,  when  he  was  obliged  to  use  horse 
power,  having  -a  treadwheel.  He  continued 
to  follow  farming  and  milling  all  through  his 
active  life,  and  in  his  declining  years  was 
tenderly  cared  for  by  his  soii  Robert,  who  gave 
him  the  loving  attention  which  only  a  dutiful 
son  could.  He  lived  to  the  ripe  old  age  of 
one  hundred  years,  dying  July  17,  1890,  and 
was  laid  lo  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Jackson- 


ville. He  was  a  member  and  elder  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Jacksonville, 
and  active  in  all  the  work  of  that  congre- 
gation. In  political  opinion  he  was  a  Demo- 
crat. His  first  wife,  Jane,  died  Oct.  27,  1862, 
aged  sixty-thi-ee  years,  and  his  second  mar- 
riage was  to  Mrs.  Sarah  Shearer.  All  his 
children  were  by  the  first  union,  viz. :  Martlia. 
who  married  Elias  Garde,  of  Green  township ; 
Alexander  L.,  who  died  July  3.  1858,  aged 
twenty-seven  years,  seven  months,  sixteen 
days;  John,  deceased;  George  L.,  who  died 
Aug.  13,  1858 ;  Elizal)eth..  who  married  Hugh 
Lowman ;  and  Robert  ]\IcCown. 

Robert  McCown  Stewart  had  the  advan- 
tages of  the  public  schools  of  Blacklick  town- 
ship and  later  attended  the  academy  at  Jack- 
sonville under  H.  B.  Mclntire.  He  began 
working  on  the  farm  with  his  father  when  a 
boy  and  continued  there  with  him  until  his 
death,  that  year,  1890,  selling  the  place  and 
moving  to  Jacksonville.  For  a  number  of 
years  thereafter  he  was  engaged  in  the  under- 
taking and  livery  business,  which  he  carried 
on  until  1907,  iu  which  year  he  sold  out  and 
turned  his  attention  to  merchandising,  buy- 
ing the  interests  of  Simon  Anthony  (now  jus- 
tice of  the  peace).  He  has  since  given  his 
attention  principally  to  his  general  store, 
though  he  has  also  taken  considerable  part 
in  public  affairs  in  the  borough.  He  has 
been  school  director  of  Jacksonville  for  twelve 
years;  was  constable  of  the  borough  twelve 
years;  member  of  the  council  six  years;  and 
has  sei-ved  as  street  commissioner.  On  polit- 
ical issues  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  which  he 
serves  as  trustee. 

Mr.  Stewart's  first  wife,  Harriet  E. 
( Smith ) .  daughter  of  James  Smith,  of  Young 
township,  died  Jan.  23.  1909,  a  member  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  She  was 
buried  in  the  new  cemetery  near  Jacksonville. 
Two  children  were  born  to  this  union :  Grace, 
who  married  Wallace  Cunningham,  and  re- 
sides at  Steubenville.  Ohio :  and  Welmer  Dev- 
ers.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Stewart  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Baker,  of  Blairsville,  daughter 
of  Jacob  Baker,  of  that  place ;  they  have  no 
children. 

Welmer  Devers  Stewart,  only  son  of  Rob- 
ert M.  Stewart,  was  born  on  the  Stewart  farm 
in  Blacklick  townsliip,  and  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  there  and  at  Grove 
City  business  college.  Wliile  still  in  his  teens 
he  became  interested  in  business  at  Jackson- 
ville as  a  dealer  in  horses,  buggies  and  har- 
ness,   continuing  thus   for   some   years,    and 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1021 


later  engaged  in  the  same  line  at  Indiana, 
Pa.  Returning  to  Jacksonville,  he  followed 
the  business  here  again  until  1912,  in  which 
year  he  sold  out,  at  present  giving  his  time 
and  attention  to  a  moving  picture  show  at 
Titusville,  Pa.,  which  he  has  found  very,  prof- 
itable.   He  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

BENJAMIN  MARTIN  McAPOOS,  in  his 
lifetime  a  well-known  business  maji  and 
farmer  of  Grant  township,  Indiana  county, 
was  bom  Feb.  25,  1847,  near  Kittanning,  in 
Armstrong  county,  Pa.,  son  of  George  Fred- 
erick McAfoos. 

George  Frederick  McAfoos  was  born  in 
August,  1816,  and  died  Dec.  4,  1894.  He  fol- 
lowed farming  near  Kittanning,  and  came 
thence  in  1859  to  Indiana  county,  locating  in 
what  is  now  Grant  township,  where  he  owned 
land  and  followed  farming  and  stock  raising. 
His  property  was  situated  in  what  later  be- 
came known  as  the  McAfoos  district,  and  he 
made  many  improvements  on  the  phice,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death 
occurring  there.  His  wife,  Margaret 
(Schreckengost),  born  Feb.  28,  1S17,  died 
Dec.  3,  1890,  and  they  are  liuried  in  Oakland 
cemetery  in  Grant  township.  Mr.  jMcAfoos 
was  a  member  of  tlie  Liitheran  Church.  Chil- 
dren as  follows  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McAfoos :  Isaac  Schreckengost,  born  Jan. 
6,  1839,  died  Sept.  30,  1854 ;  James  John,  born 
Jan.  30,  1841,  now  a  resident  of  Grant  town- 
ship, was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war ;  Herman 
Bertram,  born  Feb.  10,  1843,  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Civil  war  and  died  while  in  the  service. 
May  6,  1865;  Susanna  Urish,  born  Feb.  3, 
1845,  died  Jan.  26.  1851:  Benjamin  Martin 
is  mentioned  below ;  Peter  Wilvard,  born  May 
23,  1849,  died  Jan.  26.  1851 ;  Joseph  William, 
bora  Sept.  16,  1851,  died  May  29,  1852 ;  Dan- 
iel Lewis,  born  March  30,  1853,  died  young; 
Samuel  G.,  born  March  18.  1856,  resides  at 
Decker's  Point,  in  Grant  township;  Sylvester 
L.,  born  May  10,  1860,  died  young. 

Benjamin  Martin  McAfoos  attended  public 
school  near  his  early  home  in  Armstrong 
county  and  later  in  Grant  township,  Indiana 
county.  He  was  twelve  years  old  when  the 
family  settled  in  what  is  now  Grant  township, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm,  and 
when  he  started  out  for  himself  he  purchased 
the  Ruffner  farm,  a  tract  of  ninety-two  acres 
upon  which  he  made  many  improvements, 
building  a  fine  frame  dwelling-house,  and  a 
substantial  bam.  Besides  general  farming  he 
engaged  in  raising  cattle  and  sheep,  and  also 
dealt  largely  in  both,  and  he  was  selling  agent 


for  buggies  and  pianos  in  Grant  township  and 
other  sections  of  Indiana  county.  His  great 
energy,  enterprise  and  business  tact,  combined 
with  thrift  and  hard  work,  made  him  success- 
ful in  his  business  undertakings,  and  he  had 
many  admirable  personal  traits  which  made 
him  liked  as  well  as  respected.  He  was  a  W'cv 
of  horses  and  cattle  and  took  excellent  care 
of  his  stock.  In  1905  he  sold  the  fai-m  above 
mentioned  and  bought  the  Sylvis  place  at 
Decker's  Point,  remodeling  the  house,  build- 
ing a  fine  barn  and  converting  the  place  into 
a  most  attractive  home,  one  of  the  most  desir- 
able in  that  section.  He  did  not  live  long  to 
enjoy  it,  however,  dying  Nov.  4.  1907,  and 
was  buried  in  the  Decker's  Point  cemetery. 
Mr.  McAfoos  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church  and  particularly  active  in  the  work  of 
the  Sunday  school,  acting  as  teacher  and  su- 
perintendent. He  was  very  fond  of  music  and 
was  a  veiy  fine  singer.  Politically  a  Demo- 
crat, he  took  an  interest  in  the  success  of  the 
party,  and  sei'ved  as  assessor  and  tax  collector. 
On  July  25,  1872,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's 
parents,  Mr.  McAfoos  was  married  in  Grant 
township  to  Mary  E.  Simpson,  who  was  born 
there,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Sarah  Jane 
(Smitten)  Simpson.  Four  children  were  born 
to  this  marriage:  (1)  Harry  Simpson,  born 
May  1,  1873,  received  his  early  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Grant  township,  and 
attended  the  Indiana  State  normal  school  and 
college.  After  teaching  school  ionr  terms  he 
engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering,  having  a 
fine  farm  near  Gastown,  Armstrong  county, 
where  his  widow  and  children  now  reside. 
He  had  acquired  extensive  interests  as  a  lum- 
ber manufacturer  in  North  Carolina,  and 
while  locating  there  for  the  second  time  con- 
tracted fever.  He  started  for  home,  but  be- 
came so  ill  that  he  lived  only  four  days,  dying 
at  Raleigh  hospital.  July  1,  1910.  He  was 
brought  home  and  buried  in  the  cemetery  at 
Decker's  Point,  Iiadiana  county,  and  a  beauti- 
ful monument,  erected  by  his  wife,  marks  his 
resting  place.  Mr.  McAfoos  was  a  Republican 
in  politics.  His  ambition  was  great,  and  his 
aspirations  were  high  and  noble.  He  married 
Lola  White  Gi-afl^iss,  and  they  had  two  chil- 
dren. Annie  Marv,  born  Aug.  13,  1905,  and 
Helen  Mabelle.  born  May  14,  1907.  (2)  Lola 
Eva  died  in  childhood.  (3)  Anna  Belle  nt- 
ti'udi  il  pnl)li<-  school  and  summer  nornial. 
tauglit  ])ulilif  school  four  years  in  Grant  town- 
ship, in  thi'  same  district  where  her  mother 
had  taught,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Harry 
Reithmiller.  a  merchant,  of  Grant  township. 
(4)   Nobel  Cleone,  who  was  educated  in  the 


1022 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


public  schools  and  summer  normal,  taught 
school  four  3-ears  in  Grant  township  in  the 
same  district  where  her  mother  had  taught. 
She  now  resides  at  home,  and  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Mrs.  McAfoos  received  her  education  in  the 
public  schools  and  in  summer  normal  at  Mar- 
ion Center,  this  county,  under  Professors 
Wolf  and  Covode.  studied  under  Professor 
Brown,  and  at  the  Blairsville  high  school. 
For  four  years  she  taught  in  Grant  township, 
and  for  one  term  was  so  engaged  at  Punx- 
sutawney.  She  is  an  earnest  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  has  taught  in  the  Sun- 
day school.  The  Simpson  family,  of  which 
she  is  a  descendant,  was  represented  among 
the  early  pioneer  settlers  of  the  county.  James 
Simpson,  the  first  of  the  family  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, born  about  1750,  was  of  Scottish  ex- 
traction, but  came  to  this  country  from  the 
North  of  Ireland,  in  1775.  He  first  located 
in  the  Path  valley,  in  Huntingdon  county.  Pa., 
later  moving  to  Westmoreland  county,  where 
he  continued  to  reside  until  1785-86.  Then 
he  crossed  the  Conemaugh  river,  locating  in 
what  is  now  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana 
county,  in  which  section  he  was  among  the 
first  settlers.  He  was  married  to  Polly  Pol- 
lock, and  they  became  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Charity,  who  married 
Thomas  Craven;  Robert,  who  married  jMary 
Shearer;  Margaret,  who  married  Moses  Gam- 
ble; Nathaniel,  who  mari-ied  Catherine  Leas- 
ure ;  James,  who  married  Jane  Shearer ;  John, 
who  married  Sarah  Kirkpatrick;  David,  who 
married  Nancy  Coulter;  Isaac,  who  married 
Mary  Lewis:  and  Samuel,  who  married  Phebe 
Lewis.  (Another  account  gives  his  children 
as  James,  Charles,  Sarah.  John,  George, 
David,  Nathaniel,  Isaac  and  Samuel.) 

David  Simpson,  sou  of  James  and  Polly 
(Pollock)  Simpson,  was  an  early  settler  of 
East  Jlahoning  township,  one  of  the  firet  at 
what  is  now  Richmond  or  Rochester  ]\lills. 
He  put  up  the  first  building  at  Richmond  for 
a  dwelling  house,  and  the  next  was  a  saw  and 
grist  mill.  The  place  was  known  as  Simpson's 
Mill  until  1862,  when  it  was  changed  to  Rich- 
mond. Mr.  Simpson  was  a  large  land  owner, 
most  of  his  property  lying  in  Canoe  township. 
The  first  lot  he  sold  for  building  purposes  was 
bought  by  Isaac  Bee,  the  second  by  Daniel 
Bee.  Besides  engaging  extensively  in  lumber 
manufacturing  he  carried  on  farming  and 
stock  raising.  He  was  a  pioneer  in  Canoe 
township.  He  died  in  1870,  at  the  ripe  age  of 
eighty-six  years,  and  is  buried  in  Gilgal  ceme- 
tery.   Jlr.  Simpson  was  a  menilier  of  the  Pres- 


byterian Church,  and  in  politics  originally  a 
Whig,  later  a  Republican.  His  wife,  Nancy 
(Coulter),  died  in  1858,  and  was  buried  in 
Gilgal  cemetery.  She  belonged  to  the  same 
church  as  her  husband.  Their  children  were : 
Nathaniel,  who  died  in  the  AVest ;  David,  who 
died  in  the  West ;  Isaac ;  and  Elizabeth,  who 
married  Jacob  Wilhelm  and  lived  in  West 
Mahoning  township. 

Isa^c  Simpson,  son  of  David,  received  his 
education  in  the  subscription  schools  in  the 
home  neighborhood.  Like  his  father  he  fol- 
lowed lumbering  and  farming  and  was  a  suc- 
cessful lumber  manufacturer,  operating  his 
father's  sawmills  and  the  gristmill,  and  en- 
gaging in  general  agricultural  pursuits  and 
stock  raising  and  dealing.  He  spent  his  life 
in  Grant  township,  and  was  considered  one 
of  the  most  progressive  citizens  of  his  day. 
In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  in  religious 
connection  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belonged.  He 
married  Sarah  Jane  Smitten,  daughter  of 
Archibald  Smitten,  and  her  death  occurred 
on  the  farm  in  1899,  when  she  was  seventy- 
five  years  old.  They  are  buried  in  the  Rich- 
mond cemetery.  Nine  daughters  were  bom 
to  their  marriage:  Nancy  taught  school  be- 
fore her  marriage  to  W.  H.  Work;  both  are 
now  deceased,  and  they  are  buried  in  Indi- 
ana cemetery.  H.  J.,  also  a  teacher,  married 
J.  M.  Stuehel.  a  fine  carpenter,  and  (second) 
T.  H.  Kerr,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  who 
resided  at  Tandergrift.  and  was  employed  in 
the  steel  mill ;  she  is  now  a  widow  residing  at 
Richmond.  L.  Eva  was  also  a  school  teacher ; 
she  is  now  the  widow  of  William  Widdowson 
and  resides  at  Richmond.  Elizabeth,  a 
teaehei-,  married  A.  P.  Copp,  of  Elaine,  and 
died  there.  Mary  E.  is  now  the  widow  of 
Benjamin  Martin  McAfoos  and  resides  at 
Decker's  Point.  Margaret  died  when  sixteen 
months  old.  Sai-ah  Candace  married  J.  M. 
Gamble,  of  Indiana.  Pa.,  and  is  deceased :  she 
possessed  the  traditional  powers  of  the  '"sev- 
enth daughter,"  having  more  than  ordinary 
skill  in  the  care  of  the  sick,  and  her  charity 
and  kindness  were  unfailing.  Anna  Belle  was 
graduated  from  the  Normal  L'niversity  at 
Ada,  Ohio,  and  served  as  principal  of  schools 
at  Houtzdale,  Philipsbiirg  and  Summerville, 
Pa. ;  while  engaged  as  an  instructor  in  Kezar 
Falls,  Maine,  she  became  acquainted  with 
Prof.  Aristes  Kennerson.  whom  slie  married 
in  1880,  and  who  died  April  17,  1883  (he  was 
Iniried  in  Riclimond  cemetery)  ;  later  she  be- 
came the  wife  of  Prof.  H.  F.  Guthrie,  a  mer- 
chant   of    Summerville,    Jefferson    Co.,    Pa., 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1023 


where  she  now  resides.  Keturah  married 
Josiah  Widdowson,  a  merchant,  of  Nashville, 
Pa.,  and  both  are  now  deceased;  by  this  union 
there  was  one  son,  Clyde,  who  now  resides  in 
Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

FRANKLIN  GESFORD  CONRAD,  a 
farmer  of  Buffington  township,  was  born  there 
Oct.  29,  1859,  in  a  log  house  owned  by  his 
father,  William  Stephens  Conrad. 

The  earliest  Conrad  of  which  there  is  any 
definite  record,  was  Conrad  Conrad,  who  came 
to  Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  from  Germany,  long 
prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  had 
twelve  sons,  and  from  them  have  descended 
practically  all  the  Conrads,  Conards  and  Con- 
raths  in  Pennsylvania,  and  many  in  other 
States. 

Daniel  Conrad,  one  of  the  twelve  sons  of 
Conrad  Conrad,  married  Elizabeth  Shank, 
and  moved  to  Huntingdon  county.  Pa.,  where 
there  is  .yet  an  extensive  family  connection. 

Samuel  Conrad,  son  of  Daniel  Conrad,  be- 
came a  Baptist  minister,  and  also  followed 
farming  to  a  considerable  extent.  He  left 
Huntingdon  county  for  Indiana  count}',  in 
1838,  bringing  his  family  in  a  covered  wagon, 
and  driving  his  cattle  in  front.  Settling  first 
on  what  is  now  the  Stephens  fann,  at  Dill- 
town,  he  later  traded  it  for  one  owned  by  Wil- 
liam Stephens,  now  known  as  the  Conrad 
farm.  Before  leaving  his  old  home  Rev.  Mr. 
Conrad  had  married  Catherine  Mattern,  of 
Huntingdon  county,  and  they  had  the  follow- 
ing children :  Elizabeth  married  George  Dill ; 
Jane  maiTied  John  Rowland ;  ]\Iary  Ann  mar- 
ried James  Evans ;  Daniel  married  Lydia 
Dias;  Catherine  married  Adam  Altimus;  Re- 
becca married  James  C.  Dill ;  William  S.  is 
mentioned  below;  Alvira  married  Sampson 
Stephens ;  Harriet  married  Samuel  Schwartz ; 
Samuel,  who  man-ied  Annie  Disert,  became  a 
physician,  and  lived  at  Johnstown,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

William  Stephens  Conrad,  son  of  Samuel 
Conrad,  was  born  April  27.  1832.  and  died 
Jan.  22,  1911.  He  married  Lucinda  EvKns, 
born  March  6,  1833,  daughter  of  John  and 
Eliza  (Sanderson)  Evans,  who  survives  him 
and  makes  her  home  with  her  son,  Franklin 
Gesford  Conrad.  Children  as  follows  were 
born  to  William  S.  Conrad  and  wife :  Flora, 
born  July  27,  18.57,  married  G.  W.  Nippes, 
and  resides  at  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Frank  G.  is 
mentioned  below ;  Ella  C,  born  June  9,  1862, 
married  Charles  Swearingen.  a  farmer  of 
Brushvalley  township ;  Lucy  Adelia,  born 
July  21,  1865,  married  Hugh  Tomb,  and  died 


June  15,  1897 ;  Emma  C,  born  Aug.  3,  1868, 
mai-ried  Charles  Hileman,  of  Brushvalley 
township,  and  died  Feb.  24,  1889 ;  Lizzie  B", 
born  Oct.  15,  1871,  married  Benjamin  D,  Hile- 
man, of  AYilkinsburg,  Pennsylvania. 

William  S.  Conrad  moved  to  Buffington 
township  with  his  parents  when  but  six  years 
old,  so  that  he  was  practically  reared  there. 
Althougli  the  schools  were  somewhat  primitive 
and  conducted  upon  the  subscription  plan,  he 
learned  rapidly  and  made  good  progress,  and 
at  the  same  time  made  himself  useful  about 
the  homestead.  AVhile  at  home  with  his  par- 
ents he  helped  to  clear  off  the  land,  the  timber 
being  made  into  barrel  staves,  sometimes 
called  shocks.  As  he  grew  older  he  took  an 
active  part  in  the  work  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
which  he  had  joined,  and  became  a  deacon  in 
that  body,  holding  that  office  for  forty  years 
in  the  church  of  that  faith  in  Brushvalley. 
Later  he  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Dill- 
town  Baptist  Church,  and  became  one  of  its 
fii-st  trustees.  From  the  formation  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  he  gave  its  principles  his 
hearty  support,  and  was  often  called  upon  to 
represent  it  in  different  offices.  For  many 
years  he  served  on  the  election  board,  was  a 
school  director  for  fifteen  years,  and  a  justice 
of  the  peace  for  five  years,  and  in  every  way 
sought  to  do  his  full  duty  as  a  Christian  citi- 
zen. 

On  Aug.  20,  1906,  Mr.  Conrad  and  his  es- 
timable wife  celebrated  their  golden  wed- 
ding, and  the  occasion  was  a  most  enjoyable 
event,  attended  by  a  large  concourse  of  rela- 
tives and  outside  friends.  It  was  then  hoped 
that  the  aged  eouple  might  be  spared  to  cele- 
brate their  diamond  wedding,  but  these  hopes 
were  destined  not  to  be  realized,  as  Mr.  Con- 
rad died  within  five  years.  ■ 

Franklin  Gesford  Conrad,  son  of  the  late 
William  S.  Conrad,  was  sent  to  the  local 
schools  and  those  of  Dilltown.  He  remained 
at  home  with  his  parents  until  the  death  of 
his  father,  when  he  bought  out  the  other  heirs 
and  has  since  conducted  the  farm  of  130  acres, 
devoting  it  to  general  farming,  stock  raising 
and  dairying.  Without  doubt  he  is  one  of  the 
most  progressive  agriculturists  of  his  town- 
ship, and  one  who  stands  high  in  the  esti- 
mation of  his  neighbors.  On  Sept.  28.  1909, 
Mr.  Conrad's  home  was  destroyed  by  fire,  but 
before  the  first  of  the  following  year  he  had 
erected  a  new  one,  built  upon  modern  plans, 
and  supplied  with  conveniences  that  make  it 
rank  with  any  city  dwelling. 

Mr.  Conrad  was  married  to  Emma  Eliza- 
beth Tomb,  daughter  of  Washington  and  Mary 


1024 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


(Ling)  Tomb,  and  she  died  Aug.  24,  1907. 
They  had  the  following  children:  Mary  Lu- 
cind'a.  born  Sept.  15,  1891 ;  "William  Washing- 
ton, born  Aug.  31,  1893;  Charles  Spergin, 
born  Jan.  4,  1896 ;  Elizabeth  May,  born  June 
19,  1899;  and  Russell  Franklin,  born  Nov. 
6,  1902. 

Mr.  Conrad  has  been  active  politicall}',  hav- 
ing served  on  the  election  board  for  years,  for 
fifteen  years  as  school  director  and  for  five 
years  as  supei-visor.  He  is  a  consistent  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church,  which  he  serves 
as  trustee. 

SAMUEL  EAY,  for  years  a  husiness  man 
of  Blairsville.  Indiana  count.y.  was  born  in 
1816  in  Cherryhill  township,  this  county,  and 
passed  to  his  last  reward  at  Blairsville  in 
1907.  He  was  a  son  of  Matthew  and  ]\Iary 
(]\Iatthews)  Ray,  the  latter  being  a  sister  of 
Arcliibald  Mattliews,  whose  wife,  Elizabeth, 
was  the  daughter  of  George  Findley,  the  first 
white  settler  in  Indiana  county. 

Matthew  Ray,  born  in  Ireland,  came  to  the 
territory  now  embraced  in  Indiana  county, 
Pa.,  about  1790.  Here  he  married  in  1798,  his 
wife  being  a  native  of  Ireland.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  1817,  when  he  was  about  forty-two 
years  old.  but  his  widow  survived  many  years, 
passing  away  in  1861,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
three  years.  The  following  childi-en  were 
born  to  Matthew  Ray  and  his  wife:  James, 
who  married  Elizabeth  Blaine,  a  granddaugh- 
ter of  Mr.  Lewis,  who  laid  out  Lewistown, 
which  was  named  in  his  honor;  Jane,  who  is 
deceased  ;  ^lartha.  who  married  James  Nesbit : 
William,  who  married  Eleanor  Bateman: 
John,  who  married  Eliza  Leslie:  Robert,  who 
married  Henrietta  Blaine  and  (second)  Mrs. 
Harriet  (Odell)  Sherrer;  and  Samuel. 

Samuel  Ray  had  none  of  the  privileges  of 
free  education  such  as  the  boys  of  today  en- 
joy. He  was  early  taught  to  work  and  to  sup- 
port himself.  In  1828,  when  twelve  years  of 
age,  he  entered  upon  the  career  which  was  to 
yield  him  a  competency  and  high  business 
honors,  as  a  clerk  in  the  general  store  of  Fred- 
erick Leyda,  at  Armagh,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
where  he  remained  about  sixteen  months.  He 
then  went  into  the  employ  of  William  Rankin, 
who  agreed  to  pay  him  forty-eight  dollars  per 
year.  In  1836  he  moved  to  Blairsville  and 
engaged  witli  ]\Iulhollan  &  Waterman  for 
$150  per  year.  This  house  w;is  surc'cded  by 
that  of  Cieorge  Mulhollan.  :iii(i  ^\v.  l\,iy's  con- 
nection with  the  two  concTiiis  ,is  an  I'mpioyeo 
covered  a  decade.     At  the  expiration  of  Ihat 


time  he  became  the  junior  member  of  the  firm, 
purchasing  a  half  interest,  and  succeeded  to 
Ihe  business  upon  the  demise  of  Mr.  Mulhol- 
lan. Later  the  style  was  changed  to  that  of 
Ray  &  Poor,  who  were  succeeded  by  Ray,  Hill 
&  Co.,  the  partners  being  ilr.  Ray,  John  Hill 
and  I.  D.  Poor.  The  latter  retired  to  give  his 
attention  to  another  .store  at  Latrobe  whieli 
he  and  Mr.  Ray  operated,  under  the  name  of 
i.  D.  Poor  &  Co.  In  the  meanwhile  Mr.  Ray 
was  doing  business  with  Mr.  Hill  under  the 
title  of  Ray  &  Hill,  and  they  remained  to- 
gether until  the  oiitbreak  of  the  Civil  war. 
On  March  18,  1867,  Mr.  Ray  took  his  son 
George  M.  in  with  him,  the  firm  becoming 
known  as  Ray  &  Son.  ]\Ieantime.  in  1864, 
the  substantial  brick  storehouse  of  the  con- 
cern was  built.  A  larger  business  was-  car- 
ried on,  the  firm  changing  to  S.  &  L.  S.  W. 
Ray  in  October.  1870. "  L.  S.  W.  Ray  is  now 
sole  owner,  his  father's  successor  in  the  hard- 
ware business. 

In  1841  Samuel  Ray  married  Margaret 
Jane  Johnston.  They  had  children  as  fol- 
lows :  Jane  Parker,  wife  of  Cyrus  Stouffer,  of 
Blairsville,  Pa.:  George  ilulhollan.  who  is 
deceased ;  Lyman  Swan  Waterman ;  ]\Iary 
Matthews ;  Sarah  Black,  who  is  deceased ; 
Margaret  Johnston ;  Ada  Frances,  wife  of 
Holmes  Dysinger.  D.  D..  of  Atchison,  Kans. ; 
and  Cornelia  Ida.  wife  of  George  Dey  Jenks, 
attorney.  Brookville.  Pennsylvania. 

In  all  the  relations  of  life  Mr.  Ray  was  a 
man  of  the  highest  moral  character.  Possess- 
ing strong  convictions  of  right  and  wrong,  he 
lived  up  to  them,  no  matter  what  the  personal 
cost.  During  his  seventy  years  of  business 
life  in  Blairsville.  he  saw  many  changes.  In 
these  improvements  he  was  especially  inter- 
ested. He  entered,  a  boy.  the  warehouse  on 
the  bank  of  the  Conemaugh  when  the  larger 
part  of  produce  carried  in  and  out  of  the  town 
was  by  the  canal.  He  saw  the  entrance  of 
the  Pennsylvania' railroad;  the  organization 
of  the  cemetery  corporation,  of  whicli  he  was 
first  president;  the  installment  of  the  electric 
light  plant  (his  residence  was  the  first  com- 
pletely wired  house  in  the  town)  ;  the  water 
system,  and  the  graded  pulilic  schools.  He 
started  as  cashier  \\-ith  the  First  National 
Bank  upon  its  opening,  and  served  as  presi- 
dent one  year.  During  tliese  busy  years  Sam- 
)iel  Ray  found  time  to  help  many  others  in 
the  struggle  of  life:  found  time  to  read,  was 
well  versed  in  politics  and  the  general  his- 
tory of  public  events,  a  lover  of  good  poetry 
and  literature,  known  to  be  one  of  the  bei5t 
Bible   students   in    the    communitv.      He   has 


0Mi(y^^ 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


left  behind  him — as  a  precious  heritage  to  his 
children — "a  good  name,"  and  the  example 
of  a  well-spent  life. 

HENRY  W.  KNAUP,  a  farmer  of  North 
Mahoning  township,  was  born  April  11,  1861, 
on  the  old  homestead  of  his  family  in  that 
township,  a  son  of  Hartman  and  Elizabeth 
(Hoffman)  Knauf,  and  grandson  of  Michael 
Knauf. 

Michael  Knauf  was  born  in  Germany,  as 
was  his  wife  Elizabeth,  and  they  were  the  first 
of  the  family  to  leave  the  old  country  for 
America,  settling  in  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  They  made  the  trip 
across  the  ocean  on  a  sailing  vessel  that  took 
several  weeks  for  the  voyage.  The  family  se- 
cured 185  acres  of  land  three  miles  east  of 
Trade  City,  which  was  then  in  the  wilder- 
ness, but  with  his  customary  energy  Michael 
Knauf  went  to  work  to  bring  his  farm  into 
a  state  of  cultivation,  and  succeeded  in  doing 
so,  having  a  comfortable  home  when  he  and 
his  wife  died  on  the  farm.  They  were  con- 
sistent members  of  the  Round  Top  German 
Lutheran  Church.  Three  children  were  born 
to  them :  Henry  was  a  Civil  war  soldier,  and 
after  the  close  of  that  conflict  went  to  Minne- 
sota, where  he  took  up  a  homestead  and  lived 
upon  it  until  his  death,  having  in  the  mean- 
while married  a  Miss  Lewis;  Michael  lived 
near  Trade  City,  Pa.,  for  some  years,  but 
later  moved  to  Chippewa  Falls,  Wis.,  where 
he  became  a  farmer  and  lumberman.  He  mar- 
ried first  a  Miss  Lewis  and  second  Sophia 
Bowman;  Hartman  became  the  father  of 
Henry  W.  Knauf. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Hoffman)  Knauf  was  born 
in  Germany,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Cather- 
ine (Hinkle)  Hoffman,  natives  of  Germany 
who  came  to  America  and  settled  near  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.,  but  later  moved  to  Valier,  this 
state.  Mr.  Hoffman  secured  eighty  acres  of 
land  south  of  Trade  City,  Pa.,  and  he  and  his 
wife  lived  on  this  property  the  remainder  of 
their  useful  lives.  The  children  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hoffman  were:  Elizabeth,  who  be- 
came Mrs.  Knauf;  Philip,  deceased,  who  op- 
erated a  hotel  and  resided  on  the  Hoffman 
homestead,  being  as  well  a  driller  and  coal 
tester  (he  married  Sadie  Clyde,  who  survives 
him  and  lives  at  Trade  City,  Pa.)  ;  and  Mol- 
lie,  who  married  Murray  Stear,  and  resided 
at  Smicksburg  until  her  death,  her  husband 
also  being  deceased. 

Hartman  Knauf,  son  of  Michael,  and  father 
of  Henry  "W.  Knauf,  was  born  on  the  Knauf 
homestead,  and  was  sent  to  the  local  schools. 


He  was  brought  up  a  farmer  and  followed 
that  line  of  work  all  his  life,  dying  upon  the 
place  of  his  birth  when  he  was  seventy-one 
years  old.  His  widow  lives  with  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  Wilson  Sprankle,  of  North  Mahoning 
township.  For  three  years  Hartman  Knauf 
served  as  township  collector,  and  he  was  judge 
of  election  and  overseer  of  the  poor,  always 
being  elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket.  Like 
his  parents  he  belonged  to  the  Round  Top 
Lutheran  Church  early  in  life,  but  later  joined 
the  Lutheran  Church  at  Trade  City.  He  and 
his  wife  had  eight  children,  as  follows :  Henry 
W.  is  mentioned  below;  Samuel  died  at  the 
age  of  fifteen  years;  Anna  Nora  died  at  the 
age  of  thirteen  years ;  Mary  Elizabeth  married 
Clark  D.  McConaughey,  of  North  Mahoning 
township;  Howard  P.,  who  married  Jennie 
Stormer,  has  always  lived  on  the  homestead; 
Emma,  who  died  young,  was  a  twin  of  Etta, 
who  married  Wilson  Sprankle,  of  North  Ma- 
honing township ;  George  Leonard  died  at  the 
age  of  two  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knauf  were 
called  upon  to  endure  a  terrible  trial,  as  all 
of  their  eight  children  were  stricken  with 
diphtheria  within  three  months,  and  four  of 
them  died  from  the  disease. 

Henry  W.  Knauf  passed  his  boyhood  in  the 
ordinary  way,  attending  school  and  working 
on  the  farm  as  did  the  other  boys  of  the 
neighborhood,  and  he  remained  at  home  until 
he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  After  marrying 
he  worked  on  his  father's  farm  and  operated 
it  for  three  years,  and  then  bought  his  pres- 
ent property  of  sixty  acres,  then  known  as 
the  I.  0.  Brady  farm,  located  in  North  Ma- 
honing township.  At  the  time  he  took  posses- 
sion of  it  there  was  a  small  log  cabin  on  the 
place,  which  served  as  a  home  until  1888,  when 
Mr.  Knauf  built  the  present  comfortable  resi- 
dence, which  is  modern  in  every  respect,  being 
supplied  with  hot  water  heat  and  up-to-date 
plumbing ;  the  water  for  the  house  and  prem- 
ises is  supplied  from  a  fine  spring.  In  1907 
Mr.  Knauf  built  his  barn,  and  in  1912  his 
wagon  house.  In  the  latter  year  he  added 
fifteen  acres  to  his  farm.  This  property  is 
one  of  the  best  improved  in  the  township,  and 
he  carries  on  general  farming  and  the  raising 
of  cattle  and  hogs ;  his  herd  of  cattle  numbers 
seven  head. 

For  three  years  Mr.  Knauf  served  as  a 
school  director,  and  for  one  year  he  was 
election  inspector.  Believing  in  securing  and 
voting  for  good  men  rather  than  for  party 
principles,  Mr.  Knauf  is  independent  in  his 
political  views.  An  active  church  worker,  he 
is  very  prominent  in  the  Lutheran  Church  of 


1026 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Trade  City  and  for  six  and  a  half  years  has 
been  an  elder  of  same.  He  is  one  of  the  best- 
known  men  of  the  township,  and  his  success 
in  life  has  been  honestly  and  honorably  won 
through  hard  work  and  natural  ability. 

On  Jan.  4,  1883,  Mr.  Knauf  was  married 
(first)  to  Maggie  E.  Brilhart,  of  East  Mahon- 
ing township,  a  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Mar- 
garet Brilhart,  of  the  same  township,  fann- 
ing people,  but  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Brilhart  became  the  parents  of  the  follow- 
ing children:  Samuel,  who  is  a  farmer  of 
East  j\Iahoniug  township ;  W.  W.,  who  resides 
in  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  has  a  farm  in  East  Ma- 
honing township ;  Milton,  unmarried,  who 
lives  on  the  old  homestead ;  Albert,  a  painter ; 
and  five  who  are  deceased,  two  of  them  passing 
away  in  infancy,  and  Mrs,  Knauf  on  Feb.  20, 
1906.  Mr.  Knauf  and  his  wife  Margaret  had 
a  married  life  of  twenty-three  years.  They 
had  two  daughters,  Annie  and  Etta,  both  of 
whom  died  in  infancy. 

On  April  8,  1908,  Mr.  Knauf  was  married 
(second)  to  Mrs.  Jennie  (Blose)  McElroy, 
of  North  ilahoning  township,  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Elizabeth  (Shaw)  Blose.  Mr. 
Blose  was  a  farmer  and  wagonmaker  and 
lived  in  North  Mahoning  township.  Mrs. 
Knauf  was  the  widow  of  Alexander  ilcElroy, 
of  Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  by  whom  she  had 
one  son,  Leon,  who  is  a  civil  engineer  with 
the  American  Bridge  Company,  and  resides 
at  Philadelphia,  Pa, ;  he  married  Ada  Hoop, 
and  they  have  one  child.  Brooks, 

SMITH  M,  :\IcHEXRY,  late  of  Indiana, 
was  a  native  of  White  township,  Indiana 
county,  born  June  11,  18-14.  John  and  So- 
phronia  (Scott)  IMcHenry,  his  parents,  were 
fanning  people,  in  White  or  Rayne  township, 
and  died  in  this  county.  They  had  a  large 
family,  viz. :  Sidney,  born  Jan,  10,  1828.  who 
married  Fred  Bush,  and  is  deceased;  ilary 
Jane,  born  July  8.  1830,  who  died  unmarried ; 
Pamelia.  born  April  16,  1834,  who  married 
Charles  Little,  and  is  deceased;  William,  born 
Nov.  14,  1836;  Samuel,  born  May  17,  1839; 
Oliver,  horn  Jan,  29,  1841 ;  Smith  M. :  Rachel, 
born  Aug.  19,  184-,  deceased;  James  G..  born 
June  27,  1851,  deceased;  and  Margaret  E.. 
born  Jan,  7,  1854,  who  married  Frank  ]\Ic- 
Henry  and  lives  on  the  old  home  place  in 
Ravne  township. 

Smith  :\r.  :\rcHcnry  attended  the  East  Pike 
school  during  his  early  boyhood,  and  remained 
on  the  liome  farm,  assisting  with  the  farm 
work,  until  he  entered  the  army  for  service 
in  the  Civil  war.     He  enlisted  from  Indiana 


county,  joining  the  105th  Regiment,  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantrj- ,  which  was  popu- 
larly known  as  the  "Wildcats."  Mr.  Mc- 
Henry  saw  considerable  active  service,  and 
was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
receiving  a  gunshot  injury  in  the  right  leg, 
below  the  knee.  After  his  marriage  IMr.  IMc- 
Hemy  was  employed  for  some  time  in  the 
Pennsylvania  oil  fields,  and  then  returning  to 
his  native  place  lived  upon  his  farm  in  White 
townsliip  for  some  years,  giving  all  his  time 
to  its  cultivation.  He  was  very  successful  in 
his  farming  operations,  and  was  one  of  the 
most  respected  citizens  in  White  township. 
Moving  to  the  borough  of  Indiana  in  1901.  he 
was  there  engaged  in  business  to  the  close  of 
his  life,  dealing  in  real  estate  and  making  a 
specialty  of  handling  coal  lands.  He  made 
the  first  coal  land  sale  in  Indiana  county.  He 
had  a  profitable  patronage  in  this  line,  and  by 
his  lionorable  methods  and  reliable  knowledge 
of  the  propertj'  he  handled  came  to  be  re- 
garded as  an  authority  in  his  line.  His  death 
occurred  April  22,  1909.  Though  an  inde- 
pendent voter,  not  identifying  himself  with 
any  party,  Mr.  McHenry  was  chosen  to  va- 
rious township  ofSees  while  living  in  White 
township,  being  elected  solely  on  his  personal 
merits,  and  his  seiwices  justified  the  confi- 
dence his  fellow  citizens  reposed  in  hira.  He 
held  membership  in  the  Presb.yterian  Church 
of  Indiana,  and  fraternallv  was  a  member  of 
the  Elks  and  of  Post  No.  28.  G.  A.  R.,  of 
Indiana. 

Mr.  ilcHenry  married  Elizabeth  Wolf,  and 
to  them  were  born  eleven  children,  namely: 
George,  Samuel,  Robert,  Kate,  ilary,  John, 
Oliver,  Paul,  Arthur  and  Elizabeth  (twins) 
and  Clair,  The  mother  died  in  May.  1889, 
On  July  30,  1891,  Mr.  McHenry  remarried, 
his  second  wife  being  Clara  Long,  of  White 
township,  who  was  boi-n  April  13,  1864,  in 
Cherryhill  township,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
and  Susanna  (Burnham)  Long,  who  had  a 
family  of  five  children.  Nine  children  were 
bom  of  this  union:  James,  Fern,  ^Margaret, 
Bertha,  Ralph,  Louise,  Howard,  Edwin  and 
IMartha,  Mrs.  McHenry  resides  at  No.  628 
Water  sti-eet,  Indiana,  in  the  home  her  hus- 
band planned  and  built  in  the  summer  of 
1906. 

CARL    BERNARD    CRANKIER.    M.    D.. 

physician  and  surgeon  for  the  Pittsburg  Gas 
Coal  Company,  at  Iselin,  Pa,,  was  born  in 
Bradford  county,  this  state,  at  ^lonroe  bor- 
ough, Jlay  15.  1873.  son  of  Bernard  A.  and 
Hannah   (Dauffenpauh>   Cranmer. 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1027 


Ashabel  Craumer  married  Mary  Griggs,  and 
is  now  deceased.  His  widow  survives  and 
makes  her  home  at  Monroe  borough,  and  de- 
spite her  years,  she  having  attained  to  the 
venerable  age  of  ninety-six,  she  is  very  active 
in  mind  and  body. 

Bernai'd  A.  Cranmer,  son  of  Ashabel  Cran- 
nier,  is  a  farmer  near  the  village  of  Monroe 
borough,  operating  200  acres  in  the  vicinity. 
At  one  time  he  owned  a  tract  of  300  acres, 
a  portion  of  which  is  included  in  what  is  now 
Monroe  borough. 

Carl  Bernard  Cranmer  attended  the  local 
high  school  at  Monroe  borough  and  then  en- 
tered Jefferson  Medical  College,  at  Philadel- 
phia, from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  M.  D.  in  the  spring  of  1898.  Fol- 
lowing this  he  began  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine at  Dubois,  Pa.,  as  assistant  to  Dr.  Lee, 
physician  and  surgeon  for  the  Jefferson  & 
Clearfield  Coal  &  Iron  Company,  continuing 
thus  until  1901,  when  he  was  appointed  resi- 
dent physician  for  the  company  at  Rathmel, 
Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  and  besides  acting  as  the 
company  physician  had  a  general  practice  at 
that  place  and  at  Wish^w  until  1904,  when  he 
was  appointed  resident  physician  and  surgeon 
at  Iselin,  where  the  Pittsburg  Gas  Coal  Com- 
pany had  established  a  plant.  He  has  350 
families  under  his  charge  at  Iselin  and  sev- 
enty-five families  at  Whiskey  Run,  also  known 
as  Iselin  No.  3.  Dr.  Cranmer  is  ably  assisted 
by  Dr.  C.  F.  Dixon.  Both  physicians  take  a 
deep  interest  in  their  work.  A  strong  Re- 
publican, Dr.  Cranmer  has  served  as  school 
director  of  the  village  for  two  terms,  and  has 
been  chairman  of  the  board,  and  otherwise 
showed  a  warm,  public-spirited  interest  in 
local  affairs.  A  man  of  religious  tendencies, 
he  helped  to  organize  the  Union  Church,  and 
is  now  acting  as  trustee.  In  addition,  he  or- 
ganized the  men's  Bible  class,  of  which  he  is 
teacher.  Professionally  Dr.  Ci-anmer  belongs 
to  the  Jefferson  County  Medical  Society  and 
the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Society.  In 
fraternal  matters  he  belongs  to  the  Freema- 
sons, being  a  member  of  Garfield  Lodge,  No. 
559,  F.  &  A.  M. 

In  June,  1902,  Dr.  Cranmer  was  married  to 
Estelle  Magee,  a  native  of  Clearfield  county, 
Pa.,  daughter  of  Henry  Magee.  She  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and  high  school 
of  her  neighborhood,  later  attending  Dickin- 
son Seminary,  at  Williamsport,  Pa.,  where  she 
was  trained  in  music.  For  one  year  after  com- 
pleting her  musical  coui-se  she  was  instructor 
of  music  in  that  institution,  and  then  accepted 
a  similar  position  in  the  female  seminary  at 


Newport  News,  also  teaching  oratory  and  elo- 
cution. Mrs.  Cranmer  is  a  lady  of  unusual 
talents,  possessing  an  artistic  temperament 
and  tastes,  and  her  beautiful  home  shows  the 
effects  of  her  culture.  Like  her  husband  she 
takes  a  deep  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  vil- 
lage, and  tries  to  bring  some  of  her  own  hap- 
piness into  the  lives  of  those  about  her.  Her 
influence  is  constantly  exerted  to  bring  about 
a  higher  moral  tone  and  better  conditions  of 
living,  and  she  is  a  powerful  factor  for  good. 
Believing  in  the  power  of  the  Sunday  school 
in  any  community,  she  organized  the  one  con- 
nected with  the  Union  Church,  and  is  one 
of  its  most  effective  teachers,  as  well  as  its 
superintendent. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Cranmer  have  had  three  chil- 
dren, Josephine,  Carl  and  Ralph.  Highly 
educated,  cultured  and  intelligent.  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Cranmer  are  working  together  to  benefit 
the  people  placed  in  their  charge.  They  are 
not  content  to  minister  alone  to  their  bodies, 
but  seek  to  raise  them  and  bring  them  into 
better  condition  by  elevating  their  thoughts 
and  teaching  them  how  to  live  in  a  healthful, 
normal  way.  In  every  way  Dr.  Crammer  is 
seconded  by  his  wife,  and  they  are  not  only 
most  highly  esteemed  but  beloved  by  the  many 
whom  they  have  so  greatly  benefited. 

HERMAN  H.  MILLER,  who  is  devoting 
his  activities  to  the  tilling  of  the  soil  in  White 
township,  was  born  in  Indiana  county,  Jan. 
1,  1866,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Sushanna 
(Marsh)  Miller. 

Herman  Miller,  the  paternal  grandfather  of 
Herman  H.  Miller,  was  a  native  of  Germany, 
from  which  country  he  came  to  the  United 
States  in  young  manhood  and  settled  in  Pine 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  there  purchasing 
land  and  engaging  in  agricultural  pursuits 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Henry  ]\Iiller,  son  of  Herman  Miller,  and 
father  of  Herman  H.  Miller,  followed  farm- 
ing in  Pine  township  for  many  years,  but 
eventually  moved  to  Cambria  county,  where 
he  is  stiil  actively  engaged  in  farming,  al- 
though he  has  reached  advanced  years.  iHis 
second  wife  passed  away  many  years  ago, 
when  Herman  H.  Miller  was  but  an  infant, 
he  being  the  only  child  of  that  union.  By  a 
former  marriage  Henry  Miller  had  two  chil- 
dren, William  and  Henry,  both  residing  in 
Cambria  county,  and  to  his  third  marriage 
were  born  five  children:  Stewart,  Thomas, 
Jackson,  Alfred  and  George,  all  livingi  in 
Cambria  county. 

Herman  H.  jMiller,  son  of  Henry  Miller, 


1028 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1  boyhood  days  in  Pine  township,  and 
when  still  a  lad  was  taken  to  Cambria  county, 
where  he  received  his  education  and  remained 
until  attaining  his  majority.  At  that  time  he 
came  back  to  Indiana  county  and  followed 
farming  as  a  hand  until  1905,  in  which  year 
he  purchased  his  present  valuable  land  in 
White  township,  where  he  has  since  carried 
on  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr.  Miller  has 
been  successful  in  his  operations  because  he 
has  used  intelligence  and  good  judgment  in 
his  work.  He  fully  undei-stands  the  business 
of  farming,  is  an  excellent  judge  of  stock,  and 
his  property  gives  eloquent  evidence  of  the  ex- 
ercise of  thrift  and  good  management. 

On  December  25,  1892,  Mr.  Miller  was  mar- 
ried to  Lucetta  Shultz,  of  Pine  township, 
daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Jane  (Coy) 
Shultz,  natives  of  Indiana  county  who  are 
both  now  deceased.  Six  children  have  been 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller,  namely :  Milton, 
who  is  deceased;  Martha:  Clinton,  deceased; 
Benton;  Goldie,  and  Viola.  Mr.  and  i\Irs. 
Miller  are  members  of  the  Evangelical  Church 
of  Indiana  aud  have  been  liberal  in  their  sup- 
port of  its  movements.  Holding  the  esteem 
and  regard  of  his  fellow  citizens,  Mr.  ililler 
has  been  called  upon  to  fill  various  township 
ofSces,  including  that  of  school  director,  and 
has  at  all  times  proved  his  good  citizenship 
by  the  faithful  manner  in  which  he  has  dis- 
charged the  duties  connected  with  such  re- 
sponsibilities. 

DAVID  H.  DICK,  general  farmer,  residing 
in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  there  April  2,  1849,  son  of  Jacob  P.  and 
Elizabeth  (Hoover)  Dick. 

John  Dick,  the  grandfather,  came  to  Indi- 
ana county  at  an  early  day  and  bought  land 
which  he  cleared  and  cultivated  and  resided 
on  until  his  death,  which  occurred  when  he 
was  aged  forty-four  years. 

Jacob  P.  Dick  was  bom  in  Blair  county,  Pa., 
but  was  reared  in  Indiana  county,  followed 
farming  all  his  active  life  in  Cheri-yhill  town- 
ship, and  died  in  1900.  In  1863  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  Hoover,  and  the  following 
children  were  bom  to  them:  Margaret,  who 
is  now  deceased ;  David  H. ;  George,  who  re- 
sides near  Greenville,  Pa.;  Andrew  and  John, 
both  of  whom  are  deceased ;  Nancy,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Benjamin  Bowers,  of  Martins- 
burg,  Pa. ;  and  Martin,  who  lives  in  Cherry- 
hill  township.  By  his  second  marriage  seven 
children  were  bom  to  Jacob  P.  Dick,  the  sur- 
vivors being:  William,  living  in  Iowa; 
James,  living  at  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Jacob  M., 


residing  on  the  old  homestead;  and  Frank, 
living  with  his  mother  at  Greemdlle,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

David  II.  Dick  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm,  obtained  his  education  in  the  district 
schools,  and  has  followed  farming  in  Cherrj'- 
hill  township  ever  since.  In  early  manhood  he 
was  married,  on  March  16,  1873,  to  Rachel 
Ann  Long,  who  was  born  in  Cheriyhill  town- 
ship July  7,  1852,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Hannah  (Engle)  Long.  Mr.  Long  was  born 
in  Cherryhill  township  and  followed  farming 
there,all  his  life,  dying  May  28,  1904. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dick  the  following  chil- 
dren have  been  born :  Jeremiah  lives  in  Okla- 
homa; Richard,  who  moved  to  Oregon,  was 
married  there  to  Lucy  Scranton,  and  they  have 
two  sons  and  two  daughters,  Lois,  Harold, 
Warren  and  Ruth ;  Emma  is  the  wife  of  Ed- 
ward H.  Stephens,  living  near  Greenville, 
Pa.,  and  they  have  eight  children,  Louie. 
Lawrence,  Enola,  Rachel,  Ha,  Clyde,  Mary 
and  Ruth;  Charles,  who  resides  in  Cherryhill 
township,  married  Elda  Finley,  of  that  town- 
ship, and  they  have  five  children,  Ellis,  Ford, 
Len,  Mary  and  Theodoi«e ;  Nellie  is  the  wife  of 
Hari'y  F.  Ackerson,  of  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship, and  they  have  three  children,  Violet, 
Arthur  and  an  infant ;  Weston,  who  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Oklahoma,  married  Imo  Houser,  of 
that  State,  and  they  have  one  child;  Blanche 
is  the  wife  of  J.  Ward  Houck,  postmaster  at 
Clymer,  and  they  have  one  child,  Marion; 
Homer,  who  resides  at  Clymer,  married  Grace 
Short,  of  Indiana  county,  and  they  have  one 
daughter,  Margaret;  Carrie  is  the  wife  of 
Logan  G.  Ober,  of  Rayne  township;  Blaine, 
who  is  an  educator  in  Indiana  county,  has 
taught  one  term  in  Rayne  township,  two  terms 
at  Diamondville  and  one  term  at  Spruce 
Grove,  proving  very  acceptable,  and  when  not 
otherwise  engaged  assists  his  father  on  the 
home  farm;  Ethel  and  Seward  reside  with 
their  parents.  Good  health  has  prevailed  in 
this  large,  united  and  vigorous  family,  no 
break  having  occurred  in  its  ranks. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dick  are  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church.  For  many  years  Mr.  Dick  has 
served  on  the  school  board,  and  he  has  also 
been  register  and  assessor  of  Cherryhill 
township. 

SYLVESTER  C.  WELCHONCE.  who  for 
thirty-five  years  has  been  the  proprietor  of  a 
blacksmith  shop  at  North  Point,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  in  Porter  township,  Jeffer- 
son Co.,  Pa.,  April  23,  1855,  and  is  a  son  of 
Austin  and  Margaret  (McHenry)  Welchonce. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1029 


Mathias  "Welchonce,  liis  paternal  grandfather, 
was  a  native  of  Germany. 

Austin  Welchonce,  son  of  Mathias,  and 
father  of  Sylvester  C.  Welchonce,  was  born 
in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa,,  and  when  a  lad 
of  fifteen  years  moved  to  West  Mahoning 
township,  Indiana  county,  accompanying  his 
father  to  the  old  Good  mill,  which  they  con- 
ducted for  several  years.  Later  they  went  to 
Porter  township,  Jefferson  county,  and  se- 
cured a  farm,  and  there  they  both  passed 
away.  Mathias  Welchonce  married  Susan 
Ambrose,  and  they  had  six  children:  John, 
who  is  deceased;  Alexander,  of  Clearfield 
county.  Pa. ;  Austin ;  Lavina,  deceased ; 
Martha,  a  resident  of  Illinois;  and  Claranna. 
living  in  Jefl^erson  county.  Austin  Welchonce 
was  engaged  for  some  time  in  burning  char- 
coal in  Porter  township,  but  later  removed  to 
the  Stewardson  furnace,  near  the  mouth  of 
Mahoning  creek,  in  Armstrong  county,  work- 
ing at  the  furnace.  He  returned  to  his  farm 
some  time  later,  and  in  1862  came  to  West 
Mahoning  township,  purchasing  the  Crusman 
farm,  on  which  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life, 
and  where  his  wife  is  still  living  at  the  age  of 
eighty-two  years.  He  was  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  and  an  active  member  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Syl- 
vester C. ;  Alvy  M.,  a  blacksmith  at  Homer 
City,  Pa.,  who  married  Mamie  Blose;  Sarah, 
who  married  Scott  Chambers,  of  Ambrose, 
Pa. ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Rev.  C.  H. 
Frampton,  of  Oil  City,  Pa. ;  Frank,  a  farmer 
on  the  old  home  place,  who  married  Lavina 
McHenry;  and  Ruth,  who  married  Wallace 
McMiller,  living  at  Ambrose. 

Sylvester  C.  Welchonce,  son  of  Austin  Wel- 
chonce, received  his  education  in  the  old 
Gamble  school,  in  North  Mahoning  township, 
and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  commenced  to 
learn  the  trade  of  blacksmith  in  the  shop  of 
John  C.  Stear,  at  North  Point.  He  continued 
in  his  employ  for  two  years,  and  then  went 
to  Elk  City,  Pa.,  for  a  short  period,  but  re- 
turned to  North  Point,  and  in  1878  opened  his 
present  establishment,  which  he  has  continued 
to  conduct  to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Welchonce  was  married  in  1880  in  Jef- 
ferson county.  Pa.,  to  Joanna  Lettie,  of  West 
Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county,  daughter 
of  George  and  Hannah  (Mottern)  Lettie,  of 
Northumberland  county.  Pa.,  pioneers  of  Jef- 
ferson county,  who  settled  near  Worthville. 
In  1860  they  located  at  North  Point,  where 
Mr.  Lettie  conducted  a  gristmill  for  many 
years,  but  he  is  now  retired  and  living  quietly 


at  Porter,  Jefferson  county.  I\Ir.  and  Mrs. 
Welchonce  have  had  one  son,  Hai-ry  Monroe. 
He  was  bom  at  North  Point,  Pa.,  in  1884, 
was  educated  in  the  home  schools,  and  at  the 
age  of  sixteen  years  went  to  HicksviUe,  Ohio, 
to  learn  the  trade  of  telegrapher.  Finishing 
his  course,  he  returned  to  his  home  and  soon 
secured  a  position  with  the  Penusylvania 
Railroad  Company,  as  operator  at  Indiana, 
going  thence  to  Avonmore,  Pa.,  where  he 
spent  one  year,  and  then  to  Saltsburg,  where 
he  was  stationed  for  three  months.  He  waa 
next  connected  with  the  B.  R.  &  P.  Railroad 
(Jompany  at  Butler,  Pa.,  for  one  year,  went 
thence  to  North  Point,  and  then  became  con- 
nected with  the  Bessemer  &  Lake  Erie  Rail- 
road Company,  at  Greenville,  where  he  was 
a  dispatcher  for  two  years.  At  that  time  Mr. 
Welchonce  began  playing  baseball  as  a  pro- 
fessional, being  one  year  as  an  outfielder  in 
the  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  League,  from 
which  he  went  to  the  Philadelphia  Nationals. 
After  one  season  he  was  sent  to  the  Central 
League,  where  he  played  with  Grand  Rapids, 
but  was  traded  by  the  latter  team  to  South 
Bend,  Ind.  He  returned  to  the  Philadelphia 
Nationals  in  1910,  but  was  sold  to  Nashville, 
in  the  Southern  League,  with  which  team  he 
played  for  one  season,  and  then  went  to  the 
New  York  Americans  and  later  was  secured 
by  draft  by  the  Washington  team  of  the 
American  League,  with  which  he  played  dur- 
ing the  season  of  1912,  and  of  which  he  is 
still  a  member.  He  spends  the  winter  months 
at  home.  He  has  demonstrated  that  he  has 
inherited  much  of  his  father's  mechanical 
skill,  being  able  to  perform  almost  any  piece  . 
of  difficult  work  in  his  father's  shop.  In  1904 
he  married  Daisy  Stone,  of  Greenville,  Mercer 
county.  Pa.,  at  which  place  he  makes  his 
winter  home,  being  employed  by  the  Bessemer 
Railroad  Company  during  the  winter  months, 
as  telegrapher  in  their  main  office. 

Sylvester  C.  Welchonce  is  a  valued  member 
of  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  with  the 
members  of  which  he  lias  always  been  popular, 
as  he  has,  indeed,  with  all  who  have  met  him. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  served 
as  postmaster  of  Noi*th  Point,  and  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board,  and  he  and  Mrs.  Wel- 
chonce are  consistent  members  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church.  He  has  always  been 
an  industrious  and  persistent  worker,  and  the 
success  which  has  attended  his  efforts  is  but 
the  natural  result  of  a  long  and  useful  life, 
filled  with  earnest  endeavor  and  marked  by 
the  highest  integi-ity.  His  skill  as  a  horse- 
shoer  has  brought  him  considerable  renown, 


1030 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  though  flfty-eight  years  old  he  was  able 
recently  to  set  sixty  shoes  in  one  day,  keeping 
it  up  for  several  days  at  a  time.  He  has 
horses  coming  to  his  shops  from  a  radius  of 
twenty-five  miles,  and  is  one  of  the  leading 
horseshoers  of  Indiana  and  Jefferson  coun- 
ties, having  been  very  successful  in  the  shoe- 
ing of  racehorses,  and  of  all  kinds  of  crippled 
and  deformed  feet. 

JOSEPH  WILSON  HARBISON,  retired 
farmer  of  Young  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  still  owns  140  acres  of  land,  and  now 
a  member  of  the  implement  and  feed  firm  of 
Harbison  &  Gibson,  at  Indiana,  was  born  on 
a  farm  in  Young  township  May  16,  1847,  and 
is  a  sou  of  Francis  S.  and  Parmelia  (Cooper) 
Harbison. 

Joseph  Harbison,  the  grandfather  of  Joseph 
W.  Harbison,  left  the  State  of  Marjdand  with. 
his  brother  for  western  Pennsylvania,  but  in 
some  manner  they  became  separated,  and  the 
brother  was  never  heard  from  afterward.  The 
grandfather  came  on  to  Indiana  county,  where 
he  settled  in  what  was  then  Conemaugh  (now 
Young)  township,  and  accumulated  property 
until  he  had  over  500  acres  of  land,  continuing 
to  reside  in  that  section  during  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  He  and  his  wife  were  faithful 
members  of  the  Presbytei-ian  Church,  and  in 
politics  3Ir.  Harbison  was  a  Whig,  serving  as 
justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years.  He  mar- 
ried, March  15,  1810,  Rebecca  Ewing,  and 
they  had  the  following  children  :  Annie,  born 
Feb.  11.  1811,  married  Cynis  Fulton,  and  both 
are  deceased:  Sarah,  born  Nov..- 20,  1812, 
married  Joseph  Cunningham,  and  both  are 
deceased :  William,  born  Oct.  24,  1814,  mar- 
ried Margaret  McNutt ;  Maiy,  born  Jan.  16, 
1816.  married  William  Cooper;  Francis  S. 
was  born  May  28,  1818 ;  Catherine,  born  Dec. 
2,  1819.  died  unmarried;  John,  born  Aug.  24, 
1822.  married  Elizabeth  Beatty,  who  .survives 
him  at  the  age  of  eighty  years  and  lives  in 
Armstrong  township;  Jane,  bom  Nov.  13, 
1826,  died  unmarried. 

Francis  S.  Harbison,  son  of  Joseph  and 
father  of  Joseph  Wilson  Harbison,  was  born 
in  Young  township,  and  there  spent  his  entire 
life  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  active 
in  the  work  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  he  was  a  trustee  for  many  years,  and 
was  also  prominent  in  Republican  polities. 
After  his  marriage  he  settled  on  a  tract  of 
land  given  him  by  his  father,  and  there  his 
death  occurred  Oct.  29,  1890.  Mr.  Harbison 
was  married  to  Parmelia  Cooper,  who  was 
born  Sept.  3,  1825,  at  Slippeiy  Rock,  Butler 


county,  daughter  of  William  and  ilary 
Cooper.  She  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
eight  years,  and  a  devovit  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  'Sir.  and  Mrs.  Harbison  had 
the  following  children:  Joseph  AVilson; 
Paulina,  bom  Nov.  14,  1848,  who  married  A. 
W.  Ewing,  and  both  are  deceased;  William, 
born  Feb.  14,  1853,  who  married  Emma  Hart, 
and  died  in  Young  township ;  and  Armelda 
M.,  born  July  8.  1856.  who  died  unmarried. 

Joseph  Wilson  Harbison  attended  the  public 
schools  of  West  Lebanon  during  a  short  time 
in  the  winter  terms,  but  the  greater  ]iart  of 
his  education  came  in  the  school  of  hard  work, 
he  being  the  eldest  of  the  family  and  it  being 
necessary  for  him  to  assist  his  father  with  the 
homestead  duties  from  the  time  when  he  was 
so  small  he  could  bai-ely  reach  the  plow 
handles.  WTien  still  but  little  more  than  a 
lad  he  enlisted  for  ninety  days'  service  in  the 
Civil  war.  becoming  a  private  in  Capt.  Samuel 
Anderson's  Company  H,  54th  Regt.,  P.  V.  I. 
Subsequently  he  reenlisted,  June  24,  1863,  in 
the  regiment  commanded  by  Col.  Thomas  F. 
Gallagher,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Depart- 
ment of  the  Mouongahela,  commanded  bv  Gen. 
William  F.  H.  Brooks.  On  the  29th  day  of 
July  following,  the  regiment  was  sent  on 
guard,  at  the  time  of  Morgan's  raid.  After 
the  capture  of  that  daring  officer  the  regi- 
ment, being  no  longer  needed,  was  mustered 
out  of  the  service,  Aug.  17,  1863.  Mr.  Har- 
bison reenlisted  in  Capt.  William  C.  Gordon's 
Company  D,  206th  Regt.,  P.  Y.  I.,  for  one 
year,  the  regiment  being  mustered  into  the 
service  of  the  United  States  at  Camp  Rey- 
nolds, near  Pittsburg,  Sept.  8,  1864,  with  the 
following  field  and  staf?  officers:  Col.  Hugh 
J.  Brady,  Lieut.  Col.  John  T.  Fulton,  Maj. 
Josiah  B.  Ferguson,  Ad,it.  James  L.  Crawford, 
Q.  M.  John  Lowery,  Surg.  Thomas  JM.  Lowery, 
and  Chap.  John  C.  High.  After  its  organiza- 
tion, the  regiment  left  the  State  and  was  as- 
.signed  to  a  provisional  brigade  in  the  Army 
of  the  James,  occupying  the  Bermuda  front 
and  attached  to  the  18th  Corps.  On  the  4th  of 
October  it  was  ordered  to  duty  with  the  en- 
gineering corps  and  put  to  work  on  a  fort 
north  of  Dutch  Gap.  So  promptly  and  well 
was  the  work  done  that  in  compliment  it  was 
named  Fort  Brad}',  in  honor  of  the  colonel. 
On  Oct.  26th  the  regiment  was  assigned  to 
the  3d  Brigade.  1st  Division,  10th  Array 
Corps,  and  on  Dee.  3d  the  10th  and  ISth 
Corps  were  merged  in  the  24th  Corps.  On 
April  3.  1865,  the  order  was  given  to  advance 
on- Richmond,  but  it  was  found  that  the  city 
had  been  evacuated  bv  the  Confederates,  and 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1031 


Jlr.  Harbison 's  regiment  was  the  first  to  enter 
the  Southern  capital  and  display  the  stars  and 
stripes.  It  performed  provost  duty  there  and 
in  Lynchburg  until  its  services  were  no 
longer  needed.  Mr.  Harbison  did  his  full 
duty  as  a  soldier,  faithfully  performing  eveiy 
duty  that  fell  to  his  lot,  and  was  honorably 
discharged  June  26,  1865.  On  his  return*  he 
resumed  work  on  the  old  property,  which  he 
inherited  from  his  father,  and  which  he  con- 
tinued to  operate  until  1889.  In  that  year 
he  came  to  Indiana  and  engaged  in  the  feed 
and  implement  business  with  J.  J.  Fiscus, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Harbison  &  Fiscus,  a 
connection  which  continued  for  two  years. 
The  firm  was  then  dissolved  and  Mr.  Harbison 
continued  in  business  alone  until  1909,  when 
he  formed  a  business  connection  with  I.  "W. 
Gibson,  his  present  partner. 

Mr.  Harbison  was  married  (first)  in  Octo- 
ber, 1865,  to  Mary  A.  Hart,  of  Young  town- 
ship, daughter  of  Robert  Thompson  and 
Nancy  (Grey)  Hart,  and  she  died  on  the  farm 
May  19,  1872,  the  mother  of  two  children: 
Alva  v.,  of  Niagara  Falls,  N.  Y.;  and  Ella 
May,  who  died  Oct.  3,  1907.  In  1876  Mr. 
Harbison  was  married  (second)  to  Sarah 
Galbraith,  of  Salzburg,  Pa.,  who  died  April 
10,  1899,  without  issue. 

Mr.  Harbison  is  a  Prohibitionist  in  his 
political  views  and  is  a  consistent  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  interested  in 
the  work  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
and  continues  a  popular  comrade  of  Indiana 
Post,  No.  28. 

THOMAS  ELGIN  SHIRLEY,  educator, 
who  resides  on  the  homestead  farm  in  Center 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in 
Brushvalley  township,  this  county,  Dee.  26, 
1887,  son  of  David  and  Eliza  (Douthitt) 
Shirley. 

Robert  Shirley,  the  founder  of  the  family  in 
Indiana  county,  was  born  in  eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1735,  and  was  married  there  to  Susan 
Baker,  who  was  of  German  descent  and  was 
born  in  1742.  Robert  Shirley  served  as  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  In  1792  he 
came  to  Indiana  county,  from  the  Conoco- 
cheague  valley,  and  located  in  Conemaugh 
township,  on  Blacklegs  creek,  about  two  miles 
from  Saltsburg.  He  became  a  farmer,  and 
lived  in  that  section  until  he  was  ninety-nine 
years  of  age.  djang  in  1834.  His  widow  sur- 
vived to  be  101  years  of  age,  her  death  occur- 
ring in  1843,  and  their  eldest  son,  John,  lived 
to  the  age  of  103,  all  of  the  six  children  at- 
taining old  age.  They  were :  John,  who  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Taiser ;  Robert ;  Thomas ;  Jane, 


who  married  a  IMr.  Mullen,  and  moved  to  the 
West ;  Joseph,  who  married  Catherine  Ful- 
mer ;  and  Ann,  who  married  William  Bash. 

Thomas  Shirley,  son  of  Robert,  was  born 
during  the  Revolutionary  war,  in  1776,  and 
was  a  young  man  when  he  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Conemaugh  township,  where  he 
subsequently  followed  agricultural  life  until 
he  retired.  He  died  in  1875,  at  the  age  of 
ninety-nine  years.  He  mai-ried  Mary  Miller, 
who  was  born  in  1787,  and  died  in  1875,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  Their  children 
were  as  follows:  ilargaret,  born  in  1809,  was 
married  to  John  Lampkin  and  (second)  a 
Mr.  Altman;  Barbara,  born  in  1811,  married 
Jacob  Long;  Robert,  bom  in  1813,  married 
Eliza  Kelly ;  Christopher,  bom  in  1815.  is  men- 
tioned below;  Susan,  born  in  1818,  married 
Ezekiel  Gray;  John,  born  in  1821.  married 
Ella  Rosborough,  as  his  first  wife,  his  second 
being  a  widow  named  Marshall ;  Thomas,  born 
in  1825,  married  Ellen  Fairman ;  and  Mathias, 
born  in  1829,  married  Rachel  Longwell. 

Christopher  Shirley,  son  of  Thomas,  was 
born  in  Conemaugh  township,  lufliana  county, 
in  1815,  and  passed  a  quiet,  busy  life  on  his 
farm  there,  where  he  died  in  1900.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Douthett,  and  they  had  seven  chil- 
dren, naniely:  Thomas,  who  lives  at  Ontario, 
San  Bernardino  Co.,  Cal. ;  James  P.,  who  lives 
at  Connellsville,  Pa. ;  George,  who  resides  at 
Clarksburg,  Pa. ;  Anna,  who  lives  at  Collins- 
ville.  Pa.;  Martha,  who  married  Elgin  Rhea; 
jMargaret,  who  married  John  Walton;  and 
David. 

David  Shirley,  son  of  Christopher,  was  born 
Dec.  20,  1856,  in  Conemaugh  township,  and 
was  reared  and  educated  there.  He  followed 
fanning  and  also  lumbering,  in  different  sec- 
tions of  Indiana  county,  being  a  farmer 
in  Conemaugh,  Washington  and  Brushvalley 
townships  prior  to  moving  to  Center  township, 
where  he  bought  seventy-seven  acres  of  land, 
known  as  the  C.  A.  Smith  farm,  and  there  he 
is  still  interested  in  farming  and  stock  raising. 
He  was  married  Oct.  4,  1883,  to  Eliza 
Douthitt,  daughter  of  Samuel  -Douthitt,  of 
Homer  City,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  they  have 
the  following  children:  Orville  Earl,  who 
taught  school  for  some  time  in  Indiana  county, 
and  is  now  a  clerk  in  the  Agricultural  Depart- 
ment at  Washington,  D.  C. :  Roy  Walton,  who 
resides  in  southern  California  ;  Thomas  Elgin ; 
Effie  Ann,  who  is  engaged  in  the  millinery 
business  at  Oil  City,  Pa.;  and  Mary  Olive, 
David  Blair  and  Emma  Belle,  all  of  whom 
reside  at  home.  David  Shirley  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 
He  is  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of 


1032 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Center  towiisliip,  one  whose  influence  is  bene- 
ficial in  all  directions,  and  as  such  he  is  hearty 
in  the  support  he  gives  to  the  Prohibition 
party. 

Thomas  Elgin  Shirley,  third  son  of  David 
Shirley,  attended  the  public  schools  in  White 
and  Center  townships  and  later  studied  at  the 
State  normal  school  at  Indiana,  Pa.  After 
thus  thoroughly  preparing  for  his  chosen  pro- 
fession he  began  to  teach  school,  in  1907  be- 
coming the  teacher  of  District  No.  10  school, 
in  Center  township,  and  proved  so  satis- 
factory that  he  was  retained  during  1908.  In 
1909  he  became  the  teacher  at  Brush  Hollow, 
and  then  accepted  the  position  of  principal  of 
the  Risinger  school,  at  North  Homer,  where 
he  has  been  located  since  1910.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 

SAMUEL  KEPORT  RANK,  of  Glen  Camp- 
bell, Indiana  county,  is  engaged  in  the  insur- 
ance business  at  that  point  and  makes  his 
home  in  the  town  of  Hillsdale,  in  the  adjoin- 
ing township  of  jMontgomery.  The  family  has 
long  been  established  in  this  part  of  Indiana 
county,  and  its  members  in  every  generation 
have  displayed  those  qualities  of  substantial 
worth  which  justify  their  high  standing  in 
the  regard  of  their  fellow  citizens. 

George  Rank,  of  Union  county,  Pa.,  great- 
grandfather of  Samuel  K.  Rank,  is  the  first 
of  the  family  of  whom  we  have  record.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Vertz. 

Samuel  Rank,  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth 
(Vertz)  Rank,  was  born  Oct.  IS,  1802,  in 
Union  county,  and  died  Nov.  26,  1869.  In 
1826  he  married  Mary  Ann  Reports,  a  native 
of  Switzerland,  born  July  28,  1805,  who  came 
from  her  native  land  to  America  when  twelve 
years  old.  She  could  not  speak  "a  word  of 
English"  when  she  came  to  America.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Wehrle) 
Keports,  of  Switzerland,  the  former  of  whom 
served  in  Napoleon's  army  in  the  invasion  of 
Russia,  in  1812.  Samuel  and  Mary  Ann  (Ke- 
ports) Rank  had  a  family  of  nine  children. 
Mrs.  Rank  died  March  29,  1873. 

George  Rank,  eldest  of  the  nine  children 
born  to  Samuel  and  ilary  Ann  (Keports) 
Rank,  born  Oct.  16,  1827,  near  Cherrytree,  in 
Indiana  county.  Pa.,  became  a  farmer  in  his 
native  county,  his  home  being  near  Hillsdale, 
in  Montgomery  township.  He  died,  very  sud- 
denly, Jan.  8,  1902,  at  the  home  where  he  had 
passed  so  many  years.  The  following,  by  Rev. 
P.  B.  Campbell,  appeared  in  deceased's  church 
paper  a  few  weeks  later:  "Brother  Rank 
was  born  near  this  spot  and  so  he  knew  well 


the  hardships  of  pioneer  life  in  the  forest,  but 
lived  to  see  it  give  place  to  beautiful  farms 
and  residences,  among  which  his  own  is  promi- 
nent. *  *  *  He  was  converted  at  the 
age  of  nineteen.  *  *  «  Soon  after  this  he 
united  with  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
but  in  about  two  years  afterward,  in  company 
with  his  father  and  mother,  he  withdrew  from 
it  on  account  of  its  complicity  with  American 
slavery.  For  a  time  this  conscientious  family 
stood  aloof  from  church  fellowship  because 
they  did  not  know  of  any  church  that  was  free 
from  the  blood  of  human  slavery.  Afterward 
the  Rev.  R.  S.  Ensign  came  to  their  neighbor- 
hood and  organized  the  first  Wesleyan 
Methodist  Church  of  that  part  of  the  country, 
and  they  gladly  became  charter  members  and 
continued  faithful  until  called,  one  by  one, 
into  glory.  Brother  George  was  an  abolition- 
ist of  the  John  Brown  type.  In  the  days 
when  it  was  a  crime  to  'harbor,  aid  or  abet'  a 
slave  who  was  attempting  to  escape  from  his 
so-called  master  he,  in  company  with  the  now 
sainted  father  of  the  writer  and  other  noble 
men  who  feared  to  do  wrong  more  than  they 
feared  unjust  imprisonment  and  the  confisca- 
tion of  their  homes,  did  feed,  shelter  and  con- 
duct many  a  company  of  black  skinned  fel- 
lows on  their  way  to  Canada.  When  the  Re- 
publican party  finished  its  work  *  *  * 
Brother  Rank  took  up  the  next  living  issue 
and  spent  his  last  years  in  heartily  supporting 
Prohibition.  In  the  church  he  was  an  untir- 
ing worker.  In  nine  years  as  his  pastor  we 
came  to  expect  him  in  his  place  in  every  serv- 
ice unless  unavoidably  prevented,  while  his 
prayers  and  contributions  were  a  constant 
benediction  to  the  cause  he  loved  so  well.  The 
Sabbath  school  was  perhaps  his  choice  of  all 
places.  His  j-ears  of  superintendence  and 
teaching  have  done  much  for  the  dissemina- 
tion of  gospel  principles.  His  last  public 
work  was  in  the  Sabbath  school  three  days 
before  his  call  to  heaven." 

On  Dec.  24,  1850,  Mr.  Rank  was  married  in 
Indiana  county  to  Jane  Clark,  who  was  born 
Aug.  9,  1829,  at  Lewisberry,  York  Co.,  Pa., 
daughter  of  Virtue  and  Catharine  (Grove) 
Clark,  and  died  Oct.  5,  1902,  surviving  her 
husband  but  a  few  months.  She  was  a  help- 
less invalid  for  a  year  and  nine  months  before 
her  decease.  Four  children  were  bom  to  this 
union:  Ira  C. ;  Ettie  P..  Mrs.  A.  C.  Rankin; 
Linnie,  widow  of  Dr.  H.  H.  Jacobs;  and 
Samuel  K. 

Virtue  Clark,  father  of  Mrs.  Jane  ( Clark  ^ 
Rank,  was  born  May  17,  1799,  in  Connecticut, 
and  was  one  of  the  twelve  children  of 


HISTOEY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1033 


and  Patience  Clark.  Before  his  marriage  he 
left  his  native  State,  and  in  1841  moved  with 
his  family  to  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  and  died 
Feb.  7,  1863.  On  June  10,  1827,  he  married 
Catharine  Grove,  who  was  born  March  5, 1807, 
in  York  county,  Pa.,  one  of  the  family  of 
twelve  children  born  to  Samuel  and  Hannah 
(Reinhart)  Grove,  the  latter  a  native  of 
New  York;  her  grandparents  were  Samuel 
(a  native  of  Holland)  and  Katy  (Eusminger) 
Grove  and  Joseph  and  Susan  (Banner)  Rein- 
hart.  Eleven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Virtue  Clark.  The  mother  died  Sept. 
10,  1893. 

Samuel  K.  Rank  was  born  June  22,  1857,  at 
Hillsdale,  in  Montgomery  township,  Indiana 
.county,  and  obtained  his  early  education  in 
the  local  public  schools.  Later  he  attended 
the  normal  school  at  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  then 
took  a  course  in  the  National  School  of  Elocu- 
tion and  Oratory  at  Philadelphia,  being  grad- 
uated with  honors  in  1880.  For  twenty-four 
years  he  was  engaged  in  educational  work, 
largely  in  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  though  he  has 
taught  in  five  States  altogether.  He  has  done 
regular  school  work  as  well  as  elocution  in- 
struction, in  which  he  was  particularly  suc- 
cessful. For  ten  years  after  giving  up  teach- 
ing Mr.  Rank  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Clark 
Brothers  Company,  measuring  and  estimating 
timber,  and  buying  timber  lands,  not  only  in 
Pennsylvania  but  also  in  North  Carolina, 
Tennessee,  Kentucky  and  Virginia.  In  1906 
he  entered  his  present  line  of  work,  the  in- 
surance business,  in  which  he  has  built  up  a 
very  profitable  patronage.  His  office  is  in  the 
Bank  building  at  Glen  Campbell.  Mr.  Rank 
handles  "every  good  kind"  of  insurance,  rep- 
resenting the  Hartford,  Franklin,  Springfield 
Fire  &  Marine,  Pennsylvania,  Home  and  Con- 
necticut Fire  Insurance  Companies,  the 
Travelers'  Insurance  Company  and  the  Amer- 
ican Live  Stock  Insurance  Company.  He  has 
found  a  congenial  field  of  labor  in  insurance 
work,  and  his  success  shows  his  adaptability 
and  business  qualities  of  a  high  order. 

Like  his  father,  Mr.  Rank  is  an  earnest 
church  and  Sunday  school  worker.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church, 
parsonage  trustee,  teacher  of  a  Bible  class  and 
superintendent  of  Sunday  school.  The  cause 
of  Prohibition  has  always  had  his  strongest 
sympathy  and  support,  and  he  was  a  delegate 
to  the  State  and  National  conventions  of  the 
party  in  1912. 

On  Sept.  14,  1881,  Mr.  Rank  was  married 
to  Delia  M.  Lay,  a  native  of  Stephensport, 
Ky.,  bom  May  24,  1862,  and  they  have  had 


three  children:  (1)  Viva  Rank,  born  Aug. 
11,  1882,  at  Stephensport,  .Ky.,  was  married 
Nov.  16,  1908,  to  Rev.  Thomas  Curtis  Shane, 
a  minister  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church 
now  stationed  at  Rochester,  Pa.,  and  they  have 
two  children,  Allan  Curtis,  born  Nov.  21, 
1909,  at  Hillsdale,  Pa.,  and  Eunice,  born  Jan. 
20,  1913,  at  Beaver,  Pa.  (2)  Alline  Rank, 
born  Nov.  5,  1886,  at  Cherrytree,  Pa.,  was  en- 
gaged as  a  public  school  teacher  for  four 
years,  and  lives  at  home.  (3)  Samuel  Har- 
rison, born  July  26,  1897,  at  Mahaft'ey,  Pa., 
is  a  student  in  the  public  schools,  and  lives  at 
home. 

Benjamin  Lay,  of  Virginia,  great-grand- 
father of  Mrs.  Delia  M.  (Lay)  Rank,  mar- 
ried Mary  A.  Albertson,  of  that  State,  and 
they  had  a  family  of  nine  children. 

James  Lay,  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Mary  A. 
(Albertson)  Lay,  was  born  July  5,  1812,  at 
Stephensport,  Ky.,  and  died  Sept.  15,  1854. 
On  Sept.  15,  1835,  he  married  Maiy  J.  Cox, 
who  was  born  at  Stephensport  May  12,  1820, 
one  of  the  three  children  of  William  and  Mary 
(Seaton)  Cos,  both  of  Virginia,  and  died  May 
5,  1890.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lay  had  eight  children. 

Hari-ison  Lay,  son  of  James  and  Mary  J. 
(Cox)  Lay,  was  bom  Sept.  24,  1838,  at 
Stephensport,  Ky.,  and  died  Dec.  8,  1906.  He 
was  a  merchant  by  occupation.  On  Jan.  1, 
1860,  he  married  Olevia  Perrigo,  who  was 
bom  Feb.  10,  1838,  at  Rome,  Ind.,  and  they 
had  three  children. 

William  Perrigo,  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Olevia  (Perrigo)  Lay,  was  born  in  1776  and 
was  of  French  descent — from  Massachusetts. 
His  death  occurred  in  1855.  He  was  married 
in  1796  to  Elizabeth  Herrington,  of  New 
York,  a  "full-blooded  Yankee,"  born  in  1779, 
who  died  in  1865.  They  were  the  parents  of 
thirteen  children. 

Samuel  Perrigo,  son  of  William  and  Eliza- 
beth (Herrington)  Perrigo,  was  born  Nov.  27, 
1808,  in  New  York,  and  died  July  9,  1864. 
On  June  4,  1835,  he  married  Catharine  Acker- 
man,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  boi-n  July  7,'  1814, 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Louisa  (Reinhart) 
Ackerman,  of  Germany,  the  latter  coming 
from  her  native  land  to  New  York;  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ackerman  had  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren. To  Samuel  and  Catharine  (Ackerman) 
Perrigo  were  born  twelve  children.  The 
mother  died  Aug.  4,  1896. 

JACOB  C.  CONNER,  president  of  the  Con- 
ner Vehicle  Company  of  Indiana,  has  been  in 
business  in  that  borough  since  1900  and  is 
recognized  as  one  of  the  progressive  element 


1034 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  this  section  which  has  been  striving  to  keep 
its  activities  up  to  the  demands  of  modern 
trade.  His  establishment  is  well  equipped  and 
its  product  thoroughly  up-to-date. 

Mr.  Conner  was  born  in  Indiana  countj'  in 
1858,  and  his  father  and  grandfather  were 
also  natives  of  the  county.  The  latter,  George 
Conner,  was  born  on  a  farm,  and  witnessed 
much  of  the  early  settlement  of  this  locality. 
Jacob  S.  Conner,  father  of  Jacob  C.  Conner, 
was  born  in  Green  township,  Indiana  county, 
and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  married 
Catharine  Dishong,  daughter  of  Paul  and 
Elizabeth  (Riblet)  Dishong,  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  two  dying  in  in- 
fancy. The  others  still  survive,  namely: 
Paul ;  Anna,  wife  of  Wilson  Gross ;  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  R.  N.  MePeters ;  George ;  ilollie,  wife 
of  Uriah  Sides :  Jacob  C. ;  Flora;  wife  of  Jacob 
Breath;  and  Henry  C.  The  parents  were 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mr.  Conner 
died  in  1893,  Mrs.  Conner  in  1906. 

Jacob  C.  Conner  attended  public  school  in 
Green  township.  He  was  still  a  young  man 
when  he  became  engaged  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness, in  which  he  continued  until  1900.  That 
year  he  embarked  in  the  planing  mill  business 
at  Indiana,  where  he  has  since  been  located. 
He  followed  his  original  line  until  1906,  when 
he  organized  the  Conner  Vehicle  Company, 
which  was  incorporated  with  a  capital  stock 
of  $25,000,  and  he  has  held  the  position  of 
president  throughout  the  existence  of  this  con- 
cern. Vehicles  of  all  kinds  except  heavy  road 
wagons  are  manufactured,  and  the  output  has 
gained  a  rep^itation  which  insures  a  constant 
demand  large  enough  to  keep  the  plant  busy. 
Mr.  Conner's  business  methods  are  up-to-date, 
and  he  has  conducted  this  business  so  success- 
fully as  to  win  a  place  among  the  substantial 
manufacturers  of  the  borough.  He  has  ac- 
quired considerable  real  estate  in  Indiana, 
owning  several  houses. 

In  1881  Mr.  Conner  married  Lucelia  Buter- 
baugh,  daughter  of  Solomon  Buterbaugh,  of 
Indiaria  county,  and  to  this  marriage  were 
born  ten  children,  six  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
The  others  are:  Boyd,  Daisy  (wife  of  John 
Myers),  Effie  and  Emma.  The  mother  died 
Nov.  8.  1907,  and  in  June,  1908,  Mr.  Conner 
married  (second)  Margaret  River,  daughter 
of  Pat  River,  of  Indiana  county.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  On 
political  questions  he  is  independent. 

THOMAS  BURNS  GLASS,  farmer,  resid- 
ing in  Center  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was 
born  in  that  township  April  5,  1865,  son  of 


William  and  Catherine  (Bums)  Glass,  a  full 
record  of  the  Glass  ancestry  being  found  in 
another  part  of  this  work. 

Thomas  Burns,  maternal  ancestor  of 
Thomas  Burns  Glass,  was  born  at  Dublin,  Ire- 
land, in  1750,  and  according  to  family  annals 
served  in  the  British  armj'  at  the  beginning  of 
the  Revolutionary  war,  but  later  served  for 
four  years  under  Capt.  John  Paul  Jones  and 
other  American  commanders.  In  1790  he 
came  to  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  locating  in 
Center  township.  As  a  pioneer  he  made  a 
somewhat  precarious  living  for  some  years  by 
chopping  wood  and  burning  charcoal,  but  sub- 
sequently acquired  laud  on  which  he  carried 
on  farming.  He  died  here  Oct.  2,  1833,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-three  years,  and  was  buried  in 
Bethel  cemetery.  In  1800  he  was  married 
(first)  to  Mary  Hored,  who  died  in  1816,  aged 
sixty-four  years.  In  1817  he  was  married 
(second)  to  Sarah  Boyle,  daughter  of  Robert 
and  Mary  (Johnson)  Boyle,  who  died  Aug. 
15,  1845,"  aged  fifty-five  years.  They  had  the 
following  children:  William,  born  Sept.  17, 
1818,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war  and  died 
March  17, 1900 ;  Thomas,  born  March  17, 1820, 
married  Margaret  Henry,  and  died  Oct.  10, 
1893 ;  Catherine,  born  July  27,  1821,  married 
William  Glass,  and  died  Oct.  17,  1886 ;  James 
M.,  born  March  4,  1824,  died  Oct.  10,  1855. 
Mrs.  Charles  E.  Boyle,  the  only  daughter  of 
Thomas  Burns,  Jr.,  now  resides  on  the  home- 
stead in  Center  township. 

Thomas  Burns  Glass  was  reared  on  the 
Burns  farm  and  attended  the  Myers  school  in 
Center  township.  He  lived  with  his  uncles, 
Thomas  aud  William  Burns,  and  followed 
farming  in  Center  township  until  1893,  when 
he  removed  to  Armstrong  township  and  lo- 
cated on  a  113-acre  tract  belonging  to  Hugh 
Miller.  There  Mr.  Glass  remained  eleven 
years,  following  farming  and  general  indus- 
trial activities,  and  when  he  sold  that  prop- 
erty he  located  in  Rayne  township  on  a  farm 
of  fift}--two  acres,  whieli  was  known  as  the 
James  McKendree  farm.  F6ur  years  later 
Mr.  Glass  disposed  of  his  interests  there  to 
J.  W.  Helmen  and  bought  fifty-seven  acres  in 
the  same  township,  from  Prof.  Samuel  Wolf. 
This  farm  he  cultivated  for  four  years  and 
then  exchanged  farms  with  Harry  Weimor. 
This  transaction  took  place  in  1910  and  he  has 
continued  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
here  ever  since. 

On  March  23.  1892,  Mr.  Glass  was  married 
to  Lizzie  Kunkle,  a  davighter  of  ]\Iichnel 
Kunkle  and  sister  of  L.  C.  Kunkle,  extended 
mention  of  wiiich  familv  will  be  found  in  an- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1035 


other  part  of  this  volume.  One  daughter  born 
to  this  marriage  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Glass  belong  to  the  Presb.yterian  Chui-cli, 
attending  at  Bethel.  He  is  independent  in  his 
political  attitude. 

JOHN  I.  BOUCHER,  manager  of  the 
Greenwich  Supply  Company,  at  Lovejoy,  Indi- 
ana county,  was  born  in  Rayne  township,  this 
county,  Oct.  26,  1876,  and  is  a  son  of  James 
and  Melissa  (Shields)  Boucher.  His  grand- 
father, Andrew  James  Boucher,  was  of 
French  descent,  the  family  having  come  from 
near  the  border  line  of  Germany  and  Prance. 
He  was  an  early  settler  in  Rayne  township, 
taking  up  the  land  where  his  son  and  grand- 
son were  born  from  the  government,  clearing 
it  and  spending  the  rest  of  his  life  in  farming 
there,  in  addition  to  doing  considerable  car- 
penter work. 

James  Boucher,  son  of  Andrew  James  and 
father  of  John  I.  Boucher,  was  born  in  Rayne 
township,  and  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his 
father,  being  engaged  in  farming  all  of  his 
life  and  still  residing  on  the  old  home  place. 
He  married  Melissa  Shields,  also  a  native  of 
Rayne  township,  and  to  them  have  been  born 
six  children :  Effie,  the  wife  of  J.  L.  Way,  of 
Home,  Pa. :  John  I. ;  Myrtle,  the  wife  of 
Thomas  Williams,  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ; 
Delia,  the  wife  of  W.  L.  Hare,  of  Rayne  town- 
ship ;  Beulah,  the  wife  of  Luther  J.  Hughes, 
living  in  Spangler,  Cambria  county;  and 
Charles,  who  resides  at  home. 

William  Shields,  the  maternal  grandfather 
of  John  I.  Boucher,  was  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  during  his  early  life  followed  the 
occupation  of  boatman.  Later  he  settled  in 
Rayne  township  and  turned  his  attention  to 
farming,  at  which  he  was  occupied  until  his 
death,  when  he  was  eighty-eight  years  of  age. 

John  I.  Boucher  attended  the  district 
schools  of  Rayne  township,  dividing  his  time 
between  acquiring  an  education  and  w^orking 
on  the  home  farm.  Subsequently  he  attended 
Purchase  Line  Academy,  and  after  his  gradu- 
ation from  that  institution  entered  the  mer- 
cantile business  as  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of 
the  Burns  Run  Supply  Company.  One  year 
later  he  became  manager  of  the  Westover 
Lumber  Company,  a  position  which  he  con- 
tinued to  occupy  until  1907,  when  he  became 
manager  of  the  GreenA'ich  Supply  Company, 
at  Love.joy,  where  he  has  since  been  employed. 
He  is  recognized  as  a  business  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  capacity  and  has  done  much  to 
develop  his  firm's  business. 

In  1804  ]\Ir.  Boucher  was  married  to  Kate 
Lockanl.   who   was  born  in   Green  township. 


Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  in  June,  1872,  daughter  of 
Hiram  and  Susan  Lockard,  both  of  whom  are 
deceased.  One  son  has  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Boucher,  Paul  James,  who  is  on  the  old 
farm.  Mr.  Boucher  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  while  his  wife  adheres  to 
the  Presbyterian  faith. 

SPENCER  HICKCOX  RHOADS,  post- 
master at  Iselin,  Young  township,  and  book- 
keeper for  the  Ridge  Supply  Company 's  store 
at  that  point,  was  born  at  Tunkhaunock, 
Wyoming  Co.,  Pa.,  July  12,  1862,  son  of  Dr. 
John  W.  and  Marj'  Jennie  (Hiekcox) 
Rhoads. 

John  W.  Rhoads,  M.  D.,  belonged  to  an  old 
and  honored  Virginia  famil.y,  while  his  wife 
descended  from  Connecticut  stock.  Dr. 
Rhoads  practiced  medicine  for  many  years  at 
Tunkhannock  and  later  at  Houtzdale,  Pa., 
where  he  died  in  1889.  His  widow  survived 
until  1891,  and  passed  away  in  Northumber- 
land county,  Pennsylvania. 

Spencer  Hiekcox  Rhoads  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Northumberland  county 
and  in  Dickinson  Seminary,  at  Williamsport, 
Pa.  After  leaving  school  he  became  assistant 
agent  and  operator  at  Houtzdale,  Pa.,  and 
later  engaged  as  bookkeeper  and  clerk  for  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  at  different 
points  in  Pennsylvania.  In  1899  he  accepted 
the  position  of  bookkeeper  iu  the  office  of 
Piatt,  Barber  &  Co.,  at  Dubois,  Pa.,  holding  it 
for  seven  years.  In  1906  he  left  this  firm  to 
accept  the  same  position  with  the  Pittsburg 
Gas  Coal  Companj^  at  their  Iselin  plant  in 
Young  township,  Indiana  county,  and  he  holds 
the  same  office  with  the  Ridge  Supply  Com- 
pany. Mr.  Rhoads  was  assistant '  postmaster 
under  Joseph  H.  Burgess,  and  in  April,  1911, 
when  the  office  was  made  a  third-c]a.ss  one,  he 
received  the  appointment  as  postmaster  un- 
der President  Taft,  still  retaining  it. 

On  April  19,  1899,  Mr.  Rhoads  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Margaret  ]\Iunson,  the  cere- 
mony taking  place  at  Philipsburg,  Center  Co., 
Pa.  Mrs.  Rhoads  is  a  daughter  of  Levi  Mun- 
son,  and  comes  of  an  old  Connecticut  family. 
One  daughter,  Margaret  Valentine,  has  been 
born  of  this  marriage.  Mr.  Rhoads  is  very 
much  interested  in  the  Union  Church,  which 
he  and  his  wife  attend,  and  he  was  on  the 
building  committee  that  had  charge  of  the 
erection  of  the  present  church  edifice.  He  is 
one  of  the  energetic  men  of  the  township,  and 
is  a  very  efficient  public  official,  administrat- 
ing the  affairs  of  his  office  in  a  manner  that 
gives  satisfaction  to  all  parties  concerned. 


1036 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


FRANK  C.  AMOND,  general  farmer,  of 
Cherrj'hill  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was 
born  there  Jan.  19,  1871,  son  of  Levi  J.  and 
Barbara   (Dick)   Amond. 

Frederick  Amond,  grandfather  of  Frank 
C.  Amond,  was  born  at  what  is  known  as 
Salem  Cross  Roads,  in  Westmoreland  comity. 
Pa.,  and  came  to  Indiana  county  in  1845,  set- 
tling in  what  was  the  Spruce  district.  Sub- 
sequently, in  1856,  he  moved  to  the  farm  on 
which  Frank  C.  Amond  is  now  carrying  on 
operations,  and  also  devoted  some  attention 
to  following  the  trade  of  wagonmaker,  to 
learn  which  he  had  been  bound  out  until  he 
was  eighteen  years  of  age.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  the  house  in  which  his  grandson 
now  lives,  in  1875,  and  his  wife  passed  away 
near  this  home. 

Levi  J.  Amond  was  born  in  Salem  township, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  in  1843,  and  in  his 
youth  learned  the  trade  of  plasterer  and  stone 
and  brick  mason,  a  vocation  which  he  followed 
for  thirty-seven  years  in  Indiana  county, 
making  his  home  where  his  son  Prank  C.  now 
resides,  and  where  his  death  occurred  Dec.  5, 
1907.  He  and  his  wife  had  eight  children,  as 
follows:  Charles,  a  resident  of  Cherryhill 
township ;  Frank  C. ;  Belle,  wife  of  Jerry 
Learn,  a  resident  of  Indiana  county;  Daisy, 
wife  of  Beecher  Learn,  a  resident  of  Cook- 
port;  and  four  children  who  died  young. 

Simon  Dick,  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
Frank  C.  Amond,  came  from  the  East  and 
settled  in  Indiana  county  at  an  early  day, 
being  engaged  in  agricultural  operations  until 
his  death  in  1850.  His  widow  survived  many 
years,  passing  away  in  1869. 

Frank  C.  Amond  was  married  at  Belsano, 
Cambria  Co.,  Pa.,  June  15,  1893,  to  Minnie  B. 
Edward,  who  was  bona  in  Cambria  county 
March  28,  1872,  daughter  of  John  L.  and 
Eliza  Jane  (Thomas)  Edward,  early  pioneers 
of  Cambria  county,  the  grandparents  of  Mvs. 
Amond  on  both  sides  of  the  family  coming  to 
this  country  from  Wales  and  engaging  in 
farming  and  lumbering.  Her  father  also  fol- 
lowed these  occupations  at  Belsano,  where  ho 
and  his  wife  still  survive.  They  are  the  par- 
ents of  seven  children :  Walter,  a  farmer  near 
Belsano ;  William,  a  resident  of  Hobart  Mills, 
Cal.,  and  a  veteran  of  the  Spanish- American 
war,  in  which  he  served  under  two  enlist- 
ments, one  being  under  Admiral  Dewey ;  Min- 
nie B.,  who  married  Mr.  Amond ;  Merton,  a 
merchant  at  Belsano;  Vinton,  a  resident  of 
Cherryhill  township,  near  Ponu  Run ;  Oscar, 
a  resident  of  Belsano :  and  Bertha,  at  home. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Amond  have  four  sons  and  one 


daughter:  Vinton  Dale,  John  L.,  Chester 
Arthur,  Wilbur  Roy  and  Florence  Elizabeth. 
Mr.  Amond  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  1163, 
I.  0.  0.  F.,  of  Clymer,  in  which  he  has  numer- 
ous friends.  He  is  known  as  an  adherent  of 
the  principles  of  morality,  education  and  good 
citizenship,  and  at  this  time  is  school  director, 
election  judge  and  health  ofiScer  of  Cherryhill 
township. 

REV.  FATHER  NEIL  P.  McNELIS,  pas- 
tor of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  Indiana  county,  is  a  native  of  County 
Donegal,  Ireland,  bom  in  1858,  son  of  James 
and  Margaret  McNeils.  He  began  to  attend 
school  in  his  native  countrj',  though  he  was 
only  ten  years  old  when  brought  to  America, 
in  1869,  the  family  locating  in  Lehigh  county, 
Pa.  There  he  obtained  his  elementary  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools,  and  pursued  his 
college  preparatory  studies  at  St.  Francis 
College,  at  Loretto,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.,  in  1887 
entering  St.  Vincent  College,  at  Latrobe,  Pa. 
He  finished  his  course  in  1893,  and  the  same 
year  was  ordained  priest.  His  first  appoint- 
ment was  as  assistant  at  Verona,  near  Pitts- 
burg, where  he  remained  for  two  years.  He 
was  then  pastor  of  the  church  at  Mount  Pleas- 
ant, Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  for  two  years, 
and  inspector  of  schools  for  one  year,  in  1898 
taking  his  present  charge,  at  Indiana. 

Father  McNeils  has  been  highly  successful 
in  his  labors  at  this  point,  and  he  is  held  in 
the  highest  esteem  by  all  classes  in  the 
borough,  regardless  of  church  affiliations.  The 
church  at  Indiana  was  erected  the  year  he 
came  to  America,  but  it  was  not  completed 
at  that  time,  and  since  he  settled  hei'e  he  has 
expended  about  seventeen  thousand  dollars 
upon  the  improvement  of  the  church  prop- 
erty. His  devotion  and  efficient  services,  in 
the  management  of  both  the  spiritual  and 
material  interests  of  the  congregation,  have 
been  notable  and  thoroughl.y  appreciated. 

JOHN  ANDREW  FENNELL  is  a  repre- 
sentative of  an  old  family  of  this  section  of 
Pennsylvania  which  has  been  settled  in  West- 
moreland county  for  several  generations.  He 
himself  is  a  native  of  that  coiinty,  and  has 
been  a  I'csident  of  Indiana  county  for  the  last 
twenty  years. 

John  Fennell,  his  grandfather,  was  bom  in 
Germany,  and  was  a  young  man  when  he 
came  to  America  with  his  parents.  The  fam- 
ily located  in  Salem  township,  Westmoreland 
Co.,  Pa.,  at  what  is  now  called  Fennelltown, 
making  a  permanent  home  there.    They  built 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1037 


a  large  stone  house  on  their  farm.  John 
Fennell  remained  with  his  parents  until  they 
died,  inherited  the  farm,  and  there  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a  member  of 
St.  James'  Lutheran  Church,  of  which  he 
was  a  deacon  for  many  years.  In  politics  he 
was  a  Democrat.  His  children  were:  Mary, 
Elizabeth,  Katharine,  John,  Christopher,  Ja- 
cob, Michael,  Andrew  and  George,  the  last 
named  still  living  on  the  old  homestead. 

Michael  Fennell,  son  of  John,  was  reared 
on  his  father's  fann  in  Salem  township  and 
obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
there.  He  remained  at  home  until  after  his 
marriage,  when  he  purchased  a  104-acre  farm 
in  Washington  township,  Westmoreland  coun- 
ty, upon  which  he  lived  for  the  next  fifteen 
years.  Selling  out  he  bought  another  farm 
of  165  acres  in  Salem  township,  where  he 
made  his  home  for  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  his  po 
litical  connection  was  with  the  Democratic 
party.  He  married  Susan  Fennell,  daughter 
of  Jacob  Fennell,  of  Salem  township,  West- 
moreland county,  and  she  died  in  1903,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-nine  years.  Mr.  Fennell 
died  in  1905,  at  the  age  of  eighty.  They  are 
buried  in  the  Fennelltown  family  cemetery. 
Eight  children  were  born  to  them :  Elizabeth, 
who  married  Samuel  Walton,  of  Westmore- 
land county;  Tillie,  who  died  young;  Mary, 
who  married  James  Young;  Sarah,  who  mar- 
ried James  Blakney,  deceased ;  John  Andrew ; 
Jacob,  of  Congruity,  Pa. ;  Susan,  who  mar- 
ried Lincoln  Pitt;  and  George,  of  Avonmore, 
Pennsylvania. 

John  Andrew  Fennell  was  born  Feb.  5, 
1854,  in  Washington  township,  Westmore- 
land county,  and  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  there.  He  worked  with  his  father  on 
the  farm  until  he  became  of  age,  when  he 
took  charge  of  the  place,  conducting  it  suc- 
cessfully for  a  number  of  years.  After  leav- 
ing there  he  lived  on  a  farm  in  Bell  town- 
ship, Westmoreland  county,  for  ten  years,  at 
the  end  of  that  period,  in  1892,  coming  to 
Indiana  county.  Locating  on  the  William 
Henderson  farm  in  Armstrong  township  he 
remained  there  for  fifteen  years,  thence  re- 
moving to  Center  township,  where  he  bought 
the  Robert  Johnston  farm  of  125  acres.  Here 
he  carries  on  general  farming,  and  he  has 
established  a  reputation  for  substantial  qual- 
ities which  commands  the  respect  of  all  his 
neighbors. 

While  living  in  Westmoreland  county  Mr. 
Fennell  served  six  j^ears  as  tax  collector,  and 
served  his  fellow  citizens  in  Armstrong  town- 


ship in  that  capacity  for  one  term.  H^  has 
filled  other  responsible  offices  in  both  places, 
giving  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  In  his 
early  life  he  was  a  Democrat,  following  the 
lead  of  other  members  of  his  family,  but  he 
has  been  a  Republican  for  a  number  of  years 
and  a  strong  believer  in  the  principles  of  the 
party.  In  religion  he  was  originally  a  Lu- 
theran, serving  as  an  elder  in  St.  James' 
Church,  during  his  residence  in  Westmoreland 
county,  and  after  coming  to  Indiana  county 
joined  the  Bethel  Presbyterian  Church  near 
his  home. 

On  Oct.  19,  1876,  Mr.  Fennell  married 
Salina  McWilliams,  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Mary  (Branthover)  McWilliams,  of  West- 
moreland countj',  and  they  have  had  a  family 
of  eight  children:  Lawrence  Ward  is  mine 
foreman  for  the  Jamison  Coal  Company  at 
New  Alexandria,  Pa. ;  Harvey  Homer  is  a 
farmer  in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  coim- 
ty ;  May  married  Hazard  Rupert,  an  electric- 
ian, of  Vandergrift,  Pa. ;  Nannie  married  Al- 
bert Hanan,  of  Homer,  Pa. ;  Roy  is  unmarried 
and  lives  at  Vandergrift,  Pa. ;  Ethel,  who  lives 
at  home,  graduated  from  the  Indiana  State 
normal  school  and  is  engaged  in  teaching; 
Boyd  died  in  infancy ;  Ella  died  when  twelve 
years  old. 

JOSEPH  CULBERTSON  STEWART, 
proprietor  of  the  Arcadia  Hardware  Store, 
at  Arcadia,  Indiana  county, ,  has  been  con- 
nected with  that  business  ever  since  he  came 
to  the  town,  in  1903,  and  for  several  years 
has  been  sole  owner.  He  was  born  Feb.  3, 
1862,  in  Franklin  county,  Pa.,  son  of  Valen- 
tine and  Mary  (McVitty)  Stewart,  farming 
people. 

After  receiving  the  advantages  of  the  pub- 
lic schools  Mr.  Stewart  attended  the  Excelsior 
normal  school  at  Mahaffey,  Pa.,  and  then  for 
eight  years  followed  teaching  in  the  winter 
season  in  Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  during  the 
summers  working  at  his  trade,  that  of  tan- 
ner. In  1903  he  came  to  Arcadia,  Indiana 
county,  and  for  the  next  four  years  ran  the 
hardware  store  he  now  owns  for  L.  D.  Gard- 
ner «&  Bro.  He  then  bought  out  that  firm, 
and  has  since  conducted  the  business  as  pro- 
prietor. He  has  built  up  a  thriving  trade 
among  the  residents  of  the  town  and  sur- 
rounding country,  being  a  practical  business 
man,  with  the  faculty  of  keeping  abreast  of 
the  demands  of  his  trade  and  up-to-date  in 
stocking  his  establishment,  carrying  a  very 
satisfactory  line.  His  fellow  citizens  have 
honored   him  with   election  to   the   office   of 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


auditor  of  Banks  towuship  (in  1904),  iu  which 
position  he  served  one  tei-m  of  three  years,  and 
on  July  13,  1912,  he  was  appointed  justice 
of  the  peace  by  Gov.  J.  K.  Tener,  to  succeed 
George  H.  Cui-fman,  deceased.  However,  he 
has  devoted  practically  all  his  time  and  at- 
tention to  his  hardware  business,  and  has 
come  to  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  substantial 
merchants  of  the  town. 

On  Sept.  26,  1892,  Mr.  Stewart  married 
Ehoda  M.  Powell,  of  ::\Iontgoraery  township, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Wilson  and 
Maria  (Rank)  Powell,  the  former  of  whom 
was  a  farmer  and  one  of  the  early  lumber- 
men of  this  region ;  he  rafted  on  the  Susque- 
hanna river  many  years  ago.  Five  children 
have  been  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stewart :  Y. 
Emerson,  who  clerks  for  his  father;  Joseph 
Carl,  also  a  clerk  in  his  father's  store;  Mary 
Laura,  who  is  still  at  school;  Martha  Wini- 
fred, and  Anna  Margaret.  Mr.  Stewart  is  a 
worthy  member  of  the  United  Evangelical 
Church  at  Arcadia,  which  he  is  at  present 
sei-ving  as  trustee,  and  he  is  the  teacher  of 
the  adults'  Bible  class  in  the  Sunday  school, 
which  has  about  twenty-five  members.  In  his 
political  views  he  is  a  Republican. 

■  McCOMB.  The  McComb  family  of  Yoiuig 
township,  Indiana  county,  came  to  this  region 
in  pioneer  days,  and  from  that  time  to  the 
present  its  members  have  ranked  among  the 
representative  citizens  of  the  locality.  They 
have  been  prosperous  farmers,  and  all 
through  their  long  residence  here  prominently 
connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
which  has  counted  them  among  its  most 
valued  supporters. 

Allan  ^IcComb,  the  founder  of  this  family 
here,  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  coming 
to  America  when  a  young  man  first  located 
in  the  Cumberland  valley  in  Pennsylvania. 
He  served  his  adopted  country  faithfully  for 
six  years  as  a  soldier  iu  the  Revolutionaiy  war. 
and  also  became  noted  as  an  Indian  fighter. 
Coming  west  to  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  he  set- 
tled near  the  Armstrong  county  line,  at  El- 
dersridge,  where  he  became  a  large  land 
owner  and  extensive  farmer.  He  built  a 
blockhouse  in  that  neighborhood  as  a  protec- 
tion against  the  Indians,  who  were  still 
troublesome.  His  own  house,  built  of  logs, 
was  provided  with  portholes,  as  it  was  neces- 
sary at  times  to  keep  a  lookout  when  there 
was  danger  on  account  of  the  savages.  As 
one  of  the  first  settlers  in  his  section  and  a 
man  of  active  character  and  intelligence,  he 
had  considerable  influence  in   the  early   de- 


velopment of  the  country.  He  owned  a  tract 
of  three  hundred  acres,  which  was  first  sur- 
veyed on  an  application  order  dated  April  3, 
1769,  issued  to  James  McConnell.  The  deed 
to  Allan  McComb  is  dated  1790.  the  consider- 
ation being  £17-4.  The  patent  was  issued  to 
liim  in  1828,  the  consideration  being  $217.06. 
A  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  he 
first  attended  at  Ebenezer  Church,  and  he 
gave  part  of  his  land  for  the  site  of  the  first 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Eldersridge.  where 
he  lived.  It  was  a  log  structure,  and  he 
helped  to  build  it,  having  been  active  in  or- 
ganizing the  congi-egation.  Part  of  the  Ridge- 
view  cemetery  was  also  land  which  he  owned 
and  gave  for  cemetery  purposes.  He  died  on 
his  fai'm  in  1829,  and  was  buried  in  the 
El)enezer  Church  cemetery  in  Conemaugh 
township.  He  married  Hannah  Bovard.  of 
the  Cumberland  valley,  who  died  on  the  farm 
and  is  also  buried  in  the  Ebenezer  cemetery. 
They  had  a  family  of  seven  cliildren :  Robert, 
who  died  young;  Charles;  David,  who  mar- 
ried Nancy  McKalip,  and  died  iu  1873;  Al- 
len, who  married  Annie  Pattou;  Jane,  who 
married  Alexander  Wilson,  and  lived  to  be 
105  years  old ;  Hannah,  who  married  William 
Cochran,  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812;  and 
William,  a  farmer  at  Eldersridge,  where  he 
died. 

Charles  McComb,  son  of  Allan,  came  with 
his  parents  to  Eldersridge  and  there  grew  to 
manhood.  He  settled  down  to  farming  on 
the  homestead  place,  at  first  building  himself 
a  house  and  barn  of  logs.  He  cleared  his  land 
and  continued  to  follow  agricultural  pursuits, 
becoming  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of 
his  section,  and  he  passed  all  his  life  on  the 
homestead.  In  time  he  erected  a  brick  house, 
the  first  of  its  kind  in  the  vicinity,  the  brick 
for  which  was  made  on  the  farm.  He  took 
considerable  interest  in  local  affairs,  particu- 
larly the  welfare  of  the  Presbyterian  Clmrch, 
beiilg  one  of  its  organizers  and  first  members, 
and  like  his  father,  donated  land  for  the 
cemeteiy.  When  the  liriek  church  was  erected 
the  brick  for  same  was  made  on  his  farm,  and 
he  aided  the  work  in  every  possible  way.  He 
died  on  his  farm  July  29,  1868.  a  highly  re- 
spected Christian  man,  and  was  laid  to  rest 
in  Ridgeview  cemetery  at  Eldersridge.  where 
his  wife  is  also  interred.  He  married  Mary 
McGuire,  who  was  born  in  December,  1793, 
at  Chestnut  Ridge,  in  Derry  township,  West- 
moreland Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  John  McGuire, 
a  native  of  Ireland.  In  his  day  John  ^Ic- 
Guire  was  a  well-known  violinist,  and  while 
crossing  the  Atlantic  on  his  way  to  America 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1039 


lie  made  a  violin  which  remained  in  the  family 
for  years.  Mrs.  McComlj  died  on  the  farm 
Feb.  6,  1876.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  In  politics  Mr.  McComb 
was  originally  a  Whig,  later  becoming  a  Re- 
publican. They  were  the  parents  of  four 
children:  Mary,  born  June  11,  1820,  who 
married  Andrew  Ewing,  and  died  in  South 
Bend,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa. ;  Allen,  born  Nov. 
11, 1823,  who  died  Nov.  3, 1826 ;  Hannah  Jane, 
born  June  11,  1829,  who  still  resides  on  the 
homestead  with  her  niece,  Mrs.  Hart ;  and 
John,  born  June  23,  1834. 

John  McComb,  son  of  Charles,  was  born 
June  23,  1834,  on  the  home  place  at  Elders- 
ridge,  in  Young  township,  and  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  locality. 
He  made  farming  his  life  work,  and  always 
lived  on  the  old  homestead  where  he  was  born, 
making  many  improvements  on  the  property 
during  his  ownership.  He  built  the  present 
house  and  barn,  and  was  one  of  the  most  pro- 
gressive farmers  of  the  district  in  his  day, 
highly  respected  in  the  community  for  his 
upright  character  and  many  sterling  qual- 
ities. He  died  on  his  farm  May  24,  1909,  and 
is  buried  in  the  Ridgeview  cemetery  at  El- 
dersridge.  Mr.  McComb  was  a  stanch  ad- 
herent to  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party,  but  took  no  active  interest  in  polities 
and  never  sought  office.  Like  his  family  gen- 
erally he  was  an  earnest  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  he  taught  in  the  Sun- 
day school  for  some  years. 

Mr.  McComb  was  married  in  Armstrong 
county,  Pa.,  to  Nancy  Baxter,  who  was  born 
in  that  county,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary 
(Crawford)  Baxter,  and  died  Feb.  27,  1871; 
she  was  interred  in  Olivet  cemetery.  She  was . 
the  mother  of  one  child,  Jennie,  born  Feb.  12, 
1871,  who  grew  up  on  the  homestead,  being 
reared  by  her  aunt,  Hannah  McComb.  She 
received  her  education  in  the  local  public 
schools  and  at  Eldersridge  academy,  and  on 
April  19,  1900,  became  the  wife  of  John  Alex- 
ander Hart,  son  of  Robert  and  Martha  (Pat- 
terson) Hart.  Mr.  Hart  is  engaged  in  the 
planing  mill  business  at  West  Lebanon,  Indi- 
ana county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hart  have  an 
adopted  son,  Gilbert  McComb.  Mrs.  Hart  is 
an  active  worker  in  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
a  member  of  the  home  and  foreign  missionary 
societies  and  of  the  Christian  Endeavor  So- 
ciety. 

Miss  Hannah  McComb,  now  one  of  the 
oldest  residents  of  Eldersridge,  though  past 
eighty,  is  still  quite  active  and  continues  her 
interest  in  church  work.    She  has  always  been 


a  devoted  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
taught  Sunday  school  for  thirty  years,  and 
was  one  of  the  most  valuable  members  of  the 
local  and  foreign  missionary  societies,  serving 
as  president  and  treasurer  of  both  societies. 

STEPHEN  B.  GRIFFITH  was  born  Nov. 
16,  1839,  in  what  Avas  then  Green  (now  Pine) 
township,  Indiana  county,  and  there  passed 
the  greater  part  of  his  life,  in  1900  moving 
into  the  borough  of  Indiana,  where  he  has 
since  lived  in  retirement.  Mr.  Griffith  is  of 
Welsh  descent,  the  family  having  been  found- 
ed in  this  country  by  his  great-grandfather, 
a  native  of  Wales.  Isaac  Griffith,  his  grand- 
father, was  a  well-to-do  farmer  and  miller, 
and  died  on  his  farm  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, Indiana  county. 

Evan  Griffith,  father  of  Stephen  B.  Griffith, 
was  bom  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  and  though 
he  died  in  his  prime,  at  the  age  of  forty-nine 
years,  had  long  been  one  of  the  most  progres- 
sive, intelligent  farmers  of  his  section.  He 
learned  farming  and  milling  under  his  fath- 
er's insti-uction.  When  he  married  he  rented 
the  Stevens  farm  (his  wife  was  a  Stevens)  in 
Blacklick  township,  and  thence  moved  to 
Green  township,  buying  300  acres,  all  then 
in  the  woods.  He  first  built  a  small  cabin, 
later  a  hewed  log  house,  which  was  the  best 
in  all  that  region,  and  which  is  still  standing. 
Before  his  death  he  succeeded  in  clearing  a 
considerable  part  of  his  tract,  and  he  was  a 
leader  in  his  neighborhood  in  adopting  new 
methods  and  advanced  ideas  on  agriculture. 
He  owned  the  first  threshing  machine  in  the 
vicinity.  When  he  settled  on  his  farm  there 
were  but  half  a  dozen  families  in  the  locality, 
but  he  lived  to  see  its  development  well  begun. 

Mr.  Griffith  married  Sarah  Stevens,  who 
was  born  in  Brushvalley,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Stevens,  a  well-known  man  of  that  section  in 
his  day.  Mr.  Stevens  was  married  thi'ee 
times  and  was  the  father  of  twenty-seven  chil- 
dren, all  of  great  height  and  build.  He  him- 
self weighed  2o0  pounds.  The  men  of  this 
family  were  great  hunters,  and  brought  down 
enough  game  with  their  guns  to  furnish  them 
with  venison  and  other  meat  all  the  year* 
round.  Mrs.  Griffith  lived  to  the  age  of  sixty- 
three  years.  She  and  her  husband  were  Bap- 
tists in  religious  connection.  They  had  chil- 
dren as  follows  :  Samuel,  who  is  deceased  ; 
Isaac,  who  is  also  deceased ;  Sarah,  Mrs. 
R.  E.  Roberts,  who  died  when  eighty-seven 
years  old;  John,  who  went  West;  Bendigo 
and  William,  twins,  both  deceased;  Marion, 
who  married  John  Ober  and    (second)   John 


1040 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Duncan,  and  who  still  survives,  living  in  Pine 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. ;  Martha,  deceased, 
who  was  the  wife  of  Richard  Williams ;  Samp- 
son, deceased;  Mary,  Mrs.  J.  T.  Thomas,  of 
Indiana;  Stephen  B. ;  and  Jane,  Mrs.  John 
Roberts,  of  Indiana  county. 

Stephen  B.  Griffith  was  but  five  years  old 
when  his  father  died.  He  grew  to  manhood 
on  the  home  place,  and  attended  the  old  log 
school  near  by,  his  first  teacher  being  David 
Taylor.  When  old  enough  he  began  to  help 
with  the  work  of  clearing  the  farm,  and  he 
eventually  succeeded  to  the  ownership  of  the 
place,  upon  which  he  continued  to  reside 
throughout  his  active  years,  carrying  on  farm- 
ing with  the  success  which  was  but  the  nat- 
ural reward  of  his  industry  and  good  man- 
agement. In  1900  he  retired  from  arduous 
work,  removing  to  Indiana,  where  he  ha« 
since  made  his  home.  He  live^  at  No.  421 
Water  street. 

In  September,  1863,  Mr.  Griffith  married 
Ann  Catherine  Griffith,  who  was  bom  Oct. 
13,  1837,  in  White  township,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Grifiith,  at  one  time  a 
farmer  in  White  township,  who  subsequently 
moved  out  to  Kansas,  and  there  died.  Mr. 
Joseph  Griffith  married  in  Indiana  county 
Lydia  Row,  daughter  of  George  Row.  Before 
her  marriage  ]\Ii-s.  Ann  C.  Griffith  taught 
school  for  eleven  years,  under  Superintendents 
Bonman  and  Wolf.  Five  children  have  been 
bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Griffith:  Lottie,  now 
Mrs.  Willis  W.  ToUes;  Annie,  Mrs.  Thomas 
Ray ;  Ida,  Mrs.  Smith,  deceased ;  Frank  J.,  of 
Indiana  county;  and  Steven  G.,  at  home. 

Mr.  Griffith  has  not  taken  any  special  part 
in  polities  or  public  afl'airs,  but  he  is  a  pub- 
lie-spirited  citizen  and  interested  in  good  gov- 
ernment. He  is  a  Republican  in  party  con- 
nection, and  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church  in  religious  connection;  for  many 
years  he  served  as  elder  of  this  church,  of 
which  he  is  a  liberal  supporter. 

JAMES  H.  PETERMAN,  M.  D.,  of  Cherry- 
tree,  Indiana  county,  engaged  in  private  prac- 
tice and  as  surgeon  for  the  New  York  Central 
Railway  Company,  has  been  settled  there  for 
almost  eighteen  years,  during  which  period 
he  has  become  one  of  the  most  valuable  citi- 
zens of  the  community.  His  professional  ac- 
tivities have  given  him  the  opportunity  to 
acquire  an  intimate  knowledge  of  local  re- 
quirements in  the  way  of  public  administra- 
tion and  general  advantages,  and  he  has 
turned  this  information  to  the  benefit  of  his 


fellow  citizens  in  the  performance  of  the  du- 
ties of  the  various  offices  to  which  they  have 
chosen  him. 

Dr.  Peterman  belongs  to  a  family  of  Ger- 
man extraction,  and  is  a  grandson  of  Michael 
and  Sarah  (Fisher)  Peterman.  His  grand- 
father came  to  this  part  of  Pennsylvania  at 
an  early  day,  being  a  pioneer  of  Somerset  and 
Armstrong  counties,  and  took  up  land  in  the 
latter  county,  remaining  there  throughout  his 
active  years.  Some  time  before  his  death  he 
came  to  live  with  his  son  Jeremiah  in  Indiana 
county,  where  he  died  in  1881.  His  other 
children  were:  Michael  married  Jane  Wig- 
gins; Jacob  mamied  Margaret  Beer;  George 
never  married;  Elizabeth  married  John  C. 
Weaver ;  Harriet  married  Samuel  Grof t ;  Mar- 
tin married  Susan  Ross ;  Sarah  married  Peter 
Menges ;  William  died  when  twenty-two  years 
old ;  Maiy  died  in  infancy. 

Jeremiah  Peterman,  father  of  Dr.  Peter- 
man, was  born  in  Somerset  county,  Pa.,  Nov. 
18,  1829,  came  to  this  region  with  his  father, 
and  in  1857  settled  on  a  farm  near  Chambers- 
ville,  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
dying  there  July  25, 1900.  In  1864  Mr.  Peter- 
man enlisted  for  sei'viee  in  the  Union  army, 
becoming  a  member  of  the  206th  Regiment, 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantrj-,  with  which 
he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Polit- 
ically Mr.  Peterman  was  a  Whig  until  the 
origin  of  the  Republican  party,  which  he  sup- 
ported ever  afterward  iintil  his  death.  From 
1864  until  the  close  of  his  life  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Washington  Presbyterian 
Church  near  his  home,  and  his  wife  united 
with  that  church  at  the  same  time ;  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  previous  she  had  been  a  mem- 
ber of  a  Presbyterian  Church  in  Armstrong 
county. 

On  April  6,  1854,  Mr.  Peterman  married 
Mary  Clark,  like  himself  a  native  of  Somerset 
county.  Pa.,  born  April  23,  1827,  daughter 
of  Noah  Clark,  who  settled  in  Armstrong 
county  over  sixty  years  ago  and  there  spent 
the  rest  of  his  days;  he  was  of  English  an- 
cestry. Mrs.  Maiy  (Clark)  Peterman  died 
April  11,  1900.  Six  children  were  born  to 
jMr.  and  Mre.  Peterman :  Eliza  is  the  widow 
of  Albert  C.  Smith,  who  died  in  1890,  and 
she  makes  her  home  with  her  brother.  Dr. 
Peterman,  at  Cherrytree;  she  has  one  child, 
Carl  Edgar,  now  a  practicing  dentist  in  Balti- 
more. Md.  Noah  C.  died  July  2, 1864.  Jesse  L. 
died  JIareh  15,  1864.  Clara  A.  is  the  wife  of 
John  Nesbitt,  of  Niagara  Falls,  N.  Y.,  and 
has   a   family   of  seven   children,   Janet   N., 


\^jV^f7\j~^^f^^ 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1041 


Charles  C,  Harry,  Mead,  Ella,  Frank  and 
Edith;  one  is  deceased.  James  H.  is  men- 
tioned below.  Harry  E.,  of  Baltimore,  Md., 
is  a  physician  and  surgeon,  specializing  in 
the  treatment  of  diseases  of  the  eye,  ear,  nose 
and  throat. 

James  H.  Peterman  was  born  Aug.  24,  1869, 
near  Chambersville,  in  Rayne  township,  Indi- 
ana eoimty,  and  grew  up  on  the  farm,  assist- 
ing with  the  work  at  home  during  his  earlier 
years.  He  was  given  excellent  educational 
advantages,  attending  the  Hawthorne  school, 
select  schools  at  Marion  Center  and  Plum- 
ville,  and  the  Indiana  State  normal  school. 
In  his  young  manhood  he  was  engaged  in 
teaching  in  Indiana  county  for  four  years,  in 
Rayne  and  Burrell  townships,  and  for  two 
terms  taught  in  the  select  school  at  Haw- 
thorne. He  then  entered  Baltimore  Medical 
College,  to  prepare  for  his  profession,  and 
was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1895, 
taking  fourth  prize  for  his  work  in  college. 
The  year  of  his  graduation  he  commenced 
practice  at  Cherrytree,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  has  since  been  settled.  Since  locating  there 
he  has  been  surgeon  for  the  New  York  Cen- 
tral Railroad  Company  in  addition  to  look- 
ing after  his  private  practice,  and  he  has 
been  very  successful,  having  established  him- 
self thoroughly  in  the  confidence  of  a  wide 
^circle  of  patrons.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Indiana  County  and  Pennsylvania  State  Med- 
ical Societies,  and  of  the  American  Medical 
Association.  He  has  led  a  busy  life,  but  has 
found  time  to  take  part  in  local  activities, 
being  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Cherry- 
tree  borough  at  present,  and  a  member  of  the 
board  of  trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
to  which  he  and  his  wife  belong.  Socially  he 
is  a  Mason,  holding  membership  in  the  blue 
lodge  at  Ebensburg,  in  the  consistory  at  Wil- 
liamsport,  and  in  Jaffa  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N. 
M.  S.,  at  Altoona. 

On  April  25,  1895,  Dr.  Peterman  was  mar- 
ried to  Emma  J.  Wilhelm,  who  was  born 
Sept.  5, 1872,  in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Augustus  and  Margaret 
(Riley)  "Wilhelm,  who  are  now  living  in  White 
township,  this  county,  where  he  follows  farm- 
ing. Mr.  "Wilhelm  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil 
war,  enlisting  in  the  63d  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  which  was  attached  to  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  serving  from  1862 
until  the  close  of  the  struggle.  He  was  cap- 
tured and  taken  to  Libby  prison,  and  after 
his  exchange  was  again  taken  prisoner,  at  the 
battle  of  the  "Wilderness.     He  was  confined 


six  months  at  Andei-sonville  and  four  months 
at  Florence.  Mr.  Wilhelm  was  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Frazier's  Farm,  his  skull  being 
fractured,  was  taken  to  Bellevue  hospital, 
New  York,  and  after  his  recovery  returned 
to  the  army.  He  and  his  wife  had  a  family 
of  six  children,  viz. :  Mary,  Mrs.  Lydick,  of 
Indiana  county ;  Melissa,  wife  of  R.  F.  Getty, 
of  Creekside,  Pa. ;  Emma  J.,  Mrs.  Peterman ; 
Harry,  a  resident  of  Rayne  township,  this 
county;  Stephen,  living  in  Washington  town- 
ship, this  county;  and  Clay,  who  lives  in 
the  borough  of  Indiana. 

Dr.  and  Sirs.  Peterman  have  had  four  chil- 
dren: Eugene  Paul,  born  Aug.  17,  1896, 
who  died  in  infancy;  James  Elmer,  now  at- 
tending Baltimore  City  College,  at  Baltimore, 
Md. ;  Marguerite ;  and  Helen  Louise. 

JAMES  WARD  HOUCK,  postmaster  at 
Clymer,  was  born  in  Green  township,  this 
county,  April  13,  1885,  a  son  of  James  N.  and 
Margaret  E.  (Gibson)  Houck. 

George  Houck,  the  American  founder  of 
the  family,  came  from  Germany  to  Bedford 
county.  Pa.,  at  an  early  day.  He  was  a  farmer 
and  merchant,  and  also  conducted  a  tavern 
for  a  number  of  years.  Later  he  moved  to 
Indiana  county,  where  his  son  James  N.  was 
born. 

James  N.  Houck  conducted  a  general  store 
in  this  county  for  twenty-six  years,  and  for 
the  last  few  mouths  has  been  living  in  Indi- 
ana borough,  where  he  is  still  engaged  in 
merchandising.  His  wife,  also  a  native  of 
Indiana  county,  bore  him  four  sons  and  three 
daughters,  the  eldest  of  whom  is  James  Ward 
Houck,  the  others  being:  Floda  M.,  wife  of 
Blaine  Sharp,  of  Dixonville.  proprietor  of  a 
meat  market ;  Ralph  S.,  of  Dixonville ;  Golda 
v.,  at  home;  Paul  G.,  deceased;  Myrtle,  at 
home;  and  Maxwell  M. 

James  Ward  Houck  first  attended  the  Rayne 
school,  and  later  studied  elsewhere.  Upon 
going  to  work  he  began  as  clerk  in  his  father's 
store,  but  later  taught  at  the  Bookamyer  and 
Cribbs  schools  in  Washington  township,  and 
Tanoma  and  Rayne,  in  Rayne  township.  He 
last  taught  at  the  school  he  had  first  attended 
in  boyhood.  In  all  he  taught  four  terms,  and 
then,  in  February,  1906,  receiving  his  appoint- 
ment as  postmaster  of  Clymer,  assumed  charge 
of  the  office.  Mr.  Houck  was  reappointed 
under  President  Taft.  and  so  far  has  been 
the  only  postmaster  at  this  point. 

On  Sept.  14,  1910,  Mr.  Houck  was  married 
in  Indiana  to  Blanche  A.  Dick,  born  in 
Cherryhill  township,  June  1,  1884,  daughter 


1042 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  David  H.  and  Rachel  Dick,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Indiana  county.  The  father 
is  a  farmer,  and  he  and  his  wife  ai'e  both 
living,  residing  on  their  homestead  in  Cherrj-- 
hill  township.  ]Mr.  and  j\Irs.  Hoiick  are  the 
parents  of  one  child,  IMarion  E.  Mr.  Houck 
and  his  wife  are  Presbyterians.  They  both 
belong  to  old  and  well-known  families  whose 
members  have  been  connected  with  the  early 
history  of  Indiana  county. 

SAMUEL  McCLAIN  MILLER,  an  enter- 
prising farmer  of  Center  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  April  24,  1865,  in  Grant 
township,  that  county,  and  is  a  son  of  Samuel 
Braddee  Miller. 

The  Miller  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  es- 
tablished and  best-known  in  this  section  of 
Pennsylvania.  Samuel  Miller,  gi-andfather  of 
Samuel  McClain  Miller,  was  boru  in  Cone- 
maugh  township,  Indiana  county,  and  later, 
in  1838  or  1839,  settled  in  Montgomery  town- 
ship, part  of  which  eventually  became  Grant 
township.  At  that  time  ilontgomery  town- 
ship was  a  wilderness.  The  magnificent  pine 
forest  was  as  yet  untouched  by  the  hand  of 
man.  Mr.  Miller  purchased  three  hundred 
acres  of  land  and  began  the  work  of  clearing 
it  preparatory  to  cultivation.  Building  a 
rude  log  cabin,  this  hardy  pioneer  and  his 
devoted  wife  laid  the  foundation  for  a  home 
of  their  own  in  what  was  then  a  lonesome 
forest.  Wolves,  bears  and  deer  and  other  wild 
animals  were  then  so  plentiful  in  the  region 
that  they  found  it  difficult  to  protect  their 
live  stock,  and  there  were  many  other  draw- 
backs amid  such  primitive  surroundings.  But 
in  time,  through  the  pereistent  eiiforts  of  J\Ir. 
Miller  and  his  family,  a  farm  was  cut  out 
and  a  comfortable  living  and  home  assured. 
Here  Samuel  Miller  lived  and  died,  reaching 
the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  He  was  buried 
in  Taylors^nlle  cemetery.  His  wife.  Mary 
(Rankin),  a  native  of  Indiana,  county.  Pa., 
died  in  the  year  1870,  at  the  age  of  eighty. 
They  had  a  family  of  seven  children :  ^Maiy 
married  Hugh  Colgan ;  Sarah  was  twice  mar- 
ried, first  to  a  Mr.  Lydie  and  afterward  to 
Samuel  Streams;  John  died  on  the  homestead 
place :  Margaret  married  Peter  Leasure :  Wil- 
liam, of  Brushvalley,  is  deceased ;  Jane  mar- 
ried William  Srayers;  Samuel  Braddee  was 
the  youngest. 

Samuel  Braddee  Miller  was  born  in  1833 
in  Montgomery  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
and  received  .such  educational  advantages  as 
were  afforded  by  the  public  schools  of  Grant 
township,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.     He 


was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  re- 
mained with  his  parents  at  the  homestead 
until  they  died.  In  the  year  18S2  he  bought 
the  Samuel  Cummins  farm,  which  contained 
320  acres  on  Twolick  creek,  in  Center  town- 
ship, and  the  same  year  moved  thither  with 
his  family.  Here  he  engaged  in  general  agri- 
cultural work  and  stock  raising,  and  made 
many  improvements  which  increased  the  value 
of  the  property.  He  showed  good  judgment 
in  the  management  of  his  work,  and  had  the 
aid  of  his  capable  sons,  and  the  farm  became 
one  of  the  best  in  the  county.  Mr.  Miller 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  on  that  place, 
djing  there  July  7,  1905,  and  he  was  buried 
in  Greenwood  cemetery,  at  Indiana.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church 
and  an  exemplary  man  in  all  the  relations  of 
life,  sei-ved  his  township  officially  in  many 
capacities,  and  as  neighbor  and  friend  was 
respected  by  a  large  circle  of  acciuaiutances 
in  his  locality.  Mr.  Miller  married  Jane  Pol- 
lock, a  native  of  Ireland  (daughter  of  Andrew 
Pollock),  who  at  the  time  of  her  marriage. 
July  7,  1859,  was  living  in  East  Mahoning 
to\vnship.  this  county.  Mi-s.  ]Miller  survived 
her. husband,  dying  Feb.  24,  1910,  and  was 
buried  bj'  bis  side  in  Greenwood  cemetery. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Covenanter  Presby- 
terian Church.  A  large  family  was  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mre.  Samuel  Braddee  Miller:  Elder 
J.  is  mentioned  below;  Mary  Martha  died  in 
infancy;  J.  Sloan,  M.  D.,  is  a  resident  of  Cly- 
mer.  Pa. ;  Samuel  McClain  is  mentioned  be- 
low; Tirzah  Bell  married  D.  C.  Rankin,  of 
Wilkinsburg,  Pa. ;  Myra  is  living  in  Berkeley, 
Cal. ;  Zella  J.  married  J.  E.  iIcCi*eaiy,  of 
Berkeley,  Cal. ;  Ida  M.  died  in  infancy ; 
Georgia  Alice  married  Alfred  Bell,  of  Wil- 
kinsburg, Pa. ;  Sarah  M.  married  Milton  ]\Iike- 
sell  and  is  living  in  Taft,  Cal. ;  Argyle  Invin  is 
on  the  old  family  homestead. 

Elder  J.  Miller,  eldest  son  of  Samuel  Brad- 
dee Miller,  is  one  of  the  prominent  business 
men  of  Homer  City,  Indiana  county.  He  was 
born  in  1860  in  Grant  township,  and  grew  to 
manhood  on  the  farm,  meantime  attending 
public  school.  Beginning  farm  work  at  an 
early  age,  he  continued  to  follow  it  for  some 
.vears,  and  in  1900  became  engaged  in  the 
butchering  business  at  Homer  City.  He  has 
since  carried  on  that  business,  has  added 
other  lines  to  his  original  one,  and  is  now 
one  of  tlie  well-known  dealers  in  meat  and 
groceries  in  his  section  of  the  county.  He 
also  has  a  dairy  farm  near  town  which  he 
manages  successfully,  marketing  the  products 
in  Homer  City.     Other  enterprises  have  en- 


HISTOKY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1043 


listed  his  attention  and  capital.  He  was  one 
of  the  organizers  and  first  directors  of  the 
Homer  City  National  Bank,  and  has  served 
as  president  since  the  organization.  His  ac- 
tivities in  business  circles  and  successful  eon- 
duct  of  everything  he  undertakes  have  earned 
him  the  unlimited  confidence  of  his  fellow 
citizens.  He  is  a  man  of  courteous  manner, 
and  is  liked  as  well  as  respected  whez-ever  he 
goes.  Mr.  Miller  has  taken  considerable  in- 
terest in  borough  affairs,  having  served  as 
school  director  and  member  of  the  council. 
In  political  matters  he  is  a  Republican,  in 
religion  a  Lutheran.  His  wife,  Emma  (Ran- 
kin), is  a  daughter  of  N.  S.  Rankin,  of  Cen- 
ter township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  jMiller  have  three 
children:  Wendell,  an  employe  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad  Company;  Helen,  now  a 
student  in  the  Homer  City  high  school;  apd 
Edward. 

Samuel  McClain  Miller  obtained  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Grant  and  Cen- 
ter townships,  Indiana  county.  He  remained 
at  home  with  his  father  until  he  reached  the 
age  of  twenty-five  years,  when  he  went  to  Al- 
toona  to  enter  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company  in  the  machine  shops  at 
that  point.  After  four  years'  work  there  he 
took  a  similar  position  in  the  shops  at  Me- 
Kees  Rocks,  Pa.,  where  he  lived  for  some  time, 
being  transferred  thence  to  Pittsburg,  at 
which  point  he  was  occupied  four  years.  He 
was  then  sent  to  Chicago,  where  he  became 
an  employee  of  the  American  Car  and  Foun- 
dry Company,  turning  car  axles  in  the  lathe 
department  for  a  time.  Returning  East,  to 
Allegheny,  he  remained  there  until  1893, 
when  he  purchased  part  of  his  father's  home- 
stead farm — the  place  upon  which  he  has 
since  resided.  Mr.  Miller  has  ninety-five  acres 
of  creek  bottom  land  in  a  good  state  of  culti- 
vation, fertile  and  well  managed,  and  he  has 
improved  the  place  greatly  during  his  owner- 
ship. His  buildings  are  substantial  and  con- 
venient, and  he  enjoys  all  the  comfoi-ts  which 
the  up-to-date  farmer  has  at  his 'command. 
He  has  proved  a  valuable  citizen  in  his  com- 
munity, having  served  five  years  as  secretary 
of  the  Center  township  school  board.  Politi- 
cally he  has  always  been  identified  with  the' 
Republican  party.  He  has  been  a  zealous 
member  of  the  Homer  City  United  Presby- 
terian Chui'ch  ever  since  he  joined,  in  young 
manhood,  and  is  at  present  serving  as  elder. 

On  Oct.  4,  1891,  Mr.  Miller  married  Jessie 
Mikesell,  of  Homer  City,  daughter  of  the  late 
A.  H.  Mikesell,  of  Center  township,  and  they 
had  one  child,  Herbert  McClain,  who  is  now 


employed  in  the  Westinghouse  electric  plant 
at  East  Pittsburg,  Pa.  Mrs.  Miller  died  July 
21,  1891,  at  Altoona,  and  was  buried  in  Green- 
wood cemetery,  at  Indiana.  On  Sept.  25, 
1895,  Mr.  Miller  married  (second)  Annie 
Pattei-son,  daughter  of  James  Patterson,  of 
New  Alexandria,  Pa.,  and  to  this  union  were 
born  four  children:  Marie  Velma,  Anna 
Florence  (who  died  when  three  years  old), 
Dorothy  Bell  and  Gertrude  Elizabeth.  The 
mother  of  this  family  died  Aug.  18,  1904. 
On  Dec.  20,  1905,  Mr.  Miller  married  for  his 
third  wife  Anna  Shields,  of  Natrona,  Pa., 
daughter  of  Ralph  and  Sarah  (Streams) 
Shields. 

BRADLEY  W.  WILSON,  liveryman  and 
proprietor  of  a  feed  store  at  Glen  Campbell, 
was  born  in  Clearfield  county.  Pa.,  near  Cher- 
rytree,  Indiana  county,  Nov.  13,  1849,  a  son 
of  Robert  and  Mary  (Finck)  Wilson. 

Robert  Wilson  was  born  in  the  southern 
part  of  Indiana  county,  as  was  his  wife.  He 
was  a  blacksmith,  and  followed  his  trade  for 
some  time  at  his  birthplace,  later  moving  to 
Cherrytree,  where  he  lived  until  his  death, 
which  occurred/  in  his  Beventy-ninth  year. 
His  wife  survived  him  for  three  years. 
They  had  five  children :  Bradley  W. :  Jo- 
seph, who  is  a  resident  of  Heilwood,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa. ;  George,  who  is  a  resident  of 
Cherrytree;  Stephen,  who  is  a  resident  of 
Cherrytree;  and  Emma,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Robert  Plowse,  of  Cambria  county. 

Bradley  W.  Wilson  spent  his  boyhood  in 
Chei-rytree.  Early  in  his  business  career  he 
began  buying  and  selling  horses,  thiis  continu- 
ing until  his  removal  to  Glen  Campbell  some 
eighteen  years  ago,  when  he  established  him- 
self in  a  transfer  business.  After  fourteen 
years  of  successful  operations  along  that  line 
he  embarked  in  the  livery  business,  and  in 
conjunction  with  sam^  conducts  a  feed  store 
and  buj's  and  sells  horses.  He  was  the  first 
policeman  of  the  borough,  and  during  the  time 
he  has  been  in  the  council  he  has  acted  as  its 
president.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Glen 
Campbell  lodge  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  also 
is  a  member  of  the  Mystic  Chain  and  the  Loyal 
Order  of  Moose. 

Mr.  Wilson  was  first  married  to  Julia  Long, 
of  Indiana  county,  who  bore  him  two  children, 
Warren  and  Sallie,  the  former  of  whom  is  de- 
ceased, while  the  latter  makes  her  home  with 
her  father.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife 
Mr.  Wilson  was  married  (second)  to  Mary 
Crassman,  a  native  of  Indiana  county,  and 
thev  also  had  two  children,  Lulla  and  Harry, 


1044 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  whom  the  former  is  deceased ;  the  latter  re- 
sides at  Graeeton,  Pa.  His  second  wife  dying, 
Mr.  Wilson  was  married  (third)  to  Eliza 
Ashel,  of  Clearfield  county,  who  is  now  de- 
ceased, and  he  has  since  married  (foui'th) 
Mrs.  Louisa  ]\IcCreedy,  who  has  two  sons  and 
one  daughter  by  her  former  marriage: 
Charles,  who  was  deputy  sheriff  of  Indiana 
county,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Oregon ;  Wil- 
liam, who  is  a  resident  of  the  State  of  Wash- 
ington, and  Lucy,  who  is  the  wife  of  John 
Gorman,  of  Indiana,  Pa.  Mrs.  Wilson  be- 
longs to  the  Methodist  Chui-eh. 

CAPT.  DANIEL  KILLIN,  who  during  his 
life  was  a  farmer  of  East  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co..  Pa.,  was  born  on  the  old 
homestead  of  his  family  in  that  township, 
in  1833,  son  of  Samuel  Killin. 

Daniel  Killin,  a  native  of  Ireland,  came  to 
the  Americaii  Colonies  in  early  manhood,  ar- 
riving here  in  1770.  When  the  Revolutionary 
war  broke  out,  he  served  his  adopted  country 
as  a  soldier.  His  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden 
name  of  Mary  McClatchey,  was  also  a 'native 
of  Ireland.  In  1795  the  family  crossed  the 
Allegheny  mountains  into  Derry  township, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  where  they  lived  for 
some  years,  and  there  Daniel  Killin  died,  but 
his  widow  moved  to  Indiana  county  and  spent 
the  remainder  of  her  life  with  her  son  Sam- 
uel, in  East  Wlieatfield  township.  She  was  a 
consistent  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
denomination,  belonging  to  Bethel  Church,  so 
that  when  she  died  her  remains  were  interred 
in  the  cemetery  attached  thereto. 

Samuel  Killin,  son  of  Daniel  Killin,  and 
father  of  Capt.  Daniel  Killin,  was  only  six- 
teen years  old  when  he  came  to  Indiana  coun- 
ty, he  having  been  born  in  eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania, Nov.  17,  1794.  Locating  in  what  is 
now  East  Wheatfield  he  worked  as  a  carpenter 
with  his  brother  James?  but  later  became  a 
farmer  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his 
grandchildren.  On  it  he  erected  a  residence 
built  of  stone  and  lumber,  and  a  barn  and 
other  outbuildings,  improving  his  property 
in  many  ways.  Here  he  rounded  out  his  life, 
dying  on  the  farm  in  April,  1880.  in  his 
eighty-sixth  year,  having  been  tenderly  cared 
for  during  his  latter  days  by  his  son  Daniel 
Killin.  A  member  of  the  Bethel  Church,  his 
remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  little  ceme- 
tery where  his  mother  is  buried.  Politically 
he  was  a  Democrat,  and  his  efforts  were  al- 
ways directed  toward  securing  good  govern- 
ment. In  1817  Samuel  Killin  was  married 
in  East  Wlieatfield  township  to  Mary  Tomb, 


born  Nov.  16,  1798,  daughter  of  David  and 
Elizabeth  (Dickson)  Tomb.  Mrs.  Killin  died 
on  the  farm  Oct.  3,  1874,  and  is  also  buried  in 
Bethel  Church  cemetery;  she  was  a  member 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  The 
children  of  Samuel  Killin  and  his  wife  were : 
David,  born  April  21,  1818,  married  Jane 
Lewis;  Mary,  bom  Jan.  24,  1820,  married 
Daniel  Snyder,  of  Center  township ;  Elizabeth, 
born  Dec,  18,  1823,  married  James  Dick,  of 
Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Matilda,  born  Jan.  28,  1825, 
married  Samuel  Klinefelter;  Jane  Ann,  born 
Jan.  30,  1829,  married  Daniel  W.  Angus; 
Delilah  was  born  Dec.  6,  1831 ;  Daniel  was 
born  Oct.  or  Nov.  3,  1833 ;  William,  born  Dee. 
19,  1835,  married  Nancy  McFarland;  Sarah 
married  Franklin  Horner;  and  Jackson  died 
at  the  age  of  five  years. 

Capt.  Daniel  Killin 's  boyhood  days  were 
spe'at  on  the  homestead  with  his  parents  and 
he  was  sent  to  the  local  schools,  although  his 
educational  opportunities  were  limited.  He 
made  the  most  of  them,  however,  and  was  all 
his  life  a  great  reader,  keeping  himself  well 
informed  on  current  topics.  When  the  Civil 
war  broke  out  he  took  a  patriotic  interest  in 
the  issues  of  the  day,  and  offering  his  services 
in  defense  of  his  country  was  made  first  lieu- 
tenant of  Company  K,  177tli  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Capt.  Thomas  W. 
jVndei'son.  When  Captain  Anderson  was  dis- 
charged on  account  of  disability  Lieutenant 
Killin  succeeded  him  in  command  of  the  com- 
pany, and  so  continued  until  the  close  of  his 
period  of  service. 

Returning  home.  Captain  Killin  resumed 
the  agricultural  pursuits  which  his  army  ex- 
perience had  interrupted  and  developed  into 
one  of  the  leading  farmers  and  stock  raisers 
of  his  township.  From  the  time  he  took 
charge  of  the  homestead  he  began  making  im- 
provements, and  continued  to  add  to  the  work- 
ing equipment  of  his  farm  the  remainder  of 
his  life.  He  erected  a  handsome  dwelling  and 
other  buildings,  and  took  a  pride  in  keeping 
his  premises  in  first-class  order.  A  man  of 
more  than  ordinary  ability,  possessed  of  a  keen 
insight  into  conditions,  he  was  an  important 
factor  in  the  public  life  of  his  community, 
being  elected  to  the  office  of  assessor  of  East 
Wheatfield  township  on  the  Democratic  ticket 
many  times,  as  he  acted  in  this  capacity  for 
fifteen  years,  and  was  also  overseer  of  the 
poor  for  a  long  period,  being  specially  fitted 
for  the  latter  position.  Always  a  religious 
man,  he  .ioined  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
his  latter  days,  and  died  firm  in  its  faith  April 
24,  1907,  at  his  home,  and  his  remains  wci'e 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1045 


tenderly  laid  to  rest  in  Armagh  cemetery.  In 
addition  to  his  heavy  agricultural  interests, 
Captain  Killin  was  the  organizer  of  and  a 
stockholder  in  the  Armagh  Cemetery  Asso- 
ciation, and  served  on  its  official  board. 

On  Oct.  20,  1862,  Captain  Killin  was  mar- 
ried at  Hollidaysburg,  Pa.,  to  Nancy  T.  Pat- 
erson,  who  was  born  at  Hartz,  Log  Valley, 
Huntingdon  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Carnes  and 
Sarah  (Cole)  Paterson.  Mrs.  Killin  is  a  lady 
of  pleasant  bearing  and  genial  disposition, 
whose  Christian  character  has  been  developed 
and  ripened  by  the  many  troubles  of  her  life, 
not  the  least  among  them  being  the  loss  of 
her  beloved  husband.  Her  devotion  to  her 
invalid  daughter  Lucy  is  beautiful,  and  the 
bond  which  unites  mother  and  daughter  has 
been  strengthened  by  the  former's  many  sac- 
rifices. 

Captain  and  Mrs.  Killin  became  the  parents 
of  four  children :  Clara,  who  died  when  eight 
months  old ;  Mary,  who  resides  at  home ;  Sam- 
uel, who  operates  the  homestead,  also  resid- 
ing at  home ;  and  Lucy,  whose  invalidism  has 
continued  for  many  years. 

Not  only  did  Captain  Killin  carry  on  an 
extensive  farming  and  stock  raising  business, 
give  due  attention  to  his  public  duties,  and 
keep  a  firm  hold  upon  his  position  with  regard 
to  local  affairs,  but  he  also  rendered  valuable 
services  in  settling  up  estates  and  appraising 
property.  His  reputation  as  an  honorable, 
upright  and  capable  business  man  induced 
many  to  name  him  as  executor  of  their  estates, 
knowing  that  the  trust  reposed  in  him  would 
never  be  violated.  He  was  also  called  upon 
to  serve  on  the  election  board,  and  in  every 
way,  as  soldier  and  citizen,  he  fought  man- 
fully the  battles  against  the  common  enemy, 
whether  in  war  or  peace,  and  left  behind  him 
a  name  that  is  synonymous  with  integrity  of 
living  and  uprightness  in  business  relations. 
He  but  maintained  during  his  long  and  hon- 
orable life  the  high  standards  raised  by  his 
father  and  grandfather,  and  brought  into  his 
everyday  duties  the  principles  instilled  by  his 
God-fearing  parents. 

SAMUEL  J.  ROBINSON,  superintendent 
for  the  Bowman  Coal  Mining  Company,  at 
Saltsburg,  Indiana  Co..  Pa.,  is  a  native  of 
that  place,  bom  July  17,  1861,  a  son  of  David 
and  Nancy  J.  (Galbraith)  Robinson.  He  is 
a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  pioneer  families 
of  Indiana  county. 

Robert  Robinson,  the  founder  of  the  family 
in  America,  was  born  at  Mahara,  County  An- 
trim, Ireland,  in  1739.  and  was  there  married 


in  1769  to  Rachel  Wier,  who  was  also  a  native 
of  that  county,  born  in  1738.  They  came  to 
America  in  1770  with  Mr.  Robinson's  father, 
mother,  two  brothers  and  two  sisters,  landing 
at  Philadelphia  in  July  of  that  year,  and 
subsequently  moving  to  Marietta,  Pa.,  later 
to  Harrisburg.  The  father  died  at  Lancaster, 
and  was  buried  there,  and  the  mother  passed 
away  in  Dauphin  county,  and  was  buried  at 
Derry  Church.  Robert  Robinson  was  a  ma- 
son by  occupation,  and  helped  build  the  "John 
HaiTis  House,"  afterward  known  as  the 
"Cameron  House."  He  moved  with  his  fam- 
ily to  Conocoeheague  (Conikakig)  Creek,  in 
Franklin  county,  where  he  helped  to  construct 
a  mill,  which  was  later  used  as  a  tub  factory. 
About  1777  Mr.  Robinson  located  in  West- 
moreland county,  at  what  was  known  as  Big 
Sewickley,  where  the  family  lived  for  several 
years,  later  moving  to  Armstroug  township, 
near  the  mouth  of  Lick  run,  on  lands  called 
' '  York. ' '  Here  they  built  a  home  and  cleared 
up  the  land  and  carried  on  farming  until 
1820,  when  they  went  to  the  home  of  the 
eldest  son,  John  Robinson,  who  had  a  farm 
on  the  Iconium  lands,  and  there  the  parents 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  days.  Robert 
Robinson  died  June  23,  1836,  of  palsy,  at  the 
ripe  age  of  ninety-seven  years,  and  was  bur- 
ied in  the  Robinson  River  Hill  cemetery.  His 
wife  passed  away  thirteen  years  previous, 
Oct.  31,  1823,  at 'the  age  of  eighty-five,  and 
was  buried  in  the  same  cemetery.  Their  chil- 
di-en  were:  John,  born  April  6,  1772,  died 
April  25,  1856;  Elizabeth,  born  April  17, 
1775,  married  Thomas  Wier,  and  died  in  Al- 
legheny county  Sept.  6,  1862;  James,  born 
June  30,  1777,  died  in  1803 ;  Robert  was  born 
Aug.  14,  1780. 

Robert  Robinson  (2),  son  of  Robert,  was 
born  at  Big  Sewickley,  Westmoreland  Co.. 
Pa.,  Aug.  14,  1780,  and  became  a  farmer  of 
Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  made  his  home  all  of  his  life.  He  died 
Nov.  17,  1833,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  Edge- 
wood  cemetery.  He  married  Elizabeth  Black, 
tlie  ceremony  being  performed  by  Rev.  J.  W. 
Henderson,  and  she  lived  to  the  ripe  old  age  of 
eighty-nine  years,  passing  away  Jan.  10,  1874, 
and  was  laid  to  rest  beside  her  husband  in 
Edgewood  cemetery.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
James  Black,  who  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier 
and  one  of  tlie  pioneers  of  what  is  now  Indi- 
ana county.  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Black) 
Robinson  had  the  following  children :  James 
B.,  who  married  Eliza  Barnett;  Robert  S., 
who  married  Eleanor  Walahan ;  John  H. 
Thomas  W..  who  married  Elizabeth  Johnson; 


1046 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Johnston  S. ;  William  C,  who  married  Mar- 
garet Robinson,  (second)  Jane  Tice  and 
(third)  Sally  A.  Wagner;  Jane  B. ;  David, 
and  Elizabeth. 

Johnston  S.  Robinson,  son  of  Robert  Rob- 
inson (2),  and  grandfather  of  Samuel  J.  Rob- 
inson, was  bom  in  Conemaugh  township,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.,  and  there  grew  to  manhood. 
He  removed  to  Saltsburg  in  1832,  and  there 
learned  the  trades  of  ehairmaker  and  painter, 
following  those  callings  until  1853,  at  which 
time,  with  his  son  David  S.,  he  became  engaged 
in  the  drug  business  at  Saltsburg,  continuing 
his  connection  therewith  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  in  1888.  He  was  buried  in  the  ceme- 
tery at  Saltsburg.  Johnston  S.  Robinson  was 
one  of  his  community's  highly  respected  citi- 
zens, and  was  the  incumbent  of  a  number  of 
public  offices,  serving  as  postmaster  of  Salts- 
burg from  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  war  up 
to  1869.  He  was  married  in  1836  to  Sarah 
S.  Shryock,  daughter  of  David  Shrock,  a  pio- 
neer settler  of  Salem  township,  Westmore- 
land county,  and  they  had  two  children.  David 
S.  and  Anne  E. 

David  S.  Robinson,  son  of  Johnston  S. 
Robinson  and  father  of  Samuel  J.  Robinson, 
was  born  in  Saltsburg,  Pa.,  where  he  received 
his  education.  At  an  early  age  he  became  as- 
sociated with  his  father  in  the  drag  business 
at  that  place,  the  association  continuing  until 
his  father's  death.  He  was  also  one  of  the 
early  coal  operators  in  the  vicinity  of  Salts- 
burg, having  been  connected  with  the  Fair- 
banks &  Foster  mines  as  general  manager 
fi-om  1878  to  1892.  He  established  the  Salts- 
burg Bank,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  owners 
and  cashier,  but  eventually  disposed  of  his 
interests  in  Saltsburg  and  removed  to  Pitts- 
burg, where  he  became  secretary  of  the  Home- 
wood  Cemetery  Association.  He  continued  to 
make  Pittsburg  his  home  up  to  the  time  of 
his  death,  in  August,  1907,  when  he  was  laid 
to  rest  in  Saltsburg  cemetery.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Salts- 
burg, was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was 
fraternally  connected  with  the  Lodge,  Chap- 
ter, Council  and  Knights  Templar  degrees  of 
Masonry,  at  Greensburg ;  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Pittsburg  Shrine.  Mr.  Robinson  was  mar- 
ried to  Nancv  J.  Galbraith,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel and  Martha  (Kerr)  Galbraith,  of  Holli- 
daysburg.  Pa.,  and  they  had  only  one  child, 
Samuel  J.  Mrs.  Robinson  still  survives,  and 
is  residing  at  the  home  of  her  son  in  Salts- 
burg, where  she  removed  after  Mr.  Robinson's 
death. 

Samuel   J.   Robinson   was   given   ordinary 


educational  advantages,  first  attending  pub- 
lic school  at  Saltsburg,  and  then  becoming  a 
student  in  Saltsburg  Academy.  Immediately 
thereafter  he  became  a  clerk  in  his  father's 
bank,  in  which  he  was  engaged  for  several 
years,  and  subsequently  became  connected 
with  other  of  his  father's  business  ventures 
imtil  1900,  when  he  became  interested  in  and 
superintendent  of  the  Bowman  Coal  Mining 
Company,  miners  and  shippers  of  bituminous 
coal,  whose  mines  are  at  Saltsburg.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  to  which 
his  wife  also  belongs.  His  only  fraternal  con- 
nection is  with  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  431,  F. 
&  A.  M.,  of  Saltsburg. 

Mr.  Robinson  married  Jean  E.  Thompson, 
of  Blairsville,  Pa.  They  have  had  no  chil- 
dren. "   ■ 

ALEXANDER  McNUTT  HARBISON  is  a 
highly  successful  farmer  of  Young  township, 
Indiana  county,  where  he  has  been  promi- 
nently connected  with  the  administration  of 
public  affairs  for  many  years.  He  is  a  descend- 
ant of  one  of  the  oldest  pioneer  families  of 
that  section,  and  was  born  there,  on  the  Har- 
bison homestead  near  what  is  now  West  Leb- 
anon station,  Feb.  14,  1841. 

The  Harbison  family  is  supposedly  of 
Scotch-Irish  extraction,  and  Francis  Har- 
bison, who  founded  the  branch  living  in  Indi- 
ana county,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
born  near  Philadelphia.  During  the  memo- 
rable struggle  of  the  Colonies  for  independence 
he  served  as  a  soldier,  and  was  taken  prisoner. 
In  1798  he  came  to  western  Pennsylvania, 
crossing  the  Allegheny  mountains  and  set- 
tling with  his  family  in  what  is  now  Young 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  he  was 
among  the  early  pioneers  who  opened  up  this 
region.  His  land  was  south  of  West  Lebanon, 
where  the  station  is  now  located,  and  he  be- 
came the  owner  of  a  large  body,  having  over 
one  thousand  acres,  then  in  its  primitive  con- 
dition. He  built  a  house  of  round  logs,  and 
also  a  log  barn,  and  set  himself  to  work  to 
clear  his  land  and  prepare  it  for  cultivation. 
He  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  there,  dy- 
ing on  his  farm  in  1823,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
five  years,  and  is  buried  in  the  Ebenezer 
Church  cemetery  in  Conemaugh  to\vnship. 
He  was  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  connec- 
tion. His  wife,  Catherine  (Hart),  lived  to 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years,  dying  in 
1849,  and  is  also  buried  in  the  Ebenezcr 
Church  cemetei-y.  They  had  a  family  of 
eight  children:  Joseph,  mentioned  below; 
Robert,    liorn    in    1785,    who    married    Mary 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA  1047 

Millen,  and  died  in  1855 ;  Mary,  who  mar-  home,  dying  March  6,  1850,  at  the  early  age 
ried  Thomas  Cunningham ;  Jane,  who  married  of  thirty-five  years.  He  was  buried  in  Eidge- 
James  Ewing ;  Anna ;  William,  who  married  view  cemetery,  at  Eldersridge.  Like  his  father 
Sarah  Hutchinson;  Sarah,  who  married  Wil-  he  was  a  Whig  in  politics  and  a  member  of 
liam  McNeil;  and  Matthew,  who  married  the  Presbyterian  Church,  being  an  elder  of 
Mary  Heney.  the  church  at  Eldersridge.    On  Nov.  14,  1839, 

Joseph  Harbison,  eldest  son  of  Fra-ncis  and    he  was  married  in  Armstrong  township,  this 
Catherine    (Hart)    Harbison,   came  with  his    county,  to  Margaret  McNutt.  a  native  of  that 
parents  to  Young  township  and  became  one    township,  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Bliza- 
of  the  leading  agriculturists  of  his  day  in  that    beth    (McKnight)    McNutt.      Three   children 
vicinity.    He  acquired  a  tract  of  five  hundred    were  bom  to  this  union :    Alexander  McNutt, 
acres.     His  first  dwelling  was  constructed  of    who  is  mentioned  below;  Rebecca,  born  Feb. 
logs,  and  he  later  erected  a  frame  house  and    12,  1844,  who  married  Albert  Jewell  and  re- 
barn,  also  making  many  other  improvements    sides  at  Livermore,  Pa. ;  and  Elizabeth,  born 
on  his  property,  where  he  spent  his  life.    The    May  31,  1846,  who  married  Alexander  Camp- 
frame  residence  which  he  built  there  in  the    bell,  and  died  in  Armstrong  township.     The 
latter  forties  is  still  standing  and  is  in  an    mother  died  Feb.  27,  1877,  on  the  farm,  and 
excellent  state  of  preservation.    Mr.  Harbison    is  buried  in  Ridgeview  cemeteiy.    She  was  a 
died  on  this  place  in  December,  1867,  and  was    member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
buried  in  West  Lebanon  cemetei-y.    He  was  a       Alexander     McNutt     Harbison     attended 
strong  antislavery  man,  a  Whig  and  Republi-    school  in  the  independent  disti-ict  of  West 
can  in  political  sentiment,  and  a  prominent    Lebanon  and  for  three  terms  was  a  student  at 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  serving    the    Eldersridge    academy,    under    Rev.    Dr. 
as   elder   of   the   church   at   West   Lebanon,    Donaldson.    He  was  only  a  boy  of  nine  years 
which  he  helped  to  organize ;  he  was  originally    when  his  father  died,  and  thus  he  was  early 
a  member  of  the  church  at  Eldersridge.     He    obliged    to  'assume    responsibilities.      From 
was  a  man  of  high  Christian  character,  de-    early    boyhood    he    assisted    with    the   work 
voted  to  his  home,  his  family  and  the  best    on  the  home  farm,  of  which  he  took  charge  in 
interests  of  the  community,  and  was  a  desir-    time,  caring  for  his  mother  until  her  death, 
able  citizen  in  every  sense  of  the  term.     His    The  house  that  his  father  built  on  the  prop- 
wife,  Rebecca    (Ewing),  was  a  daughter  of    erty  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  he  erected  the 
John  and  Sarah  (Moore)  Ewing  and  a  sister    present  residence  there  in  1873,  a  substantial 
of  Alexander  Ewing,  one  of  her  nephews  be-    frame  house  which  is  in  excellent  condition, 
ing  the  late  Rev.  T.  R.   Ewing.     Mrs.   Har-    He  built  the  frame  barn  in  1872,  and  has  made 
bison  died  on  the  farm  in  December,  1864,    numerous    other    improvements,    the    entire 
and  was  interred  in  the  West  Lebanon  ceme-    place  showing  his  painstaking  care   and  in- 
tery.    She  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian    telligent    management.      He    added    to    his 
Church.    Eight  children  were  born  to  Joseph    father's  holdings,  now  owning  and  operating 
and  Rebecca  (Ewing)  Harbison:  Anna,  wife    one  hundred  acres,  and  though  farming  and 
of  Silas  Fulton ;  Sarah,  wife  of  Joseph  Cun-    stock  raising  have  been  his  principal  lines  he 
ninghani;  William,   mentioned  below;  Mary,    has  also  had  other  interests.     In  1868  he  be- 
wife  of  William  Cooper,  residing  at  Slippery    gan  threshing,  which  he  continued  to  follow 
Rock.  Butler  Co.,  Pa. ;  Francis  S.,  who  mar-    for   thirty-three  years,   not   only  in   Indiana 
ried  Parmelia  Cooper,  and  resided  in  Young    county  but  also  in  parts  of  Armstrong  and 
township ;    Catherine,    who    died   unmarried ;    Westmoreland  counties.     Before  the  days  of 
John,  who  married  Elizabeth  Beatty  and  re-    steam  power  machineiy  for  this  work  he  oper- 
sided   in   Armstrong   township,   this   county;    ated     an     eight-horsepower     thresher     with 
and  Jane,  who  died  unmarried.  separator,  and  later  owned  a  steam  engine. 

William  Harbison  was  born  in  1814.  What  Though  past  three  score  and  ten  Mr.  Harbison 
education  he  received  was  obtained  in  tlie  pub-  is  still  an  active  worker  and  .iust  as  alive  to 
lie  schools  of  the  home  district,  at  that  time  the  needs  of  his  calling  and  keen  about  the 
conducted  upon  the  subscription  plan.     He    general  welfare  as  ever. 

was  engaged  at  farm  work  all  his  life,  owning  Mr.  Harbison  has  always  supported  the 
and  cultivating  the  tract  of  eighty  acres  now  Republican  party  and  its  principles  and  has 
owned  and  operated  by  his  only  son.  He  put  been  active  in  its  interests  in  his  locality,  serv- 
up  a  substantial  frame  dwelling  house  and  ing 'as  member  of  the  township  committee  and 
barn  there,  and  made  various  other  improve-  several  years  as  judge  of  elections.  He  has 
ments,  but  he  did  not  live  long  to  enjoy  his    been  elected  to  several  local  offices,  in  all  of 


1048 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


which  he  has  rendered  acceptable  service  to 
his  fellow  citizens,  having  been  township 
supervisor  two  terms,  assessor  two  terms,  tax 
collector  one  term,  auditor  one  term,  and 
school  director  many  years.  The  public  school 
question  has  always  had  his  particular  en- 
couragement, and  he  was  school  director  in 
the  independent  district  of  West  Lebanon  for 
over  twenty-five  years,  seiwing  much  of  that 
time  as  president  of  the  board  and  also  acting 
as  secretary.  In  religious  connection  he  is  a 
Presbyterian.  Few  citizens  have  done  more 
to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  locality  than 
Mr.  Harbison,  and  he  is  looked  up  to  and 
esteemed  by  the  entire  community. 

On  Sept.  7,  1864,  I\Ir.  Harbison  enlisted  at 
Pittsburg  in  Company  K,  14th  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry,  under  Capt.  D.  K.  Duff  (of  Pitts- 
burg) and  Colonel  Schoonmaker,  and  con- 
tinued to  serve  throughout  the  war,  seeing 
active  service  at  Winchester  and  Harper's 
Ferry.  He  was  discharged  and  mustered  out 
at  Washington  in  June,  1865.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Foster  Robinson  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  Salts- 
burg,  and  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  lodge  at  Indiana,  of 
which  he  is  a  past  grand ;  he  is  a  member  of 
the  grand  lodge. 

On  Nov.  27,  1866,  Mr.  Harbison  married,  in 
Armstrong  township,  Mary  Craig,  a  native  of 
that  township,  who  died  Slarch  23.  1901,  after 
nearly  thirty-five  years  of  happy  wedded  life. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  West  Lebanon,  and  is  buried  in  the  West 
Lebanon  cemetery.  Nine  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harbison:  William  Wallace, 
born  Jan.  24,  1868.  a  general  merchant  of 
Shelocta,  Pa.,  married  Orpha  King;  Clara 
Jane,  born  Sept.  17,  1869,  married  David 
Townsend,  of  South  Bend.  Armstrong  Co., 
Pa. ;  Hugh  Craig,  born  Nov.  2,  1871.  died  in 
infancy;  James  Arthur,  born  Aug.  26.  1873, 
died  in  infancy;  Jettie  Barbara,  born  Aug. 
6,  1874,  lives  at  home  with  her  father;  Mar- 
garet Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  3,  1876.  married 
Roljert  AVilson  George  and  resides  at  West 
Lebanon;  Harry  B.,  born  Jan.  13,  1879,  mar- 
ried Flora  Wiggons,  of  Armstrong  township, 
and  now  lives  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y. ;  Ella  A.,  born 
Nov.  29, 18S2,  is  unman'ied  and  lives  at  home ; 
Walter  IM.,  born  Jan.  21,  1886,  is  at  home. 
IMiss  Jettie  B.  Harbison  lias  from  early  girl- 
hood been  afflicted  with  spinal  trouble,  wliieh 
affected  first  one  of  her  lower  limbs  and  later 
the  other.  But  though  she  has  suffered  much 
she  has  been  very  active  mentally  and  has 
succeeded  in  acquiring  an  excellent  education, 
being  well-read  and  having  a  degree  of  intel- 


lectual culture  which  only  a  broad-minded 
woman  could  attain.  Her  high  Christian 
character  is  typical  of  the  members  of.  this 
family. 

WILLIAM  WALLACE  HARBISON,  eld- 
est of  the  family  of  Alexander  McNutt  and 
^larj'  (Craig)  Harbison,  was  born  in  Young 
township  Jan.  24,  1868.  He  was  reared  there, 
attending  the  public  schools  at  West  Lebanon, 
and  in  his  earlier  years  followed  farming  at 
home,  helping  his  parents  until  1890.  That 
year  he  went  to  South  Bend,  Armstrong  Co., 
Pa.,  where  he  was  employed  by  H.  Townsend 
&  Son,  general  merchants,  for  a  period  of 
three  years.  For  one  year  he  worked  for  A. 
W.  Wilson  &  Son  and  in  1894  settled  at 
Shelocta,  in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  has  ever  since  been  doing 
business.  He  rented  a  store  and  embarked 
in  the  general  merchandise  business,  in  which 
he  has  since  continued,  now  having  one  of  the 
thriving  establishments  of  his  section.  He  re- 
mained in  the  rented  store  until  1909,  in  that 
year  erecting  the  larger  building  which  the 
business  has  since  occupied,  and  which  he 
owns.  He  carries  a  complete  and  varied 
stock,  "everything  from  a  toothpick  to  a 
threshing  machine,"  and  his  enterprise  in 
catering  to  the  wants  of  his  customers  has 
brought  liim  a  large  trade,  which  has  shown  a 
steady  growth  from  the  beginning.  His  suc- 
cess has  placed  him  among  the  substantial  men 
of  the  borough,  and  he  is  influential  in  all  its 
aft'airs,  in  which  he  has  taken  a  prominent 
part,  at  present  serving  as  school  director.  In 
political  matters  he  is  associated  with  the 
Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church. 

On  May  20,  1896,  j\Ir.  Harbison  was  mar- 
ried to  Orpha  King,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Catherine  (Klingensmith)  King,  of  South 
Bend,  Pa.,  and  they  have  three  children: 
Mary  Catherine,  born  March  1,  1902;  and 
Alexander  Edward  and  Esther  Allene,  twins, 
born  Nov.  14,  1909. 

GODFREY  MARSHALL  is  one  of  the  old- 
est and  most  respected  business  men  of  the 
borough  of  Indiana,  where  he  has  resided  for 
over  half  a  century.  He  has  been  in  business 
for  himself  for  forty-five  years,  at  his  present 
location  since  the  year  1870.  :\Ir.  Marshall 
was  born  in  Germany  in  1839.  son  of  Peter 
and  Magdalena  Marshall.  His  father  was  a 
farmer  in  the  Fatherland.  Coming  to  the 
United  States  with  his  family  in  1 830,  he  lived 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  for  a  short  time,  and  then 
settled  in  Butler  count.y,  this  State,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming.  He  was  the  father  of 
five  children,  all  now  deceased  but  two  of  the 
sons. 

Godfrey  Marshall  attended  school  in  Ger- 
many until  he  reached  the  age  of  eleven  years, 
at  which  time  he  came  to  this  country  with 
his  parents.  He  worked  on  his  father's  farm 
until  he  was  seventeen  years  old,  when  he  be- 
came an  apprentice  to  the  harnessmaker's 
trade  at  Pittsburg.  After  completing  his  ap- 
prenticeship he  remained  in  Pittsburg  some 
time  longer,  in  1861  coming  to  Indiana,  Indi- 
ana county,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
He  worked  in  the  harness  shop  of  his  brother 
Philip,  with  whom  he  entered  into  partner- 
ship, continuing  thus  until  1866,  when  he 
started  a  shop  of  his  own.  In  1870  he  moved 
to  his  present  location.  There  are  few  busi- 
ness men  in  this  section  who  have  kept  more 
thoroughly  up  to  the  demands  of  the  times 
than  Mr.  Marshall.  He  has  long  maintained 
his  standing  as  one  of  the  leading  men  in  his 
line  in  western  Pennsylvania.  His  store, 
which  is  one  of  the  largest  establishments  of 
the  kind  outside  of  the  large  cities  in  the 
State,  is  thoroughly  stocked  with  the  most  up- 
to-date  goods  carried  in  the  trade,  and  lacks 
nothing  that  could  be  found  in  a  first-class 
store  anj'where.  Mr.  Marshall  himself  is  sat- 
isfied with  nothing  but  the  best  the  market 
aifords  in  the  line  of  stock,  and  the  best  that 
can  be  had  in  workmanship,  of  which  he  is  an 
excellent  judge,  and  the  large  business  he 
has  built  up  is  but  the  natural  result  of  en- 
terprising methods  and  his  efforts  to  give  ab- 
solute satisfaction  to  all  who  have  dealings 
with  him.  As  he  prospered  in  his  original  un- 
dertaking he  became  financially  interested  in 
other  concerns,  encouraging  and  supporting 
various  enterprises  ■which  promised  good  re- 
sults as  well  as  advantages  to  the  community. 
He  is  a  director  of  the  Farmers'  Bank  of 
Indiana,  director  of  the  Robinsteen  Collar  and 
Leather  Company  of  Indiana,  a  stockholder  in 
the  Pittsburg  Harness  Supply  Company  and 
a  stockholder  in  the  Indiana  Electric  Street 
Car  Railway  Company.  He  has  also  acquired 
valuable  propert}-  holdings.  His  career  has 
been  creditable  and  prosperous  in  eveiy  re- 
spect, and  he  is  deservedly  regarded  as  one  of 
the  most  substantial  men  of  this  locality. 

Mr.  Marshall  was  married  in  1862  to  Kate 
1,   daughter  of   Conrad  Wissel.     They 


have  one  child,  Harry  B.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mar- 
shall are  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 

MICHAEL  HESS  RISINGER,  of  North 
Homer,  in  Center  township,  contractor  and 
builder  and  dealer  in  builders'  supplies,  head 
of  the  firm  of  M.  H.  Risinger  &  Son,  is  widely 
and  favorably  known  in  his  part  of  Indiana 
county,  where  he  has  lived  most  of  his  life. 
He  was  bom  in  Center  township,  near  his 
present  home,  Oct.  30,  1853,  son  of  John  Ris- 
inger and  grandson  of  Daniel  Risinger.  He  is 
descended  from  Hans  Nicklaus  Risinger,  the 
emigrant,  through  John  Peter  Risinger,  John 
Henrich  Risinger,  Daniel  Risinger  and  John 
Risinger.  A  full  account  of  the  earlier  gen- 
erations will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Daniel  Risinger,  the  grandfather,  was  born 
in  York  county,  Pa.,  and  coming  west  with 
his  family  to  Indiana  county  settled  in  Brush- 
valley  township,  where  he  acquired  land  and 
followed  farming.  He  was  among  the  firat 
settlers  in  his  section,  and  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  there,  dying  in  the  early  fifties. 
He  is  buried  in  the  Fry  cemetery  at  Mechan- 
icsburg.  In  religious  connection  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Evangelical  Association.  He 
married  Susanna  Andrews,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children:  John;  George,  who  settled  in 
West  Virginia;  Jacob,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
war,  who  died  in  Brushvalley ;  and  a  child  that 
died  young. 

John  Risinger,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born  on 
the  family  farm  in  Brushvalley  township  and 
there  attended  public  school.  He  woi-ked  at 
home  until  he  i-eached  manhood,  when  he  set- 
tled in  Center  township,  on  a  tract  of  136 
acres  which  he  improved  notably,  making  a 
permanent  home  there.  He  followed  general 
farming.  He  associated  with  the  Republican 
party  in  politics,  and  though  he  did  not  as- 
pire to  office  served  as  school  director,  dis- 
playing a  piiblic-spirited  interest  in  the  gen- 
eral welfare  which  proclaimed  him  a  good 
citizen.  In  his  religious  views  he  was  liberal. 
His  wife,  Mary  (Hess),  was  born  in  York 
county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Michael  Hess,  and 
died  on  the  farm  Jan.  5,  1907,  aged  eighty- 
four  years.  Mr.  Risinger  long  preceded  her, 
his  death  occuri;ing  April  3,  1871,  on  the 
farm.  They  are  buried  in  Greenwood  ceme- 
tery, at  Indiana.  Mrs.  Risinger  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  M.  E.  Church.  They  were  the 
parents  of  these  children :  Susanna,  who  mar- 
ried Edward  Chesley  and  (second)  Archi- 
bald Smitten,  and  is  now  a  Avidow,  residing  in 
Indiana,  Pa. ;  Elizabeth,  who  is  married  to 


1050 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Samuel  Stewart,  of  Center  township;  Cather- 
ine, wife  of  Joseph  C.  Long,  of  Indiana,  Pa. ; 
Michael  Hess;  Daniel  Endrews;  Mary,  wife 
of  Thomas  S.  Phillips,  of  North  Homer;  and 
Nancy,  married  to  James  B.  Grover,  of  Homer 
City,  Pennsylvania. 

Michael  Hess  Risinger,  son  of  John,  ob- 
tained his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Center  township,  where  he  grew  to  manhood 
on  the  home  farm.  He  became  familiar  with 
farming  as  his   father's  assistant,   and  con- 


Paul,  now  associated  with  his  father  in  busi- 
ness, who  married  Beulah  Duncan,  and  is  liv- 
ing at  North  Homer. 

GEORGE  CALVIN  SHIELDS,  of  North 
Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
on  the  Shields  homestead  there  Sept.  10,  1855, 
son  of  James  G.  and  Jemima  (Hoover) 
Shields. 

James  Shields,  the  great-grandfather,  was 
a  Revolutionary  soldier,  with  a  record  that 
covered  eight  years  of  service  in  the  Conti- 


tinued  to  work  on  the  home  place  until  he  nental  ranks,  during  which  he  was  wounded 
was  twenty-eight  j'ears  old,  when  he  became  seven  times.  In  1830  he  came  from  the  Ligon- 
engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  Then  he  jer  valley  in  Pennsylvania  to  Indiana  county, 
took  a  position  as  car  inspector  with  the  Cam-  with  his  son  Robert,  and  they  were  engaged 
bria  Iron  &  Steel  Company,  at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  in  farming  near  Marchand.  where  James 
and  subsequently  commenced  contracting  and  Shields  died  at  the  remarkable  age  of  107 
building  on  his  own  account,  at  Saltsburg,  years.  He  had  the  following  children :  Rob- 
this  county.  He  was  located  there  for  several  ert,  who  married  Jane  Taylor ;  George,  grand- 
years,  until  1891,  building  the  present  M.  E.  father  of  George  Calvin  Shields;  James,  who 


Church  edifice,  and  a  number  of  other  struc- 
tures, public  and  private,  his  business  grow- 
ing steadily.  He  lost  heavily  by  fire,  how- 
ever, while  at  Saltsburg.  In  1891  he  moved 
thence  to  North  Homer,  settling  on  part  of  the 
homestead,  where  he  erected  a  fine  brick  resi- 
dence, store  and  office,  having  his  home  and 
business  headquarters  there.  He  carries  on 
contracting  and  building  and  deals  in  build- 
ers' supplies,  and  is  assisted  by  his  son  Paul, 


lived  in  different  parts  of  Indiana  couutj'; 
Rebecca,  who  married  William  Laughey,  and 
lived  in  North  Mahoning  township ;  Hannah, 
who  married  Job  Ham,  of  Punxsutawney, 
Pa.;  Jane,  who  married  i\Iatthew  Cochran, 
and  lived  in  Brookville,  Jefferson  county ;  an- 
other daughter,  Llrs.  Foster,  of  Pennsylvania. 
George  Shields,  son  of  James,  was  born  in 
the  Ligonier  valley,  and  as  a  young  man  ac- 
companied his  father  and  brother  to  Indiana 
county,   taking  up   laud  in   Canoe  township. 


with  whom  he  is  associated  under   the  firm    where  he  became  the  owner  of  177  acres.    Mr. 

name  of  M.  H.  Risinger  &  Sou.    IMr.  Risinger    Shields  bore  an  active  and  prominent  part  in 

the  development  and  upbuilding  of  this  re- 
gion, and  his  name  should  be  among  the  fore- 
most on  the  rolls  of  Indiana  county's  hon- 
ored pioneers.  On  his  arrival  this  land  was 
all  covered  with  heavy  timber,  and  he  erected 
a  small  log  cabin  and  settled  down  to  make 
a  home  for  himself  and  his  family.  He  was 
ever  an  industriovis  and  hard-working  man, 
and  at  his  death,  which  occurred  when  he  was 
seventy -seven  years  of  age,  the  comraunit}-  lost 
one  of  its  best  citizens.  At  the  polls  he  al- 
ways cast  his  ballot  with  the  Democratic 
party,  and  took  a  deep  interest  in  its  success. 
He  served  as  supervisor,  school  director  and 
in  other  offices,  and  had  the  entire  confidence 
of  his  fellow  citizens,  ilr.  Shields  was  a  faith- 
ful member  of  the  Preslwterian  Church.  He 
was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  a  Miss 
Bovle,    who   died   the   mother   of   three   chil- 


reputation  for  thoroughness  and  reli- 
ability which  creates  a  steady  demand  for  his 
services  and  he  has  built  up  a  profitable  pat- 
ronage, keeping  abreast  of  the  times  and  giv- 
ing eminently  good  satisfaction  to  all  who 
have  had  dealings  with  him.  He  is  an  ener- 
getic man.  taking  an  active  part  in  all  move- 
ments which  interest  him.  He  has  been  school 
director  of  his  township,  and  is  a  leading  mem- 
ber of  the  M.  E.  Church,  which  he  served  as 
trustee,  class  leader  and  steward ;  he  attended 
the  Sabbath  school  at  Homer  city,  in  the  old 
brick  church,  for  over  fifty  years.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican.  Fraternally  he  holds 
membership  in  the  Knights  of  the  Golden 
Eagle. 

On   May   5,    1880,   Mr.    Risinger   married 
Lydia  M.  Frew,  who  was  born  in  Allegheny 

county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  John  A.  and  JNIaria  dren :  James  G. :  Robert,  deceased,  who  was 
M.  (Phillips^  Frew.  They  have  had  three  a  farmer  near  IMarehand.  and  married  ^Mary 
children:  'M.  Edna,  who  is  married  to  G.  B.  Ann  Snyder;  and  IMargaret.  who  died  un- 
Neal,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa. ;  Llouella  Marie,  wife  married.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Sarah 
of   Dixon    Stephens,    of   Nortli    Homer;    and    Braughler,  who  died  in  September,  1865.  at 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1051 


the  age  of  eighty  j'ears,  and  they  had  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Adam,  an  extensive  fanner 
of  Canoe  township;  William  H.,  deceased,  a 
farmer  and  lumberman  in  Banks  township, 
Indiana  county,  who  married  Sarah  Martin; 
Sarah  Ann,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of 
David  Fleming  and  lived  in  Oil  City,  Pa. ; 
Harriet  Jane,  the  widow  of  Isaac  Wood,  living 
in  Clearfield  county;  Elizabeth,  who  married 
Samuel  Calderwood,  of  Canoe  township;  and 
Eva,  who  married  Cyrus  Wood,  and  lived  in 
Clearfield  county. 

James  Shields,  son  of  George  Shields  by  his 
first  wife,  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in 
what  is  now  known  as  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship, and  there  passed  his  youth  and  early 
manhood,  receiving  a  common  school  edu- 
cation. He  lived  on  the  old  place  until  his 
marriage  and  for  some  time  afterward,  sev- 
eral years  later  obtaining  a  farm  near  March- 
and  which  he  subsequently  sold,  buying  a 
farm  of  133  acres  in  North  Mahoning  township 
near  where  his  son  George  now  lives.  This 
place  was  mostly  wild  land  when  it  came  into 
his  possession,  and  he  erected  the  house  and 
barn,  cleared  a  large  portion  of  the  property, 
and  made  all  the  other  improvements  thereon. 
He  was  always  a  farmer,  and  one  of  the  most 
industrious  and  reliable  citizens  in  his  town- 
ship, where  he  was  highly  respected  and  held 
some  of  the  public  offices.  Politically  he  was 
a  Democrat,  and  in  religious  connection  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  His  wife, 
Jemima  (Hoover),  a  native  of  West  Mahoning 
township,  this  county,  survived  him,  d.ving  in 
May,  1894;  his  death  occurred  in  February, 
1893.  Five  children  were  born  to  their  union : 
George  Calvin  is  mentioned  below;  John,  de- 
ceased, married  Louisa  Carley  and  lived  at 
Georgeville,  Pa. ;  Hannah  M.,  deceased,  was 
the  wife  of  David  Bush ;  Nancy  died  unmar- 
ried :  Hugh  J.,  who  died  in  New  York  State, 
was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Mary 
Barnett. 

George  Calvin  Shields  was  given  the  ad- 
vantages afforded  by  the  common  schools  and 
lived  at  home  until  he  married.  He  and  his 
wife  then  located  near  Smithport.  in  Banks 
township,  this  county,  living  there  three  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  they  sold  their  farm 
and  moved  to  his  father's  place,  upon  which 
the.v  remained  nine  years.  ]\Ir.  Shields  then 
bought  his  pi-esent  place  in  North  Mahoning 
township,  known  as  the  Ruf?  farm,  his  first 
purchase  consisting  of  seventy-four  acres,  to 
which  he  has  added,  now  having  ninety-seven 
acres,  about  half  of  which  is  under  cultiva- 
tion.   All  of  the  substantial  and  valuable  im- 


provements now  on  the  property  have  been 
made  by  him.  He  built  his  b^rn  in  1899  and 
his  house  in  1908,  and  all  his  buildings  are 
attractive  and  kept  in  good  order.  Mr. 
Shields  has  attended  strictly  to  his  private 
affairs,  and  has  never  aspired  to  any  public 
position,  though  he  takes  an  interest  in  the 
success  of  the  Democratic  party.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Evangelical  Church  at  March- 
and.    • 

On  Jan.  16,  1879,  Mr.  Shields  married  Mary 
Jane  Lloyd,  of  North  Mahoning  township, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Jane  (Kinter)  Lloyd, 
the  former  of  wdiom  was  born  in  Ireland  and 
came  to  America  with  his  parents  wdien  five 
years  old.  His  father,  Andrew  Llo.yd,  ob- 
tained 180  acres  of  land  located  in  North  Ma- 
honing township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  then  all 
in  its  wild  state,  upon  which  he  made  a  per- 
manent home,  spending  the  rest  of  his  active 
years  in  its  clearing  and  improvement.  His 
wife's  maiden  name  was  Park,  and  they  had 
two  children:  Robert,  who  lived  on  the  old 
place,  and  who  never  married;  and  Samuel, 
who  also  lived  and  died  on  the  old  place, 
owning  that  tract  of  180  acres,  and  following 
farming.  To  him  and  his  wife  Jane  (Kin- 
ter) were  bom  three  children :  Andrew  Park, 
who  lived  on  the  old  homestead,  and  died  in 
1908;  Mary  Jane,  Mrs.  Shields;  and  William 
Stewart,  a  farmer,  of  Manchester,  Maryland. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George  C.  Shields-.  Laura,  who  lives  at  home; 
Jemima  F.,  who  married  Roll  Mattern,  of 
North  Mahoning  towmship ;  and  Grover,  of 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  foreman  for  the  Pittsburg  & 
Allegheny  Telephone  Company,  who  married 
Pauline  Green,  of  Washington,  Pennsylvania. 

ALPHONSE  CUNNINGHAM,  a  substan- 
tial and  respected  resident  of  East  Wheatfield 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  he  has  been 
engaged  in  farming  all  his  life,  was  born 
April  28,  1850,  on  the  farm  there  which  he 
now  owns  and  operates,  son  of  William  Cun- 
ningham. 

William  Cunningham,  the  first  representa-  , 
five  of  this  family  in  Indiana  county,  was  a 
native  of  Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  and  of  Scotch 
extraction.  He  came  west  when  a  young  man, 
locating  in  Wheatfield  township.  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  where  he  made  a  permanent  home.  He 
owned  a  small  farm,  and  drove  stage  on  the 
old  turnpike  between  Ebensburg,  Armagh 
and  Blairsville  for  some  years,  later  driving 
stage  between  Butler  and  Pittsburg.  He  was 
a  patriotic  Union  man  during  the  Civil  war, 
and  not  only  gave  his  own  services  in  behalf 


1052 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  the  cause  but  also  had  five  sons  who  en- 
tered the  army,  one  of  them  falling  in  battle. 
William  Cunningham  also  gave  up  his  life  on 
the  battlefield,  dying  in  an  engagement  in 
South  Carolina,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years. 
He  was  buried  there.  His  wife,  Esther 
(Hutchinson),  a  native  of  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, died  in  February,  1896,  in  East  Wheat- 
field  township  and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  of 
Bethel  Church,  ia  Center  township.  They 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children:  Robert 
fell  at  Fort  Donelson  while  serving  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  40th  Illinois  Regiment  during  the 
Civil  war,  and  died  of  his  injuries ;  John  re- 
sides in  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  David,  now  living 
retired,  had  extensive  farm  interests  for  many 
years  in  Brushvalley  township,  this  county. 
and  later  was  a  merchant  at  Heshbon  for 
twenty  years ;  Samuel,  who  also  served  in  the 
Civil  war,  is  now  an  attorney  in  Indiana,  Pa. ; 
Joseph,  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  is  a  min- 
ister of  the  Evangelical  Church:  Albert,  a 
soldier  of  the  Civil  war,  is  now  a  resident  of 
Johnstown,  Pa. ;  James  is  engaged  as  a  mer- 
chant at  Seward,  Pa. ;  Alphonse  is  mentioned 
below. 

Alphonse  Cunningham  was  quite  young 
when  his  father  lost  his  life  in  the  Civil  war. 
He  had  the  educational  advantages  afforded 
by  the  local  public  schools,  and  being  the 
youngest  remained  at  home  with  his  mother, 
"assisting  in  the  work  of  conducting  the  home 
farm  from  a  very  early  age.  He  continued  to 
care  for  her  until  her  death,  and  has  always 
made  his  home  at  the  old  place,  engaging  in 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  culti- 
vates a  tract  of  113  acres,  upon  which  he  has 
built  a  fine  bam  and  made  various  other  im- 
provements which  show  his  enterprising  and 
progressive  character.  Though  he  gives  his  at- 
tention strictly  to  his  private  affairs  he  takes 
an  intelligent  interest  in  the  general  welfare, 
and  is  public-spirited  about  encouraging  and 
supporting  every  movement  designed  to  ad- 
vance the  prosperity  and  well-being  of  his 
township  and  county.  He  has  filled  the  of- 
fice of  overseer  of  "the  poor  for  two  terms. 
Mr.  Cunningham  is  a  Republican  in  his  politi- 
cal views,  and  has  always  been  faithful  in 
his  support  of  the  principles  of  the  party. 

On  April  18,  1871,  Mv.  Cunningham  was 
married  to  IMargaret  IMack,  a  native  of  East 
Wheatfield  township,  born  Feb.  10,  1851, 
daughter  of  George  :\laek  and  sister  of  Rob- 
ert G.  I\Iack,  of  East  Wheatfield,  whose  his- 
tory will  he  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cunningham  are  membei-s  of 
the   United    Presbyterian    denomination,    at- 


tending the  Bethel  Church  in  East  Wheat- 
field  towuship.  They  are  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  of  whom  we  have  the  following  rec- 
ord: (1)  George  Leonard,  born  May  9,  1872, 
was  employed  in  iron  rolling  mills  at  Chicago, 
111.,  where  he  died  June  11,  1902.  He  is  buried 
in  Armagh  cemetery.  (2)  Cordelia  M.,  born 
Aug.  25,  1875,  received  her  education  in  the 
public  schools  and  at  summer  normal  taught 
by  Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart  and  Prof.  C.  A.  Camp- 
liell,  and  taught  school  in  East  Wheatfield 
township  and  in  Derry  township,  Westmore- 
land county.  She  resides  at  home.  (3)  Es- 
ther, born  March  4,  1878.  married  Joseph 
Tinkham  and  resides  at  Peru,  Ind.  They 
liave  had  three  children.  Donald  (who  died 
in  infancy),  Madeline  and  James  Wallace. 
(i)  William,  born  July  11.  1880,  is  a  mill 
operator  at  Portsmouth,  Ohio.  He  married 
Estle  Cunningham,  of  Portsmouth,  and  they 
have  one  child,  Carnell  F.  (5)  Martha,  born 
Feb.  8,  1883,  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  at  summer  normal  under  Prof. 
J.  T.  Stewart  and  taught  school  in  East 
Wheatfield  and  Burrell  to'wnships,  this  eoiin- 
ty.  She  is  now  the  wife  of  Alfred  Gerhard, 
son  of  Jacob  F.  Gerhard,  of  Blacklick,  Indi- 
ana county,  a  full  sketch  of  whose  famil.y 
appears  elsewhere.  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Alfred  Ger- 
hard live  in  Burrell  township.  They  have  one 
child.  Leroy.  (61  Viola  Clair,  born  Sept. 
8.  1885,  married  Clarence  H.  Findley,  of  East 
AVlieatfield  township,  and  has  four  children, 
^lildred,  Slary,  Margaret  and  Bessie,  Mrs. 
Findley  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  at  summer  normal  under  Prof.  C.  A. 
Campbell,  and  taught  in  East  Wlieatfield 
township  before  her  marriage.  (7)  Robert 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  the 
State  normal  school  at  Indiana  and  is  now 
employed  as  clerk  by  the  Cambria  Iron  & 
Steel  Company  at  Jolanstown,  Pa.  (8)  Mar- 
garet or  Madge,  born  Nov.  30.  1890,  is  af 
home  with  her  parents, 

CLARK  B.  WIDDOWSON,  proprietor  of 
the  leading  general  merchandise  store  at  Penn 
Run,  Indiana  county,  was  born  in  Cherryhill 
to^vnship,  near  the  town  of  DixonviUe,  Pa., 
July  3.  1863,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Susan 
(Ober)  Widdowson. 

Joseph  Widdowson,  grandfather  of  Clark 
R.  Widdowson,  was  bom  in  Derby,  England, 
and  came  to  America  at  an  early  day,  set- 
tling first  in  New  York  City,  where  he  re- 
mained three  years,  and  then  coming  to  the 
northern  part  of  Indiana  county.  Pa,,  near 
the  present  town  of  DixonviUe.    At  the  time 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1053 


that  Joseph  Widdowson  came  to  this  section 
there  were  only  two  houses  in  the  town  of 
Indiana.  He  had  learned  the  trade  of  cab- 
inetmaker in  his  native  country,  and  this  he 
followed  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
in  connection  with  farming  on  the  old  home 
place,  where  he  died.' 

Ebenezer  Widdowson,  son  of  Joseph,  and 
father  of  Clark  B.  Widdowson,  was  born  in 
1835,  in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  and  throughout  his  life  was  engaged  in 
cultivating  the  old  home  place  where  his 
father  had  settled  on  first  coming  to  this  sec- 
tion. His  death  occurred  July  25,  1910,  while 
his  widow  still  sui-vives  and  resides  on  the 
home  farm.  She  was  born  in  1841,  in  Fay- 
ette county.  Pa.,  and  became  the  mother  of 
nine  children :  Clark  B. ;  Harvey  D.,  a  resi- 
dent of  Rochester  Mills,  Indiana  county;  Jo- 
seph A.,  a  resident  of  Cherryhill  township,  on 
the  old  homestead;  Mary  A.,  deceased,  who 
was  the  wife  of  Harry  Short,  a  resident  of 
Rayne  township ;  James,  a  resident  of  West- 
minster, ]Md.,  dean  of  the  Western  Mary- 
land College,  at  that  place ;  Dr.  Frank,  a  phy- 
sician and  surgeon  of  Philadelphia ;  Anna, 
who  lives  at  home  with  her  mother ;  Olive,  a 
student  of  Dr.  White 's  Bible  Teachers '  Train- 
ing School  of  New  York  City,  who  has  been  ac- 
cepted as  a  missionary  in  foreign  field  work; 
and  William,  who  resides  at  Waynesboro, 
Pennsylvania. 

David  Ober,  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
Clark  B.  Widdowson,  was  born  in  Fayette 
county,  Pa.,  and  during  the  early  days  came 
to  Indiana  county,  where  he  engaged  in  work- 
ing at  his  trade  of  plasterer  and  bricklayer, 
being  so  employed  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  Cherryhill. 

Clark  B.  Widdowson  attended  public  school 
in  Cherryhill  township,  and  as  a  lad  followed 
farming.  At  the  age  of  thirty-eight  years, 
having  decided  upon  a  mercantile  career  in 
preference  to  an  agricultural  life,  he  came  to 
Penn  Run  and  established  himself  in  the  gen- 
eral merchandise  business  which  he  has  since 
developed  into  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  Penn 
Run. 

On  Jan.  3,  1888,  Mr.  Widdowson  was  mar- 
ried to  IMargaret  Anna  Hess,  who  was  born 
in  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  Sept.  24,  1866,  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Mary  (Heflick)  Hess.  Mrs. 
Widdowson 's  parents  were  early  settlers  of 
Indiana  county,  where  her  father  followed 
the  trade  of  blacksmith  until  the  outbreak  of 
the  Civil  war,  at  that  time  enlisting  in  the 
Union  service.  On  his  return  from  the 
army  he  retired  from  active  life,  so  living  un- 


til his  death  at  Rochester  Mills,  where  his  wife 
also  passed  away.  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Hess  had  a 
family  of  ten  children,  of  whom  seven  are 
now  living:  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of  David  Pol- 
lack, a  resident  of  Grant  township;  Prank, 
who  lives  at  Dixonville,  Green  township ;  Jen- 
nie, wife  of  Newton  Barber,  of  Green  town- 
ship; Grant,  who  lives  in  Chicago,  111.;  Mar- 
garet Anna,  who  married  Mr.  Widdowson; 
Melborn,  a  resident  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa.; 
and  Harvey,  also  living  at  Punxsutawney. 

]\Ir.  and  Mre.  Widdowson  have  five  children, 
namely:  Jennie  0.,  who  married  Earl  Simp- 
son, of  Cherryhill  township ;  and  Mary,  Susie, 
Ada  and  William,  who  live  with  their  par- 
ents. Mr.  Widdowson,  with  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren, attends  the  Church  of  the  Brethren. 

SAMUEL  WILSON  EVANS,  deceased, 
was  born  in  Brushvalley  township,  this 
county,   in  March,   1839,   a  son  of  William 


Hugh  Evans,  his  grandfather,  was  born  in 
Wales,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  early 
manhood  on  the  same  vessel  as  his  future  mfe 
although  when  they  set  out  on  the  voyage  they 
were  not  acquainted.  Owing  to  a  crippling 
of  the  crew  on  account  of  severe  storms,  the 
passengers  were  pressed  into  the  service,  and 
during  the  many  weeks  of  the  passage  friend- 
ships were  formed  which  in  one  case  at  least 
deepened  into  love.  Hugh  Evans  married  his 
fair  fellow  passenger  and  they  settled  in 
Brushvalle.y  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
where  he  became  a  heavy  land  owner.  In 
addition  to  looking  after  his  land  he  built  a 
flourmill,  manufactured  woolen  goods,  and 
was  a  lumberman,  operating  his  large  inter- 
ests profitably  and  developing  into  one  of  the 
dominant  men  of  his  time  and  locality. 

As  his  sons  grew  older  he  gave  them  farms. 
He  died  greatly  respected  by  all  who  knew 
him.  The  children  of  his  first  marriage  were : 
Hugh,  Evan,  James,  John,  William,  Ann, 
Mary  and  Elisabeth.  After  the  mother  died 
he  married  Hettie  Cresswell,  by  whom  he  had 
Ellen,  Rebecca  and  Lucy  (wife  of  Rev.  A.  B. 
Runyan) . 

William  A.  Evans,  father  of  Samuel  W; 
Evans,  spent  the  greater  portion  of  his  life 
on  the  property  given  him  by  his  father,  com- 
prising a  portion  of  the  homestead  in  Brush- 
valley  township.  A  man  of  principle,  he  was 
a  pioneer  in  prohibiting  the  use  of  whiskey 
at  any  gathering  of  men  at  his  home,  when  it 
was  the  general  custom  to  serve  whiskey  to 
all  workers,  and  when  on  raising  his  barn  he 
made  known  to  the  men  his  principle  they  at 


1054 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


first  refused  to  go  on  with  the  work,  but  when 
they  \mderstood  that  it  was  withheld  on  ac- 
count of  conscientious  scruples  they  good- 
naturedly  went  ahead,  honoring  him  for  this 
proof  of  his  strength  of  character.  In  1833 
or  1834  he  married  Susan  Wilkins,  a  woman 
of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  also  a  native  of  Brush- 
valley  to\vnship,  and  to  them  were  born  the 
following  children:  John,  a  surgeon  in  Com- 
pany H,  12th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteers, during  the  Civil  war,  who  afterward 
practiced  medicine  in  Homer  City  until  his 
death;  Andrew  Wilkins,  who  died  at  his 
home  at  Washington,  D.  C,  in  1911 ;  Samuel 
W. ;  William  A.,  who  lives  at  Reed  station; 
Mrs.  Nancy  Rhodes,  deceased;  Mrs.  Sue  Mc-- 
Cormick,  of  Indiana ;  Elisabeth,  who  died  in 
early  life;  and  George,  who  resided  until  his 
death  on  a  farm  which  is  the  present  site  of 
Lucerne,  this  county. 

Samuel  Wilson  Evans  grew  to  manhood  in 
Brushvalley  township,  and  was  engaged  in 
farming  when  President  Lincoln  issued  his 
first  call  for  troops,  to  which  he  responded  by 
enlisting  in  a  company  made  up  of  boys  from 
Brushvalley  and  Wheatfield  townships,  under 
Captain  Bolar.  They  were  assigned  to  the 
12th  P.  V.  I.,  and  he  served  three  years. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  his  farm 
in  Brushvalley,  where  he  lived  until  within  a 
few  years  of  his  death,  finally  retiring  to  In- 
diana, Pa.,  where  he  passed  away  Sept.  26, 
1908. 

On  Oct.  27,  1874,  Mr.  Evans  married  Sarah 
Elliott,  a  native  of  Armagh,  Indiana  county. 
From  boyhood,  ^Mr.  Evans  was  a  Presbyter- 
ian, and  he  always  gave  that  congregation 
loyal  and  generous  support.  Politically  he 
was  a  stanch  Republican,  as  were  many  of  the 
men  who  risked  their  lives  in  fighting  for  the 
principles  upon  which  the  Republican  party 
was  founded,  but  he  did  not  care  for  public 
office.  Joining  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  144,  of  Me- 
chanicsburg,  he  took  great  pleasure  in  meet- 
ing his  old  comrades,  and  by  them  was  made 
commander  of  the  post,  which  office  he  held 
for  years.  He  and  his  wife  became  the  par- 
ents of  three  children:  Margaret,  Nellie  and 
Mary.  A  man  of  principle,  Mr.  Evans  al- 
ways lived  up  to  his  convictions  of  right  and 
wrong.  The  name  of  Evans  is  linked  with 
much  of  the  history  of  Indiana  county,  and 
its  representatives  have  ever  been  found 
worthy  of  their  name. 

JOHN  D.  THOMPSON,  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war  and  one  of  the  well-known  farmers 
of  Blacklick   township,   Indiana  county,   was 


boi-n  in  that  township,  Jan.  2,  1844,  son  of 
David  Thompson. 

The  first  of  this  family  in  Indiana  county 
was  John  Thompson,  known  as  "di'over 
John,"  who  married  Maiy  Cain.  To  their 
union  were  born  the  following  children: 
John ;  Rosanna,  who  married  William  Hanna  ; 
Sarah,  who  married  William  Hopkins;  ilar- 
garet,  who  married  John  Crusan;  AVilliam, 
who  married  Jlary  Brady;  George  C.  who 
married  Elizabeth  Davis;  and  Robert. 

John  Thompson,  son  of  John  and  ilary 
(Cain)  Thompson,  was  a  farmer  of  Blacklick 
township,  where  his  life  was  spent.  He  mar- 
ried Eleanor  Davis,  and  had  children :  John ; 
William;  Geoi-ge;  James;  David;  Sanuiel, 
who  married  Sarah  Clawson ;  Christopher, 
who  settled  in  Clarion  county,  Pa. ;  Jane,  wife 
of  Adam  Creamer ;  and  Margaret,  wife  of  Dr. 
John  Bennett,  a  prominent  physician  of  Erie, 
Pennsylvania. 

David  Thompson,  son  of  John  and  Eleanor 
(Davis)  Thompson,  was  born  Jan.  24,  1815. 
In  his  younger  days  he  worked  on  the  Penn- 
sylvania canal,  first  as  mule  driver  on  the  tow- 
path  from  Pittsburg  to  Johnstown.  Later  he 
was  employed  as  bo^vman  and  still  later  as 
steersman.  He  subsequently  took  up  farming 
on  a  tract  of  100  acres  near  ]\Iuddy  run.  now 
owned  by  his  son  John  D.  Thompson,  and  also 
engaged  in  stock  raising,  etc.  In  time  he 
added  twenty-five  acres  to  his  original  pur- 
chase, and  he  made  extensive  improvements 
on  his  farm.  He  was  noted  for  his  industry 
and  thrifty  habits,  and  all  of  the  large  family 
he  raised  reflect  credit  on  him,  being  citizens 
of  standing  and  integrity.  He  died  on  his 
farm  Nov.  20,  1867,  and  was  buried  in  Hope- 
well cemetery.  Mr.  Thompson  was  interested 
in  politics  and  a  Democrat  in  his  views,  but 
took  no  active  part  in  public  life.  He  mar- 
ried Nancy  Clawson,  who  was  born  July  6, 
1823,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Ann  (Done- 
heu)  Clawson.  and  died  April  25,  1905;  she 
was  buried  in  Hopewell  cemetery.  She  was 
a  devoted  wife  and  mother,  a  woman  of  strong 
Christian  character.  Children  as  follows  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  ilrs.  Thompson :  Mary  Ann 
married  Wellington  Spires,  of  Blacklick  town- 
ship ;  John  D.  is  mentioned  below ;  Ellen,  born 
in  1845,  died  in  1881,  unmarried;  Sarah  Jane 
married  Albert  Donahey  and  died  in  Arm- 
strong county;  ^Margaret  married  Columbus 
Repine  and  resides  in  Burrell  township,  In- 
diana county ;  Ruth  married  ]\Iilton  L.  Cun- 
ningham, of  Clarksburg,  Pa. ;  Samuel  is  a 
resident  of  Blairsville;  Elmer,  who  was  for- 
merh'   sheriff  of   Indiana   county,   resides   in 


HISTORY  OF  Indiana  county,  Pennsylvania 


1055 


Blairsville;  Rachel  is  the  widow  of  Robert 
Repine  and  resides  in  Blairsville;  Matilda 
married  Thomas  C.  Smith  and  resides  in 
Clarksburg;  one  died  in  infancy. 

John  D.  Thompson,  sou  of  David  and  Nancy 
(Clawson)  Thompson,  attended  school  in  his 
native  township  and  worked  with  his  parents 
until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  It  was 
then,  in  1863,  that  he  went  west,  to  Rock 
Island  county.  111.,  where  he  became  engaged 
in  teaming,  receiving  a  dollar  a  day  for  his 
services.  While  there  he  enlisted,  in  1864,  in 
the  9th  Illinois  Cavali-y,  Company  C,  under 
Colonel  Hatch  and  Captain  Smith,  and  served 
one  year,  being  mustered  out  at  Selma,  Ala. 
From  there  he  returned  to  Illinois,  where  he 
continued  to  work  until  1866,  coming  back  to 
the  homestead  on  account  of  the  illness  of  his 
father.  His  father  dying  a  year  later,  he  took 
charge  of  the  farm,  where  he  has  remained 
ever  since,  carrying  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  He  made  a  great  many  im- 
provements on  the  property,  including  the 
erection  of  a  barn  and  the  present  dwelling, 
and  his  progressive  disposition  and  enterprise 
are  apparent  in  all  he  undertakes.  By  hard 
work  and  foresight  he  has  succeeded  in  attain- 
ing a  creditable  position,  financially  and  per- 
sonally. He  takes  a  deep  interest  in  his  town- 
ship and  county,  being  always  readj'  to  sup- 
port anything  for  the  general  good.  A  Demo- 
crat in  politics,  he  has  taken  considerable  in- 
terest in  party  affairs  and  public  life,  and  has 
filled  the  ofSce  of  assessor  continuously  since 
1897.  He  has  also  been  school  director  for 
one  tenn.  He  is  a  leading  member  of  the 
Hopewell  M.  E.  Church,  which  he  serves  as 
trustee,  and  was  a  member  of  the  building 
committee.  By  virtue  of  his  Civil  war  serv- 
ice he  holds  membership  in  the  6.  A.  R., 
belonging  to  Findley  Post. 

In  1888  Mr.  Thompson  married  Lettica 
Lawrence,  a  native  of  Blacklick  township,  sis- 
ter of  WiUiam  Stewart-  Lawrence,  mentioned 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  ]\Irs.  Thompson  is  a 
member  of  Hopewell  M.  E.  Church.  One 
child  has  come  to  this  union,  Albert  J.,  born 
Jan.  1,  1889.  He  was  educated  in  the  town- 
ship, and  from  early  boyhood  has  worked  with 
his  father  on  the  farm,  being  now  in  partner- 
ship with  him.  He  is  a  member  of  Hope- 
well M.  E.  Church,  and  in  politics  a  Repub- 
lican. He  married  Nov.  8,  1911,  Margaret  E. 
Hill,  who  was  born  in  Burrell  to^Tiship,  this 
county,  daughter  of  James  P.  and  Lottie  Hill. 

JAMES  M.  HILEMAN,  a  dairyman  of 
White  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born  in 


Armstrong  county,  Pa.,  Sept.  17,  1858,  a  son 
of  Stephen  and  Nancy  «( Graham)  Hileman. 
The  paternal  grandfather,  Frederick  Hileman, 
was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Armstrong 
county. 

Stephen  Hileman,  son  of  Frederick,  was 
born  in  Armstrong  county,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  5,  1913, 
when  he  was  aged  eightj^-seven  years,  five 
days.  All  his  life  was  spent  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  Mrs.  Hileman  came  of  stock  that 
settled  in  Armstrong  county  at  an  early  date. 
She  died  in  September,  1896,  the  mother  of 
sis  children :  Margaret,  who  married  John 
Rupert,  of  Armstrong  county;  William,  who 
resides  in  Kittanning  township.  Armstrong 
county;  Frederick,  who  resides  at  Wilkins- 
burg.  Pa. ;  James  M. ;  Laura,  who  married 
Madison  Walker  of  Rockville,  Pa. ;  and  Cham- 
bers, who  resides  at  Garretts  Run,  in  Manor 
township,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

James  M.  Hileman  worked  on  his  father's 
farm  during  his  younger  days,  and  at  the 
same  time  attended  the  local  schools.  In 
1884  he  came  to  Indiana  county  to  engage  in 
farming,  and  fifteen  years  ago  he  began  spe- 
cializing on  dairying.  In  1901  he  located  on 
his  present  farm,  which  is  well  adapted  for 
dairy  purposes,  and  here  he  keeps  fifty  cows 
and  twenty  head  of  young  cattle.  The  head 
of  his  herd,  Prince,  a  registered  Holstein,  is 
one  of  the  best  in  the  county,  weighing  1,608 
pounds.  He  also  has  one  of  the  largest  cows 
in. the  county,  which  has  a  capacity  of  eight 
gallons  per  day.  The  capacity  of  his  herd  is 
one  hundred  gallons  of  milk  per  day.  In 
1909  Mr.  Hileman  built  his  present  splendid 
dairy  bam,  which  is  the  exponent  of  the  latest 
ideas  in  sanitary  architecture,  and  complies 
in  every  way  with  State  regulations. 

On  April  26,  1882,  Mr.  Hileman  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Campbell,  a  native  of  Butler 
county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  John  and  Esther 
(Kealer)  Campbell,  both  now  deceased.  The 
father  was  born  in  Butler  and  the  mother  in 
Armstrong  county.  Thirty-sis  years  ago  Mr. 
Campbell  came  to  Indiana  county,  and  bought 
a  farm  here,  upon  which  he  resided  until 
his  death,  March  20,  1909;  his  wife  passed 
away  in  June,  1906.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Herchel. 
who  is  deceased ;  Jane,  who  is  the  wife  of  J.  D. 
Dickie,  of  White  township ;  W.  B.,  a  resident 
of  Vandergrift,  Pa. ;  Mary,  who  married 
James  M.  Hileman ;  Freeman,  deceased ;  Nan- 
nie, who  married  Albert  Herr;  Annie,  who 
married  Clymer  Heilman,  of  Indiana  county; 


1056 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Elmer,  who  lives  in  Indiana,  Pa. ;  and  Ansley, 
who  resides  at  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hileman  became  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  Lenus,  who  re- 
sides at  Ford  City,  Pa.,  married  Marion  Ma- 
han,  of  Indiana  county,  and  they  have  one 
child,  Mary  Alice ;  ilabel,  who  is  deceased, 
was  the  wife  of  Harry  Clawson  and  they  had 
three  children,  Royden,  Mary  and  Lyndale ; 
Harriet  is  at  home ;  Esther,  at  home ;  James, 
at  home ;  Harry  is  deceased ;  Hazel,  at  home, 
is  studying  at  the  Indiana  State  normal 
school;  Nancy  is  deceased. 

Jlr.  and  Mrs.  Hileman  belong  to  the  Metho- 
dist Church.  For  about  nine  years  ]\Ir.  Hile- 
man has  been  a  school  director,  and  he  has 
served  as  secretary  of  the  board  for  some  time. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Woodmen  of 
the  "World  and  is  as  popular  in  this  connection 
as  he  is  elsewhere,  for  he  is  a  man  who  has 
many  friends  who  admire  him  for  his  busi- 
ness acumen  and  excellent  traits  of  character. 

JOHN  W.  MORROW,  M.  D.,  of  Marchand, 
is  not  only  one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed 
physicians  in  that  section  of  Indiana  county, 
but  also  one  of  its  most  popular  citizens  per- 
sonally. He  has  been  closely  associated  with 
local  interests  throughout  his  long  period  of 
residence  there,  and  has  done  his  full  share  in 
starting  and  supporting  movements  for  the 
general  welfare  and  advancement.  He  was 
born  in  that  part  of  the  county,  in  South  ^la- 
honing  township,  son  of  David  and  Margaret 
(Lytle)  Morrow,  and  grandson  of  John  Mor- 
row. 

John  Morrow  was  a  native  of  County  Down, 
Ireland.  In  1812  he  came  to  Indiana  county, 
Pa.,  where  he  settled  at  West  Lebanon,  in 
Young  township,  later  in  life  removing  to 
Armstrong  coiuity,  where  he  died.  He  was 
an  ardent  Presbyterian.  He  married  Mar- 
garet Gillespie,  and  their  children  were :  An- 
drew, who  married  Mary  Cochrane  and  after 
her  death  Isabella  Rankin ;  James,  who  mar- 
ried ]\Iary  Meaner;  William  who  married 
Martha  Hutchinson;  Martha,  who  mar- 
ried John  Marshall  and  survived  him;  Eliza- 
beth, wife  of  Abel  Stewart ;  John,  who  married 
Margaret  Gibson ;  Margaret,  who  mai'ried 
Thomas  Ormand ;  Nancy,  who  married  Samuel 
Lytle;  Wilson,  who  married  Jlargaret  Stu- 
chel ;  and  David.  Mai-tha  and  Elizabeth  were 
the  last  two  survivors  of  the  family. 

Dr.  Morrow's  maternal  grandfather,  Robert 
Lj-tle.  was  born  at  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  April 
9,  1779,  and  died  in  West  ^lahoning  township, 
Indiana  county.  May  4,  1867.  His  wife  died 
April  9,  1864.     He  came  to  West  Mahoning 


township,  where  he  became  a  large  land 
holder.  He  was  an  elder  in  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church.  He  was  connected  with 
the  ' '  underground  railroad ' '  and  helped  many 
slaves  to  reach  Canada.  He  married  a  Miss 
Lytle  (no  relation)  and  their  children  were: 
William,  who  married  Sarah  Reed ;  Elizabeth ; 
Robert,  who  married  Eliza  Smith  (one  of  Rob- 
ert's sons  became  a  missionary  in  India)  ;  Al- 
exander, who  married  Mary  Smith ;  John,  who 
married  Lovina  Reed;  Samuel,  who  married 
Nancy  Morrow;  Thomas,  who  married  Rachel 
Miller;  Sarah,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of 
John  S.  Marshall;  Mary,  who  died  in  her  sec- 
ond year ;  Margaret,  Sirs.  David  ilorrow ;  Ke- 
turah,  who  mai-ried  Thomas  Watt ;  and  jnne. 

David  Morrow  was  born  in  1807  and  died 
Jan.  6,  1852,  in  South  Mahoning  township. 
He  lived  for  several  years  with  Rev.  John 
Hyndman,  who  gave  him  a  good  education, 
and  he  taught  school  for  several  terms.  Pur- 
chasing a  farm  he  resided  there  until  his 
death.  Politically  he  was  a  Wliig  and  aboli- 
tionist, and  took  an  active  part  in  political  af- 
fairs, seiwing  a  term  of  five  years  as  justice 
of  the  peace,  to  which  office  he  was  reelected. 
He  was  a  United  Presbyterian  in  religion.  He 
married  Margaret  Lytle,  and  their  children 
were:  Jane;  Catherine,  wife  of  Jesse  Wil- 
liamson ;  Robert,  deceased ;  Thomas,  who  mar- 
ried Nancy  Stewart ;  Dr.  John  W. ;  and  David, 
now  field  manager  of  the  middle  division  for 
the  South  Penn  Oil  Company,  embracing  the 
counties  of  Allegheny,  Beaver,  Butler,  and 
Venango,  who  married  Clara  Cochrane.  Af- 
ter her  husband's  death  Mrs.  Margaret  ]Mor- 
row  married  John  D.  Laney,  whom  she  sur- 
\-ived  over  twenty  years,  returning  to  the 
home  farm  and  living  for  a  number  of  yeai-s 
with  her  son  Thomas.  From  July  3,  1906,  she 
made  her  home  with  her  daughter  Jane  and 
her  younser  sister  on  the  farm  of  her  son  Dr. 
John  W.^Morrow,  dying  Jan.  5,  1909,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-seven  yeai-s,  the  last  sur\'ivor  of 
her  father's  family  of  twelve  children.  She 
was  buried  at  Plumville.  in  the  Beracha  ceme- 
tery, beside  her  first  husband,  her  funeral  ser- 
vices being  conducted  by  Rev.  R.  I\IcGill.  of 
Homer  City.  Five  of  the  children  of  her 
union  with  Mr.  Morrow  survive,  as  well  as  six 
grandchildren  and  six  great-grandchildren. 

John  W.  Morrow  obtained  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools.  He  worked  as  an 
oil  well  driller  and  taught  school  for  several 
terms  to  secure  the  means  to  attend  Dayton 
Academy,  one  at  Perrys%'ille,  Jeffereon  county, 
one  in  South  Mahoning  to\\-nship,  Indiana 
county,  and  two  in  Armstrong  township,  this 


Jl<r^Pl^-v-^ 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1057 


county.  For  two  years  he  read  medicine  with 
Dr.  Christopher  McEwen,  of  Plumville,  and 
in  1871  entered  Jefferson  Medical  College, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  March  11,  1874. 
He  had  returned  to  Indiana  count.y  after  his 
first  term  there  and  practiced  for  eighteen 
months  at  Marchand,  going  back  to  school 
Sept.  8,  1873.  After  graduation  he  returned 
to  Marchand,  where  he  has  since  practiced 
with  the  exception  of  his  periods  of  service  in 
the  Pennsylvania  Legislature. 

He  is  a  Republican  and  in  1890  was  nomi- 
nated and  elected  as  the  candidate  of  his 
party,  for  the  Legislature,  by  a  majority  of 
nine  hundred  over  his  closest  competitor.  He 
served  in  the  session  of  1891,  and  again  in 
1897,  having  been  reelected  in  1896.  During 
his  last  term,  in  1897,  he  was  elected  chairman 
of  the  committee  on  Public  Health  and  Sani- 
tation. He  made  the  last  speech  in  the  legis- 
lative chamber  of  the  old  State  capitol  at 
Harrisburg  while  the  roof  was  burning,  and 
shortly  after  he  had  finished  the  roll  was  called 
and  the  Legislature  was  dismissed ;  the  build- 
ing was  destroyed. 

Dr.  Morrow  has  acquired  various  interests 
in  his  home  locality.  He  owns  much  valuable 
real  estate  in  the  village,  which  he  bought  from 
the  late  Hon.  T.  B.  Allison,  and  has  about 
three  hundred  acres  of  farm  land  ad.ioining 
Marchand,  underlaid  with  coking  coal  and 
situated  in  a  productive  gas  belt.  From  1886 
to  1890  he  was  engaged  in  a  general  mercan- 
tile and  drug  business  in  partnership  with  Dr. 
W.  C.  Brown.  He  has  been  particularly  zeal- 
ous in  helping  forward  the  cause  of  ]iublie 
education  in  his  section,  and  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  ]\Iarchand  Normal  Academy, 
giving  his  time  and  efforts  withoiit  stint  to  its 
promotion  and  maintenance.  When  j\Iarch- 
and  held  its  Home  Coming  celebration,  on 
Aug.  23,  24,  25,  26,  1905,  he  was  president  of 
the  executive  committee,  and  made  the  open- 
ing address.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  has  held  the  office 
of  elder. 

DANIEL  ENDREWS  RISINGER,  farmer 
of  Center  townsliip,  Indiana  county,  is  secre- 
tary of  the  school  board  of  that  township  and 
one  of  the  most  respected  residents  of  his  dis- 
trict. He  was  born  there  Feb.  26.  1856,  on 
the  home  farm  of  his  parents,  John  and  Mary 
(Hess)  Risinger,  and  is  a  grandson  of  Daniel 
Risinger,  whose  father,  John  Henrich  Ris- 
inger, founded  the  family  in  Indiana  county. 
He  is  descended  from  Hans  Nicklaus  Risinger, 
the  emigrant,  through  John  Peter  Risinger, 


John  Henrich  Risinger,  Daniel  Risinger  and 
John  Risinger.  A  full  account  of  the  earlier 
generations  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this 
work. 

Daniel  Risinger  was  boi-n  in  York  county, 
Pa.,  and  coming  west  with  his  family  to  In- 
diana county  settled  in  Brushvalley  township, 
where  he  acquired  land  and  followed  farming. 
He  was  among  the  first  settlers  in  his  section, 
and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  there,  dy- 
ing in  the  early  fifties.  He  is  buried  in  the 
Fry  cemetery  at  IMechanicsburg.  In  religious 
connection  he  was  a  member  of  the  Evangelical 
Association.  He  married  Susanna  Andrews, 
by  whom  he  had  four  children :  John ; 
George,  who  settled  in  West  Virginia ;  Jacob, 
a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  who  died  in  Brush- 
valley  ;  and  a  child  that  died  young. 

John  Risinger,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born  on 
the  family  farm  in  Brushvalley  township,  and 
there  attended  public  school.  He  worked  at 
home  until  he  reached  manhood,  when  he  set- 
tled in  Center  township,  on  a  tract  of  136  acres 
which  he  improved  notably,  making  a  perma- 
nent home  there.  He  followed  general  farm- 
ing. He  associated  with  the  Republican  party 
in  polities,  and  though  he  did  not  aspire  to  of- 
fice served  as  school  director,  displaying  a 
public-spirited  interest  in  the  general  welfare 
which  proclaimed  him  a  good  citizen.  In  his 
religious  views  he  was  liberal.  His  wife,  Mary 
(Hess),  was  born  in  York  county,  Pa.,  daugh- 
ter of  Michael  Hess,  and  died  on  the  farm 
Jan.  5,  1907,  aged  eighty-four  years.  Mr. 
Risinger  long  preceded  her,  his  death  occur- 
ring April  3,  1871,  on  the  farm.  They  are 
buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery,  at  Indiana. 
Mrs.  Risinger  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.  They  were  the  parents  of  children 
as  follows:  Susanna,  who  married  Edward 
Chesley  and  (second)  Archibald  Smitten,  and 
is  now  a  widow,  residing  in  Indiana,  Pa. ; 
Elizabeth,  who  is  married  to  Samuel  Stewart, 
of  Center  township ;  Catherine,  wife  of  Joseph 
C.  Long,  of  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Michael  Hess ;  Dan- 
iel Endrews:  Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  S.  Phil- 
lips, of  North  Homer;  and  Nancy,  married  to 
James  B.  Grover,  of  Homer  City,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Daniel  Endrews  Risinger,  son  of  John,  grew 
lip  on  the  home  farm  in  Center  township  and 
received  his  education  in  the  local  public 
schools.  General  farming  has  been  his  life 
work.  From  early  boyhood  he  worked  on  the 
farm  for  his  parents,  and  for  a  number  of 
years  he  has  been  operating  the  homestead 
place  on  his  own  account,  at  present,  however, 
having  only  the  seventy-acre  part  lying  east 


105S 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  the  Twoliek  creek.  The  balance  of  tlie 
property  has  been  sold  to  the  Rochester  Pitts- 
burg Coal  &  Coke  Company.  Mr.  Risinger  is 
a  thrifty  and  entei-prising  agi-ieulturist,  but 
though  "he  takes  the  deepest  interest  in  his 
home  and  family  has  also  found  time  for  pub- 
lic service,  having  been  first  elected  school  di- 
rector of  Center  township  in  1903.  since  when 
he  has  served  continuously  as  a  member  of 
the  school  board,  of  which  he  is  now  secretary. 
He  has  never  sought  office,  and  though  a  sin- 
cere Republican  has  not  been  active  in  the 
work  of  the  party  beyond  casting  his  ballot. 
He  is  a  member  and  trustee  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  and  a  strong  advocate  of  temperance. 
Jlr.  Risinger  was  married  Feb.  9,  1887,  to 
Hannah  E.  Robinson,  who  was  born  near  Lon- 
don, England,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
(Cunningham")  Robinson.  They  have  had  six 
children,  born  as  follows:  ]\Iyrtle.  June  25, 
1888 :  Olive  Mav,  Oct.  4.  1890 ;  Florence  Es- 
tella,  Jan.  5,  1893:  Bertha  Virginia,  May  3, 
1896:  John  Anthony,  April  12,  1900;  and 
Daniel  Ernest,  May  30.  1905. 

SIMON  ANTHONY,  .iustice  of  the  peace 
and  burgess  of  Jacksonville,  Indiana  county, 
was  for  a  short  time  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  there  and  is  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial and  highly  esteemed  residents  of  that 
place.  He  is  a  native  of  Armstrong  county. 
Pa.,  born  March  29,  1849.  son  of  John  An- 
thony and  grandson  of  John  Anthony.  The 
latter  came  from  Scotland,  and  according  to 
family  tradition  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  He  settled  in  Armstrong  county. 
Pa.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  his 
death.  He  had  a  family  of  six  children,  three 
sons  and  three  daughters. 

John  Anthony,  father  of  Simon  Anthony, 
was  born  in  Armstrong  county,  and  there 
made  his  home,  near  Elderton.  He  died  while 
still  in  his  prime,  in  1855,  and  is  buried  at 
Elderton,  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  His  wife  was  Phoebe  Small, 
of  Armstrong  county,  daughter  of  John  Smail. 
and  they  had  four  children:  Elizabeth,  who 
married  George  Harmon,  of  Washington 
township.  Indiana  county:  Simon;  Margaret, 
who  died  young :  and  William,  who  died  when 
twelve  years  old,  ]\Irs.  Anthony  married  for 
her  second  husband  Jacob  Helman.  and  she 
died  in  1878  in  Washington  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  where  she  is  buried,  in  the  Center 
Church   cemetery. 

Simon  Anthony  was  but  six  years  old  when 
his  father  died.  At  that  time  he  was  bound 
out  to  Oeorge  Pover.  at  Elderton.  Armstrong 


county,  the  agreement  being  that  he  was  to 
remain  with  him  until  his  ma.jority,  and  to  re- 
ceive his  board  and  clothing.  He  had  few  edu- 
cational privileges,  attending  school  only  a 
few  months  in  the  year,  and  he  worked  hard 
from  early  boyhood  helping  with  the  farm 
labors.  When  he  was  fifteen  he  ran  away 
from  his  master,  .joining  his  mother  and  step- 
father in  Washington  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  he  worked  for  Mr.  Helman  as 
long  as  the  latter  lived,  after  which  he  con- 
tinued with  his  mother,  caring  for  her  in  her 
declining  years.  She  died  while  living  with 
him,  and  lie  remained  on  the  farm  in  Wash- 
ington township,  a  tract  of  135  acres,  a  short 
time  afterward,  operating  it  until  1879,  when 
he  sold  to  George  Parker.  He  had  made  nu- 
merous improvements  on  the  place,  putting  up 
a  house,  barn  and  other  buildings,  and  brought 
it  into  excellent  condition.  He  then  bought 
the  Conway  farm,  in  White  township,  tliis 
county,  a  property  of  seventy-three  acres 
where  for  fifteen  years  he  was  engaged  in  gen- 
eral agriculture  and  stock  raising,  selling  it  in 
1894  and  buying  the  old  Wilson  farm  in  Cen- 
ter township.  That  place  comprised  102  acres 
and  he  carried  on  farming  and  stock  raising 
there  for  six  years,  in  1901  selling  it  and 
removing  to  the  borough  of  Indiana.  There 
he  built  a  home  on  Main  street  and  lived  for 
three  years,  during  which  he  was  engaged  in 
various  kinds  of  work.  Returning  to  Center 
to'miship  he  bought  the  Lytle  farm  of  152 
acres  near  Center  Church,  upon  which  he 
made  his  home  for  the  next  six  years,  follow- 
ing general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He 
exchanged  this  place  for  a  general  store  prop- 
erty at  Jacksonville,  trading  with  R.  H.  Cun- 
ningham, of  that  place,  and  moving  to  the 
town  conducted  the  store  for  a  time.  On  Feb. 
14.  1907,  he  sold  it  to  R.  M.  Stewart,  and  has 
since  been  retired  from  business  activities. 
Mr.  Anthony  still  owns  a  farm,  having  a  tract 
of  100  acres  in  Blacklick  township  which  he 
has  improved  considerably  and  which  he  rents. 
All  his  life  he  has  been  a  hard  worker,  and 
the  success  which  has  come  to  him  has  been 
well  deserved.  He  has  been  enterprising  and 
industrious,  has  been  an  advocate  of  improved 
methods  of  work  in  his  line  and  has  adopted 
them  with  profit,  and  has  been  recognized 
wherever  he  lived  as  an  intelligent  citizen  who 
would  be  valuable  to  any  community.  He  was 
elected  school  director  in  Wliite  and  Center 
townships,  was  supervisor  of  Wliite  township 
some  years,  and  in  1909  was  elected  .iustice 
of  the  peace  at  Jacksonville,  holding  that  of- 
fice at  present.     Originally  a  Republican  in 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1059 


his  political  views,  he  now  gives  his  support 
to  the  Prohibition  party.  He  has  acted  as 
clerk  of  the  election  board  at  Jacksonville, 
Pa.,  and  in  the  spring  of  1911  was  elected 
burgess  of  the  borough.  Mr.  Anthony  has 
been  an  interested  church  worker,  belonging 
to  the  M.  E.  Church,  which  he  serves  as  class 
leader.  He  is  also  a  Sunday  school  teacher, 
and  for  twenty-two  years  held  the  position 
of  Sunday  school  superintendent. 

In  1879  Mr.  Anthony  married  Keziah 
Lewis,  a  native  of  Green  township,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  John  Lewis,  and  to  them 
were  born  five  children:  Cora,  who  is  de- 
ceased; Pearl,  deceased;  Jesse,  at  home;  Ira 
6.,  who  lives  in  Kansas;  and  Gladys,  who  was 
married  Aug.  28,  1912,  to  Alexander  Graham. 
Mrs.  Keziah  (Lewis)  Anthony  died  Nov.  6. 
1902,  and  on  Oct.  7.  1903,.  Mr.  Anthony  mar- 
ried (second)  Emma  Iseman,  daughter  of 
Peter  and  Barbara  (Jones)  Iseman.  There 
are  no  children  by  this  union. 

JAMES  DUNCAN  McKALIP,  dealer  in 
live  stock  and  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  re- 
siding at  No.  725  School  street,  Indiana,  Pa., 
was  born  at  New  Salem  Cross  Roads,  now 
Delmont,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa..  March  3, 
1842,  and  is  a  sou  of  James  M.  and  Eliza 
(Clark)   McKalip. 

James  McKalip,  the  grandfather  of  James 
Duncan  McKalip,  was  a  farmer  in  Salem 
township,  Westmoreland  county,  and  died 
there  in  1864,  when  seventy  years  of  age.  He 
and  his  wife,  who  was  a  Miss  Hunter,  and 
who  died  some  time  previous  to  the  death  of 
her  husband,  were  faithful  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  They  had  the  follow- 
ing children :  Matthew,  who  died  in  West- 
moreland county,  married  Elizabeth  Cham- 
bers; Robert,  who  died  in  the  same  county, 
married  Sarah  McElroy ;  John,  who  died  in 
the  same  county,  married  Mary  George ;  James 
M.  is  mentioned  below ;  Martha,  wife  of  Sam- 
uel Carpenter,  died  in  Westmoreland  county. 

James  M.  McKalip,  son  of  James,  and  father 
of  James  Duncan  McKalip,  was  born  on  the 
home  farm  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa., 
and  as  a  youth  learned  the  trade  of  cab- 
inetmaker, becoming  an  expert  in  his  line  and 
noted  for  his  skill  in  making  all  kinds  of 
furniture  and  coffins.  He  established  him- 
self in  business  at  Delmont  and  continued 
there  until  his  death,  in  1860.  He  was  a  great 
abolitionist  at  a  time  when  the  country  was 
in  a  furore  over  the  impending  struggle  be- 
tween the  States,  but  did  not  live  to  see  the 
curse    of   slavery   abolished.      His    wife    siir- 


vived  him  many  years,  passing  away  in  1902, 
when  she  had  reached  the  advanced  age  of 
eight.y-six.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  James,  who  died  when  six- 
teen years  of  age ;  Margaret,  who  married 
Alexander  Keppel,  of  East  Liberty;  James 
Duncan ;  John  Hunter,  who  served  three  years 
in  the  Civil  war,  now  a  resident  of  Rew,  Mc- 
Kean  county  (married  Looma  Iseman)  ;  Sam- 
uel, residing  at  Tiona,  Warren  county ;  Hiram, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years;. 
Agnes,  who  married  George  Mortz,  of  Del- 
mont, Pa. ;  Elizabeth,  unmarried  and  residing 
on  the  old  homestead;  and  Clarke,  of  Pitts- 
field.  Mass.,  who  married  Missouri  Masemore. 

James  Duncan  McKalip  spent  his  youth  and 
young  manhood  at  Delmont,  attending  the 
public  school  and  academy  there,  under  Rev. 
Mr.  Jackson.  He  then  learned  the  trade  of 
house  painter,  which  he  followed  in  Delmont 
until  the  death  of  his  father,  in  1860,  at  which 
time  he  went  to  Satsburg.  The  outbreak  of 
the  Civil  war  found  him  working  at  his  trade 
at  that  place,  whence  he  enlisted  July  15, 
1864,  to  serve  one  hundred  days,  and  received 
his  honorable  discharge  Nov.  14,  1864,  by  rea- 
son of  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service. 
He  was  a  corporal  under  Capt.  J.  K.  Weaver, 
1st  Battalion,  Pa.  Vol.  Inf.,  stationed  during: 
most  of  the  time  at  Cove  Gap,  in  Franklin 
county.  On  his  return,  Mr.  McKalip  located 
in  the  coal  fields  of  Rouseville,  Venango 
eountj%  where  he  did  carpenter  work  for  a 
time,  subsequently  removing  to  Tarentum,  Al- 
legheny county,  where  he  followed  his  trade. 
In  1867  he  came  to  Indiana,  where  he  has  re- 
sided to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  IMcKalip  was  married  in  this  borough, 
Dec.  29,  1869,  to  Mary  E.  Gibson,  of  Indiana, 
daughter  of  James  and  Eleanor  (Bruce)  Gib- 
son, and  in  1870  they  moved  into  their  pres- 
ent home.  Mr.  McKalip  followed  the  trade 
of  house  painter  until  1875,  at  which  time  he 
turned  his  attention  to  dealing  in  stock,  and 
to  that  he  has  bent  his  activities  ever  since. 
He  and_  his  wife  are  faithful  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  A  stanch  Democrat  in 
his  political  views,  Mr.  McKalip  was  appointed 
by  Judge  Harry  Wlaite  to  complete  the  un- 
expired tenn  of  Jerry  Wakefield  in  the  ofSce 
of  county  commissioner.  He  is  interested  in 
fraternal  work,  and  has  numerous  warm 
friends  in  Indiana  Lodge,  No.  313,  F.  &.  A.  M. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McKalip  have  been  born 
the  following  childi'en  :  Clarke  C,  residing  in 
Pittsbiirg,  married  Nannie  McAdoo.  and  has 
two  children,  James  C.  and  Clarke  R..;  Harry 
iStewart,  a  mining  engineer  of  Coalwood,  W. 


1060 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Va.,  married  Ruth  Rogers,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren, Gordon  Bruce  and  Dorothy  Eleanor; 
Walter  Brown,  who  is  with  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  System,  as  an  extra  agent,  is  un- 
married. 

Mrs.  McKalip  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Cen- 
ter township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  April  25, 
1846,  and  was  one  year  old  when  her  father 
moved  to  Indiana,  where  she  attended  the 
public  schools  and  the  normal  scljool,  being 
taught  by  Professor  Westlake.  James  Gib- 
son, her  father,  was  born  in  Indiana  county, 
and  was  a  farmer  and  tanner,  owning  a  shop 
in  Center  township.  He  died  in  1872,  and 
his  wife  Eleanor  in  1887.  By  his  first  mar- 
riage to  JMartha  Gamble,  who  died  many  years 
ago,  he  had  a  family  of  fourteen  children. 
Mrs.  McKalip  and  her  sister  Elizabeth  were 
the  only  children  bom  to  the  second  union. 

HUDSON  ROWLAND  GRUMBLING,  gen- 
eral merchant  of  Homer  City,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  Aug.  11,  1872,  at  Mechanicsburg,  in 
Brushvalley  township,  this  county,  sou  of  Dan- 
iel Grumbling. 

The  Grumbling  family  is  of  French  origin, 
and  the  name  was  formerly  spelled  Crum- 
ling.  George  Crumling  or  Grumbling,  the 
founder  of  the  family  in  this  country,  was 
born  on  the  river  Rhine,  between  Germany 
and  France,  and  was  only  a  youth  of  sixteen 
when  he  joined  General  LaFayette  and 
crossed  the  Atlantic  to  aid  the  Colonies  in 
their  fight  for  independence.  He  was  at  the 
battle  of  Yorktown.  After  the  Revolution  he 
settled  in  York  county,  Pa.,  in  Codorus  town- 
ship, where  he  followed  farming  as  well  as  his 
trade  of  millwright.  Later  he  came  with  his 
family  to  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  settling  in 
Brushvalley  township,  where  he  also  worked 
at  his  trade,  and  there  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  He  died  in  that  township  and  was 
buried  there.  He  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church.  His  first  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Wallace,  died  in  Codoras 
township.  York  county,  and  he  subsequently 
remarried.  By  the  first  union  there  were  two 
children,  John  and  Catherine.  To  the  second 
were  born:  Michael,  who  settled  in  York 
county;  Jacob,  who  died  in  Cambria  county. 
Pa.;  "Christley,  who  died  in  Brushvalley; 
Adam;  Jonathan;  and  Lydia,  who  married 
John  Falkner. 

Adam  Grumbling,  son  of  George,  was  born 
:\ray  in.  I8OO,  in  Brushvalley  township,  where 
he  grew  fo  manhood.  He  followed  the  trade 
of  millwright,  and  also  owned  a  mill  in  Brush- 
valley which  he  operated  ;  for  a  time  he  owned 


and  operated  a  mill  in  Minersville,  Cambria 
county,  later  retui-ning  to  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, where  he  died  in  the  prime  of  manhood, 
in  May,  1849.  He  was  buried  in  Brashvalley. 
Mr.  Grumbling  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church  there,  and  helped  to  build 
its  house  of  worship.  He  married  Jlary 
Overdorff,  who  was  born  Jan.  12,  1802,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  Overdorff,  and  member  of  a 
pioneer  family  of  Brushvalley  township,  and 
they  had  a  family  of  six  children :  George, 
who  died  in  Cambria  county ;  Jacob,  a  soldier 
of  the  Civil  war,  who  died  in  1866 ;  William, 
also  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war,  now  living  at 
Pitcairn,  Pa. ;  Adam,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
wai-,  now  living  in  Brushvalley;  Catherine 
Ann,  who  died  in  1859 ;  and  Daniel.  Mrs. 
Grumbling  remarried,  her  second  husband  be- 
ing James  Peddicord,  and  she  died  March  26, 
1889,  aged  eighty-seven  years.  She  was 
originally  a  member  of  the  Evangelical 
Church,  but  later  joined  the  United  Brethren. 
Daniel  Grumbling,  son  of  Adam,  was  born 
Sept.  21,  1848,  in  Minersville,  Cambria  Co.. 
Pa.,  and  was  only, an  infant  when  brought  to 
Brushvalley,  where  he  was  reared.  He  at- 
tended common  school  in  the  township  and 
also  went  to  the  academy  at  Mechanicsburg. 
Prom  early  boyhood  until  he  reached  man- 
hood he  was  occupied  at  fai-m  work,  and  then 
started  to  learn  the  trade  of  blacksmith  with 
his  brother  Jacob,  finishing  his  apprenticeship 
with  James  McDonald.  For  some  time  he 
worked  as  a  journeyman  at  home  and  in  var- 
ious other  parts  of  Indiana  county,  and  also 
at  Jersey  Shore,  Lycoming  Co.,  Pa.,  and  after 
commencing  business  on  his  owti  account  was 
alone  until  1868,  when  he  became  associated 
with  his  brother  William  under  the  name  of 
Grumbling  Brothers.  Later  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  William  Adams,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Adams  &  Grumbling,  and  they 
were  together  for  several  yeare.  after  which 
Mr.  Grumbling  conducted  the  business  him- 
self until  1878.  when  he  sold  out  and  bought 
a  farm  of  115  acres  in  Brushvalley.  He 
erected  a  shop  on  that  place  and  continued  to 
follow  his  trade  in  connection  with  farming 
and  stock  raising  until  1896.  when  he  removed 
to  Homer  City,  in  which  borough  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  He  engaged  in  the  retail 
meat  business  until  1911,  when  he  sold  out.  at 
present  living  retired.  He  still  owns  his  home- 
stead farm  in  Brushvalley  township.  The 
only  responsibility  he  carries  at  present  is  the 
janitorship  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  held 
township  offices  for  a  number  of  years,  serv- 
ing as  school  director,  overseer  of  the  poor. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1061 


township  treasurer  and  supervisor.  In  pol- 
itics he  is  a  Republican,  in  religious  connec- 
tion a  member  of  the  ]\I.  E.  Church. 

On  March  8,  1871,  ilr.  Grumbling  married 
Harriet  Rowland,  daughter  of  John  Rowland, 
of  Brushvalley,  and  they  have  had  one  child, 
Hudson  Rowland  Grumbling. 

Hudson  Rowland  Grumbling  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  at  Mechanicsburg 
Academy,  partly  under  Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart 
and  partly  imder  Prof.  H.  P.  Lytic.  After 
leaving  school  he  returned  to  the  homestead, 
continuing  to  assist  his  father  with  the  farm 
work  until  he  started  out  to  make  his  own 
way  in  the  world.  Not  caring  for  agricultural 
life  he  went  to  Johnstown,  Pa.,  and  found 
work  in  the  rolling  mills,  being  thus  engaged 
for  a  period  of  eighteen  months.  He  next 
went  to  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed by  a  traction  company  twa  years,  after 
which  he  went  to  McKeesport.  Pa.,  and  en- 
tered the  employ  of  J.  G.  McCrory,  the  well- 
known  5-  and  l6-cent  store  owner,  with  whom 
he  remained  one  year.  His  next  location  was 
at  South  Fork.  Pa.,  where  he  became  estab- 
lished in  business  on  his  own  account  and 
sta.yed  two  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  com- 
ing to  Homer  City.  Here  he  has  ever  since 
carried  on  a  general  merchandise  store,  hav- 
ing a  thriving  Imsiness.  He  has  erected  a 
store  and  dwelling  house  near  the  Homer  City 
National  Bank.  .Mr.  Grumbling  is  noted  for 
honorable  dealing,  and  the  courteous  treat- 
ment accorded  all  his  patrons  has  brought  him 
a  large  trade,  which  he  endeavore  to  hold  by 
satisfactory  service  and  good  values. 

Mr.  Gnimbling  is  at  present  serving  as 
school  director  of  the  borough  of  Homer  City, 
being  partieularl.y  interested  in  the  welfare  of 
the  public  schools.  He  is  progressive  and 
public-spirited  in  all  things  pertaining  to  the 
general  good.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican, 
and  socially  he  belongs  to  the  I.  0.  0.  P. 
(Homer  City  Lodge)  and  Knights  of  the 
Golden  Epgle. 

Mr.  Grumbling  was  married  in  Brushvalley 
township  to  Cora  May  Snyder,  who  was  born 
June  9,  1875,  daughter  of  D.  L.  Snyder,  a 
well-known  merchant  of  Homer  City,  men- 
tioned elsewhere.  Mrs.  Grumbling  was  a 
pupil  in  the  academy  at  Mechanicsburg,  in 
Brushvalley  township,  under  Prof.  J.  T.  Stew- 
art for  a  time,  and  before  her  marriage  taught 
several  terms  in  her  home  township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Grumbling  have  had  two  children: 
Tersa  H.,  born  Feb.  27,  1897,  now  a  student  in 
the  State  normal  school  at  Indiana,  Pa. ;  and 
Hudson  Virgil  D.,  born  Nov.  10,  1908.     Mr. 


and   Jlrs.    Grumbling    are    members   of    the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Homer  City. 

JOHN  L.  NEAL,  one  of  the  well  and  fav- 
orably known  farmer  citizens  of  East  Mahon- 
ing township,  Indiana  county,  belongs  to  a 
family  of  German  extraction  which  has  been 
settled  in  Pennsylvania  for  six  generations. 
He  is  a  native  of  Armstrong  county,  this 
State,  born  July  16,  1845,  in  Cowanshannock 
township,  where  his  parents,  William  Hunter 
and  Elizabeth  (Stutchel)  Neal,  lived  for 
some  years. 

Smith  Neal,  the  founder  of  this  family  in 
western  Pennsylvania,  was  a  native  of  Car- 
lisle, Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  born  about  1T66, 
son  of  Henry  Neal,  who  came  from  Germany. 
Although  only  a  boy  while  the  Revolutionary 
war  was  in  progress  Smith  Neal  enlisted,  to- 
ward the  close  of  that  memorable  struggle, 
but  he  had  been  in  the  service  only  one  day 
when  peace  was  declared,  giving  the  Colonies 
the  freedom  for  which  so  many  lives  had  been 
sacrificed.  Later  he  came  west,  and  for  sev- 
eral seasons  was  engaged  on  keel  boats  on  the 
Juniata  river,  and  he  was  at  Pittsburg  when 
that  place  consisted  of  but  a  few  houses. 
Afterward  he  settled  in  Armstrong  county, 
where  he  was  among  the  early  pioneers,  mak- 
ing his  home  in  what  is  now  Cowanshannock 
township,  where  he  lived  to  a  great  old  age. 
He  died  there  in  1865,  in  his  one  hundredth 
year,  living  to  see  the  successful  terudnation 
of  four  wars  undertaken  by  his  country,  and 
himself  taking  part  in  the  war  of  1812.  He 
was  a  man  of  great  enterprise  and  industrious 
habits.  Besides  following  farming,  he  built  a 
gristmill  on  the  Cowanshannock  in  1836,  and 
he  made  coffins  out  of  sycamore  trees,  Rewed 
with  a  broadaxe,  stained  with  red  alder  and 
cherry,  and  polished  witli  beeswax.  A  num- 
ber of  times  he  had  to  travel  the  fifty  miles 
to  Pittsburg  to  get  a  doctor.  His  brothers 
John  and  William  also  came  to  western  Penn- 
sylvania, the  former  locating  in  Butler  county, 
the  latter  in  Allegheny  county.  Smith  Neal 
married  Sarah  Cochran,  who  died  on  the  farm 
in  Cowanshannock  township  in  1863,  when 
eighty-six  years  old. 

Robert  Neal,  son  of  Smith,  born  about  1798 
in  Armstrong  county,  settled  in  Slippery 
Rock  township,  Butler  county,  where  he  fol- 
lowed farming  for  years.  Later  in  life  he 
returned  to  his  native  county,  locating  in 
Plumcreek  township,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits  the  balance  of  his 
life,  dying  there  in  1862,  when  sixty-four 
yeai-s  old.    Lie  was  a  good  man  in  all  the  rela- 


1062 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


tions  of  life,  iu  religious  assoeiatiou  a  member 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  His  wife, 
Sarah  (Love),  died  in  1857,  at  the  age  of 
sixty.  Six  children  were  born  to  them : 
Smith,  who  married  JIargaret  Sloan  and  (sec- 
ond) Caroline  Jewell;  William  Hunter,  men- 
tioned below ;  Mary ;  Rosetta  P.,  who  mari-ied 
Thomas  Marehall;  Alexander;  and  Mary  -U, 
who  mai-ried  James  Henegan, 

William  Hunter  Neal,  son  of  Robert,  was 
born  Sept.  14,  1823,  in  Slippery  Rock  town- 
ship, Butler  'Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  attended  public 
school.  He  moved  mth  his  parents  to  Arm- 
strong county,  following  farming  there  in 
Cowanshannoek  township  until  1852.  in  which 
j'ear  he  came  to  Indiana  county.  He  located 
on  a  tract  of  woodland  in  East  ]\Iahoning 
township  and  built  a  log  cabin  for  himself  and 
family,  and  with  the  aid  of  his  sons  succeeded 
in  clearing  up  his  land,  where  he  followed 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Later  he 
erected  a  larger  house  and  bam,  and  by  dint 
of  industrj'  he  prospered  steadily  and  became 
one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  the  township, 
which  he  served  offlcially  as  supervisor,  school 
director  and  overseer  of  the  poor,  having  the 
confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens  throughout 
the  locality.  He  died  on  the  farm  Feb.  23, 
1892.  and  was  buried  in  the  JIahoning  Church 
cemetery.  His  religious  connection  was  with 
the  United  Presbyterian  denomination.  In 
politics  he  was  originally  a  Wliig,  later  join- 
ing the  Republican  party. 

Mr.  Neal's  first  marriage  was  to  Elizabeth 
Stutchel,  who  was  bom  March  11,  1823,  iu 
Plumcreek  township,  Armstrong  county, 
daughter  of  John  Stutchel,  and  died  on  the 
farm  Feb.  11.  1878.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  buried 
in  the  Mahoning  Church  cemetery.  Five  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  marriage :  John  L.  is 
mentioned  below.  Rebecca  L.,  born  Nov.  28, 
1847,  was  married  May  5.  1868,  to  Joseph  Wil- 
son, and  resides  at  Plumville,  Indiana  county. 
Sarah  E.,  bom  Sept.  19,  1850,  married  April 
11,  1876,  William  Alexander  Hamilton,  and 
resides  in  South  Mahoning  township.  Robert 
S.,  born  Jan.  2,  1854,  was  an  engineer,  and 
died  Oct.  28,  1884.  being  killed  in  an  accident 
in  Kansas.  Thomas  Orraond.  born  Jan.  29, 
1860,  married  Rachel  Potts  Feb.  14.  1883,  and 
resides  in  Buffalo,  Kans,  On  July  28.  1879, 
Mr.  Neal  married  (second)  ilary  Harriet 
Barr.  who  was  bom  July  25,  1853,  and  sur- 
vives, making  her  home  in  Indiana,  Pa.  After 
Mr.  Neal's  death  she  became  tlie  wife  of  Wil- 
liam Iluft'man,  wlio  is  now  deceased.  Two 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  Neal's  second  mar- 


riage: Stella,  born  April  20.  1882,  married 
Mark  McMillen,  and  resides  at  Indiana,  Pa. ; 
William  Huntei-,  born  May  10,  1891,  also  re- 
sides at  Indiana. 

John  L.  Neal,  bom  July  16,  1845,  was  seven 
years  old  when  the  family  moved  to  Indiana 
county,  settling  in  East  Mahoning  townSihip. 
where  he  attended  'the  Stutchel  school.  He 
Avorked  at  home  until  nineteen  j-ears  old,  when 
in  July,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  1st 
Battalion,  for  one  hundred  days'  service, 
under  Colonel  Stewart  and  Captain  Wilson. 
He  served  his  term  and  reenlisted,  in  J.  K. 
Weaver's  infantry  company,  with  which  he 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  receiving 
his  discharge  at  Harrisburg  in  August.  1865. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  West  and 
while  there  worked  for  about  six  months  for 
an  Indian  chief.  Returning  home  he  con- 
tinued with  his  father  imtil  he  reached  the 
age  of  twenty-two  years,  when  he  received 
forty-one  acres  of  the  home  farm,  a  brush 
covered  tract  which  he  cleared  and  upon 
which  he  made  all  the  improvements.  Then 
he  traded  it  for  a  fifty-two-acre  ti-act.  the 
Bates  farm,  on  which  he  built  a  house  and 
barn  and  made  other  improvements,  bringing 
the  land  iinder  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 
In  time  he  bought  part  of  the  old  home- 
stead, now  owning  120  acres,  all  in  good  con- 
dition and  well  improved,  and  he  carries  on 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  has 
worked  hard  all  his  life,  being  one  of  the  most 
industrious  of  men,  and  owes  all  he  has  to 
thi-ift  and  honorable  dealing.  His  neighbors 
recognize  his  ability  and  trustworthiness,  and 
have  intrusted  him  with  the  duties  of  several 
important  public  positions,  in  which  he  has 
served  faithfully,  having  been  a  member  and 
treasurer  of  the  board  of  school  directors,  and 
overseer  of  the  poor.  In  politics  he  has  always 
been  a  loyal  Republican. 

On  Jan.  25,  1868,  Jlr.  Neal  married  Ruth 
Annie  Horton,  who  was  born  at  Smithport, 
Indiana  county,  daughter  of  George  Horton. 
and  died  April  8.  1880;  she  was  buried  in 
Marion  Center  cemetery.  Mrs.  Neal  was  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  She  was  the 
mother  of  four  children:  IMary  E.,  born  in 
January,  1870,  married  Sherwood  Keslar,  of 
Rayne  township ;  Nora  A.,  born  April  28, 
1872.  married  A.  L.  Steffey  and  resides  in 
Dubois.  Pa. ;  Eliza  A.,  born  in  June,  1874, 
was  formerly  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools 
and  then  became  the  wife  of  William  C.  Grif- 
fith, druggist  of  Marion  Center,  and  died  Oct. 
1,  1906 ;  Osee  M.,  born  in  August.  1878,  mar- 
ried Joseph  ]\I.  White,  and  died  in  January, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1063 


1910.  In  May,  1882,  Air.  Neal  married  (sec- 
ond) Harriet  R.  Lee,  who  was  born  in  Bell 
township,  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of 
John  Fletcher  and  Jane  (Caldwell)  Lee,  and 
granddaughter  of  Rev.  Timothy  and  Eva 
(Snyder)  Lee,  the  former  a  minister  of  the 
M.  E.  Church  in  western  Pennsylvania.  Rev. 
Timothy  Lee  was  born  in  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  a 
descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of 
New  England.  Mrs.  Neal  is  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church.  Two  children  wei-e  born  to 
her  and  her  husband:  S.  Rose  and  Martha, 
the  latter  (born  in  October,  1895)  still  at 
school. 

Miss  S.  Rose  Neal,  born  in  February,  1886, 
received  her  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  East  Mahoning  township,  and  later 
attended  the  State  normal  school  at  Indiana, 
from  which  she  was  graduated  in  1908.  She 
has  taught  public  school  for  three  years,  hav- 
ing been  thus  engaged  at  Dubois,  Pa.,  but 
her  greatest  interest  has  been  in  dramatic 
work,  for  which  she  has  exceptional  ability. 
She  has  given  instructions  in  dramatic  art  at 
Dubois  and  in  different  sections  of  Indiana 
county,  among  the  plays  which  she  has  suc- 
cessfully staged  being  "In  the  Palace  of  the 
King,"  "The  Gilded  Fool,"  "Brown  of  Har- 
vard," "Our  Old  Eli,"  "The  Man  from 
Nevada,"  "His  Brother's  Keeper,"  "AVhen  a 
Man's  Single."  Miss  Neal  is.  a  successful 
elocution  teacher. 

NATHANIEL  COOK  SIMPSON,  agricul- 
turist and  stockman  at  ^Marion  Center,  and  a 
director  of  the  Marion  Center  National  Bank, 
was  born  in  East  Mahoning  township,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa.,  Jan.  9,  1848,  son  of  John  and 
Mary  Ann  (Hastings)  Simpson. 

James  Simpson,  the  first  of  the  family  in 
Pennsylvania,  was  born  about  1750,  of  Scot- 
tish extraction,  but  came  to  this  country  from 
the  North  of  Ireland,  in  1775.  He  first  lo- 
cated in  the  Path  valley,  in  Huntingdon 
county,  Pa.,  later  moving  to  Westmoreland 
county,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until 
1785-86.  Then  he  crossed  the  Conemaugh 
river,  locating  in  what  is  now  Cherryhill 
township,  Indiana  county,  in  which  section 
he  was  among  the  first  settlers.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Polly  Pollock,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  Charity, 
who  married  Thomas  Craven;  Robert,  who 
married  ilary  Shearer;  Margaret,  who  mar- 
ried Moses  Gamble;  Nathaniel,  who  married 
Catherine  Leasure ;  James,  who  married  Jane 
Shearer;  John,  who  married  Sarah  Kirk- 
patrick;  David,  who  married  Nancy  Coulter; 


Isaac,  who  married  Mary  Lewis;  and  Samuel, 
who  married  Phebe  Lewis. 

Nathaniel  Simpson,  son  of  James  Simpson, 
and  grandfather  of  Nathaniel  C,  Simpson,  was 
born  in  Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  Dec.  25,  1779. 
Subsequently  he  located  in  what  is  now  East 
Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county,  and  be- 
came an  extensive  farmer  and  land  owner, 
accumulating  about  one  thousand  acres.  He 
was  a  pioneer  of  that  section,  and  from  early 
manhood  worked  faithfully  to  make  a  home 
for  himself  and  his  family.  His  education  in 
boyhood  had  been  somewhat  limited,  and  as  a 
youth  he  lived  in  a  log  cabin  in  the  woods, 
and  he  died  while  in  the  midst  of  his  struggles 
to  clear  his  property,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four 
years.  He  was  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  at 
Gilgal  Church,  of  which  he  had  for  many 
yeai-s  been  a  member.  He  was  a  Whig  in  his 
political  views,  but  cared  nothing  for  public 
life,  being  content  to  round  out  his  career 
as  an  honest,  industrious  and  unassuming 
agriculturist.  Mr.  Simpson  married  Cathe- 
rine Leasure,  who  was  born  July  23,  1793, 
and  they  had  the  following  children:  John, 
born  Jan.  27,  1812 ;  Elizabeth,  July  20,  1813 ; 
Jane,  bom  Sept.  15,  1815;  James,  Nov.  18, 
1817 ;  David,  Oct.  29,  1819 ;  William,  Feb.  24, 
1822;  Nathaniel,  March  10,  1824;  Solomon, 
Aug.  22, 1826 ;  Catherine,  June  15,  1828 ;  Mar- 
garet, July  19,  1832  ;  and  Culbertson,  June  30, 
1833.  After  the  death  of  her  first  husband 
Mi-s.  Simpson  married  John  Colkitt,  and  she 
met  her  death  by  blood  poisoning  following  a 
broken  \TOist,  sustained  by  a  fall  from  a  fence 
while  coming  from  milking.  She  also  was 
buried  in  the  Gilgal  cemetery.  She  was  long 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

John  Simpson,  son  of  Nathaniel,  and  father 
of  Nathaniel  C.  Simpson,  was  born  Jan.  27, 
1812,  and  his  education  was  limited  to  the 
subscriiDtion  school,  which  was  held  for  a 
winter  term  of  three  months.  His  boyhood 
was  spent  in  assisting  his  father,  and  on  com- 
ing to  man's  estate  he  settled  on  the  Little 
Mahoning,  in  East  Mahoning  township,  where 
he  took  up  an  uncleared  tract  of  206  acres, 
and  erected  a  small  log  house  and  barn. 
After  some  years  a  more  .substantial  set  of 
buildings  was  erected,  and  here  ^Iv.  Simpson 
spent  the  rest  of  his  active  life,  his  declining 
years  being  passed  at  the  home  of  his  son 
Nathaniel  C.  and  wife,  who  cared  for  him 
tenderly  up  to  the  time  of  his  demise,  and 
with  whom  he  passed  away  the  evening  of 
Aug.  1,  1892,  Avhen  he  was  eighty  years  of 
age.  He  was  buried  in  Gilgal  cemetery.  i\Ir. 
Simpson  was  active  in  mind  and  body  to  the 


1064 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


last  and  predicted  the  day,  and  almost  the 
hour  of  his  own  death.  He  was  a  Whig  and 
Republican,  and  served  as  school  director,  tax 
collector,  and  in  various  other  ofBces.  His 
death  cost  his  community  one  of  its  best  cit- 
izens. In  1834  Mr.  Simpson  was  united  iu 
marriage  with  Mary  Ann  Hastings,  who  was 
born  in  East  JMahoning  township,  daughter  of 
John  and  Isabelle  (Cook)  Hastings.  She  died 
Jan.  9,  1876,  and  is  buried  in  Gilgal  cemetery, 
having  been  of  the  Presbyterian  faith.  The 
children  born  to  John  and  Mary  Ann  Simpson 
were  as  follows :  Catherine,  who  died  young ; 
Isabella,  who  married  Ephraim  E.  Work; 
Alexander,  who  died  young ;  a  child  that  died 
unnamed ;  Agnes,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven 
years ;  a  twin  brother  of  Agnes  who  died  when 
still  an  infant;  Caroline,  who  married  Silas 
W.  Work,  resided  in  Marion  Center,  and  died 
April  8,  1913  (she  is  buried  in  the  Malioning 
U.  P.  cemetery)  ;  Nathaniel  Cook;  Margaret, 
deceased,  who  married  John  C.  Laughry;  and 
Elizabeth,  who  married  George  W.  Jordon, 
both  now  deceased. 

Nathaniel  Cook  Simpson,  son  of  John  Simp- 
son, spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the  home  farm, 
continuing  to  reside  with  his  parents  until 
he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  in  the  mean- 
while securing  his  education  in  the  public 
schools.  He  then  took  up  farming  on  his  own 
account  on  his  present  tract,  consisting  of  128 
acres,  which  is  a  part  of  the  home  farm.  He 
has  since  purchased  other  land,  lieing  the 
owner  of  550  acres,  and  is  one  of  the  heaviest 
taxpayers  in  the  township.  He  has  erected  a 
fine  home,  large  bams,  granaries  and  .silos, 
and  his  property  is  considered  among  the  most 
valuable  in  this  part  of  the  count}^  He  has 
been  a  large  dealer  and  shipper  of  stock  and 
sheep,  in  partnership  with  his  sons,  but  is 
better  known  as  a  breeder  of  mules,  raising  a 
large  number  each  year  and  finding  a  ready 
market  in  the  coal  regions  of  Jeffei-son,  Clear- 
field, Cambria,  Clarion,  Indiana  and  West- 
moreland counties.  A  thorough  business  man 
and  excellent  agriculturist,  while  making  a 
success  of  his  own  affairs  he  has  taken  no 
undue  advantage  of  others,  and  his  lionorable 
dealing  in  all  matters  has  gained  him  hosts 
of  friends.  In  politics  a  stanch  Republican, 
he  has  served  his  township  in  the  capacity  of 
supervisor,  and  his  religious  faith  is  that  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  he  having 
been  one  of  the  oi'ganizers  of  the  church  at 
Covode,  Pa.  He  is  a  thirty-second-degree 
Mason,  belonging  to  John  W.  Jenks  Lodge  of 
Punxsutawnpy,  and  also  holds  membership  in 
the  lodge  and  grand  lodge  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 


On  May  5.  1870.  Mr.  Simpson  was  married 
to  Sophia  C.  Simson,  who  was  born  May  26, 
1843,  in  Mahoning  township,  daughter  of  Levi 
and  Ellen  (Wilson)  Simson,  her  father  a 
soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Simpson  have  had  the  following  children; 
Annie  Maude,  born  March  15,  1S71,  married 
Dennis  E.  Bell  (deceased)  and  (second)  A. 
L.  Pierce,  and  resides  in  Indiana,  Pa. ;  John 
Levi  was  born  June  5,  1873 ;  Edward  Newton 
was  born  Oct.  28,  1875 :  Ella  Bell,  born  :Mav 
11,  1878,  was  married  Aug.  14,  1901 ,  to 
Charles  L.  Morrison,  and  has  two  children. 
Mildred  Genevieve,  born  Aug.  26,  1902,  and 
William  Cook,  born  May  2,  1904 ;  Ebert  Tay- 
lor was  born  June  7,  1881 ;  and  Linus  Cook. 
Sept.  7,  1884. 

John  Levi  Simpson,  son  of  Nathaniel  Cook 
Simpson,  received  his  higher  education  in  the 
teachers'  training  schools,  and  remained  at 
home  assisting  his  father.  He  has  now  settled 
down  to  farming  on  his  own  account  on  what 
is  known  as  the  Milton  Stuehill  farm,  a  ti-act 
of  110  acres,  on  which  he  has  made  numerous 
valuable  improvements.  He  is  also  associated 
with  his  father  in  the  mule  breeding  enter- 
prise, and  is  known  as  a  man  of  excellent  busi- 
ness abilities.  On  May  12,  1896,  he  was  mar- 
ried in  Rayne  township  to  Clara  L.  Edwards, 
daughter  of  James  Edwards,  and  they  have 
had  three  children :  Ada  Marv,  bom  Aug.  3. 
1898 ;  ilyra  Leota,  born  May  12,  1901 ;  and  a 
son,  born  and  died  April  10,  1912,  who  is 
buried  at  JIarion  Center. 

Edward  Newton  Simpson,  son  of  Nathaniel 
Cook  Simpson,  attended  the  select  schools  and 
passed  his  boyhood  on  the  farm  with  his 
father.  He  is  now  carrying  on  operations  on 
his  own  account,  having  a  tract  of  127  acres 
located  east  of  Oak  Tree  station,  where  he 
has  put  up  a  fine  brick  dwelling  house  and 
other  buildings.  Like  his  father  and  brother, 
he  is  interested  in  the  cattle,  sheep  and  mule 
business.  He  was  married  ]\Iarch  2,  1897,  to 
Cora  Lynn  Bai-clay,  daughter  of  Thomas  Bar- 
clay, and  they  have  three  cliildren :  AValter 
Cook,  bom  July  30,  1898 ;  Thomas  Raymond. 
Aug.  15,  1900:  and  Laura  Belle.  Sept.  27. 
1902. 

Ebert  Taylor  Simpson,  M.  D.,  son  of 
Nathaniel  Cook  Simpson,  at  the  age  of  nine- 
teen, gi-aduated  at  the  Indiana  State  normal 
school,  and  began  the  study  of  medicine  at 
the  Western  University  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  graduated  therefrom  in  1909  with  his  M. 
D.  degree,  and  since  that  time  has  been  enjoy- 
ing a  large  and  representative  practice  at  But- 
ler, Pa.     On  Dec.  24,  1905,  he  mariied  Iva 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1065 


States,  and  they  have  had  a  son,  Nathaniel 
Albert,  born  Sept.  12,  1907,  who  died  Feb. 
12,  1908. 

Linus  Cook  Simpson,  youngest  son  of 
Nathaniel  Cook  Simpson,  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools,  and  has  always  been  engaged 
in  farming.  He  is  unmarried,  and  makes  his 
home  with  his  parents. 

MITCHELL.  The  Mitchell  family,  well- 
known  and  highly  respected  residents  of 
Center  township,  Indiana  county,  have  been 
settled  in  Pennsylvania  since  Colonial  times. 

James  Mitchell,  Sr.,  the  first  representative 
in  this  county,  was  born  in  1755  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  when  a  young  man  became  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolutionary  war,  serving  with  Gen- 
eral Washington  at  Valley  Forge.  The  mus- 
ket he  then  carried  was  in  the  possession  of 
his  grandson,  Alexander  L.  Mitchell,  as  long 
as  he  lived.  In  1788  he  came  to  Indiana 
county,  locating  on  a  tract  of  land  along 
Blackliek  creek  part  of  which  is  now  occupied 
by  the  Coral  coal  works.  He  put  up  a  cabin 
and  began  the  work  of 'clearing,  and  after  he 
had  lived  and  worked  alone  there  for  a  year 
he  married  Margaret  Montgomery,  of  York 
county.  Pa.  He  often  seiwed  as  a  scout  dur- 
ing the  border  troubles  with  the  Indians,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1791  was  obliged  to  move  his 
family  to  "Allison's  Fort"  (now  the  McCTce 
Farm),  near  Homer  City.  When  the  alarm 
subsided  he  returned  with  his  family  to  the 
farm  and  they  were  not  afterward  molested. 
As  he  prospered  -James  Mitchell  erected  sub- 
stantial buildings  on  the  farm,  and  the  house 
he  built  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mr. 
Mack,  and  is  in  good  condition. 

Robert  ilitchell,  the  third  son  of  James 
Mitchell.  Sr.,  married  Elizabeth  Lowry,  of 
Rural  Valley,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.  The 
Lowrys,  too,  were  pioneers  in  this  part  of  the 
State.  Elizabeth's  mother  was  killed  by  the 
falling  of  a  tree,  as  she  was  riding  home  from 
church  on  a  summer  Sabbath  afternoon. 
Elizal)eth.  then  ten  years  old.  was  sitting  be- 
hind the  saddle  and  escaped  with  little  injury, 
as  did  the  husband  and  father,  who,  carrying 
his  rifle  because  of  the  danger  from  the  In- 
dians, was  walking  near  by. 

Alexander  Lowry  ilitchell.  second  sou  of 
Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Lowry)  ^Mitchell,  was 
born  April  18.  1826.  on  the  old  ilitchell  farm, 
at  what  is  now  Coral.  He  was  a  man  of  in- 
telligence and  well  educated  for  his  time,  was 
well  read  and  was  coi'.sidered  a  good  debater. 
In  the  early  days  he  taught  school,  and  he 
always  continued  liis  interest  in  educational 


matters,  educating  his  family  well  and  serving 
many  terms  as  school  director  of  his  township. 
Two'  of  his  daughters  obtained  State  certif- 
icates and  followed  the  teacher's  profession 
for  a  number  of  terms.  He  was  a  consistent 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  served  as  a  member  of  the  session  of  his 
church  at  Homer  City  from  1880  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  Jan.  10,  1895.  Polit- 
ically Alexander  L.  Mitchell  was  always  a 
stanch  Republican.  On  Oct.  20,  1841,  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  McCormick.  who  was  born  March 
24,  1824,  in  Brushvalley  township,  on  the 
farm  now  known  as  "Oak  Grove."  daughter 
of  James  H.  and  Sarah  (Wilson)  ]\IcCormiek, 
and  they  had  five  children :  Robert  Calvin, 
born  Oct.  10,  1843,  died  in  November,  1845; 
Richard  M.,  born  Jan.  5,  1847.  died  Dee.  20, 
1848 ;  Finetta  McCormick  is  Mrs.  Thomas  F. 
Billingslee,  of  Center  township,  Indiana 
county;  Margaret  Jane  is  Mrs.  W.  S.  Law- 
rence, of  Blairsville,  Pa. ;  Elizabeth  Lowry 
married  Hai-vey  Trimble,  of  Home,  Pa.,  and 
has  three  children,  Harvey  McCormick  (born 
Nov.  30,  1891,  a  member  "of  the  class  of  1913 
at  Indiana  State  normal  school ) ,  Horace  Ham- 
ilton (born  May  14,  1894,  a  student  of  the 
same  school),  and  Lois  Mitchell  (born  April 
27,  1899,  a  pupil  of  the  public  schools  of 
Rayne  township),  ilrs.  Sarah  (^McCormick) 
Mitchell  died  March  30,  1909,  and  though 
eighty-five  years  of  age  retained  the  full  use 
of  all  her  faculties  to  the  end. 

THOMAS  F.  BILLINGSLEE,  farmer  and 
stock  raiser  of  Center  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  Oct.  22,  1861,  near  Murrys- 
ville,  in  Franklin  town.ship,  Westmoreland 
Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Robert  J.  Billingslee  and 
grandson  of  Thomas  Billingslee. 

Thomas  Billingslee  was  a  native  of  Ireland, 
whence  he  came  to  America  when  a  young 
man.  His  first  location  was  in  Allegheny 
county.  Pa.,  where  he  followed  farming  for  a 
time,  later  removing  to  near  Harrison  Citj', 
in  Westmoreland  county,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  long  life.  He  died  at  the 
age  of  ninety.    In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat. 

Robert  J.  Billingslee,  son  of  Thomas,  was 
born  March  4.  1834,  in  Penn  township,  Alle- 
gheny Co.,  Pa.,  and  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  that  county.  After  lo- 
cating in  Westmoreland  county,  near  Greens- 
burg,  he  operated  the  farm  of  Attorney  Stokes 
for  five  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  renting 
the  place  and  beginning  its  cultivation  on  his 
own  account,  being  thus  engaged  until  1880. 
That  year  he  moved  to  Indiana  county  and 


1066 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


settled  on  the  farm  in  Blackliek  township 
where  he  has  ever  since  resided,  being  now 
engaged  in  general  farming  in  partnership 
with  his  son  Matthew  B.  Billingslee.  On  July 
4,  1856,  he  married  Sarah  Jane  LaCock,  who 
was  born  in  the  Ligonier  Valley,  in  Westmore- 
land county,  Pa.,  July  12,  1837,  and  died  May 
22,  1910.  She  is  buried  in  Greenwood  ceme- 
tery, at  Indiana,  Pa.  Mrs.  Billingslee  was  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
She  was  the  mother  of  five  children :  Annie 
Rosetta,  born  July  28,  1857,  is  the  wife  of 
Edward  Kunkle;  William  Joseph,  born  Dec. 
17,  1858,  died  Sept.  28,  1860 ;  Thomas  F.  was 
bom  Oct.  22,  1861;  Eliza  Catherine,  born 
April  12,  1865,  died  young;  Matthew  Bright, 
born  March  21,  1868,  resides  on  the  homestead 
with  his  father. 

Thomas  F.  Billingslee  attended  public 
school  in  Westmoreland  and  Indiana  counties, 
principally  at  the  McCrea  school  in  Blackliek 
township.  Between  school  terms,  when  of 
proper  age,  he  worked  for  neighboring  farm- 
ers, receiving  nine  dollare  a  month,  and  after 
his  marriage  he  settled  on  the  Mitchell  farm 
in  Center  township,  his  wife's  old  home,  where 
he  still  continues  to  reside.  This  fine  tract  of 
150  acres  is  under  excellent  cultivation,  and 
Mr.  Billingslee 's  thrift  and  industry  are  ap- 
parent in  every  detail  of  his  surroundings. 
Besides  general  farming  he  makes  a  specialty 
of  raising  fine  draft  horses  and  Holstein  cat- 
tle, in  which  line  he  is  very  successful.  He 
gives  all  his  time  to  his  own  affairs,  taking  no 
part  in  public  matters,  though  he  unites  with 
the  Democratic  party  on  political  issues. 

JOHN  TURNER  HOOVER,  of  Heilwood, 
Indiana  county,  chief  engineer  of  the  Penn- 
Mary  Coal  Company,  was  born  April  19, 1868, 
at  Julian  Furnace,  in  Center  county.  Pa., 
son  of  George  W.  and  Elizabeth  A.  (Turner) 
Hoover.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  a  na- 
tive of  Georgia. 

George  W.  Hoover  was  born  in  York  county. 
Pa.,  where  his  father  first  settled  upon  coming 
to  this  State,  later  removing  to  Center  county, 
where  he  followed  fanning.  George  W. 
Hoover  has  been  engaged  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness for  many  years.  In  1869  he  became  a 
resident  of  Philipsburg,  Center  county,  where 
followed  the  lumber  business  for  over  twenty 
years  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Hoover, 
Hughes  &  Co.  After  this  concern  dissolved, 
in  1893,  Mr.  Hoover  continued  in  the  same 
line  at  Philipsburg  until  1904,  *when  he  re- 
moved to  Williainsport,  Pa.,  at  which  place  he 
is  engaged  as  a  wholesale  lumber  dealer  and 


has  established  a  fine  business.  He  also  has  a 
furniture  factory  at  Glen  Rock,  York  Co.,  Pa. 
Mr.  Hoover  is  a  man  of  ability  and  energetic 
disposition,  and  has  had  various  important^in- 
terests  besides  his  lumber  operations.  He  was 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Clearfield  &  Cush 
Creek  Coal  &  Coke  Company,  one  of  the  first 
coal  companies  in  Indiana  county,  which  car- 
ried on  operations  at  Glen  Campbell.  ^Iv. 
Hoover  married  Elizabeth  A.  Turner,  whose 
'father,  John  Turner,  was  a  native  of  York 
county.  Pa.,  coming  thence  to  Huston  town- 
ship, Center  county,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoover  have  had  a 
family  of  ten  children :  John  Turner,  men- 
tioned below ;  Edward,  who  is  deceased ; 
Gustavus,  deceased ;  Eva,  living  at  home ;  Mar- 
garet, wife  of  Henry  Putney,  of  Brookline, 
^lass. ;  George  W.,  a  resident  of  Williamsport. 
Pa.;  Esther,  at  home;  Malcolm,  a. resident  of 
Glen  Rock,  Pa. ;  Elizabeth,  deceased ;  and  one 
that  died  in  infancy. 

John  Tui-ner  Hoover  obtained  his  early  edu- 
cation in  public  schools  at  Philipsburg,  grad- 
uating from  the  high  school  there,  and  in 
1885  attended  the  State  normal  school  at  In- 
diana, Pa.  Later  he  was  a  student  of  Ulrich's 
preparatory  school  at  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  and 
then  took  a  course  in  Lehigh  University,  at 
South  Bethlehem,  graduating  from  that  insti- 
tution with  the  class  of  1891.  When  he  en- 
tered business  life  he  was  engaged  in  lumber- 
ing and  contracting  for  several  years,  follow- 
ing those  lines  at  Philipsburg  and  in  West 
Virginia  until  1897,  in  which  year  he  came  to 
Indiana  countv  and  became  connected  with 
the  Clearfield  &  Cush  Creek  Coal  &  Coke  Com- 
pany, as  superintendent  and  mining  engineer. 
He  continued  with  that  concern  until  it  went 
out  of  business,  in  1903,  since  when  he  has 
been  engaged  as  mining  engineer  in  Indiana. 
Clearfield,  Cambria  and  Fayette  counties.  Pa., 
and  in  West  Virginia.  In  1909  he  came  from 
Uniontow^l,  Fayette  county,  to  Heilwood  to 
take  his  present  position  with  the  Penn-Mary 
Coal  Company,  being  chief  engineer.  Mr. 
Hoover  is  thoroughly  fitted  for  the  duties  and 
responsibilities  of  this  position,  both  by  educa- 
tion and  experience,  as  well  as  native  ability, 
and  he  enjoys  the  unlimited  confidence  of  his 
superiors  and  universal  respect  from  the  men 
in  his  charge.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Royal 
Arcanum  at  Philipsburg  and  is  a  high 
Jlason,  belonging  to  Indiana  Lodge,  No,  313, 
F,  «&  A,  M,,  to  Williamsport  Consistory,  and 
to  Jaffa  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  at  Al- 
toona,  Penn.sylvania. 

On  June  27,  1900,  Mr.  Hoover  was  united 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1067 


in  marriage  with  Mar.y  Barclay,  who  was  born 
in  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  James  Bar- 
clay; her  mother's  maiden  name  was  Wood. 
Mrs.  Hoover's  parents  are  now  deceased.  One 
child,  J.  Barclay,  has  been  born  (Nov.  3, 1901) 
to  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Hoover. 

ROBERT  F.  TEMPLETON,  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Indiana,  Pa.,  was  until  recently  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  in  Green  township, 
owning  and  occupying  one  of  the  most  attrac- 
tive farms  in  Indiana  county.  He  formerly 
followed  other  lines  of  work  as  well  as  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  and  has  been  a  prosperous  man, 
doing  well  in  Ms  various  undertakings.  Mr. 
Templeton  was  bom  in  Center  township,  this 
county,  July  30,  1843,  son  of  William  F.  and 
Eliza  (Hamilton)  Templeton  and  grandson 
of  Walter  Templeton,  who  lived  for  some  time 
near  Brookville,  in  Jefferson  county,  and  later 
moved  to  near  Atwood,  Armstrong  county, 
remaining  there  until  his  death.  By  occupa- 
tion he  was  a  farmer. 

William  P.  Templeton  came  to  Indiana 
county  many  years  ago,  making  his  home  in 
Center  township,  where  he  lived  to  the  end 
of  his  days.  He  died  when  a  comparatively 
young  man,  when  his  son  Robert  was  but  fif- 
teen months  old,  leaving  his  wife,  who  sur- 
vived him  many  years,  dying  May  25,  1889, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years.  They  had 
two  children,  one  dying  in  infancy.  James 
Hamilton,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Eliza  (Hamil- 
ton) Templeton,  came  to  Indiana  county  at 
an  early  day  with  his  father  and  settled  in  the 
southern  portion.  He  married  Margaret 
Sample,  a  member  of  a  pioneer  family  of  the 
county,  and  Robert  F.  Templeton  was  born  on 
the  old  Sample  farm. 

From  the  time  of  his  father 's  death  until  he 
Tvas  eight  years  old,  Robert  F.  Templeton 
lived  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  boi-ough 
of  Indiana,  in  1851  moving  to  the  place  in 
Green  county  where  he  made  his  home  until 
his  removal  to  Indiana,  and  where  he  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  work  all  his  active 
years.  The  second  year  of  the  Civil  war  he 
enlisted,  Aug.  19,  1862,  in  the  Union  semdce. 
joining  Company  I,  67th  Pennsylvania  Regi- 
ment, under  Maj.  Harry  White  (one  of  the 
compilers  of  the  history  of  Indiana  county 
which  appears  in  this  work),  and  was  in  the 
■  army  for  three  years,  receiving  his  discharge 
June  27,  1865,  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.  He  was 
in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  took  part  in 
several  battles  under  General  Grant,  among 
the  engagements  in  which  he  saw  active  serv- 
ice being  the  Wilderness.  He  drove  the  ambu- 


lance of  his  corps  and  did  considerable  guard 
duty.  Returning  home  after  being  mustered 
out  he  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering,  was 
engaged  to  some  extent  in  rafting,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  general  farming  raised  sheep  for  the 
eastern  markets,  biiying  and  shipping  hogs, 
cows  and  sheep.  Of  late  years,  however,  he 
confined  his  labors  to  the  work  about  his  home 
place,  which  he  had  in  an  excellent  state  of 
cultivation  and  noticeably  well  looked  after. 
About  Api'il  1.  1913,  he  sold  his  farm  to  G. 
M.  Joiner,  of  Grisemore,  disposed  of  his  per- 
sonal property,  and  moved  to  Indiana,  where 
he  expects  to  reside  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
Though  he  has  given  most  of  his  attention  to 
his  private  affairs  he  has  given  his  fellow 
citizens  acceptable  service  as  a  member  of  the 
school  board  of  Green  township,  and  he  is  an 
elder  in  the  Nebo  Presbyterian  Church  near 
Grisemore,  to  which  he  and  his  wife  belong. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Union  Veteran  Legion. 
An  April  2,  1867,  Mr.  Templeton  married 
Keziah  N.  Patterson,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Martha  (Dunkle)  Patterson,  of  Green  town- 
ship, and  they  have  had  nine  children: 
(1)  Jessie  Mae  is  deceased.  (2)  Laura  E.  mar- 
ried Hariy  A.  Moorhead,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
and  they  have  had  nine  children,  Jean  E., 
Muri-ay,  Kenneth,  Walter,  Nellie,  Dorothy, 
Roberta,  Donald,  and  Pauline.  f3)  Charles 
died  when  twenty- four  years  old.  (4)  M. 
Myrtle  is  the  wife  of  A.  Scott  Harris,  of  Bis- 
bee,  Ariz.,  and  has  one  child,  Nannie  A.  (5) 
Lucy  L.  died  when  twenty-seven  years  old. 
(6)  Ralph  E.,  who  lives  in  New  Jersey,  mar- 
ried Ida  Ford,  of  Conemaugh,  Pa.,  and  they 
have  one  child,  Margaret.  (7)  William  N., 
who  lives  at  Clymer,  Pa.,  where  he  is  asso- 
ciated with  the  A.  F.  Kelly  store,  married 
JIabel  C.  Reade,  and  they  have  three  children, 
Caroline  Leone,  Ruth  and  Robert  R.  Mr.  W. 
N.  Templeton  is  an  elder  in  the  Clymer  Pi'es- 
byterian  Church.  (8)  Norris  died  in  infancy. 
(9)  One  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

JOHN  CALVIN  ROSE,  a  farmer  of  Cone- 
maugh township,  this  county,  was  born  near 
Murrvsville,  in  Penn  township,  Westmoreland 
Co.,  Pa.,  Jan.  11,  1861,  son  of  George  Rose, 
and  grandson  of  John  Rose. 

John  Rose  was  born  in  Penn  township, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  a  carpenter 
and  farmer.  He  moved  to  Irwin  station. 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.  He  was  married  to 
Jane  Katz,  and  their  children  were :  George : 
Jennie,  who  married  Rev.  John  Boyd,  of  Illi- 
nois; Sarah,  who  married  John  Sowasb..  of 
Claridge,   Pa.;   Amanda,   who   married  Will- 


1068 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


iam  Morrow,  of  Irwin,  Pa. ;  and  Rebecca,  who 
married  Joe  ^McWilliams,  and  lives  in 
Lawrence  county,  Pennsylvania. 

George  Rose  was  born  on  his  father's  home- 
stead in  1833.  He  sem-ed  his  country  as  a 
faithful  soldier  in  Company  C,  205th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  for  a  year,  en- 
listing at  Greensburg,  Pa.  Owing  to  disability 
contracted  while  in  the  service  he  was  sent  to 
Vienna  hospital,  and  was  eventually  dis- 
charged. Coming  home  in  1864.  he  bought 
the  Robert  Henderson  farm  of  235  acres  in 
Conemaugh  township.  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  in 
1866,  and  began  farming,  following  this  occu- 
pation the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  May 
2,  1890.  He  was  a  man  prominent  in  all 
township  affairs  and  served  as  a  school  di- 
rector and  overseer  of  the  poor,  to  which 
offices  he  was  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Grange,  and  in 
religious  connection  was  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian"  Church,  giving  that  body  his 
earnest  and  conscientious  support. 

George  Rose  married  Lucinda  Alter,  a 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Jane  (Bratton)  Alter, 
and  she  survives  her  hu.sbaud,  making  her 
home  in  Saltsburg.  She  is  now  (1913)  seventy- 
eight  years  old.  Children  as  follows  were 
bom  to  this  worthy  couple :  'Jacob  Alter,  who 
married  Daisy  ^JlcConnell,  of  Conemaugh 
township,  graudniece  of  Judge  Han-y  White, 
of  Indiana,  Pa.,  resides  at  Harrisburg,  Pa., 
where  he  is  connected  with  the  Hnber  Manu- 
facturing Company  (their  children  are  Titian 
J.  and  Margery  M. )  ;  John  C.  is  mentioned  be- 
low; George  Nevin,  who  married  Minnie 
Mahan.  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  resides  at  Bridge- 
ville,  Del.,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming 
(they  have  one  son,  Joseph  Theodore)  ;  Sarah 
is  the  wife  of  Dr.  S.  E.  Nowry,  residing  at 
"Wilberdeen,  Pa.,  and  has  one  child.  Rose 
Lucinda;  IMary  Elizabeth  married  Sidwell 
Getty,  of  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  and  they  have  five  children.  Anna  May, 
Sarah  Rose,  JIary  Elvira,  Alice  Glyndon  and 
Thelma  Theodora ;  Nannie  E.  married  Eliner 
E.  Riggs,  of  South  Dakota,  at  present  residing 
in  Jonesboro,  Ark.,  whej-e  he  is  engaged  as  a 
carpenter,  and  they  have  one  child.  Rose  L. 

John  Calvin  Rose  was  brought  to  Cone- 
maugh township,  Indiana  county,  when  he  was 
but  five  years  old,  and  grew  up  in  the  town- 
ship, attending  the  common  schools  here  as 
well  as  the  Saltsburg  academy,  Beaver  higli 
school,  and  Indiana  normal,  and  taught  school 
for  fourteen  terms  in  Coiiemaugh  township, 
two  terms  in  Allegheny  county,  one  term  in 
Westmoreland  county — scvi'iitccn  terms  in  all. 


At  the  expiration  of  this  period  he  felt  the  call 
of  the  soil,  and  bought  106  acres  of  land  in 
Conemaugh  township  which  he  cultivated. 
Later  he  sold  at  a  profit  and  moved  to  Salts- 
burg, where  he  became  a  traveling  salesman 
for  the  Deering  Harvester  Company  and  the 
Huber  Manufacturing  Company,  thus  con- 
tinuing for  a  few  years.  Leaving  the  road, 
he  located  at  "Wilberdeen  to  enter  the  employ 
of  the  Westinghouse  Air  Bi-ake  Company,  and 
remained  with  that  concern  for  eighteen 
months.  Once  moi-e  he  returned  to  Cone- 
maugh township,  buying  in  1911  the  JI.  G. 
Saudles  farm,  situated  a  half  mile  from 
Clarksburg,  Pa.,  167  acres  on  which  he  is  car- 
rying on  general  farming  and  dairying,  ship- 
ping milk  to  Saltsburg. 

Mr.  Rose  married  Jennie  E.  Nesbitt,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Agnes  (Fulton)  Nes- 
bitt,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lo^ving  children :  Nellie  Agnes,  a  graduate 
of  the  Indiana  normal  school,  class  of  1912. 
was  formerly  a  teacher  in  Conemaugh  and  is 
at  present  engaged  at  Thornburg;  Mary  Lu- 
cinda, who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Saltsburg  high 
school  and  North  Washington  Institute,  is  now 
teaching  in  Conemaugh  township,  and  is  also 
a  student  and  teacher  of  music :  George  Nes- 
bitt,  born  Oct.  18,  1897,  is  a  student  at  Elders- 
ridge  Academy,  and  after  attending  the  State 
College  of  Agriculture  expects  to  be  a  scien- 
tific farmer ;  Janet  Elizabeth  is  attending  pub- 
lic school  and  studying  music. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Rose  has  been  one  of 
the  stanch  supporters  of  Prohibition  in  Cone- 
maugh township,  and  has  been  often  called 
upon  to  serve  the  people ;  he  has  acted  as  town- 
ship auditor  and  member  of  the  election 
board.  The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Salts- 
burg has  long  had  in  him  one  of  its  most  effi- 
cient members,  he  having  served  as  elder  for 
nine  years ;  since  moving  to  Clarksburg  he  has 
been  an  elder  and  superintendent  of  Sunday 
school.  A  man  of  action,  he  has  accomplished 
much,  and  has  many  plans  for  future  useful- 
ness, for  he  is  not  one  who  stands  still,  but 
lielieves  in  exerting  himself  to  improve  exist- 
ing conditions  in  every  possible  way. 

NESBITT.     Robert     Newton     Nesbitt,     a 
farmer  of  Conemaugh  township,  was  born  in  . 
that  township  Nov.  15,  1872,  son  of  Samuel 
Nesbitt  and  grandson  of  Samuel  Nesbitt. 

Samuel  Nesbitt,  the  grandfather,  was  one 
of  the  earl3-  farmers  of  Conemaugli  township, 
where  he  owned  ISO  acres  of  land.  He  died  at 
the  extreme  old  age  of  ninety-six  years.  His 
wife  Jane  (McConnehey)  died  at  the  age  of 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1069 


eighty -five  years.  Their  children  were:  Mar- 
garet, Malinda,  Nancy,  Evelyn,  Bell,  Robert, 
Harry  and  Samuel. 

Samuel  Nesbitt,  son  of  Samuel  Nesbitt,  be- 
came one  of  the  leading  agriculturalists  of 
Conemaugh  township,  owning  180  acres  of 
land,  the  old  Nesbitt  homestead,  on  which  he 
carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising, 
specializing  in  the  latter  line.  He  was  a  promi- 
nent citizen  of  his  day,  holding  the  office 
of  county  treasurer  for  one  term  of  three 
years,  during  which  time  he  lived  at  Indiana. 
He  was  a  jovial  man,  and  beloved  by  the  many 
who  knew  him.  His  death  occurred  at  his 
home  in  Saltsburg  when  he  was  seventy-two 
}-ears  old. 

During  the  Civil  war,  Samuel  Nesbitt 
proved  his  patriotism  by  enlisting  in  Com- 
pany C,  206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  serving  for  four  j^ears.  He  had 
the  misfortune  to  be  wounded  in  the  neck  and 
thigh.  Among  the  treasured  possessions  of 
his  son,  Robert  Newton  Nesbitt,  is  the  coat  of 
his  father's  uniform,  which  is  riddled  with 
holes  made  by  bullets. 

Samuel  Nesbitt  married  Agnes  Fulton,  a 
daughter  of  IMoses  Pulton,  of  Livermore,  Pa., 
and  the  children  of  this  union  were :  Jennie 
E.,  who  married  John  C.  Rose;  Samuel  Moses 
Fulton,  who  married  Maud  Stranahan,  and 
lives  in  Dennison,  Ohio,  where  he  has  charge 
of  a  church,  being  a  Presbyterian  minister 
(their  children  are  Agnes,  Lucile,  Maude  and 
Euphema)  ;  and  Robert  N. 

For  his  second  wife  Samuel  Nesbitt  married 
Miss  Elizabeth  Lowman,  and  to  this  union 
was  born  one  child,  Alexander  Gilmore,  who 
graduated  from  Grove  City  College  and  later 
from  business  college  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y., 
and  is  now  a  practicing  attorney  at  Pittsburg. 

Robert  Newton  Nesbitt  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  Grove 
City  College,  spending  one  year  at  the  latter 
institution.  Returning  home,  he  began  farm- 
ing, and  found  that  line  of  work  so  congenial 
that  he  has  continued  it  ever  since,  now  own- 
ing the  homestead  farm  of  ISO  acres  in  the 
fertile  Conemaugh  district.  Mr.  Nesbitt  car- 
ries on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and 
when  occasion  demands  acts  as  auctioneer,  his 
services  in  that  capacity  being  highly  appre- 
ciated by  those  who  have  need  of  him. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  married  Nora  Kennedy,  a 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Eveline  (Fleming) 
Kennedy.  Since  casting  his  first  vote  he  has 
been  an  ardent  Republican,  and  for  eight 
years  has  been  the  township  auditor.  The 
Presbyterian  Church  holds  his  membership,  as 


it  did  that  of  his  father,  the  latter  having 
been  one  of  its  presiding  elders  for  half  a 
century.  Mr.  Nesbitt  conserves  its  interests 
as  a  trustee,  having  held  that  responsible  of- 
fice for  three  years.  His  father's  services 
are  still  remembered  in  Conemaugh  township 
with  reference  to  the  school  board,  which  he 
assisted  in  bringing  to  its  present  efficient 
state  as  one  of  its  directors,  and  also  in  con- 
nection with  his  work  as  overseer  of  the  poor. 
The  Nesbitt  family,  like  the  Rose  family,  is  a 
very  prominent  one  in  this  part  of  the  county, 
and  its  representatives  are  living  up  to  the 
high  standards  raised  many  years  ago  by 
honored  ancestors. 

SAMUEL  L.  ROWE,  justice  of  the  peace 
and  farmer  of  East  Mahoning  township,  was 
born  in  South  Mahoning  township,  this 
county,  Dec.  17,  1848. 

George  Rowe,  the  founder  of  the  family  in 
Indiana  county,  was  born  in  Ligonier,  "West- 
moreland Co.,  Pa.,  and  located  iu  Rayne  town- 
ship among  the  pioneers  of  that  section.  He 
settled  on  125  acres  of  laud  which  he  cleared, 
and  developed  a  good  farm,  upon  which  he 
died.  His  wife,  Mary  (Cooney),  who  was 
born  in  Cumberland,  Md.,  also  died  on  the 
farm.  Both  are  buried  in  Washington  ceme- 
tery in  Rayne  township.  For  years  they  were 
consistent  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  children  born  to  this  excellent 
couple  were:  James,  who  died  in  Rayne 
township;  Jacob  H. ;  George,  who  died  in 
Rayne  township;  Maria,  who  married  Robert 
Walker,  and  died  in  Montgomery  township; 
Elizabeth  (Betsy),  who  married  Jacob 
Stumpf,  of  Rayne  township;  and  Catherine, 
who  married  Benjamin  Walker,  and  died  in 
Rayne  township. 

Jacob  H.  Rowe,  son  of  George  Rowe,  was 
born  in  1805  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  ^ 
and  was  only  two  years  old  when  his  parents 
came  to  Rayne  township.  He  had  but  few 
opportunities  for  acquiring  an  education,  but 
became  a  well-read  man  and  an  excellent  pen- 
man. After  attaining  manhood's  estate  he 
settled  in  South  Mahoning  township  upon 
rented  laud,  and  spent  ten  years  there,  later 
moving  to  the  vicinity  of  Ambrose,  where  he 
operated  the  James  Bovard  farm  of  110  acres. 
After  six  years  there  he  came  to  East  Mahon- 
ing township,  where  he  acquired  a  small  tract 
of  land  near  I\Iarion  Center,  and  there  he  died 
in  1879,  aged  seventy-four  years.  His  remains 
were  buried  iu  the  Marion  Center  cemetery, 
his  wife,  who  died  in  1884,  lying  by  his  side. 
She  was  Jane  Walker  prior  to  her  marriage, 


1070 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


being  a  daughter  of  Robert  Walker.  Mr. 
Rowe  was  not  connected  with  any  religious 
denomination,  but  governed  his  life  accord- 
ing to  the  Golden  Rule.  The  following  chil- 
dren were  born  to  him  and  his  wife:  Mary, 
who  married  Joshua  Lydick,  is  a  widow,  re- 
siding at  Marion  Center ;  John  W.,  who  served 
in  Company  B,  61st  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  during  the  Civil  war,  died  at  ilar- 
ion  Center ;  Robert  Walker,  who  was  a  soldier 
in  the  2nd  Pennsylvania  Light  Artillery,  is 
deceased;  Catherine  resides  in  Westmoreland 
county :  Samuel  Lewis  is  mentioned  below. 

Samuel  Le-nis  Rowe  attended  the  schools  of 
South  and  East  ilahoning  townships  and 
worked  with  his  father  and  also  for  neighbor- 
ing farmers,  receiving  from  twenty-tive  to 
thirty  cents  per  day  for  his  services,  as  well 
as  board.  When  he  was  seventeen  years  old 
he  began  learning  the  cai-penter's  trade  with 
John  W.  Weston,  of  Marion  Center,  and 
spent  two  years  with  him,  receiving  sixty  dol- 
lars for  the  first  year,  and  seventy-five  dol- 
lars the  second  year,  including  board  for  the 
entire  period.  Mr.  Rowe  worked  as  a  .iourney- 
man  in  both  Indiana  county  and  Pittsburg, 
later  going  to  Allegheny,  where  he  spent  three 
years,  and  then  he  located  in  East  ]\Iahoning 
township,  where  he  began  contracting.  He 
built  a  number  of  houses  in  various  sections, 
the  last  one  being  the  St.  Clair  Thompson 
residence,  in  Rayne  township.  In  18S1  he 
settled  on  the  John  Hamilton  farm  in  East 
Mahoning  township  and  began  farming  the  100 
acres  contained  within  its  confines.  He  made 
improvements  on  this  property  and  now  cai'- 
ries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  hav- 
ing met  with  a  gi-atifying  measure  of  success. 
In  1891  Mr.  Rowe  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  was  reelected  successively  in  1896, 
1901,  1906  and  1911,  now  serving  his  fifth 
term.  Mr.  Rowe  has  made  a  remarkable 
record,  for  during  all  these  years  but  one 
appeal  has  been  taken  from  his  decisions  and 
the  upper  court  sustained  his  ruling  on  that. 
Originally  a  Republican,  he  later  became  a 
Greenbacker  and  is  now  an  enthusiastic  Pro- 
gressive. Like  his  good  father,  he  believes 
that  if  a  man  does  unto  others  as  he  would  be 
done  by,  he  lives  up  to  the  highest  form  of 
religious  life.  ^Irs.  Rowe  is  a  consistent  mem- 
ber of  the  T'nited  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Richmond,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Rowe  was  married  in  1880  to  Elizabeth 
Hamilton,  a  daughter  of  John  Hamilton.  She 
died  Dec.  30.  ■1892.  and  is  buried  in  the  Ma- 
honing Church  ccmeterJ^  There  were  three 
children  by  this  marriage:     Charles  A.,  who 


is  with  the  Westinghouse  Air  Brake  Com- 
pany; George  G.,  who  is  at  home;  and  a  child 
who  died  in  infancy  unnamed.  Mr.  Rowe 
married  for  his  second  wife  Clara  B.  Work,  a 
daughter  of  the  late  William  Work,  a  full 
sketch  of  whom  is  to  be  found  elsewhere.  IMr. 
and  ]\Irs.  Rowe  have  had  two  children:  John 
Wilson,  who  died  in  childhood;  and  ]\Iary, 
who  is  at  home. 

HARRY  AUSTIN  BOGGS,  senior  memlier 
of  the  firm  of  Boggs  &  McGregor,  of  Indiana, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Wliite  township, 
this  county,  June  21,  1861,  son  of  Joseph  and 
Elizabeth  (Adams)  Boggs. 

The  Boggs  family  is  of  Irish  origin,  and 
Alexander  Boggs.  grandfather  of  Harry  A. 
Boggs.  was  bora  in  Ireland,  coming  to  Amer- 
ica when  eighteen  years  old.  Landing  at  New 
York  City,  he  remained  there  a  short  time  and 
then  came  westward  to  Pittsburg,  where  he 
also  made  a  brief  stay.  His  nest  location  was 
in  Redbank  township.  Armstrong  county, 
where  he  followed  farming  for  three  years, 
at  the  end  of  that  time  coming  to  Indiana 
county  and  settling  four  miles  north  of  the 
town  of  Indiana,  in  White  township.  He  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  160  acres,  now  owned  by 
Robert  ]\Iabon,  and  lived  and  died  on  this 
place.  His  first  dwelling  there  was  a  log 
house  which  he  Irailt,  and  which  he  later 
replaced  with  a  frame  ho\ise.  His  death  oc- 
curred Feb.  22,  1864,  when  he  was  in  his 
sixt.y-seventh  year,  and  his  wife,  Mary 
(Daugherty),  died  March  16,  1865,  in  her 
sixty-eighth  year.  They  are  buried  in  Oak- 
land cemeteiy  at  Indiana.  Mr.  Boggs  was  a 
Presbyterian  in  religious  faith.  Six  children 
were  born  to  this  couple,  viz. :  Caroline,  who 
died  Jan.  27,  1865.  aged  thirty-one  years; 
Sarah  N..  who  married  D.  L.  Ralston ;  Martha, 
who  married  Read  Adams;  ]Mary  Jane,  who 
married  Logan  Odair;  Pauline,  wife  of  John 
Hathway;  and  Joseph. 

Joseph  Bogsrs.  onlv  son  of  Alexander  Boggs, 
was  born  Feb.  2.  1830,  on  the  farm  in  Wliite 
township,  and  was  there  reared  to  agricul- 
tural life.  Eventually  he  purchased  his 
father's  homestead,  and  contimied  to  make 
his  home  there  until  four  years  before  his 
death,  when  he  moved  into  the  borough  of 
Indiana.  He  married  Elizabeth  Adams,  who 
was  born  June  22,  1829,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Nancy  (Nesbit)  Adams,  and  died  Feb.  16, 
1888,  aged  fifty-eight  years,  seven  months, 
twenty-four  days.  ]\Ir.  Boggs  died  June  8, 
1894,  aged  sixty-four  years,  four  months,  six 
davs.     Thcv  are  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1071 


at  Indiana.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boggs  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  They  had 
children  as  follows:  Clara,  Mrs.  Irons,  who 
resides  at  No.  1002  Church  street,  Indiana  -, 
Harry  Austin;  Carry  C. ;  Frank  A.,  de- 
ceased; and  Jennie  V.,  deceased. 

Harr,y  Austin  Boggs  was  educated  in  his 
native  place  and  there  grew  to  manhood's 
estate.  In  1878  he  took  charge  of  the  home 
farm,  operating  it  until  1889,  on  Nov.  4th  of 
which  year  he  moved  to  Indiana,  and  for  four 
years  thereafter  was  interested  in  operating 
the  stage  route  from  Indiana  to  Punxsu- 
tawney.  As  an  outcome  of  this  lie  developed 
a  livery  business.  In  1903  he  tirm  of  Boggs 
&  McGregor  was  organized  to  conduct  a  first- 
class  livery,  sell  oil  and  lightning  rods,  and 
they  do  a  big  business  in  the  several  lines. 

On  Dec.  14,  1887,  Mr.  Boggs  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Florence  M.  McLaughlin,  of 
Indiana  county,  who  was  born  Jan.  10,  1863, 
daughter  of  James  K.  and  Sarah  Belle  Mc- 
Laughlin. Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Boggs  became  the 
parents  of  the  following  children :  Clara  May, 
born  Dec.  2,  1888,  was  educated  at  the  public 
schools  and  the  Indiana  normal  school,  from 
which  she  was  gi-aduated  in  1910.  and  is  now 
teaching  her  third  term  at  Heilwood ;  Grace 
Miriam,  born  Sept.  4.  1898.  died  April  13, 
1903. 

Mr.  Boggs  is  .justly  numbered  among  the 
live,  progressive  men  of  his  city,  and  his  suc- 
cess in  life  has  been  attained  through  his  in- 
dustry and  ability  to  grasp  opportunities  as 
they  came  his  way. 

JOHN  KUHNS  ]\IIKESELL,  who  owns  a 
beautiful  200-acre  farm  in  Blacklick  township, 
Indiana  county,  belongs  to  a  family  which  has 
been  settled  in  these  parts  for  several  genera- 
tions. The  Mikesells  are  of  Gennan  descent, 
John  Mikesell,  the  founder  of  the  branch  in 
Indiana  county,  having  been  a  native  of  Ger- 
many. He  spent  his  early  life  there,  coming 
to  America  when  a  young  man,  in  the  early 
part  of  the  last  century,  and  tirst  settling  in 
Bedford  county.  Pa.  Thence  he  came  to  In- 
diana county,  making  his  home  in  Center 
township,  on  the  Ridge  near  the  line  of  what 
is  now  Burrell  township.  He  became  the 
owner  of  300  acres  in  what  was  then  an  un- 
settled region,  erected  a  small  log  dwelling 
and  set  to  work  to  clear  his  land  for  cultiva- 
tion. The  rest  of  his  life  was  spent  at  that 
place,  farming,  and  he  made  many  improve- 
ments on  the  property,  building  a  stone  resi- 
dence and  substantial  barn,  and  in  various 
other    ways    adding    to    its    appearance    and 


value.  He  married  Margaret  Altimus,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  six  children: 
Adam,  who  settled  in  Center  township ;  Eliza- 
beth, who  married  Peter  Bowman ;  Peter,  who 
settled  in  West  Wheattield  township ;  Joseph, 
who  died  in  Michigan;  John,  who  died  in 
Iowa ;  and  Jonas.  Mr.  and  ilrs.  Mikesell  died 
on  the  farm  and  are  buried  there.  They  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  which  he 
served  as  elder,  and  in  politics  he  was  an  ad- 
herent of  the  Democratic  party. 

Jonas  Jlikesell,  son  of  John,  was  born 
March  7,  1804,  on  the  Ridge  farm  in  Center 
township,  and  there  received  such  educa- 
tional advantages  as  the  subscription  schools 
afforded.  However,  he  became  a  well  in- ' 
formed  man  in  spite  of  his  lack  of  early  op- 
portunities, and  was  well  read  in  both  Ger- 
man and  English.  Working  at  home  until  he 
reached  manhood,  he  then  removed  to  Clarion 
county,  locating  near  Salem,  on  a  farm  owned 
by  his  father-in-law,  Christopher  Rugh.  It 
was  a  tract  of  123  acres,  and  he  carried  on 
its  cultivation  for  some  time,  eventually  sell- 
ing out  and  returning  to  Indiana  county. 
Settling  at  his  parents'  old  home  on  the  Ridge 
in  Center  township  he  cared  for  his  widowed 
mother  in  her  declining  years  and  operated 
that  place,  which  comprised  180  acres  of  fine 
land.  He  lived  there  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  improving  the  farm  greatly.  He  died 
Jan.  16,  1854,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the 
family  burying  lot  on  the  farm.  He  married 
in  Center  township,  Catherine  Rugh,  who  was 
born  at  Rugh  Station,  in  what  is  now  Burrell 
to^^Tiship,  daughter  of  Christopher  and  Eliza- 
beth (Best)  Rugh,  and  died  at  the  old  home- 
stead. She  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  the 
Lutheran  Chapel  at  Coral.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
IMikesell  were  membere  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  and  he  was  quite  active  in  clrarch 
work.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat.  They 
were  the  parents  of  ten  children :  '  Julia  Ann, 
who  died  unmarried  in  1909 :  John  Kuhns ; 
Solomon,  who  died  from  the  effects  of  wounds 
received  while  serving  in  the  Civil  war; 
Abraham,  who  died  in  Altoona,  Pa. ;  Christo- 
pher, also  deceased;  Jonas,  Jr.,  deceased; 
Augustus,  who  died  in  boyhood ;  Isaac,  de- 
ceased; Jacob,  twin  of  Isaac,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy; and  Philip,  who  resides  in  Illinois. 

John  Kuhns  Mikesell  was  born  March  4, 
1833,  near  Salem,  in  Clarion  county,  Pa.,  and 
was  but  two  years  old  when  his  parents  re- 
turned to  Indiana  county.  He  attended  school 
in  Center  township,  and  acquired  his  knowl- 
edge of  farming  under  his  father's  tuition, 
working  with  him  upon  the  home  place  until 


1072 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


he  died  and  subsequently  cultivating  that 
tract  on  his  own  account  for  a  numbei-  of 
years,  until  the  land  and  coal  were  sold,  in 
1890,  to  the  Graceton  Coal  &  Coke  Company. 
He  then  moved  to  Blacklick  township,  buying 
the  Alexander  Gordon  farm,  a  tract  of  224 
acres  which  he  has  since  occupied.  He  follows 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr.  Mike- 
sell  considers  no  detail  of  his  work  too  trivial 
for  attention,  and  his  home  and  surroundings 
show  his  taste  and  thrift.  He  has  erected 
buildings  and  made  other  notable  improve- 
ments on  the  pi'operty  during  his  ownership, 
and  few  farmers  have  their  work  on  a  more 
systematic  and  orderly  basis. 

Mr.  Mikesell  was  married  in  Center  town- 
ship June  2,  1870,  to  Keraenhappuch  (Carry) 
Coy,  a  native  of  Pine  township,  this  county, 
daughter  of  Lewis  and  :\Iargaret  (Sleppey) 
Coy,  and  they  have  had  a  family  of  five  chil- 
dren, namely :  Augustus  Babb,  who  resides  on 
the  homestead,  working  for  his  father,  and  at 
present  acting  as  a  director  on  the  school 
board  of  Blacklick  township,  being  secretary 
of  that  body;  Laura  ilay,  who  married  Ed- 
ward Berkley  and  lives  in  Middletown,  Ohio ; 
Ira  B.,  now  living  at  Steubenville,  Ohio; 
Christopher,  who  died  on  the  farm ;  and  ilary, 
unmarried,  who  lives  at  home. 

Mr.  ^likesell  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  at  Coral,  which  he  helped  to  organize, 
and  he  is  at  present  serving  as  elder  and  su- 
perintendent of  the  Sunday  school,  being  one 
of  the  most  efBcient  workers  of  that  congrega- 
tion. In  politics  he  was  originally  a  Demo- 
crat, but  now  supports  the  Republican  party. 

The  Coy  family,  to  which  Mrs.  Mikesell  be- 
longs, is  also  of  old  settled  Center  township 
stock.  John  Coy,  the  founder  of  the  family  in 
Indiana  county,  came  hither  from  Bedford 
county,  Pa.,  settling  in  Brushvalley  township 
in  1820  and  later  moving  to  Pine  township, 
where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
He  married  Sarah  Bowers,  and  they  had  a 
large  family,  viz.:  Lewis;  Franey;  John  B., 
who  married  Margaret  Empfield:  Adam,  who 
married  Rachel  Lyda ;  Sarah,  who  married 
George  Emptield;  Peter,  who  married  Mary 
Stevens:  Nancy,  who  married  Samuel  Stall; 
Elizabeth,  who  married  William  Fowler ;  and 
David,  who  married  a  Miss  Dick. 

Lewis  Coy,  son  of  John  aaid  Sarah  (Bowers') 
Coy,  was  born  in  1812  in  Bedford  county,  Pa., 
and  was  a  boy  when  he  came  with  his  parents 
to  what  was  then  known  as  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, Indiana  county.  Later  he  moved  with 
the  family  to  Pine  township,  where  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  liis  life  engaged  in  farming. 


dying  in  July,  1896.  In  1834  he  married 
^largaret  Sleppey,  who  was  born  in  1810, 
daughter  of  Abraham  and  Ann  Sleppey,  and 
they  had  a  family  of  nine  children,  three  sons 
and  si.x:  daughters,  one  of  the  latter  being  the 
wife  of  John  Kuhns  Mikesell. 

JOSEPH  HENRY  BURGESS,  for  several 
years  chief  clerk  and  paymaster  for  the  Pitts- 
burg Gas  Coal  Company  at  their  Iselin  plant 
in  Young  township,  was  born  in  Erie,  Pa., 
Sept.  22, 1873,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Pilling) 
Burgess,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  the 
vicinity  of  ilanchester,  England,  and  died  at 
Erie,  Pennsylvania. 

Joseph  Henry  Burgess  attended  the  local 
grammar  and  high  schools  of  his  native  city, 
and  after  finishing  his  educational  training  be- 
came clerk  for  a  hotel  in  Erie,  retaining  this 
position  for  several  years.  He  then  engaged 
with  the  Rochester  &  Pittsburg  Coal  &  Iron 
Company,  at  Punxsutawney,  Jefferson  Co., 
Pa.,  as  clerk,  in  the  fall  of  1903  leaving  that 
concern  to  become  chief  clerk  and  paymaster 
for  the  Pittsburg  Gas  Coal  Company,  at  Iselin, 
and  has  been  thus  retained  ever  since.  As  the 
plant  was  in  its  infancy  at  Iselin  when  Mr. 
Burgess  assumed  his  present  responsibilities, 
he  has  seen  it  grow  and  assisted  in  its  material 
advancement.  The  employees  on  the  payroll 
have  increased  from  200  to  1.600,  and  instead 
of  the  few  houses  in  the  village  that  ]Mr.  Bur- 
gess found  upon  his  arrival  there  are  now  over 
three  hundred  good  residences.  Having  seen 
all  this  progress,  Mr.  Burgess  was  naturallj' 
interested  in  the  village,  and  was  one  of  the 
men  who  organized  the  L^nion  Church  of  that 
place,  sei'S'ing  on  the  building  committee,  and 
subsequently  as  a  trustee.  He  is  a  strong  Re- 
publican, and  was  postmaster  of  Iselin  from 
the  establishment  of  the  office  until  1911, 
when  it  was  changed  from  a  fourth-class  to  a 
third-class  office,  and  his  assistant,  Mr. 
Rhoads,  succeeded  him.  He  now  makes  his 
home  in  the  borough  of  Indiana. 

Mr.  Burgess  was  married  in  Erie.  Pa.,  to 
Elizabeth  Walter,  who  was  born  in  that  city, 
daughter  of  G.  A.  Walter.  Mv.  and  Mrs. 
Burgess  have  had  four  children,  Richard  Wal- 
ter, Alice.  Frederick  and  Jane.  Mrs.  Burgess 
is  active  in  church  and  Sunday  school  work, 
ably  seconding  the  efforts  of  lier  husband 
along  these  lines,  and  both  of  them  stand 
high  in  the  public  estimation.  n 

JOE  J.  CAMPBELL  was  born  in  West 
Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  county.  Sept, 
l."),    1865,  son    of  Robert  M.    and   Margaret 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1073 


(Mack)  Campbell,  aud  grandson  of  David 
Campbell,  the  first  American  ancestor  of  this 
branch  of  the  family. 

Toward  the  end  of  the  eighteenth  century 
Wheatfield  township  embraced  all  the  terri- 
tory south  of  the  Purchase  Line.  Sixteen 
townships  have  since  been  formed  within  her 
original  boundaries.  The  first  settlers  in  tins 
district  were  emigrants  from  Ireland,  from  the 
Counties  of  Anti'im  and  Armagh,  they  land- 
ing in  America  July  21.  1792.  Stories  of  the 
New  World  soon  attracted  others  left  behind, 
and  David  Campbell  came  some  time  later  to 
join  this  colony  in  Wheatfield.  Leaving  his 
native  home  he  took  passage  on  a  sailing  ves- 
sel to  America,  and  after  a  stonny  voyage  of 
more  than  six  weeks  found  himself  on  the 
shores  of  the  New  World.  He  proceeded  west- 
ward over  the  Allegheny  mountains  to  the 
Couemaugh  valley  and  finally  located  on 
Blacklick  creek,  hear  the  present  site  of  the 
village  of  Heshbon.  Aboiit  the  year  1800  he 
purchased  by  patent  219  acres  of  land  on 
Blacklick  and  here  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  Assisted  by  his  sons  he  cleared 
the  land  and  erected  buildings,  and  his  farm 
became  one  of  the  most  productive  tracts  in 
the  locality.  Mr.  Campbell  was  laid  to  rest 
in  the  Campbell  graveyard  on  the  homestead 
place. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  married  to  Margaret 
Mahan,  and  their  children  were:  John, 
Christopher,  Robert  M..  David,  Porter  M., 
Alexander  (who  died  young)  and  Jane  (who 
married  William  Palmer). 

Robert  il.  Campbell,  the  third  son  of  David, 
born  Aug.  7,  1819,  received  his  education  at 
the  subscription  school  of  the  neighborhood. 
For  a  time  he  worked  as  boatman  on  the 
Pennsylvania  canal  and  later  helped  in  the 
construction  of  part  of  the  stone  pike  from 
Pittsburg  to  Philadelphia.  In  about  1840  he 
bought  a  farm  of  127  acres  in  West  Wheat- 
field  township,  on  which  he  resided  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  Oct.  30,  1883.  He  was 
a  man  of  upright  character  and  temperate  in 
all  his  habits,  and  held  the  respect  of  all  who 
knew  him.  He  was  an  earnest  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  served  as  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  his 
political  views  and  a  leading  party  worker  in 
his  day,  and  held  a  member  of  township  offices, 
serving  as  school  director,  supervisor,  overseer 
of  the  poor  and  auditor. 

On  Aug.  3,  1843,  Mr.  Campbell  married 
Margaret  ]\Iack,  who  was  born  Oct.  27.  1820, 
eldest  daughter  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Mc- 


Donald) Mack,  of  West  Wheatfield  township, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming ;  Jlr.  Mack  was 
a  native  of  Indiana  county.  Mrs.  Campbell 
died  Feb.  21,  1889.  Nine  children  were  born 
to  this  union :  ( 1 )  Margaret  Jane,  born  July 
31,  1844.  was  married  Sept.  16,  1860,  to  Sam- 
uel M.  Palmer,  of  Josephine,  Pa.,  and  died 
Feb.  12,  1872.  (2)  Amanda  E..  born  Oct. 
31,  1845.  was  married  Sept.  2,  1869,  to  John 
Sidman  Lamoreaux,  and  for  her  second  hus- 
band married  Jesse  Fee.  (3)  James  McCluer, 
born  June  1.  1849,  married  Martha  A.  Mack 
April  16,  1872.  He  lives  at  Garfield,  Pa. 
(4)  John  Gilbert  is  mentioned  below.  (5) 
Alexander  Hail,  born  Oct.  27,  1854,  died  Nov. 
28,  1855.  (6)  William  Piatt,  of  Latrobe, 
born  Nov.  16,  1856,  was  married  Nov.  25, 
1^80.  to  Violet  C.  Mack.  (7)  David  Albert, 
born  Jan.  28,  1860,  died  Oct.  9,  1865.  (8) 
I\Iartha  Emma,  born  April  29,  1862,  was  mar- 
ried May  1,  1884,  to  Christopher  C.  Fisher, 
of  Garfield.  (9)  Joe  Johnston,  born  Sept.  15, 
1865,  is  mentioned  below. 

John  Gilbert  Campbell,  M.  D.,  late  of 
Homer  City,  Indiana  county,  was  born  March 
1,  1852,  near  Armagh,  East  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, this  county.  He  attended  public  school 
in  his  native  township  and  later  studied  at 
Eldersridge  Academy.  For  eleven  years  he 
taught  school  in  Pennsylvania.  In  1876  he 
commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr. 
R.  J.  Tomb,  of  Armagh,  later  attended  medi- 
cal college  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  for  a  short 
time,  and  then  entered  the  Baltimore  School 
of  ]\ledieine,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
Jlarch  1,  1879.  Immediately  afterward  he 
opened  an  office  of  his  own  at  Clyde.  Pa.,  and 
some  time  later  removed  to  Homer  City,  where 
he  built  up  a  large  practice,  following  his  pro- 
fession until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
that  borough  Oct.  10,  1907.  He  was  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  United  Prcsliyterian 
Church,  which  he  served  as  elder  and  trustee, 
and  he  also  took  an  interest  in  public  mat- 
ters, holding  various  borough  offices.  In  his 
political  views  he  was  a  Democrat.  But  his 
practice  received  the  greater  part  of  his  time 
and  attention,  and  he  had  a  high  reputation 
as  a  conscientious,  faithful  physician,  one  who 
never  neglected  his  duty  to  his  patients  even 
under  the  most  trying  circumstances.  He 
erected  a  beautiful  home  on  Main  street,  one 
of  the  finest  in  the  borough. 

In  February,  1885,  Dr.  Campbell  married 
Belle  Boyd,  daughter  of  David  and  JIary 
(McCarty)  Boyd,  of  Homer  City,  and  they 
had  three  children:  Frank  Boyd,  now  the 
wife  of  Milton  Brandon,  of  Homer  City,  Pa. ; 


1074 


HISTOET  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Margaret,  a  graduate  of  the  Homer  City  high 
school;  and  John  G. 

Joe  J.  Campbell  remained  on  the  old  home- 
stead, working  with  his  father,  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  when  he 
went  to  Benton  county,  Iowa,  and  worked  on 
a  farm  there  for  nine  months.  He  then  went 
to  Ashland,  Wis.,  to  work  at  dock  building, 
railroading  and  bridge  construction  for  the 
Duluth,  South  Shore  &  Atlantic  Railroad 
Company,  following  this  for  a  period  of  two 
years,  after  which,  in  1887,  he  came  to  Homer 
City,  Pa.,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business 
with  the  Two  Licks  Lumber  Company.  He 
was  with  this  company  for  four  years,  and 
since  that  time  has  been  employed  as  mine 
superintendent  of  the  Fearing  Run  Mines, 
near  Homer  City,  now  owned  by  the  Townsend 
Coal  Company,  where  he  holds  a  position  of 
trust  and  responsibility. 

Mr.  Campbell  married  Aug.  5,  1890.  Mary 
I.  Kier,  daughter  of  Squire  Martin  Kier,  of 
Homer  City.  They  have  had  a  family  of  nine 
children,  eight  of  whom  are  living,  as  fol- 
lows: Hugh  Kier,  who  died  in  infancy; 
Robert  :\Iartin:  Paul  G. ;  Helen  M.,  a  student 
in  the  Indiana  State  normal  school;  Mary  E.; 
Margaret  I. ;  Joe  H. ;  Murray  Glenn,  and 
Bessie  ]\I.  Mr.  Campbell  is  an  elder  of  the 
Homer  City  United  Presbyterian  Church.-  He 
is  a  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party  and  a 
firm  believer  in  its  principles.  He  served  the 
borough  of  Homer  City  as  burgess  for  one 
term  and  as  school  director  for  four  years. 
He  has  been  road  supervisor  of  Center  town- 
ship for  eight  years,  and  for  five  years  has 
been  school  director  of  the  township.  Mr. 
Campbell  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  is 
now  a  director  of  the  Homer  City  National 
Bank.  He  is  well  known  and  highly  respected, 
a  citizen  whose  worth  is  well  appreciated  by 
his  community. 

ADAM  SHIELDS  is  carrying  on  extensive 
farming  operations  in  Canoe  township,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa.,  the  fine  place  on  which  he  re- 
sides being  known  as  Shady  Grove  Hospital- 
itv.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the  great  Civil  war. 
Mr.  Shields  was  born  July  28,  1832,  at  Locust 
Lane.  Pa.,  son  of  George  and.  Sarah  (Braugh- 
lert   Shields. 

James  Shields,  the  paternal  grandfather  of 
Adam  Shields,  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier 
with  a  record  that  covered  eight  years  of 
service  in  the  Continental  ranks,  during  which 
time  he  was  wounded  seven  times.  In  1830 
he  came  from  Ligonier  Valley,  Pa.,  to  Indi- 
ana county,  with  his  son  Robert,  and  they 


engaged  in  farming  near  Marchand,  where 
the  grandfather  died  at  the  remarkable  age 
of  107  years.  He  married  Jane  Duglass,  and 
they  had  the  following  children :  Robert,  who 
married  Jane  Taylor;  George,  the  father  of 
Adam  Shields;  James,  who  lived  in  different 
parts  of  Indiana  county ;  Rebecca,  who  mar- 
ried William  Laughey,  and  lived  in  North 
Mahoning  township ;  Hannah,  who  married 
John  Ham,  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  Jane,  who 
man-ied  ilathew  Cochran,  and  lived  in  Brook- 
ville,  Jefferson  county;  and  a  daughter  who 
married  a  ]Mr.  Foster,  of  Pennsylvania. 

George  Shields,  son  of  James,  and  father 
of  Adam  Shields,  was  born  in  Ligonier  Val- 
ley, Pa.,  and  as  a  young  man  accompanied 
his  father  and  brother  to  Indiana  county, 
taking  up  land  in  Canoe  township,  where  he 
became  the  owner  of  177  acres.  Mr.  Shields 
bore  an  active  and  prominent  part  in  the 
development  and  upbuilding  of  this  region, 
and  his  name  should  be  among  the  foremost 
on  the  rolls  of  Indiana  county's  honored 
pioneers.  On  his  arrival  this  land  was  all 
covered  with  heavy  timber,  and  he  erected  a 
small  log  cabin,  and  settled  down  to  make 
a  home  for  himself  and  his  family.  He  was 
ever  an  industrious  and  hard-working  man, 
and  at  his  death,  which  occurred  July  4,  18.56, 
when  he  was  seventy-seven  years  of  age,  his 
community  lost  one  of  its  best  citizens.  At 
the  polls  he  always  cast  his  ballot  with  the 
Democratic  party,  and  took  a  deep  interest 
in  its  success.  He  served  as  supervisor,  school 
director  and  in  other  offices,  and  had  the  en- 
tire confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens.  Mr. 
Shields  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  He  was  twice  married,  his 
first  wife  being  a  Miss  Boyle,  who  died  in 
1810,  the  mother  of  three  children:  James, 
deceased,  who  was  a  farmer  in  North  ]Mnhon- 
ing  township,  and  married  Jemima  Hoover; 
Robert,  deceased,  who  was  a  farmer  near 
Marchand,  married  Mary  Ann  Snyder;  Mar- 
garet died  unmarried.  He  married  for  his 
second  wife  Sarah  Braughler,  who  died  in 
September,  1865,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years, 
and  they  had  the  following  children :  Adam  ; 
William  H.,  deceased,  a  farmer  and  lumber- 
man in  Banks  township.  Indiana  county,  who 
married  Sarah  Martin ;  Sarah  Ann.  deceased, 
who  was  the  wife  of  David  Fleming  and  lived 
in  Oil  City,  Pa. :  Hannah  Jane,  the  widow  of 
Isaac  Wood,  living  in  Clearfield  county: 
Elizabeth,  who  married  Samuel  Calderwood, 
of  Canoe  township;  and  Eva,  who  married 
Cyrus  Wood,  and  lived  in  Clearfield  county. 

Adam  Shields,  son  of  George  Shields,  was 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1075 


reared  to  farm  life  and  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  remaining  on  the  home  farm  and 
tenderly  caring  for  his  parents  during  their 
declining  years.  He  was  married  Feb.  2,  1858, 
to  Hannah  Williard,  of  Canoe  township,  a 
daughter  of  David  and  Sarah  (Tawney)  "Wil- 
liard, the  latter  of  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  and  the 
former  of  Westmoreland  county.  Mr.  Wil- 
liard made  the  first  shingles  for  the  courthouse 
at  Greensburg,  Pa.  Mrs.  Shields  was  born 
Aug.  10,  1844,  in  the  spring  of  which  year 
her  parents  had  come  to  Indiana  county  and 
settled  in  the  northern  part  of  Canoe  town- 
ship, where  they  secured  a  farm  in  the  woods. 
There  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives 
in  the  development  and  cultivation  of  the 
soil,  Mr.  Williard  passing  away  when  eighty- 
nine  years  of  age  and  his  wife  when  eighty- 
six  years  old.  They  were  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  Betsy,  Jacob,  John,  Jo- 
,seph,  David,  Polly,  Esther,  Isaac,  Hannah, 
Sarah  Jane  and  Fred,  all  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased with  the  exception  of  Mrs.  Hannah 
Shields. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shields  have  had  eleven  chil- 
dren, namely:  George,  engaged  in  farming 
in  Forest  county,  Pa.,  married  Ann  Henry; 
David  M.  died  in  1865 ;  Sarah  Jane  passed 
away  in  1865 ;  Samuel,  farming  on  a  part  of 
the  old  homestead,  married  Blanche  Stoops; 
Aaron  is  unmarried  and  lives  with  his  father, 
farming  the  homestead  and  dealing  in  live 
stock,  also  acting  as  agent  for  the  Johnston 
Harvester  Company  and  the  Leroy  Plow  Com- 
pany; Lillie  May  married  Harry  Bewes,  a 
carpenter,  of  Perrysville,  Jefferson  county; 
Evelyn  W.  married  Dan  Kline,  foreman  for 
the  Bowman  Lumber  Company,  of  Williams- 
port,  Pa.,  and  resides  at  St.  Albans,  Kanawha 
Co.,  W.  Va.;  Willis  M.  died  in  1872;  Nora 
Belle  married  Elmer  Weaver,  a  frescoer  and 
decorator  for  the  Myers  Company,  at  Steuben- 
ville,  Ohio ;  Mary  Maud  married  Jess  Thomas, 
a  liveryman  at  Cljniier,  Pa. ;  Martha  Ann 
married  Charles  Thomas,  a  farmer,  of  Rayne 
township. 

Adam  Shields  has  always  been  engaged  in 
farming  and  has  always  resided  on  the  old 
home  place  in  Canoe  township,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  time  that  he  spent  as  a  soldier 
in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war.  On 
March  1,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B, 
74tli  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  In- 
diana, Pa.,  whence  he  was  sent  to  Harrisburg 
for  one  month,  and  then  on  to  Clarksburg, 
W.  Va.,  where  he  continued  to  do  scouting 
and  guard  duty  until  receiving  his  honorable 
discharge,   Oct.   1,   1865.     On  his  return  he 


resumed  fanning  on  the  home  place,  which 
he  has  developed  into  one  of  the  finest  farms 
of  the  township.  It  has  many  improvements, 
is  supplied  with  good  and  substantial  build- 
ings, and  is  very  conveniently  located. 

Like  his  father,  Mr.  Shields  is  a  stanch  and 
active  Democrat,  .and  has  been  elected  to  a 
number  of  leading  township  offices,  including 
those  of  constable,  school  director,  supervisor 
and  overseer  of  the  poor,  in  all  of  which  he 
has  rendered  signal  service  to  his  community. 
With  his  family  he  attends  the  Rock  Bridge 
Presbyterian  Church.  The  members  of  the 
family  are  all  well  known  and  highly  es- 
teemed, and  no  man  in  the  township  has  a 
wider  circle  of  friends  than  Mr.  Shields. 

HARVEY  C.  EMBRICK,  assessor  of  Canoe 
township,  was  born  June  7,  1867,  on  the  old 
Emerick  homestead  in  that  township,  a  son 
of  John  Emerick,  and  grandson  of  John  and 
Eva  (Grafe)  Emerick. 

John  Emerick,  a  native  of  Hesse  Darm- 
stadt, Germany,  came  to  America,  and  for 
eight  years  worked  as  a  merchant  tailor  in 
Baltimore,  Md.  He  then  went  to  Franklin 
county.  Pa.,  where  he  farmed  from  1832  to 
1840,  in  the  latter  year  coming  to  Indiana 
county  and  continuing  his  agricultural  opera- 
tions in  Canoe  township.  There  he  died  in 
1878,  aged  ninety-four  years,  while  his  wife 
died  in  1874,  aged  eighty-five  j'ears.  Both 
were  Methodists.  Their  children  were :  John ; 
Henry,  who  married  Mary  Hoover  and  lived 
in  Canoe  township,  where  he  and  his  wife 
both  died ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  John  Hef- 
flick  and  lived  in  Canoe  township,  where  both 
died;  and  Maiy,  who  married  Michael  Win- 
shimer  and  lived  in  Indiana  county  and  Mary- 
land (both  are  deceased). 

John  Emerick,  son  of  John  Emerick,  Sr., 
and  father  of  Harvey  C.  Emerick,  was  brought 
by  his  pai'ents  to  Indiana  county  and  helped 
his  father  to  clear  a  farm  in  Canoe  township. 
He  secured  fifty  acres  of  the  homestead  and 
lived  on  it  until  his  death,  in  1894,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-eight  years.  His  wife  died  in 
1892,  aged  sixty-seven  years.  Both  worked 
hard  to  make  their  farm  a  good  one.  Mr. 
Emerick  was  also  a  tailor,  and  worked  at  his 
trade  occasionally.  A  Republican  in  politics, 
he  confined  his  public  activities  to  casting 
his  vote  for  the  candidates  of  his  party.  The 
Lutheran  Church  of  Trade  City  held  his  mem- 
bership, and  he  was  a  most  excellent  man  in 
every  respect. 

John  Emerick  married  Barbara  Wortman, 
who  was  bora  in  North  Mahoning  township, 


1076 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


this  county,  a  daughter  of  Casper  Wortnuin. 
They  had  the  following  children :  John,  who 
owned  a  farm  in  Canoe  township,  married 
Jlargaret  Lowry,  and  died  in  1892  (his  chil- 
dren were  Robert  L.,  who  is  a  teacher  and 
farmer  of  Canoe  township ;  Orrin,  who  is  on 
his  father 's  homestead  in  Canoe  township : 
Anna  B..  who  married  Jacob  McFarland,  of 
Canoe  township,  and  Cecil  B.,  who  married 
Harry  Dunmire,  of  Canoe  township)  ;  Kate 
married  James  Colkitt.  of  Punxsutawney. 
and  has  four  children,  Charles,  Alfred,  Mary 
and  Ralph;  George,  who  is  living  with  his 
bi'other  Harvey  C,  is  a  huckster  and  farmer; 
Harvey  C.  completes  the  family. 

Harvey  C.  Emeriek  and  his  brother  re- 
ceived very  limited  educational  advantages, 
but  they  are  intelligent  men  and  are  making 
a  success  of  their  work.  They  own  160  acres 
of  land,  of  which  120  are  in  a  good  state  of 
cultivation,  and  the.y  carry  on  general  fann- 
ing, raising  horses,  cattle  and  hogs.  Harvey 
C.  Emeriek  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows, 
belonging  to  Alert  Lodge,  No.  936,  of  Rich- 
mond. Pa.,  and  to  Silva  Rebekah  Lodge.  No 
349,  of  Richmond. 

George  Emeriek  is  a  Republican  of  some 
local  note,  having  served  on  the  election  board, 
and  as  auditor  for  twelve  years.  His  brother, 
also  a  Republican,  has  served  on  the  election 
board,  and  is  at  present  assessor  of  Canoe 
township.  These  .young  men  take  a  good 
deal  of  interest  in  polities,  and  are  very 
highly  respected.  The  family  is  an  old  and 
honored  one  in  Indiana  county,  and  the.v  are 
full.v  sustaining  the  high  reputation  Ijorne 
by  those  of  their  name  who  have  gone  before 
them. 

PETER  ZEHNER,  a  farmer,  of  White 
township,  was  born  at  Pittsburg.  Pa.,  June 
1,  1859.  son  of  Peter  and  Harriet  (Dim 
Zehner. 

Peter  Zehner  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
left  his  parents  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years 
to  come  to  the  United  States.  Thev  never 
left  their  native  land,  dying  there.  Upon  his 
arrival  in  the  new  countr.v  Peter  Zehner  made 
his  wa.y  to  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  and  there  learned 
the  blacksmith's  trade,  at  which  he  worked 
until  coming  to  Indiana  count.v,  in  1866.  Up- 
on his  arrival  he  bought  a  farm  in  White 
township,  comprising  fifty-five  acres,  to  which 
additions  were  later  made  until  the  property 
now  comprises  183  acres.  Here  Peter  Zehner 
lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  April 
19,  1890.  Much  of  the  hard  work  incident 
to   placing   the    land    under   cuUivalioii    was 


done  by  him,  and  he  was  always  a  hard-work- 
ing, thrifty  man.  His  wife,  HaiTiet  (Dill), 
was  born  in  Somerset  countv.  Pa.,  daughter 
of  John  Dill.  The  Dill  fami'ly  came  to  Indi- 
ana count.v  at  an  early  date  and  continued 
to  make  their  home  here  until  death  claimed 
them,  John  Dill  and  his  wife  dying  at  the 
home  of  their  daughter.  ]\Irs.  Zehner.  The 
latter  died  April  11,  1904.  Peter  Zehner  and 
his  wife  had  five  children :  Jane  married 
John  Baker,  of  Indiana ;  Philip  is  a  farmer 
of  Kansas;  Jolin  is  a  i-esident  of  Indiana; 
Peter  is  mentioned  below;  Charles  is  a  resi- 
dent of  White  township.  All  are  a  credit  to 
their  parents. 

Peter  Zehner,  Jr.,  was  educated  in  the 
local  schools,  remaining  on  the  homestead. 
When  his  father  died  he  took  charge  of  the 
propertj',  and  has  always  lived  upon  it,  now 
devoting  it  to  general  farming  and  stock 
raising. 

On  June  2,  1880.  Mr.  Zehner  married  15elle 
Warden,  born  in  North  ^Mahoning  township, 
this  county,  daughter  of  John  and  Anna 
(Streams)  Warden,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of    North    Mahoning   township,    this    county. 

^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Zehner  have  had  two  children : 
(1)  Laura  Bell  married  Thomas  Huber,  of 
Indiana.  Pa.,  who  now  lives  in  Rayne  town- 
ship and  nins  a  sawmill  and  threshing  ma- 
chine. The.v  have  one  child,  Leroy.  (2)  Le- 
roy  is  living  at  home,  assisting  his  father  in 
the  farm  work.  ilr.  and  Jlrs.  Zehner  are 
consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
They  are  excellent  people,  who  command  well- 
merited  confidence  among  their  neighbors. 

Robert  Warden,  the  grandfather  of  Blrs. 
Zehner.  was  also  born  in  North  Mahoning 
township,  where  he  became  a  farmer  and 
miller,  conducting  a  gristmill  in  that  town- 
ship for  some  years. 

John  Warden,  son  of  Robert  Warden,  and 
father  of  'Mrs.  Zehner,  was  also  a  farmer. 
He  enlisted  for  service  during  the  Civil  war 
from  Indiana  county,  in  Company  A,  61st 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantr.v.  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  conflict,  participating 
in  the  battles  of  Gettysburg  and  the  campaign 
of  the  AVilderness  as  well  as  other  activities 
of  less  importance.  Following  the  war  he 
came  to  Rayne  township,  where  he  died  Aug. 
14,  1905.  He  carried  the  mail  on  rural  route 
No.  2  until  the  fall  of  1904. 

The  Streams  family  came  to  Indiana  county 
at  a  vei'y  early  da.v.  Mrs.  Warden,  who  be- 
longed to  that  famil.v,  survives  and  makes  her 
home  in  Indiana.  Pa.  Mrs.  Zehner  was  one 
of  five  cliildreii  born  to  her  parents:     Belle, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1077 


Mrs.  Zehuer;  Alexander,  who  is  a  resident 
of  Creekside,  Pa. ;  Robert,  twin  brother  of 
Maggie  (she  is  deceased),  residing  at  Greens- 
burg,  Pa.,  where  he  is  a  substantial  citizen; 
and  Hattie,  w^ho  died  when  fifteen  years  old. 

JAMES  A.  BEATTY,  a  general  farmer  and 
coal  operator,  of  East  Mahoning  township, 
was  born  in  that  township  June  9,  1856,  son 
of  Josiah  Beatty. 

James  Beatty,  the  founder  of  the  family 
in  East  Mahoning  township,  came  from  what 
is  now  Armstrong  township  to  the  present 
East  Mahoning  township,  settling  on  300  acres 
of  land.  He  was  a  pioneer  of  that  section, 
and  made  a  good  home  in  the  wilderness, 
spending  his  life  on  the  farm,  which  he  im- 
proved very  materially.  It  is  now  divided  in- 
to three  farms,  one  being  owned  by  the  mother 
of  James  A.  Beatty,  one  by  James  A.  Beatty 
and  the  third  by  another  grandson,  Robert  S. 
Campbell.  James  Beatty  died  on  his  farm, 
and  his  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  Gilgal 
cemetery.  He  was  a  Presbyterian  in  reli- 
gious faith  and  always  lived  up  to  his  creed. 
Politically  he  was  a  Democrat.  James  Beatty 
married  Nancy  Stewart,  who  also  died  on  the 
farm  and  is  buried  in  the  same  cemetery  as 
her  husband.  The  children  of  this  good 
couple  were :  Nancy,  who  married  Scroggs 
Work;  Sally,  who  married  John  Woi-k;  Ann, 
who  married  Ralph  Walker;  Rebecca,  who 
married  Adam  Campbell ;  Polly,  who  died  un- 
married ;  James,  who  died  unmai-ried ;  Joshua, 
who  died  on  the  homestead;  Robert,  who  died 
unmarried ;  John,  who  died  on  the  old  home- 
stead ;  and  Josiah. 

Josiah  Beatty  was  born  in  East  Mahoning 
township,  in  1830,  and  grew  up  on  the  home- 
stead, alternating  farming  with  attendance  at 
the  local  schools.  Inheriting  the  homestead, 
he  further  improved  it,  but  died  in  1859,  aged 
twenty-nine  years,  and  he  was  buried  in  the 
same  cemetery  as  his  parents.  Like  his  father 
he  was  a  Presbyterian  and  Democrat.  Josiah 
Beatty  married,  at  Jacksonville,  Pa.,  Eliza- 
beth Cunningham,  daughter  of  Horace  Ciui- 
ningham,  and  they  had  two  children,  James 
A.  and  Horace  D.,  the  latter  living  at  Pitts- 
burg. Mrs.  Beatty  married  (second)  John 
Hopkins,  and  now  resides  in  "East  Mahoning 
township.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church. 

James  A.  Beatty  was  only  three  years  old 
when  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  father, 
and  he  was  reared  by  his  mother  and  step- 
father. He  attended  the  local  schools  and 
those  of  IMarion   Center,   later  going  to   the 


Covode  summer  school.  Until  1873  he  con- 
tinued to  help  at  home,  and  then  took  charge 
of  the  propert.y,  now  owning  one  of  the  three 
farms  into  which  the  original  Beatty  tract 
was  divided.  In  addition  to  carrying  on  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising  Mr.  Beatty  operates  a 
coal  bank,  known  by  his  name,  which  he 
opened  in  1884.  Since  then  he  has  taken  out 
many  thousands  of  bushels  of  coal,  and  sold 
the  product  at  his  bank.  He  has  also  in- 
terested himself  in  the  lumber  business  in 
con.iunction  with  his  sons,  and  from  1886  to 
1908  operated  a  threshing  outfit  in  different 
portions  of  Grant,  East  Mahoning  and  other 
townships,  meeting  with  more  than  ordinary 
success  in  his  undertakings. 

In  September,  1873,  Mr.  Beatty  was  mar- 
ried tQ  Isabelle  Hunter,  a  daughter  of  James 
Hunter,  and  she  died  in  1882,  the  mother  of 
the  following  family:  Clarence,  who  mar- 
ried Isabelle  Colnell,  of  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship, is  a  farmer  of  that  township ;  Roy,  who 
married  Susan  Judy,  is  a  farmer  of  North 
Mahoning  township.  Mr.  Beatty  married 
(second)  Susan  Heshbarger,  a  daughter  of 
Robert  Heshbarger,  and  their  children  are-. 
R.  N.,  who  handles  lumber  and  operates  a  saw- 
mill at  Uniontown,  Payette  Co.,  Pa. ;  Harry 
M.,  who  also  deals  in  lumber  and  conducts 
a  sawmill;  Carl,  who  is  in  partnership  with 
the  others ;  Birdetta  and  Mamie,  attending 
school ;  Jesse ;  Olive ;  and  J.  Dewey.  Mr. 
Beatty  is  a  Republican,  but  has  never  sought 
office.  He  does  not  belong  to  any  church  or 
lodge,  but  lives  up  to  the  principles  embodied 
in  the  Golden  Rule.  A  man  of  efficiency, 
skilled  in  his  several  lines,  he  has  become  one 
of  the  leading  farmers  and  business  men  of 
his  township  and  deserves  the  prosperity  that 
has  come  to  him. 

DENNIS  ROSER,  farmer  of  Pine  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  has  lived  at  his  present 
home  from  childhood.  He  was  born  in  Pine 
township  (on  the  Gallagher  farm)  Nov.  24, 
1854,  son  of  George  Roser,  and  belongs  to  a 
family  of  German  extraction,  his  grandfather, 
George  Roser,  having  been  a  native  of  Ger- 
many. The  latter  settled  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  over  one  hundred  years 
ago,  buying  land  near  Mechanicsburg.  It  was 
then  in  its  wild  state,  and  he  had  to  clear  it 
before  he  could  begin  farming,  which  he  fol- 
lowed the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  on  the 
homestead.     He   married   Elizabeth   Fry. 

George  Roser,  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth 
(Fry)  Roser,  was  born  Feb.  23,  1808,  in  York 
county.  Pa.,  and  moved  with  his  parents  to 


1078 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Indiana  county.  Settling  in  Pine  township, 
he  lived  there  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
Sept.  28,  1892,  when  he  was  eighty-four  years 
old.  He  married  Christina  Fetterman.  who 
■was  born  in  1814,  in  Indiana  county,  where 
her  father,  Philip  Fetterman,  located  in  pio- 
neer times.  She  died  Feb.  5,  1884,  at  the  age 
of  seventy  years.  Children  as  follows  were 
born  to  George  and  Christina  (Fetterman) 
Roser:  Samuel,  who  died  in  infancy;  Peter, 
deceased ;  Lawrence,  deceased ;  Elizabeth,  Mrs. 
Thompson,  deceased ;  Fry,  of  Pine  township ; 
George,  deceased;  Martin,  who  lives  in  Clin- 
ton county.  Pa.;  Dennis,  living  on  the  old 
familv  homestead  in  Pine  township;  Lydia. 
Mrs.  "'Waltemire.  residing  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship;  and  Sarah,  deceased. 

Dennis  Roser  was  educated  in  the  home 
district,  and  commenced  work  with  his  father, 
remaining  at  home  to  assist  him  until  sixteen 
years  old.  After  that  for  several  years  he 
woi-ked  out  among  other  farmers,  meanwhile 
helping  his  father  from  time  to  time,  until 
he  commenced  operating  a  farm  on  his  own 
account,  in  1884,  when  he  settled  on  the 
home  place.  He  has  a  valuable  tract  of  fifty 
acres,  the  old  place  which  his  father  cleared 
and  improved.  George  Roser  erected  a  log 
cabin  and  barn,  roofed  with  clapboards.  The 
substantial  dwelling  now  on  the  property  was 
erected  in  1901.  'Sir.  Roser  carried  on  general 
farming,  and  is  a  thrifty,  successful  man,  his 
industrious  life  winning  him  the  thorough 
respect  of  all  his  neighbors.  He  has  served 
his  township  as  school  director  one  term.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican,  in  religious  con- 
nection a  member  of  the  Mount  Zion  Lutheran 
Church.  ^, . 

On  Nov.  20,  1873,  ^Mr.  Roser  married  Ehza 
Jane  Brown,  who  was  born  Oct.  25.  1851,  in 
Cherryhill  township,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren:" Albert  Francis,  born  April  15,  1877, 
married  Reba  D.  Singer,  of  GreenviUe;  Cora 
Blanche,  born  Oct.  25,  1883,  married  G.  R. 
Waltemire,  of  Indiana. 

Daniel  Brown.  Mrs.  Roser 's  father,  was  a 
native  of  Bedford  county,  Pa.,  born  Feb.  15, 
1811,  and  died  Feb.  23,  1878,  in  Cherryhill 
township,  Indiana  county.  He  is  buried  m 
the  IManor  graveyard.  His  occupation  was 
farming.  He  married  Barbara  Putt,  who  was 
born  ]\Iay  8.  1818.  in  Bedford  county,  and 
they  had  a  family  of  five  children:  Mary; 
Catherine,  deceased ;  Nancy ;  Eliza  Jane,  Mrs. 
Roser:  and  Sarah.  The  mother  died  ]\Iarch 
4,  1882,  in  Cherryhill  township.  The  father 
was  a  member  of  the  Mount  Zion  Lutheran 
Church,  and  on  political  questions  was  a  Re- 


publican. His  grandmother  Brown  was  taken 
captive  by  the  Indians  and  held  among  them 
for  eleven  years,  when  she  was  returned  to  her 
people. 

EDGAR  J.  WELCH,  a  grain  and  feed 
dealer  of  Plumville,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  in  Plumville  Jan.  8,  1876,  son  of  Lewis 
A.  Welch.  George  Welch,  his  grandfather, 
married  Elizabeth  Hartshorn. 

Lewis  A.  Welch,  son  of  George  Welch,  and 
father  of  Edgar  J.  Welch,  was  born  in  Clear- 
field county,  Pa.,  in  1838.  and  grew  to  man- 
hood in  that  county.  He  received  only  a 
limited  education,  learned  the  trade  of  shoe- 
making,  and  in  1859  moved  to  the  village  of 
Plumville,  where  he  was  a  shoemaker  for  about 
a  quarter  of  a  century.  In  1883  he  began 
farming  in  South  Mahoning  township,  Indi- 
ana county. 

ilr.  Welch  had  an  enviable  record  as  a 
soldier,  having  enlisted  in  Company  E.  148th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was 
mustered  into  the  service  Sept.  2,  1862.  under 
Capt.  John  Sutton  and  Col.  James  A.  Beaver, 
of  Center  county,  and  after  a  varied  experi- 
ence extending  over  three  years,  during  which 
he  proved  his  bravery  and  gallantry,  was 
honorably  discharged.  A  member  of  the 
Union  Veteran  Legion,  he  took  an  active  part 
in  the  reunions,  and  it  was  while  at  one  of 
these,  held  at  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  in  1902,  that  he 
died  of  heart  failure.  His  remains  were  taken 
back  to  his  old  home  and  interred  in  the  ^la- 
honing  cemetery.  He  was  a  Republican,  but 
never  cared  for  office.  For  many  years  he  was 
a  consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
and  died  firm  in  its  creed. 

In  1860  Lewis  A.  Welch  married  Anne 
Elizabeth  Spargo,  a  native  of  Cambria  county. 
Pa.,  daughter  of  James  and  IMary  (Jones) 
Spargo.  who  were  of  English  and  Welsh  de- 
scent. James  Spargo  was  a  miner  and  sank 
the  shaft  into  the  third  coal  mine  opened 
west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains.  Mrs.  Welch 
died  in  December.  1907,  and  was  buried  by 
the  side  of  her  husband.  She.  too,  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church.  They  had  the  fol- 
lowing children  :  Mary,  who  married  Andrew 
P.  Cuningham,  resides  at  Dayton.  Pa. :  Eliza 
B..  who  married  Wilson  :M.  Bowser,  resides 
in  AVest  JMahoning  township,  this  county: 
Charlotte  Ann  (Lottie ~l.  who  married  John 
Sims,  resides  at  Farson,  Wyo. :  Myrtie  mar- 
ried Harry  Rowland,  of  South  Mahoning 
township;  George  L.  is  a  business  man  of 
Dayton.  Pa. ;  Edgar  J.  is  mentioned  below : 
Alanianda  married  Edgar  Nolf,  of  South  Ma- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1079 


honing  township ;  J.  L.  Curbey  is  a  liveryman 
at  Dayton,  Pennsylvania. 

Edgar  J.  Welch  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  South  ilahoning,  and  when  only  eighteen 
years  old  began  teaching  in  that  township. 
For  the  next  six  years  he  was  so  engaged,  and 
then  took  a  course  at  the  Indiana  State  nor- 
mal school.  In  1901  he  was  given  a  school  of 
an  advanced  grade  at  Pluraville,  and  taught 
it  for  one  year,  and  then  during  1902 
taught  a  summer  normal  at  Plumville  with 
remarkable  success.  Having  been  made  prin- 
cipal of  the  Homer  City  public  school,  he 
taught  same  for  three  years  during  the  school 
year,  and  during  the  summers,  in  conjunction 
with  William  P.  Risinger,  opened  a  school  at 
Homer  City,  which  he  conducted  for  three 
seasons.  In  addition  he  was  assistant  super- 
intendent of  schools  under  Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart. 
The  close  confinement  told  upon  his  health, 
however,  and  in  1906  he  established  himself 
in  business  as  a  flour  and  feed  merchant  at 
Plumville,  where  he  has  since  been  extensively 
engaged  in  handling  grain,  flour  and  feed. 
So  successful  has  he  been  that  in  1910  he 
felt  justified  in  erecting  his  present  place  of 
business,  which  is  near  tlie  depot  and  very 
conveniently  located  for  his  purposes.  He  has 
always  taken  a  deep  and  intelligent  interest 
in  the  affairs  of  the  borough,  and  has  given 
efScient  service  as  a  school  director,  being  par- 
ticularity fitted  for  such  office  by  reason  of 
his  long  connection  with  the  educational  af- 
fairs of  the  county.  While  on  the  board  he 
acted  as  its  treasurer.  He  is  at  present  a 
member  of  the  council.  Fraternally  he  be- 
longs to  the  Odd  Fellows,  Lodge  No.  803, 
which  he  joined  at  Smicksburg,  and  is  a  past 
grand  of  that  lodge,  also  belonging  to  the 
Rebekahs,  in  which  his  wife  holds  membership. 
The  Baptist  Church  has  in  him  a  consistent 
and  faithful  member  and  he  has  been  very 
active  in  Sunday  school  work  both  as  a  teacher 
and  superintendent.  Politically  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

In  August,  1906,  .Mr.  Welch  was  married  to 
Carrie  Coup,  who  was  born  in  Brushvalley 
township,  a  daughter  of  Wallace  W.  Coup. 
Mrs.  Welch  attended  the  public  schools  of  her 
neighborhood  and  the  sumtmer  normal  con- 
ducted by  Mr.  Welch,  and  for  two  years  was 
a  teacher  in  Center  township,  so  that  she  and 
her  husband  are  very  congenial,  having  many 
tastes  in  common.  In  religious  faith  she  is 
a  Presbyterian.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Welch  have 
become  the  parents  of  three  children:  Mar- 
ion, who  was  born  in  August,  1907;  Leonard 


Edgar,  born  in  November,  1910;  and  Nellie 
Almeda,  bom  in  March,  1913. 

GEORGE  A.  CONRATH,  president  and 
manager  of  the  Penn  Enamel  Sink  Company, 
one  of  the  flourishing  industries  of  Indiana 
borough,  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  pro- 
gressive business  men  of  Indiana  county, 
where  he  has  passed  all  his  life.  He  was  born 
July  24,  1873,  ia  Green  township,  son  of 
Nathan  Conrath,  and  is  a  grandson  of  John 
Conrath,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  founded 
this  family  in  the  United  States,  coming  to 
this  country  in  young  manhood. 

Nathan  Conrath  was  born  in  Mifflin  county, 
Pa.,  and  followed  farming  throughout  his 
residence  in  Indiana  county.  He  married 
Susan  Ham,  who  was  born  in  Center  county. 
Pa.,  and  to  them  were  born  five  children, 
namely:  Isaac  N.,  Amanda  (wife  of  Samuel 
Freedlin),  Frank,  Sarah  C.  (wife  of  W.  S. 
Pittman),  and  George  A.  The  parents  were 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  The  mother 
died  in  1906,  the  father  on  Jan.  3,  1912. 

George  A.  Com-ath  obtained  his  education 
in  the  public  schools.  When  a  youth  he  com- 
menced to  work  in  a  fiour  mill,  and  followed 
milling  for  about  four  years.  In  1898  he 
engaged  in  the  enameling  business,  at  Blairs- 
ville,  and  while  there  mastered  the  details  of 
that  line  of  work,  his  experience  proving  most 
profitable.  Locating  at  Indiana  in  1906,  he 
established  the  Penn  Enamel  Sink  Company, 
of  which  he  was  made  president  the  follow- 
ing year.  He  has  served  as  manager  from 
the  beginning,  and  has  continued  to  act  as 
president  and  manager  since  the  incorpora- 
tion, in  1910,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $100,000. 
The  company  manufactures  sinks,  lavatories 
and  all  kinds  of  enameled  goods,  and  has  the 
reputation  of  turning  out  as  high-class  prod- 
uct as  can  be  found  in  the  United  States. 
The  trade  is  in  a  highly  prosperous  condi- 
tion, and  the  high  standard  of  the  output 
is  its  best  advertisement,  a  ready  market  be- 
ing found  for  all  the  goods,  either  at  home 
or  abroad.  Mr.  Conrath 's  success  and  his 
activity  in  trade  circles  has  entitled  him  to 
a  place  among  the  leading  manufacturers  in 
the  county.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I  0  0 
F.  and  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks. 

Mr.  Conrath  married  Sarah  Waterson, 
daughter  of  John  Waterson,  and  their  family 
consists  of  six  children:  A.  Chloe,  Virginia, 
Mathias,  Effeline,  George  and  Audley. 

WILLIAM  SCHRADER  was  one  of  the 
best-known  millers  in  Indiana  county  during 


1080 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY.  PENNSYLVANIA 


his  active  career,  and  also  followed  the  bak- 
ing business  for  a  number  of  years.  For  a 
short  time  he  was  engaged  in  farming.  He 
was  a  native  of  Germany,  born  Oct.  22.  1846, 
in  Waldeck,  son  of  William  John  Schrader. 
The  father  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade.  He 
served  in  the  Germany  army,  taking  part  in 
the  war  of  1848,  and  was  wounded  in  the 
calf  of  his  left  leg,  carrying  the  bullet  the 
rest  of  his  life.  He  died  in  his  native  place 
in  1869,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  He 
was  a  Lutheran  in  religious  faith.  William 
John  Schrader  married  Dora  Stormer,  who 
lived  and  died  at  the  same  place,  and  their 
family  consisted  of  five  children:  William; 
Charles,  who  died  in  Germany:  and  Dora, 
John  and  Conrad,  all  of  whom  lived  in  Ger- 
many. 

William  Schrader  went  to  school  until  he 
was  thirteen  years  old.  Until  he  was  fifteen 
he  worked  on  the  sugar  beet  farms-  and  then 
went  to  St.  Petersburg,  Russia,  where  he  re- 
mained for  nine  years,  meanwhile  learning  the 
baker's  trade.  He  then  came  to  America, 
sailing  from  St.  Petersburg  to  Hamburg,  and 
thence  to  New  York  Cit.v.  where  he  landed 
Oct.  10,  1868.  Thence  "he  came  direct  to 
Indiana  county.  Pa.,  where  his  uncle,  Charles 
Stormer,  a  miller  and  farmer,  was  located. 
Mr.  Schrader  worked  for  a  time  in  his  mill, 
and  then  rented  the  Hendenson  mill  at  Blaii's- 
ville,  which  he  carried  on  on  his  own  account 
for  two  years.  By  that  time  the  new  roller 
process  took  the  place  of  burr  milling.  Mr. 
Schrader  next  rented  the  l^lcKee  mill,  near 
Ernest,  this  eount.v,  where  he  made  consider- 
able reputation  as  a  miller,  his  flour  taking 
first  premium  at  the  Indiana  county  fairs  for 
four  years.  From  there  he  came  to  Indiana 
borough,  where  he  worked  two  years  for 
Charles  Gessler.  Mr.  Gessler  going  to  Ger- 
many at  the  end  of  that  time,  I\Ir.  Schrader 
rented  his  bakerv  for  a  year  and  a  half.  He 
next  moved  to  Punxsi;tawne.v,  where  he  was 
in  the  baking  business,  running  the  People's 
Bakery  for  twelve  years,  until  he  traded  it 
for  a  farm  of  150  acres  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship. The  next  three  j'^ears  he  devoted  to  the 
cultivation  of  that  place,  and  then  selling  the 
coal  and  surface  rights  retired  to  the  borough 
of  Indiana. 

On  June  13,  1872,  Mr.  Schi-ader  was  mar- 
ried, in  Indiana,  to  Mary  Ann  Faith,  of  that 
place,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth 
(Barnhart)  Faith.  Sis  children  have  been 
born  to  them,  namely:  (1)  Harry  Franklin, 
of  Indiana,  a  policeman,  married  Maggie  Mc- 
Donald, and  they  have  four  ehildron.  Margery, 


McDonald,  William  Edward  and  Reynolds. 
(2)  Elizabeth  married  J.  R.  Lewis,  of  Pitts- 
burg, and  their  children  are  Edward,  John 
and  Elizabeth.  (3)  Jlargaret  married  Harry 
Harris,  of  Indiana,  and  is  the  mother  of  two 
children, 'Dorothy  and  Margaret.  ( i)  Will- 
iam Edward,  of  IMahaflfey,  Pa.,  married  Ida 
]\Iay  Robinson,  and  has  three  children,  Paul, 
Myrtle  and  Rebecca.  (5)  Bertha  Jane  mar- 
ried George  Lydic,  of  Indiana.  (6)  Charles, 
of  Pittsburg,  is  a  pharmacist. 

Mr.  Schrader  was  confirmed  in  the  Lu- 
theran Church  in  his  native  land,  and  he  and 
his  wife  belong  to  that  denomination.  Socially 
he  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  in 
politics  he  is  a  Republican.  His  home  is  at 
No.  251  Church  street. 

FRANK  H.  LEARN  has  been  engaged  as 
a  dealer  in  flour  since  his  removal  to  Indiana, 
in  1903,  and  bought  his  present  store  in 
August,  1910.  He  was  born  Jan.  1,  1863, 
on  the  old  Learn  homestead,  near  Cookport, 
Indiana  county,  son  of  Henry  and  Catherine 
(Kunkle)    Learn. 

The  Learn  family  has  long  been  settled  in 
Pennsylvania.  John  Learn,  great-great- 
grandfather of  Frank  H.  Learn,  was  mur- 
dered by  the  Indians  at  Tannersville,  North- 
ampton (now  Monroe)  Co.,  Pa.,  July  3,  1781. 
He  had  five  sons:  George,  who  with  his  wife 
and  child  was  killed  at  the  same  time  his 
father  met  death  at  the  hands  of  the  savages; 
Andrew,  mentioned  below;  Jacob,  who  re- 
mained on  the  old  homestead;  John,  who  set- 
tled in  Cattaraugus  county,  N.  Y.,  where  his 
descendants  still  live;  and  Peter,  who  settled 
in  the  Province  of  Ontario,  Canada. 

Andrew  Learn,  son  of  John,  removed  to 
Westmoreland  eount.v.  Pa.,  in  1775.  He  mar- 
ried Susan  Yocke.y,  and  they  are  buried  in  the 
St.  James'  Reformed  Presbyteriaa.  Church 
cemetery  in  Westmoreland  county.  Their 
children  were:     John.  George  and  Aiulrew. 

John  Learn,  son  of  Andrew  and  Susan 
(Yocke.v)  Learn,  was  born  in  1785.  and  set- 
tled in  1829  on  the  farm  at  Cookport,  Indi- 
ana county,  now  known  as  the  old  Learn 
homestead.  He  married  Elizabeth  Ashbaugh, 
and  they  had  a  family  of  twelve  children, 
eight  sons  and  four  daughters,  all  of  whom 
reached  maturitv.  He  died  at  Cookport  April 
3,  1858,  and  ilrs.  Learn  died  Nov.  26,  1864. 
aged  seventy-five  years,  eleven  mouths,  twelve 
days. 

Henry  Learn,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Ashbaugh)  Leai-n,  was  born  April  20,  1826, 
near  Apollo,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  and  died 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  P^^NNSYLVANIA 


1081 


on  the  old  Learn  homestead  at  Cookport  in 
1893.  His  wife,  Catherine  (Kunkle),  born 
Jan.  25,  1831,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Catha- 
rine (Mundshower)  Kunkle,  died  there  Aug. 
10,  1907.  They  were  Lutherans  in  religious 
connection,  charter  members  of  the  church  of 
that  denomination  at  Cookport.  Two  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heni-y  Learn : 
Frank  H.  and  Oakley  E.,  the  latter  living 
near  Cookport. 

Frank  H.  Learn  lived  on  the  home  farm 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-three 
years.  He  attended  the  local  public  schools 
until  he  was  eighteen,  and  has  always  been 
a  close  reader,  never  relinquishing  his  in- 
terest in  books  and  study.  In  his  twenty- 
fourth  year  he  left  home,  and  lived  at  Cook- 
port for  the  six  years  following,  running  a 
temperance  hotel,  and  then  for  ten  years  en- 
gaging in  the  mercantile  bixsiness  at  Barnes- 
boro,  Cambria  county.  In  1903  he  came  to 
the  borough  of  Indiana  and  entered  into  busi- 
ness as  a  wholesale  jobber  in  flour,  which  he 
still  continues  in  connection  with  the  general 
store  at  No.  366  Philadelphia  street,  which  he 
bought  in  August,  1910.  He  makes  a  specialty 
of  the  Superlative  and  Marvel  brands  of  flour, 
and  handles  feed,  chop,  middlings  and  bran, 
having  a  profitable  trade  in  his  various  lines. 
He  is  a  straightforward  and  capable  busi- 
ness man,  and  has  gained  a  firm  standing 
among  the  substantial  business  men  of  the 
borough  by  his  enterprising  methods  and 
honorable  transactions. 

A  number  of  years  ago  Mr.  Learn  became 
interested  in  the  Prohibition  movement,  and 
he  has  long  been  an  active  worker  in  the 
local  ranks  of  the  party.  He  has  served  as 
a  delegate  to  State  and  national  conventions, 
and  has  been  the  candidate  of  the  party  for 
various  offices,  at  present  for  representative 
in  the  State  Legislature.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which 
he  officiates  as  elder. 

On  May  27.  1886.  Mr.  Learn  married  Clara 
May  Gibson,  daughter  of  Robert  Gibson,  of 
Blacklick  township,  this  county,  and  they  have 
become  the  parents  of  eight  children,  two  of 
whom  are  deceased,  the  survivors  being:  A^ola 
Grace,  wife  of  Dr.  C.  6.  Harmon,  of  West 
Lebanon,  Pa.;  Howard  G.,  of  Indiana,  who 
married  Hazel  McCoy ;  George  Blair,  at  pres- 
ent a  student  in  the  Indiana  State  normal 
school;  Elizabeth;  Robert  Henry,  and  Ruth. 

FRANTZ.  The  Frantz  family  is  supposed 
to  he  of  German  extraction,  and  the  earliest 
known    ancestors   of  the   branch    here   under 


consideration  were  residents  of  Lebanon 
count.y,  Pennsylvania. 

Henry  Frantz,  the  first  of  the  name  of  whom 
there  is  record,  lived  in  Lebanon  county,  and 
was  there  killed  by  the  Indians.  He  was  the 
great-grandfather  of  Jacob  Frantz,  of  Ross- 
moyne,  Indiana  county. 

Daniel  Frantz,  son  of  Henry  Frantz,  was 
born  in  Lebanon  county,  and  there  grew  to 
manhood,  learning  the  trade  of  miller.  He 
came  to  what  was  then  a  portion  of  Union 
county,  Pa.,  married  Catherine  Shafer,  and 
settled  down  about  ten  miles  north  of  Selins- 
grove,  now  included  in  Snyder  county.  There 
he  followed  his  trade  of  miller  for  years,  and 
also  worked  as  a  millwright.  Later  he  moved 
to  Jefferson  county,  locating  at  Mahoning 
Creek,  where  he  operated  the  old  Bell  mill 
for  some  years  and  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  useful  life.  His  remains  were  laid  to 
rest  in  Paradise  cemetery,  in  Jeiferson  coun- 
ty, and  his  wife  lies  by  his  side.  Both  were 
consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
They  were  earnest  Christian  people,  who 
worked  hard  and  tried  to  do  their  duty  as  they 
saw  it.  Their  children  were :  Henry,  who 
died  in  Snyder  county ;  Eve,  who  married 
John  Armstrong,  and  died  in  Clearfield  coun- 
ty; John,  mentioned  at  length  below;  Daniel, 
who  died  in  Jefferson  county ;  Joseph,  who 
died  in  Clearfield  county;  and  George,  who 
died  in  Jefferson  county. 

John  Frantz,  son  of.  Daniel  Frantz  and 
father  of  Jacob  Frantz,  was  born  near  Selins- 
grove.  Pa.,  in  1803.  Growing  to  manhood 
there,  he  received  what  education  the  local 
or  "Pennsylvania  Dutch"  school  afforded. 
From  early  boyhood  he  worked  hard  in  the 
flourmill,  learning  all  the  details  of  the  busi- 
ness from  the  bottom  up.  and  so  was  well 
fitted  for  milling  when  he  was  able  to  embark 
in  that  line  for  himself.  His  first  property 
was  known  as  the  Mount  Pleasant  Mills.  In 
1848  he  moved  with  his  family  to  Jefferson 
county,  at  the  Douthers,  near  Bank  creek, 
and  engaged  in  farming  for  a  period,  but 
later  i-esumed  milling  operations  at  Sports- 
burg,  Pa.,  where  he  conducted  a  mill  for  some 
time.  Still  later  he  moved  to  Indiana  county, 
taking  charge  of  the  Samuel  Good  mill,  in 
West  Mahoning  township.  After  a  year,  how- 
ever, he  went  to  Armstrong  county  and  con- 
ducted a  flourmill  in  Cowanshannock  town- 
ship, for  a  year,  leaving  that  location  for 
Valley  township.  In  the  latter  locality  he 
found  employment  for  his  skill  in  operating 
the  John  Sechrist  mill  for  four  years,  and 
from  there  went  to  Red  Bank  township  and 


1082 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


conducted  a  miU  at  Eddj'ville  for  two  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  returned 
to  Cowanshannock  township,  and  for  a  period 
resided  with  his  sou  Jacob,  but  his  last  two 
months  were  spent  at  the  home  of  his  sou 
Israel,  at  Stump  Creek,  in  Henderson  town- 
ship, Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  died  in 
1874;  he  was  buried  iu  a  cemeteiy  at  Trout- 
ville,  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.  From  the  formation 
of  the  Republican  party  he  gave  its  principles 
and  candidates  his  hearty  and  effective  sup- 
port. Early  in  life  he  was  a  Presbyterian,  but 
later  was  received  into  the  communion  of  the 
Catholic  Church,  in  which  faith  he  died. 

John  Frantz  was  married  in  what  was  at 
that  time  a  part  of  Union  (now  Snyder) 
county  to  Mary  Steffey,  who  was  born  in 
Union  county,  daughter  of  Jacob  Steffey,  and 
died  in  1843.  She  was  buried  at  Richfield, 
Union  county.  Mrs.  Frantz  was  a  faithful 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
The  children  of  this  marriage  were:  Amos, 
who  died  in  young  manhood  in  Jefferson  coun- 
ty; Eli,  who  died  in  Jeffei-son  county;  Eliza- 
beth, who  maiTied  Samuel  Royer,  and  died 
in  Union  county;  Susannah,  who  married 
James  J\IcCracken,  and  died  in  Clearfield 
county;  Mary,  who  died  young;  John,  who 
was  a  soldier  during  the  Civil  war,  and  died 
in  Clearfield  county;  Daniel,  who  died  in 
Colorado;  and  Jacob,  who  survives. 

After  the  death  of  his  first  wife  John  Frantz 
married  (second)  Rachel  Hefley,  of  Union 
county,  and  they  had  one  daughter,  Catherine, 
who  inaiTied  Thomas  Collins,  of  Butler  coun- 
ty, and  died  in  Clearfield  township.  Mrs. 
Rachel  Frantz  died  in  Butler  county  at  the 
home  of  her  daughter,  and  was  buried  in 
Clearfield  township,  that  county.  Both  were 
devout  members  of  the  Catholic  Church. 

Jacob  Frantz,  son  of  John  Frantz,  is  now 
li\ing  retired  from  the  activities  of  life  in 
Rossmoyne,  South  ilahoniug  township,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.,  enjoying  in  his  declining  years 
the  fruits  of  his  earlier  labors,  and  has  every 
reason  to  be  proud  of  what  he  has  accom- 
plished in  his  busy  career.  He  has  been  spared 
to  see  his  children,  grandchildren  and  great- 
gi-andchildren  grow  up  about  him.  Mr.  Frantz 
was  born  in  what  was  then  Union  (now  Sny- 
der) county.  Pa.,  near  Selinsgrove.  Aug.  20, 
1838.  Brought  up  to  hard  work  and  thrifty 
habits,  he  attended  school  in  his  native  place 
as  much  as  possible;  but  he  was  only  ten 
years  old  when  the  family  moved  to  Jeffer- 
son county  and  thereafter  he  had  no  educa- 
tional opportunities,  work  being  alwaj's  placed 
before  schooling  in  those  days  when  the  labor 


of  each  child  was  regarded  as  an  asset.  The 
early  schools  were  conducted  on  the  subscrip- 
tion plan,  and  English  and  "Dutch"  were 
both  taught.  When  he  was  only  twelve  yeare 
old  he  hired  out  to  George  Gorley  and  worked 
on  his  farm  for  two  jears,  receiving  four 
dollars  per  month  for  his  services,  in  addition 
to  his  board.  Returning  home,  he  was  put  to 
work  at  milling,  and  proved  so  capable  that 
he  continued  with  his  father  until  he  was 
ready  to  go  into  business  for  himself,  mean- 
time acquiring  thorough  and  practical  knowl- 
edge of  milling  and  millwrighting.  In  1859, 
when  he  became  of  age,  he  began  operating 
his  first  mill,  renting  a  place  at  Pine  Creek, 
in  Armstrong  county,  where  he  remained  one 
year,  when  he  went  to  Glade  Run  and  con- 
ducted the  John  Sieger  mill  for  over  a  year. 
For  the  next  two  years  he  operated  the  George 
Howser  mill  in  Brady's  Bend  township,  and 
from  there  went  to  Eddyville,  same  county, 
and  for  eighteen  months  operated  another 
mill. 

During  this  period  of  his  business  activity 
the  Civil  war  had  been  declared,  and  like 
other  loyal  Northern  men  he  felt  that  he  must 
not  allow  private  interests  to  interfere  with 
his  duty  to  his  country,  so  he  enlisted  on 
Aug.  12,  1863,  in  Company  B,  78th  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  Captain  ilcCanna 
and  Colonel  Sirwell  commanding.  ]\Ir.  Frantz 
was  in  the  14th  Army  Corps,  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  and  participated  in  the  battles 
of  Lookout  Mountain,  Buzzard's  Roost,  Re- 
saca,  Allatoona,  Big  Shanty  and  Kenesaw 
Mountain.  There  he  was  changed  to  Chat- 
tanooga to  guard  trains,  transferred  to  Com- 
pany A,  78th  Regiment,  and  served  until  hon- 
orably discharged,  Sept.  11,  1865,  at  Nash- 
ville, Tennessee. 

Returning  home,  Mr.  Frantz  resumed  his 
milling  operations,  spending  three  years  at 
the  Denny  mills  in  Butler  county.  Going 
back  to  Armstrong  county,  he  located  in  Val- 
ley township,  where  he  commenced  farming 
on  a  tract  of  eightj'-seven  acres.  He  funned 
this  property,  but  preferring  milling  to  agri- 
cultural work,  traded  his  land  for  a  mill  in 
Cowanshannock  township,  known  as  the  Hosic 
mill.  This  was  the  fii-st  mill  he  owned,  and  he 
conducted  it  for  four  and  a  half  years.  Sell- 
ing this  property,  he  came  next  to  Mahoning 
township  and  rented  the  Sanniel  Good  mill, 
one  that  his  father  had  conducted  some  years 
befoi'e,  and  ran  it  for  eighteen  months.  Later 
Mr.  Frantz  went  to  Oliver  township,  Jefferson 
county,  and  once  more  began  farming,  this 
time  on  fifty-one  acres  which  he  bought.    How- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1083 


€ver,  after  two  years  he  rented  his  farm,  and 
going  back  to  Armstrong  county  operated  a 
mill  at  Phoenix,  in  Waj'ne  township,  for  three 
years.  Again  he  rented  the  Denny  mill  in 
Butler  county  and  operated  it  for  four  years. 
Then  he  went  to  Eli  Coulter,  at  Sprankle 
Mills,  in  Jefferson  county,  for  two  years,  and 
then  in  1886  came  to  Indiana  county,  and  lo- 
cating in  South  Mahoning  township  bought 
the  old  mill  kno^vn  as  the  Williamson  Mill, 
then  owned  by  George  Langendorfer.  Taking 
his  son  Thomas  and  later  James  D.  into  part- 
nership with  him.  he  developed  the  business 
to  somewhat  extensive  proportions,  under  the 
name  of  Jacob  Frantz  &  Sons,  until  1892. 
when  the  partnership  was  dissolved  and  Mr. 
Frantz  retired,  his  sons  continuing  the  busi- 
ness under  the  style  of  Frantz  Brothers.  Dur- 
ing the  period  that  he  was  at  the  head  of  the 
firm  numerous  improvements  were  made  in 
the  plant,  new  machinery  being  installed  and 
new  methods  adopted. 

For  the  last  twenty-seven  years  Mr.  Frantz 
has  been  living  at  Rossmoyne.  Although  now 
advanced  in  age  he  is  very  active  in  mind  and 
body,  in  full  possession  of  all  his  faculties,  and 
takes  a  deep  interest  in  local  affairs,  about 
which  he  is  well  informed,  as  well  as  those 
of  national  character.  Until  the  first  Cleve- 
land campaign  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  at 
that  time  became  a  Republican,  and  has  since 
been  stanch  in  the  support  of  the  principles 
and  candidates  of  the  party.  For  yeai's  he 
served  capably  as  township  supervisor,  but 
aside  from  that  has  not  aspired  for  office.  A 
man  of  kindly  impulses  and  charitable  in- 
tent, he  has  endeavored  to  govern  his  life  ac- 
cording to  the  teachings  embodied  in  the 
Golden  Rule.  He  is  a  member  of  Shields  Post, 
No.  38.  G.  A.  R..  of  Covode.  West  Mahoning 
township,  this  county,  and  for  forty-one  years 
has  been  an  Odd  Fellow.  He  is  a  past  gi-and 
and  member  of  the  grand  lodge  of  the  State, 
and  has  attended  the  grand  lodge  four  times. 

On  July  4,  1861,  Jacob  Frantz  was  married 
to  Hannah  Howser,  who  was  born  in  Yalley 
township.  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of 
George  Howser.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frantz  cele- 
brated their  golden  wedding  on  July  4,  1911, 
surrounded  by  their  children,  grandchildren 
and  great-grandchildren.  The  occasion  was 
one  not  likely  to  be  forgotten  and  was  enjoyed 
by  all,  especially  by  the  venerable  couple  who 
for  half  a  century  had  lived  together  in 
happiness  and  mutual  service,  each  assisting 
the  other  in  the  duties  of  life. 

Six  children  have  been  born  to  Jacob  Frantz 
and  wife:     George,  who  is  a  millwright  and 


miller  in  Maryland,  married  Margaret  Ward- 
ing, and  they  have  had  children,  Blanch  (un- 
married). Nellie  (wife  of  S.  Davis),  Viola. 
George  (a  Presbyterian  minister).  Bertha, 
Frank,  Jane,  Paul,  Jacob  and  a  son  that  died 
in  infancy ;  Jacob  N.  died  at  the  age  of  thir- 
teen; John  W.  died  at  the  age  of  ten  years; 
Thomas  H.  is  mentioned  at  length  below; 
James  D.  is  also  mentioned  at  length  below; 
Nora  married  F.  R.  Wingard,  of  South  Ma- 
honing township,  and  has  children,  Jacob 
Frantz,  Bertha,  Gladys,  Clark  and  Olif. 

Thomas  H.  Frantz,  fourth  child  of  Jacob 
Frantz,  was  born  Aug.  17,  1868,  and  until  he 
was  ten  years  old  attended  school,  but  since 
that  time  his  educational  training  has  been 
obtained  through  experience  and  observation. 
His  services  being  needed  in  the  mill,  he  was 
put  to  work  early,  and  in  return  was  given 
a  good  trade,  learning  milling  and  millwright- 
ing  in  all  their  details.  When  he  was  only 
twenty-two  years  old  his  father  took  him  into 
partnership  under  the  firm  name  of  Jacob 
Frantz  &  Son,  which  was  later  changed  to 
that  of  Jacob  Frantz  &  Sons,  when  his  brother 
James  D.  was  admitted  into  the  firm.  This 
desirable  association  continued  until  1892. 
when  with  the  retirement  of  his  father  the 
two  sons  formed  the  firm  of  Frantz  Brothers. 
In  October,  1902.  the  mill  was  destroyed,  en- 
tailing a  loss  of  .$7,500,  but  undismayed  the 
two  energetic  young  men  rebuilt  the  same 
year,  and  now  have  a  fine  plant,  a  three-story 
structure  which  was  put  up  at  the  cost  of 
$13,000,  and  is  fully  equipped  with  modem 
machinery,  roller  process.  The  firm  has  also 
established  a  large  store  at  Rossmoyne,  where 
a  full  line  of  general  merchandise  is  carried. 
In  1897,  during  the  McKinley  administration, 
Mr.  Frantz  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Ross- 
mojTie,  which  office  he  has  filled  ever  since. 
He  is  responsible  for  the  suitable  name  of 
Rossmoyne.  as  he  selected  it  for  the  new  of- 
fice, which  is  in  the  fourth  class.  He  served 
very  efficiently  as  school  director  for  fifteen 
years,  and  is  a  local  power  in  the  Republican 
party.  An  Odd  Fellow  for  over  twenty  years, 
he  is  interested  in  the  work  of  that  fraternity, 
has  been  a  past  grand  for  years  and  is  also 
a  member  of  the  grand  lodge  of  the  State.  He 
also  belongs  to  the  Plumville  lodge  of  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  at  Sagamore  and  the  Owls  at  Punx- 
sutawney.  Mr.  Frantz  is  one  of  the  progres- 
sive business  men  of  his  township  and  stands 
very  high  in  the  public  estimation. 

On  Oct.  30,  1888,  Mr.  Fr&ntz  was  married 
to   Jlelvina   Lewis,   who   was   born   in   Perry 


1084 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


townsliip,  Jefferson  county,  daughter  of  Jolm 
and  Christina  (Doverspike)  Lewis.  i\Ir.  and 
Mrs.  Thomas  Frantz  have  had  the  following 
children :  Ina,  who  married  0.  A.  Good,  and 
has  one  child,  JIarlin ;  Delbert  G.,  who  has 
charge  of  the  store  of  Frantz  Brothers ;  Alma, 
who  died  when  seventeen  months  old ;  Edna ; 
and  Leland  L. 

James  D.  Frantz,  son  of  Jacob  Frantz,  was 
born  March  30,  1870,  in  Cowanshannock  town- 
ship, Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.  He  received  better 
educational  advantages  than  his  brother,  at- 
tending school  until  sixteen  years  of  age.  when 
he  entered  the  mill  operated  by  his  father 
and  brother.  He  continued  as  an  employee 
until  1888,  when  he  was  taken  into  the  firm, 
the  name  being  changed  from  Jacob  Frantz 
&  Son  to  Jacob  Frantz  &  Sons.  As  before 
stated,  in  1892,  James  D.  and  Thomas  Frantz 
became  sole  proprietors  of  the  milling  prop- 
erty upon  the  retirement  of  the  father, 'and 
the  name  was  once  more  changed,  becoming 
Frantz  Brothers.  This  milling  plant  is  one 
of  the  largest  and  best  equipped  in  Indiana 
county,  and  an  immense  business  is  handled 
annually.  In  addition  to  milling  the  firm 
deals  heavily  in  flour,  grain  and  feed,  and 
owns  and  conducts  one  of  the  leading  mer- 
cantile establishments  in  this  loealit.v. 

The  enterprise  of  the  Frantz  family  is  well 
exhibited  in  the  various  undertakings  of  the 
two  Frantz  brothers.  They  are  good  busi- 
ness men,  who  know  their  different  lines  thor- 
oughly and  how  to  operate  them  successfully. 
They  have  branched  out  more  than  their 
father,  who  confined  himself  to  milling  and 
farming,  but  they  are  imbued  with  the  same 
honorable  principles  which  characterize  the 
elder  man,  and  their  name  stands  for  all  that 
is  upright  and  noble. 

James  D.  Frantz  is  a  Republican  and  is 
serving  as  assistant  postmaster  at  Rossmoyne, 
but  he  is  no  ofifice  seeker.  The  Lutheran 
Church  holds  his  membership,  and  IMrs. 
Frantz  belongs  to  the  same  religious  denomi- 
nation. In  1891  iMr.  Frantz  joined  the  Odd 
Fellows  lodge  at  Plumville,  and  he  is  inter- 
ested in  its  work. 

Ou  Oct.  3,  1895,  James  D.  Frantz  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Mary  Annette  Spran- 
kle,  of  North  Mahoning  township,  this  county, 
daughter  of  :\I.  S.  Sprankle.  Sr.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Frantz  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Carl 
Sprankle,  who  is  attending  school.  Mrs. 
Frantz  is  devoted  to  her  home  and  family. 
Mr.  Frantz  is  a  fine  type  of  the  modern  busi- 
ness man  and  good  citizen.  While  his  own 
affairs  occupy  his  attention,  he  is  never  too 


busy  to  be  interested  in  local  improvements 
and  lends  his  support  to  all  which  he  believes 
will  work  for  the  ultimate  good  of  the  many. 
All  in  all,  Jacob  Frantz  and  his  two  sons 
represent  the  class  of  men  who  have  developed 
this  nation,  and  established  its  prestige  at 
home  and  abroad.  Their  interests  are  closely 
allied  to  the  prosperity  of  their  community, 
for  they  assist  in  creating  it. 

WILLIAM  AUSTIN  GLASS,  agriculturist 
and  member  of  the  board  of  supervisors  of 
Center  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
in  Brushvalley  township,  this  county,  near 
Mechanicsburg,  April  18,  1852,  son  of  William 
and  Jane   (Campbell)    Glass. 

William  Glass  was  born  March  4,  1812,  and 
made  his  home  in  Brushvalley  most  of  his 
life.  He  was  a  tanner  and  harnessmaker  by 
trade  and  one  of  the  first  manufacturei-s  of 
leather  in  Biiishvalley  township,  his  shop  be- 
ing ou  what  is  now  known  as  the  Hiner  farm. 
He  continued  in  active  business  there  until 
about  1860,  when  he  moved  to  Center  town- 
ship, and  made  his  home  ou  the  Thomas  Burns 
farm,  although  he  still  continued  to  work  at 
his  trade.  He  died  Nov.  2,  1880,  and  was 
buried  in  Bethel  Church  cemetery,  in  Center 
township.  He  was  well  known  and  highly  re- 
spected, an  active  Republican,  and  a  faithful 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Jane 
Campbell,  daughter  of  Andrew  Campbell,  bj^ 
whom  he  had  children  as  follows:  Pauline, 
who  married  William  McBeth ;  John,  who 
served  as  a  soldier  during  the  Civil  war ;  An- 
drew, who  died  March  12,  1912;  Esther  An- 
nie; Sarah  Jane,  who  married  Harry  B. 
Hawes,  of  Cherrytree ;  William  Austin ;  Ben- 
jamin Foster;  Isabelle,  widow  of  Martin 
Moddy ;  Mary  Ellen,  who  married  Washing- 
ton Aultmau ;  and  James  and  Jane,  who  died 
in  childhood.  The  mother  of  the  above  chil- 
dren died  in  1860,  and  was  buried  in  Bethel 
cemetery.  Mr.  Glass  was  married  (second)  to 
Catherine  Burns,  who  was  born  in  Center 
township,  daughter  of  Thomas  Burns,  and 
she  died  Sept.  17.  1886,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
five  years,  one  month,  twenty-three  days,  and 
was  buried  in  the  United  Pi-eshyterian  Church 
cemeter}^  One  child  was  born  to  the  second 
union,  a  son,  Thomas  Burns. 

William  Austin  Glass  was  educated  in  the 
pul)lic  schools,  and  was  but  eight  years  of  age 
when  he  lost  his  mother  by  death,  making  his 
home  with  his  mother's  sisters  until  he  was 
nineteen  years  old.  At  that  time  he  went  to 
Camlii-ia  county  and  learned  the  trade  of  mill- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1085 


ing  with  Peter  Garman,  with  whom  he  worked 
for  seven  years,  and  subsequently  continued 
to  follow  his  trade  until  1885.  He  then  came 
to  Center  township  and  purchased  a  farm  of 
126  acres,  known  as  the  Fulmer  farm,  near 
the  line  of  White  township,  and  here  he  has 
been  engaged  in  general  farming  ever  since. 
He  erected  the  present  comfortable  home, 
barns  and  other  buildings,  and  made  improve- 
ments of  an  extensive  nature,  through  indus- 
try and  faithful  effort  having  made  a  success 
of  his  ventures.  He  is  recognized  as  an  in- 
dustrious and  capable  agriculturist,  and  Is 
widely  known  and  highly  esteemed  in  Center 
township,  where  he  has  many  friends.  He  is  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  principles  and  candi- 
dates of  the  Republican  party,  and  since  1896 
has  served  in  the  capacity  of  member  of  the 
board  of  supervisors;  he  also  held  the  ofiBce 
of  school  director  for  one  term.  He  is  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

On  April  5,  1881,  Mr.  Glass  was  married  to 
Cordelia  Douglass,  and  they  have  one  child, 
Harley  Blair,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing with  his  father.  He  and  his  mother  are 
also  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
are  well  known  in  church  and  social  circles. 

WILLIAM  DOUGLASS  SHIELDS  has 
been  a  farmer  all  his  life  and  since  1884  has 
been  settled  in  Banks  township,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, where  he  is  one  of  the  most  respected  citi- 
zens of  his  locality.  He  was  born  April  17, 
1849,  in  North  IMahoning  township,  this 
county,  son  of  Robert  and  Jane  D.  (Taylor) 
Shields,  both  of  whom  were  natives  .of  Penn- 
sylvania, the  mother  born  in  Adams  county. 
Robert  Shields  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 

William  D.  Shields  Mas  given  a  public 
school  education  and  trained  to  farm  work. 
In  1884  he  moved  to  Banks  township,  where 
he  has  since  had  his  home,  on  the  same  farm, 
owning  a  fine  tract  of  118  acres  which  he  cul- 
tivates vei-y  successfully,  being  regarded  as 
one  of  the  up-to-date  agriculturists  of  his 
section.  He  is  highly  respected  by  his  fellow 
citizens,  who  have  shown  their  confidence  in 
his  ability  and  integrity  by  electing  him  to 
the  offices  of  election  inspector  and  township 
supervisor,  which  latter  he  held  for  seven 
years.  He  has  always  been  a  Republican  on 
political  questions.  He  is  a  mem"ber  of  the 
Evangelical  Church. 

On  Oct.  27,  1870,  Mr.  Shields  married  Su- 
sanna Amanda  Bush,  daughter  of  Philip  and 
Catherine  (Sloniker)  Bush,  f.irming  people, 
both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Fifteen  chil- 
dren   have    been    born    to    them,    eleven    of 


whom  survive.  We  have  the  following  rec- 
ord of  this  family:  Delia  J.,  who  is  deceased, 
was  married  to  Thomas  Black,  and  had  five 
children,  of  whom  two,  Owen  and  William, 
are  living.  James  W.,  a  miner  of  Banks  town- 
ship, married  Emma  Armenta  Airgood.  and 
they  have  seven  children,  Monroe,  Edward, 
Susan,  John,  Bertha,  Rosa  and  Almeda. 
Anna  Bell  is  deceased.  Frank  Lester,  a 
farmer,  of  Clearfield  county.  Pa.,  married 
Anna  Uber,  of  Banks  township,  Indiana 
county :  they  have  an  adopted  child,  Ada  Bell. 
Philip  Clyde,  a  miner,  of  Dixonville.  Indi- 
ana county,  married  Jane  Black,  and  their 
children  are  Wade,  Henry.  Guy.  Leonard. 
Howard  (deceased),  Carl,  Delia,  Clark  and 
Blaine.  Ruth  is  the  wife  of  Frank  Cessna, 
a  machinist,  of  Indiana  county,  and  they  have 
four  children.  Bertha,  William  D.,  Goldie  and 
Minerva  Viola.  Katherine  Maud  married 
Henry  Black,  a  farmer,  of  Dixonville.  and 
has  three  children,  Harvey,  Wilda  and  Melvin. 
Clark  Wilson,  a  minister  of  the  Evaneelical 
Church,  married  Clara  Wissinger,  of  Indi- 
ana county,  and  they  have  one  child,  Ruth 
Estella.  Daisy  Dean  married  Lester  Loekard, 
a  farmer,  of  Indiana  county,  and  th(\v  have 
five  children,  Maud,  Lewis,  May,  Fred  and 
Leafy.  Irvin  I.,  a  miner,  of  Indiana  county, 
married  Elizabeth  Marks,  of  Indiana  county, 
and  has  one  child.  Harry  Eugene.  Morton 
Taylor,  a  farmer,  married  ^Mary  Dunlap.  of 
Indiana  county,  and  bas  one  cliild.  Tirza  l\Iay. 
Oscar  was  drowned  May  2:?,  1003.  Annie  is 
deceased.  Lewis  McKinley  and  Zella  ^lary 
are  still  attending  school. 

SNTTDER.  The  Snyder  family  is  well  rep- 
resented in  Center  township  and  one  of  the 
old  settled  families  of  Brushvalley  township, 
being  widely  and  favorably  known  in  that 
section  of  Indiana  county.  The  Snyders  are 
of  German  extraction,  and  the  branch  to  which 
William  H.  and  Jackson  K.  Snyder,  brothers, 
both  farmers  of  Center  township,  belong  is 
descended  from  Conrad  Snyder,  who  was  the 
first  of  the  family  to  come  to  Indiana  county. 
Pa.  His  early  home  was  in  the  State  of  New 
Jersey,  where  he  married  Abby  Lombson.  At 
an  early  period  he  came  with  his  family  to 
Indiana  county,  locating  on  a  farm  in  White 
township,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  and 
his  wife  died  on  the  hom.'stead  farm.  They 
had  six  children  :  William,  Daniel  B.,  Henry, 
Mary,  Caroline  and  Emily. 

Daniel  B.  Snyder,  son  of  Conrad,  was  the 
father  of  William  H.  and  Jackson  K.  Snyder. 


1086 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


He  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  and  was  in  his 
teens  when  the  family  came  to  Indiana  county. 
He  learned  the  trade  of  mason  in  "White  town- 
ship, and  followed  it  for  some  years,  doing 
much  work  on  the  blast  furnaces  of  Indiana 
county.  Later  he  took  up  farming,  operating 
a  part  of  the  homestead  in  White  township, 
but  eventually  sold  out  and  moved  to  Brush- 
valley  township,  where  he  purchased  a  farm 
of  400  acres.  He  made  extensive  improve- 
ments there  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in 
agi'icultural  pursuits.  He  was  widely  known 
and  highly  esteemed  throughout  the  to^vnship, 
as  a  prosperous  farmer  and  as  a  public- 
spirited  citizen  whose  activities  assisted  in  the 
development  and  progress  of  this  section.  He 
was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  He  was  married  in  Wheat- 
field  township,  Indiana  county,  to  Mary  Kil- 
lin,  who  was  born  in  that  township,  da^^ghter 
of  Samuel  Killin  and  granddaughter  of  Dan- 
iel Killin,  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. She  died  on  the  farm  at  the  age  of 
severity-nine  years,  in  the  faith  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church.  They  had  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Elizabeth;  Tillie;  David 
L. ;  William  H. :  Samuel,  who  is  deceased; 
Abbey ;  Richard,  who  resides  in  Center  town- 
ship ;  Jackson  K. ;  and  Sarah. 

William  H.  Snyder,  son  of  Daniel  B.  and 
Mary  (Killin)  Snyder,  was  born  March  2. 
1851,  on  his  father's  homestead.  Center  towni- 
ship,  and  was  there  reared  to  manhood.  He 
attended  school  in  both  Center  and  Brash- 
valley  townships,  and  was  thoroughly  trained 
to  farm  work  under  the  direction  of  his  father, 
remaining  at  home  with  him  until  his  mar- 
riage. At  that  time  he  received  ninety-six 
acres  of  the  home  tract,  situated  in  Center 
township  along  the  Brushvalley  line,  and  there 
he  has  since  lived  and  worked.  He  built  a 
house  and  barns  and  made  numerous  other 
improvements,  added  twenty  acres  to  his  orig- 
inal holding,  and  now  with  the  aid  of  his 
sons  cultivates  a  tract  of  150  acres.  In  ad- 
dition to  his  fann  work,  Mr.  Snyder  was  en- 
gaged in  butchering  for  some  time,  in  partner- 
ship with  his  brother  David,  and  he  has  been 
general  agent  in  the  county  for  the  Perkins 
National  Herb  Tablets,  made  in  Washington, 
D.  C.  He  has  been  thrifty  and  industrious, 
arid  is  a  most  respected  man  in  his  community, 
a  worthy  member  of  a  family  whose  mem- 
bers are  "known  for  their  substantial  qualities. 
He  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  never  taken  any 
part  in  politics  or  public  affairs  of  any  kind. 
On  Sept.  23,  1879,  Mr.  Snyder  married 
Annie  Stewart,  who  was  born  at  Cherryvalley, 


in  Center  township,  daughter  of  Levi  Stewart,, 
of  that  township,  and  six  children  have  been 
born  to  this  union :  Samuel  H.  lives  at  home ; 
Sarah  Allen  married  Sumner  V.  Hill  and  re- 
sides at  Josephine,  this  county;  Mary  Ma- 
tilda married  Donald  Wetzel,  of  Brushval- 
ley township;  Henry  is  at  home;  Elizabeth 
died  young;  Cora  May  is  at  home. 

Jackson  Killin  Snyder,  son  of  Daniel  B. 
and  Mary  (Killin)  Snyder,  was  born  Aug. 
30,  1859,  on  his  father's  farm,  and  during  his 
boyhood  attended  the  schools  of  the  neigh- 
borhood. He  worked  at  home  with  his  father 
during  his  youth  and  early  manhood,  and 
when  he  attained  his  majority  obtained  nine- 
ty-six acres  of  the  home  farm,  engaging  in 
farming  and  stock  raising  there  until  1894. 
Then  he  sold  out  and  removed  to  Buffington 
township,  this  county,  where  he  lived  and 
worked  on  the  Barnard  Gamble  farm  for  one 
year.  Selling  out  again,  he  was  employed 
at  the  Graceton  Coke  Works  for  a  year,  at  the 
end  of  that  time  settling  in  Center  township, 
buying  a  piece  of  land  from  the  Fritz  family 
upon  which  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He 
follows  farming  to  a  limited  extent,  giving 
considerable  time  to  plastering,  at  which  busi- 
ness he  worked  for  several  years  in  Indiana, 
Johnstown  and  other  places. 

On  Jan.  1,  1880,  Mr.  Snyder  married  Mar- 
tha Gamble,  who  was  born  in  Center  town- 
ship, daughter  of  Barnard  and  Harriet  J. 
(Gorris)  Gamble.  They  have  had  four  chil- 
dren :  Abbie  Ann  is  married  to  William 
Shelton  Marshall  and  resides  at  Indiana  Har- 
bor, Ind. ;  Margaret  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of 
Frank  Stiles,  of  Center  township;  Martha 
Gamble  is  the  wife  of  D.  Ralph  Mack,  of 
Center  township ;  Harry  Dixon  is  at  home, 
ilrs.  Snyder  attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Mr.  Snyder  is  a  Republican  in  politi- 
cal sentiment,  but  he  has  never  sought  office 
and  takes  no  active  part  in  public  affairs. 
He  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Jr.  0.  U. 
A.  M.  at  IMechanicsburg.  Pa.  He  is  a  man 
of  high  character  and  regarded  by  all  who 
know  him  as  a  most  desirable  citizen. 

SAMUEL  CRAWFORD,  postmaster  at 
Rochester  Mills,  has  passed  all  his  life  in  that 
part  of  Indiana  county,  and  was  for  many 
years  actively  engaged  in  farming  on  the  place 
in  Canoe  township  where  he  still  makes  his 
home.  He  was  born  April  27,  1835.  in  East 
Mahoning  township,  and  is  a  member  of  an 
old  family  of  this  region,  his  grandfather, 
Moses  Crawford,  having  come  to  Indiana 
county  in  1798  and  to  the  Mahoning  district 


HISTOKY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1087 


in  1818.  The  Crawfords  were  among  the  first 
pioneers  north  of  the  Purchase  Line  in  this 
connty. 

IMoses  Crawford  was  a  member  of  a  pioneer 
family  of  Kentucky,  wliere  he  was  horn  about 
1772.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native 
State,  and  coming  to  western  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1798  first  located  in  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  near  Centerville.  where 
he  continued  to  make  his  home  until  1818. 
He  then  moved  to  what  is  now  East  Mahoning 
township,  settling-  in  the  woods  on  a  tract  of 
land  where  he  established  a  permanent  horn;', 
dying  there  in  1831,  at  the  age  of  fifty-nin'> 
years.  He  was  a  carpenter,  and  followed  his 
trade  as  well  as  farming.  Diiring  the  war 
of  1812  he  was  in  the  service  of  his  country 
as  a  scout.  In  politics  he  was  a  Whig.  He 
was  twice  married,  and  by  his  first  wife. 
Nancy  (Scroggs),  had  a  family  of  nine  chil- 
dren: Mary,  who  married  James  Donald- 
son ;  Samuel ;  Jane,  who  married  William 
Hartman ;  John  ;  David ;  Allen  ;  Ann,  who 
married  William  Robb;  James,  and  Elizabeth, 
who  married  William  Matthews.  Mr.  Craw- 
ford's second  wife,  Mary  (Jamison),  was  born 
in  1790  in  Wheatfield  township,  daughter  of 
Archie  Jamison,  a  Scotch  Covenanter,  wlio 
settled  near  Armagh,  this  county,  where  he 
followed  fanning.  She  died  in  1864  in  East 
Mahoning  township.  Seven  childr'en  were 
born  to  this  marriage:  Archibald  J.  T.,  who 
married  Emily  Sprenkle :  Rachel,  who  mar- 
ried Andrew  Spalding:  IMargaret,  who  mar- 
ried John  Gourley:  William,  who  married 
Mary  Gourley;  Isabella;  Martha;  and  Moses 
Scott,  who  married  Rachel  Pollock. 

Allen  Crawford,  son  of  Moses,  was  born 
in  1804  in  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  there  obtained  what  education 
the  subsci'iption  schools  offered.  He  was  foiir- 
teen  years  old  when  the  family  moved  to  the 
Mahoning  section,  settling  in  what  is  now 
East  Mahoning  township,  and  there  he  grew 
to  manhood,  later  moving  to  what  is  now 
North  Mahoning  township,  on  a  tract  of  150 
acres  where  he  put  up  a  log  house  and  barn 
and  set  to  work  to  make  a  comfortable  home. 
With  the  help  of  his  sons  he  succeeded  in 
clearing  his  land,  upon  which  he  made  many 
improvements,  building  a  frame  hoiise  and 
frame  barn  as  prosperity  enabled  him  to  bet- 
ter his  surroundings,  and  adding  to  the  value 
of  the  place  in  various  ways.  He  followed 
farming  and  stock  raising  there  throughout 
his  active  years,  and  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  life  there,  dying  there  in  1872.     He  was 


buried  in  Covode  cemetery.  Mr.  Crawford 
was  first  a  Whig  in  politics,  afterward  be- 
coming a  Republican,  and  in  religious  con- 
nection was  a  Presbyterian.  In  1826  he  mar- 
ried Nancy  Brown,  who  was  born  in  1806 
in  what  is  now  East  jMahoning  township. 
daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  (Wiggins) 
Brown  and  granddaughter  of  John  Brown. 
Thej'  had  the  following  children :  ^Margaret 
married  Daniel  Rishell,  of  Punxsutawney, 
Pa. ;  Moses  died  in  young  manhood ;  John, 
who  died  at  Punxsutawney,  married  Jane 
Black  and  (second)  ]\Iiss  Milliron ;  Samuel  is 
mentioned  below ;  Alexander  S.,  deceased, 
married  Elizabeth  Anderson  ;  James  L.,  a  phy- 
sician, now  deceased,  married  Zermiah  Grif- 
fith and  (second)  Alice  Blinn;  Mary  Jane 
married  Samuel  McGee ;  Nancy  Ann  married 
James  Wilkins;  Lucinda  died  in  j^oung  wom- 
anhood. 

Samuel  Crawford  attended  the  subscription 
and  public  schools  of  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship, and  was  reared  to  farming  from  early 
life,  following  that  kind  of  work  until  his  en- 
listment for  service  in   the   Union   army,   in 

1864,  when  he  .joined  Company  B,  74th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Captain 
Wilson,  of  Punxsutawney,  and  Colonel  Rho- 
beek.  He  served  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
receiving  his  honorable  discharge  in  August, 

1865,  at  Clarksburg,  W.  Va.,  and  was  mus- 
tered out  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.  His  principal 
service  was  in  West  Virginia,  doing  guard 
duty.  Upon  his  return  to  Indiana  county  Mr. 
Crawford  commenced  farming  for  himself  in 
Canoe  township,  on  the  W.  P.  Morris  tract 
of  185  acres,  where  he  has  followed  general 
agricultural  pursuits  and  stock  raising.  He 
has  erected  a  substantial  house,  barn  and 
other  building's,  and  has  made  numerous  im- 
provements on  the  property,  which  gave  every 
evidence  of  his  thrift  and  intelligent  care  dur- 
ing his  management.  In  1886  he  gave  up  the 
active  work  of  farming,  his  son  now  operating 
the  place,  but  ilr.  Crawford  has  continued  to 
make  his  home  there.  For  the  last  thirteen 
years  he  has  served  as  postmaster  at  Rochester 
ilills,  having  been  appointed  Feb.  16,  1900, 
under  President  McKinley,  by  Hon.  Emery 
Smith,  of  Philadelphia,  then  postmaster  gen- 
eral. He  succeeded  H.  D.  Widdowson,  be- 
coming the  fifth  incumbent  of  the  office,  and 
has  had  the  longest  term  of  any  postmaster 
there.  Mr.  Crawford  has  also  filled  other  local 
offices,  having  been  assessor  of  Canoe  town- 
ship eleven  years,  school  director,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  election  board.  His  political  con- 
nection has  been  with  the  Repiiblican  party. 


1088 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  Post  No.  28, 
at  Indiana,  and  in  religious  association  is  a 
Presbyterian,  belonging  to  the  church  at  Roch- 
ester Mills  and  serving  as  trustee  of  same.  A 
useful  and  highly  respected  member  of  his 
community,  he  has  become  popular  with  his 
fellow  citizens  in  a  long  career  of  satisfactory 
public  service,  and  is  widely  and  favorably 
known  in  his  section  of  Indiana  county. 

In  1858  Mr.  Crawford  married  May  Rad- 
clift,  daughter  of  David  Radclift,  of  Banks 
township,  this  county,  and  the.y  have  had  a 
family  of  seven  children,  as  follows :  James 
Robert;  Edith  M.,  living  on  the  old  farm; 
Samuel  C,  of  Iowa ;  Harvey,  who  is  engaged 
as  an  oil  operator  in  Jefferson  county,  Pa. ; 
Clark,  also  an  oil  operator  of  Jefferson  county. 
Pa.;  Edith,  wife  of  Harry  Pierce,  of  Puux- 
sutawuey;  and  Jennie,  wife  of  Howard  Yite. 

THOMPSON  CLARK  McCREA.    The  Mc- 

Crea  family  of  Blaeklick  township,  Indiana 
county,  the  head  of  which  was  the  late 
Thompson  Clark  McCrea.  for  several  years 
president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Blaeklick,  and  in  every  respect  one  of  the 
most  substantial  citizens  of  that  section,  is 
one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  families  of 
this  territory.  The  MeCreas  are  of  Scotch 
origin.  The  first  of  the  name  in  Indiana 
county  was  John  McCrea,  who  located  in 
1774  on  a  tract  of  land  near  what  is  now  Rugh 
station,  in  Burrell  township,  which  was  then 
included  in  Westmoreland  county.  He  set- 
tled there  when  it  was  a  wilderness.  He  mar- 
ried Jane  Porter.  In  the  early  part  of  1777 
they  were  forced  to  flee  to  Wallace's  fort,  in 
Westmoreland  county,  on  account  of  the  In- 
dians, ^Irs.  McCrea  carrying  her  only  child, 
John.  She  preceded  her  husband  to  the  fort, 
he  waiting  behind  to  hide  the  household  ef- 
fects. He  was  closely  pursued  by  the  Indians 
as  he  hurried  to  the  fort,  and  died  the  next 
day  from  the  overexertion.  His  widow  re- 
turned to  Franklin  tounty,  where  she  mar- 
ried (second)  William  McCrea,  by  which 
union  she  had  one  child,  Samuel  Alexander. 
The  family  later  moved  to  Uniontown,  Fay- 
ette Co..  PmiisylvMnia. 

John  .McCivii.  sou  of  John  and  Jane  (Por- 
ter) McCrrii.  \v:is  boin  in  what  is  now  Burrell 
township  Sept.  IC,  1776,  and  was  but  six 
montlis  old  when  his  parents  had  to  leave 
their  log  home  in  the  wilderness  to  take  refuge 
in  Wallace's  fort  from  the  Indians.  He  lived 
with  his  mother  and  stepfather'  until  ISOO, 
when  he  returned  to  the  place  of  his  birth, 
Hlacklii-k  township,  and  settled  down  to  farm- 


ing, erecting  a  log  cabin.  He  continued  to 
make  his  home  in  the  township  the  rest  of  his 
life,  extensively  engaged  in  farming,  being 
a  large  laud  holder,  owning  over  350  acres. 
He  died  on  his  farm,  near  Smith  station, 
while  living  with  his  son  Samuel,  in  1861, 
aged  eighty-four  years,  seven  months,  four 
days,  and  was  buried  in  Blairsville  cemetery. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  I'nited  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  in  politics  a  Democrat.  He  was 
a  strong,  rugged  man,  active  and  hard-work- 
ing, and  respected  by  all  for  his  industrious 
nature  and  high  moral  character.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Reed,  who  was  born  May  28, 
1776,  in  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  and  died  April  26,  1847,  at  the  ripe  age 
of  seventy  years,  ten  months,  twenty-eight 
days.  ;\Irs.  McCrea  was  buried  in  Blairsville 
cemetery.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  To  this  union  the  following 
children  were  born  :  ( 1 1  Robert  Reed,  born 
Feb.  2,  1802,  was  a  farmer  in  Conemaugh 
township  and  later  in  Saltsburg.  (2)  Wil- 
liam Clark  was  born  Sept.  18,  1803,  and  died 
March  1,  1874.  (3)  John  J.,  born  April  2. 
1805,  located  in  Armstrong  county  and  died 
April  4,  1865.  (4)  Thompson,  born  in  1807. 
died  Nov.  30,  1884.  (5)  Jane,  born  Nov.  20, 
1809,  married  David  Lintner,  of  Burrell  town- 
ship. (6)  Rachel,  born  April  23,  1812.  mar- 
ried Samuel  Hosaek,  and  died  in  Blairsville. 
(7)  Elizabeth,  born  April  13,  1814,  died  in 
December,  1841.  (8)  Acasah,  born  May  8, 
1816,  married  John  Hart,  of  Conemaugh 
township.  (9)  Matilda,  born  Jan.  21,  1820, 
married  J.  Tavlor,  of  Collinsville.  Pa.  (10) 
Samuel,  born  in  1822,  died  April  16,  1864. 

William  Clark  McCrea,  son  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Reed)  McCrea,  was  born  Sept.  18, 
1803,  in  Blaeklick  (now  Burrell)  township. 
He  grew  up  on  the  farm  with  his  father  and 
his  education  was  limited  to  what  he  could  ob- 
tain in  the  subscription  schools  of  the  lo- 
cality, which  were  open  only  a  few  months  in 
the  year.  When  he  started  out  in  life  for 
himself  in  Blaeklick  township,  on  a  farm  of 
325  acres,  owned  and  occupied  by  his  son,  the 
late  Thompson  C.  McCrea.  half  of  his  tract 
was  woods  and  part  of  the  cleared  land  was 
used  by  the  local  militia  for  drilling.  He  con- 
tinued the  rest  of  his  life  on  this  farm,  which 
he  improved  extensively.  He  was  one  of  tlie 
best  known  men  of  the  township,  and  took 
a  leading  i)art  in  township  and  county  af- 
fairs. He  was  interested  in  politics  first  as 
a  stanch  Whig,  later  as  a  Republican.  Dur- 
ing the  Civil  war  he  supported  the  princi- 
ples of  Alu'ahaiii  Lincoln,  and  was  quite  ac- 


& 


/^^^.^fe,,^.^ 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1089 


tive  in  the  township  at  that  time.  He  filled 
the  office  of  supervisor  before  Burrell  and 
Blacklick  became  separate  townships,  and  also 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  county 
commissioner  of  Indiana  county  during  the 
Civil  war,  having  been  elected  Oct.  13,  1863, 
and  served  one  term.  He  was  a  man  univer- 
sally respected  for  his  high  morality,  sterling 
integrity  and  Christian  principles.  In  relig- 
ious matter  he  adhered  firmly  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  he  was  a  ruling  elder  and  trustee.  He 
died  March  1,  1874,  aged  seventy  years,  five 
months,  eleven  days,  and  was  buried  in  Blairs- 
ville  cemetery. 

On  June  3,  1830,  Mr.  McCrea  married 
Nancy  Adams,  who  was  born  Oct.  7,  1811, 
daughter  of  James  and  Mattie  (McCartney) 
Adams,  and  died  Dec.  19,  1873;  she  was 
buried  in  Blairsville.  Mrs.  McCrea  was  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
She  was  the  mother  of  ten  children:  (1) 
John  Porter,  born  Sept.  30,  1831,  located  in 
Massahasket,  Iowa.  (2)  James,  bom  Sept. 
18,  1833,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  serv- 
ing in  Company  B,  56th  Regiment,  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  and  was  wounded  at  North 
Anna  River  May  25.  1864,  dying  from  the 
effects  of  his  wound  May  26,  1864.  (3)  Eliza- 
beth, born  Nov.  10,  1835,  married  William  T. 
Rankin,  and  resided  at  Atlantic,  Iowa.  (4) 
Robert  T.,  born  Aug.  3,  1838,  died  June  6, 
1911,  was  a  minister  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  resided  at  Presnold,  Ohio. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  serving  in 
Company  D,  206th  Regiment.  (5)  Thompson 
Clark  was  bom  June  15,  1841.  (6)  Martha, 
born  Aug.  29,  1843,  died  April  6,  1848.  (7) 
Mary  Ann,  born  April  14,  1846,  died  Dec.  1, 
1866.  (8)  William  M.,  born  July  16,  1849, 
died  in  November,  1866.  (9)  Nancy  Jane, 
bom  Oct.  6,  1853,  died  in  1899,  in  Iowa.  (10) 
Samuel,  bom  Nov.  6,  1856,  died  in  September, 
1857. 

Thompson  Clark  McCrea,  fifth  child  and 
fourth  son  of  William  Clark  and  Nancy 
(Adams)  McCrea,  was  born  June  15,  1841,  in 
Blacklick  township,  on  the  homestead.  He  at- 
tended the  old  brick  school  known  as  the 
McCrea  school,  and  grew  up  on  the  farm, 
where  he  worked  with  his  father  from  early 
boyhood,  engaged  in  farming.  He  continued 
to  reside  ^vith  his  parents,  and  they  died  at 
his  home.  After  the  death  of  his  father  he 
remained  on  the  old  homestead,  which  con- 
tains over  300  acres,  on  which  he  made  numer- 
ous improvements,  including  the  erection  of 
a  substantial  dwelling  house  and  barn.     He 


also  bought  the  Graff  farm,  of  285  acres, 
now  operated  by  his  son  William  Porter  Mc- 
Crea, and  dealt  in  other  land  in  the  town- 
ship. He  was  also  largely  interested  in  real 
estate  in  Ohio.  Mr.  McCrea  was  energetic  and 
up-to-date,  being  considered  one  of  the  most 
progressive  fanners  of  his  section  of  Indiana 
county,  as  he  was  one  of  the  most  successful. 
He  had  a  reputation  for  keen  business  fore- 
sight, having  carried  his  various  enterprises 
forward  profitably,  and  had  numerous  busi- 
ness connections  besides  his  agricultural  and 
real  estate  interests.  He  was  among  the  first 
directors  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Black- 
lick, and  filled  the  office  of  president  from 
1909  until  his  death,  having  been  elected  to 
succeed  Dr.  Carson  in  that  position.  He  was 
a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers'  Blacklick  Tele- 
phone Company,  and  a  member  of  the  Indi- 
ana County  Agricultural  Society.  His  death 
occurred  July  7,  1913. 

During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  McCrea  volun- 
teered for  three  montlis  in  Col.  J.  Porter's 
regiment,  but  served  only  five  weeks.  In 
foi-mer  years  he  supported  the  principles  of 
the  Republican  party,  but  of  late  years,  choos- 
ing to  set  an  example  to  the  youth  of  the 
country,  he  openly  adopted  the  doctrines 
of  the  Prohibition  party  and  supported  its 
ticket  by  vote  and  voice;  he  was  a  stanch 
advocate  of  the  cause  of  temperance.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Homer  City  and  one  of  its  foremost  work- 
ers, being  one  of  the  ruling  elders,  a  trustee 
for  many  years  and  also  Sunday  school 
teacher.  Mr.  McCrea  was  a  liberal  contrib- 
utor to  aU  good  works,  but  was  particularly 
interested  in  local  and  foreign  missions. 

On  Nov.  12,  1874,  Mr.  McCrea  was  married 
at  Homer  City,  Pa.,  by  Rev.  H.  Q.  Graham, 
to  Margaret  Ellen  Wineman,  who  was  born 
Aug.  26,  1847,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elea- 
nora  (Stewart)  Wineman,  who  were  old  set- 
tlers of  Center  township.  Mrs.  McCrea  is 
a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
She  is  a  woman  of  strong  Christian  spirit, 
and  bore  with  fortitude  the  great  trial  she 
and  her  husband  had  some  years  ago,  when 
six  of  their  children  were  taken  from  them 
within  six  weeks.  They  had  a  family  of  eight 
children :  William  Porter,  born  Nov.  27,  1875, 
is  mentioned  below;  James  Quincy,  born  Julv 
26,  1877,  died  Jan.  4,  1892;  Ethel  Eleanor, 
born  Dec.  31,  1878,  died  Nov.  28,  1891 ;  Harry 
R..  born  Sept.  5,  1880,  died  Dec.  1,  1891; 
Robert  McClellan,  born  March  18,  18S3,  died 
Nov.  29,  1891 ;  Elizabeth,  bom  Dec.  11,  1887, 
died  Dee.  8,  1891;  Martha  M.,  bom  Jan.  6, 


1090 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1892,  died  Jan.  17,  1892;  Prank  Clark,  born 
Jul.y'  1,  1893,  resides  with  his  mother  on  the 
homestead  farm. 

William  Porter  :McCrea,  son  of  Thomp- 
son Clark  and  Margaret  Ellen  (Wincman) 
MeCrea,  was  horn  on  the  homestead  farm 
Nov.  27, 1875.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  home  town  and  in  the  high 
school  at  Homer  City,  and  remained  on  the 
home  place  with  his  father  until  1903,  when 
he  settled  on  the  285-acre  tract  of  land  which 
was  fonnerly  owned  by  Henry  Graff,  known 
as  the  old  Dixon  farm.  Here  he  has  since 
followed  farming,  in  which  he  has  been  highly 
successful.  He  has  made  numerous  improve- 
ments on  the  property,  his  home  and  sur- 
roundings telling  their  own  story  of  his  in- 
telligent interest  and  practical  thrift.  They 
show  artistic  taste  as  well  as  industry  and 
are  a  distinct  credit  to  his  efforts.  In  politics 
Mr.  McCrea  is  a  Republican,  and  he  has 
served  as  school  director  for  three  years.  He 
was  one  of  the  organizers  and  first  directors 
of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Blacklick,  and 
has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors 
ever  since.  He  belongs  to  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church  at  Homer  City,  where  he 
serves  as  trustee  and  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school.  He  is  a  typical  member  of 
the  enterprising  family  from  which  he  comes, 
and  is  thoroughly  in  sympathy  with  all  good 
movements. 

Mr.  McCrea  married  March  25,  1903,  Mary 
Melissa  Wilson,  who  was  born  Dec.  17,  1877, 
daughter  of  Robert  M.  and  Sarah  Louisa 
(Fair)  Wilson.  Mrs.  MeCrea  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  Foiir 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union:  Clair 
Wilson,  born  Sept.  25,  1904 :  John  Thompson, 
Oct.  28,  1907;  Margaret  Louisa,  May  11, 
1909,  and  Alice  Martha,  June  17,  1911. 

WILLIAM  BARBOUR,  who  died  :\Iarch 
13,  1913,  was  a  venerable  citizen  of  :Montgom- 
erj'  township,  Indiana  county,  living  retired 
at" the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  his 
eighty-sixth  year,  his  birth  having  taken  place 
Sept."  12,  1827,  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa. 
His  parents,  John  and  Eliza  Barbour,  came 
to  this  country  from  Ireland. 

When  seventeen  years  old  William  Barbour 
began  to  learn  the  trade  of  blacksmith,  at  that 
time  going  to  Clearfield  county,  Pa.  In  his 
boyhood  he  had  lived  for  seven  years,  from 
1837  until  1844,  at  Dixonville.  Indiana 
county,  and  in  1858  he  settled  in  Montgom- 
ery township,  buying  a  farm  of  110  acres  to 
the  cultivatinii   of  which  he  devoted  himself 


throughout  his  active  years,  retiring  in  1S99. 
He  was  an  enterprising  and  ambitious  worker, 
and  made  many  improvements  on  his  prop- 
erty, clearing  the  land  and  bringing  it  under 
excellent  cultivation.  He  also  engaged  in  lum- 
bering. For  years  he  filled  the  office  of  school 
director  in  his  township.  In  August,  1864,  he 
enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  becoming  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  C,  206th  Regiment,  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until- 
the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  Julv 
3,  1865. 

In  December,  1848,  Mr.  Barbour  married 
Elizabeth  Lee,  of  Burnside,  Clearfield  Co., 
Pa.,  who  was  born  Sept.  19,  1824,  daughter  of 
Timothy  and  Eve  Lee,  the  former  a  minister 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  denomination.  Of 
the  children  born  to  this  union  four  survive: 
Harriet  Jane,  now  the  wife  of  Dr.  H.  Benja- 
min Pittman,  of  Hillsdale,  Pa. ;  Alwilda  Lee, 
wife  of  Fred  Dunlap,  a  farmer,  of  Blooming- 
ton,  Pa. ;  Augustus  F. ;  and  William  W.,  an 
attorney,  of  Ridgway,  Elk  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

Augustus  F.  Barbour  was  born  Oct.  6, 
1856,  and  obtained  his  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Montgomeiy  township.  He 
worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  and  also 
at  lumbering,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
began  clearing  land  for  himself.  He  now 
owns  the  old  homestead,  and  has  also  acquired 
other  land,  having  136  acres  in  all.  Farming 
has  been  his  principal  business  in  life,  and 
he  has  made  a  success  of  his  undertakings, 
being  a  substantial  and  much  respected  citizen 
of  his  district.  He  has  been  actively  inter- 
ested in  various  movements  which  appealed 
to  him  as  promising  to  benefit  the  community, 
belonging  to  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  ( Shry- 
ock  Grange)  and  supporting  the  Prohibition 
party  at  the  polls.  He  is  holding  the  office  of 
school  director,  in  which  he  has  already  served 
nine  years,  and  in  1911  was  elected  for  six 
years  more. 

In  the  year  1877  Mr.  Barbour  married 
Sarah  A.  Lydic,  of  Taylorsville,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  daughter  of  Moses"  and  Eliza  P.  (Hens- 
ley)  Lydic,  farming  people,  and  they  had  one 
child,  Arthur  L.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barbour  are 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Arthur  L.  Barbour,  only  child  of  Augus- 
tus F.  and  Sarah  A.  (Lydic)  Barbour,  was 
born  April  29,  1878,  and  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Montgomery 
township  and  at  Marion  Center  and  Glen 
Campbell,  this  county.  He  has  worked  at 
the  carpenter's  trade  to  some  extent,  but 
farming  has  been  his  chief  vocation,  and  he 
is  now  engaged  in  general  agriculture  with 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1091 


his  father  in  Montgomery  township.  On  Nov. 
19,  1904,  he  married  Sarah  A.  Rush,  of  Glen 
Campbell,  and  they  have  three  children : 
Sarah  Ethel  and  William  Augustus,  who  are 
in  school;  and  Elizabeth  Lee,  at  home. 

GEORGE  A.  BRICKELL,  farmer  and 
miner  of  Banks  township,  Indiana  county,  is 
a  member  of  the  third  generation  of  his  fam- 
ily to  reside  there.  His  father,  George  A. 
Brickell,  came  to  Indiana  county  with  his 
father  in  1838  and  settled  in  Banks  township, 
the  present  George  A.  Brickell  occupying  his 
homestead  of  forty  acres  which  has  been  in 
the  family  about  seventy  years.  The  grand- 
father lived  there  too,  dying  Oct.  5,  1873, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-three.  They  were  "York 
State"  people,  from  Rockland  eoimty.  The 
old  stock  of  Brickell  came  from  Ireland. 

George  A.  Brickell,  the  father,  was  a  farmer 
and  lumberman  by  occupation.  He  became  a 
prominent  man  in  this  section,  holding  a  num- 
ber of  township  offices,  including  those  of 
tax  collector,  overseer  of  the  poor,  and  super- 
visor, in  all  of  wliich  he  proved  an  efficient 
public  servant.  Mr.  Brickell  died  April  7, 
1893,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  His 
widow,  Ann  Eliza  (Baird),  who  was  born 
May  21,  1825,  near  the  town  of  Lock  Haven, 
Clinton  Co.,  Pa.,  is  still  living,  now  aged 
eighty-eight  years,  and  came  to  Indiana 
county  in  1835.  She  has  been  a  professing 
Christian  since  she  was  thirteen  years  old. 

George  A.  Brickell  was  born  Nov.  4,  1858, 
in  Banks  township,  and  there  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  country  schools.  He  and  Hon. 
John  P.  Elkin,  who  became  United  States 
senator  from  Pennsylvania,  were  boys  to- 
gether,-and  Mr.  Brickell  has  often  taken  part 
in  school  debates  with  him.  He  assisted  his 
father  in  his  farming  and  lumbering  oper- 
ations, and  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years  took 
up  lumbering  on  his  own  account,  devoting 
himself  to  that  work  for  several  years.  Dur- 
ing the  summer  season  he  alwaj's  followed 
farming,  which  he  still  continues,  and  for 
the  last  fifteen  years  he  has  also  engaged  in 
mining.  He  has  hot  only  been  energetic  in 
the  management  of  his  own  affairs,  but  has 
also  taken  part  in  politics  and  local  govern- 
ment, having  served  several  times  on  the  elec- 
tion board  of  the  township  and  two  terms  as 
overseer  of  the  poor.  He  is  independent  on 
political  issues. 

On  Feb.  15,  1885,  Mr.  Brickell  was  married 
to  Sarah  C.  "Weaver,  a  native  of  Banks  town- 
ship, daughter  of  William  and  Nancy  Weaver, 
the  former  of  whom  is  a  farmer  and  lumber- 


man. Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Brickell,  two  of  whom  survive, 
namely:  Laura  Inez,  now  the  wife  of  James 
H.  Smith,  a  miner,  of  Gipsy,  Indiana  county ; 
and  George  Ray,  who  lives  at  home.  Clar- 
ence Edison  died  when  seven  years  old,  and 
another  child  died  in  infancy. 

ERASMUS  R.  COOPER,  who  carries  on 
general  farming  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  has  been  an  official  of  that  town- 
ship, was  born  June  26,  1846,  in  Somerset 
county.  Pa.,  whence  his  parents,  John  F.  and 
Leigh  (Cable)  Cooper,  moved,  to  Indiana 
county  not  long  afterward,  .settling  in  Rayne 
township.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Somer- 
set county,  and  died  in  1854,  at  the  age  of 
forty-five  years. 

Erasmus  R.  Cooper  was  reared  in  Rayne 
township  and  attended  public  school.  He  is 
now  engaged  in  farming  there,  owning  his 
farm,  which  consists  of  105  acres.  He  has 
taken  an  active  part  in  local  afl'airs,  served 
seven  years  as  overseer  of  the  poor,  and  for 
three  years  as  member  of  the  board  of  school 
directors,  his  work  in  both  positions  being 
efficient,  and  satisfactory  to  his  fellow  citi- 
zens. 

On  Dec.  23,  1876,  Mr.  Cooper  married  Mar- 
garet Bell,  who  was  bom  in  Rayne  township, 
daughter  of  J.  J.  and  Catherine  (McHenry) 
Bell,  and  granddaughter  of  John  F.  Mc- 
Henry; the  latter 's  father,  who  came  from 
Scotland,  had  a  family  of  five  children.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  J.  J.  Bell  had  seven  children,  viz.: 
Thompson  M.  died  while  serving  in  the  Civil 
war;  W.  W.,  a  physician,  of  Chicago,  111., 
married  Catherine  Corning  and  has  five  chil- 
dren, Madie,  Catherine,  Flossie,  Victoria  and 
Lottie;  Samuel;  M.,  a  physician,  living  at 
Homestead,  Pa.,  married  in  November,  1883, 
Anna  McKee,  of  Rayne  township,  and  they 
have  two  daughters,  Lizzie  and  Daisy;  Jo- 
seph M.  died  unmarried  at  the  age  of  forty- 
seven  years ;  Mary  Jane  married  John  T. 
Cathcart,  of  Rayne  township,  and  has  had 
six  children,  three  of  whom  are  living;  Ma- 
linda  C.  died  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years; 
Margaret  is  the  wife  of  Erasmus  R.  Cooper. 

Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Cooper :  Effie  is  the  wife  of  F.  B.  Speed.y, 
an  electrician  in  the  employ  of  the  Westing- 
house  Company,  and  they  have  two  children, 
twins,  Harold  and  Grace,  born  Oct.  17,  1904; 
Bessie  B.  is  engaged  in  teaching  school  at 
Cherrytree,  this  count,y ;  Willetta  A.  is  a 
teacher  at  Piteaim,  Pa. ;  Iva  M.  is  a  stenog- 
rapher   employed    in    Philadelphia;    Jennie, 


1092 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


born  May  21.  1888,  and  Flossie,  born  Sept. 
16,  1890,  are  at  home.  The  family  are  Presby- 
terians in  religions  association,  attending  the 
old  Washington  Church  in  Rayne  township. 

MARTIN  WASHINGTON  BEST,  a  farmer 
of  Grant  township,  was  born  near  Alum  Rock, 
Clarion  Co.,  Pa.,  July  24,  1845,  son  of  John  S. 
Best,  and  grandson  of  Michael  Best. 

Michael  Best  made  his  home  in  Westmore- 
land county.  Pa.,  and  eai'ly  records  show  that 
the  Best  familj'  came  originally  from  Hol- 
land, but  at  so  remote  a  date  that  definite  data 
are  not  forthcoming  relative  to  the  exact  lo- 
cation here  of  the  immigrant  ancestor.  For 
a  number  of  years  Michael  Best  resided  in 
Westmoreland  county,  and  then  moved  to 
Clarion  county,  at  a  time  when  that  section 
was  still  a  wilderness,  so  that  he  had  the  dis- 
tinction of  being  one  of  its  pioneers,  and  to 
him  belongs  a  portion  of  the  ci'edit  for  its 
early  development.  He  became  an  extensive 
lanciowner  and  farmer  and  died  full  of  years 
and  wealthj'  in  land  and  stock.  He  was  a  man 
of  prominence  in  his  community,  and  earned 
and  retained  the  confidence  of  all  who  had 
any  dealings  with  him. 

John  S.  Best,  son  of  Michael  Best,  was  bom 
in  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  and  was 
brought  to  Clarion  county  in  childhood,  there 
gi'owing  to  manhood.  He  received  a  local 
school  education,  and  at  the  same  time  was 
taught  farming  from  the  bottom  up.  After 
attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Best  began  farm- 
ing on  his  own  account,  continuing  to  reside 
in  Clarion  county  until  1849,  when  he  moved 
to  Indiana  county  with  his  family,  and  bought 
120  acres  of  land  in  Grant  township.  This 
property  was  then  owned  by  Judge  Thomas 
White,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  a  distinguished  jurist, 
father  of  Judge  Harry  Wliite.  It  was  still  in 
a  wild  state,  and  the  family  settled  in  the 
woods  at  Deckers  Point.  From  then  on  there 
was  plenty  of  hard  work  for  all,  but  as  Mr. 
Best  was  not  only  an  industrious  man,  but 
a  good  manager,  he  succeeded  in  clearing  his 
land  and  putting  it  under  cultivation.  He 
built  a  comfortable  dwelling  house,  substan- 
tial bam  and  other  necessary  outbuildings, 
making  a  valuable  property  and  desirable 
home.  Here  he  resided  until  death  claimed 
him,  in  1892,  when  he  passed  quietly  away 
on  the  farm  he  had  reclaimed  from  the  wil- 
derness, and  his  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in 
the  family  lot  on  the  place.  Although  in  his 
younger  years  he  was  a  Lutheran,  he  later 
united  with  the  Methodist  Church,  and  died 
firm  in  that  faith.    An  old-time  Democrat,  he 


held  firmly  to  the  principles  of  his  party,  and 
gave  it  substantial  support  for  many  years. 

While  still  living  in  Clarion  county  Mr. 
Best  married  Catherine  Sterner,  a  native  of 
Berks  county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  John  ]\Iartin 
Sterner.  Mrs.  Best  died  on  the  farm  aged 
eighty-seven  years,  and  is  buried  by  the  side 
of  her  husband.  Like  him,  she  was  a  consist- 
ent Methodist.  The  children  bom  to  this 
worthy  couple  were :  Francis  Emanuel,  who 
is  deceased ;  Martin  Washington ;  Rebecca, 
deceased ;  Mary  Olive,  who  married  George 
Coalman;  Martha  Elda,  who  married  J.  C. 
Sherry  and  lives  at  St.  Louis,  I\Io. ;  Joseph 
W.,  deceased;  Delilah,  who  married  Thomas 
Burkett ;  and  Isaiah  Wesley,  who  died  young. 

Martin  Washington  Best,  son  of  John  S. 
Best,  was  only  five  years  old  at  the  time  of 
the  familj'  migration  to  Indiana  county,  and 
so  grew  to  manhood  in  this  locality,  attending 
the  local  schools  for  a  few  months  each  year. 
At  the  same  time  he  gave  valuable  assistance 
to  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  farm.  After 
attaining  his  majority  ^Ir.  Best  went  into  the 
oil  fields  of  Clarion  county,  and  later  was  en- 
gaged in  lumbering  in  Clearfield  county,  thus 
continuing  for  four  yeai"s,  when  he  resumed 
his  agi-icultural  pursuits,  feeling  that  he  was 
better  fitted  for  that  kind  of  work  than  any 
other.  In  1896  he  took  charge  of  the  home- 
stead, to  which  he  added  twenty  acres,  now 
owning  130  acres  of  as  good  land  as  can  be 
found  in  Grant  township.  Wliile  he  is  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  of 
late  years  he  has  found  it  profitable  to  spe- 
cialize in  raising  produce,  which  he  sells  in  the 
mining  towns  of  Clymer  and  Dixonville  and 
throughout  neighboring  sections.  A  man  of 
unusually  progressive  ideas,  he  has  had  the 
ability  to  carry  them  out,  and  is  reaping  the 
profit  therefrom.  In  addition  to  increasing 
the  fertility  of  his  land,  Mr.  Best  has  made 
many  material  improvements,  and  is  very 
proud  of  his  property. 

A  Democrat  of  firm  principles,  he  has  given 
valuable  and  hearty  support  to  the  candidates 
of  his  party  and  has  been  a  successful  candi- 
date himself  for  the  office  of  school  director 
of  Grant  township,  which  position  he  has 
held  for  some  yeai's.  He  laas  also  served 
very  acceptably  as  constable  for  one  term,  tax 
collector  for  one  year,  and  has  been  inspector 
of  elections.  Brought  iip  in  the  Methodist 
faith,  it  is  but  natural  that  he  should  unite 
with  that  church,  and  he  has  always  given  it 
generous  support,  now  conserving  its  interests 
as  trustee,  while  in  the  Sunday  school  he  is 
an  honored  teacher.     For  some  years  he  be- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1093 


longed  to  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  and  the  Grange. 
Mr.  Best  married  Lavina  Schreckengost, 
who  was  born  in  Armstrong  county,  Pa., 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (McAfoos) 
Schreckengost.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Best  have  one 
son,  John  D.,  who  is  at  home.  Mrs.  Best  be- 
longs to  the  Methodist  Church  and  takes  a 
lively  interest  in  the  good  work  of  that  or- 
ganization. She  is  an  intelligent  Christian 
woman,  and  is  beloved  not  only  in  her  own 
home  but  throughout  the  neighborhood,  where 
her  many  virtues  are  known  and  appreciated. 

WILLIAM  JOHNS,  M.  D.,  now  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  medicine  at  Mechanicsburg,  in 
Brushvalley  township,  Indiana  county,  is  a 
native  of  the  county,  born  Sept.  18,  1880,  in 
West  Wheatfield  township. 

Wilson  P.  Johns,  his  father,  was  born  in 
1844  in  Chambersburg,  Franklin  Co.,  Pa.,  and 
about  1867  came  to  Indiana  county,  making 
his  home  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  where 
he  followed  lumbering  and  farming  through- 
out his  active  years.  For  the  last  twenty 
years  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Wilkinsburg, 
Pa.,  where  he  removed  upon  his  retirement, 
in  1892.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren Church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  On 
April  15,  1820,  Mr.  Johns  married  Amanda 
Hall,  who  was  born  in  1853  in  Westmoreland 
county,  daughter  of  John  Hall,  and  they  have 
had  a  family  of  ten  cliildren,  as  follows:  Cath- 
erine married  William  Watterson  and  resides 
at  Charleroi,  Pa. ;  Mary  is  a  nurse  in  the  West 
Pennsylvania  hospital,  at  Pittsburg;  Ida  is 
the  wife  of  A.  S.  Moorhead,  editor  of  the  In- 
diana Progress;  Myrtle  is  married  to  Henry 
Van  Ryan ;  William  is  mentioned  below ;  John 
H.  has  charge  of  the  plant  of  the  National  Bis- 
cuit Company  at  Fairmont,  W.  Va. ;  Jennie 
was  graduated  from  the  State  normal  school 
at  Indiana  and  is  engaged  in  teaching  public 
school  in  Wilkinsburg ;  Edna  graduated  from 
the  Pittsburg  commercial  college  and  is  now- 
employed  as  a  typewriter  and  stenographer; 
Marvin  is  studying  medicine;  Golden  is  a 
high  school  student  at  Wilkinsburg. 

William  Johns  obtained  his  primary  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  and  later  went  to 
summer  normal  at  Greenville,  this  county.  He 
taught  for  two  terms  in  West  Wheatfield 
township,  after  which  he  entered  the  Westmg- 
house  electric  works  at  East  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
where  he  was  employed  for  three  years. 
Meantime  he  took  a  scientific  course  at  night 
school  in  Pittsburg,  and  subsequently  entered 
the  University  of  Pittsburg,  where  he  pursued 
the  medical  course,  graduating  in  1908,  with 


the  degree  of  M.  D.  The  following  year  he  was 
resident  physician  at  St.  Francis  hospital, 
in  Pittsburg,  meantime  taking  a  special  course 
in  surgery,  and  in  1909  located  at  Homer  City, 
Indiana  county,  where  he  was  in  practice  a 
short  time,  thence  coming  to  Mechanicsburg, 
where  he  has  since  followed  his  profession. 
Dr.  Johns'  high  personal  character  and  prac- 
tical ideals  have  already  brought  him  recog- 
nition as  a  most  desirable  citizen  in  the  com- 
munity, and  as  a  physician  he  has  gained  the 
confidence  of  a  circle  of  patients  which  is 
steadily  widening.  His  work  is  thoroughly 
creditable  to  his  attainments  and  ambition. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Indiana  County  Med- 
ical Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical 
Society  and  the  American  Medical  Associ- 
ation. 

On  Sept.  6,  1910,  Dr.  Johns  married  Mary 
Bell  Waddell,  daughter  of  James  E.  and 
Margaret  (Elrick)  Waddell,  of  Tunnelton, 
Pa.  They  are  popular  members  ,of  the  M.  E. 
Church.  In  political  matters  the  Doctor  is 
independent. 

JAMBS  G.  WALKER,  who  is  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  a  well- 
cultivated  property  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  was  born  in  Burrell 
township,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  Oct.  10,  1845, 
and  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Walker) 
Walker. 

Alexander  Walker,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  James  G.  Walker,  was  a  native  of 
Ireland  and  the  first  of  the  family  to  come  to 
the  United  States.  He  first  located  in  eastern 
Pennsylvania,  later  being  one  of  the  pioneers 
in  Burrell  township,  Armstrong  county,  and 
di-ove  packhorses  across  the  mountains  at  a 
time  when  there  were  but  forty  houses  in 
Pittsburg.  Later  he  became  the  driver  of  a 
si.K-horse  train,  handling  freight  between 
Pittsburg  and  Philadelphia,  and  finally  ac- 
fiuired  a  large  tract  of  land  in  Armstrong 
county,  there  building  the  first  gristmill 
erected  west  of  the  mountains,  on  Crooked 
creek.  He  made  flour  which  he  took  to  Pitts- 
burg in  a  canoe,  thus  doing  business  for  a 
number  of  years.  He  became  widely  known 
and  highly  esteemed,  was  a  prominent  Whig 
and  Republican  and  one  of  the  first  county 
commissioners  of  Armstrong  county,  and  do- 
nated two  acres  of  land,  on  which  was  erected 
the  old  log  building  of  the  Congregational 
Church.  He  was  twice  married,  having  two 
sons  by  his  first  wife:  One  who  died  at  the 
age  of  twenty-five  years;  and  Robert. 

Robert  Walker,  son  of  Alexander  Walker, 


1094 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  father  of  James  G.  Walker,  was  gener- 
ally known  as  "Robert  of  A."  He  received 
onlj'  a  meager  education  in  the  subscription 
schools  of  Ms  day  and  locality,  having  to  jour- 
nej'  four  miles  through  the  woods  to  reach  the 
little  log  schoolhouse.  He  was  reared  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits  and  also  taught  the  business 
of  milling,  and  in  183(>  erected  a  gristmill  on 
Crooked  creek  which  he  operated  for  a  long 
period.  In  order  to  make  a  mill  run  he  was 
obliged  to  dig  a  tunnel  three  hundred  yards 
long  through  a  stone  hill,  a  task  that  to  many 
a  man  might  have  seemed  almost  impossible. 
He  devoted  his  1,700  acres  of  land  to  general 
fanning  and  stock  raising  and  became  wealthy 
and  prominent,  being  a  supervisor  and  leading 
Republican.  Mr.  Walker  moved  to  Eddyville 
in  the  spring  of  1858  and  there  purchased  a 
gristmill,  which  he  conducted  until  the  spring 
of  1871,  then  returning  to  the  old  home  place. 
His  death  occurred  at  Tunnelville,  Pa.  He 
passed  away  in  the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  had  for  many  years  been 
an  elder.  He  married  Mary  Walker,  who  died 
in  April,  1859,  and  is  buried  at  Tunnelville, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  Alexander,  deceased,  who  was  a 
farmer  of  Armstrong  county;  Samuel,  de- 
ceased, who  lived  on  the  old  place  in  Arm- 
strong county;  Margaret,  deceased,  who  mar- 
ried James  Kerr;  Caroline,  deceased,  who 
man-ied  George  Crownover  and  lived  in  Arm- 
strong county;  Robert,  deceased,  who  was 
a  resident  of  Burrell  township,  Armstrong 
county ;  John,  who  met  his  death  in  the  battle 
of  Gettysburg,  July  2,  1863,  as  a  member  of 
Company  D,  62d  Pennsylvania  Infantry; 
Sarah,  widow  of  James  Altman,  living  in 
Burrell  township,  Armstrong  county;  Mary 
Ann,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years; 
Matilda  Jane,  widow  of  0.  H.  Nod- 
strom,  living  at  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  and 
James  G.  In  April,  1864,  "Mr.  Walker 
married  (second)  Nancy  Butler,  who  survives 
him  and  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead. 
By  this  marriage  there  were  two  children : 
Alraira.  mai-ried  to  Rev.  Harry  Calhoun,  now 
living  in  the  State  of  Indiana ;  and  Andy 
Gregg  Curtin,  who  lives  at  Tunnelville,  Pa. 
Of  the  1,700  acres  Robert  Walker  owned  at 
the  time  of  his  death  all  but  one  hundred 
aei-es  is  still  owned  and  farmed  by  his  chil- 
dren and  grandchildren. 

Samuel  Walker,  the  maternal  grandfather 
of  James  G.  Walker,  a  native  of  eastern  Penn- 
sylvania, was  married  there  to  Mary  Litle, 
and  they  came  to  Armstrong  county  with 
Alexander  Walker  and  his  family,  settling  on 


a  fai-m  on  Ci'ooked  creek.  He  was  a  prominent 
and  progressive  farmer,  and  raised  the  first 
wheat  west  of  the  mountains.  His  children 
were :  Mary,  the  mother  of  James  G.  Walker ; 
Robert,  a  surveyor  by  profession,  who  lived 
at  home ;  Margaret,  who  married  Samuel 
Cook;  Samuel,  who  married  Jane  Espy  (he 
was  a  fanner,  went  to  ]Missouri  and  there 
died)  ;  and  John,  deceased,  who  married 
Elizabeth  Iseman  (he  devoted  his  life  to 
agricultural  pursuits).  ^ 

James  G.  Walker,  son  of  Robert  Walker, 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools, 
and  remained  at  home  until  he  was  sent  to 
Eddy\dlle  to  conduct  the  mill,  which  he  op- 
erated successfully  until  1871,  in  the  mean- 
while being  also  profitably  engaged  in  fann- 
ing and  lumbering.  On  Feb.  15.  1867,  he  was 
married  to  Susanna  Smith,  of  Eddvville,  born 
Sept.  22,  1842,  daughter  of  George  Smith,  a 
farmer  of  Eddyville.  To  IMr.  and  :\Irs.  Wal- 
ker there  have  been  born  the  following  chil- 
dren:  0.  P.,  chief  of  police  of  Vandergrift, 
Pa.,  and  also  for  many  years  at  Punxsu- 
tawney, mari'ied  Delia  Stear;  Myrtle  married 
Davis  Lindsley,  of  Punxsutawney,  and  has  six 
children:  R.  S.,  of  Salmon,  Idaho,  an  electri- 
cian in  the  line  of  mining  machinery,  married 
Nellie  Girtley  and  has  four  children ;  Anuie 
married  M.  Gahagan,  of  McKean  county,  and 
has  two  children;  Maggie  married  Clark 
Laughry,  of  Goodville,  Pa.,  and  has  three 
children;  Bessie  married  Charles  Stephenson, 
of  McKean  county,  and  has  three  children; 
Clara  married  Ed.  Dickey,  of  Smicksburg, 
and  has  three  children;  Florence  married  A. 
F.  Pfeiffer,  of  Plumville,  Pa.,  and  has  three 
children ;  G.  R.,  who  is  carrjing  on  operations 
on  the  old  home  place  for  his  father,  married 
Lulu  Lewis,  and  has  two  children. 

Ml'.  Walker  moved  to  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship Api-il  6,  1S80,  and  purchased  the  farm 
of  214  acres  on  which  he  now  makes  his  home. 
About  one  half  of  this  land  is  under  cultiva- 
tion, and  improvements  are  being  constantly 
made,  so  that  the  property  is  becoming  one  of 
the  most  valuable  in  West  ^Mahoning  town- 
ship. In  its  management  'Sir.  Walker  has 
shown  himself  to  be  an  able  farmer  and  an  ex- 
cellent business  man,  and  he  has  so  prosecuted 
his  activities  as  to  gain  and  retain  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens.  While 
a  resident  of  Armstrong  county  he  served  as 
justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years  and  as 
supervisor  and  in  other  capacities.  He  has 
been  justice  of  the  peace  in  Indiana  county 
since  1884.  was  auditor  from  1894  to  1897. 
and  at  the  present  time  is  a  member  of  the 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1095 


county  board  of  supervisors.  Politically  he 
is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  with  his  family 
attends  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Smicksburg. 
On  Sept.  4,  1864,  ilr.  Walker  enlisted  in 
Company  B,  6th  Pennsylvania  Artillery,  at 
Pittsburg,  his  regiment  being  sent  into  Vir- 
ginia, where  it  joined  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac. He  continued  with  this  organization  un- 
til receiving  his  honorable  discharge,  Jan.  17, 
1865,  the  greater  part  of  his  service  having 
been  in  the  guarding  of  railroads,  bridges  and 
forts.  His  record  as  a  soldier  was  without 
stain  or  blemish,  his  military  career  always 
being  characterized  by  the  same  conscientious 
faithfulness  to  duty  that  has  marked  all  his 
relations  in  his  life.  Mr.  "Walker  has  hosts 
of  friends  in  and  near  Smicksburg,  drawn 
about  him  by  his  many  admirable  qualities 
of  mind  and  heart. 

ALBERT  HENRY  HESS,  retired  farmer 
and  builder,  now  living  at  Gipsy,  in  Mont- 
gomei-y  township,  is  in  various  connections 
one  of  the  best  known  citizens  of  his  part  of 
Indiana  county,  his  active  business  and  pub- 
lic life  having  brought  him  into  contact  with 
most  of  the  residents  of  that  section.  He  was 
born  in  this  county  Nov.  27.  1843,  son  of 
Simon  J.  and  Louisa  (Reed)  Hess,  natives  of 
New  York  who  came  here  in  1842,  settling  in 
Montgomery  (now  Grant)  township.  The 
father  was  a  carpenter  and  builder  all  his 
life,  and  also  followed  farming,  having  a  farm 
of  150  acres.  He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
two  years,  the  mother  at  the  age  of  sixty-five. 

Albert  Henry  Hess  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools,  and  as  soon  as  he  was 
able  began  to  assist  his  father  in  his  building 
operations,  being  thus  engaged  until  he  en- 
tered the  service  during  the  Civil  war.  On 
Aug.  12,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D, 
135th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, serving  with  that  regiment  until  Mav 
30,  1863.  He  reenlisted  July  1.  1863,  joining 
Company  E.  53d  Pennsylvania  Regiment.  Mr. 
Hess  saw  field  service  at  the  various  battles 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Chancellorsville, 
Gettysburg,  Wilderness,  Poe  River,  Spott- 
sylvania,  Bethesda  Church,  Cold  Harbor, 
siege  of  Petersburg,  Ream's  Station  (where 
he  was  wounded  in  the  foot) .  White  Oak  Road, 
Five  Forks,  Amelia  Court  House  and  Appo- 
mattox. Entering  the  service  as  a  private 
Mr.  Hess  rose  to  be  sergeant  major  and  was 
eventually  promoted  to  the  rank  of  first  lieu- 
tenant, being  mustered  out  as  such  June  30, 
1865.  He  participated  in  the  grand  review 
at  Washington,  D.  C. 


Returning  to  his  home  in  Grant  township, 
Indiana  county,  Mr.  Hess  settled  down  to 
farming  and  also  followed  building,  in  which 
line  he  was  in  great  demand,  building  nearly 
all  the  barns  for  miles  around  in  his  active 
days.  He  retired  April  1, 1904.  He  has  taken 
considerable  part  in  local  affairs,  having 
served  as  road  supervisor  and  on  the  election 
board  at  almost  every  election,  and  though  a 
Republican  in  principle  and  interested  in  the 
success  of  his  party  he  is  independent  in  his 
support  of  measures  and  candidates.  In  the 
fraternal  circles  of  this  section  he  is  well 
known,  being  a  past  grand  in  the  I.  0.  0.  F., 
a  third  degree  member  in  the  Knights  of  Py- 
thias, and  a  member  of  the  P.  0.  S.  of  A. 

On  Nov.  10,  1871,  Jlr.  Hess  married  Mar- 
gery E.  Lydick,  of  Indiana  county,  daughter 
of  James  and  Margaret  (McConnahey)  Ly- 
dick, farming  people,  all  of  North  Mahoning 
township,  this  county.  Mrs.  Hess  and  her  par- 
ents were  all  born  in  Indiana  county.  Seven 
children  have  been  bora  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hess : 
Ray  L.,  who  is  in  business  as  a  hardware  mer- 
chant at  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Laura  L.,  now  the  wife 
of  John  T.  Kane,  a  merchant  of  Glen  Camp- 
bell; Blair  D.,  contractor  and  builder,  of 
Gipsy,  Pa. ;  Frank  W.,  a  foreman  on  the  rail- 
road, living  at  Gipsy,  Pa.;  Bertha  ]\I.,  wife 
of  C.  D.  Buchanan,  a  traveling  salesman,  of 
Gipsy,  Pa.:  Howard  S.,  contractor  and 
builder,  of  Gipsy,  Pa.;  and  IMaud,  now  the 
wife  of  Charles  Judge,  manager  of  the  Burn- 
side  Supply  Company,  of  Glen  Campbell.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hess  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church  and  he  is  one  of  its  most  earnest  sup- 
porters, having  held  the  office  of  elder  for 
fifteen  years. 

ISAAC  KEENER  MILLER,  one  of  the 
pi'ogressive  farmers  of  Blacklick  township,  In- 
diana county,  is  a  native  of  Conemaugh  town- 
ship, this  county,  born  Sept.  19,  1863.  The 
family  has  been  here  for  many  years,  his  great- 
grandfather, Samuel  Miller,  having  come 
hither  from  Westmoreland  county,  where  he 
was  a  farmer.  He  settled  near  Jacksonville 
in  Indiana  county.  He  was  married  twice, 
his  first  wife,  Margaret,  the  mother  of  his  chil- 
dren, dying  in  Westmoreland  county.  He 
married  (second)  in  Indiana  county  Miss  E. 
Bell.  His  children  were  :  Ellen  married  John 
Taylor;  James  married  Margaret  Miller; 
Sarah ;  Hugh  married  Sarah  Moore ;  Samuel 
G.  married  Mary  Keener ;  John  is  mentioned 
below;  Ann  married  Peter  Keener;  Martin 
married  Hannah   Simpson ;   Alexander  mar- 


1096 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ried  Mary  Elder;  William  married  Elizabeth 
Coleman;  Richard  married  Sarah  Dillinger; 
Jane  maiTied  James  Blakely;  Eliza  married 
Samuel  Davis ;  Margaret  married  Samuel  Mc- 
Curdy. 

John  Miller,  of  Conemaugh  township,  was 
first  a  farmer  in  AVestmoreland  county,  and 
in  the  late  forties  moved  to  Indiana  county, 
settling  in  Conemaugh  on  a  farm  of  160  acres. 
It  was  not  only  covered  with  timber,  but  also 
rocky,  but  he  succeeded  in  clearing  up  much 
of  it;  at  one  period  he  spent  seventeen  days 
hauling  stone  from  one  field  of  this  land.  He 
continued  on  that  farm  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  dying  there  in  1872,  and  is  buried  in  the 
Ebenezer  cemetery  in  Conemaugh  township. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Ebenezer  Presbyter- 
ian Church.  He  was  twice  married,  first  to 
Mary  Irwin  and  afterward  to  ilatilda  ilc- 
Phileney,  both  of  whom  died  in  Conemaugh 
township  and  were  buried  at  Ebenezer.  There 
were  six  children  by  the  first  marriage :  Mar- 
garet married  Samuel  Coleman,  of  Conemaugh 
township  and  is  living  now  near  Conemaugh 
Church ;  John  Irwin  is  mentioned  below ; 
Mary  married  William  Barkley,  of  Turtle 
Creek,  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa. ;  Amanda  was  next 
in  the  family ;  one  son  died  in  infancy ;  Mar- 
tha (Mattie)  married  Robert  Ewing  and  re- 
sides in  Conemaugh  township.  There  were 
three  children  by  the  second  marriage :  Wil- 
liam S.,  who  resides  in  Lewisville,  Conemaugh 
township;  Anna,  who  married  Robert  E. 
Dixon,  of  Yoimg  township;  and  a  daughter 
that  died  in  infancy. 

John  Irwin  Miller,  son  of  John  and  Maiy 
(Irwin)  Miller,  was  born  Dec.  13,  1832,  in 
Westmoreland  county,  and  was  ten  years  old 
when  he  came  to  Indiana  county  with  his 
parents.  Here  he  attended  school  and  grew 
up  on  the  farm,  beginning  work  with  his 
father.  Then  he  began  work  on  his  own  ac- 
count, on  a  ninety-eight-aere  tract  in  Cone- 
maugh township,  on  which  he  farmed  for  a 
number  of  years,  moving  thence  to  Blacklick 
township,  where  he  bought  a  farm  of  201 
acres.  On  this  tract  he  built  a  large  barn  and 
made  numerous  other  improvements,  and 
there  he  was  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  was 
thrifty  and  ambitious,  and  made  a  success  of 
his  undertakings.  He  took  great  interest  in 
the  welfare  of  the  township,  as  well  as  of  his 
own  home  and  property,  and  was  specially 
active  in  supporting  any  movement  for  the 
good  of  the  public  schools.  He  gave  all  his 
children  good  educational  advantages,  six  of 
them  becoming  school  teachers,  three  gradu- 


ating at  Grove  City  College.  Mr.  Miller  died 
July  17,  1902,  and  was  buried  in  the  Ebenezer 
Presbyterian  Church  cemetery.  He  was  a 
member  and  trustee  of  that  church.  In  po- 
litical opinion  he  was  a  Republican.  He 
served  his  township  as  overseer  of  the  poor, 
and  was  a  good  citizen  in  every  way,  well 
liked  and  respected.  His  wife,  Mary 
(Keener),  daughter  of  Isaac  Keener,  died 
May  2,  1892,  and  was  buried  in  the  Ebenezer 
cemetery.  She  was  also  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  Ten  children  were  bom  to 
their  union:  (1)  George  Irwin  was  formerly 
a  practicing  attorney  in  Colorado  and  is 
now  a  resident  of  San  Diego,  Cal.  (2)  Emma 
C.  married  J.  Stewart  Johnson  and  (second) 
Harry  J.  Graff,  of  Blacklick  township.  (3) 
IsaacK.  is  mentioned  below.  (4)  Sarah  Eliza- 
beth married  George  Smith  Long  and  (sec- 
ond) Harry  Carson,  a  well-known  farmer  of 
White  township.  (5)  Lillie  Bell  married  John 
F.  Pounds.  (6)  Thomas  Benton  is  a  prac- 
ticing physician  near  Pittsburg,  Pa.  (7) 
James  Herron  is  a  minister  of  the  Presbyter- 
ian Church  and  lives  at  Union  City,  Ind.  (8) 
Mary  lola  married  J.  On-  McLaughlin,  and 
lives  at  Hood  River,  Oregon.  (9)  John  Har- 
vey died  in  infancy.  (10)  Mattie  E.  died 
when  two  years  old. 

Isaac  Keener  Miller,  son  of  John  I.  and 
Mary  (Keener)  :Miller.  was  born  Sept.  19, 
1863,  on  the  homestead  in  Conemaugh  town- 
ship, and  there  attended  school.  From  early 
manhood  he  worked  under  his  father,  and 
moved  with  the  family  to  Blacklick  township, 
where  he  has  continued  farming  ever  since, 
living  on  the  George  Howard  farm,  where 
his  father  settled.  He  has  made  extensive  im- 
provements on  this  tract  of  204  acres,  making 
many  changes  which  have  added  materially  to 
its  value.  Mr.  Miller  has  made  a  success  of 
his  work,  is  a  man  of  progressive  ideas,  and 
takes  deep  interest  in  the  growth  and  progress 
of  the  township  as  well  as  in  the  furtherance 
of  his  own  affairs.  He  was  one  of  the  organ- 
izers of  the  Farmers'  Telephone  Company, 
of  which  he  is  a  director ;  and  served  his  town- 
ship as  auditor  and  school  director,  and  is  an 
active  member  of  the  Bethel  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  is  a  trustee.  A  Repub- 
lican in  polities,  he  has  been  greatly  interested 
in  the  success  of  the  party  and  has  acted  as 
member  of  the  election  board. 

In  December,  1895,  Mr.  Miller  married  Jen- 
nie Harbison,  who  was  born  in  Center  town- 
ship, daughter  of  Edward  and  Rosanna  (Car- 
son) Harbison.  ]\Irs.  IMillcr  was  educated  in 
the    district    schools    and    the    State    normal 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1097 


school  at  Indiana,  and  taught  school  for  two 
years  in  Center  township.  Two  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller:  John 
Harbison,  born  Jan.  21,  1897,  educated  in  the 
Gordon  school,  passed  the  common  school  ex- 
amination in  1912;  Margaret  Catherine  was 
bom  May  25,  1906. 

HARRISON  BENJAMIN  BOYER,  a 
farmer  and  stockraiser  of  Armstrong  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  was  bom  in  Plumcreek, 
Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  Dec.  14,  1865,  on  the  To- 
bias Kimmell  farm,  and  was  brought  to  Arm- 
strong township  when  eighteen  months  old  by 
his  parents,  George  and  Elizabeth  (Fisher) 
Boyer. 

George  Boyer,  his  grandfather,  was  born  in 
Somerset  county,  Pa.,  and  died  in  Armstrong 
county. 

George  Boyer,  son  of  George  Boyer,  was 
twelve  years  old  when  the  family  emigrated 
from  Somerset  county  to  Armstrong  county. 
He  grew  to  manhood  like  any  ordinary  coun- 
try boy,  alternating  work  on  the  farm  with 
attendance  at  the  local  schools,  and  when  old 
enough  began  learning  the  carpenter's  trade 
in  Plumcreek  township.  In  1866  he  moved  to 
Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  bought  ninety-six  acres  of  land  known  as 
the  Hershberger  farm,  and  upon  it  began 
farming  and  raising  fine  horses,  cattle  and 
sheep.  A  man  of  quiet  disposition  and  hab- 
its, he  lived  for  his  family,  continuing  his 
farming  until  1885,  when  he  bought  the 
Peelor  mill,  a  chopping  mill,  and  ran  it  for 
seven  years.  His  death  occurred  Sept.  5, 1909, 
when  he  was  seventy-nine  years  old. 

George  Boyer  married  Elizabeth  Fisher,  a 
daughter  of  Jacob  Fisher;  her  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Fry.  Mrs.  Boyer  died  June 
30,  1906,  aged  seventy  years.  She  was  bom 
and  reared  on  Dutch  run,  in  Plumcreek  town- 
ship, Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.  The  children  born 
to  this  excellent  couple  were:  Sarah  Jane 
married  George  Proper,  a  farmer  and  stock- 
man of  Coshocton  county,  Ohio;  Jacob  mar- 
ried Jennie  Kline ;  Peter  married  Jennie  Kerr 
and  (second)  a  Miss  Anderson,  and  resides 
in  Butler  county,  S.  Dak.;  Christiana  mar- 
ried John  B.  Clawson,  of  Wliite  township ; 
Noah  married  S.  Petticord;  John  died  in 
childhood;  Harrison  B.  is  mentioned  below; 
Susanna,  who  married  L.  Valentine,  is  de- 
ceased ;  Mary  is  the  widow  of  Conrad  Stormer, 
a  farmer  of  Young  township  ;  Maggie  married 
Banks  Kauffman,  of  Homer  City,  Pa.,  and  is 
deceased;  William  married  Amelia  Anderson, 
and  resides  in  Flandreau,  S.  Dak. ;  Martha 


married  James  White  and  (second)  John 
Kerr,  and  resides  at  Rockwood,  Pa.  In  po- 
litical faith  Mr.  George  Boyer  was  first  a 
Republican,  but  later  became  a  Democrat. 
For  many  j^ears  he  was  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church  of  Shelocta,  of  which  he  was 
trustee  for  a  long  period. 

Harrison  Benjamin  Boyer  attended  the  lo- 
cal schools  in  Armstrong  township,  and  as- 
sisted his  father  while  doing  so.  After  leav- 
ing school  he  was  employed  by  James  A.  Mc- 
Knight  of  Washington  township,  to  do  gen- 
eral farm  work,  receiving  ten  dollars  per 
month  for  his  services.  Later  he  received 
$145  and  then  $150  per  year,  in  1887  and 
1888,  respectively,  and  out  of  this  saved  $100 
each  year.  Because  of  his  thrift  he  was  able 
to  buy  on  April  1,  1898,  the  Jacob  Hill  farm 
of  100  acres,  on  which  he  carries  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  He  is  a  splendid 
example  of  a  self-made  man,  and  owes  no  one 
credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished.  His 
has  been  no  royal  road  to  fortune,  his  pros- 
perity being  the  natural  result  of  unceasing 
labor,  intelligently  directed,  and  a  steady  sav- 
ing of  small  amounts.  His  excellent  habits 
have  been  of  assistance  to  him,  and  it  is  but 
natural  that  he  should  be  a  Prohibitionist,  for 
he  realizes  how  much  money  and  energy  are 
wasted  by  those  who  indulge  in  strong  drink. 
It  is  his  firm  belief  that  the  salvation  of  the 
country  depends  upon  the  adoption  of  a  Pro- 
hibition platform.  Feeling  as  strongly  as  he 
does  Mr.  Boyer  is  able  to  influence  others,  and 
demonstrates  in  his  own  life  what  temperance 
will  help  to  accomplish.  He  is  an  elder  of 
the  Curry  Run  Presbyterian  Church  in  Arm- 
strong township,  of  which  he  has  long  been 
a  member,  and  his  family  also  belong  to  it. 
For  some  time  he  gave  the  affairs  of  the 
church  his  supervision  as  trustee,  and  at  pres- 
ent he  is  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day school. 

On  Feb.  22,  1893,  Mr.  Boyer  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Margaret  Hill,  a  daughter 
of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Fleming)  Hill,  of 
Armstrong  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boyer 
are  the  parents  of  the  following  children: 
Herbert  William,  Clark  Franklin  and  Mur- 
ray Wilson. 

MATTHEW  T.  RANKIN,  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  is  an  up-to-date  farmer 
of  his  community  and  has  been  quite  active 
in  local  politics,  taking  an  interest  in  good 
government  and  efficient  ofifice  holders  for  his 
township.  He  was  born  Nov.  20,  1860,  in 
South  Mahoning  township,  this  county,  son  of 


]098 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


James  B.  and  Caroline  (Adams)  Rankin. 
The  father  was  born  Jan.  16,  1833,  in  ]\Iont- 
gomery  township,  Indiana  county,  was  reared 
there,  became  a  hamessmaker  by  trade,  and 
also  followed  farming.  He  died  in  October, 
1901,  aged  sixty-eight  years,  seven  months, 
four  days.  Mrs.  Rankin,  who  was  born  in 
1837,  died  Sept.  20,  1870.  Their  children 
besides  Matthew  T.  were :  Hannah  M.,  George 
A.,  Bell  J.,  Emma  F..  Anna  E. 

Matthew  T.  Rankin  was  educated  in  the 
country  schools  near  his  early  home,  and  was 
reared  on  the  fann,  receiving  a  thorougli 
training  for  agricultural  work.  He  remained 
at  home  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
one,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  engaged 
in  sawmill  work,  as  well  as  lumbering  and  log- 
ging in  the  northern  part  of  Indiana  county. 
He  lived  in  Rayne  township  during  that  time, 
having  located  there  April  1.  1889,  and  he  set- 
tled on  his  present  farm  in  that  township 
April  1.  1909,  now  giving  his  attention  prin- 
cipally to  its  profitable  cultivation.  Mr.  Ran- 
kin is  public-spirited  and  willing  to  do  his 
share  toward  secui-ing  the  advantages  of  in- 
telligent government  for  his  home  locality, 
and  he  has  served  five  }•  ears  as  member  of  the 
township  election  board,  having  acted  as 
judge,  inspector,  etc.  He  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  supervisor  and  filled  same  for  one 
term. 

On  Jan.  18,  1883,  Mr.  Rankin  married  Mar- 
garet L.  Steetle,  of  Rayne  township,  daughter 
of  John  and  Delilah  Steetle,  farming  people. 
Four  children  have  been  born  to  this  mar- 
riage :  John  S.,  who  is  engaged  as  clerk  in  a 
general  store  at  Chambersville,  this  county, 
married  ]\Iae  Swan,  of  Washington  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  they  have  two  children, 
Margaret  and  Eva  Grace.  Linnie  Caroline 
married  Fred  McLaughlin,  a  native  of  Rayne 
township,  now  living  at  Homewood,  Pa.,  and 
they  have  one  child,  Vada  Grace.  Harry,  who 
is  at  present  engaged  in  school  teaching,  lives 
at  home.  Eva  Grace  is  at  home.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Rankin  attend  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Marion  Center,  of  which  they  have  been 
members  since  1884. 

JAMES  W.  MACK,  who  lives  at  Johns- 
town, Pa.,  belongs  to  the  Mack  family  numer- 
ously represented  in  East  and  West  Wheat- 
field  townships,  Indiana  county,  where  it  was 
established  over  a  century  ago  by  his  grand- 
father, Robert  Mack. 

Robert  Mack  was  a  native  of  County  Down, 


Ireland,  born  about  1763.  There  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  married  Margaret  Campbell, 
who  was  born  about  1769,  and  four  children 
were  bom  to  them  in  their  native  home: 
John,  born  about  1797;  Robert,  born  about 
1799 ;  James,  born  March  3,  1800 ;  and  Jean, 
born  about  1803.  In  the  early  part  of  1803 
Robert  Mack  with  his  wife  and  four  children 
left  their  native  home  for  America.  While 
they  were  crossing  the  Atlantic,  on  a  slow- 
going  sailing  vessel,  their  little  daughter  Jean 
died  and  was  buried  at  sea,  the  body  being 
placed  in  a  sack,  weighted  at  the  feet  with 
sand.  The  burial  service  was  read  by  the 
captain.  After  landing  in  the  New  World 
the  family  made  their  way  west  of  the  Alle- 
ghenies,  locating  in  Wheatfield  township,  Indi- 
ana county.  Pa.,  where  Mr.  Mack  settled  down 
to  farming  on  a  400-acre  tract.  He  had  to 
erect  the  log  cabin  for  his  family,  and  began 
a  hard  fight  for  existence  in  the  w^ilderness 
which  lasted  many  years.  By  steadj^  industry 
and  thrifty  habits  he  managed  to  develop 
his  farm  and  make  many  improvements,  and 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  on  that 
place,  dying  there  Aug.  2,  1850.  He  was 
buried  in  Bethel  Church  cemetery,  in  what 
is  now  West  Wheatfield  township,  and  a 
headstone  marks  the  last  resting  place  of  him- 
self and  wife.  ]\Ir.  Mack  in  religious  prin- 
ciple was  what  was  known  as  a  Seceder.  later 
joining  the  Bethel  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  was  an  old-line  Democrat  on 
political  questions.  His  wife  preceded  him 
to  the  grave,  dying  on  the  farm  Nov.  17.  1839. 
at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  and  was  laid  to 
rest  in  Bethel  cemetery.  She,  too,  was  a 
member  of  Bethel  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  She  was  the  mother  of  thirteen  chil- 
dren, those  born  in  Wheatfield  township  be- 
ing :  David ;  William ;  Samuel ;  Armstrong : 
George;  Jean  (2),  who  married  William  :Mc- 
Lean,  and  resides  in  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship ;  Margaret,  who  married  Hu^h  St.  Clair, 
and  removed  to  Iowa;  and  Elizabeth  (Bet- 
sey), who  married  William  Campbell,  being 
his  second  wife. 

David  ]\Iack,  sou  of  Robert  and  Margaret 
(Campbell)  Mack,  was  reared  in  West 
Wheatfield  township.  He  always  followed 
agricultural  pui-suits.  owning  and  conduct- 
ing a  farm  of  130  acres,  the  place  now  oc- 
cupied by  his  son  Samuel,  and  in  his  later 
life  also  operated  a  sawmill  on  Germany  run. 
He  was  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  the 
township  in  his  day,  not  only  active  in  busi-. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1099 


ness  but  also  associated  with  the  administra- 
tion of  public  affairs.  He  was  a  life-long 
.member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church 
and  active  in  all  its  work.  He  and  his  wife 
are  buried  in  the  Bethel  Church  cemetery. 
Mr.  Mack  married  Matilda  Craig,  who  died 
in  1878.  They  had  a  large  family,  namely : 
Robert,  who  married  Elizabeth  Brantlinger 
and  (second)  Sarah  Adamson;  Jacob,  who 
married  Mary  Jane  Wakefield;  John,  who 
married  Elizabeth  Murphy;  David,  who  mar- 
ried Mary  Jane  Kerr;  William,  who  married 
Sarah  B.  Marrs,  and  lives  at  Armagh,  this 
county;  Tillie,  who  married  Samuel  G.  Wal- 
beck  and  resided  at  Heshbon,  this  county; 
Samuel,  who  lives  on  the  old  homestead  in 
West  Wheatfield  township  (he  married  Char- 
lotte Roof  and  their  children  are  Bart, 
Charles,  Theresa  and  Irvin)  ;  Thomas,  who 
married  Kate  Roof;  James  W.,  who  married 
Alice  McCrory  Jan.  9,  1884,  and  has  had  four 
children,  Mabel  M.  (born  Dec.  29,  1884,  died 
March  18,  1902),  Mary  E.  (born  May  3, 
1889),  Arthur  J.  (born  Oct.  22,  1898)  and 
Gertrude  A.  (born  Nov.  18,  1903). 

Few  families  can  equal  the  record  of  this 
one  for  patriotism.  Six  of  the  sons  served  in 
the  Civil  war,  Jacob  and  John  in  Company 
E,  11th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry; 
David  in  Company  K,  177th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry ;  Robert,  John  and  David 
were  in  Company  H,  206th  Regiment,  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Captain 
Greer  and  Col.  Hugh  J.  Brady ;  William  was 
in  the  6th  Pennsylvania  Heavy  Artillery. 

James  W.  Mack  was  born  April  24,  1859, 
on  the  old  homestead  in  West  Wheatfield 
township,  and  began  his  education  in  the 
Germany  school  near  by.  Later  he  was  sent 
to  the  select  school  at  Dayton,  Armstrong 
county,  and  then  took  up  school  teaching, 
which  profession  he  followed  for  six  years, 
in  West  Wheatfield  township.  After  tliat  he 
worked  for  Campbell  &  Mack,  in  the  general 
store  at  Annagh,  in  East  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, H.  M.  Elliott  later  buying  Campbell 
out,  and  the  firm  name  was  Mack  &  Elliott 
for  two  years.  In  1884  he  moved  to  Johns- 
town, where  he  has  become  established  as  a 
contractor  and  builder.  He  is  a  carpenter  by 
trade,  and  has  followed  that  calling  with 
great  success,  having  erected  many  fine  resi- 
dences in  and  around  Johnstown,  and  at  var- 
ious near-by  towns.  His  home  and  office  are 
at  No.  755  Sherman  street,  Johnstown. 

In  politics  Mr.   Mack  has  adhered   to  the 


Republican  party,  and  he  is  strongly  inclined 
toward  the  principles  of  the  Prohibition 
party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  at  Johnstown. 

WILLIAM  ALEXANDER  HAMILTON,  a 
farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  South  Mahoning 
township,  was  born  near  his  present  home  in 
that  township  July  8,  1849,  son  of  Hugh  H. 
Hamilton. 

Robert  Hamilton,  the  grandfather  of  Wil- 
liam Alexander  Hamilton,  located  in  South 
Mahoning  township  when  it  was  all  a  wilder- 
ness, and  buying  a  tract  of  land  devoted  him- 
self to  clearing  and  improving  it.  He  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life  upon  this  place, 
became  one  of  the  founders  of  the  church 
built  by  the  United  Presbyterians  in  that 
section,  of  which  he  continued  an  active  mem- 
ber until  his  death,  and  was  a  man  of  in- 
fluence in  the  county.  He  married  Rachel 
Work,  born  in  Cumberland  county.  Pa.,  in 
1794,  daughter  of  William  and  Miriam 
(Scroggs)  Work,  the  former  one  of  the  first 
school  teachers  in  this  locality.  Mrs.  Hamil- 
ton died  in  1878,  aged  eighty-four  years. 
They  had  six  children:  William,  Hugh  H., 
James,  John,  Allen  and  Miriam. 

Hugh  H.  Hamilton,  son  of  Robert  and 
father  of  William  Alexander  Hamilton,  was 
born  in  1828  in  South  Mahoning  township, 
where  he  was  reared  and  sent  to  school.  He 
made  farming  his  life  occupation,  and  devel- 
oped his  fifty-acre  portion  of  his  father's  es- 
tate into  a  valuable  property,  adding  to  it 
until  he  owned  162  acres.  On  this  farm  he 
built  a  fine  brick  residence  and  commodious 
barn  and  made  other  desirable  improvements, 
and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising. 
Also  a  carpenter,  he  found  plenty  of  employ- 
ment at  his  trade,  and  erected  a  number  of 
barns  in  East  ]\Iahoning  township  and  other 
sections  of  the  county.  Together  with  that 
trade  he  combined  a  knowledge  of  mason 
woi-k,  and  was  called  upon  for  his  services  in 
this  line  of  building  work  as  well.  Like  his 
father  a  strong  United  Presbyterian,  he  gave 
the  land  on  which  the  Smyrna  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  was  built,  and  he,  John  Mc- 
Gaughy  and  Robert  Ross  split  the  stone  and 
reared  the  structure.  This  most  excellent 
man  died  in  1876,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Mahoning  Church  cemetery.  First  a  Whig 
and  later  a  Republican,  he  served  acceptably 
as  a  school  director  and  supervisor,  and  was 
always'  interested  in  securing  the  best  gov- 


1100 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


eminent  for  his  township.  This  homestead 
is  now  owned  and  operated  by  Mrs.  John 
Niehol. 

Hugh  H.  Hamilton  married  Mary  Ann 
McCreary,  of  East  Mahoning  township,  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Margaret  (Me- 
Clain)  MeCreaiy.  Mrs.  Hamilton  is  buried 
by  the  side  of  her  husband.  They  had  chil- 
dren as  follows:  Rachel  married  Samuel  Ly- 
dick  and  both  are  deceased;  Willinm 
Alexander  is  mentioned  below;  Wilson  is  de- 
ceased; Margaret  Jane  is  deceased;  Ella  died 
young;  John  died  young;  Amanda  married 
Jefferson  Swan,  of  Indiana;  Mary  Rosette 
married  Mun-y  Hopkins,  and  is  deceased. 

Ml".  Hamilton  married  for  his  second  wife 
Hannah  Stewart,  who  survives  him,  making 
her  home  in  South  Mahoning  township.  The 
children  of  this  marriage  were:  Bessie,  who 
married  Harvey  Marshall  and  (second)  John 
Kirkpatrick,  of  South  Mahoning  township ; 
Rhoda,  who  died  young,  as  did  Jennie  and 
Russell. 

William  Alexander  Hamilton  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and 
worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  he 
was  twenty-seven  years  old.  He  then  ob- 
tained seventy  acres  of  land,  a  portion  of  the 
homestead,  on  which  he  erected  a  residence 
and  barn,  a  silo  and  other  necessary  build- 
.ings.  Later  he  bought  another  farm  of  sev- 
enty acres  from  William  Neal,  in  East  Ma- 
honing township,  and  this  he  has  also 
improved,  devoting  all  his  land  to  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  He  has  achieved 
his  fair  share  of  success  in  these  occupations. 
A  Republican,  he  served  as  overseer  of  the 
poor  for  one  term,  as  supervisor  for  three 
terms,  assessor,  and  inspector  of  election. 
The  United  Presbyterian  Church  holds  his 
membership,  and  he  is  an  elder,  has  been 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  and 
very  active  in  all  church  work. 

In  April,  1876,  Mr.  Hamilton  was  married 
to  Sarah  E.  Neal,  born  in  Armstrong  county, 
daughter  of  William  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Stu- 
chal)  Neal,  granddaughter  of  Robert  and 
Sarah  (Love)  Neal  and  great-granddaughter 
of  Lovett  and  Sarah  (Cochran)  Neal.  Mrs. 
Hamilton  is  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest 
settlers  of  the  State.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hamilton 
have  the  following  children:  Tori-ence,  who 
resides  in  North  Carolina ;  Delsie,  who  was  a 
school  teacher,  now  living  at  home;  Thome, 
who  is  in  the  lumber  business  in  North  Caro- 


lina; and  Wilson,  also  in  the  lumber  business 
in  North  Carolina. 

SIMON  McDonnell,  who  has  lived  in 
the  borough  of  Cherrytree,  Indiana  county, 
since  he  retired  from  farming,  has  become 
quite  prominent  in  the  public  affairs  of  that 
place  during  his  residence  there  and  is  at 
present  serving  as  burgess.  He  is  a  native  of 
Cambria  county.  Pa.,  born  April  3,  1843,  son 
of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Allen)  McDonnell 
and  grandson  of  Jolm  McDonnell.  The  lat- 
ter was  a  native  of  Bedford  county,  this 
State,  and  at  an  early  day  settled  in  Cambria 
county,  where  he  bought  a  farm  and  engaged 
in   agricultural   pursuits. 

William  McDonnell,  father  of  Simon  Mc- 
Donnell, was  born  in  the  eastern  part  of 
Pennsylvania,  but  passed  most  of  his  life  in 
this  section,  engaging  in  farming  and  lumber- 
ing, in  Cambria  and  Indiana  counties.  He 
died  in  August,  1878,  in  Indiana  county.  His 
wife,  Elizabeth  (Allen),  was  born  in  Indi- 
ana count}',  where  her  family  settled  in  the 
early  days,  and  died  in  June,  1873.  Mr.  and 
]\Irs.  IMcDonnell  had  a  family  of  nine  chil- 
dren, namel}':  Joseph,  who  is  now  deceased; 
John,  a  resident  of  Greensburg,  Pa. ;  William, 
deceased,  who  served  during  the  Civil  war  in 
Company  I,  S2d  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry; Simon;  Barbara,  deceased;  ^lartin.  a 
resident  of  Cambria  county ;  Daniel,  living  in 
Green  township,  this  county;  Mary,  wife  of 
Jacob  Keith,  of  Indiana  county;  and  Aaron, 
a  resident  of  Bedford,  Pennsylvania. 

When  fifteen  years  old  Simon  McDonnell 
came  to  Indiana  county,  and  lived  on  the  farm 
in  Green  township  where  the  family  settled 
until  the  Civil  war.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in 
the  Union  service,  becoming  a  member  of 
Company  D,  115th  Penns.ylvania  Volunteer 
Infantrj',  and  served  to  the  end  of  the  war, 
being  mustered  out  at  Harrisburg.  He  was 
wounded  in  the  engagement  at  Chancellors- 
ville,  and  among  the  other  battles  in  which 
he  took  part  were  Fredericksburg,  North 
Anna  River,  Po  River,  Cold  Harbor,  Peters- 
burg, Strawberry  Plains,  Deep  Bottom  and 
Poplar  Springs.  His  army  seiwice  ended, 
Mr.  ^McDonnell  retuimed  to  Indiana  county, 
and  followed  farming  in  Green  township  un- 
til 1900,  when  he  retired  from  active  labor 
and  moved  to  the  borough  of  Cherrytree, 
where  he  has  since  had  his  home.  In  addi- 
tion to  farming  he  also  engaged  in  rafting  on 
the  Susquehanna  river,  and  he  had  an  in- 
dustrious and  prosperous  career,  the  fruits 
of  which  he  is  now  enjoying  in  comfortable 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1101 


ease.  He  has  always  been  an  active  citizen, 
associated  with  the  best  interests  of  the  com- 
munity wherever  he  lived,  and  while  on  the 
farm  served  as  supervisor  and  school  director 
of  his  township.  Since  coming  to  Cherrytree 
he  has  been  street  commissioner,  school  di- 
rector and  burgess,  having  been  elected  to  the 
latter  oiSce  in  1909,  for  three  j'ears.  He  is 
associated  with  the  Republican  party.  He  is 
prominent  in  G.  A.  R.  circles,  belonging  to 
William  Conner  Post,  No.  40,  of  which  he  is 
commander  and  quartermaster. 

In  1866  Mr.  McDonnell  married  Julia  Ann 
Lamer,  who  was  born  in  Cambria  county, 
Pa.,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Catherine  (Kit- 
ner)  Lamer,  farming  people,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Cambria  county.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McDonnell  are  members  of  the  Church 
of  God  at  Pine  Grove,  in  Green  township. 

GEORGE  M.  JOINER  has  been  engaged 
in  the  general  merchandise  business  at  Grise- 
more,  Indiana  county,  since  1895,  and  has  es- 
tablished an  extensive  patronage  in  that  place 
and  the  surrounding  territory,  where  his 
thorough  business  methods  and  obliging 
nature  have  made  him  favorably  known. 
Born  Jan.  1,  1864,  in  Clearfield  county.  Pa., 
he  is  a  son  of  William  and  Caroline  (Neff) 
Joiner,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  The 
father  was  killed  while  serving  in  the  Union 
army  during  the  Civil  war,  having  enlisted 
from  Clearfield  countj^  The  mother  remar- 
ried, and  died  at  the  age  of  forty-eight  years, 
when  her  son  George  was  but  nine  years  old. 
She  left  two  children,  George  M.  and  Wil- 
liam E.  Joiner,  the  latter  now  living  in  Alle- 
gheny county,  Pennsylvania. 

George  M.  Joiner  came  to  Indiana  county 
with  his  mother  and  stepfather,  the  family 
settling  near  the  Cambria  county  line,  and  he 
attended  school  in  Indiana  county.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  when  a  young  man 
taught  school  for  a  time,  being  thus  engaged 
three  terms  in  Green  township  and  one  term 
in  Cambria  county.  He  followed  farming 
until  189.5,  when  he  established  the  general 
store  at  Grisemore,  in  Pine  township,  which 
he  has  ever  since  conducted,  building  up  a 
trade  which  has  shown  a  healthy  growth  from 
the  start.  In  the  spring  of  1913  he  bought 
the  R.  F.  Templeton  farm  in  Green  township, 
where  he  is  now  engaged  in  farming.  Mr. 
Joiner  is  a  public-spirited  and  intelligent  cit- 
izen, and  his  sterling  qualities  of  character 
and  business  ability  have  been  recognized  by 
his  fellow  citizens,  who  have  chosen  him  sev- 
eral times  to  public  positions  of  trust.     He 


has  served  two  terms  as  auditor  of  Pine 
township,  and  one  term  as  tax  collector,  giv- 
ing thorough  satisfaction  to  all  concerned  in 
both  capacities.  He  belongs  to  the  Prohibi- 
tion party. 

On  May  14,  1889,  Mr.  Joiner  was  married 
to  Mollie  D.  Williams,  who  was  bom  in  Green 
township,  this  county,  daughter  of  William 
M.  and  Sarah  (Jones)  Williams,  who  still 
live  in  Green  township,  near  Grisemore.  Mr. 
Williams  has  now  retired  from  active  work, 
but  in  his  earlier  days  he  was  one  of  the  most 
energetic  and  progressive  farmers  of  this  sec- 
tion of  Indiana  county.  He  and  his  wife  are 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  Pittsburg; 
their  parents  came  to  this  country  from 
Wales,  where  they  were  born.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Williams  had  a  family  of  eight  children: 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Arthur  Jones,  living  at 
Barnesboro,  Pa.;  John,  a  farmer  of  Green 
township;  Mollie  D.,  Mrs.  Joiner;  Richard,  a 
resident  of  Grisemore,  Green  township ;  Jen- 
nie, at  home;  William,  also  living  at  home; 
Margaret,  at  home ;  and  Emma,  the  youngest, 
deceased.  Robert  Williams,  an  uncle  of  Mrs. 
Joiner,  now  deceased,  was  in  the  Union  serv- 
ice during  the  Civil  war. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joiner  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

SAMUEL  W.  WALKER,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war  and  a  general  farmer  of  East 
Mahoning  township,  living  near  the  South 
Mahoning  township  line,  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington township,  this  county,  March  16,  1848. 

Robert  Walker,  the  grandfather  of  Samuel 
W.  Walker,  was  born  Dec.  10,  1785,  and 
settled  in  Armstrong  township  with  his 
father,  on  land  near  Shelocta.  Robert  Walker 
married  Elizabeth  Matthews,  and  they 
located  in  Washington  township,  being  among 
the  very  first  settlers  there.  Their  farm  com- 
prised 110  acres  on  which  they  led  the  lives 
of  pioneers,  farming  their  land  and  operating 
a  gristmill  which  Mr.  Walker  erected.  He 
was  a  man  of  unusual  enterprise,  with  ideas 
ahead  of  his  time,  and  lived  to  see  his  prop- 
erty grow  valuable,  dying  upon  it  in  April, 
1855.  His  widow  only  survived  him  until 
June  14th,  and  they  are  buried  in  the  old 
Washington  Church  cemetery.  He  helped  to 
erect  the  church  edifice  connected  with  the 
cemetery.  In  politics  he  was  a  Whig.  The 
children  of  Robert  Walker  and  wife  were: 
Margaret  and  Jane  (twins),  bom  Jan.  23, 
1805,  the  latter  marrying  Jacob  Rowe;  John, 
born  Sept.  23,  1807 ;  Benjamin,  born  May  27, 
1810 ;  Robert  N.,  born  Oct.  4,  1811,  who  lived 


1102 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  Green  township;  James,  born  ]\Iarch  3, 
1813,  who  died  July  6,  1830;  Thomas  and 
Alexander  (twins),  born  Sept.  25,  1815.  the 
former  dying  Sept.  14,  1833,  and  the  latter 
moving  to  Etifingham,  Kans. ;  Abraham,  born 
Dec.  4,  1818,  who  died  Jan.  11,  1819;  and 
Sharp,  born  Dec.  24,  1820. 

Sharp  Walker,  son  of  Robert  Walker  and 
father  of  Samuel  W.  Walker,  was  born  on 
Christmas  Eve,  1820.  He  was  reared  to  the 
life  of  a  farmer's  son,  and  received  a  limited 
educational  training  in  the  subscription 
schools  of  his  neighborhood.  His  life  was 
spent  in  agricultural  labor,  and  he  died  be- 
fore he  reached  his  prime,  June  30,  1851, 
being  buried  in  the  same  cemetery  as  his 
father.  The  Presbyterian  Church  held  his 
membership.  Shai-p  Walker  married  Eliza- 
beth Waddell.  who  was  born  at  Blacklick,  Pa., 
a  daughter  of  Samuel  Waddell,  and  lived  to 
be  ninety  years  of  age.  dying  at  the  home  of 
her  son,'  Samuel  W.  Walker,  who  with  his 
wife  cared  for  her  tenderly.  Her  death  oc- 
curred Nov.  29,  1905,  and  she  is  buried  in 
Marion  Center  cemetery.  They  had  four 
children :  Johnston,  a'  Civil  war  veteran,  who 
was  wounded  in  battle  Aug.  29,  1863,  and 
died  from  the  effects  of  his  wound.  June  1. 
1864 ;  Marshall,  who  died  in  infancy ;  Samuel 
W. ;  and  James,  a  merchant  of  Creekside,  who 
married  Susan  Van  Leer. 

Samuel  W.  Walker,  son  of  Sharp  Walker, 
was  only  three  years  old  when  his  father  died, 
and  he  was  reared  by  his  mother.  When  only 
fifteen  and  a  half  years  old,  he  enlisted,  on 
Nov.  17,  1863,  in  Company  F,  105th  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Capt.  Rob- 
ert Kirk  and  Colonel  McKnight,  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  After  participat- 
ing in  the  grand  review  at  Washington  he 
was  honorably  discharged,  July  11,  1865,  at 
Arlington  Heights.  During  his  period  of 
service  he  was  in  the  3d  Division,  3d  Army 
Corps.  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  saw  some 
hard  fighting. 

Retui-ning  home  he  resumed  his  agricul- 
tural work  near  Ambrose,  South  :\Iahoning 
township,  where  he  remained  until  1874, 
when  he  bought  the  William  Colkitt  farm 
in  East  jMahoning  township,  and  operates  the 
same.  It  is  near  the  South  ^Mahoning  line, 
and  is  a  very  valuable  piece  of  land.  He  has 
greatly  improved  it,  building  a  house  and 
barn  and  putting  up  good  fences,  and  the 
land  is  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He 
carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 

A  Repul)lican,  Mr.  Walker  has  been  super- 
visor of  his  township,  has  been  school  director 


two  terras,  and  judge  and  inspector  of  elec- 
tion. He  has  no  fraternal  connections,  as  he 
perfers  to  seek  relaxation  with  his  family. 
The  Presbyterian  Church  holds  his  member- 
ship. 

In  September,  1872,  Mr.  Walker  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  Dunlap,  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Catherine  (Landes)  Dunlap. 
Four  children  have  been  born  to  this  union: 
Belle,  who  married  William  Getty  and  re- 
sides in  East  ilahouing  township ;  Minnie, 
who  died  in  childhood;  and  Olive  and  John, 
who  are  at  home. 

Thomas  Dunlap,  father  of  Mrs.  Walker, 
was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pa., 
a  son  of  Robert  Dunlap.  He  grew  to  inan- 
hood  on  his  father's  farm,  and  was  an  agi-i- 
culturist  all  his  life.  In  1861  he  located  in 
Washington  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
where  he  bought  110  acres  of  land,  on  which 
he  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  Later  he  bought  the  farm  which  is 
now  owned  and  operated  by  his  son-in-law, 
Samuel  J.  Mulberger,  comprising  102  acres. 
'Sir.  Dunlap  improved  this  property  consid- 
erably, built  a  barn  and  other  buildings,  and 
died  there  March  24,  1894;  he  is  buried  in 
the  Washington  Church  cemetery.  For  years 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  at 
Ambrose,  having  helped  to  organize  it,  and 
served  it  as  an  elder.  A  Republican,  he 
served  the  township  as  supervisor  and  was  on 
the  election  board.  His  first  wife,  Catherine 
(Landes),  died  in  1858,  and  was  buried 
in  the  Leechburg  cemetery,  Westmoreland 
county.  Pa.  She  was  the  mother  of  three 
children :  Elizabeth,  who  married  Samuel  W. 
Walker ;  Margaret,  who  married  j\I,  C.  Mahon, 
both  now  deceased;  and  a  daughter  who  died 
in  infancy  unnamed.  Mr.  Dunlap 's  second 
wife,  Isabelle  (Warden),  is  also  deceased.  By 
this  marriage  he  had  three  children:  An 
infant  son  who  died  unnamed;  Rev.  Elmer 
Dunlap,  of  Ashland.  Oregon ;  and  Mary,  who 
married  Samuel  J.  ^Mulberger,  a  farmer 
operating  the  Dunlap  homestead. 

SAMUEL  J.  MULBERGER,  a  farmer  and 
stock  raiser  of  South  Mahoning  township, 
was  born  in  Plumcreek  township,  Armstrong 
Co.,  Pa..  April  17.  1860,  son  of  William 
Mulberger. 

Simon  :Mulberger,  a  native  of  Germany,  left 
his  native  land  when  still  a  young  man,  and 
crossing  in  a  sailing  vessel  came  from  New 
York  City  to  Center  county.  Pa.,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming  until  1840.  In  that  year 
he  left   for  Armstrong  county,   and  locating 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1103 


in  Plumcreek  township  continued  his  agricul- 
tural operations  on  200  acres  of  land,  at  a 
time  when  his  property  was  in  the  wilder- 
ness, he  being  one  of  the  pioneers  of  that 
locality.  One  of  his  first  acts  was  to  erect  a 
log  cabin  and  a  stable  for  the  housing  of  his 
stock,  both  of  which  continued  in  use  until 
1857,  when  he  built  a  substantial  frame  house 
and  barn,  and  continued  to  make  similar  im- 
provements until  death  claimed  him,  in  1879. 
He  is  buried  in  Elderton,  Pa.  He  was  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
and  politically  was  a  Democrat.  Simon 
Mulberger  married  a  Miss  Swinhart,  who 
died  in  Center  county.  Pa.,  the  mother  of 
these  children :  Daniel,  who  went  to  Cali- 
fornia in  1849 ;  Susan,  who  married  Absalom 
Smith,  of  Armstrong  county;  Rachel,  who 
married  Moses  Foreman,  who  lived  near  Kit- 
tanning,  Armstrong  county;  Elizabeth,  who 
married  Solomon  Penrod,  of  Plumcreek 
township ;  Polly,  who  married  Johnson 
Thomas,  of  Plumcreek  township ;  John,  who 
lived  at  Elderton,  Pa. ;  Catherine,  who  mar- 
ried William  Stewart ;  William,  who  served  in 
the  Civil  war;  and  Samuel,  who  died  in 
prison  while  serving  in  the  Union  army  dur- 
ing the  Civil  war. 

William  Mulberger,  son  of  Simon  Mul- 
berger, and  father  of  Samuel  J.  Mulberger, 
was  born  in  Center  county,  Pa.,  in  1829,  and 
there  grew  to  manhood's  estate.  He  came 
west  with  the  family  to  Armstrong  county, 
settling  in  Plumcreek  township,  where  he 
began  farming  on  seventy-two  acres  of  land, 
thus  continuing  until  1873,  when  he  sold  and 
came  to  Indiana  county.  Settling  in  Wash- 
ington township  on  the  Thomas  Johnson 
farm  of  157  acres,  he  continued  his  agricul- 
tui-al  operations,  farming  and  raising  stock 
as  well  as  improving  his  property,  until  his 
death,  Sept.  26,  1890,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one 
years.  He  is  buried  at  Plumville,  having 
been  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed 
Church  and  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
church  of  that  denomination  at  Willet.  Polit- 
ically he  was  a  Democrat.  He  married  ilary 
Cravener,  of  Cowanshannock  township,  Arm- 
strong Co.,  Pa.,  who  died  at  the  home  of 
Samuel  J.  Mulberger,  Sept.  20,  1899,  and  is 
buried  by  the  side  of  her  husband.  She  also 
was  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed 
Church.  The  children  of  this  estimable 
couple  were:  Adella,  who  married  John  A. 
Bums,  of  Washington  township ;  Samuel  J. ; 
Ada,  who  married  John  Black,  and  resides  in 


Ohio;  James  F.,  who  lives  on  the  homestead, 
married  to  Vernie  Miller ;  Ambrose  Good,  also 
on  the  homestead,  married  to  Carrie  Lawton. 

Samuel  J.  Mulberger,  son  of  William  Mul- 
berger, went  to  the  schools  of  Plumcreek 
township,  Armstrong  county,  and  worked 
with  his  father  until  he  was  thirteen  years 
old,  and  then  began  working  among  the 
neighboring  farmers.  When  the  family 
moved  to  Washington  township  he  resumed 
working  at  home,  and  thus  continued  until 
he  was  twenty-four  years  old.  At  that  time 
he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  in 
South  Mahoning  township,  operating  the 
Moses  Lemon  farm  for  two  years,  when  he 
bought  fifty  acres  of  the  homestead  in  Wash- 
ington township,  in  1886.  On  this  property 
he  built  a  house,  barn  and  made  other  im- 
provements, so  continuing  until  1895,  when 
he  sold  it  to  his  youngest  brother  and  settled 
on  the  Thomas  Dunlap  farm  of  101  acres  in 
South  Mahoning  township,  west  of  Ambrose. 
There  for  the  last  eighteen  years  he  has  con- 
tinued to  live,  all  the  while  extensively  im- 
proving his  property  and  carrying  on  general 
farming  and  raising  stock.  He  is  specializ- 
ing upon  the  growing  of  cabbages  with  very 
profitable  results.  The  barn,  which  was  built 
by  his  father-in-law,  proved  inadequate  for 
his  requirements,  so  he  has  enlarged  it  con- 
siderably, and  he  put  up  the  first  silo  in  this 
part  of  the  county.  Mr.  Mulberger  is  one  of 
the  progressive  men  of  his  community,  using 
modern  methods  in  his  farm  work.  Thrifty, 
he  not  only  knows  how  to  earn  and  save 
money  but  can  also  invest  it  wisely.  Very 
fond  of  horses,  he  takes  pleasure  in  his  stud, 
being  the  owner  of  the  tlaoroughbred  stallion 
Prince,  one  of  the  finest  of  its  kind  in  Indi- 
ana county.  Formerly  a  Democrat,  Mr.  Mul- 
berger has  become  convinced  that  only 
through  the  success  of  the  Prohibition  party 
can  the  country  hope  for  a  relief  from  the 
evils  attending  the  present  sj'stem  of  liquor 
traffic,  and  he  supports  its  principles  vigor- 
ously. At  one  time  he  served  as  supervisor 
of  his  township,  and  was  an  efficient  official. 
The  Washington  Presbyterian  Church  holds 
his  membership. 

In  1886  Mr.  Mulberger  married  Mary  Dun- 
lap,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Dunlap,  a  sketch 
of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
Mrs.  Mulberger  is  a  most  charming  lady, 
whose  excellent  housewifery  makes  her  noted 
throughout  her  neighborhood.  She,  too,  be- 
longs to  the  Presbyterian  Church.  ]\Ir.  and 
Mrs.  Mulberger  are  the  parents  of  one  son, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Byron  C.  After  finishing  a  course  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  he  attended  Marion  Center  high 
school  for  two  terms  and  then  took  a  course 
at  the  State  College.  Having  prepared  him- 
self for  a  useful  career,  he  is  now  putting  his 
knowledge  into  practical  use  on  the  home 
farm,  being  a  great  comfort  to  his  parents, 
who  are  justly  proud  of  him.  The  family  is 
well  and  favorably  known  throughout  Indi- 
ana county,  and  all  of  its  members  have  many 
warm  personal  friends  who  appreciate  them 
and  their  manifold  virtues. 

JOHN  NOGEL  (deceased)  was  engaged  in 
business  in  the  borough  of  Indiana  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  before  his  death,  and  his  widow 
still  resides  there.  Mr.  Nogel  was  a  native 
of  Rothenburg,  Germany,  born  in  1830,  and 
passed  his  early  life  in  the  Fatherland. 
There  he  married  Barbara  Keim,  and  they 
came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Indi- 
ana, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  ISlr.  Nogel  embarked 
in  the  livery  business,  which  he  continued 
until  his  death,  becoming  one  of  the  best 
known  men  in  that  line  in  this  city  and  vicin- 
ity. He  succeeded  by  application  and  the 
exercise  of  those  industrious  traits  character- 
istic of  his  nationality,  and  he  was  considered 
a  good  citizen  in  every  sense  of  the  term.  He 
was  a  Democrat  in  political  faith.  His  death 
occurred  in  October,  1884.  when  he  was  about 
fifty-four  years  old,  and  he  is  buried  in  Oak- 
land cemetery.  In  religion  he  was  a  Luth- 
eran, belonging  to  the  German  Church. 

Mr.  Nogel's  first  wife  died  at  Indiana. 
There  were  no  children  by  that  union.  On 
May  4,  1879,  he  married  (second)  in  Indiana 
Margaret  Metz.  a  native  of  Pittsburg, 
daughter  of  Michael  and  Caroline  (Ray- 
mond) Metz,  and  three  children  were  born  to 
them  :  Carrie,  Mrs.  James  Chrisman,  of  Indi- 
ana ;  Estella,  Mrs.  Simpson  Garret,  of  Bel- 
laire,  Ohio;  and  Frank,  who  lives  at  home. 

Michael  Metz,  father  of  Mrs.  Margaret 
(Metz)  Nogel,  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany, 
and  came  to  the  United  States  when  a  young 
man.  He  married  in  Pittsburg,  and  some 
time  afterward  settled  on  a  small  farm  in 
White  township,  Indiana  county,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  long  and  indus- 
trious life,  dying  Oct.  6,  1906,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-one  years.  He  married  Caroline  Ray- 
mond, who'  was  bom  in  Hanover,  Germany, 
and  died  April  1,  1909.  They  were  members 
of  the  German  Lutheran  Church,  and  in 
politics  he  was  a  Democrat.  Four  children 
were  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Metz,  namely: 
Margaret,  widow  of  John  Nogel,  of  Indiana ; 


John,  of  Willet,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.;  William, 
who  lives  on  the  home  farm ;  and  Annie,  ^Irs. 
George  McHenry,  of  Indiana. 

ENOCH  F.  LEWIS,  an  honored  citizen  of 
South  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  coimty, 
farmer,  former  justice  of  the  peace,  and  vet- 
eran of  the  Civil  war,  has  a  record  of  useful- 
ness in  his  community  of  which  he  and  hia 
family  may  well  be  proud.  He  was  bom 
July  9,  1838,  on  the  old  Lewis  homestead  in 
South  Mahoning  township,  son  of  Ephraim 
E.  Lewis  and  grandson  of  Joshua  Lewis.  The 
Lewises  are  of  Welsh  extraction.  David 
Lewis,  the  great-grandfather,  had  a  large 
family,  namely:  Evan,  Robert,  John  D., 
Sarah,  Joshua,  Nancy,  Elizabeth,  Samuel, 
David,  George  and  Margaret. 

Joshua  Lewis  was  in  what  was  then  Mahon- 
ing township  as  early  as  1806,  settling  on  the 
farm  now  owned  by  John  B.  I\IcCormack, 
where  he  built  a  stone  house  which  is  still 
standing,  and  which  has  been  remodeled  by 
Mr.  McCormack.  Here  he  spent  the  rest  of 
his  life  engaged  in  farming,  dying  in  1828. 
He  was  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  connec- 
tion, and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  the 
Gilgal  Church.  He  served  four  years  as  asso- 
ciate justice  of  Indiana  county.  His  widow, 
Nancy  (Kelly),  died  in  1841,  aged  sixty-nine 
j-ears.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  chil- 
dren: Isaac,  Lydia,  Rebecca,  David,  Joshua, 
Keziah,  Ephraim  E.,  John,  Lydia  (2),  Nancy, 
William  H.  and  Mary  E. 

Ephraim  E.  Lewis,  son  of  Joshua,  waa 
three  years  old  when  his  parents  moved  to 
what  is  now  West  Mahoning  township,  and 
there  he  received  a  common  school  education 
in  the  subscription  schools.  He  taught  for  a 
period,  first  in  subscription  school  and  later 
in  public  school,  but  made  farming  his  prin- 
cipal occupation  in  life,  following  general 
agriculture  and  stock  raising,  having  pur- 
chased improvement  rights  of  a  tract  of  land 
lying  on  the  waters  of  the  southeast  branch  of 
Plum  creek,  in  what  was  then  ilahoning  (now 
South  :Mahoning)  township.  It  contained  215 
acres,  surveyed  by  warrant  dated  July  9,  1838, 
and  letters  patent  were  granted  to  E.  E. 
Lewis,  bearing  date  the  2d  day  of  Februaiy, 
1849.  The  last  twenty  years  of  his  life  were 
spent  on  a  farm  he  purchased  near  the  home- 
stead, which  under  his  management  and  care 
increased  greatly  in  value  and  appearance, 
ha\ing  a  comfortable  home  there  until  his 
death,  which  .occurred  April  13.  1892,  when 
he  was  eighty-seven  years  old.  He  is  buried 
in  Gilgal  cemetery.    Mr.  Lewis  was  originally 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1105 


a  Whig  in  political  convictiou,  later  a  Repub- 
lican, and  he  took  a  keen  interest  in  the  suc- 
cess of  his  party  and  in  the  administration 
of  local  public  affairs,  serving  South  Mahon- 
ing township  as  overseer  of  the  poor  and 
school  director,  and  for  twenty  years  as  jus- 
tice of  the  peace. 

Mr.  Lewis  was  twice  man*ied,  the  first 
time,  in  1830,  to  Margaret  H.  McPherson, 
who  died  in  1833,  the  mother  of  two  children: 
Agnes,  who  died  in  1873,  and  Margaret  M., 
who  died  Jan.  31,  1899.  On  April  19,  1836, 
Mr.  Lewis  married  (second)  Susanna  Irwin 
Farnswortli,  daughter  of  John  Parnsworth, 
of  Blair  county.  Pa.  Mrs.  Lewis  died  in  1872, 
and  is  buried  in  Gilgal  Church  cemetery. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Mahoning  Baptist 
Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  had  children 
as  follows:  David  R.,  now  of  Indiana,  Pa., 
a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  was  formerly 
register,  recorder  and  clerk  of  the  Oi-phans' 
court,  holding  that  office  for  two  terms;  he 
married  in  1868  Susan  W.  Lemmon.  Enoch 
F.  is  mentioned  below.  Jane  H.  died  in  1847. 
Elizabeth  D.  died  in  1847.  Eliza  H.  died  in 
1861.  Lydia  W.  married  Capt.  Evan  Lewis, 
of  Smicksburg,  and  died  Jan.  28,  1903.  Mary 
M.  married  William  I.  Work  March  10.  1891. 
Jane  E.  married  Theodore  Lockhart,  June  8, 
1880,  and  died  Peb.  12,  1886. 

Enoch  P.  Lewis  obtained  a  public  school 
education,  partly  under  his  father's  tuition. 
He  worked  at  home  with  his  father  during  his 
younger  manhood,  and  farming  has  always 
been  his  occupation.  The  102  acres  of  the 
homestead  place  which  came  into  his  posses- 
sion have  been  greatly  improved  under  his 
intelligent  care,  his  labors  in  the  line  of  gen- 
eral agriculture  and  stock  raising  being  quite 
successful. 

Mr.  Lewis  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war, 
having  entered  the  service  as  a  member  of 
Company  I,  102d  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  6th  Army 
Corps.  He  was  promoted  to  corporal  and 
later  to  sergeant.  Wounded  in  the  right 
thigh  by  a  minie  ball  in  the  battle  of  Cedar 
creek,  Oct.  19,  1864,  when  discharged  from 
the  U.  S.  General  hospital,  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
he  returned  to  his  regiment  in  front  of  Peters- 
burg, March  27,  1865,  taking  part  in  all  sub- 
sequent engagements  until  the  close  of  the 
war. 

On  Jan.  15,  1867,  Mr.  Lewis  married  Mary 
Jane  Shields,  of  Plumville,  this  county, 
daughter  of  James  and  Margaret  (Getty) 
Shields,   and  they  had  children  as  follows: 


Annie  M.,  M.  Elizabeth,  Laura  B.  and  Maude 
L. 

Mr.  Lewis  has  been  honored  by  his  fellow 
citizens  with  election  to  numerous  offices  of 
trust.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  fifteen 
years,  and  was  elected  for  a  fourth  term,  but 
declined  to  serve.  For  years  he  was  school 
director,  has  held  the  office  of  auditor  and 
other  township  offices,  and  in  every  capacity 
has  discharged  his  duties  faithfully,  never 
disappointing  his  constituents  by  lack  of  in- 
terest or  efficiency.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
political  principle.  Mr.  Lewis  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Plumville,  of 
which  he  has  been  a  trustee  for  years.  He 
is  highly  respected  wherever  known. 

WILLIAM  HAMILTON  KINTER  (de- 
ceased), who  during  his  life  was  engaged  in 
farming  in  Grant  township,  and  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Civil  war,  was  a  native  of  Rayne 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  born  March  26, 
1844,  son  of  Peter  and  Agnes  (Craig)  Kinter. 

The  Kinter  family  is  of  Dutch  extraction, 
the  founder  of  the  family  in  this  country, 
Philip  Kinter,  the  great-grandfather  of  Wil- 
liam Hamilton  Kinter,  having  been  born  in 
Holland  in  1700.  His  wife,  Margaret  (King), 
was  born  there  the  same  year.  On  coming  to 
this  country  they  settled  in  what  was  then 
Lancaster  (now  Dauphin)  county.  Pa.  They 
had  seven  sons  (daughters  also),  and  all  the 
sons  served  in  the  Revolutionary  army  under 
Washington;  two,  John  and  Peter,  remained 
together,  and  all  trace  of  the  others  has  been 
lost  by  the  branch  of  the  family  here  under 
consideration. 

John  Kinter,  son  of  Philip,  and  grand- 
father of  William  Hamilton  Kinter,  moved 
in  1808  to  Indiana  county,  locating  in  what 
is  now  Rayne  township,  then  a  part  of  Wash- 
ington township,  near  what  is  now  known  as 
Kintersburg;  and  Kinterhill,  the  highest 
point  in  the  township,  was  named  in  his 
honor.  Here  he  continued  to  reside,  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits,  during  the  remain- 
der of  his  life,  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
two  years.  During  the  Revolutionary  war  he 
served  under  three  enlistments  of  two  months 
each  in  the  Continental  army,  and  he  was 
ever  a  patriotic  and  public-spirited  citizen. 
Mr.  Kinter  married  Lsabella  Finle.y,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Sarah  (Todd)  Finley,  the 
latter  a  sister  of  Gen.  Eli  Todd  and  daughter 
of  Robert  Todd,  of  Trappe,  Pa.  Eli  Todd 
had  a  son  Robert  and  a  daughter  Mary,  the 
latter  becoming  the  wife  of  Abraham  Lin- 
coln.    j\Irs.  Isabelle  (Finley)  Kinter  lived  to 


1106 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years.  She  and 
her  husband  became  the  parents  of  six  sons 
and  three  daughters :  Margaret,  who  married 
William  Borland;  John,  who  married  Sarah 
Ross,  and  died  in  1866 ;  Henry,  a  soldier  dur- 
ing the  War  of  1812-14,  who  married  Chris- 
tina Heater;  Catherine,  who  married  James 
Coulter;  Sarah,  who  married  Judge  Peter 
Dilts;  William,  who  married  Mary  Speedy; 
Peter,  the  father  of  William  H.  Kinter; 
Finley,  who  married  Catherine  Heater;  and 
Isaac,  who  married  Hannah  ]Myers, 

Peter  Kinter,  the  other  son  of  Philip  men- 
tioned, married  Mary  Finley,  sister  of  his 
brother  John's  wife. 

Peter  Kinter,  son  of  John,  and  father 
of  William  H.  Kinter,  was  born  in  1800  in 
the  valley  of  Spruce  creek,  in  Center  county. 
Pa.,  and  in  1808  came  to  Indiana  county  with 
his  father,  the.  family  settling  on  Crooked 
creek,  at  Kintersburg.  He  spent  his  entire 
life  in  farming  in  Rayne  township,  where  he 
made  numerous  improvements  on  the  home 
property,  and  died  honored  and  respected  by 
all  who  knew  him.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
passed  awaj'  on  the  homestead  farm,  and 
were  buried  in  the  old  Washington  cemetery. 
Peter  Kinter  married  Agnes  Craig,  who  was 
born  in  1800  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  daughter 
of  Robert  Craig,  and  was  brought  to  America 
the  same  year,  the  family  landing  at  Phila- 
delphia, the  home  of  her  grandfather  Young. 
That  j'ear  they  came  on  to  Indiana  county 
and  settled  on  the  Young  land,  on  a  farm  now 
occupied  by  S.  Wetzel,  one  mile  south  of 
Marion  Center.  Mrs.  Kinter  bad  a  brother 
Robert,  and  a  sister  who  married  H.  Robin- 
son, of  Clarion  county,  Pa.  i\Ir.  and  ^Irs. 
Kinter  became  the  parents  of  a  large  family, 
among  whom  were:  Henry,  Evans,  Isaac, 
William  Hamilton,  Robert,  Martha  and 
Helen. 

William  Hamilton  Kinter,  son  of  Peter 
Kinter,  attended  public  school  in  Rayne 
township,  and  continued  to  remain  on  the 
home  farm  and  work  for  his  father  until  he 
.ioined  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war. 
In  March,  1865,  he  enlisted  for  one  yeai-  in 
Company  F,  74th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  Capt.  John  Kinter,  and  was  made 
sergeant  of  his  company,  with  which  he 
served  until  receiving  his  honorable  dis- 
charge, Aug.  29,  1865,  the  war  having  closed. 
On  his  return  to  the  pursuits  of  peace  he  lo- 
cated in  Cookport,  Green  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  became  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business,  and  was  subsequently  made 
postmaster,    a   position   which   he   held   until 


1874,  in  that  year  selling  out  to  tuni  his  at- 
tention once  more  to  farming.  At  that  time 
he  located  on  the  Allison  farm  in  East  Ma- 
honing township,  but  three  years  later  moved 
to  Punxsutawney  with  his  family,  and  for 
three  years  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  shingles  and  other  lumber  in  Canoe  town- 
ship. At  the  end  of  that  period  he  settled  on 
a  200-aere  tract  of  land  in  Grant  township, 
known  as  the  old  Craig  farm,  where  he  made 
his  home  during  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
being  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising,  and  where  he  died  Oct.  23.  1904,  at 
the  age  of  sixty  years.  He  was  laid  to  rest 
in  Gilgal  cemetery  in  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship. Mr.  Kinter  was  a  stalwart  Republican 
and  served  as  auditor  of  his  township  for 
several  years.  The  Golden  Rule  was  his 
motto  in  life,  he  was  a  devoted  husband  and 
kind  father,  and  was  honored  and  respected 
by  all  with  whom  he  came  into  contact. 

'  On  July  16,  1875,  ]Mr.  Kinter  was  married, 
in  East  Mahoning  township,  to  Sophia  A. 
Allison,  a  sister  of  Dr.  Alexander  Hamilton 
Allison,  of  that  township,  in  whose  sketch,  in 
another  part  of  this  volume,  a  full  history  of 
the  Allison  family  will  be  found.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Kinter  had  the  following  children: 
]\Iargaretta  died  in  young  womanhood;  Roy, 
who  is  foreman  for  the  Saven  Coal  Company, 
residing  at  Deckers  Point,  married  Eva 
Nupp,  daughter  of  George  Nupp,  and  she 
died  Sept.  30,  1911,  leaving  three  children, 
Purl,  Bernard  and  Ivan ;  Clair  resides  in  the 
West ;  James  makes  his  home  in  the  State  of 
Indiana;  Maisie  and  Daisy,  twins,  are  at 
home;  Tim  and  Zim,  twins,  died  in  infancy. 

WILLIAIM  EVANS  ACKERSON,  a 
farmer  of  Blacklick  township,  was  born  May 
27,  1867,  in  Brushvalley,  son  of  George  Sny- 
der and  Martha  (Tyson)   Aekerson. 

William  Aekerson  was  born  April  13,  1813, 
in  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  where  he  was  reared. 
On  Feb.  7,  1839,  he  married  Sarah  Ann 
Snyder,  who  was  born  Feb.  1.  1822,  and  died 
Sept.  19,  1884.  She.  too,  was  reared  in  Sus- , 
sex  county.  The  children  of  Mr.  and  !\Irs. 
Aekerson  were:  John  W.,  born  Feb.  7.  1S41, 
resides  in  Blacklick  township  with  William 
Evans  Aekerson  ;  George  Snyder  was  the  fatli- 
er  of  William  Evans  Aekerson  :  James  P.,  born 
Aug.  30,  1846,  married  Amanda  Hazlett,  of 
Brushvalley;  Emma  Elizabeth,  born  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1858,  married  George  W,  Badgley. 

When  he  was  three  years  old  William 
Aekerson  was  brought  to  Indiana  county. 
Pa.,  by  his  parents.     In  time  he  bought  the 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1107 


Reed  farm  of  240  acres,  now  owned  by  Joseph 
D.  Dickie  of  White  township,  and  developed 
into  one  of  the  substantial  agriculturists  of 
his  day  and  locality.  During  his  lifetime  he 
brought  nearly  all  of  his  land  under  the  plow, 
and  raised  a  large  amount  of  cattle,  sheep 
and  hogs,  specializing  on  thoroughbred 
horses.  Although  he  received  hut  few  edu- 
cational advantages,  he  was  a  shrewd  business 
man  and  became  wealthy.  A  Democrat  in 
polities,  he  did  not  aspire  to  public  life. 
Bethel  Church  had  in  him  a  faithful  mem- 
ber, and  his  remains  were  laid  to  rest  by  the 
side  of  his  wife  in  Oakland  cemetery,  at  Indi- 
ana, Pa.  The  death  of  this  excellent  man  "oc- 
curred at  Mores  Station,  near  Philadelphia, 
where  he  was  living  with  his  daughter  Mrs. 
George  W.  Badgley. 

George  Snyder  Ackerson,  son  of  "William 
Ackerson,  was  born  July  21,  1844,  in  Wliite 
township,  where  he  was  reared.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  until  married,  on  Aug.  26, 
1866,  in  Brushvalley  township,  to  Martha 
Tyson,  who  was  born  June  17,  1837,  daughter 
of  Harman  and  Annie  (Murphy)  Tyson,  of 
Brushvalley  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. 
Their  children  were:  William  Evans,  whose 
name  heads  this  review;  John  Ernest,  bora 
Oct.  27,  1868,  who  married  Mrs.  Eldora  Bm- 
monds  (he  is  an  engineer  and  resides  in 
Apollo,  Pa.)  ;  Harold  A.,  bom  Nov.  8,  1869, 
who  resides  in  one  of  the  Western  States; 
and  Clair  Murphy,  bom  May  18,  1879,  wlio 
died  in  September,  1879. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Ackerson  went  to 
Meehanicsburg,  Pa.,  where  he  worked  at 
teaming  for  about  five  years,  and  then  moved 
to  Blairsville,  where  he  bought  the  small 
tract  of  land  on  which  his  widow  now  resides. 
Later  on  he  was  employed  by  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company  on  the  repair  train, 
and  as  brakeman.  Still  later  he  went  to  work 
in  the  coal  mines  at  Homer  City,  Pa.,  and  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life  as  a  coal  miner,  meet- 
ing his  death  in  the  mines,  where  he  was 
crushed  by  a  falling  wall  of  coal.  His  re- 
mains were  interred  in  the  Blairsville  ceme- 
tery. For  years  he  was  a  devout  member  of 
the  Methodist  Church,  and  his  wife  still  be- 
longs to  that  denomination,  both  having 
connected  themselves  mth  the  organization 
at  Blairsville.  In  politics  Mr.  Ackerson  was 
a  Republican ;  he  never  held  an  ofSce. 

William  Evans  Ackerson  attended  the  local 
schools  and  those  of  Blairsville  until  he  was 
twelve  years  old,  when  he  went  to  the  vicinity 
of  Moimt  Pleasant,  Fayette  Co.,  Pa.,  and  for 
a  short  time  was  employed  there.     Following 


that  he  went  to  work  with  his  father  in  the 
coal  mines,  and  thus  continued  for  three 
years,  doing  a  little  farming  at  the  same 
time.  Later  on  jMr.  Ackerson  woi'ked  for 
himself  as  a  coal  miner  at  Oakville,  Homer 
City,  Blairsville,  Smith  station  and  other 
points.  All  the  while,  however,  he  was  sav- 
ing to  buy  a  farm,  and  was  able  to  accom- 
plish this  in  April,  1903.  At  that  time  he 
bought  the  George  property  of  140  acres  from 
Sophia  Williams,  in  Blacklick  township, 
where  he  now  resides  with  his  family.  He  is 
one  of  the  progressive  farmers  of  his  town- 
ship, and  has  a  large  dairy  and  raises  stock 
as  well  as  carrying  on  general  farming.  Al- 
though prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  town 
he  is  not  an  office  seeker,  but  has  served  on 
the  election  board  several  times.  In  addition 
to  other  interests,  he  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Blacklick  Telephone  Company.  After  giving 
full  consideration  to  the  issues  of  the  day, 
Mr.  Ackerson  has  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
only  through  practical  Socialism  can  a  rem- 
edy be  found,  and  he  has  been  identified  with 
that  party  for  the  last  sixteen  years. 

On  Dec.  25,  1888,  Mr.  Ackerson  was  mar- 
ried at  the  "Hotel  American,"  in  Indiana, 
Pa.,  to  Mary  Hulda  MacElhaney,  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Catherine  (Hess)  MacElhaney, 
of  Indiana,  Pa.  Mr.  and  I\Irs.  Ackerson  have 
had  children  as  follows:  Samuel  Augustus, 
born  Feb.  10,  1890,  is  working  for  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad  Company  and  living  at 
Piteairn,  Pa. ;  John  Albert,  born  Nov.  21, 
1891,  a  school  teacher  of  Blacklick  township, 
was  married  Feb.  27,  1913,  at  the  "West 
Indiana  Hotel,"  in  Indiana,  Pa.,  to  Lulu 
Edith  Johnston,  daughter  of  James  Harvey 
and  Mary  Elizabeth  Johnston,  of  Ross- 
moj^ne.  Pa.,  Rev.  W.  S.  Sturgeon,  of  Elkin, 
Pa.,  performing  the  ceremony  (Mrs.  Acker- 
son, like  her  husband,  has  been  a  well-known 
educator  in  Indiana  county)  ;  Emma  Viola 
was  bom  July  28,  1893;  Vera  Elberta  was 
born  Nov.  18,  1896. 

Mr.  Ackerson  is  a  hard-working,  thrifty 
man,  and  his  success  in  life  has  come  of  his 
industry  and  economy. 

DANIEL  J.  ORNER,  a  retired  farmer  of 
Pine  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
near  Gettysburg,  Adams  Co.,  Pa.,  Dec.  18, 
1836,  son  of  Daniel  Orner,  and  grandson  of 
Felix  Orner. 

Felix  Orner,  the  American  founder  of  the 
family,  was  bom  in  Germany,  but  left  his 
native  land,  and  in  company  with  his 
bi-other  came  to  the  United  States  on  a  sail- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ing  vessel.  After  landing  he  went  direct  to 
Adams  county,  Pa.,  and  became  one  of  the 
prosperous  men  of  his  locality,  dying  on  the 
property  he  liad  secured.  His  children  were : 
Jonas,  Felix,  David,  George  and  Daniel. 

Daniel  Orner,  son  of  Felix  Orner,  and 
father  of  Daniel  J.  Orner.  was  a  native  of 
Adams  county,  and  farmed  there  for  many 
years,- but  finally  left  Adams  county  with  his 
brother  George  and  located  in  Indiana  county, 
buying  a  large  tract  of  timberland  in  what 
was  then  Pine  township.  The  Ijrothers  con- 
tinued in  partnership  for  some  years,  and 
then  Daniel  Orner  boug:ht  another  farm, 
cleared  it,  and  conducted  it  until  he  went  to 
Nebraska,  where  he  spent  three  years  with 
his  daughters  Phoebe  and  Nancy.  Return- 
ing to  Indiana  county,  he  joined  his  son 
Daniel  J.  Orner  at  Strongstown,  where  he 
lived  in  retirement  until  his  death,  in  his 
seventieth  year,  from  cancer.  He  was  laid 
to  rest  in  the  Strongstown  cemeteiy. 

Daniel  Orner  married  Sarah  Fohl,  a  daugh- 
ter of  George  Fohl,  and  their  children  were : 
Sophia  married  George  Holby,  and  both  are 
now  deceased ;  George  A.  died  in  the  vicinity 
of  Johnstown,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.;  Lucy,  de- 
ceased, who  married  Finley  Cameron,  is 
buried  in  the  Strongstown  cemetery;  Daniel 
J.  is  mentioned  below.  After  the  death  of 
his  first  wife  Daniel  Orner  man-ied  (second) 
Mrs.  Eliza  (Cameron)  Neff.  the  widow  of 
Jacob  Nefif.  The  children  of  this  marriage 
were:  Elizabeth,  who  married  Stewart 
Campbell,  resides  M  Morrellville,  Cambria 
Co.,  Pa.;  Phoebe  married  Scott  Steffy  and 
resides  at  David  City,  Nebr. :  Nancy  mar- 
ried a  Mr.  Volk  and  resides  near  David  City, 
Nebr.;  John  P.  married  Susan  Boring,  aAd 
both  are  now  deceased;  Amos  D.  married 
Joan  Bracken,  and  resides  at  Dubois,  Pa.; 
Emanuel  died  in  one  of  the  Western  States. 

Daniel  J.  Orner  was  brought  to  Indiana 
county  when  twelve  years  old  by  his  father, 
and  completed  his  educational  training  here. 
Until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age  he  as- 
sisted in  the  domestic  lumbering  and  farm- 
ing, and  made  shingles,  both  lap  and  joint, 
all  of  which  were  cut  with  a  drawing  knife. 
For  the  next  seven  years  Mr.  Orner  worked 
among  neighboinng  farmers,  until  he  was  able 
to  buy  fifty  acres  of  land  in  Pine  township. 
This  he  cleared  of  the  timber,  built  a  small 
house  on  it,  and  began  farming  for  himself. 
Later  he  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  had 
acquired  130  acres.  Until  1909  he  continued 
to  conduct  his  farm,  but  in  that  year  retired, 


and  has  since  been  enjoying  the  fruits  of 
his  years  of  labor. 

During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Orner  was  one 
of  the  men  who  gave  material  proof  of 
patriotism  by  enlisting  (joining  from  Indi- 
ana county  Nov.  4,  1862),  in  Company  K, 
67th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  "serv- 
ing under  Captains  Reed  and  Clark  and  Col. 
J.  F.  Stanton.  The  regiment  was  assigned  to 
the  3d  Brigade,  3d  Division,  3d  Army  Corps, 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  participated  in 
important  battles  and  operations,  being  on 
guard  duty  along  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  rail- 
road until  February,  1863 ;  in  the  operations 
about  Winchester  and  the  battle  on  June  15, 
1863,  when  Mr.  Orner  had  the  misfortune  to 
be  captured  by  the  enemy,  and  was  first  im- 
prisoned in  a  tobacco  warehouse.  He  was 
then  transferred  to  Belle  Isle,  for  thirty- 
nine  days,  when  he  was  exchanged.  At  the 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5,  1864,  he 
was  wounded  by  a  gunshot  in  the  right  arm, 
and  again  captured  ilaj-  6th,  but  escaped ; 
took  part  in  the  battle  of  Franklin  Station, 
June  11  and  12,  1864;  Petersburg,  June  15 
to  30,  1864;  Reams  Station,  June  23,  1864; 
Winchester,  Sept.  19,  1864;  Fisher's  Hill, 
Sept.  22,  1864;  Cedar  Creek,  Oct.  19,  1864; 
second  battle  of  Petersburg,  April  2,  1865, 
and  the  final  scenes  at  Appomattox  Court 
House,  April  9,  1865.  On  June  9,  1865,  Mr. 
Orner  was  promoted  to  corporal,  and  was 
honorably  discharged  July  14,  1865,  having 
served  his  country  for  two  years,  eight 
months,  ten  days. 

Daniel  J.  Orner  was  married  to  Martha 
E.  Rhoads,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mar- 
garet (Lower)  Rhoads,  and  they  have  be- 
come the  parents  of  the  following  children: 
Sadie  J.  married  William  W.  Cramer,  and 
both  are  now  deceased,  she  dying  in  Johns- 
town, Pa.,  but  is  buried  in  Strongstown; 
William  Sylvester,  who  married  Maude  Stoph- 
el.  is  living  on  the  old  homestead;  Maggie 
IM.  married  Albert  Whitmore,  of  Pittsburg; 
Henry  Sheridan  married  Catherine  Gillespie, 
of  Strongstown ;  Laura  Etta  married  Ben- 
jamin Duncan,  of  Vintondale;  Daniel  Grant 
married  Mary  Olive  Bracken,  the  daughter  of 
Henderson  Bracken,  of  Belsano,  Cambria  Co., 
Pa. :  Lizzie  Jlorrell  married  John  Duncan, 
of  Vintondale,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.;  jMartha 
Belle  married  William  G.  Bracken,  of  Buf- 
fington  township;  Tillie  Roselle  died  at  the 
age  of  eight  years;  Harvey  Wilmer,  an  engi- 
neer on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  married 
Ella  Bracken,  and  resides  at  Youngwood. 
Westmoreland   Co.,   Pa. :   Ira  Bert,  who   is  a 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1109 


fireman  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  mar- 
ried Olive  Harman,  and  lives  at  Conemaugh, 
Cambria  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

William  Rlioads,  father  of  Mrs.  Daniel  J. 
Omer,  moved  from  "Williamsburg,  Hunting- 
don Co.,  Pa.,  to  Indiana  county  when  Mrs. 
Orner  was  only  two  yeai's  old,  so  she  was 
practically  reared  in  this  county.  Settling 
in  Pine  township,  he  became  a  prosperous 
farmer,  and  lived  to  be  eighty-eight  years  old. 
He  was  interred  at  Strongstown,  Pa.  Wil- 
liam Rhoads  married  Llargaret  Lower,  of 
Hollidaysburg,  Blair  Co.,  Pa.,  and  their  chil- 
dren were:  George  W.,  David  H.,  Mary  C 
Daniel  Alexander,  R.  R.,  Jesse  M.,  William  L., 
Samuel  L.,  Sadie,  Margaret,  Jane  and  Mrs. 
D.  J.  Orner. 

Mr.  Orner  is  a  Republican  in  political 
faith,  and  gave  his  party  efficient  and  valu- 
able service  as  a  school  director  in  his  dis- 
trict for  a  period  extending  over  eighteen 
years.  For  six  years  of  this  time  he  was 
treasurer  of  the  board.  Upon  many  occasions 
he  was  a  member  of  the  election  board,  and 
served  on  juries  thirteen  times  in  the  county 
court.  In  addition  to  all  his  other  duties, 
Mr.  Oi-ner  was  an  auctioneer  from  1867  to 
1910,  and  during  that  long  time  cried  many 
sales.  Formerly  of  the  United  Brethren 
faith,  in  1909  he  united  with  the  Methodist 
Church  at  Strongstown  and  gives  that  body 
faithful  service.  Few  men  can  look  back 
over  so  full  a  life  as  Mr.  Orner  with  so  few 
regrets.  He  has  never  failed  to  do  his  full 
duty  as  he  has  seen  it,  and  has  proved  himself 
a  real  man  in  every  emergency  which  has 
arisen.  Needless  to  say  he  is  held  in  the 
highest  regard  by  his  associates  and  in  the 
neighborhood  where  he  has  spent  the  greater 
portion  of  his  life,  and  all  of  his  mature  years. 

JOSEPH  A.  JORDAN,  a  farmer  of  North 
Malioning  township,  was  born  in  McCalmont 
township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  Sept.  14,  1852, 
son  of  Robert  G.  and  Elizabeth  (Fitterhoff) 
Jordan. 

Samuel  Jordan,  a  native  of  Scotland,  served 
in  the  American  Revolution  after  coming  to 
the  Colonies  at  an  early  day.  He  lived  for  a 
long  period  in  McCalmont  township,  Jeffer- 
son cormty. 

Samuel  Jordan,  a  son  of  Samuel,  was  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  McCalmont  township,  Jef- 
ferson county,  securing  wild  land  from  the 
government  in  that  locality  from  which  he 
made  a  good  home.  He  was  a  great  hunter 
and  gained  celebrity  as  such.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  died  on  their  farm.     Their  children 


were:  Hannah,  who  married  John  McBrier, 
and  lives  in  McCalmont  township;  Isaac  C, 
who  married  Leanna  Stiffy,  and  lives  in  Mc- 
Calmont township ;  Sarah,  who  married  a  Mr. 
McPherson  and  (second)  a  i\Ir.  Carey,  and 
lives  in  Clearfield  county.  Pa. ;  John,  who 
married  Nancy  Bell,  and  lives  in  Perry  town- 
ship, Jefferson  county;  William  A.,  who  mar- 
ried Mary  Reed,  and  lived  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  Jefferson  county;  James  B.,  who 
married  Annie  Smith,  and  lived  in  Punxsu- 
tawney.  Pa. ;  Joseph  A. ;  and  Robert  G. 

Robert  G.  Jordan  was  born  in  McCalmont 
township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  and  died  July 
31,  1876,  aged  fifty-five  years,  nine  months. 
His  wife,  born  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pa., 
died  Feb.  22,  1901,  aged  seventy-four  years, 
two  months,  eighteen  days.  In  1861  they 
came  to  North  Mahoning  township,  this 
county,  where  they  bought  a  farm  of  eighty- 
six  acres  on  which  he  died,  his  widow  passing 
her  declining  years  with  her  son,  Joseph  A. 
While  he  had  but  a  limited  education,  Robert 
G.  Jordan  was  a  naturally  smart  man,  and 
made  the  most  of  his  opportunities.  A  Re- 
publican, he  supported  his  party  without 
seeking  office.  For  many  years  he  was 
an  elder  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  gave  it  faithful  support.  He 
and  his  wife  had  children  as  follows :  Joseph 
A.  is  mentioned  below ;  John  S.,  who  married 
Minnie  Wachob,  lives  in  Jefferson  county; 
Mary  M.  is  the  widow  of  Eli  White,  of  Canoe 
township,  this  county ;  Scott,  who  is  deceased, 
was  a  teamster  of  Independence,  Oregon, 
where  he  died  (he  married  Laura  Sparks)  ; 
Annie,  who  is  deceased,  mamed  Edward 
Wise ;  James  is  living  with  Joseph  A. ;  Will- 
iam is  a  baker  by  trade. 

Joseph  A.  Jordan  attended  the  common 
schools  of  this  neighborhood,  having  been 
brought  to  North  Mahoning  township  by  his 
parents.  He  was  married  June  17,  1875,  to 
Wilhimina  Sutter,  a  daughter  of  Philip  and 
Elizabeth  (Steele)  Sutter,  natives  of  Ger- 
man}'. Sir.  and  Mrs.  Jordan  became  the 
parents  of  the  following  children :  Mary 
Leila,  bom  July  8,  1877,  married  ■  Plumer 
Graham,  of  Butler,  Pa.,  and  has  children, 
Alta  and  Joseph ;  Elizabeth  L.,  twin  sister  of 
Mary  L.,  died  Nov.  8,  1877;  Orpha  Bell, 
born  Oct.  15,  1881,  died  April  3,  1884 ;  Harry 
E.,  born  Aug.  3,  1887,  a  farmer,  married 
Minnie  Peffer,  of  North  Mahoning  township, 
and  has  one  child.  Laird. 

After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Jordan  lived  on  a 
portion  of  his  father's  estate,  and  on  Feb. 
9,    1887,    bought   the    John    McHenry    fai-m. 


1110 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


where  he  still  resides.  This  consists  of  101 
acres  of  well-improved  land,  eighty  acres  of 
which  are  under  cultivation.  He  carries  on 
general  farming  and  is  an  experienced  agri- 
culturist, having  devoted  his  life  to  his  work. 
For  some  years  he  has  sei-ved  on  the  school 
board,  as  well  as  held  other  township  offices, 
and  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Jordan  are  consistent  members  of  the 
Methodist  Church  of  Valier,  and  previously 
belonged  to  the  church  at  Covode,  of  which 
he  had  been  treasurer  for  ten  years,  and 
trustee  for  eleven  years.  He  is  now  a 
steward,  and  for  seven  years  has  been  super- 
intendent of  the  Sunday  school.  A  man  of 
strong  principles,  he  lives  up  to  them  and  his 
religious  creed,  and  exerts  a  powerful  in- 
fluence for  good  in  his  community.  Al- 
though past  his  sixtieth  milestone,  Mr. 
Jordan  is  a  well-preserved  man,  active  and 
interested  in  all  current  matters.  The  family 
is  very  well  and  favorably  known  throughout 
Jefferson  and  Indiana  counties,  where  he  has 
many  warm,  personal  friends,  many  of  whom 
have  benefited  through  his  generosity,  al- 
though he  would  be  the  last  man  to  tell  of  his 
kindness  of  heart. 

WAYNE  P.  STRONG,  who  conducts  a 
general  store  at  Clymer,  Indiana  county,  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  W.  C.  Strong  &  Son, 
was  bom  in  Clearfield  county.  Pa.,  March  26, 
1882,  a  son  of  William  C.  and  Mollie  C. 
(Halton)   Strong. 

William  C.  Strong  and  his  wife  were  born 
in  Clearfield  county  and  their  lives  have  been 
mainly  spent  there.  In  early  manhood  he 
engaged  in  lumbering,  later  going  into  mer- 
chandising, and  for  the  last  twenty-two  years 
has  conducted  a  general  store  in  the  town  of 
Gazzam,  Clearfield  county.  Seven  sons  and 
one  daughter  were  bom  to  William  C.  Strong 
and  wife,  namely :  Paul  V.,  who  is  deceased ; 
Wayne  P. ;  Bessie,  deceased ;  Clarence,  who  is 
deceased ;  Lawrence  W.,  who  lives  at  Clymer ; 
Ray,  who  is  deceased;  Dell,  who  is  engaged 
in  business  with  his  father ;  and  Donald,  who 
resides  at  home. 

Wayne  P.  Strong  obtained  a  common  school 
education  in  his  native  county  and  then  en- 
tered his  father's  store,  where  he  gained  a 
practical  business  training  adequately  pre- 
paring him  for  a  mercantile  enterprise  of 
his  own.  In  1907  he  came  to  Clymer  and 
opened  the  general  store  which  is  operated 
under  the  firm  style  of  W.  C.  Strong  &  Son, 
Wayne  P.  Strong  being  the  .iunior  partner. 
Mr.   Strong  is  one  of  the  vitally  interested 


citizens  of  Clymer,  was  one  of  the  town  or- 
ganizers and  is  considered  one  of  the  repre- 
sentative men  of  the  place.  He  is  serving  as 
a  member  of  the  school  board. 

On  April  16,  1910,  ilr.  Strong  was  married 
to  Edna  Dillon,  who  was  born  in  Wyoming 
Dee.  25,  1889,  a  daughter  of  Wilson  and 
Delia  (Owen)  Dillon,  and  they  have  one 
daughter,  Dorothy. 

Wilson  Dillon,  father  of  Mrs.  Strong,  was 
born  and  married  in  Pennsylvania,  from 
which  state  he  moved  West  to  Wyoming, 
but  subsequently  returned  as  far  East  as 
Chicago,  111.,  which  city  is  the  present  family 
home. 

WILLIAM  RAMSAY,  general  superin- 
tendent of  the  Wharton  Coal  &  Coke  Com- 
pany, at  Coral,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  is  a  native 
of  the  Keystone  State,  born  at  Irwin,  West- 
moreland county,  Nov.  23,  1870,  the  eldest 
of  thirteen  children  born  to  his  parents,  who 
were  JMorris  and  Sadie  M.   (Greer)   Ramsay. 

Morris  Ramsay,  father  of  William  Ram- 
say, died  in  1892.  He  was  one  of  the  best 
known  mining  engineers  in  western  Penn- 
sylvania. For  a  time  he  was  mine  boss  at 
Shafton,  Pa.,  for  the  Shafton  Coal  Company, 
and  later  became  superintendent  for  the 
Kittanning  Coal  Company,  at  Houtzdale. 
His  next  field  of  work  was  with  the  Loyal- 
hanna  Coal  &  Coke  Company,  in  Westmore- 
land county,  as  superintendent,  and  from 
there  he  went  to  Mount  Pleasant  as  superin- 
tendent for  the  Morewood  Coke  Company, 
Limited,  where  he  continued  until  1884.  In 
that  year  he  became  chief  engineer  for  the 
H.  C.  Friek  Coke  Company,  at  Scottdale,  in 
Westmoreland  county,  which  position  he 
filled  so  admirably  for  some  years  that  l\Ir. 
Frick  paid  him  the  tribute  of  calling  him 
one  of  the  best  men  of  his  pi'ofession  that 
had  ever  been  in  his  employ.  He  resigned 
the  position  of  chief  engineer  in  order  to  ac- 
cept the  general  management  of  the  South- 
west Connellsville  Coke  Company,  which  re- 
sponsible position  he  continued  to  fill  until 
1892,  when  failing  health  made  retirement 
necessary,  and  his  death  occurred  Dec.  29, 
1892,  at  Suttons  Hospital,  Pittsburg,  Pa.  In 
every  relation  of  life  he  met  his  duties  hon- 
estly and  efficiently,  and  his  memory  is  re- 
spected by  all  who  knew  him.  He  married 
Sadie  I\T.  Greer,  who  survives  him  and  lives 
at  Mount  Pleasant,  Pennsylvania. 

William  Ramsay  was  ten  years  old  when 
the  family  removed  first  from  Shafton  to 
Houtzdale,  where  he  attended  school,  and  as 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA  im 

his  father's  business  later  called  him  to  other  Ramsay  is  a  thorough  business  man  and  de- 
places,  he  also  attended  school  at  Mount  mands  the  best  service  that  can  be  given  by 
Pleasant  and  Scottdale.  At  the  latter  place  those  under  his  direction,  but  having  worked 
he  became  a  member  of  the  engineer  corps  from  the  bottom  himself,  with  hands  and 
under  his  father,  though  then  only  fourteen  brains,  he  understands  the  problems  that  are 
years  of  age.  After  two  years  of  training  always  present  in  a  great  industry  and  knows 
and  experience  he  went  with  the  Southwest  how  to  be  just,  hence  he  is  popular  with  the 
Connellsville  Coke  Company,  where  he  was  laborers  and  enjoys  the  confidence  of  his  em- 
uuder  his  father,  who  was  general  manager,  ployers.  He  is  a  valued  member  of  the  Ameri- 
and  continued  a  member  of  the  engineer  can  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers  and  belongs 
corps  until  1889,  when  he  became  chief  engi-  also  to  some  fraternal  organizations, 
neer.  This  position  of  trust  he  filled  until  On  Dec.  17,  1891,  Mr.  Ramsay  was  married 
1892,  when,  on  account  of  his  father's  illness,  to  Jessie  Thompson,  a  daughter  of  J.  B. 
he  practically  was  general  manager  until  his  Thompson,  of  Mount  Pleasant,  Pa.,  and  the 
father 's  death,  when  he  was  appointed  to  sue-  following  children  have  been  born  to  them : 
ceed  him.  Mr.  Ramsay  continued  as  general  Morris  Byers ;  Olive,  who  was  graduated  from 
manager  until  1896,  when  he,  too,  had  to  re-  the  high  school  at  Knoxville,  Tenn. ;  Frank 
sign  on  account  of  ill  health  and  for  three  Haskell,  who  died  in  infancy;  Katharyn,  who 
years  afterward  did  little  except  to  work  to  is  a  student  in  the  State  normal  school  at  In- 
regain  his  normal  condition.  diana;    William    Thompson,   Liudsey   and   a 

In  1899  Mr.  Ramsay  went  to  Scottdale  and  daughter,  all  of  whom  died  in  infancy ;  John 
for  a  short  time  was  associated  there  with  the  Gates,  who  is  a  student  at  the  Indiana  normal 
H.  C.  Frick  Coke  Company,  and  then  ac-  school;  Jessie,  who  is  a  normal  school  stu- 
cepted  the  responsible  position  which  he  held  dent;  and  Henry  Weaver,  Mary,  Helen  and 
until  1900,  with  the  Gorman  Coal  &  Coke  Sarah  Jane,  all  of  whom  live  at  home.  Mr. 
Company,  to  develop  a  small  property  at  West  Ramsay  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
End,  W.  Va.  In  1900  he  accepted  the  position  Presbyterian  Church.  In  politics  he  has  al- 
of  superintemdent  for  the  Kansas  &  Texas  ways  been  associated  with  the  Republican 
Coal  Company  at  South  McAlester,  Indian  party. 
Territory,  and  remained  there  during  the  next 

two  years,  when  the  business  was  sold  out.  JOHN  T.  KINNAN,  a  resident  of  Green 
In  1902,  on  the  recommendation  of  the  late  township,  Indiana  county,  was  bom  April  16, 
John  W.  Gates,  capitalist,  he  was  appointed  1856,  in  Grant  township,  on  the  farm  where 
manager  for  the  Weaver  Coal  &  Coke  Com-  his  grandfather  settled  many  years  ago.  The 
pany  in  the  coal  fields  of  Illinois  and  Indiana,  grandfather,  William  Kinnan,  was  a  native  of 
and  remained  with  Mr.  Weaver  iintil  the  lat-  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  whence  he  first 
ter's  death,  in  1907.  During  this  time  Mr.  moved  to  Armstrong  county,  remaining  there 
Ramsay  went  to  Knoxville.  Tenn.,  where  he  some  years.  In  1845  he  moved  to  Indiana 
continued  to  be  connected  with  the  Weaver  in-  county,  settling  near  Decker's  Point  in  Grant 
terests  until  1907,  when  he  took  charge  of  the  (then  Montgomery)  township,  where  he 
Black  Mountain  collieries  at  Pennington  Gap,  bought  the  farm  on  which  his  grandson,  John 
Va.  The  president  of  that  company  was  J.  M.  T.  Kinnan,  was  born.  By  trade  he  was  a  car- 
Barr.  of  Norfolk,  Va.,  and  Mr.  Ramsay  was  a  penter.  He  remained  on  that  place  until  his 
stockholder  in  the  same.  He  remained  there  death,  which  occurred  in  1880.  He  married 
for  two  years,  when  he  resigned  for  personal  Nancy  Gibson,  a  native  of  Indiana  county, 
reasons,  and  for  two  more  years  he  was  with  Joseph  W.  Kinnan,  son  of  William,  was 
the  Rand  Powder  Company,  a  Tennessee  cor-  born  in  Armstrong  county.  Pa.  He  carried 
poration.  In  September,  1911,  he  accepted  on  farming  and  lumbering  all  his  life,  living 
the  position  of  general  manager  of  the  Whar-  on  his  father's  home  place  until  his  latter 
ton  Coal  &  Coke  Company  at  their  plant  at  years,  when  he  moved  to  Decker's  Point. 
Coral.  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  A  great  improvement  There  he  died  June  7,  1905.  He  married 
has  been  noticed  since  Mr.  Ramsay  took  charge  Agnes  Galley,  who  was  born  in  Montgomery 
of  the  plant,  he  having  brought  a  vitalizing  township,  Indiana  county,  near  Cherrytree, 
influence  into  the  business  which  is  felt  in  daughter  of  Cornelius  Galley,  who  followed 
every  department,  one  feature  being  an  in-  farming  and  tailoring  all  his  life.  Mr.  Galley 
crease  of  seventy  per  cent  in  the  ovitput  over  came  to  Indiana  county  in  an  early  day,  and 
former  figures.  The  enterprise  is  a  large  one  settled  near  Cherrytree,  remained  there  some 
and   gives   employment   to   250  hands.     Mr.    years,    thence    moving    to    Clarksburg,    this 


1112 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


county,  where  he  remained  until  the  death  of 
his  wife.  Later  he  went  to  live  with  his 
daughter  and  son-in-law.  Mi-,  and  Mrs.  Joseph 
W.  Kinnan,  dying  at  their  home.  Mrs.  Kin- 
nan  died  in  1909,  at  the  home  of  her  son  John. 
She  and  her  husband  had  a  family  of  eight 
children,  of  whom  John  T.  is  the  eldest,  the 
others  being :  William,  now  deceased ;  George, 
who  lives  in  Indiana  county;  Sarah,  wife  of 
Anderson  Vanhorn,  of  Punxsutawney ;  Ella, 
deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Walter  Bell; 
Harvey;  Grant,  of  Indiana  borough;  and 
Laura,  wife  of  David  Buterbaugh,  of  Deck- 
er's Point,  this  county. 

John  T.  Kinnan  passed  his  boyhood  days  in 
his  native  township  and  attended  school  there. 
He  also  went  to  the  Purchase  Line  Academy, 
being  one  of  the  first  students  at  that  insti- 
tution, and  made  good  use  of  his  opportuni- 
ties, fitting  himself  for  the  teacher's  profes- 
sion, which  he  followed  for  fifteen  terms.  He 
was  engaged  in  Rayne,  Grant  and  Green 
townships,  and  at  Purchase  Line.  Remaining 
at  home  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
four  yeai*s,  he  married  and  began  work  on 
his  own  account,  farming  and  lumbering, 
which  he  has  carried  on  successfully  ever 
since.  He  lived  in  Grant  and  Cherryhill  town- 
ships until  1889,  when  he  moved  to  his  present 
home  in  Green  township,  which  he  bought, 
and  he  also  owns  property  at  Starford.  He 
continues  to  engage  in  farming.  JMr.  Kinnan 
has  found  time  to  take  part  in  the  local  gov- 
ernment, and  has  served  his  township  ably 
and  faithfully  as  auditor  and  road  supervisor, 
proving  his  worth  in  every  capacity. 

On  Nov.  22.  1879,  Mr.  Kinnan  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Parmelia  Langham,  a  sister 
of  Congi-essman  J.  N.  Langham,  of  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Eliza 
(Barr)  Langham,  and  six  children  have  been 
born  to  them:  Merrill  W.,  the  eldest,  is  at 
home ;  Vernie  is  deceased ;  Grace  is  the  wife  of 
George  Barringer,  of  Love.ioy,  this  county, 
and  has  four  children,  Orvil,  Lee,  Jeannette 
and  Elwain ;  Lela  is  married  to  Robert  Henry, 
of  Blue  Island,  111.,  and  has  two  children, 
Florence  and  William ;  Albert  and  Gussie  are 
at  home.  ]\Irs.  Kinnan  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church  of  East  Mahoning. 

THOMAS  B.  CLARK,  who  has  l)een  en- 
gaged in  business  as  a  photographer  at  In- 
diana since  1878,  has  the  leading  establish- 
ment of  the  kind  in  that  borough  and  is  well 
known  there  and  in  the  surrounding  region. 
He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania   Photographers'    Association    and    has 


been  one  of  its  leading  members  and  most  effi- 
cient officers. 

IMr.  Clark  was  born  May  30, 1858,  in  Union- 
town,  Fayette  county.  Pa.,  and  belongs  to  the 
fourth  generation  of  his  family  in  America. 
His  great-grandfather,  William  Clark,  came 
to  this  country  from  the  North  of  Ireland 
about  the  time  of  the  Revolution — in  fact,  he 
earned  his  first  money  here  as  a  soldier  on  the 
American  side  in  that  war.  He  settled  in 
Fayette  county.  Pa.,  buying  land  near  Union- 
town,  and  there  lived  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1828,  when  he  was  eighty-five 
years  old.  His  wife  died  the  same  year;  she 
was  also  born  in  the  same  year  as  her  hus- 
band. 

Samuel  Alexander  Clark,  son  of  William, 
became  quite  a  wealthy  man  for  his  time,  own- 
ing large  tracts  of  land  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Uniontown.  He  died  there.  He  married 
Agnes  Miner  and  had  a  family  of  four  chil- 
dren:  William,  John,  Samuel  M.  and  Re- 
becca (Mrs.  Dixon). 

Samuel  M.  Clark,  son  of  Samuel  Alexander 
and  Agnes  (Miner)  Clark,  was  born  in  1822 
on  the  home  farm  in  Payette  county,  and 
learned  the  trade  of  carpenter.  He  followed 
that  calling  all  his  life,  becoming  quite  exten- 
sively engaged  in  contract  work,  and  was  in 
partnership  with  A.  B.  Bryson.  For  many 
years  he  lived  in  Uniontown,  where  he  died 
Oct.  14,  1901,  at  the  age  of  seventy -nine  years. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  an 
Odd  Fellow  in  fraternal  connection,  and  a 
Republican  in  politics.  Mr.  Clark  was  twice 
married,  his  first  wife  being  a  ]Miss  Craig,  who 
was  a  daughter  of  John  Craig,  of  near  Union- 
town.  By  this  marriage  he  had  three  chil- 
dren:  Rebecca,  Mrs.  Lewis  Williams,  de- 
ceased ;  John  H.,  who  lives  at  Uniontown,  Pa. ; 
and  William,  who  moved  out  to  Illinois.  For 
his  second  wife  Mr.  Clark  nian-ied  Harriet 
Semans,  daughter  of  Thomas  Semans.  She 
died  in  Uniontown  Dec.  16,  1872,  aged  thirty- 
nine  years,  the  mother  of  three  children : 
Thomas  B. ;  Ella,  Mrs.  Ira  Johnson,  of  Unions 
town;  and  Lizzie,  Sirs.  Harry  Hagan,  of 
Uniontown.  ]\L"s.  Clark  was  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

Thomas  B.  Clark  grew  to  manhood  in 
Uniontown,  where  he  attended  the  public 
schools  and  began  work  as  clerk  in  a  grocery 
store.  In  1874  he  commenced  to  learn  pho- 
tography there  with  E.  A.  Lingo,  and  served 
four  years  of  an  apprenticeship,  in  1878  be- 
coming associated  with  his  employer's  brother. 
Albert  Lingo,  witli  whom  he  came  to  Indiana 
and  established  a  gallery  under  the  firm  name 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1113 


of  Lingo  &  Clark.  They  were  in  partnership 
three  years,  but  since  1881  jMr.  Clark  has  been 
in  business  on  his  own  account.  In  his  long 
residence  in  Indiana  he  has  won  high  stand- 
ing among  the  local  business  men.  He  has 
dealt  in  pictures  and  picture  frames  in  addi- 
tion to  conducting  his  studio,  and  has  become 
one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  this  place, 
having  made  a  success  of  his  business  by  con- 
scientious devotion  to  the  best  interest  of  his 
patrons.  He  is  always  ready  to  experiment 
with  new  developments  in  his  art,  keeping 
thoroughly  abreast  of  the  times,  which  means 
that  he  is  enterprising  and  alert,  for  few  pro- 
fessions have  advanced  so  materially  or 
changed  so  thoroughl}^  within  the  last  decade 
or  two.  His  attractive  and  artistic  work 
draws  customers  from  a  large  radius.  In 
1897  Mr.  Clark  was  one  of  the  promoters  in 
the  formation  of  the  Pennsylvania  Photogra- 
phers' Association,  which  held  its  first  meet- 
ing at  Harrisburg.  He  was  elected  its  secre- 
tary for  the  following  year,  1898.  The  second 
meeting  was  held  at  Bellefonte,  and  Mr.  Clark 
served  continuously  on  the  executive  board 
until  he  was  elected  president,  at  the  annual 
meeting  at  Philadelphia,  in  1904.  He  held 
that  office  for  one  year,  during  which  time 
West  Virginia,  Maryland  and  Delaware  were 
admitted  into  the  association.  His  work  in 
this  organization  has  gained  him  high  stand- 
ing among  his  fellow  photographers,  who  ap- 
preciate his  sincere  efforts  to  advance  its  wel- 
fare and  the  good  of  the  profession  gener- 
ally. 

Mr.  Clark  has  been  quite  active  in  fraternal 
work.  He  has  been  an  Odd  Fellow  for  thirty 
years,  belonging  to  Palladium  Lodge,  No.  346, 
Indiana,  of  which  he  has  been  treasurer  for  a 
period  of  twelve  years.  He  is  also  prominent 
in  the  Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs,  hold- 
ing membership  in  Conclave  No.  180,  of  In- 
diana, and  was  elected  district  deputy  su- 
preme archon,  sarving  nearly  four  years,  over 
a  number  of  lodges  of  Indiana,  Westmore- 
land, Fayette  and  Allegheny  counties.  He 
has  been  a  zealous  worker  for  good  govern- 
ment in  his  borough,  and  has  a  number  of 
times  been  elected  to  office,  having  served  five 
years  on  the  school  board;  he  is  now  a  mem- 
ber of  the  city  council,  in  which  he  has  served 
for  a  number  of  years,  and  in  the  fall  of  1911 
M-as  reelected  for  four  years  more.  In  polit- 
ical sentiment  he  is  a  liberal  Republican.  He 
was  elected  fifth  vice  president  of  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  at  the  organization  meeting, 
held  in  July,  1912,  making  him  a  member  of 
the  executive  board,  which  is  composed  of  the 


vice  presidents  of  the  organizaSon.  Mr. 
Clark  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
and  was  formerly  one  of  the  trustees  of  his 
congregation. 

On  June  15,  1882,  Mi-.  Clark  was  married 
at  Indiana  to  Laura  Elizabeth  Kline,  daugh- 
ter of  Wellington  B.  Kline,  of  Indiana,  at  one 
time  a  prominent  dry  goods  merchant  here. 
They  have  had  two  children:  Wellington  B., 
who  married  Margiierite  Park,  of'Westover, 
Cleai-field  county,  is  assistant  cashier  in  the 
bank  at  Mahaffey,  Cleai-field  county,  Pa. ; 
George  K.,  a  civil  engineer  by  profession,  lives 
at  home  with  his  parents  in  Indiana. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  Mr.  Clark 
comes  from  a  family  noted  for  longevity.  On 
his  father's  side,  his  uncles,  William  W.  and 
John  Clark,  died  at  the  ages  of  ninety-three 
and  eighty-seven,  respectively,  his  aunt, 
Rebecca  Dixon,  at  the  age  of  ninety-six  years, 
and  his  father,  Samuel  M.  Clark,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-nine  years.  On  his  mother's  side,  his 
grandfather,  Thomas  Semans,  was  one  of  the 
three  oldest  men  of  Fayette  county.  Pa.,  at 
the  time  of  his  death. 

ROBERT  HENRY  MILLEN,  owner  of 
ninety-four  acres  of  land  in  Armstrong  town- 
ship, was  born  on  the  homestead  of  his  family 
in  that  township  July  11,  1878,  son  of  William 
A.  and  Martha  (Miller)  Millen,  the  latter 
being  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Nancy 
(Henry)  Miller. 

Williami  A.  Millen  was  first  married  to 
Elizabeth  Andrews,  by  whom  he  had  children 
as  follows:  Matthew  D.  and  Anna  Mary 
(twins),  Thomas  Hamilton,  and  Margaret 
Ellen  (now  Mrs.  William  L.  Brown,  of  Arm- 
sti'ong  township).  After  the  death  of  his 
first  wife  William  A.  Millen  was  married  to 
the  mother  of  Robert  Henry,  who  was  the 
only  child  of  this  union,  and  after  her  death 
he  married  Katie  McMillen. 

Robert  Henry  Milieu  was  taken  by  his  ma- 
ternal, grandfather  after  the  death  of  his 
mother,  and  lived  in  Young  township  until  he 
was  sixteen  yeai-s  old.  He  attended  public 
school  up  to  the  age  of  twenty.  When  he  was 
sixteen  years  old  he  returned  to  his  father, 
and  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage,  follow- 
ing which  he  farmed  the  Madison  Craig  farm 
for  a  year,  and  then  bought  his  present  prop- 
erty. 

On  Jan.  19,  1905,  Mr.  Millen  was  married 
to  Mary  T.  Calhoun,  who  was  born  on  the 
farm  now  o\^Tied  by  her  husband  Sept.  16, 
1879,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Annie  R. 
(George)    Calhoun.      Mr.    and    Mrs.    Millen 


1114 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


have  bad  children  as  follows:  Clarence 
Meade,  Arthur  Claire  and  Herbert  Roy.  Mr. 
Millen  belongs  to  the  West  Union  United 
Presbyterian  Church.  In  political  faith  he 
is  a  Prohibitionist,  as  he  believes  that  only 
through  the  reforms  proposed  by  that  party 
can  the  liquor  traffic  be  wiped  out.  He  is  a 
good  farmer  and  conscientious  citizen,  and 
his  standing  in  his  community  has  been  fairly 


SYLVESTER  COE  KENNEDY  is  one  of 
the  most  prominent  citizens  of  Young  town- 
ship and  widely  known  in  that  part  of  Indi- 
ana county  through  his  long  and  honorable 
career  as  a  public  servant,  particularly  in  the 
capacity  of  justice  of  the  peace.  His  business 
is  farming,  and  he  has  been  successful  in  that 
line  and  known  as  one  of  the  most  enthusiastic 
advocates  of  modem  methods  and  advanced 
ideas.  He  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county. 
Pa.,  Jan.  17,  1843,  being  a  native  of  Lower 
Burrell  township,  where  his  family  has  been 
settled  for  almost  a  century. 

The  Kennedys  are  of  Scotch  extraction. 
Thomas  Kennedy,  grandfather  of  Sylvester 
Coe  Kennedy,  was  born  in  Allegheny  county, 
Pa.,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  He  followed 
farming  all  his  life,  in  1S19  locating  in  Bur- 
rell township,  Westmoreland  county,  where 
he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days,  dying 
there  in  1842,  at  the  age  of  fifty-sis  years. 
He  owned  a  farm  there.  During  the  war  of 
1812  he  served  as  a  soldier  under  Gen.  Will- 
iam H.  Harrison ;  in  politics  he  was  a  Demo- 
crat, in  religion  a  member  of  the  ^I.  E. 
Church.  He  married  Catherine  Fleck,  who 
■was  born  in  1793  in  Biitler  county.  Pa.;  she 
was  a  member  of  the  Bethel  M.  E.  Church. 
Their  seven  children  were:  Joseph;  James 
M.,  who  died  in  Westmoreland  county;  Will- 
iam, who  died  in  Allegheny  county;  Elizabeth, 
who  married  Michael  DeGrofE  and  now  lives 
in  Allegheny  county;  John  N.,  who  died  in 
Allegheny  county ;  Thomas,  who  died  in  West- 
moreland" county;  and  Martha,  who  married 
Eli  Shearer  (both  are  deceased). 

Joseph  Kennedy,  son  of  Thomas,  was  born 
in  Allegheny  county  May  22,  1812,  and  was 
seven  years  old  when  the  family  moved  to 
Westmoreland  county  and  located  in  Lower 
Burrell  township.  There  he  grew  to  manhood, 
receiving  his  education  in  the  local  subscrip- 
tion schools,  and  he  worked  on  the  farm  from 
early  boyhood,  later  becoming  a  farmer  on  his 
own  account.  He  owned  a  tract  of  one  hun- 
dred acres  upon  which  he  passed  the  rest  of 
his  days,  dying  there  Nov.  18,  1878,  and  he 


was  buried  in  Bethel  Church  cemetery  in 
Burrell  township.  He  was  active  in  the  vari- 
ous interests  of  his  locality,  serving  as  school 
director  and  taking  considerable  part  in  the 
work  of  the  JM.  E.  Church,  to  which  he  be- 
longed, and  which  he  served  as  class  leader, 
steward,  and  in  the  various  other  local  posi- 
tions. In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat.  On 
May  2,  1839,  he  married  Margaret  Coe,  who 
was  born  in  Allegheny  county  Aug.  17,  1818, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Nancy  (Shields) 
Coe  and  granddaughter  of  Benjamin  Coe,  who 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war; 
her  father  lived  and  died  in  Allegheny  coun- 
ty. The  Coes  are  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction. 
Mrs.  Kennedy  lived  at  Springdale,  Allegheny 
Co.,  Pa.,  for  a  number  of  years  before  her 
death,  which  occurred  Feb.  4,  1900,  in  her 
eighty-second  year.  She  was  buried  in  the 
cemetery  of  Bethel  M.  E.  Church.  Originally 
a  Presbyterian  in  religious  connection,  she 
later  joined  the  M.  E.  Church,  holding  mem- 
bership in  the  congregation  at  Springdale. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kennedy  had  the  following 
family:  Araminta,  born  June  18,  1840,  died 
Oct.  2,  1841 ;  Sylvester  Coe  is  mentioned  be- 
low; Thomas  L.,  born  Feb.  24,  1845,  died  Feb. 
17,  1853 ;  Joseph  A.,  born  Nov.  26,  1847,  died 
Feb.  16,  1853 ;  James  E.,  born  Aug.  8,  1850, 
died  Feb.  17,  1853;  Elizabeth  M,  born  July 
30,  1853,  married  David  M.  Clements,  who  is 
deceased  and  she  now  resides  at  Youngstown, 
Ohio ;  Anna  M.,  born  July  9,  1856,  married 
James  Shearer,  who  is  now  deceased,  and  she 
resides  at  Vandergrift,  Pa. ;  John  Shields, 
born  July  15,  1860,  is  a  lawyer. 

Sylvester  Coe  Kennedy  attended  public  and 
select  school  in  his  native  township,  and  lived 
at  home  until  his  enlistment,  Aug.  9,  1862.  at 
the  age  of  nineteen  years,  in  Company  I,  123d 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  under 
Capt.  Robert  Humes,  of  Tarentum,  and  Col. 
John  B.  Clark,  who  was  a  United  Presbyterian 
minister  of  Allegheny  county.  He  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Antie- 
tam.  South  Mountain  and  Chancellorsville,  was 
in  the  service  nine  months,  and  received  his 
discharge,  at  Pittsburg,  j\Iay  13,  1863.  Re- 
turning from  the  war  he  resumed  farming  and 
also  attended  school  in  1864,  and  he  taught 
one  term  in  Westmoreland  count.y  in  1865, 
after  which  he  became  a  student  at  Duff's 
commercial  college,  Pittsburg,  graduating 
from  that  institution  Jan.  19,  1866.  After 
that  he  continued  to  farm  in  Burrell  township 
iintil  1869.  in  which  year  he  moved  to  Young 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  he  has  since 
had  his  home.    He  bought  the  Ewing  farm,  a 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1115 


tract  of  135  acres,  on  which  stood  a  log  house 
which  had  been  built  in  1800,  and  he  has  re- 
sided there  continuously  to  the  present,  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
In  1887  he  built  his  present  home,  and  he 
has  remodeled  the  barn  and  made  numerous 
other  improvements,  bj'  his  thriftj^  manage- 
ment and  strict  attention  to  details  increasing 
the  value  of  the  property  considerably.  He  is 
a  man  of  keen  intelligence  and  foresight,  and 
was  one  of  the  early  advocates  of  the  Grange 
movement,  becoming  a  member  of  Arcadia 
Grange,  No.  176,  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  in 
which  he  has  always  maintained  the  deepest 
interest.  The  public  schools  have  also  had  a 
good  friend  in  him,  and  he  sei'ved  three  years 
as  school  director  of  Burrell  township  while  in 
Westmoreland  county,  while  he  has  held  that 
office  for  fifteen  years  in  Young  township, 
during  that  time  also  acting  as  secretary  of 
the  board.  In  1887  he  was  elected  commis- 
sioner of  Indiana  county,  taking  office  Jan. 
1,  1888,  and  serving  three  years,  having  for 
his  colleagues  on  the  board  J.  W.  Shields,  of 
Bayne  township,  and  J.  M.  Marshall  of  In- 
diana. During  his  term  the  Johnstown  flood 
occurred,  and  the  board  had  to  look  after  re- 
placing the  bridges  destroyed  in  that  catas- 
trophe, besides  completing  the  county  .jail 
at  Indiana.  In  1882  Mr.  Kennedy  was  elected 
justice  of  the  peace  in  Young  township,  re- 
ceiving his  commission  from  Gov.  H.  M.  Hoyt ; 
M.  S.  Quay  was  then  secretary  of  the  Com- 
monwealth. In  1887  he  was  reelected,  being 
commissioned  by  Governor  Beaver  (Charles 
W.  Stone  was  then  secretary  of  the  State), 
but  he  did  not  serve  during  his  term  as  county 
commissioner.  In  1895  he  was  again  elected, 
his  commission  being  signed  by  Gov.  Daniel 
H.  Hastings  and  Frank  Reeder,  secretary,  and 
in  1900  he  was  reelected,  his  commission  being 
signed  by  Gov.  William  A.  Stone  and  Secre- 
tary William  W.  Griest ;  he  has  been  reelected 
twice  since,  in  1905  and  1910,  his  commissions 
being  issued  respectively  by  Gov.  Samuel  W. 
Pennypacker  and  Gov.  Edwin  T.  Stewart, 
Robert  ]\IcAfee,  secretary  of  Commonwealth. 
During  his  long  incumbency  of  this  office  he 
has  tried  about  forty  civil  cases,  and  only 
two  appeals  have  been  taken  from  his  rulings. 
He  has  administered  the  affairs  of  his  office 
impartially  and  with  recognized  ability,  and 
his  high  integrity  and  liberal  disposition  have 
made  him  i;niversally  liked  and  respected.  He 
is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  a  firm  believer  in 
the  established  principles  of  his  party.  As  a 
veteran  of  the  Civil  war  he  holds  membership 
in  Indiana  Post,  No.  28,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which 


he  was  adjutant  for  three  years.  He  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  at 
Jacksonville,  which  he  has  served  as  steward, 
trustee  and  teacher  and  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school,  being  active  in  all  the  lines 
of  its  work. 

Mr.  Kennedy  was  one  of  the  organizers  and 
first  directors  of  the  Ebenezer  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  having  been  a  charter 
member  and  the  first  secretary  of  the  board, 
still  continuing  to  fill  that  position.  Of  the 
ten  members  of  the  original  board  only  four 
are  now  living.  Besides  Mr.  Kennedy  this 
board  was  composed  of  M.  G.  Sandles,  J.  N. 
Coleman,  James  Hazlett,  William  McCurdy, 
William  G.  Gilmore,  R.  E.  Leard,  William 
Kier,  M.  H.  Henry  and  William  H.  Kennedy. 

On  May  5,  1868,  Mr.  Kennedy  married  Me- 
lissa E.  Simons,  a  native  of  Allegheny  county, 
born  Feb.  24,  1851,  daughter  of  William  and 
Mary  (Ireland)  Simons.  Mrs.  Kennedy, 
like  her  husband,  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.  The  following  children  have  been 
born  to  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kennedy : 
Albert  Cookman,  bom  Jan.  19,  1869,  married 
June  24,  1897,  Lou  C.  Barkley,and  resides  at 
New  Kensington,  Pa. ;  Elmer  C,  bom  Feb. 
16,  1871,  died  Oct.  19,  1871 ;  Nellie  Gertrude, 
born  Nov.  22,  1872,  was  a  public  school  teach- 
er, and  was  married  Nov.  3.  1898,  to  Christo- 
pher Rudolph  Snyder,  of  Vandergrift,  Pa. ; 
a  child  born  March  16.  1875,  died  the  same 
day ;  Nancy  Jane,  born  July  12,  1876,  married 
Oliver  McKee,  and  resides  at  Homer  City, 
Pa. ;  William  J.,  born  Aug.  21,  1878,  married 
Nettie  Fleming  and  resides  at  Vandergrift, 
Pa. ;  Edwin  Knox,  born  Sept.  4, 1880,  formerly 
a  teacher,  now  residing  at  Vandergrift,  mar- 
ried Annie  M.  Shrimp ;  Silas  Clark,  born  Nov. 
14,  1882,  married  Blanche  McKee,  and  resides 
at  Vandergrift,  Pa.;  Mai-y  Stella,  born  Nov. 
22,  1885,  married  Ross  McJunkin  and  resides 
at  Vandergrift;  John  E.,  bom  May  3,  1888, 
married  Minnie  Keely  and  resides  at  Vander- 
grift; Paul,  born  March  27,  1893,  is  at  home 
on  the  farm. 

HUGH  KEARNEY  NEAL  is  a  well-known 
business  man  and  official  of  North  Mahoning 
township.  Indiana  county,  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, butchering  and  stock  dealing,  and  long  a 
justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  bom  May  22, 
1868,  on  the  old  Neal  homestead  in  that  town- 
ship, son  of  Col.  William  and  Sarah  Ann 
(Mitchell)  Neal.  and  grandsto  of  James  Neal 
and  of  Sharp  Mitchell,  the  latter  a  pioneer 


1116 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  Jefferson  county,  who  at  one  time  held  the 
office  of  sheriff. 

Col.  William  Neal  was  born  in  Jefferson 
county,  Pa.,  and  there  grew  to  manhood.  He 
was  married  there,  at  Perrj'sville,  and  later 
located  in  North  Mahoning  township,  just 
across  the  line  in  Indiana  county,  where  he 
obtained  a  farm.  By  trade  he  was  a  stone- 
mason, and  in  the  early  days  he  was  well 
known  as  a  lumberman  and  raftsman.  In  his 
time  few  men  of  this  region  were'better  known. 
He  held  office  as  school  director  and  tax  as- 
sessor and  collector,  was  active  in  the  work 
of  the  Eepublican  party,  and  was  a  member 
of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  died  Nov.  20,  190i. 
During  the  Civil  war  he  seiwed  four  years  in 
the  Union  arm.y,  enlisting  in  Company  A, 
105th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  was 
made  first  lieutenant  of  that  company  Sept. 
9, 1861,  and  on  April  25, 1863,  was  again  made 
first  lieutenant  of  that  command;  on  Sept.  8, 
1864,  he  was  made  captain  of  Company  0, 
206th  Regiment.  He  continued  his  activity 
in  military  life  after  the  war,  was  captain  of 
Company  C,  2d  Battalion,  Pennsylvania  State 
Militia,  was  made  major  of  Provisional  Bat- 
talion, No.  1,  21st  Division,  Indiana,  Jefferson, 
Cambria  and  Clearfield  counties,  Sept.  10. 
1872,  and  on  Sept.  29,  1874,  was  made  colonel 
of  the  13th  Regiment,  Infantry,  9th  Division, 
Armstrong,  Jefferson,  Indiana,  Butler  and 
Cambria  counties. 

Nine  children  were  born  to  Colonel  and  ilrs. 
Neal,  and  we  have  the  following  record  of  this 
family:  Susie  married  D.  L.  Henry,  of 
Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  and  has  three  children, 
Vane  (a  civil  engineer),  Olga  and  Eugene; 
Emma  Bell  (deceased)  married  Harry  Sites, 
who  is  also  deceased,  and  they  had  one  child, 
Margaret ;  Ulysses  Sidney,  a  farmer,  living  in 
Clarion  county.  Pa.,  married  Anna  Shick ; 
Hugh  Kearney  is  mentioned  below;  William 
Wilbur,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  on  the  old 
homestead,  married  Mary  E.  Gould,  of  Jef- 
ferson county.  Pa,,  and  they  have  a  family  of 
seven  children,  James  C,  Winfield  S.,  Viola 
C,  William  G.,  Ruth  E.,  Anna  L.  and  Sid- 
ney G. 

Hugh  Kearney  Neal  was  given  common 
school  advantages.  He  lived  at  home  until  his 
father's  death,  carrying  on  the  farm  until 
1905,  in  which  year  he  bought  and  moved  to 
the  David  Stear  homestead  at  Trade  City,  a 
tract  of  eighty  acres,  where  he  has  since 
lived  and  worked,  following  farming,  butch- 
ering and  stock  dealing.  He  is  an  excellent 
business  man,  proving  himself  capable  and  in- 
telligent in  all  his  private  undertakings  and 


in  the  discharge  of  the  various  duties  which 
have  been  intrusted  to  him  by  his  fellow  citi- 
zens. He  is  well  informed,  abreast  of  the 
times  in  the  conduct  of  his  various  interests, 
and  has  made  many  friends  in  this  section- 
northern  Indiana  and  southern  Jefferson 
counties. 

Mr.  Neal  has  been  active  in  local  politics  as 
a  worker  in  the  Republican  party,  has  been 
justice  of  the  peace  for  the  last  thirteen  years, 
and  has  also  served  as  school  director.  He  is 
a  prominent  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  at 
Hamilton,  Pa.,  to  which  lodge  he  has  be- 
longed for  the  last  twenty  years,  has  held  all 
the  offices,  having  seiwed  as  vice  grand  and 
noble  grand,  and  has  been  treasurer  for  two 
terms.  His  religious  connection  is  with  the 
Lutheran  Church. 

On  Nov.  27,  1894,  Mr.  Neal  married  Alice 
Reits,  of  Perry  township.  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa., 
daughter  of  Martin  and  Elizabeth  (McHenry) 
Reits,  farming  people,  of  that  county,  who 
are  still  (1913)  living  at  their  old  home  there, 
in  the  enjoyment  of  excellent  health,  though 
they  are  eighty-four  years  old.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Reits  had  nine  children,  namely:  Frank,  a 
section  boss  on  the  railroad,  living  at  North- 
point,  Pa.,  married  Nancy  Barmoy;  Ann  is 
the  widow  of  William  Cheatham  and  lives  in 
Jefferson  county ;  Maiy  married  Josiah  Neal. 
of  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Nancy  married  William 
Drummel.  of  Northpoint;  Lee,  a  lumberman, 
of  Lock  Haven,  Pa.,  married  Ida  Eisenhart : 
Alice  is  Mrs.  Neal;  William,  foreman  in  steel 
works,  married  Jlay  Payback;  Charles,  of 
Northpoint,  married  Anna  Snider;  Clark,  a 
section  boss  on  the  railroad,  living  at  North- 
point,  married  Lillie  Harrison. 

Seven  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Neal :  Minnie,  who  died  when  thirteen 
yeai-s  old;  May,  who  died  when  three  months 
old;  Merle;  Martin  and  Margaret,  twins: 
Eugene,  and  Vara. 

WILLIAjM  WALLACE  IRWIN,  a  native 
and  lifelong  resident  of  ^Montgomery  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  is  a  prosperous  farmer 
of  that  district  and  has  been  honored  with 
election  to  the  office  of  auditor,  which  he  filled 
with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his 
constituents.  He  was  born  Feb.  12,  1843,  son 
of  Samuel  and  Mary  Ann  (]\IcCullough)  Ir- 
win. His  father  came  to  Indiana  county  in 
the  latter  thirties,  married  here,  and  was  en- 
gaged as  a  farmer  and  lumberman  throughout 
his  active  years. 

During  his  boyhood  William  Wallace  Irwin 
attended  public  school,  and  when  he  became 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


nil 


old  enough  to  work  assisted  his  father  in 
clearing  the  home  farm,  also  helping  him  in 
his  lumbering  operations.  Farming  has  been 
his  life  occupation,  and  he  has  done  well,  win- 
ning a  substantial  place  for  himself  among  his 
fellow  citizens.  He  served  as  township  audi- 
tor, and  takes  a  real  interest  in  the  affairs  of 
his  locality,  being  public-spirited  and  ready 
to  advocate  all  measures  which  promise  to 
benefit  the  community.  In  political  faith  he 
is  a  Socialist. 

On  Sept.  18, 1879,  Mr.  Irwin  mai-ried  Nancy 
Jane  Pardee,  of  Grant  township,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Edwin  and  Jane  Ann 
(Walker)  Pardee,  the  former  of  whom  was  a 
millwright  and  farmer.  Of  the  twelve  chil- 
dren born  to  this  union  eleven  survive :  Min- 
nie Maud  (deceased)  was  married  to  Henry 
B.  Miller,  of  Bamesboro,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa. 
(no  children  were  born  to  this  union)  ;  Ed- 
ward E.,  a  school  teacher,  is  living  at  home; 
Sherman  P.,  a  miner,  is  also  at  home ;  James 
M.,  a  carpenter,  of  Du  Bois,  Pa.,  married 
Lola  McMillen,  of  Montgomery  township,  and 
has  had  three  children,  Percy,  Lucile,  and 
Dorothy  M.  (deceased)  ;  Samuel,  a  miner,  of 
Arcadia,  Pa.,  married  Carrie  Anthony,  of 
Arcadia,  aud  has  had  three  children,  Robert 
B.  (deceased),  Mary  J.  (deceased)  and  Sam- 
uel E. ;  Mary  J.  married  William  P.  Kime, 
of  Cherrytree,  Pa.,  and  has  two  children, 
Charles  S.  and  Gerald  I. :  IMay  married  Harry 
L.  Brady,  of  Gipsy,  Pa.,  and  has  three  chil- 
dren, Nancy  I.,  Harry  L.  and  William  E. ; 
Harman  Mc,  a  farmer,  is  living  at  home; 
Walter  B.,  a  farmer,  is  also  at  home ;  Amanda 
A.,  Melda  and  William  W.  are  at  home. 

NEWTON  GRANT  ALTEMUS,  whose 
widow  resides  with  her  mother,  J\Irs.  Elizabeth 
Schultz,  on  the  old  Schultz  farm  in  Buffington 
township,  was  himself  a  native  of  that  town- 
ship, born  May  15,  1865.  He  was  a  sou  of 
James  Altemus,  grandson  of  Nicholas  Alte- 
mus,  and  great-gi^andson  of  Adam  Altemus, 
the  first  of  this  name  in  Brushvalley  township, 
Indiana  county,  where  the  family  has  been 
settled  for  considerably  over  a  century,  and 
it  is  still  numerously  represented  there. 

Adam  Altemus.  the  pioneer,  was  of  Hol- 
land (Dutch)  extraction  and  a  native  of 
Northampton  county.  Pa.  Coming  to  Indi- 
ana county  about  1798  he  located  in  Center 
township,  near  the  line  of  what  is  now  Brush- 
valley  township,  on  what  is  known  as  the 
Robert  McPhetris  farm,  and  here  he  settled 
down  to  farming,  having  a  tract  of  two  hun- 
dred acres,  which  he  inipi-oved  very  materi- 


ally. He  built  a  fine  brick  dwelling  house  on 
the  farm,  the  first  of  its  kind  in  that  section, 
the  brick  being  made  on  his  place.  He  spent 
his  active  life  on  the  farm,  and  when  he  re- 
tired from  active  labor  moved  to  Mechanics- 
burg,  where  he  owned  a  home  and  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  days,  dying  there  in  Sep- 
tember, 1863 ;  he  was  buried  in  the  Lutheran 
Church  cemetery.  He  was  blind  some  years 
before  his  death.  Mr.  Altemus  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  was  a  Whig 
and  Republican  in  politics,  and  was  known 
to  all  as  a  man  who  did  his  duty  faithfully 
in  his  walk  of  life.  He  married  Evaline  (Eve) 
Shaffer,  a  native  also  of  Northapipton  county, 
and  she  is  buried  in  the  Lutheran  Church 
cemetery,  near  Graceton,  in  Center  township. 
Children  as  follows  were  born  to  this  pioneer 
couple :  Nicholas ;  Margaret,  who  married 
Peter  Steffy;  Daniel,  who  married  Elizabeth 
Hendrickson;  John,  who  married  Mary  A. 
Drenuen;  Thomas,  who  was  killed,  with  the 
lioi-se  he  was  riding,  by  a  falling  tree,  M'hile 
returning  from  Wakefield's  mill;  William, 
who  married  Prudence  Peddicord;  Susanna, 
who  married  Samuel  Wolf;  and  David,  who 
married  Sarah  Peddicord. 

Nicholas  Altemus,  eldest  son  of  Adam  Alte- 
nms,  was  born  in  1800  in  Center  township, 
and  there  grew  to  manhood.  What  education 
he  received  was  obtained  in  the  subscription 
schools  of  the  day.  He  worked  at  home  with 
his  father  imtil  of  age,  when  in  1823  he  set- 
tled on  Brushcreek  run,  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, and  with  his  father's  help  built  the  first 
grist  and  sawmill  in  Brushvalley  township 
(then  a  part  of  Wheatfield  township),  which 
he  operated.  In  1853  the  old  mill  was  re- 
placed by  the  present  structure,  and  opera- 
tions have  been  carried  on  there  ever  since. 
In  1848  he  built  the  frame  dwelling  house 
which  is  now  the  home  of  his  son,  William 
Wolf  Altemus.  Besides  attending  to  the  mill 
work  he  farmed  a  tract  of  128  acres  near  the 
mill,  and  was  a  successful  business  man,  ac- 
quiring the  ownership  of  over  five  hundred 
acres  before  his  death;  most  of  it  is  still  in 
the  possession  of  his  sons  and  grandchildren. 
On  Feb.  23,  1872.  while  leaving  his  home  to 
attend  a  sale,  the  hoi-se  he  was  riding  slipped 
on  the  ice  and  fell,  and  Mr.  Altemus  fell  from 
the  horse,  his  head  striking  the  hard  ground. 
He  died  from  the  effects  of  his  injuries  in 
a  few  hours,  and  was  buried  in  the  Lutheran 
Church  cemetery  in  Brushvalley  township. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
aud  active  in  its  work.  In  politics  he  was  a 
stanch  Whig  and  Republican.    He  was  promi- 


1118 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


uent  in  local  affairs,  serving  as  assessor,  tax 
collector  and  school  director  of  the  township, 
as  well  as  in  other  public  offices. 

In  1821  Nicholas  Altemus  married  Marj' 
Wolf,  who  was  born  in  Brushvalley  to-svnship, 
in  1802,  daughter  of  John  Wolf,  and  died  in 
that  township.  She  is  buried  in  the  cemeterj' 
of  the  Lutheran  Church,  of  which  she  was  a 
member.  Fourteen  children  were  born  to 
this  marriage :  Martha  H.  married  Alexander 
Noble,  and  both  are  deceased ;  Margaret  mar- 
ried Frank  Burlinger  and  both  are  deceased ; 
Adam  married  Catherine  Conrad;  Elizabeth 
married  C.  R.  Weaver  and  died  in  Brushval- 
ley; Susanna  died  in  young  womanhood; 
David,  born  April  19,  1831,  married  Susan 
Dick,  and  resided  in  Buffington  township,  this 
county;  James,  born  Dec.  27,  1832,  is  men- 
tioned below ;  Evaline  married  Robert  Pringle ; 
Sarah  married  Amos  Knabb  and  resides  in 
Colorado;  Mary  married  George  Paul;  Char- 
lotte married  John  Shaffer ;  William  Wolf  and 
Mathias  S.  are  residents  of  Brushvalley  town- 
ship; John  A.  died  when  four  and  a  half 
years  old. 

James  Altemus,  born  Dec.  27,  1832,  mar- 
ried ]\Iary  E.  Dorney,  who  was  born  May  9, 
1830,  and  he  died  in  Buffington  township. 
Nine  children  were  born  to  them,  as  follows: 
Frank  D.,  bom  March  11,  1854,  married  An- 
nie Lyons;  Julie  Belle,  born  May  11,  1856, 
died  in  1859 ;  James  J.,  born  June  10,  185 — , 
married  EUie  Minch ;  Edward,  born  Aug.  18, 
1860,  died  young;  Charles  E.,  born  Aug.  14. 
1863,  married  Mai-garet  Davis ;  Newton  Grant 
is  mentioned  below;  Benjamin  J.,  born  Aug. 
8,  1867,  married  Liilu  C.  Smith;  Ciero  P., 
bom  Nov.  21,  1869,  died  young;  Laura  C, 
born  April  18,  1874,  married  John  Dick. 

Newton  Grant  Altemus  was  born  in  Buf- 
fington township  and  first  attended  common 
school  there,  later  going  to  select  school.  Af- 
ter following  farm  work  for  a  time  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company,  with  which  he  remained  eight  years 
as  engineer,  lamning  between  Pittsburg  and 
Altoona.  He  then  moved  out  to  Colorado, 
where  he  was  employed  by  a  gold  mining  and 
milling  company  in  the  shaft  house  for  a  time. 
Subsequently  he  became  engaged  in  selling 
mining  stocks  and  real  estate  for  the  Edith 
May  Real  Estate  Company  and  later  went 
with  the  Edwin  Booth  Gold  Mining  Company 
in  the  Cripple  Creek  district ;  he  was  a  large 
stockholder  in  both  these  companies,  his  widow 
now  retaining  his  rights  in  same.  He  was 
taken  sick  in  Colorado,  and  he  and  his  wife 
and    son    Leard    relurned    East,    arriving    at 


the  home  where  Mrs.  Altemus  now  lives  Aug. 
4,  1899.  There  Mr.  Altemus  died  Dec.  28, 
1899,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-four  j'ears, 
and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Strongstown, 
in  Pine  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 
Mr.  Altemus  married  Terzah  Pearl  Schultz, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Graham) 
Schultz  and  granddaughter  of  Samuel  and 
Mary  (Marshall)  Graham,  all  of  Buffington 
township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Altemus  had  one 
son,  Leard  Reed,  born  Jan.  1,  1896,  who  is 
now  attending  the  State  normal  school  at  In- 
diana, Pa.  Since  her  husband's  death  Mrs. 
Altemus  and  son  Leard  have  lived  in  Buf- 
fington township,  on  the  farm  formerly  owned 
by  her  father,  now  her  property.  She  and 
her  mother  make  their  home  together.  The 
farm  comprises  337  acres,  and  Mrs.  Altemus 
oversees  the  work  of  cultivation,  in  which  she 
has  shown  remarkable  business  ability  and 
judgment.  She  has  also  dealt  in  real  estate 
to  some  extent,  owning  property  in  Pittsburg, 
Seward  and  Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

HARRY  M.  ELLIOTT,  postmaster  and 
leading  general  merchant  at  Armagh,  East 
Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was 
born  at  Armagh  June  22,  1862,  son  of  Alex- 
ander Elliott,  and  grandson  of  James  Elliott. 

James  Elliott  was  a  merchant  and  tavern- 
keeper  at  Armagh,  his  hotel  and  store  being 
in  a  log  building  on  Philadelphia  street.  He 
spent  his  life  in  the  village  and  died  there 
in  1825.    His  wife,  Sarah,  died  Jan.  26,  1839. 

Alexander  Elliott,  son  of  James  Elliott,  was 
born  in  1799,  and  followed  mercantile  pursiiits 
at  Armagh,  where  the  family  has  been  repre- 
sented for  over  a  century.  For  a  period  he 
had  a  partner  in  his  general  store,  his  brother- 
in-law,  Stephen  A.  Johnston.  The  business 
has  descended  to  Harry  M.  Elliott,  and  is  lo- 
cated in  the  building  put  up  bj'  Alexander 
Elliott.  In  addition  to  his  mercantile  inter- 
ests Mr.  Elliott  was  extensively  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock  raising,  and  also  dealt  in 
cattle  and  horses,  specializing  on  the  latter,  of 
which  he  was  a  very  good  judge.  Another 
branch  of  his  business  was  teaming  to  Blairs- 
ville  during  the  time  the  Graff  brothers  were 
engaged  in  business.  Successful  in  all  his 
undertakings,  he  developed  into  one  of  the 
leading  men  of  his  day  and  locality,  and  in- 
fluenced local  history  materially.  His  death 
occurred  June  20,  1869,  when  he  was  seventy 
years  old,  and  his  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in 
"the  cemetery  belonging  to  the  Armagh  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

Alexander   Elliott   was   twice    married,   his 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


first  wife  being  Elizabeth  Wakefi^eld,  whom 
he  married  April  28,  1829.  She  was  born 
April  29,  1809,  daughter  of  Robert  Wakefield, 
and  is  buried  in  the  Armagh  Presbyterian 
Church  cemetery.  The  children  of  this  mar- 
riage were:  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  May  15, 
1830,  married  Stephen  Alexander  Johnston, 
of  Armagh ;  James,  born  July  10,  1835,  died 
in  1840;  and  Sarah  Jane,  born  May  6,  1841, 
married  Samuel  Evans.  On  July  11,  1842, 
Alexander  Elliott  was  married  (second)  to 
Mrs.  Margaret  (Bell)  Scott,  widow  of  James 
Scott,  and  daughter  of  John  and  Rebecca  Bell. 
By  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Elliott  had  one 
daughter,  Mrs.  William  Lintner,  of  Burrell 
township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elliott  became  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  Martha 
Ellen,  born  June  2,  1844,  married  John  Cun- 
ningham; Rebecca  Jane,  bom  March  25,  1845, 
died  young;  Emma  Eliza  married  John 
Thompson,  of  East  Wheatfield  township; 
Hattie  Bell  married  Samuel  Cunningham,  an 
attorney  of  Indiana,  and  died  in  1910;  Alex- 
ander Hanson,  born  April  3,  1852,  died  May 
15,  1855;  Roselia,  born  Nov.  20,  1854,  mar- 
ried Isaac  Wilson,  of  Wilkinsburg,  Pa. ;  Mar- 
garet, born  July  15,  1857,  died  Sept.  19,  1857 ; 
John,  born  Nov.  4,  1858,  died  in  infancy; 
Harry  M.  was  born  June  22,  1862. 

Harry  M.  Elliott  was  but  seven  years  old 
when  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  father, 
but  he  was  brought  up  by  a  careful  Christian 
mother,  and  sent  to  school  in  Armagh,  and 
to  the  Indiana  (Pa.)  State  normal  school.  In 
1882  he  entered  the  store  his  father  had  con- 
ducted for  so  many  years,  buying  an  interest 
in  the  business  from  James  W.  Mack  and 
Christopher  E.  Campbell,  the  firm  name  being 
changed  to  Mack,  Campbell  &  Co.  Eventu- 
ally he  bought  out  his  partners  and  since  then 
has  conducted  the  business  alone,  carrying  a 
general  mercantile  line.  For  many  years  he 
has  been  postmaster,  having  been  appointed 
successively  under  Presidents  Harrison,  Mc- 
Kinley,  Roosevelt  and  Taft,  and  has  been 
loyal  in  his  adherence  to  the  Republican  party. 
In  addition  to  serving  as  postmaster,  Mr. 
Elliott  has  been  a  good  school  director,  and 
is  ever  ready  to  aid  in  advancing  the  gen- 
eral good  of  his  community.  The  Methodist 
Church  of  Armagh  holds  his  membership  and 
he  is  a  trustee  of  same  and  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  school. 

On  Nov.  5,  1884,  Mr.  Elliott  was  married 
to  Emma  Ilolmes,  born  at  Blairsville,  Pa., 
daughter  of  Abraham  Holmes.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Elliott  are  the  parents  of  four  children: 
Raymond   Holmes,    Alexander   Scott,    Harry 


Lloyd  and  Lillian,  the  latter  dying  when  five 
months  old. 

CALVIN  S.  KUNKLE,  of  Homer  City,  In- 
diana county,  now  engaged  exclusively  in  the 
real  estate  business,  has  been  a  resident  of 
that  borough  for  the  last  twenty-five  years, 
during  which  time  he  has  followed  various 
occupations.  He  is  a  native  of  the  county, 
born  Oct.  11,  1867,  in  Young  township,  where 
his  parents  had  settled  a  few  years  before. 
His  grandfather  Kunkle  lived  and  died  in 
Somerset  count,v.  Pa.,  where  he  was  a  farmer. 
He  and  his  wife  had  two  children^  Caroline 
Aukney  and  John  Peter.  Mrs.  Kunkle  also 
had  two  children  by  a  previous  marriage, 
Jacob  and  Margaret  Groft. 

John  Peter  Kunkle,  father  of  Calvin  S. 
Kunkle,  was  a  farmer  all  his  life.  He  was 
born  in  Somerset  county.  Pa.,  and  died  Feb. 
16,  1900,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  In 
1865  he  located  in  Young  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  owned  and  operated  a  large 
farm,  becoming  one  of  the  substantial  and 
well-known  citizens  of  that  section.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in 
politics  a  Democrat.  He  married  Lillie  Ann 
Cochran,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  county. 
Pa.,  daughter  Of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Cun- 
ningham) Cochran,  and  the  following  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them :  Clara,  Mary,  Emma, 
Calvin  S.,  J.  Edward,  William  and  Albert. 

Calvin  S.  Kunkle  attended  common  school 
in  his  native  township  and  later  became  a 
student  at  the  Eldersridge  Academy,  mean- 
time also  helping  at  home  with  the  farm  work. 
In  1887  he  left  the  farm  and  settled  in  Homer 
City,  where  he  has  since  lived  and  worked. 
During  his  first  four  years  there  he  drove  a 
huckster's  wagon,  and  then  engaged  in  the 
teaming  business,  which  he  carried  on  suc- 
cessfully for  a  period  of  ten  years,  and  for 
several  years  conducted  a  feed  business.  He 
then  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business,  in 
which  he  has  been  interested  continuously  to 
the  present,  although  for  four  years  he  also 
had  the  leading  livery  establishment  in  the 
borough,  embarking  in  that  line  in  1908  and 
selling  out  Oct.  24,  1912.  He  now  gives  all 
his  time  to  his  real  estate  transactions,  which 
are  steadily  increasing  in  number  and  im- 
portance. -Mr.  Kunkle  is  one  of  the  steady- 
going,  reliable  citizens  on  whom  so  much  of  the 
general  welfare  of  a  community  depends,  and 
he  is  thoroughly  respected  by  all  who  know 
him.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  political  connec- 
tion and  a  I\Iethodist  in  religion. 
On  Sept.  10,  .1889,  Mr.  Kunkle  married  Mag- 


1120 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


gie  Mj'ers,  of  Carrolltown,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa., 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Donwody) 
Mvers,  and  they  have  had  six  children,  name- 
ly': Sarah  C,  John  C,  Homer  F.,  Ralph,  Lisle 
H.  and  Arthur  (who  died  when  six  years 
old). 

RICHARD  CLAIR  CESSNA,  of  Glen 
Campbell,  Indiana  county,  owner  of  the  Cash 
Department  Store,  is  one  of  the  live  young 
business  men  whose  progressive  methods  and 
up-to-date  standards  are  making  that  borough 
an  important  trade  center  in  that  section  of 
the  county.  He  was  born  Feb.  7, 1874,  in  Banks 
township,  Indiana  count.y,  son  of  George 
W.  and  Sarah  M.  (Davis)  Cessna,  the  former 
a  native  of  Clearfield  county.  Pa.,  the  latter 
of  Montgomery  township,  Indiana  county. 
The  father  moved  from  Clearfield  to  Indiana 
county,  and  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman  by 
occupation. 

Richard  C.  Cessna  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Indiana  county,  and 
during  his  earlier  manhood  taught  for  a  while. 
He  then  clerked  in  a  general  store,  and  was 
later  employed  in  the  lumber  regions,  work- 
ing in  the  woods  and  scaling  lumber.  Re- 
turning to  clerking,  he  was  engaged  in  a 
general  store  at  Urey,  Indiana  county,  until 
January,  1906,  when  he  entered  business  on 
his  own  account,  as  proprietor  of  the  general 
store  at  Glen  Campbell,  which  he  has  since 
conducted.  The  Cash  Department  Store  is 
one  of  the  most  popular  and  reliable  estab- 
lishments of  the  kind  in  the  borough,  and 
Mr.  Cessna's  earnest  desire  to  please  his  pa- 
trons and  supply  them  with  the  most  desir- 
able merchandise  at  reasonable  prices  has 
gained  him  a  steady  and  increasing  patron- 
age which  promises  well  for  the  prosperity 
of  his  establishment.  His  interest  in  the  wel- 
fare of  the  community  has  led  him  into  public 
affairs,  and  he  has  served  two  years  as  coun- 
cilman of  the  borough,  to  which  office  he  was 
elected  in  1909.  He  is  a  Republican  in  his 
political  associations.  Fraternally  he  belongs 
to  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 

In  June,  1906,  Mr.  Cessna  married  Mar- 
garet Divens,  of  Glen  Campbell,  daughter  of 
William  and  Margaret  (McCaully)  Divens; 
her  father  was  engaged  in  mining.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Cessna  have  two  living  children,  Marga- 
ret Melissa  and  Elizabeth  Irene ;  two  children 
died  in  infancy. 

JOHN  MURDOCK  STEWART,  M.  D.,  a 
physician  of  Marion  Center,  Pa.,  was  born 
at  Westville,  County  of  Pictou,  Nova  Scotia, 
March  25.  1878.  a  son  of  William  Stewart. 


The  Stewarts  are  of  Scotch  origin,  and 
proud  of  the  good  stock  from  which  they 
are  descended.  John  Stewart,  grandfather 
of  Dr.  Stewart,  was  a  well-educated  man.  He 
was  long  a  resident  of  Nova  Scotia. 

William  Stewart,  son  of  John  Stewart,  was 
born  in  County  Pictou,  and  became  an  opera- 
tor in  the  coal  mines  of  his  native  place.  In 
1880  he  came  to  Pennsylvania,  locating  first 
in  Sullivan  county  and  working  in  the  coal 
mines  of  that  section.  Later  he  spent  four 
years  working  in  the  plant  of  the  State  Line 
&  Sullivan  County  Railroad  Company  at 
Bernice.  In  1884  he  went  to  Colorado  and 
became  a  coal  miner  at  Greeley,  where  he 
remained  two  years,  from  there  going  to  Rock 
Springs,  Wyo.,  at  which  point  he  was  in  the 
mines  owned  by  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad 
Company.  After  eighteen  months  he  re- 
turned to  Pennsylvania,  and  followed  mining 
in  Sullivan  county  until  1892.  In  that  year 
he  went  to  Jefferson  county,  where  he  worked 
in  the  Coal  Glen  mines,  and  in  1903  went 
to  Center  county,  where  he  continued  mining 
until  1905,  that  year  coming  to  Indiana 
county  and  locating  at  Rossiter.  He  mined 
there  for  the  Clearfield  Bituminous  Coal  Com- 
pany until  seven  months  prior  to  his  death, 
which  occurred  July  27,  1907.  He  is  buried 
in  the  cemetery  attached  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  that  place,  having  been  a  member 
of  that  denomination  and  served  as  elder  in 
his  church.  Fraternally  he  held  membership 
in  the  Odd  Fellows. 

William  Stewart  married  Jenette  McDon- 
ald, who  survives  him  and  resides  at  Rossiter, 
this  count.y.  The.v  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: John  Murdock;  Alexander,  who  lives 
at  Du  Bois;  Hugh,  who  died  in  childhood; 
William,  who  died  in  childhood ;  .James,  who 
is  a  coal  miner,  resides  at  Rossiter,  Pa.,  and 
is  married  to  Mary  Mitchell,  and  Hugh  Allen, 
who  is  a  clerk  in  the  company  store  at  Ros- 
siter, Pennsylvania. 

John  Miardock  Stewart  shows  forth  in  his 
useful  life  what  a  man  can  make  of  himself, 
for  he  is  essentially  a  self-made  man.  He  was 
only  four  years  old  when  brought  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  but  six  when  the  family  went  to 
Colorado.  His  childhood  ti-aining  was  broken 
in  upon  by  the  frequent  changes,  but  he  at- 
tended school  whenever  possible,  for  he  was 
an  ambitious  lad,  and  early  began  to  make 
himself  useful.  When  he  was  twelve  years 
old  he  secured  emplo.^nnent  in  the  coal  pits 
as  a  picker  of  slate,  receiving  fifty  cents  per 
day.  After  a  year  he  became  his  father's 
helper,  so  continuing  until  he  became  office 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1121 


boy  for  Dr.  Cooley,  the  mine  physician  at 
Coal  Glen.  For  his  services  he  was  paid  ten 
dollars  per  month,  and  worked  hard  to  earn 
his  money,  caring  for  the  ofSce  and  premises. 
However,  it  was  at  this  time  that  there  sprung 
into  being  his  firm  determination  to  enter 
the  medical  profession,  and  the  lad  worked 
steadily  towards  that  end  thereafter.  Later 
he  became  employed  by  the  Punxsutawney  Tea 
Company,  remaining  with  that  concern  until 
1901  as  salesman.  In  the  latter  year  he  re- 
tilmed  to  the  Coal  Glen  mines,  where  he 
worked  for  six  months.  From  there  he  went 
to  Munson  Station,  Pa.,  where  he  joined  his 
father  and  did  contract  work  for  the  Irish 
Brothers,  contractors,  getting  rock  out  of  the 
mines  at  night.  All  this  time  he  was  en- 
deavoring'to  get  an  opportunity  to  advance 
himself  in  his  studies,  and  finally  entered  the 
Western  University  at  Pittsburg,  with  the  in- 
tention of  taking  a  four-years'  course,  but  left 
after  the  second  year  and  resumed  mining  at 
Munson  Station.  In  the  fall  of  1904  he  went 
to  Rossiter,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  obtained 
employment  with  the  New  York  Life  Insur- 
ance Company,  with  which  he  remained  until 
the  fall  of  1905,  when  he  returned  to  college, 
remaining  until  his  graduation.  During  his 
vacations  he  worked  hard  to  acquire  sufficient 
funds  to  continue  his  studies  and  take  care  of 
his  family.  Receiving  his  degree  in  1908,  he 
became  an  assistant  to  the  physician  and 
surgeon  for  the  Clearfield  Bituminous  Coal 
Company,  and  in  1909  came  to  Marion  Center, 
where  he  bought  the  practice  of  Dr.  Bee. 
Here  he  has  since  continued,  building  up  a 
good  practice,  winning  approval  because  of 
his  skill  and  faithfulness.  He  attends  to  his 
patients  conscientiously,  going  about  in  his 
automobile,  for  his  practice  extends  over  a 
wide  territoiy.  Professionally  he  belongs  to 
the  Jefferson  County  Medical  Society,  is  a 
member  of  the  board  of  health  of  Marion 
Center  and  is  health  physician  of  the  town. 
The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Marion  Center 
holds  his  membership.  Dr.  Stewart  is  active 
in  the  local  Odd  Fellows  lodge,  being  a  past 
grand  and  a  member  of  the  grand  lodge  of  the 
State;  he  also  belongs  to  the  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America,  and  is  popular  with  all  who 
know  him.  He  was  cheer  leader  at  the  West- 
ern University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1907,  and 
was  very  popular. 

In  1901  Dr.  Stewart  was  married  to  Mary 
Penman,  who  was  born  near  Reynoldsville, 
Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  William  Pen- 
man. Dr.  and  Mrs.  Stewart  are  the  parents 
of  four   children:  Ruth,   Adalaide,   William 


Murdock  and  Dorothy.  In  1911  Dr.  Stewart 
built  his  handsome  buff  brick  residence,  the 
only  one  of  its  kind  in  town.  During  his 
struggles  to  fit  himself  for  his  profession  the 
Doctor  more  than  proved  his  mettle,  and  he 
well  deserves  his  present  prosperity.  A  man 
of  trained  capabilities,  devoted  to  his  work, 
he  has  let  nothing  stand  in  the  way  of  his 
success.  When  another  would  have  become 
discouraged  he  kept  at  work,  studying  at 
night  and  never  allowing  himself  to  abandon 
his  ambitious  efforts.  The  results  are  shown 
in  his  everj^day  life,  and  his  example  serves 
to  encourage  others  who  ai-e  striving  to  better 
their  condition. 

DANIEL  GLENN  has  resided  throughout 
his  life  in  Green  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  was  born  Jan.  28,  1832,  son  of  Jo- 
seph and  Catherine  (McLaughlin)  Glenn. 

Joseph  Glenn,  the  father,  was  born  in  Coun- 
ty Tyrone,  in  Ireland,  and  came  to  America 
when  a  j'oung  man.  He  lived  in  Indiana 
county,  Pa.,  from  an  early  day,  settling  in 
Green  township,  where  he  bought  the  farm 
upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  Feb.  16,  1867,  when  he  was  advanced 
in  years.  His  wife,  Catherine  (McLaughlin), 
was  a  native  of  Indiana  county,  where  her 
father,  John  McLaughlin,  settled  at  a  very 
early  period,  owning  a  farm  in  Brushvalley 
township,  which  he  cultivated  until  his  death ; 
he  was  born  in  Ireland  and  was  of  Scotch  an- 
cestry. Mrs.  Glenn  survived  her  husband, 
djdng  Nov.  12,  1869,  in  old  age.  They  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children:  Joseph,  who 
died  in  Pine  township,  Indiana  county;  Ma- 
tilda, widow  of  John  Westover,  living  in  In- 
diana county;  Wilson,  now  deceased;  Daniel; 
James,  who  was  killed  while  serving  in  the 
Union  army  during  the  Civil  war;  Amariah 
J.,  who  died  at  Cherrytree,  this  county;  Cath- 
erine, who  died  in  Green  township ;  and  Rob- 
ert, deceased. 

Daniel  Glenn  passed  his  boyhood  on  the 
home  farm  in  Green  township  and  received 
his  education  there  in  public  school.  He  re- 
mained on  the  home  place  all  during  his  early 
life,  and  after  his  marriage  settled  upon  the 
property,  which  comprises  260  acres  in  Green 
township.  He  has  been  a  successful  farmer 
and  also  followed  rafting  on  the  Susquehanna 
river  for  some  time.  He  has  taken  consider- 
able part  in  the  public  affairs  of  his  locality, 
having  filled  various  township  offices. 

On  Feb.  11,  1869,  Mr.  Glenn  was  married 
to  Sarah  King,  of  Clearfield  county,  Pa., 
daughter   of  John   and   Nancy    (MeCreary) 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


King,  the  former  from  Lycoming  county,  this 
State,  the  latter  from  Clearfield  comity,  where 
they  lived  and  died;  they  were  farming  peo- 
ple. Mrs.  Glenn  died  Nov.  10,  1901.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Glenn  had  no  children  of  their  own,  but 
they  adopted  a  sou,  Asher  G.  Glenn,  sou  of 
Daniel  Gorman,  when  he  was  eighteen  mouths 
old.  He  is  still  a  resident  of  Green  township, 
married  Lulu  Stephens,  and  has  a  family  of 
seven  children,  namely :  Sarah,  Daniel,  Aua- 
bel,  Alice,  David,  Ethel  and  Thaddeus  A. 

CHARLES  ULRICH  GESSLER  (de- 
ceased), who  was  for  many  years  engaged  in 
business  in  Indiana  borough,  was  born  Dec. 
29,  1839,  in  Horb,  Wurtemberg,  Germany. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  old  and  honored 
family  of  Von  Gessler,  his  great-gi-eat-grand- 
father.  Baron  Ullrich  Von  Gessler,  having  at 
one  time  owned  the  greater  part  of  what  is 
now  Zurich,  Switzerland.  Mr.  Gessler  was 
the  only  oue  of  the  family  to  drop  the  ''Von." 
His  widow  still  preserves  an  oil  painting,  two 
hundred  years  old,  of  the  Baroness  Von  Gess- 
ler. 

Charles  U.  Gessler  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1850,  with  his  cousin,  Ambrose  Gess- 
ler, and  after  landing  at  New  York  went  to 
the  home  of  his  sister,  near  Boston,  Mass., 
there  continuing  to  live  on  a  farm  for  some 
time.  Subsequently  he  went  to  Hazleton,  Pa., 
where  he  attended  common  school  and  obtained 
a  good  education  iu  English,  aud  later  went 
to  Doylestown,  Bucks  Co.,  Pa.  Mr.  Gessler 
was  married  in  Montgomeiyville,  Pa.,  Aug. 
3,  1861,  following  which  he  was  employed  in 
a  baking  and  candymaking  business  at 
Hazleton.  and  then  moved  to  Pittsburg  aud 
followed  his  trade.  Later  he  went  to  Johns- 
town, where  he  opened  for  Jacob  Feud  a 
baking  and  candymaking  plant,  which  he  ran 
for  a  time.  In  1863  he  came  to  Indiana 
borough,  and  at  No.  834  Philadelphia  street 
opened  a  candymaking  and  baking  store,*  aud 
continued  to  conduct  this  successfully  until 
1888,  when  he  took  a  trip  to  Europe  with  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  J.  A.  Donnelly.  On  his  re- 
turn he  opened  a  like  establishment,  but  sold 
out  in  1893  to  enter  the  grocery,  candymaking 
and  bakery  business,  which  he  eventually  sold, 
ill  1898,  to  Ira  Myers.  At  that  time  he  re- 
tired from  active  pursuits,  and  continued  to 
live  a  quiet  life  until  his  death,  March  14, 
1908.  He  was  buried  iu  Oakland  cemetery, 
at  Indiana.  Mr.  Gessler  served  three  months 
during  the  Civil  war  as  a  member  of  Com- 
pany F,  6th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, being  connected  with  the  quartermaster's 


department.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  his  charities,  while 
many,  were  given  iu  such  an  unostentatious 
manner  that  none  besides  himself  knew  the 
full  extent  of  his  philanthropy.  His  political 
proclivities  were  those  of  the  Democratic 
party  and  his  fraternal  connection  with  the 
Elks. 

Mr.  Gessler  was  married  to  Hanna  Har- 
grave,  who  was  born  March  7,  1840,  in  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.,  daughter  of  John  and  Anna  Bar- 
bara (Paul)  Hargrave,  the  former  a  native  of 
Leeds,  Dorchester,  England,  and  the  latter 
of  Philadelphia,  and  a  descendant  of  the  old 
Paul  family  of  that  city.  Mrs.  Gessler  is  a 
woman  of  refinement  and  culture.  She  resides 
in  the  brick  house  built  by  her  husband  at 
No.  834  Philadelphia  street,  Indiana,  with  her 
two  daughters.  The  following  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gessler:  Annie,  who 
died  in  infancy ;  Kate,  who  married  J.  A. 
Donnelly,  who  conducts  a  general  store  at 
Latrobe,  Pa. ;  Fannie,  at  home ;  John,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  years ;  Carrie,  at  home, 
a  graduate  of  the  Indiana  normal  school  aud 
now  a  public  school  teacher  in  Indiana  bor- 
ough; Charles  A.,  who  married  Lulu  Lytic; 
Clyde,  who  married  Zona  Metz;  Sallie,  who 
married  Edward  DeVere ;  and  Paul,  who  mar- 
ried Nora  Peoples. 

CHARLES  E.  AMOND,  contractor,  whose 
home  is  in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, was  born  in  that  township  Aug.  21,  1863,  a 
son  of  Levi  J.  aud  Barbara  (Dick)  Amond. 

Frederick  Amond,  his  grandfather,  was 
born  at  Salem  Cross  Roads,  in  Westmoreland 
county,  and  came  from  there  to  Indiana  coun- 
ty in  1845,  settling  in  what  was  called  the 
Spruce  district.  He  was  a  wagonmaker  by 
trade  and  also  farmed,  and  died  in  1875,  in 
Indiana  county,  on  a  farm  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, to  which  he  had  moved  in  1850;  his 
wife  did  not  long  survive  him. 

Levi  J.  Amond,  sou  of  Frederick  aud  father 
of  Charles  E.,  was  born  in  1843,  and  passed 
practically  all  his  life  in  Indiana  county,  and 
for  thirty-seven  years  worked  as  a  plasterer 
and  stone  and  brick  mason.  He  died  Dec.  5, 
1907.  He  married  Barbara  Dick,  who  was 
born  in  1841.  in  Cherryhill  township,  and 
eight  children  were  born  to  them,  the  sur- 
vivors being:  Charles  E.;  Frank  C. ;  Belle, 
wife  of  Jerry  Learn,  residing  in  Indiana 
county ;  and  Daisy,  wife  of  Beecher  Learn,  re- 
siding at  Cookport. 

Charles  E.  Amond  attended  school  regu- 
larlv  until  he  was  fifteen  vears  old  and  then 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1123 


started  to  learu  the  plasterer's  trade  with  his 
father.  Subsequently  he  learned  brick  and 
stone  work,  and  has  been  engaged  along  the 
same  line  throughout  the  entire  period  of  his 
business  life.  He  now  does  general  contract- 
ing, and  has  probably  plastered  more  houses 
than  any  other  contractor  in  Indiana  county. 

On  Feb.  9,  1886,  Mr.  Amond  was  married 
to  Effie  S.  Stahll,  who  was  born  in  Cherryhill 
township  Jan.  29,  1863,  a  daughter  of  Wash- 
ington and  EfQe  (Frederick)  Stahll.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Amond  have  three  children,  H.  Merle, 
Effie  and  Lee  S.,  all  of  whom  live  at  home. 
Mr.  Amond  is  a  member  of  the  Evangelical 
M.  E.  Church. 

Washington  Stahll  and  wife  were  early 
settlers  in  Cherryhill  township,  where  the 
latter  died  Jan.  13,  1909,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
two  years.  By  trade  he  was  a  carpenter,  and 
this  he  followed  until  the  fall  of  1862,  when 
he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  and 
as  he  was  never  heard  from  after  the  terrible 
battle  of  the  Wilderness  it  is  supposed  that 
he  was  one  of  the  brave  men  who  fell  in  that 
engagement.  In  his  family  there  were  three 
sons  and  six  daughters,  namely:  G.  W.,  who 
is  a  resident  of  Saltsburg,  Pa. ;  Jane,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Jacob  Shank,  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship ;  Kate,  who  is  a  widow ;  Maggie,  who  was 
the  wife  of  James  Howe;  Peter,  who  is  a 
resident  of  Homer  City,  Pa. ;  Nannie,  who  is 
the  wife  of  M.  J.  Golden,  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship ;  Samuel,  who  lives  at  Jacksonville,  Pa. ; 
Sarah,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Jacob 
B.  Henry ;  and  Effie  S.,  who  became  the  wife 
of  Charles  E.  Amond. 

JACOB  M.  DICK,  general  farmer  and  stock 
raiser,  who  is  giving  particular  attention  to 
the  breeding  of  fine  horses,  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  is  a  son  of  Jacob  P. 
and  Elizabeth  (Mock)  Dick. 

Jacob  P.  Dick  lost  his  father  when  he  was 
a  mere  lad,  and  his  boyhood  was  spent  in 
hard  work.  He  became  an  early  settler  of 
Indiana  county,  where  he  first  engaged  in 
lumbering  and  subsequently  in  farming,  and 
the  fai-m  now  occupied  by  Jacob  M.  Dick  was 
the  original  family  homestead.  A  highly  es- 
teemed citizen,  he  passed  away  in  1900,  while 
his  widow,  a  native  of  Blair  county,  Pa.,  still 
resides  in  Indiana  coi:nty.  There  were  four- 
teen children  in  the  family  of  Jacob  P.  Dick, 
seven  of  them  being  half-brothers  and  half- 
sisters  of  Jacob  M.  Dick,  as  follows:  David 
H.,  Living  near  Clymer;  George,  who  resides 
near  Greenville,  Pa. ;  Margaret,  Andrew  and 
John,  who  are  deceased :  Nancy  A.,  wife  of 


Benjamin  Bowers,  of  Martinsburg,  Pa;  and 
Martin,  a  resident  of  CheiTyhill  township. 
His  own  brothers  and  sisters  were :  William, 
a  resident  of  Iowa ;  James,  living  near  Johns- 
town, Pa. ;  Frank,  of  Greenville ;  and  three 
who  died  in  infancy. 

Jacob  M.  Dick  was  born  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship Sept.  i,  1874,  attended  the  schools  of 
that  township,  and  was  reared  to  the  vocation 
of  agriculturist,  which  he  has  followed 
throughout  his  life.  General  farming,  stock 
raising  and  the  breeding  of  fine  horses  have 
occupied  his  attention,  and  in  addition  to 
his  farm  he  owns  city  property  in  Clymer  and 
is  a  director  of  the  Clymer  National  Bank. 

In  1899  Mr.  Dick  was  married  in  Cherry- 
hill township,  to  Elizabeth  Hollsaple,  who 
was  born  in  that  township,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Catherine  (Lehman)  Hollsaple,  the  lat- 
ter of  whom  is  deceased.  Mrs.  Dick's  father, 
formerly  a  school  teacher  and  minister  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church,  eventually  turned 
his  attention  to  farming,  but  is  now  living  re- 
tired at  Penn  Run.  Five  children  have  been 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dick :  Luella,  Florence, 
Mildred,  Grace  and  Leroy. 

Mr.  Dick  and  his  family  are  members  of 
the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  fraternally 
he  is  connected  with  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge  at 
Pineflats.  He  is  interested  in  the  advance- 
ment of  good  citizenship  and  education,  and 
for  four  years  has  served  capably  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board.  He  is  a  director  of 
the  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company. 

RICHARD  BUTLER,  deceased,  who  for 
many  years  was  engaged  in  agi'icultural  pur- 
suits in  East  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana 
county,  is  a  member  of  one  of  the  best-known 
families  of  that  township,  where  he  was  born 
Nov.  22,  1849,  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth 
(Fulcomer)  Butler. 

Samuel  Butler,  father  of  Richard  Butler, 
was-born  Oct.  24,  1818,  .and  spent  his  life  in 
agricultural  pursuits  in  East  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, where  he  accumulated  300  acres  of  land, 
built  a  handsome  residence,  and  made  numer- 
ous other  valuable  improvements.  He  became 
one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  his  section,  and 
in  his  death,  which  occurred  April  28,  1897, 
East  Wheatfield  township  lost  one  of  its  best 
citizens.  He  was  buried  in  the  Lutheran 
cemetery  in  Wheatfield  township,  having  been 
a  consistent  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
at  New  Florence.  His  widow,  who  was  born 
Dec.  11.  1821.  is  a  daughter  of  George  Ful- 
comer, and  still  siu'vives  at  the  advanced  age 
age  of  ninety-one  years,  being  tenderly  cared 


1124 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


for  by  her  daughter-in-law,  with  whom  she 
makes  her  home.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Lu- 
theran Church.  To  Samuel  and  Elizabeth 
Butler  were  born  children  as  follows:  Alex- 
ander, born  July  23,  1846;  John,  Jan.  24, 
1848  (died  in  Denver,  Colo.);  Richard; 
Henrj',  Nov.  2,  1851  (died  young)  ;  Sarah 
Jane,  Sept.  16,  1853  (married  Robert  G. 
Mack)  ;  Catherine  Ann,  Sept.  20,  1855  (mar- 
ried Jacob  W.  Mack,  of  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship) ;  Samuel,  Aug.  11,  1857  (resides  at  Los 
Angeles,  Cal.)  ;  George  "Washington,  July  19, 
1859  (married  Lila  Lynn,  and  died  in  1910, 
at  Johnstown,  Pa.);  William,  Aug.  20,  1861 
(who  died  young)  ;  and  Emmeliue,  June  20, 
1864  (died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years). 

Richard  Butler,  son  of  Samuel  Butler,  at- 
tended district  school  at  Culbert,  in  East 
Wheatfield  township,  and  the  summer  school 
at  Seward,  Westmoreland  county.  He  worked 
on  the  farm  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of 
age,  at  which  time  he  went  to  southern  Colo- 
rado, where  his  brothers,  John  and  Samuel, 
were  located,  and  the  three  brothers  became 
engaged  in  business  under  the  firm  name  of 
Butler  Brothers,  as  commission  merchants. 
This  partnership  continued  for  four  years, 
when  Mr.  Butler  disposed  of  his  Colorado 
interests,  and  for  two  years  carried  on  a  com- 
mission business  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  at  the 
end  of  that  time  becoming  interested  iu  min- 
ing. Returning  to  Denver,  Colo.,  he  was  in- 
terested with  his  brothers  in  developing  min- 
ing properties  until  1893,  in  that  year  coming 
back  to  East  Wheatfield  township  to  care  for 
his  parents.  He  purchased  a  liomestead  of 
200  acres,  known  as  the  Rural  Valley  farm, 
and  there  carried  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  during  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
although  he  continued  to  be  interested  in 
Colorado  mining  properties.  His  death  oc- 
curred on  his  farm,  Feb.  13,  1899,  and  he  was 
interred  in  Armagh  cemetery.  Mr.  Butler 
was  a  sturd.v  Republican  in  his  political  views, 
and  a  consistent  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  A  man  of  excellent  business  abil- 
ities, he  made  a  success  of  his  numerous  and 
varied  ventures,  and  his  integi-ity  in  business 
dealings  was  never  questioned.  At  all  times 
he  so  conducted  his  operations  as  to  advance 
the  interests  of  his  community,  and  he  was 
looked  upon  as  an  industrious  and  public- 
spirited  citizen. 

On  Sept.  16,  1896,  at  Greenville,  Green 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  Mr.  Butler  was 
married  to  Sadie  Jane  Lemmon,  who  was  born 
Aug.  7,  1866,  daughter  of  Henry  Lemmon. 
Bv  this  union  there  were  two  sons:    William 


Parce,  born  Jan.  14,  1898 ;  and  Richard  Lem- 
mon, born  May  4,  1899.  The  Lemmon  family, 
of  which  Mrs.  Butler  is  a  member,  is  of  old 
and  honored  stock  of  Indiana  county. 

John  Lemmon,  the  grandfather  of  Sadie 
Jane  (Lemmon)  Butler,  was  the  founder  of 
the  family  in  Pennsjdvania.  He  was  a  native 
of  Ireland,  and  came  from  that  country  to 
the  United  States  as  a  young  man.  locating  in 
Pine  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  fanning  and 
stock  raising  and  died  in  1854,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-two  years.  He  married  IMargaret  Gra- 
ham, who  died  in  1862,  when  fifty-eight  years 
of  age,  and  they  had  ten  children,  as  follows : 
William ;  James ;  John ;  Solomon,  who  mar- 
ried Laura  Rhodes,  and  died  at  Pittsburg  on 
his  return  from  sei-ving  in  the  Civil  war: 
Henry;  Jonathan,  who  married  Nancy  Det- 
wiler;  Sarah  Jane;  Jackson,  who  married 
Belle  Allison;  Delilah;  and  Jacob,  who  mar- 
ried Eliza  A.  Allison. 

Henry  Lemmon,  son  of  John  Lemmon,  and 
father  of  Mrs.  Sadie  Jane  (Lemmon)  Butler, 
was  born  Nov.  3,  1834,  in  Gi-een  township,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.,  and  there  made  his  home  for 
some  years.  Later  he  removed  to  East  Wheat- 
field  township  and  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits for  manv  vears,  and  there  his  death  oc- 
curred Nov.  8,  1903.  On  Nov.  12,  1863,  he 
was  married  to  Ada  Lvda,  who  was  born 
April  21,  1834,  and  died  May  28,  1908,  and 
both  are  buried  in  Armagh  cemetery.  They 
had  three  daughters:  Sarah  (Sadie)  Jane, 
born  Aug.  7,  1866:  Mavetta.  born  Jan.  23. 
1868,  who  died  July  16,  1884;  and  Laura, 
bom  Oct.  13, 1878,  who  married  IMilton  Forest. 
Sarah  (Sadie)  Jane  Lemmon.  daughter  of 
Henry  Lemmon,  obtained  her  early  education 
in  the  Pine  and  Buffington  public  schools,  and 
subsequently  attended  Greenville  summer  nor- 
mal school  under  Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart,  the 
noted  educator  and  historian  of  Indiana,  Me- 
chanicsburg  summer  normal  school  under 
Prof.  C.  A.  Campbell,  and  Greenville  summer 
normal  school  under  Professor  Weaver. 
Thus  excellently  equipped,  she  taught  school 
in  Pine  and  Buffington  townships,  and  in 
Cambria  county,  and  for  some  time  clerked 
iu  a  store  at  South  Fork,  Pa.  Since  the  death 
of  j\Ir.  Butler  she  has  abl,v  conducted  the  op- 
erations on  Rural  Valley  farm,  with  the  as- 
sistance of  her  sons,  and  is  also  engaged  in 
business  at  Armagh  and  Moxham.  She  is 
tenderly  caring  for  her  aged  mother-in-law, 
to  whom  she  is  greatly  devoted.  ]\Irs.  Butler 
is  a  woman  of  many  sterling  qiialities  and 
abilitv.  and  is  verv  busv  with  her  farm  and 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1125 


commercial  enterprises,  but  has  found  time 
to  devote  to  the  work  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  has  taught  Sunday  school  at 
both  Armagh  and  Moxham. 

ALBERT  F.  MOREAU,  cement  contractor 
of  Indiana,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Batavia,  N.  Y., 
Sept.  5,  1874,  son  of  Frank  and  Mary  J. 
(Foster)  Moreau,  and  a  member  of  a  family 
that  originated  in  Prance,  went  thence  to 
Canada  and  finally  was  established  in  the 
United  States. 

"Wilbur  C.  Moreau,  grandfather  of  Albert  F. 
Moreau,  was  born  in  Canada,  and  as  a  young 
man  went  to  Massachusetts,  where  he  was 
married  to  Martha  Tupper.  He  was  a  con- 
tractor and  builder  and  moved  to  Batavia, 
N.  Y.,  with  his  wife  and  family,  dying  there 
in  1911  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years;  his 
wife  passed  away  in  1910,  when  eighty  years 
of  age.  They  had  the  following  children: 
Prank ;  George,  living  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y. ;  and 
Emma,  who  married  William  Mower,  and  died 
in  Batavia,  New  York. 

Frank  Moreau,  son  of  Wilbur  C.  Moreau, 
and  father  of  Albert  P.  Moreau,  was  born  in 
Batavia,  N.  Y.,  in  1856,  and  prepared  for 
college  at  Cary  Seminary,  Oakfield,  N.  Y.  Af- 
ter his  graduation  from  college  he  taught 
school  in  New  York  State  for  several  years, 
following  which  he  engaged  in  municipal  con- 
tract work  at  Batavia.  He  was  married  in 
that  city  to  Mary  J.  Foster,  daughter  of 
Alonzo  and  Harriet  Foster,  and  she  died  in 
1880,  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years.  His  sec- 
ond marriage  was  to  Pauline  Bullock,  daugh- 
ter of  Levant  Bullock,  and  she  still  resides  at 
Batavia.  Mr.  Moreau  was  a  Protestant,  Mrs. 
Moreau  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  and  he  was  a  Democrat  in  his  political 
views.  Albert  F.  was  the  only  child  of  the 
first  luiion,  and  he  had  no  children  by  his 
second  marriage. 

Albert  F.  Moreau  grew  to  manhood  in  Ba- 
tavia, N.  Y.,  attending  the  public  schools  and 
graduating  from  the  Batavia  high  school  with 
the  class  of  1893.  On  leaving  school  he  en- 
gaged in  contracting  with  his  father,  with 
whom  he  continued  until  1895,  at  which  time 
he  came  to  Indiana  and  engaged  in  the  cement 
contracting  business,  also  doing  general  con- 
tracting in  concrete  and  brick. 

Mr.  Moreau  was  married  in  Franklin,  Pa., 
Nov.  8,  1899.  to  Clara  J.  Selig,  of  Franklin, 
daughter  of  Frederick  J.  and  Jlary  (Freund) 
Selig,  and  they  have  four  children:  Walker, 
Kenneth,  Frank  and  Albert.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Moreau  are  members  of  St.  Bernard's  Cath- 


olic Church,  and  prominent  in  religious  and 
social  circles,  their  home,  which  was  erected 
by  Mr.  Moreau  in  1904,  being  a  center  of  cul- 
ture and  refinement.  A  Republican  in  his 
political  views,  he  has  been  an  active  member 
of  the  board  of  health  for  several  years.  His 
fraternal  connections  are  with  the  Elks  and 
the  Knights  of  Columbus. 

JOSEPH  DIXON  DICKIE,  a  prominent 
citizen  and  well-known  agriculturist  of  Cen- 
ter township,  Indiana  countj',  was  born  on 
the  family  homestead,  in  that  township,  June 
21,  1840. 

William  H.  Dickie,  the  founder  of  the 
Dickie  family  in  this  region,  was  of  Scotch- 
Irish  extraction.  Coming  to  Indiana  county 
at  an  early  period  he  located  in  Center  town- 
ship, on  a  farm  about  six  miles  from  Indiana, 
now  known  as  the  Kauft'man  farm.  There  he 
continued  to  engage  in  farming  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  Later  he  removed  to  Jackson- 
ville, Indiana  county,  where  he  remained  sev- 
eral years,  and  finally  to  the  home  of  his  son 
George  on  a  farm  in  White  township,  spend- 
ing the  remainder  of  his  life  with  him  and 
dying  there  in  1865-66,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
five  years,  eight  days.  Mr.  Dickie  was  a 
Whig  and  Republican  in  political  sentiment 
but  not  particularly  active  in  party  affairs. 
He  served  as  school  dii'ector,  however,  after 
the  establishment  of  the  public  schools.  A 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  he  served  many 
years  as  class  leader  and  was  also  chorister  for 
a  long  period.  In  fact  he  was  widely  known 
in  the  latter  connection  in  this  region,  having 
taught  singing  for  many  years. 

Mr.  Dickie  married  Jane  Allison,  a  native  of 
Center  township,  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Sally  (Barr)  Allison,  the  former  of  whom 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war 
under  General  Washington.  Mrs.  Dickie  died 
aged  ninety-one  years,  at  the  home  of  her 
daughter  i\Irs.  Kauffman,  and  was  buried  in 
Oakland  cemetery,  at  Indiana,  beside  her  hus- 
band. Ten  children  were  born  to  this  couple : 
George  is  mentioned  below;  Hannah  married 
Thomas  B.  Allison,  of  I\Iarchand,  Indiana 
county,  who  served  as  associate  judge;  Jane 
married  Rev.  J.  Gordon,  a  minister  of  the  M. 
E.  Church ;  Ebenezer  died  at  Rock  Island, 
111. ;  Nancy  married  James  Ayers,  of  Ma- 
rion Center,  Pa. ;  John  died  in  Ohio ;  Mary 
(Polly)  married  Samuel  Ray,  of  Crete,  this 
county;  Lavina  married  Jacob  Kauffman; 
Elizabeth  married  John  McMullen,  of  Center 
township,  and  later  removed  to  Illinois;  Ur- 


1126 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


sula  Toledo  married  John  F.  Henderson,  and 
died  in  Illinois. 

George  Dickie,  eldest  son  of  William  H. 
Dickie,  was  born  Sept.  27,  1809,  on  the  farm 
in  White  township,  and  obtained  his  educa- 
tion at  the  subscription  school  held  in  a 
near-by  log  house.  He  gi-ew  up  on  the  farm 
and  from  his  earliest  boyhood  was  familiar 
with  agricultural  work,  which  he  followed  aU 
his  life,  and  in  which  he  became  veiy  pros- 
perous. He  acquired  over  six  hundred  acres 
of  land.  He  built  a  substantial  brick  house 
to  replace  the  first  one  of  logs,  and  made  many 
other  improvements  on  his  property,  which 
became  quite  valuable  under  his  intelligent 
and  energetic  management.  In  addition  to 
general  farming  he  engaged  somewhat  ex- 
tensively in  stock  raising,  and  drove  to  the 
eastern  markets  for  many  years.  He  made  a 
specialty  of  the  raising  of  tine  .sheep,  his  large 
acreage  enabling  him  to  keep  great  numbers. 
He  died  ]\Iarch  5,  1901,  in  his  ninety-second 
year,  after  a  busy  and  useful  career,  and  was 
buried  in  Oakland  cemetery.  He  was  a  life- 
long member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  at  Homer 
City,  and  served  as  steward.  In  political 
opinion  he  was  a  Republican  and  held  the  of- 
fices of  supervisor  and  school  director  in 
White  township. 

On  Slay  14.  1835,  Mr.  Dickie  married  Jane 
Dixon,  who  was  born  Sept.  8,  1811,  daughter 
of  Joseph  Dixon,  whose  family  sketch  raa.v  be 
found  elsewhere,  and  they  had  a  married 
life  of  over  half  a  century,  her  death 
occurring  Dec.  24,  1885.  She,  too,  is  buried 
in  Oakland  cemetery.  They  had  a  family  of 
six  children :  Mai-y  Jane,  born  April  19, 1836, 
died  Jan.  2.  1838 ;  William  H.,  born  Dee.  11. 
1838,  is  a  farmer  in  Blacklick  township,  this 
county ;  Joseph  Dixon  is  mentioned  Ijelow ; 
Nancy  H.,  born  Dec.  4.  1843,  is  the  widow 
of  Capt.  G.  H.  Ogden.  of  Homer  City :  Eliza- 
beth, born  May  7.  1846.  married  Frank  Bros- 
key,  who  died  in  Indiana :  George  C.  born 
June  12,  1850,  lived  at  Indiana,  and  died  Feb. 
24.  1912. 

Joseph  Dixon  Dickie  attended  a  .school  lo- 
cated one  and  a  quarter  miles  from  his  home, 
but  his  opportunities  were  comparatively  lim- 
ited, and  he  has  beconre  well  informed  through 
his  own  efforts,  reading  and  observation  tak- 
ing the  place  of  early  instruction.  He  re- 
mained under  the  parental  roof  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  when 
his  father  settled  him  upon  the  William  Bruce 
farm  and  let  him  start  out  on  his  own  account. 
There  he  has  continued  to  reside  to  the  pres- 
ent.   By  persistent  work  and  systematic  meth- 


ods he  has  become  one  of  the  foremost  farmers 
of  Center  township.  He  has  made  many  im- 
provements upon  his  farm,  building  a  modern 
house  and  doing  many  other  things  to  en- 
hance the  value  of  the  property,  and  his  pro- 
gressive spirit  is  evidenced  in  all  the  work  he 
imdertakes.  For  some  time  he  was  engaged 
in  shipping  live  stock  to  Philadelphia,  being 
associated  in  this  business  with  James  Johns- 
ton, a  neighbor.  Mr.  Dickie  has  been  a  lead- 
ing member  of  the  Indiana  Agi-icultural 
Society,  ha%^Lng  been  one  of  its  managers  for 
thirty  years,  still  serving  in  that  capacity; 
the  educational  facilities  of  his  locality  have 
always  possessed  special  interest  for  him  and 
received  his  best  attention,  as  shown  in  his 
service  of  fifteen  years  as  member  of  the  town- 
ship school  board,  of  which  he  was  president 
for  part  of  that  time.  He  is  a  Republican  on 
political  issues.  He  holds  membership  in  the 
M.  E.  Church  and  has  served  as  trustee.  In 
fact,  he  is  knowu  as  a  supporter  of  all  de- 
sirable local  enterprises. 

On  Jan.  14,  1864,  Mr.  Dickie  married  ilar- 
tha  Jane  Harold,  who  was  born  Sept.  28.  1841, 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Sarah  (Gibson)  Har- 
old, and  died  June  17,  1874.  She  was  a  mem- 
ber of  .the  Presbyterian  Church.  Three  chil- 
dren were  bom  to  this  marriage :  Laura 
Jane,  born  Oct.  18,  1864,  died  Feb.  16.  1885 ; 
Sarah  May,  born  May  16,  1870.  is  the  wife 
of  E.  G.  Campbell ;  Anna  Edith,  born  April 
25,  1873,  died  in  infancy.  On  June  7.  1876. 
]Mr.  Dickie  married  (second)  Genevra  Camp- 
bell, who  was  born  Jan.  9,  1856,  in  Fairview 
township.  Butler  Co..  Pa.,  daughter  of  John 
B.  and  Esther  (Keller)  Campbell,  of  White 
township,  Indiana  county.  By  this  marriage 
there  are  also  three  children :  Elizabeth  Pearl 
married  Hon.  James  T.  Henry,  of  Blaii-sville. 
Pa. ;  Nannie  Mabel,  a  graduate  of  the  normal 
school  at  Indiana.  Pa.,  class  of  1899.  married 
Clarence  R.  Smith :  and  Esther  Josephine, 
who  graduated  from  the  conservatory  of  nui- 
sic  of  the  Indiana  normal  school,  and  was  en- 
gaged as  instructor  of  music  in  the  public 
schools  of  Vandergrift.  Pa.,  married  Sept. 
11,  1912.  Arthur  D.  Hunger,  and  they  reside 
in  Philadelphia. 

CYRUS  STOUFFER,  of  Blairsville.  retired 
farmer  and  business  man,  was  born  in  Derr>- 
township.  Westmoreland  Co..  Pa.,  Jan.  15. 
1842.  son  of  George  and  Martha  (Bell)  Stonf- 
fer.  natives  of  that  county. 

John  Stouffer  was  born  in  Lancaster  county. 
Pa.,  in  1823,  but  later  became  a  farmer  of 
Derr.v  township,  Westmoreland  county,  where 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1127 


he  died  aged  seventy-two  years.  He  mai'ried 
Margaret  Worman,  a  native  of  Maryland, 
born  in  the  vicinity  of  historic  Frederick  City, 
who  lived  to  the  extreme  advanced  age  of 
ninety-seven  years.  John  Stouffer  was  a  very 
prominent  man  in  his  day,  and  at  one  time 
served  as  president  of  the  Conemaugh  Agri- 
cultural Society. 

George  Stouffer  spent  his  life  in  Derry 
township,  where  he  died,  aged  seventy-two 
years.  The  Bell  family  was  founded  in  that 
township  in  1841. 

Cyrus  Stouffer,  son  of  George  Stouffer,  at- 
tended the  schools  of  his  home  district,  and 
remained  with  his  parents  until  nineteen  years 
of  age.  He  then  enlisted  for  service  in  the 
Civil  war.  becoming  a  private  in  Company 
K,  53d  Penns.ylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  in 
1861,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  at 
Harrisburg  under  Capt.  William  B.  Coulter 
and  Col.  John  R.  Brooks,  late  major-general 
in  the  regular  army.  Mr.  Stouffer 's  regi- 
ment was  attached  to  Richardson's  division, 
2d  Army  Corps,  commanded  by  Edwin  Sum- 
ner. The  chief  engagements  of  this  regiment 
were:  Fair  Oaks,  Gaines's  ]\Iill.  Peach  Or- 
chard, Savage  Station,  White  Oak  Swamp, 
Malvern  Hill,  the  campaign  in  front  of  Rich- 
mond, the  battle  of  Antietam,  first  battle  of 
Fredericksburg  (in  which  .Mr.  Stouft'er  was 
wounded  above  the  knee)  and  Marye's 
Heights.,  Six  were  killed  and  twenty-four 
wounded  of  his  company.  On  account  of  his 
injury,  Mr.  Stoiiffer  was  sent  home.  The  next 
engagement  was  at  Gettysburg,  whence  the 
troops  were  sent  to  Culpeper  Station,  and 
from  there  fell  back  to  Centerville,  and  re- 
turned to  Culpeper,  remaining  there  until 
May  3d,  when  they  broke  camp,  and  thirty 
days  thereafter  were  in  the  wilderness  about 
the  Poe  river.  They  then  charged  upon  Spott- 
sylvania,  on  May  12,  1864,  and  in  that  en- 
gagement 3,500  were  taken  prisoners,  and 
seventeen  pieces  of  artillery  and  two  Confed- 
erate generals  were  captured.  On  June  3d, 
followed  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  in  which 
Mr.  Stouffer  received  a  flesh  wound  that  ne- 
cessitated his  removal  to  Lincoln  hospital  at 
Washington  City,  D.  C,  whence  he  was  dis- 
charged on  account  of  the  expiration  of  his 
period  of  enlistment. 

Following  this  Mr.  Stouffer  returned  home 
and  worked  on  the  homestead  for  a  year, 
when  he  entered  the  employ  of  J.  &  P.  Graff, 
of  Blairsville,  being  employed  in  their  ware- 
house until  1868,  when  he  went  to  Burrell 
township  to  engage  in  farming,  continuing 
there  until  1881.     In  that  vear  he  came  to 


Blairsville,  where  he  was  employed  at  the 
Ray  Hardware  store  until  1906,  since  which 
time  he  has  lived  retired. 

Mr.  Stouffer  served  as  count.v  commissioner 
during  1906-07  and  1908.  He  "is  a  member  of 
Findley  Patch  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  of  the 
Royal  Arcanum,  and  in  religious  matters  he 
is  a  Methodist.  His  home  is  one  of  the  most 
substantial  in  the  eit}^  and  he  is  justly  con- 
sidered one  of  the  reliable  citizens  of  Blairs- 
ville. 

In  1867  Mr.  Stouffer  was  married  to  Jane 
Parker  Ray,  a  daughter  of  the  late  Samuel 
Ray,  of  Blairsville.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stouffer 
have  had  children  as  follows:  Margaret  Ray 
and  Emma  Jean,  at  home,  and  the  following 
who  died  in  February,  1879:  Samuel  Ray, 
George  Edgar,  Allen  E.,  Cyrus  Theodore, 
Mattie  Belle  and  Ralph  Christy. 

WILLIAM  LINTNER,  late  of  Burrell 
township,  Indiana  county,  a  well-known 
farmer  of  that  section,  was  of  German  de- 
scent, a  grandson  of  Conrad  Lintner,  the  first 
of  the  name  in  Indiana  county.  He  came  to 
this  region  from  Mifflin  county.  Pa.,  at  an 
early  date,  and  was  tavern-keeper  in  what 
is  now  Burrell  township,  near  Smith  station, 
his  stand  being  on  the  old  Frankstown  road, 
which  at  that  time  was  the  great  thorough- 
fare to  the  east  from  this  locality.  He  spent 
his  life  there.  His  wife  was  Margaretta 
Nicholson.  They  had  three  sous,  David,  John 
and  William,  and  two  daughters.  William 
owned  the  farm  now  belonging  to  James  ]\Ic- 
Kinney  Turner  near  Smith  station,  whose 
first  wife  was  his  daughter  ]\Iatilda  Lintner. 

William  Lintner,  son  of  Conrad  Lintner, 
was  married  to  Maria  Henderson,  and  to  them 
were  born  four  daughters:  Matilda  (wife  of 
J.  M.  Turner  as  given  above),  Sarah  (wife  of 
Joseph  Rankin),  Margaret  and  Emma  (un- 
married). 

David  Lintner,  son  of  Conrad  and  Marga- 
retta (Nicholson)  Lintner,  settled  on  a  farm 
on  the  old  Frankstown  I'oad  near  Smith  sta- 
tion, which  was  known  as  Walnut  Ridge.  It 
is  now  owned  by  his  son,  J.  Porter  Lintner, 
of  Blairsville.  Pa.  This  property  was  sur- 
veyed April  23,  1769,  by  Jloses  Stewart,  but 
David  Lintner  made  the  first  improvements 
there,  and  farming  was  his  life  occupation, 
though  he  sold  coal  which  he  took  out  of  the 
hill  on  his  farm.  This  coal  bank  is  still  being 
operated  under  J.  Porter  Lintner 's  control. 
David  Lintner  died  there  March  29,  1873. 
His  first  wife  was  Polly  Turner,  an  aunt  of 
the  late  McKinney  Turner,  and  to  this  mar- 


1128 


.HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


riage  were  born  two  children,  Margaret  and 
Elizabeth  M.  By  the  second  there  were  three, 
John  (who  graduated  from  "Washington  and 
Jefferson  College  in  1850),  Martha  Ann  (who 
married  Alexander  Wilson  and  had  two  chil- 
dren. Banks  and  Jennie)  and  William.  His 
third  wife  was  Jane  McCrea,  by  whom  he 
had  two  childi'en:  J.  Porter,  now  a  well- 
known  merchant  at  Blairsville,  and  Matilda, 
who  married  J.  C.  jMoorhead,  now  of  In- 
diana, Pennsjdvania. 

William  Liutner,  son  of  David  Lintner,  by 
his  second  wife,  Esther  (Young),  was  born 
June  29,  1834,  in  Burrell  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  received  most  of  his  education  un- 
der his  brother  John,  who  was  a  school  teacher 
and  a  graduate  of  Washington  and  Jefferson 
College.  He  also  attended  Blairsville  Acad- 
emy, in  which  his  brother  John  taught.  He 
was  especially  strong  as  a  teacher  of  Latin 
and  Greek.  Remaining  on  the  homestead  until 
he  was  of  age,  William  Lintner  then  com- 
menced farming  on  his  own  account  in  Derry 
township,  Westmoreland  county,  on  a  tract 
of  140  acres  known  now  as  the  Crabbs  farm. 
After  five  years'  residence  there,  he  sold  out 
and  removed  to  the  Aurentz  farm  in 
Burrell  township,  Indiana  county,  which 
contained  112  acres.  This  place  is  now  op- 
erated by  his  son,  David  Elliott  Lintner.  He 
devoted  the  remainder  of  his  active  years  to 
farming  and  stock  raising,  in  which  he  was 
successful  and  abreast  of  the  times,  being  a 
man  of  cheerful,  energetic  and  progressive 
disposition.  He  was  one  of  the  most  esteemed 
members  of  the  community,  taking  an  active 
part  in  its  affairs  for  many  years,  and  served 
as  township  assessor  and  register  a  number 
of  terms.  He  was  a  leading  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Blairsville,  Pa.,  in 
which  he  held  the  office  of  deacon.  He  was 
also  interested  in  Sunday  school  work  in  his 
early  years  and  acted  as  superintendent  of  a 
rural  Sunday  school  near  his  home.  In  poli- 
ties he  was  a  Republican.  Mr.  Lintner  died 
on  his  farm  March  12,  1912,  and  is  buried  in 
Blairsville  cemetery.  Had  he  lived  till  Feb- 
ruary of  the  following  year,  he  and  his  wife, 
Agnes  E.  (Scott)  Lintner,  would  have  com- 
pleted fifty  vears  of  married  life. 

On  Feb.  24.  1863.  Mr.  Lintner  married 
Agnes  Eliza  Scott,  who  lived  at  Armagh,  in 
East  Wheatfield  township,  this  county,  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  ]\Iargaret  M.  (Bell)  Scott, 
and  she  survives  him.  She  is  a  member  of 
the  Blairsville  Presbyterian  Church.  Six 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  IMrs.  Lintner, 
David  Elliott  being  the  eldest  son.     Of  the 


others:  (1)  Carrie  Etta  is  at  home.  (2) 
Margaret  Bell  (or  Maggie  Bell)  died  in  young 
womanhood  in  1889.  (3)  Mary  Ida  obtained 
her  early  education  in  the  public  schools, 
later  attending  summer  normal  school  under 
Prof,  C.  A.  Campbell,  and  the  State  normal 
school  at  Indiana,  Pa.,  from  which  latter  in- 
stitution she  was  graduated  in  1902 ;  she  has 
followed  school  teaching  ever  since,  having 
been  engaged  at  Glassport,  Vandergrift. 
Apollo,  Pa.,  and  in  Burrell  and  White  town- 
ships, Indiana  county.  (4)  Harry  Taylor, 
who  resides  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y..  engaged  in  busi- 
ness as  contractor  and  builder,  married  IMary 
Humphrey,  of  Blairsville,  and  to  them  have 
been  born  five  children,  Etta  Marie,  Irene, 
Han-y  Negley,  Margaret  and  William  Clair, 
the  last  named  dying  in  early  childhood. 
(5)  John  Young,  a  contractor  and  builder, 
married  Lulu  Altman,  of  Blairsville. 

David  Elliott' Lintner,  the  eldest  son  of 
the  late  William  Lintner,  now  on  the  farm  in 
Burrell  township,  attended  the  local  public 
schools.  All  his  life  he  has  been  engaged 
in  farming  on  the  homestead,  having  worked 
with  his  father  until  the  latter's  death,  since 
when  he  has  had  partial  charge  of  the  place. 
Mr.  Lintner  has  taken  interest  in  the  success 
of  the  Republican  party  in  his  locality.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
On  Oct.  10,  1895.  he  married  Flora  Michael, 
daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Allison) 
Michael,  and  they  have  had  three  children : 
William  Everett,  Royden  Michael  and  Ken- 
neth Hunter. 

James  Scott,  father  of  Mrs.  Agnes  E. 
(Scott)  Lintner,  was  a  native  of  Butler 
county.  Pa.,  and  made  his  home  in  Ligonier 
valley,  in  Westmoreland  county,  for  some 
years.  He  lived  on  the  old  Hill  farm.  He 
was  a  merchant,  started  his  first  store  at  Old 
Derry.  and  later  had  a  store  at  Hillsview  in 
Ligonier  valley,  and  held  the  position  of  post- 
master there.  Afterward  be  became  a  travel- 
ing salesman  for  John  Covode,  selling  woolen 
goods,  and  during  this  time  made  his  home 
near  Ligonier,  Pa.,  where  he  died  in  1842. 
while  in  his  prime.  He  was  buried  at  Ligon- 
ier. On  Jan.  6,  1836,  he  married  Margaret 
Moris  Bell,  daughter  of  John  and  Rebecca 
Bell,  and  they  had  two  children,  namely: 
Rebecca  Jane,  born  Aug.  8.  1839,  who  died 
in  infancy;  and  Agnes  Eliza,  born  Jan.  1, 
1841,  now  the  widow  of  William  Lintner. 
On  July  11.  1846.  ]\Irs.  Scott  married  (sec- 
ond) Alexander  Elliott,  of  Araiagh,  Pa.,  and 
b.v  that  union  had  a  family  of  nine  children, 
of  whom  a  full  account  appears  elsewhere. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1129 


Three  generations  of  the  Liutners  have  at- 
tended Smith  school,  near  Smith  station. 
But  the  school-house  now  there  is  the  third 
building  going  by  the  same  name,  the  first 
one  being  located  on  land  owned  by  Smiths. 
The  second  and  the  one  now  there  were  placed 
on  land  owned  by  David  Lintner,  as  he  do- 
nated this  land  for  the  site  of  a  school  build- 
ing, so  long  as  it  would  be  used  for  school  pur- 


JOSEPH  W.  POSTLEWAIT.  deceased, 
who  for  many  years  was  engaged  in  tilling 
the  soil  in  North  Mahoning  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  in  1832  in  Ringgold  town- 
ship, "jeffei-son  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  David  and 
Jane  Bell  (Sewickly)  Postlewait. 

The  Postlewait  family  was  founded  in  the 
United  States  by  the  great-great-gTandfather 
of  Joseph  W.  Postlewait,  who  with  three 
brothers  emigrated  to  this  country  from 
England. 

John  Postlewait,  grandfather  of  Joseph 
W.  Postlewait  was  born  in  Dauphin  county. 
Pa.,  and  married  July  18,  1794,  Sarah  E. 
Ross,  and  they  moved  from  Mifflin  county.  Pa., 
to  Westmoreland  county  in  1818,  and  thence 
to  Perry  township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  where 
they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  He 
died  in  August,  1852,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four 
years,  and  his  wife  in  1844,  when  seventy- 
eight  years  old.  They  had  the  following  chil- 
dren :  David,  Hanna,  John,  Martha,  William, 
Mary,  and  James  Ross. 

David  Postlewait,  son  of  John  Postlewait, 
and  father  of  Joseph  W.  Postlewait,  was  born 
in  Dauphin  county,  and  there  married  Jane 
Bell,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Bell. 
David  Postlewait  died  in  1875,  aged  eighty- 
one,  and  his  wife  in  1855,  when  fifty-eight 
years  old.  Their  children  were :  John  B., 
deceased;  Emily  Jane,  deceased;  Sarah  Eliza- 
beth, deceased;  James  Madison,  deceased; 
Joseph  W.,  deceased;  David  Minor;  IMaiy 
Matilda,  deceased;  Thomas  Jefferson,  and 
William  P. 

Joseph  W.  Postlewait,  son  of  David  Pos- 
tlewait, was  married  in  1870  to  Sarah  A. 
Hurner,  who  was  born  at  Carr  furnace,  in 
Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  in  1851,  a  daughter  of 
John  Hurner.  This  family  originated  in  Ger- 
many, whence  John  Hurner  came  to  Amex-ica. 
He  was  married  in  Pittsburg,  subsequently 
removing  to  Perry  township,  Jefferson  Co., 
Pa.,  where  he  died  in  1880,  his  wife  spend- 
ing her  last  years  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
W.  Postlewait ;  she  died  in  1881. 


Joseph  W.  Postlewait  was  educated  in  the 
home  schools  and  resided  on  the  old  homestead 
until  his  marriage.  He  and  his  wife  had  the 
following  children:  Fitz  John,  Monroe  Bar- 
clay, Jesse  Scott,  Laney  Ann  (deceased), 
Bessie  Leila,  Sarah  Elizabeth  (deceased)  and 
Lilly  Ruth. 

Fitz  John,  born  in  1872,  resides  on  part  of 
the  old  homestead.  He  married  Edith  E. 
Ruth,  who  died  Nov.  1,  1911,  the  mother  of 
three  children,  Allen,  Andy,  and  Cordie 
(deceased). 

Monroe  Barclay,  born  in  1873,  is  engaged  in 
the  wood  and  coal  business  at  Montrose,  Colo. 
He  was  married  in  1904  to  Martha  Grassle, 
of  Boyd,  Wis.,  and  to  this  union  four  children 
have  been  born:  Joseph  W.  (deceased),  Al- 
bert, Glenn  and  a  daughter. 

Jesse  Scott,  born  in  1875,  is  residing  at 
home. 

Laney  Ann,  born  in  1878,  died  in  1910.  She 
was  married  to  J.  W.  Hicks,  of  North  Point, 
Pa.,  and  of  this  union  four  children  were 
born:  Joseph  Roy  (deceased),  Ralph,  Ray 
and  Ruth  May. 

Bessie  Leila,  born  in  1882,  married  Frank 
L.  Wise,  of  DuBois,  Pa.,  and  is  living  at  Al- 
bion, Erie  Co.,  Pa.,  where  Mr.  Wise  is  en- 
gineer on  the  Buffalo  &  Lake  Erie  railroad. 
Of  this  union  three  children  have  been  born, 
Francis,  Ivan  (deceased)  and  a  son  that  died 
in  infancy. 

Sarah  Elizabeth  died  at  the  age  of  two 
years. 

Lilly  Ruth  is  at  home. 

At  the  time  of  his  marriage  Joseph  W. 
Postlewait  began  operations  on  the  farm  in 
North  Mahoning  where  he  spent  the  rest  of 
his  life  iu  tilling  the  soil.  His  death  occurred 
Oct.  4,  1904,  and  since  that  time  his  widow, 
his  son  J.  Scott,  and  his  daughter  Lilly  Ruth 
have  continued  to  make,  their  home  there.  Mr. 
Postlewait  was  an  excellent  farmer,  and 
brought  his  160  acres  of  land  to  a  high  state 
of  cultivation,  producing  fine  crops  and  rais- 
ing well-fed  cattle.  A  Democrat  in  his  po- 
litical views,  he  held  numerous  township  of- 
fices, and  among  his  neighbors  was  known  as 
a  man  who  always  had  the  best  interests  of 
his  community  at  heart.  No  movements  for 
the  advancement  of  education,  morality  or 
good  citizenship  ever  failed  to  enlist  his  hearty 
sympathy  and  cooperation,  and  the  high  es- 
teem in  which  he  was  universally  held  was 
ample  evidence  of  his  integrity  and  personal 
probit.y.  His  widow  and  children  enjoy  a 
wide  friendship  in  the  community  in  whicli 


1130 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  family  has  made  its  home  for  so  many- 
years. 

FERGUSON  W.  BADGER  (deceased)  was 
one  of  the  successful  and  well-known  farmers 
of  Blacklick  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  passed  most  of  his  life.  He  was  a  native 
of  Butler  county,  Pa.,  born  June  8,  1831,  son 
of  William  and  Mary  (Ferguson)  Badger. 
■  William  Badger,  the  father  of  Ferguson 
W.  Badger,  was  twice  married,  and  by  his 
first  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Early,  had 
the  following  children :  James,  born  May  31, 
1803;  Peggie  Jane,  Feb.  13,  1805;  Nancy, 
April  21,  1807;  William,  Jr.,  June  9,  1809 
(was  a  doctor)  ;  John  Lindsey,  July  30,  1811; 
Esther,  Oct.  4,  1813 ;  Matthew  William.  March 
30,  1816;  Robert,  Aug.  10,  1818;  and  Mary 
Ann,  March  5,  1821.  The  father  married 
July  3,  1827,  Mary  Ferguson,  born  Sept.  10, 
1792,  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (El- 
liott) Ferguson.  Two  children  were  born  to 
this  union :  Eliza,  on  Sept.  3.  1829,  and  Fer- 
guson W.,  June  8,  1831.  Mr.  Badger  died 
Oct.  21,  1830,  in  Butler  county,  aged  fifty- 
four  years.  Seven  years  later  his  widow  came 
to  Blacklick  township,  where  she  died  Aug. 
11,  1858.  She  was  buried  in  Ebenezer  ceme- 
tery, Conemaugh  township. 

Ferguson  W.  Badger,  son  of  William  and 
Mary  (Ferguson)  Badger,  was  born  seven 
months  after  the  death  of  his  father,  and 
'  was  but  six  years  old  when  he  moved  with 
his  mother  to  Indiana  county.  There  he  I'e- 
ceived  what  education  he  could  obtain  in  tlie 
common  schools.  In  1841  his  mother  moved 
to  the  Gibson  farm  in  Blacklick  township, 
where  he  made  his  home  until  1859.  in  which 
year  he  bought  the  Archie  McEwen  farm  of 
182  acres,  continuing  to  cultivate  that  place 
until  his  death.  He  was  well  known  as  a  car- 
penter, particularly  as  a  barn  builder,  put- 
ting up  a  large  number  of  barns  in  Indiana 
and  Westmoreland  counties.  He  was  a  spe- 
cially good  architect  in  that  line,  his  ideas  and 
plans  being  considered  the  best  of  their  kind. 
Strictly  honorable  in  all  his  dealings,  thorough 
in  his  work  and  upright  in  character,  he  was 
much  esteemed  wherever  known.  He  was  an 
honored  member  of  the  Hopewell  M.  E. 
Church,  which  he  served  as  trustee,  also  hold- 
ing other  offices  in  the  church.  He  died  on 
the  homestead  Oct.  25,  1900,  aged  sixty-nine 
years,  four  months,  seventeen  days,  and  was 
interred  in  the  Hopewell  cemetery  in  Black- 
lick township. 

Mr.  Badger  was  married  in  Blacklick  town- 
ship Jan.  19,  1858,  by  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Higgins, 


of  Blairsville,  Pa.,  to  Elizabeth  Smith,  born 
June  5,  1832,  in  Blacklick  township,  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Mary  Theresa  (Waiuwright) 
Smith,  who  are  mentioned  elsewhere,  ilrs. 
Badger  died  Dec.  23,  1907,  and  was  buried 
in  Hopewell  Church  cemetery.  She  was  a 
member  of  that  church  for  sixty  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Badger  had  four  children:  (1) 
Mary  Theresa  was  married  Dec.  28,  1876,  to 
John  A.  Waddle,  and  resides  in  Westmore- 
land county.  She  has  had  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Lulu  Mae,  who  was  married  Nov. 
20,  1901,  to  Ralph  Coleman  Lemon;  Laura 
Myrtle;  Virginia  Blanche;  and  Roy  Paul, 
who  died  Sept.  23,  1907.  (2)  Alvin  Lincoln 
died  April  27,  1867.  (3)  Lulu  May  died 
March  26,  1884.  (4)  Margaret  Laura  was 
married  Jan.  15,  1908,  to  Joseph  Melvin  Mock. 
Joseph  M.  Mock  was  born  in  Green  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  JMarch  24,  1878,  son  of 
Simon  and  Amanda  Mary  (Ferrier)  Mock. 
In  1900  Mr.  Mock  settled" in  Blacklick  town- 
ship, and  has  been  on  the  Badger  farm  ever 
since.  In  1909  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mock  remodeled 
their  home,  and  they  have  made  other  im- 
provements on  the  farm,  which  is  in  excellent 
condition.  They  are  members  of  Hopewell 
M.  E.  Church,  and  both  are  Sunday  school 
teachers.  Mrs.  Mock  looked  after  her  parents 
devotedly  during  their  declining  years.  She 
has  taken  a  deep  interest  in  -the  history  of 
her  own  family  and  of  the  families  with  which 
the  Badgers  have  intermarried,  including  the 
Wainwrights,  Fergusons  and  Smiths,  all  of 
whom  are  mentioned  in  this  work. 

JOHN  C.  STEAR,  dealer  in  general  mer- 
chandise at  North  Point,  Pa.,  was  born  Aug. 
25,  1847.  on  the  old  Stear  homestead  in  Por- 
ter township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Fred- 
erick and  Mary  (Stiteler)   Stear. 

George  Stear,  the  paternal  grandfather  of 
John  C.  Stear,  was  born  in  Huntingdon 
county.  Pa.,  and  came  to  Indiana  county  about 
1820,  settling  at  Smicksburg,  and  erecting  a 
gristmill  on  Little  Mahoning  creek,  where  he 
also  owned  a  large  tract  of  land.  He  was  a 
man  well  known  and  highly  respected,  and 
had  a  large  family  by  his  two  marriages.  By 
his  first  wife,  he  had  children  as  follows: 
Frederick,  who  had  a  farm  in  Porter  town- 
ship, and  there  died ;  George,  who  was  a  black- 
smith of  Smicksburg,  and  died  in  1882  or 
1883 ;  Joseph,  who  lived  at  home,  and  died  at 
the  age  of  thirty-five  years;  Elizabeth,  who 
married  David  Fleck,  and  lived  in  West  Ma- 
honing township;  and  Maria,  who  married 
James   Robinson,    of   Jefferson    countv.      Mr. 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1131 


St  ear's  second  marriage  was  to  a  ]\Iiss  Fisher, 
and  they  had  children  as  follows:  Jacob, 
David,  Ephraim,  Enoch  and  Marion,  all  of 
whom  remained  with  their  father,  whom  they 
assisted  in  running  the  mill  and  store,  and 
all  died  in  West  Mahoning  township ;  Eliza, 
who  married  William  Weamer,  a  merchant  at 
Plnmville,  Pa. ;  and  Caroline,  who  married 
Joseph  Mclntire,  a  photographer  of  Crest- 
line, Ohio. 

Frederick  Stear,  son  of  G-eorge  Stear,  and 
father  of  John  C.  Stear.  was  married  in  1827 
to  Mai-y  Stiteler,  of  Chester  county.  Pa., 
daughter  of  Peter  Stiteler,  a  pioneer  of  In- 
diana county.  The  year  following  their  mar- 
riage Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stear  moved  to  Porter 
township,  Jefferson  county,  where  he  took  up 
160  acres  of  wild  land,  on  which  he  erected  a 
small  log  cabin,  12  by  16  feet,  with  a  dirt 
floor.  He  also  erected  sheds  for  the  shelter  of 
his  cattle,  and  with  small  capital,  but  with  an 
abundance  of  energy  and  ambition,  went  to 
work  to  make  a  home  for  his  family.  Indus- 
trious and  earnest  in  his  efforts,  he  was  suc- 
cessful in  clearing  125  acres  of  his  land,  and 
in  1872  erected  a  fine  modern  home  and  other 
substantial  buildings.  He  held  many  township 
offices,  and  was  considered  one  of  the  wheel- 
horses  of  the  Democratic  party  in  his  part  of 
the  county,  and  his  religious  faith  was  that 
of  the  Lutheran  denomination,  in  the  faith  of 
which  he  passed  away  in  1894,  when  he  was 
seventy-eight  years  of  age.  He  belonged  to 
the  Smicksburg  Church.  His  wife  survived 
him  only  one  year,  and  was  eighty-two  years 
old  when  she  died.  Their  children  were  as 
follows :  David,  living  on  the  old  home  place, 
married  Susan  Neal ;  Peter,  formerly  a  black- 
smith and  now  a  farmer  near  Georgeville,  Pa., 
married  Sarah  Neal;  John  C.  is  nientioned 
below;  William,  a  blacksmith  of  Punxsutaw- 
ney.  Pa.,  married  Hilda  London;  Susan  mar- 
ried William  Mosier,  of  Perry  township, 
Jefferson  Co.,  Pa. ;  Malissa  married  James 
Brown,  of  Jefferson  county. 

John  C.  Stear,  son  of  Frederick  Stear.  had 
to  walk  three  miles  through  the  woods  to  at- 
tend the  old  log  schoolhouse,  and  his  edu- 
cation was  somewhat  limited.  At  the  age  of 
fourteen  years  he  began  to  learn  the  black- 
smith's trade,  and  in  1863  opened  a  shop  of 
his  own  at  North  Point,  opposite  the  site 
of  his  present  store.  He  continued  to  con- 
duet  this  shop  for  four  years,  and  then  went 
.  to  Hamilton.  Jefferson  county,  but  in  1873 
returned  to  North  Point,  where  he  erected 
his  present  store  and  dwelling,  and  he  has 
continued  in  the  mercantile  Imsiness  to  the 


present  time  with  deserved  success.  Mr.  Stear 
is  an  excellent  business  man,  and  commands 
the  entire  confidence  of  the  farming  people  of 
the  surrounding  country,  from  whom  he  pur- 
chases much  produce. 

On  May  2,  1867,  Mr.  Stear  was  married  to 
Sarah  McHenry,  daughter  of  James  and  Ann 
(Neal)  McHenry,  who  were  among  the  early 
settlers  of  West  Mahoning  township,  where 
both  died.  They  had  six  children,  of  whom 
the  living  are :  Benjamin,  a  resident  of  West 
Mahoning  township;  Elizabeth,  who  married 
Martin  Wright,  of  Jefferson  county ;  and  ^lar- 
garet,  who  married  Austin  Welchonce,  of 
West  Mahoning  township.  Mr.  Stear 's  first 
wife  died  Sept.  29,  1901,  the  mother  of  three 
children:  Clark,  who  died  unmarried  at  the 
age  of  twenty-two  years;  Annie,  who  mar- 
ried John  Lamison,  of  Templetou,  Pa.,  and 
has  six  children,  Frank,  Dollie,  Max,  Chloe, 
Arthur  and  Gladys ;  and  Monroe,  of  Punxsu- 
tawney,  Pa.,  who  married  Pearl  Howard  and 
has  three  children,  Violet,  Jonelle  and  Florin. 
On  Oct.  5,  1906,  Mr.  Stear  was  married  (sec- 
ond) to  Ella  Neal,  daughter  of  George  Neal, 
of  Indiana  county,  and  one  child  has  been 
boi"n  to  this  union,  a  daughter,  Zoe. 

Mr.  Stear  has  devoted  the  greater  part  of 
his  time  and  attention  to  his  store  and  hotel 
since  1873.  During  the  last  ten  years  he  has 
acted  in  the  capacity  of  postmaster  at  North 
Point,  and  he  has  also  served  as  justice  of 
the  peace  for  two  terms  and  as  auditor  and 
school  director.  His  first  vote  was  east  for 
George  B.  McClellan.  and  he  has  ever  since 
supported  Democratic  policies  and  candidates. 
]\Ir.  Stear  has  wisely  invested  his  money  in 
Indiana  county  farming  land,  and  is  the 
owner  of  a  valuable  tract  of  240  acres.  He 
has  numerous  friends  in  his  section,  is  popu- 
lar with  the  members  of  I.  0.  0.  F.  lodge 
at  Smicksburg,  and  with  his  family  attends 
the  Lutheran  Church. 

ADAM  CAMPBELL  (deceased),  who  dur- 
ing his  life  was  one  of  the  substantial  resi- 
dents of  East  Mahoning  township,  was  born 
in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  July  6,  1827. 

George  Campbell,  the  founder  of  the  fam- 
ily in  America,  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1788, 
and  came  to  this  country  in  young  manhood, 
locating  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  where 
he  followed  farming  until  he  died,  in  1865. 
at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years,  firm  in  the 
faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he 
was  a  consistent  member.  He  man-ied  Sarah 
Carnahan,  who  was  born  in  1800,  and  died 
Dec.  5,  1859,  aged  fiftj^-nine  years.    They  are 


1132 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Saltsburg.  The 
children  of  this  couple  were :  Samuel,  born 
Nov.  26,  1818;  Sarah,  born  March  8,  1821, 
who  married  John  Ellwood,  of  Saltsburg ;  Rob- 
ert, born  May  15,  1825,  who  died  at  Pittsburg; 
Adam,  born  July  6,  1827 ;  Rebecca,  born  Jan. 
5,  1830;  a  daughter  who  died  in  infancy  un- 
named, born  Jan.  23,  1832;  Maiy  J.,  born 
Jan.  3,  1833 ;  and  another  unnamed  infant 
who  was  born  April  9,  1835. 

Adam  Campbell  was  educated  in  the  local 
schools  and  worked  at  home  until  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company  as  a  construction  hand  on  the  work 
of  building  the  bridge  across  the  Kiskiminetas 
river.  Later  he  went  to  East  ilahoning  town- 
ship and  settled  on  the  McGarey  farm,  which 
he  operated  for  a  period,  going  from  there  to 
the  oil  regions,  where  he  remained  for  a  time. 
Returning  to  Indiana  county  he  resumed  his 
farming  in  Montgomery  township,  and  became 
interested  in  the  lumber  business,  continuing 
the  latter  until  1877,  when  he  sold  and  located 
on  the  old  Beatty  farm  of  118  acres.  On  it 
he  built  a  house  that  was  later  destroyed  by 
fire,  and  in  1888  he  erected  the  present  hand- 
some residence,  and  made  other  improvements 
which  added  to  the  value  of  the  property.  He 
followed  farming  imtil  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred April  16,  1912,  when  he  was  eighty- 
five  years  of  age.  His  remains  were  laid  to 
rest  in  Marion  Center  cemetery.  He  was  a 
strong  Democrat  and  served  on  the  election 
board,  as  overseer  of  the  poor  and  as  super- 
visor. The  Presbyterian  Church  had  in  him 
a  faithful  member  and  dignified  elder. 

Adam  Campbell  married  Rebecca  Beatty, 
who  was  born  in  East  Mahoning  township, 
daughter  of.  James  Beatty,  and  died  Dec.  29, 
1900.  She.  too.  lies  in  the  Marion  Center 
cemetery.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  The  children  of  this  couple 
were :  Sadie  A.,  born  Oct.  16,  1867,  who  mar- 
ried George  E.  Riethmiller.  of  East  ilahou- 
ing  township :  and  Robert  Stewart,  born  April 
14.  1869,  in  East  Mahoning  township. 

Robert  Stew.\rt  Campbell  was  educated 
in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and  grew 
up  on  the  farm.  He  is  now  operating  about 
118  acres,  devoted  to  general  farming,  and 
stock  and  poulti-y  raising.  Politically  he  is 
a  Democrat,  but  he  has  not  eared  for  public 
office.  The  Presbyterian  Church  holds  his 
membership,  he  being  connected  with  the  con- 
gregation at  Marion  Center.  A  good  farmer 
and  excellent  business  man.  he  is  fully  sus- 


taining the  high  standard  raised  by  his  father 
both  as  an  agriculturist  and  a  citizen. 

HAMILTON  :\IcKILLIP  (deceased)  was 
born  Dec.  9, 1812,  in  Red  Bank  township,  Clar- 
ion Co.,  Pa.,  sou  of  Archibald  and  ^Mary  (Me- 
Gee)  McKillip, .  the  former  of  Scotch  birth, 
the  latter  Irish.  They  established  the  family 
in  Clarion  county.  Pa.,  where  Archibald  Mc- 
Killip was  a  farmer  and  miller,  operating  a 
waterpower  mill.  There  he  died  ]\Iarch  12. 
1862,  aged  eighty-eight  years ;  his  wife  passed 
away  in  January,  1836.  Their  children  were : 
James  was  born  Sept.  6.  1802;  Hugh  was  born 
June  3.  1804 ;  John,  born  April  25.  1806,  lived 
at  Corsica,  Pa.;  Polly,  born  July  9,  1808. 
also  lived  at  Corsica ;  William,  born  Oct.  12, 
1810,  lived  in  Clarion  county.  Pa. ;  Hamilton 
was  born  Dec.  9,  1812;  Peggy,  bom  March 
24,  1814,  lived  in  Clarion  county.  Pa. ;  Jane, 
born  ]\Iay  25,  1816,  lived  in  Bethlehem,  Pa. : 
and  Archibald,  born  Sept.  25,  1817.  lived  in 


Hamilton  McKillip  was  educated  in  the  log 
schools  of  his  period,  and  taught  school  in 
Clarion  county,  Pa.  He  was  married  in  Kit- 
tanning.  Pa.,  to  Elizabeth  iloore,  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Nancy  ("Wilson)  Moore,  of  Ire- 
land, who  came  to  America  at  an  early  date, 
locating  in  Center  county.  Pa.  IMr.  Moore  was 
a  Methodist  preacher,  and  lived  at  different 
places  as  stationed.  He  was  born  in  1772  and 
died  in  1821,  and  his  wife,  born  in  1784,  died 
in  1840.  Their  children  were:  ^Mary,  who 
was  born  Dee.  20,  1805,  died  in  Illinois :  Peter 
was  born  Oct.  17,  1807;  Nancy,  bom  July  3, 
1809,  died  in  Illinois;  Rebecca,  born  April  5, 
1811,  died  in  Illinois:  Thomas  was  born  April 
15, 1813 ;  Robert  was  born  Feb.  27. 1815 ;  John 
was  born  Jan.  12,  1817;  Elizabeth  was  born 
Jan.  24,  1819 ;  Margaret  P.  was  born  June  2. 
1821. 

Children  as  follows  were  bom  to  Hamilton 
and  Elizabeth  f  Moored  McKillip:  William  W.. 
born  July  22.  1843,  died  in  September,  1905: 
he  married  ^lartha  Niel,  and  lived  in  West 
Mahoning  township.  ]\Iary  A.,  born  Aug.  23. 
1845.  died  unmarried  in  1897.  Elizabeth  A., 
born  Oct.  12,  1847,  married  William  Simpson 
and  lives  in  Sleeker,  Colo.  Hamilton  Lee. 
born  Dec.  1,  1849,  formerly  in  the  milling 
business  with  his  father,  is  now  operating  the 
old  homestead.  James  Stewart,  born  Julv 
IS,  1851,  died  Oct.  12.  1854.  IMartha  Anna 
Jane,  born  Dec.  28,  1857,  is  at  home  on  the 
old  farm  with  her  brother  Hamilton  Lee. 
These  children  were  all  well  educated  in  the 
public  schools.     For  .six  years  Miss  McKillip 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1133 


was  a  popular  public  school  teacher,  and  for 
twenty  years  she  was  matron  in  the  Soldiers' 
Orphans'  Home.  Her  varied  duties  have 
taken  her  to  Mercer,  McCallistersville,  Mount 
Joy,  Chester  Springs,  Harford,  Unioutown, 
and  other  places,  nineteen  in  all,  all  in  Penn- 
sylvania. She  was  educated  at  Dayton  and 
Reedsburg,  Pa.,  and  is  highly  cultured. 

After  their  marriage  Hamilton  McKillip 
and  his  wife  lived  in  Clarion  county.  Pa., 
where  he  engaged  in  a  milling  business  with 
Ms  father,  until  1858,  when  he  came  to  North 
Point,  Pa.,  when  it  was  still  known  as  Sellers- 
ville.  He  bought  the  Enterline  mill,  which 
was  a  grain  and  carding  mill,  and  operated  it 
until  he  sold  to  Jacob  Crowe.  In  addition  to 
his  milling  interests  Mr.  ilcKillip  owned  and 
conducted  a  fine  farm  of  125  acres,  on  which 
he  lived  until  his  demise,  March  2,  1878.  His 
widow  survived  many  years,  dying  Jan.  18, 
1898.  They  were  consistent  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  McKillip  held 
manyof  the  township  offices  to  which  he  was 
elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  and  he  was 
deeply  interested  in  the  progress  of  his  com- 
munity. A  man  of  more  than  ordinary  abil- 
ity, he  naturally  dominated  others,  and  his 
example  was  followed  by  many.  A  farmer 
and  business  man  of  more  acumen  than  the 
ordinary,  he  accumulated  a  comfortable 
property,  and  at  the  same  time  gained  and  re- 
tained until  his  death  the  confidence  and  re- 
spect of  all  with  whom  he  was  bi'ought  into 
contact.  The  IMcKillip  family  is  a  large  one, 
and  all  of  its  members  are  proud  of  their 
connection  with  Hamilton  McKillip.  His 
daughter,  IMiss  Anna  J.  McKillip,  contributes 
the  following  in  loving  homage  to  the  mem- 
ory of  her  parents : 

"In  memory  of  our  departed  ones,  I  want 
to  bring  a  spray  of  evergreen.  In  lowly  walks 
God  has  His  own  dear  childi-en.  Their  lives 
are  fragrant  with  sweet  perfume  of  faithful 
living  and  doing  in  His  service.  "With  love 
and  thankfulness  their  names  and  memory 
are  cherished ;  and  for  those  who  knew  them, 
their  example  and  influence  are  as  a  bene- 
diction from  heaven.  We  cannot  forget  their 
example  of  self-denial,  their  unselfishness  in 
the  blessed  ministration  of  mercy,  and  we  long 
for  the  touch  of  the  vanished  hand  and  the 
sound  of  the  voice  that  is  still." 

JOHN  BENNETT  GARDNER,  a  resident 
of  Montgomery  township,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  there  Sept.  27,  1852,  son  of  Jonathan 
Walker  and  Eliza  Jane   (Bennett)   Gardner. 

James  Webb  Gardner,  his  grandfather,  was 


a  native  of  Scotland,  born  June  18,  1777,  and 
his  wife,  Tamzon  Rebecca,  was  born  Aug.  11, 
1780.  They  died  Oct.  2,  1853,  and  Oct.  11, 
1846,  respectively. 

Jonathan  Walker  Gardner,  son  of  James 
Webb  Gardner,  was  born  March  25,  1819,  and 
died  Sept.  30,  1895.  He  came  to  Indiana 
county  about  1840,  the  family  moving  hither 
from  York  county.  Pa.,  and  was  a  farmer  and 
lumberman  by  occupation.  On  May  8,  1845, 
he  married  Eliza  Jane  Bennett,  who  was  born 
March  18,  1824,  in"  Germany,  and  came  to  this 
country  in  1837,  and  lived  to  the  age  of  eighty- 
five,  dying  May  26,  1909;  her  family  were 
farming  people.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jonathan  W. 
Gardner  had  the  following  family:  James 
W.,  born  Oct.  22,  1846,  died  Oct.  26,  1851; 
Sarah  J.  and  Elizabeth  A.,  twins,  were  born 
May  24,  1848,  the  former  dying  May  30,  1848, 
and  the  latter  April  1,  1888  (she  was  married 
Nov.  3,  1868,  to  John  T.  McQuilkin)  ;  William 
Stausbery,  born  Nov.  18,  1850,  married  Eliza- 
beth McCracken  June  23,  1881;  John  Ben- 
nett, born  Sept.  27,  1852,  married  Rose  P. 
Reed  July  4,  1882;  Washington  Virtue,  born 
Aug.  17,  1854,  died  Sept.  12,  1870;  Lorenzo 
Dow,  born  July  11,  1856,  married  Mary  Neff 
in  May,  1893 ;  Irvin  Isaac,  born  Aug.  1,  1858, 
mari-ied  Mary  Itrice  Salsgiver  Nov.  11,  1892 ; 
Plarriet  Cordelia,  born  Jan.  1,  1860,  married 
Samuel  P.  McCune  in  December,  1878 ;  Tam- 
zon Rebecca,  born  Nov.  22,  1862,  married 
George  U.  Ohara  Dec.  27,  1881 ;  Clara  Eme- 
line,  born  Nov.  2,  1865,  married  Han-y  E.  Mc- 
Quown  in  February,  1896 ;  Loverna  Evaline, 
born  Dec.  13,  1869,  died  Sept.  20,  1870. 

John  Bennett  Gardner  obtained  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  the  home  lo- 
cality. He  has  been  a  farmer  all  his  life,  and 
in  his  earlier  manhood  also  engaged  in  lum- 
bering. His  present  place,  of  seventy  acres, 
is  located  one  and  a  quarter  miles  from  the 
borough  of  Glen  Campbell.  He  follows  gen- 
eral farming,  and  is  an  industrious  and  sub- 
stantial citizen  of  his  district,  thoroughly  re- 
spected by  all  who  know  him.  In  political 
connection  he  is  a  Democrat,  but  he  takes  no 
active  part  in  party  affairs  or  public  matters 
of  any  kind. 

On  Julj^  4,  1882,  Mr.  Gardner  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Rose  P.  Reed,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel and  Amelia  (White)  Reed,  of  Burnside, 
Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.,  and  granddaughter  of  Dr. 
White,  of  Delaware  county.  New  York. 

HARRY  E.  BURNS,  a  well-known  resident 
and  business  man  of  Grant  township,  Indiana 
county,  has  been  engaged  as  a  general  mer- 


1134 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


chant  at  Decker's  Point  since  1904. 

Mr.  Burns  is  a  native  of  East  Mahoning 
township,  this  county,  where  he  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools.  In  early- 
boyhood  he  began  farm  work,  at  which  he  was 
engaged  for  a  number  of  years,  commencing 
on  his  own  account  on  a  tract  of  forty  acres 
in  Grant  township  which  he  bought  from  Hon. 
Horace  J.  Thompson,  of  Marion  Center. 
There  he  carried  on  faruiing  and  stock  raising 
until  he  became  interested  in  the  mercantile 
business,  conducting  his  first  store  in  Grant 
township  for  two  years.  Then  he  became  es- 
tablished at  Eastrun,  in  the  same  township, 
where  he  carried  on  a  general  business  for 
eight  years,  in  1904  buying  the  business  and 
store  property  of  H.  J.  Thompson,  at  Deck- 
er's Point,  where  he  has  ever  since  been  lo- 
cated. He  has  not  only  succeeded  in  holding 
the  old  customers,  but  by  careful  attention  to 
the  wants  of  his  pati-ons  has  widened  his  trade 
steadily,  building  up  a  profitable  business  by 
the  most  commendable  methods.  He  endeav- 
ors to  keep  ahead  of  the  wants  of  his  trade, 
introducing  new  lines  and  giving  service  that 
proves  his  progressive  disposition  and  willing- 
ness to  accommodate  whenever  possible.  For 
two  years  Mr.  Burns  acted  as  postmaster  at 
Decker's  Point,  until  the  office  was  closed  on 
account  of  the  establishment  of  the  rural  free 
deliveiy  service.  Mr.  Burns  has  made  a  suc- 
cess of  his  business  enterprises  by  intelligent 
attention  to  every  detail,  and  he  is  recognized 
as  capable  and  reliable,  commanding  the  re- 
spect of  all  who  have  had  dealings  with  him. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  but  he  has  not 
taken  any  active  part  in  public  affairs. 

On  April  20,  1893,  Mr.  Burns  married  Mary 
C.  Peiffer,  who  was  born  in  Grant  township, 
daughter  of  Frederick  and  Sarah  Peiffer,  and 
they  have  had  a  family  of  ten  children :  Oda 
Pearle,  Nora  Viola,  Nay  Ward,  William  Ever- 
ett, Zola  Belle,  Frederick  Carl,  J.  Telford, 
Ada  Helen,  Harvey  Earl  and  Alverta  June. 
Mrs.  Burns  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

SA:MUEL  LIGHTCAP  (deceased)  was  for 
many  years  a  successful  and  prosperous 
farmer  of  East  ]\Iahoning  township,  Indiana 
county,  whither  he  came  with  his  parents  and 
other  members  of  the  family  in  1845.  He  was 
a  native  of  Cumberland  county,  Pa.,  born  Oct. 
2,  1811,  and  was  a  son  of  Godfrey  Lightcap, 
the  founder  of  the  family  in  America,  who 
was  born  in  Germany  and  settled  in  Cumber- 
land county  at  an  early  day.  There  he  mar- 
ried Jane  McElaney,  and  they  had  a  large 


family,  viz. :  Solomon,  who  settled  in  Rayne 
township,  Indiana  county ;  Polly,  who  died  in 
middle  age;  Jane,  who  married  John  Lough- 
ery ;  Hugh,  who  made  his  home  in  Rayne  town- 
ship ;  Lucinda,  who  married  Edward  Bran- 
den;  Margaret,  who  died  unmarried;  Benja- 
min, who  lived  on  the  old  homestead  in  Rayne 
township ;  Juliann,  who  married  James  Mc- 
Quilkin,  of  South  Mahoning  township;  Je- 
mima, who  was  the  first  wife  of  Edward  Bran- 
den  ;  and  Samuel  and  Johnson,  twins,  the  lat- 
ter mentioned  elsewhere,  in  the  sketch  of  his 
son  J.  Scott  Lightcap.  Godfrey  Lightcap 
moved  across  the  Allegheny  mountains  in 
1819,  and  first  settled  in  Westmoreland  coun- 
ty, later,  in  1845,  moving  to  Indiana  county, 
making  a  permanent  home  in  Rayne  town- 
ship, where  he  settled  down  to  farming.  He 
became  a  large  land  owner,  his  holdings  lying 
in  Rayne  and  Young  townships.  He  died  on 
his  farm  May  4,  1863,  and  is  buried  in  the 
old  Washington  Church  cemetery  in  Rayne 
township,  as  is  also  his  wife,  who  died  on  the 
farm  May  4,  1861.  They  were  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Samuel  Lightcap  was  a  boy  when  his  par- 
ents moved  to  Westmoreland  county,  and  sub- 
sequently settled  with  them  in  Rayne  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  whence  he  and  his  twin 
brother,  Johnson,  moved  to  East  Mahoning 
township.  There  he  acquired  ownership  of  a 
tract  of  216  acres  known  as  the  Hastings  farm, 
upon  which  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  in- 
dustrious and  useful  life,  engaged  in  general 
agriculture  and  stock  raising.  He  kept 
abreast  of  the  times  in  his  work,  improving 
his  property  as  prosperity  enabled  him,  and 
was  one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed  residents 
of  the  neighborhood  to  the  end  of  his  long 
life,  which  closed  April  21,  1891,  when  he  was 
in  his  eightieth  year.  He  died  on  the  farm 
and  was  buried  in  the  Marion  Center  ceme- 
tery. Mr.  Lightcap  was  a  Democrat,  and  in 
religious  connection  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church. 

On  Dec.  17,  1868,  Mr.  Lightcap  married 
Elizabeth  Swan,  who  was  born  May  1,  1839, 
in  Washington  township,  this  county,  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Jane  (Fleming)  Swan  and 
granddaughter  of  Thomas  Swan,  being  a  mem- 
ber of  an  early  pioneer  family  of  the  county. 
Mrs.  Lightcap  is  a  woman  of  marked  intelli- 
gence and  strength  of  character,  and  though 
she  has  passed  the  threescore  and  ten  mark 
continues  to  takes  an  active  interest  in  her 
home  and  family,  and  the  welfare  of  her  chil- 
dren and  grandchildren.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Light- 
cap  had  four  children:     Harriet  Jane,  who 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1135 


on  the  homestead  plaee  with  her 
mother ;  Lauranna,  who  died  when  eight  years 
old ;  Mary  Eva,  wlio  died  when  ten  years  old ; 
and  Elizabeth  Willetta,  who  married  Robert 
H.  Thompson  and  has  three  children,  Wendell 
Parr  (born  Nov.  5,  1899),  Steele  Lightcap 
(born  June  17,  1902)  and  Lois  Allene  (born 
Dec.  23,  1907).  Mr.  Thompson,  Mrs.  Light- 
cap's  son-in-law,  formerly  of  Rayne  township, 
is  now  engaged  in  operating  the  farm  for  her. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

WILLIAM  McFARLAND  and  his  wife 
(nee  Martha  McEwen)  were  born  and  married 
in  County  Derry,  Ireland,  and  came  to  Amer- 
ica about  the  year  18-12.  Settling  in  Phila- 
delphia, they  lived  there  till  1818,  at  which 
time  they  moved  to  West  ilahouing  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  engaged  in  farming.  In 
May,  1852,  they  removed  to  Canoe  township, 
where  Mr.  McParland  engaged  in  farming  and 
lumbering.  They  raised  a  family  of  five  chil- 
dren, three  sons  and  two  daughters,  one  daugh- 
ter dying  in  infancy.  William  McFarland 
was  killed  Feb.  12,  1853,  by  a  falling  tree, 
while  engaged  in  making  timber.  His  wife 
died  Dec.  29,  1908.  The  two  suiwiving  sons, 
James  and  Robert,  still  live  on  the  old  home- 
stead. Samuel,  the  eldest  son,  enlisted  in  the 
74th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, during  the  Civil  war,  and  served  un- 
til the  close.    He  died  July  29,  1876. 

James  Herbison  was  born  in  Ballymena, 
County  Antrim,  Ireland,  Aug.  28,  1810,  and 
coming  to  America  about  the  year  1831  set- 
tled in  New  York  City.  On  May  19,  1835, 
he  was  married  to  Nancy  Beckett,  also  a  na- 
tive of  Ballymena,  County  Antrim,  Ireland, 
who  with  her  mother,  brother  and  sisters  came 
to  America  in  1834.  A  small  colony  consist- 
ing of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Graham,  Mrs.  Eliz- 
abeth Beckett  and  family,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
John  Williams,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Smith, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  Sharp  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
James  Herbison.  opened  up  homes  in  the  vir- 
gin forests  of  what  was  then  Canoe  township 
(familiarly  known  as  the  Irish  settlement), 
now  Banks  township,  Indiana  county.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Herbison  raised  a  family  of  six  chil- 
dren, four  sons  and  two  daughters.  Three 
of  the  sons  enlisted  in  the  Civil  war,  Samuel 
in  Company  H,  4th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry; 
he  was  killed  at  Ashby's  Gap,  Va.,  in  1863. 
John  served  in  Company  A,  61st  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  and  was  wounded  in  the 
seven  days'  fight.  James,  a  member  of  Com- 
pany C,  old  11th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 


fantry, was  taken  prisoner,  and  died  in  Salis- 
bury (N.  C.)  prison  Oct.  16,  1864. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  John  Herbison 
engaged  in  teaching  school,  in  the  year  1870 
going  West,  where  he  engaged  in  educational 
work. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  McFarland,  the  latter 
formerly  Nancy  Herbison,  were  married  Feb. 
24,  1876.  To  their  union  were  born  nine 
children,  all  of  whom  are  living  but  one  that 
died  in  infancy.  The  survivors  are :  Joseph, 
Clifford,  Armour,  John,  Blaine,  Myrna,  Yulu 
and  Rawle.  All  worked  on  their  father's  farm 
during  the  summer,  attending  school  during 
the  winter. 

Joseph  McFarland  engaged  in  woods'  work, 
following  that  exclusively.  During  the  Span- 
ish-American war  he  enlisted  in  Company  L, 
16th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, serving  till  the  close  of  the  war,  after 
which  he  went  West,  locating  in  the  State  of 
Oregon,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  lum- 
bering ever  since.  Clifford  followed  various 
occupations  imtil  nineteen  years  of  age,  then 
taking  up  school  work,  attending  the  acad- 
emies of  Canoe  township.  Purchase  Line,  Ma- 
rion Center,  and  the  Indiana  State  normal 
school.  He  received  his  first  certificate  to 
teach  from  J.  T.  Stewart,  county  superintend- 
ent,  and  has  been   regularly   employed   ever 


ABRAM  HICKS,  who  is  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising  in  West  Ma- 
honing township,  was  born  in  North  Mahon- 
ing township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  July  15,  1852, 
son  of  Abram  and  Martha  (Hoover)  Hicks. 

John  Hicks,  the  paternal  grandfather  of 
Abram  Hicks,  was  the  first  of  the  family  to 
come  to  Indiana  county,  settling  in  Rayne 
township,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life 
in  farming. 

Abram  Hicks,  son  of  John  Hicks,  and  father 
of  Abram  Hicks,  grew  up  and  was  educated 
in  Rayne  township,  and  "after  his  first  mar- 
riage removed  to  North  Mahoning  township, 
where  he  took  ui>  a  partly  cleared  tract  of 
land.  There  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in 
farming,  and  also  became  well  known  as  a  Re- 
publican politician  and  as  a  consistent  mem- 
ber and  active  worker  in  the  Lutheran  Church. 
By  his  first  wife.  Nancy  McKee,  of  Rayne 
township,  he  had  the  following  children: 
Simmons,  deceased,  for  some  years  a  farmer 
in  North  Mahoning  township,  is  survived  by 
his  widow,  formerly  Nancy  Shoninger;  Nel- 
son, who  was  a  member  of  Company  B,  74th 
Regiment    P.    V.    I.,    during   the    Civil    war. 


1136 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


met  Ms  death  in  a  railroad  accident  at  Blairs- 
ville,  Pa.,  in  1903  (he  married  Jane  Drum- 
mond,  who  is  also  deceased)  ;  Charles,  who 
served  through  a  part  of  the  Civil  war  in 
the  same  company  as  his  brother  Nelson,  was 
later  a  farmer  and  miller,  and  now  a  resi- 
dent of  New  Kensington,  Pa.  (he  married 
Rebecca  MeSparen,  who  is  deceased)  ;  Jemima 
married  Joseph  McCreght,  and  both  are  de- 
ceased; Mary  Ann  and  James  E.  both  died 
in  childhood."  Abram  Hicks  was  married  sec- 
ond to  Martha  Hoover,  of  Philipsburg,  Pa., 
and  she  died  in  March,  1906,  the  mother  of 
the  following  children:  Abram;  :\Iartha,  de- 
ceased, who  was  the  wife  of  John  Hoop  ;  Mar- 
garet, who  married  Alvin  Shields,  of  Port- 
land, Oregon;  George,  a  merchant  at  Mar- 
chand,  Pa.^who  married  Sarah  Walker ;  Wash- 
ington J.,  the  proprietor  of  a  hotel  at  Trade 
City,  Pa. ;  Ulysses  Grant,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  ten  years ;  and  Eliza  Jane  and  Nancy,  both 
of  whom  are  deceased.  The  father  of  the 
foregoing  children  passed  away  in  1873. 

Abram  Hicks,  son  of  Abram  Hicks,  resided 
at  home  until  his  father's  death.  He  was  mar- 
ried Dec.  28.  1876,  to  Anna  E.  Barick,  of 
Hamilton,  Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of 
John  William  and  Mary  (Grossman)  Barick, 
the  former  of  Maryland  and  the  latter  of  In- 
diana county.  Mr.  Barick  came  to  Indiana 
county  in  young  manhood,  and  engaged  in  the 
blacksmith  business,  but  in  the  later  years 
of  his  life  moved  to  Valier,  Jefferson  county, 
where  he  died  of  t.yphoid  fever  in  1853. 
His  wife  passed  away  in  1905.  JMrs.  Hicks 
was  their  only  child.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hicks 
there  have  been  born  the  following  children: 

(1)  J.  W..  a  farmer  and  rural  free  delivery 
carrier  of  Perry  township.  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa., 
married  (first)"  Lena  Postlewait,  who  died  in 
1092,  leaving  four  children.  Joseph  Roy  (de- 
ceased), Abram  Ralph,  William  Ray,  and 
Ruth  Mae.     He  married  second  Sarah  Niel. 

(2)  Marj'  Adda  Verne  married  David  Gross, 
of  Misha'waka.  Ind..  who  has  a  bottling  works. 
They  have  six  children,  Anna  E.,  David  A., 
Ruth  Jane,  George  Edward,  Boyd  G.,  and 
Mary  Irene.  (3)  Orris  Earl,  a  merchant  at 
Puuxsutawney,  Pa.,  married  Carrie  Wall. 
(4)  Preston  B.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  lumber 
and  milling  and  threshing  business  at  Day- 
ton, Pa.,  maiTied  Dollie  Lamison,  and  has  two 
children,  Glen  Paul  and  Cecil  Ann.  (5) 
Maude,  who  married  John  G.  Crawford,  of 
West  IMahoning  township,  has  four  children. 
Von  Hicks.  Helen  Rosanna.  Walton  Gourley 
and  Marion  ]\Iabel.  (6)  Mabel  Inez  and  (7) 
Ernie  Margaret  live  at  home.     (8)  Miles  died 


in  infancy.  (9)  One  son  died  in  infancy,  un- 
named. The  children  have  all  been  given 
excellent  educational  advantages,  and  have  in- 
herited their  parents'  intelligence  and  hon- 
orable principles. 

In  1887  Mr.  Hicks  went  to  Valier,  Jeffer- 
son Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  for  fourteen 
years,  but  in  1901  located  at  North  Point, 
Indiana  county,  where  he  purchased  the  'Mc- 
Henry  place,  a  tract  of  125  acres,  about  two 
thirds  of  which  is  in  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. Mr.  Hicks  has  been  engaged  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  doing  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  has  also  been  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness and  done  considerable  heavy  hauling.  He 
has  been  unifonnly  successful  in  all  of  his 
operations.  He  is  known  as  a  man  who  is 
ever  ready  to  support  movements  that  have 
the  betterment  of  the  community  as  their  ob- 
.jeet,  giving  freely  of  his  time,  his  ser^nces  and 
his  energies  to  promote  the  welfare  of  his 
section.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the  school 
board,  and  for  three  years  was  a  member  of 
the  board  of  supervisors  of  North  Mahoning 
township,  having  been  active  in  Republican 
politics  for  some  years.  His  religious  con- 
nection is  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  at  Hamilton.  Like  other  members  of 
this  old  and'  honored  family,  he  is  widely 
known  in  Indiana  county,  where  his  friends 
are  legion. 

HARVEY  DAVID  WIDDOWSON,  gen- 
eral merchant  at  Rochester  [Mills,  Pa.,  was 
born  near  Dixonville,  in  Cherryhill  township, 
Indiana  county,  June  22,  1870,  son  of  Eben- 
ezer  and  Susan  (Ober)  Widdowson. 

Joseph  Widdowson,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  Harvey  David  Widdowson,  was  born 
at  Plum  Tree,  near  Nottingham,  England, 
and  there  married  ilary  Bexton.  In  1816, 
with  his  family,  he  came  to  the  United  States, 
locating  first  for  two  years  at  New  York  City, 
and  then  coming  over  the  Allegheny  moun- 
tains to  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  and  set- 
tling at  Laughlintown.  Subsequently  they 
made  removal  to  the  Manor  settlenumt  iu 
Cherryhill  township,  where  Mr,  Widdowson 
continued  to  make  his  home  during  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life,  dying  at  the  age  of  seven- 
ty-six years,  while  his  wife  passed  away  in 
1870,  when  seventy-five  years  old.  They 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children: 
William,  who  married  Louisa  Kime ;  Thomas, 
who  married  Jane  Lydick:  Sarah,  who  mar- 
ried Daniel  Howe;  John,  who  married  Ann 
Ober ;  Josiah,  who  was  a  merchant  at  Roches- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1137 


ter  Mills;  Joseph;  Ann,  who  married  John  C. 
Connor ;  and  Ebenezer. 

Ebenezer  Widdowson,  the  father  of  Harvey 
David  Widdowson,  was  born  in  Cherryhill 
township,  Indiana  county,  and  there  obtained 
his  education  in  the  subscription  schools.  On 
attaining  his  majority,  he  settled  on  a  part  of 
his  father's  estate,  a  tract  of  140  acres,  where 
he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing and  also  gave  some  attention  to  timber 
dealing.  He  made  extensive  improvements  on 
the  farm,  erecting  good  buildings  and  improv- 
ing his  land,  and  through  industry  and  intelli- 
gent methods  became  one  of  the  successful  men 
of  his  township.  He  was  ever  a  hard-working, 
thrifty  and  honest  citizen,  and  was  domestic 
in  his  tastes  and  temperate  in  his  habits.  He 
was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Church  of  the 
Brethren,  in  which  he  served  as  elder,  and  in 
the  faith  of  which  he  died  in  July,  1910.  ]\Ir. 
Widdowson  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  family  vault 
in  Twolick  cemetery.  He  was  married  to 
Susan  Ober,  daughter  of  David  Ober,  and 
she  survives  him  and  still  resides  on  the  farm 
with  her  sons,  and  is  a  faithful  member  of 
the  Church  of  the  Brethren.  Ebenezer  and 
Susan  (Ober)  Widdowson  had  the  following 
children :  Clark  B.,  a  successful  merchant  at 
Penn  Run,  Pa. ;  Joseph  A.,  who  is  engaged  in 
operations  on  the  old  homestead;  Mary,  de- 
ceased, who  was  the  wife  of  Harry  Short,  of 
Rayne  township,  Indiana  county;  Harvey 
David;  James,  a  minister  of  the  Church  of 
the  Brethren,  and  a  professor  in  the  college 
at  Westminster,  Pa.;  Frank  R.,  a  graduate  of 
Jefferson  Medical  College,  who  now  has  an  ex- 
tensive practice  in  Philadelphia;  Annie  jM., 
who  resides  at  home  with  her  mother;  Olive 
S.,  formerly  a  school  teacher  and  now  a  mis- 
sionary to  Indiana  for  the  Church  of  the 
Brethren ;  William  L.,  a  resident  of  Waynes- 
boro, Pa.,  and  a  daughter  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. 

Hai-vey  David  Widdowson,  son  of  Eben- 
ezer Widdowson,  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Cheri-yhill  township  and  the  Pixr- 
chase  Line  select  school,  and  was  reared  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  working  with  his  father 
and  brothers  iintil  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age.  At  that  time  he  went  to  Glen  Campbell, 
Pa.,  and  became  clerk  and  assistant  paymas- 
ter with  the  Cxlenwood  Coal  Company,  where 
he  remained  for  upward  of  one  yeai",  in  1892 
coming  to  Rochester  Mills  as  clerk  in  the  store 
of  his  uncle,  Josiah  Widdowson.  At  the  time 
of  his  uncle's  death,  in  1896;  Mr.  Widdowson 
took  charge  of  the  establishment,  and  for 
the   last   seventeen    years    has    continued    to 


carry  on  a  general  merchandising  business, 
having  enlarged  the  store  as  the  increased 
business  warranted,  and  also  erecting  a  mod- 
em dwelling  house.  His  industry,  energy  and 
intelligent  dealing  have  resulted  in  the  build- 
ing up  of  an  excellent  business,  his  customers 
coming  frora  all  over  the  surrounding  terri- 
tory. He  served  as  assistant  under  his  uncle, 
who  was  postmaster,  and  in  1896  and  1897 
was  the  incumbent  of  that  position  himself. 
He  has  also  acted  in  the  capacity  of  clerk  of 
election  and  as  a  member  of  the  township  com- 
mittee of  the  Prohibition  party.  Mr.  Wid- 
dowson is  a  great  temperance  supporter,  and 
a  faithful  member  of  the  Church  of  the  Breth- 
ren, but  as  there  is  no  church  of  that  denomi- 
nation here  he  has  associated  himself  with 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church  at  Richmond, 
Pa.,  where  he  has  acted  in  the  capacity  of 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  During  . 
his  long  residence  here  he  has  formed  a  wide 
acquaintance,  and  no  citizen  of  this  locality  is 
held  in  higher  esteem. 

On  Aug.  27,  1895,  Mr.  A¥iddowson  was  mar- 
ried to  Floretta  C.  Work,  who  was  born  April 
22,  1875,  in  Canoe  township,  daughter  of 
David  B.  Work,  a  complete  history  of  whose 
career  will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this 
volume.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Widdowson  have  had 
the  following  children :  Walter  C,  born  Sept. 
2,  1896,  who  died  July  26,  1897 ;  a  son,  born 
April  18,  1898,  who  died  the  same  day ;  Edgar 
E.,  born  Mav  15,  1899 ;  Wilber  J.,  born  Aug. 
12,  1901:  Ralph  D.,  born  Nov.  3,  1903; 
Frances  S.,  born  Aug.  28,  1905 ;  and  Carl  A., 
born  May  15,  1909. 

JACOB  BROWN,  who  is  following  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising  in  Burrell  township, 
Indiana  county,  was  bom  in  Cherryhill 
township,  this  county,  March  7,  1863,  son 
of  Jacob  T.  and  Margaret  (Deal)  Brown. 

David  Brown,  the  paternal  grandfather  of 
Jacob  Brown,  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
came  to  America  as  a  yoiing  man,  settling 
first  in  Blair  county.  Pa.,  and  subsequently 
removing  to  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  took  up  a  tract  of  150  acres 
and  became  engaged  in  stock  raising  and  farm- 
ing. He  became  known  as  a  substantial  agri- 
culturist, as  a  raiser  of  fine  horses,  and  as  a 
prominent  Whig  and  Republican  politician, 
and  died  in  1863,  advanced  in  years,  and 
commanding  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  en- 
tire community.  His  wife,  Barbara,  'was  born 
in  Blair  county,  Pa.,  and  to  them  were  born 
five  children,  as  follows :  Mary,  who  married 
Amos    Farrier   of  Green   township,    Indiana 


1]38 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COITNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


county,  and  had  seven  children,  the  first  two 
being  Robert  and  Amos;  Susan,  who  married 
Samiiel  Griffith,  of  Green  township  ;  Jacob  T. ; 
Elizabeth,  who  married  Philip  Bowen;  and 
John,  who  married  Margaret  Potts,  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Susanna   (Soyster)  Potts. 

Jacob  T.  Brown,  son  of  David  and  father 
of  Jacob,  was  born  in  1830,  and  died  in  No- 
vember, 1862.  He  married  ]\Iargaret  Deal, 
daiighter  of  David  and  Barbara  Deal,  natives 
of  Germany  and  early  settlers  of  Somerset 
county.  Pa.,  and  they  had  the  following  chil- 
dren :  William,  who  married  Maggie  Mq- 
Kendriek,  and  resides  on  the  homestead  in 
Cherryhill  township ;  Lizzie,  who  is  buried  in 
Manor  Hill  cemeteiy,  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship; Florinda,  who  married  Charles  Hart- 
man,  of  Green  township,  and  has  a  family; 
Annie,  who  married  Elias  Learn,  of  Green 
township,  and  has  four  children :  and  Jacob. 

Jacob  T.  Brown  received  his  education  in 
the  district  schools  of  his  native  (Cherryhill) 
township,  and  there  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
homestead  farm,  where  he  became  the  owner 
of  100  acres.  An  industrious  and  hardwork- 
ing farmer,  he  made  extensive  improvements 
on  his  property,  erecting  a  large  barn  and  a 
comfortable  frame  house,  cultivating  his 
land,  and  developing  a  valuable  estate.  Like 
his  father  he  was  content  to  devote  his 
activities  to  his  farming  and  stock  raising 
interests,  and  never  entered  the  field  of 
politics,  although  he  supported  the  Republi- 
can party  as  a  voter  and  took  a  good  citizen's 
interest  in  the  matters  that  affected  his  com- 
munity. His  religious  faith  was  that  of  the 
Golden  Rule.  He  and  his  wife  were  laid 
to  rest  in  the  Manor  Hill  cemetery.  ]\[r. 
Brown  died  in  the  prime  of  his  life,  and  his 
death  was  not  only  a  shock  to  his  immediate 
family,  but  to  a  wide  circle  of  friends  who 
had  been  drawn  about  him  by  his  strict  in- 
tegrity and  many  excellencies  of  character. 

Jacob  Brown,  son  of  Jacob  T.  Brown,  re- 
ceived somewhat  limited  educational  advan- 
tages, as  his  father  had  died  before  his  birth 
and  the  lad  was  obliged  to  go  to  work  on  the 
home  farm  as  soon  as  he  was  able.  He  con- 
tinued to  work  for  his  mother  for  some  years. 
During  this  time  he  had  industriously  and 
thi'iftily  saved  his  earnings,  and  was  even- 
tually able  to  purchase  the  Peter  Barron  farm 
of  sixty  acres  in  Bun-ell  township,  in  1894-, 
since  which  time  he  has  carried  on  general 
farming  and  dairying.  He  keeps  good  stock, 
and  disposes  of  his  daiiy  product  at  wholesale 
in  Blairsville.  Enterprising  and  progressive 
to  a  high   degree,   he  has   demonstrated  his 


ability  on  more  than  one  occasion,  and  at  this 
time  "Ellwood  Farm"  is  producing  as  much 
as  many  properties  twice  its  size.  In  politics 
Mr.  Brown  is  a  Republican,  and  has  taken  an 
active  and  prominent  part  in  township  af- 
fairs, having  sei'ved  as  school  director  for 
nine  years,  township  clerk  for  two  years,  and 
member  of  the  election  board  for  sixteen 
years. 

Mr.  Brown  was  married  to  Ida  Stephens, 
daughter  of  Giles  and  Catherine  (Craig) 
Stephens,  the  former  born  in  Huntingdon 
county.  Pa.,  and  the  latter  in  Brushvalley 
township,  Indiana  count.y.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  by  two  children :  Paul  Stephens, 
born  ]\Iav  16",  1894;  and  Gladys,  born  in 
August,  i902. 

PETER  C.  PIERCE,  construction  fore- 
man and  farmer  in  Canoe  township,  was 
born  in  North  ]\Iahouing  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.,  March  6,  1863,  sou  of  Abraham  and 
Mary  (Colkitt)  Pierce.  Job  Pierce,  his  pa- 
ternal grandfather,  was  a  faj'raer  through  life 
in  South  IMahoning  township  and  died  there. 

Abraham  Pierce,  father  of  Peter  C.  Pierce, 
was  born  in  Soiith  Mahoning  township,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa..  July  5,  1825,  and  died  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1907,  in  his  eighty-second  year.  He 
secured  a  district  school  education  in  South 
Mahoning  township  and  afterward  bought  a 
farai  in  North  ^lahouing  township,  and  fol- 
lowed farming  and  lumbering  until  within 
fourteen  years  of  his  death,  when  he  moved 
to  Reynoldsville,  Jeffei-son  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he 
afterward  lived  retired.  In  early  manhood 
he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Robert  Colkitt. 
and  the  following  children  were  born  to  them  : 
Elizabeth  married  John  K.  Neal,  of  Rey- 
noldsville; Jane,  who  is  the  widow  of  Har- 
mon Rider,  lives  at  Punxsutawney,  Pa. : 
Melissa  married  John  S.  Neal;  Andrew,  who 
is  a  resident  of  Reynoldsville.  married  Mary 
Wells;  Elmira  married  Miles  Davis,  of  Reyn- 
oldsville; Berthinda  married  ^lonroe  Fetter- 
holf.  of  Plumville,  Pa. ;  Peter  C.  is  mentioned 
below;  George  lives  at  Reynoldsville.  and  is 
married  to  Alice  Fleck;  Ephraim,  who  is  a 
resident  of  ^Mateer,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  mar- 
ried Nancy  Eckman ;  Grant,  who  lives  in 
South  Mahoning  township,  married  Nancy 
Fetterholf ;  Annie  is  the  wife  of  Frank  Kelly, 
of  Reynoldsville.  The  mother  of  the  above 
family  died  in  1901,  aged  seventy-two  years, 
and  both  she  and  the  father  were  buried  in 
the  Methodist  cemetery  at  Georgeville. 
Abraham  Pierce  served  for  one  year  in  the 
Civil  war  as  a  member  of  Company  C,  206tli 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1139 


Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  mainly  in 
the  vicinity  of  Richmond,  Va.,  and  assisted 
in  the  constraction  of  Fort  Brady  prior  to 
the  siege  of  Richmond.  He  was  honorably 
discharged  and  mustered  out  of  the  service 
at  the  close  of  the  war. 

Peter  C.  Pierce  obtained  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  North  ]\Iahoning  town- 
ship and  assisted  his  father  until  he  was 
eighteen  years  of  age,  afterward,  for  a 
number  of  years,  making  farming  his  main 
business,  and  he  still  owns  a  farm  containing 
fifty-four  acres,  lying  in  Canoe  township, 
near  Rochester  Mills.  For  the  last  thirteen 
years  Mr.  Pierce  has  been  engaged  in  con- 
struction work,  as  construction  foreman,  for 
twelve  years  being  connected  with  the  P.  J. 
McGoveru  Construction  Company;  his  con- 
nection during  the  last  year  has  been  with  the 
P.  E.  McGovem  Constniction  Company  of 
Punxsutawney,  Pa.  Their  principal  work  is 
the  building  of  bridges,  grading  of  railroad 
beds  and  paving  of  streets. 

Peter  C.  Pierce  married  Ida  M.  Work,  a 
daughter  of  David  B.  Work,  a  sketch  of  whom 
will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work,  and 
Sarah  Ellen  (Colkitt)  Work,  the  latter  of 
whom  died  in  1867,  ilr.  and  Mrs.  Pierce 
have  three  children :  Veda,  who  married  Ed- 
ward Potts,  of  Richmond;  Hallie,  who  mar- 
ried Charles  McCullough,  of  Rossiter;  and 
Floyd,  who  is  a  resident  of  Akron,  Ohio.  In 
politics  i\Ir.  Pierce  is  a  Republican.  He 
served  two  terms  in  the  office  of  constable 
and  one  term  as  township  supervisor.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Richmond,  and  served  one  term  as  a  mem- 
ber of  its  board  of  trustees. 

HARRY  WHITE  BENNETT,  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock  raising  in  Buffington  town- 
ship, where  he  owns  190  acres  of  valuable 
land,  was  born  there  Sept.  2,  186.3,  son  of 
Abraham  and  ]\Iargaret  (^IcAdams)  Bennett. 

William  Bennett,  the  paternal  grandfather 
of  Hany  W.  Bennett,  was  born  at  Strongs- 
town,  in  Pine  (now  Buffington)  township,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.  He  taught  school  three  months 
in  a  log  schoolhouse  that  stood  on  his  farm  in 
Buffington  township.  His  farming  was  done 
principally  with  a  yoke  of  oxen.  He  also 
engaged  in  making  shingles,  shaving  them 
with  a  drawing  knife.  He  overworked  'him- 
self building  fence,  and  died  at  the  age  of 
forty-five,  leaving  a  large  family.  To  him 
and  his  wife  Elizabeth  (Bailey)  were  born 
the  following  children:  Susan,  who  married 
John  Campbell ;  Kate,  who  married  Thomas 


Schwarts;  Jane,  who  was  the  wife  of  George 
McCutcheon;  Mary,  who  married  Adam 
Moses;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Mr.  White- 
head ;  John,  who  married  Mary  Ann  Schultz ; 
James,  who  married  Elizabeth  Schultz; 
Abraham ;  and  David,  wh.o  died  in  battle  dur- 
ing the  Civil  war. 

Abraham  Bennett,  son  of  William,  and 
father  of  Harry  White  Bennett,  was  born 
Aug.  13,  1835,  in  Buffington  township,  and 
married  Margaret  IMcAdams,  who  was  born 
in  Scotland,  Nov.  29,  1836.  She  came  to  this 
country  at  the  age  of  eleven  and  her  mother 
dying  of  seasickness  after  landing  at  New 
York  was  left  an  oi-phan  among  strangers. 
From  there  she  was  taken  east  of  the  moun- 
tains into  Cumberland  county,  where  she  be- 
came acquainted  with  her  husband  whom  she 
married  at  the  age  of  twenty.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bennett  had  children  as  follows:  Harry 
White;  Charles,  who  married  Kate  Petticord, 
and  resides  at  Vintondale,  Pa.,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged in  the  livei-y  business  and  also  carries 
on  agricultural  pursuits;  William,  who  mar- 
ried Gertrude  Orner,  daughter  of  William  and 
Rachel  (George)  Orner,  and  is  a  farmer  and 
stock  raiser  at  Strongstown,  Pine  township ; 
and  Alexander,  who  married  Jennie  Bracken, 
and  is  a  stock  buyer  and  trader  at  the  town 
of  Indiana,  Pa.  Abraham  Bennett  never 
went  to  school,  but  with  the  help  of  his  wife 
he  obtained  a  fair  education.  He  learned  the 
trade  of  blacksmith  with  George  Beck,  of  In- 
diana, and  followed  that  vocation  some  years, 
thriftily  saving  his  earnings  until  he  was  able 
to  purchase  the  Doughitt  farm  of  170  acres, 
which  was  the  nucleus  for  his  large  hold- 
ings— over  seven  hundred  acres  of  land — in 
later  life.  Industrious,  enterprising  and 
progressive,  JMr.  Bennett  accumulated  means 
and  position  as  the  years  passed,  steadily 
forging  toward  the  front  among  his  fellow 
men,  becoming  one  of  the  best  known  and 
most  highly  respected  citizens  of  his  section. 
As  each  of  his  sons  gi'ew  to  maturity  he 
bought  him  a  farm,  gave  them  all  good  educa- 
tional advantages,  and  fitted  them  for  the 
positions  in  life  which  they  were  called  upon 
to  fill.  Now,  in  the  evening  of  his  days,  he  is 
living  retired  with  his  wife  at  Strongstown, 
Pa.,  surrounded  by  friends  and  reaping  the 
rewards  which  a  long  and  useful  career 
brings.  He  was  also  known  as  a  skilled  vet- 
erinary surgeon  in  his  day.  During  the  Civil 
war  he  fought  valiantly  as  a  Union  soldier, 
and  upon  his  return  to  civic  life  interested 
himself  in  public  services,  acting  as  constable 
of  Buffington  township  for  six  years  and  as 


1140 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


supervisor  of  roads  for  a  like  period.  A  man 
of  inte^ity  and  probity,  lie  has  supported  the 
principles  of  the  Prohibition  party,  and  haa 
always  cooperated  in  movements  tending-  to 
the  advancement  of  morality,  religion  and 
good  citizenship.  For  thirty  years  he  has 
been  a  class  leader  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  for  twenty  years  has  been  steward 
and  trustee,  and  for  ten  years  has  been  ex- 
horter,  being  elected  by  the  Pittsburg  con- 
ference. 

Harry  White  Bennett  attended  the  district 
schools  of  Buffington  township,  and  remained 
on  the  home  farm  until  his  twentieth  year, 
at  which  time  he  went  to  South  Dakota  and 
took  up  a  homestead  of  160  acres  near  Rapid 
City.  Subsequently  he  spent  six  months  in 
the  employ  of  the  Northwestern  Railroad 
Company,  and  on  his  return  home  was  en- 
gaged for  a  time  in  farming.  In  1885  Mr. 
Bennett  went  to  Johnstown,  Pa.,  where  he 
worked  for  the  Cambria  Steel  Company,  in 
the  rolling  mills,  one  year,  and  then  came 
back  to  Buffington  township  and  located  upon 
the  120-acre  farm  formerly  owned  by  Darwin 
Cassatt,  but  disposed  of  his  interests  therein 
not  long  after  and  purchased  the  John 
Michael  farm  of  seventy  acres  and  the  David 
Bailey  eighty-acre  farm,  which  he  is  now  cul- 
tivating. Mr.  Bennett  carries  on  large  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising  operations,  and  is 
recognized  as  one  of  his  community's  most 
substantial  citizens.  His  whole  time  has  not 
been  devoted  to  his  private  affairs,  however, 
as  he  has  been  active  in  all  movements  that 
affect  his  township,  has  served  on  the  elec- 
tion board  for  many  yeai-s,  acted  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  school  director  for  twenty-two 
years,  and  has  been  supervisor  two  terms.  He 
supports  the  Republican  party,  and  is  de- 
pended upon  to  influence  public  opinion  in 
its  favor  in  this  part  of  Indiana  county.  Like 
his  father,  he  has  been  active  in  the  work  of 
the  Tilethodist  Episcopal  Church,  where  lie 
was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  for 
two  years,  and  is  now  acting  as  steward. 
Formerly  Mr.  Bennett  was  a  member  of  the 
Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics. 
A  progressive,  enterprising  citizen,  he  has 
been  identified  with  those  movements  which 
have  benefited  his  county  during  the  several 
decades  .iust  past,  and  during  this  time  has 
drawn  about  him  a  wide  acquaintance,  in 
which  he  numbers  many  warm  friends. 

Mr.  Bennett  was  married  Nov.  4,  1884,  to 
Mary  Ann  Graham,  daughter  of  Samuel  C. 
and  Sarah  (Blades)  Graham.  She  was  born 
in  Pine   (now  Buffington)   townsliip,  Indiana 


county.  They  have  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: Clark;  Cora,  who  married  Bert  Petti- 
cord,  of  Buffington  township,  and  has  two 
chiklren,  ]\Iargaret  and  Harry;  Annie,  who 
married  Park  Altimus,  and  is  deceased; 
Golda,  deceased;  Alexander,  deceased;  Mabel, 
bom  in  1897;  and  Harry,  born  in  1904. 

WILLIAM  E.  BARRETT,  general  mer- 
chant at  Loop,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
April  21,  1869,  on  the  old  Barrett  homestead, 
in  West  Mahoning  township,  this  county,  and 
is  a  son  of  Cynis  Eugene  and  3Iary  Jane 
(Stacey)  Ban-ett. 

Moses  Barrett,  the  first  of  his  line  in  Amer- 
ica, came  to  this  country  from  England  as 
a  missionary.  He  had  two  sons  that  are 
known  of,  one  of  whom,  Daniel,  was  bom  in 
1753,  and  died  in  Virginia  in  1825.  He  had 
a  large  family,  thirteen  in  all,  and  the  sons 
were  I\Ioses,  Daniel,  Benjamin,  Elisha,  Ly- 
sauder,  Marcus  and  Samuel. 

Lysander  Barrett,  the  paternal  grandfather 
of  William  E.  Barrett,  was  horn  at  Holyoke, 
Mass.,  Nov.  6,  1800,  and  there  grew  up  and 
was  married  to  Elizabeth  Bush.  He  went  to 
Virginia  about  1837  or  1838,  remaining  in 
the  Old  Dominion  for  five  years,  and  then  in 
1842  came  to  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  locating 
on  what  was  known  as  the  Bird  property.  In 
the  early  eighties  he  went  to  Kansas,  where 
he  died  in  1885,  while  his  wife  passed  away 
about  1859,  in  Indiana  county.  In  addition 
to  carrying  on  agricultural  pursuits  Mr.  Bar- 
rett was  a  manufacturer  of  medicine.  He 
and  his  wife  had  seven  children :  Edward  E., 
Avho  went  to  Iowa,  married  Annie  Tomlinson, 
who  is  deceased;  Elizabeth,  who  married 
Marshall  Barrett,  resided  in  Kansas,  and  is 
now  deceased ;  Cyrus  E.  is  mentioned  below ; 
Spencer  P.,  who  married  Annie  Elkin,  went 
to  Iowa,  then  to  Kansas,  where  he  engaged 
in  farming,  and  in  1910  to  Wendell,  Idaho 
(he  has  the  following  children:  Charles, 
Harry,  William,  Arthur,  Frank.  Elsie, 
George  and  Fred)  ;  Lucy  man-ied  James 
Huston,  and  both  are  deceased ;  John  Quiney, 
a  member  of  Company  K,  155th  Regiment, 
P.  V.  I.,  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness,  during  the  Civil  war,  and  was 
buried  at  Smicksburg,  Pa. ;  Jane  died  in  1854. 

Cyrus  Eugene  Barrett,  son  of  Lysander 
Barrett,  and  father  of  William  E.  Barrett, 
was  born  near  Holyoke.  Mass.,  in  1837,  and 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  Indiana  county,  whither  he  had  accom- 
panied his  parents  when  he  was  four  or  five 
years  of  age.     He  held  many  of  the  township 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1141 


being  a  membei-  of  the  school  board  for 
nine  years,  and  was  known  as  one  of  the 
wheelhorses  of  the  Eepublican  party  in  his 
locality.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  served  as  elder  therein  for 
some  years,  and  died  in  the  faith  in  1893. 
He  was  ever  an  industrious  man,  and  re- 
mained active  up  to  his  death.  He  had  the 
misfortune  to  lose  a  foot  in  a  cider  mill,  and 
this  injury  caused  his  death  six  weeks  later. 
His  wife,  a  native  of  County  Wexford,  Ire- 
land,, died  Jan.  8,  1908,  the  mother  of  the 
following  children:  Edward  P.,  formerly  a 
school  teacher,  went  to  Kansas  in  1886,  and 
twenty-three  years  later,  in  1909,  pushed  on 
to  Wendell,  Idaho,  where  he  is  engaged  in 
farming  (he  married  Cora  Butts  in  1889,  and 
has  had  children,  Elva,  Alice,  Harold,  Arthur, 
deceased,  and  Dale)  ;  Elmina  married  Robert 
Adams,  of  West  Mahoning  township,  and  has 
one  child,'  Jane ;  Alice,  who  married  J.  Q. 
Hoover,  of  West  Mahoning  township,  has 
nine  children.  Prank  (who  married  Pearl 
Good),  Eva,  George,  Floyd,  Merle,  Sadie, 
Marie,  Russell  and  John;  William  E.  is  men- 
tioned below;  Herbert  M.,  a  farmer  of  West 
Mahoning  township,  married  Virginia  Hy- 
skell,  and  has  four  children,  Carl,  Weston, 
Twila  and  Edith;  Mary,  who  married  Frank 
Crawford,  of  North  Point,  Pa.,  has  had  three 
children,  Dale,  Otto  (died  Jan.  1,  1913)  and 
Marcus;  Cyrus,  who  married  Cora  Young, 
lives  adjoining  the  old  homestead,  and  has 
four  children,  Gladys,  Leroy,  James  and 
Ada;  Frank  died  at  the  age  of  eleven  years; 
Albert,  living  on  the  old  homestead,  married 
May  Elkin,  and  has  had  four  children,  Eu- 
gene, Alberta,  Robert  and  Paul,  the  last 
named  deceased;  Clark,  merchant  and  post- 
master at  Baxter,  Pa.,  married  Annie  Mc- 
Gill,  and  they  have  had  one  child,  Ethel  L., 
who  died  Dec.  25,  1912 ;  Grace  makes  her 
home  with  her  brother  Clark;  Ersie  married 
Richard  Corbett,  and  resides  at  Baxter, 
Pennsylvania. 

The  maternal  grandparents  of  William  E. 
Barrett,  George  and  Alice  (Earl)  Stacey, 
came  to  the  United  States  in  about  1848  or 
1850,  and  settled  first  in  New  York.  There 
Mr.  Stacey  contracted  fever,  was  taken  to  a 
hospital,  and  all  trace  of  him  thereafter  lost. 
His  daughter,  Mary  Jane,  mother  of  William 
E.  Barrett,  was  born  in  1840,  came  to  America 
in  1854,  and  to  Indiana  county  about  1857, 
here  manying  Mr.  Barrett. 

William  E.  Barrett,  son  of  Cyrus  Eugene 
and  Mary  Jane  (Stacey)  Barrett,  was  edu- 
cated in  the  home  schools  and  Glade  Run  as 


well  as  Dayton  Academy,  and  after  leaving 
the  latter  institution  was  a  teacher  for  six- 
teen years.  He  tirst  spent  five  terms  in  Indi- 
ana and  Jefferson  couuties,  was  for  two  terms 
at  Dayton,  two  terms  at  Smicksburg,  one 
term  at  Punxsutawney,  and  a  period  of  six 
terms  near  Wamego,  Kans.  In  the  spring  of 
1904  he  gave  up  the  vocation  of  educator  for 
that  of  merchant,  buying  the  stock  and  good 
will  of  R.  A.  McDivitts,  at  Loop.  He  carries 
a  large  and  complete  assortment  of  first-class 
goods,  calculated  to  supply  all  the  needs  of 
a  large  trade,  from  the  surrounding  countiy. 
As  an  educator  he  was  popular  and  efScient, 
and  in  mercantile  lines  he  has  proved  no  less 
so,  his  evident  desire  to  please  his  customers 
and  to  give  them  full  value  for  their  money 
having  been  the  medium  through  which  he 
has  firmly  established  himself  in  the  confi- 
dence of  the  people  of  the  community.  On 
Feb.  20,  1908,  he  was  appointed  postmaster 
at  Loop,  and  has  proved  to  be  a  conscientious 
and  courteous  official. 

On  June  5,  1895,  Mr.  Barrett  married 
Nannie  Daugherty,  of  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Jason  and 
Angeline  (Black)  Daugherty;  and  to  this 
union  there  have  been  born  seven  children, 
namely:  Muriel,  who  was  born  in  Wamego, 
Kans. :  Lulu  A.,  who  is  deceased ;  Ruth ;  Ella ; 
Leona;  Boyd,  and  Lois. 

Mr.  Barrett  is  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  and  has  served  as  a  member  of  the 
school  board  for  three  years  and  as  auditor 
for  two  terms.  He  assisted  in  organizing  the 
Dayton  lodge  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  and  was  made  a  member  of  that 
society  while  a  resident  of  Kansas.  Mr.  Bar- 
rett has  always  been  a  member  of  the  Lu- 
theran Church,  and  in  addition  to  being  ac- 
tive in  church  work  has  taken  much  interest 
in  the  activities  of  the  Sunday  school,  of 
which  he  has  been  superintendent.  A  suc- 
cessful business  man,  a  citizen  who  takes  an 
interest  in  all  that  affects  his  community  and 
an  excellent  friend  and  neighbor,  Mr.  Bar- 
rett holds  the  regard  of  his  fellow  citizens  in 
a  high  degree,  and  is  justly  considered  one  of 
his  community's  most  representative  men. 

GEORGE  HENRY  ELBBL  is  one  of  the 
farmers  of  Banks  township,  Indiana  county, 
who  are  tiying  modern  methods  in  their 
work  with  excellent  success.  He  was  born 
April  21,  1867,  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
county,  in  Banks  township,  son  of  Charles 
William  Edward  and  Regina  (Renno)  Elbel. 

Charles  William  Edward  Elbel,  the  father, 


1142 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  from 
Saxony,  Germany,  in  1848,  when  fifteen 
years  old,  the  eldest  of  the  family  of  five 
children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  They 
made  the  voyage  to  Baltimore  on  a  sailing 
vessel,  the  trip  taking  forty-nine  days,  and 
they  remained  in  Baltimore  one  mouth.  Prom 
that  city  they  proceeded  to  Cumberland, 
Md.,  and  thence  by  canal  aud  stage  to  Pitts- 
burg, Pa.,  where  they  were  three  months. 
They  then  removed  to  Jefferson  county.  Pa., 
where  the  father  bought  land  and  started  a 
tannery,  his  son  Edward  living  there  with 
Mm  and  in  the  neighborhood  until  about  1866. 
He  settled  in  Banks  township,  buying  a  tract 
of  167  acres  of  woodland  which  he  proceeded 
to  clear,  and  meantime,  for  about  ten  years, 
continued  to  follow  his  father's  trade,  tan- 
ning, establishing  the  first  tannery  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  county.  He  also  car- 
ried on  lumbering  with  considerable  success, 
fii-st  stocking  other  mills,  then  building  a 
water  mill  for  cutting  his  logs,  later  a  steam 
mill.  He  became  a  much  respected  citizen 
of  his  community,  and  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  school  director,  in  which  he  served 
efficiently.  He  died  Peb.  8,  1905,  survived 
by  his  wife  and  eight  children.  On  Oct. 
13,  1861,  Mr.  Elbel  married  Regina  Renno, 
who  was  born  in  Butler  county.  Pa.,  Oct.  2, 
1838,  daughter  of  John  Renno,  and  is  still 
living  in  Banks  township,  now  (1912)  aged 
seventy-four  years.  The  Renno  family  came 
to  America  from  Saxony,  Germany.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Elbel  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  of 
whom  two  are  deceased,  the  survivors  being: 
Charles  William :  George  Henry ;  Mary ;  Mag- 
gie, wife  of  Herman  Bowers,  a  contractor  and 
builder  of  Cleai-field,  Pa. :  Sarah  Emma,  wife 
of  James  A.  iMcKee,  a  farmer  of  Banks  town- 
ship; Theresa  Jane,  wife  of  Clyde  Frarapton, 
a  stationary  engineer,  of  Big  Run,  Pa. ;  Ber- 
tha, wife  of  Bert  Bee,  a  carpenter,  of  Ros- 
siter.  Pa. ;  and  Ida  M.,  wife  of  Earl  V.  Bow- 
ers, a  merchant,  of  Banks  township. 

George  Henry  Elbel  attended  the  common 
schools  in  his  boyhood  and  youth,  and  later 
went  to  Duff's  business  college  in  Pittsburg. 
He  began  work  as  his  father's  assistant  in  his 
lumbering  operations  and  farming,  continuing 
with  him  practically  until  his  death,  though 
about  two  years  before  he  had  begun  to  follow 
lumbering  "and  farming  for  himself,  being  thus 
engaged  about  nine  years.  He  now  devotes 
practically  all  his  attention  to  farming,  own- 
ing a  fine  place  of  167  acres  in  Banks  town- 
ship, about  one  hundred  acres  cleared,  where 
he  follows  general  agricultural  pursuits  and 


the  raising  of  good  farm  stock.  He  has  made 
a  specialty  of  the  latter  line,  and  has  also 
given  considerable  attention  to  intensive  farm- 
ing, with  which  he  has  experimented  to  ad- 
vantage. Mr.  Elbel  is  recognized  by  all  his 
fellow  citizens  as  a  thoroughly  progi-essive  and 
well-balanced  man,  and  they  have  shown  their 
faith  in  his  ability  by  electing  him  to  office. 
He  was  auditor  of  the  township  for  three 
years  and  school  director  for  three  years, 
serving  two  years  as  president  of  the  school 
board.  In  religion  he  is  a  Pi-esbyteriau,  be- 
longing to  the  Union  Church  in  Canoe  town- 
ship, and  he  has  been  quite  active  in  church 
work,  serving  as  clerk  of  the  session,  of  which 
he  was  a  member  for  twenty-one  years.  He 
was  the  first  president  of  the  Christian  En- 
deavor Society,  organized  in  1894,  at  the 
Union  Presbyterian  Church,  served  a  number 
of  years  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school  and  was  also  assistant  superintendent 
for  several  years.  Mr.  Elbel  was  originally  a 
member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  of  the  United  States,  which  in  May, 
1906,  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
America,  by  the  united  action  of  their  gen- 
eral assemblies  in  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  and  De- 
catur, Iowa.  There  were  only  two  Cumber- 
land congregations  in  Indiana  county.  Por 
many  years  Mr.  Elbel  held  membership  in 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  but  is  not  associated 
with  that  organization  at  present.  He  is  a 
Republican  on  political  questions,  favoring 
the  progressive  wing  of  the  party,  and  has 
always  taken  great  interest  in  the  Prohibition 
movement. 

On  May  22,  1900,  IMr.  Elbel  was  married  to 
Ida  Ethel  Lewis,  of  Home,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
daughter  of  Stephen  C.  and  Sarah  Lewis, 
farming  people,  and  they  have  a  family  of 
four  children:  Edward  Clark,  Melvin  Park. 
Sarah  Grace  and  Gussie  Ai'veta. 

WILLIAM  DRIPPS  BASH,  of  Indiana, 
Pa.,  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war  and  an  hon- 
ored and  useful  citizen  of  his  State.  He  was 
born  Jan.  22,  1846,  on  a  farm  in  Grant  town- 
ship, Indiana  county.  This  farm,  owned  by 
his  father,  Jacob  Bash,  Jr..  furnished  the  site 
for  the  town  Colfax,  better  known  as  Decker's 
Point. 

The  grandfather,  Jacob  Bash,  Sr.,  came 
with  his  wife  from  Germany,  bought  a  farm 
in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  and  settled  on 
it.  There  Jacob  Ba.sh,  Jr.,  was  born  Dec. 
28,  1806,  and  there  he  grew  up.  He  married 
into  the  McKelvey  familj^  Aug.  23,  1827,  his 
bride  being  Mary  McKelvey.    They  purchased 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1143 


the  Grant  township  farm  already  referred  to, 
and  became  one  of  the  leading  families  of  that 
vicinity.  This  farm  was  their  home  for  many 
years,  and  the  birthplace  of  their  eleven  chil- 
dren, namely :  James  M. ;  Jacob  C. ;  Sarah 
A.,  who  died  in  infancy ;  John  L. ;  a  daughter 
that  died  in  infancy ;  Mary  Jane ;  Isabella  L. ; 
Elizabeth  B. ;  Rebecca  A. ;  William  D. ;  and 
Catharine.  Nine  of  these  grew  up,  married, 
and  raised  families  of  their  own. 

The  father  directed  the  work  on  his  farm, 
and  ran  a  brick  kiln  and  pottery  besides. 
While  yet  a  young  man,  he  taught  English 
and  German.  In  the  fall  of  1859,  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  Centei-ville,  W.  Va.  He 
purchased  a  farm  in  the  woods  and  cleared 
and  cultivated  it.  There  he  lived  and  pros- 
pered until  the  period  of  the  Civil  war.  Then 
he  offered  himself  for  Union  service,  but  was 
rejected  because  of  his  advanced  years.  He 
tried  to  make  up  for  his  age  by  publicly  ad- 
vocating loyalty  and  preaching  against  seces- 
sion throughout  the  disputed  territory  of  West 
Virginia,  and  by  furnishing  three  sons  for  the 
Federal  army.  He  became  known  for  his 
strong  Union  sentiments,  and  in  1863  was 
taken  prisoner  by  the  Confederates  and 
thrown  into  Castle  Thunder,  Richmond,  Va. 
There  he  died  of  abuse  and  starvation,  Nov. 
1.5,  1863.  His  farm  was,  of  coui-se,  a  part  of 
the  territory  claimed  by  both  North  and 
South,  and  as  such  was  of  service  to  both 
armies.  The  women  of  the  home  voluntarily 
contributed  supplies  for  the  Northern  troops. 
The  Southerners  confiscated  all  that  was  left. 
Their  guerrillas  overran  the  fields,  taking 
crops,  horses,  cattle,  and  even  household  fur- 
niture. Necessary  bedding  had  to  be  hidden 
in  the  woods  by  daj^  so  as  to  be  safe  for  the 
family's  use  at  night.  The  last  horse  was 
taken  from  under  its  rider.  One  of  the  daugh- 
ters, Rebecca,  was  dragged  from  its  back  when 
she  was  returning  home  from  an  eiTand  to 
the  nearest  town.  She  fought  for  the  horse 
hut  was  overpowered  and  had  to  complete 
her  journey  on  foot,  triumphantly  carrying 
the  old  saddle,  a  treasured  relic  from  her 
Pennsylvania  home. 

In  the  meantime  her  three  brothers  were 
doing  patriotic  sei-\dce  in  the  Union  army. 
Jacob  C.  and  James  M.  were  enlisted  in  the 
67th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  The 
latter  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Cold  Har- 
bor. William  D.  Bash,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  the  youngest  of  the  brothers.  lie, 
with  a  neighbor  boy,  Noah  Crawford,  offered 
himself  to  a  company  of  light  artillery  which 
was  being  recruited  at  Buehannon.     The  lads 


had  walked  fifteen  miles  to  perform  their 
mission,  but  were  refused,  being  under  size 
and  under  age  for  enlistment.  Disappointed 
and  footsore,  they  trudged  back  home,  but 
not  without  hope,  for  they  had  left  their  names 
with  General  Westfall,  asking  that  he  send 
them  to  the  company  and  regiment  stationed 
at  Beverly,  W.  Va.  That  night  the  parents 
of  the  boys  gave  them  written  permits  to  en- 
list. Armed  with  these,  the  two  started  out 
the  next  morning  to  walk  to  Beverly,  more 
than  fifty  miles  away.  Arriving  there  at 
about  eleven  o'clock  the  following  morning, 
Aug.  13,  1862,  they  were  made  soldiers,  and 
as  members  of  Company  B,  10th  West  Vir- 
ginia Volunteer  Infantry,  did  honorable  serv- 
ice until  the  end  of  the  war.  The  regiment 
was  sent  into  the  Shenandoah  valley  to  help 
build  fortifications  and  winter  C[uarters.  It 
remained  at  Beverly  until  the  following 
spring,  and  then  joined  in  the  Shenandoah 
valley  campaign  under  General  Sheridan. 
The  boy  William  Bash  fought  in  the  following 
battles :  Beverly,  July  3,  1863 ;  Droop  Moun- 
tain, Va.,  Nov.  6,  1863 ;  Leetown,  Va.,  July  3, 
1864;  Harper's  Ferry,  W.  Va.,  July  7,  1864; 
Snicker's  Ferry,  Va.,  July  17,  1864;  Kerns- 
town,  Va.,  July  24,  1864;  Winchester,  Va., 
Sept.  19,  1864;  Fisher's  Hill,  Va.,  Sept.  22, 
1864.  Soon  after  this  last  fight,  he  was  smit- 
ten with  typhoid  fever,  and  sent  back  to  Win- 
chester. For  the  whole  trip  of  twenty-five 
miles  he  lay  on  the  bare  boards  of  a  govern- 
ment wagon,  and  deep  sores  were  rubbed  on 
his  back  before  the  journey  was  ended.  Two 
days  later  he  was  transferred  to  the  hospital 
at  Martinsburg,  thence  to  Baltimore,  and 
when  he  was  able  to  sit  up  was  sent  to  the 
Mower  United  States  general  hospital  at 
Chestnut  Hill,  Philadelphia.  Here  he  con- 
tracted diphtheria,  and  while  he  was  still 
sicji  the  war  ended.  He  was  discharged  from 
the  service,  with  honor.  May  23,  1865, 

Meanwhile,  news  of  the  father's  death  in 
prison  had  reached  the  mother  and  daugh- 
tei-s;  their  farm  stock  and  products  had  by 
this  time  all  gone  to  the  soldiers;  the  fields 
were  constantly  being  devastated  by  guerril- 
las ;  nothing  of  value  seemed  to  remain  of  the 
new  home.  So,  vanqiiished  by  the  ill  fortunes 
of  war,  the  women  left  their  place  and  came 
back  to  Indiana  county.  Pa.  The  mother  died 
March  13,  1886. 

William  D.  Bash  joined  the  family  in  In- 
diana county  when  the  war  was  over,  broken- 
in  health  under  the  hardships  and  exposure 
of  his  army  life.  He  tried  to  engage  in  fann 
work,  and  even  learned  a  trade  after  the  local 


1144 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


custom,  but  was  practically  an  invalid  for 
many  years.  When  his  health  returned  in  a 
measure,  he  engaged  with  the  Chase  Broth- 
ers' Nursery  Company  of  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
as  salesman,  and  has  been  with  them  during 
all  of  his  business  life.  They  regard  him 
as  one  of  their  most  efficient  and  popular 
men.  For  years  he  made  the  nursery  busi- 
ness a  real  study  and  has  attained  to  a  knowl- 
edge of  local  conditions  which  renders  him 
valuable  to  both  firm  and  customers.  The 
latter  rely  upon  his  unfailing  honesty  and 
judgment  and  courtesy,  and  have  come  to  re- 
gard him  as  a  friend  in  all  business  dealings. 

On  Oct.  11,  1872,  Mr.  Bash  married  Mary 
Ellen  Jamison,  daughter  of  William  and  Han- 
nah Jane  (Clowes)  Jamison.  Four  children 
have  been  born  of  the  union :  Laura  is  a  pub- 
lic school  teacher  in  her  home  town,  Indiana ; 
Pearl,  who  was  also  a  teacher,  is  married  to 
Prof.  Albert  Kerr  Heckel,  Ph.  D.,  of  Pitts- 
burg; Thaddeus  S.,  who  married  Gertnide 
Brand,  of  Indiana,  is  an  employe  in  the  office 
of  the  Steel  Car  Works  at  Butler,  Pa. ;  and 
Gladys  is  a  public  school  teacher  at  Cone- 
maugh,  Johnstown,  Pa.  All  of  the  children 
were. educated  at  the  Pennsylvania  State  nor- 
mal school  at  Indiana,  and  the  daughters  have 
had  college  training.  The  son  added  to  his 
regular  normal  school  training  the  eoui-se  of 
instruction  provided  in  the  commercial  de- 
partment of  that  same  institution. 

Mrs.  Bash's  father,  William  Jamison,  was 
born  Jan.  10,  1829,  in  Washington  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  died  Jan.  9,  1901.  He 
was  a  farmer  all  his  life,  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  a  Baptist  in  religious  connection. 
He  married  Hannah  Jane  Clowes,  daughter 
of  John  and  Sarah  (Hicks)  Clowes,  well-to-do 
farming  people  of  Washington  township.  The 
Jamisons  came  from  Scotland,  the  Clowes 
family  from  England.  Six  children  wei'e  born 
to  William  and  Hannah  J.  Jamison:  One 
died  in  infancy;  John  C,  bom  Nov.  7,  1856, 
died  when  three  years  old ;  Sarah  Catharine, 
born  Oct.  24,  1858,  married  Charles  C.  Long, 
now  of  Glen  Campbell,  Indiana  county; 
Stewart  was  born  Oct.  3,  1861;  George  T., 
born  April  2,  1863,  is  principal  of  the  Cen- 
tennial school  at  McKeesport,  Pa.,  and  is  mar- 
ried to  Annie  Edmundson,  formerly  a  teacher 
in  the  same  school;  Mary  Ellen,  born  Jan. 
28.  1854,  is  the  wife  of  William  D.  Bash. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bash  have  been  residents  of 
Indiana  for  twenty-six  years,  and  are  worthy 
representatives  of  the  town.  They  are  promi- 
nent in  the  First  Baptist  Church,  and  are  ac- 
tively affiliated  with  various  social  and  edu- 


cational oi'ganizations.  Mr.  Bash  has  a  sol- 
dier's modest  pride  in  being  a  member  of  the 
fast  thinning  ranks  of  the  Union  Veteran 
Legion,  and  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
belonging  to  Post  No.  28. 

WILLIAJM  McMILLEN,  a  farmer  of  Grant 
township,  was  born  in  Montgomery  township, 
this  county,  Nov.  4,  1853,  son  of  Simon  Me- 
]\Iillen. 

Simon  McMillen  was  a  farmer  of  Montgom- 
ery township  and  became  a  heavy  land  owner 
in  that  section.  Settling  first  on  sixty  acres 
of  land,  he  built  there  a  log  house  which 
served  the  family  as  a  shelter  until  he  re- 
placed it  with  a  handsome  frame  residence 
and  a  barn  of  like  value.  After  bringing  his 
original  holdings  into  a  good  state  of  cul- 
tivation he  added  to  his  farm,  and  became 
one  of  the  leading  agriculturists  of  his  town- 
ship, carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  died  on  his  farm  and  was  buried 
in  Fairview  cemetery.  A  consistent  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  he  lived  up  to  its  faith 
and  was  an  excellent  man.  The  Republican 
party  had  in  him  a  stanch  supporter,  but  he 
never  sought  office. 

Simon  McMillen  married  Leah  Fridley, 
who  was  born  in  Center  county.  Pa.,  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  Fridley,  and  died  in  May,  1874. 
She  is  buried  in  the  same  cemetei-y  as  her 
husband.  After  her  demise  Mr.  McMillen 
married  (second)  ilrs.  Sarah  Ellen  Wire,  by 
whom  he  had  no  children,  all  of  his  family 
being  born  to  his  first  marriage,  viz. :  Martin 
lost  his  life  while  in  the  service  of  the  Union 
army  during  the  Civil  war;  Sylvester,  who 
is  a  farmer  of  Montgomery  township,  married 
Mary  Minser,  a  sister  of  George  A.  ]\Iinser. 
of  East  Mahoning  township,  a  sketch  of  whom 
appears  elsewhere,  and  they  have  nine  chil- 
dren, Ella  (who  married  James  McCoy),  Al- 
bert (who  married  IMay  Biss),  Charles  (who 
married  Margaret  Rose),  Mark  (who  mar- 
ried Estella  Neal),  Sadie  (who  married  How- 
ard Hileman),  Orange  (who  is  at  home),  Ray 
(at  home),  Claire  (at  home)  and  Clarence  (at 
home);  William  is  mentioned  below;  John, 
who  is  a  farmer  of  Llontgomery  township, 
married  Mina  Daugherty,  a  daughter  of  James 
Daugherty,  of  Grant  township,  and  they  have 
three  children,  Zeddie  (who  married  Mary 
Flannigan),  Lola  (who  married  James  Irwin) 
and  James  Blain  (who  is  at  home). 

William  ]\IcMillen  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  township  during  the 
winter  mouths,  and  worked  on  the  farm  in  the 
summers  until  he  was  of  age,  when  he  com- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1145 


menced  farming  on  a  sixty-acre  tract.  This 
land  was  in  a  wild  state  and  had  no  buildings, 
but  with  the  energy  which  has  always  charac- 
terized him,  he  began  improving  his  place, 
erecting  a  good  frame  residence  and  fine  barn, 
as  well  as  other  outbuildings.  He  cultivated 
it  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser  for 
nineteen  years,  during  which  period  he  had 
very  materially  increased  its  value,  so  that 
when  he  sold  it  he  was  able  to  realize  a  hand- 
some figure.  In  1892  he  came  to  Grant  town- 
ship, settling  on  his  present  farm  of  106  acres, 
which  at  that  time  was  only  partly  cleared. 
Since  coming  here  he  has  changed  everything, 
now  having  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  town- 
ship, fully  supplied  with  all  necessary  build- 
ings, including  a  handsome  residence  and 
substantial  and  commodious  barn.  Later  he 
added  to  his  holdings  until  he  now  owns  140 
acres,  and  is  specializing  on  raising  and  deal- 
ing in  horses,  cattle  and  hogs.  In  1905  he 
erected  a  slaughtering  house  on  his  farm,  and 
since  then  has  been  engaged  in  butchering 
in  addition  to  his  agricultural  pursuits.  His 
meat  market,  which  he  built  in  the  coal  min- 
ing town  of  Wilgus,  compares  favorably  with 
any  in  the  county.  Since  he  was  sixteen  years 
old  Mr.  McMillen  has  been  interested  in  lum- 
bering, and  has  at  different  times  worked  in 
the  lumber  camps  and  rafted  down  the  Sus- 
quehanna river  to  Lock  Haven  and  Marietta. 
Until  1904  he  was  interested  in  taking  eon- 
tracts  for  lumber,  operating  in  Indiana,  Jef- 
ferson, Clearfield  and  Forest  counties  for 
nearly  thirty-five  years,  with  very  gratifying 
results. 

A  stanch  Republican,  he  has  always  been 
a  strong  supporter  of  his  party  and  its  prin- 
ciples and  takes  a  deep  interest  in  current 
events.  For  fourteen  years  he  has  been  a 
school  director,  two  of  these  years  serving  in 
Montgomery  township,  and  is  now  treasurer 
of  the  board  in  Grant  township.  He  has  been 
inspector  of  elections  upon  many  occasions. 
The  Golden  Rule  doctrine  is  his  religion,  and 
he  attends  the  Baptist  Church.  For  some  time 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M. 

"William  McMillen  was  married  in  June, 
1874.  in  Grant  township,  to  Loretta  Ann 
O'Harrah,  born  in  Grant  township  July  18, 
1854,  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  (Gardner) 
O'Harrah,  and  granddaughter  of  Col.  James 
Gardner,  who  gained  his  rank  during  the 
Mexican  war.  Mrs.  McMillen  is  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  is  as 
popular  in  that  organization  as  she  is 
throughout  the  neighborhood,  where  she  has 
gained  many  warm  friends  because  of  her  ex- 


cellent qualities.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMillen  are 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Effie 
Alice,  bom  July  5,  1875,  married  Matthew 
Hamilton,  of  Grant  township ;  Vernie  Pearl, 
born  June  29,  1881,  married  Alexander 
Sterner,  of  Grant  township ;  E.  F.,  born  May 
18,  1886,  who  conducts  the  meat  market 
owned  by  him  and  his  father,  married  Bertha 
Kinter,  a  daughter  of  Porter  Kinter ;  Stanley 
Q.,  born  Sept.  15,  1890,  is  at  home. 

Mr.  McMillen  affords  an  excellent  example 
of  the  thrifty  Pennsylvania  agriculturist  who, 
beginning  with  nothing,  has  developed  his  re- 
sources imtil  he  is  now  one  of  the  leading  men 
of  his  communit.y.  He  has  found  no  royal 
road  to  fortune,  but  has  quietly  and  indus- 
triously pursued  the  road  which  lies  open 
to  every  honorable  man  willing  to  work,  and 
has  reached  the  goal  of  his  desires. 

Mrs.  William  McMillen  has  taken  consider- 
able interest  in  the  early  history  of  her  grand- 
parents. Col.  James  Gardner,  born  in  1774, 
was  a  tailor  by  trade,  and  cut  and  made 
George  Washington  a  suit  of  clothes.  Mrs. 
McMillen  has  the  iron  and  scissors  that  the 
clothes  were  made  with  and  she  has  a  room 
furnished  with  the  old-fashioned  articles — 
bedstead  with  old-fashioned  curtains  around 
the  bed,  bureau,  chest,  split-bottom  chair, 
and  rocking  chair,  clock  and  looking-glass. 
She  also  has  a  white  sunbonnet  that  her 
Aunt  Mai'garet  Gardner  made  seventy 
years  ago  with  her  own  fingers, .  and  there 
is  not  a  hole  in  it  yet.  Though  she  has  been 
asked  to  sell  the  old  furniture  she  would  not 
part  with  it,  for  she  always  loved  to  go  to 
her  grandparents  to  visit  in  the  old  log  house, 
with  its  old  fire-place.  Biit  she  did  not  like 
to  stay  all  night,  for  next  to  the  lower  log 
in  the  house  there  was  a  hole  cut  to  let  the 
cats  out  and  in,  and  they  always  talked  about 
so  many  wild  cats  being  around  that  when 
a  child  she  was  afraid  they  would  crawl  in  at 
that  opening  and  devour  her. 

D.  DONALD  PATTERSON,  former  prin- 
cipal of  the  school  at  Clymer,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  was  born  in  Green  township,  Indiana 
county,  Jan.  21,  1886,  son  of  William  E.  and 
Jane  M.  (Griffith)  Patterson,  and  a  grandson 
of  Thomas  and  IMagdalena  Patterson  and  of 
Thomas  and  Margai-et  GrifSlth.  Thomas  Pat- 
terson was  born  in  Cheri-yhill  township,  In- 
diana county,  July  7,  1814,  and  his  wife 
Magdalena  (Dunkel)  was  born  in  Brushval- 
ley  township,  this  county,  June  1,  1820.  They 
were  married  May  9,  1844,  and  located  near 
the  Salem  Church  in  Green  township,  where 


1146 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


they  resided  until  his  death,  May  11,  1888. 
She  still  survives,  being  in  her  ninety-fourth 
year.  Thomas  Griffith  and  his  wife  ]\Iargaret 
(Williams)  were  both  born  in  Wales,  on  Oct. 
S,  1812,  and  Dee.  18,  1820,  respectively.  They 
were  married  Jan.  7,  1847,  and  came  to  this 
country  in  1851,  locating  near  the  site  of 
Salem  Church. 

William  E.  Patterson  was  born  in  Indi- 
ana county  Jan.  2,  1850,  and  has  spent  his 
life  here,  still  carrying  on  agricultural  oper- 
ations on  his  farm  in  Green  township.  On 
July  4,  1878,  he  married  Jane  M.  Griffith, 
born  Jan.  7,  1859,  also  a  native  and  resident 
of  Indiana  county,  and  they  have  three  chil- 
dren, namely:  Leona  Adeline,  born  June  11. 
1879,  who  is  the  wife  of  H.  W.  Cameron,  of 
Los  Angeles,  Cal. ;  Edna  Evelvn,  born  Oct. 
31,  1881,  who  is  the  wife  of  E.  F.  Parry,  re- 
siding near  Pineflats,  Indiana  county;  and 
Dwight  Donald. 

D.  Donald  Patterson  attended  the  country 
schools  in  Green  township  and  as  a  youth 
worked  on  his  father's  farm.  Later  he  was 
a  student  in  the  Rural  normal  summer  school 
and  prepared  himself  for  teaching,  entering 
the  educational  field  in  1903,  and  since  then 
has  continued  in  what  he  has  found  to  be 
congenial  work.  He  taught  two  terms  in  the 
Griffith  school  in  Pine  township,  later  taught 
the  East  Branch  school  in  Barr  township, 
Cambria  county,  and  the  Gardner  school  in 
Susquehanna  township,  also  in  Cambria  coun- 
ty, and  afterward  was  principal  of  the  Cherry- 
tree  schools,  in  Indiana  county.  In  1910  he 
was  called  to  Clymer  to  become  principal  of 
the  Clymer  school,  and  this  position  he  filled 
verj'  acceptably  until  he  went  to  pursue 
higher  studies  in  Juniata  College,  at  Hunt- 
ingdon, Pa.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  and  is  well  known  in  the 
pleasant  social  life  of  Clymer.  He  is  a  con- 
stant student,  and  keeps  well  informed  con- 
cerning all  public  affairs,  taking  especial  in- 
terest in  all  movements  that  appear  contrib- 
utive   to   educational   advancement. 

WILLIAM  GIBSON  ROBINSON,  better 
known  as  William  Robinson,  a  justice  of  the 
peace  of  Shelocta,  was  boi-n  Jan.  17,  1836, 
in  Aripstrong  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  a 
son  of  John  Robinson,  and  grandson  of  John 
Robinson. 

John  Robinson,  Sr.,  was  born  Feb.  1,  1760, 
and  died  March  13,  1839.  He  was  of  Scotcli- 
Irish  stock.  Founding  his  family  in  Indiana 
county,  Pa.,  in  1787,  he  took  up  land  and  in 
1789  built  a  house  upon  it  to  which  he  brought 


his  family.  Before  his  death  he  became  the 
owner  of  300  acres  of  land.  His  first  wife, 
Mary,  died  in  August,  1794,  aged  twenty- 
seven  years.  The  second  wife  of  John  Rob- 
inson bore  the  maiden  name  of  Isabell  Gas- 
ton, and  she  died  March  11,  1822,  aged  fortj'- 
five  years. 

John  Robinson,  Jr.,  was  born  Dec.  15,  1788, 
in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
died  on  his  farm  Aug.  29,  1865.  He  married 
Oct.  2, 1817,  Jane  Gibson,  born  April  20, 1790, 
who  died  in  1885,  aged  ninety-five  years,  twen- 
ty-seven days.  Their  children  were :  Polly, 
born  Oct.  5,  1818,  married  Andrew  Sharp : 
Lydia,  born  Aug.  31,  1822,  married  John 
Stewart,  and  died  March  12,  1900;  Isabell, 
born  Jan.  28,  1824,  died  unmarried;  Nancy, 
born  July  4,  1825,  married  William  Brackan ; 
Margaret,  born  ]\Iarch  18,  1827,  married  John 
McCauslan  and  is  deceased;  Eliza  Jane,  born 
Sept.  30,  1828,  mamed  James  Dickson; 
Sarah,  bom  May  25,  1830,  married  John 
McClain;  John  Jamason,  born  May  1,  1832, 
died  Aug.  17,  1824 ;  Martha  Ann,  born  March 
17,  1834,  married  James  Campbell;  William 
Gibson  is  mentioned  below ;  Caroline,  bom 
Oct.  21,  1837,  married  R.  H.  McHenry,  and 
resides  in  Hicksville,  Ohio.  John  Robinson 
was  a  farmer  all  his  life  and  lieeame  the  owner 
of  126  acres  of  land.  He  was  prominent  in 
church  work  and  a  man  of  influence  in  his 
community. 

William  Gibson  Robinson,  son  of  John  Rob- 
inson, attended  the  public  schools  of  his  dis- 
trict, and  gi-ew  up  on  the  farm,  earning  the 
reputation  of  being  the  best  cradler  in  his 
township.  In  time  he  became  the  owner  of  a 
large  farm  in  Armstrong  township,  and  oper- 
ated it  until  1911,  when  he  sold  his  farm  and 
liought  a  residence  in  Shelocta,  which  has 
since  continued  to  be  his  home.  He  is  now 
serving  his  second  term  as  a  .justice  of  the 
peace.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a  member 
and  tnistee  of  the  Cun-y  Run  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  gave  the  property  on  which  the 
present  church  edifice  stands.  For  fifteen 
years  ilr.  Robinson  was  a  school  director,  and 
also  served  as  overseer  of  the  poor.  Since  com- 
ing to  Shelocta.  he  has  joined  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  that  borough,  but  retains 
his  interest  in  the  Curry  Run  Church. 

On  Dec.  6,  1858,  Mv.  Robinson  married 
Marv'  E.  Fleming,  who  died  without  issue, 
and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Curry  Run. 

During  the  Civil  war,  ^fr.  Robinson  served 
in  Company  H.  206th  Penns.vlvania  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  which  was  the  first  company 
to  enter  Richmond.     A  man  of  sturdy  lion- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1147 


€sty,  upright  in  all  his  dealings,  he  is  now 
enjoying  a  well-earned  retirement  at  She- 
locta. 

ALBERT  FRANCE  UNCAPHER,  one  of 

the  successful  farmers  and  stock  raisers  of 
Blackliek  township,  Indiana  county,  has  lived 
there  all  his  life.  His  family  is  of  Holland 
Dutch  extraction,  and  its  early  representa- 
tives in  this  country  settled  in  Virginia. 

George  Uucapher,  the  grandfather  of  Al- 
bert F.  Uncapher,  was  from  Culpeper,  Va., 
and  was  young  when  he  came  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, settling  in  Loyalhanna  township 
(which  was  then  a  part  of  Derry  township), 
Westmoreland  county,  where  he  followed 
farming.  He  was  a  pioneer  in  the  section. 
Besides  farming,  he  owned  and  operated  a 
tannery  and  a  distillery  (for  years  engaging 
in  distilling),  and  also  manufactured  salt. 
Cabinetmaking-  was  another  line  of  work  he 
learned  and  followed.  In  addition  to  his 
property  in  Westmoreland  county  he  owned 
600  acres  in  Ohio,  near  what  is  now  Marion. 
He  was  a  successful  man,  and  active  to  the 
end  of  his  life,  dying  at  the  age  of  sixty-three 
years  on  his  farm  in  Westmoreland  county. 
He  married,  and  he  and  his  wife  became  the 
parents  of  ten  children:  John  settled  in 
Ravenna,  Ohio,  where  he  died;  Solomon  set- 
tled in  l\Iarion,  Ohio,  where  he  died;  Eliz- 
abeth married  Michael  Myers,  and  resided  in 
Loyalhanna  township ;  Daniel  is  mentioned 
below :  Israel  settled  in  the  State  of  Indiana ; 
Joseph  settled  near  Marion,  Ohio;  Philip  set- 
tled in  Marseilles,  Ohio;  Andrew  settled  in 
Marseilles,  Ohio;  Isaac  settled  in  Marion, 
Ohio ;  Margaret  married  Robert  Henderson 
and  settled  in  Marion,  Ohio, 

Daniel  Uncapher,  son  of  George,  was  born 
in  1805  in  Loyalhanna  township,  Westmore- 
land Co.,  Pa.  What  schooling  he  received 
was  obtained  in  the  subscription  schools  of 
that  period,  and  he  began  work  at  an  early 
age  with  his  father  on  the  homestead,  under 
his  able  direction  learning  farming,  distilling 
and  tanning.  He  was  engaged  in  those  lines 
until  1837,  when  he  came  to  Indiana  county, 
locating  in  Blackliek  township,  on  the  Cone- 
maugh  river,  on  a  tract  of  132  acres  on  which 
was  a  tannery  and  which  he  received  in  ex- 
change for  the  home  in  Loyalhanna  township. 
Here  he  settled  with  his  family,  and  he  gave 
most  of  his  attention  to  tanning,  selling  the 
products  of  the  tannery  to  the  country  trade. 
The  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent  on  the 
farm,  and  his  son  Albei-t  eared  for  him  in  his 
declining  years.     He  died  Dec.  17,  1889,  and 


is  buried  in  the  Livermore  cemetery.  Mr. 
Uncapher  was  a  ruling  elder  of  the  church. 
In  politics  he  was  originally  a  Democrat,  but 
during  the  Civil  war  suppoi-ted  Lincoln  and 
the  principles  of  the  Republican  party.  In 
later  years  he  voted  the  Prohibition  ticket. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Keener,  a  native  of 
Conemaugh  township,  who  died  on  the  home- 
stead and  was  buried  in  the  Livermore  ceme- 
tery, in  Westmoreland  county.  Children  as 
f oUows  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Uncapher : 
John  is  mentioned  below.  Isaac  died  on  the 
farm.  George  is  a  farmer  in  Valley  Falls, 
Kans.  William,  who  was  a  carpenter  and 
contractor  and  builder,  died  in  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Margaret  died  on  the  homestead.  Thomas 
Benton,  who  spent  some  yeai's  in  Kansas, 
farming,  now  resides  on  the  farm  with  his 
brother  Albert.  Albert  France  is  mentioned 
below.  Elizabeth  was  educated  in  Blackliek 
township,  at  the  Indiana  State  normal  school, 
and  at  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  University,  where 
she  graduated  in  medicine ;  after  practicing 
for  a  time  in  Allegheny  City,  Pa.,  she  gave 
up  her  practice  there  on  account  of  her  health 
and  went  to  Houston,  Texas,  where  she  prac- 
ticed medicine  up  to  the  time  of  her  death, 
in  1909 ;  she  was  buried  in  Livermore 
cemetery. 

Capt.  John  Uncapher,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Elizabeth  (Keener)  Uncapher,  was  born  in 
LoyaUianna  township,  Westmoreland  county, 
and  was  only  one  year  old  when  he  came  to 
Blackliek  township.  Here  he  gi'ew  to  man- 
hood. Going  West,  he  was  a  pioneer  settler 
in  Kansas,  and  he  lived  in  Topeka  when  the 
strife  between  slavery  and  antislavery  was 
on.  While  there  he  cast  his  first  vote,  to 
make  Kansas  a  free  State.  He  was  a  soldier 
with  Gen.  Jim  Lane  in  Kansas  during  the' 
border  troubles  previous  to  the  Civil  war. 
At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war  Mr. 
Uncapher  enlisted  in  Company  E,  11th  Penn- 
sylvania Reserves,  and  participated  in  all  the 
battles  in  which  that  regiment  was  engaged. 
He  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at 
Gaines's  Mill,  and  again  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Fredericksburg  and  taken  prisoner.  He 
was  confined  in  Libby  prison  and  at  Belle  Isle, 
and  during  his  captivity  was  promoted  to 
sergeant  of  his  company.  Returning  from  the 
war  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlist- 
ment he  became  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  which  he  carried  on  until  his  death, 
in  Blackliek  township.  He  was  captain  of 
Company  D,  10th  Pennsylvania  National 
Guard,  for  three  years.  He  was  married  in 
1875  to  Annie  M.  Ewing,  of  St.  Petersburg, 


1148 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVAMA 


Pa.,  and  to  them  the  following  children  were 
bom :  Lonie  May,  who  married  F.  M.  Smith ; 
Mary  Elizabeth,  who  died  when  seventeen 
years  old:  Agnes,  who  died  when  six  years 
old:  George,  who  died  when  between  twelve 
and  sixteen  yeai'^  old;  and  William  Ewing, 
who  now  makes  his  home  with  his  uncle  Al- 
bert in  Blackliek  township. 

Albert  F.  Uncapher  was  born  in  Blackliek 
township  and  jreceived  his  education  in  the 
local  schools.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
home  place,  working  with  his  father,  and  in 
time  became  interested  in  farming  and  stock 
raising  with  his  brother  Isaac,  the  brothers 
operating  a  tract  of  300  acres.  Since  the 
death  of  his  brother  Mr.  Uncapher  has  con- 
tinued to  operate  the  home  farm,  and  he  has 
done  well,  his  progressive  disposition  and 
high  standards  showing  in  his  work.  He 
is  a  director  of  the  Farmers'  JIutual  Fire 
Insurance  Company.  He  is  a  well-read  man, 
interested  in  the  leading  events  of  the  day, 
and  though  a  stanch  believer  in  the  principles 
of  the  Republican  party  is  independent  m 
action,  voting  for  the  men  and  measures  he 
approves  most.  He  has  served  his  town  as 
treasurer  for  six  years,  and  also  as  school 
director  for  six  vears.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Livermore. 

ARCHIE  S.  McQUILKIN,  a  farmer  of 
"West  Mahoning  township,  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington township,  this  county,  IMay  30,  1862, 
son  of  Robert  and  Eliza  R.  (Stewart) 
McQuilkin. 

John  McQuilkin  was  a  resident  of  Wash- 
ington township,  this  county,  and  there  mar- 
ried and  rounded  out  a  useful  life  as  a 
farmer.  His  children  were:  John.  Samuel, 
Robert,  Joseph,  Rebecca  and  Anna,  all  of 
whom  are  deceased. 

Robert  McQuilkin  grew  up  in  Washington 
township,  where  he  was  born  Sept.  13,  1818, 
and  attended  the  local  schools,  remaining 
with  his  father  until  eighteen  years  old.  In 
1877.  coming  to  West  Mahoning  township,  he 
located  on  the  old  Stauffer  farm,  owning  160 
acres  of  land.  In  1889  he  moved  to  Dayton, 
Pa.,  and  lived  there  retired  until  his  death, 
on  Oct.  19,  1901,  when  he  was  in  his  eighty- 
third  year.  A  Republican  in  later  life,  he 
never  sought  office.  For  years  he  was  an 
elder  in  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

Robert  McQuilkin  was  three  times  married. 
On  Dec.  16,  1852,  he. manned  (first)  Cathe- 
rine Weaver,  who  died  Dec.  11,  185.5.  On 
Nov.  5,  1857,  he  married  (second)  Eliza  R. 
Stewart,  who  was  born  May  8,  1821,  in  Indi- 


ana county,  and  died  May  3,  1874.  On  July 
5,  1876,  i\Ir.  McQuilkin  married  (third) 
Elizabeth  J.  Porter,  of  Armstrong  county. 
Pa.,  who  survives  her  husband  and  lives  at 
Dayton,  Pa.  By  his  second  wife  Robert  Mc- 
Quilkin had  children  as  follows:  Sarah, 
born  Jan.  11,  1859,  who  is  living  at  Dayton, 
Pa. ;  and  Archie  S. 

Archie  S.  McQuilkin  was  educated  in  the 
home  schools,  and  lived  with  his  father  until 
his  marriage.  xVlthough  he  is  now  one  of 
the  most  prosperous  agriculturists  of  West 
IMahoning  township,  ilr.  McQuilkin  has  not 
confined  his  activities  to  farming,  for  from 
1904  to  1908  he  was  profitably  engaged  in  a 
mercantile  business  at  Indiana,  this  county. 
At  present  he  carries  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  specializing  on  Berkshire  hogs, 
sheep  and  chickens.  He  is  one  of  the  heaviest 
potato  growers  of  Indiana  county,  and  be- 
lieves in  experimenting  in  order  to  discover 
the  best  methods.  So  successful  has  he  been 
along  different  lines  that  he  is  a  recognized 
authority  upon  agricultural  matters,  and  his 
neighbors  often  follow  his  example.  Since 
the  organization  of  the  Dayton  Agricultural 
and  Mechanical  Fair  Association  of  Dayton 
Mr.  McQuilkin  has  been  its  president,  and  is 
one  of  the  men  who  have  made  its  success 
possible.  Not  onlj^  does  he  take  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  fair  each  year,  but  leads  others 
to  join  him  in  pushing  its  affairs,  and  ad- 
vancing it  in  every  waj'.  A  strong  Republi- 
can, Mr.  McQuilkin  has  often  been  called 
upon  to  hold  office  in  the  township,  and  dis- 
charges all  such  responsibilities  conscien- 
tiously and  ably.  In  1907  he  was  mercantile 
appraiser.  For  several  years  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Glade  Run  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  is  now  superintendent  of  the 
large  Sunday  school  of  that  organization. 

On  Oct.  23,  1890,  Mr.  IMcQuilkin  was  mar- 
ried to  Eliza  Jane  Stuchul,  who  was  born  in 
South  Mahoning  township.  Indiana  cojinty, 
daughter  of  Robert.  H.  and  Hannah  D. 
(Thompson)  Stuchul.  natives  of  South  Ma- 
lioning  township.  ^Ir.  Stuchul  was  a  son  of 
John  and  Rebecca  Stuchul,  of  South  Mahon- 
ing township,  where  Robert  H.  Stuchul  also 
owned  and  operated  a  farm.  He  was  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  died  firm  in  its  faith  in  1897. 
The  children  in  the  Stuchul  family  were: 
John  T.,  who  is  deceased,  was  an  attorney  of 
Indiana,  Pa.;  Eliza  Jane  is  Mrs.  McQuilkin; 
Rebecca  Ann.  widow  of  Sloan  Marrow,  lives 
in  Plumville,  Pa. ;  Hannah  Charlotte  married 
Calvin  Wyncoop,  of  Plumville,  Pa.;  Robert 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1149 


is  a  farmer  on  the  homestead,  in  South 

'  Mahoning  township;   Clara  Josephine  is  the 

widow  of  Homer  Dodson,  of  Plumville,  Pa. ; 

Effie  Inez  married  Andrew  ilarrow,  of  Du 

Bois,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  MoQuilkin  became  the  par- 
ents of  children  as  follows :  Robert,  born  Feb. 
18,  1892;  Hazel  Marie,  born  April  14,  1895, 
and  Grace  Mardie,  born  Sept.  25,  1897. 

JOHN  A.  BEE,  for  years  prominent  in 
business  circles  in  Canoe  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  April  11,  1851,  in  Arm- 
strong county.  Pa.,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and 
Nancy  (Dillon)  Bee. 

Jacob  Bee  was  born  in  Huntingdon  county, 
Pa.,  and  came  to  Indiana  county  in  1846. 
here  engaging  in  farming,  lumbering  and 
rafting.  He  met  an  accidental  death  by 
drowning,  in  1856,  at  Good's  Riffle,  on  Ma- 
honing creek.  He  and  his  wife  were  the 
parents  of  seven  children :  jMary  Ann,  de- 
ceased, who  married  Cooper  Brady,  and  lived 
for  some  time  in  Indiana  county,  subsequently 
removing  to  Brookville,  Pa. ;  "William  Henry, 
a  veteran  of  two  enlistments  during  the  Civil 
war,  who  married  Catherine  Allen,  and  died 
in  Richmond,  Pa. ;  Jacob  L.,  who  served  three 
years  as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army  during 
the  Civil  war,  married  A.  Kuntzman  and 
died  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  1908 ;  Benjamin 
F.,  who  also  dormed  the  uniform  of  his  coun- 
try during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  and  died 
in  it,  at  Camp  Copelaud :  Oliver  P.,  a  farmer, 
who  married  Emma  Kernes,  and  died  in 
Clearfield  county.  Pa.,  in  1911 ;  Margaret 
Jane,  who  married  John  Varner,  of  Vander- 
grift.  Pa. ;  and  John  A. 

John  A.  Bee  received  but  a  limited  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools,  and  when  he  was 
still  a  lad  went  to  live  with  David  Young,  of 
North  Mahoning  township,  with  whom  he 
continued  to  reside  until  he  was  twenty-one 
3'ears  of  age.  In  1871  Mr.  Bee  was  married 
to  Amanda  White,  of  Canoe  township,  daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  and  Rebecca  (Gaston)  White, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  Aug.  26,  1818, 
and  the  latter  May  20,  1822,  in  North  Ma- 
honing township  and  Brookville,  Pa.,  re- 
spectively. Mr.  White  died  Nov.  30,  1896, 
and  his  wife  ilarch  21,  1888,  both  in  the 
faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which 
Mr.  White  was  an  elder.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children :  John  A.,  born 
Feb.  20,  1842,  now  deceased,  formerly  a 
farmer  in  Banks  township,  married  Eva  A. 
Tyger,  and  had  seven  children;  Sarah  J.,  born 
July  4,  1846,  now  deceased,  married  George 


R.  Timblin,  of  Armstrong  county,  Pa. ;  Ma- 
linda,  born  June  9,  1848,  died  at  the  age  of 
twelve  years;  Maria,  born  Feb.  18,  1851,  is 
deceased;  Amanda  was  born  Nov.  17,  1853; 
Martha  Ann,  born  Jan.  18,  1856,  married 
Adam  Tyger,  of  North  iMahoning  township ; 
Isaac  Clark,  born  April  16.  1858.  married 
Callie  Snyder,  and  now  resides  at  DuBois, 
Pa. ;  Charles  Harve.v,  born  jMarch  14,  1861, 
married  Jane  Dunmire,  and -is  now  living  on 
the  old  place  in  Canoe  township ;  Emma  Ada, 
born  July  14,  1863,  married  Sloan  Kipple, 
of  Armstrong  county. 

Mr.  and  Sirs.  Bee  have  had  the  following 
children :  Harvey  Benton,  born  June  17,  1872, 
a  farmer  and  carpenter  of  Canoe  township,  is 
married  to  Bertha  Elbel,  and  they  have  four 
children,  Lawrence,  Dorothea,  Martha  and 
Rebecca;  Isaac  L.,  born  July  17,  1874,  super- 
intendent of  mines  at  Lovejoy,  Pa.,  married 
Minna  Smith;  Thara  Mabel,  born  April  7, 
1879,  married  John  Domb,  of  Canoe  town- 
ship, and  has  two  children,  Harold  and 
Virgil;  Harlin  Ray,  born  Oct.  23,  1882,  is 
carpenter  for  the  Greenwich  Coal  Company, 
at  Lovejoy,  Pa. ;  Sanford  Clyde,  born  Feb. 
3,  1888.  is  also  a  carpenter  for  the  same  com- 
pany; Doyle  Clark,  born  Sept.  25,  1898,  is 
living  with  his  parents. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bee 
settled  on  the  old  White  homestead  in  Canoe 
township,  and  in  1882  Mr.  Bee  purchased  his 
present  farm,  formerly  known  as  the  David 
Mitchell  place.  In  addition  to  this  he  has 
owned  and  operated  various  other  farms  in 
Canoe  township,  and  his  contracting  and 
building  operations  have  made  him  known 
throughout  this  section  of  the  count.y.  Struc- 
tures in  Rossiter  and  Smyerstown  testify  to 
his  able  workmanship,  and  among  business 
men  he  is  known  as  one  in  whom  the  utmost 
confidence  may  be  placed.  A  Democrat  in 
politics,  for  a  long  period  he  served  as  con- 
stable, and  for  the  last  thirty  years  has  acted 
in  the  capacity  of  ju.stice  of  the  peace.  With 
his  faniilv  he  attends  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

White.  Mrs.  Bee  belongs  to  a  family  that 
for  >-ears  has  been  associated  with  the  history 
of  Indiana  county.  We  are  allowed  to  quote 
from  a  local  newspaper,  which  in  its  review 
said  in  part  as  follows: 

"The  history  of  the  White  family  in  this 
section  goes  back  almost  one  hundred  years. 
John  White  (the  progenitor)  was  born  in 
Lorraine.  France,  Aug.  31,  1783.  He  fought 
under  the  command  of  Napoleon  from  1797 
to  1801.    Later  he  left  his  native  land  to  come 


1150 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


to  America.  His  ship  was  wrecked  about  four 
miles  from  the  American  shore.  He  reached 
shore  by  good  swimming,  but  lost  all  the 
earthly  goods  he  had  possessed.  He  finally 
settled  in  Delaware  and  married  Kezia  Van- 
derver,  and  they  had  the  following  children: 
Jane,  Charles  S.,  Isaac  (the  father  of  Mrs. 
Bee),  John,  Jr.,  James  M.,  and  Isaiah." 

JOHN  DORN,  farmer  and  fruit  grower  in 
North  IMahoning  township,  was  born  in  Hesse, 
Germany,  July  28,  1834,  a  son  of  Franz  and 
Margaret  (Miller)  Dorn,  and  a  grandson  of 
Adam  Dorn.  The  gi-andfather  was  born  in 
Hesse,  Germany,  and  died  there.  By  trade  he 
was  a  shoemaker. 

Franz  Dorn,  son  of  Adam  and  father  of 
John  Dorn,  was  born  in  Hesse,  Germany,  in 
1804,  and  died  there  in  1864,  aged  sixty  years. 
He  was  a  farmer,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the 
German  army.  He  was  married  to  Margaret 
Miller,  a  daughter  of  Valentine  Miller,  and 
the  following  children  were  born  to  them: 
John  is  mentioned  below;  William,  who  came 
to  America  in  1859,  now  living  at  Pittsburg, 
Pa,,  married  Eva  Roeder,  of  North  ilahoning 
township;  George,  who  came  to  America  in 
1865,  located  in  North  Mahoning  township, 
but  later  removed  to  Pittsburg,  where  he  still 


John  Dorn  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1850  and  spent  his  first  winter  in  New  Jer- 
sey. In  the  spring  of  the  following  year  he 
came  to  North  Mahoning  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.,  and  for  four  .vears  afterward  woi-ked 
for  farmers  in  this  section.  From  here  he 
then  went  to  Blair  county,  and  continued 
farm  work,  and  for  one  year  before  the  open- 
ing of  the  Civil  war  worked  for  IMutters 
Bauch,  in  Virginia,  where  he  found  sectional 
feeling  running  high.  When  the  first  call 
was  issued  for  three  months'  men  he  tried  to 
enter  a  Pennsylvania  regiment,  rightly  re- 
garding this  State  as  his  home,  but  the  ranks 
were  so  quickly  filled  that  the  quota  was 
made  up  before  he  secured  a  place.  As  soon, 
however,  as  the  call  came  for  .three  years' 
men  he  enlisted  as  a  member  of  the  1st 
Cameron  Dragoons  (this  being  afterward 
made  the  5th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Cav- 
alry), becoming  a  private  in  Company  K,  and 
two  days  after  being  mustered  in  was  en- 
gaged in  a  skirmish  between  his  regiment  and 
a  band  of  Confederates.  Before  his  term  of 
three  years  was  out  he  was  given  the  privilege 
of  reenlisting.  to  take  effect  at  that  time,  with 
certain  advantages,  and  those  of  the  regiment 
who  did  not  do  so  served  out  their  full  three 


years.  Mr.  Dorn's  second  enlistment  took 
place  in  1864  and  he  served  until  the  war 
closed.  Shortly  after  this  enlistment  he  was 
captured  by  the  enemy,  at  Stony  Creek  Sta- 
tion, in  the  Wilson  raid,  and  spent  sis  months 
in  Confederate  prisons.  First  he  was  taken 
to  Andersonville,  Ga.,  and  when  General 
Sherman's  forces  tried  to  release  the  Union 
soldiers  who  were  being  so  brutally  treated, 
these  prisoners  were  removed  to  Florence, 
where  conditions  were  a  little  better.  For- 
tunately he  was  exchanged  before  his  healtlt 
was  entirely  shattered.  Prior  to  being  taken 
prisoner  he  had  participated  with  his  com- 
pany in  twenty-sevftn  engagements,  includ- 
ing the  Seven  Days'  fight  before  Richmond 
and  all  the  raids  in  connection  with  it. 

Wlien  the  war  was  over  and  he  was  hon- 
orably released,  Mr,  Dorn  returned  to  Indi- 
ana county  and  settled  on  his  present  farm 
in  North  IMahoning  township,  not  far  from 
the  village  of  Marchand.  He  has  200  acres. 
100  acres  being  under  careful  cultivation  and 
the  rest  being  in  valuable  timber.  He  has 
one  of  the  finest  peach  orchards  in  this  part 
of  the  country,  containing  three  thousand 
trees,  about  half  of  which  are  in  bearing  con- 
dition. He  also  has  four  acres  devoted  to 
the  growing  of  strawberries.  All  his  enter- 
prises are  prospering  and  he  looks  after  his 
many  interests  himself.  In  polities  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  has  served  six  terms  as  judge 
of  elections.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a 
trustee  of  the  Evangelical  Church  of  Mar- 
chand, to  which  he  and  his  family  belong. 
]\Ir.  Dorn  is  interested  in  the  G.  A.  R.,  being 
a  member  of  Post  No.  206,  of  Covode. 

In  1866  Mr,  Dorn  was  married  to 
Eva  Beam,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Kitty 
(Glaser)  Beam.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dorn  the 
following  children  were  born:  Emma  Eliz- 
abeth, who  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  Lowman, 
of  Grant  township ;  Samuel,  who  lives  on  the 
homestead,  married  to  Lulu  Kohlhepp ;  Ellen, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years :  John,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  two  years ;  a  child  that  died 
unnamed :  Albert,  who  resides  at  home ;  and 
Irvin,  who  died  when  aged  seven  years. 

John  Beam,  father  of  ^frs.  Dorn,  was  born 
in  Gennany  and  there  obtained  his  education. 
He  was  a  farmer,  and  when  he  came  to  the 
United  States  secured  land  in  North  Mahon- 
ing township.  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  died 
many  years  later;  he  is  buried  at  IVIarchand. 
He  was  twice  married,  fii*st  to  Kitty  Glaser, 
who  was  buried  in  the  North  ]\rahoning 
Evangelical  Church  cemetery.  The  second 
marriage   of   John    Beam   was   to    Elizabeth 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1151 


Bishop,  who  survives  and  I'esides  at  Marchand. 
His  children  were  born  to  his  first  marriage, 
namely:  George,  who  is  deceased,  married 
Margaret  Glaser ;  John  died  in  Audersonville 
prison  during  the  Civil  war;  Margaret,  who 
is  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Jacob  Barthol- 
omew ;  Eva  is  the  wife  of  John  Dorn  and  was 
born  seventy  years  ago.  In  politics  John 
Beam  was  a  Democrat,  but  never  held  any 
public  office.  He  belonged  to  the  Evangelical 
Church,  in  which  he  was  a  class  leader  for 
many  years. 

LEWIS  THOMAS,  assistant  superintend- 
ent of  Iselin  No.  3  mine,  at  Reed,  in  Young 
township,  Indiana  county,  is  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  born  at  Morris  Run,  Tioga 
county,  Feb.  25,  1880,  son  of  Thomas  D.  and 
Esther  (Jenkins)  Thomas.  His  grandfather 
was  a  native  of  Wales,  but  was  not  spared  to 
live  to  advanced  years,  dying  when  Thomas 
D.  Thomas  was  but  five  years  old. 

Thomas  D.  Thomas,  father  of  Lewis 
Thomas,  was  born  at  Aberdare,  Glamorgan- 
shire, Wales,  in  1832,  there  grew  to  manhood, 
and  became  a  fire  boss.  He  was  married  at 
Aberdare  to  Esther  Jenkins,  and  in  1866, 
with  his  wife  and  several  children,  came  to 
the  United  States  and  located  at  Morris  Run, 
Tioga  Co.,  Fa.  He  continued  to  work  as  a 
coal  miner,  being  thus  employed  at  that  place 
for  more  than  twenty-one  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  removed  to  Jefferson  county 
and  located  at  Lindsey,  now  the  west  end  of 
Punxsutawney.  Mr.  Thomas  continued  to 
follow  the  occupation  of  coal  miner  in  the 
employ  of  the  Berwind  &  White  Coal  Com- 
pany, at  that  point,  as  well  as  at  Anita,  in  the 
same  county,  and  on  retiring  from  active  life 
made  his  home  at  the  west  end  of  Punxsu- 
tawney, where  his  death  occurred  Feb.  29, 
1908,  and  where  he  was  buried.  Mr.  Thomas 
was  well  known  among  the  miners  of  that 
section  of  Pennsylvania  and  bore  an  excel- 
lent reputation  for  integrity  and  upright  liv- 
ing. Possessed  of  a  fine,  rich  baritone  voice, 
Mr.  Thomas  was  trained  by  Caradog,  the 
famous  musician  and  vocalist,  who  was  one 
of  the  judges  of  music  and  singing  at  the 
World's  Columbian  Exposition  held  at  Chi- 
cago in  1893,  and  subsequently  won  prizes  in 
the  Welsh  Eisteddfod,  which  corresponds  to 
the  German  Saengerfest.  For  many  years 
Mr.  Thomas  conducted  choruses  in  Jefferson 
and  Tioga  counties,  and  at  all  times  took  a 
deep  interest  in  movements  tending  to  ad- 
vance musical  culture.  His  widow  survives 
and  makes  her  home  in  the  West  End,  Punxsu- 


tawney. They  were  the  parents  of  fifteen 
children :  Margaret,  who  married  Edward 
Beechey;  Daniel  J.,  who  was  assistant  pi-in- 
cipal  of  public  schools  at  Punxsutawney,  and 
is  now  a  tea  and  coffee  merchant  of  West 
Punxsutawney;  Ellen,  who  died  unmari-ied 
in  1908 ;  William  G.,  who  is  a  meat  dealer  at 
the  West  End  of  Punxsutawney ;  Esther,  who 
taarried  J.  R.  Davis,  of  Punxsutawney: 
Thomas  D.,  Jr.,  who  is  assistant  superintend- 
ent at  the  Lucerne  mine,  in  Center  township, 
Indiana  county ;  Evan  J. ;  Lewis ;  Mary,  who 
died  of  scarlet  fever  in  1892,  at  the  age  of 
eleven  years ;  Ann,  who  died  at  the  same  time, 
when  eight  years  of  age,  both  children  being 
buried  in  the  same  grave;  and  five  children 
who  died  in  infancy. 

Lewis  Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  D.  Thomas, 
was  educated  at  Lindsey,  or  the  west  end  of 
Punxsutawney,  and  had  his  first  experience 
as  a  miner  when  he  was  a  lad  of  eleven  years. 
However,  after  a  short  period  he  returned  to 
school,  continuing  his  studies  until  he  was 
fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  again  found 
employment,  this  time  in  the  glass  works  at 
his  native  place.  He  spent  but  one  year  there, 
however,  and  a  like  period  in  the  brickyards, 
and  when  sixteen  years  of  age  began  to  work 
in  the  mines  of  the  Berwind  &  White  Coal 
Company,  at  Anita,  Jeffei-son  county.  He 
had  been  an  employee  of  these  mines  for  nine 
years  when  he  met  with  a  serious  accident, 
in  which  both  of  his  legs  were  broken,  his 
injuries  confining  him  to  his  bed  for  forty- 
nine  days,  and  after  recovering  therefrom  he 
entered  the  service  of  the  Buffalo,  Rochester 
&  Pittsburg  Railroad  Company,  with  which 
he  was  connected  for  a  short  period.  Subse- 
quently he  became  connected  with  the  Mahon- 
ing Supply  Company  in  the  store  at  Adrian, 
Jefferson  county,  but  a  short  time  later  was 
made  clerk  for  the  Walston  Scales  Company, 
being  connected  with  that  firm  until  October, 
1905.  At  that  time  Mr.  Thomas  came  to  the 
new  mining  town  of  Iselin,  in  Young  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  to  become  weiglimaster 
for  the  Pittsburg  Gas  Coal  Company,  a  posi- 
tion which  he  filled  until  1906,  when  he  was 
made  assistant  superintendent  at  Iselin  No. 
3  mine,  then  in  its  infancy,  with  but  a  few 
houses  and  only  125  hands  at  work.  Mr. 
Thomas  has  continued  to  fill  the  position  dur- 
ing the  last  six  years  with  ability  and  to  the 
general  satisfaction  of  the  company,  and  the 
industry  has  grown  here  to  such  an  extent 
that  the  community  boasts  of  seventy-seven 
houses,  a  large  general  store  and  post  ofiSce, 
known  as  Reed,  and  a  large  reservoir. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mr.  Thomas  is  a  man  of  enterprise  ~  and 
progn-essive  ideas,  and  takes  a  deep  interest 
in  the  town  and  its  people.  He  is  well  liked 
and  highly  respected  by  the  450  hands  now 
under  his'  control,  they  recognizing  that  he 
has  done  much  to  build  up  the  community 
and  secure  them  many  advantages  not  en- 
joyed by  less  favored  localities.  He  was 
largely  instrumental  in  having  the  church 
and  schoolhouse  erected  here,  collecting  the 
money  personally,  and  in  numerous  other 
ways  has  shown  his  public  spirit.  A  thorough 
miner,  conversant  with  every  detail  of  his 
vocation,  in  1911  he  obtained  a  State  mining 
foreman's  certiticate.  Politically  Mr.  Thomas 
is  a  stalwart  Republican.  He  belongs  to  Blue 
Lodge  No.  431,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Saltsburg, 
Indiana  county.  Pa.,  and  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Odd  Fellows. 

In  1906  Mr.  Thomas  was  married  to  Anna 
Cranmer,  daughter  of  Bernard  A.  Cranmer, 
of  Mouroeton,  Bradford  Co.,  Pa.,  and  sister 
of  Dr.  C.  B.  Cranmer,  of  Iselin.  Mrs. 
Thomas  is  a  lady  of  cultm^e  and  refined 
tastes,  is  devoted  to  her  home  and  family,  and 
has  numerous  friends  in  and  about  Iselin. 
One  child  has  been  born  to  ilr.  and  Mrs. 
Thomas,  Margaret  Ruth,  born  July  5,  1910. 

Evan  J.  Thomas,  brother  of  Lewis  Thomas, 
and  son  of  Thomas  D.  Thomas,  was  born  in 
1876  at  Morris  Run,  Tioga  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was 
there  educated  in  the  public  schools.  From 
early  boyhood  he  has  worked  in  and  about 
mines,  and  in  1906  became  inside  foreman 
of  Iselin  mine  No.  3,  where  he  has  continued 
ever  since  and  where  he  is  popular  with  his 
men  and  highly  esteemed  by  his  superiors. 
He  makes  his  home  near  the  mine,  and,  like 
his  brother,  is  interested  in  Reed  and  its 
people.  He  married  Carrie  Emrick,  a  lady 
of  Clearfield  county. 

PETER  W.  WASSAM  is  one  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  Green  township,  where,  as  a  highly 
successful  fanuer  and  stock  raiser,  one  of  the 
most  progressive  agriculturists  of  his  section 
of  Indiana  county,  and  a  public  official  who 
has  been  connected  with  the  administration  of 
local  affairs  for  many  years,  he  has  become 
well  and  favorably  Imown  to  most  of  the  resi- 
dents of  this  district. 

Mr.  "Wassam  is  a  native  of  Somerset  county, 
Pa.,  born  Jan.  1,  1843,  son  of  Jacob  and  Bar- 
bara (Burkey)  Wassam.  The  family  is  of 
German  origin,  his  grandfather,  Adam  Was- 
sam, having  been  bom  in  Germany.  He  was 
in  the  army  under  Napoleon  Bonaparte  for 
six  years.    Coming  to  America  with  his  large 


family,  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  he  located 
in  the  State  of  Ohio  for  a  time,  thence  re- 
moving to  Somerset  county.  Pa.,  and  later 
to  Indiana  county,  Pa.  Here,  about  1841,  he 
first  leased  land  in  Green  township,  near 
Cookport,  afterward  buying  a  tract  in  Mont- 
gomery township,  upon  which  he  remained 
until  his  death,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight 
years.  He  was  buried  in  the  Fry  cemetery 
in  Banks  township. 

Jacob  Wassam,  father  of  Peter  W.  Wassam, 
was  born  in  Germany,  and  was  fourteen  years 
old  when  he  come  with  his  parents  to  America. 
The  voyage  was  made  in  a  sailing  vessel,  and 
they  were  on  the  water  seventy-two  days.  He 
remained  with  his  parents  and  lived  in  Som- 
erset and  Cambria  counties  before  coming  to 
ilontgomery  township,  Indiana  county,  re- 
maining there  for  seven  years.  He  also  lived 
for  seven  years  in  Rayne  township,  and  in 
1864  removed  to  Ohio,  settling  in  Darke 
county.  In  1868  he  left  that  county,  going 
west  to  Kansas,  where  he  resided  for  some 
time.  Later  he  went  to  Missouri,  and  there 
died  at  the  home  of  his  son,  J.  J.  Wassam, 
in  1894.  He  married  Barbara  Burkey,  who 
was  born  in  Somerset  county.  Pa.,  of  which 
county  her  father,  Peter  Burkey,  was  also  a 
native;  he  was  reared  near  Johnstown,  Pa., 
and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  JIi-s.  Was- 
sam died  in  1894 — the  same  year  as  her  hus- 
band— at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Ella,  in 
Kansas.  They  were  the  parents  of  fourteen 
children,  namely:  Mary,  who  is  deceased; 
Peter  W. ;  Rachel,  wife  of  Levi  Hershey,  now 
living  in  the  State  of  Indiana ;  Sarah,  Mrs. 
Rairigh,  deceased;  Adam,  a  physician  and 
surgeon,  now  living  in  Galveston,  Texas ;  Jacob 
J.,  whose  home  is  in  Colorado;  Margaret,  Mrs. 
]\Iartin  Ober,  of  Kansas ;  Abraham,  who  lives 
in  the  State  of  Indiana ;  Daniel,  living  in  Mis- 
souri; Ella,  married  and  living  in  Independ- 
ence, Kans. ;  Louis,  deceased ;  Samuel,  a  resi- 
dent of  New  York  State ;  Angeline,  deceased, 
and  one  that  died  in  infancy. 

Peter  W.  Wassam  came  to  Indiana  county 
with  bis  parents  when  seven  years  old,  lived 
with  them  in  ^Montgomerj'  to\vnship  and 
moved  with  the  family  to  Rayne  township. 
Meantime  he  attended  the  connnon  schools 
near  home.  On  Sept.  8,  1864.  lie  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Union  army,  joining  Company 
E,  211th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantiy, 
with  which  he  took  part  in  various  battles; 
he  was  wounded  once  in  a  night  skirmish  near 
tiie  James  river,  in  Virginia.  At  the  close  of 
the  war  ]\Ir.  Wassam  was  mustered  out  at 
Camp  Reynolds,  near  Pittsbui-g,  Pa.,  and  re- 


^  J^  ^a^^ 


£i<yi^ 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1153 


turning  to  Indiana  county,  lived  at  Cherry- 
tree  for  two  years,  doing  business  as  a  mer- 
chant and  keeping  boarders.  Then  he  settled 
down  to  farming  in  Montgomery  townslup, 
where  he  continued  to  reside  until  1904,  in 
that  year  moving  to  Green  township  and  buy- 
ing the  farm  of  twenty-eight  acres  upon  which 
he  has  since  resided.  He  also  owns  the  old 
homestead  of  134  acres  in  Montgomery  town- 
ship. He  has  become  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent residents  of  his  locality.  In  addition  to 
general  farming,  he  raises,  ships  and  buys 
stock,  in  which  line  he  has  been  engaged  for 
twenty-six  years,  his  interests  being  quite  ex- 
tensive; he  deals  in  fertilizers  and  has  done 
considerable  in  the  line  of  building  soil  and 
fertilizing,  being  a  man  of  the  enterprising 
type,  one  who  keeps  abreast  of  the  times  in 
everything  pertaining  to  his  particular  work. 
He  has  not  only  managed  his  own  affairs  suc- 
cessfully, but  has  found  time  to  take  part  in 
the  general  business  of  the  community,  and 
he  has  held  nearly  all  the  township  offices. 
He  was  the  first  constable  of  Montgomery 
township  after  the  war,  was  assessor,  super- 
visor, auditor,  school  director  and  overseer  of 
poor  of  that  toAvnship,  and  in  every  capacity 
has  given  complete  satisfaction,  his  discharge 
of  the  various  responsibilities  laid  upon  hira 
being  thorough  and  intelligent.  He  is  not 
filling  any  public  position  at  present.  In 
political  association  he  is  a  Republican. 

On  Sept.  9,  1864,  Mr.  Wassam  maiTied 
Sarah  J.  Armstrong,  who  was  born  Aug.  9, 
1845,  in  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  William 
and  Ann  Eliza  (Hazeletl  Armstrong,  both  of 
whom  died  in  1902.  Their  family  consisted 
of  eleven  children.  Mrs.  Wassam  died  in 
1875,  and  was  buried  in  the  Hazelet  cemetery 
in  Montgomery  township.  She  was  the  mother 
of  four  children:  Ada  N.,  the  eldest,  now 
deceased,  married  J.  A.  Rank,  and  they  had 
children,  Maud  Elaine,  Edith  Jane  and  Freda, 
the  last  named  deceased :  Ella  B.  is  the  wife 
of  V.  E.  Cramer,  a  farmer,  of  Montgomery 
township ;  Mary  A.  is  deceased ;  Francis  M. 
is  deceased.  On  Nov.  16,  1878,  Mr.  Wassam 
married  (second)  Mollie  I.  Armstrong,  who 
was  bom  Sept.  16,  1850,  in  Indiana  county, 
sister  of  his  first  wife.  To  this  union  were 
born  five  children:  Bertha,  now  the  wife  of 
William  E.  Cramer,  of  Cherrytree,  Pa.,  who 
has  two  children,  Paul  W.  and  Beatrice  W. ; 
William  F.,  now  principal  of  the  school  at 
Beaverdale.  Pa.,  who  married  Grace  Buter- 
baugh.  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  has  had  four  chil- 
dren, Eugene,  Kenneth,  Meredith  and  Victor 
William,  the  last  named  deceased ;  Edith  and 


Edna,  twins,  the  former  living  at  home,  the 
latter  deceased,  and  J.  Blaine,  a  plumber  by 
trade,  living  in  this  county,  who  married  Anna 
Tonkin,  of  Indiana  county,  and  after  her 
death  (which  occurred  in  June,  1908),  mar- 
ried (second)  Nona  Nupp,  of  this  county,  by 
whom  he  has  one  child,  Mildred  Mine.  Of 
this  family,  Ada,  Mary,  Blaine  and  William 
became  school  teachers.  Mr.  Wassam  has 
every  reason  to  feel  proud  of  his  family,  for 
they  have  all  become  useful  and  respected 
citizens,  filling  their  places  in  the  community 
faithfully  and  intelligently. 

Mrs.  Mollie  I.  (Armstrong)  Wassam  died 
Sept.  17,  1912,  and  is  buried  in  the  Hazelet 
cemetery  in  Montgomery  township.  She  was 
a  member  of  the  Church  of  the  Brethren,  to 
which  Mr.   Wassam   also  belongs. 

HARRISON  SPIERS,  justice  of  the  peace 
and  retired  agriculturist  of  Brushvalley 
township,  is  a  native  of  East  Wheatfield 
township,  Indiana  county,  born  Aug.  31,  1841. 

Richard  Spi^^rs,  grandfather  of  Harrison, 
was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  came  to  Amer- 
ica when  a  young  man,  locating  in  Blacklick 
township.  He  mai-ried  Susan  Kunkle,  and 
they  became  engaged  in  farming  there,  re- 
maining for  some  years,  after  which  they 
removed  to  East  Wheatfield  township.  There 
they  settled  down  to  farming  also,  following 
that  work  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  and 
both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spiers  died  there.  They 
were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  Spiers  was  a  Whig,  then  a  Repub- 
lican. 

John  Spiers,  son  of  Richard  and  Susan 
(Kunkle)  Spiers,  was  born  on  the  farm  in 
Blacklick  township,  and  there  grew  up.  He 
removed  with  his  parents  to  East  Wheatfield 
township  and  there  made  his  home,  following 
various  occupations.  For  a  time  he  was  a 
contractor  in  mining  ore  in  that  section  of 
the  county,  and  also  operated  the  Campbell 
mills.  Later  he  became  engaged  in  farming, 
which  he  continued  the  rest  of  his  life.  He 
died  on  the  farm  and  was  buried  in  East 
Wheatfield  township.  He  was  a  Republican 
and  a  devout  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Mr.  Spiers  married  Eleanor  Butler,  of 
East  Wheatfield  township,  daughter  of  James 
Butler.  She  was  also  a  member  of  the  IM.  E. 
Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spiers  were  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children :  Harrison, 
who  is  mentioned  below;  Wellington,  who  is 
deceased;  Malissa,  who  married  Elias  Steph- 
ens, of  East  Wheatfield  township;  Finnel, 
who  married  Jacob  Finley,  both  being  de- 


1154 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ceased;  Emory,  who  died  young;  Mariam, 
who  married  F.  M.  Bolar,  of  East  Wheatfield 
township;  "Wilmer,  who  went  West;  Sarah, 
who  married  William  Wood,  now  deceased; 
and  Hudson,  who  is  deceased. 

Harrison  Spiers  attended  the  district 
schools,  and  also  went  to  summer  school  for 
three  terms,  and  grew  up  on  his  father's 
farm.  When  of  age,  in  August,  1863,  he  en- 
listed for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  entering 
Company  I,  135th  P.  V.  I.,  under  Capt.  John 
A.  Kinter  and  Col.  James  Porter,  and  was 
with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  taking  part 
in  the  battles  of  Munson's  Hill  and  Chan- 
cellorsville ;  while  on  duty  in  front  of  Fred- 
ericksburg he  received  a  small  flesh  wound. 
He  was  in  hospital  at  Camp  Curtin,  Har- 
risburg,  with  typhoid  fever,  and  was  mustered 
out  of  the  service  in  1864.  He  again  enlisted, 
at  Greensburg,  in  a  company  just  formed, 
and  was  detached  to  do  secret  service,  being 
engaged  in  that  work  up  to  the  close  of  the 
war.  Returning  home  he  stayed  on  the  home- 
stead with  his  parents  for  one  year,  and  then 
learned  the  trade  of  shookmaking  with 
Thomas  Hatch  in  Burrell  township.  Later 
he  became  engaged  in  that  business  with 
James  Alexander  Getty,  under  the  finn  name 
of  Spiers  &  Getty,  and  the  business  was  con- 
ducted thus  for  two  years,  when  Mr.  Spiers 
sold  out  and  took  to  farming  in  East  Wheat- 
field  township.  In  the  early  seventies  he 
came  to  Brushvalley  township  and  bought  a 
tract  of  eighty-three  acres,  on  which  he  built 
a  dwelling  house,  and  rebuilt  a  barn  which 
had  been  destroyed  by  a  gale.  He  continued 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
until  1892,  when  he  accepted  a  position  at 
the  Cambria  Iron  Works,  at  Johnstown,  stok- 
ing in  the  steel  works,  and  when  he  had 
spent  four  years  there  he  decided  to  return 
to  the  farm,  where  he  lived  two  more  years. 
He  then  obtained  a  position  as  foreman  in 
the  Round  department  of  the  Cambria  Iron 
Works,  at  Johnstown,  whither  he  removed 
with  his  family,  and  continued  to  fill  that 
position  for  four  years.  In  1902  he  again  re- 
turned with  his  family  to  the  farm  and  con- 
tinued engaged  in  fanning  until  1909,  when 
he  retired  and  located  in  Mechanicsburg, 
where  he  has  ever  since  resided.  A  stanch 
Republican  in  politics,  he  has  served  his 
township  as  school  director,  and  in  1911  was 
elected  .iustice  of  the  peace,  which  office  he 
is  now  filling  with  excellent  ability.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  belonging  to  Emory 
Fisher  Post,  of  Johnstown.  He  is  much  in- 
terested in  church  work,  Iteing  a  member  of 


the  Evangelical  Church,  is  trustee  and  class 
leader,  and  has  been  for  years  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school.  He  teaches  the  Bible 
class. 

Mr.  Spiers  married  Feb.  7,  1867,  in  East 
Wheatfield  township,  Emma  J.  Johns,  who 
was  born  in  Wheatfield  township,  daughter 
of  Isaac  Johns.  She  died  March  15,  1911, 
and  was  buried  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
cemetery  at  Armagh,  Pa.  She  was  a  member 
of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Twelve  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Sirs.  Spiers,  as  fol- 
lows: Clarissa,  born  Jan.  16,  1868,  is  de- 
ceased; Oliver  Perry,  born  April  4,  1869,  is 
deceased;  Adaline,  born  Dec.  19,  1870,  is  de- 
ceased ;  Eleanor,  born  I\Iarch  1,  1872,  married 
Albert  Hill,  and  resides  in  Juniata,  Blair  Co., 
Pa. ;  Harry  F.,  born  March  4,  1874,  resides  in 
Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Seguin  Adolphus.  born  Nov. 
20,  1876,  is  deceased;  Lillian  Theodosia,  born 
Sept.  4,  1878,  married  Wesley  Stahl,  and 
resides  in  Vandergrift;  Cora,  born  Oct.  8, 
1880,  married  John  Murphy,  of  Boswell, 
Somerset  Co.,  Pa. ;  Tesse  Izette,  born  Feb.  20, 
1884,  now  deceased,  married  Hariy  Over- 
dorff ;  Nellie  Blanch,  born  Feb.  21,  1886,  mar- 
ried Clark  Marsh,  of  Brushvalley  township; 
Warden  Gwinford,  born  March  17,  1888,  re- 
sides in  Center  township;  Flora  E.,  born 
April  23,  1891,  is  deceased.  Mr.  Spiers  was 
married  (second)  April  10,  1912,  to  ;\Irs. 
Mary  P.  (Windren)  Crothers,  born  in 
Whitesburg.  Armstrong  county,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Margaret  Windren,  and  widow 
of  Samuel  Crothers. 

HARVEY  W.  SHANK,  a  general  farmer 
and  stock  raiser  of  Cherryhill  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  owning  a  handsome  tract  of  land 
on  the  edge  of  the  borough  of  Clymer,  was 
born  in  that  township  May  10,  1862,  and  is 
a  son  of  Levi  and  ]\Iartha   (Lydiek)    Shank. 

Joshua  Shank,  his  paternal  grandfather, 
was  an  early  settler  of  Indiana  county,  com- 
ing here  from  Somerset  county.  Pa.,  and 
locating  on  a  tract  of  land  situated  near 
Greenville,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life 
in  agricultural  pursuits. 

Levi  Shank,  son  of  Joshua,  and  father  of 
Harvey  W.,  was  born  in  Cambria  county.  Pa., 
and  accompanied  his  parents  to  Indiana 
county,  the  remainder  of  his  life  being  spent 
on  the  old  homestead,  where  his  widow, 
a  native  of  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana 
county,  still  resides.  They  had  a  family  of 
three  sons  and  three  daughters,  as  follows: 
Harvey  W. ;  Nancy,  the  wife  of  Lemuel 
Myers,    of   Indiana,    Pa. ;    Jane,   the   wife   of 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1155 


Walter  il.  Myers,  a  farmer  and  minister  of 
Cherryhill  township ;  Ora,  a  resident  of  Penn 
Run,  Indiana  county;  Minnie,  wlio  makes  her 
home  with  her  mother  at  Greenville;  and 
Sherman,  a  farmer  living  near  Indiana. 

Abraham  Lydick,  the  maternal  grandfather 
of  Harvey  "W.  Shank,  was  also  an  early  set- 
tler of  Indiana  county,  where  the  greater 
part  of  his  life  was  spent  in  tilling  the  soil. 

Harvey  W.  Shank  received  his  education  in 
the  district  schools  of  Cherryhill  township, 
and  was  reared  to  the  vocation  of  agricultur- 
ist. When  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age  he 
left  the  parental  roof  and  emljarked  in  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account  as  the  operator  of  a 
sawmill,  a  business  in  which  he  was  engaged 
for  eight  years.  During  this  time  he  also 
learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  several  years,  building  the  first  five 
houses  in  the  borough  of  Clymer.  During  the 
last  few  years  he  has  been  living  at  a  beauti- 
ful home  situated  on  the  edge  of  Cl.ymer,  and 
has  been  successfully  engaged  in  farming. 

On  Feb.  26,  1885,  Mr.  Shank  was  married 
to  Lucinda  Houck,  who  was  bom  in  Cherry- 
hill township,  Indiana  county,  Sept.  20,  1864, 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Cathei'ine  (Wheeler) 
Houck,  both  of  whom  are  now  living  in 
Cherryhill  township,  where  they  were  early 
settlers.  The  Houck  family  consisted  of  four 
sons  and  three  daughters,  as  follows:  John, 
residing  in  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Mary,  widow  of 
Joshua  Shank ;  Fred,  living  on  the  homestead 
in  Cherryhill  township ;  Lucinda,  wife  of 
Harvey  W.  Shank;  Aaron,  of  Marion  Center, 
Indiana  county ;  Ida,  wife  of  James  Kirtland, 
of  Cherryhill  township ;  and  Lowry,  a  livery- 
man and  hotel-keeper  of  Penn  Run. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shank  have  had  a  family  of 
twelve  children,  in  order  of  birth  as  follows: 
Peter;  Linus;  Joshua,  who  married  Edith 
Alders  and  resides  in  Cherryhill  township; 
John,  residing  in  Indiana  county ;  and  Goldie, 
Claire,  Mary,  Ferman,  Hazel,  Vernie,  Lula 
and  Roy,  all  at  home  with  their  parents. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shank  and  their  children  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

WILLIAM  L.  CALHOUN,  formerly  a 
farmer  of  Armstrong  township,  Indiana 
county,  now  living  retired  in  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  still  owns  considerable  land,  but  be- 
yond looking  after  his  property  is  not  actively 
interested  in  any  business.  He  was  born  in 
Armstrong  township  March  13,  1842,  son  of 
Alexander  and  Nancy  (Wiggins)  Calhoun. 
His  gi-andfather,  William  Calhoun,  married 


a  Lytle,  and  they  lived  and  died  in  Armstrong 
township. 

Alexander  Calhoun  was  born  in  Armstrong 
township,  and  was  a  farmer  all  his  life,  dy- 
ing on  his  farm  near  Elderton.  His  wiie 
also  died  there.  They  were  members  of  the 
U.  P.  Church.  Mr.  Calhoun  was  a  Republican 
and  took  considerable  interest  in  the  politics 
of  his  locality,  serving  in  various  local  offices 
and  proving  a  useful  man  in  his  community. 
Six  children  were  born  to  him  and  his  wife: 
James,  who  died  in  Denver,  Colo. ;  William 
L. ;  Mary,  Mrs.  Daniel  Farrell,  of  Kansas; 
Samuel,  of  Plumcreek  township,  Armstrong 
county  (he  served  in  the  206th  P.  V.  I.,  dur- 
ing the  Civil  war)  ;  Alexander,  of  Plumcreek 
township,  Armstrong  county;  and  Margaret, 
]Mrs.  James  Harmon,  of  Plumcreek  township. 
William  L.  Calhoun  was  a  boy  when  his 
father  removed  to  Armstrong  county,  and 
there  he  received  his  education  and  grew  to 
manhood.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  the  Union 
service,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  6, 
63d  P.  V.  I.,  under  Captain  McHenry  and 
Col.  Alexander  Hayes.  He  served  faithfully 
until  the  fall  of  1862,  when  he  was  disabled 
by  being  sunsti-uck,  and  typhoid  fever  devel- 
oping he  was  sent  home  and  discharged  on  ac- 
count of  disability.  He  reenlisted  Jan.  1, 
1864,  joining  the  signal  corps,  and  served  until 
August,  1865,  when  he  was  discharged  at 
Georgetown.  Among  the  actions  in  which  he 
took  part  were  the  skirmishes  around  York- 
town,  Williamsburg,  Fair  Oaks,  the  seven 
days'  battle  and  second  Bull  Run.  Upon  the 
close  of  his  army  service  he  resumed  farming 
at  his  old  home  in  Armstrong  county,  where 
he  continued  to  follow  agricultural  pursuits 
until  his  removal  to  Armstrong  township,  In- 
diana county.  He  continued  farming  there 
until  he  retired  and  moved  to  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  in  1900.  He  retains  the  ownership 
of  130  acres  of  farm  land  and  130  acres  of 
coal  land,  all  in  Armstrong  township.  Mr. 
Calhoun  was  an  intelligent  and  enterprising 
farmer,  and  his  agricultural  operations  paid 
well  under  his  thrifty  management. 

In  the  spring  of  1866  Mr.  Calhoun  married 
Christina  Fry,  of  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret 
(Mahan)  Fry.  Seven  children  have  been 
born  to  them:  Bellezta,  Mrs.  Frank  Fry,  of 
Advance,  Indiana  county;  Nancy  W.,  who  is 
at  home;  Porter,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Arm- 
strong township,  Indiana  county;  Lottie, 
ilrs.  Ricliard  Spence,  of  Indiana  county; 
Mayme,  Mrs.  John  Winger,  of  Indiana 
county ;  Marlie,  who  went  West ;  and  Edith, 


1156 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


who  is  unmarried.     The  family  home  is  at 
No.  445  South  Seventh  street. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Calhoun  are  members  of  the 
Second  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Indi- 
ana. His  political  principles  are  those  of  the 
Republican  party,  but  he  is  an  independent 
voter. 

ISAAC  NORMAN  KING,  of  Center  town- 
ship, is  one  of  the  progressive  farmers  who 
are  keeping  that  part  of  Indiana  county  up 
to  the  high  standard  set  by  modern  agricul- 
turists. He  is  a  citizen  of  worth,  and  belongs 
to  an  old  family  of  German  origin  which  has 
been  settled  in  this  section  of  Pennsylvania 
for  almost  one  hundred  and  fifty  years. 

The  name  was  originally  spelled  Koenig, 
and  John  Koenig,  the  founder  of  the  family 
in  America,  came  from  Germany  about  1769, 
making  a  home  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pa., 
where  he  had  a  farm. 

Joseph  Koenig,  son  of  John,  was  the  first 
of  the  family  to  write  the  name  King.  Ac- 
cording to  tradition,  while  he  was  attending 
an  English  school  in  Westmoreland  county 
the  schoolmaster  used  the  English  version, 
which  the  family  has  since  adopted.  He  lo- 
cated in  Brady's  Bend  township,  Armstrong 
county,  followed  farming,  and  became  a  land 
owner.  He  was  twice  married,  and  had  sons : 
David,  who  married  and  had  seven  sons; 
John,  who  married  Catherine  Fife,  and  set- 
tled in  Ohio;  and  Isaac. 

Isaac  King,  son  of  Joseph  by  his  second 
marriage,  made  his  home  near  Kittanning, 
Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  and  died  there.  Farm- 
ing was  his  life  occupation.  His  children 
were:  Gideon,  Elias,  Robert,  Isaac,  and 
Sarah  (married  Joseph  Stuyvesaut  of  Kit- 
tanning,  Pa.). 

Isaac  King,  son  of  Isaac,  was  born  on  a 
farm  near  Kittanning  and  there  grew  to  man- 
hood. He  was  early  familiarized  with  farm 
work,  which  he  always  followed.  Moving  to 
-Indiana  county  in  middle  life,  he  settled  in 
Armstrong  township,  where  he  continued  to 
farm  throughout  his  active  years.  He  died 
when  past  seventy  years  of  age,  at  Twolick, 
Pa.,  and  is  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery,  at 
Indiana.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat.  Mr. 
King  married  Eva  Dunmore,  of  South  Bend, 
Armstrong  county,  who  died  in  Armstrong 
township,  Indiana  county,  and  is  buried  in 
Oakland  cemetery.  Eleven  children  were 
born  to  this  union:  Jennie,  who  married 
David  Ortz,  of  Indiana;  Philip;  Lucy,  who 
married  Thomas  Ewing,  and  settled  in  Ne- 
braska ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  William  Gar- 


land, and  resides  at  Kiskiminetas  Junction, 
Pa.;  Isaac  Norman;  Nannie,  who  married 
Levi  Gilbert,  of  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Robert,  liv- 
ing in  Allegheny  county.  Pa. ;  Thomas,  of 
Bellwood,  Pa. ;  May,  married  to  Samuel  Cru- 
san,  of  Derry,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa. ;  Late- 
tia,  who  married  Samuel  Jenkins;  and  Mar- 
garet, who  resides  at  Johnstown,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Isaac  Norman  King  was  born  March  23, 
1853,  in  Young  township,  Indiana  county, 
and  was  reared  there,  attending  the  local 
schools.  When  a  youth  he  became  employed 
at  farm  work  in  South  Bend  township,  Arm- 
strong county,  and  also  in  Young  township. 
Indiana  county,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
began  farming  on  his  own  account,  settling 
in  Center  township.  At  the  time  of  his  mar- 
riage he  came  to  reside  on  the  W.  H.  Kerr 
farm  in  that  township,  where  he  has  since 
had  his  home  and  follows  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  has  made  numerous  improve- 
ments on  the  place  since  it  came  into  his 
hands,  putting  up  buildings  and  making  many 
changes  which  have  enhanced  its  value,  and 
he  has  shown  intelligence  and  enterprise  in 
his  able  management  of  the  property.  It  oc- 
cupies the  highest  elevation  in  the  township, 
being  over  seventeen  hundred  feet  above  sea 
level.  Mr.  King  has  served  as  member  and 
secretary  of  the  school  board  of  his  township, 
and  takes  a  public-spirited  interest  in  move- 
ments which  he  feels  will  benefit  the  commu- 
nity. He  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  temperance 
and  supports  the  Prohibition  party.  In  re- 
ligious connection  he  is  a  prominent  member 
of  the  Crete  United  Presbvterian  Church, 
which  he  served  as  elder  for  fifteen  years,  also 
filling  all  the  other  church  offices.  Frater- 
nally he  belongs  to  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M. 
.  On  Oct.  19,  1876,  IMr.  King  married  An- 
nie E.  Hofi'man,  daughter  of  John  D.  and 
Deborah  (Eckels)  Hoffman,  and  they  have 
had  four  children :  Nettie  Myrtle,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Milton  M.  Bowman,  of  Armstrong 
township,  Indiana  county;  Laura  D.,  at  home; 
Sadie  C.  who  died  Feb!  16,  1911 :  and  Ruth, 
who  died  in  infancy.  ]\Iiss  Sadie  C.  King,  the 
third  daughter,  received  her  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Center  township  and 
fitted  herself  for  the  teacher's  profession,  be- 
coming one  of  the  most  successful  public 
school  instructors  in  Indiana  county.  She 
taught  at  the  Risinger  school  in  North  Homer, 
Center  township;  Myers  school  in  Center 
township  ;  Bridenbaiigh  school.  Center  town- 
ship ;  Lytic 's  school,  two  terms;  New  Alex- 
andria (Westmoreland  county)  public  school ; 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY;  PENNSYLVANIA 


1157 


Vandergrift  Heights  public  school;  Smith's 
station  public  school  in  Burrell  township; 
Iselin  public  school  in  Young  township;  and 
Graceton  public  school  in  Center  township. 
Miss  King  made  hosts  of  friends  while  follow- 
ing her  profession.  While  teaching  at  Grace- 
ton  she  contracted  the  fever  which  caused  her 
death,  at  her  home,  in  February,  1911,  leav- 
ing many  to  mourn  the  loss  of  one  who  in 
her  busy,  useful  career  had  left  a  gracious 
influence  on  the  lives  of  those  whose  good 
fortune  it  was  to  be  associated  with  her,  either 
as  pupils  or  fellow  workers.  She  was  buried 
in  Oakland  cemetery  at  Indiana. 

WILLIAM  GREINER,  who  is  the  pro- 
prietor of  one  of  the  largest  bakeries  in  Indi- 
ana county,  situated  at  Clymer  borough,  was 
born  in  the  city  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  June  1, 
1854,  and  is  a  son  of  John  A.  and  Margaret 
(Hill)  Greiner,  natives  of  Germany. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Greiner  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1852,  John  A.  Greiner  being 
engaged  as  a  coal  operator  at  Miller's  Run, 
near  Pittsburg,  until  his  retirement  eighteen 
years  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1911.  He  was  very  successful  in  a  business 
way,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  had  accu- 
mulated a  handsome  competency.  His  wife 
passed  away  in  1910.  They  had  a  family  of 
eleven  children,  as  follows :  John,  who  resides 
in  Pittsburg;  Kate,  who  is  deceased;  William ; 
Charles,  who  is  deceased;  Fred,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  the  coal  business  at  Homewood,  Pa. ; 
Mary,  wife  of  Fred  Studtlander,  a  druggist 
of  Pittsburg;  Louise,  wife  of  Charles  Purnell, 
of  Pittsburg ;  Henry,  also  of  that  city ;  Louis, 
residing  in  Allegheny;  Edward,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  the  insurance  business  in  Pittsburg ; 
and  Carrie,  the  wife  of  George  White,  of 
Homewood. 

William  Greiner  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Pittsburg,  and  as  a  youth 
learned  the  baker's  trade,  having  mastered 
his  vocation  when  he  was  only  sixteen  years 
of  age.  For  several  years  thereafter  he 
worked  at  his  trade  in  Pittsburg,  and  then 
engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account,  being 
proprietor  of  a  grocery  and  bakery  in 
his  native  city  until  1889.  At  that  time  he 
removed  to  Indiana  county,  where  he  carried 
on  a  business  venture  for  several  years,  Init 
eventually  returned  to  Pittsburg.  A  short 
time  thereafter  he  came  to  Clymer  and  estalv 
lished  himself  in  business,  and  his  recognized 
ability,  sound  business  judgment  and  absolute 
integrity  have  aided  him  in  making  his  one  of 
the  leading  enterprises  of  its  kind  in  Indiana 


county,  and  in  gaining  the  confidence  and 
patronage  of  the  people  of  his  community. 

Mr.  Greiner  was  married  in  August,  1875, 
to  Anna  King,  a  native  of  Pittsburg,  and  she 
died  July  23,  1891.  There  were  four  children 
born  to  this  union,  namely:  Charles,  who  is 
a  resident  of  Homewood;  Lucinda,  the  wife 
of  Victor  Bermont,  of  Lockville,  Pa. ;  Edna, 
deceased ;  and  George,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
bakery  business  at  Indiana.  In  1892  Mr. 
Greiner  was  married  (second)  to  Kate  Page. 
of  Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

]\Ir.  Greiner  and  the  members  of  his  family 
attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He 
is  a  popular  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias. 

BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN  LING,  one  of 
the  oldest  citizens  of  East  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  who  is  now  living  re- 
tired at  his  home  at  the  foot  of  Laurel  Hill, 
was  born  in  Somerset  county.  Pa.,  Sept.  16, 
1832,  and  comes  of  an  old  and  honored  family 
of  German  extraction. 

Philip  Ling,  the  grandfather  of  Benjamin 
Franklin  Ling,  made  his  home  in  Shade  town- 
.ship,  Somerset  county,  where*  he  followed 
farming,  but  died  while  still  in  the  prime  of 
life,  in  1814,  when  about  forty  years  of  age. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Manges,  who  lived  to 
the  ripe  age  of  ninety-two  years,  and  died 
in  Bedford  county.  Pa.  She  was  also  of  Ger- 
man descent  and  a  member  of  an  old  family. 

William  Ling,  son  of  Philip  Ling,  and 
father  of  Benjamin  F.  Ling,  was  born  in 
Shade  township,  Somerset  Co.,  Pa.,  in  1806. 
and  there  grew  to  manhood  and  made  farming 
his  occupation.  He  was  but  eight  years  of  age 
at  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  but  remained 
with  his  widowed  mother  until  he  began  farm- 
ing on  his  own  account,  and  in  1850  came 
to  Indiana  county  and  began  farming  at  the 
foot  of  Laurel  Hill,  in  East  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, near  the  Indiana  and  Cambria  county 
line.  Here  he  purchased  a  tract  of  131  acres, 
which  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  family, 
made  extensive  improvements,  erected  a  com- 
fortable home  and  other  buildings,  and  con- 
tinued in  farming  and  stock  raising  until  his 
death,  Oct.  30, 1880,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four 
years,  seven  months,  twenty -six  days;  he  was 
laid  to  rest  in  Blacklick  Church  cemetery. 
He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  never  an 
office  seeker.  His  religious  views  were  those 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which 
he  was  ever  a  consistent  member.  On  March 
14,  1830,  Mr.  Ling  was  married  to  Mary 
Berkey,  who  was  bom  Sept.  30,  1812,  daugli- 


1158 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ter  of  Joseph  Berkey,  of  Somerset  eoimty, 
and  she  died  May  4,  1888,  aged  seventy-five 
3'ears,  seven  months,  four  days.  She  was 
buried  beside  her  husband.  The  children  born 
to  "William  and  Mary  Ling  were  as  follows: 
Elizabeth,  born  Dee.  11,  1830,  died  Nov.  18, 
1832 ;  Benjamin  Franklin  is  mentioned  below ; 
Mary  Ann,  born  Sept.  9,  1834,  married 
George  Washington  Tomb,  and  died  Dec.  16, 
1866;  Chauncey,  born  Nov.  6,  1836,  a  black- 
smith, died  Aug.  4,  1866;  Rebecca  Berkey, 
born  Nov.  16,  1838,  married  Thomas  Wilson 
Bowen;  Reuben  H.,  born  Dec.  14,  1840, 
married  Elizabeth  Bolar  and  is  living  on  a 
part  of  the  old  homestead;  Christopher 
Berkey,  born  June  5,  1843,  was  a  soldier  in 
the  LTnion  army  during  the  Civil  war,  and 
died  at  Gettysburg,  July  18,  1863 ;  Emmeline 
Jane,  born  July  23,  1845,  married  Charles 
Teter,  of  Johnstown,  Pa.,  and  died  Feb.  19, 
1869 ;  Jeremiah  Berkey,  born  March  20,  1849, 
married  Matilda  Clark,  and  is  now  engaged 
in  farming  in  East  Wheatfield  township ;  Wil- 
liam F.,  born  Feb.  24,  1852,  died  Nov.  4,  1855. 
Benjamin  Franklin  Ling,  son  of  William 
Ling,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  county  and  came  to  East  Wheatfield 
township  in  1850  with  his  parents;  continuing 
as  his  father's  assistant  until  he  was  twenty- 
five  years  of  age.  At  that  time  he  embarked 
in  agricultural  pursuits  on  his  own  account, 
purchasing  the  Rankin  farm  of  100  acres,  and 
there,  from  1853  until  the  time  of  his  retire- 
ment from  active  life,  he  followed  farming, 
dairying  and  stock  raising,  so  industriously 
devoting  himself  to  his  labors  as  to  accumulate 
a  handsome  competency  and  develop  an  ex- 
cellent property.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  a 
farm  of  161  acres,  on  which  are  located  a  com- 
fortable residence,  substantial  barns  and  com- 
modious outbuildings,  all  erected  by  him,  and 
numerous  other  improvements  have  been  made 
on  the  property.  This  farm  is  now  being 
operated  by  his  son,  who  is  also  caring  for 
the  productive  apple  orchard  that  was  planted 
by  Mr.  Ling  many  years  ago.  Mr.  Ling's  life 
has  been  one  of  industry  and  conscientious  ef- 
fort, and  now  in  the  evening  of  life,  he  may 
look  back  over  a  useful  and  well-spent  career, 
satisfied  in  the  knowledge  that  his  record  is 
unman-ed  by  stain  or  blemish.  Although  he 
has  passed  fourscore  years,  time  has  been 
lenient  with  him,  and  he  is  in  the  enjoyment 
of  perfect  health  and  in  full  possession  of  his 
faculties.  He  has  reared  a  family  of  children 
who  are  a  credit  to  him  and  to  their  com- 
munity, has  given  them  excellent  educational 


advantages,  and  fitted  them  for  whatever 
position  in  life  they  have  been  called 
upon  to  fill.  A  Republican  in  political  mat- 
ters, he  has  served  for  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century  as  a  member  of  the  township 
school  board,  and  for  several  years  was  over- 
seer of  the  poor.  He  has  been  active  in  the 
work  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of 
which  he  is  a  trustee,  and  in  every  walk  of 
life  is  esteemed  and  respected  by  all  who 
know  him. 

On  July  8,  1858,  Mr.  Ling  was  married  in 
East  Wheatfield  township  to  Elizabeth 
McFeaters,  who  was  born  in  Pine  township, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  John  and 
Susanna  (Deyarmin)  McFeaters,  and  grand- 
daughter of  William  and  Margaret  (Camp- 
bell) McFeaters.  On  July  8,  1908,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ling  celebrated  their  Golden  Wedding 
anniversary,  on  which  occasion  were  pres- 
ent ten  children,  sixty  gi-andchildren,  and 
a  number  of  great-grandchildren.  The  chil- 
di'cn  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ling  were  as  fol- 
lows: William,  born  Aug.  16,  1859,  married 
Sarah  Stephens,  and  died  in  1902,  leaving 
sis  children,  Robert  Henson,  Freda  Eliza- 
beth, Walter  and  Wilber,  twins,  George  and 
Thomas;  Mary  married  Thomas  Jefferson 
Davis,  of  Buffington  township,  and  has 
five  children,  Norman,  Stanton,  Elden,  Dal- 
ton  and  Melvin ;  Agnes  Jane,  who  was  for 
some  years  a  school  teacher,  married  Robert 
Elder,  of  Juniata,  Pa.,  and  had  six  children, 
Philip,  Benjamin  L.,  Roberta,  Bryan,  Charles 
and  Walter;  Teresa  Ella  (Tessie),  widow  of 
Fletcher  Bracken,  who  was  killed  in  a  powder 
mill  explosion  at  Seward,  June  19,  1892,  has 
four  children,  Walter,  Homer,  Jessie  Eliza- 
beth and  Chalmer;  Laura  Emma,  who  mar- 
ried E.  G.  Neely,  of  Carlisle,  Pa.,  has  six 
children,  Mary  Elizabeth,  Edith,  Margaret, 
Harry  Marlin,  Kenneth  and  Elmer  Norman; 
Lizzie  Ida,  who  married  Sanford  U.  Syster, 
of  Derry  township,  Westmoreland  county,  has 
eight  children,  Harry,  Iva,  Frank,  Ro.y,  Clyde, 
Carl,  June  Rose  and  Dale  R. ;  Charles  Bowen, 
of  Juniata,  Pa.,  married  Mary  Stutsman  and 
has  five  children,  Minnie,  Benjamin  L.,  Hen- 
son,  Alberta  and  Theodore;  Fannie  R.,  who 
married  Albert  Plowman,  a  railroad  engineer 
residing  at  Derry,  Westmoreland  county,  has 
three  children,  Ralph,  Mabel  and  Floyd ;  Ada 
C,  who  married  John  Stutzman,  of  Buffing- 
ton  township,  has  seven  children.  Hazel  Fern, 
Edward  Ling,  Pearl  E.,  Benjamin  L.,  Clyde, 
Gladys  and  Herman;  Edward  M.,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  operating  the  home,  farm,  married 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1159 


Martha  Plowman,  and  has  two  children,  Mer- 
vin  Chalmers  and  Mildred  Violet. 

SOLOMON  BLACK,  late  of  Indiana,  was 
one  of  the  venerable  citizens  of  that  borough, 
where  he  settled  in  the  fall  of  1904.  He  was 
a  blacksmith,  and  followed  farming  as  well 
as  blacksmithing  during  his  active  years,  and 
was  a  prosperous  business  man,  highly  re- 
garded in  the  various  communities  where  he 
resided.  Mr.  Black  was  born  Dee.  9,  1830,  in 
Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  son  of 
John  and  Catherine  (Keener)  Black.  John 
Black  was  at  one  time  a  farmer  in  Butler 
county.  Pa.  After  his  death  his  widow  mar- 
ried RIoses  Wilhelm.  Solomon  was  the  only 
child  of  her  first  marriage. 

Mr.  Black  attended  public  school  in  Arm- 
strong township,  his  first  teacher  being  Wil- 
liam Miller.  Afterward  he  was  under  the  in- 
struction of  Gust.  Reed,  David  Blakely,  John 
G.  Foreman,  William  Beatty  and  Samuel 
Dowds.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  re- 
mained there  until  the  age  of  eighteen  years, 
at  which  time  he  went  to  Idaho,  Armstrong 
Co.,  Pa.,  to  commence  his  apprenticeship  at 
the  blacksmith's  trade  with  Mr.  Truby.  After 
the  completion  of  his  term  he  worked  as  a 
journeyman  until  he  started  a  shop  of  his  own 
in  West  Lebanon.  Indiana  county,  where  he 
remained  for  three  years.  The  four  years  fol- 
lowing he  was  engaged  in  business  in  Indiana 
borough.  Then  for  five  years  he  was  at  Five 
Points,  this  county,  spending  the  next  five 
years  in  Washington  Church,  Washington 
township,  thence  removing  to  Rayne  town- 
ship, where  he  resided  for  twenty-five  years. 
From  there  he  moved  to  Shelocta,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  bought  a  farm  of  fifty-five 
acres,  also  owning  a  tract  of  157  acres  in 
Rayne  township,  where  he  resided  for  twenty- 
five  years.  He  had  previously  owned  a  fifty- 
acre  farm.  In  the  fall  of  1904  he  retired  and 
moved  to  the  borough  of  Indiana,  where  he 
had  his  home  until  his  death,  his  residence 
being  at  No.  235  Thirteenth  street. 

Mr.  Black  was  always  a  Republican,  and 
during  the  Civil  war  entered  the  Union  serv- 
ice, enlisting  March  14,  1865,  in  Company 
F,  78th  P.  V.  I.,  which  was  attached  to  the 
Western  Army.  He  was  discharged  in  the 
fall  of  1865,  but  did  not  come  home  with  his 
regiment,  being  sick  at  the  time  with  typhoid 
fever  in  hospital  at  Nashville. 

On  March  7,  1854,  Mr.  Black  married  Mary 
A.  Russell,  who  was  born  April  2,  1832,  in 
Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Miller)  Russell,  and  was  reared  in 


Indiana  county.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church,  but  Mr.  Black  had  no  church 
connections.  On  March  7,  1904,  they  cele- 
brated the  golden  anniversaiy  of  their  wed- 
ding. Eight  children  were  born  to  this  union, 
viz.:  (1)  William  W.,  an  attorney  in  Everett, 
Wash.,  married  MoUie  Niel,  of  Kansas,  and 
has  three  children.  Bertha,  Lloyd  and  Wen- 
del.  (2)  Lizzie  Catherine,  widow  of  Harman 
Adams,  had  three  children,  John,  Frank  (who 
married  Elsie  Smith)  and  Jennie  (married 
Daniel  Stephens,  who  is  deceased).  (3)  Mar- 
garet Jane  married  Wesley  Brady,  of  Marion 
Center,  this  county.  Their  children  are  Min- 
nie Myrtle  and  Arlington  Augustus,  the  lat- 
ter of  whom  married  Bertha  Lightcap.  (4) 
Smith  M.,  a  farmer  of  this  county,  married 
Sadie  Cunningham,  and  they  have  had  three 
children.  Homer  and  Roy  (both  deceased) 
and  Russell  B.  (5)  Lewis,  a  farmer  of 
Leavenworth,  Kaus.,  married  Fanny  Pike, 
now  deceased,  and  their  children  were  Harry 
Augustus,  Mary  Emma,  Clarence  Merle, 
Walter  Wilson  and  Charles  Lewis.  (6)  Nan- 
cy Bell  is  unmarried  and  resides  at  home.  (7) 
Harry  White,  of  Beaverdale,  Cambria  Co., 
Pa.,  married  Ella  Boucher,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Wilbur  and  Samuel.  (8)  Mary 
Ellen  is  unmarried. 

CAPT.  PETER  C.  SPENCER,  a  retired 
farmer  and  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  residing 
on  his  farm  in  South  ilahoniug  township, 
two  miles  east  of  Plumville,  was  born  in  that 
township  March  24,  1840. 

Zachariah  Spencer,  a  native  of  the  New 
England  States,  founded  the  family  in  Soiith 
Mahoning  township,  to  which  section  he  came 
in  pioneer  days,  settling  on  100  acres  of  farm 
land,  near  the  township  line  between  that 
and  Washington  township.  At  that  time  the 
land  was  densely  covered  with  timber,  and  he 
settled  in  the  woods  and  erected  a  log  cabin, 
in  which  the  family  lived  until  better  accom- 
modations could  be  provided.  A  log  barn  shel- 
tered the  stock,  and  rails  were  split  from  the 
timber  to  outline  the  fields  as  he  developed 
his  land.  He  died  firm  in  the  faith  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  and  was  buried  in  the 
little  cemetery  in  South  Mahoning  township. 
Politically  he  was  a  Whig,  but  never  sought 
public  office.  His  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden 
name  of  IMargaret  Briddle,  bore  him  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Andrew ;  Elizabeth,  who 
was  better  known  as  Betsy ;  William,  who  died 
in  Canoe  township;  John,  who  died  in  South 
Mahoning  township;  Sarah,  who  married 
John  Lewis,  of  Rayne  township ;  Daniel,  who 


1160 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


died  in  Banks  township ;  George,  who  died  in 
Canoe  township;  Rachel,  who  married  Sam- 
uel Stamp,  of  Banks  township;  Israel,  who 
lives  in  Missouri;  and  Nancy,  who  died  un- 
married. 

Andrew  Spencer,  a  son  of  Zachariah  Spen- 
cer, was  born  Aug.  2,  1801,  in  Huntingdon, 
Pa.,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  South  Ma- 
honing township,  where  he  grew  to  manhood 
amid  strictly  pioneer  conditions.  His  educa- 
tional training  was  obtained  in  the  subscrip- 
tion schools  and  at  the  same  time  he  assisted 
his  father  with  the  work  of  clearing  and  devel- 
oping the  farm.  After  attaining  manhood's 
estate  he  settled  on  a  farm  of  106  acres  in 
South  Mahoning  township,  in  the  Flat  school 
district.  On  this  property  he  erected  a  frame 
house  and  barn  and  carried  on  general  fann- 
ing with  marked  success.  He  also  engaged  in 
stock  raising,  but  his  multiple  duties  wore 
upon  him,  and  he  died  while  still  in  middle 
life,  Nov.  23,  1856,  and  is  buried  by  the  side  of 
his  father.  The  Methodist  Church  held  his 
membership,  and  he  was  in  favor  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  newly  organized  Republican 
party  when  he  died. 

On  Sept.  16,  1824,  Andrew  Spencer  mar- 
ried Margaret  Pierce,  born  April  20,  1802, 
who  died  in  Jefferson  county,  Pa.,  and  her  re- 
mains were  laid  to  rest  in  the  private  burial 
ground  of  the  Pierce  family.  She  belonged 
to  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  The 
children  born  to  Andrew  Spencer  and  wife 
were:  Mary,  born  July  19,  1825,  married 
Jesse  Spencer,  of  South  Mahoning  township; 
Nancy,  born  March  27,  1827,  married  Jehu 
Montgomery;  Margaret,  born  Jan.  30,  1829, 
married  Edward  Pierce;  Sarah  Harris,  born 
March  14,  1831,  married  James  Niel.  of  Banks 
township;  Rebecca,  born  May  2,  1833,  mar- 
ried Ephraim  Pierce,  of  Jefferson  county. 
Pa.;  Elizabeth,  boi'n  July  28.  1835,  married 
Aaron  Work,  of  North  Mahoning  towTiship ; 
Julianna,  born  Oct-.  2,  1837,  married  Arr  Niel, 
and  is  now  a  widow,  of  Punxsutawnev,  Pa. ; 
Peter  C.  was  born  March  24,  1840;  Sophia, 
born  Aug.  8,  1842,  died  unmarried ;  one  child 
was  stillborn  Jan.  5,  1846;  John  Miles,  born 
Dec.  11,  1848,  is  deceased. 

Capt.  Peter  C.  Spencer  was  educated  in 
the  local  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and 
worked  for  his  father  on  the  farm  until  his 
enlistment  for  service  early  during  the 
Civil  war,  being  enrolled  as  a  member  of 
Company  F,  105th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  in  September,  1861,  as  a  private 
under  Capt.  Robert  Kirk,  of  Clearfield,  Pa., 
and  Colonel  McKnight.     The  regiment  was 


attached  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  par- 
ticipated in  many  hard-fought  battles  of  the 
war.  Captain  Spencer  was  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  May  31,  1862,  in  his  right 
thigh,  and  was  foi-eed  to  spend  six  months  in 
the  hospital  on  David's  Island,  N.  Y.  He  was 
discharged  in  November,  1862,  and  returned 
home.  However,  his  patriotic  spirit  could 
not  rest  content,  and  he  reenlisted  in  1863  in 
Company  A,  1st  Battalion,  under  Capt.  J.  J. 
Moore,  of  Marion  Center,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Lininger  commanding.  He  was  made  first 
corporal,  and  for  six  months  was  stationed  in 
West  Virginia,  and  was  then  discharged.  Once 
more,  he  enlisted,  this  time  in  Company  B, 
7th  Battalion,  under  Capt.  John  G.  Wilson, 
and  was  promoted  to  be  captain  of  his  com- 
pany to  succeed  Captain  Wilson,  continuing 
in  command  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  His 
long  period  of  service  was  marked  by  three 
enlistments  and  earnest,  faithful  work  that 
met  its  just  reward  in  his  promotion. 

Returning  home.  Captain  Spencer  resumed 
his  agricultural  operations,  living  upon  his 
farm  of  106  acres  until  1904,  during  which 
time  he  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  In  that  year  he  sold,  and  bought  his 
present  farm  of  twenty-five  acres,  where  he 
and  his  wife  now  reside.  He  spent  seven 
years  at  Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  but  aside  from 
"that  has  been  a  farmer  all  his  life.  Captain 
Spencer  belongs  to  Capt.  Ed.  Little  Post,  G. 
A.  R.,  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  while  the  Meth- 
odist Church  holds  his  religious  membership. 

In  1866  Captain  Spencer  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Sarah  Ann  Davis,  of  South 
Slahoning  township,  a  daughter  of  William 
Thompson  and  Elizabeth  (Ansley)  Davis. 
Mrs.  Spencer  is  a  most  excellent  woman,  con- 
sistent in  her  religious  belief,  a  devout  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church.  Charitable,  a  good 
neighbor  and  kind  friend,  she  has  many 
warm  personal  friends  in  the  township. 

For  many  years  Captain  Spencer  has  been 
a  Republican,  and  served  ably  as  supervisor  of 
tiiH  township  for  four  years,  for  one  year  of 
which  period  he  was  secretary  of  the  board. 
He  was  one  of  the  strong  supportei-s  of  Col- 
onel Roosevelt,  and  finds  in  that  remarkable 
man  his  model  as  an  ideal  citizen  and  worthy 
leader. 

Captain  Spencer  has  passed  through  many 
changes.  He  has  seen  the  country  in  the 
throes  of  civil  conflict,  and  helped  to  bring- 
about  peaceful  conditions  again.  Passing 
through  the  years  of  prosperity,  he  took  an 
enthusiastic  interest  in  the  Spanish-American 
war,  and   now  views   with   apprehension  the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1161 


threatening  cloud  of  class  distinction  troubles 
upon  the  horizon  of  public  welfare.  However, 
as  he  has  seen  other  difficulties  disappear  be- 
cause of  the  real  patriotism  of  the  true  Amer- 
icans, he  hopes  for  the  best,  and  knows  that 
he  has  borne  nobly  his  own  part  in  conquering 
the  enemies  of  right  living  in  both  war  and 
peace. 

EDWARD  ANDREW  MILLER,  justice  of 
the  peace  and  agent  for  the  Hartford  Fire  In- 
surance Company  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  is  a 
blacksmith  at  West  Lebanon,  in  Young  town- 
ship, where  he  has  resided  for  over  thirty 
years.  He  was  born  in  Young  township,  Nov. 
2,  1857,  son  of  Jacob  L.  Miller,  and  grandson 
of  Samuel  Miller. 

Samuel  Miller  lived  for  some  years  in  West- 
moreland county,  Pa.,  but  later  in  life  moved 
to  Kiskiminetas  township,  Armstrong  county, 
there  buying  farming  land  and  operating  it. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
and  a  man  highly  respected  in  his  community. 

Jacob  L.  Miller,  son  of  Samuel  Miller,  was 
born  in  Kiskiminetas  township,  Armstrong 
Co.,  Pa.,  in  1832,  and  there  grew  to  manhood, 
following  farming  as  an  occupation.  Coming 
to  Indiana  county,  he  rented  a  farm  near 
Eldersridge  in  Young  township,  and  was 
operating  it  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out  and 
he  enlisted  for  service,  becoming  a  private  in 
Company  E,  67th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry.  He  was  wounded  while  on  picket 
duty  near  Winchester,  Va.,  and  died  May  17, 
1863,  being  buried  in  the  national  cemetery 
at  Winchester.  The  United  Presbyterian 
Church  had  in  him  a  consistent  member. 

Jacob  L.  Miller  was  married  in  Armstrong 
county  to  Mary  Young,  born  in  that  county, 
daughter  of  John  Young.  She  survives,  be- 
ing now  eighty  years  old,  and  resides  with 
her  son  Edward  Andrew.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mil- 
ler had  five  cliildren :  Albert,  who  died  young; 
William,  who  also  died  young;  Edward  An- 
drew ;  Mary,  who  is  deceased,  as  is  Alexander. 

Edward  Andrew  Miller  was  only  six  years 
old  when  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his 
father,  but  his  widowed  mother  sent  him  to 
school  in  his  district,  although  he  had  to  work 
hard  during  the  summer  months  from  the 
time  he  was  seven  years  old.  The  child  ob- 
tained employment  among  the  farmers  of  the 
neighborhood,  receiving  five  dollars  per 
month  for  his  services  in  money,  besides  his 
board.  For  ten  years  he  continued  to  labor 
for  these  meager  wages,  and  then  he  began 
learning  the  trade  of  blacksmith  with  A.  J. 
Anderson,  with  whom  he  served  a  three  years ' 


apprenticeship.  For  the  first  year  he  received 
fifty  dollars  and  his  board;  for  the  second 
year  seventy-five  dollars  and  his  board,  and  the 
same  wages  continued  throughout  his  third 
and  last  year.  During  the  year  following  the 
completion  of  his  apprenticeship  he  worked 
as  a  journeyman,  and  then,  in  1880,  he  located 
in  West  Lebanon  as  a  general  blacksmith  with 
a  shop  of  his  own.  Mr.  Miller  still  operates 
his  shop,  and  has  continued  to  do  so  for  nearly 
thirty-three  years,  with  the  exception  of  eight 
years  when  he  was  interested  in  a  mercantile 
business  at  West  Lebanon  with  William  C. 
Fulton,  under  the  firm  style  of  Miller  &  Ful- 
ton. During  the  period  he  was  thus  engaged 
Mr.  Miller  was  postmaster  at  West  Lebanon, 
but  in  1900  he  sold  his  mercantile  interests, 
and  returned  to  blacksmithing.  In  1904  Mr. 
Miller  was  elected  a  justice  of  the  peace,  se- 
curing his  commission  from  Gov.  Samuel  W. 
Pennypacker.  He  was  reelected  in  1909, 
under  Gov.  Edwin  T.  Stewart.  For  a  number 
of  years  Mr.  Miller  was  a  member  of  the 
school  board  for  the  independent  school  dis- 
trict and  acted  as  secretary  of  the  board  while 
a  member  of  that  body.  The  Presbyterian 
Church  has  in  him  a  valued  member,  and  he 
is  serving  as  trustee,  while  his  Bible  class  at- 
tracts attention  not  only  from  people  of  West 
Lebanon,  but  outsiders  as  well.  Mr.  Miller 
is  a  man  to  whom  family  and  church  repre- 
sent the  best  there  is  in  life,  and  he  exerts 
a  good  influence  in  his  community. 

On  May  17,  1882,  Mr.  Miller  was  married 
to  Ella  Miller,  daughter  of  David  Miller  of 
Jacksonville.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  have  had  six 
children:  Essie  E.,  Paul,  Winifred,  Hazel, 
Bruce  and  Edward  Louis.  Essie  E.  was  a 
school  teacher  before  her  marriage  to  William 
A.  Dible,  and  she  and  her  husband  now  live 
at  Parkwood,  Pa.  Paul  was  educated  at 
Eldersridge  academy  and  the  commercial  col- 
lege at  Williamsport,  Pa.,  following  which  he 
taught  school  for  several  terms,  and  is  now 
bookkeeper  of  the  Vandergrift  Bank  &  Trust 
Company,  of  Vandergrift,  Pa.  Winifred 
married  Howard  E.  Snyder,  of  Leeehburg. 
Armstrong  Co.,  Pa. ;  prior  to  her  marriage  she 
taught  school  for  five  years.  Hazel  is  em- 
ployed as  a  stenographer  and  typewriter  at 
Vandergrift,  Pa.  Bruce  and  Edward  Louis 
are  at  home. 

JOHN  NEALER,  general  farmer  and  stock 
dealer  of  White  township,  has  been  a  resident 
of  that  township  all  of  his  life,  having  been 
born  there  Feb.  17,  1856,  son  of  John  and 
Margaret  (Graff)  Nealer. 


1162 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


His  paternal  grandparents  spent  their  en- 
tire lives  in  German}',  where  they  were  agri- 
cultural people.  They  were  the  parents  of 
two  sons  and  two  daughters. 

John  Nealer,  father  of  John,  was  born  in 
German.y,  and  after  his  marriage  came  to  the 
United  States  and  settled  in  Allegheny  coun- 
ty, Pa.,  there  spending  three  years.  Subse- 
quently he  removed  to  Cars  Furnace,  Clar- 
ion county,  where  he  also  spent  three  years,  at 
the  end  of  that  time  coming  to  White  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  where  he  purchased  a 
farm,  cleared  the  land  and  engaged  in  tilling 
the  soil  for  many  years.  On  retiring  from 
active  pursuits  he  removed  to  the  town  of 
Indiana,  where  he  purchased  the  comfortable 
home  in  which  he  continued  to  reside  until 
his  death,  in  1890.  During  his  active  years 
Mr.  Nealer  was  extensively  engaged  in  raising 
heavy  draft  horses  in  connection  with  his 
farming  operations,  and  in  both  lines  met 
with  uniform  success.  In  Germany  Mr. 
Nealer  was  married  to  ilargaret  Graff,  one 
of  five  children,  all  of  whom  are  deceased,  and 
they  had  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  as 
follows:  Annie,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife 
of  Nicholas  Hoffman,  who  now  lives  in  White 
township  ;  Therese,  who  is  deceased ;  Margaret, 
who  Avas  the  "^vife  of  John  Hoffman,  now  a 
resident  of  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Hemy,  who  also 
lives  in  the  town  of  Indiana;  John;  and 
Andrew,  who  lives  in  Indiana. 

John  Nealer,  son  of  John,  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  White  township,  and  re- 
mained on  the  family  homestead  until  his  mar- 
riage, at  which  time  he  bought  a  farm  from  his 
fathei'-in-law.  He  continued  to  reside  on  that 
property  until  the  year  1903,  when  he  bought 
the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  in  Wliite 
township.  In  addition  to  general  farming, 
Mr.  Nealer  is  gi-eatly  interested  in  raising 
cattle,  hogs  and  horses,  and  in  this  line  does 
a  large  and  constantly  growing  business.  In 
various  ways  he  has  demonstrated  his  ability 
as  a  skilled  agriculturist  and  judge  of  cattle, 
while  as  a  citizen  he  has  rendered  his  com- 
munity signal  service  in  various  positions  of 
honor  and  trust.  A  Republican  in  his  polit- 
ical views,  he  has  been  chosen  to  fill  the  offices 
of  supervisor  and  tax  collector  of  White  town- 
ship, and  gave  to  the  discharge  of  his  duties 
the  same  conscientious  attention  that  has  made 
him  successful  in  his  private  affairs. 

On  May  4,  18S0,  Mr.  Nealer  was  married 
to  Margaret  IMcHenry,  who  was  born  on  a 
farm  in  White  town.ship,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Maria  (Rowe")  McHenry,  natives  of 
Washington   countv.  Pa.,   both   of  whom  are 


The  Rowe  family  is  of  German  an- 
cestry, while  the  McHenry  family  is  of 
Scotch-Irish  extraction.  Samuel  IMcHenry. 
father  of  Mrs.  Nealer,  was  born  in  Washing- 
ton county,  Pa.,  and  spent  his  entire  life  in 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  and  his  wife  had 
six  children,  as  follows :  George,  who  now  re- 
sides at  Hastings,  Pa. ;  William,  who  makes 
his  home  in  San  Francisco,  Cal. ;  James,  liv- 
ing in  the  town  of  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Harry,  who 
lives  at  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  John,  who  is  de- 
ceased; and  Margaret,  Jlrs.  Nealer. 

Seven  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Nealer,  namely:  Arthur,  who  makes  his 
home  with  his  father,  married  Belle  Lewis, 
of  Indiana  county,  and  has  five  children, 
Lillie,  Leora,  Violet,  Floyd  and  Oliver;  Wil- 
liam is  living  at  home;  Paul  resides  at  New 
Kensington,  Pa. ;  Benjamin  is  living  in 
Allegheny  county.  Pa. ;  Oliver,  a  bookkeeper, 
is  at  New  Kensington,  Pa. ;  Bertha  is  deceased ; 
Florence  is  at  home.  With  his  family  Mr. 
Nealer  attends  the  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
at  Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

JAMES  ALEXANDER  STREA^MS.  a 
fai-mer  of  East  Mahoning  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  resid- 
ing near  Georgeville,  was  born  at  Elderton, 
Armstrong  Co.,  Pa,,  Aug.  15,  1838,  a  son  of 
Samuel  Streams. 

Samuel  Streams  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade 
and  pursued  that  calling  at  Elderton  for  a 
number  of  years,  but  later  came  to  Indiana 
county,  locating  in  what  was  then  South 
]\Iahoning  (now  East  Mahoning')  township, 
where  he  continued  to  work  at  his  trade,  own- 
ing a  shop.  In  addition  he  engaged  in 
farming,  and  erected  a  residence  and  shop 
combined  on  his  property.  In  1861:  he  bought 
100  acres  from  David  Wincoop,  and  there  he 
died  in  1867,  and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery 
at  Curry  Run.  Politically  he  was  a  Republi- 
can. Samuel  Streams  married  Hannah  Gam- 
bell,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Gambell,  and  they 
had  seven  children:  Milton  lives  at  Kelleys- 
burg,  Rayne  township,  this  county ;  Ann  Jane, 
who  is  the  widow  of  John  Warden,  lives  at 
Indiana,  Pa.;  James  Alexander  is  mentioned 
below :  Samuel  died  in  childhood ;  a  daughter 
died  in  infancy  unnamed;'  Sarah  married 
Ralph  Shields:  Hannah  married  John  Hill, 
of  Rayne  township.  The  mother  of  this  fam- 
ily died  at  Elderton,  and  was  buried  in  Curry 
Run  cemetery.  Samuel  Streams  married 
(second")  i\rrs.  Sarah  (IMiller)  Lydiek,  the 
widow  of  Samuel  Lydiok,  and  they  had  seven 
children:     Samuel,  retired,  is  living  on  West 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1163 


Philadelphia  street,  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Mary  mar- 
ried George  Roof;  Margaret  mari-ied  L. 
Hazelett,  and  is  now  a  widow,  residing  in 
Burrell  township;  John  is  deceased;  Bruce 
resides  at  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Keziah  is  deceased ; 
Matthew  is  living  in  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship. By  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Streams 
had  one  child,  Ellen  Lydick,  who  married 
Matthew  B.  Wynkoop. 

James  Alexander  Streams  was  educated  in 
the  schools  of  Elderton  and  those  of  Indiana 
county,  having  been  brought  to  the  county 
when  ten  years  old.  He  helped  his  father 
until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old,  when,  in 
1861,  feeling  that  his  services  were  required 
by  the  government,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
A,  61st  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
under  Captain  Creps  of  Rayne  township  and 
Col.  0.  H.  Rippley,  and  was  assigned  to  the 
6th  Army  Corps.  The  regiment  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Fair  Oaks,  Harrison's  Land- 
ing and  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  where 
he  was  wounded  in  the  right  leg,  but  con- 
tinued in  the  service.  He  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  sergeant,  and  served  until  Oct. 
12,  1864,  when  honorably  discharged  at  Har- 
risburg,  Pa.  During  the  period  of  his  en- 
listment he  proved  himself  a  brave  and 
efficient  soldier,  and  the  recollection  of  the 
fact  that  he  did  his  duty  may  be  a  source  of 
pride  to  him  through  life. 

Returning  home,  Mr.  Streams  settled  down 
on  the  homestead  in  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship, and  for  twelve  years  was  engaged  there 
in  agi-icultui-al  pursuits.  He  then  located  in 
North  Mahoning  township,  on  the  "William 
Kimple  farm,  a  tract  of  sixty-five  acres,  and 
made  many  improvements  upon  this  property, 
continuing  to  reside  there  for  twenty-eight 
years,  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  still  owns  the  farm.  In  1905, 
however,  he  moved  to  his  present  property, 
which  comprises  eighty-two  acres,  and  was 
known  as  the  David  Simpson  farm.  On  it  he 
carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
and  is  one  of  the  successful  agriculturists  of 
his  township.  He  is  a  stanch  Republican, 
upholding  the  principles  of  Lincoln,  McKin- 
ley  and  Taft,  and  has  taken  some  part  in  local 
public  affairs,  having  for  three  years  served 
very  acceptably  as  school  director,  and  for 
one  year  as  overseer  of  the  poor.  He  belongs 
to  the  G.  A.  R.  post  at  Marion  Center,  and 
enjoys  meeting  his  old  comrades  there.  The 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Gilgal  has  in  Mr. 
Streams  one  of  its  most  earnest  members  and 
effective  workers.  He  is  now  serving  as 
trustee. 


James  Alexander  Streams  was  married 
April  16,  1867,  to  Margaret  Jane  Shields, 
who  was  born  in  Armstrong  township,  this 
county,  daughter  of  John  M.  and  Susan 
(Lucas)  Shields.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Streams  are 
the  parents  of  these  children:  William,  who 
was  formerly  a  school  teacher,  now  a  farmer 
of  East  JIahoning  township,  married  Ida 
Means,  and  they  have  six  children.  Max, 
Harry  L.,  Walter,  William  Guy,  Hannah 
Margaret  and  Carl;  Ada  died  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  years;  John  died  in  childhood; 
Anna  Belle  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years ; 
Mildred  died  in  young  womanhood ;  Ida  and 
Ira,  twins,  died  in  infancy ;  James  Lucas,  who 
is  a  farmer,  married  Mary  Craig ;  Blaine  and 
Blair,  twins,  are  at  home;  Margaret  Jane, 
who  is  a  music  teacher,  is  living  at  home. 

WILLIAM  H.  MARTIN,  a  farmer  of 
White  township,  Indiana  county,  was  bom 
in  the  county  Feb.  13,  1860,  in  Canoe  town- 
ship, son  of  Adam  and  Anna  B.  (Kanouff) 
Martin. 

Jacob  Martin,  his  grandfather,  was  born  in 
Germany,  and  coming  to  the  United  States 
at  an  early  date  settled  in  the  eastern  part 
of  Pennsylvania,  but  after  a  few  years  came 
to  Indiana  county,  locating  in  North  Mahon- 
ing township.  Still  later  he  moved  to  Canoe 
township,  where  he  died.  Upon  his  arrival  in 
Indiana  county  he  invested  in  land  and  be- 
came a  man  of  substance,  having  followed 
agriculture  upon  a  large  scale. 

Adam  IMartin  was  born  in  Germany,  but 
has  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  North 
Mahoning  township,  where  he  is  still  living. 
His  wife  was  born  in  this  township,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  Kanouff,  a  native  of  Germany, 
who  came  to  the  United  States  in  young  man- 
hood, and  settled  in  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship, where  he  farmed  until  his  death.  Adam 
Martin  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
ten  children:  Mary  married  J.  P.  North,  of 
Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  and  both  are  deceased ; 
William  H.  is  mentioned  below;  John  is 
a  resident  of  North  Mahoning  township; 
Maggie  married  J.  M.  Wachob,  of  North  Ma- 
honing township ;  Joseph  M.  is  fanning  the 
property  in  Canoe  township  where  his 
brother  William  H.  was  born;  Emma  is  at 
home :  four  died  while  young. 

William  H.  Martin  was  i-eared  on  his 
father's  propert.v,  and  remained  at  home 
until  1901,  when  he  came  to  White  township, 
buying  his  present  farm  of  109  acres,  which 
he  devotes  to  general  farming,  specializing  on 
raising  fine  fruits  for  the  market. 


1164 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


On  Sept.  27,  1885,  Mr.  Martin  was  married 
to  Mary  E.  Wineberg,  born  in  Canoe  town- 
ship, a  daughter  of  M.  C.  and  Addie  (Kopic) 
Wineberg,  early  settlers  of  Canoe  township, 
who  are  now  deceased.  They  had  eight  chil- 
dren: George,  who  is  a  resident  of  Dubois, 
Pa.;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Theoff  Powell,  of 
Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Jennie,  who  married  D.  B. 
Spencer,  of  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Theodore,  a  resident 
of  Akron,  Ohio;  Mary  E.,  Mrs.  Martin;  and 
three  deceased.  After  the  death  of  his  first 
wife  Mr.  Wineberg  married  again  and  had 
these  children:  Laura,  who  is  at  home; 
Budd,  resident  of  Hiawatha,  Kans. ;  and 
Raymond,  of  Canoe  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Martin  have  had  seven  children :  Lyman, 
who  is  at  home ;  Pearl,  at  home ;  Lola,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Clyde  Mench  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship ;  Bertha,  at  home ;  Wade  and  Clay,  at 
home;  and  Elizabeth,  deceased.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Mench  have  a  daughter,  Eleanor.  Mr. 
Martin  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  Chui'ch, 
and  is  liberal  in  his  donations  to  it.  For 
some  years  he  has  served  as  school  director 
and  auditor. 

JESSE  M.  LONG,  late  of  Blacklick  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  was  a  successful  farmer 
and  prominent  in  all  the  affairs  of  that  lo- 
cality for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  born 
Feb.  29,  1832,  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pa.,  the 
youngest  in  the  family  of  sixteen  children 
born  to  Hiram  and  Elizabeth  (Lochard)  Long, 
and  came  to  this  region  from  Johnstown,  Pa. 
He  bought  the  farm  of  136  acres  now  owned  by 
his  son  Jesse  R.  Long,  and  there  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  days,  dying  March  20,  1904. 
He  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  the  Hope- 
well M.  E.  Church,  and  contributed  liberally 
to  its  support.  Mr.  Long  also  took  a  real  in- 
terest in  public  matters,  serving  as  township 
school  director  for  many  years,  and  as  super- 
visor of  roads,  in  both  of  wliich  positions  he 
gave  excellent  satisfaction  to  all  concerned. 
His  first  wife,  Sarah  (Smith),  daughter  of 
James  and  Tirzah  (Wainwright)  Smith,  was 
the  mother  of  five  children :  Margaret  Ellen 
married  Gere  Clawson  and  (second)  Charles 
Creamer;  William,  born  Jan.  10.  1859,  mar- 
ried Nettie  Mabon,  daughter  of  Francis  and 
Catherine  (Ansley)  Mabon,  and  resides  in 
Blacklick  towTiship;  James  Milton  married 
Nellie  Toppin,  of  Pittsburg;  George  Smith 
married  Sarah;  Eliza  (Lizzie)  Miller,  who 
married  for  her  second  husband  Harry  Car- 
son ;  one  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Long's  second  marriage  was  to  Mrs. 
Sarah  Louisa  (Fair)   Wilson,  who  was  born 


Dec.  8,  1852,  daughter  of  Peter  C.  and  Sarah 
Ann  (Young)  Pair,  and  widow  of  Robert  N. 
Wilson,  of  Center  township,  this  county. 
There  was  one  child  by  this  union,  Jesse 
Royden. 

Jesse  Royden  Long,  only  child  of  Jesse  M. 
and  Sarah  Louisa  Long,  was  born  April  14. 
1892,  in  Blacklick  township,  and  there  ob- 
tained a  good  education  in  the  district  school. 
He  remained  at  home  working  with  his  father 
until  the  latter  died,  and  has  since  continued 
to  carry  on  the  farm,  which  he  is  operating 
very  successfully.  He  is  a  hard  worker,  and 
though  young  to  have  the  entire  responsibility 
of  the  place  has  already  shown  himself  to  be 
capable  and  enterprising.  His  mother  re- 
sides with  him.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Hope- 
well M.  E.  Church. 

William  Fair,  of  Blacklick  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Jesse  M. 
Long,  was  born  on  the  Dickie  farm  in  that 
township.  He  married  Mary  Cribbs,  and  they 
had  the  following  children:  Peter  C,  Mrs. 
Long's  father;  Mary  Jane,  who  married  Wash- 
ington Bell;  Susan,  who  married  Jackson 
Bell,  and  resides  at  Black  Jack  and  Prairie 
City,  Kans. ;  Henry,  married  and  living  at 
Oil  City,  Pa.;  William,  who  married  Harriet 
Williver;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Samuel 
Doty,  of  Blacklick  township;  Sarah  L.,  mar- 
ried to  Abram  Mikesell ;  Lemuel,  who  married 
Mary  Ann  Brightenbaugh ;  and  Julia  Fre- 
delia,  who  married  Christopher  Jlikesell. 

Peter  C.  Fair,  son  of  William,  was  born 
Jan.  19, 1823,  in  Blacklick  township,  and  died 
in  June,  1904,  in  Center  township.  He  fol- 
lowed farming  all  his  life  in  those  two  town- 
ships, and  for  over  twenty  years  was  also  en- 
gaged in  teaching  school.  On  March  27,  1851, 
he  married  Sarah  Ann  Young,  who  was  born 
May  9,  1830,  and  died  Feb.  8, 1873.  They  had 
three  children :  Ann  Mary,  born  Nov.  29,  1851, 
who  died  Sept.  24,  1852;  Sarah  Louisa,  Mrs. 
Long;  and  Helen  Mar,  born  May  30,  1854, 
who  died  Dec.  8,  1860.  Mr.  Fair's  second 
marriage,  which  took  place  ]\Iarch  17,  1875, 
was  to  Martha  Jane  Doty,  by  whom  he  had 
one  child,  William  McQuade,  born  July  27, 
1876,  in  Center  township,  who  married  Laura 
Stair  and  resides  on  the  old  home  farm  in 
Center  township. 

Sarah  Louisa  Fair,  daughter  of  Peter  C. 
Fair,  first  married  Robert  N.  Wilson,  of 
Blacklick  township,  and  by  that  marriage  had 
three  children :  Dr.  William  Fair,  born  Oct. 
11,  1879,  married  Minnie  Duncan  and  resides 
at  Elmo.  Independence  Co.,  Ark. ;  i\Iary  Mel- 
lissa,  born  Dec.  17,  1877,  married  William  P. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1165 


McCrea,  of  Blacklick  township ;  Maybel  mar- 
ried Verna  S.  Mock  and  resides  at  Josephine, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

CHARLES  MEADE,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
war,  now  employed  as  an  engineer  with  the 
David  Ellis  Milling  Company,  of  Indiana,  Pa., 
was  born  at  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  Dec.  10,  1840, 
son  of  Daniel  F.  and  Lucretia  (Warren) 
Meade.  The  Meade  family  is  of  Scotch  de- 
scent. 

In  his  boyhood,  Charles  Meade  was  taken 
by  his  parents  to  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  and  there 
grew  to  manhood.  At  the  time  of  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war  he  was  intensely  inter- 
ested, and  eventually  proved  this  by  enlisting, 
on  July  16,  1861,  becoming  a  private  in  Com- 
pany A,  of  a  New  York  Volunteer  Cavalry 
Regiment,  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  under  Capt.  D. 
A.  Bennet  and  Colonel  Reynolds.  His  regi- 
ment was  stationed  in  West  Virginia,  and  he 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  was 
mustered  out  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.  He  then  took 
his  present  position  with  the  milling  company. 

Mr.  Meade  was  married  (first)  at  Indiana. 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  to  Elizabeth  Fleming,  and 
they  had  these  children:  Lucretia,  who  mar- 
ried John  D.  Dodson,  of  Indiana,  Pa. :  Bessie, 
who  married  Charles  Stuchell,  of  Indiana, 
Pa. ;  Catherine,  who  is  at  home ;  George  R.,  de- 
ceased, who  married  a  Miss  Butler,  now  also 
deceased,  both  passing  away  at  Johnstown, 
Pa. ;  and  Frank,  also  of  Johnstown,  Pa.  After 
the  death  of  his  first  wife  Mr.  Meade  married 
(second)  Mrs.  Delilah  McClaren,  daughter  of 
Adam  Lower  and  widow  of  John  McClaren. 

CHARLES  H.  MOORE,  proprietor  of  the 
"Hotel  Moore"  at  Indiana,  has  been  engaged 
in  the  hotel  business  for  the  last  twenty  years 
and  since  1900  has  been  in  Indiana,  where  he 
conducted  the  "American  House"  for  some 
time  before  taking  charge  of  his  present  es- 
tablishment. He  is  well  equipped  by  both 
nature  and  training  for  hotel-keeping,  and 
has  been  thoroughly  successful,  his  establish- 
ment being  a  credit  to  the  town  in  which  it 
is  situated. 

Mr.  Moore  was  born  March  10,  1849,  in  Mc- 
Kean  county.  Pa.,  son  of  George  R.  Moore 
and  grandson  of  William  Moore,  who  was  of 
Scotch  ancestry,  and  was  for  many  years 
quite  extensively  engaged  in  the  lumbering 
business.  George  R.  Moore  also  followed  that 
line,  on  a  large  scale,  in  McKean  and  Warren 
counties,  this  State,  and  died  in  1888.  His 
wife,  Martha,  was  of  Enslish  ancestry.  She 
died  in  1902.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  R.  Moore 


had  four  children:  Sarah  J.,  wife  of  Solo- 
mon Farr;  Ella  E.,  wife  of  Sylvester  Farr; 
Martha,  who  died  when  nine  years  old;  and 
Charles  H. 

Charles  H.  Moore  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  public  school  and  at  Lima  (N.  Y.) 
Seminary,  later  attended  the  Iron  City  Busi- 
ness College,  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  1867,  and  then  studied 
for  a  time  in  the  academy  at  Warren,  Pa. 
During  the  oil  excitement  at  Pithole,  in  1865- 
66,  he  went  to  Titusville,  Pa.,  where  he  be- 
came engaged  in  the  oil  business  for  a  time. 
Later  he  became  interested  in  the  lumber 
business,  in  Warren  county,  continuing  there 
until  1872,  when  he  went  to  Clermont,  Mc- 
Kean county,  and  followed  the  same  line  of 
work  on  an  extensive  scale,  until  1890.  From 
that  time  to  the  present  he  has  devoted  his 
attention  principally  to  the  hotel  business. 
Settling  at  Clearfield,  Pa.,  he  conducted  the 
"Mansion  House"  there  for  five  years.  At 
the  end  of  that  time  he  removed  to  Silver 
Creek,  N.  Y.,  where  he  ran  the  "Webster 
Hotel"  one  and  one  half  years,  after  which 
he  moved  to  Salamanca,  N.  Y.,  where  he  ran 
the  "Dudley  House"  until  1900.  Then  he 
came  to  Indiana  and  became  proprietor  of 
what  was  known  as  the  "American  House" 
until  1907,  when  he  reconstructed  what  is 
now  the  "Hotel  Moore,"  establishing  the  first 
modern  hotel  in  the  borough;  this  was  the 
"American  House"  remodeled.  The  house  is 
60_by  150  feet  in  dimensions,  five  stories  in 
height,  of  brick,  and  has  eighty  rooms,  well 
equipped  and  supplied  with  the  modern  con- 
veniences. It  is  up-to-date  in  every  sense  of 
the  word  and  conducted  on  first-class  lines,  a 
fact  which  has  been  well  appreciated  by  its 
patrons.  The  business  has  increased  steadily 
under  Mr.  Moore's  intelligent  and  farsighted 
management.  He  has  shown  himself  to  be  an 
ideal  hotel  man,  having  the  important  quali- 
fications without  which  no  real  success  in 
this  business  could  be  attained.  The  interest 
he  has  shown  in  the  comfort  and  convenience 
of  his  guests  has  been  well  repaid  by  their 
substantial  recosmition  and  the  reputation 
which  his  bouse  has  ffained  for  courtesv  and 
competent  service.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternitv,  belonging  to  Indiana 
Lodsre.  No.  313,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Indiana,  to 
the  chapter  at  Clearfield,  No.  228,  and  to 
Trinity  Commanderv.  No.  58.  at  Bradford, 
Pa.,  as  well  as  Tsraaili  Temple,  at  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.  He  is  pl«n  a  member  of  the  B.  P.  0. 
Elks  lodce  at  Indiana. 

In  1878  Mr.  Moore  married  Mary  Good- 


1166 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


win,  daughter  of  Thomas  Goodwin,  and  they 
have  had  two  children,  Lloyd  and  Aletha,  the 
former  of  whom  is  deceased.  The  daughter 
is  the  wife  of  John  S.  Lyon,  and  they  have 
three  children,  Q!atherine,  Mabel  and  Eliz- 
abeth. 

MILTON  CARNEY  has  made  his  home  in 
Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county,  for 
almost  forty-five  years,  engaged  in  farming 
throughout  that  period,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  highly  esteemed  residents  of  his  locality. 
He  is  a  native  of  the  county,  born  in  White 
township  July  12,  1835.  His  grandfather, 
John  Carney,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  of 
Scotch  ancestry,  and  coming  to  Indiana 
county  in  the  early  days  of  the  opening  up 
of  this  region  settled  in  the  southern  portion 
and  engaged  in  farming.  He  lived  to  an  :id- 
vanced  age,  dying  near  what  is  now  Black- 
lick,  Indiana  county. 

Finley  Carney,  father  of  Milton  Carne^', 
was  born  in  Indiana  county,  and  like  his 
father  became  a  farmer,  following  that  occu- 
pation all  of  his  active  years.  He  died  near 
Indiana  borough,  in  1899,  at  the  remarkable 
age  of  ninety-five  years.  His  wife,  Jane 
(Craig),  was  also  born  in  Indiana  county, 
where  her  father,  Jacob  Craig,  settled  many 
years  ago  and  followed  farming ;  he  came  from 
Ireland^  Mrs.  Carney  died  in  1883,  aged 
seventy-six  years.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carney 
were  born  nine  children,  namely:  Martha, 
deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Samuel  Dona- 
hey;  Anna,  deceased;  Milton;  Finley,  a  vet- 
eran of  the  Civil  war,  who  now  lives  in  White 
township ;  Craig,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war, 
deceased;  Matilda,  deceased;  Emily,  Avife  of 
John  Stumpf ,  of  Indiana ;  Stewart,  deceased : 
and  Walter,  deceased. 

Milton  Carney  passed  his  early  life  in 
White  township,  attending  public  school 
there.  He  was  trained  to  farm  work  by  his 
father,  whom  he  assisted  during  his  boyhood 
and  early  youth,  later  working  also  for  other 
farmers.  In  1868  he  moved  to  the  farm  in 
Cherryhill  township  upon  which  he  has  since 
resided,  owning  a  fine  property,  which  he 
has  cultivated  profitably  for  many  years. 
He  is  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  his 
township,  thoroughly  respected  by  all  who 
know  him,  a  man  whose  worth  is  recognized 
throughout  the  community. 

On  March  15,  1860,  Mr.  Carney  married 
Phoebe  Cameron,  who  was  born  Nov.  14,  1842, 
in  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Hugh  and 
Elizabeth  CPershine)  Cameron.  Her  pater- 
nal  grandfather.  John   Cameron,  came   from 


Scotland,  and  he  settled  in  Indiana  county, 
Pa.,  at  au  early  day,  following  farming. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Pershine)  Cameron  was  born 
in  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Frederick 
Pershine,  also  a  native  of  the  county.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Cameron  died  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship. They  had  the  following  children: 
Hugh,  Eliza,  Frederick,  Daniel  and  Jacob, 
all  deceased;  Nancy,  wife  of  George  Rink,  of 
Indiana;  Joseph,  who  lives  in  Mahafifey, 
Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.,  and  Phoebe,  JMrs.  Carney. 
Nine  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Carney:  Knox,  who  lives  at  Indiana; 
Emerson,  now  of  Morgantown,  W.  Va. ;  Bert, 
living  at  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Blanche,  living  at 
home ;  Etta,  wife  of  Zenas  Decker,  of  Cherry- 
hill township;  Clara,  wife  of  James  Gibson, 
of  Cherryhill  township;  Ira  H.,  deceased; 
Elizabeth  J.,  who  was  the  wife  of  Asbury 
Carney  and  the  mother  of  three  sons;  and 
Jessie,  the  youngest,  who  is  at  home.  The 
parents  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
and  Mr.  Carney  is  particularly  active  in 
religious  work,  having  acted  as  classJeader 
for  the  last  forty  years. 

JAMES  S.  KAUFFMAN,  of  Center  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  is  a  worthy  representa- 
tive of  a  familj'  which  has  been  settled  in  the 
county  since  1835.  He  is  engaged  in  farming 
on  the  place  where  his  father  settled  over  a 
half  century  ago,  and  has  been  prominent  in 
public  aiJairs  in  his  township,  where  he  has 
the  esteem  and  good  will  of  a  wide  circle  of 
friends  and  acquaintances. 

Mr.  Kauffman's  grandfather,  Christian 
Kairfifman,  came  to  Indiana  county  from 
Huntingdon  county,  Pa.,  in  1835,  bringing  his 
wife  and  children,  and  first  located  on  the 
Judge  Thomas  White  farm,  in  White  town- 
ship, north  of  Indiana.  Later  he  bought  and 
removed  to  the  Samuel  Fiscus  farm  in  Arm- 
strong township,  and  there  spent  the  rest  of 
his  life,  carrying  on  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing. He  married  Nancy  Kaufi'man,  and  to 
them  were  born  five  children :  John,  who  is 
deceased ;  Fannie ;  Jacob ;  Abraham,  and 
Katherine.  The  parents  were  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

Jacob  Kauffman,  father  of  James  S.  KaufF- 
man,  was  boi-n  Sept.  24,  1823,  in  Huntingdon 
county.  Pa.,  came  to  Indiana  coTinty  with 
his  parents,  and  grew  up  on  the  farm,  learn- 
ing the  details  of  agi-icultural  work  as  his 
father's  assistant.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  district  schools.  After  his  marriage, 
to  Lavinia  Dickie,  daughter  of  William  H. 
Dickie,  a  prominent  farmer  of  Center  town- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1167 


ship,  he  purchased  his  father-in-law's  prop- 
erty of  240  acres,  and  there  made  a  perma- 
nent home.  When  he  came  to  this  place  the 
only  buildings  on  it  were  rude  log  struc- 
tures, the  house  having  been  built  in  the  year 
1800,  by  William  McKee,  a  great-uncle,  and 
the  barn  was  also  of  the  kind  built  at  that 
period.  Mr.  Kauffman  erected  a  brick  dwell- 
ing, which  was  completed  in  1873,  and  which 
at  the  time  was  the  best  of  its  kind  in  this 
section.  Through  his  own  untiring  efforts, 
and  with  the  assistance  of  his  faithful  wife, 
he  converted  his  place  into  one  of  the  best 
homes  in  the  vicinity.  He  died  there  in  the 
prime  of  life,  Aug.  23,  1879,  one  of  the  most 
respected  members  of  his  community.  In 
polities  Mr.  Kauffman  was  a  Republican,  in 
religious  connection  a  member  of  the  M.  B. 
Church  at  Homer  City.  His  widow  died  Oct. 
5,  1886.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren, namely:  E.  Jennie,  widow  of  John  W. 
Baker,  of  JBlairsville,  Pa.;  Nannie  C.  de- 
ceased; Dickie,  who  died  in  infancy;  James 
S.,  mentioned  below;  and  W.  Banks,  living 
at  Homer  City. 

James  S.  Kaiaffman  was  born  Dec.  31,  1860, 
on  the  farm  in  Center  township  where  he  now 
resides,  and  there  reared.  He  was  educated  in 
the  near-by  public  schools,  meantime  aequir- 
ing  a  comprehensive  knowledge  of  farm  work 
under  his  father's  training.  When  his  father 
died  he  assiimed  charge  of  the  place,  contin- 
uing its  cultivation  with  the  assistance  of  other 
members  of  the  family,  and  though  only  a 
young  man  succeeded  in  keeping  up  the  home 
and  taking  care  of  his  mother  in  her  declin- 
ing years.  He  has  continued  to  make  im- 
provements of  all  kinds,  in  1910  remodeling 
the  house,  which  is  now  furnished  with  all 
modern  conveniences.  Though  he  has  at- 
tended faithfully  to  his  private  affairs,  as  his 
prosperity  shows,  he  has  found  time  for  other 
interests  and  has  held  various  township  of- 
fices, having  been  honored  by  his  fellow  citi- 
zens on  several  occasions.  He  has  been 
elected  aiiditor,  treasurer  and  collector,  giv- 
ing excellent  satisfaction  to  all  concerned 
in  every  one  of  these  positions.  In  political 
sentiment  he  is  a  Democrat,  but  he  is  inde- 
pendent in  his  choice  of  candidates,  partic- 
ularly for  local  offices. 

In"  1887  Mr.  Kauffman  .joined  the  National 
Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  with  which  he  has 
served  in  all  twelve  years,  part  of  the  time  as 
sergeant.  When  the  call  for  troops  was  made, 
in  1898.  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Spanish- 
American  war,  Mr.  Kauffman  was  a  sergeant 
in   Company  F,   5th   Regiment.     This   com- 


pany, under  command  of  Capt.  Meade  Mahon 
and  Colonel  Burchfield,  was  soon  at  Mount 
Gretna,  Pa.,  for  orders,  and  on  May  25th  was 
sent  to  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  remaining  in  camp 
there  over  six  months ;  it  was  discharged  Nov. 
9,  1898. 

On  Nov.  13,  1889,  Mr.  Kauffman  married 
Ida  M.  JMikesell,  daughter  of  Enos  and  Nancy 
(Fair)  Mikesell,  of  Graceton,  Center  town- 
ship, and  they  have  had  six  children :  Charles, 
who  is  now  located  in  Lawrence,  Kansas;  J. 
Claire,  a  normal  student,  who  has  taught  at 
Graceton  and  in  Blacklick  township;  Hazel, 
now  a  student  at  the  Indiana  normal  school; 
Stella,  at  home;  and  twin  sons  who  died  in 
infancy.  The  family  are  Lutherans  in  reli- 
gious connection,  members  of  the  Homer  City 
Church. 

PRANIv  FISHER  MOORE,  M.  D.,  physi- 
cian for  the  Rochester  &  Pittsburg  Coal  & 
Iron  Company  at  the  Liicerne  mines,  in 
Center  township,  Indiana  county,  has  been 
in  practice  since  1903  and  at  his  present  lo- 
cation since  1907.  Dr.  Moore  was  born  in 
the  State  of  Ohio  Nov.  5,  1880,  son  of  George 
and  Margaret  (Fisher)  Moore,  who  were 
temporarily  residing  in  Ohio.  They  were 
natives  of  New  Jersey. 

Dr.  Moore  was  quife  young  when  his  par- 
ents moved  to  Bridgeton,  N.  J.,  and  there  he 
received  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools,  graduating  from  high  school  in  1897. 
He  then  entered  upon  a  thorough  course  of 
preparation  for  his  chosen  profession,  attend- 
ing the  Medico-Chirurgical  College,  at  Phil- 
adelphia, where  he  took  the  full  courses  in 
pharmacy  and  medicine,  graduating  from 
that  institution  May  23,  1903.  For  a  short 
time  thereafter  he  was  engaged  as  a  druggist 
at  Atlantic  City,  N.  J.,  thence  going  to 
Punxsutawney,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he 
became  house  physician  at  the  Adrian  hospital 
until  June,  1904.  He  then  took  the  State 
examination  at  Pittsburg,  which  he  pa.ssed, 
and  moving  to  Yatesboro,  Armstrong  county, 
was  made  assistant  surgeon  for  the  Cowan- 
shannock  Coal  &  Coke  Company,  being  thus 
engaged  until  he  received  his  present  appoint- 
ment, in  1907.  As  physician  of  the  Rochester 
&  Pittsburg  Coal  &  Iron  Company  at  the 
Lucerne  mines,  in  Center  township,  he  has 
over  three  hundred  families  under  his  medical 
care,  and  his  conscientious  disposition  and 
thorough  experience  qualify  him  for  this  work 
in  an  exceptional  degree.  He  is  well  liked 
personally  as  well  as  in  his  professional  ca- 
pacity, being  popular  among  all  classes  in  the 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


community.  He  is  medical  examiner  for  the 
Metropolitan  Life  Insurance  Company,  a 
member  of  the  Indiana  County  Medical 
Society,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical 
Society  and  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. Socially  he  is  connected  with  the  B. 
P.  0.  Elks  atludiana.  In  politics  Dr.  Moore 
is  a  Republican,  and  he  has  been  associated 
with  the  local  activities  of  his  party,  in  whose 
welfare  he  takes  considerable  interest.  Dr. 
Moore  enjoys  hunting  and  is  a  good  sports- 
man. 

On  June  17.  1907,  Dr.  Moore  married,  at 
Pittsburg,  Jean  Craig,  dauorhter  of  James 
and  aiargaret  (Patterson)  Craig,  and  they 
have  one  child,  Francis  Craig. 

JOHN  P.  MIKESELL  (deceased)  was  a 
most  respected  resident  of  Center  and  White 
townships,  Indiana  county,  where  he  was  a 
prosperous  farmer  and  stock  dealer  during 
his  active  years.  For  some  time  before  his 
death  he  lived  retired  at  Indiana.  Born  Nov. 
19,  1833,  on  his  father's  farm  at  Graeeton, 
in  Center  township,  he  belonged  to  a  family 
of  German  extraction,  being  a  son  of  Adam 
Mike=ell  and  grandson  of  Jonas  Mikesell,  of 
Brushvalley  township,  this  county.  The 
latter  married  a  Miss  Altimus,  of  Pike  county, 
Penrsvlvania. 

Adam  Mikesell.  father  of  John  P.  Mike- 
sell.  was  born  in  1794  in  Center  township.  He 
passed  his  life  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  that 
township,  where  he  purchased  the  tract  cf 
five  hundred  acres  unon  which  he  resided 
until  his  death.  He  died,  however,  in  Wash- 
inp^on  township,  while  on  a  visit,  in  Novem- 
ber. 1877.  He  was  a  citizen  of  worth  and 
hiffh  character,  a  member  of  the  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Church,  and  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him.  Mr.  Mikesell  married  Margaret 
Pricker,  who  died  in  Center  township,  and 
thev  had  children  as  follows:  T«rael,  Mary. 
Philip.  Enos.  Violet  (married  "William  Sut- 
ton \  Jonas.  John  P.  and  Georere. 

John  P.  Mikesell  was  reared  on  the  farm 
and  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  nf  Center  township.  There  he  besran 
life  for  himself  as  a  farmer,  and  be  remained 
in  bis  native  townshi^^  until  the  fill  of  1879, 
when  he  removed  to  White  township.  He  was 
ens'at'ed  in  general  farmin?  and  stock  deal- 
ine.  shippinsr  stock  to  Philadelphia.  He  came 
into  possession  of  112  acres  of  his  father's 
pronertv  in  Center  township.  In  1890  Mr. 
Mikesell  retired  and  moved  to  the  borouorh  of 
Indiana,  where  he  passed  the  rest  of  his  davs 
in  retirement,  his  death  occurring  Dec.   31, 


1905.  He  purchased  property  upon  settling 
in  the  borough,  and  the  comfortable  home 
his  widow  now  occupies  was  erected  in  1904. 
Mr.  Mikesell  was  a  Democrat  in  political  con- 
nection, but  took  no  active  part  in  such 
matters. 

On  March  10,  1868,  Mr.  Mikesell  married, 
at  Blairsville,  Indiana  county,  Sarah  (Sallie) 
Ellen  Holmes,  who  was  born  in  Brushvalley 
township,  this  county,  and  received  a  good 
education,  attending  public  school  and  the 
academy  at  Pinetlats.  To  IMr.  and  IMi-s.  Mike- 
sell were  born  two  sons:  Addison  Holmes  and 
Torrence.  The  latter,  born  Sept.  10,  1876, 
is  deceased.  The  former,  born  Feb.  20,  1869, 
in  Center  township,  was  married  June  13, 
1888,  to  Monetta  Ralston,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Ralston,  of  Cherryhill  township,  this  county, 
and  they  have  two  living  children,  Arthur 
Talmage  and  Helen  Beatrice;  they  also  had 
sons  John  and  Walter  Gilbert,  now  deceased. 
Addison  H.  Mikesell  resides  on  his  own  farm 
in  White  township. 

Mrs.  Mikesell  is  thoroughly  alive  to  busi- 
ness activities  in  the  borough  of  Indiana,  in 
which  she  takes  an  intelligent  interest.  Broad- 
minded  and  highly  respected  for  her  many 
sterling  qualities,  she  is  an  honored  and  in- 
fluential member  of  the  community.  She  is 
a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  to  which 
her  husband  also  belonged. 

The  Holmes  family,  of  which  Mrs.  Sallie 
E.  (Holmes)  Mikesell  is  a  member,  came  from 
Ireland,  her  father.  George  Holmes,  being 
but  three  months  old  when  brought  to  this 
country.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  doing 
fine  woodwork  principally,  being  employed  in 
the  construction  of  some  of  the  best  dwellings 
erected  in  his  day  in  Indiana  county.  He 
died  in  Cherryhill  township,  this  county, 
when  his  daueiiter  Sallie  was  quite  young. 
He  married  Eliza  Ann  Watterson,  who  was 
born  in  Milford,  Kent  Co.,  Del.,  and  Mrs. 
Mikesell  was  the  youngest  of  their  thirteen 
children. 

THOMAS  D.  TH0:MAS.  assistant  superin- 
tendent of  the  Rochester  Pittsburg  Coal  & 
Iron  Companj'  at  Lucerne,  in  Center  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  is  an  experienced  coal 
miner  and  a  competent  man  for  the  respons- 
ible position  he  fills.  He  is  of  Welsh  extrac- 
tion, his  grandfather.  William  Thomas,  hav- 
ing been  a  native  of  Wales,  where  he  lived 
and  died. 

Thomas  D.  Thomas,  father  of  Thomas  D. 
Thomas,  was  born  in  Wales  and  was  also  a 
miner  by  occupation.    Upon  coming  to  Amer- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1169 


iea  he  located  at  Morris  Run,  in  Tioga 
county,  Pa.,  where  he  followed  that  calling 
for  many  years,  later  moving  to  Punxsutaw- 
ney,  Jefferson  county.  There  he  remained 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  Feb.  29,  1908, 
and  he  is  buried  at  that  place.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  his  native  country  to  Esther  Jenkins, 
daughter  of  William  Jenkins,  a  native  of 
Wales,  who  also  settled  at  Morris  Run,  Tioga 
Co.,  Pa.  Fifteen  children  were  born  to  them, 
of  whom  seven  still  survive,  namely:  Mar- 
garet, Daniel  J..  William  G.,  Esther  (Mrs. 
Davis),  Thomas  D.,  Evan  J.  and  Lewis. 

Thomas  D.  Thomas  was  born  Nov.  3,  1874, 
at  Morris  Run,  and  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  home  district,  and  he  was  only 
a  boy  of  eleven  when  he  began  work  in  the 
mines  at  Morris  Run.  After  that  he  attended 
public  school  at  night  for  a  time,  later  enter- 
ing Duff's  business  college,  at  Pittsburg, 
from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in 
the  year  1900.  He  then  became  office  man 
and  accountant  at  Reynoldsville,  Jefferson 
Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  was  employed  for  a  period 
of  five  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  going  to 
DuBois,  Pa.,  and  taking  a  position  in  the 
office  of  the  Falls  Creek  Coal  Company,  as 
bookkeeper.  He  continued  there  for  the  next 
eighteen  month;  i,  following  which  he  was  at 
the  Big  Run  mines  as  superintendent,  remain- 
ing there  two  years.  He  has  since  been  with 
the  Rochester  Pittsburg  Coal  &  Iron  Com- 
pany, as  assistant  superintendent  of  the  plant 
at  Lucerne,  in  Center  township,  Indiana 
county.  Mr.  Charles  Cronk  is  superintend- 
ent. Mr.  Thomas  is  a  trusted  employee,  and 
his  work  at  Lucerne  has  been  highly  credit- 
able to  his  ability  as  well  as  to  his-  faithful- 
ness in  the  performance  of  everything  in- 
trusted to  him.  He  is  unmarried,  and  makes 
liis  home  at  Lucerne. 

Socially  Mr.  Thomas  is  a  Mason  and  Odd 
Fellow,  belonging  to  John  M.  Reed  Lodge, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  to  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  lodge  at 
Lindsey,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.  His  political  sup- 
port is  given  to  the  Republican  party,  and  he 
is  a  Methodist  in  religious  connection. 

WILLIAM  CRAIG  MACK,  farmer  and 
coal  operator  of  East  Wheatfield  township, 
is  a  member  of  the  Mack  family  numerously 
represented  in  East  and  West  Wheatfield 
townships,  Indiana  county,  where  it  was  es- 
tablished over  a  century  ago  by  his  grand- 
father, Robert  Mack.  He  was  born  Sept.  1, 
1843,  on  his  father's  farm  near  Garfield,  in 
West  Wheatfield  township. 

Robert  Mack  was  a  native  of  County  Down, 

74 


Ireland,  born  about  1763.  There  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  married  Margaret  Campbell, 
who  was  born  about  1769,  and  four  children 
were  born  to  them  in  their  native  home: 
John,  born  about  1797;  Robert,  born  about 
1799 ;  James,  born  March  3,  1800 ;  and  Jean, 
born  about  1803.  In  the  early  part  of  1803 
Robert  Mack  with  his  wife  and  four  children 
left  their  native  home  for  America.  While 
they  were  crossing  the  Atlantic,  on  a  slow- 
going  sailing  vessel,  their  little  daughter  Jean 
died  and  was  buried  at  sea,  the  body  being 
placed  in  a  sack,  weighted  at  the  feet  with 
sand.  The  burial  service  was  read  by  the 
captain.  After  landing  in  the  New  World 
the  family  made  their  way  west  of  the  Alle- 
ghenies,  locating  in  Wheatfield  township,  In- 
diana county.  Pa.,  where  Mr.  Mack  settled 
down  to  farming  on  a  400-acre  tract.  He 
had  to  erect  the  log  cabin  for  his  family,  and 
began  a  hard  fight  for  existence  in  the  wilder- 
ness which  lasted  many  years.  By  steady 
industry  and  thrifty  habits  he  managed  to 
develop  his  farm  and  make  many  improve- 
ments, and  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life 
on  that  place,  dying  there  Aug.  2,  1850.  He 
was  buried  in  Bethel  Church  cemetery,  in 
what  is  now  West  Wheatfield  township,  and 
a  headstone  marks  the  last  resting  place  of 
himself  and  wife.  Mr.  Mack  in  religious 
principle  was  what  was  known  as  a  Seceder, 
later  joining  the  Bethel  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  was  an  old-line  Democrat  on 
political  questions.  His  wife  preceded  him 
to  the  grave,  dying  on  the  farm  Nov.  17, 
1839,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  and  was  laid 
to  rest  in  Bethel  cemetery.  She.  too,  was  a 
member  of  Bethel  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  She  was  the  mother  of  thirteen 
children,  those  born  in  Wheatfield  township 
being :  David ;  William ;  Samuel ;  Armstrong ; 
George;  Jean  (2),  who  married  William  Mc- 
Lean, and  resides  in  West  Wlieatfield  town- 
ship ;  Margaret,  who  married  Hugh  St.  Clair, 
and  removed  to  Iowa;  Elizabeth  (Betsey), 
who  married  William  Campbell,  being  his 
second  wife;  and  another  of  whom  we  have 
no  record. 

David  Mack,  son  of  Robert  and  Margaret 
(Campbell)  Mack,  was  born  in  1802,  and  was 
reared  in  West  Wheatfield  township.  He  ob- 
'tained  his  education  at  subscription  schools, 
attending  at  an  old  log  schoolhouse  provided 
with  plank  desks  and  slab  seats;  the  windows 
were  of  paper.  The  instruction  was  as  prim- 
itive as  the  equipment,  but  he  mastered  the 
three  R's.  From  early  boyhood  he  assisted 
with  the   farm  work  at  home,   and   worked 


1170 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


on  the  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburg  turnpike 
when  it  was  in  course  of  construction.  Later 
he  worked  with  the  railroad  construction 
gang.  He  settled  down  to  farm  in  West 
Wheatfield  township,  near  what  is  now  Gar- 
field, on  a  tract  now  occupied  by  his  son 
Samuel,  and  there  followed  farming  the  rest 
of  his  days.  "When  he  took  up  his  residence 
there  he  erected  a  log  house  and  barn,  later 
putting  up  a  frame  dwelling  and  barn,  and 
making  numerous  other  improvements  upon 
the  property.  He  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising,  and  also  operated  a 
sawmill  on  Germany  run.  He  was  one  of 
the  prominent  citizens  of  the  township  in  his 
day,  not  only  active  in  business  but  also  asso- 
ciated with  the  administration  of  public  af- 
fairs. In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  in 
religious  connection  a  lifelong  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  and  active  in  all 
its  work.  He  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the 
Bethel  U.  P.  Church  cemetery.  Mr.  Mack 
died  on  the  farm  in  1881,  aged  seventy-nine 
years.  His  wife,  Matilda  (Craig),  who  was 
born  in  1809  near  Indiana,  died  in  1895,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-six.  They  had  a  large  family, 
namely :  Robert,  who  married  Elizabeth  Brant- 
linger  and  (second)  Sarah  Adamson,  died 
in  West  Wheatfield  township  in  1912 ;  Jacob, 
who  married  Mary  Jane  Wakefield,  died  in 
West  Wheatfield  township  in'  1909 ;  John,  a 
farmer  of  East  Wheatfield  township,  married 
Elizabeth  JInrphy ;  David,  who  married  Mary 
Jane  Kerr,  now  resides  at  Clyde,  this  county ; 
William  Craig  is  mentioned  below;  Matilda 
(Tillie)  married  Samuel  G.  Walbeck  and  re- 
sided at  Heshbon,  this  county ;  Samuel,  who 
lives  on  the  old  homestead  in  West  Wheatfield 
township,  married  Charlotte  Roof  and  their 
children  are  Bart,  Charles,  Theresa  and  Ew- 
ing;  Thomas,  who  married  Kate  Roof  or 
Ruth,  died  at  Graceton,  Pa. ;  and  James  W., 
a  carpenter  and  contractor,  lives  at  Johns- 
town, Pa.  Few  families  can  equal  the  record 
of  this  one  for  patriotism.  Six  of  the  sons 
served  in  the  Civil  war,  Jacob  and  John  in 
Company  E,  11th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry ;  David  in  Company  K,  177th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry;  Robert,  John 
and  David  were  in  Company  H,  206th  Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
•under  Captain  Greer  and  Col.  Hugh  J. 
Brady ;  William  was  in  the  6th  Penns.ylvania 
Heavy  Artillery. 

William  C.  Mack  grew  iip  on  the  home 
farm,  and  spent  his  boyhood  at  work  there 
and  in  attendance  at  the  local  public  schools. 
Later  he  worked  for  the  Cambria  Iron  Com- 


pany as  carpenter,  and  also  made  barrel 
staves  and  shooks  in  both  Westmoreland  and 
Indiana  counties,  doing  such  work  for  two 
years,  at  $1.25  a  day.  On  Aug.  9,  1864,  he 
enlisted  at  Pittsburg  in  Company  G,  6th 
Heavy  Artillery,  under  Captain  Hadley  and 
Colonel  Barnes,  and  continued  in  the  army 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  taking  part  in  the 
grand  review  at  Washington.  After  receiv- 
ing his  discharge  at  Pittsburg  he  returned 
home  and  began  farming,  cultivating  a  tract 
of  fiftj'-three  acres  for  the  next  ten  years.  He 
then  bought  the  Plowman  farm  of  eighty 
acres  in  East  Wheatfield  township,  and  in 
1910  he  bought  the  John  Dick  place  (known 
as  the  old  John  Tomb  farm),  a  tract  of  142 
acres  on  which  he  now  makes  his  home. 
Farming  and  stock  raising  have  always  been 
his  occupations,  and  with  the  help  of  his 
sons  he  now  operates  over  two  hundred 
acres.  There  is  also  a  fine  coal  bank  on  his 
farm  which  he  and  his  sons  have  developed 
and  operate.  He  has  been  elected  to  local 
offices,  having  served  as  supervisor,  road 
boss,  and  overseer  of  the  poor  in  his  town- 
ship, and  he  is  a  substantial  man,  one  whose 
influence  and  aid  are  considered  beneficial 
to  any  cause  he  espouses.  Originally  a  Re- 
publican in  politics,  he  is  now  associated 
with  the  Prohibition  party,  being  a  strong 
advocate  of  temperance.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Presbj'terian  Church  at 
Armagh,  of  which  he  is  a  trustee.  He  has 
also  been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school. 

On  Nov.  18,  1866,  Mr.  Mack  married  Sarah 
Elizabeth  Mars,  a  native  of  Clearfield  county, 
Pa.,  daughter  of  William  Mars.  She  died  in 
1897,  and  is  buried  in  Bethel  Church  ceme- 
tery in  West  Wlieatfield  township.  Nine 
children  were  born  to  this  union,  as  follows: 
William  Edgar,  who  is  a  farmer  and  coal 
operator  in  East  Wlieatfield  township :  Emma 
Elizabeth,  widow  of  Harry  Campbell ;  Ma- 
tilda, who  was  the  first  wife  of  Harry  Camp- 
bell, he  marrying  Emma  E.  after  Matilda's 
death;  Jesse  Mars,  a  farmer  in  Bufiington 
township,  this  county;  Ben.iamin  A.,  who  is 
a  storekeeper  at  Coral,  in  Center  township : 
David  Wellington,  a  farmer  of  East  Wheat- 
field  township ;  Leal  James,  living  on  the 
homestead,  who  married  Zoe  Ling;  Gilbert, 
farmer  on  the  David  Kelmer  place;  and 
John,  unmarried,  who  is  engaged  as  a  store- 
keeper. 

JOHN  W.  WILLIA]\1S.  who  carries  on 
agricultural  pursuits  in  Green  township.  Indi- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1171 


iana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  that  township  Nov. 
21,  1833,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Waters) 
Williams. 

Rev.  Daniel  Williams,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  John  W.  Williams,  was  born  in  the 
south  of  Wales,  and  was  a  Baptist  minister. 
He  never  came  to  this  country.  He  married 
Jane  Matthews,  also  a  native  of  that  country, 
and  they  had  a  family  of  six  children. 

Daniel  Williams,  son  of  Rev.  Daniel  Wil- 
liams, and  father  of  John  W.  Williams,  was 
born  in  Glamorganshire,  South  Wales,  and 
earae  to  the  United  States  in  young  manhood. 
After  a  three  months'  voyage  he  landed  at 
Baltimore,  Md.,  and  from  that  city  came  to 
Ebensburg,  Pa.,  there  for  about  two  years 
following  the  blacksmith's  trade,  which  he 
had  learned  in  his  native  land.  In  1831  Mr. 
Williams  came  to  Indiana  county,  settling  at 
Mitchells  Mills,  where  he  purchased  land  and 
engaged  in  farming,  but  never  gave  up  his 
trade,  at  which  he  worked  in  connection  with 
tilling  the  soil  and  lumbering  until  his  death, 
in  June,  1865.  He  and  his  wife  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  as  follows:  Gwen- 
nie,  who  is  a  resident  of  Pineflats,  Pa. ; 
Philip,  Hannah  and  Mary,  all  deceased ;  Jane, 
the  wife  of  Dr.  James  Dinwiddle,  of  Phil- 
lipsburg,  Pa. ;  Evan,  deceased ;  a  child  who 
died  in  infancy ;  John  W. ;  and  Rachel,  who 
is  deceased. 

John  Waters,  the  maternal  gi-andfather  of 
John  W.  Williams,  died  in  Monmouthshire, 
England,  and  his  widow,  Mary  (Jones) 
Waters,  subsequently  came  to  the  United 
States  with  her  only  child,  Mrs.  Williams, 
later  marrying  a  Mr.  Arthur,  by  whom  she 
had  three  children. 

John  W.  Williams,  son  of  Daniel  Williams, 
was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Green 
township,  his  boyhood  being  divided  between 
the  old  log  schoolhouse,  surrounded  by  tim- 
ber, which  he  attended  during  the  short 
winter  terms,  and  the  home  farm,  to  the  hard 
work  of  which  his  summers  were  given.  He 
was  reared  to  habits  of  honesty,  industry  and 
integrity,  and  thoroughly  trained  to  the  vo- 
cation of  farming,  in  which  he  has  been  en- 
gaged all  of  his  life.  At  this  time  he  is  the 
owner  of  a  property  whose  general  aspect  of 
prosperity  testifies  mutely  but  eloquently  to 
the  presence  of  thrift  and  good  management. 
For  one  and  a  half  terms  Mr.  Williams  has 
served  on  the  board  of  school  directors  of 
Green  township,  and  in  every  possible  man- 
ner has  demonstrated  his  public  spirit  when 
movements  of  a  progressive  nature  have  been 
advanced.     His  religious  connection  is  with 


the    Christian    Church.      Mr.    Williams    has 
never  married. 

JOHN  H.  McGUIRE,  of  Clymer,  Indiana 
county,  has  in  his  work  as  contractor  and 
carpenter  done  his  share  in  the  material  up- 
building of  that  borough,  in  whose  interests 
he  has  been  active  in  various  ways  from  the 
very  beginning,  having  settled  there  about 
the  time  the  town  was  founded.  He  was 
born  Oct.  22,  1862,  in  Cherryhill  township, 
where  the  town  of  Clymer  is  now  located, 
and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  E.  (Kerr) 
IMcGuire,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania.  John  McGuire,  the 
father,  was  an  early  settler  in  Indiana  county, 
and  followed  farming  there  in  his  younger 
days.  He  continued  to  make  his  home  there 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  February, 
1897.  His  widow  still  survives.  Their  fam- 
ily consisted  of  six  children :  Levi,  the  eldest, 
who  lives  in  Indiana  county;  Jennie,  wife  of 
John  0%her,  living  in  Indiana  county; 
Martha,  who  is  deceased ;  John  H. ;  Mary, 
wife  of  Luther  Helmer,  of  Indiana  county; 
and  Clara,  wife  of  J.  S.  Rowe,  of  Dixonville, 
this  county. 

John  H.  McGuire  attended  school  near 
where  the  town  of  Clymer  is  now  situated. 
When  a  boy  he  did  farm  work,  which  he 
continued  to  follow  until  1893,  at  that  time 
moving  to  Indiana,  where  he  lived  for  two 
years.  While  there  he  was  engaged  at  the 
trade  of  carpenter,  which  he  had  learned,  but 
he  returned  to  farming  for  a  time,  moving 
from  the  county  seat  to  Rayne  township,  this 
county,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  upon 
which  he  lived  for  several  years.  From  the 
farm  he  removed  to  Clymer,  at  the  time  that 
town  was  being  organized,  and  he  took  an 
active  part  in  the  organization.  He  became  a 
member  of  the  first  council  of  the  borough, 
serving  two  years  in  that  body  and  giving 
efficient  service.  He  has  taken  the  contracts 
for  and  built  many  of  the  residences  in  the 
borough,  and  he  also  acts  as  janitor  of  the 
schoolhouse,  to  which  position  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  school  board. 

On  March  10,  1887,  Mr.  McGuire  was  mar- 
ried to  Elmira  Rowe,  who  was  born  in  Rayne 
township,  Indiana  county,  in  June,  1869, 
daughter  of  John  I.  and  Lucinda  (Menee) 
Rowe,  natives  of  Rayne  township ;  they  were 
early  settlers  in  Rayne  township,  where  Mr. 
Rowe  engaged  in  farming  and  has  continued 
to  follow  that  vocation  all  his  life.  He  and 
his  wife  are  still  living  in  Rayne  township. 
They  have  had  eleven  children.    Two  children 


1172 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGuire: 
Ora,  who  is  deceased,  and  John  M.  Mr.  Mc- 
Guire and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

ARCHIE  J.  STEWART,  stockman  and 
farmer  of  Chen\yhill  township.  Indiana 
county,  whose  property  is  located  near  Penn 
Run,  was  born  on  the  farm  he  is  now  oper- 
ating Oct.  31.  1854,  son  of  Archie  and  Eliza- 
beth (Johnson)  Stewart. 

Archie  Stewart,  gi-andfather  of  Archie  J. 
Stewart,  was  born  in  Center  county,  Pa.,  and 
came  to  Indiana  county  in  1839,  settling  on 
the  farm  which  is  now  owned  by  his  grandson. 
He  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  farm- 
ing and  became  a  well-to-do  agi-iculturist. 

Archie  Stewart,  father  of  Archie  J.  Stew- 
art, was  born  in  Indiana  county,  and  at  tha 
time  of  his  father's  death  was  given  the  old 
home  propertj-,  on  which  he  spent  his  active 
years.  He  and  his  wife,  who  was  also  a  native 
of  this  county,  and  who  died  when  still  a 
young  woman,  had  a  family  of  three  children : 
Miss  Miranda,  a  resident  of  Indiana;  Archie 
J. ;  and  a  twin  sister  who  died  at  the  age  of 
eight  years. 

Archie  J.  Stewart  acquired  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Cherryhill  township, 
and  as  a  youth  was  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  which  he  has  always  followed.  He 
inherited  the  old  homestead  from  his  father, 
and  has  made  numerous  improvements 
thereon.  He  was  married  Sept.  25,  1889,  to 
Mary  E.  Thayer,  who  was  born  June  21, 
1864,  in  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  "Wil- 
liam and  Catherine  (Howe)  Thayer,  earlj- 
settlers  of  the  county,  where  Mr.  Thayer  was 
engaged  in  farming  for  some  years;  at  this 
time  he  is  living  retired,  making  his  home  in 
Philadelphia.  His  wife  is  deceased.  Mi*, 
and  Mrs.  Stewart  have  had  children  as  fol- 
lows: Cornelia,  Helen,  Archie  F.,  Robert, 
Virginia  and  Catherine,  all  of  whom  reside  at 
home.  The  family  is  connected  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  its  members  being  well 
and  favorably  known  in  church  circles. 

CLAIR  GUY  HARMON,  M.  D.,  a  physi- 
eian  of  West  Lebanon,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was 
born  at  Sinclairville,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  30,  1882, 
son  of  James  M.  and  Martha  J.  (Phillips) 
Harmon. 

James  M.  Harmon  comes  of  an  old  Con- 
necticut family,  while  his  wife's  people  came 
from  Vermont,  He  is  a  prosperous  farmer  of 
New  York  State,  and  is  also  interested  in 
handling  real  estate. 


Dr.  Harmon  was  graduated  from  the  high 
school  of  his  native  place  in  1902,  and  im- 
mediately thereafter  began  carrying  out  his 
ambition  to  become  a  physician  by  entering 
the  medical  department  of  the  University  of 
Kentucky,  at  Louisville,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1906,  with  the  degree  of  ^L  D. 
After  leaving  college  he  practiced  medicine 
for  a  short  time  at  Bear  Lake,  Pa.,  and  then 
became  interne  in  the  Braddock  general  hos- 
pital, at  Braddock,  Pa.,  in  which  connection 
he  gained  very  valuable  experience.  Sever- 
ing his  relations  with  the  hospital  Dr.  Har- 
mon went  to  Vandergrift,  Pa.,  where  he  was 
in  active  practice  until  the  fall  of  1908,  in 
that  year  locating  at  Jacksonville,  in  Young 
township,  this  county.  In  1909  he  bought  the 
practice  of  Dr.  J.  T.  Cass,  at  West  Lebanon, 
Pa.,  and  here  he  has  built  up  a  large  and 
constantly  increasing  practice,  which  reflects 
credit  upon  his  skill  as  a  physician  and 
popularity  as  a  man.  Using  an  automobile  in 
visiting  his  patients,  Dr.  Harmon  has  devel- 
oped a  love  for  driving  his  car,  and  is  en- 
thusiastic over  the  sport.  Professionally  he 
belongs  to  the  county  and  State  medical 
societies  and  keeps  himself  abreast  of  the 
progress  made  in  his  science.  Fraternally 
he  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  while  his  political  affil- 
iations are  with  the  Republican  party.  The 
Presbyterian  Church  has  in  him  a  valuable 
member. 

Dr.  Harmon  was  married  in  Indiana  to 
Grace  V.  Learn,  and  they  have  two  children, 
Robert  Marvin  and  Martha  IMay. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  BUTLER,  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  is  a  farmer  in  Burrell  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  residing  on  the  prop- 
erty on  the  Huntingdon,  Cambria  and  Indi- 
ana turnpike  which  has  been  the  home  of 
the  familv  for  the  last  fortv  vears.  He  was 
born  May  8,  1865,  in  West  Wlieatfield  town- 
ship, this  county,  son  of  Washington  Butler. 

The  Butlers  are  one  of  the  oldest  Irish 
families  in  Pennsylvania,  and  their  recorded 
history  goes  back  over  two  hundred  years. 
A  very  complete  account  of  its  members  dur- 
ing that  period,  down  to  the  present  time,  has 
been  written  and  published ;  George  Washing- 
ton Butler  made  material  contributions  to 
the  work,  which  was  gotten  up  at  great  ex- 
pense. James  Butler,  father  of  William  But- 
ler, who  founded  the  family  in  America,  was 
born  in  1718  in  the  parish  of  Cookeny,  County 
Wicklow,  Ireland,  and  received  his  education 
in  Dublin.  He  married  in  1739  (wife's  name 
not  known),  and  his  children  were:    Thomas. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1173 


born  in  1740;  William,  born  in  1743;  John, 
born  in  1745,  who  died  in  Ohio;  Jane,  born 
in  1747,  who  married  "William  Mann,  and 
died  in  1830;  and  Sarah,  born  in  1749. 

William  Butler,  son  of  James,  was  born 
in  1743  in  Cookeny,  County  Wicklow,  Ire- 
land, and  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Dublin.  In  1760,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he 
was  pressed  into  the  British  navy,  to  take 
part  in  the  war  between  England  and  France 
then  being  carried  on  in  America.  He  was 
brought  on  a  British  man-of-war  to  what 
were  then  the  English  Colonies  in  America, 
but  succeeded  in  escaping  and  made  his  way 
to  the  interior  of  the  Province  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  found  employment.  When 
the  Colonists  took  up  arms  against  the 
mother  country  he  enlisted  in  the  cause  of 
freedom,  joining  a  Berks  county  regiment 
under  Capt.  Henry  Christ,  Pennsylvania 
Regiment,  Rifles  and  Musketry.  He  served 
his  full  time  in  that  and  other  companies, 
under  several  enlistments.  From  March  1, 
1777,  to  May,  1777,  he  served  under  Capt. 
Patrick  Anderson;  in  January,  1778,  he 
served  for  a  time  in  Colonel  Patten's  regi- 
ment; again  enlisted  in  Capt.  John  Mar- 
shall's company,  2d  Pennsylvania  Regiment, 
Continental  army;  was  corporal  in  John 
Paterson's  company,  and  was  sergeant  until 
the  close  of  the  war;  in  1780-81  was  in  the 
Pennsylvania  regiment  of  artillery  under 
Col.  Thomas  Proctor  and  later  under  Colo- 
nel Harris,  serving  vmtil  the  end  of  the  strug- 
gle. In  1818  he  applied  for  a  pension  for 
his  Revolutionary  services.  About  1823  he 
settled  in  Crawford  county.  Pa.,  becoming 
a  land  owner  in  Sadsbury  township,  where 
he  remained  to  the  close  of  his  long  life,  dy- 
ing March  1,  1839,  at  the  remarkable  age  of 
ninety-six  yeai-s.  He  and  his  wife  Eleanor 
had  a  family  of  eight  children,  all  born  east 
of  the  Allegheny  mountains,  namely:  Sal- 
lie,  Mary,  Catherine,  James,  William,  Jean, 
Nancy  and  Eleanor. 

James  Butler,  son  of  William,  followed  the 
occupation  of  iron  worker,  being  a  pattern- 
maker and  molder.  In  1803-04  he  was  em- 
ployed at  the  old  Ross  Furnace,  in  the  Al- 
legheny mountains.  He  finally  settled  on 
Blackliek  creek,  near  the  furnace  fn  Wlieat- 
field  township,  Indiana  county,  and  there 
spent  his  life.  He  married  Martha  Clark, 
daughter  of  George  Clark,  who  was  a  pioneer 
on  Blackliek  creek  near  what  is  known  as 
Blackliek  Furnace,  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  a  large  family:  William,  who  mar- 
ried   Mary    Sena    and    settled    in    Cambria 


county,  Pa.;  Martha  and  Ellen,  twins,  the 
latter  the  wife  of  John  Spires;  Elizabeth; 
Abner  and  Solomon,  twins;  Ruth,  who  mar- 
ried Samuel  Pershing;  Caleb,  who  married 
Catherine  Carnahan  and  settled  in  Johns- 
town, Pa. ;  Jesse,  who  married  Mary  Oakea 
and  settled  in  Westmoreland  county;  and 
Washington.  James  Butler  died  in  Craw- 
ford county  and  is  buried  at  Harmonsville, 
Pa. ;  his  wife  died  at  Blackliek  Furnace,  and 
was  buried  there.  Mr.  Butler  was  a  Catho- 
lic in  religious  faith,  his  wife  belonging  to 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  which 
her  family  were  reared. 

Washington  Butler,  son  of  James  and 
Martha  (Clark)  Butler,  was  born  Sept.  7, 
1830.  He  learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith, 
which  he  followed  throughout  his  active 
years,  devoting  all  his  time  and  attention  to 
that  line  of  work  until  1872,  when  he  moved 
to  the  home  in  Burrell  township  where  he 
and  his  family  have  since  resided.  He  had 
previously  lived  at  Armagh,  this  county. 
Buying  a  tract  of  152  acres  on  the  pike  three 
miles  from  Blairsville,  he  erected  a  black- 
smith shop  and  continued  to  carry  on  his 
trade  and  iron  work  in  connection  with  farm- 
ing, his  sons  assisting  him  in  the  cultivation 
of  the  land.  Some  years  ago  he  gave  up  ac- 
tive labor,  and  is  now  living  retired,  making 
his  home  with  his  son  George  Washington 
Butler,  and  enjoying  the  leisure  he  has  well 
earned.  Mr.  Butler  served  as  assessor  of  the 
township  several  years.  During  the  Civil 
war  he  enlisted  in  the  navy  and  served  for  a 
period  of  ten  months  in  the  Mississippi 
squadron  as  blacksmith  and  machinist ;  he  was 
on  the  gunboat  "Mound  City."  After  com- 
pleting his  term  he  returned  home  and  re- 
sumed his  trade. 

In  1851,  Mr.  Butler  married  Caroline  Pal- 
mer, who  was  born  in  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, this  county,  daughter  of  Henry  Pal- 
mer, of  West  Wheatfield,  and  died  Sept.  24, 
1907 ;  she  is  buried  in  Blairsville  cemetery. 
Mrs.  Butler  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  to  which  her  husband  also  belongs. 
They  had  a  family  of  six  children,  viz. :  Henry 
L.,  who  resided  in  Knox  county,  Nebr.,  where 
he  died;  George  Washington;  Sarah,  living 
in  Denver,  Colo. ;  Ida,  who  married  Samuel 
Nipps,  both  now  deceased;  Ella  F.,  who  mar- 
ried Andrew  Porter,  of  Glassport,  Pa. ;  and 
Ellzora  C,  who  married  John  Allen  and  re- 
sides in  Arkansas, 

George  Washington  Butler,  son  of  Wash- 
ington Butler,  was  born  in  West  Wlieatfield 
township  and  was  only  a  boy  when  the  family 


1174 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


settled  at  the  present  liome  in  Burrell  town- 
ship. He  attended  public  school  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, and  in  his  youth  became  familiar 
with  both  farm  work  and  general  blaeksmith- 
ing  while  helping  his  father.  In  the  early 
eighties  he  was  emploj-ed  on  the  Pennsylvania 
railroad  for  a  time  as  fireman,  between  Pitts- 
burg and  Altoona,  Pa.  Since  1902  he  has  had 
complete  charge  of  the  homestead  place,  where 
he  carries  on  general  farming,  also  engaging 
in  blacksmithing,  and  he  was  former^  inter- 
ested in  the  manufacture  of  lumber,  owning 
a  sawmill  at  his  home  place.  He  has  bought 
other  lands  in  Burrell  and  the  Wheatfields,  at 
one  time  owning  over  three  hundred  acres. 
His  executive  ability  and  thrifty  management 
of  his  various  interests  have  made  them  prof- 
itable, and  he  has  proved  himself  a  good  busi- 
ness man,  combining  good  judgment  with  in- 
dustry in  all  his  undertakings.  Few  men  in 
his  neighborhood  have  been  more  active  in 
town  affairs.  He  has  filled  most  of  the  local 
offices,  having  served  as  school  director,  treas- 
urer (two  years),  clerk,  auditor,  tax  collector 
(three  years)  and  assessor  (six  years),  still 
continuing  to  hold  the  last  named  position. 
In  1902  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  after  serving  as  such  for  five  years  was 
reelected  in  1907,  still  serving.  In  1910  he 
was  United  States  census  enumerator  of  Bur- 
rell township.  Politically  Mr.  Butler  has  al- 
ways been  a  stanch  Republican,  and  a  worker 
for  the  success  of  the  party,  has  served  as 
member  of  the  election  board,  and  as  judge 
and  inspector  of  elections.  His  repeated  calls 
to  public  service  are  the  best  evidence  of  the 
satisfaction  he  has  given  to  all  concerned.  He 
has  been  honorable  and  faithful  in  the  dis- 
chai-ge  of  all  the  responsibilities  placed  upon 
him,  and  is  very  popular  in  his  township,  his 
efficiency  and  obliging  disposition  winning 
him   friends  in  all  classes. 

On  June  21.  1894.  Mr.  Butler  was  married 
to  Ella  W.  Axe,  who  was  born  in  Newcastle, 
Pa.,  daughter  of  Reuben  Axe,  now  of  Blairs- 
ville,  this  county.  Mrs.  Butler  is  a  woman  of 
keen  intelligence  and  many  sterling  qualities, 
and  has  been  a  true  helpmate  to  her  husband. 
They  are  members  of  the  -M.  E.  Church  at 
Blairsville.  They  have  had  a  family  of  nine 
children,  all  born  in  Burrell  township, 
namely:  Loyal  Glenn,  Margretta,  Washing- 
ton Gr.,  Axie,  Reuben,  George  and  Ella 
(twins),  Florence  and  Albert. 

ARCHIBLE  STEWART  was  during  his 
lifetime  one  of  the  most  prosperous  farmers 
and  stock  raisers  of  Cherryhill  township,  In- 


diana county,  cultivating  the  large  property 
now  owned  and  operated  by  his  son  Archie  J. 
Stewart.  Mr.  Stewart  was  born  in  Center 
township,  this  county.  Dec.  4,  1824.  He  was 
of  Irish  extraction,  his  grandfather,  Arch- 
ible  Stewart,  having  come  to  this  country  from 
the  North  of  Ireland  just  before  the  outbreak 
of  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  came  to  buy 
flax  and  flaxseed,  and  had  no  intention  of  re- 
maining in  America,  but  changed  his  plans 
when  the  war  broke  out.  He  first  lived  in 
Center  county.  Pa.,  where  he  married  a  Miss 
Allison,  and  later  removed  to  Center  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  where  he  died. 

Archible  Stewart,  son  of  Archible,  was  born 
in  Center  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and 
was  reared  there.  He  served  in  the  war  of 
1812,  enlisting  when  eighteen  years  of  age. 
He  married  Jane  Cummins  and  they  settled 
in  Cherryhill  township,  where  both  died. 
Their  children  were :  Archible ;  William,  who 
went  to  California  in  1849  with  a  party  from 
this  section  and  suffered  greatly  from  the 
hardships  of  the  journej%  dying  on  the  way  or 
just  after  he  reached  his  destination ;  Samuel, 
who  is  deceased:  Frank,  deceased;  Margaret. 
Mrs.  E.  H.  Grumbling,  deceased;  ]\Iilton,  de- 
ceased ;  James,  deceased ;  Jane,  Mrs.  W.  H. 
Guthrie,  who  lives  in  Kansas. 

Archible  Stewart  grew  to  manhood  in  Cher- 
ryhill township,  and  received  his  education  in 
the  country  schools.  He  followed  farming 
and  stock  raising,  and  being  the  eldest  surviv- 
ing son  he  kept  up  the  homestead,  which  he 
finally  bought.  He  added  to  it  as  he  pros- 
pered, and  it  now  consists  of  300  acres,  being 
one  of  the  most  valuable  properties  in  the  lo- 
cality. Mr.  Stewart  was  engaged  in  farming 
there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Jan- 
uary, 1890.  He  is  buried  in  Greenwood  ceme- 
tery, at  Indiana.  He  was  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  Harmony  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Indiana  county,  and  .served  for  years  as 
one  of  the  trustees.  In  politics  he  adhered 
stanchly  to  the  principles  of  the  Democratic 
party.  One  of  the  most  highly  respected  men 
of  his  township,  his  death  was  widely  mourned 
and  regarded  as  a  public  loss  by  all  who 
knew  him. 

Mr.  Stewart  married  Elizabeth  Johnston, 
who  was  born  in  Cherryhill  township,  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  and  Jane  (Huston)  Johns- 
ton, and  died  when  twenty-eight  years  of  age. 
They  had  three  children :  Marinda.  who  now 
lives  in  the  borough  of  Indiana :  Archible  J., 
who  conducts  the  home  farm ;  and  Elizabeth, 
twin  of  Archible.  deceased. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1175 


FRANK  WINSHEIMER,  of  Center  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  is  a  son  of  John  Michael 
and  Mary  M.  (Emerick)  Winsheimer,  for 
many  years  residents  of  this  county,  and 
grandson  of  George  Michael  Winsheimer,  who 
established  the  family  in  this  country. 

George  Michael  Winsheimer  was  born  in 
Neubeuern,  Germany,  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation, and  a  citizen  of  influence  in  his  lo- 
cality, serving  as  burgess.  In  1837  he  and 
his  wife  Elizabeth  (Kerley),  having  decided 
to  try  life  in  the  New  World,  took  passage 
with  their  family  on  a  sailing  vessel  at  Bre- 
men, and  they  landed  in  America  eleven  weeks 
later,  on  New  Year's  Day,  1838.  They  had  in- 
tended to  proceed  westward  and  locate  in 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  but  instead  stopped  at 
Greensburg,  Westmoreland  county,  some  forty 
miles  east  of  that  city,  and  established  a  home, 
remaining  there  some  four  j^ears.  Mr.  Win- 
sheimer then  removed  his  family  to  Canoe 
(now  Banks)  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
they  lived  for  the  next  twenty  years.  When 
they  retired  from  active  life  the  parents  made 
their  home  with  their  son  John  Michael,  then 
of  Indiana,  Pa.,  until  they  died;  they  were 
buried  in  the  Howe  cemetery  in  Cherryhill 
township,  Indiana  county.  They  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  in  politics 
Mr.  Winsheimer  was  a  Democrat.  They  had 
a  family  of  six  children,  all  of  whom  accom- 
panied them  to  the  United  States,  namely: 
John  Lawrence,  John  George,  Margaret,  Anna 
Mary,  Augustus  Vogel  and  John  ]\Iichael. 

John  Michael  Winsheimer,  youngest  child 
of  George  Michael  and  Elizabeth  Winsheimer, 
was  born  July  8,  1829,  in  Bavaria,  and  was 
a  child  when  he  came  with  the  family  to 
America.  What  little  educational  training 
he  received  was  obtained  in  the  pay  schools  in 
vogue  at  that  period  near  Greensburg.  Going 
with  his  father  into  the  northern  part  of  In- 
diana county  he  followed  farming  and  lum- 
bering, later  becoming  a  raftsman  on  the 
Susquehanna  river:  he  marketed  his  lumber 
at  Marietta,  Pa.,  in  this  way.  After  continu- 
ing this  occupation  for  a  number  of  years  he 
became  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 
in  Canoe  township,  and  when  he  sold  out 
bought  a  farm  of  500  acres  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, which  he  operated  for  a  number  of  years. 
In  1889  he  went  to  Virginia,  locating  on  a 
farm  near  Richmond  where  he  remained  two 
years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  returning  to 
Indiana  county.  Pa.  Purchasing  the  Mc- 
Callister  farm  two  miles  south  of  Indiana, 
he  lived  there  for  three  years,  and  after  sell- 
ing that  property  bought  the  George  Johns- 


ton place  in  Center  township,  a  tract  of  206 
acres,  upon  which  he  resided  for  seven  years. 
.For  the  next  seven  years  he  made  his  home  in 
the  borough  of  Indiana,  thence  moving  to 
Montgomery  county,  Pa.,  where  he  lived  until 
his  return  to  Indiana  in  1911  on  account  of 
poor  health,  retiring  at  that  time.  Mr.  Win- 
sheimer has  always  been  energetic  and  hard- 
working, and  his  business  ability  and  indus- 
try combined  have  brought  him  more  than 
ordinary  success.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church  and  active  in  all  the 
branches  of  its  work,  and  has  been  a  Sunday 
school  teacher  nearly  all  his  life. 

On  June  3,  1853,  Mr.  Winsheimer  married 
Mary  M.  Emerick,  who  was  born  in  Bedford 
county,  Pa.,  in  1833,  daughter  of  John 
Emerick,  and  died  Sept.  26,  1907;  she  is 
buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery,  Indiana.  Five 
children  were  born  to  this  union:  Ezra  E., 
now  a  resident  of  Vandergi-ift,  Pa.;  Mary 
Melissa,  who  married  Ellsworth  Dennison,  of 
Blairsville,  Pa. ;  Addie  Jane,  who  married  W. 
T.  Myers,  of  Plymouth  Meeting,  Montgom- 
ery Co.,  Pa. ;  Frank ;  and  Olive  May,  wife  of 
Harry  Clawson,  of  Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

Frank  Winsheimer  was  born  Oct.  22,  1873, 
in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  there.  He 
attended  school  at  Sample  Run  until  he  ac- 
companied the  family  on  their  removal  to 
Virginia,  at  which  time  he  was  fifteen  years 
old.  In  1894-5  he  was  a  student  at  the  Indi- 
ana State  normal  school.  For  one  year  he 
was  employed  in  the  steel  mills  at  Vander- 
grift,  as  crane  operator,  but  with  that  excep- 
tion he  has  always  followed  fauuing.  Upon 
his  return  from  Vandergrift  he  took  charge 
of  his  father's  farm  in  Center  township,  of 
which  he  has  since  become  owner,  and  he  has 
occupied  that  place  continuously  since  1903. 
His  alert  attention  to  all  the  details  of 
his  work,  intelligent  interest  in  improved 
methods  and  untiring  industry  have  brought 
him  the  success  he  deserves,  and  he  ranks 
among  the  most  substantial  farmers  of  his 
locality.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church  at  Indiana,  and  in  political  connec- 
tion is  a  Republican.  In  1911  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  Center  township  school 
board,  of  which  he  is  now  president. 

On  April  8,  1903,  Mr.  Winsheimer  married 
Irene  Johnston,  daughter  of  Ben.iamin  and 
Isabella  J.  (Johnston)  Johnston,  of  Shelocta, 
Pa.  She  taught  five  terms  of  public  school 
in  Indiana  and  Armstrong  counties.  They 
have    had   three   children,    born   as   follows: 


1176 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mary  Isabelle,  April  16,  1906;  John  Glenn, 
Feb.  7,  1908;  Kuth  Irene,  April  3,  1912. 

JAMES   JOHNSON   HUTCHISON,   who 

is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  in 
East  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
has  been  a  resident  of  this  section  all  of  his 
life,  having  been  born  in  the  township  June 
28,  1865,  a  member  of  an  old  family  of  Eng- 
lish origin. 

Cornelius  Hutchison,  the  great-grandfather 
of  James  Johnson  Hutchison,  the  first  of  the 
name  to  settle  in  Indiana  county,  was  sup- 
posed to  have  been  a  native  of  England. 
There  is  a  tradition  in  the  family  that  lie 
•  came  to  this  country  at  a  period  prior  to  the 
outbreak  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  that 
he  took  part  in  that  great  struggle.  From 
Path  valley,  Huntingdon  county.  Pa.,  he  made 
his  way  to  what  was  known  at  that  time  as 
Wheatfield  township,  settling  among  the 
pioneers  and  here  making  his  home  during 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  married  Nellie 
Maguire,  and  they  had  the  following  children : 
Robert;  Philip,  who  settled  in  Armstrong 
county;  Samuel,  who  also  settled  in  that 
county;  James,  who  was  also  a  settler  there; 
John,  who  removed  to  Lockport,  Pa.;  Ann, 
who  married  Robert  Brown,  and  lived  at  -New 
Florence,  Westmoreland  county;  and  Eliza- 
beth, who  married  Richard  McGrifif,  also  of 
Westmoreland  county. 

Robert  Hutchison,  son  of  Cornelius  Hutch- 
ison, and  grandfather  of  James  Johnson 
Hutchison,  made  his  home  in  Wheatfield 
township,  near  the  Conemaiigh  river,  where 
he  owned  a  large  tract  of  land  and  followed 
farming.  Later  he  removed  to  the  Philadel- 
phia and  Pittsburg  pike,  where  he  had  over 
200  acres  of  land,  part  of  which  is  now  owned 
by  his  grandson,  Alphouse  Cunningham.  He 
carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
there  during  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and 
was  buried  in  the  United  Presbyterian  ceme- 
tery in  East  Wheatfield  township,  Mr. 
Hutchison  married  Nanc.y  Steele,  daughter 
of  George  Steele,  and  they  had  the  following 
children:  Esther,  who  married  William  Cun- 
ningham and  resides  on  the  old  homestead ; 
John,  who  removed  to  Illinois  and  there  died ; 
Cornelius;  William,  who  was  a  farmer  of 
East  Wheatfield  township  and  is  now  de- 
ceased; Samuel,  also  an  agriculturist  of  East 
Wheatfield  township,  where  he  died;  Ellen, 
who  married  Coulter  Van  Horn,  both  now 
deceased;  Charlotte,  who  died  when  young: 
Julia  Ann,  who  married  Joseph  Hunter; 
and  Lucinda,  the  widow  of  John  D.   Tomb, 


residing  in  East  Wheatfield  township. 

Cornelius  Hutchison,  son  of  Robert  Hutch- 
ison, and  father  of  James  Johnson  Hutchison, 
was  born  Feb.  4,  1815,  in  East  Wheatfield 
(then  Wheatfield)  township,  and  received  a 
good  common  school  education  for  his  day 
in  the  subscription  schools.  As  a  lad  he  was 
reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  but  when  the 
Pennsylvania  canal  was  started  he  became  a 
water  carrier  at  the  salary  of  twenty  cents 
per  daj',  and  so  continued  until  he  was  made 
a  mule  driver  along  the  towpath  between 
Pittsburg  and  Johnstown.  Later  he  was  ad- 
vanced to  bowman  and  then  to  steersman  on 
the  canal  boats,  but  eventually  resigned  his 
position  to  take  that  of  stage  driver  for  Mr. 
Moore,  of  Ebensburg,  driving  between  that 
point,  Armagh,  Blairsville  and  Pittsburg,  a 
route  that  carried  him  through  a  perfect 
wilderness  of  country  and  made  it  necessary 
for  him  to  use  the  greatest  care  to  protect 
his  passengers  and  mail.  Eventually  he  es- 
tablished himself  in  the  hotel  business  at  Kit- 
tanning,  Armstrong  county,  but  in  1856  re- 
turned to  his  native  township  and  purchased 
the  Elliott  farm,  a  tract  of  sixty  acres,  on 
which  he  erected  a  dwelling  and  barn  and 
made  numerous  other  improvements,  adding 
to  his  land  from  time  to  time  until  he  had 
130  acres.  Here  he  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  life  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising, 
and  achieved  success  through  his  industry 
and  perseverance.  During  the  latter  part  of 
his  life  Mr.  Hutchison  sufi:'ered  terribly  from 
cancer,  and  for  fifteen  yeai-s  could  not  eat 
solid  food,  death  ending  his  sufferings  Jan. 
18,  1891;  he  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Bethel 
Church  cemetery.  He  died  in  the  United 
Pi-esbyterian  faith,  and  he  was  a  Republican 
in  his  political  views,  and  for  a  long  period 
served  faithfully  and  efficiently  as  supervisor 
and  tax  collector  of  East  Wheatfield  town- 
ship. 

Mr.  Hutchison  was  twice  married,  his  first 
wife  being  Susan  McElroy,  of  Allegheny 
county.  They  had  five  children :  Agnes,  who 
is  unmarried  and  resides  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.; 
Margaret,  who  died  at  the  age  of  six  years; 
Lila,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Peter 
Seib ;  ilary,  who  married  James  E.  Tomb, 
and  resides  at  Armagh,  Pa. ;  and  Annie,  who 
married  John  Bateman,  and  resides  at  Pitts- 
burg. ^Irs.  Hutchison  died  in  East  Wheat- 
field  township,  and  Mr.  Hutchison  married 
(second)  in  December,  1860.  Susan  Wiley, 
who  was  born  at  Chestnut  Ridge.  Pa.  ]Mi"s. 
Hutchison,  who  survives  her  husband  and 
resides  with  her  son.  has  lost  her  sight,  but  is 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1177 


cheerful  and  patient,  bearing  her  afihction 
with  true  Christian  fortitude.  Four  children 
were  born  to  the  second  union,  namely: 
Robert,  who  died  young;  George  Steele  and 
James  Johnson,  twins,  the  former  of  whom 
died  at  the  age  of  seven  years;  and  Charles 
Andrew,  who  died  when  twenty-one  years  of 
age. 

James  Johnson  Hutchison,  son  of  Cornelius 
Hutchison,  received  a  liberal  education  in 
the  schools  of  East  Wheatfield  township, 
after  leaving  which  he  spent  two  years  as  an 
educator.  In  1889  he  went  to  Johnstown, 
Pa.,  where  he  secured  a  position  in  the  steel 
mills  of  the  Cambria  Iron  &  Steel  Company, 
but  after  one  .year,  on  account  of  the  failure 
of  his  father's  health,  he  returned  to  East 
Wheatfield  township  to  take  charge  of  the 
old  homestead.  He  tenderly  cared  for  his 
father  during  his  last  years,  and  is  now  prov- 
ing a  devoted  son  to  his  mother,  who  in  the 
evening  of  life  is  surrounded  by  every 
comfort. 

Mr.  Hutchison  has  continued  to  remain  on 
the  home  farm,  where  he  is  successfully  fol- 
lowing farming  and  stock  raising  operations. 
The  property  of  130  acres  has  been  brought 
to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  produces 
bumper  crops,  which  find  a  ready  sale  in  the 
near-by  markets.  He  is  progressive  and  en- 
terprising in  his  ideas,  uses  the  latest  ma- 
chinery and  methods  in  his  work,  and  belongs 
to  that  class  of  farmers  who,  while  following 
practical  lines,  are  ready  to  give  a  trial  to 
any  innovation  which  their  judgment  tells 
them  may  prove  beneficial.  In  political 
matters  he  is  a  Republican,  and  for  thirteen 
years  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of 
school  directors,  at  this  time  occupying  the 
position  of  secretary  of  the  board.  With  his 
family  he  attends  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church. 

On  May  18,  1892,  Mr.  Hutchison  was  mar- 
ried to  Alice  E.  Robinson,  who  was  born  in 
West  Wlieatfield  township,  daughter  of 
Andrew  and  Martha  (McFeaters)  Robinson 
and  granddaughter  of  Ephraim  Robinson 
and  John  McFeaters.  Mrs.  Hutchison  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  West  Wheat- 
field  township  and  summer  normal  school 
under  Professor  Campbell,  and  for  some  time 
taught  school  in  East  and  West  Wheatfield 
and  Buffington  townships  and  in  Bolivar, 
Westmoreland  county.  Four  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hutchison :  Helen 
Irene,  who  was  educated  in  the  East  Wheat- 
field  public  schools  and  the  Greenville  sum- 
mer normal  school  under  Professor  Weaver, 


and  has  taught  school  at  Cramer  and  the  Shel- 
bark  school  in  East  Wheatfield  township; 
Mabel  Marie,  who  gi-aduated  from  the  town- 
ship public  school  at  the  age  of  twelve  years, 
under  Professor  Weaver,  and  at  the  age  of 
fourteen  years  received  a  teacher's  certificate, 
and,  being  still  too  young  to  teach,  is  attend- 
ing the  summer  normal  school ;  and  Winifred 
Hazel  and  James  Robinson,  who  are  at  home 
with  their  parents. 

CLEMENT  LAIRD  CAJVIPBELL,  lumber 
manufacturer,  of  Heshbon,  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  was  born  in  West 
Wheatfield  township,  this  county,  April  5, 
1863,  son  of  Christopher  and  Susaiina 
(Palmer)  Campbell. 

Christopher  Campbell  was  born  in  Wheat- 
field  (now  West  Wheatfield)  township  in 
January,  1818,  was  given  a  good  education 
for  his  day  and  locality,  and  for  some  years 
taught  public  school  during  the  winter  sea- 
sons. In  the  meantime  he  learned  the  trade 
of  mason,  which  he  followed  in  both  the  town 
of  Indiana  and  at  Coketown,  near  Blairsville, 
and  in  addition  owned  and  operated  a  produc- 
tive farm  in  West  Wheatfield  township.  He 
died  on  this  property,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Campbell  family's  lot  on  the  old  homestead. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  was  a  Democrat  of  the  old 
school,  but  never  sought  any  public  ofSce. 
Mr.  Campbell  was  married  in  West  Wheat- 
field  township  to  Susanna  Palmer,  who  was 
born  in  January,  1818,  in  Blacklick  township, 
daughter  of  David  and  Jane  (Bell)  Palmer, 
a  complete  record  of  this  family  being  found 
on  another  page  of  this  work.  She  died  at 
the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Johnson,  in 
West  Wlieatfield  township,  July  19,  1909,  and 
was  buried  in  the  old  Campbell  family  lot. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell  had  nine  children: 
Matthias,  a  ranchman  of  Douglas  county.  111. ; 
Mai-garet  and  Jane,  who  died  young;  Mary 
Agnes,  who  married  Addison  Palmer,  of 
West  Wheatfield  township;  Malinda,  who 
died  young;  David  and  Mack,  who  are  both 
deceased;  Clement  Laird;  and  Olive,  who 
married  Lawrence  Johnson  and  resides  in 
West  Wheatfield  township. 

Clement  Laird  Campbell  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, and  until  he  Avas  eighteen  years  of  age 
worked  on  the  home  farm.  At  that  time  he 
went  to  work  in  a  sawmill,  and  while  there 
acquired  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  lum- 
ber business,  in  which,  after  a  number  of 
years  spent  as  an  employe  in  mills  in  both 


1178 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


West  Wheatfield  and  Buffington  townships, 
he  became  engaged,  forming  a  partnership 
with  J.  A.  Campbell,  under  the  firm  style  of 
J.  A.  &  C.  L.  Campbell.  They  also  conducted 
a  mercantile  business  at  Heshbon,  carrying  on 
both  enterprises  until  1905,  when  C.  L. 
Campbell  brought  his  partner's  interests.  In 
1907  he  sold  the  mercantile  business  to  the 
Auld  Run  Coal  &  Coke  Company,  of  Hesh- 
bon, and  since  that  time  has  given  his  entire 
attention  to  his  sawmill  and  lumber  interests. 
He  resides  in  a  comfortable  home  in  Heshbon, 
where  he  also  has  some  farming  interests.  A 
stanch  Democrat  in  politics,  he  has  served  as 
school  director  of  Brushvalley  for  three  years, 
while  his  religious  connection  is  with  the 
Tnited  Presbyterian  Church,  and  his  fra- 
ternal affiliation  with  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge 
at  Crescent. 

On  Aug.  6,  1888,  Mr.  Campbell  was  mar- 
ried to  Carrie  Alcorn,  who  was  born  in  West 
Wheatfield  township,  daughter  of  Isaac  and 
Elizabeth  (Campbell)  Alcorn.  Five  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union:  Edna  (who 
has  taught  for  three  years,  being  engaged  in 
Brushvalley  township),  Lester,  Wilbur  and 
Doyle,  all  living  at  home,  and  one  son  who 
died  in  infancy. 

LEWIS  E.  ACKERSON,  D.  D.  S.,  has 
been  settled  in  practice  at  Clymer  since  1907, 
previous  to  which  time  he  was  at  Penn  Run, 
Indiana  county.  He  was  born  in  Cherryhill 
township  March  23.  1867,  and  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  time  he  has  been  away  for  study 
has  spent  his  life  there. 

James  P.  Ackerson,  father  of  Dr.  Lewis  E. 
Ackerson,  was  born  in  Sussex  county,  N. 
J.,  where  he  married  Emma  ]\I.  Barber,  also  a 
native  of  that  county.  In  1866  they  came  to 
Indiana  county.  Pa.,  settling  in  Cherryhill 
township,  M-here  Mr.  Ackerson  engaged  in 
farming,  following  that  occupation  for  sev- 
eral years.  Later  he  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  at  Pine  Flats,  which  he  car- 
ried on  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time 
purchasing  a  farm  near  where  he  had  first 
settled.  There  he  has  since  resided,  ilr.  and 
Mrs.  Ackerson  have  had  a  family  of  seven 
children :  Lewis  E. :  James  Wesley,  who  is  a 
farmer  in  Cherryhill  township ;  Mary  M.,  de- 
ceased; Judson,"  deceased;  Ada  B.,  wife  of 
John  L.  Bence,  a  farmer  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship; Frank,  who  is  a  farmer  near  Marion 
Center,  this  county;  and  Nora,  who  was  mar-, 
ried  in  the  spring  of  1912  to  Lewis  Shaeffer, 
of  Brushvalley  township,  Indiana  county. 

Lewis  E.  Ackerson  was  the  eldest  child  of 


his  parents.  He  began  his  education  in 
Cherryhill  township,  and  later  attended 
State  normal  schools,  after  which  for  several 
years  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  public  school 
in  Cherryhill  township.  In  1890  he  attended 
a  business  college  in  Delaware,  Ohio,  and 
later  took  his  dental  course  at  what  was  then 
the  dental  department  of  the  Western  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania,  now  the  Pittsburg 
Dental  College,  graduating  in  1899.  He  set- 
tled that  year  at  Penn  Run,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  practiced  until  his  removal  to  Cly- 
mer, in  1907.  He  is  the  only  dentist  in  the 
borough,  and  his  patronage  is  drawn  from  a 
wide  radius.  His  thoroughness  and  skillful 
work  have  had  their  deserved  reward,  for  he 
has  a  constantly  increasing  practice  which 
takes  all  his  time.  He  has  acquired  an  in- 
terest in  various  local  concerns,  being  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Clymer  Water  Company  and  in 
the  Clymer  National  Bank,  of  which  latter 
he  is  vice  president.  He  is  treasurer  of  the 
Water  Company. 

In  1901  Dr.  Ackerson  married  Dora  E. 
McCollough,  a  native  of  Cherryhill  township, 
who  died  Oct.  13,  1903,  and  they  had  one  son, 
Dale.  On  Sept.  21,  1909,  Dr.  Ackerson  mar- 
ried (second)  Margaret  Dixon,  who  was  born 
Dec.  18,  1886,  in  Center  covmty.  Pa.,  daughter 
of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Houston)  Dixon, 
natives  of  Scotland  who  came  to  Pennsyl- 
vania many  years  ago.  Mr.  Dixon  is  now  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  Chenyhill  township.  He 
and  his  wife  had  a  family  of  twelve  children, 
namely:  Alexander,  who  resides  on  a  farm; 
Roper  H. ;  George,  deceased ;  ilargaret,  wife 
of  Dr.  Ackerson;  Thomas;  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
John  Rumgay,  of  Clymer ;  John ;  Christina, 
wife  of  Jay  Gibson,  of  Clymer;  Agnes ; 
Adam ;  William  G.,  and  Anna. 

Dr.  Ackerson  and  his  wife  have  one  son, 
James  Lewis,  born  July  16,  1912.  They  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  So- 
cially he  belongs  to  Indiana  Camp.  No.  40. 
Woodmen  of  the  World. 

J.  WILSON  THOMPSON,  health  officer  of 
Indiana  borough,  probation  6fficer  of  the 
Juvenile  court,  former  deputy  sheriff  of  Indi- 
ana county,  is  a  well-known  citizen  of  his 
town  and  county.  He  was  born  March  30, 
1845,  on  his  father's  farm  in  Rayne  town- 
ship, where  the  Thompson  family  has  been 
settled  for  over  a  century. 

Robert  Thompson,  the  founder  of  the  fam- 
ily in  this  country,  was  an  early  settler  in  the 
northern  part  of  Indiana  county.  He  was 
born  in  1737  in  County  Derrv,  Ireland,  and 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1179 


came  to  America  in  1789  with  his  wife  Mary 
(Cannon)  and  their  six  children:  Hugh, 
Martha,  James,  John,  Margaretta  and  Eliza- 
beth. They  left  Ireland  May  29th.  They 
first  settled  in  Franklin  county.  Pa.,  thence 
moving  to  near  Old  Salem  Church,  in  Derry 
township,  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  where 
they  remained  for  a  few  years,  in  1795  re- 
moving to  what  is  now  Rayne  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  and  settling  on  Thompson's  Run, 
nearly  two  miles  above  where  Kelleysburg 
now  is.  The  son  Hugh  and  his  young  wife 
Martha,  with  their  infant  daughter,  had  at- 
tempted to  settle  there  alone  in  1793,  but 
Indian  hostilities  compelled  them  to  return 
to  their  former  home  south  of  the  Conemaugh 
river.  Their  permanent  settlement  in  1795 
was  made  comparatively  safe  by  the  defeat 
of  the  Indians  by  General  Wayne  in  August, 
1794.  Robert  Thompson  and  his  wife,  to- 
gether with  their  son  Hugh  and  son-in-law 
Hugh  Cannon,  were  among  the  founders  of 
the  Gilgal  Presbyterian  Church,  about  four 
miles  from  their  home.  Mr.  Thompson  se- 
lected his  farm  from  the  northern  portion  of 
the  tract  upon  which  the  family  settled,  and 
after  he  and  his  wife  died  their  son  James 
and  daughter  Margaretta,  neither  of  whom 
ever  married,  occupied  it.  Mr.  Thompson 
died  Oct.  13, 1809,  and  Mrs.  Thompson  on  Jan. 
25,  1815.  They  and  all  their  children  but 
Hugh  lived  beyond  the  allotted  threescore 
and  ten,  and  they  are  buried  in  the  cemetery 
near  Gilgal  Church,  where  they  all  attended 
worship.  Of  the  six  children,  Hugh  is  men- 
tioned fully  below.  Martha,  born  in  1775, 
resided  with  her  husband,  Hugh  Cannon, 
upon  a  farm  which  was  the  southern  portion 
of  the  tract  settled  in  1795,  and  died  Sept.  5, 

1848,  in  Rayne  township,  the  mother  of  seven 
sons  and  one  daughter,  William,  Robert, 
John,  Fergus,  James,  Joseph,  Hugh  M.  and 
Mary  T.  James,  born  in  1778,  diexl  Feb.  13, 

1849.  John,  born  in  1781,  married  Mary  Mc- 
Cluskey  April  26,  1810,  and  settled  upon  a 
farm  west  of  his  father  where  he  lived  imtil 
his  death,  IMareh  27,  1859;  his  children  were 
Mary  Jane,  INIatilda,  Eliza  A.,  Robert  and 
Margaretta.  Margaretta,  born  in  1785.  was 
burned  to  death  Feb.  23,  1864.  Elizabeth, 
born  in  1788,  married  Heniy  Van  Horn  in 
1815,  and  resided  in  East  Mahoning  township, 
where  she  died  Fell.  13,  1858,  her  husband 
dying  in  1877:  their  children  were  Mary  C, 
Dorcas  L.,  James  T.,  Tabitha  L.,  Robert  T., 
Isaiah  V.  and  Harry  A. 

Hugh  Tliompson,  eldest  son  of  Robert,  was 
born  in  1767  in  County  Derry,  Ireland,  and 


died  June  13,  1829.  He  made  his  home  on 
the  middle  portion  of  the  tract  where  he  set- 
tled in  1795  to  the  end  of  his  days.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1791,  in  Westmoreland  county,  he 
married  Martha  Thomson,  who  was  of  Scotch 
descent  but  a  native  of  County  Derry,  Ire- 
land, born  in  1770.  She  was  the  fifth  child  of 
James  and  Mary  Thomson,  who  moved  from 
Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  to  Nicholas 
county,  Ky.  Mrs.  Thompson  died  Sept.  10, 
1848.  Seven  sons  and  two  daughters  were 
born  to  her  and  her  husband,  all  natives  of 
Rayne  township  but  the  eldest  (or  eldest 
two):  (1)  Mary,  born  Oct.  10,  1792,  was 
married  Oct.  5,  1815,  to  John  Fenton,  and 
died  Dec.  24,  1829.  (2)  Jane  C,  born  July 
26,  1794,  died  May  1,  1837.  She  married 
John  B.  Henderson,  who  was  bom  in  1793 
and  died  Nov.  5,  1844.  (3)  Joseph,  born  Jan. 
12,  1797,  died  Oct.  27,  1882.  He  married  in 
May,  1822,  Euphemia  Moorhead,  who  was 
born  in  1800  and  died  Sept.  27,  1873.  He 
was  at  one  time  associate  .judge  of  Indiana 
county.  (4)  James,  born  July  24,  1799,  died 
May  9,  1837,  in  Philadelphia,  while  buying  a 
stock  of  merchandise.  On  March  16,  1825,  he 
married  Ann  E.  Ayers,  who  was  born  Oct. 
2,  1803,  and  died  Aug.  28,  1889.  (5)  Robert, 
born  Dec.  13,  1801,  died  Jan.  10,  1879.  On 
June  9,  1825,  he  married  Mary  Leasure,  who 
was  born  Feb.  29,  1804,  and  died  Jan.  23, 
1870.  (6)  John,  born  June  1,  1803,  was  a 
well-known  and  prominent  citizen  of  Ebens- 
burg.  Pa.,  where  he  died  Dec.  5,  1879.  He 
married  Ellen  J.  Patton,  who  was  born  Feb. 
19,  1806,  and  died  March  6,  1872.  (7)  Wil- 
liam C,  born  April  12,  1807,  was  married 
near  Mansfield,  Ohio,  to  Harriet  Ferguson, 
who  was  born  April  10,  1819,  and  afterward 
removed  to  Steuben  county,  Ind.,  whei-e  he 
died  May  31,  1890.  (8)  Hugh  A.,  born  April 
1,  1810,  was  for  two  terms  prothonotary  of 
Clarion  county,  Pa.,  afterward  clerk  in  the 
State  department  under  Governor  Curtin. 
and  still  later  cashier  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Indiana,  Pa.  He  died  April  23,  1886. 
On  Feb.  21,  1834,  he  married  Elizabeth  Mul- 
hollaud.  who  was  born  Oct.  29.  1816,  and 
died  Feb.  8,  1890.  (9)  Samuel  Henry  was 
born  March  5,  1814. 

Ma,i.  Samuel  Henry  Thompson,  youngest 
of  the  family  of  Hugh  Thompson,  passed  his 
youth  in  Rayne  township  in  much  the  same 
manner  as  other  farmers'  sons  of  the  day.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  subscription 
schools.  Soon  after  commencing  life  for  him- 
self he  engaged  in  merchandising,  but  gave  it 
up  to  return  to  farming  because  of  the  great 


1180 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


financial  crisis.  The  farm  on  which  he  lo- 
cated in  East  Mahoning  township,  and  where 
he  lived  for  nearly  twenty-four  years,  was 
bought  by  Johnston  Lightcap  in  1861,  and  in 
1862  he  moved  back  to  Rayne  township,  set- 
tling on  a  larger  farm  above  Kelleysburg,  on 
Thompson's  run,  which  he  hadr  purchased 
from  Daniel  Stauard,  Esq.  His  sons  T.  St. 
Clair  and  William  Laird  afterward  owned 
and  occupied  the  southern  part  of  this  farm ; 
the  former  died  March  31, 1912. 

Major  Thompson  was  one  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  this  section  in  his  day.  He  gained 
his  title  in  his  connection  with  the  State  mil- 
itia. He  became  very  prominent  as  an  ardent 
Abolitionist,  and  was  closely  associated  with 
Dr.  Mitchell  in  the  assistance  of  fugitive 
slaves,  his  place  being  a  station  on  the  "un- 
derground railroad. ' '  He  took  an  active  part 
in  local  affairs,  serving  as  school  director  when 
the  public  school  system  was  first  inaugurated 
and  being  one  of  the  original  board  of  man- 
agers of  the  Marion  select  school.  At  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  on  his  farm  in 
Rayne  township  Aug.  15,  1865,  he  was  serving 
as  auditor  of  the  county,  to  which  office  he 
had  been  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket.  He 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Smyrna  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  near  Georgeville,  served 
as  ruling  elder  of  that  congregation  for  over 
twenty  years  and  was  long  one  of  its  main 
supporters.  His  wife  also  belonged  to  that 
church.  They  are  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery 
at  Indiana. 

On  April  12,  1838,  Major  Thompson  mar- 
ried Flora  A.  Stewart,  who  was  bom  June  1, 
1818,  daughter  of  John  K.  and  Elizabeth 
(Armstrong)  Stewart,  the  former  an  old-time 
merchant.  She  died  May  11,  1869.  We  have 
the  following  record  of  the  nine  children, 
eight  sons  and  one  daughter,  born  to  this  mar- 
riage: (1)  Hugh  S.,  born  Sept.  9,  1839,  mar- 
ried June  10, 1863,  Harriet  N.  Work,-who  died 
Aug.  21,  1896,  in  the  Philadelphia  German 
hospital,  while  undergoing  an  operation.  On 
Aug.  18,  1901,  he  married  (second^  Mary  U. 
McAnulty,  who  was  born  in  1846  and  died 
April  29^  1911.  (2)  John  Stewart,  born  in 
October,  1841,  served  in  the  Civil  war.  On 
May  6,  1866,  he  married  Maggie  T.  Moor- 
head,  who  was  born  Oct.  5,  1843,  and  died 
June  3,  1867.  His  second  marriage  was  to 
Frances  A.  Smith,  who  was  born  May  2,  1846, 
and  died  Sept.  8,  1885.  (3)  Archibald  S., 
born  Jan.  23,  1843.  was  a  member  of  the 
United  States  Signal  Corps  during  the  Civil 
war,  serving  with  the  Army  of  the  James.  He 
and  his  brother  Wilson  were  discharged  in 


August,  1865,  arriving  home  just  a  few  hours 
before  the  death  of  their  father.  He  married 
]\Iay  22,  1866,  Mary  C.  Owens,  who  was  born 
Feb.  28,  1846,  and  died  in  July,  1904.  He 
died  July  25,  1909.  (4)  James  Wilson,  born 
^larch  30,  1845,  is  mentioned  below.  (5) 
Thomas  St.  Clair,  bom  Sept.  13,  1846,  was  a 
member  of  the  206th  P.  V.  I.  during  the  Civil 
war,  serving  as  a  musician.  On  Oct.  13,  1869, 
he  married  Marietta  Brady,  who  was  born 
Feb.  19,  1850.  He  died  March  31,  1912.  (6) 
Edwin  Reynolds,  born  March  5,  1848,  died 
IMarch  27,  1877,  and  is  buried  in  Oakland 
cemetery.  He  was  unmarried.  (7)  Robert 
Alexander  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this 
work.  (8)  Elizabeth  Hindman,  born  Aug.  10, 
1851,  was  married  Jan.  25,  1876,  to  George 
W.  Simpson  (who  was  born  Jan.  26,  1847), 
and  they  live  in  Santa  Barbara,  Cal.  (9) 
WiUiam  Laird,  born  July  14,  1855,  was  mar- 
ried May  29,  1884,  to  Louisa  Barber,  who 
was  born  April  12,  1858,  and  they  live  on  the 
home  farm. 

J.  Wilson  Thompson  grew  to  manhood  in 
East  Mahoning  township,  and  was  trained  to 
farming.  In  January,  1864,  he  enlisted  in 
the  Signal  Corps  of  the  United  States  army 
for  three  years'  service,  and  served  twenty 
months,  being  stationed  at  City  Point,  Va., 
most  of  the  time.  He  was  with  the  Army  of 
the  James  when  the  war  closed.  Retiirning 
to  his  native  county,  he  entered  the  employ  of 
A.  M.  Stewart  &  Co.,  hardware  merchants  of 
Indiana,  by  whom  he  was  engaged  as  clerk  for 
the  next  nine  years,  after  which  he  served  as 
deputy  under  Sheriif  J.  R.  Daugherty.  In 
1884  he  entered  the  employ  of  Henry  Hall, 
in  connection  with  the  Auditorium,  and  sub- 
sequently, in  addition  to  his  duties  there,  took 
the  responsibility  of  looking  after  the  M.  E., 
Presbyterian  and  First  U.  P.  churches,  having 
all  these  for  five  years.  He  still  continues  to 
act  as  janitor  of  the  Auditorium  and  First 
U.  P.  church.  In  this  and  various  other  ca- 
pacities he  has  become  particularly  well  known 
to  his  fellow  citizens.  Since  1S75  he  has  been 
humane  officer  of  the  borough.  Since  1875  he 
has  been  ticket  taker  at  the  main  gate  of  the 
grounds  of  the  Indiana  County  Agricultural 
Fair  Society,  and  since  1875  he  has  been  in 
charge  of  the  door,  as  ticket  taker,  of  the  In- 
diana County  Teachers'  Institute,  beginning 
his  services  as  such  under  County  Superin- 
tendent Craighead. 

On  May  10.  1869,  Mr.  Thompson  married 
Virginia  Keslar.  of  Indiana,  daughter  of  Law- 
rence and  Eve  (Boucher)  Keslar.  and  she  died 
in  1884,  the  mother  of  seven  children :     Ger- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1181 


trade,  now  the  wife  of  H.  A.  Waddell,  of 
Leechburg,  Pa. ;  La-\vi'enee  K.,  of  Vander- 
grift,  Pa.,  married  to  Lottie  George;  Mar- 
garet, wife  of  Irving  Ray,  of  Saltsburg,  Pa. ; 
Merle,  of  Youngstown,  Ohio,  married  to  Cath- 
erine Hollis ;  Reynolds,  who  died  at  Seottdale, 
Pa.,  when  twenty-one  years  old :  Ella,  \inmar- 
ried,  who  lives  at  home;  and  Wendell  P.,  de- 
ceased, who  married  Flavia  Smith.  "Wendell 
P.  was  but  three  days  old  when  Mrs.  Thomp- 
son died. 

LUMAN  GILBERT,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
war,  and  retired  blacksmith,  of  Homer  City, 
Indiana  county,  belongs  to  one  of  the  old  and 
honored  families  of  this  section,  and  was  born 
in  "West  "Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  Jan.  7, 1844. 

The  Gilbert  family  came  from  New  Eng- 
land, and  Luman  Gilbert,  the  grandfather  of 
Luman,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  son  of  a 
Revolutionary  soldier.  He  settled  in  the  "Wy- 
oming valley,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  there  made 
his  home  for  years.  He  was  a  soldier  during 
the  war  of  1812,  and  was  made  blind  by  the 
explosion  of  a  cannon,  at  the  age  of  forty- 
five  years,  although  he  continued  to  operate 
his  grist  and  saw  mill.  In  1858,  in  his  de- 
clining years,  he  went  to  Burlington,  Iowa,  to 
make  his  home  with  his  son  Henry,  who  took 
care  of  him  in  his  old  age.  and  with  whom  he 
died  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  ninety-three  yeai-s. 
He  married  Mary  Ann  Barkman,  who  was 
of  English  and  Gei-man  descent,  and  they  had 
children  as  follows :  Joseph ;  Henry,  who 
died  in  Iowa ;  Luman,  who  died  at  "Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pa. ;  and  George,  who  also  died  at  that 
place. 

Joseph  Gilbert,  son  of  Luman,  and  father 
of  Luman  Gilbert,  of  Homer  City,  was  born  in 
1808  in  the  "Wyoming  valley.  He  obtained 
a  public  school  education,  and  in  his  younger 
days  was  with  the  State  Line  Peddling  Com- 
pany, traveling  throughout  the  eastei-n  part 
of  Pennsylvania.  He  later  Settled  in  Frank- 
lin county  and  secured  emploj^ment  in  Mann's 
axe  factory,  but  subsequently  removed  to  Mid- 
dletown,  where  he  established  himself  in  busi- 
ness. In  this  he  met  with  great  success,  but 
through  the  dishonesty  of  a  business  associate 
was  financially  ruined  and  was  obliged  to 
start  all  over  again  in  his  struggle  for  in- 
dependence. Locating  at  Hagerstown,  Md.. 
he  engaged  in  general  blacksraithing,  and 
there  continued  for  some  time,  but  eventually 
came  to  Indiana  county  and  located  in 
Brushvalley  township.  Two  years  later,  in 
1844,  he  came  to  Homer  City  and  resumed 


general  blaeksmithing,  and  there  continued 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  oc- 
curring in  1873,  when  he  was  past  sixty- 
four  years  of  age.  He  was  originally  a  "Whig 
and  later  a  Republican,  and  served  as  justice 
of  the  peace  (for  thirty  years),  county  coro- 
ner, and  auditor  (for  a  long  period),  and  was 
a  strong  antislavery  man.  He  was  first  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
but  later  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  de- 
nomination. Mr.  Gilbert  was  married  near 
Chambersburg,  Pa.,  to  Ruth  Krunkleton,  who 
was  born  near  that  place,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Newton  Krunkleton.  They  had  the  following 
children:  Sylvester  Kline,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war,  who  died  Jan.  16,  1911,  at  Quincy, 
in. ;  Mary  Ann  Barber,  who  married  Solomon 
Kunkle,  and  died  in  Center  township  in  1874 ; 
Sarah  Jane,  who  married  Andrew  A.  Rager, 
and  is  now  a  widow  and  a  resident  of  Johns- 
town, Pa. ;  Milton,  who  died  at  Homer  City  in 
1854;  Luman;  Aquilla,  who  died  in  1861; 
Leander,  a  mechanic,  living  at  Johnstown; 
Elza  Belle,  twin  of  Leander,  who  died  in 
1886 ;  Lucinda,  who  married  Hugh  Nealy,  and 
is  deceased ;  and  Loretta,  who  married  Daniel 
Ferrier,  of  Homer  City.  The  mother  of  these 
children  died  in  Homer  City,  and  was  buried 
in  the  Frj'  cemetery,  Brushvalley. 

Luman  Gilbert  was  still  an  infant  when  his 
parents  moved  to  Homer  City,  and  here  he 
secured  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools,  this  being  supplemented  b.v  attendance 
at  the  Iron  City  College,  Pittsburg.  At  an 
early  age  he  learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith 
with  his  father,  with  wliora  he  was  associated 
in  business  for  a  period  of  thirty  years,  the 
firm  being  known  as  Joseph  Gilbert  &  Son. 
After  his  father's  death  he  continued  the  busi- 
ness alone  in  the  same  shop  until  1892,  at 
which  time  ill  health  made  it  necessary  for 
him  to  retire.  "When  Hon.  Harrj^  "White  was 
elected  judge  of  the  Indiana  county  court 
Mr.  Gilbert  was  appointed  tipstaff,  a  position 
he  held  throughout  Judge  "White's  adminis- 
tration of  over  ten  years.  Since  then  he  has 
lived  retired  in  his  home  in  Homer  City. 

In  May,  1863,  Mr.  Gilbert  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany D,'54th  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  under  Capt.  John  H.  Devers 
and  Colonel  Gallagher,  and  was  out  three 
months,  serving  in  Ohio  during  the  Morgan 
raids.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Pittsburg 
after  the  period  of  his  enlistment  was  com- 
pleted, but  in  March,  1865,  again  enlisted,  at 
Homer  Citv,  Pa.,  becoming  a  private  in  Com- 
pany H,  ld3d  Regiment,  P.  V.  I.,  under  Capt. 
John    Dougherty,     of    Hollidaysburg.       He 


1182 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


fought  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and 
was  mustered  out  and  received  his  honorable 
discharge  at  Newbern,  N.  C,  at  the  close  of 
hostilities.  Although  never  wounded,  Mr.  Gil- 
bert contracted  disease  that  has  made  him  a 
great  sufferer  throughout  his  life.  His  army 
record  is  an  honorable  one,  and  he  is  fully 
entitled  to  the  universal  esteem  in  which  he 
is  held  as  one  of  those  who  sacrificed  their 
young  manhood  and  health  in  order  that  the 
country  might  live.  A  stanch  and  active  Re- 
publican, Mr.  Gilbert  has  served  as  a  member 
of  the  election  board  for  many  years  in  Center 
township,  acted  capably  as  school  director  for 
six  years,  and  was  overseer  of  the  poor  for 
nine  years,  in  addition  to  which  he  has  filled 
numerous  minor  offices.  In  all  his  official 
capacities  he  has  shown  himself  efficient,  con- 
scientious and  trustworthy,  and  at  all  times 
has  labored  faithfully  for  the  welfare  of  his 
community.  He  belongs  to  Bolar  Post,  Xo. 
553,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  has  been  com- 
mander, having  filled  all  the  chairs.  His  re- 
ligious belief  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  in  which  he  has  ever  taken  an 
active  part,  at  this  time  being  class  leader 
and  steward.  His  wife  belongs  to  the  Metho- 
dist Church. 

On  April  25,  1869,  Mr.  Gilbert  was  married, 
by  Rev.  John  S.  Wakefield,  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  to  Annie  Pinkerton,  who 
was  born  at  Fairfield,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa., 
daughter  of  James  M.  and  Elizabeth 
(Weimer)  Pinkerton.  Mr.  Pinkerton,  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Union  army,  was  shot  in  October, 
1864,  at  Woodpile  Station,  Va.,  by  bushwhack- 
ers, while  he  was  foraging  for  food  with  his 
companions.  Mrs.  Gilbert,  who  was  a  school 
teacher  for  some  years,  is  a  lady  of  culture 
and  intelligence,  much  devoted  to  her  home 
and  family.  She  and  her  husband  have  had 
four  children:  Alonzo  Pinkerton.  born  Sept. 
11,  1870,  who  died  Oct.  .3,  1871 ;  Annie  Zora, 
born  Jan.  7,  1874,  who  died  Dec.  4,  1888; 
Edith  Laurena,  born  Dec.  29,  1879,  who  died 
Feb.  1,  1881 ;  and  Leila  Ruth  Virginia,  born 
Jan.  16,  1892.  who  was  married  Jan.  4,  1909, 
to  Earl  L.  Mushrush,  and  has  one  child,  Ln- 
man  Gilbert,  born  July  12,  1910. 

JACOB  WILLIAM  MILLER  is  one  of  tlie 
best-known  men  of  Armstrong  township,  In- 
diana county,  where  he  owns  and  operates  a 
farm,  has  had  business  interests  for  many 
years,  and  is  active  in  public  and  church  work. 
He  was  born  Dee.  3,  1853,  in  Washington 
town.ship,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  his  grand- 
father, Moses  Miller,  settled  many  years  ago. 


Miller  was  born  and  reared  in  Bed- 
ford county.  Pa.,  and  came  to  this  section  of 
the  State  when  the  site  of  what  is  now  Johns- 
town was  nothing  but  a  wilderness.  He  laid 
out  the  first  foundation  for  a  house  within  the 
present  limits  of  that  city.  By  trade  he  was 
a  stonemason.  He  bought  a  tract  of  land  in 
what  is  now  the  cit.y  of  Johnstown.  227  acres, 
paying  fifty  cents  an  acre,  but  he  subsequently 
moved  to  Indiana  county,  where  he  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  married  a  IMiss 
Sell,  and  their  children  were :  '  Barnabas, 
Henry,  ]\Ioses,  William,  Mrs.  George  Mitchell, 
Susan  (Mrs.  William  Johnson \  Elizabeth 
(Mrs.  John  Russell).  Peggie  (]Mi'S.  Henry 
Frailey)  and  Annie.  The  father  of  this  fam- 
ily died  in  1877,  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine 
years. 

William  Miller,  son  of  Moses,  was  born  and 
reared  on  the  paternal  homestead  place  in 
Washington  township,  Indiana  county.  His 
first  purchase  was  a  fifty-six-acre  farm,  to 
which  he  subsequently  added  fifty  acres  (this 
property  is  now  owned  by  his  son  Barnabas), 
and  there  he  followed  farming  to  the  end  of 
his  life,  dj'ing  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years. 
Mr.  ililler  was  an  intelligent  and  successful 
farmer,  and  highly  respected  by  all  his  neigh- 
bors, being  a  prominent  man  in  his  day,  though 
he  had  no  aspirations  for  public  honors.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Dunkard  (now  the  Ger- 
man Baptist)  Church,  which  he  served  of- 
ficially as  deacon.  In  political  opinion  he  was 
originally  a  Whig,  later  becoming  a  Republi- 
can. His  wife,  Susan  (Fisher),  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Betsy  (Fry)  Fisher,  died  at  the 
age  of  seventy-three  years,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Miller  are  buried  in  the  Jacob  Fisher  grave- 
yard on  Dutch  Run  road,  in  Washington 
township,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.  They  had  chil- 
dren as  follows:  John  ( deceased ")  married 
Carrie  Jewett;  Jacob  William  is  mentioned 
below;  Jennie  (deceased)  married  D.  Schrec- 
enghost ;  George,  who  is  in  the  butcher  busi- 
ness in  Indiana  borough,  married  Rachel  Cess- 
ney:  Barnabas,  who  resides  on  the  homestead 
in  Armstrong  township,  married  Bella  Penn- 
rod  and  (second)  Mrs.  Anna  Hemphill:  Eliza- 
heth  married  Wilson  Davis  and  lives  at  Van- 
ders;rift.  Pa. :  William  died  when  one  vear 
old.^ 

Jacob  William  ^Miller  attended  conmion 
school  near  home,  and  worked  with  his  father 
on  the  farm  until  he  reached  his  majority, 
about  1875  buying  a  threshing  machine  and  in 
partnership  with  L.  G.  Clark  engaging  in 
threshing.  They  were  associated  for  a  few 
years,  Mr.  Miller  eventually  buying  out  IMr. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1183 


Clark.  He  also  sold  farming  implements, 
and  for  one  year  "cropped"  the  Joshua  Val- 
entine farm  in  Washington  township.  Then 
he  moved  to  Armstrong  township  and 
"cropped"  the  George  Clark  farm  for  eight 
years,  at  the  end  of  that  period  buying  one 
hundred  acres  of  that  place,  to  which  he  has 
since  added  thirty-eight  acres.  He  follows 
general  farming,  owns  a  half  interest  in  sev- 
eral baling  and  threshing  machines,  and  raises 
hogs,  sheep  and  cattle.  He  has  taken  a  promi- 
nent part  in  the  administration  of  township 
affairs,  having  serv-ed  as  auditor,  road  super^ 
visor,  school  director  and  member  of  the  elec- 
tion board.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 
For  forty  years  Mr.  Miller  has  been  a  member 
of  the  13ethel  United  Pi-esbyterian  Church, 
which  he  joined  in  1872,  and  of  which  he  is 
now  a  deacon.  He  was  formerly  a  teacher  in 
the  Sunday  school. 

On  Sept.  12,  1876,  Mr.  Miller  married  Sadie 
Elizabeth  Kerr,  daughter  of  Valentine  and 
Nancy  (Lewis)  Kerr,  of  Jacksonville,  Young 
township,  Indiana  county,  and  the  following 
children  have  been  born  to  them :  ]\Iaud  is 
the  wife  of  Harvey  E.  Millei',  a  farmer,  and 
resides  near  Dayton,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa. ; 
Charles  died  in  September,  1895,  aged  four- 
teen years;  Lewis  Earl,  who  is  a  lawyer,  lo- 
cated in  the  borough  of  Indiana,  mafried 
Elizabeth  Fleming;  William  Arthur  is  at 
home ;  Bell  married  Wilber  Stahl,  a  plasterer, 
of  Indiana  ;  Lydia  Olive  man-ied  Morris  Ruff- 
ner,  a  coal  driller  and  tester;  Paul  is  em- 
ployed as  a  sheet  heater  in  the  mill  at  Vander- 
grift. 

SAMUEL  MARSHALL  NESBITT.  now 
living  on  his  farm  in  Conemaugh  township, 
Indiana  county,  has  been  a  well-known  resi- 
dent of  that  section  for  years,  having  formerly 
been  located  at  Tunnelton,  in  the  same  town- 
ship,'where  he  conducted  a  general  store  and 
long  served  as  postmaster.  The  Nesbitt  fam- 
ily has  been  established  in  this  country  for 
over  a  century.  They  came  hither  from  Clear 
Spring,  Washington  Co.,  Md.,  at  which  site 
Nathaniel  Nesbitt,  great-gi-andfather  of  Sam- 
uel Marshall  Nesbitt,  made  the  first  improve- 
ment. 

Nathaniel  Nesbitt,  grandfather  of  Samuel 
Marshall  Nesbitt,  was  reared  at  Clear  Spring, 
Washington  Co.,  Md.,  and  was  about  fifty 
years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  family 
to  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  in  1816.  That  year 
he  located  on  the  farm  in  Conemaugh  town- 
ship where  his  son,  Maj.  Nathaniel  Nesbitt, 
passed   most   of  his   life,   and   which   is  now 


owned  by  his  heirs.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Seibert,  and  they  had  the  following  children : 
Elizabeth,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of 
Daniel  Stonebarger;  Rebecca,  who  mari-ied 
Robert  McConaghey,  and  had  a  son  who  be- 
came a  Presbyterian  minister;  Frances,  who 
married  John  Keener;  Catherine,  who  mar- 
ried Isaac  Keener;  Nathaniel,  mentioned  be- 
low; Mary  Ann,  who  married  John  R.  Gal- 
lagher, who  was  a  boat  owner  on  the  old  Penn- 
sylvania canal  and  also  engaged  in  milling  and 
farming  in  this  section  (they  had  sons  John, 
Nat  and  Isaac,  all  of  whom  served  in  the  Civil 
war)  ;  Sarah,  who  married  James  Wherry 
and  resided  at  South  Bend,  Armstrong  Co., 
Pa.  (their  son  James  Elwood  became  a  Pres- 
byterian minister  and  is  now  a  missionary 
in  India)  ;  Susan,  who  married  Alexander 
Bell  and  lived  near  East  Liberty,  Pa. ;  and 
Jacob,  a  farmer  in  Conemaugh  township,  who 
married  Margaret  Irwin  and  had  eight  sons, 

Maj.  Nathaniel  Nesbitt  was  born  in  1808  on 
the  present  site  of  Clear  Spring,  Washington 
Co.,  Md.,  and  came  to  Indiana  county,  Pa., 
with  his  parents  in  1816.  The  farm  on  which 
the  family  lived  is  near  what  is  now  Bow  sta- 
tion, in  Conemaugh  township,  and  there  he 
worked  with  his  parents  until  of  age,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing on  his  own  account.  He  was  one  of  the 
notably  prosperous  and  progressive  farmers  of 
his  day.  His  farm  comprised  268  acres,  the 
place  where  he  settled  with  his  parents  and 
now  owned  by  his  heirs,  and  he  was  particu- 
larly successful  as  a  stock  raiser,  winning 
many  prizes  at  the  county  fairs  for  his  horses 
and  cattle.  In  association  with  another  man 
he  owned  the  "Tribune,"  a  canal  boat  (which 
was  sunk  by  his  partner),  meantime  also  con- 
tinuing his  agricultural  operations.  He  was 
jury  commissioner  of  Indiana  county,  took  a 
deep  interest  in  the  success  of  the  Prohibition 
party,  which  he  supported,  and  was  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Livermore,  and  Tunnelton,  serving  many 
yeare  as  elder.  In  politics  he  was  a  Demo- 
crat, in  social  connection  an  Odd  Fellow,  be- 
longing to  Blairsville  lodge.  Major  Nesbitt 
died  July  13.  1898.  at  his  home  in  Conemaugh 
township.  He  held  a  commission  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania militia. 

]Major  Nesbitt  was  imited  in  marriage  to 
Martha  Keener,  who  was  born  in  1810  near 
Slatelick,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of 
George  and  Sarah  (Frantz)  Keener,  and 
died  iMarch  17,  1878.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nesbitt 
are  interred  in  the  Livermore  cemetery.  They 
had  a  family  of  nine  children,  viz. :    (1)  Sarah 


1184 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


(deceased)  married  Jonathan  R.  Bums  and 
had  children:  John,  Milton,  Charles,  Ida 
and  Martha.  (2)  Nathaniel  enlisted  in  the 
Union  service  June  21,  1861,  for  three  years, 
and  entering  the  army  as  a  private  became 
captain  of  Company  E,  11th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Reserves,  and  was  shot  by  a 
wounded  Confederate  lying  behind  a  log,  Sept. 
14,  1862,  at  the  battle  of  South  Mountain, 
while  leading  a  charge.  He  died  Sept.  21, 
1862.  (3)  Elizabeth  S.  was  born  April  7, 
1836.  (4)  George  K.  enlisted  June  21,  1861, 
in  Company  E,  11th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Reserves,  was  promoted  to  corporal  July  27, 
1861,  and  died  Oct.  14,  1861,  at  Washington, 
D.  C,  of  typhoid  fever.  (5)  Samuel  Mar- 
shall is  mentioned  below.  (6)  Mary,  unmar- 
ried, lives  at  Livermore,  Pa.  (7)  Martha 
(deceased)  married  James  J.  Fritz  (who 
served  in  the  Civil  war,  in  Captain  Nesbitt's 
company),  and  had  children:  Nat,  Bessie, 
Lee,  John,  Alice,  Susie  and  Sarah.  (8)  Kate 
died  unmarried.  (9)  Susan  is  unmarried  and 
lives  with  her  sister  Mary  at  Livermore. 

Samuel  Marshall  Nesbitt  was  born  Nov.  5, 
1839,  in  Blacklick  township,  this  county, 
where  his  parents  lived  for  a  short  time.  He 
attended  public  school  in  Conemaugh  town- 
ship and  later  went  to  select  school,  and  when 
his  own  school  days  were  over  taught  for 
one  winter.  He  then  followed  farming,  as- 
sisting his  pai-ents,  until  1866,  in  which  year" 
he  went  to  the  oil  fields,  remaining  a  year. 
Returning  home  he  engaged  in  lumbering  as 
well  as  farming  for  a  number  of  years,  in 
1882  entering  the  employ  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company  as  station  master, 
freight  agent  and  express  agent  at  Tunnel- 
ton,  Pa.,  in  Conemaugh  township.  He  held 
that  position  until  the  spring  of  1910,  and 
meantime  also  embarked  in  the  general  mer- 
chandise business.  He  was  appointed  post- 
master, and  served  as  such  for  over  twenty 
years,  being  one  of  the  best  known  residents 
of  the  place.  During  this  period,  in  1899,  he 
bought  a  farm  of  138  acres  near  Tunnelton, 
and  carried  on  its  cultivation  in  connection 
with  his  other  enterprises.  But  in  1910,  when 
he  retired  from  the  railroad  service,  sold  his 
general  store  and  gave  up  the  post  office,  he 
moved  to  his  present  home,  a  very  fine  farm, 
where  he  and  his  son  Nathaniel  are  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr. 
Nesbitt  has  found  time  for  public  as  well  as 
business  interests,  served  many  years  as  school 
director,  and  is  an  ardent  member  of  the 
Prohibition  party.  He  has  long  been  a  mem- 
ber   of    the    Presbyterian    Church    and    has 


served  twenty  years  as  elder,  also  teaching  a 
Bible  class.  Fraternally  he  has  been  a  Mason 
for  years,  is  a  Good  Templar  and  member  of 
the  Sons  of  Temperance. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  married  Oct.  26,  1880,  to 
Martha  J.  Davis,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Eliza  (Miller)  Davis,  of  Conemaugh  town- 
ship, and  they  have  had  five  children :  Isaac 
Charles,  born  Nov.  14,  1881,  who  died  Jan. 
17,  1893,  and  is  buried  in  the  Saltsburg  ceme- 
tery ;  Paul  Edwin,  traveling  salesman  for  a 
wholesale  stationery  house;  Nathaniel,  living 
at  home;  Ralph  Burrell,  who  is  studying  at 
Princeton,  N.  J.,  preparing  for  foreign  mis- 
sionary work ;  and  Eliza,  lx)rn  Oct.  17,  1885, 
who  died  Aug.  5,  1887. 

RICHARD  WHITE  WEHRLE,  head  of 
the  firm  of  R.  W.  Wehrle  &  Co.,  of  Indiana, 
does  the  leading  jewelry  business  in  Indiana 
county.  He  is  also  interested  in  other  lines 
of  commerce,  and  as  a  student  of  natural  his- 
tory is  a  recognized  authority  in  certain 
branches  of  infonnation  concerning  the 
county.  Mr.  Wehrle  was  bom  in  Indiana 
Oct.  1,  1852,  and  is  of  German  descent.  His 
grandfather,  Eliseus  Wehrle,  lived  and  died 
in  Germany. 

Blaseus  Wehrle,  father  of  Richard  W. 
Wehrle,  was  born  Feb.  2,  1809.  in  Baden- 
Baden,  Germany,  and  learned  the  trade  of 
jeweler  in  his  native  country.  He  came  thence 
to  the  United  States  in  1828,  landing  at  New 
York  after  a  long  and  stormy  voyage  of  forty 
days  in  a  sailing  vessel.  At  first  he  journeyed 
around  selling  clocks  and  doing  repair  work, 
being  thus  engiiged  for  ten  years,  principally 
in  Huntingdon  county.  Pa.  In  time,  in  1845, 
he  located  at  Indiana,  and  engaged  in  the 
jewelry  business,  which  he  continued  up  to 
within  two  years  of  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred Sept.  2,  1887.  He  was  a  master  work- 
man in  his  line,  characteristically  thorough 
and  familiar  with  its  details  as  old  countiy 
workmen  learned  to  be,  and  these  qualities, 
together  with  his  untiring  industry,  brought 
him  success.  He  married  Cornelia  Tinthoff, 
daughter  of  William  Tinthoff.  of  Indiana, 
and  she  preceded  him  to  the  grave,  dying  Feb. 
23,  1882.  They  were  Catholics  in  their  re- 
ligious faith,  and  are  buried  in  the  Catholic 
cemetery  at  Indiana.  They  were  the  parents 
of  eight  children:  Mary  H. ;  Boniface  I.,  who 
was  engaged  in  the  jewelry  business  in  Indi- 
ana, and  died  in  Octobei',  1899;  Richard 
White;  Elias;  Juliet:  Blanche;  William,  and 
Clara. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1185 


Richard  White  Wehrle  grew  up  in  Indiana, 
and  there  received  a  public  school  education. 
He  began  to  learn  the  jeweler's  trade  and 
business  with  his  father,  and  when  a  youth  of 
fourteen  went  to  Brookville,  Jefferson  Co., 
Pa.,  to  finish  the  apprenticeship  with  his 
uncle,  Sylvester  M.  Tinthoff,  with  whom  he 
remained  about  three  years.  He  made  the 
journey  from  Indiana  to  that  place  on  foot, 
and  it  took  him  two  days,  and  the  three  dol- 
lars he  had  in  his  pocket  constituted  all  he 
owned.  Returning  thence  to  Indiana  county 
he  located  at  Blairsville,  where  he  established 
a  jewelry  store  of  his  own  in  1873,  carrying 
on  same  for  over  twentj^  years.  His  store  on 
Main  street  was  well  stocked  with  a  general 
line  of  goods,  and  he  built  up  a  fine  trade, 
but  sold  out  in  1895  to  remove  to  Indiana, 
where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  same 
line.  He  was  with  his  brother  Boniface  the 
first  few  years,  under  the  name  of  B.  I. 
Wehrle  &  Brother,  this  association  lasting 
until  his  brother's  death  in  1899,  since  when 
the  business  has  been  conducted  under  the 
name  of  R.  W.  Wehrle  &  Co.  He  has  an 
up-to-date  store  and  commands  the  best  pa- 
tronage in  his  line  in  Indiana  county.  Mr. 
Wehrle  is  himself  a  skilled  workman,  and  has 
always  made  it  a  point  to  give  personal  super- 
vision to  the  repair  department  since  his  busi- 
ness became  too  large  to  permit  him  to  do 
the  work  alone. 

ileantime  Mr.  Wehrle  has  acquired  other 
interests.  In  1889  he  purchased  two  stone 
quarries,  both  located  in  Indiana  county,  from 
which  he  shipped  blue  stone  and  Belgium 
block  paving  stone  to  Pittsburg.  He  has 
disposed  of  the  quarries.  He  now  owns  coal 
and  timber  lands,  having  over  one  thousand 
acres  in  Center  and  Burrell  townships,  this 
countj',  undei'laid  with  valuable  coal  deposits 
and  covered  with  timber,  and  he  gives  con- 
siderable time  to  the  development  and  man- 
agement of  this  property. 

Mr.  Wehrle  lias  devoted  much  of  his  leisure 
to  the  study  of  natural  history,  particularly 
in  its  relation  to  local  conditions,  and  is  at 
present  giving  instruction  to  a  class  on  this 
subject.  He  has  made  a  collection,  complete 
so  far  as  known,  of  the  fish,  snakes  and  turtles 
of  Indiana  county. 

Socially  L'lr.  Wehrle  is  a  Mason,  belong- 
ing to  Acacia  Lodge,  No.  355,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Blairsville.  He  attends  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Indiana,  Pa.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican. 


JACOB  F.  GERHARD,  a  resident  of 
Blacklick,  now  living  retired,  has  for  many 
years  been  one  of  the  most  respected  farmer 
citizens  of  his  section  of  Indiana  county.  Pa., 
where  he  has  made  his  home  for  over  thirty 
years.  Born  Feb.  11,  1847,  in  Berks  county, 
this  State,  son  of  Elias  Gerhard,  he  is  a  de- 
scendant of  that  sturdy  Pennsylvania  Ger- 
man stock  whose  honesty,  industry  and  thrift 
have  made  the  Commonwealth  one  of  the  most 
prosperous  in  the  Union. 

Elias  Gerhard,  father  of  Jacob  F.  Gerhard, 
was  also  a  native  of  Berks  county,  where  he 
followed  farming,  selling  his  produce  in  the 
markets  near  his  home.  He  was  a  Union  sol- 
dier during  the '  Civil  war,  enlisting  at  the 
first  call  for  volunteers,  and  served  nine 
months.  He  died  when  sixty  years  old,  being 
accidentally  killed,  in  a  runaway.  In  religion 
he  was  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed 
Church,  in  politics  a  "war  Democrat."  Mr. 
Gerhard  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  be- 
ing a  daughter  of  Jacob  Zellers.  She  died 
in  April,  1849,  leaving  four  children,  Isabelle, 
Amelia,  Jacob  F.  and  Darius.  For  his  second 
wife  Elias  Gerhard  married  Sarah  Kauffman, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Judith  Kauffman, 
and  she  died  six  months  prior  to  her  hus- 
band. Their  son,  George  W.,  now  a  minister 
of  the  Reformed  Church,  located  at  West 
Reading,  Pa.,  was  thirteen  years  old  when 
his  father  died,  and  he  was  reared  among 
strangers. 

Jacob  F.  Gerhard  was  but  two  years  old 
when  his  mother  died,  and  he  was  taken  to  the 
home  of  his  gi-andfather,  Jacob  ZeUers,  where 
he  received  such  educational  advantages  as  the 
local  schools  afforded.  From  an  early  age  he 
worked  on  his  grandfather's  farm,  where  he 
remained  until  fourteen  years  old.  His  grand- 
father dying  then,  he  was  thrown  upon  his 
own  resources  and  has  since  made  his  own 
way  in  the  world.  He  did  farm  work  in 
Berks  county  and  elsewhere  in  that  section  of 
the  State  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
five  j^ears.  in  1872  coming  to  western  Pennsyl- 
vania and  locating  in  Burrell  township,  In- 
diana county,  where  he  farmed  a  tract  of  125 
acres  on  shares  for  Samuel  McCrea,  spend- 
ing two  years  on  that  place.  The  next  two 
years  he  farmed  on  shai-es  for  Dr.  Rutledge, 
in  Robinson  township,  Allegheny  county,  from 
thei-e  removing  to  Westmoreland  county, 
where  he  farmed  for  two  yeara  near  Millwood. 
Thence  he  removed  to  the  Sloan  farm  near 
Blairsville,  in  Burrell  township,  Indiana 
county,  cultivating  that  place  for  one  year 
and  in  1881  buying  the  Rugh  farm  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


same  township,  a  tract  of  273  acres,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account  for 
the  twentj'-six  years  following.  Under  his 
practical  and  progressive  management  the 
farm  became  one  of  the  best  in  the  township 
and  he  was  a  very  successful  worker,  taking 
much  pleasure  and  interest  in  improving  his 
property,  which  showed  the  intelligent  care  he 
bestowed  upon  it.  He  followed  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising.  In  1907  Mr.  Gerhard 
retired  (his  sons  now  operating  the  farm)  and 
located  at  Blacklick,  where  he  built  two  fine 
dwelling  houses,  one  being  the  residence  he 
occupies.  He  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the 
First  Natioual  Bank  of  Blacklick,  but  he  takes 
no  active  part  in  business  at  present,  though 
he  has  good  health  and  is  well  preserved.  Be- 
ginning life  a  poor  boy,  he  has  succeeded  by 
dint  of  industiy  and  steady  application,  and 
he  deserves  to  be  called  a  self-made  man, 
since  he  had  neither  means  nor  influence  to 
aid  him  in  making  a  start.  He  has  taken  some 
part  in  local  affairs,  having  ser^^ed  his  town- 
ship efficiently  as  overseer  of  the  poor,  school 
director  and  supervisor.  In  polities  he  has 
been  associated  with  the  Republican  party. 

In  1873  ]\Ir.  Gerhard  married  Sophia  Sides, 
who  was  born  April  12.  1849,  daughter  of 
Adam  and  Nancy  (Dougherty)  Sides,  and 
they  have  a  family  of  four  children :  Calvin, 
who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  "Westmoreland 
county.  Pa.:  Frank,  farming  the  homestead; 
Alfred,  also  on  the  homestead:  and  Clara, 
at  home. 

SIMEON  HOVEY  TRUBY,  general  mer- 
chant and  optician,  of  Mechaniesburg,  Brush- 
valley  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
Dec.  '5.  1860,  in  that  place.  He  is  a  member 
of  an  old  established  family  in  western  Penn- 
svlvania. 

"  Christopher  Truby,  his  great-great-grand- 
father, had  his  home  in  Westmoreland  county, 
Pa.,  whei-e  his  son  Christopher  (2'i  was  born. 
:Michael  Truby.  son  of  Christopher  (2)  and 
grandfather  of  Simeon  H.  Truby,  also  lived 
in  Westmoreland  county,  near  Greensburg. 
He  married  IMary  Kline. 

Simeon  Truby,  son  of  :Michael  and  Mary 
(Klinel  Truby.  was  born  near  Greensburg, 
Westmoreland"  county,  April  14,  1806.  Wlien 
he  was  but  fifteen  years  of  age  he  came  to  In- 
diana and  found  employment  with  William 
Houston,  as  r-lork  in  his  store.  Here  he  also 
attended  school,  continuing,  however,  in  the 
employ  of  'Mr.  Houston  until  1832,  when  he 
removed  to  Brushvalley  and  became  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  for  himself,  open- 


ing a  store  on  the  Hugh  Evans  farm.  This 
was  the  first  store  in  the  township,  and  a  year 
later  he  located  in  Mechaniesburg,  where  he 
became  the  first  merchant  in  that  village.  He 
continued  here  in  active  business  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  and  became  a  prosperous  and  suc- 
cessful man.  In  1845  he  was  elected  sheriff 
of  Indiana  county,  and  served  in  that  capacity 
for  a  period  of  three  years.  He  was  one  of 
the  founders  of  the  town  of  Mechaniesburg. 
In  1837  he  bought  of  Robert  ilcCormack  fifty 
acres  of  land  on  which  Mechaniesburg  is  now 
located,  and  in  1840  he  sold  one  third  of 
that  tract  to  Squire  Stewart,  who  laid  out  an 
addition  to  the  village,  ilr.  Truby  was  also 
an  extensive  land  owner,  and  became  one  of 
the  best-kno^m  men  of  the  township.  He  was 
one  of  the  incorporators  of  the  borough  of 
Mechaniesburg.  and  filled  the  offi<?e  of  burgess 
of  the  borough.  He  served  as  postmaster  at 
Brushvalley  for  several  years.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  Mechaniesburg  Dec.  5,  189  <,  at  the 
age  of  ninety-one  years,  and  he  was  buried  in 
Mechaniesburg.  In  politics  he  was  a  Whig, 
then  a  Republican.  He,  was  a  member  of  the 
U.  P.  Church,  as  was  also  his  wife. 

Simeon  Truby  married  in  1835,  Nancy 
Kellv,  born  Julv  16,  1816,  daughter  of  John 
Kelly.  She  died  April  8,  1891,  aged  seventy- 
four  years,  and  was  also  buried  in  the  i\Iechan- 
icsburg  cemetery.  Their  children  were  :  Wil- 
liam Harrison,  now  deceased :  John,  who  mar- 
ried Margaret  M.  Rugh;  Mary,  who  married 
James  Rugh:  William,  who  married  Inez 
Hebe  Runyon;  Agnes,  who  married  William 
Nesbit;  James  T.,  who  married  Belle  Smith; 
Elizabeth  (deceased)  and  ^Margaret,  twins,  the 
latter  of  whom  married  Samuel  Rugh;  Jane, 
deceased;  Ann,  deceased:  and  Simeon  Hovey. 
Simeon  Hovey  Truby,  son  of  Simeon  and 
Nancy  (Kelly) '  Truby,  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Mechaniesburg  and  the  Millersville 
State  normal  school,  and  later  took  a  com- 
mercial course  in  the  Iron  City  Commercial 
College,  at  Pittsburg.  After  leaving  school 
he  became  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  J.  C.  Rugh. 
who  conducted  a  general  mei-cantile  business 
at  Penn  Run  and  also  at  IMarion  Center. 
Later  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Thomas 
Ramey,  and  they  conducted  a  store  for  some 
time,  until  they  sold  out.  at  which  time,  in 
1885.  Mr.  Truby  located  at  Mechaniesburg, 
in  Brushvalley  township,  going  into  business 
for  himself.  This  was  at  his  present  location, 
kno-sra  as  the  Grand  Central  Store,  where  for 
the  last  twenty-seven  years  he  has  been  en- 
gaged in  the  general  mercantile  business  with 
nuich  success.     In  1892  he  became  interested 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1187 


in  the  science  of  optics,  and  took  up  the  study 
at  South  Bend,  Ind.,  later  taking  another 
course  at  the  Spencer  Optical  Company,  New 
York,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1910.  He  is 
now  engaged  as  optician  in  connection  with 
his  mercantile  business.  He  is  also  the  rep- 
resentative of  the  Bell  Telephone  Company 
of  Brushvalley.  In  politics  Mr.  Truby  is  a 
stanch  Republican,  and  he  has  done  good 
work  as  an  official,  having  been  a  member  of 
the  council  of  Mechanicsburg,  also  a  school 
director  and  auditor  of  the  borough.  Frater- 
nally he  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum 
of  Indiana.  He  and  his  family  are  members 
of  the  U.  P.  Church. 

In  1S99  Mr.  Truby  married,  in  New  Flor- 
ence, Westmoreland  county,  Jennie  M.  Hood, 
who  was  born  in  New  Florence,  daughter  of 
John  Hood.  They  have  had  children  as  fol- 
lows: Estella  Agnes,  Cora  J.,  John  Hood 
and  Mary  Blanch. 

ANDREW  BETHUEL  RUNYAN— Auto- 
biography, dated  Bnishvalley,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  March  28,  1896.  "I  was  born  in  Lycom- 
ing county,  Pa.,  Sept.  5,  1826,  son  of  Thomas 
Runyan,  gi'and.son  of  George  Runyan,  and 
great-grandson  of  Rev.  Thomas  Runyan,  of 
the  old-school  Baptist  [ministry?]  of  Bed- 
ford county.  Pa.  Was  baptized  by  Rev.  Wil- 
liam S.  'Hall  at  the  old  Madison  Baptist 
Church  in  Columbia  count}%  Pa.,  near  Jersey- 
town,  in  the  fall  of  1845.  Was  licensed  to 
preach  by  the  above  church  Oct.  19,  1850. 
Came  to  Indiana  eountj^  in  the  fall  of  1852, 
and  was  ordained  by  the  Twoliek  Church  Feb. 
11,  1853,  by  Rev.  Akron  Neff  and  Rev.  Samuel 
Purman  and  a  council  composed  of  delegates 
from  several  churches.  Served  this  church 
for  over  a  year.  Came  to  Brushvalley  to  re^ 
side  in  Mai-ch,  1853.  ilarried  Miss  Lucinda 
Evans,  daughter  of  Hugh  Evans,  Sept.  1, 
1853.  Removed  to  Clarion  county,  Pa.,  and 
served  as  pastor  of  New  Bethlehem,  Leather- 
wood,  Red  Bank  and  Strattonville  Churches. 
About  1860  removed  to  Curwensville,  Pa., 
and  served  as  pastor  [of?]  Curwensville, 
Reynoldsville  and  Clearfield  Churches  for 
a  short  period  only.  Removed  to  Brushvalley 
in  1862  and  enlisted  in  the  army  of  the  United 
States  Aug.  29,  1864  [was  corporal,  Com- 
pany L,  6th  Regiment,  Pa.  V.  I.].  Was  dis- 
charged at  Fort  Ethan  Allen  June  13,  1865, 
by  reason  of  the  war  closing.  Was  taken  to 
Pittsburg  and  delivered  up  our  arms :  thence 
to  Camp  Reynolds,  where  we  were  paid  off, 
and  from  thence  returned  to  our  homes,  the 
latter  part  of  June,  1865. 


"Soon  after  my  ordination  I  accepted  a 
commission  from  the  American  Baptist  Pub- 
lication Society  and  traveled  as  their  mission- 
ary colporteur  for  about  two  years,  during 
which  time  I  organized  at  East  Mahoning  the 
first  Baptist  Sabbath  school  in  all  Clarion 
Association,  which  then  included  Indiana 
Association  also.  Have  had  five  children,  two 
sous  and  three  daughters,  all  of  which  are 
dead  except  my  daughter  Annie  Jane,  who  is 
married  to  F.  D.  Jolly.  Organized  four 
churches,  viz. :  Apollo,  during  the  year  1868 ; 
Liberty  Church,  at  Eagleville,  Centre  Co., 
Pa.,  January,  1871;  Ambrose,  Jan.  22,  1880; 
and  Homer  City  Memorial  Church  in  1894. 
Have  helped  to  build  under  my  pastoral  care 
eight  (sic)  houses  of  worship,  Brushvalley, 
Lock  Haven,  Liberty  at  Eagleville,  Centre 
Co.,  Pa.,  Ambrose,  East  Mahoning,  Pine  Flat 
and  Homer  City.  Solemnized  128  marriages, 
but  I  have  no  record  of  either  baptisms  or 
funerals. 

"Served  as  pastor  of  the  following 
churches  in  Indiana  Association :  Brush  Val- 
ley, Indiana,  Mahoning,  East  Mahoning, 
Ambrose,  Cookport,  Crooked  Creek,  West 
Lebanon,  Blairsville,  and  Homer,  three  years 
at  Saltsburg,  one  year  at  Apollo  and  one  at 
Brady's  Bend.  Served  as  juryman  three- 
terms,  twice  as  petit  juror  and  once  as  fore- 
man on  the  grand  jury.  Served  as  secretary 
of  the  Brush  Valley  school  board  for  three 
years  and  as  township  treasurer  two  years. 
Taught  school,  either  public  or  select,  for 
about  three  years.  Was  never  sued  and  was 
never  on  a  witness  stand,  either  before  a  jus- 
tice or  the  court.  In  all  the  years  of  my 
ministry  my  average  salary  did  not  exceed 
four  hundred  dollars  per  annum.  I  attended 
school  at  Lewisburg  two  summers  when  that 
school  was  held  in  the  basement  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church  building.  Afterwards  I 
spent  two  full  years  at  Bloomsburg  Academy, 
under  the  instructions  of  Rev.  Joel  E.  Brad- 
ley (Baptist  minister).  This  is  all  the  educa- 
tion I  ever  received  except  what  I  have  se- 
cured by  my  own  effort. 

"Served  the  church  at  Lock  Haven  three 
years.  Liberty  three  years  and  Milesburg  two 
years." 

A  memorandum  says  further:  "I  espe- 
cially request  that  no  memorial  services  be 
held  after  my  departure.  I  am  conscious  of 
many  defects  in  my  life.  To  err  is  human. 
But  God  will  forgive  and  overrule  all  for 
His  glory. — A.  B.  Runyan." 


1188 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Rev.  Mr.  Runyan  died  in  Homer  City  May 
6,  1908,  and  was  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery, 
at  Indiana,  Pa.  His  daughter,  Mrs.  F.  D. 
Jolly,  is  a  resident  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  His 
second  wife,  Margaret  R.  (St.  Clair),  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  Samuel  St.  Clair,  whom  he 
married  May  3,  1902,  survives  him,  making 
her  home  at  Homer  City. 

CLAWSON.  The  Clawson  family  of  Indi- 
ana county  has  been  settled  here  for  over  a 
century,  and  its  members  in  every  generation 
have  been  respected  and  useful  citizens,  a 
credit  to  the  community  and  to  the  honored 
name  they  bear. 

Benjamin  Clawson,  the  first  of  the  family 
in  this  part  of  the  State,  was  born  Aug.  27. 
1781,  in  Huntingdon  county.  Pa.,  son  of 
Richard  and  Sarah  (Mitchell)  Clawson.  He 
grew  to  manhood  there,  and  came  to  western 
Pennsylvania  when  a  young  man,  about  the 
close  of  the  eighteenth  century,  crossing  the 
Alleghenies  and  making  a  settlement  in  what 
is  now  Blacklick  township,  Indiana  county, 
then,  however,  a  part  of  "Westmoreland 
county.  He  became  the  owner  of  a  large 
tract  of  land  in  what  was  at  that  time  a 
wilderness,  and  experienced  the  various 
phases  of  pioneer  life.  He  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  made  what  improvements  he 
could  upon  his  land,  residing  there  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  when  he  was  past 
eighty  years  of  age.  He  is  buried  in  Hope- 
well Church  cemetery  in  Blacklick  township. 
Mr.  Clawson  was  twice  married,  the  first  time 
Feb.  21,  1811,  to  Mrs.  Mary  (Douahey)  Low- 
ers, widow  of  Robert  Lowers,  by  which  union 
there  were  sis  children,  born  as  follows: 
Richard  B.,  Dec.  15,  1811;  Mary,  Nov.  16, 
1814  (married  Samuel  Bennett)  ;  Sarah, 
Sept.  10,  1816  (married  John  Clawson); 
William,  Sept.  1,  1818  (died  in  infancy); 
William  (2),  Oct.  6,  1819  (also  died  young)  ; 
Benjamin,  Oct.  10,  1824.  After  the  death  of 
his  first  wife  Mr.  Clawson  married,  Dec.  1, 
1838,  Mary  Huffman.  There  were  no  children 
bv  this  marriage. 

Richard  B.  Clawson,  eldest  son  of  Benjamin 
and  Mary  Clawson,  was  born  Dec.  15,  1811. 
What  education  he  received  was  obtained  in 
the  subscription  schools  then  conducted,  but 
for  only  a  few  months  in  the  year.  He  grew 
to  manhood  in  the  township  of  his  birth,  and 
like  his  father  made  farming  his  occupation, 
his  industrious  and  frugal  habits  enabling 
him  to  add  to  his  possessions  until  he  was 
one  of  the  largest  land  owners  in  this  part 
of  the  county,  having  upward  of  a  thousand 


acres,  part  of  which  was  in  Green  township. 
There  his  daughters  and  sons-in-law  settled. 
He  spent  all  his  life  in  Blacklick  township, 
dying  there  in  June,  1896,  and  was  buried  in 
the  family  plot  in  Hopewell  cemetery.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Hopewell  M.  E.  Church, 
and  in  political  belief  a  Democrat.     On  Dec. 

15,  1831,  Mr.  Clawson  was  married  to  Rachel 
Davis,  whose  ancestors  were  natives  of  New 
England.  She  died  in  July,  1897,  in  Black- 
lick township,  and  is  buried  in  Hopewell 
cemetery.  Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Clawson:  Benjamin,  born  July  11, 
1833,  is  mentioned  below;  Eunice,  born  Aug. 

16,  1835,  died  Feb.  27,  1838 ;  Mary  Ann,  born 
March  31,  1838,  married  John  Donahey  and 
settled  in  Green  township,  where  she  died; 
Silas,  born  July  22,  1840,  died  March  2,  1858 ; 
Gere,  bom  July  31,  1847,  is  mentioned  below ; 
Rebecca,  boi-n  March  8,  1852,  married  Ben- 
jamin Donahey  and  resided  in  Green  town- 
ship ;  Cynthia,  born  March  25, 1860,  died  aged 
seventeen  years. 

Benjamin  Clawson  was  born  on  the  old 
Clawson  homestead  in  Blacklick  township 
and  attended  the  local  public  schools.  Work- 
ing with  his  father,  who  owned  and  operated 
over  six  hundred  acres  at  that  time,  he  be- 
came thoroughly  familiar  with  fann  work 
and  management,  and  after  starting  out  for 
himself  became  the  owner  of  a  tract  of  400 
acres.  He  followed  stock  raising  as  well  as 
general  farming,  and  made  extensive  improve- 
ments upon  his  property  during  his  active 
years,  working  hard  and  prospering  deserved- 
ly. His  well-directed  labors  and  intelligent  at- 
tention to  all  the  details  of  his  work  placed 
him  among  the  foremost  farmers  of  his  town- 
ship, and  few  of  its  citizens  have  been  more 
thoroughly  respected  for  substantial  worth 
and  useful  lives.  In  the  last  few  years  he  has 
given  up  arduous  work,  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  his  early  industry  in  comfortable  retire- 
ment. He  has  never  taken  any  part  in  the  . 
public  aft'airs  of  his  locality,  supporting  the 
Democratic  party  but  not  associating  himself 
with  any  of  its  activities.  However,  he  has 
been  a  leading  member  and  worker  of  the 
Hopewell  M.  E.  Church,  at  present  serving 
as  trustee  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school. 

On  Oct.  12,  1897,  Mr.  Clawson  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Caroline  Ferguson,  a  native 
of  Blacklick  township,  daughter  of  Elliott 
and  Hulda  (Clawson)  Ferguson.  They  have 
had  one  child,  Anna  Mary,  born  July  16, 
1898,  who  graduated  from  the  township  school 
in  1912,  and  is  now  attending  high  school  at 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1189 


Blairsville.  Mrs.  Clawson  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Hopewell  M.  E.  Church.  She  is  noted 
in  the  neighborhood  for  her  generous  disposi- 
tion and  whole-souled  nature,  her  good  deeds 
and  kindliness  making  her  generally  beloved. 
Besides  looking  after  her  own  family  she 
cares  for  two  children  of  her  deceased  sister. 

Gere  Clawson,  younger  brother  of  Ben- 
jamin Clawson,  was  born  July  31,  1847,  on 
the  Clawson  homestead,  and  received  a  public 
school  education.  He  worked  with  his  father 
until  he  reached  manhood,  and  when  he  com- 
menced farming  on  his  own  account  settled 
on  a  300-acre  tract  near  Hopewell  Church. 
Though  he  died  in  his  early  prime,  Nov.  22, 
1885,  he  had  made  remarkable  progress  and 
was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  stock  raiser. 
Besides  the  place  already  mentioned,  he 
owned  a  place  of  150  acres  on  Steward's  run, 
known  as  the  Sutton  farm,  which  he  bought, 
and  which  is  now  owned  and  operated  by  his 
son  Boyd.  Mr.  Clawson  is  interred  in  Hope- 
well cemetery.  He  took  no  pai"t  in  politics, 
though  an  interested  member  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  but  he  was  an  earnest  member 
of  the  Hopewell  M.  E.  Church  and  a  leader 
in  all  its  activities,  serving  as  class  leader  and 
steward.  He  was  a  man  of  the  highest  moral 
character  and  strict  integrity,  temperate  in 
all  his  habits,  and  noted  for  his  fidelity  to 
every  obligation.  He  married  Feb.  26,  1874, 
at  Livermore,  Pa.,  Margaret  Ellen  Long, 
daughter  of  Jesse  M.  and  Sarah  (Smith) 
Long,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  six 
children,  namely:  Boyd  is  mentioned  below; 
Benjamin  fililton,  born  Nov.  14,  1876,  is  a 
farmer  of  Blacklick  township ;  Jesse  Knox, 
born  Jan.  10,  1879,,  is  a  farmer  in  Blacklick 
toA^Tiship;  George,  born  ilarch  3,  1881,  is  a 
farmer  in  that  township ;  Cynthia  Augusta, 
born  Nov.  4,  1882,  married  Wesley  Cover; 
Rachel,  born  Aug.  14,  1884,  is  the  wife  of 
David  Ci-eamer.  After  the  death  of  Mr. 
Clawson  his  widow  married  Charles  Creamer, 
son  of  Thompson  Creamer,  and  by  that  mar- 
riage had  four  children,  born  as  follows: 
Zera,  Nov.  13,  1890 ;  William  Kebler,  Feb.  5, 
1892 ;  Sarah  Ann,  April  16,  1894 ;  Mabel,  Nov. 
5,  1895. 

Boyd  Clawson,  son  of  Gere  and  Margaret 
Ellen  (Long)  Clawson,  was  born  on  the  home- 
stead Dec.  3,  1874,  and  attended  public  school 
in  the  home  locality.  When  his  father  died 
he  was  but  eleven  years  old,  and  he  continued 
to  live  on  the  farm  with  his  mother  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  seventeen,  when  he  went 
to  the  home  of  his  uncle  Benjamin  Clawson, 
on  Steward's  run  in  Blacklick  township,  pass- 


ing the  next  three  years  there.  Then  he 
married  and  settled  on  the  Sutton  farm,  a 
ti-act  of  150  acres  which  his  father  had  bought, 
and  there  he  has  had  his  home  for  .the  last 
eighteen  years.  In  addition  to  general  farm- 
ing he  has  engaged  in  stock  raising  to  some 
extent,  and  since  1904  has  been  extensively 
interested  in  dairying,  shipping  his  milk  to 
Pittsburg.  He  built  a  silo  and  has  other 
modern  arrangements  for  giving  his  stock 
proper  care,  having  a  fine  herd  of  Holsteins 
which  have  proved  very  profitable.  Mr. 
Clawson  is  up  to  date  in  his  work,  as  the 
successful  dairyman  of  today  must  be,  and 
his  thrift  and  careful  business  methods"  are 
apparent  in  every  detail  of  his  surroundings. 
He  is  a  good  citizen,  interesting  himself  in 
the  general  welfare,  has  served  his  township 
as  school  director  for  five  years,  and  is  a 
valued  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
in  which  he  has  served  as  trustee  for  fifteen 
years.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  at 
present  favoring  Progressive  principles. 

On  Dec.  20,  1894,  Mr.  Clawson  married 
Mary  Alice  Fritz,  a  native  of  Blacklick  town- 
ship, daughter  of  Conrad  Fritz,  and  they  have 
had  two  children,  Blair  Fritz  and  Willis 
Gere.  Mrs.  Clawson  is  a  woman  of  high  ac- 
complishments, a  talented  musician  and  suc- 
cessful music  teacher. 

JAMES  ELDER  LOSE,  one  of  the  thrift- 
iest and  most  respected  citizens  of  Burrell 
township,  Indiana  county,  was  born  there 
Nov.  24,  1851,  son  of  George  and  Margaret 
(Elder)  Lose,  and  grandson  of  Jacob  Lose, 
a  native  of  Germany  who  came  to  America 
when  a  young  man.  He  lived  for  a  time  in 
what  is  now  Mount  Pleasant.  Westmoreland 
Co.,  Pa.,  but  died  in  the  prime  of  manhood. 
By  his  wife  Mary  (Graff),  born  Sept.  1,  1775, 
daughter  of  John  and  Barbara  (Baum) 
Graff,  he  had  the  following  children:  Jacob, 
John,  Levi,  Elizabeth  (married  John  Reed, 
of  JMount  Pleasant)   and  George. 

George  Lose,  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
(Graff)  Lose,  was  born  at  Mount  Pleasant. 
Pa.,  and  was  but  ten  years  old  when  his 
father  died.  He  was  first  employed  by  his 
uncle,  John  Graff,  who  was  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Blairsville,  and  later  operated 
boats  on  the  Pennsylvania  canal,  acting  as 
superintendent  of  boats  run  by  the  Graff  fam- 
ily. In  1853  he  located  in  Bun-ell  township, 
Indiana  county,  where  he  bought  a  tract  of 
168  acres  (now  owned  by  Clark  Dunlap)  and 
settled  down  to  farming,  also  engaging  ex- 
tensively in  stock  raising.     He  built  a  com- 


1190 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


fortable  house  on  that  place  and  made  many 
other  improvements  there  during  his  owner- 
ship. By  his  first  wife,  Margaret  (Armel), 
Mr.  Lose  had  two  children,  Elizabeth,  who 
married  Thomas  Hammer,  and  Christopher, 
who  died  of  fever  while  serving  as  a  Union 
soldier  in  the  Civil  war.  His  second  mar- 
riage was  to  Margaret  Elder,  daughter  of  Rob- 
ert Elder,  and  they  had  six  children :  Charles 
A.,  who  resides  in  Pueblo,  Colo. ;  James  Elder ; 
Mary,  wiio  married  Milton  J.  Osborne  and  re- 
sides in  Lathrop,  Pa. ;  Emma,  married  to 
Prestey  Douglass ;  George ;  and  Anna  M.,  wife 
of  Clark  Dunlap,  an  account  of  whose  family 
appears  elsewhere.  The  mother  of  this  fam- 
ily died  June  30,  1906,  and  she  and  her  hus- 
band are  interred  in  the  Blairsville  cemetery. 
Mr.  Lose  died  Sept.  25,  1894.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber and  official  of  the  M.  E.  Cliureh,  and  on 
political  questions  was  a  Republican. 

James  Elder  Lose  attended  the  district 
school  near  his  early  home,  obtaining  a  good 
practical  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
three  years  he  went  "West,  prospecting  through 
Iowa  and  Kansas.  Upon  his  return  to  Bnr- 
rell  township  he  bought  the  Lincoln  Taylor 
farm  of  130  acres,  upon  which  he  erected  a 
large  barn  and  house,  and  here  he  has  since 
lived  and  worked,  having  one  of  the  best  kept 
farm  properties  in  the  township.  The  farm 
is  situated  on  Blacklick  creek.  Mr.  Lose  is 
progressive  and  enterprising  in  all  that  he 
undertakes,  and  his  home  and  surroundings 
show  that  he  keeps  up  to  date  in  his  work. 
Besides  attending  to  his  farm  he  has  dealt 
considerably  in  real  estate,  and  he  has  cleared 
considerable  land — most  all  his  farm.  He 
has  taken  part  in  various  local  activities,  be- 
ing one  of  the  most  valued  members  of  Hope- 
well M.  E.  Church,  which  he  serves  as  trustee, 
steward  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school,  having  all  his  life  taken  a  strong  in- 
terest in  church  wol-k.  He  has  served  his 
fellow  citizens  as  member  of  the  board  of 
school  directors  and  supervisor,  doing  efficient 
work  in  both  capacities,  and  in  political 
opinion  is  a  Progressive  Republican.  His 
public  spirit  and  readiness  to  aid  any  good 
cause  entitle  him  to  a  position  among  the 
useful  membei-s  of  his  community. 

On  June  28.  1881,  Mr.  Lose  married  Sarah 
C.  Graham,  daughter  oi  Robert  M.  and  Susan 
(Covode)  Graham,  of  Westmoreland  county, 
Pa.,  and  they  have  had  three  children, 
namely:  (1)  Emma  attended  the  State 
normal  school  at  Indiana  and  later  took  a 
course  at  Allegheny  State  Hospital,  training 
for  the   profession  of  nurse;  slie   is  now   the 


wife  of  Ernest  Shoemaker.  (2)  Robert 
Graham  studied  at  the  State  normal  school 
at  Indiana  and  later  at  Pennsylvania  State 
College,  took  up  civil  engineering,  and  is  now 
professor  of  civil  engineering  at  the  Carnegie 
Institute.  He  married  Elizabeth  Montgomery. 
(3)   Covode  died  when  four  years  old. 

JOSEPH  LINCOLN  CAMPBELL,  farmer 
and  stock  raiser  of  Armstrong  township,  is  a 
native  of  that  township  and  member  of  a 
family  which  has  been  settled  there  since  the 
time  of  his  grandfather,  James  Campbell,  who 
was  born  in  County  Antrim,  Ii-eland.  He 
was  a  young  man  of  twenty-three  when  he 
settled  in  Armstrong  township,  where  he  had 
a  patent  for  230  acres  of  land,  now  owned  by 
Mr.  Fonts  and  James  Campbell,  brother  of 
Joseph  Lincoln  Campbell.  There  he  followed 
farming  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  married 
Margaret  Craig,  and  they  are  buried  in  the 
cemeterj^  of  the  West  Union  United  Presby 
terian  Church,  of  which  they  were  members 

William  Campbell,  son  of  James  and  Mar- 
garet (Craig)  Campbell,  was  born  Maj^  25 
1831,  in  Armstrong  township,  and  there  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  schools. 
In  his  earlier  years  he  farmed  with  his  par- 
ents. In  1880  he  bought  the  Anderson  farm 
of  100  acres,  now  the  property  of  liis  son 
Joseph,  in  Armstrong  township,  put  up  a 
house  and  other  buildings  on  that  tract  in 
1885,  and  then  settled  there,  following  farm- 
ing to  the  end  of  his  days.  He  was  an  en- 
ergetic and  progressive  man,  and  had  high 
standards  for  his  work,  as  the  fine  residence 
and  barn  he  built,  and  the  condition  in  which 
he  kept  his  property,  indicated.  He  followed 
farming  and  also  made  a  specialty  of  stock 
raising,  prospered  by  intelligent  attention  to 
his  work,  and  he  w'as  prominent  in  all  local 
afifairs,  in  the  administration  of  public  mat- 
ters in  his  township  and  in  the  welfare  of  his 
church.  In  political  association  he  was  a 
Republican  and  prominent  in  the  party,  and 
he  held  a  number  of  offices,  serving  as  school 
director,  supervisor  of  roads,  overseer  of  the 
poor,  and  township  auditor.  He  was  prac- 
tically a  lifelong  member  of  the  West  Union 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  which  he  served 
as  trustee,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  buried  in 
the  cemetery  of  that  church.  She  was  Mar- 
garet Patterson,  born  Oct.  4.  1836.  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Margaret  (McColum)  Patter- 
son, of  Armstrong  township,  and  they  had 
children  as  follows:  James,  who  married 
Elizabeth  Anthony,  resides  on  part  of  the 
(ract    where   liis   grandfather   settled;   Agues 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1191 


died  at  the  age  of  thirty-six  years,  unmar- 
ried; Josepli  Lincoln  is  mentioned  below; 
Mae  married  Albert  Flemming,  and  they  live 
in  the  borough  of  Indiana;  twins  died  un- 
named. The  father  of  this  family  died  at 
the  age  of  seventy-six  years,  Sept.  29,  1907, 
the  mother  at  the  age  of  seventy-two,  Nov.  3, 
1909. 

Joseph  Lincoln  Campbell  was  born  Feb. 
12,  1865,  and  obtained  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  home  locality  in  Arm- 
strong township.  He  was  trained  to  farming 
from  boyhood,  and  worked  with  his  father  at 
that  occupation  until  the  latter 's  death.  Since 
1885  he  has  lived  at  his  present  home,  having 
moved  to  the  place  with  his  father  after  they 
erected  the  substantial  residence  there,  and 
after  his  father's  death  he  took  charge  of  the 
property,  which  now  belongs  to  him.  He  also 
owns  the  coal  underlying  this  tract.  Mr. 
Campbell  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  raising  fine  horses  and  sheep, 
and  he  has  followed  in  his  father's  footsteps 
in  adopting  up-to-date  methods  and  ideas  in 
the  performance  of  his  work,  in  which  he  has 
had  excellent  results.  He  has  not  taken  any 
particularly  active  interest  -in  the  public  af- 
fairs of  his  township,  but  he  has  been  asso- 
ciated with  the  Republican  party  on  political 
questions.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the 
West  Union  United  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  he  has  been  a  trustee  for  six  years. 

On  June  1,  1911,  Mr.  Campbell  married 
Bessie  B.  Craig,  daughter  of  George  A.  and 
Mary  J.  (Andei'son)  Craig.  Mrs.  Campbell 
attended  select  school  at  Parkwood  and  later 
was  a  pupil  at  the  Indiana  State  normal 
school,  and  before  her  marriage  was  engaged 
in  teaching  in  White  and  Armstrong  town- 
ships, this  county. 

John  Craig,  Mrs.  Campbell's  great-grand- 
father, came  to  this  country  from  Ireland. 
His  son  John,  her  grandfather,  married 
Martha  P.  Wolf.  Their  son,  George  A.  Graig, 
born  July  30,  1853,  in  Madison  township, 
Armstrong  county,  Pa.,  died  April  5,  1890. 
By  trade  he  was  a  blacksmith.  After  living 
at  various  places  in  Armstrong  county.  Pa., 
Red  Bank,  Kellersburg,  and  South  Bend,  he 
settled  in  1882  in  Armstrong  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  where  he  bought  the  John  R. 
Craig  farm  of  ninety-one  acres,  upon  which 
he  lived  until  his  death.  He  farmed,  dealt  in 
stock  and  followed  his  trade.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
On  Dec.  22,  1875,  he  married  Mary  J.  Ander- 
son, who  was  born  Feb.  16,  1852,  at  Park- 
wood,    daughter   of   William   and    Catharine 


(Ray)  Anderson,  and  died  April  19,  1911. 
Their  children  were  born  as  follows:  Wil- 
liam Winfield,  Sept.  20,  1876  (died  March  5, 
1897)  ;  Pearl  John,  May  18,  1878  (married 
Annie  Shirey  Dec.  30,  1903,  and  resides  in 
Leechburg,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.)  ;  Carrie  M., 
July  12,  1880  (died  June  11,  1881)  ;  Bessie 
B.,  July  21,  1882  (Mrs.  Joseph  Lincoln  Camp- 
bell) ;  twins  (died  in  infancy)  ;  Taylor  W., 
Sept.  24,  1884  (farmer  in  Armstrong  town- 
ship) ;  Roy,  1888  (died  same  year). 

WILLIAM  GRIFFITH,  now  living  retired 
in  Pine  township,  Indiana  county,  is  one  of 
the  best  known  citizens  of  his  vicinity,  having 
held  the  oiHce  of  justice  of  the  peace  for 
thirty-five  years  continuously.  During  that 
time  he  was  also  connected  with  the  township 
school  board  for  over  twenty  years,  and  his 
services  in  both  capacities  were  highly  ap- 
preciated by  his  fellow  citizens. 

Mr.  GriiSth  was  born  in  Green  (now  Pine) 
township,  this  county,  March  13,  1836,  son  of 
John  and  Margaret  (Gibson)  Griffith  and 
grandson  of  Isaac  Griffith,  who  came  to  In- 
diana county  in  the  very  early  days  of  its 
development.  The  Griffith  family  is  of  Welsh 
origin,  the  founder  of  the  branch  in  which  we 
are  interested  coming  from  Wales  to  Amer- 
ica in  1745  and  first  settling  in  Maryland, 
where  the  family  was  established  for  some 
time  before  coming  west  to  Indiana  county. 
Pa.  Isaac  Griffith  settled  in  Brushvalley 
township,  where  he  bought  land  and  farmed 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  By  trade  he  was 
a  miller,  and  he  had  a  mill  on  Yellow  creek, 
in  Brushvalley  township.  His  later  years 
were  devoted  entirely  to  farming.  His  fam- 
ily consisted  of  three  sons  and  three 


John  Griffith,  father  of  William  Griffith, 
born  in  Brushvalley  township,  there  grew 
to  manhood.  He  learned  the  trade  of  mason, 
and  also  engaged  in  farming.  In  1841  he 
came  to  Green  (now  Pine)  township,  where 
he  bought  the  farm  upon  which  he  lived  until 
his  death.  He  married  Margaret  Gibson,  who 
was  born  in  the  western  part  of  Indiana 
county,  and  was  of  Scotch-Irish  lineage,  her 
father  being  Charles  Gibson,  an  early  settler 
of  the  county,  who  located  in  what  was  known 
as  the  Manor  settlement,  remaining  there  un- 
til his  death ;  he  was  a  millwright  by  trade. 
Mr.  and  IMrs.  John  Griffith  had  these  chil- 
dren :  William ;  Isaac,  living  in  Indiana ;  a 
daughter  that  died  in  infancy;  Rachel,  who 
married  William  Stephens;  and  Charles,  on 
the  home  place  in  Pine  township. 


1192 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


William  Griffith  spent  his  early  days  in 
Green  township.  He  obtained  a  good  educa- 
tion, in  his  youth  attending  the  public  schools 
and  the  academy  at  Pineflats,  and  he  subse- 
quently taught  school  in  Pine  township  for 
three  terms.  Later  he  worked  on  the  farm 
with  his  father,  and  he  continued  to  follow 
farming  in  Pine  township  throughout  his 
active  years,  in  1900  retiring  from  agricul- 
tural work.  In  1872  he  was  elected  justice  of 
the  peace,  and  he  continued  to  hold  that  of- 
fice for  seven  successive  terms,  by  reelection, 
retiring  at  the  end  of  thirty-five  years'  serv- 
ice. Meantime  he  became  connected  with  the 
board  of  school  directors  of  Pine  township, 
serving  over  twenty  j^eai-s  as  member  of  that 
body,  and  he  was  secretary  of  the  board  for 
many  years.  He  won  the  highest  respect  of 
his  fellow  citizens  in  the  township  by  his 
faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  of  both  offices, 
which  he  administered  with  intelligence  and 
in  a  most  public-spii-ited  manner. 

In  1870  Mr.  Griffith  was  married  to  Mary 
Ann  Stephens,  a  native  of  Green  township, 
daughter  of  Alexander  and  Jane  (Dun- 
woodie)  Stephens,  the  former  of  whom  was 
born  in  Cherryhill  township,  this  county,  and 
was  a  farmer  from  early  life:  his  father  was 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  an  early  set- 
tler in  Pine  township;  Mrs.  Stephens's  father 
was  a  native  of  Ii-eland  and  an  early  settler 
in  Indiana  county.  Mrs.  Griffith  was  one  of 
a  family  of  five  children.  Her  father  remar- 
ried after  her  mother's  death,  and  had  three 
children  by  that  union.  Of  his  eight  children 
three  are  now  living:  Mrs.  Griffith.  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Gov  (of  Indiana  county)  and  Wil- 
liam Stephens  (half-brother  of  Mrs.  Griffith). 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Griffith  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Nebo,  Green  town- 
ship.    Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

SA]\IUEL  W.  ROSE,  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  S.  W.  Rose  &  Co.,  who  have  conducted 
the  Bon  Ton  department  store  in  Indiana 
borough  since  1908,  was  the  first  merchant 
there  to  make  a  specialty  of  women's  wear, 
and  the  success  of  his  establishment  shows 
that  his  judgment  was  correct.  He  has  Imilt 
up  an  excellent  trade.  Mr.  Rose  is  a  native 
of  Germany,  born  April  2.  1876.  in  Gunzen- 
hausen,  Bavaria,  son  of  Benjamin  Rose  and 
grandson  of  Isaac  and  Emma  Rose,  whose 
children  were :  Ira,  who  came  to  the  United 
States  and  located  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  where 
he  became  a  prominent  merchant  and  died ; 
Benjamin,  mentioned  below ;  Emma,  who  was 
married  in  Germany  and  came  to  the  T'nited 


States  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  living 
with  her  sons  in  Chicago,  111, ;  and  Marks, 
who  remained  in  Germany,  The  gi-andfather, 
Isaac  Rose,  was  a  lumber  dealer, 

Benjamin  Rose  was  born  in  Germany  in 
1833,  and  was  married  there  to  Rachel  Weins- 
lein,  a  native  of  Poland,  born  in  1844,  Mr. 
Rose  was  a  grain  dealer  in  his  native  land. 
In  1877  he  came  to  the  United  States,  settling 
in  Blair  county.  Pa.,  where  he  engaged  in 
cattle  dealing  and  droving.  In  1881  he  re- 
turned to  Germany,  where  he  dealt  in  grain 
and  flax,  and  he  returned  to  America  in 
1905,  locating  at  Altoona,  Pa.,  where  his  death 
occurred  in  1909,  He  and  his  wife  had  a 
family  of  seven  children,  namely:  George, 
who  came  to  the  United  States  and  died  in 
Chicago,  111,  (he  was  a  commission  man)  : 
Wolfe ;  Jacob,  a  prominent  merchant  of 
Clearfield  count.v.  Pa, ;  Samuel  W, :  Minnie. 
Mrs,  Nathan  Dates,  who  died  in  Altoona : 
Jennie,  Mrs,  Jacob  Soltz,  of  Acton,  Ontario: 
and  Celia,  IMrs.  Jacob  Isaacson,  of  Altoona. 

Samuel  W.  Rose  attended  school  in  Ger- 
many until  he  was  fifteen  years  old.  At  that 
time  he  came  to  the  United  States  with  his 
sister  Jennie,  .sailing  from  Bremen  to  Balti- 
more on  the  steamship  "Carlsruhe,"  and  they 
joined  their  brother  Jacob  at  Pittsburg. 
Mr,  Rose  was  a  poor  bo.v  when  he  arrived 
here,  and  for  the  next  four  .years  he  followed 
various  occupations,  working  in  a  wholesale 
grocery,  in  a  clothing  store,  in  a  department 
store — in  fact  at  anything  he  could  find  to 
do.  His  first  wages  were  but  $1,75  per  week, 
and  when  he  made  a  change  he  received  $2 
a  week,  advancing  but  slowly  at  first.  In 
1893  he  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  worked  at 
different  kinds  of  employment  until  the 
World's  Fair  was  over.  From  there  he  went 
to  Billings,  ilont,,  where  he  remained  sis 
weeks,  then  went  to  Butte  and  Anaconda, 
that  State,  engaging  in  the  restaurant  busi- 
ness in  the  latter  place.  While  at  Anaconda 
he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Spanish- 
American  war.  but  the  local  cjuota  had  been 
filled,  so  he  Mas  rejected,  as  he  did  not  want 
to  be  transferred  from  the  home  company. 
After  selling  his  restaurant  he  went  to  Wal- 
lace, Idaho,  where  he  was  cook  in  a  restau- 
rant, and  thence  to  Spokane,  Wash,,  where  he 
was  similarly  engaged,  receiving  $5  per  day. 
lie  had  been  there  but  a  short  time  when  the 
Klondike  boom  came  on,  and  he  sailed  for 
Sitka.  Alaska,  arriving  at  Dawson  after  a 
journey  full  of  hardships.  Tie  secured  a 
restaurant  privilege  there  in  a  large  gambling 
liouse.  and  continued  in  the  business  for  four- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1193 


teen  months.  From  there  he  went  to  Seattle, 
"Wash.,  thence  to  Chicago  and  Pittsburg,  ex- 
pecting to  find  his  brother  and  sister.  Tliey 
had  moved,  however,  his  brother  to  Canada, 
his  sister  to  Altoona,  Pa.  Accordingly  he 
went  on  to  Altoona,  and  soon  afterward  em- 
barked in  the  mercantile  business  at  Ashville, 
Cambria  Co.,  Pa.,  being  backed  by  a  friend 
in  Altoona.  During  the  five  years  he  re- 
mained  at  Ashville  he  M^as  very  successful, 
and  meantime  he  had  opened  a  branch  store 
at  Coalport,  Indiana  county.  Disposing  of 
his  Ashville  store  at  the  end  of  the  five  years 
he  moved  to  Coalport,  where  he  continued  his 
store  for  another  .year,  selling  out  and  remov- 
ing to  Indiana  in  April,  1908.  He  has  since 
owned  and  conducted  the  Bon  Ton,  dealing 
in  women's  ready-to-wear  garments,  millinery, 
women's  furnishings,  etc.  He  has  com- 
modious quarters  in  what  is  known  as  the 
Elks'  building,  on  Philadelphia  street,  a 
three-story  modern  brick  with  28  feet  front, 
and  his  trade  is  still  growing.  Mr.  Rose  has 
become  a  specialist  in  the  line  of  women's 
wear,  and  not  only  understands  his  customers 
but  has  studied  the  art  of  pleasing  them  until 
he  has  acquired  excellent  judgment  in  the 
selection  of  stock.  His  was  the  first  one-price 
store  of  its  kind  in  Indiana.  Though  he  has 
been  a  resident  of  that  borough  a  compara- 
tively brief  length  of  time  he  has  succeeded  in 
winning  the  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens 
and  making  a  solid  place  for  himself  among 
his  business  associates.  He  is  practically  the 
' '  father ' '  of  what  is  now  the  Indiana  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  an  outgrowth  of  the  Indiana 
Merchants'  Association,  formed  to  offset  the 
green  trading  stamp  evil.  It  was  victorious 
after  a  nine  months'  battle  and  with  an  ex- 
penditure of  nearly  .'};20,000.  The  name  was 
changed  to  the  Indiana  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce in  June,  1912.  The  organization  counts 
among  its  meiubership  fifty  of  the  best  known 
business  men  of  Indiana  county,  and  it  is  the 
firm  belief  of  Mr.  Rose  that  the  number  will 
be  doubled  in  the  near  future.  He  is  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  progressive  business  men 
of  the  borough,  willing  to  do  his  share  in  the 
advancement  of  local  interests  of  all  kinds- 
He  is  a  stanch  Republican  in  politics,  and 
socially  he  belongs  to  the  B.  ,P.  0.  E.  and  I. 
0.  0.  F.  lodges  in  Indiana. 

On  Feb.  2,  1907,  IMr.  Rose  was  married  in 
Altoona  to  Emma  Bergman,  of  that  place, 
daughter  of  Isaac  and  Rosalie  Bergman. 
They  have  one  chikl,  Bernard  Irving. 


JOHN  J.  WILLIAMS,  a  farmer  of  Pine 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  he  has  also 
served  as  a  public  official,  belongs  to  an  old 
family  of  this  section,  being  a  son  of  William 
M.  Williams,  grandson  of  William  R.  Wil- 
liams and  great-grandson  of  Richard  W. 
Williams.    The  family  is  of  Welsh  origin. 

Richard  W.  Williams  was  born  in  1796  on 
the  island  of  Angelsea,  Wales,  and  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1832,  first  settling  in 
Madison  county,  N.  Y.  He  then  moved  to 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  living  in  Allegheny  county 
for  six  years,  and  thence,  in  1845,  came  to 
Indiana  county,  settling  in  Green  township, 
on  the  place  where  his  grandson  William  M. 
Williams  lived  until  his  recent  death.  There 
he  remained  until  his  death,  in  1876,  in  his 
eighty-first  year.  He  was  one  of  the  men  in- 
terested in  the  establishment  of  a  Welsh 
Church  and  Sunda.y  school  in  the  vicinity. 
By  his  first  wife,  Jane  (Davis),  he  had  a  fam- 
ily of  seven  children,  all  born  in  Wales,  and 
all  of  whom  came  to  this  country,  viz. :  Wil- 
liam R.,  Owen  D.,  Benjamin  and  Catherine, 
Rowland,  John  and  Richard.  For  his  second 
wife  he  married  Sarah  James,  of  Pittsburg, 
a  native  of  Wales,  who  died  in  Green  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.    They  had  no  children. 

William  R.  Williams,  son  of  Richard  W. 
and  Jane  (Davis)  Williams,  was  born  in 
Wales,  and  was  quite  young  when  brought 
to  this  country.  He  came  with  his  father  to 
Indiana  county,  and  continued  to  live  here 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  16,  1905. 
His  wife,  Elizabeth  Morris,  also  a  native  of 
Wales,  was  but  a  child  when  she  came  to 
America  with  her  parents,  Robert  and  Mary 
Morris.  Robert  Morris  was  a  native  of  North 
Wales.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this  country  he 
first  settled  in  Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  later, 
in  1840,  settling  in  Indiana  county,  Pa., 
where  he  made  his  home  in  Green  township, 
conducting  a  sawmill  for  some  time  and  sub- 
sequently devoting  himself  to  farming,  which 
he  carried  on  the  rest  of  his  life.  His  family 
consisted  of  seven  children.  3Irs.  Elizabeth 
(Morris)  Williams  died  March  19,  1903.  She 
was  the  mother  of  nine  children,  the  eldest 
dying  in  infancy;  William  M.  is  mentioned 
below;  Robert  is  deceased  (he  was  in  the 
Union  service  throughout  the  Civil  war,  serv- 
ing in  Company  A,  67th  P.  V.  I.,  and  was 
confined  in  Libby  prison  and  at  Anderson- 
ville)  ;  Jane  became  the  wife  of  Thomas  Wal- 
ter, of  Venango  county.  Pa.,  and  botli  are 
deceased;  Mary,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
Henry  Kelly,  of  Pineflats,  this  county,  who 
survives;  Richard  died  when  fourteen  years 


1194 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


old;  Elizabeth  married  Hugh  Williams,  and 
both  are  deceased. 

WiUiam  M.  Williams  was  born  Dee.  22, 
1837,  in  Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a 
boy  when  the  family  came  to  Indiana  county 
in  1845.  lie  received  a  public  school  educa- 
tion in  Green  township.  From  an  early  age 
he  assisted  with  the  farm  work  and  lumber- 
ing, and  during  several  years  of  his  young 
manhood  conducted  a  water  mill  in  this 
county  which  he  bought  from  his  grandfather. 
Later  he  bought  a  steam  mill  with  which  he 
was  connected  for  over  forty  years,  and  which 
was  conducted  by  William  M.  Williams  & 
Sons.  Meantime  he  had  also  become  inter- 
ested in  farming,  which  he  continued  until 
1903  in  Pine  township.  Then  he  removed  to 
{rrisemore,  where  he  resided,  enjoying  well- 
earned  leisure,  until  his  death,  Jan.  28,  1913. 
He  is  buried  in  the  McDowell  cemetery,  in 
Green  township.  Though  never  a  seeker  after 
public  honors  or  office  Mr.  Williams  was  will- 
ing to  do  his  duty  as  a  citizen,  and  he  was 
long  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Pine 
township,  serving  several  years  as  president 
of  that  body. 

On  Dec.  31,  1861,  Mr.  Williams  was  mar- 
ried in  Pittsburg  to  Sarah  Jones,  who  was 
born  in  that  city  Aug.  3,  1841,  daughter  of 
John  D.  and  Jane  (Jones)  Jones.  Her  father 
was  a  native  of  South  Wales,  and  after  com- 
ing to  America  lived  in  Pittsburg  until  his 
removal  to  Indiana  county,  where  he  bought 
land  and  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death. 
He  had  a  family  of  six  children,  of  whom  only 
Sarah  (Mrs.  Williams)  and  Jane  (wife  of 
David  Oldham,  of  Beaver  City,  Pa.)  now 
survive. 

Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Williams :  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Arthur  Jones,  of 
Barnesboro,  Pa.,  has  one  child,  Ethel;  John 
J.,  who  lives  in  this  county,  married  Eliza- 
beth Martin,  daughter  of  J.  D.  Martin,  of 
Indiana  county,  and  they  have  four  children ; 
Mollie  is  the  wife  of  G.  M.  Joiner,  of  Grise- 
more ;  Richard^  who  lives  in  Green  township, 
married  Mary  Florence  Bennett,  and  they 
have  two  children,  Emma  Mae  and  Mary 
Wilda;  Jane,  William  W.  and  Margaret  are 
at  home ;  Emma  Marian  died  in  infancy.  Mr. 
Williams  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Nebo,  in  Green  township,  to  which 
his  widow  also  belongs,  and  he  helped  to  build 
the  present  edifice;  he  served  as  elder  about 
twenty  years  until  his  death. 

John  J.  AVilliams  was  born  June  3,  1865, 
on  the  farm  in  Pine  township  where  he  spent 
his  boyhood,  and  wliere  he  is  now  living.    He 


obtained  his  education  in  the  local  public 
schools,  and  from  an  early  age  as-sisted  his 
father  with  the  farming  and  sawmill  work,  at 
the  mill  in  Pine  township  which  his  father 
operated.  Nine  years  ago  he  began  farming 
on  his  own  account  at  the  place  where  he  now 
lives,  taking  the  farm  upon  his  father's  re- 
tirement in  1903,  and  in  addition  to  general 
agriculture  he  engages  in  stock  raising — 
cattle  and  hogs.  He  is  a  busy  man,  but  he 
has  found  time  for  public  affairs  and  matters 
of  general  interest  to  the  community,  and 
his  fellow  citizens  have  shown  their  confidence 
in  his  ability  and  integrity  by  electing  him 
to  various  township  ofSces,  the  duties  of 
which  he  has  discharged  faithfully.  He  has 
served  as  member  of  the  election  board. 

On  May  20,  1897,  ]\Ir.  Williams  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  [Martin,  a  native  of  Green 
township,  born  Feb.  1,  1868,  daughter  of  John 
D.  and  Maria  (Askins)  Martin,  who  settled 
in  this  count}'  many  years  ago.  Mr.  ]\Iartin 
died  in  1903,  and  Mrs.  Martin  is  now  living 
in  Green  township.  Four  children  have  been 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams:  John  M.. 
William  Hay,  Sarah  J.  and  George  M.  jMr. 
and  Mrs.  Williams  are  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  at  Nebo,  which  he  serves  at 
present  as  elder. 

CLARK  DUNLAP,  farmer  and  dairyman 
of  Burrell  township.  Indiana  county,  was 
born  March  11,  1870,  in  Derry  township, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  and  is  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam R.  and  Nancy  J.   (Barr)   Dunlap. 

Andrew  Dunlap,  paternal  grandfather  of 
Clark  Dunlap,  was  brought  to  the  United 
States  from  County  Derry,  Ireland,  when  lie 
was  but  two  years  old,  the  journey  taking 
thirteen  weeks  in  a  sailing  vessel,  and  tht^ 
family  eventually  settled  in  Westmoreland 
county,  Pa.  Besides  Andrew,  the  youngest, 
the  children  were:  Thomas;  James;  AVil- 
liam;  Jane  and  Nancy,  twins,  who  lived  to 
old  age  and  never  married ;  and  iMollie.  who 
married  a  Mr.  Stewart,  of  Washington  town- 
ship, Westmoreland  county,  who  went  to 
serve  as  a  substitute  for  Andrew  Dunlap  dur- 
ing the  war  of  1812,  and  never  returned. 
Andrew  Dunlap  secured  his  education  in  a 
log  schoolhouse  situated  at  Warren  (now 
Apollo),  Pa.,  and  during  his  earlier  years  his 
home  was  a  little  log  cabin.  On  reaching  man- 
hood he  settled  on  a  tract  of  200  acres  on 
which  he  built  a  home  and  sawmill,  on  Beaver 
run.  In  addition  to  farming  and  lumliering 
Mr.  Dunlap  followed  teaming,  hauling  iron 
ore  from  Bellefonte  to  Pittsburg,  with  a  six- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1195 


horse  team,  it  being  necessary  for  him  to 
carry  about  fifty  bushels  of  oats  for  feed. 
Later  he  sold  his  first  farm  and  removed  to 
Harrisville,  Butler  county,  there  purchasing 
another  tract  of  200  acres  and  continuing  to 
engage  in  farming  and  stock  raising  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  when  he  was  eighty 
years  of  age.  Mr.  Dunlap  was  laid  to  rest 
in  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  cemetery 
at  Harrisville.  He  married  Mary  (Polly) 
Robinson,  daughter  of  William  Robinson,  who 
lived  near  the  Salem  Church  in  Westmore- 
land count}',  and  she  died  in  1862.  They  had 
the  following  children:  John,  who  married 
Anna  Elizabeth  Cook,  of  Butler  county;  Re- 
becca, who  married  Andrew  Dunlap,  of 
Butler  county;  Nancy  Jane,  who  married 
James  Davis,  and  resided  in  Illinois;  Wil- 
liam R. ;  Andrew  and  Eliza,  twins,  the  former 
of  whom  married  Harriett  Trump,  and  the 
latter  died  in  Butler  county,  and  James,  who 
is  living  at  Harrisville. 

William  Robinson  Dunlap,  son  of  Andrew 
and  father  of  Clark  Dunlap,  was  born  Dec. 
29,  1829,  in  Washington  township,  Westmore- 
land Co.,  Pa.,  and  received  but  meagre  educa- 
tional advantages,  starting  out  to  make  his 
own  way  in  the  world  when  he  was  but  thir- 
teen years  of  age.  at  which  time  his  mother 
died.  Following  this  he  secured  employment 
with  Jesse  Gray  and  S.  Walters,  his  wages 
being  three  dollars  per  month,  and  he  con- 
tinued to  work  as  a  farm  hand  until  going  to 
Wan-en  county,  where  he  spent  about  four 
years  in  the  lumber  business  under  Joseph 
Hall.  In  1851  Mv.  Dunlap  went  west  to  St. 
Louis  and  then  Calhoun  county,  111.,  and 
after  a  short  stay  removed  to  the  lead 
mines  of  Michigan.  During  all  this  time  he 
had  carefully  saved  his  earnings,  and  on  his 
return  home  was  able  to  purchase  130  acres 
of  land  in  Derry  township,  Westmoreland 
county,  his  uncle  John  Robinson  assisting  him 
in  paying  for  it.  This  farm  he  sold  in  1856 
and  bought  a  tract  of  106  acres  located  in 
Salem  township,  which  was  underlaid  with 
a  rich  vein  of  coal.  He  operated  this  land 
until  1866,  when  he  sold  it  and  bought  a 
tract  of  253  acres,  which  he  divided  into  three 
parts,  giving  his  son  two  of  these  and  operat- 
ing the  other  himself.  Mr.  Dunlap  continued 
to  be  engaged  in  farming  for  a  number  of 
years  and  carried  on  an  extensive  stock  rais- 
ing business,  but  in  1898  retired  from  active 
life  and  moved  to  Blairsville,  where  he  still 
lives.  He  was  for  some  .years  a  deacon  in  the 
•old  Salem  Church,  but  at  this  time,  with  his 
wife,    attends    the    Blairsville    Presbyterian 


Church.  Formerly  a  Whig,  he  later  became 
a  Republican,  and  for  a  time,  while  a  resident 
of  Westmoreland,  acted  as  school  director. 
In  1860  Mr.  Dunlap  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Nancy  Jane  Barr,  who  died  Feb.  24, 
1883,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Sloan) 
Barr,  and  she  was ,  buried  at  old  Salem 
Church,  in  Derry  township.  They  had  the 
following  children:  John  Barr,  born  Sept. 
12,  1860,  who  is  now  a  missionary  in  Siam; 
Mary  Elizabeth,  born  Jan.  4,  1862,  who  mar- 
ried John  Gilson,  and  resides  in  Derry  town- 
ship ;  Robinson  Edgar,  boi'n  Dec.  19,  1863, 
who  married  Lucinda  Mewherter,  and  resides 
in  Ada,  Hardin  Co.,  Ohio;  Martha  Jane,  born 
March  7,  1866,  who  mai-ried  William  Mew- 
herter ;  Charles  Howard,  born  April  23,  1868, 
who  married  Elizabeth  Kirkpatrick;  Clark, 
born  March  11,  1870;  Louisa  Hamilton,  born 
March  30,  1872,  who  married  William  Lati- 
mer; Emory  Eugene,  born  Sept.  27,  1874, 
who  died  in  1878 ;  Nora  Grace,  born  March 
25,  1877,  who  married  James  B.  Dunlap,  and 
resides  in  Derry  township ;  and  Hubert,  born 
March  30,  1879,  who  married  Laui-a  Stitt. 
William  R.  Dunlap 's  second  marriage  was  to 
Martha  Jane  Kenly,  daughter  of  David 
Kenly,  of  Derry  township,  whose  wife's 
maiden  name  was  Piper.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dun- 
lap reside  at  Blairsville. 

Clark  Dunlap,  son  of  William  R.  Dunlap, 
attended  the  public  schools  of  Derry  town- 
ship, Westmoreland  county,  and  there  grew 
to  manhood,  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm. 
In  1895  he  was  given  the  home  farm  by  his 
father,  and  that  he  conducted  until  1899, 
when  he  sold  out  and  purchased  the  Lose 
farm,  in  Burrell  township,-  Indiana  county, 
a  tract  of  160  acres,  where  he  has  erected 
modern  buildings  and  made  numerous  other 
improvements,  one  of  which  is  a  large  silo. 
Mr.  Dunlap  is  a  progressive  and  enterprising 
agriculturist,  and  in  addition  to  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  is  engaged  in 
dairying,  marketing  his  products  in  Blairs' 
ville.  He  is  a  Sunday  school  teacher  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Blairsville,  has  been 
deacon,  and  was  elected  elder  in  the  fall  of 
1912.  His  wife  and  all  of  her  family  are  also 
members  of  that  church. 

Mr.  Dunlap  married  Anna  IMargaret  Lose, 
daughter  of  George  and  Margaret  Lose,  of 
Burrell  township,  and  to  this  union  there  have 
been  born  four  children,  as  follows:  George 
L.,  Wilma  Jane,  Martha  Evelyn  and  Anna 
Margaret. 


1196 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


JOSEPH  G.  SECHLER,  postmaster  at 
Cherrytree  borough,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  at  that  place  Feb.  24,  1855,  son  of  John 
and  Catherine  (Gwinner)  Sechler.  Both  the 
parents  were  natives  of  eastern  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  ancestry  was  German  on  both  pa- 
ternal and  maternal  sides.  Mr.  Sechler's 
great-grandfather  came  to  America  in 
Colonial  days,  and  served  as  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  war. 

John  Sechler,  father  of  Joseph  G.  Sechler, 
passed  his  early  life  in  the  eastern  part  of 
this  State,  and  learned  the  trade  of  miller. 
In  1855  he  came  to  Chen\ytree,  Indiana 
county,  and  engaged  in  the  milling  business, 
remaining  there  until  about  1856,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Diamond  IMills,  this  county.  Later 
he  went  from  there  to  Ebensburg,  Cambria 
county,  where  he  conducted  a  mill  for  several 
years,  finally  locating  at  Altoona,  this  State, 
where  he  died  when  about  eighty-four  years 
old.  Mrs.  Sechler  died  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
seven  years,  in  Conemaugh,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa., 
where  she  resided  with  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
Susan  Rugh.  Eleven  children  were  born  to 
John  and  Catherine  Sechler:  William  H., 
now  deceased,  who  served  about  three  years 
during  the  Civil  war;  Susan,  widow  of  John 
Rugh,  living  at  Conemaugh,  Pa. ;  Theresa, 
who  lives  at  Ebensburg,  Pa. ;  Alice,  wife  of 
Allen  Edelman,  of  Philadelphia;  George,  de- 
ceased, who  served  one  year  in  the  Civil  war ; 
Maggie,  wife  of  Benjamin  James,  of  Ebens- 
burg ;  Joseph  G. ;  Mary,  deceased ;  Emma, 
deceased;  Anna,  deceased;  and  John,  who 
died  at  Altoona,  Pennsylvania. 

Joseph  G.  Sechler  was  educated  prin- 
cipally at  Ebensburg,  Pa.,  and  he  was  but 
fourteen  years  old  when  he  assumed  most  of 
the  work  in  connection  with  the  management 
of  his  father's  mill  there,  his  father  having 
lost  his  sight.  After  conducting  that  mill  for 
ten  years  he  came  to  Indiana  county  and 
took  the  management  of  a  mill  at  Cherrytree, 
being  thus  engaged  for  nineteen  years,  iintil, 
in  1895,  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at 
Cherrytree;  he  has  since  given  most  of  his 
attention  to  the  duties  of  this  office,  in  which 
he  has  given  the  greatest  satisfaction  to  all 
his  fellow  citizens.  The  postoffice  at  this 
point  was  first  known  as  Canoe  Place,  then 
Newman's  IMills  and  later  Grant  before  it 
became  known  as  Cherrytree.  Mr.  Sechler 
has  served  the  community  in  other  official 
capacities,  having  been  a  valuable  member  of 
the  school  board  for  twenty  years,  and  he  is  at 
present  holding  the  office  of  borough  treas- 
urer.    Politically  be  is  a  Republican. 


Mr.  Sechler  was  married  at  Ebensburg  to 
Emma  Stough,  a  native  of  that  place,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Jane  (Mills)  Stough,  the 
former  of  whom  was  of  German  ancestry,  the 
latter  of  "Welsh  extraction.  Mr.  Stough  was 
a  painter  by  trade.  He  died  when  past 
seventy  years  old  and  his  widow  now  lives  at 
Ebensburg,  Pa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sechler  have 
had  three  children :  Birdie,  wife  of  R.  D. 
Tonkin,  of  Cherrytree,  has  one  child,  Joseph ; 
Eva  Emma  assists  her  father  in  the  post 
office ;  Arthur  J.  is  a  merchant  at  Cherrytree. 

Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Sechler  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  Fraternally  he  is  a 
Mason,  belonging  to  Summit  Lodge,  No.  312, 
at  Eben.sburg  and  the  Consistory  at  Wil- 
liamsport.  and  also  an  Odd  Fellow,  being  a 
prominent  member  of  the  latter  lodge  at 
Cherrytree,  in  which  he  has  held  all  the  i 


JOHN  WEIR,  now  living  retired,  is  a  well- 
known  citizen  of  Indiana,  of  which  borough 
he  has  been  a  life-long  resident.  He  was  born 
there  Nov.  1,  1836,  son  of  Archibald  Weir, 
and  the  family  is  of  Scottish  origin,  his 
grandfather,  Robert  Weir,  having  been  a 
native  of  Scotland. 

Robert  Weir  was  a  youth  in  college  in  his 
native  land  when  the  Revolutionary  war 
broke  out,  and  with  a  chum  he  ran  away  from 
college  and  came  to  America,  enlisting  in  the 
Continental  army.  He  fought  under  General 
Greene.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  moved 
to  western  Pennsylvania,  settling  in  Brush- 
valley  township,  Indiana  county,  where  he 
took  up  a  claim  for  himself  as  well  as  one 
for  his  eldest  son.  Here  he  followed  farm- 
ing the  rest  of  his  life.  He  also  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  twice 
married,  having  one  son,  Alexander,  by  his 
first  man-iage,  and  by  his  second  wife,  Mar- 
garet (Gordon),  he  had  seven  children, 
namely:  James,  Daniel,  John,  Archibald, 
Mrs.  Furrier,  Jlrs.  Guier  and  Mrs.  Beam. 

Archibald  Weir,  son  of  Robert,  was  born 
in  1806  in  Brushvalley  township,  this  county, 
and  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter.  In  1828 
he  settled  at  Indiana,  and  he  was  one  of  the 
early  cai-penters  in  the  borough,  and  one  of 
the  most  successful,  keeping  several  crews 
busy  in  various  parts  of  this  territory,  build- 
ing barns,  houses,  etc.  He  was  also  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  there  among  the 
old-timers.  Mr.  Weir  was  a  stanch  Abolition- 
ist in  principle,  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  in  religious  connection.  He  died  at 
Indiana  in  December,  1859.  In  1831  he  mar- 
ried Jane  C.  Coleman,  who  was  born  in  1809 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  John  Coleman,  a  farmer  of  that 
township.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren: Mary  Jane  (Mrs.  James  Fenton), 
Robert  H.,  John,  Elizabeth  and  Margaret. 

John  Weir  attended  the  common  schools  of 
the  borough  in  boyhood,  and  when  fifteen 
years  old  began  to  learn  the  trade  of  tailor, 
He  followed  it  for  some  time  thereafter.  In 
1861  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  service,  becom- 
ing a  musician  in  the  3d  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Regiment  for  three  months.  When 
that  term  expired  he  joined  the  105th  Penn- 
sylvania Regiment,  under  Colonel  McKnight, 
in  the  same  capacity.  This  command  was 
known  as  the  "Wildcats."  Mr.  Weir  served 
in  the  army  until  honorably  discharged,  after 
which  he  returned  home  and  resumed  tailor- 
ing for  a  while.  He  then  became  engaged  in 
the  sewing  machine  business,  and  later  em- 
barked in  the  grocery  business,  which  he  car- 
ried on  until  his  retirement,  in  1899.  Mr. 
Weir  showed  considerable  ability  in  the  man- 
agement of  his  own  affairs,  and  prospered  by 
giving  them  the  strictest  attention  and  by 
observing  the  most  honoi-able  methods  in  ail 
his  transactions.  He  is  favorably  known  to 
a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances  in 
and  around  Indiana.  In  his  earlier  years  he 
was  prominent  in  public  affairs,  serving  as 
member  of  the  town  council  and  for  years  as 
burgess.  Politically  he  is  now  as  he  has  been 
in  the  past — known  as  an  independent.  He 
was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  or- 
iginal G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  131,  and  is  its  old- 
est surviving  past  commander,  the  second  to 
be  elected  to  that  position.  He  is  the  oldest 
past  grand  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  in  Indiana  county,  and  is  custodian 
of  the  Odd  Fellows  hall.  In  religious  con- 
nection he  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

In  1865  Mr.  Weir  Was  married  at  Indiana 
to  Jemima  E.  George,  of  Armstrong  county. 
Pa.,  daughter  of  John  George.  Mrs.  Weir  died 
at  Indiana  in  1907.  Three  children  were  bom 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weir:  (1)  Mary  Jane  grad- 
uated from  the  Western  Pennsylvania  School 
for  Nurses  and  then  entered  the  service  of 
the  United  States  government  as  a  trained 
nurse,  being  stationed  at  Manila  for  two  years. 
Returning  to  the  United  States  she  resumed 
her  profession  here  as  superintendent  of  the 
hospital  at  Braddock,  Pa.,  until  her  marriage 
to  Dr.  C.  S.  Kerr,  of  Bmlenton,  Pa.  (2) 
Sarah  Elizabeth  is  a  stenographer,  and  was 
so  engaged  at  the  Carnegie  steel  works  under 
every  president  from  Mr.  Carnegie  down  until 
the  establishment  of  the  Carnegie  Technical 


1197 

School,  when  she  was  made  assistant  treasurer 
of  that  institution.  (3)  Cordelia  lives  at 
home  with  her  father. 

WILLIAM  MARTIN  UREY,  retired 
farmer  and  lumberman,  is  a'  native  of  Ire- 
land, but  has  lived  in  Indiana  county  from 
childhood.  Frank  Urey,  his  father,  was  born 
m  1794  m  Rathfryland,  County  Down,  Ire- 
land, came  to  America  in  1843  "and  first  set- 
tled near  Williamsport,  Pa.,  where  he  worked 
on  a  farm  for  almost  a  year.  He  then  came 
farther  west,  to  Banks  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  bought  100  acres  of  woodland 
near  the  Clearfield  coimty  line,  on  which  he 
built  a  log  cabin  and  settled  down  to  the 
work  of  clearing  and  cultivating.  In  mid- 
winter, three  years  later,  when  three  feet  of 
snow  lay  on  the  ground,  the  cabin  home  was 
completely  destroyed  by  fire,  and  they  had 
to  cut  trees  for  the  hewed  log  house  which 
took  its  place.  This  was  in  1844-45.  By  hard 
work  Mr.  Urey  made  good  progress  "in  the 
development  of  his  property,  becoming  one 
of  the  successful  farmers  of' his  section.  He 
lived  to  the  ripe  age  of  eighty-three  years, 
dj'ing  Nov.  22,  1877,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in 
the  Urey  cemetery  in  Banks  to^vuship  by  the 
side  of  his  wife,  who  died  in  September,  1871. 
In  polities  he  was  first  a  Whig,  later  becom- 
ing a  Republican.  He  had  married  in  Ire- 
land Ruth  Dixon,  of  his  home  town,  and  they 
had  a  family  of  five  children,  all  born  in  Ire- 
land, namely :  John,  who  died  when  nineteen 
.years  old;  David,  now  deceased,  who  married 
Lizzie  MeDermott  and  had  children,  John, 
Frank,  Elizabeth,  Ruth  and  Mary,  who  reside 
in  Clearfield,  Pa.;  James,  who  married  Eliza 
Dixon,  of  Pittsburg,  and  moved  to  Ireland, 
where  both  died;  William  Martin;  and  Mary 
Jane,  who  married  Gilbert  Graham,  of  Banks 
township,  and  had  children,  James,  John,  Gil- 
bert and  Alexander,  all  residing  at  Fair 
Grounds,  Oregon. 

William  Martin  Urey  was  born  Aug.  19, 
1839,  in  Rathfryland,"  County  Down,  Ire- 
land, and  was  quite  young  when  he  came  to 
America  with  his  parents.  He  settled  with 
the  famil.y  in  Banks  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  attended  the  log  school 
known  as  the  Urey  school  and  assisted  his 
father  with  the  farm  work  at  home.  In  time 
he  became  interested  in  lumbering,  in  which 
he  was  engaged  for  over  thirty  years,  rafting 
down  the  Susquehanna  and  marketing  his 
lumber  at  Marietta.  He  handled  principally 
pine,  hemlock  and  oak.  In  1885  he  moved  to 
his    present    location,    buying    the    farm    of 


1198 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ninety-six  acres,  known  as  the  Rankin  place, 
upon  which  he  has  since  made  his  home.  It 
lies  in  three  townships,  Blacklick,  Young  and 
Conemaugh,  and  the  house  stands  at  the  point 
where  these  three  townships  ad.join,  the  front 
porch  being  in  Young  township,  the  back 
porch  in  Blacklick,  and  the  side  in  Cone- 
maugh. In  1891  the  former  house,  which  had 
been  built  by  William  Rankin,  was  burned 
and  Mr.  Urey  erected  the  present  residence, 
a  substantial  frame  dwelling  with  all  avail- 
able improvements,  commodious  and  comfort- 
ably arranged.  His  eldest  son  now  conducts 
the"  farm,  Mr.  Urey  having  withdrawn  from 
active  work  two  years  ago.  In  addition  to 
general  farming  he  raised  a  small  amount  of 
live  stock,  and  the  place  is  carried  on  in  the 
same  way  now.  The  land  is  underlaid  with 
a  rich  vein  of  coal,  only  about  two  hundred 
feet  below  the  surface.  In  his  earlier  days 
Mr.  Urey  was  a  hard  worker,  and  his  in- 
dustry combined  with  keen  business  qualities 
brought  him  the  competence  which  now  en- 
ables him  to  spend  his  age  in  comfort.  He 
is  a  home-loving  man  and  takes  great  pleasure 
in  his  family. 

On  Jan.  5,  1872,  Mr.  Urey  married  Bessie 
Urey,  daughter  of  John  and  Eliza  (White) 
Urey,  whose  home  was  in  Cadiz,  Ohio.  They 
have  had  seven  children:  James,  born  Feb. 
19,  1873,  who  now  has  charge  of  the  home 
farm:  William  John,  born  May  10.  187-4; 
David  Edward,  born  Jan.  8,  1876,  a  mason  by 
trade;  Robert  F.,  born  Nov.  21,  1877:  Emmet 
G.,  born  Nov.  22,  1879,  who  died  Jan.  12. 
1885 ;  Preston  G.,  born  July  20.  1S82.  a  grad- 
uate of  the  Indiana  State  normal  school,  who 
has  taught  school  for  seven  years ;  and  Mary 
Helena. 

During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Urey  enlisted  in 
the  Union  ai-my  for  one  year,  but  served 
only  ten  months'.  He  was  a  member  of  Com- 
pany C,  206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infan- 
try," under  Capt.  Wiiliam  Brown  and  Colonel 
Brady.  During  his  army  experience  he  as- 
sisted in  building  a  fort  at  Butler's  eanal, 
near  Richmond.  He  saw  some  of  the  harrow- 
ing sights  of  those  strenuous  times,  being  pres- 
ent on  one  occasion  when  nine  soldiers  were 
shot  at  sunrise  for  desertion,  and  on  another 
when  two  soldiers  were  hanged  for  contem- 
plated miu-der;  they  had  planned  to  kill  the 
sergeant  of  their  company  for  the  money  he 
carried,  but  were  overheard  and  caught  be- 
fore they  had  time  to  commit  the  act. 

Mr.  Urey  east  his  iirst  presidential  vote  for 
Abraham  Ijincoln,  and  he  has  continued  to 
support    the    Republican    ticket    ever    since. 


He  and  his  wife  and  family  are  members  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church  in  Cone- 
maugh township. 

PETER  WESLEY  KINTER,  retired 
farmer,  now  living  at  Marion  Center,  passed 
all  of  his  active  years  in  RajTie  township,  In- 
diana county,  where  the  Kinter  family  has 
been  established  for  over  a  century.  He  was 
born  there  July  30,  1846,  son  of  Peter  and 
]\Iargaret  (McCall)  Kinter,  and  grandson  of 
Peter  Kinter,  the  pioneer  settler  of  the  fam- 
ily here,  who  came  from  Huntingdon  county. 
Pa.,  in  1808.  He  settled  in  Rayne  township, 
where  he  followed  farming  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  becoming  one  of  the  well-known  resi- 
dents of  the  locality  in  his  time.  He  was 
twice  married,  first  to  ilaiy  Findley  and 
later  to  Elizabeth  Jackson,  and  had  children 
by  both  wives,  those  of  the  fir.st  marriage  be- 
ing: Sarah,  who  married  Josephus  Osborn: 
Archibald,  who  married  Catherine  Hess  and 
(second)  Mary  Colkitt;  Peter:  Mary,  who 
married  John  Leasure:  John,  who  married 
Margaret  Riddle:  Margaret,  who  married 
Robert  Warden;  and  Isabella,  who  married 
John  Jameson.  There  were  three  children  by 
the  second  union :  Samuel,  who  married  a 
Jiliss  Layton ;  Catherine ;  and  Jane,  who  mar- 
ried Samuel  Knox. 

Peter  Kinter,  son  of  Peter  and  ]Mary 
(Findley)  Kinter,  was  born  in  Huntingdon 
county.  Pa.,  accompanied  his  parents  to 
Ra.-STie  township,  Indiana  county,  and  there 
made  his  home  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
on  the  farm.  By  trade  he  was  a  blacksmith. 
and  he  also  followed  farming,  owning  the 
tract  of  200  acres  upon  which  he  made  his 
home.  He  was  first  a  Whig  in  politics,  later 
becoming  a  Republican,  and  in  religion  was 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He 
is  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  the  old  Wash- 
ins'ton  Church.  Mr.  Kinter  was  married  to 
:\Iargaret  MeCall,  daughter  of  John  IMcCall, 
of  South  ^Mahoning  township:  she  died  on 
the  farm  in  South  Mahoning  township,  and 
is  buried  in  the  same  cemetery  as  her  hus- 
band. They  had  the  following  family: 
Hugh  B.,  who  married  Emily  Adelaide  War- 
den, enlisted  for  the  Union  service  during  the 
Civil  war,  and  died  of  smallpox  while  in  the 
armv;  Jane  married  William  Buchanan,  and 
both  are  deceased:  John  T.,  who  served  in 
the  Civil  war  and  held  the  rank  of  lieutenant, 
now  residing  on  the  old  homestead,  married 
Sarah  McGara ;  ]\Iary  E.  makes  her  home  in 
Marion  Center :  Henry  L.,  a  Civil  war  soldier, 
who  died  at  Apollo,  Pa.,  married  Annie  E. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Shields;  Margaret  A.  married  Samuel  Ste- 
vens and  resides  in  Armstrong  township,  this 
country;  Peter  Wesley  is  mentioned  below; 
two  sons  died  in  infancy. 

Peter  Wesley  Kinter  grew  to  manhood  in 
Rayne  township,  where  he  received  a  common 
school  education.  He  did  farm  work  from 
boyhood,  and  as  his  three  older  brothers  en- 
tered the  service  during  the  Civil  war  he  had 
to  help  at  home  as  much  as  he  was  able.  He 
continued  to  work  with  his  father  until  the 
latter 's  death,  after  which  he  became  owner 
of  the  home  place,  which  he  operated  until  his 
retirement,  in  1906.  That  year  he  moved  his 
home  to  Marion  Center,  where  he  put  up  a 
comfortable  residence  and  is  very  pleasantly 
situated.  Mr.  Kinter  has  always  been  a 
citizen  whose  life  commanded  the  respect  of 
his  fellowmen,  and  he  is  enjoying  a  well  de- 
served rest.- 

On  Nov.  15,  1877,  Mr.  Kinter  married  Mary 
Elisabeth  Carney,  who  was  bom  Sept.  15, 
1855,  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  Adam  and  Elizabeth  (Cunning- 
ham) Carnej',  and' received  a  common  school 
education.  Mr.  and  Mrs.-  Kinter  have  no  ehil . 
dren.  They  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Marion  Center,  and  in  political 
association  Mr.  Kinter  is  a  Republican. 

SOLOMON  BRODY,  proprietor  of  the 
Clymer  Milling  Company,  has  been  a  resident 
of  Indiana  county  throughout  the  compara- 
tively brief  period  of  his  residence  in  this 
countrj',  and  during  most  of  the  time  has 
been  settled  at  Clymer.  He  has  the  only  flour 
and  feed  mill  at  that  point,  and  has  built  up 
an  extensive  business  in  his  line. 

Mr.  Brody  was  born  May  17,  1860,  in 
Russia,  son  of  Moses  and  Mary  Brody,  both 
also  natives  of  that  country,  who  are  now  de- 
ceased. He  came  to  America  in  1908,  ar- 
riving at  Philadelphia  Dec.  8th.  and  continu- 
ing his  journey  direct  to  Indiana  county,  Pa. 
His  first  home  here  was  at  Starford,  where  he 
remained  only  a  short  time,  however,  thence 
moving  to  Heilwood,  where  he  embarked  in 
the  general  mercantile  business.  After  a 
brief  stay  there  he  came  to  the  borough  of 
Clymer,  where  he  bought  the  flour  and  feed 
business  which  he  has  since  conducted.  His 
son  Abraham  is  now  associated  with  him. 
They  have  a  large  and  increasing  trade,  which 
Mr.  Brody 's  good  business  methods  and 
abilit.v  have  won.  and  he  has  become  one  of 
the  respected  citizens  of  his  adopted  home. 
He  was  a  successful  man  in  his  native  land, 
and  has  all  the  qualities  which  should 


prosperity,  being  thorough,  conscientious, 
hard-working  and  intelligent,  experienced, 
and  a  good  manager. 

On  Nov.  12,  1885,  Mr.  Brody  was  married 
m  Russia  to  Suba  Chadas,  a  native  of  that 
counti-y,  whose  parents,  Abraham  and  Louisa 
Chadas,  are  both  deceased.  They  have  had 
five  children,  all  born  in  Russia,  namely : 
Louisa,  Sophia,  Abraham,  Louis  and  Moses, 
all  of  whom  are  still  at  home.  Abraham  is 
now  in  partnership  with  his  father. 

EDMUND  K.  ANKENY,  farmer,  of  White 
township,  Indiana  county,  living  one  mile 
from  the  borough  of  Indiana,  has  resided  at 
that  place  since  the  fall  of  1900.  He  is  a 
native  of  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  born 
near  Derry  Sept.  23,  1858,  son  of  Jacob  and 
Elizabeth  (Lichty)  Ankeny.  The  parents 
were  both  natives  of  Somerset  county.  Pa. 
They  had  a  family  of  six  children.'  The 
father  served  as  a  Union  soldier  during  the 
Civil  war.  He  died  when  his  son  Edmund 
was  very  young,  and  the  mother  suljsequently 
married  his  brother,  J.  D.  Ankeny. 

When  Edmund  K.  Ankeny  was  but  an  in- 
fant his  parents  removed  to  Somerset  county, 
this  State.  He  was  only  seven  years  old  when 
he  lost  his  father.  For  a  few  years  during 
his  boyhood  he  lived  in  Plumcreek  township, 
Armstrong  county,  where  he  attended  school, 
and  he  was  employed  at  farm  work  from  an 
early  age.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three  years 
he  went  out  to  Waterloo,  Iowa,  where  he 
worked  on  a  farm  for  his  uncle,  Jacob  Lichty, 
and  in  the  fall  went  to  Thayer  county,  Nebr., 
being  one  of  a  company  of  eighteen  formed  at 
Waterloo  to  go  to  that  county.  He  worked 
at;  carpentry  with  a  cousin,  Frank  Kelso, 
picked  and  cribbed  the  corn  from  a  hundred 
acres,  and  then  went  with  another  cousin, 
Jacob  Whippy.  He  next  went  to  Atchison, 
Kans.,  for  eight  weeks,  at  the  end  of  that 
time  going  to  Brown  county,  Kans.,  and  from 
there  to  Richardson  county,  Nebr.  He  then 
farmed  for  U.  M.  Savior,  in  Brown  county, 
after  which  he  came  back  to  Pennsylvania 
and  commenced  farming  on  his  own  account, 
living  near  Elderton,  Armstrong  county,  on 
a  tract  of  120  acres,  for  nearly  two  years.  His 
nest  change  was  to  the  William  Watterson 
farm  in  Wbite  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  remained  one  year,  moving  from 
that  place  to  the  Kimmel  farm  in  Wtite 
township,  where  he  followed  general  agricul- 
tural pursuits  and  ran  a  dairy  for  nearly 
eleven  years.  In  the  fall  of  1900  he  came  to 
his  present  farm,   in  White  township,   then 


1200 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


known  as  the  Jacob  Moorhead  tract.  At 
that  time  the  principal  buildings  on  the  place 
consisted  of  a  one  and  a  half  story  house  and 
a  log  barn,  both  of  which  have  been  sup- 
planted by  substantial  modern  structures, 
Mr.  Ankeny  having  built  his  barn  in  1901 
and  his  house  in  1903.  He  has  made  num- 
erous other  improvements,  has  a  fine  peach 
and  apple  orchard,  and  has  the  property  in 
creditable  condition  in  every  respect.  Mr. 
Ankeny  deserves  great  credit  for  his  present 
comfortable  circumstances,  for  thej'  are  the 
result  entirely  of  his  own  efforts,  and  he  is 
one  of  the  most  respected  men  in  his  locality. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Indiana,  and  politically  is  a  Republican 
in  sentiment,  but  votes  independently. 

On  July  12,  1887,  Mr.  Ankeny  married 
Maiy  King,  of  South  Bend  township,  Arm- 
strong county,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Cath- 
erine Ann  (Klingensmith)  King,  and  they 
have  had  the  following  children:  Arthur, 
who  is  now  attending  the  normal  school  at 
Indiana;  Lottie,  wife  of  Earl  Fairman,  of 
Apollo,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.;  Olive,  who 
died  in  infancy;  Roy  (a  student  at  the  nor- 
mal school)  and  Ross,  at  home;  and  Jessie, 
a  student  at  the  normal  school. 

WILLIAM  SIDES,  of  Pine  township,  In- 
diana county,  at  present  a  member  of  the 
school  board  of  that  township,  is  a  represen- 
tative of  a  very  early  family  of  this  section, 
founded  here  "by  his  grandfather,  who  was 
a  native  of  Germany. 

Adam  Sides,  father  of  William  Sides,  was 
born  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  was  a  lifelong  farmer.  Many 
years  ago  he  settled  in  Green  township,  where 
he  bought  land  which  he  cleared  and  culti- 
vated. He  followed  farming  there  for  some 
years,  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his  son 
Adam,  living  there  until  his  death,  May  12, 
1884.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Mary  Dickey,  was  also  born  in  Indiana  coun- 
ty, "in  Brushvalley  townsliip,  and  died  in 
Green  township,  Feb.  28,  1897.  They  were 
the  parents  of  these  children:  Elias,  who 
died  while  in  the  Union  service  during  the 
Civil  war ;  John,  who  is  living  in  Green  town- 
ship ;  William,  living  in  Pine  township  ;  Uriah, 
now  a  resident  of  Barnesboro,  Cambria  Co., 
Pa. ;  Alonzo,  living  at  Pineflats,  Indiana  coun- 
ty; one  that  died  in  infancy;  Jane,  wife  of 
William  Wilson,  of  Johnstown.  Pa.;  Emma, 
wife  of  William  Hahn,  of  Johnstown ;  Eliza- 
beth, wife  of  William  H.  Strauss,  of  Johns- 
tawn,  Cambria  Co..  Pa.,  wholesale  and  retail 


dealer  in  tobacco  and  cigars ;  one  that  died  in 
infancy;  and  Adam,  the  youngest,  who  lives 
in  Green  township  on  the  old  homestead. 

William'  Sides,  sou  of  Adam  and  Mary 
(Dickey)  Sides,  was  born  in  Pine  township 
Feb.  5,  1847,  and  there  grew  to  manhood,  at- 
tending school  at  Pineflats.  He  has  followed 
farming  all  his  life,  and  moved  to  his  present 
home  in  Pine  township  forty  years  ago.  He 
is  one  of  the  most  esteemed  residents  of  his 
locality,  where  he  is  regarded  as  a  progres- 
sive and  valuable  citizen,  one  whose  influence 
and  substantial  worth  are  factors  in  the  gen- 
eral welfare.  For  nine  years  he  held  the  posi- 
tion of  township  overseer,  and  he  is  at  pres- 
ent serving  his  seventh  year  in  the  office  of 
school  director.  In  politics  he  has  been  as- 
sociated with  the  Republican  party. 

In  1866  Mr.  Sides  married  Rebecca  Gra- 
ham, daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth 
(Brown)  Graham;  her  father  is  a  native  of 
Indiana  county  and  one  of  its  oldest  resi- 
dents. Four  children  have  been  bom  to  Mr. 
and  ]\Irs.  Sides:  Louie  is  the  wife  of  Simou 
Johns  and  lives  at  Pineflats;  Maggie  is  the 
wife  of  Samuel  R.  Williams,  who  has  a  gen- 
eral store  at  Vintondale,  Pa. ;  Lona  is  the  wife 
of  Samuel  Long,  of  Barnesboro,  Pa. ;  Stephen, 
who  is  deceased,  married  Rebecca  Kelley. 

HENRY  PROTHERO,  who  is  now  living 
retired,  at  Indiana,  was  for  many  j'ears  a 
leading  merchant  and  postmaster  at  Hortons. 
this  county.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war. 
Mr.  Prothero  was  born  in  1839  in  Indiana, 
Indiana  county,  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Clark)  Prothero.  The  father,  who  was  a 
native  of  Herefordshire,  England,  came  to  the 
United  States  when  about  eighteen  years  old, 
landing  at  New  York  after  a  voj'age  of  six 
weeks  in  a  sailing  vessel.  Before  he  came  to 
Indiana  he  was  at  Philadelphia,  Harrisburg, 
Ilollidaysburg,  Philipsburg  and  Clearfield,  in 
all  working  at  his  trade,  tailoring,  as  a  jour- 
neyman. He  came  to  Indiana  by  canal  and  on 
foot,  and  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  here. 
He  followed  his  trade  about  eight  yoMrs,  at  the 
end  of  that  time  going  to  Kelleysburg,  this 
county,  where  he  engaged  in  the  general  mer- 
cantile business,  succeeding  James  Bailey.  He 
was  in  partnership  with  James  Sutton  in  this 
line,  and  they  had  a  thriving  trade.  Mr.  Pro- 
thero was  in  business  at  Kelleysburg  from 
about  1845  to  about  1870,  wlien  he  moved  to  his 
farm  adjoining  the  village  of  Kelleysburg,  for 
a  few  years,  subsequently  returning  to  the 
borough  of  Indiana  in  1879.  There  he  built  a 
home  and  lived  retired,  though  he  served  as 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1201 


president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  In- 
diana (of  which  he  was  one  of  the  original 
stockholders),  up  to  within  a  few  months  of 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1886.  His  wife 
died  in  1888.  They  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  Mr.  Prothero 
served  many  years  as  deacon.  He  was  one  of 
the  promoters  of  the  Washington  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Kelleysburg,  and  contributed  lib- 
erally toward  the  building  of  its  house  of  wor- 
ship. He  served  several  years  as  postmaster 
at  Kelleysburg.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Prothero 
had  a  family  of  twelve  children,  namely: 
William;  Henry;  Lavina,  wife  of  Robert 
Macklehoe ;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Joseph  Laugh- 
Ian  ;  J\Iary,  wife  of  S.  J.  Hart ;  George ;  Olive, 
wife  of  Michael  Woodward;  Silas;  James; 
Adda,  wife  of  Judge  John  P.  Elkin;  Emma, 
wife  of  B.  S.  Sloan;  and  Helen  J.,  wife  of 
Dick  Hetrick.  Three  of  this  family,  William, 
Lavina  and  George,  are  deceased. 

George  Prothero,  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Clark)  Prothero,  took  an  interest  in  the 
business  at  Hortous  with  his  brother  Henry 
in  1867,  and  under  his  management  the  con- 
cern prospered  rapidly.  George  Prothero 
died  in  1892,  and  his  family  then  came  to  In- 
diana to  live.  His  eldest  son,  Dr.  Harold  Ney, 
now  a  practicing  phj^sician  in  Jeannette,  Pa., 
married  May  Clements ;  his  second  son,  Harry 
Lynn,  who  resides  in  Indiana,  is  engaged  in 
the  real  estate  business  and  also  as  general 
manager  of  the  Clearfield  &  Cush  Creek  Coal 
&  Coke  Company,  married  Jean  Jones;  the 
two  younger  children,  Glennavee  and  George, 
reside  with   their  Uncle  Henry. 

Henry  Prothero,  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Clark)  Prothero,  received  the  beginnings  of 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Indiana 
county,  afterward  attending  Glade  Run  Acad- 
emy. He  began  work  as  a  clerk  in  the  general 
merchandise  store  of  his  father,  with  whom 
he  remained  until  1861,  when  upon  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  Company 
B,  11th  Pennsylvania  Resei'ves,  known  as  the 
40th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He  served 
three  years,  being  honorably  discharged  June 
12,  1864,  and  saw  much  hard  service,  the  en- 
gagements in  which  he  participated  including 
the  important  battles  of  Bull  Run,  South 
Mountain,  Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg,  Ben- 
tonville.  New  Hope  Church.  Bristoe  Station 
(Va.)  and  the  seven  daj^s'  fight  before  Rich- 
mond. He  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  cor- 
poral. Bates's  history  of  the  Civil  war  re- 
cords an  incident  Mr.  Prothero  well  remem- 
bers: While  they  were  ascending  South 
Mountain,  when  the  battle  raged  the  hottest, 


Corporal  Kuhn,  who  possessed  great  powers 
of  mimicry,  crowed  lustily  like  a  cock  utter- 
ing the  note  of  triumph,  which  inspired  the 
men  with  renewed  zeal  to  press  forward  to 
assured  victory.  Three  months  later,  at  the 
battle  of  Fredericksburg,  this  brave  soldier 
was  shot,  falling  dead  at  Mr.  Prothero 's  feet. 
At  the  battle  of  Antietam  Tom  Moore,  a  fine 
young  soldier  belonging  to  the  same  company 
as  Mr.  Prothero,  was  shot  in  the  breast  while 
the  command  was  engaged  in  the  famous  corn- 
field that  was  taken  and  retaken  five  times  that 
day.  The  Captain  ordered  Mr.  Prothero  to 
take  him  from  the  field.  After  he  had  placed 
the  injured  man  in  the  ambulance  he  said, 
' '  I  believe  I  will  die,  but  I  know  I  shot  down 
that  Rebel  flag." 

In  August,  1864,  shortly  after  his  return 
from  the  army,  Mr.  Prothero  embarked  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Hortons,  Indiana  coun- 
ty. In  1867,  as  above  related,  his  brother 
George  became  associated  with  him,  and  their 
interests  grew  steadily,  the  brothers  engaging 
in  several  profitable  lines,  including  farming, 
stock  raising  (horses,  cattle,  sheep,  etc.)  and 
dealing  in  lumber  and  coal.  Henry  Prothero 
was  postmaster  at  Hortons  for  the  long  period 
of  twenty-eight  years,  until  he  sold  out  in 
December,  1892.  "He  removed  to  Hortons  and 
looked  after  his  coal  and  lumber  business  un- 
til 1902,  and  then  came  to  Indiana,  Pa.  He 
has  been  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank 
of  Indiana  since  Jan.  12,  1904,  hut  gives  prac- 
tically all  his  time  to  the  Clearfield  and  Cush 
Creek  Coal  &  Coke  Company,  of  which  he  is 
vice  president.  The  mines  are  at  Glen  Camp- 
bell. 

Mr.  Prothero  has  had  many  interesting  ex- 
periences in  his  long  and  active  life.  He 
crossed  the  Rocky  Mountains  in  a  stage  coach 
in  the  early  days  of  Leadville,  and  came 
through  from  California  over  the  Southern 
Pacific  road  when  the  road  was  first  opened, 
when  soldiers  were  stationed  on  each  car  to 
protect  the  passengers  from  robljers.  In  1870 
he  visited  the  home  of  his  ancestors  in  Eng- 
land, making  another  trip  to  Europe  in  1878, 
when  he  traveled  through  England,  Scotland, 
Ireland  and  Wales,  and  visited  the  World's 
exposition  at  Paris. 

In  1902  Mr.  Prothero  married  "Sirs.  L.  B. 
Prothero.  who  died  in  1903. 

Mr.  Prothero  was  a  charter  member  of  the 
Union  Veterans  Legion  at  Indiana. 

THOMAS  CRAIG  KERR,  postmaster  and 
general  merchant  at  Georgeville,  in  East  Ma- 
honing township,  Indiana  county,  belongs  to 


1202 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


an  old  settled  family  of  this  section  and  was 
born  in  West  Mahoning-  township  Sept.  11, 
1861.  His  great-grandfather,  Valentine  Kerr, 
the  founder  of  the  family  in  America,  was 
born  in  Germany,  and  was  among  the  first 
settlers  at  what  is  now  Eldersridge,  in  Young 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits, and  died  at  an  advanced  age.  He  mar- 
ried Hannah  Barr,  and  they  had  children  as 
follows :  Joseph  married  Lydia  Pierce ;  John 
married  Mary  Marsh ;  Samuel  is  mentioned 
below  ;  Hannah  married  John  Barr ;  Charles ; 
James  married  Elizabeth  Steer ;  Thomas  mar- 
ried Mai-y  Steer. 

Samuel  Kerr,  son  of  Valentine,  was  born  in 
1798  at  Eldersridge,  and  in  1820  settled  in 
West  Mahoning  township,  where  he  tirst  lived 
in  a  log  cabin.  He  spent  his  life  on  the  farm, 
always  following  farming,  and  died  there  in 
1870".  His  wife,  Mary  (Polly)  Thomas, 
daughter  of  Israel  Thomas,  was  born  in  1794 
in  Dauphin  county,  Pa.,  and  died  on  the 
farm.  They  were  members  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  he  was 
originally  a  Whig,  later  a  Republican.  The 
following  children  were  born  to  them  :  Israel 
T.,  deceased,  who  was  a  farmer  in  West  Ma- 
honing towns'liip,  married  Rosauna  Gurley ; 
Hannah  married  Griffith  Condrom,  went 
West,  and  died  in  Iowa ;  John  is  mentioned  be- 
low ;  one  son  died  in  infancy ;  Valentine,  of 
Jefferson  county,  Pa.,  married  Sarah  Roush ; 
Amos,  deceased,  who  lived  in  Nebraska,  mar- 
ried Malinda  Lenham  and  (second)  Sophia 
Ruby;  Margaret,  deceased,  married  Marion 
Condrom ;  Joseph  died  in  Iowa :  William  mar- 
ried Eliza  J.  Roush ;  Thomas  joined  Company 
A,  78th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  and  was  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain. 

John  Kerr,  son  of  Samuel,  was  boi-n  on  the 
paternal  homestead  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship in  1826,  and  there  received  an  education 
in  the  common  schools.  He  always  followed 
farming  and  stock  raising  in  his  native  town- 
ship, and  was  a  successful  man.  becoming  a 
large  land  owner.  He  died  on  the  farm  when 
about  seventy  years  of  age.  In  March.  1865, 
Mr.  Kerr  enlisted  in  Company  E,  103d  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  to 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  in  religion  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  and  was  buried  in  the  Liith- 
eran  cemetery  at  Smicksburg.  ]\Ir.  Kerr  was 
married  to  INfary  Mogle,  daughter  of  Adam 
Mogle,  and  five  children  were  born  to  them, 
namely :    Samuel,  who  lives  on  the  homestead 


in  We.st  Mahoning  township ;  Catherine,  who 
married  A.  J.  Brewer ;  Alfred  Clark,  deceased, 
who  married  I\Iary  Jordan;  Thomas  Craig; 
and  Ida  M.,  who  married  Luther  Beck,  of 
West  Mahoning  township. 

Thomas  Craig  Kerr  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  near  his  home,  and 
also  attended  at  Saltsburg.  He  helped  at 
home  from  an  early  age,  until  he  went  West, 
where  he  remained  a  few  years.  In  1884  he 
came  to  Georgeville,  in  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship, and  forming  a  partnership  with  T.  R. 
Travis,  under  the  firm  name  of  Travis  & 
Kerr,  entered  the  general  mercantile  busi- 
ness. This  association  lasted  for  four  years, 
and  Mr.  Kerr  has  since  been  in  business  alone. 
He  lost  his  store  and  stock  by  fire  in  1896, 
saving  nothing,  but  he  rebuilt  at  once  and 
has  succeeded  in  placing  his  affairs  on  a 
sound  basis  in  spite  of  the  disaster.  He  com- 
mands a  wide  patronage,  his  attention  to  the 
wants  of  his  customers  and  sincere  desire  to 
please  winning  and  retaining  trade.  Mr.  Kerr 
was  first  made  postmaster  during  Cleveland's 
administration,  and  was  again  appointed  in 
1906,  under  Roosevelt,  having  served  continu- 
ously since.  He  is  an  enterprising  business 
man  and  public-spirited  citizen,  and  is  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  substantial  members  of 
his  community.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of 
the  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  belonging  to  Lodge  No.  301. 
at  Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  and  in  his  political 
preferences  he  is  a  Republican,  but  independ- 
ent in  his  support  of  the  men  and  measures 
he  approves. 

In  1888  Mr.  Kerr  married  Lizzie  Lemmon. 
of  South  ]\Iahoning  township,  daughter  of 
John  Lemmon,  and  they  have  had  one  child, 
Mary  Olive,  who  lives  at  home. 

ROBERT  E.  MIKESBLL,  postmaster  and 
general  merchant  of  Coral,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  in  Center  township,  this  county. 
Dec.  24,  1868,  son  of  Philip  and  Emily  (Kun- 
kle)  Mikesell.  His  paternal  gi-eat-grand- 
father,  a  native  of  Germany,  came  to  this 
country  from  the  Fatherland  during  the  early 
part  of  the  last  century. 

Adam  ]\Iikesell,  grandfather  of  Robert  E.. 
came  to  Center  township  at  an  early  day. 
buying  by  patent  700  acres  of  land  at  what  is 
now  the  site  of  the  extensive  coal  operations 
of  the  Graceton  Coke  Company  and  the  Jo- 
seph Whai-ton  Coal  Company.  The  towns 
of  Graceton  and  Coral  are  both  built  on  land 
taken  up  and  improved  by  Adam  Mikesell, 
whose  operations  along  realty  lines  were  very 
numerous  and  successful.     He  married  Mary 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1203 


Bricker,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  their 
second  sou  was  Philip. 

Philip  Mikesell  was  born  on  the  homestead 
of  his  father,  Dee.  22.  1821.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood's estate  under  the  parental  roof,  and 
followed  agricultural  pursuits  during  his  life 
with  a  large  measure  of  profit.  On  May  1, 
1860,  he  married  Emily  Kimkle,  daughter  of 
John  Kuukle,  of  Center  township,  and  both 
belonged  to  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  at- 
tended services  at  the  Lutheran  chapel  near 
their  home,  which  they  had  helped  to  build. 
They  are  buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery,  in 
Indiana  county.  The  following  children  were 
born  to  this  most  worth}'  couple :  Margaret ; 
Robert  E. ;  Oliver,  who  married  Martha  Kun- 
kle,  a  daughter  of  Lemuel  Kunkle,  of  Center 
township  ;  Simpson  ;  Carrie,  who  married  Wil- 
liam Shank,  of  Coral ;  Christopher ;  Etta,  who 
married  W.  C.  Burke,  of  Coral ;  and  a  daugh- 
ter who  died  in  infancy. 

Robert  E.  Mikesell,  son  of  Philip  Mikesell, 
after  leaving  the  farm  entered  mercantile 
life,  and  has  continued  to  be  a  merchant  ever 
since,  having  been  thus  engaged  for  about 
nine  years.  Since  the  town  of  Coral  was  or- 
ganized he  has  been  postmaster,  still  holding 
that  responsible  office.  When  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows lodge  was  organized  at  Bell's  Mills,  now 
Josephine,  he  became  a  member :  this  lodge  is 
now  known  as  Blacklick  No.  11.56,  and  has  a 
large  membership.  In  religious  belief  he  is 
a  Methodist,  while  politically  he  is  a  Socialist, 
and  a  warm  and  enthusiastic  supporter  of  the 
principles  of  his  party,  leading  many  other 
Socialists  in  the  neighborhood  because  of  the 
study  he  gives  to  the  subject  which  lies  so 
near  his  heart. 

MICHAEL  HENRY  PALMER,  of  Burrell 
township,  Indiana  county,  is  located  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Josephine,  engaged  in  horseshoeing 
and  general  blacksmith  work.  He  is  a  native 
of  Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  born  Dec.  15.  1846, 
in  Perry  township,  son  of  Isaac  Palmer  and 
gi-andson  of  Henry  Palmer.  The  latter  was 
a  son  of  Henry  Palmer,  the  emigrant  ancestor 
of  this  family  (who  came  from  Germany), 
and  was  one  of  a  family  of  five  brothers. 
Peter,  the  eldest,  was  twice  married,  and 
reared  a  large  family  and  spent  his  entire 
life  in  Indiana  county.  John  married  a  Miss 
Enfield,  and  died  in  Indiana  county.  Charles 
also  married  and  lived  in  Indiana  county 
until  his  death. 

Henry  Palmer,  the  grandfather,  was  born 
in  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  and  went  to  Indiana 
county  when  a  young  man.    Some  time  after 


his  marriage  he  moved  to  Jefferson  county, 
locating  in  Perry  township,  where  he  pur- 
chased timberland  and  developed  a  farm  in 
the  midst  of  the  forest.  He  built  a  hewed  log 
house  and  barn  on  his  property,  and  ■  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life  there,  dying  in  1865, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-three.  Besides  farming 
he  followed  his  trade,  that  of  cooper.  He  is 
buried  in  Hopewell  cemetery.  In  politics  he 
was  originally  a  Whig,  later  a  Republican. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Mr.  Palmer  married  Barbara  Empfield, 
who  was  born  in  Brushvalley,  Indiana  county, 
and  died  in  1865,  the  same  year  as  her  hus- 
band, aged  sixty-nine  years.  They  became 
the  parents  of  twenty-four  children.  We  have 
record  of  the  following:  (1)  Michael,  the 
eldest,  born  in  Indiana  county  in  1812,  set- 
tled in  Perry  township,  Jefferson  county,  and 
was  a  lumberman  and  farmer.  (2)  Isaac  is 
mentioned  below.  (3)  Henry  married  a  Miss 
Swisher,  and  removed  to  Lewiston,  Pa.,  where 
he  died  a  number  of  years  ago,  leaving  a  wife 
and  nine  children.  (4)  David  was  the  father 
of  Johnston  Palmer  and  grandfather  of  Davis 
A.  Palmer,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
(5)  Sarah  became  the  wife  of  Peter  Depp,  and 
Ijoth  died  in  Jefferson  county,  leaving  three 
children :  Isaac  M.,  deceased ;  Mai-y  Ellen, 
wife  of  Joseph  Newcomb,  of  Perry  township, 
Jefferson  county ;  and  Henry,  who  died  in 
Jefferson  county.  (6)  Jane,  born  in  Indiana 
county,  became  the  wife  of  James  Ross,  of 
Perry  township,  Jeft'erson  county,  and  re- 
sided near  her  father's  farm.  Both  are  now 
deceased.  She  died  in  1897,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-five  years,  leaving  four  children, 
namely:  Madison,  who  is  married  and  lives 
with  his  family  in  Jefferson  county:  Isaac, 
who  follows  lumbering  in  West  Virginia; 
Matilda,  wife  of  Samuel  Williams,  of  Clay- 
ville;  and  Jane,  wife  of  Joseph  Stewart,  of 
Indiana  county.  (7)  Clement  married  Ella 
Rogers,  of  Jefferson  county,  and  died  leaving 
a  wife  and  one  son,  Donald.  (8)  Peter,  born 
in  Indiana  county,  died  on  the  homestead  in 
Perry  township  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years. 
(9)  Mary,  born  in  Indiana  county,  became  the 
wife  of  Philip  Whitsell,  and  lived  on  a  part 
of  her  father's  farm  until  her  death.  (10) 
Caroline,  born  in  Perry  township,  became  the 
wife  of  Charles  Williams,  and  died  a1  their 
home  near  Clayville,  Pa.,  leaving  three  sons, 
Henry,  William  and  Clauson.  (11)  George, 
born  in  Jefferson  county,  in  1839,  lives  at 
Frostburg.  Jefferson  county.  He  married 
Martha  Bowersox,  and  they  have  had  four 
children:      Laura,    who    first   married    John 


1204 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Tucker  (now  deceased),  of  Punxsutawney ; 
Ward ;  Etta,  wife  of  Patrick  Mann,  of  Punx- 
sutawney; and  Joseph.  (12)  Martha,  the 
youngest  child  of  Henry  and  Barbara  Palmer, 
died  in  early  life. 

Isaac  Palmer,  son  of  Henry  and  Barbara 
Palmer,  was  born  in  1813,  in  Burrell  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  and  removed  to  Jef- 
ferson county  with  his  parents.  He  located 
upon  a  part  of  his  father's  farm,  and  fol- 
lowed farming  and  lumbering  all  his  days.  He 
died  in  the  prime  of  life,  in  1855,  at  the  age 
of  forty-two  years,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Hopewell  cemetery.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church.  His  wife,  Mary  (Whitesell), 
of  Armstrong  county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Philip 
Whitesell.  died  in  October,  1890.  at  the  home 
of  her  son  George,  at  Bigrun,  Pa.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Six  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Isaac  Palmer: 
Sarah,  who  married  James  W.  Wachob,  of 
Henderson  township,  Jefferson  county,  and 
lives  at  Bigrun  (he  was  a  lieutenant  in  the 
Civil  war)  ;  Michael  Henry;  Philip,  a  black- 
smith, who  married  a  Miss  Brown,  of  Jef- 
ferson county,  and  died  at  Bigrun,  Pa.  (he 
served  ten  months  during  the  Civil  war  as 
a  Union  soldier,  and  afterward  lived  at  Big- 
run  until  his  death);  C4eorge,  of  Bigrun; 
Barbara  Ellen;  and  Mary,  who  married 
George  Fettermau,  of  Punxsutawney,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Michael  Henry  Palmer  was  only  in  his  ninth 
year  when  his  father  died.  He  attended  school 
in  his  home  township  and  was  engaged  at 
farm  work  upon  the  homestead  until  he  en- 
tered the  army  during  the  Civil  war.  In  1864 
he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  206th  Regiment, 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  un- 
der Capt.  W.  C.  Brown  (who  was  later  sher- 
iff of  Indiana  county)  and  Col.  Hugh  J. 
Brady.  He  was  in  the  army  until  the  close 
of  the  war,  and  upon  his  return  home  weiit 
to  learn  the  trade  of  blacksmith  with  his 
brother  Philip,  at  Bigrun.  He  has  followed 
blacksmithing  ever  since,  having  had  shops  in 
different  places.  In  1902  he  came  to  his  pres- 
ent location  at  Josephine,  in  Burrell  town- 
slop,  Indiana  county,  and  in  the  ten  years 
and  more  of  his  residence  there  has  baiilt  up  a 
fine  business  and  made  a  respected  position 
for  himself  among  his  fellow  citizens.  Mr. 
Palmer  possesses  a  genial  personality  and  is 
well  liked  by  all  who  come  in  contact  with  him. 
He  is  liberal  in  his  views  on  religion,  a  firm 
believer  in  the  golden  rule,  and  a  strong  ad- 
vocate of  the  doctrines  of  the  Socialist  party, 
whose  principles  he  supports  with  unwaver- 


ing faith;  he  is  one  of  the  leaders  of  the 
party  in  his  township,  and  by  his  personal 
popularity  is  enabled  to  exert  considerable 
influence  in  its  behalf.  Mr.  Palmer  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  post  at  Hortons,  this 
county. 

Mr.  Palmer  married  Josephine  Stiver,  of 
Clayville,  Jefferson  county,  and  they  had  one 
child,  Marilla,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Wil-' 
liam  H.  Saltsgiver,  of  Young  township,  Jef- 
ferson county.  His  second  marriage  was  to 
Sarah  Ellen  Saltsgiver,  of  Jefferson  county, 
and  nine  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union :  Leonard  J.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Can- 
ton, Ohio ;  Nora  M.,  wife  of  Elmer  Brickel,  of 
Ilortons,  Pa. ;  James,  a  blacksmith  and  farmer 
of  Center  township ;  Perdy  M.,  wife  of  J.  K. 
Woodside,  of  Canton,  Ohio;  Joseph  ]M.,  of 
Josephine;  Hiram  D.,  a  miner,  who  lives  at 
Josephine;  Edith  A.,  wife  of  Joseph  H.  Pal- 
mer ;  Jesse,  a  blacksmith,  living  at  home ;  and 
Martha,  who  died  when  five  years  old. 

JOSEPH  G.  BAUN,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
war,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  operations  on 
a  tract  of  fifty  acres  in  Canoe  township,  In- 
diana county,  was  born  in  Butler  county.  Pa.. 
June  6,  1846,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Bar- 
bara (Strawhecker)  Baun. 

Henry  Baun,  the  father,  was  born  in  Wit- 
tenberg, Germany,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  when  about  twent.v-one  years  of  age, 
locating  in  Butler  county,  Pa.,  where  he  mar- 
ried Barbara  Strawhecker,  who  had  come  to 
this  country  with  her  parents.  They  con- 
tinued to  reside  in  that  county,  conducting  a 
still  house,  until  1853,  at  which  time  they  re- 
moved to  Canoe  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  Mr.  Baun  secured  fifty  acres  of  wild 
land,  the  property  now  occupied  by  his  son 
Jacob  M.  Baun.  The  wilderness  was  cleared 
away  by  the  vigorous  hand  of  Mr.  Baun,  whose 
industry  and  good  judgment  enabled  him  to 
hew  out  a  home  from  the  surrounding  timber- 
land.  Here  he  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-six 
.vears,  while  his  wife  followed  him  to  the 
grave  when  eighty  years  of  age,  both  dying  in 
the  faith  of  the  Evangelical  Association.  They 
had  a  family  of  eight  children,  as  follows: 
Fred,  who  is  deceased;  Henry,  living  in  Jef- 
ferson county:  Christ,  who  is  deceased;  Jo- 
seph G. :  David,  residing  on  a  farm  in  Canoe 
township ;  John,  who  lives  near  Marchand. 
Pa. ;  Jacob  M.,  on  the  old  homestead  in  Canoe 
township ;  and  Caroline,  who  married  George 
Smith,  also  of  that  township. 

Joseph  G.  Baun,  son  of  Henry  B;nin,  re- 
ceived onlv  a  common  school  education.  muiI 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


his  opportunities  were  somewhat  limited,  as 
his  services  were  needed  on  the  home  farm. 
He  was  there  residing,  assisting  his  father  to 
clear  the  land,  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out, 
and  in  1863  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  206th 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
under  Captain  Brown  and  Col.  H.  J.  Brady. 
The  regiment  was  sent  to  a  point  five  miles 
from  Richmond,  Va.,  where  Mr.  Baun  was 
engaged  in  building  forts  and  breastworks, 
and  continued  to  do  general  guard  duty, 
faithfully  performing  all  the  tasks  assigned 
to  him  until  receiving  his  honorable  discharge, 
in  July,  1865. 

Mr.  Bauu  had  an  excellent  record  as  a  sol- 
dier, and  in  civil  life  he  has  maintained  the 
same  high  standard.  Returning  to  the  home 
place,  he  took  up  farming  again,  and  lived 
under  the  parental  roof  until  his  marriage, 
Sept.  12,  1867,  to  Barbara  Piffer,  of  Canoe 
township,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Eva  (Fris- 
eome)  Piffer,  natives  of  Germany  who  came  to 
the  United  States  and  located  in  Canoe  town- 
ship at  an  early  date,  Mr.  Piffer  following 
farming  and  his  trade  of  stonemason  through- 
out the  remainder  of  his  life.  Eight  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baun,  namely : 
C.  W.,  a  farmer  and  stonemason  of  Canoe 
township,  who  married  Annie  Miller;  Silas  S., 
a  carpenter  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  who  mar- 
ried Julia  Smith ;  Miles  S.,  a  miner  of  Juneau, 
Pa;.,  who  married  Maude  Dunmire;  Harvey 
C,  also  a  miner  at  that  point,  who  married 
Delia  Piece ;  Harry  T.,  pi'oprietor  of  a  livery 
at  Rossiter,  Pa.,  who  mari'ied  Bertha  Work; 
Bert  0.,  a  miner  of  Canoe  township,  who  mar- 
ried Nora  Borts;  Sadie,  who  married  Harry 
Armstrong,  of  Canoe  township ;  and  Levina 
Nettie,  who  married  George  W.  Hawk,  of 
Canoe  township. 

Mr.  Baun  was  possessed  of  only  moderate 
means  at  the  time  of  his  marriage,  and  the 
succeeding  years  were  spent  in  laborious  toil, 
but  he  has  been  ever  ably  assisted  by  his  faith- 
ful wife,  who  has  cheerfully  accepted  and 
assumed  her  share  of  the  duties  incident  to 
making  a  home.  Endowed  by  nature  with 
sound  .judgment  and  an  accurate,  discriminat- 
ing mind,  Mr.  Baun  has  not  feared  that  close 
attention  to  business  so  necessary  to  achieve 
success,  and  this  essential  quality  has  ever 
been  guided  by  a  sense  of  moral  right  which 
would  not  tolerate  the  employment  of  other 
than  means  that  would  bear  the  most  rigid 
examination.  For  some  years  he  went  from 
place  to  place  in  Canoe  township,  but  in  1869 
purchased  his  present  property,  a  tract  of 
fifty   acres,   where  he  first  erected  a  frame 


house  16x18  feet,  on  a  place  that  he  had  to 
clear  first.  Later  this  primitive  home  was 
torn  down  and  a  more  modern  structure 
erected,  and  in  1895  Mr.  Baun  built  his  sub- 
stantial modern  barn.  He  has  put  up  other 
splendid  buildings,  made  numerous  improve- 
ments, and  now  has  the  greater  part  of  his 
property  cleared.  During  almost  thirty  years 
of  this  time,  Mr.  Baun  also  worked  at  the 
stonemason's  trade  in  connection  with  his 
farming  operations.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  his 
political  views,  and  at  times  has  been  the  in- 
cumbent of  public  office  within  the  gift  of  his 
fellow  citizens.  He  is  a  popular  member  of 
the  Gx-and  Army  of  the  Republic  Post  at 
Richmond,  Pa.,  and  with  his  family  attends 
the  services  of  the  Evangelical  Association. 

HARRY  KENNING  BOUCHER,  super- 
intendent of  the  Indiana  Woolen  Mills  at  In- 
diana, was  born  in  that  borough  Jan.  24,  1870, 
sou  of  Alexander  and  Margaret  (Hartman) 
Boucher.  The  family  is  of  French  extraction. 
^  Henry  Boucher,  great-grandfather  of  Harry 
K.  Boucher,  was  born  in  Virginia  May  15, 
1780,  and  was  a  cabinetmaker,  following  an 
occupation  in  which  many  of  the  family  have 
been  engaged.  In  April,  1802,  he  married  at 
Hanover,  Pa.,  Elizabeth  Wolfe,  of  that  place, 
born  Jan.  6,  1784,  and  they  subsequently  re- 
moved to  Frankstown,  Pa.,  on  the  Juniata, 
thence  to  Brushvalley  in  Indiana  county.  In 
1815  they  removed  to  Rayne  township,  In- 
diana county.  Mrs.  Boucher  died  here  May 
31,  1852,  Mr.  Boucher  on  Dec.  6,  1853.  Their 
children  were  as  follows:  John,  born  Dee. 
17,  1802;  Henry,  born  Oct.  4,  1804;  Eliza- 
beth, born  Feb.  6,  1807 ;  Margaret,  born  March 
9,  1809 ;  David,  born  Aug.  21,  1811 ;  Andrew, 
born  Aug.  31,  1813 ;  Eve,  born  March  4,  1816 ; 
Catherine,  born  May  19,  1818;  Jacob,  born 
July  12,  1820;  William,  born  Oct.  4,  1822; 
and  Susan,  born  Jan.  22,  1827. 

Henry  Boucher,  son  of  Henry,  born  Oct.  4, 
1804,  at  Frankstown,  Pa.,  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools.  He  was  reared 
to  farm  life,  and  also  learned  his  father's 
trade,  cabinetmaking,  for  which  he  had  great 
aptitude,  being  able  to  make  anything  in 
wood,  and  under  his  father's  skillful  instruc- 
tion became  a  fine  workman.  The  father 
used  to  make  the  old-fashioned  windmills. 
Henry  Boucher  (Jr.)  lived  in  Wliite  town- 
ship and  later  in  the  borough  of  Indiana, 
where  he  died  Aug.  9, 1865.  He  married  Cath- 
erine Dodson,  of  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  Dodson,  and  she  survived  him 


1206 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


a  few  years,  dying  Aug.  21,  1869.  Their  chil- 
dren were  born  as  foUows:  Elizabeth,  Nov. 
16.  1834  (married  Isaac  Kenning,  and  died 
in  rSTO)  ;  George,  April  30,  1836  (died  in  Oc- 
tober, 1869 ;  he  served  during  the  Civil  war  in 
Company  E,  148th  Pennsvlvania  Volunteer 
Infantry)  ;  Mary  C,  March  29,  1838  (died 
March  8,  1857)  ;  Alexander,  mentioned  below; 
Nancy  J.,  March  29,  1844  (died  in  1875)  ; 
Joseph  Taylor,  Aug.  17,  1848  (a  resident  of 
Indiana  borough)  ;  Sarah  J.,  1854  (died  in 
1857). 

Alexander  Boucher,  son  of  Henry  and 
Catherine  (Dodson)  Boucher,  was  born  May 
25,  1841.  and  died  May  29,  1878.  in  Indiana 
borough.  He  followed  various  occupations, 
sawmilling,  etc.  His  first  wife,  ^Margaret,  died 
about  1872,  aged  about  thirty  or  thirty-five 
years,  leaving  two  children.  Taylor  H.  (of 
Oookport,  Indiana  county,  who  married  Emma 
Bash)  and  Harry  Kenning.  For  his  second 
wife  Alexander  Boucher  married  I\Iary  Man- 
gus,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Jessie,  Mrs. 
William  Little,  of  Indiana  county. 

After  the  death  of  his  mother  Harry  K. 
Boucher  went  to  live  with  the  family  of 
Henry  Miller,  in  White  township,  with  whom 
he  remained  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twen- 
ty-seven. He  was  sent  to  the  local  public 
schools,  and  learned  the  trade  of  plasterer, 
which  he  followed  for  seven  years.  In  1897 
Mr.  Boucher  began  his  connection  with  his 
present  line  of  work,  becoming  foreman  in 
the  woolen  mill  of  McElhoes  &  Findley,  where 
he  remained,  until  the  mill  was  burned,  in 
August,  1900.  Then  he  accepted  a  position  as 
finisher  in  the  establishment  with  which  he  is 
still  connected.  He  was  thus  employed  until 
1908,  when  he  became  foreman,  holding  that 
position  two  years,  until  he  assumed  his  pres- 
ent responsibilities.  He  is  a  stockholder  in 
the  concern,  and  is  recognized  as  a  valuable 
associate  by  all  the  members  of  the  company. 
He  is  a  man  of  upright  character  and  sterling 
personal  qualities,  and  is  respected  by  all  who 
know  him.  His  political  views  are  those  of 
the  Republican  party. 

On  ]\Iarch  28,  1899,  Mr.  Boucher  was  mar- 
ried in  Indiana  borough  to  Clara  Herron,  of 
Indiana,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Agnes 
(Carnahan)  Herron.  Mr.  and  I\Irs.  Boucher 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
They  have  one  child,  Agnes  Meredith. 

FELIX  B.  TRIMBLE  has  held  a  number 
of  public  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility  in 
Montgomery  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
is  one  of  the  best  Imown  residents  of  that 


section,  where  he  has  passed  all  his  life.  He 
was  born  in  that  township  March  5,  1865,  son 
of  Thomas  and  Mary  A.  (Bostic)  Trimble. 

Thomas  Trimble  was  for  many  years  one 
of  the  foremost  citizens  of  Montgomery  town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  1818  in  Westmoreland 
county.  Pa.,  and  came  to  Indiana  county  in 
1850,  buying  a  farm  of  160  acres.  In  his 
early  days  he  followed  lumbering,  but  farm- 
ing was  his  principal  vocation,  and  he  at 
one  time  owned  seven  hundred  acres  of  land. 
He  took  an  active  part  in  politics,  belonging 
to  the  Democratic  party,  and  served  on  the 
election  board  and  as  judge  of  elections  in 
Montgomery  township,  where  he  was  also 
honored  with  election  to  various  offices,  serv- 
ing acceptably  as  supervisor,  assessor,  school 
director  and  auditor.  He  married  Mary  A. 
Bostic,  who  was  born  in  1834  in  Lancaster 
countJ^  Pa.,  and  came  to  Indiana  county  in 
1850  with  her  parents.  She  survives  her  hus- 
iiand.  still  residing  in  Indiana  countv.  Mr. 
Trimble  died  Dec.  16,  1896. 

Felix  B.  Trimble  remained  on  the  farm 
with  his  father  until  he  reached  his  majority, 
meantime  receiving  his  education  at  the  local 
public  schools.  For  several  years  he  worked 
at  lumbering,  but  he  has  been  a  farmer  prac- 
tically all  his  life,  and  he  bought  his  present 
home  place  of  sixty  acres  in  1886,  devoting 
the  greater  part  of  his  time  and  attention  to 
its  cultivation.  He  is  a  successful  agricul- 
turist, and  he  has  also  found  time  to  take 
part  in  public  and  church  matters,  having 
served  his  fellow  citizens  as  school  director, 
for  three  terms  as  township  treasurer  and  for 
three  years  as  supervisor.  He  has  acted  as 
inspector  of  elections,  and  has  been  very  ac- 
tive in  the  interests  of  the  Prohibition  party, 
which  he  supports  and  aids  in  every  possible 
way.  He  is  a  member  of  the  ^Methodist  Protes- 
tant Church,  and  has  served  as  superintend- 
ent of  the  Sunday  school,  being  at  present 
assistant  superintendent,  as  well  as  class 
leader,  steward  and  trustee  of  the  church. 

On  March  27.  1888.  Mr.  Trimble  married 
May  Powell,  of  Montgomery  township,  daugh- 
ter of  A.  D.  Powell,  a  merchant.  They  have 
had  seven  children.  Paul  dying  when  fourteen 
months  old.  The  others  are:  Cora.  Nellie, 
Frank  P..  Porter  S..  Harry  A.  and  Chester 
A.,  all  at  home. 

CHARLES  L.  BENCE.  jjroprietor  of  a 
general  merchandise  store  at  Dixonville,  Pa., 
was  born  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa..  Nov.  23,  1876,  son  of  James  and  Rosina 
(Everwine)  Benee. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1207 


Samuel  Bence,  the  grandfather  of  Charles 
L.  Bence,  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, where  he  owned  valuable  property  and 
was  engaged  in  farming  for  many  years.  He 
is  now  retired  and  living  with  a  sister,  Mrs. 
Lightcap,  of  East  Mahoning  township.  He 
has  attained  the  remarkable  age  of  ninety-two 
years. 

James  Benee,  son  of  Samuel  Bence,  and 
father  of  Charles  L.  Bence,  was  born  in  Rajme 
township,  and  has  spent  his  entire  life  there, 
being  now  actively  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock  raising.  His  wife  Rosiua,  whose  pa- 
rents were  natives  of  Germany,  is  deceased, 
She  was  the  mother  of  a  large  family,  as  fol- 
lows: Elizabeth,  who  is  deceased;  one  who 
died  in  infancy;  David;  Harry  B.,  who  is 
engaged  in  farming  in  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship;  Laura,  the  wife  of  F.  B.  Longwill,  of 
Indiana ;  John  L.,  a  resident  of  Cherryhill 
township ;  Charles  L. ;  Liither  J.,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  Rayne  township  ;  Mamie, 
the  wife  of  F.  C  Haer,  of  Rayne  township ; 
Logan  C,  an  employee  of  the  Indiana  Hard- 
ware Company,  of  Indiana,  Pa. ;  and  Gene- 
vieve, a  trained  nurse,  residing  in  Pittsburg. 
By  another  marriage  Mr.  Bence  had  two 
children:  Ivan,  who  is  deceased,  and  Clar- 
ence D.,  who  resides  with  his  parents. 

Charles  L.  Bence  attended  the  district 
schools  of  Rayne  township,  and  was  reared  to 
the  vocation  of  a  farmer,  but  early  in  life  chose 
a  mercantile  career  in  preference  to  that  of 
an  agriculturist,  and  Aug.  28,  1908,  engaged 
in  the  general  merchandise  biisiness  at  Dixon- 
ville,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Logan 
C.  Bence.  The  firm  of  Benee  Brothers  con- 
tinued in  business  until  April.  1,  1912,  at 
which  time  Charles  L.  Bence  purchased  his 
brother's  interest,  and  since  that  time  has  con- 
ducted the  business  alone.  He  has  a  com- 
plete and  well-selected  stock  of  goods  and 
enjoys  a  large  and  lucrative  patronage,  the 
people  of  his  community  appreciating  his  busi- 
ness-like methods  and  honorable  dealing.  He 
is  interested  in  fraternal  work  and  is  a  popu- 
lar member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge  at 
Clymer. 

JOHN  HENRY  BUTLER,  a  merchant  at 
Georgeville,  East  ]\lahoning  township,  this 
county,  was  born  near  Roxburg,  Warren  Co., 
N.  J.,  Sept.  3,  1849,  son  of  Holloway  Butlei-. 
The  Butler  family  was  early  established  in 
New  Jersey,  and  its  representatives  have  been 
associated  with  much  of  the  history  of  that 
State. 


Robert  Butler,  grandfather  of  John  Henry 
Butler,  was  a  cooper,  and  followed  his  trade 
in  Warren  county,  becoming  a  master  at  it. 
His  death  occurred  in  that  county.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  (Betty)  Worman. 

Holloway  Butler,  a  son  of  Robert  Butler, 
was  born  in  Warren  county,  N.  J.,  where  he 
learned  the  coopering  trade  with  his  father, 
and  followed  it  for  some  time,  but  later  be- 
came interested  in  fruit  culture,  raising  fruits 
and  vegetables  for  the  market,  and  thus  con- 
tinued until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the 
farm.  He  married  Margaret  Kimple,  who  was 
also  born  in  Warren  county,  N.  J.,  daughter 
of  John  and  Mary  Kimple,  and  a  sister  of 
Capt.  William  Kimple,  a  prominent  merchant 
of  Chambersville,  Pa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  But- 
ler had  children  as  follows :  Mary  Elizabeth, 
Thomas,  John  H.,  George,  Baraett,  Jane,  Wil- 
liam, Anna,  Lena,  Ida,  Sarah  and  Oscar. 

John  Henry  Butler  was  educated  in  the 
neig'hborhood  schools,  but  had  few  advan- 
tages, for  when  he  was  only  eleven  years  old 
he  began  to  earn  his  own  living,  working 
among  farmers.  His  first  employment,  which 
he  secured  in  1861,  paid  him  $1.75  per  month 
and  board.  He  continued  at  that  rate  for  nine 
months,  and  then,  in  1862,  he  worked  eight 
months  on  a  farm  for  $3  per  month  and  board. 
The  balance  of  the  year  he  worked  for  his 
board  and  attended  school.  In  1863  his  eight 
months'  work  in  season  netted  him  $4.50  per 
month  and  board,  and  in  1864  he  commanded 
$6.50  per  month  with  his  board  for  eight 
months,  and  for  the  remaining  four  months 
received  his  board  and  $17.  In  1865  he  re- 
ceived $12  per  month  for  eight  months,  and  in 
1866  he  had  $16  per  month.  In  1867  he  went 
to  Northampton  coimty,  and  found  work  on 
a  fann  for  Clark  DePue  at  $17  per  month, 
continuing  with  him  for  three  years.  In  1870 
he  returned  home  and  worked  for  Richard 
Hickson,  receiving  $18  per  month. 

In  1871  Mr.  Butler  came  to  Indiana  county, 
where  his  grandfather  John  Kimple  and  his 
uncle  Capt.  William  Kimple  were  living.  Set- 
tling in  East  Mahoning  township  with  his 
grandfather,  Mr.  Butler  worked  for  him  dur- 
ing the  winter  of  1872-73,  and  then  went  to 
Butler  county,  where  he  obtained  employ- 
ment at  bridge  building,  being  thus  engaged 
at  Parkers  Landing  and  Foxburg.  Then  he 
located  on  the  farm  of  his  father-in-law, 
George  Aul,  in  East  Mahoning  township,  and 
farmed  it  for  nine  years.  In  1882  Mr.  Butler 
entered  upon  his  mercantile  career  as  a  gen- 
eral merchant  at  Georgeville,  where  for  thirty- 
one  years  he  has  conducted  a  flourishing  busi- 


1208 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ness,  being  now  the  oldest  established  man 
in  his  line  in  that  section.  In  addition  to 
his  store,  for  twenty-five  years,  Mr.  Butler 
operated  the  "Union  Hotel,"  which  was  a 
popular  hostelry,  but  this  he  has  discontin- 
ued. During  Harrison's  administration  Mr. 
Butler  was  appointed  postmaster  at  George- 
ville.  He  is  also  interested  in  agricultural 
matters,  and  until  1909  operated  his  home- 
stead, but  in  that  year  turned  the  property 
over  to  his  son  George  H.,  who  is  now  con- 
ducting it  very  successfully.  While  he  is  a 
Republican,  Mr.  Butler  is  independent  in 
some  of  his  views.  He  has  served  as  a  school 
director  one  term,  and  collector  of  the  school 
taxes  for  several  terms.  His  interest  in  pub- 
lic schools  has  led  him  to  take  an  active  part 
in  securing  the  establishment  at  Georgeville 
of  the  stummer  school  and  normal. 

On  March  24,  1873,  ilr.  Butler  was  mai-ried 
to  Margerie  Aul,  a  daughter  of  George  Aul, 
and  they  have  had  the  following  children: 
George  H.,  born  May  11,  1874,  married  Zelda 
Hazelett;  Margaret,  born  Dec.  31,  1875,  died 
at  the  age  of  ten  years;  Rebecca,  liorn  Sept. 
9,  1877,  died  at  the  age  of  eight  years;  Annie, 
born  Sept.  10,  1879,  married  M.  D.  Cran- 
ford,  of  Smicksburg,  Pa. ;  Frank,  born  Dec. 
24,  1880,  died  in  infancy ;  Alice,  born  Dee. 
5,  1882,  is  at  home;  Ross, "born  March  7,  1884, 
died  in  childhood;  Urbie  Claire,  born  April 
9,  1885,  died  from  the  effects  of  a  gunshot 
wound  while  out  hunting  in  "West  Mahoning 
township,  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  July  29,  1902; 
Edward  Gale,  born  March  26,  1886,  is  de- 
ceased; Bessie,  born  March  10,  1887,  is  de- 
ceased; Bertha,  born  March  26,  1888,  mar- 
ried Floyd  Steer,  of  DuBois,  Pa. ;  Vesta,  born 
July  25,  1889,  was  a  school  teacher,  and  is 
now  the  wife  of  Prof.  Robert  Emeriek;  Miles 
Putney,  born  July  20,  1892,  is  deceased. 

Mr.  Butler  was  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows, and  formerly  belonged  to  the  Jr.  0.  U. 
A.  M.  A  man  of  action,  he  has  known  how  to 
take  advantage  of  opportunities  as  they  of- 
fered, and  has  become  one  of  the  substantial 
business  men  of  his  county.  During  the  long 
years  when  he  worked  for  a  mere  pittance  he 
learned  valuable  lessons  of  industry  and  thrift 
which  have  served  him  well  in  later  life. 
While  he  endured  hardships  and  had  practi- 
cally to  educate  himself,  he  was  not  willing  to 
have  his  children  suffer  likewise,  so  gave  them 
good  advantages,  and  they  have  repaid  his 
care  and  tenderness.  The  family  are  highly 
respected  in  this  section,  and  their  prosperity 
is  deserved. 


REUBEN  HASTINGS  (deceased),  for 
many  years  a  prosperous  farmer  of  the  Ma- 
honing district,  Indiana  county,  was  born  May 
18,  1814,  in  what  is  now  East  ilahoning  town- 
ship, and  died  Aug.  14,  1875,  on  his  farm 
in  South  Mahoning  township. 

The  Hastings  family  is  of  English  descent, 
and  an  old  one  in  the  Keystone  State,  and 
has  produced  some  of  the"  most  substantial 
men  and  women  Pennsylvania  has  ever  known. 
John  Hastings,  the  first  of  the  name  of  whom 
we  have  record,  died  in  Lancaster  county 
Pa.,  in  1774. 

Thomas  Hastings,  son  of  John  Hastings, 
died  in  Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  in  1777.  His 
children  were  as  follows :  John,  Lydia,  Sarah, 
Job  and  Enoch. 

John  Hastings,  son  of  Thomas  Hastings, 
was  born  in  Lancaster  count.y.  Pa.,  and  is  sup- 
posed to  have  served  in  the  Revolutionary 
war.  He  settled  in  Center  county,  Pa.,  re- 
siding near  Bellville,  where  he  died  in  1797. 
He  and  his  wife,  Sarah,  had  the  following  fam- 
ily :  Enoch,  born  in  1781,  who  married  Eliza 
Sutor ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  George  Leech ; 
Mary,  who  married  Abel  ]\Ioore;  Thomas; 
Daniel;  Madeline,  who  married  John  Moore; 
and  John. 

John  Hastings,  son  of  John  Hastings,  was 
born  March  14,  1784,  in  Center  county,  Pa., 
and  later  settled  in  Indiana  county,  where 
he  bought  a  farm  in  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship, and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in 
general  farming,  dying  there  July  7,  1865.  On 
Jan.  20,  1803,  he  married  Margaretta  Diven, 
and  they  had  the  following  children :  William 
W.,  born  July  17,  1804,  married  Feb.  9,  1829, 
Margaret  Johnson;  Thirza,  born  Sept.  14, 
1806,  man-ied  John  Van  Horn  on  March  11, 
1824 ;  Joseph  J.,  born  March  9,  1808,  married 
Mary  Jane  Kennedy  on  Feb.  23,  1837;  and 
Sarah  E.,  born  Jan.  11,  1811,  married  Samuel 
Foster  on  April  14,  1834.  After  the  death 
of  his  first  wife  John  Hastings  married  (sec- 
ond), on  Feb.  11,  1812,  Isabella  Cook,  and 
they  had  these  children :  I\Iary  Ann,  born 
Dec.  21,  1813,  married  John  Simpson  on  April 
16,  1835.  and  they  became  the  parents  of  Na- 
thaniel Cook  Simpson,  of  East  IMahoning 
township ;  Reuben  was  born  May  18,  1814 ; 
Isabella,  born  March  18,  1819,  married  D. 
Black  on  Sept.  12,  1836;  John,  twin  of  Isa- 
bella, died  in  1872 ;  Margaretta,  born  Feb. 
21,  1821,  married  Thomas  Rea  on  July  5, 
1853;  Agnes,  born  March  15,  1823,  iiKirried 
John  A.  Work  on  April  26,  1849:  Lucinda, 
born  Feb.  11.  1825,  died  Aug.  21,  1827 :  Mar- 
tha, born  June  22,   1827,  married  Peter  B. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


120«^ 


Simpson  on  July  4,  1866 ;  Robei-t  A.,  who  was 
born  March  26,  1830,  married  Jane  Keirs  on 
Dee.  25,  1853;  Lucinda  (2)  was  born  March 
30,  1832 ;  John  Reed,  born  Feb.  5,  1836,  mar- 
ried Mary  Eliza  Park  on  June  25,  1858.  The 
father  and  mother  are  buried  in  Gilgal 
Church  cemetery  in  East  Mahoning  township. 

Reuben  Hastings  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  township  and  worked 
for  his  father  on  the  farm  in  Bast  Mahoning 
township,  the  property  now  owned  by  the 
Lightcap  family.  He  was  a  successful  farmer, 
and  carried  on  his  agi-icultural  pursuits  prin- 
cipally on  the  llO-acre  farm  in  East  Mahon- 
ing township,  which  he  eventually  sold,  mov- 
ing to  another  farm  he  had  bought,  in  South 
Mahoning  township.  There  he  remained  un- 
til his  death.  He  was  a  well-known  man  in 
his  day,  being  energetic  and  progressive,  held 
various  township  ofSees,  such  as  constable, 
school  director,  etc.,  was  a  Republican  in 
political  association,  and  in  religious  connec- 
tion a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church  in  South  Mahoning  township.  On 
April  11,  1837,  he  married  Margaret  Black, 
who  was  born  Sept.  12,  1809,  daughter  of 
James  and  Jane  Black,  and  granddaughter  of 
James  Black,  who  lived  near  Fort  Duquesne 
and  was  killed  there  by  the  Indians.  Mrs. 
Hastings  died  in  1885,  in  South  IMahouing 
township.  Children  as  follows  were  born  to 
this  union:  James  B.,  who  married  Rebecca 
Jane  Brown  (they  are  mentioned  elsewhere  in 
this  work)  ;  Lucinda,  who  was  the  wife  of 
Silas  W.  Brady,  of  Indiana ;  Jane,  who  mar- 
ried Allen  Hamilton,  of  South  Mahoning 
township;  and  Evaline,  the  only  survivor  of 
the  family,  who  is  the  widow  of  David  C. 
Leasure. 

Evaline  Hastings  was  born  June  22,  1846, 
in  East  Mahoning  township,  and  was  educated 
principally  in  the  public  schools  there.  She 
spent  one  term  under  the  tuition  of  Mr.  Wolf, 
at  Marion  Center.  She  remained  at  home  un- 
til her  marriage,  in  1867,  to  David  C.  Leasure, 
and  a  month  later  they  settled  in  Canoe  town- 
ship, where  Mrs.  Leasure  still  resides. 

David  C.  Leasure  was  born  Feb.  27,  1837, 
in  Canoe  township,  son  of  Solomon  and  Mary 
(Kirkpatrick)  Leasure.  His  gi-eat-grand- 
father,  John  Leasure,  the  founder  of  the  fam- 
ily in  western  Pennsylvania,  was  an  early  set- 
tler in  Westmoreland  county,  and  located  in 
the  Sewickley  settlement. 

John  Leasure,  son  of  John  the  pioneer,  was 
born  in  the  Sewickley  settlement,  Westmore- 
land Co.,  Pa.,  and  in  young  manhood  moved 
to     Armstrong    township,     Indiana     county, 


where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  for  several 
years.  In  1809  he  came  to  what  is  now  East 
Mahoning  township,  locating  on  a  tract  of 
land  which  he  later  owned  with  Samuel  T. 
Brady.  The  warrant  for  this  tract  was  issued 
Jan.  15,  1802,  and  the  patent  dated  Jan.  17, 
1802,  covering  a  tract  of  369  acres,  and  both 
papers  were  made  out  in  the  name  of  John 
Leasure.  Mr.  Leasure  was  a  noted  hunter  of 
his  day,  and  from  the  proceeds  obtained  from 
wolves'  pelts  he  paid  for  several  valuable 
farms.  He  was  also  one  of  the  scouts  sent 
to  guard  the  homes  of  the  pioneer  settlers 
along  Crooked  creek,  in  what  is  now  western 
Indiana  and  eastern  Armstrong  counties.  He 
died  in  1844,  at  the  age  of  eight.y-two  years. 
John  Leasure  was  married  in  1796  to  Jane 
Culbertsou,  who  died  in  1837,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-five  years,  and  both  are  buried  in  Gilgal 
cemetery.  Their  childi-en  were  as  follows: 
Catherine,  who  married  Nathaniel  Simpson; 
Solomon,  who  married  Mary  Kirkpatrick; 
John,  who  married  Mary  Kinter;  Jane,  who 
married  Solomon  Hall;  Rebecca,  who  married 
James  Work;  Mary,  who  became  the  wife  of 
Robert  Thompson ;  Elizabeth,  who  married 
Samuel  T.  Brady;  Abraham  J.;  George  and 
Culbertson,  twins;  Sarah,  who  married  Wil- 
liam Mahon ;  and  Margaret,  who  married  An- 
drew Shields. 

David  C.  Leasure  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Canoe  township  and  was  engaged 
all  his  life  in  farming  and  lumbering  in  that 
region,  being  a  very  successful  business  man.' 
He  was  a  youth  of  eighteen  when  his  father 
died,  and  from  that  time  carried  on  lumber- 
ing operations  on  his  own  account,  cutting  all 
the  timber  on  the  140-acre  farm  he  had  in 
Canoe  township,  and  hiring  help  for  the  agri- 
cultural work.  He  bought  up  coal  lands  and 
sold  them,  became  a  member  of  the  firm  which 
owned  the  Enterprise  sawmills,  at  Enterprise, 
and  a  few  years  before  his  death  acquired  the 
sole  ownership.  He  was  a  prominent  man  in 
the  locality,  though  he  did  not  care  for  public 
honors  and  never  held  office.  In  political 
sentiment  he  was  a  Republican.  Mr.  Leasure 
died  Aug.  14,  1908,  aged  seventy  years,  and  . 
was  buried  at  Gilgal  cemetery  in  East  Mahon- 
ing township.  He  held  membership  in  the 
Rocksbridge  Presbji;erian  Church,  in  Canoe 
township.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leasure  wei-e 
liorn  two  children:  Luella  M.,  now  the  wife 
of  Harry  Oberlin;  and  Quinn  R.,  who  died 
when  six  years  old. 

WILLIAM  M.  WILLIAMS,  late  of  Grise- 
more,  Indiana  county,  belonged  to  a  family 


1210 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


which  came  to  this  part  of  the  county  in  the 
early  half  of  the  last  century  and  has  ever 
since  been  counted  among  its  substantial  and 
creditable  citizens.  Born  Dec.  22.  1837,  in 
Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  he  was  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam R.  and  Elizabeth  (ilorris)  Williams,  and 
a  grandson  of  Richard  W.  Williams.  The 
family  is  of  Welsh  origin. 

Richard  W.  Williams  was  born  in  1796  on 
the  island  of  Anglesea.  Wales,  and  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1832,  first  settling  iu 
Madison  county,  N.  Y.  He  then  moved  to 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  living  in  Allegheny  county 
for  six  j'cars,  and  thence,  in  184.5.  came  to  In- 
diana county,  settling  in  Green  township,  on 
the  place  where  his  grandson  William  M.  Wil- 
liams lived  and  died.  There  he  remained  un- 
til his  death  in  1876,  in  his  eighty-first  year. 
He  was  one  of  the  men  interested  in  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  Welsh  Church  and  Sunday 
school  in  the  vicinity.  By  his  first  wife,  Jane 
(Davis),  he  had  a  family  of  seven  children, 
all  born  in  Wales,  and  all  of  whom  came  to 
this  country,  viz. :  William  R.,  Owen  D.,  Ben- 
jamin and  Catherine,  Rowland,  John  and 
Richard.  For  his  second  wife  he  married 
Sarah  James,  of  Pittsburg,  a  native  of  Wales, 
who  died  in  Green  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. 
There  were  no  children  by  the  second  mar- 
riage. 

William  R.  Williams,  son  of  Richard  W. 
and  Jane  (Davis)  Williams,  was  born  in 
Wales,  and  was  quite  young  when  brought  to 
this  country.  He  came  with  his  father  to 
Indiana  county,  and  continued  to  live  here 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  16,  1905. 
His  wife,  Elizabeth  (Morris),  also  a  native 
of  Wales,  was  but  a  child  when  she  came  to 
America  with  her  parents,  Robert  and  Mary 
Morris.  Robert  Morris  was  a  native  of  North 
Wales.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this  country  he 
first  settled  in  IMadison  county,  N.  Y.,  later, 
in  1840,  settling  iu  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  where 
he  made  his  home  in  Green  township,  eon- 
ducting  a  sawmill  for  some  time  and  subse- 
quentlv  devoting  himself  to  farming,  which 
he  carried  on  the  rest  of  his  life.  His  family 
consisted  of  seven  children.  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
(Morris)  Williams  died  March  19,  1903.  She 
was  the  mother  of  nine  children,  the  eldest 
dying  in  infancy:  William  M.  is  mentioned 
below ;  Robert  is  "deceased  (he  was  in  the  Union 
service  throughout  the  Civil  war,  serving  in 
Company  A,  67th  P.  V.  I.,  and  was  confined 
in  Libbv  prison  and  at  Andersonville)  ;  Jane 
became  the  wife  of  Thomas  Walter,  of  Ven- 
ango county,  Pa.,  and  both  are  deceased: 
Mary,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Henry  Kelly, 


of  Pineflats,  this  county,  who  survives ;  Rich- 
ard is  deceased ;  Elizabeth  married  Hugh  Wil- 
liams. 

William  I\I.  Williams  was  a  boy  when  the 
family  came  to  Indiana  county  in  1845,  and 
he  received  a  public  school  education  in 
Green  township.  From  an  early  age  he  as- 
sisted with  the  farm  work  and  lumbering, 
and  during  several  years  of  his  young  man- 
hood conducted  a  water  mill  in  this  county 
which  he  bought  from  his  grandfather.  Later 
he  bought  a  .steam  mill  with  which  he  was 
connected  for  over  forty  years,  and  which 
was  conducted  by  William  M.  Williams  & 
Sons.  Meantime  he  had  also  become  interested 
in  farming,  which  he  continued  until  1903, 
then  locating  at  Grisemore.  where  his  death 
occurred  Jan.  28.  1913.  He  enjoyed  the 
evening  of  his  well-spent  life.  Though  never 
a  seeker  after  public  honors  or  ofiice  Mr.  Wil- 
liams was  willing  to  do  his  duty  as  a  citizen, 
and  he  was  long  a  member  of  the  school  board 
of  Pine  township,  serving  several  years  as 
president  of  that  body. 

On  Dec.  31,  1861,  Mr.  Williams  was  mar- 
ried in  Pittsburg  to  Sarah  Jones,  who  was 
born  in  that  city  Aug.  3.  1841.  daughter  of 
John  D.  and  Jane  (Jones)  Jones.  Her 
father  was  a  native  of  South  Wales,  and  after 
coming  to  America  lived  in  Pittsburg  until 
his  removal  to  Indiana  county,  where  he 
bought  land  and  engaged  in  farming  until  his 
death.  He  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  of 
whom  Sarah  (Mrs.  Williams)  and  Jane  (wife 
of  David  Oldham,  of  Beaver  City,  Pa.)  are 
now  the  only  survivors. 

Eight  children  were  born  to  IMr.  and  Mrs. 
Williams:  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Arthur  Jones, 
of  Barnesboro.  Pa.,  has  one  child.  Ethel ;  John 
J.,  who  lives  in  this  county,  married  Eliza- 
beth Martin,  daughter  of  John  D.  Martin,  of 
Indiana  county,  and  they  have  four  children, 
John  M.,  William  Hay,  Sarah  J.  and  George 
J\r. :  Mollie  is  the  wife  of  G.  M.  Joiner,  of 
Grisemore ;  Richard,  who  lives  in  Green  town- 
ship, married  Mary  Florence  Bennett,  and 
they  have  two  children,  Emma  IMae  and  Mary 
Wiida;  Jane,  William  W.  and  Margaret  are 
at  home ;  Emma  Marian  died  in  infancy.  Mr. 
Williams  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Nebo.  to  which  his  widow  also  be- 
longs, and  he  helped  to  build  the  present  edi- 
fice ;  he  served  as  elder  for  about  twenty  years, 
until  his  death. 

CHARLES  E.  HILE^MAN  belongs  to  a 
familv  of  German  extraction  which  has  been 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1211 


settled  in  Brushvalley  township,  Indiana 
county,  since  the  days  of  his  grandparents. 

George  Hileman,  his  father,  was  a  native 
of  Blair  county,  Pa.,  born  near  Hollidaysburg 
March  17,  1829.  There  he  grew  to  manhood, 
and  he  was  a  young  man  when  the  family 
moved  to  Indiana  county,  locating  in  Brush- 
valley  township.  Here  he  continued  to  farm 
with  his  father  for  two  years,  until  he  mar- 
ried and  settled  down  to  farming  for  himself, 
near  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  has  ever  since 
lived.  By  hard  work  and  the  strictest  at- 
tention to  his  affairs  he  succeeded,  becoming 
one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  his  section. 
He  is  now  living  retired  on  the  farm,  which 
his'  son  Charles  E.  operates,  and  though  over 
eighty  has  all  his  faculties  except  his  hearing 
and  enjoys  excellent  health.  He  has  been  a 
public-spirited  citizen,  serving  on  the  town- 
ship school  board  for  over  twenty-five  years, 
and  there  is  no  more  respected  citizen  in 
Brushvalley.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church.  Mr.  Hileman  married  Catharine 
Stewart,  of  Brushvalley  township,  who  is  still 
active  for  her  years,  and  they  had  seven  chil- 
dren, namely:  Alice  married  Taylor  Keller; 
Mary  T.  married  Hermon  Ickes;  Priscilla  is 
deceased;  Clara  B.  married  Benjamin  F. 
Evans,  of  Brushvalley  township ;  Charles  E. 
is  mentioned  below;  Benjamin  D.  married 
Lizzie  Conrad;  Margaret  E.  married  C.  H. 
Getty. 

Charles  E.  Hileman  was  born  Dec.  8,  1862, 
in  Brushvalley  township,  and  there  received 
a  public  school  education.  He  worked  on  the 
farm  with  his  father  from  early  boyhood  and 
has  made  farming  his  life  occupation.  He  not 
only  operates  the  homestead  farm,  but  also 
other  tracts  of  land  in  the  township,  being  one 
of  the  largest  land  holders  in  Brushvalley  and 
one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  there.  In- 
dustry and  intelligent  management  have  been 
the  causes  which  brought  about  his  success, 
and  he  has  the  esteem  and  good  will  of  all 
who  know  him.  He  takes  particular  pride  in 
bringing  his  land  to  its  highest  efficiency,  and 
has  used  35,000  bushels  of  lime  alone  in  im- 
proving his  various  properties.  He  has  a  fine 
orchard,  which  he  planted  himself,  and  there 
are  many  other  evidences  of  his  progressive 
and  enterprising  disposition  to  be  seen  on  his 
property.  Mr.  Hileman  is  a  Republican,  has 
been  quite  active  in  local  political  affairs,  and 
has  served  acceptably  as  tax  collector  of  the 
township. 

On  Jan.  25,  1888,  Mr.  Hileman  married 
Emma  A.  Conrad,  who  was  born  in  Buffington 
township,  this'  county,   daughter  of  William 


Conrad,  and  died  March  25,  1889.  On  May 
19,  1890,  he  married  (second)  Lizzie  B.  Ma- 
bon,  and  they  have  had  two  children :  George 
Mabon,  born  July  17,  1891,  and  Mabel,  born 
in  November,  1895,  who  is  at  home.  The  son 
met  with  a  painful  accident,  being  thrown 
from  a  horse  while  riding  it,  driving  cattle, 
and  died  from  his  injuries  the  following  day, 
July  5,  1900.  The  family  are  members  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

THOMAS  PATTERSON  STEPHENS,  re- 
tired farmer,  contractor,  hotel-keeper  and  mer- 
chant, now  residing  at  No.  602  Railroad  av- 
enue, Indiana,  Pa.,  was  born  on  a  farm  in 
Green    township,    Indiana    county.    May    16, 

1845,  and  is  a  son  of  John  M.  and  Letitia 
(Lytle)    Stephens. 

William  Stephens,  the  grandfather  of 
Thomas  Patterson  Stephens,  was  a  resident  of 
Cherryhill  to\ATiship,  Indiana  county,  and 
there  spent  his  entire  life  engaged  in  filling 
the  soil.  He  married  a  Miss  Weston,  and  they 
had  the  following  children :  Thomas  W.,  a 
Methodist  minister;  Giles;  Abraham;  John 
M. ;  Abraham ;  Tipton,  and  Rachel,  who  mar- 
ried John  Engle. 

John  M.  Stephens,  son  of  William,  and 
father  of  Thomas  Patterson  Stephens,  was 
born  in  Cherryhill  township,  and  there  fol- 
lowed farming  throughout  his  life,  dying  in 

1846,  when  he  had  not  yet  reached  middle 
life.  His  widow  followed  him  to  the  grave 
in  1850,  and  Thomas  P.  is  the  only  survivor 
of  their  children. 

Left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  five  years, 
Thomas  P.  Stephens  became  a  bound  boy,  and 
had  the  misfortune  to  have  a  very  cruel  mas- 
ter. He  was  shamefully  mistreated  and  it 
was  with  little  regret  that  he  was  thrown  on 
his  own  resources  when  his  master  died,  he 
being  at  that  time  thirteen  years  of  age.  Con- 
sequently he  set  about  making  his  own  way 
in  the  world,  working  on  farms  during  the 
summer  months,  and  in  the  woods  in  winters, 
and  also  rafting  on  the  Susquehanna  river. 
When  he  had  reached  the  age  of  seventeen 
years  he  was  a  strong,  husky  lad,  and  was 
readily  accepted  by  the  recruiting  officer  when, 
in  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the 
Union  army.  He  became  a  member  of  Com- 
pany I,  67th  Regiment  Pa.  Vol.  Inf.,  under 
Col.  John  F.  Staunton,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
served  with  that  regiment  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  June  20,  1865.  During 
his  service  Mr.  Stephens  had  many  thrilling 
experiences  and  his  full  share  of  the  hardships 


1212 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


incident  to  army  life,  participating  in  many 
bloody  engagements  and  becoming  fully  cog- 
nizant of  the  horrors  of  Southern  prisons. 
He  was  at  the  battle  of  Winchester  under 
Milroy,  and  was  there  captured  and  sent  to 
Libby  prison,  and  subsequently  to  the  horrible 
Belle  Isle.  He  was  confined  at  Libby  thirty- 
one  days,  and  his  treatment  was  such  that  he 
lost  sixty-one  pounds.  On  being  paroled  from 
Belle  Isle  he  was  sent  to  Annapolis,  Md., 
whence  he  walked  to  his  Indiana  county  home, 
and  after  three  weeks  spent  there  rejoined  his 
regiment  at  Culpeper,  Va.,  in  September,  1863. 
He  was  then  under  General  Meade,  partici- 
pating in  every  battle  from  Culpeper,  Va., 
to  Cold  Harbor,  and  while  his  regiment  was 
home  on  a  furlough  Mr.  Stephens  and  about 
175  comrades  who  could  not  reeulist  if  they 
were  given  a  furlough  (being  obliged  to  be 
out  two  years  before  being  allowed  to  reeu- 
list) were"  formed  into  a  company  and  attached 
to  the  148th  Pa.  Vol.  Inf.,  until  the  regiment's 
furlough  expired.  He  then  fought  in  the  cam- 
paign of  the  Wilderness  and  participated  in 
such  hard-fought  battles  as  Spottsylvania  and 
Cold  Harbor,  at  the  latter  place  being  de- 
tached as  a  sharpshooter,  being  so  engaged  in 
the  battles  which  followed  in  the  Shenandoah 
campaign,  under  Sheridan.  The  battles  in 
which  he  took  part  included  Winchester  (two 
engagements),  Culpeper,  ]\Iine  Run.  Wilder- 
ness, Spottsylvania,  Cold  Harbor.  Bermuda 
Hundred,  Petersburg  (three  battles)  Mono- 
cacy  (Md.),  Charlestown,  Snicker's  Gap,  Flint 
Hill,  Fisher's  Hill,  Cedar  Creek  and  Sailors 
Creek,  all  in  Virginia  except  Monocacy. 
Returning  to  Indiana  after  his  brave  and 
faithful  service,  Mr.  Stephens  attended  school 
during  two  summers  to  S.  M.  Davis,  at  Pme- 
flats,  and  so  readily  did  he  learn  that  he  quali- 
fied for  teacher,  and  during  the  next  fourteen 
years  was  engaged  in  teaching  in  Indiana  and 
Blair  counties.  In  the  meantime  he  took  up 
other  occupations,  engaging  in  lumbering  and 
contracting  in  timber,  and  making  a  decided 
success  of  all  his  ventures. 

Mr.  Stephens  was  married  in  February, 
1870,  to  Kate  McFarland,  daughter  of  James 
McFarland;  her  mother's  maiden  name  was 
McMullen.  IMrs.  Stephens  died  at  Pineflats 
in  AugiTst,  1886,  the  mother  of  the  following 
children:  Nellie,  the  wife  of  E.  H.  Phillips, 
of  Vandergrift ;  Frank,  of  Vandergrift,  who 
married  Dora  Cameron;  Arthur,  who  mar- 
ried Gertrude  Lutman ;  and  Fannie  (twin  of 
Arthur),  deceased.  Mr.  Stephens  was  mar- 
ried   (second)    in    June,    1887,    to    Isabelle 


George,  of  Indiana,  who  was  born  in  Arm- 
strong county.  Pa.,  April  13,  1853,  and  was 
reared  in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  coun- 
ty. She  .was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Isa- 
bella (McMillan)  George,  j\Ir.  George,  who 
was  a  stonemason,  being  deceased,  while  his 
widow  stiU  survives  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight 
years.  Mrs.  Stephens  had  one  brother,  Dan- 
iel A.,  who  was  in  the  14th  Pennsj'lvania  Cav- 
alry, was  wounded  in  battle  and  subsequently 
died,  being  buried  at  Beverly,  Va.  The  only 
child  born  to  the  second  union  of  Mr.  Stephens 
died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Stephens  moved  to  Indiana  borough  in 
1900,  and  has  since  maintained  his  home  there. 
A  progressive  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  while  a  resident  of  Green  township  he 
served  capably  as  county  commissioner.  He 
is  a  faithful  member  and  elder  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  also  holds  membership  in  the 
Missionary  Society,  while  his  wife  belongs  to 
the  United  Presbyterian  denomination.  He 
is  a  popular  comrade  of  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  28, 
of  Indiana. 

WESLEY  B.  COLEMAN,  who  has  been  a 
lifelong  resident  of  West  Mahoning  township, 
is  now  engaged  in  extensive  farming  and  stock 
raising  operations  on  the  old  Coleman  home- 
.stead,  where  he  was  born  JIarch  10,  1858,  son 
of  Nathaniel  Calendar  and  Lavina  (Travis) 
Coleman. 

Rev.  Elijah  Coleman,  grandfather  of  Wes- 
ley B.  Coleman,  and  the  founder  of  the  family 
in  Indiana  county,  was  born  Nov.  15,  1774, 
in  the  State  of  Maryland,  and  as  a  young 
man  came  to  West  Mahoning  township,  where 
he  settled  on  a  tract  of  300  acres,  the  remain- 
der of  his  life  being  devoted  to  its  clearing 
and  cultivation.  A  faithful  worker  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  he  became  pre- 
siding elder,  being  made  a  minister  in  1825, 
and  elder  in  1830,  and  for  a  number  of  years 
worked  tirelessly  in  the  service  of  the  Master, 
riding  horseback  through  Indiana,  Armstrong, 
Clarion  and  Jefferson  counties.  Rev.  Mr.  Cole- 
man belonged  to  that  set  of  sturdj%  courage- 
ous and  conscientious  men  whose  lives  and 
activities  were  directed  along  the  lines  laid 
down  by  personal  probity,  and  without  whose 
services  Christianity  could  not  have  been 
spread.  On  Sept.  21,  1800,  he  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  Weston,  and  they  were  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  J\Iary  Ann.  born 
April  10.  1811,  who  married  David  Thompson 
and  lived  in  Armstrong  county ;  Martha,  born 
July  5,  1812.  who  married  Andrew  Rankin, 
and  lived  in  South  Mahoning  township :  John 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1213 


T.,  born  Jan.  18,  1815;  Henry,  born  March 
18,  1817,  who  lived  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship (his  wife's  name  was  Charlotte);  Su- 
sanna, born  March  27, 1819,  who  married  John 
Lias,  living  near  Dayton,  Pa. ;  Emily,  born 
Aug.  11,  1821,  who  married  John  Travis,  a 
merchant  of  Armstrong,  Pa. ;  Dennis  B.,  born 
March  8,  1824,  who  lived  in  Blairsville,  Pa. ; 
"Wesley,  born  June  25, 1826,  who  married  Mar- 
tha Haskell,  and  lives  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship ;  Nathaniel  Calendar ;'  and  Elizabeth,  born 
April  2,  1831,  who  married  Joseph  Allen,  of 
Armstrong  county. 

Nathaniel  Calendar  Coleman,  son  of  Rev. 
Elijah  Coleman,  and  father  of  Wesley  B. 
Coleman,  was  born  Feb.  24,  1829,  in  West  Ma- 
honing township,  and  received  the  educational 
advantages  granted  to  the  youths  of  his  day 
and  locality  in  the  public  schools.  Essen- 
tially a  farmer,  he  found  time  to  serve  his 
community  in  various  offices  of  public  trust 
and  responsibility,  among  the  offices  he  held 
being  those  of  justice  of  the  peace,  school  di- 
rector and  overseer  of  the  poor.  He  always 
voted  the  Republican  ticket,  and  his  religious 
faith  was  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  the  faith  of  which  he  died  Dec. 
18,  1904.  On  May  18,  1851,  he  was  married 
to  Lavina  Travis,  who  was  born  March  20, 
1835,  and  died  July  20,  18—,  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  six  children,  as  follows :  ( 1  * 
Horace  B.,  born  Oct.  5,  1852,  was  for  a  time 
a  school  teacher  in  Indiana  county,  while  liv- 
ing on  the  old  home  place.  Subsequently  he 
moved  to  Kansas,  where  he  still  resides,  and 
where  he  was  married  in  1870  to  Agnes  Low- 
man,  by  whom  he  has  had  two  children.  Clar- 
ence and  Lizzie,  the  latter  deceased.  (2) 
Alfred  K.,  born  Dee.  1,  1854,  a  former  mer- 
chant of  Blairsville,  Pa.,  new  deceased,  mar- 
ried Jemima  Lias  and  had  two  children,  Harr-? 
and  Dorothea.  (3)  Wesley  B.  (4)  Ida  V., 
born  Oct.  10,  1859,  married  James  A.  Gahi- 
gan,  of  Gibbon  Glade,  and  has  four  children, 
Mabel,  Clarence,  Coffee  and  Jay.  (5)  Emma 
E.,  born  July  18,  1864,  married  Clark  Span- 
kle,  of  Noi'tii  Mahoning  township.  (6)  Lil- 
lah  F.,  born  May  13,  1868,  married  Harry 
Harmon,  and  died  in  1903,  leaving  two  chil- 
dren, Floyd  and  John. 

Wesley'  B.  Coleman,  sou  of  Nathaniel  C. 
Coleman,  received  only  the  advantages  of  a 
common  school  education.  He  has  always 
lived  on  the  home  place,  and  now  owns  138 
acres  of  land,  of  which  100  are  in  a  state  of 
high  cultivation.  His  versatile  talents  and  en- 
ergetic nature,  however,  have  not  allowed  him 
to  be  content  with  farming  life  as  his  sole  oc- 


cupation, for  from  1892  to  1902  he  was  in  the 
sawmill  and  lumber  business  iu  Indiana  and 
Jefferson  counties,  and  for  six  years  he  con- 
ducted a  mercantile  business  in  Millstone,  Elk 
county.  The  greater  part  of  his  attention 
has  been  given  to  his  home  property,  which 
he  has  developed  into  one  of  the  tinest  of  its 
size  in  the  township.  In  1908  he  erected  a 
modern  twelve-i'oom,  two  and  a  half  story 
residence,  which  is  equipped  with  all  modern 
conveniences,  including  gaslight  and  hot 
water,  and  in  1912  he  erected  a  modern  bam 
to  replace  the  one  he  had  built  in  1908.  He 
has  specialized  in  raising  draft  horses,  graded 
Jersey  and  Holstein  cattle  and  Poland-China 
and  Chester  White  hogs,  and  '"Hillside  Dairy 
Farm,"  as  his  place  is  widely  known,  turns 
out  stock  that  brings  top-notch  prices  in  the 
markets.  It  is  located  near  Goodville  station, 
its  convenient  situation  being  but  another  evi- 
dence of  the  shrewdness  and  foresight  of  its 
owner,  characteristics  which  have  been  re- 
sponsible for  his  success. 

On  Sept.  2,  1880,  Mr.  Coleman  was  married 
to  jMaggie  B.  Glenn,  who  was  born  Sept.  26, 
1849,  at  Phoenix,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Mary  Jane  (Thompson) 
Glenn.  Mr.  Glenn  was  born  in  Huntingdon 
county,  Pa.,  in  1824,  was  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
and  fought  bravely  during  the  Civil  war  as 
a  private  in  the  148th  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
tei  r  Infanti'v.  He  passed  away  in  1863.  and 
his  wife,  wlio  was  born  in  1829,  died  in  1910. 
He  was  luiried  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  she  at 
Phoenix.  Pa.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine 
children,  of  whom  six  are  now  living :  T.  G., 
a  resident  of  Forest  county.  Pa.;  Flora  A., 
who  married  A.  P.  Simmons,  of  Jamestown, 
N.  Y. ;  Myra  G.,  who  married  Rev.  W.  E. 
Frampton,"  of  Forest  county;  Maggie  B.,  who 
married  Mr.  W.  B.  Coleman;  6.  L.,  who  is 
engaged  in  the  real  estate  and  insurance  busi- 
ness at  Punxsutawney,  Pa.;  and  Elmer,  a 
well-known  sawmill  man  and  lumber  dealer 
of  Phoenix,  Pa.  31r.  and  Mrs.  Coleman  have 
had  the  following  children:  Ora  May,  bom 
Julv  22,  1882,  died  ilarch  21.  1883;  Ruth 
Vernon,  born  Sept.  2,  1883,  married  John  W. 
Aiken,  a  farmer  on  the  old  Coleman  home- 
stead, and  has  five  children,  Essie,  Ella,  Mar- 
tha, Anna  Belle  and  John  C.  A. ;  Clinton  C, 
born  Oct.  7, 1885,  is  employed  at  the  steel  mills 
in  Vandergrift,  Pa. ;  Nellie  F..  born  Aug.  28, 
1887.  married  Ross  Martin,  of  Echo,  Arm- 
strong county;  Leslie  B.,  born  March  20, 
1891,  who  is  assisting  his  father  in  the  work 
of  the  old  farm,  married  May  22,  1912,  Olive 
Allshouse. 


1214 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mr.  Coleman  has  ever  been  a'  friend  of  edu- 
cation, and  has  given  his  children  advantages 
along  this  line,  all  having  pursued  their  stud- 
ies in  the  home  schools  and  at  Brookville,  Pa. 
Like  liis  father  he  is  a  stalwart  Republican, 
and  his  abilities  have  been  given  substantial 
recognition  by  his  fellow  townsmen  in  his  elec- 
tion to  the  office  of  supervisor,  to  the  discharge 
of  the  duties  of  which  he  has  devoted  con- 
scientious energies  during  the  past  seven  years. 
He  is  known  as  one  of  the  wheelhorses  of  his 
party  in  his  part  of  Indiana  county,  having 
served  as  county  committeeman.  Fraternally 
Mr.  Coleman  is  connected  with  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows, and  has  many  friends  in  Smicksburg 
Lodge,  No.  891.  He  takes  an  active  part  in 
the  work  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
at  Smicksburg,  and  for  some  years  has  served 
faithfully  as  steward  and  trustee. 

JACOB  BOSTIC,  late  of  ilontgomery 
township,  Indiana  county,  was  a  prosperous 
farmer  there  during  his  active  years  and  for 
a  number  of  years  a  popular  official,  having 
held  various  public  positions.  He  was  a  native 
of  Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  born  June  21,  1830, 
son  of  Felix  Bostic,  with  whom  he  came  to  In- 
diana county  when  twenty-two  years  old.  Buy- 
ing a  farm  of  100  acres  in  Montgomery  town- 
ship, near  Hillsdale,  he  continued  to  engage 
in  farming  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  had 
been  reared  to  that  calling,  and  was  a  miller 
by  trade.  At  one  time  he  owned  180  acres. 
He  was  honored  with  election  to  various  local 
offices,  serving  as  assessor,  tax  collector  and 
school  director.  He  died  Dee.  24,  1892,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-two  years,  six  months,  three  days. 

Mr.  Bostic  married  Charlotte  Notley,  who 
was  born  in  Jlontgomery  township,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  John  Notley,  a  farmer, 
who  was  a  native  of  Ireland ;  he  and  his  wife, 
Elizabeth  (Flanigan).  both  died  in  Indiana 
county  and  are  buried  in  the  old  Thompson 
cemetery  at  Cherrytree,  Pa.  Mr.  Notley  was 
a  stonemason  in  his  native  country,  and  after 
coming  to  the  United  States  was  employed  on 
the  canal  for  a  time.  Mrs.  Bostic  died  Sept. 
20,  1911,  aged  seventy-five  j^ears.  They  had 
ten  children,  two  sons  and  eight  daughters, 
all  of  whom  are  living:  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
Andrew  Murphy;  Nancy,  wife  of  Luther 
Lewis;  Sevina,  wife  of  James  Getty;  Frank, 
married  to  Carry  Saltsgiver;  Emma,  wife  of 
Howard  Wilson ;  >\Iary,  wife  of  Orren  Wripp ; 
Charlotte,  wife  of  John  Malcolm;  ^Minnie, 
unmarried ;  Edward  K.,  and  Gertrude,  wife  of 


Elmer  Langdon,  there  having  been  forty-two- 
grandchildren  and  fifteen  great-grandchil- 
dren, all  yet  living. 

Edward  K.  Bostic,  son  of  Jacob  and  Char- 
lotte (Notley)  Bostic,  was  born  April  29, 1876, 
on  the  old  homestead  farm  in  Montgomery 
township,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
locality,  attending  the  Cooper  and  Irwin 
schools.  For  some  time  he  was  employed  in 
iron  mills,  and  later  on  the  railroad,  in  1902 
returning  to  the  homestead,  where  he  has 
since  continued  to  reside.  He  farms  fifty- 
two  acres,  and  is  an  intelligent,  up-to-date 
worker,  supporting  all  movements  which  prom- 
ise to  advance  agi-icultural  interests  and  the 
condition  of  farmers  generally.  He  is  a  lead- 
ing member  of  Schryhock  Grange,  Patrons  of 
Husbandry,  which  was  organized  in  his  barn 
in  1906,  and  has  been  one  of  the  active  work- 
ers in  that  body.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  active  in  the  interests  of  his  party, 
though  he  does  not  aspire  to  public  office  for 
himself;  he  has,  however,  served  as  school 
director.  His  church  membership  is  with 
the  United  Evangelical  denomination,  and  he 
is  an  active  worker  in  the  congregation  to 
which  he  belongs,  being  steward,  class  leader 
and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 

On  Sept.  10,  1902,  Mr.  Bostic  married  Pearl 
Findley,  daughter  of  Edward  and  Sarah 
(Murdock)  Findley,  and  they  have  four  chil- 
dren: Sarah  Isabella,  Ruth,  Emma  Pauline, 
and  Edward  Findlev,  the  last  named  born 
June  30,  1912. 

JACOB  KANARR,  retired  farmer,  has 
made  his  home  in  Indiana  since  the  spring  of 
1905.  He  was  a  prosperous  agriculturist 
throughout  his  active  years.  Mr.  Kanarr  was 
born  March  31,  1843,  in  Hempfield  town- 
ship, Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  John  and 
Magdalene  (Bender)  Kanarr.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  was 
familiar  with  farm  work  from  early  boyhood. 

In  1853  the  family  left  Westmoreland  coun- 
ty, settling  in  Montgomery  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  Jacob  Kanarr  grew  to  man- 
hood. In  1864  he  was  drafted  for  service  in 
the  Union  army,  being  assigned  to  Company 
B,  101st  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
with  which  he  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  receiving  his  discbarge  May  6,  1865.  Re- 
turning home,  he  resumed  farm  work.  Within 
a  few  years  he  located  on  a  place  of  his  own 
in  Grant  township,  this  county,  which  he 
bought  from  his  father — a  tract  of  seventy- 
four  acres  where  he  resided  for  some  time. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1215 


Later  he  bought  his  f ather-iu-law 's  place  of 
180  acres  in  the  same  township,  which  he  sold 
three  years  afterward,  buying  a  farm  of  127 
acres  in  Rayne  township  upon  which  he  re- 
mained until  the  spring  of  1905,  when  he  re- 
tired. He  sold  this  property  to  a  coal  com- 
pany, the  land  being  underlaid  with  valuable 
coal  deposits.  Mr.  Kanarr  has  since  made  his 
home  in  the  borough  of  Indiana,  living  at  No. 
229  Philadelphia  street.  Mr.  Kanarr  has  de- 
voted most  of  his  time  to  his  private  affairs, 
but  he  is  a  public-spirited  citizen  and  his  sup- 
port can  be  relied  upon  in  movements  affect- 
ing the  welfare  of  the  community.  In  politic? 
he  is  an  independent  Republican.  His  re- 
ligious connection  is  with  the  Lutheran 
Church. 

In  1869  Mr.  Kanarr  was  married  to  Martha 
Jane  King,  of  Indiana  county,  daughter  of 
Adam  and  Elizabeth  (Caldwell)  King,  and 
they  have  become  the  parents  of  eight  chil- 
dren, namely:  Simon  T.,  who  lives  in  Indi- 
ana county ;  Eliza  Clara,  Mrs.  John  P.  Lydick, 
of  Indiana  county;  Nancy  C,  Mrs.  Clem. 
Henry,  of  Indiana;  Hester  J.,  who  is  unmar- 
ried; Mary  M.,  unmarried;  Ira  Guy;  Morti- 
mer ;  and  Carrie,  Mrs.  Robert  T.  Helman,  who 
lives  on  the  home  farm  in  Rayne  township. 

ANDREW  C.  PERRIER,  head  of  the  firm 
of  A.  C.  Ferrier  &  Son,  of  Indiana,  pro- 
prietors of  the  Point  Store,  is  a  (U-scrndant 
of  an  old  settled  family  of  Indiana  county,  his 
great-grandparents  having  settled  here  many 
years  ago.  Andrew  Ferrier,  his  great-grand- 
father, was  a  native  of  Scotland.  Coming  to 
America,  he  located  in  the  Kishacoquillas 
valley  in  Pennsylvania  in  1777  and  later  came 
to  Indiana  county.  He  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation. 

John  Ferrier,  son  of  Andrew,  was  six  years 
old  when  brought  to  Brushvalley  township, 
Indiana  count.v,  where  he  grew  to  manliood. 
There  he  married  Mary  AVorton.  after  whose 
death  he  removed  to  Virginia,  where  he 
passed  the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  in 
that  State.  He  was  a  local  preacher  in  the 
M.  E.  Church,  and  used  to  hold  services  at 
the  different  homes  in  his  neighborhood.  His 
children  were  as  follows:  Samuel,  born  1814; 
Thomas,  born  1821 ;  Amos  W.,  born  Jan.  9, 
1829 ;  and  two  daughters  who  died  shortly 
after  marriage. 

Amos  W.  Ferrier,  son  of  John,  and  father 
of  Andrew  C.  Ferrier,  was  bom  Jan.  9,  1829, 
on  the  old  homestead  near  the  Evans  Round 
Top,  in  Brushvalley.  township,  and  learned 
the  trades  of  wheelwright  and  carpenter.    He 


work  early,  in  his  boyhood  following 
the  towpath.  Farming  was  his  principal 
work  in  life,  however.  After  his  marriage  he 
located  on  a  farm  of  sixty-nine  acres  in 
Cherryhill  township,  and  by  exchange  he 
owned  several  farms.  In  1859  he  moved  to 
a  farm  in  Green  township  upon  which  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  long  life — a  period 
of  about  tifty  years,  his  death  occurring  there 
'Jan.  5,  1909.  He  was  married  to  Mary  Brown, 
who  died  Nov.  27,  1898.  Jlr.  and  Mrs.  Fer- 
rier are  interred  in  the  Manor  graveyard  in 
Cherryhill  township,  this  cemetery  being  lo- 
cated on  her  father's  farm.  They  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  four  of  whom  are 
deceased,  namely:  David,  who  died  when 
twelve  years  old ;  Susanna,  who  died  aged  six ; 
Tlieodosia,  who  died  aged  four;  and  Mary 
Amanda,  Mrs.  Simon  Mock,  who  died  in  1894 
in  White  township,  when  thirty-five  years 
old.  The  survivors  are:  Amos  S.,  now  a 
retired  farmer,  of  Windber,  Somerset  Co., 
Pa. ;  Andrew  C. ;  Robert  L.,  of  Leard,  Green 
township,  this  county;  Margaret  Catherine, 
Mrs.  Judson  Mtima ;  and  Minerva,  unmarried, 
a  trained  nurse,  who  lives  at  Pasadena,  Cal. 
Mr.  Ferrier  served  his  country  as  a  soldier 
in  the  Mexican  war. 

Andrew  C.  Ferrier  was  born  Sept.  27,  1861, 
on  the  old  Ferrier  homestead  in  Green  town- 
ship, this  county,  and  there  attended  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  acted  for  some  time  as  a 
substitute  teacher  in  the  home  school  and 
afterward  taught  two  terms  in  Clearfield 
township,  Cambria  county.  During  the  sum- 
mertime he  worked  in  the  woods  in  Cambria, 
Clearfield  and  Indiana  counties.  Leaving 
home  when  twent.y-four,  he  commenced  to 
work  in  1887  as  a  driller,  following  that  occu- 
pation in  different  oil  fields  until  1892.  He 
then  went  to  Kansas  for  a  time,  returning  to 
Pennsylvania.  After  his  marriage  he  located 
on  Seventh  street,  in  the  borough  of  Indiana, 
:ind  for  the  next  six  years  was  engaged  in  the 
drnyiug  Inisiness,  after  which  he  served  the 
borough  one  year  as  street  commissioner.  His 
next  Inisiness  venture  was  in  the  general  con- 
tracting line,  which  he  continued  to  follow 
successfully  for  a  period  of  eight  years,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  gen- 
eral mercantile  business  in  Indiana.  He  lo- 
cated at  his  present  store.  Seventh  and  Wayne 
streets,  in  September,  1910,  The  firm  of  A.  C. 
Ferrier  &  Son,  formed  March  1,  1911,  carries 
groceries  and  deals  in  country  produce,  and 
the  establishment  is  well  known  in  the 
borough  of  Indiana  and  vicinity,  its  patrons 
being  drawn  from  a  wide  territory.    Mr.  Fer- 


1216 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


rier  is  a  highly  respected  citizen,  having 
served  three  terms  in  the  borough  council 
from  the  Second  ward,  and  he  is  a  prominent 
worker  in  the  local  ranks  of  the  Republican 
part}\  In  religious  connection  he  is  identified 
with  the  Zion  Liitheran  Church,  of  which  he 
is  a  devout  member,  and  he  is  one  of  the 
teachers  in  the  Sunday  school. 

On  April  12.  1894,  "Mr.  Ferrier  was  mar- 
ried to  Sadie  Shearer,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  IMaiy  Shearer,  of  White  township,  Indi- 
ana county.  They  have  two  children,  Mary 
Lila  and  Charles  Andrew. 

SAMUEL  B.  LEASURE,  register  and  as- 
sessor of  Green  to^vnship,  Indiana  county, 
and  one  of  the  substantial  farmer  citizens  of 
that  section,  was  born  at  the  place  where  he 
still  resides.  The  farm  has  been  in  the 
family  since  1850.  His  grandfather,  John 
Leasure,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a 
very  early  settler  in  Indiana  county,  living  in 
South  Mahoning  township.  He  farmed  all 
his  life. 

Peter  Leasure,  father  of  Samuel  B.  Leasure, 
was  born  in  South  ilahoning  township,  and  in 
1850,  when  a  young  man,  came  to  Green 
township,  making  his  home  on  the  farm  now 
occupied  by  his  son  Samuel.  After  giving 
up  active  work  he  moved  into  the  borough  of 
Indiana  in  the  fall  of  1894,  and  there  lived 
retired  until  his  death,  which  occun-ed  in 
1904,  when  he  was  aged  eighty  years.  He 
married  Margaret  Ann  Miller,  who  was  also 
born  in  Indiana  county,  and  who  survives 
him,  living  with  her  eldest  son.  J.  C.  Leasure : 
she  is  now  (1912)  eighty-eight  years  old. 
Her  father,  Samuel  Miller,  settled  in  Indiana 
county  in  his  early  life.  Five  children  were 
born  to  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Peter  Leasure:  J.  C, 
ex-treasurer  of  Indiana  county ;  Samuel  B. ; 
Samantha.  wife  of  Prank  Oatman;  Miranda, 
deceased,  and  Ida,  deceased. 

Samuel  B.  LeasTire  was  born  Feb.  28,  1853, 
and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  township.  He  has  always  fai-med,  and 
in  addition  to  his  agricultural  work  has  en- 
gaged in  lumbering  and  milling.  He  carries 
on  general  farming,  and  keeps  his  land  in  ex- 
cellent condition,  making  the  most  of  its  ad- 
vantages. Though  he  gives  his  pereonal  af- 
fairs all  necessary  attention,  he  has  found 
time  to  take  part  in  the  management  of  local 
public  matters,  has  given  capable  service  in 
the  offices  of  assessor,  supervisor  and  school 
director,  and  is  at  present  register  and  as- 
sessor of  the  township. 

On    Oct.    26,    1876,    Mr.    Leasure    married 


Amanda  Cameron,  like  himself  a  native  of 
Green  township,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Drusilla  Cameron,  farming  people,  who  set- 
tled early  in  Indiana  county.  By  this  union 
there  were  three  children,  of  whom  Vernie 
and  Ernest  are  deceased.  The  only  survivor 
is  Zella,  the  eldest,  who  graduated  from  the 
Indiana  State  normal  school  and  taught  for 
one  term.  She  is  now  the  wife  of  C.  R. 
McAdoo  and  has  children,  Margaret,  Robert, 
Paul,  Meredith  and  Hilda.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mc- 
Adoo are  living  with  her  father.  Mrs. 
Amanda  (Cameron)  Leasure  died  in  August, 
1881.  In  1884  Mr.  Leasure  married  (second) 
Jennie  Wynkoop.  who  was  born  in  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  John  and  Lucinda  (Van 
Leer)  Wynkoop,  the  former  of  whom  came 
to  Indiana  county  many  years  ago  and  settled 
in  Green  township,  where  he  followed  farm- 
ing. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leasure  have  had  one 
child,  Grace,  who  lives  at  home :  she  graduated 
from  the  Indiana  State  normal  school  and 
has  taught  four  terms.  J\Ir.  and  ilrs.  Leasure 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOHN  S.  LONGWILL,  retired  farmer  and 
merchant  and  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  resid- 
ing at  Dixonville,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
in  Derry  township.  Westmoreland  Co..  Pa., 
Jan.  24,  1831,  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah 
(Beamer)  Longwill. 

Matthew  Longwill,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  John  S.  Longwill.  was  a  resident  of 
Clarion  county.  Pa.,  for  many  years,  fol- 
lowed farming  during  the  greater  part  of  his 
life,  and  died  at  the  remarkable  age  of  one 
hundred. 

Thomas  Longwill.  son  of  Matthew  Long- 
will  and  father  of  John  S.  Longwill,  was 
born  in  jMififlin  county.  Pa.,  whence  he  came  to 
Indiana  county  in  1835  and  first  settled  in 
Blairsville.  where  he  conducted  a  cooper  shop 
until  1846.  In  that  year  he  removed  to  a 
farm  east  of  Blairsville,  and  five  years  later 
went  to  Conemaugh  township,  where  he  spent 
a  like  period,  then  coming  to  Green  town- 
ship. Eventually  he  located  in  Dixonville, 
where  his  death  occurred.  He  married  Sarah 
Beamer,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Beamer.  of 
eastern  Pennsylvania,  and  they  had  six  chil- 
dren, namely:  Elizabeth  J.  and  Christian 
B.,  who  are  deceased ;  John  S. ;  Rachel  S.. 
«idow  of  Rev.  Mathias  Shirley,  residing  at 
Utica,  Venango  Co.,  Pa.,  and  Sarah  E.  and 
Cordelia  A.,  deceased. 

John  S.  Longwill  was  given  good  educa- 
tional advantages  in  the  schools  of  Blairsville, 
and  when  a  young  man  adopted  the  profes- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA  1217 

sion  of  educator,  teaching  school  for  three  ing  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  He  spent  the 
terms  m  Young  township,  and  subsequently  rest  of  his  life  in  farming  and  died  at  an 
following  the  same  profession  in  Conemaugh,  advanced  age  in  Berks  county. 
Rayne  and  Green  townships.  He  later  turned  John  Shaffer,  son  of  the  founder  of  the 
his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  but  in  family,  and  grandfather  of  Joseph  Shaffer, 
1871  opened  a  mercantile  establishment  at  was  born  in  Berks  county,  Pa.,  and  in  1803 
the  present  site  of  Dixonville,  which  he  con-  went  to  Huntingdon  county,  where  he  secured 
ducted  for  four  years.  He  then  returned  to  a  large  tract  of  land,  on  which  he  and  his 
his  farm  in  Green  township,  and  until  his  wife,  Eva  (Thomas),  died.  Their  children 
retirement  a  few  years  ago  was  engaged  in  were  five  in  number,  .as  follows:  Jacob  is 
tilling  the  soil.  In  March,  1865,  he  enlisted  in  mentioned  below ;  John  and  Adam  died  in 
Company  P,  74th  Regiment,  P.  V.  I.,  under  Huntingdon  county;  Peter  spent  his  entire 
Captain  McClain,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  eon-  life  on  the  old  Shaffer  homestead;  William 
tinued  to  serve  with  that  company  until  lived  near  Williamsburg. 
August,  1865,  when  he  received  his  honorable  Jacob  Shaffer,  son  of  John,  and  father  of 
discharge.  Joseph  Shaffer,  was  born  in'  Berks  county, 

On  Oct.  16,  1855,  Mr.  Longwill  was  mar-    and  was  about  seven  years  of  age  when  taken 
ried   in    Conemaugh   township    to    Sarah   R.    to  Huntingdon  county  in  1803.    There  he  was 
Henderson,  who  was  born  in  that  township    reared  to  manhood,  the  greater  part  of  hia 
Sept.  4,  1832,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Mar-    education  being  secured  in  the  school  of  hard 
garet   (Graham)    Henderson,  natives  of  Ire-    work.    He  was  engaged  in  farming,  and  also 
land  who  came  to  the  United  States  as  young    conducted    a    freighting    business,    carrying 
people  and  settled  in  Indiana  county.     Mr.    goods  to  Pittsburg.     In  1838  he  brought  his 
Henderson,  who  followed  farming  throughout    family   to    Indiana    county,    coming   through 
his  active  career,  died  at  Saltsburg,  and  his    with  a  wagon  and  four-horse  team,  and  lo- 
wife  passed  away  in   Conemaugh   township,    cated  on  the  land  which  Joseph  Shaffer  now 
They  had  the  following  children :  Eliza,  Mary    operates,  here  purchasing  238  acres  for  $1,700. 
Ann,   Jane,   Isabelle,   Joseph,   Margaret,  Lu-    On  this  property  were  located  a  log  cabin 
cinda  and  Sarah.     To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Longivill    and  barn,  and  about  one  hundred  acres  was 
have  been  born  eight  sons  and  one  daughter,    cleared,  and  here  he  continued  to  work  until 
as  follows :    Harmon  H.,  Joseph  A.  and  John    his  death,  which  occurred  in  1882,  when  he 
A.,  all  living  in  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Robert,  who  is    was  eighty-seven  years  of  age,  his  wife  sur- 
deceased;  Abraham  L.,  living  in  Heilwood;    viving  him  two  years  and  being  eighty-nine 
Prank,  a  resident  of  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Harry  W.,    years  old  at  the  time  of  her  demise.    Por  ten 
who  is  engaged  in  the  milling  business  at  Dix-    years  Mr.  Shaffer  was  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
onville;    Nicholas    B.,    a    resident    of    South    and  also  held  various  other  ofSees,  to  which 
Sharon,    Pa.;    and   Anna   B.,   wife   of  Enos    he  was  elected  on  the  Whig  and  Republican 
Widdowson,  residing  at  Niagara  Palls,  New    tickets.    With  his  wife  he  was  an  active  mem- 
York,  ber  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  both  were 
Mr.  Longwill  and  his  wife  and  children  are    well  known  and  highly  respected.     They  had 
members  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church,    a  family  of  nine  children,  as  follows:     Eva 
A  Republican  in  his  political  views,  he  has    married  Charles  Wilhelm,  and  both  are  de- 
been  called  upon  to  serve  his  community  in    ceased;     Michael,     deceased,     who     married 
public  office,  having  been  assessor  and  school    Martha    Thomas,    lived    in    West    Mahoning 
director  for  several  terms,  and  also  the  second    township ;  John,  deceased,  who  married  Mary 
postmaster  of  Dixonville.                                       Ann  Means,  lived  in  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship; George  died  unmarried  in  1852;  Eliza- 
JOSEPH  SHAPPER,  pioneer,   Civil  war    beth,    deceased,   married   Samuel   Beck,    and 
veteran  and  able  agriculturist  of  North  Ma-    lived  in  North  Mahoning  township;  Joseph 
honing  township,   Indiana  county,   was   born    is  mentioned  below;  Albert,  who  served  nine 
March  23,  1832,  in  Huntingdon  county.  Pa.,    months  as  a  member  of  Company  B,  206th 
and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Petter-    Pennsylvania  Volunteer   Infantry,   and  now 
hoff)  Shaffer.                                                              lives  at  Covode,  Pa.,  married  Mary  Chambers 
The   great-grandfather   of  Joseph   Shaffer    and   (second)   Sarah  Varner;  Margaret  Ann 
was  a  native  of  Saxony,  Germany,  and  came    has  always  lived  on  the  old  home  place  and 
to  the  United  States  in  1755,  settling  in  Berks    is  now  keeping  house  for  her  brother  Joseph ; 
county,  Pa.,  whence  he  and  two  of  his  sons    Jacob,  deceased,  married  Minerva  Praupton] 
enlisted  for  service  in  the  Colonial  army  dur-    and  lived  in  North  Mahoning  township. 


1218 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Joseph  Shaffer,  son  of  Jacob  Shaffer,  re- 
ceived, like  his  father,  only  a  limited  school- 
ing. In  1868  he  removed  to  Clearfield  county. 
Pa.,  where  he  spent  two  and  a  half  years,  and 
for  a  like  period  was  in  Jefferson  county,  in 
the  Beechwoods  settlement.  On  the  death  of 
his  wife,  which  occurred  Dec.  16,  1873,  he 
returned  to  the  old  home  place,  and  there  he 
has  resided  to  the  present  time. 

In  1860  air.  Shaffer  was  married  to  Mary 
Snyder,  of  North  Mahoning  township,  daugh- 
ter of  John  A.  and  Caroline  Snyder,  of 
Saxony,  Germany.  Four  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shaffer,  namely :  George  S., 
a  mill  and  lumber  man,  is  carrying  on  opera- 
tions in  Jefferson  and  Indiana  counties,  and 
living  on  the  home  farm ;  he  married  Martha 
R.  Grove,  and  they  have  four  children,  Mary 
R.,  Lura  R.,  Joseph  W.  and  Jacob  G.  Luther 
died  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years,  six  months. 
John,  living  in  Indiana  borough,  married 
Margaret  J.  Wachob,  and  has  one  child, 
Floy  L.  William  H.,  a  farmer  of  North 
Mahoning  township,  is  also  engaged  in  mill- 
ing and  lumbering  in  Indiana  and  Jefferson 
counties ;  he  married  Ollie  M.  Moore,  and  has 
three  children,  Joseph  B.,  Clay  M.  and 
Mabel  D. 

On  Aug.  12,  1864,  Mr.  Shaffer  enlisted  in 
Company  C,  206tli  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  at  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  was  sent  to 
Baltimore,  and  then  on  to  City  Point,  helping 
to  build  Fort  Bi-ady.  He  went  into  winter 
quarters  with  his  regiment  near  that  place, 
and  April  3,  1865,  was  in  front  of  Richmond, 
his  regiment  being  the  first  to  enter  the 
former  Southern  capital.  There  he  did  guard 
duty  for  a  time,  and  was  subsequently  sent  to 
Lynchburg,  but  eventually  returned  to 
Richmond,  and  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge June  26,  1865.  A  brave  and  faithful 
soldier,  he  earned  alike  the  admiration  of  his 
comrades  and  the  respect  of  his  officers.  He 
was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army 
post  at  Punxsutawnev,  but  now  belongs  to 
Joseph  Shields  Post,  No.  638,  at  Covode,  Pa. 
In  politics  Mr.  Shaffer  is  a  Republican,  and 
has  held  numerous  township  offices,  giving  to 
each  his  faithful  devotion  to  duty.  With  his 
family  he  attends  the  Lutheran  Church  at 
Trade  City. 

HENRY  A.  FISHER,  veteran  of  the  Civil 
war,  who  is  now  living  retired  in  Grant  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  after  a  long  and  active 
career  in  various  lines  of  endeavor,  was  born 
Feb.  28,  1838,  in  Cambria  county,  Pa.,  half 
way  between  Johnstown  and  Hollidaysburg, 


and  is  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Margaret  (Fisher) 
Fisher. 

Andrew  Fisher,  father  of  Henry  A.  Fisher, 
was  born  in  Germany,  was  there  educated  and 
reared  to  manhood,  and  married  Margaret 
Fisher,  who,  although  she  bore  the  same 
name,  was  not  a  relative.  Not  long  after  their 
marriage  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States, 
both  being  still  young  people,  and  first  located 
in  Cambria  county,  Pa.,  where  they  took  up 
land  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  later  years 
they  removed  to  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  they  spent  some  years  on  the 
Glasser  farm,  and  then  went  to  the  timber 
section  of  Jefferson  county,  Mr.  Fisher  being 
engaged  in  lumbering  for  some  time.  Finally 
they  came  to  Grant  township,  Indiana  county, 
and  here  Mr.  Fisher  passed  away,  and  was 
buried  in  Gilgal  cemetery,  in  East  Mahoning 
township.  He  was  a  Republican  in  his  polit- 
ical views,  and  a  faithful  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church.  He  was  married  three 
times,  and  by  his  first  wife,  Margaret,  had 
sixteen  children,  of  whom  six  sons  fought  as 
soldiers  during  the  Civil  war,  five  in  the 
Union  army  and  one  as  a  Confederate.  It  was 
one  of  the  fortunes  of  war  that  the  son  in  the 
Southern  service  was  subsequently  captured 
by  the  regiment  of  Federals  of  which  his 
brother  Henry  was  a  member,  and  was  con- 
fined in  Fortress  Monroe.  Of  the  children 
born  to  Andrew  and  Margaret  Fisher  two 
died  in  infancy  in  the  old  country ;  John  died 
in  Rayne  township ;  Charlotte  and  Sophia 
both  died  unmarried;  Lewis  served  as  a  sol- 
dier in  the  LTnion  army ;  David  met  his  death 
by  drowning  in  Little  Mahoning  Creek;  ]\Iay 
became  the  wife  of  William  Buchanan ; 
Catherine  married  David  ]\Ieyers,  of  Rayne 
township ;  William  became  a  property  ownei- 
in  Alabama,  and  was  the  Confederate  soldier 
heretofore  mentioned ;  Henry  A.  is  mentioned 
later;  George  and  Jacob  were  soldiers  in  the 
Union  service ;  Caroline  married  John  Pal- 
mer, deceased,  and  now  resides  at  Richmond, 
Pa. ;  and  Joseph,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war, 
is  now  residing  at  Deckers  Point,  Grant  town- 
ship. Mr.  Fisher's  second  wife  bore  the 
maiden  name  of  Betsy  Foust,  and  she  died 
without  issue.  He  was  then  married  (third) 
to  Sarah  O'Harra,  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  three  children:  Sarah  and  Andrew, 
Jr.,  who  are  both  deceased;  and  Archibald, 
who  is  now  a  resident  of  Kansas. 

Henry  A.  Fisher,  son  of  Andrew  Fisher, 
received  but  meager  educational  advantages 
in  his  .vouth,  his  training  being  limited  1o 
what  he  obtained  in  attendance  at  the  dis- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA  1219 

trict  schools  during  the  short  winter  terms,  and  later  to  Belle  Isle,  and  continuing  in  the 
while  his  summers  were  spent  in  assisting  his  hands  of  the  Confederates  for  three  months 
father  and  brothers  m  the  work  of  the  home  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  was  exchanged 
farm.  He  was  an  observant  and  intelligent  and  rejoined  his  regiment,  with  which  he 
youth,  however,  made  the  most  of  his  oppor-  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  hon- 
tunities,  and  succeeded  in  securing  a  good,  orablj^  discharged  after  nearly  three  years  of 
practical  education,  which  in  later  years  has  brave  and  faithful  service.  Although  he  is 
been  supplemented  by  experience  and  read-  «■  man  of  quiet  disposition,  domestic  in  his 
ing,  so  that  to-day  he  is  a  well-read  man,  with  tastes  and  temperate  in  his  habits,  he  was 
a  wide  fund  of  information  and  a  thorough  always  known  as  a  hard-fighting  soldier  win- 
knowledge  of  important  subjects.  At  the  age  "ing  alike  the  admiration  of  his  comrades  and 
of  twenty-three  years  he  embarked  in  farm-  the  respect  of  his  officers.  In  his  political 
ing  operations  on  his  own  account,  and  for  views  Mr.  Fisher  has  been  a  Republican,  but 
some  years  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  has  never  sought  public  preferment,  having 
in  Grant  township,  then  running  a  sawmill  given  his  whole  attention  to  his  private  in- 
fer John  C.  Rochester,  which  he  operated  for  terests  as  a  farmer  and  business  man.  He 
two  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  located  has  not  been  indifferent,  however,  to  the  wel- 
in  Deckers  Point,  where  he  built  a  house  fare  of  his  community,  at  all  times  being 
and  again  settled  down  to  farming,  but  in  ready  to  join  other  earnest  and  public-spirited 
1869  he  went  with  his  family  to  Tennessee,  citizens  in  promoting  movements  tending  to- 
and  there  spent  one  year  in  the  sawmill  busi-  ward  progress  and  advancement  along  all 
ness.  Conditions  in  the  South  at  that  time  lines.  He  has  been  a  lifelong  member  of  the 
did  not  attract  Mr.  Fisher,  however,  and  he  Lutheran  Church,  and  has  served  as  elder  of 
again  came  to  Deckers  Point,  where  he  be-  the  church  at  Antioch,  where  he  has  been  an 
came  engaged  in  shookmaking,  later  spend-  active  worker  in  religious  and  charitable 
ing  one  year  at  Indiana,  Pa.,  in  the  same  line    movements. 

of  work.  He  then  spent  two  years  in  that  On  Nov.  7,  1861,  Mr.  Fisher  was  united  in 
line  at  Deckers  Point,  and  succeeding  this  marriage  with  Sarah  Jane  McAdoo,  of  Indi- 
took  up  house  and  barn  building,  to  which  he  ana  county,  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah 
gaTe  his  undivided  attention  for  several  years,  (Palmer)  McAdoo,  and  she  has  proved  a 
erecting  over  a  dozen  houses  and  barns  in  faithful  and  loyal  helpmate  to  her  husband 
Grant  township,  and  in  the  meantime  also  and  a  woman  of  many  sterling  qualities.  To 
following  farming.  In  1904  Mr.  Fisher  re-  this  union  there  have  been  bom  children  as 
moved  to  Jefferson  county,  where  he  cul-  follows:  One  son  who  died  in  infancy; 
tivated  a  small  tract  of  land  and  also  followed  Horace,  who  met  his  death  at  the  hands  of  a 
the  carpenter's  trade.  In  1910  he  returned  ferryman  in  McKean  county  in  1891;  John 
to  Grant  township,  where  he  and  his  wife  are  who  is  a  resident  of  Deckers  Point ;  James' 
living  retired,  at  the  home  of  their  daughter  a  resident  of  Punxsutawney ;  Callie,  with 
ancl  son-in-law,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  Sheesley,  whom  her  parents  reside,  the  wife  of'  Peter 
their  post  office  address  being  Marion  Center.  Sheesley,  living  on  a  farm  in  Grant  township 
On  Aug.  5,  1862,  Mr.  Fisher  enlisted  in  (she  is  the  mother  of  one  child,  Paul)  ;  and 
Company  I,  67th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Charles,  who  follows  the  painter's  trade  and 
Infantry,  for  service  during  the  Civil  war,  makes  his  home  at  Deckers  Point.  Mr.  Fisher 
but  the  company  was  so  small  that  it  was  has  had  a  long  and  useful  career,  and  in  what- 
later  merged  with  Company  F,  being  under  ever  community  he  has  found  himself  has  so 
command  of  Col.  J.  F.  Stanton,  Maj.  Harry  conducted  his  affairs  as  to  maintain  the  good 
White  (since  congressman  and  judge  of  In-  will  and  confidence  of  his  neighbors  and  asso- 
diana  county),  Lieut.  Col.  Horace  B.  Burn-  ciates.  Now,  in  the  evening  of  life,  he  may 
ham,  and  Captains  Cornwell  and  Fleck.  Mr.  enjoy  the  comforts  that  his  years  of  fruitful 
Fisher  participated  in  all  the  movements  of  labor  have  won  for  him,  satisfied  in  the  knowl- 
his  regiment,  faithfully  attending  to  his  edge  that  no  stain  or  blemish  mars  his  record, 
duties  and  bearing  cheerfully  his  share  of  the 

hardships  and  dangers  incident  to  army- life,  SAMUEL  SHEFFLER,  justice  of  the 
He  participated  in  the  battle  in  which  his  peace  of  Center  township,  Indiana  county, 
brother  was  taken  prisoner,  and  at  the  battle  owns  and  operates  a  feed  mill  near  Coral  and 
of  Winchester  was  himself  captured  by  the  lias  also  been  engaged  in  farming  and  black- 
enemy,  being  taken  to  Richmond,  where  he  smithing,  in  all  of  which  lines  he  has  met  with 
was  confined  with  others  in  a  tobacco  shed,    success.     He  is  a  man  of  sterling  character 


1220 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  all  who 
know  him.  Mr.  ShefBer  was  born  in  West- 
moreland county.  Pa.,  near  Greensbiirg,  Dee. 
27,  1844,  son  of  Philip  Shiffler  (as  the  father 
spelled  his  name),  and  his  great-grandfather, 
George,  probably  came  from  Germany;  he 
settled  in  Westmoreland  county.  John,  son 
of  George,  married  Elizabeth  Hill,  whose 
father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 

Philip  Shiffler,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Hill),  was  the  eldest  of  their  family  and  was 
born  in  1820  near  Greensburg,  in  Westmore- 
land county.  He  learned  the  trade  of  black- 
smith, which  he  followed  all  his  life,  earning 
the  reputation  of  being  a  mechanic  of  excep- 
tional skill.  In  1842  he  married  Mary  M. 
Bowman,  daughter  of  Abraham  Bowman,  of 
Westmoreland  county,  and  granddaughter  of 
Barnard  Bowman,  who  came  from  Germany 
and  settled  in  Northampton  county,  Pa. ;  he 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  In 
1851  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shiffler  moved  with  their 
family  to  Center  township,  Indiana  county, 
settling  on  land  now  owned  by  the  Wharton 
Coke  Company,  near  where  their  son  Samuel 
now  resides.  They  were  the  parents  of  five 
children:  Samuel;  Oliver,  who  married 
Emma  J.  Hildebrand,  daughter  of  Enoch 
Hildebrand,  of  Indiana  county  (both  are 
now  deceased)  ;  Hannah  M.,  who  married  J. 
J.  Hill,  of  Steubenville,  Ohio,  now  living  in 
the  State  of  Washington;  Elizabeth  Emma, 
wife  of  A.  B.  Mikesell,  of  Homer  City;  and 
Satilla  J.,  who  married  C.  W.  Keller,  of 
Coral,  Indiana  county. 

Samuel  Sheffler  was  seven  years  old  when 
the  family  settled  in  Indiana  county  near  his 
present  home.  He  attended  the  district  school 
nearest  his  home,  but  it  was  a  mile  away  and 
the  term  was  short,  so  that  its  advantages 
were  limited.  Sometimes  he  did  not  get  to 
school  more  than  one  day  a  week.  He  con- 
tinued at  home,  working  with  his  father  at 
the  blacksmith's  trade,  until  he  was  eighteen 
years  old,  in  January,  1863,  enlisting  in  the 
Union  army  for  service  in  the  Civil  war. 
This  was  for  a  three  months'  term.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1864,  he  reenlisted,  for  three  years, 
becoming  a  member  of  Company  F,  55th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which 
he  remained  until  discharged,  after  the  close 
of  the  war.  The  first  part  of  his  service  was 
spent  in  Ohio  and  around  Pittsburg.  After 
his  second  enlistment  he  was  at  Pittsburg  for 
two  months,  thence  going  to  New  York  and 
from  there  by  transport  to  Hilton  Head,  S. 
C,  where  the  command  was  kept  for  two 
weeks.     Thence  they  went  by  sailing  vessel 


to  City  Point,  Va.,  at  the  mouth  of  the  James 
river,  and  from  there  marched  to  Bermuda 
Hundred,  where  they  had  their  first  engage- 
ment. The  next  was  at  Drury's  Bluff  and 
lasted  three  days,  the  defeat  at  that  point 
costing  the  regiment,  in  killed,  wounded  and 
captured,  four  hundred  men  and  all  the  field 
officers.  After  this  battle  they  were  ordered 
to  Cold  Harbor  and  participated  in  the  en- 
gagement there,  one  of  the  bloodiest  of  the 
war.  For  a  short  time  after  the  battle  of 
Petersburg  they  were  located  along  the  north 
side  of  the  James  river,  about  thirty  miles 
from  Richmond,  Va.  Here  they  were  in 
winter  quarters  until  March,  1865,  when  they 
were  ordered  to  Hatcher's  Run,  south  of 
Petersburg,  on  the  Weldon  railroad,  watching 
Lee's  movements  until  his  surrender.  After 
that  the  regiment  was  sent  back  to  Richmond, 
remaining  there  until  discharged,  Sept.  15, 
1865.  Mr.  Sheffler  arrived  home  Sept.  25th. 
He  was  in  seventeen  engagements  all  told, 
and  was  in  the  hospital  for  about  six  weeks 
during  his  connection  with  the  army. 

After  his  return  from  the  army  Mr.  Shef- 
fler completed  his  apprenticeship  at  the 
blacksmith's  trade  with  his  father,  whom  he 
also  helped  with  the  farm  work.  In  1870  he 
went  to  the  oil  region  of  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  worked  as  a  mechanic  for  two  years,  at 
the  end  of  that  period  coming  home  again  and 
settling  in  Center  township,  where  he  has 
resided  continuously  since.  He  has  a  farm 
of  seventy-five  acres,  to  the  cultivation  of 
which  he  devotes  all  his  time.  He  is  an  in- 
dustrious and  enterprising  business  man,  and 
has  high  standing  among  his  fellow  citizens. 
He  has  served  his  township  as  member  of  the 
board  of  school  directors  for  six  years  and 
since  1901  has  been  a  justice  of  the  peace. 
In  politics  he  has  always  been  associated  with 
the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  Lutheran  in 
religious  connection. 

In  1872  Mr.  Sheffler  married  Rachel  M. 
Bracken,  daughter  of  James  Bracken  and  his 
wife  Margaret  (Kerr),  of  Center  township, 
old  residents  of  that  locality,  whose  home 
was  near  Homer  City.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sheffler 
have  had  two  children:  Cecelia  Edith  mar- 
ried E.  S.  Hendriekson,  of  Derry,  Pa.,  an 
engineer  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad;  J. 
Ernest,  now  living  in  the  Cocolalla  valley, 
Idaho,  married  Lydia  Armstrong,  of  Mary- 
land, and  they  have  three  children,  Ernest, 
Kenneth  and  Emma  Jane. 

JAMES  WESLEY  ACKERSON,  general 
farmer     of     Cherry  hill     township,     Indiana 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1221 


county,  has  resided  in  that  section  all  of  his 
life,  having  been  born  in  the  township  Dec. 
11,  1870. 

Mr.  Aekerson's  education  was  secured  in 
the  district  schools  of  Cherryhill  township, 
and  as  a  youth  he  was  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  which  he  has  followed  all  his  life. 
On  Feb.  1,  1900,  he  was  married  to  Emma 
Belle  Stephens,  who  was  born  June  30,  1880, 
daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Moore- 
head)  Stephens.  They  have  one  son,  "Wil- 
liam J.,  born  Jan.  4,  1904. 

William  Stephens  was  one  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Indiana  county,  settling  on  the  farm 
now  owned  by  Mr.  Ackerson  at  a  time  when 
it  was  still  partly  covered  with  timber,  which 
he  assisted  in  clearing.  He  farmed  there 
throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and  his 
death  occurred  on  his  original  farm.  Mrs 
Stephens  passed  away  May  17,  1911,  the 
mother  of  six  children,  as  follows :  Giles,  who 
resides  in  Pottstown,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.; 
Agnes;  Emma  Belle,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Acker- 
son;  Kinney,  a  resident  of  Pittsburg;  Cora, 
living  in  Montgomery  county  with  her 
brother  Giles;  and  Stratton,  who  lives  in 
Denver,  Colorado. 

Since  his  marriage  Mr.  Ackerson  has  car- 
ried on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on 
the  farm  formerly  owned  by  his  father-in-law, 
and  which  he  has  developed  into  a  high  state 
of  cultivation.  He  and  his  family  reside  at 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  places  in  Indiana 
county. 

CLARK  DORSEY  PEDDICORD,  a  farmer 
of  Armstrong  township,  this  county,  was 
born  in  Center  township,  on  the  Lytle  farm, 
Nov.  8,  1877,  the  only  son  of  his  parents, 
Dorsey  and  Catherine  (Hunter)  Peddicord, 
the  latter  of  whom  was  born  near  Richmond, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Peddicord  grew  to  manhood's  estate  in 
his  native  township  and  attended  the  Pealor 
school,  having  Elder  Pealor,  Martha  Harbi- 
son, Edward  Harbison,  Robert  Russell  and 
other  teachers.  He  attended  school  until  he 
was  twenty  years  old,  and  left  to  devote  all  his 
time  to  agricultural  pursuits.  In  1902,  after 
his  marriage,  he  spent  a  year  in  Indiana,  and 
then  went  to  the  John  Hill  farm  in  Arm- 
strong township.  After  a  year  there  he  took 
charge  of  the  Cochran  farm  for  a  year,  but 
then  removed  on  his  present  property,  which 
consists  of  seventy-eight  acres,  and  since  1905 
has  been  engaged  in  operating  it.  Mr.  Peddi- 
cord built  his  modern  barn,  a  corn  crib  and 
other  buildings,  and  takes  pride  in  keeping 


his  premLses  thoroughly  up-to-date  in  every 
respect. 

On  Sept.  25,  1901,  Mr.  Peddicord  was  mar- 
ried to  Rusha  Allison,  and  they  have  had  the 
following  children:  Zella  L.,  Carl  D.,  Mar- 
garet M.,  Laura  and  Mary  C,  all  living  except 
Carl  D.  Mr.  Peddicord  is  a  Presbyterian, 
while  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Baptist  Church, 
l^litically  he  has  voted  the  Democratic 
ticket,  although  he  is  somewhat  independent 
in  his  views.  He  is  a  good  farmer,  and  a  man 
who  has  fully  earned  all  that  he  now  owns  by 
hard  work  and  constant  economy. 

ALEXANDER  FISCUS,  late  of  Shelocta, 
Indiana  county,  whose  widow  and  family  are 
now  residents  of  the  borough  of  Indiana,  was 
one  of  the  respected  farmer  citizens  of  the 
community.  He  was  a  native  of  Armstrong 
county,  Pa,,  born  March  25,  1845,  near  Coch- 
ran's Mills,  son  of  David  and  Christina 
(Ruppert)  Fiseus.  His  ancestors  on  both 
sides  were  early  settled  families  of  that 
county. 

David  Fiseus  was  born  in  Armstrong 
county  and  followed  farming  all  his  life.  In 
1892  he  moved  to  Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  where 
he  died  in  1910,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety-two  years.  He  was  a  Democrat  in 
politics.  His  wife,  who  still  survives,  is  now 
(1912)  ninety-six  years  of  age.  She  is  a 
devout  Lutheran  in  religious  faith.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  David  Fiseus  had  a  family  of  sixteen 
children.  We  have  record  of  twelve,  namely : 
Samuel,  deceased;  Christine;  Nancy;  Alex- 
ander, deceased;  Lucinda;  Ida;  Lucetta; 
John;  Robert,  of  Apollo;  Lewis,  of  Apollo ; 
Alvin,  of  Apollo;  and  Thomas,  of  Leechburg. 

Alexander  Fiseus  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools.  He  was  reared  to  farming  and 
after  his  marriage  located  on  a  150-acre  place 
at  Cochran's  Mills,  Armstrong  county.  Later 
he  sold  this  place  and  bought  150  acres  at 
Shelocta,  Indiana  county,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death  in  the  fall  of  1901.  He  be- 
came a  prominent  man  in  that  community, 
serving  eleven  years  as  school  director  of  the 
township  and  five  years  as  supervisor.  In 
politics  he  was  associated  with  the  Democratic 
party.  He  was  a  leading  member  of  the  U.  P. 
Church,  which  he  served  in  the  capacity  of 
trustee  for  fourteen  years. 

On  May  15,  1876,  Mr.  Fiseus  married  Mary 
E.  Smith,  who  was  born  July  14.  1851,  iu 
Armstrong  county,  daughter  of  James  and 
Margaret  (Henderson)  Smith.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Fiseus  spent  their  honeymoon  at  the  Cen- 
tennial in  Philadelphia.    Five  years  after  the 


1222 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


death  of  her  husband  ^Irs.  Fiscus  moved  with 
her  family  to  Indiana.  Her  children  were  as 
follows:  Frank,  of  Indiana,  who  married 
Minnie  Rupert;  Maud,  Mrs.  Albert  Warren, 
of  Indiana;  David,  of  Indiana,  who  married 
Agnes  Gibson;  Margaret,  at  home;  Wilson, 
at  home,  an  electrician;  and  George  R. 

James  Smith,  father  of  Mrs.  Fiscus,  was 
born  and  reared  in  Armstrong  county,  living 
and  dying  within  three  miles  of  his  birth- 
place. His  father,  William  Smith,  came  from 
Ireland  with  his  parents  when  a  boy,  the 
family  locating  near  Elderton,  Pa.  To  James 
and  Margaret  (Henderson)  Smith  were  born 
ten  children,  only  eight  of  whom,  however, 
grew  to  maturity,  namely:  Martha,  Mrs. 
Absalom  Remaley,  of  Armstrong  county; 
Benjamin,  who  was  killed  in  the  battle  oi 
Chaneellorsville ;  William,  who  was  wounded 
in  both  legs  by  bullets  at  the  first  battle  of 
Bull  Run;  Rebecca,  Mrs.  Henry  Fraley,  of 
Armstrong  county;  Tillie,  Mrs.  James  North, 
of  Homer  City;  Nancy,  Mrs.  Parks  Shreeken- 
gost;  Mary  E.,  Mrs.  Fiscus;  and  Wilson  S., 
of  Armstrong  county. 

JOHN  McCartney  barklby,  of  Buf- 

fington  township,  Indiana  county,  is  a  busi- 
ness man  of  many  and  varied  interests.  He 
owns  and  cultivates  the  farm  upon  Mdiich  he 
resides,  mines  and  sells  the  coal  lying  beneath, 
and  has  followed  various  kinds  of  mechanical 
work,  all  with  a  degree  of  success  which  be- 
tokens ability  and  enterprise  beyond  the 
average.  He  was  born  July  26,  1858,  in 
Buffington  township,  son  of  Joseph  Barkley, 
grandson  of  Robert  McCulloch  Barkley  and 
great-grandson  of  Hugh  Barkley. 

Hugh  Barkley  was  a  school  teacher  and 
clerk  for  the  commissioners  in  Baltimore  in 
1782.  He  married  Sarah  McCulloch,  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  McCulloch,  of  Canedogigue, 
Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  whose  wife  was  a  Mc- 
Cartney, and  their  children  were:  James, 
born  May  20,  1776,  who  died  Aug.  7,  1779 ; 
Sarah,  born  April  2.5,  1782,  who  married  a 
Mr.  Cunningham  and  had  children  Agnes 
and  Sarah;  Robert  McCulloch;  Joseph,  born 
Oct.  19,  1786;  Samuel,  born  Aug.  15.  1789; 
and  John  McFaden,  born  Aug.  18,  1792. 

Robert  McCulloch  Barkley,  born  Oct.  25, 
1784,  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  moved  to  the  town 
of  Indiana,  in  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  in  1813, 
and  lived  there  for  several  years,  thence  mov- 
ing in  1825  to  East  Wheatfield  township,  same 
county,  where  he  remained  until  1838.  In 
that  year  he  came  to  what  is  now  Buffington 
(then    included    in    Wheatfield)     township, 


where  be  built  a  house  and  settled  with  hia 
family.  The  snow  was  three  feet  deep  when 
he  arrived  at  this  place.  He  was  a  shoemaker, 
and  continued  to  follow  his  trade  after  mov- 
ing here,  but  he  also  set  to  work  to  clear  hia 
land  and  engaged  in  farming  to  some  extent. 
This  farm  is  now  owned  by  his  granddaugh- 
ter, Mrs.  J.  A.  Doty.  Mr.  Barkley  married 
Elizabeth  Marlin,  a  native  of  Carlisle  (better 
known  as  Big  Spring  Valley),  Cumberland 
Co.,  Pa.,  who  was  born  Nov.  19.  1785,  and 
died  Oct.  14,  1863,  in  Buffington  township. 
Mr.  Barkley  also  died  there,  Nov.  19.  1858, 
and  they  were  interred  in  the  IMcCartney 
cemetery.  Children  as  follows  were  born  to 
this  pioneer  couple:  (1)  Joshua  Marlin,  born 
Dec.  20,  1813,  died  Feb.  22,  1859.  He  lived 
in  Armagh,  and  was  a  well-known  citizen  of 
his  day,  serving  as  .justice  of  the  peace.  Ho 
married  Sarah  Williams,  and  they  had  chil- 
dren: Anna  Eliza;  Amanda;  David,  who 
was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg, 
Dec.  13,  1862;  Mary  B.,  Mrs.  Southard,  de- 
ceased, who  had  one  son,  Fred,  now  living  in 
Cleveland,  Ohio;  Jesse  Marlin,  proprietor  of 
the  Point  Pleasant  summer  resort,  living  at 
Madison  Lake,  Minn,  (he  has  one  daughter, 
Mrs.  George  Owen)  ;  Agnes ;  and  Margetta, 
who  married  Fred  H.  White,  lives  in  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y.,  and  has  one  son  William  and  one 
daughter  Sadie.  (2)  Sarah,  born  Feb.  12, 
1815,  died  unmarried  March  3.  1905,  aged 
ninety  years.  (3)  Agnes,  born  Oct.  16,  1816, 
died  unmarried  Sept.  21,  1845.  (4)  Joseph 
is  mentioned  below.  (5)  Robert  McC,  born 
Feb.  6,  1820,  died  unmarried  Nov.  4,  1900, 
(6)  Mary,  born  Sept.  6,  1821,  died  June  27, 
1830.  (7)  Hugh  A.,  born  May  20,  1825,  died 
July  9,  1841. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Marlin)  Barkley  was  a 
daughter  of  Joshua  Marlin  and  granddaugh- 
ter of  Ralph  Marlin,  born  Dec.  26,  1707.  who 
died  in  j\Iay,  1793.    The  latter  married  Lettiee 

Fleming,  who  died  Feb.  22,  ,  at  the  age 

of  106  years,  and  they  are  buried  in  the 
cemetery  at  Big  Springs,  in  Carlisle  towniship, 
Cumberland  county.  They  had  one  sou, 
Joshua. 

Joshua  Marlin,  only  son  of  Ralph  and 
Lettiee  (Fleming)  Marlin,  born  Dec.  27, 
1745,  was  married  March  25,  1776,  to  Agnes 
McCulloch,  sister  of  Mrs.  Hugh  Barkley, 
above,  and  their  twelve  children  were  born 
as  follows:  Ralph,  April  3,  1777  (he  was  a 
colonel  in  the  war  of  1812)  ;  Sarah,  June  2, 
1779  (died  Aug.  1,  1779)  ;  Robert,  June  8, 
1780;  Lettiee.  Jan.  17.  1782;  Sarah,  March  8. 
1784    (died  Feb.    14,   1830;   married  Marlin 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1223 


Walker)  ;  Elizabeth,  Nov.  19,  1785-86  (mar- 
ried Eobert  MeCuUoch  Barkley)  ;  Samuel, 
Oct.  Q,  1787 ;  Joshua,  April  17,  1790 ;  Agnes, 
July  6,  1792  (died  June  6,  1832;  married 
William  Douglas)  ;  Lattice  (married  George 
Ballentine) ;  Jesse,  March  4,  1797;  William, 
July  9,  1800.  The  McCullochs  lived  in 
Canedogigue,  Cumberland  county,  Jane,  sister 
of  Mrs.  Marlin  and  Mrs.  Barkley,  married 
Ephraim  Wallace. 

Joseph  Barkley,  born  May  10,  1818,  at  the 
town  of  Indiana  in  Indiana  county,  died 
March  18,  1900.  He  received  his  schooling  at 
his  native  place,  and  later  moving  with  his 
parents  to  East  Wheatfield  township  taught 
at  the  Barkley  school  there  for  a  few  years; 
he  also  taught  the  Irish  Bottom  school  and 
others.  Later  he  learned  shoemaking  under 
his  father  and  followed  the  trade  in  the  winter 
season,  in  the  summer  engaging  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits  on  his  ninety-six  acres  in 
Buffington  township ;  he  carried  on  general 
farming.  For  many  years  he  served  as  school 
director,  and  he  was  also  active  in  church 
work,  acting  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  to 
which  he  belonged.  In  politics  he  was  first  a 
Whig,  later  a  Republican. 

On  May  29,  1849,  Mr.  Barkley  married 
Jane  McCartney,  who  was  born  May  25,  1817, 
and  preceded  him  to  the  grave,  dying  Dec. 
15,  1894.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Sarah  (Bryan)  McCartney,  and  her  father 
was  a  pioneer  settler  in  Buffington  township. 
Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Joseph  Barkley :  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  A. 
Doty,  a  farmer  and  engineer  (he  is  a  de- 
scendant of  the  old  Doty  family  of  Massa- 
chusetts, which  has  been  in  America  since  the 
earliest  settlement  in  that  region,  the  immi- 
grant ancestor  coming  in  the  "Mayflower")  ; 
Sarah  Jane,  wife  of  Charles  Frank  Curtis, 
living  in  Gamett,  Kans.,  where  he  is  a  large 
stock  dealer  and  farmer  (they  have  one  son, 
Frederick  B.)  ;  John  McCartney;  and  Hugh 
McCuUoch,  deceased. 

John  McCartney  Barkley  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  BufiSngton 
township,  and  in  his  earlier  years  worked 
with  his  father  at  farming  and  shoemaking. 
Later  he  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  with 
John  Young,  of  Buffington  township,  and  fol- 
lowed that  for  many  years,  in  time  becoming 
engaged  as  a  contractor  and  builder,  which 
line  he  carried  on  until  the  year  1891.  He 
also  worked  at  the  trade  of  blacksmith,  which 
he  learned  by  himself.  In  1891  he  bought  the 
Nick  Altimiis  farm  of  133  acres   (formerly 


owned  by  Nat.  Bryan,  his  great-grandfather) 
in  Buffington  township,  and  there  he  has  since 
resided,  tilling  the  soil  and  also  developing 
the  coal  deposits,  a  rich  vein  running  through 
the  property,  known  as  the  Upper  Freeport 
vein.  He  mines  and  sells  from  five  thousand 
to  sis  thousand  bushels  of  coal  annually.  His 
farming  interests  are  quite  extensive,  and  he 
is  still  interested  in  mechanical  work,  owning 
a  large  threshing  machine  which  he  operates 
all  over  this  section.  He  was  one  of  the  or- 
ganizers of  the  Dilltown  Telephone  Company, 
in  which  he  is  a  stockholder,  and  he  also  owns 
stock  in  the  Buffington  Township  Telephone 
Company.  His  progressive  nature  and  in- 
dustrious habits  have  made  him  one  of  the 
most  substantial  residents  of  his  locality.  He 
has  taken  some  part  in  public  affairs,  having 
served  one  year  as  overseer  of  the  poor  and 
seven  years  as  member  of  the  township  elec- 
tion board.  In  political  association  he  is  a 
Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  East 
Union  United  Presbyterian  Church  and  a 
leader  in  its  activities,  having  been  elder  for 
seven  years  and  superintendent  of  Sunday 
school. 

On  Feb.  3,  1887,  Mr.  Barkley  married 
Martha  Ann  Stilz,  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Margaret  (Sidler)  Stilz,  of  Buffington  town- 
ship and  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  respectively,  and 
they  have  had  three  children  :  ( 1 )  Joseph 
Henry,  born  Aug.  17,  1888,  attended  school 
under  Prof.  C.  A.  Campbell  and  later  studied 
at  Ebensburg  and  went  to  college  at  Pitts- 
burg. He  is  now  employed  by  the  Cambria 
Steel  Company,  in  the  office  at  Johnstown, 
Pa.  He  is  unmarried.  (2)  Margaret  Jane, 
born  Dec.  13,  1891,  studied  under  Professor 
Campbell  for  three  terms  and  under  Pro- 
fessor Weaver  for  one  term  at  Mechanics- 
burg,  and  subsequently  taught  school  four 
terms  in  Buffington  township.  She  is  now  at 
home.  (3)  Paul  McCartney,  born  July  31, 
1894,  is  now  teaching  the  Grow  school  in  Buf- 
fington township. 

The  branch  of  the  McCartney  family  from 
which  Mr.  Barkley  is  descended  in  the  ma- 
ternal line  are  the  posterity  of  Joseph  Mc- 
Cartney, who  married  Sarah  Galbreath,  of 
New  Carlisle,  Pa.  Her  mother's  name  was 
Kate  Sanderson.  His  father,  Joseph  Mc- 
Cartney, was  a  brother  of  Thomas  McCartney, 
the  first  sheriff  of  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  who 
is  buried  in  McCartney's  graveyard  in  Indi- 
ana county.  The  McCartneys  came  from 
County  Armagh,  Ireland. 

Joseph  and  Sarah  (Galbreath)  McCartney 
had  children  as  follows:     (1)   Jennett  mar- 


1224 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ried  Nicholas  Chapman,  and  had  children: 
Thomas,  Sally,  Joseph,  John.  William, 
Rachel,  Nicholas  and  Samuel.  (2)  Thomas 
married  Betsey  Ross,  and  their  children  were : 
Will,  Washington,  Thomas,  Matilda  and  John 
G.  (3)  Sarah  was  twice  married,  first  to 
James  Galbreath,  second  to  Robert  McCand- 
less.  (4)  Joseph  married  Jane  Trimble,  and 
had  children:  Margaret;  George;  Samuel; 
Mary  Jane;  Sallie;  Martha,  who  married 
Joseph  Bryan  and  had  McCartney,  Will, 
Charlie  and  Jane ;  Joseph,  who  married  Maria 
Frazier,  and  had  a  son  Will ;  and  Nancy,  who 
married  Charlie  Allison  and  had  two  children, 
Carrie  (who  married  James  Stewart  and  had 
four  children)  and  Sam.  (5)  Margaret  mar- 
ried Matthew  Dill.  (6)  John  is  mentioned 
below.  (7)  Catherine  married  Samuel  Step- 
hens and  had  children :  Miriam,  Martha,  Jane, 
Samson,  Estep  and  Sarah.  (8)  Rachel  mar- 
ried Alex.  Galbreath  and  had:  Joseph, 
Martha,  Clarissa  ,  IMatilda,  Mar- 
garet, Sarah  Jane,  Rhoda  and  Ann.  (9) 
Martha  married  Richard  Dill  and  had  a 
daughter,  Eliza,  who  married  Ephraim  Mc- 
Kelvey  and  had  children,  Nathaniel  and  Ann 
Eliza.  (10)  Andrew,  of  Jackson  river 
(branch  of  James)  in  Virginia,  had  children 
Jane  and  John,  the  latter  of  whom  lived  at 
Fort  Cumberland,  Va.,  and  had  a  son  Thomas. 
John  McCartney,  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah 
(Galbreath)  McCartney,  married  Nov.  3, 
1814,  Sarah  Bryan.  He  died  Feb.  2,  1846, 
and  she  passed  away  Feb.  14,  1864.  They 
had  the  following  family:  Sarah,  born  Aiig. 
30,  1815,  married  James  McFarland;  Jane, 
born  May  25,  1817,  was  married  May  29,  1849, 
to  Joseph  Barkley,  and  died  Dec.  15,  1894; 
Martha,  born  March  1,  1819,  married  William 
H.  Doubthett,  and  died  Nov.  28,  1863 ;  Eliza- 
beth, born  March  5,  1821,  died  March  5,  1880; 
John  Bryan,  born  March  3,  1823,  married 
Anna  Duncan;  Joseph,  born  Oct.  14,  1828, 
was  in  the  Union  service  during  the  Civil 
war,  in  the  71st  Indiana  Regiment,  serving 
from  April,  1861,  to  September,  1864; 
Katherine,  born  March  3,  1831,  married  Israel 
Doty,  and  died  March  3,  1874 ;  Rebecca,  born 
May  7,  1833,  died  May  8,  1854;  Margaret, 
born  Oct.  3,  1835,  married  Joseph  Hood,  and 
died  Feb.  19,  1905 ;  Lavina,  born  Feb.  4,  1838, 
married  James  Mills,  and  died  March  16, 
1901. 

WILLIAM  W.  HAMILTON  (deceased), 
of  Montgomery  township,  Indiana  county, 
was  a  farmer  throughout  his  active  years,  and 
the  family  has  lived  at  the  present  home  since 


1868.  He  was  bom  Sept.  23,  1835,  at  Holli- 
daysburg,  Blair  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Robert  A. 
Hamilton,  and  grandson  of  Patrick  Hamilton, 
who  came  to  this  countiy  from  Ireland. 

The  Hamilton  family  originally  had  its  home 
in  Scotland,  but  being  obliged  to  leave  that 
country  on  account  of  some  political  troubles 
located  in  or  about  Belfast,  Ireland.  Two 
brothers,  Robert  and  Patrick  (the  latter  the 
grandfather  of  William  W.  Hamilton),  came 
to  this  country  about  the  year  1800,  maybe 
earlier,  and  with  them  a  Smith  family,  aU 
settling  in  the  Scotch  valley,  in  Huntingdon 
county.  Pa.  They  were  followed  possibly 
thirty  years  later  by  another  brother,  named 
Hans,  and  his  family.  Patrick  Hamilton  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Smith,  and  Robert  married 
her  sister.  To  Patrick  and  Elizabeth  (Smith) 
Hamilton  were  bom  the  following  children: 
Robert  A.,  Parran,  Jane,  Ann,  Ascenath,  and 
Martha.    They  were  farming  people. 

Robert  A.  Hamilton,  son  of  Patrick,  mar- 
ried Anna  Mary  Evers,  of  Duncannon,  Pa., 
and  they  settled  on  a  farm  near  HoUidays- 
burg,  Blair  Co.,  Pa.,  whence  he  brought  his 
family  in  1848  to  Indiana  county,  buying  a 
farm  of  160  acres  in  IMontgomery  township. 
He  farmed  all  his  life.  He  was  a  Presbyterian 
in  religious  faith  and  an  elder  in  his  church. 
Eleven  children  were  born  to  himself  and 
wife,  six  sons  and  five  daughters,  namely: 
John  Newton,  William  Wallace,  Robert 
Bruce,  Charles  Harvey,  James,  George,  Eliza- 
beth Ann,  Mary,  Ascenath,  Rassie  and  Tirzah. 

WilUam  W.  Hamilton  came  to"  Indiana 
county  with  his  father  and  the  rest  of  the  fam- 
ily in  1848,  and  was  reared  on  the  farm,  as- 
sisting his  father.  He  followed  farming  and 
lumbering  all  his  active  years  except  for  a 
few  years,  while  he  was  in  the  war  and  when 
he  was  in  business  at  Cherrytree,  this  county, 
where  he  opened  a  store  in  1865,  carrying  it 
on  until  1867.  Then  he  resumed  farming,  in 
1868  buying  the  property  in  Montgomerj' 
township  upon  which  the  family  has  since 
lived.  He  was  a  highly  respected  resident  of 
Montgomery  township,  and  although  not  ac- 
tive in  public  affairs  was  always  regarded  as 
one  of  the  worthiest  and  most  desirable  citi- 
zens in  his  neighborhood.  He  died  Nov.  7, 
1891. 

On  Nov.  29,  1864,  Mr.  Hamilton  married 
Susan  Clark,  formerly  of  Lewisberry,  York 
Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Virtue  and  Catherine 
(Grove)  Clark,  and  they  have  four  children 
living,  namely :  Ada  E. ;  Robert  Franklin, 
a  farmer;  Aubrey  M.,  a  farmer:  and  John 
Jay. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1225 


Mr.  Hamilton  was  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  during  the  Civil  war  he  was  a  stanch 
Union  supporter,  enlisting  twice,  the  first 
time  Aug.  31,  1861,  at  Youngs,  Clearfield 
Co.,  Pa.  He  was  enrolled  Sept.  10,  1861, 
in  Company  D,  78th  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  Negley's  Brigade,  Rosecrans' 
Division.  He  was  a  musician,  playing  the 
fife,  and  was  with  his  regiment  constantly  un- 
til honorably  discharged,  Jan.  12,  1863,  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  by  reason  of  disability.  He 
had  been  promoted  to  third  sergeant  in  May, 
1862.  The  second  time  he  enlisted  at  Hunt- 
ingdon, Blair  Co.,  Pa.,  in  Company  K,  46th 
Regiment  of  P.  V.  Militia,  July  6,  1863,  and 
rose  to  the  rank  of  second  lieutenant.  He  was 
honorably  discharged  by  order  of  Governor 
Curtin,  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  Aug.  18,  1865. 

Virtue  Clark,  father  of  Mrs.  Hamilton,  was 
born  in  Connecticut  May  17,  1799,  and  on 
June  10,  1827,  married  Catherine  Grove. 
They  moved  to  Indiana  county  from  York 
county.  Pa.,  in  1841,  and  Mr.  Clark  died  Feb. 
7,  1863.  His  wife,  Catherine,  born  in  York 
county,  March  5,  1807,  survived  him  many 
years,  dying  Sept.  10,  1893.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Samuel  Grove  and  his  wife  Han- 
nah (Reinhart),  of  New  York,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Samuel  Grove,  who  came  to  this 
country  from  Holland  and  married  Katy  Ens- 
minger;  his  maternal  grandparents  were  Jo- 
seph and  Susan  (Danner)  Reinhart.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Virtue  Clark  were  the  parents  of  eleven 
children,  seven  sons  and  four  daughters. 

JOHN  P.  GEORGE,  a  farmer  of  Buffing- 
ton  township,  and  postmaster  at  Blaides  post 
office,  was  bom  in  that  township  June  7,  1858, 
son  of  Adam  George  and  grandson  of  Nicho- 
las George. 

Nicholas  George  came  to  Indiana  county 
from  Franklin  county.  Pa.,  in  1824,  settling 
in  Buffington  township  on  a  tract  of  200  acres 
now  owned  by  the  Mardis  family.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Hellman,  of  Cambria  county, 
Pa.,  and  their  children  were :  Chai'lotte,  who 
married  John  Luke,  of  Ridders  Furnace,  Cam- 
bria Co.,  Pa. ;  Betsy,  who  married  William 
Cameron,  of  Buffington  township ;  Kate,  who 
married  John  Pringer;  Polly,  who  married 
Joseph  Mardis,  and  had  one  child,  George; 
Jerry;  Nicholas;  Adam;  Jacob,  and  Cyrus. 

Adam  George  was  born  Nov.  19.  1812,  and 
died  March  6,  1898.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Paterson,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Martha 
Paterson,  who  was  born  April  5,  1812,  and 
died  Aug.  12,  1899.  Both  she  and  her  hus- 
band are  laid  to  rest  in  the  Lutheran  ceme- 


tery in  Brushvalley.  They  had  children  as 
follows :  Nicholas,  born  in  1837,  is  deceased ; 
Jane  married  William  Davis;  Margaret,  born 
in  1841,  now  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Frank- 
lin Campbell;  Archie,  born  in  1843,  is  de- 
ceased ;  Elizabeth,  born  in  1845,  deceased,  mar- 
ried George  Orner;  Agnes,  who  married  Wil- 
liam Stiles,  resides  at  Cramer,  in  East  Wheat- 
field  township,  with  her  son  Homer;  Pris- 
cilla,  who  married  John  G.  McCreery,  re- 
sides in  Pine  township ;  Matilda,  born  in  1855, 
now  deceased,  married  William  Orner;  Mar- 
tin, who  is  deceased,  married  Christiana  Wil- 
son; Katie  married  a  Mr.  Sherwood;  John  P. 
is  mentioned  below. 

Adam  George  came  to  Buffington  township 
when  twelve  years  old,  and  worked  on  the  farm 
with  his  father  until  his  marriage,  when  he 
bought  a  farm  of  300  acres  from  Judge  White, 
Sr.,  in  1833,  and  carried  on  farming  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  He  was  also  interested  in 
stock  raising  and  lumbering,  developing  into 
a  successful  business  man  and  respected  citi- 
zen. All  during  his  life  he  discharged  any 
duties  laid  upon  him  faithfully  and  consci- 
entiously, and  he  made  an  excellent  overseer 
of  the  poor.  The  Lutheran  Church  of  Brush- 
valley  had  in  him  a  devout  member,  and  he 
was  active  in  its  work  until  within  a  few 
days  of  his  death,  serving  it  as  steward  for 
many  years.  The  principles  of  the  Republi- 
can party  appealed  to  him,  and  he  gave  it  his 
allegiance. 

John  Pringle  George  married  Anna  Gil- 
lispee,  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Martha 
(Stephens)  Gillispee,  and  children  as  follows 
were  born  of  this  marriage:  Blanche,  born 
Feb.  19,  1883,  married  Simpson  Long,  and 
resides  in  Vintondale ;  James  Alfred,  born 
Dec.  7,  1884,  lives  in  Chicago;  Walter,  born 
Feb.  11,  1887,  married  Cora  Weaster;  Katie, 
born  March  28,  1890,  died  March  14,  1893; 
Arthur,  born  May  12,  1892,  married  Mary 
Foster,  and  resides  in  Strongstown,  Pine 
townshii).  The  mother  was  born  April  14, 
1864,  and  died  May  15,  1892,  and  is  buried 
in  Strongstown  cemetery.  Mr.  George's  sec- 
ond marriage  was  to  Mary  Nolf,  who  was  born 
Oct.  4,  1872,  daughter  of  John  and  Julia 
(Carbaugh)  Nolf,  and  died  Jan.  29,  1909, 
being  buried  in  Strongstown  cemetery.  Their 
children  were:  Ida  Gertrude,  Merton  Dean, 
Delmer  Clinton,  Annie  and  Edith,  all  of 
whom  are  at  home.  The  third  wife  of  Mr. 
George  was  Mrs.  Minnie  (Hill)  Graham, 
daughter  of  William  P.  and  Elizabeth  (Flem- 
ing) Hill,  and  widow  of  Stewart  Graham. 
There  are  no  children  by  this  mamage. 


1226 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Wlieu  Mr.  George  was  seven  years  old  the 
house  in  which  he  was  born  was  burned,  and 
his  father  had  to  build  a  new  one.  The  young- 
est of  the  large  family,  he  remained  with  his 
parents,  and  gave  them  his  tender  care  in  their 
declining  years.  He  operated  the  farm  of  168 
acres,  and  later  cleared  off  other  land,  on 
which  he  erected  a  large  barn  and  comfort- 
able frame  house.  Experience  has  taught  I\lr. 
George  that  there  are  large  profits  in  market 
gardening,  and  he  is  specializing  along  this 
line,  and  in  raising  small  fruits.  He  is  one 
of  the  progressive  farmers  and  stock  raisers 
of  his  township,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of 
the  advanced  agriculturists  of  the  county. 
For  fourteen  years  he  has  served  very  ac- 
ceptably as  overseer  of  the  poor,  to  which  of- 
fice he  has  been  elected  on  the  Republican 
ticket.  For  the  last  four  years  he  has  been 
postmaster  of  Blaides  post  office  and  the  Star 
route. 

THOMPSON  CREAMER  has  lived  for 
over  forty  years  on  the  farm  on  Muddy  run, 
in  Blacklick  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  is  now  spending  his  j^ears  in  retirement. 
He  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war. 

Mr.  Creamer  is  a  native  of  the  township, 
bom  July  4,  1839,  and  belongs  to  a  family  of 
German  extraction.  Adam  Creamer,  his 
father,  was  a  native  of  Westmoreland  county, 
this  State,  born  Dec.  5, 1808.  His  father  came 
from  Germany,  and  settled  in  Westmoreland 
county.  When  a  young  man  Adam  Creamer 
came  to  Westmoreland  covmty  and  located  in 
Blacklick  township,  on  the  Charles  Campbell 
farm  of  100  acres,  where  he  farmed  for  a 
period  of  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Later  he 
owned  and  operated  the  Campbell  mills,  on 
Blacklick  creek,  for  seven  years.  His  death 
occurred  j\Iay  4,  1866,  and  he  was  buried  in 
Hopewell  cemetery,  in  Blacklick  township.  In 
politics  Mr.  Creamer  was  a  Whig  and  Re- 
publican. He  married  May  14,  1828,  Jane 
Thompson,  who  was  born  May  20,  1804,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Nellie  (Davis)  Thompson, 
and  died  May  14,  1889  ;  she  is  buried  in  Hope- 
well cemetery,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
Hopewell  jM.  E.  Church.  Six  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adam  Creamer:  (11 
George,  born  Aug.  24,  1831,  died  Feb.  9,  1858, 
in  Blairsville.  (2)  Eleanor,  born  Feb.  2, 
1834,  married  John  Cowell,  and  died  in  Bur- 
rell  April  8,  1864.  (3)  Margaret,  born  May 
27,  1837,  married  Daniel  Spires,  and  died 
July  25,  1895,  in  Lawrence  county,  Pa.  (4) 
Thompson  was  born  July  4,  1839.  (5)  Camp- 
bell, born  July  18,  1841,  died  in  Burrell  June 


6,  1908.  (6)  Mary  Ann,  born  Feb.  1,  1844, 
married  Richard  Kelly,  and  died  April  14. 
1881. 

Thompson  Creamer  attended  school  in 
Blacklick  township,  and  during  his  youth  and 
early  manhood  worked  with  his  father  on  the 
farm  and  at  the  mill,  until  his  enlistment, 
Sept.  6,  1862.  He  joined  Company  E,  11th 
Pennsylvania  Reserves,  under  Capt.  D.  R. 
Coder  and  Colonel  Jackson,  was  mustered  in 
at  Indiana,  and  served  two  years,  nine  months. 
He  participated  in  the  following  battles: 
Fredericksburg,  Dec.  13,  1862;  Bristoe  Sta- 
tion, Oct.  14,  1863 ;  Mine  Run,  1863 ;  WUder- 
ness,  1864;  Laurel  Hill,  1864;  Weldon  Rail- 
road, Aug.  19,  1864.  Taken  prisoner  Aug.  19, 
1864,  he  was  confined  in  Libby  prison  for 
three  days,  and  then  transferred  to  Belle  Isle, 
where  he  remained  until  October,  at  which 
time  he  was  removed  to  Salisbury  prison. 
There  he  was  held  until  February,  1865,  after 
which  he  was  confined  at  Richmond  until 
March  10,  1865,  on  which  date  he  was  paroled, 
being  exchanged  in  May,  1865,  after  being 
deprived  of  his  liberty  eight  months.  He 
went  to  Baltimore,  Md.,  to  hospital,  where  he 
was  kept  owing  to  his  weak  condition  for  six 
weeks.  But  desiring  to  get  home,  where  he 
would  be  better  cared  for.  his  friend  and 
neighbor  James  Dixon  brought  him  back.  Af- 
ter regaining  his  health  he  farmed  for  a  period 
for  James  Dixon,  and  in  1869  settled  on  his 
farm  on  Muddy  run  where  he  has  since  lived. 
He  became  a  very  successful  farmer,  having 
extensive  interests  in  his  active  years,  and 
though  he  has  worked  hard  he  still  enjoys 
good  health  and  spirits.  He  has  a  fine  mem- 
ory, recalling  dates  and  events  accurately. 
Mr.  Creamer  is  a  stanch  Republican,  but  he 
has  never  been  a  politician.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R. 

On  Sept.  25,  1861,  Mr.  Creamer  married 
Sarah  Ann  Kelly,  who  was  born  in  Blacklick 
township,  daughter  of  Archibald  and  Mary 
(Clawson)  Kell.v,  and  granddaughter  of  Rich- 
ard Clawson.  The.y  have  raised  a  family  of 
nine  children:  Adam,  born  June  27,  1862, 
died  Sept.  30,  1891;  Mary  Jane,  born  Feb. 
25,  1865,  married  H.  H.  Rabe.  and  resides  at 
Vandergrift,  Pa. ;  U.  S.  Grant,  born  Feb.  19, 
1867,  resides  at  Vandergrift;  Charles,  born 
Dec.  1,  1869,  is  now  farming  the  Gere  Claw- 
sou  farm ;  Elzora,  born  Feb.  14,  1871,  mar- 
ried F.  B,  Pender,  and  is  living  in  Blairsville ; 
James  Davis,  born  April  29,  1873,  lives  in 
Blacklick  township ;  I\Iargaret  Florena,  born 
May  22,  1875,  married  William  Kenler,  and 
lives  at  Appolo,  Pa. ;  Hannah  Gertrude,  born 


HISTORY  OF  IxNDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1227 


Sept.  8,  1878,  married  Benjamin  Clawson,  of 
Blaeklick  township;  George  "W.,  bom  March 
28,  1880,  lives  in  Los  Angeles,  California. 

JOHN  CHAMBERS  THOMAS,  station 
agent  at  Homer  City,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was 
born  in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county, 
Jan.  28,  1869,  son  of  Amos  Thomas,  of  Arm- 
strong township. 

Mr.  Thomas  gi-ew  up  on  his  father's  farm 
amid  healthy  rural  surroundings  and  after 
completing  a  course  in  the  local  schools  at- 
tended the  Indiana  normal  school  for  five 
terms,  following  which  he  studied  in  a  com- 
mercial college.  Coming  back  home  he  worked 
with  his  father  for  a  period,  and  then  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany at  Indiana,  in  1892,  learning  telegi-aphy. 
He  was  located  at  different  points  on  the 
Conemaugh  division  as  telegraph  operator  un- 
til he  was  appointed,  in  April,  1897,  station 
agent  at  Edri,  Pa.  This  he  held  until  1900, 
when  he  was  transferred  to  Hyde  Park,  and 
in  April,  1901,  he  was  made  station  agent  at 
Homer  City.  He  now  represents  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad  Company  at  that  point  as 
station,  passenger  and  freight  agent,  and  is 
also  agent  for  the  Adams  Express  Company. 
A  capable,  trastworthy  and  efficient  man,  he 
not  only  conserves  the  interests  of  his  com- 
panies, but  serves  the  public  in  a  manner  that 
is  acceptable  to  all  concerned.  He  is  a  JIason 
and  popular  in  the  fraternity.  His  religious 
affiliations  are  with  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

On  Sept.  17,  1901,  Mr.  Thomas  was  mar- 
ried to  Clara  Farnsworth,  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Marj'  Ann  (Buterbaugh)  Farnsworth  of 
Grant  to\^^lship,  Indiana  county.  They  have 
no  children. 

WILLIAM  DEVLIN,  who  for  many  years 
has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in 
Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  on  the  homestead  farm  in  that  township, 
Jan.  8, 1833,  son  of  Richard  and  Nancy  (Ram- 
sey) Devlin. 

William  Devlin,  the  paternal  grandfather  of 
William  Devlin,  was  born  in  Ireland  and  came 
to  the  United  States  in  young  manhood,  set- 
tling first  in  the  Ligonier  valley  and  later 
moving  to  Armstrong  township,  where  he  pur- 
chased the  tract  of  land  that  had  been  set- 
tled by  John  Barr.  Here  he  carried  on  farm- 
ing during  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  was  the  owner  of  160 
acres  of  good  land.  He  had  three  children, 
namely :     James.  Matthew  and  Richard. 

Richard  Devlin,  son  of  William,  and  father 


of  William  Devlin,  was  born  in  the  Ligonier 
valley,  and  moved  to  Armstrong  township  with 
his  parents.  He  settled  on  160  acres  of  land 
which  they  had  patented,  and  erected  a  log 
cabin  in  the  woods,  clearing  a  little  of  his  laud 
each  year,  although  at  times  harassed  by  the 
hostile  Indians.  Eventually  he  became  the 
owner  of  a  good  property  and  died  in  comfort- 
able circumstances,  with  the  respect  and  es- 
teem of  all -who  knew  him.  Mr.  Devlin  mar- 
ried Nancy  Ramsey,  daughter  of  Hugh  Ram- 
sey, of  Armstrong  township,  and  they  had  the 
following  children:  Jane,  who  died  unmar- 
ried; John  R.,  who  was  a  member  of  the  11th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  for  four  years  dur- 
ing the  Civil  war;  James,  who  was  also  a 
member  of  that  famous  regiment,  with  which 
he  served  three  years,  and  is  now  living  on 
a  farm  adjoining  that  of  his  brother  Wil- 
liam ;  Hugh,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twelve 
years;  and  William. 

William  Devlin,  son  of  Richard,  received 
his  education  in  the  Armstrong  township 
schools,  and  at  the  age  of  ten  years  began 
to  work  on  the  homestead  place.  He  has  fol- 
lowed farming  and  stock  raising  to  the  pres- 
ent time,  making  a  specialty  of  fine  horses, 
and  in  spite  of  his  eighty  years  is  hale  and 
hearty  and  continues  to  do  his  own  farm 
work.  He  has  a  tract  of  ninety  acres,  in  a 
good  state  of  cultivation,  and  he  still  owns 
the  coal  there.  The  present  barn  was  erected 
in  1866  and  the  house  in  the  following  year, 
and  l)oth  give  evidence  of  good  workmanship 
hy  still  being  in  excellent  condition,  ilr. 
Devlin  is  a  Democrat  in  his  political  views, 
and  has  served  as  road  supervisor  for  seven 
years.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  all  his  life,  and  has  been 
liberal  in  his  support  of  its  movements. 

Mr.  Devlin  married  Hanna  J.  Wacob, 
daughter  of  John  and  Susan  (Elwood)  Wa- 
cob, and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born 
children  as  follows:  Mae,  who  married  Ed. 
Sharp ;  Belle,  who  married  Harvey  McCurdy ; 
Nancy,  who  married  John  Kerr;  and  James 
H.,  tiie  owner  of  a  farm  in  Armstrong  town- 
ship, who  married  a  daughter  of  Elder  Sharp. 
Mrs.  Devlin  has  passed  her  sixty-fifth  mile- 
stone, and  like  her  husband  is  still  in  full  pos- 
session of  her  faculties,  and  still  does  her 
own  milking  every  day,  keeps  house  for  her 
husband,  the  family  having  all  left  home,  and 
carries  on  her  household  duties  in  the  same 
manner  that  she  did  years  ago.  Both  she  and 
her  husband  have  numerous  warm  friends  in 
the  township  in  which  they  have  lived  for  so 


1228 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


many  years,   and  are  held  in  universal   es- 
teem. 

FREDERICK  WEISS  has  occupied  his 
present  farm  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county,  since  the  year  1886,  and  has  been  a 
lifelong  resident  of  the  township,  where  he 
was  born  Feb.  27,  1858. 

Henry  Weiss,  his  father,  a  native  of  Alsace 
Lorraine,  Germany,  was  brought  to  the  United 
States  in  infancy  by  his  parents,  the  family 
settling  in  New  York  City.  Later  he  became 
a  resident  of  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming  and  contracting.  He  died 
Nov.  18, 1888,  and  his  wife,  Mary  A.  (Minert), 
died  Dee.  9,  1892.  They  became  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  five  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, namely:  Peter,  who  married  Julia  A. 
Kirkland,  is  a  farmer  in  Raj'ne  township ; 
William,  who  married  Phoebe  Bloor,  is  en- 
gaged in  business  as  a  merchant  at  Home  sta- 
tion, this  county;  Frederick  is  mentioned  be- 
low; Mary  M.  married  John  W.  Edwards,  a 
farmer,  and  died  leaving  four  children ;  Mar- 
garet died  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years ;  John 
died  in  infancy;  Lewis,  who  married  Ida 
Wheeler,  is  a  farmer  in  Armstrong  township, 
this  county ;  Susan  C.  is  the  wife  of  Lewis  Ruf- 
ner,  a  blacksmith,  of  Tanoma.  Indiana  county. 

Frederick  Weiss  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Rayne  township.  In  1886,  the  year  after 
his  marriage,  he  settled  at  his  present  place, 
having  a  fine  farm  of  150  acres  under  excellent 
cultivation,  where  he  is  successfully  engaged 
in  general  farming.  He  has  given  strict  at- 
tention to  his  private  affairs,  but  has  also 
found  time  to  act  as  tax  collector  of  the  town- 
ship, in  which  ofSee  he  gave  acceptable  service. 
In  polities  he  has  always  been  a  Republican, 
lately  espousing  Progressive  principles.  He 
attends  the  Presbyterian  Chui'ch  at  Marion 
Center. 

On  April  9,  1885,  Mr.  Weiss  was  married 
to  Mary  C.  B.  Lawson,  who  was  born  near 
Dayton,  in  Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  daughter 
of  Hugh  and  Mary  Ellen  (Lydick)  Lawson. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weiss  have  had  four  children, 
the  eldest  child  dying  in  infancy ;  Mary  Anna 
is  now  the  wife  of  M.  C.  Kissinger,  of  Indiana, 
Pa.,  assistant  examiner  in  the  patent  office ; 
Wilda  married  Joseph  F.  Rissing,  of  Trafford, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  who  is  engaged  at 
the  Westinghouse  works;  Don  Emerson  was 
born  Sept.  14,  1898. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hugh  Lawson  had  a  family  of 
seven  children,  two  sons  and  five  daughters: 
Orpha  married  Boliver  Fisher,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  in  Adams  county. 


Ohio;  Anna  Jane  married  James  E.  Manner, 
of  Rayne  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  who  is 
engaged  in  farming;  Eurilda  E.  married 
James  0.  Lewis  and  resides  at  Josephine,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa. ;  Thomas  J.,  who  married  Agnes 
Stear,  resides  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  is  engaged  in  general  farming; 
Mary  C.  B.  is  mentioned  above;  Charles  M., 
of  JMarion  Center,  Pa.,  is  unmarried;  Agnes 

E.  married  T.  G.  Alabran,  of  Punxsutawney, 
Pa.,  a  diamond  driller  and  contractor.  Hugh 
Lawson,  the  father,  died  Dec.  16,  1888;  the 
mother  died  June  24,  1909. 

JOHN  FARNSWORTH,  who  is  now  living 
retired  from  active  business  at  East  Run,  Pa., 
where  for  upward  of  a  third  of  a  century  he 
was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  farming 
and  stock  raising,  is  a  native  of  Huntingdon 
county,  Pa.,  born  near  what  is  now  Tyrone, 
Blair  county,  Aug.  2,  1834,  son  of  John  and 
Susanna  (Smiley)  Farnsworth. 

John  Farnsworth,  the  father,  was  but  a 
lad  when  he  left  his  Virginia  home  to  come 
to  Pennsj'lvania,  and  here  located  in  Hunt- 
ingdon county  and  worked  out  at  farm  labor- 
ing and  as  a  lumberman.  Later  he  operated 
a  sawmill  at  Sinking  run,  which  empties  into 
the  Juniat-a,  and  for  many  years  continued 
in  the  manufacture  of  lumber,  living  for  a 
time  in  Armstrong  county,  where  he  also  en- 
gaged in  farming,  in  Clearfield  county,  where 
he  had  a  sawmill  on  Muddy  run,  and  in  Jef- 
ferson county,  where  he  built  a  mill  on  the 
Big  ]\Iahoning.  There  he  spent  three  years 
and  died  in  1852,  at  the  age  of  sixtj'-three 
years.  For  a  few  years  he  also  operated  a 
still  house,  but  concluding  it  was  wrong  to 
make  and  sell  whiskey  he  took  a  pole  axe  and 
demolished  the  stiUs.  In  political  matters  he 
was  first  a  Whig  and  later  a  Republican,  but 
his  interest  in  p\iblic  affairs  was  mainly  as  an 
onlooker.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first 
vriie  being  Elizabeth  Diven,  by  whom  he  had 
children  as  follows:  Susanna  I.,  who  married 
Ephraim  E.  Lewis  of  Soxith  ]\lahoning  town- 
ship, and  became  the  mother  of  Squire  Enoch 

F.  Lewis,  of  South  Mahoning  township; 
Joseph,  who  married  Elizabeth  Wymer; 
Enoch,  who  married  ]\Iaria  Turnbaugh ;  and 
Mary  Jane,  who"  married  Jonathan  Neff.  For 
his  second  wife  Mr.  Farnsworth  manned  IMrs. 
Susanna  (Smiley)  Turner,  a  widow,  and  they 
became  the  parents  of  five  children:  Eliza- 
beth, who  married  Dr.  George  Rowe ;  Henry, 
who  married  Nancy  Wilson,  and  is  deceased; 
Nancy,  who  married  Martin  R.  Cooley ;  John : 
David,  who  resides  in  Nebraska;  and  Louise, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


who  married  Col.  James  Miller,  colonel  of 
the  105th  Pennsj'lvania  Volunteers  during 
the  Civil  war.  Mrs.  Farnsworth  had  four 
children  by  her  first  mari-iage :  Daniel,  Sam- 
uel, John  and  Joseph. 

John  Farnsworth,  son  of  John  Farnsworth, 
passed  his  boyhood  days  in  Huntingdon,  Arm- 
strong and  Clearfield  counties,  where  his  op- 
portunities to  secure  an  education  were  re- 
stricted to  a  few  months  in  the  winter  terms 
spent  in  the  district  schools.  He  worked  from 
boyhood  with  his  father  at  farming  and  lum- 
bering, continuing  with  him  until  he  was  about 
nineteen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  came 
to  Grant  township  and  took  up  a  tract  of 
farming  land,  where  he  continued  to  be  en- 
gaged in  agi-icultural  pursuits  and  lumbering 
until  his  removal  to  Cherryhill  township. 
There,  near  Diamondville,  he  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  Robert  Mitchell,  now  of  Indiana,  be- 
ing engaged  in  farming,  lumbering  and  team- 
ing, hauling  lumber  to  Indiana,  and  contin- 
ued in  that  line  of  endeavor  until  July,  1863, 
when  he  went  into  the  service  in  the  Union 
army  during  the  Civil  war.  Becoming  a 
member  of  Company  6,  102d  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Colonel  McElwayne 
and  Capt.  James  Coleman,  he  served  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  1st  Brigade,  2d  Divis- 
ion, 6th  Army  Corps.  Mr.  Farnswortli  par- 
ticipated in  the  battles  of  Spottsylvania  Court 
House.  Cold  Harbor,  North  Anna  River,  Wel- 
don  Railroad  and  Fort  Stevens.  Then  under 
"Fighting  Phil"  Sheridan  he  went  through 
the  Shenandoah  valley,  fighting  at  Berrysville, 
Winchester,  Flint  Hill,^  Fisher's  Hill  and 
Cedar  Creek.  After  this  battle  he  was  pro- 
moted to  corporal,  and  in  December,  1864, 
went  to  Washington,  D.  C,  and  from  there  to 
Petersburg,  where  he  was  promoted  to  second 
sergeant  of  the  Company.  Eventually  the 
men  entered  winter  quarters  at  Patuck  Sta- 
tion. He  began  the  campaign  of  the  spring 
of  1865  with  his  company,  and  continued  to 
serve  therewith  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
was  mustered  out  of  the  service  at  Pittsburg 
with  the  rank  of  sergeant. 

On  his  return  to  the  duties  of  peace,  after  a 
service  marked  with  the  greatest  bravery  and 
most  faithful  devotion  to  duty,  Mr.  Farns- 
worth took  up  farming  on  100  acres  of  land 
known  as  the  Woodford  farm.  During  the 
following  year,  however,  he  sold  out  and  came 
to  Grant  township,  and  for  the  last  forty-six 
years  that  to\\Tiship  has  been  his  home.  Lo- 
cating at  East  Run,  on  the  George  Buterbaugh 
farm  of  112  acres,  he  made  his  home  in  the 
little  log  house  and  commenced  farming  op- 


erations. This  primitive  home,  however,  was 
not  long  thereafter  replaced  with  a  modern 
dwelling,  substantial  barns  and  outbuildings 
were  erected,  and  numerous  other  improve- 
ments made.  He  continued  farming  and  stock 
raising  until  1884,  in  which  year  he  turned 
his  attention  to  mercantile  pursuits,  having 
entered  this  line  in  a  general  store  at  East 
Run.  There  he  continued  until  1910,  and  by 
strict  attention  to  business  built  up  a  trade 
that  extended  all  over  his  part  of  the  county, 
gaining  the  reputation  of  being  a  thorough 
man  of  business,  and  honest  and  fair  in  all 
his  transactions.  During  this  time  he  also 
continued  to  conduct  the  farm,  with  the  aid 
of  his  sou,  and  various  other  enterprises  have 
also  claimed  his  attention.  A  stanch  Republi- 
can in  politics,  he  has  served  his  township  as 
justice  of  the  peace  for  ten  years,  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board  and  treasurer  thereof,  as 
clerk  of  the  election  board,  and  was  post- 
master from  1898  until  1906,  when  the  raral 
free  delivery  system  went  into  effect.  lie  be- 
longs to  the  Baptist  Church,  and  is  deacon  of 
the  church  at  East  Mahoning,  a  teacher  in 
the  Sunday  school,  and  active  in  all  religious 
work.  , 

On  May  7,  I860,  Mr.  Farnsworth  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Ann  Buterbaugh,  who  was  born 
in  Green  township,  daughter  of  Frederick  and 
Margaret  (Langham)  Buterbaugh.  Mrs. 
Farnsworth  was  a  school  teacher  in  ilontgom- 
ery  township  for  some  years,  having  received 
her  certificate  in  1857  from  the  old  county 
superintendent  of  schools,  S.  P.  Bowllman. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
for  fifty  years  has  been  a  teacher  in  the  Sab- 
bath school.  Eight  children  have  been  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Farnsworth,  as  follows :  Ida, 
born  May  27,  1861,  married  July  3,  1877, 
Joseph  Houk,  resides  in  Green  township,  and 
has  five  sons,  J.  Howard,  Harry  Raymond, 
David  Lee,  Willis  Alfred  and  Charles  Clyde ; 
Azriah,  born  June  11,  1862,  died  Jan.  4,  1865; 
Eva,  born  Feb.  8,  1868,  married  July  4,  1888, 
Dr.  Thomas  B.  Allison,  of  Tarentum,  Pa.,  and 
has  three  children,  Viola  Zoe  (a  graduate  of 
the  West  Penn  College),  Madge  (a  public 
school  teacher),  and  Thomas;  Clara,  born  Oct. 
7,  1866,  who  was  a  teacher,  married  Sept.  17, 
1891,  John  C.  Thomas,  station  agent  at  Homer 
City,  Pa.,  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany ;  Willis,  born  June  8,  1872,  farmer  on 
the  homestead,  married  March  14,  1893,  Ad- 
die  McQuown,  daughter  of  Squire  James  A. 
McQuown,  of  Grant  township,  and  has  four 
children,  Gwen,  Berna,  Blanche,  and  John  Mc- 
Quown; Louise,  born  Nov.  5,  1877,  married 


1230 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


June  28,  1898,  Rev.  C.  F.  Cornman,  minister 
of  the  Baptist  Cliurch,  and  a  resident  of  Ohio, 
and  has  five  children,  Charles,  Frederick, 
Rachel,  Ruth  and  Louise;  May,  born  Aug.  2, 
1880,  and  Bessina,  bom  July  20,  1884,  axe 
both  at  home. 

The  Buterbaugh  family  is  of  German  origin, 
the  founder  of  the  family  in  Indiana  county 
being  William  Buterbaugh,  who  came  here 
about  1825,  from  Huntingdon  county.  He 
and  his  eldest  son  journeyed  on  foot  through 
the  country,  then  a  forest,  as  far  as  Kittan- 
ning,  hunting  a  place  to  buy,  but  owners 
were  harder  to  find  than  land.  On  their  way 
home  they  heard  of  a  man  that  wanted  to  sell, 
near  where  the  town  of  Lovejoy  is  now,  went 
to  see  him,  and  bought  some  land  with  a  log 
house  on  it.  At  that  time  he  was  married  and 
all  of  his  eight  children,  seven  sons  and  one 
daughter,  had  been  born.  His  wife  was  Chris- 
tina Rotkey.  and  the  children  were:  John, 
who  married  Elizabeth  Learn;  William,  who 
married  Mary  A.  Myers ;  Jacob,  who  married 
Lydia  Chapiiian;  Henry,  who  married  Mary 
A.  Langham;  George,  who  married  Delilah 
Langham;  Frederick;  David,  who  married 
Anna  Langham  and  (second)  Mary  J.  Bee; 
and  Mary,  who  married  George  Learn.  The 
family  moved  to  this  region  about  the  holi- 
days, "and  having  considerable  stock  found  it 
quite  a  task  to  haul  the  feed  and  provisions 
for  the  winter.  But  Mr.  Buterbaugh  was 
anxious  to  get  at  the  work  of  clearing  his 
land,  making  it  ready  for  crops,  believing  he 
could  soon  clear  out  a  farm  with  the  help  of 
such  a  lot  of  stout  and  healthy  boys,  and  he 
was  not  disappointed. 

Frederick  Buterbaugh,  sou  of  William,  was 
born  June  1,  1814,  in  Huntingdon  county,  and 
came  to  Indiana  county  with  his  parents  when 
still  a  youth.  Here  he  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising  during  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  and  died  March  4.  1900.  He  was 
married  Sept.  10,  1840,  to  ]\Iargaret  Langham. 
who  was  born  Jan.  21,  1822,  daughter  of 
William  and  Margaret  (Nicholas)  Langham, 
and  by  this  finion  there  were  fifteen  children, 
as  follows:  Mary  A.,  born  July  27,  1841, 
married  Mav  7,  1860.  John  Farnsworth: 
Eliza  C.  born  Feb.  11,  1843,  married  :\rareh 
5,  1863,  William  Johnson;  Nancy  F.,  born 
July  6,  1844,  married  July  6,  1865,  William 
Rankin,  of  Green  township ;  William  H.,  born 
Jan.  9.  1846,  married  Sept.  5,  1869,  Mary 
Gartlev;  Azriah,  born  April  17,  1847,  mar- 
ried Jan.  4,  1870,  Virginia  Gartley;  Miles  C, 
born  Feb.  12.  1849,  married  Dec.  25.  1869, 
Jannetta    Gilhousen ;    Samuel    E.,   born   Nov. 


1, 1850,  married  Oct.  4, 1875,  Ella  Faith ;  Rob- 
ert Clark  was  born  May  1,  1852 ;  Margaret  L., 
born  Oct.  30,  1853,  married  Nov.  13,  1870, 
D.  R.  Houck;  Sarah  J.,  born  May  1,  1855, 
married  Aug.  22,  1877,  George  Nupp;  Har- 
riet A.,  born  Jan.  1,  1857,  married  Jan.  8, 
1876,  John  W.  Nupp;  Esmeralda,  born  July 
30,  1858,  married  Dec.  25,  1879,  Philip  Baker, 
and  (second)  Melvin  Payne;  Emma  S.,  born 
Feb.  13,  1860,  married  July  1,  1880,  J.  L. 
Widdowson;  Benton,  born  Oct.  13,  1861,  died 
young;  and  Samantha,  born  Oct.  30,  1863, 
also  died  young, 

WILLIAIM  SCOTT  MILLER,  a  prominent 
merchant  of  Conemaugh  township,  located  at 
Lewisville,  belongs  to  an  old  settled  family 
of  Indiana  county. 

Samuel  Miller,  the  first  of  the  family  in 
this  county,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  where  his 
first  wife,  Margaret,  was  also  born.  Coming  to 
this  country  they  first  located  east  of  the 
mountains,  and  he  came  to  Indiana  county 
from  AVestmoreland  county,  where  he  was  a 
farmer.  He  settled  near  Jacksonville  in  this 
county.  He  was  married  twice,  his  first  wife, 
Margaret,  the  mother  of  his  children,  dying  in 
Westmoreland  countj^,  where  she  is  buried,  at 
Old  Salem.  He  is  buried  in  Ebenezer  ceme- 
tery. He  married  in  Indiana  county  (second) 
Miss  E.  Bell.  His  children  were :  Ellen  mar- 
ried John  Taylor;  James  married  Margaret 
Miller;  Sarah;  Hugh  married  Sarah  Moore; 
Samuel  G.  married  ]Mary  Keener;  John  is 
mentioned  below ;  Ann  married  Peter  Keener ; 
Martin  married  Hannah  Simpson ;  Alexander 
married  Marj^  Elder;  William  married  Eliza- 
beth Coleman ;  Richard  married  Sarah  Dil- 
linger;  Jane  married  James  Blakely:  Eliza 
married  Samuel  Davis;  Margaret  married 
Sanmel  McCurdy. 

John  Miller,  of  Conemaugh  township,  was 
first  a  farmer  in  Westmoreland  county,  and 
in  the  late  forties  moved  to  Indiana  co]jnty, 
settling  in  Conemaugh  on  a  farm  of  160  acres. 
It  was  not  only  covered  with  timber,  but  also 
rocky,  but  he  succeeded  in  clearing  up  much 
of  it :  at  one  period  he  spent  seventeen  days 
hauling  stone  from  this  land.  He  continued 
on  that  farm  the  remainder  of  his  life,  engaged 
in  farming  and  stock  raising,  dying  there 
about  1872,  aged  sixty-six  years,  and  is  buried 
in  the  Ebenezer  cemetery  in  Conemaugh  town- 
ship. He  served  his  township  as  supervisor 
and  overeeer  of  the  poor.  He  was  a  member 
and  elder  of  the  Ebenezer  Preslni:erian 
Church.  He  was  twice  married,  first  to  Mary 
Irwin  and  afterward  to  ^latilda  :\lcPhiliney, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1231 


both  of  whom  died  in  Conemaugh  township 
and  are  buried  there,  in  Ebenezer  cemetery  at 
Lewisville.  The  second  wife  died  March  20, 
1902,  aged  seventy-three  years.  There  were 
six  children  by  the  first  marriage :  ^Margaret 
married  Samuel  Coleman  of  Conemaugh  town- 
ship ;  John  Irwin  lived  in  Blacklick  township ; 
Mary  married  William  Barkley,  of  Turtle 
Creek,  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.;  Amanda  married 
Andrew  McGaughey;  one  son  died  in  in- 
fancy; Martha  (Mattie)  married  Robert  Ew- 
ing  and  resides  on  the  Miller  homestead  farm 
in  Conemaugh  township.  There  were  three 
children  by  the  second  marriage :  William 
Scott;  Anna,  who  married  Robert  E.  Dixon, 
of  You"ng  township ;  and  a  daughter  that  died 
in  infancy. 

William  Scott  Miller  was  born  Dec.  17, 
1860,  in  Conemaugh  township,  and  there  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  schools. 
His  father  dying  when  he  was  twelve  years 
old,  he  lived  with  his  mother  on  the  home  farm 
until  1884,  when  they  sold  the  place,  and  in 
1886  he  purchased  the  Hazlett  farm  in  Young 
township,  a  tract  of  ninety  acres,  which  he 
farmed  up  to  1905,  also  engaging  in  stock 
raising  to  some  extent.  His  mother  also  re- 
sided there  until  her  death.  Selling  this  place 
in  1905,  he  then  moved  to  Livermore,  West- 
moreland county,  where  he  was  salesman  for 
the  International  Harvester  Company,  hand- 
ling farming  implements,  fertilizers,  etc.  In 
the  spring  of  1907  he  moved  to  Lewisville, 
Conemaugh  township,  where  he  opened  the 
grocery  and  general  store  which  he  has  ever 
since  conducted.  By  unquestionable  methods 
and  sincere  efforts  to  please  his  customers  he 
has  built  up  a  steadily  increasing  trade  and 
made  an  excellent  reputation  among  his  fellow 
citizens.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ebenezer 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  a  Republican  in 
his  political  views. 

On  Sept.  29,  1885,  Mr.  Miller  married  Jen- 
nie H.  Marshall,  daughter  of  Elder  IMarshall, 
of  Conemaugh  township,  and  they  have  had 
two  children  :  Zula  Olga.  who  graduated  from 
the  Indiana  State  normal  school  in  1912  and 
is  now  teaching  at  the  Lewisville  school;  and 
Thomas  Ralph,  who  died  when  six  years  old. 

JAMES  ROBERT  WIGGINS,  a  farmer  of 
Armstrong  township,  was  born  April  30,  1853, 
in  that  township,  son  of  Andrew  Wiggins. 

James  Wiggins,  grandfather  of  James  Rob- 
ert Wiggins,  was  born  April  17,  1791,  and 
died  Aug.  7, 1845.  He  married  Mary  Ramsay, 
who  was  born  April  17,  1790.  and  died  Jan. 
24,  1874,  and  they  are  buried  in  the  cemetery 


attached  to  the  Shelocta  United  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Armstrong  township.  He  was 
reared  in  White  township,  where  he  was  born, 
but  located  in  Armstrong  township,  near  She- 
locta, on  part  of  what  was  the  Sharp  farm, 
a  tract  containing  200  acres.  James  Wiggins 
and  wife  were  the  parents  of  children  as  fol- 
lows: Margaret,  born  June  6,  1810,  married 
Samuel  Calhoun ;  Samuel,  born  June  21,  1811, 
married  Lena  A.  Armstrong;  Hugh,  born  in 
May,  1813,  married  Jane  Ramsey;  Nancy, 
born  in  March,  1815,  married  Alexander  Cal- 
houn Nov.  17,  1838;  Mary,  born  in  March, 
1817,  married  John  Ramsey ;  Andrew  is  men- 
tioned below;  Jane,  born  Dec.  22,  1821,  mar- 
ried Michael  Peterman;  Sarah,  born  March 
16,  1823,  died  unmarried;  James,  born  Aug. 
22,  1825,  married  Eliza  Lowry  and  (second) 
Sarah  A.  Marlin ;  William,  born  Aug.  23, 1827, 
married  Sarah  Borland:  Thomas,  born  Sept! 
1,  1829,  married  Sarah  J.  McCollum. 

Andrew  Wiggins  was  born  in  Wliite  town- 
ship, this  county,  in  1819,  and  lived  with  his 
parents,  assisting  them  with  the  farm  work. 
Later  on  he  moved  to  Armstrong  township, 
buying  a  farm  of  ninety-three  acres,  to  which 
he  later  added  twenty-one  acres.  On  it  in 
1867  he  built  a  large  bam,  and  in  1872  erected 
a  commodious  frame  residence,  now  the  home 
of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  M.  J.  Mangus.  He  was 
actively  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  Oct.  27,  1903,  when  he  was  in 
his  eighty-third  year.  In  politics  he  was  a 
Democrat,  but  he  did  not  desire  public  of- 
fice. For  many  years  he  was  a  consistent 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church 
of  his  township,  and  in  every  way  was  a  good 
citizen  and  noble  man. 

Andrew  Wiggins  married  Sarah  Lowry,  who 
survived  him,  dying  June  6,  1910.  She  was 
a  daughter  of  James  Lowry.  The  children  of 
this  union  were :  James  Robert ;  John  R..  who 
died  when  one  year  old ;  and  Mary  Jane,  born 
July  15,  1849,  who  married  Elijah  Mangus 
and  resides  on  the  old  homestead. 

James  Robert  Wiggins,  son  of  Andrew  Wig- 
gins, attended  the  common  schools  of  his  dis- 
trict and  the  summer  school  held  at  Elderton, 
and  at  the  same  time  gave  his  parents  valuable 
assistance  in  operating  the  homestead.  De- 
siring to  start  out  in  life  for  himself,  he  bought 
the  Robert  Lowry  farm  of  180  acres,  and  car- 
ries on  general  farming,  specializing  on  raising 
sheep,  pigs,  turkeys  and  cattle.  His  property 
shows  that  he  is  a  good  farmer  and  his  suc- 
cess in  life  proves  his  business  ability. 

On  Oct.  6,  1881,  Mr.  Wiggins  married  Anna 
Mary  Dettar,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Eliza- 


1232 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


beth  (Thomas)  Dettar,  the  former  of  whom 
died  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight  years,  and  the 
latter  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.  Mrs. 
Wiggins  was  reared  in  Armstrong  township. 
Children  as  follows  have  been  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wiggins:  Andrew  Franklin,  born 
Aug.  14,  1882,  is  in  the  United  States  navy, 
being  on  the  U.  S.  S.  "Birmingham,"  a  first 
class  water  tender,  having  been  thus  asso- 
ciated for  the  last  decade ;  Jacob  Ernest  was 
bom  Sept.  13,  1883;  Sarah  Elizabeth,  born 
March  5,  1885,  married  W.  R.  King;  John 
Lowry  was  born  Aug.  12.  1887 ;  Laura  Emma 
was  born  June  29, 1889 ;  William  Parrell,  born 
Sept.  5, 1892,  is  a  carpenter;  Martha  Alice  was 
born  Aug.  20,  1894.  All  except  Andrew  P. 
and  Elizabeth  are  living  at  home. 

■  Mr.  Wiggins  has  served  on  the  election! 
board  frequently  since  casting  his  first  vote, 
being  a  strong  Democrat,  and  he  was  the  suc- 
cessful nominee  of  his  party  for  township 
auditor.  In  addition  to  his  farming  interests 
he  is  secretary  of  the  Parkwood  Farmers' 
Telephone  Company  and  secretary  of  the  Mu- 
tual Fire  Insurance  Company.  He  and  his 
family  belong  to  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  has  been  elder  for  ten 
years,  and  a  trustee  for  a  number  of  years. 
From  1885  to  1912  he  served  faithfully  as 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  con- 
nected with  the  church,  and  is  a  man  of  high 
principles,  who  wields  a  strong  moral  influ- 
ence in  his  community,  where  his  friends  are 
legion. 

HENRY  RISHEL,  a  farmer  and  dealer  in 
live  stock  of  Canoe  township,  was  born  in  that 
township,  on  the  old  Rishel  homestead,  Jan. 
26,  1857,  son  of  Christopher  Rishel. 

Christopher  Rishel,  who  came  of  German 
ancestry,  was  the  gi-andfather  of  Henry 
Rishel,  and  father  of  Christopher  Rishel.  He 
was  the  first  of  the  name  to  come  to  this  part 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  in  Center  county, 
later  lived  in  Young  township,  Jefl'erson  coun- 
ty, and  then  located  two  miles  west  of  Punx- 
sutawney.  Pa.,  where  he  bought  a  farm.  Af- 
terward he  went  to  the  State  of  Ohio,  where 
he  died ;  his  wife  died  years  before  in  Jeffer- 
son county.  The  children  born  to  this  worthy 
couple  were:  Daniel  was  a  farmer  of  Jeffer- 
son county.  Pa. ;  Lewis,  a  farmer  of  Canoe 
township,  died  on  the  battlefield  while  serv- 
inff  in  the  Civil  war;  George,  who  was  a 
farmer  of  Canoe  township,  died  of  smallpox; 
John  was  a  buggy  manufacturer  of  Mifflin- 
burg,  Pa. ;  Christopher  is  mentioned  below ; 
Susan   married   Adam   States   and   lived   in 


Canoe  township;  Elizabeth  married  John 
Pierce  and  lived  in  Iowa ;  Polly,  who  married 
a  Mr.  Shafer,  lived  in  Clearfield  county,  Pa. ; 
Sallie,  who  married  a  Mr.  Pentz,  lived  in 
Clearfield  county ;  Christy  Ann  married  a  Mr. 
McCracken,  of  Clearfield  county ;  Nancy,  who 
married  Solomon  Weaver,  lived  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Plumville,  Pennsylvania. 

Christopher  Rishel,  son  of  Christopher 
Rishel,  and  father  of  Henry  Rishel,  received 
only  a  common  school  education  in  Young 
township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  was 
born  May  2,  1826.  After  learning  the  car- 
penter's trade  he  came  to  Canoe  township, 
Indiana  county,  in  1852,  and  buying  100  acres 
of  land  began  to  clear  it,  as  it  was  in  an  en- 
tirely wild  state.  This  property  is  now  oc- 
cupied by  his  son  Miles  and  daughter  Emma. 
Mr.  Rishel  not  only  put  his  land  under  cul- 
tivation, after  much  hard  work,  but  made 
many  improvements,  developing  a  comfortable 
home,  where  he  died  Jan.  31,  1899,  aged  sev- 
enty-two yeara,  his  widow  surviving  until 
June  26,  1910,  when  she  passed  away  aged 
eighty-three  years.  For  many  years  this  most 
excellent  man  belonged  to  the  German  Re- 
formed Church,  but  later  connected  himself 
with  the  Evangelical  Association,  as  it  better 
embodied  his  religious  views.  An  active  Re- 
publican, he  served  on  the  election  board,  as 
school  director,  assessor  and  supervisor,  and 
was  widely  and  favorably  known  throughout 
the  county. 

On  Sept.  27,  1848,  Christopher  Rishel  mar- 
ried Catherine  Wingert,  who  was  born  Oct. 
30,  1826,  in  Germany,  daughter  of  George 
Wingert,  also  a  native  of  Germany.  In  1839 
Mr.  Wingert  brought  his  family  to  Jefferson 
county,  buying  a  farm  on  which  he  and  his 
estimable  wife  lived  until  they  died.  Their 
children  were :  Frederick,  who  lived  in  Clear- 
field county.  Pa. ;  Henry,  who  lived  in  Jeffer- 
son county.  Pa. ;  Charlotte,  who  married  Con-  • 
rad  Staley,  and  lived  in  Jefferson  county,  Pa. ; 
Margaret,  who  married  Abram  Keller,  and 
lived  at  Big  Run,  Pa. ;  and  Catherine,  who 
became  Mrs.  Christopher  Rishel. 

Children  as  follows  were  born  to  Christo- 
pher Rishel  and  his  wife :  Mary  is  the  widow 
of  Robert  Calderwood,  of  Canoe  township; 
Henry  is  mentioned  below ;  Rev.  Bmanual  W., 
for  some  years  a  school  teacher,  but  for  the 
last  quarter  of  a  century  engaged  in  minis- 
terial work,  being  a  clergyman  of  the  United 
Evangelical  Church,  now  at  Windber,  Pa., 
married  ]\Iina  Ferner,  and  their  children  are 
Charlotte.  Madaline,  Preston  and  Ruby ;  Miles 
is  unmarried  and  lives  on  the  old  homestead 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  Canoe  township;  Emma,  who  lives  with 
Miles,  is  also  unmarried;  four  children  died 
in  infancy. 

Henry  Rishel  was  given  but  common  school 
advantages,  adding  to  his  store  of  knowledge 
by  observation  and  experience.  He  remained 
at  home  until  his  marriage,  after  which  he 
located  on  his  present  farm  in  Canoe  town- 
ship, then  known  as  the  George  Bradenbaugh 
place.  His  original  holdings  amounted  to 
fifty  acres,  but  recently  he  added  thirty  acres, 
and  has  about  seventy  acres  under  cultiva- 
tion, raising  stock  upon  his  property,  as  well 
as  carrying  on  general  farming.  Mr.  Rishel 
built  the  residence  and  made  many  other  im- 
portant improvements.  He  believes  in  carry- 
ing on  his  work  according  to  modern  methods, 
and  has  equipped  his  farm  with  good  machin- 
ery. 

On  Aug.  26,  1878,  Mr.  Rishel  married  Jen- 
nie Knox,  who  was  born  at  Marehand,  Pa., 
daughter  of  David  and  Maria  Knox,  the  lat- 
ter born  in  Canoe  township,  daughter  of  Solo- 
mon Braughler.  A  sketch  of  the  Braughler 
family  may  be  found  elsewhere. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rishel  have  had  children  as 
follows:  Iva  D.  married  Joseph  States,  of 
Washington  county.  Pa.,  a  patternmaker  for 
the  American  Steel  Corporation,  and  has  chil- 
dren, Ronald  and  James  Henry;  Gertrude, 
who  married  William  Richardson,  a  rural  free 
delivery  mail  carrier  of  Richmond,  Pa.,  has 
had  two  children,  Robert  and  Carl,  the  latter 
deceased:  Rhoda  married  Sharp  Cayler.  a 
clerk  in  the  post  office  at  Punxsutawney,  Pa., 
and  has  three  children,  Helen,  Ray  and  Ger- 
trude Jane  (prior  to  her  marriage  she  taught 
school  for  two  terms,  being  the  first  school 
teacher  at  Rossiter,  Pa.)  ;  Emery  C,  now  an 
electrician  for  the  American  Glass  Company 
at  James  City,  Pa.,  formerly  a  teacher  for 
three  terms  at  Juneau,  and  one  term  at  Ros- 
siter, married  Lillian  Sutter,  and  has  a  daugh- 
ter, Virginia  ;  Teoka  was  educated  in  the  home 
and  private  schools  and  at  several  academies, 
and  has  been  a  teacher  for  the  last  eight  years, 
one  term  at  Juneau,  two  terms  at  the  Grant 
school,  two  terms  at  Big  Run,  Jefferson  coun- 
ty, one  term  at  Crawford  No.  1,  one  term  at 
Cold  Springs,  in  North  Mahoning  township, 
and  one  term  at  Rossiter:  David  K.  was  edu- 
cated in  the  pu])lic  and  private  schools  of  his 
neighborhood,  and  has  been  a  teacher  for  four 
years,  having  been  stationed  at  the  Shaffer 
school  for  one  term  and  for  the  same  period 
at  the  Gaston  school,  the  Henry  school  and  the 
Locust  Lane  school.  Three  children  died  in 
infancy.    All  of  the  survivors  have  been  care- 


fully reared  and  are  a  credit  to  their  parents. 

Mr.  Rishel  has  been  constable,  school  di- 
rector, member  of  the  election  board,  treas- 
urer aud  supervisor  of  his  township,  always 
elected  on  the  Republican  ticket.  His  wife  is 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Rich- 
mond, Pa.,  and  is  active  in  the  good  work  of 
the  church  and  the  missionary  society.  The 
family  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most 
highly  respected  of  any  in  the  county,  and 
its  members  richly  deserve  the  regard  they 
command. 

Knox.  Hugh  Knox,  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Rishel,  was  born  in  County  Down,  Ireland, 
as  was  his  wife,  Ann  (Blakely).  They  came 
to  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  and  located  in  North 
Mahoning  township,  where  Mrs.  Knox  died, 
her  husband  surviving  her  and  passing  away 
at  Atwood,  Pa.  Their  children  were :  John, 
who  lived  in  North  Mahoning  township  and 
Brookville,  Pa. ;  James,  who  lived  in  Canoe 
township;  David,  mentioned  below;  Samuel, 
who  lived  on  the  homestead  in  North  Mahoning 
township;  Susan,  who  maried  Henry  Coy,  of 
Covode,  Pa. ;  Abbie,  who  married  James  Wad- 
ding, of  Atwood,  Pa. ;  Nancy,  who  married 
Joseph  Coy,  and  they  lived  at  Covode,  Pa., 
until  they  died;  Mary,  who  married  Hugh 
Knox,  and  lived  in  a  Western  State;  and 
Peggy,  who  married  and  lived  at  Marehand, 
Pennsylvania. 

David  Knox,  son  of  Hugh  Knox  and  father 
of  ilrs.  Rishel,  had  few  educational  oppor- 
tunities, but  he  became  a  useful,  successful 
man.  He  carried  on  farming  and  merchandis- 
ing, and  lived  on  the  Knox  homestead.  His 
death  occurred  in  1889,  when  he  was  sixty- 
three  years  old.  His  widow  survived  until 
April,"  1911,  when  she  died  aged  seventy- 
three  years.  They  were  consistent  members 
of  the 'Methodist  Church  at  Covode,  Pa.  The 
following  children  were  born  to  David  Knox 
and  wife:  Hood,  who  married  Anna  Morri- 
son, lives  at  Reynoldsville,  Pa. ;  Jennie  is  Mrs. 
Rishel;  Lizzie  married  Henry  Pentz,  a  coal 
and  oil  dealer  of  Dubois,  Pa. ;  Rhoda  married 
William  Prescott,  a  farmer  and  owner  of  a 
coal  bank  at  Adrian,  Pa. ;  Dawson,  deceased, 
married  Jessie  Stanley,  and  lived  on  the  old 
homestead:  Hannah,  who  is  unmarried,  owns 
a  store  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y. ;  Nettie  married  Milli- 
gan  Calderwood,  a  farmer  of  Canoe  township ; 
Myrtle  married  Thomas  Strouse,  a  conductor 
on  the  Cleveland  street  railroad ;  aud  Martin, 
who  married  Grace  Hirshberger,  is  a  dairy- 
man of  Cleveland,  Ohio. 


1234 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


SAMUEL  MILLER  SHIELDS,  of  Cone- 
maugh  township,  Indiana  county,  has  passed 
most  of  his  life  in  that  township,  where  his 
parents  settled  in  1858. 

John  Shields,  his  great-grandfather,  was  the 
pioneer  of  the  Shields  family  in  this  county. 
He  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pa.,  Aug.  18, 
1759,  and  moved  to  Toboj^ne  township,  then 
in  Cumberland  (now  Perry)  county,  Pa., 
from  where  he  enlisted  in  the  war  for  inde- 
pendence at  the  age  of  seventeen  years.  On 
one  occasion  he  substituted  for  his  father  and 
at  another  for  a  neighbor,  and  later  served  in 
the  State  militia  in  quelling  the  Indian  out- 
breaks. In  1782  he  married  Mary  Marshall, 
and  a  year  later  moved  across  the  mountains 
into  what  was  then  known  as  the  Indian  coun- 
try, settling  on  the  bank  of  Blacklick  creek, 
near  where  Gen.  Charles  Campbell  had  built 
his  mill,  and  at  what  is  now  known  as  the 
Shields  Ford.  He  was  a  hunter  and  Indian 
scout  and  came  from  a  family  noted  for  their 
love  of  frays,  and  the  settlers  living  between 
blockhouses  depended  upon  him  to  warn  them 
of  the  movements  of  the  Indians.  He  was  seven 
feet  tall.  His  wife  died  leaving  him  children : 
WiUiam,  who  married  Margaret  Reed ;  Jo- 
seph; Jean,  who  married  Michael  Stewart; 
Martha,  who  died  unmarried ;  John,  who  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Speedy;  ^lary,  who  married 
William  McKee;  Margaret,  who  married 
James  Speedy ;  and  James,  who  married  Mar- 
garet Getty.  On  Oct.  8,  1818,  John  Shields 
was  again  married,  this  time  to  Elizabeth  Car- 
son, of  Center  township,  by  whom  he  had  one 
child,  a  daughter  named  Sarah.  He  died  Oct. 
26,  1840,  and  is  buried  in  the  Washington 
Church  graveyard.  He  was  pensioned  by  the 
government  for  his  services  in  the  war,  as 
shown  by  the  military  records  at  Washing- 
ton. 

James  Shields,  son  of  John  Shields,  mar- 
ried Margaret  Getty,  and  their  children  were 
born  as  follows :  Richard  Charles,  April  26, 
1811;  John  M.,  June  28,  1818;  James  0., 
Oct.  10,  1820 ;  Isabella,  April  27,  1823 ;  Wil- 
liam, Aug.  5,  1825;  Joseph,  Dec.  14,  1827; 
Elizabeth,  May  23,  1830 ;  Ralph,  July  9,  1833 ; 
Mary  Jane,  Oct.  19,  1836 ;  H.  Harrison,  July 
5,  1840. 

James  G.  Shields,  son  of  James  and  Mar- 
garet (Getty)  Shields,  was  born  Oct.  10,  1820, 
in  Plumville,  Indiana  county,  and  there  was 
trained  to  farming,  which  he  followed  in  his 
early  years.  Later  he  learned  the  trade  of 
carpenter,  at  which  he  was  engaged  for  many 
years,  principally  in  and  around  New  Alex- 
andria, Pa.    In  1858  he  moved  to  Lewisville, 


in  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  bought  a  farm  of  116  acres  upon 
which  he  made  his  home,  and  there  during  the 
remainder  of  his  life  he  worked  at  farming 
and  carpentry.  He  was  an  energetic  man, 
and  his  mind  was  as  active  as  his  body,  his 
intelligence  and  enterprise  making  him  de- 
servedly one  of  the  most  respected  citizens  of 
his  day.  He  served  his  to^vnship  officially  as 
school  director,  assessor,  supervisor  and  judge 
of  election,  and  he  was  a  prominent  member 
of  the  Ebenezer  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  he  was  a  trustee,  and  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  building  committee.  During  the 
Civil  war  he  served  in  the  Union  army  as  a 
corporal  in  Company  G,  206th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry.  Mr.  Shields  died  ]\Iarch 
20,  1907,  in  his  eighty-seventh  year,  and  was 
buried  beside  his  wife  in  the  Ebenezer  Church 
cemetery.  On  Jan.  10,  1850,  he  married  Mary 
Ann  Miller,  who  was  bom  ]\Iay  23,  1829,  in 
Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel G.  and  Mary  (Keener)  Miller,  and  died 
April  23,  1895.  Eight  children  were  born  to 
them,  namely:  Samuel  Miller  is  mentioned 
below ;  Elizabeth,  born  May  19,  1852,  married 
A.  S.  Templeton  and  (second)  D.  L.  Mar- 
shall ;  Mary  Olive,  born  Jan.  1,  1855,  mar- 
ried Jan.  1,  1874,  David  L.  Marshall,  and 
they  have  had  six  children,  Frank  (a  car- 
penter), Mary  V.  (employed  in  the  First 
National  Bank  at  Blairsville),  Jennie  (mar- 
ried to  Levi  Y.  Graham),  Margaret  A. 
(in  the  First  National  Bank  at  Latrobe), 
James  Shields  (in  the  First  National  Bank 
at  Blairsville)  and  Charles  N.  (of  Vander- 
grift.  Pa.)  ;  Weston  F.,  born  Sept.  9,  1858, 
married  Emma  L.  Leard  (he  was  a  missionary 
in  Siam  for  nine  years,  and  is  now  pastor  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Medford.  Ore- 
gon) ;  Sarah  A.,  born  Feb.  24,  1861,  raan-ied 
John  A.  Brown  April  14,  1886,  and  has  had 
five  children,  Mary  A.  (who  is  teaching  school 
in  her  home  town,  Derry,  Pa.),  James  G.  (de- 
ceased in  infancy),  Troila  A.  (stenographer 
for  the  railroad  company  at  Deny).  Charles 
A.  (deceased)  and  Sara  Elizabeth  (deceased 
in  infancy)  ;  Dr.  John  L.,  born  Sept.  23.  1866, 
who  married  Clara  V.  Bergan,  practiced  medi- 
cine for  ten  vears  and  died  April  7.  1900; 
I\Iaggie  I.,  born  April  23,  186S,  died  Jan.  2, 
1887:  Charles  E.,  born  March  14,  1870,  died 
April  16,  1909.  married  Oct.  17.  1894,  Ella  S. 
McCurdy.  and  children  were  born  to  them, 
Sara,  Florence.  Elizabeth  and  Josephine. 

Samuel  Miller  Shields  was  born  Jan.  4, 
1851,  in  Plumville.  in  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship, this  county,  moved  with  his  parents  to 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1235 


Conemaugh  township  in  boyhood,  and  settled 
at  what  is  now  known  as  Lewisville  (then 
Ebenezer).  There  he  attended  common 
school,  and  early  began  to  assist  his  father 
on  the  farm,  continuing  thus  until  1880,  when 
he  went  to  work  for  Elder  Leard  at  farming. 
For  five  years  after  that  he  "cropped"  on 
the  Smith  Templeton  farm,  and  then  for  two 
years  cropped  the  John  Irwin  place,  of  llBi/o 
acres,  which  he  eventually  purchased,  this 
being  the  place  where  he  has  since  made  his 
home.  He  follows  general  farming  and  stock 
raising,  and  he  has  made  the  reputation  of 
being  one  of  the  most  progressive  agricultur- 
ists of  his  district.  A  man  of  keen  intellect, 
he  has  by  well-directed  industry  gained  s\ib- 
stantial  success  and  made  an  attractive  home, 
his  property  being  regarded  as  one  of  the 
best  cultivated  in  Conemaugh  township. 
Though  he  has  never  sought  public  honors  for 
himself  he  takes  great  interest  in  seeing  that 
good  men  are  placed  in  local  offices,  and  is 
a  public-spirited  citizen  in  all  matters  affect- 
ing the  welfare  of  his  home  township  and 
county.  Politically  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 
Like  his  father  he  is  one  of  the  reliable  mem- 
bers of  the  Ebenezer  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  he  was  formerly  a  trustee. 

On  Dec.  23,  1880,  Mr.  Shields  married  Ber- 
tha J.  Speedy,  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Mar- 
garet (Dunlap)  Speedy,  and  member  of  an 
old  and  respected  family  of  Conemaugh  town- 
ship. Six  children  have  been  born  to  them, 
as  follows:  Jennie  May,  born  Sept.  19,  1882, 
was  the  wife  of  H.  H.  Charles,  of  Allegheny 
City,  and  died  April  25,  1904  (she  had  one 
child,  Dorothy  May,  who  lives  with  her  grand- 
father Shields)  ;  James  Mark  is  at  home ; 
Pearl  Margaret  married  George  Morfolt,  a 
rural  free  delivery  carrier;  Lizzie  Bell  is  at 
home ;  Mary  Olive  graduated  from  the  Elders- 
ridge  Academy  and  is  now  teaching  in  Black- 
lick  township ;  Martha  A.  is  at  home. 

WILLIAM  SYLVESTER  LITTLE,  a  life- 
long resident  of  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  Sept.  13,  1851,  on  the  home- 
stead where  he  is  still  engaged  in  farming. 

Hugh  Little,  his  gi-andfather,  was  born  in 
Ireland,  and  coming  to  Pennsylvania  settled 
in  Rayne  township,  Indiana  county,  on  the 
farm  now  occupied  by  his  grandson,  William 
S.  Little.  He  had  been  a  farmer  in  his  native 
country,  and  he  continued  to  follow  farm 
work  after  taking  up  his  home  in  the  new  land, 
though  the  task, of  clearing  his  tract  was  slow 
and  discouraging.  He  had  to  cut  out  and  clear 
a  place  for  the  double  log  cabin  which  he  built 


— a  larger  house  than  many  of  the  early  set- 
tlers attempted  to  put  up.  He  was  married 
in  this  country  to  Mary  Hicks,  who  was  of 
Irish  and  Scotch  descent,  and  they  had  four 
children :  Ann,  Mary,  Robert  and  Abraham. 
Hugh  Little  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-six 
years,  his  wife  at  the  age  of  sixty. 

Robert  Little,  son  of  Hugh  and  Mary 
(Hicks)  Little,  was  born  March  4,  1816,  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  reared  to  farming, 
which  he  followed  all  his  life.  He  passed  all 
his  life  on  his  father's  homestead,  dying  May 
19,  1893.  Mr.  Little  took  an  interest  in  the 
general  welfare  and  was  a  public-spirited 
worker  for  the  best  good  of  the  community, 
giving  good  service  in  the  offices  of  school  di- 
rector, supervisor,  etc.,  to  which  he  was  elected 
l)y  his  fellow  citizens  as  a  mark  of  their  re- 
spect and  esteem.  On  July  8,  1847,  he  mar- 
ried Jane  W.  Speedy,  of  Rayne  township, 
who  died  Feb.  5,  1901.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  three  children:  Eveline  is  the  wife 
of  Andrew  Harman,  a  farmer,  of  Atchison, 
Kans. ;  William  Sylvester  is  on  the  homestead ; 
Tabitha  Jane  is  the  wife  of  Ralston  Dodson, 
of  Morland,  Kansas. 

William  Sylvester  Little  obtained  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  and  farmed  with 
his  father  until  he  reached  maturity.  He 
learned  the  cai-penter's  trade  in  his  young 
manhood  and  followed  it  for  twelve  years 
exclusively,  and  he  now  carries  on  both  car- 
pentry and  farming,  cultivating  the  old  home- 
stead, which  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  He 
takes  an  interest  in  various  local  affairs,  he 
and  his  family  belonging  to  the  Grange,  and 
he  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  holding  membership  in 
Lodge  No.  676,  at  Wilkinsburg,  and  a  member 
of  the  Grove  Chapel  Lutheran  Church,  in  the 
work  of  which  he  has  taken  a  prominent  part, 
lieing  an  elder  at  present  and  having  also 
served  as  trustee  and  deacon.  His  wife  also 
belongs  to  that  church.  Mr.  Little  is  a  Re- 
publican and  has  taken  quite  an  active  inter- 
est in  politics.  He  has  served  his  township 
as  supervisor. 

On  Sept.  19,  1872,  Mr.  Little  married  Su- 
san Matilda  Wolf,  of  Rayne  township,  daugh- 
ter of  David  and  Catherine  (Horrell)  Wolf. 
Mr.  Wolf  was  a  shoemaker  and  later  a  farmer. 
They  have  had  one  child,  Mabel  Clare,  born 
Oct.  8,  1873,  who  lives  at  home  with  her  par- 
ents. She  received  a  high  school  education, 
attended  summer  school  at  Kellysburg  two 
terms  and  at  PlumviUe  one  term,  and  was 
formerly  engaged  in  teaching  school  in  Indi- 
ana county. 


1236 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


HARVEY  R.  WIDDOWSON.  a  lumberman 
of  Grant  township,  was  liorn  in  Cherryhill 
township,  this  county,  Nov.  1,  1861. 

Joseph  Widdowson.  the  founder  of  the  fam- 
ily in  Indiana  couut.y,  was  born  in  Plum  Tree, 
near  Nottingham,  Nottinghamshire,  England, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood.  He  married  JMary 
Bexon,  and  in  1816  with  her  and  a  son,  Wil- 
liam, then  still  an  infant,  came  to  the  United 
States,  landing  in  New  York  City,  where  they 
spent  two  years.  In  1818  they  came  to  Laugh- 
lintown,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  where  tliey 
resided  for  several  years.  Once  more  the.y 
made  a  change  and  settled  in  Cherryhill  towu- 
sliip,  where  they  found  conditions  that  suited 
them,  so  Mr.  Widdowson  took  up  land,  l)e- 
coming  a  heavy  property  owner.  He  died  on 
his  farm  in  1867,  aged  seventy-six  years,  his 
widow  surviving  until  1870,  when  she  died 
aged  seventy-five  years.  Their  children  were  : 
William;  Thomas,  who  married  Jane  Lydick; 
Sarah,  who  married  Daniel  Howe;  John,  who 
married  Ann  Ober;  Joseph,  who  is  deceased; 
Ann,  who  married  John  C.  Connor;  Josiah, 
who  never  married:  and  Ebenezer.  who  mar- 
ried Susan  01)er. 

William  Widdowson,  son  of  Joseph  Wid- 
dowson, was  born  at  Plum  Tree,  near  Notting- 
ham, England,  in  1815,  and  was  still  a  mere 
lad  when  the  family  located  in  Cherryhill 
township.  There  he  grew  to  manhood,  and 
received  a  subscription  school  education.  His 
winters  were  spent  in  school,  but  in  summer 
he  helped  in  farming.  When  he  attained  his 
majority  he  began  milling,  operating  a  grist- 
mill in  Cherr.yhill  township,  not  far  from  Dix- 
onville,  which  was  one  of  the  first  to  be  oper- 
ated by  steam  power  in  Indiana  county.  Un- 
til 1868  he  continued  a  resident  of  Cherryhill 
township,  in  that  year  coming  to  Canoe  town- 
ship and  euibarking  in  a  lumbering  business. 
He  erected  a  mill  on  the  north  branch  of  the 
Little  Mahoning,  which  was  equipped  with  a 
Burnham  turbine  wheel  and  a  circular  saw, 
the  first  of  its  kind  to  be  used  in  Indiana 
county.  The  mill  had  the  then  remarkable 
capacity  of  6,000  feet  of  boards  per  day,  and 
also  turned  out  laths  and  shingles,  and  Mr. 
Widdowson  developed  into  one  of  the  largest 
manufacturers  of  these  difi'erent  kinds  of  lum- 
ber in  that  section  of  the  county.  He  had  200 
acres  in  his  homestead,  upon  which  he  made 
the  ma,iority  of  the  improvements,  although 
he  did  not  carry  on  farming  extensively,  his 
time  being  occupied  with  his  other  interests. 
He  was  a  man  far  in  advance  of  his  times, 
possessing  very  progressive  ideas,  and  had 
great  business  capacity  and  strength  of  pur- 


pose. A  Democrat,  he  adhered  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  that  party,  inheriting  his  sentiments 
from  his  father.  In  religious  faith  he  was  a 
Baptist,  and  brought  up  his  children  in  the 
same  creed.  The  death  of  this  excellent  man 
occurred  in  1881,  when  he  was  sixty-six  years 
old,  and  he  is  buried  at  Richmond.  William 
Widdowson  married  Louise  Kime,  who  was 
born  in  York  county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  John 
Donaby  and  Louisa  (Berridge)  Kime,  the 
former  a  native  of  Stickney,  Lincolnshire, 
England,  and  the  latter  of  Boston,  Lincoln- 
shire, England,  a  daughter  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  (Key)  Berridge.  Mrs.  Widdowson 
survives  her  husband,  living  at  White  Oak 
Plats,  in  South  Mahoning  township.  Her 
parents  died  at  her  old  home  in  Canoe  town- 
ship. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Widdowson  had  the  following 
children :  William  was  a  lumberman  and  ho- 
tel-keeper at  Richmond,  where  he  died ;  John, 
deceased,  married  Jennie  Heunigh;  Emma  is 
the  widow  of  Edward  Hupp ;  Joseph  L.,  who 
was  a  merchant  and  farmer  in  Grant  town- 
ship, is  now  a  lumberman  of  Idaho;  Josiah  E., 
who  is  deceased,  married  Keturah  Simpson; 
Mary,  who  married  Wilson  Ditts,  resides  at 
White  Oak  Flats,  in  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship; Harvey  R.  is  mentioned  below:  Electa, 
deceased,  married  John  S.  Ross,  of  Richmond ; 
Laura  man-ied  George  Hamilton,  a  farmer 
of  Grant  township. 

Harvey  R.  Widdowson,  son  of  William  Wid- 
dowson, was  still  a  boy  when  the  family  went 
to  Canoe  township,  and  there  he  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools.  He  worked  from'  his 
bo.yhood  on  the  farm  and  in  the  lumber  mill 
with  his  father,  and  after  his  father  died  con- 
tinued to  operate  both  the  farm  and  mill,  be- 
ing thus  engaged  until  1892,  when  he  located 
in  Grant  township,  buying  his  brother  Jo- 
seph's interest  in  the  sawmill  and  land  at 
what  is  now  known  as  Ord.  For  twenty  years 
lie  has  operated  the  sawmill  at  this  point.  A 
man  of  unusual  energj-,  he  knows  how  to  di- 
rect his  work  so  as  to  attain  the  best  results, 
and  his  success  is  the  outcome  of  intelligent 
thought  along  progressive  lines.  While  a 
Democrat,  he  reserves  the  right  to  act  inde- 
IH'udently  whenever  he  believes  that  the  best 
interests  of  the  community  will  be  consei'vcd 
by  his  doing  so.  Though  belonging  to  no  re- 
ligious denomination,  he  directs  his  actions 
according  to  the  Golden  Rule,  and  is  chari- 
table in  thought  and  deed.  Neither  does  he 
belong  to  any  fraternal  association,  taking  his 
diversions  with  his  family,  for  he  is  domestic 
in  his  tastes. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1237 


Mr.  Widdowson  married  Bessie  L.  Work, 
who  was  born  in  East  ilalioning  township, 
daughter  of  William  Alexander  S.  Work.  A 
full  and  interesting  history  of  the  Work  fam- 
ily, one  of  the  leading  families  of  Indiana 
county,  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
Mrs.  Widdowson  is  one  of  the  most  worthy 
women  in  her  township,  where  she  is  well  and 
favorably  regarded,  for  she  is  a  devoted  wife 
and  mother,  an  excellent  housewife  and  home- 
maker,  and  a  kind  and  charitable  neighbor 
and  friend.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Widdowson  have 
had  the  following  children :  Roxie  L.,  who 
was  gi-aduated  from  the  State  normal  school 
at  Indiana,  married  Dr.  Harry  B.  Neal,  of 
Indiana,  a  sketch  of  whom  is  given  elsewhere ; 
Mary  Gay  is  a  student  at  the  State  normal; 
William  Work  is  now  (1913)  seven  years  old. 

SAMUEL  LEWIS,  general  farmer  of  Canoe 
township,  Indiana  county,  and  a  veteran  of 
the  Civil  war,  was  bom  May  17,  1844,  on  his 
father's  farm  in  West  Mahoning  township, 
this  county,  son  of  George  and  Susan  (Stear) 
Lewis. 

John  Stear,  his  maternal  grandfather,  was 
a  native  of  eastern  Pennsylvania,  and  coming 
to  Indiana  county  at  an  early  date,  settled  east 
of  Smicksburg,  where  he  secured  wild  land, 
which  he  cleared  and  cultivated,  making  a 
comfortable  home  for  his  family.  The  rest  of 
his  life  was  spent  there  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits. Mr.  Stear  was  twice  married  and  be- 
came the  father  of  the  following  children: 
George,  who  lived  near  Plumville,  Pa. ;  Mary, 
who  married  Thomas  Carr,  and  lived  near 
Cherrytree,  Pa. ;  Susan,  the  mother  of  Samuel 
Lewis;  Margaret,  who  married  John  Carr,  of 
West  Mahoning  township;  and  John,  who 
lived  on  the  old  homestead. 

George  Lewis,  of  Sinking  Valley,  Pa.,  father 
of  Samuel  Lewis,  received  only  meager  edu- 
cational advantages.  He  lived  at  home  until 
his  marriage,  at  which  time  he  commenced 
farming  on  his  own  account,  and  was  so  en- 
gaged until  his  death,  in  1846.  He  and  his 
wife  had  four  children,  namely :  Nancy  mar- 
ried Anthony  Wingrove,  and  lived  in  West 
Mahoning  township  (both  are  deceased)  ; 
John  enlisted  in  the  fall  of  1861  in  Company 
A,  78th  Regiment,  P.  V.  I.,  at  Smicksburg. 
was  sent  to  Kittanning  and  on  to  Louisville. 
Ky.,  where  he  .ioined  the  Army  of  the  Cuin- 
berland,  was  taken  sick  at  Chattanooga.  Tenn.. 
sent  to  hospital  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  died 
Dee.  15,  1863  (he  married  Lizzie  iMoon- 
shower)  ;  Samuel  is  mentioned  below ;  Jane 
married  John  B.  Sowers,  and  lived  at  Yates- 


boro,  Pa.  After  the  death  of  her  first  hus- 
band Mrs.  Susan  Lewis  was  married  (second) 
to  John  F.  Stiteler,  who  was  born  Feb.  23, 
1815,  in  Sinking  Valley,  Pa.,  and  passed  away 
at  the  age  of  eighty-eight  years,  two  months. 
They  made  their  home  in  Smicksburg.  She 
was  born  March  9,  1815. 

Samuel  Lewis  had  to  go  a  long  distance 
to  the  little  log  school,  with  its  puncheon  seats, 
slab  desks  and  primitive  equipments,  pre- 
sided over  by  Capt.  Evan  Lewis.  He  was  still 
a  lad  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out,  and  in 
August,  1862,  enlisted  at  Pittsburg  in  Com- 
pany A,  78th  P.  V.  I.,  which  he  joined  at 
Pulaski,  Tenn.  Subsequently  he  participated 
in  its  various  engagements,  which  included 
such  memorable  and  hard-fought  battles  as 
Stone  River,  Burnt  Hickory,  Chattanooga, 
ilissionary  Ridge,  Atlanta  and  Nashville,  be- 
sides numerous  skirmishes  and  minor  engage- 
ments. He  was  a  brave  and  faithful  soldier 
and  when  his  services  were  ,  completed  re- 
turned to  the  duties  of  peace  with  an  excellent 
record.  He  was  discharged  June  19,  1865, 
at  Nashville. 

Mr.  Lewis  was  married  Sept.  13,  1866,  to 
S.  E.  Johnson,  of  South  Mahoning  township, 
Indiana  county,  daughter  of  James  and  Polly 
(Simpson)  Johnson,  and  granddaughter  of 
John  and  Sarah  (Adarason)  Johnson.  James 
Johnson  was  a  cai-penter  by  trade,  and  also 
owned  a  farm  in  South  MaJioning  township, 
where  both  he  and  his  wife  died.  Their  chil- 
dren were  as  follows :  Jlary  Jane,  who  mar- 
ried J.  K.  Stear,  of  Cozad,  Nebr. ;  S.  B.,  who 
married  Mr.  Lewis;  J.  H.,  a  farmer,  who  mar- 
ried Mary  Kinter,  and  lived  in  South  Ma- 
honing township ;  Martha,  deceased,  who  was 
the  wife  of  John  Webster,  and  lived  in  Jef- 
ferson county ;  Clara,  who  married  T.  W.  Neff, 
of  Altoona,  Pa. ;  and  John  B.,  a  railroad  bridge 
carpenter,  of  Pittsburg,  Kans.,  who  met  an 
accidental  death  Feb.  20,  1905. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  have  been  born  the 
following  children :  Austin  Elmer,  born  April 
23,  1867.  a  farmer  in  Forest , county.  Pa., 
married  Ella  Purdy  and  (second)  Laura  Bell 
Ekes,  and  had  three  children.  Bell  (who  mar- 
ried Joseph  States  of  Richmond,  Pa.,  and  has 
three  children,  Claire  0.,  Joseph  W.  and  An- 
drew J.),  Preston  C.  and  John  F.;  Nora  B., 
born  JIarch  31,  1869,  married  John  Love,  of 
Jefferson  county,  and  has  three  children, 
Harry  A.,  Mabel  B.  and  Mary  B. ;  Arthur  B., 
liorn  Feb.  7,  1871,  a  miner  of  Onnalinda,  Pa., 
married  Agnes  Lucas,  and  has  ten  children, 
Clair,  Mary,  William,  Murray,  Towner, 
Thomas,  Samuel,  Amanda,  Ethel  and  another 


1238 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


daughter;  John  "W.,  born  Jan.  20,  1873,  a  vet- 
eran of  the  Spanish-American  war,  who  was 
sergeant  of  Company  M,  3d  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteers, is  now  living  in  Colorado ;  James  A., 
born  Oct.  29,  1874,  a  miner,  married  Mary 
Jones,  and  has  six  children,  Samuel  Thomas, 
Ida  May,  Timothy,  Blanche,  Jlargaret  and 
Robert;  Ida  C,  born  Feb.  22,  1877,  married 
A.  E.  Ross,  of  DuBois,  Pa.,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren, Lester  and  Grace ;  Ira  B.,  born  Oct.  18, 
1878,  died  Nov.  13,  1878 ;  Luther  F.,  boru  Oct. 
11,  1879,  who  was  connected  with  a  supply 
house  at  Ernest,  met  with  an  accidental  death 
Feb.  24,  1913  (he  married  Sarah  E.  Work, 
and  they  had  seven  children,  Bertha,  Ernest, 
deceased,  Ray,  Francis,  Blair,  James  and 
Eva)  ;  George  F.,  born  March  16,  1882,  a 
carpenter,  plumber  and  paperhanger  living 
near  Marchand,  Pa.,  married  Lulu  Weaver 
and  (second)  Olive  Loyd,  and  by  his  first  mar- 
riage had  one  child,  Earl,  by  his  second  two, 
Mona  and  Dale ;  Samuel,  a  painter,  living  at 
Madison,  Pa.,  married  Anna  Bell  Lewis,  of 
Smicksburg,  Pa.,  and  has  two  children,  Wil- 
liam Elkin  and  Mary;  and  J.  Harvey,  born 
Oct.  14,  1887,  now  farming  the  old  home  place 
for  his  father,  married  Goldie  Potts  and  has 
had  three  children,  Ralph,  Ethel  and  Floy,  the 
last-named  dying  when  eight  months  old. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis 
settled  on  the  Ritchey  place,  where  they  re- 
sided for  two  and  a  half  years.  In  1872  Mr. 
Lewis  purchased  his  present  property  of  fifty 
acres  in  Canoe  township,  formerly  known  as 
the  Colgin  place,  at  that  time  wild  land,  but 
which  has  all  been  cleared  and  put  under  cul- 
tivation by  'Mr.  Lewis,  who  follows  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  He  is  an  industri- 
ous, thrifty  worker,  and  a  substantial  and 
respected  citizen  of  his  community. 

Mr.  Lewis  is  a  Republican  in  political  views, 
and  for  thirteen  years  has  served  as  a  member 
of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Canoe  town- 
ship He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
United  Presbvterian  Church  at  Richmond,  Pa. 
He  is  a  popular  comrade  of  the  G.  A.  R.  post 
at  Richmond. 

ALVIN  INDEPENDENT  DAVIS,  a 
farmer  of  Buffington  township,  was  born  July 
4,  1867,  son  of  William  Davis.  ^    . ,  . 

Isaiah  Davis,  great-grandfather  of  Alyin 
Independent  Davis,  was  born  in  Philadelphia. 
Pa.,  and  moved  to  Bedford,  this  state,  where 
he  built  the  first  furnace,  known  as  the  Lynn 
&  Davis  furnace.  There  his  children  were 
born  He  married  a  Miss  Flanigan  and  (sec- 
ond)   a  Miss  Steel,   and  his  children  were: 


Jane,  who  married  Richard  Harwood;  Becky, 
who  married  William  Price;  Mrs.  Young; 
James,  who  lives  in  Jeiferson  county,  Pa.; 
Alex,  who  married  a  Miss  Suydam;  and 
Thomas. 

Thomas  Davis,  son  of  Isaiah  Davis,  settled 
in  BufSngton  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
when  he  was  thirty  years  old.  Prior  to  that 
he  had  learned  the  blacksmith 's  trade  at  Hope- 
well, Bedford  Co.,  Pa.,  but  after  coming  to 
Indiana  county  he  devoted  himself  to  farming 
on  his  200-acre  tract,  where  he  died  aged 
sixty-two  years.  Joining  the  Methodist 
Church  early  in  life,  he  continued  a  member 
of  that  body,  and  died  firm  in  its  faith,  having 
been  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  church  at 
Blackliek,  Cambria  county ;  he  was  buried 
in  the  little  cemetery  attached  to  that  church. 
Thomas  Davis  married  Nancy  Rainey, 
daughter  of  John  Rainey,  of  Bedford  county, 
and  their  children  were:  Sarah  Jane  married 
T.  J.  Bracken;  James  A.  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty-two  years;  William  is  mentioned  be- 
low ;  Ann  married  Thomas  Hannah  as  her  first 
husband,  and  later  John  Graham;  Thomas 
Jefferson  died  while  in  service  during  the 
Civil  war,  as  a  member  of  the  Union  army; 
Foster  married  Rachel  Shealer  and  (second) 
Eliza  Harbaugh;  Charity  died  in  childhood. 
William  Davis,  son  of  Thomas  Davis,  and 
father  of  Alvin  I.  Davis,  was  born  Dec.  28, 
1835,  in  Pine  (now  Buffington)  township,  this 
county.  He  attended  the  schools  of  his  pe- 
riod and  locality,  and  assisted  his  father  with 
the  farm  work,  learning  it  in  all  its  details. 
Later  he  purchased  the  homestead,  comprising 
230  acres,  and  operated  it,  raising  stock,  spe- 
cializing on  fine  horses,  and  lumbering  to  a 
considerable  extent.  For  many  years  he 
served  as  a  school  director,  and  after  the  for- 
mation of  the  Republican  party  adhered  to 
its  principles.  The  Methodist  Church  held  his 
membership  and  benefited  from  his  generosity 
from  the  time  he  joined  it,  many  years  ago. 
Having  spent  many  years  in  useful  employ- 
ment he  retired,  and  now  lives  at  Morrellville, 
Johnstown,  Pennsylvania. 

On  November  18,  1858,  William  Davis  was 
married  to  Cynthia  Jane  George,  daughter  of 
Adam  and  Elizabeth  (Patterson)  George. 
Mrs.  Davis  was  born  Dec.  11,  1839.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Davis  had  children  as  follows:  Mary 
Agnes,  born  Sept.  10,  1859.  married  Sept. 
28,  1889,  Charles  Altemus,  a  dentist  of  Johns- 
town; Thomas  Jefferson,  born  July  14,  1861, 
married  Marv  Ling,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
and  Elizabeth  (McFeaters)  Ling,  and  has 
had  children,  Norman,  Stanton,  Elton,  Dal- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA  1239 

T^^^^  ^f'""''  d^.,  ^l'"^if^'  l^''""  ^°^-    •^"'^^ty  ^^  ^°t^'i'  ^^d  «"^tains  the  high  reputa- 
t'n    3r  ^l^^  Z  childhood;  Flora,  bom  Jan.    tion  established  by  his  forbears  for  honesty  of 
AV,  18bo,  taught  school  tor  some  years,  mar-    purpose  and  integrity  of  action 
ried  June  4,  1895,  Sam  C.  Altemus,  and  died 

Aug.  6,  1893;  Alvin  I.  is  mentioned  below;  JAMES  STEWART  CAMPBELL,  a 
Edwin,  born  Nov.  5,  1869,  is  a  dentist  of  New  farmer  of  Armstrong  township,  Indiana' Co. 
York  City;  William  George,  born  Dec.  12,  P^-i  "^as  born  in  that  township  Nov.  5  183?' 
1871,  married  July  8,  1896,  Bell  Hill,  and  is  son  of  Cornelius  Campbell.  His  paternal 
an  engineer  in  the  Cambria  Steel  Company  gi'andfather  married  the  daughter  of  James 
works  at  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Ira,  born  Aug.  27,    Stewart. 

1873,  living  with  his  parents,  is  a  steel  tester  Cornelius  Campbell  was  born  in  1796  and 
for  the  Cambria  Steel  Company;  Gertrude,  died  Dee.  14,  1843.  He  was  born  in  County 
bom  Sept.  25,  1876,  died  Jan.  15,  1877 ;  Antrim,  Ireland,  and  came  to  America  when 
Fannie,  born  April  4,  1878,  married  Sept.  10,  twenty-two  years  old,  making  the  voyage  in 
1908,  Homer  Boyer,  who  is  a  banker  of  Johns-  a  sailing  vessel  that  landed  him  in  New  York 
town.  Pa. ;  Sarah  L.,  born  Sept.  8,  1880,  died  City,  whence  he  later  came  to  Armstrong 
July  22,  1884.  township,   taking  up   140  acres  in  the  then 

Alvin  Independent  Davis  attended  the  Dun-  wilderness.  On  it  he  built  a  log  house,  on 
can  school,  and  at  the  same  time  was  kept  t^e  site  of  the  present  residence  of  his  son, 
busy  with  work  on  the  farm.  After  he  left  James  Stewart  Campbell.  In  addition  to  at- 
school  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pennsyl-  tending  to  his  farm  this  pioneer  taught  school 
vania  Railroad  Company  as  fireman,  running  held  in  a  log  cabin,  receiving  in  payment  for 
between  Derry,  Pa.,  and  points  east  and  west,  his  services  grain  and  other  farm  commodities. 
Later  he  came  back  to  the  farm,  and  buying  A  man  of  more  than  ordinary  intelligence  and 
the  homestead  settled  upon  it.  This  prop-  education,  he  naturally  became  a  leader  in 
erty  comprised  120  acres  of  his  father's  or-  township  affairs,  and  his  advice  was  asked  in 
iginal  holdings,  and  contained  a  handsome  all  matters  of  importance  by  his  neighbors.  A 
residence,  good  barns  and  other  buildings,  loyal  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
He  added  seventy-six  acres  to  this,  which  he  Church,  he  was  much  interested  in  its  wel- 
bought  from  the  McCartney  brothers,  and  fare,  having  been  one  of  its  founders  in  this 
is  now  operating  190  acres,  doing  general  locality,  and  he  lived  up  to  its  creed,  which 
farming  and  lumbering.  Being  a  man  of  en-  he  carried  into  his  everyday  life, 
terprise,  with  progressive  ideas,  he  conducts  On  June  15,  1826,  Cornelius  Campbell  was 
his  operations  according  to  modern  methods,  married  to  Nancy  Gray,  who  died  Jan.  6, 
and  has  been  decidedly  successful.  1828.     They  had  one  child,  Jane,  born  April 

Mr.  Davis  was  married  to  Bell  Wallace,  26,  1827,  who  died  Sept.  17,  1827.  Mr.  Camp- 
daughter  of  James  A.  and  Laura  Bell  bell  married  (second)  Dee.  23,  1830,  Rebecca 
(Clark)  Wallace,  of  East  Wheatfield  town-  Stewart,  who  was  born  Oct.  10,  1801,  and  died 
ship.  She  was  bora  Feb.  18,  18 — ,  and  died  Dec.  16,  1858.  The  children  of  this  marriage 
Sept.  10,  1909,  the  mother  of  four  children,  were  as  follows:  Mary,  bom  Sept.  21,  1831, 
as  follows:  Jennie  Bell.  l)orn  Julv  3,  1901;  died  March  31,  1832;  Nancy,  born  Sept.  25, 
William  Alvin,  bom  April  14,  1903;  Harry  1832,  died  Jan.  26,  1833;  John,  born  Oct. 
George,  born  Aug.  4,  1904 :  and  Bertha  Agnes,  24,  1833,  died  Jan.  16,  1837 ;  Esther,  born 
bora  Aug.  27,  1909.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  April  17,  1836,  married  Andrew  Duncan,  a 
Davis  married  Mary  C.  Dill,  daughter  of  Ben-  blacksmith,  and  died  July  25,  1862 ;  James  S. 
son  and  Matilda  (Tomb)  Dill,  a  sketch  of  is  mentioned  at  length  below;  David,  born 
whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work,  and  Dec.  17,  1839,  married  Isabelle  Miller,  a 
to  this  union  has  come  one  daughter,  Catha-  daughter  of  Jacob  Miller,  of  Jefferson  county, 
rine  Amanda,  born  Dee.  4,  1912.  Pa.,  and  died  Jan.  7,  1909.    David  Campbell's 

I\Ir.  Davis  has  been  a  Republican  since  wife  survives  him,  living  on  a  farm  in  White 
casting  his  first  vote,  and  has  served  as  con-  township  with  her  children.  They  had  the 
stable  for  five  years,  as  township  auditor  for  following  family:  Mary  Elizabeth,  who  i3 
thirteen  years,  and  as  .iudge  of  election  four  deceased;  Rebecca  Ann,  who  married  Samuel 
years.  The  Methodist  Church  holds  his  mem-  E.  Kaufman ;  James  Wellington,  who  mar- 
bership,  and  he  gives  its  good  work  his  earnest  ried  Margaret  Ellen  Fleming  and  resides  in 
support.  Thoroughgoing  in  every  respect,  Denver,  Colo.,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the 
Mr.  Davis  is  an  excellent  example  of  the  type  lumber  business ;  Ella  Milanda ;  Martha  Bell ; 
of   modern  agriculturist  for  which  Indiana    Emory   Edward,  who   married  Mabel  Zonia 


1240 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Peddieord;  and  Lawrence  David,  who  mar- 
ried Alice  Bracken.  David  Campbell  served 
in  Company  G,  2d  Battalion,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  for  six  months  during  the  Civil 
war. 

James  Stewart  Campbell  was  the  eldest  liv- 
ing son  of  his  parents  when  his  father  died, 
and  upon  his  youthful  shoulders  fell  the 
burden  of  operating  the  homestead  and  car- 
ing for  his  widowed  mother  and  the  remainder 
of  the  family.  He  nobly  discharged  the  heavy 
duties  life  _early  brought  him,  and  received 
the  homestead  in  partial  payment.  He  has 
made  many  improvements  upon  this  property, 
and  while  the  main  part  of  his  residence  is 
the  original  log  house  erected  by  his  father, 
he  has  so  improved  it  that  it  would  never  be 
recognized.  At  present  he  is  living  somewhat 
retired,  but  until  1909  was  actively  engaged 
in  operating  his  farm,  specializing  on  raising 
fine  horses  and  making  butter.  Mr.  Camp- 
bell remembers  many  pioneer  conditions  long 
since  passed  away.  "When  he  was  a  lad,  win- 
dow glass  was  a  luxury  none  in  the  neighbor- 
hood were  able  to  afford.  Whenever  a  cover- 
ing other  than  the  crude  shutter  of  logs  was 
desired,  oiled  paper  was  pasted  in  the  open- 
ing. His  house  is  but  ten  rods  from  the 
old  Indian  trail,  and  he  has  found  many  re- 
minders in  his  fields  that  once  the  red  men 
used  this  locality  as  a  hunting  ground.  In 
plowing  he  has  come  across  beds  of  clay  on 
which  the  Indians  in  bygone  days  did  their 
cooking,  while  countless  arrowheads  testify 
to  their  methods  of  laying  low  the  wild  game 
or  each  other  before  firearms  came  into  their 


In  1861  Mr.  Campbell  married  Anna  Eliza 
Miller,  no^^f  deceased,  a  daughter  of  Hugh  and 
Sarah  (Moore)  Miller.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Camp- 
bell became  the  parents  of  two  children :  El- 
mer Elsworth.  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years,  and  Rebecca,  who  died  when  two  years 
old.  Mrs.  Campbell  and  her  children  are 
buried  in  Oakland  cemetery.  Mr.  Campbell 
is  one  of  the  most  substantial  men  of  his 
township,  and  his  relations  with  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber, are  as  important  as  they  are  in  the  out- 
side world.  Politically  he  is  an  independent 
Republican. 

JOHN  DOTY,  farmer  of  Grant  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  veteran  of  the  Civil  war, 
was  born  Dee.  16,  1841,  near  New  Salem, 
Westmoreland  Co..  Pa.,  and  is  a  descendant 
of  a  family  of  English  origin  which  was  one 
of  llio  first  to  sdtle  in   New  England.     The 


name  was  formerly  spelled  Dotey,  Doty,  Dote 
and  Doten. 

(I)  Edward  Doten  or  Doty,  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, was  a  youth  when  he  came  to  America 
with  the  little  band  of  Pilgrims  which  crossed 
the  Atlantic  in  the  "Mayflower"  in  1620. 
landing  on  Plymouth  Rock,  in  what  is  now 
the  harbor  of  Plymouth,  JIass.  He  was  in 
the  service  of  Stephen  Hopkins,  and  he  was 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  solemn  compact  made 
in  Cape  Cod  harbor  Nov.  11,  1620,  on  board 
the  "Mayflower."  He  married  Jan.  6,  1634- 
35,  Faith  Clarke,  born  in  1619,  daughter  of 
Thurston  and  Faith  Clarke.  In  1652  Mr. 
Doty  was  one  of  the  purchasers  of  Dart- 
mouth, Mass.,  but  later  removed  to  Cape  Cod, 
locating  in  the  town  of  Yarmouth,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  there 
Aug.  23,  1655.  His  widow  married  (second) 
John  Phillips,  of  Duxbury.  Children:  Ed- 
ward, John,  Thomas,  Samuel,  Desire,  Eliza- 
beth, Isaac,  Joseph  and  MarJ^ 

(II)  Samuel  Doty,  son  of  Edward  and  Faith 
(Clarke)  Doty,  born  in  Plymouth,  in  1643, 
became  quite  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  Ply- 
mouth and  Cape  Cod.  Later  he  removed  to 
New  Jersey,  locating  at  Piscataway,  Middle- 
sex county,  where  he  was  well  known.  In 
1675  he  was  commissioned  lieutenant  of  the 
military  company  of  New  Piscataway,  of 
which  Francis  Drake  was  captain;  this  com- 
mission was  received  in  1678.  He  became  a 
member  of  the  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Church, 
which  was  formed  in  ITOCi.  He  died  about 
October,  1715.  In  Piscataway,  N.  J.,  he  mar- 
ried Jeane  Harman,  of  that  town. 

(III)  Jonathan  Doty,  son  of  Samuel  and 
Jeane  (Harman)  Doty,  was  born  in  Pisca- 
taway, N.  J.,  Feb.  24,"  1687-88.  About  1717 
he  married  Mary,  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  eight  children:  William,  born  Sept. 
11,  1719;  Jonathan,  born  about  1724;  Daniel, 
born  about  1727 ;  Joshua,  born  about  1730 ; 
Joseph,  born  about  1735;  Mary;  Jane,  who 
married  Oct.  21,  1747,  John  Johnson;  and 
Elizabeth. 

(IV)  Jonathan  Doty  (2),  son  of  Jonathan 
and  Mary  Doty,  born  about  1724,  in  Piscata- 
way, N.  J.,  removed  with  his  parents  to  Bask- 
ing Ridge,  N.  J.,  where  he  was  a  farmer  and 
where  he  died.  He  married  Patience  Sutton, 
and  their  children  were:  Jonathan',  born 
about  1754;  Zebulon,  born  about  175S;  Nath- 
aniel, born  Oct.  19,  1761 ;  Joseph,  liorn  Aug. 
31,  1764:  William,  born  Oct.  8,  1767;  and 
Rebecca,  who  married  and  settled  in  Penn- 
svlvnnin. 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1241 


(V)  Nathaniel  Doty,  son  of  Jonathan  (2) 
and  Patience  (Sutton)  Doty,  was  born  at 
Basking  Ridge,  N.  J.,  Oct.  19,  1761,  and  like 
his  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
war,  enlisting  at  Morristown,  N.  J.,  and  con- 
tinuing in  the  service  for  eight  months.  Part 
of  the  time  he  was  under  Captain  Carter, 
part  under  Captain  Hathaway,  lieing  a  pri- 
vate in  the  Morris  county  militia.  He  re- 
ceived a  pension  from  the  government.  Set- 
tling in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  he  farmed 
there,  living  and  dying  in  Derry  township. 
His  death  occurred  March  24,  1848,  and  he 
is  buried  in  Salem  Church  cemetery.  In  1790 
he  married  Jane  Brockoven  or  Broekover,  a 
native  of  ]\Iorris  county,  N.  J.,  daughter  of 
Lieut.  George  Brockoven,  who  was  an  officer 
in  the  Revolutionary  army.  She  died  June 
13,  1850,  and  is  buried  in  Salem  Church  ceme- 
tery. Children  as  follows  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Nathaniel  Doty:  Phoebe,  born  in 
1792,  who  married  John  Hartley;  Jonathan, 
boi-n  in  1794,  who  married  Sarah  Hai-tley ; 
Mary,  born  Sept.  27,  1796,  who  married 
Alexander  Henderson  McCurdy;  George, 
born  Aug.  20,  1800 ;  and  Patience,  born  March 
26,  1806,  who  married  Daniel  Dunlap. 

(VI)  George  Doty,  son  of  Nathaniel  and 
Jane  Doty,  was  born  Aug.  20,  1800,  in  Derry 
township,  Westmoreland  county,  and  there 
grew  to  manhood.  He  made  his  home  near 
New  Salem,  where  he  followed  farming,  and 
continued  to  live  there  until  1844,  when  with 
his  wife  and  children  he  crossed  the  Cone- 
maugh  river  and  came  into  Indiana  county, 
locating  in  what  is  now  Grant  township,  then 
a  part  of  Montgomery  township.  Here  he 
settled  on  150  acres  of  land  which  was 
owned  by  Newton  Hastings,  known  as  the 
old  Black  farm,  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
township.  On  this  tract  is  what  is  known  as 
"Doty's  Round  Top,"  one  of  the  highest 
points  in  Indiana  county.  Here  Mr.  Doty 
settled  down  to  pioneer  life  in  what  was  then 
a  wilderness,  built  a  log  house  and  log  barn, 
and  made  many  improvements  on  the  land. 
As  prosperity  came  to  him  he  built  a  frame 
dwelling  and  barn,  and  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  on  the  farm,  following  general  agri- 
culture and  stock  raising.  He  died  there  in 
1879,  and  was  buried  in  Gilgal  cemetery.  In 
politics  he  was  originally  a  Whig,  afterward 
a  Republican.  He  was  a  man  of  upright  life 
and  character,  highly  esteemed  by  all  his 
neighbors.  In  Westmoreland  county  he  mar- 
ried Hannah  Jelleson,  who  was  born  there, 
daughter  of  Robert  Jelleson,  and  she  died  on 
the  farm  in  1877  and  was  biiried  in  Gilgal 


Church  cemetery,  in  East  Malioniug  town- 
ship. She  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Children  as  follows  were  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doty:  Mary  Jane,  born  July 
19,  1829,  married  Theodore  White,  and  died 
Jan.  27,  1850 ;  Nathaniel,  born  June  26.  1831, 
enlisted  for  sei'vice  in  the  Civil  war,  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Winchester,  and 
died  from  the  effects  of  his  injuries  at  Fred- 
ericksburg, Md. ;  Rebecca,  born  Nov.  23,  1832, 
married  McLean  Sutton,  of  Westmoreland 
county,  and  is  deceased ;  Phebe,  born  June  13, 
1834,  is  the  widow  of  Samuel  Stuchel,  and 
resides  in  East  Mahoning  township,  this  coun- 
ty; Robert,  born  July  7,  1836,  was  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Gettysburg;  Jonathan,  born 
July  14,  1838,  died  at  Burnside,  Pa.,  Dee.  12, 
1911  (he  was  a  Civil  war  soldier  and  was 
wounded  in  the  thigh  at  Fredericksburg)  ; 
Elizabeth  Hannah,  born  March  21,  1840,  mar- 
ried D.  J.  Broughler,  and  died  in  1898 ;  John 
is  mentioned  below ;  George  Sylvester,  born 
April  28,  1844,  died  young;  Jesse  Alexander, 
born  Aug.  31,  1846,  died  Dec.  9,  1852. 

(VII)  John  Doty  was  but  three  years  old 
when  the  family  moved  to  Grant  township,  In- 
diana county,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  amid 
primitive  surroundings.  His  educational  op- 
portunities were  limited  to  a  few  months'  at- 
tendance in  the  winter  season,  but  he  has  be- 
come a  well-informed  man  by  observation  and 
in  his  varied  experiences.  Working  at  home 
with  his  father  until  he  entered  the  Union 
army  for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  he  enlisted 
Aug.  13,  1864,  in  Company  A.  206th  Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  under  the 
fighting  Col.  Hugh  J.  Brady  and  Capt. 
Thomas  J.  IMoore.  His  command  was  attached 
to  the  24th  Army  Corps,  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac. Mr.  Doty  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  Aug.  26,  1864,  and  remained  in 
the  army  until  the  close  of  the  war.  His 
regiment  was  the  first  to  enter  Richmond,  and 
did  guard  duty  in  that  city  until  the  war  was 
over.  He  was  mustered  out  June  26,  1865. 
Returning  home,  he  took  up  lumbering  the 
following  year,  in  the  timber  regions  of  Clear- 
field county,  and  was  engaged  in  that  line 
thirty  years,  handling  hard  square  timber. 
He  rafted  down  the  Susquehanna  river  to 
Lock  Haven  and  Marietta,  and  during  his 
career  in  the  business  handled  millions  of  feet 
of  lumber.  Meantime  he  also  farmed  in  Burn- 
side  township,  that  county,  and  conducted  a 
small  farm  near  the  paternal  homestead,  hav- 
ing in  1873  purchased  the  Leonard  Bates  prop- 
erty,- a  tract  of  sixty-two  acres  upon  which 
he  made  extensive  improvements,  building  a 


1242 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


fine  large  barn  and  substantial  dwelling. 
This  place  is  now  operated  by  his  son  Robert 
Clark  Doty,  justice  of  the  peace.  In  1898 
Mr.  Doty  bought  his  father's  homestead.  He 
continiied  lumbering  until  1901,  since  which 
year  he  has  given  the  principal  part  of  his 
time  and  attention  to  stock  raising  and  gen- 
eral farming,  and  although  past  the  threescore 
and  ten  mark  he  is  still  active  in  both  mind 
and  body,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  has 
worked  hard  from  boyhood,  undergoing  many 
hardships  in  the  course  of  his  long  career.  He 
has  made  many  improvements  on  the  home- 
stead since  settling  there,  and  is  not  only  en- 
terprising in  the  management  of  his  own  af- 
fairs but  also  interested  in  the  general  wel- 
fare, being  a  good  citizen  in  every  sense  of 
the  word.  He  is  a  strong  believer  in  the  pub- 
lic school  system,  has  served  one  term  as 
school  director,  and  has  also  been  township  su- 
pervisor one  term.  Loyal  to  every  cause  he 
espouses,  he  is  a  valued  and  faithful  worker 
for  any  movement  with  which  he  becomes  as- 
sociated. His  first  vote  was  cast  for  Abraham 
Lincoln,  at  the  time  of  the  martjTed  presi- 
dent's second  election,  and  he  has  been  a  con- 
sistent Republican  ever  since.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  G.  A.  R.,  belonging  to  Frank  "SI. 
Brown  Post  No,  266,  of  Richmond,  this  coun- 
ty, has  filled  all  the  chairs  in  that  body,  and 
has  been  commander  for  the  last  five  years. 
He  also  belongs  to  the  I,  0,  0.  F,,  holding 
membership  in  the  lodge  at  Clarion  Center, 
of  which  he  is  a  past  grand,  and  he  belongs 
to  the  grand  lodge  of  the  State,  His  reli- 
gious connection  is  with  the  M,  E.  Church  at 
Richmond. 

In  1865  Mr.  Doty  married  Riith  S.  Stan- 
lev,  who  was  born  Feb.  18.  1845.  daughter  of 
John  T.  and  Jane  (Shields^  Stanley.  She. 
too,  is  a  member  of  the  JI.  E,  Church,  Ten 
children  were  born  to  JMr,  and  Mrs,  Doty: 
Robert  Clark  married  Alice  Ayers  and  they 
have  two  children,  Hilda  and  Wendell ;  Kate 
lola  married  Forest  B.  Work,  of  Grant  town- 
ship, and  has  two  children:  Hannah  Jane 
married  George  0.  Richardson,  a  merchant 
of  Richmond,  and  has  two  children,  Floyd  L, 
and  Joyce  lola;  John  Stanley  is  at  home; 
George,  now  of  Nebraska,  married  Elizabeth 
Wlialey  and  has  two  children,  Robbin  Lester 
and  Royal  Clark;  James  Marshall,  twin  of 
George,  also  resides  in  Nebraska;  Clar- 
issa died  when  two  years  old:  Pearl  died  in 
infancy;  Tva  N,  lives  at  home:  Elda  Elezda 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  summer 
normals  at  IMarchand  and  Richmond,  and  the 


Indiana  State  normal,  and  has  taught  public 
school  for  seven  years. 

The  Stanley  family,  to  which  Mrs.  Doty 
belongs,  is  of  English  and  Scotch  extraction. 
John  T.  Stanley,  her  father,  was  born  April 
1,  1809,  in  Adams  county,  Pa.,  son  of  William 
Stanley.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade.  Com- 
ing to  Indiana  count}'  when  a  young  man,  he 
located  at  Kelleysburg,  in  Rayne  township, 
where  he  followed  his  trade,  later  moving  to 
East  Mahoning  township,  where  he  established 
a  shop  north  of  Marion  Center,  on  the  place 
now  owned  bj'  Benjamin  Rochester,  Later 
he  moved  to  another  location  in  East  ilahon- 
ing  township,  near  Ambrose,  on  the  place  now 
owned  by  ]\Ir.  Hopkins,  and  there  followed 
general  blacksmithing  and  horseshoeing.  He 
was  a  thorough  mechanic,  known  as  an  expert 
in  his  line.  Selling  out  to  James  Bovard  he 
moved  to  Richmond,  in  what  is  now  Grant 
township  (then  part  of  ilontgomery),  and 
bought  eightj^  acres  of  land  from  Thomas  B, 
Allison,  now  owned  by  Frederick  Smith, 
Here  he  settled  down  to  farming  and  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  Nov,  27,  1887, 
He  is  buried  in  the  Richmond  cemetery.  In 
polities  a  Whig  and  Republican,  in  turn,  "Sir. 
Stanley  never  took  any  active  part  in  party 
affairs  or  public  matters,  and  never  would  ' 
hold  office ;  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace, 
but  would  not  qualify.  In  religion  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Presbvtei'ian  Church, 

On  aiarch  21,  1842"  Sir,  Stanley  married 
Jane  Shields,  a  native  of  Washington  town- 
ship, this  county,  born  June  12,  1821.  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Speedy)  Shields, 
old  settlers  of  that  township.  She  died  March 
6,  1901,  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  ]\Irs, 
Doty,  who  cared  for  her  tenderly  in  her  old 
age.  and  is  buried  in  the  same  cemetei-y  as  her 
husband.  She  was  also  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  They  had  the  following 
children:  William  Henrv.  born  March  7. 
1843 :  Ruth  S..  born  Feb.  18,  1845,  who  mar- 
ried John  Doty;  John  Shields,  bom  Jan,  27. 
1847.  who  is  engaged  in  fruit  growing  at  Sel- 
ma,  Cal.:  Clarissa  Jane,  born  Jan.  23.  1849. 
who  married  William  Huey.  and  died  June 
30,  1887 ;  James  IMarshall'.  born  April  27, 
1851.  who  resides  at  Walla  Walla,  Wash.; 
and  Edgar  Cowan,  born  Sept.  17,  1854,  who 
lives  in  Nebraska, 

William  Henry  Stanley,  the  only  brother 
]Mrs.  Doty  has  living  in  Indiana  county,  is  a 
farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Grant  township, 
where  he  owns  a  farm.  He  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Civil  war,  having  enlisted  Aug,  21.  1861. 
in  Company  A,  61st  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1243 


Infantry,  under  Col.  0.  H.  Rippey  and  Capt. 
Jacob  Creps  and  served  over  three  years,  be- 
ing mustered  out  Sept.  7,  1864.  He  east  his 
first  vote  for  Lincoln  and  has  been  a  Repub- 
lican ever  since,  having  voted  for  Taft  in 
1912.  In  1890  he  took  the  census  in  Grant 
township.  For  forty  years  he  has  been  an 
elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  has  also 
served  as  clerk  of  the  session,  and  is  deeply 
interested  in  the  Sunday  school,  in  which  he 
is  teacher  of  a  class  and  superintendent.  He 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  G.  A.  R.  post 
at  Richmond,  and  served  ten  years  as  com- 
mander of  that  body. 

On  Sept.  21,  1868,  Mr.  Stanley  married 
Rachel  Hammel,  who  was  born  in  Center  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  Jan.  5,  1850,  daughter 
of  Robert  and  Jane  (Tremmell)  Hammel, 
and  they  have  had  children  as  follows :  Desse 
Jane,  bom  April  7,  1870,  is  married  to  Daw- 
son Knox,  of  North  Mahoning  township  ;  Rob- 
ert Gill,  born  Dec.  2,  1871,  married  Jennie 
Mills,  and  resides  at  Yonkers,  N.  Y. ;  John 
Meade,  born  April  6,  1875,  died  June  10,  1903, 
was  an  artist  of  ability  (he  was  a  mute)  ; 
Otto  Forbes,  born  June  30,  1876,  is  engaged 
as  a  lumberman  in  the  western  part  of  the 
State  of  "Washington;  Linus  Shields,  born 
Oct.  17,  1878,  resides  in  Nebraska;  James 
Ernest,  born  Sept.  22,  1881,  resides  in  Chi- 
cago, 111.;  Bertha  Bell,  born  Dec.  4,  1882, 
died  in  1897;  Hervey  Gibson,  born  Oct.  11, 
1884,  is  engaged  in  fanning;  Ida,  born  Jan. 
3,  1887,  lives  at  home;  "William  Edgar,  bom 
April  11,  1890,  is  at  home. 

SAMUEL  J.  GETTY;,  whose  well-cultivated 
farm  is  situated  in  Wbite  township,  was  born 
in  ilontgomery  township,  Indiana  county, 
Jan.  27,  1861,  son  of  Matthew  and  Nancy 
(McCartney)  Getty. 

Matthew  Getty  was  born  near  Chambers- 
ville,  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
there  for  some  years  conducted  a  general 
store.  Subsequently  he  went  to  Montgomery 
township  and  founded  the  town  of  Gettys- 
burg, being  engaged  in  merchandising  at  that 
place  for  a  number  of  years,  but  later  con- 
ducted a  farm  of  164  acres  in  "Wliite  town- 
ship near  the  town  of  Indiana,  residing,  how- 
ever, in  Indiana  borough  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1893.  Mrs.  Getty  passed 
away  in  1896.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
George  McCartney,  an  early  settler  of  Indi- 
ana, who  lived  on  the  present  site  of  the  State 
normal  school  in  that  town.  Seven  children 
were  bom  to  Matthew  and  Nancy  (McCart- 
ney)  Getty,  namely:     Margaret,  who  is  the 


wife  of  Joseph  Lydick,  a  resident  of  Indiana ; 
George,  who  makes  his  home  at  Gettysburg; 
Nancy,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Rankin,  of  Ridgway, 
Pa. ;  Belle,  who  is  unmarried ;  James,  a  resi- 
dent of  Montgomery  township ;  Samuel  J. ; 
and  John,  a  resident  of  Indiana. 

Samuel  J.  Getty,  son  of  Matthew  Getty, 
attended  public  school  at  Gettysburg,  and  as 
a  youth  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits  on 
the  farm  of  his  father.  He  also  followed 
lumbering  for  a  number  of  years,  but  in  1894 
resumed  farming,  on  his  present  property, 
\vhich  he  has  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cul- 
tivation. Mr.  Getty  has  made  numerous  im- 
provements on  this  tract,  and  the  substan- 
tial buildings,  sleek  and  well-fed  cattle,  and 
general  air  of  prosperity  that  pervades  the 
place,  speak  eloquently  of  the  presence  of 
thrift  and  good  management.  General  farm- 
ing has  occupied  his  attention  and  his  oper- 
ations have  been  deservedly  successful. 

In  1894  Mr.  Getty  was  married  to  Cecilia 
Spicher,  who  was  born  in  Montgomery  town- 
ship, daug:hter  of  Samuel  and  Anna  (Mc- 
Guire)  Spicher,  who  still  sui-vive  and  reside 
in  Montgomery  township.  Two  children  have 
been  born  to  this  union,  Courtney  and  Ralph, 
both-a-esiding  at  home.  Mr.  Getty  has  always 
been  a  stanch  friend  of  education  and  good 
citizenship,  and  at  this  time  is  serving  in  the 
capacity  of  school  director  of  White 


SHARP  S.  LANGHAM,  lumber  dealer  of 
Dixonville,  Indiana  county,  who  is  also  en-  ■ 
gaged  in  farming  in  Green  township,  this 
county,  was  born  in  that  township,  Aug.  21, 
1874,  son  of  Josiah  and  Susan  (Conrath) 
Langham. 

"William  Langham,  the  grandfather  of  Sharp 
S.  Langham,  came  from  eastern  Pennsylvania 
to  Indiana  county  in  1836,  settling  in  Green 
township,  where  he  took  up  timbered  land, 
cleared  it,  and  engaged  in  farming  there 
throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Josiah  Langham,  son  of  "William,  and  father 
of  Sharp  S.  Langham,  was  born  in  the  eastern 
part  of  Pennsylvania,  and  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Indiana  county  in  1836.  Like  his 
father  he  was  an  agriculturist  all  of  his  life, 
and  his  death  occurred  in  1901.  He  married 
Susan  Conrath.  also  a  native  of  eastern  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  daughter  of  an  early  set- 
tier  of  Indiana  county,  and  she  died  in  1905, 
the  mother  of  six  children,  namely:  Mary 
Ann,  who  married  S.  F.  Baker,  of  Purchase 
Line,  Indiana  county;  James  "W.,  who  lives 
in  Garrett,  Ind. ;  Maggie,  who  married  P.  E. 
Decker,  of  Green  township ;  Jennie,  who  mar- 


1244 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ried  Stephen  T.  Gibson,  of  Clymer,  Pa.; 
Harvey  B.,  a  lumber  and  coal  dealer  of  Love- 
joy,  Pa. ;  and  Sharp  S. 

Sharp  S.  Langham  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Green  township,  and  was 
reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  still  being 
the  owner  of  the  old  Green  township  family 
homestead.  He  continued  under  the  parental 
roof  until  1900,  in  which  year  he  embarked  in 
the  lumber  business,  and  for  the  last  thirteen 
years  has  conducted  mills  in  different  lo- 
calities, having  built  up  a  large  and  flourish- 
ing business  in  that  line. 

On  March  21,  1903,  Mr.  Langham  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Dellie  Kelly,  who 
was  born  in  Mechanicsburg,  Brushvalley 
township,  Indiana  county,  Jan.  15,  1884, 
daughter  of  James  and  Ida  (Williams) 
Kelly,  both  of  whom  are  living  at  Mechanics- 
burg, Mr.  Kelly  being  engaged  in  farming. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Langham  have  two  children, 
Effie  and  Ruby.  Mrs.  Langham  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOSEPH  A.  WIDDOWSON,  general 
farmer  of  Cherryhill  township,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  cultivating  the  old  Widdowson 
homestead,  was  born  in  that  township  Jan. 
15,  1867,  a  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Susan  (Ober) 
Widdowson. 

Joseph  Widdowson,  grandfather  of  Joseph 
A.  Widdowson,  was  born  in  Derby,  England, 
and  came  to  America  at  an  early  day,  first 
settling  in  New  York  City,  where  he  remained 
three  years,  and  then  coming  to  the  northern 
part  of  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  near  the  present 
site  of  Dixonville.  At  the  time  that  he  came 
to  this  section  there  were  only  two  houses  in 
the  town  of  Indiana.  He  had  learned  the 
trade  of  cabinet-maker  in  his  native  country, 
and  this  he  followed  throughout  the  remain- 
der of  his  life,  in  connection  with  farming 
on  the  old  home  place,  where  his  death  oc- 
curred Oct.  28,  1871. 

Ebenezer  Widdowson,  son  of  Joseph,  and 
father  of  Joseph  A.  Widdowson,  was  bona  in 
1835  in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  and  throughout  his  life  was  engaged  in 
cultivating  the  old  home  place  where  his 
father  had  settled  on  first  arriving  in  this 
section.  His  death  occurred  July  25,  1910; 
his  widow  still  survives  and  lives  on  the  old 
homestead.  She  was  born  in  1841,  in  Fay- 
ette county,  Pa.,  and  became  the  mother  of 
nine  children,  as  follows:  Clark  B.,  who  is 
proprietor  of  the  leading  general  merchandise 
store  at  Penn  Run,  Pa.;  Harvey  D.,  a  resi- 
dent   of    Rochester    Mills,    Indiana    county; 


Joseph  A. ;  Mary  A.,  deceased,  who  was  the 
wife  of  Harry  Short,  a  resident  of  Rayne 
township ;  James,  a  resident  of  Westminster, 
Md.,  and  dean  of  the  Western  Maryland  Col- 
lege at  that  place;  Dr.  Frank,  a  practicing 
physician  and  surgeon  of  Philadelphia  ;  Anna, 
who  lives  at  home  with  her  mother;  Olive,  a 
student  of  Dr.  White's  Bible  Teachers'  Train- 
ing School,  New  York  City,  who  has  been 
accepted  as  a  missionary  in  foreign  field 
work;  and  William,  who  is  residing  at 
Waynesboro,  Pennsylvania. 

David  Ober,  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
Joseph  A.  Widdowson,  was  born  in  Payette 
county.  Pa.,  and  during  the  early  days  came 
to  Indiana  county,  where  he  engaged  in  work- 
ing at  his  trade  of  plasterer  and  bricklayer, 
being  so  employed  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  Cherryhill. 

Joseph  A.  Widdowson  spent  his  childhood 
on  the  home  farm,  and  attended  the  district 
schools  of  the  home  vicinity,  acquiring  a  good 
education  and  being  trained  in  body  and  mind 
at  the  same  time.  His  whole  business  career 
has  been  devoted  to  farming,  and  at  the  pres- 
ent time  he  has  full  charge  of  the  old  home- 
stead, which  he  has  developed  into  one  of  the 
fine  tracts  of  his  section. 

Mr.  Widdowson  was  married,  in  1897,  in 
Green  township,  to  Caroline  Brilhart,  who 
was  born  in  Grant  township,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  J.  C.  Brilhart,  an  old  resident  of 
Indiana  county,  where  for  many  years  he  has 
been  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering.  He 
now  resides  with  his  wife  on  the  farm  in 
Grant  township.  Of  their  six  children,  five 
still  survive:  Mrs.  Widdowson;  Harry,  a 
resident  of  Grant  township ;  Matthew,  -a  resi- 
dent of  Grant  township;  Belle,  the  wife  of 
Robert  Plowse,  of  Grant  township;  and 
Peter,  who  lives  on  the  old  homestead. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Widdowson  have  had  five 
children,  all  of  whom  are  living  at  home: 
Harry,  Glen,  Max,  Bessie  and  Jacob  Paul. 
Mr.  Widdowson  and  his  family  attend  the 
German  Baptist  Church. 

LOAVRY  C.  KUNKLE,  who  is  operating 
the  Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart  farm,  consisting  of 
110  acres,  situated  in  Center  township,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  at  Pluracreek,  Arm- 
strong Co.,  Pa.,  Feb.  21,  1867,  son  of  Michael 
and  Amanda  (Fry)  Kunkle,  and  a  grandson 
of  Michael  Kunkle. 

Michael  Kunkle,  the  grandfather,  spent  his 
life  near  Creekside,  in  Washington  township, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  owned  and  culti- 
vated land.     He  was  a  member  of  the  Metho- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1245 


dist  Chiii'cli.  He  married  Elizabeth  Ander- 
son, who  also  died  on  the  home  farm,  and  to 
them  the  following  children  were  born :  Mar- 
garet, who  married  Thomas  Stuchel;  Eliza- 
beth, who  married  Adam  Carnahan;  Chris- 
tina, who  married  Simon  Fisher;  Lavinia, 
who  married  John  Patterson;  Susannah,  who 
married  William  Mclntire;  Mary,  who  mar- 
ried William  J.  Johnson ;  Hem-y,  who  married 
Nancy  Steer;  Michael;  Barbara;  and  John 
C,  who  married  Sarah  E.  Dixon. 

Michael  Kunkle  (2),  son  of  Michael,  was 
born  ui  1836,  on  the  home  farm  in  Washing- 
ton township,  and  later  followed  farming 
there  until  he  removed  to  Armstrong  town- 
ship, still  later  settling  on  the  Taylor  farm, 
in  White  township,  where  he  spent  some  years 
before  moving  to  Ohio.  At  the  present  time 
he  is  engaged  in  the  livery  business  at  Colum- 
bus, Ohio.  He  married  Amanda  Fry,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Fry,  and  they  had  five  children 
born  to  them,  as  follows:  Annie,  who  is  de- 
ceased; Agues,  who  married  B.  R.  Peelor; 
Lowry  C. ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Thomas 
B.  Glass,  of  Center  township ;  and  Minnie, 
who  resides  at  Indiana. 

Lowry  C.  Kunkle  obtained  his  education 
in  the  public  schools,  and  as  he  remained  on 
the  home  place  with  his  father  he  was  well 
instructed  in  general  farming  methods,  in- 
eluding  crop  raising  and  stock  breeding.  He 
'  was  only  twenty-one  years  old  when  he  be- 
came manager  of  the  horses  raised  on  the 
Ortondale  farm,  belonging  to  A.  D.  Sutton, 
in  White  township,  where  ho  spent  six  years. 
From  there  he  went  to  Indiana,  and  became 
foreman  at  the  J.  JI.  Cunningham  livery 
stable,  continuing  there  for  six  years.  Mr. 
Kunkle  then  returned  to  the  country,  and 
for  the  following  six  years  operated  what 
was  then  the  Johnston  farm  of  110  acres,  in 
Center  township,  continuing  there  after  the 
farm  changed  ownership,  having  been  pur- 
chased by  Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart,  a  well-known 
educator  and  historian,  in  1905.  Mr.  Kunkle 
has  full  charge  of  all  the  farm  industries  and 
has  made  his  management  satisfactory  to  the 
owners. 

Mr.  Kunkle  married  Lydia  Johnston,  a 
daughter  of  John  S.  Johnston,  and  they  have 
three  children:  Margaret,  Dale  John  and 
Thomas  Paul.  Mr.  Kunkle  and  family  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  In  his  polit- 
ical views  he  is  a  Republican. 

SAMUEL  N.  MOORHEAD,  late  of  Indi- 
ana, senior  member  of  the  firm  of  S.  N.  Moor- 
head  &  Sons,  had  been  established  in  business 


as  a  dealer  in  implements,  sewing  machines, 
pianos,  organs,  etc.,  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  was  one  of  the  best  known  men  in  his 
line  in  this  part  of  Indiana  county.  His 
upright  life  commanded  respect  wherever  he 
was  known. 

Mr.  Moorhead  was  born  July  13,  1846,  son 
of  David  Moorhead.  The  father  was  born  in 
1816  in  Hagerstown,  Washington  Co.,  Md., 
and  there  followed  fai-ming.  Selling  his 
farm,  he  engaged  in  the  tanning  business  in 
Mechanicsburg,  Pa.,  and  in  1870  he  moved  to 
Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county,  settling 
at  Taylorsville,  where  he  bought  a  farm  and 
resumed  agricultural  pursuits.  He  lived 
there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Sept. 
21,  1900.  On  Aug.  15,  1839,  he  married,  in 
Franklin  county.  Pa.,  Lydia  Hahn,  who  sur- 
vived him,  dying  Jan.  25,  1906.  Mr.  Moor- 
head was  a  member  of  the  J\I.  E.  Church  for 
forty  years.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican, 
and  during  the  Civil  war  he  was  a  Union 
sympathizer,  enlisting  for  service  in  the  11th 
Pennsylvania  Reserves.  He  took  part  in 
twenty-eight  battles  and  many  skirmishes, 
and  was  once  wounded,  receiving  a  bullet  in 
his  left  hip  which  he  carried  with  him  to  the 
grave.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moorhead  had  a  family 
of  eight  children:  Samuel  N.  is  mentioned 
below;  Robert  lives  in  West  Virginia;  Mrs. 
Annie  McFetters  is  a  resident  of  Indiana 
borough;  Mrs.  Emma  Cameron  lives  in  Lans- 
ing, Mich. ;  Mrs.  Loretta  Allison  lives  in 
Taylorsville,  Indiana  count.y;  Walker  W.  is 
a  resident  of  Taylorsville;  Mrs.  Athlinda 
Ternwalt  lives  in  Taylorsville;  Mrs.  Jennie 
Pattison  lives  at  Pineflats,  Indiana  county. 
When  David  Moorhead  died  there  were 
thirty-nine  grandchildren  and  eighteen  great- 
grandchildren. 

Samuel  N.  Moorhead  attended  the  ele- 
mentary and  high  schools  of  Mechanicsburg. 
His  first  venture  as  a  salesman  was  made  in 
handling  knitting  machines,  and  later  he 
changed  to  sewing  machines.  This  was  in 
Pittsburg.  After  his  marriage  he  located  in 
Sewickley,  Pa.,  where  he  and  his  wife  began 
housekeeping,  remaining  .there  three  months. 
Then  he  moved  to  Beaver  county,  this  State, 
where  he  was  settled  for  three  yeara,  in  the 
spring  of  1889  moving  to  Indiana.  He  had 
been  here  but  a  few  days  when  the  disastrous 
Jolinstown  flood  occurred.  Mrs.  Moorhead 
had  ,iust  finished  a  large  baking,  and  when 
the  wagonload  of  supplies  started  out  that 
memorable  Sunday  most  of  it  went  to  the 
sufferers. 


1246 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Upon  settling  at  Indiana  3Ir.  Moorhead  es- 
tablished the  business  in  which  he  was  ac- 
tively interested  until  his  death,  meantime 
admitting  his  two  sons  to  partnership.  Sev- 
eral years  ago  the  firm  name  was  changed  to 
S.  N.  Moorhead  &  Sons,  under  which  the  busi- 
ness is  still  operated.  By  his  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  the  varioi;s  lines  of  goods  he  carried, 
and  his  honorable  methods  of  dealing,  he 
gained  a  wide  patronage  and  built  up  a  lucra- 
tive custom.  He  died  Jan.  2,  1907,  after 
years  of  suffering  from  tuberculosis  of  the 
knee  joint,  which  made  amputation  of  the 
limb  necessary.  IMr.  Moorhead  had  been  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  from  the  age  of 
ten  years.     In  politics  he  was  a  Republican. 

On  April  25,  1870,  Mr.  Moorhead  was 
married  to  Mary  A.  Gibson,  of  Cherryhill 
township,  who  was  born  near  Penn  Run,  in 
that  township,  Sept.  11,  1847,  daughter  of 
Hiram  and  Catherine  (Wyke)  Gibson,  and 
was  engaged  as  a  school  teacher  prior  to  her 
marriage.  Mrs.  iloorhead  has  been  active  in 
the  work  of  the  M.  E.  Church  from  girlhood. 
She  and  her  husband  had  a  family  of  three 
children:  Catherine  lives  with  her  mother; 
Harry,  of  Indiana,  married  Blanche  Mertz, 
of  West  Virginia,  and  they  had  five  children, 
Rosella  and  Creola  (twins),  Roy,  Glenn  and 
Terza ;  Luviga,  who  resides  in  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  married  Bessie  McCreery,  of 
Strongstown,  Pa.,  and  they  have  had  two 
children,  Thelma  and  Naomi  L.,  the  latter 
deceased.  In  the  year  1900  Mr.  and  I\Ii-s. 
Moorhead  adopted  from  the  Industrial  Home 
Margaret,  a  homeless  child  of  six  years,  who 
was  at  once  given  the  name  of  Margaret 
Moorhead,  and  as  one  of  the  family  remains 
with  Mrs.  Moorhead. 

DANIEL  H.  BEE,  veteran  of  the  Civil 
war,  who  is  now  living  retired  in  the  borough 
of  Marion  Center.  Indiana  county,  after  many 
years  spent  in  business  pursuits,  was  born 
Oct.  30,  1839,  at  Orbisonia,  Huntingdon  Co.. 
Pa.,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(HoUenbough)  Bee. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Daniel  H.  Bee 
was  a  native  of  England,  and  on  coming  to 
the  United  States  settled  in  Cumberland 
county.  Pa.,  where  during  the  remainder  of 
his  life  he  followed  the  trade  of  shoemaker. 

John  Bee,  the  father  of  Daniel  H.  Bee,  was 
born  in  Cumberland  county,  and  as  a  youth 
learned  the  trade  of  shoemaker  with  his 
father,  later  engaging  in  boating  on  the  canal 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  mari-ied  Elizabeth 
HoUenbough,    of    Huntingdon    county.    Pa.. 


and  afterward  lived  for  two  yeai's  at  Orbi- 
sonia, then  moving  to  a  farm  located  at  the 
foot  of  Jack's  mountain.  In  1853  he  went  to 
Indiana  county,  settling  on  a  farm  at  Roch- 
ester Mills,  and  later  lived  at  various  other 
places,  his  death  occurring  in  Jefferson 
county.  Pa.,  in  1901,  when  he  had  reached  the 
advanced  age  of  ninetj^-one  j^ears.  ilr.  Bee's 
first  wife  died  when  thirty-eight  years  of  age, 
and  he  was  married  (second)  to  Rachel 
Elder,  after  her  death  marrying  (third)  Mrs. 
Smith.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  his  political 
proclivities,  and  his  religious  belief  was  that 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  while  his 
wife  was  a  Presbyterian.  His  children,  all 
by  his  first  wife,  were  as  follows :  Daniel  H. ; 
William,  who  served  in  the  135th  Regiment, 
Pa.  Vol.  Inf.,  during  the  Civil  war,  and  mar- 
ried a  Miss  Best :  ilary,  twin  of  William,  who 
maiTied  David  Buterbaugh;  John,  who  died 
young;  Isaiah,  who  served  in  the  Civil  war, 
and  later  married  Miss  Carothers;  George, 
who  married  Miss  Ferrier,  and  now  lives  in 
Clearfield  county.  Pa. ;  and  Rebecca,  who  was 
the  wife  of  Jonas  Hileman,  and  died  in  1912 
at   Saltsburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Daniel  H.  Bee,  son  of  John  Bee.  began  his 
schooling  in  Huntingdon  county,  and  was 
fourteen  years  of  age  when  he  accompanied 
the  family  to  Indiana  county,  where  he  at- 
tended school  in  Montgomery  township.  Sub- 
sequently he  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter, 
and  was  so  engaged  at  the  time  of  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war.  On  Aug.  21,  1861, 
he  enlisted,  becoming  a  private  in  Company 
A,  61st  Regiment,  Pa.  Vol.  Inf.,  under  Cap- 
tain Kreps,  and  Col.  0.  H.  Rippey,  the  latter 
of  whom  raised  part  of  the  regiment  in  the 
vicinity  of  Pittsburg,  and  also  helped  to  re- 
cruit other  regiments  in  Philadelphia.  The 
61st  was  attached  to  the  Army  of  the  Po- 
tomac, 4th  Army  Corps,  under  General 
Keyes,  in  General  Jamison's  brigade,  and  saw 
active  service  in  some  of  the  hardest-fought 
engagements  of  the  Civil  war,  including  Fair 
Oaks,  the  Seven  Days'  battle,  Richmond, 
Malvern  Hill,  Antietam,  Gettysburg,  the 
Wilderness,  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Cold 
Harbor,  Petersburg  and  Fort  Stevens.  At 
Spottsylvania  Court  House.  I\Iay  12.  1864, 
'Sir.  Bee  was  one  of  five  from  his  company 
who  volunteered  to  man  a  battery  at  the 
"Bloody  Angle,"  and  was  the  only  one  to  re- 
turn unhurt,  three  of  his  comrades  being 
killed,  and  the  fourth,  John  A.  Stewart,  who 
afterward  became  county  treasurer  of  Indi- 
ana county,  being  severely  wounded.  Mr. 
Bee  was  miraculously  spared  in  this  case,  but 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1247 


at  Fort  Stevens  was  severely  injured  in  his 
right  leg,  the  mangled  limb  being  amputated 
in  the  barracks,  three  and  a  half  inches  below 
the  knee.  Subsequently  he  was  taken  to 
Mount  Pleasant  hospital  for  three  months 
and  then  to  the  Philadelphia  hospital  at 
Broad  and  Cherry  streets,  where  he  also  re- 
mained three  months,  receiving  his  discharge 
Sept.  7,  1864.  He  then  went  to  Harrisburg, 
where  he  was  informed  by  the  adjutant  gen- 
eral that  he  had  been  mustered  out  at  the 
expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  but  had  to 
go  to  Washington,  D.  C,  to  get  his  bounty 
money  and  back  pay.  He  came  home  by  way 
of  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  measured  for 
an  artificial  limb,  which  was  later  sent  to  his 
home.  On  his  return  he  learned  the  shoe- 
making  trade  with  his  father. 

Mr.  Bee  was  married  Jan.  23,  1866,  to 
Elizabeth  M.  Duncan,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Jane  (McChesney)  Duncan,  and  after 
his  marriage  established  himself  in  business 
as  the  proprietor  of  a  grocery  and  boot  and 
shoe  establishment.  He  built  up  an  excellent 
business,  keeping  two  journeyman  shoemakers 
busy,  and  for  ten  years  had  charge  of  the 
local  telephone  exchange.  When  he  felt  that 
he  was  ready  to  retire  from  active  business 
life  he  disposed  of  his  interests  and  settled  in 
his  comfortable  home  in  Marion  Center, 
where  he  now  makes  his  residence.  ]\Ir.  Bee 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  which  he  served  as  steward  and 
class  leader  for  many  years.  In  political 
matters  a  Republican,  he  has  been  stanch  in 
his  support  of  that  party's  policies  and  can- 
didates. In  1889-90  he  served  as  paster  and 
folder  at  the  State  Capitol.  His  fraternal 
connection  is  with  Marion  Center  Lodge,  No. 
105,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  he  also  holds  member- 
ship in  John  Pollock  Post,  No.  219,  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  of  which  he  was  com- 
mander for  several  years,  and  with  the 
comrades  of  which  he  is  very  popular. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bee  there  have  been  born 
the  following  children :  Zora  J.,  the  widow  of 
William  M.  Fleck,  of  Marion  Center,  Pa., 
and  a  teacher  of  music  for  the  last  twenty-five 
years;  Hattie  M.,  wife  of  Dr.  W.  E.  Dodson, 
physician  and  surgeon  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  who 
has  one  child,  Helen  C. ;  Charles  H.,  a  grad- 
uate of  the  Indiana  normal  school,  Williams- 
port  (Pennsylvania)  Biisiness  College  and  the 
Medico-Chirurgical  College  of  Philadelphia, 
who  is  now  practicing  at  Summit,  Licking 
Co.,  Ohio,  and  who  married  Clare  Poorman, 
of  Marcellus,  Mich.,  and  has  one  child,  Daniel 
Harold ;  and  Maiy,  a  stenographer  and  book- 


keeper, who  resides  at  home  with  her  parents. 
The  career  of  Mr.  Bee  illustrates  forcibly 
what  may  be  accomplished  through  a  life  of 
industrj',  integrity  and  perseverance,  even 
when  handicapped  by  discouragement  and 
misfortune.  As  a  soldier  he  was  brave,  faith- 
ful and  reliable  in  the  performance  of  his 
duty;  as  a  citizen,  he  has  fought  the  battles 
of  peace  with  the  same  steadfastness  to  duty, 
the  same  cheerful  spirit,  and  the  same  cour- 
age. Such  a  life  is  worthy  of  emulation  bj' 
the  j'outli  of  our  land,  and  should  be  en- 
couraging to  those  whose  life  paths  are  laid 
along  difficult  lines. 

WILLIAM  HARRISON  EMPFIELD,  who 
is  now  living  retired  in  Brushvalley  township, 
Indiana  county,  where  for  years  he  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  storekeeping,  is  a 
native  of  White  township,  Indiana  county, 
born  April  19,  1837.  The  family  is  of  Ger- 
man extraction. 

Peter  Empfield,  his  father,  was  a  native  of 
eastern  Pennsylvania  and  came  to  what  is 
now  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  followed  his  trade  of  carpenter  and 
millwright.  He  did  such  work  in  many  sec- 
tions of  Indiana  county,  and  his  later  years 
were  spent  among  his  children,  who  cared  for 
their  parents  in  their  old  age.  Mr.  Empfield 
died  in  Cherryhill  township  in  1872,  aged 
eighty-four  years,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Lutheran  Church  cemetery.  He  was  twice 
married,  and  by  his  first  wife,  whose  name  is 
not  known,  had  three  children :  Margaret, 
who  married  John  Coy ;  George,  and  John. 
His  second  marriage  was  to  IMary  Hart,  and 
their  children  were :  Isaac,  now  deceased ; 
Nancy,  who  married  Henry  Wike,  of  Pine 
township ;  Sarah,  who  married  Cyrus  Dumm ; 
Alexander,  who  died  in  Missouri;  Henry, 
living  in  Missouri;  Simon,  deceased;  Martha, 
deceased,  who  married  John  Green;  William 
Harrison;  and  Caroline,  who  died  unmarried. 
The  mother  died  while  living  with  her  chil- 
dren and  is  buried  in  the  Lutheran  cemetery 
in  Brushvalley. 

William  Hamson  Empfield  was  born  at 
Edgy  Mill,  in  White  township,  and  attended 
school  in  Pine  and  Cherryhill  townships.  Be- 
ginning work  on  the  farm  in  early  boyhood, 
he  continued  thus  until  1861,  when  he  en- 
listed, on  July  8th,  in  Company  B,  11th 
Pennsylvania  Reserves,  under  Col.  Thomas  F. 
Gallagher  and  Capt.  Daniel  S.  Porter  (who 
was  later  promoted  to  lieutenant  colonel, 
Capt.  H.  K.  Sloan  succeeding  him  as  captain). 
They  participated  in  the  seven  days'  fight 


1248 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  second  Bull  Run,  on  Aug.  29-30,  where 
Mr.  Empfield  was  struck  by  a  shell  in  the 
back  of  the  head,  carrying  the  evidence  of 
his  injuries  to  the  present.  He  was  taken 
prisoner  on  the  field  and  after -nine  days  was 
paroled  by  the  Rebels.  Then  he  was  sent  to 
Carver  hospital,  at  Washington,  and  was  dis- 
charged Aug.  25,  1862,  for  disability.  Re- 
turning home  to  Cherryhill  township  he  again 
took  up  farming  after  regaining  his  health, 
and  he  also  engaged  in  the  making  of  shooks 
for  barrels  at  Nolo,  in  Pine  township,  and  in 
Cherryhill  and  Buffington  townships.  He 
carried  on  that  kind  of  work  for  over  seven 
years.  Later  he  settled  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship on  a  fifty-acre  tract  of  land,  where  he 
became  engaged  in  farming  for  himself,  and 
he  has  been  farming  and  raising  stock  con- 
tinuously ever  since.  He  has  been  located  on 
several  different  farms  during  that  period,  in 
1889  buying  his  present  place  in  Brushvalley 
township,  where  he  built  the  house  and  made 
other  improvements.  Meantime  he  also  be- 
came interested  in  the  mercantile  business, 
which  he  conducted  for  some  years  and  which 
is  now  carried  on  by  his  sons.  Mr.  Empfield 
is  a  good  citizen  in  every  sense  of  the  term. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  but  he  takes 
no  active  part  in  the  work  of  the  party. 

On  April  16,  1863,  Mr.  Empfield  married 
in  Pine  township,  Margaret  Irwin,  a  native 
of  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  (Bank) 
Irwin.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Empfield  have  had  a 
family  of  nine  children:  ]\Iary  Catherine, 
born  'May  5,  1864,  died  July  24,  1866 ;  Wil- 
liam Nelson  was  born  June  IS.  1866;  Eliza- 
beth, born  July  24,  1868,  married  Peter  J. 
Bowers,  of  Buffington  township;  Sarah  Ger- 
trude, born  Jan.  1,  1871,  married  Sutton  H, 
Murdock,  and  died  Sept.  23,  1903;  John  Ir- 
win, born  July  24,  1873,  a  farmer  of  Buffing- 
ton township,  married  May  Findly.  of  Vin- 
tondale,  Pa.;  Altazora,  born  Sept.  26,  1875, 
married  Alexander  C.  Hoover,  and  resides  in 
Brushvalley  township;  Harry  Banks,  born 
April  19,  1878,  who  now  conducts  the  general 
store,  married  Vivian  Cribbs,  of  Tuscarawas, 
Ohio;  Jennie  Belle,  born  April  9,  1880.  mar- 
ried Alex  G.  ]\Iurdock ;  Myrtle  married  Harry 
C.  ilikesell,  of  Buffington  township,  Indiana 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Empfield  have  twenty- 
nine  grandchildren,  and  one  great-grandchild. 
William  Nelson  Empfield,  eldest  son  of 
William  Harrison,  was  born  in  Cherryhill 
township.  Indiana  county,  June  18,  1866,  and 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Brush- 
valley and  Buffington  townships.     He  worked 


at  home  with  his  parents  until  he  reached 
manhood,  when  he  went  West  to  Painesville, 
Ohio,  and  there  did  carpenter  work,  receiv- 
ing $2.25  a  day.  Later  he  had  charge  of 
construction  and  of  the  docks  at  Grand  River, 
and  was  subsequently  with  the  Penn  &  Lake 
Erie  Dock  Company  for  twelve  years  as  super- 
intendent, after  which  he  accepted  the  posi- 
tion of  superintendent  of  the  coal  mines  for 
the  Webster  Coal  Gas  Company  at  Bellever- 
non.  In  1900  Mr.  Empfield  became  super- 
intendent for  the  East  Goshen  Company,  in 
Ohio,  with  residence  at  New  Philadelphia, 
where  he  was  general  manager  for  ten  years. 
Since  then  he  has  been  with  the  Northwestern 
Construction  Company,  of  Franklin,  Pa.  Mr. 
Empfield  is  thoroughly  businesslike,  and  a 
good  judge  of  men,  and  he  has  always  been 
popular  with  those  under  his  charge  as  well 
as  with  his  employei-s.  He  is  keen  and  far- 
sighted,  intelligent  in  business  and  in  citizen- 
ship, and  has  been  actively  interested  in  local 
public  alifairs  wherever  he  lived.  He  served 
two  terms  as  mayor  of  Fairport,  Ohio,  to 
which  office  he  was  first  elected  in  1897.  In 
political  sentiment  he  is  a  Republican.  For 
twelve  yeai-s  he  was  postmaster  at  Rico,  where 
he  now  lives,  his  wife  attending  to  the  duties 
of  the  office. 

On  Feb.  27,  1889,  Mr.  Empfield  married 
Nellie  G.  Shaffer,  of  Indiana  county,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Shaffer,  and  they  have  one  child, 
Irwin  Dale,  who  is  now  city  editor  of  the  New 
Philadelphia  Daily  Times.  Mr.  Empfield  is 
a  ]\Iason,  belonging  to  Temple  Lodge,  No.  29, 
of  Painesville,  Ohio,  to  the  Council,  and 
Knights  Templar,  Lake  Erie  Consistory,  and 
Alkoran  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  of  Cleve- 
land, Ohio. 

HARVEY  B.  LANGHAM,  of  Lovejoy,  In- 
diana county,  who  is  engaged  in  the  lumber 
and  coal  business,  was  born  in  that  vicinity, 
in  Green  township.  Dee.  7,  1872,  and  is  a 
son  of  Josiah  and  Susan  (Conrath)  Langham. 

William  Langham,  his  grandfather,  came 
to  Indiana  county  in  1836  from  eastern  Penn- 
sylvania, settling  in  Green  township,  where 
he  took  up  timbered  land,  cleared  it,  and 
carried  on  farming  throughout  the  rest  of 
his  life. 

Josiah  Langham.  son  of  William  and 
father  of  Harvey  B.  Langham,  was  born  in 
the  eastern  part  of  Pennsylvania,  and  ac- 
companied his  parents  to  Indiana  county  in 
the  year  1836.  Following  in  the  footsteps  of 
his  father,  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits all   his  life.     His  death  occurred   Feb. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1249 


8,  1901.  His  wife,  Susan  (Conrath),  also  a 
native  of  eastern  Pennsylvania,  was  the 
daughter  of  John  Conrath,  of  Green  town- 
ship, a  pioneer  settler  of  Indiana  county.  She 
died  April  8,  1905,  the  mother  of  six  children : 
Mary  Ann,  who  is  the  wife  of  S.  F.  Baker, 
of  Purchase  Line,  Indiana  county ;  James  W., 
who  lives  in  Garrett,  Ind. ;  Maggie,  who  is 
the  wife  of  P.  E.  Decker,  of  Green  township ; 
Jennie,  who  married  Stephen  T.  Gibson,  of 
Clymer,  Pa. ;  Harvey  B.,  of  Lovejoy,  and 
Sharp,  who  is  a  resident  of  Dixonville,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

Harvey  B.  Langham  attended  public  school 
in  Green  township,  and  as  a  youth  commenced 
to  do  farm  work.  In  1900  he  engaged  in 
the  sawmill  business  in  Green  township, 
which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time, 
and  in  1905  opened  a  hardware  establish- 
ment in  Lovejoy,  which  he  sold  in  1911.  Since 
that  year  he  has  conducted  his  sawmill  and 
also  dealt  extensively  in  coal  and  lumber. 

Mr.  Langham  was  married  in  1907  to  Edna 
Litzinger,  of  Hillsdale,  Montgomery  town- 
ship, daughter  of  John  and  Nannie  (Lydiek) 
Litzinger,  natives  of  Indiana  county,  the 
former  of  whom  died  in  1906,  after  having 
been  engaged  in  the  milling  business  for  manj^ 
years.  Mrs.  Litzinger  survives  her  husband, 
and  resides  on  a  farm  at  Punxsutawney. 

Fraternally  IMr.  Langham  is  connected 
^vith  the  I.  6.  0.  F.,  at  Cherrytree,  and  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  at  Starford.  He  has  in- 
terested himself  in  movements  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  community  and  has  served  as  a 
member  of  the  school  board  of  Green  township. 

JAMES  S.  KIRKWOOD  is  a  most  re- 
spected citizen  of  Arcadia,  in  Montgomery 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  he  has  held 
the  position  of  foreman  at  Pardee  iline,  No. 
41,  for  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  &  Coke  Com- 
pany, some  years.  He  is  interested  in  various 
local  matters,  being  a  man  of  progressive  dis- 
position and  possessing  the  executive  ability 
which  makes  him  a  valuable  friend  of  any 
cause  he  advocates.  Mr.  Kirkwood  is  a  na- 
tive of  Scotland,  born  at  Carfin,  Lanarkshire, 
April  3,  1855,  son  of  John  and  Agnes  (Sel- 
vage) Kirkwood.  The  father  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  the  year  1863,  but  after  remaining  in 
the  United  States  six  months  returned  to  Scot- 
land. In  1871  he  again  came  to  this  counti'y, 
settling  at  Arnot,  Tioga  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he 
engaged  in  mining  for  twelve  years,  at  the 
end  of  that  time  removing  to  Clearfield  coun- 
ty, this  State,  where  he  also  followed  mining. 
He   was  a   highly  respected   and   intelligent 


man,  and  served  twelve  years  as  justice  of 
the  peace  in  Clearfield  county.  He  died  at 
the  age  of  seventy,  long  surviving  his  wife, 
who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  forty-four. 
They  had  the  following  children :  James  S. ; 
John,  residing  at  Pottersdale,  Pa. ;  Robert,  of 
Cleveland,  Ohio ;  William,  of  Springfield,  lU. ; 
Jean,  of  Auburn,  N.  Y. ;  and  Agnes,  of  New 
York  City. 

James  S.  Kirkwood  obtained  his  education 
principally  through  his  own  efforts,  attend- 
ing night  school,  and  making  the  most  of  sim- 
ilar opportunities.  With  the  exception  of 
three  years  during  which  he  was  employed  in 
a  general  store,  he  has  been  engaged  in  min- 
ing, in  Tioga,  Clearfield  and  Indiana  counties, 
in  1905  coming  to  Ai-cadia,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  was  made  foreman  of  Mine  No.  41, 
owned  and  operated  by  the  Pennsylvania  Coal 
&  Coke  Company.  He  has  150  men  under  his 
charge,  and  has  proved  himself  a  fit  man  for 
this  responsible  position.  He  has  become 
closelj'  associated  with  matters  of  general  in- 
terest to  the  district,  being  a  member  and 
clerk  of  the  school  board,  and  a  prominent 
member  and  worker  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  serving  as  presiding  elder  and  secre- 
tary of  the  Sunday  school.  In  politics  he  is 
a  Prohibitionist,  and  fraternally  he  holds 
membership  in  the  Masons,  I.  0.  0.  F., 
Knights  of  Pythias  and  Good  Templars. 

In  1879  Mr.  Kirkwood  married  Hannah  JI. 
Cook,  of  Blossburg,  Tioga  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter 
of  John  and  Mary  Cook,  the  foi-mer  a  stone 
and  brick  mason ;  Mr.  Cook  was  also  a  Metho- 
dist local  preacher  for  upwards  of  thirty 
years.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Kirkwood :  Emma  B.,  wife  of 
Matthew  JI.  Van-Der  Meide,  a  truck  farmer 
of  Livonia,  N.  Y. ;  Adda  M.,  wife  of  Louis 
Meacham,  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  bookkeeper  and 
paymaster  for  a  wholesale  manufacturing 
company;  Raymond  S.,  a  student  at  the  In- 
diana State  normal  school;  Ethel  Agnes,  in 
school ;  and  Cameron  S. 

REV.  PAUL  MANKOVICH,  pastor  of  the 
Greek  Catholic  Church  of  St.  Michael's  at 
Clymer,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Hungary  May  27, 
1881,  son  of  Cornelius  and  Helen  (Nemes- 
sanyi)  Mankovich.  both  also  natives  of  Hun- 
gary. 

Cornelius  Mankovich  is  also  a  priest  of  the 
Greek  Catholic  Church,  and  he  and  his  wife 
make  their  home  in  Hungary.  They  are  the 
parents  of  eight  living  children  and  one  who 
died,  five  daughters  and  four  sons. 


1250 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Rev.  Paul  Mankovieh  was  educated  in  Hun- 
gary, studying  for  the  priesthood  from  child- 
hood, and  was  ordained  in  1905.  For  three 
years  following  he  had  charge  of  churches  in 
his  native  land,  prior  to  coming  to  this  coun- 
try, which  he  did  in  1909.  For  a  short  time, 
he  was  stationed  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  as  as- 
sistant at  the  Greek  Catholic  Church  and  was 
then  sent  to  Clymer  to  take  charge  of  the 
Greek  Church  there.  He  has  a  flourishing 
Sunday  school  in  connection  with  his  church, 
and  has  brought  its  affairs  into  a  very  satis- 
factory condition.  This  is  a  new  church,  hav- 
ing been  organized  in  1907,  by  those  of  the 
Greek  faith  in  Clymer. 

Before  his  ordination.  Rev.  'Slv.  Mankovich 
was  married,  in  1905.  to  Olga  Hucsko.  also 
bom  in  Hungary,  on  May  31.  1886.  daughter 
of  Michael  and  Hermia  Hucsko.  natives  of 
Hungary.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  IMankovich  have 
had  three  children :  Desiderius.  Pa^ll  and 
Theodore.  Rev.  ilr.  Mankovich  has  built  a 
new  brick  residence  in  Clymer  since  coming 
here.  He  is  a  man  of  learning  and  executive 
ability,  and  has  the  welfare  of  his  people  at 
heart. 

JOHN  A.  BOLAR,  proprietor  of  Maple 
Hill  Stock  Farm,  in  East  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, is  a  successful  and  well-known  agi'i- 
culturist  of  that  part  of  Indiana  county.  The 
family  has  been  located  there  since  pre-Revol- 
utionary  days,  his  great-gi-andfather.  John 
Bolar.  "a  native  of  England,  having  crossed 
the  Atlantic  when  a  boy  and  settled  in  what 
was  then  part  of  the  English  domain.  He 
made  his  home  in  Wheatfield  township,  then 
a  part  of  Westmoreland  county,  and  had  ac- 
quired land  and  done  some  clearing  before 
the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution.  He  took  up 
arms  in  the  Colonial  cause  during  the  struggle 
for  independence,  and  returning  to  Wheatfield 
township  at  the  close  of  the  war  again  took 
up  the  work  of  developing  a  home  from  the 
•wilderness.  The  warrant  for  his  land,  known 
as  "Bolar's  Chance."  is  dated  March  18.  1785, 
the  survev  Aug.  3.  1785.  and  the  patent  Aug. 
22,  1786."  Wlien  he  began  work  there  it  was 
all  in  the  woods,  and  he  built  a  log  cabin  and 
lived  the  life  of  the  average  pioneer,  full  of 
hardships  and  dangers,  clearing  his  land  and 
cultivating  it  and  helping  to  bring  about 
civilized  conditions.  Here  he  spent  the  rest 
of  his  davs.  d>ing  on  his  farm.  He  and  his 
son  took 'part  in  the  Indian  troubles  which 
form  so  thrilling  a  chapter  in  the  early  his- 
tory of  this  region.  He  married  Mrs.  ]\Tary 
(Gray)   Shaw,  and  they  had  three  children: 


Susan,  who  married  Daniel  Reynolds;  Mary, 
who  married  Eli.jah  Garrison;  and  George. 

George  Bolar,  only  son  of  John,  made  his 
home  on  the  okl  farm  along  the  Philadelphia 
and  Pittsburg  turnpike,  in  what  is  now  East 
Wheatfield  township,  followed  farming  all  his 
life,  and  improved  the  property  materially 
during  his  ownership.  He  died  there.  He 
was  in  the  Indian  wars  with  his  father.  He 
married  Jeannette  McCoy,  and  to  them  were 
born  four  children :  Eleanor,  who  married 
Thomas  Bell;  John;  ]\Iary,  who  married 
Hugh  Bell  and  (second)  David  Palmer;  and 
Daniel,  who  married  Sarah  Weir. 

John  Bolar,  son  of  George,  was  born  in  1798 
on  the  homestead,  and  received  his  education 
in  the  local  subscription  schools.  During  his 
early  Hfe  he  was  engaged  at  various  occupa- 
tions, first  at  the  salt  works  near  Saltsburg 
and  later  on  the  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburg 
pike,  of  which  he  was  a  stockholder.  He 
finally  settled  down  to  farming  and  followed 
that  calling  the  rest  of  his  life,  operating  a 
tract  of  210  acres  on  which  he  made  extensive 
improvements,  cultivating  the  land,  engaging 
in  stock  raising,  erecting  a  dwelling  house, 
barn  and  other  buildings,  and  becoming  one 
of  the  prominent  men  of  the  vicinity.  He  took 
an  interest  in  the  general  welfare  and  con- 
siderable part  in  public  alfairs,  serving  as 
school  director  and  supervisor,  and  for  many 
years  as  .iustice  of  the  peace.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Armagh. 
To  his  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Amsbaugh 
was  born  a  large  family,  namel.v:  Andrew 
Jackson  was  born  April  18,  1830 ;  Gilson,  born 
Sept.  8,  1832,  married  Nancy  Johnson;  Jane 
Ann,  born  June  28,  1834,  married  Charles 
Killen;  Mary  Catherine,  born  Nov.  25,  183o, 
married  William  Trendell:  George  R.,  born 
April  4,  1837,  married  Anna  Humphrey: 
Elizabeth  Ellen,  born  Feb.  25.  1839.  married 
Reuben  Ling:  ^lalinda,  bom  June  19.  1841. 
married  (as  his  second  wife')  David  H. 
Cramer:  ilatilda.  born  JIareh  26.  1843.  was 
the  first  wife  of  David  H.  Cramer:  John  A. 
was  born  Jan.  1.  1845:  Cordelia,  bora  Oct.  1. 
1847.  married  John  Hess :  Lucinda,  born  Oct. 
20.  184 — .  is  deceased  :  Sarah  F.  was  born  Jan. 
20.  1853 :  Findley  McCoy,  bora  July  4.  1851. 
married  Miriam  Spires:  Orlando  is  deceased. 

John  A.  Bolar  was  bora  in  East  Wheatfield 
township  and  received  his  edvication  in  the 
public  schools  there.  From  boyhood  he 
was  occupied  with  the  work  on  the  home 
place,  wiiere  he  has  spent  all  his  life.  He 
now  owns  and  operates  a  tract  of  three  hun 
dred  acres,  having  made  some  additions  to  the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1251 


original  farm.  In  1880  he  began  giving  special 
attention  to  the  growing  of  potatoes,  in  which 
line  he  was  a  pioneer  in  his  section,  and  he 
has  continued  to  make  a  specialty  of  their  cul- 
ture since,  being  now  the  most  extensive 
grower  of  potatoes  in  Indiana  county.  His 
yearly  output  amounts  to  over  fifteen  thou- 
sand bushels,  which  he  disposes  of  at  Johns- 
town and  in  other  near-by  markets.  He  also 
carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising, 
and  has  been  highly  successful  in  all  his  work, 
which  is  conducted  in  the  most  approved  up- 
to-date  manner,  his  progressive  nature  being 
evident  in  whatever  he  handles.  He  is  a 
Republican,  but  takes  no  active  part  in  polit- 
ical matters  or  public  business. 

j\Ir.  Bolar  married  Catherine  (Kate)  A. 
Naugle,  a  native  of  Somerset  county.  Pa., 
daughter  of  Peter  Naugle,  and  they  have  one 
child,  Zoebeth  (Lottie),  now  Mrs.  Frank  R. 
Kern.  She  received  her  literary  education 
in  the  local  public  schools  and  a  musical  edu- 
cation at  Johnstown,  under  Miss  Emma  V. 
Wallace,  and  taught  music  in  East  Wheat- 
field  township.  On  June  6,  1900,  she  mar- 
ried Frank  R.  Kern,  and  they  reside  with  her 
parents  on  the  homestead ;  they  have  one 
child,  Catherine  Bolar,  born  Sept.  13,  1902. 

HEZEKIAH  BERKEYPILE,  who  is  now 
living  retired  on  his  farm  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  has  been  a  resident  of 
the  county  for  almost  sixty  years.  He  is  a 
native  of  Somerset  county,  Pa.,  born  Jau.  20, 
1838,  son  of  Levi  and  Caroline  (Fry)  Berkey- 
pile,  and  grandson  of  George  Berkeypile, 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  that  county.  He 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  The  Berkey- 
piles  are  of  English  ancestry,  the  Frys  of 
German  origin. 

Levi  Berkeypile,  father  of  Hezekiah,  was 
also  a  farmer.  He  was  born  Sept.  29,  1815, 
in  Somerset  county,  and  moved  thence  with 
his  family  to  Indiana  county  in  1853,  first 
settling  in  White  township,  where  they  re- 
mained for  many  years.  In  1889  they  moved 
to  Cherryhill  township,  Hezekiah  Berkeypile 
purchasing  the  place  upon  which  he  has  since 
resided,  and  which  is  now  cultivated  by  his 
son  Steele.  Levi  Berkeypile  married  Caro- 
line Fry,  whose  family  came  from  Germany; 
she  was  born  Oct.  28,  1814,  in  Somerset  coun- 
ty. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Levi  Berkeypile  both  died 
in  Indiana  county,  he  on  Oct.  10.  1890,  and  she 
Nov.  9,  1897.  They  had  eleven  children,  one 
of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the  others  being: 
Charlotte,  who  is  the  widow  of  Jacob  Peter- 
son, of  Cheri-yhill  township ;  Levina,  deceased ; 


Hezekiah;  Barbara,  wife  of  John  Hoover, 
of  Armstrong  county,  Pa.;  Elizabeth,  de- 
ceased ;  Deborah,  deceased ;  Caroline,  widow  of 
William  Prugh,  of  Indiana  county ;  Margaret, 
wife  of  G.  W.  McHenry,  of  Spangler,  Pa.; 
Austin,  of  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  and  Jemima,  de- 
ceased. 

Hezekiah  Berkeypile  spent  his  early  life  in 
Somerset  county  and  received  the  gi'eater 
part  of  his  education  there,  also  attending 
school  after  the  family  settled  in  Indiana 
county.  He  followed  farming  throughout 
his  active  years,  and  upon  his  retirement  his 
son  Steele  took  the  management  of  the  home 
farm  in  Cherryhill  township,  whicli  he  no^y 
operates.  He  has  been  a  useful  citizen  of  his 
community,  having  served  seven  years  as 
school  director  and  two  years  as  supervisor  of 
Cherrjdiill  township.  Politically  he  belongs 
to  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  German  Baptist  Church. 

On  Sept.  6,  1861,  Mr.  Berkeypile  married 
Rhoda  Lydick,  who  was  born  Aug.  8,  1836, 
in  Cherryhill  township,  daughter  of  Patrick 
Lydick,  a  lifelong  resident  of  Cherryhill 
township,  who  married  Elizabeth  Evans  and 
had  three  children :  Crawford ;  Russell,  who 
passed  all  his  life  in  Cherryhill  township ;  and 
Rhoda,  Mrs.  Berkeypile,  who  died  June  6, 
1901.  John  Lydick,  Mrs.  Berkeypile 's  great- 
grandfather, was  a  native  of  Holland,  and  on 
coming  to  America  first  settled  at  Hannas- 
town,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farming.  In  1760  he  came  to  In- 
diana county,  settling  in  what  is  now  Cherry- 
hill township,  and  a  fort  was  built  on  his 
property;  part  of  this  historic  old  structure 
is  still  standing.  The  following  year  hostile 
Indians  drove  them  back  to  Westmoreland 
county,  where  they  remained  for  seven  years 
before  again  venturing  to  live  at  the  new  lo- 
cation. When  they  returned  they  settled 
permanently  in  Cherryhill  township,  on  the 
farm  which  is  still  in  the  family,  and  there 
John  Lydick  died  at  an  advanced  age.  He 
served  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  His  son 
Jacob,  gi-andfather  of  Mrs.  Berkeypile,  grew 
to  manhood  in  Cherryhill  township,  where  he 
lived  and  died.  He  reached  the  ripe  old  age 
of  ninety-four  years.  Part  of  the  farm  where 
these  pioneers  settled  is  now  the  Berkeypile 
homestead. 

Six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Berkeypile:  (1)  Charlotte,  who  is  deceased; 
(2)  Russell,  deceased;  (3)  Ellen,  deceased; 
(4)  Josephine,  wife  of  Hileman  Long,  of 
Rayne  township,  who  has  two  children,  Re- 
becca and  Stewart;  (5)  Wellington,  of  Cherry- 


1252 


HISTOKY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


hill  township,  who  married  Maggie  Bennett,  of 
Pine  township,  this  county,  and  has  six  living 
children.  Jay,  Luella,  Olive,  Dorothy,  Ralph 
and  Ross  (three  died  in  infancy) ;  and  (6) 
Steele. 

Steele  Berkeypile,  youngest  of  the  family  of 
Hezekiah  and  Rhoda  (Lydick)  Berkeypile, 
was  born  Jan.  1,  1875,  in  Chen-yhill,  and  has 
passed  the  gi-eater  part  of  his  life  on  his 
father's  farm  in  that  township,  which  he  now 
conducts,  his  father  continuing  to  live  there 
also.  He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  pro- 
gressive young  farmers  of  the  locality,  and  is 
at  present  serving  as  president  of  the  town- 
ship school  board.  On  Aug.  3,  1898,  he  mar- 
ried Ida  Stake,  who  was  born  June  23,  1877, 
in  Cherryhill  township,  daughter  of  Josiah 
and  Marion  (Pittman)  Stake,  the  former  a  na- 
tive of  Cherryhill  township,  the  latter  of 
Bi-ushvalley  township,  this  county.  lu  his 
earlier  years  Mr.  Stake  was  a  farmer,  later  en- 
gaging in  lumbering.  He  served  all  through 
the  Civil  war,  having  enlisted  in  Company  F. 
55th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry. He  and  his  wife  had  a  family  of  six 
children,  William  and  another  being  deceased. 
The  survivors  are:  Angeline,  wife  of  Her- 
man Rigger,  of  Brushvalley  township;  Ida, 
wife  of  Steele  Berkeypile;  Mary,  wife  of 
Oliver  Stadtmiller,  of  Cherryhill  township; 
and  John,  of  AVhite  township,  this  county. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steele  Berkeypile  have  two 
children,  Clay  Ottis  and  Wade  Elson. 

JOSIAH  G.  EVANS,  of  White  township, 
Indiana  county,  engaged  in  general  merchan- 
dising, was  born  IMareh  13,  1841,  in  Brush- 
valley  township,  this  county,  where  the 
Evanses  were  among  the  eldest  pioneer  set- 
tlers.   The  family  is  of  Welsh  extraction. 

Hugh  Evans,  grandfather  of  Josiah  G.  Ev- 
ans, and  the  founder  of  the  family  in  this 
counti-y,  was  a  native  of  Cardiff,  Wales,  and 
crossed  the  Atlantic  when  a  young  man,  work- 
ing to  pay  his  passage  on  the  vessel.  Among 
the  passengers  was  a  young  English  girl  with 
whom  he  fell  in  love,  and  they  were  married 
when  they  landed  at  Philadelphia.  They 
came  west  to  the  Welsh  settlement  near  Ebens- 
burg,  in  Cambria  county.  Pa.,  where  they 
remained  for  a  short  time,  until  they  came  to 
Indiana  county,  locating  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship. They  were  among  the  first  settlers 
there.  Settling  in  the  wilderness,  Mr.  Evans 
built  his  log  cabin  and  set  to  work  clearing 
up  the  land.  He  remained  but  a  short  time 
on  his  first  farm,  buying  a.  400-acre  tract,  all 
brush  and  timber,  near  the  site  of  Mechanics- 


burg,  upon  which  he  settled  down  to  fai-ming. 
Much  of  this  land  is  still  in  the  family  name. 
Here  he  built  a  dwelling  house  and  barn,  and 
also  erected  a  saw  and  gi-ist  mill — the  first  of 
the  kind  in  Brush  creek  valley.  The  mill  was 
of  stone,  and  stood  on  Brush  creek  about  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  bglow  the  present  site  of 
Mechanicsburg,  and  for  many  years  was  a 
prominent  landmark.  He  also  owned  a  dis- 
tillery. He  worked  hard  and  faithfully,  pros- 
pered in  his  own  affairs  and  did  his  full  duty 
as  a  citizen,  being  one  of  the  enterprising  and 
progressive  men  of  his  day  and  generation. 
He  was  a  strong  abolitionist.  He  died  on  his 
farm  in  1849,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  and 
was  buried  in  what  is  known  as  the  Evans 
graveyard  in  Brushvalley  township.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  the  first 
Baptist  to  settle  in  the  township.  His  first 
wife,  Hannah,  died  leaving  children  as  fol- 
lows: Ann,  who  married  John  Kelly  and 
(second)  James  Stewart;  John;  Hugh,  who 
died  at  Altoona ;  Rlarj^,  who  married  Henry 
Grumbling;  Elizabeth  (Betsy),  who  first 
married  Joseph  McNutt;  Evan,  who  lived  in 
Brushvalley;  William,  who  married  Susan 
Wilkius;  and  James,  who  died  in  Center 
township,  ilr.  Evans  married  for  his  second 
wife  Esther  Creswell,  and  she  bore  him  tliree 
children:  Ellen,  Rebecca  and  Lueinda  (who 
married  Rev.  A.  B.  Runyan,  a  well-known 
Baptist  minister  of  Mechanicsburg). 

Evan  Evans,  sou  of  Hugh,  was  born  in 
Brushvalley  township,  and  lived  to  be  over 
eighty,  dying  in  Brushvalley  township.  He 
bought  a  farm  and  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits, and  also  ran  a  mill  in  his  earlier  days. 
He  married  Sarah  George,  a  native  of  Wliite 
township,  daughter  of  Jacob.  George,  who  was 
born  in  Westmoreland  county,  this  State,  and 
came  in  an  early  day  to  Indiana  county,  set- 
tling in  White  township;  Islr.  George  owned 
land  and  followed  farming  all  his  life.  Mrs. 
Evans  died  before  her  husband,  passing  away 
when  aged  about  seventy.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  three  childi-en,  one  son  and  two  daugh- 
ters, one  of  whom,  Elizabeth,  became  the  wife 
of  Elijah  Peddicord,  now  deceased;  she  re- 
sides at  Franklin,  Pa.    Susanna  died  young. 

Josiah  G.  Evans  was  educated  in  Brush- 
valley township.  He  began  working  on  the 
farm"  for  his  father  when  a  mere  boy,  and  re- 
mained there  until  his  enlistment,  during  the 
Civil  war,  for  service  in  the  Union  army.  He 
became  a  member  of  Company  E,  211th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantiy,  under  Colonel 
Trimble,  and  was  in  the  service  about  a  year, 
taking  part  in  a  number  of  battles.     He  was 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1253 


mustered  out  at  Fortress  Monroe,  and  after 
receiving  his  discharge  returned  home,  con- 
tinuing to  work  on  the  old  farm  until  1904, 
when  he  embarked  in  the  general  mercantile 
business  which  he  has  ever  since  conducted, 
opening  a  store  at  Twolick  in  White  township. 
He  is  located  on  Indiana  R.  F.  D.  route  No.  4. 
Mr.  Evans  is  an  accommodating  and  enter- 
prising business  man,  and  has  acquired  a 
profitable  patronage  in  his  vicinity,  building 
up  his  business  by  honorable  dealing  and 
creditable  methods.  He  is  well  known  all  over 
the  township,  having  held  various  township  of- 
fices. His  religious  connection  is  with  the 
Baptist  Church,  and  for  several  years  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  post  at  Indiana 
borough ;  he  was  a  charter  member  of  Meehan- 
icsburg  Post,  G.  A.  R. 

Mr.  Evans  married  Mary  Freet,  a  native 
of  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Louis  E. 
Freet,  an  early  settler  in  the  county.  Eight 
children  were  born  to  this  union :  Luna,  ]\Iae, 
Ella,  Clara,  Susan,  Myrtle,  Berilett  and  Evan 
E.  The  mother  of  this  family  died  in  the  win- 
ter of  1904,  and  on  March  24,  1906,  Mr.  Evans 
married  (second)  Mrs.  Kate  (Baldwin) 
Lynch,  who  was  born  in  Armstrong  county. 
Pa.,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Charlotte  (Roff) 
Baldwin.  Mrs.  Evans'  father  died  in  1900,  in 
White  township.  He  was  a  carpenter  by 
trade,  and  settled  at  an  early  day  in  Arm- 
strong county.  Mrs.  Baldwin  now  makes  her 
home  in  Indiana.  Kate  Baldwin  first  married 
John  Lynch,  by  whom  she  had  one  child, 
Joella,  now  the  wife  of  Hollis  Lockard,  of 
Vandergrift,  Pennsylvania. 

JOSEPH  PALMER  (deceased)  was  a  well- 
to-do  farmer  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of 
East  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
born  at  Blaeklick,  this  county,  Nov.  16,  1821, 
a  son  of  Charles  Palmer. 

Charles  Palmer  came  of  Irish  stock,  and  it  is 
thought  that  both  he  and  his  wife  were  born 
in  Ireland.  Their  children  were  as  follows : 
Jesse,  born  May  2-5,  1814;  Elizabeth,  born 
Aug.  29,  1815,  who  married  a  Mr.  Livingston ; 
Samuel,  born  April  23,  1818 ;  Jane,  bom  Aug. 
26,  1820,  who  married  Johnston  Palmer;  Jo- 
seph ;  and  Susanna,  born  Nov.  25,  1826,  who 
married  a  Mr.  Griffin. 

Joseph  Palmer  gi-ew  up  as  any  farmer  boy 
of  his  day  and  locality.  Locating  at  Black- 
lick,  he  lived  there  until  1866,  when  he  moved 
to  Decker's  Point,  Indiana  County,  Pa., 
where  he  died  September  5,  1906..  He  had 
been    a    faithful   member   of   the   Methodist 


Church  for  many  years.  In  political  faith,  he 
was  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Palmer  was  twice  married  and  by  his 
first  wife,  whose  name  was  Margaret,  he  had 
these  children:  (1)  Charles,  born  Dee.  4,  1845, 
married  Feb.  27,  1868,  Eveline  Lydig,  and 
lives  at  Decker's  Point.  (2)  Samuel  Foster, 
born  July  7,  1847,  married  Aug.  20,  1868, 
Rebecca  Brown,  now  deceased,  and  they  had 
two  children.  Myrtle,  Mrs.  Archie  Mikesell, 
and  Pearl,  who  is  living  with  Mrs.  Palmer; 
he  married  for  his  second  wife  Sarah  Long, 
by  whom  he  has  four  children,  Vina,  Joseph, 
Fred  and  Nora.  (3)  Jane,  born  Dec.  2,  1848, 
married  Sept.  24,  1868,  Nelson  Barr,  by  whom 
she  had  two  children,  Edmund  and  Earl. 
She  died  in  1885,  aged  thirty-seven  years. 

Mr.  Palmer  was  married  (second)  on  Oct. 
27,  1880,  to  Martha  McLaughlin,  who  was 
born  April  20,  1841,  in  Rayne  township,  this 
county,  daughter  of  James  and  Margaret 
(Speedy)  McLaughlin,  and  granddaughter  of 
James  McLaughlin. 

James  McLaughlin,  gi-andfather  of  Mrs. 
Palmer,  came  from  Ireland  with  his  wife  and 
older  children,  the  voyage,  which  was  made  in 
a  sailing  vessel,  taking  six  weeks.  He  took  up 
1,000  acres  of  land  in  Rayne  township,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  died. 

James  McLaughlin,  son  of  James,  and  fa- 
ther of  Mrs.  Palmer,  was  born  in  Rayne  town- 
ship Sept.  2,  1802,  and  was  a  farmer  all  his 
life,  operating  300  acres  of  his  father's  home- 
stead. He  was  married  Jan.  6,  1830,  to  Mar- 
garet, daughter  of  James  Speedy,  and  died  on 
his  farm  Aug.  31,  1858,  while  his  wife  died 
May  9,  1896.  They  had  nine  children :  David, 
born  Nov.  14,  1830,  married  ]\Iargaretta  Kin- 
ter  and  is  deceased;  James,  born  June  13. 
1832,  married  Isabelle  Kinter;  Johnson  Avas 
born  April  15, 1834 ;  Mary,  born  Oct.  15, 1837, 
is  deceased;  Wesley,  born  Feb.  2,  1839,  mar- 
ried Maria  Rankin;  Martha  is  the  widow  of 
Joseph  Palmer;  John  Fletcher,  born  Sept.  4, 
1843,  married  Louisa  Ainsley;  Hester  Ann. 
born  Sept.  4,  1846,  married  Johnson  Loush- 
rey;  Eliza  Charlotte,  born  April  20,  1848, 
died  at  the  age  of  twelve.  James  McLaughlin 
was  a  man  of  high  character  and  excellent 
business  ability,  and  stood  well  with  all  who 
knew  him.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church.  The  Republican  party  had  his  vote 
and  support. 

Mrs.  Palmer  attended  the  public  schools  of 
her  home  district,  and  remained  at  home  until 
her  marriage,  learning  to  be  a  good  house- 
keeper and  Christian  woman. 


1254 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON  ROOF,  of  Indi- 
ana, who  has  been  constable  of  that  borough 
for  thirty  years  and  is  now  also  serving  as 
deputy  sheriff  of  Indiana  county,  was  born 
July  6,  1850,  near  Da\T[s  post  office,  in  Wash- 
ington township,  this  count.y. 

John  Henry  Roof,  his  father,  was  born  in 
Berks  county,  this  State,  and  came  to  Indiana 
county  when  a  young  man,  settling  first  in 
South  Mahoning  township.  Later  he  re- 
moved to  Chambersville,  in  Rayne  township, 
where  he  had  a  150-acre  farm,  part  of  it,  how- 
ever, lying  in  Washington  township.  Trading 
farms  with  John  Lytle,  he  moved  to  Dayton, 
Armstrong  county,  but  in  1862  returned  to 
Indiana  county,  settling  at  Reed  station,  in 
White  township.  There  for  the  next  twenty- 
two  years  he  was  engaged  in  "cropping"  the 
farm  of  William  Banks,  law;s'er.  at  the  end  of 
that  period  buying  a  tract  of  106  acres  in  Cen- 
ter township,  at  Edgewood.  He  continued  to 
cultivate  this  place  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1891.  Mr.  Roof  was  an  enterprising 
business  man,  and  besides  engaging  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits  became  largel.y  interested  in 
stock  dealing.  After  the  Civil  war  he  bought 
twelve  mules  from  the  government.  He  was 
prominent  in  local  aifairs,  serving  as  school  di- 
rector and  supervisor.  He  married  ilary  Jane 
Juart.  whose  father.  Alexander  Juart,  of  near 
Plumville  and  Dayton,  Armstrong  county,  was 
an  extensive  farmer  and  land  owner,  owning 
over  one  thousand  acres.  Mrs.  Roof  died  in 
November,  1912,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight 
years.  She  was  the  mother  of  twelve  chil- 
dren: Jane  married  George  Fredericks,  a 
wagonmaker,  and  resides  in  Homer  City,  this 
county.  Alexander  died  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  years.  George  W.  is  mentioned  below. 
Maggie,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Frank  De- 
vinney.  of  Homer  City.  John  Wesley  is 
engaged  in  business  as  a  merchant  in  Salts- 
burg,  this  county.  J.  Luther,  born  Jan.  7, 
1857,  a  contractor  and  builder,  and  at  pres- 
ent caretaker  of  the  Indiana  normal  school, 
was  married  :\Iarch  14,  1883.  to  Sadie  H. 
Hendrickson.  of  Hempstead,  dauffhter  of 
Oliver  and  I\Iary  Etta  (Seaman^  Hendrick- 
son ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roof  have  adopted  and 
reared  two  children.  James  W.  Williams  and 
Nettie  McClintock.  Caroline  married  Robert 
Crawford  and  resides  in  Indiana.  Elizabeth 
married  Harry  Walker,  of  Indiana.  William 
Banks.  William  E.  and  Harry  died  young. 
and  Catherine,  twin  of  Jane,  at  the  age  of 
twenty. 

George  W.  Roof  tirst  attended  the  Hang- 
ing Rock  school  in  Rayne  townsliiji.  and  later 


the  Harmon  school  in  Armstrong  county  and 
the  Reed  school  in  Center  township,  Indiana 
county.  Remaining  on  the  farm  with  his 
father  until  1874,  he  was  employed  as  brake- 
man  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  for  the 
next  two  years,  and  "then  returned  to  the  farm 
for  several  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
came  to  the  borough  of  Indiana  to  live.  Dur- 
ing the  first  three  years  of  his  residence  there 
he  was  engaged  in  teaming  for  the  Adams 
Express  Company.  In  1883  he  was  elected 
constable,  which  office  he  has  held  continu- 
ously since,  and  for  three  years  he  also  acted 
as  street  commissioner  of  West  Indiana ;  he 
is  now  serving  as  deputy  sherifl:  of  the  county 
in  addition  to  performing  his  duties  as  con- 
stable. He  is  well  known  in  the  borough  and 
one  of  its  highly  respected  citizens. 

Mr.  Roof  married  Jennie  JIarshall.  daugh- 
ter of  Scott  and  Hannah  (Ramsay)  Mar.shall. 
and  the.v  have  had  a  family  of  five  children : 
John  died  of  fever  when  twenty  years  old : 
Cora  is  the  wife  of  Harry  N.  White,  and  re- 
sides in  Indiana:  Bert  C.  married  Laiira  Mc- 
Coy; Frank  Luther  is  married  and  resides  at 
Iselin.  this  county:  Mary  W.  is  the  wife  of 
Charles  Ebbey.  and  lives  at  Derry.  Pa.  ]Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Roof  are  members  of  the  il.  E. 
Church. 

JOHN  SMITH,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war, 
is  the  owner  of  150  acres  of  farming  land  in 
Canoe  township.  Indiana  eount.v.  Pie  was 
born  in  Butler  county.  Pa.,  :\Iay  13,  1839,  son 
of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Sincon")  Smith. 

Henry  Smith,  father  of  John  Smith,  was 
born  in  Schlichter.  Germany.  For  some  years 
he  served  in  the  German  army,  and  he  also 
followed  the  trade  of  tailor.  In  his  native 
coimtry  he  was  married,  and  in  1836  came  to 
the  United  States,  settling  at  Harmony. 
Butler  Co.,  Pa.  There  he  spent  something 
over  two  years  engaged  in  farming,  and  then 
came  to  Canoe  township,  Indiana  county, 
taking  up  fifty  acres  of  timber  laud,  and  at 
once  beginning  its  development,  for  it  was 
covered  with  timber  and  wholly  unimproved. 
The  eifort  required  in  clearing  a  farm  is  long 
and  laborious.  Trees  were  cut  down,  stumps 
grubbed  up.  the  land  plowed,  the  seed  planted, 
and  in  due  season  abundant  harvests  were 
gathered,  but  all  this  was  the  work  of  years, 
and  unremittingly  Mr.  Smith  labored  on  until 
he  had  transfornied  his  wild  land  into  a  j-ieh 
and  valuable  farm.  Here  he  and  his  faithful 
wife,  who  cheerfully  shared  the  hardships 
and  privations  of  pioneer  existence,  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  lives,  both   d.ving  in   the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1255 


faith  of  the  Evangelical  Association.  They 
became  the  parents  of  ten  children,  as  fol- 
lows: Catherine,  deceased,  married  William 
Smith,  of  Young  township,  Jefferson  county; 
Adam,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  near  Cloe, 
Jefferson  county,  served  in  Company  I,  162d 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was 
wounded  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run ;  John  is 
mentioned  below ;  Elizabeth,  deceased,  mar- 
ried Geoi'ge  Smith,  of  Young  township,  Jef- 
ferson county ;  Maiy,  deceased,  married  Jacob 
Dunmire,  of  Canoe  township ;  Lavina,  de- 
ceased, was  the  wife  of  George  Smith,  of 
Jefferson  county;  Maggie  married  Stewart 
Miller,  of  Canoe  township;  George,  an  agi-i- 
culturist  of  Canoe  township,  married  Mary 
Bann;  Hemy,  living  on  the  old  homestead  in 
Canoe  township,  married  Rachel  Dunmire; 
a  daughter  died  in  infancy. 

John  Smith  received  but  few  advantages  of 
an  educational  nature  in  his  boyhood,  and 
until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age  was  en- 
gaged in  assisting  his  father  in  the  work  on 
the  home  place.  At  that  time  he  wandered 
from  the  parental  roof  to  take  up  the  battle 
of  life  on  his  own  account,  and  for  some  years 
was  engaged  in  working  on  various  farms  in 
the  vicinity  of  his  home.  On  July  13,  1863, 
he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  becoming  a 
private  in  Company  L,  102d  Regiment,  P.  V. 
I.,  known  as  the  old  13th  Regiment.  This 
organization  was  sent  to  Camp  Reynolds,  and 
on  to  Rappahannock  Station,  Nov.  7,  1863, 
Mr.  Smith  subsequently  becoming  a  sharp- 
shooter of  the  6th  Army  Corps.  Among  his 
engagements  may  be  mentioned :  Win  Run, 
May  5-6,  1864;  Spottsylvania,  May  12-18; 
North  Anna  River,  May  24 ;  Tolopotomoy,  May 
29 ;  Cold  Harbor,  June  3 ;  Petersburg,  June 
18 ;  Fort  Stevens,  July  10 ;  Charlestown,  Aug. 
15;  Winchester,  Sept.  19;  Fisher's  Hill,  Sept. 
22;  Cedar  Creek,  Oct.  19;  Fort  Steadman, 
April  2,  1865;  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6;  and 
Appomattox.  On  Oct.  19,  1864,  at  Cedar 
Creek,  Mr.  Smith  was  wounded  in  the  right 
hand,  and  still  carries  the  bullet.  He  was 
honorably  discharged  after  brave  and  valiant 
service. 

In  1863  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to  Cathe- 
rine Binn,  of  Germany,  who  died  in  1895,  at 
the  age  of  sixty  years.  They  became  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children:  John  M..  a 
miner  of  Canoe  township,  who  married  Mary 
Cochrain;  Albert,  a  miner  of  Island,  Pa.,  who 
is  married;  William,  a  farmer  and  threshing 
machine  operator  of  Canoe  township,  who 
married  Amy  Borts  and  (second)  Laura 
Hawk;    Julia,    who   married    Silas   Baun,    of 


Jefferson  county ;  Prissie,  who  married  Milton 
Pease,  a  carpenter,  and  they  live  with  Mr. 
Smith;  and  thi-ee  children  who  died  young. 
Mr.  Smith  began  farming  on  a  tract  at 
Covode,  Pa.,  where  he  purchased  thirty  acres 
of  land,  and  two  years  later  moved  to  Canoe 
township,  where  he  bought  100  acres,  all  in 
the  woods,  at  North  Juneau.  To  this  he  has 
added  from  time  to  time  until  he  is  now  the 
owner  of  150  acres,  about  half  of  which  is 
under  cultivation.  During  the  early  days, 
Mr.  Smith  did  a  great  deal  of  rafting  as  well 
as  farming,  but  he  now  contents  himself  with 
his  agricultural  pursuits,  and  his  efforts  have 
been  rewarded  with  satisfactory  results.  He 
is  known  as  one  of  his  community's  good  cit- 
izens, a  man  who  will  assist  in  •  every  move- 
ment that  promises  to  better  the  general 
welfare,  and  as  one  who,  having  succeeded 
himself,  is  willing  to  assist  others  to  success. 
He  is  remembered  as  having  been  one  of  the 
strongest  men  of  his  command,  during  his 
army  days,  and  he  is  still  well  preserved  for  a 
man  of  his  years.  He  is  a  popular  comrade 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  post  at 
Punxsutawney,  and  his  pleasant,  genial  man- 
ner has  won  him  a  wide  circle  of  friends. 

CYRUS  STIFFEY,  a  farmer  of  Cone- 
raaugh  township,  was  born  there  July  29, 
1860.  son  of  David  Stiffey,  and  grandson  of 
Conrad  Stiffey. 

Conrad  Stiffej'  was  born  near  Livermore, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  was  a  suc- 
cessful farmer  all  his  life.  He  married  Mary 
Connor,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  the 
following  children :  David,  John,  Joseph, 
James,  Azariah,  William,  Philip,  Frank, 
Henry  and  Margaret  (who  married  John 
Patterson). 

David  Stiffey  was  born  Dec.  3,  1820,  in 
Derry  township,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  and 
after  attending  the  common  schools  of  his 
neighborhood  learned  the  carpenter's  trade 
and  that  of  millwright,  following  them  in 
conjimction  until  he  had  saved  sufficient 
money  to  buy  145  acres  of  laud  in  Conemaugh 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  Moving  upon  this 
property,  he  began  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing,^  and  developed  a  magnificent  farm,  mak- 
ing the  improvements  himself.  Although  at 
that  time  few  farmers  believed  in  the  ef- 
ficiency of  new  methods  in  doing  their  work, 
he  was  ahead  of  his  age,  and  so  instilled  his 
ideas  in  his  son  that  the  latter  has  become 
one  of  the  most  progressive  agriculturists  of 
his  township  and  benefited  accordingly. 

A  man  of  public  spirit,  Mr.   Stiffey  was 


1256 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


called  upon  to  fill  several  offices,  acting  as 
overseer  of  the  poor  and  road  supervisor  for 
many  years.  He  was  elected  on  the  Repub- 
lican ticket,  as  he  was  an  ardent  supporter 
of  that  party.  A  lifelong  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Ebenezer,  his  services 
to  it  were  recognized  in  his  election  to  the 
office  of  elder,  and  he  discharged  the  duties 
pertaining  to  that  position  with  dignified 
capability.  In  addition  he  acted  as  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school  connected  with 
the  church,  and  made  that  organization  a 
powerful  factor  in  bringing  the  young  into 
the  church. 

On  Nov.  18,  1841,  David  Stiffey  was  mar- 
ried to  Jane  Frederick,  who  was  born  Jan. 
19,  1821,  and  nine  children  came  to  this 
marriage,  of  whom  Mary  Jane,  born  Aug.  5, 
1843,  married  John  Gifford,  and  is  now  de- 
ceased; James,  bom  Aug.  30,  1846,  married 
Lizzie  Dick,  and  is  now  deceased ;  George, 
born  Sept.  21,  1848,  died  April  29,  1858; 
Almira,  born  Aug.  28,  1850,  married  George 
Stahl,  and  is  now  deceased;  Amanda,  bom 
Aug.  6,  1853,  died  May  10,  1858 ;  Margaret, 
born  Sept.  3,  1856,  married  A.  W.  Park; 
Albert,  born  Oct.  5,  1858,  died  April  29,  1862 ; 
Cyrus  is  mentioned  at  length  below. 

David  Stiffey  died  Feb.  2.  1901,  and  his 
wife  April  23,  1907,  and  they  are  laid  to  rest 
in  Ebenezer  Presbyterian  Church  cemetery  at 
Lewisville,   in   Conemaugh  township. 

Cyrus  Stiffey  was  sent  to  the  local  schools 
and  taught  to  work  diligently  upon  the  home 
farm,  and  do  his  full  duty  to  his  parents  and 
community.  When  he  was  twenty-five  j^ears 
old  he  went  to  Blairsville,  Pa.,  and  embarked 
in  a  grocery  business  on  Walnut  street,  which 
he  conducted  for  seven  years.  He  then  re- 
turned home  and  assisted  in  the  farming 
operations  until  the  death  of  his  father,  when 
he  bought  out  the  other  heirs  and  became  the 
owner  of  the  homestead  of  145  acres,  which 
he  still  conducts,  although  his  residence  is  in 
the  village  of  Livermore,  Westmoreland  Co., 
Pa.  The  farm  is  only  one  and  a  half  miles 
from  the  village,  .iust  across  the  county  line, 
and  on  the  bank  of  the  Conemaugh  river.  The 
Stiffey  home  is  one  of  the  most  comfortable 
in  the  village,  and  Mr.  Stiffey  goes  back  and 
forth  between  it  and  his  farm  every  day. 

On  Sept.  25,  1883,  Mr.  Stiffey  was  married 
to  Hannah  Irwin,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin 
and  Mary  (Marshall)  Irwin,  and  they  had 
these  children :  Vernetta  Jane,  born  April 
4,  1885,  attended  tlie  Indiana  normal  and  is 
now  teaching  school;  Charles  Irwin,  born 
Sept.  6,  1887,  is  now  attending  the  seminary 


at  Allegheny,  Pa.;  Herbert,  born  Dec.  12, 
1889,  is  at  home;  Sadie  Mazie,  born  March 
31,  1892,  is  teaching  school  at  Nowrytown, 
Pa.,  and  is  living  at  home.  The  mother  of 
these  died  Aug.  11,  1893.  On  April  30,  1896, 
Mr.  Stiffey  was  married  (second)  to  Edith 
Duncan,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Coleman)  Duncan,  of  Conemaugh  township. 
A  full  sketch  of  the  Duncan  family  is  given 
elsewhere  in  this  work. 

In  addition  to  his  farming  interests  j\Ir. 
Stiffey  conducted  a  livery  business  from  1908 
to  1912,  at  Livermore,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa., 
and  in  the  latter  j^ear  sold  at  a  pi-ofit.  He 
has  always  been  in  the  foremost  ranks  of 
advanced  agi-ieulturists,  and  his  ideas  have 
been  adopted  by  many  of  his  neighbors.  A 
man  of  intelligence,  he  keeps  himself  posted 
on  current  events,  not  only  with  relation  to 
his  business,  but  other  matters,  and  his  serv- 
ices have  contributed  much  to  the  general 
welfare  of  his  community.  A  strong  Pro- 
hibitionist. ]Mr.  Stiffey  has  always  been  will- 
ing to  stand  up  for  his  principles,  and  has 
been  active  in  the  temperance  cause.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  Avas  a  school  director,  and 
he  has  been  a  member  of  the  village  board  of 
Livermore.  The  Presbyterian  Church  has  in 
him  an  earnest  member,  and  he  has  served 
as  trustee  and  elder  of  the  Ebenezer  congre- 
gation. His  influence  is  always  exerted  in 
behalf  of  moral  uplift  in  church  and  evervday 
life. 

SAMUEL  L.  MINSER,  merchant  and  post- 
master at  Arcadia,  Indiana  county,  has  lived 
at  that  point  since  1903  and  is  a  well-known 
business  man  of  this  section  and  a  popular 
official  of  Montgomery  township,  having  held 
several  public  positions.  He  was  born  in  Indi- 
ana county,  Sept.  22,  1877,  a  son  of  Mark 
and  Elizabeth  (Stanley)  Miuser.  The  father 
was  a  farmer  and  a  minister  of  the  Dunkard 
Brethren   denomination. 

Samuel  L.  Minser  received  a  good  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  and  at  the  Pur- 
chase Line  academy,  and  he  was  a  public 
school  teacher  in  this  county  for  four  years. 
In  1903  he  came  to  Arcadia,  where  he  has 
since  resided,  and  he  has  been  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business  throughout  the  period 
of  his  residence  there.  In  1905  he  was  ap- 
pointed postmaster,  which  position  he  con- 
tinues to  hold,  and  he  has  been  elected  to  the 
offices  of  school  director  and  auditor  of  Mont- 
gomery township. 

On  "Nov.  23,  1898,  Mi-.  IMinser  married 
Martlia     Gilpatrick,     of     Indiana     county, 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1257 


daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  (Owens) 
Gilpatriek,  farming  people.  Six  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union,  namely:  Mabel 
E.,  Florence  M.,  Elizabeth  E.,  Dorothy  (de- 
ceased), Martha  and  Olive  I. 

SIMON  THOMAS  KANARR,  a  resident 
of  White  township,  Indiana  county,  belongs 
to  a  family  of  Holland  Dutch  descent  which 
was  founded  in  this  section  of  Pennsylvania 
many  years  ago  by  his  great-grandfather, 
Andrew  or  Andreas  Kanarr,  who  moved  from 
Lehigh  county,  Pa.,  to  Westmoreland  county. 
His  wife  was  Salome  Musick. 

John  KanaiT,  only  son  of  Andrew,  was 
born  Sept,  4,  1807,  at  Grapeville,  Westmore- 
land county,  and  there  grew  to  manhood.  He 
went  to  school  verj'  little,  obtaining  his  edu- 
cation mostly  through  his  own  efforts,  and 
learned  the  trade  of  cabinetmaker.  In  No- 
vember, 1838,  he  married  Anna  Magdalene 
Bruder,  who  was  born  Dec.  6,  1811,  and  to 
them  was  born  a  family  of  seven  children : 
George  A.,  born  Aug.  14,  1839,  who  served 
one  year  during  the  Civil  war  as  a  member 
of  Company  G,  206th  P.  V.  I.;  Moses,  born 
Dec.  14,  1840;  Jacob,  born  March  31,  1843; 
Aaron,  born  June  21,  1845,  who  served  one 
year  during  the  Civil  war,  in  Company  P, 
206th  P.  V.  I.:  John,  Jr.,  born  Peb.  12,  1847; 
Henry,  born  Aug.  9,'  1849 ;  and  Elizabeth  L., 
born 'May  10,  1854.  The  father  of  this 
family  died  July  1,  1879,  in  Grant  township, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  the  mother  died  Dec.  5, 
1880.  They  are  buried  in  Shiloh's  cemetery 
at  Deckers  Point.  Indiana  county. 

Jacob  Kanarr,  son  of  John,  is  now  retired 
from  farming,  and  has  made  his  home  in  Indi- 
ana since  the  spring  of  1905.  He  was  a 
prosperous  agriculturist  throughout  his  ac- 
tive years.  Born  March  31,  1843,  in  Hemp- 
field  township,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  he 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools, 
and  was  familiar  with  farm  work  from  early 
boyhood.  In  1853  the  family  left  Westmore- 
land county,  settling  in  Montgomery  town- 
ship. Indiana  county,  where  Jacob  grew  to 
manhood.  In  1864  he  was  drafted  for  service 
in  the  Union  arm.y,  being  assigned  to  Com- 
pany B,  101st  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, with  which  he  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war,  receiving  his  discharge  May  6, 
1865.  Returning  home,  he  resumed  farm 
work.  Within  a  few  years  he  located  in  a 
place  of  his  own  in  Grant  township,  this 
county,  which  he  bought  from  his  father — a 
tract  of  seventy-four  acres  where  he  resided 
for  some  time.     Later  he  bought  his  father- 


in-law's  place  of  180  acres  in  the  same  town- 
ship, which  he  sold  three  years  afterward, 
buying  a  farm  of  127  acres  in  Rayne  town- 
ship upon  which  he  remained  until  the  spring 
of  1905,  when  he  retired.  He  sold  this  prop- 
erty to  a  coal  companj^  the  land  being  under- 
laid with  valuable  coal  deposits.  Mr.  Kanarr 
has  since  made  his  home  in  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  living  at  No.  229  Philadelphia 
street.  He  has  devoted  most  of  his  time  to 
his  private  affairs,  but  he  is  a  public-spirited 
citizen  whose  support  can  be  relied  upon  in 
movements  affecting  the  welfare  of  the  com- 
munity. In  politics  he  is  an  independent  Re- 
publican. His  religious  connection  is  with  the 
Lutheran  Church. 

In  1869  Mr.  Kanarr  married  Martha  Jane 
King,  of  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Adam 
and  Elizabeth  (Caldwell)  King,  and  they 
have  become  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
namely:  Simon  T. ;  Elizabeth  Clara,  Mrs. 
John  P.  Lydick,  of  Indiana  county ;  Nacy  C, 
Mrs.  Clem.  Henry,  of  Indiana ;  Hester  J., 
who  is  unmarried;  Mary  M.,  unmarried;  Ira 
Guy;  Mortimer;  and  Carrie,  Mrs.  Robert 
Helman,  who  lives  on  the  home  farm. 

Simon  Thomas  Kanarr  was  born  Nov.  24, 
1869,  in  Grant  township,  near  Deckers  Point, 
and  obtained  his  education  in  the  public 
schools,  first  attending  the  Kinnan  school,  and 
nest  the  Ray  school.  His  first  teacher  was 
S.  B.  Work.  In  1883  he  moved  with  his  par- 
ents to  Rayne  township,  where  he  continued 
his  education,  attending  school  until  twenty- 
one  years  old,  and  he  continued  to  reside  at 
home  until  1890.  Then  he  worked  a  short 
time  for  John  McHendrick,  in  Cherryhill 
township,  and  in  1891  entered  the  employ  of 
Archie  Nichol,  in  White  township,  remaining 
\vith  him  over  a  year.  Por  the  next  thirty- 
two  months  he  was  in  the  employ  of  James 
Gompers,  and  from  1895  to  1897  worked  for 
Daniel  Smith,  in  Burrell  township.  He  was 
married  in  the  spring  of  the  latter  year,  and 
then  lived  with  his  father-in-law  until  1899. 
in  which  year  he  purchased  the  Ralston  farm 
of  103  acres,  to  which  he  has  since  added 
forty-three  acres,  parts  of  the  O'Neil  and  J. 
J.  Stephens  farms,  now  cultivating  146  acres. 
His  propertj^  is  all  in  fine  condition  and  he 
produces  considerable  small  fruit  in  addition 
to  general  crops.  He  also  engages  in  stock 
raising,  and  his  enterprise  and  well-directed 
industry  have  brought  him  continued  success. 
He  has  given  all  his  time  to  his  work,  voting 
independently  and  taking  no  active  part  in 
polities  or  public  affairs  of  any  kind.  He 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  First  United 


1258 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Presbyterian  Church  at  Indiana,  and  he  is 
at  present  serving  as  one  of  the  trustees  of 
that  organization. 

On  April  14,  1897,  Mr.  Kanarr  was  mar- 
ried to  Anna  Jane  Stephens,  who  was  born 
May  24,  1875,  in  White  township,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  John  J.  and  Ann 
(Trimble)  Stephens.  The  ceremony  was  per- 
formed in  Indiana  by  Rev.  J.  Day  Brownlee. 
Five  children  have  been  born  to  this  mar- 
riage :  John  Raymond,  Walter  Ralph,  Muriel 
IMonroe,  Ruth  Evangeline  and  Chester  Clyde. 


Moses  Kanarr,  retired  farmer  and  sur- 
veyor, now  living  in  the  borough  of  Indiana, 
was  born  Dec.  14,  1840,  son  of  John  and  Anna 
Magdalene  (Bruder)  Kanarr,  and  was  twelve 
years  old  when  brought  to  Indiana  county. 
He  grew  to  manhood  in  what  is  now  Grant 
township,  and  attended  school  in  both  West- 
moreland and  Indiana  counties;  he  was  a 
pupil  at  the  Purchase  Line  academy  in  Indi- 
ana county.  He  studied  surveying  near 
Greensburg  at  a  school  conducted  by  A.  L. 
Altman,  who  was  subsequently  made  surveyor 
of  Westmoreland  county,  and  after  complet- 
ing his  course  was  engaged  in  teaching  school 
for  three  terms,  in  Indiana.  In  time  he  be- 
gan to  farm  in  Grant  township,  thence  mov- 
ing to  White  township,  where  he  carried  on 
farming  for  twenty-six  years,  cultivating  the 
tract  of  140  acres  which  he  owned.  Upon  his 
retirement  Mr.  Kanarr  sold  the  surface  of 
this  farm,  but  he  still  holds  the  coal  rights. 
From  March,  1873,  he  followed  his  profession 
of  surveyor  in  addition  to  looking  after  his 
farm  work,  and  he  has  become  widely  known 
over  this  region  in  that  connection.  He  moved 
to  the  borough  of  Indiana  in  1906. 

On  Aug.  10,  1864,  Mr.  Kanarr  enlisted  at 
Indiana,  becoming  a  private  in  Company  F, 
206th  P.  V.  I.,  under  Capt.  John  A.  Kinter 
and  Col.  Hugh  J.  Brady,  his  command  serv- 
ing with  the  Army  of  the  James. 

On  Feb.  27,  1868,  Mr.  Kanarr  married,  in 
Grant  township,  Mai'tha  J.  Hamilton,  of  that 
township,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  A. 
(King)  Hamilton.  Mrs.  Kanarr  passed  away 
June  18,  1909.  She  was  an  active  member  of 
the  M.  E.  Church,  to  which  Mr.  Kanarr  also 
belongs,  and  he  is  counted  among  the  useful 
members  of  the  congregation.  In  politics  he 
is  independent,  voting  for  the  candidates  and 
measures  he  prefers,  regardless  of  party. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kanarr:  Mary  Anna,  born  Jan.  6,  1869, 
married  Frank  Stormer,  and  died  in  Indiana 
April  22,  1897 ;  Clara  I\Iay,  1)orn  Feb.  2,  1871, 


married  Charles  A.  Nichol  and  lives  in  White 
township,  Indiana  county ;  Harry  M.,  born 
Aug.  31,  1876,  now  chief  engineer  of  the 
Rochester  &  Pittsburg  Coal  &  Ii-on  Company 
and  three  allied  concerns,  was  married  May 
17,  1905,  to  Mary  Elinor  Reed,  and  they  live 
in  Punxsutawney,  Pennsylvania. 

RUFUS  ALEXANDER  SUTOR,  a  farmer 
and  stock  raiser  of  Bast  Mahoning  township, 
residing  near  the  line  of  Rayne  township,  was 
born  in  the  former  township,  Dec.  3,  1853. 

John  Sutor,  the  founder  of  the  family  in 
America,  was  born  in  Scotland,  and  came  to 
this  country  in  1799  with  Robert  McClaren, 
settling  at  Pittsburg.  Later  he  went  to  Wash- 
ington county.  Pa.,  and  in  1822  came  with 
his  family  to  Indiana  county.  They  located 
in  East  Mahoning  township,  near  Marion 
Center,  securing  200  acres  in  the  woods.  This 
farm  is  now  owned  by  H.  J.  Thompson,  of 
Marion  Center,  and  is  a  valuable  property, 
but  at  that  time  it  was  a  wilderness,  and  John 
Sutor  had  to  clear  off  the  laud  in  order  to 
begin  farming.  He  lived  to  be  ninety-five 
years  old,  and  his  remains  were  laid  to  rest 
in  the  Gilgal  Church  cemetery  in  East  Ma- 
honing township.  He  was  a  consistent  mem- 
ber and  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Politically  he  was  first  a  Whig  and  later  a 
Republican,  and  he  held  a  number  of  the 
local  offices.  John  Sutor  married  Ann  Moore, 
of  Philadelphia,  who  died  on  the  farm  and 
was  buried  in  the  same  cemetery  where  her 
husband  was  later  laid  to  rest.  Their  chil- 
dren were :  William,  John,  Alexander  and 
Thomas  are  all  deceased;  Eliza  married  a 
Mr.  Lydick  and  (second)  a  Mr.  Hastings; 
Ann  and  Mary  died  unmarried;  Robert  died 
on  the  old  homestead. 

Alexander  Sutor,  son  of  John  Sutor  and 
father  of  Rufus  Alexander  Sutor,  was  born 
Feb.  15,  1809,  in  Washington  coimty.  Pa., 
near  Pittsburg.  He  accompanied  his  parents 
to  East  Mahoning  township  in  1822,  and  like 
his  father  was  a  farmer  and  miller,  having 
learned  his  trade  at  Pittsburg,  and  later  on 
in  life  followed  it  in  the  vicinitj'  of  the  "Iron 
City."  Eventually  he  secured  2] 2  acres  in 
East  Mahoning  township,  and  built  a  log 
house  on  his  property,  which  he  replaced  with 
a  more  pretentious  frame  dwelling  in  due 
time.  He  cleared  off  his  farm  and  rounded 
out  his  days  there,  dying  on  it  Feb.  5,  1893. 
and  is  buried  in  the  Clarion  Center  cemetery. 

Alexander  Sutor  married  Jane  R.  Park, 
who  was  born  in  1811  and  died  in  1908,  and 
they   ceU^lirated   their   golden   wedding   anni- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


versary  in  1889.  They  had  children  as  fol- 
lows: Robert  P.  enlisted  in  Company  A, 
11th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
died  of  typhoid  fever  while  in  the  service; 
Agnes  married  Thomas  Craig  and  resides  on 
the  homestead;  Annie,  who  married  William 
Groose,  resides  in  Indiana,  Pa. ;  John,  who 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  resides  at  Chi- 
cago; Amanda  died  unmarried;  Rufus  Alex- 
ander is  mentioned  below;  Margaret  married 
W.  D.  Chilcott,  of  Orchard  Park,  N.  Y.  Mr. 
Sutor  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
and  faithful  to  its  creed.  A  Republican 
politically,  he  was  proud  of  his  connection 
with  the  party  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  As  has 
been  said  of  him: 

' '  A  contemporary  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  Mr. 
Sutor  was  one  of  the  thousands  who  like  him 
despised  not  the  day  of  small  things,  but 
cheerfully  helped  to  clear  the  way  for  the 
upbuilding  of  a  great  nation.  An  uncom- 
promising foe  of  slavery  and  every  form  of 
evil,  he  was  a  conductor  of  the  'underground 
railway'  that  helped  so  many  slaves  to  free- 
dom. He  gave  his  sons  to  the  war  to  support 
the  Union  and  crush  slavery.  Like  Lincoln, 
fond  of  his  fellow  men,  full  of  fun  and  ready 
with  a  good  story  to  illustrate  an  argument 
or  point  a  moral,  his  life  had  its  tragedies, 
but  for  the  most  part  he  dwelt  in  the 
sunshine." 

Rufus  Alexander  Sutor,  son  of  Alexander 
Sutor,  attended  the  local  schools  and  worked 
for  his  father  until  he  attained  manhood's 
estate.  Obtaining  a  portion  of  his  father's 
homestead,  he  has  devoted  his  life  to  farming 
and  stock  raising  and  is  now  one  of  the  lead- 
ing agriculturists  of  his  township.  The  sub- 
stantial residence  on  his  property  was  built 
by  him  and  he  has  made  many  other  im- 
provements which  add  value  to  the  place. 
Formerly  a  Republican,  he  is  now  a  Prohibi- 
tionist. ]\Ir.  Sutor  has  served  as  a  school  di- 
rector for  two  terms,  was  supervisor  of  his 
township  for  one  term,  and  was  always  a 
faithful  official.  The  Presbyterian  Church 
holds  his  membership,  and  he  has  been  trustee 
and  elder  of  same  for  some  years.  Believing 
in  the  efficacy  of  the  Sunday  school,  he  has 
done  much  to  advance  it  and  extend  the  scope 
of  its  influence,  both  as  a  teacher  and  super- 
intendent. 

In  1880  Mr.  Sutor  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Annie  Brickley,  who  was  born  in  Clear- 
field county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Daniel  Brickley. 
Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Sutor:  Edna,  who  married  Albert 
Botsford,  of  Rayne  township,  and  has  chil- 


dren, Charles  and  Earl ;  and  Mai-y  and  Grace, 
at  home. 

ALVERTUS  PRESTON  MARSHALL,  a 
farmer  of  South  Mahoning  township,  was 
born  on  the  Robert  Marshall  homestead  April 
10,  1872,  and  is  a  son  of  Robert  ilarshall. 

The  first  of  this  branch  of  the  family  in 
Pennsylvania  was  William  jMarshall,  who  was 
born  in  Ireland  in  1722,  and  there  grew  to 
manhood  and  married  Elizabeth  Armstrong. 
In  1748  he  came  to  the  American  Colonies 
and  settled  in  the  eastern  part  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  followed  farming.  Later  he 
moved  to  what  is  now  Indiana  county,  but 
was  then  included  in  Westmoreland  county, 
to  which  region  his  son,  John  Marshall,  had 
gone  some  years  previously.  The  family  se- 
cured property  in  Conemaugh  township,  and 
on  it. William  Marshall  rounded  out  his  useful 
life,  passing  away  in  1796.  His  remains  were 
laid  to  rest  in  Ebenezer  Church  cemetery.  He 
was  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith,  and 
devoted  to  his  church.  His  excellent  wife 
passed  away  in  1806,  having  survived  him 
some  ten  years,  and  was  laid  by  his  side  in 
the  little  old  cemetery.  Among  their  children 
were:  John,  James,  William,  Andrew,  Sa,m- 
uel  and  Margaret.  He  was  a  man  of  sub- 
stance in  his  community,  and  highly  respected 
by  all  who  knew  him. 

"  William  Marshall,  son  of  William  Marshall 
the  immigrant,  caine  to  Conetnaugh  township 
with  his  parents  and  there  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, becoming  the  owner  of  a  tract  of  428 
acres.  Later  he  moved  to  Armstrong  county, 
settling  near  Glade  Run.  where  his  cousin 
Archibald  Marshall  had  located.  On  this  new 
farm  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His 
children  were :  Joseph,  who  married  Eliz- 
abeth Marshall;  William,  who  married  a  Miss 
Lewis;  John,  who  married  Martha  Kirk- 
patrick;  Elizabeth,  who  married  John  Mc- 
Clelland; Mary,  who  married  Abel  Finley; 
Margaret,  who  married  Ben.jamin  Irwin ; 
James  W. ;  Robert,  who  mari-ied  Mary  Hind- 
man  ;  and  Samuel,  who  married  Julia  Lentz. 

James  W.  Marshall,  son  of  William  Jlar- 
shall,  was  born  on  Blacklegs  creek,  in  Cone- 
maugh township,  in  1796,  and  was  taken  to 
Glade  Run,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  by  his  par- 
ents. There  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  in 
1820  settled  in  what  is  now  South  [Mahoning 
township,  near  the  home  place  of  others  of 
the  family.  This  was  almost  on  the  line  divid- 
ing the  south  and  west  parts  of  Mahoning. 
His  tract  was  a  large  one,  and  he  went  to 
work  at  once  to  clear  it  of  the  heavy  timber. 


1260 


HISTOKY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Although  he  had  developments  well  started 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  he  passed  away 
while  still  in  the  prime  of  life,  in  1844. 

James  W.  Marshall  married  Margaret  Mar- 
shall, a  daughter  of  Archibald  Marshall,  who 
settled  in  Glade  Eun,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa., 
where  his  cousin  William  Marshall  also  lo- 
cated. Mrs.  Marshall  died  in  1873,  having 
survived  her  husband  many  years.  Their 
children  were :  "William ;  Margaret,  who  mar- 
ried Thomas  Davis,  and  (second)  Nathaniel 
Doty;  Joseph  W. ;  Archibald,  who  married 
Mary  Ann  Wadding ;  Robert ;  Catherine,  who 
married  Lewis  Marshall  and  (second)  Henry 
Bowser. 

Joseph  W.  Marshall,  son  of  James  W.  Mar- 
shall, was  born  Dec.  11,  1827,  on  the  farm  in 
South  ilahoning  township.  Wlien  he  was 
seventeen  years  old  he  had  the  misfortune 
to  lose  his  father.  Prior  to  that  he  had  at- 
tended the  local  schools,  and  after  his  father's 
death  he  continued  working  on  the  homestead. 
When  he  attained  his  majority  he  obtained  a 
tract  of  120  acres  of  the  home  farm,  ten  acres 
of  which  were  already  cleared.  With  charac- 
teristic energy  he  began  making  improve- 
ments, putting  up  all  the  buildings  on  the 
property,  including  frame  residence  and  barn, 
and  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing until  his  death.  While  his  life  was  un- 
eventful, he  did  his  duty  at  all  times,  and 
brought  up  his  family  to  be  an  honor  to  the 
name.  A  strong  Whig,  he  espoused  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Republican  party  upon  its 
formation,  and  held  many  offices,  including 
those  of  school  director,  assessor,  supervisor 
and  member  of  the  election  board.  The  Pres- 
bji:erian  Church  held  his  membership,  and  he 
was  an  elder  in  that  body  for  years,  being  con- 
nected with  the  church  of  that  faith  at  PJum- 
ville.  Although  he  is  now  eighty-five  years 
old  he  still  possesses  many  of  his  faculties. 
He  makes  his  home  with  his  various  children, 
by  whom  he  is  nnich  beloved. 

Joseph  W.  Mai-shall  married  Jane  Davis,  of 
South  Mahoning  township,  a  daughter  of 
Abraham  Davis,  and  she  died  in  1863.  and  is 
buried  in  the  Mahoning  Baptist  Church  ceme- 
tery; she  was  a  consistent  member  of  that 
church.  The  children  of  this  marriage  were: 
Adoniram  Judson,  who  resides  in  Los  Angeles, 
Cal..  married  Clara  Irwin  and  (second)  Jane 
Orr;  a  son  died  in  infancy,  unnamed;  Louise 
Ann  married  Job  W.  Luckhart  of  Punxsu- 
tawney.  Pa.,  and  is  deceased;  Clark  G.  had  a 
twin  sister,  Lydia  C,  the  latter  dying  in  in- 
fancy. In  186.")  Mr.  ^Marshall  married  (sec- 
ond)    :\larv    Stewarl,    diiughlcr    of    Thomas 


Stewart,  who  survives  him.  They  had  chil- 
dren as  follows :  Rebecca  J. ;  Margaret  E., 
who  married  Clark  Sink;  Harvey  S.,  de- 
ceased, who  mai-ried  Bessie  Hamilton,  now  the 
wife  of  John  Kirkpatrick;  Nettie  Irwin,  de- 
ceased ;  Alice  R.,  who  married  Elmer  Shaffer, 
of  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  Lawrence  J.,  who 
lives  at  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  Minerva  Mary ; 
Rainey  W. ;  Rosella  Sarah,  who  is  deceased: 
Mason  Forbes,  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  Esther 
Frances,  who  married  Homer  Hiskell;  and 
Bertha  Dean,  who  married  Homer  Sadler. 

The  Marshall  famih-  is  one  of  the  largest  in 
Indiana  county,  and  its  representatives  have 
given  much  attention  to  agricultural  matters. 
JIany  of  the  finely  developed  farms  of  this 
locality  are  owned  and  operated  by  men  who 
sprang  from  the  first  William  ^Marshall.  The 
Marshalls  are  not  confined  to  Indiana  county, 
or  Pennsylvania  either,  for  they  have  spread 
over  the  country,  and  wherever  found  are 
prosperous  and  industrious,  a  credit  to  their 
name  and  a  valuable  addition  to  their  com- 
munity. Good  blood  tells,  and  careful  raising 
brings  forth  the  best  in  a  man.  The  descend- 
ants of  the  original  Marshall  who  braved  all 
the  dangers,  which  were  not  inconsiderable 
in  those  early  days,  of  crossing  the  ocean  to 
an  almost  unknown  land,  do  him  credit,  and 
owe  much  to  him. 

Robert  Marshall,  son  of  James  W.  and 
brother  of  Joseph  W.  IMarshall,  was  born  on 
the  Jlarshall  homestead  in  South  Mahoning 
township,  in  1831.  He  was  thirteen  years  old 
when  his  father  died,  and  his  brother  reared 
him  to  manhood  on  the  farm,  sending  him  to 
the  local  schools.  When  he  attained  his  ma- 
jority he  obtained  eighty  acres  of  valuable 
land  from  his  father's  estate,  and  bought 
seventy-sis  acres  more  of  the  estate,  and  on 
this  propert.v  carried  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  In  addition  he  owned  forty- 
three  acres.  His  useful,  upright  life  was 
spent  upon  the  farm  where  he  was  born,  and 
there  he  died  in  1885,  when  only  fifty-four 
years  old,  from  the  effects  of  typhoid  fever. 
His  remains  were  tenderly  interred  in  the 
cemetery  at  Smicksburg.  For  many  years  he 
served  the  Presbvterian  Church  as  an  elder, 
and  was  one  of  its  most  valued  members.  A 
Republican  from  the  formation  of  the  party, 
he  gave  it  his  support,  but  did  not  aspire  for 
public  office  aside  from  that  of  school  direct- 
or, for  be  was  exceedingly  domestic  in  bis 
tastes,  and  preferred  to  give  his  time  and 
attention  to  his  private  affairs  and  his  fam- 
ily. He  was  noted  for  his  temperate  habits, 
and  his  upright,  lionorable  methods  of  doing 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1261 


business,  and  no  man  stood  higher  in  the  es- 
teem of  his  neighbors  than  he.  While  he 
was  not  a  young  man  when  the  Civil  war 
broke  out,  he  would  have  liked  to  serve  his 
country  as  a  soldier,  had  his  strength  per- 
mitted, but  as  it  was  he  gave  the  Union  loyal 
support  in  every  way  he  could,  and  his  con- 
tributions to  the  cause  were  exceedingly 
liberal. 

His  support  of  general  morality  was  strong 
and  courageous,  for  he  never  had  any  sym- 
pathy with  wrong-doing,  believing  that  if 
men  controlled  their  habits  they  would  not  be 
led  into  breaking  laws  both  human  and 
divine.  Like  other  members  of  his  family  he 
believed  in  and  advocated  temperance  upon 
every  occasion,  and  the  efforts  of  such  men 
as  these  have  borne  remarkable  fruit,  for 
South  Mahoning  township  is  one  of  the  most 
law-abiding  communities  in  the  State. 

Robert  iMarshall  married  Eveline  Rowland, 
who  was  born  in  1840,  a  daughter  of  Griffith 
and  Mary  (Mikesell)  Rowland.  Mrs.  Mar- 
shall died  Feb.  15,  1899,  and  is  buried  in 
Smieksburg  cemetery.  She  was  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  Children  as  follows  were 
born  to  Robert  Marshall  and  his  wife :  One- 
simus,  who  died  young;  James  Franklin; 
Benjamin  R.,  who  is  connected  with  the  police 
department  of  Pittsburg;  and  Alvertus  Pres- 
,  ton,  all  of  whom  are  worthy  of  their  honored 
parents  and  the  devotion  given  them  when 
they  needed  it. 

Alvertus  Preston  Marshall,  son  of  Robert 
Marshall,  demonstrates  in  his  everyday  life 
that  the  prosperity  of  the  farming  popula- 
tion is  the  gauge  of  the  country's  develop- 
ment. He  attended  the  Davis  school  until  he 
was  thirteen  years  old,  when  his  father  died, 
and  he  gave  all  his  time  to  helping  his  mother 
with  the  work  of  the  farm.  In  1893  he  took 
charge  of  her  property,  operating  156  acres, 
and  took  care  of  her  in  her  old  age.  Having 
devoted  himself  to  farming,  he  has  developed 
many  new  ideas  and  carried  out  old  ones  suc- 
cessfully, and  is  now  one  of  the  most  prosper- 
ous agriculturists  of  his  township.  He  car- 
ries on  general  farming,  stock  raising  and 
dairying,  and  his  farm  is  one  of  the  best 
cared  for  in  this  part  of  the  county.  His 
buildings  are  in  excellent  condition,  and  he 
takes  a  pride  in  them  and  his  handsome 
property. 

On  June  30,  1897,  Mr.  Marshall  was  mar- 
ried to  May  Irwin,  who  was  born  in  West 
Mahoning  township,  daughter  of  George  Ir- 
win. Mrs.  Marshall  has  been  a  good  wife  and 
capable  helpmate,  so  that  a  part  of  the  credit 


for  her  husband's  success  is  due  her.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Marshall  are  the  parents  of  five 
children:  A  son  who  died  in  infancy,  un- 
named ;  Mary  Eveline ;  Earl  Leroy ;  Dee  Bur- 
ton; and  Dolly  Catherine  Marguerite. 

Mr.  Marshall  is  a  Republican,  and  for  six 
years  served  very  creditably  as  tax  collector, 
for  seven  years  was  auditor,  for  two  years 
was  supervisor,  and  for  two  years  was  clerk 
of  the  election  board.  Domestic  in  his  tastes, 
he  has  tried  to  live  according  to  the  Golden 
Rule,  and  in  consequence  has  few  if  any 
enemies.  He  is  a  citizen  of  highest  worth, 
and  stands  well  in  all  the  relations  of  life. 

JAMES  FRANKLIN  MARSHALL,  pro- 
prietor of  the  Maple  Valley  Dairy  Farm  in 
South  Mahoning  township,  was  born  on  the 
Robert  Marshall  homestead  May  30,  1865, 
son  of  Robert  Marshall.  He  grew  up  in  his 
native  township  and  attended  the  schools  of 
his  district,  the  normal  at  Plumville  and 
Glade  Run  academy.  Having  fitted  himself 
for  school  teaching,  he  became  a  public  edu- 
cator, and  for  five  terms  taught  during  the 
fall  and  winter  months  in  South  Mahoning 
township,  Georgeville,  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship and  White  Oak  Flats.  During  the  sum- 
mer months  he  worked  with  his  father  on  the 
farm  until  1887,  when  he  bought  the  A.  David 
Pringle  place  of  106  acres,  which  he  improved 
and  operated,  carrying  on  general  farming 
and  dairying  in  a  small  way.  Later  he 
bought  the  Harrison  Shields  farm,  on  which 
he  erected  a  residence,  large  barn  and  other 
buildings,  all  of  modern  construction.  The 
barn  was  destroyed  by  fire  Dec.  23,  1906,  as 
were  seventeen  head  of  cattle,  one  horse  and 
some  machinery,  the  total  loss  amounting  to 
over  $3,000.  Mr.  Marshall  replaced  this  barn 
in  1910  with  one  of  the  finest  in  the  town- 
ship. In  1904  he  branched  out  as  a  dairyman 
upon  a  large  scale,  now  keeping  a  herd  of 
thirty-six  head,  mostly  Holsteins.  Mr.  Mar- 
shall still  later  bought  the  J.  0.  DeLancey 
farm,  on  which  was  a  fine  brick  residence 
and  an  excellent  frame  house,  as  well  as  a 
fine  barn.  '  To  these  improvements  he  has 
added  a  silo,  which  is  one  of  the  best  in  the 
neighborhood.  At  present  he  owns  and  oper- 
ates 268  acres  of  land,  and  markets  his  milk 
at  Plumville  and  Sagamore.  His  land  runs 
to  the  Armstrong  county  line,  and  is  very 
desirably  located.  The  Marshall  farm  is  one 
of  the  model  establishments  in  its  section  of 
Indiana  county,  for  Mr.  Marshall  is  one  of  the 
advanced  agriculturists  and  believes  in  eon- 
ducting  his  large  property  according  to  the 


1262 


HISTOKT  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


most  modern  methods,  utilizing  every  idea 
that  he  expects  to  find  beneficial. 

On  July  2.  1885.  Mr.  Marshall  was  mar- 
ried to  Clare  Belle  DeLaney,  who  was  born  in 
South  IMahoning  township,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Oliver  DeLaneey,  of  Phimville.  a  full  sketch 
of  whom  is  to  be  found  elsewhere  in  this 
work.  Mrs.  Marshall  is  an  active  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  missionary 
society  of"  that  body,  as  well  as  the  W.  C.  T. 
r.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marshall  are  the  parents  of 
two  children  :  Robert  De  Lancey,  born  June  25, 
1893.  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  neigh- 
borhood and  the  State  Agricultural  College, 
and  is  now  at  home ;  Jesse  Dale,  who  was  born 
May  27,  1904,  is  now  attending  school.  The 
elder  son  is  very  active  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  its  Sunday  school,  and  received 
his  diploma  to  teach  in  the  Sunday  school  in 
1911,  from  the  State  Sunday  School  Associa- 
tion. He  is  a  fine  young  fellow,  and  a  credit 
to  his  parents. 

Mi-.  ]\Iarshall  is  a  Republican,  and  has 
served  as  school  director  for  one  term,  during 
which  time  he  put  into  practical  use  the 
experience  he  had  acquired  as  a  teacher.  He 
is  an  enthusiastic  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  an  elder,  and  not  only  is  a  Sunday 
school  teacher,  but  has  served  as  superintend- 
ent of  the  Sunday  school.  In  1911  he,  like 
his  son,  was  graduated  and  received  a  diploma 
from  the   State  Sunday   School  Association. 

A  man  of  learning,  he  has  applied  his  gen- 
eral knowledge  to  his  farm  work,  with  very 
profitable  results.  His  dairy  is  'one  of  the 
best  in  the  locality,  and  everything  about  it 
conforms  to  the  State  and  local  sanitary 
regulations.  As  an  agriculturist  and  citizen 
Mr.  Marshall  shows  the  results  of  good  train- 
ing, and  his  community  benefits  accordingly. 

SARAH  ELIZABETH  KUNKLE,  widow 
of  John  C.  Kunkle.  residing  in  Washington 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa-,  was  born  in  that 
township  Jan.  24,  1858,  daughter  of  John  G. 
Dickson,  and  granddaughter  of  Thomas 
Dickson. 

Thomas  Dickson  was  born  in  the  North  of 
Ireland,  but  immigrated  to  the  United  States, 
first  settling  in  Adams  county.  Pa.,  near 
Gettysburg.  His  farm  was  near  the  famous 
peaeii  orchard  which  will  go  down  in  history 
as  the  scene  of  part  of  the  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg. Thomas  Dickson  left  Adams  county 
prior  to  the  Civil  war  and  so  was  saved  the 
horrors  which  resulted  from  that  bloody  en- 
gagement. He  located  in  Westmoreland 
county,  leaving  it  later  to  come  to  Washing- 


ton township,  Indiana  county,  where  he  passed 
away.  He  was  first  married  in  Ireland,  and 
had  the  following  children :  JMrs.  Ruth  Pat- 
terson, Mrs.  Jane  Getty,  Mrs.  Mary  Ann 
Wilson  and  Mrs.  Eliza  Wilson,  all  now  de- 
ceased. Mr.  Dickson  was  married  second  to 
Elizabeth  Williams  of  Adams,  county,  and  bj' 
this  marriage  his  children  were :  Thomas. 
James  E.,  Sarah  (who  married  John  Bothel) 
and  John  G.,  all  deceased. 

John  G.  Dickson  was  born  in  Adams  county. 
Pa.,  in  July,  1827,  and  came  with  his  parents 
to  Indiana  county,  where  he  attended  school. 
He  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  in  young 
manhood  and  followed  it  during  the  latter 
part  of  his  life,  earlier  farming  on  ninetj-six 
acres  of  his  father's  property  of  176  acres, 
the  balance  falling  to  the  share  of  his  brother 
James  E.  The  death  of  John  G.  Dickson 
occurred  June  8,  1864,  when  he  was  not  quite 
thirty-seven  years  old.  He  married  Mary 
Jane  Campbell,  of  Loyalhanna  township. 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  George 
and  Sarah  (Carnahan)  Campbell.  George 
Campbell  and  his  brother  left  Ireland  for  this 
country  together,  but  the  brother  died  during 
the  vo.yage  and  was  buried  at  sea.  George 
Campbell  settled  on  the  farm  in  Loyalhanna 
township  now  owned  and  ocupied  by  his 
grandson  Archy  Campbell,  now  one  of  the 
finest  places  in  the  neighborhood.  There  he 
raised  his  family  of  six  children  and  lived  to 
.a  good  old  age. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dickson  were  born  two 
children:  Sarah  Elizabeth  and  Samuel  C. 
the  latter  now  residing  at  Pittsburg.  In 
polities  Mr.  Dickson  was  a  Republican,  but 
never  aspired  to  public  life.  For  many  years 
he  was  a  valued  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Plum  Creek,  Indiana  Co.. 
Pennsylvania. 

Sarah  Elizabeth  (Dickson)  Kunkle  re- 
ceived her  educational  training  in  the  public 
schools  of  her  native  township,  and  at  the 
Saltsburg  academy,  which  she  attended  for 
one  term.  She  remained  home  until  her  mar- 
riage, on  ilarch  25.  1875,  to  John  C.  Kunkle, 
and  they  had  children  as  follows:  Jesse  M. 
married  Stella  Brown,  of  Washington  town- 
ship :  Charles  L.  married  Dolly  IMcFeaters.  of 
Creekside:  Mary  Elizabeth  married  George 
Nesbit.  in  Indiana.  Pa. :  John  I.  married  Elsie 
Rupert,  of  Armstrong  county.  Pa. ;  Staeey  E. 
married  Luna  Trusal.  of  Five  Points:  Clar- 
ence S.  married  Dora  Gibson,  of  Washington 
township ;  Sarah  E.  married  Bert  Lytle.  of 
Chambersville.  Washington  township;  Indi- 
ana county. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1263 


John  C.  Kunkle  was  born  Feb.  27,  1848, 
in  Washington  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
son  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth  (Anderson) 
Kunkle,  of  Armstrong  count.y,  the  former 
born  in  March,  1810,  the  latter  in  October, 
1808.  In  1825  the  parents  moved  to  Wash- 
ington township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  The 
Kunkle  family  is  of  German  extraction. 

John  C.  Kunkle  went  to  the  local  public 
schools  and  was  engaged  in  assisting  his 
father  in  the  farm  work  iintil  1875,  when  he 
purchased  his  father's  homestead.  On  this 
property  he  carried  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  and  was  a  man  of  considerable 
means  when  he  died.  His  farm  comprised 
284  acres,  underlaid  with  coal,  which  was  sold 
to  D.  F.  Run,  of  Indiana,  by  his  heirs,  in 
1912.  The  vein  is  an  excellent  one  and  prom- 
ises to  mine  well. 

Politically  Mr.  Kunkle  was  a  Democrat, 
and  served  as  a  school  director  for  one  term. 
A  conscientious  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  he  was  an  elder  for  years,  being  con- 
nected with  the  congi-egation  at  Creekside. 
For  six  years  he  served  as  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  school,  and  took  a  deep  interest 
in  the  work  of  that  body.  The  present  church 
edifice  is  built  on  a  portion  of  the  original 
Kunkle  farm,  his  paternal  grandfather  hav- 
ing at  one  time  owned  a  large  tract  that  was 
cut  into  several  farms  in  this  locality. 

Both  the  Dickson  and  Kunkle  families  are 
well  and  favorably  known  in  this  part  of  the 
State,  and  their  representatives  have  every 
reason  to  be  proud  of  the  stock  from  which 
they  spring.  Mrs.  Kimkle  is  one  of  the  most 
highly  esteemed  ladies  of  Washington  town- 
ship, and  is  surrounded  by  every  comfort  the 
love  of  her  children  can  suggest.  Mr.  Kunkle 
died  July  2,  1895,  and  is  buried  in  Green- 
wood cemetery,  at  Indiana. 

JACOB  TIGER,  a  retired  farmer  of  Canoe 
township,  was  born  there  Nov.  23,  1835,  and 
is  a  son  of  Adam  D.  and  Mary  (Philower) 
Tiger. 

Jacob  Tiger,  his  great-grandfather,  was  of 
German  descent,  and  was  a  Revolufionary 
soldier. 

Abraham  Tiger,  the  gi'andfather,  was  born 
in  Tewksbury  township,  Hunterdon  Co.,  N. 
J.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He 
married  Anna  Teates,  who  was  born  in  the 
same  section  as  himself,  and  both  lived  to  be 
over  seventy-seven  years  of  age. 

Adam  D.  Tiger,  father  of  Jacob  Tiger,  was 
born  in  Tewksbury  township,  Hunterdon  Co., 
N.  J.,  in  1803.     In  1824  he  was  married  to 


Mary  Philower,  a  daughter  of  John  Philower, 
also  of  Hunterdon  county,  and  she  died 
March  6,  1879,  aged  seventy-five  years,  ten 
months,  three  days.  Children  as  follows  were 
born  to  this  marriage:  Abraham,  who  is  de- 
ceased, married  Sarah  Griffith ;  Isaac  married 
Keziah  Smith ;  Jacob  married  Barbara  Ann 
Smith;  John  P.,  who  is  deceased,  married 
Martha  Wilyard;  Rachel,  who  is  deceased, 
was  the  wife  of  Simon  Henry;  Mary,  wh'o  is 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  George  Taylor; 
Elizabeth,  who  is  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
John  W.  Snyder;  Susannah  married  William 
H.  Smith ;  Eva  Ann  married  John  A.  White. 

On  :May  3,  1827,  Adam  D.  Tiger,  in  com- 
pany with  Peter  Philower.  located  in  Indi- 
ana county,  in  what  was  then  a  wilderness, 
securing  about  one  thousand  acres  of  land. 
Peter  Philower  took  possession  of  six  hundred 
acres,  the  south  end  of  the  tract,  and  there 
built  a  round-log  barn,  while  Adam  D.  Tiger 
built  a  similar  structure  on  his  land,  the  north 
end  of  the  tract,  where  he  had  400  acres. 
This. barn  was  demolished  in  1844  and  the 
one  on  the  south  end  was  torn  down  about 
fifty  years  ago.  After  clearing  his  land  Adam 
D.  Tiger  began  to  cultivate  it,  and  continued 
his  agricultural  activities  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  May  1,  1885.  when  his  age 
was  eighty-one  years,  nine  months,  twenty- 
four  da.ys.  Adam  D.  Tiger  and  his  wife  were 
interred  in  the  Fairview  burying  ground, 
which  plot  was  presented  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church  for  this  purpose  by  Mr.  Tiger.  In 
his  political  views  he  was  a  Democrat  and  at 
different  periods  in  his  long  and  useful  life 
served  acceptably  in  various  township  offices, 
having  been  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  five 
years,  constable  for  six  years  and  school  di- 
rector and  treasurer  for  twenty-two  years. 

Jacob  Tiger  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Canoe  township  and  gave  his  father 
assistance  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  at  which  time  he  took  the  farm  and  after- 
ward, for  many  years,  cleared  and  cultivated 
his  laijd  during  the  summer  seasons  and  spent 
the  winters  in  hauling  lumber.  He  continued 
to  follow  general  farming  until  a  few  years 
ago,  when  he  retired.  Although  he  has  sold 
the  larger  portion  of  his  original  farm  he  still 
owns  fifty-five  acres  of  land,  four  acres  of 
which  is  a  valuable  wood  tract.  Mr.  Tiger 
has  always  kept  well  informed  on  public  mat- 
ters and  has  always  given  his  political  sup- 
port to  the  Democratic  party.  He  has  fre- 
cpiently  served  in  the  ofSee  of  school  director 
in  Canoe  township,  and  also  has  been  town- 
ship  auditor.     For  many  years  he  has  at- 


1264 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


tended  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Jacob  Tiger  married  Barbara  Ann  Smith, 
a  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  Jane  Smith, 
and  they  have  had  the  following  children: 
Clark  Willis,  who  is  now  deceased,  married 
Esther  Ann  Hawk,  of  Canoe  township ;  Mary 
Jane  is  the  wife  of  George  W.  White,  of  Canoe 
township;  Charles  Harvey  married  ^lillie 
Cissney;  Clarence  Erwiu  married  Verdie 
Coy.    All  reside  in  Canoe  township. 

George  Smith,  father  of  Mrs.  Jacob  Tiger, 
was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  and 
was  yet  a  j'oung  man  when  he  settled  in  Canoe 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  his  subse- 
quent life  was  spent  in  farming.  His  death 
occurred  in  1892,  when  he  was  aged  eighty- 
four  years.  He  married  Mary  Jane  White, 
who  was  born  in  North  Mahoning  township, 
and  died  in  Canoe  township  in  1866,  when 
aged  fifty-five  years.  They  had  the  following 
children:  Keziah,  John,  Barbara  A.,  Wil- 
liam, Charles,  Maria,  Jacob,  James,  Rachel, 
Elizabeth,  Clark  and  one  that  died  in  infancy 
unnamed.  Of  these  there  are  four  survivors : 
Barbara  A.,  William,  Maria  and  Jacob. '  The 
parents  of  Mrs.  Tiger  were  buried  in  the 
Union  cemetery,  the  ground  for  burial  pur- 
poses having  been  donated  to  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  for  this  purpose.  They 
were  members  of  that  religious  body.  In 
politics  Mr.  Smith  was  a  Democrat,  but  he 
accepted  only  one  township  office,  that  of 
supervisor. 

SAMUEL  CASKIE  HAZLETT,  farmer  of 
South  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county, 
who  has  lived  at  his  present  home  there  for 
the  long  period  of  forty-three  years,  was  born 
March  11.  1844,  in  Young  township,  this 
county,  son  of  John  C.  Hazlett  and  grandson 
of  James  Hazlett. 

James  Hazlett,  the  grandfather,  was  of 
Scotch-Irish  stock,  and  emigrated  to  this 
country  from  Ireland  in  1791,  settling  first  in 
Easton,  Pa.,  and  later  moving  to  the  southern 
end  of  Indiana  county,  Young  township, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  fife  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing. He  packed  grain  and  eloth  over  the 
Allegheny  mountains  on  horses,  a  distance  of 
eighty  to  one  hundred  miles,  and  returned 
with  "salt  and  other  necessities.  He  died  on 
his  farm  and  was  buried  in  Ebenezer  Church 
cemetery.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  Five  children  were  bom  to 
him  and  his  wife,  IMargaret  (Long),  namely: 
Samuel,  who  lived  and  died  near  Jacksonville, 
Pa.;  Leslie,   who  passed   away  near  Clarks- 


burg; John  C. ;  Nancy  Jane,  who  died  in 
Jacksonville,  the  wife  of  James  Henderson; 
and  Rosanna,  the  wife  of  David  Gibson. 

John  C.  Hazlett,  father  of  Samuel  C.  Haz- 
lett, was  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Hooper  Run, 
in  Young  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  He 
gi-ew  up  in  the  vicinity  of  Jacksonville  and 
had  only  such  advantages  as  the  local  sub- 
scription schools  furnished  in  his  boyhood, 
and  was  reared  to  the  hard  work  of  the  farm. 
After  his  marriage  he  settled  near  Clarksburg, 
and  continued  to  live  at  different  points  until 
the  latter  fifties,  when  he  sold  out  and  came  to 
near  Georgeville,  in  East  ^Mahoning  town- 
ship, taking  charge  of  and  operating  the  Kin- 
ter  farm,  a  tract  of  300  acres,  for  eighteen 
years,  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  then  retired  and  led  a  quiet  life 
until  his  death,  in  1890,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
six  years.  He  was  buried  in  the  Ebenezer 
cemetery.  Mr.  Hazlett  was  a  Republican, 
and  served  as  tax  collector  in  East  IMahoning 
township,  and  as  supervisor  and  member  of 
the  board  of  school  directors  in  Young 
township.  He  was  a  faithful  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  married  near 
Jacksonville  to  Nancy  MeFarland,  who  was 
born  on  the  old  ]\IcFarland  farm  near  that 
point,  in  Young  township,  daughter  of  James 
MeFarland,  and  died  in  1900  on  the  farm. 
She,  too,  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  was  buried  in  the  same  cemetery 
as  her  husband.  They  were  the  parents  of 
thirteen  children,  namely:  Sarah  married 
I.  Dixon,  a  farmer,  and  resides  at  Livermore, 
Pa. ;  James  was  color  bearer  of  Company  C, 
11th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  in  the 
Civil  war,  and  was  jjilled  at  the  Battle  of 
South  Mountain;  John  MeFarland  is  a  resi- 
dent of  North  Mahoning  township  and  fully 
mentioned  elsewhere;  Samuel  Caskie  is  men- 
tioned below;  William  enlisted  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  years  in  the  105th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  serving  three  years  and  eight 
months  in  the  Civil  war.  and  subsequently 
was  the  proprietor  of  a  hotel  and  livery  busi- 
ness at  Edenburg,  Clarion  county,  where  he 
died  in  1897  (he  married  Delia  Waters)  ;  Les- 
lie A.,  who  married  Margaret  Stearns,  lived 
on  the  old  IMcFarland  fann  in  Young  town- 
ship for  eighteen  years  and  there  died; 
Albert,  living  in  West  ]\rahoning  town- 
ship, married  a  Miss  Britton :  Thomas,  a  farm- 
er near  Clarksburg,  in  Young  township,  mar- 
ried Martha  Blakeley;  Robert,  a  farmer  at 
Georgeville,  in  North  ]\Iahoning  township, 
married  Ruth  Goheen ;  George,  unmarried,  is 
farming    in    IMahoning    township ;    Hannah 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1265 


married  Newton  Ainsley,  a  stock  dealer,  of 
West  Liberty,  Iowa;  Ella  married  Harry 
Chambers,  of  Clayville,  Pa. ;  Jane  died  young. 

Samuel  Caskie  Hazlett  began  his  educa- 
tion at  the  Anderson  school  in  the  home  dis- 
trict in  Young  township,  and  later  went  to 
school  at  Jacksonville  under  Barkley  Mcln- 
tire.  He  worked  at  home  with  his  parents  and 
moved  with  them  to  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship, continuing  on  the  paternal  farm  until 
he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  in 
1862,  joining  Company  D,  48th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Colonel  Porter  of 
Indiana  and  Captain  Smith.  He  served  three 
months,  reenlisting  in  August,  1862,  in  Com- 
pany C,  206th  Regiment,  under  Col.  Hugh 
Brady  and  Capt.  C.  Brown,  of  Marchand, 
Pa.,  and  was  out  eleven  months  with  that 
command.  He  received  his  final  discharge 
at  Richmond.  While  helping  to  build  Fort 
Brady  he  had  a  narrow  escape  from  death. 
He  and  another  soldier  were  digging  a  ditch 
when  a  Confederate  shell  passed  over  Mr. 
Hazlett  and  killed  his  comrade,  taking  off 
his  head  and  arm. 

After  his  return  from  the  army  Mr.  Haz- 
lett settled  in  East  Mahoning  township  on  the 
farm  of  his  father-in-law,  John  Hamilton,  a 
tract  of  125  acres  which  he  operated  until 
1869.  In  that  year  he  came  to  his  present 
home,  which  is  in  South  Mahoning  township, 
near  the  East  ^lahoniug  line,  and  consists  of 
140  acres  known  as  the  VanHorn  tract.  Here 
he  has  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  for  the  last  forty-three  years.  He 
has  erected  a  residence,  barn  and  other  build- 
ings, and  has  made  extensive  improvements 
of  all  kinds,  his  property  having  increased 
greatly  in  productiveness  and  value  under 
his  practical  and  intelligent  care.  His  corn 
crops  have  been  notably  good.  Mr.  Hazlett 
has  given  all  his  time  to  his  private  affairs, 
taking  no  part"  in  the  public  life  of  the  com- 
munity except  for  one  term  when  he  served 
as  supervisor  of  his  township.  He  is  inter- 
ested in  politics  as  a  stanch  adherent  of  the 
Republican  party,  is  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  and  belongs  to  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  at  Smyrna,  this 
county.  As  a  neighbor  and  citizen  he  is 
highly  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 

On  May  5,  1868,  Mr.  Hazlett  married  Ann 
L.  Hamilton,  who  was  born  in  East  ilahoning 
township,  daughter  of  John  and  IMartha 
(Hopkins)  Hamilton,  and  granddaughter  of 
David  Hamilton  and  of  John  Hopkins,  both 
of  whose  families  were  among  the  pioneer 
settlers   of   East   Mahoning   township.      Five 


children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haz- 
lett: (1)  Mine  Etta  was  a  teacher  prior  to 
her  marriage  to  Harry  Coleman  Niel,  and  they 
reside  in  Young  township.  They  have  eight 
children,  Laura  Zoe  (a  teacher).  Bertha  Bell 
(a  teacher),  John  R.,  Quinn,  Milton,  Annie, 
Rebecca  and  Hamilton.  (2)Wilda  is  de- 
ceased. (3) Frank,  who  is  on  the  homestead, 
married  Verna  Smead  (daughter  of  Thomas 
Smead,  who  died  in  1910)  and  has  one  child, 
ileade.  (4)  Mabel  married  John  Grove,  of 
Puuxsutawney.  (5)  Lottie  C.  attended  the 
State  normal  school  at  Indiana,  and  died  Oct. 
28,  1906. 

EMERSON  R.  CARNEY,  a  farmer  of 
Pine  township,  was  born  in  what  is  now  Buf- 
fington  (then  a  portion  of  'Pine)  township, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  March  20,  1853,  son  of 
Samuel  Carney,  and  grandson  of  James 
Carney. 

James  Carney  lived  in  Pine  and  Buffing- 
ton  townships,  dying  in  the  latter  when  he 
was  sixty  years  of  age.  He  was  a  farmer  all 
of  his  active  life.  His  wife  was  born  in  White 
township,  Indiana  county,  and  died  aged 
eighty-eight  years.  Their  children  were: 
James,  Hamilton,  Thompson,  Samuel  and 
Julia  Ann.    . 

Samuel  Carney  was  born  in  Pine  township. 
Early  in  life  he  worked  in  the  mines,  but 
later  on  became  a  farmer  in  Buffington  and 
Pine  townships,  owning  a  property  of  103 
acres  in  the  former  township.  During  the 
Civil  war  he  served  as  a  soldier,  enlisting  in 
Company  G,  206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  was  in  the  army  for  a  year,  or 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  His  death  occurred 
in  Buffington  township  when  he  was  seventy 
years  old,  and  he  is  buried  in  the  cemetery 
in  that  township.  Samuel  Carney  married 
Ellen  IMoke,  who  was  born  in  Germany  and 
was  brought  to  the  United  States  when  five 
years  old.  Her  death  occurred  in  Buffington 
township  when  she  was  seventy-five  years  old. 
She  is  buried  in  the  new  cemetery  at  Strongs- 
town.  Her  mother,  a  native  of  Germany, 
died  in  Westmoreland  county,  when  ninety- 
four  years  old.  Children  as  follows  were  born 
to  Samuel  Carney  and  his  wife:  Sarah  Jane, 
born  March  2,  1847;  William  A.,  born  April 
15,  1849 ;  Alexander,  born  April  8,  1851 ;  Em- 
erson R. ;  and  two  who  are  deceased,  Charles 
W.  and  Samuel  E. 

Emerson  R.  Carney  was  sent  to  the  public 
schools  of  his  township,  and  at  the  same  time 
was  taught  to  make  himself  useful  on  the 
homestead.    He  also  learned  to  make  shingles 


1266 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  was  engaged  at  this  line  of  work,  in  eon- 
junction  with  farming  in  Buffiugton  town- 
ship, until  he  came  to  his  present  property 
in  the  fall  of  1S75,  settling  on  it  on  Nov.  9th. 
This  farm  is  in  Pine  township,  near  Strongs- 
town,  and  comprises  forty-eight  acres.  In  ad- 
dition Mr.  Carney  owns  the  homestead  in 
Buffington  of  103  acres,  and  forty-two  addi- 
tional acres  in  Pine  township.  He  continues 
his  farming  operations  and  is  one  of  the  suc- 
cessful men  of  his  district.  A  Democrat,  he 
has  served  as  township  clerk  for  one  year, 
constable  for  six  years  and  overseer  of  the 
poor  for  three  years. 

On  March  12,  1874,  Mr.  Carney  married 
Nancv  M.  Strong,  a  daughter  of  Moses  Strong, 
of  Strongstown,  born  Feb.  23,  1857.  The 
town  was  named  for  the  Strong  family.  ]\Ir. 
and  Mrs.  Carney  have  had  the  following 
children:  Frank  A.,  born  Dec.  25,  1875,  mar- 
ried Linie  Rhoads,  of  Strongstown,  Pa. ; 
Emma  B.,  born  Sept.  25,  1878,  married  Bert 
Adams :  Bertha  K.,  born  Oct.  29,  1884,  mar- 
ried Victor  Graham;  and  Merritt  B.,  born 
Feb.  17,  1894,  is  at  home. 

CAPT.  EVEN  LEWIS,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war,  residing  at  Smicksburg,  Pa.,  was 
born  Feb.  21,  1829,  in  West  IMahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  son  of  Samuel  and  Abi- 
gail   (Hallowell)   Lewis. 

David  Lewis,  father  of  Samuel  Lewis,  had 
the  following  children:  Joseph,  Evan.  Rob- 
ert, John  D..  Sarah,  Josiah,  Nancy,  Elizabeth, 
Samuel,  David,  George  and  IVIargaret. 

Samuel  Lewis,  son  of  David  Lewis,  was  born 
in  Blair  county.  Pa.,  and  came  to  Indiana 
county.  Pa.,  settling  in  West  Mahoning 
township,  where  he  died  in  1831.  His  chil- 
dren were  as  follows :  Mary,  who  is  deceased ; 
Even:  Elizabeth  and  flattie,  twins,  the  for- 
mer dying  and  the  latter  marrying  Samuel 
G.  Smith  and  living  near  Johnstown,  Pa. 
After  the  death  of  Samuel  Lewis,  his  widow 
married  David  Smouse,  and  their  children 
were :  Nancy,  who  married  Paul  Smith  and 
lives  in  Clarion  county.  Pa.;  Sophia  and 
Thomas,  twins;  Susan,  who  is  deceased; 
David  and  Abbie,  twins.  Of  these  children, 
Thomas  died  in  childhood ;  his  twin  sister. 
Sophia,  married  M.  B.  Hogue,  of  Pittsburg. 
Pa. ;  David,  who  is  living  in  Cambria  countJ^ 
Pa.,  married  a  Miss  McCollough. 

David  Smouse  lived  in  West  Mahoning 
township.  Prior  to  his  marriage  with  Mrs. 
Lewis  he  was  a  farm  laborer.  Mrs.  Smouse 
lived  to  be  seventy-five  years  old. 


Capt.  Even  Lewis,  son  of  Samuel  Lewis, 
attended  local  schools  to  a  limited  extent, 
and  spent  one  summer  at  an  old  academy  in 
Indiana,  while  Thomas  ilorgan  was  a  teacher 
of  the  institution.  Upon  the  death  of  his 
father,  when  he  was  but  two  years  old,  he 
was  taken  by  his  grandfather  Hallowell.  and 
remained  with  him  until  he  attained  his 
majority,  learning  how  to  work  to  some  pur- 
pose. After  beginning  life  for  himself  Cap- 
tain Lewis  was  a  charcoal  burner  for  a  time, 
and  then  marrying  he  settled  on  a  farm  two 
miles  east  of  Smicksburg,  which  was  heavily 
wooded.  A  tornado  in  1860  destroyed  the 
greater  part  of  the  timber  and  the  buildings 
he  had  erected.  Not  discouraged,  however. 
Captain  Lewis  cleared  away  the  broken  tim- 
ber and  built  a  log  cabin,  and  began  anew 
the  work  of  redeeming  his  land.  At  first  his 
holdings  consisted  of  eighty-four  acres,  but 
he  added  to  his  farm  until  he  had  131  acres, 
all  well  improved,  when,  in  1897,  he  moved 
to  Smicksburg,  which  has  since  been  his  place 
of  residence.  For  six  years  he  was  postmaster 
at  Smicksburg,  and  for  ten  years  held  the 
office  of  .school  director,  while  he  also  served 
in  other  capacities.  Originally  a  Whig,  he 
later  became  a  Republican.  In  addition  to 
his  other  lines  of  endeavor,  for  the  past  sixty 
years,  Mr.  Lewis  has  worked  as  a  stonemason 
when  there'was  a  demand  for  his  services. 

Like  so  many  of  the  older  generation.  Cap- 
tain Lewis  has  a  very  interesting  war  record, 
having  enlisted  on  Aug.  27.  1861,  in  Company 
A,  7Sth  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  at 
Camp  Orr,  Kittanning,  Pa. ;  he  was  made 
second  sergeant.  The  regiment  was  sent  to 
Louisville,  Ky.,  and  he  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Nashville;  La  Vergne.  Oct.  2.  1862: 
Stone  River.  Dec.  31,  1862,  and  Jan.  1,  1863 ; 
Hoover's  Gap,  June  24,  1863;  Tullahoma. 
July  1,  1863;  Dug  Alpine,  Sept.  11.  1863: 
Chickamauga.  Sept.  19,  1863:  Chattanooga. 
Nov.  23.  1863;  Lookout  Mountain,  Nov.  24. 
1863 ;  ]\Iissionary  Ridge,  Nov.  25.  1863 :  Rocky 
Face  Ridge  including  Tunnel  Hill.  'Mill 
Creek.  Buzzard's  Roost  and  Snake  Creek 
Gap;  Dalton,  Mav  5  to  9.  1864:  Resaca.  May 
13,  1864;  Adamsville,  May  17.  1864;  Dallas, 
Ga.,  also  called  New  Hope  Church;  Burnt 
Hickory;  Pumpkin  Vine  Creek;  AUatoona 
Hills ;  Kenesaw  Mountain.  June  9  to  30 :  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  July  20,  1864;  Atlanta.  July  22. 
1864,  and  Pulaski,  in  September,  1864,  receiv- 
ing his  honorable  discharge  Nov.  4.  1864.  For 
three  months  over  one  year  he  served  as 
second  lieutenant.  After  his  return  he  served 
as    captain    in    the    Penn.sylvania    National 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1267 


Guard  for  six  years.  For  years  'Oaptain 
Lewis  belonged  to  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Plum- 
ville,  Pa.,  having  been  its  first  commander. 
At  present  he  belongs  to  the  Veterans '  Society 
at  Smieksbiirg,  as  well  as  the  Veteran  Legion. 
Camp  No.  29,  organized  at  Smicksburg.  Since 
1850  he  has  belonged  to  the  Baptist  Church 
and  is  active  in  its  good  work. 

In  1851  Captain  Lewis  was  married  to 
Catherine  Keel,  of  Canoe  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Jacob  Keel,  a  Baptist 
minister,  who  was  born  in  Westmoreland 
countj'.  Pa.,  but  later  located  at  Plumville, 
Pa.,  and  still  later  lived  in  Canoe  township, 
this  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  in 
addition  to  his  ministerial  work.  His  death 
occurred  in  South  Mahoning  township.  He 
was  a  well-known  man  in  both  Indiana  and 
Jefferson  counties.  By  this  marriage  Cap- 
tain Lewis  had  children  as  follows :  Elizabeth 
married  J.  H.  Colkett,  and  both  are  deceased ; 
Cj^rena  is  deceased ;  Jane  D.  married  James 
Stiteler,  of  Nebraska ;  Milton  K.,  who  is  a 
stonemason,  of  Smicksburg,  Pa.,  married 
Edith  McCurdy;  Addie  A.  married  William 
Stiteler  and  (second)  George  Irwin,  of 
Smicksburg;  James  N.,  who  is  a  carpenter  of 
Smicksburg,  married  ^linnie  Dinkle ;  John 
Newton,  who  is  a  stonemason  and  bricklayer 
as  well  as  cement  conti'actor  of  Smicksburg, 
married  Lulu  De  Lancey ;  Elmer  arid  Eleanor 
are  twins;  the  former  married  Clara  Stiteler 
and  lives  in  Oregon ;  the  latter  married 
Charles  McCurdy  and  (second)  George  Min- 
nick,  of  Porter  township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa. ; 
Margaret  died  in  infancy ;  Susanna  May  mar- 
ried Homer  Hillbury,  of  Plumville,  Pa. ;  Mol- 
lie  died  in  infancy;  Myrtle  Edith  married 
George  Miller,  of  Johnstown,  Pa.  The  mother 
of  this  famil.y  died  in  1889,  aged  fifty-four 
years.  The  second  wife  of  Captain  Lewis 
was  Sarah  R.  Neff,  of  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship, daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  Jane 
Neff.  i\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Neff  were  early  settlers 
of  South  Mahoning  township,  coming  from 
eastern  Pennsylvania;  he  was  a  farmer,  and 
died  when  ninety-three  years  old,  his  widow 
surviving  until  she  was  ninety-four  years 
old.  Four  years  after  marriage  Mrs.  Sarah 
R.  Lewis  died,,  and  Captain  Lewis  subse- 
quently married  Lydia  Work  Lewis,  of  South 
Mahoning  township,  a  daughter  of  Ephraim 
Lewis,  a  ,iu.stice  of  the  peace  for  over  thirty 
years  in  South  Mahoning  township;  the 
maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Farnsworth. 
His  parents  settled  in  Indiana  county  when 
the  four  Mahoning  townships  were  "in  one, 
and  they  had  only  one  voting  place.     The 


pioneer  of  the  family  built  the  '"Stone 
House"  now  occupied  by  John  B.  McCormick 
in  West  Mahoning  township,  and  was  a  man 
well  and  favorably  known  in  this  locality. 
Ephraim  Lewis  and  his  wife  spent  their  lives 
in  South  Mahoning  township  in  the  house  now 
occupied  by  his  son  Enoch  Lewis.  He  was 
a  man  whose  probity  was  unquestioned  and 
he  had  many  friends  in  his  neighborhood. 
Mrs.  Lvdia  W.  (Lewis)  Lewis  died  in  Jan- 
uary, 1902. 

Captain  Lewis  is  one  of  the  best  examples 
of  the  high  type  of  American  citizenship 
Indiana  county  possesses.  True  and  tried, 
he  proved  his  patriotism  beyond  any  question 
on  the  battlefield  and  in  private  life,  and  al- 
though now  somewhat  advanced  in  years  can 
still  be  counted  upon  whenever  his  services 
are  needed. 

JESSE  BENTON  WALTEMIRE,  a  farmer 
of  Pine  township,  was  born  in  Cherryhill 
township,  this  county,  Nov.  17,  1869,  son  of 
John  A.  Waltemire,  grandson  of  George 
Waltemire  and  great-grandson  of  John  Wal- 
temire. 

John  Waltemire  was  a  native  of  eastern 
Pennsylvania,  and  moved  with  his  family  to 
Indiana  county,  settling  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, where  he  purchased  land.  Until  his 
death  he  operated  this  property,  his  youngest 
son  succeeding  him  in  its  ownership.  Seven 
of  his  nine  sons  served  in  the  Civil  war,  tliey 
being  Charles,  Adam,  Jacob,  Henry,  George, 
Daniel  (2)  and  William.  The  others  were 
Daniel,  the  eldest,  and  John,  the  youngest. 

George  Waltemire,  son  of  John  Waltemire, 
was  born  after  the  family  migrated  to  Indiana 
county,  and  when  he  reached  mature  years 
went  to  Pine  township,  where  he  carried  on 
agricultural  pursuits  for  many  years.  After 
the  expiration  of  his  three  years'  enlistment 
for  service  in  the  Civil  war  he  reenlisted,  for 
another  three  years,  but  was  mustered  out  at 
the  close  of  the  war. 

George  Waltemire  married  Matilda  Fetter- 
man,  a  daughter  of  Philip  Fetterman,  and 
their  children  were  :  Lydia  died  in  childhood  ; 
John  A.  became  the  father  of  Jesse  Benton ; 
Caroline  married  Miles  Fetterman ;  Elizabeth 
died  in  childhood  ;  William  is  living  in  Cherry- 
hill township ;  Nancy  married  Luther  Buter- 
baugh ;  Frank  is  living  on  the  old  John  Walte- 
mire farm  in  Cherryhill  township.  The  death 
of  George  Waltemire  occurred  in  Pine  town- 
ship when  he  was  seventy  years  of  age,  and 
his  remains  were  interred  in  Mt.  Zion  ceme- 
tery, that  township. 


1268 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


John  A.  Waltemire,  son  of  George  Walte- 
mire,  was  born  in  Indiana  county  Feb.  20, 
1848.  For  a  number  of  years  he  farmed  for 
others,  first  for  a  l\Ir.  Huston,  above  Huston- 
ville  in  Cherryhill  township.  Leaving  him, 
Mr.  Waltemire  went  to  the  vicinity  of  Heil- 
wood,  where  he  remained  for  a  period,  and 
then  locating  at  Twoliek  spent  four  years  and 
six  months  there.  Following  this  he  came  to 
Pine  township  and  bought  124  acres  of  land 
now  the  pi-operty  of  his  son  Jesse  Benton 
Waltemire.  For  many  years  he  operated  this 
farm,  and  on  retiring  moved  to  Indiana  city. 
where  he  became  the  janitor  of  the  East  End 
public  school,  retaining  that  position  for  two 
years.  His  death  occurred  Dec.  6,  1905,  and 
he  was  buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery,  at 
Indiana. 

On  Aug.  6,  1868,  John  A.  Waltemire  mar- 
ried Susan  Rairigh,  a  daughter  of  Peter  Rai- 
righ,  and  they  had  children  as  follows :  Jlinnie, 
who  married  James  Calhoun  of  Creekside; 
Venona,  who  married  H.  S.  Buchanan,  of 
Indiana,  Pa. ;  Griffith,  of  Heilwood;  and  Jesse 
Benton. 

Jesse  Benton  Waltemire  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Pine  township  and  was  reared 
to  healthy  young  manhood  on  the  farm.  For 
some  years  he  was  in  his  father's  employ, 
working  on  the  homestead,  which  is  located 
two  miles  west  of  Heilwood  and  recognized 
as  being  one  of  the  best  agricultural  prop- 
erties in  that  section.  Since  coming  into 
possession  of  the  farm  Mr.  Waltemire  has 
built  a  new  residence  and  barn  according  to 
modern  ideas  and  plans.  The  property  is 
heavily  underlaid  with  coal,  which  his  father 
sold  to  the  Heilwood  Company.  In  addition 
to  general  farming  Mr.  Waltemire  is  now  en- 
gaged as  a  breeder  of  fine  horses,  owning  a 
valuable  stallion  now  two  years  old,  named 
Max  Black  "Perclim."  This  stallion  weighs 
1,300  pounds  and  is  of  registered  stock. 

]Mr.  Waltemire  was  married  to  Ellen  Bow- 
ers, a  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Miriam 
(Steffy)  Bowers,  of  Pine  township,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  the  following  family :  John 
A.,  Alice  and  J.  Blaine. 

While  Mr.  Waltemire  has  never  been  will- 
ing to  take  any  active  part  in  politics,  he  is 
a  Republican  in  belief.  The  family  attend 
the  Methodist  Church  and  are  faithful  mem- 
bers of  that  denominatiou.  An  excellent 
farmer  and  progressive  business  man,  Mr. 
Waltemire  has  not  only  succeeded  in  better- 
ing his  own  condition,  but  has  advanced  his 
community  very  materially  and  is  .iustly  re- 


garded as  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of 
Pine  township. 

STAHL.  The  Stahl  family  is  numbered 
among  the  representatives  of  good  government 
and  desirable  citizenship  in  Indiana  county, 
and  has  a  very  interesting  record. 

Peter  Stahl,  the  American  founder  of  the 
family,  is  recorded  as  of  German  birth.  He 
came  from  his  native  land  when  still  a  young 
man  to  the  United  States,  and  located  in  Nit- 
tany  Valley,  Center  Co.,  Pa.  Later  on  in  life 
he  moved  to  Indiana  county,  being  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  what  is  now  Rayue  town- 
ship. Still  later  he  pushed  further  west  to 
the  State  of  Indiana,  where  he  passed  away 
at  an  advanced  age.  His  family  was  as  fol- 
lows: John,  Peter,  Isaac,  George,  Elias,  Wil- 
liam, Reuben,  Samuel,  Catherine  and  Fannie. 
Although  but  little  has  come  down  to  his 
descendants  regarding  Peter  Stahl,  it  is  known 
that  he  was  a  man  of  energy  and  thrifty 
habits,  who  had  faith  in  the  development  of 
new  sections  of  the  country,  and  took  ad- 
vantage of  the  opportunities  offered  the 
pioneers  of  any  locality.  By  braving  the 
hardships  of  pioneer  life  he  was  able  to  se- 
cure government  land,  and  became  a  man  of 
affluence. 

Samuel  Stahl,  son  of  Peter  Stahl,  was  born 
in  Center  county,  Pa.,  and  came  with  his 
father  to  Indiana  county.  His  farming  oper- 
ations, which  were  on  a  somewhat  extensive 
scale,  were  conducted  in  Rayne,  Cherryhill 
and  Pine  townships,  and  he  died  upon  his 
property  of  eighty-two  acres  in  Cherryhill 
township  when  he  was  seventy-two  years  old. 
His  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  Lutheran 
graveyard  in  Brushvalley. 

Samuel  Stahl  married  Elizabeth  Bence,  a 
daughter  of  John  Bence,  and  she  passed  away 
in  1855,  leaving  five  children:  Susanna,  who 
married  Caleb  Snyder;  Mary,  who  married 
J.  D.  Spicher;  Catherine,  who  married  Dan 
Spicher,  a  brother  of  J.  D.  Spicher;  William 
B.,  who  is  a  contractor  of  Indiana.  Pa.;  and 
Samuel  R. 

After  the  death  of  liis  first  wife  Samuel 
Stahl  married  (second)  Nancy  Coy,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  Co.y,  and  by  this  union  he  had 
seven  children:  Sarah,  who  married  John 
Dick;  Nancy,  who  married  Shemp  Gressley; 
Rachel,  who  married  Henry  Coy :  Ida,  who 
married  Stanerd  Loughry :  Peter,  who  is  liv- 
ing in  Wisconsin;  John,  who  is  living  at 
Homer  City,  Pa. :  and  A<lam,  living  at  Cly- 
mer.  Pennsvlvania. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1269 


Samuel  R.  Stahl,  a  farmer  of  Pine  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  was  born  in  Rayne 
township  Dec.  13,  1853,  son  of  Samuel  Stahl, 
mentioned  above.  Growing  up  amid  the 
healthy  and  sensible  rural  surroundings  of 
a  faxm,  he  attended  the  schools  of  his  district 
during  the  winter  months,  and  made  himself 
useful  to  his  father  in  the  summertime.  He 
continued  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty- 
two  years  old,  and  then  began  lumbering  in 
Green  township  during  the  winter,  continu- 
ing agricultural  operations  in  the  summer  for 
a  period  of  twenty  years.  By  that  time  his 
farming  interests  had  grown  so  large  that 
he  retired  from  lumbering  to  devote  all  his 
time  to  them.  Buying  a  farm  in  Cherryhill 
township  of  117  acres,  he  conducted  it  so  suc- 
cessfully that  he  added  to  his  holdings  until 
he  now  owns  231  acres  there.  This  property 
had  been  his  home  for  a  quarter  of  century 
when  he  retired  to  Heilwood,  in  Pine  town- 
ship. Following  this  he  purchased  another 
farm  of  144  acres,  but  later  sold  it  to  the 
Heilwood  Company,  and  in  1910  bought  his 
present  farm  in  Pine  township,  consisting  of 
seventy-seven  acres,  upon  which  he  is  now 
living,  renting  his  Cherryhill  farm.  He 
operates  his  Pine  township  property  him- 
self with  very  gratifying  results,  for  he  un- 
derstands his  business  thoroughly,  and  in  hi.5 
successful  methods  sets  an  example  to  his 
neighbors. 

Samuel  R.  Stahl  married  Maggie  Rhodes. 
a  daughter  of  David  and  Ann  (Duncan) 
Rhodes,  and  she  died  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  years,  leaving  one  child,  Harry  D.,  of 
Pine  township.  After  her  death  Mr.  Stahl 
married  (second)  Nancy  Olive  Homes,  a 
(laugliter  of  George  and  Elvina  (Dinwiddle 
or  Dinwiddy)  Homes,  and  she  died  in  1891, 
the  mother  of  five  children :  Blanche,  who 
married  Frank  Coy;  Clair;  Ward;  Spear; 
and  Royal,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Stahl 
married  (third)  Hannah  Highfield,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Reed  and  Jane  (Barr)  Highfield,  and 
they  have  eight  childi-en :  John,  Rosie,  Goldie, 
Earl,  Esther  Ruth,  Ha,  Vernie  and  Murray. 
A  strong  Republican,  Mr.  Stahl  has  been 
called  upon  to  serve  his  township  as  super- 
visor of  Pine  township  for  four  years,  and 
prior  to  that  held  the  same  office  for  six 
years  in  Cherryhill  township.  The  family 
belong  to  the  Lutheran  Church,  to  which  Mr. 
Stahl  gives  hearty  and  earnest  support.  Dur- 
ing his  iiseful  life  he  has  always  favored  those 
movements  which  he  deemed  had  for  their 
object  the  advancement  of  his  section,  or  the 
bringing  about  of  needed  reforms.     Having 


succeeded  in  his  endeavors,  he  is  often  called 
upon  for  advice,  and  his  example  is  followed 
by  many  who  are  less  experienced  in  agricul- 
tural matters. 

Harry  D.  Stahl,  a  farmer  of  Pine  town- 
ship, who  is  also  engaged  in  teaming  for  the 
Heilwood  Company,  was  born  in  Cherryhill 
township  Oct.  13,  1877,  son  of  Samuel  R. 
Stahl.  He  attended  the  excellent  schools  of 
his  native  township,  and  at  the  same  time 
learned  farming  in  all  its  details  from  his 
father,  with  whom  he  remained  until  attain- 
ing his  majority.  At  that  time  he  went  to 
Vandergi-ift,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  and  for 
five  years  was  a  boss  buckler  in  the  steel  mills 
at  that  point,  proving  his  value  as  a  man 
and  developing  into  a  desirable  citizen. 
When  he  was  twenty-six  years  old  he  decided 
to  i-eturn  to  the  soil,  and  located  two  miles 
to  the  south  of  Heilwood,  Pa.,  in  Pine  town- 
ship, upon  a  fifty-one-acre  farm,  belonging 
to  Jackson  Lemmon.  At  the  same  time  he 
engaged  with  the  Heilwood  Company  to  do 
their  teaming  and  hauling  in  his  neighbor- 
hood, aaid  still  continues  that  connection  to 
the  satisfaction  of  all  parties,  for  he  is  reliable 
and  trustworthy,  and  can  follow  this  line  of 
business  along  with  his  farming. 

On  June  27,  1906,  Mr.  Stahl  was  married 
to  Vianna  Lemmon,  a  daughter  of  Jackson 
and  Isabella  (Allison)  Lemmon.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Stahl  have  had  four  children:  Isabella 
and  John,  who  died  in  infancy;  Roy  Ward, 
and  Harry  Carl. 

In  political  belief  Mr.  Stahl,  like  his  father, 
is  a  Republican,  but  as  yet  has  not  found 
opportunity  to  serve  his  community  in  a  pub- 
lic capacity,  his  time  being  fully  occupied 
with  his  private  "affairs.  The  Greenville  Pres- 
byterian Church  holds  his  membership  and 
benefits  by  his  generosity.  Although  still  a 
young  man,  Mr.  Stahl  has  made  his  worth 
felt,  and  is  justly  recognized  as  one  of  the 
leading  men  and  successful  agi-ieulturists  of 
Pine  township. 

Lemmon.  The  Lemmon  family  originated 
in  Ireland,  and  its  present-day  members  have 
inherited  many  of  the  brilliant  characteris- 
tics of  the  sons  of  Erin  which  have  placed 
them  in  leading  positions  throughout  the 
country.  Those  of  this  family  living  in  Penn- 
sylvania are  proud  of  the  fact  that  they  are 
of  Irish  stock. 

John  Lemmon,  the  founder  of  the  Lemmon 
family  in  America,  was  born  in  Ireland,  came 
to  the  United  States  when  still  a  young  man, 
and  settling  in  Pine  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  began  clearing  off  a  tract  of  land.     At 


1270 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


that  time  this  part  of  Indiana  county  was 
in  the  wildei-ness,  and  the  pioneers  had  to  be 
hardj'  indeed  to  survive  and  prosper  under 
so  many  hardships.  Upon  this  land  John 
Lemmon  built  a  log  cabin  near  the  present 
farm  of  Harry  D.  Stahl,  whose  wife  is  John 
Lemmon 's  granddaughter.  Later,  as  the 
needs  of  his  family  increased,  Mr.  Lemmon 
built  a  second  log  cabin,  and  there  he  died. 
Coming  of  sturdy  stock,  he  enjoyed  hard 
work  and  did  not  shirk  any  duties  laid  upon 
him  by  the  pioneer  surroundings.  He  mar- 
ried Margaret  Graham,  and  these  children 
were  born  to  them:  Solomon,  John,  James, 
William,  Henry,  Jackson,  Jonathan,  Jacob, 
Sarah  Jane  and  Delia. 

Jackson  Lemmon,  son  of  John  Lemmon, 
and  father  of  Mrs.  Stahl,  was  born  in  the  sec- 
ond log  cabin  built  by  his  father,  in  Pine 
township.  His  educational  training  was  se- 
cured in  the  local  schools,  which  were  crude 
affairs  at  that  time.  However,  although  the 
advantages  were  few,  the  children  attending 
them  learned  thoroughly  what  was  taught 
them,  and  later  developed  into  a  fine  class  of 
men  and  women.  As  soon  as  old  enough 
Jackson  Lemmon  began  learning  the  car- 
penter 's  trade,  and  followed  that  line  of  work 
for  many  years,  building  many  of  the  most 
substantial  dwellings  and  barns  in  his  neigh- 
borhood. For  this  and  other  reasons  he  be- 
came a  well-known  man,  and  always  held  the 
confidence  and  deepest  respect  of  all  who 
knew  him. 

Jackson  Lemmon  married  Isabella  Allison, 
who  survives  him,  making  her  home  in  Pine 
township.  They  became  the  parents  of  the 
following  children :  John,  who  died  in  his 
third  vear;  and  Vianna.  who  is  Mrs.  Harry 
D.  Stahl. 

Like  the  other  members  of  his  family,  Mr. 
Lemmon  was  a  Republican,  but  did  not  desire 
ofSce,  believing  he  could  accomplish  more  as 
a  private  citizen  than  in  public  life.  For 
many  years  he  was  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  died  in  that  faith 
Marcli  31,  1905.  His  remains  were  tenderly 
laid  to  rest  in  the  old  Harmony  cemetery  in 
Cherr.vhill  township,  Indiana   county. 

Jackson  Lemmon  had  a  very  interesting 
war  record,  for  he  was  one  of  the  men  who 
volunteered  during  the  Civil  war  as  soldiers 
to  fight  in  defense  of  the  Union.  He  enlisted 
Sept.  19,  1861,  in  Company  F,  55th  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  and  reenlisted  in 
the  same  company  on  Jan.  1,  1864,  serving 
until  the  <-lose  of  hostilities.  He  participated 
in    the    following    battles:      Edisto    Island, 


March  29,  1862;  Pocotaligo,  Oct.  22,  1862; 
Old  Town  Creek,  :May  9,  1864;  Proctor's 
Creek,  May  13,  1864;  Drury's  Bluff,  May  14- 
16,  1864;  Foster's  Plantation,  May  19,  1864; 
Cold  Harbor,  June  1,  1864;  Petersburg,  June 
15-18,  1864;  Cemetery  Hill,  July  30,  1864; 
Chapin's  Farm,  Sept.  29,  1864;  Signal  Hill, 
Dec.  10,  1864;  Hatcher's  Run,  March  30- 
Api-il  2,  1865 ;  capture  of  Petersburg  ■  and 
Richmond,  April  2-9,  1865;  Rieves  Station, 
April  6,  1865 ;  and  Appomattox  Court  House, 
April  9,  1865,  being  mustered  out  after  a  long 
and  gallant  service,  Aug.  30,  1865.  Few  sol- 
diers saw  harder  service  or  were  braver  than 
he,  for  he  never  neglected  a  duty  or  shrank 
from  dangerous  positions,  and  he  was  honored 
accordingly  during  the  remainder  of  his  use- 
ful life. 

JOHN  E.  DOUGLASS,  who  has  occupied 
his  fine  farm  of  160  acres  in  Green  township 
since  1903,  is  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Mc- 
Kissick)  Douglass,  and  a  grandson  of  Barn- 
abas Douglass.  The  grandparents  were  na- 
tives of  Ireland.  Upon  coming  to  America 
they  first  settled  in  Philadelphia,  later  mov- 
ing to  Cambria  county,  Pa.,  where  they  re- 
mained about  eighteen  years.  At  the  end  of 
that  time  the  family  came  to  Indiana  county, 
purchasing  a  large  tract  of  land,  where  Barna- 
bas Douglass  continued  to  reside  until  his 
death.  He  had  a  family  of  five  children,  all 
now  deceased. 

William  Douglass,  father  of  John  E.  Doug- 
lass, was  born  in  1808  in  Cambria  county. 
Pa.,  came  to  Indiana  county  with  his  parents, 
and  after  the  death  of  his  father  continued  to 
farm  on  the  place  where  the  family  had  set- 
tled until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1886. 
He  married  Mary  McKissick,  a  native  of  Indi- 
ana county,  daughter  of  Thomas  ^IcKissick, 
who  was  born  in  Scotland  and  on  coming  to 
America  settled  in  Indiana  county.  Pa., 
where  he  bought  laud  in  Green  township  and 
farmed  until  his  death.  Mrs.  Mary  (Mc- 
Kissick) Douglass  died  in  1865,  on  the  old 
Douglass  homestead.  She  and  her  husband 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  the  eldest 
being  Jonathan,  a  resident  of  Green  town- 
ship, this  county;  William  is  deceased; 
Jlartha  is  deceased;  Barnabas  lives  in  Green 
township;  Thomas  E.  is  deceased;  Joseph  is 
deceased;  John  E.  is  mentioned  below;  Sadie 
is  the  wife  of  John  Baker,  of  Cambria  county, 
Pa. ;  Thaddeus  lives  in  Montgomery  township, 
this  county. 

John  E.  Douglass  was  born  Jan.  13,  1852, 
and  received  his  education   in   the  common 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


schools  of  Green  township.  He  has  always 
been  accustomed  to  farming,  remaining  on 
the  old  home  place  until  after  his  marriage, 
when  he  bought  a  farm  in  C4reen  township 
upon  which  he  remained  for  twenty-eight 
years,  carrying  on  general  farming.  From 
there  he  came  to  his  present  place,  in  1903, 
having  a  fine  tract  of  168  acres  devoted  to 
general  agricultural  work  and  stock  raising. 
He  has  given  practically  all  his  time  and  at- 
tention to  the  operation  of  this  place,  which 
he  is  cultivating  profitably,  but  he  has  served 
his  fellow  citizens  in  the  capacity  of  school 
director.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

In  1873  Mr.  Douglass  married  Drusilla 
Garman,  who  was  born  in  Cambria  county, 
Pa.,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Lucinda  (Dunkle) 
Garman,  natives  of  Indiana  county,  both  of 
whom  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  Garman  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation.  Mrs.  Douglass  was 
one  of  seven  children  born  to  her  parents, 
viz. :  Sadie,  a  resident  of  Chen-ytree ;  Eliz- 
abeth, deceased;  Daniel,  a  resident  of  Cam- 
bria county;  Mary  Jane,  deceased,  who  was 
the  wife  of  Andrew  Trout;  Drusilla,  Mrs. 
Douglass ;  Frank,  a  resident  of  Tyrone,  Pa. ; 
and  Elmira,  deceased.  By  his  second  mar- 
riage Peter  Garman  had  six  children:  ]Mal- 
vina,  wife  of  Charles  Riddle;  Etta,  wife  of 
John  Daugherty,  of  Indiana;  Emma,  ^^afe 
of  Harvey  Kirkendolph,  of  Spokane,  Wash. ; 
Harry,  a  resident  of  Jeannette,  Pa.;  Treet, 
wife  of  Dr.  Charles  Burham,  a  resident  of 
Jeannette,    Pa. ;    and   another   daughter. 

Eight  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Douglass :  Harry,  who  lives  at  Dallas, 
Oi-egon,  married  Mae  Griffith,  of  Indiana 
county,  and  they  have  six  children,  Blair, 
Velma,  Gay,  Beulah,  Drusilla  J.  and  Mildred 
M.  Guy,  a  resident  of  Potter  county,  Pa., 
married  Cora  Stackweather,  and  they  have 
one  child,  Linus;  he  had  three  children  b.v 
his  first  wife,  Cora  Mahan,  Loy,  Drusilla  and 
Dora.  Sadie  is  the  wife  of  John  Crumley, 
of  Montgomery  township,  this  county,  and 
they  have  ten  children,  Edgar,  Cecil,  Flay, 
John,  Elsie  Mae,  Hope,  Elizabeth,  Guy,  Loy 
and  Roy.  Peter  is  living  at  home.  Stanley, 
living  in  Green  township,  married  Elsie 
Lloyd,  of  Indiana  county,  and  their  four 
children  are  Kenneth,  Gideon,  Gay  and  Lil- 
lian. Barnabas  M.,  living  in  Green  township, 
married  Lucy  McDonald,  of  Indiana  county, 
and  the.y  have  five  children,  Loletta,  Sheldon, 
David,  Harlie  and  Martha.  Zoella  is  the 
wife  of  Marvin  Sommerville,  a  resident  of 
Cherrytree,  Pa.,  and  they  have  two  children, 
Martha  and  John   E.     Charles  is  living  at 


home.     The  parents  of  this  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  of  God  at  Pine  Grove. 

LEWIS  S.  WISSINGER,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war,  now  living  in  White  township, 
Indiana  county,  is  a  member  of  a  family 
which  has  been  established  in  Pennsylvania 
since  the  time  of  the  Revolution.  His  grand- 
father, Ludwig  Wissinger,  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, served  three  years  in  Washington's 
army  during  that  war.  He  married  and  lo- 
cated in  Cambria  county,  Pa.,  where  he  fol- 
lowed farming,  and  subsequently  lived  in 
Somerset  county,  this  State,  where  he  died. 

David  Wissinger,  son  of  Ludwig,  was  born 
in  1797  in  Somerset  county,  and  there  mar- 
ried Mary  Wertz,  of  the  same  county.  He 
was  a  farmer  all  of  his  life.  In  1839  they 
came  to  this  part  of  the  State,  settling  first 
in  Plumcreek  township.  Armstrong  county, 
and  in  1847  moving  to  Washington  township, 
Indiaxia  county,  locating  on  Dutch  run. 
There  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their 
long  lives,  Mr.  Wissinger  dying  at  that  place 
in  April,  1883,  Mrs.  Wissinger  in  1886.  They 
were  Dunkards  in  religious  faith.  Mr.  Wis- 
singer was  a  Democrat  until  Buchanan's  term, 
when  he  changed  his  allegiance  to  the  Re- 
publican party.  Ten  children  were  bo#Q  to 
him  and  his  wife:  Susie,  who  married  John 
Johnston,  of  Armstrong  county ;  Jacob,  of 
Indiana  county,  who  married  Jane  Adams; 
Catherine,  Mrs.  George  Orris,  deceased ;  Ellis, 
deceased,  who  married  a  Miss  Moore ;  Stephen, 
of  Armstrong  county,  who  married  Nancy 
Corney ;  Margaret,  unmarried ;  Hettie,  who 
married  Joseph  S.  Fry,  of  Washington  town- 
ship, Indiana  county;  John  W.,  who  married 
Margaret  Dickinson,  and  died  at  Hannibal, 
Mo. ;  Lewis  S. ;  and  Andrew,  who  married 
Ellen  Dixon,  and  died  near  Seattle,  Wash- 
ington. 

Lewis  S.  Wissinger  was  born  May  11,  1840, 
in  Plumcreek  township,  Armstrong  county, 
and  was  a  boy  when  the  family  came  to  Indi- 
ana county.  He  attended  public  school  at 
Indiana  until  nineteen  years  old,  meantime 
commencing  to  work  among  farmers  during 
the  busy  season.  When  nineteen  he  went  to 
Cambria  county,  where  he  was  employed  at 
farm  work  until  his  enlistment,  Sept.  22, 
1862,  for  three  years  or  during  the  war,  in 
the  14th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  under  the 
command  of  Ca'pt.  David  K.  Duff  and  Col. 
James  M.  Shoonmaker.  In  the  fall  of  1862 
they  went  into  camp  at  Harper's  Ferry,  form- 
ing an  independent  division  under  General 
Averill.    Their  first  battle  was  at  Rocky  Gap, 


1272 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Va.,  in  August,  1863,  and  Mr.  Wissinger  took 
part  in  all  the  engagements  of  his  command 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  receiving  his  dis- 
charge May  21,  1865,  at  Falls  Church,  Va. 
He  returned  home  and  then  traveled  through 
northeastern  Pennsylvania  as  a  book  agent, 
until  the  following  spring.  Early  in  1867  he 
was  married,  after  which  he  lived  two  years 
in  Cambria  county,  thence  moving  to  Wash- 
ington township,  Indiana  county.  In  .com- 
pany with  his  brother  Ellis  he  bought  a  farm 
of  115  acres  in  that  township,  Lewis  S.  Wis- 
singer devoting  himself  to  the  cultivation  of 
that  place  for  the  next  seven  years.  He  then 
sold  and  moved  to  the  farm  in  White  town- 
ship where  he  now  resides,  at  that  time  the 
property  of  his  father-in-law.  Leaving  his 
family  iiere  he  next  went  into  the  oil  region, 
where  he  did  carpenter  work  for  two  years. 
From  there  he  went  to  North  Dakota  and 
found  work  on  ranches  for  one  summer,  and 
then  returned  for  his  family.  Taking  up  a 
claim  of  160  acres  along  the  Noi'thern  Pacific 
railroad,  in  Barnes  county,  they  lived  there 
for  twelve  years,  and  upon  their  return  to 
Pennsylvania  again  took  up  their  home  on 
the  farm  in  White  township  where  they  now 
live.  Mr.  Wissinger  is  regarded  as  one  of  the 
substantial  citizens  of  his  community  and  is 
highly  respected. 

On  Feb.  14,  1867,  Mr.  Wissinger  married 
Elizabeth  Ellen  Kurtz,  who  was  born  Dec. 
23,  1845,  in  White  township,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Long)  Kurtz.  She 
received  a  good  education  in  the  public 
schools,  and  in  1863  began  teaching  subscrip- 
tion school  at  Plumville.  She  followed  the 
profession  for  several  years  before  her  mar- 
riage, and  met  her  husband  while  teaching 
in  Armstrong  county,  near  his  home.  They 
have  had  four  children:  Laura  May,  de- 
ceased, who  was  the  wife  of  L.  M.  Hum- 
phrey; Elizabeth,  married  to  Ed.  Sawyer,  of 
Chicago,  111. ;  James  C,  of  Owatonna,  Minn., 
who  married  Laura  Larson ;  and  Lena  Dell, 
Mrs.  David  Zufall,  of  Ernest,  Indiana  county. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wissinger  are  members  of  the 
M.  E.  Church  at  Indiana.  He  is  a  Republican 
on  political  questions,  and  socially  a  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R.,  belonging  to  Post  No.  28,  at 
Indiana. 

Samuel  Kurtz,  father  of  Mrs.  Wissinger, 
was  born  in  1804  near  Mauch  Chunk,  Pa., 
and  died  at  his  farm  at  Ernest,  in  White 
township,  Indiana  county,  in  1880.  He  moved 
to  this  county  .iust  after  his  marriage,  finally 
locating  on  tlie  place  where  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
Wissinger,  now  lives.     Before  settling  there 


he  was  engaged  as  a  brick  contractor,  and 
subsequently  made  farming  his  occupation. 
He  was  a  Lutheran  in  religious  connection. 
His  wife  died  shortly  before  him,  in  1879, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.  They  were 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Maiy 
Jane,  who  died  unmarried;  Hannah,  Mrs. 
Amos  Altimus,  deceased;  Sarah,  Mrs.  (Jeorge 
Flickinger,  deceased;  Elias,  deceased,  who 
was  married  and  lived  in  Ohio;  Elizabeth 
Ellen,  Mrs.  Lewis  S.  Wissinger;  and  Luther, 
deceased. 

JAMES  C.  DOUGLAS,  a  druggist  of  Ro- 
chester Mills,  and  ex-county  appraiser,  was 
bom  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  near  Lat- 
robe,  Sept.  15,  1874,  son  of  James  C.  Douglas. 

Archibald  Douglas,  his  grandfather,  was 
born  at  Glasgow,  Scotland,  and  came  to 
Pennsylvania  in  early  manhood,  settling  in 
Westmoreland  county,  where  he  followed 
farming  near  Mount  Pleasant,  becoming  a 
justice  of  the  peace  and  prominent  man. 
Politically  he  was  a  Democrat.  The  Presby- 
terian Church  held  his  membei*ship  and  he 
served  it  as  an  elder. 

James  C.  Douglas,  son  of  Archibald  Doug- 
las, and  father  of  James  C.  Douglas,  was  born 
in  Westmoreland  county,  where  he  was  reared 
and  educated.  Devoting  himself  to  agricul- 
tural life,  he  became  a  heavy  land  owner, 
eventually  making  his  home  at  Latrobe,  where 
he  died  Oct.  1,  1874,  while  still  in  the  prime 
of  life,  from  the  effects  of  his  army  service. 
He  served  during  the  Civil  war  as  a  member 
of  Company  E,  11th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  did  his  duty  as  a  soldier  as 
well  as  a  citizen.  He  voted  the  Republican 
ticket  upon  every  occasion.  He  was  a  Pres- 
byterian in  religious  faith.  James  C.  Douglas 
married  Eliza  Blair,  who  survives  him,  being 
now  sixty-seven  years  old,  and  making  her 
home  with  her  son  James  C.  He  is  the 
younger  of  her  two  children,  the  other  being 
Edward  A.,  who  is  county  I'ecorder  of  Locain 
county,  Ohio. 

James  C.  Douglas  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  Latrobe,  and  taking  up  the  study 
of  pharmacy  attended  the  Pittsburg  College 
of  Pharmacy,  and  successfully  passed  the  ex- 
amination of  the  State  Board  of  Pharmacy. 
Following  this  he  was  in  the  drug  business 
as  a  clerk  in  Punxsutawne.y,  Pa.,  until  1902, 
when  he  came  to  Rochester  JMills  and  estab- 
lished the  first  drug  store  in  the  place.  Since 
then  he  has  been  very  successful,  carrying  a 
full  line  of  drugs,  stationery  and  similar 
goods,   and  enjoys  a   liberal  patronage  from 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1273 


the  people  of  his  community  and  the  sur- 
rounding district.  A  Republican,  he  was  ap- 
pointed in  1911  as  county  appraiser,  and  held 
that  office  for  one  year.  He  has  served  as 
judge  of  election  in  Grant  township,  and  as 
a  member  of  the  townshij)  committee  of  his 
party.  The  Methodist  Church  holds  his 
membership,  and  he  serves  that  body  as  a 
trustee.  Fi-aternally  he  belongs  to  the  Sons 
of  Veterans,  Camp  No.  936,  at  Richmond 
Mills,  and  to  the  Odd  Fellows. 

Mr.  Douglas  was  married  to  Larue  Minish, 
and  they  have  one  child,  James  C. 

JAMES  ARMOUR  McKEE,  a  resident 
of  Banks  township,  Indiana  county,  has  been 
engaged  in  farming  at  his  present  place  since 
1907.  He  was  born  in  Banks  township,  Dec. 
29,  1877,  son  of  James  and  Rebecca  (Pollock) 
McKee.  His  grandfather,  William  McKee, 
was  a  native  of  Indiana  county,  and  married 
Phoebe  Wilson,  also  a  native  of  this  county, 
born  in  South  Mahoning  township. 

James  McKee,  father  of  James  A.  McKee, 
was  born  in  1841  in  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  and  followed  farming 
all  his  life.  He  died  Sept.  2,  1908.  He 
served  as  school  director  of  his  township.  In 
1864  he  married  Rebecca  Pollock,  a  native 
of  Ireland,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Martha 
(Steel)  Pollock,  farming  people,  who  came 
from  Ireland,  and  settled  in  East  ilahoning 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  Mrs.  McKee,  now 
(1912)  seventy-nine  years  old,  continues  to 
make  her  home  on  the  old  farm.  She  is 
a  member  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church,  to  which  her  husband  also  belonged. 
They  had  a  family  of  six  children:  (1) 
Clark  is  a  well-known  citizen  of  Banks  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  where  he  is  engaged  as 
a  farmer  and  lumberman.  He  has  held  sev- 
eral important  township  offices,  having  been 
auditor  two  years,  tax  collector  six  years  and 
assessor  three  years.  (2)  Joseph  Elder,  a 
farmer  of  Banks  township,  married  Ida  Lewis, 
of  Locust,  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  W. 
G.  Lewis,  a  farmer  and  merchant  ,and  they 
have  two  children,  Moraan  Lewis  and  Wil- 
lard.  (3)  Phoebe  Martha  is  the  widow  of 
James  Wineman,  a  farmer,  of  Blacklick 
township,  Indiana  county.  (4)  Robert  M., 
a  farmer  of  Banks  township,  married  Bessie 
McHenry,  of  Marion  Center,  Pa.,  daughter 
of  G.  W.  McHenry,  a  farmer,  and  they  had 
two  children,  George  James  and  Rebecca. 
(5)  James  Armour  is  mentioned  below.  (6) 
John  Wilson,  farmer  of  Banks  township, 
former    auditor    of    that    township,    married 


Dora  Houck,  of  Purchase  Line,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  Houck, 
the  former  of  whom  is  a  stonemason  and 
farmer.  Mr.  and  I\Irs.  McKee  have  one  child, 
Gretta  Vance. 

James  A.  McKee  attended  the  public 
schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home  and  farmed 
with  his  father  until  he  commenced  on  his 
own  account,  in  1907,  settling  in  his  native 
towruship.  He  occupies  one  of  the  estate 
farms,  at  what  was  formerly  called  New 
Washington,  and  has  been  very  successful  in 
his  work,  to  which  he  gives  intelligent  care, 
adopting  the  best  methods  and  keeping 
abreast  of  modern  ideas.  He  has  held  the 
office  of  tax  collector,  in  which  he  served  one 
term  of  three  years. 

On  Oct.  17,  1907,  Mr.  jMcKee  married  Sarah 
Emma  Elbel,  of  Banks  township,  daughter  of 
Charles  Edward  and  Regina  (Reno)  Elbel, 
farming  people,  and  they  have  one  child, 
James  Edward,  born  June"  19,  1910.  Mr.  Mc- 
Kee is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Bear  Run,  in  Banks  township,  and  Mrs. 
McKee  belongs  there  also. 

HUGH  E.  WILLIAMS,  a  farmer  at  Pine 
Plats,  in  Green  township,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  in  Allegheny  county,  Pa.,  Jan.  8, 
1845,  son  of  John  E.  Williams  and  grandson 
of  Hugh  Williams. 

Hugh  Williams,  the  American  founder  of 
the  family,  was  a  uative  of  Wales,  and  com- 
ing to  America  settled  at  Pine  Plats,  Green 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  became 
the  owner  of  a  farm.  This  he  worked  hard 
to  clear  and  develop,  and  it  was  the  first 
property  to  be  placed  under  cultivation  at 
Pine  Flats.  It  comprised  100  acres.  Upon 
this  land  Hugh  Williams  erected  a  house  and 
barn,  built  from  logs  chopped  from  his  prop- 
erty, and  did  his  work  so  well  that  the  barn 
is  still  standing,  although  over  sixty  years 
old.  Hugh  Williams  was  au  excellent  type 
of  the  hardy  people  of  his  native  land,  who 
accomplish  much  and  are  noted  for  their 
sterling  honestj^ 

John  E.  Williams,  son  of  Hugh  Williams, 
and  father  of  Hugh  E.  Williams,  was  also 
born  in  Wales,  and  came  to  tlie  United  States 
when  still  a  very  young  man,  a  short  time 
prior  to  his  father.  He  first  located  at  Man- 
chester, La.,  but  soon  afterward  went  to  New 
Orleans,  where  he  found  employment  in  a 
hat  store.  Still  later  he  moved  to  Pittsburg, 
Pa.,  and  there  married.  For  the  following 
fourteen  years  he  resided  in  that  city,  in  1853 
coming  to  Pine  Plats,  in  Green  township,  Indi- 


1274 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ana  county,  to  join  his  father,  and  settling  on 
the  property  his  father  had  cleared.  John  E. 
Williams  married  Mary  L.  Lewis,  a  daughter 
of  Richard  Lewis,  of  Pittsburg,  and  their 
children  were:  Richard;  Hugh  E.;  Mary, 
who  married  Eli  Jones,  of  Ebensburg,  Pa.; 
and  Sarah,  who  lives  with  her  sister  I\Iary. 

Hugh  E.  Williams  was  in  his  ninth  year 
when  brought  by  his  father  to  Pine  Flats, 
and  he  continued  his  educational  training  at 
this  place.  Until  he  was  thirty-six  years  old 
he  worked  with  his  father,  and  then  took 
charge  of  the  homestead  and  continued  to 
operate  it  for  himself,  devoting  himself  to 
general  farming  until  1907,  when  he  practi- 
cally retired.  During  the  years  that  he  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  he  made  a 
success  of  his  undertakings,  and  was  justly 
numbered  among  the  leading  farmers  of  his 
township,  as  well  as  a  public-spirited  citizen. 

On  Nov.  7,  1872,  Hugh  E.  Williams  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Williams,  a  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Williams,  and  she  died  Aug.  4,  1912,  a 
good  and  faithful  wife  and  mother,  devoted  to 
her  home  and  family.  Among  her  neighbors 
she  was  a  beloved  friend  whose  charities  and 
kind  acts  are  tenderly  remembered.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Williams  became  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing named  ehildi-en :  Benjamin  married 
Gertrude  Glasford  and  has  one  child,  Arthur ; 
he  lives  at  Pine  Plats.  Edward  H.  married 
Eva  Wilderson  and  has  children,  Grace, 
Clyde,  Mildred,  Mabel  and  William.  Clemen- 
tine married  Irwin  Myers,  of  Pine  Flats,  and 
has  children,  Roy,  Thelma  and  Hugh.  Frank 
W.,  who  is  a  resident  and  merchant  of  Pine 
Flats,  married  Ina  Glasford,  and  their  chil- 
dren are  Elizabeth,  Helen,  Harold  and  Ruth. 
Merl,  who  married  Vernie  Motron,  lives  at 
Johnstown,  Pa.  Catherine  married  James 
Davis,  lives  at  Heilwood,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren, Leland  and  James.  Don  Hugh  and 
Yencer,  twins,  died  when  five  months  old. 

Since  casting  his  first  vote  Hugh  E.  Wil- 
liams has  been  a  consistent  Republican,  but 
never  held  any  office  aside  from  that  of 
supervisor,  to  which  he  was  elected  for  a  term 
of  one  year.  The  Baptist  Church  of  Pine 
Flats  has  had  in  him  one  of  its  most  earnest 
members,  and  during  his  earlier  years  he 
was  extremely  active  in  promoting  its  good 
work.  At  present  he  is  serving  it  as  trustee 
and  deacon.  When  the  present  church  edi- 
fice at  Pine  Plats  was  erected  Mr.  Williams 
served  on  the  building  committee,  and  ren- 
dered very  valuable  assistance  in  that  connec- 
tion. For  four  years  he  was  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school,  and  still  takes  interest 


in  its  growth.  A  man  of  high  moral  char- 
acter, he  has  exerted  a  strong  influence  for 
good  in  his  community,  and  is  highly  re- 
garded by  all  who  know  him. 

MRS.  JENNIE  ALTEMUS,  merchant  and 
postmistress  at  Strongstown,  in  Piae  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  is  a  daughter  of  Patrick 
E.  Gillespie,  and  granddaughter  of  Patrick 
Gillespie. 

Patrick  Gillespie,  the  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Altemus,  emigrated  from  Ireland  to  the 
United  States,  and  locating  in  Cambria 
county.  Pa.,  died  there.  He  was  a  farmer 
all  his  life.  He  married  Catherine  Rice,  and 
they  had  the  following  children:  Edward, 
who  is  deceased,  is  buried  at  Hurst's  ceme- 
tery; John  died  of  starvation  in  Anderson- 
ville  prison  during  the  Civil  war;  Patrick  E. 
is  deceased;  Frank  resides  at  Pittsburg; 
Mark  is  deceased;  Mary  is  deceased.  Mrs. 
Catherine  (Rice)  Gillespie  was  interred  at 
Carrolltown,  Cambria   Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

Patrick  E.  Gillespie,  son  of  Pati-ick  Gilles- 
pie, was  born  in  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  April 
4,  1836,  but  came  to  Strongtown  early  in  life 
and  became  a  pi'osperous  merchant  of  that 
place,  carrying  on  a  large  business  for  twenty 
years,  and  in  conjunction  therewith  operat- 
ing the  hotel.  In  1863  Patrick  B.  Gillespie 
married  Martha  J.  Stephens,  a  daughter  of 
William  Stephens,  of  Pine  township,  and  they 
had  children  as  follows:  Mrs.  John  P. 
George,  who  died  May  15,  1892;  Ella,  who 
married  W.  G.  Orner,  of  Strongstown;  Jen- 
nie, widow  of  W.  H.  Altemus;  Kate,  who 
married  H.  S.  Orner,  of  Morrellville ;  Maggie, 
who  married  M.  S.  Rodkey,  of  Mitchells 
Mills;  William,  who  resides  at  Pittsburg, 
married  to  Sophia  Reed,  a  sister  of  Attorney 
Reed,  of  Ebensburg;  Robert,  who  married 
Agnes  Hines;  and  Gertrude,  who  married  J. 
H.  Rank,  of  Indiana,  Pa.  Mrs.  Patrick  E. 
Gillespie  is  still  living,  making  her  home  at 
Strongstown. 

Throughout  his  mature  life  Patrick  E. 
Gillespie  was  a  Democrat,  and  he  held  the 
offices  of  school  director  and  tax  collector  of 
his  township.  A  Catholic,  he  was  a  member 
of  St.  Patrick's  parish  of  Camerons  Bottom, 
and  is  buried  at  Camerons  Bottom,  near 
Heilwood.    His  death  occurred  April  4,  1901. 

Mrs.  Jennie  Altemus  was  born  Jan.  5,  1869, 
and  in  1SS7  was  married  to  W.  H.  Altemus. 
They  had  the  following  children :  Nora ; 
Patrick  Edgar,  who  mai-ried  Ora  McCreery, 
of  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Harrj^  who  is  at  home ; 
Eva  Clare;  Veda  Dell;  Gertrude,  who  is  de- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1275 


■ceased ;  Nellie,  at  home ;  and  IMargaret.  Mr. 
Altemus  died  Dee.  28,  1909,  when  forty-six 
years  old.  He  was  born  in  1863,  in  Buffing- 
ton  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  his  edu- 
cational training  M'as  secured  in  the  district 
schools  of  his  neighborhood.  His  first  work 
was  assisting  his  father  in  operating  the 
homestead.  Until  he  was  twenty-five  years 
old  he  remained  at  home,  and  then  began 
huckstering  through  the  country,  making  a 
success  of  it  for  six  years.  During  this  period 
he  was  learning  the  wants  of  the  people,  so 
that  when  he  embarked  in  a  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Strougstown  he  was  able  to  conduct 
it  intelligently  and  profitably,  and  his  widow 
is  carrying  it  on  along  the  lines  laid  down  by 
him,  and  profiting  by  his  experience.  Mr. 
Altemus  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Strongs- 
town,  and  when  he  died  his  widow  succeeded 
him  in  that  office  as  she  did  in  his  business. 

Politically  Mr.  Altemus  was  a  Eepublican, 
and  was  an  efficient  school  director  for  six 
years.  A  man  of  high  moral  character,  he 
gave  his  support  to  those  measures  he  believed 
would  work  out  for  the  ultimate  good  of  the 
general  public.  Although  not  connected  with 
any  religious  organization,  he  was  brought  up 
in  the  IMethodist  faith.  His  remains  were 
laid  to  rest  in  the  graveyard  at  Strougstown. 

IMrs.  Altemus  is  a  fine  example  of  the  mod- 
ern business  woman.  Although  she  had  never 
entered  business  life  prior  to  her  husband's 
death,  she  bravely  assumed  the  responsibil- 
ities he  was  forced  to  lay  down,  and  has  not 
only  succeeded  in  keeping  trade,  but  is  rear- 
ing her  children  to  be  fine  men  and  women. 
Trustworthy,  honorable  and  energetic,  Mrs. 
Altemus  is  holding  her  own  in  her  commun- 
ity, and  stands  very  high  in  the  public 
esteem. 

JAMES  IRVINE  NOWRY,  a  progressive 
farmer  and  public-spirited  citizen  of  Cone- 
maugh  township,  Indiana  county,  is  a  native 
of  that  township  and  has  passed  all  his  life 
there.  The  family  has  been  settled  in  that 
section  for  many  years. 

Robert  Nowry,  father  of  James  Irvine 
Nowry  and  "William  Marshall  Nowry,  was 
born  in  1830  along  the  Blacklegs  creek,  in 
Conemaugh  township,  on  the  site  now  owned 
by  Martha  Nowry 's  heirs,  and  there  he  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  sehools. 
Later  he  taught  school  for  more  than  thir- 
teen years,  being  engaged  in  both  Indiana  and 
Armstrong  counties,  after  which  he  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  at  what  is  now 
Grangers'  Hall,  on  the  Clarksburg  and  Salts- 


burg  road.  He  conducted  his  general  store 
for  a  period  of  eight  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  sold  out  and  bought  the  Thomas 
Elder  farm  of  150  acres  in  Conemaugh  town- 
ship, upon  which  place  he  spent  the  remain- 
der of  his  life,  carrying  on  farming.  He  also 
dealt  in  live  stock,  going  over  the  country 
buying  stock,  which  he  shipped  to  Philadel- 
phia. In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  he 
took  considerable  interest  in  the  activities  of 
the  party  and  in  local  public  mattei's,  served 
his  township  as  supervisor,  tax  collector  and 
auditor,  and  was  once  the  Democratic  can> 
didate  for  county  treasurer.  In  his  early 
life  he  was  a  member  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church,  but  later  joined  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  at  Saltsburg,  to  which  his 
family  also  belonged.  Mr.  Nowry  married 
Margaret  Catherine  Cline,  daughter  of  Philip 
and  Mary  (Irvine)  Cline,  and  they  had  two 
children,  James  Irvine  and  William  Marshall, 
ilr.  Nowry  died  Oct.  1,  1909,  Mrs.  Nowry 
passing  away  Aug.  13,  1911.  They  are  buried 
in  Edgewood  cemetery  at  Saltsburg,  this 
county. 

James  Iiwine  Nowry  was  born  June  15, 
1868,  in  Conemaugh  township,  at  the  place  on 
Blacklegs  creek  now  owned  bj'  Dr.  Earhart. 
He  began  his  education  in  the  neighborhood, 
at  common  school,  later  attending  the  acad- 
emies at  Eldersridge  and  Saltsburg,  and  the 
State  normal  school  at  Indiana.  For  two 
years  he  taught  school  in  Conemaugh  town- 
ship, and  then  for  a  year  was  engaged  in 
carrying  the  mail  over  the  rural  free  delivery 
route  No.  2,  out  of  Saltsburg.  He  has  since 
been  farming  at  his  present  place,  a  tract  of 
150  acres,  upon  which  extensive  improve- 
ments have  been  made  during  his  residence 
there,  being  up-to-date  and  enterprising  in 
every  branch  of  his  work.  He  and  his  brother 
own  this  place.  In  addition  to  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits  he  has  carried  on  stock 
raising  and  lumbering  to  some  extent,  hav- 
ing cleared  considerable  timberland.  Under 
his  land  are  rich  deposits  of  coal. 

Like  his  father  Mr.  Nowry  is  a  Democrat 
and  actively  interested  in  the  political  af- 
fairs of  the  locality,  and  he  has  been  honored 
with  election  to  various  township  offices,  in 
all  of  which  he  has  given  faithful  service, 
having  been  general  township  assessor,  tax 
collector,  member  of  the  school  board  for  the 
last  six  years,  and  member  of  the  election 
board  several  times  since  he  reached  his 
majority. 

On  Feb.  1,  1898,  Mr.  Nowry  was  married 
to   Margaret   Frances   Gordon,    daughter   of 


1276 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


John  and  Frances  (McCrady)  Gordon,  and 
they  have  two  children,  Mabel  Frances  and 
James  Cline.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nowry  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Saltsburg. 
William  Marshall  Nowry,  a  progressive 
farmer  and  public-spirited  citizen  of  Cone- 
maugh  township,  Indiana  county,  is  a  native 
of  that  township  and  has  passed  all  of  his 
life  there.  Mr.  Nowry  was  born  Oct.  23,  1873, 
in  Conemaugh  township,  on  the  site  now 
owned  bj'  Dr.  Earhart.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  and  at  Elders- 
ridge  academy.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  has 
been  honored  with  election  to  various  town- 
ship offices. 

KINTER  FRY,  of  Plumville,  Indiana 
county,  is  field  manager  for  the  T.  W.  Phil- 
lips Gas  &  Oil  Company,  having  charge  of 
sixteen  wells  located  in  that  vicinity.  He 
has  been  in  the  service  of  that  company  since 
December,  1909,  and  has  resided  at  Plum- 
ville since  the  spring  of  1910.  Mr.  Fry  was 
born  July  12,  1866,  in  Washington  township, 
Indiana  county,  where  the  P^ry  family  has 
been  settled  for  over  three  quarters  of  a 
century.  George  Fry,  his  grandfather,  a 
native  of  Somerset  county.  Pa.,  settled  there 
in  an  eai-ly  day,  buying  a  large  tract  of  laud 
upon  which  he  farmed,  clearing  part  of  it. 
He  died  on  his  farm  when  seventy-one  years 
old.  George  Fry  married  Catherine  Fisher, 
and  the  following  children  were  born  to  them : 
Joseph  S. ;  Jacob,  who  died  on  the  homestead ; 
Eliza  A.,  who  married  Archy  Pattison,  and 
died  in  Louisville,  Ky. ;  Nancy,  who  married 
Samuel  Miller,  and  died  in  Advance ;  and 
Annie,  who  married  Brice  Henderson,  and 
died  in  Washington  township. 

Joseph  S.  Fry,  son  of  George,  was  born 
Feb.  8,  1839,  and  obtained  a  common  school 
education.  He  was  reared  to  farming,  and 
has  followed  that  occupation  all  his  life  in 
Washington  township,  where  he  bought  from 
his  father  the  tract  of  110  acres  upon  which 
he  still  resides.  Mr.  Fry  is  a  prosperous 
farmer,  and  one  of  the  highly  respected  resi- 
dents of  his  township,  where  he  became  very 
well  known  as  a  member  of  the  school  board 
for  eighteen  years.  On  Oct.  31,  1861,  he  mar- 
ried Hettie  Wissinger,  who  was  born  May  7, 
1835,  in  Cambria  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of 
David  and  Mary  (Wertz)  Wissinger,  and  the 
celebration  of  their  golden  wedding  anniver- 
sary, held  at  the  homestead  Oct.  31,  1911, 
was  a  merry  occasion.  There  were  fifty  chil- 
dren, grandchildren  and  other  relatives  pres- 
ent.    Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 


Mrs.  Fry:  Frank,  living  in  Washington 
township;  Kinter;  Nannie  M.,  wife  of  J. 
E.  Carnahan,  of  Saltsburg,  Pa. ;  Katie,  wife 
of  Thomas  Templeton,  of  Rural  Valley,  Arm- 
strong county;  Jennie,  Mrs.  A.  L.  Johnston, 
living  at  Atwood,  Armstrong  eounty ;  George, 
who  lives  on  the  old  homestead  in  Washing- 
ton township;  and  Marlin,  living  in  Plum- 
creek  township,  Armstrong  county. 

Joseph  Fry  served  in  the  Civil  war  under 
two  enlistments,  the  first  time  under  Captain 
Nicholson  in  Company  A,  135th  P.  V.  I.,  for 
nine  months;  he  reenlisted  in  the  14th  Penn- 
sylvania Cavalry,  commanded  by  D.  K.  Duff, 
and  served  to  the  end  of  the  war. 

Kinter  Fry,  eldest  child  of  Joseph  S.  and 
Hettie  (Wissinger)  Fry,  attended  public 
school  in  his  native  township.  He  was  reared 
to  farm  life,  but  has  never  been  engaged  in 
agi-ieultural  pursuits  on  his  own  account. 
Remaining  at  home  until  he  reached  the  age  _ 
of  twenty,  he  was  thereafter  employed  for 
some  time  in  sawmills  in  Indiaua  county,  and 
then  went  to  work  for  the  Indiana  County 
Gas  Company,  doing  general  work  until  pro- 
moted to  the  position  of  field  manager.  After 
about  fifteen  years'  service  with  that  concern 
he  became  field  manager  for  his  present  em- 
ployers, the  T.  W.  Phillips  Gas  &  Oil  Co.,  in 
December,  1909.  In  this  capacity  he  has 
charge  of  sixteen  wells  in  Indiana  and  Arm- 
strong counties,  all  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Plumville,  to  which  place  he  moved  March 
24,  1910.     He  owns  his  fine  home  there. 

On  Jan.  19,  1910,  Jlr.  Fry  was  married  to 
Sarah  Martha  Jordan,  who  was  born  in  West 
i\Iahoning  township,  Indiana  county,  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  P.  and  Anna  E.  (Weaver) 
Jordan,  and  they  have  one  child,  Lawrence 
M.,  born  Sept.  4,  1912. 

Mr.  Fry  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 
lodge  at  Plumville,  and  politically  has  always 
been  associated  with  the  Republican  party. 
He  took  some  part  in  public  affairs  while  a 
resident  of  Washington  township,  and  held 
the  office  of  auditor. 

JAMES  MARTIN  WILEY,  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war,  is  now  living  retired  on  the  farm 
in  Blackliek  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  has  had  his  home  for  the  last  twenty-six 
years.  He  was  born  in  Blackliek  township, 
and  belongs  to  a  family  of  Scotch  origin.  His 
grandfather,  John  Wiley,  born  in  1775,  came 
to  western  Pennsylvania  about  1800,  with  his 
bi-other  Hugh,  from  Franklin  county,  this 
State,  and  settled  near  Blackliek  creek  in 
what  is  now  Bui-rell  township,  Indiana  county. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY.  PENNSYLVANIA 


1277 


He  followed  miUing  as  well  as  general  farm- 
ing, having  been  the  miller  at  Campbell's 
mills  in  1813,  when  those  historic  mills  were 
burned.  His  death  occurred  about  1837.  He 
married  Margaret  Mateer,  and  they  had  chil- 
dren as  follows:  Jane,  who  married  John 
McCracken;  Robert,  who  married  Jane  Re- 
pine; Samuel,  who  married  Sarah  Wiley; 
Margaret,  who  married  John  Grant ;  John ; 
Susan,  who  married  William  Forsha;  Sarah; 
Hugh,  who  married  Rachel  Forsha;  James, 
who  married  Jane  Patterson  and  (second) 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Stevenson;  Elizabeth,  who 
married  Elrod  Johnson,  of  Westmoreland 
county ;  Mary,  who  married  Joseph  Lindy ; 
and  Martha. 

John  Wiley,  son  of  John  and  Margaret 
(Mateer)  Wiley,  was  born  in  1807.  His  edu- 
cation was  obtained  at  the  local  subscription 
schools,  and  in  his  early  life  he  worked  with 
his  father,  becoming  familiar  with  farming 
and  milling.  After  reaching  manhood  he  en- 
gaged in  various  occupations.  Moving  to 
Dilltown  in  1840  he  followed  farm  work  there, 
and  subsequently  located  at  Blairsville,  where 
the  latter  part  of  his  life  was  spent  and  where 
he  died  March  3,  1867,  aged  fifty-nine  years, 
eight  months,  fourteen  days.  He  was  buried 
in  the  Lutheran  cemetery  at  Blairsville.  IMr. 
Wiley  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
and  in  politics  was  first  a  Whig,  afterward  a 
Republican.  His  wife,  Sarah  (Altraan), 
daughter  of  George  Altman,  died  in  Blairs- 
ville Feb.  4,  1891.  aged  ninety  years,  twenty- 
two  days,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery 
there.  Seven  children  were  boi-n  to  their 
union :  James  Martin ;  Amy,  who  married 
Joseph  McWhiney  and  resides  at  Parkers- 
burg,  W.  Va. ;  Martha,  who  died  in  young 
womanhood ;  Matthew,  who  lives  at  Allegheny 
and  is  in  the  railway  express  service ;  and 
three  who  died  young. 

James  Martin  Wiley  was  four  years  old 
when  the  family  moved  to  Dilltown,  where 
he  grew  up  and  attended  school.  In  his  youth 
he  worked  at  farming,  and  for  a  time  was 
.  fireman  on  the  Pittsburg  branch  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania railroad  until  he  enlisted,  in  May, 
1863,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  E,  1st 
Battalion,  six  months'  cavalry,  under  Captain 
Trimble.  He  served  until  December  of  that 
year,  being  mustered  out  at  Pittsburg,  and 
upon  his  return  home  resumed  railroading, 
on  the  AVest  Pennsylvania  branch.  For  fif- 
teen years  he  was  conductor  on  local  freight 
trains,  during  that  time  making  his  home  at 
Blairsville.  When  he  gave  up  railroad  work, 
in  September,  1879,  he  settled  down  to  farm- 


ing in  Derry  township,  Westmoreland  county, 
living  there  for  seven  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  removed  to  his  present  loca- 
tion in  Blacklick  township,  Indiana  count}^ 
He  bought  a  170-acre  tract  from  Samuel  Ear- 
hart  known  as  the  James  Dixon  farm,  and  here 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  until  he 
relinquished  arduous  labor,  his  sons  now  look- 
ing after  the  place,  which  is  finely  kept  up. 
Mr.  Wilej^  was  an  industrious  and  thrifty 
man  throughout  his  active  years,  and  the 
leisure  he  is  now  enjoying  is  well  deserved. 
He  has  a  genial  disposition  and  high  char- 
acter, and  he  is  a  man  who  has  done  his  duty 
in  every  relation  of  life.  He  has  served  his 
township  as  school  director  for  two  terms  and 
as  supervisor  one  term,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Blairsville  M.  E.  Church.  In  political 
sentiment  he  is  a  Republican,  but  votes  inde- 
pendently. He  was  formerly  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  belonging  to  Blairsville  Post. 

On  Oct.  20,  1868,  Mr.  Wiley  married,  in 
Derry  township,  Westmoreland  county,  Re- 
becca Akers,  who  was  born  April  21,  1841,  in 
Fulton  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Timothy  and 
Mary  Ann  (Barton)  Akers.  Seven  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union :  Elrod :  Annie ; 
Amy,  wife  of  John  Bishop ;  Scott,  a  farmer, 
now  settled  in  Nebraska ;  George,  residing  in 
Blair.sville ;  Herman,  who  is  on  the  home- 
stead; and  Harry,  on  the  homestead.  Mrs. 
Wiley  is  a  member  of  the  Blairsville  "SI.  E. 
Church. 

AZARIAH  J.  LYDICK,  postmaster  at 
Lovejoy,  in  Green  township,  Indiana  county, 
is  of  pioneer  stock,  his  grandfather,  John 
Lydick,  having  settled  in  this  region^  at  an* 
early  day.  John  Lydick  was  born  in  Ger- 
many. On  coming  to  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  he 
located  in  Cherryhill  township,  where  he 
bought  land  and  engaged  in  farming  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life,  dying  in  that  township 
about  1856. 

William  Lydick,  sou  of  John,  was  born  in 
Indiana  county  Dec.  22,  1817,  and  died  Feb. 
4,  1884,  in  Green  township,  at  the  place 
where  he  was  born.  He  began  farming  at  an 
early  age,  and  followed  it  all  his  life.  He 
married  Jane  McGuire,  also  a  native  of  Indi- 
ana county,  daughter  of  James  McGuire,  who 
was  born  in  Ireland  and  became  an  early  set- 
tler in  this  county;  he  was  a  farmer,  and  in 
his  younger  days  taught  school  in  the  county. 
Mrs.  Jane  (McGuire)  Lydick  died  Jan.  14, 
1899.  She  and  her  husband  had  a  family  of 
four  children :  Samantha,  who  married  John 
Wheeler,     of    Dixonville,     Indiana     county; 


1278 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Elliott,  of  Indiana  borough ;  Azariah  J. ;  and 
Jane,  deceased. 

Azariah  J.  Lydiek  was  born  Sept.  22,  1848, 
in  Cherryhill  township,  and  was  four  years 
old  when  his  parents  moved  to  Green  town- 
ship, the  family  settling  where  the  town  of 
Lovejoy  now  stands.  He  attended  school  in 
Green  township,  and  when  a  young  man  be- 
came interested  in  farming  there,  following 
agi-icultural  pursuits  until  he  assumed  the 
duties  of  postmaster  at  Lovejoy,  succeeding 
Amariah  N.  Buterbaugh.  He  received  his 
appointment  Oct.  1,  1912.  As  a  farmer  Mr. 
Lydiek  was  successful,  and  he  still  owns  his 
farm  of  eighty  acres,  which  his  son,  Frank  A. 
Lydiek,  is  operating  under  his  direction.  ]Mr. 
Lydiek  is  regarded  by  all  who  know  him  as  a 
thoroughly  reliable  man,  his  fellow  citizens 
giving  proof  of  their  confidence  in  him  by 
electing  him  to  various  local  offices  of  trust. 
He  served  three  years  as  auditor  of  the  town- 
ship and  seven  years  as  school  director. 

On  Dec.  29,  1873,  Mr.  Lydiek  married  Mary 
Gallaher,  who  was  born  ]\Iay  19,  1842,  in 
Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Sarah  (Stockdale)  Gallaher,  both 
of  whom  are  now  deceased ;  they  were  old 
settlers  in  Indiana  county.  Thirteen  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lydiek :  Wil- 
liam, the  eldest,  who  is  deceased;  Blanche, 
now  the  wife  of  Lawrence  Shank,  of  Green 
township;  Harry,  a  resident  of  Dixonville, 
this  county;  Jennie,  wife  of  John  ]\IcCoy, 
living  in  Green  township;  Frank  A.,  who 
lives  in  Green  township  on  the  farm  of  his 
father;  Grace,  wife  of  Lloyd  Lightner,  who 
is  engaged  in  teaching  public  school  at  Love- 
jo.y ;  Ella,  at  home ;  and  six  who  are  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lydiek  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

ANDREW  NISEWOXGER.  one  of  the 
successful  farmers  and  stoekraisers  of  Cherry- 
hill  township,  Indiana  county,  has  spent  his 
whole  life  in  that  section,  having  been  born 
on  a  farm  in  that  township  May  25,  1851,  son 
of  Henry  and  Nancy  (jMock)  Nisewonger. 

John  Nisewonger,  grandfather  of  Andrew, 
was  born  in  the  East,  and  became  an  early 
settler  of  Indiana  county,  settling  on  the  farm 
on  which  Andrew  Nisewonger  now  resides. 
He  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  died  in  Cherryhill  township. 

Henry  Nisewonger,  son  of  John  and  father 
of  Andrew  Nisewonger,  spent  his  whole  life 
in  farming  in  Cherrvbill  township,  and  met  an 
accidental  death,  drowning  in  Twolick  creek. 


near  the  home  farm.  His  wife  passed  away  on 
the  old  homestead.  They  were  the  parents  of 
twelve  children,  as  follows:  John,  who  is 
deceased;  Catherine,  widow  of  John  D. 
Meakins;  Jacob,  who  is  deceased;  Andrew; 
Mary,  deceased;  Christina,  the  wife  of  Silas 
Allen,  of  Indiana ;  Susan,  wife  of  John  Jones, 
of  Somerset  county,  Pa. ;  Nancy,  wife  of  Em- 
ory Adams ;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Samuel  Brant, 
of  Cherryhill  township;  Mary,  who  is  de- 
ceased ;  Henry,  of  Cherryhill  township ;  and 
David. 

Andrew  Nisewonger  was  educated  in  the 
district  schools  and  spent  his  boyhood  on 
the  home  farm,  there  securing  experience  and 
training  for  his  life  work,  which  has  been 
farming.  In  addition  to  carrying  on  general 
farming  operations  he  operates  a  coal  bank, 
and  his  ventures  have  been  uniformly  suc- 
cessful. He  is  known  as  one  of  his  section's 
most  substantial  citizens,  and  served  efficiently 
for  five  years  as  a  member  of  the  board  of 
supervisors  of  Cherryhill  township. 

Mr.  Nisewonger  was  married  in  1878  to 
Susan  Putt,  who  was  born  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, daughter  of  William  Putt,  an  early  set- 
tler and  agriculturist  of  the  locality.  Mr, 
and  Mrs.  Nisewonger  have  had  seven  chil- 
dren: Jerry  P.,  who  is  married  to  Julia 
A.  Rolley,  living  at  Clymer,  Cherryhill 
township;  William  M,  married  to  Lizzie 
ileekins,  of  Green  township ;  Troger,  at  home 
with  his  parents;  Earl  E.,  also  at  home;  Etta, 
wife  of  Clarence  Shank,  of  Heilwood,  Indiana 
county;  Agnes,  living  with  her  parents;  and 
Lillie,  wife  of  Elmer  Lamer,  of  Cherryhill 
township. 

JOHN  LANEY,  roadmaster  of  Center 
township,  is  one  of  the  well-known  residents 
of  his  part  of  Indiana  countj^,  having  held 
his  present  position  for  twenty  yeai-s  contin- 
uously. He  has  given  useful  services  to  his 
fellow  citizens  there  in  various  other  public 
capacities.  Mr.  Laney  was  born  Feb.  17, 
1842,  in  Blacklick  township,  Indiana  county, 
son  of  Hugh  Laney  and  gi-andson  of  Alex-  • 
ander  Laney,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  War 
of  1812. 

Hugh  Laney  was  a  native  of  Indiana  coun- 
ty, born  July  4,  1818,  and  died  Oct.  8,  1870. 
In  1838  he  married  Sarah  Learn,  daughter 
of  John  Learn,  of  Cookport,  Indiana  county. 

John  Laney  obtained  his  education  in  the 
free  schools'  of  Center  township,  which  in  his 
boyhood  afforded  but  scanty  opportunity  for 
learning.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  moved 
with    the    family    to     Green     township,     this 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1279 


county,  and  during  the  next  few  years  found 
employment  at  lumbering  and  coal  mining, 
being  thus  engaged  until  the  Civil  war  broke 
out.  He  served  as  a  soldier  in  that  conflict 
for  something  over  three  years,  and  upon  his 
return  again  lived  in  Green  township  for  a 
short  time.  In  1887  he  went  to  Clearfield 
county,  this  State,  remaining  one  year,  and 
for  another  year  was  at  Livermore,  "West- 
moreland county,  at  the  end  of  that  time  set- 
tling in  Center  township,  where  he  has 
since  had  his  home,  and  for  some  time  en- 
gaged in  coal  mining.  He  was  then  made 
supervisor  of  his  township. 

Mr.  Laney  has  been  closely  associated  with 
the  administration  of  public  affairs  in  his 
township  for  over  thirty  years.  He  became 
auditor  in  1881,  and  tilled  that  office  for  a 
term  of  three  years.  In  1885  he  was  elected 
school  director,  which  position  he  has  filled 
without  interruption  down  to  the  present 
time,  and  in  1892  he  became  supervisor,  which 
position  he  has  also  continued  to  hold  ever 
since.  He  has  always  been  a  stanch  supporter 
of  the  Republican  ticket,  and  quite  prominent 
in  the  activities  of  the  party  in  his  district. 

On  Sept.  11,  1865,  Mr.  Laney  married  Isa- 
bella Kerr,  of  Pleasant  Valley,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, Pa.,  and  she  died  March  9, 1880,  the  mother 
of  five  children :  Norman,  Woodroe,  Bayard 
R.,  Fernando  Cortez  and  Reuova.  On  Sept. 
30,  1887,  Mr.  Laney  married  (second)  at 
Ridgway,  Pa.,  Lydia  Kinter,  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  and  to  this  union  were 
born  three  daughters:  ]\Iary  L.,  who  is  teach- 
ing public  school  in  Homer  City;  Sarah  G., 
wife  of  Watson  Griffith,  of  Homer  City;  and 
Mildred  Irene,  at  home. 

Mr.  Laney  has  a  highly  creditable  war  rec- 
ord. On  Sept.  10,  1861,  he  enlisted,  from  In- 
diana county,  for  three  years'  service  or  dur- 
ing the  war,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Kit- 
tanning,  Pa.,  Oct.  12th  as  a  member  of  Com- 
pany D  (under  Capt.  Michael  Forbes  aud 
later  under  Capt.  Robert  H.  IMcCormick), 
78th  Regiment.  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantrj'.  Col.  "William  Sirwell,  commanding. 
The  regiment  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Orr,  on 
the  Allegheny  river,  near  Kittanning.  On 
the  14th  it  was  ordered  to  Pittsburg,  and  on 
the  18th  by  transports  to  Louisville,  Ky., 
thence  going  by  rail  (twenty-foxir  miles)  to 
Nolin's  Station,  on  the  L.  &  N.  railroad, 
where  it  was  attached  to  Gen.  A.  McD.  Cook's 
division,  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  In  De- 
cember the  regiment  was  moved  to  Munford- 
ville,  and  occupied  at  drill  and  in  picketing 
the  south  bank  of  the  Green  river.    Later  it 


was  ordered  to  Nashville,  and  soon  afterward 
assigned  to  Miller's  3d  Brigade,  Negley's  2d 
Division,  14th  Army  Corps,  Army  of  the 
Cumberland.  It  took  part  in  the  following 
actions:  Lavergne,  Neelej^'s  Bend,  White 
Creek,  Charlottesville,  Franklin  Pike,  Mur- 
freesboro,  Tullahoma  or  Hoover's  Gap,  Tenn., 
Dug  Gap  and  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  Chatta- 
nooga, Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge, 
Buzzard's  Roost  or  Tunnel  Hill,  Resaca, 
Rome,  Dallas,  New  Hope  Church  and  Kene- 
saw  Mountain,  Ga.  From  there  it  was  or^ 
dered  to  Chattanooga  to  guard  supply  trains, 
thence  to  Tullahoma,  where  it  was  assigned 
to  the  4th  Division,  20th  Corps,  and  took  part 
in  an  engagement  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  from 
there  going  to  Nashville  and  Franklin,  Tenn., 
where  it  was  mounted  and  sent  under  General 
Rousseau  against  the  Confederate  cavalry  in 
southern  Tennessee,  afterward  returning  to 
Nashville.  Mr.  Laney 's  company  was  detailed 
for  about  three  months  to  guard  railroad 
bridges  on  the  Louisville  &  Nashville  railroad 
in  Alabama,  and  also  to  guard  supply  trains 
from  July  until  October,  1864,  near  Chatta- 
nooga; was  also  mounted  and  took  part  in  a 
raid  to  Florence,  Ala.  Mr.  Laney  did  his 
duty  faithfully  and  earned  high  commenda- 
tion from  his  officers  for  soldierly  conduct 
on  the  field,  on  the  march  and  in  camp.  He 
was  honorably  discharged  at  Kittanning,  Pa., 
Nov.  4,  1864,  his  term  having  expired.  ]Mr. 
Laney  joined  Indiana  Post,  No.  533,  G.  A.  R., 
and  transferred  afterward  to  Maj.  A.  J.  Bo- 
lar  Post,  No.  28.  He  has  been  prominent  in 
the  work  of  that  body,  being  a  past  com- 
mander, has  been  chaplain  (two  terms),  of- 
ficer of  the  day  and  trustee,  and  in  every  way 
in  his  power  has  promoted  the  welfare  of  the 
order.  He  formerly  belonged  to  Homer  City 
Council,  No.  185,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  of  which 
lie  was  an  honoraiy  member. 

IRA  ALLISON  MYERS,  proprietor  of  the 
City  Grocery,  at  Indiana,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  Sept.  12,  1867,  at  Cookport,  Indiana 
county,  and  belongs  to  the  fourth  generation 
of  his  family  in  this  county.  The  name  was 
originally  spelled  Moyer,  and  Martin  Moyer, 
his  great-grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, where  he  and  his  wife  Catherine  were 
married.  They  came  to  America  before  the 
Revolution,  and  he  first  bought  land  in  Bed- 
ford county,  Pa.,  later  moving  to  Indiana 
county,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Cherry- 
hill  township  upon  which  he  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life,  dying  there.  He  was  a 
farmer  all  his  life.    His  children  were :  Jacob, 


1280 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


who  married  and  remained  in  Bedford  coun- 
ty; Barbara,  Mrs.  Allen,  who  remained  in 
Bedford  county;  i\Iathias,  who  died  in  Bed- 
ford county;  John,  who  worked  around  fur- 
naces ;  Mary,  Mrs.  Jacob  Putt,  deceased ;  Mar- 
tin ;  and  Simon,  deceased. 

Martin  I\Ioyer  or  Myers,  son  of  Martin  and 
Catherine  Moyer,  was  born  in  1799  in  Broad 
Top,  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  aud  was  reared 
there.  Coming  to  Indiana  county,  he  located 
on  a  farm  at  Greenville,  and  his  death  oc- 
curred in  1876  at  Mitchells  Mills,  this  county. 
He  always  followed  farming.  He  and  his 
wife  were  Presbyterians  in  religious  connec- 
tion. They  had  three  children :  William  H. ; 
Martin,  who  married  Delilah  Belle  Flenner, 
and  died  in  1894  (he  was  a  member  of  the 
206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry  dur- 
ing the  Civil  war)  ;  and  Jane,  Mrs.  Carltou 
Ferguson,  deceased. 

William  H.  ]\Iyers,  son  of  Martin  Myers, 
was  born  in  1839  on  the  home  farm  in  Cherry- 
hill  township,  near  Penu  Run,  and  there  grew 
to  manhood,  in  his  boyhood  attending  the  lo- 
cal district  schools.  He  followed  farming 
most  of  his  active  life,  in  his  young  manhood 
working  on  neighboring  farms  aud  doing  odd 
jobs,  and  he  also  learned  the  trade  of  cooper, 
manufacturing  hogsheads,  etc.  He  worked  at 
coopering  in  connection  with  farming,  fol- 
lowing his  trade  exclusively  for  several  years 
after  his  return  from  service  in  the  Civil  war, 
and  in  1867  engaging  in  farming  as  a  "crop- 
per." He  continued  thus  until  his  removal 
to  Indiana  l)orough,  since  when  he  has  been 
emploved   at   woodwork  on  wagons,   etc. 

On  "July  9,  186.3,  i\Ir.  Myers  enlisted  at 
Indiana  for  six  months'  sei'vice,  joining  Com- 
pany F,  2d  P.  V.  I.,  under  Capt.  Daniel  Tink- 
ham.  He  was  engaged  principally  in  guard 
duty,  being  stationed  along  the  Baltimore  & 
Ohio  railroad  fi-om  Cumberland  to  Harper's 
Ferry,  and  received  his  discharge  Jan.  21, 
186-1.  Mr.  Jlyers  is  a  member  of  G.  A.  R. 
Post  No.  28,  and  is  a  Republican  in  polities. 
He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church. 

On  July  6,  1865.  Mr.  Myers  married  Mar- 
gai-et  Allison,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary 
(Allison)  Allison.  They  have  had  a  family 
of  five  children:  Ira  Allison;  C.  Frank,  at 
home;  Cora.  'Sirs.  Harry  Fee,  of  Indiana; 
Laura,  who  is  at  home;  and  Lisle,  who  died 
in  1910. 

Ira  Allison  Myers  was  educated  in  the  coun- 
try schools  near  his  home  and  Penu  Run 
Academy,  his  teachers  there  being  Prof.  Steve 
Simpson  and  Clara  Cameron  (now  the  wife 
of  Congressman  Langham).     Leaving  school 


in  1894  he  worked  on  the  home  farm  for  a 
time,  and  then  taught  one  year,  in  the  winter 
of  1894-95,  at  the  Hill  school  in  Pine  town- 
ship. He  was  next  engaged  as  hotel  clerk 
at  the  old  "Clawson  House"  in  Indiana, 
where  he  remained  for  two  years,  after  which 
he  clerked  tw-o  years  at  the  "Indiana  House" 
for  J.  W.  Clements,  and  two  years  at  the 
"Merchants'  Hotel"  in  Johnstown,  Pa.  Re- 
turning to  Indiana  he  started  a  grocery,  on 
Philadelphia  street,  at  the  Pennsylvania  rail- 
road, in  1905  opening  his  present  store,  which 
is  known  as  the  City  Grocery.  ^Ir.  flyers  is 
an  energetic  and  enterprising  man,. genial  in 
his  relations  with  all  who  come  in  contact 
with  him,  and  his  high  personal  and  business 
qualities  have  combined  to  bring  him  success. 
On  June  15,  1899,  Mr.  Myers  was  married 
in  Indiana  to  Annie  Rowe,  daughter  of  Adam 
and  Susan  P.  (Wilson)  Rowe.  and  they  have 
had  one  child,  Genevieve,  born  Dec.  5.  1902. 
They  own  their  home  at  No.  450  Philadelphia 
street,  which  was  built  by  Jlrs.  IMyers'  father. 
Mr.  Myers  belongs  to  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  be- 
ing a  charter  member  of  Lodge  No.  931.  of 
Indiana,  and  his  religious  connection  is  with 
the  English  Lutheran  church.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican in  politics. 

EZEKIEL  SOMERVILLE.  lumber  dealer 
and  proprietor  of  a  planing  mill  at  Cherry- 
tree,  was  born  in  Cambria  county.  Pa.,  within 
three  miles  of  Cherrytree.  Sept.  5,  1858,  son 
of  James  and  Catherine  (Leamer)  Somerville. 
The  founder  of  the  Somerville  family  in 
America  was  of  Scotch  birth,  and  he  mar- 
ried into  Irish   stock. 

David  Somei-ville.  the  grandfather  of 
Ezekiel  Somerville,  was  born  in  Blair  county. 
Pa.  He  married  Martha  Galbreath,  who  was 
of  Scotch  ancestry,  her  family  ha^^ng  come 
to  Altoona.  Pa.,  before  the  founding  of  the 
town,  and  owned  the  land  upon  which  the 
borough  is  now  located.  After  his  marriage, 
David  Somerville  came  to  Cambria  county, 
settling  near  Cherrytree,  and  investing  in  a 
farm,  lived  there  with  his  father,  who  had 
been  a  Revohitionary  soldier  and  who  died 
there,  his  remains  being  interred  in  the  local 
cemetery.  There  David  Somerville  also 
rounded  out  his  life.  He  was  the  father  of 
five  children :  James,  who  is  mentioned  at 
length  bolow:  Jane;  John,  deceased;  David, 
who  was  a  soldier  during  the  Civil  war,  and 
William,  who  resides  at  Clearfield,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

James  Somerville  bought  a  farm  at  Gar- 
vans  ^lills.  in  Cambria  county,  which  is  still 


^'     <;S  &n^yOCA.tA/yU 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1281 


owned  by  the  family.  In  addition  to  opera- 
ting his  property  he  did  carpenter  work,  hav- 
ing learned  the  trade,  and  was  a  man  of  con- 
siderable property  when  he  died  at  his  home- 
stead, Aug.  16,  1879.  When  his  country  had 
need  of  him  he  enlisted  from  Cambria  county 
for  service  during  the  Civil  war,  in  Company 
I,  of  a  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry  regi- 
ment, and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Rich- 
mond, Petersburg,  and  other  engagements. 
Following  his  honorable  discharge  at  the  close 
of  the  war  he  returned  home  to  resume  peace- 
ful occupations. 

James  Somerville  had  nine  children:  Sam- 
uel, who  is  deceased;  Ezekiel;  John,  a  resi- 
dent of  Clearfield  county ;  David,  who  lives  in 
the  vicinity  of  Kinport,  Cambria  county; 
James,  who  is  deceased;  Catherine,  also  de- 
ceased; Mary  Jane,  deceased;  Lucinda,  the 
wife  of  Barney  Ruflfner,  of  Cherrytree,  and 
Elnora,  deceased. 

Catherine  (Leamer)  Somerville,  the  mother 
of  Ezekiel  Somerville,  was  a  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Catherine  (Ketner)  Leamer,  na- 
tives of  Blair  county,  Pa.,  born  near  Mor- 
rison's Cove,  who  came  to  Cambria  county 
later  on  in  life.  They  had  nine  children: 
Mary  Ann ;  Catherine ;  Margaret ;  Susan ; 
Maria,  who  married  John  Patterson  and  re- 
sides in  Indiana  eoimty;  John;  Samuel,  who 
is  a  resident  of  Glen  Campbell;  Julia,  who 
married  Simon  McDonnell  Buyers,  of  Cherry- 
tree,  and  Rebecca,  who  is  deceased.  Mrs. 
Somerville  died  Dec.  19,  1906. 

Ezekiel  Somerville  spent  his  boyhood  days 
on  his  father's  homestead  in  Cambria  county, 
and  attended  the  local  schools.  In  young 
manhood  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and 
followed  it  until  1905,  when  he  bought  his 
present  business,  located  at  CheiTytree,  which 
has  continued  to  be  his  home  ever  since.  Be- 
fore coming  to  Cherrytree,  in  1892,  he  had 
devoted  most  of  his  efforts  in  a  locality  em- 
braced in  Cambria  county,  where  he  gained 
a  knowledge  of  the  requirements  of  the  build- 
ing trade  which  he  is  able  to  meet  with  his 
lumber  yard  and  planing  mill. 

On  June  21,  1888,  Mr.  Somerville  was  mar- 
ried to  Lucy  Johns,  who  was  bom  in  Green 
township,  Indiana  Co..  Pa.,  daughter  of  James 
and  Catherine  (Sheehler)  Johns,  both  now 
deceased.  The  Johns  family  was  one  of  the 
first  to  locate  at  Johnstown,  Pa.  James  Johns 
was  a  farmer  and  lumberman  and  early  set- 
tler of  Indiana  county.  He  and  his  wife 
had  a  large  family. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Somerville  became  the  parents 
of  children   as  follows:     Marvin,   who  is  a 

81 


resident  of  Orlando,  Pla.,  mai-ried  Zoe  Doug- 
las, of  Indiana  county,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Martha  and  John ;  Rhoda,  who  mar- 
ried Willis  Barto,  resides  at  St.  Michael, 
Cambria  county,  and  they  have  two  children ; 
Hope,  James,  Lee,  Roy  and  Ted  are  at  home. 
Mr.  Somerville  is  a  member  of  the  Cherry- 
tree  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  and  also  belongs 
to  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  acting  as  treasurer 
of  that  organization.  Popular  with  his  fel- 
low townsmen,  he  has  been  called  upon  to 
serve  as  township  clerk,  auditor,  school  di- 
rector and  aldemian  in  the  Cherrytree  coun- 
cil upon  several  occasions,  and  was  elected 
a  justice  of  the  peace,  but  did  not  serve.  He 
is  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  his  section. 
He  is  a  well-informed  man,  and  has  traveled 
extensively,  having  visited  a  number  of  States 
and  Canada. 


DAVID  W.  DAVIS  has  lived  at  his  pres- 
ent home  in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana 
county,  since  he  was  seven  years  old.  He 
was  born  in  Center  township,  this  county, 
March  11,  1845,  son  of  John  Davis  and  grand- 
son of  John  Davis. 

John  Davis,  the  grandfather,  was  born 
near  Blairsville,  Indiana  county,  and  in  1840 
settled  on  a  tract  of  240  acres  in  Center  town- 
ship, for  which  he  took  out  a  patent.  He  fol- 
lowed farming,  lumbering  and  stock  raising  all 
his  life,  and  was  much  interested  in  fine  horses. 
He  married  Mary  Gordon,  and  they  had  the 
following  children :  Alexander  died  at  Erie, 
Pa.,  when  twenty-one  years  old;  William  (de- 
ceased) married  Sarah  Rhea  and  had  chil- 
dren, John  (who  was  in  Company  A,  135th 
Pennsylvania  Regiment,  Volunteei-s,  during 
the  Civil  war,  and  died  in  hospital  at  Wash- 
ington), Alexander,  Sarah,  Martha,  Johnson 
and  Thomas;  Mary  married  James  Robinson; 
Jennie  died  when  seventy  years  old,  unmar- 
ried; David  is  deceased;  John  is  mentioned 
below;  Johnson  (deceased)  was  in  Company 
B,  11th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  during  the 
Civil  war,  and  later  was  engaged  as  a  stone- 
mason in  the  town  of  Indiana. 

John  Davis,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Gor- 
don) Davis,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Center 
township,  where  after  reaching  manhood  he 
operated  a  farm  of  100  acres.  Thence  in 
1851  he  moved  to  Armstrong  township  and 
bought  the  William  Beaty  farm  of  106  acres, 
which  he  cultivated.  He  was  a  man  of  energy 
and  intelligence,  prominent  in  all  township 
affairs  and  active  as  a  leading  member  of  the 
Crete  United  Presbyterian  Church,  which  he 


1282 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


served  as  elder  aiid  member  of  the  building 
committee.  He  married  Priscilla  Martin, 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Martin  and  one  of  a 
family  of  twenty-seven  children ;  her  mother 's 
maiden  name  was  Downing.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Davis  were  the  parents  of  the  following: 
Martin  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilder- 
ness, while  serving  as  a  member  of  Company 
K,  105th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers ;  David  W.  is  mentioned  below ;  John 
Anderson,  M.  D.,  a  physician,  located  at 
Bloomfield,  III,  married  Mattie  McMillan; 
Watson,  now  living  in  Oregon,  where  he  is 
engaged  in  fruit  growing,  married  a  Miss 
Plummer  (by  whom  he  had  one  daughter),  and 
(second)  a  Nismith  (they  have  one  son)  ; 
James  Gordon,  M.  D.,  deceased,  who  prac- 
ticed medicine  at  Jacksonville,  Pa.,  married 
Netta  Graham;  Nancy  Jane  died  when  three 
years  old. 

David  W.  Davis  obtained  his  education  in 
the  common  schools.  When  eighteen  years 
old  he  enlisted,  in  February,  1864,  becoming 
a  member  of  the  United  States  Signal  Corps, 
with  which  he  served  until  April  4,  1866.  He 
was  with  Sherman  from  Chattanooga  to  At- 
lanta, was  transferred  from  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
and  sent  into  eastern  Tennessee  to  head  off 
Lee.  Then  his  command  was  ordered  to  Texas 
to  enforce  the  Monroe  doctrine,  as  part  of 
the  4th  Army  Corps.  After  his  return  home 
Mr.  Davis  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter, 
as  well  as  tanning  and  haruessmaking,  in 
which  lines  he  was  engaged  for  twelve  years. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  he  bought  his  father 's 
farm  in  Armstrong  township,  which  he  has 
since  conducted,  following  farming  and  stock 
raising.  Local  enterprises  have  always  en- 
listed his  attention  and  encouragement,  and 
he  has  been  actively  associated  with  several 
important  ventures,  having  been  president 
of  the  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  for 
the  last  fifteen  years,  and  being  also  presi- 
dent of  the  Parkwood  &  Indiana  Telephone 
Company.  Politically  he  is  associated  with 
the  Republican  party,  by  which  he  has  been 
chosen  for  various  township  positions,  having 
served  as  school  director  (eight  j-ears),  road 
supervisor  (nine  years)  and  election  judge. 
Soeiallv  he  is  a  member  of  William  Armstrong 
Post,  No.  303,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Shelocta.  Pa.  He 
formerly  belonged  to  the  Odd  Fellows.  He 
has  held  membership  in  the  Bethel  United 
Presbyterian  Church  since  1870,  and  has  been 
tenor  leader  of  the  singing  in  that  church 
for  the  last  thirty-five  years.  Music  has  been 
his  greatest  plea.sure  all  his  life,  and  he  has 


given  much  time  to  making  himself  proficient 
in  both  vocal  and  instrumental  music,  play- 
ing the  violin ;  his  music  is  in  demand  on  many 
occasions  and  thoroughly  appreciated  in  the 
neighborhood.  He  has  taught  singing  schools, 
about  twenty-five  years,  and  is  often  called 
upon  to  sing  at  funerals  and  on  other  oc- 
casions. 

On  Oct.  1,  1867,  Mr.  Davis  married  Sarah 
W.  Lowman,  who  was  born  in  Armstrong 
township,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Nancy 
(Walker)  Lowman,  and  died  Oct.  28,  1901, 
aged  seventy  years.  They  had  one  daughter, 
Clara  Jane,  who  married  James  H.  Miller, 
and  they  make  their  «home  with  her  father. 

BROWN.  William  Joseph  Brown,  farmer 
of  Center  township,  Indiana  county,  and  his 
sons,  Harry  Y.  Brown  and  Chester  A.  Brown, 
of  Burrell  and  Blacklick  townships,  respec- 
tively, are  representatives  of  a  respected  fam- 
ily of  Irish  extraction  which  has  been  settled 
in  this  section  of  Peuns.ylvania  for  over  three 
quarters  of  a  century. 

Charles  S.  Brown,  father  of  William  Jo- 
seph Brown,  was  born  in  Ireland,  where  he 
grew  to  manhood  and  married  Jane  Kirk. 
They  crossed  the  Atlantic,  landing  in  Quebec, 
Canada,  and  coming  into  the  States  made 
their  way  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains 
in  Pennsylvania,  first  locating  in  Redbank 
township.  Clarion  county,  where  he  became 
the  owner  of  fifty  acres  of  land  in  what  was 
then  a  wilderness.  After  making  a  number 
of  improvements  on  that  place  he  bought  and 
moved  to  another  farm  in  Clarion  county, 
thence  moving  to  Jefferson  county,  this  State, 
where  he  farmed  for  three  years.  From  there 
he  moved  out  to  Ohio,  in  which  State  he  re- 
sided for  three  years,  and  returning  to  Penn- 
sylvania again  farmed  in  Clarion  county  a 
short  period.  Then  he  bought  a  farm  in 
Jefferson  county  which  he  cultivated  until 
his  removal  to  Indiana  county,  where  he  lo- 
cated in  North  Mahoning  township,  farming 
there  for  the  next  twenty  years.  At  the  end 
of  that  time  he  sold  out  and  located  in  Rayne 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life,  continuing  to  farm 
throughout  his  active  years.  He  died  there 
Oct.  24,  1891.  His  first  chureli  connection 
was  with  the  IMethodist  denomination;  later 
he  became  a  Seceder,  and  when  he  located 
in  Rayne  township  joined  the  M.  E.  Church. 
Politically  he  was  a  Republican.  By  his  first 
wife,  Jane  (Kirk"),  he  had  a  family  of  six 
children:  Elizabeth  Ann.  who  died  in  1856; 
^lary  Alice,  who  married   Lewis  Townsend ; 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1283 


Margaret  Jane,  who  married  Thomas  McKins- 
bury,  of  Vandergi-if t.  Pa. ;  William  Joseph ; 
John  Alexander;  and  Martha  Malinda.  For 
his  second  wife  Mr.  Brown  married  Elizabeth 
Thomas,  by  whom  he  had  four  children: 
Nancy  Josephine,  wife  of  Adam  Black ;  Susan, 
wife  of  John  S.  Storer;  and  two  who  died  in 
infancy.  By  his  third  marriage,  to  Nancy 
Little,  there  were  no  children. 

William  Joseph  Brown,  son  of  Charles  S. 
and  Jane  (Kirk)  Brown,  was  born  Dee.  18, 
1837,  in  Redbank  township,  Clarion  county. 
Pa.  He  was  a  young  child  when  he  went 
with  his  parents  to  Ohio,  and  attended  school 
there.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  but  nine 
years  old,  and  he  went  out  into  the  world  to 
make  his  own  way  at  an  early  age,  doing  farm 
work,  at  first  for  his  board  and  clothes.  Later 
he  received  eight  dollars  a  month  besides  his 
board,  woi'kiug  at  farming  and  lumbering 
in  various  localities  of  Clarion  and  Jefferson 
counties.  In  1855  he  settled  in  Redbank  town- 
ship. Clarion  county,  continuing  to  farm  there 
until  1860,  in  which  year  he  went  to  the  oil 
fields,  remaining  there  until  the  Civil  war 
broke  out.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company 
K,  57th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
under  Capt.  C.  S.  Chase  and  Colonel  Max- 
well, and  the  command  was  attached  to  the 
3d  Army  Corps,  Mr.  Brown  seeing  active 
service  in  battle  near  Yorktown,  at  Yorktown, 
Seven  Pines,  in  the  Seven  Days'  Fight,  in 
front  of  Richmond,  at  Charles  City  Cross 
Roads  and  in  a  number  of  other  engagements. 
He  was  discharged  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  July 
4,  1865,  after  serving  three  years,  ten  months 
with  the  same  company  and  regiment,  during 
whicli  period  he  was  never  wounded  or  in 
hospital. 

After  his  return  from  the  army  Mr.  Brown 
was  in  the  oil  territory  in  Crawford  county 
until  1867,  when  he  resumed  farming,  living 
in  West  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county, 
one  year.  Then  he  moved  to  Pluracreek  town- 
ship, Armstrong  county,  where  he  made  his 
home  for  twenty  years,  farming  and  stock 
raising,  and  from  there  went  west  to  Illinois, 
spending  two  years  in  that  State  and  Indiana, 
Iowa,  Nebraska  and  Kansas.  Coming  back 
to  Pennsylvania  he  farmed  two  years  in  Low- 
er Burrell  township,  Westmoreland  county, 
and  then  came  to  Indiana  county,  locating 
in  1896  in  Center  township,  where  he  bought 
the  Alexander  McGaughey  farm  of  119  acres 
upon  which  he  has  since  resided.  He  has 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing, and  has  become  one  of  the  valued  citizens 
of  his  section.     He  is  a  member  of  Bethel 


Presbyterian  Church  in  Center  township. 
Mr.  Brown  was  a  Democrat  originally,  but 
after  the  Civil  war  changed  his  allegiance 
to  the  Republican  party,  which  he  has  since 
supported.  While  in  Armstrong  county  he 
served  as  a  member  of  the  election  board.  He 
was  married  in  North  Mahoning  township, 
this  county,  to  Martha  Jordan,  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Martha  (Pounds)  Jordan.  She, 
too,  is  a  member  of  Bethel  Presbyterian 
Church.  Nine  children  have  been  born  to 
this  union:  Laura  Aurelia,  now  the  wife  of 
Herman  Nichols ;  Ada  Eleie,  married  to  Wil- 
liam H.  Kirkwood,  of  Clarion  county;  Harry 
Y. ;  Chester  A. ;  William  L.,  who  resides  in 
Armstrong  county;  John  LeRoy,  now  of  In- 
diana, Pa.;  Walter  H.,  also  of  Indiana;  Belle, 
who  is  at  home ;  and  a  daughter  that  died  in 
infancy. 

Harry  Y.  Brown,  eldest  son  of  William 
Joseph  Brown,  was  born  Dec.  18,  1872,  near 
Elderton,  Armstrong  county,  Pa.,  and  at- 
tended school  at  Elderton.  He  was  only  a  boy 
when  he  commenced  to  work  out  among  farm- 
ers, receiving  very  small  wages  at  first.  When 
he  reached  his  majority  he  rented  the  farm 
of  Henry  Grafi',  in  Blacklick  township  (now 
owned  by  William  P.  McCrea),  a  tract  of  280 
acres  which  he  operated  for  two  years.  From 
there  he  moved  to  Allegheny  county,  farm- 
ing a  tract  of  400  acres  in  Penn  township 
for  two  years,  after  which  he  spent  two  years 
in  Penn  township,  Westmoreland  ,  county, 
working  on  a  farm  for  wages.  In  1899  he 
went  to  Blacklick  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  farmed  the  Wainwright  place  five 
years,  the  first  three  j^ears  of  that  time  for 
the  family  and  the  other  two  years  on  his  own 
account.  In  February,  1905,  he  bought  the 
Kenny  farm,  a  tract  of  fifty  acres  in  Burrell 
township,  located  along  the  Blacklick  creek, 
and  he  has  devoted  his  time  and  attention 
to  the  cultivation  of  that  property  since, 
farming  and  stock  raising,  and  quite  exten- 
sively interested  in  dairying.  He  markets 
his  dairy  products  in  Blairsville.  Mr.  Brown 
is  a  hard-working  man,  but  he  is  also  far- 
seeing  and  intelligent,  and  makes  his  labors 
count  to  such  good  purpose  that  he  is  succeed- 
ing in  every  line.  He  is  up-to-date  in  his 
methods,  and  his  thrifty  and  enterprising 
policy  has  placed  him  among  the  prosperous 
farmers  of  his  locality,  where  his  judgment 
is  approved  on  all  matters  pertaining  to  agri- 
cultural work.  All  the  credit  for  his  pres- 
ent substantial  position  is  due  to  his  own  ef- 
forts. 


1284 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


On  Nov.  30,  1892,  Mr.  Brown  married 
Cardin  Margaret  Wainwright,  who  was  born 
Feb.  8,  1873,  in  Blacklick  township,  daughter 
of  George  and  Jane  (MeGee)  Wainwright,  a 
full  account  of  whose  family  may  be  found 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  Three  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown:  Milton 
Lycurgus,  who  is  now  in  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Ella 
Jane,  at  home ;  and  Eva  Belle,  at  home. 

Mr.  Brown  is  a  Republican  and  interested 
in  the  success  of  the  party,  and  he  has  served 
as  inspector  of  elections.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Hopewell  M.  E.  Church. 

Chester  A.  Brown,  second  son  of  William 
Joseph  Brown,  was  born  March  4.  1874,  near 
Elderton,  in  Armstrong  coilnty.  Pa.,  and  re- 
ceived such  educational  opportunities  as  the 
local  public  schools  afforded.  He  began  to 
help  at  home  when  very  young,  and  has  been 
on  his  own  resources  since  he  was  thirteen, 
at  which  age  he  went  to  work  in  Ligonier 
township,  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  for  his 
board  and  clothes.  He  was  there  one  year, 
and  was  next  employed  by  Robert  Foster, 
at  New  Alexandria,  that  county,  where  he 
also  worked  one  year  as  farmer's  boy,  receiv- 
ing his  board  and  clothes.  From  there  he 
went  to  work  for  Ralston  brothers  near  Elder- 
ton,  spending  two  years  with  them,  during 
which  time  his  wages  were  fifty  cents  a  day. 
The  next  year  he  was  employed  on  the  Sadler 
farm,  at  nine  dollars  per  month  and  board, 
and  he  subsequently  worked  for  his  father 
in  Westmoreland  county,  farming  for  one 
year.  In  1896  he  located  in  Blacklick  town- 
ship, having  rented  a  tract  of  ninety-three 
acres  of  the  Samuel  Clawson  farm,  which  he 
cultivated  on  that  basis  for  two  years.  He 
then  bought  the  place,  and  continued  to  farm 
there  until  1903,  when  he  sold  it  and  pur- 
chased his  present  home  property  in  Black- 
lick township,  a  tract  of  140  acres  on  which 
he  has  made  extensive  improvements.  He 
has  since  bought  another  tract  of  thirty  acres, 
adjoining,  now  cultivating  170  acres,  which 
under  his  thrifty  management  is  in  prime 
condition.  He  has  built  a  fine  hay  barn,  and 
is  constantly  making  changes  which  increase 
the  value  of  his  place,  of  which  he  may  well 
be  proud.  He  has  accomplished  much  by  hon- 
esty and  hard  work,  being  a  self-made  man 
whose  success  has  come  to  him  as  the  result 
of  well-directed  labor  and  perseverance.  His 
home  and  surroundings  are  kept  in  excellent 
order. 

On  March  28,  1895,  Mr.  Brown  married 
Lottie  Blanch  Clawson,  who  was  born  in 
Blacklick  township,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 


Rebecca  (Bricker)  Clawson,  of  that  township, 
both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  They  have  had 
three  children:  William  S.,  who  died  March 
26,  1912,  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years;  Mary 
Blanch,  and  Charles  Lloyd.  Jlrs.  Brown  and 
the  family  belong  to  the  M.  E.  Church.  She 
has  been  a  valuable  helpmate  in  all  her  hus- 
band's work,  and  he  appreciates  the  encour- 
agement and  assistance  she  has  given  him. 

Mr.  Brown  belongs  to  the  L.  0.  0.  M.  lodge 
at  Blairsville,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  first 
members.  He  is  a  Republican  and  takes  con- 
siderable interest  in  politics,  having  served 
as  judge  of  election,  and  also  as  member  of 
the  Republican  committee  of  his  township. 
He  held  the  office  of  school  director  for  one 


CAPT.  WILLIAM  KIMPLE,  formerly  a 
merchant  of  Chambersville,  Indiana  county, 
and  for  many  years  postmaster  at  that  point, 
is  one  of  the  best  known  residents  of  Rayne 
township.  His  long  career  as  business  man 
and  public  official  brought  him  into  contact 
with  most  of  his  fellow  citizens  in  that  sec- 
tion, and  his  honorable  life  has  won  universal 
esteem  from  them.  Captain  Kimple  is  a 
native  of  New  Jersey,  born  July  4,  1835.  His 
parents,  John  and  Mary  (Sigler)  Kimple, 
both  natives  of  New  Jersey,  came  to  Indiana 
county,  Pa.,  in  1840,  and  passed  the  rest  of 
their  lives  on  a  farm  here.  Mr.  Kimple  was 
always  a  farmer.  They  reared  a  family  of 
eighteen  children. 

William  Kimple  was  reared'  at  home  on 
the  farm,  where  he  remained  until  twenty- 
five  years  old.  On  Aug.  17,  1861,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  F,  105th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  was  sent  to  Washington, 
D.  C,  and  saw  much  active  service,  taking 
part  in  many  important  battles.  He  was  at 
Yorktown,  Williamsburg,  Fair  Oaks,  White 
Oak  Swamp,  Malvern  Hill,  Bull  Run,  Bris- 
toe  Station,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville, 
Gettysburg,  Kelly's  Ford,  Mine  Run,  Wilder- 
ness, Weldon  Railroad,  Sailors  Creek  and  the 
other  actions  in  which  his  regiment  was  en- 
gaged, remaining  in  the  army  until  after  the 
close  of  the  war.  On  May"  5,  1864,  at  the 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  he  was  wounded  in 
the  thigh  and  sent  to  hospital,  where  he 
remained  for  six  weeks.  Rejoining  his  regi- 
ment, he  was  again  wounded  Aug.  22,  1864, 
in  the  Weldon  Railroad  engagement,  this  time 
in  the  foot.  Mr.  Kimple  rose  from  the  ranks 
to  a  captaincy,  being  promoted  in  turn  to 
corporal,  sergeant,  first  sergeant,  second 
lieutenant,  first  lieutenant  and  captain ;   he 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1285 


was  given  the  latter  rank  May  24,  1864,  for 
meritorious  conduct,  and  continued  to  serve 
until  his  discharge,  July  11,  1865.  He  is  an 
honored  member  of  Indiana  Post,  No.  28, 
6.  A.  R. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1865  Captain 
Kimple  opened  a  general  store  at  Chambers- 
ville,  where  he  carried  on  business  for  the 
following  twenty-six  years,  and  for  the  same 
length  of  time  served  as  postmaster  at  that 
place.  Since  giving  up  his  store  he  has  lived 
in  comparative  retirement,  though  he  con- 
tinues to  cultivate  his  farm  in  Rayne  town- 
ship, a  fine  tract  of  114  acres,  where  he  makes 
his  home. 

On  Aug.  15,  1865,  Captain  Kimple  married 
Maria  Crissman,  of  Indiana  county,  daughter 
of  Hezekiah  and  Elizabeth  Crissman,  the  lat- 
ter of  whom  was  born  in  Blair  county.  Pa., 
the  former  in  Akron,  Ohio.  Four  children 
have  been  born  to  this  marriage:  Mary 
Elizabeth,  who  is  the  wife  of  I.  C.  Winecoop, 
a  merchant,  of  Larimer,  Westmoreland  Co., 
Pa. ;  Lottie,  who  lives  at  Larimer ;  J.  Clay,  a 
merchant,  of  Beaver,  Pa.,  who  married  Ver- 
nie  Bell;  and  Gertrude,  wife  of  W.  0.  Bu- 
chanan, the  leading  merchant  of  Larimer. 
Captain  Kimple  and  his  wife  and  family  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

GEORGE  S.  BRAUGHLER,  who  is  car- 
rying on  general  farming  operations  in  Canoe 
township,  was  born  on  the  old  Braughler 
homestead  place  in  that  township.  May  1, 
1848,  son  of  Tobias  and  Jane  (Miller) 
Braughler. 

Adam  Braughler,  the  paternal  grandfather 
of  George  S.  Braughler,  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, whence  he  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  settling  first  in  Bucks  county.  Pa., 
and  later  moving  to  Indiana  county.  He  died 
in  Canoe  township,  June  21,  1841.  He  was 
married  to  Lydia  Snyder,  of  Bucks  county, 
and  in  1815  they  drove  through  to  Indiana 
county  with  a  team  and  yoke  of  oxen,  I\Ir. 
Braughler  taking  up  250  acres  at  what  is 
now  the  site  of  A.  H.  Braughler 's  home.  This 
was  a  tract  of  wild  land  entirely  destitute  of 
improvement,  and  Mr.  Braughler  erected  a 
rude  cabin,  this  being  the  beginning  for  a 
finely  developed  and  richly  improved  prop- 
erty. He  cleared  his  land,  planted  crops,  and 
in  those  early  days  passed  through  the  usual 
experiences  and  hardships  incident  to  the 
development  of  a  farm  in  a  wild  region. 
Economy,  industry,  per.sonal  sacrifice  and 
strong  determination  all  characterized  his 
career  through  that  period  in  which  he  was 


reclaiming  the  wilderness,  but  at  length  his 
indefatigable  labors  were  crowned  with  suc- 
cess, as  his  abundant  harvests  brought  him 
good  financial  returns.  He  was  very  progres- 
sive, and  in  addition  to  following  farming 
he  was  for  some  years  engaged  at  cabinet- 
making.  A  man  widely  known  and  highly 
esteemed,  he  was  one  of  his  township's  rep- 
resentative citizens.  He  and  his  wife  had 
the  following!  children:  Daniel,  a  farmer 
and  lumberman  of  Cherrytree,  Pa.,  married 
Agnes  Leasure,  and  had  nine  children,  Sam- 
uel, Adam,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Hannah,  Katie, 
Eliza,  Jane  and  Nancy;  John,  a  farmer,  who 
lived  at  Greensburg,  Pa.,  also  married;  Solo- 
mon, born  Dec.  27,  1803,  died  in  May,  1870, 
a  farmer  who  lived  on  the  old  homestead, 
married  Nancy  Boyle  and  had  seven  children, 
Maria  (who  married  David  Knox  and  lived 
in  North  IMahoning  township,'  where  both 
died),  Adam  C.  (who  married  Sarah  Dona- 
hey,  and  lives  in  Indiana),  David  J.  (a  Grant 
township  farmer,  who  married  Elizabeth 
Doty;  she  is  now  deceased),  Martin  (who 
married  Hannah  Hartshorn  and  resides  at 
Santa  Rosa,  Cal.),  Nancy  J.  (who  died 
young),  Aaron  H.  (farming  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  Canoe  township,  who  married  Cor- 
delia Johnston;  she  is  deceased)  and  Annis 
(who  married  Miles  Spencer  and  second  Cap- 
tain Ewing)  ;  Nancy  married  George  Shields, 
of  Canoe  township;  Lydia  married  Joseph 
Taylor,  of  Canoe  township,  and  has  four 
children,  Joseph,  James,  George  and  Jane; 
Ann  married  Jeremiah  Brown,  of  Indiana 
county,  and  has  five  children,  William,  John, 
Solomon,  Mary  and  Ann ;  Tobias  is  mentioned 
below;  the  other  five  children  of  this  family 
died  in  infancy  or  childhood. 

Tobias  Braughler,  son  of  Adam  Braughler, 
and  father  of  George  S.  Braughler,  was  born 
Dee.  20,  1814,  in  Bucks  county.  Pa.,  and  was 
married  May  22,  1838,  to  Mrs.  Jane  (Miller) 
Rumbarger,  widow  of  James  Rumbarger,  and 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Slasman) 
^liller.  Mrs.  Braughler  was  born  July  14, 
1815,  in  Mifflin  county.  Pa.,  whither  her  par- 
ents had  moved  from  Maryland.  Later  they 
moved  to  Huntingdon  county,  then  to  Jef- 
ferson county,  and  finally  to  Indiana  county, 
where  Mr.  Braughler  died  Oct.  3,  1904;  his 
wife  had  passed  away  March  30,  1894.  They 
had  the  following  children:  (1)  Adam  ilil- 
ler,  born  March  13,  1839,  in  1859  went  to 
Illinois,  where  he  became  a  farmer  and  lum- 
berman. He  enlisted  in  the  91st  Illinois  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  during  the  Civil  war,  and 
was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills, 


1286 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


May  16, 1863,  leaving  a  widow,  Ruth(  Logan), 
who  is  now  deceased,  and  a  daughter,  Esther 
Jane,  who  subsequently  married  Capt.  J.  P. 
Eaton;  (2)  Nancy  Malissa,  born  July  21, 
1842,  is  living  near  Pittsburg,  the  widow  of 
James  Simpson,  by  whom  she  had  two  chil- 
dren, Bertha  and  EfBe;  (3)  George  Sylvester 
is  mentioned  below;  (4)  Martha  A.,  born  Dec. 
16,  1849,  died  Oct.  4,  1854;  (5)  Emma  E., 
born  Feb.  4,  1855,  died  Feb.  9,  1875; 
(6)  Phoebe  Jane,  born  Nov.  13,  1857,  married 
John  Pocht,  of  Fulton,  Ohio,  and  is  the 
mother  of  one  daughter,  Nellie. 

Peter  Miller,  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
George  S.  Braughler,  died  July  22,  1852,  and 
his  wife.  May  28,  1876.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children :  Joseph,  of 
Canoe  township,  married  Elizabeth  Gensmer, 
and  had  six  children,  of  whom  all  are  de- 
ceased except  J.  Stewart  Miller,  who  is  farm- 
ing the  old  place  in  Canoe  township;  John, 
deceased,  a  carpenter,  married  Marjorie  Cox; 
George,  a  merchant  in  Punxsutawney,  Pa., 
for  many  years,  married  Jane  Saltsgiver,  and 
had  one  child,  Elizabeth,  who  married  J.  L. 
Hayes;  Henrj',  living  in  Indiana,  Pa.,  married 
Harriet  Webster;  Jane  became  Mrs.  Tobias 
Braughler ;  Martha,  deceased,  married  Thomas 
Means,  and  had  four  children,  Thaddeus, 
Miller,  Orin  and  Harriet;  Eliza,  deceased, 
married  Douglas  Shields,  of  Juneau,  Pa.,  and 
had  seven  children,  William,  Hugh,  Joseph, 
Alvin.  Ella,  Jane  and  Marjorie;  Nancy  mar- 
ried James  Fitzgerald  (both  are  deceased) 
and  had  two  children,  John  and  James. 

George  Sylvester  Braughler  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools,  and  always 
remained  at  home,  tenderly  caring  for  his 
parents  in  their  declining  years.  On  January 
27, 1872,  he  married  Isabelle  C.  McConaughey, 
of  North  Mahoning  township,  daughter  of 
Thompson  and  Eliza  (Hall)  McConaughey, 
the  former  a  well-known  farmer  of  North 
Mahoning  township,  now  deceased;  the  latter 
is  still  svirviving,  making  her  residence  on 
the  old  homestead.  Mrs.  Braughler  died 
April  27,  1874,  without  issue.  On  March 
26,  1876,  Mr.  Braughler  was  married  (sec- 
ond) to  Sarah  Ann  I\IcConaughey,  the  sister 
of  his  first  wife,  and  six  children  have  ])een 
born  to  this  union,  namely:  Lester,  born 
Oct.  17,  1876,  a  farmer  in  Clarion  county, 
married  Mary  Shilla,  and  has  one  child,  Tuila ; 
Clarence,  born  Oct.  1,.1880,  who  is  engaged 
in  the  draying  business  at  DuBois,  Pa.,  mar- 
ried Nellie  Snyder,  and  has  three  children, 
Ernest,  Owen  and  Catherine ;  John  M.,  born 
Aug.  3,  1883,  who  is  connected  with  the  At- 


lantic Refining  Company  in  Clarion  county, 
married  Ella  Shugarts,  and  has  one  son.  Jack ; 
Jennie  Maude,  born  Dec.  14,  1888,  is  engaged 
in  teaching  in  Indiana  county ;  G.  Clark,  born 
June  24,  1890,  is  assisting  his  father  in  the 
management  of  the  homestead;  Mary  Beat- 
rice, born  July  7,  1893,  is  a  teacher  in  the 
Indiana  county  public  schools.  These  chil- 
dren have  all  been  given  good  educational 
advantages,  and  have  been  fitted  for  what- 
ever positions  they  may  be  called  iipon  to 
fill. 

Like  his  father  Mr.  Braughler  is  a  supporter 
of  Democratic  principles  and  candidates,  and 
also  like  him  has  held  various  township 
offices,  having  served  on  the  election  board, 
as  jvidge  of  election  for  the  past  twent.v-five 
years,  as  school  director,  as  auditor  and  as 
assessor  three  tei-ms.  He  was  reared  in  the 
faith  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
attends  with  his  wife  at  Covode,  Pennsylvania. 

In  addition  to  following  general  farming 
and  stock  raising,  Mr.  Braughler  has  a  large 
pear,  peach  and  apple  orchard,  and  devotes 
a  great  deal  of  time  to  raising  fruit.  He  is 
strictly  honorable  in  all  things,  and  owes  his 
success  to  euergj',  industry  and  perseverance. 

EPYRUS  COBLE,  a  farmer  of  Green  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  was  born  in  that  town- 
ship Nov.  7,  1860,  a  son  of  Dr.  Samuel  and 
Maria  (Boring)  Coble,  the  former  a  native 
of  eastern  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  In- 
diana county. 

Dr.  Samuel  Coble  came  to  Indiana  county 
in  young  manhood,  settling  in  Green  town- 
ship. However,  he  lived  there  with  his  family 
only  for  a  short  time,  comparatively,  moving 
west  to  Missouri,  where  he  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life,  dying  in  1872.  He  was 
a  physician  and  surgeon,  practicing  his  pro- 
fession in  eastern  Pennsylvania  and  also  after 
coming  to  Indiana  county,  and  in  the  West. 
After  his  death  the  family  returned  to  In- 
diana county.  Pa.,  where  his  widow  still  re- 
sides, at  Uniontowu.  Her  father,  John  Bor- 
ing, was  an  early  settler  of  Indiana  county. 
Eight  children  were  born  to  Dr.  Samuel  Coble 
and  his  wife,  namely:  The  eldest  died  in 
infancy;  Epyrus  is  mentioned  below;  Elmer 
is  deceased;  Emma  is  deceased;  George  is 
deceased;  Thenis  is  a  resident  of  St.  Louis, 
j\Io. ;  Harry  is  deceased ;  William  is  the  young- 
est. 

Epyrus  Coble  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  in  Indiana  county,  and  when  a  youth 
went  to  Missouri  with  his  parents.  Return- 
ing to  Indiana  county  in  1873,  he  did  farm 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1287 


work  for  others  for  a  time,  in  1886  buying 
the  place  in  Green  township  which  he  has 
occupied  ever  since.  In  addition  to  general 
farming  he  engages  in  stock  raising,  espe- 
cially horses,  and  by  industry  and  careful 
management  he  has  become  one  of  the  pros- 
perous and  substantial  agriculturists  of  his 
locality.  His  honesty  in  all  transactions  and 
reliability  have  made  him  regarded  with  con- 
fidence and  respect  by  his  fellow  citizens,  and 
he  has  been  elected  member  of  the  township 
school  board  several  times,  having  served 
nine  years  on  that  body. 

Ou  Oct.  30,  1884,  Mr.  Coble  married  Re- 
becca C.  Garman,  who  was  born  in  Indiana 
county,  Jan.  10,  1862,  on  the  farm  where  she 
and  her  husband  are  now  living,  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Berringer)  Garman;  her 
father  was  born  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  her 
mother  in  Indiana  county.  Upon  coming  to 
this  part  of  the  State  Mr.  Garman  first  set- 
tled in  Cambria  county,  whence  he  came  to 
Indiana  county  and  bought  the  farm  where 
Mr.  Coble  now  lives,  remaining  there  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  May  13,  1898.  Mrs. 
Garman  survived  him,  dying  July  16,  1906. 
They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children, 
namely:  Martha  Jane,  who  is  deceased; 
Ada,  wife  of  Marlin  Cameron,  of  Oregon; 
Jeremiah,  deceased;  Rebecca  C,  Mrs.  Coble; 
John  D.,  a  resident  of  Washington,  D.  C. ; 
Barto,  deceased;  Sidney,  Living  at  Union- 
town,  this  county;  two  who  died  in  infancy; 
and  Grant. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Coble:  John,  the  eldest,  now  living  at 
Homer  City,  this  county,  married  Mabel 
Brewer,  of  Indiana  county,  and  they  have 
two  children,  LeRoy  and  Wendell;  Floyd, 
also  a  resident  of  Homer  City,  married  a 
Miss  King,  of  Indiana  county,  and  their  chil- 
dren are  Ord  and  Delmont;  Vallie,  who  lives 
at  Cherrytree,  this  county,  married  Ola  Buter- 
baugh,  and  they  have  one  child,  Rhuell; 
Harry  is  deceased;  Cecil  lives  in  Indiana 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coble  are  members  of 
the  Church  of  God  at  Pine  Grove. 

SAMUEL  S.  LUCAS,  general  farmer  and 
proprietor  of  the  Littster  Mineral  Springs, 
in  White  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
in  Washington  township,  this  county,  May 
27,  1870,  son  of  William  B.  and  Sarah 
(Cribbs)  Lucas.  John  Lucas,  his  grand- 
father, was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Wash- 
ington township,  where  he  purchased  a  farm 
and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits. 


William  B.  Lucas,  son  of  John  Lucas,  and 
father  of  Samuel  S.  Lucas,  was  born  in 
Washington  township,  on  his  father's  farm, 
and  there  continued  to  reside  until  1866,  in 
which  year  he  bought  the  farm  that  is  npw 
operated  by  his  son.  Although  past  eighty 
years  of  age  he  is  still  hale  and  hearty,  and 
is  actively  engaged  in  farming. 

Joseph  B.  Cribbs,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  Samuel  S.  Lucas,  was  one  of  Wash- 
ington  township's  earliest  settlers,  and  was 
engaged  in  farming  during  the  early  years 
of  his  life.  In  his  latter  years  he  carried  the 
mail  for  the  United  States  government,  from 
Advance  to  Atwood,  in  Indiana  county,  and 
was  widely  known  and  highly  esteemed. 

There  was  ten  children  born  to  William  B. 
and  Sarah  (Cribbs)  Lucas,  as  follows:  James, 
who  resides  in  Buffington  township ;  Alonzo 
and  Clarette,  who  are  deceased;  ilaggie,  also 
deceased;  Clara,  who  married  Henry  Dorr 
and  is  now  deceased ;  William  I.,  who  lives  in 
Colorado  Springs,  Colo. ;  Joseph  C,  who  lives 
on  the  old  family  homestead  in  Washington 
township ;  Samuel  S. ;  Etta,  who  is  the  wife 
of  Edward  Peterman,  of  South  Beud,  Arm- 
strong county;  and  Alva,  who  is  deceased. 

Samuel  S.  Lucas,  son  of  William  B.  Lucas, 
obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Washington  township,  and  later 
took  a  course  in  the  select  schools.  In  1894 
he  went  to  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  where  for  the  three 
years  following  he  was  engaged  in  clerking 
in  a  store,  and  on  his  return  to  Indiana  be- 
came associated  with  W.  H.  Clawson.  with 
whom  he  continued  for  three  years.  At  the 
end  of  that  time  Mr.  Lucas  was  married  and 
came  to  his  present  farm,  where  he  has  since 
carried  on  general  farming,  stock  raising  and 
dairying,  and  in  addition  conducts  what  is 
known  as  the  Littster  Mineral  Springs,  hav- 
ing the  only  business  of  its  kind  in  the  county. 
He  sells  his  goods  in  Indiana,  Pa.  A  man  of 
enterprise,  ambition  and  progressive  ideas, 
he  has  won  success  through  the  medium  of 
his  own  efforts,  and  his  operations  have  been 
carried  on  in  such  a  manner  as  to  gain  and 
retain  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  fellow- 
citizens. 

On  May  14,  1896,  Mr.  Lucas  married 
Katie  M.  Littster,  who  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Indiana  Feb.  4,  1879,  daughter  of  Alex- 
ander and  Emma  (Snyder)  Littster,  and 
three  daughters  have  been  born  to  this  union : 
Gladys  Roselda,  Garnet  Eldora  and  Sarah 
Margaret. 

William  Littster,  the  paternal  grandfather 
of  Mrs.  Lucas,  came  with  his  family  to  In- 


1288 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


diana  county,  Pa.,  from  Scotland,  and  settled 
on  a  farm  near  the  town  of  Indiana,  being 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  during  the 
remainder  of  his  life. 

Alexander  Littster,  son  of  "William  Litt- 
ster,  was  born  in  Scotland,  and  as  a  lad 
learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith.  For  some 
years  he  followed  his  trade  in  the  vicinity  of . 
Indiana,  but  eventually  turned  his  attention 
to  farming,  purchasing  the  property  on 
which  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lucas  now  live,  where  he 
carried  on  operations  until  his  death  in  1906. 
He  and  his  wife  had  only  one  child,  Katie  ]\I. 

George  Snyder,  the  maternal  grandfather 
of  Mrs.  Lucas,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers 
of  Indiana  county,  and  for  a  number  of  years 
conducted  the  "West  End  Hotel"  in  the 
town  of  Indiana,  subsequently  turning  his 
attention  to  the  meat  business  and  eventually 
living  in  retirement  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  the  town  of  Indiana.  His  daugh- 
ter Emma,  the  mother  of  ilrs.  Lucas,  died 
Sept.  4,  1883. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lucas  are  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  are 
known  for  their  liberality  and  their  willing- 
ness to  support  all  movements  of  a  worthy 
nature.  Both  have  many  friends  in  Indiana 
county,  drawn  about  them  by  their  admirable 
traits  of  character.  As  a  citizen  whose  intelli- 
gence and  public  spirit  lead  him  to  take  part 
in  those  activities  which  conunend  themselves 
to  his  good  judgment,  Mr.  Lucas  is  a  recog- 
nized leader  in  everything  that  promises  to  be 
of  benefit  to  his  community,  and  as  such  is 
entitled  to  place  among  Indiana  county 's  rep- 
resentative men. 

PHILANDER  CHURCHILL,  a  leading 
citizen  of  Hillsdale  and  all  that  part  of  In- 
diana county,  proprietor  of  the  principal 
store  and  postmaster,  has  been  in  the  general 
mercantile  business  there  continuously  since 
1865.  He  is  one  of  the  most  successful  men 
of  his  section,  and  one  of  the  most  highly 
respected.  Mr.  Churchill  was  born  March  22, 
1832,  in  Montgomery  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  was  an  adopted  son  of  John  L. 
and  Maria  (Hazlett)  Churchill,  the  former 
of  whom  was  from  New  York,  the  latter  a 
native  of  Bellefonte,  Pa.  John  L.  Churchill 
was  a  shoemaker  and  farmer.  He  came  to 
Indiana  county  in  1831,  and  later  moved 
West,  where  he  died  in  1891.  Mrs.  Churchill 
died  in  1880  in  Armstrong  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Philander  Churchill  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools.     When  a  young  man  he  was 


engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  shoes  for 
eight  years.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  the  Union 
army,  serving  with  Company  F,  206th  Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  as- 
sisted in  building  Fort  Brady,  and  later  was 
sent  up  to  Richmond,  Va.,  where  he  was  on 
guard  duty,  etc.,  for  five  months,  being  thus 
engaged  until  the  close  of  his  service.  He 
was  mustered  out  July  1,  1864.  Having  been 
located  with  his  regiment  in  the  City  Hall  at 
Richmond  he  had  the  opportunity  of  meet- 
ing many  of  the  noted  men  of  the  day,  includ- 
ing Lincoln,  Grant,  Lee  and  Stanton. 

Returning  to  his  home  at  Hillsdale,  in 
Montgomery  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  he 
opened  the  general  store  in  that  town,  in 
1865,  which  he  has  ever  since  carried  on,  at 
present  commanding  a  large  patronage,  drawn 
from  a  wide  radius  of  territory  around  that 
center.  In  1873  he  became  postmaster  at 
Hillsdale,  and  with  the  exception  of  four 
years  has  held  that  office  continuously  since, 
his  efficiency  and  generally  satisfactory  serv- 
ice making  him  a  highly  desirable  incumbent 
of  the  position.  He  has  served  two  terms  as 
secretary  of  the  Montgomery  township  school 
board. 

Mr.  Churchill  was  united  in  marriage  June 
19,  1856,  with  Elizabeth  Rank,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  J\Iary  Ann  Rank,  farming  people, 
and  they  have  had  a  large  family,  of  whom 
Albert,  Edv.'ard,  Clara  Ann  (Mrs,  Stevens), 
Jesse  D.  and  Bertha  are  deceased.  The  six 
who  survive  are:  (1)  Mary  Almeda  married 
James  Weaver,  of  Burnside,  Pa.,  who  died 
leaving  five  children,  Olive,  Delia,  Samuel, 
Lyle  and  Herbert.  ■  Mrs.  Weaver  remarried, 
being  now  the  wife  of  Wesley  Standish,  of 
Brownsville,  Oregon.  (2)  Sarah  Frances  is 
the  wife  of  James  D.  Ake,  a  fanner  at  Hills- 
dale, this  county.  (3)  William  T.,  now  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  Montgomery  township, 
married  Elva  Spicher,  and  they  have  had  five 
children,  of  whom  Ruth,  Edward  and  Paul 
sur\'ive;  John  and  Elkin  are  deceased.  (4) 
George  R.,  a  dentist,  of  Indiana,  this  county, 
married  Ollie  Hazlett,  who  died  leaving  chil- 
dren, Winona,  Donald  and  ]\Iartha.  This 
second  marriage  took  place  in  October.  1911. 
(5)  Dr.  M.  E.,  a  dentist,  at  Arcadia.  Indiana 
county,  married  Pearl  AVissell,  of  Indiana 
county.  (6)  John  S.  married  Maud  ilcEl- 
hinny,  of  Mahaffey,  Pa.,  daughter  of  James 
P.  and  Lora  M.  McElhinny,  and  they  have 
one  child,  Helen  Ruth.  John  S.  Churchill 
works  in  the  store  with  his  father  and  also 
conducts  a  barber  business.  Of  the  deceased, 
Bertha   married   D.   Ford   Rankin,   who   was 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1289 


killed  by  a  horse,  and  later  became  the  wife 
of  James  A.  Smith.  Jesse  D.,  who  was  a 
merchant  at  Cookport,  Pa.,  married  Alice 
Houk,  and  left  two  children,  Valjean  (who  is 
a  clerk  in  his  grandfather  Churchill's  store) 
and  Ivan  (at  home)  ;  he  died  March  10,  1903. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Philander  Churchill  have 
had  a  married  life  of  over  fifty-six  years. 
They  are  members  of  the  Wesleyan  M.  E. 
Church  at  Hillsdale,  which  Mr.  Churchill 
formerly  served  as  trustee. 

ALLEN  S.  GRAHAM,  a  prominent  farmer 
of  Bufiington  township,  Indiana  county,  is  on 
the  homestead  originally  settled  by  his  great- 
grandfather. It  has  never  been  out  of  the 
family  name  since.  Mr.  Graham  engages  in 
general  farming,  truck  gardening  and  stock 
raising,  is  an  extensive  dealer  in  live  stock, 
and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  adminis- 
tration of  public  affairs  in  the  township. 

John  Graham,  the  pioneer  of  the  family 
in  this  region,  was  an  early  settler  in  what 
is  now  Buffington  township,  Indiana  county, 
locating  on  a  tract  of  200  acres,  upon  which 
he  made  the  first  improvements,  and  which 
has  since  been  occupied  by  his  descendants. 
Here  he  married  Ann  Henry  and  they  had 
children  as  follows:  James;  Samuel,  who 
married  Mary  Marshall;  John,  who  married 
Rebecca  Stephens;  Jane  (Jennie),  who  mar- 
ried William  Dimcan ;  Ann,  who  married 
John  Duncan;  Mary,  who  married  Maj. 
James  Stewart;  Margaret,  who  married  John 
Lemon;  William;  and  Sarah,  who  married 
Joseph  or  Samuel  Duncan. 

William  Graham,  son  of  John  and  Ann 
(Henry)  Graham,  was  born  July  22,  1805, 
in  what  is  now  Buffington  township,  and 
here  followed  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which 
he  prospered,  acquiring  the  ownership  of  five 
farms,  with  a  total  area  of  over  seven  hun- 
dred acres.  He  raised  a  large  amount  of 
stock.  His  home  was  always  on  the  place 
settled  by  his  father,  now  occupied  by  his 
grandson  Allen  S.  Graham.  He  was  one  of 
the  influential  citizens  of  the  township  in  his 
day.  His  wife,  Mary  (McFeaters),  born 
Nov.  27,  1808,  died  Feb.  23,  1871,  surviving 
him  a  number  of  years,  his  death  having  oc- 
curred June  8,  1853.  They  were  buried  in 
the  McCartney  cemetery  in  Buffington  town- 
ship. We  have  the  following  record  of  the 
ten  children  born  to  them :  John,  born  July 
18,  1829,  died  Nov.  13,  1829.  William,  born 
Aug.  21,  1830,  married  Jane  Duncan;  during 
the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  67th 
Pennsylvania   Volunteer  Infantry,   and  had 


served  about  fifteen  months  when  he  was 
k-illed.  May  20,  1864,  in  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness.  James,  bom  Jan.  30,  1833,  made 
his  home  in  Worth  county,  Mo.,  and  died  in 
1906 ;  during  the  Civil  war  he  served  nearly 
three  years  in  Company  I,  67th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  captured,  being 
held  prisoner  at  Belle  Isle  for  eight  weeks; 
he  married  Zilla  Lydic,  and  they  had  children, 
William  S.,  John  W.,  Harry  S.  and  Robert. 
John  (2)  is  mentioned  below.  Andrew,  born 
Nov.  27,  1837,  died  Feb.  1,  1838.  Samuel, 
born  Feb.  4,  1839,  married  Sarah  Ann  Blade 
(or  Blades),  and  died  July  7,  1908.  Nancy 
Jane,  born  Dec.  20,  1841,  married  William  H. 
Robertson,  and  died  in  1872.  A  daughter 
died  in  infancy  in  June,  1847.  Robert  S., 
born  June  28,  1847,  served  during  the  Civil 
war  in  the  2d  Battalion,  Pennsylvania  six 
months'  volunteers;  he  now  resides  in  Worth 
county.  Mo. ;  he  married  Jemima  Empfield, 
and  they  have  children,  Chalmers  D.,  Edward 
and  Minnie ;  a  son  born  in  1868  died  the  same 
year. 

John  Graham  was  born  Oct.  12,  1835,  on 
the  farm  in  what  is  now  Buffington  (then 
Pine)  township  where  he  passed  all  his  life. 
He  attended  subscription  school,  but  began 
work  at  an  early  age,  and  as  his  father  died 
when  he  was  a  youth  the  management  of  the 
home  place  fell  to  him  when  he  was  only  a 
young  man.  On  this  place — the  tract  of 
1211/0  acres  which  has  always  been  called 
the  Graham  homestead — he  lived  and  worked 
with  the  exception  of  the  time  he  was  in  the 
army  during  the  Civil  war,  following  general 
fai-ming,  lumbering  and  stock  raising.  He 
served  three  terms  as  township  assessor,  held 
other  public  offices,  and  was  prominent  in 
all  local  afi'airs.  In  politics  he  was  a  Repub- 
lican, in  religious  connection  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church  at  Strongstown,  in  Pine  town- 
ship. He  died  on  the  farm  Aug.  3,  1903.  In 
the  fall  of  1861,  Mr.  Graham  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany K,  67tli  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry. 

On  Jan.  7,  1868,  Mr.  Graham  married  Mrs. 
Annie  (Davis)  Hanna,  who  was  born  j\Iarch 
15,  1838,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Nancy 
(Rainey)  Davis,  and  widow  of  Thomas 
Hanna,  who  died  in  Andersonville  prison. 
Mrs.  Graham  died  Sept.  11,  1911.  She  had 
two  children  by  her  first  marriage,  viz. : 
Emma  V.,  born  March  8,  1859,  who  married 
Tobias  How  and  resides  in  Ohio;  William  E., 
born  in  September,  1860,  who  died  May  29, 
1895.  Six  children  were  born  to  her  union 
with  Mr.  Graham:     Harry  White,  born  Oct. 


1200 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


19,  1S6S,  was  a  dentist  at  Jolinstown,  Pa., 
and  died  July  24,  189 — .  Thomas  Davis,  born 
Feb.  10.  1871,  died  Dec.  19,  1901 ;  he  married 
Gertrude  Engler,  and  they  had  a  son  John 
Harold.  Allen  S.  is  mentioned  below.  Elbert 
Stewart,  born  June  22,  1875,  died  Oct.  14, 
1899.  Mabel  Pearl,  born  Dec.  7,  1876,  mar- 
ried George  Duncan,  and  died  Sept.  29,  1901 ; 
they  had  one  son.  Russell.  Anna  Bertha, 
born  June  1.  1880,  died  Julv  30.  1898. 

Allen  S.  Graham  was  born  Feb.  1,  1873,  in 
BuiSngton  township,  and  there  attended  the 
Duncan  school.  He  followed  farming  as  his 
father's  assistant,  and  also  engaged  in  lum- 
bering and  sawmill  work,  and  for  one  year, 
1899  to  1900,  was  a  fireman  on  the  Pennsyl- 
vania railroad.  Returning  home  he  settled 
down  to  farming  on  the  old  place  where  the 
family  has  been  settled  since  the  time  of  his 
gi-eat-grandfather — the  1211 2-acre  tract — now 
owning  and  operating  350  acres.  Along  with 
general  farming  and  stock  raising  he  has 
established  an  extensive  trade  as  a  dealer  in 
live  stock.  The  original  homestead  has  been 
well  taken  care  of  under  his  management  and 
he  has  a  comfortable  home  there.  His  par- 
ents resided  with  him  until  they  died.  With 
all  his  private  affairs  he  has  also  taken  an 
interest  in  matters  of  importance  to  the  com- 
munity generally,  and  has  given  efScient  serv- 
ice as  supervisor  of  roads,  holding  that  office 
at  present.  In  political  association  he  is  a 
Republican. 

Mr.  Graham  married  Cora  Bennett,  daugh- 
ter of  Abraham  and  ]\Iargaret  (Mc Adams') 
Bennett.  She  was  born  May  24.  1876.  and 
died  April  22.  1897.  leaving  one  child,  Harry 
Clement,  born  April  9.  1897.  ]\Irs.  Graham 
was   interred   in    Strongstown   cemetery. 

MATTHEW  B.  WYNKOOP.  a  well  and 
favorably  known  resident  of  Rayne  township, 
Indiana  county,  where  he  has  served  sixteen 
years  as  school  director,  was  born  Feb.  14. 
1841.  son  of  i\Iatthew  B.  and  Mary  (Yanlier) 
W^Tikoop.  His  paternal  gi-andparents  were 
of  Holland  Dutch  and  Scotch  descent,  respec- 
tively.    They  had  a  family  of  eight  children. 

Matthew  B.  Wynkoop,  Sr.,  was  born  Jan. 
13.  1795.  in  Indiana  county,  and  followed 
farming  all  his  life,  meeting  with  substantial 
success  in  his  chosen  calling.  He  became  the 
owner  of  the  farms  now  owned  and  operated 
by  his  sons  Matthew  B.  and  James  S..  which 
he  bought  from  Thomas  White,  the  father  of 
Judge  Wliite.  He  died  in  1878,  in  his  eighty- 
fourth  year.  By  his  first  wife.  Elizabeth 
(AYork'i".    :\rr.    Wynkoop    had    four   children. 


namely:  Agnes,  John  W..  Jane  F.  and  Eliz- 
abeth J.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Mary 
Yanlier.  by  whom  he  had  eight  children: 
Robert  C,  *Lucinda  V.,  IMatthew  B.,  William 
M.,  James  S..  George  S.,  Emily  and  Gerardus. 
Matthew  B.  Wynkoop,  son  of  Matthew  B. 
and  Mary  (Yanlier)  Wynkoop,  seiwed  in  the 
Civil  war  under  two  enlistments,  the  first 
time  June  26,  1863,  for  six  months,  in  the 
2d  Battalion,  Pennsylvania  Yolunteers.  He 
was  in  Company  A,  under  Capt.  Thomas 
'Slove,  and  saw  no  field  service,  being  engaged 
in  guarding  the  railroad  in  western  Yirginia, 
from  Baltimore  to  Cumberland  City.  He 
was  discharged  Jan.  21,  1864,  at  Pittsburg, 
by  reason  of  expiration  of  his  term.  On 
]\iarch  9,  1865,  he  again  enlisted,  for  one  year, 
becoming  a  private  in  Company  B  (under 
Capt.  Samuel  McHenry),  67th  Regiment, 
Pennsjdvania  Yolunteers,  but  was  never  sent 
to  the  front,  the  fighting  ending  about  that 
time.  He  was  discharged  July  14,  1865,  at 
Halls  Hill,  Ya.,  by  order  of  the  war  depart- 
ment dated  July  7,  1865. 

Mr.  Wynkoop  has  long  been  engaged  in 
farming  in  Rayne  township,  and  is  one  of 
the  most  respected  citizens  of  his  locality, 
where  he  has  taken  a  useful  part  in  public 
affairs.  He  was  a  member  of  the  agricultural 
board  for  sixteen  years,  and  has  been  school 
director  for  sixteen  years.  In  political  asso- 
ciation he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  has  served 
as  judge  of  the  election  board.  He  attends 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Marion  Center. 

On  March  10,  1864.  Mr.  .Wynkoop  married 
Ellen  Lydick,  a  native  of  Green  township, 
this  county,  daughter  of  Samuel  Lydick  by 
his  first  wife,  who  was  the  mother  of  two 
children.  Four  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wynkoop:  Amanda  A.  died  in  in- 
fancy: Ida  M.  married  Harvey  Lightcap.  a 
farrner  in  East  Mahoning  township,  this 
countv.  and  has  five  children.  Bertha.  Clark. 
Bud.  Esther  and  Sloan ;  Edgar  C.  a  farmer 
of  Clearfield  county.  Pa.,  married  Ada  Grif- 
fith and  has  two  children.  Lucy  and  Alfa 
May:  Harry  C.  now  an  undertaker  in  New 
York  City,  "married  Anna  Grieves,  of  Marion 
Center,  this  county.  Mrs.  Wynkoop  died 
Sept.  4.  1906. 

IMOSES  KANARR,  of  the  borough  of  In- 
diana, Indiana  county,  retired  farmer  and 
surveyor,  belongs  to  a  family  of  Holland 
Dutcli  descent  which  was  founded  in  this 
section  many  years  ago  by  his  grandfather. 
Andrew  or  Andreas  Kanarr.  who  moved  from 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1291 


Lehigh  county,  Pa.,  to  Westmoreland  county. 
His  wife  was  Salome  Jlusick. 

John  Kanarr,  only  son  of  Andrew,  was 
born  Sept.  4,  1807,  at  Grapeville,  Westmore- 
land county,  and  there  grew  to  manhood. 
He  went  to  school  very  little,  obtaining  his 
education  mostly  through  his  own  efforts, 
and  learned  the  trade  of  cabinetmaker.  In 
November,  1838,  he  married  Anna  Mag- 
dalene Bruder,  who  was  born  Dec.  6,  1811, 
and  to  them  was  born  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren: George  A.,  born  Aug.  14,  1839,  who 
served  one  year  during  the  Civil  war  as  a 
member  of  Company  G,  206th  P.  V.  I. ;  Moses, 
born  Dec.  14,  1840 ;  Jacob :  Aaron,  born  June 
21,  1845,  who  served  one  year  during  the 
Civil  war,  in  Company  F,  206th  P.  V.  I.; 
John,  Jr.,  born  Feb.  12,  1847 ;  Henry,  born 
Aug.  9,  1849;  and  Elizabeth  L.,  born  May 
10,  1854.  The  father  of  this  family  died 
July  1,  1879,  in  Grant  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.,  and  the  mother  died  Dec.  5,  1880. 
They  are  buried  in  Shiloh's  cemetery  at 
Deckers  Point,  Indiana  county. 

Moses  Kanarr,  son  of  John  Kanarr,  was 
twelve  years  old  when  brought  to  Indiana 
county,  and  he  grew  to  manhood  in  what  is 
now  Grant  township.  He  attended  public 
school  in  both  counties,  and  was  a  pupil  at 
the  Purchase  Line  Academy  in  Westmoreland 
county.  He  studied  surveying  near  Greens- 
burg  at  a  school  conducted  by  A.  L.  Allmau, 
who  was  subsequently  made  surveyor  of 
Westmoreland  covmty,  and  after  completing 
his  course  was  engaged  in  teaching  school 
for  three  terms,  in  Indiana.  In  time  he  began 
to  farm  in  Grant  township,  thence  moving  to 
White  township,  where  he  carried  on  farm- 
ing for  over  twenty  years,  cultivating  the 
tract  of  140  acres  which  he  owned.  Upon 
his  retirement  Mr.  Kanarr  sold  the  surface 
of  this  farm,  but  he  still  holds  the  coal  rights. 
From  March,  1873,  he  followed  his  profession 
of  surveyor  in  addition  to  looking  after  his 
farm  work,  and  he  has  become  widely  known 
over  this  region  in  that  connection.  He  moved 
to  the  borough  of  Indiana  in  1906. 

During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Kanarr  enlisted 
at  Indiana,  Aug.  10,  1864,  becoming  a  private 
in  Company  F,  206th  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  under  Capt.  John  A.  Kinter 
and  Col.  H.  J.  Brady,  his  command  serving 
with  the  Army  of  the  James. 

On  Feb.  27,  1868,  Mr.  Kanarr  married, 
in  Grant  township,  ^lartha  J.  Hamilton,  of 
that  township,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  A. 
(King)  Hamilton.  Mrs.  Kanarr  passed  away 
June  18,  1909.    She  was  an  active  member  of 


the  M.  E.  Church,  to  which  Mr.  Kanarr  also 
belongs,  and  he  is  counted  among  the  useful 
members  of  the  congregation.  In  politics  he 
is  independent,  voting  for  the  candidates  and 
measures  which  please  him  most  regardless  of 
party. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kanarr:  Mary  Anna,  born  in  1869,  married 
Frank  Stormer,  and  died  in  Indiana  April 
22,  1897;  Clara  May,  born  Feb.  2,  1871,  mar- 
ried Charles  A.  Nichol  and  lives  in  Indiana 
county;  Harry  M.,  born  Aug.  31,  1876,  now 
chief  engineer  of  the  Rochester  &  Pittsburg 
Coal  &  Iron  Company  and  three  allied  con- 
cerns, was  married  May  17,  1905,  to  Mary 
Elinor  Reed,  and  they  live  in  Punxsutawney, 
Pennsylvania. 

AARON  W.  LANG,  pension  attorney  at 
Marion  Center,  Pa.,  and  veteran  of  the  Civil 
war,  has  resided  in  Indiana  county  for  many 
years.  He  was  born  Aug.  15,  1845,  at  Shav- 
ers Creek,  Huntingdon  Co.,  Pa.,  a  son  of  John 
and  Mary  (Work)  Lang. 

John  Lang  was  born  in  Huntingdon  county. 
Pa.,  of  Scotch  ancestry,  and  learned  the 
woolen  trade  in  his  youth,  subsequently  be- 
coming a  manufacturer  of  woolen  goods  of 
all  kinds.  Later  he  sold  his  property  in 
Huntingdon  county  and  purcliased  the  John 
Robinson  tract  of  over  600  acres  in  Beaver 
township,  Jefferson  county,  on  which  he 
built  a  woolen  mill  as  well  as  a  gristmill,  and 
in  addition  to  conducting  these,  also  engaged 
in  farming  and  timbering.  He  was  a  stanch 
Republican,  and  died  in  the  faith  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  1880,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-nine  years.  Mr.  Lang  married  Mary 
Moore,  of  Huntingdon  county,  and  they  be- 
came the  parents  of  children  as  follows: 
Mary,  who  married  William  Steward;  Jane, 
who"  married  John  Barry;  Charles  M.,  who 
married  Belle  Brown;  William,  who  married 
Eliza  Boyington;  John,  who  married  Caro- 
line Barclay;  Kate,  Mrs.  Simpson;  Lizzie, 
Mrs.  Green ;  Ann,  who  married  S.  T.  Gourley ; 
Jerusha,  who  became  Mrs.  William  Trout; 
and  James,  twin  of  Jerusha,  who  married 
Edna  Marsh. 

Mr.  Lang's  second  marriage  was  to  Mary 
Work,  daughter  of  Aaron  Work,  of  Hunting- 
don county,  and  they  had  three  children: 
Aaron  W. ;  Hannah  Rebecca,  who  married 
Alvin  Davis;  and  Juniata,  who  married 
David  Brosius. 

Aaron  W.  Lang,  son  of  John  Lang,  was 
reared  in  Jefferson  county,  and  from  the  age 
of  six  years  divided  his  time  between  attend- 


1292 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ance  at  the  district  schools  and  work  in  his 
father's  mills.  The  outbreak  of  the  Civil 
war  aroused  his  boyish  patriotism  and  several 
times  he  ran  away  from  home  to  enlist,  hav- 
ing failed  to  obtain  his  parents'  consent  to 
become  a  soldier.  He  finally  succeeded  in 
enlisting  in  Company  B,  103d  Regiment,  Iowa 
Volunteer  Infantry  (Capts.  G.  W.  Gilles- 
pie and  Joseph  Rogers,  Col.  T.  F.  Lehman), 
which  was  attached  to  Kenn's  Brigade, 
Casey's  Division,  Keyes'  (5th)  Corps,  Army 
of  the  Potomac.  IMr.  Lang's  army  experiences 
were  severe  and  arduous.  He  shared  the 
fortunes  and  misfortunes  of  his  regiment  in 
numerous  engagements,  including  Yorktown, 
Williamsburg,  Fair  Oaks,  Walnut  Hill,  Kings- 
ton, Little  Washington  and  Plymouth,  and  at 
the  last-named  place,  on  April  17,  1864,  he 
was  desperately  wounded  in  the  left  hip  and 
captured  by  the  Confederates.  He  was  first 
sent  to  Charleston  and  then  to  Anderson- 
ville,  and  later  to  the  prison  at  Florence, 
being  confined  until  Feb.  26,  1865.  At  that 
time  he  was  exchanged,  and  he  eventually 
received  his  honorable  discharge  at  Pittsburg, 
Pa.,  July  5,  1865,  having  spent  some  time  in 
the  hospitals  at  Annapolis,  Baltimore  and 
Pittsburg.  When  he  had  left  home  he  was 
a  sturdy  lad  of  190  pounds;  his  awful  expe- 
riences in  the  army  and  in  the  Southern  pris- 
on holes  left  him  a  mass  of  skin  and  bones 
that  weighed  but  seventy-nine  pounds.  While 
he  was  at  Andersonville  a  fellow  prisoner  who 
had  been  wounded  in  the  feet  begged  him  to 
amputate  them  and  thus  relieve  his  suffering, 
gangrene  having  set  in.  Finally  Mr.  Lang 
succeeded  in  sharpening  an  old  .iackknife  to 
a  point  where  this  prisoner,  J.  W.  January, 
was  able  to  cut  off  his  own  feet.  This  was 
only  an  incident  in  Mr.  Lang's  military  life, 
but  it  serves  to  show  why  the  veterans  of 
the  Civil  war  are  still  held  in  such  reverence 
even  after  the  passing  of  a  half  century  of 
time. 

When  he  was  again  able,  Mr.  Lang  took 
up  work  in  the  woolen  mills  of  his  brother 
Charles  M.  Lang  at  Marion  Center,  where 
he  also  worked  in  a  .foundry  business.  In 
1870  he  went  to  Jefferson  county,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  selling  sewing  machines. 
Later  he  served  as  deputy  sheriff  of  Clarion 
county,  but  in  1878  returned  to  Marion  Cen- 
ter, which  has  since  been  his  home.  Since 
1903  he  has  served  as  a  pension  attorney,  and 
he  has  also  been  constable  and  tax  collector 
at  different  times.  Until  1912  he  gave  his 
support  to  the  policies  and  candidates  of  the 
Republican  party,  but  in  that  year  cast  his 


fortunes  with  the  new  Pi'ogressive  party  and 
voted  for  Colonel  Roosevelt.  His  fraternal 
connection  is  with  I.  0.  0.  F.  Lodge  No.  105, 
of  ilarion  Center,  of  which  he  is  a  past  grand, 
and  he  also  holds  membership  in  John  Pollock 
Post,  No.  219,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
of  which  he  has  been  commander  for  ten 
years.  His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

On  Jan.  30,  1866,  Mr.  Lang  was  married, 
at  Marion  Center,  Pa.,  to  Matilda  Jane  Park, 
who  was  born  at  ^Marion  Center  April  6, 
1843,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Margarette 
(Thompson)  Park,  and  granddaughter  of 
John  Park,  who  built  the  first  house  in  Mar- 
ion Center.  Mrs.  Lang  was  given  excellent 
educational  advantages,  attending  the  Marion 
Center  public  schools  and  Professor  Wolf's 
summer  school,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years  entered  upon  the  profession  of  teacher, 
spending  four  years  in  the  schoolrooms  in 
Indiana  county,  and  one  year  in  Somerset 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lang  have  had  a  fam- 
ily of  ten  children,  namely :  Margaretta,  who 
died  in  infancy;  Mary,  who  also  died  in  in- 
fancy; Robert  Park,  of  Arkansas,  who  mar- 
ried Margaret  Lowmaster;  ]\Iartha  Eaton, 
who  married  Harry  C.  Emmett,  of  Leadville, 
Colo. ;  Bessie,  deceased,  who  was  the  first  wife 
of  Mr.  Emmett;  Jennie  Myrtle,  who  married 
Andrew  Baker,  of  Pittsburg,  who  died  Dec. 
9,  1912  (she  resides  in  Marion  Center)  :  Lu- 
cretia,  who  married  Perry  H.  Craig,  of  Phil- 
adelphia;  John,  a  student  in  the  Western 
Theological  Seminary,  at  Pittsburg;  Eliza- 
beth A.,  at  home ;  and  Aaron  Linton,  of  Mc- 
Keesport,  who  married  Mona  Kirk.  The 
members  of  this  old  and  honored  family  are 
all  well  known  in  Marion  Center,  where  they 
have  associated  themselves  with  educational 
and  religious  movements.  As  a  soldier  Mr. 
Lang  was  brave,  cheerful  and  faithful  in  the 
performance  of  duty :  as  a  citizen  he  has  made 
as  honorable  a  record. 

Mrs.  Lang  is  a  prominent  local  worker  in 
the  W.  C.  T.  U.,  having  served  as  president 
of  the  Marion  Center  organization  for  seven 
years,  and  she  is  now  serving  as  legislative 
superintendent  and  press  superintendent. 
She  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Woman's  Re- 
lief Corps  of  Marion  Center. 

JAIMES  H.  DONAHEY.  of  Green  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  is  one  of  the  well-known 
residents  of  his  section,  having  served  in  var- 
ious local  offices,  the  duties  of  which  he  has 
discharged  efficiently.  He  is  a  farmer  by 
occupation. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1293 


James  Donahey,  grandfather  of  James  H. 
Donahey,  was  a  native  of  Blackliek  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  in  his  early  life  became 
a  farmer,  cultivating  land  which  he  owned 
and  upon  which  he  lived  until  his  death,  as 
did  also  his  wife.  She  was  of  the  same  family 
as  Richard  B.  Clawson,  mentioned  elsewhere. 

William  J.  Donahey,  son  of  James,  was 
born  Sept.  23,  1825,  in  Blackliek  township, 
where  he  remained  until  1865.  He  then  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Green  township,  and 
in  1868  settled  on  the  farm  there  where  his 
son  James  now  lives.  There  he  died  Sept. 
22,  1889.  He  married  Margaret  Davis,  who 
was  born  in  Blackliek  township  Feb.  22,  1829, 
and  died  July  31,  1900.  Her  father,  David 
Davis,  was  a  native  of  Indiana  county,  lived 
at  Blackliek  township,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming,  and  died  Jan.  31,  1855,  on  the  old 
farm.  Ten  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Donahey:  Benjamin  F.,  born  Feb.  9, 
1849,  lives  in  Green  township ;  Martha  Jane, 
bom  March  3,  1851,  is  deceased;  Sarah  Ellen, 
born  April  2,  1853,  is  the  wife  of  William 
Beck  Rice,  of  Green  township;  James  H.  is 
mentioned  below ;  Edmund,  born  Nov.  25, 
1857,  lives  in  Grant  township,  this  county; 
Frank  D.,  born  June  26,  1860,  is  a  resident  of 
Starford,  Indiana  county;  Anna  Mary,  born 
May  30,  1862,  died  Feb.  26,  1865;  Rachel 
Enima,  born  Dec.  6,  1864,  is  the  wife  of  Wil- 
bert  Kidd,  of  Indiana  county;  William  A., 
born  ]\Iarch  4,  1867,  lives  at  Wilkinsburg; 
Richard  M.,  born  Oct.  7,  1869,  is  a  carrier  in 
the  rural  free  delivery  service  and  lives  at 
Love  joy. 

James  H.  Donahey  was  born  Aug.  26,  1855, 
near  Hopewell  Church,  in  Blackliek  township. 
He  came  with  his  parents  to  the  farm  in 
Green  township  where  he  now  lives,  and 
helped  his  father  to  clear  the  land.  When 
a  youth  of  eighteen  he  began  to  learn  the 
trade  of  mason  and  plasterer,  which  he  con- 
tinued to  follow  for  sixteen  years.  For  three 
years  he  lived  near  Taylorsville,  this  county, 
returning  in  1897  to  the  home  farm,  where  he 
has  since  lived.  He  has  been  a  successful 
farmer,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial and  reliable  residents  of  his  locality, 
being  well  and  favorably  known  to  his  neigh- 
bors and  fellow  citizens  generally,  where  he 
has  served  as  supervisor  and  in  other  public 


On  Jan.  1,  1889,  Mr.  Donahey  married 
Lizzie  Jane  Myers,  who  was  born  in  Green 
township,  April  11,  1857,  daughter  of  John 
and  Sarua  (Pifer)  Myers,  the  former  a  native 
of  Raj^ie  township.  Indiana  county,  the  latter 


born  in  Ohio.  I\Ir.  Myers  was  a  farmer  all 
his  life,  and  resided  for  some  time  in  Green 
township,  where  he  and  his  wife  died.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Donahey  are  members  of  the  Breth- 
ren Church.  They  reared  one  child,  Mollie 
McAlester,  who  lived  with  them  from  girl- 
hood and  is  now  the  wife  of  Harvey  Mumau ; 
she  has  four  children.  Vera  J.,  Helen,  Carl 
and  Donald.  Another  girl,  Elsie  Reed,  lived 
with  them  from  the  age  of  ten  until  seventeen 
and  a  half  years  old. 

MAX  CRAWFORD,  postmaster  at  Cook- 
port,  Indiana  county,  where  he  also  carries  on 
the  blacksmithing  business,  was  born  in  that 
vicinity,  in  Green  township,  Feb.  20,  1867, 
son  of  Abraham  and  Clarissa  (Bash)  Craw- 
ford. 

Abraham  Crawford,  the  father,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  and  came  to 
Indiana  county  in  his  early  life,  buying  land 
in  Green  township  which  he  cultivated.  Later 
he  also  operated  a  sawmill  for  several  years, 
and  subsequently  bought  a  farm  in  Cambria 
county.  Pa.,  upon  which  he  settled,  remain- 
ing there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
October,  1902.  He  married  Clarissa  Bash, 
who  was  born  in  Indiana  county,  and  survives 
him,  being  now  (1912)  seventy-nine  years 
old.  She  lives  at  the  home  of  her  two  sons 
in  Cambria  county.  Twelve  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mi's.  Abraham  Crawford, 
namely:  Walter,  who  lives  in  Cambria  coun- 
ty; Viola,  the  wife  of  Porter  Laney,  of  Cam- 
bria county;  Cordelia,  wife  of  Joseph  Grumb- 
ling, of  Somerset  county.  Pa. ;  Thomas,  a 
resident  of  Cambria  county;  Sarah,  wife  of 
William  Wentsel,  of  Westmoreland  county; 
Matilda,  wife  of  Gilbert  Davidson,  of  Mon- 
tana; Max;  William,  a  resident  of  Cambria 
county ;  three  who  died  in  infancy ;  and  Har- 
vey, the  youngest,  a  resident  of  Cambria 
county. 

Max  Crawford  obtained  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Green  to\\Tiship.  Dur- 
ing his  boyhood  he  began  to  work  on  the 
farm,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  past 
thirty  years  of  age,  working  with  his  father 
until  twenty-three  years  old.  Later  he  went 
to  Ebensburg  to  learn  the  trade  of  black- 
smith, at  which  he  continued  to  work  in 
Cambria  county  after  completing  his  appren- 
ticeship, conducting  a  shop  there  for  some 
time.  Returning  to  Indiana  county  in  1910, 
he  settled  at  Cookport,  opening  a  shop  there 
which  he  still  carries  on,  having  built  up  a 
good  business  even  in  that  short  period.  In 
1910  he  was   appointed   postmaster  at  that 


1294 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


place,  his  wife  and  daughter  assisting  him 
with  the  work  in  the  office,  which  is  in  the 
fourth  class.  He  is  a  trustworthy  and  re- 
spected citizen,  and  is  ranked  among  the  sub- 
stantial residents  of  his  section. 

In  1889  Mr.  Crawford  married  Lillian 
Cook  who  was  born  in  Green  township,  daugh- 
ter of  Andrew  J.  and  Belle  (Repine)  Cook, 
both  also  natives  of  that  township ;  Mr.  Cook 
died  in  Green  township,  his  wife,  who  still 
survives,  living  at  Cookport.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Crawford  have  become  the  parents  of  fifteen 
children,  twelve  of  whom  are  living,  namely : 
Grace;  Guy;  Esther,  wife  of  Ford  Gregg,  ot 
Cookport;  Edna:  Benjamin;  Belle;  Rose; 
Ruth;  Minerva;  Nellie;  Olive,  deceased;  Ora 
and  Dorothy ;  and  twins  who  died  in  infancy. 

THOIMAS  PIARVEY  AUL,  who  lives  in 
Rayne  township,  Indiana  county,  owns  his 
home  place  of  110  acres  there  and  another 
farm  in  South  Mahoning  township.  He  is 
a  native  of  West  Mahoning  township,  this 
county,  born  July  14,  1855,  son  of  Henry 
and  Margaret  (Riddle)  Aul. 

Henry  Aul.  the  father,  was  born  m  Indiana 
county  July  13,  1826.  His  father  was  a  na- 
tive of  Pennsylvania,  of  German  extraction. 
In  August,  1861.  Henry  Aul  entered  the 
Union  service,  becoming  a  member  of  Com- 
pany A,  105th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  in  which  he  served  as  a  pri- 
vate. At  the  close  of  the  war  he  settled  at 
Georgeville,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  stock  buying,  and  he 
became  quite  a  prominent  man  in  that  sec- 
tion, serving  as  justice  of  the  peace  there  for 
some  years.  Prom  Georgeville  he  removed  to 
Plumville,  this  county,  where  he  built  the 
hotel,  conducting  same  successfully.  He  died 
at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  Mr.  Aul  mar- 
ried Margaret  Riddle,  who  was  bom  Jan.  24, 
1832,  and  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two. 

Thomas  Harvey  Aul  was  associated  m  busi- 
ness with  his  father  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  was  subsequently  interested  in  the  stock 
business  with  his  uncle  Peter  Riddle.  As  he 
went  into  business  on  his  own  account  lie  con- 
tinued farming  and  stock  buying,  and  m  1901 
he  removed  to  the  farm  of  110  acres  in  Rayne 
township  which  he  owns  and  upon  which  he 
has  since  resided.  He  has  done  so  well  m 
his  business  operations  that  he  has  been  able 
to  acf|uire  another  tract,  in  South  Mahoning 
township,  this  county.  He  is  one  of  the  re- 
spected citizens  of  his  township,  and  has  been 
elected  to  the  office  of  road  supervisor,  which 
he  filled  efficiently. 


On  Jan.  26, 1881,  Mr.  Aul  married  Armenta 
Bell,  of  East  JMahoning  township,  this  county, 
daughter  of  Thomas  J.  and  Jemina  (Sunder- 
land) Bell.  JMr.  Bell  was  a  native  of  Mifflin 
county.  Pa.,  of  Irish  descent,  was  a  weaver 
by  trade  and  in  his  later  years  followed  farm- 
ing. He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years, 
his  wife  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight.  Seven 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Aul : 
Anna  Margaret,  Mvs.  J.  K.  Repine,  of  South 
Mahoning  township,  who  has  three  children, 
G.  M.,  Thomas  N.  and  Anna  May;  Essie  A., 
now  wife  of  G.  R.  Wetzel,  of  East  Mahoning 
township,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming; 
Clark  E.,  of  Indiana  borough,  a  log  scaler; 
Thomas  C,  who  lives  at  home,  assisting  his 
father  with  the  work  on  the  farm;  Rosa 
Myrtle,  Edward  J.  and  May  Jemima,  all  at 
home.  Mr.  and  I\Irs.  Aul  are  members  of 
the  Rayne  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOHN  S.  BOWERS,  formerly  for  over 
thirty  years  a  farmer  of  Pine  township,  In- 
diana county,  now  living  retired  in  the  bor- 
ough of  Indiana,  was  born  Jan.  3,  1842,  in 
Cherryhill  township,  on  the  home  farm  of 
his  father,  John  Bowers. 

John  Bowers  was  born  at  Morrisons  Cove, 
Blair  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  twenty  j^ears  old 
when  he  came  to  Indiana  county,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming  the  rest  of  his  life,  set- 
tling in  Cherryhill  township,  and  later  mov- 
ing to  Pine  township.  He  was  twice  married, 
the  maiden  name  of  his  first  wife  being  Hemp- 
field,  and  there  were  ten  children  by  each 
union.  Those  by  his  second  marriage,  to 
Mary  Pisher,  were  as  follows:  Harrison,  who 
lives  in  Indiana  county;  Mary,  ]\Irs.  Benja- 
min GiiJord,  of  Arkansas;  Jacob,  now  of 
Johnstown,  Pa. ;  John  S. ;  Maria,  Mrs.  Alex. 
Dearmin,  of  Cambria  county.  Pa. ;  William, 
of  Indiana  county;  Nancy,  Mrs.  Emanuel 
Dearmin,  of  Pine  township,  this  county ; 
Amos,  of  Johnstown,  Pa. :  Jemina.  Mrs.  Sam- 
uel Barr,  of  Altoona,  Pa. ;  and  Charles,  of 
Johnstown,  Pa.  The  parents  both  died  in 
Pine  township,  the  father  when  seventy-four 
years  old,  the  mother  when  seventy -seven. 
He  retired  before  his  death  and  passed  his 
declining  year's  in  that  township. 

John  S.  Bowers  received  his  education  in 
the  country  schools  near  his  boyhood  home 
in  Cherryhill  township,  where  he  grew  to 
manhood,  and  was  seventeen  years  old  when 
he  moved  with  the  family  to  Pine  township. 
He  became  familiar  with  farm  work  assisting 
his  father,  and  was  thus  engaged  until  he 
enlisted    in    the   T^nion    army,   until    he   was 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1295 


eighteen  working  at  home,  and  afterward 
among  other  farmers.  In  1863  he  enlisted  at 
Pittsburg,  becoming  a  private  in  Company 
E,  2d  Battalion,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, for  six  months'  service,  and  did  his 
duty  faithfully  while  in  the  army.  In  1864 
he  bought  a  small  farm  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, which  he  occupied  and  cultivated  for  a 
few  years,  in  1869  buying  and  moving  to  the 
tract  of  106  acres  in  Pine  township  on  which 
he  continued  to  live  until  his  retirement. 
This  farm  is  now  the  site  whereon  Heilwood 
is  built,  and  Mr.  Bowers  sold  his  farm  to  the 
company  which  projected  the  town.  It  was  a 
valuable  and  well  cared  for  property',  and  he 
operated  it  successfully  until  he  sold  it;  he 
moved  to  the  borough  of  Indiana  in  1901. 
His  home  is  at  No.  244  Church  street. 

In  1862  Mr.  Bowers  was  married  to  Sarah 
Jane  Dearmin,  of  Pine  township,  who  was 
born  Feb.  11,  1844,  in  Brushvalley  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  was  but  six  weeks  old 
when  her  parents,  William  and  Margaret 
(Waltermyer)  Dearmin,  moved  to  Pine  town- 
ship, where  she  lived  until  she  removed  with 
her  husband  to  Indiana.  They  have  had  six 
children,  two  of  whom,  William  and  Clara 
E.,  are  deceased.  The  survivors  are :  Edward, 
of  Cambria  county.  Pa. ;  Frances,  Mrs.  David 
Mike,  of  Indiana  county;  Charles,  who  lives 
at  home;  and  Rosie  Diana,  Mrs.  William 
Holmes,  of  Charleroi,  Pa.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bowers  are  members  of  the  Zion's  Lutheran 
Church,  in  which  they  have  taken  an  active 
part.  He  is  a  Republican  on  political  ques- 
tions, but  has  not  taken  any  active  interest 
in  such  matters. 

HARRY  R.  BUTBRBAUGH,  for  several 
years  a  contractor  in  the  town  of  Lovejoy, 
Indiana  county,  was  born  Oct.  21,  1872,  in 
Green  township,  and  is  a  son  of  Amariah  N. 
and  Sarah  (Houck)  Buterbaugh. 

William  Buterbaugh,  gi-eat-grandfather 
of  Harry  R.  Buterbaugh,  was  born  in  Mary- 
land, from  which  State  he  moved  to  Pennsyl- 
vania and  settled  first  in  Huntingdon  county, 
later  moving  to  Indiana  county.  He  was  the 
father  of  eight  children. 

John  Buterbaugh,  son  of  William,  and 
grandfather  of  Harry  R.  Buterbaugh,  was 
born  in  ]\Iaryland  in  1799  and  lived  to  the 
age  of  ninety-six  years.  He  accompanied  his 
father  to  Pennsylvania  and  lived  for  several 
years  in  Huntingdon  county,  later  settling  in 
what  is  now  known  as  Pleasant  Valley,  Green 
township,  Indiana  county,  the  family  acquir- 
ing 300  acres  of  land.    In  October,  1831,  John 


Buterbaugh  married  Elizabeth  Learn,  a 
daughter  of  John  Learn,  and  to  them  thirteen 
children  were  born,  seven  daughters  and  six 
sons,  as  follows :  Mary,  who  was  the  wife  of 
John  Cook,  both  now  deceased;  Elizabeth, 
who  married  A.  K.  Reed,  both  now  deceased ; 
Henry  L.  and  Levi,  deceased;  Simon,  a  resi- 
dent of  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Sarah  A.,  the  widow  of 
D.  P.  Reed;  Susan,  who  married  Frankliu 
Nupp,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  residing  at 
Windber,  Pa.;  Isaac,  living  in  Cherryhill 
township,  Indiana  county;  Catherine,  de- 
ceased, who  was  the  wife  of  N.  W.  Baker; 
EUa,  deceased ;  Amariah  N. ;  Andrew,  a  resi- 
dent of  Indiana ;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 
After  coming  to  Indiana  the  father  of  the 
above  family  engaged  in  the  milling  business, 
erecting  a  saw  and  grist  mill.  He  was  a 
shrewd  and  successful  business  man,  but  was 
a  strict  observer  of  the  Sabbath,  and  no  in- 
ducement could  be  brought  to  bear  that  would 
lead  him  to  operate  his  mills  on  Sunday.  He 
was  fond  of  hunting  and  was  a  fine  shot. 

Amariah  N.  Buterbaugh,  son  of  John,  and 
father  of  Harry  R.  Buterbaugh,  attended  the 
schools  of  Green  townshij)  and  lived  on  the 
farm  settled  by  his  father  until  he  was  fifty 
years  of  age.  In  1900  he  moved  to  Windber 
and  there  embarked  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness, conducting  a  store  for  four  years.  In 
the  fall  of  1903  he  came  to  the  present  site 
of  Love.joy,  although,  at  that  time,  there  was 
no  town  organization.  Mr.  Buterbaugh  eon- 
ducted  a  store  here  for  several  years  and 
was  appointed  the  first  postmaster,  an  office 
which  he  has  since  held.  On  Nov.  2,  1871,  he 
was  married  to  Sarah  Houck,  who  was  born 
in  Green  township  Oct.  13,  1851,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Myers)  Houck.  IMr. 
and  Mrs.  Buterbaugh  have  had  the  following 
children:  Harry  R. ;  Elizabeth  Ollie,  who  is 
the  wife  of  T.  H.  Fleming,  has  two  children, 
James  Amariah  and  Beatrice,  and  lives  at 
Windber;  Agnes,  who  is  the  wife  of  S.  A. 
Fridler,  of  Starford;  John  Henry,  who  mar- 
ried Mary  Kimmel,  of  Bedford  county,  and 
has  five  children,  Alta  M.,  Chalmer  L.,  Sarah 
M.,  Henry  C.  and  Elmer  E.  (i\Ir.  Buter- 
baugh is  manager  of  the  Dixon  Run  Lumber 
Company)  ;  and  Louie  Bertha,  the  youngest 
member  of  the  family,  who  is  now  the  wife 
of  M.  L.  McKeown,  of  Josephine,  Pa.,  and 
has  three  children,  Robert  Wallace,  Louise 
Ulrica  and  Sarah  Pauline. 

Henry  Houck,  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
Harry  R,  Buterbaugh,  was  born  in  Germany, 
and  was  seven  years  of  age  when  he  was 
brought  by  his  parents  to  the  United  States. 


1296 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


They  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  securing  land 
first  in  Rayne  township,  this  county,  and  mov- 
ing later  to  Green  township,  and  there  Henry 
Honck  continued  to  follow  farming  and  stock 
raising  until  the  close  of  his  life.  He  died 
about  1898,  near  Purchase  Line,  in  Green 
township.  He  married  Elizabeth  Myers,  who 
was  bom  in  Pennsylvania,  of  German  ances- 
try, and  they  had  the  following  children: 
David  R.,  William  H.,  George  F.,  Joseph, 
Sarah,  Hannah  and  Henry  H. 

Harry  R.  Buterbaugh  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  Green  township,  and  as  a  young 
man  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  which  he 
followed  for  several  years,  subsequently  en- 
gaging in  the  flour  and  feed  business  and  con- 
ducting a  mill  in  Lovejoy,  as  a  member  of  the 
firm  known  as  the  Buterbaugh  &  Krider  Co. 
Later  he  sold  his  interest  to  S.  A.  Krider.  and 
with  his  brother,  John  H.,  engaged  in  con- 
tracting and  carpenter  work,  building  up  a 
successful  business.  He  has  come  to  be  re- 
garded as  one  of  his  community's  progi-essive 
and  enterprising  citizens.  He  is  now  located 
at  Starford. 

On  Jan.  21,  1897.  Mr.  Buterbaugh  was  mar- 
ried to  Minerva  Fleming,  who  was  born  in 
Green  township,  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah 
(Lutman)  Fleming,  natives  of  Green  town- 
ship, the  former  of  whom  is  deceased,  while 
the  latter  resides  at  Mitchells  Mills.  Two 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  But- 
erbaugh, Mary  and  Leona.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  But- 
erbaugh attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  is  active  in  Masonry,  belonging 
to  the  minor  branches  at  Ebensburg,  to  the 
Consistory  at  Williamsport  and  to  the  Mystic 
Shrine  at  Altoona. 

HARRY  STEPHENS,  a  farmer  of  Buf- 
fington  township,  was  born  in  Green  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  March  26,  1876,  a  son 
of  William  M.  Stephens,  and  grandson  of 
Alexander  Stephens. 

Alexander  Stephens  was  born  in  America, 
although  the  exact  locality  is  not  definitely 
known.  He  was  three  times  married,  first  to 
Jane  Dun^dddie,  by  whom  he  had  these  chil- 
dren :  James  man-ied  Nancy  Glassford ;  j\Io1- 
lie  married  Squire  Griffith,  of  Pine  township, 
this  county;  Lizzie  married  Abraham  Co.v; 
Jennie  married  James  MacKintosh.  After  the 
death  of  his  first  wife  Alexander  Stephens 
married  Jane  Anderson,  who  bore  him  three 
children:  William  M.,  Shadrach  and  Mar- 
garet, the  latter  marrying  Evan  Griffith,  of 
Indiana,  Pa.     After  the  death  of  the  second 


Mrs.  Stephens  he  married  Nancy  Hempfield; 
there  were  no  children  by  this  marriage. 

Alexander  Stephens  ran  a  gristmill  and 
was  an  extensive  agriculturist  in  Green  town- 
ship. His  mill  bore  his  name  and  was  widely 
patronized,  for  in  those  days  the  farmers  had 
to  depend  upon  the  local  mills  for  all  their 
meal  and  flour. 

William  M.  Stephens,  now  a  resident  of 
Green  township,  operates  a  gristmill  and  con- 
ducts a  large  farm.  He  is  a  man  of  prom- 
inence in  his  township,  has  served  as  a  school 
director  for  years,  and  for  a  period  was  his 
township's  representative  on  the  county  board 
of  supervisors.  In  1871  William  M.  Stephens 
married  Rachel  Griffith,  daughter  of  John 
and  Margaret  (Gibson)  Griffith,  of  Pine  town- 
ship, and  cliildren  as  follows  were  born  of  this 
marriage:  Margaret,  who  attended  the  Indi- 
ana normal  school  and  Winona  College  in  the 
State  of  Indiana,  and  now  teaching  her 
twenty-second  year  of  school  (she  has  taught 
at  Pitcairn,  Pa.,  where  she  was  stationed  for 
thirteen  years,  and  for  the  remaining  period 
has  been  at  her  present  school,  at  Braddock, 
Pa.)  ;  Mattie,  who  married  Martin  Davis,  and 
resides  at  Norfolk.  Va.,  where  he  is  in  the 
employ  of  the  United  States  mail  service; 
Harry;  and  Elise,  who  married  Sherd  Lock- 
ard  and  resides  in  Green  township. 

William  M.  Stephens  is  one  of  the  repre- 
sentative men  of  his  community,  where  his 
name  stands  for  all  that  is  synonymous  with 
what  is  most  upright  and  honorable.  He 
has  developed  a  fine  business  both  as  a  miller 
and  a  farmer,  and  has  reared  a  family  of 
whom  any  father  might  well  be  proud.  He 
has  done  his  full  duty  in  all  the  relations  of 
life,  and  is  an  excellent  example  of  a  sub- 
stantial business  man  of  Indiana  county. 

Harry  Stephens  received  his  educational 
training  in  the  common  schools  of  his  neigh- 
borhood. While  attending  school  he  aided  his 
father  in  the  farm  work,  and  thereby  laid  a 
firm  foundation  for  sulistantial  achievement 
when  he  had  reached  maturity.  In  1902  he 
left  his  father  and  bought  a  farm  from  J.  I. 
Dunwiddie,  in  Green  township,  adjacent  to 
his  father's  property.  On  it  he  built  a  large 
barn  and  made  other  excellent  improvements, 
and  began  operating  his  land,  devoting  it  to 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Here  he 
remained  until  February,  1911,  when  he 
bought  the  old  Dill  farm  from  his  mother-in- 
law,  comprising  125  acres,  one  of  the  best  kept 
and  finest  properties  in  Buffington  township. 
There  is  an  excellent  house  upon  the  place, 
while  the  barn  is  commodious  and  convenient. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1297 


Mr.  Stephens  is  a  progressive  agriculturist, 
demonstrating  in  his  daily  work  the  truth  of 
the  statement  that  the  farmer  is  one  of  the 
most  independent  men  in  the  world,  as  well 
as  one  to  whom  the  whole  of  humanity  must 
look  for  food  supplies. 

On  Oct.  31,  1901,  Mr.  Stephens  was  mar- 
ried to  Edith  Dill,  daughter  of  Bluson  and 
Matilda  (Tolb)  Dill,  and  she  is  a  woman  of 
intelligence  and  worth  and  has  greatly  aided 
her  husband  in  his  work,  with  which  she  is  in 
thorough  sympathy.  It  is  her  aim  to  rear 
her  children  to  be  useful  and  capable.  The 
children  are :  William  Anson,  Harry  Benson, 
Alton  AVade,  George  Samuel  and  Naida  Fay, 
the  last  named  born  March  17,  1912. 

Mr.  Stephens  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  never 
come  before  the  people  for  piiblic  ofBce,  as 
he  does  not  aspire  to  such  honors.  His  duty 
as  a  citizen  is  discharged  in  other  ways.  First 
he  gives  his  support  to  the  candidates  of  his 
party,  as  he  believes  that  the  platforms  of  that 
organization  more  nearly  provide  for  the  bet- 
terment of  the  masses  than  those  of  any 
other ;  and  then  he  gives  personal  attention  to 
the  securing  of  improvements  and  the  general 
uplift  of  morality  in  his  community.  As  a 
consistent  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church  he  contributes  liberally  toward  its 
support,  and  his  wife  is  active  in  its  work. 

The  magnificent  farm  of  I\Ir.  Stephens  is 
one  of  the  show  places  of  Indiana  county.  The 
exponent  of  advanced  agriculture  himself,  he 
bought  a  property  that  had  been  in  compe- 
tent hands  for  many  years,  so  that  he  but 
adds  one  improvement  to  another.  The  resi- 
dence is  supplied  with  a  modern  equipment 
that  would  put  to  shame  many  a  city  home, 
while  every  farm  operation  is  carried  on  with 
regard  to  a  saving  of  time  and  labor.  Mr. 
Stephens  has  experimented  with  various  ap- 
pliances and  machinery  and  believes  he  has 
now  the  best  on  the  market  in  every  respect. 
The  produce  of  his  farm  meets  a  ready  sale 
in  any  market  where  it  can  be  secured,  on 
account  of  its  superior  quality,  and  his  ideas 
with  regard  to  agriculture  meet  with  respect- 
ful attention,  for  his  neighbors  know  that  he 
speaks  with  the  authority  of  one  who  has 
proved  the  truth  of  his  statements  through 
individual  experiment  and  everyday  use. 

MRS.  CATHERINE  ROWE.  of  Creekside, 
in  "Washington  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
was  born  June  13,  1836,  daughter  of  Baltzer 
and  Barbara    (Kunkle)    "Walter. 

Philip  "Walter,  gi-andfather  of  Mrs.  Rowe, 
moved   from   Northampton    county,    Pa.,    to 


Westmoreland  county,  same  State,  and  there 
died  aged  sixty-tive  years.  He  carried  on  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising,  and  owned 
two  farms  containing  300  acres,  one  at  Beaver 
Run,  and  the  other  about  one  mile  away.  His 
educational  training  was  obtained  in  the  pri- 
vate schools  of  his  period.  During  his  boy- 
hood the  family  suffered  from  the  Indians, 
and  his  father,  who  was  an  Indian  fighter  as 
well  as  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  ended  his  life 
in  Westmoreland  county.  At  one  time  the 
Walters  had  to  flee  to  Hannastown  for  pro- 
tection. Philip  Walter  married  Catherine 
Trout,  of  "Virginia,  and  spent  all  of  his  mar- 
ried life  in  Westmoreland  county,  where  his 
death  was  occasioned  by  a  falling  tree. 

Baltzer  Walter  was  born  in  1811,  and  grew 
up  in  Westmoreland  county.  He  married 
Barbara  Kunkle,  a  daughter  of  Michael 
Kunkle,  of  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  and 
granddaughter  of  Philip  Kunkle.  The  latter 
had  610  acres  of  land  which  he  divided  be- 
tween three  of  his  children,  Michael  receiving 
260  acres,  Jacob  190  acres,  and  Barbara  160 
acres.  Baltzer  Walter  owned  160  acres  of 
land  and  carried  on  farming  all  his  life.  He 
was  a  Democrat,  but  would  not  hold  ofSce. 
Brought  up  in  the  Lutheran  faith,  he  later 
became  a  member  of  the  Center  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Washington  township,  and  helped 
to  erect  the  church  edifice.  Still  later  he  left 
the  Presbyterian  Church  and  joined  the  Lu- 
theran Church  at  Plum  Creek.  His  death  oc- 
curred April  24,  1894,  when  he  was  eighty- 
three  years  old,  his  widow  surviving  until 
May  19,  1907,  when  she  died  at  the  age  of 
ninety-four  years.  Children  as  follows  were 
born  to  Baltzer  Walter  and  his  wife :  Cather- 
ine ;  Michael,  who  married  Belle  McHenry,  of 
Creekside,  a  sister  of  Dr.  IMeHenry;  Barbara 
Anne,  who  married  Samuel  Gibson,  of  Creek- 
side; Philip  A.,  who  married  Mary  Unkifer, 
of  Washington  township,  and  (second)  Miss 
Miller,  of  McKean  county;  Zaeharias,  who 
married  Levina  Puley,  of  Butler  county: 
Eliza,  who  married  Alexander  Johnston,  of 
Washington  township;  and  Loretta,  who  mar- 
ried James  Lucas,  and  resides  near  Nolo  in 
Pine  township. 

Catherine  "Walter  was  married  (first)  Feb. 
7,  1854,  at  New^ille,  now  Creekside,  to  Lert 
Adams.  Mr.  Adams  was  born  Dec.  19,  1833, 
and  was  killed  during  the  Civil  war,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1863,  near  Petersburg,  just  prior  to 
the  battle.  He  was  a  farmer  during  the  sum- 
mer, and  in  the  winter  made  shoes.  His  farm 
in  Rayne  township  contained  eighty-seven 
acres,  which  he  purchased  before  going  into 


1298 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  army.  The  following  childi-en  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams :  Walter,  who  is  mar- 
ried, and  lives  in  ilaple  Hill,  Wabash  Co., 
Kans. ;  Carrie,  deceased ;  Edward  Sylvanus, 
deceased ;  Watson  Alexander,  deceased ;  Geo. 
B.  McClellan,  who  married  Eliza  Stahl,  of 
Washington  township;  and  A.  M.,  who  mar- 
ried Minnie  McRee,  of  Washington  township. 
After  the  death  of  her  first  husband  Mrs. 
Adams  married  (second)  Daniel  Rowe,  who 
died  in  1906,  aged  sixty  years. 

Daniel  Rowe  was  also  a  soldier  during 
the  Civil  war,  but  only  served  three  months 
when  he  received  his  honorable  discharge  on 
account  of  sickness.  Coming  back  home  he 
engaged  in  farming,  and  was  thus  engaged 
until  the  time  of  his  death.  Politically  he  was 
a  Republican,  but  never  cared  to  go  into  pub- 
lic life.  For  many  years  he  was  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Disciples  Church  in  Rayne 
township.  Mr.  and  I\Irs.  Rowe  had  the  follow- 
ing children :  Tillie  J.,  Mrs.  Rhodes,  of  Prin- 
cess Anne,  Md. ;  Lois  B.,  Mrs.  Hancock,  of 
Indiana  county;  Frank  C,  of  Toms  station; 
Harry  C,  of  Creekside:  and  Mary  W.,  Mrs. 
Smith,  of  Leetsdale,  Allegheny  county. 

!Mrs.  Rowe  owns  eighty-seven  acres  of  land 
in  Washington  township,  near  Toms  station, 
all  of  which  is  cleai-ed,  and  her  son  Frank 
Rowe  is  operating  it.  ]\Irs.  Rowe  belongs  to 
Salem  j\Iethodist  Church,  and  taught  in  the 
Sunday  school  for  many  years,  being  one  of 
the  most  popular  and  effective  instructors  of 
that  body.  She  is  widely  known  and  univer- 
sally respected. 

JOHN  S.  ORTNER,  a  farmer  of  White 
township,  was  born  Nov.  7,  1868,  in  Rayne 
township,  this  county,  son  of  Jolin  A.  and 
Barbara  (Hoffman)  Ortner. 

John  A.  Ortner  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  when  twenty-seven 
years  old.  At  first  he  located  at  Johnstown, 
Pa.,  but  after  a  short  stay  in  that  city,  came 
on  to  Indiana  county,  where  he  bought  a  farm 
in  Rayne  township.  This  land  being  in  a 
wild  state,  he  cleared  it  and  developed  a  com- 
fortable home,  on  which  he  carried  on  general 
farming  until  his  death,  Dec.  9.  1897.  His 
wife  was  a  daughter  of  William  Hoffman,  who 
came  from  Germany  to  the  United  States  in 
1842,  settling  in  RajTie  township,  where  he 
farmed  for  many  years,  but  later  on  in  life 
retired  to  Indiana,  where  he  died.  Mrs.  Ort- 
ner died  March  17,  1908.  She  was  one  of  a 
family  of  six  children,  and  two  of  her  five 
brothers  survive,  John  and  ]\Iichael  Hoffman, 
of  Indiana  oountv.     None  of  the  Ortner  fam- 


ily came  to  the  United  States  except  John  A. 
Ortner,  and  all  are  deceased.  John  A.  Ortner 
and  his  wife  had  eleven  children:  Clara  S., 
deceased,  married  William  Betz,  of  Cali- 
fornia ;  Barbara  is  the  widow  of  William  Seu- 
bert,  of  Latrobe,  Pa. ;  Mary  married  a  Mr. 
Clark,  of  Woodstock,  Cal. ;  Matilda  married 
Henry  Coolney,  of  California;  William  re- 
sides at  Maxwell,  Cal. ;  Anna  resides  at  La- 
trobe, Pa. ;  John  S.  is  mentioned  below ;  Ros- 
anna  married  William  Graff,  of  Punxsutaw- 
ney.  Pa. ;  Amelia  married  a  ilr.  Cost,  of  In- 
diana, Pa. ;  Elizabeth  married  L.  J.  Beaver, 
of  Montana;  Frank  resides  at  Avonmore,  in 
Armstrong  county. 

John  S.  Ortner  attended  the  local  schools  of 
Rayne  township,  and  grew  up  on  the  farm, 
remaining  at  home  until  his  marriage.  Fol- 
lowing that  event  he  began  farming  for  him- 
self in  White  township.  At  first  he  bought 
sixty  acres  of  land,  but  after  operating  it  for 
two  j'ears  sold  and  purchased  his  present 
property,  of  140  acres,  which  he  now  devotes 
to  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  ha^dng 
been  successful  in  both  lines. 

On  Jan.  21,  1898,  Mr.  Ortner  was  married 
to  Clara  Belle  Osborne,  who  was  born  in 
Rayne  township,  daughter  of  Joseph  T.  and 
Mary  Ann  (Jones)  Osborne,  the  former  born 
in  White  township,  this  county,  and  the  latter 
in  Clearfield  county.  Joseph  Osborne,  the 
paternal  grandfather  of  ilrs.  Ortner,  was 
born  in  Scotland,  and  married  Sarah  Kinter, 
a  native  of  Germany.  They  became  early  set- 
tlers of  Indiana  county.  The  parents  of  ilrs. 
Mary  Ann  (Jones)  Osborne  were  natives  of 
Scotland.  Mrs.  Ortner  was  one  of  eleven 
children  born  to  her  parents,  of  whom  Bar- 
bara A.  married  Michael  Nibert,  of  Indiana ; 
Sarah  married  James  Cessna,  of  Cambria 
county ;  Elmira  married  Robert  Wynkoop,  of 
Gabelton,  Pa. :  Mary  married  William  Lingen- 
felter,  of  Gabelton,  Pa.;  Rose  married  Igna- 
tius Undersack,  of  Wyoming;  Clara  Belle 
became  Mrs.  Ortner.  Mr.  Osborne  died  in 
Rayne  township  Feb.  10,  1912,  his  wife  pass- 
ing awa.y"in  1889.  She  was  a  widow  at  the 
time  of  her  marriage  to  ]\Ir.  Osborne,  and  the 
only  living  child  of  her  first  marriage  is 
Margaret,  now  !JIrs.  Dolvey,  of  Clearfield 
county,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ortner  became  the  parents 
of  seven  children :  A  child  who  died  in  in- 
fancy unnamed:  Frances  G. ;  Margaret  E., 
who  is  deceased;  Agnes  ^lae;  Elizabeth  N. : 
Ruth  Virginia,  and  JNIildred  ]M.  Mr.  and  :\[rs. 
Ortner  are  consistent  members  of  the  Roman 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1299 


Catholic  Church,  belonging  to  St.  Bernard's 
parish  of  Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

JOSEPH  CHARLES  NIPPES,  of  Black- 
lick  township,  is  one  of  the  younger  farmers 
of  his  section  of  Indiana  county  who  have 
been  notably  successful.  He  is  extensively 
interested  in  truck  gardening,  in  which  line 
he  was  a  pioneer  in  his  township,  and  at  pres- 
ent commands  the  largest  business  of  the  kind 
in  Indiana  county. 

The  Nippes  family  is  of  German  extraction, 
William  Nippes,  its  founder  in  America,  hav- 
ing been  born  in  Germany,  whence  he  came 
to  this  country  in  a  sailing  vessel.  He  was  a 
sea  captain,  following  the  water  all  his  life. 
He  settled  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  married 
Catherine  Heinckles,  also  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business. 
Their  children  were  aU  born  in  Philadelphia, 
viz.:  John  Charles;  William,  who  engaged  in 
the  bakery  business;  Abraham,  who  was  a 
cabinetmaker;  Samuel,  also  a  cabinetmaker 
(married)  ;  Henry,  a  merchant  (married)  ; 
Mortimer,  a  grocer;  Christianna,  wife  of 
Louis  Thorn,  a  baker;  Mary  Ann,  wife  of 
Thomas  Heinckles,  a  cabinetmaker;  and  Lou- 
isa, who  also  married.  All  of  this  family  lived 
in  Philadelphia. 

John  Charles  Nippes,  son  of  William  and 
Catherine  (Heinckles)  Nippes,  was  bom  in 
1830  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  attended  com- 
mon school,  afterward  learning  the  trade  of 
cabinetmaker.  In  1861  he  enlisted  for  serv- 
ice in  the  Union  army,  .joining  Company  A, 
26th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  under 
Captain  Moffatt  and  Colonel  Small,  being  in 
Hooker's  command  in  the  Army  of  the  Po- 
tomac. He  was  wounded  at  Gettysburg  and 
died  there  one  month  later,  in  1863,  and  was 
laid  to  rest  in  Monument  cemetery  in  Phil- 
adelphia, with  military  honors.  Mr.  Nippes 
had  married  Esther  L.  Wright,  who  was  born 
Feb.  28,  1831,  in  Philadelphia,  daughter  of 
William  and  Rachel  (Lukens)  Wright,  of 
Philadelpliia,  and  to  them  were  born  four 
children,  three  of  whom  died  in  infancy, 
Jennie  E.,  Ira  and  Willimina;  the  only  sur- 
vivor, Chester  Walker  Chipman,  was  born 
Jan.  2,  1852.  The  mother  proved  herself  to 
be  a  woman  of  remarkable  strength  of  char- 
acter and  purpose.  She  had  received  her 
early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Phil- 
adelphia, and  after  her  husband's  death  took 
up  the  study  of  medicine,  taking  the  course 
in  the  Woman's  Medical  College  in  that  city, 
from  which  she  was  graduated  with  the  de- 
gree of  M.  D.  in  1870.    She  was  actively  en- 


gaged in  practice  for  over  thirty-nine  years, 
settling  in  Johnstown,  where  she  is  now  living 
retired,  in  her  eighty-second  year.  She  re- 
married, becoming  the  wife  of  Dr.  H.  W. 
Marbourgh,  with  whom  she  was  associated  in 
practice,  and  who  lost  his  life  May  31,  1889, 
in  the  Johnstown  flood.  Mi-s.  Marbourgh 
escaped  with  a  horse  and  buggy,  and  she,  too, 
would  have  been  lost  had  not  the  horse  been 
a  strong  swimmer;  she  gives  the  animal  the 
credit  for  saving  her  life.  Beloved  and  es- 
teemed by  all  who  have  known  her,  she  is 
spending  her  days  quietly  in  the  place  where 
so  many  years  of  her  active  and  useful  career 
as  a  physician  were  passed.  She  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  First  M.  E.  Church  of  Johnstown. 
Chester  Wai^keb  Chipman  Nn»PES,  son  of 
John  Charles  and  Esther  L.  (Wright) 
Nippes,  was  born  Jan.  2,  1852,  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  there  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools.  In  1894  he  settled  in  East 
A\nieatfield  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where 
his  father-in-law  bought  a  farm  which  Mr. 
Nippes  worked,  making  a  home  for  his 
mother-in-law,  after  which  he  took  charge  of 
the  place  for  himself,  engaging  in  market 
gardening,  which  he  was  one  of  the  first  in 
that  section  to  undertake.  In  1905  he  moved 
with  his  family  to  Blacklick  township,  where 
he  has  since  lived  and  worked,  he  and  his 
son  having  purchased  the  property  there,  and 
now  working  in  partnership  as  C.  W.  C. 
Nippes  &  Son.  They  have  been  highly  suc- 
cessful, being  the  recognized  leaders  in  their 
line  in  Indiana  county,  a  distinction  which 
they  have  won  by  the  most  untiring  efforts 
and  intelligent  devotion  to  their  work.  Mr. 
Nippes  has  been  prominent  in  public  affairs 
and  church  work,  having  served  as  school 
director  two  terms  and  election  inspector  in 
East  Wheatfield  township,  and  as  register 
and  assessor  in  Blacklick  township,  still  hold- 
ing the  latter  position,  which  he  has  been 
filling  two  years.  In  political  connection  he 
is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  prominent  member 
of  the  M.  E.  Church  of  Blacklick,  which  he 
has  served  faithfully  in  various  capacities, 
having  been  stewai-d,  trustee  (president  of 
the  board)  and  Sunday  school  teacher.  On 
Dec.  26,  1877,  he  married  Jennie  Elizabeth 
Kissinger,  who  was  born  in  1857  in  East 
Wheatfield  township,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Elizabeth  (Shott)  Kissinger,  the  latter,  now 
(1912)  eighty-nine  years  of  age,  residing  with 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nippes  in  Blacklick  township. 
Six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Nippes:  Joseph  Charles;  Ira  Stamford,  born 
July    26,    1886,    in    Johnstown,    Pa.,    who    is 


1300 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY.  PENNSYLVANIA 


studying  electrical  engineering  at  Pennsyl- 
vania State  College,  class  of  1913;  Wil- 
liam, born  July  12,  1889,  in  Johnstown,  who 
married  Martha  Ellen  Eppley,  of  that  place, 
and  lives  with  his  parents  in  Blacklick  town- 
ship ;  Ai'thur,  born  Nov.  24,  1891,  who  lives 
with  his  parents;  Elizabeth,  living  at  home; 
and  Loretta,  who  died  when  two  years  old. 

Joseph  Charles  Nippes  M'as  born  Dec.  2, 
1880,  in  Johnstown,  Pa.,  where  he  attended 
public  school;  he  attended  a  private  school 
for  two  terms  during  the  summer.  At  the 
age  of  fourteen,  in  1894,  he  nioved  with  his 
parents  to  East  Wheatfield  township,  this 
county,  where  his  father  bought  the  farm  of 
160  acres  from  the  Kissinger  heirs,  and  com- 
menced market  gardening,  Mr.  Nippes  work- 
ing for  his  father  for  the  next  five  years.  In 
1899  he  went  west  to  Pueblo,  Colo.,  where  he 
engaged  in  railroad  work,  working  as  fireman 
on  the  Denver  &  Rio  Grande  road  for  three 
years.  Returning  home  he  married  shortly 
afterward,  Dec.  10,  1903,  in  Indiana,  Pa., 
Jessie  M.  Milliken,  daughter  of  Edward  and 
Elizabeth  (Gamble)  Milliken  of  New  Flor- 
ence, "Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.  In  1905  Mr. 
Nippes  and  his  father  moved  to  Blacklick 
township,  purchasing  in  partnership  the 
Stoneback  farm  of  106  acres  which  they  have 
since  operated,  both  families  living  there, 
having  built  two  large  dwelling  houses  on 
the  place,  besides  barns  and  other  buildings. 
They  carry  on  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing, but  make  a  specialty  of  garden  truck, 
raising  on  an  average  from  125,000  to  150,000 
plants  of  celery  each  season,  and  large  quan- 
tities of  other  vegetables.  They  ship  as  far 
east  as  Altoona  and  west  to  New  Kensington, 
and  find  a  ready  sale  for  all  they  send  to 
market,  their  products  being  well  known  to 
dealers.  Joseph  C.  Nippes  now  looks  after 
the  entire  management  of  the  business,  the 
steady  growth  of  which  shows  him  to  be 
thoroughly  capable,  and  familiar  with  the 
commercial  side,  the  demands  of  the  market, 
etc.,  as  well  as  with  the  practical  work  of 
raising  vegetables. 

Mr.  Nippes  was  at  one  time  a  member  of 
the  Locomotive  Firemen's  Society.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  has  been  a  member  of 
the  school  board  of  Blacklick  township  for 
five  years,  and  is  thoi-oughly  interested  in  all 
that  concerns  the  general  welfare.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Burrell  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  has  been  trustee  of  same. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nippes  have  had  two  chil- 
dren: Virginia  IMaud,  born  Feb.  20,  1905,  in 


New   Florence,    Pa.;   and   Charles   Kenneth, 
born  Jan.  19,  1909,  in  Blacklick  township. 

WILLIAM  H.  MUNSHOWER,  veteran  of 
the  Civil  war,  now  a  justice  of  the  peace  at 
Lovejoy,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Center  township, 
Indiana  county,  Aug.  3,  1836,  and  is  a  son  of 
William  and  Hannah   (Kunkel)   Munshower. 

John  Munshower,  grandfather  of  William 
H.  Munshower,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers 
of  Indiana  county,  owning  a  farm  in  Center 
township,  upon  which  he  carried  on  operations 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

William  Munshower,  son  of  John,  and 
father  of  William  H.  Munshower,  was  born  in 
Maryland,  and  accompanied  his  parents  to 
Indiana  county,  the  rest  of  his  life  being 
spent  in  agi-icultural  pursuits,  and  his  death 
occurring  on  the  old  homestead  in  Center 
township.  He  married  Hannah  Kunkel,  who 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  whither  her 'par- 
ents had  come  from  Germany,  and  they  had 
a  family  of  six  children:  John,  who  is  de- 
ceased; Samuel,  a  resident  of  the  town  of 
Indiana ;  William  H. ;  Houston,  a  resident  of 
Homer  City,  Pa. ;  Harrison,  living  at  Blairs- 
ville;  and  Mary  J.,  the  wife  of  Chambers 
Yengling,  of  St.  Marys,  Ohio.  All  the  sons 
served  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil 
war. 

William  H.  IMunshower  attended  public 
school  in  Center  township,  and  in  his  youth 
was  engaged  in  farming,  but  subsequently 
turned  his  attention  to  teaching,  and  for  six 
years  had  schools  in  Center  and  Green  town- 
ships. On  July  13,  1863,  Mr.  Munshower  en- 
listed in  Company  il,  102d  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Capt.  A.  D.  Hast- 
ings, 2d  Division,  6th  Army  Corps,  with 
which  he  served  until  securing  his  honorable 
discharge,  June  28,  1865.  During  his  long 
and  arduous  service  Mr.  Munshower  took  part 
in  numerous  engagements,  participating  in 
Grant's  campaign  and  in  many  hard-fought 
battles,  such  as  the  Wilderness.  After  brave 
and  meritorious  service  he  returned  to  Indi- 
ana county  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1876 
he  removed  to  Cookport,  whence  he  came  to 
Lovejoy.  He  has  served  as  supervisor  and 
auditor  of  Green  township,  and  during  the 
last  sixteen  years  has  been  the  incumbent  of 
the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace.  He  has 
interested  himself  in  Grand  Army  affairs,  and 
at  this  time  is  quartermaster  of  Cookport 
Post,  No.  537.  His  religious  connection  is 
with  the  Lutheran  Church. 

On  April  19.  1866,  Mr.  Munshower  was 
married  to  Margaret  Fleming,  who  was  born 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1301 


in  Indiana  county  July  18,  1841,  daughter 
of  Francis  J.  and  Christina  (Haley)  Flem- 
ing, early  settlers  of  Green  township,  where 
Mr.  Fleming  was  engaged  in  farming.  He 
was  of  Scotch  ancestry,  while  his  wife  was 
born  in  Ireland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Munshower 
had  one  child,  Clara.  Mrs.  Munshower  passed 
away  Jan.  11,  1908. 

BRENTWOOD  HARLAND  DeVERE 
HOTHAM,  M.  D.,  was  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine  at  Homer  City,  Indiana 
county,  for  two  years,  recently  removing  to 
AVilkes-Barre,  Pa.,  where  he  is  now  located, 
as  resident  physician  at  a  local  sanitarium. 
He  is  a  native  of  western  Pennsylvania,  hav- 
ing been  born  in  Mahoning  township,  Arm- 
strong county,  Oct.  14,  1879. 

The  Hotham  family  is  of  English  extrac- 
tion, and  the  ancestors  in  England  were  con- 
nected with  the  nobility.  Richard  Hotham, 
who  founded  the  branch  of  the  family  in  this 
country  to  which  Dr.  Hotham  belongs,  was  a 
nobleman  but  married  beneath  his  station, 
and  as  a  consequence  was  cut  off  from  the 
family  and  disinherited.  He  came  over  the 
ocean  to  Pennsylvania  with  his  son  William, 
locating  in  Westmoreland  county,  near  what 
is  now  New  Florence.  He  was  a  man  of 
superior  education.  His  religious  connection 
was  with  the  Church  of  England. 

William  Hotham,  son  of  Richard,  came  to 
this  country  with  his  father  in  1824  and  set- 
tled with  him  in  Derry  township,  Westmore- 
land county.  He  was  a  man  of  education  and 
marked  intelligence  and  became  a  successful 
farmer,  remaining  on  the  homestead  until  his 
death.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican,  in 
religious  connection  a  member  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church.  His  first  wife,  Hannah  (Liv- 
ingood),  died  on  the  home  farm.  She  was  the 
mother  of  three  children,  Clark  (who  served 
in  the  Civil  war,  died  on  the  homestead),  Wil- 
liam H.  and  a  daughter  that  died  in  infancy. 
By  his  second  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
McDonald,  he  had  two  children:  John,  of 
Pittsburg,  Pa. ;  and  Richard,  who  died  young. 
For  his  third  wife  he  married  Elizabeth 
Johnston,  and  their  children  were:  Charles, 
of  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  and  Martin,  a  railroad  en- 
gineer, who  was  killed  in  the  service. 

William  H.  Hotham  was  born  in  1846  on 
the  homestead  in  Derry  township,  West- 
moreland Co.,  Pa.,  and  obtained  his  educa- 
tion in  the  local  schools.  He  remained  on  the 
farm  until  his  enlistment,  when  he  was  eigh- 
teen years  old,  for  service  in  the  Civil  war, 
in  Company  F,  11th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 


under  Col.  Richard  Coulter.  He  was  wounded 
in  the  shoulder  at  Gravelly  Run,  near  Peters- 
burg, and  after  receiving  an  honorable  dis- 
charge from  the  service  returned  home.  For 
a  short  period  thereafter  he  again  attended 
school  and  then  learned  telegraphy,  at  which 
he  was  engaged  for  some  years.  He  was  in 
the  service  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany at  Oil  City,  Pa.,  from  there  removing  to 
Red  Bank,  Pa.,  where  he  was  stationed  for 
some  time,  and  thence  transferring  to  Ma- 
honing, Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.  After  he  had 
been  located  at  that  place  awhile  he  began  the 
mining  of  iron  ore.  Moving  later  to  Pitts- 
burg, he  worked  as  telegraph  operator  for 
the  Junction  Railroad  Company  six  years, 
until  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pittsburg 
&  Western  Railroad  Company  as  clerk  and 
bookkeeper,  at  Lawrenceville,  Pa.  He  is  now 
retired  and  living  in  Pittsburg.  Mr.  Hotham 
belongs  to  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  3  of  that  city, 
and  in  politics  he  has  been  actively  associated 
with  the  Republican  party.  On  Sept.  15, 
1870,  he  married  Rose  Johnston,  who  was 
bom  May  18,  1852,  daughter  of  Martin  C. 
and  Mary  Jane  Reysner  (DurboraM^)  John- 
ston, and  they  have  had  a  family  of  five  chil- 
dren: 011a  Bell,  who  is  the  wife  of  R.  L. 
Martin,  of  Mantua,  Ohio ;  Madge ;  Daisy  May, 
living  at  home;  Brentwood  Harland  DeVere, 
mentioned  below;  and  Rose  Virginia. 

Brentwood  Harland  DeVere  Hotham  spent 
his  boyhood  days  at  Mahoning,  Armstrong 
Co.,  Pa.,  until  he  was  six  years  old,  when  the 
family  moved  to  Pittsburg,  and  there  he  had 
excellent  public  school  advantages,  gi-aduating 
from  high  school.  Later  he  became  a  student 
at  the  Western  University  of  Pennsylvania 
(now  the  University  of  Pittsburg),  from 
which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1902, 
with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  He  at  once  began 
practice  at  Lincoln  Place,  near  Pittsburg, 
where  he  spent  one  and  a  half  years,  after 
which  he  was  in  Pittsburg  for  several  years. 
In  1910  he  removed  to  Homer  City,  in  Indiana 
county.  Pa.,  practicing  there  for  two  years  and 
in  1912  taking  his  present  position  at  Wilkes- 
Barre.  While  in  Homer  City  he  acted  as  med- 
ical examiner  for  the  New  York  Life  Insur- 
ance Company  of  New  York.  He  has  attained 
high  standing  in  his  profession,  and  his  per- 
sonal tastes  and  culture  make  him  an  agree- 
able and  desirable  social  companion.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  State  Medical  Society.  In 
political  sentiment  he  is  a  Republican,  in 
religious  connection  a  Presbyterian. 

On  Dee.  29,  1904.  Dr.  Hotham  married,  at 
Lincoln  Place,  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.,  Stella  May 


1302 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Poorbaugh.  daughter  of  J.  1\I.  Poorbaugh,  of 
Lincoln  Place,  and  they  had  two  children: 
Harland  DeVere,  born  Jan.  12,  1906;  and 
Stella  May,  born  Dec.  22,  1907.  Mrs.  Hotham 
died  June  27,  1909,  and  is  buried  in  Rich- 
mond cemetery,  Pittsburg.  On  Nov.  20,  1912, 
Dr.  Hotham  married  (second)  Margaret 
Schall,  daughter  of  G.  W.  and  Mary  E. 
(Markell)   Schall,  of  Homer  City. 

PRANK  ]\IOORHEAD,  proprietor  of  liv- 
ery, feed  and  sales  stables  at  Indiana,  Pa., 
with  place  of  business  located  in  the  rear  of 
the  "Central  Hotel,"  was  bom  Oct.  28,  1855, 
on  the  old  family  homestead  in  Cherryhill 
township,  Indiana  county,  son  of  William  M. 
and  Louisa  (Matthews)  ^Moorhead.  His 
grandfather  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life 
in  Cherryhill  township,  where  he  was  a 
farmer,  and  had  the  following  children: 
William  M.,  James,  John,  Samuel  and  Mar- 
garet  (Mrs.  Evans). 

William  M.  Moorhead,  father  of  Frank 
Moorhead,  was  born  in  Cherryhill  township, 
and  there  died  in  1892,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
two  years,  his  wife  passing  away  during  the 
same  year.  He  was  a  stanch  Republican  in 
politics,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  faith- 
ful members  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Frank  Moorhead  was  educated  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  and  reared  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, working  for  his  father  until  he  was 
twenty  years  of  age.  At  that  time  he  com- 
menced working  out  among  the  farmers  of 
Indiana  county,  but  after  his  marriage  set- 
tled on  a  farm  of  110  acres  in  Cherryhill 
township,  which  he  operated  until  1897.  In 
that  year  Mr.  Moorhead  went  to  Penn  Run, 
Pa.,  being  there  engaged  in  the  livery  busi- 
ness for  seven  years.  Since  1904  he  has  been 
the  proprietor  of  his  present  business  at  Indi- 
ana, where  he  has  large  stables,  fully 
equipped,  and  enjoys  an  extensive  patronage. 

In  March,  1877,  Mr.  Moorhead  was  married 
to  Emma  A.  Stephens,  daughter  of  John 
Stephens,  and  to  this  union  there  have  been 
born  tive  children:  Lulu,  unmarried,  who  is 
a  trained  nurse  in  the  Indiana  hospital; 
Thomas  J. ;  Blair,  attending  the  University 
of  Michigan,  at  Ann  Arbor;  and  Lisle  and 
Elva,  at  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moorhead  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
in  political  matters  he  is  an  independent 
Republican. 

Thomas  J.  Moorhead,  son  of  Frank  and 
Emma  A.  (Stephens)  Moorhead,  was  born  on 
his  father's  farm  in  Cherryhill  township  July 


20,  1883,  and  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools,  following  which  he  taught  school  for 
five  years.  When  his  father  removed  to  Indi- 
ana, Pa.,  the  son  accompanied  him,  and  has 
since  been  associated  with  him  in  the  livery 
business.  On  Jan.  27,  1903,  Thomas  J.  Moor- 
head was  married  at  Penn  Run,  Pa.,  to  Mar- 
garet Viola  Frantz,  daughter  of  George  E. 
and  Margaret  Frantz,  and  to  this  union  there 
have  been  born  four  children:  Kenneth, 
Quentin,  D.  Wright  Frantz  and  Robert  Blair. 
Like  his  father  Mr.  ^loorhead  is  a  Republican 
in  his  political  views,  and  he  and  Mrs.  Moor- 
head are  consistent  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church. 

JOHN  H.  BUTERBAUGH,  manager  of 
the  Dixon  Run  Lumber  Company,  at  Lovejoy, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Green  town- 
ship, this  county,  Oct.  29,  1877,  son  of 
Amariah  N.  and  Sarah  (Houck)  Buterbaugh. 
William  Buterbaugh,  his  great-grandfather, 
was  bom  in  Maryland,  from  which  State  he 
moved  to  Pennsylvania,  settling  first  in  Hunt- 
ingdon county  and  later  in  Indiana  countj'. 
He  was  the  father  of  eight  children. 

John  Buterbaugh,  son  of  William  and 
grandfather  of  John  II.  Buterbaugh,  was 
born  in  Maryland  in  1799,  and  lived  to  the 
age  of  ninety-six  years.  He  accompanied  his 
father  to  Pennsylvania  and  after  living  in 
Huntingdon  county  several  years  settled  in 
what  is  now  known  as  Pleasant  Valley,  in 
Green  township,  Indiana  count}',  the  family 
acquiring  300  acres  of  land.  In  October,  1831. 
John  Buterbaugh  married  Elizabeth  Learn, 
a  daughter  of  John  Learn,  and  to  them  thir- 
teen children  were  born,  seven  daughters  and 
six  sons:  The  eldest  born,  Mary,  was  the 
wife  of  John  Cook,  and  both  are  deceased. 
Elizabeth  married  A.  K.  Reed,  and  both  are 
deceased.  Henry  L.  and  Levi  are  deceased. 
Simon  is  a  resident  of  Indiana.  Sarah  A.  is 
the  widow  of  D.  P.  Reed.  Susan  married 
Franklin  Nupp,  who  served  in  the  Civil  war, 
and  they  live  at  Windber.  Isaac  lives  in 
Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county.  Cathe- 
rine, who  is  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  H.  W. 
Baker.  Ella  is  deceased.  Amariah  N.  was 
the  third  youngest  in  oi-der  of  birth.  Andrew 
is  a  resident  of  Indiana,  and  the  youngest 
died  in  infancy.  After  coming  to  Indiana 
count.v  the  father  of  the  above  family  en- 
gaged in  the  milling  business,  erecting  a  saw 
and  grist  mill.  He  was  a  shrewd  and  success- 
ful business  man,  but  was  a  strict  observer  of 
the  Sabbath,  and  no  inducement  could  be 
brought    to   bear   that    would    lead   him    to 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1303 


operate  bis  mills  on  Sunday.     He  was  fond 
of  hunting  and  was  a  fine  shot. 

Amariah  N.  Butei-baugh,  son  of  John  and 
father  of  John  H.  Buterbaugh,  attended  the 
schools  of  Green  township  and  lived  on  the 
farm  settled  by  his  father  until  he  was  fifty 
years  of  age.  In  1900  he  moved  to  Windber 
and  there  embarked  in  the  mei'cantile  busi- 
ness, conducting  a  store  for  four  years.  In 
the  fall  of  1903  he  came  to  the  present  site 
of  Lovejoy,  although  at  that  time  there  was 
no  town  organization.  However,  there  was 
promise  of  rapid  settlement,  which  has  been 
fulfilled.  Mr.  Buterbaugh  conducted  a  store 
here  for  several  years  and  was  appointed  the 
first  postmaster,  an  office  he  has  since  held. 
On  Nov.  2,  1871,  he  was  married  to  Sarah 
Houck,  who  was  born  in  Green  township  Oct. 
13,  1851,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth 
(Myers)  Houck.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Buterbaugh 
have  had  the  following  children:  Harry  R., 
who  lives  at  Starford,  married  Minerva  Flem- 
ing, of  Green  township,  and  they  have  two 
daughters,  Mary  and  Leona:  Elizabeth  Ollie, 
who  is  the  wife  of  T.  H.  Fleming,  has  two 
children  James  Amariah  and  Beatrice,  and 
lives  at  "Windber ;  Agnes  is  the  wife  of  S.  A. 
Fridler,  of  Starford;  John  Henry,  who  is 
manager  of  the  Dixon  Run  Lumber  Company 
of  Lovejoy,  married  Mary  Kimmel,  of  Bed- 
ford count j^;  Bertha,  the  youngest  member 
of  the  family,  is  the  wife  of  M.  L.  McKeown, 
of  Josephine,  Pa.,  and  they  have  three  chil- 
dren, Robert  Wallace,  Louise  Ulrica  and 
Sarah  Pauline. 

Henry  Houck,  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
John  H.  Buterbaugh,  was  born  in  Germany, 
and  was  seven  years  old  when  his  parents 
brought  him  to  the  United  States.  They  set- 
tled in  Pennsylvania,  securing  land  first  in 
Rayne  township,  Indiana  county,  and  moving 
later  to  Green  township,  and  there  Henry 
Houck  continued  to  follow  farming  and  stock 
raising  until  the  end  of  his  life.  He  died  about 
1898,  near  Purchase  Line,  in  Green  township. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Myers,  who  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania,  of  German  ancestry,  and 
they  had  the  following  children:  David  R., 
"William  II.,  George  F.,  Joseph,  Sarah,  Han- 
nah and  Henry  H. 

John  H.  Buterbaugh  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  Green  township,  and  as  a  young 
man  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  which 
he  followed  for  several  years.  Later  he  en- 
gaged in  the  bottling  business  at  Starford, 
where  he  conducted  an  establishment  for 
some  time,  and  subsequently  engaged  in  con- 
tracting with  his  brother,  Harry  R.    In  1911 


he  accepted  the  position  of  manager  for  the 
Dixon  Run  Lumber  Company,  of  Lovejoy,  an 
office  which  he  has  continued  to  hold  to  the 
present  time. 

On  Dec.  25,  1901,  Mr.  Buterbaugh  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Kimmel,  of  Bedford  county,  Pa., 
daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  (Corle) 
Kimmel,  natives  of  Bedford  county,  where 
they  now  reside.  Five  children  have  been 
born  to  this  union:  Alta,  L.  Chalmer,  Sarah 
M.,  Henry  C.  and  Elmer  E.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Buterbaugh  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

CLARENCE  B.  RHEA,  who  is  carrying 
on  agricultural  operations  in  Young  town- 
ship, and  is  also  the  proprietor  of  a  livery 
business  near  Jacksonville,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
was  born  Sept.  12,  1879,  in  Center  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  is  a  son  of  Alexander 
and  Elizabeth  (Stutchel)  Rhea. 

"William  Rhea,  the  paternal  grandfather  of 
Clarence  B.  Rhea,  was  born  May  10,  1805,  in 
Center  township,  Indiana  county,  and  there 
spent  his  entire  life  on  a  weU-cultivated  farm, 
on  which  he  made  numerous  improvements, 
including  a  brick  residence,  barn  and  other 
buildings.  During  his  declining  years  he  was 
tenderly  cared  for  by  his  daughter-in-law,  the 
wife  of  his  son  Alexander  Rhea,  and  to  her  he 
willed  the  farm  in  appreciation  of  her  loving 
devotion.  He  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  faith  of  which  he 
died,  and  he  was  buried  at  Jacksonville  ceme- 
tery. In  political  matters  he  was  a  Repub- 
lican, although  he  was  never  an  office  seeker, 
and  took  only  a  good  citizen's  interest  in 
matters  of  a  public  nature.  On  Dec.  21,  1826, 
he  was  married  to  Ann  McParlin,  who  was 
born  Sept.  3,  1803,  and  died  Sept.  20,  1857, 
in  the  faith  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church;  she  was  buried  in  Jacksonville 
cemetery. 

Alexander  Rhea,  son  of  "William  R,hea,  and 
father  of  Clarence  B.  Rhea,  was  born  Dec. 
5,  1831,  in  Center  township,  Indiana  county, 
and  there  received  his  education  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  and  was  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  always  remained  on  the  home- 
stead place,  where  he  became  extensively  en- 
gaged in  raising  cattle  and  dealing  in  cattle 
and  horses,  in  this  line  being  known  all  over 
the  county.  His  reputation  was  that  of  an 
upright,  honest  citizen,  with  the  highest  busi- 
ness principles,  and  while  he  met  with  re- 
verses in  his  ventures  he  never  never  lost 
the  confidence  of  those  who  were  associated 
with  him  in  any  of  his  enterprises.    Progress- 


1304 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ive  in  his  ideas,  and  possessed  of  great  public 
spirit,  he  was  instrumental  in  advancing  the 
interests  of  his  community  in  a  material  man- 
ner, and  throughout  Indiana  county  he  could 
boast  of  a  host  of  friends  and  well-wishers. 
Politically  he  was  a  Republican.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  was  laid  to  rest  in  Oakland  cemetery,  at 
Indiana. 

Alexander  Rhea  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Elizabeth  Stutchel,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Margaret  (Kunkle)  Stutchel,  and  she 
still  survives,  living  at  Jacksonville,  where 
she  is  an  active  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church.  They  had  the  following 
children :  Anna,  born  Sept.  20,  1864,  married 
Dudley  C.  Lyons,  of  Derry  township,  West- 
moreland county ;  Laura  J.,  born  Jan.  10, 
1866,  married  Stewart  Graham  Sept.  1,  1887 ; 
William  B.  T.,  born  Aug.  1,  1867,  married 
Mary  Barkley,  and  is  a  resident  of  Young- 
wood,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa. ;  Henry  H.,  born 
Jan.  13,  1870,  is  residing  in  Young  township : 
Albert  T.,  born  Sept.  11,  1871,  is  deceased; 
George  W.,  born  Sept.  21,  1873,  was  married 
March  13,  1902,  to  Mary  Kunkle ;  Calvin  A., 
born  Jan.  23,  1877,  was  married  Feb.  22,  1904, 
to  Minnie  Gillen,  and  resides  in  Illinois; 
Clarence  B.  is  mentioned  below ;  Charles  W., 
born  Dec.  15,  1881.  died  Jan.  9,  1882 ;  Lillis 
M.,  born  May  9,  1884,  died  Sept.  18,  1884; 
Leslie  H.,  born  Sept.  20,  1886,  married  Mar- 
garet Cooper,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  in 
Illinois. 

Clarence  B.  Rhea,  son  of  Alexander  Rhea, 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Center  township,  and  worked  at  home  with 
his  father  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age, 
at  which  time  he  accepted  a  position  in  the 
lumber  and  saw  mill  of  J.  E.  Frick,  of  Indi- 
ana, there  becoming  thoroughly  conversant 
with  all  the  details  of  the  business.  In  1900 
he  embarked  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber, 
with  a  portable  sawmill,  and  during  the  next 
ten  years  conducted  a  successful  business, 
cutting  and  sawing  lumber  in  Young,  Cone- 
maugh,  Blaeklick  and  Center  townships,  prin- 
cipally under  contract  to  railroad  companies, 
furnishing  ties  and  other  building  material  to 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  and  the 
B.  R.  &  P.  Railroad  Company.  In  the  mean- 
time, in  1907,  Mr.  Rhea  began  agricultural 
operations,  on  the  T.  S.  Neal  farm  near  Jack- 
sonville, a  tract  of  118  acres  which  he  has  been 
cultivating  ever  since.  Here  he  erected  a 
fine  dwelling  house  and  remodeled  the  barn 
and  other  buildings,  made  modern  improve- 
ments of  all  kinds,  and  now  has  one  of  the 


finest  tracts  of  its  size  in  Indiana  county. 
In  connection  with  his  farm  he  has  estab- 
lished a  livery  stable,  where  he  keeps  horses 
and  buggies  for  hire,  and  during  the  past 
three  years  has  also  operated  a  steam  power 
threshing  outfit  during  the  season,  in  Young 
and  adjoining  townships.  He  has  met  with 
gratifying  success  in  all  of  his  ventures,  and 
the  position  he  has  gained  is  all  the  more  sat- 
isfactory in  that  it  has  been  attained  entirely 
through  the  medium  of  his  own  efi:'orts.  In 
political  matters  Mr.  Rhea  is  a  Republican, 
but  he  is  no  office  seeker,  although  in  1911  he 
was  appointed  supervisor  of  roads,  and  in 
1912  was  elected  to  that  office  for  a  term  of 
four  years. 

In  1900  Mr.  Rhea  was  married  to  Martha 
Olive  Lyons,  daughter  of  Alexander  Lyons, 
and  they  have  had  seven  children:  Oliver 
Boyd,  Clarence  P.,  Olive  Lyons,  Glenn,  two 
who  died  in  infancy,  and  William  Howard. 

On  the  maternal  side,  Mr.  Rhea  is  descended 
from  an  old  and  honored  family  of  Indiana 
county,  which  was  founded  here  by  John 
Stutchel,  his  great-great-grandfather,  who 
came  to  White  township  in  1785,  and  whose 
children  were:  Abraham,  who  married  Bar- 
bara Lydick;  Christopher;  Jacob,  who  mar- 
ried Margaret  Pairman;  IMary,  who  mari-ied 
John  ilcHenry ;  and  a  daughter  who  married 
a  Mr.  Caldwell. 

Christopher  Stutchel,  son  of  John  Stutchel, 
was  a  farmer  of  White  township,  and  served 
as  a  soldier  during  the  war  of  1812.  His 
wife 's  name  was  Elizabeth,  and  they  had  sev- 
eral children. 

Thomas  Stutchel,  son  of  Christopher,  and 
grandfather  of  Clarence  B.  Rhea,  was  born 
March  31,  1810,  and  spent  his  life  in  White 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  he  was  mar- 
ried May  20,  1841,  to  Margaret  Kunkle,  who 
was  born  JMarch  1,  1826,  and  they  had  several 
children. 

Elizabeth  Stutchel,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Stutchel,  was  bom  Oct.  15,  1843,  married 
Alexander  Rhea,  a  farmer  of  Center  town- 
ship, and  still  survives,  making  her  home  in 
Jacksonville. 

SAMUEL  W.  SHEARER,  general  farmer 
and  stock  raiser  of  White  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  on  the  farm  which  he  now 
occupies  April  10,  1866,  son  of  Sanuiel  and 
Elizabeth  (Hobaugh)   Shearer. 

Samuel  Shearer,  the  father,  was  born  in 
Ireland,  and  as  a  young  man  emigrated  to 
the  United  States,  first  settling  in  the  eastern 
part  of  Pennsylvania,  where  lie  was  married, 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1305 


his  wife  being  a  native  of  that  section.  In 
April,  1866,  he  came  to  Indiana  county  and 
settled  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his  son 
Samuel  W.  Shearer,  and  there  he  was  engaged 
in  farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
March  8,  1883.  His  wife  survived  him  a  few 
years,  and  died  in  September,  1887.  They 
were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  namely: 
Robert,  a  resident  of  Vintondale,  Pa. ;  Sarah, 
who  is  the  wife  of  A.  C.  Ferrier,  of  Indiana, 
Pa. ;  Anna,  who  married  William  Oberlin,  of 
Mechanicsburg ;  George,  who  is  deceased; 
Samuel  W. ;  Ida,  the  wife  of  Harry  Brincks, 
of  Brushvalley  township,  Indiana  county ;  and 
Thomas,  who  resides  in  White  township. 

Samuel  W.  Shearer,  son  of  Samuel,  was 
educated  in  the  schools  of  White  township, 
and  from  boyhood  has  been  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits  on  the  old  homestead,  of 
which  he  has  been  the  owner  since  the  death 
of  his  father.  In  addition  to  general  farming 
he  carries  on  stock  raising,  and  his  intelligent 
and  well-directed  efforts  have  brought  him 
deserved  success.  Possessed  of  modern  ideas, 
he  uses  up-to-date  methods  in  his  work,  and 
the  result  has  been  the  development  of  one 
of  the  finest  properties  of  its  size  in  his  part 
of  the  county.  Mr.  Shearer  stands  for  ad- 
vancement along  all  lines,  supports  move- 
ments which  promise  beneficial  results,  and 
has  acceptably  served  as  supervisor  and  school 
director  of  his  township. 

Mr.  Shearer  was  married  to  Laura  Klingen- 
berger,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  who  died  leaving  five 
children:  Sherman,  Arthur,  Harry,  Clyde 
and  Mabel.  On  Dee.  21,  1909,  Mr.  Shearer 
married  (second)  Elizabeth  Carnahan,  who 
was  born  in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  daughter  of  Israel  and  Nancy  (Anthony) 
Carnahan,  farming  people  who  still  live  in 
Armstrong  township.  One  child  has  been 
born  to  this  union,  Mildred.  With  his  wife 
and  children  Mr.  Shearer  attends  the  Luth- 
eran Church  at  Indiana,  Pa.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of-  the  Woodmen  of  the  World. 

GEORGE  W.  McCULLOUGH,  who  during 
the  last  thirty-five  years  has  been  cultivating 
a  valuable  farm  in  Green  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Montgomery  township, 
that  county,  March  24,  1848,  a  son  of  David 
and  Rachel    (Lovelace)   McCullough. 

John  McCullough,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  George  W.  McCullough,  spent  his 
early  life  in  Shelocta,  Indiana  county,  but 
later  moved  to  Burnside  township,  Clearfield 
Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  cleared  a  farm  and  en- 


gaged in  farming,  passing  the  rest  of  his 
life  in  that  locality. 

David  McCullough,  son  of  John  and  father 
of  George  W.  McCullough,  was  bom  in  She- 
locta, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  reared  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  which  he  followed  in 
Montgomery  township  for  many  years.  In 
1870  he  moved  to  Cookport,  and  there  his 
death  occurred  March  27,  1888.  He  married 
Rachel  Lovelace,  who  was  born  in  York 
county,  Pa.,  and  came  to  Indiana  county  with 
her  sister  when  both  were  young  women,  the 
other  members  of  her  family  following  some 
time  later.  Her  death  occurred  Dec.  25,  1891. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCullough  had  six  children, 
of  whom  two  died  young,  the  others  being: 
George  W. ;  Bruce,  who  lives  on  the  old 
liomestead  in  Montgomery  township;  Dr. 
Harmon  L.,  a  physician  and  surgeon  of  Cook- 
port;  and  Samuel  I.,  a  merchant  of  Cookport. 

William  Lovelace,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  George  W.  McCullough,  was  a  na- 
tive of  York  county.  Pa.,  and  there  his  entire 
life  was  passed,  his  energies  being  devoted 
to  agricultural  pursuits. 

George  W.  McCullough  attended  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  Montgomery  township,  but 
the  greater  part  of  his  life  has  been  spent  in 
Green  township,  and  since  1878  he  has  car- 
ried on  farming  on  his  present  property, 
which  is  on  the  Lovejoy  R.  P.  D.  route. 

On  July  5,  1877,  Mr.  McCullough  was  mar- 
ried to  Lucy  C.  Baker,  who  was  born  in  Green 
township,  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth 
(Cook)  Baker,  early  settlers  of  Green  town- 
ship, where  Mr.  Baker  followed  farming 
throughout  his  life.  Two  children  have  been 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCullough:  David, 
now  deceased ;  and  Rachel,  who  married  How- 
ard R.  Spicher,  of  Green  township,  and  has 
two  children,  Helen  and  George. 

GEORGE  W.  KELLY,  retired  business 
man  of  Dixonville,  Indiana  county,  has  long 
been  a  resident  of  that  place,  and  conducted 
a  tannery  there  for  a  period  of  twenty-five 
years.  He  was  born  near  Mechanicsburg,  this 
county,  in  Brushvalley  township,  Jan.  26 
1847,  son  of  James  T.  Kelly.  John  Kelly, 
his  grandfather,  was  of  Irish  extraction  and 
was  born  at  Saltsburg,  Indiana  county. 

James  T.  Kelly  was  born  at  Saltsburg  and 
became  a  farmer  in  his  early  life,  later  en- 
gaging in  tanning.  He  conducted  a  tannery 
in  Brushvalley  township  before  the  war,  re- 
niaining  there  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1865.  He  was  in  the  Union  army  through 
part  of  the  Civil  war,  serving  from  Indiana 


1306 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


county  in  the  12th  Pennsylvania  Reserves, 
in  which  he  held  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant. 
He  married  Eliza  Overdoff,  a  native  of  York 
county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  John  Overdoff,  who 
came  thence  to  Indiana  county  and  settled  in 
Brushvalley  township,  passing  the  remainder 
of  his  life  in  this  county  and  dying  in  1870. 
Mr.  Overdoff  was  a  farmer  and  carpenter. 
Mrs.  Eliza  (Overdoff)  Kelly  died  in  1898, 
the  mother  of  five  children:  Mary,  who  is 
the  wife  of  W.  W.  Altemus,  of  Brushvalley 
township;  John,  deceased;  George  W. ;  Tay- 
lor, a  resident  of  Homer  City,  this  county; 
and  Robert,  deceased. 

George  W.  Kelly  grew  up  in  Brushvalley 
township  and  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  there.  During  the  Civil  war  he  en- 
listed, in  1863,  in  Company  G,  2d  Battalion, 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  for  six 
months,  was  discharged  at  Pittsburg,  and  re- 
enlisted  in  the  206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  serving  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  received  his  second  discharge  at  Rich- 
mond, Va.  Mr.  Kelly  saw  considerable  active 
service,  taking  part  in  many  skirmishes.  Re- 
turning to  Brushvalley  township  at  the  end 
of  his  service  he  worked  on  the  farm  for  a 
time  and  then  learned  tanning,  going  to 
Homer  City,  this  county,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged at  his  trade.  Afterward  he  embarked 
in  business  at  Mechanicsburg,  this  county, 
where  he  was  located  for  one  year,  and  then 
engaged  in  business  at  Nolo,  this  county, 
where  he  remained  three  years.  At  the  end 
of  that  time,  in  1876,  he  came  to  Dixonville, 
where  he  has  since  lived  and  where  he  con- 
tinued to  follow  tanning  until  his  retire- 
ment, doing  business  here  for  twenty-five 
years.  He  established  an  excellent  repiita- 
tion  for  high-class  work  and  honorable  deal- 
ing, and  stood  well  among  local  business  men 
and  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 

In  1876  Mr.  Kelly  married  Julia  A.  Ehart, 
a  native  of  Indiana  county,  born  Jan.  8,  1856, 
at  Saltsburg,  daughter  of  Philip  and  Jane 
(Longwell)  Ehart,  the  former  of  whom  was 
born  near  Saltsburg,  the  latter  in  Westmore- 
land county.  Mr.  and  iMrs.  Ehart  are  both 
deceased.  They  had  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren, one  son  and  six  daughters:  Sarah  E.. 
who  is  the  wife  of  William  B.  Thompson,  of 
Johnstown,  Pa.;  Julia  A..  Mrs.  Kelly;  Cor- 
delia A.,  wife  of  Robert  Adams,  of  Pine  town- 
ship, this  county ;  Parmela  J.,  wife  of  W.  W. 
Moorhead,  of  Green  township,  this  county: 
Mary  E.,  deceased;  Thomas,  deceased;  and 
May,  wife  of  Charles  Lynn,  of  Cokeville, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelly  have  had  two  daugh- 
ters :  Bertha  is  the  wife  of  J.  H.  Burkett,  of 
Dixonville,  and  has  four  children,  Julia  C, 
Mabel  L.,  George  and  Irene;  Portia  P.  is  the 
wife  of  Thomas  A.  Walker,  of  Verona,  Alle- 
gheny county.  Pa.,  and  has  two  sons,  Clair 
and  George.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelly  are  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  He 
belongs  to  the  G.  A.  R.,  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  has  served  as  school  director  of 
Green  township. 

THOMAS  LUCAS,  one  of  the  venerable 
citizens  of  White  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  for  many  years  he  has  been  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  was  born  in  Armstrong 
township,  this  county,  Sept.  16,  1827,  and  is 
a  son  of  William  and  Nancy  (Lowman)  Lucas. 

Samuel  Lucas,  the  paternal  grandfather  of 
Thomas  Lucas,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  as  a  young  man,  taking 
up  land  west  of  the  town  of  Indiana,  in  Indi- 
ana county,  Pa.,  where  he  acquired  400  acres 
There  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

William  Lucas,  son  of  Samuel  Lucas,  was 
born  in  Indiana  county,  and  as  a  young  man 
learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  which  he  fol- 
lowed all  of  his  life  in  White  township.  He 
died  at  an  advanced  age,  his  widow  surviving 
several  years,  and  both  are  buried  in  White 
township.  They  had  a  family  of  children  as 
follows :  Eliza,  Dean  and  John,  all  deceased ; 
William,  a  resident  of  Homer,  Pa. ;  Thomas : 
David  and  Mary,  deceased;  Elizabeth,  the 
wife  of  Thomas  Simpson,  of  Homer;  and 
Martha,  deceased. 

Abram  Lowman,  the  maternal  grandfather 
of  Thomas  Lucas,  was  of  Dutch  descent,  and 
one  of  Indiana  county's  earliest  settlers.  He 
was  a  farmer  in  this  county  all  of  his  life, 
and  attained  advanced  years. 

Thomas  Lucas,  son  of  William  Lucas,  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  a  primitive  log 
schoolhouse  in  Armstrong  township,  where 
he  was  instructed  in  the  "three  R's"  and 
given  such  training  and  discipline  as  the  in- 
stitutions of  his  day  afforded.  During  the 
summer  months  he  worked  untiringly  as  a 
farm  hand,  carefully  saving  his  earnings  and 
investing  them.  He  continued  to  remain  in 
Armstrong  township  until  1872,  in  which 
year  he  came  to  White  township,  of  which  he 
has  been  a  resident  for  more  than  forty  years. 
His  success  has  been  commensurate  with  his 
industrious  and  continued  labor;  each  year 
has  seen  him  adding  to  his  acreage  or  the  im- 
provements on  his  broad  lands,  and  he  is 
justly  considered  one  of  the  most  substantial 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1307 


men  of  his  towTiship.  He  has  been  overseer 
of  the  poor  for  three  years,  and  for  thirty 
years  served  in  the  capacity  of  supervisor  of 
White  township,  in  which  offices  he  demon- 
strated his  general  worth  and  executive 
ability. 

In  1861  Mr.  Lucas  was  married  to  Julia 
Ann  JleNeal,  who  was  born  in  White  town- 
ship, daughter  of  John  and  Jane  McNeal, 
early  settlers  of  Indiana  county.  Mrs.  Lucas 
died  in  1895,  the  mother  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: William,  who  is  deceased;  Clara,  who 
married  Harry  Eiseman,  of  Indiana,  and  has 
one  daughter,  Martha;  Margaret,  who  is  de- 
ceased; John,  a  resident  of  Homer  City,  Pa., 
who  has  six  children,  Howard,  Harry,  Mur- 
ray, Thomas,  Pearl  and  Anna ;  Elizabeth,  who 
^  was  the  wife  of  Robert  Young,  and  had  two 
children,  James  (deceased)  and  Phyllis; 
Thomas,  living  with  his  father,  who  married 
Olive  Lydic  and  has  had  five  children,  Ed- 
win, Julia,  Frank,  Gladys  and  one  who  died 
in  infancy;  Addison,  a  resident  of  Butler, 
Pa.,  and  Nancy,  deceased.  Mr.  Lucas  has 
several  great-grandchildren.  He  is  a  faith- 
ful member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
a  stanch  supporter  of  all  movements  intended 
to  promote  morality,  education  and  good 
citizenship. 

JOHN  JACOB  ANTHONY,  of  Armstrong 
township,  Indiana  county,  has  been  success- 
fully engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  con- 
nection with  threshing  and  sawmilling  all  his 
active  life.  He  is  an  enterprising  citizen  of 
his  neighborhood,  and  has  made  a  substan- 
tial place  for  himself  among  its  most  valu- 
able residents.  Mr.  Anthony  was  born  in 
Armstrong  township  April  28,  1864,  son  of 
David  W.  Anthony  and  grandson  of  William 
Anthony. 

William  Anthony  owned  a  tract  of  175 
acres  in  Armstrong  township,  which  was  a 
wilderness  when  he  settled  upon  it,  coming 
hither  from  York  county.  Pa.  He  was  one  of 
the  pioneer  residents  of  that  region,  and 
Anthony's  run,  which  passes  in  front  of  the 
farm  of  his  grandson,  John  Jacob  Anthony, 
was  named  for  him.  He  built  a  log  house, 
and  was  engaged  the  rest  of  his  active  life 
in  clearing  and  cultivating  his  land. 

David  W.  Anthony,  son  of  William,  was  a 
farmer  all  his  life.  He  lived  for  a  time  on  his 
father's  tract  of  175  acres,  but  eventually 
sold  it  and  went  west  to  Kansas,  settling  at 
Olathe,  where  he  farmed  for  a  year.  Return- 
•  ing  to  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  he  bought  the 
Allison  farm  of  112  acres  in  Armstrong  town- 


ship, upon  which  he  was  engaged  the  remain- 
der of  his  life  in  farming.  He  was  an  active 
citizen  of  his  community,  serving  his  township 
as  supervisor  and  school  director.  He  was  a 
lifelong  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Curry  Run,  and  served  on  the  building 
committee.  He  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  of 
that  church.  Politically  Mr.  Anthony  was  a 
Republican. 

Mr.  Anthony  married  Margaret  Miller, 
who  was  born  in  Armstrong  township,  daugh- 
ter of  Hugh  and  Sarah  (MeCurdy)  Miller, 
of  New  Alexandria,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa., 
and  they  had  children  as  follows:  Nancy, 
married  Israel  Carnahan  (mentioned  else- 
where in  this  work)  ;  Elizabeth  married 
James  Campbell;  Minnie  married  R.  W.  Ful- 
ton and  (second)  Sansom  Pershing;  William 
married  Edith  Bothell,  and  both  are  de- 
ceased; Harry  died  in  infancy;  John  Jacob 
is  mentioned  below. 

The  Miller  family  has  been  settled  in  this 
part  of  Pennsylvania  for  many  years.  Sam- 
uel Miller,  Mrs.  Anthony's  grandfather,  came 
to  Indiana  county  from  Westmoreland  county, 
where  he  was  a  farmer.  He  settled  near 
Jacksonville.  He  was  married  twice,  his  first 
wife,  Margaret,  the  mother  of  his  children, 
dying  in  Westmoreland  county.  His  second 
marriage,  which  took  place  in  Indiana  county, 
was  to  Miss  E.  Bell.  His  children  were: 
Ellen  married  John  Taylor;  James  married 
]\Iargaret  Miller;  Sarah;  Hugh  married 
S^arah  McCurdy;  Samuel  G.  married  Mary 
Keener;  John  married  Mary  Irwin  and  ilary 
McPhileney;  Ann  married  Peter  Keener; 
Martin  married  Hannah  Simpson ;  Alexander 
married  Mary  Elder;  William  married  Eliz- 
abeth Coleman;  Richard  married  Sarah  Dil- 
linger;  Jane  married  James  Blakely;  Eliza 
married  Samuel  Davis;  Margaret  married 
Samuel  McCurdy. 

John  Jacob  Anthony  had  limited  educa- 
tional advantages,  but  he  had  more  than  the 
average  amount  of  practical  experience  in 
his  younger  days.  He  worked  on  the  farm 
with  his  father  until  the  latter 's  death,  and 
he  now  owns  a  138-acre  farm  in  Armstrong 
township,  where  he  lives  and  carries  on  gen- 
eral agricultural  pursuits.  At  one  time  he 
ran  a  sawmill,  and  he  now  owns  a  half  inter- 
est in  one.  He  also  owns  a  threshing  outfit, 
and  is  engaged  in  threshing  during  the  sea- 
son, combining  these  various  lines  very  profit- 
ably with  farming.  Mr.  Anthony  has  long 
been  a  chicken  fancier  and  has  made  a 
specialty  of  poultry  and  eggs  for  his  market 
products.  He  has  over  six  hundred  chickens 
at  present,  principally  White  Leghorns. 


1308 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


On  April  28,  1887,  Mr.  Anthony  married 
Marj'  Ann  Swasy,  of  Center  township,  mem- 
ber of  a  family,  which  has  long  been  settled 
in  New  York  State,  many  of  the  name  being 
found  on  Long  Island,  in  central  and 
northern  New  York,  as  well  as  in  New  Jersey 
and  elsewhere.  It  has  been  spelled  in  various 
ways.  John  Swasy,  Mrs.  Anthony's  grand- 
father, the  founder  of  the  branch  in  Indiana 
county.  Pa.,  was  a  native  of  New  York  State, 
and  crossed  the  Allegheny  mountains  when 
a  young  man,  looking  for  a  location  where 
he  could  make  a  home.  He  settled  not  far 
from  what  is  now  Homer  City,  in  Center 
township,  this  county,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  and  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
dying  on  his  farm.  He  owned  a  tract  of  112 
acres.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Bonner,  also  died  on  the  homestead.  They 
were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Three 
children  were  born  to  this  pioneer  couple: 
Rebecca,  who  died  unmarried;  John;  and 
Jane,  who  died  unmarried. 

John  Swasy,  son  of  John,  was  born  May  21, 
1824,  on  the*  farm  in  Center  township,  and 
attended  subscription  school  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. He  followed  agricultural  pursuits  all 
his  life  on  the  homestead,  was  a  hard  worker, 
and  became  a  much  respected  citizen  of  his 
locality.  He  died  on  the  farm  July  18,  1895, 
and  is  buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery,  at 
Indiana.  Mr.  Swasy  was  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church  at  Homer  City.  In  political 
association  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  he  never 
took  any  part  in  public  matters.  On  Nov. 
17,  1846,  he  was  married,  in  White  township, 
this  county,  to  Sarah  B.  Allison,  who  sur- 
vived him,  residing  on  the  home  farm  until 
her  death,  Aug.  17,  1912.  She  became  the 
mother  of  five  children:  Martha  married 
Houston  Monshower  and  resides  in  Wor- 
cester, Mass. ;  John  Harrison  married  Matilda 
Lyons  and  lives  in  Blacklick  township; 
Hannah,  wife  of  Lemuel  Kunkle,  resides  on 
the  homestead  in  Center  township ;  ^Mary  Ann 
married  John  Jacob  Anthony,  of  Armstrong 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.;  Robert  Allison 
makes  his  home  at  Erie,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Anthony  is  a  Republican  in  political 
matters,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  They  have  had 
two  children:  Iva,  who  is  at  home;  and 
Arthur,  who  died  when  six  years  old. 

JOHN  B.  SIVERD,  who  is  the  owner  of  a 
valuable  farm  in  Green  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  also  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 


suits near  Lovejoy,  was  born  in  Lancaster 
county.  Pa.,  Oct.  1,  1854,  son  of  John  and 
Susan   (Boly)    Siverd. 

Jacob  Siverd,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was 
born  in  Germany,  and  on  coming  to  the 
United  States  settled  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pa.,  there  spending  the  rest  of  his  life  in  till- 
ing the  soil. 

John  Siverd,  son  of  Jacob  Siverd,  was  bom 
in  Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  in  April,  1829,  and 
at  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years  came  to  Indi- 
ana county,  settling  first  at  Blairsville,  where 
he  remained  two  years.  He  then  went  to 
Brushvalley  township  and  embarked  in  the 
woolen  manufacturing  business,  later  remov- 
ing to  Meehaniesburg,  and  from  the  latter 
city  went  to  Marion  Center,  but  about  four 
years  later  located  in  Huntingdon  county  and 
started  a  mill.  Subsequently  he  went  to  Al- 
legheny county,  where  he  remained  for  a  short 
period,  then  returning  to  Marion  Center,  and 
again  opening  a  mill.  He  later  left  the  latter 
city  and  went  to  West  Lebanon,  then  spent 
some  time  in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  after  a  short  stay  in  the  town  of 
New  Florence,  Westmoreland  county,  finally 
settled  in  Waco,  Texas,  where  his  death  oc- 
curred in  1894.  His  wife  died  in  Indiana 
county  May  28,  1891,  the  mother  of  eleven 
children,  as  follows :  John  B. ;  Jacob,  now  a 
resident  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa;  George,  who 
lives  in  Montreal,  Canada;  Frank,  a  resident 
of  Springdale,  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa. ;  Grant, 
who  lives  in  Pittsburg ;  Melissa,  wife  of  James 
Davis,  of  McKeesport,  Pa. ;  Ellsworth ;  Her- 
sej',  who  is  deceased ;  ileduca,  wife  of  Samuel 
Davis,  of  Pittsburg;  Tillie,  the  widow  of  Lee 
Hurt,  residing  in  Waco,  Texas;  aud  Robert, 
who  lives  in  Wheeling,  West  Virginia. 

John  B.  Siverd  attended  school  in  Brash- 
valley  and  Green  townships,  Indiana  county, 
and  as  a  young  man  learned  woolen  manufac- 
turing with  his  father,  being  associated  with 
him  in  business  for  some  time.  The  close  con- 
finement, however,  impaired  his  health,  and  he 
turned  his  attention  to  farming  in  Rayne 
township.  Later  he  came  to  Green  town- 
ship and  purchased  the  farm  which  he  is  now 
operating,  and  for  a  time  was  employed  in  the 
lumber  and  mill  business.  For  some  time  he 
has  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  con- 
nection with  farming.  His  ventures  have 
proved  uniformly  successful  and  he  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  substantial  men  of  his  lo- 
cality. 

Mr.  Siverd  was  married  March  29,  1877,  to 
Mary  Catherine  Lydick,  who  was  born  March 
8,  1853,  in  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Rob- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1309 


ert  A.  aud  Nancy  A.  Lydick,  and  eight  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  this  union,  namely: 
R.  Liudon,  a  resident  of  Green  township, 
who  married  Alice  Hadden  and  has  had  three 
children.  Dean,  Florence  (deceased)  and 
Grant;  Burdette,  who  married  Zoe  Gibson, 
a  native  of  Indiana  county,  and  has  three 
children,  Edith,  Edna  and  Olive;  Pearl,  re- 
siding at  home;  Sadie  Lula  (deceased),  wife 
of  Norman  Boucher,  of  Green  township,  who 
had  two  children,  Grace  and  Ruth ;  Meda  M. 
and  John  B.,  Jr.,  at  honie ;  Elsie,  the  wife  of 
Robert  Sinclair,  of  Clymer,  Pa. ;  and  Claire, 
who  lives  with  his  parents. 

In  political  matters  Mr.  Siverd  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  has  been  chosen  to  fill  a  number  of 
township  offices,  acting  in  the  capacity  of 
township  collector,  road  commissioner  and 
constable  of  Green  township,  in  all  of  which 
positions  he  has  shown  his  worth  and 
efficiency.  He  and  Mrs.  Siverd  are  well- 
known  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

LEWIS  M.  THOMAS  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county, 
before  his  removal  to  the  borough  of  Indiana, 
where  he  is  now  living  retired.  His  paternal 
ancestors  were  Welsh,  and  his  grandfather, 
Jesse  Thomas,  was  born  in  Luzerne  county, 
Pa.,  where  he  lived  for  years,  coming  thence 
to  Indiana  county,  where  he  died.  He  fol- 
lowed farming.  By  his  second  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Hunter,  he  had  six  children, 
namely :  Dubre,  Amos,  Lewis,  Margaret, 
Naomi  and  Anna. 

Dubre  Thomas,  father  of  Lewis  M.  Thomas, 
was  born  and  reared  in  Luzerne  county,  Pa. 
He  became  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer,  follow- 
ing those  lines  in  his  native  county  until  he 
removed  to  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  where  he 
first  settled  in  Washington  township.  There 
he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising,  and  for  over  twenty-two  years  drove 
cattle  to  the  eastern  cities.  He  had  a  farm 
of  100  acres  there.  In  1853  he  removed  to 
Armstrong  township  and  bought  the  Shoe- 
maker tract  of  110  acres,  to  which  he  added 
from  time  to  time  imtil  he  had  340  acres, 
which  was  divided  between  his  sons 
and  Lewis.  He  was  a  trusted  as  well  as  suc- 
cessful man,  in  addition  to  looking  after  his 
private  affairs  settling  many  estates,  crying 
sales,  etc.  He  married  in  Indiana  county 
Mary  Hefflefinger,  of  Armstrong  township, 
daughter  of  James  Hefflefinger,  and  they 
moved  to  Indiana,  where  they  died,  he  at  the 
age  of  seventy-two,  Mrs.  Thomas  reaching 
the  advanced  age  bf  ninety-two.     They  are 


buried  in  Oakland  cemetei-y.  They  were 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  he  was  deacon  and  trustee  for  a  long 
period,  and  he  was  a  Republican  in  his  politi- 
cal views.  He  served  as  constable  for  years, 
and  also  held  the  offiice  of  overseer  of  the  poor 
in  Indiana  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas 
had  four  children :  Peter,  an  orchardist,  who 
died  in  Kansas,  married  Fannie  Williams, 
whose  father  was  a  minister;  Margaret  mar- 
ried R.  M.  Fleming,  a  carpenter;  Jesse,  who 
is  still  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Armstrong 
township,  married  Julia  Robinson ;  and  Lewis 
M.  is  mentioned  below. 

Lewis  M.  Thomas  was  born  November  3, 
1842,  in  Washington  township,  and  grew  to 
manhood  in  Armstrong  township.  He  went 
to  school  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old. 
During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  for  nine 
months'  service,  in  Company  A,  135th  P.  V. 
I.,  which  was  attached  to  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland.  Six  months  after  entering  the 
service  he  was  taken  ill  with  typhoid  fever 
in  Washington  city,  and  he  spent  ten  weeks 
in  the  Catholic  Sisters'  hospital  there.  By 
that  time  his  father  had  hunted  him  up,  and 
he  came  home  to  get  better,  after  which  he 
started  out  to  rejoin  his  command.  He  was 
not  allowed  to  go  back  to  the  field,  however, 
on  account  of  the  state  of  his  health,  and  re- 
mained at  Little  York,  Pa.,  where  he  was  dis- 
charged at  the  expiration  of  his  term.  When 
able  he  resumed  work  on  the  home  farm,  and 
when  his  father  removed  to  the  borough  of 
Indiana  he  and  his  brother  Jesse  took  charge 
of  its  cultivation,  in  time  dividing  the  land. 
Mr.  Thomas  continued  to  engage  in  farming 
until  1886,  since  which  time  he  has  made  his 
home  in  Indiana.  His  home  is  at  No.  950 
Church  street.  He  was  a  progressive  and 
enterprising  agriculturist,  and  made  a  thor- 
ough success  of  his  undertakings. 

In  Armstrong  township  Mr.  Thomas  mar- 
ried Mary  Atkinson,  of  that  township,  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Lizzie  (Kerr)  Atkinson, 
and  four  children  were  born  to  them,  namely : 
Ida,  who  died  young;  Dubre,  who  died  in 
Denver,  Colo,  ("he  was  in  the  lumber  busi- 
s)  ;  Bessie,  living  at  home ;  and  Edward, 
a  newspaper  man  of  the  State  of  Indiana. 
The  mother  of  this  family  died,  aged  forty- 
one  years.  Mr.  Thomas's  second  marriage 
was  "to  ilary  Fleming,  of  Armstrong  town- 
ship, daughter  of  John  and  Evelyn  (Thomas) 
Fleming,  and  three  children  have  been  born 
to  this  union :  Edna,  who  is  at  home ;  Harry 
Ira;  and  Robert  Emerson. 

Socially  Mr.  Thomas  belongs  to  the  Knights 


1310 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  Honor  and  to  the  G.  A.  R.  (Post  No.  28), 
and  his  religious  eormeetion  is  with  the  M. 
E.  Church.     He  is  a  Republican  on  political 


WAGNER.  The  establishment  of  the 
Wagner  family  in  the  United  States  dates 
back  several  generations,  and  the  founder 
was  a  German  by  birth. 

Michael  Wagner,  great-grandfather  of 
John  W.  Wagner  and  great-great-grand- 
father of  Joseph  S.  Wagner,  of  West  Wheat- 
field  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born  in 
Germany,  and  came  to  the  United  States, 
settling  in  York  county,  Pennsjivania. 

Michael  Wagner,  Jr.,  son  of  Michael  Wag- 
ner mentioned  above,  was  born  in  York 
county,  and  died  in  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  He  married  Ann 
Sides,  daughter  of  Adam  and  Ann  (Stevely) 
Sides,  who  was  also  a  native  of  York  county, 
and  they  both  are  buried  in  the  Lutheran 
Church  cemetery  in  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship. Their  children  were:  Jacob  is  men- 
tioned fuUy  below;  John,  who  mai-ried  Re- 
becca St.  Clair  Campbell,  resided  in  Brush- 
valley;  Michael,  who  married  Sarah  Duncan, 
resided  in  Brushvalley ;  Sarah  married  James 
Mack;  Ann  died  young;  Lydia  married  Levi 
Walbeek.  In  1820  the  father  of  this  family 
came  from  York  county  to  West  Wheatfield 
township,  Indiana  county,  being  then  in 
young  manhood.  Ambitious,  he  settled  on 
what  is  now  the  St.  Clair  farm  of  200  acres, 
and  developed  it  until  he  was  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial agi'iculturalists  of  his  day.  He  and 
his  family  belonged  to  the  German  Lutheran 
Church  in  his  neighborhood,  of  which  he  was 
a  founder,  and  he  served  on  the  building 
committee  that  piit  up  a  new  place  of  wor- 
ship.    Politically  he  was  a  Democrat. 

Jacob  Wagner,  born  Jan.  20,  1821,  in 
West  Wheatfield  township,  died  May  4,  1901. 
He  married  Sarah  Walbeek.  who  was  born 
in  York  county,  came  to  Indiana  county 
when  seven  years  old,  and  died  Dec.  30,  1886, 
aged  seventy-four  years,  one  month,  twenty- 
four  davs.  She  was  a  dausrhter  of  Samuel 
and  Elizabeth  (Sides)  Walbeek.  of  West 
Wheatfield  township.  The  children  bom  to 
Jacob  and  Sarah  Wagner  were:  Lydia  mar- 
ried John  Huston  and  had  children,  Harry 
and  Edna;  Annie  died  young;  John  W.,  of 
West  Wheatfield  township,  is  mentioned  at 
length  below ;  Joseph  W.  married  Naomi 
Speeht  (children,  Fern  Dare  and  Elizabeth), 
and  resides  in  Somerset  countv,  Pa. ;  Michael 


Walbeek  married  Susan  Mock,  and  they  had 
fourteen  children,  Jacob  0.,  William  B.,  John 
M.,  Mary,  Carl,  Ord,  Chester,  Ray,  Laura, 
Dewey,  Pearl,  Odessa,  Ann  and  Emma  (they 
reside  at  Heshbon,  AY  est  Wheatfield  town- 
ship) ;  Sarah  Emma  is  unmarried  and  resides 
in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Jacob  Wagner  attended  the  common  schools 
of  West  Wheatfield  township,  and  learned 
the  rudiments  of  farming  with  his  father. 
When  he  was  twenty-two  years  old  he  bought 
the  Creig  farm  of  fifty  acres,  to  which  he  later 
added  200  acres,  erecting  on  his  property  a 
large  dwelling  house  and  barn,  and  becom- 
ing one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  and  stock- 
men of  his  township.  During  the  Civil  war, 
when  his  country  had  need  of  his  services, 
he  proved  his  patriotism  by  enlisting  in  Com- 
pany H,  206th  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  serv- 
ing one  year  under  Col.  Hugh  J.  Brady.  He 
was  placed  on  guard  at  the  Lee  homestead, 
and  was  one  of  the  first  to  march  on  to  Rich- 
mond. At  the  close  of  the  war  he  resumed 
farming,  and  continued  actively  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death.  Ex- 
perience taught  him  the  wisdom  of  operating 
his  farm  intelligently,  and  of  adopting  new 
methods,  and  his  property  showed  the  result 
of  his  efforts.  In  him  the  German  Lutheran 
Church  had  a  faithful  member  and  represent- 
ative elder,  he  giving  his  support  to  the  con- 
gregation in  West  Wlieatfield  township.  Al- 
though he  had  many  interests,  he  found  his 
truest  pleasure  with  his  family,  and  wel- 
comed his  friends  to  his  home,  where  he  dis- 
pensed a  delightful  old-time  hospitality  that 
is  still  gratefully  remembered. 

John  Walbeck  Wagner  was  born  Nov. 
12,  1845,  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  and 
married  March  26,  1868,  Ermina  J.  Cama- 
han.  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  ^Ic- 
Clellan  (^Steel)  Carnahan,  of  West  Wheat- 
field  township.  Children  as  follows  have  been 
born  to  this  marriage:  J.  Ord,  born  Sept. 
3,  1869,  died  Oct.  24.  1889;  he  was  for  six 
years  a  public  school  teacher  in  Indiana 
county.  William  Erwin,  born  Nov.  16.  1870, 
married  Lois  Dancer,  and  is  a  farmer  and 
stockman  on  640  acres  of  land  in  Alberta, 
Canada.  Perie  Emma  was  born  April  15, 
1872,  married  M.  L.  Luther,  who  is  farming 
in  West  Wlieatfield  township.  Charles  Lu- 
ther, bom  Jan.  6.  1878,  now  an  employee  of 
the  Cambria  Steel  Company,  of  Johnstown, 
Pa.,  married  Annie  Skiles.and  has  two  chil- 
dren, Charles  Kenneth  and  iLaurice  A. 
Joseph  Sides  is  mentioned  at  length  below. 
John  Earl,  born  Dec.  20.  1882,  married  Mary 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1311 


B.  Sowers,  of  Homer  City,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
and  has  children,  J.  Earl,  Jr.,  and  Mary  C. 
Loyal  LeRoy,  born  Feb.  4,  ISSi,  married 
Pearl  M.  Kern,  and  resides  at  Indiana  Har- 
bor, Ind.,  and  they  have  one  child,  Richard 
K.  Marian  A.,  born  April  4,  1888,  is  spoken 
of  below;  and  four  children  died  in  infancy. 

Of  the  above  mentioned  children,  several 
deserve  special  mention.  John  Earl  Wagner 
served  in  Company  I,  5th  Pennsylvania 
Guards,  of  Johnstown.  He  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  of  Armagh,  where  he  was 
under  the  instruction  of  Professors  Stewart 
and  Campbell,  and  at  the  Ohio  Northern 
University,  Ada,  Ohio,  and  at  present  lives 
at  Cleveland,  being  a  civil  engineer  and 
draughtsman.  '  Another  son,  MarUn  A.  Wag- 
ner, also  served  in  the  militia.  He  attended 
the  university  at  Ada,  Ohio,  where  he  studied 
civil  engineering  in  all  its  branches,  and 
while  there  was  captain  of  the  militia  of  Ada, 
Ohio.  When  he  left  school  his  classmates 
presented  him  a  handsome  gold  mounted 
sword.  At  present  he  is  following  his  pro- 
fession with  the  Cambria  Steel  Company  of 
Johnstown. 

John  Walbeck  Wagner,  father  of  the  above 
mentioned  children,  was  given  a  more  care- 
ful educational  training  than  fell  to  the  lot 
of  many  of  his  period  and  locality,  for  after 
he  had  attended  the  common  schools  of  his 
township  he  was  sent  to  a  select  school. 
Until  1865  he  worked  with  his  father,  and 
then  bought  from  the  latter  a  farm  of  100 
acres,  on  which  he  put  up  a  good  residence 
and  two  barns.  Siace  then  he  has  made  farm- 
ing his  life  work,  and  has  achieved  more  than 
ordinary  success.  He  has  set  out  about  two 
thousand  fruit  trees,  having  now  a  magnifi- 
cent orchard,  of  peaches,  apples,  plums  and 
cherries.  Since  these  trees  have  begun  bear- 
ing Mr.  Wagner  has  specialized  on  fruit 
growing.  He  also  carries  on  general  farming, 
stock  raising  and  dairying,  all  of  his  produce 
finding  a  ready  market  on  account  of  its 
superior  quality.  A  man  of  accurate  habits, 
he  enters  into  nothing  heedlessly,  but  ^rorks 
with  a  definite  aim  ahead,  and  in  consequence 
reaps  greater  profits  than  many  who  operate 
without  a  full  realization  of  the  necessities 
of  the  situation.  He  ships  his  fruit  to  Johns- 
town. 

Like  his  father,  during  the  Civil  war  Mr. 
Wagner  bore  a  gnu  and  wore  the  uniform  of 
his  country,  as  a  private  in  Company  K, 
177th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
under  Capt.  Daniel  Killin  and  Col.  Hugh  J. 
Brady,  serving  from  October,  1862,  to  Aug. 


8,  1863,  in  the  South.  He  was  on  reserve  and 
picket  duty.  Returning  home,  he  resumed 
the  peaceful  agricultural  duties  his  military 
service  had  interrupted.  Although  his  career 
as  a  soldier  ended  many  years  ago,  Mr.  Wag- 
ner has  never  ceased  to  fight  the  battles  of 
humanity  against  wrong-doing,  and  as  a 
Progressive  Republican  is  upholding  sound 
principles  to  this  day.  He  has  been  town- 
ship treasurer,  holding  that  office  for  fourteen 
years,  and  for  twenty-three  years  has  been 
a  school  director.  For  the  last  twenty  years 
he  has  been  a  trustee  of  the  German  Lutheran 
Church  of  West  Wheatfield  township,  to 
which  he  has  belonged  for  a  long  period. 
Mrs.  Wagner  is  one  of  the  most  esteemed 
residents  of  the  township,  and  her  children 
lay  their  success  in  life  to  the  effect  of  her 
influence  Upon  them.  Mr.  Wagner  is  one  of 
the  best  farmers  and  orchardists  in  Indiana 
county,  and  is  a  recognized  authority  upon 
matters  pertaining  to  fruit  culture. 

Joseph  Sides  Wagner  was  born  in  West 
Wheatfield  township  Dec.  31,  1874.  On  Aug. 
31,  1896,  he  married  Addie  Cunningham, 
daughter  of  David  and  Catherine  (Campbell) 
Cunningham,  of  Brushvalley  township,  and 
they  have  become  the  parents  of  the  follow- 
ing children:  Robert,  born  Nov.  10,  1897,  in 
Brushvalley  township;  Madie,  born  April 
4, 1899,  in  Somerset  county,  Pa. ;  John  Harold, 
born  Feb.  15,  1902,  in  New  Florence,  Pa.; 
and  Exie,  born  Aug.  4,  1905,  in  New  Florence. 

After  attending  the  common  schools  of  West 
Wheatfield  township  Mr.  Wagner  went  to  the 
select  school  kept  by  Professor  Campbell,  re- 
ceiving the  benefit  of  that  learned  instructor's 
training.  While  thus  engaged  he  worked  with 
his  father,  and  continued  with  him  until  he 
attained  his  majority.  At  that  time  he  was 
in  the  lumber  business  in  Somerset  county, 
Pa.,  and  conducted  it  for  a  year.  After 
several  changes,  during  which  time  he  rented 
land,  IMr.  Wagner  bought  the  McNealy  farm 
of  180  acres  in  1906.  This  property  is  in  West 
Wheatfield  township,  which  locality  has  been 
the  scene  of  so  much  valuable  agricultural 
work  on  the  part  of  his  forebears  that  it  was 
but  natural  that  he  should  settle  there  too. 
His  farm  is  conveniently  located  on  the  clay 
pike,  one  mile  from  Clyde.  As  soon  as  he 
bought  his  property  Mr.  Wagner  began  mak- 
ing improvements  upon  it,  and  in  1909  put  up 
his  handsome  .$4,000  barn,  which  is  one  of  the 
best  in  the  county.  It  was  constructed  accord- 
ing to  the  latest  models  of  sanitary  building, 
and    the   plans   have   received   universal    ap- 


1312 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


proval  from  other  agriculturists.  Like  his 
father,  ]Mr.  Wagner  believes  in  fruit  culture, 
and  has  alreadj-  set  out  over  five  hundred  fruit 
trees,  purposing  to  devote  considerable  atten- 
tion to  his  orchard  culture  in  the  future.  Real- 
izing the  worth  of  advanced  agriculture  and 
intensive  farming, .  Mr.  Wagner  has  supplied 
his  farm  with  modern  machinery  and  is  try- 
ing to  make  his  land  produce  to  its  fullest 
extent.  His  excellent  location  gives  him  a 
good  market,  and  his  produce  is  sought  by 
those  who  appreciate  first-class  articles. 

Although  he  has  never  felt  he  had  the  time 
to  devote  himself  conscientiously  to  the  duties 
of  public  office,  Mr.  Wagner  has  done  his  duty 
as  a  citizen  in  endeavoring  to  secure  good 
government  and  the  improvement  of  existing 
conditions,  and  as  a  Republican  has  yielded 
his  party  loyal  service.  Like  his  father's  fam- 
ily, he  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
German  Lutheran  Church,  Although  he  no 
longer  lives  in  his  childhood  home,  his  parents 
are  very  dear  to  him,  and  he  visits  them  regu- 
larly and  frecjuently,  in  every  way  possible 
making  pleasant  their  declining  years.  As  a 
son.  husband,  father  and  citizen,  Mr,  Wagner 
has  always  done  his  duty  as  he  saw  it,  and  is 
justly  numbered  among  the  substantial  men 
and  successful  agi'iculturists  of  his  section  of 
Indiana  county. 

STUART  J.  SIDES,  a  well-known  farmer 
and  lumberman  of  Burrell  township,  Indiana 
countv,  was  bom  in  the  county,  in  West 
Wbeatfield  township,  Aug,  14,  "I866.  The 
family  has  been  settled  there  for  over  a  cen- 
tury, his  great-grandfather,  Adam  Sides, 
ha-^dng  come  to  this  section  from  York  county. 
Pa.,  and  settled  in  what  is  known  now  as 
Germany,  in  West  Wheatfield  township.  This 
was  about  the  year  1800.  He  married  Ann 
Stevely. 

Joseph  Sides,  son  of  Adam  and  Ann 
(Stevely)  Sides,  lived  in  East  Wlieatfield 
township.  He  married  Eve  Walbeck,  and 
their  children  were:  Adam;  Catherine,  who 
married  Joseph  Duncan ;  Annie,  who  married 
Thomas  Wakefield;  Samuel,  who  married 
Margaret  Brentlinger ;  Elizabeth,  who  married 
Daniel  Hendricks;  Jacob;  Lydia,  who  mar- 
ried Daniel  Winebrenner:  Sarah  Jane,  who 
married  John  Huston :  Charles :  and  Joseph. 

Adam  Sides,  son  of  Joseph  and  Eve  (Wal- 
beck) Sides,  was  born  in  1829,  He  remained 
on  the  homestead  until  the  year  1874,  when  he 
bought  a  farm  in  Burrell  township,  near 
Blairsville  and  located  thereon.     This  place 


was  known  as  the  Allison  Loughry  farm  and 
consisted  of  156  acres,  of  which  only  part 
was  cleared.  Here  he  erected  a  house  and 
barn  and  made  other  improvements,  being  an 
active,  wide-awake  farmer.  He  died  May  18, 
1911,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years,  and 
was  buried  in  the  BlairsviUe  cemetery,  A 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
he  was  a  class  leader  and  active  in  all  church 
work.    He  was  a  Republican  in  politics. 

Mr,  Sides  married  Nancy  Daugherty, 
daughter  of  Peter  Daugherty,  of  Centerville, 
Pa,,  and  she  preceded  him  to  the  grave,  dying 
May  28,  1910;  she  was  buried  in  the  Blairs- 
ville cemetery.  Nine  children  were  bom  to 
this  marriage:  Sophia,  who  married  Jacob 
Gerhard ;  Joseph  M.,  of  Lincoln,  Nebr,,  a  re- 
tired stockman  and  farmer;  Ella,  married  to 
Joseph  Mack,  of  Derry,  Pa, ;  Elizabeth,  de- 
ceased; Eva,  deceased;  John  F,,  of  Dakota 
City,  Nebr,;  Charles  M,,  who  lives  on  the 
homestead;  Flora  V„  married  to  William 
Dixon,  of  Cokeville,  Pa.,  and  Stuart  J. 

Stuart  J.  Sides,  the  youngest  of  the  family, 
remained  at  home  with  his  parents  until  his 
marriage,  except  for  thirteen  months  spent 
in  the  West,  going  there  in  1883,  His  educa- 
tion was  obtained  in  the  local  public  schools. 
After  his  marriage  he  continued  to  farm  the 
home  place  until  1906,  in  which  year  he 
bought  a  farm  near  Blacklick  to  which  he  re- 
moved, and  which  has  since  been  his  place 
of  residence.  In  1895  fire  destroyed  all  the 
buildings  on  the  place,  and  he  immediately 
began  the  erection  of  a  modem  house,  bam 
and  all  other  necessary  buildings,  the  im- 
provements of  this  kind  on  his  property  being 
substantial  and  in  creditable  condition.  He 
carries  on  general  farming,  has  been  exten- 
sively engaged  in  the  lumber  business  since 
1884,  and  is  local  agent  for  the  Atlantic  Fer- 
tilizer Company,  of  Baltimore,  and  the  Johns- 
ton Harvester  Company.  His  agricultural 
operations  are  extensive,  he  having  had  195 
acres  in  fall  grain  in  1912.  over  three  thou- 
sand bushels.  With  all  his  various  private 
interests  he  has  found  time  to  take  part  in 
public  affairs.  ha\-ing  served  nine  years  on 
the  Burrell  township  school  board  (three 
years  of  which  time  he  was  president),  and 
ten  years  as  clerk  of  the  township.  In  polit- 
ical association  he  is  a  Republican,  He  is  a 
member  of  the  W,  0,  W,  and  helped  to  organ- 
ize the  camp  at  Blacklick,  and  is  at  present  a 
manager.  He  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the 
Blacklick  National  Bank,  of  which  he  was  one 
of  the  organizers  and  original  directors. 


¥■ 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


On  Aug.  4,  1890,  Jlr.  Sides  was  married 
to  Sarah  M.  Jamison,  daughter  of  James  and 
Lydia  C.  (Mack)  Jamison,  of  BrushvaUey 
township.  They  have  had  five  children: 
Blanch  E.,  now  the  wife  of  Evans  Wiley,  of 
Corbett,  Md. ;  0.  Ruth,  a  student  of  Blairs- 
ville  College  for  Ladies;  Adam,  deceased; 
Flora  v.,  a  student  at  the  Indiana  State 
normal  school,  and  Jamison  Stuart. 

HENRY  H.  LONG,  a  constable  of  White 
township,  Indiana  county,  was  born  in  Cherry- 
hill  township  June  25,  1840,  son  of  Jacob  and 
Elizabeth  (Gordon)  Long,  and  grandson  of 
Christopher  Long. 

Christopher  Long  settled  in  Bedford  county. 
Pa.,  but  later  came  to  Indiana  county,  and 
continued  to  follow  farming.  He  lived  in 
Cherryhill  township,  where  he  died. 

Jacob  Long,  a  son  of  Christopher  Long,  was 
born  in  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  but  came  to 
Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county,  with  his 
father,  and  developed  into  a  successful  farmer 
of  that  locality.  Later  on  he  went  to  Arm- 
strong township,  and  still  later  to  White  town- 
ship, all  the  while  being  engaged  in  farming, 
and  becoming  one  of  the  substantial  agricul- 
turists of  his  day.  His  death  occurred  in 
"White  township.  He  and  his  wife  were  mar- 
ried in  Cherryhill  township,  and  became  the 
parents  of  eight  children :  Henry  H. ;  Robert, 
who  is  deceased;  Jane,  who  married  Henry 
Miller  (both  now  deceased)  ;  David,  deceased; 
Elizabeth,  deceased:  Charlotte,  deceased; 
Silas,  deceased ;  and  William  B.,  who  enlisted 
from  Indiana  county  in  the  1.36th  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry  for  three  months' 
service  in  the  Civil  war,  reenlisted.  and  served 
until  the  expiration  of  his  second  period,  be- 
coming a  sergeant.  The  mother  of  these  chil- 
dren, who  is  also  deceased,  was  a  most  excel- 
lent woman,  and  her  memory  is  cherished  in 
the  hearts  of  her  family. 

Henry  H.  Long  was  three  years  old  when 
liis  parents  moved  to  Armstrong  township, 
and  he  grew  up  amid  healthful  surroundings, 
learning  how  to  conduct  a  farm,  while  at  the 
same  time  he  attended  the  schools  of  his  dis- 
trict. After  leaving  school  he  went  to  Indiana 
and  entered  the  paper  mill  conducted  by  John 
Shryshock,  severing  this  connection  to  enlist, 
in  August,  1862.  in  Capt.  S.  Nicholson's  com- 
pany of  the  135th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  after  the  expiration  of  his  period 
of  service  reenlisted.  in  May,  1863,  at  Harris- 
burg,  in  the  same  company  and  regiment.  Mr. 
Long  saw  some  hard  service,  being  in  the  bat- 
tles of  Chancellorsville  and  Fredericksburg, 


and  proved  himself  a  brave  and  loyal  soldier. 

Returning  home,  he  resumed  his  work  at 
the  paper  mill,  thus  continuing  for  eighteen 
years,  when  he  became  an  engineer  at  the 
foundry  conducted  by  Major  McFarland,  re- 
maining as  such -for  thirteen  years.  At  the 
expiration  of  that  period  Mr.  Long  was  elected 
constable  of  White  township,  and  still  con- 
tinues to  discharge  the  duties  of  that  office. 
He  has  been  tax  collector,  working  in  every 
township  in  the  county,  and  proving  himself 
an  efficient  and  honorable  official .  For  years 
he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Indiana  Post  of 
the  G.  A.  R.,  and  has  held  various  offices  in 
that  body,  being  extremely  popular  with  his 
comrades.  He  also  enjoys  meeting  them  at 
different  reunions,  and  is  accounted  one  of 
the  most  honored  veterans  of  the  Civil  war 
still  residing  in  White  township. 

In  1864  Mr.  Long  was  married  to  Jennie 
Boucher,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Catherine  (Dodson) 
Boucher,  and  six  children  were  born  to  them: 
Henry  W.  is  deceased;  Luna  is  the  wife  of 
Sherman  Deviney,  of  Blairsville,  Pa. ;  Uressa 
is  the  wife  of  T.  D.  Cort,  of  Indiana,  Pa.; 
Blanche  is  the  wife  of  John  McPherson,  of 
Ernest,  Pa. ;  William  E.  is  a  resident  of  New 
Kensington ;  Herbert  C,  of  Indiana,  married 
Margaret  Harris,  of  Indiana,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Harris.  The  grandchildren  of  the 
family  are:  Harry  Deviney,  who  is  in  the 
United  States  navy ;  and  Harry  C.  Long,  son 
of  Herbert  C.  Long.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Deviney 
had  four  other  children,  John,  Mabel,  Walter 
and  Paul.  Mrs.  Henry  H.  Long  died  in  No- 
vember, 1876,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cort  make 
their  home  with  Mr.  Long.  On  November  6, 
1878,  he  married  (second)  Elizabeth  Wilhel- 
man,  a  native  of  Armstrong  township,  daugh- 
ter of  Moses  and  Catherine  (Keener)  Wil- 
helman,  farming  people  of  that  township,  who 
were  among  the  early  settlers  of  this  section. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilhelman  are  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Long  had  one  son,  Herbert  C. 
The  mother  died  April  19,  1910. 

Mr.  Long  is  a  member  of  the  IMethodist 
Church,  and  is  one  of  its  liberal  supporters. 
Continuing  loyal  to  his  country,  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Sons  o'f  America,  and  also  belongs 
to  the  American  Mechanics. 


Gordon.  Robert  Gordon  was  a  soldier  in 
the  American  Revolution,  and  later  on  in  life 
came  to  Cherryhill  township,  where  he  resided 
until  death  claimed  him. 

Robert  Gordon  (2),  son  of  Robert  Gordon, 
above,  was  a  farmer  of  Cherryhill  township, 
and  one  of  the  successful  men  of  his  day. 


1314 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Elizabeth  Gordon,  daughtei-  of  Robert  Gor- 
don (2),  married  Jacob  Long,  and  became  the 
mother  of  Henry  H.  Long. 

The  Long  and  Gordon  families  have  been 
long  established  in  Pennsylvania,  the  former 
of  Dutch  and  the  latter  of  Irish  stock.  The 
descendants  of  these  families  are  to  be  found 
in  many  localities,  and  they  are  always  num- 
bered among  the  representative  people,  up- 
holding law  and  order  and  doing  all  within 
their  power  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the  com- 
munity generally. 

GEORGE  RODGERS  STEWART,  a  farm- 
er of  Brushvalley  township,  is  a  member  of  a 
Scotch-Irish  family,  the  founder  of  this 
branch  of  the  family  in  Indiana  county  being 
Joseph  Stewart,  who  was  a  native  of  Mary- 
land, born  in  1802 ;  he  wa?  a  son  of  William 
Stewart. 

Joseph  Stewart  came  to  Indiana  county. 
Pa.,  in  the  early  part  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury, and  located  in  Brushvalley  township 
three  miles  north  of  Mechanicsburg,  where  he 
owned  a  tract  of  300  acres.  Here  he  continued 
until  after  the  Civil  war,  when  he  removed  to 
East  iMahoning  township,  and  became  engaged 
in  general  farming,  thus  continuing  until  his 
death,  in  1877.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  and  quite  active 
in  its  work. 

Mr.  Stewart  married  Mary  Findley,  a  na- 
tive of  York  county,  Pa.,  born  in  1800,  daugh- 
ter of  Archibald  and  Mary  (Poe)  Findley, 
who  moved  in  1800  to  Westmoreland  county, 
and  in  1806  to  West  Lebanon,  Indiana  county. 
Children  as  follows  were  born  to  ilr.  and  Mrs. 
Stewart:  Archibald;  William,  who  married 
Sarah  A.  Goodrich;  Abel;  Martha  J.,  who 
married  Simon  Lewis ;  Elizabeth  ;  Samuel,  who 
married  Jane  Hart ;  Joseph,  born  in  1832,  died 
in  1865  at  Jacksonville,  who  was  a  well-kno-wn 
physician,  and  married  Christina  J.  Graham ; 
Mary,  who  married  (fii-st)  Reuben  Reeger  and 
(second)  Thomas  Taylor;  Hannah,  who  mar- 
ried H.  H.  Hamilton,  and  died  in  1876; 
George,  who  married  Jane  Findley;  David, 
who  married  Anne  Askin;^and  Sarah  A.  P., 
who  married  Shadrach  Askin. 

Abel  Stewart,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary 
(Findley)  Stewart,  was  born  in  1826  in 
Brushvalley.  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  In 
1847  he  located  in  Indiana,  where  he  learned 
the  trade  of  hatter,  which  he  followed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  He  died  in  1894.  and 
was  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery,  at  Indiana. 


During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Stewart  answered 
the  call  of  his  country  and  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany I,  211th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, where  he  served  with  credit  to  him- 
self. He  was  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  in  politics  was  a 
Republican. 

Mr.  Stewart  married  (first)  Margaret 
Stewart,  who  was  a  native  of  Pittsburg,  and 
died  at  her  home  in  Indiana  in  1871 ;  she  was 
buried  in  Oakland  cemetery.  She  was  the 
mother  of  five  children,  viz. :  Alice,  who  mar- 
ried W.  R.  Mahan,  of  White  township ;  Joseph, 
who  died  in  1877 ;  George  Rodgers ;  Mary,  who 
married  Silas  AVilliamson,  of  ^Mahoning  town- 
ship; and  William  W.,  who  is  an  ink  manu- 
facturer of  Pittsburg.  ;\Ir.  Stewart's  second 
marriage  was  to  Eliza  Riddle,  a  widow ;  there 
were  no  children  by  this  union. 

George  Rodgers  Stewart  was  born  in  Indi- 
ana Feb.  4,  1857,  son  of  Abel  and  Margaret 
(Stewart)  Stewart.  He  attended  school  at 
Indiana  until  the  age  of  thirteen,  when  he 
started  out  to  make  his  own  living.  Going  to 
Pittsburg,  he  found  employment  as  a  waiter  in 
a  restaurant  on  Market  street,  receiving  three 
dollars  and  his  board  per  week.  Here  he 
spent  a  year  and  a  half,  after  which  he  learned 
the  molder's  trade,  serving  an  apprenticeship 
of  three  years.  Soon  after  this  he  took  up 
fanning  with  his  brother-in-law,  and  con- 
tinued with  him  three  j'cars,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  rented  a  farm  of  125  acres  in 
Brushvalley  township,  where  he  was  located 
for  two  years.  He  then  went  to  New  Florence 
and  worked  at  the  molder's  trade  five  years, 
going  from  there  to  Johnstown,  to  work  for 
the  Cambria  Iron  Company,  with  whom  he 
remained  three  years.  At  the  expiration  of 
this  time  he  returned  to  Brushvalley  and 
bought  the  Fred  Hurlinger  farm  of  thirty 
acres,  where  he  now  resides.  ]\Ir.  Stewart  is 
an  intelligent,  thrifty  and  up-to-date  farmer, 
enterprising  and  progressive.  A  stanch  Pro- 
hibitionist, he  has  always  supported  that 
ticket.  Fraternally  he  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  and 
in  religious  connection  is  an  elder  in  the 
Homer  Citv  Lutheran  Church. 

On  Dec.  21,  1881,  Mr.  Stewart  married 
Elizabeth  George,  who  was  born  Oct.  19.  1860. 
daughter  of  Adam  and  Mary  Anne  (King) 
George,  and  to  this  union  were  born  three  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  (1)  Murray  Clair,  born  in 
New  Florence.  April  17,  1886,  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  is  now  engaged  with 
the  Vancouver  (B.  C.)  Electric  Light  & 
Power  Company  as  an  electrician.  He  is  an 
Odd  Fellow  and  a  member  of  the  Harris  Club 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  In  1912  he  married 
Florence  Davis,  of  Brushvalley  township.  (2) 
Clarence  Eussell,  bom  Sept.  10,  1889,  at  New 
Florence,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  the  Indiana  State  normal  school,  aud  took 
a  five  years'  course  at  the  Pennsylvania  State 
College,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1911  with 
first  honors.  He  is  an  electrical  engineer  and 
is  now  engaged  with  the  General  Electric  Com- 
pany, of  Schenectady,  N.  Y.  (3)  Edwin 
Luther,  born  Oct.  30,  1893,  at  Johnstown,  Pa., 
attended  the  Brushvalley  public  schools  and 
summer  normal  at  Meehanicsburg,  under  Pro- 
fessor Campbell,  and  is  now  a  student  of  the 
Indiana  State  normal  school. 

The  George  family,  of  which  Mrs.  Stewart 
is  a  member,  is  of  German  origin,  but  the  home 
of  the  famil}^  has  been  in  Pennsylvania  for 
a  number  of  years. 

John  George,  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Stewart, 
was  born  in  Franklin  county,  near  Chambers- 
burg,  Pa.,  son  of  Jacob  and  Margaret  (Cook) 
George.  In  1812  the  family  came  "West  and 
located  in  Armstrong  county,  near  South 
Bend,  where  John  engaged  in  general  black- 
smithing,  following  this  occupation  here  until 
his  death.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  and  in  his  political  views  was  a  Demo- 
crat. His  wife  was  Saloma  Smith,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom 
Adam  was  the  third  son. 

Adam  George  was  born  Oct.  15,  1826.  and 
was  reared  to  farming.  In  1861  he  went  to 
Indiana,  where  he  worked  for  a  short  time, 
and  later  removed  to  Blacklick  township, 
where  he  bought  a  farm  of  105  acres,  carry- 
ing on  general  farming  there  for  fifteen  years. 
At  the  end  of  this  period  he  located  in  Brush- 
valley township,  and  engaged  in  lumbering 
and  farming  until  1903,  when  he  bought  a  feed 
mill  in  Homer  City  and  removed  thither,  ever 
afterward  carrying  on  this  business  with  his 
son  Thomas  K..  under  the  firm  name  of  A. 
George  &  Son.  He  died  July  13,  1912,  and  is 
buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery,  Indiana.  Mr. 
George  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
which  he  .ioined  in  1853.  In  polities  he  was 
a  Eepublican. 

Mr.  George  married  Mary  Anne  King,  of 
South  Bend,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of 
Thomas  King,  and  ten  children  were  born  to 
them,  as  follows:  William,  who  resides  in 
Pittsburg;  Samuel,  who  died  young;  John, 
who  resides  in  Mississippi ;  Thomas  K. ;  Nancy 
Jane,  who  died  young;  Margaretta;  Matilda, 
deceased :  Catharine,  deceased ;  Elizabeth, 
who  married  George  E.  Stewart ;  and  Martha, 
who  married  Ealph  Miller.     The  mother  of 


these  children  died  in  February,  1908,  and 
was  buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery,  at 
Indiana. 

JACOB  ANTHONY  GALLAGHEE,  a 
farmer  of  Young  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
was  born  in  Armstrong  county,  this  State, 
Jan.  19,  1862,  son  of  Anthony  Gallagher. 

The  founder  of  the  Gallagher  family  in 
America  was  Anthony  Gallagher,  grandfather 
of  Jacob  Anthony  Gallagher.  A  native  of 
County  Down,  Ireland,  he  came  to  America 
with  his  vdie  and  children  at  an  early  day, 
settling  in  Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  where  he 
took  up  land  and  carried  on  farming  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  All  the  members  of  his 
family,  including  himself  aud  wife,  were 
members  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  asso- 
ciated themselves  with  the  Episcopal  Church 
after  coming  to  this  country. 

Anthony  Gallagher,  son  of  the  immigrant 
ancestor,  and  father  of  Jacob  Anthony  Galla- 
gher, was  also  born  in  County  Down,  Ireland, 
and  came  to  America  with  his  parents  when 
but  eight  years  old.  His  boyhood  was  spent  in 
Armstrong  county,  where  he  grew  to  man- 
hood and  entered  upon  agricultural  life. 
Securing  100  acres  near  Barnard,  that  county, 
he  was  cultivating  his  land  when  the  Civil 
war  broke  out,  and  he  felt  called  upon  to  en- 
list for  service,  joining  a  regiment  of  Pennsyl- 
vania volunteer  infantry.  During  his  service 
he  contracted  chronic  diarrhoea  and  was  sent 
home  on  a  furlough,  and  died  from  its  effects 
in  1864 ;  his  remains  were  interred  in  the  ceme- 
tery of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Mahoning.  Like 
his  father  he  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  faithful  to  its  teachings.  Until 
the  war  issues  changed  his  opinions  he  was  a 
Democrat,  but  he  then  espoused  the  Eepub- 
lican cause  and  voted  the  ticket  of  that  party. 
He  left  a  wife  and  three  children. 

Anthony  Gallagher  was  married  to  Mary 
Ann  DeLancey,  daughter  of  Jacob  F.  and 
Susan  (Knepper)  DeLancey,  a  complete  sketch 
of  whose  family  is  to  be  found  elsewhere  in 
this  work.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gallagher  had  four 
children ;  Hannah  Edith,  who  married  Oliver 
P.  Steffey,  of  Elderton,  Pa. ;  Philip,  who  died 
in  infancy ;  Jacob  Anthony ;  and  Daniel,  who 
died  in  young  manhood.  After  the  death  of 
her  husband  Mrs.  Gallagher  went  to  Elderton, 
Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  where  she  lived  until  her 
death,  which  occurred  in  1902,  when  she  was 
seventy-four  years  old.  She  is  buried  in  the 
Baptist  Church  cemetery  of  Elderton,  having 
been  a  consistent  member  of  the  denomination. 


1316  HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

Jacob  Anthony  Gallagher  had  the  misfor-  Republican  central  committee,  and  is  often 
tune  to  lose  his  father  when  only  two  years  called  upon  to  act  as  inspector  of  election.  He 
old,  but  his  mother  brought  him  up  carefully,  is  a  charter  member  of  Clarksburg  Lodge,  No. 
and  sent  him  to  the  schools  of  Elderton.  Until  35,  Woodmen  of  the  World,  and  is  now  acting 
he  was  sixteen  years  old  he  remained  with  her,    as  one  of  its  managers. 

and  then  began  supporting  himself,  securing  On  Feb.  14,  1883,  Mr.  Gallagher  was  mar- 
employment  in  a  brickyard  at  fifteen  dollars  ried  to  Nancy  Elizabeth  Reeves,  who  was  born 
a  month,  which  was  exclusive  of  board,  which  at  Eldersridge,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Leslie  and 
the  had  to  furnish  himself.  After  a  short  Rachel  Ann  (Jelleson)  Reeves,  well-known 
period  Mr.  Gallagher  found  that  it  would  pay  people  of  Eldersridge.  Eight  children  have 
him  better  to  engage  with  a  farmer,  and  he  been  born  to  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Gallagher :  Annie 
■entered  the  employ  of  Jacob  Kinnell,  of  Arm-  ilary,  who  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
;strong  county,  receiving  ten  dollars  a  month  of  Eldersridge  and  the  academy  at  that  place, 
and  board  for  his  services.  Until  he  attained  is  at  home ;  Daniel  il.  is  a  farmer  of  South 
his  majority  he  continued  to  work  on  farms,  Bend  township,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa. ;  John  St. 
but  at  that  time  went  to  Eldersridge.  Later  Clair  is  a  farmer  of  Young  township ;  Martha 
he  secured  employment  with  William  Mc-  Maria,  who  is  at  home,  takes  an  active  interest 
Comb,  of  Young  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  in  church  work  and  that  of  the  Christian  En- 
with  whom  he  remained  a  year,  leaving  him  deavor  society ;  George  Craighead,  Samuel  V., 
to  go  to  the  farm  of  S.  J.  Craighead.  After  Hannah  Edith  and  Charles  Addison  are  at 
four  years  of  work  for  farmers  of  Young  home.  All  the  members  of  the  family  belong 
township  Mr.  Gallagher  went  to  South  Bend  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Clarksburg,  and 
township,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  con-  take  an  active  part  in  its  good  work, 
tinued  his  labors  on  farms  for  three  years. 

Once  more  he  engaged  with  Mr.  Craighead,  FRY  ROSER,  an  old-time  resident  of  Pine 
this  time  for  one  dollar  a  day,  and  so  con-  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born  in  the 
tinued  for  six  years.  During  this  time  he  had  eounty,  in  Brushvalley  township,  Feb.  14, 
acquired  a  wife  and  family,  so  that  it  took  1840."  The  family  is  of  German  extraction, 
hard  work  and  much  contriving  to  save  any-  and  his  grandfather,  George  Roser,  was  born, 
thing  from  such  small  wages,  but  Mr.  and  Mrs.  in  Germany.  He  settled  in  Brushvalley  town- 
Gallagher  were  not  only  industrious  but  ship,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  over  one  hundred  years 
frugal,  and  finally  were  able  to  Iray  a  home  ago,  buying  land  near  Mechanicsburg.  It  was 
near  Eldersridge."  At  the  same  time,  Mr.  Gal-  then  in  its  wild  state,  and  he  had  to  clear  it 
lagher  continued  to  work  for  others,  keeping  before  he  could  begin  farming,  which  he  fol- 
this  up  for  five  years  more.  During  this  lat-  lowed  the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  on  the 
ter  period  his  wages  were  never  higher  than  homestead.  He  married  Elizabeth  Fry. 
one  dollar  per  day,  and  often  as  low  as  seventy-  George  Roser.  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth 
five  cents  per  day.  Better  times  dawned  for  (Fry)  Roser,  was  bom  in  York  county,  Pa.. 
the  family,  however,  when  he  secured  employ-  and  "moved  with  his  parents  to  Indiana  county, 
ment  with'  the  Pittsburg  Gas  Coal  Company  settling  in  Pine  township,  where  he  lived  until 
at  their  Iselin  plant,  and  he  remained  with  jjjs  death,  which  occurred  when  he  was  eiglity- 
that  concern  until  1904.  In  that  year  he  was  foui-  years  old.  He  married  Christina  Fetter- 
able  to  buy  the  Rankin  Taylor  farm  of  104  ^^^11.  who  was  born  in  Indiana  county,  where 
acres  in  Young  township,  having  in  the  mean-  i^g^  father,  Philip  Fetterman,  located  in  pio- 
while  sold  his^property  near  Eldersridge,  the  ^ger  times,  and  died  at  the  age  of  seventy 
proceeds  from  which  were  applied  upon  the  years.  Children  as  follows  were  born  to 
purchase  of  the  farm.  During  the  eight  years  George  and  Christina  (Fetterman "i  Roser: 
the  Gallagher  family  have  owned  this  farm  Samuel,  who  died  in  infancy :  Peter,  deceased ; 
many  much  needed  "improvements  have  been  Lawrence,  deceased ;  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Thomp- 
inau'gurated  and  carried  out,  including  the  son,  deceased ;  Fry,  mentioned  below ;  George, 
enlargement  of  the  residence.  With  the  help  deceased ;  Martin,  who  lives  in  Lycoming 
of  his  sons  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  eounty.  Pa. ;  Dennis,  living  on  the  old  family 
stock  raising,  and  has  developed  into  one  of  homestead  in  Pine  township ;  Lydia,  Mre. 
the  prosperous  agriculturists  of  his  township.    Waltemire,  residing  in  Indiana ;  and  Sarah. 

A  Republican   in   his   political  views,  Mr.    deceased. 
Gallat'her  has  served  as  supervisor  of  Young       Fry  Roser  began  his  education  111  the  schools 
township  for  three  years.     For  ten  years  he    of  his  native  township    and  contmiied  to  at- 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Young  township    tend  school  after  the  family  moved  to  Pme 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1317 


township.  He  has  alwa3's  followed  agricul- 
tural pursuits.  In  1863  he  entered  his  coun- 
try's service,  enlisting  from  Indiana  county 
in  Company  E,  102d  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  for  three  years,  and  he 
was  mustered  out  June  5,  1865,  at  Pittsburg. 
He  served  in  many  battles,  was  wounded  in 
the  engagement  at  Cold  Harbor,  and  became 
corporal  of  his  company.  Returning  to  his 
home  in  Indiana  after  his  discharge  from  the 
service  he  has  since  engaged  in  farming,  mak- 
ing his  home  in  Pine  township,  where  he  has 
three  farms,  containing  284  acres. 

On  Oct.  10,  1861,  Mr.  Roser  married  Salome 
Coy,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  county  Dec.  24, 
1839,  daughter  of  Louis  and  Margaret  (Slep- 
Py)  Coy,  who  were  among  the  pioneers  of 
Indiana  county.  Mr.  Coy  died  in  1895,  his 
wife  in  1892.  Their  family  consisted  of 
these  children :  Anna  E.,  Mrs.  Williams,  who 
lived  in  New  York  State ;  twin  sous,  of  whom 
John  lives  in  Michigan ;  Salome,  IMrs.  Roser ; 
Abraham,  deceased;  Nancy;  Mary  J.,  de- 
ceased ;  Carrie,  wife  of  John  Maxwell,  of  Indi- 
ana county;  Isabelle,  wife  of  John  Steffey, 
now  living  in  Michigan;  Margaret,  Mrs. 
Trout,  of  Indiana  county ;  and  Thomas,  living 
in  the  West. 

Seven  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Roser:  Margaret  E.,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Scott  Schultz,  of  Indiana  county;  Anderson, 
deceased;  Keziah,  wife  of  George  Fetterman, 
of  Pine  township ;  William  E.,  deceased ; 
Edith,  wife  of  Furman  Edmiston,  of  Pine 
township ;  Ira,  living  in  Pine  township ;  and 
Lucinda,  wife  of  Nelson  Miller.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Roser  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
which  he  has  served  as  deacon.  Politically  he 
is  a  Republican,  and  he  has  held  the  office  of 
overseer  of  the  poor. 

HERMAN  KLEINSTUB.  proprietor  of  a 
general  store  at  Creekside,  Pa.,  was  born  in 
Warsaw,  Russia,  Jan.  5, 1863.  His  parents  are 
both  natives  of  Russia,  where  they  still  reside, 
and  the  father  was  a  farmer  during  his  active 
years. 

Growing  up  in  his  native  land,  Mr.  Klein- 
stub  attended  school,  and  learned  the  princi- 
ples of  farming  fvom  his  father.  When  he 
began  working  for  himself,  however,  he  en- 
gaged in  merchandising,  but  realizing  that 
better  opportunities  for  advancement  were  to 
be  found  in  America  he  left  for  this  country 
in  1891,  landing  at  Philadelphia,  whence  he 
went  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  for  a  time  there 
clerking  in  a  store.  From  that  city  he  went 
to  Altoona,  Pa.,  and  embarking  in  business  re- 


mained there  twelve  years.  In  1903  he  moved 
to  Creekside,  Pa.,  engaging  in  the  general 
mercantile  business  which  he  has  developed 
until  it  is  one  of  the  largest  establishments  of 
its  kind  in  Indiana  county.  At  the  same  time 
he  has  taken  no  inconsiderable  part  in  civic 
matters,  assisting  in  the  organization  of  the 
borough  of  Creekside,  and  now  serving  as  a 
member  of  the  council.  Fraternally  he  be- 
longs to  the  Odd  Fellows,  at  Altoona^  and  the 
Eagles,  Indiana  Council. 

In  1888  Mr.  Kleinstub  was  married  to  Bes- 
sie Isenstein,  a  native  of  Ru.ssia,  and  they  have 
had  six  children,  the  first  two  born  in  Russia, 
and  the  other  four  in  America :  Nellie,  Philip, 
Amiel,  Louis,  Abraham  and  Eva.  In  all  his 
undertakings  Mr.  Kleinstub  has  shown  com- 
mendable enterprise,  and  his  success  in  life  is 
well  merited. 

HARRY  THOMAS  ROSS,  of  Mechanics- 
burg,  Indiana  county,  has  been  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  there  for  three  years  and  has 
a  well-established  trade  serving  the  residents 
of  that  section.  He  was  born  near  Marion 
Center,  this  county,  Aug.  25,  1877. 

Robert  Ross,  grandfather  of  Harry  T.  Ross, 
was  among  the  pioneers  of  that  part  of  the 
county,  where  he  owned  and  cleared  125  acres 
of  land  upon  which  he  spent  his  life  and  died. 
In  Clearfield  county.  Pa.,  he  married  Polly 
jMcCright,  who  was  a  native  of  that  county. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Thomas  Ross,  born  in  1855,  eldest  son  of 
Robei-t,  grew  up  on  the  home  farm.  When  a 
young  man  he  went  to  Kansas,  where  he  spent 
four  years,  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
Returning  to  the  homestead  he  has  continued 
farming  ever  since,  now  owning  and  operating 
a  tract  near  Taylorsville,  Indiana  county.  He 
is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  Mr.  Ross  married  IMary  Steffy, 
daughter  of  David  Stefl'y,  and  eight  children 
have  been  born  to  them:  Harry  Thomas; 
Clara,  who  is  deceased ;  Effie  Viola,  who  mar- 
ried Luther  Williams :  ilabel  Irene,  Mrs. 
Lower;  J.  Logan,  a  merchant  at  Hamill,  Pa.  ; 
Earl,  a  fireman  on  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad, 
of  Altoona ;  Annie  Ethel,  wife  of  Boyd  Shef- 
fler,  of  West  Lebanon ;  and  Robert  Clay,  at 
home. 

Harry  Thomas  Ross  obtained  his  education 
in  the  local  public  schools  and  remained  under 
the  care  of  his  father  until  twenty-one  years 
old.  Meantime  he  followed  farming  on  the 
homestead,  and  after  leaving  home  went  to 
DuBois.  Pa.,  to  work  as  lumberman.    Then  he 


1318 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


became  clerk  with  the  Grand  Union  Tea  Com- 
panj'  at  their  store  at  DuBois,  where  he  re- 
mained some  time,  returning  home  for  one 
year,  after  which  he  became  a  weighmaster 
for  the  Clearfield  Coal  Company  for  one  year. 
He  was  next  engaged  as  traveling  salesman 
for  G.  T.  Buchanan,  wholesale  gi-ocer  of  Indi- 
ana, Pa.,  with  whom  he  continued  imtil  1909, 
when  he  came  to  Mechanicsburg  and  became  a 
general  merchant  on  his  own  account.  His 
previous  experience  no  doubt  aided  in  his  suc- 
cess, which  has  been  marked.  He  is  a  good 
manager  and  has  built  up  a  pi-ofitable  business 
by  catering  to  the  demands  of  his  customers 
and  anticipating  them,  his  stock  being  very 
satisfactory.  . 

In  June,  1899,  Mr.  Ross  married  Mary  Dav- 
ison, daughter  of  William  and  Rebecca  Ann 
Davison,  of  Taylorsville.  Pa.,  and  they  have 
one  child,  Walter  Dale.  Mr.  Ross  and  his  fam- 
ily attend  the  Baptist  Church  of  Brushvalley 
township.  He  is  a  Republican,  but  takes  no 
active  part  in  politics. 

GEORGE  J.  SNYDER,  retired  farmer  and 
veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  now  living  in  Indi- 
ana, Pa.,  was  born  May  7,  1838,  on  his  father's 
farm,  situated  two  miles  from  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  in  Rayne  township.  Indiana  county, 
and  is  a  son  of  Lewis  and  Hannah  Elizabeth 
Snyder. 

Lewis  Snyder  and  his  wife  were  both  born 
in  Germany  and  came  to  the  LTnited  States 
about  the  year  1835,  settling  in  Indiana  coun- 
ty, Pa.,  where  Mr.  Snyder  carried  on  farming 
throughout  his  life.  They  had  children  as  fol- 
lows: Susanna,  who  died  unmarried;  George 
J. ;  Margaret,  widow  of  John  Carlin ;  Daniel, 
deceased,  who  served  during  the  Civil  war; 
Adam,  of  Indiana,  also  a  Civil  war  veteran ; 
and  Sophia,  who  married  John  Joseph  Kling- 
enburg,  of  Indiana. 

George  J.  Snyder  received  his  education  in 
the  little  log  country  schoolhouse  of  his  vicin- 
ity, and  as  was  the  custom  of  farmers'  lads 
in  his  day  worked  on  the  farm  in  the  summer 
months,  the  acquiring  of  an  education  being 
limited  to  the  winter  terms.  He  remained 
with  his  father  until  his  enlistment  in  Com- 
pany K,  10.5th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  for  three  years,  and  served 
with  that  organization  in  all  its  engagements 
up  to  the  battle  of  Pair  Oaks,  when  he  was 
dangerously  wounded  in  the  left  shoulder. 
Blood  poisioning  set  in.  and  for  five  months 
he  was  confined  to  the  hospital  at  New  Haven, 
Conn.,  eventually  receiving  liis  honorable  dis- 
charge on  account  of  disability  and  returning 


to  his  home.  When  he  had  recovered  suf- 
ficiently he  resumed  farming,  and  after  his 
marriage  purchased  a  small  farm  in  Rayne 
township,  on  which  he  continued  to  carry  on 
operations  until  his  retirement,  in  1897,  since 
which  time  he  has  lived  in  his  own  home  at 
No.  1278  Church  street,  Indiana,  erected  by 
him.  He  is  a  valued  member  of  the  Union 
Veteran  Legion  and  the  Legion  of  Honor,  and 
is  a  Republican  in  his  political  views. 

Mr.  Snyder  married  Isabella  Boucher, 
daughter  of  David  and  Catherine  Boucher, 
and  they  have  had  the  following  children: 
Annie,  who  married  William  Heil,  of  Vander- 
grift;  Tabitha,  who  married  Charles  Freck, 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. :  Nettie,  the  wife  of  I.  C. 
Roland,  of  Pittsburg;  John,  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, who  married  Carrie  Freck :  Harvey,  a 
merchant  of  Indiana,  who  married  Blanche 
Watei-son;  and  Dollie,  who  married  Thomas 
C.  Beatty,  of  Indiana. 

WESLEY  W.  NICHOL.  of  Green  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  present  secretary  of  the 
school  board  and  a  prosperous  farmer  of  that 
section,  was  born  there  Sept.  3.  1865.  son 
of  John  McFarland  and  Margaret  (Buter- 
baugh)  Nichol.  William  Nichol,  his  grand- 
father, came  from  Ireland,  and  bought  a  farm 
near  Taylorsville,  in  Green  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.,  upon  which  he  settled  and  lived  until 
his  death. 

John  JMcFarland  Nichol  was  born  in  1841 
in  Indiana  county,  was  reared  to  farming,  and 
followed  that  occupation  all  his  life.  He  also 
engaged  in  stock  raising.  He  bought  a  part 
of  the  farm  where  his  son  Wesley  now  lives, 
and  a  farm  ad.ioiuing  the  one  owned  by  his 
son  Wesley,  living  there  for  thirty-five  years, 
until  he  removed  west  to  Colorado  in  1906. 
He  improved  the  property  greatly  dui'ing  his 
residence  thereon.  In  Colorado  he  bought 
land  upon  which  he  remained  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  March  19,  1910.  His  remains 
were  brought  east  and  buried  in  the  Taylors- 
ville cemetery.  In  1862  he  married  ^Margaret 
Buterbaugh,  also  a  native  of  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Langham) 
Buterbaugh,  of  Green  township,  and  she  died, 
the  mother  of  seven  children,  namely:  Mai-y 
Ann,  wiio  is  the  widow  of  Peter  Sickenberger 
and  lives  in  Indiana  county :  Wesley  W, ; 
Sadie,  wife  of  Frank  Jeffries,  of  Richmond, 
Pa.:  Jane,  who  died  young:  James,  who  lives 
in  Green  township :  Eliza,  wife  of  Abner 
Lloyd,  of  Colorado :  and  Margaret,  a  resident 
of  Colorado.  The  father  married  for  his 
second  wife  Sarah  Houston,  by  whom  he  had 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1319 


eight  children:  Zola,  the  wife  of  Charles 
Long,  living  in  Colorado;  Archie,  in  Colo- 
rado ;  Calvin,  in  Colorado ;  Donald,  who  is  in 
Green  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. ;  Parle,  twin 
of  Donald,  deceased;  Hope,  living  in  Green 
township ;  John,  of  Green  township ;  and  Wil- 
liam, of  Green  township.  Mrs.  Nichol  and 
her  children  live  on  the  old  homestead. 

"Wesley  W.  Nichol  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Green  township.  When  a  yoiing  man  he 
began  farming  oil  his  own  account,  in  1903 
buying  his  present  place  (known  as  the 
Joseph  Nichol  farm)  in  that  township,  where 
he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing. Though  he  attends  thoroughly  to  his  own 
affairs  he  is  a  citizen  who  believes  in  his  re- 
sponsibility to  his  fellow  men,  and  in  every 
man's  duty  to  his  community,  and  he  has 
given  acceptable  service  on  the  school  board, 
of  which  he  is  now  secretary. 

On  Dec.  12,  1895,  Mr.  Nichol  married  Mary 
Keturah  Moore,  who  was  born  Sept.  10,  1875, 
in  Clearfield  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Joseph 
_  and  Elizabeth  (Shreeengost)  Moore,  farming 
'  people,  both  of  whom  were  bom  in  Clearfield 
county.  Mr.  Moore  was  killed  in  a  runaway 
accident:  his  widow  is  now  living  in  Cherry- 
tree,  Indiana  county.  They  had  a  family  of 
five  children:  Parry,  who  is  in  the  West; 
Mary  K.,  Mrs.  Nichol;  Norman,  a  resident  of 
Cherrytree:  Nannie,  wife  of  Duff  Sawyer,  of 
Glen  Campbell,  Indiana  county;  and  Bernice, 
widow  of  Edward  Woods,  living  at  Cherr\'- 
tree. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Nichol.  namely:  Fleda  E.,  Carl,  Hazel 
E.,  Wesley  Clifton  and  Harold  D. 

JOHN  J.  BIER,  manager  of  the  Ridge 
Supply  Company's  stores  at  Iselin,  Reed  and 
Eldersridge,  in  Indiana  county,  has  had  con- 
siderable experience  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness and  has  been  with  his  present  employers 
for  five  years. 

The  Bier  family  is  of  German  extraction, 
and  this  branch  was  founded  in  America  by 
Jacob  Bier,  who  came  to  this  country  from 
Germany  with  two  brothers,  settling  at  Lan- 
caster, Lancaster  Co..  Pa.  Jacob  Bier,  son  of 
Jacob,  was  the  grandfather  of  John  J.  Bier. 
He  was  born  in  Lancaster  county,  where  he 
was  reared,  and  when  a  young  man  proceeded 
westward,  locating  in  Virginia,  where  he  be- 
came interested  in  the  manufacture  of  lum- 
ber. Later  in  life  he  was  a  lumber  inspector. 
and  he  was  quite  successful  in  his  chosen  call- 
ing. He  spent  the  rest  of  his  days  in  what  is 
now  West  Virginia,  where  he  died.    He  mar- 


ried Mary  Welsh,  of  Pittsburg.     They  were 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Philip  A.  Bier,  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
(Welsh)  Bier,  was  born  in  Ohio  county,  Va. 
(now  West  Virginia),  where  he  grew  to  man- 
hood. Prom  early  boyhood  he  was  engaged 
with  his  father  in  the  lumber  business,  but 
nevertheless  he  was  given  good  educational 
advantages.  Wlien  a  young  man  he  located 
in  Allegany  county,  Md.,  near  Cumberland, 
where  he  owned  a  farm  and  later  conducted  a 
mercantile  business  at  what  is  now  the  town  of 
Bier.  Here  a  postoffice  was  established  and 
he  became  the  first  postmaster,  the  office  being 
named  in  his  honor.  Part  of  his  farm  was 
within  the  limits  of  the  town.  He  was  quite 
active  in  the  affairs  of  his  section,  both  as  a 
business  man  and  public  official,  serving  four 
years  as  judge  of  the  Orphans'  court  of  Alle- 
gany county  and  in  other  positions  of  trust. 
He  was  at  one  time  census  enumerator  of  Alle- 
gany county.  In  politics  he  was  a  stanch 
Republican.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted 
in  West  Virginia,  becoming  a  member  of  Com- 
pany C,  1st  West  Virginia  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, and  rose  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant,  being 
mustered  out  as  such.  He  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Winchester,  and  received  a  wound  in 
the  breast  which  necessitated  his  going  to  hos- 
pital. During  the  last  four  years  of  his  life  he 
was  a  resident  of  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he 
was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  census  bureau, 
and  he  died  in  that  city  in  January,  1905.  He 
was  buried  at  Bier,  ]\Id.  Mr.  Bier  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  M.  JE.  Church,  and  in  fraternal  con- 
nection an  Odd  Fellow.  In  Allegany  county, 
Md.,  he  married  on  March  10.  1865,  Mary 
Welch,  a  native  of  that  county,  daughter  of 
John  Welch,  and  she  survives  him,  living  near 
Cumberland,  Md.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church.  Six  children  were  born  to 
:\rr.  and  IMrs.  Philip  A.  Bier :  Nora,  who  died 
when  five  years  old :  John  J. :  Emma,  deceased, 
who  was  the  wife  of  J.  Blake  Coffman ;  Mary 
(IMolly).  who  married  Charles  Harness,  and 
resides  at  Keyser,  W.  Va. ;  James,  who  lives  at 
Keyser,  W.  Va. :  and  Ada.  who  married  Ralph 
Smith,  of  Cumberland,  Maryland. 

John  J.  Bier  was  born  Nov.  7,  1867,  at 
Bier,  near  Cumberland,  Allegany  Co.,  Md. 
He  attended  public  school  at  his  native  place 
and  high  school  at  Cumberland,  and  later  was 
a  student  at  Duff's  commercial  college,  in 
Pittsburg.  Pa.,  graduating  in  1889.  He  worked 
with  his  father  in  the  mercantile  business,  and 
after  his  father  went  to  Washington.  D.  C, 
continued  to  conduct  the  business  by  himself 
for  four  years,  during  that  time  also  acting  as 


1320  HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

postmaster  at  Bier.  Theuce  he  moved  to  Cum-  Jerome,  Ariz. ;  David,  master  mechanic  at  the 
berland,  Md.,  where  he  had  a  hotel  and  res-  Jones  &  Laughlin  plant,  Pittsburg,  Pa. :  John, 
taurant  for  four  years,  in  1907  coming  to  a  machinist  who  lives  in  the  West;  William 
Iselin,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  took  the  and  Edward,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  machinists 
position  of  clerk  and  assistant  manager  of  the  in  the  employ  of  the  Westinghouse  Air  Brake 
Ridge  Siipply  Company 's  store,  under  Luther  Company;  Mary,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  wife  of 
M.  Witzell.  He  was  thus  employed  until  1911,  William  H.  Williams,  foreman  millwright  for 
when  he  was  appointed  manager  of  the  store  the  plant  of  Jones  &  Laughlin ;  Gladys,  wife 
at  Iselin,  with  the  stores  at  Eldersridge  and  of  James  H.  Elkin,  of  West  Mahoning  town- 
Reed  under  his  supervision.  There  are  eigh-  ship ;  Albert,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  with 
teen  employees  in  his  charge,  and  he  has  a  his  brother  JEvan;  Fred,  a  bookkeeper,  whose 
responsible  position,  requiring  enterprise,  death  occurred  in  September,  1908 ;  and 
good  judgment  and  executive  ability.  His  Augustus,  a  bookkeeper  at  Jerome,  Arizona, 
substantial  qualities  and  high  character  have  Evan  Edmunds,  sou  of  Edward  Richard 
won  him  universal  respect  in  the  community,  Edmunds,  received  his  education  in  the  pub- 
and  he  is  well  liked  personally.  lie  schools  of  his  native  country,  and  came  to 

On  Aug.  2,  1906,  Mr.  Bier  was  married  at  the  United  States  in  1878,  here  following  tJie 
Cumberland,  Md.,  to  Lillia  Duer,  a  native  of  trade  of  machinist,  having  inhei-ited  a  natural 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  daughter  of  A.  Duer,  of  that  inclination  for  that  vocation  from  his  father, 
city.  They  have  had  two  children,  John  who  was  an  expert  in  his  line.  First  locating 
Philip  and  Carl.  Mr.  Bier  is  a  Progressive  in  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  he  entered  the  employ  of 
his  political  views,  a  stanch  adherent  of  Col-  Jones  &  Laughlin,  continuing  in  their  em- 
onel  Roosevelt  and  the  principles  he  advocates,  ploy  for  twelve  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
While  at  Bier  he  was  appointed  justice  of  the  he  went  to  Johnstown,  where  he  was  living 
peace  for  his  town  by  Governor  Lowndes,  and  at  the  time  of  the  disastrous  flood  which  de- 
served four  years.  He  was  also  postmaster,  stroyed  so  much  property  and  in  which  so 
for  eight  years  in  all,  under  ^IcKinley  and    many  lives  were   sacrificed.     'Slv.   Edmunds 


Roosevelt.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Mason,  belong-  passed  through  this  thrilling  experience 
ing  to  the  blue  lodge  at  Cumberland  and  to  safely,  and  in  1902  returned  to  Pittsburg, 
Mount  Vernon  Chapter,  at  Washington,  D.  C.    ^vhere  he  went  to  work  for  the  Park  Steele 

Company,  as  a  foreman  millwright,  continu- 

EVAN  EDMUNDS,  general  farmer  of  West    ^^^  ^^  g^^j^  j^^.  g^^.^,^  ^.^g^.g     j^  jgog  he  came 
Mahoning  township.  Indiana  Co..  Pa-  who  has    ^^  ^^^^  Mahoning  township,  which  has  been 
the  distinction  of  being  a  survivor  of  the  great    ^.^  j^^^^^  ^^  ^^^      .^^^^^  ^.^^^^ 
Johnstown  flood,  was  born  Felx  JO;  Ifl.  at  ^^^   Edmunds  was  mar- 

Newport,  South  Wales,  son  ot  Edward  Kieli-  .  ,  ,  T,r  '/,  -c'U  ■  t  w  +  ^r.i,...,;„^ 
ard  and  Margaret  (Stone)  Edmunds.  ™d     o   Martha   Elkiii    o     ^^  est   Mahoning 

Edward  Richard  Edmunds,  father  of  Evan  township,  daughter  of  ^^  illiam  and  Mary 
Edmunds,  was  born  May  23.  1836.  in  Aber-  Elkm,  and  a  member  of  an  old  and  honored 
dare.  South  Wales,  and  when  a  young  man  Indiana  county  family.  Mr.  and  Airs.  J^d- 
became  a  mechanic  He  became  foreman  and  munds  have  one  child,  Edna  May. 
master  mechanic  in  Conway's  tin  works,  near  Mr.  Edmunds  is  a  member  of  Blue  Lodge, 
Newport.  Monmoiithshire.  South  Wales,  con-  No.  538,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Johnstown,  Pa.,  and 
tinning  with  that  firm  for  many  years,  or  Foresters  of  America  Lodge  No.  5,  at  Pitts- 
until  it  went  out  of  business.  In  1892  Mr.  ^urg.  His  religious  connection  is  with  the 
Edmunds  came  to  the  United  States,  locating  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  political  matters  he 
at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  where  he  established  him-  j^  ^  Republican.  He  purchased  his  preseilt 
self  in  business  as  the  proprietor  of  a  con-  pj.ope,.ty  in  West  Mahoning  township  in  1901, 
fectionery  store  on  Carson  street.  In  uw  ^.^^^  ^^^j^.^^^  ^.^^^  j^^  j^.^^  ^^,_^^^  ^^^^^,  iniprove- 
he  came  to  West  Mahoning  townshi^^^^^^  including  the  erection  of  handsome. 

Co..  Pa.,  and  l^'^^^^^^J^^^^^.f^™  Jj;;,"^^?^?  modem  buildings,  and  the  entire  place  gives 
\l  Xr-nT:::  a  aiS  S  ^.TXIVZ  evidence  of  the  presence  of  able  management. 
Bap  ist  Chm^ciras  was  also  his  wife.  She  During  his  residence  here  Mr.  Edmunds  has 
Sas  born  in  1842,  at  Kidwelly,  South  Wales,  acquired  a  wide  -^^^^^^^ance,  an^^^^^^^^^^ 
and  died  in  1891  the  mother  of  a  large  fam-  where  he  is  known  as  a  man  o  nitegntj.  i^ 
ilv,  those  besides  Evan  being:  Thomas,  mas-  dnstiy  and  upright  P^^^^^^f^^^^  ''"' 
ter  mechanic  of  the  United  Verd  Mines,  at    served  as  school  director  of  his  to^^nshlp. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1321 


JOHN  BISHOP,  farmer  and  coal  operator 
in  Canoe  township,  near  Rossiter,  Pa.,  was 
born  in  Hesse,  Germany,  not  far  from  Frank- 
fort, Jan.  14,  1842,  a  son  of  John  Bishop. 

John  Bishop,  the  father,  was  born  in  Hesse, 
Germany,  in  1808,  and  died  in  Indiana 
county,  Pa.,  in  1870,  aged  sixty-two  years. 
He  was  a  farmer  and  a  distiller,  and  coming 
to  America  in  1854  with  his  family  settled 
in  Indiana  coimty,  Pa.,  on  a  farm  that  lies 
partly  in  Canoe  township  and  partly  in  North 
Mahoning  township.  He  "cropped"  this 
land,  as  the  local  term  goes.  He  never  be- 
came a  naturalized  American  citizen,  but  was 
always  a  respected  and  law  abiding  member 
of  his  community.  For  many  years  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Pine  Evangelical  Church, 
in  which  he  was  a  class  leader  and  an  ex- 
horter.  He  was  twice  married,  but  the 
maiden  name  of  neither  wife  has  been  pre- 
served. To  his  first  union  were  born:  An- 
drew, who  married  a  Miss  Smith,  now  de- 
ceased; Elizabeth,  who  is  the  widow  of  John 
Beam,  of  North  Mahoning  township ;  Maggie, 
deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Thomas 
Sheppard;  and  John.  Four  children  were 
also  born  to  his  second  marriage,  namely: 
Lena,  who  is  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Jacob 
Bartholamew  ;  Henry  lives  in  Indiana  county ; 
Mary  is  deceased ;  Eva  is  the  wife  of  William 
Stuchell,  of  North  Mahoning  township. 

John  Bishop  (2)  attended  the  public 
schools  in  Canoe  township  when  young.  Al- 
though he  never  learned  a  trade  he  has  na- 
tural skill  that  enables  him  to  turn  his  hand 
to  almost  any  line  of  work  in  the  building 
trades,  and  can  compete  with  anyone  in  lay- 
ing stone,  often  working  as  a  stonemason. 
He  remained  at  home  and  helped  his  father 
until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  after  which 
he  assisted  farmers  in  the  neighborhood  for 
five  years,  at  the  end  of  whic"h  time  he  bought 
the  farm  of  sixty-two  acres  whicli  he  now  has 
under  cultivation.  His  land  is  heavily  under- 
laid with  coal,  part  of  which  he  sold  to  the 
New  York  Central  Railroad  Company,  and  he 
is  operating  the  unsold  portion  himself,  this 
undertaking  proving  profitable. 

In  1868  Mr.  Bishop  was  married  to  Mar- 
garet Mackel.  a  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Helen  (Pifer)  Mackel,  and  they  have  had  the 
following  children:  Elizabeth  Ann,  wife  of 
Linus  Newcomb,  residing  at  Punxsutawney ; 
Anna  Mary,  deceased;  David  Henry,  resid- 
ing at  North  Rossiter,  who  married  Minnie 
Stahl;  Charles  M.  W.,  living  in  Jefferson 
county,  who  married  Margaret  Hurl ;  Martha 
Matilda,    wife    of    Fred    Wolcott,    living    at 


Corning,  N.  Y. ;  John  Oliver,  living  in  Jeffer- 
son county,  who  married  Emma  Hetrick; 
George  C,  residing  at  Corning,  N.  Y.,  who 
married  M.  Beewalter;  Adam  A.,  residing  in 
Jefferson  county,  married  to  Ellen  Davidson; 
and  Albert  Urias,  who  lives  at  home,  and 
who  married  Ivy  Stahl.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bishop 
are  also  rearing  a  grandson,  AVilliam  Dohmer 
Bishop. 

Charles  Mackel,  father  of  Mrs.  John 
Bishop,  was  married  to  Helen  Pifer  in  Ger- 
many and  came  to  America  many  years  be- 
fore the  Bishop  family  came  to  this  country. 
He  settled  first  in  Butler  county.  Pa.,  where 
he  followed  his  trade  of  cabinetmaker  until 
his  children  were  old  enough  to  give  him  as- 
sistance, when  he  bought  and  moved  to  a 
farm  in  Canoe  township,  Indiana  county. 
There  he  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years, 
his  wife  living  to  be  seventy-two  years  of  age. 
They  were  buried  in  the  cemetery  attached 
to  the  Pine  Church.  They  had  the  following 
children:  Louisa  is  the  widow  of  Daniel 
Stiver,  of  Canoe  township ;  Mary,  who  is  de- 
ceased, was  the  wife  of  Augustus  Urias ;  Mar- 
garet is  the  wife  of  John  Bishop ;  Julia  and 
Sarah  are  twins,  the  former  of  whom  is  the 
widow  of  Philip  Suttor,  and  the  latter  mar- 
ried Jacob  Filhart,  of  Jefferson  county; 
Catherine  is  the  widow  of  Louis  Heitzenriter ; 
Charles,  who  lives  at  Locust  Lane,  married 
Marv  Eiler ;  Lena  is  the  wife  of  George  Stiver, 
of  North  Mahoning.  The  father  of  ilrs. 
Bisl^op  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  but 
never  accepted  any  public  office.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Evangelical  Association. 

Mr.  Bishop  for  a  number  of  years  was 
identified  politically  with  the  Republican 
party,  but  he  is  a  pronounced  temperance 
man  and  now  votes  with  the  Prohibitionists. 
He  is  active  in  the  Evangelical  Association 
and  has  served  the  church  as  class  leader, 
exhorter,  steward  and  trustee. 

JOHN  STEWART,  farmer  and  stock 
raiser  of  Burrell  township,  and  proprietor  of 
Tamarack  farm,  was  born  in  White  township, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  Nov.  2,  1861,  son  of  Levi 
and  Sarah  (Miller)  Stewart.  John  Stewart, 
his  grandfather,  was  a  farmer  of  Center  town- 
ship, this  county. 

Levi  Stewart,  son  of  John,  was  born  March 
18,  182.3,  in  Center  township,  and  there  grew 
to  manhood,  making  farming  his  life  occupa-- 
tion.  He  lived  for  a  period  in  White  town- 
ship and  later  on  a  farm  north  of  Homer 
City,  Pa.,  in  Center  township,  near  the  Ridge, 
but  subsequently  purchased  the  John  Howard 


1322 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


farm  of  150  acres,  in  Center  township,  now 
the  home  of  his  son  Samuel.  On  that  prop- 
erty Mr.  Stewart  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  and  died  Nov.  IS,  1900.  He  was  buried 
in  Greenwood  cemetery,  Indiana.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  his  political  views,  and  his  relig- 
ious belief  was  that  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  which  he  attended  at  Homer  City. 
On  Oct.  27,  1846,  Mr.  Stewart  was  married 
to  Sarah  Miller,  who  was  born  Nov.  8,  1828, 
daughter  of  Herman  IMiller,  and  she  died 
July  18,  1909,  and  was  buried  in  Greenwood 
cemetery.  They  had  the  following  children: 
James  H.,  born  Sept.  26,  1847,  resides  at 
Clarksburg,  Pa. ;  Jane  E.,  born  March  2.  1854. 
died  Sept.  7,  1860 ;  ]\Iargaret  P.,  born  Feb.  24, 
1857,  married  William  Snyder  and  resides  in 
Center  township,  near  Brushvalley  township ; 
Samuel,  born  Aug.  17,  1859,  married  Minerva 
Carsatt,  of  Buffington  township,  and  resides 
on  the  homestead;  John  was  born  Nov.  2, 
1861. 

John  Stewart,  son  of  Levi  Stewart,  at- 
tended the  local  township  schools,  and  from 
earliest  boyhood  was  engaged  in  agricultural 
work.  He  continued  to  assist  his  father  until 
he  attained  his  majority,  at  which  time  he 
embarked  in  agricultural  work  for  himself  iu 
Burrell  township,  first  cultivating  the  Jacob 
F.  Garhardt  farm  for  one  year  and  then  lo- 
cating in  Brushvallej-  township.  For  two 
years  he  was  engaged  in  working  the  Ander- 
son LIcFeeters  farm,  after  which  he  returned 
to  Burrell  township  and  for  fourteen  years 
was  engaged  in  farming  a  tract  of  204  acres, 
known  "as  the  Dalzell  farm.  In  1903  "Mr. 
Stewart  bought  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hill  farm  on 
the  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburg  turnpike,  two 
miles  from  Blairsville,  in  Burrell  township, 
where  he  settled  down  to  farming  for  himself. 
This  is  a  tract  of  143  acres.  He  has  continued 
to  follow  general  farming,  stock  raising  and 
dairying  here,  and  through  industrious  labor 
and  intelligent  efforts  has  succeeded  in  mak- 
ing this  one  of  the  valuable  properties  of  that 
part  of  the  county.  He  has  made  numerous 
improvements,  including  the  erection  of  new 
buildings,  and  the  fine  barn  which  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  in  1910  has  been  replaced  with 
a  still  larger  one.  Politically  a  Democrat,  he 
has  served  Burrell  township  as  school  di- 
rector for  seven  years,  and  has  lent  his  aid 
and  influence  to  all  movements  calculated  to 
benefit  his  adopted  community  or  its  people. 
A  consistent  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  originally  belonging  at  Blairsville,  he 
has  acted  in  the  capacity  of  elder  for  some 
vears  in  the  Blacklick  Presbyterian  Church. 


In  1883  Mr.  Stewart  was  married  to 
Arminta  Murry,  and  they  have  had  nine 
children:  Ralph  L.,  living  at  Vandergrift, 
Pa.;  Jacob  Paul,  of  East  Pittsburg;  Ethel 
Frances,  who  married  Robert  Latimore  of 
Blairsville ;  Elder,  at  home ;  George  H. : 
Elizabeth;  Floyd;   Clj'de,  and  Wilfred. 

JOHN  LEWIS,  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of 
South  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  on  the  paternal  homestead  in  that 
township  Nov.  20,  1840,  son  of  Joshua  Lewis 
and  grandson  of  David  Lewis,  who  had  the 
following  children :  Joseph,  Evan,  Robert, 
John  D.,  Sarah,  Joshua,  Nancy,  Elizabeth. 
Samuel,  David,  George  and  Margaret.  . 

Joshua  Lewis,  the  father,  was  born  in 
Sinking  Valley,  Blair  Co.,  Pa.,  and  at  an  early 
day  settled  in  South  Mahoning  township, 
Indiana  county,  near  the  line  of  West  Mahon- 
ing township,  on  a  tract  of  204  acres  which 
was  then  in  the  wilderness.  He  built  a  log 
house  and  barn  and  made  other  improve- 
ments, and  here  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life  engaged  in  general  farming,  dying  at  the 
age  of  fifty-two  years.  He  and  his  wife, 
Eleanor  (Roush),  who  died  at  Smicksburg, 
are  buried  in  the  ilahoning  Church  cemetery. 
They  were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
In  political  conviction  he  was  a  Whig  and 
Republican.  They  had  children  as  follows: 
David  married  Susan  Smiley;  Gilbert  mar- 
ried Margaret  Keasey;  Mary  A.  married 
Henry  Knauff;  Henry  married  Eleanor 
Stear;  Eliza  married  Isaac  Good:  Catherine 
married  Michael  Knauff:  Sarah  Ellen  mar- 
ried John  Weir,  (second)  Simeon  IMcMillen, 
and  (third)  a-  Mr.  Schrecengost :  John  is 
mentioned  below;  Joshua  married  Elizabeth 
Luckhart;  George  married  Maria  Stiteler; 
Maria  married  Joseph  Buterbaugh;  Miles 
married  Olive  Calhoun;  Rebecca  married 
William  Sink. 

John  Lewis  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools.  He  was  seventeen  years  old 
when  his  father  died,  after  which  he  worked 
at  home  on  the  farm  with  his  brother  David 
until  his  enlistment,  in  August,  1862,  in  Com- 
pany A.  78th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, under  Captain  Cummins  and  Colonel 
Sirwell.  His  brother  Joshua  was  in  the  same 
company  and  regiment,  serving  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  The  regiment  was  sent  to  Louis- 
ville, Kv.,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Nashville,  Lavergne  (Oct,  2,  1862).  Stone 
River  (Dec  31,  1862,  and  Jan.  1,  1863). 
Hoover's  Gap  (June  24,  1863).  Tullahoma 
(Ji;lv  1,  1863^  Dug  Alpine  (Sept.  11.  1863), 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1323 


Chiekamauga  (Sept.  19,  1863),  Chattanooga 
(Nov.  23,  1863),  Lookout  Mountain  (Nov. 
24,  1863),  Missionary  Ridge  (Nov.  25,  1863), 
Rocky  Face  Ridge  (including  Tunnel  Hill, 
Mill  Creek,  Buzzard's  Roost  and  Snake  Creek 
Gap),  Dalton  (May  5  to  9,  1864),  Resaca 
(May  13-16,  1864),  Adamsville  (May  17, 
1864),  Dallas  (also  called  New  Hope  Church), 
Burnt  Hickory,  Pumpkin  Vine  Creek,  Alla- 
toona  Hills  (May  24  to  June  24,  1864), 
Kenesaw  Mountain  (June  9-30,  ]864),  Peach 
Tree  Creek  (Julv  20,  1864),  Atlanta  (July 
22,  1864),  Pulaski  (Sept.  27,  1864).  John 
Lewis  was  discharged  in  August,  186.5. 

Returning  home  after  his  discharge  from 
the  army  Mr.  Lewis  resumed  farming,  and 
in  1866  settled  down  to  work  for  himself  on 
a  part  of  the  homestead,  having  a  tract  of 
eighty-eight  acres  where  he  has  since  contin- 
uously resided — a  period  of  forty-six  years. 
He  built  the  house  and  barn  on  this  place 
and  has  made  all  the  other  improvements, 
which  show  him  to  be  an  industrious  and  en- 
terprising worker.  He  has  carried  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising,  and  keeps  up  to 
date  in  his  methods.  The  public  affairs  of 
the  township  have  always  interested  him,  and 
he  has  held  a  number  of  the  local  offices,  hav- 
ing served  efficiently  as  supervisor,  assessor 
and  inspector  of  elections.  In  political  con- 
nection he  has  been  a  Republican  ever  since 
he  commenced  to  vote.  Mr.  Lewis  has  long 
been  an  earnest  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church  and  Sunday  school,  particularly  ac- 
tive in  the  latter,  in  which  he  has  long  been 
a  teacher,  and  he  served  a  number  of  years 
as  superintendent. 

On  Dec.  22,  1866,  Mr.  Lewis  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Sadie  E.  Davis,  who  was  born 
in  March,  1844,  in  West  Mahoning  township, 
daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  (Jones)  Davis. 
She  is  also  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  have  had  the  following 
children :  Bert  C,  who  is  engaged  in  fanning 
in  West  Mahoning  township,  married  Sadie 
Lowry;  Lottie  is  married  to  Edward  Richie, 
of  West  Mahoning  township;  Homer  E.,  a 
minister  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  married  Lizzie 
N.  Haskell ;  Walter  D.,  a  teacher,  now  a  pro- 
fessor in  the  seminary  at  Meadville,  Pa.,  mar- 
ried Florence  Wood ;  Merel  died  when  eleven 
years  of  age. 

JOHN  EBENEZER  GILL,  a  farmer  of 
Conemaugh  township  and  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war,  was  born  March  11,  1842,  in  Pat- 
ton  township,  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  John 
Gill  and  a  grandson  of  Ebenezer  Gill. 


Ebenezer  Gill  lived  in  Patten  township, 
Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.,  all  his  life,  owning  a  large 
farm  there.  He  was  one  of  the  successful 
agriculturists  of  his  locality,  and  a  citizen 
of  prominence.  He  married  a  Miss  Fulter- 
ton,  and  they  had  the  following  family:  Wil- 
liam, a  carpenter  and  machinist,  who  resided 
at  Manchester,  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa. ;  Matthew, 
a  cabinetmaker,  who  resided  in  Patton  town- 
ship ;  Samuel,  who  married  Rachel  Aken,  and 
lived  in  Patton  township  until  his  death; 
John ;  one  whose  name  is  not  given ;  and  Jane, 
who  married  John  Wilson  and  was  the  mother 
of  James  T.,  a  United  Presbyterian  minister 
of  Westmoreland  county. 

Ebenezer  Gill  and  his  wife  are  buried  in 
the  cemetery  connected  with  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Stone  Church  in  i\Iorrellville,  Pa. 
They  were  a  most  excellent  couple,  lived  up- 
right, moral  lives,  and  reared  their  children 
to  be  honorable  men  and  women. 

John  Gill,  son  of  Ebenezer  Gill  and  father 
of  John  Ebenezer  Gill,  was  born  in  1797  and 
died  in  1880.  His  birthplace  was  Patton 
township,  Allegheny  county,  and  there  he  at- 
tended school.  Later  he  became  a  school 
teacher  and  taught  for  a  number  of  terms. 
He  also  assisted  his  parents  with  the  farm 
work,  and  when  he  married  he  bought  a  tract 
of  150  acres  in  Patton  township,  on  which  he 
engaged  in  general  farming.  Later  he  went 
to  Trafford  City,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,' 
where  he  bought  another  farm,  operating  it 
until  1869,  when  he  came  to  Conemaugh  town- 
ship and  purchased  the  Andrew  Getty  place 
of  200  acres,  Avhieh  is  now  owned  by  his  son, 
John  Ebenezer  Gill,  and  daughters.  This 
last  farm  continued  to  be  his  home  until  his 
demise. 

John  Gill  married  Jane  Bell,  who  died 
aged  eighty-seven  years,  and  they  are  buried 
in  Edgewood  cemetery,  at  Saltsburg,  Pa.  The 
following  children  were  born  to  this  couple: 
Margaret  lives  with  her  brother ;  Theophrolus 
died  unmarried;  David  died  at  the  age  of 
thirty-one  years ;  Nancy  died  unmarried  aged 
sixty-six  years ;  Jlary  died  in  childhood ;  John 
Ebenezer  is  mentioned  below;  Margie  mar- 
ried Ebenezer  Ewner,  and  lives  in  Wilkins- 
burg.  Pa.,  where  Mr.  Ewner  is  a  merchant; 
Rachel  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years. 
Nancy  and  Rachel  are  buried  in  the  Saltsburg 
cemetery. 

Jolm  Ebenezer  Gill  was  educated  in  his 
native  township  and  taught  farming  by  his 
father.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  en- 
listed, at  Pittsburg,  in  Company  P,  6th  Penn- 
sylvania Heavy  Artillery,  in  1864,  and  fought 


1324 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


until  the  close  of  the  Civil  war.  He  was 
under  Capt.  W.  Obie  and  Colonel  Barnes, 
and  being  assigned  to  reserve  duty  saw  no 
active  service.  Mr.  Gill  has  also  served  as 
first  lieutenant  in  Company  B,  10th  Pennsyl- 
vania National  Guard.  After  the  close  of 
the  war  he  returned  home  and  resumed  his 
farming  duties,  moving  with  his  parents  in 
1869  to  his  present  200-acre  farm  in  Cone- 
maugh  township.  Remaining  with  his  father 
until  the  death  of  the  latter,  he  has.  eon- 
ducted  it  very  successfully  ever  since.  It 
is  a  valuable  place,  and  he  takes  a  pride  in 
keeping  it  in  the  best  of  condition. 

While  not  an  office  seeker  Mr.  Gill  gave 
his  seiwices  to  his  district  as  school  director 
for  a  number  of  years,  and  has  been  an  en- 
thusiastic Democrat  and  active  in  local  mat- 
ters. A  member  and  trustee  of  the  Tunnelton 
Presbyterian  Church,  he  has  been  one  of  its 
elders  for  the  last  quarter  of  a  century,  and 
is  a  most  excellent  man  in  every  respect. 

On  Feb.  12,  1867,  Mr.  Gill  was  married  to 
Mary  Ann  Kennedy,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Lillie  (Hamilton)  Keiuiedy,  of  Penn  town- 
ship, Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  and  they  had 
two  children:  Andrew  Hamilton,  who  mar- 
ried Bell  Orris  and  (second)  Minnie  Bar- 
bour, is  an  engineer  on  the  Pennsylvania 
railroad,  running  from  Pittsburg  to  Titus- 
ville,  Pa. ;  Harry,  who  married  Bell  Clawson 
and  (second)  Anna  Plemming,  resides  in 
Blairsville,  Pa.,  and  is  an  employee  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company.  Mr.  Gill 
was  married  the  second  time  to  Josephine 
Ludwick,  daughter  of  Harlau  and  Sinah 
Ludwdck,  of  Downingtown,  Chester  Co..  Pa. 
They  have  had  no  children. 

PETER  SAWYER,  of  :\Iontgomery  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  owns  considerable  land 
there  and  has  extensive  agricultural  interests. 
Formerly  he  was  also  engaged  in  lumbering. 
Mr.  Sawyer  was  born  Oct.  7,  1833,  in  Potts- 
ville,  Schuylkill  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Peter  and 
Mary  Sawyer,  natives  of  Germany,  who  set- 
tled "in  Cambria  county,  Pa.  The  father  fol- 
lowed his  trade  of  carpenter  and  also  farmed. 

In  1859  Peter  Sawyer  came  to  Indiana 
county,  where  he  began  lumbering.  He 
Ijouglit  the  farm  where  be  now  makes  his 
home,  a  tract  of  240  acres  in  Montgomery 
township,  and  at  one  time  owned  a  thousand 
acres  in  all,  but  he  has  sold  off  most  of  his 
holdings,  at  present  retaining  only  his  home- 
stead and  another  piece  of  124  acres.  For 
twMity-five  years  he  followed  lumbering, 
puttinir  logs  into  the  Snsi|uebanna  river,  but 


farming  has  been  his  principal  vocation,  and 
he  has  prospered  by  dint  of  hard  work  and 
good  management.  He  is  a  much  respected 
citizen  of  his  township,  where  he  has  been 
elected  supervisor  and  overseer  of  the  poor, 
and  he  has  also  served  on  the  board  of  elec- 
tion commissioners.  In  political  connection 
he  is  a  Democrat..  During  his  residence  of 
over  half  a  centui-y  in  3Iontgomer.y  township 
he  has  won  high  standing  in  the  regard  of 
his  fellow  citizens. 

In  1862  ]\Ir.  Sawyer  married  Clara  Darr,  of 
Burnside  township,  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.,  who 
died  in  1864.  There  were  two  children  by 
this  marriage,  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
In  1866  he  married  (second)  Jane  Irwin, 
of  Montgomery  township,  Indiana  couuty, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Irwin,  farm- 
ing people,  and  of  the  seven  children  born 
to  this  union  two  are  deceased,  one  dying 
very  young  and  Flora  Bell  when  twenty 
years  old.  The  five  who  survive  are  :  Samuel 
Irwin,  of  Glen  Campbell,  this  county,  farmer 
and  coal  dealer,  who  married  Grace  Ake,  of 
Hillsdale,  this  county;  Duff,  a  farmer,  car- 
penter and  coal  dealer,  also  of  Glen  Camp- 
bell, who  married  Nannie  Moore,  of  Chen-y- 
tree;  Clara  J.,  now  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  W. 
Clark,  of  Winburne,  Pa. ;  Mary  Viola,  wife 
of  Charles  M.  Ake,  a  merchant  of  Hillsdale, 
Pa. ;  and  Bertha  0.,  who  graduated  from  the 
State  normal  school  at  Indiana,  and  is  now 
engaged  in  school  teaching.  The  mother  of 
these  died  in  June,  1899. 

JACOB  DORMIRE,  who  is  living  retired 
after  many  years  spent  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits in  Indiana  county,  was  born  Feb.  21, 
1834,  in  Pine  township,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa., 
son  of  David  and  Sarah  (HofSefinger) 
Dormire. 

Anthony  Dormire,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  Jacob  Dormire,  was  born  in  North- 
umberland county,  and  removed  to  Arm- 
strong county  at  an  early  date,  settling  near 
Elderton,  where  he  secured  land  and  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life  in  farming.  He  and  his 
wife  had  a  family  of  ten  children. 

David  Dormire,  son  of  Anthony,  and  father 
of  Jacob  Dormire,  was  born  -near  Elderton. 
Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.  He  had  but  meager 
opportunities  to  secure  an  education,  but  he 
was  ambitious -and  industrious  and  made  the 
l)est  of  his  chances,  eventually  becoming  a 
well-informed  man.  When  a  young  man  he 
removed  to  Pine  township,  Armstrong  county, 
and  there  acquired  the  ownership  of  a  farm, 
which    he    cleared    and    cultivated,    and    on 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1325 


which  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in 
the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  of  which 
his  wife  was  also  a  faithful  member.  Mr. 
Dormire  married  Sarah  Hofflefinger,  of  She- 
locta.  Pa.,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  William,  deceased, 
who  lived  in  Armstrong  county;  Anthony, 
deceased,  who  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life 
in  Michigan;  Alexander,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  twenty-three  j'ears;  Jacob;  Susanna,  who 
married  John  Brosius,  and  lives  on  the  old 
home  place;  and  Lavina,  deceased,  who  mar- 
ried G.  S.  Reedy. 

Jacob  Dormire,  son  of  David  Dormire,  re- 
ceived a  common  school  education,  and  re- 
mained at  home  until  he  was  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  At  that  time  he  removed  to 
Wayne  township,  Armstrong  county,  and  in 
1871  came  to  North  Mahoning  township  and 
purchased  100  acres  of  land,  on  which  had 
been  made  a  small  clearing,  a  shanty  and  log 
stable  standing  there.  Mr.  Dormire  had  but 
little  cash  capital,  but  was.  possessed  of  ambi- 
tion, thrift  and  industry,  and  set  about  mak- 
ing it  a  valuable  property.  In  1875  he  erected 
a  substantial  barn,  and  this  was  followed  the 
next  year  by  the  erection  of  a  comfortable 
frame  residence,  and  by  the  time  of  his  re- 
tirement, in  1909,  he  had  cleared  and  put 
under  cultivation  about  ninety  acres  of  his 
land.  He  is  now  living  quietly,  enjoying 
the  fruits  of  his  years  of  early  toil,  and  his 
son.  Isaac  Curts  Dormire,  is  engaged  in  con- 
ducting the  home  place.  Mr.  Dormire 's  long 
and  useful  career  has  demonstrated  the  value 
of  sobriety,  probity  and  integrity,  when 
coupled  with  well-directed  effort,  and  his  life 
is  one  worthy  of  emulation  by  the  youth  of 
the  present  generation. 

Mr.  "Dormire  was  first  married  to  Sarah 
Houser,  of  Armstrong  county,  and  to  this 
union  were  horn  five  children,  as  follows: 
Joseph  C,  a  farmer  of  Guthrie,  Okla. ;  Emma, 
who  is  deceased;  Nancy  Jane,  who  married 
John  Sheesley,  of  Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  and 
John  and  David,  twins,  of  whom  John  is  liv- 
ing in  Wayne  township,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa., 
ami  David  in  Brown  county,  Illinois. 

On  May  4,  1865,  ]\Ir.  Dormire  was  married 
(second)  to  Lizzie  Rumbough,  of  Dayton,  Pa., 
who  was  born  Dec.  3,  1841,  daughter  of  Isaac 
and  Mary  C.  (Knight)  Rumbough,  the  former 
of  Butler  county  and  the  latter  of  Clarion 
county.  Mr.  Rumbough  went  to  Armstrong 
county  in  young  manhood  and  settled  near 
Dayton,  where  he  secured  600  acres  of  land, 
the  greater  part  of  which  he  put  under  cul- 
tivation.    In  addition  to  growing  stock  and 


farming  he  found  time  to  serve  his  township 
in  numerous  offices,  and  was  known  as  one  of 
the  active  Democrats  of  his  section.  He  and 
his  wife  were  members  of  the  German  Re- 
formed Church,  in  the  faith  of  which  both 
passed  away  on  the  old  home  place.  They 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children: 
David,  a  carpenter  by  trade,  who  is  deceased ; 
Simon,  a  farmer  and  office  holder,  also  de- 
ceased; Mary,  who  married  William  Wadd- 
ing, both  now  deceased;  Lucy  Ann,  widow  of 
Jacob  Thomas,  living  on  the  old  homestead; 
Catherine,  widow  of  Henry  Rupp,  living  in 
Dayton,  Pa. ;  Christina,  deceased,  who  was 
the  wife  of  Christopher  Riesman;  Caroline, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty  years;  and  Mrs. 
Dormire. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dormire  have  had  six  chil- 
dren: Mary,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of 
J.  Gould,  and  had  one  child,  Mary;  Ida,  the 
wife  of  Wilson  Petterhoff,  of  North  Mahoning 
township,  who  has  three  children,  Albert, 
Lincoln  and  Claire ;  Maggie,  who  married  Ed. 
Kerr,  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  and  has  two 
children,  Walter  and  Frederick;  William  G., 
a  farmer  of  North  Mahoning  township,  who 
married  Bessie  Hosick,  and  has  one  son, 
Floyd;  Isaac  C,  farming  for  his  father  in 
North  Mahoning  township,  who  married  Olive 
Grossman,  and  has  three  children,  Elizabeth, 
Margaret  and  Mary;  and  Harvey  J.,  the  pro- 
prietor of  a  furniture  store  at  Dubois,  Pa., 
who  married  Zillie  Chambers,  and  has  two 
children.  Max  and  Martha. 

Mr.  Dormire  is  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  and  has  served  as  school  director  for 
three  terms,  and  as  a  member  of  the  board  of 
supervisors.  With  his  wife  he  attends  the 
Lutheran  Church.  In  all  the  relations  of 
life  he  has  shown  himself  to  be  a  sti-aight- 
forward,  public-spirited  citizen,  well  worthy 
the  respect  and  esteem  which  are  his. 

WILSON  C.  THOMAS,  who  owns  and 
operates  a  large  farm  in  Rayne  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  is  also  very  well  known 
in  that  section  as  a  successful  veterinaiy 
surgeon,  was  born  Oct.  26.  1852,  on  the  farm 
where  he  resides,  and  where  his  father  lived 
before  him. 

Hiram  Thomas,  his  father,  died  in  1861, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.  He  married 
Anna  Shield,  who  lived  to  the  age  of  seventy- 
four,  dying  in  1887.  They  had  a  large  fam- 
ily, namely:  George  W.,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  seventy  years;  Hiram,  deceased;  Mar- 
garet, deceased;  Robert,  deceased;  Hugh,  de- 
ceased; William,  deceased;  Jessie,  deceased; 


1326 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mary,  who  married  Silas  Miller,  and  has  one 
son  (they  live  in  Pittsburg) ;  John  P.,  de- 
ceased ;  Eveline,  who  married  Robert  Park 
and  lives  in  Ridgway,  Elk  Co.,  Pa. ;  Archy, 
deceased;  Amos,  a  dentist,  located  in  Ne- 
braska; and  Wilson  C.  Seven  of  the  sons 
and  three  sons-in-law  served  in  the  Union 
army  during  the  Civil  war. 

Wilson  C.  Thomas  grew  to  manhood  in 
Rayne  township,  and  has  followed  farming 
there  throughout'  his  active  yeai's,  becoming 
very  successful.  He  owns  a  tract  of  250 
acres,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  pros- 
perous agriculturists  of  his  section,  where  he 
is  highly  respected  for  his  substantial  worth. 
He  attends  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Marion  Center. 

On  Feb".  16,  1870,  ]Mr.  Thomas  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Jlary  A.  Donahey,  daughter 
of  William  and  Harriet  (Wimer)  Donahey. 
Her  father  was  a  member  of  Company  A,  61st 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  lost 
his  life  at  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks.  The  mother 
died  when  sixty-two  years  old,  in  1888,  at 
Rossmoyue.  Pa.'  Eleven  children  have  been 
born  to  Mr.  and  JMrs.  Thomas:  Florence, 
who  lives  at  Dixonville,  Indiana  county; 
Charles  S.,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in 
Rayne  to\^■nship ;  Jessie  E.,  also  a  resident  of 
Rayne  township ;  Harry  White,  who  is  in  bus- 
iness as  an  midertaker  at  Glen  Campbell,  this 
county;  William  M.,  a  farmer  of  Rayne 
township;  Park  J.,  a  mail  carrier,  who  lives 
in  Marion  Center,  Pa. ;  Benjamin  W.,  a  mail 
carrier,  of  Marion  Center,  Pa. ;  Sylvester  C, 
a  barber,  of  Marion  Center :  Norman  L.,  who 
died  when  eighteen  years  old;  Eva  Thomas; 
and  one  deceased  in  infancy. 

ANDREW  WEAMER,  a  venerable  citizen 
of  South  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county, 
resides  at  West  Plumville.  which  village 
stands  on  the  southern  part  of  his  home  farm, 
land  owned  by  the  Weamer  family  for  the 
last  century. 

Andrew  Weamer,  his  grandfather,  was 
born  at  Flatlands.  in  Bucks  county,  Pa.,  and 
learned  blacksmithing,  which  trade  he  found 
very  useful  in  his  pioneer  life  in  western 
Pennsylvania.  Coming  to  South  Mahoning 
township,  Indiana  county,  he  became  the 
owner  of  four  hundred  acres  of  land,  upon 
which,  in  1814,  he  built  a  stone  house  which 
is  still  standing,  owned  by  Dr.  McEwen.  In 
the  early  days  he  kept  a  hotel  or  tavern,  sup- 
plying refreshment  to  travelers  who  rode 
through  on  horseback.  In  those  days  there 
■were  no  roads.    He  also  dealt  in  stock,  ship- 


ping horses,  cattle  and  sheep  to  the  eastern 
markets.  His  death  occurred  in  1839,  when 
he  was  sixtj'-two  years  old,  and  he  was  buried 
in  the  cemetery  of  St.  John's  Lutheran 
Church,  of  which  church  he  was  one  of  the 
founders.     His  wife's  name  was   Elizabeth. 

Jacob  Weamer,  son  of  Andrew  and  Eliz- 
abeth Weamer,  was  born  in  1806  on  the  old 
farm,  and  obtained  such  education  as  the 
local  subscription  schools  afforded.  He  made 
good  use  of  his  advantages,  could  speak  Eng- 
lish and  German,  and  taught  school  in  Wash- 
ington township  (this  county)  for  one  term. 
He  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  clearing 
the  home  place,  and  was  given  140  acres  of 
same,  the  western  part,  later  buying  another 
tract  of  127  acres  and  operating  267  acres 
altogether.  He  built  a  frame  house  and  barn 
and  made  other  valuable  improvements  on  his 
property,  and  was  not  only  a  successful  gen- 
eral farmer  but  was  quite  extensively  inter- 
ested in  buying  and  selling  cattle,  sheep  and 
horses,  shipping  to  the  Philadelphia  markets. 
He  made  his  trips  with  his  horses  overland 
ou  horseback  at  that  time.  His  affairs  pros- 
pered because  of  his  hard  work  and  intelligent 
management,  and  he  was  also  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  advancement  of  the  public  wel- 
fare, being  particularly  active  in  the  promo- 
tion of  the  public  school  system.  He  served 
as  school  director,  and  in  other  township 
offices,  and  was  public-spirited  in  every  way, 
giving  three  of  his  sons  for  sei-vice  in  the 
Union  army  during  the  Civil  war.  He  was 
a  Republican  in  politics  and  an  active  mem- 
ber of  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church,  which 
he  served  as  deacon  and  elder.  He  died 
ou  Dec.  28,  1881,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
five,  and  is  buried  in  St.  John's  cemetery. 
ilr.  Weamer  married  ilargaret  Roof,  a  na- 
tive of  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  born  July 
15.  1811.  near  Greensburg,  daughter  of  Jacob 
and  Cathariue  (Weaver")  Roof,  and  she  died 
in  1894,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four,  and  was 
buried  in  the  cemetery  of  St.  John 's  Lutheran 
Church,  of  which  church  she  was  a  member. 
Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Weamer:  Andrew;  Mary,  who  married 
Jacob  Clowes :  William  H.,  now  a  resident  of 
Homer  City,  this  county,  who  served  during 
the  Civil  war;  George  W..  also  a  resident  of 
Homer  City,  who  served  in  the  Ci^^l  war; 
Joseph  C,  farmer  of  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship, who  served  in  the  Civil  war;  ^Margaret, 
wife  of  J.  C.  Craig,  living  in  Chicago,  111. ; 
and  Gettys  Franklin,  who  died  when  eight 
years  old. 

Andrew  Weamer,  son  of  Jacob  and  Mar- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1327 


garet  (Roof)  Weamer,  was  born  March  22, 
1833,  on  the  Weamer  homestead  at  what  is 
now  West  Plumville,  and  was  educated  at 
the  local  public  schools.  He  always  worked 
at  home  with  his  parents,  continuing  to  re- 
.side  on  the  homestead  and  care  for  them  in 
their  declining  years,  and  eventually  became 
the  owner  of  the  140  acres  of  the  old  Weamer 
tract  which  his  father  owned,  ilr.  Weamer 
has  been  a  successful  farmer  and  stock  dealer, 
and  has  been  making  improvements  on  his 
property  steadily,  being  one  of  the  most  en- 
terprising and  progi'essive  agriculturists  of 
his  locality.  The  village  of  West  Plumville, 
containing  some  forty  houses,  school  and 
several  stores,  is  now  situated  on  the  southern 
part  of  his  property.  Mr.  Weamer  is  a  val- 
uable citizen  of  his  township,  which  he  has 
served  in  various  public  capacities,  two  terms 
as  assessor,  two  terms  as  school  director  and 
two  terms  as  supervisor.  Like  his  father  he 
is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  Lutheran 
in  religion,  belonging  to  St.  John's  Church, 
which  he  has  served  as  deacon  and  in  other 
capacities.  There  is  no  more  respected  citi- 
zen in  the  district. 

On  April  14,  1859,  Mr.  Weamer  married 
Rebecca  Stuchel,  daughter  of  Christopher 
Stuchel,  and  they  celebrated  the  golden  an- 
niversary of  their  wedding  with  appropriate 
festivities.  Mrs.  Weamer  is  a  descendant  of 
an  old  Indiana  county  family.  Like  her  hus- 
band she  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran 
Church.  Ten  children  were  born  to  them: 
Louise  Ann,  who  died  when  three  years  old; 
Margaret  Jane,  wife  of  C.  C.  Shields,  of  Indi- 
ana borough ;  Ellen,  married  to  Albert  Bow- 
ser, of  Rural  Valley,  Armstrong  county; 
Mary,  wife  of  D.  L.  Smiley,  blacksmith,  of 
West  Plumville;  Frank,  now  deceased,  who 
graduated  from  the  State  normal  school  at 
Indiana  and  was  engaged  in  teaching ;  Harry 
L.,  a  merchant  of  Saltsburg,  married  to  Adda 
Small;  Charles,  now  deceased,  who  became  a 
physician  and  practiced  at  Plumville  two 
years;  John,  who  lives  in  Somerset  county. 
Pa.,  married  to  Effie  Lohr;  Cora,  who  mar- 
ried Ellis  Good,  of  West  Plumville;  and 
Wilbur  A.,  who  owns  a  part  of  the  old  home- 
stead, married  to  Emma  NefE. 

SAMUEL  SPICHER,  one  of  the  old  resi- 
dents of  Montgomery  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  there  April  26,  1842,  and 
has  occupied  his  present  farm  for  the  long 
period  of  forty-seven  years.  His  father  and 
grandfather  were  natives  of  Somerset  county, 
Pa.,  where  his  mother's  family  were  also  set- 


tled. Samuel  and  Margaret  (Barkey) 
Spichei-,  parents  of  Samuel  Spicher,  came  to 
Indiana  county  in  1842  and  bought  a  farm  of 
160  acres,  which  he  cleared.  He  followed 
lumbering  until  his  land  was  in  condition  to 
be  cultivated,  after  which  he  devoted  himself 
to  farming  until  his  retirement.  He  died  at 
the  age  of  eighty-two  years,  his  wife  at  the 
age  of  seventy-eight.  Their  children  were: 
Magdelina,  M'ife  of  George  Rareigh;  Peter, 
who  married  Bai-bary  Decker;  Johp,  who 
married  Sarah  Gardner;  Daniel,  who  mar- 
ried Jimiah  Gardner  and  (second)  Rebecca 
O'Haro;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  Gard- 
ner; George  B.,  who  married  Elizabeth 
Brink;  Caroline,  wife  of  James  Dunlap;  Sam- 
uel, mentioned  below ;  and  Levi,  who  married 
Amanda  Brilhart. 

Samuel  Spicher  received  his  education  in 
the  log  schoolhouse  near  Gettysburg,  Indiana 
county.  After  he  was  twenty-one  he  followed 
lumbering  and  made  timber,  square  timber, 
spars,  booms,  etc.,  and  he  rafted  on  the  Sus- 
quehanna river  from  Cheriytree  to  ilarietta, 
continuing  in  this  line  for  forty  years. 
Meantime  he  had  also  acquired  agi-icultural 
interests,  having  bought  the  farm  of  115 
acres  where  he  now  lives  forty-seven  years 
ago.  He  cleared  this  place,  and  has  con- 
verted it  into  a  productive  farm,  being  one 
of  the  successful  farmers  of  his  part  of  the 
township.  Jlr.  Spicher  has  always  taken  a 
great  interest  in  local  political  affairs.  He 
has  never  missed  a  presidential  election  since 
he  was  entitled  to  vote,  and  only  two  county 
elections,  and  he  is  an  old-school  Republican 
and  ardently  concerned  for  the  welfare  of  the 
party.  He  has  served  as  .judge  of  elections 
and  county  committeeman. 

On  Feb.  8,  1863,  Mr.  Spicher  married  Lucy 
A.  Wier,  of  Montgomery  township,  daughter 
of  John  and  Mary  (Connor)  Wier,  the  former 
a  miller  and  farmer,  who  came  to  this  county 
in  the  early  fifties.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spicher 
have  ten  children :  Jacob  R.,  who  owns  a 
hotel  in  Cambria  eounty.  Pa. ;  William  T.,  a 
miner,  of  Arcadia,  Indiana  county;  Amanda, 
wife  of  Wilson  Gromley,  a  miner,  of  Mont- 
gomery township ;  Harry  E.,  a  farmer  of 
Montgomery  township ;  Celia,  wife  of  Samuel 
Getty,  a  farmer;  Maud,  deceased,  who  mar- 
ried Ed.  Sebring,  a  painter,  of  Montgomery 
township ;  Howard,  a  miner,  of  Arcadia,  Pa. ; 
Joseph,  of  Somerset  county.  Pa.,  who  is  con- 
nected with  a  hotel ;  Ben.jamin  Franklin,  a 
farmer,  living  at  home;  and  Ellen,  married 
to  Howard  Powell,  a  blacksmith  of  Montgom- 
ery township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spicher  have  had 


1328 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


fortv  gi-andchildren,  viz.:  Blanche,  Maria, 
Edgar,  Jacob,  Ruth,  Earl,  Doyle,  Ruth  and 
Bame.y  Spicher;  Ollie.  Samuel,  Raul,  Quay, 
Everett,  Blaine,  Charlie,  Fredia,  Winnie  and 
Lydia  Gromley;  Grover,  Aleth  and  Leo 
Spicher;  four  who  died  in  infancy  unnamed 
(Spichers)  ;  Vivian  and  Vernon  Spicher; 
Cortnev  and  Ralph  Getty:  Octa,  John,  Alice, 
Huldaii  and  Trudell  Sehring:  Marie,  Ray- 
mond, Edna  and  Carl  Powell;  and  Oliver 
Spicher.  There  are  four  great-grandchildren, 
Alien,  Evelyn  and  Lucille  Abrams,  and  Alden 
Spicher. 

Mr.  Spicher 's  religious  connection  is  with 
the  Church  of  the  Brethren :  his  wife  belongs 
to  the  United  Evangelical  Association. 

JACKSON  ANDREW  COMPTON.  a 
farmer  of  Conemaugh  township,  was  born  m 
1870.  at  Jacksonville,  Indiana  county,  near 
the  Blacklick  township  line,  and  was  brought 
by  his  parents  to  Conemaugh  township  when 
still  very  young.  Here  he  attended  common 
school  at  Clarksburg,  and  worked  on  the  farm 
with  his  parents  until  the  death  of  his  father, 
who  willed  to  him  a  tract  of  140  acres.  This 
he  is  now  conducting,  carrying  on  farming 
and  stock  raising,  making  a  specialty  of  fine 
horses,  raising  some  for  the  market  each  year. 
He  has  a  comfortable  residence,  good  barn 
and  outbuildings,  and  takes  a  pride  in  keep- 
ing his  premises  up-to-date  in  every  respect. 
In  addition  to  his  agi-icultural  interests,  he 
is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers'  Telephone 
Company.  He  and  his  family  all  belong, to 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Clarksburg, 
which  he  serves  as  trustee.  Politically  he  is 
an  independent  Democrat,  and  has  been  a 
school  director  for  the  last  four  years. 

On  Oct  12.  1904.  Mr.  Compton  was  mar- 
ried to  Nannie  Bell  :\Iabon.  a  daughter  of 
James  and  Thurza  Jane  (Smith)  Mabon,  resi- 
dents of  Blacklick  township.  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs. 
Compton  have  had  four  children,  Blame 
Loraine,  Carol  Mabon,  Nola  May  and  Wilber 
Ward.  , 

Mabon.  John  ilabon.  the  gi-eat-graud- 
father  of  IMrs.  Compton,  came  from  Clyde, 
Scotland,  to  Indiana  county.   Pennsylvania. 

Francis  B.  ]\Iabon.  son  of  John  Mabon, 
was  born  at  Georgeville,  Pa.,  and  later  moved 
to  Marion  Center,  where  he  was  a  farmer. 
Still  later  he  went  to  Blacklick  township,  and 
in  1861  bought  the  John  Laughry  farm  of 
145  acres,  on  which  he  carried  on  farming 
the  remainder  of  his  useful  life.  His  remains 
were  buried  at  Blairsville,  Pa.  At  one  tmie 
he  was  a  county  commissioner.     Francis  B. 


Mabon  married  Catherine  Ansley,  a  daughter 
of  an  aunt  of  Dr.  W.  B.  Ansley,  and  they  had 
eleven  children :  Angeline,  who  married  Wil- 
liam J.  Smith :  Robert  L. :  James :  Elizabeth, 
who  married  Charles  L.  Graff:  Clara,  who 
married  Isaac  F.  Laughlin ;  William ;  Nettie, 
who  married  W.  B.  Long;  Emma,  ilrs.  Mc- 
Feeters;  Louisa,  who  married  J.  il.  John- 
ston ;  Frank  B. ;  and  Charles. 

Squire  James  ilabon  was  a  farmer  and 
justice  of  the  peace  in  Blacklick  township. 
He  was  born  at  Marion  Center  Feb.  18,  1856, 
came  to  Blacklick  township  when  young,  and 
has  been  prominent  in  township  affairs;  he 
has  been  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  the  last 
twenty  j-ears. 

On"  Jan.  13.  1881,  Mr.  Mabon  married 
Thurza  Jane  Smith,  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Ann  C.  (Bricker)  Smith,  and  children 
as  follows  were  born  of  this  marriage :  Wil- 
liam F.,  who  was  born  Dec.  21,  1881.  and 
married  Louise  Rager :  Maude  L. :  Nannie  B., 
born  March  18,  1887,  who  married  J.  A. 
Compton:  George  S.,  born  Jan.  25,  1891; 
Jean  C,  born  Nov.  7.  1894 :  and  Corwin  John, 
born  May  8,  1903. 

VERNA  CLAY  THO:\IAS  is  engaged  in 
farming  in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana 
county,  on  a  tract  of  land  which  was  in  his 
father's  possession  for  a  period  of  over  thirty 
years.  He  was  born  Dec.  25,  lSr2,  at  the  old 
Thomas  homestead  in  the  same  township, 
which  has  been  owned  in  the  family  seventy 
years  or  more,  son  of  John  L.  Thomas  and 
gi-andson  of  John  Thomas,  the  latter  also  a  . 
native  of  Armstrong  township,  where  he  lived 
and  died.  He  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  of 
Curry's  Run  Church.  He  owned  a  farm  of 
abput  three  hundred  acres,  the  place  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  his  son  Amos.  He 
married  Anna  Walker,  and  they  had  children 
as  follows:  Israel;  William,  who  lives  in 
Venango  county.  Pa. :  Amos :  John-  L. :  Mar- 
garet, wife  of  James  Peelor;  Sarah,  wife  of 
Harrison  Anthony:  Mary  A.,  wife  of  Preble 
Kellv:  Eveline,  wife  of  John  Fleming: 
]\Iartha.  wife  of  Richard  Fleming;  and  Eliz- 
abeth, wife  of  Jacob  Detter. 

John  L.  Thomas  was  born  :\Iay  22.  1844. 
at  the  homestead  in  Armstrong  township,  was 
reared  on  that  place,  and  became  familiar 
with  faiTii  work  from  an  early  age.  He  also 
learned  the  trades  of  carpenter  and  painter, 
which  he  followed  for  some  years.  He  then 
bought  a  farm  from  Joseph  Peelor.  the  place 
in  Armstrong  township  where  his  son  Verna 
now  lives,  and  made  his  home  on  that  prop- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1329 


erty  until  his  death — for  thirty-two  years. 
He  passed  away  April  1,  1911. 

On  Dec.  25,  1871,  Mr.  Thomas  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Caroline  McGary,  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Swan)  McGary,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  four  children: 
Verna  Clay;  Olive  M.,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Charles  Lewis,  of  White  township,  this 
county ;  Samuel  Wilbiir,  a  railroad  man ;  and 
Charlotte  S.,  Avho  is  married  to  Blair  Lewis, 
of  Indiana,  Pa.  The  mother  now  lives  at 
Indiana. 

Verna  Clay  Thomas  was  given  a  good  com- 
mon school  education.  He  always  remained 
at  home  on  the  farm  as  his  father 's  assistant, 
and  from  the  time  of  his  marriage  has  been 
engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account.  He 
now  owns  his  father's  place,  having  a  fine 
tract  in  Armstrong  township,  of  180  acres, 
about  four  and  a  half  miles  from  the  borough 
of  Indiana.  He  gives  all  his  time  and  energy 
to  the  management  and  operation  of  this 
property,  which  is  in  most  creditable  condi- 
tion and  bears  every  evidence  of  intelligent 
care. 

In  1899  Mr.  Thomas  married  Mary  Wig- 
gins, of  Shelocta,  daughter  of  Alexander  and 
Nancy  Wiggins,  and  they  have  had  eight  chil- 
dren.namely :  Helen.  Lysle,  Carolyne,  Leroy, 
John,  Arthur,  Anna  Bell,  and  Flora  Frances 
(who  died  when  five  weeks  old).  Mr.  Thomas 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Curry's  Run. 

JAMES  AUSTIN  CONDRON,  a  farmer  of 
Rayne  township,  was  born  in  West  Mahon- 
ing" township,  this  county.  May  9,  1857,  one 
and  a  half  miles  south  of  Smicksburg,  son 
of  David  and  Lydia  Ann   (Davis)    Condron. 

Jacob  Condron,  his  grandfather,  came  from 
the  eastern  part  of  Pennsylvania  to  AVest 
Mahoning  township,  settling  on  a  tract  of 
land  where  he  followed  farming,  becoming 
the  owner  of  200  acres.  He  also  engaged  in 
lumbering  and  continued  his  activities  un  to 
the  time  of  his  death.  He  married  a  Miss 
Lockhard,  and  they  had  a  large  family,  viz. : 
William,  who  died  in  Iowa;  an  unnamed 
daughter ;  Elizabeth  and  Mary,  both  of  whom 
married  Cornelius  Lowe,  of  Smicksburg; 
James,  who  died  in  Hollidaysburg  (he  owned 
a  blast  furnace  and  iron  business)  ;  George ; 
Jane,  who  married  Thomas  Weston;  John; 
Steve  and  Griffith,  who  died  in  the  West; 
David;  ]\rarion;  Eliza,  who  married  Isaac 
Yengling;  and  Jacob,  who  died  in  Bedford 


David  Condron  was  born  in  Blair  county. 
Pa.,  but  was  brought  to  Indiana  county  in 
boyhood  by  his  parents,  and  was  reared  to 
agricultural  life.  After  his  marriage  to  the 
daughter  of  James  Davis  he  located  on  what 
was  known  as  the  Lowe  farm  of  150  acres,  in 
West  Mahoning  township,  and  in  1868  moved 
to  Smicksburg,  where  he  remained  until 
1872.  In  1878  he  went  to  Rayne  township 
and  bought  the  William  Carl  farm,  of  103 
acres,  but  later  sold  it  at  a  profit,  and  lived 
retired  for  some  years  at  Kelleysburg,  now 
Home.  In  addition  to  his  farming  activities 
he  was  a  carpenter,  and  his  services  as  such 
were  in  demand  during  the  working  period 
of  his  life.  Mr.  Condron  was  prominent  in 
township  matters,  serving  as  school  director 
and  supervisor  of  Rayne  township.  His  fra- 
ternal associations  were  with  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows, while  his  religious  connection  was  with 
tlie  Lutheran  Church,  which  he  served  as  a 
deacon  and  elder.  His  remains  were  laid  to 
rest  in  the  cemetery  surrounding  Grove 
Chapel  Church ;  his  wife  was  buried  in  the 
Baptist  Church  cemetery'  in  West  Mahoning 
township. 

David  Condron  was  twice  married,  and  by 
his  first  wife,  Lydia  Ann,  had  children  as 
follows:  James  A.;  Albert  Alvin,  who  was 
killed  in  the  silver  mines  in  Colorado;  and 
Ira  E.,  who  is  an  oil  merchant  of  Los  Ange- 
les, Cal.  After  the  death  of  his  first' wife 
Jlr.  Condron  married  Caroline  Wells,  and 
they  had  these  children:  Harry  D.,  who  is 
an  educator  engaged  in  the  public  schools  of 
Blairsville,  Pa. ;  MarJ^  who  married  S.  Stear, 
a  farmer  of  RajTie  township ;  Nettie,  who 
married  a  Mr.  Neff  and  resides  at  Knox,  Pa. ; 
Blanch,  who  married  Clair  Snyder  and  (sec- 
ond) Benjamin  Stephens;  Edward,  who  re- 
sides in  Iowa ;  Mabel,  who  married  a  Mr. 
Mikesell;  William,  of  Iowa;  Laura,  who  mar- 
ried William  Fleming,  and  resides  at  Vander- 
grift:  and  Effie.  of  California. 

James  Austin  Condron,  son  of  David  Con- 
dron, was  brought  up  on  his  father's  farm, 
and  edi;cated  in  the  schools  of  the  neighbor- 
hood, remaining  at  home  until  he  was  twenty 
years  old.  At  the  same  time  that  he  was 
acquiring  a  knowledge  of  farming  he  was 
learning  the  carpefcter's  trade,  and  has 
found  both  useful  in  his  life  work.  While 
attending  school  he  had  Curtis  Lowe  as  a 
teacher  in  West  Mahoning  township,  and  re- 
members him  with  affectionate  gratitude.  IMr. 
Condron  also  learned  the  millwright's  trade, 
working  with  David  Blendenger,  of  West 
Wheatfield   township.     For   the  three   years 


1330  HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

following,  he  found  employment  as  a  car-  JESSE  L.  WAY,  general  merchant  at 
penter  and  millwright  in  Indiana  and  sur-  Home,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Raj^ne  township, 
rounding  counties,  and  the  in  the  spring  of  Indiana  count.y,  March  31,  1873,  son  of  Allen 
1881  he  went  to  Leadville,  Colo.,  working  in  and  Mary  (Harmon)  Way. 
the  gold  and  silver  mines  until  1884,  as  timber  Caleb  Way,  grandfather  of  Jesse  L.  Way, 
and  millwright  man,  under  John  Barney  as  was  born  Feb.  17,  1805,  in  Clearfield  county, 
foreman.  In  1884  he  returned  to  Rayne  Pa.  He  married  in  Pennsylvania  Lydia 
township  and  worked  as  a  carpenter  and  mill-  Allen,  on  June  17,  1830. 
Wright  in  Indiana  county,  after  which  he  Allen  Way  was  born  in  Clearfield  county, 
spent  a  year  at  Indiana,  in  1886  moving  back  Pa.,  June  3,  1832,  on  the  old  Way  homestead, 
to  Rayne  township  and  following  his  trade  where  he  was  reared.  In  early  manhood  he 
until  1900.  Having  bought  the  Lightcap  came  to  Indiana  county,  being  one  of  the 
farm  of  126  acres,  he  has  since  carried  on  pioneers  of  his  district,  buying  a  farm  in 
general  farming  there,  specializing  in  the  Rayne  township  comprising  125  acres,  where 
raising  of  fine  horses  and  cattle.  In  1896  he  continued  agricultural  life  until  his  re- 
IMr.  Condron  built  a  handsome  residence  op-  moval  to  Home  in  1903.  ilr.  Way  was  living 
posite  the  Buffalo,  Rochester  &  Pittsburg  retired  at  the  residence  of  his  son,  Jesse  L. 
railroad  station,  on  two  acres  of  land,  but  Way,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  Aug.  8, 
later  added  ten  and  a  half  acres  to  the  site,  1910.  He  was  the  only  son  of  his  parents, 
on  which  he  built  a  commodious  barn,  the  their  only  child,  and  naturally  inherited 
latter  in  1909.  This  property  is  about  three  their  property.  His  wife  was  born  in  Rayne 
quarters  of  a  mile  from  his  farm,  at  what  township,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Harmon,  a 
is  known  as  Home  station.  Both  this  and  the  native  of  Indiana  county,  and  one  of  the  early 
farm  are  kept  in  fine  condition,  for  Mr.  settlers  of  Rayne  township,  where  he  spent 
Condron  is  not  only  an  agriculturist  but  a  his  life  as  a  farmer.  Mr.  Harmon  had  six 
carpenter  as  well,  and  takes  a  pride  in  kecip-  children,  of  whom  the  following  are  living : 
ing  his  premises  as  they  ought  to  be.  Jane,  who  is  the  wife  of  William  Buchanan, 

On  July  3,  1884,  Mr,  Condron  was  united    of  Indiana ;  Andrew,  who  lives  m  Missouri; 
•  -xi  TIT  1-       r^  -^,^    SI  ^       i      Weaiiier,   of   Indiana;   and   Bailey,   who   re- 

mmarnage  with  Melissa  a  Rhodes,  a  daugh-  ^.^^^  j^'  Rayne  township.  Mrs.  Way  died 
ter  of  Lewis  and  Matilda  (Brenizer)  Rhodes,  p^^,  -^-j  1902.  She  and  her  husband  had 
of  Rayne  township.  Mr.  Rhodes  was  reared  ^j^i-gg  children,  of  whom  Jesse  L.  is  the  voung- 
m  Westmoreland  county,  while  his  wife  was  est.  the  others  being:  Caleb,  who  resides  at 
brought  up  at  Elderton,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.  Pittsburg;  and  Harmon,  who  is  a  poultry 
ilr.  and  Mrs.  Condron  have  become  the  par-  raiser  in  Rayne  township, 
ents  of  five  children :  Ernest  Alvin,  who  mar-  Jesse  L.  Way  spent  his  boyhood  on  his 
ried  Gertrude  Fillhart,  is  an  engineer  at  father's  farm,  alternating  agricultural  work 
Ernest,  Pa.;  Hazel  Jennie  is  a  graduate  of  with  attendance  at  the  district  schools.  He 
the  Indiana  normal  school  and  now  a  book-  remained  upon  the  farm  until  1903,  when  in 
keeper  for  the  Indiana  Hardware  Company;  conjunction  with  his  brothers  he  purchased 
.Mora  Bell,  Clarence  Merle  and  John  Homer  the  general  mercantile  business  of  Sloan  i^ 
are  at  home  Company,  conducting  it  under  the  name  ot 

n/r     r<     j'      1       ^  1  ■  .  11-       .  ,     Wav  Brothers    until  June,  1912,  when  Jesse 

Mr.  Condron  has  taken  an  intelligent  man's  Jj'^f/^ught  out  his  associates'  interests, 
interest  in  public  matters,  working  with  the  ^^^  J^^^  fi,„,_  ,,ti„g  ,1,^  business  as 
Republican  party,  and  has  been  honored  by  ^j^^  j  ^  Way  General  Store.  He  has  also 
that  organization  with  nomination  as  assessor  directed  his  energies  toward  chicken  raising, 
of  Rayne  township  upon  numerous  occasions ;  i^jg  poultry  yielding  him  a  good  profit, 
he  was  elected  by  a  large  majority.  He  is  On  Dec.  16,  1896,  Mr.  Way  was  married 
the  incumbent  of  the  office  at  present,  and  to  Effie  M.  Boucher,  who  was  born  in  Rayne 
has  held  it  for  seven  consecutive  years.  For  township,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  'SI. 
ten  years  he  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  (Shields')  Boucher,  both  natives  of  that  town- 
for  two  years  has  been  constable,  carrying  ship.  Mr.  Boucher  was  a  son  of  Andrew 
out  in  all  these  offices  the  same  principles  Boucher,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Indiana 
which  actuated  him  in  private  life.  In  1875,  county,  who  engaged  m  farming  upon  a  large 
he  became  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  scale,  as  did  the  father  of  Mrs^  Wa>-^  The 
1  •  1    1     •  1^       „v,/i  v,^c  fcmiW    mother  of  Mrs.  Way  was  a  daughter  ot  Wil- 

m  which  he  IS  now  an  elder,  and  his  family    "^"^    ^^^.^^_^^    ,^^^^    -^^  ^^^.,^.  ^^^^j^^.  ^j  j^^^^.,^^ 

all  belong  to  the  same  organization. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1331 


township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boucher  survive 
and  live  on  their  homestead.  They  had  seven 
children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Way  is  the  eldest, 
the  others  being:  John  I.,  who  is  the  man- 
ager of  the  Greenwich  Supply  Company  of 
Lovejoy;  Myrtle,  who  is  the  wife  of  Thomas 
E.  Williams,  of  Punxsutawney ;  Delia,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Louis  Hoer,  of  Rayne  township; 
Beulah,  who  is  the  wife  of  Luther  Hughes, 
of  Spangler,  Pa. ;  Charles,  living  on  the  old 
homestead ;  and  William  C,  deceased. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Way  became  the  parents  of 
the  following  children :  Howard  D.,  J.  Ber- 
nard and  Charles  L.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Way 
are  consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  to  which  their  two  older  sons  also 
belong. 

Not  only  is  Mr.  Way  a  good  business  man, 
for  his  undertakings  have  prospered,  but  he 
is  one  who  does  not  neglect  the  spiritual  side 
for  the  more  material  one,  devoting  consid- 
erable time  to  his  church  duties,  serving  his 
denomination  as  deacon.  He  is  fully  alive  to 
the  responsibilities  of  that  oiBce.  Such  men 
as  he  exert  a  strong  influence  for  good  in 
their  communities,  and  deserve  the  confidence 
they  inspire. 

REV.  EMILIO  _FARRI,  pastor  of  the 
Church  of  the  Assumption,  at  Ernest,  a  man 
of  scholarship,  executive  ability  and  Christian 
zeal,  has  been  a  resident  of  the  United  States 
since  1906,  and  has  had  full  charge  of  his 
present  church  since  1911.  Father  Farri  is 
yet  on  the  sunny  side  of  life,  born  Aug.  15, 
1881,  in  Italy,  one  of  the  two  sons  of  Louis 
and  Theresa  Farri.  The  parents  died  when 
their  sons,  Emilio  and  Angelo,  were  young, 
and  both  now  live  in  Pennsylvania,  the  older 
son  being  a  resident  of  Punxsutawney. 

In  his  native  land  Father  Farri  was  dedi- 
cated to  the  priesthood  when  young,  and  his 
education  was  carried  on  with  that  end  in 
view.  In  early  manhood  he  entered  a  sem- 
inary at  Napies,  and  was  ordained  to  the 
priesthood  after  completing  his  theological 
course.  In  1906  he  came  to  America,  and  for 
one  year  engaged  in  missionary  work,  with 
headquarters  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.  In  1907  he 
came  to  Indiana,  and  for  four  years  was  as- 
sistant to  Rev.  Father  McNeils,  his  duties 
including  ministerial  work  at  both  Indiana 
and  Ernest.  The  Church  of  the  Assumption 
at  Ernest  was  built  in  1905,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Rev.  Father  McNeils,  who  felt  a  deep 
interest  in  its  welfare,  one  that  Father  Farri 
also  developed  as  he  came  to  know  the  people 
of  this  parish  and  to  realize  their  spiritual 


needs.  He  is  much  beloved  by  his  people, 
and  is  also  held  in  universal  esteem  by  those 
outside  his  own  congregation. 

JESSE  THOMAS,  who  is  now  living  re- 
tired ou  his  farm  in  Armstrong  township, 
was  born  June  27,  1836,  in  Washington  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  is  a  son  of  Dubre 
and  ilary   (Heffelfinger)   Thomas. 

Jesse  Thomas,  gi-andfather  of  Jesse  Thomas, 
was  born  in  Wales.  He  married  a  Miss 
Knights,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  Hiram,  who  married 
Ann  Kinter;  Lewis;  Amos,  who  married  a 
Hunter;  Dubre;  Ann,  who  married  a  Hen- 
derson and  (second)' a  Jamison;  Letitia,  who 
married  a  McKee;  and  Naomi,  who  married 
a  Campbell,  and  (second)  a  McElfresh. 

Dubre  Thomas,  son  of  Jesse  Thomas,  above, 
was  born  in  Luzerne  county,  Pa.,  and  when 
ten  years  old  removed  to  Washington  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  where  for  more  than 
twenty-two  years  he  was  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  in  di'iving  cattle  to  eastern 
markets.  During  the  latter  part  of  his  life 
he  lived  retired  in  Indiana.  He  had  a  farm 
of  100  acres  in  Washington  township,  but 
in  1853  moved  to  Armstrong  township  and 
bought  the  Shoemaker  tract  of  110  acres,  to 
which  he  added  from  time  to  time  until  he 
had  340  acres,  this  being  divided  between, 
Jesse  and  a  brother.  He  also  worked  on  the 
construction  of  the  Pennsylvania  canal  in 
the  Allegheny  valley.  He  was  a  Republican 
in  politics,  was  constable  for  years  and  over- 
seer of  the  poor,  while  his  religious  connec- 
tion was  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  he  was  deacon  and  trustee  for  a  long 
period.  He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two 
years  and  his  wife  when  ninety-two,  and  both 
were  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery,  Indiana. 
Their  children  were  as  follows:  Peter,  an 
orchardist,  who  died  in  Kansas;  lilargaret, 
who  married  R.  M.  Fleming,  a  carpenter; 
Jesse ;  and  Lewis  M. 

Jesse  Thomas,  son  of  Dubre  Thomas,  grew 
to  manhood  in  Washington  township,  secur- 
ing his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He 
followed  farming  with  his  father  until  1860, 
after  which  he  was  engaged  in  buynig  and 
selling  stock,  in  this  capacity  traveling  all 
over  the  country  from  1864  to  1910.  In  1880, 
at  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  the  home 
farm  was  divided,  and  Jesse  received  as  his 
share  170  acres,  to  which  he  subsequently 
added  forty-eight  acres.  He  now  lives  re- 
tired on  the  homestead  place,  on  which  he 


1332 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLYAXIA 


has  erected  a  beautiful  home  with  all  modern 
improvements  and  conveniences,  a  substantial 
barn,  and  suitable  outbuildiugs.  For  years 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising, 
and  is  still  interested  in  the  latter  line,  dis- 
posing of  his  stock  in  Philadelphia  and  Jer- 
sey City.  In  politics  a  Republican,  during 
his  active  yeare  he  was  known  as  one  of  the 
party  leaders  in  the  township.  With  his  fam- 
ily he  attends  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  he  has  been  a  trustee  for  years. 

'Mi.  Thomas  married  Julia  Robinson, 
daughter  of  Robert  T.  Robinson,  and  they 
have  had  five  children,  namely:  John  L.. 
manager  of  the  Sloan  Investment  Company, 
of  Bellingham.  Wash.,  married  Cynthia  Bren- 
izer.  and  they  have  five  children.  ^Muriel.  Ar- 
thur H..  Jesse  B.,  Eleanora  B.  and  Theodore 
W. :  Mary  married  Calvin  Walker,  an  un- 
dertaker, of  Armstrong  township :  William. 
who  conducts  the  home  farm  and  is  a  large 
dealer  in  live  stock,  married  Blanche  Wis- 
srneer.  and  has  one  child.  Mildred  Louise. 
born  July  1. 1912  :  Ida  A.  married  W.  A.  Wig- 
gins, paymaster  for  the  United  States  Steel 
Company  at  Vandergrift,  Pa.:  Dubre  died 
when  one  and  a  half  years  old. 

SAMUTEL  MILTON  WAIN-WRIGHT  is  a 
representative  member  of  a  family  which  has 
been  associated  with  various  interests  in 
Blackliek  township,  Indiana  county,  for  about 
a  centiiry.  He  is  a  farmer,  like  his  immediate 
ancestors,  occupying  the  farm  bought  by  his 
gi-andfather  in  the  early  part  of  the  last  cen- 
tury, has  served  his  township  faithfully  in 
several  ofiioial  capacities,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Hopewell  M.  E.  Church,  which  has 
numbered  members  of  the  Wainwright  fam- 
ily among  its  supporters  for  several  genera- 
tions. 

Samuel  Wainwright.  his  grandfather,  was 
born  Jan.  25.  1780,  in  West  Derby,  Lan- 
cashire. England,  where  he  was  married  ^lay 
20.  1801.  to  Sarah  Cardiu  McCartney,  born 
March  10.  1782.  Her  mother.  ^Irs.  Mardecia 
(Carding  :MeCartney.  was  born  Nov.  17.  1753, 
in  West  Derby.  England.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wainwright  came  to  America  shortly  after 
their  marriage,  and  proceeding  west  of  the 
Allegheny  mountains  located  first  in  Salts- 
bnrg.  Indiana  Co..  Pa.,  where  he  found  em- 
ployment at  the  salt  works  and  also  at  min- 
ing. By  hard  work  and  economy  he  saved 
enough  to  buy  a  farm  of  175  acres  in  Black- 
lick  township',  to  which  he  moved,  and  there 
he  brought  up  his  large  family.  He  suc- 
ceeded in  clearing  most  of  this  land  during 


his  busy  lifetime,  and  became  one  of  the  lead- 
ing farmers  in  that  part  of  Indiana  county, 
making  a  remarkable  success  of  his  agricul- 
tural operations.  He  was  a  great  lover  of 
good  horses,  and  raised  many  prize  winners. 
He  took  great  pride  and  interest  in  the  de- 
velopment and  welfare  of  his  home  town- 
ship, but  never  sought  office  or  took  an  aictive 
part  in  public  aft'airs.  Among  the  first  to 
start  the  movement  which  resulted  in  the  es- 
tablishing of  Hopewell  M.  E.  Church,  he 
always  contributed  liberally  to  its  support, 
and  he  and  his  wife  were  among  its  most 
zealous  members  and  ardently  interested  in 
ever^•thing  affecting  its  prosperity.  They 
are  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  the  place  of 
worship  they  loved  so  well.  Mr.  Wainwright 
died  Auar.  6.  1853.  Thev  had  children  as 
follows:  Tirzah.  born  April  20,  1802.  re- 
sided in  Blackliek  township :  she  married 
James  Smith  and  had  children,  AYilliam, 
George.  Lizzie.  Sarah  and  Loretta.  Mary, 
born  March  11,  1804.  is  deceased.  Isaac,  born 
July  9.  1805.  married  Rachel  Deviuie.  and 
lived  near  Davenport,  in  Rock  Island  county, 
lU. :  they  had  children.  Isaac.  George,  Al- 
fred and  John.  Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  30, 
1809.  is  deceased.  Ede,  born  Nov.  8.  1810, 
married  Andy  Devianey  and  had  Samuel  and 
John.  Hannah,  born  March  12.  1813.  is  de- 
ceased. Samuel,  bom  June  6.  1815.  married 
Ann  Baker  and  had  children.  Charles.  John, 
Samuel  and  Rachel :  they  lived  in  the  State  of 
Illinois.  Eleanor,  born  Nov.  6.  1818.  made 
her  home  with  her  nephew  Samuel  Milton 
Wainwright.  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
three  years:  she  is  buried  in  the  Hopewell 
Church  cemetery,  in  Blackliek  township. 
George  is  fuUv  mentioned  below.  ]\Iary,  born 
Sept.  30.  1822.  died  April  1.  1853:  she  was 
the  wife  of  John  Nesbitt  Anderson,  of  Indi- 
ana, Pa.  John  was  born  Sept.  18.  1824. 
Betsy  married  John  Archibald  and  had  chil- 
dren. John.  Samuel  and  Isaac. 

George  Wainwright.  son  of  Samuel  and 
Sarah  Cardin  (McCartney)  Wainwright.. 
was  born  Nov.  17.  1820.  at  Saltsburg.  Indi- 
ana Co..  Pa.  He  was  quite  young  when  the 
family  moved  to  Blackliek  township,  and  at- 
tended the  log  schoolhouse  near  his  home 
there.  As  long  as  his  father  lived  he  worked 
with  him.  farming  and  stock  raising,  and 
after  the  death  of  his  father  continued  to 
run  the  farm,  upon  which  he  made  many  im- 
provements, building  a  barn  and  house,  and 
otherwise  adding  materially  to  the  value  of 
the  propertv.  He  had  the  whole  175  acres 
owned  bv  his  father.     Like  him  he  was  very 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1333 


successful  in  breeding  horses,  raising  a  num- 
ber of  blue  ribbon  animals,  and  also  had 
other  stock.     He  died  in  1876. 

Mr.  Wainwright  married  Jane  McGee,  who 
was  born  Dec.  1,  1828,  daughter  of  James 
and  Polly  (Lyons)  McGee,  of  Blacklick  town- 
ship. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wainwright  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Hopewell  M.  E.  Church  and 
among  the  generous  supporters  of  that  organ- 
ization, and  they  are  interred  in  the  Hopewell 
cemetery.  He  was  originally  a  Whig  in  poli- 
ties, later  becoming  a  Republican.  Seven 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wain- 
wright: (1)  Mary,  bom  Aug.  30,  1855,  died 
in  1884.  She  married  Harvey  Ferguson,  and 
had  two  children,  Clark  and  Mabel.  (2) 
Samuel  Milton  is  mentioned  below.  (3) 
Sarah  EUzabeth,  born  Feb.  21,  1860,  died 
March  28,  1864.  (4)  Emma,  born  March  8, 
1862,  became  the  second  wife  of  Harvey  Fer- 
guson (who  first  married  her  sister  Mary), 
and  they  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  born 
as  follows:  Daisy  C,  July  31,  1887  (mar- 
ried Frank  J.  Bernbrok  and  had  Emma  B., 
Gertrude  Ellen,  Frank  Harvey.  Daisy  F.  and 
Helen  J.)  ;  Ida  Jane,  deceased;  George  Wil- 
liam, Feb.  10,  1893  (living  in  South  Caro- 
lina) ;  Charlotta  Amanda,  Oct.  30,  1896; 
Maggie  M.,  Oct.  16,  1898 ;  Charles  W.,  Dec. 
18,  1901;  Frank  H.  and  Reuben.  Dee.  29, 
1905.  (5)  George  Smith,  born  Feb.  15,  1865, 
is  a  farmer  and  lives  in  Blacklick  township. 
He  married  Nettie  White.  (6)  Charles 
Stiffy,  born  Oct.  12,  1869,  married  Alice  Re- 
pine, and  resides  in  Blairsville,  Pa.  (7) 
Maggie  C,  born  Feb.  8,  1873,  married  Harry 
Brown  and  resides  in  Blacklick  township, 
where  he  is  engaged  in  farming. 

Samuel  Milton  Wainwright  was  born  Dec. 
28,  1857,  in  Blacklick  township,  where  he  first 
attended  the  Ehart  school,  later  the  Archibald 
school.  He  always  remained  at  home  assist- 
ing his  fathez-,  and  though  only  in  his  nine- 
teenth year  when  the  latter  died  took  charge 
of  the  "farm,  being  the  eldest  son.  He  did 
his  duty  faithfully,  keeping  up  the  property 
and  helping  tp  rear  his  younger  brothers  and 
sisters,  and  by  hard  work  he  has  become  one 
of  the  most  substantial  citizens  of  his  vicinity, 
esteemed  by  all  who  know  him  for  his  strength 
of  character  and  high  moral  standards.  Be- 
sides looking  after  his  own  place,  which  now 
consists  of  123  acres,  nearly  all  under  cul- 
tivation, he  has  done  threshing  in  his  own 
neighborhood  and  the  surrounding  country, 
and  by  thrifty  management  has  accumulated 
a  competency.  His  home  is  one  of  the  best 
kept  places  in  Blacklick  township.     In  1889 


he  built  the  substantial,  commodious  barn, 
and  all  the  improvements  he  has  made  are 
of  the  same  character.  Mr.  Wainwright  is  a 
self-made  man  and  deserves  all  the  success 
which  has  come  to  him,  and  he  is  thoroughly 
trusted  by  his  fellow  citizens,  who  have 
chosen  him  to  several  public  positions,  he 
having  served  as  treasurer,  supervisor  of 
roads,  and  in  other  township  offices.  He  is 
interested  in  the  Farmers'  Telephone  Com- 
pany of  Blacklick  township,  of  which  he  is 
treasurer.  Mr.  AVaiuwright  is  a  Republican 
in  political  sentiment.  In  religious  connec- 
tion he  is  a  member  of  the  Hopewell  M.  E. 
Church,  with  which  his  parents  and  grand- 
parents also  united.     He  has  never  married. 

WILLIAM  BRINKMAN,  drayman,  of  the 
city  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  was  born  May  14,  1851, 
in  Indiana  county,  near  Homer  City,  a  son  of 
Henry  Brinkman. 

Henry  Brinkman  was  born  in  Germany, 
and  coming  to  the  United  States  with  his 
wife  and  four  children  landed  at  Baltimore, 
Md.  With  the  little  party  were  a  brother- 
in-law  of  Mr.  Brinkman,  William  Brodimyre, 
and  his  family.  Prom  Baltimore  they  made 
what  was  then  a  tiresome  journey  to  Johns- 
town, Pa.,  traveling  principally  by  the  Erie 
canal.  Mr.  Brinkman  and  his  family  moved 
still  further,  settling  at  what  is  now  Homer 
City,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  bought  fif- 
teen acres  of  land,  on  which  he  put  up  a  log 
house  and  began  to  develop  his  property. 
As  evidence  of  the  thoroughness  with  which 
these  pioneers  did  everything,  that  primitive 
log  house  still  stands,  although  since  then  it 
has  been  weatherboarded.  It  originally  stood 
on  the  road  between  Luzerne  and  Homer  City. 
With  an  eye  to  the  future,  Mr.  Brinkman 
divided  his  fifteen  acres  into  town  lots.  As- 
sociated with  him  in  the  early  development 
of  this  section  were  Henr,y  Kettler,  George 
Mock,  John  Coy,  a  Mr.  Wilson  (father  of 
Edward  Wilson,  who  was  cashier  of  the  De- 
posit Bank  of  Indiana),  Joseph  Dickie  and 
William  Johnston,  who  all  bore  a  hand  in  the 
erection  of  that  historic  log  cabin.  Mr. 
Brinkman  remained  in  that  locality  for  nine 
or  ten  years,  at  the  end  of  which  period 
he  went  to  Johnstown  and  became  Connected 
with  the  Wood-lMorrell  Company,  now  the 
Cambria  Steel  Company,  and  built  the  stone 
foundations  of  the  buildings  in  which  they 
were  located.  This  association  continued  un- 
til his  death,  which  occurred  in  1864,  when 
he  was  about  sixty-five  years  old.  In  religious 
faith  he  was  a  Lutheran,  and  he  was  a  most 


1334  HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

excellent,  conscientious  man.  In  political  Aug.  31,  1909 ;  Frank,  who  is  unmarried, 
affiliations  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  showed  '  and  living  at  Pittsburg;  and  Maggie,  who 
no  disposition  to  accept  public  office.  mai-ried    Thomas    Gilkey,  of  Indiana.     Mr. 

Henry  Brinkman  married  Henrietta  Bra-  Briukmau  was  brought  up  in  the  Lutheran 
vis,  who  was  born  in  Bremen,  Germany,  and  faith,  his  mother,  as  well  as  his  father,  being 
died  in  Indiana  county,  surviving  her  hus-  a  consistent  member  of  that  denomination, 
band  for  some  years.  After  his  demise  she  and  early  connected  himself  with  it.  Politi- 
returned  with  her  son  William  to  Indiana  cally  he  is  an  independent  Democrat, 
county.     The   children   born   to  this   couple 

were:  Charlotte,  who  married  Joseph  West-  JOHN  M.  McFEATBRS,  of  Creekside, 
inghouse,  located  near  Grass  Lake,  Mich.,  but  Pa.,  now  serving  as  justice  of  the  peace,  was 
after  the  death  of  her  husband  went  to  Sa-  born  in  the  southern  part  of  Indiana  county, 
lem,  Oregon,  where  she  died;  Rosie  married  Pa.,  Jan.  3,  1851,  son  of  Andrew  McFeaters. 
Simon  Kagelmyer  and  located  in  Indiana,  Andrew  McFeaters  was  an  early  settler  of 
after  his  death  she  and  her  six  children  mov-  Indiana  county,  living  in  the  southern  por- 
ing to  Salem,  Oregon,  where  they  now  reside ;  tion,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in 
Mary,  who  married  Charles  Seyfried,  located  farming,  his  death  occurring  in  1882.  His 
in  Blairsville,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.;  Dora,  who  wife,  Rebecca  (Mahan),  passed  away  in  1851, 
married  John  Rouch,  located  at  Red  Bank,  the  same  year  that  John  M.  McFeaters  was 
Pa.,  where  both  she  and  her  husband  died;  born.  She  was  a  native  of  the  Irish  coast. 
Henry  enlisted  at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  during  the  Her  other  children  were :  W.  L.,  who  is 
Civil  war,  in  1861,  served  until  1865,  and  living  in  Armagh,  Indiana  county;  Rachel 
was  wounded  in  battle,  and  after  the  war  re-  and  Nancy,  who  are  deceased;  and  Hannah, 
turned  to  Johnstown,  where  he  engaged  with  the  widow  of  Rev.  Mr.  Sweeney, 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  as  a  John  M.  McFeaters  was  reared  in  the  home 
bookkeeper,  and  then  went  to  Wolf  Island,  of  his  maternal  grandparents,  working  on 
Mo.,  near  Cairo,  111.,  where  he  died;  William  the  farm  in  the  summer  months  and  attend- 
is  mentioned  below.  ing  the  old  St.  Clair  school  in  White  town- 

William  Brinkman  attended  the  excellent  ship  during  the  winter  season.  His  school 
public  schools  of  Johnstown,  Pa.,  and  a  Ger-  ^ays  over,  he  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter, 
man  and  English  school  taught  by  Rev.  Dr.  which  he  followed  for  several  years,  and 
Tobler.  After  leaving  school  his  first  em-  p-jme  to  Creekside  before  the  town  was  ineor- 
ployment  was  as  water  boy  for  the  Wood-  porated  as  a  borough.  In  1911  he  was  elected 
Morrell  Company.  This  was  when  he  was  justice  of  the  peace,  a  position  which  he  still 
sixteen  years  old.  Later  he  worked  in  the  ^^ij  flUg,  in  addition  to  which  he  has  served 
mill  and  was  a  metal  driver,  then  a  carter  at  ^g  mayor  of  the  borough  (one  term)  and  as 
the  rolls,  and  probably  would  have  been  fur-  r^  member  of  the  council.  He  assisted  m  the 
ther  advanced,  but  his  father  dying  he  went  organization  of  the  borough,  and  is  looked 
back  to  Indiana  county  with  his  mother,  who  ^^p^^  ^g  one  of  his  community's  most  repre- 
did  not  like  Johnstown.     As  soon  as  he  re-    gentative  men. 

turned  to  Indiana  iMr.  Brinkman  secured  q^  j^jy  3^  1373,  Mr.  McFeaters  was  mar- 
emplovment  in  the  paper  mill  of  Sutton  &  j-je^  to  Catherine  Colteborgh,  a  native  of  In- 
McCartney,  driving  a  team,  thus  continuing  ^iana  county,  whose  parents,  both  now  de- 
fer several  vears.  He  also  drove  a  team  for  ^.g^sed,  were' early  settlers  of  the  county.  Mr. 
William  Heffelfiuger  until  his  death,  when  ,^^g^  ^^^  McFeaters  have  had  five  children: 
he  bought  Mrs.  HefEelfinger's  interest  in  the  charles  L.,  living  at  Steubenville,  Ohio;  Rob- 
draying  business,  and  is  still  conducting  it,  ^^.^^  .^^.^g  jg  deceased;  Dollie,  wife  of  Charles 
having  enlarged  the  equipment  and  still  fur-  Xunkle,  of  Creekside :  Grace,  wife  of  R.  B. 
ther  bettered  the  service.  Fitzsimmons,  of  Vandergrift,  Pa. ;  and  Maud. 

Mr  Brinkman  married  Catherine  Shots  ^^.jfg  ^f  jj.  H.  Turney.  of  Vandergrift. 
a  daughter  of  Michael  and  Jane  (Chambers)  ^i^,  .,„d  Mrs.  IMcFeaters  are  members  ot 
Shots  the  former  a  canalboat  man.  Mrs.  ^|,p  Presbvterian  Church,  while  fraternally  he 
Brinkman  died  in  December,  1912,  a  faithful  jg  connected  with  Creekside  Council.  Royal 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  a  most  Arcanum,  and  the  Heptasophs  at  Indiana, 
excellent  wife   and   mother.     Mr.    and   IMrs.    Pennsylvania. 

H.,  who  married  Bertha  Davidson,  and  died    of  J.  B.  Baughman  &  Sons,  of  BlansviUe,  in 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1335 


diana  county,  lias  been  engaged  in  business 
there  as  a  manufacturer  and  dealer  in  ve- 
hicles for  the  last  forty  years.  He  is  the 
leading  man  in  his  line  in  the  borough,  ilr. 
Baughman  is  a  native  of  Westmoreland 
county,  Pa.,  born  at  Youngstown,   but  was 


property  in  Blairsville  besides  his  factory. 
His  fellow  citizens  have  chosen  him  to  vari- 
ous public  positions  of  trust,  and  he  has 
served  them  acceptably  as  a  member  of  the 
town  council  (three  terms),  school  director, 
overseer  of  the  poor,  and  in  other  offices.    In 


brought  to  Blairsville  when  three  years  old  politics  he  has  been  associated  with  the  Ee- 

and  has  lived  there  ever  since.  publican  party.     He  has  been  a  member  of 

Peter  Baughman,  the  grandfather  of  Jonas  the  M.   E.    Church  for  the   last  twenty-five 

B.  Baughman,  was  a  native  of  Holland.    His  years,    and   an   Odd   Fellow   for   over   forty 

son,  Seth  Baughman,  was  born  in  Westmore-  years,  since  1872,  and  was  a  representative 

land  county,  and  lived  there  until  his  death,  to  the  grand  lodge  of  that  fraternity  in  1902 ; 

which  occurred  in  1849.    He  learned  the  trade  he  is  a  charter  member  of  the  local  lodges 

of   cabinetmaker,   at   which  he   was   success-  of  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks  and  Woodmen  of  the 

fully    engaged    in    Youngstown    for    many  World. 

years,   manufacturing  a   large    quantity    of  In  1872  Mr.  Baughman  was  married  to  Sa- 

chairs,  which  sold  readily,  and  for  which  he  lome  Wonder,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Ste- 

was   especially  noted.      His   wife,    Christina  phen  and  Susan  (Gahn)  Wonder,  natives  of 

( Smith )^  was  of  German  lineage,^  and  was  Bedford  county,  Pa.     Mrs.  Baughman  died 

'in  1900,  in  her  fifty-sixth  year,  the  mother 


born  in  Westmoreland  county  in  1814,  daugh 
ter  of  Joseph  Smith.  She  survived  her  hus- 
band five  years,  dying  in  1854.  They  were 
members  of  the  Reformed  Church.  Their 
family  consisted  of  six  children,  of  whom 
three  are  living :  Kate,  wife  of  John  Decker, 
of  Irwin,  Pa. ;  Sarah ;  and  Jonas  B.  Joseph, 
Lueetta  and  John  are  deceased. 

Jonas  B.  Baughman  was  born  March  14, 


of  eight  children,  two  sons  and  six  daughters, 
namely:  Clara  B.,  wife  of  Scott  Miller,  of 
Hazelwood,  Pa.;  Ida  B.,  wife  of  C.  F.  A. 
Meyer,  of  Derry,  Pa. ;  Mary  K.,  wife  of  Phil- 
las  Staub,  of  Portland,  Oregon;  Sarah  J., 
mfe  of  Dr.  Albert  Mason,  of  Roaring  Springs, 
Pa.;  Maggie  M.,  wife  of. J.  M.  McGahey,  of 
Monessen,  Pa. ;  Jesse  C.  and  William  E.,  both 


1848.     Being  very  young  when  his  parents    of  Blairsville,  now  in  partnership  with  their 
died,  he  had  to  make  his  way  among  Strang-     '    '  "  .     .       -,  .    ^     _ 

ers,  and  had  no  advantages  of  education  or 
influence  to  aid  him  in  getting  a  start  in  life. 
He  obtained  his  education  in  the  public 
schools,  such  as  they  were  in  his  youth,  and 
he  could  attend  only  three  months  in  the 
winter  season  After  serving  several  years' 
apprenticeship  in  a  carriage  factory  he  be- 
came engaged  as  a  journeyman  with  a  car- 


father  as  members  of  the  firm  of  J.  B. 
Baughman  &  Sons;  and  Alice  I.,  wife  of 
Frank  Mobrey,  of  Hillside,  Pa.  For  his  sec- 
ond wife  ilr.  IBaughman  married,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1901,  Mary  E.  Wonder,  sister  of  his  first 
wife,  and  they  have  two  children,  Nora  Edith 
and  J.  B.,  Jr. 

Mr.  Baughman,  though  he  has  led  a  busy 
life,  has  found  time  for  recreation  and  travel. 


riage  firm,  by  whom  he  was  employed  until    and  in  1911  journeyed  eleven  thousand  miles! 


he  commenced  business  on  his  own  account, 
in  1873.  He  established  a  factory  on  Camp- 
bell street,  in  Blairsville,  and  besides  manii- 
facturing  fine  carriages  and  buggies  has 
turned  out  neat  and  serviceable  vehicles  of 
all  kinds,  also  conducting  a  complete  repair 
shop.  Mr.  Baughman 's  thorough  familiarity 
with  all  the  details  of  manufacturing,  and 
his  long  experience,  enable  him  to  exercise 
proper  supervision  over  all  the  work  done  in 


visiting  British  Columbia,  Portland,  San 
Francisco  and  other  far  western  points,  as 
well  as  old  Mexico. 

Stephen  and  Siisan  (Gahn)  Wonder,  par- 
ents of  Mrs.  Baughman,  had  a  family  of 
eleven  children,  five  of  whom  are  yet  living: 
Katherine,  wife  of  Henry  M.  Pringle,  of  Ir- 
win, Pa.;  Mary  E.,  Mrs.  Baughman;  Nora, 
wife  of  R.  G.  Algeo,  of  McKees  Rocks,  Pa. ; 
Henry,  of  Muneie,  Ind. ;  and  Martin  S.,  of 


the  shop  and  factory  and  to  give  the  best    pitcairn.   Pa.     The  following  are  deceased: 


possible  service  to  all  patrons.  The  business 
is  conducted  in  a  commodious  building,  25 
by  200  feet  in  dimensions,  with  work  rooms 
for  the  various  branches  completely  fitted  up 
and  ample  storage  capacity.  Mr.  Baughman 
has  prospered  through  industry  and  intelli- 
gent management  of  his  affairs,  and  has  ac- 
quired  the   ownership   of   several   pieces   of 


Elizabeth,  Jacob, 
wife  of  Jonas  B. 
Daniel. 


Margaret,    Salome    (first 
Baughman),   Louisa   and 


ROSS  S.  FLEMING,  a  resident  of  Arm- 
strong township,  Indiana  county,  belongs  to 
an  old  settled  family  of  this  part  of  Penn- 
sylvania.     His     great-grandfather,    Thomas 


1336 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Fleming,  was  born  in  Huntingdon  county, 
this  State,  and  liis  wife,  Bettie  (Martin),  was 
a  native  of  Ireland,  coming  to  the  United 
States  with  her  parents  when  a  little  girl. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Fleming  were  both 
of  Scotch-Irish  parentage.  In  1818  he  set- 
tled in  Indiana  county.  He  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation. 

James  Fleming,  sou  of  Thomas,  lived  in 
Indiana  county  among  the  early  settlers.  He 
was  a  machinist  by  trade,  engaged  in  farming 
to  some  extent,  and  also  in  the  flour  milling 
business,  being  a  part  owner  of  the  first  flour 
mill  in  Armstrong  county.  During  the  six- 
ties, at  the  time  of  the  Morgan  raid,  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia.  His 
children  were:  Elizabeth  A.,  wife  of  David 
Hill;  John;  Thomas;  James  G. ;  William; 
May  A.,  wife  of  Israel  Thomas;  and  Char- 
lotte, wife  of  George  Cline.  The  father  of 
this  family  died  in  1891,  the  mother  surviv- 
ing until  1902 ;  she  was  ninety-two  years  old. 
They  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

William  Fleming,  father  of  Ross  S.  Flem- 
ing, was  born  Jan.  6,  1839,  at  Woodward's 
Mill,  in  Armstrong  county,  aud  attended  the 
common  school  in  the  vicinity.  Then  he  went 
to  Huntingdon  county,  Pa.,  and  engaged  in 
farming  at  the  foot  of  the  planes.  Moving 
to  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  he 
bought  the  W.  D.  Anthony  farm  in  1866,  a 
piece  of  property  containing  160  acres  lo- 
cated on  Anthony's  run,  and  followed  farm- 
ing on  that  place  for  about  fifteen  years. 
In  1881  he  purchased  the  R.  H.  Armstrong 
farm  and  home,  where  he  resided  from  that 
time  until  his  death.  The  house  was  a  sub- 
stantial dwelling,  erected  in  1861,  aud  Mr. 
Fleming  made  extensive  improvements  on  the 
farm  of  150  acres  during  his  ownership, 
keeping  the  property  in  fine  condition.  He 
engaged  in  general  agriculture  and  was  ex- 
tensively interested  in  the  raising  of  cattle. 
He  was  an  energetic  man,  alive  to  the  needs 
of  the  community  as  well  as  enterprising  in 
the  care  of  his  ow^  interests,  and  held  vari- 
ous local  offices,  serving  as  overseer  of  the 


poor,  supervisor 


and  member  of  the  election 


board.  In  political  connection  he_  was  a 
Democrat,  but  he  was  an  ardent  Union  sym- 
pathizer during  the  Civil  war,  in  which  he 
served  under  three  enlistments — Aug.  7,  1862, 
in  Company  I,  135th  Pennsylvania  Regiment, 
Capt.  John  A.  Kinters  (discharged  May  24, 
1863)  ;  July  1,  1863,  in  Company  C,  57th 
Pennsylvania  Regiment;  and  Aug.  22,  1863, 
in   Company   H,   206th    Pennsylvania   Regi- 


ment, Capt.  Joseph  C.  Greer  (discharged 
June  1,  1865).  He  was  present  at  Richmond 
when  Lee  surrendered,  and  afterward  went 
to  Venango  county,  Pa.,  spending  about  one 
year  in  the  oil  fields,  and  then  returning  to 
Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county. 

On  Oct.  4,  1866,  Mr.  Fleming  married 
Sarah  E.  Anthony,  daughter  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (McKnight)  Anthony,  of  Arm- 
strong township  (she  is  a  cousin  of  Dr.  W. 
J.  Mclvnight,  author  of  the  "Pioneer  Outline 
History  of  Northwestern  Pennsylvania'"). 
Sirs.  Fleming  continues  to  reside  on  the  home- 
stead place.  Mr.  Fleming  died  Dec.  10,  1900, 
at  the  "Henry  Hotel,"'  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  while 
on  a  business  trip,  and  is  buried  in  Oakland 
cemetery  in  Indiana,  where  a  fine  monument 
has  been  erected  to  his  "memory.  Three  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  ^Irs.,  William 
Fleming,  Frank,  Ross  S.  and  Paul  M.  Frank 
married  Lizzie  Calhoun,  daughter  of  James 
and  Mary  (Blakley)  Calhoun,  and  now  re- 
sides at  Denver,  Colo.,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  business  as  a  contractor  and  builder.  Paul 
M.,  born  Aug.  31,  1866,  is  living  at  Kiefer, 
Okla.,  and  is  engaged  in  the  oil  fields. 

Ross  S.  Fleming  was  born  June  2,  1883,  in 
Ai-mstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
there  began  his  education  in  public  school, 
later  attending  a  select  school  at  Shelocta, 
this  county.  He  was  brought  up  like  the 
average  farmer's  boy,  and  although  not  ac- 
tively engaged  in  agricultural  lines  now  has 
found  his  work  in  a  similar  field,  in  which 
his  practical  knowledge  of  farming  and  farm- 
ers' needs  has  proved  highly  useful.  He  is 
traveling  salesman  for  the  James  Manufac- 
turing Company,  of  Fort  Atkinson,  Wis., 
manufacturers  of  sanitary  dairy  fixtures,  etc. 
His  territory  is  in  Pennsylvania,  Delaware, 
New  Jersey,  Maryland  and  southern  New 
York. 

On  June  20,  1907,  Mr.  Fleming  married 
Abbie  Jane  Miller,  daughter  of  ]\Ioses  B.  and 
Rachel  (Mangus)  IMiller,  of  Arinstrong  town- 
ship, and  his  mother  resides  with  them,  Mr. 
Fleming  having  one  of  the  finest  homes  in 
Armstrong  township,  the  old  home  place  of 
his  parents.  He  owns  a  tract  of  150  acres, 
his  father's  old  farm,  which  he  rents,  giving 
all  his  time  to  business  matters. 

ALTEMUS.  The  Altemus  family  of 
Brushvalley  township  is  one  of  the  oldest  and 
most  respected  in  that  portion  of  Indiana 
county,  and  two  of  the  surviving  sons  of 
Nicholas  Altemus,  William  Wolf  and  Math- 
ias  S.  Altemus,  still  reside  there,  honored  as 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1337 


typical  representatives  of  a  name  which  has 
long  been  associated  with  good  citizenship 
and  high  character. 

The  first  of  this  name  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship was  Adam  Altemus,  who  was  of  German 
extraction  and  a  native  of  Northampton 
county,  Pa.  Coming  to  Indiana  county  about 
1798  he  located  in  Center  township,  near  the 
line  of  what  is  now  Brushvalley  township, 
on  what  is  now  known  as  the  Robert  Mc- 
Phetris  farm,  and  here  he  settled  down  to 
farming,  having  a  tract  of  200  acres,  on 
which  he  made  considerable  improvement. 
He  built  a  fine  brick  dwelling  house  on  the 
farm,  the  first  of  its  kind  in  that  section,  the 
brick  being  made  on  his  place.  He  spent  his 
active  life  on  the  property,  and  when  he  re- 
tired from  arduous  labor  moved  to  Mechanics- 
burg,  where  he  owned  a  home  and  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days,  dying  there  in  Septem- 
ber, 1863 ;  he  was  buried  in  the  Lutheran 
Church  cemetery.  He  was  blind  some  years 
before  his  death.  Mr.  Altemus  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Lutheran  Church,  was  a  Whig  and 
Republican  in  politics,  and  was  known  to  all 
as  a  man  wlio  did  his  duty  faithfully  in  his 
walk  of  life.  He  married  E valine  (Eve) 
Shaffer,  a  native  also  of  Northampton  county, 
and  she  is  buried  in  the  Lutheran  Church 
cemetery  near  Graceton,  in  Center  township. 
Children  as  follows  were  born  to  this  pioneer 
couple:  Nicholas;  Margaret,  who  married 
Peter  Stefify;  Daniel,  who  married  Elizabeth 
Henderickson ;  John,  who  married  Mary  A. 
Drennen;  Thomas,  who  was  killed,  with  a 
horse  he  was  riding,  by  a  falling  tree,  while 
returning  from  Wakefields  mill;  William, 
who  married  Prudence  Peddicord;  Susanna, 
who  married  Dyarman  Wolf ;  and  David,  who 
married  Sarah  Peddicord. 

Nicholas  Altemus,  eldest  son  of  Adam  Alte- 
mus, was  born  in  1800  in  Center  township 
and  there  grew  to  manhood.  What  educa- 
tion he  received  was  obtained  in  the  sub- 
scription schools  of  the  day.  He  worked  at 
home  with  his  father  until  of  age,  when  in 
1823  he  settled  in  Brushcreek  run,  in  Brush- 
valley township,  and  with  his  father's  help 
built  the  first  grist  and  saw  mill  in  Brush- 
valley (then  a  part  of  Wheatfield)  town- 
ship, which  he  operated.  In  1853  the  old 
mill  was  replaced  by  the  present  structure, 
and  operations  have  been ,  carried  on  there 
ever  since.  In  1848  he  built  the  frame  dwell- 
ing house  which  is  now  the  home  of  his  son 
William  Wolf  Altemus.  Besides  attending 
to  the  mill  work  he  farmed  a  tract  of  128 
acres  near  the  mill,  and  was  a  successful  busi- 


ness man,  acquiring  the  ownership  of  over 
eight  hundred  acres  before  his  death;  most 
of  it  is  still  in  the  possession  of  his  sons  and 
gi-andclfildren.  On  Feb.  23,  1872,  while  leav- 
ing his  home  to  attend  a  sale,  the  horse  he 
was  riding  slipped  on  the  ice  and  fell,  and 
Mr.  Altemus  fell  off,  his  head  striking  the 
hard  ground.  He  died  from  the  effects  of  his 
injuries  in  a  few  hours,  and  was  buried  in 
the  Lutheran  Church  cemetery  in  Brush- 
valley township.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church  and  active  in  its  work.  In 
politics  he  was  a  stanch  Whig  and  Repub- 
lican. He  was  prominent  in  local  affairs, 
serving  as  assessor,  tax  collector  and  school 
director  of  the  township  as  well  as  in  other 
public  offices. 

In  1821  Nicholas  Altemus  married  Mary 
Wolf,  who  was  born  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship in  1802,  daughter  of  John  Wolf,  and 
died  in  that  township  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
six  years.  She  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  of 
•the  Lutheran  Church,  of  which  she  was  a 
member.  Fourteen  children  were  born  to 
this  marriage:  Martha  H.  married  Alexan- 
der Noble,  and  both  are  deceased;  Margaret 
married  Prank  Hurlinger,  and  both  are  de- 
ceased; Adam  married  Catherine  Conrad; 
Elizabeth  married  C.  R.  Weaver,  and  died  in 
Brushvalley ;  Susanna  died  in  young  woman- 
hood; David,  born  April  19,  1831,  married 
Susan  Dick,  and  died  in  Buffington  township, 
this  county;  James,  born  Dec.  27,  1832,  mar- 
ried Mary  B.  Darney,  and  died  in  BufSng- 
ton  township;  Evaline  married  Robert  Prin- 
gle ;  Sarah  married  Amos  Knabb,  and  resides 
in  Colorado;  Mary  married  George  Paul; 
Charlotte  mari-ied  John  Shaffer;  William 
Wolf  and  JMathias  S.  are  mentioned  below; 
John  A.  died  when  two  and  a  half  years  old. 
William  Wolf  Altemus,  son  of  Nicholas, 
was  born  on  the  farm  at  Altemus  Mills,  in 
Brushvalley  township,  March  8,  1842.  In  his 
boyhood  he  attended  the  local  school  at  Me- 
chanicsburg  taught  by  Mrs.  Potter.  Even 
during  his  school  days  he  had  begun  to  as- 
sist his  father  on  the  farm,  and  he  continued 
to  work  with  him  until  the  call  came  for 
volunteers  in  the  Civil  war.  On  Jiily  24, 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  12th  Penn- 
sylvania Reserves,  under  Capt.  A.  J.  Bolar 
and  Colonel  Taggart,  and  signed  for  a  period 
of  eighteen  months.  His  was  the  first  com- 
pany recruited  in  the  county  for  three  years' 
service.  The  regiment  remained  at  Camp 
Curtin  until  Aug.  10th,  when  it  was  mus- 
tered into  the  United  States  service  and  sent 
to    Tennallytown,    near    Washington,    where 


1338 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


it  was  assigned  to  the  3d  brigade  of  the  re- 
serves. In  October  the  regiment  was  moved 
to  the  Virginia  side  of  the  Potomac  and  went 
into  winter  quarters  at  Camp  PierpcJht.  Mr. 
Altemus  took  part  with  his  company  and 
regiment  in  the  battles  of  Drainesville,  Me- 
chanicsville,  Gaines'  ]\Iills,  Charles  City 
Cross  Roads,  IMalveru  Hill,  Bull  Run  and 
South  Mountain,  where  he  was  wounded  in 
the  left  shoulder  Sept.  14,  1862.  He  was 
taken  to  hospital  and  was  discharged  on  ac- 
count of  disability  Jan.  20,  1863.  Later  in 
that  year  he  again  enlisted,  at  the  call  of 
Governor  Curtin,  helping  to  recruit  Com- 
pany E,  2d  Battalion,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Lin- 
inger,  and  Capt.  William  P.  Altemus,  becom- 
ing first  lieutenant  of  this  company,  which 
was  elected  to  serve  for  six  months.  It  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  in 
June,  1863,  and  did  guard  duty  in  West  Vir- 
ginia on  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  railroad, 
spending  seven  months  in  the  service.  Mr. 
Altemus  was  discharged  at  Pittsburg  in  Jan, 
nary,  1864,  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant. 

Turning  his  attention  once  more  to  farm- 
ing, Mr.  Altemus  settled  on  a  tract  of  260 
acres  which  was  a  part  of  the  800-acre 
property  owned  by  his  father,  and  the 
greater  part  of  which  is  now  operated  by 
his  son  James  K.  Altemus.  He  continued 
to  live  on  the  farm,  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock  raising,  until  1900,  when 
he  became  the  owner  of  the  Altemus  ^MiU, 
which  his  father  had  built  and  oper- 
ated. There  for  the  last  twelve  years  he  has 
been  engaged  in  general  milling,  and  he  also 
cultivates  a  tract  of  126  acres  known  as  the 
homestead  farm.  Mr.  Altemus  is  a  man  of 
enterprise  and  progressive  ideas,  and  his 
abilitv  is  recognized  by  his  fellow  citizens, 
who  have  retained  him  in  the  office  of  town- 
ship supervisor  for  ten  years.  He  is  a  stanch 
Republican  in  his  political  views.  He  was 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  G.  A.  R-  post  at 
Mechanicsburg  and  has  served  as  officer  ot 
the  day.  .   ,  ,. 

On  July  5, 1864,  Mr.  Altemus  married  Mary 
E  Kelly,  daughter  of  Jamesi  T.  Kelly,  a 
farmer  of  Brushvalley  township,  who  died 
in  1864.  ilr.  and  Mrs.  Altemus  have  had 
a  happv  married  life  of  forty-eight  years. 
They  have  had  a  family  of  eleven  children, 
five  "of  whom  died  young,  the  others  being: 
James  Kellv,  who  farms  his  father  s  home- 
stead ;  Taylor,  a  farmer  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship; Edgar,  M'ho  resides  at  Johnstown  Pa. ; 
Marlin  Vincent,  an  employee  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad   Company;   Cora,  married 


to  Hugh  F.  Robinson,  of  Johnstown;  and 
Anne  Gertrude,  who  died  when  eleven  years 
old. 

Mathias  S.  Altemus,  son  of  Nicholas  and 
brother  of  William  Wolf  Altemus,  was  born 
on  the  Altemus  farm  Feb.  12,  1844.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  town- 
ship and  continued  on  the  homestead  with 
his  parents,  assisting  with  the  farm  and  mill 
work.  When  he  started  for  himself  he  be- 
came engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  on  a  tract  of  135  acres  which  was  a 
part  of  his  father's  800-acre  tract,  being  thus 
occupied  until  the  electric  car  system  was 
established  in  Johnstown,  when  he  became  a 
motorman  on  the  first  cars  operated.  After 
five  years  of  this  work  he  returned  to  the 
farm,  and  followed  general  agriculture  for 
another  six  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  turned  that  place  over  to  his  son  Ralph. 
He  then  bought  Rev.  A.  B.  Runyan's  farm, 
near  Slabtown.  a  tract  of  113  acres,  in  1903, 
and  has  since  cultivated  that  property,  en- 
gaging in  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing. He  also  owns  some  orange  lands  in 
Florida. 

On  March  10,  1865,  Mr.  Altemus  enlisted 
in  Company  F,  55th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  under  Col.  Richard  White  and 
Lieut.  Curtis  ilcCornish,  and  served  until 
after  the  close  of  the  war,  being  discharged 
at  Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.  30,  1865.  In  the 
latter  part  of  March,  1865,  the  regiment 
crossed  the  James  river  and  marched  to 
Hatcher's  Run,  Va.,  and  was  in  the  skirmish 
line  in  the  general  advance  of  March  31st, 
where  twenty  men  were  killed  or  wounded. 
The  next  engagement  the  regiment  partici- 
pated in  was  the  charge  on  Fort  Baldwin, 
the  55th  being  the  first  regiment  to  occupy 
it.  suffering  only  slight  loss.  The  regiment 
at  that  time  had  no  more  than  200  effective 
men.  Mr.  Altemus  did  his  duty  as  a  soldier, 
and  he  has  always  been  a  public-spirited  citi- 
zen, a  hard-working,  honest  and  honorable 
man,  who  commands  the  esteem  of  all  who 
know  him.  He  has  been  a  stanch  Republican, 
but  independent  in  supporting  what  seems 
right  to  him,  and  he  is  a  stanch  admirer  of 
Roosevelt  and  his  principles.  Though  never 
seeking  public  honors  he  has  served  as  road 
boss  of  the  township  one  year,  school  director, 
and  member  of  the  election  board  as  .iudge 
and  inspector.  He  is  a  leading  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church  of  Mechanicsburg,  which  he 
has  served  as  class  leader  and  trustee  for 
twenty   years,   steward,   and   Sunday   school 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


teacher  and  superintendent,   taking  part  in 
all  the  branches  of  church  work. 

On  March  8,  1865,  Mr.  Altemus  married 
Lucinda  Sproul,  who  was  born  in  Cambria 
county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  James  and  Nancy 
Sproul,  and  they  have  had  eleven  children: 
Mary  E.  (Molly),  who  married  William  Mil- 
ler and  resides  in  Johnstown;  Harry  White, 
who  is  with  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany, assistant  on  the  Conemaugh  branch 
in  Cambria  county;  Ralph  N.,  farming  on  the 
homestead ;  John,  who  resides  near  his  father  ; 
Mabel,  married  to  Blair  Horner,  of  Ambridge, 
Beaver  county;  Nannie,  married  to  Harry 
Rheam,  of  Cambria  county;  M.  Brook,  re- 
siding at  Johnstown;  and  four  who  died 
young,  George  Washington,  Floyd  T.,  Stan- 
ley and  one  unnamed. 

ALEXANDER  MATHIAS  ADAMS,  one 
of  Homer  City's  well-known  business  men,  a 
dealer  in  real  estate,  was  born  on  a  farm  in 
Brushvalley  township,  Indiana  county.  Pa., 
Sept.  22,  1861,  and  is  a  son  of  Silas  and  Re- 
becca (McCormack)  Adams,  and  a  grandson 
of  Stephen  Adams. 

Stephen  Adams  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
settlers  of  Brushvalley  and  he  lived  and  died 
on  his  own  farm  there ;  he  was  buried  at 
Mechanicsburg,  Pa.  He  married  a  Miss  Wil- 
son, and  they  had  the  following  children : 
Wilson,  who  resided  at  Brookville,  Pa. ;  Silas ; 
Levi,  who  lived  at  Plumville;  and  Matilda, 
who  married  Alexander  Adams  (and  they 
moved  to  the  West). 

Silas  Adaiiis,  son  of  Stephen,  was  born  on 
the  homestead  in  Brushvalley  about  1825, 
and  there  grew  to  manhood  and  adopted 
farming  as  his  occupation.  Although  he  died 
while  yet  in  the  prime  of  life,  in  July,  1865, 
when  aged  forty  years,  he  owned  and  was 
operating  a  farm  of  100  acres.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church 
and  a  worthy  man  in  every  relation  of  life. 
Politically  he  was  a  Whig  in  early  life  and 
later  a  Republican.  He  married  Rebecca 
McCormack,  who  was  born  in  Brushvalley 
township,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah 
(Wilson)  McCormack,  and  five  children  were 
born  to  them,  namely :  Sarah  Jane,  who  lives 
at  Homer  City;  Augustus,  who  died  young; 
Carlos  Calvin,  who  is  with  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company,  and  lives  at  Blairsville 
(he  married  Jennie  Thompson)  ;  Alexander 
M. ;  and  Samuel  Alpheus,  who  married  Mary 
S.  Boyer  (they  reside  at  Blairsville). 

After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Ad- 
ams sold  the  homestead  and  moved  to  Center 


1339 

township,  where  she  bought  the  Mathew  Reni- 
ken  farm  of  180  acres,  and  for  some  time  the 
family  operated  it  and  then  sold  to  Andrew 
Kline  and  bought  another  tract,  known  as 
the  Fergus  Clason  farm,  of  160  acres,  on 
which  they  continued  to  live  until  the  death 
of  the  mother,  July  4,  1898.  She  was  buried 
m  Greenwood  cemetery,  at  Indiana.  She 
was  a  faithful  member  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church  and  an  admirable  woman  in 
every  way.  Being  left  with  business  respon- 
sibilities and  a  family  of  young  children, 
she  bravely  met  every  obstacle  and  overcame 
it,  reared  and  educated  her  family,  and  was 
prudent  in  managing  their  patrimony. 

Alexander  M.  Adams  was  quite  young 
when  the  family  came  to  Center  township 
and  from  an  early  age  assisted  his  mother 
to  the  extent  of  his  capacity.  When  she  gave 
up  her  interest  in  the  management  of  the 
farm  he  bought  the  Fergus  Clason  place,  and 
continued  to  operate  it  for  twenty-two  years, 
his  activities  including  both  farming"  and 
stock  raising.  As  it  proved  a  property  richly 
underlaid  with  coal,  Mr.  Adams  sold  it  to  the 
Buffalo,  Rochester  &  Pittsburg  Railroad 
Company  in  1898.  He  has  been  interested 
mainly  as  a  real  estate  dealer  since  retiring 
from  the  road  after  twelve  years  of  commer- 
cial traveling  for  R.  E.  Young,  of  Indiana, 
in  the  marble  and  monument  line.  In  ad- 
dition to  Indiana  and  Homer  City  real  estate 
interests  he  has  others  at  Johnstown.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a  Republican,  along  progressive 
lines,  and  his  public  spirit  and  devotion  to 
American  ideals  make  him  a  representative 
citizen. 

On  June  4,  1901,  Mr.  Adams  was  married 
to  Jennie  Belle  McCornish,  who  was  born  in 
Brushvalley  township,  a  daughter  of  Curtis 
and  Elizabeth  (McCormack)  McCornish. 
Mrs.  Adams  was  educated  in  the  Brushvalley 
schools  and  was  also  a  student  under  Prof. 
J.  T.  Stewart,  at  the  Indiana  State  normal 
school,  and  in  1898  was  gi-aduated  from  the 
normal  school  at  Clarion,  Pa.  For  about  five 
years  prior  to  her  marriage  she  taught  school 
very  acceptably,  in  Brushvalley  and  Pine 
townships,  this  county,  and  in  Clarion  county. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams  have  had  three  chil- 
dren :  Twins  that  died  in  infancy,  and  Alex- 
ander Victor,  who  was  born  July  21,  1907. 
Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Adams  are  members  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  at  Homer  City,- 
of  which  he  is  a  trustee. 

VOGEL  BROTHERS  is  a  business  name 
of  over  fifty  years'  standing  at  Indiana,  Pa., 


1340 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


two  generations  of  the  Vogel  family  having 
been  represented  in  the  members  of  the  firm, 
though  three  generations  have  been  in  the 
business  there. 

In  the  year  1847  John  Vogel,  his  wife 
Maria,  and  their  six  children,  Paul,  George, 
Wolfgang,  Teresa,  Clara  and  Edith,  left  their 
native  land,  Bavaria,  Germany,  for  America, 
with  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  as  their  intended  des- 
tination. John  Vogel  was  a  tailor,  and  his 
sons  learned  the  business  and  taught  it  to 
their  sons  in  turn.  For  reasons  not  given  John 
Vogel  and  his  eldest  son,  Paul,  left  Pitts- 
burg with  the  object  of  looking  up  a  new 
or  different  location,  and  with  Johnstown, 
Pa.,  in  mind,  though  they  never  reached  that 
place.  The  journey  from  Pittsburg  was  made 
by  canal,  and  having  a  "breakdown"  when 
they  arrived  in .  Saltsburg,  and  no  other 
means  of  conveyance  available,  they  started 
across  the  country  "foot  in  hand."  They 
decided  to  first  visit  Indiana,  which  town 
from  that  time  became  their  permanent  place 
of  residence.  In  that  year,*  1849  (they  had 
been  in  Pittsburg  two  years),  the  sign  Vogel 
Brothers  was  first  displayed,  and  has  never 
been  taken  down.  The  first  copartnership 
was  made  up  of  the  three  sons  of  John  Vogel, 
of  which  Wolfgang  retired  from  the  firm  in 
1884;  they  have  been  succeeded  by  the  sons 
of  Paul  Vogel,  who  carry  the  business  on 
to  this  dav.  John  Vogel  survived  his  wife, 
who  had  passed  away  in  the  year  1855.  Their 
son  George  died  Feb.  14,  1876.  and  Wolf- 
gang, the  youngest  son,  in  1909. 

Paul  Vogel  was  born  in  1827  in  Bavaria, 
and  learned  his  father's  trade  in  the  Father- 
land. He  was  engaged  as  a  merchant  tailor 
until  about  1889.  at  that  time  trausf erring 
the  firm  title  to  his  sons  Edward  G.  and  John 
W..  who  constitute  the  present  firm  of  Vogel 
Brothers  The  establishment  is  still  at  the 
old  location,  No.  11  North  Sixth  street,  op- 
posite the  courthouse,  and  the  high  stand- 
ards set  at  the  beginning  by  Paul  Vogel  and 
his  brothers  have  never  been  lowered. 

On  July  10,  1861,  Paul  Vogel  married 
Helena  Laurent,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Barbara  Laurent,  of  Butler  county,  this 
State,  and  she  died  July  22.  1894.  Mr.  Vo- 
gel died  May  11,  1906.  They  became  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  gi-ew 
to  maturity:  Edward  G..  senior  member  of 
the  present  firm  of  Vogel  Brothers :  Celia  M. ; 
Theadore  A.,  a  tailor,  of  Carrolltown,  Pa., 
who  married  Rose  Schroth ;  Joseph  A.,  who 
married  Marv  Hurst,  of  Mt.  Pleasant,  West- 
moreland   Co.,   Pa.,    and   has   two   children, 


Elizabeth  and  Joseph;  John  W.,  of  the  firm 
of  Vogel  Brothers;  Laurence  J.,  a  tailor,  of 
Indiana,  Pa. ;  Frances  B.,  wife  of  Frank 
Sweenej",  an  engineer,  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa. 
(she  is  the  mother  of  four  eliildren,  Maud, 
Marie,  Bernard  and  Charles)  ;  and  Stella  A. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paul  Vogel  were  devout 
members  of  the  Catholic  Church,  to  the  faith 
of  which  all  the  Vogels,  without  exception, 
adhere;  and  they  are  also  a  united  family 
politically,  being  stanch  Democrats. 

Edwaed  G.  Vogel  was  born  Dec.  20,  1863, 
at  Indiana,  and  has  resided  there  £l11  his  life. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  and  parochial 
schools,  and  acquired  a  fundamental  knowl- 
edge of  his  trade  under  his  father.  But  the 
Vogels  have  always  been  progressive  trades- 
men, content  with  nothing  less  than  up-to- 
date  methods  of  executing  their  work,  and 
he  went  to  Pittsburg  to  broaden  his  familiar- 
ity with  his  chosen  line,  working  with  some 
of  the  best  tailors  in  that  city.  Then  he  took 
a  course  at  a  celebrated  cutting  school  at  New 
York  City,  from  which  he  graduated,  and 
the  result  of  his  thorough  preparation  for 
business  has  more  than  justified  the  time  and 
care  he'  spent  upon  his  training.  Vogel 
Brothers  cut  and  finish  their  garments  with 
the  utmost  regard  for  individual  require- 
ments and  popular  demand,  and  their  taste 
and  skill  have  enabled  them  to  acquire  and 
retain  the  highest  class  of  the  local  patron- 
age. 

On  Oct.  16,  1888,  Mr.  Vogel  married  Kath- 
erine  D.  Doberneck,  daughter  of  Frank  and 
Marv  Doberneck,  of  Indiana.  They  have  had 
the  following  children:  Paul  J.  (born  July 
14,  1889).  Mary.  Frank,  Vincent  (deceased), 
ilargaret.  Edward,  Max  and  Raymond. 

John  W.  Vogel  was  born  at  Indiana,  Jan. 
12,  1872,  and  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools.  After  learning  tailoring  at  home  he 
worked  for  some  time  in  Pittsburg,  and  ac- 
quired his  knowledge  of  cutting  from  A. 
Boulfrois,  a  celebrated  French  cutter.  He 
has  continued  to  follow  tailoring  throughout 
his  business  career. 

On  Julv  14,  1909,  Mr.  Vogel  married  Rose 
Schisler,  of  Latrobe,  Pa,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Marian  and  Regis. 

EVAN  G.  DAVIS,  who  resides  in  Green 
township,  is  a  well  and  favorably  known  citi- 
zen of  that  section  of  Indiana  county,  where 
he  has  been  engaged  in  farming  all  his  life. 
He  was  born  in  that  township  March  19, 
1850.  son  of  William  E.  Davis  and  grandson 
of  David  Davis,  both  of  whom  were  natives 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1341 


of  North  Wales,  where  the  grandfather  lived 
and  died.  He  married  Jane  Davis,  and  they 
had  a  familj'  of  five  children,  four  sous  and 
one  daughter,  all  now  deceased,  namely: 
David,  Evan,  William  E.,  Jane  and  John  T. 
Three  of  this  family  came  to  America. 

William  E.  Davis,  father  of  Evan  G.  Da- 
vis, was  born  May  8,  1813,  and  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  1830,  being  twenty-one  weeks  on  the 
voyage,  which  was  made  in  an  old  sailing 
vessel.  He  lived  in  the  eastern  part  of  Penn- 
sylvania for  the  ne.xt  three  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  returned  to  his  native  land, 
remaining  there  two  years.  Coming  back  to 
America  he  settled  in  Indiana  county.  Pa., 
making  his  home  at  first  in  Pine  township 
with  a  family  named  Turner.  In  1848  he 
married  and  then  settled  on  the  farm  in 
Green  township  now  occupied  by  his  son 
Evan,  having  a  tract  of  106  acres  which  he 
cultivated  the  rest  of  his  active  life.  He  died 
there  Aug.  17,  1890.  Mr.  Davis  married 
Agnes  Gibson,  who  was  born  July  20.  1820, 
in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  Rev.  James  Gibson,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Charles  Gibson,  a  native  of  east- 
ern Pennsylvania,  who  came  in  an  early  day 
to  Indiana  county,  where  he  bought  land  and 
settled  down  to  farming,  following  that  occu- 
pation here  the  rest  of  his  life.  Rev.  James 
Gibson  was  born  in  Indiana  county,  became 
a  Methodist  preacher,  and  died  Dee.  20,  1844; 
he  is  buried  near  Penn  Run.  His  wife's 
maiden  name  was  Griffith.  They  had  thir- 
teen children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Myra  Tibbetts, 
a  resident  of  Indiana,  is  the  only  survivor. 

Mrs.  Agnes  (Gibson)  Davis  died  Jan.  9, 
1903.  She  and  her  husband  had  a  family  of 
eight  children,  namely:  Jane,  born  Dec.  14, 
1848,  died  April  10,  1870;  Evan  G.  is  men- 
tioned below;  James  G.,  born  Oct.  29,  1851, 
died  July  20,  1884 ;  ilary,  born  June  10,  1853, 
married  David  R.  Williams,  now  a  resident 
of  Johnstown.  Pa,,  and  died  Oct.  16.  1876; 
Ellen,  boru  April  2,  1855,  is  the  wife  of  Thad- 
deus  Douglas,  who  lives  in  Montgomery  town- 
ship, this  county;  John  S.,  born  May  27, 
1857,  was  accidentally  killed  at  Heilwood, 
this  county,  Aug.  9,  1906:  William,  born 
Aug.  23,  1859,  died  April  16,  I860;  Emma 
C.  born  Feb.  25,  1862,  is  the  wife  of  J.  M. 
Glassford,  a  resident  of  Indiana  borough. 

Evan  G.  Davis  obtained  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Green  township,  and 
spent  his  early  days  on  the  farm  where  he 
now  resides.  He  has  always  followed  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising  there,  being  now  the 
owner  of  the  property,  which  he  keeps  in  ex- 


cellent condition.  He  has  served  two  terms 
as  constable  of  Green  township,  and  held  that 
office  for  one  term  at  Vintondale,  Cambria 
county,  where  he  resided  about  four  years. 

On  Nov.  14,  1878,  Mr.  Davis  married  Ella 
M.  Patterson,  who  was  born  July  12,  1861, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Martha  (Dunkle) 
Patterson,  of  Green  township,  who  are  men- 
tioned fully  elsewhere.  Eleven  children  have  . 
been  born  to  this  marriage:  Blair  J.,  now 
residing  in  Pittsburg,  married  Catherine 
Myers,  and  they  have  two  children,  Harold 
and  Ethel;  Perry,  who  lives  at  Butler,  Pa., 
married  Elizabeth  Johns,  and  they  have  one 
child,  Merideth ;  Clementine  is  the  wife  of 
W.  A.  Craft,  of  Heilwood,  this  county,  and 
has  one  child,  Dwight;  Claire  G.  is  married 
to  Halver  Halverson,  of  Heilwood,  and  has 
two  children,  Kenneth  and  Clarence;  Hattie 
is  deceased;  Erasmus,  who  lives  in  Indiana 
county,  is  now  studying  for  the  ministry; 
Hazel,  Jay  C.  and  Marj^  A.  are  at  home; 
Mont  L.  is  deceased ;  Oakley  M.  is  at  home. 
IMr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  are  members  of  the  Bap- 
list  Church  at  Pine  Flats. 

JOSEPH  PORTER  LINTNER,  former 
merchant  of  Blairsville,  a  successful  business 
man  and  farmer,  now  living  retired,  has 
passed  all  his  life  in  that  section  of  Indiana 
county,  having  been  born  at  Smith  station, 
near  Blairsville,  June  14,  1838. 

Conrad  Lintuer,  his  grandfather,  came 
with  his  wife  and  family  to  Indiana  county 
about  1804,  from  Juniata  county,  Pa.  They 
took  out  an  original  patent  on  land  here, 
and  he  established  a  store  and  hotel  at  Smith 
station  which  he  conducted  until  his  death. 
He  married  ^largaret  Nicholl,  and  had  sons 
John,  William  and  David,  all  of  whom  be- 
came farmers. 

David  Lintner,  son  of  Conrad,  was  a  youth 
of  fourteen  when  he  came  with  the  family 
to  Indiana  county.  He  made  farming  his 
business  throughout  life  and  was  a  thoroughly 
successful  man,  one  who  had  the  esteem  of  all 
his  neighbors.  He  lived  at  Smith  station. 
He  was  married  three  times,  and  two  of  his 
children  survive:  Joseph  Porter  and  Ma- 
tilda Jane  (Mrs.  John  C.  ]\Ioorhead,  of  In- 
diana borough). 

Joseph  Porter  Lintner  was  brought  up  as 
a  farmer  and  has  been  interested  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits  all  his  life.  In  1890  he  entered 
the  clothing  Inisiuess  in  Blairsville,  becoming 
a  member  of  the  firm  of  J.  P.  &  J.  E.  Lint- 
ner, and  retired  from  same  four  years  ago, 
his  son  J.  B.  succeeding  him  in  business. 


1342 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Lintner  enlisted 
in  Company  B,  56th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  sec- 
ond battle  of  Bull  Run,  in  which  engagement 
he  was  wounded  through  both  thighs  and  cap- 
tured. He  lay  iipon  the  battlefield  for  eleven 
days,  a  prisoner,  and  during  all  that  time 
had  nothing  to  eat  but  two  onions  and  two 
crackers.  He  was  then  paroled.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Union  Veteran  Legion.  In 
religion  he  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

On  Nov.  24,  1864,  Mr.  Lintner  married 
Violet  L.  Turner,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and 
they  have  had  three  children,  two  of  whom 
are  living:  Mary  Ellen,  who  is  now  the  wife 
of  Dr.  George  H.  Hunter,  of  Blairsville;  and 
Jesse  Bard,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  J. 
B.  Lintner  &  Co.,  dealers  in  clothing  and 
men's  furnishings,  of  Blairsville.  James  Edgar 
Lintner,  the  deceased  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
J.  P.  Lintner,  was  a  merchant  at  Blairsville, 
having  been  associated  with  his  father ;  he  mar- 
ried Ella  Duncan  Snyder,  of  Blairsville,  and 
they  had  six  children,  Curtis,  Edgar,  George, 
Louisa,  Fredrick  Porter  (who  died  when  six 
years  old)  and  Robert. 

John  McCrey,  maternal  grandfather  of 
Joseph  P.  Lintner,  was  born  in  1776  in  In- 
diana county,  where  his  father  had  settled 
at  a  very  early  day;  during  the  French  and 
Indian  war  he  sent  his  family  back  to  their 
former  home  east  of  the  mountains,  he  him- 
self remaining  at  Fort  Wallace,  at  which  he 
died.  John  McCrey  returned  to  this  region 
with  his  mother,  and  resided  on  a  farm  two 
miles  from  Blairsville,  where  he  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  days.  He  lived  to  be  over 
eighty-five,  dying  in  1861.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Reed,  and  all  of  their  large  family,  five 
sons  and  five  daughters,  are  now  deceased, 
Thompson  ileCrey,  of  Blacklick  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  Robert  McCrey,  of  Ohio, 
a  minister,  being  the  only  living  descendants 
of  the  name.  Of  the  five  daughters,  Jane  was 
the  mother  of  Joseph  P.  Lintner. 

SAMUEL  M.  PALMER,  now  living  re- 
tired in  the  town  of  Josephine,  Indiana 
county,  was  one  of  the  most  respected  officials 
of  Burrell  township  for  many  years,  his  serv- 
ices as  justice  of  the  peace  and  in  other  public 
positions  of  trust  winning  him  a  high  place 
in  the  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens.  He 
was  born  in  Burrell  township  March  23,  1839, 
and  belongs  to  a  family  which  has  been  as- 
sociated with  this  region  from  its  early  days. 

The  Palmer  family   is  of  German   extrac- 


tion, Henry  Palmer,  the  first  of  the  line  to 
settle  here,  having  been  a  native  of  Germany. 
Coming  to  America  when  a  young  man.  he 
proceeded  to  western  Pennsylvania  after 
landing  in  the  New  World,  and  located  near 
the  present  town  of  Blacklick,  which  was  in- 
cluded in  what  was  then  Westmoreland 
county.  He  was  a  cooper,  and  followed  his 
trade  for  many  years  besides  engaging  in 
farming.  His  declining  years  were  spent 
with  his  son  Charles,  at  whose  home  he  died, 
and  he  was  buried  in  the  Patseh  cemetery 
in  Burrell  township.  '  He  attended  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  his  neighborhood.  After 
coming  to  Penns.ylvania  he  married  Susanna 
Dunkleberger,  and  she,  too,  was  buried  in 
the  Patseh  cemetery.  Nine  children  were 
born  to  this  marriage,  namely:  Peter  lived 
in  Wlaeatfield  township,  Indiana  county ;  John 
died  in  Jelferson  county.  Pa. ;  Henry  is  men- 
tioned elsewhere ;  Charles  lives  in  Burrell 
township;  David  is  mentioned  below;  Eliza- 
beth (Betsy)  married  Peter  Kimmell;  Mary 
(Polly)  married  David  Reed ;  Esther  married 
Peter  Kelly;  Nancy  married  David  Green- 
hill,  of  Indiana  county. 

David  Palmer,  son  of  Henry,  was  born  in 
1793  in  Blacklick  (now  part  of  Burrell) 
township,  and  his  educational  opportunities 
were  limited  to  what  the  subscription  schools 
of  the  time  and  locality  afl:orded.  He  passed 
his  early  life  on  the  homestead,  and  in  time 
began  farming  for  himself,  becoming  owner 
of  a  tract  of  142  acres  which  when  it  came 
into  his  possession  was  a  wilderness.  His 
first  house  on  that  place  was  a  cabin  of  round 
logs,  with  tadpole  roof,  which  later  gave  way 
to  a  hewed  log  house,  and  the  last  dwelling 
erected  on  the  property  was  a  substantial 
frame  structure.  Mr.  Palmer  continued  to 
farm  throughout  his  active  years,  working, 
hard  to  clear  his  land  and  improve  it.  In 
his  declining  years  he  was  tenderly  cared 
for  by  his  son  Samuel,  at  whose  home  he  died 
in  1879,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-six. 
He  is  buried  in  the  family  lot  in  the  Barr 
cemetery.  He  was  a  Democrat,  but  not 
active  in  polities,  and  never  sought  public 
office.  A  man  of  high  moral  character,  he 
was  respected  for  his  integi-ity  and  good  prin- 
ciples. He  was  never  known  to  take  a  drink 
over  a  bar,  though  he  was  not  a  total  ab- 
stainer. 

For  his  first  wife  David  Palmer  married 
Jane  Bell,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary 
(Montgomery)  Bell,  who  were  natives  of 
England.  Mrs.  Palmer  died  on  the  home- 
stead at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.     She 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1343 


was  the  mother  of  twelve  children:  John- 
ston; Thomas,  who  died  in  the  West;  David, 
who  died  in  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana 
county;  Alexander,  who  died  in  Indiana 
county ;  Levi,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil 
war  and  was  killed  in  front  of  Petersburg; 
Matthias,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican 
war  and  died  in  the  service;  William,  who 
lives  at  Heshbon,  Indiana  county ;  Samuel 
M. ;  Susanna,  who  married  Christopher  Camp- 
bell, and  died  in  West  Wheatfield  township ; 
Mary  (Polly),  who  married  Rufus  Shoup, 
of  West  Wheatfield  township ;  Nancy  Jane, 
who  married  David  Campbell,  and  died  in 
Brushvalley  township;  and  Sarah  Jane,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  seven  years.  Mr.  Palmer's 
second  marriage  was  to  ilary  (Polly)  Bolar, 
widow  of  Hugh  Bell ;  no  children  were  born 
to  this  union. 

Samuel  I\I.  Palmer,  son  of  David  and  Jane 
(Bell)  Palmer,  attended  the  schools  of  the 
home  locality.  By  reading  and  observation 
he  has  continued  to  inform  himself  on  matters 
of  general  importance  and  interest,  and  his 
intelligent  and  broad-minded  views  on  gen- 
eral subjects  have  won  him  a  reputation  for 
sound  judgment  which  he  well  deserves. 
After  working  with  his  father  until  he  reached 
manhood,  he  began  farming  for  himself,  buy- 
ing a  tract  of  101  acres  in  West  Wheatfield 
township  on  which  he  paid  five  hundred 
dollars  down,  for  the  balance  giving  a  mort- 
gage which  was  to  be  taken  up  in  three  years. 
By  hard  work  and  economy,  however,  he 
managed  to  pay  it  off  in  one  year,  and  con- 
tinued to  prosper,  engaging  in  farming  and 
stock  raising  and  making  many  improve- 
ments on  his  property.  At  last,  when  his 
father  needed  his  care,  he  sold  the  place  and 
returned  to  the  home  of  his  boyhood,  con- 
tinuing to  operate  the  homestead  farm  and 
giving  his  father  and  stepmother  the  loving 
care  which  only  a  dutiful  son  could  bestow. 
There  he  remained,  following  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  until  1891,  when  he  sold 
out  and  moved  to  tlie  town  of  Blacklick  to 
engage  in  the  mercantile  business.  After  two 
years  in  that  line,  however,  he  had  to  give 
it  up  on  account  of  his  health,  and  he  removed 
to  what  is  now  the  town  of  Josephine,  where 
he  bought  the  little  farm  upon  which  he  has 
since  made  his  home. 

Though  he  has  given  his  business  affairs 
the  necessary  time  and  attention  he  has  also 
taken  part  in  public  life,  and  served  a  niim- 
ber  of  years  as  supervisor  and  assessor  of  his 
native  township.  He  was  also  a  member  of 
the  election  board.     In  1897  he  was  elected 


justice  of  the  peace  of  Burrell  township  and 
held  that  office  for  five  years,  during  which 
time  there  was  not  a  single  appeal  from  one 
of  his  decisions.  He  has  always  been  a  Demo- 
crat and  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  principles 
of  his  party,  though  he  supported  the  Union 
during  the  Civil  war,  showing  his  sympathies 
by  his  service.  In  August,  1864,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  H,  211th  Pa.  V.  I.,  under  Capt. 
V.  B.  Harding  and  Colonel  Dodds.  He  con- 
tinued in  active  service  until  the  close  of  the 
war  and  participated  in  the  grand  review  in 
Washington.  Mr.  Palmer  became  a  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R.,  joining  Thomas  Jenkins  Post, 
Blacklick.  in  which  he  has  filled  all  the  offices, 
including  that  of  commander.  In  religion 
he  has  been  associated  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

In  1860  Mr.  Palmer  married  Jane  Campbell, 
who  was  a  native  of  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Robert 
Campbell  and  sister  of  the  late  Dr.  J.  G. 
Campbell  of  Homer  City.  Mrs.  Palmer  died 
in  1872,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Barr  ceme- 
tery. To  this  marriage  were  born  five  chil- 
dren: Lestie  H.,  who  is  now  a  resident  of  Al- 
berta, Northwest  Territory,  Canada ;  Clement, 
of  Nevada  Mountains,  Cal.  (he  is  engaged  in 
prospecting)  ;  Andrew  Milton,  who  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Erastus  Albert,  of 
Blairsville,  Pa.;  and  Effie,  wife  of  W.  J. 
Kunkle,  of  Homer  City,  Pa.  .  Mr.  Palmer's 
second  marriage  was  to  Maria  Campbell, 
daughter  of  James  Campbell,  and  by  this 
union  there  is  one  child,  Melvin  Mack,  who 
has  graduated  from  the  Pittsburg  University, 
and  is  now  practicing  the  medical  profession 
at  Bakerstown,   Cambria  Co.,   Pennsylvania. 

CHARLES  M.  RANKIN,  a  young  farmer 
of  Center  township,  Indiana  county,  who  is 
working  successfully  on  the  Rankin  homestead 
where  all  his  life  has  been  spent,  was  born 
there  Oct.  23,  1885,  son  of  James  and  Euphe- 
mia  (Kunkle)  Rankin.  His  grandfather,  who 
was  a  native  of  Ireland,  came  to  America  and 
settled  in  Blacklick  townsLip,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  among  the  pioneers  in  that  region.  At 
that  time  the  county  was  a  wilderness,  which 
his  work  helped  to  develop.  Here  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life,  dying  upon  his  farm. 
He  married  and  brought  up  his  family  in  this 
section. 

James  Rankin,  father  of  Charles  M.  Rankin, 
was  born  in  Blacklick  township,  and  passed 
his  life  on  the  farm  near  Coral,  on  Twoliek 
creek,  which  he  bought  after  his  marriage, 
and  on  which  he  died  Nov.  2,  1903.    His  re- 


1344 


HISTOKY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


mains  were  interred  in  Greenwood  cemetery, 
in  this  county.  He  married  Euphemia 
Kunkle,  daughter  of  Henry  Kunkle,  of  Black- 
lick  township,  and  she  is  still  living,  making 
his  home  with  her  son  William,  in  Blacklick 
township.  They  had  children  as  follows: 
David  A.,  Charles  M.  and  William  C. 

Charles  M.  Rankin  remained  at  home,  assist- 
ing his  father,  and  obtained  his  education  in 
the  schools  of  the  home  district.  He  owns 
a  valuable  tract  of  120  acres,  of  which  seventy- 
five  acres  are  cleared  and  under  cultivation, 
and  he  follows  the  most  progressive  methods 
in  whatever  he  undertakes.  He  is  a  steady 
and  industrious  worker,  and  has  the  respect 
of  all  who  know  him. 

Mr.  Rankin  was  united  in  marriage.  May 
29,  1907,  with  Catherine  Huston,  who  was 
born  and  raised  near  Gray  station,  in  West- 
moreland county,  and  is  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Margaret  (Metz)  Huston,  of  Blacklick 
township.  Mr.  ^Metz  died  in  January,  1908. 
They  have  had  three  children:  Alfred  C,  born 
March  14.  1908 ;  Wilda  Lucille,  born  July  17, 
1909;  and  Lura  Edna,  born  Aug.  19,  1911. 
Mrs.  Rankin  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church.  In  political  matters  Mr.  Rankin  is 
independent,  supporting  the  candidates  and 
measures  he  approves,  without  regard  to 
party. 

SAMUEL  BARNETT.  an  old  resident  of 
Indiana  and  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  was 
born  on  the  Stephens  farm  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, this  county,  July  4,  1843,  son  of  David 
Barnett. 

Luke  Barnett,  his  grandfather,  born  Oct.  22, 
1767,  in  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  came  to  Indiana 
county  with  his  son,  David  Barnett,  and  died 
at  the"  latter 't;  home  in  Cherryhill  township  at 
an  advanced  age.  He  and  his  wife  Catherine 
were  married  May  3,  1796,  and  their  children 
were :  Robert,  Jacob,  David,  Sarah,  Catherine 
and  Amelia. 

David  Barnett  was  born  in  Bedford  county, 
Pa.,  about  1815,  and  there  grew  to  manhood's 
estate.  He  married  Eliza  Croft,  and  soon 
thereafter  moved  to  a  farm  of  200  acres  in 
Cherryhill  township,  this  county.  Imme- 
diatelv  upon  taking  possession  of  it  Mr.  Bar- 
nett began  improving  the  property,  and  there 
died  in  1852.  A  well-educated  man.  he  taught 
school  in  addition  to  farming  for  several  years. 
Politically  he  was  a  Republican.  In  religious 
faith  he  was  a  Lutheran.  Mrs.  Barnett  be- 
longed to  a  well-known  Bedford  county  family. 
Samuel  Barnett  spent  the  greater  portion 
of  his  bovhood  in  Cherryhill  township,  and 


received  his  educational  training  in  the  public 
schools  there.  In  February,  1861,  he  left  his 
farming  to  enlist  in  Company  A,  61st  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  the  first  regi- 
ment to  leave  this  part  of  the  State.  Mr. 
Barnett 's  first  colonel  was  Oliver  H.  Rippey, 
of  Pottsville,  who  was  killed  at  Fair  Oaks. 
Mr.  Barnett  served  under  Capt.  Jac.  Creps 
and  Col.  Robert  L.  Orr  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  when  he  was  discharged  at  Washington, 
D.  C.,  June  29,  1865,  reaching  home  July  4, 
1865.  During  his  service  he  was  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  a  ball  entering 
the  right  side  of  his  nose,  passing  through  the 
roof  of  his  mouth,  and  lodging  in  his  throat. 
He  lost  the  index  finger  of  his  left  hand  in 
front  of  Petersburg.  After  his  first  wound  he 
was  detailed  as  cook  in  the  hospital,  but  re- 
turned to  active  service  Oct.  19,  1864.  On 
the  night  of  May  11,  1864.  his  command  en- 
countered the  Rebel  picket  in  front  of  Spott- 
sylvania  court-house,  and  Mr.  Barnett  seized 
the  lieutenant  colonel,  took  his  sword  from  his 
hand,  and  took  him  to  the  rear  of  the  line. 

Returning  home,  Mr.  Barnett  assisted  his 
father  in  the  farm  work  until  his  marriage, 
when  he  bought  one  half  of  the  homestead  and 
operated  it  for  thirty-two  years,  and  then  in 
1901  entered  upon  his  well-earned  retirement, 
coming  to  Indiana,  where  he  bought  his  pres- 
ent home  in  the  Second  ward. 

On  Sept.  6, 1866,  Mr.  Barnett  married  Eliza- 
beth Stumpf ,  born  in  what  is  now  Rayne  town- 
ship June  15,  1844,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Elizabeth  (Rowe)  Stumpf.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Barnett  have  had  children  as  follows:  John 
W..  who  is  a  Congregational  minister  of  Barre, 
Vt.,  married  Gertrude  Greer;  Cicero,  who  re- 
sides at  Indiana,  married  Myra  J.  ]Metz : 
Laura  B.  is  at  home ;  Clara  died  aged  twenty- 
six  veai-s ;  Howard  died  when  nineteen  months 
old."  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnett  belong  to  the 
Christian  Church,  and  take  a  deep  interest  in 
the  good  work  of  their  denomination. 

ROBERT  N.  MILLER  has  a  fine  farm  of 
160  acres  in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  follows  general  farming  and 
stock  "raising.  He  was  born  in  that  township 
Feb.  26.  1847,  son  of  Nathaniel  Miller  and 
grandson  of  Robert  IMiller,  who  was  born  and 
reared  at  West  Lebanon,  in  Young  township. 
Indiana  countv.  He  was  engaged  in  general 
farming  there  all  lijs  life.  He  and  his  wife 
whose  maiden  name  was  Patterson,  are  buried 
in  the  West  Union  cemetery  in  Armstrong 
township.  He  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Nathaniel  Miller,  son  of  Robert,  was  born 
iu  Young  township,  this  county,  and  in  his 
earlier  years  was  engaged  in  farming  there 
for  some  time.  Then  he  moved  to  Armstrong 
township  and  bought  the  Martin  place  of  160 
acres,  which  he  cultivated  during  the  rest  of 
his  life,  dying  when  eighty-one  years  old.  He 
married  Jennie  McAdoo,  who  was  born  in 
Young  township,  and  died  when  sixty-six  years 
old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  are  buried  in  the 
West  Union  cemetery  in  Armstrong  township. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  Children  as  follows  were  born  to 
them:  Julia  Ann,  who  married  William 
Beatty ;  John,  who  died  in  Texas ;  Rachel,  who 
died  in  infancy;  Sarah,  widow  of  William 
Craig;  Martha,  deceased;  Maria,  deceased; 
Robert  N. ;  James,  deceased ;  and  Polino. 

Robert  N.  Miller  attended  common  school 
in  his  native  township,  and  subsequently 
worked  at  farming  with  his  father  until  the 
latter  died.  He  then  took  charge  of  the  home 
place,  which  he  now  owns,  and  where  he  is 
interested  in  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing. His  beautiful  home  and  large  barn,  and 
in  fact  all  his  surroundings,  tell  of  the  pride 
the  owner  has  in  his  property,  and  of  his  effect- 
ive and  business-like  methods  of  perforniing 
his  work.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  man  who  takes  a 
thorough  interest  in  anything  which  enlists 
his  attention,  and  thus  he  has  borne  an  active 
part  in  the  public  affairs  of  his  locality  and  in 
local  politics,  associated  with  the  Republican 
and  Prohibition  parties.  He  has  been  election 
inspector,  and  has  served  his  township  as 
school  director.  He  is  a  leading  member  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he 
has  been  a  ruling  elder  for  the  last  thirty-five 
.years,  clerk  of  the  session  thirty-one  years,  and 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  He  has 
belonged  to  that  church  since  1867,  and  his 
wife  and  family  are  also  members  of  the  con- 
gregation. 

Mr.  Miller  was  married  to  Ann  Margaret 
Craig,  who  was  born  in  June,  1844,  daughter 
of  Hugh  and  Barbara  (Ramsey)  Craig,  and 
they  have  had  three  children:  John  B.,  who 
is  a  merchant  at  Apollo,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa., 
married  Laura  McCreight  (he  is  an  elder  in 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church)  ;  Jennie  mar- 
ried R.  Carnahan;  Ford  B.,  who  lives  at 
home,  was  a  student  at  the  Indiana  State 
normal  school. 

GEORGE  E.  SANDBERG,  a  young  busi- 
ness man  of  Cherrytree,  in  Montgomery  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  at  present  serving  as  a 
member  of  the  town  council,  has  resided  there 


since  1908.  He  was  born  at  Houtzdale,  Clear- 
field Co.,  Pa.,  March  3,  1885,  son  of  Andrew 
0.  and  Engborg  (Earlandson)  Sandberg,  na- 
tives of  Sweden  and  Norway,  respectively, 
They  had  a  family  of  four  children  when  they 
came  to  America,  in  1882,  and  they  settled 
at  Houtzdale,  Pa.,  which  was  the  family  home 
for  many  years.  Mrs.  Sandberg  died  Feb.  26, 
1904,  aged  sixty  years,  three  months,  twenty- 
one  days,  and  Mr.  Sandberg  now  resides 
among  his  children.  He  still  owns  property  at 
Pattou,  Pa.  He  and  his  wife  had  six  children 
in  all,  namely :  Abna,  who  is  the  wife  of  Gus 
Gabrielson,  of  Patton,  Pa.;  Sophia,  wife  of 
L.  B.  Callahan,  of  Pennsylvania ;  Elva,  wife  of 
Edward  Little,  of  Patton,  Pa.;  Agnes,  who  is 
a  professional  nurse;  Axel,  a  resident  of 
Emeigh  Run,  Pa.,  who  conducts  a  general 
store;  and  George  E. 

George  E.  Sandberg  attended  school  at 
Houtzdale,  where  he  lived  until  fifteen  years 
old.  He  then  removed  to  Patton,  Pa.,  where 
he  remained  until  coming  to  Cherrytree,  in 
May,  1908.  Here  he  purchased  the  store  and 
business  of  J.  A.  Rank,  to  the  conduct  of  which 
he  has  since  given  most  of  his  time  and  atten- 
tion. He  is  doing  well,  and  is  gaining  a  worthy 
place  among  the  useful  citizens  of  the  borough, 
having  proved  his  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
his  adopted  town  in  various  ways.  He  is  now 
serving  as  a  member  of  the  town  council,  to 
which  position  he  was  elected  iu  1909,  as  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party. 

In  1909  Mr.  Sandberg  was  married,  in 
Clearfield,  Pa.,  to  Clara  Carlson,  who  was  born 
at  Williamsport,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Andrew 
Carlson,  a  native  of  Sweden.  They  have  had 
two  children,  Robert  and  Helen.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Sandberg  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

J.  MILTON  STEWART,  farmer  and  pres- 
ent tax  collector  of  Cherry  hill  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  has  lived  at  Penn  Run,  in  that 
township,  all  his  life,  and  is  well  known  in 
the  vicinity,  having  been  in  the  mercantile 
business  for  some  years  before  he  settled  down 
to  farming.  He  was  born  at  Penn  Run  Mav 
12,  1876,  son  of  Prank  and  Augusta  (Kirk) 
Stewart,  and  grandson  of  Archie  Stewart. 

The  Stewarts  are  of  Scotch-Irish  descent, 
and  Archie  Stewart  was  a  native  of  Scotland. 
He  settled  in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  in  a  very  early  day,  and  there  followed 
farming  until  his  death,  his  farm  and  home 
place  being  now  occupied  by  Archie  Stewart, 
a  cousin  of  J.  Milton  Stewart.  He  had  two 
sons,  both  now  deceased. 


1346  HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

Frank  Stewart,  son  of  Archie,  was  born  in  he  followed  for  some  years.  In  1856  he  came 
Cherryhill  township,  and  learned  the  trade  of  to  Indiana  county  and  settled  on  the  136- 
harnessmaker  at  Indiana,  the  county  seat.  He  acre  farm  of  his  father-in-law,  George  Hile- 
engaged  ia  business  as  a  harnessmaker  at  Penn  man,  there  making  many  improvements,  in- 
Run,  and  with  the  exception  of  three  years  eluding  the  erection  of  a  fine  new  barn,  and 
spent  in  the  West,  made  his  home  there  until  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  on  that  prop- 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  February,  1901.  erty,  passing  away  in  1899.  He  was  buried 
He  married  Augusta  Kirk,  who  was  born  in  m  the  Lutheran  Church  cemetery  at  Brush- 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  whose  parents  were  also  valley,  Pa.,  having  been  elder  of  that  church 
of  Scotch-Irish  origin.  Mrs.  Stewart  survives  and  active  in  its  work.  Politically  he  was  a 
her  husband,  living  with  a  daughter  in  Ohio.  Republican.  Mr.  Shaffer  married  Mary  Hile- 
They  had  a  family  of  six  children:  E.  Blanche,  man,  daughter  of  George  Hileman,  a  complete 
wife  of  J.  W.  Robinson,  of  Saltsburg,  Indiana  sketch  of  whom  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this 
Co.,  Pa. ;  Augusta,  wife  of  George  E.  Lose,  of  volume,  and  she  died  in  Indiana,  in  1906,  and 
Ashtabula,  Ohio ;  J.  Milton ;  and  Frank,  Ella  was  buried  beside  her  husband.  They  had 
and  Elsie,  all  three  deceased.  eleven  children :  George,  who  died  in  the  army 

J.  Milton  Stewart  received  his  education  at  during  the  Civil  war ;  Hannah,  who  passed 
Penn  Run.  After  commencing  life  for  him-  away  in  young  womanhood ;  Samuel,  who  re- 
self  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business  there,  sides  at  Lima,  Ohio ;  Blair,  who  lives  at  Vin- 
carrying  it  on  for  three  years,  and  then  en-  tondale.  Pa. ;  Lloyd  Sutton ;  Charles,  who  is 
gaged  m  the  general  merchandise  business,  engaged  in  farming  in  Michigan;  Sarah,  de- 
whieh  he  conducted  for  seven  years.  Since  ceased;  ;\Iary,  who  married  J.  I.  Paul,  of 
then  he  has  been  interested  in  farming,  having  Brushvalley  township ;  Alice,  who  is  unmar- 
purchased  a  tract  of  sixty-five  acres,  in  the  ried ;  Annie,  wife  of  John  Allison ;  and  Nettie, 
cultivation  of  which  he  is  actively  engaged,    who  died  young. 

He  has  made  a  success  of  his  agricultural  work,  Lloyd  Sutton  Shaffer  was  educated  in  the 
as  he  did  of  his  commercial  ventures,  and  is  public  schools  of  Brushvalley  township,  and 
considered  one  of  the  intelligent  and  progress-  remained  on  the  homestead  until  he  was  sis- 
ive  men  of  his  section.  He  has  built  a  beauti-  teen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  went  to 
ful  brick  residence  on  his  property,  which  Altoo'na,  Pa.,  there  learning  the  carpenter's 
gives  every  evidence  of  the  thrift  and  hard  trade.  After  spending  three  years  there  he 
work  of  the  owner.  He  is  holding  the  office  of  returned  to  the  homestead  and  carried  on 
tax  collector  of  the  township.  farming  for  four  years,  at  the  eud  of  that  time 

On  IMarch  29,  1899,  Mr.  Stewart  was  mar-  forming  a  partnership  with  his  brother  Blair, 
ried  to  Dora  N.  Lydick,  who  was  born  in  1879  T^gy  engaged  in  the  planing  mill  business  at 
in  Cherryhill  township,'  daughter  of  William  Strongstown,  under  the  firm  style  of  Shaffei- 
and  Amanda  (Lockard)  Lydick,  who  settled  Brothers,  but  four  years  later  Lloyd  S.  Shaf- 
earlv  in  Indiana  county  and  were  always  farm-  f^r  returned  to  the  homestead  and  again  en- 
in^'people ;  Mr.  Lvdick  is  now  living  retired,  gaged  in  farming.  In  1890  he  removed  to 
He  is  a  veteran  of"  the  Civil  war.  Three  chil-  civde,  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  where 
dren  have  been  born  to  ilr.  and  Mrs.  Stewart :  ijg  i^as  made  his  home  ever  since,  being  engaged 
H  Guy  ^Mildred  and  J.  Wendall.  Mr.  and  j,t  his  trade  and  in  contracting  and  budding. 
Mrs.  Stewart  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  He  has  done  much  building  at  New  Florence, 
Church  He  holds  membership  in  Pine  Flats  -\vhere  numerous  examples  of  his  skill  and  re- 
Lodge  I   0   0   F.  liable  workmanship  can  he  found,  and  he  has 

also  built  a  number  of  sehoolhouses  and 
LLOYD  SUTTON  SHAFFER,  carpenter  churches  throughout  this  section  of  the  State, 
and  builder  of  West  Wheatfield  township.  In-  p^j.  gQ^ie  time  he  carried  on  building  pursuits 
diana  countv,  is  a  native  of  Frankstown,  Blair  ...jtii  w.  H.  Lower,  in  Brushvalley  township, 
county  born  June  6.  1854,  son  of  John  and  j^  i^ig  political  views  Mr.  Shaffer  is  a_Repuh- 
]\Iarv"  (Hileman)  Shaffer.  liean,  but  has  never  cared  for  office.    In/p'^f- 

Adam  Shaffer,  grandfather    of    Lloyd    S.    ion  he  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  C  hurch. 
Shaffer  was  of  German  descent,  and  settled  in    and  was  formerly  an  elder.  . 

Indiana  countv  late  in  life.  ^        On  Jan.  27   1876  Mr.  Shaffer  was  married 

?ohn  ShaffeV,  son  of  Adam,  and  father  of    to  Rachel  S.  Coy,  who  was  born  in  Cherryhil 


TlovdSSh"ff;i  was  born  ai  Yellowspring.  township,  daughter  of  John  Coy,  and  three 
Bhair  ooui' V  nnd  grew  to  manhood  in  that  children  have  been  born  Jo  this  union  ;^  Mary 
county,  learning  the  trade  of  carpenter,  which    Armenia, 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1347 


Wheatfield  township ;  and  Jolin  W.  and  Cora 
Helen,  residing  at  home. 

JOSEPH  H.  LOUGHRY,  deceased,  former 
farmer  of  Indiana  county,  and  for  twenty 
years  superintendent  of  Oakland  cemetery,  at 
Indiana,  Pa.,  was  born  in  White  township, 
Indiana  county,  Aug.  17,  1826,  son  of  James 
and  Ann  (Wilson)  Loughry. 

The  paternal  gi-andfather  of  Joseph  H. 
Loughry,  a  native  of  Ireland,  came  to  the 
United  States  iu  youug  manhood  and  settled 
in  Center  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  there 
spending  the  remainder  of  his  life  iu  agri- 
cultural pursuits. 

James  Loughry,  father  of  Joseph  H.,  was 
horn  in  Center  township,  but  subsequentlj' 
moved  to  White  township,  where  he  died  in 
October,  1850.  He  was  twice  married,  and 
had  eleven  children  by  each  wife. 

Joseph  H.  Loughry  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm,  and  pursued  his  studies  in  the  old  Stone 
academy  which  stood  on  the  present  site  of  the 
home  of  Wood  Clark,  of  Indiana,  the  principal 
being  Rev.  John  Reed,  a  Presbyterian  preach- 
er. On  Dec.  20,  1849,  Mr.  Loughry  was  mar- 
ried to  Martha  Bryan  Allison,  who  was  born 
in  White  township,  three  miles  from  Indiana, 
Feb.  16,  1829,  daughter  of  Robert  F.  and 
Hannah  (Bryan)  Allison.  After  his  marriage 
Mr.  Loughry  engaged  in  farming  in  White 
and  East  Mahoning  townships,  and  in  Febru- 
ary, 1877,  took  charge  of  Oakland  cemetery, 
being  superintendent  thereof  for  the  next 
twenty  years.  He  was  a  consistent  member  of 
the  Lutheran  Church  and  a  Republican  in  his 
political  views. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loughry  had  the  following 
•children:  Anna  Jane,  who  married  Johnson 
Butler,  of  Armstrong  county;  Martha  and 
Mary,  who  died  when  young;  Sarah  Mar- 
garet, who  married  John  R.  Hazlet,  of  Clar- 
ion county ;  David  M.,  who  died  when  a  lad ; 
and  Robert  Allison,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
coal  business  in  Center  township  (he  mar- 
ried Margaret  Lomison). 

Mrs.  Loughry,  although  eighty-four  years 
of  age,  is  remarkably  well  preserved.  She 
never  wears  eyeglasses,  her  hearing  is  perfect, 
and  her  memory  wonderful,  recalling  names 
and  dates  from  the  past  with  the  utmost  ease. 
Reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer 's  daughter,  she 
did  everything  on  the  farm  in  her  younger 
years  except  plow,  and  also  busied  herself 
at  the  reel,  her  mother  being  a  weaver.  When 
a  young  woman  Mrs.  Loughry  pulled  flax  in 
the  field,  threshed  out  the  seed,  took  it  from  the 
brake,  scutched  it  and  wove  it  into  sheets, 


shirts,  blankets  and  clothing.  With  a  wide 
fund  of  information,  and  weU  posted  on  events 
of  the  past,  her  conversation  is  interesting  and 
instructive,  and  her  many  admirable  personal 
traits  of  character  have  made  her  highly  es- 
teemed among  the  people  of  her  community. 

MICHAEL  E.  BROWN,  senior  member  of 
the  firm  of  M.  E.  Brown  &  Bro.,  of  Blairsville, 
Indiana  county,  has  been  a  lifelong  resident 
of  that  place,  and  is  not  only  a  prominent  busi- 
ness man  but  also  one  of  the  most  popular 
Democrats  in  this  section  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  born  in  Blairsville  April  5,  1853,  son  of 
John  W.  and  Hannah  (Crate)  Brown,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  John 
W.  Brown  was  at  one  time  a  contractor,  and 
he  built  the  addition  to  heighten  the  original 
East  Fork  dam  at  Johnstown,  which  after- 
ward broke  -<nih  such  disastrous  results. 

Michael  E.  Brown  received  a  public  school 
education  at  Blairsville.  When  a  boy  of 
twelve  he  began  to  assist  his  father  in  the 
butcher  business,  in  which  he  has  been  in- 
terested ever  since,  he  and  his  brother  Thomas 
C.  Brown  forming  a  partnership  in  the  early 
seventies  which  has  continued  ixninterruptedly 
since.  They  began  as  retailers,  but  gradually 
the  business  became  wholesale  in  character 
and  has  been  conducted  as  such  since  1890. 
Their  plant  is  now  modernly  equipped  in  every 
detail.  They  have  a  two-story  building  150x 
150  feet  in  dimensions,  and  their  ice  plant 
forms  an  important  branch  of  the  business, 
supplying  the  city.  They  buy  all  their  live 
stock  at  the  best  markets,  Chicago  and  Kansas 
City,  and  the  killing  capacity  is  now  four  hun- 
dred hogs  and  two  carloads  of  cattle,  besides 
sheep  and  calves,  weekly.  Though  they  are 
best  known  as  meat  packers,  the  Brown  broth- 
ers have  formed  other  important  associations. 
They  were  the  original  pi'omoters  of  the  West- 
moreland Street  Railway  Company,  which 
they  organized  in  1902,  securing  the  franchises 
and  right  of  way  through  the  borough  and  get- 
ting the  road  into  operation,  after  which  they 
sold  out. 

Michael  E.  Brown  has  always  taken  a  great 
interest  in  the  success  of  the  Democratic 
party,  and  is  one  of  its  leading  workers  in  his 
part  of  the  State.  He  has  been  delegate  to 
two  national  conventions,  at  Kansas  City  and 
Baltimore  (1912) .  In  1897  he  was  the  Demo- 
cratic candidate  for  State  treasurer.  He  has 
done  good  work  as  a  public  official  of  his 
home  city,  at  present  filling  his  third  term 
as  burgess  of  Blairsville. 


1348 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


In  September,  1874,  Mr.  Brown  married 
Isadora  Jelley,  of  Blairsville.  They  have  no 
children.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  are  members 
of  the  Catholic  Church. 

THOilAS  C.  BROWN,  member  of  the  firm 
of  M.  E.  Brown  &  Bro.,  meat  packers,  of 
Blairsville,  Indiana  county,  was  born  in  that 
borough  March  5,  1855,  son  of  John  "W.  and 
Hannah  (Crate)  Brown.  He  attended  public 
school,  and  began  work  as  his  father's  assist- 
ant in  the  butcher  business  at  Blairsville.  He 
continued  thus  until  January,  1873,  when  he 
and  his  brother  ilichael  E.  Brown  began  busi- 
ness together  under  the  firm  name  they  have 
ever  since  retained.  They  have  had  many  in- 
terests in  common,  having  been  associated  in 
the  promotion  and  establishment  of  the  West- 
moreland Street  Railway  Company,  which  was 
organized  in  1902,  and  which  they  subse- 
quently sold.  Mr.  Brown  is  considered  one 
of  the  most  trustworthy  business  men  in 
Blairsville  and  holds  a  high  place  in  the  esteem 
of  his  fellow  citizens.  He  is  an  honorary  mem- 
ber of  the  volunteer  fire  department. 

In  1876  Mr.  Brown  married  Mary  Mullen, 
at  that  time  of  Philadelphia,  originally  from 
Canada.  They  have  one  daughter,  Anna 
Christine. 

PETER  E.  DECKER,  of  Green  township, 
owns  one  of  the  most  beautiful  farms  in  Indi- 
ana county,  and  the  work  of  development  he 
has  prosecuted  on  his  property  is  not  only  a 
credit  to  his  ambition  and  ability  but  also  a 
practical  illustration  of  the  possibilities  of  this 
region.  He  is  a  son  of  Christopher  Decker 
and  grandson  of  John  and  Catherine  (Weil) 
Decker,  natives  of  Fulton  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Christopher  Decker  was  born  ni  Fulton 
county.  Pa.,  and  came  to  Indiana  county  in 
1857.  He  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Garmans 
Mills,  and  engaged  in  lumbering,  continuing 
in  that  occupation  during  the  remainder  of 
his  life — which  was  brief,  his  death  occurring 
in  1860.  Mr.  Decker  married  Sarah  Stahl, 
who  was  born  April  10, 1836,  in  Indiana  coun- 
ty, where  her  father,  Peter  Stahl,  settled  in 
pioneer  days.  Mrs.  Decker  married  again, 
becoming  the  wife  of  William  Pittman,  and 
she  now  lives  with  her  son  William  Pittman, 
at  Clymer,  Indiana  county.  He  was  the  only 
child  of  her  second  marriage,  and  by  her  first 
union  she  also  had  one  son,  Peter  E. 

Peter  E.  Decker  was  born  May  6,  1860,  in 
Green  township,  and  was  educated  at  the 
schools  of  Indiana  county,  principally  in  Green 


township.  In  his  earlier  life  he  was  occupied 
chiefly  in  lumbering,  going  into  the  woods 
when  only  a  boy,  and  though  he  had  no  capital 
to  begin  with,  prospered  in  that  line.  Later 
he  took  up  farming,  to  which  he  now  devotes 
all  his  energies,  and  in  w  hich  he  has  been  re- 
markably successful.  He  has  the  qualities  of 
perseverance  and  intelligent  application  which 
help  a  man  to  make  good  in  any  field  of  labor, 
and  his  tine  farm  bears  every  evidence  of  the 
practical  workings  of  modern  ideas  in  agricul- 
ture. There  are  few  places  in  Indiana  county 
which  show  as  progressive  management.  Mr. 
Decker  is  an  up-to-date  business  farmer,  and 
his  work  and  worth  are  thoroughly  appreciated 
by  all  who  come  in  contact  with  him. 

In  1886  Mr.  Decker  was  married  in  Green 
township  to  Maggie  Langham,  who  was  born  in 
Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Josiah  and  Susan 
(Conrath)  Langham,  farming  people  of  Green 
township,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased. 
Eight  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Decker :  Vernie ;  Zella,  who  is  now  the  wife  of 
Calvin  McCoy,  of  Green  township,  who  has 
three  children,  Weldon,  Dennis  and  Queen; 
Ford,  who  married  Tirzah  King,  of  Green 
township,  where  they  reside  (they  have  two 
children,  Emabel  and  Theodore)  ;  Tweet,  the 
wife  of  Clair  Knupp,  of  Green  township  (they 
have  one  child,  a  daughter)  ;  and  Bessie,  Dee, 
Ruth  and  Blair,  at  home. 

WILLIAM  H.  DAVIS,  justice  of  the  peace 
and  general  blacksmith  of  Mechanicsburg. 
Brushvalley  township,  is  one  of  the  best  and 
most  widely  known  men  in  that  section  of 
Indiana  county.  He  is  a  native  of  East 
Wheatfield  township,  born  Aug.  12,  1847. 

The  Davis  family  is  Welsh,  and  the  founder 
of  this  branch  in  America  was  Llewellyn 
Davis,  who  was  a  native  of  Wales,  and  came  to 
America  when  a  young  man,  locating  at  An- 
tietam,  Md.  There  he  followed  the  trade  of 
millwright  and  continued  to  make  his  home 
the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  at  that  place.  He 
married  Margaret  Jones,  who  was  of  English 
descent,  and  she  also  died  at  Antietam,  Md., 
where  she  was  buried.  Their  children  were : 
Thomas,  who  lived  in  Philadelphia :  John,  who 
was  a  farmer  in  Franklin  county ;  Llewellyn, 
who  was  a  contractor  and  builder  of  Altoona. 
Pa. ;  Hanson,  who  resided  at  Sligo  Furnace ; 
Jane,  and  Ben.iamin  C. 

Benjamin  C.  Da\ds,  son  of  Llewellyn,  was 
born  at  Antietam,  Md.,  where  he  grew  to  man- 
hood, and  learned  the  trade  of  wagonmaker. 
This  he  followed  for  several  years,  also  doing 
some  farming.     He  came  at  an  early  period 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1349 


to  Indiana  county,  locating  in  East  Wheatfield 
township,  where  he  settled  on  a  farm  and  be- 
came engaged  in  general  farming.  Some  time 
later  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  White  town- 
ship, locating  on  a  farm  on  Yellow  creek,  where 
the  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent,  and  where 
he  died  in  January,  1897.  He  was  buried  in 
the  graveyard  at  Armagh.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  M.  E.  Church  and  was  quite  active  in 
its  work,  and  in  his  habits  was  temperate.  He 
was  a  stanch  Whig  and  thep  a  Republican  in 
politics,  being  an  admirer  of  Abraham  Lin- 
coln and  James  G.  Blaine. 

Benjamin  C.  Davis  married  Eleanor  Chaney, 
who  was  a  native  of  Bedford  county,  of 
■  French  Huguenot  extraction.  She  died  in 
1867,  and  was  buried  in  the  Armagh  cemetery. 
Like  her  husband  she  was  a  member  of  the  M. 
E.  Church.  Their  children  were:  (1)  Rebecca 
married  John  ]\rcElhaney,  and  is  now  de- 
ceased. (2)  Amos  C,  who  was  an  employee 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Railway  Company,  at  Al- 
toona,  died  in  1912.  (3)  Elizabeth  married 
J.  M.  Spencer,  and  resides  at  Wichita,  Kans. 
(4)  William  H.  is  mentioned  below.  (5) 
Thomas  R.  resides  in  Baltimore.  (6)  James 
and  (7)  Robert  are  deceased.  (8)  Alice  re- 
sides in  Tionesta,  Pa.  (10)  Eleanora  married 
William  Schum,  of  Altoona.  (10)  Llewellyn, 
(11)  Benjamin  J.  and  (12)  John  all  died  in 
infancy. 

William  H.  Davis,  son  of  Benjamin  C.  and 
Eleanor  (Chaney)  Davis,  attended  the  local 
schools  of  his  native  township,  East  Wlieat- 
field.  At  the  early  age  of  thirteen  years  he 
was  apprenticed  to  Abraham  Wilson,  of 
Dilltown,  where  he  learned  blacksmithing. 
After  having  learned  this  trade  he  worked  for 
three  years  as  a  machinst  in  Altoona,  and  then 
followed  it  as  a  journeyman  in  many  parts 
of  the  county,  doing  that  kind  of  work  for 
about  twenty-two  years.  In  the  year  1877  he 
came  to  Meehanicsburg,  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, where  he  bought  the  blacksmith  shop  of 
Daniel  Grumbling,  and  here  for  the  last  thirty- 
five  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  general 
blacksmithing,  being  one  of  the  best-known 
iron  workers  in  this  section.  He  is  still  active 
and  attends  to  his  business  each  day.  and  suc- 
cess has  rewarded  his  untiring  efforts  and 
hard  work. 

In  1894  Mr.  Davis  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  he  has  filled  that  office  ever  since, 
administering  the  affairs  of  that  office  with 
an  even,  efficient  hand,  and  his  judgment  has 
always  been  sustained  in  every  case  which  has 
been  appealed  from  his  office.  He  has  proved 
himself  invaluable  in  this  position,   and  he 


holds  the  confidence  of  all  who  have  had  deal- 
ings with  him,  and  of  all  who  know  him.  He 
has  always  been  a  stanch  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  has  served  as  school  director,  as 
Inirgess  of  Meehanicsburg,  and  also  as  member 
of  the  council  of  the  borough.  He  is  a  broad- 
minded,  intelligent  man,  well-read  and  well- 
informed  on  all  current  matters,  and  his  com- 
munity has  reaped  the  benefit  of  his  ability. 
He  is  quite  active  in  church  work,  being  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  in  which  he  is 
class  leader  and  also  a  teacher  in  the  Sun- 
day school. 

On  April  17,  1871,  Mr.  Davis  married  Mary 
Agnes  Marks,  daughter  of  John  Marks,  of 
Meehanicsburg.  In  1903  Mrs.  Davis  was  ap- 
pointed postmistress  at  Meehanicsburg,  dur- 
ing the  Roosevelt  administration,  and  she  has 
filled  that  office  for  the  last  ten  years.  She 
was  the  first  woman  to  get  a  postoffice  com- 
mission in  Meehanicsburg,  and  she  has  been 
a  careful  official,  discharging  her  duties  with 
general  satisfaction.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
ll.  E.  Church  and  is  a  devoted  wife  and 
mother.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  have  had  chil- 
dren as  follows:  (1)  Annie  married  C.  M. 
Stewart,  brother  of  Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart,  and 
they  reside  in  Brushvalley  township.  (2) 
Amos  C,  foreman  of  the  eastern  division, 
Penns.ylvania  Railroad,  resides  in  Altoona. 
(3)  i\rargaret  married  Collins  Overdorff,  of 
Juniata,  Blair  Co.,  Pa.  (4)  Pearl,  (5)  Olive 
and  (6)  Eleanore  died  in  infancy.  (7) 
Florence  is  a  school  teacher,  having  taught 
for  the  past  ten  years.  (8)  Donald  is  a  ma- 
chinist with  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany, at  Altoona.  (9)  Oscar  resides  at  Al- 
toona. (10)  Grace  and  (11)  Raymond  are 
at  home. 

BBBY  W.  SMITH,  who  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  Pine  township,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  in  Green  township,  this  county,  Feb.  19, 
1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  C.  and  Sarah 
Jane   (Hill)    Smith. 

Ebby  Smith,  the  grandfather  of  Ebby  W. 
Smith,  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  came  to  In- 
diana county,  Pa.,  at  an  early  date,  settling  in 
Green  township,  where  he  purchased  land  and 
was  engaged  in  farming  throughout  his  life. 

Benjamin  C.  Smith,  son  of  Ebby  Smith,  and 
father  of  Ebby  W.  Smith,  was  born  July  2, 
1834,  in  Green  township,  and  as  a  young  man 
moved  to  Cherryhill  township,  where  he 
bought  a  tract  near  the  village  of  Kenwood. 
There  he  spent  his  life  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits, and  died,  honored  and  respected  by  his 
neighbors  and  associates,  in  July,  1912.    Mr. 


1350 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Smith  married  Sarah  Jane  Hill,  who  was  born 
in  September,  1839,  in  Montgomery  township, 
Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Daniel  Hill,  one 
of  the  old-time  farmers  and  millers  of  I\Iont- 
gomery  township.  Mrs.  Smith  passed  away 
April  22,  1908,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years. 
Seven  children  were  born  to  Benjamin  C.  and 
Sarah  Jane  Smith,  namely :  Loviua,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Milton  Grumbling,  of  Indiana  county ; 
Jessie,  who  is  deceased ;  John,  living  on  the  old 
home  place  in  Cherryhill  township ;  Ebby  W. ; 
Elizabeth  M.,  who  is  deceased;  Howard,  a 
justice  of  the  peace,  at  Clymer,  Pa.;  and 
Frank,  a  conductor  on  the  Pennsylvania  rail- 
road, who  lives  at  Greensburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Ebby  W.  Smith,  son  of  Benjamin  C.  Smith, 
received  his" education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Cherrjdiill  township,  and  when  a  lad  worked 
on  his  father's  farm.  He  received  a  good_ 
training  in  the  science  of  modern  farming  and 
also  spent  some  time  in  lumbering,  remaining 
under  the  parental  roof  until  1900,  in  which 
year  he  purchased  his  present  fann  in  Pine 
township,  a  tract  of  178  acres,  on  which  he  has 
made  numerous  improvements.  He  is  known 
as  one  of  the  practical  agriculturists  and  good, 
public-spirited  citizens  of  his  part  of  the  town- 
ship, and  through  straightforward  dealing  has 
gained  and  held  many  friends. 

On  Dee.  23.  1890,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to 
Ida  Griffith,  who  was  born  in  Pine  township, 
daughter  of  Stephen  and  Catherine  Griffith, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  on  the  farm  on 
which  :Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Smith  now  live.  Mrs. 
Smith  died  :May  20,  1906,  the  mother  of  sis 
children,  namely:  Frank  and  Charles,  who 
are  deceased:  and  Teddy,  Catherine,  Jennie 
and  Stephen,  residing  at  home. 

ALEXANDER  PATTISON  WATSON,  a 
retired  citizen  of  Indiana,  veteran  of  the  Civil 
war,  was  born  at  Watson's  Ridge,  this  county, 
April  25, 1841,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Patti- 
.  son)  Watson  and  grandson  of  Matthew  Wat- 
son. 

Matthew  Watson  was  born  in  1763  in  Coun- 
ty Tyrone,  Ireland,  and  married  Mary  Clark, 
of  the  same  county.  Coming  to  the  TTnited 
States  about  1793  he  settled  in  what  is  now 
the  northern  part  of  Westmoreland  county, 
at  Harrison  City,  and  engaged  in  farming. 
In  1800  he  located  on  the  farm  in  Young  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  later  owned  by  Dr. 
Thomas  Murry.  and  the  ridge  upon  which  this 
propei-ty  is  located  was  named  "Watson's 
ridge"  in  his  honor.  He  lived  to  his  ninety- 
third  year,  and  his  death  in  1855  was  caused 
by  an  accident ;  though  active  for  one  of  his 


advanced  age  he  had  the  misfortune  to  dis- 
locate his  hip,  and  did  not  rally  from  the 
shock.  His  first  wife  died  in  1803  at  Elders- 
ridge,  Indiana  countj',  and  he  subsequently 
married  (second)  ilargaret  ^IcClelland,  of 
Westmoreland  county,  who  was  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent.  Her  father,  James  McClelland, 
came  to  this  country  from  Scotland  with  his 
young  wife  in  1783,  settling  in  Conemaugh 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  his  children 
were  born.  In  the  early  days  they  were  fre- 
quently obliged  to  flee  to  a  neighboring  block- 
house "to  seek  safety  from  the  Indians.  Four 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  Watson  "s  fii-st  mar- 
riage: John,  Thomas  (who  married  Rebecca 
P.  Wilson),  ;\Iatthew  and  ^lary  (who  died 
unman-ied)  ;  and  eight  to  the  second:  Jane, 
Isabella  J.,  Robert,  Alexander,  William, 
James,  Ann  and  ^Margaret,  Mrs,  Margaret 
Watson  died  in  1866. 

James  Watson,  father  of  Alexander  Patti- 
son,  Watson,  was  born  Nov,  16,  1816,  at 
Eldersridge,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  reared 
there.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  coun- 
try schools  at  that  place,  and  was  trained  to 
farming  from  boyhood,  settling  on  the  home 
tract  after  his  marriage.  It  consisted  of  276 
acres,  and  the  town  of  Iselin  is  now  located 
thereon.  He  was  an  extensive  farmer  and  ac- 
tive business  luan.  running  a  dairy,  dealing 
in  stock  and  operating  the  Ridge  flouring 
mill,  which  was  one  of  the  first  steam  flouring 
mills  in  the  southern  part  of  Indiana  county. 
In  1863,  when  ]\Iorgan  and  his  raiders  threat- 
ened to  invade  the  western  part  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, he  enlisted  in  Company  H.  54th  Regi- 
ment. Pennsylvania  ]\Iilitia,  was  promoted  to 
commissary  sergeant,  and  was  present  at 
Morgan's  capture. 

Selling  the  home  property  in  1876.  Mr. 
Watson  moved  to  West  Lebanon,  Indiana 
count.v,  where  he  was  engaged  as  a  teamster. 
In  1880  he  moved  to  the  borough  of  Indiana, 
where  he  died  Jan.  10,  1886,  in  his  seventieth 
year.  He  is  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery.  In 
1839  he  married  alary  Pattison,  who  was  born 
in  1815,  in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Gen.  Alexander  Pattison, 
of  the  Pennsylvania  militia,  who  was  born  in 
this  county  and  married  Martha  Scott,  a  na- 
tive of  Scotland ;  he  was  a  son  of  John  Patti- 
son. who  emigrated  from  the  North  of  Ireland 
and  settled  in  this  county  soon  after  the  close 
of  the  Revolution.  Mrs.  Watson  died  at  New 
Wilmington,  Lawrence  Co.,  Pa.,  Feb.  9.  1S86. 
aged  seventy-one  years.  She  and  her  husband 
were  nieml)ers  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,     In  political  opinion  he  was  a  Re- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1351 


publican.  They  had  three  children:  Alexan- 
der Pattison ;  Belle  J.,  wife  of  Eev.  Hugh  S. 
Boyd,  of  New  Castle,  Pa.,  and  Matthew  Clark, 
an  attorney  of  Indiana. 

Alexander  Pattison  Watson  passed  his  boy- 
hood at  Eldersridge,  meantime  attending  the 
country  schools  and  Eldersridge  Academy. 
On  Aug.  22,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I, 
67th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantrj^,  under 
Capt.  Robert  T.  Cornwell  and  Col.  John  F. 
Staunton  (Maj.  Harry  White),  the  command 
being  attached  to  the  2d  Brigade,  3d  Division, 
6th  Army  Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Mr. 
Watson  took  part  in  battles  in  which  his  com- 
mand was  engaged  from  the  second  engage- 
ment at  Bull  Run  to  Appomattox,  except  for 
three  and  a  half  months  which  he  spent  in 
Libby  and  Belle  Isle  prisons.  He  escaped  three 
times  after  his  capture,  first  at  Berryville,  sec- 
ond out  of  the  courthouse  at  Winchester,  and 
third  near  Culpeper,  but  was  recaptured 
each  time.  During  his  incarceration  at  Belle 
Isle  he  made  an  attempt  to  escape  the  second 
day  of  his  confinement.  The  prisoners  were 
in  squads  of  one  hundred,  and  Mr.  Watson 
was  in  the  nineteenth  hundred.  He  managed 
to  be  assigned  to  the  second  scpiad  and  in  this 
way  released  with  the  first  of  those  ex- 
changed; the  nineteenth  squad  never  got  out 
— it  was  sent  to  Andersonville,  and  Mr.  Wat- 
son never  heard  any  more  about  it.  He  was 
sent  to  hospital  at  Annapolis,  remaining  there 
until  transferred  to  hospital  in  Philadelphia, 
where  he  passed  a  month  from  October  to 
November,  1863,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
was  sent  home.  He  had  been  reduced  to  a 
mere  "skeleton,"  and  when  he  had  recovered 
somewhat  he  returned  to  his  regiment,  re- 
joining it  at  Cedar  Creek.  He  was  in  active 
ser-\dce  until  the  action  at  Appomattox,  and 
was  discharged  June  28,  1865,  at  the  close  of 
the  war. 

Returning  to  his  old  home  Mr.  Watson  lived 
there  until  1877,  when  he  went  to  the  oil 
field  in  Clarion  county,  remaining  in  that 
region  until  1881.  He  then  went  to  Bedford, 
Lawrence  county,  and  for  seven  years  was 
at  Wilmington,  Lawrence  county,  in  order  to 
obtain  desired  educational  advantages  for  his 
children.  In  1892  he  came  back  to  Indiana 
borough,  where  he  has  since  lived. 

In  1867  Mr.  Watson  was  married  at  Elders- 
ridge to  Marinda  J.  Waddle,  daughter  of 
Frank  and  Margaret  IM.  Waddle,  of  West- 
moreland county,  and  they  have  had  a  fam- 
ily of  nine  children,  namely:  Eva  M.  is  the 
wife  of  Capt.  ]\Iead  ]\Iahan,  a  well-known 
attorney  at  law  of  Indiana;  Margaret  R.  is 


the  wife  of  Prof.  Wilson  Barnet  Elder,  of 
Indiana;  Robert  J.  died  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
three  years;  Harry  White  is  now  a  resident 
of  Johnstown,  Pa.  (he  is  a  veteran  of  the 
Spanish-American  war;  served  as  first  ser- 
geant) ;  John  Clark  is  engaged  in  the  print- 
ing business  in  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Anna  Bell  is 
the  wife  of  Prof.  Albert  T.  Church;  James 
Boyd  is  a  general  secretary  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A., 
now  located  at  Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil;  Mary 
Ethel  and  Alexander  P.,  Jr.,  are  at  home. 
The  five  sons  have  all  been  prominent  mem- 
bers of  the  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania, 
Robert  J.,  Harry  W.  and  A.  P.,  Jr.,  being 
sergeants,  and  John  Clark,  a  bugler. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Watson  are  members  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  his  political  views.  Socially  he  holds 
membership  in  the  G.  A.  R.  (Post  No.  28) 
and  the  Union  Veterans'  Legion. 

REV.  NOBLE  G.  MILLER,  a  retired 
clergyman  of  the  Methodist  Church,  residing 
at  Blairsville,  Indiana  county,  was  born  in 
that  city  April  1,  1837,  son  of  Dr.  Martin  L. 
and  Hannah  (Simpson)  Miller,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania. 

Samuel  Miller,  the  first  of  the  name  of 
whom  there  is  any  record,  was  a  native  of 
Ireland. 

Samuel  Miller,  sou  of  Samuel,  above,  was 
born  in  Ireland,  but  came  to  Pennsylvania 
in  1798,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life 
in  Westmoreland  and  Indiana  counties.  He 
made  the  passage  on  a  sailing  vessel  and  was 
three  mouths  on  the  water.  His  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  ilargaret  Garvin,  was  born 
in  County  Down,  Ireland,  in  1792,  and  died 
in  1830, "  JMr.  Miller  surviving  until  1858. 
They  had  fifteen  children,  of  whom  Dr.  Mar- 
tin L.  Miller  was  the  tenth  in  order  of  birth. 

Dr.  Martin  L.  Miller  was  born  in  Cham- 
bersburg.  Pa.,  in  1810,  the  same  year  as  his 
wife,  and  was  brought  from  Chambersburg 
to  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  in  1812.  In 
1832  he  came  to  Blairsville.  Dr.  Miller  had 
a  varied  career,  for  beginning  as  a  carpet 
and  .coverlet  weaver  he  developed  into  a  mer- 
chant and  operated  a  draying  business,  and 
in  his  spare  moments  taught  school.  Being 
very  ambitious,  he  began  reading  medicine 
anci  was  graduated  from  Franklia  Medical 
College,  and  practiced  the  profession  for  the 
remainder  of  his  life,  dying  at  Blairsville 
Jan.  3,  1895,  in  his  eighty-fifth  year.  His 
wife  survived  him  until  1902,  passing  away 
aged  ninety-one  years. 


1352 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


The  Simpson  family  came  originally  from 
Scotland.  Mrs.  Hannah  (Simpson)  Miller, 
the  mother  of  the  Rev.  N.  G.  Miller,  was  the 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Jane  (Rankin) 
Simpson,  the  former  born  in  1780;  he  died 
in  1862.  Mrs.  Simpson  was  born  in  Arm- 
strong county.  Pa.,  and  died  in  1858.  James 
Rankin,  maternal  great-grandfather  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Miller,  was  also  a  native  of  Ireland,  and 
sailed  from  Belfast  for  New  York  City. 
Andrew  Simpson  was  a  son  of  James  Simp- 
son, who  had  migrated  to  Indiana  county 
with  a  sister  and  brother  from  Carlisle,  Pa., 
and  had  formerly  come  from  Baltimore,  Md. 
The  journey  overland  was  made  with  horses 
and  wagons.  Relatives  of  the  family  were 
Wallaces  of  Richard  Wallace  Fort,  where 
Thomas  Wallace  was  killed  by  the  Indians. 
The  Simpsons  were  farming  people.  James 
Simpson,  father  of  Andrew  Simpson,  married 
Hannah  White,  whose  brothers  owned  a  large 
tract  of  land  near  West  Newton  and  Mount 
Pleasant,  Pa.  He  used  to  take  his  children  to 
Squire  Dickson's  and  fight  back  the  Indians 
who  infested  the  county  in  those  days.  A 
Royal  Arch  Mason,  he  had  fine  regalia,  and 
his  daughters  later  used  the  silver  on  it  for 
spoons  whicli  they  had  made. 

Rev.  Noble  G.  Miller  received  his  early 
educational  training  in  the  school  at  Elders- 
ridge,  later  entering  Allegheny  College,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1861.  He  was 
ordained  a  clergyman  and  recommended  and 
received  into  the  Pittsburg  Conference  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  began 
preaching  in  the  Mechanicsburg  circuit,  for 
forty-one  years  acting  as  a  faithful  expounder 
of  Methodist  doctrines,  filling  with  dignified 
capacity  charges  in  Indiana,  Allegheny,  Arm- 
strong and  Westmoreland  counties.  In  1903 
he  voluntarily  ceased  his  labors.  He  was  pre- 
siding elder  of  the  McKeesport  district  of 
Pittsburg  Conference  for  six  years,  and  for 
many  yeai-s  has  been  a  trustee  of  AUeghenj^ 
College,  his  Alma  Mater.  A  man  of  strong 
personality  and  strength  of  character,  he  ad- 
vanced his  church  both  materially  and  spirit- 
ually, and  held  the  afi'eetionate  regard  and 
deepest  reverence  of  every  congregation  over 
which  he  was  placed.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  general  conference  in  1888,  and  held  other 
distinguished  positions.  Since  his  retirement 
he  has  made  his  home  at  Blairsville,  where  he 
has  one  of  the  most  modern  and  substantial 
residences  in  Indiana  county. 

On  March  29,  1864,  Mr.  Miller  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Sarah  Jane  Johnston, 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Ann  Maria  (Rahm) 


Johnston.  The  following  children  were  born 
of  this  marriage:  Maria  Louisa,  who  is  of 
Blairsville ;  James  Francis,  who  is  of  Wilkins- 
burg,  Pa. ;  and  Robert  Johnston,  who  died  in 
1893,  aged  nineteen  years. 

Robert  Johnston,  Mrs.  Miller's  father,  a 
native  of  Indiana  county,  was  bom  here  in 
1809,  and  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine 
years.  His  father,  William  Johnston,  was  a 
contractor  on  the  old  canal,  and  assisted  in 
laying  out  the  turnpike  from  Philadelphia  to 
Pittsburg.  Robert  Johnston  was  engaged  in 
a  coal  and  mercantile  business  at  Greenville 
when  the  old  canal  was  in  active  use.  Later 
he  came  to  Blairsville,  where  he  bought  a 
farm  south  cf  the  borough,  on  a  portion  of 
which  is  the  home  of  Rev.  3Ir.  Miller  and  his 
wife. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  convey  any  ade- 
quate idea  of  the  work  of  Mr.  Miller.  Elo- 
quent to  a  marked  degree,  he  bent  all  the 
strength  of  his  powerful  mind  to  winning 
men  to  his  church,  and  was  considered  one  of 
the  best  preachers  of  his  day.  He  was  a  good 
organizer  as  well,  and  his  churches  prospered 
under  his  fostering  care.  In  the  evening  of 
his  life,  it  must  be  a  source  of  great  pleasure 
to  him  to  reflect  upon  the  good  he  has  accom- 
plished, and  to  realize  how  many  owe  the 
salvation  of  their  souls  to  him. 

MILTON  HOFFMAN,  now  living  retired 
after  a  long  period  spent  in  farming  in  Buf- 
fington  township,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Ger- 
many, April  9,  1843,  a  son  of  Leo  and  Mar- 
garet   (Offenheater)    Hoffman. 

Leo  Hoffman  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Gei'- 
many,  and  there  followed  farming  and  lum- 
bering throughout  his  life,  dying  in  middle 
age  and  being  buried  in  Bavaria.  He  and 
his  wife  had  a  family  of  six  children :  Bar- 
bara, who  died  young  in  Germany;  Adam,  a 
farmer  of  Buffington  township,  and  a  veteran 
of  the  Civil  war,  who  married  Ellen  Marks; 
Milton;  Lawrence,  who  died  in  Germany;  Sa- 
bina,  who  married  George  Ray,  and  resides 
in  Chicago,  111. ;  and  Frank,  who  married 
Annie  Myrtle,  and  lives  in  Johnstown,  Pa. 
After  the  death  of  her  first  husband  Mrs. 
Hoffman  married  Joseph  Overman,  and  they 
had  two  children:  ]\Iary,  who  married  Solo- 
mon Paul:  and  Peter,  who  married  a  Miss 
]\Iilen.  Mrs.  Overman  came  to  this  country 
and  died  in  Pine  township.  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
and  was  buried  in  the  Irish  Bottom  cemetery 
there. 

Milton  Hoffman,  son  of  Leo  Hoffman,  left 
Germany  with  his  mother,  brothers  and  sis- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1353 


ter,  May  1,  1854,  on  a  sailing  vessel,  and 
landed  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  June  28th  of  that 
year,  after  a  long  and  stormy  voyage.  Going 
to  Pittsburg,  the  family  remained  in  that 
city  for  a  short  time,  but  subsequently  re- 
moved to  Westmoreland  county,  where  they 
settled  near  Hillsview  furnace.  During  the 
winter  of  1854  Mr.  Hoffman  went  to  work  on 
a  farm  in  Somerset  county  for  Joseph  Zim- 
merman, in  whose  employ  he  continued  until 
1857,  and  then  went  to  Cambria  county, 
where  he  secured  employment  in  what  was 
known  as  the  Penciola  sawmill,  the  first  steam 
mill  in  this  section  of  the  State.  He  also 
spent  some  time  with  Joseph  Willman  and 
Henry  Eckhold,  farming  and  barrel  making, 
known  then  as  shookmakiug,  but  finally  came 
to  Buffington  township  when  his  mother  died. 
At  that  time  he  was  but  sixteen  years  of  age. 
He  started  to  work  for  John  AV.  Duncan,  at 
his  sawmill.  On  Feb.  18,  1862,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  H,  54th  Regiment  P.  V.  I.,  and 
subseciuently  saw  some  hard  service.  At  the 
battle  of  Piedmont  he  was  wounded,  a  bullet 
passing  entirely  through  his  left  leg  and 
lodging  in  the  right,  where  it  still  remains, 
having  partially  crippled  IMr.  Hoffman.  He 
was  captured  by  Confederate  soldiers  on  Sun- 
day, June  7,  1864,  and  for  some  time  was  con- 
fined in  the  horrible  Libby  prison.  On  July 
22,  1865,  after  a  long,  valiant  and  honorable 
service,  Mr.  Hoffman  was  mustered  out,  and 
returned  to  the  vocations  of  peace,  again  en- 
tering the  employ  of  Mr.  Duncan.  He  con- 
tinued with  him  at  the  red  mill  as  sawyer 
until  1890,  when  he  purchased  the  David 
Altimus  farm,  a  tract  of  115  acres  in  Buffing- 
ton  township,  upon  which  he  erected  a  large 
farmhouse  and  barn  and  took  up  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  He  was  success- 
ful in  his  operations,  and  retired  in  the  fall 
of  1912  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  labors,  con- 
tent in  the  knowledge  that  his  has  been  a 
useful  and  well-spent  life,  and  that  he  has 
fairly  won  the  universal  respect  and  esteem 
in  which  he  is  held.  Mr.  Hoffman  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  his  political  views,  and  for  six  years 
acted  in  the  capacity  of  school  director  while 
a  resident  of  Blaeklick  township,  Cambria 
county. 

On  Dec.  29,  1864,  :Mr.  Hoffman  was  married 
in  Pine  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  to 
Lucinda  Hill,  daughter  of  William  and  Susan 
(Walters)  Hill,  of  Pine  township,  and  by 
this  union  there  have  been  children  as  fol- 
lows: Amanda,  born  Dec.  21,  1866,  married 
John  Jackson,  of  Johnstown,  and  died  Oct. 
28,  1899 ;  John  W.,  born  June  8,  1868,  who 


married  Etta  Cunningham,  is  a  farmer  in 
Buffington  township;  Thomas  H.,  born  March 
29,  1871,  a  farmer  in  Buffington  township, 
married  Lizzie  Moore ;  Sarah  Ellen,  born  Aug. 
7,  1874,  married  A.  J.  Hawes,  of  Johnstown, 
Pa.,  and  died  March  20,  1898;  Charles  Free- 
man, born  April  8,  1876,  married  Minnie 
Reese,  and  is  a  farmer  in  Buffington  town- 
ship, Indiana  county;  Benjamin  Franklin 
died  May  15,  1890;  Annie  Mary,  born  Nov. 
12,  1878,  married  Walter  R.  Treaster,  and 
is  deceased;  Rose  Etta,  born  Sept.  12,  1880, 
died  May  13,  1890 ;  Lucinda  Pearl,  born  Feb. 
6,  1884,  died  May  3,  1890 ;  Milton  Reed,  born 
July  20,  1886,  married  Tobantha  Henry,  of 
Cherryhill  township,  and  resides  with  his  par- 
ents; Clarence  Loyd,  born  Dec.  25,  1891,  a 
farmer  of  Buffington  township,  married  Grace 
Syster,  of  that  township. 

WILLIAM  N.  SICKENBERGBR,  gen- 
eral farmer  of  Green  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  where  he  has  spent  all  of  his  life,  was 
born  in  that  township  Sept.  10,  1870,  son  of 
Peter  S.  and  Maria  A.  (Piper)  Sickenberger. 

Henry  Sickenberger,  his  paternal  grand- 
father, was  born  in  Germany,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  when  a  young  man,  becoming 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  Indiana  county.  Pa., 
where  he  cleared  a  farm  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, continuing  to  spend  the  rest  of  his  life 
on  that  property. 

Peter  S.  Sickenberger,  son  of  Henry,  and 
father  of  William  N.  Sickenberger,  was  born 
in  Cherryhill  township,  and  £ffter  the  retire- 
ment of  his  father  purchased  the  old  home 
place,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  until 
his  death  in  1905.  His  wife,  a  native  of 
Blair  county.  Pa.,  died  in  1898,  the  mother 
of  the  following  children :  Jennie  and  Anna, 
who  are  deceased;  Peter  M.,  living  in  Green 
township ;  Maggie,  the  wife  of  Edward  Putt, 
of  Cherryhill  township ;  Elsie,  the  wife  of 
Luther  Bence,  of  Rayne  township;  Vernie 
B.,  the  wife  of  Frank  Barber,  of  Green  town- 
ship ;  Walter,  of  Green  township ;  Speer,  who 
is  deceased;  and  James,  who  died  in  infancy. 

William  N.  Sickenberger  attended  the 
schools  of  Green  township  and  as  a  youth 
worked  on  the  home  farm.  In  j'oung  man- 
hood he  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  at 
which  he  was  employed  until  1907,  when  he 
again  turned  his  attention  to  farming  and  pur- 
chased the  old  home  place,  which  he  has  con- 
tinued to  cultivate  to  the  present  time. 

On  March  20,  1896,  Mr.  Sickenberger  was 
married,  in  the  town  of  Indiana,  to  Emma 
Fleming,    of    Green    township,    daughter    of 


1354 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


James  and  Sarah  Fleming,  the  former  of 
whom  is  deceased,  while  the  latter  lives  in 
Cherryhill  township.  Mrs.  Sickenberger  died 
in  1900,  the  mother  of  one  child,  Blanche.  In 
1905  j\Ir.  Sickenberger  was  married  (second) 
to  ilrs.  Elizabeth  (Hines)  Lydick,  who  was 
born  in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Hines. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sickenberger  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  His  polit- 
ical belief  is  that  of  the  Republican  party. 

HENRY  S.  GRIFFITH,  of  Pine  township, 
Indiana  county,  was  born  in  that  township 
Oct.  15,  1873,  a  son  of  Joseph  Griffith,  Jr.,  a 
former  resident  of  Center  township,  Indiana 
county.  His  grandfather,  Joseph  Griffith, 
Sr.,  was  a  farmer  of  Center  township.  He 
married  Liddie  Rou,  of  that  township,  whose 
family  record  can  be  traced  back  to  the  early 
settlers  of  Indiana  county. 

Joseph  Griffith,  father  of  Henry  S.  Griffith, 
was  born  in  Center  township,  this  county, 
Nov.  29,  1840,  his  early  life  being  spent  on 
his  father's  farm  in  that  township.  At  the 
beginning  of  the  Civil  war  he  was  among  the 
men  who  volunteered  to  defend  the  counti-y, 
enlisting  in  Company  C.  19th  Regiment, 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  serving  three 
years.  He  was  in  eight  pitched  battles,  be- 
sides a  number  of  skirmishes,  some  of  his 
most  important  battles  being  Pittsburg  Land- 
ing, Bull  Run,  Corinth,  Lookout  Mountain, 
and  Stone  River,  where  he  was  wounded  Dec. 
31,  1862,  the  ball  entering  close  to  his  spine 
and  passing  through  his  body  to  his  right 
side,  taking  with  it  a  portion  of  a  rib.  It 
stopped  in  the  muscle  of  his  right  ai-m  above 
the  elbow.  He  was  removed  to  a  hospital, 
where  the  ball  was  extracted  while  warm  with 
his  blood,  and  he  secured  it.  the  bullet  being 
one  of  the  precious  possessions  of  his  son 
Henry  S.  Griffith.  After  the  expiration  of 
his  time  in  the  army  Mr.  Griffith  returned  to 
a  farm,  in  Barr  township,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa., 
residing  there  for  two  years,  and  there  he 
was  married  to  Jennie  Conner,  a  daughter 
of  Robert  and  Nancy  Conner,  who  came  to 
this  country  from  Ireland.  Joseph  Griffith 
and  his  wife  had  the  following  children: 
Lottie,  Grant,  Henry  S.,  William,  :Maggie, 
Annie  and  Bertha.  After  his  marriage  Mr. 
Griffith  returned  to  Pine  township,  where  he 
passed  the  remainder  of  his  lifetime.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Republican.  He  belonged 
to  the  Mount  Union  :Methodist  Church. 

Henry  S.  Griffith  after  attending  the  local 
schools,  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  started 


to  work  at  sawmills  and  in  the  lumber  woods. 
When  twenty-two  years  old  he  was  married 
to  Adda  Kinter,  daughter  of  John  and  Lillie 
Kinter,  and  they  have  children  as  follows: 
i\Iary,  Elsie,  William,  Stella,  Henry,  Edwin, 
Kermit,  Boyd  and  Frank. 

In  politics  Jlr.  Griffith  is  a  Progressive, 
having  been  one  of  the  first  Progressives  in 
Pine  township.  He  is  a  coal  merchant,  oper- 
ating or  mining  coal  for  the  local  trade,  which 
vocation  he  has  followed  for  the  last  ten  years. 
He  is  well  known  throughout  Indiana  county, 
and  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  come  in  con- 
tact with  him. 

CLIFFORD  J.  OAKES,  of  DixouviUe, 
manager  and  bookkeeper  for  the  Dixon  Run 
Lumber  Company,  is  proving  himself  equal 
to  the  demands  of  that  position  and  worthy 
of  the  responsibilities  intrusted  to  him.  He 
was  born  Nov.  12,  1890,  at  Conemaugh,  Pa., 
son  of  William  E.  Oakes  and  grandson  of 
John  G.  Oakes. 

Edward  Oakes.  his  great-grandfather,  was 
from  Ireland,  as  was  also  his  wife.  They 
came  to  Pennsylvania  in  1794,  first  settling 
near  Armagh,  Indiana  county,  and  later  mov- 
ing to  Burrell  to^vnship,  same  county,  near 
Blairsville.  Edward  Oakes  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812  and  also  in  the  Mexican  war. 
After  the  war  he  moved  to  the  West,  where 
he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life,  d.ving  in 
October,   1867,  near  lola,  Kansas. 

John  G.  Oakes  was  born  in  1832  in  Blairs- 
ville. He  was  a  farmer  in  his  early  days. 
In  1864  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  for 
service  in  the  Civil  war,  becoming  a  member 
of  Battery  K,  2d  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  and 
serving  until  mustered  out,  in  January,  1866. 
At  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  he  was 
wounded  and  captured,  being  taken  to  Libby 
prison,  where  he  was  held  for  nine  months. 
After  his  discharge  he  returned  to  Blairsville. 
Mr.  Oakes  married  Sarah  Kauflfman.  who 
was  born  in  1839  in  Johnstown,  Pa.  Four 
children  were  born  to  this  marriage:  F.  J., 
the  eldest,  resides  in  Fall  River,  Kans. : 
Jennie  is  the  wife  of  J.  E.  Williams,  of  Johns- 
town; William  E.  is  mentioned  below;  ^lat- 
thew  is  deceased. 

William  E  Oakes  attended  public  school 
near  Blairsville.  His  first  work  was  on  a 
farm  in  Kansas,  after  which  he  did  farm 
work  in  Oklahoma.  He  learned  the  carpen- 
ter's trade  l>i  Johnstown.  Pa.,  and  followed 
it  there  for  fifteen  years.  In  1904  he  came 
to  Love.ioy.  Indiana  county,  and  thence 
shortlv  afterward  to  Clymer,  when  the  town 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1355 


had  just  made  a  start  as  such.  He  has  been 
engaged  in  the  himber  trade  ever  since  he 
settled  there,  and  has  built  up  a  lucrative 
business,  being  regarded  as  one  of  the  active 
and  progressive  residents  of  the  place.  He 
is  very  well  known  in  fraternal  connections, 
being  a  member  of  Indiana  Lodge,  B.  P.  0. 
Elks,  and  a  high  Mason,  belonging  to  Cambria 
Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Johnstown  (of  which 
he  is  a  past  master),  to  the  Consistory  at 
Williamsport,  and  to  the  Shrine  at  Altoona. 

On  Jan.  28,  1890,  Mr.  Oakes  was  married, 
at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  to  Emma  R.  Devlin,  a 
native  of  Johnstown,  where  her  parents  were 
also  born.  Mrs.  Oakes  died  the  mother  of 
ten  children,  namely:  Clifford  J.,  Theodore, 
Earl,  Ruth,  Carrie,  Carroll,  Frank,  Bessie, 
Agnes  and  Olive. 

Clifford  J.  Oakes  obtained  his  early  educa- 
tion at  Conemaugh,  attending  high  school 
there,  and  later  went  to  the  normal  school  at 
Indiana,  after  which  he  studied  bookkeeping. 
He  has  since  been  connected  with  the  Dixon 
Run  Lumber  Company,  whose  employ  he  en- 
tered in  1908  as  bookkeeper,  and  in  August, 
1911,  was  also  made  manager.  His  work  has 
been  creditable  and  he  deserves  the  apprecia- 
tion it  has  received. 

On  May  13,  1909,  Mr.  Oakes  married  Ellen 
Clawson.who  was  born  at  Dixonville,  daugh- 
ter of  Andrew  B.  and  Jennie  (Bolvin)  Claw- 
son,  natives  of  Indiana  county,  who  live  at 
Dixonville.  Mr.  Clawson  is  a  contractor. 
Mr.,  and  ]Mrs.  Oakes  are  memljers  of  the 
Wesleyan  Church.  They  have  two  children, 
Clifford  C.  and  Harold  Ney. 

WILLIA]\[  DUNCAN,  a  retired  farmer 
and  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  residing  at  No. 
1335  Philadelphia  street,  Indiana.  Pa.,  was 
born  Nov.  19,  1840,  on  a  farm  near  Cherry- 
tree,  in  Green  township,  this  county,  son  of 
David  and  Margaret  (Pierce)  Duncan.  His 
paternal  grandfather  was  a  farmer  and  a 
native  of  Virginia,  from  which  State_  he 
moved  with  his  wife  and  children  to  Indiana 
county.  Pa.,  and  here  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  life.  His  children  were:  William, 
Joseph,  James,  John,  David,  Moses  and 
Betsey,  the  last-named  the  wife  of  Thomas 
MeKisick. 

David  Duncan,  father  of  William  Duncan, 
was  born  either  in  Indiana  county  or  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  was  a  man  of  fair  education.  He 
owned  a  property  of  106  acres  in  Green  town- 
ship, having  settled  in  the  woods  and  cleared 
his  land  from  the  heavy  timber,  and  died  on 
his  farm  in  1854,  at  the  age  of  forty -nine 


His  wife  survived  him  some  years, 
away  in  1878,  in  the  faith  of  the 
Jlethodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  politics  Mr. 
Duncan  was  a  Whig.  He  and  his  wife  had 
children  as  follows:  Sophia,  who  married 
Peter  Stiffler,  and  is  deceased ;  William ;  Eliz- 
abeth, who  married  William  Bracken,  of 
Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Ellen,  who  married  John 
Fee,  of  Indiana;  Sarah  Jane,  who  married 
Reuben  Boring,  deceased;  Maria,  deceased, 
who  married  Larry  Perry;  Harrison,  Avho 
died  in  Kentucky,  while  a  member  of  Com- 
pany D,  78th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  during  the  Civil  war;  and 
Elias,  who  is  deceased. 

William  Duncan  was  reared  in  Green  town- 
ship, and  had  only  meager  educational  ad- 
vantages, being  thrown  on  his  own  resources 
when  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age  through 
the  death  of  his  father.  At  that  time  he  be- 
gan supporting  his  mother,  brothers  and  sis- 
ters, and  was  the  main  support  of  the  family 
at  the  time  of  his  enlistment,  Sept.  10,  1861, 
at  Kittanning,  Pa.,  in  Company  D,  78th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Captain 
Forbes  and  Col.  William  Sirwell,  for  service 
during  the  Civil  war.  The  regiment  em- 
barked on  transports  at  Pittsburg  for  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  and  went  thence  to  camp  at  Green 
River,  Ky.,  where  they  remained  three 
months,  being  then  attached  to  the  3d  Bri- 
gade, 2d  Division,  14th  Corps,  Army  of  the 
Cumberland.  This  regiment,  which  won 
fame  as  one  of  the  hardest-fighting  organiza- 
tions in  the  gi-eat  struggle  between  the  States, 
participated  in  some  of  the  bloodiest  and  most 
fiercely-contested  battles  of  the  war,  includ- 
ing Pvdaski.  Lavergne  (where  Mr.  Duncan 
was  captured,  made  his  escape,  was  recap- 
tured and  again  managed  to  elude  his 
captors).  Neely's  Bend,  Mule  Creek,  Char- 
lottesville, Franklin  Pike,  Stone  River  (where 
the  gallant  78th  turaed  almost  certain  defeat 
into  victory  for  the  Union  forces),  Tulla- 
homa.  Elk  River.  Dutch  Gap,  Chickamauga, 
Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge,  Tunnel 
Hill,  Buzzard's  Roost,  Resaca,  Dallas,  New 
Hope  Church,  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  the 
second  engagement  at  Pulaski.  Even_  as  a 
young  man  Mr.  Duncan  possessed  prodigious 
strength,  weighing  in  the  neighborhood  of 
two  hundred  pounds  and  being  remarkably 
well  built,  and  he  was  invariably  chosen_  to 
take  his  place  among  those  who  were  build- 
ing heavy  pontoon  bridges.  He  received  his 
honorable  discharge  at  Kittanning,  Nov.  4, 
1864.  after  brave  and  faithful  service  that 
won  the  admiration  of  his  comrades  and  the 


1356 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


respect  of  his  officers,  and  no  veteran  has  a 
better  war  record  than  he. 

Returning  to  Green  township,  the  young 
soldier  took  up  the  peaceful  pursuits  of 
farming,  and  March  22,  1867,  was  married 
to  Sarah  Douglas,  of  Green  township,  daugh- 
ter of  Barnabas  and  Elizabeth  (Oaks)  Doug- 
las. After  his  marriage  ilr.  Duncan  pur- 
chased a  small  farm  of  fifty-five  acres  in 
Montgomery  township,  but  in  1879  sold  this 
land  and  moved  to  the  farm  of  his  mother- 
in-law,  in  Green  township,  which  he  rented 
until  the  death  of  his  wife,  in  August,  1879. 
He  then  broke  up  housekeeping  and  went  to 
West  Virginia,  and  after  traveling  about  for 
a  time  returned  to  Green  township  and  pur- 
chased 172  acres  of  land.  On  Jan.  29,  1891, 
he  was  married  (second)  to  Elmira  Lydick, 
who  was  born  in  White  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa..  Aug.  23,  1866,  daughter  of  George 
W.  and  Susan  (Shank)  Lydick.  In  1891  Mr. 
Duncan  sold  the  surface  and  retained  one- 
half  of  the  coal  rights  of  his  land,  and  retired 
to  Indiana,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  views,  and 
was  formerly  a  member  of  G.  A.  R.  Post  No. 
40,  at  Cherrytree. 

Mr.  Duncan  had  five  children  by  his  first 
marriage:  Lucy,  who  married  Henry  C. 
Connor,  of  Bartow,  Fla. ;  Ellen,  who  married 
George  McAnulty,  of  Barnesboro,  Cambria 
county;  George,  who  died  in  infancy;  Rosie, 
who  died  in  childhood ;  and  Benjamin  Frank- 
lin, of  Indiana  borough,  who  married  Ada 
Douglas.  Two  children  have  been  born  to 
Mr.  Duncan  and  his  second  wife :  Inis  Elva 
and  Norman  Lynn. 

HEZEKIAH  W.  BAKER,  a  resident  of 
Green  town.ship,  Indiana  county,  where  he  is 
engaged  in  farming,  was  born  there  Jan.  8, 
1845,  and  is  a  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth 
(Cook)  Baker.  The  parents  were  also  natives 
of  Indiana  county. 

George  Baker  settled  near  Cookport,  ni 
'  Green  township,  buying  a  farm  upon  which 
he  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  February,  1882.  His  wife  died  in  March, 
1893,  and  they  are  buried  in  East  Mahoning. 
They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children, 
namely :  Levi,  who  lives  in  Indiana  county ; 
Hezekiah  W.;  Mary,  wife  of  Simon  Buter- 
baugh,  of  Indiana  county;  Jane,  wife  of 
Jonathan  Learn,  of  Indiana  borough;  George, 
living  on  the  home  place  in  Green  township ; 
Furman,  living  in  Green  township,  near  Pur- 
chase Line ;  Philip,  deceased  :  Ann,  deceased  ; 
Lucy,   wife   of    George   W.    McCullough,    of 


Cookport;  and  Henderson,  whose  home  is  in 
Seattle,   Washington. 

Hezekiah  W.  Baker  remained  on  the  home 
place  until  his  marriage.  He  obtained  a  good 
education  in  the  local  schools,  and  from  his 
earliest  years  became  accustomed  to  farm 
work,  which  he  has  always  followed.  Though 
he  prefers  to  attend  strictly  to  his  own  affairs 
he  is  public-spirited  in  the  interest  of  the  com- 
munity, and  has  served  as  township  super-  ■ 
visor.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Twolick  Bap- 
tist Church. 

On  Oct.  3,  1867,  Mr.  Baker  married  Cathe- 
rine Buterbaugh,  daughter  of  John  and  Eliz- 
abeth (Learn)  Buterbaugh,  who  are  men- 
tioned elsewhere  in  this  work.  j\Irs.  Baker 
died  June  3,  1907,  the  mother  of  seven  chil- 
dren, namely:  Jettie,  the  wife  of  Harry  S. 
Boucher,  living  in  Beaverdale,  Cambria  Co., 
Pa.,  has  two  children.  Ford  and  Blanche; 
Jennie  is  the  wife  of  Clark  Decker;  Enos,  a 
resident  of  Rayne  township,  this  county,  mar- 
ried Clara  Eggie,  of  Indiana  coimty,  and 
they  have  three  children.  Roydeu,  ]\Iildred 
and  Clyde;  Eldis  R.,  of  Beaverdale,  married 
Edith  Grififith,  of  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  and 
they  have  three  children.  Hazel.  Don  and 
Katherine;  Minerva  is  the  wife  of  Kenny 
Stephens,  of  Irwin,  Pa.,  and  has  two  children, 
May  E.  and  Ruth;  Alice  is  married  to  Alonzo 
Lewis,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  they  have  had 
two  children,  Helen  (deceased)  and  William; 
Edna  is  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

In  February,  1910,  Mr.  Baker  married 
(second)  Mary  Ferguson,  who  was  born  in 
Green  township  Feb.  19.  1854.  daughter  of 
James  and  Rebecca  (Kilgore)  Ferguson,  both 
of  whom  were  born  in  Blacklick  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  later  moved  to  Green 
township,  where  Mr.  Ferguson  farmed  until 
his  death,  in  1882;  his  wife  died  in  1866. 
They  had  a  family  of  seven  children :  Lettie, 
who"  is  the  wife  of  Philip  Rice,  of  Deckers 
Point,  Indiana  county;  David,  deceased; 
Theodore,  a  resident  of  Ohio;  Hans,  who 
lives  in  Jefferson  county ;  Margaret,  deceased ; 
Mary,  Mrs.  Baker;  and  Jennie,  who  lives  in 
Blacklick  township. 

J.  NELSON  LIGGETT,  now  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock  raising  in  Brushvalley 
township,  where  he  has  resided  since  1904,  is 
a  native  son  of  Indiana  county,  born  in  West 
Wheatfield  township  July  29,   1857. 

The  Liggett  family  is  of  Scotch  origin,  and 
the  first  of  the  name  in  Indiana  county  was 
Robert  Liggett,  who  was  a  native  of  Glasgow, 
Scotland,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.    There 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1357 


he  married  a  Miss  Carr,  and  they  came  to 
America.  They  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  in 
Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
Mr.  Liggett  became  a  farmer,  owning  a  tract 
of  200  acres.  He  was  among  the  first  settlers 
of  that  section  of  the  county,  and  was  one 
of  the  most  respected  men  of  his  day.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belonged. 
Their  children  were:  John;  William;  Mar- 
garet, who  married  John  Mabon;  and  Jane, 
who  man-ied  Hugh  Best. 

William  Liggett,  son  of  Robert,  was  born 
Jan.  24,  1818,  in  what  is  now  West  Wheat- 
field  township,  and  there  grew  to  manhood. 
He  followed  farming  all  his  life,  owning  a 
tract  of  125  acres  near  Centerville,  upon 
which  he  built  a  brick  home  and  made  other 
improvements.  He  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  life  there,  dying  on  the  farm  Jan.  24, 
1878,  and  is  buried  in  the  Bethel  Church 
cemetery.  He  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  politics  a  Whig  and 
Republican  in  turn,  and  took  sufficient  inter- 
est in  the  welfare  of  his  township  to  fill  the 
position  of  school  director.  On  Oct.  20,  1820, 
Mr.  Liggett  married  Mary  Wallace,  who  was 
born  in  Wheatfield  township,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Wallace,  and  died  Nov.  7,  1882,  aged 
seventy-four  years,  seven  months.  She,  too, 
is  buried  in  Bethel  Church  cemetery.  Four- 
teen children  were  born  to  this  couple: 
Agnes,  who  died  in  June,  1871 ;  Juliann,  who 
died  Dec.  9,  1865;  Samuel,  who  died  June  2, 
I860;  Mary,  who  died  Oct.  22,  1880;  Jose- 
phine, who  died  Feb.  28,  1879;  Emma,  who 
married  Aiken  Stibender,  and  died  at  Lees- 
burg,  Fla.,  May  28,  1891 ;  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
Seymore  Hollingsworth ;  Sarah  Ellen,  who 
died  young;  Robert  Carr,  who  resided  at 
Centerville,  in  West  Wlieatfield  township; 
Margaret,  married  to  William  Alexander,  of 
West  Wheatfield  township  ;  Lucinda,  who  mar- 
ried Lawson  ]\IcKelvey,  and  resides  in  Young- 
stown,  Ohio;  William,  a  farmer  of  East 
Wheatfield  township;  John,  who  resides  on 
the  homestead;  and  J.  Nelson. 

J.  Nelson  Liggett  attended  public  school 
in  his  home  township  and  worked  with  his 
father  until  the  latter 's  death.  Subsequently 
he  worked  the  homestead  in  partnership  with 
his  brother  John,  continuing  there  for  several 
years,  but  on  account  of  his  health  he  sold 
out  his  interests  and  moved  to  Florida,  where 
he  spent  three  winter  seasons.  After  that 
he  settled  in  Homer  City  and  followed  farm- 
ing for  several  years.  In  1904  he  bought  his 
present  farm,  a  tract  of  109  acres  in  Brush- 


valley  township,  from  David  Snydei-,  of 
Homer  City.  In  this  property  he  has  since 
been  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising,  and  by  his  well-directed  labors  is 
winning  success.  He  is  hard-working  and 
thrifty,  unassuming,  and  has  a  character  of 
solid  worth  which  has  gained  him  a  high  place 
in  the  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 

On  March  22,  1893,  Mr.  Liggett  was  mar- 
ried to  Anne  Lucas,  daughter  of  William 
Lucas,  of  Homer  City,  and  they  have  had 
six  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
The  others  are:  Ralph,  who  is  at  home; 
Martha;  Paul;  Herbert;  and  Esther,  who 
died  young.  Mr.  Liggett  is  a  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Homer  City. 
He  is  a  Republican,  but  though  he  takes  a 
good  citizen's  interest  in  public  affairs  is 
not  active  in  party  matters. 

CHARLES  GRIFFITH,  who  lives  on  the 
old  homestead  in  Pine  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  was  born  Nov.  24,  1846,  is 
a  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Gibson)  Grif- 
fith and  grandson  of  Isaac  Griffith,  who  came 
to  Indiana  county  in  the  very  early  days  of 
its  development. 

The  Griffith  family  is  of  Welsh  origin,  the 
founder  of  the  branch  in  which  we  are  in- 
terested coming  from  Wales  to  America  in 
1745  and  first  settling  in  Maryland,  where 
the  family  was  established  for  some  time  be- 
fore coming  west  to  Indiana  county.  Pa.  Isaac 
Griffith  settled  in  Brushvalley  township, 
where  he  bought  land  and  farmed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  By  trade  he  was  a 
miller,  and  he  had  a  mill  on  Yellow  creek,  in 
Brushvalley  township.  His  later  years  were 
devoted  entirely  to  farming.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  three  sons  and  three  daughters. 

John  Griffith,  father  of  William  Griffith, 
was  born  in  Brushvalley  township  and  there 
grew  to  manhood.  He  learned  the  trade  of 
mason,  and  also  engaged  in  farming.  In  1841 
he  came  to  Green  (now  Pine)  township,  where 
he  bought  the  farm  upon  which  he  remained 
until  his-death,  which  occurred  June  15, 1887, 
when  he  was  aged  eighty  years,  two  months. 
He  married  Margaret  Gibson,  who  was  born 
in  the  western  part  of  Indiana  county,  and 
was  of  Scotch-Irish  lineage,  her  father  being 
Charles  Gibson,  an  early  settler  of  the 
county,  who  located  in  what  was  known  as 
the  Manor  settlement,  remaining  there  until 
his  death ;  he  was  a  millwright  by  trade.  Mr. 
and  Mre.  Griffith  had  children:  William, 
Isaac,  a  daughter  that  died  in  infancy,  Rachel 
(Mrs.  William  Stephens),  and  Charles.    Wil- 


1358 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


liam  Griffith,  the  eldest,  is  now  living  retired 
in  Pine  township.  He  was  a  justice  of  the 
peace  for  thirty-five  years. 

Charles  Griffith,  son  of  John  and  Margaret 
Griffith,  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth  on  the 
home  place,  which  was  at  that  time  included 
within  the  boundaries  of  Green  township, 
and  is  still  living  on  that  property.  He  ob- 
tained his  education  in  the  local  public 
schools.  Throughout  his  active  years  he  has 
been  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising,  in 
which  he  has  been  successful,  and  he  has 
given  all  his  time  to  his  private  affairs,  tak- 
ing no  part  in  public  matters  except  during 
his  service  as  constable  of  the  township,  in 
1879.  He  is  a  man  of  upright  character  and 
sterling  qualities,  and  has  the  respect  of  all 
who  know  him. 

On  Dec.  12,  1888,  Mr.  Griffith  was  married 
to  Adda  Ray,  a  native  of  Green  township, 
this  county,  daughter  of  "William  J.  and  Mary 
(Askins)  Ray,  both  of  whom  were  born  in 
Indiana  county,  the  father  in  Rayne  town- 
ship, the  mother  in  Cherryhill  township.  Her 
father,  Thomas  Askins,  was  an  early  settler 
in  Indiana  county.  William  J.  Ray  was  a 
prominent  resident  of  this  section  in  his  day. 
He  died  in  April,  1896,  long  surviving  his 
wife,  who  passed  away  in  February.  1875. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ray  had  a  famil.y  of  seven 
children:  Martha,  Mrs.  Jolms,.now  deceased; 
John,  deceased;  Thomas,  a  resident  of  Vin- 
tondale,  Pa.;  Sarah.  Mrs.  Hodson,  living  in 
Allegheny  county.  Pa. ;  Ella,  wife  of  Richard 
Campbell,  living  in  Allegheny  county.  Pa.: 
Adda,  Mrs.  Griffith;  and  Clara,  wife  of  Al- 
bert Jacoby,  of  Greensburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Ten  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Griffith:  Lula,  wife  of  Charles  Morris, 
of  Cambria  coimty.  Pa.;  Mary,  who  died  in 
1908;  Zaida,  at  home;  Gertrude;  Charles; 
Leda-  Ruby;  Helen;  Elizabeth,  and  Sutton 
Ray.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Griffith  and  their  family 
belong  to  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

GEORGE  TRIMBLE,  late  of  White  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  was  a  well-to-do  farmer 
there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  when  he 
was  in  his  prime.  His  father,  Thomas 
Trimble,  a  native  of  Indiana  county,  lived 
and  died  here.  He  married  Mary  Anderson, 
sister  of  the  old  Dr.  Anderson. 

George  Trimble  was  born  in  White  town- 
ship June  18,  1854,  on  the  old  Trimble  farm 
now  owned  by  George  Rowe,  and  there  grew 
to  manhood,  receiving  his  education  in  the 
public  schools.  The  day  of  his  marriage  he 
and  his  wife  settled  on  the  tract  of  107  acres 


where  all  their  married  life  was  spent,  and 
where  Mrs.  Trimble  continues  to  reside.  Mr. 
Trimble  labored  diligently  to  improve  that 
property,  bringing  it  into  up-to-date  condi- 
tion, built  a  new  house  and  proved  himself 
an  effective  worker  and  competent  manager. 
In  addition  to  this  place  he  also  acquired  the 
ownei-ship  of  a  sixtj^-aere  tract  near  bj^  He 
was  respected  and  popular  and  made  friends 
wherever  he  went,  and  his  death  was  regarded 
as  the  loss  of  a  progi-essive  and  valuable  cit- 
izen. On  June  26,  1907,  Mr.  Trimble  fell 
twenty-four  feet  at  a  barn  raising  on  the 
Cameron  Davis  place,  in  Cherryhill  township, 
and  was  instantly  killed.  He  is  buried  in 
Greenwood  cemetery,  at  Indiana.  He  was  not 
a  member  of  any  church.  In  political  opinion 
he  was  a  Republican. 

.  On  Sept.  22,  1885,  Mr.  Trimble  married 
Drusilla  Howe,  who  was  born  May  21,  1862, 
in  Cherryhill  township,  daughter  of  William 
and  Mary  A.  (Lewis)  Howe,  and  obtained 
her  education  in  the  common  schools.  Since 
her  husband's  death  the  management  of  the 
property  has  devolved  upon  her,  and  she 
gives  evidence  of  marked  business  ability  in 
its  care.  Among  the  improvements  she  has 
made  are  a  new  cement  spring-house  and  a 
wagon  shed,  and  she  has  purchased  a  number 
of  new  farm  implements. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trimble  had  five  children, 
viz. :  Thomas  H.,  born  ^larch  20,  1887 ;  Delos, 
born  Jan.  23,  1890,  who  died  when  fifteen 
vears  old;  LeRoy,  born  May  27,  1892;  Ada, 
born  Sept.  1,  1895 ;  and  Edward  Howe,  born 
Feb.  10,  1903. 

IRVING  W.  GIBSON  has  been  doing  busi- 
ness in  the  borough  of  Indiana  as  agent  for 
and  dealer  in  farm  implements  since  1903. 
Previous  to  that  time  he  had  devoted  himself 
principally  to  farming,  his  practical  knowl- 
edge of  which  industry  has  aided  him  ma- 
terially in  his  present  line.  Mr.  Gibson  was 
bom  Oct.  17,  1852,  in  Cherryhill  township, 
on  the  home  farm  of  his  parents,  which  he 
now  owns. 

Hiram  Gibson,  father  of  Irving  W.  Gibson, 
was  born  in  Cherryhill  township,  where  he 
died  Feb.  18.  1913,  and  he  is  buried  there. 
He  was  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  that 
section,  having  reached  the  age  of  ninety- 
four  years.  He  married  Catherine  Wike,  who 
was  born  in  Somerset  county,.  Pa.,  and  died 
in  1897.  Thev  were  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  viz. :"  Elizabeth,  who  died  young; 
]\Iary,  widow  of  Samuel  iMoorhead;  Luzetta, 
who'  died  unmarried,   at   the  age  of  forty ; 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1359 


Thomas,  who  lives  iu  Greeu  township,  Indi- 
ana county;  Irving  W. ;  Savilla,  Mrs.  John 
Shank,  of  Cherryhill  township ;  Serena  Jane, 
Mrs.  Prince  Willet,  of  New  York ;  and  Adella, 
Mrs.  Harry  Umburn,  deceased. 

Irving  W.  Gibson  grew  up  at  the  home 
place  in  Cherryhill  township,  and  went  to 
the  country  schools  in  the  neighborhood.  He 
taught  school  for  three  terms  in  Indiana 
county  during  his  young  manhood,  but  for 
the  most  part  he  was  engaged  in  farming, 
to  which  calling  he  had  been  accustomed  from 
youth.  For  three  years  he  worked  during  the 
season  iu  the  lumber  regions  of  Michigan, 
as  foreman.  Returning  home,  he  resumed 
farming,  which  he  continued  to  follow  until 
the  spring  of  1903,  when  he  moved  into  the 
borough  of  Indiana  and  engaged  in  his  pres- 
ent business.  He  handles  various  kinds  of 
farm  implements  and  similar  wares,  being 
agent  for  the  Osborne  Harvesting  machinery 
and  other  well-known  makes.  His  establish- 
ment is  in  South  Twelfth  street,  Indiana. 
Mr.  Gibson  has  shown  himself  to  be  a  man 
of  honor  in  all  his  transactions,  and  his  good 
business  methods  have  enabled  him  to  build 
up  a  substantial  pati-onage.  He  has  devoted 
most  of  his  energies  to  business,  but  he  has 
found  time  to  take  part  in  other  things  which 
interest  him  and  which  he  feels  need  the  sup- 
port of  good  citizens,  and  served  one  term  as 
school  director  before  he  moved  to  Indiana 
borough.  He  is  an  earnest  member  of  the 
Wesley  Methodist  Church,  and  was  formerly 
one  of  the  trustees  of  the  congregation  at 
Indiana,  Pa.  He  is  not  identified  with  any 
political  party,  voting  independently. 

In  1881  Mr.  Gibson  married  Mrs.  Mary 
(McCune)  Diffenderfer,  daughter  of  the  late 
Leonard  McCune,  who  was  a  farmer  in  Grant 
township,  this  county.  They  have  had  two 
children :  Margaret  Pearl,  now  Mrs.  Law- 
rence Lay  ton,  of  Indiana;  and  Olie  May,  at 
home. 

JOHN  6ILS0N  LEMON,  farmer  and 
dairyman  of  Burrell  township,  Indiana 
county,  has  lived  at  his  present  home  there 
since  1905.  It  was  formerly  the  farm  of  Rev. 
Noble  G.  Miller. 

Mr.  Lemon  is  a  native  of  Westmoreland 
county,  where  his  grandfather,  William 
Lemon,  settled  at  an  early  day.  He  was  a 
native  of  Scotland;  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction, 
and  came  to  America  when  a  young  man. 
He  died  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-four,  and  was  buried  at  Salts- 
burg,  Pa.    He  lived  one  mile  from  that  place, 


in  Westmoreland  county,  where  he  had  a 
farm  of  160  acres,  following  agricultural  pur- 
suits and  his  trade  of  cooper.  In  politics  he 
was  a  Democrat,  in  religious  connection  a 
Presbyterian.  His  first  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  MeCauley,  was  the  mother  of  all 
his  children,  viz.:  Alexander,  who  died  in 
Illinois;  Margaret,  Mrs.  William  Hender- 
son, who  died  in  the  spring  of  1912,  in  Indi- 
ana county,  and  William.  His  second  mar- 
riage was  to  Jane  Marshall,  of  Clarksburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

William  Lemon,  father  of  John  Gilson 
Lemon,  was  born  in  1842  in  AVestmoreland 
county,  near  Saltsburg,  and  learned  the  trade 
of  tanner,  though  he  did  not  follow  it  after- 
ward.  He  was  a  successful  farmer,  having  a 
tract  of  nearly  two  hundred  acres,  his  father 's 
homestead  in  Westmoreland  county,  and  be- 
sides engaging  in  general  agricultural  pur- 
suits made  a  specialty  of  raising  fine  horses 
and  cattle.  He  took  an  interest  in  the  afl'airs 
of  his  locality,  serving  as  school  director,  and 
was  a  Democrat  in  political  association.  His 
religious  connection  was  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church  at  Saltsburg.  His  wife,  Nancy 
Jane  (Long),  was  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Nancy  (Mason)  Long,  of  Livermore,  and  died 
Jan.  12,  1902.  Mr.  Lemon  passed  away  in 
July,  1907.  They  are  buried  at  Saltsburg, 
Pa.  Five  children  were  born  to  them:  Ida, 
who  married  Samuel  Johnson,  a  farmer  of 
Saltsburg,  and  has  children,  Wilmer,  Nancy, 
Raymond  and  Mabel ;  John  Gilson ;  May,  who 
married  Edward  Shupe,  a  farmer,  living  near 
Saltsburg ;  James ;  and  Bell,  who  married  Ira 
Alcorn,  a  farmer,  living  near  Saltsburg. 

John  Gilson  Lemon  was  born  July  8,  1867, 
on  the  old  homestead  in  Westmoreland  county, 
Pa.,  one  mile  from  Saltsburg.  He  was  given 
the  advantages  of  the  common  schools,  and 
remained  at  home  helping  his  parents  on  the 
farm  until  1892,  when  he  moved  to  New 
Alexandria.  For  the  next  three  years  he 
"cropped"  the  Doty  Guthrie  farm,  in  1895 
moving  to  Greensbiirg,  where  he  "cropped" 
the  Jacob  Kepple  farm  for  a  year.  He  was 
on  the  farm  of  Col.  George  F.  Hoff  for  two 
years,  and  then  took  charge  of  his  park  for 
several  years.  Moving  back  to  New  Alex- 
andria, he  continued  farming  there  for  a  few 
years,  in  1905  purchasing  and  moving  to  the 
farm  of  Rev.  Noble  G.  Miller,  in  Burrell 
township,  Indiana  county.  It  contains  one 
hundred  acres,  all  under  cultivation,  devoted 
to  general  farming  and  dairying.  Mr.  Lemon 
is  an  enterprising  and  intelligent  worker,  up- 
to-date    in    his    methods,    and    his    property 


1360 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


shows  the  result  of  his  efforts  to  make  the 
most  of  its  resources.  He  has  not  been  active 
in  public  aifairs  since  settling  at  his  present 
home,  but  while  a  resident  of  New  Alexandria 
seiwed  as  school  director.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics.  In  religion  he  is  a  Presbyterian, 
belonging  to  the  church  at  Blairsville. 

On  June  17,  1896,  Mr.  Lemon  married 
Mary  Frances  Williams,  daughter  of  William 
and  Mary  (Rhodes)  Williams,  and  they  have 
two  children:  William  Gilson,  born  Nov.  9, 
1898 ;  and  James  Ray,  born  July  29,  1902. 

ALEXANDER  FALOON,  a  retired  farmer 
and  old  soldier  of  East  Wheatfield  township, 
Indiana  county,  was  born  in  that  township, 
on  a  portion  of  the  old  Faloon  homestead, 
July  7,  1838,  son  of  James  Faloon. 

Daniel  Faloon,  the  grandfather,  was  a 
native  of  Ireland,  and  coming  to  Indiana 
county,  Pa.,  at  an  early  day,  settled  in  what 
is  now  East  Wheatfield  township.  It  was 
then  a  wilderness.  Taking  up  a  tract  of  land, 
he  erected  a  log  house  and  stable  and  began 
developing  his  property.  The  house  he  put 
up  was  built  of  round  logs,  with  a  door  at 
each  end,  and  an  old-fashioned  stone  chimney 
surrounded  a  fireplace  so  large  that  a  horse 
was  required  to  drag  in  the  logs  for  fuel.  The 
horse  would  come  in  one  door,  and  when  his 
load  was  released  go  out  the  other.  Later, 
Daniel  Faloon  replaced  his  original  dwelling 
with  a  more  pretentious  one  of  hewed  logs, 
and  made  other  substantial  improvements 
upon  the  farm,  which  then  comprised  over 
400  acres.  It  took  unremitting  labor  to  clear 
off  the  laud,  and  Mr.  Faloon  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  in  accomplishing  this. 
When  he  passed  away  his  remains  were  laid 
to  rest  in  the  family  lot  on  the  farm.  He 
was  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  this  section. 
His  brother  William,  who  made  his  home  with 
him,  remained  on  the  farm  after  the  death 
of  Daniel,  and  gave  the  family  much  needed 
assistance.  Daniel  Faloon  was  a  Seceder 
in  religious  faith.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Luther,  and  their  children  were:  John; 
David;  William;  James;  Robert;  Margaret, 
who  married  Jonathan  Luther;  Jennie,  who 
married  William  Jordan;  Ann,  who  married 
Thomas  Elder;  Sarah  (Sally),  who  died  un- 
married; Elizabeth  (Betsy),  who  died  un- 
married;  and   Polly   and   Mattie,    who    died 


James  Faloon,  son  of  Daniel  Faloon  and 
father  of  Alexander  Faloon,  was  born  on  the 
homestead  in  East  Wheatfield  township.  Ow- 
ing to  the  few  schools  in  his  neighborhood  he 


had  but  limited  educational  opportunities, 
but  he  made  the  most  of  what  were  given 
him  and  all  during  his  life  was  quick 
to  learn  from  observation.  When  his  father 
died  James  Faloon  obtained  a  portion  of 
the  homestead,  which  he  operated  in  part- 
nership with  his  brother  Robert.  They 
erected  a  good  log  house,  which  is  still  stand- 
ing, and  James  Faloon  also  built  a  barn,  and 
made  other  improvements  upon  the  farm.  He 
cleared  off  the  remaining  timber  and  followed 
general  farming  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying 
upon  his  property  in  1875.  His  remains  were 
buried  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  cemetery 
in  Armagh.  Politically  he  was  first  a  Whig, 
later  a  Republican.  The  Presbyterian  Church 
held  his  membership,  and  had  from  him 
faithful  allegiance. 

James  Faloon  married  Ann  Dill,  who  was 
bom  in  Buffiugtou  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  daughter  of  ^Matthew  Dill  and  grand- 
daughter of  Col.  Matthew  Dill,  a  Revolution- 
ary soldier.  A  complete  history  of  the  dis- 
tinguished Dill  family  is  given  elsewhere  in 
this  work.  Mrs.  Faloon  died  on  the  farm  and 
is  buried  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  cem- 
etery at  Armagh,  she  having  been  a  member 
of  that  denomination,  ilr.  and  Mrs.  Faloon 
had  seven  children:  Mary,  who  married 
William  Downing,  was  lost  in  the  Johnstown 
flood  in  1889 ;  William,  who  was  a  Civil  war 
soldier,  died  at  Red  Bank,  Pa.;  Joseph  is 
living  retired  at  Indiana;  Samuel,  who  was 
a  Civil  war  soldier,  died  in  1912 ;  David,  de- 
ceased, was  a  Civil  war  soldier:  Anne  Eliza, 
who  was  lost  in  the  Johnstown  flood  in  1889, 
was  unmarried;  Alexander  is  a  resident  of 
East  Wheatfield  township. 

Alexander  Faloon  grew  up  in  his  native 
township,  and  was  given  the  usual  educational 
advantages  of  his  time  and  place.  Remain- 
ing with  his  parents,  he  worked  for  them  until 
he  was  twenty-two  years  old,  and  then  settled 
on  his  father's  portion  of  115  acres  of  the 
original  Faloon  homestead,  continuing  to  care 
tenderly  for  his  aunt  Elizabeth,  affectionately 
known  "as  Betsy,  until  her  death.  From  the 
time  he  took  charge  of  this  property  until 
he  retired  Mr.  Faloon  was  engaged  in  mak- 
ing well-judged  improvements,  including  the 
erection  of  a  handsome  modern  residence  and 
the  rebuilding  of  the  barn.  He  took  a  pride 
in  keeping  his  premises  in  excellent  condi- 
tion, believing  that  the  owner's  prosperity  is 
reflected  in  the  condition  of  his  farm.  Mr. 
Faloon  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising,  with  gratifying  results,  until  his  re- 
tirement in  1910. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1361 


Like  all  good  citizens  of  his  time,  when  the 
Civil  war  broke  out  Mr.  Faloon  was  deeply 
interested  in  the  issues,  and  proved  his  pa- 
triotism by  enlisting  on  Aug.  7,  1862,  in  Com- 
pany I,  iSSth  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, under  Capt.  John  A.  Kinter  and  Col. 
James  Porter.  He  entered  the  service  at 
Indiana,  and  was  honorably  mustered  out  at 
Harrisburg  on  May  28,  1863,  after  a  service 
of  nine  months.  Mr.  Faloon  then  reenlisted, 
in  Company  H,  83d  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  Colonel  Rogers  commanding,  and 
sem'ed  until  Feb.  13,  1865.  Once  more  he 
enlisted,  for  the  remainder  of  the  war,  and 
had  the  pleasure  of  participating  in  the  grand 
review  at  Washington,  following  which  he 
was  mustered  out  at  Pittsburg.  Mr.  Faloon 
is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  post  at  New 
Florence,  Pa.,  and  enjoys  meeting  his  old  com- 
rades. Not  only  was  he  a  brave  soldier,  but 
he  had  four  brothers  in  the  service  during 
the  Civil  war,  so  the  family  was  well  repre- 
sented during  that  terrible  struggle. 

Since  returning  to  the  paths  of  peaceful 
endeavor  Mr.  Faloon  has  been  active  in  the 
public  affairs  of  his  community,  having 
served  as  assessor,  tax  collector  and  election 
inspector,  to  which  offices  he  was  elected  on 
the  Republican  ticket.  The  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Armagh  holds  his  membership,  and 
he  gives  it  the  same  loyal  and  generous  sup- 
port as  did  his  parents,  the  Faloon  family 
having  always  been  ready  to  encourage  and 
aid  the  cause  of  religion. 

On  Dec.  24,  1867,  Mr.  Faloon  was  married 
at  Seward,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  to  As- 
enath  Wagoner,  a  native  of  Derry  township, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  John 
W.  Wagoner.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Faloon  became 
the  parents  of  five  children :  Maude  married 
George  L.  Snodgrest,  of  New  Florence ;  John 
W.,  who  is  a  railroad  operator,  resides  at 
home;  Ralpli  K.  is  with  the  Cambria  Iron 
and  Steel  Company  and  lives  at  Johnstown; 
Madge  Beatrice,  who  was  graduated  from  the 
Grove  City  normal  school,  is  an  efficient 
school  teacher ;  Elsie  Cornelia,  who  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Grove  Cit.y  normal  school, 
and  the  Johnstown  College  of  Music,  is  a 
successful  music  teacher,  and  resides  at  home. 

The  substantial  position  of  the  Faloon 
family  in  this  locality  has  been  attained 
through  the  public-spirited  efforts  and  useful 
lives  of  its  members,  and  the  respect  and  con- 
fidence they  enjoy  have  come  as  the  just  re- 
ward of  honorable  deeds. 


GEORGE  M.  BUTERBAUGH,  general 
farmer  of  Green  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
was  born  in  that  township  May  23,  1830,  and 
is  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  Ann  (Moyer) 
Buterbaugh. 

William  Buterbaugh,  father  of  George  M., 
was  of  German  descent.  He  came  from  Center 
county.  Pa.,  to  Indiana  county  at  an  early 
date,  and  settled  in  Green  township,  where  he 
followed  farming  throughout  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  He  and  his  wife,  also  a  native  of 
Center  county,  had  a  family  of  five  sons  and 
four  daughters,  as  follows:  Elizabeth,  who 
is  deceased ;  Kate,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife 
of  Henry  Ruffner ;  George  M. ;  Susan,  the 
widow  of  Daniel  Ruffner,  of  Indiana  county; 
Solomon,  residing  in  Green  township ;  James, 
a  resident  of  Johnstown;  Mary  Ann,  wife  of 
Andrew  Ruffner,  of  Purchase  Line ;  Louis, 
who  is  deceased ;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

George  M.  Buterbaugh  was  educated  in 
the  district  schools  of  Green  township,  and 
was  reared  to  agriculturad  pursuits,  having 
followed  the  occupation  of  farming  ever  since 
boyhood.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war 
he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army, 
becoming  a  member  of  Company  P,  .74tli 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which 
he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is 
now  the  owner  of  a  well-cultivated  property 
in  Green  township,  his  residence  being  in- 
cluded in  Lovejoy  R.  F.  D.  route  No.  1. 

Mr.  Buterbaugh  was  married  (first)  to 
Mary  Ziegler,  a  native  of  Indiana  county, 
and  they  had  eleven  children,  as  follows : 
Rebecca,  the  wife  of  Albert  Pitman,  of  Green 
township;  Milligau,  who  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  that  township ;  Malinda,  wife  of  Alex 
Berringer  ;  Jessie,  living  in  Clearfield  county ; 
Alex,  who  lives  in  West  Virginia;  Grant,  a 
resident  of  Winber;  Daniel,  who  is  engaged 
in  the  hardware  business  in  Winber;  Ada, 
who  is  deceased;  Ida,  wife  of  Orlando  Hall,  a 
resident  of  Pineflats ;  and  two  who  died  in 
infancy.  Mr.  Buterbaugh 's  second  mai-riage 
occurred  in  May,  1898,  when  he  was  united 
with  Mrs.  Caroline  (Ryan)  Scott,  who  was 
born  in  Lycoming  county.  Pa.,  Jan.  26,  1842, 
daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (English)  Ryan, 
natives  of  Lycoming  county,  who  removed  to 
Clearfield  county  at  an  early  time.  Mrs. 
Buterbaugh 's  father  died  at  Burnside,  Clear- 
field county,  and  her  mother  at  the  home 
of  ilrs.  Buterbaugh  in  Lovejoy.  Mrs.  But- 
erbaugh was  the  widow  of  James  F.  Scott, 
a  carpenter  by  occupation,  who  was  born  and 
reared  in  Ohio,  and  died  in  Clearfield  county. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scott  had  nine  children :    John 


1362 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


W.,  who  is  deceased;  Elmei-  E.,  a  resident  of 
East  Liberty,  Pa. ;  Lucy  A.,  wife  of  Aairon 
Fulton,  a  resident  of  Clearfield  county;  Wil- 
lard  A.,  who  is  deceased;  Mary  0.,  the  wife  of 
Orlando  Blackburn,  of  Altoona,  Pa. ;  Irvin 
S.,  a  resident  of  Kentucky;  Sarah  M.,  the 
wife  of  Harry  Miller,  of  East  Liberty,  Pa. ; 
James  R.,  who  lives  in  Clearfield  county; 
and  Prank  H.,  a  resident  of  Lovejoy. 

While  Mr.  Buterbaugh  is  not  a  member  of 
any  particular  religious  denomination,  he  is 
always  ready  to  support  worthy  movements 
of  a  charitable  nature.  His  wife  belongs  to 
the  United  Brethren  Church. 

PRANK  WILSON,  who  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  West  Wheatfield  township,  on  the  Wil- 
son homestead,  belongs  to  an  old  family  of 
Indiana  countj^. 

Joseph  Wilson,  his  great-grandfather,  was 
born  in  Ireland,  and  on  coming  to  the  United 
States,  in  young  manhood,  settled  in  Brush- 
.  valley,  Pa.  There  he  married  ^lartha  Pat- 
ent, and  both  died  in  that  section  and  were 
buried  there.  They  had  the  follo%ving  chil- 
dren: Valley;  Samuel,  who  married  a  Miss 
Wilkins  and  lived  in  Center  towushii^.  In- 
diana county;  Hannah,  who  married  a  Mr. 
Bonner  and  lived  in  Brushvalley;  Matthew; 
David;  Joseph,  who  married  Sarah  Wilkins; 
and  i\Iary,  Mrs.  McCune. 

Matthew  Wilson,  son  of  Joseph,  and  grand- 
father of  Prank  Wilson,  was  born  Oct.  31, 
1802,  in  Brushvalley,  Pa.,  and  was  there  mar- 
ried to  Rachel  Johnston,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Rosanna  (Clark)  Johnston,  pioneers  of 
Westmoreland  county.  Their  children  were : 
Martha,  who  married  John  Hines,  of  Cadiz, 
Ohio,  and  now  resides  at  New  Plorenee,  Pa. ; 
Rosanna,  who  married  Adam  Gochuour,  and 
had  a  son,  Samuel,  who  lives  in  Centerville, 
Pa. ;  and  Samuel  Johnston.  Matthew  Wil- 
son was  reared  in  Brushvalley,  and  in  that 
vicinity  spent  his  life  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits, "becoming  one  of  the  most  prominent 
men  of  his  day  and  locality,  and  serving  as 
overseer  of  the  poor,  supervisor  of  roads  and 
constable  for  many  years. 

Samuel  Johnston  Wilson,  son  of  Matthew, 
was  bom  Aug.  8,  1841,  and  died  Nov.  6,  1896. 
He  was  married  Jan.  19,  1875,  to  Anna  Eliza 
Killen,  daughter  of  Prank  and  Annie  (Hice) 
Killen,  who  survives  him,  and  they  had  the 
following  children:  Carrie,  who  married 
William  Prisk,  lives  in  New  Plorenee,  where 
her  hiisband  is  an  employee  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren, Clarence  and  Francis ;   Sarah,  who  is 


the  widow  of  Joseph  Hines,  has  two  children, 
John  and  Francis ;  Martha  married  Louis  W. 
Lemke,  of  East  "Wheatfield  township;  Prank 
is  mentioned  below;  Bessie,  who  was  for  two 
years  a  school  teacher  in  West  Wheatfield 
township,  is  now  the  wife  of  J.  T.  Patterson, 
an  employee  at  the  Carnegie  Steel  Works, 
Pittsburg,  and  they  have  one  child,  Dorothy. 
Samuel  J.  Wilson  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  Brushvalley  township,  and  worked  on  the 
home  farm  until  he  was  drafted  for  service 
in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war.  On 
his  return  to  civil  life  he  purchased  the  Clark 
faiTU  of  108  acres  in  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, where  he  carried  on  farming  and  stock 
raising  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  died 
in  the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Armagh  cemetery.  In 
political  matters  he  was  a  Republican. 

Frank  Wilson,  son  of  Samuel  Johnston 
Wilson,  received  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  county,  and  has  always  been  en- 
gaged in  work  of  an  agricultural  nature.  He 
has  continued  to  remain  on  the  home  farm, 
where  he  is  tenderly  caring  for  his  mother 
in  her  declining  years.  Realizing  the  bene- 
fits to  be  derived  from  progressive  methods, 
he  applies  modern  ideas  to  his  farm  work, 
and  as  a  consequence  has  made  his  farm  one 
of  the  most  productive  in  this  section.  Mr. 
Wilson  is  a  man  of  public  spirit  and  one  who 
can  always  be  depended  upon  to  support 
movements  calculated  to  be  of  benefit  to  his 
community.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  has 
served  as  election  clerk. 

JOHN  WATERSON  has  been  living  re- 
tired in  the  borough  of  Indiana  for  the  last 
ten  years.  He  is  a  jeweler  by  trade  and  for 
many  years  was  engaged  in  business  as  such 
at  Elderton,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  subsequently 
following  farming  for  some  years  before  his 
retirement.  He  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  born 
Dec.  5,  1834,  son  of  John  and  Margaret  CMc- 
Fadden)  Wtiterson.  The  parents  were  born 
in  County  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  and  the  fa- 
ther was  a  yeoman  there.  By  trade  he  was 
a  weaver.  Bringing  his  family  to  the  United 
States,  they  landed  at  New  York  in  ^May, 
1841,  after  a  voyage  of  four  weeks  in  a  sail- 
ing vessel,  and  thence  proceeded  to  western 
Pennsylvania,  settling  on  a  farm  near  Kit- 
tanning.  Armstrong  count.v.  Mr.  Waterson 
farmed  there  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
when  he  was  eighty-^ight  years  old.  His  wife 
died  there  nt  the  age  of  eighty-five.  They 
were  members  of  the  'M.  E.  Church.  Their 
children,    all   born    in    Ireland,    were    as   fol- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1363 


lows :  (1)  James,  a  farmer,  who  died  in  Arm- 
strong county,  served  during  the  Civil  war 
in  the  54th  Pennsylvania  Heavy  Artillery. 
(2)  William,  who  died  in  Indiana,  was  a 
farmer  until  he  moved  to  that  borough  at 
the  time  of  his  retirement.  He  served  in  the 
State  militia  in  1863.  (3)  Gabriel,  a  farmer, 
died  in  Armstrong  county.  (4)  Noble,  a 
farmer,  who  died  in  Armstrong  county,  also 
served  in  the  Civil  war.  He  married  a  Miss 
Lafferty.  (5)  David  died  in  Armstrong 
county,  unmarried.  (6)  John  completes  the 
family. 

John  Waterson  was  in  his  seventh  year 
when  the  family  came  from  Ireland,  where 
he  had  begun  to  attend  school.  He  continued 
his  studies  in  an  old  log  school  in  Armstrong 
county,  completing  the  course  there,  and 
worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  from  the 
time  he  was  able  to  help,  assisting  in  clear- 
ing the  home  place.  In  his  young  manhood 
he  was  fond  of  hunting  and  very  skillful, 
deer  and  other  game  being  still  found  in  this 
region.  He  remained  at  the  home  place  until 
1859.  Then  he  learned  the  trade  of  silver- 
smith, at  Callensburg,  Clarion  Co.,  Pa.,  pay- 
ing twelve  dollars  a  month  for  the  instruc- 
tion he  received,  and  soon  afterward  started 
in  the  jewelry  business  on  his  own  account 
at  Elderton,  Armstrong  county,  where  he 
was  established  for  twenty-seven  years.  In 
the  spring  of  1889  he  moved  to  Cookport, 
Indiana  county,  where  he  owned  305  acres 
of  coal  and  timber  land,  continuing  to  reside 
upon  that  property  until  his  removal  to  In- 
diana, in  1902.  Mr.  Waterson  was  an  able 
business  man  and  an  honorable  dealer  in 
every  transaction,  and  he  had  the  confidence 
and  good  will  of  his  fellow  citizens  at  every 
place  in  which  he  resided.  He  was  married 
in  Elderton,  in  the  year  1866,  to  Sarah  Jane 
Elgin,  who  was  born  Feb.  15,  1840,  near  Eld- 
erton, daughter  of  Alexander  and  Elizabeth 
(St.  Clair)  (Martin)  Elgin.  Mrs.  Waterson 
died  May  23,  1912.  She  was  a  devout  mem- 
ber of  the  M.  E.  Church,  to  which  Mr.  Wat- 
erson also  belongs.  In  politics  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat. During  the  Civil  war  he  supported  the 
Tnion,  going  out  with  the  State  militia  in 
1863 ;  he  was  at  Camp  Brooks,  Williamsburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

Nine  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
John  Waterson:  (1)  David  Crawford,  born 
Oct.  5,  1866,  at  Elderton,  attended  the  com- 
mon and  high  schools  and  Elderton  Academy, 
and  learned  watch  making  with  his  father. 
He  clerked  in  his  father's  jewelry  and  gen- 
eral store,  and  is  now  at  home  with  his  father. 


He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  socially 
belongs  to  the  Order  of  Moose.  He  is  un- 
married. (2)  Margaret  Eleanor,  born  Sept. 
4,  1868,  is  the  wife  of  Byron  McCuUough,  of 
Clyde,  this  county.  (3)  Isabelle,  born  Aug. 
31,  1870,  is  the  wife  of  Sidney  Gorman,  of 
Cherrytree,  Indiana  county.  (4)  William 
Alexander,  born  Oct.  21,  1872,  lives  in  Char- 
leroi.  Pa.,  and  is  an  awning  and  tent  maker 
by  occupation.  He  married  Catherine  Johns. 
(5)  Mary  Jane,  born  Nov.  16,  1874,  married 
Warren  Lockard  and  lives  in  Indiana.  (6) 
Sarah  Catherine,  born  Oct.  1,  1877,  married 
George  Conrath.  (7)  Martha  Ann,  born  Oct. 
20,  1880,  died  in  infancy.  (8)  John  J.,  born 
July  31,  1882,  married  Guy  Lloyd  and  lives 
in  Cookport,  Indiana  county.  (9)  Edith 
Blanch,  born  Api'il  16,  1885,  married  Harvey 
Snyder  and  lives  in  Indiana. 

GEORGE  L.  ROWE,  now  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  in  White  township,  has  passed 
all  his  life  in  that  part  of  Indiana  county, 
having  been  born  March  30,  1868,  in  Rayne 
township,  where  he  was  reared. 

William  Patterson  Rowe,  his  father,  was 
born  in  1834,  in  Rayne  township,  and  spent 
all  his  life  there,  following  farming.  He 
served  in  the  Civil  war  from  1861  to  the  close 
of  the  conflict,  under  two  enlistments.  A 
prominent  man  in  his  community,  he  filled 
various  local  offices  with  credit  to  himself  and 
thorough  satisfaction  to  his  fellow  citizens, 
who  held  him  in  high  esteem  for  his  useful- 
ness and  many  sterling  qualities  of  character, 
his  kind  and  benevolent  disposition  winning 
him  affection  as  well  as  respect.  He  was  a 
Republican  in  politics  and  a  Lutheran  in  re- 
ligion. His  wife  was  Mary  Jane  McNulty, 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  three  children: 
John  L.,  of  McKee's  Rocks,  Pa.,  who  married 
Anna  Evans;  Daniel  H.,  now  a  resident  of 
Youngstown,  Ohio;  and  George  L.  The 
mother  died  May  21,  1906,  aged  sixty-one 
years,  the  father  surviving  until  May  23, 
1911.  They  are  buried  at  the  Bethel  Ltitheran 
Church  in  Rayne  township. 

George  L.  Rowe  was  bom  on  his  father's 
farm  in  Rayne  township  and  obtained  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  that  lo- 
cality. He  continued  to  work  on  the  home 
place  until  he  attained  his  majority,  after 
which  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  with 
S.  H.  Kuntz,  of  Rayne  township.  He  fol- 
lowed that  line  of  work  until  the  spring  of 
1907,  when  he  met  with  an  accident  which 
made  it  necessary  for  him  to  find  other  em- 
ploj'ment,  so  for  two  years  he  carried  on  a 


1364 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


grocery  business  in  the  borough  of  Indiana. 
Disposing  of  same,  he  bought  his  present 
farm  in  White  township,  to  which  he  moved 
at  once,  and  thei-e  he  has  since  done  general 
farming.  He  has  a  tract  of  116  acres,  in  ex- 
cellent condition,  which  yields  a  comfortable 
living  under  his  thrifty  management.  Mr. 
Rowe  does  not  take  any  part  in  public  affairs, 
but  he  is  a  Republican  in  political  opinion 
and  supports  his  party  faithfully.  Socially 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows.  He  has 
no  church  connection. 

In  1895  Mr.  Rowe  was  married,  in  Rayne 
township,  to  Tillie  Fleming,  daughter  of 
Morton  J.  and  Matilda  (McGuire)  Fleming, 
and  thev  have  had  six  children :  Earl,  who 
died  ]\Iareh  9,  1911 ;  Lloyd ;  Hazel ;  Mildred ; 
Grace,  and  Esther. 

]\Iorton  J.  Fleming,  Mrs.  Howe's  father, 
was  born  Jan.  8,  1824,  in  Washington  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  and  in  1858  married 
Matilda  McGuire,  who  was  born  in  Green 
township,  this  county,  July  17,  1832,  and 
thev  had  a  family  of  eight  children:  Eliza, 
David,  Blair,  Marv,  Frank,  Tillie,  William 
and  Laura.  The  father  died  Oct.  16,  1890, 
the  mother  :\Iay  27,  1903.  They  were  Luther- 
ans, members  of  the  Bethel  Church  in  Rayne 
township.  Tn  politics  he  was  a  Republican, 
and  he  served  faithfully  as  a  I'nion  soldier 
during  the  Civil  war,  receiving  an  honorable 
discharge.  After  his  marriage  he  bought  the 
farm  in  Rayne  township,  which  he  cultivated 
the  remainder  of  his  life. 

JOSEPH  THOMAS  WILLIAMS,  of  Bur- 
rell  township,  Indiana  county,  belongs  to  a 
family  which  has  lived  in  this  section  of 
Pennsylvania  for  about  a  century,  in  West- 
moreland county.  The  Williarases  are  of 
Welsh  extraction. 

William  Williams,  grandfather  of  Joseph 
Thomas  Williams  and  the  founder  of  the 
family  in  this  country,  was  born  in  Wales, 
and  came  to  America  when  a  young  man. 
He  settled  in  Cambria  county,  Pa.,  on  the 
mountain,  five  miles  northeast  of  Johnstown, 
where  he  had  a  tract  of  100  acres,  mostly 
wooded  wdien  he  came  to  it.  He  built  a  home 
and  cleared  his  land,  following  farming  and 
stock  raising,  and  being  a  Baptist  minister 
went  to  Pittsburg  each  week  to  preach,  mak- 
ing the  journey  on  horseback.  His  children 
were:  Margaret;  lola;  Thomas,  who  settled 
in  Oregon;  Ben.jamin,  who  married  Sarah 
Rhodes;  Elias;  Mary,  who  married  Thomas 
John  Jones  and  resided  at  Ebensburg,  Pa.; 
and  William. 


William  Williams,  son  of  William,  was  born 
in  1808,  and  died  July  15,  1891,  near  New 
Alexandria,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.  In  his 
earlier  years  he  worked  on  the  home  farm, 
lielping  his  parents,  and  later  went  to  New 
Alexandria  lo  learn  wagonmaking,  which  he 
followed  all  the  rest  of  his  life,  also  engag- 
ing in  blacksmithing  and  farming.  He 
bought  the  Kelly  farm  of  ninety-four  acres 
in  Salem  township,  and  cultivated  it  suc- 
cessfully. It  was  underlaid  with  two  rich 
veins  of  coal,  which  added  materially  to  its 
value.  Though  he  reached  the  advanced  age 
of  eighty-three  years  he  was  active  until  the 
last.  He  married  IMary  Rhodes,  who  was 
born  Nov.  1,  1809,  and  died  Oct.  2,  1912,  at 
the  great  age  of  ninety-three  years.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Williams  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  family 
plot  in  the  New  Alexandria  cemetery.  They 
were  members  of  the  Loyalhanua  Baptist 
Church,  and  active  in  all  its  work.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Williams  was  originally  a  Whig,  later 
a  Republican  Five  children  were  born  to 
:\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Williams:  (1)  Anna  married 
Albert  Sehupe,  and  resides  in  Loyalhanna 
township,  Westmoreland  county.  Their  chil- 
dren are  Frank,  James,  Stewart,  Elmer, 
Thomas,  Preston,  Benton  and  Laura.  (2) 
Elias  died  when  twenty-three  years  old,  in 
Story  county,  Iowa.  (3)  Washington  mar- 
ried Gertrude  Snodgrass  and  resides  at  New 
Alexandria,  Pa.  (4)  Joseph  Thomas  is  men- 
tioned below.  (5)  Mary  Frances  married 
John  Lemon,  mentioned  elsewhere. 

Joseph  Thomas  Williams  was  born  Jan.  24, 
1857,  at  New  Alexandria,  Westmoreland  Co.. 
Pa.  He  attended  the  Shields  school  at  New 
Alexandria,  and  spent' all  his  time  on  the 
home  place  until  his  father's  death.  Until 
he  was  twenty-five  years  old  he  worked  a.s 
his  father's  helper,  afterward  working  the 
place  for  him  on,  shares,  always  having  heavy 
farm  duties.  In  1901  he  moved  to  Burrell 
township.  Indiana  county,  and  bought  the 
old  Hill  farm  from  Gilmore  &  Bennett,  where 
he  has  ever  since  carried  on  farming  and 
dairving.  This  place  comprises  165  acres, 
all  of  which  is  in  excellent  condition  under 
Mr.  Williams'  enterprising  management.  He 
also  sold  coal  while  there,  having  developed 
the  deposits  on  the  farm.  He  rained  the  up- 
per layer  of  coal  himself,  and  in  one  winter 
sold  as  much  as  twenty-five  thousand  bushels, 
recei\'ing  four  cents  a  bushel.  Until  October, 
1912,  when  he  sold  out,  he  conducted  a  re- 
tail milk  route,  in  Blairsville,  and  he  has  also 
gone  extensively  into  stock  raising,  besides 
which  he  does  teaming.     The  success  of  his 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1365 


various  undertakings  has  shown  hiui  to  be 
an  all-around  business  man.  He  was  unfor- 
tunate enough  to  have  his  home  destroyed 
by  fire  in  1909,  and  he  has  since  x'ebuilt  ac- 
cording to  his  own  plans,  having  a  convenient, 
modern  residence. 

On  March  1,  1882,  Mr.  Williams  married 
Elizabeth  Heffelfinger,  daughter  of  Sylvester 
and  Catherine  (Dick)  Heffelfinger,  of  Blairs- 
ville,  Pa.,  and  they  have  had  four  children, 
all  born  in  New  Alexandria,  Pa.,  namely: 
William,  born  Dec.  21,  1882,  who  married 
Lizzie  Mikesell  and  resides  at  Vandergrift. 
Pa. ;  Edward,  born  March  2,  1885,  living  at 
home ;  Thomas,  born  Feb.  27,  1895,  at  home ; 
and  Harry,  born  Oct.  28,  1900.  Mr.  Wil- 
liams is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  of 
Blairsville,  which  he  served  for  a  number  of 
years  as  trustee  and  treasurer. 

CHARLES  ANDERSON  McFEATERS 
is  engaged  in  farming  in  East  Wheatfield 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  all  his  life 
has  been  spent.  He  was  born  there  Dec.  11, 
1861,  son  of  Andrew  McFeaters  and  grand- 
son of  John  McFeaters. 

In  1816  John  McFeaters  came  to  Indiana 
county  from  the  Tuscarora  Valley,  in  Mifflin 
county,  Pa.,  and  settled  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, where  he  became  engaged  in  farming. 
Later  he  moved  to  Cherryhill  township,  where 
he  was  a  land  owner  and  farmer,  spending 
the  remainder  of  his  life  there.  He  is  buried 
in  Harmony  Church  cemetery,  near  Green- 
ville. 

Andrew  McFeaters  was  bom  Dec.  7,  1811, 
in  Mifflin  county,  Pa.,  and  was  five  years  old 
when  brought  by  his  parents  to  Brushvalley 
township,  where  he  attended  public  school. 
He  began  farming  as  soon  as  able  to  be  of 
any  assistance.  In  time  he  came  to  East 
Wheatfield  township,  where  he  settled  on  a 
farm  of  100  acres  south  of  the  Philadelphia 
and  Pittsburg  pike,  following  farming  and 
stock  raising  there  to  the  end  of  his  life.  He 
died  on  his  farm  July  19,  1882,  and  is  buried 
in  the  cemetery  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Armagh.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  served  as  elder  and  in 
other  official  capacities.  In  politics  he  was 
a  Republican,  and  he  served  his  township  as 
overeeer  of  the  poor.  His  fir.st  wife,  Rebecca 
(Mahon),  born  May  7,  1819,  died  in  Januai-y, 
1851,  the  mother  of  children  as  follows: 
Rachel,  born  Sept.  19,  1843,  married  Elijah 
N.  Robinson,  and  died  Dec.  29,  1908,  in  West 
Virginia,  Mr.  Robinson  dying  Jan.  1,  1909; 
William  Laughlin,  born  May  27,  1845,  mar- 


ried Oct.  14,  1869,  Annie  Duncan,  and  set- 
tled in  East  Wheatfield  township  (he  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  serving  in  Company 
I,  206th  P.  V.  I.)  ;  Nancy,  born  Dec.  27,  1846, 
died  Dec.  22,  1862;  Hannah,  born  Oct.  28, 
1848,  married  Rev.  Milton  N.  Sweeney,  a 
minister  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  resides 
in  Belleville,  Pa. ;  John  M.,  born  Jan.  3,  1851, 
married  Catherine  Coltonbough  and  resides 
at  Creekside,  Indiana  county.  On  June  22, 
1852,  Mr.  McFeaters  married  (second)  Eliza- 
beth Underwood,  a  native  of  Brushvalley 
township,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary 
(Dias)  Underwood,  and  by  this  marriage  had 
five  children:  Mary  Catherine,  born  May 
16,  1853,  died  Jan.  16,  1863;  Samuel  Swan, 
born  May  6,  1855,  died  Dec.  17,  1862;  Ben- 
jamin Franklin,  bom  Oct.  10,  1857,  died  Jan. 
24,  1862;  Charles  Anderson  is  mentioned  be- 
low; Emma  Elizabeth,  born  Jan.  18,  1864, 
married  Feb.  27,  1890,  D.  F.  Pox,  of  Seward, 
Pennsylvania. 

Charles  Anderson  McFeaters  attended  the 
local  public  schools  and  gi'ew  up  on  the  farm, 
working  with  his  father,  and  has  been  farm- 
ing all  his  life  in  his  native  township.  He 
now  operates  the  south  part  of  the  homestead 
farm,  having  a  tract  of  fifty-seven  acres,  de- 
voted to  general  crops,  though  he  makes  a 
specialty  of  fruit  culture.  He  is  one  of  the 
most  highly  respected  citizens  of  his  locality 
and  has  taken  considerable  interest  in  public 
affairs,  having  served  his  township  as  reg- 
ister of  voters,  assessor,  school  director  and 
enumerator  of  school  district  No.  1.  In  polit- 
ical association  he  is  a  Republican. 

On  July  20,  1898,  Mr.  JIcFeaters  was  mar- 
ried, at  Girard,  111.,  to  Ida  Wormwood,  daugh- 
ter of  Jolm  M.  and  Sena  (Rusher)  Worm- 
wood, and  they  have  had  one  child,  Pearle 
May,  born  Aug.  23,  1901.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mc- 
Featers are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Armagh,  and  both  have  been  ac- 
tive in  the  work  of  that  church,  Mr.  McFeat- 
ers serving  as  trustee.  From  earl.y  woman- 
hood Mrs.  McFeaters  has  given  much  of  her 
time  to  evangelical  work,  and  for  eight  years 
was  a  member  of  the  Pentecost  Band,  religious 
workers,  who  had  headquarters  at  Indianap- 
olis, Ind.  They  did  missionary  work  in  many 
parts  of  the  country,  including  Pennsylvania, 
where  she  met  Mr.  McFeaters.  Mrs.  Mc- 
Featers is  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school  of 
the  Armagh  Presbyterian  Church  and  a  mem-  . 
ber  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  and  does  every- 
thing within  her  power  to  advance  the  work 
of  the  church  in  every  line.  In  fact,  she  is 
a    friend   of   all   good   movements,    being    a 


1366 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


woman  of  broad  intelligence,  interested  in 
the  welfare  of  her  fellow  beings  everywhere. 
She  and  her  husband  have  cooperated  faith- 
fuU}'  in  all  their  interests.  Mr.  McFeaters 
is  a  member  of  the  Jr.  0.  IT.  A.  M.,  and  was 
formerly  associated  with  the  council  at  Ar- 
magh. 

J.  WILSON  PEDDICORD,  a  farmer  of 
Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  Sept.  21,  1856,  in  Center  township,  this 
county,  a  son  of  Dorsey  and  Amelia  (Claw- 
son)  Peddicord,  both  of  whom  are  deceased. 
His  father's  second  marriage  was  to  Cather- 
ine Hunter. 

Mr.  Peddicord  attended  various  schools, 
the  Brusli  Hollow  school,  then  at  Mechanics- 
burg  and  Homer  City,  and  the  Myers  school, 
having  Peter  Fair  for  his  fii-st  teacher  and 
Eveline  McMullen  as  his  last  one. 

Mr.  Peddicord  has  followed  farming  aU  his 
life  and  now  owns  seventy-eight  acres  of  good 
land  in  Armstrong  township,  which  he  oper- 
ates successfully.  On  political  questions  he 
is  independent,  believing  in  supporting  the 
man  rather  than  the  party.  He  is  a  most  ex- 
cellent citizen,  and  has  many  warm  personal 
friends  throughout  his  neighborhood.  Mr. 
Peddicord  is  unmarried. 

MARSELLEN  CODY  WILSON,  an  ex- 
pert mechanic,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  residing  at 
No.  1018  School  street,  is  a  glass  finisher  by 
trade,  and  employed  by  the  Dugan  Glass 
Company.  He  was  born  July  10,  1878,  two 
miles  from  Allegheny  City,  Pa.,  a  son  of 
James  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Wilson)  Wilson. 

James  Wilson  was  born  in  Allegheny  City, 
Pa.,  Jan.  12,  1853.  A  blacksmith  by  trade, 
he  owned  a  shop  at  :\IcKeesport  for  eighteen 
years,  but  in  1907  went  to  Fresno.  Cal.,  where 
he  still  resides.  By  training  and  conviction 
he  was  developed  into  a  Republican,  while 
his  religious  views  make  him  a  Baptist.  The 
following  children  have  been  born  to  him: 
Blanch  Luelia,  who  married  Charles  Simon 
and  lives  at  Fresno,  Cal. ;  Marsellen  C. ;  Wil- 
liam, who  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years; 
Melvin,  who  mai-ried  Miss  Carling,  and  is  a 
molder,  residing  in  California ;  Howard,  who 
died  when  four  years  old;  and  Henry,  now 
seventeen  years  old,  who  resides  in  Cali- 
fornia. 

Marsellen  Cody  Wilson  was  educated  m  the 
common  schools  of  McKeesport,  Pa.,  and  from 
boyhood  displayed  considerable  mechanical 
genius.  Leaving  school  when  fourteen  years 
old,  he  became  an  office  boy  in  the  Pittsburg 


&  Lake  Erie  Railroad  Company's  office,  later 
holding  the  same  position  with  the  Standard 
Sewing  Machine  Company.  ^Ir.  Wilson  also 
worked  upon  various  farms  at  inten^als,  al- 
though his  inclinations  always  pointed  toward 
mechanical  employment,  and  he  eventually 
began  working  at  his  present  trade  at  Glass- 
port,  Pa.,  becoming  an  adept  at  it.  Before 
he  left  Glassport  he  had  been  advanced  to 
be  head  finisher,  and  held  that  position  for 
seven  years.  In  1899  he  came  to  Indiana, 
and  associated  himself  with  the  Dugan  Glass 
Company,  with  which  he  has  since  remained, 
to  the  satisfaction  of  all  parties  concerned. 
On  Thanksgiving  Day,  1908,  Jlr.  Wilson 
was  united  in  marriage  with  ilrs.  Caroline 
Olive  (Livingston)  Fleming,  a  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Elizabeth  Jane  (Bence)  Living- 
ston, and  widow  of  Harry  Austin  Fleming. 
The  latter  was  a  son  of  W.  H.  and  H.  Flem- 
ing, of  Indiana.  Mrs.  Wilson  is  a  woman  of 
intelligence  and  worth  and  looks  after  her 
home  with  housewifely  skill.  By  her  first 
marriage  she  had  two  children:  Dwight 
Austin,  born  in  1901;  and  Winnett  Living- 
ston, born  in  1903.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson 
are  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Olive  Winona, 
who  was  born  March  24,  1912. 

SAMUEL  L.  FYOCK,  who  owns  and  lives 
upon  the  property  known  as  Chestnut  Ridge 
Farm,  in  Green  township,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  at  that  place  June  23,  1860.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  fourth  generation  of  his 
family  to  live  in  this  county,  his  great-grand- 
father, David  Fyock,  and  grandfather,  John 
Fyock,  having  moved  into  this  region  at  an 
early  day,  from  Somerset  county.  Pa.  David 
Fyock,  his  son  John,  and  the  latter 's  son 
Jacob,  father  of  Samuel  L.  Fyock,  are  all 
buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Taylorsville,  in 
Green  township,  Indiana  county.  They  were 
blacksmiths  as  well  as  farmers,  and  followed 
that  trade  in  connection  with  agricultural 
work. 

Jacob  Fyock  was  born  in  Somerset  county 
and  came  to  Indiana  county  with  his  father 
at  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  In  1859  he  moved 
to  the  farm  in  Green  township  now  occupied 
by  his  sou  Samuel  L.,  and  for  a  number  of 
years  lived  in  the  old  log  house  where  the 
latter  was  born.  He  made  a  permanent  home 
on  this  place,  dying  here  in  1901.  Jacob 
Fyock  maiTied  Elizabeth  Wise,  who  was  born 
in  Blair  county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Solomon 
Wise  an  earlv  settler  in  this  part  of  Indiana 
countv,  and  died  in  October,  1899.  Eleven 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fyock, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1367 


two  dying  in  infancy;  the  following  reached 
maturity:  Solomon,  M'ho  lives  in  Cambria 
county,  Pa. ;  Catherine,  widow  of  William  G. 
Walker,  of  Green  township;  Elizabeth,  wife 
of  D.  H.  Swartz  and  living  on  part  of  her 
father's  old  farm  in  Green  township;  Joseph 
A.,  deceased;  Samuel  L. ;  Amanda  B.,  wife 
of  Ai-thur  Lydick,  of  Dubois,  Pa. ;  Maggie, 
wife  of  A.  C.  Ober,  of  Cherryhill  township ; 
Sadie,  wife  of  Samuel  R.  Mumau,  of  Green 
township;  and  George  H.,  who  lives  in  Cam- 
bria county. 

Samuel  L.  Fyock  attended  school  in  Green 
township  for  several  years  during  his  boy- 
hood, and  took  a  commercial  course  at  Erie, 
Pa.,  in  Clark's  Business  College,  graduating 
Aug.  1,  1889.  -  For  eleven  years  during  his 
young  manhood  he  was  employed  as  clerk  by 
the  Glenwood  Coal  Company,  in  the  office  at 
Glen  Campbell,  this  county,  but  he  returned 
to  the  farm  in  March,  1903,  and  has  since 
lived  there,  devoting  himself  to  agi'icultural 
pursuits;  he  does  some  trucking  and  engages 
in  the  poultry  business.  He  is  an  enterpris- 
ing worker,  up-to-date  in  his  methods,  and 
keeps  his  farm  and  house  in  excellent  con- 
dition. 

On  May  18,  1893,  Mr.  Fyoek  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Lydia  A.  Spicher,  a  native  of 
Grant  township,  this  county,  daughter  of  Jolta 
W.  and  Catherine  (King)  Spicher,  both  of 
whom  are  deceased.  Mr.  Spicher  settled  in 
Grant  township  many  years  ago  and  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  there.  Of  the  five  children 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fyock  the  eldest  died 
in  infancy,  unnamed;  the  others  are:  Jacob 
I. ;  Catherine  E. ;  John  S.,  and  Ida  P.  The 
parents  are  members  of  the  Brethren  (Dunk- 
ard)  Church,  belonging  to  the  Manor  con- 
gregation near  Purchase  Line,  and  Mr. 
Fyock  is  serving  as  deacon  and  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school.  He  is  a  Prohibitionist 
in  politics. 

NELSON  WIDDOWSON,  general  farmer 
and  stock  raiser  of  Indiana  county,  residing 
on  the  old  family  homestead  in  Cherryhill 
township,  was  born  in  that  township  Sept. 
21,  1851,  son  of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Lydick) 
Widdowson. 

Joseph  Widdowson,  the  grandfather  of  Nel- 
son Widdowson,  was  a  native  of  England, 
and  on  first  coming  to  the  United  States  set- 
tled in  New  York  City.  Subsequently  he  re- 
moved to  Green  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
where  he  purchased  600  acres  of  land  at 
twenty-five  cents  per  acre.  In  addition  to 
cultivating  this  land  he  followed  the  trade  of 


carpenter,  and  built  the  canal  at  Johnstown, 
walking  between  that  city  and  his  home  every 
two  weeks. 

Thomas  Widdowson,  son  of  Joseph,  and 
father  of  Nelson  Widdowson,  was  born  in  New 
York  City,  and  was  brought  up  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits.  He  first  followed  farming  on 
the  old  homo  in  Green  township,  where  his 
father  died,  subsequently  cleared  the  land 
in  Cherryhill  township  on  which  his  son  Nel- 
son now  lives,  and  finally  moved  to  Rayne 
township,  where  his  death  occurred.  He  and 
his  wife  had  five  sons,  of  whom  four  are  now 
living:  Thomas,  deceased;  Nelson;  Edward; 
Alexander,  who  resides  in  Idaho;  and  Frank, 
a  resident  of  Maryland. 

Jacob  Lydick,  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
Nelson  Widdowson,  was  one  of  the  very  early 
settlers  of  Indiana  county,  and  was  identified 
with  farming  interests  in  his  section  all  of 
his  life. 

The  early  boyhood  of  Nelson  Widdowson 
was  spent  on  the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives, 
and  his  education  was  obtained  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  this  vicinity.  When  he  was 
ten  years  of  age,  he  was  taken  by  his  parents 
to  a  near-by  farm,  eventually  moving  back 
to  this  locality,  however,  and  purchasing  the 
land  on  which  his  boyhood  was  spent,  and 
where  he  has  engaged  in  farming  to  the  pres- 
ent time. 

In  1876  Mr.  Widdowson  was  married  to 
Lizzie  Meekins,  who  was  born  in  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Thomas  Meekins,  a  sold- 
ier in  the  Civil  war  who  met  his  death  in 
battle  at  Petersburg.  The  Meekins  family 
settled  in  Indiana  county  at  an  early  day, 
and  its  members  are  well  and  favorably  known 
here.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Widdowson  have 
been  born  five  children:  Vance;  Royden, 
who  married  Hattie  McDowell  and  has  one 
child,  Albertus;  Otis,  who  is  deceased;  and 
Velma  and  Leora,  who  are  at  home  with  their 
parents. 

SOLOMON  EVANS  PLOWMAN,  farmer 
of  East  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  county, 
has  lived  at  his  present  home  there  for  thirty- 
five  years  and  is  one  of  the  substantial  citi- 
zens of  his  locality.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war.  Mr.  Plowman  was  born  Jan.  30, 
1849,  at  Pattonville,  Bedford  Co.,  Pa.,  son 
of  Rev.  John  Andrew  Plowman. 

Rev.  John  Andrew  Plowman  was  born  Aug. 
30,  1819,  in  York  county.  Pa.,  son  of  William 
Plowman,  and  grew  to  manhood  at  his  native 
place,  receiving  his  education  in  the  locality. 
At  the  age  of  nineteen,  on  Dec.  20,  1838,  he 


1368 


IIISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mas  married  by  Rev.  "WiUiam  Miller  to  Su- 
eanna  Evans,  who  was  born  April  15,  1820, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Evans,  who  served  in  the 
war  of  1812.  On  April  3,  1839,  Mr.  Plow- 
man was  converted  by  Rev.  Mr.  Miller  and 
united  with  the  church,  and  he  became  an 
earnest  preacher  of  the  gospel  of  the  Church 
of  God  as  early  as  1850,  being  thus  engaged 
in  Westmoreland  county,  this  State,  in  Ohio, 
in  Somerset  and  Indiana  counties,  Pa.,  and 
for  several  years  was  also  located  in  Pitts- 
burg. He  was  in  East  Wheatfield,  Green- 
ville, Cherrj'hill  and  other  parts  of  Indiana 
county,  and  did  effective  work  in  the  minis- 
try, making  many  converts  to  his  doctrines. 
He  died  May  10,  1888,  at  Clearville,  Bed- 
ford Co.,  Pa.,  aged  sixtj'-eight  years,  eight 
months,  ten  days,  and  was  buried  at  that 
place.  His  high  Christian  character  and 
zealous  labors  along  religious  lines  made  him 
beloved  and  popular.  His  wife  died  March 
7,  1906,  aged  eighty-five  years,  ten  months, 
twenty  days,  at  the  home  of  her  son  Solomon, 
who  cared  for  her  in  her  old  age.  She,  too, 
was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Church  of  God. 
Thev  had  a  family  of  seven  children,  viz. : 
Zacharias,  born  Sept.  20,  1839,  died  May 
13,  1859 ;  Levina,  born  April  2,  1841,  married 
April  11,  1859,  William  Albert,  and  resides 
in  Champaign  county.  111. :  ilalinda,  born 
Jan.  18,  1843,  married  Thomas  Miller  April 
12,  1862,  and  resides  in  Champaign  county, 
111.;  Elizabeth,  born  May  14,  1845,  married 
Nov.  14,  1865,  Henry  Lynn,  and  (second) 
Henry  Strickland,  and  is  now  a  widow,  resid- 
ing in  Danville.  111. ;  Eliza  Jane,  born  April 
9,  1847,  married  April  17,  1866,  Robert  Wil- 
liam Mack,  who  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Cam- 
bria Iron  &  Steel  Company  at  Johnstown. 
Pa.;  Solomon  Evans  was  born  Jan.  30,  1849; 
Joseph  Francis,  born  Mav  10,  1851,  died  Sept. 
6,  1887. 

Solomon  Evans  Plowman  was  an  infant 
when  the  family  moved  from  York  county 
to  the  Cumberland  valley,  where  he  attended 
school.  He  also  went  to  school  at  Greensburg. 
Westmoreland  county,  and  at  Pittsburg,  and 
in  East  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  his  father  was  engaged  in  preaching. 
On  June  1,  1863,  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years, 
five  months,  he  enlisted  in  Battery  L,  3d 
Heavy  Artillery,  under  Captain  Bisbon  and 
Colonel  Roberts.  He  was  then  five  feet,  two 
and  a  half  inches  in  height,  and  the  youngest 
soldier  from  Indiana  county.  For  eleven 
months  he  was  stationed  at  Fortress  Monroe, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1864  was  transferred 
from  the  3d  Heavy  Artillery  to  take  part  in 


the  expedition  under  Maj.  Gen.  B.  F.  Butler 
up  the  James  river,  as  a  member  of  Company 
K,  188th  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  under  Capt. 
Henry  Fox  and  Colonel  Given.  With  this 
command  he  took  part  in  the  following  bat- 
tles and  actions:  Swift  Creek,  May  11,  1864; 
Proctor's  Creek,  May  13,  1864;  Drury's  Blutf, 
May  16;  Port  Whitehead,  May  22;  Cold 
Harbor,  June  1-12;  in  front  of  Petersburg, 
June  16-18;  mine  explosion,  July  30;  eighty- 
one  days'  siege  of  Petersburg;  Chapin's 
Farm,  Sept.  29-30;  capture  of  Richmond, 
April  3,  1865 ;  tobacco  raid  at  Fredericksburg. 
After  Lee's  surrender  he  was  engaged  in 
guard  and  provost  duty  until  the  regiment 
was  mustered  out  of  the  service,  at  City  Point, 
Va..  Dec.  14,  1865,  under  general  orders. 
After  the  Fort  Harrison  fight  and  the  battle 
of  Chapin's  Farm  he  was  promoted  to 
sergeant,  being  the  youngest  sergeant  in  the 
regiment.  After  returning  home  he  helped 
with  the  farm  work  on  his  father's  place  in 
East  Wheatfield  township,  a  tract  of  sixty 
acres  upon  which  he  continued  until  1877. 
Meantime,  in  1871,  he  had  commeuced  farm- 
ing on  his  own  account,  with  the  aid  of  his 
brother  Joseph  operating  the  home  farm  for 
six  j^ears.  Then  he  bought  the  farm  he  now 
owns,  which  comprises  eighty-six  acres  upon 
which  he  has  built  a  house  and  barn  and 
made  other  improvements.  He  carries  on 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr. 
Plowman  has  also  been  active  in  local  public 
matters,  having  served  as  school  director 
(three  terms),  assessor  (one  term)  and  over- 
seer of  the  poor.  He  was  a  Republican  up 
to  1880,  when  he  joined  the  ranks  of  the  Pro- 
hibition party,  being  a  strong  advocate  of 
temperance. 

On  Dec.  24,  1872,  Mr.  Plowman  married 
Sarah  Ellen  Mack,  who  was  born  Oct.  12, 
1848,  daughter  of  George  ilack,  and  sister 
of  Robert  G.  Mack,  a  weU-known  citizen  of 
East  Wheatfield  township,  a  full  sketch  of 
whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work.  She 
died  June  15,  1892,  and  was  buried  in  the 
cemetery  of  the  Armagh  Presbyterian  Church. 
Children  as  follows  were  born  to  this  mar- 
riage: Albert  Wesley,  born  Oct.  14,  1873, 
is  a  railroad  engineer  and  resides  at  Derry, 
Pa.  (he  married  Fannie  Ling)  ;  Harry  Ev- 
ans, born  Oct.  29,  1875,  lives  at  home;  Mar- 
tha Adele,  bom  Nov.  5.  1877.  is  married  to 
Edward  Ling,  of  East  Wheatfield  township; 
Susanna  E..  born  July  17,  1880,  died  Jan. 
18,  1882;  Malissa  Patience.  l)orn  May  21, 
1882,  married  Jesse  Mack,  of  Buffington 
township;  Lucy  Parker,  born  Oct.  11,  1884, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


married  Harry  Tinkham,  of  Armagh ;  George 
Mack,  born  July  25,  1887,  is  employed  by 
the  Cambria  Iron  &  Steel  Company  at  Johns- 
town; Jesse  Joseph,  boni  April  18,  1890,  is 
farming  in  East  Wheatfield  township ;  a  son, 
bom  June  3,  1892,  died  Aug.  11,  1892.  On 
April  27,  1906,  Mr.  Plowman  was  married 
(second)  at  Kittanning,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa., 
to  Mrs.  Ella  M.  Spires,  who  was  born  in  Pine 
township,  Indiana  county,  near  Strongstown, 
daughter  of  Wesley  and  Jennie  (Grow) 
Stophel,  and  widow  of  Washington  Spires, 
M-ho  died  in  1888.  No  children  have  been 
born  to  this  marriage.  Mrs.  Plowman  had 
two  children  by  her  first  union:  Lulu,  who 
married  R.  H.  Faloon,  of  East  Wheatfield 
township ;  and  William  H.  B.,  a  machinist  in 
the  employ  of  the  Cambria  Iron  &  Steel  Com- 
pany at  Johnstown,  Pa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Plow- 
man are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  at  Ar- 
magh, which  he  has  served  in  the  capacity 
of  steward  for  a  period  of  twenty-five  years. 

WILLIAM  H.  BUTERBAUGH,  of  Green 
township,  has  become  well  known  in  his  part 
of  Indiana  county  as  farmer,  business  man 
and  public  official,  and  he  has  proved  himself 
able  and  efficient  in  every  position  in  which 
he  has  been  placed.  The  family  has  been 
settled  in  Green  township  for  about  a  cen- 
tury. 

William  Buterbaugh,  great-gi-andfather  of 
William  H.  Buterbaugh,  came  from  the  East 
and  settled  in  Green  township,  Indiana 
county,  buying  land  which  came  by  inherit- 
ance to  Jonathan  Buterbaugh,  father  of  Wil- 
liam H.  Buterbaugh.  Jonathan  Buterbaugh 
was  born  July  5,  1840,  in  Green  township, 
son  of  William,  and  remained  on  the  home 
place,  engaged  in  farming,  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  Oct.  8,  1902.  He  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Civil  war  in  March,  1865,  being 
a  member  of  Company  F,  74th  Regiment, 
and  was  mustered  out  in  September,  1865. 
He  married  Lucinda  Shankle,  who  was  born 
June  13,  1840,  in  Cherryhill  township,  daugh- 
ter of  David  Shankle,  a  farmer,  who  settled 
in  Indiana  county  in  pioneer  days.  Mrs. 
Buterbaugh  died  Oct.  21,  1906.  She  was  the 
mother  of  thirteen  children,  namely:  An- 
drew, who  died  Oct.  30,  1910 ;  Mary,  wife  of 
John  Rolley,  of  Hillsdale,  Pa.;  Maggie,  wife 
of  George  Baker,  of  Cambria  county.  Pa. ; 
William  H. ;  David,  a  resident  of  Grant  town- 
ship, Indiana  county;  Susan,  who  died  when 
thirteen  years  old;  George  W.,  a  resident  of 
Green  township;  John  H.,  who  lives  in  Grant 
township;    Samuel,    who    died    in    infancy; 


Emanuel,  who  died  in  infancy;  James  H., 
an  employee  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company,  living  at  Altoona,  Pa. ;  Laura,  wife 
of  Walter  Loring,  of  Rayne  township,  Indi- 
ana county;  and  J.  Edward,  a  resident  of 
Green  township. 

William  H.  Buterbaugh  was  born  Sept.  23, 
1866,  in  Green  township,  and  there  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools.  He  has 
been  engaged  in  farming  all  his  life,  has  car- 
ried on  lumbering  in  connection  therewith 
and  also  buys  and  sells  stock.  He  has  built 
up  a  good  business  in  these  various  lines. 
He  has  owned  the  place  where  he  lives,  part 
of  the  old  homestead,  for  the  last  fifteen  years, 
and  also  owns  the  old  homestead  itself,  cul- 
tivating both  places.  He  is  a  general  farmer, 
and  has  been  very  successful  in  his  agricul- 
tural operations.  Though  busy  with  his  own 
numerous  affaii-s  Mi".  Buterbaugh  has  found 
time  for  public  service,  fiUing  the  offices  of 
school  director  and  supervisor  in  his  town- 
ship. He  is  particularly  interested  in  the 
cause  of  education,  and  is  at  present  serving 
as  trustee  of  the  Purchase  Line  Academy. 
He  is  a  wide-awake,  intelligent  man,  aJive  to 
the  needs  of  the  community,  and  exercises 
considerable  influence  in  his  home  township. 

Mr.  Buterbaugh  was  married  May  7,  1891, 
to  India  Mae  Hankinson,  a  native  of  Rayne 
township,  this  county,  daughter  of  Solomon 
and  Caroline  (Wynkoop)  Hankinson,  both 
of  whom  are  deceased.  Mr.  Hankinson  was 
a  blacksmith  by  occupation.  Five  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Buterbaugh, 
namely:  Jonathan  Theodore,  Lewis  Banks, 
and  William  Dean,  all  at  home;  and  Viola 
and  Ebner,  deceased.  The  parents  are  Bap- 
tists in  religious  connection,  holding  mem- 
bership in  the  church  at  East  IMahoning. 

HIRAM  ST.  CLAIR,  who  passed  his  clos- 
ing years  in  retirement  in  the  borough  of  In- 
diana, was  a  farmer  during  his  active  years 
in  Indiana  county,  in  White  and  Blackliek 
townships.  He  belonged  to  one  of  the  most 
respected  families  of  this  part  of  the  State, 
and  was  a  worthj'  representative  of  the  hon- 
ored name  he  bore.  Mr.  St.  Clair  was  born 
April  19,  1827,  in  Indiana  county,  youngest 
of  the  family  of  James  and  Jennie  (Slem- 
mons)  St.  Clair,  farming  people. 

The  St.  Clair  family  is  of  Scotch-Irish 
origin,  a  branch  of  the  St.  Clair  family  of 
Scotland,  which  was  founded  in  the  middle- 
ages  by  Sir  Waldeme  de  St.  Clair,  a  Norman 
Knight,  who  married  Margaret,  daughter  of 
Richai'd,  Duke  of  Normandy.     Their  second 


1370 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


son,  William,  settled  in  Scotland,  and  one 
of  his  descendants,  William  St.  Clair,  became 
prince  of  the  Orkney  Islands  under  the  king 
of  Norway,  and  high  chancellor  of  Scotland 
under  the  royal  house  of  Bruce.  In  1741  the 
St.  Clairs  exchanged  their  lofty  title  and 
island  domains  for  the  earldom  of  Caithness, 
which  they  still  hold.  The  name  has  since 
become  Anglicized  to  Sinclair.  Two  of  the 
descendants  of  one  of  these  earls,  through 
a  younger  son,  were  Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair 
and  his  cousin  James  St.  Clair,  Sr.,  the  former 
of  whom  was  president  of  the  Continental 
Congress  in  1787  and  commander  in  chief 
of  the  armies  of  the  United  States  in  1791. 

James  St.  Clair,  Sr.,  was  the  grandfather 
of  Hiram  St.  Clair.  His  parents  were 
natives  of  the  North  of  Ireland,  and  he 
was  born  in  1741  in  eastern  Pennsylvania. 
He  lived  nine  miles  from  York,  Pa.,  where 
he  owned  a  valuable  farm  and  mill,  and  he 
was  not  only  a  prosperous  citizen  of  his 
time  but  an  earnest  sympathizer  with  the 
Colonial  cause,  serving  throughout  the  Revo- 
lutionary war.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was 
Miller.  James  St.  Clair,  Sr.,  died  in  York 
county  in  1806,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 

James  St.  Clair,  one  of  the  sons  of  James 
St  Clair.  Sr.,  was  born  in  York  (now  Adams) 
countv.  Pa.,  in  May,  1774,  and  passed  the 
gi-eater  part  of  his  mature  life  m  Indiana 
countv.  Pa.  In  1809  he  came  to  Brushvalley 
township,  in  1816  removing  to  what  is  now 
the  northern  part  of  White  township,  where 
he  took  up  a  quarter  section  of  government 
land  and  followed  farming  for  many  years. 
He  died  in  Center  township,  this  county, 
April  8,  1855,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
one  He  was  an  old-time  Whig  in  politics. 
He  married  Jennie  Slemmons,  who  was  born 
in  Lancaster,  Pa.,  of  Irish  descent,  and  was 
reared  in  Washington  county,  Pa.,  her  father, 
William  Slemmons,  removing  from  Lancaster 
to  Washington  county  in  1790  and  there  fol- 
lowing farming  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1820,  in  his  sixtieth  year.  Air. 
Slemmons  was  justice  of  the  peace,  by  gov- 
ernor's appointment,  for  a  period  of  thirty 
years,  and  he  was  a  man  of  highest  character 
'and  of  honorable  standing.  His  wite  s 
maiden  name  was  Boggs,  and  they  had  sev- 
eral children.  Mrs.  Jennie  (Slemmons)  St. 
Clair  died  Oct.  15,  1855,  aged  seventy-one 
years,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
She  and  her  husband  had  a  family  of  ten 
children,  namely:  Margaret,  William  S.. 
Mary  W.,  James,  Samuel,  Isaac,  John,  Rob- 
ert, Thomas  and  Hiram. 


Hiram  St.  Clair  passed  his  early  life  in 
Indiana  county,  Pa.,  and  there  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools.  Farming 
was  his  life  work,  and  he  lived  for  several 
years  in  White  township,  having  a  107-acre 
farm  there,  near  Indiana.  After  his  last 
marriage,  which  occurred  in  1882,  he  moved 
to  the  farm  in  Blacklick  township  where  he 
lived  and  worked  the  remainder  of  his  active 
years,  in  1900  taking  up  his  home  in  the  bor- 
ough of  Indiana.  There  he  spent  the  rest  of 
his  days  in  retirement,  dying  June  30,  1909, 
in  the  home  at  No.  287  South  Seventh  street 
now  owned  and  occupied  by  his  widow.  Mr. 
St.  Clair  was  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  and  his  religious  connection  w-as  w-ith 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  whose  work  he 
was  active. 

Mr.  St.  Clair  married  (first)  Margaret 
Johnston,  of  Center  township,  this  county, 
who  died  in  Indiana  county.  May  22,  1868. 
aged  36  years,  five  months,  fifteen  days,  and 
four  children  were  born  to  them:  Robert 
J.,  who  is  a  resident  of  St.  Joseph,  Mo.; 
Thomas,  a  resident  of  Indiana,  Pa.;  Frank, 
who  died  in  boyhood;  and  Nannie  J.,  who 
married  Robert  Shearer  and  died  Oct.  21, 
1884,  aged  twenty-three  years,  eight  mouths, 
four  days.  I^Ir.  St.  Clair's  second  marriage 
was  to '  Amanda  Loorais,  who  became  the 
mother  of  three  children :  Amanda  K.,  who 
is  teaching  in  a  boys'  school  in  Egypt ;  Walter 
Hall,  who  is  in  the  West ;  and  Hiram  C,  now 
of  Woodlawn.  Pa.  On  May  11,  1882,  Mr.  St. 
Clair  married  (third)  Mary  Elizabeth 
Sweeney,  of  Markle,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa., 
daughter  of  William  and  Margaret  (John- 
ston) Sweeney.  She  survives  him.  making 
her  home  on  Seventh  street,  Indiana.  Mrs. 
St.  Clair  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

•  JOHN  M.  NUPP,  a  prosperous  farmer  of 
Green  township,  Indiana  county,  lives  on  the 
farm  his  father  purchased  and  settled  upon 
the  vear  before  his  birth.  Daniel  Nupp,  his 
grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Somerset  county. 
Pa.,  and  coming  thence  to  Indiana  county, 
settled  in  Green  township,  buying  land  upon 
which  he  lived  and  farmed  for  many  years. 
After  selling  the  place  he  made  his  home 
with  his  son  Alexander,  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1883.  He  was  the  father  of  nine 
children,  three  of  whom  are  still  living: 
Cvrus  of  Green  township ;  Franklin,  of  Som- 
erset county,  Pa. ;  and  Maria,  wife  of  Elias 
Ruft'ner.  now  in  Oregon. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1371 


Alexander  Nupp,  father  of  John  M.  Nupp, 
was  born  in  Somerset  county,  Pa.,  and  was 
the  eldest  son  of  Daniel  Nupp.  In  1853  he 
bought  the  land  where  his  son  John  now  lives 
and  thereafter  made  his  home  on  that  place, 
dying  in  1902.  His  wife,  Catherine  (Mu- 
mau),  a  native  of  Westmoreland  county.  Pa., 
died  in  May,  1893.  They  had  five  children: 
George,  who  lives  in  Grant  township,  this 
county ;  John  M. ;  Mary,  wife  of  H.  H.  Houck, 
of  Green  township;  Anson,  a  resident  of  Du- 
bois, Pa. ;  and  Frank,  also  of  Dubois. 

John  M.  Nupp  was  born  Sept.  9,  1854,  on 
the  farm  where  he  now  lives  in  Green  town- 
ship, and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
there.  "When  a  boy  he  began  to  help  on  the 
farm,  and  he  has  been  engaged  in  agricul- 
tural work  all  his  life.  He  is  progressive 
and  thrifty,  and  his  property  shows  the  effect 
of  j'ears  of  skillful  and  careful  management. 
As  a  citizen  he  is  a  worthy  representative  of 
a  family  which  .has  always  been  held  iu  the 
greatest  respect  in  the  neighborhood.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

On  Jan.  8,  1876,  Mr.  Nupp  was  married 
to  Harriet  Buterbaugh,  a  native  of  Grant 
township,  this  county,  daughter  of  Frederick 
and  Margaret  (Langham)  Buterbaugh,  the 
former  a  pioneer  settler  in  Indiana  county, 
where  he  followed  farming  from  early  life. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Buterbaugh  are  both  deceased. 
Of  their  fifteen  children  twelve  still  survive. 
Twelve  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Nupp:  (1)  OUie  taught  school  in  In- 
diana county  for  five  terms  before  her  mar- 
riage to  Joseph  F.  Niehol;  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Elkin  and  Gaynell.  (2)  Nona  is  the 
wife  of  James  B.  Wassam,  of  Green  town- 
ship, and  has  one  child,  Mildred.  She  taught 
school  for  fourteen  terms,  in  Indiana,  Cam- 
bria and  Allegheny  counties.  (3)  Maud  is 
deceased.  (4)  Ralph,  who  formerly  taught 
school  in  Green  township,  now  lives  at  Cly- 
mer.  Pa.  He  married  Pearl  Burkett,  and 
they  have  one  child,  Elaine.  (5)  Clair  taught 
in  Grant  township,  Indiana  county,  and  now 
lives  at  Arona,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.  He 
married  Tweet  Decker,  daughter  of  Peter 
Decker,  of  Green  township,  and  they  have 
one  child,  Wahnita.  (6)  Emma,  who  has 
also  taught  school  in  Indiana  county,  now 
makes  her  home  with  her  parents.  (7)  Walter 
married  Nell  Langham,  of  Indiana  county. 
(8)  Murray,  who  lives  at  home,  is  engaged 
in  teaching  in  Green  township.  (9)  Bessie 
is  teaching  in  Green  township  and  lives  at 
home.  (10)  Hale  and  (11)  Edna  are  at  home. 
(12)  Verona  is  deceased. 


JOHN  McKENDRICK,  who  died  at  Indi- 
ana in  1905,  was  a  well-to-do  farmer  of  Cher- 
ryhill  township,  Indiana  county,  in  his  active 
years.  He  was  a  native  of  Philadelphia,  born 
Oct.  31,  1828,  son  of  Samuel  and  Jane  (Mac- 
beth) McKendrick,  both  of  whom  were  born 
in  Ireland. 

Samuel  McKendrick  was  very  young  when 
he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  lived  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
where  he  married.  In  the  early  thirties  he 
came  out  to  western  Pennsylvania  with  his 
wife  and  young  family,  then  consisting  of 
two  sons,  John  and  James.  They  settled  in 
Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
'Sir.  McKendrick  acquired  the  ownership  of 
300  acres  of  land,  to  the  improvement  of 
which  he  devoted  the  balance  of  his  life.  He 
died  there  when  just  past  forty,  and  the 
mother  subsequently  returned  to  Philadel- 
phia with  her  little  family.  She  remained 
there  until  her  son  John  reached  the  age  of 
seventeen,  when  he  brought  her  back  to  the 
farm  the  father  had  settled,  and  there  she 
spent  the  rest  of  her  days,  dying  at  his  home. 
She  and  her  husband  were  members  of  the 
Episcopal  Church.  They  had  the  following 
children:  John,  mentioned  below;  James, 
now  living  retired  at  Indiana;  Martha,  who 
married  Allison  Gibson  and  died  in  Cherry- 
hill  township;  Mary,  who  married  James 
Nichols  and  died  in  Rayne  township;  and 
Esther,  deceased  in  childhood. 

John  McKendrick  was  five  years  old  when 
the  family  settled  in  Indiana  county,  and 
there  he  lived  on  the  farm  in  Cherryhill 
township  until  he  returned  to  Philadelphia 
with  his  widowed  mother.  He  commenced 
his  education  in  the  local  public  schools,  and 
continued  it  in  the  local  public  schools  of  the 
city.  When  they  came  back  to  Indiana  he 
and  his  brother  John  took  charge  of  the  farm, 
which  wa^  eventually  divided  between  them. 
John  McKendrick  was  a  practical,  intelligent 
worker,  and  he  prospered  to  such  an  extent 
that  he  was  able  to  add  two  farms  to  his 
original  holdings,  owning  300  acres  in  all. 
During  the  later  years  of  his  life  he  lived 
retired  in  the  borough  of  Indiana,  whither 
he  moved  in  1903.  He  was  a  Presbyterian 
in  religious  connection,  a  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics. 

By  his  first  marriage,  to  Amanda  Gibson, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Gibson,  Mr.  McKendrick 
had  nine  children,  namely:  Eliza  Jane, 
James,  Mary  Ann,  Margaret,  William,  Rob- 
ert, Rosanna,  Durilla  and  Amanda.  Mr.  Mc- 
Kendrick married   (second)   Anna  Douthett, 


1372 


PIISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  they  had  one  child,  Joseph  D.,  who  was 
born  thirty-seven  years  ago  on  the  farm  in 
Cherryhill  township,  where  he  now  lives;  he 
married  Nora  Dick,  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Elizabeth  (I\Iock)  Dick,  and  (second)  Alice 
Short,  daughter  of  Hewitt  Short,  of  Rajrue 
township,  and  has  three  ehildi-en,  John  (born 
to  the  first  marriage  Feb.  4,  1904),  Annie 
Grace  and  Hazel  Viola. 

On  July  30,  1877,  Mr.  JIcKendrick  mar- 
ried (third)  Margaret  Emma  Short,  a  native 
of  Huntingdon  county.  Pa.,  born  Sept.  7, 
1838,  daughter  of  James  Short.  She  was 
five  years  old  when  her  parents  came  thence 
to  Indiana  county,  settling  in  Rayne  township. 
He  worked  on  his  land  in  the  daytime,  spend- 
ing his  evenings  doing  blacksmith  work.  A 
sober,  industrious  man,  he  accumulated  a 
competency,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occuri-ed  in  February,  1875,  the  com- 
munity had  no  more  highly  esteemed  citizen. 
Among  his  children  was  John,  who  entered 
the  Union  Army  during  the  Civil  war  and 
was  killed  at  Antietam  fifteen  minutes  after 
the  battle  commenced.  Another  son.  Dr. 
James  Short,  born  in  Rayne  township,  grad- 
uated from  Jefferson  Medical  College  and 
spent  three  years  as  a  surgeon  in  the  Civil 
Avar;  subsequently  he  located  in  Indiana,  and 
was  there  successfully  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine  and  surgery  until  his  death, 
which  was  caused  by  blood  poisoning  by  in- 
fection while  performing  an  operation;  he 
married  May  J.  iMcCunn. 

Mrs.  iMcKendrick  is  a  member  of  the  First 
United  Presbyterian  Church  at  Indiana. 

CHARLES  LEMKE,  who  for  many  years 
has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in 
East  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  county, 
is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  Branden- 
burg, Prussia,  June  21,  1840,  son  of  Frederick 
and  Wilhelmina  (Lucherand)   Lemke. 

Frederick  Lemke,  the  father,  was  born  in 
Mecklenburg,  Germany,  and  there  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  until  1869.  in  which  year 
he  left  the  Fatherland  to  join  his  son  and 
daugliter  in  America,  settling  in  Penn  town- 
ship, Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.  There  he  made  his 
home  until  his  death,  which  occurred  March 
28,  1884,  his  wife  having  passed  away  Oct. 
31,  1880,  and  both  were  buried  in  the  Luth- 
eran cemetery  at  East  Liberty.  They  had 
a  family  of  "four  children :  Charles ;  Ern- 
estine, who  married  Lewis  Siple,  of  Alle- 
gheny county;  and  two  children  who  died  m 
Germany  in  childhood. 


Charles  Lemke,  son  of  Frederick  Lemke, 
received  his  education  in  the  government 
schools  of  his  native  country,  which  he  at- 
tended from  his  sixth  to  his  fourteenth  year, 
under  the  compulsory  education  law.  He 
remained  at  home  assisting  his  father  until 
he  reached  the  age  of  twenty  years.  At  that 
time,  like  all  youths  of  his  native  land,  he 
entered  the  German  army  for  three  years  of 
service,  and  in  1864,  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
war  between  Prussia  and  Denmark,  entered 
the  Prussian  army  as  corporal,  serving  from 
April,  1864,  until  peace  was  declared, 
and  then  retui-ned  home,  where  he  was 
working  on  the  farm  when  the  war  be- 
tween Prussia  and  Austria  was  declared. 
Becoming  a  corporal  in  the  foot  guards, 
he  served  until  the  following  year,  and 
then  returned  for  a  shoi't  stay  at  home 
until  embarking  at  Bremen,  in  1867,  on 
the  American  steamer  "Atlantic. "'  After 
a  voyage  of  sixteen  days  Mr.  Lemke  landed 
at  New  York,  $100  in  debt.  He  immediately 
proceeded  to  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  where  on  May 
27,  1867,  he  secured  employment  with  Joseph 
Myers,  who  was  a  well-known  drover  and 
cattle  dealer,  and  in  whose  employ  Mr. 
Lemke  spent  five  years,  at  a  salarj-  of  forty 
dollars  per  month.  During  this  time  Mr. 
Lemke  not  only  liquidated  his  indebtedness, 
but  managed  to  save  enough  out  of  his  sal- 
ary to  send  for  his  parents,  for  whom  lie 
cared  during  the  remaining  years  of  their 
lives.  After  leaving  the  Myers  stockyards 
Mr.  Lemke  took  up  farming  in  Penn  town- 
ship, Alleghen.v  county,  on  a  tract  of  150 
acres  which  he  subsequently  purchased,  and 
there  he  followed  farming  for  nineteen  years, 
at  the  end  of  that  time  selling  out  and  com- 
ing to  Indiana  county.  Shortly  after  his 
arrival  jMr.  Lemke  purchased  the  old  Persion 
farm  of  235  acres,  in  East  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, near  the  Conemaugh  river,  a  tract  that 
had  been  in  the  possession  of  the  Persion 
family  for  125  years.  Numerous  improve- 
ments had  been  made  on  this  property,  in- 
cluding a  brick  house  and  other  buildings, 
and  here  Mr.  Lemke  settled  down  to  farm- 
ing. With  the  assistance  of  his  sous  he  has 
continued  to  cultivate  this  land  to  the  pres- 
ent time,  carrying  on  general  farming,  stock 
raising  and  dairy  farming,  and  shipping  his 
milk  to  Johnstown.  Possessed  of  his  coun- 
trymen's traits  of  industry,  thrift  and  in- 
tegrity, he  has  been  successful  in  his  ven- 
tures,' and  is  known  as  one  of  East  Wheat- 
field  township's  substantial  men.  He  is  a 
Prohibitionist  and  an  active  worker  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1373 


cause  of  temperance,  and  his  life  has  been 
one  of  constant  probity  in  all  matters.  With 
his  family  Mr.  Lemke  attends  the  Lutheran 
Church,  and  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  all  re- 
ligious movements. 

In  1869,  in  Allegheny  countj',  Mr.  Lemke 
was  married  to  Caroline  Lindow,  also  a  native 
of  the  Fatherland,  who  died  Nov.  2,  1907, 
and  was  buried  at  Highwood  cemetery,  Pitts- 
burg. Nine  children  were  born  to  this  union, 
as  follows:  Lewis  W.,  born  Feb.  5,  1870,  is 
mentioned  below;  Rose,  born  April  8,  1871, 
married  August  Lemke,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.; 
Charles  Frederick,  born  March  8,  1873,  died 
in  1881 ;  Annie,  born  July  29,  1874,  married 
Irwin  Campbell,  and  resides  in  Ohio ;  "Wil- 
liam, bom  June  28,  1876,  died  j'oung;  Bertha, 
born  Aug.  22,  1878,  died  in  infancy;  Fred- 
erick, born  Oct.  28,  1880,  died  young;  Min- 
nie, born  Aug.  12,  1882,  died  at  the  age  of 
seven  years;  Elizabeth  Caroline,  born  Aug. 
12,  1883,  married  Benton  Case,  a  railroad 
telegi-aph  operator  at  Hartford,  New  York. 

Lewis  W.  Lemke,  the  eldest  son  of  Charles 
Lemke.  was  born  on  the  farm  in  Penn  town- 
ship, Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.,  Feb.  5,  1870,  and 
there  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools.  From  early  boyhood  he  worked  with 
his  father  on  the  farm,  and  still  continues 
to  be  his  assistant  in  his  operations  in  gen- 
eral farming,  stock  i-aising  and  dairying.  Mr. 
Lemke  has  much  mechanical  skill  and  can 
turn  his  hand  to  almost  any  kind  of  labor 
about  the  farm,  while  his  excellent  judgment 
in  matters  of  a  business  nature  is  thoroughly 
relied  upon  by  his  father.  Like  his  father 
he  has  a  wide  circle  of  friends  in  East  Wlieat- 
field  township,  and  his  firmly-established  rep- 
utation for  integrity  has  gained  him  the  im- 
plicit confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens.  In 
political  matters  he  is  a  Republican.  While 
not  a  member  of  any  particular  chiirch  he 
supports  movements  of  a  religious  nature, 
and  endeavors  to  live  up  to  the  teachings  of 
the  Golden  Rule. 

On  Aug.  26,  1908,  Mr.  Lemke  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Mattie  Wilson,  who  was  bom 
in  West  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  Johnson  and  Eliza  (Killin) 
Wilson.  Two  children  have  been  bom  to 
this  union,  Charles  Robert  and  Raymond 
Lewis. 

HARRY  SHAFFER,  one  of  the  leading 
contractors  and  builders  of  Penn  Run,  Pa., 
where  he  is  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  wagons,  was  born  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, Indiana  county.  Aug.  5.  1874,  son  of 
Jacob  and  Lucinda   (Lewis)   Shaffer. 


Jacob  Shaffer  was  born  in  Somerset  county, 
Pa.,  and  was  a  farmer  during  his  early  days. 
In  1870  he  came  to  Indiana  county,  Pa., 
where  he  was  married  to  Lucinda  Lewis,  a 
native  of  Brushvalley  township,  in  which 
vicinity  he  purchased  a  fann,  and  there  has 
continued  to  carry  on  operations  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  His  wife  passed  away  in  February, 
1896,  the  mother  of  the  following  children: 
Alice,  who  is  residing  at  home ;  Harry ;  Inez, 
living  at  home ;  Milton,  who  lives  in  Somer- 
set county;  Calvin,  engaged  in  farming  in 
Brushvalley  township;  Morris,  deceased; 
Louis,  a  farmer  of  Cherryhill  township;  and 
Frank.  Harry  Shaffer  also  has  a  half-brother, 
Blair. 

After  completing  his  education  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  Brushvalley  township  Harry 
Shaffer  started  to  work  on  his  father's  farm, 
continuing  to  be  there  employed  until  1902. 
In  that  year  he  took  up  carpenter  work  and 
wagonmaking,  although  he  had  never  been 
apprenticed  to  either  trade,  but  being  a  nat- 
ural born  mechanic  was  able  to  master  both 
without  any  trouble.  He  now  conducts  a 
wagonmaking  establishment,'  including  a  mill- 
for  the  sawing  of  his  own  lumber,  at  Penn 
Run,  and  in  addition  has  been  engaged  in  con- 
tracting and  building,  erecting  many  of  the 
fine  dwellings  in  Penn  Run,  in  addition  to  his 
own  beautiful  home  and  the  buildings  in 
which  he  conducts  his  business.  He  is  pro- 
gressive and  enterprising  and  has  made  a 
success  of  his  ventures  through  the  medium 
of  his  own  efforts. 

Mr.  Shaffer  was  married,  in  Brushvalley 
township.  April  15,  1896,  to  Margaret  Stake, 
of  Cherryhill  township,  who  was  born  in 
Brushvalley  township  in  1873,  daughter  of 
Franklin  and  Margaret  (Evans)  Stake,  both 
of  whom  died  in  the  latter  township,  where 
Mr.  Stake  was  a  farmer  and  early  settler. 
Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Shaffer:  Torrence.  Wilda',  Hulda,  and 
one  who  died  in  infancy. 

DAVID  A.  RANKIN,  a  farmer  of  Cen- 
ter township,  Indiana  ecninty,  was  born  on 
the  old  Rankin  homestead,  near  his  present 
farm,  July  14,  1880,  son  of  James  and 
Euphemia  (Kunkle)  Rankin.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and 
coming  to  America  settled  in  Blackliek 
township,  becoming  one  of  its  pioneers.  At 
the  time  he  came  here  Indiana  county  was 
a  wilderness,  and  he  helped  to  develop  it. 
Here  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  dy- 


1374 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ing  upon  his  farm.  He  married  and  brought 
up  a  family  in  this  section. 

James  Rankin  was  bom  in  Blaekliek  town- 
ship, and  spent  his  life  on  a  farm  near  Coral, 
on  Twolick  creek,  which  he  bought  after 
his   marriage,   and   on   which   he   died   Nov. 

2,  1903.  His  remains  were  interred  in 
Greenwood  cemetery,  in  Indiana  county. 
His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Henry  Kunkle, 
of  Blaekliek  township,  and  she  is  still  liv- 
ing. James  Rankin  and  his  wife  had  chil- 
dren as  follows:  David  A.,  Charles  M.  and 
William  C. 

David  A.  Rankin  gives  his  attention  to 
farming,  and  also,  during  a  portion  of  the 
j'ear,  operates  a  gi-ain  separator,  threshing 
the  grain  for  neighboring  farmers.  He  is 
interested  in  a  lumber  business  as  well,  be- 
ing a  man  of  varied  affairs. 

On  Nov.  14,  1903,  Sir.  Rankin  was  mar- 
ried to  Florence  Roudebush,  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  Roudebush,  of  Coral,  Pa.,  formerly 
of  Nanty-Glo,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.  They  have 
five  children:  Emerson,  Elsie,  Edith,  Eve- 
lena  and  Florence.  Politically  JMr.  Rankin 
is  a  Democrat,  following  in  the  footsteps  of 
his  father,  who  was  a  stanch  believer  in  the 
doctrines  taught  by  Andrew  Jackson.  Mrs. 
Rankin  is  a  meraljer  of  the  Methodist  Church 
of  Graceton. 

CYRUS  NUPP  is  one  of  the  oldest  resi- 
dents of  Green  township,  Indiana  county, 
having  lived  on  the  farm  he  now  occupies 
for  over  seventy  years.  The  family  is  one 
of  the  most  respected  in  this  region,  its  mem- 
bers having  an  enviable  reputation  as  in- 
dustrious, thrifty  and  valuable  citizens,  and 
three  generations  have  been  represented  in 
the  service  of  their  country  as  volunteers 
during  war  times.    Mr.  Nupp  was  born  Jan. 

3,  1836,  in  Somerset  county,  Pa.,  where  his 
paternal  grandfather  lived  at  an  early  day. 

Daniel  Nupp,  father  of  Cyrus  Nupp,  was 
born  in  Somerset  county,  and  came  to  Indi- 
ana county  in  1842,  settling  on  the  farm  in 
Green  township  where  his  son  Cyrus  now 
lives.  There  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  dying  in  1889.  He  married  Leah  Moss- 
doUer,  like  himself  a  native  of  Somerset 
county,  daughter  of  John  Henry  MossdoUer. 
who  came  to  this  country  from  Germany,  set- 
tling in  Somerset  county,  Pa.,  where  he  passed 
the  rest  of  his  life.  Mrs.  Nupp  died  in 
1872.  She  was  the  mother  of  nine  children, 
six  sons  and  three  daughters,  viz. :  Alexan- 
der, who  is  deceased;  George,  deceased;  Cy- 
rus<  Franklin,  now  living  in  Somerset  county. 


who  served  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  member 
of  Company  D,  78th  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  took  part  in  many  bat- 
tles; John  Henry,  who  was  killed  at  the 
battle  of  the  "Wilderness,  while  serving  as 
a  member  of  Companj-  C,  67th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry;  Edward,  deceased; 
Lovina,  deceased;  Mary  Ann,  deceased;  and 
Anna  M.,  wife  of  Elias  Ruffner,  now  living 
in  Oregon. 

Cyrus  Nupp  was  a  young  child  when  he 
came  with  his  parents  to  Indiana  county, 
and  he  has  lived  at  his  present  home  in  Green 
township  ever  since.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  primitive  schools  of  his  boy- 
hood days,  held  in  log  houses  furnished  with 
slab  benches  and  other  rude  fittings,  and  be- 
gan assisting  his  father  in  the  arduous  work 
of  improving  his  land  when  a  mere  boy.  He 
helped  to  clear  the  farm,  which  was  in  its 
wild  state  when  the  familj-  located  here,  and 
the  suri-ounding  country  abounded  in  deer, 
bear  and  other  game.  He  has  had  a  hand 
in  all  the  improvements  made  on  the  prop- 
erty, watching  it  develop  from  a  place  in 
the  wilderness  to  a  valuable  farming  tract. 
During  the  Civil  war  he  entered  his  coun- 
try's service,  enlisting  from  Indiana  county 
in  Company  D.  78th  P.  V.  I.,  under  Colonel 
Sirwell,  and  he  served  three  years,  one 
month,  twenty-four  days.  He  was  mustered 
out  in  November,  1865,  at  Kittauning,  Pa., 
and  returned  to  the  home  farm,  which  he 
bought  and  has  since  farmed.  In  spite  of 
his  seventy-seven  j'ears  he  is  robust  and  ac- 
tive,  enjoying  good  health. 

On  May  20,  1866,  :\Ir.  Nupp  married,  in 
New  York  State,  Cynthia  E.  Kingsley,  who 
was  born  in  that  State,  daughter  of  A.  L. 
Kingsley,  a  Methodist  minister,  who  lived  in 
Indiana  county  for  nine  years,  engaged  in 
preaching.  Returning  to  New  York  State 
he  bought  a  farm  upon  which  he  made  his 
home  until  his  death.  Four  children,  two 
sons  and  two  daughters,  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Nupp :  (1)  Orin  Ora,  now  a  resident 
of  Green  township,  was  in  the  service  dur- 
ing the  Spanish-American  war.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Bostiek,  of  Indiana  county,  and 
they  have  ten  children,  Clyde  D.  (now  in  the 
United  States  navy).  Wayne,  C.\tus.  Hazel 
(a  school  teacher,  at  Dixonville.  Indiana 
county),  Lavina,  Charlotte,  Goldie,  Stella, 
Loraiiie  and  Mabel.  (2)  Luna  0.  is  the  wife 
of  G.  F.  Rowe,  of  Parkwood,  Pa.,  and  their 
children  are  Zula  (wife  of  Lisle  Carnahan, 
of  Parkwood),  Ross,  Erma  (a  teacher  in  this 
county),  Bruce,  Hale,  Gay  and  Logan  and 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1375 


Grant.  (3)  Ervin  H.,  of  Green  township, 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Spanish-American  war. 
He  married  Alice  Houck,  of  Rayne  township, 
this  comity,  and  they  have  six  children,  Ethel, 
Glen,  Orpha,  Merrill,  Wilda  and  Ernest.  (4) 
Ella  M.  is  the  wife  of  John  H.  Wise,  of  Burn- 
side,  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Cyrus  Nupp  and  William  Morris, 
both  at  home. 

Mr.  Nupp  is  a  member  of  the  United  Evan- 
gelical Church,  and  Mrs.  Nupp  holds  mem- 
bership in  the  Methodist  denomination. 

HARRY  HOOKER  HART,  superintendent 
of  the  Oakland  cemetery,  at  Indiana,  Pa.,  dur- 
ing the  last  six  years,  was  born  Sept.  29,  1862, 
on  his  father's  farm,  one  mile  south  of  West 
Lebanon,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  is  a  son  of 
James  R.  and  Ellen  Delilah  (Blakeley)  Hart. 

John  Hart,  the  great-great-grandfather  of 
Harry  H.  Hart,  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the 
State  constitution  of  New  Jersey. 

John  Hart  (2),  son  of  John  Hart,  and 
great-grandfather  of  Harry  H.  Hart,  came 
to  Pennsylvania  from  New  Jersey  and  settled 
first  in  Franklin  county,  then  coming  to  Cone- 
maugh  township,  Indiana  county,  about  1796, 
and  locating  on  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the 
woods,  where  he  was  one  of  the  earliest  set- 
tlers. All  of  his  life  was  spent  there,  his 
death  occurring  in  1816.  His  children  were: 
William,  Moses,  James,  John  S.,  Robert  and 
Alexander,  and  several  daughters,  one  of 
whom  married  a  McCrea,  another  a  Dough- 
erty and  a  third  a  Hildebrand. 

Robert  Hart,  son  of  John  (2),  and  grand- 
father of  Harry  H.  Hart,  was  born  in  the 
State  of  New  Jersey,  spent  a  few  years  in 
eastern  Peimsylvania,  in  Franklin  county, 
and  then  came  to  Couemaugh  township,  where 
he  acquired  ownership  of  500  acres  of  land  and 
spent  his  entire  life  in  agi-icultural  pursuits. 
He  died  on  his  farm  in  1846,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-three  years,  his  death  having  been  caused 
by  pneumonia.  His  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden 
name  of  Mary  Douthitt,  was  of  Irish  parent- 
age. They  had  the  following  children :  John 
D.,  who  owned  and  operated  the  Hart  Woolen 
Mill,  one  mile  west  of  West  Lebanon,  and  died 
during  the  seventies  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight 
years,  married  Nancy  Lowry,  of  Indiana,  and 
their  son,  Joseph  A.,  was  engaged  for  some 
time  in  operating  the  mill  and  now  resides  in 
Indiana,  Pa. ;  Nathan,  deceased,  who  was  a 
farmer,  married  Eliza  Sarver;  Thompson,  a 
former  resident  of  Wahoo,  Neb.,  married 
Nancy  Gray,  and  both  are  deceased ;  James  R. 
is  mentioned  below ;  William,  deceased,  a  for- 


mer farmer  of  West  Lebanon,  married  Nancy 
Henry;  Martha,  deceased,  was  Mrs.  Thomas 
Hood,  of  Eldersridge;  Mary,  deceased,  was 
ilrs.  John  Douthitt;  Joseph  A.  died  at  the 
age  of  eighteen  years. 

James  R.  Hart,  son  of  Robert  Hart,  was 
born  on  the  home  farm  March  21,  1827,  and 
died  Sept.  21,  1865.  He  attended  the  old 
log  schoolhouse  in  West  Lebanon,  and  was 
reared  to  agricultural  pursuits.  On  reaching 
man's  estate  he  settled  on  a  farm  of  116  acres, 
a  part  of  the  home  farm  of  542  acres,  which 
had  been  divided  among  four  sons,  and  to  this 
he  added  eight  acres.  He  was  bounty  tax 
collector  and  during  the  Civil  war  was  draft 
officer,  but  owing  to  imperfect  hearing  could 
not  enlist  for  active  participation  in  the  strug- 
gle. He  was  a  member  of  the  State  Militia, 
a  Republican  in  his  political  views,  and  a 
strict  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  and  his  wife  had  three  children : 
Harry  Hooker ;  Jennie  M.,  who  is  unmarried ; 
and  Elizabeth  M.,  who  married  Hugh  H. 
Blakley,  of  Young  township,  Indiana  county. 
Mrs.  Hart,  who  was  born  March  16,  1836, 
married  (second)  Alexander  Sharp,  who  died 
at  Pitkin,  Ark.,  in  1885.  Mrs.  Sharp  still 
survives.  By  this  marriage  there  were  two 
children:  Maggie  B.,  who  married  W.  C. 
Fulton,  of  West  Lebanon;  and  Wilmer  A., 
who  married  Maud  G.  Cunningham  (de- 
ceased). 

Harry  Hooker  Hart  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm,  and  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age 
attended  the  West  Lebanon  public  schools,  his 
first  teacher  being  "Doc"  Crawford.  He 
worked  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  nine- 
teen years  old  and  in  the  spring  of  1882  went 
to  Yates  City,  111.,  where  he  farmed  for  one 
year..  During  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he 
"began  teaching  the  school  at  St.  David,  111., 
and  after  two  years  there  and  two  years  at 
the  Mound  school,  Canton,  111.,  he  returned 
to  Pennsylvania,  and  at  Pittsburg  secured  a 
position  as  fireman  on  the  Pan-Handle  divis- 
ion of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad.  During 
this  period  he  was  injured  on  three  different 
occasions  in  wrecks,  and  he  then  became  a 
conductor  on  the  Pennsylvania  avenue  motor 
line,  in  Pittsburg,  a  position  he  continued  to 
hold  for  three  years.  In  the  fall  and  winter 
of  1889-1890  Mr.  Hart  taught  the  school  at 
Henry,  Indiana  county,  and  then  gave  up 
teaching,  returning  to  the  home  farm,  which 
he  purchased  in  1890. 

Mr.  Hart  leased  his  farm  for  coal  to  the 
Pittsburg  Gas  Coal  Company  for  thirty 
years,  and  was  foreman  for  the  company  from 


1376 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Feb.  1,  1906,  to  September,  1906,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Indiana.  From  October,  1906,  to 
April,  1907.  he  was  foreman  for  W.  B.  Wil- 
lard,  who  was  putting  in  waterworks  in  In- 
diana borougli.  On  April  1,  1907,  Mr.  Hart 
was  appointed  to  his  present  position. 

On  Dec.  15,  1897,  Mr.  Hart  was  married 
to  Maggie  A.  Kier,  daughter  of  John  L.  and 
Julia  A.  (Brown)  Kier.  They  have  no  chil- 
dren of  their  own,  but  are  rearing  an  adopted 
child,  Dojde  L.  Templeton,  who  was  born  Feb. 
5, 1902,  at  Gastown,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.  They 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
Mr.  Hart  is  a  Prohibitionist  iu  his  political 
views.  Fraternallv  he  is  connected  with  Mc- 
Candless  Lodge,  No.  390.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Pitts- 
burg, Zerubbabel  Chapter,  No.  162,  R.  A.  M., 
and  Pittsburg  Commandery,  No.  1.  K.  T., 
also  the  Cosmopolitan  Club,  of  Indiana,  and 
takes  an  active  part  in  these  organizations. 

HARVEY  HENRY  BAROON  has  passed 
all  his  life  on  the  farm  in  Center  township, 
Indiana  countv,  where  he  still  resides,  having 
been  born  there  Sept.  28,  1858.  The  Baroon 
family  has  been  settled  in  this  region  for 
several  generations,  and  the  name  is  one 
highly  respected  wherever  known. 

George  Baroon,  the  great-gi-andfather  of 
Harvey  H.  Baroon,  came  from  Germany,  and 
was  a  pioneer  settler  in  Somerset  county.  Pa., 
where  he  died.  His  son,  Nicholas  Baroon,  was 
the  grandfather  of  Harvey  H.  Baroon.  He 
was  born  in  Somerset  county,  where  he  lived 
and  died.  He  was  engaged  at  day  laboring. 
His  wife.  Fannie  (Bartolette),  died  in  Center 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  They  had  these 
children:  Jacob,  who  married  Lavina 
Weaver;  Peter,  who  married  Elizabeth  Hen- 
drickson;  Nicholas;  Catherine,  who  married 
Joseph  Barclay;  Francis;  and  Emma  Jane, 
who  is  living  with  her  nephew,  Harvey  H. 
Baroon. 

Nicholas  Baroon,  son  of  Nicholas  and  Fan- 
nie (Bartolette)  Baroon,  born  in  Somerset 
county.  Pa.,  Aug.  9.  1827,  died  Oct.  12,  1908. 
He  attended  the  Brush  Hollow  district  school 
in  Armstrong  township.  On  Nov.  6,  1856, 
he  married  l\Tary  Ann  Barclay,  who  was  born 
in  Westmoreland  County,  Pa.,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Hannah  (Schultz)  Barclay,  of 
that  county,  and  they  had  three  children: 
Harvey  Henry ;  Tillie,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty-six  years;  and  one  that  died  young. 
Mr.  Baroon  had  a  farm  of  100  acres  in  a 
good  state  of  cultivation  and  when  he  sold 
that  place  bought  the  old  Smith  property  of 
about  225  acres.     This  land  he  cleared  and 


put  into  first-class  shape,  and  he  became  well 
known  as  a  thrifty  farmer  and  a  large  dealer 
in  and  raiser  of  fine  horses  and  cattle — in 
fact  he  was  one  of  the  best  known  stock  raisers 
in  the  county,  handling  the  best  grades  of 
horses  and  cattle.  He  made  many  improve- 
ments on  his  farm,  building  a  new  house  and 
barn,  etc.,  was  progressive  and  enterprising  in 
everything  he  undertook,  and  was  an  esteemed 
man  in  his  ccmmunitj^  He  was  a  Democrat, 
and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  His 
widow  now  resides  with  her  son  Harvey.  She 
attends  the  Lutheran  Church. 

Harvey  Henry  Baroon,  son  of  Nicholas  and 
Mary  Ann  (Barclay)  Baroon,  attended  dis- 
trict school  in  Center  township  and  grew  to 
manhood  on  the  farm.  Upon  the  death  of  his 
father  he  took  up  the  latter 's  work  and  has 
conducted  the  farm  ever  since,  carrying  on 
the  work  in  the  intelligent  manner  which 
characterized  his  father's  labors.  In  politics 
Mr.  Baroon  leans  toward  the  principles  of  the 
Democratic  party,  but  he  is  an  independent 
thinker  and  voter.  Like  his  parents  he  at- 
tends the  Lutheran  Church.  He  is  unmar- 
ried. 

WILLIAM  STEWART  LAWRENCE  is  a 
descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of 
Blacklick  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  has  resided  all  his  life.  He  was  born  there 
June  1,  1855.  near  Hopewell  Church,  sou  of 
William  Lawrence,  and  is  a  great-grandson 
of  Amos  Lawrence,  the  founder  of  the  family 
in  Indiana  county. 

Amos  Lawrence  was  a  native  of  New  Lon- 
don county.  Conn.,  probably  from  Preston. 
He  took  part  as  a  soldier  in  the  great  strug- 
gle for  freedom,  and  after  the  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  war  came  .tcross  the  Allegheny 
mountains.  He  and  his  two  daughters  and 
their  husbands  settled  in  Blacklick  township, 
which  was  then  a  part  of  Westmoreland 
count.y,  in  1808.  Amos  Lawrence  erected  a 
log  cabin  and  started  to  make  a  home  in  what 
was  then  a  wilderness.  By  hard  work  he 
managed  to  clear  a  tract  on  which  he  farmed 
the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  there  when  seventy- 
three  years  old,  Oct.  4,  1838.  He  is  buried  in 
Hopewell  cemetery.  His  wife  Desire  died 
April  2,  1826,  aged  sixty-six  years. 

Warren  Lawrence,  son  of  Amos,  was  born 
probably  in  New  London  county.  He  married 
Lettie  Waterman,  who  with  her  father  and 
mother,  and  ether  members  of  the  family,  was 
captured  by  the  Indians.  She  made  her 
escape,  but  her  parents  and  the  others  were 
never  heard  from.     Warren  Lawrence  came 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1377 


west  with,  his  father  to  Blacklick  township 
and  made  his  home  there  until  the  early  fif- 
ties, when  he  went  farther  west,  locating  in 
Marseilles,  111.  There  he  remained  to  the 
end  of  his  life. 

William  Lawrence,  son  of  Warren  and  Let- 
tie  (Waterman)  Lawrence,  was  born  in  1817, 
in  Blacklick  township,  and  there  grew  to  man- 
hood. He  received  his  education  there,  in  the 
subscription  schools,  attending  a  log  school- 
house,  and  followed  farming  on  the  place  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  his  son  William.  His 
first  home  was  constructed  of  hewed  logs, 
which  later  gave  way  to  a  frame  house,  and 
he  made  numerous  other  improvements  on 
the  property.  He  died  on  the  farm  Aug.  26, 
1882,  and  was  buried  in  Hopewell  cemetery. 
]\Ir.  Lawrence  was  originally  a  Whig  in  poli- 
tics, later  a  Republican.  He  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  served  as 
deacon.  He  married  Eunice  Bennett,  who 
was  born  Sept.  11,  1822,  in  Blacklick  town- 
ship, daughter  of  Nathan  and  Hulda 
(Nichols)  Bennett,  and  died  Sept.  13,  1905; 
she  is  buried  in  Hopewell  cemetery.  Eleven 
children  Avere  born  to  this  union :  Samuel  A. 
is  an  employee  of  the  Cambria  Iron  &  Steel 
Works  at  Johnstown,  Pa.;  Mary  married 
Hiram  Smith  and  resides  at  Latrobe,  Pa. ; 
William  Stewart  is  mentioned  below ;  Letticia 
married  John  D.  Thompson;  Emma  married 
David  C.  Davis;  iMinnie  married  S.  Benton 
Davis ;  Elijali  died  in  infancy ;  Margaret  died 
in  infancy;  Eunice  died  in  infancy;  Nathan 
B..  born  in  1856,  died  in  1883;  Lyman  B., 
born  in  1852,  died  in  1886. 

William  Stewart  Lawrence  attended  the 
Eahart  school  and  passed  his  early  life  on 
the  farm,  working  with  his  parents.  He  cared 
for  them  in  Iheir  declining  years.  Becoming 
tlie  owner  of  the  160-acre  home  place,  he  has 
made  extensive  improvements  on  the  property, 
and  has  also  bought  another  tract  of  100 
acres,  which  was  formerly  known  as  the  Ben- 
nett farm.  The  fine  frame  barn  built  by  Mr. 
Lawrence  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1902,  and 
Mr.  Lawrence  built  another.  He  has  been  a 
general  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  by  well- 
directed  labor  has  made  his  work  profitable, 
being  one  of  the  well-to-do  residents  of  his 
section.  He  is  a  citizen  who  commands  the 
respect  of  all  his  fellow  men,  a  valued  mem- 
ber of  the  community  in  which  his  life  has 
been  passed.  In  politics  he  has  always  been 
a  Republican. 

Mr.  Lawrence  was  married  in  1895  in  Cen- 
ter township,  Indiana  county,  to  Margaret  J. 
^litchell,  who  was  a  native  of  Center  town- 


ship, daughter  of  Alexander  Mitchell.  Mrs. 
Lawrence  was  engaged  for  several  years  as 
a  school  teacher  in  Center  and  Blacklick  town- 
ships. She  and  her  husband  are  members  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

FRED  HOOVER,  proprietor  of  a  livery 
and  feed  stable  at  Glen  Campbell,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  in  Clearfield  county,  Pa., 
Nov.  27,  1881,  son  of  Warren  and  Amanda 
(Dixon)   Hoover. 

Warren  Hoover  was  born  in  Clearfield 
county.  Pa.,  as  was  his  wife,  and  there  they 
still  reside,  Mr.  Hoover  being  engaged  in 
mining.  They  have  had  twelve  children :  one 
who  died  unnamed  in  infancy;  Louisa,  who 
is  the  wife  of  William  Huffman,  of  Phila- 
delphia; Cora,  the  wife  of  William  Meyers, 
of  Clearfield  county;  Ella,  the  wife  of  Ed- 
ward Morris,  of  Clearfield  county;  Fred; 
John,  who  is  deceased;  Golda,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Samuel  Fleck;  Viola,  twin  sister  of 
Golda,  who  is  the  wife  of  William  Ross,  of 
Pliiladelphia ;  Agnes,  who  is  the  wife  of  Her- 
bert Albert  of  Clearfield  county;  Blanche, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Harry  Beatty,  of  Clear- 
field county;  Robert,  now  living  with  his 
parents;  and  Clyde,  who  is  also  at  home. 

Fred  Hoover  passed  his  boyhood  in  Clear- 
field county,  and  when  still  a  lad  began  work- 
ing in  the  mines,  thus  continuing  for  sev- 
eral years,  when  he  embarked  in  the  livery 
business  at  Rossiter,  this  county.  After 
remaining  three  years  at  that  location  he 
came  to  Glen  Campbell,  and  purchased  the 
livery  business  owned  by  Mr.  Norris,  which 
he  has  since  conducted;  he  also  buys  and 
sells  horses. 

Mr.  Hoover  was  married  Sept.  14,  1905, 
to  Lottie  Bowser,  of  Jefferson  county.  Pa., 
daughter  of  Isaac  and  Anna  (Pierce)  Bow- 
ser, both  of  whom  are  living;  her  father  is 
a  farmer.  Llr.  and  Jlrs.  Hoover  are  the 
parents  of  two  children,  Blake  and  Floyd. 
Mrs.  Hoover  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

ISAAC  N.  ARMSTRONG,  owner  of  the 
Daisy  Farm  in  Green  township,  Indiana 
county,  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of 
that  section,  where  he  has  resided  since  1873. 
He  is  a  native  of  Montgomery  township, 
this  county,  born  Dee.  2,  1848,  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Ann  Eliza  (Hazelet)  Armstrong 
and  grandson  of  John  Armstrong.  The 
grandfather  was  bom  in  1788,  and  in  1830 
came  to  Indiana  county  from  Lycoming 
county,  this  State,  buying  land  in  Montgom- 


1378 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ery  township  upon  which  he  lived  until  his 
death,  in  1853.  He  and  his  wife,  Rachel 
(Coens),  had  a  family  of  ten  children:  Wil- 
liam; George,  who  is  deceased;  Sarah,  de- 
ceased; John  D.;  James  S. ;  Isabella,  de- 
ceased; J.  Martin;  Mary  P.,  widow  of  Wil- 
liam Fleming,  now  living  at  Leavenworth, 
Kans. ;  Franklin,  deceased;  and  Harriet  J., 
deceased. 

William  Armstrong,  father  of  Isaac  N. 
Armstrong,  was  born  in  Lycoming  county 
April  25,  ISIS,  and  came  with  his  parents 
to  Indiana  county  in  1830.  When  he  began 
farming  on  his  own  account,  his  father 
bought  a  fai-m  near  the  old  home,  in  ilont- 
gom^ery  township,  and  there  William  Arm- 
strong" lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
Jan.  26,  1902.  He  married  Oct.  26,  1843, 
Ann  E.  Hazelet,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Sarah  Hazelet,  and  she  survived  him  only 
a  few  days,  passing  away  Feb.  2,  1902.  They 
had  a  family  of  eleven  children:  One  that 
died  in  infancy;  Sarah,  deceased,  who  was 
the  wife  of  P.  W.  Wassam,  of  Green  town- 
ship; Rachel,  wife  of  Jacob  Arthur,  now 
living  in  Montgomery  township ;  Isaac  N. ; 
Mary,  deceased,  second  wife  of  P.  W.  Was- 
sam; Harriet,  widow  of  John  Hazelet,  a 
resident  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  (Mr.  Hazelet  was 
accidentally  killed  by  an  automobile  in  1911)  ; 
William,  deceased;  Elmer  and  Ellsworth, 
twins,  both  deceased;  John,  deceased;  and 
Ella,  a  resident  of  Montgomery  township. 

Isaac  N.  Armstrong  was  educated  in  Mont- 
gomery township,  and  during  his  younger 
manhood  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  has  devoted  all 
his  energies  to  farming.  In  1873  he  settled 
in  Green  township,  where  he  has  since  made 
his  home,  and  several  years  later,  in  1881, 
bought  the  farm  which  he  still  owns  and 
occupies,  a  fine  property  known  as  the  Daisy 
Farm  to  which  he  removed  March  28,  1907 ; 
this  was  Mrs.  Armstrong's  father's  farm. 
He  carries  on  general  agi'iculture  and  stock 
raising,  and  under  his  thrifty  and  intelli- 
gent management  the  place  has  become  a 
beautiful  and  attractive  tract,  desirable  as 
a  home  and  profitable  for  farming  purposes. 
Mr.  Armstrong  was  married  Jan.  27,  1876, 
to  Sarah  J.  Garee,  daughter  of  Ellis  and 
Martha  (Stewart)  Garee,  natives  of  Ireland 
who  came  to  America  and  settled  near 
Jacksonville,  Indiana  county,  Mr.  Garee  fol- 
lowing farming  in  his  active  years.  He  died 
Jan.  18,  1903,  his  wife  on  March  3,  1881. 
They  had  five  children:  Sarah  J.,  Mrs. 
Armstrong;  Mary,  wife  of  C.  A.  Kingsley, 


of  Gettysburg,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. ;  William, 
who  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in 
Indiana  borough ;  Nannie,  wife  of  F.  A.  Rice, 
of  Idamar,  this  county;  and  Elizabeth,  de- 
ceased. Four  children  have  been  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Armstrong:  Mabel,  now  the 
wife  of  0.  J.  Cartwright,  of  Putnam  county, 
Ohio,  has  three  children,  Vivian,  James  and 
Newton;  Ellis,  who  lives  with  his  father, 
married  Daisy  Creig,  deceased,  and  has  two 
children,  Creig  N.  and  Gayle  Menette; 
Grayce  is  living  at  home ;  Blanche  is  at 
home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Armstrong  and  their 
family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Pro- 
testant Church. 

ELMER  MANNER,  of  Indiana,  proprietor 
of  the  "National  Hotel,"  has  won  a  place 
among  the  enterprising  business  men  of  the 
borough  in  the  comparatively  short  time  he 
has  been  established  there.  He  was  born 
Jan.  6,  1874,  in  Grant  township,  Indiana 
county,  son  of  John  Manner,  and  belongs  to 
a  family  of  German  descent. 

Mathias  I\Ianner,  his  great-grandfather, 
was  born  and  reared  in  Germany,  and  in  his 
young  manhood  served  in  the  German  army. 
He  married  and  brought  his  family  to  the 
United  States,  landing  at  New  York.  Thence 
they  proceeded  westward,  settling  in  Somer- 
set county,  Pa.,  and  after  a  few  years'  resi- 
dence there  removed  to  Indiana  county,  mak- 
ing their  home  in  Rayue  township,  on  a  tract 
of  seventy-five  acres  which  was  then  in  the 
woods.  Mr.  Manner  built  a  log  cabin  and 
a  log  barn  and  then  proceeded  to  clear  his 
land,  passing  the  remainder  of  his  long  life 
on  that  place.  He  died  there  in  1897.  He 
and  his  wife,  Regina,  had  two  children,  John 
and  Catherine;  the  latter  became  the  wife 
of  Abraham  Lohman  and  is  now  deceased. 

John  Manner,  son  of  Mathias  and  Regina 
]\Ianner,  was  born  in  Wittenberg,  Germany, 
and  there  passed  his  early  life,  being  a  youth 
of  fourteen  when  brought  to  America  by  his 
parents.  He  helped  his  father  to  clear  the 
home  place  in  Rayne  township,  and  there  he 
passed  all  the  balance  of  his  life  except  four 
years  during  which  he  rented  and  lived  upon 
a  200-acre  farm  in  Montgomery  township,  In- 
diana county.  He  died  on  his  farm  in  Rayne 
township  and  his  wife  also  died  there.  They 
had  a  large  family,  namely:  Mathias,  who 
enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  war  and  was 
killed  in  battle;  William,  who  died  on  the 
home  farm,  unmarried;  John;  Peter,  who 
lives  on  the  home  farm;  Lizzie,  who  died  un- 
married ;  Daniel,  who  lives  on  the  home  farm ; 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


James,  a  resident  of  Rayne  township;  Ellen, 
Mrs.  Irving  Mears,  of  Rayne  township;  and 
Margaret,  Mrs.  Charles  Chambers,  of  Punx- 
sutawney,   Pennsylvania. 

John  ]\Ianner,  son  of  John  Manner,  was 
born  on  the  old  family  homestead  in  Rajme 
township,  and  was  reared  there.  He  at- 
tended the  country  schools  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  fifteen,  after  which  he  was  occu- 
pied with  general  farm  work  at  home  until 
the  age  of  twenty.  Prom  that  time  he  worked 
for  others,  in  the  timber  and  at  farming. 
Two  years  after  his  marriage,  which  occurred 
in  1856,  he  bought  sixty  acres  of  woodland, 
so  wild  that  he  had  to  clear  a  space  for  the 
one-room  log  house  which  he  erected.  He 
set  to  work  to  cut  down  the  timber  and  place 
the  land  under  cultivation,  and  prospered  so 
well  in  his  work  that  he  subsequently  added 
twenty-seven  acres  to  his  original  tract,  put 
up  a  new  house  and  barn,  and  had  conveni- 
ent farm  buildings  and  an  adequate  outfit  of 
farm  implements  and  machinery  for  carry- 
ing on  his  work.  Selling  this  place,  he 
bought  another,  of  136  acres,  in  Grant  town- 
ship, to  which  he  moved,  and  while  residing 
there  he  bought  the  lot,  50  feet  wide  and 
100  feet  deep,  upon  which  his  present  store 
and  dwelling  are  located.  He  stocked  the 
store  aaid  conducted  it  for  one  year,  1906. 
That  year  he  sold  his  farm,  and  at  the  end 
of  the  year's  experience  in  the  mercantile 
business  he  sold  the  stock  of  his  store  and 
retired,  renting  the  store  building.  He  still 
retains  the  ownership  of  forty-nine  acres  in 
Rayne  township,  though  he  makes  his  home 
in  the  borough  of  Indiana. 

In  March,  1856,  Mr.  Manner  married 
Sarah  Edwards,  a  native  of  Rayne  township, 
this  county,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Cather- 
ine (Griffith")  Edwards,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  six 
sons  and  five  daughters.  We  have  record  of 
Catherine,  wife  of  Clark  Wright,  of  Canoe 
township,  Indiana  county;  Margaret,  Mrs. 
Grant  Wright,  of  Glen  Campbell,  this 
county;  Elsworth,  of  Grant  township,  this 
county,  who  married  Lena  Harbridge ;  Mai-y, 
Mrs.  Frank  Braughler,  of  Marion  Center,  this 
county;  Elmer,  mentioned  below;  Ida,  Mrs. 
John  Romaley,  of  Indiana;  Boyd,  at  home; 
Roxie,  at  home;  and  Arthur,  who  is  teaching 
school. 

Elmer  Manner  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
home  farm,  and  went  to  the  country  schools 
of  the  neighborhood.  He  was  trained  to  farm 
work  from  boyhood,  and  continued  to  fol- 
low it  at  home  until  he  reached  the  age  of 


twenty-two  years,  at  which  time  he  married, 
and  for  one  year  afterward  he  did  farming 
on  shares  in  Green  township  for  one  year, 
after  which  he  rented  a  farm,  which  he  oper- 
ated, also  keeping  store,  in  Clearfield  county. 
He  was  there  for  nearly  two  years,  at  the 
end  of  that  time  moving  to  Glen  Campbell, 
Indiana  county,  where  he  built  a  store  in 
which  he  carried  on  a  general  mercantile 
business  for  two  and  a  half  years.  Selling 
his  stock  to  Harry  Clark,  he  subsequently 
traded  the  building  for  a  farm  of  seventy 
acres  in  Grant  township  to  the  cultivation  of 
which  he  devoted  himself  for  a  year  and  a 
half.  His  next  removal  was  to  Decker's 
Point,  Indiana  county,  where  he  lived  until 
May,  1904,  at  which  time  he  bought  the  lot. 
in  Indiana  borough  where  he  is  now  estab- 
lished and  built  the  "National  Hotel,"  which 
he  has  since  owned  and  conducted.  It  is  a 
fine  modern  structure,  with  fifty-five  guest 
rooms,  well  equipped  and  with  all  conven- 
iences for  the  comfort  of  patrons.  Mr.  Man- 
ner has  been  very  successful  in  the  manage- 
ment of  his  hotel  business,  proving  himself  a 
good  host,  and  his  careful  oversight  of  all  the 
details  which  go  to  make  a  hotel  desirable 
are  appreciated  by  his  guests,  whose  steady 
patronage  has  made  the  house  profitable  from 
the  start.  In  addition  to  his  hotel,  Mr.  Man- 
ner owns  a  valuable  farm  of  140  acres  in 
White  township,  one  mile  east  of  the  borough. 

In  1896  Mr.  Manner  married  Esther  Un- 
capher,  of  Montgomery  township,  this  county, 
daughter  of  the  late  Winfield  and  Rachel 
(Spencer)  Uncapher.  They  have  had  three 
children,  David,  Ruth  (deceased)  and  an  in- 
fant son. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Manner  holds  membership 
in  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks  and  the  Order  of  Moose. 
He  is  a  Democrat  in  political  connection. 

ROBERT  TRINDLE,  who  is  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  in  East  Wheatfield 
township,  Indiana  county,  was  born  in  the 
township,  April  15,  1853,  and  is  a  son  of 
William  and  Elizabeth  (Blair)  Trindle. 
William  Trindle,  his  paternal  gi-andfather, 
was  for  many  years  a  farmer  and  land  owner 
of  Derry  township,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

William  Trindle,  son  of  William,  and  father 
of  Robert  Trindle,  was  born  in  Derry  town- 
ship, Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  and  there  grew 
to  manhood  and  was  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  Later  he  came  to  Indiana  county 
and  settled  on  the  John  Hise  farm  of  140 
acres,  located  in  East  Wheatfield  township. 


1380 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


where  he  spent  some  years,  subsequently  re- 
moving to  the  Archibald  Jamieson  farm  of 
seveuty-two  acres,  on  which  he  carried  on 
operations  for  ten  years.  On  disposing  of 
this  property  he  bought  the  Patterson  farm 
of  130  acres,  now  owned  by  Martin  Fry,  and 
there  built  a  home  and  made  extensive  im- 
provements, but  sold  the  land  to  buy  the 
David  Wakefield  farm,  now  owned  by  his 
son,  James  Trindle.  There  he  continued  to 
cultivate  eighty-four  acres  of  land  and  at- 
tained well-deserved  success,  and  when  he 
died,  July  27,  1906,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
eight  years,  five  months,  he  was  considered 
one  of"  East  Wheatfield's  substantial  citizens. 
He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  which  he  served  as  elder 
for  many  years,  and  was  buried  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  cemetery  at  Armagh,  Pa. 
A  good  and  public-spirited  citizen,  he  was  a 
stanch  Republican  in  politics,  and  served  for 
some  time  as  overseer  of  the  poor.  On  Aiig. 
23  1848,  Ih:  Trindle  was  married  to  Eliza 
Blair,  who  died  March  1,  1886,  and  was 
buried  beside  her  husband.  They  had  the 
following  children:  John  W.,  born  May  17, 
1849,  who  was  lost  in  the  great  Johnstown 
flood  May  31.  1889,  while  on  a  business  trip 
to  that  city;'  Samuel,  born  April  17,  1851, 
who  died  Nov.  8,  1851;  Robert;  James  born 
June  30.  1856,  who  married  Christina  Steele 
and  is  engaged  in  farming  in  East  Wheat- 
field;  and  Nancy  and  Bertha,  twms.  born 
Oct  13,  1859.  the  former  of  whom  died  Dec. 
18  1861  while  the  latter  married  Harry 
Rogers,    and    resides    at    Moxam,    Pennsyl- 

'Tobert  Trindle,  son  of  William  Trindle, 
was  educated  in  the  schools  of  district 
No  6  and  from  early  boyhood  workeil 
on  his"  father's  farm.  After  attaining  his 
majoritv  he  settled  on  the  Jamiesou  farm 
of  seventv-two  acres,  and  for  ten  years  was 
engaged  there  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  In  1 885  he  came  to  his  present  tract 
of  140  acres,  known  as  the  Henry  Taylor 
farm,  where  for  twenty-eight  years  he  has 
been  industriously  and  energetically  engaged 
in  agricultural  work.  His  earnest  efforts 
havelieen  rewarded  with  gratifying  success. 
\  thoroughly  skilled  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
he  has  the  ability  to  get  the  best  results  from 
his  endeavors,  and  his  judgment  is  otteu 
sought  in  agricultural  matters.  On  political 
questions,  Mr.  Trindle  is  a  Republican,  but 
he  has  never  been  an  office  seeker,  although 
he  stanchly  supports  the  policies  and  candi- 


dates of  bis  party.     With  his  famil,v  he  at- 
tends the  Presbj'terian  Church. 

On  Jan.  14,  1875.  Mr.  Trindle  was  mar- 
ried at  the  Taylor  homestead  to  Susan  May 
Taylor,  who  was  bom  in  East  Wheatfield 
township,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Margaret 
(Welshons)  Taylor,  and  granddaughter  of 
George  WeLshons.  The  Taylor  family  has 
long  been  highly  respected  in  East  Wheat- 
field  township,  where  its  members  have  been 
prominent  farmers  and  land  owners.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Trindle  have  had  the  following 
children :  Grace,  born  Jan.  4,  1876,  is  living 
at  home;  Cora,  born  April  6,  1878,  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  East  Wheat- 
field  tcrwnship  and  in  the  summer  normal 
school  under  Prof.  C.  A.  Campbell,  taught 
school  for  five  years,  and  then  married 
Charles  Fry,  and  since  his  death  in  an  acci- 
dent on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  at  Lock- 
port,  she  has  had  a  clerkship  in  the  Pennsyl- 
vania freight  office  at  Johnstown,  support- 
ing herself  and  her  daughter,  Margaret  Char- 
lotte, who  was  born  March  2,  1904;  Jennie, 
born  July  28,  1881,  resides  at  home ;  Elsie, 
born  Oct.  18,  1884,  died  March  6,  1910; 
Margaret  A.,  born  May  21,  1892,  died  April 
21,  1906 ;  William  Orville,  born  May  18,  1889, 
lives  with  his  parents;  Sarah  E.,  born  July 
25,  1894,  died  Oct.  1,  1895 ;  Cyrus,  born  Sept. 
14,  1898.  is  at  home;  two  other  children  died 
in  infancy. 

JLmSON  PARRY,  general  farmer  and 
stock  raiser  of  Green  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  was  born  in  an  old  log  house  on  his 
father's  farm  in  Green  township  Sept.  10, 
1856,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Amanda 
(McGloughlin)  Parry. 

Henry  Parry  was  born  in  Wales,  and  was 
one  of  a  family  of  seven  children,  his  broth- 
ers and  sisters  being:  Hugh,  IMary.  Robert, 
William,  Griffith  and  Thomas.  As  a  young 
man  he  came  to  the  United  States,  settling 
in  Green  township  during  the  early  forties, 
and  spent  his  life  in  farming  near  Pineflats. 
also  conducting  a  sawmill,  where  he  met  an 
accidental  death  in  August,  1864.  His  wife 
survived  him  many  years,  passing  away 
April  10.  1907,  when  eighty  years  of  age. 
They  had  a  familv  of  seven  children,  as  fol- 
lows: Emma  C.,"born  Jan.  29,  1854.  is  de- 
ceased ;  Judson  is  mentioned  below ;  Isabella, 
born  May  30,  1858,  married  Joseph  Stairiker, 
of  Philadelphia,  and  died  Dec.  22,  1889; 
Henry  E.,  born  Jan.  2,  1860,  died  when  six 
years' old;  Martha,  born  April  31,  1862,  is 
"now  the  wife  of  Robert  Young,  a  resident  of 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1381 


Pineflats;  a  child  born  April  15,  1863,  died 
iu  infancy  unnamed;  Henrietta,  born  Aug. 
21,  1864,  is  residing  at  Pineflats. 

George  McCxloughlin,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  Judson  Parry,  was  one  of  the  pio- 
neers of  Green  township,  and  there  spent  his 
life  in  agricultural  pui-suits.  He  was  the 
father  of  the  following  children:  Samuel, 
Archie,  Washington,  Harry  and  Thomas,  all 
of  whom  served  as  soldiers  in  the  Union  army 
during  the  Civil  war;  Obediah;  Amanda, 
Mrs.  Parry;  and  Ellen,  who  now  lives  at 
Homer  City,  Pa.,  the  only  survivor  of  the 
family. 

Judson  Parry,  son  of  Henry  Parry,  spent 
his  boyhood  days  on  the  old  home  farm,  and 
obtained  his  education  in  the  district  schools 
of  Green  township  and  the  Pineflats  acad- 
emy. After  his  school  days  he  remained  on 
the  old  home  farm  until  his  marriage,  iu  1887, 
since  which  time  he  has  carried  on  operations 
on  his  present  property.  He  is  known  as  an 
excellent  farmer  and  a  good  judge  of  live 
stock,  while  the  honorable  manner  in  which 
he  has  carried  on  all  of  his  business  trans- 
actions has  gained  him  the  respect  and  esteem 
of  all  with  whom  he  has  come  into  contact. 
He  has  also  devoted  some  of  his  time  to  sell- 
ing fertilizers,  and  has  built  up  a  satisfactory 
business  through  intelligent  effort  and  com- 
mendable industry. 

On  Oct.  13,  1887,  Mr.  Parry  was  married 
to  Susan  Anderson,  who  was  born  in  Green 
township  in  October,  1862,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel and  Sarah  (Dodds)  Anderson.  "William 
Anderson,  the  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Parry, 
came  with  his  wife  Elizabeth  (Logan)  to  the 
United  States  from  Ireland,  and  settled  in 
Indiana  county,  where  they  spent  the  remain- 
der of  their  lives  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
Samuel  Anderson,  son  of  William  Anderson, 
followed  in  his  father's  footsteps,  being  a 
farmer  all  his  life;  he  died  in  March,  1888. 
Of  his  fourteen  children,  the  following  are 
living  besides  Mrs.  Parry :  Mrs.  ]\Iargaret 
Caldwell,  of  Indiana  county ;  Daniel,  who  also 
lives  in  this  county;  and  Mrs.  Martha  For- 
sythe,   of   Indiana,   Penns.ylvania, 

Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Parry  have,  had  eight  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  One  child  who  died  in  in- 
fancy; Prank,  who  married  Ethel  Small,  of 
Clearfield  county,  and  is  a  resident  of  Green 
towrLship ;  Theresa,  living  at  home ;  and 
Logan,  Mary,  William,  Etta  and  Sarah.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Parry  and  their  children  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church,  and  are  widely 
and  favorably  known  in  the  vicinity  of  Cly- 


SAJIUEL  T.  KING,  who  may  be  named 
as  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Clymer,  as- 
sisting as  he  did  in  the  organization  of  the 
borough,  is  serving  in  the  office  of  constable, 
having  been  elected  to  the  same  in  1910.  Mr.« 
King  was  born  in  Bedford  county.  Pa.. 
March  2,  1849,  a  son  of  John  H.  and  Harriet 
(Thomas)  King. 

George  King,  his  grandfather,  was  a  very 
early  settler  in  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  locat- 
ing in  the  wilderness  before  all  the  hostile 
Indians  had  been  driven  away.  On  one  occa- 
sion they  made  him  a  captive  and  kept  him 
with  the  tribe  for  two  years  before  he  ef- 
fected his  escape. 

John  H.  King,  son  of  George,  and  father 
of  Samuel  T.  King,  was  born  and  reared  in 
Bedford  county  and  by  trade  was  a  tailor. 
He  passed  the  last  twenty-five  yeara  of  his 
life  at  Altoona,  Pa.,  his  death  occurring  when- 
he  was  ninety-four  years  old.  He  married 
Harriet  Thomas,  who  also  lived  to  old  age, 
and  died  at  Altoona.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  six  sons  and  three  daughters,  viz. : 
Erastus  and  Dorsey,  both  deceased;  Heze- 
kiah,  a  resident  of  Altoona;  Emma  J.,  Harry 
and  John,  all  deceased ;  Samuel  T. ;  and  Char- 
lotte and  Anna,  both  deceased.  All  the  sons 
were  soldiers  in  the  Federal  army  during  the 
Civil  war,  their  loyalty  and  patriotism  entail- 
ing many  hardships  and  much  suffering  on 
several  of  them. 

Samuel  T.  King  attended  school  in  Bed- 
ford county.  During  the  Civil  war  he  en- 
listed in  Company  H,  55th  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer InfantrJ^  for  three  years,  being  hon- 
orably discharged  and  mustered  out  at  Peters- 
burg, Va.,  Aug.  31,  1865.  During  eight  long 
months  3Ir.  King  was  a  prisoner  of  war  in 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  being  confined  at 
Anderson ville,  Georgia. 

After  .the  war  closed  Mr.  King  returned 
to  Bedford  county  and  remained  in  the  old 
home  neighborhood  for  six  months,  and  then 
moved  to  Johnstown,  Pa.,  for  several  years, 
afterward  living  for  a  time  at  Altoona.  IItiv- 
ing  become  identified  with  the  John  Robinson 
Circus  Company,  in  the  capacity  of  driver, 
Mr,  King  traveled  over  a  wide  extent  of  coun- 
try, and  still  farther  when  he  accepted  a 
similar  position  with  the  Adam  Forepaugh 
Circus  Company.  Mr.  King  also  knows 
something  of  the  old  stage  coach  days,  having 
for  some  years  driven  a  stage  over  the  moun- 
tains from  Hollidaysburg  to  Bedford,  from 
Bedford  to  Cumberland,  from  Johnstown  to 
Somerset,  and  from  there  to  Berlin,  and  from 
Clearfield  to  Brookville.    For  thirty-five  years 


1382 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


afterward  he  was  a  railroad  man,  but  not 
since  he  came  to  Clymer,  some  seven  years 
ago,  which  was  before  the  borough  was  in- 
corporated. He  was  one  of  the  organizers 
and  has  continued  to  be  one  of  the  leading 
men  of  the  place.  In  1910  'Sh:  King  was 
elected  constable  and  continues  in  that  office. 
In  1876  Mr.  King  was  married  to  Mary  L. 
Levy,  who  was  born  in  Clearfield  county,  Pa., 
and  they  have  had  five  children:  Dorsey, 
residing  at  Clymer;  Nellie,  wife  of  Robert 
Houk,  of  Clymer;  June,  a  clerk  in  the  A.  F. 
Kelly  store,  at  Clymer ;  and  May  L.  and  Ruth, 
residing  at  home. 

ELLIOTT  M.  LYDICK,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war,  now  a  resident  of  Indiana,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  Dec.  2, 1844,  in  Cherry- 
hill  township,  this  county,  a  son  of  William 
Lydick. 

William  Lydick  was  born  on  what  was 
known  as  the  old  blockhouse  farm  in  Cherry- 
hill  township,  Indiana  county,  Sept.  27,  1816, 
and  passed  his  youth  there.  With  the  pa- 
triotic spirit  of  the  times  he  joined  the  State 
militia,  and  was  a  well-known  man  in  every 
way.  He  mai-ried  Jane  McGuire,  who  was 
born  in  1826  in  Cherryhill  township,  a  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Mary  (Kunkle)  McGuire. 
After  marriage  he  bought  a  farm  in  Cherry- 
hill  township,  and  lived  there  for  several 
years,  when  he  moved  to  Green  township. 
Originally  a  Whig,  he  later  became  a  Repub- 
lican, and  held  a  number  of  the  township 
offices,  including  that  of  supervisor  for  years. 
His  death  occurred  Feb.  4.  1884,  his  widow 
surviving  until  1898.  They  were  Baptists  in 
religious  faith.  The  children  born  to  this 
excellent  couple  were:  Samantha.  who  mar- 
ried John  Wheeler,  and  resides  at  Dixonville. 
this  county;  Elliott  M. ;  Azariah  J.,  who  re- 
sides in  Green  township,  married  to  IMary 
Gallagher:  and  Anna  Jane,  who  died  young. 

Elliott  ]M.  Lydick  was  a  small  boy  when  his 
father  returned  to  Green  township,  and  there 
he  grew  to  manhood.  On  Feb.  22.  1864.  he 
enlisted  in  the  United  States  Signal  Service. 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  participated  in 
the  activities  attending  the  suri-ender  of  Gen- 
eral Lee,  being  discharged  from  the  service 
Aug.  16,  1865,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

On  Nov.  28,  1867,  Mr.  Lydick  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Lucinda  Buterbaugh.  who 
was  born  in  Montgomery  township,  this 
county.  Jxily  17,  1849,  a  daughter  of  David 
and  Anna  (Laugham'i  Buterbaugli.  After 
his  marriage  Mr.  Tjydick  bought  100  acres  of 
land  in  Green  township,  where  he  remained 


until  1903,  at  which  time  he  removed  to  his 
present  residence  on  Oak  street,  Indiana. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lydick  became  the  parents 
of  children  as  follows:  George  B.,  who  re- 
sides at  Dayton,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  married 
Sadie  George;  Annie  Jane  married  Adam 
Hawk,  and  resides  in  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ; 
Rosa  May,  who  married  Charles  Burrus,  re- 
sides in  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  Mary  S.  married 
George  Straitiff,  and  resides  in  Punxsutaw- 
ney; Clara  B.  married  Fred  Jones,  and  re- 
sides in  Punxsutawney;  Gertrude  married 
John  W.  Smith ;  John  R.  died  when  two  years 
old;  Elmer  D.,  who  married  Cecelia  Morgan 
and  (second)  Louise  Scheffer,  resides  in  De- 
troit, Mich. ;  Esty  il.  married  Bessie  Palmer ; 
Luella  M.  married  Charles  Adams,  and  re- 
sides in  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Mabel  V.  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Lydick  is  a  deacon  in  the  Baptist 
Church  of  Cookport  and  has  held  that  office 
for  thirty  years.  He  is  now  a  teacher  in 
the  Sunday  school  connected  with  the  Bap- 
tist Church  of  Indiana.  For  forty  years  he 
was  leader  of  the  church  choir,  and  is  still  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church  choir  of  Indi- 
ana. Originally  a  Republican  in  polities,  he 
has  become  a  Progressive,  and  ranks  himself 
with  the  Bull  iloose  element  of  the  country. 
For  several  years  he  has  served  Indiana  Post 
No.  28,  G.  A.  R.,  as  commander,  and  is  very 
well  known  not  only  among  his  old  comrades, 
but  also  to  many  others  who  recognize  and 
appreciate  his  value  as  a  citizen  and  his  worth 
as  a  man.  He  served  as  justice  of  the  peace 
of  Green  township,  for  a  period  of  seven 
years,  and  for  several  years  as  auditor,  and 
for  about  twenty  years  was  clerk  of  the  elec- 
tion board. 

JOSEPH  CLARK  SPEEDY,  of  Creek- 
side,  Pa.,  retired  farmer  and  coal  operator, 
was  born  on  a  farm  in  Rajnie  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  Feb.  22.  1844.  and  is  a  son  of 
Thomas  and  Jane  (Belle)  Speedy. 

Andrew  Speedy,  grandfather  of  Joseph 
Clark  Speedy,  was- of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  as 
was  also  Thomas  Belle,  the  maternal  grand- 
father, both  being  early  settlers  in  Rayne 
to^^Tiship.  Andrew  Speedy  had  three  sons: 
Capt.  Hugh  M.,  who  later  settled  in  Wash- 
ington township :  James ;  and  Thomas,  of 
Rayne  township. 

Thomas  Speedy,  father  of  Joseph  Clark 
Speedy,  was  born  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  in  his  youth  learned  the  trade  of 
shoemaker,  which  he  followed  in  connection 
with  farming,  during  the  winter  months  also 
engaging  in  himbering.     His  death  occurred 


HISTOET  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1383 


on  his  Rayne  township  farm  in  1867,  while 
his  wife,  also  a  native  of  that  township,  passed 
away  in  the  spring  of  1883.  They  had  a 
family  of  ten  children :  ilary,  Jane,  Matilda, 
Andrew  and  Fergnson,  all  deceased;  Caro- 
line, the  widow  of  Joseph  L.  Sutton  (who  died 
in  the  service  while  a  member  of  Company 
E,  148th  Regiment,  Pa.  Vol.  Inf.,  during  the 
Civil  war),  now  living  with  Mrs.  James  H. 
McCurdy,  a  niece,  on  a  farm  in  Washington 
township ;  two  children  who  died  young ; 
Joseph  Clark;  and  William,  who  died  in 
Rayne  township.  Ferguson  Speedy  served 
in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war. 

Joseph  Clark  Speedy  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Rayne  township,  and  his 
first  employment  was  at  farm  labor.  Subse- 
quently he  took  a  preparatory  course  in  a 
select  school,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years 
.  took  charge  of  a  school  in  South  Mahoning 
township.  He  was  so  engaged  when  the  Civil 
war  broke  out,  and  Aug.  28,  1862,  when  still 
only  a  lad.  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  148th 
Regiment,  Pa.  Vol.  Inf.,  under  Col.  James 
A.  Beaver,  who  later  became  governor  of 
Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Speedy  was  at  the  battle 
of  Haymarket,  at  Chancellorsville,  in  May, 
1863,  and  July  2d  of  the  same  year  was 
seriously  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg, being  sent  to  the  Summit  House  hos- 
pital, from  which  he  received  his  honorable 
discharge,  at  Philadelphia,  in  September, 
1865.  Returning  to  Raj^ne  township,  he  was 
for  a  short  period  again  engaged  in  teaching, 
but  after  spending  two  years  as  an  educator 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Cham- 
bersville.  Subsequently  Mr.  Speedy  returned 
to  the  home  ^'arm,  which  he  continued  to  oper- 
ate until  1904,  since  the  fall  of  which  year 
he  has  led  a  quiet,  retired  life  in  the  borough 
of  Ci-eekside. 

Mr.  Speedy  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  28, 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  with  his 
family  holds  membership  in  the  congregation 
of  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Indiana.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  board  of  health  of  Creekside. 

On  June  3,  1869,  Mr.  Speedy  was  mar- 
ried to  Isabel  Wolf,  who  was  born  in  Rayne 
township  Aug.  12.  1851,  daughter  of  William 
and  Tabitha  (McHenry)  Wolf.  Her  grand- 
father. John  Wolf,  was  a  native  of  Center 
countj%  Pa.,  of  German  descent,  and  was  an 
early  settler  in  Rayne  township.  He  followed 
farming  throughout  his  life,  as  did  his  son, 
the  latter  dying  Nov.  19,  1905.  at  the  age  of 
eighty-two  years.  Mrs.  Tabitha  (McHenry) 
Wolf,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Speedy,  was  the 
daughter  of  Robert  ilcHenry,  an  early  set- 


tler of  White  township,  and  later  a  resident 
of  Creekside,  who  was  a  farmer  up  to  within 
a  few  years  of  his  death,  when  he  moved  to 
Marion  Center;  he  was  of  Scotch-Irish  de- 
scent. Mrs.  Wolf  died  Oct.  23,  1911,  the 
mother  of  two  children,  Mrs.  Speedy  and  a 
son  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  and  Sirs.  Speedy  have  had  two  chil- 
dren :  Nettie,  born  July  11,  1870,  is  the  wife 
of  J.  H.  McCurdy,  of  Rayne  township,  and 
they  have  had  eight  children:  Speedy  Wolf, 
Lula  B.,  Pannell,  Clai-a,  David  (deceased), 
Edith  M.,  Joseph  F.  and  Vincent  Clark. 
Delia  married  J.  F.  Gibson,  who  died  Feb. 
11,  1908,  aged  thirty-six  years,  four  months, 
eleven  days,  and  she  is  now  the  wife  of  Ed- 
ward Yeager,  of  Creekside.  She  has  three 
children  by  her  first  husband,  Joseph  W., 
Morris  Lyle  and  Helen  M. 

JOHN  D.  ROWLAND,  proprietor  of  a 
meat  market  at  Marion  Center,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  in  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship, this  county,  Oct.  1,  1864,  son  of  William 
S.  and  Mary  J.   (Luckhart)  Rowland. 

John  D.  Rowland  was  reared  in  his  native 
township  and  attended  the  local  schools.  Un- 
til he  was  twenty  years  old  he  worked  on  the 
homestead  and  dealt  in  stock  from  the  time  he 
was  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of  age,  thus 
early  developing  business  ability.  For  the 
three  years  following  his  leaving  home  he 
worked  as  a  carpenter  in  the  West,  but  com- 
ing back  to  Indiana  county  went  into  a  butch- 
ering business  at  Punxsutawney,  where  he 
remained  for  two  years.  For  the  next  two 
years  he  worked  in  the  country  regions 
throughout  the  State  as  a  carpenter,  and  then 
coming  to  Marion  Center  operated  as  a  stock 
dealer  for  a  period.  He  also  carried  on  this 
line  of  business  at  Pittsburg,  and  then  for 
a  year  engaged  in  carpenter  work  in  that 
city.  Coming  back  to  Marion  Center,  in  re- 
sponse to  a  demand,  he  established  himself  in 
a  butchering  and  stock  business.  Following 
that,  he  was  in  a  livery  business  for  a  time, 
but  now  devotes  all  his  attention  to  his  meat 
business. 

In  1884  ]Mr.  Rowland  married  Miss  Lizzie 
McMillen,  of  Plumville,  a  daughter  of  the 
late  Batty  McMillen.  IMr.  and  Mrs.  Rowland 
became  the  parents  of  the  following  children : 
Maud,  who  is  Mrs,  Merle  Walker,  of  Indi- 
ana; Minnie,  who  is  deceased;  Harry,  and. 
Grace, 

j\Ir.  Rowland  is  a  Republican  and  has 
served  as  a  school  director  of  his  township, 
and  for  nine  years  was  a  member  of  the  coun- 


1384 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


cil  of  Marion  Center,  and  he  has  also  been 
constable.  Fraternally  he  is  an  Odd  Fellow, 
and  noble  grand  of  the  local  lodge.  He  also 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Malta  at  Pittsburg. 
A  man  of  good  business  judgment,  he  has 
made  a  success  of  his  life,  and  is  recognized 
as  being  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his  com- 
munity. The  family  are  Baptists  in  religious 
association. 

H.  RUSSELL  RUPP,  cashier  of  the  Penn- 
Mary  Coal  Company,  at  Heilwood,  Pa.,  was 
born  near  Harrisburg,  in  Dauphin  county, 
Pa.,  Dec.  5,  1878,  son  of  Abraham  L.  and 
Hettie  E.  (Brenneman)  Rupp. 

George  F.  Rupp,  paternal  gi-andfather  of 
H.  Ru.sseU  Rupp,  was  a  native  of  Germany, 
and  on  iirst  coming  to  the  United  States,  in 
young  manhood,  settled  in  Cumberland 
county.  Pa.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming. 
He  also  acted  in  the  capacity  of  local  minister 
in  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  was  niuety-one 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1891. 

Abraham  L.  Rupp,  sou  of  George  F.,  was 
born  in  Cumberland  county,  Pa.,  and  dur- 
ing his  early  yeai's  devoted  himself  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  In  1882  he  took  his  family 
to  Steelton,  Pa.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the 
steel  business  for  some  years,  but  subse- 
quently entered  the  employ  of  the  Western 
Union  Telegraph  Company,  as  an  operator. 
He  is  now  living  retired  near  Harrisburg. 
at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years,  Avhile  bis 
wife,  who  was  also  of  German  parentage, 
died  April  2.  1912.  They  had  a  family  of 
twelve  children,  as  follows :  George  F.,  a 
resident  of  Steelton,  Pa. ;  Rebecca,  living  at 
home;  Mary,  the  wife  of  E.  G.  "Williams^,  of 
Harrisburg;  Ida,  living  in  Lancaster,  Pa. ; 
Esther,  wife  of  John  L.  Charles,  of  Mont- 
gomery, Pa.;  H.  Russell;  ilabel,  a  resident  of 
Steelton;  Gertrude  and  John  B.,  who  live  at 
home;  and  three  who  died  in  infancy. 

Henry  Russell  Rupp  was  four  years  old 
when  the  family  moved  to  Steelton,  and  there 
attended  the  graded  schools,  graduating 
therefrom  in  1895.  at  which  time  he  accepted 
a  position  with  the  Penn  Steel  Company. 
He  advanced  to  the  office  of  assistant  ca.shier, 
and  when  the  company  established  its  office 
at  Heilwood  was  made  cashier  of  this  branch 
of  the  business,  a  position  which  he  has  held 
to  the  present  time. 

On  Oct.  11.  1906,  Mr.  Rupp  was  married, 
at  Steelton,  Pa.,  to  Minerva  D.  Hess,  who 
was  born  in  Steelton  June  17.  1878,  daughter 
of  Christian  and  Carrie  (Boak")  Hess,  of 
German  ancestry.    Mr.  Hess  is  now  engaged 


in  the  real  estate  and  insurance  business  at 
Steelton,  where  he  and  his  wife  make  their 
home.  Mr.  and  ilrs.  Rupp  have  one  child, 
Kathiyn  Louise.  They  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  and  fraternally  he  is  affil- 
iated with  the  Royal  Arcanum. 

JOSEPH  W.  UNCAPHER,  a  weU-kuown 
citizen  of  Indiana,  was  born  Nov.  17,  1837,  on 
his  father's  farm  in  Washington  township, 
Indiana  county. 

Andrew  Uncapher,  his  grandfather,  was 
born  in  Germany,  and  coming  to  the  United 
States  settled  in  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  where 
he  married  Barbara  Millen.  He  followed 
farming  in  Young  township,  this  county, 
where  he  died.  His  children  were  as  follows : 
John,  who  went  to  Marion,  Ohio ;  Peggy,  ^Irs. 
Isaac  Stahl,  deceased;  Philip;  and  Joseph, 
who  married  a  iliss  Neal,  and  died  on  the 
home  farm. 

Philip  L'ncapher  was  born  in  Blackliek 
township,  Indiana  county,  near  Jacksonville. 
Oct.  28,  1810,  and  was  a  farmer  all  his  life. 
He  bought  500  acres  in  Washington  town- 
ship, and  sold  two  farms  from  that  tract,  re- 
taining 150  acres,  this  being  the  place  now 
owned  by  Joseph  Stutzer.  Mr.  L'ncapher 
died  there  March  14.  1889.  and  his  wife,  ilal-y 
(Wilson),  who  was  born  in  1807  in  Ireland, 
died  Dec.  10,  1864.  They  were  Presbj'teriaus 
in  religious  faith.  They  had  a  family  of  ten 
children,  of  whom  we  have  the  following 
record:  (1)  Ann,  born  Jan.  21,  1833,  mar- 
ried Joseph  Carl,  and  died  in  Venango 
county.  Pa.,  in  1909.  (2)  William,  born  :May 
4,  1834,  died  in  infancy.  (3)  :Martha  J.,  born 
Aug.  2.  1835.  married  Dr.  Morrow,  and  is 
living  in  Warren  county,  Pa.  (4)  Joseph  W. 
is  mentioned  below.  (5)  ^Margaret,  born 
Sept.  12.  1839.  married  James  Millen.  and 
lives  in  Odell.  Neb.  (6)  John,  born  Jan.  12. 
1841.  married  Lucinna  Gibson,  and  lives  in 
Plumville,  this  county.  (7)  ]\Iary.  born  Nov. 
27,  1843,  married  Philip  Walters,  and  died 
in  Venango  county.  Pa.  (8)  Elizabeth,  born 
Oct.  17.  1845,  died  unmarried.  (9)  David, 
bom  April  16,  1847,  is  living  in  Idaho.  (10) 
Andrew  Jackson,  born  Dec.  29.  1848.  lives  in 
McKean  county ;  he  married  ^Martha  DeWalt. 

Joseph  W.  Uncapher  worked  for  his  father 
until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old.  In  the 
meantime  he  had  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  in  his  home  locality.  On  Aug. 
27.  1861.  he  enlisted  for  three  years  or  diiring 
the  war.  in  Company  A,  78th  P.  V.  I.,  under 
Capt.  William  Cummins  and  Col.  William 
Sirwell.     This  comijiand  was  attached  to  the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1385 


3d  Brigade,  2d  Division,  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland. Mr.  Uncapher  saw  active  service  at 
the  battles  of  Pulaski,  March  12,  1862; 
Lavergne,  Oct.  7,  1862 ;  Neeleys  Bend,  White 
Creek,  Charlottesville,  and  Franklin  Pike — 
all  in  October,  1862;  Stone  River,  Tenn., 
Dec.  31,  1862,  to  Jan.  1,  1863;  Tullahoma, 
Tenn.,  July  9,  1863 ;  Tunnell  Hill,  Ga.,  May 
13,  1863;  Elk  River,  Tenn.,  July  14,  1863; 
Buzzard's  Roost  Gap.  Feb.  27,  1864;  Resaca, 
Ga.,  May  16,  1864;  Dallas,  6a.,  May  25  to 
June  1,  1864;  Dug  Gap,  Sept.  11,  1864; 
Chickamauga,  Sept.  19,  1863 ;  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, Nov.  24,  1863 ;  Missionary  Ridge,  Nov. 
25.  1863;  Kenesaw  Mountain.  June  9  to  30, 
1864 ;  Pulaski,  Sept.  26,  1864 ;  and  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  Dec.  1,  1864.  Mr.  Uncapher  was  dis- 
charged in  the  fall  of  1864,  and  returned 
home  at  once.  The  following  spring  he  went 
to  the  oil  fields  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  fol- 
lowed the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  had 
learned  in  his  earlier  years.  He  continued 
to  live  in  that  region  until  1882,  when  he 
moved  to  the  Pilsen  farm  in  Wliite  township, 
devoting  himself  to  the  cultivation  of  that 
place  until  1900,  when  he  settled  at  his  pres- 
ent home  in  the  borough  of  Indiana.  He  has 
now  given  up  active  work. 

On  Dec.  12,  1867,  Mr.  Uncapher  was  mar- 
ried in  White  township,  Indiana  county,  to 
Mary  Griffith,  who  was  born  July  1,  1840, 
in  White  township,  and  was  educated  in  the 
countiy  schools  there.  Her  father,  Jesse 
Griffith,  was  born  in  Bedford  count3'.  Pa. 
Her  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Susanna 
Pilsen,  was  born  in  White  township,  Indiana 
coiinty.  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  (John- 
ston) Pilsen,  who  came  from  Ireland.  Three 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Uncapher:  Luella,  born  Jan.  31,  1869,  mar- 
ried Rev.  L.  A.  Kirkland,  a  Congregational 
minister,  now  of  Pittsburg;  Jesse,  born  Jan. 
9,  1871,  married  Edith  Wagner,  and  lives 
in  Indiana ;  and  John,  born  Aug.  8,  1882, 
farms  the  home  place. 

]\Ir.  and  IMrs.  LTncapher  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a  Democrat 
in  his  political  views. 

FRANK  KISH,  leading  blacksmith  of  the 
borough  of  Clymer,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  is  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
wagons,  was  born  in  Hungary  Jan.  1,  1869, 
son  of  George  and  Susie  (Barre)  Kish.  The 
parents,  who  are  deceased,  spent  their  entire 
lives  in  their  native  country.  Hungarj'. 

Frank  Kish  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  land,  and  after  complet- 


ing his  schooling  was  apprenticed  to  the  trade 
of  blacksmith,  which  vocation  he  mastered  in 
his  youth.  iMr.  Kish  followed  his  chosen  trade 
for  several  years  in  Hungary,  but  in  1890 
decided  to  try  his  fortune  in  America,  and 
accordingly  came  to  this  country  during  that 
year.  From  New  York  City,  where  he  landed, 
and  in  which  metropolis  he  remained  for  sev- 
eral months,  he  came  to  Pennsylvania,  first 
settling  in  Brush  Creek,  Beaver  county,  and 
later  in  Hastings,  Cambria  county.  Subse- 
quently he  moved  about  considerably  over 
the  State,  seeking  a  location  favoi-able  to  the 
establishing  of  a  successful  business,  and  in 
1911  came  to  Clj'mer.  Here  he  settled  down 
to  follow  his  trade  and  engage  in  the  manu- 
facture of  wagons,  and  his  general  ability, 
straightforward  business  methods  and  pro- 
gressive industry  have  caused  his  business  to 
become  the  leading  one  of  its  kind  in  Clymer. 
He  is  also  the  smith  for  the  Weimer  mines. 
On  Nov.  2,  1890,  Mr.  Kish  was  married,  in 
Hungary,  just  prior  to  coming  to  the  United 
States,  to  Katie  Myer,  a  native  of  that  coun- 
try, and  they  have  had  four  children :  Louis, 
Francis,  Katie  and  Elizabeth.  With  his  wife 
and  children  ^Mr.  Kish  attends  the  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Clymer. 

HARRY  W.  WALLACE,  justice  of  tlie 
peace  of  Pine  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
agent  for  the  Adams  Express  Company  at 
Heilwood,  was  born  in  Pine  township  June 
29.  1874,  son  of  John  and  Fanny  (Shepherd) 
Wallace. 

John  Wallace,  grandfather  of  Harry  W. 
Wallace,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  on  coming 
to  the  United  States  in  young  manhood  first 
settled  in  Lancaster  county.  Pa.  Later  he 
removed  to  Indiana  county,  where  tlie  re- 
mainder of  his  life  was  spent  in  farming  in 
Pine  township. 

John  Wallace,  sou  of  John  Wallace,  and 
father  of  Harry  W.  Wallace,  was  born  in 
Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  and  when  a  youth  was 
brought  to  Indiana  county,  where  he  devoted 
his  life  to  agricultural  pursuits  in  Pine  town- 
ship ;  here  Iiis  death  occurred  when  he  was 
seventy-nine  years  of  age.  He  married  Fanny 
Shepherd,  who  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
whose  parents  brought  her  to  Indiana  county. 
Pa.,  in  her  girlhood,  and  slie  still  survives, 
residing  on  tlie  old  home  place  in  Pine  town- 
ship. Thej-  had  a  family  of  seven  children, 
as  follows :  William,  who  resides  in  Strongs- 
town.  Indiana  county :  John,  now  deceased : 
Elizabeth,  who  married  Daniel  F.  Kilday,  of 
Altoona,  Pa. ,  Catherine,  the  wife  of  Thomas 


1386 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Foley,  of  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Rose,  the  wife  of 
James  Morri&on,  of  Altoona;  Thomas,  a  resi- 
dent of  Strongstown;  and  Harry  W. 

Harry  W.  Wallace  attended  the  district 
schools  of  Pine  township,  select  schools  in 
his  native  vicinity,  and  Anderson  College, 
Altoona,  ai\d  during  his  boyhood  worked  on 
the  iiome  farm.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years 
he  began  to  teach  school,  an  occupation  which 
he  followed  for  thirteen  years  in  Pine  and 
Bufiiugton  townships,  this  county,  and  in 
Cambria  county.  He  then  became  a  clerk  in 
the  employ  of  the  Penn-Mary  Coal  Company, 
at  Heilwood,  and  held  that  position  for  five 
years.  Subsequently  he  was  elected  township 
auditor,  and  in  1901  was  made  justice  of  the 
peace  of  Pine  township,  to  succeed  James 
Morris.  The  able  manner  in  which  he  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  the  position  warranted 
his  reelection,  and  at  this  time  he  is  serving 
his  second  term,  in  addition  to  acting  in  the 
capacity  of  agent  for  the  Adams  Express 
Company. 

On  Nov.  13,  1896,  Mr.  Wallace  was  mar- 
ried to  Maud  M.  Mardis,  who  was  born  in 
May,  1874,  in  Pine  township,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  James  and  Maria  (Shipman) 
Mardis,  natives  of  Indiana  county.  Mr. 
Mardis,  who  was  a  farmer  and  served  for 
twenty  years  as  justice  of  the  peace  of  Pine 
township,  died  in  1900 ;  his  wife  passed  away 
in  1893.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wallace  have  two  chil- 
dren, Raymond  and  Grace.  They  are  mem- 
bers of  tile  Lutheran  Church. 

J.  OSCAR  SKOG,  furniture  dealer  and 
undertaker  of  Dixonville,  Indiana  county,  has 
been  a  resident  and  business  man  of  that  place 
since  1907.  He  is  a  native  of  Sweden,  where 
he  was  born  on  a  farm  Dec.  20,  1876,  son 
of  Andrew  and  Justina  (Olson)  Skog. 

Andrew  Skog  was  a  farmer  in  Sweden,  and 
also  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  which  he 
continued  to  follow  all  his  life.  Coming  to 
America,  he  remained  in  this  country  seven 
years,  living  in  Clearfield  county.  Pa.,  and 
returning  to  Sweden  died  there  Jiily  13,  1912. 
His  widow  now  lives  with  her  son  and  daugh- 
ter in  Chicago,  111.;  their  family  consisted 
of  three  children:  J.  Oscar;  Alma,  wife  of 
Einer  Erickson,  of  Chicago,  111.;  and  Alex- 
ander, also  of  Chicago. 

J.  Oscar  Skog  received  his  education  in 
Sweden.  When  a  boy  he  began  to  do  farm 
work,  at  which  he  was  employed  until  he 
came  to  this  country,  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
years.  He  first  lived  at  Irvona,  Clearfield 
Co.,  Pa.,   later  moving  to   Cambria   county. 


where  he  learned  the  trade  of  brickmason,  at 
which  he  was  occupied  for  a  short  time.  He 
then  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  after 
which  he  took  up  the  trade  of  mason,  living  at 
Vintondale,  Cambria  county.  In  1902  he 
went  to  Pittsburg,  where  he  attended  tlie 
Pennsylvania  College  of  Embalming,  gradu- 
ating Dec.  12,  1902.  Then  he  started  in  busi- 
ness as  an  undertaker  in  Cambria  county,  in 
partnership  with  John  Hanson,  the  firm  being 
known  as  Hanson  &  Skog.  After  three  years 
in  that  association  IMr.  Skog  sold  out  to  his 
partner  and  for  the  next  two  years  was  in  the 
same  line  in  the  employ  of  others.  In  1907 
he  came  to  Dixonville,  where  he  put  up  the 
building  he  now  occupies  and  embarked  in 
his  present  business,  furniture  dealing  and 
undei'taking,  at  first  as  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Skog  &  Erickson.  In  1908  Ur.  Erick- 
son sold  his  interest  to  ]\Ir.  Skog,  Avho  has 
since  conducted  it  alone.  He  has  a  well- 
selected  stock,  and  by  his  earnest  efforts  to 
please  his  customers  has  built  up  an  excel- 
lent trade,  his  establishment  ranking  among 
the  thriving  stores  in  the  town. 

On  July  25,  1904,  Mr.  Skog  married  Thora 
M.  Hansen,  a  native  of  Norway,  whose  father, 
Thorwal  Hansen,  came  to  America  and  died 
in  April,  1902,  at  Barnesboro,  Pa. ;  Mrs.  Han- 
sen died  when  her  daughter  Thora  was  only 
a  child.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Skog  have  had  two 
daughters,  Mabel  T.  and  Agnes  J. 

GEORGE  W.  SWANK,  retired  farmer, 
formerly  a  resident  of  Green  to^vnship,  Indi- 
ana county,  but  now  living  in  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  was  born  Jan.  12,  1850,  in  Rayne 
township.  His  parents,  George  and  Catherine 
(Houk)  Swank,  were  natives  of  Germany, 
and  came  to  this  countrj^  before  their  mar- 
riage. They  settled  in  Somerset  county, 
where  they  lived  for  some  years,  Mr.  Swank 
conducting  a  large  distillery  there.  Moving 
with  his  family  to  Indiana  county,  he  engaged 
in  the  hotel  business  in  Rayne  township,  lo- 
cating along  the  new  State  road  seven  miles 
from  the  town  of  Indiana.  When  he  gave  up 
the  hotel  business  he  moved  to  a  farm  at  Cook- 
])ort,  and  followed  farming  there  until  his 
death,  in  1877,  when  he  was  sixty-seven  years 
of  age.  He  was  a  stanch  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  became  well  known 
in  political  circles  and  public  life  in  his  sec- 
tion. In  religious  connection  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Lutheran  Church.  His  first  wife, 
Catherine,  died  in  1865,  and  he  subsequently 
married  (second)  Elizabeth  Wilson,  who  died 
in  -1893.     All  of  his  nine  children  were  born 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1387 


to  his  first  marriage,  namely:  Adeline,  Mrs. 
Isaiah  MeCullough,  who  died  in  Missouri  (her 
husband  was  killed  in  battle  while  serving  in 
the  Civil  war) ;  Lizzie  Ann,  Mrs.  Hewitt 
Thompson,  of  Myers,  Pa.;  Sarah  Ann,  who 
married  John  Spotts,  and  is  deceased ;  Sophia, 
Mrs.  John  Cummins,  of  McKean  county,  Pa. ; 
Catherine,  Mrs.  John  Reisinger,  of  Rayne 
township,  Indiana  county ;  Mary,  Mrs.  George 
Buchanan,  who  died  iu  Brushvalley;  Wil- 
liam, a  retired  farmer,  now  of  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
who  married  a  Miss  Black ;  George  W. ;  and 
Alexander,  who  died  unmarried. 

George  W.  Swank  was  a  small  boy  when 
his  father  moved  to  the  farm  at  Cookport, 
and  there  he  grew  to  manhood,  meantime 
receiving  a  common  school  education.  Dur- 
ing his  young  manhood  he  began  lumbering, 
rafting  and  working  iu  the  timber  for  years. 
When  his  father's  advancing  age  caused  his 
retirement  from  the  active  work  of  the  farm 
Mr.  Swank  took  charge  of  the  place  himself, 
cultivating  it  and  improving  it  until  1903, 
in  which  year  he  removed  to  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  where  he  has  since  had  his  home. 
He  resides  at  No.  444  East  Oak  street.  For 
three  years  after  settling  here  he  engaged  in 
the  grocery  business,  but  since  then  has  lived 
retired.  Mr.  Swank  has  prospered  in  all  his 
work,  by  industry  and  thrifty  management, 
and  deserves  the  leisure  he  is  now  able  to 
enjoy. 

On  March  6,  1876,  Mr.  Swank  married 
Fanny  Wilson,  of  Cookport,  and  they  had  a 
family  of  five  children:  Arthur  Clyde,  who 
died  in  infancy;  Howard,  of  Indiana,  who 
married  Edna  Smathers;  Ollie,  at  home; 
Bessie  J.,  who  died  when  sixteen  years  old; 
and  Edna,  at  home.  Mrs.  Swank  died  April 
19,  1908,  at  Indiana. 

Mr.  Swank  was  formerly  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church  at  Cookport,  and  held  office 
in  same.  Since  removing  to  Indiana  he  has 
transferred  his  membership  to  the  church  of 
the  same  denomination  there.  In  politics  he 
is  a  stanch  believer  in  the  principles  of  the 
Republican  party. 

IRA  C.  MYERS,  general  farmer  and  stock 
'raiser  of  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  April  5,  1882,  in  that  township,  and 
is  a  grandson  of  Adam  and  Fannie  (Long) 
Myers. 

Adam  Myers  was  born  near  Mitchells  Mills, 
Indiana  county,  and  throughout  his  life  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  that  sec- 
tion, owning  a  fine  tract  of  land  in  Cherry- 
hill  township.     Here  his  death  occurred  in 


April,  1906,  while  his  widow,  a  native  of 
Cheri-yhill  township,  still  survives,  and  makes 
her  home  at  Penn  Run.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Myers 
had  a  family  of  nine  children. 

Ira  C.  Myers  divided  his  boyhood  and 
youth  between  work  on  the  farm  and  attend- 
ance at  the  district  schools,  going  to  the 
latter  during  the  winter  months,  and  giving 
his  summer  mouths  to  his  duties  on  the  home 
place.  Reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and 
carefully  trained  in  the  science  of  tilling  the 
soil,  it  was  but  natural  that  he  should  follow 
the  vocation  of  a  farmer,  and  in  1907  pur- 
chased the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  carrying 
on  operations,  his  ventures  having  proved 
uniformly  successful. 

In  1901  Mr.  Myers  was  married  to  Edith 
Brown,  who  was  born  in  Cherryhill  township, 
daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (De- 
Armand)  Brown,  early  settlers  of  Indiana 
county,  where  Mr.  Brown  was  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death.  His 
widow  survives  and  makes  her  home  at  Penn 
Run.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Myers  have  become  the 
parents  of  four  children:  Brice,  born  April 
14,  1901 ;  Clay,  born  May  1,  1904 ;  Dale,  born 
July  22,  1908 ;  and  Roxie,  born  Jan.  14,  1910. 

SAMUEL  F.  BROWN,  farmer,  carpenter 
and  general  contractor  of  Chen-yhill  town- 
ship, has  resided  there  all  his  life,  hav- 
ing been  born  in  that  township  Aug.  31,  1854, 
a  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Potts)  Brown. 

David  Brown,  grandfather  of  Samuel  F. 
Brown,  was  born  in  Blair  county,  Pa.,  and 
became  an  early  settler  of  Indiana  county, 
locating  on  land  in  Chenyhill  township,  a 
part  of  which  is  now  owned  by  his  grandson. 
He  was  a  substantial  farmer  of  his  day  and 
locality,  and  his  whole  career  was  spent  in 
agricultural  pursuits. 

John  Brown,  son  of  David,  and  father  of 
Samuel  P.  Brown,  was  born  at  Williamsburg, 
Blair  Co.,  Pa.,  and  like  his  father  followed 
the  occupation  of  a  farmer  throughout  his 
life.  His  death  occurred  Sept.  16,  1899,  in 
Cherryhill  township,  while  his  wife,  who  was 
born  Aug.  21,  1839,  still  survives  and  makes 
her  home  with  her  son,  Samuel  F.,  having 
been  a  resident  of  Indiana  county  for  the 
last  sixty-one  years.  She  and  Mr.  Brown  had 
a  family  of  six  sons  and  three  daughters,  as 
follows:  Mary  Ellen;  Samuel  F. ;  Isaiah  R... 
a  resident  of  Ebensburg,  Pa. ;  Jane,  wife  of 
William  Learn,  of  Green  township;  Annie, 
who  is  deceased ;  David,  a  resident  of  Cherry- 
hill ;   John,  who  is   deceased ;   Marion   G.,   a 


1388 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


resident   of   Indiana   county;   and   one   child 
who  died  in  infancy. 

Samuel  Potts,  the  maternal  gi-andfather  of 
Samuel  P.  Brown,  was  a  native  of  Ireland, 
and  on  first  coming  to  the  United  States 
settled  in  Pittsburg,  and  subsequently  in 
Allegheny,  following  the  trade  of  brickmason. 
Later  he  became  a  farmer  in  Bedford  county. 
Pa.,  and  there  his  death  oceun-ed  at  an  ad- 
vanced age.  His  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden 
name  of  Susanna  Soyster,  was  born  at  Mar- 
tinsburg.  Pennsylvania. 

Samuel  F.  Brown  was  educated  in  Cherry- 
hill  township,  and  as  a  young  man  learned 
the  trade  of  carpenter  with  his  brother  Isaiah, 
a  trade  which  he  has  followed  in  connection 
with  his  farming  operations  for  the  last 
quarter  of  a  century,  devoting  a  great  deal 
of  attention  also  to  general  co.uti-acting.  Mr. 
Brown  was  married  in  Green  township,  Dee. 
25,  1879,  to  Elizabeth  Gasten,  who  was  born 
in  Green  township  Aug.  22,  1860,  daughter 
of  Frederick  and  Mary  (Learn)  Gasten. 
Frederick  Gasten  was  born  near  Johnstown, 
Pa.,  and  followed  the  trade  of  blacksmith 
after  locating  in  Green  township,  where  his 
death  occurred  in  September,  1878.  His 
widow  still  resides  in  her  native  township. 
They  had  a  family  of  sis  daughters  and  two 
sons:  Elizabeth,  who  married  Mr.  Brown; 
Jane,  wife  of  Uriah  Learn;  Carrie,  wife  of 
Jacob  Bart,  of  Green  township:  Laura,  wife 
of  Ellsworth  Henry,  a  resident  of  ]\Iarion 
Center.  Grant  township ;  one  who  died  in  in- 
fancy: Jesse,  of  Green  township;  Ellen,  wife 
of  David  Brown,  living  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship ;  and  Lucy,  wife  of  ]\Iaurice  Lockhart,  of 
Homer  City,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  and  IMrs.  Brown  have- become  the  par- 
ents of  eleven  children:  Ira,  who  married 
Cora  Bowes,  a  native  of  Indiana  county; 
Bertha,  wife  of  George  Short,  of  Cherryhill 
township,  who  has  one  child,  Clarence ;  Uriah, 
Mho  man-ied  Elsie  Putt,  of  Clymer,  and  has 
four  children,  Marie,  Orvin,  Franklin  and 
Wayne;  Howard,  who  married  ]\Iary  Carney, 
a  native  of  Cherryhill  township ;  Linnie,  wife 
of  James  Maekin.  of  Cherryhill  township,  who 
has  three  children,  Elizabeth,  A^iola  and 
Alverda:  Mabon,  residing  at  home:  Lethea, 
wife  of  ]\Iarion  Putt,  of  Cherryhill  township, 
who  has  one  child,  Velma;  Ethel,  who  is  de- 
ceased: and  Verdie,  Waldo  and  Gertrude, 
who  are  living  at  home. 

The  family  is  connected  with  the  Rich  Hill 
Jlethodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Brown  is 
an  advocate  of  all  things  that  make  for  good 
citizenship  and  the  promotion  of  education, 


and  for  several  years  has  served  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  school  director  of  Clierryhill  town- 
ship. 

JOSEPH  ilARASCO,  proprietor  of  a  gen- 
eral store  at  Creekside,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was 
born  in  Italy  I\Iarch  17,  1842,  son  of  Anthony 
and  Rosie  (Costanzo)  Marasco,  who  never 
came  to  America,  but  rounded  out  their  lives 
in  Itaty. 

After  spending  his  boyhood  and  young 
manhood  in  Italy,  j\lr.  ]\Iarasco  left  home  in  ■ 
1885,  for  South  America,  where  he  spent 
eight  years.  He  then  returned  to  Italy,  but 
within  four  days  set  sail  for  America.  Land- 
ing in  New  York  City,  he  came  thence  direct 
to  Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  where  he  embarked  in 
general  merchandising.  That  town  continued 
to  be  his  place  of  residence  until  1903,  when 
he  came  ■svitli  his  family  to  Creekside,  to  en- 
gage in  the  same  line  of  business,  now  con- 
ducting a  large  general  store,  although  for 
the  last  year  he  has  left  the  greater  part  of 
the  management  to  his  three  sons,  Anthony. 
Joseph  and  Frank,  the  latter  a  resident  of 
Pittsburg. 

While  living  in  Italy  Mr.  Marasco  was  mar- 
ried to  Maria  Teresa  Tumaina.  Four  chil- 
dren have  been  born  of  this  marriage :  An- 
thony, who  uiarried  Anna  Smith,  a  native  of 
Indiana  county,  and  has  children,  Joseph, 
ilary  Teresa  and  Elsie;  Joseph;  Frank,  of 
Pittsburg:  and  Rosie,  wife  of  Philx  Piz- 
zarelli,  of  Creekside.  Mr.  ilarasco  is  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 

WILLIA3I  P.  MEANOR,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war  and  an  old  resident  of  Marion 
Center,  Indiana  couutj',  was  boi-n  May  17. 
1846,  on  a  farm  in  East  ^lahoning  township, 
tliis  county,  a  son  of  William  M.  and  Rachel 
(Peart)  Meanor. 

William  Meanor,  his  gi-andfather,  was 
reared  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa,,  and 
came  of  Irish  stock.  Later  on  in  life  he 
lived  in  Armstrong  county,  and  during  the 
fall  of  1818  came  to  a  farm  adjoining  the 
property  on  which  Marion  Center  was  after- 
ward built,  then  owned  by  Colonel  Johnson. 
He  married  Ellen  Hamilton,  who  came  of 
Scotch  ancestry,  and  both  died  on  their  last 
farm.  They  had  seven  children :  Harry.  Jane. 
William  M.,  Mary  B.,  Nancy,  John  and 
Samuel. 

William  M.  ]\Ieanor  was  born  in  Armstrong 
county.  Pa.,  in  1812,  and  was  brought  to  Indi- 
ana county   by   his   parents   when   only   six 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1389 


years  of  age.  He  was  a  farmer  all  his  life 
and  after  his  marriage  located  on  a  portion  of 
what  later  became  his  home  farm,  and  there 
died  Sept.  1,  1889.  firm  in  the  faith  of  the 
jMethodist  Church,  of  which  he  was  a  con- 
sistent member.  Politically  he  was  a  Repub- 
lican. His  wife  died  in  June,  1905.  They 
had  the  following  children:  Ellen  H.,  who  is 
Mrs.  J.  T.  Van  Horn,  of  Indiana  county; 
Elsie  M.,  ]\Irs.  Levi  Cochran,  of  Armstrong 
county;  Jane,  who  died  unmarried;  Susan, 
unmarried;  Martha,  who  is  deceased;  Wil- 
liam P. ;  Rosanna,  who  was  Mrs.  Davj^d 
Emerick;  Ennis,  Mrs.  Jefferson  Morris,  of 
Jefferson  county.  Pa. ;  John  M.,  of  Marion 
Center,  who  married  a  Miss  Chapman; 
Thomas  J.,  deceased;  Wesley,  deceased;  and 
Harry,  deceased. 

William  P.  Meanor  was  brought  up  on  the 
home  farm  and  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Marion  Center.  In  1864  he  responded  to  the 
call  to  arms,  enlisting  on  Aug.  13th  in  Com- 
pany F,  206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, for  service  during  the  Civil  war, 
under  Capt.  Hugh  Brady.  At  the  close  of 
the  war  he  was  honorably  discharged,  and 
returned  home  to  resume  the  peaceful  occu- 
pation of  farming.  After  his  marriage,  in 
1871,  he  operated  his  father's  property  until 
the  fall  of  1907,  when  he  retired  to  Marion 
Center,  having  made  a  success  of  his  agricul- 
tural efforts.  He  is  a  JMethodist  and  Prohibi- 
tionist and  exerts  a  strong  influence  in  the 
direction  of  moral  uplift.  For  many  years 
he  has  been  an  important  member  of  John 
Pollock  Post,  No.  219,  G.  A.  R.,  and  he  is  a 
most  estimable  man  in  every  respect. 

On  Dec.  26.  1871,  Mr.  Meanor  was  married 
to  Violet  D.  Chapman,  of  Allegheny  City,  Pa., 
a  daughter  of  Joel  and  Anna  Chapman.  Mrs. 
Meanor.  who  died  March  14,  1906,  was  active 
in  the  work  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  of 
the  Woman's  Relief  Corps.  She  was  the 
mother  of  the  following  children:  Harr.v 
W.,  who  lives  at  Spokane,  Wash. ;  Martha  0.. 
now  Mrs.  Dank  Stutchell ;  Margaretta.  Mrs. 
Herbert  Adams;  Adella  Violet,  who  died 
when  two  years,  and  six  months  old;  Ella 
Irene,  Mrs.  Ernest  Jackson;  Rachel  N.,  un- 
married ;  and  Mary,  who  is  a  trained  nurse  in 
the  Allegheny  hospital. 

On  Jan.  9,  1913,  Mr.  Meanor  married 
(second)  Mrs.  Annie  Mabon,  daughter  of 
Joseph  McCreight  and  widow  of  William 
Mabon,  late  of  East  Mahoning  township. 

ALBERT  P.  FLEEGER  has  but  recently 
settled  in  the  borough  of  Indiana,  where  he 


owns  and  conducts  the  carriage  works  for- 
merly run  by  E.  S.  Beck.  He  was  born  Oct. 
19,  1889,  in  Bradford,  Pa.,  and  is  a  son 
of  John  Nelson  and  Margaret  (Campbell) 
Fleeger.  His  grandfather  was  a  farmer  all 
his  life,  which  was  spent  mostly  in  Butler 
county,   Pennsylvania. 

John  Nelson  Fleeger  was  born  in  Butler 
county,  where  in  his  early  boyhood  he  at- 
tended the  common  schools,  later  taking  a 
course  at  Witherspoon  College,  in  that 
county,  from  which  he  was  gi-aduated. 
Many  men  who  later  became  well  known  in 
the  legal  profession  were  educated  at  that  in- 
stitution. Judge  Greer  was  a  pupil  there,  as 
was  also  Capt.  George  W.  Fleeger,  who  served 
as  a  captain  of  the  11th  Pennsylvania  Regi- 
ment during  the  Civil  war.  '  During  his 
young  manhood  John  N.  Fleeger  taught  for 
a  short  time,  and  then  became  employed  in 
the  oil  fields,  in  which  he  was  engaged  at 
general  work,  pumping,  drilling,  etc.,  for 
thirty-five  years.  His  death  occurred  at 
Evans  City,  Butler  county,  in  1910.  He  was 
married  at  Tidioute.  Pa.,  to  Margaret  Camp- 
bell, who  died  at  Evans  City  in  1908.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  but  Mr. 
Fleeger  did  not  belong  to  any  religious  de- 
nomination. He  was  a  Republican  in  pol- 
itics. They  had  two  children,  Albert  P.  and 
Richard,  the  latter  dying  when  twenty-two 
months  old. 

Albert  P.  Fleeger  passed  his  boyhood  at 
Bradford  and  Evans  City,  attending  public 
school  at  both  places.  At  the  age  of  seven- 
teen he  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of  car- 
riage builder  at  Evans  City,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  follow  that  business  until  his  re- 
moval to  the  borough  of  Indiana,  Indiana 
county,  in  the  fall  of  1911.  Here  he  pur- 
chased the  Beck  carriage  factory,  which  he 
now  carries  on.  Mr.  Fleeger  is  an  excellent 
workman  and  a  good  business  manager,  and 
he  has  everv  prospect  of  building  up  a  first- 
class  trade  in  the  borough  and  vicinity,  where 
he  has  already  won  many  good  friends  by  his 
obliging  disposition  and  skillful  work. 

In  1907  Mr.  Fleeger  was  married  in  Indi- 
ana to  Laura  M.  Koontz.  daughter  of  Samuel 
Koontz.  of  Indiana  coimty.  Pa.,  and  they 
have  two  children,  Clair  Nelson  and  Frank 
Ralph.  Jlrs.  Fleeger  is  a  member  of  the  M. 
E.  Church.  Mr.  Fleeger  has  no  church  con- 
nections. He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views. 

Mr.  Fleeger  had  seven  uncles  in  the  Union 
service  during  the  Civil  war. 


1390 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


JOHN  WHEELER,  farmer  of  Greeu  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  has  a  fine  tract  at 
Dixonville,  where  he  has  resided  for  the  last 
thirtj'  years.  He  was  born  in  Indiana,  this 
county,  April  11,  1836,  son  of  Frederick  and 
Mary  Wheeler,  natives  of  Germany. 

Mr.  Wheeler's  parents  came  to  America  at 
an  early  date,  settling  first  in  Bedford  county, 
Pa.,  and  subsequently  removing  to  the  town 
of  Indiana,  where  they  resided  for  a  short 
time.  In  1837  the  family  moved  to  Rayne 
township,  about  two  miles  from  the  present 
town  of  Dixonville,  on  the  farm  now  owned 
by  John  Beuce,  and  here  Frederick  Wheeler 
purchased  land  and  developed  a  fine  farm. 
He  and  his  wife  had  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren: Christina,  who  married  Lawrence 
Reithmiller,  deceased,  of  Indiana  county; 
Catherine,  the  wife  of  Peter  Houck,  of 
Cherryhill  township;  John;  Anna,  the  wife 
of  David  Fritzhaus,  of  Indiana  county; 
David,  a  resident  of  Reyuoldsville,  Pa.; 
Louise,  who  is  deceased;  and  Frederick. 

John  Wheeler  attended  public  school  in 
Rayne  township,  going  to  the  Bookameyer 
school,  and  as  a  young  man  entered  upon 
farming  as  a  vocation,  in  addition  to  which 
he  subsequently  engaged  in  stock  raising  and 
lumbering.  He  is  now  living  a  quiet  life  in 
his  pleasant  home  near  Dixonville,  still  en- 
gaged in  farming.  His  property  contains 
about  120  acres  of  valuable  land.  He  has 
been  interested  in  matters  pertaining  to  the 
welfare  of  his  community  and  has  served  as 
a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Green  town- 
ship. With  his  wife  and  children  IMr. 
^lieeler  attends  the  Methodist  Church. 

On  March  5,  1863,  Mr.  Wheeler  was  mar- 
ried to  Samantha  Lydick,  who  was  born  in 
Indiana  county,  daughter  of  William  and 
Jane  (McGuire)  Lydick,  pioneer  farming 
people  of  Indiana  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wheeler  have  had  eight  children,  as  follows: 
James,  who  met  an  accidental  death;  Sarah 
Jane,  the  wife  of  Frank  Hess,  of  Green  town- 
ship ;  John  F.,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in 
Green  township;  Ella,  the  wife  of  Frank 
Bwinheimer,  of  Rayne  township;  Ida,  the 
wife  of  Lewis  Wise,  of  Shelocta,  Pa.;  Wil- 
liam, living  at  home  with  his  parents ;  Carrie, 
the  wife  of  Benjamin  Shank,  of  Indiana 
county ;  and  Delia,  the  wife  of  Orange  Long, 
a  resident  of  Green  township. 

ROY  J.  HINES,  proprietor  of  a  general 
merchandise  store  at  Wandin,  Pa.,  was  born 
in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county,  Dec. 


26,  1882,  son  of  Joseph  and  Caroline  V. 
(Crossman)  Hines. 

William  Hines,  grandfather  of  Roy  J. 
nines,  was  born  in  Germany,  from  which 
country  he  came  to  America  as  a  young  man 
and  settled  in  Cambria  county.  Pa.  There 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  farm- 
ing, his  death  occurring  in  1862  and  that  of 
his  wife  ten  years  later.  They  had  a  family 
of  eight  children:  Matilda,  who  is  deceased, 
was  the  wife  of  Charles  Farbaugh;  John 
resides  in  Blacklick,  Cambria  county;  James 
resides  at  Crescent,  Pa. ;  Margaret  is  the  wife 
of  John  Lynch,  of  Crescent;  Joseph  is  men- 
tioned below;  Kate  is  the  wife  of  Luke  Bur- 
gone,  of  Crescent;  Celestian  is  a  farmer  of 
Cherryhill  township;  one  child  died  in 
infancy. 

Joseph  Hines,  son  of  William,  and  father  of 
Roy  J.  Hines,  was  born  in  Cambria  county. 
Pa.,  and  was  there  engaged  in  farming  and 
lumbering  for  some  years,  eventually  moving 
to  Cherryhill  to^miship,  Indiana  county, 
where  his  death  occui-red  April  26, 
1909.  He  married  Caroline  V.  Crossman, 
who  was  born  in  Collinsville,  111.,  Feb.  12, 
1852,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  twelve 
children,  namely:  Elizabeth  C,  the  wife 
of  William  Sickenberger.  of  Green  township : 
Millie,  wife  of  E.  J.  Fleming,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  Maria  and  William,  who  are  deceased ; 
ilargaret  A.,  wife  of  H.  B.  George,  of  Colvar, 
Cambria  county;  Christopher  A.,  a  resident 
of  Mitchells  Mills;  Roy  J.;  Clara  N.,  widow 
of  B.  D.  Kinter,  residing  at  home;  Zoe  E., 
Grace  and  Stella,  all  three  deceased;  and 
Alta  R.,  residing  at  home. 

William  L.  Crossman,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  Roy  J.  Hines,  moved  with  his  fam- 
ily from  Pennsylvania  to  Illinois  at  an  early 
day  and  settlecl  in  Collinsville,  subsequently 
going  to  the  southwestern  part  of  Missouri, 
whence  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil 
war,  becoming  a  member  of  the  14th  Missouri 
Infantry.  Some  time  after  the  close  of  the 
war  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  settling  in 
Cambria  countj',  where  he  was  engaged  in 
farming  and  lumbering  until  his  death,  his 
burial  taking  place  at  Chei-rytree.  He  and 
his.  wife  had  a  family  of  eleven  children, 
namely :  Samuel  A.,  of  Diaraondville,  Indiana 
county;  Maiy  N.,  Margaret  E.  and  Sarah  C, 
all  deceased ;  Ellen  0. :  William  T.,  who  lost 
his  life  during  the  Civil  war;  Hannah  M., 
deceased;  Caroline  V.,  the  mother  of  Mr. 
Hines:  John  K.,  deceased;  James  A.,  a  resi- 
dent of  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  and  Christopher  K., 
a  resident  of  Cambria  county. 


HISTOET  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Like  the  rest  of  his  parents'  children,  Roy 
J.  Hines  was  given  good  educationfil  advan- 
tages in  the  district  schools  of  Mitchell 's  J\Iills, 
and  when  a  young  man  began  his  business 
career  at  lumber  hauling,  in  which  he  was 
engaged  until  1906,  after  which  for  five  years 
he  hauled  oil  for  the  Atlantic  Refining  Com- 
pany. In  1912  he  established  himself  in  the 
general  merchandise  business  at  "Wandin,  an 
enterprise  which  he  has  since  successfully 
conducted. 

On  June  26,  1907,  Ur.  Hines  was  married 
in  the  town  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  to  Eva  M.  Mc- 
Collough,  who  was  born  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship March  28,  1888,  daughter  of  Emanuel 
and  Jane  McCollougli.  residents  of  Green 
township  and  early  settlers  of  Indiana  county. 
One  child,  J.  Edgar,  has  been  born  \o  this 
union.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hines  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  have 
many  friends  all  over  their  localitJ^ 

SAMUEL  PETTIGREW,  late  of  Arm- 
strong township,  Indiana  county,  had  a  fine 
farm  there,  living  and  dying  on  the  place 
where  he  was  born  Jan.  27,  1840,  son  of  John 
and  Martha   (Cochran)   Pettigrew. 

Mr.  Pettigrew  received  a  common  school 
education  in  the  home  locality,  and  was 
reared  to  farming,  which  vocation  he  followed 
all  his  life.  On  July  6,  1864,  he  married 
Sarah  Sharp,  who  was  born  Aug.  28,  1845, 
in  Armstrong  township,  near  Sheloeta,  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (McNutt)  Sharp, 
and  they  settled  on  the  tract  of  176  acres  in 
Armstrong  township  which  has  long  been  in 
the  Pettigrew  family,  and  which  Samuel 
Pettigrew  owned  until  his  death.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  his  political  views,  and  in  relig- 
ious association  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church.  He  died  Feb.  3,  1913,  and 
is  buried  at  Sheloeta.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Petti- 
grew had  children  as  follows:  Lottie  M. 
(married  John  Sell),  Thomas  Sharp,  John  W. 
(living  in  Cambria  county,  Pa.),  and  Sarah 
Bell  (married  Clark  M.  Henrv,  of  Blairs- 
ville). 

Thomas  Sharp  Pettigrew,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Sarah  (Sharp)  Pettigrew,  was  born 
March  11,  1873,  on  the  home  farm  in  Arm- 
strong township.  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  there 
obtained  a  good  education  in  the  public 
schools.  He  has  been  a  farmer  all  his  life, 
and  is  at  present  engaged  in  operating  his 
father's  farm,  which  is  in  excellent  condition 
under  his  able  management.  He  carries  on 
general  agricultural  pursuits.  He  married 
Margaret    Stair,    daughter    of    Michael  and 


1391 

Jennie  (Keener)  Stair,  of  Armstrong  town- 
ship, and  they  have  become  the  parents 
of  three  children,  Ethel,  Ivy  and  Irwin. 
In  political  sentiment  Mr.  Pettigrew  is 
a  Democrat,  and  in  religion  he  is  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
to  which  his  wife  also  belongs.  The 
Pettigrews  are  among  the  substantial  citi- 
zens of  their  section  of  Indiana  county,  where 
members  of  the  family  have  long  been  held  in 
the  highest  respect  for  their  many  sterling 
qualities. 

John  Sell,  son-in-law  of  Samuel  Petti- 
grew, was  born  Jan.  10,  1863,  in  Armstrong 
township,  Indiana  county,  son  of  William 
and  Mary  E.  (Buckley)  Sell.  William  Sell 
came  to  America  from  Germany  when  five 
years  old  with  his  parents,  and  was  still  very 
young  when  his  father  died.  He  followed 
farming  all  his  life.  He  married  Mary  B. 
Buckley,  daughter  of  James  Buckley,  and 
they  had  children  as  follows:  William  F., 
deceased,  who  married  Effie  Craig;  John; 
Catherine,  Mrs.  Lucas,  living  in  Colorado; 
Barbara;  James;  Mary;  Sai-ah;  Alvin;  Rob- 
ert ;  and  Matilda,  who  married  Alonzo  Woods. 

John  Sell  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion, and  passed  his  youth  in  the  manner  of 
the  average  farmer  boy.  Some  years  ago  he 
bought  the  James  Buckley  farm  in  Arm- 
strong township,  a  tract  of  150  acres,  and 
there  he  engages  in  general  farming,  in  which 
he  has  been  very  successful.  He  is  one  of  the 
desirable  residents  of  his  locality,  and  has 
made  a  creditable  place  for  himself  among  its 
prosperous  farmers.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  a  Repub- 
lican in  political  opinion. 

On  March  18,  1898,  Mr.  Sell  married  Lottie 
M.  Pettigrew,  daughter  of  Samuel  Pettigrew, 
of  Armstrong  township,  and  they  have  three 
children:    Marion,  Blanch  and  Emma. 


WILLIAM  CLARK  RICHEY, 
man  and  jobber  of  Blairsville,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  July  10,  1885,  at  Sharpsburg,  Pa., 
son  of  William  E.  and  Anna  M.  (Ajtcs) 
Richey,  natives  of  Blairsville  and  Sharps- 
burg, respectively. 

The  ancestral  history  of  the  Richey  family 
shows  that  members  of  it  resided  in  Virginia 
at  a  very  early  day,  later  removing  to  Lan- 
caster, Pa.,  all  then  being  of  the  Quaker 
faith. 

Washington  C.  Richey,  grandfather  of 
William  Clark  Richey,  was  born  in  Ohio, 
while  his  wife,  Mary  (Piteairn),  was  born  in 
Scotland,  and  was  two  years  old  when  her 


1392 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


parents  came  to  America,  settling  first  at 
Cambridge,  Mass.  From  there  they  went  to 
Lancaster,  Pa.,  but  after  the  family  had  lived 
there  for  a  time  they  went  by  way  of  the  old 
canal  to  Pittsburg,  then  to  Ohio.  Washing- 
ton C.  Richey  and  Mary  Pitcairn  were  mar- 
ried in  Ohio,  moved  later  to  Pittsburg,  and 
when  the  West  Pennsylvania  railroad  was 
built  went  to  Blairsville.  It  was  in  this  latter 
place  that  Washington  C.  Richey  had  full 
charge  of  the  building  of  the  local  section  of 
that  road.  Mrs.  Richey,  now  in  her  eighty- 
fifth  year,  survives,  making  her  home  in 
Blairsville.  She  has  a  clear  memory,  and 
takes  delight  in  relating  incidents  of  those 
early  days.  She  is  also  interested  in  family 
history,  and  is  proud  of  the  fact  that  she  can 
trace  her  ancestral  record  back  to  1400.  Her 
ancestors  have  been  Scotch  as  far  back  as 
known. 

Alexander  P.  Richey,  son  of  Washington  C. 
Richey,  was  sergeaut-ma.-jor  of  the  16th  Regi- 
ment.'National  Guai-d  of  Pennsylvania,  dur- 
ing the  Spanish-American  war.  and  par- 
ticipated in  the  Porto  Rico  campaign.  For 
many  years  he  had  resided  at  Oil  City  and 
Farmtown,  Pa.,  engaged  in  clerical  work. 
Prominent  in  Masonic  circles,  he  was  a 
Knight  Templar  and  Shriner,  and  had  at- 
tained the  Thirty-third  degree.  He  died  in 
1910. 

William  E.  Richey,  father  of  William  Clark 
Richey.  was  born  in  Pittsburg,  the  family 
later  moving  to  Blairsville.  He  early  became 
associated  with  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company,  in  the  employ  of  which  concern  he 
continued  for  a  great  many  years.  In  1882 
he  was  married  to  Annie  M.  Ayres.  and  three 
children  were  born  to  this  union,  one  son  and 
two  daughters,  the  sou,  William  Clark,  being 
the  only  surviving  member  of  the  family. 
]\Irs.  Richev  died  when  her  son  was  only  two 
vears  old. "  Mr.  Richey  died  in  1904.  aged 
forty-nine  years.  He  was  a  Mason  and  a 
member  of  "the  old  Telegraphers'  Association. 

Williaih  Clark  Richey  was  reared  in  Blairs- 
ville. and  was  graduated  from  the  high  school 
of  that  city  in  the  class  of  1904 ;  then  he  took 
a  course  at  the  Pennsylvania  State  College, 
class  of  1909.  Since  that  time  he  has  been 
connected  with  the  Blairsville  Euamelware 
Corapanv.  and  in  1912  branched  out  as  a  job- 
ber, with  an  office  in  the  First  National  Bank 
building  of  Blairsville. 

On  June  20.  1912,  Mr.  Richey  was  married 
to  Mary  M.  Jackson,  daughter  of  W.  H.  and 
Emma  (White^  Jackson,  of  Blairsville.  Mr. 
Richey  is  Scout  Master  of  the  Boy  Scouts  of 


America,  Blairsville,  having  thirty  boys  un- 
der his  charge.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Delta 
Tau  Delta  college  fraternity.  A  man  of  ac- 
tion, he  has  steadily  progressed,  and  is  rightly 
accounted  one  of  the  leading  young  business 
men  of  the  city  that  has  been  his  home  for  so 
many  years. 

ALEXANDER  GRAY,  now  living  retired 
at  No.  1741  West  Philadelphia  street.  Indi- 
ana, Pa.,  was  born  in  Scotland  May  31,  1845, 
a  son  of  John  and  Anna  (Bane)  Gray. 

John  Gray  was  born  in  Scotland,  as  was 
his  wife,  and  in  1845  thej-  came  to  the  United 
States  with  ten  of  the  twelve  children  that 
had  been  born  to  them,  leaving  two  behind 
in  the  graveyard  in  Scotland.  The  family 
landed  in  Philadelphia,  where  they  spent 
three  years,  the  father  working  as  a  black- 
smith and  veterinary.  In  1848.  however, 
they  removed  to  Lancaster,  Pa.,  and  after  two 
years  in  that  city,  where  the  father  contin- 
ued working  at  blacksmithing,  another  change 
was  made,  Cambria  county  being  selected  as 
a  permanent  home.  Here  land  was  pur- 
chased and  on  it  John  Gray  opened  a  black- 
smith shop,  alternating  work  in  the  shop  with 
farming.  Here  he  died  May  6.  1855,  his  wid- 
ow surviving  until  Nov.  6,  1857.  The  twelve 
children  of  this  worthy  couple  were:  Janet, 
who  is  deceased;  George,  also  deceased;  Wil- 
liam, who  died  in  infancy ;  Anna,  deceased : 
Catherine,  deceased;  John,  deceased;  James, 
deceased;  Jane,  who  is  the  wife  of  William 
P.  Allen,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.;  Andrew,  de- 
ceased; Alexander;  and  two  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. 

Alexander  Gray  attended  school  in  Cam- 
bria county.  Pa.,  aud  going  to  Pittsburg  when 
seventeen  years  old  he  went  to  night  school 
while  working  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company.  Beginning  as  a  brakeman  he  was 
promoted,  rising  to  be  conductor,  fireman 
and  engineer,  and  in  the  latter  capacity  ran 
all  over  the  Pittsburg  division,  becoming  one 
of  the  most  reliable  and  trusted  employees  on 
tlie  road,  with  which  he  remained  until  his 
retirement.  Feb.  1.  1911.  He  resided  in  Pitts- 
burg and  New  Florence,  remaining  in  the 
latter  place  until  1891.  when  he  moved  to 
Indiana,  which  has  since  been  his  home. 

On  Dec.  7,  1877,  Mr.  Gray  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Emma  Wagoner,  of  New  Flor- 
ence, the  ceremony  taking  place  at  Pitts- 
burg. She  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Ehza- 
beth  (Galbreath)  Wagoner,  natives  of  Center 
county.  Pa.,  and  Ireland,  respectively,  and 
she  was  born  at  Johnstown,  where  Mr.  Wag- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1393 


oner  worked  as  a  weaver,  although  he  later 
entered  the  service  of  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road Company,  at  the  beginning  of  its  history. 
He  died  Feb.  17,  1864,  his  widow  surviving 
until  Oct.  18,  1899,  passing  away  at  New 
Florence.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wagoner  had  the 
following  children:  Emma,  Mrs.  Gray;  Wil- 
liam, who  is  deceased;  John  H.,  deceased; 
Asenath,  who  is  the  wife  of  Alexander  Fa- 
loon,  of  Armagh,  Pa. ;  Nancy  Jane,  deceased, 
who  was  the  wife  of  Joseph  Pershing,  of  New 
Florence,  Pa. ;  Barbara,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Robert  Leggett,  of  Ceuterville,  Pa. ;  Joseph,  a 
resident  of  New  Florence;  Anna  E.,  wife  of 
Norman  Mahon,  of  Eldertou,  Pa.;  Elsie  C, 
wife  of  Timothy  Buell,  of  Derry,  Pa.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gray  have  had  the  following  children: 
Olive  M.,  who  is  a  professional  nurse  of  In- 
diana, Pa.;  Nellie,  who  is  a  stenographer,  in 
Pittsburg;  Elbert  E.,  a  mining  engineer,  liv- 
ing at  Chambersville,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. ;  Bes- 
sie A.,  living  at  home;  and  Marion,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Ira  F.  Wilson,  of  Heilwood,  Pa.,  ticket 
agent  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gray  belong  to  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  He  is  a  member  of  Wash- 
ington Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Pittsburg. 

WINFIELD  SCOTT  McCORMICK.  de- 
ceased, who  was  an  engineer  on  the  Pennsyl- 
vania railroad  for  a  number  of  years,  was 
born  April  19,  1846,  son  of  William  and 
Margaret  (Taylor)  IMcCormick. 

Patrick  McCormiek  brought  his  wife  and 
family  from  their  native  Ireland  to  the 
United  States,  locating  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  farmed.  He 
and  his  wife  had  two  children :  William  and 
Robert,  the  latter  a  farmer  of  Brushvalley 
township,  who  married  a  ]\Iiss  Glenn  and  is 
now  deceased. 

William  McCormiek  never  knew  whether 
he  was  born  in  Ireland  or  after  the  family 
emigration,  but  was  very  small  at  the  time 
they  settled  in  Brushvalley  township  and 
consequently  grew  up  in  that  locality,  learn- 
ing how  to  farm  and  receiving  such  educa- 
tional advantages  as  the  neighborhood  of- 
fered. In  time  he  became  the  owner  of  two 
farms,  and  he  lived  to  a  good  old  age.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McCormiek  were  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  most 
excellent  people.  He  was  the  father  of  nine- 
teen children,  nine  by  his  first  marriage,  the 
rest  by  his  wife  Margaret  (Taylor),  namely: 
William,  Robert,  John,  Blaine,  Catherine, 
Margaret,  Susan  (Mrs.  Bums,  of  Los  Ange- 
les. Cal.),  Caroline,  Henrietta,  Henry  Taylor, 


Winfield  Scott,  Samuel,  Clark,  George,  David, 
Alexander,  Emma,  Mary,  and  a  daughter 
who  died  in  infancj^  unnamed, 

Winfield  Scott  McCormiek  was  brought 
up  on  the  farm  and  attended  the  local  schools 
until  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company,  after  which  he  con- 
tinued to  educate  himself,  by  attending  night 
school.  Wlien  he  was  only  seventeen  years 
old,  he  became  a  brakeman  on  the  railroad, 
and  after  five  months  was  made  a  fireman, 
and  finally  engineer,  having  the  run  between 
Conemaugh  and  Altoona. 

In  1872  he  married  Susan  Jane  Evans, 
of  Brushvalley  township,  a  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Susan  (Wilkins)  Evans.  They 
had  the  following  children:  Ella,  who  is 
employed  in  the  Savings  &  Trust  Bank  of 
Indiana,  Pa. ;  Rora  E.,  who  died  in  March, 
1912;  Robert  Scott,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty  years;  and  Susan  Blanche,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  eight  years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCormiek  passed  their  mar- 
ried life  in  Conemaugh,  where  he  was  killed 
while  boarding  his  own  engine  in  the  round- 
house, preparatory  to  taking  it  out.  He  wag 
crushed  between  the  engine  and  the  door  of 
the  roundhouse,  Sept.  25,  1888.  After  his 
death  Mrs.  McCormiek  moved  with  her  chil- 
dren to  Indiana,  where  she  is  still  residing. 
Mr.  IMcCormick  was  a  powerful  man,  six 
feet,  four  inches  in  height,  weighed  225 
pounds,  and  was  handsome  in  appearance. 
For  years  he  was  active  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  serving  as  elder  and  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school.  In  politics  he  was  a 
Republican.  Faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duties,  a  man  held  in  highest  esteem  by  all 
who  knew  him,  he  rounded  out  a  useful  life, 
and  passed  away  while  still  in  his  very  prime. 

JAMBS  ST.  CLAIR,  foreman  for  the  Pio- 
neer Coal  Company,  at  Clymer,  this  county, 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  borough, 
where  he  has  resided  since  1905.  He  was  born 
at  La  Salle,  111..  Aug.  16.  1877,  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Mary  (White)  St.  Clair,  natives 
of  Scotland. 

On  coming  to  the  United  States  the  par- 
ents of  Mr.  St.  Clair  settled  first  in  Tioga 
county.  Pa.,  but  subseqiiently  moved  to  La 
Salle,  111.,  remaining  there  only  a  short  time, 
however,  and  then  returning  to  Tioga  county. 
In  1891  the  family  moved  to  Clearfield  coun- 
ty, settling  in  the  town  of  Gazzam,  where 
they  remained  for  six  years,  and  then  moved 
to  Jefferson  county,  William  St.  Clair  being 
engaged  in  mining  there  until  his  death,  in 


139i 


HISTOEY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1905.  His  widow  still  sui'vives,  and  makes 
her  home  in  Clymer.  Their  family  consisted 
of  ten  children,  born  as  follows :  James ;  Wil- 
liam, living  at  Gazzam ;  Mary,  wife  of  Robert 
Jarvis,  of  Clymer;  Jennie,  the  wife  of  Wil- 
liam Harkins,  of  Lovejoy,  Pa. ;  Rachel,  wife 
of  Thomas  Stoull,  of  Clymer;  Margaret,  wife 
of  Frank  Marks,  of  Clymer:  Alfred,  also  a 
resident  of  that  borough ;  Emma,  wife  of 
George  Smith,  of  Clymer;  and  Robert  and 
Jessie,  who  also  make  their  home  there. 

James  St.  Clair  received  his  education  in 
the  schools  of  Tioga  and  Clearfield  counties, 
and  when  only  twelve  .years  of  age  entered 
the  mines  at  Pallbrook,  Pa.  His  whole  career 
has  been  spent  in  working  in  the  mines,  in 
one  capacity  or  another,  and  on  coming  to 
Clymer,  in  1905,  he  was  made  foreman  for 
the  Pioneer  Coal  Company,  a  position  wliich 
he  has  held  to  the  present  time.  On  first 
locating  here,  Mr.  St.  Clair  found  only  two 
houses  in  Clymer,  the  town  just  having  started 
to  build  up,  and  he  has  takeu  an  active  part 
in  promoting  its  growth  and  development. 
For  several  terms  he  has  served  as  director 
of  schools,  and  at  all  times  has  given  his  aid 
and  influence  to  movements  calculated  to  be 
of  a  beneficial  nature  to  Clymer  or  its  citi- 
zens. 

On  Sept.  19,  1900,  Mr.  St.  Clair  was  mar- 
ried, in  Clearfield  county.  Pa.,  to  Mary 
Sloppy,  who  was  born  in  Clearfield  countv. 
Pa.,  March  7,  1881,  daughter  of  Peter  and 
Eliza  (Lewis)  Sloppy.  Mrs.  St.  Clair's  par- 
ents are  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
now  reside  in  Clearfield  county,  Mr.  Sloppy 
being  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits. 

Mr.  St.  Clair  is  a  member  of  Clymer  Lodge, 
No.  1163,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  in  which  he  has  passed 
all  the  chairs,  and  is  now  treasurer  of  the 
lodge;  he  belongs  also  to  Castle  No.  368, 
Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  of  Delancey, 
Pa.  With  Mrs.  St.  Clair  he  attends  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

JOSEPH  M.  CRIBBS,  a  retired  conductor, 
veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  residing  at  Blairs- 
ville,  was  bom  in  Clarion  county.  Pa.,  April 
2,  1846,  son  of  John  and  Peniniah  (Tax) 
Cribbs. 

John  Cribbs  was  born  in  Indiana  county. 
Pa.,  and  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  follow- 
ing liis  calling  in  Westmoreland,  Butler, 
Clarion  and  Indiana  counties.  He  was  three 
times  married,  and  when  the  Civil  war  broke 
out  he  was  tlie  father  of  eighteen  living  chil- 
dren and  seven  grandchildren.  Seven  of  his 
sons  and  seven  grandsons  took  part  in  the 


Civil  war,  and  three  of  them  were  killed  on 
the  battlefield.  He  had  nine  children  by  the 
mother  of  Joseph  il.  Cribbs,  who  was  born 
in  Clarion  county,  and  four  of  these  children 
now  survive. 

Joseph  M.  Cribbs  early  began  to  be  self- 
supporting,  and  when  he  was  only  eight  years 
old  he  engaged  to  work  for  James  Shields 
for  three  dollars  per  month  and  his  board. 
Continuing  with  this  man  for  six  years,  the 
little  fellow  learned  some  hard  lessons  aside 
from  those  taught  in  the  winter  terms  of 
school  which  he  attended.  At  the  age  of 
fourteen  he  became  employed  at  the  Red 
Brick  furnace  and  remained  there  until  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  war.  Although  only 
sixteen  years  old  he  enlisted  in  June,  1862, 
as  a  member  of  Company  C,  1st  Battalion, 
Independent  Cavalry,  and  served  six  months, 
when  he  was  honorably  discharged  at  Pitts- 
burg. Not  satisfied,  this  patriotic  young  man 
reenlisted,  in  Company  A,  14th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Cavalry,  iinder  Colonel  Schoon- 
maker,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Fort  Leaven- 
worth, Kans.  He  was  made  quartermaster 
sergeant  in  the  spi-ing  of  1865,  and  so  con- 
tinued until  his  discharge.  His  company  op- 
erated in  Virginia,  and  with  Sheridan 
marched  from  Winchester  to  Petersburg  and 
back  to  the  old  camp.  After  the  surrender 
of  General  Lee  they  mai-ched  to  Fairfax  Sta- 
tion, where  they  remained  until  the  grand 
review  at  Washington,  in  which  the  regiment 
participated.  They  were  then  sent  to  Mai-y- 
land,  but  after  a  week  in  camji  were  sent  to 
Port  Leavenworth,  Kans.,  whence  they  went 
along  the  old  trail  to  Ft.  Kearney,  and  then 
to  Fort  Laramie.  The  next  station  was  Fort 
Connor,  where  they  built  a  stockade,  and  then 
returned  to  Port  Laramie.  Prom  the  latter 
place,  they  cut  across  country  to  the  Black 
Hills,  and  thence  to  Denver,  Colo.,  and  sev- 
eral of  the  men.  including  ]Mr.  Cribbs.  made 
the  trip  to  Pike's  Peak.  The  regiment  then 
returned  to  Port  Leavenworth,  via  Fort  Riley, 
and  thev  wei-e  mustered  out  in  November. 
1865. 

After  one  year  spent  at  home  .Mi'.  Cribbs 
enlisted  in  February,  1867,  in  the  regular 
armj^,  in  Battery  E,  3d  Light  Artillery,  and 
was  stationed  in  North  Carolina  and  Florida 
during  his  three  years'  service.  Returning 
home  once  more,  at  the  expiration  of  this 
period,  Mr.  Cribbs  turned  his  attention  to 
railroading,  first  as  a  track  builder  and  next 
as  a  brakeman.  Two  years  later  he  was  given 
charge  of  a  work  and  wrecking  train,  which 
lie   operated   for  six  years.     Having  proved 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1395 


his  reliability  to  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company  in  this  manner,  he  was  made  con- 
ductor of  a  freight  train  from  Blairsville  to 
Allegheny  and  Conemaugh,  and  continued 
as  .a  conductor  on  this  road  for  forty-one 
years,  three  mouths,  ten  days,  retiring  in 
1911.  He  was  known  among  railroad  men  as 
the  "lively  conductor,"  and  was  often  called 
upon  in  cases  of  emergency  when  a  rapid  man 
was  required.  A  favorite  alike  with  his  com- 
pany and  the  men,  he  numbers  thousands  as 
his  warm,  personal  friends,  and  enjoj^s  meet- 
ing them  whenever  occasion  offers. 

In  1870  Mr.  Cribbs  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Nancy  Jane  Barr,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Barr,  of  Blacklick  Station.  They  have  had 
children  as  follows:  Ollie  Estella,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Ameheny  Baker,  of  Blairsville; 
T.  P.,  who  lives  in  Blairsville;  Pairoby,  who 
is  the  wife  of  W.  H.  Floyd,  of  Blairsville; 
Paulina,  deceased;  Joseph  M.,  deceased; 
John  R.,  who  lives  in  Blairsville;  and  June, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Arthur  Nesbett,  of  Blairs- 
ville. 

A  member  of  Findley  Patch  Post,  No.  137, 
G.  A.  R.,  Mr.  Cribbs  was  elected  its  com- 
mander in  1912.  He  is  a  consistent  member 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  Faith- 
ful in  all  things,  Mr.  Cribbs  was  a  brave 
soldier  and  an  efficient  conductor,  and  can 
look  back  with  pride  on  his  long  and  useful 
life. 

JOHN  C.  ANDERSON,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war,  was  born  in  what  is  now  Fawn 
township,  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.,  Dec.  12,  1840, 
a  son  of  Moses  T.  and  Sarah  (Glasgow)  And- 
erson. 

John  Anderson,  the  founder  of  the  family 
in  this  country,  was  a  native  of  Scotland  who 
came  to  America  at  a  very  early  day,  settling 
along  the  Conococheague  river  in  Cumber- 
land county,  Pa.,  whence  he  later  went  to 
"Westmoreland  county. 

Robert  Anderson,  a  son  of  John  Anderson, 
married  Mahala  Thomas,  and  after  his  mar- 
riage secured  300  acres  in  the  woods  in  Alle- 
gheny county.  There  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  and  his  remains  were  buried  in 
the  cemetery  at  Bull  creek. 

Moses  T.  Anderson,  a  son  of  Robert  An- 
derson, and  father  of  John  C.  Anderson,  was 
born  in  May,  1808,  and  after  his  marriage 
located  in  Allegheny  coimty,  Pa.  In  1872 
he  settled  in  Freeport,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa., 
where  he  died  in  his  eightieth  year.  His 
wife  survived  him,  living  to  be  eighty-four 
years  old.    They  belonged  to  the  United  Pres- 


byterian Church.  The  children  born  to  this 
excellent  couple  were:  Robert  T. ;  "William 
T.,  Elias  F.  (who  is  a  physician)  and  James 
M.,  all  three  of  whom  served  during  the  Civil 
war  in  Young's  Battery,  and  participated  in 
the  capture  of  Fort  Donelson ;  Louisa  M., 
who  married  James  Patterson,  of  Cedar  Ridge, 
Colo. ;  John  C. ;  Dr.  "Washington  B.,  who  died 
at  South  Haven,  Mich. ;  Nancy  J.,  who 
married  Calvin  McCool;  Mary  E.,  deceased; 
and  Sarah  M.,  who  married  Harvey  Meln- 
tyre. 

John  C.  Anderson  grew  to  manhood  in 
Allegheny  county,  Pa.,  and  taught  school 
after  acquiring  a  good  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  at  Leechburg  academy.  He 
enlisted  for  three  months'  service  in  the  9th 
Pennsylvania  Reserves,  and  reenlisted  in  the 
same  regiment  for  three  years,  but  was  taken 
sick  and  eventually  discharged  for  disability. 
When  he  recovered  he  once  more  entered  the 
army,  this  time  in  the  123d  Pennsylvania 
"Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  ex- 
piration of  his  tei-m,  when  he  returned  home. 
Once  again  he  offered  his  services,  enlisting 
in  August,  1864,  in  the  6th  Pennsylvania 
Heavy  Artillery,  and  sei'ving  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  Few  men  have  so  varied  a  war 
record.  In  truth  did  he  prove  his  patriotism. 
The  majority  felt  that  they  had  done  their 
full  dutj'  when  one  enlistment  had  been 
served,  but  as  long  as  his  country  was  in 
danger  he  cheerfully  risked  his  life"  in  its  de- 
fense. 

On  March  10,  1864,  Mr.  Anderson  was  mar- 
ried to  Ida  S.  Sarver,  who  was  born  in  But- 
ler county,  Pa.,  in  1844,  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin and  Mary  (Magee)  Sarver. 

After  his  return  from  the  army  Mr.  An- 
derson engaged  in  farming,  and  later  in  the 
mercantile  business,  in  Allegheny  and  Arm- 
strong counties.  In  April.  1908,  he  came  to 
Indiana  county,  where,  in  "White  township, 
he  has  found  congenial  surroundings  and 
appreciative  friends  among  whom  to  spend 
his  days.  Having  always  been  imbued  with 
a  strong  sense  of  duty,  Mr.  Anderson  has 
proved  himself  a  desirable  citizen  in  every 
way,  and  rendered  valuable  service  in  both 
public  and  private  capacity.  It  is  such  men 
whose  presence  in  any  community  is  wel- 
comed— in  war  proving  themselves  good  sold- 
iers, and  in  peace  developing  into  successful 
business  men. 

Mr.  and  ^Mrs.  Anderson  have  become  the 
parents  of  children  as  follows:  Minnie  P., 
who  married  "William  J.  Hilty,  a  farmer  of 
Lawrence  county.  Pa. ;  Edwin  N.,  who  mar- 


1396 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ried  Susie  B.  MeClay,  and  lives  in  Virginia; 
Nettie  N. ;  James  B.,  who  married  Lottie  N. 
Duke,  and  lives  in  Vandergrift,  Pa.;  Mary 
E.,  at  home;  Sarah  C,  who  married  Carl 
Sehweikart,  of  Vandergrift  Heights;  Leslie 
G.,  who  married  Nora  Elgin,  and  is  a  civil 
engineer  residing  at  Vandergi-ift  Heights; 
and  Harry  Elford,  who  married  Olive  May 
Edmiuton.  All  of  these  children  have  been 
carefully  reared  by  conscientious  parents 
and  taught  their  duty  to  their  country.  They 
have  been  well  ediicated  and  have  taken  use- 
ful places  in  the  world,  being  prosperous  and 
happily  situated. 

CHARLES  G.  FARABAUGH  has  lived 
upon  his  present  farm  in  Pine  township,  In- 
diana county,  since  1901.  He  is  a  native  of 
Cambria  county,  this  State,  born  June  6, 
1863,  in  Blacklick  to-miship,  son  of  Charles 
and  ilatilda  (Hines)  Farabaugh,  the  former 
of  whom  was  born  in  Germany,  the  latter  in 
Cambria  county,  Pa.  Michael  Farabaugh, 
the  grandfather,  came  to  America  from  Ger- 
many and  settled  in  Cambria  county  for  a 
number  of  years,  following  farming  there 
until  his  removal  to  Minnesota,  where  he  re- 
mained for  some  time.  Eventuall.v,  how- 
ever, he  returned  to  Cambria  county,  where 
his  death  occurred  in  1897.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  eight  children,  of  whom  only  two 
survive:  Rinehart,  who  lives  in  North  Da- 
kota ;  and  Leonard,  a  resident  of  ^Minnesota. 

Charles  Farabaugh,  father  of  Charles  G. 
Farabaugh,  came  to  this  country  with  his 
father  and  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life 
in  Cambria  county,  making  his  home  in  Black- 
lick  township.  He  married  Matilda  Hines, 
who  was  of  Irish  extraction,  being  a  daughter 
of  Jacob  Hines,  a  farmer  of  Cambria  county, 
where  the  Hines  family  settled  many  years 
ago.  Jacob  Hines  had  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren, four  of  whom  survive :  James,  a  resi- 
dent of  Cresson,  Pa. ;  John,  of  Blacklick  town- 
ship, Cambria  county;  ^Margaret,  ^Mrs.  Lynch, 
of  Cresson;  and  Kate,  I\Irs.  Burgoon,  of 
Cresson.  Mrs.  Matilda  (Hines)  Farabaugh 
died  Oct.  27.  1906.  Ten  children  were  born 
to  her  and  her  husband,  namely :  Albert, 
who  lives  in  Spangler,  Cambria  Co..  Pa. ;  Gus, 
a  resident  of  Latrobe.  Pa. ;  Joseph,  a  resident 
of  Beaverdale,  Pa.;  Charles  G. ;  IMaggie,  de- 
ceased; John,  deceased;  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
Antony  Tosey,  of  Cambria  county:  Caroline, 
wife  of  John  Glaney.  of  Conemaugh,  Pa.; 
William  of  Cambria  county:  and  Harry,  of 
Johnstown,  Pennsylvania.  Tlu'  father  was 
a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war. 


Chai-les  G.  Farabaugh  received  his  educa- 
tion in  Cambria  county,  passing  his  boyhood 
in  Blacklick  township.  He  was  engaged  at 
farming  and  lumbering  from  an  early  age, 
and  when  a  young  man  of  eighteen  -went  to 
learn  the  trade  of  blacksmith,  at  which  he 
worked  for  several  years.  He  became  en- 
gaged in  farming  on  his  own  account  eleven 
years  ago,  when,  in  1901,  he  settled  upon  his 
present  place,  which  he  had  bought  pre- 
viously. Until  then  he  had  resided  in  Cam- 
bi'ia  countj'.  He  has  203  acres  of  land  in 
thi-ee  tracts  in  Pine  township,  and  his  atten- 
tion is  given  to  general  farming  and  stock 
raising,  and  he  has  met  with  substantial 
success,  being  regarded  as  one  of  the  reliable 
citizens  of  his  neighborhood,  held  in  high  es- 
teem by  all  who  know  him. 

On  Jan.  17,  1888,  Mr.  Farabaugh  married 
]\Iartha  Jliller,  who  was  born  in  Cambria 
county,  this  State,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Margaret  (McDade)  Miller,  natives,  respec- 
tively, of  Germany  and  Wales,  both  of  whom 
lived  in  Cambria  county  from  the  time  of 
their  arrival  in  this  country,  ilr.  Miller's 
father  died  in  Germany.  Joseph  ililler 
bought  a  farm  and  engaged  in  agrieultui-al 
pursuits  throughout  his  active  years.  He 
and  his  wife  now  live  at  Jeaunette,  Westmore- 
land Co.,  Pa.  They  had  a  family  of  twelve 
children:  Mollie,  wife  of  Charles  ]\Iil]er,  of 
Latrobe,  Pa. ;  Peter,  deceased ;  James,  a  resi- 
dent of  Jeannette;  Martha.  Mrs.  Farabaugh; 
Thomas,  living  at  Jeannette;  Maggie,  wife  of 
Adolph  Mock,  of  Jeannette:  IMiehael,  a  resi- 
dent of  Jeannette;  ^Magdaline,  wife  of  Jacob 
Hess,  of  Jeannette ;  and  four  others  who  are 
deceased.  Joseph  ^Miller,  the  father,  was  a 
.soldier  in  the  Civil  war. 

Eight  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Farabaugh:  Elise,  Mary,  Rupert.  Stel- 
la, Celestine.  Jlargaret,  Edward  and  Alma. 
Mr.  and  ilrs.  Farabaugh  are  membei-s  of  St. 
Patrick's  Catholic  Church,  at  Campbell's 
Bottom,    in   Pine   township,    Indiana    county. 

ALEXANDER  M.  BARCLAY,  who  is  now 
living  retired  in  the  borough  of  Indiana,  has 
passed  all  his  life  in  this  section  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  born  Oct.  23,  1842.  in  Derry 
township,  Westmoreland  county,  one  mile 
from  the  town  of  Derry.  son  of  Henry  Bar- 
clay, and  grandson  of  Michael  Barclay,  who 
lived  and  died  in  Somerset  county.  Pa.  He 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 

Mr.  Barclay  spent  the  first  ten  years  of 
his  life  in  Derry  township,  and  attended 
school  there.    In  the  spring  of  1853  he  moved 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1397 


M'ith  his  familj'  to  Indiana  county,  his  father 
settling  on  the  James  Todd  place,  in  White 
township,  which  he  "cropped"  for  three 
years.  Then  they  moved  to  an  adjoining 
farm  and  Alexander  Barclay  helped  with  the 
work  at  home  until  he  reached  the  age  of 
fourteen,  when  he  began  to  learn  the  car- 
penter's trade.  Wliile  assisting  his  father 
he  was  allowed  to  attend  school  during  four 
months  of  the  year,  during  the  winter  sea- 
son, but  he  never  attended  after  he  was  sev- 
enteen. He  followed  his  trade  for  some  time 
•ndth  his  brother  Henry,  building  barns  and 
houses  in  Center  and  Blacklick  townships, 
this  county,  and  in  1862  they  located  at  Homer 
City  and  engaged  in  contract  work.  In  1863 
Alexander  M.  Barclay  went  into  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  militia,  54th  Regiment,  under 
Col.  Thomas  Gallagher,  to  serve  during  Mor- 
gan's raid,  was  held  at  Pittsburg  for  a  time, 
and  followed  Morgan  into  Ohio.  On  March 
15,  1865,  Mr.  Barclay  enlisted  again,  this 
time  becoming  a  member  of  the  103d  Penn- 
sylvania Regiment,  with  which  he  remained 
until  his  discharge,  in  July,  1865,  at  New- 
bern,  N.  C.  He  came  home  sick  and  was  un- 
able to  work  for  three  months.  Resuming 
work  at  his  trade  as  soon  as  possible,  he  gave 
all  his  time  to  that  line  until  1876.  except 
for  an  interval  of  six  months  when  disabled 
by  an  accident.  In  1873,  while  helping  to 
construct  the  normal  school  building,  he  fell 
from  the  second  story,  where  he  was  work- 
ing, a  distance  of  thirty-four  feet,  into  a  first 
floor  .joist,  and  was  unconscious  for  three  and 
a  half  hours.  He  could  not  do  any  work  for 
six  months.  In  1876  Mr.  Barclay  bought  the 
farm  of  101  acres  in  Center  township  upon 
which  he  lived  and  worked  for  over  thirty 
years,  devoting  himself  to  its  cultivation  un- 
til 1908.  In  that  year  he  relinquished  active 
labor,  and  has  since  enjoyed  a  well-earned 
rest.  In  1910  he  moved  to  the  borough  of 
Indiana  and  in  1911  he  sold  his  farm ;  he  had 
disposed  of  all  the  coal  rights  previously,  in 
1905.  His  home  is  at  No.  137  East  Philadel- 
phia Street. 

Mr.  Barclay  was  married  Feb.  25,  1866,  to 
Violet  Martin,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and 
Mary  (Mikesell)  Martin.  She  died  in  Sep- 
tember, 1868,  the  mother  of  one  child,  Ger- 
trude Nellie,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Bar- 
clay is  buried  at  the  Chapel  Church 
in  Center  township.  Mr.  Barclay's  sec- 
ond wife,  Sarah  A.  (Rankin),  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  and  Jane  IMary  Rankin, 
died  May  1,  1907.  and  is  buried  in  the  Oak- 
land  cemetery,    at   Indiana.      She   had   two 


children:  Jennie  Belle,  who  married  Hugh, 
Brown,  of  Young  township;  and  Matthew. 
Edmund,  of  White  township,  who  married' 
Gertrude  McCurdy.  On  Nov.  3,  1910,  Mr. 
Barclay  married  (third)  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Anna 
(Wyncoop)  Stonebreaker,  who  is  a  native  of 
Carbondale,  Mich.,  and  was  six  years  old 
when  her  parents,  Thomas  Henry  'and  Beu- 
lah  Gustin  (Clark)  Wyncoop,  brought  her 
to  Plumville,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  the  family 
removing  thence  to  the  Wyncoop  farm  in 
South  Mahoning  township.  Here  Mrs.  Bar- 
clay received  a  public  school  education. 

Thomas  Henry  Wyncoop,  father  of  Mrs. 
Barclay,  was  born  in  1805,  in  Indiana  county, 
Pa.,  and  going  west  settled  in  Michigan^ 
where  he  married  Beulah  Gustin  Clark,  a 
native  of  Center  county,  Pa.,  born  in  1806. 
In  1853  they  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  set-' 
tling  in  South  ilahoning  township,  Indiana 
county.  He  farmed  all  his  life.  His  death  oc- 
curred near  Plumville,  this  county,  Oct.  4, 
1882,  and  Mrs.  W.yncoop  died  Oct.  12,  1865. 
They  had  three  children:  Elizabeth  Anna, 
Jlrs.  Barclay;  Susan  Mary,  unmarried, 
who  resides  in  Indiana  county,  and  Monroe, 
living  at  Gaibleton,  Indiana  county. 

Mrs.  Barclay's  first  husband,  John  Adam 
Stonebreaker,  passed  away  Oct.  14,  1908.  By 
this  union  there  were  nine  children :  Charles 
Henry,  George  M.,  Vernie  Mary  J.,  Edward 
R.,  Zetta  May,  Dolly  Grace,  Harry  Wesley, 
Rosa  Maude  and  Emma  Ida. 

ROSCOE  R.  NORTON,  M.  D.,  physician 
and  surgeon  of  Blairsville,  Pa.,  was  born  in 
Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  Aug.  5,  1881,  a  son  of 
Frank  Kipp  and  Caroline  M.  (Budd)  Norton, 
also  natives  of  New  Jersey.  The  Norton  fam- 
ily is  of  English  origin.  As  far  back  as  there 
is  any  definite  record,  the  Budd  family  was 
American,  and  Joseph  Budd,  the  maternal 
grandfather  of  Dr.  Norton,  was  also  a  resi- 
dent of  New  Jersey. 

Harry  Norton,  the  grandfather  of  Dr.  Nor- 
ton, was  the  first  to  open  and  conduct  a  meat 
market  on  a  large  scale  in  Jersey  City. 

Frank  Kipp  Norton,  son  of  Harry  Norton 
and  father  of  Dr.  Norton,  was  a  decorator  by 
trade,  and  worked  at  that  calling  in  Jersey 
City,  dying  there  in  1910,  aged  seventy-four 
years.  He  was  survived  by  his  wife  and  son 
Roscoe,  who  is  the  only  one  of  three  children 
now  living. 

Roscoe  R.  Norton  attended  the  local  public 
schools  and  Trinity  parochial  school,  and  then 
entered  Jefferson  Medical  College,  at  Phila- 
delphia, from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the 


1398 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


class  of  1907.  In  the  following  August  Dr. 
Norton  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  Indiana,  Pa.,  where  he  continued 
to  reside  until  October,  1909,  when  he  suc- 
ceeded to  the  practice  of  Dr.  Norman  Lewis, 
of  Blairsville,  and  moved  to  that  city.  Here 
he  has  already  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative 
practice,  showing  a  steady  increase  with  each 
year.  A  scholarly,  skilled  physician,  he  com- 
bines these  characteristics  with  others  equally 
important  in  his  profession,  and  is  popular 
with  many  outside  his  circle  of  patients,  as 
well  as  those  who  are  grateful  to  him  for  his 
conscientious  care.  He  belongs  to  the  State 
and  county  medical  societies  and  the  W.  W. 
Keen  Surgical  Society,  and  finds  benefit  in 
the  deliberations  of  these  bodies. 

On  June  14,  1911,  Dr.  Norton  was  united 
in  marriage  vnth  Anna  Louise  Wiley,  of 
Blairsville. 

NIEL.  JAMES  and  JOHN  J.  NIEL, 
brothers,  occupy  the  old  home  place  in  West 
Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
their  parents  settled  over  a  half  centiiry  ago. 
William  Niel,  their  grandfather,  the  first  of 
the  family  to  come  to  the  county,  married 
Polly  Cunningham,  and  his  mother's  maiden 
name  was  Mary  Reynolds. 

Abram  L.  Niel,  son  of  William  Niel,  was 
born  in  1807  in  the  southwestern  part  of  In- 
diana county,  and  as  educational  facilities 
in  this  region  were  meager  in  those  days  he 
went  to  school  only  a  short  time.  But  he  was 
intelligent  and  became  well  informed  through 
his  own  efforts.  In  1810  he  accompanied  his 
parents  on  their  removal  to  North  Mahoning 
township,  where  he  gi-ew  to  manhood,  and 
located  before  his  marriage  in  West  Mahon- 
ing township,  on  a  farm  where  his  sons  James 
and  John  now  live,  he  and  his  wife  always 
making  their  home  there.  It  was  wild  land 
when  he  first  came  to  it,  and  Mr.  Niel  put 
up  a  log  cabin,  which  was  later  replaced  by 
a  frame  dwelling  as  prosperity  rewarded 
his  toil.  His  first  purchase  consisted  of  sixty- 
nine  acres,  to  which  he  kept  adding  till  he 
had  altogether  about  three  hundred  acres, 
and  he  farmed  on  this  place  iintil  his  death, 
which  occurred  May  22,  1894.  His  wife, 
Sarah  (McCreight),  of  Winslow  township, 
Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  whom  he  married  in  June, 
1848,  died  June  19, 1892.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  Andrew  and  Ann  (Sharp)  McCreight,  and 
was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  IMr.  and  Mrs. 
Niel  were  members  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  in  politics  he  M'as  a 
Democrat.      Honest    and    hard-working,    he 


made  a  success  of  his  life  by  the  most  honor- 
able methods,  and  was  universally  respected. 
The  following  children  were  born  to  himself 
and  wife:  Ann  died  in  1866,  when  seven- 
teen years  old.  Thomas,  who  was  a  farmer, 
was  killed  on  the  railroad  at  Northpoint,  Pa., 
in  March,  1909;  he  married  Loretta  Barrett, 
and  they  had  childi'en,  Sallie,  Brice,  Low- 
man,  Mary,  Annie,  Herbert,  Zildah  and  Ethel. 
Andrew,  of  Forest  county.  Pa.,  man-ied  Ag- 
nes Meanor.  James  was  a  teacher  for  several 
years,  but  now  devotes  all  his  time  to  farm- 
ing, he  and  his  bi'other  John  cultivating  the 
old  home  place  together.  Abraham  is  living 
in  Gove  county,  Kans.  John  J.  has  always 
lived  on  the  old  home  place,  which  he  oper- 
ates in  partnership  with  his  brother. 

James  and  John  J.  Niel  wei'e  educated  in 
the  home  locality,  attending  public  school, 
and  they  have  engaged  in  farming  along  mod- 
ern lines,  becoming  remarkably  successful. 
They  are  counted  among  the  most  successful 
agriculturists  of  their  section  of  Indiana 
county,  as  they  are  among  the  most  extensive, 
their  four  hundred  acres  being  in  an  excel- , 
lent  state  of  cultivation  under  their  pro- 
gressive management.  They  have  proved 
their  business  ability  as  well  as  their  aptitude 
for  skillful  manipulation  of  crops  and  a  fac- 
ulty for  getting  the  most  out  of  their  laud, 
and  they  enjoy  good  standing  among  the 
most  favorably  known  farmers  in  their  sec- 
tion. 

On  July  19,  1880,  Mr,  John  J.  Niel  mar- 
ried Clara  E.  Coon,  of  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship, daughter  of  James  and  C.vnthia  J. 
(Niel)  Coon,  farming  people  of  that  town- 
ship. Children  as  follows  have  been  born  to 
them:  (1)  One  daughter  died  in  infancy. 
(2)  James  Lee,  born  June  26,  1882,  attended 
common  school  and  later  went  to  the  State 
normal  at  Indiana,  Pa.,  advancing  as  far  as 
the  senior  year;  he  taught  school  two  terms, 
and  prepared  for  work  as  an  electrician,  was 
at  Iron  City,  Pa.,  for  one  year,  and  for  the 
last  five  years  has  been  with  the  American 
Steel  Company,  at  Pittsburg,  holding  the 
position  of  bookkeeper.  (3)  Anna  N.,  born 
Feb.  26,  1885,  taught  school  for  three  years, 
having  prepared  at  the  normal  school.  She 
is  now  living  at  home.  (4)  Bertha  C.  born 
Oct.  9.  1887.  was  engaged  in  teaching  for  one 
year  and  is  now  a  dressmaker  at  Pittsburg. 
She  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
the  normal  schools  at  Indiana  and  Slippery 
Rock.  (5)  Susie  Pearl,  born  Sept.  26.  1891, 
was  married  Jan.  4,  1910,  to  Paul  B.  Anthony, 
of  Jefferson  county,  who  is  engaged  in  saw- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1399 


milling,  and  they  have  one  child,  John  R. 
Anthony.  (6)  Edward  W.,  born  April  29, 
1895,  has  always  remained  at  home.  (7)  Mil- 
dred, born  July  24,  1898,  is  at  home.  (8) 
Alma  D.,  born  March  3,  1902,  died  in  1905. 
(9)  Frank  was  born  April  18,  1906. 

JOHN  MARTIN  AULD,  owner  of  Brook 
Valley  farm,  in  Brushvalley  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  is  a  native  of  that  township,  born 
Nov.  4,  1865.  The  Auld  family  is  of  Irish 
extraction,  the  first  emigrant  to  America  be- 
ing William  Auld,  the  grandfather  of  John 
Martin. 

William  Auld  was  a  native  of  County 
Down,  Ireland,  and  came  to  America  with 
his  family  in  1817.  Proceeding  to  western 
Pennsylvania,  they  located  in  Brushvalley 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  they  were 
among  the  first  settlers  in  their  section.  Mr. 
.  Auld  cleared  up  a  home  in  the  wilderness 
and  made  farming  his  life  occupation.  His 
death  occurred  there.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  U.  P.  Church.  His  children  were  as  fol- 
lows: Jane,  Rachel,  Elizabeth,  Rose  Ann, 
Mary  Ann,  Nancy,  Thomas,  Joseph,  William, 
«     Margaret  and  Alexander,  all  of  whom  are  now 


Thomas  Auld,  son  of  William,  was  born 
in  County  Down,  Ireland,  in  1810,  and  was 
but  seven  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
came  to  America.  He  grew  up  on  the  farm 
in  Brushvalley,  undergoing  the  hardships  of 
pioneer  life,  and  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  his 
opportunities  for  an  education  were  limited 
became  a  well-read  man  through  his  own  ef- 
forts. He  was  energetic  and  possessed  of  con- 
siderable business  ability,  which  aided  him 
when  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself.  He 
bought  the  Alexander  Elliott  farm  of  260 
acres,  now  in  the  possession  of  his  .sons,  and 
here  he  settled  down  to  farming  and  stock 
raising,  continuing  to  operate  the  home 
place  during  his  active  life.  He  was  known 
to  be  an  exceptionally  hard-working  man, 
one  whose  honesty  of  purjDOse  and  ability 
did  much  to  make  him  the  successful  farmer 
he  became.  He  died  on  his  farm  in  1890, 
and  was  buried  in  the  Bethel  Church  ceme- 
tery, in  West  Wheatfield  township.  His 
wife's  death  occurred  in  1902,  and  she  was 
buried  in  the  same  cemetery  as  was  her  hus- 
band. They  were  members  of  the  |U.  P. 
Church,  attending  services  in  Homer  City. 
Mr.  Auld  was  a  Democrat  of  the  old  type, 
and  served  his  township  as  supervisor  (for 
three  years)  and  auditor. 


Thomas  Auld  married  Margaret  Martin, 
daughter  of  John  Martin,  and  five  children 
were  born  to  them,  viz. :  Elizabeth,  who  mar- 
ried Frank  Hilderbrand,  of  Blacklick  town- 
ship ;  Rosie,  who  is  at  home ;  Emily,  at  home ; 
Robert  F.,  who  is  on  the  old  homestead;  and 
John  Martin. 

John  Martin  Auld  spent  his  boyhood  days 
on  the  farm.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
of  the  township,  and  worked  at  farming  from 
an  early  age,  at  the  time  of  his  marriage  set- 
tling on  his  present  place,  a  tract  of  twenty- 
eight  acres,  at  Heshbon,  which  was  a  part  of 
the  Thomas  Fee  farm.  Here  he  made  exten- 
sive improvements  and  became  engaged  in 
general  farming.  He  also  operates  the  home- 
stead with  his  brother  Robert  F.  Mr.  Auld 
is  like  his  father  before  him  a  thrifty  and 
enterprising  farmer.  He  takes  a  deep  interest 
in  his  home  and  agricultural  business,  and 
has  made  himself  valuable  as  a  citizen  in  other 
respects  also.  He  is  strictly  temperate  in 
his  habits,  a  strong  suj^porter  of  Prohibition, 
and  domestic  in  his  tastes.  He  has  served 
his  township  as  judge  of  election.  An  active 
member  of  the  U.  P.  Church  at  Heshbon,  he 
is  a  trustee  of  the  church  and  superintendent 
of  the  Sabbath  school.  Having  at  heart  all 
that  goes  toward  advancing  the  good  of 
church,  home  and  community,  he  has  filled 
the  office  of  school  director  three  years,  and 
supervisor  of  the  township  one  year,  and  is 
ready  at  all  times  to  do  his  share  for  the  gen- 
eral welfare. 

Mr.  Aiild  married  May  20,  1897,  Jennie 
Clark,  of  West  Wheatfield  township,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  and  Jane  Clark,  and  they  had 
two  children,  Thomas  Franklin  and  Joseph 
Clark.  Mrs.  Auld  was  a  devoted  mother 
and  a  capable  and  helping  hand  to  her  en- 
terprising husband.  Death  called  her  sud- 
denly Friday,  Oct.  18,  1912,  at  the  age  of 
forty-two  years,  one  day.  She  was  stricken 
with  apoplexy,  while  busy  with  her  house- 
hold duties  in  the  middle  of  the  morning, 
and  died  a  few  hours  later.  A  devoted  mem- 
ber of  the  Heshbon  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  she  was  one  of  its  faithful  workers 
and  a  leader  in  the  Sabbath  school,  teaching 
a  class  and  being  superintendent  of  the 
"cradle  roll."  The  funeral  services,  held  in 
that  church,  were  conducted  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Logan,  and  she  was  carried  to  her  last 
resting  place  in  Bethel  Church  cemetery 
(West  Wheatfield  township)  by  the  six  boys 
of  her  Sabbath  school  class.  Besides  her 
husband  and  two  sons,  she  is  survived  by  two 
bi'others  and  two  sisters:     J.  D.   Clark,   of 


1400 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Latrobe,  Pa.;  A.  P.  Clark,  of  New  Florence, 
Pa. ;  Mrs.  S.  M.  Coleman,  of  Johnstown,  Pa. ; 
and  Mrs.  C.  S.  Duncan,  of  Clyde,  Pennsj^l- 
vania. 

GEORGE  W.  BUTERBAUGH  is  engaged 
in  farming  and  the  raising  of  fine  draft  horses 
in  Green  township,  Indiana  county.  He  was 
born  in  that  township,  Feb.  3,  1872,  son  of 
Jonathan  Buterbaugh,  grandson  of  William 
Buterbaugh  and  great-grandson  of  William 
Buterbaugh.  The  latter  came  from  the  East 
and  settled  in  Green  township,  buying  land 
which  came  by  inheritance  to  Jonathan  But- 
erbaugh, father  of  George  W.  Buterbaugh. 

Jonathan  Buterbaugh  was  born  July  5, 
1840,  in  Green  township,  and  remained  on 
the  home  place,  engaged  in  farming  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  Oct.  8,  1902.  He  was 
a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  serving  for  six 
months.  He  married  Lucinda  Shankle,  who 
was  born  June  13,  1840,  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, daughter  of  David  Shankle,  a  farmer, 
who  settled  in  Indiana  countv  in  pioneer 
days.  i\Irs.  Buterbaugh  died  Oct.  21,  1906. 
She  was  the  mother  of  thirteen  children, 
namely :  Andrew,  who  died  Oct.  30,  1910 ; 
Mary,  wife  of  John  Rolley.  of  Hillsdale,  Pa. ; 
Maggie,  wife  of  George  Baker,  of  Cambria 
county.  Pa. ;  William  H.,  of  Green  township ; 
David,  a  resident  of  Grant  township,  Indiana 
county;  Susan,  who  died  when  thirteen 
years  old ;  George  W. ;  John  H.,  who  lives 
in  Grant  township;  Samuel,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy ;  Emanuel,  who  died  in  infancy ;  James 
H.,  an  employee  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company,  living  at  Altoona,  Pa. ;  Laura,  wife 
of  Walter  Loring,  of  Rayne  township,  Indi- 
ana county;  and  J.  Edward,  a  resident  of 
Green  township. 

George  W.  Buterbaugh  was  educated  in 
his  native  township,  attending  school  No.  14. 
He  began  farming  when  a  mere  boy,  and 
has  followed  it  all  his  life,  owning  and  liv- 
ing upon  the  place  where  his  father  lived 
and  died,  and  whei-e  his  grandfather  settled 
and  died.  In  addition  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits he  engages  in  stock  raising,  being  espe- 
cially interested  in  and  successful  with  Per- 
cheron  draft  horses,  which  he  raises  for  the 
market.  He  is  one  of  the  well-to-do  resi- 
dents of  his  township,  but  although  he  had 
the  advantage  of  good  training  and  favor- 
able circumstances  he  ha,s  made  his  own  suc- 
cess and  deserves  all  the  credit  for  the  posi- 
tion he  has  attained. 

Mr.  Buterbaugh  was  married  Sept.  15, 
1897,  to  Electa  McManus,  like  himself  a  na- 


tive of  Green  township,  daughter  of  Andrew 
and  Lucy  (Berringer)  McManus,  who  live 
in  Green  township,  where  Mr.  McManus  is  a 
prosperous  farmer ;  he  owns  two  farms.  Four 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Buterbaugh:  Bud,  Clarence,  Don  and  Ma- 
bel. They  attend  the  Cookport  Baptist 
Church. 

JOSIAH  NEAL,  who  holds  the  office  of 
county  detective  in  Indiana  county,  had  nine 
years'  experience  in  the  sheriff's  office  as 
deputy  and  sheriff  before  taking  his  present 
position,  for  which  he  is  obviously  well  fit- 
ted. He  was  born  Dee.  25,  1852,  in  West 
]\Iahoning  township,  this  county,  son  of  John 
B.  Neal. 

William'  and  Catherine  Neal,  the  great- 
grandparents  of  Josiah  Neal,  were  of  Scotch- 
Irish  extraction,  and  came  to  this  country 
from  the  North  of  Ireland,  settling  at  Hagers- 
town,  IMd.,  about  1760.  At  the  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  war  the.y  moved  to  what  is 
now  Young  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
where  he  died  in  1812,  at  the  age  of  eighty. 
She  died  shortly  aftenvard,  at  about  the 
same  age.  They  had  five  sons:  John. 
Thomas,  Samuel,  James  and  William. 

William  Neal.  son  of  William  and  Cather- 
ine Neal,  was  born  near  Hagerstown,  Md.. 
and  in  1806  removed  to  North  j\Iahoning 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  he  followed 
farming.  He  died  in  1867,  at  the  age  of  nine- 
tj'-two.  He  married  Mary  Cunningham,  and 
they  had  a  family  of  fifteen  children,  namely : 
Abraham  L..  Elizabeth,  Ann.  John  B.. 
Thomas.  Margaret,  Samuel,  James.  Winfield. 
Millie,  Cortez,  Sanford,  Sharp,  Effie  and 
Hardy. 

John  B.  Neal,  father  of  Josiah  Neal.  was 
born  in  Indiana  county,  and  died  in  1902, 
aged  eighty-seven  years.  He  was  a  farmer 
and  stock  dealer,  living  near  North  Point. 
this  county.  To  him  and  his  wife  Rachel 
(Blose)  were  born  ten  children,  namely: 
Cynthia  J.,  who  married  James  Coon;  T.  S. ; 
Martha,  wife  of  William  McKillip :  George: 
Aaron;  Sarah,  wife  of  Peter  Stear;  Emma; 
Josiah ;  William  R..  and  ]\Iary,  who  is  de- 
ceased. The  mother  of  this  family  died  in 
1907. 

Josiah  Neal  attended  the  common  schools 
in  his  early  life.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm, 
where  he  continued  to  work  until  1896.  and 
meantime  he  had  become  a.ssociated  with  pub- 
lic affairs  in  his  locality,  having  served  as 
director  of  the  poor  for  seventeen  years  and 
also  in  the  capacity  of  school  director.     In 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1401 


1896  he  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff  by  his 
brother,  T.  S.  Neal,  under  whom  he  sei'ved 
three  years,  after  which  he  served  another 
term  of  three  years  as  deputy  under  Sheriff 
Elmer  Thomson.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he 
was  elected  sheriff  and  served  one  term,  since 
when  he  has  been  county  detective,  holding 
that  office  bj^  appointment.  His  services  in 
every  position  of  public  trust  have  been  cred- 
itable alike  to  himself  and  to  the  community 
he  serves,  and  he  is  well  and  favorably  known 
all  over  Indiana  county.  He  has  been  a 
county  officer  for  seventeen  years. 

On"  Sept.  4,  1874,  Mr.  Neal  married  Mary 
G.  Reits,  daughter  of  Martin  Reits,  and  they 
have  a  family  of  four  children :  Aaron  mar- 
ried Myrtle  Beck ;  James  W.  married  Martha 
Kerr;  Clark  married  Jennie  Ralston;  Novia 
married  Paul  Livengood. 

ABRAHAM  BOWERS,  of  Banks  town- 
ship, has  been  a  resident  of  Indiana  county 
for  thirty-five  years,  and  he  has  been  engaged 
in  farming  throughout  that  period.  He  was 
born  Oct.  20,  1836,  in  Jefferson  county,  Pa., 
son  of  Philip  and  Katherine  (Kipps)  Bow- 
ers, who  were  farming  people.  They  were 
born  at  Newmarket,  Va.,  and  after  their 
marriage  removed  to  Clearfield  county.  Pa., 
passing  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in  this 
state.     They  died  in  1856. 

Abraham  Bowers  came  to  Indiana  county 
in  1877.  and  he  is  one  of  the  most  respected 
citizens  of  Banks  township,  where  he  has  a 
fine  farm  of  ninety  acres. 

On  Nov.  14,  1861,  Mr.  Bowers  maiTied 
Emily  Devers,  and  they  have  seven  children 
living,  namely:  Jane  is  the  wife  of  Andrew 
Bowser,  a  farmer  of  Jefferson  county;  Ar- 
minta  is  the  wife  of  G.  M.  Bowser,  a  farmer 
of  Indiana  county ;  Lizzie  is  married  to  Peter 
Klein,  of  Rossit'er,  Indiana  county;  Clara, 
wife  of  Elmer  Woodford,  lives  in  Jefferson 
county,  where  he  is  employed  in  railroad 
work;  Laura  is  the  wife  of  J.  F.  Cochran,  a 
min^r,  of  Indiana  county;  Albert  H.,  who  is 
engaged  in  contracting  and  building  and  re- 
sides in  Cleai-field,  Pa.,  married  Margaret 
Elbel.  of  Indiana  county;  Ceorge  W.  is  a 
farmer  in  Banks  township,  Indiana  county. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowers  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


JOHN  R.  JONES,  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Jones  &  Coon,  proprietors  of  the 
Crown  Bottling  Works,  of  Indiana,  Indiana 
county,  has  been  engaged  in  his  present  line 
of  business  from  young  'manhood,  and  has 


followed  it  since  he  settled  in  the  borough 
a  few  years  ago.  He  was  born  Jan.  5,  1873, 
in  Pomeroy,  Ohio,  son  of  John  R.  and  Anna 
(Reese)  Jones,  natives  of  Swansea,  Wales, 
who  came  to  this  country  when  young  people 
and  were  married  at  Mason,  W.  Va.  The 
father  was  a  Baptist  minister,  and  his  first 
pastorate  in  this  country  was  at  Pomeroy, 
Ohio,  whei-e  he  was  located  for  a  number  of 
years  after  his  marriage.  Thence  he  removed 
to  Houtzdale,  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he 
I'emained  ten  years,  and  his  last  pastorate 
was  at  Punxsutawney,  where  he  was  estab- 
lished from  the  time  of  his  removal  from 
Houtzdale  until  his  death,  in  1893,  a 
period  of  twelve  years.  He  was  an  evan- 
gelist for  many  years.  He  died  at  Punx- 
sutaM-ney.  and  his  widow  died  at  Jeannette, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa..  April  19,  1905. 
Their  children  were  as  follows:  Evan,  who 
is  deceased;  Mrs.  JIary  Johns,  of  Jeannette, 
Pa. ;  Edward,  of  Jeannette ;  John  R. ;  David, 
of  Pittsburg,  Pa. ;  and  William,  of  Jean- 
nette. 

John  R.  Jones  passed  his  youth  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  various  places  in 
which  his  father's  work  made  it  necessary 
for  the  family  to  live,  and  he  had  the  ad- 
vantages of  the  public  schools.  He  began 
work  as  clerk  in  his  brother's  store,  in  Punx- 
sutawney, and  in  1894  removed  to  Jeannette, 
where  he  became  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  soft  drinks,  his  business  at  that  point  be- 
ing conducted  under  the  name  of  the  Jones 
Brothers  Bottling  Works,  and  he  is  still  in- 
terested in  same.  On  Sept.  17,  1908,  Mr. 
Jones  came  to  Indiana  and  in  partnership 
with  William  Ruhland  opened  an  establish- 
ment for  the  manufacture  of  soft  drinks.  In 
February,  1911,  he  bought  Mr.  Ruhland 's 
interest,  which  he  sold  shortly  afterward  to 
Mr.  Samuel  G.  Coon,  his  present  partner. 
They  have  a  thriving  business,  which  under 
their  careful  management  is  continuing  to 
grow  steadily.  Several  wagons  and  an  auto- 
mobile are  in  constant  service  supplying  their 
large  trade  in  Indiana  county. 

On  June  14,  1903,  Mr.  Jones  was  married, 
at  Jeannette,  Pa.,  to  Ada  Younkins,  of  that 
place,  daughter  of  Harrison  and  Jane  Youn- 
kins, and  they  have  one  child,  Evelyn  Grace. 

Mr.  Jones  has  a  tine  baritone  voice,  and  has 
been  well  trained  under  the  instruction  of 
Prof.  W.  H.  Stevenson,  of  Pittsburg.  He 
has  been  singing  in  churches  for  twenty 
years,  and  is  well  known  in  and  around  In- 
diana, and  indeed  throughout  this  section 
of  Pennsylvania,  for  his  excellent  work  as  a 


1402 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


vocalist.  He  holds  membership  in  the  B.  P. 
0.  Elks  Lodge  at  Jeannette,  Pa.,  and  is  a 
past  exalted  ruler  of  that  body. 

HERBERT  M.  BROWN,  farmer  of  White 
township,  Indiana  county,  lives  on  the  farm 
owned  and  formerly  occupied  by  his  father, 
David  C.  Brown,  now  of  the  borough  of  In- 
diana, and  purchased  by  his  grandfather, 
Joseph  Brown,  in  1845. 

The  first  member  of  this  family  of  whom 
we  have  any  record  was  a  Scotchman  by  birth, 
and  came  to  America  as  a  soldier  in  the  Brit- 
ish army.  He  served  during  the  French  and 
Indian  "  war,  was  with  Braddock  at  Fort 
Duquesue,  and  when  his  term  of  service  ex- 
pired settled  in  Virginia,  never  returning 
to  his  native  land.  Nothing  is  known  of  his 
antecedents. 

It  was  in  the  year  1796  that  John  Brown, 
a  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterian,  arrived  in  Penn- 
sylvania from  Virginia  with  his  wife  and 
three  children,  two  sons  and  one  daughter, 
John,  Jeremiah  and  Elizabeth.  His  wife's 
maiden  name  was  Anna  Wilson.  They  set- 
tled on  land  one  mile  from  where  Jackson- 
ville, Indiana  county,  is  now  located,  which 
land  was  patented  to  him  March  14,  1796. 
It  has  since  been  divided  and  owned  by  Jacob 
Burgoon.  Joseph  Turner.  Mr.  Scott,  Mr.  Ev- 
ans, Jlr.  Clawsou  and  IMr.  Stuchel,  now  in 
part  by  John  Graham,  Mrs.  Jewel,  and  oth- 
ers. The  Buffalo,  Rochester  &  Pittsburg 
Railroad  Company  is  now  building  tracks 
parallel  with  Altman's  run,  through  this 
land. 

John  Brown,  Jr.,  eldest  son  of  John  and 
Anna  (Wilson)  Brown,  married  Margaret 
Wiggins;  Elizabeth,  the  daughter,  married 
James  Thompson;  Jeremiah  Brown,  the 
younger  son,  married  Elizabeth  Cummins. 

Jeremiah  Brown,  as  stated,  married  Eliza- 
beth Cummins,  who  was  also  of  Scotch-Irish 
ancestry.  The  Cummins  family  early  located 
on  land  near  the  present  site  of  Homer  City, 
Indiana  county,  but  were  driven  away  by 
the  red  men,  moving  back  to  Virginia  .after 
hiding  their  silverware  and  other  valuables 
under  the  water  in  the  brook  known  as  Cherry 
run.  On  their  return  to  Pennsylvania  later 
they  found  every  piece  of  value.  Jeremiah 
Brown  and  his  ^vife  lived  on  bis  father's 
farm  until  the  year  1815,  at  which  time  Jo- 
seph, their  fourth  son,  was  four  years  old. 
They  then  moved  to  and  made  a  clearing  in 
the  backwoods  about  sixteen  miles  north  of 
the  town  of  Indiana,  on  the  place  known  for 
many  years  as  the  Jerry  Brown  farm,  after- 


wards as  the  John  Craig  farm  and  now  as 
the  Hugh  Pollack  farm;  Mrs.  Craig  was  a 
daughter  of  Jeremiah  Brown,  and  Mrs.  Pol- 
lack is  a  daughter  of  John  Craig  and  grand- 
daughter of  Jeremiah  Brown. 

Jo.seph  Brown,  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Eliza- 
beth (Cummins)  Brown,  married  Jane  L. 
Gibson,  daughter  of  James  and  Martha  (Gam- 
ble) Gibson,  and  granddaughter  of  John  Gib- 
son, who  came  from  Ireland,  and  first  set- 
tled in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  after- 
ward moving  to  what  is  now  Blacklick  town- 
ship, Indiana  count}';  on  Sept.  21,  1798,  pat- 
ent was  made  to  him  for  the  land  now  owned 
by  P.  B.  Repine,  Ira-  Gibson,  Harvey  Gibson 
and  others.  Joseph  Brown  and  his  wife 
lived  in  ilahouing  (now  East  Mahoning) 
township  until  1845.  when  they  purchased 
at  Orphans'  court  sale  part  of  the  McClana- 
han  land  four  miles  from  Indiana.  This 
land  was  patented  to  Thomas  McClanahan 
June  10,  177.3,  before  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence was  made.  The  tract  when  pat- 
ented was  named  Contentment.  There  Jo- 
seph Brown  and  Jane  Brown  lived  until 
they  died,  his  death  occurring  Jan.  4,  1894, 
hers  Aug.  27,  1897.  They  had  four  children, 
William,  Martha  Elizabeth,  Sarah  Jane  and 
David  Cummins,  all  now  deceased  but  David 
C,  the  youngest.  Sarah  Jane  married  J.  M. 
Laughlin,  and  died  April  21.  1868;  her  only 
child,  Sadie  J.  B.  Laughlin,  died  March  28, 
1876. 

David  Cummins  Brown  on  Oct.  25,  1876, 
married  Jemima  A.  Fulton,  daughter  of  John 
and  Rachel  (Elder)  Fulton,  natives  of  In- 
diana county.  They  have  had  children  as 
follows:  (1)  William  Ciimmins,  now  an  at- 
torney of  Lansing,  Mich.,  married  Maude 
E.  Justice,  whose  parents  were  born  in  Mich- 
igan, Mr.  Justice  seventy-four  years  ago 
(1912)  and  Mrs.  Justice  seventy  years  ago. 
The  Justice  family  originally  came  from 
England.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  C.  Brown 
are  members  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Lansing.  (2)  Ethel  Maude  married  S.  E. 
Wiggins,  son  of  Alexander  A.  Wigcins.  of 
near  Shelocta,  Indiana  county:  his  wife's 
maiden  name  was  Fleming.  They  have  three 
children.  Ralph  Brown,  Edgar  Earle  and 
Harold  Armstrong.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wiggins 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Vandergrift,  Pa.  (3)  Herbert  M.  is  men- 
tioned below.  (4)  Jane  W.  graduated  from 
the  Indiana  State  normal  school  in  the  class 
of  1910,  and  on  Sept.  5.  1912,  was  married  to 
Stephen  K.  Kiss,  whose  parents  reside  at 
Cleveland,  Ohio. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIAN*A  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


David  C.  Browu  lived  on  the  farm  in  White 
township  until  April  5,  1906,  when  he  moved 
to  the  borough  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Brown  was 
baptized  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  In- 
diana in  June,  1852,  and  united  with  that 
congregation  on  examination  in  June,  1872. 
His  wife,  son  Herbert  and  wife,  and  daugh- 
ter and  son-in-law,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kiss,  are 
also  members  of  that  church. 

Herbert  M.  Brown  was  born  Feb.  8,  188-i, 
on  the  farm  in  White  township  where  he  now 
resides,  engaging  in  farming  and  dairying, 
being  quite  extensively  interested  in  the  lat- 
ter line,  in  which  he  has  been  especially  suc- 
cessful.   He  keeps  a  fine  herd. 

On  March  7,  1906,  Mr.  Browu  was  married 
to  M.  Elizabeth  Evans,  who  graduated  from 
the  Indiana  State  normal  school  in  the  class 
of  1904.  Her  parents,  George  and  Estella 
(Griifith)  Evans,  are  natives  of  Indiana 
,  county,  the  latter  descended  from  Welsh  an- 
cestry. Three  children  have  been  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown:  David  Evans,  Estella 
Ann  and  Hugh  Herbert. 

THOMAS  MILES  WATT,  a  general  farmer 
and  stockman  of  Armstrong  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  Sept.  11,  1862,  in  Porter 
township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam Watt. 

James  Watt,  grandfather  of  Thomas  M. 
Watt,  was  an  extensive  land  owner  of  Porter 
township,  Jefferson  county,  Pa.,  farming  over 
TWO  hundred  acres  which  belonged  to  him. 
The  children  born  to  him  were :  William ; 
John,  who  was  a  farmer  of  Sabina,  Ohio  (he 
was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war)  ;  David,  who 
was  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Porter  town- 
ship ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  George  Ling- 
enfelder,  of  Porter  township,  and  they  re- 
sided on  their  farm;  and  Thomas,  who  first 
lived  in  North  ^Mahoning  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  later  in  Armstrong  township,  on 
the  farm  T.  M.  Watt  now  owns  (he  was  a 
veteran  of  the  Civil  war).  All  this  family 
are  now  deceased. 

William  Watt,  son  of  James  Watt,  and 
father  of  Thomas  M.  Watt,  was  reared  in 
Porter  township,  Jefferson  county,  and  at- 
tended school  in  the  home  district.  Upon  at- 
taining manhood's  estate,  he  bought  fifty  acres 
of  land  from  his  father,  and  lived  there  un- 
til his  death,  when  fifty-four  years  of  age. 
His  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  Zion  ceme- 
tery in  that  township.  His  energies  were  all 
directed  toward  farming.  William  Watt  mar- 
ried  Sarah  Ann  Lingenfelder,   who   was   of 


1403 

Pennsylvania-Dutch  descent,  and  born  in  Bed- 
ford county,  Pa.  Her  death  occurred  when 
she  was  seventy  years  old. 

Thomas  Miles  Watt  lost  his  father  when 
he  was  only  six  years  old,  and  his  mother 
losing  her  sight  soon  thereafter,  the  lad  was 
early  thrown  upon  his  own  resources.  Child 
though  he  was,  he  began  working  in  the  lum- 
ber regions  in  Elk,  Forest,  McKean,  Jeffer- 
son and  Cleai-field  counties,  continuing  as  a 
laborer  until  1883,  when  he  had  saved  a  suffi- 
cient amount  to  justify  his  going  into  the 
lumber  business  on  his  own  account.  He  took 
contracts  for  peeling  off  the  bark  and  cut- 
ting the  logs  and  was  thus  engaged  until 
he  decided  to  embrace  an  agricultural  life. 
With  this  end  in  view  he  moved  to  Armstrong 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  renting  the 
farm  owned  by  his  uncle,  Thomas  Watt,  he 
operated  it  for  two  years,  and  then  cropped 
for  C.  J.  Carnahan  for  two  years  more.  For 
the  next  eight  yeai-s  he  operated  the  Wood- 
ward Walker  farm,  when,  in  1906,  he  bought 
his  uncle's  farm  and  began  general  farming 
and  stock  raising,  specializing  in  horses.  His 
horses  have  taken  a  number  of  blue  ribbons 
at  the  county  fairs,  where  he  always  exhibits. 
A  strong  Prohibitionist,  he  is  willing  to  up- 
hold the  principles  he  espouses,  and  being  well- 
informed  upon  the  subject  is  able  to  present 
convincing  arguments  in  favor  of  his  stand. 
For  some  years  he  rendered  valuable  service 
as  a  school  director.  Early  in  life  he  was  a 
Methodist,  but  later  joined  with  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  Watt  was  married  to  Margaret  Emily 
Bish,  born  Dec.  8,  1866,  who  died  March  18, 
1904.  She  was  reared  in  Porter  township. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Watt  had  children  as  follows: 
Effie  M.,  who  is  a  school  teacher,  having 
taught  for  five  winters;  Ella  Sarah,  who  is 
at  home;  Hazel  Dora,  who  has  taught 
two  winters ;  William  T. :  Nevada  J. ;  Jessie : 
Lizzie,  and  Bertha,  the  last  five  living  at 
home.  When  Mrs.  Watt  died  she  left  a  fam- 
ily of  helpless  little  ones,  and  Mr.  Watt  had 
to  be  both  father  and  mother  to  them.  For 
years  his  task  was  a  heavy  one,  but  his  chil- 
dren are  now  old  enough  to  look  out  for  them- 
selves in  the  home.  Always  a  hard-working 
man,  his  industry  and  thrift  are  now  meet- 
ing with  just  appreciation. 

SAMUEL  A.  GROSSMAN,  carpenter,  re- 
siding at  Mitchells  Mills,  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  Nov.  29, 
1837,  in  Pennsylvania,  son  of  William  L.  and 
Maria  (Kneedler)  Grossman. 


Ii04 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Samuel  Grossman,  his  grandfather,  was 
born  in  Scotland,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  youth,  living  fii'st  in  the  State  of 
New  York  and  afterward  in  Pennsylvania. 
His  death  was  accidental,  caused  by  the  fall 
of  a  tree  on  his  house. 

William  L.  Grossman,  son  of  Samuel,  was 
born  in  the  eastern  part  of  Pennsylvania 
and  died  in  his  native  state.  He  maintained 
his  home  for  manj^  years  on  the  border  of 
Indiana,  Glearfield  and  Gambria  counties,  en- 
gaging in  lumbering  and  carpentering,  and 
was  also  a  sawyer  and  a  pilot  on  the  river 
for  several  years.  He  married  ]\Iaria  Kneed- 
ler,  and  they  had  eleven  children. 

Samuel  A.  Grossman  attended  the  district 
schools  in  boyhood  and  was  reared  to  indus- 
trious habits  from  youth.  He  accompanied 
his  parents  when  they  moved  to  ^Madison 
county.  111.,  and  the  mother  died  in  Alexan- 
der county,  that  state,  in  1857.  It  was  while 
living  there,  in  1861,  that  Samuel  A.  Gross- 
man enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  en- 
tering Company  D,  18th  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  from  Alexander  county,  for  three 
years,  but  was  so  seriously  wounded  one  year 
later  that  he  was  discharged.  In  Septem- 
ber, 1863,  he  reenlisted,  entering  Company 
I,  2d  Missouri  State  Militia,  and  still  later 
was  a  member  of  Company  K,  13th  Volun- 
teer Cavalry,  and  served  until  Jamiary.  1866. 
He  was  first  discharged  at  Jackson,  Tenn.. 
and  reenlisted  at  Port  Leavenworth,  Kan. 
Dviring  his  long  service  he  saw  mau.v  of  the 
worst  features  of  war  and  took  part  in  many 
hard-won  struggles.  He  was  in  the  battle 
of  Port  Donelson,  where  he  was  wounded. 
While  performing  scouting  duty,  under  the 
orders  of  General  Grant,  he  was  taken  pris- 
oner as  a  spy,  at  Columbus.  Ky.,  and  was 
confined  for  eighteen  days  in  the  prison  at 
New  ]\Iadrid.  He  entered  the  seiwice  as  a 
private,  but  later  was  sergeant  of  the  13th 
Cavalry,  and  was  corporal  of  Company  D, 
in  the  "l8th  Illinois  Infantry.  During  a  part 
of  his  service  he  was  with  his  regiment  on 
the  western  plains. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Grossman  de- 
cided to  locate  in  the  West  and  there  was  en- 
gaged in  railroad  work,  in  Missouri  and  Ar- 
kansas, until  1892,  when  he  returned  to  Penn- 
sylvania. Since  then  he  has  resided  at  Mitch- 
ells Mills,  where  he  follows  carpenter  work 
and  blacksmithing  and  has  also  done  some 
contracting.  He  was  quite  active  in  public 
matters  in  the  West  and  at  one  time  was 
deputy  sheriff  of  Poplar  Bluff,  Mo.,  marshal 


and  constable,  serving  as  marshal  during  the 
building  of  the  Iron  Mountain  railroad. 

On  Dec.  31,  1863,  Mr.  Grossman  was  mar- 
ried (first)  at  Charlestown,  ]Mo.,  to  Maggie 
McCamey,  who  was  a  native  of  Illinois.  She 
died  in  1866,  lea\'ing  one  child,  who  is  now 
deceased.  In  1878  Mr.  Grossman  was  mar- 
ried (second)  at  Poplar  Bluif,  Mo.,  to  Re- 
becca J.  Girard,  who  was  born  in  ilarshall 
county,  Ind.,  Aug.  13,  1853.  Four  children 
wei'e  born  to  this  union,  namely:  Franklin 
and  William,  both  of  whom  are  deceased: 
Ida  v.,  who  is  the  widow  of  Edward  Frown, 
and  resides  at  Mitchells  Mills,  with  her  four 
children,  Charles  H..  Russell,  Alberta  and 
lola;  James  lives  at  Pittsburg. 

Mr.  and  IMrs.  Grossman  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.  They  enjoy  a  comfortable 
residence,  which  Mr.  Grossman  erected  after 
coming  to  MitcheUs  Mills.  He  is  identified 
with  the  G.  A.  R. 

GEORGE  FRANKLIN  HESS,  a  farmer  of 
Green  to^vnship  and  associated  with  business 
affairs  in  Dixouville  as  head  of  the  Dixon- 
ville  Beef  &  Provision  Company,  is  one  of  the 
best-known  men  in  his  part  of  Indiana  county, 
where  he  has  passed  all  his  life.  He  was 
born  at  Richmond,  Sept.  15,  1859,  son  of 
George  and  Mary  (Heflick)  Hess,  both  of 
whom  were  also  natives  of  Indiana  county. 
George  Hess  was  a  blacksmith,  and  followed 
the  ti-ade  in  his  earlier  life,  later  engaging 
in  same  in  Canoe  township,  this  county,  where 
he  resided  until  his  death,  in  1904.  His  wife 
died  about  1892,  and  they  are  buried  in  Rich- 
mond cemetery.  Grant  township,  Indiana 
county. 

George  Franklin  Hess  attended  school  in 
Canoe  township.  When  a  young  man  he  be- 
gan farming,  in  which  he  has  continued  to 
the  present  time,  having  a  valuable  property 
in  Green  township,  to  which  he  moved  when 
twenty-one  years  old.  For  the  last  twenty- 
five  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  stock  deal- 
ing and  butchering,  which  has  become  one 
of  liis  most  important  interests.  In  1908  he 
built  the  plant  at  Dixonville  known  as  the 
Dixonville  Beef.  Provision  &  Cold  Storage 
Plant,  which  is  equipped  with  all  necessary 
up-to-date  machinery  for  the  successful  con- 
duct of  the  business,  in  which  he  and  his  son 
Blair  are  associated.  It  is  one  of  the  most 
modern  establishments  in  the  section,  and  Mr. 
Hess,  by  his  good  judgment  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  business,  has  made  a  substantial 
place  for  himself  among  the  enterprising  citi- 
zens of  this  region. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1405 


On  Oct.  25,  1888,  Mr.  Hess  was  married  to 
Sarah  J.  Wheeler,  daughter  of  John  and  Sam- 
antha  (Lydic)  Wheeler,  of  Dixonville,  and 
they  have  seven  living  children:  Blair,  Eva, 
Minnie,  Delia,  Laura,  Zura  and  Paul.  Blair, 
the  eldest,  born  Oct.  5,  1889,  is  associated  in 
business  with  his  father;  he  married  Mame 
Holt,  of  Indiana  county,  and  has  one  child, 
Blaine. 

JOSEPH  WELTEROTH  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Indiana  for  a  comparatively  brief 
period,  but  he  has  established  himself  in  a 
thriving  plumbing  and  heating  business,  built 
up  by  good  service  to  his  patrons  and  the 
most  commendable  business  methods.  Mr. 
Welteroth  was  born  in  Pittston,  Luzerne  Co., 
Pa.,  Jan.  5,  1867,  son  of  Peter  and  Gertrude 
(Kellenbaeh)  Welteroth.  The  parents  were 
natives  of  Germany  and  were  married  in  that 
country.  The  father  was  engaged  as  a  car- 
penter contractor  during  his  residence  in 
Pittston,  Pa.,  and  thence  moved  to  Williams- 
port,  Pa.  He  died  in  1878,  the  mother  in 
1888.  They  had  the  following  children :  Peter, 
Henry,  Elizabeth,  John,  Christina,  Barbara 
and  Joseph. 

Joseph  Welteroth  passed  his  boyhood  and 
youth  at  Williamsport,  receiving  his  educa- 
tion in  the  parochial  schools  there.  At  the 
age  of  seventeen  he  went  to  work  for  the  Wil- 
liamsport Hardware  Companj',  to  learn 
plumbing  and  tinning,  in  that  employ  acquir- 
ing his  first  knowledge  of  plumbing  and  steam- 
fitting.  Subseciuently  he  worked  at  various 
places  in  Pennsylvania,  New  Yoi-k  State  and 
Ohio,  picking  up  valuable  experience  in  his 
chosen  calling.  Going  to  Punxsutawney,  Pa., 
he  spent  six  years  there  in  the  employ  of 
the  Punxsutawney  Hardware  Company,  and 
thence  came  to  the  borough  of  Indiana,  In- 
diana county,  to  open  the  establishment  of 
the  Indiana  Hardware  Company  at  that  point, 
having  an  interest  in  the  business — plumb- 
ing and  tinning.  At  the  end  of  one  year's 
connection  with  that  concern,  however,  he  sold 
out  and  started  his  present  business,  plumb- 
ing, heating  and  ventilating,  tin,  iron  and 
slate  roofing,  and  doing  all  kinds  of  job  work, 
making  a  specialty  of  the  repairing  of  stoves 
and  furnaces.  His  location  is  at  tlie  corner 
of  Fifth  and  Philadelphia  streets.  There  is 
always  a  demand  for  expert  service  of  this 
kind  in  a  well-settled  community,  and  ilr. 
Welteroth  during  his  six  years'  residence  in 
Indiana  has  gained  a  reputation  for  prompt 
and  reliable  service  which  has  brought  him 
a   wide   and   profitable   patronage.      He   is   a 


good  manager,  as  well  as  an  industrious 
worker,  and  there  are  excellent  possibilities 
in  his  growing  business. 

On  Nov.  14,  1888,  Mr.  Welteroth  was  mar- 
ried in  Williamsport,  Pa.,  to  Annie  Agnes 
Brand,  daughter  of  Anthonj-  and  Elizabeth 
(Agold)  Brand,  the  former  of  whom  is  a  car- 
penter contractor.  Mr.  and  I\Irs.  Welteroth 
have  had  four  children :  J.  Clyde,  of  In- 
diana, who  married  Winnie  Isman  and  has 
one  child,  Annie  Ruth;  Charles,  who  is  in 
Arizona;  Ruth,  at  home;  and  George,  who  is 
still  in  school. 

Mr.  Welteroth  is  a  member  of  St.  Bernard's 
Catholic  Church,  and  fraternally  he  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Columbus  and  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America. 

BLAINE  SHORT,  of  Dixonville,  Indiana 
county,  member  of  the  Dixonville  Beef  &  Pro- 
vision Company,  has  been  associated  with 
that  concern  since  1908,  the  year  he  came  to 
the  town.  He  was  born  May  9,  1883,  in 
Cherryhill  township,  this  county,  son  of  Wil- 
liam J.  and  Maggie  M.   (Bence)   Short. 

The  founder  of  the  family  in  this  section 
was  James  Short,  great-grandfather  of  Blaine 
Short.  He  came  to  Indiana  county  from 
Huntingdon  county,  where  his  parents  had 
settled  at  an  early  day,  being  emigrants  from 
Holland.  On  coming  to  this  county  he  lo- 
cated on  land  in  Rayne  township,  on  which 
he  carried  on  general  agriculture  during  the 
daylight  hours,  while  his  evenings  were  spent 
in  working  at  his  trade  of  blacksmith.  A 
sober,  industrious  man,  he  succeeded  in  ac- 
cumulating a  competency,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  in  February,  1875,  his  commu- 
nity had  no  more  highly  esteemed  citizen. 
Among  his  children  was  John  Short,  who  en- 
listed in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil 
war  and  was  killed  at  Antietam  fifteen  min- 
utes after  the  start  of  the  battle.  Another 
son.  Dr.  James  Shoi't,  was  born  in  Rayne 
township,  graduated  from  Jefferson  College, 
and  spent  three  ye^rs  as  a  surgeon  in  the 
Civil  war.  Subsequently  he  located  in  In- 
diana, and  was  there  successfully  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery  until 
his  death,  which  was  caused  by  blood  poison- 
ing, from  infection  while  performing  an  oper- 
ation.   He  married  j\Iary  J.  McCunn. 

David  A.  Short,  son  of  James,  was  born 
in  Huntingdon  county,  Pa.,  and  was  a  lad 
when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Rayne 
township.  Indiana  county,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  active  life,  in  agricultural 
pursuits,  retiring  in  1891,  by  which  time  he 


1406 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


had  accumulated  500  acres  of  laud  in  one 
body.  At  that  time,  feeling  that  he  had 
earned  a  rest  from  his  labors,  he  moved  to 
Indiana,  and  there  his  death  occurred  Aug. 
6,  1906.  He  married  Mary  Ann  Long,  who 
was  born  in  Rayne  township,  and  she  died 
April  30,  1912,  the  mother  of  the  following 
children:  William  J.;  Jane,  the  wife  of  H. 
N.  Dyaren,  a  farmer  of  Rayne  township; 
Minerva,  wife  of  James  Beuce,  also  of  this 
township;  Harry  L.,  a  resident  of  Rayne 
township,  who  married  Mary  Widdowson, 
who  is  now  deceased;  Lovina,  wife  of  James 
Wiggins,  of  White  township;  and  Mary  and 
John,  who  are  deceased.  David  A.  Short 
served  through  the  Civil  war  as  a  Union  sol- 
dier. 

William  J.  Short  was  educated  in  Rayne 
township.  In  1876,  when  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age,  he  settled  in  Cherryhill  township, 
which  locality  has  since  been  his  home,  and 
here  he  now  owns  a  tract  of  205  acres,  one 
of  the  well-cultivated  properties  of  his  sec- 
tion, his  place  being  known  as  the  "Ideal 
Farm."  For  seventeen  years  he  has  acted  as 
manager  for  the  Indiana  County  Fair  Asso- 
ciation. He  has  long  been  a  school  director 
of  Cherryhill  township. 

On  March  7,  1878,  Mr.  Short  was  mai-ried 
to  Maggie  M.  Bence,  a  native  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth 
(Rinn)  Bence,  early  settlei-s  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, the  latter  of  whom  came  from  Germany, 
while  the  former  was  of  German  descent. 
Mrs.  Short  died  Feb.  3,  1901,  at  Longmont, 
Colo.,  whither  she  had  gone  in  an  attempt  to 
regain  her  health.  She  and  Mr.  Short  had  a 
family  of  six  children,  as  follows :  Elmer  E., 
of  Washington  township,  who  married  Laura 
Fyock,  of  Cherryhill  township,  and  has  five 
children;  Anna,  who  man'ied  Delbert  Means, 
a  resident  of  Indiana,  Pa.;  Blaine,  residing 
at  Dixonville,  Pa. ;  Grace,  wife  of  Homer 
Dick,  of  Cherryhill,  now  residing  at  Indiana, 
Pa. ;  and  Mary  and  Clarence,  who  live  at 
home.  On  Dee.  16,  1902,  Mr.  Short  was  mar- 
ried (second)  to  Clara  Helman,  a  native  of 
Cherryhill  township. 

Blaine  Short  attended  school  in  Cherryhill 
township  and  worked  on  the  farm  in  his  boy- 
hood and  youth.  He  lived  for  a  time  in 
Cambria  county,  being  clerk  in  the  store  of 
the  Logan  Coal  Company  at  Beaverdale  and 
later  having  charge  of  the  meat  department 
as  manager.  Coming  to  Dixonville  in  1908, 
he  soon  afterward,  on  July  1st,  entered  the 
firm  of  which  he  has  since  been  a  member, 
the  Dixonville  Beef  &  Provision   Company. 


His  ability  and  solid  worth  have  gained  him 
creditable  standing  among  the  business  peo- 
ple of  the  place. 

Mr.  Short  was  married  Jan.  10,  1906,  to 
Floda  Houck,  a  native  of  Rayne  township, 
this  county,  daughter  of  James  and  Maggie 
(Gibson)  Houck,  the  former  a  merchant  at 
Indiana,  Pa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Short  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  They  have 
two  living  children,  Margaret  and  William. 

ANDREW  FOSTER^  a  farmer  of  North 
Mahoning  township,  was  born  in  County 
Tyrone,  Ireland,  July  26,  1842,  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Elizabeth   (Means)   Foster. 

William  Poster  was  born  in  County  Tyrone, 
Ireland,  as  was  his  wife,  and  both  died  there. 
They  were  farming  people,  and  their  family 
consisted  of  six  children,  as  follows :  Andrew ; 
John,  who  came  to  America  in  1867,  locating 
at  Pittsburg,  where  he  died;  Mary  Ann,  who 
is  the  widow  of  Andrew  Poster  of  East  End. 
Pittsburg,  Pa.;  Fannie,  unmarried,  who  is 
still  in  County  Tyrone,  Ireland;  Ellen,  who 
married  Matthew  Dinsmore,  and  lives  on  the 
family  farm  in  Ireland;  and  William,  who 
located  in  Canada  and  there  died. 

Andrew  Foster  attended  the  common  schools 
of  Ireland  and  lived  at  home  until  1867. 
when  he  and  his  sister  jMary  Ann  came  to 
America,  locating  at  Pittsburg.  When  he 
arrived  in  that  city  he  found  various  indus- 
tries suffering  from  the  effects  of  a  financial 
panic,  so  he  went  to  work  on  a  small  farm  in 
the  vicinity.  As  soon  as  business  picked  up  a 
little  he  obtained  employment  with  the  Citi- 
zens' Passenger  Railroad  Company  of  Pitts- 
burg, as  hostler,  and  was  promoted  until  he 
became  an  inspector.  Later  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  a  branch  road  and  had  charge  of 
the  stable.  He  was  with  this  company  until 
its  consolidation  with  the  Philadelphia  Com- 
pany. Following  that  event,  in  ]\Iareh.  1898. 
Mr.  Foster  bought  his  present  farm  in  North 
Mahoning  township,  known  as  the  old  Dilts 
place,  containing  118  acres  all  in  a  state  of 
improvement.  He  has  one  of  the  best  farms 
in  Indiana  county,  and  raises  wheat,  oats, 
corn,  ha3^  and  potatoes. 

^Ir.  Foster  was  married  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.. 
to  Jane  Crawford,  of  County  Tyrone.  Ireland, 
who  died  at  Pittsburg.  She  had  three  chil- 
dren. William  John,  Avho  was  a  farmer,  died 
when  twenty-four  years  old ;  Ellen  is  at  home : 
Andrew  passed  away  at  the  age  of  nine  years, 
in  Pittsburg.  The  second  marriage  of  Mr. 
Foster  was  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Given,  daugh- 
ter of  Francis  Elkin  and  widow  of  John  Wil- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIi 


1407 


liam  Given,  of  County  Tyi'one,  Ireland,  who 
died  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.  By  her  first  marriage 
Mrs.  Poster  had  one  daughter,  Martha,  who 
married  Harry  Elkin.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Poster 
belong  to  the  Methodist  Church  of  George- 
ville,  Pa.,  and  are  active  in  its  good  work. 
He  is  a  Eepublican,  but  not  an  office  seeker. 
Coming  to  America  a  poor  bo.y,  i\Ir.  Foster 
has  worked  his  way  up,  and  is  now  one  of 
the  substantial  agriculturists  of  his  section 
of  Indiana  county.  Had  he  not  possessed  in- 
nate characteristics  that  made  for  success  he 
would  not  have  been  able  to  progress  as  he 
did,  but  his  natural  ability,  combined  with 
hard  work  and  close  economy,  have  brough.t 
about  desirable  results. 

ROBERT  E.  SIMPSON,  general  farmer 
and  stock  raiser  of  Cherryhill  township,  where 
he  has  spent  practically  all  of  his  life,  was 
born  in  that  township  Dec.  5,  1861,  and  is  a 
son  of  James  and  Margaret  (Lapsley)  Simp- 
son, natives  of  Indiana  county. 

Robert  Simpson,  grandfather  of  Robert  E. 
Simpson,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  came  to 
the  United  States  at  the  age  of  twelve  years, 
settling  in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.  There  he  spent  a  number  of  years  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  but  on  his  retirement  from 
active  life  moved  to  Clynier,  where  he  died 
in  1901,  at  the  age  of  ninety-five  years. 

James  Simpson,  son  of  Robert,  and  father 
of  Robert  E.  Simpson,  was  born  in  Indiana 
county.  Pa.,  and  has  been  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. He  is  now  the  owner  of  the  property 
on  which  his  father  first  settled  so  many 
years  ago.  and  is  in  the  seventy-fourth  year 
of  his  age.  His  wife  has  also  passed  her  seven- 
tieth birtliday.  They  have  had  four  sons  and 
two  daughters,  as  follows:  Robert  E. ;  Louis: 
Nellie,  the  wife  of  Frank  Decker,  residing  on 
a  part  of  the  old  homestead ;  Merle,  at  home ; 
and  two  who  died  in  infancy. 

James  Lapsley,  maternal  grandfather  of 
Robert  E.  Simpson,  was  a  native  of  Ireland, 
from  which  country  he  came  to  the  LTnited 
States  and  settled  in  Cherryhill  township, 
spending  the  rest  of  his  life  here  in  farming 
operations. 

Robert  E.  Simpson  attended  school  in 
Cherryhill  township,  and  from  his  earliest 
youth  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits. With  the  exception  of  two  years  he 
has  alwa.ys  lived  in  his  native  township,  and 
has  owned  his  present  farm,  a  tract  of  200 
acres,  for  the  last  nine  years. 

Mr.  Simpson  was  married  there,  Aug.  7, 
1884,   to   Caroline   Dick,   who   was   born   in 


Cherryhill  township  in  April,  1861,  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Mock)  Dick,  natives 
of  Blair  county,  Pa.,  who  settled  in  Indiana 
county  at  an  early  date.  Mr.  Dick  passed 
away  in  1861,  and  his  widow  makes  her  home 
at  Greenville,  Pa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simpson 
have  had  six  children :  Earl,  who  is  on  the 
farm,  married  Jennie  0.  Widdowson,  daugh- 
ter of  Clark  B.  Widdowson,  of  Penn  Run ; 
Lula  teaches  school  at  Homer  City;  Vera  is 
a  student  at  the  Indiana  normal  school ;  Ed- 
gar Budd  is  a  teacher  at  ilitchells  Mills ;  two 
children  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simpson  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  pub- 
lie-spirited  in  his  duties  as  a  citizen,  and  has 
served  efficiently  as  school  director  and  super- 
visor of  Cherryhill  township  on  several  occa- 


FRANCIS  J.  FLEMING  owns  the  Summit 
Farm,  in  Green  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  his  parents  settled  in  1861  and  mem- 
bers of  this  family  have  lived  continuously 
since.  He  was  born  there  May  19,  1862,  son 
of  George  H.  and  Eliza  J.  (O'Neil)  Fleming 
and  grandson  of  Francis  J.  Fleming.  The 
grandfather  came  into  Indiana  county  at  an 
early  day  and  made  a  settlement  in  Green 
township,  living  in  what  came  to  be  known 
as  the  old  Fleming  farm  near  Cookport,  where 
he  remained  until  his  death.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  eight  children,  of  whom  George  H. 
was  the  eldest.  Four  of  this  family  survive: 
William  I.,  Robert  F.,  Jane  S.  (wife  of  George 
Lutman)   and  Mary. 

George  H.  Fleming  was  born  near  Pitts- 
burg, Pa.,  at  what  was  known  as  Squirrel 
Hill,  and  came  with  the  family  to  Indiana 
county.  In  1860  he  bought  part  of  the  farm 
now  occupied  liy  his  son  Francis,  moving  to 
that  place  in  1861.  His  first  purchase  was 
sixty  acres,  to  which  he  subsequently  added 
fifty  acres,  and  the  property  is  popularly 
known  as  Summit  Farm"  or  Fleming's  Sum- 
mit. George  H.  Fleming  moved  to  the  bor- 
ough of  Indiana  two  years  before  his  death, 
which  occurred  there  in  February,  1908.  His 
wife,  Eliza  Jane  (O'Neil),  daughter  of  Ed- 
ward and  Catherine  (Kneedler)  O'Neil,  was 
born  April  1,  1838,  and  survives  him,  living 
in  the  borough  of  Indiana.  Seven  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fleming:  Francis 
J. ;  Edward  J.,  who  lives  at  Starford,  Pa. ; 
Catherine,  wife  of  G.  T.  Learn,  of  Green  town- 
ship;  Laura  A.,  who  lives  with  her  mother; 
Jennie,  a  teacher,  also  living  with  her  mother ; 


1408 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Crissie,  deceased;  and  Jessie,  who  is  now 
teaching  in  Ohio. 

Francis  J.  Fleming  received  a  public  school 
education  in  Green  township.  From  boyhood 
he  has  been  engaged  in  farming,  and  he  grad- 
ually assumed  the  care  of  the  home  place, 
upon  his  father's  retirement  taking  over  its 
entire  cultivation  and  management.  Tlie 
property  is  a  notably  fine  one,  and  he  has 
kept  it  in  the  best  condition  by  his  intelligent 
methods  and  systematic  labors.  He  takes 
some  part  in  the  public  affairs  of  the  locality, 
having  served  as  member  of  the  township 
school  board. 

On  Oct.  20,  1887,  Mr.  Fleming  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Laura  M.  Cook,  who  was 
born  in  Green  township,  daughter  of  Rich- 
ard and  Catherine  (Dasher)  Cook,  the  former 
deceased,  the  latter  now  living  in  Clearfield 
county.  Mr.  Cook  was  a  farmer  in  Green 
township,  Indiana  county.  Jlrs.  Fleming  is 
the  eldest  of  the  six  children  born  to  her  par- 
ents, all  yet  living,  namely :  Laura  M.  (Mrs. 
Fleming),  Charles,  William  (a  resident  of 
Clearfield  county).  Ellsworth  (of  Clearfield 
county),  Mabel  and  Edward.  Of  the  chil- 
dren born  to  ilr.  and  Mrs.  Fleming.  George 
H.,  the  eldest,  is  deceased.  The  others  are: 
Hazel,  at  home;  Hope,  now  a  student  at  the 
Indiana  (Pa.)  State  normal  school;  Blaine,  a 
teacher,  now  at  Swissvale,  Pa.;  Belle;  Cather- 
ine, and  Emory.  Mr.  and  ilrs.  Fleming  and 
their  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  at  Cookport. 

SAMUEL  CALDERWOOD,  a  general 
farmer  and  stock  raiser,  who  resides  on  his 
farm  of  130  acres,  situated  in  Canoe  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  was  born  Jan.  15,  1834, 
in  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  a  sou  of  Andrew 
and  Mary  (IMilligan)  Caldei-wood. 

Andrew  Calderwood  and  wife  were  born, 
reared  and  married  in  County  Tyrone,  Ire- 
land, and  from  there  came  to  America  in  1848, 
making  their  way  to  Indiana  county.  Pa.  For 
the  first  three  years  their  home  was  in  North 
^lahoniug  township,  after  which  they  moved 
into  Canoe  township,  Andrew  Calderwood 
buying  the  land  on  which  his  son  Robert  now 
resides.  It  was  100  acres  of  virgin  soil,  heav- 
ily timbered,  and  before  he  could  erect  bis 
modest  log  cabin  he  had  to  clear  space  for 
the  same.  His  children  were  soon  able  to  as- 
sist in  providing  necessities  and  comforts  for 
the  new  home  in  the  strange  land  and  he 
prospered.  Both  he  and  his  wife  lived  into 
advanced  age,  her  death  occurring  in  Banks 
township    when    she    was    aged    eighty-three 


years,  while  he  died  on  his  homestead  in  his 
ninety-third  year.  They  were  members  of 
the  Pi-esbyterian  Church.  Although  never 
very  active  in  politics,  he  cast  his  vote  with 
the  Republican  party  for  many  years.  Chil- 
dren as  follows  were  born  to  Andrew  Caldei'- 
wood  and  his  wife :  Samuel  is  mentioned  be- 
low; Elizabeth,  born  in  County  Tyrone,  Ire- 
land, June  1,  1837,  was  married  to  David  Rad- 
cliff  and  (second)  to  John  Coglin,  and  they 
live  in  Montgomery  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa. ;  Robert,  born  m  Ireland,  March  26,  1841, 
was  a  lumberman  and  farmer  on  the  old  home 
place,  married  Mary  L.  Rishel,  and  died  March 
4,  1912 ;  William,  born  in  County  Tyrone,  Ire- 
laud,  March  10,  1845,  a  farmer  in  Knox  town- 
ship, Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  married  ilartha  Work, 
and  they  had  children,  Lizzie.  William,  Mary, 
Claire,  Hattie,  Bertha  and  Elizabeth,  the 
three  last  named  being  deceased;  John  E. 
began  his  education  at  Covode,  Pa.,  studied 
law  under  the  preceptorship  of  Jenks  &  Wins- 
low,  of  Punxsutawney,  and  has  been  in  active 
practice  since  1879. 

Samuel  Calderwood  had  but  a  limited  edu- 
cation, like  the  boys  of  his  locality  and  gen- 
eration being  brought  up  to  the  hard  work 
of  the  farm.  He  remained  under  the  par- 
ental roof  until  he  was  married,  Jan.  23, 
1859,  to  Elizabeth  Shields.  Mi-s.  Calderwood 
was  born  April  26,  1842,  in  Canoe  township, 
daughter  of  George  Shields,  a  sketch  of  whose 
cai'eer  will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this 
work.  Eight  children  were  born  to  this  union : 
William  Milligan,  born  Oct.  27,  1860,  now  his 
father's  assistant  on  the  home  place,  mar- 
ried Nettie  Knox,  and  has  one  son,  Ralph ; 
Jane  Isabel,  born  April  21,  1863,  died  Aug. 
13,  1865;  Robert  Simeon,  born  Feb.  2,  1865, 
connected  with  the  contracting  firm  of  E.  J. 
Govei-n,  of  Richmond,  Pa.,  married  Alma 
Richardson,  and  has  two  children,  Larue  and 
Yerna:  j\Iarv,  born  Feb.  19,  1867,  died  Feb. 
13,  1891 ;  Ella  H.,  born  Oct.  20.  1868,  is  also 
deceased;  Walter  Scott,  born  Nov.  28.  1870, 
formerly  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank 
of  McKean  County,  Pa.,  for  twenty-two  years, 
now  engaged  in  the  oil  and  gas  business,  mar- 
ried Minnie  North,  and  has  two  sons,  George 
Q.  and  John  E. ;  George  Lynus,  born  Jan. 
25.  1873,  died  Jan.  31,  1878;  Harrv  Edwin, 
born  Aug.  16,  1879,  died  July  28,  1881.  The 
children  were  all  given  excellent  educational 
advantages,  and  Walter  S.  Calderwood  com- 
pleted his  training  in  the  Eastman  college  at 
Poughkeepsie,   New  York. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Calder- 
wood settled  dowu  to  housekeeping  in  a  little 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1409 


log  cabin  on  their  present  property,  then  a 
heavily  timbered  tract.  Mr.  Calderwood  now 
owns  130  acres,  of  which  about  100  acres  are 
under  a  state  of  high  cultivation,  and  the 
general  appearance  of  his  property  gives  am- 
ple evidence  of  his  skill,  thrift  and  industry. 
He  has  not  needed  outside  help,  or  asked  for 
it.  It  is  but  natural  that  he  should  take  a  par- 
donable degree  of  pride  in  what  he  has  accom- 
plished, for  his  success  has  been  worked  out 
by  his  own  hands,  and  he  has  no  reason  to  re- 
gret the  manner  in  which  he  has  gained  his 
present  prestige.  Mr.  Calderwood  is  a  farmer, 
not  a  politician,  and  he  has  never  desired 
the  preferment  that  is  gained  in  the  arena  of 
party  sti'ife.  He  has  always  endeavored  to 
live  up  to  the  rules  of  good  citizenship  and  to 
promote  those  movements  which  make  for  good 
government.  He  supports  Republican  candi- 
dates and  policies.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Rockbridge  Presbyterian  Church,  and  has 
never  been  found  lacking  when  asked  to  assist 
in  the  promotion  of  religious  or  charitable 
enterprises. 

WILLIAM  H.  PAUL,  a  farmer  and  stock 
raiser  of  South  Mahoning  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  Nov.  1,  1835,  in  Jackson 
township,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Samuel 
Paul  and  grandson  of  Abraham  PaiU. 

Abraham  Paul  was  born  near  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  where  he  married  Elizabeth  Fluke,  a  na- 
tive of  Chester,  Pa.,  and  with  her  came  to 
Blair  county,  this  State,  settling  in  Croyl 
township,  where  he  was  a  pioneer  and  de- 
veloped large  farming  properties.  His  death 
occurred  in  1814,  while  he  was  still  in  the 
prime  of  life.  His  remains  were  interred  on 
the  farm.  His  wife  was  killed  by  a  falling 
tree  blown  down  by  the  wind,  when  she  was 
eighty-eight  years  old.  She,  too,  was  buried 
on  the  farm,  and  both  she  and  her  husband 
were  consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran 
Church.  Their  children  were:  Hannah  mar- 
ried Abraham  Teter,  of  Morrisons  Cove, 
Blair  Co.,  Pa. ;  John  settled  in  Richland  town- 
ship, Cambria  county;  Jacob  settled  in  that 
township ;  Barbara  married  Jacob  Mortimer 
and  lives  at  Friends  Cove,  Blair  county ;  Lewis 
settled  in  Croyl  township ;  David  settled  in 
Jackson  township,  Cambria  county:  Catherine 
married  George  Pringle ;  Elizabeth  married 
Jacob  Staule,  of  Richland  township,  Cambria 
county ;  Samuel  is  mentioned  below ;  Polly  was 
murdered,  by  some  men  from  Pittsburg ;  Isaac 
settled  on  a  farm  in  Croyl  township. 

Samuel  Paul,  son  of  Abraham  Paul,  was 
bom  in  1805  in  Blair  county,  and  was  brought 


to  Cambria  county  by  his  parents  when  nine 
years  old.  Remaining  with  them  until  he  at- 
tained his  majority,  he  then  settled  on  255 
acres  of  land  in  Jackson  township,  that 
county,  at  which  time  it  was  covered  with 
dense  forest.  He  built  a  log  house  and  barn, 
later  replacing  them  with  buildings  of  frame, 
and  made  many  improvements  upon  his  land, 
operating  it  until  1865,  when  he  sold  and 
moved  to  Indiana  county  with  his  family,  lo- 
cating in  South  Mahoning  township  on  Aug. 
31,  1865.  He  bought  the  Samuel  Cochran 
farm  of  106  acres,  and  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  here,  engaged  in  farming,  dying 
Jan.  14,  1882,  aged  seventy-six  years,  eight 
months,  twenty-three  days.  He  is  buried  in 
St.  John's  Lutheran  Church  cemetery.  For 
years  he  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Ger- 
man Reformed  Church.  Politically  he  was  a 
Whig,  and  later  a  Republican,  and  always 
one  who  believed  in  upholding  the  principles 
of  his  party. 

In  1833  Mr.  Paul  married  Susannah  Eyler, 
a  native  of  Maryland,  a  daughter  of  Henry 
Eyler.  She  died  March  23,  1874,  aged  sixty- 
four  years,  three  months,  eight  days,  and  was 
buried  in  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church  ceme- 
tery. She  was  a  member  of  that  denomi- 
nation. Children  as  follows  were  born  to 
Samuel  Paul  and  his  wife:  Elias  is  living 
retired  at  Altoona,  Pa.;  William  H.  is  men- 
tioned below;  Elizabeth  married  Samuel  Dil- 
lon, of  Missouri ;  Maria  died  in  childhood ; 
John  also  died  in  childhood;  Emanuel  lives 
in  Steubenville,  Ohio. 

William  H.  Paul,  like  the  majority  of 
farmer's  sons,  attended  school  in  the  win- 
ter and  worked  with  his  father  upon  the  farm 
in  the  summer  until  old  enough  to  engage  in 
lumbering  in  the  woods  in  Cambria  county. 
He  continued  to  work  at  lumbering  and  farm- 
ing until  1865,  when  he  came  to  South  Ma- 
honing township,  accompanying  his  father, 
and  remained  with  him,  proving  of  great  as- 
sistance and  comfort,  until  the  latter 's  death. 
He  then  obtained  the  homestead,  and  has  since 
operated  it,  devoting  his  land  to  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising.  He  has  been  specially 
interested  in  the  raising  of  large  horses,  his 
stock  being  well  known  on  account  of  its 
quality ;  naturally  fond  of  horses,  he  has  been 
very  successful  in  this  line,  and  is  a  recog- 
nized authority  vipon  agricultural  matters. 

From  the  time  that  he  cast  his  first  presi- 
dential vote,  for  John  C.  Fremont,  Mr.  Paul 
has  been  a  stanch  Republican,  and  is  proud 
of  following  in  the  footsteps  of  Lincoln,  Mc- 
Kinley  and  Taft.    According  to  his  belief  the 


1410 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


counti-y's  greatness  has  been  conserved  by 
these  great  leaders,  and  if  it  is  to  be  con- 
tinued the  principles  the.y  advocated  must  be 
adhered  to  and  upheld.  Mr.  Paul  has  served 
as  school  director  and  judge  of  election,  and 
is  looked  upon  as  a  man  of  worth  in  his  com- 
munity. St.  John's  Lutheran  Church  holds 
his  membership  and  receives  his  loyal  and 
generous  support,  and  he  is  now  serving  as 
deacon.  His  wife  is  one  of  the  efficient  and 
popular  Sunday  school  teachers. 

On  Feb.  17,  1885,  Mr.  Paul  was  married 
to  Sarah  Elizabeth  dinger,  who  was  born 
in  Armstrong  county,  daughter  of  John  and 
IMaria  (Hartman)  Olinger,  both  of  whom  are 
deceased.  No  children  have  been  born  to  this 
marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paul  are  very  charit- 
able, and  are  to  be  found  in  the  front  ranks 
of  those  who  are  working  for  moral  uplift 
and  the  betterment  of  social  conditions. 

MILES  CROASMUN,  a  farmer  of  North 
Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
on  his  present  property  Sept.  10,  1831,  a  son 
of  Asa  Croasmun. 

Asa  Croasmun  was  born  in  Massachusetts, 
and  there  married  Patience  Oliver.  They 
later  came  to  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  settling  in 
what  afterward  became  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship, where  they  took  up  land  and  remained 
until  they  died.  They  are  buried  in  the 
cemetery  at  Cherrytree,  Pa.  Although  a 
farmer  "for  years,  Mr.  Croasmun  was  a  cooper 
by  trade.  The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Croasmun  were:  James;  Oliver,  who  lived 
in  Jefferson  county,  Pa. ;  Chloe,  who  married 
Benjamin  Deitz,  of  Freeport,  Pa.;  Rebecca, 
who  married  John  Pifer,  and  lived  in  Clarion 
county.  Pa.;  Nathan,  who  lived  at  Cherry- 
tree,  Pa.;  William;  and  Asa. 

Asa  Croasmun,  son  of  Asa  Croasmun,  and 
father  of  Miles  Croasmun,  was  born  Oct.  15, 
1794,  on  the  bay  near  Boston,  Mass.,  and  was 
brought  to  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  when  a  child,  there  growing  to  manhood. 
He  went  to  the  common  schools,  but  had  only 
limited  educational  advantages.  In  the  year 
1819  he  was  married,  in  North  IMahouing 
township,  his  wife  being  Mary  IMcHenry, 
born  Feb.  12,  1799,  a  native  of  Indiana 
county.  In  1864  he  died,  his  wife  surviving 
until  April  30,  1878.  By  occupation  he  was 
a  farmer,  and  not  only  had  a  large  farm  him- 
self, but  secured  land  for  each  of  his  children. 
The  ]\Ipthodist  Church  was  his  religious  home, 
he  being  a  charter  member  of  same  and  active 
in  religious  work.  No  man  stood  any  higher 
in  public  esteem  during  his  life  than  he.    Mr. 


and  Mrs.  Asa  Croasmun  had  the  following 
children :  Mary,  deceased,  married  Washing- 
ton Crissman,  (second)  John  Barrett  and 
(third)  Irvin  Robinson,  and  had  one  child 
by  each  man-iage,  Eliza,  Anna  and  Jennie; 
Isaac  mari-ied  Mary  Ann  ]\Iovtersbaugh  and 
(second)  Lizzie  Peffer,  and  moved  to  Virginia, 
where  he  and  his  last  wife  died;  Nathan,  de- 
ceased, who  married  Rachel  Blose,  lived  at 
Valier,  Pa. ;  Asa,  deceased,  who  married  Mary 
Robinson,  lived  in  North  Mahoning  township ; 
Miles  is  mentioned  below;  James  W.,  deceased, 
who  married  Julia  Sutter,  lived  near  Valier, 
Pa.;  William  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
years ;  Elizabeth  married  James  M.  Chambers 
and  lived  in  North  Mahoning  township  (both 
are  deceased). 

Miles  Croasmun,  son  of  Asa  Croasmun,  re- 
ceived a  common  school  education.  He  has 
spent  his  life  upon  the  homestead  of  eighty- 
one  acres,  which  property  is  very  valuable, 
and  the  improvements  show  that  Mr.  Croas- 
mun appreciates  the  value  of  advanced  farm- 
ing. He  is  a  Socialist,  politically,  and  is  able 
to  uphold  his  principles  upon  every  occasion. 
On  Jan.  5,  1871,  Mr.  Croasmun  was  mar- 
ried to  IMargaret  Jane  Beck,  of  Eddyville, 
Pa.,  daughter  of  Adam  and  Margaret  Beck, 
of  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.  'Slv.  Beck  was 
a  farmer,  and  built  the  first  gristmill  at  Eddy- 
ville, where  he  died.  The  children  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beck  were:  George,  who  is  a 
farmer  of  California,  married  Florida  Ogden : 
William,  Avho  died  in  1912,  was  a  miller  of 
Eddyville,  Pa.,  but  after  his  service  during 
the  Civil  M'ar  went  to  Kansas ;  Mary  married 
John  Thompson,  of  Pittsburg,  Kans. ;  Adam 
died  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years ;  Jacob  died 
at  the  age  of  seven  yeai-s ;  ]\Iargaret  Jane  be- 
came I\Irs.  Croasmun ;  Christina  married  Ben- 
jamin McHeury  and  lives  at  Northpoint,  Pa. 
After  the  death  of  IMr.  Beck,  Mrs.  Beck  mar- 
ried George  Weaver,  of  Indiana  county.  Pa., 
by  whom  she  had  a  son,  A.  D.  Weaver,  now 
living  near  Georgeville,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Croasmun  became  the  parents 
of  six  children:  George  A.  died  in  infancy; 
Mary  Olive  and  IMargaret  Elvira  are  twins, 
the  latter  living  at  home,  and  the  former  mar- 
ried to  Curtis^  Dormin,  and  living  in  AVest 
Mahoning  township ;  William  Clark,  who  is  a 
lumberman  of  Jenkins,  Ky.,  married  Clara 
Gilraore.  and  has  had  these  children,  Elvira 
F.  (deceased),  Mildred  J..  Helen  0..  and  Na- 
than B.  and  Asa  JI.  (twins)  :  Bert,  who  is 
at  home,  operating  the  homestead,  married 
Belva  Blakely,  and  they  liave  one  child, 
Nellie;  Merton  Asa,  who  is  now  in  Alaska, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1411 


was  in  a  store  in  California  for  six  years. 
The  eliildren  have  all  been  well  educated,  and 
Margaret  Elvira  taught  school  for  one  year  in 
Jeif arson  county.  Pa.,  and  for  another  year 
at  Marchand,  Pa. ;  she  is  a  lady  of  intelligence 
and  culture. 

ANDREW  JACKSON  LIMRICK  has  lived 
on  his  present  place  in  Banks  township,  In- 
diana county,  for  the  last  thirty  years  and  is 
one  of  the  si;bstantial  farmer  citizens  of  that 
section.  He  was  born  Jan.  8,  1845,  in  East 
Mahoning  township,  this  county,  son  of  Al- 
fred and  Miriam  (Work)  Limrick,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania  who  came  into  this  neighbor- 
hood from  Westmoreland  county.  IMr.  Lim- 
rick was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 

Andrew  J.  Limr-ick  received  a  public  school 
education  and  in  early  life  began  farming, 
which  occupation  he  has  continued  to  follow. 
In  1864  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  becom- 
ing a  member  of  Company  A,  206th  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he  served 
as  a  private  to  the  close  of  the  war,  receiving 
his  honorable  dischai-ge  July  26,  1865.  In 
1867  he  went  out  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Page 
county,  where  he  carried  on  farming  for  seven 
years.  Returning  to  Pennsylvania  he  bought 
a  farm  in  Jefferson  county,  upon  which  he 
lived  for  the  next  eight  years,  until  his  re- 
moval to  Indiana  county  in  1882.  He  then 
purchased  tlie  farm  of  122  acres  in  Banks 
township  where  he  has  since  made  his  home 
and  engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  has  become  one  of  the  most  esteemed  resi- 
dents of  the  township,  and  has  been  honored 
with  election  to  office,  having  served  six  years 
as  a  member  of  the  board  of  school  directors. 
He  belongs  to  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  United  Pi'esbyterian  Church, 
in  which  he  has  been  a  faithful  worker,  hav- 
ing served  thirty  years  as  elder  of  the  Susque- 
hanna Church  and  of  Zion  (Cumberland) 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Jefferson  county,  Pa. 
He  now  attends  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Pleasant  Grove.  Jefferson  county. 

On  Oct.  1,  1867,  Mr.  Limrick  married  Vir- 
ginia North,  a  native  of  Jefferson  county.  Pa., 
daughter  of  Joseph  P.  and  Mar.jory  North, 
farming  people,  and  five  children  were  born 
to  this  union:  (1)  Lillian  is  the  wife  of  Ed- 
ward Cassady,  of  Banks  township,  Indiana 
county.  (2)  Anna  is  the  wife  of  Fred  Keller, 
a  farmer  and  coal  miner  of  Jefferson  county. 
Pa.  (3)  Effie  is  the  wife  of  William  Conrad, 
a  farmer  of  Jefferson  county.  (4)  Jennie  is 
the  wife  of  John  Conrad,  of  Big  Run,  Jeffer- 
son Co.,  Pa.,  proprietor  of  the  "Hotel  Mc- 


Clure."  (5)  Joseph  L.,  who  is  a  coal  miner 
and  also  engages  in  sawmill  work,  married 
Anna  Bowers,  of  Banks  township,  Indiana 
county.  The  mother  of  this  family  died  June 
1,  1900.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Limrick 
married,  April  11,  1901,  Mrs.  Anna  Eliza 
Shields,  daughter  of  Patrick  Lydick,  who 
was  a  very  early  settler  in  Indiana  county. 

AMOS  S.  MILLER,  tax  collector  of  Canoe 
township,  was  born  Dec.  11,  1834,  in  Hunt- 
ingdon county.  Pa.,  son  of  James  and  Emily 
(Hook)  Miller,  also  natives  of  that  county. 
The  father  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade  and 
lived  and  died  in  Huntingdon  county,  as  did 
the  mother.  Both  were  consistent  members  of 
the  Methodist  Church.  They  had  three  chil- 
dren: Annie,  who  is  deceased;  Mary,  who 
is  deceased;  and  Amos  S. 

Amos  S.  Miller  did  not  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  attend  school  after  he  was  twelve 
years  old,  as  he  was  then  bound  out  to  Thomas 
Stewart,  who  brought  him  to  Indiana  county. 
Mr.  Stewart  secured  a  farm  in  South  Ma- 
honing township  and  the  bound  lad  lived 
with  him  until  he  attained  his  majority,  when 
he  started  out  for  himself.  He  had  learned 
shoemaking,  and  for  twenty  years  worked  at 
the  trade  in  Marion  Center  and  vicinity,  and 
then  began  farming  in  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship. At  the  expiration  of  ten  years  there 
he  came  to  Canoe  township,  buying  the  farm 
wliich  he  operated  until  1910.  In  that  year 
he  moved  to  Richmond,  Pa.,  which  has  since 
continued  to  be  his  home. 

In  1860  Mr.  Miller  was  married  to  Mary 
Jane  Work,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Nancy 
(Bi-owu)  Work,  of  Ligonier  Valley,  Pa.  Mr. 
Work  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  East  Ma- 
honing township,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
farming.  Mrs.  Miller  died  Dec.  2,  1910,  the 
mother  of  the  following  children:  Mary 
Florence,  who  married  Samuel  Wineberge,  re- 
sides in  South  Mahoning  township;  D.  S., 
who  is  a  farmer  in  Canoe  township,  married 
Martha  Cary;  Effie  E.,  who  married  Milton 
Sutter,  resides  at  Akron,  Ohio ;  Annie  L.  mar- 
ried C.  W.  Baun,  of  Canoe  township.  These 
children  were  all  sent  to  the  district  schools. 
In  September,  1862,  Mr.  Miller  enlisted  in 
Company  G,  67th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, at  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  was  sent  to 
Harrisburg,  whence  the  regiment  went  to 
Virginia.  They  participated  in  the  battle 
at  Harper's  Ferry,  those  of  Winchester,  the 
Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  Cold  Harbor,  in 
front  of  Petersburg  and  Monocaey  Junction, 


1412 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


besides  many  other  lesser  engagements,  and 
Mr.  Miller  had  the  misfortune  to  be  taken 
prisoner  July  9,  1864,  being  held  at  Danville 
until  March  23d  of  the  year  following,  when 
he  was  discharged.  His  sufferings  cannot  be 
told  in  mere  words,  and  he  will  always  re- 
tain the  traces  of  those  terrible  days.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  206,  at 
Richmond.  The  United  Presbyterian  Church 
holds  his  membership  and  receives  his  gen- 
erous support.  For  eighteen  yeai-s  Mr.  Miller 
has  been  the  collector  of  Canoe  township,  to 
which  office  he  was  elected  on  the  Republican 
ticket,  and  he  is  an  earnest  upholder  of  the 
principles  of  his  party.  A  good  official  and 
desirable  citizen,  he  ranks  high  in  his 
community. 

STEWART  S.  HAMILTON,  a  farmer  of 
White  township,  was  born  in  South  Mahon- 
ing township,  this  county,  Sept.  20,  1863, 
son'  of  William  W.  and  Lena  A.  (Stewart) 
Hamilton. 

Robert-  Hamilton,  grandfather  of  Stewart 
S.  Hamilton,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
Indiana  county,  locating  in  South  Mahoning 
township,  where  he  became  a  large  land 
owner. 

William  W.  Hamilton  was  born  in  South 
IMahoning  township,  while  his  wife  was  born 
in  Parkwood,  Armstrong  township,  this 
county,  Sept.  8,  1822.  His  birth  occurred  on 
what  was  known  as  the  old  Allen  Hamilton 
farm,  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  learning 
to  be  an  agriculturist.  In  addition  to  farm- 
ing he  worked  at  his  trade,  cabinetmaking, 
and  resided  on  the  farm  until  his  death,  which 
was  occasioned  by  a  fall,  Aug.  7,  1888,  when 
he  was  sixty-eight  years  old.  John  Stewart, 
the  maternal  grandfather  of  Stewart  S.  Ham- 
ilton, was  one  of  the  leading  men  of  Indiana 
county  in  pioneer  days,  and  was  engaged  in 
farming  throughout  his  mature  life.  ilrs. 
Hamilton  died  Aug.  25,  1905.  She  and  Mr. 
Hamilton  were  married  Feb.  14.  1850,  and 
children  as  follows  were  born  to  them :  Addi- 
son, who  resides  at  Akron,  Ohio,  married 
Bertha  Traugh,  of  Blair  county,  Pa.,  now  de- 
ceased; Elizabeth  married  Marshall  Stuchel, 
of  East  Mahoning  township ;  IMartha  married 
J.  E.  Fulton,  of  South  Mahoning  township; 
Emma  R.  is  a  resident  of  Indiana,  Pa. ; 
Miriam  E.  married  S.  J.  McManus,  of  Marion 
Center,  Pa. ;  Flora  S.  married  John  Ross,  of 
Rochester  Mills.  Pa. ;  Stewart  S.  is  mentioned 
below;  Frank  A.,  who  lives  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  South  Mahoning  township,  married 
Myra  Smith,  a  native  of  Indiana  county. 


Stewart  S.  Hamilton  attended  the  local 
schools  of  South  Mahoning  township,  the  In- 
diana high  school  and  the  Indiana  State 
normal,  being  in  the  latter  institution  for  two 
terms.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  in 
the  meanwhile,  and  worked  at  it  for  twelve 
j'cars,  remaining  at  home.  In  1892  he  be- 
gan operating  that  farm,  and  so  continued 
until  1905,  when  he  bought  his  present  farm 
in  White  township,  containing  108  acres,  on 
which  he  carries  on  general  farming,  making 
a  specialty  of  hog  raising,  although  he  also 
raises  other  stock.  In  addition  to  this  prop- 
erty he  owns  coal  interests  in  South  Mahon- 
ing townsliip,  and  is  a  man  of  considerable 
substance. 

On  Jan.  25,  1905,  Mr.  Hamilton  was  mar- 
ried to  Emma  E.  Barnett,  who  was  born  in 
Somerset  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Mary  (Ankeny)  Barnett,  natives  of 
Somerset  county,  as  was  William  Barnett. 
the  grandfather.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnett  came 
to  Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  in  1872,  settling 
in  Plumcreek  township,  buying  land  and  cul- 
tivating it.  In  addition,  Mr.  Barnett  worked 
at  his  trade,  that  of  carpenter.  During  the 
Civil  war  he  served  three  years  as  a  soldier, 
enlisting  from  Somerset  county,  and  par- 
ticipating in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  and 
other  engagements,  receiving  a  wound  in  one 
battle.  Upon  his  return  from  the  army  he 
resumed  his  former  occupations.*  Mr.  Bar- 
nett is  still  living,  residing  in  Armstrong 
county,   retired   from  active  work. 

Mrs.  Barnett  was  the  daughter  of  David 
Ankeny,  who  was  born  in  Somerset  county, 
whence  he  came  to  Armstrong  county  many 
years  ago,  dying  there.  j\Irs.  Barnett  died 
Aug.  25,  1901.  She  and  her  husband  had 
thirteen  children:  Henry  F.,  a  resident  of 
Somerset  county,  a  carpenter  by  trade,  who 
married  Sarah  Thomas;  Sadie  C,  who  mar- 
ried Chauncey  Keefer.  of  Johnstown,  Pa. ; 
Charles  F.,  of  Somerset  county,  a  farmer,  who 
married  Emma  Grady,  of  that  county :  James 
M.,  who  married  Mary  Beuchley,  of  Somer- 
set county,  where  he  resides:  Mrs.  Hamilton: 
Wilson  H. ;  John  J.,  who  is  deceased:  David 
E.,  who  resides  at  Indiana,  Pa.,  married  to 
Rose  E.  Rowland,  of  Armstrong  county: 
Edwin  K.,  who  resides  in  Armstrong  county, 
married  to  Alice  Thomas,  of  Somerset  county ; 
Martha  J.,  who  married  Charles  E.  Stanton, 
of  Somerset  county;  William  W.,  of  Somerset 
county,  who  married  Elizabeth  Pyle,  of  the 
same  county;  Anna,  who  married  Harry 
Himes,  editor  of  the  Kittanning  Tribune,  of 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1413 


Kittanning ;  and  Mary  E.,  who  married  J. 
Frank  Kussell,  a  school  teacher  and  farmer 
of  Armstrong  county. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hamilton  have  had  no  chil- 
dren of  their  own,  but  adopted  a  daughter, 
Helen  K.  They  are  members  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  are  as  popular  in 
that  organization  as  they  are  in  their  neigh- 
borhood generally,  for  they  are  estimable 
people,  who  deserve  the  prosperity  which  has 
come  to  them. 

ROBERT  ALVIN  EWING,  a  farmer  of 
Conemaugh  township,  this  county,  was  born 
in  that  township  July  18,  1870,  on  the  home- 
stead of  his  father,  John  Ewing.  Robert 
Ewing,  his  grandfather,  married  Elizabeth 
Walker,  and  was  a  successful  farmer  of  Cone- 
maugh township. 

John  Ewing,  son  of  Robert  Swing,  and 
father  of  Robert  Alvin  Ewing,  was  born  in 
Conemaugh  township,  where  he  attended  the 
schools  of  his  district,  and  was  brought  up 
to  hard  work  on  the  farm.  He  remained  with 
his  father  until  1860,  when  he  moved  to 
Young  township,  to  the  property  now  owned 
by  Sylvester  Kennedy.  Here  he  lived  until 
1865,  when  he  moved  to  the  property  now 
owned  by  his  heirs,  which  is  a  portion  of  the 
old  John  Matthews  farm.  The  property  was 
patented  in  that  name  and  Mr.  Ewing  has 
the  original  deed  in  his  possession,  covering 
166  acres.  On  this  place  John  Ewing  carried 
on  farming  and  stock  raising,  making  a  spe- 
cialty of  sheep  raising,  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  dying  Feb.  3,  1905,  aged  seventy-three 
years.  He  became  one  of  the  leading  men 
of  his  locality.  A  man  of  broad-minded 
ideas,  he  was  often  called  upon  for  advice 
and  action  in  township  matters,  at  one  time 
holding  the  oifice  of  bounty  collector  of 
Young  township.  Politically  he  was  a  life- 
long Republican.  In  boyhood  he  joined  the 
Ebenezer  Presbytei'ian  Church  at  Lewisville, 
and  not  only  was  a  trustee  for  years,  but 
served  on  the  building  committee  that  had 
charge  of  the  erection  of  a  new  edifice. 

John  Ewing  married  Margaret  Wilson,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  (Campbell) 
Wilson.  She  died  Sept.  13,  1887,  the  mother 
of  children  as  follows:  Elizabeth  is  living 
with  Robert  A.  Ewing;  Wilson  F.,  who  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  J.  Young,  lives  at  New  Ken- 
sington, Pa. ;  Frank  died  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
seven  years;  Sarah  Jane  resides  with  Robert 
A.  Ewing ;  Robert  A.  is  mentioned  below ; 
Edward  Chambers  is  deceased;  Angie  Myrta 


is  deceased;  all  of  those  who  are  deceased  are 
buried  in  the  cemetei'y  connected  with  Eben- 
ezer Church,  in  Conemaugh  township.  , 

Robert  Alvin  Ewing  attended  the  district 
schools  and  grew  up  on  the  farm.  Later  he 
went  to  the  academy  at  Eldersridge,  and 
upon  his  return  home  resumed  his  agricul- 
tural occupations,  learning  farming  in  all  its 
details.  Since  coming  into  possession  of  the 
farm  he  has  improved  the  property,  and  now 
carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
A  man  of  progressive  ideas,  he  is  conducting 
his  business  intelligently  and  ably  and  has 
earned  the  right  to  a  leading  place  among  the 
successful   agriculturists  of   Indiana   county. 

Mr.  Ewing  married  Laura  Catherine 
Pierce,  a  daughter  of  John  M.  and  Sarah 
(McPhearson)  Pierce,  of  South  Mahoning 
township,  this  county.  For  the  last  five  years 
Mr.  Ewing  has  been  a  trustee  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  of  which  he  is  a  consistent 
member,  and  he  is  honored  in  that  body  as  he 
is  in  all  the  relations  of  life. 

JEREMIAH  KEITH,  general  merchant  at 
Grip,  in  Green  township,  Indiana  county,  is 
a  son  of  Adam  and  Martha  (Good)  Keith 
and  grandson  of  Adam  Keith.  The  latter 
was  a  native  of  York  county.  Pa.,  and  came 
to  this  section  at  a  very  early  day,  settling 
in  Cambria  county.  By  occupation  he  was  a 
farmer  and  blacksmith,  following  those  call- 
ings in  Cambria  county  to  the  end  of  his 
life.     He  died  Feb.  25,  1849. 

Adam  Keith,  father  of  Jeremiah  Keith,  was 
born  in  Cambria  county,  and  in  1832  settled 
on  the  place  in  Green  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  his  son  Jeremiah  now  lives. 
He  acquired  the  ownership  of  this  farm, 
cleared  his  land  and  engaged  in  farming  un- 
til his  death,  which  occurred  Nov.  6,  1882. 
He  married  Martha  Good,  like  himself  a  na- 
tive of  Cambria  county,  whose  father,  David 
Good,  came  to  this  county  over  a  hundred 
years  ago ;  he  died  in  March,  1865.  Mrs. 
Keith  passed  away  Sept.  8,  1878.  Adam 
Keith  was  the  father  of  twelve  children,  six 
sons  and  six  daughters,  namely:  John,  a 
half  brother  to  the  rest,  now  deceased,  who 
sei-ved  during  the  Civil  war  in  Company  D, 
115th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry; 
David,  now  deceased;  Jacob  Liven,  deceased, 
who  was  also  in  Company  D,  115th  P.  V.  I., 
during  the  Civil  war;  Barbara,  deceased; 
Adam,  now  living  in  Green  township,  who 
was  in  Company  I,  54th  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  during  the  Civil  war; 
Martha,    wife    of   Daniel   Long,    of   Indiana 


1414 


HISTOKY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


county ;  Jeremiah ;  Caroline,  wife  of  John 
Hines,  of  Blaekliek  to^\^lship,  this  county; 
Mary,  wife  of  Christopher  Lute,  of  Blaekliek 
township ;  Daniel,  living  at  Barnesboro,  Pa. ; 
Maria,  deceased;  and  Margaret,  wife  of 
George  Lonian. 

Jeremiah  Keith  was  born  Aug.  19,  1844, 
in  Green  township,  and  there  received  a  com- 
mon school  education.  During  his  boyhood 
and  youth  he  did  farm  work  on  the  home 
place,  being  thus  engaged  until  he  entered  the 
Union  service,  in  1862,  for  service  in  the 
Civil  war.  He  joined  Company  D,  115th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  conflict,  being  mus- 
tered out  July  20.  1865,  at  Washington,  D. 
C.  Among  the  battles  in  which  he  took  part 
were  Gettysburg,  Mine  Run.  Chancellors- 
ville,  and  Fredericksburg.  He  was  on  patrol 
duty  in  the  city  of  Washington  the  night 
President  Lincoln  was  assassinated,  and  has 
been  in  the  old  Ford  theatre  many  times. 
Returning  to  Indiana  county  after  his  dis- 
charge from  the  army,  he  settled  on  the  home 
place  in  Green  township,  where  he  has  ever 
since  resided,  buying  the  property  at  the  time 
of  his  father's  death.  For  the  last  twenty- 
six  years  he  has  also  been  engaged  in  busi- 
ness as  a  merchant,  having  a  general  store 
at  Grip,  where  he  has  acquired  an  extensive 
and  steady  patronage.  He  was  postmaster 
there  for  twenty-one  years,  and  is  well  and 
favorably  known  in  the  vicinity,  one  of  the 
most  respected  residents  of  Green  township. 

On  Feb.  26,  1874,  Mr.  Keith  was  married 
to  Caroline  Johns,  a  native  of  Green  town- 
ship,daughter  of  James  and  Christina  (Lute) 
Johns,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Indiana 
county,  where  their  respective  families  set- 
tled at  an  early  day.  J\Ir.  Johns  was  a  farmer 
by  oceiipation.  Nine  children  have  been  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keith :  Emma  L.,  Ann  Eliz- 
abeth and  Isaac  are  deceased,  as  well  as  two 
that  died  in  infancy;  Arena  is  the  wife  of 
Bryant  Lowman,  of  Starford,  this  county; 
Bertha  is  the  wife  of  Bert  Long,  of  Green 
township;  Letta  is  the  wife  of  Myles  Snow- 
berger,  of  East  Freedom;  Clark  Watson  is 
the  youngest  of  the  family.  Mr.  and  ]\Irs. 
Keith  are  members  of  the  German  Baptist 
Church.  He  also  belongs  to  Cherrytree  Post, 
No.  40,  G.  A.  R. 

MARY  ZENER.  who  is  postmistress  and 
also  proprietor  of  a  hotel  at  IMarchand,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  North  Mahoning 
township,  this  county,  June  29,  1863,  daugh- 


ter of  Conrad  and  Rachel  Frederieka  (New) 
Zener,  and  granddaughter  of  John  and  Mar- 
garet (Ziegler)  Zener. 

John  Zener,  the  grandfather,  was  born  in 
1794  in  German}^  and  after  his  fii-st  marriage 
came  to  the  United  States,  in  1836  settling 
at  Harmony,  Beaver  Co.,  Pa.  Removing  to 
North  Mahoning  township,  in  Indiana  county, 
in  1837,  he  at  one  time  lived  on  what  is  known 
as  the  Hicks  farm.  He  died  in  Illinois  in 
1864,  when  almost  seventy  years  of  age.  His 
second  marriage,  which  was  to  Marj^  Dietrich, 
took  place  in  Indiana  county,  and  he  Avas  the 
father  of  five  children:  John,  who  married 
Elizabeth  Hess;  Conrad;  Elizabeth,  who 
married  Adam  Glasser;  and  William  and 
jMargaret. 

Coni-ad  Zener  was  born  in  1830,  in  Hessen 
Cassel,  Germany,  and  was  six  years  old  when 
he  accompanied  his  parents  to  America.  He 
became  a  farmer  and  continued  in  that  busi- 
ness during  the  entire  period  of  his  active 
life.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  as  a 
soldier  for  four  months,  being  a  member  of 
Company  B,  74th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry.  In  1852  he  married  Rachel  Frede- 
rieka New,  who  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Ger- 
many, and  accompanied  her  parents  to  Amer- 
ica when  she  was  a  girl  thirteen  years 
of  age.  The  following  children  were  born 
to  them :  John,  who  is  deceased,  married 
Lydia  Pifer,  and  they  lived  at  Marchand; 
George  died  when  aged  eighteen  years ;  Caro- 
line is  the  wife  of  Daniel  Mottarn,  and  they 
live  near  Georgeville;  Sarah  was  the  wife  of 
Jacob  J.  Gall ;  Jacob,  who  is  a  resident"  of 
Indiana,  Pa.,  maiTied  Clara  Hershberger; 
Mary  is  mentioned  below:  William,  who  lives 
on  the  old  homestead,  married  Esther  Mot- 
tarn  ;  Samuel,  who  lives  at  Wilkinsbnrg,  Pa., 
married  Allie  Orr,  of  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Annie  is 
the  wife  of  F.  J.  ]Moot,  of  Marchand;  Mar- 
garet is  the  wife  of  J.  J.  Bollander.  of  Buffalo. 
The  parents  are  deceased  and  buried  in  Mar- 
chand cemetery.  They  were  members  of  the 
United  Evangelical  Church  of  that  place. 
Mr.  Zener  was  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views. 

Mary  Zener  attended  the  public  schools  in 
North  Mahoning  township  and  remained  at 
home,  continuing  to  reside  on  the  farm  until 
1889.  when  she  came  to  Marchand,  of  which 
village  she  has  ever  since  been  a  highly  es- 
teemed resident.  She  conducts  her  hotel 
there  with  much  business  capacity,  and  dur- 
ing President  Roosevelt's  last  administration 
was  appointed  postmistress,  and  has  had  the 
Bell  telephone  station  ever  since  the  line  was 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1415 


put  through  the  town,  about  twenty  years 
ago,  proving  an  efficient  operator.  In  De- 
cember, 1908,  her  hotel  was  destroyed  by  fire 
with  part  of  the  contents,  on  which  she  car- 
ried no  insurance,  and  she  rebuilt  in  the 
spring  of  1909.  Miss  Zener  is  a  member  of 
the  United  Evangelical  Church  at  ]\Iarchand 
and  has  served  as  organist  for  the  congrega- 
tion. 

CALVIN  M.  WORTMAN,  who  has  been 
proprietor  of  the  "Clawson  House"  in  the 
borough  of  Indiana  since  1908,  was  born  June 
4,  1864,  in  North  Mahoning  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Curry)  Wortman.  His  grandfather,  Casper 
Wortman,  was  born  in  Germany,  and  was 
about  forty  years  old  when  he  came  to  the 
United  States.  After  living  in  the  State  of 
New  York  for  a  time,  he  settled  in  Indiana 
county.  Pa.  He  was  a  blacksmith  and  farmer 
by  occupation. 

John  Wortman,  son  of  Casper,  was  born  in 
New  York  State,  and  was  quite  young  when 
his  father  came  to  liv-e  in  Indiana  county. 
Here  he  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools,  and  he  followed  farming  throughout 
his  active  years.  He  died  in  1901,  surviving 
his  wife,  who  had  passed  away  in  1891.  They 
had  three  children:  Samuel  A.,  Calvin  M. 
and  Delia,  wife  of  J.  L.  Dilts.  The  parents 
were  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and 
Mr.  Wortman  was  a  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  fraternity. 

Calvin  M.  Wortman  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Indiana  county.  He 
was  reared  to  farming,  which  he  continued  to 
follow  until  about  twenty-eight  years  old,  at 
which  time  he  engaged  in  the  hotel  business 
at  Trade  City,  this  county,  continuing  same 
at  that  location  for  five  years.  Selling  out, 
he  removed  to  the  borough  of  Indiana,  where 
he  was  proprietor  of  the  "Lewis  House"  for 
two  years.  He  then  went  to  Punxsutawney, 
Pa.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  livery  busi- 
ness for  two  years,  and  then  for  a  year  was 
in  the  hotel  business  there.  In  1903  he  was 
proprietor  of  the  "Alexander  Hotel"  in 
Kittanning,  which  he  ran  for  one  year.  Com- 
ing to  Indiana  at  the  end  of  that  time,  he 
lived  retired  for  a  period  of  four  years  be- 
fore resuming  business,  in  1908  taking  charge 
of  the  "Clawson  House"  as  proprietor.  He 
enlarged  and  remodeled  the  house  before 
opening  it  in  his  own  name,  and  it  now  ranks 
among  the  first-class  hostelries  of  this  sec- 
tion. It  is  equipped  with  modern  improve- 
ments and  conveniences,  the  offices  are  com- 


modious and  elegant,  and  the  accommodations 
are  up-to-date  in  every  particular  and  kept 
up  to  the  excellent  standard  set  by  Mr.  Wort- 
man from  the  beginning.  He  has  made 
numerous  changes  since  he  became  proprietor 
and  in  the  spring  of  1913  installed  a  steam 
heating  plant  and  had  a  tile  floor  laid.  He 
has  had  more  years  of  experience  than  any 
other  hotel  man  now  doing  business  in  Indi- 
ana, and  he  has  made  a  success  of  his  present 
venture  by  consistent  and  unremitting  atten- 
tion to  the  wants  of  his  patrons.  He  is  pop- 
ular personally,  with  a  pleasing,  social  man- 
ner which  wins  him  many  friends  among  his 
guests  and  adds  to  the  good  impression  which 
the  good  service  offered  by  this  house  makes 
upon  them.  Mr.  Wortman  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Hotel  Association  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  fraternally  he  holds  membership 
in  the  Elks  Lodge,  No.  931,  at  Indiana. 

In  1898  Mr.  Wortman  was  married  to  May 
L.  Freeh,  daughter  of  Peter  Freeh,  ex-com- 
missioner of  Indiana  county.  Mrs.  Woi-tman 
is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  at 
Indiana. 

EVERETT  L..CROASMUN,  general  far-' 
mer  of  North  Mahoning  township,  Indiana 
county,  who  during  the  last  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury has  had  charge  of  the  old  Croasmun 
homestead,  was  born  on  his  present  farm 
March  21,  1862,  son  of  Asa  and  Mary  (Rob- 
inson) Croasmun.  Asa  Croasmun,  his  grand- 
father, married  Mary  McHenry. 

Asa  Croasmun,  father  of  E.  L.  Croasmun, 
was  born  Oct.  1,  1828,  in  North  Mahoning 
township,  and  died  July  12,  1906;  he  was 
buried  at  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
Jefiderson  county,  Pa.  He  grew  up  on  his 
father's  old  place,  was  there  married,  and 
spent  his  life  in  agricultural  pursuits,  be- 
coming well  and  favorably  known  in  his  com- 
munity. His  wife,  born  April  27, 1830,  passed 
away  July  5,  1907,  and  was  also  buried  in 
Jefferson  county.  They  were  faithful  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
Mr.  Croasmun  \vas  a  Republican;  he  was 
elected  to  a  number  of  township  ofSces.  They 
had  a  family  of  nine  children,  as  follows: 
Hattie,  who  married  Daniel  Seller,  and  is  liv- 
ing in  Jefferson  county ;  Elizabeth,  who  mar- 
ried John  Enterline,  a  carpenter,  dairyman 
and  farmer,  of  Cool  Springs,  Jefferson  county ; 
James  A.,  mayor  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  mentioned 
elsewhere  in  this  work ;  Carrie,  wife  of  H.  A. 
Smith,  of  Sheffield,  Pa. ;  Everett  Lincoln ;  Au- 
gusta, who  married  C.  A.  Oberlin,  a  promi- 
nent lumber  and  mill  man  of  Pensaeola,  N. 


1416 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


C. ;  Susie,  who  married  Marion  Stevens,  an 
attorney  and  ranchman  of  Greenville,  Minn. ; 
Isaac,  foreman  of  a  brick  plant  at  Altoona, 
Pa.;  and  Clarissa,  who  died  when  two  years 
old. 

Asa  Croasmun  enlisted  in  the  Union  army- 
March  8,  1865,  for  service  during  the  Civil 
war,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  K,  104th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  was  a  cor- 
poral under  Capt.  ^Martin  McCarmos,  and  re- 
ceived his  honorable  discharge  Aug.  25,  1865. 
He  was  a  hard-working  man,  cleared  up  a 
good  deal  of  land,  and  became  the  owner  of 
102  acres.  His  health  was  broken  by  his  un- 
ceasing labors,  and  during  the  last  years  of 
his  life  he  was  an  invalid.  During  the  early 
days  he  was  engaged  in  rafting  and  lumber- 
ing to  some  extent,  but  the  greater  part  of 
his  life  was  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits, 
in  which  he  met  with  well-deserved  success. 

Everett  Lincoln  Croasmun,  son  of  Asa 
Croasmun,  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion, and  always  remained  at  home,  tenderly 
earing  for  his  parents  during  their  declining 
years.  He  was  married  July  7,  1887,  to  Alice 
Fetterhoff.  who  was  born  in  North  Mahoning 
township,  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  George 
and  Christian  (Crissraan)  Fetterhoff,  the 
former  of  Huntingdon  county,  and  the  latter 
of  North  Mahoning  to^wnship.  The  first  of  the 
Fetterhoff  family  to  come  to  Indiana  county 
was  John  Fetterhoff,  who  with  his  wife.  Mary 
Sprankle,  arrived  here  in  1837.  He  died  Oct. 
6,  1867,  aged  sixty-seven  years,  nine  months, 
and  his  wife  passed  away  Jan.  26.  1882,  aged 
seventy-nine  years,  four  days.  They  had  the 
following  children:  Susan,  who  married 
George  Sprankle,  of  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship ;  Betsy,  who  married  Robert  Jordan,  of 
North  Mahoning  township ;  ilary,  who  mar- 
ried Joseph  McHenry  and  .(second)  John 
Foust;  George,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Croasmun, 
and  Sarah,  deceased,  who  married  Sharatt 
Sprankle,  and  lives  in  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship. 

George  Fetterhoff  was  but  six  years  of  age 
when  brought  by  his  parents  to  Indiana 
county,  and'  here  he  passed  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  devoting  himself  to  the  cultivation  of 
the  soil.  He  died  Sept.  24, 1907,  aged  seventy- 
six  years,  and  his  wife  passed  away  April  22, 
1905,  aged  seventy-two  years.  Their  children 
were  as  follows:  Monroe,  who  is  engaged  in 
farming  in  South  ]\Iahon!ng  township;  John 
W.,  a  farmer  of  North  IMahoning  township,  a 
complete  review  of  whose  career  will  be  found 
in  another  part  of  this  work;  Ida,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  six  years;  Alice,  who  married 


Mr.  Croasmun;  Minnie,  who  married  Elmer 
Beck,  and  lives  on  the  old  home  place,  a  sketch 
of  Mr.  Beck's  life  appearing  elsewhere;  Jo- 
seph, a  truck  farmer  of  Glendive,  Mont. ; 
Nannie,  who  married  Grant  Prever,  of  South 
Mahoning  township ;  Daniel,  living  at  Charles- 
ton, W.  Va. ;  and  Clarence,  who  lives  on  the 
old  place  Avith  Mrs.  Beck. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Croasmun  have  had  four  chil- 
dren, namely:  Beulah;  Paul,  who  is  attend- 
ing the  State  Agricultural  College,  State  Col- 
lege, Pa. ;  Nannie,  and  Twila.  Mr.  Croasmun 
has  had  charge  of  the  old  home  place  for  the 
last  twenty-five  years,  and  has  always  lived 
there  with  the  exception  of  four  years  dur- 
ing which  he  was  engaged  in  lumbering  in 
Elk  county.  General  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing have  received  his  attention,  and  the  ex- 
cellent results  he  has  secured  from  his  land 
testify  to  his  high  ability  as  a  farmer.  A 
Republican  in  his  political  views,  he  has 
served  in  a  number  of  township  offices,  and 
his  religious  connection  is  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  (White)  Church,  in  Jefferson 
county.  A  man  highly  esteemed  for  his  many 
admirable  qualities,  he  bears  the  respect  of 
his  neighbors  and  associates  and  is  entitled 
to  be  numbered  with  the  representative  men 
of  Indiana  county. 

CELESTIAN  HINES,  late  of  Cherryhill 
township,  Indiana  county,  was  a  general 
farmer  and  stock  raiser,  owning  a  property 
near  Mitchells  Mills.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
board  of  supervisors  of  his  township.  Mr. 
Hines  was  born  in  Cambria  county.  Pa.,  ilay 
5,  1853,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (San- 
ders) Hines.  His  parents  were  both  born  in 
Germany,  from  which  country  his  father  came 
as  a  young  man  and  settled  in  Cambria  county, 
where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in  farming, 
and  where  his  death  occurred  in  1862,  his 
wife  surviving  him  ten  years.  There  were 
eight  children  in  their  family,  as  follows: 
Matilda,  who  is  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
Charles  Parabaugh;  John  resides  in  Black- 
lick,  Cambria  county;  James  resides  at  Cres- 
cent, Pa.;  Margaret  is  the  wife  of  John 
Lynch,  of  Crescent,  Pa. ;  Joseph  is  deceased ; 
Kate  is  the  wife  of  Luke  Burgone,  of  Cres- 
cent. Pa.;  Celestian  is  mentioned  below;  one 
died  in  infancy. 

The  youth  of  Celestian  Hines  was  spent  on 
his  father's  farm  in  Cambria  county,  and  his 
education  obtained  in  the  district  schools  of 
the  locality.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years 
he  left  the  parental  roof  and  came  to  Indiana 
county,  settling  first  at  I\Iitchells  Mills,  where 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1417 


he  remained  for  six  years.  Then  he  was  at 
Heilwood  four  years,  coming  thence  to  Cherry- 
hill  township  and  purchasing  the  farm  where 
he  made  his  home,  with  the  exception  of  one 
year,  until  his  death — living  there  twenty-one 
years.  He  continued  to  carry  on  general 
farming  operations  with  uniform  success,  and 
was  known  as  one  of  his  community's  sub- 
stantial and  representative  men.  He  died 
Aug.  19, 1912,  of  heart  disease,  and  was  buried 
at  Manor. 

In  1878  Mr.  Hines  was  married  to  Susanna 
Brown,  a  native  of  Indiana  county,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Brown.  She  died  the  mother  of 
four  children :  Albert  J.,  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship ;  Inez,  residing  at  home ;  Agnes,  the  wife 
of  Robert  Glaspie,  of  Mitchells  Mills;  and 
Camilla,  who  is  deceased.  In  1892  Mr.  Hines 
was  married  (second)  to  Dessie  A.  Sicken- 
berger,  of  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Bas- 
tian  Sickenberger,  who  died  in  1908 ;  Mrs. 
Hines'  mother  passed  away  when  she  was  a 
small  child.  Both  her  parents  were  natives 
of  Germany.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hines  had  four 
children,  Harry,  Mary,  Lawrence  and  Esta. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  jMr.  Hines  was 
serving  his  township  in  the  capacity  of  super- 
visor, a  position  he  ably  filled  for  several 
years.  He  was  known  as  a  public-spirited 
citizen,  and  as  a  faithful  member  of  the 
Catholic  Church,  with  which  his  wife  is  also 
connected. 

BENJAMIN  F.  DONAHEY  (deceased) 
was  a  resident  of  Green  township,  Indiana 
county,  almost  half  a  century,  having  moved 
there  with  his  parents  in  1865  from  Black- 
lick  township,  where  he  was  born  Feb.  7, 1849, 
son  of  William  J.  Donahey. 

James  Donahey,  his  grandfather,  was  an 
early  settler  in  that  section  of  Indiana  county, 
where  he  owned  land  and  followed  farming 
until  his  death  upon  the  place  where  he  first 
located.  His  wife,  who  also  died  on  the  home 
farm,  was  an  aunt  of  Richard  B.  Clawson. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Donahey  had  three  sons 
and  three  daughters.  * 

"William  J.  Donahey,  son  of  James,  was 
born  Sept.  23,  1825,  in  Blacklick  township, 
where  he  remained  until  1865.  He  then  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Green  township,  and 
in  1868  settled  on  the  farm  there  where  his 
son  James  now  lives.  He  cleared  that  place 
and  remained  there  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred Sept.  22,  1889.  He  married  Margaret 
Davis,  who  was  born  in  Blacklick  township 
Feb.  22,  1829,  and  died  July  31,  1900.  She 
was  one  of  several  children  (all  now  deceased) 


born  to  David  Davis,  who  was  a  native  of 
Indiana  county,  lived  in  Blacklick  township, 
where  he  bought  land  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, and  died  Jan.  31,  1855,  at  the  old  home. 
He  was  of  Scotch  ancestry.  Ten  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Donahey:  Benjamin 
F.,  born  Feb.  7,  1849,  is  mentioned  below; 
Martha  Jane,  born  March  3,  1851,  is  deceased ; 
Sarah  Ellen,  born  April  2,  1853,  is  the  wife 
of  William  Beck  Rice,  of  Gi-een  township ; 
James  H.,  born  Aug.  26,  1855,  lives  in  Green 
township;  Edward,  born  Nov.  25,  1857,  lives 
in  Grant  township,  this  county;  Frank  D., 
born  June  26,  1860,  resides  at  Starford,  In- 
diana county,  and  is  a  justice  of  the  peace; 
Anna  ]\Iary,  born  May  30,  1862,  died  Feb. 
26,  1865 ;  Rachel  Emma,  born  Dec.  6,  1864,  is 
the  wife  of  Wilbert  Kidd,  of  Indiana  county ; 
William  A.,  born  March  4,  1867,  lives  at  Wil- 
kinsburg;  Richard  Milton,  born  Oct.  7,  1869, 
lives  at  Starford,  and  is  a  carrier  in  the  rural 
free  delivery  service. 

Benjamin  F.  Donahey  spent  his  boyhood 
days  in  Blacklick  township,  and  came  with 
the  family  upon  their  removal  to  Green  town- 
ship, where  he  ever  afterward  made  his  home. 
He  remained  at  home  helping  his  father  until 
his  marriage.  Mr.  Donahey  was  the  repre- 
sentative of  a  substantial  and  respected  fam- 
ily, and  was  himself  one  of  the  most  esteemed 
citizens  in  his  locality.  He  died  Jan.  10,  1913, 
of  paralysis. 

On  Dec.  4,  1873,  Mr.  Donahey  was  married 
to  Rebecca  J.  Clawson,  a  native  of  Blacklick 
township,  this  county,  daughter  of  Richard 
B.  and  Rachel  (Davis)  Clawson,  both  of  whom 
were  old  residents  of  Indiana  county,  the 
father  having  been  born  there,  the  mother  in 
Connecticut.  Mr.  Clawson  was  a  notably  suc- 
cessful farmer  in  his  day.  He  died  June  22, 
1896,  his  wife  in  1899.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Donahey 
had  two  children,  G.  D.  and  Gussie,  both  of 
whom  live  in  Indiana  county.  G.  D.  Donahey 
married  Ella  McMillen,  of  Indiana  county, 
and  they  have  two  children,  Grace  and  Ben- 
jamin. Gussie  Donahey  is  the  wife  of  Wil- 
liam Wike,  of  Green  township,  and  has  two 
children,  Viola  Rebecca  and  Veda  Elizabeth. 
Mr.  Donahey  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church  at  Dixonville,  this  county,  to  which 
Mrs.  Donahey  also  belongs. 

GEORGE  ANDREW  MINSER,  a  farmer 
of  East  Mahoning  township,  was  born  in  Bell 
township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  Dec.  17,  1859, 
son  of  Mark  Minser.  The  family  is  of  Ger- 
man extraction,  the  grandfather  of  George 
Andrew  Minser  having  come  from  Germany 


1418 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  settled  in  Lawrence  county,  Pa.,  at  an 
early  day. 

Mark  Minser  was  born  in  Lawrence  county, 
Pa.,  and  was  given  few  opportunities  to  at- 
tend school,  teaching  himself  to  read  and  write 
after  growing  to  manhood.  Having  learned 
the  plasterer's  trade,  he  moved  in  the  fifties 
to  Bell  township,  in  Jefferson  county,  follow- 
ing that  calling  and  working  in  sawmills  as 
occasion  offered.  In  1864,  seeing  better  oppor- 
tunities in  Indiana  county,  he  came  here,  and 
locating  in  Grant  township  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Samuel  Raleigh  for  the  purpose 
of  manufacturing  lumber,  carr3'ing  on  that 
business  for  some  years.  Later  he  began  farm- 
ing in  Green  township,  buying  fifty-three 
acres,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in 
operating  same  and  raising  stock.  He  made 
improvements  upon  his  farm,  where  he  died 
Nov.  22,  1894,  aged  sixty-eight  years.  He  was 
buried  in  Rayne  township  cemetery.  While 
an  earnest  Republican,  he  did  not  seek  office. 
For  many  years  he  belonged  to  the  German 
Baptist  Church  and  became  a  local  preacher, 
and  although  self-taught  was  very  elociuent, 
speaking  with  homely  fervor  that  had  a  re- 
markable effect  upon  his  congregations.  Mr. 
Minser  did  not  content  himself  with  preach- 
ing onl}^,  but  lived  out  his  faith  in  his  life 
and  brought  many  into  the  church. 

He  was  married  in  Lawrence  to  Elizabeth 
Stanley,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Stanley,  and 
she  survives  him,  living  in  Green  township, 
where  she  finds  consolation  in  the  German 
Baptist  Church,  of  which  she,  too.  is  a  faith- 
ful member.  ]\Ir.  and  I\Irs.  Minser  had  the 
following  children:  Alfred  W.  is  a  farmer 
of  Grant  township ;  Sarah  married  John  John- 
son, of  Grant  township,  and  is  now  deceased ; 
Mary  married  Sylvester  McMillen,  of  Mont- 
gomery township;  John  D.  lives  near  the 
homestead  in  Green  township ;  George  An- 
drew is  mentioned  below;  Ella  married  John 
Lycock,  of  Green  township ;  Anna  married 
John  Rice,  of  Marion  Center;  Mark  is  de- 
ceased: Samuel  is  postmaster  in  Arcadia, 
Pennsylvania. 

George  Andrew  Minser  was  five  years  old 
when  the  family  migration  occurred,  and'  he 
grew  to  manhood  in  Indiana  county,  attending 
the  local  schools.  Until  he  was  eighteen  yeai's 
old  he  worked  with  his  father  in  the  lumber 
business,  and  then  began  clerking  at  Deckers 
Point  for  Hon.  Horace  J.  Thompson,  with 
whom  he  remained  for  two  years.  After  this 
he  worked  in  the  lumlier  regions  during  the 
winter,  and  on  farms  in  Clearfield  county  in 
the  summer,  receiving  one  dollar  a  day  for  his 


services.  Later  he  engaged  with  David  Short 
for  $12.50  per  month  and  remained  with  him 
two  j'ears,  and  then  went  to  another  farmer, 
Isaac  Secrest.  of  Rayne  township.  After  a 
year  he  returned  to  his  former  employer,  re- 
ceiving .$15  per  month,  and  remained  with  him 
until  he  had  saved .  sufficient  money  to  buy 
a  farm  in  Green  township,  known  as  the  Fred 
Glasser  farm.  This  property  comprised  122 
acres  and  he  and  his  brother  Alfred  operated 
it  together  for  a  year,  when  Mr.  Minser  pur- 
chased the  interest  of  his  partner,  assuming 
a  debt  of  $2,500.  He  continued  to  conduct 
this  property  until  1904.  when  he  sold  and 
came  to  East  Mahoning  township,  where  he 
bought  the  William  Mabon  farm.  Here  he 
has  since  continued,  being  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock  raising,  and  has  developed 
a  valuable  property  and  firmly  established 
himself  as  one  of  the  reliable  agriculturists  of 
his  section.  A  Republican,  he  has  served  as 
a  school  director,  and  during  the  five  years  he 
was  on  the  board  was  president  of  it  two 
years.  For  two  years  he  was  treasurer  of  the 
road  funds  and  secretary  as  well.  For  two 
more  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Republi- 
can to'miship  central  committee.  His  rule  of 
life  has  been  that  of  giving  the  other  man  the 
same  kind  of  deal  he  wants  from  him,  and 
he  is  satisfied  with  this  simple  religious  creed. 
In  1891  "Sir.  Minser  was  married  to  Tena 
Whitier,  who  was  born  in  Armstrong  county, 
a  daughter  of  Joseph  Whitier.  She  died  in 
1894,  leaving  two  children,  Clyde  and  Clair, 
I\Ir.  Minser  was  subsequently  married  (sec- 
ond) to  Amanda  Phillips,  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
Phillips,  of  Green  township,  and  they  have 
become  the  parents  of  these  children :  Mark, 
who  died  in  childhood ;  Ralph ;  David :  Cather- 
ine, and  Harry.  Jlrs.  IMinser  belongs  to  the 
German  Baptist  Church,  and  is  a  most  ex- 
cellent woman. 

CHARLES  WILLIAM  ELBEL,  farmer  of 
Banks  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
Oct.  11,  1862  in  Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  son  of 
Charles  Edward  and  Regina  (Reno)  Elbel. 
The  father,  a  'native  of  Saxony.  Germany, 
came  to  this  country  in  1848,  and  lived  a  num- 
ber of  years  in  Jefferson  county.  The  mother 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  They  came  to 
Indiana  county  about  1866,  settling  in  Banks 
township,  and  for  about  ten  years  Mr.  Elbel 
continued  to  follow  his  trade,  that  of  tanner, 
later  engaging  in  lumbering  and  farming. 
He  became  a  much  respected  citizen  of  his 
community,  and  was  elected  to  the  office  of 
school  director,  in  which  he  served  efficiently. 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1419 


He  died  in  1905,  and  his  wife  is  still  liv- 
ing, in  Banks  township,  now  (1912)  aged 
seventy-four  years.  They  had  a  family  of 
ten  children,  of  whom  two  are  deceased,  the 
survivoi-s  being:  Mary;  Geoi-ge  Henry,  who 
is  a  farmer  of  Banks  township,  Indiana 
county;  Maggie,  now  j\lrs.  Herman  Bowers, 
of  Clearfield,  Pa.  (Mr.  Bowers  is  a  contractor 
and  builder)  ;  Sarah  Emma,  wife  of  James  A. 
McKee,  a  farmer  of  Banks  township ;  Theresa 
Jane,  wife  of  Clyde  Frampton,  a  stationary 
engineer,  of  Big  Run,  Pa. ;  Bertha,  wife  of 
Bert  Bee,  a  carpenter,  of  Rossiter,  Pa.;  Ida 
M.,  wife  of  Earl  V.  Bowers,  a  merchant,  of 
Banks  township;  and  Charles  William. 

Charles  William  Elbel  obtained  his  educa- 
tion in  the  country  schools  and  was  reared  to 
farming,  remaining  on  the  home  place  with 
his  father  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
five  years.  At  that  time  he  married  and  be- 
gan farming  for  himself,  having  lived  at  his 
present  home  since  his  marriage,  and  he  has 
succeeded  so  well  in  his  agricultural  opera- 
tions that  he  now  owns  a  valuable  farm  of  147 
acres  in  Banks  township.  He  has  taken  an 
interest  in  the  public  welfare  and  has  served 
two  terms  as  school  director,  doing  good  work 
in  that  capacity.    Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

On  May  5,  1887,  Mr.  Blbel  was  married  to 
Margaret  E.  Shields,  of  Canoe  township,  In- 
diana county,  daughter  of  W.  H.  and  Sarah 
(Martin)  Shields,  and  of  the  ten  children 
born  to  them  one  died  in  infancy  and  Flossie 
L.  (born  Aug.  12,  1891)  when  five  years  old. 
The  eight  survivors  are:  Harold  Ray,  born 
Sept.  29.  1888;  Martin  Luther,  born  June 
25,  1893 ;  Paul  Ernest,  born  Sept.  17,  1895 ; 
Carl  Bryan,  born  June  24,  1897 ;  Joseph  Ed- 
ward, born  April  25,  1899 ;  Mary  Edna,  born 
Aug.  12.  1901;  Margaret  Alda,  born  Feb. 
21,  1903 ;  and  ]\Iarion  Zula,  born  Jan.  1,  1909. 
All  are  still  at  home.  Mr.  Elbel  is  a  member 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

DAVID  J.  PRICE,  civil  and  mining  en- 
ginQer,  for  several  years  a  resident  of  Cly- 
mer,  Indiana  count.y,  was  born  in  Schuylkill 
county.  Pa.,  March  27,  1884,  a  son  of  James 
and  Anna  (Vaughn)  Price,  and  a  grandson 
of  James  Price  and  David  Vaughn.  His 
grandfathers  were  both  natives  of  Wales. 
They  came  to  America  in  early  manhood,  both 
were  mine  operators,  and  both  settled  at  Ash- 
land, in  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania. 

James  Price  (2),  son  of  James  and  father 
of  David  J.  Price,  has  been  a  mine  man  all 
his  life  and  at  present  is  a  mine  operator; 
he   still  lives  at   Ashland.     His   family  con- 


sisted of  four  sons  and  four  daughters :  David 
J.,  Gertrude  M.,  Anna,  Robert,  Earl,  Eliza- 
beth, John  Earl  and  Margaret,  all  surviving 
except  Earl. 

David  J.  Price  was  educated  at  Ashland, 
Pa.,  and  was  graduated  from  the  Ashland 
high  school  in  1900,  later  attending  the 
Bloomsburg  State  normal  school.  After  pre- 
paring himself  for  civil  and  mining  engineer- 
ing his  first  position  was  with  the  Lehigh 
Valley  Coal  Company,  with  which  concern 
he  remained  for  two  years,  afterward  practic- 
ing engineering  in  Cambria  county  for  one 
year.  After  coming  to  Indiana  county,  in 
1903,  he  surveyed  coal  properties  in  Green, 
Rayne,  and  Cherryhill  townships,  prospecting 
for  coal  and  opening  the  mines  in  that  vicin- 
ity. In  1905  he  surveyed  and  laid  out  the 
town  of  Clymer,  afterward  assisting  in  its 
organization.  He  then  became  the  city  engin- 
eer, and  also  mining  engineer  for  two  large 
coal  companies,  Clearfield  Bituminous  Coal 
Corporation  and  Pioneer  Coal  Company,  and 
was  also  interested  in  the  Clymer  Brick  and 
Fire  Clay  Companies.  In  April,  1912,  he 
went  to  Pittsburg,  where  he  is  now  connected 
with  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Mines,  as 
assistant  mining  engineer,  Pittsburg  district. 
Mr.  Price  is  a  wide-awake  business  man  and 
is  considered  very  competent  in  his  profession. 

On  Sept.  30,  1908,  Mr.  Price  was  married, 
at  Ashland,  Pa.,  to  Esther  B.  Leib,  and  they 
have  one  son,  David  G.,  who  was  born  Jan.  27, 
1910.  Mrs.  Price"  was  born  at  Ashland,  Pa., 
March  17,  1884.  and  is  a  daughter  of  George 
and  Margaret  (Bevan)  Leib. 

George  Leib  was  born  at  Ashland,  Pa.,  and 
died  there  in  1906.  He  was  a  blacksmith  and 
wheelwright  by  trade,  and  a  well-known  and 
respected  citizen.  His  wife  survives,  as  do 
their  children,  viz. :  Harry,  who  is  a  resident 
of  Ashland;  William  S.,  who  is  resident  Clerk 
of  the  House  of  Representatives  at  Harris- 
burg  and  formerly  was  assistant  United 
States  treasurer  at  Philadelphia;  Margaret, 
who  is  the  wife  of  George  Evans,  of  Philadel- 
phia; Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of  Edward  F. 
Durkin,  of  Ashland;  Florence,  widow  of 
Frank  Lentz,  of  Ashland:  Cora,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Lewis  Krebbs,  of  Ashland ;  and  Mrs. 
Price. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Price  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  Mr.  Price 
was  superintendent  of  the  first  Sunday  school 
at  Clymer  and  later  of  the  Methodist  Sunday 
school  there,  and  also  president  of  Clymer 
Sunday  .school  district.  No.  3,  comprising 
Green,   Pine  and  Cherryhill  townships.     He 


1420 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  organizing  the  first  Union  Sun- 
day school  and  also  the  ]\Iethodist  Church 
and  advanced  Clymer  district,  No.  3,  to  one 
of  the  highest  in  the  State.  He  is  a  Knight 
Templar  ]\Iason  and  Shriner,  belonging  to 
Lodge  No.  313,  F.  &  A.  M.,  at  Indiana;  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  No.  228,  Clearfield ;  Moshannon 
Commandery  No.  74,  at  Philipsburg,  and  the 
Mystic  Shrine  at  Altoona. 

ENOS  ELI  BLACKBURN,  manager  of  the 
Heilwood  Dairy  Farms,  at  Heilwood,  in  Pine 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Bed- 
ford county,  Pa.,  Sept.  14,  1891,  son  of  Jason 
Blackburn,  grandson  of  Enos  Blackburn  and 
great-grandson  of  John  A.  Blackburn. 

(I)  John  A.  Blackburn  was  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Bedford  county,  Pa.,  where 
he  became  a  farmer  and  prosperous  citizen, 
dying  upon  his  rural  property. 

(II)  Enos  Blackburn,  son  of  John  A.  Black- 
burn, was  born  in  1830,  and  is  still  enjoying 
the  best  of  health.  He  is  the  owner  of  200 
acres  of  valuable  land  in,^  Bedford  county. 
Pa.,  and  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits all  of  his  active  life.  By  his  marriage 
to  Content  Garretson,  a  member  of  a  promi- 
nent Quaker  family  of  eastern  Pennsylvania, 
he  had  one  son,  Jason.  Enos  Blackburn  mar- 
ried for  his  second  wife  Mary  Mickle,  and 
they  had  five  children:  Isaac,  Charles, 
Charity,  Sarah  Jane  and  Ellen.  Mr.  Black- 
burn was  drafted  during  the  Civil  war,  but 
was  not  called  into  service. 

(III)  Jason  Blackburn,  son  of  Enos  Black- 
burn, was  born  on  his  father's  homestead  in 
Bedford  county.  Pa.,  and  attended  the  schools 
of  his  neighborhood.  Later  he  taught  school 
for  fifteen  years  in  Bedford  county,  during 
the  first  eleven  years  teaching  in  winter  and 
running  his  father's  farm  in  summer.  He 
then  bought  a  farm,  his  present  place  (about 
five  miles  from  his  father's  property),  and 
devoted  himself  to  its  cultivation  for  a  period 
of  ten  years.  He  then  resumed  teaching, 
which  he  followed  for  four  years  more,  at 
the  end  of  that  time  turning  his  entire  atten- 
tion to  farming  again.  His  two  sons,  who 
had  run  the  farm  during  his  last  period  of 
teaching  and  attended  public  school,  in  the 
meantime  left  home  to  secure  a  higher  educa- 
tion than  the  schools  of  the  immediate  locality 
afforded.  Jason  Blackburn  married  Hannah 
Darlington  Hoopes,  a  daughter  of  Albert  H. 
and  Deborah  (Darlington)  Hoopes,  who  was 
born  near  Westchester,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  com- 
ing from  a  fine  family  of  that  locality.     The 


following  children  were  born  to  Jason  Black- 
burn and  wife:  Caroline  D.,  Amy  C,  J. 
Albert,  Enos  E.,  Jessie  R.  and  Helen  M. 

(IV)  Enos  E.  Blackburn  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Bedford  countj'  and  the  West- 
chester State  normal  school,  and  then  became 
a  student  at  the  Pennsylvania  State  College, 
taking  a  special  course  in  dairying,  being 
graduated  therefrom  in  1912.  In  June  of 
that  year  he  came  to  Heilwood,  Indiana 
county,  to  assume  the  management  of  the 
dairy  farms  at  this  place,  which  position  he 
still  holds.  He  belongs  to  his  college  fra- 
ternity. Beta  Alpha  Sigma,  and  to  the  State 
College  Y.  ]M.  C.  A.,  the  largest  college  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  in  the  United  States.  Like  his  father 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 
In  the  full  flush  of  young  manhood,  intelli- 
gent and  carefully  trained,  Mr.  Blackburn 
is  giving  his  company  efficient  and  conscien- 
tious service  and  bids  fair  to  develop  into  one 
of  the  leading  men  of  his  locality. 

JOHN  WILSON  FETTERHOFF.  a 
farmer  of  North  Mahoning  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  on  the  old  Fetterhoff  home- 
stead in  that  towTiship  Nov.  13,  1859,  son  of 
George  and  Christian  (Crissman)  Fetterhoff. 
.  John  Fetterhoff  was  the  founder  of  the 
family  in  Indiana  count.v,  coming  here  in 
1837  and  settling  on  a  farm  in  what  is  now 
North  Mahoning  township,  where  he  cleared 
off  his  land  and  made  a  comfortable  home, 
dying  there  Oct.  6,  1867.  aged  sixty-seven 
years.  He  married  ]\Iary  Sprankle,  who  sur- 
vived him  until  Jan.  26,  1882,  dying  aged 
seventy-nine  years,  four  days.  John  Fetter- 
hoff and  his  wife  had  children  as  follows: 
Susan,  who  married  George  Sprankle,  of 
North  Mahoning  township ;  Betsey,  who  mai-- 
ried  Robert  Jordan,  of  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship ;  Mary,  who  married  James  McHenry 
and  (second)  John  Foust ;  George;  and  Sarah, 
now  deceased,  who  married  Sharret  Sprankle, 
who  is  living  in  North  Mahoning  township. 

George  Fetterhoff  was  born  in  Huntingdon 
county.  Pa.,  while  his  wife  was  a  native  of 
North  Mahoning  township,  this  county.  He 
died  Sept.  24,  1907,  aged  seventy-six  years, 
and  she  died  April  22,  1905.  aged  seventy- 
two  years.  Their  children  were:  Monroe, 
who  is  a  farmer  of  South  i\Iahoning  town- 
ship ;  John  Wilson :  Minnie,  who  married  El- 
mer Beck,  and  lives  on  the  old  homestead; 
Alice,  who  married  E.  L.  Croasmun,  of  North 
]\Iahoning  township,  spoken  of  at  greater 
length  elsewhere  in  this  work ;  Joseph,  a  truck 
farmer   of   Montana ;   Nannie,    who    married 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1421 


Grant  Piei-ce,  of  South  Mahoning  township ; 
Daniel,  who  lives  at  Charleston,  W.  Va. ;  and 
Clarence,  who  lives  on  the  old  homestead  with 
Mrs.  Beck. 

John  Wilson  Fetterhoff  received  only  a 
common  school  education,  and  remained  at 
home  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  at 
which  time  he  began  working  for  outsiders. 
After  his  marriage,  in  1885,  he  farmed  on  his 
father's  homestead  for  four  years,  and  then 
located  in  West  Mahoning  township,  where 
he  bought  forty-five  acres  of  land,  but  soon 
thereafter  sold  that  property  and  purchased 
the  Gamble  place  in  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship. This  property  comprises  140  acres, 
which  he  has  improved  until  it  is  very  val- 
uable, and  he  carries  on  general  farming. 
Politically  a  Republican,  he  has  never  aspired 
to  public  ofSce.  The  Lutheran  Church  of 
Trade  City  holds  his  membership. 

On  Sept.  17,  1885,  Mr.  FetterhofE  was  mar- 
ried to  Ida  E.  Dormire,  who  was  born  near 
Eddyville,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Dormire,  of  North  Mahoning  township. 
Children  as  follows  have  been  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fetterhoff:  Albert  G.,  who  is  a 
photographer  of  Dayton,  Pa.,  married  Millie 
Rumbaugh,  and  they  have  one  son,  Roy; 
Lincoln  M.  is  at  home ;  Clair  is  also  at  home. 

JAMBS  WISSINGER,  of  Rayne  township, 
Indiana  county,  was  born  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, this  county,  March  1,  1847,  son  of  John 
and  Margaret  (Harshman)  Wissinger,  and 
is  a  member  of  the  fourth  generation  of  his 
family  in  this  country.  Ludwig  Wissinger 
came  to  America  from  Germany  in  an  early 
day.  His  son,  Daniel  Wissinger,  the  grand- 
father of  James  Wissinger,  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation,  and  made  his  home  in  Cambria 
county,  this  State. 

John  Wissinger,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born 
April  4,  1814,  in  Cambria  county.  Pa.,  and 
died  July  19,  1888.  He  was  a  potter,  and 
followed  that  trade  all  his  life,  living  and 
dying  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. 
By  his  first  marriage,  to  Sarah  Snyder,  he 
had  a  family  of  five  children,  four  sons  and 
one  daughter,  viz. :  Samuel,  who  is  deceased ; 
Elizabeth  (Mrs.  Marsh),  of  Johnstown,  Pa.; 
W.  T.,  a  farmer  of  Rayne  township;  B.  F., 
deceased,  who  was  a  resident  of  Lorain,  Ohio 
(he  was  in  the  Union  service  during  the  Civil 
war,  was  captured  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and 
was  confined  in  Libby  prison,  being  incarcer- 
ated there  at  the  same  time  as  Judge  White)  ; 
and  Andrew,  who  died  at  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa. 
Mr.  Wissinger 's  second  marriage  was  to  Mar- 


garet Harshman,  by  whom  he  had  three  chil- 
dren: James;  Etta  J.  (Mrs.  Hess),  of  Johns- 
town ;  and '  John  A.,  of  New  Kensington, 
Pennsylvania. 

On  Oct.  10,  1867,  Mr.  James  Wissinger  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Susanna  Lambing, 
who  was  born  Nov.  27,  1847,  daughter  of 
John  and  Margaret  (Shirly)  Lambing,  of 
Cherryhill  township,  this  county,  and  died 
Feb.  23,  1905.  Six  children  were  born  to 
this  marriage:  Robert,  born  Aug.  18,  1868, 
now  engaged  in  farming  in  East  Mahoning 
township,  this  county;  Margaret  Elizabeth 
Jane,  born  May  6,  1870,  who  lives  at  home; 
George  A.,  born  Jan.  19,  1873,  now  a  farmer 
and  stock  dealer,  living  in  East  Mahoning 
township;  Harvey  E.,  born  Dec.  10,  1876, 
who  is  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  and 
lives  in  Green  township ;  John  I.,  born  July 
23,  1881,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Franklin 
Blair,  born  Aug.  22,  1884,  now  a  farmer  in 
Rayne  township. 

Mr.  Wissinger  attends  the  M.  E.  Church 
at  Marion  Center,  and  takes  an  active  part 
in  its  work,  at  present  serving  as  district 
steward.  Politically  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  he  has  been  associated 
with  the  local  government  in  several  differ- 
ent capacities,  having  been  supervisor  for 
one  term,  roadmaster,  etc. 

EDWARD  EMPFIELD,  of  Indiana,  pro- 
prietor of  the  "New  Indiana  Hotel."  belongs 
to  a  family  of  German  origin  which  has  long 
been  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  the  earlier  gen- 
erations in  this  country  living  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  State.  Thence  Peter  Empfield, 
grandfather  of  Edward  Empfield,  came  to 
Indiana  county  during  the  early  years  of  the 
nineteenth  century.  He  was  born  in  eastern 
Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  1872,  aged  eighty- 
four  years,  in  Cherryhill  township,  where  he 
had  followed  his  trade  of  carpenter  and  mill- 
wright. He  did  such  work  in  many  sections 
of  Indiana  county  during  his  active  life,  and 
his  later  years  were  spent  among  his  children, 
who  cared  for  their  parents  in  their  old  age. 
Mr.  Empfield  was  buried  in  the  Lutheran 
church  cemetery.  He  was  twice  married,  and 
by  his  first  wife,  whose  name  is  not  known, 
had  three  children :  Margaret  (who  married 
John  Coy),  George  and  John.  His  second 
marriage  was  to  Mary  Hart,  and  their  chil- 
dren were:  Isaac;  Nancy,  who  married 
Henry  Wike,  of  Pine  township;  Sarah,  who 
married  Cyrus  Dumn;  Alexander,  who  died 
in  Missouri ;  Henry,  living  in  Missouri : 
Simon,  deceased ;  Martha,  deceased,  who  mar- 


1422 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ried  John  Green ;  William  Harrison,  now  liv- 
ing retired  in  Brushvalley  township,  Indi- 
ana county;  and  Caroline,  who  died  unmar- 
ried. The  mother  died  while  living  with  her 
children  and  is  buried  in  the  Lutheran  ceme- 
tery in  Brushvalley. 

Isaac  Empfield,  son  of  Peter,  was  born  Nov. 
20,  1818,  in  Brushvalley  township,  Indiana 
county.  He  was  quite  young  when  his  par- 
ents located  at  Penn  Run,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  grew  up  and  received  his  education, 
attending  the  local  public  school.  For  several 
years  he  followed  farming  in  Cherryhill 
township,  and  became  an  extensive  land 
owner,  his  holdings  amounting  to  about  six 
hundred  acres.  Besides  managing  and  su- 
pervising his  home  property  he  kept  a  hotel 
and  livery  stable  at  Penn  Run  for  many  years, 
being  proprietor  of  the  hotel  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  July  5,  1873.  His 
home  was  at  that  place  from  the  time  he  was  a 
young  man,  and  he  was  one  of  the  successful 
"and  influential  citizens  of  his  section.  He 
was  a  Republican  and  a  Presbyterian,  and 
active  in  both  political  and  religious  matters 
in  his  locality.  Mr.  Empfield  married  Cla- 
rissa Churchill,  who  survives  him,  making 
her  home  at  Penn  Run,  and  though  over 
eighty  she  is  very  active.  She  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Their  family 
consisted  of  eight  children:  Elizabeth,  wife 
of  C.  C.  Emiglo ;  Margaret  A.,  wife  of  W.  C. 
Pattison;  Ella,  who  married  Rev.  D.  C. 
Pattee,  an  Episcopal  minister  (he  is  now 
deceased)  ;  Kate  E.,  wife  of  Charles  A.  Jenks, 
of  Punxsutawney,  Pa.;  Charles  W. ;  Albert 
F. ;  Frank  T.,  deceased;  and  Edward. 

Edward  Empfield  began  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  and  also  attended  the  East- 
man business  college,  at  Poughkeepsie,  N. 
Y.,  and  the  Indiana  State  normal  school, 
graduating  from  both  institutions.  When  a 
young  man  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business, 
at  Cresson,  Pa.,  continuing  thus  for  about 
four  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  in  1901, 
he  organized  the  First  National  Bank  of  Cres- 
son and  became  cashier  of  that  institution, 
holding  that  position  for  the  next  five  years. 
In  1906  he  came  to  Indiana,  where  he  bought 
and  remodeled  (practically  rebuilt)  the 
"New  Indiana  Hotel,"  which  he  has  since 
successfully  conducted.  He  modernized  the 
building  in  every  respect,  and  has  seventy- 
five  handsomely  furnished  rooms,  many  of 
them  with  private  baths.  The  hotel  is  cen- 
trally located,  at  Sixth  and  Philadelphia 
streets,  and  is  a  substantial  five-story  brick 
structure  well  adapted  for  the  purpose.    His 


house  is  popular  priced  and  well  patronized 
by  the  traveling  public,  and  Mr.  Empfield 
has  the  faculty  of  retaining  as  well  as  at- 
tracting trade. 

In  1900  Mr.  Empfield  married  Mary  E. 
Fowler,  daughter  of  James  Fowler,  of  Penn 
Run,  and  they  have  one  child,  Edward.  Mr. 
Empfield  holds  a  life  membership  in  Lodge 
No.  102,  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  of  Altoona,  Pa.; 
Ebensburg  Lodge,  No.  312,  P.  &  A.  M. ;  Wil- 
liamsport  Consistory  (thirty-second  degree), 
of  which  he  was  a  charter  member :  and  Jaffa 
Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  of  Altoona, 
Pennsylvania. 

JOHN  GEORGE  THOMPSON,  now  liv- 
ing retired  at  Grafton,  was  during  his  active 
years  engaged  in  farming  in  Blacklick  town- 
ship, Indiana  county.  He  was  born  there 
April  24,  1843,  son  of  George  Thompson,  and 
is  a  great-grandson  of  John  Thompson,  the 
first  of  the  family  in  Indiana  county,  known 
as  "drover  John."  He  married  Mary  Cain, 
and  to  their  union  were  born  the  following 
children :  John ;  Rosanna,  who  married  Wil- 
liam Hauna;  Sarah,  who  married  William 
Hopkins;  Margaret,  who  married  John  Cru- 
sau;  William,  who  married  Mary  Brady; 
George  C,  who  married  Elizabeth  Davis;  and 
Robert. 

John  Thompson,  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Cain)  Thompson,  was  a  farmer  of  Black- 
lick  township,  where  his  life  was  spent.  He 
married  Eleanor  Davis,  and  had  children: 
John ;  William ;  George ;  James ;  David ;  Sam- 
uel, who  married  Sarah  Clawson;  Christo- 
pher, who  settled  in  Clarion  county.  Pa. ; 
Jane,  wife  of  Adam  Creamer;  and  Margaret, 
wife  of  Dr.  John  Bennett,  a  prominent  phy- 
sician of  Erie,  Pennsylvania. 

George  Thompson,  son  of  John  and  Eleanor 
(Davis)  Thompson,  was  born  in  Blacklick 
township  about  1812.  What  education  he  ac- 
quired was  obtained  in  the  subscription 
schools  of  that  time.  He  began  to  help  at 
home  in  early  boyhood,  and  was  thus  engaged 
until  he  reached  manhood,  when  he  went  to 
work  in  Campbell's  mills,  on  Blacklick  creek, 
for  some  time.  Then  he  started  farming  on 
the  homestead  on  his  own  account,  bujdng  out 
the  interest  of  the  other  members  of  the 
family,  and  here  continued  to  live  the  rest  of 
his  life.  His  farm  contained  over  one  hun- 
dred acres.  He  was  a  stanch  Democrat,  and 
took  a  live  interest  in  his  township  and  its 
public  affairs,  serving  as  supervisor  for  many 
years,  school  director,  and  tax  collector  for 
many   years.      His   religious   connection   was 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1423 


with  the  il.  E.  Church.  He  died  on  the 
homestead  in  1873,  and  was  buried  in  Hope- 
well cemetery.  •  Mr.  Thompson  was  twice 
married,  his  first  wife,  Eliza  (Clawson), 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Sarah  (Morehead) 
Clawson,  dying  when  about  twenty-five  years 
of  age.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Ruth 
Clawson,  davighter  of  Samuel  and  Ann 
(Donahue)  Clawson.  There  were  four  chil- 
dren by  the  first  marriage  and  twelve  by  the 
second,  namely:  Sarah  died  when  sixteen 
years  old;  John  George  is  mentioned  below; 
James  married  Hannah  Houston,  of  Black- 
lick,  Burrell  township ;  Eliza  married  Josiah 
C.  Houston,  and  lived  in  Johnstown;  (and 
by  the  second  mai'riage)  Eleanor  married 
John  Mclutyre  and  resides  in  Blairsville; 
Richard  C.  was  next  in  the  family;  Margaret 
Ann  married  Milton  Stump ;  Elizabeth  died 
young ;  Mary  married  Ollie  Frizzle,  and  lived 
at  Wentworth,  S.  Dak.;  Nancy  Emma  died 
when  seventeen  years  old ;  Charles  B.  married 
Nettie  Spires  and  lives  in  Blairsville ;  William 
married  Agnes  Hoag,  and  lives  at  Josephine, 
Pa. ;  Maria  married  Harry  Boyle  and  lives 
at  Allegheny  City,  Pa. ;  Malinda  married 
James  Starrie  and  resides  at  Blairsville,  Pa. ; 
Tillie  died  young;  David  married  Catherine 
Gascill,  and  lives  at  Blairsville. 

John  George  Thompson,  son  of  George  and 
Eliza  (Clawson)  Thompson,  was  born  in 
Blacklick  township  and  attended  the  Yankee 
Hill  school  there.  He  remained  on  the  farm 
with  his  father  until  1864,  when  he  enlisted, 
in  September,  in  Company  D,  206th  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  under  Col.  Hugh  J.  Brady, 
of  Indiana  county,  and  Capt.  W.  C.  Gordon. 
Proceeding  to  the  front  he  was  attached  to 
the  18th  Corps,  then  near  Bermuda  Hundred, 
soon  after  moving  to  the  north  side  of  the 
James  river  and  being  assigned  to  duty  with 
the  engineer  corps  that  built  Port  Brady, 
north  of  Dutch  Gap.  In  the  latter  part  of 
October  the  command  was  assigned  to  the 
3d  Brigade,  1st  Division,  10th  Corps,  and 
went  into  winter  quarters,  being  engaged  prin- 
cipally in  drill  and  routine  camp  duty.  Upon 
the  reorganization  of  the  army  corps  the  206th 
was  assigned  to  the  24th  Corps  and  con- 
tinued on  duty  with  the  Army  of  the  James, 
under  General  Ord.  During  the  spring  cam- 
paign the  regiment  was  ordered  to  remain  in 
camp,  doing  provost  duty,  and  upon  the 
evacuation  of  Richmond  was  the  first  to  enter 
the  Southern  capital,  where  it  did  provost 
duty.  Later  it  was  on  similar  duty  at  Lynch- 
burg. Mr.  Thompson  continued  in  the  army 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  the  period  of  his 


service  being  ten  months,  four  days.  He  was 
discharged  in  June,  1865,  in  Richmond,  and 
returning  home  again  took  up  farming.  The 
two  years  following  he  spent  on  the  George 
Compton  farm;  then  for  four  years  was  on 
the  Turner  farm,  which  he  rented,  and  at 
the  end  of  that  pei-iod  returned  to  the  home- 
stead, on  the  hill  near  Muddy  run.  From 
the  time  his  father  died  he  farmed  there  for 
himself,  having  a  tract  of  ninety-six  acres 
where  he  carried  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  He  erected  a  fi-ame  house  and 
barn,  and  in  other  respects  also  made  exten- 
sive improvements  on  the  place,  which  bears 
many  evidences  of  his  excellent  management. 
Mr.  Thompson  has  now  retired  from  active 
work,  living  in  Grafton,  on  Blacklick  creek, 
and  the  farm  is  conducted  by  his  son  Harry 
W.  Thompson. 

In  his  early  life  Mr.  Thompson  supported 
the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  later 
became  associated  with  the  Greenback  party, 
and  of  late  years  has  allied  himself  with  the 
Socialist  party,  of  which  he  is  a  strong  sup- 
porter. He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
Hopewell  M.  E.  Church,  but  now  attend  the 
M.  E.  Church  at  Black  Lick. 

On  Oct.  6,  1866,  Mr.  Thompson  married 
Emeline  McCoy,  of  Indiana,  111.,  daughter  of 
Church  and  Mary  Jane  (MeCardell)  McCoy. 
They  have  had  two  children,  Harry  Willett 
and  lola,  the  daughter  residing  with  her  par- 
ents. Harry  Willett  Thompson  now  farms 
the  homestead.  He  married  Elizabeth  Jones, 
and  they  had  three  children,  John  G.,  Carson 
Wendel  and  Edna  May. 

WILLIAM  W.  ADAMS,  deceased,  a  vet- 
eran of  the  Civil  war,  blacksmith  and  farmer 
of  Indiana  county,  was  born  in  Somerset,  Pa., 
in  August,  1828,  and  was  the  only  child  of 
his  parents.  His  mother,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Mary  Weaver,  first  married  Jacob  Schaf- 
fer,  by  whom  she  had  two  children,  Chris- 
tianna  and  John. 

William  W.  Adams  was  reared  to  manhood 
in  Somerset,  and  there  learned  the  black- 
smith's trade  besides  obtaining  his  education 
in  the  counti-y  schools.  As  a  young  man  he 
came  to  Brushvalley,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  worked  at  his  trade,  and  was  married  there 
Feb.  23,  1874,  to  Mrs.  Amanda  (Fee)  Mike- 
sell,  of  Brushvalley  township,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Jane  (Mahon)  Fee.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Adams  commenced  housekeeping  at  Me- 
chanicsburg,  but  later  removed  to  a  farm  of 
140  acres,  which,  it  was  subseqiiently  discov- 
ered, was  underlaid  with  coal.     Mr.   Adams 


1424 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


served  in  a  Pennsylvania  regiment  of  volun- 
teer infantry  during  the  Civil  war,  and  had 
the  middle  finger  of  his  right  hand  shot  off 
M-hile  in  battle.  He  was  a  Republican  in  his 
political  views,  and  a  stanch  member  of  the 
]Methodist  Episcopal  Chui-ch.  His  death  oc- 
curred Feb.  23,  1886,  and  he  was  buried  at 
Mechanicsburg,  Indiana  county. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams  had  a  family  of  three 
children :  Jennie,  who  married  John  Me- 
Neelege,  of  Sharon,  Pa. ;  Lillian,  who  lives  at 
home;  and  Dora,  residing  in  Seattle,  Wash. 
Mrs.  Adams  was  born  on  her  father's  farm  in 
Brushvalley  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
attended  the  country  schools  of  her  native 
place.  She  was  first  married  to  Jeremiah  W. 
Mikesell,  a  farmer,  by  whom  she  had  one 
child,  Sarah,  now  wife  of  C.  A.  Campbell,  a 
school  teacher  of  Conemaugh.  Mrs.  Adams 
still  resides  in  the  borough  of  Indiana,  at  No. 
528  Chestnut  street,  where  she  is  very  well 
known  and  has  many  warm  personal  friends. 

:\IARTIN  H.  DICK  is  a  native  of  Cherry- 
hill  township,  Indiana  county,  and  has  lived 
on  his  present  farm  there  for  twenty-five 
years.  He  was  born  Dec.  1,  1861,  son  of 
Jacob  P.  Dick,  and  grandson  of  John  Dick, 
who  came  to  this  county  at  an  early  day  and 
bought  land  which  he  cleared  and  cultivated ; 
he  resided  thereon  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred when  he  was  forty-four  years  old. 

Jacob  P.  Dick  was  born  in  Blair  county, 
Pa.,  but  was  reared  in  Indiana  county,  fol- 
lowed farming  all  his  active  life  in  Cherry- 
hill  township,  and  died  in  1900.  In  1863  he 
married  Elizabeth  Hoover,  and  the  following 
children  were  born  to  them :  Margaret,  who 
is  now  deceased;  David  H.,  of  Cherryhill 
township;  George,  who  lives  near  Greenville, 
Indiana  county;  Andrew  and  John,  both  of 
whom  are  deceased ;  Nancy,  wife  of  Benjamin 
Bowers,  of  Martinsburg,  Pa. ;  and  Martin  H., 
who  lives  in  Cherryhill  township.  By  his 
second  marriage  Jacob  P.  Dick  had  seven 
children,  the  survivors  being:  William,  who 
lives  in  Iowa ;  James,  of  Johnstown,  Pa. : 
Jacob  j\I.,  who  is  on  the  old  homestead;  and 
Frank,  living  with  his  mother  at  Greenville, 
Pennsylvania. 

:Martin  H.  Dick  was  educated  in  Cherry- 
hill township  and  began  farm  work  during 
his  boyhood,  helping  at  home.  In  his  early 
manhood  he  also  became  engaged  in  lumber- 
ing, but  he  has  devoted  his  time  to  farming 
exclusively  for  many  years,  in  1887  buying 
the  place  in  Cherryhill  township  where  he 
has  since  made  his  home.     He  is  a  well-to-do 


farmer,  and  takes  an  interest  in  the  welfare 
of  the  community  as  well  as  in  the  success  of 
his  own  affairs,  being  public-spirited  about 
supporting  worthj-  movements  of  all  kinds. 
He  has  served  two  terms  as  overseer  of  the 
poor  in  Cherrj'hill  township.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican.  He  and  his  familv  belong 
to  the  M.  E.  Church. 

In  July,  1887,  Mr.  Dick  was  married  in 
Cherrj^hill  township  to  Amanda  McKendrick, 
who  was  born  in  that  township,  daughter  of 
John  and  Amanda  (McKendrick),  old  settlers 
of  Indiana  county,  both  of  whom  are  now 
deceased.  Mrs.  Dick  died  Jan.  22,  1904,  the 
mother  of  two  children :  Thomas  W.,  who  is 
now  a  resident  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  Marv 
E..  who  lives  at  home.  On  Feb.  19,  1907.  Mr. 
Dick  married  (second)  Mrs.  Jennie  B.  Miller, 
who  was  born  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Josiah  and  Charity  Ann 
(McKeown)  Clawson,  who  settled  in  that 
township  at  an  early  day.  Jlr.  Clawson  be- 
came a  farmer  in  Cherryhill  township ;  he  and 
his  wife  are  now  deceased. 

WILLIAM  E.  CRAMER,  junior  member 
of  the  firm  of  Kneedler  &  Cramer,  black- 
smiths and  wagonmakers  of  Chen-ytree,  was 
born  in  Curwensville,  Pa.,  Sept.  14,  1871.  a 
son  of  Eli  V.  and  Mary  J.  (Stansberry) 
Cramer,  and  grandson  of  Isaac  and  Sarah 
Cramer.  The  Cramer  family  is  of  Dutch 
ancestry,  but  the  exact  date  of  its  founding 
iu  America  is  not  known. 

Eli  V.  Cramer  was  born  at  Trenton.  N.  J., 
and  later  moved  to  Philadelphia,  where  he 
resided  for  a  time,  thence  going  to  Spruce 
Creek,  Huntingdon  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  mar- 
ried (first)  Susanna  Wait.  They  had  four 
children:  Howard,  Wilson,  and  ]Mary  and 
^lartha,  twins.  After  the  death  of  his  first 
wife  ]Mr.  Cramer  married  (second)  Mary  J. 
Stansberry,  who  was  born  in  Huntingdon 
county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Jane 
(Simpson)  Stansberry,  natives  of  Hunting- 
don county,  and  granddaughter  of  John 
Stansberrj-,  who  came  of  English  ancestry. 
The  latter  married  Maria  Cobert,  a  native  of 
the  eastern  part  of  Pennsylvania.  Robert 
Simpson,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Cramer,  was  of  Irish  ancestry.  The  marriage 
of  Eli  V.  Cramer  and  his  second  wife  took 
place  at  Spruce  Creek  Aug.  1.  1865,  and  fol- 
lowing that  event  they  went  to  Curwensville. 
Clearfield  county,  where  they  remained  about 
eight  years,  thence  moving  to  Jefferson 
county,  and  then  to  Cherrj'tree,  where  they 
arrived  in  1881.     Mr.  Cramer  died  here  in 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1425 


1898,  but  his  widow  survives  and  makes  her 
home  with  a  daughter  in  Cherrytree.  He 
served  in  the  army  during  the  Mexican  war, 
and  was  a  brave  soldier.  By  trade  he  was  a 
mechanic.  He  and  his  wife  had  the  following 
family:  Harry  0.,  who  lives  in  Clearfield 
county;  R.  H.,  who  is  a  physician  and  sur- 
geon of  Cambridge,  Ohio;  J.  H.,  who  is  the 
proprietor  of  the  Cramer  Printing  Company, 
of  Crafton,  Pa. ;  William  E. ;  Victor  E.,  who  is 
a  farmer  of  Montgomery  township ;  Blanche, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Andrew  Jackson,  of  Butler, 
Pa. ;  "Walter  G.,  who  is  in  a  printing  business 
at  Burgettstown,  Washington  Co.,  Pa. ;  Annie, 
who  lives  at  Altoona,  Pa.;  Zoe,  who  is  the 
wife  of  William  Hoffman,  of  Crafton,  Pa.; 
Edwin  0.,  clerk  and  bookkeeper  for  the  Hast- 
ings Coal  &  Coke  Company,  of  Cherrytree; 
Paul,  deceased;  and  Lela,  who  is  with  her 
mother. 

(Ill)  William  E.  Cramer  was  educated  at 
Cherrytree.  where  he  attended  the  local 
schools.  At  an  early  age  he  embarked  in  the 
lumbering  business  at  Cherr3'tree,  and  oper- 
ated also  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State  for 
some  years.  In  1902  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  and 
still  continues  with  that  concern  in  addition 
to  managing  the  details  of  his  own  business. 
In  September,  1911,  the  firm  of  Kneedler  & 
Cramer  was  started  for  the  purpose  of  man- 
ufacturing and  repairing  wagons  and  doing 
all  kinds  of  blaeksmithing,  Mr.  Cramer  being 
the  junior  member.  The  quality  of  the  work 
turned  out  is  such  as  to  gain  and  hold  pat- 
ronage, and  the  firm  is  well  recommended 
over  a  wide  territory.  Both  partners  are 
practical  men,  and  their  policy  is  to  give 
everyone  a  fair  deal  at  reasonable  prices. 

In  1907  Mr.  Cramer  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Bertha  Wassam,  who  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery township,  this  county,  daughter  of 
Peter  W.  Wassam,  whose  history  appears  else- 
where in  this  volume.  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Cramer 
have  become  the  parents  of  two  children, 
Paul  W.  and  Beatrice  Wilda. 

Both  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Cramer  are  consistent 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  is 
auditor  of  his  lodge. 

JOHN  W.  DAUGHERTY,  a  carpenter  of 
White  township,  Indiana  county,  and  a  vet- 
eran of  the  Civil  war.  was  born  near  Salts- 
burg,  in  W'estmor eland  county.  Pa..  July  4, 
1837,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Walthers) 
Daugherty.  His  paternal  grandfather  was 
William  Daugherty. 


John  Daugherty  died  when  his  son,  John 
W.  Daugherty,  was  seventeen  years  old,  in 
1854,  and  his  wife  died  when  she  was  forty- 
five  years  old. 

John  W.  Daugherty  was  early  thrown  on 
his  own  resources,  and  in  1848  went  to  Rich- 
land county,  Ohio,  where  he  began  learning 
the  carpenter's  trade  in  1853.  He  returned 
to  Pennsylvania  and  followed  his  trade,  also 
engaging  in  farming.  As  occasion  has  de- 
manded he  has  worked  as  a  cabinetmaker  and 
built  houses  and  barns,  showing  decided  skill 
in  all  his  operations.  On  Sept.  10,  1861,  Mr. 
Daugherty  enlisted  in  Company  D,  78th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  un- 
til his  honorable  discharge  on  Sept.  11,  1865, 
having  been  a  brave  and  efficient  soldier. 

On  May  3,  1863,  Mr.  Daugherty  was  mar- 
ried to  Annie  Fernsworth,  by  whom  he  had 
the  following  children  :  Jennie,  Benton, 
Muntie,  Gwinnie  Ann  and  Charles  P.  Mrs. 
Daugherty  died  Oct.  18,  1892,  and  Mr. 
Dausherty  married  (second)  Mrs.  Hannah 
(Bricker)  Kesell.  On  Oct.  9,  1907,  he  mar- 
ried   (third)    Mrs.   James   McGeary. 

Mr.  Daugherty  belongs  to  the  Baptist 
Church,  to  which  he  gives  generous  support. 
He  is  proud  of  the  fact  that  he  cast  his  first 
vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln. 

GEORGE  FORNEY  ROWE,  a  farmer  of 
Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  in  Rayne  township,  this  county,  June  7, 
1864,  on  the  Giles  Stevens  farm,  a  son  of  John 
I.  and  Lucinda  (Bence)  Rowe. 

George  Rowe,  the  first  of  this  line  in  the 
United  States,  came  to  this  country  from 
Germany. 

George  Rowe  (2),  son  of  George  Rowe, 
above,  married  Betsy  Stumpf. 

John  I.  Rowe,  son  of  George  Rowe  (2),  lo- 
cated on  a  farm  in  Rayne  township,  this 
county. 

George  Forney  Rowe  was  brought  up  in 
Rayne  township  and  learned  farming  while 
attending  school.  As  he  was  a  natural  me- 
chanic lie  has  always  been  handy  with  tools. 
Until  he  was  sixteen  years  old  he  remained  at 
home,  and  then  liegan  working  among  the 
farmers  of  his  neighborhood,  thus  continu- 
ing until  his  marriage,  when  he  located  on 
the  J.  ^I.  Guthrie  farm,  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship. After  eight  years'  residence  there  he 
bought  the  Lockard  farm,  in  Green  township, 
and  spent  eight  years  upon  that  property. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  bought 
his  pi-esent  farm  of  ninety-eight  acres  in  Arm- 


1426 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


strong  township,  where  he  carried  on  gen- 
eral farming. 

On  Feb.  13,  1890,  Mr.  Eowe  was  married  to 
Luna  Viola  Nupp,  who  was  born  near  Pur- 
chase Line,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  a  daughter  of 
Cyrus  and  Cynthia  (Kingsley)  Nupp.  Mrs. 
Eowe  was  educated  in  the  local  schools  of 
her  neighborhood  and  the  Purchase  Line 
academy,  and  began  teaching  school  when 
eighteen  years  old  at  the  ]\Iumau  school  in 
Green  township,  being  later  placed  in  charge 
of  the  school  at  Dixonville.  She  also  taught 
the  Tanoma  and  McKee  schools.  Her  father 
was  born  in  Somerset  county.  Pa.  On  the 
maternal  side  of  the  family  she  is  descended 
from  English  stock. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rowe  have  had  children  as 
follows :  Zula  Violet,  who  married  L.  M.  Car- 
nahan;  Ross  Emerson;  Erma  D. ;  Gaynell  G. ; 
Bruce  M. ;  Hale  B. ;  Manson  B.,  who  is  de- 
ceased; Logan  S. ;  Sears  M.,  deceased;  and 
Lincoln  G.  Mr.  Rowe  is  not  connected  with 
any  religious  denomination;  Mrs.  Rowe  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

JOHN  W.  KERR  has  recently  moved  to 
the  borough  of  Indiana,  where  he  is  living 
in  retirement  after  a  long  and  active  career 
as  a  contractor,  in  which  line  he  did  an  ex- 
tensive and  successful  business  for  many 
years.  Mr.  Kerr  was  born  May  23,  1830,  at 
Smicksburg,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Charles 
and  Isabelle  (Hunter)  Kerr  and  grandson  of 
Valentine  and  Ann  (Barr)  Kerr,  who  were 
natives  of  Germany  and  Scotland,  respect- 
ively. .  The  gi-andparents  lived  and  died  in 
Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
they  reared  their  children  on  the  farm.  They 
had  children :  ilar3',  Joseph,  Samuel,  John, 
Charles,  Hannah,  James  and  Thomas. 

Charles  Kerr,  father  of  John  W.  Kerr,  was 
a  carpenter  by  trade.  He  lived  and  worked 
at  various  places,  the  family  moving  around 
a  great  deal,  and  he  died  in  Green  township, 
Indiana  county,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven 
years.  His  wife  died  there  at  the  age  of 
eighty-four.  They  had  children  as  follows: 
Jane,  Mrs.  William  HefBefinger,  now  deceased ; 
Hannah,  Mrs.  Aaron  Lockard,  deceased;  "Wil- 
liam, who  lives  at  Cairo,  III;  John  W. : 
Lovina,  deceased,  who  was  Mrs.  Henry  But- 
erbaugh,  of  Green  township ;  Ann,  Mrs.  James 
Reesman,  of  Clarion  county.  Pa. ;  Mary,  IMrs. 
Isaac  Salsgiver,  deceased;  Charles,  a  veteran 
of  the  Civil  war,  who  died  in  Fayette  county. 
Pa. ;  and  Isabella,  Mrs.  John  Laney,  deceased. 

John  W.  Kerr  went  to  the  country  schools 
in  his  boyhood,   attending  under  Rankin  G. 


Laughlin.  His  father  was  not  only  a  thor- 
ough carpenter,  but  he  was  also  skilled  at 
cabinetmaking  and  wheelwrighting,  and  made 
spinning  wheels.  John  W.  Kerr  learned  all 
such  work  under  his  able  instruction,  and 
followed  his  trades  at  the  various  localities 
where  he  lived  until  his  enlistment,  on  Feb. 
13,  1864,  in  the  Signal  Corps  of  the  United 
States  army,  with  which  he  served  for  eight- 
een months,  until  after  the  close  of  the  Civil 
war.  Returning  home,  his  first  wife  died, 
and  he  moved  to  Green  township,  living  with 
his  parents  one  year.  He  then  remarried,  and 
moved  to  Grant  township,  settling  near  Pur- 
chase Line,  where  he  made  his  home  for  forty- 
five  years  on  a  twelve-acre  tract  which  he 
owned.  He  carried  on  work  at  his  trades  as 
a  contractor,  and  did  an  excellent  business, 
his  conscientious  and  skillful  work  winning 
him  patrons  for  manj^  miles  around.  He 
continued  to  be  thus  actively  engaged  until 
after  the  death  of  his  second  wife,  when,  in 
1911,  he  retired  and  moved  into  the  borough 
of  Indiana ;  he  still  o^^tis  the  twelve  acres  in 
Grant  township.  He  has  led  an  upright  and 
useful  life,  and  is  a  man  who  holds  the  es- 
teem of  all  who  know  him. 

In  1854  Mr.  Kerr  married  (first)  in  Arm- 
strong county  Mary  Kunkel,  and  they  located 
on  Plum  creek,  in  Armstrong  county,  living 
there  for  one  j^ear.  In  1857  they  moved  to  the 
old  Mitchell  farm  in  Plumcreek  township, 
Armstrong  county,  and  subsequently  on  the 
James  Armstrong  farm,  which  Mr.  Kerr  cul- 
tivated for  one  year.  After  this  they  moved 
about,  li-sing  at  various  places,  until  he  en- 
tered the  army.  Soon  after  his  return  home 
his  wife  died,  in  February,  1866,  and  he  went 
to  live  with  his  parents  in  Green  township. 
In  the  latter  part  of  1866  he  was  married 
(second)  to  Nancy  IMcAlester,  and  they  set- 
tled in  Grant  to^Tiship,  at  the  place  near 
Purchase  Line  previously  mentioned,  where 
they  resided  until  Mrs.  Kerr's  death.  April 
5,  1909.  Mr.  Kerr  had  six  children  by  his 
first  M'ife,  namely :  Mary  J.,  who  became  Mrs. 
Samuel  Marshall,  of  Apollo.  Pa. ;  Josiah,  who 
died  when  eight  years  old ;  Isabella,  who  died 
when  five  years  old;  Jacob,  who  died  young; 
jMargaret,  Mrs.  James  Learn,  of  Grant  town- 
ship; and  George,  of  Apollo,  Armstrong  Co., 
Pa.  Two  children  were  born  to  I\Ir.  Kerr's 
second  marriage:  Effie.  ^Irs.  George  Miller, 
of  Montgomery  county.  Pa.,  and  Grier,  who 
lives  on  the  home  place  in  Grant  twvnship. 

Mr.  Kerr  has  seen  many  changes  in  the 
county  in  his  long  life,  and  he  has  seen  the 
conditions  under  which  its  people  dwell  im- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1427 


prove  very  materially.  He  well  remembers 
the  high  prices  for  all  necessities  which  pre- 
vailed when  he  was  first  married,  flour  being 
$17.50  a  barrel,  corn  $1.50  a  bushel,  bacon  .22 
a  pound,  and  other  things  correspondingly 
dear.  He  has  never  been  particularly  active 
in  public  affairs,  but  holds  his  own  opinions 
on  such  matters,  and  is  an  independent  voter, 
being  bound  by  the  ties  of  no  party.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  socially  belongs  to  James  O'Niel  Post, 
No.  537,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Cookport,  Indiana 
county. 

JEFFERSON  WRIGHT  is  a  farmer  of 
Green  township,  Indiana  county,  and  for  a 
number  of  years  was  also  engaged  in  buying 
and  selling  stock.  He  moved  to  his  present 
home  in  October,  1911.  Mr.  Wright  was  born 
in  Montgomery  township,  this  county,  Feb. 
27,  1846,  son  of  George  Washington  and  Leah 
(Fridley)  Wright,  natives  of  eastern  Penn- 
sylvania. 

George  Washington  Wright  came  to  Indi- 
ana county  many  years  ago,  when  a  young 
man,  and  settled  in  Green  township,  where  he 
cleared  land  and.  remained  for  some  time. 
From  there  he  removed  to  what  is  now  Grant 
(then  Montgomery)  township,  where  he  and 
his  family  lived  for  forty-three  years,  Mr. 
Wright  passing  the  rest  of  his  life  there,  dy- 
ing in  February,  1882.  His  wife  Leah  also 
died  there.  May  26,  1874,  both  attaining  old 
age.  Jefferson  Wright  was  their  only  child. 
Mr.  Wright  had  first  married  a  Miss  Yaunt, 
by  whom  he  had  children:  Clark  Sloan,  de- 
ceased, and  Rhoda,  who  married  John  Lego, 
and  lived  in  Bellwood,  Pa.  During  the  Civil 
war  the  father  served  about  one  year  in 
Company  A,  2G6th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry. 

Jefferson  Wright  spent  his  boyhood  days 
in  Montgomery  township,  and  when  his  school 
days  were  over  was  employed  at  farming. 
He  was  eighteen  years  old  when  he  entered 
the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war,  enlist- 
ing from  Indiana  county  Aug.  5,  1864,  in 
Company  F,  206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  receiving  his  discharge  June 
27,  1865.  After  returning  to  Indiana  county 
he  worked  in  the  woods  in  Clearfield  and  In- 
diana counties  for  twenty  years,  meantime 
living  in  Montgomery  township,  Indiana 
county.  Following  his  marriage  he  lived  two 
years  in  Grant  township,  where  he  bought  a 
farm  in  1867,  and  then  purchased  the  farm 
in  Montgomery  township  upon  which  he  made 
his  home  until  he  bought  his  present  place 


in  Green  township,  the  Mrs.  Samuel  Grove 
farm,  in  October,  1911.  It  consists  of  seventy- 
nine  acres  at  Fleming  Summit.  He  has  an 
up-to-date  property,  equipped  with  fine 
buildings,  and  carries  on  general  farming 
and  trucking;  he  has  one  of  the  best  apple 
orchards  in  this  section.  Mr.  Wright  has 
followed  ^farming  continuously,  and  for 
twenty  years  was  also  engaged  in  buying  and 
selling  stock,  which  line  he  found  very  prof- 
itable. While  a  resident  of  Montgomery 
township  Mr.  Wright  took  an  active  part  in 
local  affairs,  serving  as  supervisor.  Politi- 
cally he  is  associated  with  the  Republican 
party.  He  attends  Baptist  services  in  East 
Mahoning  and  Fairview. 

On  May  9,  1866,  Mr.  Wright  married 
Nancy  J.  Dunlap,  who  was  born  in  Alle- 
gheny county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  John  C.  and 
.Marj'  Catherine  (Gardner)  Dunlap,  who  came 
to  this  country  from  Ireland  and  settled  in 
Allegheny  county.  In  his  early  days  Mr. 
Dunlap  engaged  in  boating  on  the  canal. 
Later  he  moved  to  Indiana  county,  where  he 
continued  to  reside  until  his  death  in  1895. 
Seven  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wright:  Elvie  A.,  who  is  a  physician 
in  Houston,  Texas;  William,  of  Montgomery 
township,  who  married  Nettie  Walker,,  of 
Indiana  county,  and  has  six  children,  Clar- 
ence, Frank,  Morna,  Dean,  Orpha  and  a  son 
born  Oct.  1,  1912,  unnamed  at  this  writing; 
John,  engaged  in  fruit  raising  in  Montgomery 
township,  who  married  Maggie  Gorman,  of 
Indiana  county,  and  has  two  children,  Leroy 
and  Bessie;  Ada,  wife  of  James  S.  Bunch,  of 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  who  has  one  child,  Josephine 
H. ;  Blair  and  Clair,  twins,  the  former  of 
whom  married  Lida  Fraxier,  of  Indiana 
county,  and  has  had  one  child  (deceased), 
the  latter  living  in  Punxsutawney  (married 
and  has  two  children,  Marian  G.  and  Murl)  ; 
and  Grant,  who  lives  in  Glen  Campbell. 

JOHN  P.  LYDICK,  general  farmer  and 
stock  raiser  of  Cherryhill  township,  was  born 
on  the  old  Lydick  homestead,  on  which  he  is 
now  carrying  on  operations,  Jan.  30,  1875, 
and  is  a  son  of  Russell  and  Nancy  Lydick. 

John  Lydick,  the  paternal  great-great- 
grandfather of  John  P.  Lydick,  came  to 
Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  in 
1760,  settling  pn  a  farm.  This  rugged  old 
pioneer,  however,  was  forced  to  abandon  his 
land  on  account  of  the  hostility  of  the  In- 
dians, who  massacred  many  of  the  early  set- 
tlers in  the  vicinity,  and  for  seven  years  he 
did  not  venture  to  return  to  claim  his  home- 


1428 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


stead.  On  coming  back  a  foi-t  was  erected 
as  a  means  of  protection  against  the  savages, 
and  John  Lydick  continued  to  farm  there 
throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Jacob  Lydick,  son  of  the  pioneer  John,  and 
great-grandfather  of  John  P.  Lydick,  was 
born  on  this  land  and  continued  to  cultivate 
it  after  his  father's  death  until  he  himself 
passed  away. 

Patrick  Lydick,  son  of  Jacob,  and  grand- 
father of  John  P.  Lydick,  like  his  father  and 
grandfather  was  a  tiller  of  the  soil,  receiving 
the  old  homestead,  or  a  part  thereof,  at  the 
time  of  his  father's  death,  and  continuing  to 
cultivate  it  until  he  died. 

Russell  Lydick,  son  of  Patrick,  was  born 
on  the  homestead  in  Cherrjdiill  township,  and 
in  his  turn  received  the  old  family  property 
at  the  time  of  his  father's  demise.  He  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  throughout 
kis  life,  passing  away  Jan.  18,  1900,  while 
his  wife  died  May  30,  1882.  They  had  a  fam- 
ily of  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  namely: 
William;  Harry;  John  P.;  Elizabeth,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Levi  Houck,  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship ;  and  Ella,  wife  of  Earl  Long,  residing  at 
Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

The  education  of  John  P.  Lydick  was  se- 
cured in  the  McGaughey  school  in  Cherryhill 
township,  after  leaving  which  he  took  up 
farming  on  the  old  homestead,  where  he  has 
continued  to  carry  on  operations  to  the  pres- 
ent time  with  marked  success. 

On  May  10,  1905,  Mr.  Lydick  was  married 
to  Elizabeth  Kanarr,  who  was  born  in  Grant 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  May  11,  1873, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  ]\Iartha  (King) 
Kanarr,  early  settlers  of  Grant  township  who 
subsequently  removed  to  Rayne  township,  and 
are  now  living  retired,  in  Indiana,  Pa.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Kanarr  had  three  sons  and  five 
daughters:  Thomas,  who  resides  in  White 
township,  engaged  in  farming;  Elizabeth, 
who  married  Mr.  Lydick ;  Nannie,  the  wife  of 
C.  E.  Henry,  of  Indiana,  Pa.:  Hester,  resid- 
ing at  home ;  Alary ;  Ollie,  the  wife  of  Robert 
Helman,  of  Rayne  township,  on  the  old  home- 
stead; and  Ira  and  Mortin,  who  are  residing 
at  home. 

PRICE  DAVIS,  proprietor  of  a  thriving 
general  business  in  the  liorough  of  Cherry- 
tree,  Indiana  county,  is  a  representative  of  a 
family  which  has  been  settled  there  for  al- 
most sixty  years  and  during  most  of  that 
time  associated  with  its  business  interests. 
He  was  born  at  Cherrytree  June  26,  1856, 
son  of  Joshua  and  Mary  (Thomas)  Davis, 
natives  of  South  Wales,  in  which  country  his 


grandparents,  paternal  and  maternal,  lived 
and  died. 

Joshua  and  Mary  (Thomas)  Davis  were 
born  at  Newcastle  Emiyn,  and  were  married 
in  their  native  country,  where  one  child. 
Franklin  D.,  was  born  to  them.  In  1851  the 
little  family  came  to  America,  landing  at 
Philadelphia,  where  they  resided  for  a  short 
time,  thence  coming  westward  to  Ebensburg, 
Cambria  Co.,  Pa.  In  1854  they  removed  to 
Cherrytree,  where  they  made  a  permanent 
home,  j\Ir.  Davis  dying  there  in  February, 
1903,  Mrs.  Davis  in  August,  1910.  Mr.  Davis 
was  a  shoemaker,  having  learned  the  trade 
in  his  early  life,  and  he  worked  at  same  in 
Ebensburg  and. also  followed  it  after  coming 
to  Cherrytree.  For  several  years  he  was  in- 
terested in  lumbering,  later  engaging  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Cherrytree,  which  he 
carried  on  until  his  death.  He  founded  the 
establishment  now  carried  on  under  the  firm 
name  of  Mrs.  Joshua  Davis  &  Co.,  his  ^vidow 
owning  it  after  his  death.  He  prospered  in 
business,  becoming  one  of  the  substantial 
citizens  of  the  borough  as  he  was  one  of  the 
most  respected.  Six  children  were  born  to 
himself  and  wife :  Franklin  D. ;  Price  ;  one 
that  died  in  infancy;  Mary,  a  resident  of 
Cherrytree,  where  she  is  engaged  in  business ; 
Emily",  wife  of  Robert  A.  McKibben,  living 
in  East  Pittsburg;  and  a  sou  that  died  in 
infancy. 

Price  Davis  received  a  common  school  edu- 
cation, and  when  a  boy  learned  the  trade  of 
shoemaker  under  his  father's  tuition,  work- 
ing at  same  from  the  time  he  was  thirteen 
years  old  until  1884.  In  that  year  he  em- 
barked in  business  for  himself,  at  his  present 
location,  having  a  general  store  which  now 
ranks  with  the  most  important  biisiness  es- 
tablishments of  the  borough.  He  has  built  up 
a  tine  trade  by  adhering  to  the  highest  stand- 
ards in  all  his  dealings  with  his  patrons,  who 
appreciate  excellent  service  and  honest  goods 
and  have  shown  their  confidence  in  him  by 
loyal  patronage.  Personally  he  is  highly  es- 
teemed, has  been  chosen  a  member  of  the 
school  board  and  burgess  of  the  borough,  the 
highest  office  within  the  gift  of  his  townsmen, 
and  is  at  present  serving  as  a  member  of 
the  town  council. 

On  Nov.  28, 1906,  ilr.  Davis  married  Emma 
S.  Pitts,  a  native  of  Cherrytree,  daughter  of 
B.  F.  and  Jane  (MeCurdy)  Pitts,  both  of 
whom  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  Pitts  was  born 
in  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  and  was  an 
early  settler  in  Indiana  county.  He  and  his 
wife  had  a  family  of  five  children :    William, 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1429 


who  is  now  a  resident  of  Charlottesville,  Va. ; 
Emma  S.,  Mrs.  Price  Davis;  Ann,  who  lives 
at  Cherrytree;  Frank,  living  at  Cherrytree; 
and  Bessie,  who  is  engaged  in  teaching  at 
Heilwood  and  lives  at  Cherrytree. 

The  family  are  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  at  Cherrytree.  In  social  con- 
nection Mr.  Davis  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0. 
O.  F.  lodge  of  his  borough. 

GEORGE  W.  GRAFF,  whose  meat  market 
is  the  best  equipped  and  most  popular  estab- 
lishment of  the  kind  in  the  borough  of  Indi- 
ana, has  been  in  the  business  there  continu- 
ously for  a  period  of  thirty-two  years,  and  his 
continued  prosperity  is  the  best  evidence  of 
liis  high  standing  and  ability.  Mr.  Graff  was 
born  Feb.  16,  1855,  in  Clarion  county,  Pa., 
son  of  John  and  Anna  (Blatzer)  Graff,  na- 
tives of  Germany.  The  father  attended  pub- 
lic school  in  his  native  land,  and  coming  to 
the  United  States  when  a  young  man  located 
in  Clarion  county.  Pa.,  where  for  a  time  he 
found  employment  at  the  ore  banks.  Sub- 
sequently he  moved  to  Indiana  county.  Pa., 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  the  rest  of 
his  life.  He  was  the  father  of  fourteen  chil- 
dren, four  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  namely : 
John;  Margaret,  wife  of  Charles  Deming; 
Joseph;  George  W. ;  Michael;  Mary;  Teresa, 
deceased;  Anna,  wife  of  Lewis  Fath;  Eliza- 
beth, Mrs.  Miller;  William;  Emma  K. ;  Wolf- 
gang, deceased;  Bernard,  deceased;  and 
Frank,  deceased.  The  parents  were  members 
of  the  Catholic  Church.  The  father  died  in 
1893,  the  mother  in  1910,  and  they  are  buried 
in  the  Catholic  cemetery  at  Indiana. 

George  W.  Graff  obtained  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Indiana  county,  and 
worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  about 
twenty-two  years  old.  Then  he  became  an 
apprentice  to  the  butcher's  trade,  which  he 
has  continued  to  follow  so  successfully  since. 
After  working  one  and  a  half  years  for  Wil- 
liam Grabenstein,  a  butcher  at  Saltsburg,  he 
came  to  Indiana,  where  he  was  in  the  employ 
of  Mr.  Wetting  for  a  time,  and  later  with 
John  Rough.  On  Oct.  25,  1880,  he  opened 
an  establishment  of  his  own,  and  has  been 
doing  a  prosperous  business  ever  since.  Dur- 
ing this  time  Mr.  Graff  has  built  up  an  ex- 
tensive patronage  and  has  formed  a  wide 
acquaintance  among  the  residents  of  the 
borough,  and  he  is  thoroughly  respected  by 
all  who  know  him,  his  personal  character 
having  been  as  much  a  factor  in  his  success 
as  the  reliability  of  his  goods  and  the  cour- 
teous treatment  which  all  his  .patrons  receive. 


His  life  has  been  an  industrious  one,  but  it 
has  been  one  of  progressive  industry,  for  he 
has  kept  pace  with  the  times  in  his  business 
methods,  eciuipment  and  service  to  his  nu- 
merous customers,  who  appreciate  the  ad- 
vantage of  trading  with  a  man  of  his  stamp. 
On  May  7,  1881,  Mr.  Graff  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  Hessler,  daughter  of  Andrew 
Hessler,  of  Saltsburg,  and  they  have  a  fam- 
ily of  six  children:  Paul,  Bertha,  Martha, 
Anthony,  Omer  and  Francis.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Graff  and  their  family  are  members  of  the 
Catholic  Church,  and  fraternally  he  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Columbus. 

JESSE  E.  MOCK,  contractor  and  builder, 
at  Clymer,  was  born  in  Cherryhill  township, 
Indiana  county,  April  26,  1881,  son  of  Wil- 
liam Harrison  and  Elizabeth  (Howe)  Mock. 
William  Harrison  Jlock  lias  spent  the 
greater  portion  of  his  life  in  Indiana  county 
and  still  resides  on  his  farm  in  Cherryhill 
to-sviiship.  He  married  Elizabeth  Howe,  who 
passed  her  entire  life  in  this  township,  her 
death  occurring  in  February,  1889.  The  fol- 
lowing children  were  born  to  them :  Everett 
S.,  who  lives  near  Latrobe,  Pa. ;  IMinnie,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Harry  Kurtz,  of  Canton,  Ohio ; 
Anna  L.  and  Howard,  both  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased, the  latter  dying  in  infancy;  E.  Grant, 
who  lives  at  Indiana;  Harry  C.,  who  is  a 
public  school  teacher  at  Clymer;  and  James 
and  Jesse  E.,  twins. 

Jesse  E.  Mock  attended  school  in  Cherry- 
hill township  in  boyhood  and  worked  on  the 
home  farm  until  twenty  years  of  age,  when 
he  learned  the  brickmason's  trade  and  later 
both  the  stonemason's  and  carpenter's  trades. 
Thus  well  equipped  in  an  industrial  way,  Mr. 
Mock  came  to  Clymer  when  the  town  was 
being  organized  and  assisted  in  building  the 
third  house  in  the  place.  Since  then  he  has 
carried  on  a  successful  business  in  the  line 
of  general  contracting  and  building  and  has 
a  reputation  for  absolute  reliability. 

Mr.  Mock  was  married  Sept.  5,  1906,  to 
Zuela  Clare  Davis,  who  was  born  in  Cherry- 
hill township,  a  daughter  of  James  W.  and 
Sarah  E.  (Harrold)  Davis. 

James  W.  Davis,  father  of  Blrs.  Mock,  was 
born  at  Lewisville,  in  the  southern  part  of 
Indiana  county.  By  trade  he  is  a  blacksmith, 
and  he  conducts  a  shop  at  Penu  Run,  Indi- 
ana county,  doing  a  good  business.  He  mar- 
ried Sarah  E.  Harrold,  who  was  born  also  at 
Lewisville,  and  still  survives.  They  have  two 
children:     Mrs.  Mock  and  Cameron,  the  lat- 


1430 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ter  of  whom  is  a  farmer  and  iu   the  dairy 
business  at  Clymer. 

Mr.  Mock  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.  They  have  two  daughters, 
Marion  and  Mildred. 

LESLIE  EARL  ALBERT,  manager  of 
the  pharmacy  at  Dixonville,  Indiana  county, 
is  a  young  man  whose  ability  and  faithful- 
ness have  won  him  the  esteem  of  the  business 
element  of  that  place  as  well  as  the  many 
patrons  to  whose  wants  he  caters.  He  is  a 
native  of  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  born 
Nov.  3,  1887,  son  of  James  and  Lydia  (Miller) 
Albert,  both  of  whom  were  also  born  in  that 
county.  James  Albert  is  now  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business  at  Mount  Pleasant.  West- 
moreland county,  as  a  member  of  the  Hus- 
band Lumber  Company;  he  has  had  extensive 
interests  in  that  line  throughout  his  active 
years.  He  and  his  wife  have  had  two  sons, 
the  younger  of  whom,  Orin  Wilson,  is  now  in 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  engaged  as  instructor  of 
mathematics  in  the  University  of  Pittsburg. 

Leslie  Earl  Albert,  eldest  son  of  James 
Albert,  received  his  early  education  at  Mount 
Pleasant,  Westmoreland  county,  graduating 
from  the  high  school  there  in  1905.  After 
that  he  took  up  the  study  of  pharmacy,  pur- 
suing the  course  at  the  University  of  Pitts- 
burg, from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1909. 
For  a  short  time  thereafter  he  was  located 
at  Greensburg,  Pa.,  whence  he  came  to  Dixon- 
ville in  1909.  He  has  since  had  the  manage- 
ment of  the  pharmacy  there,  the  drug  estab- 
lishment of  Dr.  J.  S.  Miller,  and  has  proved 
himself  a  young  man  of  exceptional  industry 
and  trustworthy  character,  being  highly  re- 
spected by  all  who  have  had  dealings  with 
him. 

On  June  10,  1909,  Mr.  Albert  married,  at 
Greensburg,  Pa.,  Rachel  Clark  Galley,  a  na- 
tive of  Mount  Pleasant,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Luella  (Speakman)  Galley,  who  now 
live  at  Mount  Pleasant.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Al- 
bert have  had  one  son,  William  James.  They 
belong  to  the  United  Brethren  Church  at 
Greensburg,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Re- 
publican committee  of  his  district  in  Indiana 
county. 

JAMES  NICHOL  belongs  to  an  old  and 
respected  family  of  Green  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  lie  is  now  engaged  in  farming. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  was  a  lumberman. 
Mr.  Nichol  was  born  in  Green  township  Feb. 


12,  1873,  son  of  John  McFarland  Nichol. 
William  Nichol,  his  grandfather,  came  from 
Ireland,  and  bought  a  farm  near  Taylors- 
ville,  in  Green  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
upon  which  he  settled  and  lived  until  his 
death. 

John  McFarland  Nichol  was  born  in  In- 
diana county,  was  reared  to  farming  and  fol- 
lowed that  occupation  all  his  life.  He  also 
engaged  in  stock  raising.  He  bought  the 
farm  where  his  son  Wesley  now  lives,  and  re- 
sided there  for  a  number  of  years,  in  1906 
removing  west  to  Colorado.  Here  he  bought 
land  upon  which  he  remained  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  March  19,  1910.  His  remains 
were  brought  east  and  buried  in  the  Taylors- 
ville  cemetery.  He  married  Margaret  Buter- 
baugh,  also  a  native  of  Indiana  county,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  and  Mary  (Langham)  Buter- 
baugh,  of  Green  township.  She  was  the  moth- 
er of  seven  children,  namely:  Mary  Ann, 
who  is  the  widow  of  Peter  Sickenberger 
and  lives  in  Indiana  county ;  Wesley  W. ; 
Sadie,  wife  of  Frank  Jeffries,  of  Richmond, 
Pa. ;  Jane,  who  died  young ;  James,  who  lives 
in  Green  township;  Eliza,  wife  of  Abner 
Lloyd,  of  Colorado;  and  Margaret,  a  resi- 
dent of  Colorado.  The  father  married  for 
his  second  wife  Sarah  Houston,  by  whom  he 
had  eight  children:  Zola,  the  wife  of  Charles 
Long,  living  in  Colorado;  Archie,  in  Colo- 
rado; Calvin,  in  Colorado;  Donald,  who  is  in 
Green  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. ;  Parle,  his 
twin  brother,  deceased ;  Hope,  living  in  Green 
to-n-nship ;  John,  of  Green  township ;  and  Wil- 
liam, of  Green  township. 

James  Nichol  went  to  public  school  in 
Green  township  during  his  boyhood,  and  for 
some  time  after  commencing  work  was  em- 
ployed on  the  farm.  Then  he  became  a  lum- 
berman, following  that  line  for  twelve  yeai-s, 
eventually  returning  to  farming.  He  has 
been  on  his  present  place  in  Green  township 
since  1906,  and  now  gives  all  his  time  and 
attention  to  its  cultivation.  His  intelligent 
methods  entitle  him  to  a  place  among  the  most 
deservedly  successful  farmers  of  his  locality. 

In  July,  1904,  :\Ir.  Nichol  married  Belle 
Glassford,  who  was  born  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Alexander 
and  Margaret  (Dick)  Glassford,  both  of  whom 
are  now  deceased.  Mv.  Glassford  was  a  farm- 
er in  Cherryhill  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Nichol  have  had  one  child,  Minnie  Marie. 
They   are   members   of  the   Baptist   Church, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1431 


and  in  his  political  views  Mr.  Nichol  is  a 
Republican. 

HENRY  STONEBRAKER,  a  farmer  of 
White  township,  Indiana  county,  is  a  son  of 
William  Stonebraker. 

William  Stonebraker  was  bom  in  Germany, 
in  Hesse  Darmstadt,  and  left  his  native  land 
at  an  early  day  for  the  United  States,  upon 
his  arrival  making  his  way  to  Rayne  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  Here  he  bought  land 
from  the  late  Judge  White,  father  of  Judge 
Harry  White,  and  cleared  off  seventy-five 
acres,  living  upon  his  property  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1863,  by  reason  of 
an  accident,  a  tree  falling  upon  him.  By 
his  first  wife,  who  was  also  of  German  birth, 
he  had  six  children :  Adam,  who  is  deceased ; 
a  daughter  who  died  in  infancy  unnamed; 
William,  deceased,  who  was  a  soldier  during 
the  Civil  war  and  died  in  the  service ;  Henry ; 
and  two  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Stone- 
braker died  when  her  son  Henry  was  only 
three  years  old,  and  Mr.  Stonebraker  married 
(second)  Barbara  Ziegler,  also  a  native  of 
Germany.  By  this  marriage  there  were  chil- 
dren as  follows:  Louisa,  who  mai-ried  John 
Decker,  who  is  now  deceased ;  Mary,  who  mar- 
ried John  Neff,  of  Vandergrift,  Pa. ;  Cather- 
ine, who  married  David  Brown,  of  Mont- 
gomery township ;  George,  a  resident  of  Day- 
ton, Armstrong  Co..  Pa. ;  Rose,  the  wife  of 
John  Adams,  of  Warren  Center,  Pa.;  and 
Jacob,  who  resides  at  Decker's  Point,  this 
county. 

Hem-y  Stonebraker  was  born  July  10,  1845, 
in  Rayne  township,  and  grew  up  as  any  ordi- 
nary farmer's  son,  remaining  on  the  home- 
stead until  seventeen  years  old,  when  he 
commenced  working  for  others  on  farms  until 
he  could  purchase  land  for  himself.  He  then 
bought  his  present  property  of  seventy-eight 
acres  in  White  township,  and  has  since  de- 
voted himself  to  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  with  more   than   ordinary  success. 

On  Oct.  9,  1874,  Mr.  Stonebraker  was  mai-- 
ried  to  Anna  Heffner,  born  at  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
but  brought  by  her  parents  to  Indiana  county 
when  a  child.  They  resided  on  the  property 
now  owned  bj"^  Henry  Moore.  Mrs.  Stone- 
braker was  the  only  child  of  her  parents,  and 
her  father  died  when  she  was  a  little  girl. 
After  his  death  Mrs.  Heffner  married  Wil- 
liam Beatty,  of  Indiana  county,  and  of  the 
children  born  to  that  marriage,  the  follow- 
ing survive:  Robert  C. ;  Mrs.  Kettleburgh, 
of  St.  Louis;  and  Mrs.  Harry  Herle,  of  St. 
Louis.     Mr.    and  Mrs.    Stonebraker   became 


the  parents  of  eight  children :  Clara  L.  mar- 
ried John  Underwood,  of  Seward,  Pa.,  and  has 
children,  Edgar  and  Anna  Gertrude;  Wil- 
liam, deceased,  was  a  soldier  during  the  Span- 
ish-American war;  Delia  is  the  wife  of  Prank 
Stadtmiller,  a  farmer  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, and  has  had  children,  Ella,  Anna  Mary, 
Ralph  Bernard,  Francis  Martin,  Albert  Paul, 
and  Grace  (the  last  named  deceased)  ;  Harry 
A.  is  engaged  in  a  dairy  business  in  White 
township,  and  has  been  handling  his  milk 
at  wholesale  for  the  last  five  years;  Ralph 
L.,  who  is  a  normal  school  graduate,  residing 
at  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  married  Edith  Kunkle, 
of  Blacklick,  this  county,  and  their  children 
are  Maynard  Payne  and  Lyla  Fern;  Emma 
Mae  is  at  home;  Paul  J.  is  a  corporal  in  the 
United  States  regular  army,  stationed  at  Fort 
Snelling,  Minn. ;  Mary  Gaynell  lives  at  home, 
and  is  attending  the  Indiana  State  normal 
school.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stonebraker  are  mem- 
bers of  the  First  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
although  Mr.  Stonebraker  was  brought  up 
in  the  Lutheran  faith,  his  father  having  been 
connected  with  the  church  of  that  denomina- 
tion in  Rayne  township,  and  was  the  leading 
German  singer. 

The  Stonebraker  family  has  always  been  a 
highly  respected  one  in  Indiana  county,  for 
the  younger  generation  was  brought  up  to  re- 
spect {he  sterling  principles  laid  down  by  the 
founder.  He  was  one  of  those  remarkably  up- 
right ■  German-Americans  who  believed  in 
training  his  children  in  the  way  they  should 
go,  and  inculcating  from  childhood  high 
ideals  of  living.  Having  served  his  period 
in  the  German  army,  he  endeavored  to  imbue 
his  children  with  love  of  patriotism,  and  en- 
couraged them  in  cultivating  manly  attributes. 
He  had  been  well  educated  in  his  native 
tongue,  and  taught  the  art  of  weaving,  and 
was  often  called  upon  to  do  work  along  this 
line  in  Indiana  county.  It  has  been  just 
such  men  as  William  Stonebraker  and  the 
sons  he  reared  who  have  aided  so  materially 
in  the  development  of  this  country,  for  their 
homely  virtues  and  intense  patriotism  have 
always  worked  out  for  ultimate  good  to  hu- 
manity in  general. 

WILLIAM  STEELE  OBER,  of  Lovejoy, 
in  Green  township,  Indiana  county,  is  .junior 
member  of  the  firm  of  L.  W.  Ober  &  Son, 
general  merchants,  and  a  young  business  man . 
who  has  made  a  promising  start.  He  was 
born  April  9,  1889,  near  Taylorsville,  in 
Green  township,  son  of  Louis  William  and 
Ella  (Buterbaugh)   Ober,  grandson  of  Louis 


1432 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Ober  and  a  great-grandson  of  Rev.  David 
Ober.  who  was  a  Dunkard  preacher  in  Green 
and  Rayne  townships,  Indiana  county. 

Louis  William  Ober  was  born  Aug.  11. 
1867,  in  Indiana  county,  and  for  a  number 
of  years  was  engaged  in  the  lumber_  business 
as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Buterbaugh  & 
Ober.  In  October,  1910,  he  became  associated 
with  his  son  William  Steele  Ober  in  the  gen- 
eral mercantile  business  at  Lovejoj-  which  they 
now  conduct  under  the  firm  name  of  L.  W. 
Ober  &  Son,  the  store  being  opened  Oct.  17th. 
Mr.  Louis  W.  Ober  also  resides  at  Lovejoy.  He 
married  Ella  Buterbaugh,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Lavina  (Kerr)  Buterbaugh,  of  Green 
to\\'nship.  and  they  have  two  children,  Wil- 
liam Steele  and  Laura  Belle,  the  latter  living 
at  home.  Before  her  marriage  Mrs.  Ober 
was  engaged  in  teaching  school  in  Green 
township. 

William  Steele  Ober  attended  school  in 
Green  township  in  his  earlier  boyhood,  and 
later  was  a  pupil  at  the  Purchase  Line  Acad- 
emy for  three  terms.  He  traveled  to  some 
extent  over  the  West,  through  Ohio  and  Illi- 
nois, being  employed  for  one  summer  in  a 
lumber  mill  in  Ohio,  before  embarking  in 
business  at  Lovejoy,  entering  upon  his  pres- 
ent partnership  with  his  father  upon  his  re- 
turn to  Indiana  county.  He  is  an  enthusias- 
tic worker,  attentive  to  business  and  reliable, 
and  much  of  the  success  of  the  establishment 
has  been  due  to  his  enterprise  and  energy. 

SAMUEL  MUNSHOWER,  retired  resident 
of  Indiana,  has  made  his  home  in  that  bor- 
ough for  over  forty  years.  He  was  born  July 
3,  1834,  upon  his  father's  farm  in  Center 
township,  Indiana  county,  son  of  William 
]\Iunshower. 

The  first  ancestor  of  the  ]\Iunshower  family 
in  America  came  to  this  country  from  Ger- 
many, settling  in  ]\Iaryland.  Thence  John 
IMunshower,  grandfather  of  Samuel  Mun- 
shower,  came  to  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  settling 
in  Center  township,  where  he  followed  his 
trade,  that  of  blacksmith,  the  rest  of  his  life. 
He  died  there  about  1840.  In  Maryland  he 
married  Catherine  Baker,  and  a  family  of 
nine  or  ten  children  was  born  to  them. 

William  Munshower,  son  of  John  and 
Catherine  (Baker)  Munshower,  came  with  his 
parents  to  Center  township.  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
where  he  grew  to  manhood.  He  was  a  life- 
long farmer.  Settling  on  a  place  of  seventy 
acres  which  was  then  all  in  the  woods,  the 
first  impi-ovement  was  the  clearing  he  made 
for  his  shanty.     He  resided  there  until  his 


death,  which  occurred  in  1881,  when  he  was 
eighty-two  years  old.  His  wife,  Anna  (Kun- 
kle),  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety- 
seven  years.  Their  children  were:  Cather- 
ine died  when  three  years  old;  John  died  at 
Parker's  Landing,  Pa.;  Samuel  is  mentioned 
below;  William,  who  lives  at  Cookport,  Indi- 
ana county,  is  a  .justice  of  the  peace ;  Huston 
lives  at  Blairsville,  Indiana  countj';  Har- 
rison lives  at  Blairsville ;  Mary,  twin  of  Har- 
rison, is  the  wife  of  Chambers  Yuengling,  of 
Canton,  Ohio.  The  five  survivors  of  this 
family  are  aU  over  seventy.  All  of  the  .sons 
served  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil 
war. 

Samuel  ilunshower,  son  of  WiUiam  Mun- 
shower, was  born  July  3,  1834,  upon  his 
father's  farm  in  Center  township,  Indiana 
count.v,  and  in  early  life  followed  farming. 
During  three  months  of  the  year  he  had  such 
privileges  as  were  afforded  at  the  old  log 
schoolhouse  in  the  neighborhood,  where  the 
furnishings  were  of  the  most  primitive  char- 
acter, slab  benches  and  other  rude  appli- 
ances being  the  rule  at  that  time.  He  worked 
for  his  father  until  he  was  twelve  years  old, 
after  which  he  hired  out  among  other  farm- 
ers, and  following  his  marriage  he  farmed 
on  his  own  account  from  1857  until  the  spring 
of  1865.  On  March  8,  1865,  he  enlisted  at 
Indiana,  for  one  year,  becoming  a  private 
in  Company  F,  74th  P.  V.  I.,  and  was  dis- 
charged at  Clarksburg,  W.  Va.,  Sept.  24, 
1865.  LTpon  his  return  home  he  worked  at 
the  carpenter's  trade,  also  doing  contracting, 
and  prospered,  continuing  in  this  line  until 
his  retirement,  in  1906.  In  the  spring  of 
1871  he  moved  into  the  borough  of  Indiana, 
where  he  has  resided  continuously  since,  mak- 
ing his  home  at  the  corner  of  Church  and 
Eleventh  streets.  He  helped  on  the  construc- 
tion of  the  first  of  the  normal  school  build- 
ings at  Indiana,  and  has  worked  on  many 
other  notable  structures  there,  churches,  pub- 
lic buildings,  etc.  Mr.  IMunshower  is  an  ac- 
tive member  of  the  Republican  party,  belongs 
to  Post  No.  28,  G.  A.  R,.  of  Indiana,  and 
holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran  Church. 
His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

On  Jan.  8,  1857,  Mr.  Munshower  married 
Susanna  Kinnard,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
]\Iary  Ann  (Hartzel)  Kinnard.  To  this  union 
have  been  born  the  following  children : 
Jemima.  Mi-s.  John  Kooser,  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, Indiana  county ;  Arietta,  who  died  when 
three  years  old;  Laura  A.,  who  is  unmarried: 
Ida,  widow  of  Corry  C.  Boggs.  of  Indiana: 
Charles,  of  Breckenridge,  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa. : 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1433 


Frank,  of  Leeehburg,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa. ; 
and  Annie  G.,  wife  of  John  D.  Skelton,  of 
Wellsville,  Tioga  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

AMOS  L.  BUTERBAUGH,  now  living  re- 
tired in  the  town  of  Lovejoj^,  after  spending 
many  years  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  In- 
diana county,  was  born  in  Green  township, 
this  county,  July  29,  1849,  and  is  a  son  of 
Henry  and  Mary  (Langham)  Buterbaugh. 

William  Buterbaugh,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  Amos  L.  Buterbaugh,  was  a  native 
of  Germany  and  came  to  the  United  States 
in  young  manhood.  He  first  settled  in  Center 
county,  Pa.  A  farmer  by  occupation,  he  be- 
came one  of  Indiana  county's  early  settlers, 
locating  in  what  is  now  known  as  Pleasant 
Valley,  where,  assisted  by  his  seven  sons,  he 
cleared  a  farm,  there  passing  the  remainder 
of  his  life. 

Henry  Buterbaugh,  son  of  William,  was 
the  father  of  Amos  L.  Buterbaugh.  He  was 
born  in  Center  county.  Pa.,  Feb.  28,  1809, 
and  as  a  youth  became  proficient  in  the  trades 
of  carpenter,  cabinetmaker  and  millwright. 
He  conducted  a  mill  near  the  present  town  of 
Starford,  Indiana  county,  from  1855  to  1879, 
dying  July  3d  of  the  latter  year.  His  wife, 
who  was  born  May  23,  1818,  in  Bedford 
county.  Pa.,  died  Dec.  12,  1898.  They  had 
five  children,  as  follows :  Margaret,  deceased, 
who  was  the  wife  of  John  M.  Nichol,  who  re- 
sided near  Purchase  Line,  Green  township; 
Jane,  wife  of  John  W.  Gallagher,  of  Green 
township ;  Elias,  who  is  deceased ;  Amos  L. ; 
and  Sarah  M.,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of 
George  F.  Houck. 

William  Langham,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  Amos  L.  Buterbaugh,  came  to  In- 
diana county  from  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  and 
settled  near  Cookport,  in  Green  township, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  through- 
out the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Amos  L.  Buterbaugh  obtained  his  elemen- 
tary education  in  the  public  schools  of  Green 
township,  and  attended  the  high  school  at 
Marion  Center,  graduating  therefrom  in 
1868.  When  a  young  man  he  turned  his  at- 
tention to  mercantile  pursuits  at  Cookport, 
where  he  resided  for  seven  years.  Later  he 
was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  for  six- 
teen years,  and  he  next  occupied  himiself 
in  taking  up  coal  lands  for  a  number  of  com- 
panies, subsequently  platting  the  lands  for 
the  Philadelphia  Water  Company.  When  he 
had  completed  this  latter  work  he  was  elected 
justice  of  the  peace,  in  which  office  he  served 
five   years,   and   since   completing  this  term 


of  service  has  lived  practically  retired,  al- 
though he  has  been  on  the  auditing  board 
of  Indiana  county  for  some  years. 

On  July  3,  1873,  Mr.  Buterbaugh  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  J.  Refner,  who  was  born  in 
Cambria  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Jane  (Duncan)  Refner,  who  came  to  Indiana 
county  from  Cambria  county  and  died  at  Pine 
Flats.  Mrs.  Buterbaugh  died  April  15,  1882, 
the  mother  of  one  child,  H.  Clyde,  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Latrobe,  Pa.  Mr.  Buterbaugh  was 
married  (second)  Oct.  26,  1882,  to  Rebecca 
J.  Phillips,  who  was  born  near  Gettysburg, 
Indiana  county,  July  27,  1864,  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Ellen  Phillips,  the  former  of  whom 
now  resides  near  Saltsburg;  the  latter  is  de- 
ceased. They  have  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: Edward  S.,  who  is  now  in  Colorado; 
Mary  and  Archie,  who  are  deceased;  Willis 
W.,  now  in  Colorado;  Clare,  attending  col- 
lege at  Lancaster,  Pa. ;  and  Clarence,  Dennis, 
Lester,  Charles  and  Jessie,  all  at  home.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Buterbaugh  are  faithful  members 
of  the  Baptist  Church. 

]\Ir.  Buterbaugh  took  up  the  study  of  ther- 
apeutics, studying  from  1902  to  1906,  but 
he  never  engaged  in  active  practice.  Mrs. 
Buterbaugh  has  for  a  number  of  years  been 
a  successful  practitioner  of  suggestive  ther- 
apeutics, making  her  headquarters  at  Love- 
joy,  and  the  following  remarks  from  her  pen 
on  suggestive  therapeutics  and  applied 
psychology,  what  it  is,  how  it  restores  health 
and  the  principles  upon  which  the  science  is 
based,  will  be  found  of  interest.  She  took  a 
correspondence  course  under  Prof.  S.  A. 
Weltmer,  as  a  student  of  the  school  at  Ne- 
vada, Mo.,  and  received  the  degree  of  S.  T., 
graduating  IMay  3,  1910. 

Suggestive  therapeutics  is  a  system  of  cure 
in  which  normal  function  is  restored  by  bring- 
ing mind  and  body  into  harmony  with  en- 
vironment. It  has  been  discovered  through 
experiments  and  demonstrated  in  practice 
that  the  administration  of  poisonous  chem- 
icals is  never  the  only  alternative,  and  that 
relief  given  by  general  surgery  may  be  had 
without  resorting  to  surgery. 

Prof.  Sydney  A.  Weltmer  is  the  author 
and  founder  of  the  science  of  suggestive  ther- 
apeutics. The  Weltmer  Institute,  which  has 
been  established  in  Nevada,  Mo.,  since  Feb. 
19,  1897,  is  the  realization  of  the  ideals  of  a 
man  who,  in  early  life,  overcame  an  affliction 
which  is  generally  considered  fatal;  an  ex- 
perience which  led  him  to  believe  that  all 
diseases  could  be  cured  and  started  him  upon 
the  quest  for  a  scientific  knowledge  of  heal- 


1434 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ing  which  should  make  possible  such  result. 
He  experimented  and  studied  for  sixteen 
years,  and  at  last  he  conceived  clearly  that, 
inasmuch  as  every  mode  of  treatment  has 
cures  to  its  credit;  as  every  method  and  the 
practice  of  doctors  of  the  same  method  are 
different,  and  in  many  instances  entirely  con- 
tradictory; there  must  be  a  common  cause 
behind  all  cures,  by  whatever  method.  With 
this  realization  came  the  positive  assurance 
that  the  only  common  element  in  every  cure, 
no  matter  how  treated,  is  the  intelligent  re- 
sponse of  the  inherent  forces  within  the  pa- 
tient's own  being-  to  the  suggestion  of  a  cure. 
The  surgeon  operates  and  depends  upon  na- 
ture to  cure,  the  physician  gives  medicine 
and  engages  a  nurse,  and  depends  on  the  con- 
stitution of  the  patient  to  pull  him  through. 

Evei-y  other  method  or  plan  of  treatment 
places  its  final  dependence  upon  the  restora- 
tion of  function.  In  suggestive  therapeutics 
we  restore  a  normal  condition  in  the  mind, 
tissues  and  organs,  following  which  the  nat- 
ural secretions  of  the  body  eliminate  disease 
and  restore  and  maintain  the  normal  condi- 
tion, which  is  health. 

Incurable  diseases  can  be  cured.  In  the 
specific  treatment  of  any  case  there  is  no 
necessity  to  resort  to  any  painful  or  danger- 
,  ous  measures.  The  writer  in  the  profession 
of  therapeutist  in  the  last  two  years  has 
treated  over  a  thousand  patients  for  the  so- 
called  incurable  diseases,  with  about  eighty 
per  cent  of  cures. 

A  cure  by  suggestive  therapeutics  is  a  cure 
by  nature.  The  restoration  to  health  comes 
as  a  result  of  thorough  revitalization  of  every 
nerve  and  tissue  of  the  body.  It  is  a  physical 
and  mental  rejuvenation.  The  trained  ther- 
apeutist knows  how  to  control  the  blood  sup- 
ply, stimulate  the  nerves  and  relax  the  tis- 
sues; analyze  the  mental  state;  diagnose  the 
physical  "condition;  read.iust  the  mental 
processes ;  so  that  what  the  physician  describes 
as  the  "constitution"  of  the  patient  and  the 
surgeon  means  by  "nature"  the  therapeutist 
knows  as  mind  rnay  respond  by  manufactur- 
ing chemicals  and  secretions  within  the 
laboratories  of  the  body  to  dissolve  and  ex- 
crete the  state  of  normal  health. 

Suggestive  therapeutics  comprehends  the 
fact  that  all  substances  taken  into  and  coni- 
posing  the  body  have  certain  chemical  quali- 
ties and  form  various  chemical  combinations, 
and  we  recognize  further  that  when  these 
chemicals  and  organic  substances  are  trans- 
formed into  living  protoplasm  every  particle 
is  endowed  with  a  degree  of  intelligence,  so 


although  "food  chemistry"  is  considered  we 
discourage  the  usual  critical  analysis  and  se- 
lection of  diet.  Except  in  extreme  cases  the 
patient  is  allowed  perfect  freedom  in  the 
selection  of  foods.  However,  thorough  mas- 
tication and  composure  while  eating  are  re- 
quired in  all  cases.  The  patient  will  volun- 
tarily overcome  and  abandon  all  unnatural 
appetites  as  soon  as  the  nervous  system  is 
restored  to  normal.  All  parts  of  the  gen- 
eral treatment  and  conduct  of  a  case  eon- 
tribute  to  revitalize  the  nervous  system. 

It  is  an  accepted  fact  that  eighty-five  per 
cent  of  all  diseases  have  their  origin  in  ner- 
vous deficiency.  The  most  direct  result  of 
nervous  deficiency  is  vasomotor  disturbance 
or  passive  congestion,  which  interferes  with 
the  blood  stream  and  hinders  it  in  the  con- 
centration immunizing  bodies  in  its  effort  to 
prohibit  diseases  fi-om  the  tissues. 

Suggestive  therapeutics  is  sufficiently  broad 
in  its  technique  to  open  the  right  of  way, 
no  matter  what  the  affliction  may  be.  There 
is  no  incurable  disease,  and  there  is  no  in- 
curable case.  We  do  not  cure  every  case :  we 
do  not  enable  people  to  live  forever  and  we 
do  not  propose  to  teach  them  to  do  so;  but 
we  do  know  that  it  is  possible  to  overcome 
any  condition  which  may  afflict  the  human 
body,  and  we  know  it  will  be  done  just  as 
soon  as  we  learn  always  to  secure  the  neces- 
sary response  from  the  mind  of  the  patient. 
Health  is  natural. 

All  the  forces  of  nature  combat  disease. 
While  the  symptoms  remain  acute,  nature 
fights  for  complete  elimination.  When  symp- 
toms become  chronic,  nature  has  acknowledged 
the  right  of  the  disease  to  remain  and  ad- 
justed her  forces  to  maintain  an  armed  truce. 
In  acute  cases  timely  assistance  will  always 
give  nature  the  victory.  In  chronic  eases  the 
forces  of  nature  must  be  profoundly  mar- 
shalled, new  blood  must  be  hurried  to  the 
front  and  supplies  and  enthusiasm  sustained 
until  the  disease  may  be  dislodged  and  har- 
monious functions  restored  in  the  regions  in- 
volved. 

What  disease  can  be  cured  by  suggestive 
therapeutics?  Our  experience  as  well  as 
"Case  Records"  shows  our  technique  of  sug- 
gestive therapeutics  to  be  applicable  in  the 
widest  range  of  diseases.  Its  present  per- 
manency and  vogue  is  doubtless  best  explained 
by  its  influence  in  regulating  cell  metabolism, 
thus  increasing  nutritive  processes  and  re- 
establishing vital  function,  thereby  permit- 
ting the  cellular  reaction  and  adaptation, 
which  comprise  nature's  protective  and  re- 


HISTOEY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1435 


parative  processes  to  defend  the  body  against 
disease  of  whatever  nature.  It  is  known  that 
these  reactions  are  cellular,  being  the  special 
function  of  the  leucocytes,  but  doubtless  par- 
ticipated in  to  a  degree  by  all  cells. 

These  important  processes  comprise  phago- 
cytosis (ingestion  and  removal  of  dead  for- 
eign material,  bacteria,  etc.)  and  the  produc- 
tion of  special  chemical  substances,  in  the 
tissues  and  blood  serum,  which  unite  with 
poisons,  toxins,  etc.,  rendering  them  innocu- 
ous. "While  circumstances  have  ordained  that 
suggestive  therapeutics  should  merit  its  right 
and  title  to  public  consideration  and  com- 
mendation through  its  success  in  treating 
chronic  and  otherwise  incurable  disorders,  it 
has  been  demonstrated  to  have  an  even  great- 
er proportionate  influence  over  acute  dis- 
eases, as  instanced  by  our  almost  uniform 
success  with  appendicitis,  acute  inflammatory 
rheumatism,  influenza,  fevers,  etc. 

By  reason  of  its  utilizing  and  invoking  the 
most  natural,  rational  and  scientific  means 
(natui'e's  way)  to  an  end,  its  cures  are  nat- 
urally effected  with  the  utmost  possible  cel- 
erity, even  subjecting  us  in  past  and  less  en- 
lightened days  to  criticisms,  such  as  "mirac- 
ulous," " Satanic,"  etc. 

Below  is  a  review  of  some  of  the  groups 
of  disorders  amenable  to  treatment.  Some 
diseases  are  especially  amenable  to  cure 
through  suggestive  therapeutics.  Diseases 
attended  by  acute  or  chronic  inflammatory 
reaction  are  especially  responsive  to  our  treat- 
ment. This  includes  the  widest  possible  range 
of  diseases  throughout  all  parts  of  the  body, 
(we  define  inflammation  as  nature's  reaction 
to  injurious  agents),  specific  tonsolitis,  ap- 
pendicitis, gastritis,  enteritis,  neuritis,  he- 
patitis, with  or  without  pus  or  abscess 
formation,  cellulitis,  erysipelas,  and  blood 
poisoning  from  any  of  its  numerous 
causes;  diseases  of  the  respiratory  sys- 
tem, inflammatory  (see  above)  as  tonsil- 
itis,  laryngitis,  bronchitis,  pneumonia,  tuber- 
culosis, or  nervous  and  mechanical,  such  as 
asthma,  etc. ;  diseases  of  the  alimentary  sys- 
tem, including  liver  and  pancreas,  inflamma- 
tory gastritis,  enteritis,  colitis,  or  functional 
or  nervous,  as  dyspepsia,  from  different 
causes,  constipation,  hemorrhoids,  etc.;  dis- 
eases of  the  vascular  system,  arterio  sclerosis, 
functional  and  organic  heart  diseases,  chlor- 
osis, goiter,  etc. ;  diseases  of  the  genito-uri- 
nary  system,  nephritis  (Bright 's  disease), 
stone  in  kidney  or  bladder,  etc. ;  diseases  of 
the  nervous  system,  apoplexy,  chorea,  epi- 
lepsy, locomotor  ataxia,    etc. ;   diseases  of  the 


skin,  parasitic  and  inflammatory;  all  condi- 
tions caused  by  depleted  nerve  tone;  diseases 
of  special  sense,  such  as  eye,  ear,  nose  and 
throat.  In  fact  all  diseases  can  be  relieved 
by  suggestive  therapeutics,  since  the  treat- 
ment is  not  aimed  at  symptoms,  the  result  of 
disease  conditions,  but  is  devoted  to  the  direct 
assistance  in  eradicating  the  cause  and  open- 
ing the  right  of  way  for  nature,  the  master 
healer  of  her  children's  ills. 

FRANK  PHYTHYAN,  proprietor  of  a 
theatrical  business  at  Clymer,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, owning  and  managing  the  Pastime  theatre, 
was  born  in  the  eastern  part  of  Ohio  Aug. 
3,  1877,  son  of  Isaac  and  Jane  (Martin) 
Phythyan. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Phythyan  were  of  Eng- 
lish descent,  and  were  married  in  eastern 
Ohio,  where  they  continued  to  live  until  1880, 
Isaac  Phythyan  being  there  engaged  in  min- 
ing. In  the  year  mentioned  the  family  re- 
moved to  Mercer  county,  Pa.,  the  son  Frank 
being  at  that  time  three  years  old,  and  set- 
tled near  Sharon,  where  the  father  continued 
to  follow  mining  as  a  vocation.  Both  Isaac 
and  Jane  (Martin)  Phythyan  are  now  de- 
ceased. They  had  a  family  of  four  children, 
namely :  John,  who  is  now  a  resident  of  Day- 
ton, Ohio;  Samuel,  of  Sharon,  Pa.;  Prank; 
and  Jane,  wife  of  William  Davidson,  of 
Sharon. 

Frank  Phythyan  attended  school  in  Mer- 
cer county,  Pa.,  and  in  Sharon  learned  the 
trade  of  plumber,  following  it  there  for  four 
years.  In  1910  he  came  to  Clymer  and  es- 
tablished himself  in  business,  and  subse- 
quently opened  the  Pastime  theatre,  meeting 
with  success  in  both  ventures.  The  theatre 
has  recently  become  established  in  a  new 
brick  structure,  finished  in  the  fall  of  1912. 

While  a  resident  of  Sharon  Mr.  Phythyan 
was  married  March  20,  1906,  to  Olive  Tate, 
daughter  of  William  and  Urilla  (Deale) 
Tate,  of  Clearfield  county,  who  are  now  resi- 
dents of  Clymer,  Pa.  Mr.  Phythyan  is  a 
member  of  the  Protective  Home  Circle,  and 
he  and  his  wife  are  well  known  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  congregation  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

SAMUEL  R.  MUMAU,  farmer  of  Green 
township,  Indiana  county,  also  engaged  in 
raising  sheep  and  hogs,  has  been  settled  at 
his  present  home  since  1897.  He  was  born 
in  the  township,  near  Taylorsville,  Sept.  18, 
1864,  and  is  of  German  descent.  His  grand- 
father, John  Mumau,  came  to  Indiana  county 


1436 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  the  earlv  days,  settling  near  Taylorsville, 
in  Green  township,  where  he  bought  land 
upon  which  he  bnilt  a  log  house.  He  devoted 
himself  to  the  clearing  of  this  tract  and  car- 
ried on  farming  until  his  death.  He  and  his 
wife  had  a  family  of  seven  children,  six  sons 
and  one  daughter,  three  of  whom  still  sur- 
vive:  John,  a  resident  of  Grant  township; 
Jacob,  living  in  Green  township ;  and  Webb, 
of  Green  township. 

David  Mumau,  father  of  Samuel  R.  Mumau, 
was  born  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  and 
grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Green  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  where  his  father  set- 
tled. He,  too,  located  on  a  farm  in  that  town- 
ship, and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  prin- 
cipally. He  was  also  engaged  on  the  river, 
rafting.  His  wife,  Catherine  (Phillips),  was 
born  in  Westmoreland  county,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Phillips,  a  native  of  Germany  who 
came  to  live  in  Indiana  county,  settling  m 
Cherryhill  township  years  ago  and  farming 
there  until  his  death.  ]\Ir.  Phillips  was  a 
cabinetmaker  by  trade.  He  had  a  family  of 
six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters, 
of  whom  three  are  living:  Jacob;  William, 
who  resides  at  Homer  City,  Indiana  county; 
and  Adam,  of  Kingsley,  Iowa.  Mr.  Mumau 
died  in  Green  township  in  February,  1909; 
his  wife  preceded  him,  dying  Sept.  9,  1907. 
They  had  three  children:  Judson,  an  elec- 
trician, who  lives  at  Indiana ;  John  Ellsworth, 
a  farmer  of  Green  township ;  and  Samuel  R. 

Samuel  R.  Mumau  went  to  school  in  Green 
township,  and  began  to  assist  his  father  with 
the  farm  work  in  boyhood.  He  also  learned 
the  trade  of  mason,  at  which  he  worked  for 
some  time.  In  1897  he  came  to  the  place  in 
Green  township  where  he  has  since  lived, 
what  was  known  as  the  Hensley  farm.  In 
addition  to  general  farming  he  has  given  con- 
siderable attention  to  the  raising  of  sheep 
and  hogs,  and  has  met  with  success  in  both 
lines,  his  intelligent  work  and  steady  industry 
bringing  him  deserved  success.  Personally 
he  is  highly  esteemed  by  his  neighbors  and 
fellow  citizens  generally. 

On  April  19,  1887,  Mr.  Mumau  married 
Sadie  Fyock,  who  was  born  March  1,  1867, 
in  Green  township,  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Elizabeth  (Wise)  Fyock,  and  they  have  had 
eight  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
Glen,  who  lives  at  Indiana,  married  Mar- 
gretta  Griffith,  of  Green  township,  and  they 
have  one  child,  Lena.  Martin,  David,  Alice, 
Frank,    Harvey    (born    on    Christmas    day, 


1901),  and  Eva  are  at  home.     Mrs.  Mumau 
is  a  member  of  the  Brethren  Church. 

ALBERT  J.  HINES,  farmer  and  lumber- 
man of  Mitchells  Mills,  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship. Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  that  town 
June  27,  1880,  a  son  of  Celestian  and  Annie 
(Brown)    Hines. 

William  Hines,  grandfather  of  Albert  J. 
Hines,  was  born  in  Germany,  and  came  to  this 
country  as  a  young  man,  settling  in  Cambria 
county.  Pa.,  where  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  in  agricultural  operations.  His 
death  occurred  in  1862,  and  that  of  his  wife 
ten  years  later ;  she  also  was  a  native  of  Ger- 
many. She  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Eliza- 
beth Sanders. 

Celestian  Hines,  son  of  William  Hines.  and 
father  of  Albert  J.  Hines,  was  born  in  Cam- 
bria county.  Pa.,  May  5,  1853,  and  came  to 
Indiana  county  in  the  seventies,  settling  near 
Mitchells  Mills  and  purchasing  a  tract  of 
land  on  which  he  continued  to  live  for  several 
years.  Subsequently  he  lived  at  Heilwood  a 
few  years  and  then  bought  and  settled  on  the 
farm  where  he  lived  and  worked  until  death, 
Aug.  19,  1912.  He  and  his  first  wife  had 
the  following  children :  Albert  J. ;  Inez,  re- 
siding at  home;  Agnes,  the  wife  of  Robert 
Glaspie,  of  Mitchells  Mills ;  and  Camilla,  who 
is  deceased.  Mr.  Hines  was  married  (sec- 
ond) to  Dessie  A.  Sickenberger.  of  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Sebastian  Sickenberger, 
and  four  children  were  born  to  this  union: 
Harry,  Mary,  Lawrence  and  Esta. 

Albert  J.  Hines  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  ■Mitchells  Mills,  and  -as  a  youth  began  to 
work  on  his  father's  farm.  When  he  had 
attained  his  majority  he  engaged  in  the  lum- 
ber business,  in  the  manufacture  of  which 
he  has  continued  to  the  present  time,  con- 
ducting a  sawmill  near  the  town.  In  addition 
he  owns  a  threshing  outfit  and  during  sea- 
sons does  much  of  such  work  throughout  the 
county.  He  has  been  successful  in  his  various 
operations  and  is  a  director  in  the  Clymer  Na- 
tional Bank,  of  Clymer.  Pennsylvania. 

On  Oct.  20.  1904,  Mr.  Hines  was  married 
to  Margaret  Holmes,  who  was  born  in  Indi- 
ana county.  Pa.,  Aug.  23,  1879.  daughter  of 
Hugh  and  Mary  (Dinwiddle)  Holmes,  both 
of  whom  are  living  in  Indiana  county,  where 
they  settled  early.  They  had  the  following 
children :  Jane,  the  wife  of  Emanuel  Mc- 
Cullough,  of  Cherryhill  township;  Laura, 
wife  of  Lincoln  McCuUough,  of  Cam- 
bria county;  Ida,  wife  of  Edward  Rolston, 
of   Vandergrift,   Pa.;   Frank,   a  resident   of 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1437 


Pineflats,  Indiana  county ;  Barney,  who  also 
lives  at  Pineflats;  Mrs.  Hines;  and  Stephen, 
who  lives  in  Cherryhill. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hines  have  four  children: 
Jay  F.,  born  March  9,  1905;  Inez  C,  born 
Jan.  IS,  1907;  Hazel  H.,  born  Aug-.  17,  1909; 
and  Francis  T.,  born  March  27,  1912.  Mr. 
Hines  takes  an  active  interest  in  fraternal 
matters  and  is  a  popular  member  of  the  Loyal 
Order  of  Moose,  at  Clymer. 

PETER  PAYTASH,  business  man  of  Cly- 
mer, Indiana  county,  has  one  of  the  leading 
general  stores  in  that  borough,  where  he  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers,  having  come  there 
in  1905.  He  is  a  native  of  Austria-Hungary, 
born  in  1872,  son  of  Joseph  and  Hannah  Pay- 
tash,  both  of  whom  died  in  Austria. 

They  had  six  children:  Michael,  now  de- 
ceased ;  Mary,  a  widow,  living  in  Austria ; 
Anna,  who  married  Mike  Kokosh  and  (sec- 
ond) James  Lesock,  and  lives  in  Wolf  Run, 
Ohio  (she  has  four  children)  ;  Susie,  who  died 
in  Austria;  Peter;  and  Michael  (2),  a  farmer 
in  Virginia. 

Mr.  Paytash  came  to  America  in  1887, 
landing  at  New  York.  Thence  he  proceeded 
to  Luzerne  county,  Pa.,  where  he  remained 
for  a  short  time,  going  next  to  Bellefonte, 
Center  countJ^  for  a  brief  period.  His  next 
move  was  to  Cresson,  Cambria  county,  and 
from  there  to  Philipsburg,  Center  county, 
whence  he  returned  to  Cresson  after  a  short 
stay.  In  1905  he  removed  from  that  place 
to  Clymer,  where  he  has  since  lived  and  car- 
ried on  business,  having  a  thriving  general 
store  which  has  a  large  share  of  the  local 
patronage.  Mr.  Paytash  did  his  share  in  the 
organization  of  the  borough  and  has  always 
shown  himself  to  be  a  public-spirited  citizen. 
He  has  supported  every  enterprise  for  the 
advancement  and  general  welfare  of  his 
adopted  town,  and  is  one  of  the  stockholders 
and  directors  of  the  Clymer  National  Bank. 
He  has  made  his  way  in  spite  of  all  obstacles 
and  deserves  high  credit  for  the  substantial 
position  he  has  attained.  Though  Avell  edu- 
cated in  his  native  tongue,  when  he  settled 
in  America  he  had  to  struggle  against  the 
disadvantages  of  a  strange  language  and  cus- 
toms, yet  he  has  overcome  every  drawback 
and  made  his  success  the  more  worthy. 

In  May,  1895,  Mr.  Paytash  married  Susie 
Cramer,  like  himself  a  native  of  Austria,  and 
they  have  had  six  children,  namely:    Anna, 


Michael,  Susie,  Andrew  and  Helen   (twins) 
and  Peter. 

JOSEPH  McGAUGHEY,  who  has  made 
his  home  on  his  present  farm  in  Armstrong 
township  for  over  forty  years,  belongs  to  a 
family  which  has  been  associated  with  Indiana 
county  and  its  development  from  pioneer 
times.  The  McGaughey  family  is  of  Scotch- 
Irish  origin,  and  was  early  settled  in  south- 
eastern Pennsylvania. 

Alexander  McGaughey,  Sr.,  the  gTeat- 
grandfather  of  Joseph  McGaughey,  moved 
from  York  county.  Pa.,  to  Westmoreland 
county  prior  to  the  war  of  1812,  and  soon 
afterward  settled  in  Conemaugh  township, 
now  a  part  of  Indiana  county,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farming.  He  married  Sally  Mar- 
shall, and  among  their  sons  was  one  named 
Alexander. 

Alexander  McGaughey,  grandfather  of 
Joseph  McGaughey,  followed  farming  in 
Conemaugh  township  until  his  death.  He 
married  Jane  Coleman,  and  among  his  chil- 
dren were  Nicholas,  born  Oct.  6,  1806,  died 
in  June,  1872,  who  was  the  progenitor  of  an- 
other branch  of  the  family  still  represented 
in  Indiana  county;  and  Thomas,  father  of 
Joseph  McGaughey. 

Thomas  McGaughey  was  born  March  14, 
1810,  in  Conemaugh  township,  and  died 
March  5,  1888,  in  Armstrong  township.  He 
is  buried  at  Crete.  He  married  Sarah  Belle 
McCoy,  who  was  born  Aug.  30,  1813,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  and  Nancy  (Smith)  McCoy, 
and  died  May  5,  1887.  They  had  children 
as  follows:  Joseph;  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  John 
Pattison,  who  died  in  1887;  Alexander,  who 
died  in  1849;  Daniel,  who  died  young;  Caro- 
line, "  who  died  young ;  Sarah  Maria,  who 
makes  her  home  with  her  brother  Joseph; 
Mary  Agues,  who  died  in  1891;  and  Thomas 
Clark,  who  married  Delia  Wiggins. 

Joseph  McGaughey,  son  of  Thomas  and 
Sarah  Belle  (McCoy)  McGaughey,  was  born 
Aug.  11,  1835,  in  Young  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.,  and  there  received  such  advantages 
for  education  as  the  public  schools  of  his  boy- 
hood days  afforded.  On  Jan.  12,  1860.  he 
married  Elizabeth  Jane  McGaughey,  who 
was  born  Dec.  19,  1832,  in  Center  township, 
this  county,  and  received  her  education  in  the 
old  schools  there.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
Nicholas  and  Rachel  (Lytle)  McGaughey. 
After  his  marriage  Mr.  McGaughey  engaged 
in  farming  in  White  township,  this  county, 
for  a  few  years,  and  in  1872  he  came  to  his 
present  property  in  Armstrong  township,  a 


1438 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


tract  of  114  acres  which  he  owns,  and  he  has 
been  a  pi-osperous  farmer  throughout  his  resi- 
dence there. 

Children  as  follows  have  been  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McGaughey:  Sarah  Belle,  who 
died  in  1881;  Rachel,  wife  of  William  Ran- 
kin, of  Shelocta,  this  county,  Avho  has  had 
three  children,  Pearl  (Mrs.  Fleming,  living 
in  Oklahoma),  Paul  (who  died  in  infancy) 
and  Todd  (at  home)  ;  Charles,  who  died 
j'oung;  William,  who  died  when  six  years 
old ;  Frank,  now  a  resident  of  Blacklick  town- 
ship, who  married  Margaret  Uncapher,  and 
has  five  children;  Paul,  now  in  Illinois,  and 
Salome,  Elizabeth,  Eleanor  and  Joel,  all  at 
home;  Mary,  who  married  Thomas  Carna- 
han  and  died  leaving  one  child,  Raymond; 
and  Joseph  L.,  who  married  Mary  Hender- 
son, and  lives  at  Fairview,  Indiana  county. 

WILLIAM  S.  McHENRY,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war  and  a  farmer  of  White  township, 
was  bom  in  that  township,  on  the  old  Rob- 
ert Ralston  farm,  Nov.  11,  1843,  son  of  Wil- 
liam McHenry.  His  grandfather,  also  named 
William  McHenry,  was  a  soldier,  serving  in 
the  Indian  war  under  General  Wayne.  He 
lived  in  what  is  now  White  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.,  and  died  in  1855,  aged  eighty-four 
years. 

William  McHenry,  father  of  William  S., 
was  born  in  1812  on  the  Moore  farm  two 
miles  from  Indiana,  Pa.  In  1838  he  mar- 
ried Eleanor,  a  daughter  of  William  Sebring, 
and  their  children  were  as  follows :  Deborah, 
who  is  deceased ;  Scott ;  William  S. ;  Julia  A. ; 
John,  deceased ;  Jackson,  who  mari-ied  Marian 
Stutchel;  Samuel  R.,  who  married  Jane 
Bothel;  Franklin,  who  married  Margaret  Mc- 
Henry ;  Milton,  who  married  Alice  Peterman ; 
Sarah  J. ;  Clara,  deceased ;  and  Anna  L. 

William  S.  McHenry  was  brought  up  amid 
rural  surroundings  on  his  father's  farm,  and 
sent  to  the  neighborhood  schools,  his  first 
teacher  being  John  Conrand.  Upon  leaving 
school  he  began  working  at  the  carpenter's 
trade  and  also  rafted  on  the  Susquehanna 
river,  cutting  timber  and  lumbei'ing  in  con- 
nection therewith,  and  became  an  expert  lum- 
berman. He  also  conducted  a  teaming  busi- 
ness. Feeling  that  his  country  had  need  of 
him,  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he  enlisted 
for  the  one  hundred  days'  service,  and  re- 
turning home  after  his  honorable  discharge 
resumed  work  at  his  trade.  However,  he  was 
not  satisfied,  and  reenlisted  March  6,  1865, 
in  Company  B,  67th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,    under     Capt.     Samuel    McHenry, 


serving  until  the  close  of  the  conflict,  a  brave 
and  eificient  soldier. 

In  1875  Mr.  McHenry  married  Mary  Lutz, 
a  daughter  of  George  Lutz,  who  lived  in 
Rayne  township.  After  marriage  Mr.  Mc- 
Henry moved  to  his  present  fine  farm  of  175 
acres,  upon  which  he  has  made  many  im- 
provements, including  the  erection  of  a  hand- 
some residence  and  commodious  barn  of  mod- 
ern architecture,  together  with  other  neces- 
sary buildings  for  the  housing  of  his  stock 
and  implements.  Here  he  carries  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising,  specializing  in  the 
latter  to  a  large  extent. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McHenry  became  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  Clara  I.,  Edward 
L.,  Olive  M.  and  Elmer  E.  Mrs.  McHenry 
passed  away  June  20,  1888,  and  her  death 
was  mourned  by  her  family,  for  she  Avas  a 
devoted  wife  and  mother  and  good  neighbor. 
Mr.  McHenry  is  not  connoted  with  any  re- 
ligious organization.  Politically  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  he  is  active  in  township  matters, 
although  not  desiring  office.  Progressive  in 
his  ideas,  he  has  put  them  to  practical  use 
and  is  deservedly  recognized  as  one  of  the 
leading  agriculturists  of  his  township. 

MATTHIAS  T.  KLINGENSMITH,  one  of 
the  well-to-do  farmers  of  Young  township,  In- 
diana county,  is  a  descendant  of  one  of  the 
oldest  pioneer  families  of  western  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  Klingensmiths  are  of  German 
origin,  and  according  to  family  tradition  the 
fii-st  of  this  branch  who  came  to  America  were 
members  of  the  French  army  who  took  part  in 
the  French  and  Indian  war  in  1756.  They 
came  to  what  was  then  Port  Duquesne.  later 
Fort  Pitt,  now  the  city  of  Pittsburg,  and 
when  peace  was  declared  settled  in  Allegheny 
county,  acquiring  land  and  engaging  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  Many  of  the  descendants 
of  these  early  settlers  are  now  to  be  found 
in  Westmoreland,  Armstrong  and  Indiana 
counties,  as  well  as  in  other  sections  of  the 
State. 

Peter  Klingensmith,  the  grandfather  of 
IMatthias  T.  Klingensmith,  was  born  in  1782 
and  made  his  home  in  Westmoreland  county 
for  some  years,  owning  a  tract  of  land  in 
Hempfield  township.  Later  he  moved  with 
his  family  to  Armstrong  county,  locating  near 
Leechbui-g.  where  he  owned  a  large  body  of 
land  on  which  he  followed  farming  and  stock 
raising.  There  he  spent  his  life,  dying  at  that 
place  Oct.  22,  1840,  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight 
years,  seven  months,  and  was  buried  in  the 
cemetery  of  the   Fork  Church,    three    miles 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1439 


from  Leeehlpurg.  He  was  a  Lutheran  in  re- 
ligious faith,  and  his  wife  also  belonged  to 
that  church.  He  married  Catherine  Margaret 
Wanamaker,  who  was  born  Sept.  4,  1787,  and 
died  March  5,  1864.  She  is  buried  in  the 
same  cemetery  where  her  husband  rests.  They 
were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  namely: 
Henry,  Barbara,  Samuel,  Peter,  Esther,  Anna, 
Joseph,  Abraham,  Elizabeth  and  Isaac. 

Samuel  Klingensmith,  son  of  Peter,  born 
Nov.  8,  1812,  in  Westmoreland  county,  was 
seven  years  old  when  the  family  moved  to 
Armstrong  county.  There  he  worked  on  the 
farm  with  his  father  from  early  boyhood, 
later  found  employment  on  the  Pennsylvania 
canal,  and  rose  to  the  position  of  captain  of 
the  canal  boat  "Perry,"  owned  by  the  Leech 
Company  and  plying  between  Pittsburg  and 
Johnstown.  In  1836  Mr.  Klingensmith  came 
to  Indiana  county  locating  in  Young  township 
near  West  Lebanon,  on  a  tract  of  200  acres. 
He  put  up  a  log  house  and  barn  which  are 
still  standing,  and  continued  to  farm  on  this 
place  until  1872,  when  it  was  sold  and  he 
bought  the  William  Kier  farm,  also  near 
West  Lebanon,  containing  ninety  acres,  on 
which  stood  a  brick  house,  barns,  etc.  Here 
he  carried  on  farming  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  and  made  many  improvements  on  the 
place,  and  died  there  Dec.  7,  1899,  aged 
eighty-seven  years,  twenty-nine  days.  He  is 
bui-ied  in  South  Bend,  Armstrong  county. 
On  March  24,  1836,  he  married  Catherine 
Wolf,  who  was  born  March  16,  1814,  in  Alle- 
gheny township,  Armstrong  county,  daugh- 
ter of  Matthias  Wolf,  and  died  March  16, 
1892,  aged  seventy-eight  years.  She  is  buried 
with  her  husband  in  South  Bend.  They  were 
members  of  St.  Jacob's  Lutheran  Church 
and  active  in  its  work,  Mr.  Klingensmith 
serving  as  trustee.  In  politics  he  was  origi- 
nally a  Democrat,  later  going  into  the  ranks 
of  the  Prohibition  party.  We  have  the  fol- 
lowing record  of  the  children  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Samuel  Klingensmith:  Theodore,  born 
Jan.  15,  1837,  graduated  from  Jefferson  Med- 
ical College  and  practiced  in  Armstrong 
county,  where  he  died  May  18,  1887;  Eliza- 
beth Ann,  born  May  9,  1838,  died  July  22, 
1844;  Amos,  born  Oct.  20,  1839,  died  July 
19,  1844;  Catherine  ]\Iargaret.  born  March 
25,  1841,  married  James  Devers  (who  died 
Dec.  5,  1893)  and  (second)  Lewis  Mahaffey; 
Joseph,  born  Aug.  13,  1842,  died  Oct.  9,  1875 ; 
Isaac,  born  Dec.  19,  1844,  died  July  15,  1910, 
at  Wamego,  Kans. ;  Sarah  Jane,  born  Aug. 
14,  1846,  is  the  widow  of  Salem  Crum,  who 
died  May  81,  1905,  and  resides  at  West  Leb- 


anon; Samuel,  born  Nov.  5,  1848,  died  Oct. 
9,  1875;  Matthias  T.  is  mentioned  below; 
Martha,  born  Aug.  20,  1852,  died  May  4, 
1902;  Mary  Angeline,  born  Aug.  7,  1854, 
lives  with  her  brother  on  the  homestead. 

Matthias  T.  Klingensmith  was  born  in 
Young  township  Oct.  14,  1850,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  schools  of  West  Leb- 
anon. He  woi'ked  at  home  with  his  father 
until  he  became  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  West  Lebanon,  continuing  same 
until  1879,  when  he  went  West  to  Kansas. 
There  he  became  interested  in  ranching,  rais- 
ing sheep  and  cattle,  and  was  thus  occupied 
for  five  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  re- 
turning to  the  old  homestead,  where  he  has 
since  lived.  He  continued  to  make  his  home 
with  his  parents  until  they  died,  giving  them 
his  affectionate  care  and  operating  the  farm, 
and  he  and  his  sister  still  keep  up  the  place. 
He  has  also  bought  another  farm,  in  South 
Bend  township,  Armstrong  county,  which  he 
rents.  Mr.  Klingensmith  carries  on  farming 
and  stock  raising,  of  which  he  has  made  a 
success  by  attention  to  his  work  and  untir- 
ing industry,  and  he  is  a  valuable  citizen, 
quiet  and  unassuming  but  possessing  those 
substantial  qualities  which  make  him  a  man 
of  unquestioned  worth.  He  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Lutheran  Church  in  South  Bend, 
and  has  served  as  trustee  of  same.  In  poli- 
ties originally  a  Democrat,  he  now  gives  his 
allegiance  to  the  Prohibition  party,  having 
been  a  lifelong  advocate  of  temperance. 

J.  CLAIR  LONGWILL,  deputy  register 
and  recorder  of  Indiana  county,  residing  at 
Indiana  borough,  was  born  in  the  county,  at 
Dixonville,  Dec.  10,  1879,  son  of  J.  A.  Hale 
and  Matilda  J.   (McCullough)  Longwill. 

Thomas  Longwill,  the  great-grandfather  of 
J.  Clair  Longwill,  married  Sarah  B.  Beamer. 

John  S.  Longwill,  son  of  Thomas,  and 
grandfather  of  J.  Clair  Longwill,  married 
Sarah  R.  Henderson. 

J.  A.  Hale  Longwill,  son  of  John  S.,  was 
born  on  his  father's  farm  near  Dixonville, 
Indiana  coimty,  Feb.  10,  1858,  and  grew  to 
manhood  in  Dixonville,  whither,  the  family 
had  removed  in  1870.  After  attending  the 
public  schools  he  became  a  student  in  Pur- 
chase Line  Academy,  under  Prof.  J.  L.  Myers, 
following  which  he  taught  school  in  Indiana 
county  for  two  years,  and  then  learned  the 
trade  of  carpenter,  inheriting  much  of  his 
skill  in  this  line  from  his  father,  who  had 
been  a  skilled  natural-born  mechanic.  In 
addition  he  carried  on  farming  and  operated 


1440 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


a  threshing  machine,  and  during  the  winter 
months  conducted  a  mill.  In  1900  he  came  to 
Indiana,  following  carpenter  work  here  un- 
til July,  1906,  when  he  was  made  general 
superintendent  of  buildings  and  grounds  at 
the  Indiana  normal  school,  a  position  which 
he  has  since  held.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Wesle.yan  Llethodist  Church  and  in  his  politi- 
cal views  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Longwill  was 
married  at  Dixonville,  Pa.,  May  28,  1878,  to 
Matilda  J.  McCullough,  daughter  of  Isaac 
and  Sarah  (:\rcGuire)  McCullough,  of  Cherry- 
hill  township,  Indiana  county,  and  they  have 
four  children:  J.  Clair;  Eva,  who  married 
Fred  iMyers,  of  Ohio,  and  now  lives  at  Wil- 
liamstown,  W.  Va. ;  and  Ward  and  O.  Jay, 
who  live  at  home. 

J.  Clair  Long^vill  attended  public  school'  at 
Dixonville  and  the  old  Purchase  Line  Acad- 
emy, under  Professors  Weaver  and  S.  L. 
Barr,  and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  ac- 
companied the  family  to  Indiana  borough, 
where  he  entered  the  Indiana  normal  school, 
spending  two  years  in  study  there.  In  1902  • 
he  accepted  a  position  as  assistant  dep- 
uty register  and  recorder  of  Indiana  county, 
under  H.  M.  Lowry,  and  became  deputy  in 
1908,  under  J.  Blair  Sutton,  holding  "that 
position  to  the  present  time.  In  political  mat- 
ters he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 

On  Aug.  31,  1906,  Mr.  Longwill  was  mar- 
ried in  Indiana  to  M.  Rozelle  Lhore,  daughter 
of  Emanuel  JI.  Lhore,  and  thev  have  one 
child,  Thelma  R. 

THOMAS  PRESTLEY  CAMPBELL,  re- 
tired farmer  of  Young  township,  Indiana 
county,  who  now  makes  his  home  at  West 
Lebanon,  was  born  near  IMartinsburg.  in  But- 
ler county.  Pa.,  June  29,  1843.  His  grand- 
father, Joseph  Campbell,  settled  in  West- 
moreland county,  this  State,  later  moving  to 
Butler  county,  where  he  followed  farming 
near  Martinsburg  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying 
there.  He  was  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church.  His  wife's  maiden  name 
was  Storey. 

James  Campbell,  father  of  Thomas  P. 
Campbell,  was  born  in  Butler  county  and 
grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  there. 
For  a  time  he  was  employed  on  the  Erie 
canal,  receiving  fifty  cents  a  day,  and  subse- 
quently followed  farming  in  Parker  town- 
ship, Butler  county.  In  1873  he  sold  his 
interests  there  and  came  to  Indiana  county, 
locating  in  Young  township,  where  he  bought 
the  Elwood  farm,  a  tract  of  189  acres  upon 
which  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days, 


dying  there  April  19,  1891.  He  was  buried 
in  the  West  Union  cemetery.  Mr.  Camp- 
bell followed  farming  and  stock  raising.  In 
religion  he  was  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church.  In  Butler  county  he  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Akins,  who  became  the  mother 
of  four  children :  Jacob,  who  died  when  two 
years  old ;  Thomas  P. ;  Richard,  who  resides 
in  the  South;  and  Isaiah,  who  lives  in  Klick- 
itat county,  Wash.  Mrs.  Campbell  died  on 
the  farm  and  Mr.  Campbell  married  (sec- 
ond) Jane  McClary,  daughter  of  Thomas 
McClary.  There  were  five  children  by  this 
marriage:  McClary,  who  died  young; 
Amanda,  who  is  now  the  widow  of  David 
George  (he  died  in  1882)  and  resides  at  West 
Lebanon  (she  has  had  two  children,  Dora, 
deceased,  and  Perry  Campbell,  at  home)  ; 
Mary  S.,  who  married  Charles  George,  of 
Young  to'OTiship ;  Joanna,  residing  in  West 
Lebanon;  and  Nancy,  who  married  Calvin 
McAdoo,  of  Indiana,  Pa.  The  mother  died 
Feb.  7,  1901,  and  is  buried  in  the  West  Union 
cemetery. 

Thomas  Prestley  Campbell  obtained  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  Parker 
township,  Butler  county.  Until  seventeen 
years  of  age  he  worked  at  home  with  his 
father,  subsequently  doing  farm  work  for 
others  and  learning  the  trade  of  blacksmith 
at  Brady's  Bend,  Armstrong  county.  On 
Sept.  3,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army, 
becoming  a  member  of  Company  C,  6th  Penn- 
sylvania Hea\y  Artillery,  under  Capt.  David 
Evans,  of  Pittsburg,  and  Colonel  Barnes.  He 
was  stationed  at  Fort  Ethan  Allen,  Fort  Al- 
bany and  Fort  Ward,  in  Virginia,  spending 
a  year  in  the  service,  and  was  mustered  out 
at  Fort  Ward,  returning  to  Pennsylvania. 
Going  to  Butler  county  he  worked  in  the  oil 
fields  for  seven  or  eight  years,  as  a  black- 
smith and  driller.  In  1873  he  came  to  In- 
diana county  and  worked  on  his  father 's  farm 
for  a  short  time,  until  he  settled  on  the  John 
D.  Hart  place,  a  tract  of  116  acres,  where  he 
carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
for  the  next  thirty-five  years,  in  1908  rent- 
ing the  property  and  moving  to  West  Lebanon. 
He  has  since  lived  retired,  thoiigh  he  is  active 
and  en.ioys  good  health.  Mr.  Campbell  is 
an  unassuming  citizen,  and  though  he  lias  not 
taken  any  part  in  public  matters  is  well  known 
and  liked  in  this  vicinity.  He  is  a  Republi- 
can in  politics,  and  in  religious  connection  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

In  1880  :Mr.  Campbell  married  Belle  J. 
Kier,  daughter  of  James  Kier,  and  she  was 
also  a   member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1441 


Church.  No  children  -were  born  to  this  union. 
Mrs.  Campbell  died  Aug.  11,  1910,  and  is 
buried  in  the  West  Union  cemetery  in  Arm- 
strong: township.  Since  her  decease  Mr. 
Campbell  has  made  his  home  with  his  sister 
Joanna  in  West  Lebanon. 

LEWIS  DEABENDERFER,  who  is  carry- 
ing on  agricultural  operations  in  White  town- 
ship, Indiana  eountj',  was  born  in  Westmore- 
land county.  Pa.,  June  14,  1835,  son  of  John 
and  Catherine  Deabenderfer. 

John  Deabenderfer  was  born  in  Germany 
and  some  time  after  his  marriage  emigrated 
to  the  United  States,  tirst  settling  at  Balti- 
more, Md.,  where  he  spent  a  short  time,  and 
subsequently  removing  to  Westmoreland 
county,  Pa.  For  the  first  few  j'ears  he  was 
in  that  location  he  was  engaged  in  work  in 
the  woods,  but  on  going  to  Armstrong  county 
started  to  ci^ltivate  a  rented  farm,  and  when 
he  came  to  Montgomery  township,  Indiana 
countj',  in  1857,  bought  property  of  his  own, 
which  he  continued  to  cultivate  until  the  time 
of  his  death.  His  widow  survived  several 
years,  and  also  pagsed  away  in  Montgomery 
township.  They  were  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  Maria,  who  is  deceased; 
Lewis;  John,  who  was  killed  by  a  fall  from 
a  tree ;  Eli,  who  is  deceased ;  two  children 
who  died  in  infancy;  Henry,  who  is  engaged 
in  farming  in  Nebraska;  and  George,  who 
met  an  accidental  death. 

Lewis  Deabenderfer,  son  of  John,  received 
his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  Arm- 
strong county,  and  pursued  his  later  studies 
in  the  IMontgoniery  township  public  schools. 
As  a  lad  he  assisted  his  father  in  clearing  the 
home  farm,  and  also  worked  for  some  time  in 
the  woods,  and  after  the  death  of  his  father 
he  took  charge  of  the  home  property,  to  which 
he  gave  his  entire  attention,  farming  there 
until  1898.  He  then  went  back  to  Armstrong 
county,  where  he  remained  four  years,  in 
1902  coming  to  White  township  and  settling 
on  his  present  place,  which  he  had  purchased 
several  years  before.  He  carries  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  and  has  been  emi- 
nently successful  in  his  operations,  the  ex- 
cellent condition  of  his  land  testifying  elo- 
quently to  the  satisfactory  results  of  putting 
progressive  ideas  into  practice  and  intelligent, 
well-directed  effort.  In  1912  he  erected  a 
handsome  brick  and  stone  house  of  modern 
architecture,  and  other  improvements  have 
been  made  from  time  to  time,  making  this 
one  of  the  most  valuable  properties  in  the 
township.     Mr.  Deabenderfer  is  at  all  times 

91 


ready  to  help  any  movement  which  promises 
to  be  of  benefit  to  his  community,  and  while 
a  resident  of  Montgomery  township  rendered 
signal  service  as  a  member  of  the  board  of 
school  directors. 

Mr.  Deabenderfer  was  married  Dec.  23, 
1868,  to  Mary  Ann  Heckman,  a  native  of 
Armstrong  county,  daughter  of  Abraham  and 
Esther  Heckman,  farming  people  of  Arm- 
strong county,  who  died  there,  and  four  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  this  union :  Abraham, 
who  lives  in  Armstrong  county;  Esther  C, 
living  with  her  parents ;  David  WiUiam,  who 
is  engaged  in  farming  in  White  township; 
and  H.  Bert,  also  a  White  township  farmer. 
With  his  family,  Mr.  Deabenderfer  attends  the 
Lutheran  Church  at  Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

LAWRENCE  HICKS,  who  is  engaged  in 
the  general  merchandise  business  at  North 
Point,  Pa.,  was  born  July  5,  1883,  in  North 
Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county,  son  of 
Washington  J.  and  Maggie  J.  (Robinson) 
Hicks. 

John  Hicks,  the  paternal  great-grandfather 
of  Lawrence  Hicks,  and  the  first  of  the  fam- 
ily to  come  to  Indiana  county,  was  born  in 
Huntingdon  county,  Pa.,  and  when  a  young 
man  came  to  Rayne  township,  where  he  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life  in  agricultural  pursuits. 

Abram  Hicks,  son  of  John  Hicks,  and 
grandfather  of  Lawrence  Hicks,  grew  up  in 
Rayne  township,  and  there  attended  the  com- 
mon schools.  After  his  marriage  he  went  to 
North  Mahoning  township,  where  he  secured 
a  partly  cleared  farm  on  which  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life,  there  passing  away  in 
October,  1873.  He  was  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  held  various  township  offices,  while 
his  religious  faith  was  that  of  the  Lutheran 
Church.  By  his  first  marriage,  to  Nancy  Mc- 
Kee,  of  Rayne  township,  Indiana  county,  he 
had  six  children,  namely :  Simmons,  deceased, 
who  married  Nancy  Shosinger,  was  a  farmer 
in  North  Mahoning  township;  Nelson,  who 
served  in  Company  B,  74th  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  during  the  Civil  war,  was 
killed  in  a  railroad  accident,  at  Blairsville, 
Pa.,  in  1903,  leaving  a  widow,  Jane  (Drum- 
mond)  ;  Charles,  who  served  in  the  same  regi- 
ment as  his  brother  Nelson,  was  later  a  farmer 
and  miller,  and  now  resides  at  New  Kensing- 
ton, Pa.,  married  Rebecca  McSperin,  who  is 
now  deceased;  Jemima  married  Joseph  Me- 
Cright,  and  both  are  deceased ;  Mary  Ann  and 
James  E.  both  died  in  childhood.  Abram 
Hicks  was  married  (second)  to  Martha  Hoo- 
ver,  of  Philipsburg,   Pa.,   and   she   died   in 


1442 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


March.  1906,  the  mother  of  eight  children, 
namely:  Abram,  a  farmer  of  North  Point, 
Pa.,  who  married  Ann  E.  Bariek ;  Martha,  de- 
ceased, who  was  the  wife  of  John  Hoop ;  Mar- 
garet, who  married  AUan  Shields,  of  Port- 
land, Ore. ;  George,  a  merchant  at  Marehand, 
Pa.,  who  married  Sarah  Walker;  Washing- 
ton J. ;  Ulysses  Grant,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
ten  years;  Eliza  Jane,  deceased;  and  Nancy, 
who  died  in  childhood. 

Washington  J.  Hicks,  son  of  Abram  Hicks, 
and  father  of  Lawrence  Hicks,  was  born  in 
North  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
in  1863,  grew  up  on  the  homestead,  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  schools. 
He  spent  two  years  in  Butler  county,  Kans., 
but  subsequently  returned  to  Indiana  county 
and  purchased  a  part  of  the  old  homestead, 
engaging  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  1905. 
In  that  year  he  and  his  son  Lawrence  bought 
a  general  store  and  hotel  at  Trade  City,  Pa., 
but  in  1910  Lawrence  sold  his  interest  in  the 
store  to  his  father,  and  in  1911  Hicks  the 
father  sold  the  store  to  Henry  E.  Roney,  and 
now  gives  all  of  his  time  and  attention  to 
conducting  the  hotel,  which  is  one  of  the 
most  popular  in  the  county,  while  the  farm 
is  rented.  In  1882  Mr.  Hicks  was  married  to 
Maggie  J.  Robinson,  of  North  Mahoning 
township,  and  they  have  had  seven  children : 
Lawrence;  Leonard,  a  farmer  at  Norcatur, 
Kans..  who  married  Ida  Summit,  and  has  one 
son,  Blaine;  Lillie,  who  married  Calvin  Gould, 
of  North  Mahoning  township,  and  has  one 
child,  Dorothea ;  Bessie,  who  married  William 
Kerr,  of  West  IMahoning  township,  and  has 
four  children;  Blair,  of  Wyoming;  Alma,  re- 
siding in  Pittsburg,  Pa. ;  and  Vada,  who  mar- 
ried Joseph  Felterhoff,  and  has  two  children, 
William  and  Milo. 

Lawrence  Hicks,  son  of  Washington  J. 
Hicks,  attended  the  home  schools  and  the 
Marehand  high  school.  At  the  age  of  nine- 
teen he  began  his  mercantile  career  as  a  clerk 
in  a  grocerv  at  Homestead.  Pa.  Later  he 
was  employed  by  the  Union  Pacific  Tea  Com- 
panv  at  their  Allegheny  (Pa.)  store,  and  by 
the  Lauderbach  &  Barber  Company,  at  their 
Punxsutawney  (Pa.)  branch.  From  1905  to 
1910  he  was  in  partnership  with  his  father  m 
the  business  at  Trade  City,  in  July,  1910,  lo- 
cating at  North  Point,  in  business  on  his  own 
account.  Here  he  purchased  his  present  store 
and  a  new  stock  of  merchandise,  and  his  activi- 
ties have  resulted  in  well-deserved  success. 
Through  industry,  integrity  and  good  .iudg- 
ment  he  has  built  up  a  large  and  profitable 
trade,  his  stock  including  everything  to  sup- 


ply the  needs  of  his  patrons.  Among  the  busi- 
ness men  with  whom  he  has  had  dealings,  he 
is  known  as  a  man  in  whom  the  utmost  con- 
fidence may  be  placed  and  in  his  home  locality 
he  has  a  Avide  circle  of  warm  friends. 

Mr.  Hicks  was  married  Nov.  30,  1909,  to 
Vesta  Florence  Craig,  of  Rayne  township, 
daughter  of  William  and  Hannah  (Kelly) 
Craig,  and  granddaughter  of  William  and 
Matilda  (Speedy)  Craig,  pioneer  settlers  of 
Rayne  township.  William  Craig  and  his  wife 
had  two  children:  Jlrs.  Hicks  and  Elgie  L., 
the  latter  of  whom  died  May  26,  1912,  at  the 
age  of  nineteen  years.  Mrs.  Craig  passed 
away  Nov.  10,  1910.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hicks 
have  had  two  children:  Lawrence  Mei'vin, 
born  March  9,  1910;  and  Vesta  lona,  born 
Aug.  10,  1912.  The  family  is  connected  with 
the  Lutheran  Church. 

SAMUEL  ALEXANDER  McCOY,  super- 
intendent for  the  Greenwood  Cemetery  Asso- 
ciation, at  Indiana,  Pa.,  was  born  on  his 
father's  farm  in  Cherryhill  township,  In- 
diana county,  Nov.  26.  1856,  son  of  William 
and  Julia  Ann  (Lydick)  McCoy. 

Alexander  McCoy,  grandfather  of  Samuel 
A.  McCoy,  was  born  in  County  Derry,  Ire- 
land, and  was  there  married  to  Mary  Pickett. 
Wlien  their  son  William  was  about  six  months 
old  they  came  to  the  United  States,  and  lived 
in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  until  he  was  five  years 
of  age,  at  which  time  the  family  removed  to 
Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
the  grandparents  passed  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  They  were  faithful  members  of 
the  Presbyterian"  Church.  They  became  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  William; 
James,  who  married  Mary  Ray,  and  died  on 
the  home  farm;  Robert,  who  died  in  early 
manhood  ;  John,  who  died  when  a  young  man ; 
Alexander,  a  resident  of  Purchase  Line,  who 
married  a  Miss  Lydick;  Samuel,  who  lost  his 
life  in  a  railroad  accident  in  1900,  (he  married 
a  Miss  Perry)  ;  Mary  Lovina,  who  married 
George  McCiillough,  and  died  in  this  county : 
and  Margaret,  Mrs.  Jamison,  who  lives  in  the 
State  of  Michigan. 

William  McCoy,  father  of  Samuel  A.,  was 
born  in  Ireland,  spent  a  few  of  his  early  years 
in  Philadelphia,  and  from  the  time  he  was 
five  years  old  was  reared  on  the  family  home- 
stead in  Cherryhill  township.  He  was  a 
farmer  throughout  his  life,  and  passed  away 
in  1910.  his  wife  preceding  him  to  the  grave 
in  1905.  Thev  were  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  which  Mr.  IMcCoy  was  an 
elder,   and  in  his  political  views  he  was  ai 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1443 


Republican. 


specializing    in 
,  Mr.  Stephens  was  (first) 


1    Ai         i"''  •;^"l'^^'e'i  ,^6i"e  as  follows:  Maple  Grove  farm,  and  developed  it  to  its 

Samuel  Alexander;  Mary,  who  married  Wil-  present    valuable    condition    '  °P'^ ^*  *°  '^^ 

ham  Morris,  of  Green  township ;  Julia  Ann,  stock  raising 

who  is  unmarried ;  and  Robert  J.,  who  resides  On  April  19, 

in  the  West.           ,      ^^  ^               .      ^          ,  married  to  Amelia  Ackerson,  of  CherryhiU 

Samuel  Alex^der  McCoy  remained  on  the  township.    She  died  April  23, 1905.  the  mother 

home  farm  m   Cherryhdl  township,   and  at-  of  two  sons,  James  G   and  Benjamin  R      On 

tended  public  school  at  Pmeflats  until  he  was  Nov.    25,    1910,   Mr.    Stephens   was   married 

seventeen  years  of  age,  afterward  working  m  (second)  to  Mrs.  Blanche  J.  (Condron)  Sny- 

the  lumber  woods  m  the  winter  months  and  der,  daughter  of  David  and  Caroline  (Wells) 

on  the  home  farm  in  the  summer  seasons.    He  Condron,  both  now  deceased.     For  years  Mr 

so  continued  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  Condron   was   a   farmer   of   Indiana   county.' 

age  and  Oct  8,  1882  was  united  m  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephens  are  the  parents  of  one 

with  Alma  May  Lockard,  of  Green  township,  son,  Robert. 
Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Hiram  and  Susan 

(Mock)    Lockard.     After  his   marriage   Mr.  SAMUEL  F.  BAKER,  member  of  a  fam- 

McCoy  located  on  a  farm  m  Green  township,  Hy  ^.gll  represented  in  Green  township  and 

which  he  and  his  father  purchased  together,  elsewhere  in  Indiana  county,  was  born  in  that 

a  tract^of  sixty  acres  which  he  farmed  for  ten  township,  near  Cookport,  July  3,  1851,  son  of 

years,  then  selling  his  share  to  his  father^    He  George  and   Elizabeth    (Cook)    Bakei^      The 

continued  renting  laiid  until  Apr il^  1900,  at  parents  were  also  natives  of  Indiana  county, 

which  time  he  moved  to  Indiana,  Pa.,  work-  (jgorge    Baker   settled   near    Cookport,    in 

Green  township,  bu3dng  a  farm  upon  which 


ing  for  one  year  in  the  Indiana  glass  factory 
and  then,  in  April,  1901,  being  made  superin 
teudent  of  Greenwood  cemetery,  a 
has  held  to  the  present  time. 

]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  McCoy  have  one  child,  Wil- 
liam Norris,  of  Hollidaysburg,  Pa.,  who  mar- 
ried a  Miss  Lotts  and  has  one  child,  Morris 
Samuel.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCoy  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In  his  political 
views  he  is  a  Republican. 


BENJAMIN  L.  STEPHENS,  a  farmer  of 
CherryhiU  township,  Jndiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was 
born  in  that  township  Jan.  31,  1867,  son  of 
Giles  Stephens. 

William  Stephens,  grandfather  of  Benja- 
min L.  Stephens,  was  one  of  the  first  men 
to  locate  in  Indiana  county,  and  here  he  found 
an  outlet  for  his  energies  in  milling  and 
blacksmithing  during  his  early  life,  and  farm- 
ing in  later  years.  All  his  life  he  interested 
himself  in  religious  matters,  and  was  a  local 
preacher  of  the  Methodist  Church.  He  also 
taught  school  in  Indiana  county. 

Giles  Stephens,  son  of  William,  was  born 
in  Huntingdon  county,  and  came  here  at  an 
early  age,  becoming  a  miller  and  farmer,  and 
rounding  out  a  useful  life. 

Benjamin  L.  Stephens  attended  the  schools 
of  his  neighborhood,  and  has  always  been  en- 
gaged in  farming.  When  he  was  eighteen 
years  old  he  made  a  trip  to  Kansas,  and  dur- 
ing the  year  he  spent  in  the  West  gained  some 
valuable  experience  in  various  kinds  of  farm- 
ing. Returning  to  Indiana  county,  he  bought 
the  property  he  now  occupies,  known  as  the 


he  remained  until  his  death;  his  wife  sur- 
lon  ne  yjyg(j  jjjm_  rpjjgj^  ^gj,g  ^j^g  parents  of  ten  chil- 
dren, namely:  Levi,  who  lives  in  Indiana 
county;  W.  Hezekiah,  living  in  Green  town- 
ship; Mary,  wife  of  Simon  Buterbaugh, 
of  Indiana  county;  Jane,  wife  of  Jonathan 
Learn,  of  Indiana  borough;  George,  living 
on  the  home  place  in  Green  township ;  Samuel 
Furman;  Philip,  deceased;  Ann,  deceased; 
Lucy,  wife  of  George  W.  McCullough,  of 
Cookport ;  and  Henderson,  whose  home  is  in 
Seattle,  Washington. 

Samuel  Furman  Baker  spent  his  early  days 
on  the  paternal  farm  near  Cookport  and  ob- 
tained his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  township.  He  began  farm  work 
when  a  boy,  and  also  followed  lumbering  in 
his  young  manhood.  In  1878  he  moved  to 
the  farm  near  Purchase  Line,  in  Green  town- 
ship, where  he  has  since  lived  and  worked, 
buying  it  a  few  years  later.  Here  he  carries 
on  farming  and  stock  raising,  devoting  aU  his 
time  to  his  own  affairs,  though  he  takes  a 
public-spirited  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his 
township.  He  married  Oct.  24,  1874,  Mary 
A.  Langham,  who  was  born  in  Green  town- 
ship, daughter  of  Josiah  and  Susan  Ann 
(Conrath)  Langham,  who  came  from  West- 
moreland county.  Pa.,  at  an  early  day,  and 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in  Indiana 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  are  the  par- 
ents of  four  children:  Blanche,  the  eldest, 
is  deceased ;  Eva  is  the  wife  of  Claude  Ginter, 
of  Dixonville,  and  they  have  three  children, 
Glen,  Arveda  and  Geneva;  Ida  is  the  wife  of 


1444 


HISTORY  OF  IXDIAXA  COUNTY,  PENXSYLVAXIA 


Jolni  Spotts,  of  Montgomery  township,  this 
county,  and  they  have  one  child,  Chester; 
Clay  lives  at  home  on  the  farm,  assisting  his 
father,  ilr.  and  i\Irs.  Baker  are  members 
of  the  East  Mahoning  Baptist  Church.  Mr. 
Baker  is  associated  with  the  Republican  party 
in  politics. 

WILLIAM  HAMILTON  LYDIC,  a  retired 
farmer  of  Washington  township,  Indiana 
county,  belongs  to  one  of  the  oldest  families 
of  that  region,  the  faniil.y  having  been  founded 
here  by  his  great-grandfather,  John  Lydic, 
who  came  to  this  country  from  Holland.  He 
settled  at  the  stone  fort  in  Indiana  county 
and  though  he  was  driven  off  his  land  by  the 
Indians  twice,  came  the  third  time  and  re- 
mained. He  cleared  up  a  farm  out  of  the 
wilderness,  and  made  a  permanent  home  for 
his  family,  and  his  sons  settled  in  the  vicin- 
ity.    He  married  JMary  May. 

Patrick  Lydic.  son  of  John  and  ilary  (IMay) 
Lydic.  married  Mary  McHenry  and  they  lived 
in  Indiana  county  to  the  end  of  their  days. 
He  was  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith,  and 
a  Whig  in  polities.  To  him  and  his  wife  were 
horn  eleven  children :  John,  James,  Isaac, 
William.  Patrick.  Samuel,  Joseph,  Mary, 
Nancy,  Hannah  and  ilargaret. 

Patrick  Lydic,  son  of  Patrick  and  Mary 
(I\IcHenry)  Lydic,  was  born  Jan.  8,  1806,  in 
what  is  now  Cherrvhill,  Indiana  couutv.  and 
died  May  19,  1881.  The  principal  part  of  his 
life  was  spent  in  South  ^Mahoning  township, 
this  county,  and  he  was  always  engaged  in 
farming.  He  was  active  and  prominent  in 
local  affairs,  holding  various  township  offices, 
was  a  Whig  and  abolitionist  and  later  a  Re- 
publican in  his  political  views,  and  was  a 
leading  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
in  which  he  filled  the  position  of  elder.  He 
was  instrumental  in  establishing  the  Plum- 
ville  Church.  He  mari-ied  Jane  Hamilton, 
who  was  born  Aug.  18,  1811,  in  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  James  Hamilton,  who 
was  of  Irish  parentage.  Mr.  Hamilton  spent 
his  life  near  Indiana,  Indiana  county;  his 
wife's  maiden  name  was  Sample.  Fourteen 
children  were  born  to  Mv.  and  Mrs.  Patrick 
Lydic.  namely:  William  Hamilton,  men- 
tioned below:  Edward  Turner,  born  Feb.  22, 
1837 ;  James,  born  ]\[arch  8,  1839 ;  John,  born 
April  10,  1840;  Marv  Jane,  bom  April  21, 
1842;  Sarah  E.,  born  Dec.  19,  1843;  Samuel, 
born  April  19,  1846;  Ben.iamin  F..  born  July 
22,  1848;  Silas  C,  born  Dec.  15,  1850;  Anna 
Eliza,  born  Oct.  16.  1852;  and  four  who  died 
in  infancy  unnamed. 


William  Hamilton  Lydic  was  born  April 
18,  1835,  in  South  Mahoning  township  In- 
diana county.  He  moved  to  Washington 
township  in  1870.  Throughout  his  active 
years  he  was  always  engaged  in  farming,  in 
connection  with  which  he  was  extensively  in- 
terested in  stock  raising.  He  retired  in  1899. 
He  was  active  and  prominent  in  local  affairs, 
holding  various  township  offices,  and  in  his 
political  views  adhering  to  the  principles  of 
the  Republican  party.  He  has  long  been  an 
active  member  of  the  Washington  Presbyter- 
ian Church,  being  united  with  the  church  in 
young  manhood,  was  elected  ruling  elder  in 
March,  1876,  and  for  a  number  of  years 
served  as  Sabbath  school  superintendent. 

On  Sept.  30,  1B58,  Mr.  Lydic  married  Jane 
W.  Bell,  who  was  born  Sept.  19.  1836,  and 
died  Nov.  11,  1880.  Three  children  were  born 
to  this  marriage :  Edward  Turner,  born  Oct. 
14,  1859,  died  Jan.  7,  1880 ;  Ida  B.,  born  Oct 
29,  1862,  married  Feb.  11,  1886,  Harry  E. 
Mahan,  now  deceased,  who  was  a  farmer  of 
Washington  township,  where  she  still  lives; 
William  Harry,  born  Aug.  8,  1866,  married 
Sarah  Martin  Feb.  21,  1889,  and  died  March 
22,  1895. 

On  Sept.  6,  1883,  Mr.  Lydic  married  (sec- 
ond) Sarah  J.  Lockhart. 
■  Samuel  Lockhart.  Jlrs.  Lydic 's  father,  spent 
the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  Indiana  county, 
coming  hither  from  Huntingdon  county.  Pa. 
His  parents,  Francis  and  5lagdalina  (Kep- 
heart)  Lockhart,  were  always  farming  people. 
Their  children  M-ere :  •  Samuel.  Henry,  John, 
Francis,  Jane,  Mary,  Elizabeth  and  Sarah. 

Samuel  Lockhart  married  Hannah  Lydic, 
who  was  born  Sept.  21,  1811,  daughter  of 
Patrick  and  Mary  (McHenry)  Lydic,  men- 
tioned above,  and  died  May  25,  1891.  Eleven 
cliildren  were  born  to  their  union:  B.  Frank- 
lin, J.  Harvey,  Mary  M..  Sarah  J.  (:\Irs.  Ly- 
dic), X^annie  A.,  John  C,  Theodore  T.,  Cort- 
land v.,  and  three  that  died  in  infancy  un- 
named. 

WILLIAM  T.  CALHOUX,  a  farmer  of 
Armstrong  town.ship,  was  born  in  that  town- 
ship, on  his  father's  homestead,  IMarch  28, 
1841,  son  of  Samuel  and  ^Margaret  (Wiggins) 
Calhoun.  His  grandfather.  William  Cal- 
houn, came  from  Ireland  in  boyhood  with  his 
father,  James  Calhoun.  The  latter  was  twice 
married,  first  to  a  Miss  Templeton.  and  sec- 
ond to  Sara  Walker.  AVilliam  Calhoun  mar- 
ried Miss  Elizabeth  Lytle, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1445 


Samuel  Calhoun,  sou  of  William  and  Eliza- 
beth Calhoun,  became  the  owner  of  a  farm  in 
Armstrong  township,  this  county.  He  mar- 
ried Margaret  Wiggins. 

William  T.  Calhoun  attended  the  old  Sharp 
school,  having  for  his  first  teacher  Robert 
Robinson.  He  continued  in  school  until  he 
was  eighteen  years  old,  and  at  the  same  time 
assisted  his  father  in  the  farm  work.  In 
1863  he  enlisted  in  the  54th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  for  three  months,  and 
reenlisted  in  1864  in  Company  H.,  206th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  un- 
til the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  returned 
home,  having  been  a  brave  and  gallant  sol- 
dier. 

His  military  service  completed,  Mr.  Cal- 
houn resumed  his  interrupted  agricultural 
duties  and  continued  on  the  home  farm  until 
his  marriage,  iu  1870,  when  he  left  to  en- 
gage in  farming  for  himself.  In  1879  he  lo- 
cated on  his  present  property,  which  com- 
prises 120  acres  of  good  land.  This  he  has 
since  operated,  and  has  reason  to  be  proud 
of  its  condition. 

On  March  24,  1870,  Mr.  Calhoun  was  mar- 
ried to  Maggie  Lowry,  a  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Nancy  (Gibson)  Lowry.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Calhoun  became  the  parents  of  children  as 
follows:  Nancy  Alma,  who  was  married  to 
William  Byers  in  1903,  lives  in  Armstrong 
township;  Samuel  L.,  born  April  6,  1875,  at- 
tended the  local  schools,  and  married  Clara 
Taylor  (by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Clara 
I\Iarie)  and  (second)  Emma  Peterman;  Rob- 
ert Blair,  who  married  Grace  Palmer,  lives  in 
the  vicinity  of  Indiana. 

Mr.  Calhoun  belongs  to  G.  A.  R.  Post  No. 
303,  of  Shelocta,  and  has  been  commander 
of  same  for  several  years.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  West 
Union,  in  which  he  is  prominent.  Always  a 
strong  Republican,  he  has  steadfastly  sup- 
ported the  principles  and  candidates  of  his 
party,  but  never  sought  public  ofSce.  A  man 
of  high  principles,  he  has  lived  up  to  them, 
and  in  consequence  enjoys  in  large  measure 
the  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  is  asso- 
ciated. 

JACOB  SMITH,  now  living  retired  at 
Rossister,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Canoe 
township,  this  county,  Dec.  22,  1841,  son  of 
George  and  Mary  J.  (White)  Smith,  and 
grandson  of  Jacob  Smith. 

Jacob  Smith  moved  from  Westmoreland 
county,  Pa.,  with  his  wife,  to  Jefferson  county. 
They  were  pioneers  of  the  district  in  which 


they  settled,  and  he  secured  wild  land  in  the 
vicinity  of  Paradise,  through  hard  work  and 
careful  management  developing  a  good  home, 
carrying  on  farming  and  lumbering  all  his 
life.  In  the  early  days  he  was  quite  noted 
as  a  trapper  and  hunter,  and  he  kept  the  fam- 
ily supplied  with  game,  while  he  made  a 
considerable  amount  from  the  skins  of  the  ani- 
mals he  caught.  He  aaid  his  wife  died  on 
their  Jefferson  county  farm.  The  children 
born  to  this  excellent  couple  were:  Jacob, 
George,  Samuel,  Henry,  Betsy,  Barbara,  Katie 
and  Susan. 

George  Smith  was  horn  in  Westmoreland 
county.  Pa.,  and  had  limited  educational  op- 
portunities, attending  in  an  old  log  house. 
When  a  young  man  he  became  driver  of  a 
six-horse  freight  team,  hauling  goods  between 
Philadelphia  and  Pittsburg  and  other  points. 
Moving  with  the  family  to  Indiana  county, 
he  bought  land  in  Canoe  township,  near  the 
Union  Church,  upon  which  his  grandson  Carl 
Smith  is  now  residing.  As  the  land  was  en- 
tirely undeveloped  he  had  to  do  all  the  work 
of  clearing  it,  and  in  order  to  house  his  fam- 
ily he  erected  a  log  cabin,  also  putting  up  a 
log  stable  for  his  stock.  In  this  primitive 
way  he  began  his  operations  as  a  farmer,  and 
became  in  time  a  prosperous  man,  owning  200 
acres  of  land  that  is  now  very  valuable.  His 
death  occurred  on  this  place  when  he  was 
ninety-two  years  old,  as  did  that  of  his  wife, 
who  passed  away  when  she  was  sixty  years  of 
age.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat.  In 
early  days  he  and  his  family  attended  church 
at  Punxsutawney,  but  as  this  necessitated 
considerable  travel  he  eventually  connected 
himself  with  the  Union  Church  in  Canoe 
township,  and  gave  it  his  liberal  support  un- 
til death  claimed  him.  As  his  farm  was  on 
the  main  road,  in  the  early  days  he  enter- 
tained many  travelers  with  whole-souled  hos- 
pitality, never  asking  a  ciuestion,  but  wel- 
coming the  wayfarer  as  a  friend.  Because 
of  his  many  excellent  traits  of  character  he 
was  honored  and  respected,  and  he  is  still 
cited  by  the  older  people  of  the  township  as 
an  example  of  an  upright,  honorable  man. 

George  Smith  and  his  wife  had  the  follow- 
ing family:  Keziah,  deceased,  married  Isaac 
Tiger,  and  lived  in  Canoe  township;  John, 
who  died  unmarried,  spent  the  greater  part 
of  his  life  on  the  homestead;  Barbara  Ann 
married  Jacob  Tiger,  of  Canoe  to^vnship ; 
William  H.,  who  married  Susie  Tiger,  lives 
near  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Charles,  who  married  Mal- 
vina  McCollough,  served  as  a  soldier  in  the 
Civil  war  (he  was  taken  sick  and  died,  and 


1446 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


was  buried  near  Pittsburg)  ;  Jacob  is  spoken 
of  at  length  below;  Maria  married  Samuel 
Cochrane,  of  East  Mahonino-  township ;  Rachel, 
deceased,  married  Andy  Bishop ;  James,  who 
lived  first  in  Canoe  township  and  later  in  Jef- 
ferson county,  where  he  died,  married  Eveline 
Smith  and  (second)  Etta  Fairbanks;  Clark, 
deceased,  who  married  Sarah  Tiger,  spent  his 
life  on  the  homestead  and  met  his  death  in 
a  railroad  accident  at  Jersey  Shore,  Pa. ;  a  son 
died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

Mary  J.  (White)  Smith,  mother-  of  Jacob 
Smith,  was  Ijorn  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pa., 
daughter  of  John  and  Keziah  Wliite.  Mr. 
White  was  a  native  of  France,  and  on  the 
way  over  from  his  native  land  to  this  country 
had  the  misfortune  to  be  wrecked,  and  was 
washed  ashore  nearly  destitute  of  clothing, 
not  far  from  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  Com- 
ing to  Indiana,  Pa.,  he  secured  wild  laud  in 
North  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county, 
on  which  his  grandson,  Anderson  White,  now 
lives.  He  and  his  wife  rounded  out  their  use- 
ful lives  on  the  place  their  industry  had  de- 
veloped from  the  wilderness.  The  following 
children  were  born  to  them :  John,  Charles 
R.,  Isaac,  James,  Isaiah,  and  Mary  J. 

Jacob  Smith  passed  through  some  interest- 
ing experiences  while  securing  his  educational 
training.  Instead  of  the  well  equipped  schools 
of  to-day,  the  children  of  his  time  attended 
in  a  log  house  and  sat  on  slab  seats,  feeling 
fortunate  if  their  feet  rested  upon  a  puncheon 
floor,  as  many  of  the  schoolhouses  had  noth- 
ing but  the  pounded  earth  for  a  floor.  The 
crude  openings  that  served  as  windows  were 
furnished  with  oiled  paper  instead  of  glass, 
and  the  room  was  heated  by  a  huge  fireplace. 
Books  were  few  and  handed  from  one  child 
to  the  other  until  utterly  wornout.  Still  the 
children  learned  in  these  primitive  schools 
and  laid  a  firm  foundation  for  future  stability 
and  worth.  As  they  had  to  struggle  for  their 
advantages  they  appreciated  them  and  did 
not  waste  their  time,  but  applied  themselves 
earnestly  and  with  profit. 

While  he  was  attending  school  Mr.  Smith 
was  not  idle,  but  assisted  his  father  in  the 
work  of  the  farm,  becoming  so  useful  that 
after  leaving  school  he  remained  at  home  until 
he  was  twenty-three  years  old.  He  then  lo- 
cated on  his  present  farm  in  Canoe  township, 
a  portion  of  Rossiter  now  standing  on  the 
original  tract.  At  the  time  he  bought  the 
property  it  was  covered  with  heavy  timber 
and  a  less  active  man  might  have  despaired 
of  ever  clearing  it,  but  having  assisted  his 
father  in  similar  work  he  knew  how  to  pro- 


ceed, and  in  time  he  developed  a  very  valu- 
able tract.  The  fact  that  it  is  located  on 
the  straight  bi-anch  of  Canoe  creek  adds  to 
its  value.  His  first  purchase  consisted  of  148 
acres,  and  he  later  added  fifty-seven  acres. 
Realizing  the  value  of  Canoe  township  farm- 
ing land,  Mr.  Smith  has  invested  in  it  quite 
heavily,  now  owning  in  addition  to  his  home- 
stead one  farm  of  275  acres  and  another  one 
of  fifty-three  acres.  At  present  his  home- 
stead comprises  but  128  acres,  he  having  sold 
off  the  remainder  to  be  included  in  the  town 
of  Rossiter.  On  his  farm  he  has  a  coal  bank. 
All  the  improvements  on  the  place  have  been 
made  by  him.  He  built  a  chopmill  which  he 
and  his  son  operated  for  a  time,  but  he  has 
preferred  to  devote  himself  to  agricultural 
matters,  as  he  has  felt  and  proved  that  his 
ability  lies  in  this  direction. 

However,  whenever  the  opportunity  has 
arisen  for  him  to  make  a  wise  investment  of 
his  money  he  has  taken  advantage  of  it,  and 
he  erected  and  still  owns  the  Odd  Fellows 
building  at  Rossiter.  He  has  always  voted 
the  Democratic  ticket  and  for  thirty-three 
years  served  as  a  school  director,  while  he  has 
held  other  offices  at  different  times.  For  many 
years  he  has  been  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Rossiter.  and  gives  it 
a  valued  support.  Few  men  are  better  known 
throughout  Indiana  couuty  than  Jacob  Smith. 
Successful  in  every  respect,  he  has  earned  the 
warm  friendship  and  appreciation  of  all  with 
whom  he  has  been  associated,  and  stands  forth 
as  one  of  the  leading  examples  of  Pennsyl- 
vania's prosperous  agriculturists. 

On  March  14,  1867,  Mr.  Smith  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Margaret  Beck,  of  West 
Mahoning  township,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  and 
Mary  (Lantz)  Beck,  natives  of  Armstrong 
and  Indiana  counties,  respectively.  Mrs. 
Smith  died  Jan.  22,  1890,  the  mother  of  the 
following  children:  (1)  Mary  C,  born  Feb. 
21,  1868,  married  D.  G.  Tiger,  who  is  farm- 
ing one  of  Mv.  Smith's  properties,  and  they 
have  had  children,  Megs,  Thara,  Theda  (de- 
ceased). Laird  and  Alma.  (2)  Keziah,  born 
Sept.  6,  1869,  married  M.  H.  Cassidy,  of 
Canoe  township,  and  their  children  are  Cree, 
Arthur,  Quay,  Alta,  Jay,  Wayne,  Catherine, 
Theda.  Jacob  and  James.  (3)  Caroline,  born 
June  5,  1871,  married  John  Weaver,  and  has 
had  children.  Merl,  Bud,  Dee,  Orrie,  Nancy 
(deceased),  Mary,  Wade  and  Glen.  (4)  Wil- 
liam, born  May  9,  1873,  married  Marj'  Mc- 
Collough,  who  bore  him  these  children,  Ethel, 
Laura,  Sarah  and  Martha.  He  died  April  27, 
1905.    He  alwavs  lived  on  the  homestead  and 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1447 


assisted  his  father  in  operating  the  chopinill. 
After  his  death  his  widow  married  John  Craw- 
ford, of  Plumville. 

For  his  second  wife  Jacob  Smith  married 
Elida  Good,  of  Clarion  county.  Pa.,  who  died, 
and  on  Nov.  27,  1907,  Mr.  Smith  married 
(third)  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Timlin)  Welchonce, 
of  Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  George 
and  Elizabeth  (McHenry)  Timlin,  and  widow 
of  Johnson  Welchonce. 

JACOB  SILVIS,  farmer  of  Armstrong 
township,  Indiana  county,  owns  and  operates 
a,  tract  of  ninety-two  acres  which  formed  part 
of  his  father's  farm.  He  was  born  in  West- 
moreland county,  near  Murrysville,  April  14, 
1834,  son  of  Levi  Silvis,  who  moved  to  Arm- 
strong township,  Indiana  coiinty,  when  his  son 
Jacob  was  seventeen  years  old.  The  latter  has 
since  made  his  home  in  that  township.  He  re- 
ceived a  public  school  training  in  his  native 
county,  and  also  attended  school  for  a  short 
time  after  settling  in  this  county.  During 
the  Civil  war  he  entered  the  Union  army,  serv- 
ing fourteen  months  in  the  61st  Regiment, 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Capt. 
William  J.  Glenn.  This  company  was  organ- 
ized at  Marion  Center,  Indiana  county.  Mr. 
Silvis  joined  his  regiment,  which  was  attached 
to  the  6th  Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under 
Gen.  John  Sedgwick,  at  Sulphur  Springs,  Va., 
and  took  part  in  all  the  battles  in  which  it 
was  thereafter  engaged  up  to  Cold  Harbor, 
where  he  was  taken  sick  with  typhoid  fever, 
also  suffering  from  rheumatism.  He  was  sent 
home  and  was  not  able  to  return  to  the  service. 

On  Jan.  5,  1860,  Mr.  Silvis  married  Maria 
Heffelfinger,  of  Armstrong  county,  Pa.,  who 
was  born  April  3,  1836,  daughter  of  John 
Heffelfinger.  After  their  marriage  they  lo- 
cated on  part  of  the  farm  owned  and  occu- 
pied by  his  father.  Mr.  Silvis  has  been  a 
prosperous  farmer,  and  he  is  one  of  the  worthy 
and  esteemed  citizens  of  his  neighborhood. 
Originally  a  Democrat  in  polities,  he  subse- 
quently became  a  Republican,  supported  the 
Greenback  party,  and  is  now  an  advocate  of 
socialism.  In  religious  association  he  is  a 
Lutheran. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Silvis :  Mary  Ann  is  the  wife  of  Cyrus 
King;  William  John  lives  at  Wilkinsburg, 
Pa.;  Reuben  A.  is  located  at  South  Bend, 
Pa. ;  Abraham  M.  is  a  resident  of  Armstrong 
township,   Indiana  county. 

GEORGE  W.  GREINER,  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  high-grade  bread  and  cakes 


at  No.  249  Fourth  street,  Indiana,  Pa.,  was 
born  in  the  old  Sixth  ward  of  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
near  Mercy  hospital,  March  22.  1868,  and  is 
a  son  of  William  and  Annie  (King)  Greiner. 

William  Greiner  has  followed  baking  as  an 
occupation  all  of  his  life,  and  is  now  the  pro- 
prietor of  an  establishment  at  Clymer.  His 
wife  is  deceased.  They  had  two  sons,  of  whom 
George  W.  is  the  younger. 

George  W.  Greiner  attended  the  Forbes 
school  in  the  Sixth  ward  of  Pittsburg  until 
he  was  eleven  years  of  age,  his  last  teacher 
being  a  Miss  McCaffry,  and  then  entered  his 
father's  bakery  in  Pittsburg  to  learn  the  busi- 
ness. He  continued  to  work  with  him  in  Pitts- 
burg, Blairsville  and  Indiana;  and  followed 
his  trade  in  Homer  City  and  other  places,  as 
a  journeyman.  In  1904  Mr.  Greiner  came 
with  his  father  to  Indiana,  and  May  31,  1908, 
purchased  the  business  of  his  father,  who 
then  went  to  Clymer.  Progressive  and  enter- 
prising in  his  ideas  and  methods,  Mr.  Greiner 
has  built  up  a  large  trade,  necessitating  the 
use  of  two  wagons  and  an  automobile  truck. 

On  Oct.  5,  1909,  Mr.  Greiner  was  married 
in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  to  Pearl  Lewis,  of  Ross- 
moyne,  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Matthew 
Lewis,  an  agriculturist  of  this  county.^  Mr. 
Greiner  is  not  connected  with  any  particular 
religious  denomination,  but  is  an  advocate  of 
morality,  education  and  good  citizenship.  In 
political  matters  he  is  a  Republican,  and  his 
fraternal  connection  is  with  the  Eagles  and 
the  Moose.    He  and  his  wife  have  no  children, 

JOSEPH  F.  LIGHTNER,  who  conducts  a 
thriving  general  mercantile  store  at  Dixon- 
ville,  Indiana  county,  has  been  doing  business 
there  since  1905.  He  is  a  native  of  Armstrong 
county.  Pa.,  bom  March  2,  1870,  at  Belknap, 
where  his  father,  Daniel  Lightner,  was  one 
of  the  first  settlers.  Daniel  Lightner  was  a 
lilacksmith  and  follmved  that  calling  at  Belk- 
nap for  many  years,  dying  in  1890.  He  mar- 
ried Lovina  Ellenberger,  who  survived  him  a 
number  of  years,  dying  in  1908.  They  were 
the  parents  of  three  children :  John,  who  is  a 
resident  of  Armstrong  county ;  Joseph  F. ;  and 
Anna,  wife  of  James  A.  Reesman,  of  Kittan- 
ning,  Armstrong  cotinty. 

Joseph  F.  Lightner  received  a  public  school 
education  at  Belknap,  where  he  passed  his 
early  life.  When  a  youth  he  was  employed  at 
farm  work,  at  which  he  continued  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  and  was  also  engaged  in  the 
woods,  lumbering.  In  1905  he  came  to  Dixon- 
ville,  where  he  has  since  remained,  and  at 
once  established  the  store  he  now  conducts. 


1448 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


which  has  enjoyed  a  profitable  patronage  from 
the  start.  He  owns  the  building  in  which  his 
business  is  located,  and  has  become  one  of 
the  substantial  citizens  of  the  community  in 
which  he  is  settled,  and  where  his  honorable 
career  has  won  him  good  standing. 

Mr.  Lightuer's  marriage  to  Salvada  Rum- 
mel  took  place  in  1891.  She  was  born  in 
Armstrong  county,  daughter  of  Emanuel  and 
Nancy  (Rearich)  Rummel,  both  also  natives 
of  that  county,  the  latter  now  deceased;  ]Mr. 
Rummel  is  at  present  a  resident  of  Dixon- 
ville.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  3Ir. 
and  Mrs.  Lightner:  William  married  Irene 
Motter,  of  DuBois,  Pa. ;  Floyd  married  Grace 
Lj'die,  of  Lovejoy,  Pa. ;  Melvin  is  at  home. 

LEROY  BEE.  superintendent  of  the  Green- 
wich Coal  &  Coke  Company,  at  Lovejoy,  In- 
diana county,  was  born  in  Canoe  township, 
this  county,  June  17,  1874,  and  is  a  son  of 
John  A.  and  Amanda  (White)  Bee,  natives 
of  Indiana  county  who  are  now  living  in 
Canoe  township. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Bee  spent  the  active  years 
of  his  life  as  a  carpenter  and  contractor,  and 
now  resides  on  a  farm  near  the  town  of  Ros- 
siter.  He  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  and 
constable  for  twenty-six  years.  He  and  his 
wife  had  five  sons  and  one  daughter,  namely : 
Bert,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Canoe 
township;  Leroy;  Mabel,  the  wife  of  John 
Domb.  who  conducts  a  store  at  Canoe  Ridge, 
Indiana  county ;  Harlin  and  Clyde,  who  are 
carpenters  of  Lovejoy ;  and  Doyle,  living  at 
home. 

The  maternal  great-grandfather  of  Mr.  Bee 
was  born  in  France,  and  on  his  way  to  the 
United  States  was  shipwrecked.  Isaac  White, 
his  son,  came  from  France  to  the  United 
States,  locating  first  in  New  York,  and  later 
becoming  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Indiana 
county,  Pennsylvania. 

Leroy  Bee  secured  his  education  in  the 
schools"  of  Canoe  township,  and  as  a  young 
man  was  taught  the  trade  of  carpenter  by  his 
father.  After  following  general  carpentry 
for  some  years  he  became  a  mine  carpenter 
at  Windber.  and  two  years  thereafter  accepted 
a  position  as  foreman  and  carpenter  with  the 
Greenwich  Coal  &  Coke  Company.  After  five 
years  spent  in  these  capacities  he  became  sta- 
tionary engineer  for  the  company,  and  in 
1910  was  made  superintendent  of  the  com- 
pany at  Lovejoy,  a  position  which  he  has 
continued  to  hold  to  the  present  time,  show- 
ing himself  to  be  a  faithful  and  efficient  em- 
ployee and  a  man  of  much  executive  ability. 


In  1908  Mr.  Bee  was  married,  in  the  town 
of  Indiana,  Pa.,  to  Miny  Smith,  who  was  born 
in  Canoe  township,  daughter  of  Clark  and 
Sarah  (Tyger)  Smith,  who  are  now  both  de- 
ceased. Mrs.  Bee's  father  was  a  fanner  of 
Canoe  township,  carrying  on  operations  on 
the  tract  of  land  that  had  been  originally  set- 
tled and  cleared  by  his  father,  George  Smith, 
one  of  this  county's  early  pioneers. 

Mr.  Bee  is  a  member  of  Twolick  Lodge,  No. 
75,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  of  the  Loyal  Order 
of  I\Ioose,  at  Clymer.  His  wife  is  a  well- 
known  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

NATHANIEL  S.  NORTH,  who  farms  in 
Canoe  township,  not  far  from  Juneau,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  in  Avhat  is  now  Canoe  town- 
ship (at  that  time  part  of  ^Montgomery  town- 
ship) Sept.  17,  1842,  son  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Simpson)  North  and  grandson  of  John 
North. 

John  North,  the  grandfather,  was  born  in 
County  Cavan,  Ireland,  in  1779,  and  was  mar- 
ried tbere  in  1806  to  Elizabeth  Pogue.  In 
1810  they  came  to  the  United  States,  and  he 
secured  employment  in  the  DuPont  powder 
works,  in  Delaware.  He  served  one  year  in 
the  army  during  the  war  of  1812  and  was 
enrolled  during  the  entire  conflict,  being  de- 
tailed to  work  in  the  powder  mills.  In  the 
spring  of  1818  he  came  to  Indiana  county, 
and  the  first  home  of  the  family  was  an  old 
log  schoolhouse  standing  on  what  was  then 
the  John  Mitchell  farm.  In  June.  1818.  he 
bought  a  tract  of  land  embracing  200  acres  in 
North  Mahoning  township,  where  he  carried 
on  general  fanning,  engaging  also  in  lumber- 
ing. The  following  children  were  born  to  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Pogue)  North:  Deborah,  who 
married  William  Pogue ;  Margaret,  who  mar- 
ried John  Henderson ;  John,  who  married 
Elizabeth  Simpson ;  Eliza,  who  married  James 
:Means;  Joseph  P..  who  married  Margery 
Kinsel ;  Daniel,  who  married  Catherine  Bell ; 
Phoebe  Jane,  Avho  married  John  Steffy ; 
Thomas,  who  married  Sarah  ]\IcConaughey 
and  (second)  Eva  Sutter;  and  William  P., 
who  married  Margaret  Simpson.  John  North, 
Sr.,  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years,  m 
1843,  and  his  wife  in  1846,  aged  about  sixty- 
one,  and  both  were  buried  in  the  old  ceme- 
tery at  Punxsutawney.  in  Jefferson  county. 

John  North,  son  of  John  North  and  father 
of  Nathaniel  S.  North,  was  born  at  Wilming- 
ton, Del.,  in  1811,  and  was  seven  years  old 
when  the  family  moved  to  Indiana  county. 
Pa.  There  he  "finished  his  schooling  in  the 
home  district  in  North  Mahoning  township, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1449 


and  when  he  reached  manhood  bought  a  farm 
of  140  acres  from  Charles  Gaskel,  who  was 
agent  for  the  Holland  Land  Company.  This 
farm  was  situated  in  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship and  it  continued  to  be  the  home  of  ]\Ir. 
North  mitil  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1886, 
when  he  Avas  aged  seventy-five  years.  He  was 
a  man  of  consequence  in  his  neighborhood,  and 
being  a  great  reader  was  very  well  informed. 
At  different  times  he  served  with  honest  ef- 
ficiency in  numerous  local  offices,  such  as 
school  director,  overseer  and  supervisor.  He 
was  a  zealous  antislaVery  man,  an  abolitionist 
and  later  a  Republican.  Wlien  young  he  be- 
came a  member  of  the  First  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Punxsutawney,  and 
when  the  church  was  rebuilt  and  the  congrega- 
tion was  organized  as  a  Presbyterian  Church 
he  united  with  it.  For  many  years  he  was 
an  elder  in  his  church  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  was  serving  as  trustee. 

In  1837  John  North  married  Elizabeth 
Simpson,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
Simpson,  of  Georgeville.  She  was  born  in 
1812  and  died  in  1907,  aged  ninety-five  years. 
To  this  marriage  the  following  children  were 
born :  Two  that  died  very  young  of  scarlet 
fever ;  Nathaniel  S. ;  Joseph,  deceased,  who 
married  Mary  Martin,  of  Canoe  township, 
and  (second)  Mary  Nichol,  of  South  Jlahon- 
ing  township ;  Anna  Mary,  who  is  the  widow 
of  William  Simpson;  Laura  E.,  of  Indiana, 
Pa.,  widow  of  David  Hamilton;  Solomon  Tay- 
lor, now  serving  his  fifth  teimi  as  a  member 
of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Legislature,  who 
married  Ann  Neal  (she  is  deceased)  ;  Minerva 
and  Margaret,  both  of  whom  are  deceased ;  and 
a  child  that  died  unnamed.  John  North  and 
his  wife  were  buried  in  the  old  graveyard  at 
Punxsutawney. 

Nathaniel  S.  North  attended  school  in  Jef- 
ferson county  until  he  was  twelve  years  old 
and  helped  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he 
was  eighteen  years  of  age.  In  the  meanwhile 
the  Civil  war  had  been  precipitated,  and  he 
resolved  to  enter  the  Federal  army,  which 
resolve  he  put  into  action  by  enlisting,  on 
Aug.  21,  1862,  in  Company  A,  61st  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he 
served  until  the  end  of  the  war ;  he  was  mus- 
tered out  July  3,  1865.  He  participated  in 
a  great  many  battles,  including  Fredericks- 
burg and  Chancellorsville,  and  in  many  skir- 
mishes, was  near  Bull  Rim,  and  was  near  Fort- 
ress Monroe  when  the  Confederates  blew  up 
Fort  Hell.  He  was  with  General  Burnside's 
command  when  it  was  mired  in  the  mud  at 
Kelly's  Ford  on  the  way  to  Chancellorsville. 


When  finally  mustered  out  after  his  honorable 
discharge  he  started  for  Indiana  county  and, 
arriving  home  on  July  15,  1865,  was  able  to 
help  his  father  through  harvest  and  assist 
in  putting  away  the  crops.  After  his  years 
of  adventurous  life  the  quiet  of  the  farm  grew 
so  monotonous  that  the  young  man  decided 
on  traveling  about  for  awhile  before  settling 
down,  and  went  first  to  Pittsburg,  from  there 
to  Cincinnati  and  afterward  to  St.  Louis,  in 
each  city  finding  much  to  interest  him  but 
not  enough  to  make  him  wish  to  settle  there. 
He  went  on  to  Macon  City,  Mo.,  and  there  had 
an  unpleasant  experience,  being  recognized  as 
a  former  LTnion  soldier  and  as  such  almost 
mobbed  by  a  crowd  of  Confederate  sympa- 
thizers. He  then  returned  home,  but  later 
went  into  the  lumber  camps  in  Clearfield 
county  and  worked  until  the  spring  of  1866. 
After  his  first  marriage,  in  1867,  he  settled 
on  his  present  farm  in  Canoe  township. 

In  politics  Mr.  North  is  a  Republican,  and 
he  takes  an  active  part  in  public  matters  and 
has  served  acceptably  in  many  township  of- 
fices. He  was  supervisor  three  years.  After 
serving  for  thirteen  years  as  a  school  director 
he  was  once  more  reelected,  but  had  to  de- 
cline on  account  of  holding  another  office  at 
that  time.  He  was  tax  collector  two  terms, 
aud  for  two  terms  was  township  assessor.  He 
holds  membership  in  the  Indiana  lodge  of 
Odd  Fellows,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and 
Washington  Camp,  P.  0.  S.  of  A.,  at  Punx- 
sutawney. Formerly  he  belonged  to  the  G. 
A.  R.  in  that  city  and  at  present  is  a  member 
of  the  Union  Veteran  Legion  of  Punxsutaw- 
ney. Reared  in  the  Presbyterian  faith,  he 
is  inclined  toward  the  doctrines  of  that 
church. 

Mr.  North  was  first  married  to  Nancy 
Hamilton,  who  was  born  Jan.  10,  1842,  and 
died  Oct.  8,  1894.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
John  and  :\Iattie  (Hopkins)  Hamilton.  To 
that  marriage  the  following  children  were 
born :  Lizzie  Pontabella,  born  Jan.  23,  1868 ; 
Martha  Theresa,  born  Jan.  16,  1870,  now  de- 
ceased ;  John  Hamilton,  born  March  1,  1872 ; 
Taylor  Ellsworth,  born  Oct.  8,  1875,  now  de- 
ceased; Clara  Irene,  born  Dee.  1,  1877;  and 
David  Clair,  born  March  4,  1881. 

Mr.  North's  second  maiTiage  was  to  Han- 
nah Ellwood,  who  was  born  Dec.  5,  1849, 
daughter  of  William  aud  Barbara  (Burkett) 
Ellwood,  of  Canoe  township,  and  died  in 
November,  1909.  On  Oct.  17, 1910,  Mr.  North 
was  married  (third)  to  ilrs.  Nannie  (Lydic) 
Litzinger,    widow    of    John    Litzinger,    and 


1450 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


daughter  of   Chapman   and  Maria    (Bostic)     began  developing  a  home.    Here  he  continued 
Lydie.  to  farm  until  his  death,  which  occurred  when 

Chapman  Lydic,  father  of  Mrs.  North,  was    he  was  ninety-three  years  old.    His  wife  died 


born  Aug.  25,  1832,  and  died  Jan.  25, 
1905,  aged  seventy-two  years.  He  mar- 
ried Maria  Bostic,  who  was  born  in 
Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  Feb.  17,  1838,  and 
died  Feb.  4,  1904,  aged  sixty-six  years. 
They  had  eleven  children,   namely:     Felix, 


in  Banks  township  when  she  was  eighty-three 
years  old.  They  were  consistent  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  Their  children 
were:  Samuel,  who  is  a  farmer  of  Canoe 
township,  married  Elizabeth  Shields,  and 
they   have   eight   children;    Elizabeth,   born 


who  lives  at  Bumside.  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.,  June  1,  1837,  in  County  Tyrone,  Ireland, 
married  Nettie  Strong ;  Nannie  is  Mrs.  North ;  married  Daniel  Rateliff  and  (second)  John 
George  who  lives  in  Clearfield  county,  mar-  Coglin,  and  they  live  in  ]\Iontgomery  county. 
Tied  Luetta  McGee ;  Samuel,  who  lives  in  Pa. ;  Robert  is  mentioned  below ;  William, 
Montgomery  township,  married  Emma  Hoff-  born  March  10,  1845,  in  County  Tyrone,  Ire- 
man  ;  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  John  McCul-  land,  now  a  farmer  of  Knox  township,  Jeffer- 


lough,  of  Friendsville,  Md. ;  Levina  is  the 
wife  of  Roul  Spicher,  of  Carman's  Mills, 
Cambria  county;  Sadie  is  the  wife  of  "Wil- 
liam Spicher,  of  Arcadia,  Montgomery  town 


son  Co.,  Pa.,  married  IMartha  Work,  and  has 
had  these  children,  Lizzie,  William,  Mary, 
Claire,  Hattie,  Bertha,  Elizabeth,  the  last 
three  being  deceased;  John  E.,  born  July  21. 


ship ;  Malinda  is  the  wife  of  Robert  Kerr,  of    1850,  in  this  country,  has  been  a  lawyer  at 


Montgomery  township ;  Howard,  who  mar- 
ried Lily  Goss,  lives  at  Gettysburg,  Mont 
gomery  township;  Maud,  who  is  the  wife  of 
John  McGee,  lives  at  Bumside,  in  Clearfield 
county ;  Frank,  who  lives  in  Cambria  county, 
married  Grace  Feath. 

Nannie    Lydie   was   born   in   Montgomery 
township.    Indiana    Co.,    Pa.,    and   was   edu 


Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  since  1879  (he  was  edu- 
cated at  Covode,  and  read  law  with  Chicks 
&  Winslow.  of  Punxsutawney). 

Robert  Calderwood  received  only  limited 
educational  advantages,  but  possessing  nat- 
ural ability  and  a  quick  mind  he  added  to 
his  store  of  information  and  became  an  ex- 
cellent   business    man.     He  lived  on  the  Cal- 


_.  ted  in  the  public  schools.  She  assisted  her  derwood  farm,  carrying  on  general  farming 
mother  in  the  home  until  1872,  when  she  was  and  lumbering,  and  did  a  large  amount  of 
united  in  marriage  with  John  Litzinger,  of  business,  being  one  of  the  leading  men  in 
Chest  Springs,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.,  who  died  his  line.  In  his  death  the  county  lost  one  of 
Dec.  7,  1905,  leaving  the  following  children:  its  most  substantial  and  representative  men. 
Roy ;  Ethel,  wife  of  David  North,  of  Creek-  in  igSl  Mr.  Calderwood  was  united  in  mar- 
side;  Edna,  wife  of  Harvey  B.  Langham,  of  Yiage  with  Mary  L.  Rishel,  who  was  born  in 
Lovejoy;  Nettie,  wife  of  Henry  Radcliff;  Canoe  township,  this  county,  a  daughter  of 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Gloe  Berringer,  of  Colver ;  Christopher  Rishel.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Calder- 
and  Daisy  and  Alice,  both  at  home.  After  ^ood  became  the  parents  of  two  children, 
the  death  of  her  first  husband  Mrs.  Litzinger    Ward  and  Alta  E. 

Ward  Caldervfood  was  born  on  the  old 
home  place  in  Canoe  township  Feb.  2,  1882, 
and  received  a  good  common  school  education. 
He  has  always  lived  on  the  home  place,  and 
is    one    of    the    rising    young    men    of    his 

Alta  E.  Calderwood,  born  Sept.  9,  1883, 
married   James   Murray   Baun,   of   Rossiter. 
Andrew  Calderwood  was  bom  in  County    T^gy  have  had  one  child,  Robert  L.,  who  is 
Tyrone,  Ireland,  as  was  his  wife.    They  grew    deceased, 
to  maturity  there  and  married.     He  was  a 
farmer,  and  finding  conditions  not  what  they 
desired  they  came  to  America  in  1848,  locat 


resided  in  her  home  at  Gettysbiirg  until  her 
marriage  to  Nathaniel  S.  North. 


ROBERT  CALDERWOOD, 

born  March  26,  1841,  in  County  Tyrone,  Ire- 
land, and  died  March  4,  1912,  in  Canoe  town- 
ship, this  county.  He  was  a  son  of  Andrew 
and  Mary    (Milligan)    Calderwood 


HENRY  BENCE.  who  is  engaged  in  farm- 

^^o..^..  w.^,   ^— ^  .^g   in   Green   township,   near   the   town   of 

ing  in   North  Mahoning  township,   Indiana    Dixonville,  was  bom  in  Rayne  township,  In- 
Co.,  Pa.,  where  they  spent  three  years,  then    ^^:^r^^^^  county,  Aug.  21.  1860,  a  son  of  George 
moving  to  the   property  in   Canoe  township 
that  is  still  in  the  family.    This  comprised  100 
acres  of  wild  land,  upon  which  Andrew  Cal 
derwood  put  up 


and  Fannie  (Stahl)  Pence. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Bence  was  an  early  set- 

..    „f.„„   ........ tier  in  Indiana  county,  and  spent  the  greater 

a"  log  cabin  and  stable,  and    part  of  his  life  on  a  farm  in  Rayne  township. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1451 


He  died  in  the  house  now  occupied  by  his 
son  Henry,  in  1894.  His  wife,  who  died  some 
time  previous  to  his  demise,  was  a  native  of 
Center  county,  Pa.,  and  they  were  the  parents 
•of  ten  children:  Lueinda,  the  wife  of  John 
Rowe,  a  resident  of  Rayne  township ;  Kathe- 
rine,  who  married  Leander  Baylor;  Mary, 
widow  of  Franklin  Long,  living  in  Rayne 
township ;  Hannah,  a  resident  of  Greenville, 
Pa. ;  Elizabeth,  the  ■ndfe  of  Henry  Living- 
ston, of  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Ellen,  who  married 
Foster  Myers,  of  Rayne  township ;  Dillie,  the 
wife  of  Simon  Henry,  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship;  Christie  Ann,  a  resident  of  Bradford, 
Pa. ;  Henry ;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

Henry  Bence  attended  the  district  schools 
of  Cherryhill  and  Rayne  townships,  and  was 
reared  to  the  occupation  of  farmer,  to  which 
he  has  devoted  himself  all  his  life.  In  1899 
he  moved  to  the  old  farm  near  Dixonville,  in 
Oreen  township,  and  he  now  has  a  weU- 
developed  propei-ty  with  modern  improve- 
ments. 

On  Aug.  23,  1880,  Mr.  Bence  was  married 
to  Emma  Cribbs,  who  was  born  in  Blacklick 
township,  Indiana  county,  Aug.  10,  1860, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Anna  (Clawson) 
Cribbs,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  April, 
1903,  and  the  latter  Jan.  16,  1895.  Mr.  Cribbs 
was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  in  addition 
to  following  that  occupation  was  also  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  Blacklick  township.  He 
and  his  wife  had  a  family  of  nine  children: 
Samuel,  who  resides  at  Vandergrift,  Pa.; 
John,  living  at  Reynoldsville,  this  State; 
David,  living  in  Pennsylvania;  William, 
Nancy  A.,  Sarah  Jane  and  George,  who  are 
all  deceased;  Milton,  who  lives  in  Houston, 
Texas ;  and  Emma,  who  married  Mr.  Bence. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bence  have  had  fourteen 
children,  namely:  Emory,  who  lives  at 
Apollo,  Armstrong  county;  Harry  and 
Charles,  living  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county;  Cora,  the  wife  of  Park  Thomas,  of 
Marion  Center ;  Orrin,  living  at  Vandergrift ; 
Eva,  the  wife  of  J.  Long,  of  Danville ;  Emma, 
Iva,  Mary  and  Clara,  who  live  at  home;  and 
Claire,  Homer,  Clarence  and  Flora,  deceased. 

JOSEPH  DOUGHERTY,  whose  eighty 
acres  of  farming  land  are  located  in  Canoe 
township,  Indiana  county,  was  born  on  his 
father's  old  homestead  farm  in  Jefferson 
county.  Pa.,  April  24,  1845,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Belinda    (Coffman)    Dougherty. 

William  Dougherty,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  Joseph  Dougherty,  was  born  in  Ire- 
land, and  was  the  first  of  the  family  to  come 


to  the  United  States,  emigrating  to  this  coun- 
try in  young  manhood  and  locating  in  Arm- 
strong county,  Pa.  He  was  a  noted  hunter 
and  trapper  of  his  day  and  locality,  and  also 
devoted  some  time  to  agricultural  pursuits, 
and  his  latter  years  were  spent  in  Westmore- 
land and  Jefferson  counties,  his  death  occur- 
ring in  the  latter  county. 

Daniel  Dougherty,  son  of  William,  and 
father  of  Joseph  Dougherty,  was  born  Dee. 
25,  1816,  in  Armstrong  county,  Pa.,  and 
there  grew  to  manhood.  Later  he  removed 
to  Westmoreland  county,  and  in  1830  went 
to  near  Cloe,  in  Bell  township,  Jefferson 
county.  There  he  was  married,  Sept.  21, 
1887,  to  Belinda  Coffman,  of  Gaskill  town- 
ship, Jefferson  county,  and  they  settled  on  a 
farm  of  140  acres,  for  which  he  had  paid 
$2.50  an  acre.  On  this  tract  of  timber  land 
Mr.  Dougherty  put  up  a  small  log  house  and 
started  to  make  a  home  for  his  family,  but 
his  death  occurred  in  the  prime  of  life,  July 
6,  1852,  when  he  was  but  thirty-six  years  of 
age.  His  widow  remarried,  becoming  the 
wife  of  Samuel  Hughes,  who  was  born  Aug. 
2,  1811,  and  died  in  1874.  He  was  a  lumber- 
man of  Indiana  county.  Mrs.  Hughes  sur- 
vived until  Oct.  2,  1903,  dying  in  the  faith 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Dougherty  were  born  the  following 
children :  William,  born  June  28.  1839,  died 
in  February,  1855 ;  Ann  Eliza,  born  April  5, 
1841,  married  Reuben  Williams,  of  near  Cloe, 
Pa.,  and  died  in  1909;  Augustus,  born  July 
18,  1843,  married  Isabella  Thompson,  resided 
on  the  old  homestead,  and  died  April  5,  1889 ; 
Joseph  was  born  April  24,  1845 ;  Taylor,  bom 
April  29,  1847,  married  Sallie  Tucker,  and  is 
engaged  in  farming  near  Cloe;  Pa.;  Louisa, 
born" July  .19,  1849,  married  John  H.  Grube, 
and  lives  in  Albion,  Pa. ;  Samuel,  born  Feb. 
18,  1852,  who  married  Emma  Krenkaw,  is 
carrying  on  agricultural  operations  near  Cloe, 
Pennsylvania. 

Joseph  Dougherty,  son  of  Daniel  Dough- 
erty, was  given  but  little  encouragement  in 
an  educational  way  when  he  was  a  youth,  the 
greater  part  of  bis  training  being  secured  in 
the  school  of  hard  work  and  experience.  He 
was  reared  to  the  severe,  unremitting  toil  of 
the  fields,  and  also  spent  some  time  in  rafting 
and  lumbering.  At  the  age  of  seven  years 
he  was  placed  by  his  mother  with  the  Coffman 
family,  with  whom  he  remained  ten  years, 
receiving  but  little  during  that  period.  The 
lad  was  sturdy  and  industrious,  however,  and 
worked  faithfully  at  the  duties  to  which  he 
was  assigned,   and  on  leaving  the   Coffman 


1452 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


home  returned  to  his  own  homestead,  contin- 
uing with  his  mother  until  he  was  twenty- 
three  years  of  age.  During  this  time  he  had 
not  received  one  dollar  for  the  hard  work  he 
had  done,  but  he  subsequently  spent  nine 
3'ears  in  work  on  adjoining  properties,  in  the 
meanwhile  carefully  saving  his  wages,  with 
the  object  ever  in  view  of  becoming  the  owner 
of  a  property  of  his  own. 

On  Jan.  26,  1871,  Mr.  Dougherty  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Anna  B.  Grube,  who 
was  born  June  8,  1853,  in  Jefferson  county, 
Pa.,  daughter  of  George  and  Catherine  Grube, 
the  latter  of  Westmoreland  county,  and  the 
former  of  Center  county.  They  were  pioneer 
residents  of  the  Grube  settlement  in  Jefferson 
county,  where  Mr.  Grube  owned  a  valuable 
farm  and  where  he  and  his  wife  died.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Dougherty  have  had  the  following 
children:  Aiibrey  E.,  a  painter  by  occupa- 
tion, who  makes  his  home  with  his  parents; 
John  C,  who  died  Feb.  24,  1885 ;  Arthur  M., 
a  glass  worker  of  Tarentum,  Pa.,  who  mar- 
ried Ann  Baker;  Ella  T.,  who  died  Jan.  9, 
1904;  Samuel  C,  who  died  April  30,  1901; 
and  ©ra  Viola,  who  lives  with  her  parents. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dough- 
erty settled  on  a  tract  of  fifty  acres  known 
as  "the  Mungold  farm,  located  one  mile  from 
Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  on  which  they  resided 
for  five  years.  Their  next  home  was  at  Elk 
Run,  and  in  March,  1877,  Mr.  Dougherty  piir- 
chased  his  present  farm  in  Canoe  township, 
a  tract  of  ninety-eight  acres,  known  as  the 
Miller  place.  In  1894  he  rebuilt  the  home 
on  this  land,  and  in  1900  built  the  present 
substantial  barn,  in  addition  to  which  he  has 
made  all  the  other  improvements,  converting 
it  into  one  of  the  valuable  tracts  of  the  town- 
ship. He  has  sold  some  of  the  original  tract, 
having  now  about  eighty  acres  in  all  in  his 
property,  and  about  fifty-six  acres  are  under 
cultivation,  and  here  his  years  of  hard  labor 
have  been  finally  crowned  by  success.  Mr. 
Dougherty's  career  may  well  serve  as  an  ex- 
ample for  aspiring  youths  who  feel  that  they 
are  hopelessly  handicapped  by  the  lack  of 
capital  or  influential  friends.  He  started  m 
life  a  poor  boy,  but  he  never  allowed  himself 
to  become  discouraged,  always  striving  ear- 
nestly to  work  his  way  up  the  ladder  of  suc- 
cess. That  he  has  done  so  is  readily  apparent 
to  anyone  who  now  visits  his  well-regulated 
farm,  and  that  he  has  always  held  the  con- 
fidence and  esteem  of  his  neighbors  and  those 
with  whom  he  has  had  business  transactions 
may  be  inferred  by  the  number  of  his  friends. 
Although  he  has  reached  an  age  when  most 


men  feel  that  they  are  ready  to  lay  down 
the  active  duties  of  life,  he  is  still  in  excellent 
health,  his  clean,  upright  life  having  pre- 
served his  faculties  well.  He  has  held  a  num- 
ber of  the  township  offices.  During  the  last 
twelve  years  he  has  voted  the  Prohibition 
ticket.  With  his  family  he  attends  the  United 
Evangelical  Church  at  Juneau,  Pa.,  where  he 
has  served  as  steward  and  trustee  and  been 
active  in  all  religious  work. 

CLAUS  WOHLERS,  late  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, was  the  oldest  man  in  Indiana  county 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  he  was  regarded 
as  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  the  lo- 
cality where  so  many  years  of  his  long  and 
usef-iil  life  had  been  passed.  Mr.  Wohlers  was 
a  native  of  Hamburg,  Germany,  and  came  to 
the  United  States  when  twenty-one  years  old. 
He  had  received  the  thorough  training  cus- 
tomary in  his  native  land,  attending  school 
until  "fourteen  years  old,  and  then  learning 
his  trade,  under  his  stepfather,  who  was  a 
blacksmith.  His  own  father,  George  Wohlers, 
died  when  his  son  Claus  was  very  young. 

Wlien  Mr.  Wohlers  landed  at  Baltimore, 
in  1834,  he  had  $125,  which  had  been  left  by 
his  father  to  be  given  him  on  his  twenty-first 
birthday.  For  a  time  after  his  arrival  he 
traveled  from  place  to  place  seeking  a  suit- 
able location,  and  doing  his  first  work  here 
at  Hagerstown,  Md.  He  received  only  five 
dollars  a  month.  George  Sebring,  a  compan- 
ion, a  locksmith  by  trade,  had  come  from 
Germany  with  him,  and  they  journeyed 
around  together  for  some  time,  Sebring  event- 
ually settling  in  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  where  he 
became  a  very  wealthy  man.  Before  long 
Mr.  Wohlei-s  "started  a  shop  at  Greensburg, 
Pa.,  in  partnership  with  Adam  Rugh  and  after 
Mr.  Rugh's  death  became  associated  with 
Jacob  Kepple.  After  they  dissolved  partner- 
ship, in  1865  :Mr.  Wohlers,  having  seven  sons, 
thought  it  would  be  wise  to  raise  his  family 
on  a  farm,  and  he  accordingly  made  a  trip 
West,  in  search  of  promising  territory. 
After  visiting  six  States  without  finding  any- 
thing he  cared  for  he  returned  to  Pennsyl- 
vania and  settled  in  Rayne  township.  Indiana 
county,  where  he  bought  a  tract  of  107  acres 
lying  along  the  road  running  from  Indiana 
to  Chambersville.  There  he  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life,  following  agricultural 
pursuits  as  well  as  blacksmithing  and  coach- 
making,  by  his  thrift  and  industry  winning 
the  good  will  and  respect  of  all  who  came  to 
know  him.  He  Avas  a  Lutheran  in  religious 
belief,  a  citizen  of  public  spirit  on  all  matters 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1453 


affecting-  the  local  welfare,  and  a  man  who 
did  his  duty  in  all  the  relations  of  life.  His 
death  occurred  on  his  farm  Oct.  27,  1911. 

On  Sept.  22,  1854,  Mr.  Wohlers  was  mar- 
ried at  Greensburg,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa., 
to  Flora  Armstrong,  a  native  of  Hempfield 
township,  that  county,  born  Nov.  2,  1832.  She 
grew  up  there.  Eight  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Wohlers,  seven  sons  and  one 
daughter,  namely:  William,  Avho  married 
Delia  Jaeolts  and  now  lives  in  the  State  of 
Washington;  Herman,  who  died  at  Leadville, 
Colo.,  when  forty-four  years  old;  Thomas, 
now  of  McCoy,  Colo.,  who  married  Sarah 
Daniels;  Harry,  deceased,  who  married  Bella 
McCoy;  Samuel,  who  man-ied  Jennie  jMoore 
and  lives  at  Greensburg,  Pa. ;  Edward,  who 
is  married  and  living  in  Saskatchewan; 
Charles  C,  now  residing  on  the  paternal 
farm,  who  man-ied  Florence  Blaueli  Craig 
and  has  four  children,  Nola  Marie,  Helen 
Gertrude,  Charles  Russell  and  Florence  Wini- 
fred; and  Sadie,  wife  of  William  Kinter,  of 
Rayne  township. 

Andrew  Armstrong,  father  of  IMrs.  Flora 
Wohlers,  was  born  at  Kittanniug,  Armstrong 
Co.,  Pa.,  where  his  parents  were  among  the 
eai'ly  residents,  and  died  about  1853  at 
Greensburg,  Pa.,  Avhen  forty-eight  years  old. 
He  learned  chairmaking  but  did  not  follow 
that  trade,  being  engaged  in  drilling  wells. 
He  married  Catherine  Hagermaster,  a  native 
of  Armstrong  county,  whose  father,  Christian 
Hagermaster,  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  was  the  first  German  preacher  on 
this  side  of  the  Allegheny  mountains.  He 
held  services  in  an  old  log  church  at  Greens- 
boro, now  Sands.  He  died  near  Greensburg 
on  his  one  hundreth  birthday.  His  Avife  AA'as 
Elizabeth  Peters,  of  Baltimore.  Mrs.  Arm- 
strong died  in  Greeusliurg  Avhen  seventy- 
sevenyears  old.  She  and  her  husband  had  a 
family  of  nine  children :  William,  Avho  died 
in  Jefferson  coiinty.  Pa.;  Flora.  Mrs.  Woh- 
lers; Catherine,  I\Irs.  AVilliam  Reynolds,  of 
Cresson,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa. ;  Thomas,  of  Greens- 
burg; Daniel,  Avho  has  not  been  heard  from 
in  years;  Lucetta,  wife  of  Thomas  Washa- 
bau'gh;  of  Greensburg;  AndreAV,  Avho  died 
at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years ;  John,  living 
in  Westmoreland  county;  and  Jennie,  de- 
ceased, who  was  the  Avife  of  James  Simonton. 

JOHN  A.  WOOLWEAVER,  a  veteran  of 
the  Civil  Avar  and  retired  mine  foreman  noAV 
living  at  No.  140  East  School  street,  Indiana, 
Avas  born  March  3,  1842,  in  White  township, 
Indiana  county,  son  of  Conrad  Woolweaver. 


The  father,  a  natiA-e  of  Belvidere,  N.  J.,  grew 
to  manhood  there.  Coming  to  Pennsylvania, 
he  settled  in  Indiana  county,  passing  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  in  White  township.  He 
Avas  tAA-ice  married,  his  second  union  being 
Avith  Harriet  Wayne,  Avhom  he  married  in 
Indiana  county.  SeA'en  children  were  born 
to  Conrad  and  Harriet  (Wayne)  Woolweaver, 
all  novv  deceased  but  John  A.  and  George. 

John  A.  Woohveaver  has  passed  all  his  life 
in  Indiana  county.  He  attended  the  country 
schools  in  his  early  boyhood,  and  later  went 
to  school  in  Indiana  borough  at  the  old  brick 
sehoolhouse  opposite  the  "Clawson  House," 
but  his  advantages  Avere  not  many.  When 
only  elcA'en  years  old  he  Avas  bound  out  to 
Isaac  Moorhead,  a  farmer,  for  four  j^ears,  and 
after  the  expiration  of  that  period  Avorked 
out  among  other  farmers  and  did  various 
kinds  of  Avork  until  his  enlistment,  at  Kittan- 
niug, on  Sept.  10,  1861.  Becoming  a  private 
in  Company  D,  78th  P.  V.  I.,  he  served  four 
years  under  Captain  Forbes  and  Colonel 
Sirwell.  After  spending  a  short  time  at 
Camp  Orr,  Kittanning,  he  Avas  at  Camp  Wil- 
kins  for  another  brief  period,  and  then  joined 
the  Army  of  the  Cumlierland  under  Sherman, 
taking  part  in  all  the  great  liattles  of  his 
command  up  to  Atlanta.  He  Avas  mustered 
out  and  discharged  at  Kittanniug  in  Novem- 
ber, 1864.  Returning  then  to  his  father,  Avho 
Avas  at  that  time  living  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, this  county,  he  began  his  connection 
Avith  the  coal  mining  business  a  year  later, 
as  digger.  He  became  mine  foreman,  and 
Avas  thus  engaged  for  years,  until  his  retire- 
ment. He  has  made  his  home  in  the  borough 
of  Indiana  for  the  last  fcAv  years,  and  in  1894 
bought  his  present  residence,  which  he  has 
occupied  with  his  family  since.  Mr.  Wool- 
weaver  has  ahvays  been  a  man  of  industrious 
habits,  one  Avhose  life  has  eominanded  the  re- 
spect of  all  Avitli  whom  he  has  been  associated. 

On  Aug.  28,  1872,  Mr.  Woolweaver  Avas 
married,  at  Ncav  Florence,  Pa.,  to  ]\Iatilda  J. 
Henry,  of  Brushvalley  toAvnship,  this  county, 
daughter  of  John  and  Sophia  (Frederick) 
Henry,  both  of  whom  are  noAv  deceased. 
Seven  children  have  been  born  to  this  union : 
James  S.,  noAA^  of  Blairsville,  Pa. ;  John  C,  of 
Indiana  borough ;  Evora,  ]\Irs.  John  Sonnen- 
lighter,  of  Charleroi,  Pa.;  Harry,  of  Salts- 
burg,  Pa. ;  Lizzie,  Avho  is  unmarried ;  Paul  C, 
at  home,  and  Harold,  at  home. 

KINLEY  HUNTER,  a  farmer  and  stock 
raiser  of  East  Mahoning  township,  Avas  born 


1454 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  Rayne  township,  tliis  county,  Sept.  16, 
1852,  sou  of  James  Hunter. 

James  Hunter  was  born  in  Westmoreland 
county.  Pa.,  in  1818,  grew  up  a  farmer  and 
also  learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith.  In  1851 
he  came  to  Rayne  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  took  up  a  tract  of  land  and  con- 
tinued to  follow  agriculture.  After  a  year 
he  located  in  East  Mahoning  township,  set- 
tling on  200  acres  of  land  on  which  he  made 
improvements,  and  there  died  Sept.  13,  1905, 
his  remains  being  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery 
at  Marion  Center.  The  Presbyterian  Church 
held  his  membership  in  religious  matters, 
while  politically  he  was  a  Democrat.  James 
Hunter  was  married  in  Westmoreland  county 
to  Susan  Kinley,  who  died  on  the  home  farm 
and  is  buried  in  the  same  cemetery  as  her 
husband.  They  had  children  as  follows: 
David,  who  lives  at  Pittsburg;  IMary  B.,  who 
married  William  Somers,  of  Pittsburg ;  John, 
who  is  an  attorney  of  Pittsburg;  Kinley; 
Belle,  deceased,  who  married  James  A.  Beatty, 
of  East  Mahoning  township ;  Sarah,  who  died 
in  childhood;  James,  who  is  deceased;  and 
Edward,  who  is  a  farmer. 

Kinley  Hunter  was  an  infant  when  brought 
to  East  ]\Iahoning  township,  where  he  grew 
up  and  attended  the  local  schools.  Until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  old  he  worked  for  Jiis 
father,  but  after  he  attained  his  ma.iority  the 
latter  rented  him  seventy-five  acres  of  the 
homestead,  all  of  which  he  improved.  For 
fourteen  years  he  operated  this  property,  at 
the  end  of  that  period  buying  his  present 
farm,  which  was  formerly  owned  by  Richard 
and  Lawson.  It  contains  eighty-four  acres 
and  is  very  valuable,  and  Mr.  Hunter  de- 
votes it  to  general  farming  and  stock  I'ais- 
ing,  and  also  deals  in  stock.  He  is  a  devout 
Methodist  and  lives  up  to  his  faith.  It  is, 
however,  in  relation  to  the  temperance  cause 
that  Mr.  Hunter  exerts  his  most  powerful 
influence.  Long  ago  convinced  that  only 
through  the  abolition  of  the  liquor  traffic 
could  the  morals  of  the  country  be  governed, 
he  has  devoted  much  time  and  attention  to 
the  promulgation  of  these  doctrines,  and  left 
the  ranks  of  the  Democratic  party  to  join  the 
Prohibition  party. 

Mr.  Hunter  was  first  married,  in  1874,  to 
Sarah  Wetzell,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Wetzell, 
and  she  died  Nov.  3,  1892,  the  mother  of  two 
children :  Alda,  who  married  George  Wis- 
inger.    of    East    Mahoning    township;    and 


James,  who  died  in  childhood.    Mr.  Hunter's 
second  marriage  was  to  N.  J.  Erghney. 

WILLIAM  RAY,  deceased,  who  for  many 
years  was  a  farmer  of  Armstrong  township, 
was  born  in  Butler  county.  Pa.,  June  14,  1827, 
a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Dunn)  Ray. 

John  Ray  came  to  this  country  from  Ire- 
land in  his  youth,  settling  in  Butler  county, 
where  he  lived  until  1854,  when  with  his  son 
William  he  came  to  Indiana  county,  here  buy- 
ing 200  acres  of  land,  144  acres  of  which 
remain  in  the  family.  The  home  was  built 
on  the  site  of  an  old  blockhouse.  At  this 
home  John  Ray  died  about  1860.  He  and  his 
wife  were  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: James,  who  is  deceased;  William,  also 
deceased;  Catherine,  who  married  William 
Anderson,  deceased ;  John,  deceased ;  Hugh, 
deceased;  and  Alexander  Parker. 

William  Ray  was  in  partnership  with  his 
father  in  his  purchase  of  Armstrong  town- 
ship land.  He  married  Isabella  ilcFarland, 
of  Butler  county.  Pa.,  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Jane  (Porter)  McFarland.  Mrs.  Ray 
died  June  19,  1868,  and  Mr.  Ray  later  mar- 
ried (second)  Matilda  Getty,  of  Creekside, 
Pa.,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (ilar- 
shall)  Getty.  William  Ray  was  the  father 
of  the  following  children :  Martha  Jane  died 
when  eleven  years  old;  John  is  at  home; 
Catherine  Elizabeth  is  at  home;  Hugh  Dunn 
is  at  home ;  George  Me.  died  in  infancy ; 
Margaret  Amanda,  who  married  M.  S.  Couch, 
lives  in  the  vicinity  of  Pittsburg;  Isabella 
Jane,  who  married  M.  P.  Calhoun,  resides  in 
the  vicinity  of  Pittsburg;  Susanna,  twin  sis- 
ter of  Isaljella  Jane,  died  in  infancy :  Burton 
G..  who  is  a  physician  of  Glenshaw,  Pa.,  is 
the  only  child  by  the  second  marriage.  Dr. 
Ray  was  very  carefully  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Armstrong  township,  Semi- 
inary  Ridge  academy,  at  Indiana,  and  the 
normal  school,  and  taught  school.  He  mar- 
ried Sallv  Wittmer. 

William  Ray  died  June  22,  1903.  He  was 
an  elder  of  his  church,  in  political  faith  he 
was  a  Democrat,  and  he  held  a  number  of 
township  offices,  being  a  man  of  prominence 
in  his  community. 

JAMES  A.  PEARCE,  merchant,  engaged 
in  business  at  Rossiter,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was 
born  Feb.  12.  1873,  in  Canoe  to^\Tiship,  this 
county,  son  of  Abraham  Pearce  and  grand- 
son of  Job  Pearce. 

Job  Pearce  was  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry. 
He  owned  a  farm  in  South  Mahoning  town- 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ship  and  lived  in  the  old  stone  house  at  Plum- 
ville,  that  township.  When  he  came  to  Canoe 
township  he  settled  one  mile  from  Rossiter. 
During  the  summers  he  engaged  in  farming, 
spending  his  winters  in  teaching  school.  He 
and  wife  died  in  Canoe  township,  and  they 
were  buried  in  the  Pearce  cemetery  near 
Rossiter. 

Abraham  Pearce,  son  of  Job  and  father  of 
James  A.  Pearce,  was  born  in  the  old  stone 
house  above  mentioned,  in  Plumville,  South 
Mahoning  township,  in  1830,  and  more  or  less 
regularly  attended  school  in  the  village  of 
Plumville  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age, 
when  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their 
removal  to  Canoe  township.  Later  he  ac- 
quired much  land,  having  two  farms  aggre- 
gating 528  acres,  and  his  life  was  devoted  to 
agricultural  pursuits  and  lumbering.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Republican,  but  never  ac- 
cepted any  public  office.  In  religion  he  was  a 
Presbyterian,  belonging  first  to  the  Pleasant 
Grove  Presbyterian  Church  in  Jefferson 
county,  but  later  uniting  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church  at  Rossiter.  He  died  Jan.  11, 
1906,  aged  seventy-six  years.  He  married 
Mary  Smith,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Smith, 
of  Olive  township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  and 
she  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years.  The 
following  children  were  born  to  them :  Harry, 
v.'ho  is  deceased;  Elmer  A.,  a  resident  of 
Punxsutawney,  who  married  Bertha  Craw- 
ford; Calvin  R.,  who  married  Annie  Neal, 
daughter  of  former  County  Commissioner 
Neal,  of  Indiana  county,  who  during  1912 
was  manager  of  the  county  poor  farm;  and 
James  A. 

James  A.  Pearce  attended  public  school  in 
Canoe  township  and  spent  one  year  in  the 
Lock  Haven  normal  school.  He  then  learned 
the  art  of  telegraphy  and  for  ten  years  en- 
gaged in  telegraphic  work,  first  serving  six 
months  with  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany, at  "Winslow.  Pa.,  for  two  years,  two 
months  was  operator  at  Winslow,  and  for  two 
more  years  at  Fordham,  for  the  above  com- 
pany; for  six  months  was  operator  at  Brad- 
dock,  Pa.,  for  the  Pittsburg  &  Lake  Erie  Rail- 
road Company ;  for  two  years,  six  months  was 
stationed  at  Ros.siter,  for  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company;  was  operator  one  year 
at  Curwensville  for  the  Buffalo,  Rochester  & 
Pittsburg  Railroad  Company,  and  for  one 
year  was  operator  at  Chambersville  for  that 
company.  He  then  gave  up  telegraphy  and 
turned  his  attention  to  merchandising,  pur- 
chasing the  general  store  of  M.  H.  Harvey, 


1455 

at  Rossiter,   which  he  has  successfully  con- 
ducted ever  since. 

Mr.  Pearce  married  Agnes  L.  Conger,  a 
daughter  of  Hiram  and  Hannah  Conger,  of 
Waynesburg,  Greene  Co.,  Pa.  Mrs.  Pearce 
died  leaving  one  son,  James  C,  who  is  six 
years  old.  The  second  marriage  of  Mr. 
Pearce  was  to  Ida  C.  Conger,  sister  of  his 
first  wife,  and  they  have  two  children; 
Elenora,  who  is  three  years  old,  and  Evaline 
Gertrude,  an  infant.  Mr.  Pearce  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Rossiter, 
Pa.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  he 
has  served  one  term  as  school  director. 

JOHN  HARVEY  LYTLE,  who  is  engaged 
in  farming  and  the  growing  of  small  fruits 
in  Conemaugh  township,  was  born  Jlay  29, 
1847,  in  the  stone  house  erected  by  his  grand- 
father, on  Lytic 's  run,  in  Conemaugh  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  is  a  son  of  John 
and  Eliza  (Cruthers)  Lytle.  Alexander 
Lytic,  was  his  paternal  grandfather. 

John  Lytle,  son  of  Alexander  Lytle,  was 
born  in  Conemaugh  township  and  there  at- 
tended the  common  schools.  He  worked  on 
the  home  farm  with  his  parents  until  he  at- 
tained his  majority,  at  which  time  he  pur- 
chased 150  acres  of  farming  land  from  his 
father,  a  part  of  the  original  homestead,  mak- 
ing his  residence  in  the  old  stone  house  which 
his  father  had  built  in  1813,  and  which  is  now 
occupied  by  Theo.  Martin.  There  he  followed 
farming  and  did  extensive  stock  raising,  con- 
tinuing to  operate  his  farm  on  Lytle 's  run 
until  his  death,  when  he  was  buried  beside 
his  wife  in  Conemaugh  cemetery.  A  stal- 
wart Republican,  he  served  his  township  as 
assessor  and  justice  of  the  peace  for  over  ten 
years,  and  was  also  supervisor  of  roads  and 
a  member  of  the  election  board  for  a  long 
period.  Mr.  Lytle  served  as  a  member  of  the 
building  committee  of  the  United  Presbyter- 
ian Church,  with  which  he  was  connected 
all  of  his  life.  John  and  Eliza  (Cruthers) 
Lytle  had  the  following  children :  Alexander 
Clark  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  years; 
William  Calvin,  a  farmer  of  Conemaugh 
to-\vnship  all  of  his  life,  married  Malinda  J. 
Elrick.  and  died  in  1908;  John  Harvey  is 
mentioned  later ;  Melissa  Jane  married  Harry 
E.  Nowery:  Eveline  E.  married  Levi  Kuhns; 
Cordelia  married  James  E.  Wilson;  Franklin 
Pierce  married  Sarah  Dunraeyer;  Mary 
Allen   married   William    Gregg. 

John  Harvey  Lytle.  son  of  John  Lytle,  at- 
tended the  public  schools  of  district  No.  5, 
and  worked  with  his  parents  until  1868,  when 


1456 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


he  located  on  the  Sam  Waddle  farm  in  Cone- 
maugh  township,  which  he  cropped  for  five 
years.  He  then  moved  back  to  the  opposite 
side  of  Lytic "s  run  from  his  father's  home, 
and  there,  in  1873,  purchased  a  farm  of  100 
acres,  on  which  he  erected  a  modern  residence, 
fine  barn  and  substantial  outbuildings.  ]\Ir. 
ijytle  has  engaged  in  general  fanning,  giving 
a  good  deal  of  attention  to  stock  raising,  and 
at  one  time  was  the  owner  of  a  threshing  ma- 
chine, with  which  he  traveled  all  over  the 
country  during  the  season,  threshing  his 
neighbors'  crops  with  a  steam  engine  of  high 
power,  but  this  he  later  disposed  of.  He  was 
also  the  proprietor  of  a  sawmill  from  1882 
to  1892,  buj'ing  up  timber  and  convert- 
ing it  into  railroad  ties  and  long  planks, 
which  he  sold  to  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company,  but  this  business  he  also  disposed 
of.  Mr.  Lytic  is  an  up-to-date  and  progress- 
ive farmer  and  an  extensive  grower  of  small 
fniits,  and  has  met  with  uniform  success  in 
all  his  undertakings.  It  may  be  said  that 
the  foundation  stone  of  his  success  has  been 
business  integrity,  for  no  man  in  Conemaugh 
bears  a  higher  reputation  for  probity  and 
honest  dealing.  He  wields  a  wide  influence  in 
public  matters  in  his  neighborhood,  but  has 
never  been  a  seeker  for  personal  preferment, 
although  he  has  on  various  occasions  served 
as  a  member  of  the  election  board.  He  has 
supported  the  principles  and  policies  of  the 
Republican  party.  His  religious  connection 
is  with  the  Tunnelton  Presbyterian  Church. 
-which  his  wife  and  children  also  attend,  and 
all  are  liberal  supporters  of  its  enterprises. 
Mr.  Lytic  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Mary  Catherine  Waddle,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Waddle,  of  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  to  this  union  there  have  been 
born  seven  children,  as  follows:  Samuel,  who 
is  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  West- 
moreland county,  married  Bertha  Long ;  Wal- 
lace, unmarried,  a  civil  engineer  by  profes- 
sion, is  now  connected  ■^•ith  the  New  Yoi-k 
City  building  department  as  an  inspector; 
John,  also  unmarried,  is  in  the  employ  of  the 
Western  Electric  Company,  at  Wilberdeen, 
Pa.;  Sheldon,  who  resides  at  home,  is  assist- 
ing his  father  in  the  work  of  the  homestead ; 
Martha  married  Ambrose  Stein,  a  farmer  of 
Westmoreland  county;  Laura  met  an  acci- 
dental death  in  a  runaway  accident,  when 
she  was  twenty  years  of  age;  Bertha  mar- 
ried Edward  Beach  and  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty-eight  years,  the  mother  of  one  child, 
Ethel.     The  members  of  this  family  are  all 


well  known  in  Indiana  county,  where  they 
are  held  in  the  highest  esteem. 

JAMES  W.  HADDEN,  an  agriculturist  of 
Green  to\^Tiship,  Indiana  county,  was  born  in 
Rayne  township,  this  county,  March  19,  1848, 
and  is  a  son  of  Bartholomew  and  Maria  (Mc- 
Collough)   Hadden. 

The  great-grandfather  of  James  W.  Had- 
den, a  native  of  Ireland,  was  one  of  the 
pioneer  settlers  of  Indiana  county,  and  came 
of  a  race  of  farming  people,  agricultural 
pursuits  engaging  his  attention  throughout 
his  life. 

James  Hadden,  the  grandfather  of  James 
W.,  was  born  in  Indiana  county,  and  as  a 
young  man  learned  the  carpenter's  trade, 
subsequently  erecting  the  first  jail  in  Indi- 
ana. His  early  years  were  spent  in  White 
township,  but  subsequentl.v  he  removed  to 
Cherryhill  township,  and  there  his  death  oc- 
curred in  1874. 

Bartholomew  Hadden,  son  of  James,  and 
father  of  James  W.  Hadden,  was  born  in 
White  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  in 
later  years  removed  to  Rayne  township,  where 
he  spent  a  considerable  period  in  farming, 
his  death  occui-ring  there  in  1884.  He  mar- 
ried Maria  McCollough,  who  died  in  her  na- 
tive township  of  Rayne,  and  they  had  ten 
children,  as  follows:  Elizabeth,  who  is  de- 
ceased: Rebecca  Jane,  wife  of  William 
O'Hara,  a  resident  of  Grant  township;  James 
W. :  Susan,  the  wife  of  Adam  Bailey,  a  resi- 
dent of  Mahaffey,  Pa.;  Isaac,  a  resident  of 
Indiana  county;  Samuel,  residing  in  White 
township ;  George  W.,  who  is  now  deceased ; 
William  S..  a  resident  of  East  Mahoning 
township;  ]\latilda.  wife  of  Daniel  Potts,  of 
Rochester  IMills,  Pa.;  and  Sarah  Ellen,  wife 
of  Watson  Lang,  also  of  Rochester  Mills. 

James  W.  Hadden 's  maternal  grandfather, 
William  McCollough,  was  a  native  of  Indiana 
countj',  of  Scotch  ancestry,  and  passed  his 
life  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Rayne  town- 
ship. 

James  W.  Hadden  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  White  township,  and  was  reared  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  in  which  he  has  spent 
his  entire  life,  having  come  to  Green  town- 
ship thirt.v-five  years  ago  and  cleared  the 
land  which  he  is  now  operating. 

On  Nov.  16,  1868,  Mr.  Hadden  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Emma  F.  Pfaff,  who  was 
born  in  Baltimore.  I\ld.,  in  1847,  daughter  of 
Edwin  Pfaff,  a  native  of  Germany  who  died 
in  the  Ea.st,  Mrs.  Hadden  being  adopted  by 
Henrv  Black,  of  Indiana  county,  and  reared 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1457 


with  his  family.  She  died  July  28,  1908,  the 
mother  of  seven  children,  as  follows:  Edison 
P.,  a  resident  of  Colorado;  Harry  K.,  a 
farmer  of  Green  township ;  Everett  M.,  a  resi- 
dent of  Green  township ;  James  G.,  deceased ; 
Charles  F.,  also  living  in  Colorado;  Porter 
B.,  living  at  home ;  and  Nellie,  who  also  lives 
with  her  father. 

Mr.  Hadden  and  his  family  are  consistent 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is 
interested  in  the  promotion  of  education, 
morality  and  good  citizenship,  and  for  some 
time  has  seiwed  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board  of  Green  township. 

A.  B.  GRIFFITH  has  been  a  resident  of 
Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  county,  for  the 
last  fifteen  years,  and  is  a  prosperous  farmer 
of  his  district.  He  is  a  native  of  Green  town- 
ship, this  county,  born  Nov.  16,  1851,  son  of 
Samuel  and  Margaret  (Brown)  Griffith. 
Isaac  Griffith,  his  great-grandfather,  was  an 
early  settler  in  the  count.y,  where  he  followed 
farming  and  milling.  He  built  the  first  mill 
in  Indiana  county  and  carried  it  on  for  ten 
years,  preparing  tjie  lumber  for  the  first 
courthouse  erected  at  Indiana.  His  son  Evan 
Griffith,  grandfather  of  A.  B.  Griffith,  came 
to  this  region  from  York  county,  Pa.,  and 
settled  in  Green  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  for  many 
years. 

Samuel  Griffith,  father  of  A.  B.  Griffith, 
was  boi-n  in  Brushvalley  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  followed  farming  throughout  his 
active  years.  His  old  home  place  was  in 
Green  to^vnship.  "When  he  sold  the  farm  there 
he  moved  to  Indiana,  the  county  seat,  where 
he  resided  until  his  death,  in  September, 
1901.  He  married  Margaret  Brown,  who  was 
born  in  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  and  who  died 
on  the  old  homestead  in  1885.  They  had  nine 
children,  namely :  Jemima,  who  is  deceased  ; 
A.  B. ;  Elizabeth,  who  died  young;  Sarah 
Jane,  deceased;  Matthew,  deceased;  Mary, 
widow  of  John  Ray,  of  Homer  City,  this 
coi;nty ;  I\Iartha,  wife  of  John  F.  McCandless, 
of  Butler  county.  Pa.;  Evan,  of  Homer  City; 
with  Benjamin,  deceased. 

A.  B.  Griffith  passed  his  early  days  on 
the  old  home  farm  in  Green  township  and 
obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  vicinity.  He  has  made  farming  his 
life  work,  and  in  1897  settled  at  his  present 
place  in  Cherryhill  township,  purchasing  this 
property.  He  is  a  first-elass  farmer,  one  who 
keeps  abreast  of  the  times  in  his  ideas  about 
the  management  of  his  work  and  the  methods 


he  follows,  and  his  success  justifies  the  plans 
he  has  adopted. 

On  March  15,  1894,  Mr.  Griffith  was  mar- 
ried at  Indiana  to  Amanda  Brown,  who  was 
born  in  Cherryhill  township,  daughter  of 
George  D.  and  Elizabeth  (DeArmand) 
Brown,  farming  people,  who  settled  in  Indi- 
ana county  many  years  ago.  Sir.  Brown  died 
July  11,  1910,  and  his  widow  now  lives  at 
Penn  Run,  in  Cherryhill  township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Griffith  have  no  children.  They  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Pineflats. 

ANDREW  ALBERT  WIGGINS,  a  farmer 
of  Armstrong  township,  was  bom  there  Aug. 

27,  1854,  son  of  James  and  Eliza  Jane 
(Lowry)  Wiggins.  His  paternal  grandfather 
was  James  Wiggins. 

James  Wiggins,  son  of  James  Wiggins  and 
father  of  Andrew  Albert  Wiggins,  was  born 
Aug.  22,  1826,  while  his  wife  was  born  Nov. 

28,  1826.  They  were  married  by  Rev.  David 
Blair  on  June  10,  1847.  After  the  death  of 
his  first  wife  James  Wiggins  married  (sec- 
ond)   Sarah  Ann  Marlin. 

Andrew  Albert  Wiggins  taught  school  for 
some  years,  becoming  one  of  the  popular  edu- 
cators of  this  locality,  but  he  is  now  a  farmer, 
owning  and  operating  fifty-nine  acres  of  land 
in  Armstrong  township. 

On  March  3,  1880,  Mr.  Wiggins  married 
Elizabeth  Jane  Cunningham,  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Rebecca  (Beatty)  Cunningham. 
Mrs.  Wiggins  died  J\Iarch  9,  1890,  the  mother 
of  the  following  children:  James  Walter, 
born  Feb.  5,  1881,  married  Carrie  Lewis,  and 
they  have  one  child,  Louise;  Harriet  Bertha, 
born  July  31,  1882,  married  in  September, 
1903,  Robert  Sharp,  resides  at  Shelocta,  and 
has  had  children,  Ralph  Albert  (deceased), 
Arthur  and  Edgar;  John  Meredith,  born  May 
27,  1885,  married  Mary  Elizabeth  Clark,  and 
his  children,  William  Earl,  Anna  Frances 
and  Bertha  Margaret. 

On  Aug.  10,  1893,  Mr.  Wiggins  married 
(second)  Elizabeth  Letitia  Henderson,  born 
July  16,  1853,  daughter  of  Samuel  Clark  and 
Margaret  (Anthony)  Henderson.  The  former 
was  born  at  Elderton.  Pa.,  April  1,  1818,  and 
died  in  Armstrong  township  Aug.  8,  1902. 
He  was  a  farmer  all  his  life.  He  was  a  Pres- 
byterian in  religious  matters,  while  politi- 
cally he  voted  the  Republican  ticket.  His 
wife  died  Jan.  30,  1901.  They  were  married 
Jan.  3,  1844,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Donaldson,  and 
had  the  following  children:  (1)  William 
Johnston,  born  Oct.  12,  1844,  served  during 
the    Civil   war    in   the    206tli    Pennsylvania 


1458 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Volunteer  Infantry.  He  married  Meta  Hunt, 
and  died  May  22,  1899.  in  California.  (2) 
Nanev  Jane,  born  July  9,  18-46,  married 
David  Fleming,  who  died  Sept.  7,  1882.  (3) 
John  Ralston,  born  Sept.  14,  1848,  married 
Dec.  15,  1871,  Margaret  Ann  Fiscus.  (4) 
Maria  Julia,  born  Dee.  4,  1850,  married 
Robert  H.  Cunningham.  (5)  Elizabeth  Le- 
titia  is  Mrs.  Wiggins.  (6)  Samuel  Clark, 
born  July  27,  1857,  married  May  7,  1879, 
Jennie  R.  Gemmell,  daughter  of  William  and 
Margaret  (Cunningham)  Gemmell. 

STACY  H.  SMITH,  assistant  postmaster 
at  the  borough  of  Indiana,  Indiana  county, 
has  held  his  present  position  since  1901  and 
is  considered  one  of  the  best  qualified  men 
in  the  post  office  service  in  this  county.  He 
was  born  in  Indiana  May  1,  1878,  son  of 
Samuel  A.  Smith  and  grandson  of  Joseph  R. 
Smith.  The  grandfather,  also  a  native  of 
Indiana  county,  was  for  many  years  editor 
and  proprietor  of  the  Indiana  Messenger,  and 
occupied  an  influential  position  in  his  day. 
He  served  one  term  in  the  office  of  sheriff 
of  Indiana  county.  His  death  occurred  in 
1887. 

Samuel  A.  Smith  succeeded  his  father  m 
the  newspaper  business,  editing  and  publish- 
ing the  Messenger  for  several  years.  In  May, 
1900,  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Indi- 
ana, and  was  ser\-ing  in  that  office  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  'Slay.  1904. 
He  married  Miss  Sarah  Kinter,  and  to  them 
were  born  five  children:  Carrie,  deceased; 
Harry  K. ;  Joseph  M. ;  Edith  M..  and  Stacy  H. 
Stacy  H.  Smith  obtained  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  and  the  Indiana 
State  normal  school.  He  worked  in  the 
Messenger  office  for  a  time  during  his  young 
manhood,  and  in  July,  1901,  became  assistant 
postmaster  under  his  father,  being  reap- 
pointed by  Postmaster  McGregor  in  1904, 
after  his  father's  death.  He  has  been  in  the 
office  continuously  since,  and  he  has  the  repu- 
tation of  being  a  highly  competent  man,  not 
only  because  of  his  long  practical  experience 
in  "the  work  upon  which  he  is  engaged,  but 
also  because  of  his  studious  nature,  which  has 
prompted  him  to  make  every  efi'ort  to  master 
the  details  of  efficient  sers'ice.  He  is  very 
popular  among  his  fellow  citizens  in  Indiana, 
by  whom  he  is  regarded  generally  as  the  right 
man  in  the  right  place. 

In  October,  1904,  Mr.  Smith  was  married 
to  Mary  Agnes  Wilson,  daughter  of  the  late 
A.  W.  Wilson,  of  Indiana,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Stacey  H.  and  Jane  W.    Mr.  Smith 


is  a  member  of  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks  and  of  the 
Cosmopolitan  Club  of  Indiana. 

THOMAS  HAMILTON  illLLEN,  owTier 
of  eightj^-eight  acres  of  land  in  Armstrong 
township,  this  countj',  was  born  Nov.  23, 
1868,  on  his  present  property,  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam A.  and  Elizabeth  (Andrews)  Millen. 

William  A.  Millen  was  born  in  Young 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  died  on  the 
farm  of  his  son  Thomas  H.,  in  1909.  He  was 
three  times  married,  his  first  wife  being  the 
mother  of  Thomas  H.  Millen.  By  her  he  had 
the  following  children:  Matthew  and  Anna 
Mary,  twins,  Thomas  Hamilton,  ^Margaret 
Ellen  (ilrs.  William  L.  Bro^^-n,  of  Armstrong 
township).  By  his  second  wife.  Martha 
(Miller),  William  A.  ]\Iillen  had  one  son, 
Robert  H.,  who  also  lives  in  Armstrong  town- 
ship.    His  third  wife  was  Katie  McMillen. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war.  when 
eighteen  yeai-s  old,  William  A.  Jlillen  en- 
listed in  the  78th  Regiment.  P.  V.  I,  was  pro- 
moted to  sergeant  for  gallantry  in  service, 
and  was  discharged  Sept.  11,  1865,  having 
served  during  the  whole  period  of  the  con- 
flict. He  subsequently  held  a  number  of 
public  positions,  serving  as  school  director, 
overseer  of  the  poor  and  justice  of  the  peace 
in  Armstrong  to^-nship.  He  was  a  leading 
member  of  the  West  Union  United  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  a  ruling  elder  for  over 
thirty  years. 

Thomas  Hamilton  ]Millen  grew  to  manhood 
on  his  present  property,  where  he  has  spent 
his  life.  His  educational  training  was  se- 
cured in  the  district  schools.  He  has  never 
married.  In  religious  connecton  he  belongs 
to  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  In  pol- 
itics he  is  a  Republican,  but  he  does  not  care 
for  public  life.  A  good  farmer  and  most 
estimable  man.  he  is  respected  by  all  who 
know  him. 

JOHN  GEORGE  BRICKER,  a  farmer  of 
West  Mahoning  township,  was  born  Feb.  5, 
1871,  in  South  Mahoning  township,  son  of 
Joseph  Bricker. 

Philip  Bricker,  a  farmer  of  Westmoreland 
county.  Pa.,  came  to  South  ]\Iahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  where  he  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  useful  life,  becoming  one  of 
the  substantial  men  of  that  locality.  He  was 
one  of  the  pioneei-s  of  the  settlement  near 
the  Lutheran  Church  in  that  township,  and 
developed  a  fine  farm  from  wild  land,  a  good 
part  of  which  he  cleared  of  tlie  heavy  timber. 
The  wife  of  Philip  Bricker  bore  the  maiden 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1459 


name  of  Margaret  Struckard,  and  they  had 
the  following  children:  Mary  married  John 
Anderson,  and  both  are  deceased;  Peter,  who 
lived  in  South  Mahoning  township,  married 
Belle  Kerr,  and  both  are  deceased;  Betsy, 
who  married  David  Black,  lived  in  South  Ma- 
honing township;  Lavina,  who  married 
Thomas  McElwee,  lived  on  the  old  homestead ; 
Adam,  who  married  Lizzie  Stear,  lives  in 
South  Mahoning  township;  Joseph  is  men- 
tioned below;  John  died  in  childhood;  Han- 
nah, who  married  William  M.  Mikesell,  lives 
in  South  Mahoning  township ;  Martha  died 
iinmarried. 

Joseph  Bricker  was  born  in  South  Mahon- 
ing to\vnship  Nov.  28,  1838,  and  died  June  21, 
1904.  His  educational  training  was  limited 
to  that  given  by  the  common  schools  of  his 
neighborhood,  and  he  spent  his  life  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  in  South  ]\Iahoning  town- 
ship. A  man  of  strictest  probity,  his  name 
became  well  known  throughout  his  part  of  the 
county  as  synonymous  with  all  that  was  good 
and  true.  For  many  years  he  gave  the 
Republican  party  his  loyal  support,  while 
in  religious  matters  he  was  a  consistent 
Lutheran. 

On  Oct.  4,  1886,  Mr.  Bricker  married  Mary 
Catherine  Root,  who  was  born  in  South  Ma- 
honing township,  daughter  of  Frederick  and 
Elizabeth  (Kerr)  Root,  natives  of  Westmore- 
land county.  Pa.,  and  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship, this  county,  respectively.  Mr.  Root 
came  to  Indiana  county  and  lived  for  a  time 
in  South  Mahoning  township,  but  later  went 
to  Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  and  died  there  in 
Cowanshannock  township,  at  the  age  of  thir- 
ty-three years,  in  1848.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Lutheran  Church.  His  widow  married 
(second)  David  Pringle,  of  South  Mahoning 
township,  this  county,  and  survived  many 
years,  passing  away  in  South  Mahoning  to^vn- 
ship  April  1,  1900,  aged  seventy-seven  years. 
She,  too,  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church.  By  her  first  marriage  she  had  the 
following  children :  John,  who  died  of  small- 
pox near  Gettysburg  while  serving  in  the 
medical  department  of  the  Union  army  dur- 
ing the  Civil  war;  Mary  Catherine,  Mrs. 
Bricker;  George,  a  shoemaker  of  Manor,  Pa., 
who  married  Mary  Stearns ;  Emily,  who  died 
young;  and  Jacob,  who  died  in  infancy.  By 
her  marriage  to  Mr.  Pringle  she  had  these 
children:  Lavina,  who  married  G.  Hayes, 
both  now  deceased:  Sadie,  who  is  the  widow 
of  Peter  Richards,  and  lives  in  Rural  Valley, 
Pa.;  Daniel,  deceased;  Clark,  deceased;  Mag- 


gie, who  married  James  Sloan,  of  Apollo,  Pa. ; 
and  one  that  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

Joseph  Bricker  and  Ms  wife  became  the 
parents  of  two  children;  John  George,  and 
William  Addison,  the  latter,  born  March  4, 
1877,  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years.  Mrs. 
Bricker  survives  her  husband,  and  makes  her 
home  with  her  son  John  George. 

John  George  Bricker  attended  the  local  pub- 
lic schools,  and  grew  up  on  the  farm,  living 
there  until  1905,  when  he  sold  it  and  bought 
the  Redding  place  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship, upon  which  he  now  resides.  This  prop- 
erty is  very  valuable,  and  his  residence  is  one 
of  the  best  in  the  township.  In  addition  to 
this  farm  Mr.  Bricker  owns  another  in  Wayne 
to'miship,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  and  is  a  recog- 
nized leader  in  agricultural  matters  in  this 
locality. 

On  Nov.  17,  1892,  ilr.  Bricker  was  married 
to  Irene  C.  Gahagen,  of  Porter  township,  Jef- 
ferson Co.,  Pa.,  a  daughter  of  Calvin  and 
Sarah  (Tranis)  Gahagen,  farming  people  of 
Wayne  township.  The  children  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bricker  are :  Charles  Blaine,  born  June 
17,  1895,  married  Sept.  11,  1912  Ruby  Jane 
Rowland,  of  South  Mahoning  township,  and 
settled  on  a  farm  he  owns  in  West  Mahoning 
township,  (he  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Maccabees  at  Dayton,  Pa.)  ;  Joseph  Le- 
Roy,  born  March  4,  1899,  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Bricker  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and 
his  wife  belong  to  Glade  Run  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  are  active  in  its  good  work. 
He  has  not  sought  public  office,  but  no  man 
stands  any  higher  in  the  estimation  of  his 
neighbors,  for  he  has  honestly  earned  his  pres- 
ent prosperity. 

THOMAS  PORTER  CLAWSON,  an  agri- 
culturist of  Center  township,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  April  16,  1861,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Anna  E.   (Moses)   Clawson. 

The  first  of  the  name  in  Indiana  county 
was  Daniel  Clawson,  a  native  of  Hollidays- 
burg,  Blair  Co.,  Pa.,  who  settled  in  Black- 
lick  township,  on  a  farm  of  160  acres,  be- 
ing one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  region.  On 
this  property  he  erected  buildings  and  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life  in  useful,  peaceful 
pursuits,  dying  there;  his  remains  were  in- 
terred in  Bethel  gi-aveyard  in  Center  town- 
ship. .He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  Daniel  Clawson  mar- 
ried Margaret  Hollis.  of  Blair  county,  and 
their  children  were :  John ;  David ;  Ephraim, 
who  located  in  Center  township;  Sally,  who 
married  John  Clawson,  of  Center  township; 


1460 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  William,  who  was  killed  by  .a  liorse  in 
childhood. 

David  Clawson,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born 
in  HoUidaysburg,  Pa.,  and  came  to  Blacklick 
township  with  his  parents.  There  he  took  up 
farming,  and  followed  that  calling  all  his 
life,  spending  his  days  upon  his  farm,  where 
he  died,  his  remains  being  buried  in  the  Jack- 
sonville Presbyterian  cemetery.  In  politics 
he  was  a  Republican.  Wliile  residing  in 
Blacklick  he  was  married  to  Rebecca  Ross", 
daughter  of  John  Ross,  also  of  Elackliek  town- 
ship, and  their  children  were:  Daniel;  Mar- 
garet, Nancy  and  John,  all  three  of  whom  died 
in  childhood;  David,  who  is  still  residing  in 
Blacklick  township ;  Porter,  who  was  in  a 
Pennsylvania  regiment  during  the  Civil  war, 
and  now  resides  in  Cokeville,  Pa. ;  Fergus ; 
and  Lucinda,  who  married  Abraham  Ding- 
man. 

Daniel  Clawson,  son  of  David,  was  born  in 
Blacklick  township,  where  he  was  educated, 
attending  public  school.  He  remained  on  the 
homestead  until  the  summer  of  1863,  when 
he  enlisted,  in  August,  in  Company  K,  135th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  but  was 
soon  thereafter  taken  sick  and  confined  in 
Harwood  hospital,  where  he  died  in  October, 
1863.  He  was  buried  at  Washington,  D.  C. 
Mr.  Clawson  was  only  thirty  years  old  at 
the  time  of  his  untimely  death.  Politically 
he  was  a  Republican.  The  Methodist  Church 
held  his  membership,  and  he  ^vas  a  faithful 
adherent  to  its  teachings.  He  married  Annie 
E.  Moses,  of  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Hannah  (Blake)  Moses,  and  the 
following  children  were  born  of  this  marriage : 
Hannah  Jane,  deceased,  who  married  David 
Swoger;  and  Thomas  Porter  and  Agnes, 
twins,  the  latter  marrying  George  Moses  and 
residing  in  Cleveland,  Ohio.  On  June  26, 
1872,  Mrs.  Clawson  married  (second)  Porter 
Clawson,-  her  bi-other-in-law,  and  they  had 
two  children:  Nora,  who  married  Stewart 
Wolford,  of  Cokeville ;  and  Edward,  who  re- 
sides in  Blacklick  township. 

Thomas  Porter  Clawson,  sou  of  Daniel, 
continued  under  his  mother's  protection  un- 
til he  was  thirteen  years  old,  when  he  went 
to  live  with  his  grandfather.  There  he  learned 
farming  from  the  beginning,  and  after  he 
married  he  bought  thirty-two  acres  of  land, 
a  portion  of  the  homestead,  and  began  agri- 
cultural pursuits  for  himself.  Later  on  he 
bought  the  Rhea  farm  of  138  acres,  and  there 
spent  eighteen  years,  in  1902  selling  this  prop- 
erty to  the  Rochester  &  Pittsburg  Coal  Com- 


pany. He  now  owns  the  Lucas  farm  located 
near  his  old  place. 

In  1884  Mr.  Clawson  was  married  to  Sarah 
A.  Rhea,  a  daughter  of  Hugh  Rhea,  of  Center 
township.  They  had  one  son,  Arthur,  wlio 
married  Effie  Kerr,  b.y  whom  he  has  had  two 
children:  Miland  and  Wilbur,  and  lives  in 
Jacksonville. 

]\Ir.  Clawson  has  always  given  the  Repub- 
lican ticket  his  hearty  support.  As  a  member 
and  trustee  of  the  Jacksonville  Methodist 
Church  he  has  been  very  useful,  and  for 
eleven  years  has  been  an  enthusiastic  Sunday 
school  teacher;  for  ten  years  he  has  been  class 
leader  and  steward.  A  man  of  abundant 
energy,  Mr.  Clawson  has  always  carried 
through  to  successful  completion  anything  he 
set  out  to  accomplish.  Genial  in  disposition, 
he  has  won  friends,  and  retained  them  through 
long  years  because  one  of  his  sober,  industri- 
ous habits  deserves  all  confidence  and  re- 
spect. 

DANIEL  B.  HENRY  was  at  the  time  of  his 
death  retired  from  farming  and  residing  at 
Cookport,  Indiana  county.  He  was  born  in 
Cherryhill  township,  this  county,  Jan.  15. 
1844,  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  (Byers)  Henry, 
and  a  member  of  an  old  and  honored  family 
of  eastern  Pennsylvania. 

Daniel  Henry,  the  father  of  Daniel  B.,  was 
born  in  Germany,  from  which  country  he 
came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents 
at  an  early  date,  settling  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  There  he  spent  his 
life  in  agricultural  pur.suits,  and  died  in  Oc- 
tober, 1883.  His  wife,  who  was  born  in 
Schuykrll  county.  Pa.,  belonged  to  a  family 
that  has  laeen  well  known  there  for  many 
years,  and  died  in  1908.  She  was  the  mother 
of  eleven  children,  namely:  John,  deceased, 
who  belonged  to  the  Independent  Cavalry, 
Company  C,  enli.sting  from  Indiana  county; 
George,  who  belonged  to  the  same  company, 
now  a  resident  of  Green  township ;  Sarah  Ann 
and  Catherine,  who  are  deceased;  Elizabeth, 
who  is  the  wife  of  John  Bash ;  Daniel  B. ; 
Rebecca,  deceased,  who  was  the  widow  of 
Miles  Lockard ;  Jacob,  who  resides  in  Cherry- 
hill township ;  Lovina,  deceased :  Jemima,  the 
wife  of  David  Fleming,  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship ;  and  Simon,  residing  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship. 

Daniel  B.  Henry  attended  the  common 
schools  of  Cherryhill  township,  and  during 
his  boyhood  days  worked  on  the  home  farm. 
When  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he  was  a  lad 
of  seventeen  years,  but  with  youthful  patriot- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1461 


ism  he  offered  his  sendees  to  his  country,  en- 
listing July  15,  1861,  in  the  State  Guards. 
In  September  of  the  same  year  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  Company  I,  55th  Regiment,  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  under  command  of 
Colonel  White,  and  remained  in  the  service 
until  Aug.  30,  1865,  when  he  received  his 
honorable  discharge  at  Petersburg,  Va.  Mr. 
Henry  had  a  long  and  eventful  army  experi- 
ence, was  wounded  in  battle,  and  at  one  time 
taken  prisoner,  and  among  the  engagements 
in  whicli  he  took  part  may  be  mentioned  such 
hard-fought  struggles  as  Petersburg,  Poca- 
tello.  Cold  Harbor,  Signal  Hill  and  Hatcher's 
Run.  On  completing  his  service  he  returned 
to  Indiana  county  and  resumed  farming,  re- 
maining in  Cherryhill  township  until  1884, 
in  which  year  he  embarked  in  the  sawmill 
business,  carrying  it  on  for  five  years.  At 
that  time  he  retired  from  active  business  ven- 
tures, leading  a  quiet,  retired  life  in  his  home 
at  Cookport  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
Aug.  29,  1912.  He  is  buried  in  Sample  Run 
cemetery. 

On  Nov.  1,  1866,  Mr.  Henry  was  married 
to  Rachel  Shank,  who  was  born  in  Cherry- 
hill  township  May  21,  1849,  daughter  of  Jacob 
and  Elizabeth  (Kantz)  Shank,  the  former  a 
native  of  Maryland  and  the  latter  of  Ger- 
many. Mr.  Shank  died  in  May,  1866,  and 
his  widow  survived  until  April  1,  1886.  He 
spent  his  entire  life  in  farming.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Henry  had  nine  children :  Elizabeth,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Samuel  Wentzel;  Laura,  who 
is  deceased;  Emma;  Ellsworth,  a  resident  of 
Indiana  county;  Sherman,  also  residing  in 
this  county;  Sheridan,  who  lives  in  Ebens- 
burg ;  Franklin,  of  Oregon ;  Crissie,  the  wife 
of  Clifford  Stiffler,  of  Heilwood,  Pa. ;  and  one 
child  that  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Henry  was  a  member  of  the  Church 
of  Christ,  to  which  his  wife  and  family  also 
belong.  He  was  a  popular  comrade  of  the 
local  post  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

HEZEKIAH  RUPERT,  a  farmer  of  Arm- 
strong township,  was  born  Sept.  1,  1854,  in 
South  Bend  (now  Plum  Creek),  Armstrong 
Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Joseph  and  Catherine  (Rowe) 
Rupert. 

The  great-grandfather  of  Hezekiah  Rupert 
was  a  pioneer  settler,  of  Armstrong  county, 
to  which  region  he  came  when  it  was  all  a 


George  Rupert,  grandfather  of  Hezekiah 
Rupert,  was  born  at  South  Bend,  Pa.,  and 
patented  230  acres  of  land  tl'.ere,  building 


a  log  house,  in  which  he  lived  all  the  rest  of 
his  life.  His  children  were  as  follows :  Mat- 
tie,  Daniel,  George,  Joseph,  Hettie,  Philip, 
Solomon,  Adam,  Caroline,  John,  Henry, 
Sarah  and  Mary. 

Joseph  Riipert,  son  of  George  Rupert,  was 
born  at  South  Bend,  Pa.,  and  there  became 
the  owner  of  sixty  acres  of  land,  which  he 
brought  to  a  high  state  of  ciiltivation.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church,  and 
politically  was  a  stanch  Democrat.  By  his 
first  wife,  Catherine  (Rowe),  daughter  of 
John  Rowe  (whose  wife's  maiden  name  was 
Alhouse),  he  became  the  father  of  these  chil- 
dren: Wilson,  who  married  a  Miss  Houser, 
died  Jan.  24,  1911;  Alexander  is  living  at 
Plum  Creek,  Pa.;  Reuben  died  Dec.  19,  — , 
at  the  age  of  fifty-one  years;  Hezekiah  is 
mentioned  below;  Mary,  died  aged  nine  years; 
Jennie  is  also  deceased ;  Lucretia  married  Joe 
Boyer;  Emma  married  Elder  Sharp.  Mr.  Ru- 
pert's second  marriage  was  to  Kate  Bush, 
and  they  had  the  following  children:  Wil- 
liam, who  married  a  Miss'McCall;  George, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years;  Lewis, 
unmarried;  Morris;  and  Elizabeth,  who  died 
when  two  years  old. 

Hezekiah  Rupert  attended  the  common  and 
select  schools,  and  at  an  early  age  began  to 
assist  his  father  in  the  work  of  th.e  home  farm. 
Moving  to  Armstrong  township,  Indiana 
county,  he  "cropped"  many  farms,  and  care- 
fully saved  his  earnings  until  he  came  to 
his  present  property,  the  Fleming  farm,  a 
tract  of  220  acres,  in  1905.  He  has  made 
many  improvements  thereon,  and  is  consid- 
ered one  of  the  practical  and  substantial  men 
of  his  community.  He  is  a  progressive  busi- 
ness man,  and  does  a  large  trade  in  butter 
and  eggs  in  Indiana  borough.  His  religious 
belief  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  in  political  matters  he  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Rupert  married  Matilda  Walker, 
daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Kunkle)  Walk- 
er, of  Armstrong  towaiship,  and  they  have 
had  children  as  follows:  Harry,  who  mar- 
ried Maud  Young  and  resides  at  Bracken- 
bridge,  Pa.,  being  a  roller  in  the  steel  mill 
there;  Minnie  Ella,  who  married  Frank  Fis- 
cus,  and  resides  at  Blairsville;  and  Irene, 
who  married  Alvin  McGaughey. 

JOSEPH  W.  GEORGE,  whose  well-culti- 
vated farm  is  situated  in  White  township, 
was  born  in  Brushvalley  township,  Indiana 
county,  Aug.  1,  1869,    son    of    Reuben    and 

Emily  (McCoombs)  George. 


1462 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Joseph  George,  the  grandfather  of  Joseph 
W.  George,  was  bom  and  reared  in  Indiana 
county,  and  during  the  greater  part  of  his 
life  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  here. 

Reuben  George,  son  of  Joseph  George,  was 
born  in  Brushvalley  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  there  continued  to  be  engaged 
in  tilling  the  soil  until  his  death,  in  March, 
1907.  He  married  Emily  McCoombs,  daugh- 
ter of  William  McCoombs,  an  early  settler  of 
Green  township,  and  she  still  survives,  mak- 
ing her  home  with  her  son  George  W.  Nine 
children  were  born  to  Reuben  and  Emily 
George,  namely:  William,  who  is  now  de- 
ceased; Isabel,  the  wife  of  William  Clawson, 
of  Blacklick  township;  a  child  who  died  in 
infancy,  unnamed ;  Annie,  the  wife  of  Charles 
Kruzan.  of  Ohio ;  George  W.,  living  in  Brush- 
valley  township  on  the  old  homestead ;  Saidie, 
the  wife  of  George  Lydick;  Hannah,  who 
married  Julius  McCormick,  of  Brushvalley 
township;  Joseph  W. ;  and  Bruce,  of  Brush- 
valley township. 

Joseph  W.  George  was  educated  at  the 
Round  Top  schooLhouse  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship, and  as  a  youth  was  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  was 
twenty  years  of  age,  assisting  his  father  with 
the  work  of  the  homestead,  and  then  mar- 
ried and  moved  to  Yellow  Creek,  where  for 
three  years  he  carried  on  farming  and  lum- 
bering. He  spent  the  subsequent  ten  years 
in  Dilltown,  in  1902  coming  to  White  town- 
ship and  purchasing  the  old  Griffith  farm, 
where  he  has  devoted  himself  to  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising  to  the  present  time.  Mr. 
George  is  a  practical  farmer,  skilled  in  all 
the  details  of  his  vocation,  and  vsdth  a  large 
stock  of  general  information.  He  takes  a 
pride  in  keeping  his  farm  in  the  best  of  con- 
dition and  that  he  is  an  able  manager  is  evi- 
denced by  the  general  air  of  prosperity  on 
the  place.  Although  ready  to  do  his  full  duty 
as  a  citizen  at  all  times,  Mr.  George  has  not 
cared  to  enter  public  life,  preferring  to  de- 
vote his  whole  time  and  attention  to  his  farm 
and  his  home. 

On  June  18,  1888,  Mr.  George  was  married 
to  Mary  Evans,  daughter  of  Josiah  G.  Evans, 
and  seven  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union:  Frank  W.,  at  home;  William,  a  resi- 
dent of  Pittston,  Pa.;  Harry,  who  lives  at 
Wilkinsburg,  Pa.;  and  Emma,  Clarence, 
Charles  and  Mary,  all  at  home.     With  his 


wife  and  children  Mr.  George  attends  the  Bap- 
tist Church. 

GEORGE  J.  McCUNE,  merchant  tailor  of 
Blairsville,  Indiana  county,  was  born  in  West- 
moreland county.  Pa.,  ]\Iay  10,  1866.  a  son  of 
Stewart,  and  Ellen  (Jammison)  McCune,  na- 
tives of  Indiana  and  Center  counties.  Pa., 
respectively. 

Samuel  McCune  was  born  in  Ballybay, 
County  Monaghan,  Ireland,  and  died  at 
Blairsville,  aged  sixty-seven  years.  His  wife 
survived  him  for  twentj^-two  years.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Charlotte  Bannen.  WTien 
she  and  her  husband  came  to  this  country 
they  underwent  considerable  hardships,  as 
the  vessel  was  in  peril  and  in  order  to  lighten 
it  all  baggage  was  thro'svn  overboard. 

Stewart  McCune,  son  of  Samuel  McCune, 
went  to  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  after  his 
marriage,  and  farmed  there  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  July  30,  1899.  His  ^^ndow 
survives  and  makes  her  home  in  Derry. 

George  J.  McCune  was  educated  in  the 
Blairsville  schools  and  assisted  his  father  on 
the  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age. 
At  that  time  he  began  learning  the  tailoring 
trade  at  Derry,  later  spending  six  years  at 
Leechburg,  Pa.,  where  he  operated  a  tailoring 
business  for  Joseph  A.  Sep,  whom  he  after- 
ward bought  out,  continuing  the  business 
alone.  In  1894  he  went  to  Dorry,  where  he 
continued  liis  tailoring  business  until  1900, 
and  in  that  year  came  to  Blairsville,  where 
he  has  since  become  one  of  the  leading  mer- 
chant tailors  of  his  part  of  the  county. 

In  1905  Mr.  McCune  enlisted  in  Company 
D,  5th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  State  Militia, 
and  rose  until  he  was  captain  of  his  company. 
He  held  that  rank  until  Feb.  19,  1907,  when 
he  resigned,  having  given  his  State  valuable 
service.  For  several  years  he  has  belonged 
to  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics,  and  to  Acacia  Lodge,  355.  F.  & 
A.  M.  For  seven  years  he  has  been  the  leader 
of  McCune 's  orchestra  and  the  Blairsville 
City  Band,  being  a  natural  and  trained 
musician;  he  succeeded  R.  H.  Frey  as  leader 
of  the  latter  organization.  A  man  of  genial 
disposition,  he  has  made  many  friends,  while 
his  temperate  habits  and  business  ability  have 
won  him  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his 


On  June  21,  1892,  Mr.  McCune  was  mar- 
ried to  Mattie  Belle  Stahl,  daughter  of  Isaac 
Stahl,  of  Armstrong  township,  a  native  of 
Indiana  county.  Pa.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCune 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1463 


are  the  parents  of  three  children 
J.,  Ralph  C.  and  Walter  L. 


Siebert  reached  the  age  of  twenty,  when  he  went  out 
to  Ohio  for  a  time,  working  on  a  farm  at 
Marion.  Returning  home,  he  was  married  in 
JACOB  B.  YOUNKINS,  proprietor  of  the  the  winter  of  1880  to  Ida  S.  Parke,  of  Cone- 
Star  Theatre,  Indiana,  is  one  of  the  most  maugh  township,  Indiana  county,  daughter 
progressive  business  men  of  that  borough,  of  William  and  Margaret  (Shearer)  Parke, 
where  he  has  made  his  home  for  the  last  and  he  spent  the  next  year  on  the  William 
thirty  years.  He  was  born  Feb.  6,  1858,  in  Altman  farm  near  Blairsville.  In  the  spring 
Burrell  township,  Westmoreland  county,  son    of  1881  he  moved  into  the  borough  of  Indi- 


of  Jacob  Younkins,  and  is  of  German  descent, 
his  grandparents  having  been  natives  of  Ger- 
man.v.  On  coming  to  this  country  they  set- 
tled in  the  neighborhood  of  Baston,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Jacob  Younkins,  father  of  Jacob  B.  Youn- 
kins, was  born  April  14,  1808,  in  Westmore- 
land county,  where  he  resided  all  his  life,  en- 


ana,  where  he  has  since  had  his  home.  For 
the  next  ten  years  he  was  on  the  road,  run- 
ning a  drug  wagon  for  Hetrick  Brothers, 
after  this  experience  traveling  for  a  time  for 
W.  H.  Grevemyer,  of  Philadelphia,  selling 
wall  paper,  window  shades,  etc.  He  then 
started  a  grocery  business  of  his  own  at  the 
corner  of  Philadelphia  and  Seventh  streets, 


gaged  in  farming.     He  served  as  constable    conducting   same    for   fifteen   years,    during 

which  time  he  built  up  a  fine '  trade  and  be- 
came one  of  the  substantial  business  men  of 
the   borough.      Since   giving  up   the   grocery 


of  his  township  for  years.  In  religious  con- 
nection he  was  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church.    On  Sept.  29,  1830,  he  mar- 


ried   Elizabeth    Frederick,    who    was    born  business  he  has  conducted  the  Star  Theatre 

March  10,  1812,  and  died  about  1860.     Mr.  on  the  same  site  and  in  the  same  building, 

Younkins  died  in  1859.     They  had  a  family  which  he  remodeled  for  his  present  purpose, 

of    twelve    children,    namely:      Daniel,    born  opening  his  theatre  Dec.  22,  1908.     It  has  a 
Nov.  15,  1831,  a  farmer,  died  in  1892  in  West-  "  ' 

moreland  county  (he  married  Mattie  Bare)  ; 


capacity  of  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

Mr.  Younkins'  home  is  at  No.  718, Church 
Nancy,  born  Feb.  7,  1833,  married  Michael  street,  Indiana.  He  belongs  to  Lodge  No. 
Slonicker,  and  both  died  in  1908 ;  Sarah,  born    931,  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  and  is  a  well-known  Odd 


March  10,  1835,  married  Jacob  Wagerman, 
and  both  died  in  Westmoreland  county ;  John, 


Fellow,  being  a  member  and  past  grand  of 
Lodge    No.    346,    of    Indiana;    he    has    held 


born  Nov.   18,   1836,   lives  in  Westmoreland  membership   in   the    Odd   Fellows   fraternity 

county    (he   served   in   the    Union   army   for  for  over  a  quarter  of  a  century.     In  politics 

three  years  during  the  Civil  war,  was  taken  Mr.  Younkins  is  an  independent  Democrat, 

prisoner    and    confined    in    Libby    prison)  ;  He  and  his  wife  are  Lutherans,  belonging  to 

Susanna,  bom  Jan.  31,  1838,  was  married  in  the  Zion  Church.     They  have  had  a  family 


1859  to  Israel  Bare,  and  moved  out  to  Iowa, 
where  she  still  lives;  Mary  Ann,  born  June 
28,  1840,  died  in  1860 ;  William,  born  March 
3,  1842,  died  in  I860;  Elizabeth,  born  Nov. 
16,   1846,  married  John  Morrison,   of  West 


of  four  children:    W.  Parke,  Harry  E..  John 
(deceased)  and  one  that  died  in  infancy. 

DAVID  BAUN,  a  farmer  of  Canoe  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  was  born  Jan.  3,  1848, 
moreland  county,  and  (second)  James  Mor-  in  Zelienople,  Butler  Co.,  Pa.,  a  son  of  Henry 
rison;  Jeremiah,  born  July  5,  1849,  lives  in  and  Barbara  (Strawhecker)  Baun. 
Marion,  Ohio ;  Josiah,  born  Nov.  27,  1851,  Henry  Baun  was  born  in  Wittenberg,  Ger- 
went  West;  Rebecca,  bom  June  9,  1854,  mar-  many,  where  he  lived  until  he  was  twenty- 
ried  James  Shearer,  of  Westmoreland  county ;  one  "years  old.  At  that  time,  with  his  par- 
Jacob  B.  was  the  youngest  of  the  family.  ents,"  he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  set- 
Jacob  B.  Younkins  was  left  an  orphan  when  tied  in  Butler  county.  Pa.,  where  they  se- 
only  two  years  old,  his  father  dying  in  1859,  cured  land  and  cleared  it.  Henry  Baun  had 
his  mother  about  1860.  He  was  reared  in  learned  the  distilling  business,  and  operated 
the  home  of  his  sister  Sarah,  Mrs.  Wauga-  a  still  in  Butler  county.  In  1853  he  came  to 
man,  on  the  old  home  farm,  and  was  sent  to 
public  school  in  the  neighborhood  until  he 

reached  the  age  of  fourteen.  From  an  early  Baun,  now  lives.  This  was  then  wild  land, 
age  he  was  familiar  with  farm  work,  and  but  he  cleared  it  and  made  many  improve- 
when  still  a  boy  was  doing  a  man's  labor,  ments  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  on 
He  remained  at  the  home  place  with  his  his  property  in  1881,  when  he  was  seventy- 
sister,  Mrs.  Morrison,  and  a  brother  until  he  five   years   old.     His   widow   survived  until 


Indiana  county  and  bought  a  fifty-acre  tract 
in  Canoe  township,  on  which  his  son,  J.  N. 


1464 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1896,  dying  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years. 
They  were  consistent  members  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Church.  Ten  children  were  born  to 
them:  Fred,  deceased,  who  married  Cathe- 
rine Varner,  lived  in  Canoe  township ;  Henry, 
who  married  Sarah  Thompson,  lived  at  Punx- 
sutawney,  Pa. ;  Christ,  who  married  Eve 
Piffer,  lives  in  Canoe  township;  David  is 
mentioned  below;  "William  is  deceased;  John, 
who  married  Louisa  Harroll,  lives  in  North 
Mahoning  township ;  Joseph  G.,  who  married 
Barbara  Piffer,  is  a  farmer  and  stonemason 
of  Canoe  township ;  Jacob,  who  married  Susie 
Smith,  is  a  farmer  of  the  old  homestead  in 
Canoe  township;  Caroline  married  George 
Smith,  of  Canoe  township;  one  son  died  in 
infancy  unnamed. 

David  Baun  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm, 
receiving  a  common  school  education  and  as- 
sisting about  the  place.  He  made  himself  so 
valuable  that  he  remained  at  home  until  he 
was  thirty  years  old,  at  which  time  he  mar- 
ried and  located  on  his  present  farm  at  North 
Juneau,  Pa.  He  made  all  of  the  improve- 
ments upon  this  property,  which  comprises 
forty  acres.  For  the  last  eight  years  he  has 
been  living  retired  from  active  participation 
in  the  farming  operations.  During  his  busy 
days  he  was  not  only  a  farmer,  but  a  millman 
and  lumberman,  operating  quite  heavily 
along  all  three  lines,  and  is  the  owner  of  some 
very  fine  farms  in  other  portions  of  the 
county,  as  well  as  coal  and  oil  lands. 

On" Dec.  11,  1879,  Mr.  Baun  was  united  in 
marriage  with  ]\Iary  P.  Ellenberger,  of  Canoe 
township,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Sarah 
(Hum)  Ellenberger,  natives  of  Armstrong 
county  and  Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  respectively. 
At  an  early  day  IMr.  Ellenberger  came  to  In- 
diana county,  where  he  bought  land  in  Canoe 
township,  and  developed  a  good  home.  With 
the  exception  of  the  time  he  was  in  the  Civil 
war  he  spent  his  life  in  farming.  In  1863 
Mr.  Ellenberger  enlisted  in  the  Union  service, 
being  enrolled  July  13,  1863,  as  a  member 
of  Company  G,  102d  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  of  which  he  was  corporal.  He  was 
wounded  once  during  his  service,  being  shot 
through  the  right  shoulder,  and  received  his 
honorable  discharge  June  28,  1865.  Return- 
ing home  he  resumed  his  agricultural  occu- 
pations. For  years  he  was  a  valued  member 
of  Punxsutawney  Post,  No.  237,  G.  A.  R. 
His  death  occun-ed  in  1894,  upon  his  home 
farm,  when  he  was  sixty-four  years  old,  and 
his  widow  resides  at  Punxsutawney.  Mr. 
Ellenberger  was  a  man  widely  and  favorably 
known,  and  was  sadly  missed  by  his  many 


friends.  To  him  and  his  vdie  M'ere  born  chil- 
dren as  follows:  Aim,  who  married  Robert 
McFarland,  of  Canoe  township;  Mrs.  Baun; 
Emma,  who  married  John  Pierie,  of  Jefferson 
county.  Pa. ;  M.  C,  who  married  Jane  Smith, 
and  is  living  in  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Edward  J.,  who 
married  a  Miss  States,  and  lives  on  the  old 
farm  in  Canoe  township ;  Myrtle,  married  to 
George  Hughes,  living  at  Pittsburg,  Pa. ;  and 
George,,  who  married  Pearl  Slimer,  and  lives 
in  Punxsutawney. 

]Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baun  became  the  parents  of 
three  children :  James  Murray,  who  has  been 
manager  of  the  tipple  of  the  Bituminous  Coal 
Company  at  Rossiter  since  the  concern 
started,  married  Alta  Calderwood  and  they 
have  had  a  son,  Robert  Lorain,  who  died 
when  three  years  old;  Sarah  married  Ralph 
Tyger,  of  Dubois,  Pa.,  who  is  with  the  Buf- 
falo, Rochester  &  Pittsburg  Railroad  Com- 
pany, and  they  have  children  Murray  and 
Howard;  Olive  H.  died  in  1887  when  three 
months  old. 

Politically  Mr.  Baun  is  a  Prohibitionist, 
and  supports  the  principles  of  his  party 
loyally.  He  has  never  cared  for  office,  pre- 
fen-ing  to  exert  his  influence  for  good  as  a 
private  citizen.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ  Church  of  Canoe  town- 
shij),  in  which  he  has  held  office,  and  to  Avhich 
he  gives  liberally  of  both  time  and  money. 

ARCHIE  WALLACE  DUNCAN,  a  dairy- 
man and  farmer  of  Conemaugh  township,  was 
born  Dec.  5,  1874,  on  the  Duncan  homestead, 
in  the  brick  house  built  by  his  father,  John 
MatheM's  Duncan. 

James  Duncan,  his  grandfather,  the  pioneer 
of  this  family  in  Indiana  county,  came  over 
the  mountains  and  married  Elizabeth  IMath- 
ews,  whose  father,  John  Mathews,  settled  at 
an  early  day  in  Conemaugh  township,  this 
county,  when  he  carried  on  farming  on  470 
acres  which  he  bought,  known  as  the  River 
Hill  tract.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Duncan  had 
two  children,  Dorcas  and  John  M.  James 
Duncan  and  his  son  built  a  bi-iek  house  on 
part  of  the  old  IMathews  farm,  and  it  is  still 
standing.  Mr.  Duncan  followed  farming  all 
his  life,  and  became  one  of  the  leading  agri- 
culturists of  his  period.  For  some  years  he 
acted  as  overseer  of  the  poor,  and  was  a  man 
of  prominence. 

John  ]\Iathews  Duncan,  son  of  James  Dun- 
can and  father  of  Archie  Wallace  Duncan, 
was  born  at  Eldersridge,  but  came  to  Cone- 
maugh township  when  he  was  five  years  old, 
and  lived  with  his  parents.     After  engaging 


HISTOET  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1465 


in  both  school  teaching  and  farming  for  many 
years,  in  later  life  he  devoted  himself  to  the 
cultivation  of  160  acres  of  the  homestead, 
vs'hich  he  devoted  to  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  making  a  specialty  of  the  rais- 
ing of  small  fruits.  Politically  he  was  a  Re- 
publican, but  he  had  no  desire  for  public 
office,  though  a  man  of  considerable  moment 
in  his  community.  He  was  noted  as  an  ex- 
cellent farmer.  A  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  he  sei-^'ed  it  as  elder 
for  thirty-four  years,  and  was  a  teacher  and 
siiperintendent  of  the  Sabbath  school  as  well 
as  choir  leader.  John  M.  Duncan  married 
Elizabeth  Ann  Coleman,  and  they  had  the 
following  children :  James  Mathews  married 
Ida  Grumbling  and  (second)  Mary  Barr,  and 
now  resides  in  Keota,  Iowa,  where  he  has 
charge  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church; 
Mary  Emily  lives  with  her  brother  A.  W. 
Duncan ;  IMartha  Jane  married  Isaac  St.  Clair 
and  (second)  H.  M.  Kirkpatrick,  and  resided 
at  Pittsburg  until  his  death,  March  26,  1913 ; 
Robert  died  when  three  years  old;  Tirzah 
Elizabeth  lives  with  her  brother  A.  "W.  Dun- 
can; Alma  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine 
years,  unmarried;  Dorcas  Edith  married 
Cyrus  Stiffey,  whose  sketch  appears  else- 
where in  this  work ;  Augaistus  Josephine  died 
young;  John  Elmer,  who  married  Jennie 
Archibald,  resides  in  Derry  township,  West- 
moreland county,  where  he  is  a  farmer; 
Jessie  Eve  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years ;  Alice  Margaret  maii'ied  T.  R.  Sproull ; 
Archie  Wallace  completes  the  family. 

John  U.  Duncan  died  Oct.  10,  1904,  his 
wife  June  23,  1904,  and  they  Avere  laid  to 
rest  in  the  cemetery  connected  with  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  in  Conemaugh 
township,  a  handsome  monument  marking 
their  graves. 

Archie  Wallace  Duncan  was  brought  up  on 
his  father's  farm,  attending  the  Duncan 
school  and  then  a  select  school  at  Livermore. 
Following  this  he  worked  with  his  father  un- 
til the  latter 's  death,  at  which  time  he  bought 
out  the  other  heii-s  to  the  tract  of  160  acres. 
Since  assuming  charge  of  the  property  he  has 
demonstrated  that  he  is  a  man  of  progressive 
spirit,  and  is  one  of  the  leading  agi-iculturists 
of  his  township.  He  keeps  about  thirty  cows 
in  his  dairy  herd  and  ships  daily  to  East 
Liberty,  Pa.,  from  Livermore.  In  addition 
to  other  improvements  Mr.  Duncan  has  built 
a  large  silo,  and  he  has  everything  on  his 
place  in  first-rate  shape,  taking  pride  in  the 
condition  of  his  premises.  His  machinery 
and    appliances    are    thoroughly    modem    in 


every  respect  and  aid  him  in  can-ying  out 
his  ideas  relative  to  the  farm  work  expediti- 
ously and  effectively.  All  of  his  machinery 
is  well  housed  and  his  barns  and  other  build- 
ings for  his  stock  are  constructed  according  to 
sanitary  regulations.  The  present  large 
granary  was  built  by  him,  although  he  does 
not  raise  enough  to  feed  his  stock,  buying 
from  the  West  in  carload  lots.  One  reason 
his  milk  finds  so  ready  sale  is  that  his  cows 
receive  good  care,  and  his  dairy  equipment  is 
so  modern  in  every  respect  that  he  can  handle 
the  product  in  a  cleanly  and  rapid  manner. 

Mr.  Duncan  married  Mary  Henderson, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Henry  and  Prudence  J. 
(Telford)  Henderson,  of  Young  township. 
They  have  had  children  as  follows:  James 
Telford,  John  Mathews,  Joseph  Henderson 
and  Robert  Cree,  living,  and  one  who  died  in 
infancy  unnamed.  Mrs.  Duncan  is  a  most 
estimable  woman  of  delightful  manners,  an 
excellent  housekeeper,  and  has  many  friends 
throughout  the  neighborhood  and  in  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  she  is 
a  member,  as  is  her  husband,  who  was  a 
trustee  of  the  church  for  three  years  and  is 
now  an  elder.  Prior  to  her  marriage  IMrs. 
Duncan  taught  school  under  Prof.  J.  T. 
Stewart.  A  man  of  high  principles,  Mr.  Dun- 
can has  long  given  his  influence  toward  up- 
holding the  doctrines  of  the  Prohibition 
party,  for  he  believes  that  the  liquor  traffic 
is  one  of  the  gTeat  evils  of  the  country. 

Although  a  man  young  in  years,  Mr.  Dun- 
can has  already  accomplished  much  and 
stands  among  the  leaders  in  his  community. 
His  sisters,  both -highly  thought  of,  also  be- 
long to  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
this  organization  benefits  froiii  their  gener- 
osity. No  family  stands  any  higher  in  public 
estimation  than  that  bearing  the  name  of 
Duncan,  and  its  individual  members  are  fully 
sustaining  the  high  reputation  borne  by  the 
earlier  representatives,  who  always  stood  for 
the  higher  ideals  in  everything. 

WILLIAM  ABEL,  a  farmer  of  Armstrong 
township,  this  county,  was  liorn  in  Pittsburg, 
Pa.,  May  13,  1852,  a  son  of  Henry  Abel. 

Heni-y  Abel  was  born  in  Germany,  but 
came  to  the  United  States  in  young  manhood, 
and  found  employment  at  his  trade  of  shoe- 
making  in  Pittsburg,  where  he  rounded  out 
his  life.  His  wife  was  Katie  Grunce  prior 
to  her  marriage,  and  she  too  was  born  in 
Germany,  coming  to  this  country  in  girlhood. 
Like  her  husband,  she  passed  away  in  Pitts- 
burg. 


1466 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


William  Abel  grew  to  'maturity  in  Pitts- 
burg, but  received  only  limited  educational 
advantages.  After  his  marriage  he  located 
on  a  farm  in  Allegheny  county,  Pa.,  and  in 
1890  came  to  his  present  property  of  150 
acres  in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  which  he  continues  to  operate. 

Mr.  Abel  was  married  in  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
to  Maggie  Runge,  who  was  born  in  Germany, 
but  came  to  Pittsburg  when  still  a  girl.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Abel  have  had  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Annie,  who  man-ied  Chester  Uncapher ; 
Mary,  who  is  a  teacher  in  Blackliek  town- 
ship; Henry  D. ;  Minnie;  Jennie;  Clara; 
George;  Freda  and  Emil.  The  family  all 
belong  to  the  United  Presbyterian  Church 
and  are  active  in  promoting  the  good  work 
of  that  body.  Politically  Mr.  Abel  is  inde- 
pendent in  his  views,  and  he. is  in  every  way  a 
most  excellent  man. 

DAVID  OBER,  proprietor  of  a  general 
store  at  Dixonville,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Green 
township,  Indiana  county,  Nov.  27,  1873.  a 
son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Dick)   Ober. 

Joseph  Ober  was  born  in  Westmoreland 
county.  Pa.,  and  from  there  came  to  Indiana 
county'  in  early  manhood,  locating  in  Green 
tovraship.  By  trade  he  was  a  stonemason,  and 
this  he  followed  as  his  vocation  until  his 
death,  on  Jan.  15,  1912,  on  his  farm  in  Green 
township.  He  married  Elizabeth  Dick,  a 
daughter  of  Jacob  Dick,  who  was  an  early 
settler  and  a  farmer  in  Indiana  county.  Mrs. 
Ober  was  born  in  Indiana  county  and  died 
Sept.  15,  1886,  the  mother  of  five  children, 
namely:  Martin,  who  lives  at  Dixonville 
with  his  brother  David;  Myron,  who  is  now 
deceased ;  Elizabeth,  who  is  the  wife  of  Leslie 
Bowser,  living  in  Armstrong  county ;  David ; 
and  Stella,  who  is  the  wife  of  Benjamin  Cook, 
of  Owosso,  Michigan. 

David  Ober  attended  school  in  Green  town- 
ship through  boyhood  and  when  he  was  old 
enough  learned  the  stonemason's  trade.  He 
followed  same  until  1889,  when  he  embarked 
in  the  hardware  business  at  Dixonville,  where 
he  has  continued,  at  present  also  carrying  a 
line  of  general  merchandise.  He  is  con- 
cerned also  in  lumbering  enterprises  and  is 
interested  in  the  Clymer  National  Bank  as 
one  of  its  board  of  directors ;  he  was  one  of 
the  organizers  of  this  bank  and  one  of  its 
original  directors. 

On  Nov.  9,  1889,  Mr.  Ober  was  married  to 
Ella  Fulmer,  who  was  born  in  Green  town- 
ship, a  daughter  of  John  and  Anna  (Were) 
Fulmer,  and  they  have  two  children,  E.  Jay 


and  Marie.  Mrs.  Ober  is  a  member  of  the 
Brethren  Church.  Mr.  Ober  at  present  is 
serving  as  super\'isor  of  Green  township. 

John  Fulmer,  father  of  Mrs.  Ober,  was 
bom  in  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  and  for  many 
years  was  a  farmer  in  Green  township,  now 
residing  at  Dixonville.  He  married  Anna 
Were. 

EDWARD  H.  STEPHENS,  a  farmer  of 
Cheri-yhill  township,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  in  that  township  March  8,  1875,  a  son  of 
Giles  Stephens. 

William  Stephens,  one  of  the  early  settlers 
of  Indiana  county,  was  during  his  early  life 
a  miller  and  blacksmith.  Wlienever  he  felt 
called  upon  to  do  so,  he  engaged  in  minis- 
terial work  for  the  Methodist  Church.  At 
times  he  also  taught  school  throughout  Indi- 
ana county,  and  was  a  man  of  prominence. 
Later  on  in  life  he  devoted  himself  to 
farming. 

Giles  Stephens,  son  of  William,  and  father 
of  Edward  H.,  was  a  miller  in  early  life, 
later  taking  up  farming. 

Edward  H.  Stephens  attended  school  in 
Cherryhill  township,  and  while  doing  so  as- 
sisted his  father  on  the  parental  farm,  now 
owned  by  him.  In  1886  the  mother  and  her 
family  moved  to  the  property  now  owned  by 
Ben.iamin  L.  Stephens,  where  they  remained 
until  1896.  In  that  year  Edward  H.  Stephens 
moved  back  to  the  homestead,  which  he  has 
since    operated,    with    more    than    ordinai">' 

On  March  30,  1896,  Edward  H.  Stephens 
was  married,  in  Cherryhill  township,  to 
Emma  Jane  Dick,  bom  in  that  township  Aug. 
18,  1876,  daughter  of  David  II.  and  Rachel 
Dick.  I\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Stephens  have  had  eight 
children:  Roy  Arnold,  Lawrence  Edward, 
Evala  Leona,  Rachel  Catherine,  Ua  Blanche, 
Clyde  David,  Mary  Fay  and  Ruth  Matilda. 
Mr.  Stephens  belongs  to  the  Baptist  Church 
at  Dixonville.  At  present  he  is  assessor  of  his 
township,  and  for  several  terms  has  served 
as  school  director,  being  interested  in  civic 
matters  and  the  securing  of  good  administra- 
tion of  affairs  for  his  community. 

ADAM  SIDES,  a  farmer  of  Green  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  has  with  the  exception 
of  three  years  lived  all  his  life  at  the  home 
he  now  occupies,  having  been  bom  there  Sept. 
15,  1861.  son  of  Adam  and  Mary  (Dickey) 
Sides.  The  family  was  founded  in  this  sec- 
tion by  his  grandfather,  who  was  a  native  of 
Germany. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1467 


Adam  Sides,  the  father,  was  born  in  "West 
Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
was  a  lifelong  farmer.  Many  years  ago  he 
settled  in  Pine  township,  where  he  bought 
land  which  he  cleared  and  cultivated.  He 
followed  farming  there  for  some  years,  finally 
removing  to  the  neighboring  township  of 
Green,  where  he  settled  on  the  farm  now  oc- 
cupied by  his  son  Adam,  living  there  until 
his  death.  May  12,  1884.  His  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Mary  Dickey,  was  also  born 
in  Indiana  county,  in  Brushvalley  township, 
and  died  in  Green  township  Feb.  28,  1897. 
They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children, 
namely:  Blias,  who  died  while  in  the  Union 
service  during  the  Civil  war;  John,  who  is 
living  in  Green  township ;  William,  living  in 
Pine  township;  Uriah,  now  a  resident  of 
Barnesboro,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa. ;  Alonzo,  living 
at  Pinetlats,  Indiana  county ;  one  that  died  in 
infancy;  Jane,  wife  of  William  C.  Wilson,  of 
Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Emma,  wife  of  William 
Hahn,  of  Johnstown ;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Wil- 
liam H.  Strauss,  of  Johnstown,  Cambria 
county,  wholesale  and  retail  dealer  in  tobacco 
and  cigars;  one  that  died  in  infancy;  and 
Adam,  the  youngest,  who  lives  in  Pine  town- 
ship. 

Adam  Sides,  youngest  in  the  family  of 
Adam  and  Mary  (Dickey)  Sides,  attended 
school  at  Pineflats.  He  began  work  on  the 
farm  when  a  mere  boy,  and  spent  his  youth 
and  early  manhood  assisting  his  father,  ex- 
cept the  three  years  he  was  at  Johnstown, 
when  he  was  employed  in  the  steel  works. 
The  rest  of  his  life  has  been  passed  at  his 
birthplace,  and  he  is  now  the  owner  of  the 
farm  of  220  acres,  which  under  his  careful 
cultivation  is  one  of  the  valuable  properties  of 
the  neighborhood.  He  is  a  good  citizen,  look- 
ing after  his  own  affairs  in  the  most  thorough 
fashion  and  taking  an  intelligent  interest  in 
the  common  welfare  of  his  locality,  though  he 
does  not  enter  actively  into  public  affairs. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  in  religion 
is  associated  with  the  Christian  denomination, 
belonging  to  the  church  at  Pineflats. 

On  Oct.  8,  1885,  Mr.  Sides  was  married  at 
Ebensburg,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.,  to  Margaret 
Giles,  a  native  of  Cambria  county,  and  they 
have  had  one  son,  John. 

ROBERT  PATTISON,  now  living  retired 
in  the  borough  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  where  for  a 
number  of  years  he  was  engaged  in  plumb- 
ing and  steam  fitting,  was  born  in  a  little  old 
log  house  on  his  father's  farm  in  White  town- 
ship, Indiana,  Co.,  Pa.,  July  8,  1846,  son  of 


William  and  Eliza  (Smith)  Pattison.  His 
paternal  grandfather,  a  native  of  Ireland, 
spent  his  whole  life  in  that  country,  dying 
there. 

William  Pattison,  father  of  Robert,  was 
born  in  county  Derry,  Ireland,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years,  with  his  mother,  two  sisters  and  a 
brother-in-law,  Hugh  Thompson,  while  an- 
other sister,  jMrs.  Block,  was  left  in  the  old 
country.  Settling  in  White  township,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.,  William  Pattison  engaged  in 
farming  with  such  success  that  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years, 
he  was  the  owner  of  three  farms,  of  160,  110 
and  220  acres,  respectively.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  a 
Republican  in  his  political  views.  He  and  his 
wife,  who  also  died  in  White  township,  were 
the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Jane, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years;  Nancy, 
who  married  John  Barr,  of"  Washington 
county,  Pa.;  Robert;  William  S.,  of  wliite 
township,  who  married  Augusta  Johnston; 
Mary,  who  married  Samuel  Fergy,  of  Wash- 
ington county ;  Margaret,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  twenty-two  years;  and  Martha  Jane,  who 
married  Joseph  McNeary,  of  Washington 
county. 

Robert  Pattison  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm,  and  attended  the  old  Pike  school,  where 
his  first  teacher  was  Miss  Bayshuro.  He  con- 
tinued to  work  with  his  father  until  he  was 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  in  1872  removed 
to  Indiana  and  engaged  in  the  stock  business, 
also  conducting  a  dairy.  He  owned  a  dairy 
farm  of  200  acres  located  two  miles  west  of 
Indiana,  but  after  two  years  sold  out  and 
moved  to  the  oil  fields  near  Franklin,  Ven- 
nango  county,  where  he  continued  two  years 
more.  Subsequently  he  located  at  Braddock, 
Pa.,  and  after  one  year  spent  in  the  feed 
business,  went  to  Johnstown  and  became  a 
steam  fitter  in  the  employ  of  the  Cambria 
Steel  Company.  In  1906  he  retired  from 
active  life,  and  since  then  has  resided  in  In- 
diana. He  is  a  member  of  the  First  United 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Indiana,  and  a  Re- 
publican in  politics.     . 

In  1872,  Mr.  Pattison  was  married  to  Mag- 
gie McCurdy,  of  Jacksonville,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  John  J.  and  Mary  (Walkenshaw) 
McCurdy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pattison  reside  at 
No.  1328  Philadelphia  street. 

JOHN  0.  HEFPLICK  (deceased),  long  a 
resident  of  Canoe  township,  Indiana  county, 


1468 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


was  a  native  of  Hessen  Darmstadt,  Germany, 
born  Oct.  29,  1824. 

Mr.  HefiSiek's  parents  came  to  this  country 
from  Germany  about  1834,  and  settled  in 
Banks  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  the 
father  obtained  wikl  land.  Clearing  a  small 
piece,  he  put  up  a  log  cabin  and  barn,  and 
started  the  work  of  making  a  comfoi-table 
home  for  his  family.  As  he  cleared  his  land 
he  put- it  under  cultivation,  and  he  continued 
to  engage  in  farming  until  his  death.  His 
wife  died  in  Canoe  township.  They  had  chil- 
dren as  follows :  John  0. ;  Ann,  who  married 
Matthew  Smith  and  lived  in  Canoe  township ; 
Doratha,  who  married  George  Bartholomew, 
and  lived  in  North  Mahoning  township ;  and 
Mary,  who  married  George  Hess  and  lived  in 
Canoe  township. 

John  O.  HefHick  was  a  boy  when  he  came 
with  his  parents  to  America.  The  family  land- 
ed at  Baltimore,  thence  went  to  Greensburg, 
Pa.,  where  Mr.  Heffliek  worked  in  the  coal 
mines  for  about  four  years,  and  from  there 
came  to  Banks  township,  Indiana  county. 
John  0.  Heffliek  did  some  work  in  the  coal 
mines  at  Greensburg.  In  his  youth  and  early 
manhood  he  was  employed  at  rafting  and 
other  lumbering  work,  and  later  settled  down 
to  farming,  buying  a  tract  in  Canoe  township, 
the  place  where  his  sou  (David  HefHick)  and 
daughter  now  reside.  In  contains  125  acres, 
and  when  he  came  to  the  place  a  small  clear- 
ing had  been  made  and  a  log  house  and  barn 
stood  upon  it.  He  continued  the  work  of 
clearing  industriously,  succeeding  in  getting 
most  of  the  property  under  cultivation,  made 
many  improvements  upon  the  place,  and  in 
addition  to  farming  engaged  to  some  extent 
in  milling.  He  was  content  to  look  after  his 
own  affairs,  and  though  a  good  citizen  never 
took  any  part  in  public  matters.  In  his 
political  views  he  was  a  Democrat,  in  religious 
connection  a  member  of  the  Evangelical 
Association,  belonging  to  the  Pine  Church  in 
Canoe  township. 

]\[r.  Heffliek  was  married  to  Margaret  Eliz- 
abeth Emerick,  a  native  of  Germany,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Eva  (Graff)  Emerick,  who 
settled  in  Indiana  county  in  1840.  Mr.  Heff- 
liek died  Sept.  25,  1902,  his  wife  surviving 
until  May  31,  1906.  They  were  the  parents 
of  fifteen  children,  of  whom  the  following 
grew  to  maturity:  (1)  Mary  is  the  widow 
of  Emanuel  S.  McGraw,  of  Blair  county.  Pa., 
who  was  born  in  1844  and  died  Oct.  1,  1895. 
He  was  an  oil  driller  by  occupation.  "When 
about  seventeen  years  old  he  enlisted  for  ser- 
vice in  the  Civil  war,  becoming  a  member  of 


Company  A,  in  a  regiment  of  Pennsylvania 
volunteers,  which  was  attached  to  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  and  he  served  until  1865. 
After  his  death  Mrs.  JMcGrnw  returned  to 
the  home  of  her  parents,  in  Canoe  township, 
Indiana  county,  taking  care  of  them  until 
they  died,  since  then  she  has  occupied  the  old 
farm  with  her  brother  David.  (2)  Elizabeth 
married  John  Stiver,  of  Canoe  to^vnship. 
(3)  Eva  married  A.  T.  Stiver,  of  Canoe  town- 
ship. (4)  Jennie  married  Lincoln  Stiver,  of 
Canoe  to\^'nship.  (5)  David  is  mentioned 
below.  (6)  Bell  married  Clark  Eichardson, 
a  hotel  man,  of  Rochester  IMills,  Indiana  coun- 
ty. All  of  this  family  were  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  home  neighborhood. 

David  Hepplick,  son  of  John  0.  Heffliek, 
was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Canoe  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  where  he  has  always" 
lived,  and  farming  has  been  his  chief  occupa- 
tion in  life.  For  a  time  he  was  engaged  in 
lumbering.  He  has  never  taken  any  active 
part  in  public  affairs,  caring  nothing  for 
office  or  party  work,  though  he  is  a  staunch 
Prohibitionist  in  political  sentiment.  His  re- 
ligious connection  is  with  the  Evangelical 
Association.  His  sister,  Mrs.  McGraw,  with 
whom  he  resides  at  the  homestead,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  They  are 
highly  respected  people  in  their  neighbor- 
hood. 

JOHN  W.  GORIMAN,  foreman  of  Mine  No. 
43  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal  &  Coke  Company, 
at  Arcadia,  Indiana  county,  has  held  that 
position  for  almost  ten  years  and  has  proved 
himself  a  trustworthy  and  reliable  man,  in- 
terested in  his  work  and  capable  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  responsibilities.  He  was  born 
in  Indiana  county,  Oct.  18,  1869,  son  of  David 
G.  and  Christina  (Fry)  Gorman,  farming 
people,  both  now  deceased.  David  G.  Gor- 
man was  born  in  1823  in  Armstrong  coun- 
ty, Pa.,  and  died  April  21,  1907;  his  wife  died 
in  November,  1902.  He  was  one  of  the  lead- 
ing citizens  of  his  section  for  a  long  time, 
serving  twenty-five  years  in  the  office  of  justice 
of  the  peace  and  eight  yeai-s  as  tax  collector. 

John  W.  Gorman  obtained  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  and  in  youth  was  trained 
to  his  father's  calling,  farming,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  a  time.  In  1896  he  began  mining 
regiilarly  and  has  continued  in  that  line  ever 
since,  so  successfully  that  he  has  worked  his 
wav  up  to  the  position  of  foreman,  to  which 
he  "was  promoted  in  1904.  He  has  taken 
scientific  courses  in  raining,  and  in  every  cap- 
acity has  shown  his  intelligence  and  ambition 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1469 


to  familiarize  himself  M'itli  his  chosen  employ- 
ment. As  foi-eman  of  the  Pennsylvania  Coal 
&  Coke  Company's  mine  No.  43,  at  Arcadia, 
he  has  120  men  under  his  charge. 

During  the  Spanish-American  war  Mr. 
Gorman  served  as  a  private  in  Company  P, 
5tli  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  being  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  May  13,  1898, 
and  mustered  out  in  November  of  the  same 
year.  He  is  a  member  of  I.  0.  0.  P.  Lodge 
No.  679,  at  Burnside,  Pa.,  and  in  political 
connection  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Gorman  married  Dec.  9,  1893,  to  Lucy 
M.  McCrady,  of  Hillsdale,  Montgomerj^  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  daughter  of  William 
and  Louisa  (Ruffner)  McCrady,  and  they 
have  one  child,  Richard,  born  Oct.  11,  1894, 
who  has  graduated  from  the  high  school  of 
Indiana  borough  and  is  now  a  student  at  the 
University  of  Pittsburg. 

JOHN  FOOSE,  a  farmer  of  North  Mahon- 
ing township,  Indiana  county,  was  born  Aug. 
30,  1837,  near  Hessen-Cassel,  Germany,  a  son 
of  John  and  Margaret  (Rader)  Foose. 

John  Foose,  the  father,  was  also  a  native 
of  Hessen-Cassel,  Germany,  and  a  farmer  by 
occupation.  Like  all  loyal  Germans  he  served 
in  the  German  army,  his  period  of  service 
extending  over  five  years.  In  1847  he  came 
to  America,  the  trip  consuming  sixty  days, 
and  landed  at  Quebec,  Canada,  whence  he 
came  to  Newcastle,  Pa.  After  a  visit  with  a 
brother  who  lived  eighteen  miles  outside  that 
city,  Mr.  Foose  settled  on  a  farm  in  Butler 
county,  Pa.,  eleven  miles  west  of  Butler,  where 
he  secured  fifty  acres  of  land  to  which  he  later 
added  thirty  acres.  It  was  all  heavily  tim- 
bered when  he  bought  it,  and  his  first  work 
was  in  building  of  a  log  cabin  to  house  the 
family.  He  and  his  wife  died  on  this  pro- 
perty, after  having  cleared  off  their  land  and 
made  it  valuable  through  hard  work.  They 
had  the  following  children:  John;  Casper, 
who  is  deceased;  Rinehart,  who  is  deceased; 
Adam,  who  is  deceased  ;•  Margaret,  deceased ; 
Elizabeth,  who  lives  in  Allegheny,  Pa. ;  Cathe- 
rine, deceased;  Slary,  living  in  Allegheny, 
Pa. ;  Sarah,  living  in  Allegheny ;  and  Henry, 
also  living  in  Allegheny.  Pennsylvania. 

John  Foose,  son  of  John  Foose  attended 
the  Gernaan  schools  for  three  years  complet- 
ing his  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Butler  county.  Pa.  When  he  was  seventeen 
years  old  he  began  working  for  himself,  and 
in  1865  came  to  Indiana  county,  settling  in 
North  Mahoning  township  on  the  propert.y 
that  is  still  his  home.    He  erected  a  log  cabin 


and  began  clearing  his  land,  later  replacing 
the  first  house  with  a  much  more  pretentious 
one.  He  owns  108  acres  of  valuable  land  and 
is  a  substantial  farmer,  a  citizen  who  holds 
the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  neighbors. 

Mr.  Foose  was  married  in  1865  to  Mrs. 
]\Iargaret  (Glaser)  Beam,  widow  of  George 
Beam,  who  was  born  near  Marchand,  Pa., 
and  died  in  1864.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beam  had 
three  children:  John,  who  is  unmarried,  is 
farming  in  North  Mahoning  township ; 
George,  a  farmer  of  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship, married  Salome  Peffer;  Emma,  married 
William  Thoman,  of  Kansas.  Mrs.  Foose  is  a 
daughter  of  Casper  and  Catherine  (Raeder) 
Glaser,  of  Hessen-Cassel,  Germany,  where 
Mr.  Glaser  died,  his  widow  coming  to  America 
in  1851  to  live  with  her  children,  who  were 
as  follows:  Anna,  John,  Adam,  Catherine, 
Margaret,  Eva,  Elizabeth  and  Katherine,  all 
now  deceased  except  Mrs.  Foose  and  Eliza- 
beth, the  latter  living  in  Kansas.  Mrs.  Foose 
was  born  June  24,  1837,  in  Hessen-Cassel, 
Germany.  Children  as  follows  have  been 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foose.  Samuel,  who  is 
a  farmer  of  North  ilahoning  to\^Tiship,  mar- 
ried Wilhelmina  Coon;  William  is  at  home; 
Edward  is  at  home ;  Albert  is  at  home ;  Annie, 
who  married  George  Bishop,  resides  near 
Rossiter,  Pa. ;  Harry,  who  lives  near  Pitts- 
burg, Pa.,  being  with  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio 
Railroad  Company,  married  Susan  Embinger. 

Mr.  Foose  has  never  desired  public  office. 
He  has  always  voted  the  Republican  ticket, 
and  belongs  to  the  Evangelical  Church  of 
Marchand,  Pennsylvania. 

WILLIAM  BECK  RICE  has  spent  prac- 
tically all  his  life  in  Green  township,  Indiana 
county,  having  been  brought  to  this  section 
when  very  young.  He  was  born  April  19, 
1853,  at  what  is  now  the  borough  of  Indiana, 
son  of  Samuel  and  Eliza  (Beck)  Rice  and 
grandson  of  Philip  Rice,  who  was  a  pioneer 
settler  in  Indiana  county,  coming  hither  from 
eastern  Pennsylvania.  He  settled  at  the  town 
of  Indiana,  living  on  a  farm  now  comprised 
in  the  fair  grounds,  and  there  lived  and  died. 
By  occupation  he  was  a  farmer  and  black- 
smith. 

Samuel  Rice  was  born  at  the  town  of  In- 
diana, where  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  like 
his  father  became  a  farmer  and  blacksmith. 
In  1855  he  moved  Avith  his  family  to  Green 
township,  locating  on  the  farm  now  occupied 
by  his  son  William,  which  he  bought.  The 
place  was  little  improved  when  it  came  into 
his  possession,  and  he  continued  the  work  of 


1470 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


clearing  and  putting  it  under  profitable  cul- 
tivation, living  there  until  his  death.  He 
married  Eliza  Beck,  who  was  born  near  In- 
diana, daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth 
(Rowe)  Beck,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rice,  both 
died  in  April,  1879,  about  a  week  apart,  of 
typhoid  fever.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine 
children,  namely:  Philip,  who  is  deceased; 
Mary,  widow  of  Nelson  O'Neill,  now  living 
near  Jacksonville,  tliis  county;  John,  a  res- 
ident of  Marion  Center,  this  county ;  William 
Beck ;  Dr.  Daniel  S.,  a  physician  of  Hastings, 
Pa. ;  Augustus,  who  was  accidently  killed 
when  three  years  old;  a  daughter  that  died 
in  infancj';  Porter  E.,  a  resident  of  Green 
township ;  and  Frank,  who  lives  at  Idamar, 
this  county. 

William  Beck  Rice  passed  his  boyhood  and 
youth  in  Green  township  and  obtained  his 
education  in  the  local  schools.  In  his  early 
manhood  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and 
followed  it  for  some  time,  but  he  has  for  the 
most  part  been  engaged  in  farming  and  lum- 
bering. He  is  an  energetic  worker,  and  has 
prospered  by  dint  of  industry  and  good  man- 
agement, winning  a  respected  place  in  the 
community  where  his  days  have  been  passed. 

In  1880  Mr.  Rice  was  married  to  Sarah 
Ellen  Donahey,  who  was  born  April  2,  1853, 
in  Blacklick  township,  daughter  of  William 
J.  and  Margaret  (Davis)  Donahey,  who  moved 
to  Green  township.  Five  children  have  been 
born  to  this  union,  two  dying  in  infancy. 
The  others  are:  William  J.,  now  of  Colver, 
Pa.,  engaged  as  a  carpenter ;  Elmer  Guy,  who 
lives  at  home;  and  Zella  May,  at  home. 

JOHN  HARRISON  LORE,  decorator  and 
painter,  of  Blairsville,  Indiana  county,  was 
bom  in  that  city  April  12,  1862,  son  of  James 
and  Eliza  (Jones)  Lore,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Wales,  respectively.  The  Lore 
family  is  of  German  extraction,  but  the  name 
of  the  founder  in  America  is  not  definitely 
known. 

James  Lore  operated  on  the  old  canal  and 
was  a  resident  of  Blairsville  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  built  the  ."^Mansion  House,"  when 
the  first  railroad  entered  Blairsville,  and  later 
the  "Union  House,"  and  lived  in  the  town 
until  1872,  when  he  went  to  Burrell  township, 
Indiana  county,  having  traded  his  hotel  pro- 
perty for  a  farm.  He  died  on  his  land  in 
1876,  aged  fifty-seven  years.  He  was  a 
Knight  of  Pythias  and  popular  in  that  order 
as  he  was  elsewhere.  His  vn?e  was  brought 
from  Wales  to  Lancaster,  Pa.,  when  three 
years  old,  the  family  later  moving  to  Johns- 


town, Pa.  She  suiwived  her  husband  many 
years  dying  in  January,  1912,  aged  eighty-five 
years.  She  and  her  husband  were  the  parents 
of  the  following  family :  William  A. ;  Kate, 
who  married  W.  W.  Thompson;  James  I.; 
John  Harrison;  Charles  J.;  ilaggie,  who  is 
at  home ;  Tillie,  deceased,  who  married  W.  R. 
Stoughton;  and  Edward,  who  is  deceased. 

John  Harrison  Lore,  son  of  James  Lore, 
went  to  the  district  schools  of  Burrell  town- 
ship and  the  Blairsville  Academy,  and  learned 
the  trade  of  painting  with  W.  R.  Stoughton, 
of  Pittsburg,  beginning  his  apprenticeship 
when  fourteen  years  old.  Later  he  spent  five 
years  in  the  employ  of  the  Homestead  Steel 
Company,  and  for  the  next  five  years  was 
in  the  coach  shops  of  the  West  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company.  In  the  spring  of  1890, 
however,  he  came  to  Blairsville,  and  in  part- 
nei-ship  with  J.  H.  Vorlage  formed  the  firm 
of  Vorlage  &  Lore,  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
ducting a  general  painting  business.  This 
association  continued  for  four  years,  when  it 
was  dissolved,  and  ^Ir..  Lore  spent  a  year 
at  Pittsburg  in  the  employ  of  the  same  rail- 
road company  with  which  he  had  been  for- 
merly connected.  In  1898  he  returned  to 
Blairsville,  where  he  once  more  embarked  in 
business,  being  associated  at  different  times 
with  William  Battles.  W.  A.  Geary  and  his 
brother  Charles  J.  Lore,  his  present  partner, 
who  has  been  with  him  since  1901.  The 
brothers  do  general  house  and  sign  painting 
and  interior  decorating,  their  most  preten- 
tious job  having  been  the  decorating  of  the 
interior  of  the  Methodist  church.  They  also 
did  excellent  work  on  the  Lutheran  church, 
and  on  various  residences  in  Blairsville,  and 
take  proper  pride  in  doing  well  whatever  in- 
trusted to  them. 

Mr.  Lore  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church.  For  twenty  years  he  has  served  on 
the  election  board,  and  is  a  man  of  local  prom- 
inence. 

On  June  16,  1892,  Mr.  Lore  was  married 
to  Susan  Morford.  a  daughter  of  Stephen 
]\Iorford.  of  Blairsville.  The  following  chil- 
dren have  been  born  of  this  marriage :  Irma 
Mae,  William  Floyd  and  John  Franklin,  the 
latter  being  deceased. 

JOHN  JACOBY^,  retired,  a  railroad  man 
for  over  forty  years,  has  lived  in  his  present 
home  in  Indiana  for  over  fifty  years.  He  is 
a  native  of  Germany,  born  near  Hamburg 
July  13,  1844,  son  of  AVilliam  and  :Margaret 
(Younging)  Jacoby. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1471 


His  father  was  born  at  the  same  place, 
learned  the  trade  of  miller,  and  followed  it 
while  in  Germany.  In  1848  he  came  to  the 
United  States,  bringing  his  wife  and  t\vo 
children,  landing  at  New  York.  They  came 
thence  to  Pennsylvania,  making  the  trip  by 
canal  to  Blairsville,  and  located  first  in  White 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  Mr.  Jacoby 
found  work  among  the  farmers  until  the 
family  removed  to  Indiana  borough.  There 
they  settled  on  the  property  now  occupied 
by  John  Jacoby  which  he  presented  to  his 
parents  in  1860.  Both  the  parents  died  there, 
the  father  in  1891,  and  the  mother  in  1898. 
They  were  German  Lutherans  in  religious 
connection.  They  had  a  family  of  four  chil- 
dren, viz. :  John ;  Catherine,  Mrs.  James  Con- 
way, who  died  in  the  West ;  Henry,  of  Indiana 
borough ;  and  William,  of  Indiana. 

John  Jacoby  was  a  child  when  brought  to 
America  by  his  parents,  and  grew  to  man- 
hood in  Indiana  county.  He  first  attended  the 
Kreps  school,  a  log  school  near  Grove  Chapel, 
and  his  first  teacher  was  Professor  Wolfe, 
who  later  became  county  superintendent  of 
school.  During  his  youth  he  did  farm  work 
for  Messrs.  Hamilton,  Boggs,  Adams  and 
Wolfe.  In  1863  he  enlisted,  for  six  months, 
and  became  a  member  of  Company  F,  (under 
Captain  Tinkham),  2d  Battalion,  after  the 
expiration  of  this  term  reenlisting,  Jan.  10, 
1864,  in  Company  F,  55th  P.  V.  I.  He  took 
part  in  the  battles  of  old  Town  Creek,  Proc- 
tors Creek,  Fosters  Plantation,  Cold  Harbor, 
Petersburg,  Cemeteiy  Hill,  Signal  Hill, 
Hatcher's  Run,  the  capture  of  Petersburg 
and  the  engagements  at  Reeves-  Station  and 
Appomattox,  and  received  his  discharge  Aug. 
30,  1865. 

Coming  here  from  his  army  service,  he 
worked  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany, loading  cars  and  doing  similar  work 
for  the  agent,  George  Sedgwick,  continuing 
thus  until  August,  1867,  when  he  became  a 
brakeman  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad. 
After  three  years  of  this  work  he  ran  a 
shifter  in  the  yards,  and  did  other  work  there 
for  a  number  of  years,  after  which  he  ran 
a  local  freight  between  Blairsville  Interaec- 
tion  and  Indiana,  being  thus  engaged  for 
twenty  years.  He  is  now  on  the  pension  list 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company.  In 
1872  Mr.  Jacoby  built  his  present  home  at  No. 
255  North  Fifth  street,  and  has  since  made 
several  additions  to  it.  In  1896  he  bought  the 
farm  of  his  father-in-law  in  White  township 
consisting  of  112  acres,  and  some  time  later 


sold  the  coal  on  this  property,   and  finally 
sold  the  farm  itself. 

On  Nov.  16,  1869,  Mr.  Jacoby  married 
Charlotte  Shaffer,  of  White  township,  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Magdalena  (Shook)  Shaf- 
fer, farming  people.  They  have  had  a  family 
of  ten  children  of  whom  John  LeRoy,  of 
Aspinwall  is  a  railroad  engineer;  Albert,  a 
molder,  of  Greenburg,  Pa.;  William,  of  AJm- 
bridge ;  S.  Clyde,  a  railroad  man,  of  Indiana, 
Pa. ;  Olive,  Mrs.  George  Nibert,  of  Cherryhill 
township,  who  died  May  24,  1912;  Alberta, 
unmarried,  of  Pittsburg;  Rosetta,  of  Pitts- 
burg; and  Irene,  at  home.  Mr.  Jacoby  be- 
longs to  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  28,  and  in  church 
connection  is  a  member  of  the  Brethren,  also 
known  as  the  Dunkard  Church. 

HARVEY  S.  LUTE  carries  on  general 
farming  in  Green  township,  Indiana  county, 
but  is  especially  interested  in  the  growing 
of  potatoes,  in  which  he  has  been  notably 
successful.  The  farm  he  owns  and  lives  upon 
by  himself  and  his  immediate  ancestors  for 
the  better  part  of  a  century,  his  grandfather, 
Jacob  Lute,  having  settled  there  many  years 
ago.  The  Lute  family  is  of  German  origin, 
and  has  been  settled  in  America  for  about 
two  hundred  years.  It  has  long  been  estab- 
lished in  Westmoreland  county,  where  Jacob 
Lute  was  born.  Coming  to  Indiana  county 
he  bought  a  farm  in  Green  township,  where 
he  and  his  son  Frederick,  the  father  of  Har- 
vey S.  Lute,  built  a  log  house  at  first.  This 
was  replaced  in  time  by  the  substantial  house 
Mr.  Harvey  S.  Lute  occupies,  which  was 
erected  in  "l862.  Jacob  Lute  continued  to 
live  on  this  place  until  his  death  which  took 
place  in  the  house  now  occupied  by  his  grand- 
son. 

Frederick  Lute,  son  of  Jacob  Lute,  was 
born  Feb.  2,  1817,  in  Westmoreland  county, 
Pa.,  came  to  Indiana  county  with  his  father, 
and  died  here  July  23,  1904.  He  married 
Amelia  Karlinsey,  who  was  born  in  Cambria 
county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Daniel  Kariinsey,  a 
native  of  Germany  who  came  to  America  and 
made  his  home  in  Cambria  county.  Pa.,  where 
his  wife,  Sarah  died ;  he  died  at  the  battle  of 
Fredericksburg,  while  serving  in  the  Civil 
war.  Mrs.  Lute  died  March  10,  1881.  Five 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lute, 
namely :  Harry  F.,  who  lives  in  Idaho ;  Lot-' 
tie,  wife  of  Bruce  Lute,  of  Indiana  county; 
Daniel,  deceased;  Blanche,  wife  of  Archie 
F.  Westover,  of  Cambria  county;  and  Har- 
vey S. 


1472 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Harvej'  S.  Lute  was  born  ]\Iarch  17,  1879, 
m  Green  township,  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  there.  When  a  boy 
he  began  farming,  and  after  the  death  of  his 
father  became  the  owner  of  the  home  place, 
where  he  has  ever  since  engaged  in  general 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  is  one  of  the  larg- 
est growers  of  potatoes  in  Indiana  county, 
having  raised  three  thousand,  four  hundred 
bushels  in  1911,  off  thirteen  acres.  This 
branch  of  his  work  has  been  thoroughly  sys- 
tematized, and  he  makes  a  business  of  whole- 
saling and  retailing,  not  selling  through  com- 
missioned men. 

On  July  6,  1903,  Mr.  Lute  was  married 
to  Elizabeth  M.  Walker,  who  is  a  native  of 
Venango  county,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Robert 
and  Jane  (Williams)  Walker,  both  of  whom 
are  deceased.  Mr.  Walker  was  extensively 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brushes  at 
Franklin,  Pa.  He  died  Aug.  28,  1903:  his 
wife  had  passed  away  Feb.  28,  1886.  They 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom 
Susan,  the  eldest,  is  deceased;  one  died  in  in- 
fancy; Elizabeth  M.  is  the  wife  of  Harvey 
S.  Lute;  Robert  is  a  resident  of  Franklin, 
Pa. ;  P.  D.  lives  in  Wheeling,  W.  Va. ;  Emily 
is  the  wife  of  E.  G.  Coe,  formerly  of  Edison, 
Ohio,  now  living  in  Florida ;  Jennie  died  in 
infancy;  another  child,  not  named,  died  in 
infancy ;  May  is  the  wife  of  H.  Ross  Reynolds, 
formerly  of  Edison,  Ohio,  now  living  in  Cleve- 
land, Ohio. 

Mr.  and  IMrs.  Lute  are  members  of  the  Nebo 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Green  township,  near 
their  residence. 

JOHN  HENRY  SMITH,  :\I.  D..  a  physician 
and  surgeon  of  Shelocta,  Pa.,  was  born  Dec. 
17,  1878,  in  Hornell,  N.  Y.,  son  of  Charles 
and  Maiy  E.  (McCartney)  Smith.  The 
father  now  resides  in  New  Mexico ;  the  mother 
is  deceased. 

The  family  claims  Capt.  John  Smith,  of 
early  Virginia  fame,  as  an  ancestor. 

Dr.  Smith  grew  up  in  his  native  place, 
attending  the  excellent  schools  of  that  locality. 
He  became  a  professional  nurse,  and  in  1905 
began  the  study  of  medicine,  being  graduated 
from  the  University  of  Pittsburg  in  1909. 
Immediately  thereafter  he  began  the  practice 
of  his  profession  at  Wilkinsburg,  Pa.,  but 
after  spending  part  of  two  years  came  to 
Shelocta,  where  he  has  since  remained.  He 
is  a  conscientious,  reliable  physician,  and  the 
extent  of  his  practice  shows  that  his  skill  is 
appreciated. 


In  1899  Dr.  Smith  was  united  in  marriage 
with  ilary  Ryan,  of  Allegany,  N.  Y.,  daugh- 
ter of  Roger  Ryan.  Four  children  have  been 
born  of  this  union,  John,  Margaret,  James 
and  Mary.  Dr.  Smith  is  not  connected  with 
any  religious  body.  He  is  independent  in  his 
political  views.. 

ALEXANDER  PORTER  CALHOUN,  a 
farmer  of  Armstrong  township,  this  county, 
was  born  Dec.  20,  1869,  on  the  old  Calhoun 
homestead,  which  lies  along  Dutch  run  in 
Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  sou  of  William  L.  and 
Christina  (Fry)  Calhoun. 

Wlieu  he  was  but  three  years  old  Alexander 
Porter  Calhoun  was  brought  by  his  parents 
to  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
was  reared  to  manhood's  estate  on  the  place 
where  he  has  ever  since  resided.  He  attended 
school  in  the  neighborhood,  and  grew  up  to 
agricultural  life.  His  tine  farm  of  136  acres 
shows  that  he  understands  his  business  thor- 
oughly, and  has  earned  the  right  to  be  placed 
in  the  foremost  ranks  of  successful  men  of 
his  calling  in  Indiana  county. 

In  May,  1894,  Mr.  Calhoun  married  Lydia 
Miller,  a  daughter  of  Moses  B.  Miller,  and 
one  child,  William  Miller,  has  been  born  to 
them.  Mr.  Calhoun  is  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Shelocta,  Pa.  Polit- 
ically he  is  a  Republican,  but  has  never  as- 
pired to  public  office.  A  man  of  industrious 
habits  and  good  business  principles,  he  has 
forged  ahead,  and  enjoys  the  confidence  and 
respect  of  all  who  have  had  dealings  with 
him. 

HUGH  LOWMAN,  who  is  engaged  as  car- 
penter at  the  Clarksburg  mine  of  the  Pitts- 
burg Gas  Coal  Company,  in  Young  township, 
Indiana  county,  was  born  Sept.  18,  1841,  in 
that  township,  son  of  Thomas  and  Rachel 
(Neal)  Lowman. 

Abraham  Lowman,  grandfather  of  Hugh 
Lowman,  was  born  in  1765,  of  Dutch  descent, 
and  came  from  Ligonier  Valley,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. Settling  in  Armstrong  township,  In- 
diana county,  he  located  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  the  Neal  family,  here  operating 
a  large  tract  of  land  until  his  death,  in  1845. 
He  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the  Jackson- 
ville cemetery.  Mr.  Lowman  married  Susan 
McElhose,  and  they  had  children  as  follows: 
Thomas;  Mary,  who  married  Alexander  Gil- 
mar  ;  George,  who  married  Rosanna  IMcClain ; 
Samuel,  who  married  Betsie  ilcClain;  Abe. 
who  resides  in  East  Mahoning;  William,  who 
mai-ried  Nancy  Anthony;  Nancy,  who  mar- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1473 


ried  William  Lucas;  and  Rose,  who  married 
Robert  McFarlaud,  and  went  to  Kansas, 
where  she  died. 

Thomas  Lowman,  son  of  Abraham,  and 
father  of  Hugh  Lowman,  was  born  Sept.  18, 
1794,  in  Armstrong  to\\T2ship,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  and  attended  a  log  subscription  school. 
His  education  was  somewhat  limited,  as  his 
services  were  in  assisting  his  parents  to  clear 
and  cultivate  the  home  place,  and  his  boy- 
hood was  filled  with  the  hardships  and  pri- 
vations incidental  to  pioneer  life.  Until  he 
was  almost  a  grown  man  he  owned  no  shoes 
making  the  moccasins  which  served  him  for 
footwear,  but  the  necessity  for  performing 
such  work  engendered  in  him  a  spirit  of  self- 
reliance  and  he  grew  to  know  and  appreciate 
the  value  of  money.  As  a  youth  he  learned 
the  art  of  distilling,  and  with  his  father  made 
whiskey  in  a  log  house  in  the  woods,  selling 
the  product  in  the  surrounding  towns.  The 
poverty  of  his  boyhood  was  succeeded  by 
comfort  and  independence  in  his  later  years, 
and  he  became  one  of  his  section's  most  in- 
telligent and  progi-essive  men.  He  acquired 
a  farm  of  150  acres,  which  he  put  in  a  high 
state  of  cultivation,  but  later  removed  to 
Young  township,  and  there  his  death  occurred 
Oct.  30,  1862,  when  he  was  sixty-eight  years 
of  age.  For  many  years  he  served  as  road 
superintendent  and  overseer  of  the  poor,  and 
he  was  a  lifelong  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

]Mr.  Lowman  was  married  (first)  to  Eliza- 
beth Graham,  by  whom  he  had  five  children, 
namely:  William,  Scott,  Nancy,  Susan  and 
Alexander.  His  second  marriage  was  to 
Rachel  Neal,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighty 
years  and  was  buried  in  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church  cemetery  at  Jacksonville,  Pa. 
They  had  children  as  follows:  John,  who 
died  in  1891,  after  years  of  farming  in  Young 
township,  married  Elizabeth  Miller,  and  they 
had  six  children,  Thomas,  Annie,  William, 
Clark,  Madge  and  Mary;  Hugh  is  mentioned 
below;  Samuel,  entered  the  Union  army  and 
died  during  the  Civil  war,  of  a  fever;  Eliza- 
beth married  John  Graham,  a  civil  engineer 
of  Armstrong  township,  and  had  three  chil- 
dren, Thomas,  William  and  Alexander;  Wil- 
liam, deceased,  who  was  brigade  surgeon  dur- 
ing the  Ci^^l  war  and  later  was  in  practice 
at  Butler,  Pa.,  was  married  to  Sarah  Lewis, 
(second)  Susan  Hunter  and  (third)  Terzah 
Guthrie;  Scott,  who  died  in  1887  near  Jack- 
sonville, where  for  some  years  he  had  been 
engaged  in  fanning,  married  Rebecca  Mc- 
Farland  and   (second)   Jane  McKee;  Nancy 


married  Robert  Graham,  and  died  in  1863; 
Susan,  who  married  James  Marshall,  died  in 
1865 ;  Alexander,  who  married  Elizabeth  Gil- 
more,  died  in  1894. 

Hugh  Lowman,  son  of  Thomas  Lowman, 
attended  the  common  schools  of  Young  town- 
ship and  Jacksonville  Academy,  following 
which  he  taught  school  for  four  years  at  Frog 
Pound  school  and  in  Young  township.  At 
that  time  he  began  to  learn  the  trade  of  car- 
penter with  his  brother  Alexander,  and  event- 
ually entered  the  contracting  and  building 
business  in  Young  township.  In  1862  he  went 
to  war  as  a  member  of  a  company  organized 
in  Young  township,  but  after  two  weeks  this 
organization  returned,  as  it  was  found  it 
could  not  be  used.  Mr.  Lowman  continued 
to  follow  contracting  and  building  in  Young 
township  until  1888,  in  which  year  he  moved 
to  Clarksburg,  in  Conemaugh  township,  and 
purchased  a  large  and  comfortable  home. 
Upon  this  residence  he  made  extensive  im- 
provements, and  it  is  now  one  of  the  hand- 
somest and  most  valuable  homes  to  be  found 
in  Clarksburg.  Mr.  Lowman  still  follows  his 
trade,  being  employed  as  a  carpenter  by  the 
Pittsburg  Gas  and  Coal  Company  at  the 
Clarksburg  mine,  and  in  the  last  nine  years 
he  has  lost  but  fifteen  days  from  his  employ- 
ment. This  faithfulness  to  duty,  together 
with  his  undoubted  skill  as  a  mechanic,  makes 
him  one  of  the  company's  most  valued  em- 
ployees. In  1867  Mr.  Lowman  was  elected 
justice  of  the  peace,  an  office  which  he  has 
held  for  more  than  forty  years,  and  he  is 
known  all  over  the  county  as  "Squire"  Low- 
man.  He  has  also  served  in  capacity  of  school 
director,  and  for  many  years  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board. 

On  Oct.  13,  1864,  Mr.  Lowman  was  married 
to  Lizzie  Stuart,  daughter  of  William  Stuart, 
of  Blacklick  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
they  had  a  family  of  six  children:  Jennie, 
who  married  Hervey  Coleman,  a  farmer  of 
Conemaugh  township ;  Thomas  and  Annie, 
who  are  deceased;  Emma,  deceased,  who  was 
the  wife  of  Porter  Krier;  George,  who  re- 
sides at  Saltsburg  and  is  a  clerk  in  a  large 
mercantile  house;  and  Paul,  deceased.  Mr. 
Lowman 's  second  marriage  was  to  Lizzie  Bell, 
by  whom  he  had  six  children:  William,  a 
large  land  owner  and  farmer  in  Kansas; 
Clyde,  a  farmer  in  Conemaugh  township; 
Alexander,  railroad  mail  clerk  between  Bell- 
wood  and  Punxsutawney ;  Esther,  who  is  de- 
ceased; Louella,  a  school  teacher  at  Shelocta, 
Pa. ;  and  Mead,  an  employe  of  the  Buffalo, 
Rochester  &  Pittsburg  Railroad  Company,  at 


Uli 


HISTOKY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Iselin,  Pa.  I\Ir.  Lowman's  third  mai-riage 
was  to  Ella  Coleman,  and  they  have  had  one 
child,  ^Michael  Paul,  who  is  attending  Elders- 
ridge  Academy. 

DAVID  R.  PRINGLE,  a  resident  of  the 
borough  of  Indiana  for  almost  half  a  century, 
a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war  who  has  long  been 
prominent  in  G.  A.  R.  circles,  was  born  and 
reared  in  Indiana  county,  and  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  time  he  was  in  the  array  has 
always  lived  there.  He  is  a  great-grandson 
of  William  Pringle,  who  immigrated  to  this 
country  from  Scotland  in  an  early  day. 

George  Pringle,  son  of  William,  was  born 
Dec.  6,  1767,  at  Coneocheague,  Franklin  Co., 
Pa.,  and  during  his  early  life  the  Indians 
were  still  occasionally  troublesome.  He  moved 
with  his  father,  to  Frankstown,  Huntingdon 
(now  Blair)  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  there  married 
to  Catherine  Cable,  daughter  of  Rev.  John 
Cable,  a  Dunkard  minister.  TheV  had  a 
family  of  eight  children,  three  of  whom  died 
young,  the  others  being:  Elizabeth.  John, 
George,  David,  Catherine,  Abram,  ilary  and 
Daniel,  all  of  whom  are  now  deceased. 

David  Pringle,  son  of  George,  was  born  in 
Cambria  county.  Pa.,  May  18,  1806,  and  about 
1833  moved  to  Indiana  county,  where  he 
passed  the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  Jan.  9, 
1872.  In  1830  he  married  Eliza  DeLancy, 
of  Greentield  township,  Blair  county,  and  she 
died  in  1848,  after  which  he  married  (second) 
Elizabeth  Roof.  By  the  two  marriages  he 
was  the  father  of  nineteen  children,  of  whom 
five  survive,  three  of  the  first  union  and  two 
of  the  second. 

David  R.  Pringle,  son  of  David,  was  born 
:March  12,  1838,  on  his  father's  farm  in  South 
Mahoning  township,  and  there  grew  to  man- 
hood. On  Aug.  1,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the 
Union  army  at  Marion,  for  nine  months,  and 
was  assigned  to  Company  D,  135th  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  discharged 
at  Han-isburn-  upon  the  expiration  of  this 
term,  :May  24,  1863,  and  on  Feb.  23,  1864, 
he  reenlisted,  for  three  years,  at  Westchester, 
Pa.,  this  time  becoming  a  member  of  Com- 
pany E,  2d  Pennsylvania  Heavy  Veteran 
Artillery,  under  Capt.  Barnard  Mercer.  He 
was  transferred  to  Company  B,  2d  Provis- 
ional Artillery,  which  company  was  composed 
of  139  men,  "of  which  number  on  July  30, 
1864,  were  but  seven  still  serving  who  had 
been  uninjured,  nineteen  having  been  killed 
in  battle,  sixty-five  wounded,  seventeen  made 
prisoners  of  war,  twenty-six  sick  or  dead  of 
?,  three  discharged,  and  two  deserted. 


The  command  was  attached  to  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  and  with  it  Mr.  Pringle  took  part 
in  the  following  battles:  Wilderness  (May 
5-7,  1864),  Spottsvlvania  Court  House  (May 
8-12,  1864),  Po  River  (1864),  Shady  Grove 
(June  1,  1864)  and  many  of  the  actions  in 
front  of  and  around  Petei-sburg.  At  the  mine 
explosion  at  Petersburg  his  regiment  lost  498 
men.  Mr.  Pringle  was  wounded  June  17th 
and  again  June  30th,  and  at  the  mine  explo- 
sion on  July  30th  he  was  captured.  He  was 
confined  at  Danville  and  Libby  until  March 
25,  1865,  when  he  was  released  under  the 
cartel  of  1862,  going  home  on  furlough.  On 
April  17th  he  returned  to  his  regiment,  which 
was  then  at  City  Point,  Va.,  and  was  again 
assigned  to  Company  E,  2d  Pa.  Heavy 
Veteran  Artillery,  with  which  he  continued 
to  serve  until  he  received  his  discharge  at 
City  Point,  Va.,  Jan.  29,  1866.  During  his 
first  enlistment  he  had  taken  part  in  the  bat- 
tle of  Chancellorsville,  May  1-5,  1863. 

Returning  to  Indiana  county  after  the  war, 
Mr.  Pringle  settled  in  Indiana  and  worked 
at  his  trade,  that  of  blacksmith,  until  1889. 
After  that  he  was  constable  of  the  borough 
for  twelve  years,  and  then  for  three  years 
■was  employed  in  the  folding  department  of 
the  National  House  of  Representatives,  at 
Washington,  D.  C.  He  then  became  weigh- 
master  at  the  Fourth  ward  weigh  scales  in 
Indiana  borough  for  several  years,  and  since 
that  time  has  been  living  retired  in  his  home, 
No.  913  West  Oak  street. 

J\lr.  Pringle  has  long  been  a  prominent 
member  of  Post  No.  28,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Indiana, 
and  has  held  a  number  of  offices  in  that  body. 
He  has  attended  the  department  encamp- 
ment as  delegate,  has  served  on  the  staff  of 
the  department  commander,  and  on  Jan.  1, 
1902,  was  appointed  aide  de  camp  on  the 
staff  of  the  national  commander  in  chief, 
serving  as  such  during  the  national  encamp- 
ment at  Washington,  D.  C,  held  that  year. 
In  February,  1870,  he  .joined  the  I.  0.  0.  P. 
Lodge,   in  which  he   still   holds  membei-ship. 

On  Sept.  27,  1860,  Mr.  Pringle  was  married 
to  Caroline  Baker,  of  ilarion  Center,  Pa., 
daughter  of  James  and  Rebecca  (Campbell) 
Baker,  and  they  have  had  two  children :  One 
that  died  in  infancy  and  Luella  Maud,  who 
is  at  home. 

ROBERT  STOOPS  follows  general  farm- 
ing in  Canoe  township,  in  association  with  his 
brother,  David  Stoops,  owning  the  old  Stoops 
homestead  on  which  both  were  born,  Robert 
on  Oct.  14,  1851,  and  David  on  Nov.  9.  1848. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1475 


They  are  sons  of  Robert  and  Esther  (EUwood) 
Stoops  and  grandson  of  Thomas  Stoops. 

Thomas  Stoops,  the  paternal  grandfather, 
was  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  He  was  a 
farmer  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  and 
from  there  came  to  Canoe  township  in  Indi- 
ana county,  where  he  carried  on  farming  until 
his  death.  He  and  wife  were  buried  in  the 
old  cemetery  at  Punxsutawuey.  They  had 
four  children :  Robert,  Thomas,  Peggy  and 
Belle,  all  now  deceased. 

Robert  Stoops,  son  of  Thomas  Stoops,  was 
born  in  Westmoreland  county  and  came  to 
Indiana  county  with  his  father.  He  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  110  acres  in  Canoe  town- 
ship and  here  carried  on  general  farming 
for  a  number  of  years,  but  in  1855  left  home 
and  never  returned,  his  being  one  of  those 
eases  of  mysterious  disappearance  that  have 
never  been  cleared  up.  He  married  Esther 
EUwood,  who  was  born  July  19,  1812,  and 
died  in  December,  1901,  when  almost  ninety 
years  old.  She  was  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Eliza  EUwood. 

William  EUwood,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  Robert  and  David  Stoops,  was  of 
Westmoreland  county,  where  his  children 
were  born  and  reared.  Before  he  came  to 
Canoe  township,  Indiana  county,  two  of  his 
sons  and  his  daughter  Esther  preceded  him 
and  cleared  a  small  patch  of  ground  on  which 
the  sons  put  up  a  shanty,  and  they  harvested 
a  small  crop  of  wheat.  In  the  succeeding 
spring  the  rest  of  the  family  came,  William 
Ellwoood  settling  on  a  tract  of  100  acres 
directly  adjoining  the  Stoops  land  and  there 
carrying  on  general  farming  until  his  death. 
His  farm  is  now  owned  by  Frederick  Knaur; 
the  Jeiferson  county  line  passes  through  the 
property.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics. 
When  the  family  lived  in  Westmoreland 
county  they  attended  the  old  church  at  Salts- 
burg  and  later  united  with  the  Old  Cumber- 
land Church  at  Punxsutawney.  The  chil- 
dren of  William  and  Eliza  EUwood  were: 
William,  deceased,  married  Barbara  Burkett, 
of  Punxsutawney;  James  and  Esther  were 
twins;  Thomas  died  of  typhoid  fever  when 
fifty-five  years  old;  Jane  became  wife  of  John 
Long,  and  both  are  deceased ;  Betsey  is  the 
widow  of  George  Carry,  of  Canoe  township ; 
Hannali  died  when  aged  sixty  years.  After 
the  EUwood  family  became  settled  in  Canoe 
township  an  addition  was  built  to  the  shanty, 
which  was  retained  as  part  of  a  comfortable 
farmhouse. 

When  Mrs.  Stoops  was  left  alone  she  had 
four  little  childi-en  to  provide  for:     David 


and  Robert,  mentioned  above;  Jane,  born 
July  31,  1845,  who  married  Jacob  Barnett, 
of  Canoe  township ;  and  William,  born  Feb. 
9,  18 — ,  who  married  Lydia  Ann  Leasure,  of 
Canoe  township.  Through  hard  work,  good 
management  and  strict  economy,  she  managed 
to  rear  her  children  and  very  creditably,  too, 
and  they  recall  her  with  reverent  affection. 
After  her  death,  in  1901,  the  farm  was 
divided,  Robert  and  David  receiving  seventy- 
five  acres  between  them,  their  present  farm, 
while  William  received  twenty-five  acres,  Mrs. 
Barrett  being  given  her  portion  in  money. 
Robert  and  David  Stoops  were  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Canoe  township  and  have 
always  lived  on  the  old  home  place  which  it 
is  their  pride  to  keep  in  fine  condition.  Dur- 
ing the  lifetime  of  their  mother,  in  spite  of 
her  advanced  age,  all  the  domestic  affairs 
were  regulated  by  her,  and  since  then  the 
brothers  have  lived  alone,  very  comfortable 
in  their  adjustment  of  labor,  David  attending 
to  the  home  duties  while  Robert  gives  his 
attentipn  to  the  farm.  Both  vote  the  Demo- 
crat ticket  and  for  three  years  Robert  Stoops 
served  as  school  director. 

GEORGE  SHELDON  KEAGLE,  manager 
of  the  Jeiferson  Supply  Company's  store  and 
postmaster  at  Mclntyre,  Pa.,  was  born  at 
Covington,  Tioga  Co.",  Pa.,  March  24.  1884, 
son  of  Azor  and  Estella  (Headley)  Keagle. 
Lowman  Keagle,  his  grandfather,  was  for  a 
number  of  years  a  resident  of  Butler  county, 
Pennsylvania. 

Azor  Keagle,  son  of  Lowman,  and  father 
of  George  S.  Keagle,  was  born  in  Butler 
county.  Pa.,  and  there  grew  to  manhood,  sub- 
sequently removing  to  Covington,  Tioga 
county,  where  he  followed  mercantile  pursuits 
until  1889.  In  that  year  he  went  to  Jefferson 
county,  locating  at  Reynoldsville  and  entering 
the  employ  of  the  mercantile  firm  of  Bell, 
Lewas  &  Yates,  in  the  capacity  of  clerk.  In 
1890  he  became  manager  of  that  company's 
store  at  Rathmel,  in  the  same  county,  and 
after  fourteen  years  spent  in  that  position 
severed  his  connection  with  the  company  and 
engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account.  He  is 
now  one  of  his  city's  leading  merchants.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  his  political  views  and  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Mr.  Keagle  was  man-ied  in  Tioga 
county  to  Estella  Headley,  daughter  of  Rev. 
George  Headley,  a  distant  relative  of  Presi- 
dent Hadley  of  Yale  College,  and  she  also 
survives.  They  have  had  a  family  of  six  chil- 
dren:    George  Sheldon;  Edna,  who  married 


1476 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Thomas  Rhea,  of  Ernest,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. ; 
Claude  and  Albert,  who  are  residents  of  But- 
ler, Pa. ;  and  LeRoy  and  Vera,  who  live  with 
their  parents. 

George  Sheldon  Keagle,  son  of  Azor  Keagle, 
was  a  child  when  the  family  removed  to  Jef- 
ferson county,  and  there  he  attended  the  local 
schools  until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age.  At 
that  time  he  entered  the  services  of  the  Bell, 
Lewis  &  Yates  Coal  Company,  under  his 
father  in  the  supply  store,  but  four  years 
later,  feeling  the  need  of  further  education, 
he  took  a  course  in  a  business  college  at 
Dubois,  Pa.  On  completing  his  studies  in 
that  institution  he  .joined  his  father  in  bus- 
iness at  Rej'noldsville,  under  the  firm  name 
of  A.  Keagle  &  Son,  but  two  years  later,  in 
1902,  disposed  of  his  interests  and  went  to 
Karthaus,  Clearfield  county,  and  for  one  year 
was  clerk  and  paymaster  for  Rembrandt 
Peale.  Returning  home,  he  was  again  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  in  business  until  1906, 
at  that  time  moving  to  Ernest,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, to  become  clerk  and  bookkeeper  for  the 
Jefferson  Supply  Company,  a  position  which 
he  held  for  two  years.  His  next  location  was 
at  Edri,  in  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  spent  one  year  as  manager 
of  the  Poster  Supply  Company's  store,  and 
then,  returning  to  Ernest,  reentered  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Jefferson  Supply  Company,  and 
continued  as  clerk  and  bookkeeper  there  until 
1910.  In  October  of  that  year  he  was  sent 
to  Mclntyre,  in  Young  township,  to  open  the 
company  store  at  Mclntyre  post  office,  and 
here  he  has  continued  in  charge  to  the  present 
time.  In  1912  he  opened  a  like  establishement 
at  Aultman  No.  3  Mines,  for  his  concern,  now 
giving  his  whole  time  and  attention  to  the 
management  of  these  enterprises.  Mr.  Keagle 
is  still  a  young  man,  but  has  had  wide  exper- 
ience in  mercantile  lines,  and  possesses  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  all  the  details  of  the 
business  and  native  shrewdness  that  enables 
him  to  meet  and  make  the  most  of  situations. 
As  representative  of  his  company  he  holds  a 
responsible  place  in  his  community,  where 
his  known  integi-ity  has  given  him  prestige 
in  the  business  world,  and  a  pleasant  person- 
ality has  gained  him  a  wide  circle  of  friends. 
When  the  post  office  was  opened  at  :\lclntyre, 
in  1912,  he  was  appointed  the  first  postmaster, 
having  successfully  passed  his  examination 
with  a  percentage  of  99,  nearly  perfect.  He 
has  also  had  experience  in  this  position,  tor 
while  a  resident  of  Ernest  he  acted  as  assist- 
ant postma.ster  there.  He  has  supported 
Republican  policies  and  principles,  and  has 


fraternal  connection  with  the  Odd  Fellows, 
holding  his  membership  in  the  lodge  at  Salts- 
burg. 

While  a  resident  of  Clearfield  county  Mr. 
Keagle  was  married  to  Sarah  Carr,  who  was 
born  in  that  county,  daughter  of  Jacob  Carr, 
of  Grampian,  Pa.,  and  to  this  union  there 
have  been  born  two  children,  Estella  Cathe- 
rine and  Todd  George.  Jlrs.  Keagle  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
like  her  husband  has  many  friends  in  Mcln- 
tyre. A  public-spirited  citizen,  with  the  wel- 
fare of  his  community  at  heart,  Mr.  Keagle 
has  done  much  to  advance  the  interests  of 
Mclntyre  and  its  people,  and  his  .support  has 
ever  been  given  to  movements  calculated  to 
advance  education,  moralit}'  and  good  citizen- 
ship. 

DR.  JOHN  W.  GALLAHER,  a  practi- 
tioner of  suggestive  therapeutics,  at  Lovejoy, 
Indiana  county,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Westmore- 
land county.  Pa.,  Sept.  14,  1857,  a  son  of 
Hiram  and  Eliza  (Shaffer)  Gallaher. 

John  Gallaher,  his  grandfather,  was  bom 
in  Ireland,  and  when  he  came  to  the  United 
States  settled  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pa., 
where  his  son  Hugh  still  lives.  The  family 
consisted  of  eleven  children. 

Hiram  Gallaher,  son  of  John,  was  a  boat- 
man on  the  Pennsylvania  canal  in  his  early 
days,  but  later  in  life  engaged  in  farming,  in 
1864  settling  in  Green  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  purchased  187  acres  of  land. 
On  that  farm  his  death  occurred  in  1886.  He 
married  Eliza  Shaffer,  who  resides  at  Coal- 
port,  in  Clearfield  county,  a  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Shaffer. 

William  Shaffer,  the  maternal  grandfather 
of  Dr.  Gallaher,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and 
when  he  came  to  America,  like  John  Gallaher, 
settled  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  where 
he  followed  farming  for  many  years  and  then 
moved  to  Indiana  county,  settling  in  Rayne 
township,  where  he  died.  He  was  the  father 
of  sixteen  children,  the  only  survivor  being 
Mrs.  Gallaher,  one  of  twins ;  she  is  now  in  her 
eighty-third  year. 

To  Hiram  Gallaher  and  his  wife  five  sons 
and  three  daughters  were  born,  and  six  of  this 
family  survive:  Mary,  the  eldest  born,  is  the 
widow  of  Scott  ]McGuire.  John  W.  is  the 
second  in  order  of  birth.  Harry  Milton  lives 
at  Summer  Hill,  Cambria  county.  Pa.  Sam- 
uel died  in  1886.  Laura  P..  is  the  widow  of 
Allison  Gray  and  lives  at  Punxsutawney,  Pa. 
Margaret  died  in  1885.     Joseph  S.  is  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1477 


meat  business  at  Coalport,  Pa.  Robert  P.  is 
a  merchant  at  Chicago,  Illinois. 

John  W.  Gallaher  attended  school  in  Green 
township  in  boyhood  and  afterward  followed 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  has  always  been  a 
thinker  and  reasoner,  and  some  years  ago,  be- 
coming interested  in  scientific  methods  of 
healing,  entered  college  at  Nevada,  Mo.,  as  a 
student  of  suggestive  therapeutics,  and  re- 
mained until  his  graduation.  For  the  last  two 
years  he  has  been  in  the  successful  practice  of 
his  profession. 

Dr.  Gallaher  was  married  Sept.  18,  1879, 
to  Jane  L.  Buterbaugh,  who  was  born  in  In- 
diana county.  They  are  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church  of  East  Mahoning,  Indiana 
county,  Pa. 

MARTIN. C.  WINEBERG,  a  farmer  in 
Canoe  township,  was  born  in  Jefferson  county, 
Pa.,  about  three  miles  south  of  Punxsutawney, 
April  30,  1842,  son  of  Francis  and  Lena 
(Hartung)  "Wineberg. 

Francis  Wineberg,  his  paternal  grand- 
father, was  born  in  Switzerland,  and  there 
married  Fannie  Sanger.  In  1818  the  family 
came  to  the  United  States  from  Switzerland 
and  settled  first  in  Berks  county.  Pa.  In  1823 
they  removed  to  the  Blockhouse  settlement,  in 
Lycoming  county,  in  1827  to  Sewickley  town- 
ship, in  Beaver  county,  and  in  1840  to  near 
Smicksburg,  in  West  Mahoning  township,  In- 
diana county,  Pa.  The  grandmother  died  in 
1849,  when  over  seventy  years  of  age,  and 
the  grandfather  died  in  1850,  when  he  was 
eighty-seven  years  old. 

Francis  Wineberg,  son  of  Francis,  and 
father  of  Martin  C.  Wineberg,  was  born  in 
Breal  Bonco,  Switzerland,  in  1807,  and  accom- 
panied his  parents  to  America  in  1818.  In 
1852  he  came  to  Canoe  township,  Indiana 
county,  after  having  resided  for  the  three 
previous  years  in  Jefferson  county.  He  pur- 
chased 150  acres  of  wooded  land  in  Canoe 
township  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life 
here,  engaging  in  farming  as  he  succeeded  in 
clearing  his  land,  which,  to-day,  is  all  cleared. 
He  was  a  Democrat  in  his  political  views,  but 
never  consented  to  fill  a  public  office.  Mr. 
Wineberg  was  a  member  of  the  Old  Evangel- 
ical church  in  Canoe  township.  His  death 
occurred  in  September,  1893,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-six  years.  In  1831  he  married  Lena 
Hartung,  then  of  Beaver  county.  Pa.,  but  a 
native  of  Germany.  She  died  in  1866,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-six  years.  They  had  six  children  : 
Margaret,  who  is  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
Hartman  Beam;  Catherine,  who  is  deceased. 


was  the  wife  of  Abraham  Stiver;  John  mar- 
ried Sophia  Homan ;  William,  who  is  deceased, 
married  Sarah  Bradenbaugh;  Martin  C.  is 
mentioned  below;  Caroline  married  Fulbert 
Alderbrand. 

Martin  C.  Wineberg  attended  public  school 
in  Jefferson  county  and  was  ten  years  old 
when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Canoe 
township,  where  he  had  further  school  advan- 
tages. Pie  remained  at  home  and  gave  his 
father  assistance  until  the  latter 's  death,  and 
then  took  charge  of  the  old  homestead,  having 
lived  there  sixty-one  years.  He  served  eleven 
months  as  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  leaving 
home  with  his  brother,  John  Wineberg,  both 
enlisting  in  Company  C,  206th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  out  in 
1865,  wiien  the  war  closed.  Although  he 
never  participated  in  any  regular  engagement 
during  his  period  of  service  he  frequently  was 
in  situations  of  great  hazard,  taking  part  in 
numerous  skirmishes,  and  doing  guard  duty 
at  Fort  Brady,  under  heavy  fire,  which  fort 
he  assisted  to  build  before  the  siege  of  Rich- 
mond. 

In  1866  Mr.  Wineberg  was  married  to  Ade- 
line Copock,  she  and  her  twin  si.ster,  daugh- 
ters of  George  Copock,  being  reared  by  Adam 
Tiger.  To  this  marriage  the  following  chil- 
dren were  born :  Evaline  is  the  wife  of  Wil- 
liam H.  Martin,  of  White  township;  George 
A.,  who  resides  at  DuBois,  Pa.,  married  Eliz- 
abeth Heitzenrater ;  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of 
Theopholis  Powell,  and  is  residing  at  Johns- 
town, Pa. ;  Jennie  is  the  wife  of  Dallas 
Spencer;  Theodore,  who  is  a  resident  of  Ak- 
ron, Ohio,  married  Sophia  Wind.sheimer ; 
Joseph,  Cora  and  Martin  are  deceased. 

The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Wineberg,  in 
1887,  was  to  Mrs.  Jane  (Elder)  Buterbaugh, 
widow  of  Jeremiah  Buterbaugh,  and  daughter 
of  John  and  Margaret  (McQuown)  Elder. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wineberg  have  three  children: 
Raymond  P.,  who  lives  at  Locust  Lane,  Pa., 
married  Mabel  Evans;  Laura  LaRue  lives  at 
home,  but  at  present  is  visiting  relatives  in 
the  Western  States;  Budd  Stanford  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Hiawatha,  Kans.,  and  attending  high 
school  there. 

In  politics  Mr.  Wineberg,  like  the  older 
members  of  his  family,  has  always  believed  in 
the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party.  He 
helped  to  build  the  Old  Evangelical  Church 
and  was  a  member  of  the  same  until  the  divi- 
sion came  about  in  the  congregation,  after 
which  he  assisted  in  building  the  United 
Evangelical    Church    edifice    at    Juneau,    in 


1478 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Canoe  township ;  he  has  been  a  churt-h  trustee 
for  forty  vears. 

John 'Elder,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Martin  C. 
"Wineberg,  was  bom  in  1822,  in  South  Mahon- 
ing township,  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  and  died 
in  1902,  aged  eighty  years.  In  early  manhood 
he  moved  to  Rayne  township,  where  he  bought 
a  farm  of  thirty  acres,  and  during  all  his 
active  years  carried  on  farming.  He  married 
ilargaret  McQuown,  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children:  James  B., 
deceased,  married  Elizabeth  "Wells;  Harriet 
E.  is  the  widow  of  John  McCunn,  of  "Whitney, 
Nebr. ;  "William  "Wallace  is  a  resident  of  Rose- 
burg,  Oregon;  Samuel,  who  lives  at  "Waldo, 
Kans.,  married  Melissa  Myers;  Jane  is  the 
wife  of  Mr.  "Wineberg;  Joseph  Newton,  who 
is  a  resident  of  Waldo,  Kans.,  married  Bessie 
Rowe;  Robert  M.,  who  lives  at  Luray,  Kans., 
married  Anna  Rowe. 

'Mr.  Elder  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  having  united  with  the  Gilgal 
Church  in  1844.  He  held  many  offices  of  honor 
and  trust  in  the  township  and  was  elected 
jury  commissioner  for  three  terms.  He  was 
a  stanch  Democrat  and  always  interested  in 
political  matters,  and  missed  but  one  election 
from  the  time  he  became  a  voter. 

^Irs.  "Wineberg  was  reared  mainly  in  Rayne 
township  and  attended  public  school  until  her 
nineteenth  year.  She  remained  with  her  par- 
ents until  her  first  marriage,  in  1875,  to  Jere- 
miah Buterbaugh,  who  was  accidentally ' 
killed  by  the  fall  of  a  limb  from  a  tree.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Buterbaugh  had  two  children :  Es- 
tella  ]Maud,  who  married  Leonidas  Bearce 
and  lives  at  Hiawatha,  Kans. ;  and  Charles, 
who  married  Edith  "White  and  lives  at  Juneau, 
Pa.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs. 
Buterbaugh  returned  to  her  father's  home 
and  from  there  on  Jan.  27,  1887,  was  married 
to  Martin  C.  Wineberg. 

:MICHEAL  PEFFER,  a  farmer  of  North 
Mahoning  township,  was  bom  Dec.  25,  1834, 
in  Butler  county,  Pa.,  son  of  George  and  Eva 
(Wyning)    Peffer. 

George  Peffer  and  his  wife  were  natives  of 
Gemiany.  Coming  to  the  United  States  in 
1832,  they  settled  in  Butler  county.  Pa.,  on 
wild  land  upon  which  they  lived  for  four 
years.  Selling  this  property,  they  came  to 
Indiana  county,  and  in  1836  settled  on  the 
farm  now  owned  by  their  son  Micheal  Peffer, 
in  North  Mahoning  township.  This  prop- 
erty comprised  160  acres,  all  heavily  covered 
with  timber,  and  with  characteristic  energj' 
George  Peffer  cleared  the  land  and  put  it 


under  cultivation.  He  Iniilt  the  log  cabin  in 
which  the  family  lived.  Although  he  worked 
hard  he  lived  to  be  eighty-two  years  of  age, 
dying  upon  his  farm,  as  did  his  wife.  Early 
members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  they  later 
connected  themselves  with  the  ^Methodist 
Church,  and  were  highly  respected  by  all  who 
knew  them.  Although  he  was  a  farmer  for 
many  years,  IMr.  Peffer  had  learned  the 
mason's  trade.  He  and  his  wife  had  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Andrew,  who  lived  in 
North  ilahoning  township  and  died  at 
Covode,  Pa.,  married  Elizabeth  Phillips,  and 
had  two  children,  George,  a  veteran  of 
the  Civil  war,  who  is  in  the  lime  business  at 
Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  and  Henry,  a  veteran 
of  the  Civil  war,  who  lives  in  North  ]\Iahon- 
ing  township;  Henry,  who  died  at  Fort 
Royal,  "\"a.,  a  lumberman  and  farmer,  married 
Lizzie  Turner  and  (second)  Margaret  Barr, 
and  his  children  were  Amanda,  William. 
Eliza,  Joseph  and  Frank  (twins),  ;\Iichael 
and  Annie  (by  the  first  wife),  John,  Theon 
and  Eva  (by  his  second  wife)  ;  Eva,  deceased, 
married  John  Pifer,  and  had  children,  Lizzie, 
Mary,  John,  ^laggie,  Lydia,  Samuel,  Susan 
and  Sarah;  Lena,  deceased,  married  Christ 
B.  Sutter  and  had  children,  Henry,  Webster. 
George,  Lafayette,  Jacob,  Walter,  ]Mary. 
Andrew  and  Bertha ;  Peter,  deceased,  married 
Sophia  Parshan,  and  they  had  one  child. 
Mary ;  Micheal  is  mentioned  below ;  Lizzie, 
deceased,  married  Isaac  Grossman,  and  had 
Mary,  Susie  and  Charles. 

Micheal  Peffer  attended  school  held  in  a 
log  house,  and  his  educational  opportunities 
were  limited.  He  has  always  lived  on  the 
homestead  of  his  father,  and  has  seen  many 
changes  in  the  vicinity.  When  he  was  a  lad 
the  wild  game  was  very  plentiful,  and  upon 
one  occasion,  while  going  for  the  cows,  he 
was  chased  bv  a  bear,  l)ut  escaped.  ^Ir. 
Peffer  relates  many  interesting  incidents  of 
the  early  days  in  North  Mahoning  township, 
but  space  forbids  giving  them  here.  He  owns 
160  acres  of  valuable  land,  all  under  a  high 
state  of  cultivation. 

Mr.  Peffer 's  first  wife,  Anna  Fleraming, 
born  in  North  ]Mahoning  township,  died  in 
1874.  By  her  he  had  one  child.  Flora,  who 
married  "\Vilbur  Rishell  and  has  two  cliildren. 
Kenneth  and  Clarence,  the  family  living  at 
Punxsutawney,  Pa.  In  1875  Mr.  Peffer  mar- 
ried (second)  Emma  Bath,  of  Perry  town- 
ship, Jefferson  Co..  Pa.,  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Rosa  Bath,  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children :  Icia  Bell  is 
at  honie;  Maude,  who  is  a  trained  nurse,  is 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1479 


at  home;  Gertrude  man-ied  James  Heitzen- 
rater,  of  North  Mahoning  township,  and  has 
children,  Irwin,  Howard  and  Margaret  Alice ; 
George  W.  is  farming  the  old  homestead; 
Howard  is  also  farming  on  the  homestead; 
Minnie  married  Harry  Jordan,  a  farmer  of 
North  Mahoning  township,  and  has  children, 
Laird  and  Madaline. 

Mr.  Peffer  is  a  Republican  in  political  faith. 
For  many  years  he  has  been  a  valued  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church  at  Covode,  Pa. 
A  most  excellent  citizen,  he  has  led  a  useful 
life  and  firml.y  established  himself  in  the  con- 
fidence and  respect  of  his  neighbors.  Be- 
longing as  he  does  to  one  of  the  pioneer  fam- 
ilies of  his  township,  he  has  every  reason  to 
be  proud  of  the  pai't  his  relatives  have  played 
in  the  development  of  the  locality.  Coming 
here  from  a  foreign  land,  his  parents  soon 
assimilated  new  customs,  and  became  wealthy 
farming  people  before  death  claimed  them. 
Their  children  grew  up  to  be  a  credit  to  them 
and  their  community,  which  is  under  an  obli- 
gation to  these  people  for  their  public-spirited 
efforts  and  devotion  to  their  adopted  land. 

GEORGE  W.  PLOTZER  has  an  up-to-date 
grocery  and  meat  market  at  No.  7  Carpenter 
avenue,  in  Indiana.  He  has  been  engaged  in 
the  meat  business  ever  since  he  settled  in  the 
borough,  and  is  well  known  to  a  wide  circle 
of  patrons  who  have  found  him  a  reliable 
dealer  in  every  respect.  He  is  a  substantial 
and  much  respected  citizen,  and  enjoys  high 
standing. 

Mr.  Plotzer  was  bom  in  Rayne  township, 
this  county,  Jan.  23,  1863,  son  of  George  Plot- 
zer and  grandson  of  Simon  Plotzer.  The  latter 
brought  his  family  from  Germany,  their  na- 
tive land,  to  this  country  when  his  son  George 
was  twelve  years  old.  They  landed  at  New 
York  and  remained  there  for  a  time,  thence 
moving  to  Pittsburg.  Simon  Plotzer  was  em- 
ployed on  the  old  Pennsylvania  canal  for  a 
long  time,  w'as  later  engaged  at  a  bottle  works, 
and  then  acted  as  boss  at  furnaces  at  New 
Bethlehem,  Pa.,  for  a  time.  He  finally 
bought  a  farm  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county,  which  he  cultivated  until  old  age 
obliged  him  to  retire  from  active  labor.  He 
lived  thereafter  in  the  borough  of  Indiana. 

George  Plotzer,  son  of  Simon,  was  born  in 
Bavaria,  Germany.  Hq  became  familiar  with 
farm  work  assisting  his  father,  and  succeeded 
to  part  of  the  home  farm  in  Rayne  township, 
adding  to  his  share  by  purchase  as  prosperity 
enabled  him.  Later  he  worked*  at  the  fur- 
naces for  a  time,  and  then  bought  a  farm  of 


300  acres  in  Center  township,  this  county, 
upon  which  place  he  spent  the  next  forty 
years,  devoting  all  his  energies  to  its  cultiva- 
tion. He  was  an  energetic  man,  and  success- 
ful. Upon  his  retirement  he  moved  to  Indi- 
ana, where  he  lived  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  July,  1911.  He  married  Eliz- 
abeth Yost,  a  native  of  Nassau,  Germany,  who 
survives  him.  They  had  the  following  fam- 
ily: Maiy,  now  the  wife  of  George  Hassin- 
ger,  of  Ford  City,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa. ;  Annie, 
Mrs.  Henry  Naylor,  of  Indiana;  Frank,  of 
Indiana;  Theresa,  who  is  deceased;  John,  of 
Ford  City;  Margaret,  who  lives  at  home; 
and   George  W. 

George  W.  Plotzer  received  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  Center  township,  and  at  busi- 
ness college  in  Indiana.  He  was  with  his 
father  on  the  farm  until  he  reached  his  ma- 
jority, after  which  he  came  to  Indiana  and 
learned  the  meat  business  with  G.  W.  Groff, 
with  whom  he  was  associated  in  all  for  twenty- 
four  years.  During  that  time  he  had  become 
so  well  acquainted  that  he  had  no  trouble  in 
establishing  a  trade  when  he  started  for  him- 
self. He  was  on  Philadelphia  street  for  a 
few  months,  thence  moving  to  his  present  lo- 
cation on  Carpenter  avenue.  His  market  is 
considered  the  best  equipped  in  this  part  of 
the  State,  and  he  is  enterprising  and  up-to- 
date  in  all  his  business  methods.  His  goods 
are  of  high  quality,  and  the  service  is  prompt 
and  always  to  be  relied  upon. 

Mr.  Plotzer  is  a  member  of  St.  Bernard's 
Catholic  Church,  and  fraternally  belongs  to 
the  Knights  of  Columbus  and  of  the  B.  P.  0. 
Elks.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  is 
unmarried. 

MICHAEL  KAUFMAN,  one  of  the  old- 
time  residents  of  White  towmship,  Indiana 
county,  has  passed  practically  all  his  life  on 
his  present  farm  there.  He  was  born  Jan.  8, 
1839,  in  Juniata  county.  Pa.,  and  was  but  a 
child  when  brought  to  this  county  by  his 
parents,  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Heckenan) 
Kaufman.  The  father  was  born  in  Juniata 
county  in  April,  1812,  and  moved  his  family 
to  Indiana  county  in  1844,  settling  in  White 
township,  where  he  bought  100  acres  of  land. 
He  was  a  farmer  all  his  life  and  prospered  by 
dint  of  thrift  and  industry.  He  took  consid- 
erable interest  in  the  public  affairs  of  his 
locality,  serving  his  township  as  supervisor 
and  overseer  of  the  poor.  He  died  in  1870, 
his  wife  surviving  him  by  twenty  years  and 
dying  in  April,  1890,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
nine  years.     They  had  children  as  follows: 


1480 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Michael,  Harrison,  Mary,  Jane  (deceased), 
Sarah  Ann,  Margaret  and  Samuel. 

IMiehael  Kaufman  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
farm  in  White  township  where  he  now  lives, 
receiving  his  primary  education  in  the  local 
public  schools  and  later  attending  the  acad- 
emy at  Indiana,  then  taught  by  Prof.  Corn- 
well  and  Prof.  Westlake.  He  left  school  in 
1866,  and  was  engaged  in  teaching  in  Arm- 
strong and  White  townships  for  twenty-five 
years  in  all,  his  long  and  successful  career 
in  the  profession  making  him  one  of  the  best- 
known  residents  of  this  region.  After  his 
marriage  he  settled  permanently  on  the  home 
farm,  owning  ninety-five  acres.  There  is  no 
more  highly  esteemed  citizen  in  White  to-wn- 
ship.  Mr.  Kaufman  has  been  an  elder  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  for  forty  years,  and  he 
is  a  Republican  in  his  political  views. 

On  March  28,  1867,  Mr.  Kaufman  was  mar- 
ried to  Pauline  Clarke  Smith,  of  Shelocta, 
this  county,  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Eliza- 
beth (Woodward)  Smith.  They  have  had  a 
family  of  nine  children:  William  Smith,  of 
Indiana  borough,  man-ied  Mary  Craig;  Sam- 
uel Edward,  of  White  township,  married 
Hannah  Rebecca  Campbell;  Cora  Luella  mar- 
ried Harry  M.  Beatty,  of  Pittsburg;  Ada 
Gertrude  is  at  home;  Joseph  Lawrence  and 
James  Alvin  are  at  home;  Alice  Myrtle  mar- 
ried John  Cribbs,  and  lives  at  Indiana;  Net- 
tie Mary  married  Cervantes  M.  Bi-andon,  and 
resides  on  a  farm  in  Armstrong  township ; 
John  Burton,  who  lives  on  the  home  place, 
married  Elsie  Boyer,  daughter  of  Amos  and 
Mary  Ida  (Wingert)  Boyer. 

WILLIAM  A.  GLENN,  a  farmer  of  Green 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Pine 
township,  this  county,  Feb.  18,  1859,  son  of 
Joseph  J.  Glenn  and  grandson  of  Joseph 
Glenn. 

Joseph  Glenn  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and 
coming  to  the  United  States  at  an  early  day 
located  in  what  is  now  Green  township.  Be- 
ing one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  locality,  he  was 
ten  miles  from  his  nearest  neighbor,  but  bene- 
fitted from  his  hardihood  in  being  able  to 
secure  one  thousand  acres  of  land,  a  good 
portion  of  which  he  cleared.  At  that  time 
rattlesnakes  were  numerous,  and  he  had  the 
disagreeable  experience  of  having  one  fasten 
itself  to  his  shirt  sleeve,  although  he  passed 
through  the  incident  unharmed.  In  spite  of 
the  hardships  of  his  life  he  lived  to  be  104 
years  old,  dying  in  Green  township,  where  he 
is   buried,    lying   in   the   little   cemetery   at 


Bethesda  Church.  His  children  were :  Joseph 
J.,  Matilda,  Daniel,  Wilson,  James,  Johnson 
and  Catherine. 

Joseph  J.  Glenn,  son  of  Joseph  Glenn,  was 
born  in  Green  township  Jan.  14,  1825,  and 
spent  his  life  in  farming.  He  owned  a  farm 
of  seventy-two  acres  in  Pine  township,  and 
was  also  a  local  preacher  of  the  Church  of 
God.  A  man  of  great  piety,  he  passed  away 
firm  in  the  faith  of  his  church  Jan.  19,  1913, 
aged  eighty-eight  years,  on  the  farm  that  had 
been  his  home  for  so  long,  and  is  buried  in 
Green  township. 

Joseph  J.  Glenn  married  Mary  Carner,  a 
daughter  of  Jacob  Carner  and  they  had  the 
following  children:  Robert,  John,  A.  W., 
Sarah  C.  (who  died  in  childhood),  William 
A.,  and  Carrie  (who  married  Jackson 
Cramer).  His  second ' marriage  was  to  Isa- 
belle  Martin,  daughter  of  David  JMartin,  of 
Green  township,  and  their  children  were: 
Elizabeth,  who  died  in  childhood ;  Jennie,  who 
married  William  Waggoner ;  Thomas,  of  Pine 
township;  and  Catherine,  who  owns  the  Pine 
township  homestead. 

William  A.  Glenn  received  a  public  school 
education,  and  helped  his  father  in  the  oper- 
ation of  the  farm  and  in  cutting  timber  to 
clear  off  the  land.  He  and  his  father  con- 
ducted a  sawnnill  for  a  time  in  conjunction 
with  their  other  work,  and  he  kept  busy  all 
the  while,  remaining  at  home  iiutil  he  was 
thirty-three  years  old.  At  that  time  he  began 
farming  in  Green  township  for  his  mother- 
in-law,  on  the  David  ilartin  property  of 
eighty  acres.  After  eight  years  upon  this 
farm  he  bought  the  R.  D.  Williams  prop- 
erty of  thirty-nine  acres  in  Pine  township, 
but  has  never  resided  upon  it.  His  daugh- 
ter Sarah,  Mrs.  Good,  is  now  living  on  it,  in 
a  fine  house.  In  1901  he  and  his  wife  in- 
herited the  IMartin  farm,  where  they  had 
taken  care  of  Mrs.  Martin  in  her  last  illness, 
and  there  they  have  since  continued  to  re- 
side. Since  coming  into  possession  of  this 
place  Mr.  Glenn  has  improved  it  in  many 
ways  and  has  now  one  of  the  best  rural  prop- 
erties in  the  township.  This  land  is  under- 
laid with  a  rich  vein  of  coal  which  Mi-.  Glenn 
and  his  wife  still  own. 

In  1883  Mr.  Glenn  married  Catherine  Mar- 
tin, a  daughter  of  David  and  Nancy  (Had- 
den)  ]Martin.  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Glenn  became 
the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Nancy 
B.  who  is  unmarried,  lives  at  home ;  Sarah 
married  Edward  Good;  Elizabeth  married 
John  Adams;  Eva  C.  is  at  home.  Politically 
Mr.   Glenn  is  a  Republican,  but  has  never 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1481 


cared  to  enter  public  life-,  his  time  and  at- 
tention being  fully  occupied  with  his  farming, 
and  his  success  justifies  his  course. 

ANDREW  DUNCAN,  a  retired  farmer  of 
Washington  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was 
born  in  Armstrong  county,  this  State,  Aug-. 
28,  1830,  son  of  Andrew  Duncan  and  grand- 
son of  James  Duncan. 

James  Duncan  was  bom  in  Scotland,  im- 
migrated to  the  United  States,  and  settled 
first  in  Dauphin  county,  Pa.,  later  going  to 
Armstrong  county,  where  he  made  his  per- 
manent home. 

Andrew  Duncan,  son  of  James,  and  father 
of  Andrew  Duncan,  was  born  in  Dauphin 
county.  Pa.,  in  1796,  and  was  there  educated 
and  taught  the  trade  of  blacksmith.  When 
he  came  to  Armstrong  county  he  accom- 
panied his  father,  and  embarking  in  a  blaek- 
smithing  business  carried  it  on  the  greater 
portion  of  his  life,  although  he  gave  his 
father  valuable  assistance  with  the  farm  work. 
Andrew  Duncan  married  Lydia  Deemer,  a 
daughter  of  George  and  Lydia  Deemer,  and 
their  children  were :  James,  who  is  deceased ; 
William,  deceased;  Nancy,  deceased;  George, 
deceased;  Andrew;  Lydia,  M'ho  resides  at 
Pittsburg;  Charles,  who  resides  at  Portland, 
Oregon ;  Eliza  Rebecca ;  and  Eliza,  who  is 
deceased.  Andrew  Duncan  was  a  Democrat 
in  politics,  but  never  held  any  public  ofSce. 
A  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
he  held  firmly  to  its  faith.  His  death  oc- 
curred three  miles  from  the  town  of  Indiana, 
in  1861,  when  he  was  aged  sixty-five  years. 

Andrew  Duncan,  son  of  Andrew  Duncan, 
attended  school  in  Armstrong  county,  and 
worked  among  the  neighboring  farmers  until 
he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  At  that  time  he 
came  to  Indiana  county,  and  commenced 
learning  the  blacksmith's  trade  at  Saltsburg, 
following  it  for  many  years  after  he  com- 
pleted his  apprenticeship.  Later  on  in  life 
he  purchased  seventy-eight  acres  of  land  near 
Creekside  and  operated  same,  carrying  on 
general  farming  for  a  period  of  fourteen 
years.  In  1909,  owing  to  an  illness,  he 
retired. 

Mr.  Duncan  married  (first)  Esther  Camp- 
bell, a  daughter  of  Cornelius  Campbell  and 
his  wife  Rebecca  (Stewart),  and  their  chil- 
dren were:  Andrew,  who  died  in  infancy; 
and  Rebecca  Jane,  who  married  William  D. 
Fairman,  of  Washington  township.  After' 
the  death  of  his  first  wife  Mr.  Duncan  mar- 
ried (second)  Nancy  Anne  Mahan,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Patrick  and  Nancy  (Wilson)  Mahan, 


and  they  have  had  children  as  follows :  Mary 
Nancy  is  living  at  home;  Lydia  Cora  died  at 
the  age  of  fourteen  years,  ten  months; 
Charles  Blair  died  in  infancy;  one  died  in 
infancy  unnamed;  Lizzie  Belle  is  living  at 
home ;  Effa  Maud  graduated  from  the  Indiana 
State  normal  school  in  1901,  taught  five  terms 
of  school,  returned  to  the  nonnal  and  took  the 
business  course,  graduating  in  1907,  and 
went  to  Pittsburg,  where  she  taught  three 
years  in  the  Ellsworth  business  college ;  she  is 
now  stenographer  for  a  law  firm  in  that  city. 
As  the  principles  of  the  Prohibition  party 
embody  Mr.  Duncan's  own  ideas,  he  is  a 
stanch  adherent  of  same,  but  has  never  been 
willing  to  accej^t  nomination  for  office.  The 
Center  Presbyterian  Church  is  his  religious 
home. 

]\Ir.  Duncan  takes  great  pride  in  his  family 
history  and  often  tells  of  the  experiences  of 
his  grandmother,  who  suffered  cruelly  at  the 
hands  of  the  Indians.  Her  first  husband  and 
their  child  were  captured  by  the  red  men, 
and  killed.  Later  she  and  her  daughter,  who 
became  the  mother  of  IMr.  Duncan,  were 
stolen  by  the  Indianas  and  kept  captives  for 
a  period  of  eight  months.  The  intelligent 
brain  of  the  captive  mother  worked  out  a 
means  of  escape.  She  succeeded  in  intoxicat- 
ing her  captors,  and  while  they  lay  in  a 
drunken  stupor  fought  her  way  through  the 
forest  back  to  civilization.  Her  hardships 
while  making  her  way  back  to  her  home  and 
family  may  well  be  imagined.  None  but  a 
woman  of  unusual  strength  of  character  could 
have  survived  the  many  dangers  and  constant 
exposure. 

JOHN  C.  CARR,  a  farmer  of  North  Ma- 
honing township,  was  born  Sept.  4,  1862, 
on  the  old  Carr  homestead  in  that  township, 
son  of  Wallace  and  Elizabeth  (Jordan)  Carr. 

John  Carr,  his  grandfather,  was  a  native  of 
eastern  Pennsylvania,  as  was  his  wife  Mary, 
and  they  were  the  first  of  the  family  to  come 
to  Indiana  county.  Upon  their  arrival  they 
located  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  John  C. 
Carr,  in  North  Mahoning  township,  and  built 
a  log  cabin  in  the  wilderness.  They  con- 
tinued to  live  upon  this  property  until  death 
claimed  them.  John  Carr  was  a  farmer  all 
his  life,  and  became  a  well-known  and  highly 
respected  man  of  his  section.  There  were 
two  children  born  to  him  and  his  wife,  Wal- 
lace and  Jane;  the  latter  married  George 
Kippert  and  lived  in  West  "Virginia  until  her 
death. 


1482 


HISTOKY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Wallace  Carr,  son  of  John  Carr,  was  born 
Feb.  18,  1836,  on  the  homestead  of  his  father 
in  North  ilahouing  township.  In  1858  he 
married  Elizabeth  Jordan,  who  was  born 
Oct.  25,  1837,  in  the  same  township  as  her 
husband.  Growing  up  on  the  farm,  Wallace 
Carr  had  but  few  educational  advantages,  but 
being  a  lad  of  intelligence  made  the  most  of 
what  he  had.  He  lived  upon  the  Carr  home- 
stead all  his  life,  dying  there  June  24,  1871. 
His  widow  survives  and  lives  with  her  son 
John  C.  A  Republican,  Mr.  Carr  was  faith- 
ful to  his  party  without  aspiring  to  office. 
He  and  his  wife  early  joined  the  Methodist 
Church  at  Covode.  Their  children  were  as 
follows:  William  C,  born  Jan.  25.  1859.  is 
a  farmer  of  North  Mahoning  township,  and 
married  Mary  Stauff er ;  Marj'  Ellen,  was  born 
Sept.  1,  1860,  is  the  widow  of  Scott  Adam- 
son,  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  John  Clayton  is 
mentioned  later;  Martha  Ann,  born  Feb.  12, 
1864,  married  Fred  Leydia,  of  Punxsutawney, 
and  they  have  a  son,  Wayne;  George  Rus- 
sell, born  Oct.  3,  1866,  died  Mav  2,  1867; 
Harry  Grant,  born  April  27,  1868,  died  Oct 
24,  1870. 

John  C.  Carr  had  but  a  common  school 
education.  He  has  spent  his  life  upon  the 
home  fann,  he  and  his  brother  William  C. 
taking  charge  of  the  property  after  the  death 
of  the  father,  and  operating  it  together  until 
1894,  when  John  C.  Carr  bought  it.  He  has 
130  acres  of  land,  ninety  acres  of  which  are 
under  cultivation,  and  his  place  is  one  of  the 
valuable  farms  in  the  neighborhood.  Mt. 
Carr  erected  the  residence  and  remodeled  the 
barn,  and  installed  other  improvements  which 
not  only  add  to  the  value  of  his  estate  but 
serve  to  expedite  the  work  of  the  farm.  A 
Republican,  he  has  never  cared  for  public 
life.  The  Methodist  Church  of  Horatio,  Pa., 
holds  his  membership. 

On  Dec.  6,  1888,  Mr.  Carr  was  married  to 
Lottie  Shaffer,  of  Jefferson  county,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Charlotte  Shaffer,  of  that 
county.  Mr.  and  ^Mrs.  Carr  became  the  par- 
ents of  three  children :  Clarence  Clover, 
born  Aug.  10,  1894,  is  at  home ;  Algier  Brooks, 
born  April  12,  1897,  was  killed  by  lightning 
when  fourteen  years  old ;  Ethel  Elizabeth. 
born  Aug.  3,  1900,  is  at  home.  ^Irs.  Carr 
died  Feb.  4,  1911,  aged  forty-two  years.  She 
was  a  most  estimable  woman,  and  is  deeply 
mourned  by  her  family. 

SAMUEL  G.  COON,  who  in  partnership 
with  J.  R.  Jones  owns  the  Crown  Bottling 
works  at  Indiana  borough,  was  born  in  West 


Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county,  Aug.  7, 
1862,  son  of  James  and  Cynthia  (Neal) 
Coon,  farming  people.  His  father,  who  was 
born  Feb.  28.  1837,  in  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship, died  there  in  December,  1902.  His 
mother  born  Jan.  16,  1839,  in  West  Mahon- 
ing township,  is  still  living,  at  the  age  (1913) 
of  seventy-four  years.  She  makes  her  home 
iu  North  Mahoning  township.  Of  the  large 
family  born  to  them  ten  survive. 

Samuel  G.  Coon  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
home  farm.  Until  he  was  twenty-two  he  at- 
tended the  local  public  schools.  Meantime 
he  did  his  share  of  the  work  on  the  place, 
where  he  continued  to  live  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  twenty-five.  He  had  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade,  and  when  he  left  home  he 
went  to  Ridgway,  Elk  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  fol- 
lowed that  business  for  eight  years.  In  1896 
he  removed  to  Kane,  Pa.,  where  he  was  lo- 
cated for  four  years,  and  thence  went  to 
Shinglehouse,  Potter  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  also 
spent  four  years,  in  1904  coming  to  Indiana 
borough,  where  he  has  since  been  established. 
For  several  years  after  settling  in  the  borough 
Mr.  Coon  was  employed  in  the  planing  mill, 
in  the  spring  of  1911  becoming  a  partner  of 
John  R.  Jones,  with  whom  he  has  since  been 
associated.  They  manufacture  all  kinds  of 
carbonated  beverages.  The  business  has  been 
established  since  1908.  There  has  been  a 
steady  demand  for  its  products  from  the 
start,  their  standard  excellence  winning  and 
holding  trade.  Mr.  Jones  and  Mr.  Coon  are 
both  men  of  good  character  and  reliable  meth- 
ods, and  they  have  not  only  managed  their  af- 
fairs to  their  own  profit  but  in  such  manner 
as  to  win  the  respect  and  good  will  of  their 
fellow  citizens.  i\Ir.  Coon  is  a  well-known 
member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  the  F.  &  A. 
]\I.  (Macedonia  Lodge  No.  258  of  Bolivar,  N. 
Y.),  and  in  religious  connection  he  belongs  to 
the  M.  E.  Church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

In  November,  1892,  Mr.  Coon  was  married, 
at  Salamanca,  N.  Y.,  to  Ella  V.  Brothers,  of 
Ridgway,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Annie  (Miller)  Brothers.  They  have  two 
children,  Murray  A.  and  J.  Darrel. 

TRACY  C.  STANLEY,  proprietor  of  a 
meat  market  at  Clymer,  was  born  in  Clear- 
field county.  Pa.,  Sept.  18.  1873,  a  son  of 
George  'Si.  and  Amelia  (Cain)  Stanley. 

George  M.  Stanley  was  born  in  Clearfield 
county,  and  still  lives  there,  engaged  exten- 
sively in  farming.  He  married  Amelia  Cain, 
who  was  born  in  Center  county,  and  seven 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1483 


sons  and  three  daughters  were  bom  to  them, 
namely :  John  O.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  meat 
business  and  resides  at  Philadelphia:  Mae, 
who  is  the  widow  of  David  Sprankle,  of 
Tyrone,  Pa. ;  Urilla,  who  is  the  wife  of  Wil- 
liam S.  Ale,  of  Juniata,  Pa. ;  Shedrick,  who 
lives  at  Tyrone;  William,  who  is  a  physician 
and  surgeon  of  Marietta,  Ohio;  Calvin,  who 
resides  at  Belle  Vernon,  Pa. ;  Sue,  who  is  the 
wife  of  M.  T.  Frederick,  postmaster  at  Gal- 
litzin.  Pa. ;  Tracy  C. ;  Edward,  who"  is  an 
engineer  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  and 
lives  at  Juniata,  Pa. ;  and  Charles,  who  lives 
in  Clearfield  county. 

Tracy  C.  Stanley  spent  his  early  years  on 
the  home  farm  and  attended  school  until 
about  fifteen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he 
.started  to  learn  the  butcher  business,  which, 
with  the  exception  of  seven  years,  he  has 
followed  ever  since.  During  the  period  men- 
tioned he  was  engaged  as  a  stationary  engi- 
neer. When  the  Spanish-American  war  was 
declared  Mr.  Stanley  enlisted  for  service 
wherever  he  might  be  sent,  but  his  regiment 
went  no  farther  than  the  caipp  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  the  war  fortunately  being  of  short 
duration.  When  the  town  of  Clymer  was 
started  he  went  there  and  looked  over  the 
ground,  and  had  the  foresight  to  recognize  it 
as  a  good  business  field,  so  he  embarked  in 
the  meat  businesss,  dealing  both  retail  and 
wholesale.  He  has  a  most  thoroughly  equip- 
ped market.  Mr.  Stanley  is  an  active  and 
interested  citizen  as  well  as  a  successful  busi- 
ness man  and  belongs  to  the  class  that  en- 
courage  enterprise   and  foster  public   spirit. 

On  June  1,  1898,  Mr.  Stanley  was  married 
to  Bertha  Miller,  who  is  a  daughter  of  George 
and  Anna  Miller,  natives  of  Clearfield  county, 
where  the  father  is  in  the  contracting  and 
building  business.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stanley 
have  had  three  children :  Matthew,  Russell 
and  Beryl,  the  two  last  named  still  at  school. 
Mr.  Stanley  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, being  connected  with  the  lodge  at 
Hollidaysburg. 

ROBERT  L.  EMERICK,  of  Canoe  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  teacher  and  farmer,  has 
lived  in  that  section  all  his  life,  having  been 
born  Sept.  14,  1884,  at  Rochester  Mills,  son 
of  John  J.  Emerick,  and  gi-andson  of  John 
B.   Emerick. 

John  Emerick,  his  great-grandfather,  was 
born  in  Hessen  Darmstadt,  Germany,  and 
came  to  America  many  years  ago.  For  eight 
years  he  worked  as  a  merchant  tailor  in  Balti- 
more,   Md.,    and    then    moved    to    Franklin 


county.  Pa.,  where  he  farmed  from  1832  to 
1840,  in  the  latter  year  coming  to  Indiana 
county.  He  obtained  150  acres  of  wild  land, 
continuing  his  agricultural  operations  in 
Canoe  township,  where  he  died  in  1878,  aged 
ninety-four  years,  while  his  wife  died  in  1874, 
aged  eighty-five  years.  They  were  members 
of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Their  children  were: 
John  B. ;  Henry,  who  married  Mary  Hoover, 
and  lived  in  Canoe  township  (both  are  de- 
ceased) ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  John  Hef- 
flick,  and  lived  in  Canoe  township  (both  are 
deceased)  ;  and  Mary,  who  married  Michael 
Winsheiraer,  and  lived  in  Indiana  county  and 
aiaryland    (both  are  deceased). 

John  B.  Emerick,  son  of  John,  came  with 
his  parents  to  Indiana  county  and  helped 
them  to  clear  a  farm  in  Canoe  township,  both 
working  hard  for  their  success.  He  secured 
fifty  acres  of  the  homestead  and  lived  on  it 
until  his  death,  in  1894,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
eight  years.  Mr.  Emerick  was  also  a  tailor 
and  worked  at  his  trade  occasionally.  A  Re- 
publican in  politics,  he  confined  his  public 
activities  to  casting  his  vote  for  the  candidate 
of  his  party.  The  Lutheran  Church  of  Trade 
City  held  his  membership,  and  he  was  a  most 
excellent  man  in  every  respect. 

John  B.  Emerick  married  Barbara  Wort- 
man,  who  was  born  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship, this  county,  daughter  of  Casper  Wort- 
man.  They  had  the  following  children: 
John  J. ;  Kate,  who  married  James  Colkitt, 
of  Punxsutawney,  and  has  four  children, 
Charles,  Alfred,  Mary  and  Fred ;  George,  who 
is  living  with  his  brother  Harvey  C,  on  the 
Emerick  homestead,  a  huckster  and  farmer; 
and  Harvey  C. 

John  J.  Emerick,  son  of  John  B.  and  Bar- 
bara (Wortman)  Emerick,  was  born  Aug. 
7,  1849,  on  the  Emerick  homestead  in  Canoe 
township,  now  occupied  by  his  brother  Har- 
vey, and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  there.  He  himself  became  the  owner 
of  a  tract  of  sixty  acres  in  that  township,  fol- 
lowing general  farming  and  trucking,  and 
for  many  years  engaging  as  a  huckster,  mak- 
ing two  trips  a  week  to  Horatio,  where  he 
not  only  disposed  of  his  own  produce,  but  that 
of  other  farmers  which  he  gathered.  His 
death  occurred  in  1892.  Politically  he  was 
a  Republican,  but  took  no  part  in  party  af- 
fairs, and  never  held  any  office.  On  Jan.  7, 
1880,  he  married  Margaret  E.  Lowry,  who 
was  born  Dec.  29,  1858,  daughter  of  Lewis 
and  Isabella  (Hanna)  Lowry,  and  died  Dee. 
2,  1908,  aged  forty-nine  years,  ten  months. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Emerick  are  buried  in  the  Pine 


1484 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Grove  cemetery  at  Richmond,  in  Canoe  to^vn- 
ship.  They  had  children  as  follows:  Robert 
L. ;  Oren  B.,  who  is  on  his  father's  homestead 
near  Rochester  Mills,  in  Canoe  township,  mar- 
ried to  Mayme  C.  Colgan;  Anna  B.,  wife  of 
Jacob  McFarland,  of  Rossiter,  Canoe  town- 
ship ;  and  Cecil  B.,  who  married  Harry  Dun- 
mire,  of  Juneau,  Canoe  towmship.  The  fam- 
ily are  of  Presbyterian  faith. 

Robert  L.  Emerick  obtained  his  preparatory 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
township,  and  attended  the  summer  normals 
held  at  Marehand,  Marion  Center  and  Smicks- 
burg.  For  one  term  he  was  a  student  in  the 
preparatory  school  of  Grove  City  College,  in 
fiercer  county.  Pa.  He  holds  a  State  perma- 
nent certificate.  He  has  taught  school  for 
eleven  years  in  Canoe  and  Banks  townships 
and  Smicksburg  borough,  and  was  thus  en- 
gaged for  three  summer  terms,  two  at  Smicks- 
burg and  one  at  Juneau.  In  1912  he  bought 
a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Canoe  township,  a 
few  miles  from  Richmond,  where  he  intends 
to  engage  in  truck  farming,  following  in  his 
father's  footsteps. 

On  Aug.  3.  1910,  Mr.  Emerick  married 
Vesta  Butler,  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Mar- 
garet C.  (Aul)  Butler,  of  Georgeville,  this 
county,  and  they  have  one  child,  John  Lowry, 
born  June  1,  1911. 

Mr.  Emerick  has  not  only  been  associated 
with  educational  work  in  his  locality,  but  with 
religious  enterprises  and  general  moral  ad- 
vancement. He  is  a  staunch  Prohibitionist 
in  political  connection,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
efficient  working  members  of  the  Salem 
Evangelical  Church,  which  he  is  serving  as 
trustee  and  Sunday  school  superintendent ;  he 
is  also  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Young 
People's  Alliance.  By  reason  of  his  attain- 
ments and  high  standards  he  is  well  fitted 
for  such  responsibilities,  and  has  proved  him- 
self a  trustworthy  and  conscientious  official. 

John  Henry  Butler,  father  of  ]\Irs. 
Emerick,  is  a  merchant  at  Georgeville,  in 
East  Mahoning  township.  He  is  a  native  of 
New  Jersey,  iDorn  Sept.  3,  1849,  near  Rox- 
bury,  Warren  county,  and  the  family  has 
been  established  in  that  State  from  an  early 
day.  Robert  Butler,  grandfather  of  John 
Henry,  was  a  cooper;  followed  his  trade  in 
"Warren  county,  and  died  there. 

Holloway  Butler,  son  of  Robert  and  Eliza- 
beth (or  Betty),  was  born  in  Warren  county, 
learned  coopering  with  his  father,  and  worked 
at  the  trade  for  some  time,  but  later  became 
interested  in  fruit  culture,  raising  small 
fruits  and  vegetables.     He  was  thus  engaged 


until  his  death.  He  married  Margaret 
Kimple,  also  a  native  of  Warren  county,  and 
they  had  children-.  Mary  Elizabeth,  Thomas, 
John  Henry,  George,  Bernard,  James,  Wil- 
liam, Anna,  Lena,  Samuel,  Sarah  and  Oscar. 

John  Henry  Butler  came  to  Indiana  county 
in  1871,  his  maternal  grandfather,  John 
Kimple,  and  uncle,  Capt.  William  Kimple, 
living  here.  He  settled  with  the  former  and 
worked  for  him  a  year,  in  1872  going  to 
Butler  county,  where  he  remained  a  year. 
He  has  since  been  a  resident  of  East  Ma- 
honing township,  where  he  farmed  until 
1882,  the  year  he  entered  the  general  mer- 
cantile business  at  Georgeville.  He  now  has 
a  flourishing  trade,  being  the  leading  business 
man  of  the  place.  He  is  still  interested  in 
farming,  and  continued  to  look  after  the 
operation  of  his  homestead  place  until  he 
turned  it  over  to  his  son  George  in  1909.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  polities  and  has  held  pub- 
lic office ;  sociallv  he  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0. 
0.  F.  and  Jr.  6.  U.  A.  M. 

On  March  24,  1873,  Mr.  Butler  married 
Margaret  Aul,  and  they  have  had  children  as 
follows:  George  H.,  Margaret  (deceased), 
Rebecca  (deceased),  Annie,  Frank  (de- 
ceased), Ross  (deceased),  Urbie  Clair  (de- 
ceased), Edward  Gale  (deceased),  Bessie 
(deceased).  Bertha,  Vesta,  and  Miles  Piitney 
(deceased).  A  full  sketch  of  the  Butler  fam- 
ily appears  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

CALVIN  H.  STEFPEY,  of  Heilwood,  Pa., 
was  born  on  a  farm  in  Pine  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  Sept.  25,  1877,  son  of  George  and 
Teresa  (Goss)  Steffey.  His  paternal  grand- 
father was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  an 
early  settler  in  Pine  township,  for  many 
yeai-s  conducting  a  blacksmith  shop  about  one 
"mile  from  the  present  town  of  Heilwood.  He 
also  engaged  extensively  in  farming,  cleared 
a  good  tract  of  land,  and  erected  a  log  house, 
in  which  he  resided  for  a  long  period. 

George  Steffey,  father  of  Calvin  H.  Steffey, 
was  bom  in  Pennsylvania.  He  was  an  early 
settler  in  Pine  township  and  spent  the  rest 
of  his  life  there,  farming.  His  death  oc- 
curred Nov.  8,  1908,  on  the  old  homestead, 
while  his  widow,  who  still  survives  and  lives 
on  the  Pine  township  farm,  is  seventy-two 
years  of  age.  They  had  a  family  of  four  sons 
and  four  daughters,  as  follows:  Ennna,  the 
wife  of  William  Sholtz,  of  Pine  township; 
Frank  G.,  engaged  in  farming  in  Pine  town- 
ship ;  Catherine,  the  wife  of  David  Martin,  of 
Pine  township;  Calvin  H. ;  Harvey,  an  elec- 
trician of  Heilwood;  Scott  V.,  proprietor  of 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1485 


the  Steffey  Livery,  at  Heilwood;  Mazie,  the 
wife  of  Ardie  Davis,  of  Grisemoi'c,  Indiana 
county ;  and  Pearl,  the  wife  of  James  Hanna, 
living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Pine  township. 
Calvin  H.  Steffey  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Pine  township,  and  on  completing 
his  education  began  to  teach  school.  After 
following  the  vocation  of  educator  in  Pine 
township  for  five  years,  in  Buffington  town- 
ship three  terms,  and  at  Bamesboro,  Cambria 
county,  two  terms,  he  took  a  business  course 
in  the  Eastman  business  college  at  Pough- 
keepsie,  N.  Y.,  and  then  accepted  a  position 
with  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  at 
Trauger,  Westmoreland  county.  One  year 
later  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Heilwood 
Company,  as  bookkeeper.  Mr.  Steffey  is  a 
member  of  Pine  Flats  Lodge,  No.  1168,  I.  0. 
0.  F.    He  attends  the  Lutheran  Church. 

SAMUEL  R.  WADDELL,  who  has  been 
engaged  in  cultivating  his  present  property 
in  Green  township,  Indiana  county,  since 
1900,  was  born  in  that  township,  Aug.  10, 
1852,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Wike) 
Waddell. 

Samuel  Waddell,  his  paternal  grandfather, 
was  a  native-born  American,  of  Irish  ances- 
try. An  early  settler  of  Indiana  county,  in 
his  younger  years  he  was  a  tailor,  but  later 
purchased  a  farm  in  Green  township  and  was 
engaged  in  tilling  the  soil  there  until  his 
death.     He  is  buried  in  Taylorville  cemetery. 

James  Waddell,  son  of  Samuel  Waddell, 
was  born  Nov.  6,  1826,  in  Indiana  county, 
three  miles  north  of  Blairsville.  In  1845  he 
removed  from  Washington  township  to  Green 
township,  purchased  the  farm  adjoining 
where  his  son,  Samuel  R.,  now  resides,  and 
cleared  it  from  the  wilderness,  building  a 
hewed  log  cabin  and  making  numerous  other 
improvements.  He  continued  to  reside  in  the 
original  house  and  to  engage  in  agricultural 
pursuits  there  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
Feb.  19,  1900.  James  Waddell  married  Sarah 
Wike,  who  was  born  May  11,  1826,  in  Bedford 
county,  Pa.,  near  the  town  of  Woodbury,  and 
came  to  Indiana  county  at  the  age  of  fifteen 
years  with  her  sister,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Blickens- 
dorfer.  She  resided  near  Greenville,  in 
Cherryhill  township,  until  her  marriage,  and 
her  death  occurred  in  Green  township  Oct. 
11,  1892.  Two  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Waddell :  Samuel  R.  and  John,  latter  re- 
siding at  the  old  homestead,  Green  township. 

Jacob  Wike,  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
Samuel  R.  Waddell,  was  a  native  of  Bedford 


county.  Pa.,  where  he  spent  his  entire  life  in 
general  farming. 

Samuel  R.  Waddell  was  reared  to  the  voca- 
tion of  a  farmer,  and  like  other  farmers'  sons 
of  his  day  and  locality  spent  his  boyhood  in 
work  on  the  home  place  in  the  summer 
months,  his  education  being  secured  in  the 
district  schools  during  the  winter  terms.  As 
a  youth  he  engaged  in  lumbering,  and  for 
sixteen  years  was  engaged  in  working  in  the 
woods,  in  1900  purchasing  the  home  farm, 
where  he  has  since  devoted  his  energies  to 
agricultural  work. 

On  Dec.  30,  1886,  Mr.  Waddell  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Conn,  who  was  born  in  Butler 
county.  Pa.,  Feb.  16,  1859,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Nancy  (Mortimer)  Conn,  both  na- 
tives of  Butler  county.  Mrs.  Waddell 's  par- 
ents came  to  Indiana  county  in  1866  and 
settled  in  Green  township,  Mr.  Conn  being 
engaged  in  farming  here  until  his  death  in 
1881,  while  his  wife  survived  him  until  1890. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waddell  have  had  two  children, 
one  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  other, 
Meda  M.,  is  the  wife  of  Willis  A.  Houck,  and 
lives  in  Green  township,  near  Purchase  Line. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waddell  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  Mr.  Waddell 's 
father  and  grandparents  were  charter  mem- 
bers of  the  East  Union  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Taylorsville,  Indiana  county.  Politically 
Mr.  Waddell  is  a  Republican,  and  he  has 
served  nine  years  as  school  director  of  his 
township. 

WILLIAM  H.  FENTON,  proprietor  of  the 
Central  Meat  Market,  in  Indiana,  has  owned 
that  place  for  the  last  three  years  and  is  doing 
a  thriving  business,  which  under  his  careful 
management  is  steadily  increasing.  He  has 
passed  practically  all  his  life  in  the  borough. 

Mr.  Fenton  was  bom  Aug.  13,  1872,  in 
Homer  City,  this  county,  son  of  James  and 
Jennie  (Crawford)  Fenton.  The  latter 's 
parents,  Robert  Fenton  and  his  wife,  were 
from  Ireland.  James  Fenton  was  born  in 
Indiana  county,  possibly  in  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  and  learned  harnessmaking,  which 
trade  he  followed  for  a  time.  Then  he  en- 
gaged in  business,  keeping  a  store,  and  he  be- 
came one  of  the  well-known  and  highly  es- 
teemed citizens  of  Indiana,  serving  twenty 
years  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  a 
prominent  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  in 
which  he  was  an  active  worker,  serving  as  an 
officer  for  years.  In  politics  he  was  a  Repub- 
lican.    He  died  in  Indiana  in  1901.     After 


1486 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


his  death  his  widow  removed  with  three  of 
her  unmarried  children  to  Steubenville,  Ohio, 
thence  to  Coudersport,  Pa.,  and  from  there 
to  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  where  she  died  in  the 
summer  of  1907.  The  sons  established  the 
Fenton  Art  Glass  Company  in  Wheeling,  but 
after  their  mother's  death  removed  the  busi- 
ness to  Williamstown,  W.  Va.,  where  they 
erected  their  own  plant  and  developed  the 
concern  to  large  proportions.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
James  Fenton  had  a  family  of  seven  children, 
namely:  Robert,  of  the  Fenton  Art  Glass 
Company,  who  married  Grace  Dudley,  of 
Marion,  Ohio ;  John,  also  a  member  of  the 
Fenton  Art  Glass  Company,  who  married 
Tuindara  Kerr,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  lives  at 
Millersburg,  Ohio;  James,  of  the  Fenton  Art 
Glass  Company,  who  married  Netta  Clawson 
and  since  her  death  has  remarried;  William 
H. ;  Charles,  a  member  of  the  Fenton  Art 
Glass  Company;  Gertie,  Mrs.  Charles  Brand, 
of  Williamstown,  W.  Va. ;  and  Frank,  of  the 
Fenton  Art  Glass  Company. 

William  H.  Fenton  grew  to  manhood  in 
Indiana  borough,  obtaining  his  education  in 
the  public  schools.  When  a  youth  of  fifteen 
he  began  to  learn  tanning,  at  the  plant  of  the 
Indiana  Tanning  Company,  and  he  followed 
that  trade  for  a  period  of  eighteen  years.  He 
then  engaged  in  the  hide  business  on  his  own 
account,  continuing  same  one  year,  at  the  end 
of  which  time,  in  1909,  he  bought  the  Central 
Meat  Market,  at  No.  565  Philadelphia  street, 
Indiana.  He  carries  a  good  stock  of  home 
dressed  meats,  butter,  eggs  and  poultry,  and 
enjoys  a  steady  patronage,  to  which  he  has 
added  materially  since  the  business  came 
into  his  hands.  His  straightforward  dealing 
and  reliable  goods  are  the  factors  he  depends 
upon  to  hold  his  patrons. 

In  1895  Mr.  Fenton  was  married  to  Ned- 
wena  Gibson,  of  Greenville,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  the  late  Charles  Gibson,  and  they 
have  had  nine  children,  namely:  Jeannette 
Elraira,  Nellie  Jane,  Anna  Belle,  Nedwena, 
Mabel,  William,  iloni-oe,  Alene  and  Frede- 
rick Ream.  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Fenton  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In 
his  political  views  Mr.  Fenton  is  a  Republi- 
can. Socially  he  belongs  to  the  Royal 
Arcanum. 

NAU:\I  COOPER,  proprietor  of  the  only 
merchant  tailoring  and  men's  furnishing 
goods  establishment  in  the  borough  of  Cly- 
mer,  was  born  in  Russia  Nov.  20,  1879,  son 
of  Aaron  and  Vera  Cooper,  the  former  de- 
ceased and  the  latter  still  living  in  Russia, 


neither  having  ever  come  to  the  United  States. 

Naum  Cooper  received  a  public  school  edu- 
cation in  his  pative  land,  and  on  completing 
his  schooling  was  apprenticed  to  the  trade  of 
tailor.  For  some  time  he  woi-ked  at  his  trade 
in  Russia,  and  from  1892  to  1895  served  in 
the  Russian  army.  From  that  country  he 
went  to  Austria,  where  he  remained  three 
months,  and  then  proceeded  to  Berlin,  Ger- 
many, and  later  to  Bremen,  working  at  his 
trade  all  the  time.  At  Bremen  he  took  a 
steamer  for  the  United  States,  and  from  Balti- 
more, j\ld.,  where  he  lainded,  came  direct  to 
Pittsburg,  Pa.  After  remaining  in  the  lat- 
ter city  for  a  short  time  ilr.  Cooper  moved 
on  to  McKee.sport,  Pa.,  but  after  ten  months 
went  to  Johnstown,  and  remained  there  one 
year.  He  then  went  to  Bolivar,  Pa.,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  merchant  tailoring  business, 
and  after,  a  residence  there  of  thi-ee  years 
came  to  Clyiner.  During  all  this  time  Mr. 
Cooper  had  been  seeking  a  locality  in  which 
to  settle  permanently,  and  after  spending  a 
short  time  in  Cl.ymer  recognized  the  general 
desirability  of  the  borough  as  a  business 
center  and  the  opportunity  offered  for  a  live 
and  alert  merchant  to  engage  in  tailoring. 
Accordingly  he  established  himself  in  busi- 
ness here,  and  later  added  men's  furnishings 
to  his  stock,  now  having  the  only  store  of  its 
kind  in  Clymer. 

On  Jan.  27,  1912,  Mr.  Cooper  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Bertha  McCaskey,  who  was 
born  in  Butler  county.  Pa. ;  her  parents  are 
now  residents  of  Boliver,  Westmoreland 
county. 

Mr.  Cooper  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
lodge  at  Clymer  and  is  also  a  popular  mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle. 

ROBERT  STRAWBRIDGE,  mine  fore- 
man for  the  Victor  Coal  Company,  at  Clymer, 
Indiana  county,  has  been  at  that  place  since 
1909  and  has  been  engaged  in  mine  work  all 
his  life.  He  was  born  Nov.  2,  1865,  in  the 
County  of  Durham,  England,  son  of  William 
and  Margaret  (Logan)  Strawbridge.  The 
parents  were  natives  of  the  North  of  Ire- 
land, whence  they  went  to  Scotland,  remain- 
ing there  for  a  time  and  then  removing  to  the 
County  of  Durham,  England.  William 
Strawbridge  followed  mining  in  Scotland 
and  England,  where  he  was  killed  in  a  mine 
e.xplosion,  in  the  County  of  Durham,  in  1880; 
165  lives  were  lost.  His  widow  now  makes 
her  home  in  Rossiter,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  with 
her  daughter  Mrs.  Beecham.     Mr.  and  :\Irs. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1487 


William  Strawbridge  had  sixteen  children, 
some  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  eight 
survive,  of  whom  Elizabeth  Ann  is  the  wife 
of  John  Gowdridge,  of  Rossiter,  this  county: 
Margaret  is  the  wife  of  Frank  ilclManus,  and 
lives  in  Frontenac,  Kaus. ;  Robert  is  men- 
tioned below;  Thomas  resides  at  South  Fork, 
Cambria  Co.,  Pa. ;  Joseph  is  a  resident  of 
Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  Sarah  is  the  widow  of 
Arthur  Beecham,  of  Rossiter,  who  was  killed 
in  an  explosion;  we  have  no  record  of  the 
other  two. 

Robert  Strawbridge  received  his  schooling 
in  England.  At  the  age  of  twelve  years  he 
began  work  in  mines  there,  continuing  thus 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen,  when  he 
came  to  America.  He  landed  at  Philadelphia 
and  came  thence  direct  to  Philipsburg,  Center 
Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  went  to  work  in  the  mines, 
remaining  at  that  point  six  months.  From 
there  he  went  to  Houtzdale,  where  he  was 
located  for  five  years,  employed  in  the  mines, 
and  then  he  went  West  to  Missouri  and  on 
to  Kansas,  remaining  three  years  in  that  sec- 
tion. On  his  return  to  Pennsylvania  he  set- 
tled at  'Dubois,  where  he  resumed  raining,  at 
Helvetia,  near  DuBois,  becoming  fire  boss  of 
the  Helvetia  mines.  He  held  that  position 
for  four  and  a  half  years,  being  foreman  for 
another  period  of  three  years,  after  which  he 
came  to  Clymer,  in  the  early  part  of  1909. 
Here  he  became  foreman  of  Victor  Mine  No. 
29,  being  transferred  later  to  No.  24,  where 
he  is  still  employed.  He  is  known  as  a  thor- 
oughly reliable  man,  and  his  long  experience 
makes  him  worthy  of  the  responsibility  in- 
trusted to  him.  Mr.  Strawbridge  was  in  the 
mine  explosion  in  England  in  which  his 
father  was  killed  and  in  another  at  the  Hel- 
vetia mines  in  which  four  lives  were  lost. 

On  Dec.  21,  1887,  at  Three  Runs,  Clear- 
field Co.,  Pa.,  Mr.  Strawbridge  married  Eliz- 
abeth Watkinson,  a  native  of  the  County  of 
Durham,  England,  born  April  25,  1868, 
about  three  miles  from  the  place  M^here  her 
husband  was  born.  Her  parents,  Thomas  and 
Jane  H.  (Eslop)  Watkinson,  were  natives  of 
the  County  of  Durham  who  came  to  America 
and  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in 
this  country;  Mrs.  Watkinson  died  in  1898 
in  Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  and  Mr.  Watkinson 
died  April  13,  1904,  in  Clearfield  county. 
They  had  a  family  of  nine  children,  one  son 
and  eight  daughters,  four  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing: Mrs.  Strawbridge;  ilargaret,  wife  of 
Albert  Huntington,  of  near  Snowshoe,  Pa. ; 
Phyllis,  wife  of  Richard  Vivian,  of  Pardus, 


Pa. ;  and  Mary  Jane,  wife  of  George  Hunt- 
ington, of  Sykesville,  Pa. 

ilr.  and  Mrs.  Strawbridge  have  six  chil- 
dren, namely:  Robert  William,  Ethel,  Jane, 
Frank,  Margaret  and  Willette.  The  parents 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and 
socially  Mr.  Strawbridge  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias. 

LEVI  M.  BUTERBAUGH  lives  upon  the 
farm  in  Green  township,  Indiana  county, 
which  his  father  purchased  three  quarters  of 
a  century  ago.  His  grandfather,  Peter  Buter- 
baugh,  was  an  early  settler  in  these  parts, 
making  his  home  upon  a  farm  adjoining  that 
of  Levi  M.  Buterbaugh.  He  remained  in 
Green  township  to  the  close  of  his  life,  living 
to  advanced  age. 

David  A.  Buterbaugh,  son  of  Peter,  was 
born  Aug.  9,  1805,  in  Mai-jdand,  whence  in 
young  manhood  he  moved  to  Huntingdon 
county,  Pa.  In  1837  he  came  to  Indiana 
county,  where  he  bought  the  farm  in  Green 
to\vnship  now  occupied  by  his  son  Levi  M. 
Buterbaugh.  Here  he  passed  the  rest  of  his 
life,  dying  Aug.  21,  1893.  He  married  Amy 
McGuire,  who  was  born  in  Green  township 
Jan.  11,  1814,  and  died  April  27,  1886,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  ten  children,  but 
four  of  whom  survive,  namely :  William,  who 
is  a  resident  of  Tennessee ;  Levi  M. ;  Sarah  J., 
wife  of  Aaron  Burnheimer,  of  near  Tauoma, 
in  Rayne  township,  this  county;  and  Ma- 
tilda, unmarried,  who  lives  with  her  brother 
Levi.  The  deceased  were :  Calvin,  who  died 
in  infancy;  Emanuel,  who  died  in  infancy; 
Lucinda,  who  died  in  infancy;  ]Mary  Ann, 
who  died  when  tweny-two  years  old ;  Emeline, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years ;  and 
Lucy  Ann,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty. 

Levi  M.  Buterbaugh  was  born  May  5,  1848, 
on  the  farm  in  Green  township  where  he  now 
lives,  and  received  his  education  in  the  local 
public  schools.  He  has  always  been  engaged 
in  farming,  and  prospered  in  his  work,  be- 
coming one  of  the  respected  and  substantial 
citizens  of  his  township.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  M.  E.  Church.  His  wife  is  a  Pres- 
byterian. 

On  Nov.  6,  1866,  Mr.  Buterbaugh  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  Treese,  who  was  born  Sept. 
13,  1848,  in  Huntingdon  county.  Pa.,  and  died 
Jlay  1,  1893.  A  family  of  nine  children  was 
bom  to  this  union,  viz. :  Anna,  now  the  wife 
of  Augustus  Sonnenberg,  living  in  Michigan ; 
William  H.,  who  lives  at  home;  Morrison,  of 
Indiana  county;  Jennie,  widow  of  George 
Mead,  living  in  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Emma,  wife 


1488 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  Frank  Dealer,  of  Johnstown;  Bertha,  de- 
ceased, who  was  the  wife  of  Marling  Walker 
and  died  when  twenty -seven  j'ears  old ;  Cal- 
lie,  who  died  in  1877,  in  infancy;  Richard, 
who  died  in  infancy;  and  Vinnie,  who  died 
in  infancy.  On  Nov.  4,  1897,  Mr.  Buter- 
baugh  married  (second)  Sarah  Jane  Long, 
daughter  of  James  G.  and  Mary  A.  (Stewart) 
Long,  of  Center  township,  and  by  that  union 
has  had  one  child,  Jay  C,  who  is  now  at- 
tending school. 

George  Treese  (also  written  Dreese,  the 
German  spelling),  father  of  the  late  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  (Treese)  Buterbaugh,  was  born  in 
Huntingdon  county,  Pa.,  as  was  also  his  wife, 
Rebecca  (Blaugh).  They  came  to  Indiana 
county  in  1856,  settling  in  Green  township, 
where"  they  died,  both  attaining  old  age.  Mrs 
Buterbaugh  was  the  eldest  of  their  ten  chil- 
dren, one  of  whom,  Emanuel,  died  in  infancy, 
the  others  being:  Kate,  wife  of  John  Roley, 
of  Montgomery  township,  Indiana  county; 
John,  who  lives  in  Green  to-«Tiship ;  Amanda, 
wife  of  "Washington  Fridley,  of  Montgomery 
township;  Minnie,  wife  of  William  Hum- 
phries of  the  State  of  Indiana;  George,  a 
resident  of  Montgomery  township;  Emeline, 
wife  of  Dal  Mumau,  of  Glen  Campbell, 
this  county;  Adeline,  wife  of  Anthony  Arm- 
strong, of  Montgomery  township ;  and  Grant, 
a  resident  of  Green  township. 

ANDREW  KAMETZ,  who  is  in  the  gro- 
cery business  at  Creekside,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  in  Austria  in  March,  1857,  son  of 
John  and  Annie  Kametz,  both  of  whom  are 
deceased. 

Andrew  Kametz  was  educated  in  his  native 
land,  and  when  nineteen  years  old  began  his 
military  service  of  three  years.  After  leaving 
the  army  he  began  mining,  and  continued  to 
work  along  that  line  until  coming  to  America, 
in  1887.  Landing  in  New  York  City,  he  came 
thence  to  Pocahontas.  Va.,  and  after  a  few 
years  there  went  to  DuBois.  Pa.,  which  con- 
tinued to  be  his  home  until  he  located  at 
Creekside,  several  years  ago.  During  all  of 
this  period,  and  for  some  time  after  coming 
to  Creekside,  he  continued  to  work  in  the 
mines,  eventually  embarking  in  his  present 
business.  He  now  conducts  a  thriving  gen- 
eral grocery  store.  His  various  ventures 
have  prospered,  and  he  built  and  owtis  his 
store  and  the  house  he  now  occupies. 

While  still  living  in  Austria  Mr.  Kametz 
was  married,  in  1882,  to  Annie  Kametz,  and 
two  children  have  been  bom  of  this  union: 
Andrew,  at  home,  and  j\Iary  of  Indiana,  Pa. 


Mr.  Kametz  is 
Church. 


member  of   the  Lutheran 


ISADORE  KINGSTON,  who  conducts  a 
restaurant,  confectionery  and  pool  room  at 
Clymer,  was  born  in  Cambria  county,  Pa., 
Sept.  1,  1876,  a  son  of  James  and  Sarah 
(Kline)   Kingston. 

James  Kingston  was  born  at  Adair,  Iowa, 
became  a  general  millwright,  and  operated 
sawmills  in  his  native  State  and  in  Cambria 
county.  Pa.,  where  he  settled  after  coming 
to  this  section,  in  1860.  He  also  followed 
lumbering  for  many  years,  but  now  is  en- 
gaged in  farming.  He  married  Sarah  Kline, 
who  was  born  in  Cambria  county,  and  the 
following  children  were  born  to  them:  Isa- 
dore;  Mary  and  Maggie,  both  of  whom  are 
now  deceased;  James,  who  lives  at  Altoona, 
connected  with  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company;  Chloe,  the  wife  of  Edward  Gilli- 
gan,  who  is  in  the  lumber  business  at  Charles- 
ton, W.  Va. ;  Bertha,  who  resides  at  Cleve- 
land, Ohio ;  Robert,  who  lives  at  Tyrone,  Pa. ; 
Howard,  who  is  a  resident  of  Cambria 
county;  and  Charles,  who  lives  at  Sunbury, 
Pa.  The  mother  of  the  above  family  died  in 
January,  1902. 

Isadore  Kingston  attended  school  in  Cam- 
bria county  until  he  was  twelve  years  old 
and  then  went  to  Clearfield  county  to  work  in 
a  tannery,  and  later  began  to  work  in  the  coal 
mines  at  Coalport,  becoming  assistant  mine 
boss  for  the  Arvard  Coal  &  Coke  Company 
and  remaining  there  for  eleven  years.  In 
1909  Mr.  Kingston  came  to  Clymer,  where  he 
engaged  at  first  in  mining  and  then  com- 
menced his  present  business  enterprise. 

On  Sept.  23,  1896,  in  Cambria  county,  Mr. 
Kingston  was  married  to  Martha  Rowles,  who 
was  born  Nov.  18,  1878,  in  Clearfield  county, 
a  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Van- 
nell)  Rowles,  the  former  of  whom  is  de- 
ceased, the  latter  still  residing  in  Clearfield 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kingston  have  had 
three  children:  Dollie,  who  is  deceased; 
James,  and  George.  Mr.  Kingston  is  an  act- 
ive citizen,  giving  attention  to  all  public 
matters  as  becomes  a  good  citizen,  and  for 
the  last  two  years  has  been  a  member  of  the 
borough  council.  He  is  identified  with  the 
Odd  Fellows  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose, 
at  Clymer,  and  with  Kanawock  Lodge,  No. 
210,  Red  Men,  at  Rosebud,  Clearfield  county. 

SOL  LeVINE.  proprietor  of  the  Indiana 
Dye  Works,  at  No.  678  Philadelphia  street, 
Indiana,  Pa.,  was  born  March  31,  1872,  in 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1489 


the  city  of  Mohileff  (Mogilef),  province  of 
Mohileff,  Russia,  a  son  of  Saul  and  Gussie 
LeVine. 

Mr.  LeVine 's  father,  a  banker  in  the  city  of 
Mohileff,  which  at  that  time  had  a  population 
of  40,000,  died  in  1886,  leaving  a  wife  and 
six  children,  the  latter  being  as  follows :  Sol, 
Harry,  Morris,  Milan,  Michael  and  Annie. 
The  mother  and  her  children  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1891,  landing  at  New  York, 
whence  they  made  their  way  to  Fostoria, 
Ohio;  with  the  exception  of  Sol  the  entire 
familj-  lives  in  New  York.  Mrs.  LeVine  is 
now  sixty-two  years  of  age. 

Sol  LeVine  attended  the  schools  of  his  na- 
tive vicinity,  graduated  from  the  high  school, 
and  learned  the  trade  of  draggist.  He  was 
not  quite  eighteen  years  of  age  when  he  ac- 
companied his  mother  and  brothers  and  sis- 
ters to  America,  and  his  first  employment  in 
this  country  was  in  a  glass  works  situated 
at  Fostoria,  Ohio.  Subsequently  he  went  to 
New  York  City,  and  for  ten  years  conducted 
restaurants  in  different  parts  of  the  metrop- 
olis, but  later  saw  a  better  opportunity  in 
the  dyeing  business,  in  which  he  engaged  for 
a  short  time  in  New  York.  There  he  con- 
tinued to   carry  on   business  until   August, 

1908,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Indiana,  Pa., 
and  is  now  the  proprietor  of  the  Indiana  Dye 
Works,  doing  dyeing,  steam  and  dry  clean- 
ing and  pressing  of  ladies'  and  gentlemen's 
garments,  fancy  dresses,  lace,  velvets  and 
feathers  and  guaranteeing  high-class  work. 

In  Bowling  Green,  Ohio,  in  1893,  Mr.  Le- 
Vine was  married  to  Lena  Cherniack,  of  that 
place,  and  they  have  three  children :  Charles, 
Rosalind  and  Florence.  In  political  matters 
Mr.  LeVine  is  a  Republican,  and  his  fra- 
ternal connections  are  with  the  Royal  Ar- 
canum, the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  the  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  Moose,  in  the  latter  of  which 
he  was  for  two  years  treasurer  and  is  now 
presiding  officer. 

HARRY  LARIFF,  who  has  been  engaged 
in  the  shoe  and  furnishing  goods  business  in 
the  borough  of  Clymer,  Indiana  county,  since 

1909,  is  a  native  of  Russia,  having  been  born 
in  that  country  in  1870,  son  of  Abraham  and 
Matilda  Lariff.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Lariff 
were  born  in  the  domains  of  the  Czar,  and 
his  mother  passed  away  when  Harry  was 
still  a  small  child.  The  father  survived  her 
many  years,  dying  in  his  native  country  when 


he  had  attained  the  remarkable  age  of  ninety- 
three. 

Harry  Lariff  secured  a  common  school  edu- 
cation in  Russia,  where  as  a  young  man  he 
learned  the  trade  of  shoemaker.  Like  many 
other  worthy  men  of  his  country,  he  felt  that 
the  future  held  nothing  in  store  for  him  but 
to  work  hard  always  and  never  attain  a  com- 
petency in  his  native  land,  and  accordingly, 
in  1888,  he  embarked  for  the  United  States. 
Landing  at  New  York  City,  he  remained 
there  for  one  year,  working  at  his  trade,  and 
then  made  his  way  to  Houtzdale,  Clearfield 
county,  where  he  spent  eighteen  years,  event- 
ually becoming  proprietor  of  a  successful 
business.  From  Houtzdale  Mr.  Lariff  went 
to  Altoona,  where  he  spent  one  year  in  the 
grocery  business,  in  1909  coming  to  Clymer 
and  establishing  himself  in  the  shoe  and  fur- 
nishing goods  trade.  He  has  attracted  a  rep- 
resentative patronage  to  his  well-stocked 
establishment. 

Mr.  Lariff  was  married  while  at  Houtzdale 
to  Rebecca  Brenner,  also  a  native  of  Russia, 
and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born  three 
children :  One  who  died  in  infancy ;  Himan, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years;  and 
Myer,  who  assists  his  father  in  conducting  the 
store. 

LOWRY  F.  STRONG,  a  farmer  of  Cherry- 
hill  township,  Indiana  county,  was  bom  in 
that  township  March  22,  1855,  son  of  John 
and  Barbara  (Fyock)  Strong,  of  Irish  and 
German  ancestry,  respectively. 

John  Strong  was  born  at  Strongstown,  this 
county,  where  the  family  were  among  the 
early  settlers.  In  early  life  he  was  a  weaver, 
and  carried  on  a  large  business,  but  later  on 
devoted  himself  to  farming,  dying  on  his 
homestead. 

John  Strong,  son  of  John,  and  father  of 
Lowry  F.  Strong,  was  also  born  at  Strongs- 
town.  An  auctioneer,  he  was  well  known 
throughout  the  county,  and  for  thirteen  years 
served  as  constable.  He  was  also  interested 
in  farming,  and  was  a  man  of  substance  when 
he  died,  Dec.  27,  1883,  his  widow  surviving 
until  the  fall  of  1908.  Three  survive  of  the 
children  born  to  John  and  Barbara  Strong: 
Lowry  F. ;  Loughry  W.  Strong,  of  Logans- 
port,  Ind. ;  and  Emma,  who  lives  with  her 
brother  Lowry  F. 

Lowry  F.  Strong  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  Cherryhill  township,  and  has  al- 
ways been  engaged  in  farming.  On  July  4, 
1878,  he  was  married  to  Ellen  Shank,  born  on 


1490  HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

the  home  now  occupied  by  I\Ir.  Strong  Nov.  White  and  Cherryhill  townships.  He  has 
28,  1858,  daughter  of  Joshua  and  Elizabeth  been  engaged  in  farming  on  his  owTi  account 
(Wissiuger)  Shank.  The  father  was  born  in  since  young  manhood,  and  settled  at  his  pre.s- 
Somerset  county,  in  September.  1808,  and  the  ent  home  in  Green  township  in  1897.  Here 
mother  was  born  in  the  same  county.  They  he  has  sixty-nine  acres  and  carries  on  general 
came  to  Indiana  county  at  an  early  day,  agriculture  and  stock  raising,  also  engaging 
Joshua  Shank  being  one  of  the  early  settlers    in  huckstering. 

here,  as  was  his  father,  Avho  bore  the  same  On  Feb.  1,  1898,  Mr.  Swartz  married  Eliz- 
name.  They  were  both  active  as  farmers,  abeth  Fyock,  of  Green  township,  where  her 
The  father  died  in  1892,  and  the  mother  in  parents,  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Wise)  Fyock, 
1896.  There  were  twelve  children  in  the  lived  and  died;  they  had  eleven  children. 
Shank  family,  four  of  whom  are  now  living:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swartz  have  no  family.  Mrs. 
Sarah,  widow  of  Martin  Putt,  of  this  county ;  Swartz  is  a  member  of  the  Church  of  the 
Eva,  widow  of  Josiah  Gibson,  who  resides  Brethren, 
near  Indiana;  Mary,  widow  of  William  Ly- 

diek,  of  Windber,  Somerset  Co.,  Pa. ;  and  CLYDE  E.  FULTON,  proprietor  of  a  res- 
Mrs.  Strong.  jMr.  and  Mrs.  Strong  became  taurant  and  confeetionerj'  at  the  town  of 
the  parents  of  seven  children:  Loughry  W.,  Heilwood,  Indiana  county,  was  born  on  a 
of  Cherryhill  to-uTiship,  married  Sadie  Wise,  farm  in  Clearfield  county,  Pa.,  Nov.  15,  1880, 
of  Indiana  county,  and  has  children,  Blanche,  and  is  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (McKee) 
Charles,    Grace   and   John;    Emma,   wife   of    Fulton. 

George  Lockard,  died  after  bearing  him  two  Daniel  Pulton  was  born  in  Clearfield 
children.  Glen  and  Lowry ;  Frank  is  deceased ;  county,  and  there  in  his  youth  and  j'oung 
Joshua,  Blair.  Clark  and  David  are  all  at  manhood  engaged  in  farming  and  lumber- 
home.  Mr.  Strong  and  his  family  all  belong  ing,  but  at  this  time  is  giving  his  entire  at- 
to  the  Progressive  Brethren  Church,  and  are  tention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  His  wife, 
most  excellent  people,  respected  by  all  ^vith  also  a  native  of  Clearfield  county,  died  in 
whom  they  are  associated.  November,  1892,  the  mother  of  seven  children, 

as  follows:     Claire,  a  resident  of  Oklahoma; 
D.  HARVEY  SWARTZ,  general  farmer  of    Clyde  E. ;  Dell,  a  resident  of  Coolover,  Pa. ; 
Green  township.  Indiana  county,  is  a  son  of    Zula,   residing  at  home;   and   Ethel,   Orpha 
Samuel  T.  and  Malinda  (Fetterman)  Swartz    and  Mary  E. 

and  grandson  of  Robert  Swartz.  Clyde  E.  Fulton  received  his  education  in 

Samuel  T.  Swartz,  the  father,  was  born  in  the  district  schools  of  the  vicinity  of  his 
Indiana  county,  where  he  has  passed  all  his  f ather 's- f arm  in  Clearfield  county,  and  as  a 
life.  He  was  reared  in  Brushvalley  to^vnship,  j.Quth  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  on  the 
and  later  moving  to  White  township  lived  qJ^  homestead.  The  life  of  an  agriculturist, 
there  for  some  time,  thence  going  to  Rayne  ^o^.ey^r,  did  not  appeal  to  the  young  man. 
township  After  farniing  there  tor  a  while  ^^^  j^^  ^^^^.^^^  ^^^  occupation  of  cook,  which 
he  moved  to  Cherryhill  township,  where  he  .        ^  ^^  ^^^^^_ 

i^l:^.S^iZ::^'^o  H  S-^  ^em  county  untn  1901?  at  that  time  establish- 
in  Indiana  countv,  daughter  of  Daniel  Fetter-  i^g  himselt  m  a  restaurant  business  at  Biirn- 
man.  a  farmer  of  Ravne  township,  who  owned  side.  He  continued  m  business  at  that  place 
a  place  at  the  headwaters  of  Crooked  creek,  until  1905,  in  which  year  he  came  to  Heilwood 
Ten  children  have  been  born  to  ilr.  and  :\Irs.  and  opened  a  restaurant,  subsequently  start- 
Swartz,  namelv:  D.  Harvev:  Robert,  who  ing  a  confectionery,  and  is  still  eariring  on 
lives  at  New  Florence,  Pa. ;  Minnie,  the  wife  both  lines.  He  has  met  with  success  in  his 
of  Ira  McAfoos,  of  IMarion  Center.  Indiana  ventures  and  is  a  director  of  the  Clymer  Na- 
Cc,  Pa.;  William  Garfield,  deceased;  Dessie.  tional  Bank. 

wife   of   Andrew   Mumau,   of   Indiana.   Pa. ;        In  January,  1906,  Mr.  Fulton  was  married 

Nelson,  deceased ;  George,  a  resident  of  Indi-  at    Burnside,    Clearfield    county,    to    Letitia 

ana;   Guy,   living  in   Indiana  county;   Mae,  Wright,  who  was  born  in  Clearfield  county, 

deceased ;  and  Jay,  at  home  with  his  parents,  daughter  of  George   and  Margaret  Wright, 

D.  Harvey  Swartz  was  born  Aug.  4.  1874,  residents  of  that  county,  where  Mr.  Wright 

in  White  to^raship.  this  county,  and  received  is  engaged  in  farming.    Mr.  and  INIrs.  Fulton 

his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Rayne,  have  had  two  children,  Ralph  and  one  who 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1491 


died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fulton  are 
consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 

CHARLES  F.  PAUCH,  merchant  tailor 
of  Indiana,  Pa.,  was  born  June  29,  1878,  in 
Allegheny  City,  this  State,  and  is  a  son  of 
Frank  and  Barbara  (Croft)   Paueh. 

Frank  Pauch  was  born  in  Germany  and 
was  married  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  to  Barbara 
Croft,  who  was  a  native  of  Austria-Hungary. 
After  a  short  residence  in  Cleveland  they 
removed  to  Allegheny  City,  Pa.,  but  a  year 
or  two  later  returned  to  Cleveland,  whence 
they  went  to  Brownsville,  Pa.,  where  the 
father  died  in  1909,  when  sixty-two  years  of 
age.  The  mother  passed  away  about  1905. 
'Sir.  Pauch  was  a  merchant  tailor  by  occupa- 
tion, following  that  vocation  in  the  various 
towns  in  which  he  resided,  and  became  a  suc- 
cessful business  man.  He  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 
They  were  the  parents  of  five  children: 
Charles  F. ;  James,  residing  at  Nelsonville, 
Oliio ;  Rosa,  who  is  deceased ;  Edward,  a  resi- 
dent of  Cleveland,  Ohio;  and  one  child  who 
died  in  infancy. 

Charles  F.  Pauch  was  still  an  infant  when 
taken  to  Cleveland  by  his  parents,  and  in  that 
city  resided  and  attended  the  public  schools 
until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  when  the 
family  moved  to  Brownsville.  There  he  grew 
to  manhood,  completing  his  public  school 
education  .and  siibsequeutly  attending  the 
Bi'ownsville  business  college,  and  after  leara- 
ing  the  trade  of  tailor  with  his  father  and 
others  he  left  home,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years,  and  traveled  over  thirty-five  States 
working  as  a  coatmaker.  In  1904  he  came  to 
Indiana  and  was  employed  in  the  tailoring 
establishment  of  Vogel  Brothers  for  some 
time,  in  1908  establishing  himself  in  business 
on  his  own  account  in  quarters  over  the 
Gazette  office;  eight  months  later  he  moved 
to  rooms  over  Plotzer's  meat  market.  One 
year  later  the  rapid  growth  of  his  business 
demanded  larger  accommodations  and  he 
moved  to  his  present  location. 

Mr.  Pauch  was  married  in  1909  to  Pearl 
Stewart,  of  Homer  City,  Pa.,  daughter  of 
William  Stewart,  and  they  have  one  child, 
Mildred  Alice.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pauch  are  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
he  is  independent  in  his  political  views.  His 
fraternal  connections  are  with  the  Odd  Fel- 


lows, the  Elks,  the  L.  0.  0.  Moose  and  the 
F.  0.  E. 

OAKLEY  E.  LEARN,  proprietor  of  a 
flour  and  feed  mill  located  at  Wandin,  Indi- 
ana county,  was  born  in  Green  township, 
Indiana  county,  Oct.  7,  1870,  and  is  a  son  of 
Henry'  and  Catherine  (Kunkle)  Learn. 

John  Learn,  the  grandfather  of  Oakley  E. 
Learn,  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county, 
Pa.,  and  as  a  young  man  came  to  Indiana 
county  and  settled  in  Green  township,  Oakley 
E.  being  the  owner  of  the  old  homestead 
•where  he  first  took  up  his  residence  in  this 
county.  There  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life 
in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  when  he  passed 
away  had  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his 
fellow  citizens  in  the  fullest  degree. 

Henry  Learn,  son  of  John,  was  born  in 
Green  township,  Indiana  county,  and  followed 
in  his  father's  foosteps,  choosing  agricultui'al 
pursuits  as  his  life  work,  and  following  that 
vocation  through  a  long,  useful  and  honorable 
career.  His  widow  passed  away  at  the  home 
of  Oakley  E.  Learn.  They  were  the  parents 
of  two  children,  Oakley  E.  and  Frank,  the 
latter  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  the 
town  of  Indiana. 

The  boyhood  days  of  Oakley  E.  Learn 
were  spent  on  the  homestead  farm  in  Green 
township,  where  he  was  thoroughly  trained  in 
the  science  of  tilling  the  soil,  while  his  liter- 
ary education  was  secured  in  the  district 
schools.  He  continued  to  engage  in  farming 
until  1904,  in  which  year  he  came  to  Wandin 
and  embarked  in  the  flour  and  feed  mill  busi- 
ness, successfully  conducting  same  to  the  pres- 
ent time. 

On  June  3,  1889,  Mr.  Learn  was  married 
to  Cecilia  Lewis,  who  was  born  in  East  Ma- 
honing township,  Indiana  county,  Sept.  24, 
1870,  daughter  of  William  and  Permilia 
(Lydiek)  Lewis,  natives  of  East  Mahoning 
township.  Mr.  Lewis,  who  was  for  a  number 
of  years  engaged  in  the  livery  business,  at 
Indiana  and  Punxsutawney,  is  now  deceased, 
but  his  widow  still  survives  and  lives  on  the 
old  home  place  in  East  Mahoning  township. 
They  had  a  family  of  five  children,  of  whom 
IMrs.  Learn  is  the  oldest,  the  others  being: 
Cora,  the  wife  of  Curt  Wells,  a  resident  of 
Jefferson  county;  Linnie,  wife  of  Homer 
Foltz,  also  of  Jefferson  county;  Arthur,  liv- 
ing in  Armstrong  county ;  and  Joseph,  living 
at  home  with  his  mother. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Learn  have  had  four  chil- 
dren :  Alva  E.,  who  is  living  on  the  old  home- 


1492 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


stead,  married  Dora  Bair,  a  former  resident 
of  East  Mahoning  township,  and  a  daughter 
of  Elias  Bair,  and  thej'  have  two  children, 
Cecilia  and  Loretta;  Ernest  P.  married 
Llinnie  Moorhead,  a  native  of  Green  town- 
ship, and  daughter  of  Walker  Moorhead; 
Louis  is  living  at  home ;  Catherine  also  resides 
with  her  parents. 

Mr.  Learn  and  the  oldest  two  of  his  sons 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Cook- 
port;  IMrs.  Learn  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  the  daughter,  Catherine,  is  an 
adherent  of  the  Methodist  faith. 

WILLIAM  A.  NICHOL  was  born  in  Green 
township,  Indiana  county,  Aug.  16,  1869,  and 
has  spent  all  his  life  there,  engaged  in 
farming. 

Joseph  Niehol,  his  father,  was  born  in 
Green  township,  of  Irish  descent,  the  family 
having  settled  in  that  township  long  before 
that  district  had  been  developed  into  the 
prosperous  farming  community  it  now  is. 
The  grandfather  bought  land  near  where 
William  A.  Niehol  now  lives,  and  resided 
there  until  his  death.  Joseph  Niehol  fol- 
lowed farming  and  lumbering  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  June  25,  1898.  He  married 
Meny  ^Moore,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Moore,  a  native  of  Indi- 
ana county  who  lived  in  Grant  township, 
following  farming  and  lumbering.  jMrs. 
Niehol  survived  her  husband,  dying  in  1904. 
They  were  the  parents  of  sir  children :  Joseph, 
who  is  a  resident  of  Swissvale,  Pa.;  William 
A.;  Horace,  living  at  Youngstown,  Ohio; 
Laura,  wife  of  William  Mundorff,  of  Punx- 
sutawney.  Pa.;  Clara,  wife  of  Bert  Long,  of 
Sykesville,  Jefiferson  Co.,  Pa.;  and  W:alter, 
deceased. 

William  A.  Niehol  acquired  his  education 
in  the  country  schools  in  Green  township.  He 
■  was  reared  to  farming,  assisting  with  the 
work  on  the  home  place  in  his  boyhood  and 
youth,  and  has  followed  that  calling  on  his 
own  account  from  voung  manhood.  He  lo- 
cated at  Starford  in  1899,  and  in  1903 
bought  his  present  farm  of  196  acres.  He 
is  an  esteemed  and  substantial  member  of 
his  community,  his  industrious  career  win- 
ning him  the  respect  of  his  associates  in  all 
the  relations  of  life. 

In  1895  Mr.  Niehol  married  Jennie  Hamil- 
ton, a  native  of  Grant  township,  this  county, 
the  eldest  of  the  twelve  children  born  to 
Matthew  and  :\Iary  (Moore)  Hamilton,  old 
residents  of  Grant  township:  Mr.  Hamilton 
follows  farming  there.     Eight  children  have 


been  born  to  Mr.  and  IMrs.  Niehol,  viz. :  OUie, 
Helen,  Lisle,  Mahlon,  Dorothy,  Leona,  Louise 
and  Evelyn.  Mrs.  Niehol  is  a  member  of 
the  East  Mahoning  Baptist  Church. 

JOHN  BUTERBAUGH  was  the  oldest 
citizen  of  Indiana  county  and  had  held  that 
distinction  for  many  years  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  Born  Aug.  3,  1799,  the  year  Wash- 
ington died,  he  lived  to  his  ninety-seventh 
year,  passing  away  Feb.  12,  1896.  He  lived 
in  Green  township,  Indiana  county,  from  1819 
until  his  death.  His  life  covered  practically 
the  whole  period  of  the  transition  of  this 
region  from  its  crude  primitive  state  to  mod- 
ern conditions.  As  a  typical  representative 
of  the  hardy,  courageous  people  who  made 
the  settlement  of  this  section  possible  he  de- 
serves honorable  mention  in  any  work  per- 
taining to  Indiana  county. 

Mr.  Buterbaugh  was  a  native  of  Hunting- 
don county.  Pa.,  oldest  in  the  family  of  eight 
born  to  William  Buterbaugh,  who  was  born 
in  Maryland  and  moved  thence  to  Hunting- 
don county.  The  children  were:  John,  Wil- 
liam, Jacob  R.,  Henry,  and  David.  The  fam- 
ily is  noted  for  longevity.  On  Aug.  3,  1894, 
when  John  Buterbaugh  celebrated  the  ninety- 
fifth  anniversary  of  his  bii-th.  there  were 
three  living  besides  himself,  Jacob,  Frede- 
rick and  David,  and  their  ages,  combined  with 
the  ages  of  those  who  had  died,  totaled  584 
years.  The  family  lived  near  Springfield 
Furnace  until  interested  by  reports,  of  the 
good  lands  and  fine  hunting  grounds  in  Indi- 
ana county.  The  father  and  oldest  son  came 
out  to  "spy"  the  land,  traveling  on  foot  over 
the  mountains  and  carrying  their  rifles. 
After  examining  various  localities  they  de- 
cided upon  what  is  now  known  as  Pleasant 
Valley,  in  Green  township,  a  beautiful  tract 
then  heavily  timbered  with  pine  on  the  hill- 
sides, with  good  pasture  land  in  the  valleys. 
The  north  fork  of  Twoliek  creek  crossed 
through  the  center,  and  in  the  lowland  were 
fine  sugar  maples  which  helped  to  provision 
their  larder.  John  Buterbaugh,  sizing  up  the 
advantages  of  the  place,  which  was  then  oc- 
cupied by  a  tenant,  went  at  once  to  the 
owner  and  agreed  to  purchase  it  for  three 
hundred  dollars  an  acre.  He  commenced 
making  improvements  without  delay,  his 
brother  William  coming  out  to  assist  with  the 
work  of  clearing  and  planting,  preparatory 
to  the  removal  of  the  rest  of  the  family.  This 
however,  did  not  take  place  for  ten  years. 
Father  and  sons  continued  the  work  of  clear- 
ing  and   cultivation,    going   back   and   forth 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


between  the  new  land  and  their  eastern  home 
as  necessary,  and  it  is  related  that  on  one 
occasion,  when  John  stayed  on  alone  to  finish 
some  work  in  hand  he  made  his  supper  on  the 
last  potato  he  had  and  set  out  in  the  morn- 
ing without  any  breakfast,  expecting  to  find 
something  to  eat  at  a  neighbor's.  But  the 
water  was  so  low  just  there  that  those  who 
had  grain  could  not  get  it  ground,  and  though 
he  might  have  shared  what  the  kind-hearted 
neighbors  had  left  he  did  not  feel  right  about 
doing  so,  and  got  nothing  to  eat  until 
evening. 

The  family  moved  out  to  the  new  home  in 
December,  1829,  crossing  the  Susquehanna  at 
what  was  called  Salt  Wells,  above  the  Cherry- 
tree,  near  where  Garmans  Mills  is  now  located. 
The  river  was  frozen  and  they  crossed  on  the 
ice.  Stopping  on  the  bank  to  feed  the  horses, 
the  men  cut  a  hole  in  the  ice  to  obtain  water, 
and  a  large  number  of  fish  came  to  the  open- 
ing. The  men  struck  the  ice  with  a  sledge, 
which  paralyzed  the  fish  and  made  it  easy  to 
catch  them,  and  as  there  was  no  time  to  dress 
them  then,  they  were  put  into  the  feed  trough, 
and  on  arriving  at  the  cabin  late  that  night 
the  fish  were  put  in  the  drain  in  the  spring 
house,  frozen  so  hard  that  they  "rattled  like 
icicles."  The  fresh  water,  however,  thawed 
and  revived  them,  and  in  the  morning  all  were 
alive  but  three,  so  the  family  had  a  fine  supply 
of  large,  fresh  fish  to  use  when  wanted. 

Soon  after  the  family  was  established  here 
and  a  number  of  acres  under  cultivation, 
John  Buterbaugh,  who  was  a  natural  mechanic 
and  experienced  millright,  put  up  a  sawmill, 
doing  all  the  carpenter  work  himself.  Before 
long  he  attached  chopping  stones  to  the  orig- 
inal equipment  and  commenced  to  make  corn- 
meal  ancl  buckwheat  flour  in  addition  to  or- 
dinary flour.  All  of  this  was  most  appreciated 
by  the  neighbors,  for  they  were  dependent 
almost  entirely  upon  themselves  for  food- 
stuffs, and  the  variety  was  very  welcome. 
As  the  streams  were  then  fuller  and  more  to 
be  depended  upon  than  now,  Mr.  Buterbaugh 
could  keep  his  mill  running  eight  and  some- 
times as  much  as  ten  months  in  the  year,  and 
is  was  not  only  a  benefit  to  the  locality,  but 
materially  increased  his  income.  His  honesty 
was  proverbial,  and  there  was  no  more  pop- 
ular man  in  these  parts,  either  personally  or 
in  a  business  way.  His  interest  in  machinery 
and  naturally  progressive  disposition  were 
incentive  enough  to  make  him  keep  his  estab- 
lishment up-to-date,  but  the  large  trade  he 
acquired  made  it  necessary,  and  the  regular 
flouring  mill  he  created  in  time  was  one  of  the 


best,  if  not  the  very  best  in  Indiana  county 
at  the  time.  It  was  a  great  center,  people 
coming  from  a  great  distance  to  patronize 
" Buterbaugh 's  Mill,"  and  he  often  had  to 
run  it  night  and  day  to  keep  up  with  the  de- 
mands of  his  customers.  But  no  matter  how 
busy,  he  would  not  operate  it  on  the  Sabbath, 
except  once  when  an  unusually  long  dry  spell 
left  people  actually  in  want  of  flour ;  when  the 
rain  came  at  last  he  kept  the  mill  going  until 
all  had  been  supplied.  At  -the  little  village 
of  Pleasant  Valley,  in  Green  township,  Llr. 
Buterbaugh  secured  a  tract  of  land  for  him- 
self, living  there  to  the  end  of  his  days. 

It  was  after  said,  "John  Buterbaugh  can 
make  anything  out  of  mud  that  can  be  made, ' ' 
and  it  is  a  fact  that  he  was  called  upon  by  his 
neighbors  to  do  most  of  the  difficult  things 
which  came  up  requiring  skill  and  mechan- 
ical ability.  He  built  and  repaired  twenty- 
three  sawmills.  If  a  clock  or  watch  failed  to 
"go,"  if  a  barrel  was  to  be  hooped,  a  kraut 
stand  to  be  made,  a  sawmill  or  flouring  mill 
built,  he  was  depended  upon  to  do  it.  And 
he  was  not  only  the  local  machinist,  but  the 
dentist.  He  wrote  beautifully  and  was  a  good 
accountant,  accomplishments  not  so  general 
in  his  day  as  now,  and  being  possessed  of 
more  than  average  intelligence  and  a  charac- 
ter that  won  him  well  deserved  confidence,  he 
was  chosen  to  many  public  offices,  in  all  of 
which  be  gave  able  and  faithful  service.  He 
acted  as  supervisor  for  man.y  years  when 
Green  township  extended  from  Chen-ytree  to 
the  Hood  farm;  served  as  school  committee- 
man before  the  law  providing  for  the  election 
of  school  directors  was  passed,  and  for  two 
terms  filled  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  in 
the  administration  of  which  he  won  the  grati- 
tude and  good  will  of  many  who  had  their 
difficulties  adjusted  before  him ;  he  always 
acted  the  part  of  peacemaker,  and  tried  to 
effect  an  amicable  settlement  without  recourse 
to  the  law.  His  influence  in  all  the  relations 
of  life  was  alwaj's  exerted  for  good,  and  his 
sterling  qualities  and  the  high  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held  made  his  opinions  sought  and  re- 
spected. 

Politically  Mr.  Buterbaugh  was  originally 
a  Whig  in  1854  joining  the  American  or 
Know-nothing  party  and  in  the  year  1856 
casting  his  lot  with  the  Republicans,  with 
whom  he  continued  to  be  associated  the  rest 
of  his  life.  His  religion  was  M'ith  the  Lu- 
theran Church  at  Cookport,  from  early  life, 
and  attended  regulai-ly  until  extreme  old  age 
prevented. 


1494 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mr.  Buterbaugh's  recollection  of  the  early 
days  were  characteristic,  for  though  he  did 
not  attempt  to  minimize  the  dangei-s,  the  hard- 
ships and  the  privations,  he  never  forgot  the 
lights  among  the  shadows.  Hunting  was  so 
good  in  those  times  that  many  men  yielded  to 
this  temptation  to  follow  the  chase  to  the 
detriment  of  their  regular  callings.  Mr. 
Buterbaugh  never  neglected  his  work,  yet 
he  was  a  good  shot  and  enjoyed  bringing  in 
game,  upon  which  the  settlers  long  depended 
for  most  of  their  fresh  meat.  Deer,  bear, 
turkey,  pheasants,  partridges,  squirrels  and 
rabbits  were  plentiful,  and  his  daughter 
Elizabeth  said  she  could  remember  seeing 
six  large  deer  hanging  in  the  spring  house 
ready  for  use.  He  killed  altogether  over  one 
hundred  deer,  and  built  bear  pens  in  which 
he  captured  wildcats  as  well  as  hears.  One 
day  when  he  and  his  brother  William  went 
squirrel  hunting  together,  the  latter  shot 
sixty-one  squirrels,  while  John  shot  sixty-two 
birds,  three  pheasants,  five  partridges  and 
three  crows.  Coon  huntings  were  joyous  and 
merry  times,  generally  ending  with  a  corn 
roast.  Thus  they  had  plenty  of  wild  meat, 
and  their  pigs  fattened  on  the  nuts  in  the 
woods.  There  were  fine  fish  in  the  streams, 
wild  fruits  and  nuts  were  abundant,  they 
''sighted"  their  bee  trees  and  secured  plenty 
of  honey,  and  by  thrift  and  prudent  manage- 
ment wrested  a  good  living  from  the  locality. 
Their  amusements,  though  simple,  were  free 
from  contaminating  influences,  for  all  who 
attended  the  gatherings  were  friends  and 
neighbors.  The  log  rollings,  quiltings,  flax 
puUings  and  scutchings,  barn  and  house  rais- 
ings, wool  pickings  and  kickings  (the  latter 
for  the  purpose  of  "fulling"  cloth),  brought 
the  people  together  to  give  neighborly  assist- 
ance, and  were  always  accompanied  by  feast- 
ing and  often  followed  by  a  dance. 

On  Oct.  13,  1831,  Mr.  Buterbaugh  married 
Elizabeth  Learn,  daughter  of  John  Learn, 
whose  family  was  among  the  early  settlers 
of  Green  township  also,  and  their  married  life 
covered  a  period  of  fifty-three  years,  twenty- 
three  days,  Mrs.  Buterbaugh  passing  away 
in  1884.  She  was  the  mother  of  thirteen  chil- 
dren, six  sons  and  seven  daughters,  eight  of 
whom  survived  Mr.  Buterbaugh,  as  here  re- 
corded :  Mary,  who  married  John  Cook  (both 
deceased),  Elizabeth  (deceased),  who  married 
A.  N.  Reed,  Henry  L.,  of  Green  township, 
Levi  (deceased),  Simon,  of  Green  township, 
Sarah  A.,  wife  of  D.  P.  Reed,  Susan,  Mrs. 
Franklin  Nupp,  of  Green  township.  Isaac  N., 
of    Brushvalley    township,    Catherine,    Mrs. 


Hezekiah  Baker,  of  Green  township,  Ella, 
deceased,  Amariah  N.,  of  Green  township, 
Andrew,  of  Barnesboro,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa., 
and  a  daughter  that  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Buterbaugh  was  making  his  home  with 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  D.  P.  Reed,  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  residing  on  the  old  place  at  Pleas- 
ant Valley,  which  had  been  his  residence  for 
so  many  years,  and  had  good  health  except 
for  the  last  few  months  of  his  life.  He  was 
buried  in  the  Methodist  graveyard  at  Cook- 
port,  and  his  funeral  was  attended  by  a  large 
number  of  neighbors  and  friends.  He  was 
survived  by  fifty-seven  grandchildren,  fifty- 
seven  great-grandchildren  and  five  great- 
great-grandchildren. 

LEONARD  D.  PITTMAN,  proprietor  of 
a  barber  shop  at  Cherrytree,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  near  that  place.  May  7,  1863,  a  sou 
of  John  E.  and  Elmira   (Hollister)  Pittman. 

Benjamin  Pittman,  his  grandfather,  was  a 
native  of  Blair  county,  Pa.,  where  his  fore- 
bears, of  English  birth,  settled  in  pioneer 
days.  Later  the  family  moved  to  within  two 
miles  of  Cherrytree,  where  Benjamin  Pitt- 
man bought  land,  and  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  life  cultivating  it. 

John  Pittman,  who  was  born  in  Indiana 
county,  was  a  miller  by  trade,  and  conducted 
a  mill  all  of  his  active  life.  His  last  few  years 
were  spent  at  Cherrytree,  where  he  died  in 
1900.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Ezra  Hol- 
lister, and  she  and  her  father  were  born  in 
Connecticut.  The  family  is  of  English  ex- 
traction and  was  long  ago  founded  in  Con- 
necticut, whence  Ezra  Hollister  brought  his 
family  to  Cherrytree.  In  addition  to  teaching 
school  he  farmed,  and  was  a  man  of  consider- 
able infiuence  in  his  community.  Mrs.  Pitt- 
man died  in  1880,  the  mother  of  five  children : 
Edwin  D..  a  resident  of  Lewistowm,  Pa.: 
Leonard  D. ;  Irwin  K.,  a  resident  of  Greens- 
burg,  Pa. ;  Walter  S.,  a  resident  of  Warren. 
Warren  Co.,  Pa.;  and  Sherman,  a  farmer  of 
DuBois,  Penn.sylvania. 

Leonard  D.  Pittman  was  brought  by  his 
parents  to  Cherrytree  in  1865.  and  there  at- 
tended the  public  schools.  In  young  man- 
hood he  was  interested  in  the  lumber  trade, 
but  later  learned  to  be  a  barber,  and  for  the 
past  eighteen  years  has  conducted  his  own 
business  with  gratifying  success.  He  owns 
stock  in  the  National  Bank  of  Cherrytree. 
His  fraternal  associations  are  with  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  (in  whicli  he  has  held  all 
the  offices),  the  ^Modern  Woodmen  of  America 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1495 


and  the  Elks,  Indiana  lodge.     Mr.  Pittman 
has  never  married. 

HARVEY  C.  SNYDER,  who  has  a  general 
store  in  Indiana,  Indiana  county,  is  one  of  the 
prosperous  merchants  of  that  borough,  and 
has  made  a  fair  start  on  his  business  career. 
He  was  born  May  7,  1885,  in  Rayne  township, 
this  county,  youngest  son  in  the  family  of  six 
children  "born  to  George  J.  and  Isabella 
(Boucher)  Snyder. 

Lewis  and  Hannah  Elizabeth  Snyder,  his 
grandparents,  were  born  in  Germany,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  about  the  year 
1835,  settling  in  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  where 
Mr.  Snyder  carried  on  farming  throughout 
his  life.  They  had  children  as  follows: 
Susanna,  who  died  unmai-ried ;  George  J. ; 
Margaret,  widow  of  John  Carlin;  Daniel, 
deceased,  who  served  in  the  Union  army  dur- 
ing the  Civil  war;  Adam,  of  Indiana,  also  a 
Civil  war  veteran;  and  Sophia,  who  married 
John  Joseph  Klingehburg,  of  Indiana. 

George  J.  Snyder  was  born  May  7,  1838, 
on  his  father's  farm  two  miles  from  Indiana, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  little  log 
schoolhouse  of  the  vicinity.  As  was  the  cus- 
tom among  farmers'  lads  of  that  day  he 
worked  on  the  farm  in  the  summer  months, 
his  attendance  at  school  being  limited  to  the 
winter  terms.  He  remained  with  his  father 
until  his  enlistment  in  Company  K,  105th 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
for  three  years,  and  served  with  that  organ- 
ization in  all  its  engagements  up  to  the  battle 
of  Fair  Oaks,  when  he  was  dangerously 
wounded  in  the  left  shoulder.  Blood  poison- 
ing set  in  and  for  five  months  he  was  con- 
fined to  the  hospital  at  New  Haven,  Conn., 
evidently  receiving  his  honorable  discharge 
on  account  of  disability  and  returning  to  his 
home.  After  his  recovery  he  resumed  farm- 
ing, and  after  his  marriage  purchased  a  small 
farm  in  Rayne  township,  which  he  operated 
until  his  retirement  in  1897,  since  when  he 
has  lived  in  his  own  home  on  Church  street, 
Indiana,  which  he  erected.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  and  holds  membership  in  the 
Union  Veteran  Legion  and  the  Legion  of 
Honor. 

Mr.  Snyder  married  Isabella  Boucher, 
daughter  of  David  and  Catherine  Boucher, 
and  they  have  had  six  children :  Annie,  who 
married  William  Heil,  of  Vandergrift; 
Tabitha,  who  married  Chai-les  Freck.  of 
Wilkes-Ban-e,  Pa.;  Nettie,  the  wife  of  I.  C. 
Roland,  of  Pittsburg;  John,  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, who  married  Carrie  Freck ;  Harvey  C. ; 


and  Dollie,  who  marrijed  Thomas  C.  Beatty, 
of  Indiana. 

Harvey  C.  Snyder  attended  school  in  Rayne 
township  during  his  early  boyhood,  living  on 
the  farm  until  he  was  thirteen  years  old. 
The  family  then  moved  to  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  and  there  he  received  the  remainder 
of  his  schooling.  In  his  youth  he  followed 
various  occupations,  for  a  time  clerking  in  the 
establishment  of  Wilson  &  Wood,  and  he  was 
also  in  the  employ  of  Harry  Brilhart  as  gro- 
cery clerk.  In  the  fall  of  1911  he  purchased 
the  business  property  where  he  is  now  estab- 
lished and  embarked  in  general  merchandis- 
ing, his  stock  including  groceries  and  meats. 
He  has  done  well  from  the  start,  and  is  en- 
larging his  patronage  steadily  by  his  obliging 
ways  and  satisfactory  service  to  all  customers. 
He  is  a  young  man  of  enterprise,  and  his  in- 
dustrious habits  and  ambition  make  him  de- 
serving of  the  success  which  has  attended  his 
efforts. 

On  March  15,  1907,  Mr.  Snyder  married 
Edith  Blanche  Waterson,  who  was  born  April 
16,  1885,  youngest  daughter  of  John  and 
Sarah  Jane  (Elgin)  Waterson,  the  latter  de- 
ceased, the  former  now  living  retired  in  In- 
diana. They  are  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this 
work.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snyder  are  members  of 
the  Lutheran  Church.  They  have  two  chil- 
dren, Glennave  Sarah  Bell  and  Claire  John. 
Politically  Mr.  Snyder  supports  the  Republi- 
can party. 

MARGARET  BELLA  CUMINGS,  of 
Indiana,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Washington  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Cumings,  and  granddaughter  of  David  Cum- 
ings. 

William  Cumings,  great-grandfather  of 
Miss  Cumings,  was  born  in  County  Down, 
Ireland,  and  died  in  Washington  township, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

David  Cumings,  son  of  William  Cumings, 
was  bom  in  the  eastern  part  of  Pennsylvania, 
but  coming  to  Indiana  county  early  in  its 
history  settled  in  the  wilderness.  He  married 
Margaret  McKnight,  who  came  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent,  and  they  had  children  as  fol- 
lows :  William,  Joseph,  Margaret,  Isabell  and 
Jane. 

Joseph  Cumings  was  born  on  Crooked 
creek,  in  Washington  township,  this  county, 
eighty-three  years  ago,  and  died  in  the  same 
township  in  1895.  He  married  Margaret 
Shields,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Isabella 
(McKnight)  Shields,  and  she  died  in  1891. 
Joseph  Shields  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 


1496 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1812.  He  came  to  Washington  township  at 
so  early  a  date  that  the  curious  Indians  used 
to  look  in  through  the  cabin  windows  at  the 
M-omeu  churning. 

As  he  grew  up  Joseph  learned  farming  in 
all  its  details,  and  he  became  the  owner  of  300 
acres  of  land  iu  Washington  township,  which 
he  cultivated.  He  and  his  wife  were  Presby- 
byterians.  Politically  Joseph  Cumings  was  a 
Republican,  but  he  did  not  seek  office.  jMr. 
and  Mrs.  Cumings  had  two  children,  Margaret 
Bella  being  the  younger,  the  other  being  her 
brother  Elmer  .D.  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  a  civil 
engineer ;  he  was  born  in  1861  in  Washington 
township,  and  in  1905  married  Jessie  M.  Wil- 
liams; they  have  one  son  Carl  Elmer. 

HARRY  E.  STERNER,  proprietor  of  the 
"Sterner  House"'  at  Dixonville,  in  Green 
township,  Indiana  county,  has  lived  at  that 
place  since  the  beginning  of  the  town.  He 
was  born  in  the  township,  and  has  passed  his 
entire  life  in  this  section  of  the  county. 

Jacob  Sterner,  grandfather  of  Harry  E. 
Sterner,  was  a  native  of  Clarion  county,  Pa., 
and  came  at  an  early  day  to  Indiana  county, 
settling  near  Purchase  Line,  in  Green  town- 
ship. He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  con- 
ducted a  shop  there,  at  what  Avas  known  as 
Sternertown,  also  farming  to  some  extent. 
During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  the  Union 
service,  from  Indiana  county,  as  did  his  two 
sons,  WilUam  and  Albert.  He  was  captured 
and  confined  in  Libby  prison.  After  the  war 
he  returned  to  his  old  home  place,  where  he 
died  aged  about  tifty-five  years.  His  widow, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Guiter,  is  still  living 
there  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years 
(1912). 

William  H.  Sterner,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born 
in  1843,  in  Clarion  county.  Pa.,  and  came 
with  his  parents  to  Indiana  county.  In  1862, 
he  enlisted,  becoming  a  member  of  Company 
E,  67th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  among  other  important  engagements  in 
which  he  took  part  were  the  battles  of  Cold 
Harbor,  Gettysburg  and  the  Wilderness,  at 
which  latter  he  was  wounded.  He  experienced 
many  vicissitudes  of  army  life,  for  he  w^as 
confined  to  hospital  with  typhoid  fever,  was 
taken  prisoner  and  held  at  Libby  and  Belle 
Isle,  and  saw  much  hard  service.  Like  his 
father  he  was  a  farmer  and  blacksmith,  con- 
ducting his  own  shop.  He  died  Dec.  6,  1908. 
William  H.  Sterner  married  Mary  M.  Lydick, 
who  was  born  at  Taylorsville,  in  Green  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Alexander 
and  Sarah  (Butterfield)  Lydick,  both  of  whom 


are  now  deceased.  Mr.  Lydick  was  bom  in 
Indiana  county,  was  a  carpenter  and  cabinet- 
maker by  trade,  and  also  followed  fai-ming 
to  a  limited  extent.  He  was  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war,  in  which  he  gave  three  years'  serv- 
ice. Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Sterner:  Frank  A.,  who  lives  at  Wind- 
ber,  Somerset  Co.,  Pa. ;  Harry  E. ;  A.  T.,  a 
farmer  of  Green  township,  Indiana  county; 
H.  Clara,  wife  of  Charles  Laboard,  of  Canton, 
Ohio;  Clarke  R.,  of  St.  ^lichaels,  Pa.,  engaged 
in  mining;  Alice  P.,  a  professional  nurse,  of 
Canton,  Ohio;  and  Daisy  B.,  wife  of  Armon 
Cunningham,  of  Clarksburg,  Indiana  county. 

Harry  E.  Sterner  was  born  Oct.  31,  1870. 
He  attended  school  iu  Green  township,  and  in 
his  youth  and  early  manhood  was  engaged 
in  various  kinds  of  work,  being  employed  in 
the  woods  and  the  oil  fields  and  later  in  farm- 
ing in  association  with  his  father.  He  lived 
for  eighteen  years  in  the  neighboi-ing  town- 
ship of  Grant,  this  county,  and  spent  the  rest 
of  his  life  in  Green  township.  He  has  been 
at  Dixonville  since  the  town  was  stai-ted,  he 
and  his  father  erecting  the  first  building 
there,  and  in  1905  he  built  the  hotel  there 
which  he  has  since  conducted,  and  of  which 
he  has  been  sole  proprietor  since  his  father's 
death.  He  was  associated  with  his  father 
until  the  latter  died.  ^Ir.  Sterner  has  made 
a  success  of  the  hotel  business,  and  he  is  also 
interested  in  farming,  having  a  tract  of  eighty 
acres  in  Grant  township.  He  is  a  competent 
business  man,  and  enjoys  high  standing  per- 
sonally with  all  who  know  him. 

On  Dec.  31,  1907,  Mr.  Sterner  was  married 
in  Somerset  county.  Pa.,  to  Marj-  Ford,  who 
was  born  July  29,  1884,  in  the  eastern  part 
of  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  the  late  Wil- 
liam Ford.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sterner  have  no 
family. 

FRANK  PETRAITIS,  the  proprietor  of 
a  successful  grocery  and  meat  market  busi- 
ness at  Clymer,  Indiana  county,  to  which 
borough  he  came  shortly  after  its  incorpora- 
tion, is  a  native  of  Russia,  born  in  1880  son 
of  John  and  Agnes  Petraitis,  who  were  born 
in  Russia  and  are  now  residents  of  Gary, 
Indiana. 

Frank  Petraitis  received  his  educational 
training  iii  the  schools  of  his  native  country, 
and  as  a  youth  of  twenty  yeare  came  to  the 
United  States.  Landing  at  New  York,  he 
made  his  way  to  Lilly,  Pa.,  where  for  a  short 
time  he  was  employed  in  the  mines.  He  con- 
tinued to  follow  the  same  line  of  occupation 
at  Coal  Center,  near  the  city  of  Pittsburg, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1497 


but  in  1907  recognized  an  opportunity  to 
found  a  successful  business  venture,  and  came 
to  Clymer  shortly  after  the  town  was  incor- 
porated into  a  borough.  Here  he  erected  a 
building  and  established  himself  in  the  gro- 
cery and  meat  market  business,  which  he  has 
succeeded  in  making  a  satisfactory  business 
venture.  He  has  been  the  architect  of  his 
own  fortune,  and  well  merits  the  patronage 
that  has  been  given  him  by  his  fellow  towns- 
men. 

While  residing  near  Pittsburg  Mr.  Petraitis 
was  married,  in  that  city,  Sept.  14,  1903,  to 
Anna  Kvetkins,  who  was  born  in  the  same 
country  as  her  husband,  and  during  the  same 
year;  her  parents  are  both  now  deceased. 
Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
I\Irs.  Petraitis,  Millie,  Annie  and  Herbert. 
Mr.  Petraitis  takes  an  interest  in  fraternal 
matters,  being  a  popular  member  of  the  Loyal 
Order  of  Moose. 

ARCHIBALD  TODD  STEWART,  who  is 
cultivating  the  original  Todd  homestead  in 
Center  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
on  that  farm  Feb.  26,  1880,  son  of  James  Har- 
vey and  Sarah  Elizabeth  (St.  Clair)  Stewart. 

Samuel  Todd  Stewart,  grandfather  of 
Archibald  T.  Stewart,  was  born  in  1803,  and 
was  young  when  he  came  from  Center  county. 
Pa.,  to  Indiana  county.  He  settled  at  the 
county  seat  and  worked  at  his  trade,  printing, 
some  time  there.  Then  he  moved  to  Cen- 
ter township  and  bought  the  Samuel  Todd 
farm  120  acres,  which  he  cleared  and  im- 
proved, and  there  he  lived  and  died.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Bethel  Presbyterian  Church. 
About  1820  he  married  Susan  Cummins, 
daughter  of  John  and  Eleanor  (Todd)  Cum- 
mins, of  Center  township,  and  nine  children 
were  born  to  them:  Margaret  Ellen;  Archi- 
bald Allison,  attorney  and  judge,  of  Greens- 
burg,  Pa. ;  Jane ;  John  D. ;  Judge  William  C, 
of  Kansas  City,  Mo. ;  Samuel  T. ;  David,  who 
was  major  of  the  46th  Ohio  Regiment,  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  during  the  Civil  war,  and  died 
of  disease  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  after  nearly 
four  years  of  service  in  the  army ;  James  Har- 
vey, and  Ida  S.,  who  died  in  Kansas  City, 
Mo.  The  father  of  this  family  died  Dec. 
19,  1879,  the  mother  died  Aug.  19,  1883,  and 
they  are  buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery,  at 
Indiana. 

James  Harvey  Stewart,  father  of  Archi- 
bald T.  Stewart,  was  born  on  his  father's 
farm  in  Center  township  IMay  18,  1842,  and 
died  May  29,  1906.    He  was  educated  in  the 


schools  of  the  neighborhood.  In  his  youth 
and  early  manhood  he  helped  his  father  with 
the  work  on  the  home  place,  and  for  a  period 
of  five  years  during  the  oil  excitement  in 
Pennsylvania  was  employed  in  the  oil  regions. 
Returning  to  the  home  farm,  he  spent  the  rest 
of  his  life  there,  engaged  in  farming,  in  which 
he  was  quite  successful.  He  was  a  Jacksonian 
Democrat  in  his  political  views  and  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  principles  of  his  party.  On 
Sept.  26,  1878,  Mr.  Stewart  married  Sarah 
Elizabeth  St.  Clair,  daughter  of  Samuel  St. 
Clair,  a  prominent  farmer  of  Center  town- 
ship, and  they  had  a  family  of  five  children : 
Archibald  Todd ;  Jessie  Frances,  now  the  wife 
of  C.  P.  Spencer,  of  Vendergrift,  Pa.;  Joan, 
the  wife  of  D.  Gilhouser,  of  Homer  City; 
Sarah  Katherine,  Avife  of  George  C.  Stewart, 
of  Homer  City;  and  Ida  Bell,  who  is  living 
with  her  mother  at  Homer  City.  Mr.  Stewart 
died  May  29, 1906,  and  was  interred  in  Green- 
wood cemetery,  Indiana.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

Archibald  Todd  Stewart,  eldest  son  of 
James  Harvey  and  Sarah  Elizabeth  (St. 
Clair)  Stewart,  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Center  township.  All  his  exper- 
ience as  a  fai-mer  has  been  gained  on  the  home 
farm,  where  he  worked  with  his  father  until 
the  latter 's  death,  in  1906.  Then  he  purchased 
the  homestead,  which  he  is  now  farming  on 
his  own  account.  He  is  industrious,  energetic 
and  progressive,  one  who  makes  the  most  of 
his  land  and  facilities,  and  the  property  is 
in  up-to-date  condition,  showing  the  results  of 
systematic  and  careful  attention. 

On  Oct.  3,  1906,  Mr.  Stewart  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Laura  Edna  McLaughlin, 
daughter  of  John  P.  and  Laura  Jane  (Coi-ley) 
McLaughlin,  of  Chambersville,  Indiana  coun- 
ty. ]\Ir.  Stewart  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church.  He  supports  the  Democratic  party 
in  political  matters,  and  is  loyal  to  its  prin- 
ciples. 

HOMER  W.  KOONTZ,  a  young  business 
man  of  Indiana  whose  enterprise  and  indus- 
try have  brought  him  success,  is  a  native  of 
Rayne  township,  this  county,  where  his 
family  has  been  established  for  almost  a  cen- 
tury. His  great-grandfather,  John  Koontz, 
a  native  of  Germany,  brought  his  family,  con- 
sisting of  wife  and  seven  children,  to  the 
United  States  in  1828.  They  settled  in  Rayne 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  building  a  log 
hut  in  the  woods. 

Paul  Koontz,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  Ger- 
many and  was  three  years  old  when  the  family 


1498 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


came  to  America.  He  grew  to  manhood  in 
Rayne  township,  where  he  passed  the  greater 
part  of  his  active  life,  engaged  in  farming, 
and  is  now  living  in  Johnstown,  Pa.,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-seven  years.  His  wife,  ]\Iazie 
(Barnhart),  is  now  (1913)  seventy-three 
years  old.     They  had  a  large  family. 

Samuel  Koontz,  son  of  Paul,  was  born  in 
1859  in  Rayne  township,  and  there  passed 
his  early  life.  He  became  familiar  with  farm 
work  on  the  home  place,  and  followed  it  while 
there,  but  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade 
in  his  youth  and  followed  that  calling  success- 
fully throughout  his  life.  He  built  many 
houses  and  church  buildings  in  this  section, 
and  during  most  all  his  life  conducted  the 
' '  Tanoma  House ' '  at  Tanoma,  this  county.  He 
died  in  his  prime,  in  1904.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  German  I\I.  E.  Church.  He  married 
Eliza  Fleming,  who  was  born  in  Rayne  town- 
ship, daughter  of  Martin  and  Matilda  (Ma- 
guire)  Fleming,  and  died  in  1900.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Koontz  were  the  parents  of  five  children : 
Tillie,  now  Mrs.  Albert  Fleeger,  of  Indiana 
borough;  Norman,  who  is  principal  of  the 
Tyrone  public  school ;  Homer  W. ;  Alice,  Mrs. 
John  Rudge,  of  Johnstown,  Pa.;  and  Clar- 
ence, who  is  with  his  brother  Homer. 

Homer  "W.  Koontz  was  born  May  2,  1885, 
in  Rayne  township,  on  a  farm  on  what  is  now 
known  as  Dutch  Hill.  He  passed  his  youth 
in  Tanoma  attending  public  school  there  and 
at  Harrisburg,  Pa.  Leaving  school  at  the  age 
of  fifteen,  he  came  to  the  borough  of  Indiana 
and  learned  the  meat  business  with  H.  G. 
Serene,  and  after  leaving  his  employ  em- 
barked in  the  business  on  his  own  account. 
This  was  in  1904,  and  though  only  nineteen 
he  prospered  from  the  start.  He  first  owned 
the  Central  Market,  and  after  selling  it  bought 
the  City  Meat  Market.  On  March  1,  1912. 
he  settled  at  his  present  location.  No.  1037 
Philadelphia  street,  where  he  has  a  well 
equipped  establishment.  He  carries  a  full 
line  of  fresh  and  smoked  meats,  butter,  eggs 
and  poultry,  and  his  energj'  and  thrifty  man- 
agement have  made  the  business  a  paying 
one.  He  is  known  and  respected  by  a  wide 
circle  of  patrons,  attracted  by  his  reliable 
methods  and  dependable  stock. 

On  Feb.  26,  1907,  Mr.  Koontz  was  married 
in  Indiana  to  Virginia  M.  Kerr,  of  that 
borough,  daughter  of  Robert  M.  Kerr,  con- 
stable of  Indiana.  They  have  one  child,  Ed- 
ward Howard.     Mr.  Koontz  is  a  member  of 


the  Lutheran  Church.     In  political  sentiment 
he  is  a  Republican. 

ELMER  LYDIC,  proprietor  of  the  livery 
at  Dixouville,  Indiana  county,  is  one  of  the 
substantial  and  well-established  business  men 
of  that  place,  where  he  has  been  enagaged  in 
that  line  since  1907.  He  was  born  in  Green 
townsliip,  this  county,  Aug.  5,  1872,  son  of 
Jacob  L.vdic  and  grandson  of  Alexander  Lydic. 
The  grandfather  was  born  and  reared  in 
Green  township,  and  died  on  his  homestead 
there  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years.  By  oc- 
cupation he  was  a  carpenter,  stonemason  and 
farmer.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  three 
years  in  the  Union  army.  He  and  his  wife 
had  children  as  follows:  James,  Thomas, 
David,  Jacob,  Mary  Emma,  Maggie,  and  three 
who  died  young. 

Jacob  Lydic,  father  of  Elmer  Lydic,  was 
born  on  the  old  homestead  and  has  been  a  far- 
mer in  Green  township  all  his  life,  o^^ming  a 
tract  of  eight.y-one  acres  there  which  he  still 
operates.  He  married  Callie  Couch,  daughter 
of  John  Couch,  and  to  them  were  bom  the 
following  children:  Elmer,  Wilmer,  Jessie 
(deceased),  Murry  (deceased),  John,  Frank 
(deceased),  Ward,  Alice  and  Bessie. 

Elmer  Lydic  received  a  public  school  educa- 
tion, attending  at  Taylorsville,  in  Green  town- 
ship, and  passed  his  youth  assisting  his  father 
on  the  farm.  When  nineteen  years  old  he  com- 
menced on  his  own  account,  working  among 
farmers  for  a  short  time  and  then  engaging 
in  the  blacksmith  business,  which  he  continued 
to  follow  for  about  eleven  years  elsewhere  in 
Green  township  before  settling  at  Dixouville. 
In  May,  1907,  he  embarked  in  the  livery  busi- 
ness there  and  he  has  built  up  a  fine  trade,  now 
keeping  from  seven  to  ten  horses  and  com- 
manding a  profitable  patronage,  drawn  from 
Dixouville  and  the  \icinity.  He  has  the 
only  stable  in  town,  and  has  given  highly 
satisfactory  service  to  all  who  have  had  deal- 
ings with  him. 

JMr.  Lydic  married  Laura  Bee,  daughter  of 
William  Bee,  and  they  have  one  son,  Charles 
Morris,  who  is  now  assisting  his  father. 

EARL  D.  REED,  who  is  connected  with 
the  Eureka  Hardware  Company,  at  Clymer. 
was  born  at  Kenwood,  in  Cherryhill  township, 
Indiana  county,  Oct.  15,  1883,  a  son  of  James 
L.  and  Caroline  I\L  (Dick)  Reed. 

James  L.  Reed  was  born  in  Westmoreland 
county.  Pa.,  and  was  a  young  man  when  he 
came  to  Indiana  county.  At  first  he  embarked 
in  the  undertaking  business  at  Penn  Run,  and 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1499 


in  the  meanwhile  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade,  which  he  followed  until  1910,  retiring 
at  that  time,  and  he  has  since  lived  quietly  in 
his  comfortable  home  at  Kenwood.  He  mar- 
ried Caroline  M.  Dick,  who  also  survives,  and 
they  had  a  family  of  ten  children  born  to 
them,  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  namely: 
Earl  D. ;  Dick,  who  is  a  school  teacher ;  Ross, 
who  lives  at  home;  Mabel,  who  is  the  wife  of 
William  N.  Templeton,  of  Clymer;  Minnie, 
who  is  the  wife  of  0.  V.  Householder,  of  Penn 
Run;  Rebecca,  who  lives  at  home,  and  four 
who  died  in  infancy. 

Earl  D.  Reed  was  educated  in  Indiana  coun- 
ty and  during  the  greater  part  of  his  business 
life  has  been  connected  with  his  present  com- 
pany. He  is  a  well-known  and  reputable  citi- 
zen. On  Feb.  15,  1905,  he  was  married  at 
Indiana  to  Gertrude  Bennett,  who  was  born 
in  Cambria  county,  Pa.,  Sept.  22, 1876,  daugh- 
ter of  Peter  and  Emlyne  (Makins)  Bennett, 
both  of  whom  are  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Reed  have  two  children,  Lyle  and  Loraine. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reed  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  in  which  he  is  a  stew- 
ard and  also  secretary  of  the  Sunday  school. 

WILLIAM  C.  TREESE,  of  Lovejoy,  In- 
diana county,  proprietor  of  livery,  feed  and 
sales  stables,  has  been  in  business  there  since 
1904,  and  though  one  of  the  younger  element 
in  that  section  has  made  a  substantial  place 
for  himself  by  his  enterprising  methods  and 
accomodating  service  to  all  his  patrons.  His 
family  has  been  settled  in  this  section  for  some 
time. 

George  Dreese  (he  followed  the  German 
spelling  of  his  name),  his  grandfather,  was 
born  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  in  Huntingdon 
county,  as  was  his  wife,  Rebecca  (Blaugh). 
They  came  to  Indiana  county  in  1856,  settling 
in  Green  township,  where  he  bought  the  farm 
which  he  cultivated  until  his  death.  He  and 
his  wife  attained  old  age.  They  had  a  family 
of  ten  children,  of  whom  Emanuel  died  in 
infancy ;  Elizabeth,  the  eldest,  became  the  wife 
of  Levi  M.  Buterbaugh,  of  Green  township, 
and  died  May  1,  1893;  Kate  married  John 
Roley,  of  Montgomery  township,  Indiana 
county ;  John  lives  in  Green  township  ;  Aman- 
da married  Washington  Fridley,  of  Mont- 
gomery township;  Minnie  married  William 
Humphries,  of  the  State  of  Indiana;  George 
lives  in  IMontgomery  township  ;  Emeline  is  the 
wife  of  Dal  Mumau  of  Glen  Campbell,  this 
county ;  Adeline  is  the  wife  of  Anthony  Arm- 
strong, of  Montgomery  township;  and  Grant 
is  a  resident  of  Green  township. 


John  Treese,  son  of  George,  was  born  in 
1854,  at  the  old  homestead  in  Indiana  county, 
and  bought  a  farm  in  (jreen  township,  where 
he  carries  on  general  agricultui-e.  He  married 
Clara  Lydick,  who  was  born  in  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Alexander  Lydick,  who 
settled  in  Indiana  county  at  an  early  day. 
Mrs.  Treese  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-two 
years,  eight  months,  twenty-seven  days,  the 
mother  of  five  children,  namely :  Cora,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Gus  Rice,  of  Green  township; 
Edith,  wife  of  Peter  Rogers,  of  Cambria 
county,  Pa. ;  Ona,  wife  of  George  Beers,  of 
Indiana  county ;  William  C. ;  and  Ford,  a 
resident  of  Dixonville,  Indiana  county. 

William  C.  Treese  was  born  Jan.  15,  1884, 
in  Green  township,  where  he  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools.  When  a  boy  he 
worked  on  the  home  farm,  helping  his  father, 
but  he  was  only  a  young  man  of  twenty  when 
he  started  in  on  his  own  account,  coming  to 
Lovejoy  in  1904  and  engaging  in  the  livery 
business  which  he  has  since  carried  on.  He 
has  extended  the  scope  and  size  of  his  enter- 
prise, now  having  a  feed  and  sales  stable  also, 
and  is  engaged  in  the  breeding  of  high-grade 
draft  horses,  owning  Prince  Albert  and  Modoc, 
two  fine  draft  animals.  His  equipment  is  ex- 
tensive and  being  added  to  constantly,  so  that 
he  has  rigs  of  all  descriptions  for  business  and 
pleasure  and  is  fully  able  to  supply  the  local 
demand. 

In  April,  1904,  Mr.  Treese  was  married  to 
Zella  Learn,  who  was  born  in  Green  township, 
daughter  of  John  A.  and  Jane  (Larney) 
Learn,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased ;  they 
were  old  settlers  in  Indiana  county.  Three 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Treese:  John,  Clarence  and  Jay.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Treese  attend  the  Lutheran  Church  at 
Cookport,  and  socially  he  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  (at  Starford)  and  the 
Loyal  Order  of  Moose. 

PAUL  LEIB,  proprietor  of  the  City 
Bakery,  of  Indiana  borough.  Pa.,  is  a  native 
of  the  Fatherland,  having  been  born  in  Wur- 
teraberg,  Germany,  Jan.  21,  1887,  son  of 
Joseph  M.  and  Catherine  (Schott)  Leib. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Leib  are  still  residents 
of  Germany,  where  the  father  is  a  brewmaster. 
He  spent  three  years  in  the  German  army. 
They  had  three  children:  Joseph,  who  still 
lives  in  the  old  country;  Paul;  and  Carl,  who 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1904,  and  was 
accidentally  drowned  at  Blacklick,  in  Joseph- 
ine lake. 


1500 


HISTOKY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Paul  Leib  attended  the  schools  of  Germany 
for  eight  years,  following  which  he  learned 
the  trade  of  baker,  serving  an  apprenticeship 
and  working  there  as  jourueyniau  for  three 
years.  Feeling  that  he  could  better  himself 
in  America,  in  1903  he  took  passage  for  this 
country  with  an  uncle,  and  after  landing  at 
New  York  City  came  directly  to  Indiana,  Pa., 
and  went  to  work  in  the  bakery  of  W.  S.  Gess- 
ler,  a  cousin.  He  remained  in  Mr.  Gessler's 
employ  until  1909,  in  which  year  he  purchased 
his  interest  in  the  business,  and  since  that  time 
has  built  up  a  large  trade  on  his  own  account. 

Mr.  Leib  is  a  member  of  St  Bernard's 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  in  political  mat- 
ters is  a  Republican.  He  gives  his  entire 
attention  to  his  business  venture,  and  has  had 
no  leisure  to  devote  to  public  matters  outside 
of  that  interest  which  every  good  citizen  takes 
in  his  community 's  welfare. 

JOHN  REZZOLLA,  proprietor  of  a  flour- 
ishing general  merchandise  business  at  Cly- 
mer,  Indiana  county,  is  an  Italian  by  birth, 
and' a  son  of  Alexander  and  Mary  (Verina) 
Rezzolla.  His  parents,  both  natives  of  Italy, 
have  lived  there  all  their  lives,  and  have  never 
visited  the  United  States. 

John  Rezzolla  was  born  Oct.  25,  1883,  in 
Italy,  and  received  his  preliminary  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  country. 
Subsequently  he  was  given  a  special  course 
in  law,  having  intended  entering  that  profes- 
sion. In  1902,  however,  feeling  that  there  was 
a  better  field  for  a  young  man  and  ambitious 
vouth  in  America,  he  left  his  native  country 
and  came  to  the  United  States,  landing  at  New 
York  City  on  March  25  of  that  year.  From 
the  metropolis  he  made  his  way  to  Brockway- 
ville,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  and  after  spending 
one  year  at  that  place  removed  to  Arcadia. 
There  he  turned  his  attention  to  mercantile 
pursuits,  becoming  a  clerk  in  a  general  store, 
and  in  1906  came  to  Clymer,  then  a  young 
but  growing  town.  At  the  time  he  came  to 
his  present  location  he  erected  a  modern 
store  building,  and  his  energy,  ability  and  en- 
terprise have  resulted  in  his  building  up  a 
prosperous  business. 

On  Nov.  2,  1909,  Mr.  Rozzella  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Jennie  Renzulli,  who  was  born 
in  Italy  June  27,  1893,  daughter  of  Louis  and 
Mary  (Ventura)  Renzulli,  who  make  their 
home  with  'Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rezzolla.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Rezzolla  have  had  one  child,  Evelyn, 
born  Oct.  9,  1910. 


Mr.  Rezzolla,  his  wife  and  her  parents  are 
all  faithful  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church. 

EARL  C.  OSMUN,  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Osmun  &  McFarland,  proprietors  of 
the  Indiana  Steam  Laundry,  of  Indiana,  Pa., 
was  born  June  30,  1886,  at  Hinsdale,  N.  Y., 
son  of  Dana  and  Winifred  (Willover)  Osmun. 

Dana  Osmun  was  a  farmer  during  his  short 
life,  which  terminated  in  Cuba,  N.  Y.,  when 
he  was  only  forty-one  years  old.  His  widow 
survives  him,  residing  at  Hinsdale,  N.  Y. 
They  had  children  as  follows:  Edna,  who 
married  John  Clapp,  of  Hinsdale,  N.  Y. ;  Earl 
C. ;  and  Esther,  who  is  at  home  with  her 
widowed  mother. 

Earl  C.  Osmun  was  educated  pi-incipally 
in  the  schools  of  his  home  locality,  supple- 
mented the  study  done  there  with  a  course 
at  a  commercial  college  at  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
During  his  vacation  periods  he  worked 
on  his  father's  farm.  His  school  days 
over,  he  came  to  Indiana,  Pa.,  to  enter  the 
employ  of  Manley  J.  Hedden,  proprietor 
of  the  laundiy  now  owned  by  ]\Ir.  Osmun 
and  his  partner.  In  July,  1912,  Mr.  Os- 
mun bought  the  interest  of  Mr.  Hedden,  and 
taking  Sylvester  H.  ^McFarland  into  partner- 
ship formed  his  present  firm.  The  business 
is  on  a  sound  paying  basis,  and  satisfaction  is 
given  by  the  new  firm,  as  it  was  under  the  old 
management.  Mr.  Osmiin  is  a  member  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church  of  Indiana.  In  politics 
he  is  an  independent  voter.  A  young  man  of 
high  principles  and  good  business  judgment, 
he  is  making  a  success  of  his  life,  and  has  a 
bright  future. 

MANLEY  J.  HEDDEN,  a  farmer  and  pro- 
duce raiser  of  Cuba,  N.  Y.,  formerly  the  pro- 
prietor of  the  Indiana  Steam  Laundry,  of 
Indiana,  Pa.,  now  owned  by  Osmun  &  McFar- 
land, was  born  June  29,  1874,  at  Hinsdale, 
N.  Y.,  son  of  Jolm  and  Matilda  (Witter) 
Hedden. 

Amos  Hedden,  his  grandfather,  was  born  in 
New  York  State,  and  spent  his  latter  years  at 
Hinsdale,  that  State,  conducting  the  farm 
upon  which  he  died. 

John  Hedden  grew  to  manhood's  estate  at 
Hinsdale,  N.  Y.,  and  devoted  his  energies  to 
agricultural  pursuits.  After  the  death  of  his 
father,  the  family  moved  to  Richburg,  N.  Y., 
where  he  still  resides.  In  religious  faith  he 
is  a  Baptist,  and  consistent  in  liis  support  of 
the  principles  of  his  church.  Formerly  a 
Republican,  Mr.  Hedden  of  late  years  has  sup- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1501 


ported  the  Prohibition  party,  as  its  platform 
more  nearly  embodies  his  own  conceptions  of 
right  and  wrong.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Hedden 
became  the  parents  of  the  following  children : 
Dana  G.,  who  resides  at  Hinsdale,  N.  Y.,  mar- 
ried Lillian  Snyder ;  Nellie,  who  married  Wal- 
ter J.  Anderson,  is  now^  a  widow  and  lives  at 
Indiana,  Pa. ;  Myra  Bell  married  Frank  Will- 
over  and  resides  in  Hinsdale,  N.  Y. ;  Clara 
married  De  Forest  Jordan,  of  Cuba,  N.  Y. ; 
Delia  married  Calvin  Adams,  of  Richburg,  N. 
Y. :  Mauley  J.  lives  at  Cuba,  New  York. 

Manley  J.  Hedden  was  reared  at  Hinsdale, 
N.  Y.,  and  attended  the  schools  of  that  place 
and  those  of  Cuba,  finishing  in  the  high  school 
of  the  latter  place.  When  he  was  seventeen 
years  old  he  left  school  to  begin  farming. 
About  1898  he  established  a  steam  laundry  at 
Richfield  Springs,  N.  Y.,  building  a  plant  and 
putting  things  in  excellent  condition,  after 
which  he  sold,  and  coming  to  Indiana,  in  1902, 
opened  up  what  is  now  the  Indiana  Steam 
Laundry,  which  he  conducted  until  he  sold 
it  in  July,  1912,  to  Osmun  &  McFarland. 

Mr.  Hedden  was  first  married  to  Winifred 
Wasson,  of  Cuba,  N.  Y.,  a  daughter  of  Robert 
Wasson.  She  died  in  1902,  the  mother  of 
three  children:  Ralph,  Glen  and  Lyle,  who 
are  attending  school.  On  Sept  20,  1905,  Mr. 
Hedden  was  united  in  marriage  with  Mabel 
C.  Neal,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  at  Clean,  N.  Y.,  and 
by  this  marriage  has  children  as  follows: 
Raymond  Neal,  Roy  Manley,  Mabel  and 
Richard  Monroe.  Mrs.  Hedden  was  born 
Nov.  18,  1882,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Mary  (McClure)  Neal,  the  former  of  whom 
died  in  Indiana  in  1901.  He  was  born  at 
McKeesport,  Pa.,  seventy-five  years  ago,  and 
moved  to  Indiana  county  forty  years  ago, 
becoming  one  of  the  substantial  agriculturists 
of  his  locality. 

Mr.  Hedden  resides  on  a  farm  of  140  acres 
in  New  York  State.  His  leading  crop  is  hay, 
but  he  also  raises  large  quantities  of  potatoes 
for  the  market.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a 
Baptist,  while  his  wife  is  a  Lutheran.  Like 
his  father,  IMr.  Hedden  espouses  the  cause  of 
prohibition  and  gives  it  valuable  support. 
His  fraternal  connections  are  with  the  Odd 
Fellows,  the  Maccabees  and  the  Royal 
Arcanum. 

HARRY  WASHINGTON  BURKETT, 
junior  member  of  the  firm  of  J.  Burkett  & 
Son,  for  several  years  engaged  in  general 
merchandising  at  Ambrose,  in  South  Mahon- 
ing township,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Grant 


township,    Indiana   Co.,   Pa.,   Oct.   20,   1880, 
son  of  Jacob  and  Martha  J.  (Nelson)  Burkett. 

Joseph  Burkett,  the  paternal  grandfather 
of  Harry  Washington  Burkett,  was  a  native 
of  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  and  brought  his  fam- 
ily to  Indiana  county  during  the  year  known 
as  that  of  the  "Big  Frost."  Here  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life  in  agricultural 
pursuits. 

Jacob  Burkett,  son  of  Joseph  Burkett,  and 
father  of  Harry  Washington  Burkett,  was 
born  near  Bedford,  Bedford  Co.,  Pa.,  in  1856, 
and  was  a  youth  when  brought  to  Indiana 
county  by  his  parents.  He  was  engaged  in 
farming  with  his  father  until  1893,  in  which 
year  he  brought  his  wife  and  son  to  South 
Mahoning  township  and  purchased  fifty  acres 
of  land  known  as  the  Joshua  Lydiek  farm, 
which  he  continued  to  operate  for  seven 
years.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  the 
general  merchandise  business  at  Ambrose, 
and  in  1902  the  firm  of  J.  Burkett  &  Son  was 
formed.  In  1907  they  purchased  the  store 
which  they  carried  on  until  recently  and 
twent.y-five  acres  of  land.  Theirs  became 
one  of  the  largest  and  best  stocked  stores  of 
its  kind  in  South  IMahoning  township  and  was 
conducted  in  such  an  able  manner  as  to  gain 
and  retain  the  patronage  of  the  entire  coun- 
tryside. Mr.  Burkett  still  owns  and  operates 
his  farm,  and  while  his  son  managed  the  store 
he  traveled  throiigh  his  own  and  other  town- 
ships selling  goods  with  a  team.  Mr.  Burkett 
has  always  been  known  as  an  industrious, 
hard-working  man,  able  in  business  and 
public-spirited  as  a  citizen.  For  many  yeai's 
he  supported  Democratic  policies  and  prin- 
ciples, but  at  this  time  is  giving  his  support 
to  the  Prohibition  part}%  being  a  firm  believer 
in  temperance.  Every  movement  beneficial 
to  South  Mahoning  township  or  its  people 
can  rely  upon  his  hearty  cooperation,  and  the 
signal  service  he  has  rendered  his  community 
in  assisting  in  its  growth  and  development  ■ 
entitles  him  to  a  place  among  its  representa- 
tive citizens.  In  1879  Mr.  Burkett  was  mar- 
ried to  Martha  J.  Nelson,  who  was  born  near 
Elderton,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  a  daughter  of 
the  late  Samuel  Nelson,  and  sister  of  Ulysses 
Grant  Nelson,  of  Brushvalley,  Indiana  county, 
in  whose  sketch,  in  another  part  of  this  work, 
may  be  found  a  review  of  the  Nelson  family. 
Mrs.  Burkett  is  a  woman  of  much  business 
ability,  but  has  given  the  greater  part  of  her 
attention  to  her  household  duties.  Like  her 
husband  she  is  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church  and  is  active  in  its  work. 


1502 


IIISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


She  aud  lier  husband  had  but  one  child,  Harry 
Washington. 

Harry  Washington  Burkett,  son  of  Jacob 
Bui'kett,  was  given  excellent  educational  ad- 
vantages, attending  the  public  schools  of 
Grant  and  South  Mahoning  townships  and  a 
business  college  at  Columbus,  Ohio.  He  had 
been  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  but  in 
1902  formed  a  partnership  with  his  father  in 
the  mercantile  business  at  Ambrose.  To  this 
enterprise  Mr.  Burkett  gave  his  entire  time 
and  attention,  showing  business  ability  far 
above  the  ordinary,  and  it  was  largely  due 
to  the  conscientious  attention  that  he  paid  to 
every  detail  that  the  business  proved  such  a 
success.  The  firm  of  J.  Burkett  &  Son  re- 
cently sold  its  mercantile  interests  at  Am- 
brose. Like  his  father,  Mr.  Burkett  is  pos- 
sessed of  progressive  ideas  and  methods,  and 
all  movements  calculated  to  advance  Am- 
brose or  its  interests,  whether  educational, 
industrial,  commercial  or  social,  find  him  an 
ardent  supporter  and  tireless  worker.  Mr. 
Burkett  has  never  indulged  in  intoxicating 
liquor,  and  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  cause 
of  temperance,  invariably  voting  the  Prohibi- 
tion ticket  straight.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

On  July  24,  1908,  Mr.  Burkett  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Minnie  Brondon,  who  was 
born  in  South  Mahoning  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  JPa.,  daughter  of  Hugh  Brondon,  an  agri- 
culturist of  that  township.  She  is  a  faithful 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  is  well 
known  and  highly  esteemed  in  church  and 
social  circles.  To  Mr.  and  IMrs.  Harry  W. 
Burkett  there  have  been  born  two  daughters, 
Martha  Elizabeth  and  Marjory  Helen. 

The  firm  of  J.  Burkett  &  Son  gained  an 
enviable  position  in  the  business  world  of 
Indiana  county  through  honorable  and  up- 
right dealing,  and  its  members  are  numbered 
among  South  Mahoning  township's  most  sub- 
stantial citizens.  They  have  prestige  in  bi;si- 
ness,  public  and  social  life,  and  are  well 
worthy  tlie  high  regard  and  esteem  in  which 
they  are  universally  held. 

WILLIAM  KISSINGER,  truck  farmer  of 
Indiana,  Indiana  county,  where  he  has  a 
small  but  valuable  property  particularly 
well  adapted  to  the  needs  of  his  business,  was 
born  on  his  father's  farm  in  East  Wheat- 
field  township,  this  county,  Jan.  19,  1863. 
His  grandfather,  who  was  a  farmer  in  that 
township,  died  in  1825.  Joseph  Kissinger, 
father  of  William,  was  his  only  child.  His 
widow  remarried,  becoming  the  wife  of  a  Mr. 


Kline,  by  whom  she  had  two  children :  John, 
now  a  resident  of  West  Wheatfield  township, 
Indiana  county;  and  Samuel,  who  died  in 
West  Wheatfield  township. 

Joseph  Kissinger  was  reared  in  East 
Wheatfield  township,  and  attended  the  coun- 
try schools.  After  his  marriage  he  bought 
the  old  homestead,  a  tract  of  166  acres  which 
he  farmed  for  thirty-five  years,  and  died 
there  in  1891,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years. 
In  religion  he  was  a  Lutheran  and  a  zealous 
church  worker,  serving  for  years  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  elder;  he  was  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  New  Florence  Lutheran  Church.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Republican.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Shott,  who  was  born  in  Germany, 
and  when  twelve  years  old  came  to  the  United 
States  with  her  parents,  John  Shott  and  wife, 
who  were  accompanied  by  several  children. 
Mr.  Shott  settled  on  a  farm  in  East  Wheat- 
field  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he 
died.  IMrs.  Kissinger,  now  (1913)  ninety- 
one  years  of  age,  lives  with  her  daughter 
Jennie,  Mrs.  Nipper,  in  Blacklick  township, 
this  county.  She  is  a  devout  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kissinger 
had  the  following  children:  John  H.,  of 
Blaii-sville,  was  a  music  teacher  for  twenty- 
five  years,  aud  is  now  engaged  in  the  milk 
business;  he  married  Elizabeth  Wakefield. 
Joseph,  a  farmer  of  East  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, mari-ied  Lueinda  Van  Horn.  Samuel, 
a  market  gardener,  of  Homer  City,  married 
Mary  Mangus.  Jennie  is  the  wife  of  Chester 
Nipper,  of  Blacklick  township.  Catherine  is 
MV-s.  Moses  Lehr,  of  Pitcairn,  Pa.  William 
is  mentioned  below. 

William  Kissinger  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
home  farm  in  East  Wheatfield  township.  He 
attended  the  Culbert  public  school  near  his 
home  until  he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen,  and 
worked  at  home  on  the  farm,  receiving  a 
thorough  training  for  agricultural  pursuits 
under  his  father.  After  his  marriage  he 
bought  a  farm  of  130  acres  in  East  Wheat- 
field  township,  upon  which  place  he  lived  for 
fourteen  years.  Selling  that  place  he  bought 
130  acres  in  Blacklick  township,  wliere  he 
resided  eleven  years,  at  the  end  of  that  period 
selling  it  and  buying  his  present  property, 
a  tract  of  five  and  a  half  acres  at  Indiana 
borough.  It  is  at  No.  310  Locust  street.  Mr. 
Kissinger  put  up  new  buildings  here  and 
made  numeroiis  other  improvements,  having 
a  beautiful  home,  which  is  a  credit  to  his  in- 
dustry and  taste,  and  the  land  under  his  skill- 
ful cultivation  yields  profitable  returns. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1503 


On  Jan.  13,  1885,  Mr.  Kissinger  married 
Emma  Clarke,  of  Johnstown,  Pa.,  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Eva  Clarke.  She  died  in  1895, 
the  mother  of  four  children,  namely:  Walter 
Irving,  who  has  a  hardware  store  at  New 
Florence,  Pa.,  where  he  resides,  married 
Fanny  Campbell;  Vincent,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
a  railwaj^  mail  clerk,  married  Laura  Rising; 
Merle  Clyde,  now  of  Pitcaim,  Pa.,  employed 
in  the  drafting  department  of  the  Westing- 
house  Company,  was  for  two  years  a  student 
at  the  Ohio  Northern  University,  Ada,  Ohio 
(he  married  Mary  Wise)  ;  Charles  Frank, 
now  a  market  gardener  at  Derry,  Westmore- 
land Co.,  Pa.,  was  formerly  engaged  in  teach- 
ing (he  is  unmarried).  In  1897  Mr.  Kis- 
singer married  (second)  Annie  Dick,  of 
Brushvalley  township,  Indiana  county,  daugh- 
ter of  Alexander  and  Mary  (Kelley)  Dick, 
and  they  have  had  two  children,  Joseph 
Alexander  and  William  Hood.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kissinger  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  In  his  political  views  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

WILLIAM  NELSON  TEJIPLETON,  who 
is  connected  with  the  A.  F.  Kelly  store,  at 
Clymer,  is  a  native  of  Indiana  county,  born  in 
Green  township  March  6,  1878,  son  of  Robert 
and  Keziah  (Patterson)  Templeton.  Grand- 
father Templeton  came  to  Indiana  county, 
Pa.,  at  a  very  early  day  and  followed  farming 
all  his  life. 

Robert  Tempjeton  was  born  near  Indiana, 
in  Indiana  county,  and  resides  on  his  large 
farm,  having  been  an  extensive  farmer  and 
large  stock  raiser  for  many  years,  dealing  in 
and  shipping  sheep  as  a  specialty.  During 
the  Civil  war  he  served  in  the  Federal  array 
for  three  years,  as  a  member  of  the  67th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantrj.  He  mar- 
ried Keziah  Patterson,  who  was  born  in 
Green  township,  Indiana  county,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Patterson.  Thomas  Patterson 
came  to  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  among  the  early 
settlers  and  became  a  man  of  considerable 
local  prominence,  serving  for  many  years  as 
a  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
also  a  shoemaker. 

Nine  children  were  born  to  Robert  Temple- 
ton and  his  wife,  three  of  whom  died  in  in- 
fancy, and  Lucy,  the  third  youngest,  is  also 
deceased.  The  others  are:  Laura,  who  is 
the  wife  of  H.  E.  Moorhead,  of  the  East  End, 
Pittsburg;  John  Charles,  a  school  teacher; 
Myrtle,  who  is  the  wife  of  Scott  Harris,  of 
Bisbee,  Ariz. ;  Ralph,  who  lives  in  New  Jer- 
sey; and  William  N. 


William  Nelson  Templeton  obtained  his 
educational  training  in  the  public  schools  and 
afterward  taught  one  term  in  the  old  home 
school  in  Green  township,  and  until  he  reached 
his  majority  remained  at  home  and  worked 
for  his  father  on  the  home  place.  After- 
ward he  was  employed  for  two  years  with 
the  Cambria  Steel  Company,  while  for  the 
last  two  years  he  has  been  connected  with 
the  A.  F.  Kelly  store  at  Clymer,  proving  him- 
self a  keen  business  man  and  a  tactful,  courte- 
ous and  efficient  employee. 

On  May  9,  1900,  Mr.  Templeton  was  mar- 
ried to  Mabel  C.  Reed,  who  was  born  in 
Cherryhill  township,  this  county,  Feb.  11, 
1879,  a  daughter  of  James  L.  and  Caroline 
M.  (Dick)  Reed,  who  now  live  at  Kenwood, 
in  Cherryhill  town.shiiD.  James  L.  Reed  was 
in  early  manhood  a  cabinetmaker,  afterward 
following  carpentering  and  painting.  He 
married  Caroline  M.  Dick,  and  of  their  large 
family  three  sons  and  three  daughters  are 
living:  Minnie,  who  is  the  wife  of  0.  V. 
Householder,  resides  at  Penn  Run,  Pa. ;  Re- 
becca lives  at  home ;  Earl  D.  is  with  the 
Eureka  Hardware  Company  at  Clymer;  Ross 
lives  at  home ;  Otto  is  a  teacher  in  Cherry- 
hill  township ;   Mabel  is  Mrs.   Templeton. 

ilr.  and  Mrs.  Templeton  have  had  three 
children,  namely :  Carolyn  Leone,  born  in 
1902 ;  Althea  Ruth,  born  iii  1907 ;  and  Robert 
Reed,  born  in  1912.  The  family  belongs  to 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  Mr. 
Templeton  is  an  elder  and  is  also  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school. 

GEORGE  LIPTAK,  proprietor  of  a  meat 
market  at  Dixonville,  Indiana  county,  is  do- 
ing a  prosperous  business,  having  built  up  a 
good  trade  among  the  people  of  that  town 
and  the  surrounding  locality.  He  was  born 
in  Hungary  in  1864,  and  his  parents,  John 
and  Mary  Liptak,  died  in  that  country. 
George  Liptak  lived  there  until  1889.  acquir- 
ing his  education  in  the  public  schools.  Com- 
ing to  America  in  the  year  named,  he  lived 
for  two  years  at  Adamsburg,  in  Westmore- 
land county.  Pa.,  at  the  end  of  that  time  re- 
turning to  Hungary  for  his  family.  Upon 
their  arrival  they  settled  at  Adamsburg,  re- 
maining there  for  four  years,  and  thence  com- 
ing to  Dixonville,  Indiana  county,  which  has 
since  been  their  home.  When  he  removed  to 
Dixonville  ]\Ir.  Liptak  began  the  meat  busi- 
ness which  he  has  since  conducted  and  which 
under  his  good  management  has  been  enlarged 
to  paying  proportions.  He  owns  his  home 
and  place  of  business,  and  is  recognized  as 


1504 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


one  of  the  thrifty  citizens  of  the  community 
with  which  he  has  east  his  lot. 

In  1886  Mr.  Liptak  was  married  in  Hun- 
gary to  Julia  Novonaty,  of  that  country,  and 
they  have  had  a  family  of  seven  children : 
I\Iary,  John,  Stephen,  Emma,  Anna,  Julia  and 
I\Iargaret. 

CAiMERON  DAVIS,  farmer  and  dairyman, 
in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was 
born  in  that  township  March  26,  1880,  a  son 
of  James  and  Evalyn  (Harrold)  Davis.  Sam- 
uel L.  Davis,  the  grandfather,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  a  very  early  settler  in 
Indiana  county,  where  he  was  a  farmer  and 
also  followed  the  carpenter's  trade. 

James  Davis,  son  of  Samuel  L.  Davis,  was 
born  in  Indiana  county,  and  remained  on  his 
father's  farm  until  the  age  of  eighteen  years, 
when  he  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  con- 
tinuing to  follow  the  same  even  after  pur- 
chasing the  farm  on  which  his  son,  Cameron 
Davis,  now  resides.  He  married  Evalyn  Har- 
rold, and  they  reside  at  Penn  Run.  She  was 
born  in  Indiana  county,  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
Harrold,  who  was  a  farmer  and  tanner  there. 
Two  children  were  born  to  James  Davis  and 
his  wife :  Cameron  and  Zuela,  the  latter  the 
wife  of  Jesse  E.  Mock,  who  is  in  the  contract- 
ing business  at  Clymer,  Pennsylvania. 

Cameron  Davis  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm  and  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Cherryhill  township.  Afterward  he  taught 
one  term  of  school  in  Cambria  county,  and 
two  terms  in  Indiana  county  in  Cherryhill 
and  Rayne  townships,  and  succeeded  well  as 
an  educator,  but  the  profession  did  not  prove 
attractive  enough  to  separate  'Sir.  Davis  from 
his  agricultural  activities,  and  he  returned 
to  the  farm,  where,  in  addition  to  carrying 
on  a  general  agricultural  work,  he  operates 
a  dairy,  and  prosecutes  his  different  under- 
takings according  to  modern  methods. 

On  April  8,  1903,  Mr.  Davis  was  married 
to  Nellie  Prantz,  and  they  have  five  children : 
Claire,  Herman,  Hale,  Helen  and  James  W. 

]\Irs.  Davis  was  born  in  Armstrong  county, 
Pa.,  ilay  1, 1882,  a  daughter  of  George  E.  and 
Margaret  (Wardiaii)  Frantz,  and  a  grand- 
daughter of  Jacob  Frantz  and  Peter  War- 
dian. 

Jacob  Frantz  was  of  German  ancestry  and 
was  born  in  eastern  Pennsylvania.  He  was 
an  early  settler  in  Armstrong  county  and 
was  a  miller  and  millwright  by  occupation. 

George  E.  Frantz,  son  of  Jacob  and  father 
of  ]Mrs.  Davis,  was  born  in  Armstrong  county, 
and  he,  like  his  father,  became  a  millwright 


and  miller.  At  present  he  resides  in  ]Mary- 
land,  where  he  .still  follows  his  trade.  He  mar- 
ried JIargaret  "Wai-dian,  who  was  born  in  Jef- 
ferson county.  Pa.,  daughter  of  Peter  AVar- 
dian,  a  farmer,  and  ^Irs.  Davis  was  the  sec- 
ond born  of  their  children,  the  others  being: 
Blanche,  who  resides  at  home;  Viola,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Thomas  iloorhead,  of  Indiana; 
Bertha,  who  is  the  Avife  of  IMartin  Fowler,  of 
Penn  Run;  Arthur,  who  is  attending  a  theo- 
logical seminary  at  Pittsburg,  preparing  for 
the  Presbyterian  ministry;  Frank,  who  is  in 
the  United  States  army;  Jean,  who  lives  at 
Lancaster,  Pa. ;  Paul ;  Jay ;  and  one  that  died 
in  infancy. 

ROBERT  L.  STEWART,  chief  clerk  of 
the  Penn-Mary  Coal  Company,  at  Heilwood, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Buffiugton  town- 
ship, this  county,  Dec.  27,  1887,  and  is  a  son 
of  Samuel  and  Phoebe  (Schultz)  Stewart. 

John  Stewart,  grandfather  of  Robert  L. 
Stewai-t,  was  born  in  Bufifington  township,  the 
family  having  come  to  Indiana  county  as  pio- 
neer settlers,  and  since  their  advent  here 
many  of  the  name  have  been  prominently 
identified  with  agricultural  and  business  in- 
terests. 

Samuel  Stewart  was  born  in  Buffiugton 
township,  was  educated  in  the  district  schools 
and  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which 
he  has  been  engaged  all  of  his  life,  now  being 
a  resident  of  Center  township.  His  wife, 
whose  father,  Jacob  Schultz,  was  also  an  early 
settler  of  Buffiugton  township,  died  in  1890. 
She  was  the  mother  of  three  children  :  Frank, 
who  resides  in  Center  township ;  Robert  L. ; 
and  Clara,  wife  of  Harry  Johnson,  a  resident 
of  Center  township. 

Robert  L.  Stewart  was  given  good  educa- 
tional advantages  in  the  district  schools  of 
Buffiugton  township,  and  while  going  to  school 
assisted  in  the  work  on  the  home  farm.  Later 
he  attended  summer  school  at  Penn  Run  and 
the  Indiana  business  college,  and  after  grad- 
uating from  the  latter  institution  spent  some 
time  engaged  in  school  teaching  in  Buffiugton 
and  Pine  townships.  He  then  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Penn-Mary  Coal  Company,  at 
Heilwood,  being  first  engaged  as  clerk,  and 
receiving  promotions  gradually  until  he  was 
made  chief  clerk,  in  which  position  he  is  now 
serving. 

On  Oct.  1,  1910,  i\Ir.  Stewart  was  married 
to  Luella  Slater,  who  was  born  in  Green 
township,  Indiana  county,  daughter  of  John 
and  i\Iary  Slater,  the  former  of  whom  is  resid- 
ing in  Center  township,  where  he  was  engaged 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1505 


in  farming  foi-  some  yeai's,  while  the  latter  is 
deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stewart  have  one 
son,  Robert  M.  Mr.  Stewart  is  a  member  of 
the  JMethodist  Episcopal  Church,  while  his 
wife  adhei-es  to  the  faith  of  the  Christian 
denomination.  He  is  interested  in  fraternal 
work,  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  at 
Burnside. 

EZEKIEL  A.  BARBER,  carpenter  fore- 
man for  the  Dixon  Coal  Company,  of  Dixon- 
ville,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Green  township,  In- 
diana county,  March  3,  1872,  son  of  Ezekdel 
H.  and  Lydia  Louise  (Price)  Barber. 

John  Barber,  paternal  grandfather  of  Eze- 
kiel  A.  Barber,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  in  young  manhood,  set- 
tling first  in  Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  and  sub- 
sequently moving  to  Westmoreland  county. 
Pa.  He  then  came  to  Indiana  county  and 
took  up  land  in  Green  township,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  where  his  death  occurred  in 
advanced  years. 

Ezekiel  H.  Barber,  son  of  John  Barber,  was 
born  in  Armstrong  county,  Pa.,  and,  like  his 
father,  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits, 
which  he  followed  until  his  death  on  the 
Green  township  -farm.  May  21,  1906.  He 
married  Lydia  Louise  Price,  who  was  born  in 
Green  township,  daughter  of  Thomas  Price, 
and  she  still  survives,  now  making  her  home 
near  Dixonville,  on  the  old  homestead.  She 
and  her  husband  had  the  following  children: 
Robert,  who  resides  at  Burnside;  Emma,  liv- 
ing at  home;  David  N.,  a  resident  of  Dixon- 
ville ;  John,  who  resides  with  his  mother  and 
operates  the  old  homestead;  Rachel,  who  is 
deceased;  Elizabeth,  deceased,  who  was  the 
wife  of  Harry  E.  Bence,  of  Dixonville ;  Eze- 
kiel A.;  Lillie  Louise,  the  wife  of  Austin 
Slenker,  of  Dixonville;  Benjamin,  a  resident 
of  Lewiston,  Idaho ;  Myrtle,  who  is  deceased ; 
Frank,  a  resident  of  Green  township;  and 
Ebenezer,  who  lives  on  the  old  homestead. 

The  maternal  great-grandfather  of  Ezekiel 
A.  Barber  came  from  Wales  in  young  man- 
hood and  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Thomas 
Price,  his  son,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
followed  farming  throughout  his  life  in  In- 
diana county. 

Ezekiel  A.  Barber  attended  the  schools  of 
Green  township  during  the  winter  terms  and 
as  a  boy  worked  on  the  home  farm  during 
the  summer  months.  On  leaving  the  home- 
stead to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world  he 
became  interested  in  the  mercantile  business. 


conducting  a  general  store  in  Dixonville  for 
four  years,  and  then  engaged  in  the  carpen- 
ter business.  For  some  time  he  was  in  this 
business  for  himself,  but  later  accepted  a  posi- 
tion as  boss  carpenter  with  the  Dixon  Coal 
Company,  of  Dixonville,  and  has  acted  in 
this  capacity  for  the  last  four  years. 

On  June  28,  1899,  Mr.  Barber  married 
Florence  Everwine,  of  RajTie  township,  this 
county,  daughter  of  Jacob  Everwine,  and  she 
died  in  March,  1900,  leaving  no  children.  In 
March,  1906,  Mr.  Barber  was  married  (sec- 
ond) to  Selina  Neal,  who  was  born  in  North 
Mahoning  township,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Anna  (Oberlin)  Neal,  both  of  whom  now  re- 
side in  North  Mahoning  township,  Mr.  Neal 
being  engaged  in  farming,  although  he  was 
formerly  a  merchant.  In  his  youth  he  was 
engaged  in  lumbering  on  the  Monongahela 
river,  near  Pittsburg,  and  after  coming  to  In- 
diana county  served  as  sheriff  for  one  term. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barber  are  the  parents  of  four 
children:  Raymond  N.  and  Louise  Oberlin, 
twins;  Thomas  Sharp  and  Dorothy  Selina. 
IMr.  and  Mi-s.  Barber  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church  at  Dixonville,  and  Mr.  Barber 
has  interested  himself  in  educational  matters 
and  is  a  member  of  the  school  board  qf  Green 
township. 

ARCHIBALD  ALLISON  LONG,  proprie- 
tor of  the  Checkered  Front  grocery  store, 
and  part  owner  of  the  Globe  Theatre,  in  In- 
diana borough,  was  bom  Sept.  22,  1870,  on 
what  is  now  known  as  the  Stewart  farm,  in 
Center  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  is  a 
son  of  James  and  Mary  (Stewart)  Long. 

Christopher  Long,  the  paternal  grandfather 
of  Archibald  A.  Long,  was  for  many  years  a 
resident  of  Indiana  county,  and  was  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  had  these  chil- 
dren :  Thomas,  James,  Samuel,  Joseph,  Jesse, 
Ellen  and  Margaret. 

James  Long,  son  of  Christopher,  and  father 
of  Archibald  A.  Long,  resided  in  Center  town- 
ship, where  he  was  the  owner  of  257  acres  of 
fine  farming  land,  and  there  continued  to 
spend  his  life.  He  met  his  death  by  being 
gored  by  a  bull,  in  1889,  when  fifty-nine  years 
of  age.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  was  a  prominent  Re- 
publican, serving  for  some  years  as  school 
director.  He  married  Mary  Stewart,  who 
survived  him  until  February,  1907,  and  they 
had  children  as  follows:  Harvey,  residing 
at  Homer  City,  Pa. ;  Joseph  Calvin,  born  Aug. 
4,  1854,  who  married  Catherine  Risinger,  born 
Nov.  19,  1851 ;  William  H.,  who  married  Te- 


1506 


HISTOKY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


resa  Dixon,  and  resides  at  Homer  City ;  :Mil- 
ton  G.,  who  married  Clara  Spiker;  Sarali 
Jane,  who  married  Levi  Buterbaugh,  of  Cook- 
port,  Pa.;  Harry,  who  died  in  1908;  and 
Archibald  Allison. 

Archibald  Allison  Long  attended  common 
school  No.  10,  in  Center  township,  his  first 
teacher  being  Margaret  Smith.  At  the  age 
of  nineteen  years  he  completed  his  studies  and 
took  up  farming  with  his  father.  He  con- 
tinued to  be  engaged  as  an  agriculturist  until 
1908,  and  also  followed  the  carpenter's  trade, 
having  been  apprenticed  to  Hyde  &  Murphy, 
contractors,  for  one  and  a  half  years.  He 
then  turned  his  attention  to  mercantile  lines, 
buying  the  grocery  store  in  Indiana  borough 
formerly  owned  by  R.  E.  Templeton,  which 
he  renamed  the  Checkered  Front  grocery 
store,  and  which  he  has  continued  to  conduct 
successfully  to  the  present  time.  In  August, 
1912,  in  partnership  with  W.  J.  Eicher,  he 
bought  fi'om  the  Lowman  brothers  the  Globe 
Theatre,  which  has  since  been  conducted  as 
a  moving  picture  and  vaudeville  house.  This 
has  been  liberally  patronized  by  the  amuse- 
ment seeking  public,  and  the  high  quality  of 
entertainment  warrants  the  patronage.  Mr. 
Long  is  an  able,  shrewd  and  farsighted  busi- 
ness man,  and  his  business  transactions,  al- 
ways carried  on  in  a  legitimate  manner,  have 
won  him  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his 
associates.  His  political  belief  is  that  of  the 
Republican  party.  With  his  wife  he  attends 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 

On  March  29,  1908,  Mr.  Long  was  married 
to  Harriet  Fleming,  daughter  of  W.  B.  Flem- 
ing.   They  have  no  children. 

SCOTT  V.  STEFFEY,  proprietor  of  livery, 
feed  and  sales  stables  at  Heilwood,  Pa.,  was 
born  in  Pine  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  Feb. 
20,  1884.  son  of  George  and  Teresa  (Goss) 
Steffey.  His  paternal  gi-andfather  was  a 
native"^  of  Germany  and  came  to  the  United 
States  some  time  after  his  marriage  and  be- 
came an  early  settler  in  Pine  township,  for 
many  years  conducting  a  blacksmith  show 
about  one  mile  from  the  present  to^^^l  of 
Heilwood.  He  also  engaged  extensively  in 
farming,  cleared  a  good  tract  of  land,  and 
erected  a  log  house,  in  which  he  resided  for 
a  long  period. 

George  Steifey,  father  of  Scott  V.  Steffey, 
was  bom  in  Indiana  county,  and  spent  his 
life  in  farming  in  Pine  township.  His  death 
occurred  Nov.  4,  1908,  on  the  old  homestead, 
while  his  widow  still  survives  and  lives  on  the 
Pine  township  farm,  being  seventy-two  years 


of  age.  They  had  a  family  of  four  sons  and 
four  daughters,  namelj' :  Emma,  the  wife 
of  William  Sholtz,  of  Pine  to-\\Tiship ;  Frank 
G.,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Pine  town- 
ship ;  Catherine,  the  wife  of  David  Martin, 
of  Pine  township ;  Calvin  H.,  bookkeeper  for 
the  Heilwood  Company,  of  Heilwood;  Harvey, 
an  electrician  of  that  town ;  Scott  V. ;  yiazie. 
the  wife  of  Ardie  Davis,  of  Grisemore,  In- 
diana county;  and  Pearl,  the  wife  of  James 
Hanna,  living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Pine 
township. 

Scott  V.  StefJey  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Pine  township,  and  as  a  youth  began  work- 
ing on  the  home  farm,  where  he  remained 
until  sixteen  years  of  age.  At  that  time  he 
learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  at  which  he 
worked  for  two  years,  and  then  spent  three 
years  in  the  lumber  business  in  Pine  township 
and  Cambria  county.  Subsequently  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Pine  township,  but  after 
one  year  gave  up  the  vocation  of  agi-iculturist 
and  bought  his  present  business,  the  Stefifey 
livery,  formerly  owned  by  Merle  Williams. 
He  has  built  up  a  good  business,  and  is  one 
of  the  popular  young  men  of  Heilwood. 

On  June  22,  1910,  Mr.  Steffey  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Lida  Hanna,  who  was  born 
in  Banks  township,  Indiana  county,  daugh- 
ter of  James  B.  and  Eliza  (Smith)  Hanna 
both  of  whom  reside  in  Pine  township,  ]\Ir 
Hanna  having  charge  of  the  farms  of  the 
Heilwood  Dairy  Company.  Islr.  and  Mrs. 
Steffey  have  one  daughter :  Sarah  Elizabeth 
He  has  interested  himself  in  fraternal  mat- 
ters and  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  lodge 
at  Pine  Flats,  and  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  America,  Camp  No.  616,  of  Gipsy,  In 
diana  county. 

ROY  CONRATH,  who  has  a  barber  shop 
and  cigar  store  at  Dixonville,  is  well  kno\vn 
in  and  around  that  place.  He  has  spent 
most  of  his  life  in  this  part  of  Indiana  county, 
having  been  born  at  Cookport  Dec.  15.  1878, 
son  of  David  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Strassler) 
Conrath. 

David  W.  Conrath  was  born  July  11,  1844, 
and  was  reared  near  Dixonville.  In  his  early 
life  he  was  a  carpenter  for  several  years, 
became  a  merchant  at  Warren,  Pa.,  for  a 
short  time,  and  about  1900  retired.  He  is 
living  among  his  children.  During  the  latter 
part  of  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  from  In- 
diana county  in  the  Union  service  and  did 
duty  as  a  soldier.  His  wife  died  in  Septem- 
ber," 1887.  They  had  a  family  of  six  children, 
viz. :     Elmer  E.,  born  June  20,  1869,  who  is 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1507 


now  editor  of  the  Leader,  of  Johnstown,  Pa. ; 
Harry  M.,  born  May  28,  1871,  a  jeweler,  of 
Indiana,  Pa. ;  Grey  E.,  born  March  11,  1873, 
who  is  a  barber,  in  business  at  Mahaffey,  Pa. ; 
Murray  D.,  born  March  15,  1876,  now  of 
Johnstown,  Pa.,  where  he  is  connected  with 
the  editorial  staff  of  the  Leader;  Roy;  and 
Israel  Clair,  born  Nov.  22,  1884,  who  lives 
at  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  where  he  is  connected 
with  the  Burroughs  Adding  Machine  Com- 
pany. 

Roy  Conrath  lived  in  Indiana  county  until 
he  was  twelve  years  old,  attending  school  for 
one  term  at  Cookport  and  later  elsewhere 
in  the  county.  He  did  farm  work  until  his 
mai-riage,  after  which  he  was  employed  in 
a  tannery,  living  at  Arcadia,  in  Grant  town- 
ship, for  three  years.  Moving  thence  to  Love- 
joy  he  became  engaged  at  the  carpenter's 
trade,  which  he  has  learned,  and  in  1904  he 
came  to  Dixonville,  at  which  place  he  has 
since  resided.  He  has  been  in  business  since 
locating  there,  having  a  barber  shop  and 
store,  selling  cigars  and  confectionery  and 
having  a  pool  and  billiard  room.  He  was 
one  of  the  first  business  men  to  become  es- 
tablished there,  and  he  has  acquired  an  ex- 
cellent patronage  by  his  careful  attention 
to  the  wants  of  his  customers.  He  owns  the 
building  in  which  he  is  established.  Mr.  Con- 
rath,  by  his  obliging  ways  and  fair  dealing, 
has  become  one  of  the  well-known  business 
men  of  Dixonville. 

In  1899  Mr.  Conrath  married  Anna  Laura 
Smith,  who  was  born  May  15,  1881,  and  died 
Nov.  1,  1903.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Wes- 
leyan  Methodist  Church.  There  were  two 
children  by  this  union:  John  Murray,  born 
April  16,  1900,  and  Delia  E.,  born  Jan.  12, 
1902.  On  Dec.  28,  1905,  Mr.  Conrath  mar- 
ried (second)  Ellen  Kelly,  who  was  bom  in 
Brushvalley  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
they  have  had  three  children :  Carson  Kelly, 
born  Nov.  5,  1906;  Cyrus  Roy,  born  Sept. 
18,  1908 ;  and  Clair  David,  born  Feb.  16, 1911. 
Mrs.  Conrath  is  a  member  of  the  Wesleyan 
Methodist  Church. 

GEORGE  ZACUR,  proprietor  of  the  In- 
diana Candy  Works,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  was 
born  in  Syria  Feb.  17,  1881,  a  son  of  George 
Zacur,  who  still  resides  in  that  country  and 
is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business. 

Until  he  was  eighteen  years  old  George 
Zacur  remained  in  his  native  land,  where  he 
attended  the  common  schools.  In  1899,  how- 
ever, he  cam'e  to  the  United  States,  landing 
in  New  York  City.     At  first  he  went  about 


with  a  cart,  peddling  commodities,  in  order 
to  gain  better  knowledge  of  the  language  and 
customs.  As  soon  as  he  felt  able  he  opened 
a  store  at  Latrobe,  Pa.,  later  going  to  Mt. 
Pleasant,  Westmoreland  county,  where  he 
conducted  a  general  store  for  three  years. 
Mr.  Zacur  then  went  to  Pleasant  Unity,  West- 
moreland Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  spent  two  years, 
one  month,  two  days,  returning  at  the  end 
of  that  time  to  Latrobe,  where  he  managed  a 
business  owned  by  his  uncle.  After  ten 
months,  on  Aug.  7,  1907,  he  came  to  Indiana, 
where  he  established  the  Indiana  Candy 
Works,  and  now  manufactures  high-grade 
chocolates,  bon  bons,  fancy  confectionery  and 
ice  cream.  His  place  of  business  is  conven- 
iently located  at  No.  660  Philadelphia  street, 
Indiana. 

On  Sept.  12,  1909,  Mr.  Zacur  was  married 
to  Nettie  Haim,  a  daughter  of  Michael  and 
Mary  Haim.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zacur  have  had 
two  children:  Julia,  who  was  born  Aug.  21, 
1910;  and  John,  who  was  born  Nov.  16,  1911. 

FRANK  H.  SHAFFER,  who  has  been 
weighmaster  for  the  Russell  Coal  Mining  Com- 
pany at  Dixonville,  Indiana  county,  since 
July,  1912,  is  one  of  the  well-known  mine 
workers  in  this  section  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  born  Aug.  6,  1882,  in  Canoe  township, 
Indiana  county,  son  of  Emanuel  and  Emma 
(Snyder)  Shaffer,  and  grandson  of  Jonathan 
Shaffer,  who  lived  in  Canoe  township  for 
some  time.  He  was  a  woodsman  and  cleared 
ofi:'  considerable  timber.  Leaving  Indiana 
county,  he  moved  out  to  Iowa  with  his  family, 
and  is  still  living  there. 

Emanuel  Shaffer,  son  of  Jonathan,  was  born 
in  Indiana  county  and  died  in  1887.  He  mar- 
ried Emma  Snyder,  a  native  of  Indiana 
county,  who  after  his  death  became  the  wife 
of  Charles  Gaston,  also  a  native  of  Indiana 
county;  they  are  bow  living  at  Canoe  Ridge. 
Mrs.  Gaston  has  one  child  by  her  second  mar- 
riage, Garrett,  who  lives  with  his  parents. 
She  was  the  mother  of  five  children  by  her 
first  union,  namely:  Wallace,  who  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Jefferson  county.  Pa. ;  Earl,  who  lives 
at  Conemaugh,  Pa. ;  Frank  H. ;  Anna,  wife 
of  Blair  Wolf,  of  Indiana,  Pa.;  and  Walter, 
a  resident  of  Jefferson  county. 

Frank  H.  Shaffer  passed  his  early  life  in 
Canoe  township,  where  he  attended  school. 
When  a  young  man  he  went  into  the  woods 
and  was  employed  at  lumbering,  and  he  sub- 
sequently became  interested  in  farming,  which 
he  followed  for  three  years.  He  then  engaged 
in   carpenter   work,   continuing  at   that  for 


1508 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


some  time,  and  about  three  years  ago  eom- 
meneed  mining.  He  weighed  coal  for  the  Rus- 
sell Coal  Mining  Company,  and  in  Jul}',  1912, 
was  appointed  to  his  present  position  as 
weighmaster  at  Dixouville,  to  which  place  he 
removed  April  28,  1904.  He  is  a  reliable  and 
careful  man,  and  can  be  depended  upon  to 
perform  his  duties  faithfully,  being  fully  de- 
serving of  the  confidence  placed  in  him.  His 
fellow  workers  also  regard  him  as  intelligent 
and  trustworthy,  for  he  has  been  chosen  to 
the  position  of  trustee  of  the  United  Mine 
Workers  of  America,  in  which  he  is  now  serv- 
ing. He  is  a  member  of  Local  No.  1515  at 
Dixonville,  and  fraternally  belongs  to  the  I.  0. 
0.  F.  lodge  at  Clymer,  Indiana  county.  He 
is  an  ardent  Socialist,  a  prominent  member 
of  the  Socialist  Club,  and  one  of  the  leaders 
of  the  party  in  this  section,  being  its  recent 
candidate  for  State  representative  from  In- 
diana county. 

On  Jan.  25,  1905,  Mr.  Shaffer  married 
Elizabeth  Yohe,  of  Big  Run,  Jefferson  Co., 
Pa.,  daughter  of  "William  and  Susanna  (Bow- 
ser) Yohe,  who  live  in  Banks  township,  In- 
diana county,  where  Mv.  Yohe  follows  farm- 
ing. Three  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union:  Orrin,  Jan.  25,  1906;  Arthur,  Jan. 
15,  1909 ;  and  Esther,  Jan.  31,  1912. 

DAVID  A.  FLEMING,  chief  engineer  for 
the  normal  school  buildings  at  Indiana,  Pa., 
during  the  last  twenty-two  years,  was  born 
April  4,  1863,  on  the  home  farm  in  Rayne 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  is  a  son  of 
Martin  J.  and  Matilda  (Maguire)  Fleming. 

James  Fleming,  his  great-grandfather,  lived 
and  died  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pa.  He  mar- 
ried Rachel  Campbell  and  had  a  large  family, 
two  sons,  Samuel  and  Thomas,  coming  to  In- 
diana county,  Pennsylvania. 

Samuel  Fleming,  one  of  the  sons  of  James, 
who  settled  in  Indiana  county,  lived  first  in 
Armstrong  county  upon  coming  to  this  sec- 
tion, thence  moving  to  Indiana  county  and 
buying  a  farm  in  what  is  now  Washington 
township.  Here  he  lived  and  died,  passing 
away  in  1861,  aged  seventy -six  years.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Fleming,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Fleming,  and  they  had  children  as  fol- 
lows: James,  Thomas,  Jane,  Annie,  Nancy, 
William  B.,  Martin  (father  of  David  A.), 
Eliza  L.,  Margaret,  Sarah  and  Martha  J. 

David  A.  Fleming  attended  the  district 
schools  and  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until 
he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  at  which  time 
he  left  home  to  make  his  own  way  in  the 
world.    After  spending  several  years  at  farm 


work  he  secured  a  position  with  the  Hughes 
&  Guthrie  Lumber  Company,  of  Twolicks, 
with  which  concern  he  was  connected  three 
j'ears,  the  greater  part  of  his  work  being  the 
care  of  engines  and  boilers.  Mr.  Fleming 
then  came  to  Indiana,  where  in  1891  he  ac- 
cepted his  present  position,  being  engineer 
at  the  normal  school  building — there  being 
only  one  at  that  time;  now  there  are  five 
separate  structures,  in  which  he  takes  care  of 
the  machinery,  lights  and  power.  The  prin- 
cipal of  the  school  when  he  first  became  asso- 
ciated with  the  institution  was  Rev.  W.  S. 
Owens,  a  resident  at  this  time  of  California, 
who  was  succeeded  by  Charles  W.  Dean,  now 
superintendent  of  public  schools  of  Bridge- 
port, Conn.  Mr.  Fleming  was  reared  in  the 
faith  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  his  polit- 
ical proclivities  are  those  of  the  Republican 
party. 

On  Oct.  31.  1885.  Mr.  Fleming  was  mar- 
ried to  Sarah  A.  Rairigh,  of  Grant  township, 
daughter  of  George  and  jMattie  (Spieher) 
Rairigh.  Mrs.  Fleming  is  a  sister  of  Rev. 
G.  S.  Rairigh,  a  German  Baptist  preacher, 
who  is  now  in  charge  of  the  pastorate  at  Den- 
ton, Md.,  and  has  traveled  extensively  in  for- 
eign countries.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fleming  have 
had  the  following  children:  Edith  May, 
Harry  Clair,  Albert  Clyde,  Kenneth  C.  and 
Lillian  Beatrice. 

HENRY  C.  WINTERS,  proprietor  of  an 
oyster  house  in  Indiana,  Indiana  county,  at 
which  place  he  has  resided  for  the  last  ten 
years,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  who  came  to 
this  country  in  young  manhood  and  by  indus- 
trious attention  to  his  own  affairs  has  suc- 
ceeded in  establishing  himself  firmly  among 
the  substantial  business  men  of  the  community 
in  which  he  resides. 

Henry  Winters,  his  grandfather,  was  an  in- 
spector of  dikes  on  the  North  German  coast. 
He  died  about  1882,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety-two.  His  children  were:  Hinreeh, 
father  of  Henry  C. ;  Christian,  who  died 
young;  Heinrieii  (Henry),  a  baker,  who 
"served  -in  the  Franco-Prussian  war,  came  to 
the  United  States,  and  settled  in  Newark, 
N.  J.,  where  he  died;  Christian  (2),  who  died 
in  Germany ;  Frederick,  a  tailor,  who  lives  in 
Germany ;  and  John,  deceased. 

Hinreeh  Winters,  father  of  Henry  C.  Win- 
ters, was  born  in  1832  and  went  to  school  until 
he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  tailor  and  followed  it  all 
his  life.  He  married  Anna  Weimei-s,  who 
survived  him,  his  death  occurring  in  1902, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1509 


hers  in  1903.  They  were  Lutherans  in  re- 
ligious faith.  Five  children  were  born  to  this 
couple:  Carl,  who  is  deceased;  William,  a 
hotel-keeper  of  Newark,  N.  J. ;  Henry  C. ;  Au- 
gust, a  hotel  man  at  Far  Rockaway  beach; 
and  John,  a  hotel  man  of  Newark,  New  Jer- 
sey. 

Henry  C.  Winters  was  born  Nov.  4,  1866, 
and  attended  public  school  in  his  native  land 
until  he  was  fourteen  years  old.  He  then 
went  to  sea,  taking  an  humble  position  before 
the  mast,  and  his  first  vessel  was  a  sailing 
ship,  the  "  Vangerland, "  of  Bremerhaven  to 
Kronstadt,  Russia.  Thereafter  he  made  many 
voyages,  to  Copenhagen,  Denmark  ;  Archangel, 
Russia  (near  the  White  sea)  ;  Hull,  Eng- 
land ;  Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil,  Buenos  Ayres ; 
Cape  Town;  Barcelona;  Marseilles;  the  Sici- 
lian islands;  Alexandria,  Egypt;  Port  Said; 
Constantinople;  Gibraltar;  Cardiff,  Wales; 
Charleston,  S.  C.  At  the  last  named  port  he 
left  his  ship,  after  seven  years  of  life  on  the 
water,  during  which  time  he  had  increased 
his  wages  from  $4  a  month  to  $60.  He  re- 
mained in  Charleston  for  two  years,  working 
in  a  flour  mill  and  grocery.  Thence  he  came 
to  Philadelphia,  where  he  made  a  stay  of  five 
j'cars,  after  which  he  was  in  New  York  City 
for  two  years.  The  next  three  years  he  was 
in  Chicago,  and  for  two  years  following  in 
San  Francisco.  In  Philadelphia  be  had  en- 
gaged in  the  hotel  and  restaurant  business,  in 
New  York  in  the  oyster  business,  and  in  Chi- 
cago and  San  Francisco  was  again  in  the  res- 
taurant business.  In  1902  Mr.  Winters  came 
to  Indiana,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  opened 
the  oyster  house  which  he  has  since  carried 
on  so  successfully.  He  has  become  very  well 
known  in  Indiana  in  that  and  other  connec- 
tions, belonging  to  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  B.  P.  0. 
Elks  and  Red  Men.  In  politics  Mr.  Winters 
is  a  Republican. 

In  September,  1899,  Mr.  Winters  was  mar- 
ried in  Philadelphia  to  Margaret  Haag,  of 
Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Frederick 
Haag.  They  have  no  children.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Winters  reside  on  South  Sixth  street,  In- 
diana, in  a  fine  home  which  he  erected  in 
1905. 

CHRIST  WILLY,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  is  a  com- 
paratively new  resident  of  that  borough, 
where  he  is  engaged  as  brewmaster  for  the 
Indiana  Brewing  Company,  one  of  the  largest 
local  concerns.  Mr.  Willy  is  a  native  of 
Switzerland,  born  in  January,  1862,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Germany,  son  of  Christ 
Willy.    The  father,  also  born  in  Switzerland, 


lived  and  died  in  that  country.  He  was  in 
the  hotel  business,  conducted  a  small  brewery, 
and  also,  in  connection  with  these  lines,  dealt 
in  horses.  He  was  a  well-known  man  in  his 
section. 

Christ  Willy  has  had  long  and  varied  ex- 
perience in  the  business  which  he  follows. 
When  a  youth  of  fifteen  he  began  work  in  a 
brewery  in  Switzerland,  and  later,  when  he 
attained  to  the  status  of  journeyman,  trav- 
eled through  Bavaria,  Italy  and  France,  fol- 
lowing his  trade  in  all  those  countries  and 
learning  the  methods  approved  in  each.  He 
came  to  America  in  February,  1882,  landing 
at  New  York  City,  but  did  not  remain  there, 
continuing  his  journey  to  Pittsburg,  Pa.  He 
was  employed  at  different  breweries  in  that 
city  and  became  a  brewmaster  in  1903.  That 
year  he  went  to  Masontown,  Fayette  Co.,  Pa., 
where  he  had  charge  of  the  brewery  for  three 
years,  and  thence  removed  to  Jeanette,  West- 
moreland county,  where  he  was  brewmaster 
for  the  next  three  years.  In  1910  he  came  to 
Indiana,  taking  his  present  position  with  the 
Indiana  Brewing  Company.  The  plant  has 
an  unusual  capacity  of  forty  thousand  barrels, 
and  Mr.  Willy,  in  his  responsible  connection 
with  this  establishment,  is  one  of  the  best 
known  men  in  the  business  in  this  part  of 
Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Willy  married  Elizabeth  Lessie,  a  na- 
tive of  Switzerland,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Christ  and  Mary.  The  family  reside  at 
No.  1018  Water  St.,  Indiana.  Mr.  Willy  is  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  frater- 
nally is  connected  with  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  be- 
longing to  the  lodge  at  Jeanette,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

BENNET  STADTMILLER,  a  retired 
farmer  now  living  in  the  borough  of  Indiana, 
has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  Indiana  and 
for  many  years  before  his  removal  to  his 
present  home  was  engaged  in  farming  in 
Cherryhill  township.  He  was  born  Feb.  22, 
1843,  on  a  farm  in  Brushvalley  township,  In- 
diana county,  son  of  George  and  Catherine 
(Oligher)  Stadtmiller,  natives  of  Germany, 
who  were  married  in  Pennsylvania  and  settled 
in  Brushvalley  township.  After  his  marriage 
George  Stadtmiller  bought  a  farm  in  Burrell 
township  and  later  sold  and  bought  a  farm 
in  Rayne  township,  where  he  died  in  1869, 
at  the  age  of  fifty-nine  years.  The  mother 
died  in  April,  1871,  aged  forty-nine  years. 
They  are  buried  in  the  Catholic  cemetery  at 


1510 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Indiana.  They  were  the  parents  of  fifteen 
children,  of  whom  Bennet  was  the  third  in 
order  of  birth,  and  the  second  oldest  son. 

Bennet  Stadtmiller  went  to  the  countrj' 
schools  in  Burrell  township  during  his  boy- 
hood, and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  became  en- 
gaged at  butchering  in  Johnstown,  Pa.,  with 
Zack  Endress,  with  whom  he  remained  one 
year.  After  being  at  home  for  a  considerable 
time  he  went  back  to  Johnstown,  this  time 
entering  the  employ  of  Adam  Kurtz.  At  the 
end  of  two  years  he  was  called  home  on  ac- 
count of  the  illness  of  his  father,  who  died 
shortly  afterward.  Knowing  he  could  live 
but  a  short  time,  he  requested  his  son  Bennet 
to  remain  at  the  homestead  to  care  for  his 
mother,  which  he  did. 

In  Februaiy,  1865,  Mr.  Stadtmiller  en- 
listed from  Burrell  township,  this  county,  for 
sei-vice  in  the  Union  army,  joining  Company 
B,  101st  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
with  which  command  he  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  Returning  then  to  the  home 
farm,  he  followed  farming,  also  for  a  time 
working  at  butchering  in  Johnstown,  Pa.,  as 
previously  mentioned.  This  was  before  his 
marriage.  Later  he  bought  the  farm  of  his 
father-in-law,  in  Cherryhill  township,  where 
he  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  for  about 
thirty  years,  living  there  continuously  until 
1903,  when  he  retired  and  moved  to  the  bor- 
ough of  Indiana.  Mr.  Stadtmiller  made  many 
improvements  on  the  property  during  his  res- 
idence there,  putting  up  an  entire  set  of  new 
buildings,  and  did  other  things  which  mate- 
rially enchanced  the  value  of  the  place.  He 
was  not  only  successful  in  his  own  affairs, 
but  took  a  public-spirited  interest  in  the  wel- 
fare of  the  locality,  serving  as  supervisor  of 
Cherryhill  township.  Since  his  retirement 
he  has  made  his  home  in  Indiana,  living  at 
No.  143  North  Fifth  street. 

On  Feb.  7,  1870,  Mr.  Stadtmiller  married 
Barbara  Reising,  of  Indiana  county,  daugh- 
ter of  ]\Iartin  and  Margaret  Reising,  and  to 
them  has  been  born  a  family  of  ten  children, 
namely:  George,  who  is  now  a  resident  of 
Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Margaret,  Mrs.  P.  E.  Blatzer, 
of  Indiana;  Matilda,  Mrs.  W.  J.  O'Hara,  of 
Indiana ;  Martin,  of  Ypsilanti.  IMich. ;  Mary 
E.,  Mrs.  Ora  Helman,  of  Indiana  county;' 
Joseph,  at  home ;  John,  at  home ;  Annie,  at 
home ;  Carrie,  Mrs.  Clyde  Wine,  of  Pittsburg, 
Pa. ;  and  Mary  Bertha,  at  home. 

Mr.  Stadtmiller  is  a  Catholic  in  religious 
belief,  belonging  to  St.  Bernard's  Church,  and 


he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  St.  George. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

JOHN  SCOTT  LIGHTCAP  has  been  a  life- 
long resident  of  Bast  ^Mahoning  township, 
Indiana  county,  and  one  of  its  most  active 
citizens,  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  and  associated  with  the  admin- 
istration of  its  public  affairs.  He  was  born 
there  Sept.  21,  1851,  on  his  father's  home- 
stead farm,  son  of  Johnson  Lightcap  and 
grandson  of  Godfrey  Lightcap. 

Godfrey  Lightcap,  the  founder  of  this  fam- 
ily in  America,  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
settled  at  an  early  day  in  Cumberland 
county.  Pa.  There  he  married  Jane  Mc- 
Elane.v,  and  the.y  had  a  large  family,  viz. ; 
Solomon,  who  settled  in  Rajoie  township, 
Indiana  county;  Pollj',  who  died  in  middle 
age;  Jane,  who  married  John  Lockey;  Hugh, 
who  made  his  home  in  Rayne  township ;  Lu- 
cinda,  who  married  Edward  Brauden,  being 
his  second  wife;  Margaret,  who  died  unmar- 
ried; Benjamin,  who  lived  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  Rayne  township ;  Juliann,  who  mar- 
ried James  McQuilkin,  of  South  j\Ia  honing 
toivnship ;  Jemima,  who  was  the  first  wife  of 
Edward  Branden;  and  Samuel  and  Johnson, 
twins,  the  former  of  whom  is  mentioned  else- 
where. Godfrey  Lightcap  moved  across  the 
Allegheny  mountains  in  1819,  and  first  set- 
tled in  Westmoreland  county,  later,  in  1845, 
moving  to  Indian^  county,  making  a  perma- 
nent home  in  Rayne  township,  where  he  settled 
down  to  fanning.  He  became  a  large  land 
owner,  his  holdings  lying  in  Rayne  and 
Young  townships.  He  died  on  his  farm  and 
is  buried  in  the  old  Washington  Church  ceme- 
tery in  Rayne  township,  as  is  also  his  wife, 
who  died  on  the  farm.  They  were  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Johnson  Lightcap,  son  of  Godfrey,  was 
born  Oct.  2,  1811,  in  Cumberland  county.  Pa., 
and  was  a  boy  when  the  family  settled  in 
Westmoreland  county.  Years  later,  when 
the}'  moved  to  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county,  he  accompanied  them,  he  and  his  twin 
brother,  Samuel,  coming  thence  to  East  Ma- 
honing township.  He  settled  on  a  part  of 
what  was  known  as  the  Hastings  and  Thomp- 
son tract,  of  270  acres,  the  brothers  living  to- 
gether until  Samuel's  marriage,  a  number 
of  years  later.  Johnson  Lightcap  improved 
his  property  materially,  put  up  suitable  build- 
ings, etc.,  and  as  he  prospered  subsequently 
bought  a  tract  of  120  acres,  at  the  time  of 
his  death  owning  a  total  of  four  hundred 
acres  of  good  farming  land.     He  spent  his 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1511 


life  on  the  farm,  dying  there  in  December, 
1896,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Marion  Center  cemetery.  His 
religious  connection  was  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  In  politics  he  was  associated 
with  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  took  an 
active  interest  in  public  affairs,  serving  as 
supervisor.  He  married  Susan  McElhoes,  a 
native  of  Rayne  township,  and  she  died  on 
the  home  farm  at  the  age  of  eighty -two  years, 
and  is  buried  in  the  same  cemetery  as  her 
husband.  She,  too,  was  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  They  had  the  follow- 
ing children:  Jane,  who  married  George 
Wynkoop  and  resides  in  Rayne  township; 
Lucinda,  who  died  young;  John  Scott;  Nan- 
nie, who  married  Robert  Mabon;  Silas,  who 
was  a  farmer  and  died  on  the  homestead  Feb. 
10,  1910;  a  son  that  died  in  infancy;  and 
Harry  Johnson,  farming  on  the  homestead, 
who  married  Ida  Wynkoop,  of  Rayne  town- 
ship. 

John  Scott  Lightcap  attended  the  Bovard 
school  in  what  is  now  the  Branden  district, 
and  worked  on  the  home  farm  with  his  father 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-seven 
j'ears.  He  then  settled  on  his  present  place, 
a  tract  of  120  acres  in  East  Mahoning  town- 
ship, part  of  what  was  known  as  the  Brady 
tract,  on  which  he  has  built  the  residence  and 
made  numerous  other  improvements.  In  ad- 
dition to  general  farming  he  has  engaged  to  a 
considerable  extent  in  stock  raising,  making 
a  specialty  of  Shorthorn  cattle,  with  which  he 
has  been  quite  successful.  He  is  a  thrifty  and 
industrious  farmer,  combining  hard  work  and 
progressive  methods  with  good  effect,  as  the 
condition  of  his  property  attests.  He  has 
been  particularly  interested  in  the  welfare 
of  the  public  schools  in  his  township,  and  has 
served  two  terms  as  school  director,  being 
also  treasurer  of  the  board  during  one  term. 
He  has  also  given  three  terms  of  service  as 
township  supervisor,  and  has  done  his  share 
toward  placing  public  affairs  on  a  business- 
like basis.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  He 
and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  at  Marion  Center. 

On  Nov.  16,  1876,  Mr.  Lightcap  married 
Maria  Bence,  who  was  born  Sept.  8,  1858,  in 
Rayne  township,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Anna  Elizabeth  (Rime)  Bence,  who  came  to 
live  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lightcap  in  their  de- 
clining years.  Mr.  Bence,  who  was  from 
Northumberland  coi;nty,  this  State,  is  still 
living  with  them,  now  (1912)  aged  ninety- 
three  years:  Mrs.  Bence,  who  was  of  German 
descent,  died  at  their  home.     Mr.  and  Mrs. 


Lightcap  have  had  a  family  of  twelve  chil- 
dren, six  sons  and  six  daughters,  of  whom 
eleven  are  living,  one  son  dying  young.  Wil- 
liam H.,  born  Jan.  18,  1878,  a  farmer  in  East 
Mahoning  township,  married  Laura  Konser, 
and  they  have  two  children,  Eva  Grace  and 
Arthur  Konser.  Susanna,  born  Nov.  5,  1879, 
married  James  H.  Beatty,  a  farmer  of  East 
;\Iahoning  township,  and  has  three  children, 

Elma  Gertrude,  Wilber  Lightcap  and  L 

Mildred.  Samuel  J.,  born  June  26,  1881, 
died  March  29,  1884.    Mary  J.,  bom  Feb.  26, 

1883,  is  at  home.    Silas  Edgar,  born  Dec.  16, 

1884,  is  a  farmer  in  East  Mahoning  township. 
Clara  Mabel,  born  March  29,  1887,  Margaret 
Florence,  born  Nov.  4,  1889,  Rinnie  Fern  and 
Lucinda  Fay  (twins),  bom  Nov.  29,  1891, 
John  Irwin,  born  Jan.  11,  1895,  Harry  Donel, 
bom  Oct.  22,  1897,  and  Charles  Bence,  born 
June  18,  1901,  are  at  home. 

THOMAS  S.  STEFFY,  who  has  been  oper- 
ating his  present  farm  in  West  Mahoning 
township  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  is 
also  engaged  in  the  sawmiU  and  lumber  bus- 
iness, was  boru  Aug.  19,  1838,  at  Punxsu- 
tawney.  Pa.,  son  of  John  and  Phoebe  (North) 
Steffy. 

John  Steffy,  father  of  Thomas  S.  Steffy, 
was  a  tanner  by  trade,  and  owned  a  tannery 
at  Marchand,  Pa.,  where  he  also  carried  on 
farming.  Going  to  Wright  Co.,  Kans.,  the 
last  years  of  his  life  were  spent  there,  and  he 
and  his  wife  died  in  the  faith  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  She  passed  away  in  Indi- 
ana county.  They  were  the  parents  of  two 
children,  Thomas  S.,  and  William,  the  latter 
living  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Thomas  S.  Steffy,  son  of -John  Steffy,  was 
given  a  common  school  education,  which  he 
has  since  supplemented  by  keen  observation, 
much  reading  and  wide  business  experience. 
As  a  young  man  he  went  to  work  in  a  mill 
as  fireman  for  Isaac  Gordon.     On  April  5, 

1885,  he  purchased  the  J.  H.  Jamison  farm 
in  West  Mahoning  township,  a  tract  of  eighty 
acres,  to  which  he  subsequently  added  five 
acres  and  later  seventy -three  acres.  He  was 
married  Sept.  7.  1886,  to  Mary  J.  McHenry, 
of  North  Point,  Pa.,  daughter  of  William  and 
Rachel  (Lantz)  McHenry,  who  were  born  at 
North  Point.  The  McHenry  family  moved 
to  Porter  township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  there 
purchasing  160  acres  of  land,  on  which  the 
parents  continued  to  reside  during  the  rest 
of  their  lives,  Mr.  McHenry  dying  at  the  age 
of  fifty-four  years  and  his  wife  when  she  was 
forty-two  years  old.     Mr.   McHenry  always 


1512 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


followed  farming  operations,  and  was  promi- 
nent in  Democratic  politics,  serving  for  some 
years  as  school  director,  as  well  as  in  other 
capacities.  A  faithful  member  of  the  Zion 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  he  was  class 
leader  for  years  and  active  in  all  church  work. 
He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  eleven 
children:  Erastus,  of  Paxton,  111.;  Elmira, 
who  married  Henry  Coleman,  of  Jefferson 
county;  Sylvanus,  who  married  Lucy  Bish 
and  lives  at  New  Bethlehem,  Pa. ;  Mary  J., 
who  married  Jlr.  Steffy ;  Bzekiel,  who  mar- 
ried Addie  Green,  was  a  teacher  in  the  schools 
of  Punxsutawuey,  and  now  lives  in  the  State 
of  Washington;  Anna,  who  married  James 
Irwin,  of  Jefferson  county;  Isaiah,  who  mar- 
ried Mertie  Condon,  and  liveg  on  a  farm  in 
West  JMahoning  township ;  James,  a  teacher 
and  fai-mer,  of  Ringgold,  Pa.,  who  married 
Annie  Powell  and  (second)  Cretta  Hess; 
Luke,  a  teacher  and  farmer,  who  married  Liz- 
zie    and  lives  in  Jefferson  county; 

Sadie,  formerly  a  teacher,  now  the  wife  of 
William  Tibbey,  of  Illinois;  and  Laura  B., 
who  married  Henry  Coleman,  and  now  lives 
in  Jefferson  county. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steffy  have  six  children: 
John  M. ;  William  A. ;  Maude  U.,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Homer  Lukehart  and  lives  at  Punx- 
sutawuey, Pa.;  Joseph  Clayton;  Cecil,  and 
Eva. 

The  present  farm  of  the  Steffy  family  was 
purchased  in  1888,  and  here  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Steffy  have  made  numerous  fine  improve- 
ments. Steffy  is  also  engaged  in  the  sawmill 
and  lumber  business  with  his  son.  Mrs. 
Steffy  is  an  excellent  business  woman  and  has 
been  of  great  assistance  to  her  husband,  help- 
ing to  manage  his  affairs  and  being  consulted 
on  all  matters  of  importance.  They  are  both 
popular  with  a  wide  circle  of  acquaintances, 
and  are  regarded  as  sterling  types  of  Indi- 
ana county's  best  citizenship.  He  is  a  stanch 
Republican,  but  his  only  interest  in  public 
matters  is  that  taken  by  any  good  citizen  who 
has  the  welfare  of  his  community  at  heart. 
Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Odd 
Fellows,  at  Dayton,  and  he  and  Mrs.  Steffy 
are  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  at  Smicksburg. 

WILLIAM  BANKS  TAYLOR,  retired, 
now  living  at  Indiana,  was  for  many  years 
an  agriculturist  of  Blacklick  township,  where 
he  was  born  Dec.  13,  1853. 

The  first  of  the  Taylor  family  to  locate  in 
Blacklick  township  was  John  Taylor,  born 
in  Ireland,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in 


young  manhood,  locating  in  Delaware  in  1801. 
After  six  years'  residence  in  that  State  he 
came  to  Blacklick  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
settling  in  1807  upon  the  farm  now  owned  by 
his  grandson.  Here  he  made  his  home,  devel- 
oping his  160  acres  of  land,  on  which  he 
erected  a  log  house,  giving  his  time  and  at- 
tention to  agi-icultural  pursuits  all  of  his 
active  life.  When  he  retired  from  farming 
he  located  at  Jacksonville,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  days,  and  his  remains  were 
laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  that  point.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  always  held  firm  to  its  doctrines. 

John  Taylor  was  married  in  Chester 
county.  Pa.,  to  ]\Iary  Alcorn,  daughter  of 
John  Alcorn,  and  one  child,  Mary,  was  born 
of  this  union;  she  died  at  the  age  of  two 
years.  Mr.  Taylor's  second  marriage  was  to 
Mary  (Polly)  Downey,  daughter  of  John 
Downey.  She  died  in  1870.  aged  eighty-four 
years,  the  mother  of  the  following  children: 
Elizabeth  (Betsey),  who  died  unmarried; 
Mary,  who  married  Charles  Burt  and  resides 
in  Ohio;  Isabelle,  who  died  unmarried; 
Nancy,  who  married  Joseph  ^IcCracken; 
Thomas  J.;  John;  William;  Margaret  and 
John  (twins),  who  are  both  deceased;  Rob- 
ert, who  is  deceased;  and  Cynthia,  also  de- 
ceased. 

Thomas  J.  Taylor,  son  of  John  Taylor, 
was  born  on  his  father's  homestead  in  Black- 
lick township,  and  there  grew  up.  Owing  to 
the  scarcity  of  schools  his  opportunities  for 
securing  a  good  educational  training  were 
few,  but  he  made  the  most  of  what  he  had, 
and  whenever  possible  attended  the  little  sub- 
scription schools  of  the  locality,  never  held 
more  than  three  or  four  months  in  the  year. 
He  resided  on  the  homestead  with  his  par- 
ents, engaging  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising,  and  made  many  improvements  on  the 
property.  This  farm  continued  to  be  his  home 
all  his  life,  and  he  died  on  it  iji  1908,  his 
declining  years  having  been  made  happy  and 
comfortable  through  the  care  and  filial  devo- 
tion of  his  son.  His  remains  were  laid  in 
the  same  cemetery  where  rest  those  of  his 
father,  at  Jacksonville.  Although  an  ardent 
Whig  and  later  a  Republican,  aside  from 
serving  as  supervisor  of  his  township  he  took 
no  active  part  in  pxiblic  life.  Like  his  father 
he  belonged  to  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  at  Jacksonville. 

Thomas  J.  Taylor  married  Jane  Gibson, 
daughter  of  Hugh  Gibson,  and  she  died  on 
the  farm  in  1874,  firm  in  the  faith  of  the 
United   Presbyterian   Church,   of  which   she 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1513 


was  a  consistent  member.  The  children  of 
this  marriage  were:  Margaret,  who  married 
Thomas  S.  Woods,  and  resides  in  Seattle, 
Wash. ;  Mary  Jane,  who  died  in  young  wom- 
anliood;  Garvey,  who  died  when  twenty -two 
years  old ;  and  William  Banks.  In  1876  Mr. 
Taylor  married  (second)  Mrs.  Mary  P. 
Reiger.     They  had  no  children. 

William  Banks  Taylor,  son  of  Thomas  J. 
Taylor,  attended  the  schools  of  his  home  lo- 
cality, and  was  reared  amid  agricultural  sur- 
roundings. Having  learned  farming  from  the 
rudiments  up,  he  was  able  to  take  charge  of 
the  homestead  and  became  a  prosperous 
farmer  and  stock  raiser.  From  1887  to  1912 
he  carried  on  extensive  operations  along  agri- 
cultural lines,  in  the  latter  year  turning  over 
the  management  of  the  farm  to  his  son,  and 
moving  with  his  wife  and  daughter  to  Indi- 
ana, where  he  is  now  living  retired,  although 
he  still  takes  an  interest  in  the  farm  work. 

Mr.  Taylor  married  Jennie  Shields,  daugh- 
ter of  Marshall  and  Margaret  (Jack)  Shields, 
and  they  have  had  two  children :  Chester  A., 
born  in  1885,  has  always  been  interested  in 
farming  with  his  father  and  is  now  operating 
the  homestead  farm  of  seventy-five  acres;  he 
married  Tillie  Gibson,  daughter  of  William 
Gibson,  and  has  one  child,  Lloyd  F.  Annie 
May  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Bell  Telephone 
Companj'  at  Indiana. 

Politically  Mr.  Taylor  is  an  independent 
Republican,  but  has  never  been  an  office 
seeker.  A  consistent  member  of  Bethel 
Church  (Presbyterian)  in  Center  township, 
he  has  always  tried  to  pattern  his  life  ac- 
cording to  the  Golden  Rule.  A  man  of  high 
principles,  he  has  won  and  retains  a  reputa- 
tion for  honorable  living  and  stainless  in- 
tegrity. 

CHARLES  C.  PFORDT,  until  recently  su- 
perintendent of  the  Clymer  Brick  Company, 
has  had  a  long  and  active  business  career.  He 
was  born  in  Allegheny  county.  Pa.,  Dec.  29, 
1864,  son  of  Charles  and  Christina  Pfordt. 

George  Pfordt,  his  paternal  grandfather, 
spent  his  entire  life  within  the  borders  of  his 
native  country,  France.  He  lived  near  the 
city  of  Nancy. 

Charles  Pfordt,  son  of  George,  and  father  of 
Charles  C.  Pfordt,  was  born  in  France  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1859,  settling  in 
the  city  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  where  he  established 
himself  in  a  butchering  business.  At  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war  he  was  one  of  the  first 
to  answer  President  Lincoln's  call  for  troops, 
enlisting  April  21,  1861,  in  the  123d  Pennsyl- 


vania Volunteer  Infantry,  and  when  his  term 
of  three  months  had  expired  veteranized  and 
was  appointed  orderly  of  his  company.  Sub- 
sequently he  became  second  lieutenant  of  Com- 
pany B,  61st  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and 
served  one  year,  three  months.  On  the  close 
of  his  military  service  he  returned  to  Pitts- 
burg, where  he  resumed  his  business  opera- 
tions, and  during  the  next  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury was  a  well-known  business  man  of  that 
city.  He  died  there  in  October,  1901.  Mr. 
Pfordt  married  Christina  Heckel,  who  was 
born  in  Beaver  county.  Pa.,  and  they  had  a 
family  of  eight  children,  as  follows:  Charles 
C. ;  Hannah,  the  wife  of  James  Carnes,  of 
Newcastle,  Pa. ;  Minnie,  who  is  unmarried 
and  engaged  as  a  trained  nurse ;  George,  man- 
ager for  Harmon  &  Company,  of  Steubenville, 
Ohio;  Henrietta,  wife  of  Herbert  Hoffman, 
chief  bookkeeper  for  W.  &  H.  Walker,  of 
Pittsburg ;  Sarah,  wife  of  Prank  Moody,  man- 
ager of  the  hardware  department  of  the 
Kaufmann  Store,  Pittsburg;  Henry,  who  is 
deceased,  and  Edward,  a  member  of  the  22d 
Regiment  in  the  United  States  regular  army. 

Andrew  Heckel,  maternal  grandfather  of 
Charles  C.  Pfordt,  e^me  from  France  to  the 
United  States  in  1827,  settling  as  a  pioneer  in 
Beaver  county.  Pa.,  and  later  removing  to 
Butler  county,  where  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  in  agricultural  pursuits. 

The  early  education  of  Charles  C.  Pfordt 
was  secured  in  the  public  schools  of  Pittsburg 
and  Allegheny  City,  and  he  subsequently  took 
a  course  in  Duff's  business  college.  Later  he 
studied  art  for  five  years  under  the  noted 
Professor  Leisser,  who  is  now  in  Europe,  but 
turned  his  attention  to  industrial  pursuits  and 
became  identified  with  the  brick  industry.  For 
seven  years  he  was  a  manufacturer  of  this 
staple  ai-ticle  in  Beaver  county,  then  moving 
to  Natrona,  Allegheny  county,  where  he  spent 
nine  years.  His  next  venture  was  in  the  coal 
and  brick  business  at  Seward,  Westmoreland 
Co.,  Pa.,  at  which  place  he  remained  for  seven 
years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  coming  to  Cly- 
mer to  accept  the  superintendency  of  the 
Clymer  Brick  Company.  Mr.  Pfordt  is  a  man 
of  acknowledged  business  and  executive  abil- 
ity, thoroughly  trained  in  his  line  of  work, 
and  under  his  capable  management  the  firm 
developed  into  one  of  the  leaders  in  its  line 
in  the  county.  This  position  he  held  until  his 
removal  to  Dilltown,  near  Ebensburg,  where 
he  is  now  engaged  in  operating  a  coal  mine. 

On  Aug.  1, 1889,  Mr.  Pfordt  was  married  in 
Allegheny  county  to  Nancy  E.  Eslip,  who  was 
born  June  3,  1867,  at  Natrona,  Pa.,  daughter 


1514 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  Frederick  and  Margaret  A.  (Potts)  Eslip, 
the  former  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  near  the 
birthplace  of  Martin  Luther,  and  the  latter  in 
Butler  county.  Pa.  They  are  now  living  in 
Natrona.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pfordt  have  had  six 
children:  Frederick,  who  is  deceased;  and 
Eleanor,  Margaret,  Nancy  E.,  Laura  and 
Charles  C,  Jr.,  who  are  all  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Pfordt  is  a  member  of  the  Blue  Lodge, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Rochester;  Eureka  Chapter, 
No.  257,  R.  A.  M.,  and  Pittsburg  Command- 
ery.  No.  1,  K.  T.  He  and  Mrs.  Pfordt  ate  con- 
sistent members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 


JOHN  D.  ]\IARTIN  (deceased)  was  born 
in  Green  township,  Indiana  county,  on  the 
old  Martin  homestead,  Oct.  12,  1840,  a  son  of 
David  ilartin  and  a  grandson  of  John  Martin. 

John  Martin  was  born  in  Ireland,  and,  com- 
ing to  the  United  States  in  young  manhood, 
settled  at  what  is  now  Penn  Run,  about  two 
miles  from  Greenville,  carrying  on  general 
farming  there  until  death  claimed  him. 

David  Martin,  son  of  John  Martin,  was 
born  in  Cherryhill  township,  and  there  de- 
veloped into  a  farmer.  After  his  marriage  he 
moved  to  Green  township,  buying  what  was 
then  the  Honey  tract,  but  is  now  known  as 
Martintown.  His  death  occurred  on  this  prop- 
erty when  he  was  about  seventy-five  years  old, 
and  he  was  buried  in  the  McDowell  cemetery 
in  Green  township.  David  ^Martin  married 
Nancy  Hadden  and  they  had  children  as  fol- 
lows: John  D.,  Jane,  Isabel,  ]\Iary,  William 
Hadden,  Catherine,  Sarah  and  Dr.  George. 
Mrs.  Nancy  Martin  died  when  about  seventy- 
five  years  old. 

John  D.  Martin  received  his  educational 
training  in  the  schools  of  his  township  and  a 
select  school  held  at  Indiana,  Pa.  Later  on 
he  taught  for  eight  terms  in  the  Indiana 
county  public  schools,  but  later  still  began 
farming  the  property  owned  by  his  father-in- 
law,  later  conducting  a  general  store  and  keep- 
ing the  post  office.  Through  his  efforts  the 
Martintown  post  office  was  established,  and  he 
was  its  postmaster  for  twent.y  years.  About 
a  year  before  his  death  he  retired  from  active 
participation  in  business  life,  and  passed  away 
Dec.  8,  1902 ;  he  was  buried  in  the  same  ceme- 
tery as  his  father. 

On  Sept.  21,  1865,  John  D.  Martin  married 
JMaria  Askin,  a  daughter  of  Thomas,  Jr.,  and 
Elizabeth  Askin.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin  be- 
came the  parents  of  the  following  children: 
David,  was  born  July  28,  1866;  Elizabeth 
Ellen,  born  Feb.  1,  1868,  married  John  J.  Wil- 
liams: Nancy  Jane,  born  Feb.  7,  1870,  died 


Feb.  3.  1912;  Thomas  A.,  was  born  Oct.  2. 
1871 ;  a  daughter  born  Sept.  13,  1873,  died  in 
infancy;  John  C,  was  born  Dee.  20,  1S74; 
Martha  A.,  Avas  born  Oct.  5,  1876;  Emma 
Blanche,  born  Sept.  20,  1878,  died  Oct.  10. 
1889 ;  Sarah  Ethel,  born  July  16,  1880,  mar- 
ried Earl  Nupp;  a  daught(fr  who  was  born 
May  19,  1882,  died  in  infancy;  George,  was 
born  May  8,  1884;  Arthur  Leroy,  born  Sept. 
30,  1886,  lives  in  Cambria  county;  Robert 
Allen,  was  bom  April  22,  1888.  Mr.  Martin 
owned  a  farm  of  254  acres.  He  was  the  lead- 
ing elder  of  the  Nebo  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Indiana  county.  In  politics  he  was  a  Demo- 
crat, while  his  fraternal  affiliations  were  with 
the  Masons  and  Odd  Fellows. 

WILLIAM  TEMPLETON  LONG,  farmer 
and  stock  raiser  of  South  Mahoning  township, 
was  born  in  what  is  now  Cherryhill  township, 
Indiana  county,  June  30,  1842,  son  of  Christo- 
pher and  Elizabeth  (Long)  Long,  and  belongs 
to  an  old  family  of  German  extraction. 

Christopher  Long,  the  great-grandfather  of 
William  Templeton  Long,  lived  in  Bedford 
county.  Pa.  He  was  twice  married,  and  by 
his  first  wife,  Elizabeth,  had  seven  children: 
William;  John,  who  married  Rachel  Bagley; 
Jacob,  who  married  Elizabeth  Gordon ;  David, 
who  went  West  and  settled  there:  Elizabeth, 
who  married  John  Lockard ;  Ann,  who  died 
unman-ied;  and  Susan,  who  married  Samuel 
Bagley.  For  his  second  wife  Christopher 
Long  married  ilargaret  Lockard,  and  they 
had  the  following  childi-en :  Samuel,  Thomas, 
Isaac,  Jane,  Ellen,  Margaret,  James  and  Jesse, 
all  of  whom,  except  the  last  two,  settled  in 
Bedford  and  Cambria  counties. 

William  Long,  son  of  Christopher  Long  and 
grandfather  of  William  Templeton  Long,  was 
iDorn  in  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  in  1791,  and 
came  with  his  wife  and  children  to  Green 
township,  Indiana  county,  in  1820  or  1821, 
settling  near  the  village  of  Greenville,  where 
he  spent  over  six  years  as  a  farmer.  He  then 
removed  to  near  Diamondville,  in  Cherryhill 
township,  and  settled  on  a  tract  of  100  acres, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in 
general  farming.  He  died  some  time  dui-ing 
the  eighties,  and  was  buried  in  the  Diamond- 
ville cemetery.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church,  and  in  his  political  views  was  fii-st 
a  Whig  and  later  a  Republican.  Like  his 
father  ]\Ir.  Long  was  twice  married,  his  first 
wife  being  Jane  Pittman,  of  Fulton  county. 
Pa.,  who  was  the  mother  of  thirteen  children: 
John,  who  married  Sarah  :\IcGaughey ;  Sam- 
uel, Christopher,  Francis,  who  married  ilary 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1515 


Wymer ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  John  Stout ; 
Mary,  who  married  Christopher  Dick;  Jacob, 
who  married  Hannah  Bngler  and  (second) 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Stelser)  Long,  a  widow;  Wil- 
liam, who  married  Elizabeth  Stelser;  Benja- 
min, who  married  Susan  Burnham ;  Jeremiah, 
who  married  Cathei-ine  Petterman;  Sarah 
Ann,  who  married  Daniel  Engle;  Lucinda, 
and  Fannie,  who  married  Adam  Myers.  Mr. 
Long's  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Mary  (Diek) 
Stelser;  they  had  no  children. 

Christopher  Long,  son  of  "William  Long  and 
father  of  William  Templeton  Long,  was  born 
in  1817  in  Bedford  county,  Pa.,  and  was  a  lad 
of  four  years  when  the  family  moved  to 
Indiana  county.  There  he  obtained  his  edu- 
cation in  the  subscription  schools,  and  contin- 
ued on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  he  em- 
barked in  operations  on  his  own  account,  at 
that  time  buying  fifty  acres  of  woodland. 
Erecting  a  log  cabin  and  barn,  he  set  to  work 
to  clear  and  cultivate  his  place,  subsequently 
adding  to  his  original  purchase  until  he  had 
112  acres,  and  replacing  his  pioneer  buildings 
with  a  modern  dwelling  and  good,  substantial 
barns  and  outbuildings.  He  made  other  val- 
uable improvements  and  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  in  agricultural  pursuits  there,  be- 
coming one  of  his  community's  most  highly 
esteemed  citizens.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church  and  was  buried  in  the  ceme- 
tery at  Diamondville.  Christopher  Long 
married  Elizabeth  Long,  daughter  of  John 
Long,  and  she  died  on  the  farm  and  was  laid 
to  rest  in  the  same  cemetery  as  her  husband. 
Thej^  had  children  as  follows:  Hezekiah  H., 
who  became  a  well-known  physician  and  now 
resides  at  Orion,  Henry  Co.,  111.,  married  Mary 
Jordan;  William  Templeton,  is  mentioned  be- 
low; Samantha,  married  Ellis  Buterbaugh; 
Lemuel  L.,  a  physician  and  surgeon,  is  prac- 
ticing his  profession  in  Stark  county,  111. ; 
Emma,  died  young. 

William  Templeton  Long,  son  of  Christo- 
pher Long,  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  township,  and  his  boyhood  and  youth 
were  spent  on  the  home  farm  assisting  his 
father.  On  attaining  his  majority  he  started 
out  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  pur- 
chasing 100  acres  of  timberland.  Cutting 
down  the  trees,  he  converted  the  logs  into 
lumber,  working  faithfully  and  industriously, 
and  was  soon  able  to  replace  his  original  log 
house  with  a  more  modern  frame  dwelling. 
As  the  years  passed  he  made  extensive  im- 
provements, and  the  little  patch  of  timber 
near  Shawnee  bottoms  has  been  converted  into 
a  handsome,  productive  farm.    Mr.  Long  also 


purchased  the  Sherer  farm  of  110  acres,  and 
after  his  father's  death  bought  the  old  home- 
stead place.  In  1904  he  disposed  of  his  322 
acres  of  laud  and  brought  his  family  to  South 
Mahoning  township,  where  he  purchased  the 
William  McCall  farm,  at  Ambrose,  a  tract  of 
twenty-five  acres  owned  by  the  widow  of  John 
Haj-nes,  and  to  this  he  has  since  added  five 
acres.  He  resides  on  this  property,  which  he 
operates  in  connection  with  another  farm  of 
140  acres  which  he  bought  and  improved,  his 
son-in-law.  Rev.  Mr.  Pardee,  living  thereon. 
Mr.  Long  has  worked  faithfully  and  indus- 
triously since  his  early  boyhood,  and  the  suc- 
cess that  has  come  to  him  is  the  result  of  his 
own  efi'orts.  He  has  a  high  reputation  as  a 
business  man  of  integrity  and  probity,  and  his 
many  excellencies  of  character  have  drawn 
about  him  a  wide  circle  of  sincere  friends. 
In  politics  he  has  been  a  stanch  Republican, 
but  his  temperance  proclivities  have  causecl 
him  to  lean  with  favor  toward  the  Prohibi- 
tionists. He  is  a  friend  of  education,  and  for 
three  years  acted  in  the  capacity  of  school 
director.  Mr.  Long  has  been  clerk  of  the 
Baptist  Church  for  twenty-five  years,  and  for 
several  years  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school,  and  while  at  Pine  Flats  served  as 
trustee  and  member  of  the  building  com- 
mittee. He  and  his  wife,  wHo  is  also  a 
member  of  the  mission  circle  in  the  church, 
have  interested  themselves  deeply  in  church 
work,  and  are  widely  known  for  their  charity 
and  kindness  of  heart. 

On  Dec.  20,  1864,  Mr.  Long  was  married  to 
Sabina  Burnham,  who  was  born  in  Limestone 
township.  Clarion  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of 
Charles  C.  Burnham,  and  they  have  had  the 
following  children:  Gertrude,  born  July  19, 
1866,  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Cherry- 
hill  township  and  the  Indiana  Normal  school, 
taught  school  for  three  years  in  Cherryhill 
township,  and  died  March  23,  1891 ;  Elizabeth, 
born  July  28,  1868,  was  married  Dec.  31, 1890, 
to  William  A.  Getty,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  they 
have  three  children,  Ross  Templeton,  John 
Childs  and  Elizabeth  May;  Blanche,  born 
Sept.  24,  1873,  was  married  Feb.  15,  1899,  to 
Rev.  Charles  Edgar  Pardee,  a  Baptist  min- 
ister, and  they  reside  on  her  father's  farm 
near  Ambrose  with  their  four  children,  Edwin 
Franklin,  William  Templeton,  Levina  and 
Louise ;  a  son,  born  March  8,  1876,  died  April 
27,  1876 ;  Rubina,  born  July  27,  1880,  residing 
at  home,  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Baptist 
Church  and  its  local  and  foreign  missionary 
enterprises,   and  in  the  Woman's   Christian 


1516 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Temperance  Union,  of  which  she  is  local  sec- 
retary. 

JAMES  il.  HAZLETT,  veteran  of  the  Civil 
war  and  farmer  of  North  Mahoning  township, 
was  born  in  Blacklick,  Indiana  county,  March 
12,  1842,  son  of  John  C.  and  Nancy  (McPar- 
land)  Hazlett. 

James  Hazlett,  the  grandfather,  was  of 
Scotch-Irish  stock  and  emigrated  from  Ire- 
land to  this  country  in  1791,  settling  first  in 
eastern  Pennsylvania  and  later  moving  to  the 
southern  end  of  Indiana  county.  Young  town- 
ship, where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life 
in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  and  his  wife, 
Margaret  (Long),  had  five  children,  namely: 
Samuel,  who  lived  and  died  near  Jacksonville, 
Pa.;  Leslie,  who  lived  and  died  near  Clarks- 
burg; John  C. ;  Nancy  Jane,  who  died  in 
Jacksonville,  the  wife  of  James  Hendei*son; 
and  Rosanna,  the  wife  of  David  Gibson. 

John  C.  Hazlett,  son  of  James  and  father 
of  James  M.  Hazlett,  was  born  near  Blacklick, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  He  had  little  chance  to  go 
to  school  in  his  boyhood,  was  reared  to  the 
hard  work  of  the  farm,  and  grew  up  in  the 
vicinity  of  Jacksonville.  After  his  marriage 
he  settled  near  Clarksburg  and  continued  to 
live  at  different  points  until  moving  to  George- 
ville,  in  East  ilahoning  township,  where  he 
took  charge  of  and  operated  the  Kinter  farm 
for  eighteen  years,  then  retiring  and  living  a 
quiet  life  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
Georgeville.  He  was  a  Republican  and  a  faith- 
ful member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He 
was  married  near  Jacksonville  to  Nancy  Me- 
Farland,  who  was  born  on  the  old  McParland 
farm  near  that  point,  and  they  had  a  family 
of  thirteen  children :  Sarah,  who  married 
Irvin  Dixon,  a  farmer  of  Liverraore,  Pa. ; 
James,  color  bearer  of  Company  C,  11th  Penn- 
sylvania Reserves,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  South  Mountain  during  the  Civil  war; 
James  M. :  Samuel  C,  who  was  in  Com- 
pany C,  206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  is  now  a  farmer  in  the  Mahoning 
district;  William,  who  enlisted  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  years  in  the  105th  Volunteers, 
served  three  years,  re-enlisting  and  served 
eight  months  more  (he  subsequently  was  the 
proprietor  of  a  hotel  and  livery  business  at 
Edenburg,  where  he  died  in  1897 ;  he  married 
Delia  Waters)  ;  Leslie,  who  lived  on  the  old 
McFarland  farm  for  eighteen  years,  and  died 
at  Jacksonville  (he  married  Maggie  Stearns)  ; 
Albert,  living  in  the  West,  who  married  a  iliss 
Britton ;  Thomas,  a  farmer  near  Clarksburg, 
who    married    ^Martha    Blakley;    Robert,    a 


farmer  of  Georgeville,  who  married  Ruth 
Goheen;  George,  unmarried  and  farming  in 
North  Jlahoning  township  ;  Hannah,  who  mar- 
ried Newton  Ainsley,  a  stock  dealer  of  West 
Liberty,  la. ;  Ella,  who  married  Harry  Cham- 
bers, of  Clayville,  Pa.;  and  Jane,  who  died 
young. 

James  M.  Hazlett,  son  of  John  C.  Hazlett, 
had  but  meager  educational  advantages  in  his 
boyhood,  which  was  devoted  for  the  most  part 
to  the  hard,  unceasing  woi-k  of  the  farm.  He 
continued  to  assist  his  father  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  and  in  1866  was 
married  to  Catherine  Simpson,  of  East  ila- 
honing  township,  daughter  of  James  and  Jane 
(Martin)  Simpson,  the  former  an  extensive 
farmer  of  Indiana  county;  her  mother  was 
from  Jefferson  county.  Eight  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hazlett,  namely: 
Harry,  went  West  to  Colorado  as  a  boy,  and 
later  settled  at  West  Liberty,  Iowa,  where  he 
is  now  a  farmer,  speculator  and  horseman ; 
Jennie,  who  was  a  teacher,  went  to  Colorado 
and  Iowa  and  is  now  in  California,  the  wife  of 
Harry  Thomas;  James,  a  farmer  of  Jefferson 
county,  Pa.,  married  Vesta  Hadden;  Delia, 
who  married  Lou  Means,  lives  in  East  Mahon- 
ing township;  LaVeme,  is  a  stock  raiser  in 
Colorado,  to  which  State  he  went  as  a  young 
man ;  William,  a  farmer,  is  residing  at  home ; 
Dora,  died  in  1911,  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight 
years ;  Annie,  is  living  at  home. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Hazlett  spent  one 
year  in  Georgeville,  and  then  removed  to 
Young  township,  Jefferson  county,  where  he 
spent  three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  period 
he  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  now  re- 
sides, a  tract  of  108  acres,  which  he  has 
brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  im- 
proved with  a  number  of  fine  buildings.  He 
carries  on  general  farming  and  has  some  stock, 
cattle,  sheep  and  horses,  and  has  been  uni- 
formly successful  in  all  of  his  ventures,  by 
reason  of  his  hard  and  constant  labor.  A  Re- 
publican in  politics,  he  cast  his  first  vote  for 
Abraham  Lincoln,  and  has  served  fifteen  years 
as  school  director,  two  j'ears  as  road  boss  and 
a  like  period  as  assessor.  With  his  family  he 
attends  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs.  Haz- 
lett died  in  that  faith  Oct.  22,  1903. 

On  Aug.  25.  1863,  Mr.  Hazlett  enlisted  in 
Company  C,  206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  at  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  served  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  doing  guard  duty  and 
assisting  in  building  forts.  He  was  on  duty 
in  front  of  Richmond,  his  regiment  being  the 
first  to  enter  that  city  when  Lee  surrendered, 
and  there  he  did  patrol  duty  for  four  weeks. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1517 


His  command  was  then  sent  to  Lynchburg, 
but  returned  to  Richmond,  where  he  received 
his  discharge.  He  had  an  honorable  record 
and  his  faithfulness  to  duty  won  for  him  the 
rank  of  corporal.  He  is  well  known  in  this 
part  of  Indiana  county,  and  his  many  friends 
testify  readily  to  his  integritj'  and  probity  of 
character. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  HAZLETT, 
who  is  engaged  in  cultivating  a  valuable 
farm  in  West  Mahoning  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  in  that  township  Feb.  17, 
1846,  son  of  Peter  Hazlett. 

William  Hazlett,  the  paternal  grandfather 
of  George  W.  Hazlett,  was  of  Irish  stock, 
and  the  first  of  the  family  to  come  to  Indiana 
county,  settling  near  Chambersburg,  where 
he  secured  land,  cleared  it  and  made  a  home 
for  his  family,  and  there  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  mar- 
ried Sarah  Wells,  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children :  James,  who 
lived  at  Butler,  Pa. ;  David,  who  lived  on  the 
old  place  and  died  at  Deckers  Point;  Peter, 
the  father  of  George  W. ;  Robert,  a  farmer, 
who  died  in  Clarion  county.  Pa. ;  Peggie,  who 
was  the  wife  of  Joseph  Stutchel  and  died  at 
Chambersburg,  Pa. ;  Pollie,  who  married  John 
Lewis;  and  Amy,  who  married  Samuel  Fitz- 
gerald, and  died  in  West  Mahoning  township. 

Peter  Hazlett,  son  of  William  was  born  in 
Rayne  township,  Indiana  county,  and  spent 
his  whole  life  in  hard,  unremitting  labor,  till- 
ing the  soil,  in  his  native  county.  As  a  youth 
he  was  obliged  to  spend  all  of  his  time  in  as- 
sisting his  father  to  clear  the  home  place, 
and  as  a  consequence  he  could  never  go  to 
school,  and  throughout  his  life  did  not  learn 
to  read  or  write.  Although  poorly  educated, 
however,  Mr.  Hazlett  was  a  good  farmer  and 
an  industrious  worker,  and  he  succeeded  in 
clearing  up  a  goodly  part  of  his  wild  land  in 
West  Mahoning  township,  where  he  died  in 
the  spring  of  1881.  His  wife  passed  away 
when  she  was  seventy-five  years  old,  in  the 
faith  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of 
which  he  was  also  a  member.  He  voted  the 
Republican  ticket.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hazlett 
were  born  ten  children,  as  follows:  Eliza 
Jane,  who  married  Jonathan  Brendell  and 
(second)  John  Kiser  (all  are  now  deceased)  ; 
Sarah  Ann,  deceased,  who  married  John 
Blose,  and  lived  in  West  Mahoning  township ; 
Louise,  deceased,  who  was  twice  married,  first 
to  William  Bohman,  and  lived  in  Jamestown, 
N.  Y. ;  Susan,  who  married  Archie  McBrier, 
and  lived  in  Venango  county,  Pa. ;   George 


Washington;  James  F.,  a  dairyman  of  Brad- 
ford, Pa.,  who  married  Stella  Griffey  (she  is 
now  deceased) ;  Ella,  who  married  Robert  Mc- 
Brier, of  Smicksburg,  Pa. ;  William,  a  farmer 
of  Jefferson  county,  who  married  Jane  Fleck ; 
Silas  W.,'  a  farmer  of  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship, who  married  Susie  Hall  and  (second) 
Mrs.  Laura  Niel;  and  Addie,  who  married 
liezekiah  Lewis,  and  lives  at  Dayton,  Pa. 

Like  his  father  George  W.  Hazlett  had  to 
work  hard  in  his  youth,  and  had  but  limited 
opportunities  to  secure  an  education,  but  he 
made  the  most  of  his  chances,  and  his  early 
schooling  has  been  supplemented  by  much 
reading  and  close  observation,  so  that  he  has 
become  a  very  well-informed  man.  He  re- 
mained on  the  home  farm  until  he  was 
twenty-four  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he 
purchased  his  present  property  in  West  Ma- 
honing township,  known  as  the  old  Kinter 
farm,  a  tract  of  109  acres,  of  which  Mr.  Haz- 
lett has  cleared  about  seventy-five  acres.  He 
has  devoted  his  land  to  general  farming,  in 
which  he  has  been  uniformly  successful,  and 
each  year  he  has  added  to  the  improvements 
on  his  property,  continually  enhancing  its 
value.  Mr.  Hazlett  is  known  as  a  man  of 
sound  principles  and  good  judgment,  is  an 
excellent  farmer,  and  a  kind  friend  and  neigh- 
bor, and  is  justly  entitled  to  the  respect  in 
which  he  is  held  by  his  fellow  citizens. 

On  Nov.  4,  1872,  Mr.  Hazlett  was  married 
to  Amanda  Turner,  of  Venango  county.  Pa., 
daughter  of  Daniel  Turner,  of  that  county, 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  three  chil- 
dren: Kittle  L.,  who  died  June  8,  1912,  was 
the  wife  of  H.  E.  Rowe,  and  had  two  children, 
Olive  and  Clyde;  Mr.  Rowe  has  been  con- 
nected with  the  Trust  Company  Bank  of 
Pittsburg,  in  the  mortgage  department,  dur- 
ing the  last  twelve  years.  Zelda  Frances  mar- 
ried George  Butler,  a  farmer  of  East  Mahon- 
ing township,  and  has  two   children,   Ethel 

Margaret  and .    Amanda  F.  resides 

with  her  parents. 

Mr.  Hazlett  is  a  stanch  Republican  in 
politics,  but  has  never  aspired  to  office,  his 
farm  and  his  home  satisfying  his  ambitions. 
He  is  a  faithful  member  of  the  Church  of 
God,  at  Georgeville,  Pa.,  of  which  Mi's.  Haz- 
lett is  also  a  member,  and  they  have  numerous 
friends  in  the  congregation,  as  they  have 
indeed  wherever  they  are  known. 

BENJAMIN  CABLE,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war,  who  is  now  living  retired  after 
many  years  spent  in  farming  in  West  Wheat- 
field  township,   was  born   Aug.   9,   1832,   in 


1518 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Conemaugh  township,  Somerset  Co.,  Pa.,  and 
is  a  son  of  Abraham  and  Eliza  (Reese) 
Cable. 

The  great-grandfather  of  Benjamin  Cable 
came  from  Germany  and  founded  the  family 
in  York  county,  Pennsylvania. 

Abraham  Cable,  grandfather  of  Benjamin 
Cable,  was  bom  in  York  county  and  later 
moved  to  Somerset  county,  where  he  followed 
farming  and  millwrighting  in  Conemaugh 
township,  owning  a  large  property,  of  more 
than  200  acres. 

Abraham  Cable,  son  of  Abraham,  and 
father  of  Benjamin  Cable,  was  born  in  1800 
in  York  county.  Pa.,  and  followed  farming 
all  his  life.  He  had  many  properties  in 
Somerset  county,  also  worked  in  the  grist- 
mills, and  in  1851  moved  to  West  Wheatfield 
township,  Indiana  county,  where  he  pur- 
chased 120  acres  of  land  near  what  is  now 
Garfield.  He  worked  for  many  years  at 
Gamble's  mill,  and  in  connection  with  farm- 
ing carried  on  extensive  stock  raising  oper- 
ations, kept  a  stud  and  bred  many  fine  horses. 
He  was  first  a  Whig  and  later  a  Republican, 
and  was  prominent  in  the  afl'airs  of  his  town, 
although  never  an  office  seeker.  He  died  in 
the  faith  of  the  Baptist  Church,  in  1870. 

Mr.  Cable  married  Eliza  Reese,  who  was 
born  in  1810  in  Shade  township,  Somerset  Co., 
Pa.,  and  died  in  1886.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cable 
were  laid  to  rest  in  the  Johnstown  cemetery. 
They  were  the  parents  of  seventeen  children, 
as  follows:  Mary  married  George  Schnell: 
Catherine  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years;  Susan  married  Edward  Wood;  Ben- 
jamin is  mentioned  later;  Julia  Ann  married 
Morris  Rice;  Eliza  married  Henry  Rlue- 
backer ;  Abraham  man-ied  Mary  Burkett ; 
Wesley  died  when  two  years  old;  Ellen  mar- 
ried ■  Charles  Asians ;  John  married  Maria 
Callman;  Nancy  married  Ed  Colbert;  Robert 
married  a  Miss  Harris  and  (second)  Julia 
Layman;  Rachel  married  John  Messinger; 
Harriet  married  Abe  Calligan  and  lives  in 
Johnstown,  and  besides  Benjamin  is  the  only 
survivor  of  this  large  family;  Cornelius  died 
when  four  years  old :  James  died  young ;  and 
William,  who  was  four  years  of  age  at  the 
time  of  his  death. 

Benjamin  Cable,  son  of  Abraham  Cable,  re- 
ceived his  education  at  the  place  of  his  birth, 
and  as  a  lad  worked  with  his  father  at  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising.  In  1851  he  accom- 
panied his  parents  to  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, where  he  secured  a  position  driving  for 
Jacob  Gamble,  the  mill  owner,  in  whose  em- 
ploy he  continued  for  four  years,  and  also 


engaged  in  lumbering  and  hauling  fire  clay. 
When  the  Civil  war  broke  out  ilr.  Cable 
joined  Company  D,  4th  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Cavalry,  under  Capt.  George  Covode 
and  D.  P.  Smith,  Col.  Campbell  Childs  and 
James  Kerr,  of  the  5th  Army  Corps,  Army  • 
of  the  Potomac.  He  enlisted  at  Lockport, 
Pa.,  Aug.  26,  1861,  and  received  his  hon- 
orable discharge  July  1,  1865,  at  Lynchburg. 
In  the  j'ear  1863  Mr.  Cable  was  captured  and 
imprisoned  by  the  Confederates.  During  the 
greater  part  of  his  service  Mr.  Cable  drove  a 
team,  but  he  also  participated  in  a  gi-eat 
many  battles,  and  that  his  regiment  was  in 
the  thickest  of  the  fight  is  shown  by  the  fact 
that  out  of  his  company  of  100  men  but 
thirty-three  returned  to  their  homes.  Mr. 
Cable  was  knowTi  as  a  brave  and  faithful  sol- 
dier, one  who  ably  and  cheerfully  performed 
the  duties  that  fell  to  his  lot,  and  he  was  re- 
spected by  his  officers  and  admired  by  his 
comrades.  On  November  1,  1865,  Mr.  Cable 
purchased  the  Taylor  farm,  a  tract  of  sev- 
enty acres  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  and 
this  he  continued  to  cultivate  until  April, 
1912,  when  he  disposed  of  it.  He  is  now  liv- 
ing retired  in  Garfield,  being  tenderly  cared 
for  in  his  declining  years  by  his  daughter, 
Mrs.  Caroline  E.  Faust.  Although  he  is 
probably  the  oldest  man  in  West  AVheatfield 
township,  Mr.  Cable  retains  his  faculties  to  a 
remarkable  degree,  and  is  much  more  active 
than  many  men  years  his  junior.  An  enter- 
prising, industrious  worker  all  of  his  life,  he 
is  now  reaping  the  rewards  that  such  an  ac- 
tive life  brings,  and  rests  content  that  his 
has  been  a  useful  career  and  is  free  from 
stain  or  blemish. 

Mr.  Cable  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Lichenfeld,  daughter  of  Philip  Lichenfeld, 
and  they  have  had  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Thomas  Jefl'erson.  deceased,  who  mar- 
ried Jane  Dias;  Albert;  Elizabeth,  who  mar- 
ried William  Uneapher,  of  West  Wheatfield ; 
Caroline  E.,  who  married  John  Faust  and 
lives  with  her  father;  Elizabeth,  who  married 
James  Brett,  and  lives  in  West  Wheatfield 
township;  Susan,  who  died  at  the  age  of  six 
years;  and  Benjamin,  who  married  Jane 
Wineburner  and  is  engaged  in  farming  in 
West  Wheatfield  township. 

Albert  Cable,  son  of  Benjamin  Cable,  was 
born  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  and  there 
spent  all  of  his  life,  being  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  taking  a  prominent  part  in  political 
matters.  A  Republican,  he  served  as  town- 
ship auditor  for  many  years,  and  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


HISTOET  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA  1519 

He  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Lutheran  cemetery.  Abraham  Lowman,  son  of  Abraham    and 

He  married  Lizzie  Walbeek,  who  survives  him  father  of   George   Lowman,    was   born '  near 

and  resides  on  the  homestead,  which  she  is  Marion  Center,   Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  as  a 

cultivating  with  the  help  of  her  sons.     Mr.  young  man  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter, 

and  Jilrs.  Cable  had  the  following  children :  a  vocation  which  he  followed  for  many  years! 

Prank    Levi;    Ada,    who    married    Charles  He  died  in  January,  1910,  on  a  part  of  the 

Robinson  and  lives  at  Robinson,  Pa. ;  Lyda,  old  homestead  that  had  been  settled  by  his 

who  married  Elmer  Robinson,  and  lives  in  father.    His  widow  still  survives,  and  niakes 

West  Wheatfield  township;   Ocea,  who  died  her  home  with   her   daughter,   Mrs.   Bertha, 

at  the  age  of  seven  years;  Scott  John,  who  Brown,   residing  near  Marion   Center.     Mr. 

is  unmarried  and  lives  with  his  mother  on  and   Mrs.   Lowman   had   a   family  of   twelve 

the  homestead;   Susie,  who  man-ied  Charles  children.      We    have    record    of:      George; 

Robertson,  and  lives  at  Lockport,  Pa. ;  Emma,  Samantha,  wife  of  George  Wynkoop,  livmg 

who  married  Fred  Robertson,   and  lives  at  near  Marion   Center;   Afbert,   a  resident  of 

Latrobe,  Pa.;  and  Jacob,  who  is  unmarried  Pittsburg;   Bertha,    wife   of   Joseph   Bro\\Ti, 

and  assisting  his  mother  and  brother  in  eon-  living  near  Marion  Center;  Laura,  wife  of 

ducting  the  old  home  place.  Port  Donahoe,  living  in  Dixonville ;  Margaret 

Frank  Levi  Cable,  son  of  Albert  Cable,  was  and  Emma,  who  are  deceased;  and  Cora, 

born  Nov.  25,  1876,  in  West  Wheatfield  town-  Robert  Hunter,  the  maternal  grandfather 

ship,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  there  mar-  of  George  Lowman,  was  a  native  of  West- 

ried    Oct.    29,    1899,    to    Celia    Bell    Frame,  moreland  county.  Pa.,  who  became  an  early 

daughter  of  George  W.  and  Marinda  (Light-  settler    of    Indiana    county,     locating    near 

cap)    Frame,  of  West  Wheatfield  township.  Marion  Center,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 

One  child  was  born  to  this  union,  Frank  Well-  life  in  tilling  the  soil. 

man,  born  March  14,  1910.  Mr.  Cable  at-  George  Lowman  attended  district  school  in 
tended  the  common  schools,  after  leaving  the  vicinity  of  Marion  Center  until  he  was 
which  he  secured  employment  in  the  brick-  twelve  years  of  age,  since  which  time  he  has 
yards  and  clay  quarries,  and  eventually  pur-  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Dur- 
ehased  fifty-five  acres  of  the  old  homestead,  ing  the  last  twenty-seven  years  he  has  ear- 
on  which  he  started  farming  and  market  ried  on  operations  on  his  present  property, 
gardening.  He  still  continues  to  follow  these  which  he  has  developed  into  one  of  the  best 
"vocations,  and  has  been  uniformly  successful  farms  of  its  size  in  this  part  of  Indiana 
in  his  enterprises,   because   of  his  industry  county. 

and  well  directed  efforts.  In  politics  he  isa  Mr.  Lowman  was  married  in  1883  to  Durilla 
Republican,  and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  McKendrick,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  county 
township  affairs,  having  been  road  boss  for  daughter  of  John  and  Amanda  ( Gibson )^ 
six  years  and  supervisor  of  roads  for  four  McKendrick,  early  settlers  and  farming  peo- 
years.  He  is  a  member  and  steward  of  the  pie  of  Indiana  county.  Mrs.  Lowman 's. 
IMethodist  Episcopal  Church,  where  he  has  father  came  to  this  section  from  Philadelphia 
acted  in  the  capacity  of  sexton  for  thirteen  when  he  was  a  young  man,  and  both  her  par- 
years,  and  is  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school,  ents  are  now  deceased.  One  child  was  born 
Like  other  members  of  the  old  and  honored  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowman,  Chester,  who  re- 
faraily,  he  is  widely  known  throughout  this  sides  in  California;  he  was  married  in  1898- 
part  of  the  county,  and  in  a  large  acquaint-  to  Margaret  Stephens,  and  had  one  child, 
ance  numbers  many  warm  friends.  The  family  is  connected  with  the  Presbyterian 

Church. 

GEORGE  LOWMAN,  general  agriculturist 
and  stock  feeder  of  Cherryhill  township,  SAMUEL  ROBERT  McHENRY,  a  well- 
Indiana  county,  was  born  near  the  town  of  to-do  farmer  and  large  land  owner  of  Rayne 
Marion  Center,  this  countv,  April  27,  1858,  township,  is  a  descendant  of  pioneers  who 
son  of  Abraham  and  EHzabeth  (Hunter)  settled  in  Indiana  county  over  a  century  ago. 
Lowman  branch  of  the  McHenry 
.,      ,■       T                          jc  ii         £  /-I  family    to   come    to   this   country   was    Isaac 

Abraham  Lowman.  grandfather  of  George  McHenry,  who  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1734, 

Lowman,   was   one   of   the   early   settlers   of  an^  ,,.]jose  wife's  name  was  Jane  Smith  or 

Indiana  county,  where  he  followed  farming  Smythe,  likely  the  latter,  as  the  Scotch  often 

throughout  his  active  life,  living  to  the  re-  spell  the  name  that  way.    The  first  we  know 

markable  age  of  ninety  years.  of  Isaac  is  his  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance. 


1520 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


with  Abraham  Leasure  and  John  Stuchall 
(Dallas  Albert's  History  of  Westmoreland 
CountjO-  The  name  is  there  spelled  Me- 
Hendry.  This  was  in  1777.  Later,  before 
1800,  he  settled  three  miles  north  of  Indiana 
on  what  has  been  known  as  the  James  Hamil- 
ton farm.  Thence  he  moved  to  Mahoning 
township,  where  he  and  his  wife  and  two  sons 
died  in  the  fall  of  1812,  all  during  the  same 
week,  the  parents  aged  about  eighty  years, 
the  son  James  aged  thirty-three  years  and 
the  son  Samuel  aged  thirty-six  years.  They 
lie  in  the  cemetery  at  Gilgal  Church  (this 
church  was  organized  in  1808).  Isaac  and 
Jane  McHenry  had  children  as  follows :  John 
married  Miss  McCord;  William,  born  in  1770, 
was  with  Anthony  Wayne  in  Ohio  in  1793 
and  1794,  and  with  him  was  his  brother 
Isaac,  who  died  in  the  service ;  Mary  married 
Patrick  Lydiek  (they  were  the  great-grand- 
parents of  J.  A.  C.  Ruffner,  of  Indiana,  Pa.)  ; 
James  married  Elizabeth  Stuchel;  Samuel 
married  Mary  McCall;  Joseph  married  Eliz- 
abeth Boyd;  Jane  man-ied  Robert  Morrison; 
Hannah  married  Daniel  Morrison. 

William  McHenrj',  son  of  Isaac  and  Jane, 
was  born  in  1770,  and  died  in  1855,  aged 
eighty-four  years.  He  was  with  Anthony 
Wayne,  serving  in  Ohio  during  the  Indian 
troubles  in  1793  and  1794.  He  married  Sid- 
ney Gordon,  and  among  their  grandchildren 
is  Squire  McHenrj',  of  Spangler,  Pa.,  whose 
mother  was  a  Row. 

William  McHenry,  son  of  William,  was 
born  in  1812  on  the  Moore  farm,  two  miles 
from  Indiana,  Pa.  In  1838  he  married  El- 
inor Sebring,  daughter  of  William,  and  they 
have  had  children  as  follows:  Deborah,  de- 
ceased; Scott;  William  Simpson;  Julia  A.; 
John,  deceased ;  Jackson,  who  married  Marion 
Stuchel;  Samuel  R. ;  Franklin,  who  married 
Margaret  McHenry  Milton;  Sarah  J.;  Clara, 
deceased;  and  Anna  L. 

Samuel  Robert  McHenry  was  born  May  27, 
1850,  in  White  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
passed  his  early  life  in  White  and  Rayne 
townships,  receiving  his  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools.  When  a  young  man  of  eighteen 
he  began  working  out  on  farms,  being  en- 
gaged by  the  year,  and  for  six  years  was 
with  Harry  Bryan,  of  White  township.  His 
wages  at  first  were  $16  a  month.  Wlien  he 
started  out  on  his  own  account  he  "cropped" 
for  five  years,  and  then  bought  a  tract  of 
sixty-four  acres  in  Rayne  township,  where  he 
built  his  home  and  has  since  resided.  He 
has  done  well  in  his  farm  work,  prospering 
to  such  an  extent  that  he  has  added  consid- 


erable to  his  original  purchase,  now  owning 
215  acres,  all  in  Rayne  township.  He  is  a 
typical  representative  of  a  family  whose  mem- 
bers have  always  been  numbered  among  the 
good  citizens  of  their  respective  communities. 
Thirty-one  years  ago  Mr.  McHenry  mar- 
ried Mary  Jennie  Bothel,  of  Rayne  township, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  ilary  Jane  Bothel, 
and  they  have  been  the  parents  of  the  ten 
following  children:  Mabel,  who  died  when 
thirteen  years  old;  Linus  E.,  living  on  the 
farm,  who  is  married  to  a  Miss  Borland; 
Mary  Elinor,  deceased;  William  Oliver,  de- 
ceased; Maud,  deceased;  and  John,  Carl, 
Bessie,  Mary  D.  and  Samuel  Gilbert,  all  at 
home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McHenry  are  members 
of  the  Grove  Chapel  Lutheran  Church.  In 
politics  he  gives  his  support  to  the  Demo- 
cratic party. 

PETER  STEAR,  who  carries  on  general 
farming  in  North  Mahoning  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  was  born  in  Porter  township, 
Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  March  18,  1834,  son  of 
Frederick  and  Mary  (Stiteler)   Stear. 

George  Stear,  the  grandfather  of  Peter 
Stear,  was  a  native  of  Huntingdon  county, 
Pa.,  whence  he  removed  to  Porter  township, 
Jefferson  county,  there  locating  on  200  acres 
of  land.  He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
that  section.  He  cleared  his  land,  made  a 
good  home  for  his  family,  and  died  at  the  age 
of  seventy-six  years,  honored  and  respected 
by  all.  He  was  twice  married,  first  to  a  Miss 
Crissman  and  second  to  a  Miss  Fisher,  and 
by  his  first  wife  he  had  six  children,  as  fol- 
lows: Frederick;  George,  a  blacksmith  of 
Smicksburg;  John,  also  a  blacksmith  at  that 
place;  Rebecca,  who  married  Thomas  Luke- 
hart,  and  lived  at  Plumville,  Pa. ;  Betsy,  who 
married  David  Fleck,  and  lived  in  West  ^la- 
honing  township ;  and  IMaria,  •  who  married 
Joseph  Robinson,  and  lived  at  Troy,  Pa.  By 
his  second  wife  he  had  eight  children :  David, 
a  merchant  and  farmer  of  Trade  City,  Pa.; 
Jacob,  who  was  a  miller  and  was  proprietor 
of  the  Stear  mill;  Ephraim  and  Enoch,  resi- 
dents of  Smicksburg;  Marion,  who  was  in 
the  mercantile  business  with  his  brother  at 
Trade  City;  William,  who  lived  at  Smicks- 
burg, and  was  killed  in  a  coal  bank;  Eliza, 
who  married  Joseph  Weaver  and  (second) 
William  Weaver,  and  lived  at  Plumville ;  and 
Caroline,  widow  of  Joseph  Mclntire,  who 
makes  her  home  at  Smicksburg. 

Frederick  Stear,  son  of  George  Stear,  and 
father  of  Peter  Stear,  received  but  few  op- 
portunities to  gain  an  education  in  his  boy- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1521 


hood.  As  a  young  man  he  settled  on  a  farm 
one  and  a  half  miles  north  of  North  Point, 
Pa.,  on  the  old  Stear  homestead  in  Jefferson 
county,  and  there  continued  to  live  until  his 
death,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years,  his 
wife  passing  away  when  seventy-seven.  A 
Democrat  in  politics,  Mr.  Stear  served  in  the 
capacity  of  constable  and  in  various  other 
offices,  and  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of 
the  Lutheran  Church.  They  had  _  fourteen 
children,  as  follows:  Lizzie,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy; Susan,  the  widow  of  William  Moses, 
of  Jefferson  county;  David,  retired,  formerly 
a  farmer  on  the  old  home  place,  and  now  liv- 
ing in  Punxsutawney ;  Peter ;  John  C,  a  mer- 
chant at  North  Point,  Pa. ;  William,  a  black- 
smith at  Punxsutawney;  Melissa,  deceased, 
who  married  James  Brown,  of  Hamilton,  Pa. ; 
and  seven  children  who  died  young. 

Peter  Stear  attended  the  old  log  school- 
house  located  two  and  a  half  miles  from  his 
home,  and  which  was  equipped  with  slab 
seats,  puncheon  floor,  and  writing  desks 
crudely  fashioned  and  fastened  to  the  wall. 
At  that  time  school  kept  only  four  months 
in  the  year,  and  he  spent  the  rest  of  the  time 
in  assisting  his  father  with  the  work  on  the 
home  place.  He  also  learned  the  blacksmith 
trade.  In  1861  he  went  to  Worthville,  Pa., 
where  he  followed  his  trade  with  William 
Eisenhart  and  Samuel  Miller.  After  serving 
an  apprenticeship  of  two  years  he  worked 
four  years  with  his  brother,  John  C.  Stear, 
at  North  Point,  and  next  went  to  Perrys- 
ville,  Pa.,  where  he  conducted  a  shop  for  thir- 
teen years.  His  next  location  was  at  Trade 
City,  where  he  conducted  a  mercantile  busi- 
ness four  years  with  T.  S.  Neal,  under  the 
firm,  style  of  Neal  &  Stear.  Mr.  Stear  was 
successful  in  this  line,  and  on  the  discon- 
tinuation of  the  business  he  purchased  142 
acres  of  land  in  North  Mahoning  township, 
known  then  as  the  Peter  Dilts  place.  Here 
he  has  since  continued  to  reside,  making 
numerous  improvements,  building  good  struc- 
tures and  developing  the  land  into  one  of  the 
best  farms  in  the  township.  In  1891  he  built 
his  modern  residence,  having  the  year  before 
put  up  a  commodious  barn  for  his  stock. 
General  farming  has  occupied  his  attention, 
and  his  ventures  have  met  with  the  success 
that  they  deserve. 

On  March  1,  1866,  Mr.  Stear  was  married 
to  Sarah  Neal,  who  was  born  at  North  Point, 
Pa.,  daughter  of  John  and  Rachel  Neal,  the 
former  of  North  Mahoning  township  and  the 
latter  of  Hamilton,  Pa.  Her  people  were 
pioneers,  and  owned  the  land  upon  which  the 


present  town  of  Perryville  stands.  John  Neal 
was  a  farmer  and  drover  and  a  man  widely 
and  favorably  known.  He  was  accidentally 
killed,  on  the  railroad,  Oct.  28,  1903,  and  his 
wife  followed  him  to  the  grave  in  October, 
1906.  They  were  members  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church,  and  he  was  a  Republican 
in  politics.  Their  children  were  as  follows: 
Cynthia,  the  widow  of  Joseph  Coon,  of  North 
Mahoning  township;  T.  S.,  of  Trade  City, 
Pa.,  ex-sheriff,  farmer  and  merchant ;  Martha, 
the  widow  of  William  McKillip,  of  West  Ma- 
honing township ;  George,  deceased,  a  farmer, 
who  mai-ried  Lucinda  Van  Horn,  of  North 
Point,  Pa.;  Aaron,  of  Seattle,  Wash.,  a  race 
horseman,  dealer  and  breeder  of  fast  horses 
(he  married  Maggie  Morgan,  who  is  now  de- 
ceased) ;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Stear;  Emma, 
living  on  the  old  place  in  West  Mahoning 
township,  who  married  Frank  O'Hara; 
Josiah,  a  detective,  living  in  Indiana,  Pa. ; 
William  R.,  a  traveling  salesman,  of  Punxsu- 
tawney, Pa.,  who  married  Cora  Winslow ;  and 
Mary,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Austin 
Struckard,  of  Jefferson  county. 

The  following  children  were  horn  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Stear:  Delia  B.,  married  W.  C. 
Brown,  a  mine  man,  of  Marehand,  Pa.,  and 
died  June  19,  1910,  leaving  three  children, 
Ruth,  Sarah  and  Samuel;  Laura  G.,  married 
T.  S.  Whittaker,  of  Georgeville,  Pa.,  and  has 
one  son,  Albert;  A.  Floyd,  of  DuBois,  for- 
merly a  bookkeeper  in  the  B.  R.  &  P.  Rail- 
road Company's  offices,  now  a  civil  engineer, 
is  a  graduate  of  the  Scrauton  (Pa.)  School 
of  Drawing,  and  was  a  chainman  for  one  year 
(he  married  Bertha  Butler,  of  Georgeville). 
Mr.  Stear  is  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  and  has  held  various  township  offices 
within  the  gift  of  his  fellow  citizens.  For  the 
last  thirty-six  years  he  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  has  been 
active  in  church  and  charitable  work,  and 
has  served  many  years  in  the  capacity  of 
steward.  During  his  long  residence  in  this 
community  he  has  made  friends,  and  every- 
where he  is  recognized  as  a  man  of  the  strict- 
est integrity. 

ABRAHAM  B.  BENNETT,  now  living  re- 
tired at  Strongstown,  was  born  in  what  was 
then  Pine  (now  Bufffngton)  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  Aug.  13,  1835.  He  is  the  repre- 
sentative of  a  family  whose  members  for  many 
years  have  been  associated  with  much  of  the 
progress  and  growth  of  Indiana  county. 

John  Bennett,  the  founder  of  the  family 
in  America,  left  his  native  England  when  a 


1522 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


young  man,  and  coming  to  the  United  States 
first  settled  in  West  Virginia,  then  a  portion 
of  Virginia.  Later  he  came  to  Indiana 
county,  Pa.,  locating  in  what  is  now  BufiSng- 
ton  to\^•nship,  where  he  secured  over  one  hun- 
dred acres  of  land.  This  property  was 
wooded  and  he  cleared  the  greater  portion  of 
it,  developing  a  fine  farm  from  it  before  his 
death,  whicli  occurred  in  Buffington  to^^Tiship 
at  the  home  of  his  son  Michael  Bennett;  he 
is  buried  at  Strongstown.  He  and  his  wife 
became  the  parents  of  children  as  follows: 
William,  iMargaret  (Peggy),  Michael,  Peter, 
Katie,  Jacob  and  Abraham. 

William  Bennett,  son  of  John  Bennett,  was 
born  in  the  vicinity  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  but 
grew  to  manhood  in  Buffington  township.  He 
learned  and  followed  blacksmithing,  but  later 
became  an  agriculturist  in  that  township, 
where  his  death  occurred  when  he  was  only 
fortj'-eight  years  old.  His  remains  were  laid 
to  rest  at  Strongstown,  Pa.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church  and  was  a  class 
leader  for  many  years.  At  one  time  he  be- 
longed to  the  old  State  militia,  and  was  a 
fifer. 

William  Bennett  married  Elizabeth  Baley, 
a  daughter  of  Samuel  Baley,  and  they  had 
children  as  follows:  John,  who  died  in 
Brushvalley  township;  Mary,  who  married 
Adam  iloses  and  died  in  Armstrong  county. 
Pa. ;  Catherine,  who  married  Thomas  Swartz- 
walder,  and  died  in  Armstrong  county.  Pa. ; 
David,  who  went  out  to  California  in  1849, 
and  was  never  afterward  heard  from ;  Wesley, 
who  died  young;  Abraham  B. ;  James,  who 
is  living  at  Strongstown,  retired ;  Susan  Ann, 
who  married  John  Campbell,  and  died  in 
Armstrong  county,  Pa.;  Sarah,  who  died 
young;  Margaret  Jane,  who  married  George 
McCutchon  and  is  living  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship; Elizabeth,  who  married  Samuel  White- 
head and  is  living  in  I\Iissouri;  and  Lucinda, 
who  died  young. 

I\Irs.  Elizabeth  (Baley)  Bennett  married 
(second)  Samuel  Mc Adams,  and  they  had  two 
children :  Alexander,  who  is  living  at  Strongs- 
town; and  Samuel,  living  at  Seward,  West- 
moreland Co.,  Pa.  Mi-s.  ilcAdams  lived  to 
be  seventy-nine  years  old,  and  was  buried  at 
Strongstown. 

Abraham  B.  Bennett  grew  up  on  the  farm, 
becoming  familiar  with  agricultural  work 
from  boyhood  and  meantime  studying  at  the 
local  schools.  When  old  enough  he  began 
learning  the  blacksmith  trade  at  Indiana,  and 
followed  it  about  five  years  at  that  point, 
thence   going   to   Blairsville,   Pa.,   where   he 


spent  a  year.  He  then  went  to  Bells  Mills, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  spent  two  years,  fol- 
lowing which  he  was  at  Heshbon  for  three 
years,  building  the  first  house  at  that  place, 
in  1861.  At  the  expiration  of  the  three  years 
he  went  to  Buffington  township  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  about  250  acres,  located 
three  miles  from  Dilltown.  To  this  he  has 
added  from  time  to  time  until  he  owns  800 
acres,  all  in  Buffington  township,  about  half 
of  which  is  cleared,  and  very  productive  farm 
land.  His  sons  are  now  attending  to  its  cul- 
tivation. While  living  in  Buffington  town- 
ship, Mr.  Bennett  continued  to  work  at  his 
trade,  having  built  a  shop  there,  and  he 
finally  came  to  Strongstown,  in  June,  1889. 
That  year  he  erected  a  handsome  residence 
at  Strongstown,  as  well  as  a  shop  16x20  feet, 
one  and  one  half  stories  high,  continuing  work 
at  his  trade  for  twelve  years,  since  when  he 
has  lived  retired.  Mr.  Bennett  conducted 
the  "Kinter  House"  for  a  year,  in  1893. 

On  Feb.  1,  1855,  Mr.  Bennett  was  married, 
at  Indiana,  Pa.,  to  Margaret  McAdams,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Agnes  (Morrow) 
McAdams.  Mrs.  Bennett  was  born  in  Scot- 
land Oct.  23,  1836,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  with  her  mother  when  eleven  yeai*s  old. 
They  located  in  New  York  City,  where  the 
mother  passed  away,  and  the  child  then  lived 
in  Huntingdon  county.  Pa.,  and  later  in  Indi- 
dana  county.  Mr.  and  ilrs.  Bennett  became 
the  parents  of  the  following  familv:  Annie 
S.,  born  Oct.  25,  1856,  married  Oliver  :Mc- 
Kehy,  and  is  deceased ;  John  died  at  the  age 
of  four  years;  James  died  when  nine  months 
old;  Harry  W.,  born  Sept.  2,  1863,  married 
Mary  Ann  Graham,  and  is  farming  in  Buf- 
fington township ;  Charles  W.,  bom  May  27, 
1866,  married  Catherine  Pettieord,  and  is  liv- 
ing at  Vintondale,  Pa. ;  Elizabeth  died  at  the 
age  of  seven  years;  William  T.,  born  Aug. 
13,  1870,  now  farming  in  Buffington  town- 
ship, married  Mary  Gertrude  Orner:  Alex- 
ander, born  Dee,  4,  1872,  man-ied  Jennie 
Bracken,  is  a  stock  dealer  and  lives  at  Indi- 
ana, Pa. ;  Cora  A.,  born  Alay  24,  1876,  mar- 
ried Allen  Graham,  and  died  when  only 
twenty-one  years  old  (she  is  buried  at 
Strongstown,  Pa). 

]\Ir.  Bennett  is  a  Republican  in  political 
principle,  but  has  at  times,  as  his  conscience 
dictated,  supported  the  Washington  Prohibi- 
tion. Keystone  and  People's  parties.  He 
served  as  supen'isor  of  Buffington  township 
four  years,  and  was  constable  of  that  town- 
ship for  six  years.  For  many  years  I\Ir.  Ben- 
nett has  l)een  a  consistent  and  earnest  mem- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ber  of  the  Methodist  Church  of  Strongstown, 
serving  as  steward,  exhorter,  trustee,  class 
leader,  and  assistant  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school. 

During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Bennett  enlisted, 
July  30,  1864,  from  Indiana  county,  for  one 
year's  service,  in  Company  E,  67th  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Capt. 
James  Kearney  and  Col.  J.  C.  Carpenter. 
He  was  mustered  in  at  Greensburg,  Pa.,  and 
assigned  to  the  3d  Brigade,  3d  Division,  3d 
Army  Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  sent 
to  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  Annapolis,  being  on 
guard  duty  along  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  rail- 
road during  the  operations  in  the  Shenandoah 
valley.  This  command  participated  in  the 
engagements  at  Winchester;  the  Wilderness, 
May  5,  1864;  Trevillian  Station,  June  11-12, 
1864;  Petersburg,  June  16-30,  1864;  Ream's 
Station,  Aug.  25, 1864 ;  Winchester  Gap,  Sept. 
14,  1864;  Fisher's  Hill,  Sept.  22,  1864;  Cedar 
Creek,  Oct.  19,  1864;  Petersburg,  April  2, 
1865 ;  and  Appomattox  Court  House,  April 
9,  1865.  Mr.  Bennett  shared  the  fortunes  of 
his  regiment  in  all  the  battles  which  took 
place  during  his  service.  He  was  honorably 
discharged  June  20,  1865,  near  Washington, 
D.  C,  by  general  order  of  the  War  Depart- 
ment. For  years  he  has  been  a  member  of 
Indiana  Post,  No.  28,  G.  A.  R. 

CHARLES  HENRY  PEARCE,  present 
supervisor  of  Banks  township,  Indiana 
county,  is  one  of  the  progressive  and  thrifty 
farmer  citizens  of  that  township,  where  he 
has  spent  all  his  life.  He  was  born  there 
Nov.  28,  1873,  son  of  Andrew  and  Catherine 
(Cochran)  Pearce,  the  former  also  a  native  of 
Indiana  county,  the  latter  of  Armstrong 
county.  Pa.  Andrew  Pearce  was  a  lumber- 
man and  farmer  by  vocation. 

Charles  Henry  Pearce  attended  public 
school  in  Banks  township,  was  reared  on  the 
farm,  and  as  he  became  old  enough  worked 
at  lumbering,  in  which  he  continued  for  a 
number  of  years,  still  giving  part  of  his  time 
to  that  occupation.  In  1904  he  bought  the 
farm  of  fifty-four  acres  at  Johnsonburg,  in 
Banks  township,  where  he  has  since  had  his 
home.  He  is  enterprising  and  up-to-date  in 
his  agriciiltural  work,  in  which  he  has  been 
very  successful.  Mr.  Pearce  has  served  the 
public  in  various  capacities,  having  been 
school  director  for  some  time,  and  at  present 
holding  the  office  of  supervisor.  He  is  ca- 
pable, and  an  efficient  worker  for  any  cause 
he  espouses,  and  he  has  been  one  of  the  most 
active  men  in  his  locality  in  the  Republican 


party,  being  practically  its  leader  in  his  end 
of  Banks  township.  His  religious  connection 
is  with  the  M.  B.  Church,  and  socially  he  be- 
longs to  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America 
and  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

On  April  26,  1897,  Mr.  Pearce  married 
Laura  States,  of  Indiana  county,  daughter  of 
Aaron  and  Maria  (Sieger)  States,  farming 
people.  To  them  have  been  born  three  chil- 
dren :  Andrew  Quinn,  Joseph  Earl  and  Edna 
Mildred. 

JAMES  BROWN  GRAHAM,  of  Buffing- 
ton  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born  there 
May  12,  1847,  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth 
(Brown)  Graham,  and  is  a  great-grandson 
of  John  Graham,  the  pioneer  of  the  family 
in  this  region,  who  was  an  early  settler  in 
what  is  now  Buffington  township,  locating 
on  a  tract  of  200  acres  upon  which  he  made 
the  first  improvements,  and  which  has  since 
been  occupied  by  his  descendants.  Here  he 
married  Ann  Henry,  daughter  of  John  Henry, 
and  they  had  children  as  follows:  James; 
Samuel,  who  married  Mary  Marshall;  John; 
Jane  (Jennie),  who  married  William  Dun- 
can ;  Ann,  who  married  John  Duncan ;  Mary, 
who  married  Maj.  James  Stewart;  Margaret, 
who  married  John  Lemon;  William;  and 
Sarah,  who  married  Joseph  (or  Samuel) 
Duncan. 

John  Graham,  son  of  John  and  Ann 
(Henry)  Graham,  married  Rebecca  Stephens, 
and  they  had  a  family  of  nine  children, 
namely:  Samuel;  Ann,  who  married  Robert 
Woodsides  and  (second)  John  Sadler;  Re- 
becca, deceased,  who  married  Mark  McFeaters 
and  resided  in  Brushvalley;  James  (died  in 
Green  township,  this  county),  who  married 
Ada  Lyde  and  had  children,  Lucy  (wife  of 
Calvin  Leasure),  Miriam  (wife  of  Shed  Con- 
nor), Exie  (married  David  R.  Williams), 
Mary  (married  Mathew  Streams)  and  Gib- 
son (married)  ;  Joseph,  who  died  young; 
Benjamin,  who  died  young;  Miriam,  who 
married  Hugh  Cameron;  John,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-two  years;  and  Jane,  who 
married  James  C.  Dick,  and  had  children, 
Maggie,  Annie  and  John.  All  this  family 
were  born  in  the  house  of  hewed  logs  built 
by  the  father,  John  Graham,  on  the  farm  he 
developed.  He  cleared  considerable  land  and 
followed  farming  all  his  life. 

Samuel  Graham,  son  of  John  and  Rebecca 
(Stephens)  Graham,  was  born  Oct.  22,  1817, 
in  Buffington  towniship,  and  what  education 
he  acquired  was  obtained  in  the  subscription 
schools   there.     He   became   very   well-to-do, 


1524 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


becoming  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  400  acres, 
followed  farming  and  stock  raising  rather  ex- 
tensively, and  also  ran  a  sawmill  and  did 
considerable  lumbering.  During  his  residence 
in  Bufiington  he  was  one  of  its  most  active 
citizens,  in  regard  to  both  business  and  public 
matters,  serving  as  justice  of  the  peace  (fif- 
teen years),  tax  collector,  auditor  and  super- 
visor; he  was  also  a  leading  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church  there,  and  held  the  offices  of 
steward  and  trustee.  In  the  fall  of  1872  he 
went  west  to  Cozad,  Nebr.,  and  bought  a  farm 
of  640  acres  upon  which  he  carried  on  farm- 
ing on  a  large  scale,  also  becoming  extensivelv 
interested  in  stock  raising.  There  he  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  man-ied  Eliz- 
abeth Brown,  who  was  born  Jan.  4,  1819, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Magdalena  (Bowers) 
Brown,  and  they  died  at  their  home  in  Ne- 
braska in  1897,  Mrs.  Graham  in  April  and 
Mr.  Graham  in  August.  They  were  buried  at 
Cozad.  Mr.  and  ^Mrs.  Graham  were  the  par- 
ents of  seven  children :  Marj-  il.,  bom  April 
7,  1841,  died  unmarried.  Rebecca,  born  Feb. 
19.  1843,  married  William  Sides  and  resides 
in  Pine  township,  this  county ;  they  have  chil- 
dren, Loie,  Maggie  and  Lowney.  Amos,  born 
June  14,  1845,  married  Marinda  Dick  and 
resides  in  Johnstown,  Pa.,  where  he  is  em- 
ployed by  the  Cambria  Steel  Company. 
James  B.  is  mentioned  below.  Susan,  born 
Sept.  5,  1850,  married  Abner  GrifStt,  and 
died  in  1906.  "Watson  Thompson,  born  July 
30,  1858,  is  now  engaged  in  fruit  growins- 
in  the  Wenatehee  valley,  in  Washington;  he 
is  married.    One  child  died  in  infancy. 

James  Brown  Graham  obtained  his  educa- 
tion in  the  local  public  schools,  but  his  ad- 
vantages in  that  line  were  none  too  liberal. 
He  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  with  Wil- 
liam Keys,  of  Janesville,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained one  year,  after  which  he  was  engaged 
as  a  journeyman,  being  in  the  employ  of 
Gering  &  jMiller  for  a  time.  He  then  re- 
turned to  the  home  place,  and  settled  there 
permanently  when  his  father  moved  to  the 
West,  buying  this  property  in  1873.  Alto- 
gether he  had  six  hundred  acres  in  BufifijQg- 
ton  township  and  180  acres  in  Cambria 
county  (the  latter  purchased  from  the  J.  W. 
Duncan  heirs),  where  he  ran  a  sawmill  and 
engaged  to  a  considerable  extent  in  lumber- 
ing, the  Red  ilill  belonging  to  this  property. 
He  carried  on  milling  in  connection  with  his 
general  farming  and  stock  raising  operations. 
In  his  earlier  years  Mr.  Graham  also  did  con- 
tracting and  building.  He  was  energetic  and 
enterprising,  and  may  justly  be  called  a  self- 


made  man.  for  he  advanced  entirely  through 
his  own  efforts,  leading  an  industrious  and 
honorable  life.  He  is  now  enjojing  his  ease, 
only  occasionally  taking  an  active  part  in 
affairs,  and  well  deserves  the  respite  from 
hard  work  he  is  having.  A  number  of  years 
ago  he  met  with  a  serious  accident,  cutting 
himself  with  an  ax,  which  incapacitated  him 
for  three  years,  during  which  time  his  wife 
proved  herself  a  capable  and  loyal  helpmate, 
looking  after  affairs  until  he  was  able  to  re- 
sume work.  His  reliability  has  been  given 
substantial  recognition  by  his  fellow  citizens, 
who  have  chosen  him  to  various  local  posi- 
tions, and  he  has  given  satisfactory  service 
as  justice  of  the  peace  (which  ofiSce  he  held 
fifteen  years),  notary  public  (twelve  j'ears), 
tax  collector,  township  auditor  and  member 
of  the  election  board.  Political!}'  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. In  1864.  when  seventeen  years  old, 
I\Ir.  Graham  enlisted  in  Company"  I,  206th 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war,  receiving 
his  discharge  Jime  27,  1865. 

On  Dec.  27,  1871,  ilr.  Graham  was  married 
to  Elizabeth  Jane  Gibson,  who  was  born  Jan. 
14,  1845,  in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  daughter  of"  Joseph  and  Ann  (Dun- 
woodie)  Gibson,  and  died  June  20,  1911.  She 
was  laid  to  rest  in  Pineland  cemetery  at 
Strongstown,  in  Pine  township,  this  county. 
j\lrs.  Graham  was  a  devoted  wife  and  mother, 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  her,  whether  in  or 
outside  of  the  family  circle,  and  many  friends 
in  Buffington  township  mourned  her  demise. 
She  was  a  devout  member  of  the  1\I.  E. 
Church.  Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
^Irs.  Graham,  namely:  (1)  Wilber  Earl, 
born  June  6,  1873,  is  engaged  in  the  lumber 
Imsiness  in  association  with  Bruce  Wagner  in 
r?uffington  township.  (2)  Florence  Pearl, 
born  Sept.  14,  1876,  taught  school  for  a  time, 
married  F.  C.  Laney,  and  resides  in  Homer 
City,  this  county.  (3)  Ann  Elizabeth,  born 
May  17,  1879,  now  keeps  house  for  her  father 
and  runs  the  dairy  business  on  the  farm,  also 
raising  a  large  number  of  chickens.  She 
makes  two  trips  a  week  to  Vintondale  with 
her  butter  and  eggs,  and  is  also  agent  in  the 
district  for  a  New  York  cloak  house  and  the 
Larkin  Soap  Company,  having  made  a  de- 
cided success  of  this  venture  as  well  as  of 
evervthing  else  she  has  undertaken.  She  is 
ambitious  and  enterprising,  and  has  proved 
herself  a  thoroughly  capable  business  woman. 
(4)  Victor  Tvron,"bom  Nov.  30,  1881.  is  a 
farmer  of  Buffington  township.  He  married 
Bertha     Carney,     of     Pine     township.     (5) 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1525 


Aubry  Leland,  born  Feb.  24,  1884,  married 
Elsie  Lingenfeld,  and  they  reside  at  Homer 
Citv,  this  county.  (6)  Chalmers  Dick,  born 
July  12,  1886,  died  July  13,  1887.  (7)  One 
child  died  in  infancy.     . 

WILLIAM  B.  WARDROP,  superintendent 
at  Iselin,  Indiana  county,  for  the  Pittsburg 
Gas  Coal  Company,  has  been  engaged  in  mine 
work  all  his  life,  and  has  risen  to  his  present 
position  of  responsibility  by  efficient  and  in- 
telligent service.  He  was  born  in  June,- 1869, 
in  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  son  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  (Allen)  Wardrop,  natives  of  Scot- 
land. When  the  father  came  to  America  he 
settled  at  Fallbrook,  Tioga  Co.;  Pa.,  later  mov- 
ing to  Jefferson  county,  this  State,  and  he 
followed  mining  at  both  locations.  He  died 
at  the  latter  place,  and  his  wife  also  died  in 
Jeffei-son  county.  They  were  the  parents  of 
thirteen  children,  of  whom  William  B.  was 
fourth  in  the  order  of  birth. 

William  B.  Wardrop  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools.  He  was  only  nine 
years  old  when  he  began  work  in  and  around 
the  mines.  For  seven  years  he  was  employed 
in  McKean  county,  and  was  next  at  Dubois, 
in  Clearfield  county,  in  which  section  he  was 
engaged  in  mining  for  a  period  of  ten  years. 
From  there  he  transferred  to  Adrian,  Jeffer- 
son county,  where  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the 
Rochester  &  Pittsburg  Company,  was  subse- 
quently at  Florence  for  a  short  time,  and  then 
went  to  Eleanora,  a  town  six  miles  from  Flor- 
ence, where  he  became  mine  foreman  and 
remained  for  five  years.  At  the  end  of  that 
time  he  came  to  Iselin,  where  on  Aug.  21, 
1912,  he  became  superintendent  for  the  Pitts- 
burg Gas  Coal  Company,  having  charge  of 
five  plants;  1,650  men  are  employed  in  this 
district.  Mr.  Wardrop  is  a  trustworthy,  re- 
liable man,  and  has  won  the  respect  of  the 
many  employees  under  his  direction  and  the 
warm  appreciation  of  his  employers.  He  is 
a  public-spirited  citizen,  and  while  a  resident 
of  Jefferson  county  served  four  years  as  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board  of  his  township. 

Mr.  Wardrop  married  Lottie  Tulowetzki, 
and  they  have  had  six  children:  William, 
who  died  when  four  months  old ;  Herbert,  who 
is  in  the  employ  of  the  Pittsburg  Gas  Coal 
Company  at  Iselin;  Charles,  a  clerk  in  the 
company  store  at  Iselin ;  Martha,  Mildred  and 
William  (2),  at  school.  Mr.  Wardrop  and 
his  family  are  Presbyterians  in  religious  con- 
nection, but  attend  the  Union  Church  at 
Iselin.  Socially  he  is  a  Mason  and  member 
of  the  B.  P.  O.  Elks,  belonging  to  John  M. 


Reed  Lodge,  No.  536,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Reyn- 
oldsville,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.;  BrookviUe 
Royal  Arch  Chapter,  No.  225 ;  Bethany  Chap- 
ter, of  Dubois,  Pa.;  Jaffa  Temple,  A.  A.  0. 
N.  M.  S.,  of  Altoona,  Pa. ;  and  B.  P.  O.  Elks 
Lodge  No.  519,  of  Reynoldsville.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican. 

JOHN  ELDER  KEIBLER,  famiUarly 
known  as  E.  J.  Keibler,  a  farmer  of  Arm- 
strong township,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
July  3,  1852,  in  Lewisville,  Indiana  county, 
son  of  Joseph  P.  and  Violet  (Elder)  Keibler. 

Jacob  Keibler,  his  grandfather,  was  born 
in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  where  he  spent 
his  entire  life,  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He 
married  Catherine  Piper,  and  they  had  chil- 
dren as  follows:  George,  Jacob,  Joseph  P., 
John,  and  two  or  more  daughters. 

Joseph  P.  Keibler  moved  to  Cowanshan- 
nock  township,  Armstrong  county,  where  he 
bought  130  acres  of  land  and  operated  it 
in  conjunction  with  working  at  his  trade, 
blaeksmithing.  He  built  a  shop  on  his  prop- 
erty and  labored  industriously.  Wlien  his 
country  had  need  of  his  services  he  enlisted 
in  a  Pennsylvania  regiment,  serving  from 
1861  until  the  close  of  the  Civil  war.  As  he 
advanced  in  years,  he  became  prominent  in 
his  township,  serving  three  terms  as  a  justice 
of  the  peace,  as  well  as  in  various  township 
offices.  A  consistent  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  he  served  as  elder  from 
early  manhood  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred on  his  farm  in  1892,  when  he  was  sixty- 
five  years  old.  His  wife  died  in  1894,  aged 
sixty-two  years.  She,  too,  was  a  Presbyte- 
rian in  religious  connection.  Joseph  P.  Keib- 
ler was  secretary  of  the  Armstrong  Mutual 
Fire  Insurance  Company.  The  children  born 
to  him  and  his  wife  were:  John  Elder;  Isa- 
belle,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years ; 
Rebecca,  who  married  Laurentius  Neff,  de- 
ceased ;  Wallace,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nine- 
teen years;  Sadie,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
fifteen  years ;  and  Ida,  who  married  William 
Luckhart,  of  Indiana  county. 

John  Elder  Keibler  grew  up  on  his  father's 
homestead  in  Armstrong  county  and  attended 
the  common  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  He 
learned  his  father's  trade,  and  followed  it, 
also  working  on  the  farm.  After  his  mar- 
riage ilr.  Keibler  operated  the  Samuel  Hoover 
farm,  near  Smicksburg,  Indiana  county,  for 
one  year,  and  then  for  another  year  was  on 
the  farm  of  his  father-in-law,  at  Atwood, 
Armstrong  county.  At  the  end  of  this  time 
he  was  able  to  buy  eighty  acres  of  land  in 


1526 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Cowanshannoek  township,  Armstrong  county. 
After  remaining  on  this  property  for  five 
years,  he  sold,  and  in  December,  1887, 
bought  his  present  farm  of  140  acres  in  Arm- 
strong to^^-nship,  Indiana  county,  which  has  , 
continued  to  be  his  home  ever  since.  He  has 
greatly  improved  his  property,  having  now 
excellent  buildings  and  appliances,  while  his 
land  is  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

On  Nov.  8,  1875,  Mr.  Keibler  was  married 
to  Marj^  Theressa  McCuUough,  who  was  born 
June  12,  1857,  at  Red  Bank  Furnace,  Clarion 
Co,,  Pa.,  daughter  of  David  and  Jane 
(Downey)  McCullough,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. When  Mrs.  Keibler  was  one  year  old 
her  parents  brought  her  to  Armstrong  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  and  when  she  was  four 
years  old  they  moved  to  Cowanshannoek 
township,  Armstrong  county.  There  she  grew 
to  womanhood,  gaining  an  excellent  educa- 
tion. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keibler  have  become  the 
parents  of  children  as  follows :  Bertha  May, 
Wilbur  Reed,  Turza  Mayme,  Dora  Alice, 
John  Clarence,  James  G.  Blaine,  Elsie  Pearl, 
Paul  McCullough,  Helen  Marie,  Murray  Mc- 
Kinley  and  Viola  Grace. 

Mr.  Keibler  is  a  Republican,  although  his 
father  was  a  Democrat,  and  he  is  interested 
in  the  passage  and  enforcement  of  such  laws 
as  will  secure  good  government  and  the  pro- 
tection of  the  agriculturist.  The  Keibler 
family  is  deservedly  ranked  among  the  sub- 
stantial people  of  Indiana  and  Armstrong 
counties,  and  its  representatives  fuUy  sus- 
tain the  high  standards  established  by  their 
forefathers  in  earlier  days. 

ARCHIE  A.  BENNETT,  hotel-keeper  at 
Strongstown,  Pa.,  belongs  to  a  family  of  Eng- 
lish extraction  founded  in  Indiana  county 
by  his  great-grandfather,  John  Bennett. 

"  John  Bennett  left  his  native  England  when 
a  young  man,  and  coming  to  the  United  States 
first  settled  in  West  Virginia,  then  a  portion 
of  Virginia,  later  coming  to  Indiana  county. 
Pa.,  and  locating  in  what  is  now  Buffington 
township,  where  he  secured  over  one  hundred 
acres  of  land.  This  property  was  wooded 
and  he  cleared  the  greater  portion  of  it,  devel- 
oping a  fine  farm  from  it  before  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  Buffington  township  at  the 
home  of  his  son  Michael  Bennett;  he  is  buried 
at  Strongstown.  He  and  his  wife  became  the 
parents  of  children  as  follows:  William, 
Margaret  (PeggjO,  Michael,  Peter,  Katie, 
Jacob  and  Abraham. 

William  Bennett,  son  of  John,  was  born  in 
the  vicinity  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  and  grew  to 


manhood  in  Buffington  township.  He  learned 
and  followed  blacksmithing,  but  later  became 
an  agi-iculturist  in  that  township,  where  his 
death  occurred  when  he  was  forty-eight  years 
old.  His  remains  were  laid  to  rest  at  Strongs- 
town, Pa.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church  and  was  a  class  leader  for  many 
years.  At  one  time  he  belonged  to  the  old 
State  militia,  and  was  a  fifer. 

William  Bennett  married  Elizabeth  Baley, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Baley,  and  they  had  chil- 
dren as  follows:  John,  who  died  in  Brush- 
valley  township,  this  county;  Mary,  who 
married  Adam  Moses  and  died  in  Armstrong 
coimty.  Pa. ;  Catherine,  who  married  Thomas 
Swartzwalder,  and  died  in  Armstrong  county. 
Pa.;  David,  who  went  out  to  California  in 
181:9,  and  was  never  heard  from  afterward; 
Wesley,  who  died  young;  Abraham  B. ; 
James,  who  is  living  retired  at  Strongstown; 
Susan  Ann,  who  married  John  Campbell,  and 
died  in  Armstrong  county.  Pa.;  Sarah,  who 
died  young;  Margaret  Jane,  who  man-ied 
George  McCutchon  and  is  living  in  Brush- 
valley  township ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Sam- 
uel Whitehead  and  is  living  in  Missouri ;  and 
Lucinda,  who  died  young. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Baley)  Bennett  married 
(second)  Samuel  ilc Adams,  and  they  had 
two  children:  Alexander,  who  is  living  at 
Strongstown;  and  Samuel,  of  Seward,  West- 
moreland Co.,  Pa.  Mrs.  Mc Adams  lived  to 
be  seventy-nine  years  old,  and  was  buried  at 
Strongstown. 

James  Bennett,  son  of  William  and  Eliz- 
abeth (Baley)  Bennett,  was  born  in  Buffing- 
ton township,  and  became  a  farmer  and  stone- 
mason. Until  1874  he  operated  a  fai-m  in 
Buffington  township,  in  that  year  going  to 
Cambria  county,  Pa.,  where  he  bought  a  farm 
which  he  carried  on  until  1900.  Then  he  came 
to  Pine  township,  Indiana  county,  and  con- 
tinued agricultural  operations  for  two  years 
more,  since  when  he  has  lived  retired  at 
Strongstown.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served 
in  Company  E,  67th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  as  a  sharpshooter,  and  took  part  in 
many  notable  engagements;  his  period  of 
service  extended  over  eleven  months  and  he 
was  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

James  Bennett  married  Elizabeth  Shultz, 
a  daughter  of  Michael  and  Catherine 
(Cramer)  Schultz,  and  they  had  two  children: 
Nancy,  who  married  James  ]\Iarsh,  and  lives 
in  Blackliek  township,  Cambria  county,  on 
the  old  homestead  of  the  Bennett  family ;  and 
Archie  A. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1527 


Archie  A.  Bennett  was  born  Jan.  1,  1864, 
in  Buffington  township,  Indiana  county.  He 
attended  public  school  in  Cambria  county, 
and  a  summer  school  taught  by  Professor 
Garawaj',  and  worked  for  his  father,  with 
whom  he  is  still  associated  in  business  inter- 
ests. Until  he  was  forty  j^ears  old  Mr.  Ben- 
nett continued  farming,  in  1904  coming  to 
Strongstown,  where  he  was  in  the  general 
mercantile  business  for  six  years,  also  acting 
as  agent  for  agricultural  implements  and  re- 
paii-s  op  same,  and  dealing  in  corn,  oats,  chop 
flour  and  mill  feeds.  He  had  the  store  at  the 
corner  of  Main  and  Buffington  streets.  His 
sons  were  in  partnership  with  him  for  some 
time,  the  firm  being  known  as  A.  A.  Bennett 
&  Sons.  Mr.  Bennett  has  since  been  engaged 
in  the  hotel  business,  as  proprietor  of  the 
"Bennett  House,"  which  he  conducts  for  the 
accommodation  of  travelers  who  appreciate 
the  fact  that  he  carries  no  license  for  the  sale 
of  intoxicants. 

Archie  A.  Bennett  married  Jane  Marsh, 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Catherine  (Dias) 
Marsh,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  (1)  Andrew  M.,  who  lives 
at  and  operates  the  White  mill,  in  Blacklick 
township,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.,  was  always  a 
good  shot  and  is  now  making  a  practical  use 
of  his  skill  as  crack  shot  for  the  Winchester 
Fire  Arms  people ;  he  married  Lola  Williams. 
(2)  J.  Walter,  who  is  at  Calvert,  Pa.,  in  the 
employ  of  a  coal  company,  married  Lida 
Ondreizek.  (3)  Elvira  married  Alton  Strong, 
a  fanner,  of  Strongstown,  Pa.  (4)  Mayme 
lives  at  home.  (5)  Ann  E.,  at  home,  is  or- 
ganist for  the  Methodist  Church.  (6)  Alton 
Smith  and  (7)  Grace  are  at  home. 

Mr.  Bennett  was  commissioned  a  notary 
public  and  is  now  serving  his  second  term. 
His  reliability  and  conscientiousness  makes 
him  appreciate  the  responsibilities  of  that  of- 
fice. In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Church 
at  Strongstown,  and  is  serving  it  as  member 
of  the  board  of  trustees  and  secretary  of  that 
board.  The  Bennett  family  is  well  known, 
and  its  representatives  stand  high  in  pubUc 
opinion,  for  they  are  citizens  of  steadfast 
purpose  and  untiring  zeal  in  promoting  the 
general  welfare. 

HENRY  G.  WINGERT  (deceased)  was  a 
well-known  and  much  respected  citizen  of 
North  Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  had  extensive  interests  as  a  farmer, 
lumberman  and  general  storekeeper.  He  was 


born  in  Young  township,  Jefferson  Co.,' Pa., 
June  16,  1844,  son  of  Henry  G.  Wingert. 

Henry  G.  Wingert,  the  father,  was  born 
in  Germany,  near  the  city  of  Berlin.  When 
he  came  to  the  United  States  he  settled  in 
Jefferson  county,  Pa.,  where  he  died. 

Henry  G.  Wingert,  son  of  Henry  G.  Win- 
gert, grew  to  manhood  in  Jefferson  county 
and  owned  300  acres  of  land  there,  on  which 
he  carried  on  farming  and  lumbering.  He  re- 
mained there  until  1887,  when  he  moved  to 
Indiana  county  and  went  into  the  general 
store  business  at  Marchand,  conducting  same 
in  connection  with  the  operation  of  his  farm 
of  146  acres.  His  death  occurred  at  Mar- 
chand Oct.  19,  1897.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Reformed  Church  at  Punxsutawney.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  never  held 
any  public  office.  For  many  years  he  was 
a  member  of  John  W.  Jenks  Lodge,  No.  534, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  at  Punxsutawney. 

On  Dec.  30,  1873,  Mr.  Wingert  married 
Rosanna  Noerr,  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Catherine  Barbara  (Hoffman)  Noerr,  and 
they  had  the  following  children :  Emma,  who 
married  Samuel  Wassam,  of  Cherrytree; 
Samuel  Tilden,  who  lives  at  Summerville,  Pa. ; 
Milton,  who  is  deceased;  Charlotte,  who  is  a 
school  teacher  at  Watsonville,  Cal. ;  Beulah, 
who  is  the  wife  of  William  Eckert,  living  in 
Arizona ;  Clara,  a  teacher  in  Colorado ;  Laura, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Francis  Condron,  living  in 
Arizona;  Charles  M.,  living  at  home;  Ellen, 
who  is  the  wife  of  William  Rodress,  of  Pitts- 
burg; Clark  W.,  who  lives  in  Arizona;  and 
Frank  S.,  who  is  with  his  brother  at  Sum- 
merville. 

George  Noerr,  father  of  Mrs.  Henry  G. 
Wingert,  was  born  in  Germany,  near  Wurt- 
emberg,  Jan.  12,  1827,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  when  a  young  man.  In  the 
city  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  he  was  married  to 
Catherine  Barbara  Hoffman,  who  was  born 
in  Germany  Oct.  23,  1828,  and  the  following 
children  were  born  to  them:  Rosanna  is  the 
widow  of  Henry  G.  Wingert;  George  M.,  born 
Feb.  12,  1854,  married  Ada  McDowell,  of 
McCalmont  township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.; 
Eliza  B.,  born  Aug.  9,  1856,  married  James 
North,  of  Punxsutawney,  and  died  Nov.  6, 
1901;  John,  born  Sept.  30,  1858,  married 
Susanna  Zimmerman;  Sophia  M.,  born  Sept. 
10,  1860,  married  Henry  Smith,  of  Trade 
City ;  Carl  Frederick,  bom  Oct.  16,  1862,  died 
March  22,  1880 ;  Mary  M.,  born  Aug.  6,  1865, 
died  March  12,  1880 ;  William  A.,  born  May 
10,  1867,  married  Emma  Burkett,  and  died 
Nov.  4,  1904;  and  Emma  C,  born  Feb.  12, 


1528 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1870,  married  Frank  St.  Clair,  of  DuBois, 
Pennsylvania. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Noerr 
lived  on  their  farm  of  800  acres  situated  in 
McCalmont  township,  Jefferson  county,  Mr. 
Noerr  carrying  on  general  farming  and  lum- 
bering, building  a  large  sawmiU  on  his  land. 
In  1883  he  retired  from  active  business  life, 
and  with  his  wife  and  youngest  daughter 
moved  to  Punxsutawney,  where  he  lived  in 
comfort  during  the  rest  of  his  days,  his  death 
occurring  fifteen  years  later,  on  May  18,  1898. 
His  widow  survives  and  resides  with  her 
daughter,  Mrs.  Wingert,  at  Marchand.  Each 
of  his  sons  inherited  a  farm  in  Jefferson 
county.  Mr.  Noerr  voted  the  Democratic 
ticket  and  believed  in  the  principles  of  that 
political  party,  but  never  held  any  office.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran 
Church  at  Punxsutawney. 

airs.  Rosanna  Wingert  was  born  in  Jeffer- 
son county,  Pa.,  Sept.  15,  1852,  and  there 
obtained  a  public  school  education.  She  re- 
mained with  her  parents  until  she  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  at  which  time  she  married, 
and  for  fourteen  years  afterward  she  and  Mr. 
Wingert  continued  to  reside  in  Jefferson 
county,  then  moving  to  ilarchand,  where  she 
has  lived  ever  since.  She  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Covode,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

MILTON  EMERSON  CESSNA,  of  Plum- 
viUe,  Indiana  county,  dealer  in  lumber  and 
builders'  supplies,  was  born  in  Clearfield, 
Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.,  March  9,  1860.  The  Cess- 
na family  is  of  French  origin,  but  for  up- 
ward of  "two  hundred  years  the  representa- 
tives of  the  family  to  which  he  belongs  have 
made  their  home  in  America.  The  name  was 
originally  De  Cessna. 

The  founder  of  the  Cessna  family  in  Amer- 
ica was  Count  John  De  Cessna,  who_  was 
born  in  the  south  of  France,  of  a  prominent 
family.  He  was  a  Huguenot,  and  an  officer 
under  William,  Prince  of  Orange,  during  the 
conquest  of  Ireland,  participating  in  the 
battle  of  the  Boyne  in  1690.  Later  on  Count 
De  Cessna  came  to  the  American  colonies, 
and  locating  first  in  Lancaster  county,  Pa., 
remained  there  for  a  period,  thence  going  to 
York  county,  same  State,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life,  dying  in  1751.  He  mar- 
ried a  young  Irish  girl  named  Priscilla,  and 
they  had  several  sons,  some  of  whom  settled 
at   Shippensburg,  "Pennsylvania. 

John  Cessna  (2),  son  of  John  and  Pris- 
cilla, located  near   Shippensburg,   where  he 


was  engaged  in  farming  until  he  was  cap- 
tured by  the  Indians  while  working  in  his 
field  about  seven  miles  from  Shippensburg, 
July  18,  1757,  together  with  two  of  his  sons 
and  others. 

John  Cessna  (3),  son  of  John  (2),  was 
born  Jan.  26,  1726,  at  Shippensburg,  Pa., 
and  moved  to  Bedford  county,  Pa.,  where  in 
1765  he  bought  a  farm  at  Friends  Cove,  near 
Rainsburg,  in  Colerain  township,  which  is 
still  in  the  family.  He  took  a  very  active  part 
in  the  public  affairs  of  Pennsylvania  in  his 
day,  being  a  member  of  the  constitutional 
convention  of  1774  which  drafted  the  first 
constitution  of  the  State.  As  major  of  a  regi- 
ment he  took  a  patriotic  part  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  and  later  was  sheriff'  of  Bedford 
county  for  six  years,  from  1789,  serving  three 
terms  of  two  years  each,  giving  his  country 
and  community  distinguished  service.  He 
died  March  31,  1802.  His  first  wife,  Sarah 
Rose,  born  Feb.  6,  1740,  died  July  1,  1788, 
the  mother  of  children  as  follows :  Jonathan, 
born  Nov.  16,  1760;  Rachel,  born  Aug.  1, 
1762;  John,  born  Dee.  8,  1764;  Stephen,  born 
Dec.  26,  1766;  EHzabeth,  born  Dec.  1,  1768; 
William,  born  June  20,  1775;  and  others. 
Mr.  Cessna's  second  marriage  was  to  Elizabeth 
Hall,  and  by  this  union  he  had  four  children  ; 
Evan,  Charles,  James,  and  a  daughter  who 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty. 

Charles  Cessna,  son  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Hall)  Cessna,  was  born  in  the  home- 
stead at  Friends  Cove,  in  Colerain  township, 
Bedford  Co.,  Pa.,  March  10,  1789.  He  mar- 
ried Katherine  Smouse  and  they  had  the  fol- 
lowing children :  George,  William,  Elizabeth, 
John,  Annie,  Betsy,  Mary  and  Charles  Wash- 
ington. Mr.  Cessna  lived  during  his  latter 
days  at  Blairsville,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he 
died  in  1829,  while  still  in  the  very  prime  of 
life. 

John  Cessna,  son  of  Charles  and  Katherine 
Cessna,  was  born  at  Blairsville,  and  was  only 
five  years  old  when  he  had  the  misfortune 
to  lose  his  father.  After  he  attained  his 
majority  he  moved  to  Jefferson  county,  and 
there  was  engaged  in  lumbering,  and  later 
went  to  Clearfield  county,  continuing  his 
lumber  operations  until  1866,  when  he  settled 
near  Smithport,  in  Banks  township,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa.  There  he  ran  a  sawmill  and  dealt 
in  lumber  the  remainder  of  his  life,  also 
farming.  He  passed  away  in  1893.  He  was 
a  Democrat  politically  while  in  religious  faith 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Jlethodist  Episcopal 
Church. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1529 


John  Cessna  married  first  a  Miss  Martin, 
who  was  born  in  Clearfield,  and  they  had 
children  as  follows:  George,  who  resides  at 
Hortons,  Pa. ;  William,  who  is  deceased ;  Cath- 
erine, who  died  young ;  Kutora,  deceased ;  and 
Eliza,  who  married  Joseph  Coy.  By  his  sec- 
ond marriage,  to  Abigail  Keslar,  there  were 
the  following  children:  Sarah  A.,  who  mar- 
ried T.  J.  Hickox,  of  Jefferson  county,  Pa. ; 
Milton  Emerson;  Ida,  who  married  A.  M. 
Tyger,  of  Canoe  township ;  Lillie,  who  mar- 
ried H.  G.  Bowers,  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ; 
Mildred  I.,  who  married  H.  C.  Tyger,  of 
Rochester  Mills;  Melissa  E.,  who  married 
Frank  F.  McCall,  of  Punxsutawney;  John, 
who  died  in  childhood ;  and  Ai,  who  also  died 
in  childhood. 

Jlilton  Emerson  Cessna  was  only  six  years 
old  when  the  family  moved  to  Indiana  county, 
so  that  he  passed  practically  all  his  early  life 
in  this  locality.  He  was  sent  to  school  at 
Smithport,  and  began  working  on  the  home 
farm  in  childhood,  and  in  his  father's  saw- 
mill. He  continued  in  the  lumber  business 
with  his  father  until  the  death  of  the  latter, 
after  which  he  carried  it  on  alone,  and  was 
also  interested  in  farming  until  1904,  when 
he  rented  the  farm  and  moved  to  Indiana. 
There  he  formed  a  partnership  with  H.  B. 
Engle,  a  dealer  in  builders'  supplies.  This 
association  lasted  for  a  year,  when  Mr.  Cessna 
sold  in  1905,  coming  to  Plumville  to  establish 
himself  in  the  business  he  has  since  carried  on. 
He  manufactures  and  deals  in  lumber  of  all 
kinds,  and  makes  stair  work  and  interior 
finish  outside  of  Indiana,  doing  the  largest 
business  of  the  kind  in  the  county.  Mr. 
Cessna  has  erected  a  fine  plant  and  store,  and 
also  three  residences.  Outside  of  contribut- 
ing in  this  way  to  the  material  improvement 
of  the  town  he  has  been  interested  in  securing 
its  municipal  and  moral  advancement  in  other 
ways  and  is  justly  recognized  as  one  of  its 
leading  men.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

On  Sept.  16,  1885,  Mr.  Cessna  was  married 
in  Banks  township  to  Martha  J.  Bowers,  born 
in  Jefferson  county,  Pa.,  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
Bowers.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cessna  have  had  ten 
children:  Harvey  George,  who  is  with  the 
Buffalo  &  Susquehanna  Railroad  Co.,  mar- 
ried in  1907  Pauline  Bridenstine,  and  they 
have  three  children,  Harold,  Martha  and  a 
baby;  Clyde  Emerson,  who  is  at  home,  mar- 
ried Ada  Crawford,  and  they  have  one  child, 
Ralph  Milton;  Glenn  is  in  Montana;  Quay  is 
working  for  the  Buffalo  &  Susquehanna  Rail- 
road Co. ;  John,  Ellen,  Jacob  and  Arthur  are 


at  home;  Maria  was  killed  by  an  accident; 
"Wayne  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Cessna  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  at  Sagamore  and  the  Odd  Fellows 
at  Plumville.  A  man  of  unusual  business 
ability  and  fine  principles,  he  has  not  only 
tried  to  make  a  success  of  his  own  affairs,  but 
to  live  as  a  useful  citizen.  He  is  a  worthy 
representative  of  an  honored  family. 

THOMAS  WIGGINS,  one  of  the  honored 
residents  of  Annstrong  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  born  in  White  township,  this 
county,  two  miles  from  Indiana,  Sept.  1, 
1830,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Ramsey)  Wig- 
gins. He  was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of 
eleven  children  and  is  the  only  surviving 
member. 

Mr.  Wiggins  grew  to  manhood  in  this 
county  and  was  reared  to  agricultural  life. 
After  his  marriage  he  farmed  in  different 
places.  In  1852  Mr.  Wiggins  was  man-ied  to 
Sarah  Jane  McCullom,  born  Sept.  3,  1828, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Apollo,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa., 
daughter  of  David  and  Hannah  (Brown)  Mc- 
Cullom, the  latter  from  Mercer  county,  Pa. 
Mrs.  Wiggins  grew  to  womanhood  in  Arm- 
strong township,  Indiana  county.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wiggins  became  the  parents  of  children 
as  follows:  James  Wilson,  who  married 
Laura  Agnes  Lawrence,  lives  in  Cambria 
county ;  Hannah  Jane  is  ]\Irs.  James  Calhoun ; 
Mary  Ann  is  the  widow  of  John  Lowi-y ;  Delia 
married  John  Little  and  lives  at  Indiana; 
Sarah  C.  died  when  seven  years  old;  Mar- 
garet, who  is  Mrs.  Alfred  Street,  lives  at 
home;  David  H.,  who  married  Jennie  Lewis, 
lives  at  Indiana ;  Samuel  Blair,  who  married 
Jennie  McAdoo,  lives  at  Vandergrift ;  Andrew 
Harvey,  who  married  Maggie  McCurdy,  lives 
in  Armstrong  township;  and  Elva  E.,  who 
married  Bruce  Fitzgerald,  lives  in  Cone- 
maugh  township. 

Mr.  Wiggins  belongs  to  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church  at  Shelocta.  Politically  he  "is 
a  Democrat,  but  not  active,  and  has  never 
sought  public  office.  Always  a  hard-working 
man,  he  has  fully  earned  the  comforts  with 
which  he  is  now  surrounded,  as  well  as  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  his  neighbors. 

WILLIAM  JAMES  GRAHAM  is  engaged 
in  general  farming,  teaming  and  lumbering 
in  Buffington  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  is  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  205  acres, 
composed  of  two  tracts  owned  formerly  by 
his  father  and  grandfather.  He  is  a  great- 
grandson  of  John  Graham,  the  pioneer  of  the 


1530 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


family  in  this  region,  who  was  au  early  settler 
in  what  is  now  Buffington  township,  locating 
on  a  tract  of  200  acres  upon  which  he  made 
the  first  improvements,  and  which  has  since 
been  occupied  by  his  descendants.  Here  he 
married  Ann  Henry,  and  they  had  children 
as  follows:  James;  Samuel,  who  married 
Mary  Mai-shall;  John,  who  married  Rebecca 
Stephens;  Jane  (Jennie),  who  married  Wil- 
liam Duncan;  Ann,  who  married  John  Dun- 
can; Mary,  who  married  Maj.  James  Stewart; 
Margaret,  who  married  John  Lemon;  Wil- 
liairt;  and  Sarah,  who  married  Joseph  or 
Samuel  Duncan. 

William  Graham,  son  of  John  and  Ann 
(Henry)  Graham,  was  born  July  22,  1805, 
in  what  is  now  Buffington  township,  and  here 
followed  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which  he 
prospered,  acquiring  the  ownership  of  five 
farms,  with  a  total  area  of  over  seven  hundred 
acres.  He  raised  a  large  amount  of  stock. 
His  home  was  always  on  the  place  settled  by 
his  father,  now  occupied  by  his  grandson 
Allen  S.  Graham.  He  was  one  of  the  influen- 
tial citizens  of  the  township  in  his  day.  His 
wife,  Mary  (McFeaters),  born  Nov.  27,  1808, 
died  Feb.  23,  1871,  surviving  him  a  number 
of  years,  his  death  having  occurred  June  8, 
1853.  They  were  buried  in  the  McCartney 
cemetery  in  Buffington  township.  We  have 
the  following  record  of  the  ten  children  born 
to  them:  John,  born  July  18,  1829,  died 
Nov.  13,  1829.  William,  born  Aug.  21,  1830, 
married  Jane  Duncan;  during  the  Civil  war 
he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  67th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  had  served  about 
fifteen  months  when  he  was  killed.  May  20, 
1864,  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  James, 
born  Jan.  30,  1833,  made  his  home  in  Worth 
county.  Mo.,  and  died  in  1906;  during  the 
Civil  war  he  served  nearly  three  years  in  Com- 
pany I,  67th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, and  was  captured,  being  held  prisoner 
at  Belle  Isle  for  eight  weeks;  he  married  Z. 
Lydia,  and  they  had  children,  William  S., 
John  W.,  Harry  S.  and  Robert.  John  (2), 
born  Oct.  12,  1835,  man-ied  Mrs.  Annie 
(Davis)  Hanna,  and  died  Aug.  3,  1903. 
Andrew,  born  Nov.  27,  1837,  died  Feb.  1, 
1838.  Samuel  is  mentioned  below.  Nancy 
Jane,  bom  Dec.  20,  1841,  married  William 
H.  Robertson,  and  died  in  1872.  A  daughter 
died  in  infancy  in  June,  1847.  Robert  S., 
born  June  28,  1847,  served  during  the  Civil 
war  in  the  2d  Battalion,  Pennsylvania  six 
months'  volunteers;  he  now  resides  in  Worth 
county.  Mo. ;  he  married  Jemima  Emfield, 
and  they  have  children,  Chalmers  D.,  Edward 


and  Minnie.  A  son  born  in  1850  died  the 
same  year. 

Samuel  Graham  was  born  Feb.  4,  1839. 
on  the  old  homestead  in  BufSngton  to\vnship. 
and  helped  with  the  fann  work  there  until 
he  reached  his  majority.  He  then  bought 
from  his  uncle  a  tract  of  220  acres,  upon 
which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  he  also 
followed  lumbering  and  the  carpenter's  trade, 
making  railroad  ties  and  contracting ;  he  made 
a  specialty  of  building  frame  houses.  He  was 
a  good  business  man,  and  though  he  gave  his 
private  affairs  proper  attention  also  found 
time  to  take  part  in  public  matters,  serv- 
ing his  township  as  supervisor  and  school 
director;  he  was  a  stanch  Republican  and 
took  an  interest  in  the  success  of  the  party, 
and  he  served  as  member  of  the  to^Ynship 
election  board.  In  religion  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  died  July 
7,  1908,  after  an  active  and  useful  career 
which  brought  him  honorable  standing  among 
his  fellow  men. 

Mr.  Graham  married  Sarah  Ann  Blades, 
who  died  July  18,  1887.  They  had  a  family 
of  eleven  children,  viz. :  IMary  Ann,  who 
married  Harry  Bennett ;  Emma  Jane,  who 
married  George  Wyke ;  Cora  Agnes,  who  died 
when  nineteen  years  old;  Charles  Grant,  de- 
ceased, an  engineer  on  the  Pennsylvania  rail- 
road, who  married  Maud  Siler ;  Elmer  Clark, 
deceased,  who  married  JMaria  Stilts;  John 
W.,  deceased;  William  James;  Stewart,  de- 
ceased, who  married  Minnie  Hill ;  Louisa,  who 
married  Martin  Orner  and  resides  in  Johns- 
town, Pa. ;  Frank,  deceased ;  and  Samuel,  de- 
ceased. 

William  James  Graham  was  born  March 
15,  1872,  in  Buffington  township,  and  there 
received  a  public  school  education,  attending 
the  Grove  school.  He  worked  with  his  parents 
helping  to  cultivate  the  home  farm,  until 
1899,  when  he  took  a  position  in  the  round- 
house of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany at  Conemaugh,  being  employed  there 
two  years.  He  next  worked  at  ililton  Gam- 
ble's sawmill,  and  aftenvard  for  Kate  Wal- 
ters for  a  number  of  years.  Then  he  learned 
the  trade  of  carpenter  with  Highland  &  Pat- 
terson, the  contractors.  Upon  the  death  of 
his  father  he  returned  to  the  home  place  and 
settled  down  to  farming,  buying  out  the  other 
heirs.  He  now  owns  and  operates  205  acres 
in  all,  his  grandfather's  farm  of  120  acres 
and  his  father's  place  of  eighty -five  acres.  It 
is  a  fine  piece  of  property,  and  he  is  success- 
fully carrying  on  general  farming,  including 
the  growing  of  small  fruits,  teaming  and  lum- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1531 


bering,  his  various  interests  yielding  him  a 
most  comfortable  income.  Like  his  father  he 
has  taken  considerable  interest  in  polities  as 
a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  has 
been  jiidge  and  inspector  of  election.  He  has 
also  served  as  clerk  of  his  township.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  Graham  was  married  to  Sadie  E. 
Sower,  daughter  of  Whittlesey  James  and 
Emma  (Dodson)  Sower,  and  they  have  had 
five  children,  born  as  follows :  Geraldine, 
1899;  Vevk  Pearl,  1901;  Cora  Fay,  1905; 
Mary  LeM.,  October,  1907 ;  and  Vivian  May, 
Sept.  21,  1911. 

WILLIAM  GRAY  TRAVIS,  deceased,  who 
will  be  remembered  by  the  older  generation 
as  one  of  his  community's  best  and  most  sub- 
stantial citizens,  spent  his  life  in  agricultural 
pursuits  in  West  Mahoning  township,  where 
lie  was  born  Jan.  19,  1830,  a  son  of  John 
and  Catherine  (Cressman)  Travis.  His  pater- 
nal grandfather  founded  the  family  in  West 
Mahoning  township,  being  an  early  settler 
here,  and  passing  his  life  in  the  vicinity  of 
Good's  mill,  ^vhere  he  followed  farming. 

John  Travis,  father  of  William  G.  Travis, 
was  born  in  West  Mahoning  township,  fol- 
lowed in  his  father's  footsteps  as  a  farmer, 
and  spent  an  honorable  and  useful  life,  he 
and  his  wife  passing  away  in  this  locality 
respected  and  esteemed  by  all  with  whom 
they  were  acquainted.  The  had  the  following 
children:  Emily,  who  died  as  a  child;  a  son 
who  died  in  infancy;  William  Gray;  and 
Mary  Ann,  who  married  Joseph  Marshall,  of 
Dayton,  Pennsylvania. 

William  Gray  Travis,  son  of  John  Travis, 
received  the  usual  educational  advantages 
enjoyed  by  the  youths  of  his  day  and  com- 
munity. He  was  reared  to  habits  of  integrity, 
industry  and  sobriety,  traits  which  character- 
ized his  whole  life,  and  his  youth  and  young 
manhood  were  spent  on  the  home  place  and 
at  Glade  Run.  A  dutiful  and  affectionate 
son,  he  returned  home  and  resided  with  his 
parents  until  they  died,  tenderly  caring  for 
them  in  their  declining  years  and  contribut- 
ing to  their  comfort  in  every  way.  In  1856 
he  married  Mary  Jane  Marshall,  who  was 
born  March  12,  1836,  in  Wayne  township, 
Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Mary  (Wadding)  Marshall,  the  former  of 
Irish  parentage,  and  the  latter  of  an  old 
family  of  eastern  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Mar- 
shall was  a  prominent  farmer  of  Wayne  town- 
ship, a  Democrat  in  polities  and  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.     The  children 


born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marshall  were  as  fol- 
lows :  Josephine,  who  lived  in  Wayne  town- 
ship, Armstrong  county;  Washington,  who 
was  a  resident  of  Punssutawney,  Pa.;  Caro- 
line, who  was  Mi-s.  Good,  of  Dayton,  Pa.; 
Mary  Jane,  who  married  Mr.  Travis;  and 
Harry,  who  lived  in  Armstrong  county.  Mrs. 
Travis  is  the  only  surviving  member  of  the 
family. 

William  G.  Travis  was  always  a  farmer, 
giving  almost  all  of  his  time  and  attention 
to  the  cultivation  of  his  fields  and  the  care 
of  his  home.  He  was,  however,  a  man  of  in- 
telligence and  progressive  spirit,  alive  to  all 
the  real  issues  of  the  day  and  interested  in 
the  success  of  the  Republican  party,  and  held 
various  township  offices.  He  also"  was  active 
in  church  work,  being  a  well  known  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  congregation,  and  could 
be  relied  upon  to  support  movements  calling 
for  the  advancement  of  education,  morality 
and  good  citizenship.  He  and  his  wife  had 
the  following  children:  John,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  eight  years;  Samuel,  a  farmer  of 
South  Mahoning  township,  who  married  Anna 
Martin,  and  has  four  children,  Malcolm, 
Robert,  AHee  and  Annie;  Frank,  of  Falls 
Creek,  Pa.,  a  railroad  carpenter  working  on 
bridge  construction,  who  married  Dora 
Richey,  and  has  children.  Belle,  Carl  and 
Ruth;  Lelah,  who  "married  Joseph  Mclntire, 
of  Armstrong  county,  and  has  four  children, 
Mabel,  Wilbert,  Clyde  and  Walter;  Annie, 
who  married  William  Beck,  of  Smicksburg, 
and  has  three  children,  Floyd,  Burdette  and 
Ellsworth;  and  Harry  M. 

Mr.  Travis  was  one  of  the  charter  members 
of  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  at  Smicksburg,  and 
ever  took  an  interest  in  its  work.  Known 
for  his  integrity  in  business  affairs,  respected 
for  his  public  spirit  and  esteemed  as  a  man 
who  was  ever  ready  to  assist  others,  his  stand- 
ing in  every  walk  of  life  was  one  much  to  be 
envied,  and  in  his  death,  which  occurred  June 
15,  1886,  his  section  of  Indiana  county  lost 
one  of  its  best  and  most  helpful  citizens. 

Haeet  M.  Travis,  son  of  William  G.  Travis, 
was  born  Jan.  13,  1879,  on  the  old  home  place, 
and  secured  his  education  in  the  home  schools. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  has  had  charge  of 
the  homestead,  where  he  has  made  many  im- 
provements, having  inherited  his  father's 
enterprise  and  progressive  spirit.  Like  his 
father,  he  is  interested  in  the  work  of  the  , 
Odd  Fellows,  with  the  members  of  which  he 
is  very  popular.  He  has  creditably  upheld 
the  family  reputation  for  good  citizenship, 
business  integrity  and  personal  probity. 


1532 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mr.  Travis  was  married  to  Amy  Milliron, 
and  they  have  two  bright  and  interesting 
children,  MerriU  and  Kathleen. 

WILLIAM  S.  GARDNER  lives  on  a  farm  in 
Montgomery  township,  Indiana  county,  one 
and  a  quarter  miles  from  Glen  Campbell,  and 
is  engaged  in  general  agriculture,  which  has 
been  his  principal  vocation.  He  was  born  in 
that  township,  Nov.  18,  1850,  son  of  Jonathan 
Walker  and  Eliza  Jane  (Bennett)  Gardner, 
the  former  of  whom  came  to  Indiana  county 
about  1840,  from  Center  county.  Pa.,  and 
was  a  farmer  and  lumberman  by  occupation. 
Grandfather  Gardner  was  a  native  of  Scot- 
land. Mrs.  Eliza  Jane  (Bennett)  Gardner 
was  of  German  extraction,  and  her  family 
were  farming  people.  She  came  to  this  coun- 
ty in  1837,  at  the  age  of  twelve  years,  from 
York  county,  and  lived  to  the  age  of  eighty- 
four.  Mr.  Gardner  died  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
six.  They  had  a  family  of  twelve  children: 
James  W.,  Sarah  J.,  Annie  E.,  William  S., 
John  B.,  Virtue  W.,  Lorenzo  D.,  Isaiah  I., 
Harriet  C,  Tamzan  R.,  Clara  E.  and  Loverna 
Evaline. 

William  S.  Gardner  was  born  on  his 
father's  homestead  in  Montgomery  township 
and  received  his  education  in  the  local  public 
schools.  He  worked  with  his  father  at  home 
on  the  farm  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  years,  when  he  took  up  carpentering, 
following  that  trade  for  ten  yeai-s,  after  which 
he  resumed;  farming.  He  bought  the  old 
homestead,  which  he  has  since  sold,  however, 
now  owning  and  occupying  a  tract  of  sixty 
acres  in  Montgomery  township  one  and  a 
quarter  miles  from  Glen  Campbell.  He  has 
devoted  himself  to  his  work,  giving  no  time 
to  outside  aflfaii-s,  though  he  takes  a  public- 
spirited  interest  in  the  general  welfare.  In 
political  sentiment  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Mr.  Gardner  was  married  June  22,  1881,  to 
]\Iary  Elizabeth  McCraeken,  of  Indiana  coun- 
ty, daughter  of  Joseph  J.  and  Mary  Ann 
(Hunter)  McCraeken,  who  were  born  in  Ire- 
land. Mr.  McCraeken  came  to  America  when 
a  child,  the  family  settling  first  in  Phila- 
delphia and  later  coming  to  Indiana  county. 
He  was  a  farmer  all  his  life,  and  died  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-eight  years.  Mrs. 
McCraeken  died  aged  sixty-five  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Gardner  have  eight  children,  name- 
ly: Quay,  who  is  working  at  Colver,  Ba. ; 
Pearl,  wife  of  D.  R.  Sundertin,  a  miner,  of 
Burnside,  Clearfield  Co.,  Pa.;  Verna,  wife 
of  A.  D.  Irwin,  a  draftsman,  of  Pittsburg, 


Pa.;  John  J.,  Harry,  Anna,  Dollie  Eliza  and 
Odell,  all  at  home. 

WILLIAM  L.  LUKEHART,  senior  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  WiUiam  L.  Lukehart  &  Son, 
general  merchants  at  West  Plumville,  In- 
diana county,  belongs  to  a  family  of  German 
extraction  whose  first  member  in  this  county 
was  Conrad  Lukehart.  He  was  a  native  of 
Sinking  Valley,  Blair  Co.,  Pa.,  in  which 
county  the  early  ancestors  of  the  family  in 
America  were  early  settlers.  The  name  was 
originally  spelled  Luckhart. 

Coming  to  Indiana  county  about  1823-24 
Conrad  Lukehart  located  in  the  southwestern 
part  of  Mahoning  to'wnship,  purchasing  a 
tract  of  three  hundred  acres  which  was  then 
all  woods.  He  built  a  log  house  and  a  round- 
log  barn,  and  devoted  the  remainder  of  his 
active  years  to  clearing  and  developing  his 
property,  which  he  improved  greatly,  making 
many  changes  which  raised  its  value.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  and 
became  one  of  the  most  esteemed  citizens  of 
the  community  as  well  as  one  of  the  most 
substantial  farmers  of  this  section.  He  died 
in  1861-62,  at  the  age  of  about  seventy-five. 
He  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  St.  John's 
Lutheran  Church,  and  his  wife,  ilargaret 
(Reese),  who  died  in  1854,  is  also  buried 
there.  She  was  like  him  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church.  They  had  children  as  fol- 
lows: Thomas;  George,  who  lived  in  Arm- 
strong county;  Conrad;  Jacob,  who  settled 
in  West  Mahoning  township.  Indiana  county; 
Joseph;  Eliza,  who  married  George  Eyder; 
Elizabeth,  Avho  married  John  Eyder;  Cathe- 
rine, who  married  Levi  Wells;  Rebecca,  who 
married  Daniel  Whitier;  Margaret;  Mary, 
who  married  Philip  Nichols;  and  Sarah  Ann, 
who  married  William  Nichols. 

Conrad  Lukehart,  son  of  Conrad,  was  born 
March  14,  1818,  in  Sinking  Valley,  Blair 
county,  accompanied  his  parents  to  South 
Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
there  received  his  education  in  the  district 
schools.  From  boyhood  he  was  engaged  in 
farming,  commencing  for  himself  on  a  tract 
of  100  acres  which  originally  formed  part 
of  the  home  farm.  He  built  a  log  house 
and  barn,  finished  clearing  the  land  and  con- 
tinued to  improve  it  the  rest  of  his  life, 
erecting  up-to-date  buildings  as  prosperity 
enabled  him.  He  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising,  and  operated  the  place 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  September, 
1885.  He  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  St. 
John's  Lutheran  Church,  in  which  church  he 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1533 


held  membership.  In  polities  he  was  a  Re- 
publican. Mr.  Lukehart  was  twice  married, 
his  first  wife  being  Mary  Paterson,  by  whom 
he  had  a  son,  Samuel  John,  a  resident  of  Van- 
dergrift,  Pa.  By  his  second  marriage,  to  Eliz- 
abeth Edwards,  daughter  of  Andrew  Ed- 
wards, he  had  two  children :  William  L.  and 
Lydia  Ann,  the  latter  the  wife  of  James 
Thompson,  of  South  Mahoning  township,  In- 
diana county. 

WiUiam  L.  Lukehart  was  born  in  May, 
1856,  in  South  Mahoning  township,  where 
he  received  a  public  school  education.  He 
began  work  on  the  home  farm  when  a  boy, 
and  continued  to  assist  his  father  until  the 
latter 's  death,  after  which  he  took  full  charge 
of  the  homestead  and  cared  for  his  mother. 
He  did  much  improving  on  the  property  after 
he  came  into  the  ownership,  built  the  fine 
frame  dwelling  and  frame  barn  which  now 
stand  there,  and  made  many  changes  which 
showed  his  progressive  disposition.  He  fol- 
lowed general  farming  there  until  1911,  when 
he  sold  out  and  embarked  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  West  Plumville,  buying  out  the 
interest  of  Charles  Dickinson,  whose  estab- 
lishment he  and  his  son  now  conduct.  They 
have  been  successful  from  the  start,  and  en- 
joy a  wide  patronage,  which  obliging  methods 
and  a  real  interest  in  the  demands  of  their 
trade  are  likely  to  hold. 

Mr.  Lukehart  is  a  Republican  and  has  been 
an  active  worker  in  the  interest  of  his  party 
in  this  locality,  having  served  as  judge  of 
election  in  his  township.  Though  not  an 
office  seeker,  he  has  been  elected  supervisor, 
and  served  efficiently  in  that  capacity.  He 
is  a  leading  member  of  St.  John's  Lutheran 
Church,  with  which  his  family  has  been  as- 
sociated for  so  long,  was  fonnerly  deacon, 
and  is  now  elder  and  trastee,  and  takes  an 
active  part  in  Sunday  school  work,  being  a 
teacher  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle. 

In  March,  1885,  Mr.  Lukehart  was  mar- 
ried to  Ida  M.  Keibler,  who  was  born  in  West 
Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county,  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  Keibler,  and  they  have  had  two 
children,  Wallace  Robert  and  Smith,  the  latter 
dying  young. 

Wallace  Robert  Lukehart  was  born  on 
the  home  farm  Feb.  4,  1886,  and  received  his 
early  education  in  the  local  public  schools, 
later  attending  summer  normal  under  Pro- 
fessor Weaver  for  two  terms.  He  worked 
on  the  home  place  with  his  father  until  1911, 
when   they  became   engaged  in  the   general 


merchandise  business  at  West  Plumville  to 
which  they  are  now  devoting  the  principal 
share  of  their  attention  and  which  prom- 
ises to  develop  steadily  under  their  ener- 
getic management.  He  is  a  wide-awake 
man,  and  has  the  ambition  and  industry  nec- 
essary to  make  a  success  of  his  undertakings. 
He  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  clerk 
of  the  election  board,  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0. 
0.  F.  at  Plumville,  and  in  religious  connec- 
tion is  a  Lutheran,  belonging  to  the  old  St. 
John's  Church,  in  which  he  is  a  valued 
worker.  He  is  serving  at  present  as  treasurer 
of  the  church,  and  teaches  in  the  Sunday 
school. 

In  1906  Mr.  Lukehart  married  Sarah  Potts, 
who  is  a  daughter  of  William  Potts,  of  Wash- 
ington township,  this  county,  and  they  have 
had  three  children:  A  son  that  died  in  in- 
fancy, William  Howard,  and  Ida  Pearl,  the 
latter  deceased  in  infancy. 

JOHN  W.  LEASURE,  citizen  and  soldier, 
who  is  now  living  retired  at  Nicholtown, 
Grant  township,  is  a  descendant  of  one  of  the 
oldest  families  of  the  northern  part  of  In- 
diana county.  He  was  born  in  East  Mahon- 
ing township  Dec.  11,  1840,  son  of  Abraham 
Y.  and  Mary  (Craig)  Leasure. 

John  Leasure,  the  great-grandfather  of 
John  W.  Leasure,  and  founder  of  the  family 
in  western  Pennsylvania,  was  an  early  settler 
in  Westmoreland  county,  locating  in  the  Se- 
wickley  settlement. 

John  Leasure,  son  of  John  the  pioneer,  was 
born  in  the  Sewickley  settlement,  Westmore- 
land Co.,  Pa.,  and  in  young  manhood  moved 
to  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  for  several 
j^ears.  In  1809  he  came  to  what  is  now  East 
Mahoning  township,  locating  on  a  tract  of 
land  which  was  later  owned  by  Samuel  T. 
Brady.  The  warrant  for  this  tract,  which 
contained  396  acres,  was  issued  Jan.  15,  1802, 
and  the  patent  dated  Jan.  17,  1802,  and  both 
papers  were  made  oiit  in  the  name  of  John 
Leasure.  Mr.  Leasure  was  a  noted  hunter  of 
his  day,  and  from  the  proceeds  obtained  from 
wolves'  scalps  and  pelts  he  paid  for  several 
fai-ms.  He  was  also  one  of  the  scouts  sent  to 
guard  the  homes  of  the  pioneer  settlers  along 
Crooked  Creek,  in  what  is  now  western  In- 
diana and  eastern  Armstrong  counties.  He 
died  in  1844,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years. 
John  Leasure  was  mai-ried  in  1796  to  Jane 
Culbertson,  who  died  in  1838,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-five  years,  and  both  were  buried  in 
Gilgal  cemetery.    Their  children  were  as  fol- 


1534 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


lows:  Catherine  married  Nathaniel  Simp- 
son; Solomon  married  Mary  Kirkpatriek; 
John  married  Mary  Kinter ;  Jane  married  Sol- 
omon Hall;  Rebecca  married  James  Work; 
Mary  became  the  wife  of  Robert  Thompson; 
Elizabeth  married  Samuel  T.  Brady;  Abra- 
ham Y.  is  mentioned  below;  George  and  Cul- 
bertson  were  twins;  Sarah  married  William 
Mahon;  Margaret  married  Andrew   Shields. 

Abraham  Y.  Leasure,  son  of  John  Leasure, 
above,  was  bom  in  1809,  on  the  farm  in  East 
Mahoning  township,  and  there  grew  to  man- 
hood, his  education  being  acquired  in  the 
subscription  schools.  His  school  attendance 
only  covered  a  few  months  during  the  winter 
time,  his  summers  being  spent  in  the  work 
of  the  home  farm,  but  he  was  of  an  observant 
and  intelligent  nature,  took  advantage  of  his 
opportunities  and  managed  to  obtain  a  good, 
practical  education.  Farming  occupied  his 
attention  throughout  his  life.  He  settled  on 
a  tract  of  land  which  is  now  owned  by  John 
Rochester,  of  Marion  Center,  but  later  moved 
to  a  tract  of  140  acres,  which  subsequently 
became  known  as  the  Bovard  farm.  His  next 
location  was  on  a  tract  of  120  acres  near  Rich- 
mond, in  Bast  Mahoning  township,  and  there 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  active  life,  his 
declining  years  being  passed  on  a  small  place 
near  Richmond,  where  he  died.  He  was  buried 
at  Richmond.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  his 
political  proclivities,  and  a  faithful  member 
of  the  Christian  Church. 

Abraham  Y.  Leasure  was  married  to  Mary 
Craig,  eldest  child  of  John  and  Jane  (Kelly) 
Craig,  her  father  a  well-kno-\vn  teacher  in  his 
day,  in  Westmoreland  and  Indiana  counties. 
She  died  on  the  farm  and  was  buried  in  the 
same  cemetery  as  her  husband.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Leasure  were  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  Samuel  C.,  deceased,  who  married 
Ann  R.  McQuown;  Louisa,  who  married  Con- 
rad Piper;  Lucinda,  who  married  John  Moore, 
of  East  Mahoning  township ;  John  W. ;  Jane, 
who  married  John  0.  Richardson,  and  re- 
sides in  Richmond,  Pa. ;  Judson,  who  died 
young;  James,  who  married  Agnes  Hopkins; 
and  Mary  Elizabeth,  who  died  young. 

John  W.  Leasure  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  day  and  locality, 
was  trained  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and 
worked  with  his  father  until  he  entered 
the  Union  army  as  a  soldier  during  the  Civil 
war.  He  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1862,  in  Company 
D,  135th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
Col.  James  R.  Porter,  Capt.  John  G.  Wilson. 
He  entered  for  nine  months'  service,  and  was 
connected  with  the  10th  Army  Corps,  Army 


of  the  Potomac,  participating  in  the  battles 
of  Fredericksburg,  Bermuda  Hundred  and 
James  river.  Mr.  Leasure  then  became  sick 
and  was  confined  to  the  hospital  for  some  time, 
and  was  honorably  discharged  at  Pittsburg 
May  24,  1863.  On  Aug.  26,  1864,  he  reenlisted 
for  one  year,  in  Company  A,  206th  Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment,  Col.  Hugh  J.  Brady,  Capt. 
Thomas  Moore,  and  became  corporal  of  his 
company.  He  was  present  at  the  taking  of 
Richmond,  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  com- 
panies that  assisted  in  hauling  down  the  Con- 
federate flag  and  raising  the  Stars  and 
Stripes.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service 
June  26,  1865,  with  an  excellent  record  for 
bravery  and  faithful  service,  and  returned  to 
his  home,  where  he  continued  to  be  engaged 
in  farming  until  1868. 

In  that  year  Mr.  Leasure  went  to  the  tim- 
ber region  of  Clearfield  county,  and  there 
followed  rafting  and  lumbering,  making  more 
than  thirty  trips  down  the  Susquehanna 
I'iver  to  Lock  Haven  and  Marietta.  On  giv- 
ing up  his  lumbering  operations  he  located 
in  Grant  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  He 
located  on  a  small  tract  east  of  Deckers  Point, 
which  he  purchased  from  Joseph  Nichol,  in 
what  is  now  known  as  Nicholtown,  and  here 
he  has  made  numerous  improvements,  having 
a  valuable  property.  He  is  a  man  of  quiet, 
unostentatious  manner,  giving  his  attention 
to  his  farm  and  his  home,  and  not  mixing  in 
political  matters,  although  he  supports  Re- 
publican policies  and  candidates  as  a  voter, 
and  takes  an  interest  in  all  matters  that  affect 
his  community.  He  is  a  popular  comrade  of 
Frank  Brown  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public, at  Richmond,  Pa.  With  his  family  he 
attends  the  Christian  Church,  where  he  has 
served  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school. 

In  September,  1866,  Mr.  Leasure  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Emily  McAdoo,  who  was 
born  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  James  IMcAdoo,  and  sister  of  Mrs. 
Henry  A.  Fisher,  of  Grant  township.  Seven 
children  have  been  bom  to  this  union,  name- 
ly: Charles,  who  died  young;  Samuel,  a 
farmer  of  Cherryhill  to^vnship,  Indiana 
county ;  Iva,  who  married  Prank  Kerr;  Sarah, 
who  became  the  wife  of  Harry  McMillen; 
Ollie,  who  married  John  Kilday ;  Merrill,  who 
is  a  resident  of  Dixonville,  Pa. ;  and  Wade, 
who  makes  his  home  at  Richmond. 

James  McAdoo,  father  of  Mrs.  Leasure, 
was  born  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  son 
of  William  McAdoo.    He  lived  for  a  time  in 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1535 


Young  township,  Indiana  county,  and  later 
moved  to  Rayne  township.  He  was  a  cabinet- 
maker by  trade,  an  occupation  which  he  fol- 
lowed at  Marion  Center  and  near  Richmond, 
and  during  the  greater  part  of  his  life  was 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  furniture  and 
coffins.  His  last  years  were  spent  with  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Henry  A.  Fisher,  with  whom 
he  died  in  1879,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two 
years,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  buried 
in  Shiloh  cemetery,  at  Deckers  Point.  He  was 
a  Republican  in  politics,  and  he  and  his  wife 
were  faithful  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  man-ied  Mrs.  Sarah  (Palmer) 
McGee  (widow  of  John  McGee),  who  was 
born  in  Westmoreland  county,  and  they  had 
these  children :  Sarah  J.,  who  married  Henry 
A.  Fisher,  of  Grant  township;  Robert,  who 
resides  in  Grant  township,  a  veteran  of  the 
101st  Regiment,  P.  V.  I.,  in  which  he  served 
eleven  months;  Emily,  who  married  John  "W. 
Leasure ;  and  a  son  who  died  in  infancy. 

THOMAS  BRACKEN  DUNCAN,  who  is 
engaged  in  carrying  on  agricultural  opera- 
tions in  Buffington  township,  was  born  in 
East  Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
Dee.  31,  1851,  and  is  a  son  of  Jaines  and  Eliza 
(Bracken)  Duncan. 

William  Duncan,  the  paternal  great-grand- 
father of  Thomas  Bracken  Duncan,  and  his 
wife  Ann  had  three  children:  James,  John 
and  William. 

John  Duncan,  son  of  William  Duncan,  was 
born  in  Wheatfield  (now  East  Wheatfield) 
township,  where  he  followed  farming,  as  he 
did  also  in  Buffington  township,  and  for 
some  years  was  a  stage  driver  from  Phila- 
delphia to  Pittsburg.  He  was  buried  in  East 
Union  cemetery  in  Buffington  township.  Mr. 
Duncan  married  Annie  Graham,  who  died 
while  the  family  resided  in  Illinois,  and  was 
there  buried,  and  they  had  the  following 
children :  William,  who  married  Elizabeth 
Clark;  John,  who  married  Eliza  Ann  David- 
son ;  David,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years;  James;  Joseph,  who  married  Sarah 
Graham,  and  resided  in  the  town  of  Indiana, 
where  he  died;  Margaret,  who  married  Ben- 
jamin Marshall ;  and  Jane,  who  married  Wil- 
liam Graham,  who  was  killed  while  serving 
in  the  Civil  war. 

James  Duncan,  son  of  John  Duncan,  was 
born  March  27,  1823,  in  Pine  (now  Buffing- 
ton) township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  there 
followed  farming  during  his  active  life.  His 
farm  of  160  acres  is  now  being  conducted 
by   his  son  Fillmore.     In  addition  to  farm- 


ing he  engaged  to  some  extent  in  teaming 
and  lumbering,  and  through  industry  and 
thrift  accumulated  a  competency.  Mr.  Dun- 
can was  prominent  in  all  township  affairs, 
serving  in  the  capacity  of  supervisor  of  roads 
for  many  years  and  as  overseer  of  the  poor, 
and  stanchly  supporting  the  principles  first 
of  the  Whig  and  later  of  the  Republican 
party.  He  died  in  the  faith  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  in  November,  1897-98, 
when  seventy-five  years  old,  and  was  buried 
in  Blacklick  cemetery,  in  Cambria  county. 
Mr.  Duncan  married  Eliza  Bracken,  who  was 
born  in  1827  and  died  in  1878,  and  she  was 
laid  to  rest  beside  her  husband.  Her  parents 
were  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Carney) 
Bracken,  of  an  old  and  honored  family.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Duncan  had  the  following  children : 
John,  who  served  in  the  Civil  war  under  two 
enlistments,  being  a  member  of  Company  E, 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry  Regiment,  and  died 
at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  at  Neillsville, 
Wis. ;  Lizzie,  who  is  unmarried  and  living  on 
the  old  home  farm;  Annie,  who  married 
Loughlin  McFeaters  and  lives  in  East  Wheat- 
field;  Thomas  Bracken;  Sarah,  who  married 
William  Stewart  and  resides  in  Iowa;  Fill- 
more, who  is  iinmarried  and  is  carrying  on 
farming  operations  on  the  old  homestead ;  Car- 
rie, who  married  Watson  Duncan;  Maggie, 
residing  on  the  old  homestead;  a  child  who 
died  unnamed;  and  Agnes,  whose  death  oc- 
curred when  she  was  eleven  years  old. 

Thomas  Bracken  Duncan,  son  of  James 
Duncan,  attended  the  public  schools  of  East 
Wheatfield  township.  He  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Buffington  township  and  there 
worked  on  the  homestead  until  1873,  in  which 
year  he  purchased  the  Jacob  George  farm  of 
ninety  acres,  to  which  he  has  since  added  the 
William  R.  George  farm  of  sixty  acres,  and 
now  operates  the  whole  150  acres,  the  greater 
part  of  this  property  being  under  cultivation. 
Mr.  Duncan  is  possessed  of  progressive  ideas, 
his  land  being  well  limed  and  modei-n  methods 
being  used  in  its  operation.  In  addition  to 
general  farming  he  carries  on  stock  raising, 
lumbering  and  teaming,  and  in  all  of  his  ven- 
tures has  been  uniformly  successful.  As  a 
citizen  he  holds  a  high  reputation  among  his 
fellow  men,  local  educational,  religious  and 
moral  interests  finding  a  stanch  supporter  in 
him,  while  his  many  personal  excellencies 
have  made  him  many  friends. 

On  March  6,  1872,  Mr.  Duncan  was  mar- 
ried to  Nellie  George,  who  was  born  on  the 
old  George  homestead  in  Buffington  township, 
daughter    of    Jacob    and    Mary    A.    (Reed) 


1536 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


George.  To  this  union  there  have  been  born 
■children  as  follows:  Cora,  born  June  1,  1873, 
married  Edw.  Boyer,  of  Johnstown,  Pa.,  and 
died  July  24,  1909;  George,  born  Jan.  23, 
1875,  married  Pearl  Graham  and  (second) 
Ella  Stiles,  and  has  four  children,  Russell, 
Jennie,  Charles  and  Elvira;  Charles,  born 
Sept.  11,  1882,  became  a  school  teacher,  and 
died  Jan.  10,  1902;  Webster,  born  June  1, 
1886,  a  farmer  in  BufSngton  township,  mar- 
ried Mollie  Stewart ;  John,  born  Oct.  30,  1888, 
taught  school  for  three  terms  and  is  now 
engaged  in  farming  with  his  father ;  Eva,  born 
Nov.  21,  1893,  is  living  at  home.  Mr.  Dun- 
can is  a  Republican  in  his  political  views,  but 
has  not  sought  preferment  in  political  mat- 
ters. With  his  family  he  attends  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church. 

THOMAS  SCOTT  LEWIS,  who  has  a 
large  farm  in  White  township,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, is  a  member  of  a  family  which  came  to 
this  country  from  Wales.  His  grandfather, 
James  Lewis,  born  Aug.  16,  1791,  died  March 
20,  1852.  His  first  wife,  Catherine  Loughry, 
whom  he  man'ied  Dec.  26,  1815,  was  born 
April  23,  1792.  He  subsequently  married 
(second)  her  cousin,  Mary  Loughry,  on  April 
6,  1830.  She  was  born  Aug.  25,  1788,  and 
died  Dec.  24,  1856.  His  children,  all  bom  to 
the  first  union,  were  as  follows:  John,  bom 
April  8,  1817,  settled  in  the  State  of  Indiana, 
where  he  followed  the  profession  of  physician, 
and  died  Jan.  24,  1886 ;  he  married  Maria  L. 
Hutchinson,  and  they  had  two  children,  James 
and  George.  James  Loughry  is  mentioned 
below.  Rebecca,  born  March  27,  1821,  died 
Feb.  11,  1851,  was  married  March  26,  1846, 
to  Robert  Stewart,  and  had  one  child,  John. 
David,  bom  July  17,  1824,  died  March  23, 
1854,  from  fever ;  he  was  a  physician.  Nancy, 
born  Aug.  23,  1826,  died  Nov.  4,  1892,  was 
married  Oct.  10,  1849,  to  R.  W.  Allison  and 
had  a  family  of  eight  children. 

James  Loughry  Lewis,  son  of  James,  was 
born  Dec.  11,  1818,  in  Washington  township, 
Indiana  county,  where  he  had  a  farm  origi- 
nally consisting  of  180  acres,  to  which  he  sub- 
sequently added  twenty  acres,  having  200 
acres  in  all.  This  was  the  property  where  his 
father  settled  when  it  was  all  in  the  woods, 
and  the  pioneer  first  lived  in  a  log  house,  later, 
as  prosperity  enabled  him,  building  a  brick 
house,  with  the  assistance  of  his  sou  James. 
The  bricks  were  made  on  the  farm.  James 
L.  Lewis  followed  stock  raising  extensively, 
raising  many  fine  horses,  and  he  made  a 
specialty  of  geese  also.     He  was  associated 


with  the  administration  of  public  affairs  in 
the  township  practically  all  his  life,  serving 
as  supervisor,  tax  collector  and  assessor,  and 
likewise  took  an  active  interest  in  the  Curry 
Run  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  was 
long  a  prominent  member ;  he  served  twenty- 
one  years  as  elder,  and  was  superintendent 
of  the  Bible  class.  In  politics  he  was  a  Re- 
publican. He  died  April  27,  1896,  and  is 
buried  at  the  Curry  Run  Presbyterian  Church. 

On  Oct.  22,  1846,  Mr.  Lewis  married  Julia 
Ann  Sutton,  who  was  born  Dec.  24,  1827, 
and  survives  her  husband,  now  living  with 
her  daughter  Bertha  at  No.  258  South  Seventh 
street,  Indiana.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  had 
eight  children,  all  born  in  Washington  town- 
ship, viz. :  Peter  Sutton,  bom  April  21,  1848, 
is  a  farmer  in  White  township ;  on  Oct.  2, 
1872,  he  married  Nannie  J.  Bowers.  Mary 
Catherine,  bom  June  13,  1850,  died  Dec.  25. 
1862.  Nancy  Ann,  born  March  5,  1852,  died 
Jan.  4,  1904,  was  the  wife  of  Frank  Cummin, 
who  is  also  deceased.  Thomas  Scott  is  men- 
tioned below.  Rebecca,  bom  Dec.  24,  1859. 
married  Oct.  19,  1880,  John  D.  Cochran,  a 
farmer,  and  they  live  at  IMosgrove.  Arm- 
strong county.  Laura  Bell,  born  jMay  12, 
1862,  married  Jan.  22,  1894,  Alexander  St. 
Clair,  who  is  in  the  real  estate  business,  and 
they  live  at  West  View,  near  Pittsburg. 
JMarie  Antoinette,  born  June  30,  1864,  died 
April  23,  1866.  Bertha,  born  Aug.  19,  1867, 
who  has  been  connected  with  the  Indiana 
Messenger  for  the  last  ten  years,  resides  with 
her  mother  in  Indiana. 

Melchoir  Siitton,  gi-andfather  of  Mrs.  Julia 
Ann  (Sutton)  Lewis,  had  a  farm  of  over  250 
acres  in  Blacklick  township,  Indiana  county, 
the  old  homestead  of  the  Sutton  family,  whei-e 
he  lived.  His  son,  Peter  Sutton,  father  of 
i\Irs.  Lewis,  was  born  Feb.  6,  1801,  and  died 
July  18,  1871.  He  was  a  Presbyterian  in  re- 
ligious connection,  and  is  buried  in  the  cem- 
etery of  the  Ebenezer  Church  in  Conemaugh 
township.  He  owned  a  large  fann  in  Black- 
lick  township,  and  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  On  Dec.  6.  1825,  he  married  Nancy 
A.  Fisher,  of  Dauphin  county.  Pa.,  born  Aug. 
20,  1809,  died  Sept.  7,  1892.  'They  became  the 
parents  of  eleven  children :  Julia  Ann  mar- 
ried James  Loughry  Lewis.  Sarah  J.,  born 
June  11,  1830,  died"  July  2,  1868,  unmarried. 
Jonathan,  born  Jan.  11,  1833,  maiTied  July 
25,  1857,  Susan  Borden.  William,  born  Dec. 
23,  1835,  married  Nov.  16,  1854,  Violet  ilike- 
sell.  John  F.,  born  July  30,  1837,  married 
June  26,  1866,  Ellen  Keslar.  Joseph  L., 
born    Sept.    30,    1839,    died    May    25,    1863, 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


married  Feb.  12,  1861,  Caroline  Speedy. 
James  M.,  born  Nov.  9,  1841  (now  deceased), 
married  April  27,  1865.  Mattie  M.  Stuchall. 
Mary  E.,  born  April  21,  1844  (now  deceased), 
married  Jan.  14,  1868,  Harrison  H.  Shields. 
Nancy  C,  born  May  3,  1847,  married  Jan.  9, 
1869,  D.  A.  Richey,  who  is  deceased.  Peter 
A.  was  born  Feb.  2,  1850.  George  C,  born 
July  3,  1852,  died  June  22,  1879,  married 
Dec.  25,  1872,  Aggie  Duncan.  All  of  this 
family  were  born  in  Blaeklick  township. 

Thomas  Scott  Lewis  was  born  Oct.  2,  1855, 
in  Washington  township,  his  birthplace  being 
on  the  road  between  Shelocta  and  Five- 
points.  He  attended  the  Cribbs  school  in 
Washington  township,  obtaining  a  good  com- 
mon school  education,  and  remained  with  his 
father  on  the  home  place  until  1880,  when 
(shortly  after  his  marriage)  he  began  farm- 
ing on  his  own  account.  For  a  year  and  a 
half  he  "cropped"  the  James  Campbell  farm 
in  Armstrong  township,  and  was  then  sim- 
ilarly engaged  on  the  John  Fleming  farm 
until  1884,  when  he  bought  the  latter,  a  tract 
of  136  acres.  He  continued  to  farm  that  place 
until  1904,  when  he  sold  it,  on  August  25th  of 
that  year  buying  the  Valentine  Bowers  farm 
of  182  acres  in  White  township,  upon  which 
place  he  has  carried  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  (cattle,  etc.)  ever  since.  While 
residing  in  Washington  township  he  was 
school  director,  and  acted  as  secretary  of  the 
board,  and  he  was  at  one  time  a  trustee  of 
the  Curry  Run  Presbyterian  Church,  he  and 
his  wife  now  belonging  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Indiana.  Politically  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

On  Oct.  30,  1879,  Mr.  Lewis  married  Mar- 
garet C.  Fleming,  daughter  of  John  and 
Nancy  M.  (Martin)  Fleming,  the  former  bom 
in  Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  the 
latter  a  native  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Fleming  was  a 
stonemason  by  trade,  and  was  engaged  in 
bridge  building  all  over  Indiana  county.  He 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Curry  Run 
Presbyterian  Church  and  a  large  contributor 
to  its  support,  and  served  as  one  of  the  ruling 
elders.  His  son,  Thomas  M.  Fleming,  of 
Rochester  Mills,  Pa.,  served  in  the  Civil  war 
under  two  enlistments,  the  first  for  three 
years,  the  second  for  one  year. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  have  three  children: 
Emma  May  married  I.  W.  Fleming,  of  Arm- 
strong township,  now  residing  in  Indiana 
borough,  and  they  have  two  children,  Marion 
L.  and  Stanley  Thomas;  Mr.  Fleming  is  the 
mail  carrier  on  R.  F.  D.  i-oute  No.  4.  Carrie 
Luella    married   James    Walter   Wiggins,    a 


clerk  in  an  Indiana  warehouse,  son  of  Albert 
Wiggins,  of  Shelocta;  they  have  one  child, 
Elizabeth  Louise.  Blair  Sutton,  a  molder  in 
the  Penn  Avenue  Iron  Works,  at  Indiana, 
married  Lottie  S.  Thomas,  and  has  three  chil- 
dren, Thomas  Leonard,  Paul  Sutton  and 
Florence  Aberta. 


WILLIAM  W.  McKILLIP, 
born  in  Clarion  county,  Pa.,  July  22,  1842, 
son    of    Hamilton    and    Elizabeth     (Moore) 
McKillip. 

Archibald  McKillip,  his  grandfather,  was 
of  Scotch  ancestry,  and  his  wife  Mary  (Mc- 
Gee)  came  of  Irish  stock.  They  were  the 
founders  of  the  family  in  Clarion  county.  Pa., 
and  rounded  out  their  lives  as  farmers.  He 
also  owned  and  operated  a  waterpower  mill, 
and  was  a  man  of  prominence.  His  death 
occurred  March  12,  1862,  when  he  was  eighty- 
eight  years  old,  his  wife  dying  in  January, 
1836.  Their  children  were :  James,  Hugh, 
John,  Polly,  William  B.,  Hamilton,  Peggy, 
Jane  and  Archibald. 

Hamilton  McKillip  was  born  in  1772,  and 
died  in  1841.  His  wife,  born  in  1784,  died  in 
1840.  They  were  natives  of  Clarion  county. 
Pa.,  and  coming  to  Indiana  county,  settled  at 
North  Point,  where  they  bought  a  mill  and 
farm;  with  the  former  was  also  connected 
a  carding  mill.  Their  children  were:  Wil- 
liam W. ;  Agnes,  who  died  unmarried;  Al- 
mira,  who  married  William  Simpson  and 
lives  in  Colorado;  Lee,  who  is  living  at  the 
old  home  at  North  Point ;  and  Anna,  who  lives 
with  her  brother  Lee. 

William  W.  McKillip  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  home  locality,  and  lived 
with  his  parents,  with  whom  he  came  to  North 
Point.  There  he  settled,  when  he  married, 
being  in  the  milling  business  in  partnership 
with  his  father  and  also  carrying  on  farming. 
Moving  to  the  farm  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship where  his  widow  now  lives,  he  died  there 
Sept.  28,  1905.  A  man  of  prominence  in  his 
township,  he  was  supervisor  for  six  years,  and 
held  other  offices,  and  was  a  Republican  in  po- 
litical faith.  He  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church  at  North  Point,  and  active 
in  its  good  work.  Mrs.  McKillip  is  a  member 
of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  was  one  of  the 
five  who  organized  it.  She  takes  a  great  deal 
of  interest  in  church  work,  and  is  a  woman  of 
fine  character,  who  has  many  warm  friends 
in  the  county.  Mr.  McKillip  was  widely  and 
favorably  known  and  his  loss  was  sincerely 
mourned. 


1538 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


On  July  2,  1865,  Mr.  McKillip  was  mar- 
ried to  Martha  Neal,  of  West  JMalioiiing  town- 
ship, daughter  of  John  and  Rachel  (Blose) 
Neal,  natives  of  West  Mahoning-  township, 
this  county,  and  Perry  township,  Jefferson 
Co.,  Pa.,  respectively.  The  paternal  grand- 
father of  Mrs.  ilcKillip  was  William  Neal. 
John  Neal  and  his  wife  had  the  following 
children :  Cynthia,  who  is  the  widow  of  John 
Coon,  lives  in  North  Mahoning  township ; 
T.  S.,  M-ho  is  ex-sheriff'  of  Indiana  county, 
lives  in  Trade  City,  this  county;  Martha  is 
Mrs.  McKillip;  George  died  young;  Aaron 
is  living  in  Washington ;  Sarah  married  Peter 
Stear,  of  North  Mahoning  township;  Emma 
was  next  in  the  family;  Roll  is  a  resident  of 
Punxsutawney,  Pa.;  JIary,  who  married 
Austin  Stuckard,  is  deceased;  Josiah,  of  In- 
diana, Pa.,  is  county  detective.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McKillip  had  the  following  family: 
James,  who  died  when  fourteen  years  old; 
Minnie,  who  married  B.  Stear,  of  Trade  City, 
Pa.,  and  has  one  child,  Inez,  now  the  wife  of 
Will  Lias  of  Dayton,  Pa.  (she  has  one  daugh- 
ter, Leonora)  ;  and  Caddie,  who  died  when 
three  years  old. 

SAMUEL  H.  STEPHENS,  a  farmer  of 
Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  April  17,  1844,  in  Juniata  township, 
Perry  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Robert  G.  Stephens. 
James  Stephens,  his  grandfather,  manned  a 
Miss  Coulter. 

Robert  G.  Stephens,  son  of  James  Stephens, 
and  father  of  Samuel  H.  Stephens,  married 
ilartha  Jones. 

Samuel  H.  Stephens  was  fourteen  years 
old  when  his  father  moved  to  Indiana  county. 
He  had  attended  public  school,  his  first  teacher 
being  John  Lease,  and  while  living  at  home 
became  familiar  with  farming  in  all  its  de- 
tails. He  also  learned  the  tanning  trade,  but 
has  spent  his  time  principally  in  farming. 
Following  his  marriage  he  conducted  his 
father's  homestead  in  Wliite  township,  for 
three  years,  and  then  bought  119  acres  in 
Brushvalley  township.  After  living  there 
three  years  he  returned  to  his  father's  prop- 
erty and  conducted  it  for  three  years  more, 
when  he  bought  122  acres  of  land  in  Rayne 
township,  remaining  there  for  eleven  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  this  period  he  bought  his 
present  farm  of  100  acres  in  Armstrong 
township,  and  has  operated  it  ever  since. 

On  Oct.  5,  1864,  Mr.  Stephens  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Margaret  A.  Kinter,  who 
was  born  ^lay  5,  1841,  in  Rayne  township, 
Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Mar- 


garet (aicCall)  Kinter.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ste- 
phens have  had  the  following  children:  Ada, 
who  is  at  home;  Alice,  who  married  Edward 
Fleming  and  lives  near  Indiana,  Pa. ;  Robert 
G.,  Mho  is  at  home;  and  John  Todd,  also  at 
home.  The  family  ^11  belong  to  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  Mr.  Stephens  is  a  Democrat, 
but  he  has  not  taken  an  active  part  in  politics 
or  sought  office. 

HENRY  W.  MOORE,  son  of  Abram  and 
Margaret  (Ebby)  Moore,  is  a  native  of 
Rayne  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  as  was 
also  his  father.  His  grandfather  was  born  in 
Philadelphia,  and  came  to  Rayne  township 
with  his  parents  when  but  eleven  years  of 
age. 

Abram  Moore  and  his  wife  Margaret 
(Ebby)  had  three  children:  Henry  W. ; 
"Thomas,  a  school  teacher  for  many  years,  who 
died  in  1893 ;  and  Malinda,  the  wife  of  Clark 
Swan.  By  another  marriage  Mr.  Moore  had 
three  daughters:  Jane,  wife  of  Samuel 
Walter,  of  Greensburg,  Pa.;  Alice,  unmar- 
ried ;  and  Dora,  Mrs.  Gaylor.  The  father  was 
a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war. 

Henry  W.  I\Ioore  was  born  June  26,  1856, 
and  from  that  time  has  lived  on  a  farm  con- 
tinuously. His  school  training  was  limited 
to  that  of  the  usual  rustic,  but  in  his  maturer 
years  he  has  given  much  attention  to  the  sub- 
stantial class  of  literatui-e,  and  his  children 
have  all  been  well  taught  and  given  advant- 
ages. The  only  inheritance  that  fell  to  Henry 
W.  Moore  was  a  sound  constitution  and  an 
ambition  to  "get  on"  in  the  woi'ld.  He  re- 
mained at  the  place  of  his  birth  until  thirty- 
two  years  of  age.  His  first  laud  purchase  was 
made  in  1889 — his  present  country  seat  of 
fifty-six  acres  situated  in  White  township, 
about  two  miles  northwest  from  the  county's 
capital,  and  of  easy  access  by  means  of  the 
frequent  electric  trains. 

In  the  affairs  of  local  government  Mr. 
Moore's  services  have  been  sought  and  valued. 
He  has  served  on  the  election  board  for  more 
than  twelve  years  and  as  roadmaster  for  ten 
years.  In  religious  creed  he  pins  his  faith 
to  that  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  holds  membership  at  Indiana,  being  an 
elder  in  the  church  there. 

Mr.  Jloore  married  Caroline  Dyarmin, 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Dyarmin. 
and  to  them  have  been  born  children  as  fol- 
lows: J.  Murry  married  ]Margaret  Noll  and 
they  reside  in  Pittsburg,  Pa. :  Effie  married 
Steel  Warner,  and  they  have  two  daughters; 
Ora  W.,  residing  in  Pittsburg,  married  Hazel 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1539 


Grue,  and  they  have  one  son,  Charles  Henry; 
Claire,  residing  at  home,  is  holding  a  position 
of  responsibility  with  the  J.  G.  McCrory  Com- 
pany, in  Indiana.  All  of  the  sons  of  this 
family  have  been  school  teachers. 

WILLIAM  RANKIN  lives  on  the  old  Ran- 
kin homestead  in  Blacklick  township,  Indi- 
ana county,  purchased  many  years  ago  by  his 
great-grandfather,  Andrew  Rankin,  and  since 
owned  by  his  descendants. 

Andrew  Rankin  was  twelve  years  old  when 
he  came  to  America  with  his  parents,  who 
settled  in  the  southern  part  of  Indiana 
count.y,  Pa.,  not  far  from  Blacklick.  The  fam- 
ily is  now  numerously  represented  in  Black- 
lick and  Center  townships,  Indiana  county. 
The  tract  of  195  acres  now  owned  and  culti- 
vated by  William  Rankin  Avas  part  of  the 
land  purchased  by  Andrew  Rankin,  and 
descended  to  the  latter 's  grandson  William, 
uncle  of  the  present  William  Rankin,  who 
came  into  possession  of  the  property  when 
his  uncle  and  aunt,  William  and  Mary  Ran- 
kin, died. 

James  Rankin,  father  of  William  Rankin, 
married  Euphemia  Kunkle,  who  was  born 
July  3,  1844,  and  survives  him,  living  with 
her  son  on  the  old  Rankin  property. 

William  Rankin,  son  of  James  and  Eu- 
phemia (Kunkle)  Rankin,  was  born  Feb.  24, 
1883,  in  Center  township,  Indiana  county, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  home  district.  In  the  mean- 
time he  became  familiar  with  agricultural 
pursuits  assisting  with  the  work  on  his 
father's  farm.  When  his  uncle  died  he  in- 
herited the  farm  in  Blacklick  township  where 
he  now  resides  with  his  mother.  New  build- 
ings have  been  erected,  and  during  his  own- 
ership the  place  has  come  to  be  classed  as 
one  of  the  best  properties  in  that  section. 
Mr.  Rankin's  progressive  methods,  both  in 
his  agricultural  work  and  his  business  trans- 
actions, bid  fair  to  win  him  a  foremost  place 
among  the  farmers  of  his  locality.  In  pol- 
itics he  is  a  Democrat,  like  his  father,  in  relig- 
ious faith  a  Lutheran.  Mr.  Rankin  is  un- 
married. 

JOHN  L.  DAVIS,  of  Cherrytree,  Indiana 
county,  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  for  the 
last  twenty  years  and  has  also  served  in  other 
local  offices,  in  the  administration  of  which 
he  has  shown  true  public  spirit  and  a  sincere 
regard  for  the  wishes  of  his  fellow  citizens. 
He  is  a  native  of  South  Wales,  bom  July  31, 


1853,  in  Caermarthenshire,  son  of  Benjamin 
and  Elizabeth  (Lewis)  Davis,  who  brought 
'him  to  America  in  1854.  The  parents  were 
also  born  in  Wales. 

The  Davis  family  first  settled  in  Ebens- 
burg,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.,  and  though  he  had 
been  a  tanner  in  Wales  the  father  learned 
and  followed  the  trade  of  stonemason  after 
coming  to  this  country.  In  1862  he  enlisted 
in  the  Union  army,  joining  the  11th  Pennsyl- 
vania Reserves,  and  later  enlisted  in  another 
regiment,  with  which  he  served  to  the  close 
of  the  war.  Before  the  war  he  had  come  to 
Cherrytree,  Indiana  county,  and  after  his 
discharge  from  the  army  he  returned  to  that 
place,  spending  the  remainder  of  his  life 
there,  engaged  at  the  trade  of  stonemason.  He 
was  a  member  of  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  40.  His 
death  occurred  in  1885,  many  years  after 
that  of  his  wife,  who  passed  away  in  1858. 
They  had  three  children,  John  L.  being  the 
eldest ;  Margaret  A.  became  the  wife  of  Lewis 
Burgen,  who  is  now  deceased;  William  H.  is 
deceased. 

John  L.  Davis  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Cherrytree,  and  when  a 
young  man  learned  the  trade  of  stonemason, 
at  which  he  was  engaged  for  twenty-five  years 
in  all.  He  acquired  extensive  interests  as  a 
contractor  in  that  line,  and  met  with  sub- 
stantial success,  having  made  a  high  reputa- 
tion for  thoroughness  and  reliability,  his 
patrons  feeling  that  they  could  trust  him  with 
their  work,  and  he  never  took  advantage  of 
the  confidence  they  reposed  in  him.  In  1893 
IMr.  Davis  was  elected  to  the  office  of  justice 
of  the  peace,  which  he  has  held  continuously 
since,  and  he  has  given  efficient  service  as 
member  of  the  school  board,  to  which  body  he 
belonged  for  twenty  years,  and  as  member  of 
the  borough  council.  He  has  been  faithful 
to  his  duties  in  every  position  to  which,  he 
has  been  chosen.  Politically  Mr.  Davis  has 
been  associated  with  the  Democratic  party, 
and  socially  he  holds  membership  in  the 
Ancient   Order  of  United  Workmen. 

In  1875  Mr.  Davis  was  married  to  Emma 
J.  Lovelace,  who  was  born  in  York  county. 
Pa.,  at  Lewisberry,  daughter  of  Dr.  Abram 
R.  Lovelace,  who  came  to  Indiana  county 
many  years  ago,  first  locating  at  Cherrytree, 
where  he  engaged  in  practice  as  a  physician 
and  surgeon.  Later  he  was  at  Indiana  bor- 
ough for  a  time,  from  there  removing  to  Wil- 
liamsport.  Pa.,  and  subsequently  to  Jersey 
Shore,  where  he  died  in  February,  1895.    His 


1540 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


wife  preceded  him   to   the  grave  by   several 
years. 

Eight  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Davis:  One  that  died  in  infancy,  Ed- 
gar P.,  another  that  died  in  infancy,  Eliza- 
beth J.,  one  that  died  in  infancy,  William 
R.  (deceased),  RoUa  R.  (deceased)  and  Rob- 
ert L.  (at  home).  Elizabeth  J.  is  the  wife  of 
James  Berringer,  of  Cherrytree,  and  has  one 
child,  Harold  J. 

JOHN  H.  SHERMAN  is  a  well-known  resi- 
dent of  Banks  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  is  now  engaged  in  farming  on  his 
father's  old  homestead.  He  also  follows  min- 
ing and  lumbering,  and  he  is  interested  in 
local  public  affairs,  being  an  active  man  and  a 
worker  in  every  line  to  which  he  gives  any 
attention. 

Mr.  Sherman  was  born  in  Banks  township 
Aug.  14,  1860,  son  of  Jonathan  C.  Sherman, 
who  came  to  Indiana  county  in  the  late 
forties.  He  followed  lumbering  and  farming 
all  his  life.  He  married  Susanna  E.  Henry, 
daughter  of  William  and  Rachel  Henry, 
farming  people,  the  former  of  whom  was  a 
pioneer  settler  in  his  part  of  Indiana  county. 
John  H.  Sherman  gained  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Banks  township,  and  re- 
mained at  home  working  with  his  father  un- 
til he  reached  the  age  of  twenty.  He  then 
went  to  Iowa,  where  he  followed  farming  for 
two  years,  thence  going  to  Kansas,  where  he 
farmed  for  a  year  and  a  half.  Coming  back 
to  Pennsylvania,  he  began  farming  on  his 
own  account  in  Banks  township,  and  soon 
bought  a  half  interest  in  a  shingle  mill  in 
Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  conducting  same  for  two 
years.  He  again  took  up  farming,  settling  on 
the  old  homestead  in  Banks  township,  Indiana 
county,  which  he  has  since  conducted.  He 
also  manufactures  lumber  to  some  extent,  and 
operates  a  coal  mine  on  his  farm.  He  has 
been  active  in  local  affairs,  having  served  as 
overseer  of  the  poor  and  inspector  of  elec- 
tions, and  takes  a  keen  interest  in  the  success 
of  the  Democratic  party,  which  he  supports 
on  political  issues.  In  fraternal  bodies  he  is 
well  known,  belonging  to  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  lodge  at  Hortons,  of  which  he  is  a 
past  chancellor;  to  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  lodge  at 
Rossiter;  and  to  the  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles  at  Punxsutawney.  < 

On  Oct.  7,  1887,  Mr.  Sherman  married 
Rose  Bennett,  of  Hillsdale,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  Isaac  and  Jane  (Reed)  Bennett, 
the  former  of  whom  is  a  farmer  and  lumber- 


man.    Mr.  and  Airs.  Sherman  have  no  chil- 
dren. 

WILLIAM  H.  MEEKINS  has  lived  in 
Green  township,  Indiana  county,  practically 
all  his  life,  having  been  brought  hither  by 
his  parents  in  early  childhood  from  Pitts- 
burg, Pa.,  where  he  was  born,  on  Squirrel 
Hill,  Dec.  19,  1842. 

Mr.  Meekins  is  of  English  parentage  and 
stock.  His  grandparents,  James  and  Eliz- 
abeth (Toddy)  Meekins,  were  born  in  Eng- 
land, and  lived  and  died  in  that  country. 
James  Meekins  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade, 
and  during  the  Revolutionary  war  shipped 
shoes  he  made  to  this  country.  His  wife  lived 
to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-two  years. 
They  had  a  family  of  five  children,  three  sons 
and  two  daughters. 

Thomas  Meekins,  son  of  James  and  Eliz- 
abeth (Toddy)  Meekins,  was  born  at  Grafton 
Regis,  England,  and  early  in  life  learned 
shoemaking,  which  trade  he  followed  as  long 
as  he  lived  in  his  native  land.  On  Sept.  3, 
1827,  he  was  married,  in  England,  to  Maiy 
Ann  Horton,  daughter  of  John  Horton,  a 
native  of  England,  who  lived  and  died  in 
that  country;  he  was  a  dealer  in  hardware. 
Mrs.  Meekins  was  one  of  two  children,  the 
other  being  a  son.  During  their  residence  in 
England  six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Meekins:  James,  Mary  Ann,  Elizabeth, 
Rose  Ann,  Sarah  Ann  and  John  Daniel,  two 
of  whom  died  there,  James  ^and  Mary  Ann. 
The  others  came  with  the  parents  to  America 
in  1842,  the  family  setting  sail  from  Liverpool 
April  10th  and  arriving  at  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
July  4th.  They  remained  in  that  city  for 
three  years,  in  1845  coming  to  Indiana  county, 
where  Mr.  Meekins  bought  land  in  Green 
township.  It  was  then  in  its  primitive  state, 
and  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  active 
years  clearing,  improving  and  cultivating  it, 
developing  a  valuable  farm.  He  died  there 
Oct.  9,  1886,  and  his  wife  passed  away  at  the 
old  home  March  4.  1888.  Two  children  were 
born  to  them  in  Pittsburg,  William  H.  and 
George  Washington.  We  have  the  follow- 
ing account  of  the  members  of  their  family 
who  grew  to  maturity:  (1)  John  D.  enlisted 
for  the  Union  service  from  Indiana  county 
Aug.  22,  1862,  being  a  member  of  the  148th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  under 
Lieut.  George  Hamilton,  served  until  1864, 
and  was  mustered  out  in  1865.  He  took  part 
in  the  ])attle  of  Gettysburg,  in  which  engage- 
ment he  was  wounded,  had  previously  I)een 
in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  and  was  later 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1541 


at  Cold  Harbor,  where  one  of  his  legs  was 
shot  off.  He  was  in  the  hospital  in  York, 
Pa.  Returning  to  Indiana  county  after  re- 
ceiving his  discharge,  he  engaged  in  farming 
the  rest  of  his  days,  dying  May  15,  1906.  He 
was  survived  by  his  wife  and  seven  children. 
(2)  Sarah  Ann  became  the  wife  of  John  De- 
Hawes,  of  Clearfield  county,  Pa.,  and  is  de- 
ceased. (3)  Rose  Ann  married  Henderson 
Stumph,  of  Green  township.  (4)  Elizabeth, 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  John  L.  McLaugh- 
lin, of  Indiana  count.y.  (5)  William  H.  was 
the  first  child  of  the  family  bom  in  America. 
(6)  George  Washington,  the  youngest  of  the 
family,  enlisted  in  1863  for  service  in  the 
Civil  war,  joining  Company  E,  1st  Battalion, 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  under  command  of 
Capt.  J.  H.  Grinnell,  of  Latrobe,  Pa.,  and 
Colonel  Dale,  of  Allegheny  City.  He  served 
six  months  with  that  connnand,  reenlisting  in 
the  Heavy  Artillery,  and  had  served  four 
months  with  that  branch  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  hospital  at  Alex- 
andria, Virginia. 

William  H.  Meekins  received  his  education 
in  Green  township,  attending  at  the  Buter- 
baugh  schoolhouse.  During  his  boyhood  he 
became  familiar  with  farm  work,  afterward 
learning  the  trade  of  miller  at  Punxsutaw- 
ney,  Pa.  On  June  14,  1863,  he  enlisted  from 
Indiana  county,  becoming  a  member  of  Com- 
pany E,  1st  Battalion,  Pennsylvania  Cavalry, 
with  which  he  served  six  months,  being  dis- 
charged Dec.  28,  1863.  He  was  lander  Col- 
onel Dale  and  Captain  Grinnell.  After  the 
Civil  war  had  ended  he  came  back  to  Indiana 
county  and  settled  on  the  home  farm,  where 
he  engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits 
until  1901.  That  year  he  left  the  old  place 
and  lived  retired  for  a  time,  a  year  later  buy- 
ing the  place  he  has  since  occupied  and  cul- 
tivated. He  is  a  prosperous  and  up-to-date 
farmer,  and  one  of  the  substantial  citizens 
of  his  township,  which  he  has  served  as  over- 
seer of  the  poor  (for  several  years),  super- 
visor and  member  of  the  election  board. 

On  Feb.  11,  1869,  Mr.  Meekins  married 
Sarah  Jane  Gossard,  who  was  born  Aug.  9, 
1848,  in  Cambria  county.  Pa.,  daughter  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Long)  Gossard,  the 
former  a  native  of  Cambria  county,  the  lat- 
ter a  native  of  Indiana  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gossard  lived  and  died  in  Cambria  county. 
He  was  engaged  in  railroad  work.  Four  of 
his  family  survive,  two  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter living  in  Cambria  county.  Ten  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meekins: 
(1)    Elizabeth  married  Michael   Hadden,  of 


Indiana  county,  and  they  have  seven  chil- 
dren, Linnie  (who  is  married  to  Daniel 
Bailey,  of  Indiana  county,  and  has  one  child), 
Stella  (who  is  the  wife  of  Frank  Frink,  of 
Indiana  county,  and  has  two  children),  Wil- 
liam, DoUie,  Eva,  Ola  and  .     (2) 

George,  a  resident  of  Green  township,  mar- 
ried Adda  Frampton,  of  Indiana  county,  and 
they  have  eight  children,  Esta,  Ivan,  Claire, 
Hazel,  Wesley,  Bernard,  Albert  and  Shirley. 
(3)  Harvey,  a  resident  of  Johnstown,  Pa., 
married  Savine  Thompson,  of  that  place,'  and 
they  have  four  children,  Irwin,  Wardell, 
Herbert  and  Cleda.  (4)  Tillie  is  the  wife  of 
Joshua  Gibson,  of  Center  township,  this 
county,  and  their  children  are  Vada,  Turl, 
Maud  and  Eva.  (5)  John,  now  a  resident  of 
Lovejoy,  this  county,  married  Winnie  Hughes, 
of  Indiana  county,  and  they  have  five  chil- 
dren, Hope,  Fay,  Charity,  Vera  and  Grace. 
(6)  Howard,  who  lives  at  Pleasant  Valley, 
Pa.,  married  Ella  Connor,  of  Indiana  county, 
and  they  have  five  children,  Dean,  Lelah, 
Clarence,  Leroy  and  Arthur.  (7)  Bertha, 
wife  of  Morris  Clark,  lives  in  Indiana  county. 
They  have  six  children,  Ethel,  Walter,  Wil- 
liam, Ellen,  Howard  and  Joy.  (8)  Levi  died 
when  eleven  years  old.  (9)  Ossie  is  the  wife 
of  Layton  Lowman,  of  Pine  Plats,  this  county, 
and  has  five  sons,  Norville,  Wilbur,  Paul, 
Horace,  and  one  not  named.  (10)  Walter, 
the  youngest,  is  still  living  at  home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meekins  are  members  of  the 
German  Baptist  Church,  and  he  has  held 
various  offices  in  the  congi-egation.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

HARRY  C.  MOCK,  of  Clymer,  Indiana 
county,  is  one  of  the  wide-awake  young  busi- 
ness men  of  that  borough  who  have  estab- 
lished profitable  business  connections  by  mak- 
ing the  most  of  the  opportunities  afforded 
in  its  rapid  though  substantial  development. 
As  a  building  contractor  he  has  acquired 
valuable  interests,  and  he  has  shown  his  good 
judgment  and  public  spirit  in  the  character 
of  his  work,  being  known  for  reliability  and 
the  honorable  fulfilment  of  everything  he 
undertakes. 

Mr.  Mock  was  born  Oct.  12,  1878,  on  the 
old  Mock  homestead  in  Cherryhill  township, 
son  of  W.  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Howe)  Mock, 
and  grandson  of  William  Howe,  of  Cherry- 
hill  township.  Jlr.  and  Mrs.  W.  H.  Mock 
had  seven  children,  namely:  E.  S.,  who  is 
now  in  Colorado,  engaged  in  farming;  Min- 
nie E.,  wife  of  H.  E.  Kurtz,  of  Canton,  Ohio 
(they    have    one    child);    Anna,    deceased; 


1542 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Grant,  who  lives  in  the  borough  of  Indiana 
and  is  employed  b}'  the  Interurban  Railway 
Company  (he  married  Pearl  Trimel  and  has 
three  children);  Harry  C. ;  and  J.  0.  and 
J.  E.,  twins,  the  former  living  in  Colorado, 
unmarried,  the  latter  living  in  Clymer,  where 
he  follows  the  trade  of  mason  (he  married 
Zula  Davis  and  has  two  children). 

Harry  C.  Mock  attended  school  at  Green- 
ville, Indiana  county,  receiving  a  good  educa- 
tion, to  which  he  has  added  constantly  dur- 
ing his  long  experience  as  a  teacher.  He  has 
taught  school  off  and  on  for  fifteen  years, 
and  is  at  present  engaged  in  the  school  at 
Cljnner.  In  his  early  manhood  he  learned 
the  trade  of  carpenter  and  builder,  and  when 
the  borough  of  Cl.ymer  was  started,  some  six 
years  ago,  he  found  plenty  of  work  at  hand, 
pi-oving  himself  so  thoroughly  equal  to  the 
demands  of  the  growing  town  that  he  has 
become  a  conspicuous  figure  in  local  con- 
struction work.  He  has  been  the  contractor 
for  many  of  the  new  buildings  erected  within 
the  last  few  years,  and  his  conscientious  work 
and  up-to-date  ideas  have  made  him  a  strong 
influence  for  substantial,  modern  structures 
which  will  be  a  credit  to  the  town  in  the 
years  to  come  as  well  as  at  the  present.  He 
has  been  elected  to  local  office,  having  served 
four  years  as  assessor  and  four  years  as  sec- 
retarj'  of  the  school  board  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, and  has  discharged  his  duties  faithfully 
in  both  positions. 

On  Jan.  15,  1905,  Mr.  Mock  married  Esta 
Adams,  daughter  of  W.  H.  Adams,  of  Penn 
Run,  this  county,  and  they  have  had  two 
children:  Evelyn,  born  July  26,  1906,  and 
Ruth,  born  July  28,  1908.  The  family  attend 
the  M.  E.  Church. 

JOHN  F.  GLASSER  is  living  in  Rayne 
township,  Indiana  county,  on  part  of  the  old 
Glasser  homestead  formerly  owned  by  his 
father  and  grandfather.  He  was  born  there 
Jan.  29,  1861,  son  of  Lewis  Glasser,  whose 
father  came  to  this  country  from  Germany, 
settling  about  1848  in  Rayne  township,  Indi- 
ana Co.,  Pa.  He  was  a  cabinetmaker  by 
trade.  He  died  on  the  place  where  he  made 
his  permanent  home,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two 
years,  and  his  wife  passed  away  there,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-four.  They  had  a  family  of 
seven  children,  Lewis,  George  Washington, 
Sophia,  Elizabeth,  Magdaline,  Frederick  and 
Susan. 

Lewis  Glasser,  father  of  John  F.  Glasser, 
was  born  Feb.  22,  1836,  in  New  York  City, 
and  was  a  boy  when  the  family  located  in 


Rayne  township,  where  he  died  Dec.  27,  1906. 
He  married  Jane  Stuchell,  who  was  born  in 
Washington  township,  this  county,  daughter 
of  Abraham  Stuchell,  a  farmer,  and  died 
March  17,  1901.  John  F.  was  the  only  child 
born  to  Lewis  and  Jane   (Stuchell)   Glasser. 

John  F.  Glasser  is  engaged  in  operating 
part  of  the  old  homestead  which  his  grand- 
father and  father  before  him  conducted.  He 
is  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  his  township, 
where  he  has  served  in  various  official  ca- 
pacities, having  been  auditor  for  three  years, 
school  director  for  two  years  and  assessor  for 
six  years.  His  work  in  every  connection  has 
been  commendable  and  highly  creditable  to 
him  and  his  constituents.  His  political  asso- 
ciation has  been  with  the  Republican  party, 
and  he  is  a  strong  advocate  of  Progressive 
principles.    He  attends  the  Lutheran  Church. 

On  April  27,  1882,  Jlr.  Glasser  was  mar- 
ried to  Laura  A.  Boucher,  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, daughter  ol  Andrew  Boucher,  a  farmer, 
and  five  children  have  been  born  to  them: 
Norman  L.,  who  is  engaged  as  a  teacher  in 
Philadelphia;  Charles  F.,  a  farmer  in  Rayne 
township,  who  married  Nora  Freeh,  of  that 
township,  and  has  one  child.  Earl  Lewis: 
James  C,  who  is  attending  medical  college  iiv 
Philadelphia ;  Irvin  S.,  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  Christy  &  Co.,  of  Indiana  borough;  and 
Eva  Myrtle,  who  died  in  infancy. 

WILLIAM  KERR,  who  is  now  living  re- 
tired in  West  Mahoning  township,  where  he 
has  spent  his  long  and  useful  career  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  was  born  on  the  old  Kerr 
homestead  place  in  that  township,  in  March. 
1838,  son  of  Samuel  and  Polly  (Thomas) 
Kerr. 

Valentine  Kerr,  the  first  of  this  family  to 
come  to  the  United  States,  was  born  in  Ger- 
manj',  and  on  emigrating  to  America  took 
up  wild  land  near  Shelocta,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa., 
where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits  and  died.  He  reared  a  large 
family  of  children. 

Samuel  Kerr,  son  of  Valentine  Kerr,  and 
father  of  William  Kerr,  was  born  near  She- 
locta in  1796,  and  in  1822  came  to  West 
Mahoning  township,  where  he  first  lived  in  a 
log  cabin.  He  married  Poll.y  Thomas,  of  near 
Shelocta,  daughter  of  Israel  Thomas,  and 
they  became  leading  people  of  their  part  of 
the  county,  were  known  as  faithful  members 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  had 
the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  they 
came  into  contact.  Mr.  Kerr  was  first  a  Wliig 
and  later  became  a  member  of  the  Republican 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1543 


party.  Ten  children  were  born  to  him  and 
his  wife,  namely:  Israel,  deceased,  was  a 
farmer  of  West  Mahoning  township ;  Hannah, 
who  married  Griffith  Condon,  went  West, 
and  died  in  Iowa;  John  was  a  farmer  on  the 
old  homestead;  a  son  died  in  infancy;  Val- 
entine is  living  in  Jefferson  county;  Amos, 
deceased,  lived  in  Nebraska;  Margaret,  de- 
ceased, was  the  wife  of  M.  Condon;  Joseph 
died  in  Iowa;  William  is  mentioned  below; 
Thomas  met  his  death  in  battle  during  the 
Civil  war,  while  a  private  of  Company  A, 
78th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry. 

William  Kerr,  son  of  Samuel  Kerr,  re- 
ceived only  a  limited  education  in  his  boy- 
hood, and  his  entire  life  has  been  passed  on 
the  home  farm.  Some  time  prior  to  the  Civil 
war  he  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  which 
he  followed  off  and  on  for  some  years,  but 
the  greater  part  of  his  time  and  attention 
after  the  war  was  devoted  to  agricultural 
matters.  At  this  time  he  is  living  retired, 
feeling  that  the  earnest  and  arduous  labors 
of  his  early  years  have  earned  him  a  rest. 
He  was  married  in  September,  1860,  to  Ida 
Raush,  of  Center  county,  Pa.,  daughter  of 
Henry  Raush,  a  farmer,  who  on  coming  to  thia 
county  settled  in  West  Mahoning  township. 
On  July  30,  1863,  Mr.  Kerr  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil 
war,  in  Company  D,  102d  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  became  a  corporal,  and 
served  as  such  until  the  time  of  his  honorable 
discharge,  June  28,  1865.  He  enlisted  at 
Kittanning,  Pa.,  was  sent  to  Pittsburg  and 
there  drilled.  During  the  next  spring  his 
regiment  joined  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
just  prior  to  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
where  he  received  his  baptism  of  fire.  Sub- 
sequently he  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Spottsylvania  and  Cold  Harbor,  being  then 
sent  to  Washington,  D.  C,  and  then  into  the 
Shenandoah  valley  with  General  Sherman, 
fighting  througho^^t  the  subsequent  campaign, 
ai^ter  which  he  returned  to  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  and  to  Pittsburg.  He  was  also  in 
various  skirmishes.  At  the  battle  of  Spott- 
sylvania Mr.  Kerr  was  hit  by  a  piece  of  shell, 
in  his  right  shoulder,  and  he  was  sick  con- 
siderably while  in  the  service.  He  was  known 
as  a  brave  and  cheerful  soldier,  faithfully 
performing  the  tasks  assigned  to  him,  con- 
tent in  the  knowledge  that  he  was  sen'ing 
his  country's  cause.  At  the  close  of  hos- 
tilities he  returned  to  the  occupations  of 
peace,  and  proved  just  as  good  a  private  cit- 
izen as  he  had  been  a  soldier. 


Mr.,  and  Mrs.  Kerr  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: Alice,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
Thomas  Hoover,  and  had  children,  Josephine, 
Blanche,  Agnes,  Roy,  Rebecca,  Carl,  Marie 
and  Clara;  Annie,  deceased,  married  George 
Griffith  and  had  three  children,  Charles, 
Pearl  and  Carrie;  Seth  B.  married  Etta 
Laughry  and  has  four  children,  Myrtle, 
Olive,  Clyde  and  Alice;  Edgar,  a  traveling 
salesman,  whose  home  is  at  Punssutawney, 
married  Maggie  Dormire,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren; Joseph,  who  is  conducting  the  old 
homestead,  married  Marietta  Weaver,  by 
whom  he  had  three  children,  Clarence,  Annie  • 
and  Pearl,  and  married  (second)  Maude 
Gorman,  by  whom  he  has  three  children, 
Alice,  Bert  and  Max;  Ira,  a  railroad  fore- 
man, of  Marion  Center,  Pa.,  married  Jessie 
Gray. 

Mr.  Kerr's  political  principles,  are  those  of 
the  Republican  party,  and  he  has  served  as 
tax  collector,  school  director  and  in  other  ca- 
pacities. With  his  wife  and  children  he  at- 
tends the  Lutheran  Church  of  Smicksburg. 

NORRIS  W.  BENNETT  owns  and  lives 
upon  his  grandfather's  old  homestead  in  In- 
diana county,  where  be  follows  farming  and 
coal  mining,  being  one  of  the  prosperous  men 
of  his  vicinity.  He  was  bom  in  Montgomery 
township,  Indiana  county,  Dec.  12,  1858,  son 
of  John  and  Sarah  J.  (Gardner)  Bennett, 
and  grandson  of  William  Bennett,  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania  who  came  to  this  section 
from  York  county  in  1839.  The  great- 
grandfather came  from  Germany.  William 
Bennett  followed  farming  and  lumbering 
throughout  his  active  years.  He  and  his  wife 
both  died  when  seventy-two  years  old. 

John  Bennett,  father  of  Norris  W.  Ben- 
nett, was  born  Aug.  28,  1828,  in  York  eount.v. 
Pa.,  came  with  his  father  to  Indiana  county, 
and  was  trained  to  farm  work  and  lumbering 
from  his  earliest  years,  continuing  to  engage 
in  those  lines  all  his  life.  He  died  in  1899,  his 
wife  in  1909. 

Norris  W.  Bennett  was  reared  on  the  farm, 
and  received  a  good  public  school  education, 
attending  at  Rock  Run.  Wlien  yet  a  young 
man  he  became  engaged  as  a  lumber  and  log 
contractor  on  the  Susquehanna  river,  devot- 
ing all  his  time  to  this  line  for  eleven  years. 
Then,  at  the  a*e  of  thirty-two,  he  embarked  in 
the  meat  business,  wholesale  and  retail,  at 
Spangler,  Cambria  Co..  Pa.,  being  located 
there  for  another  period  of  eleven  years.  Dur- 
ing that  time  he  became  one  of  the  prominent 
citizens  of  the  place,  serving  five  years  as  con- 


1544 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


stable,  two  years  as  chief  of  police,  and  three 
j-ears  as  burgess.  When  forty-three  years 
old  Jlr.  Bennett  returned  to  farming,  which 
he  has  since  carried  on  very  successfully,  now 
owning  and  cultivating  the  old  homestead  of 
his  grandfather,  a  tract  of  eighty-three  acres 
in  Banks  township.  He  also  operates  two 
coal  mines  in  the  locality,  which  he  is  devel- 
oping into  good  paying  properties.  As  usual, 
he  has  proved  himself  a  public-spirited  and 
useful  member  of  the  community,  having 
given  good  service  as  member  of  the  school 
board  of  the  boi-ough  of  Glen  Campbell. 

On  Sept.  20,  1894,  Mr.  Bennett  married 
Elizabeth  Murray,  of  Mountaindale,  Cambria 
Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Rose  (Mc- 
Cartney) Murray,  the  former  a  native  of 
Maine,  ilr.  Murray  served  thirteen  years  as 
postmaster  at  IMountaindale.  He  was  for 
j^ears  a  farmer  by  occupation.  Six  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bennett: 
Sarah  H.,  John  Murray,  Percy  Arnold, 
Thomas  Domer,  Vada  Bernice  and  Ernest 
Francis.  Mr.  Bennett  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  M.  E.  Church,  which  he  serves  as 
trustee,  of  both  church  and  parsonage. 

TAYLOR  WINFIELD  FOUTS,  farmer  of 
Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  belongs 
to  an  old  and  respected  family  of  this  part 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  name,  originally 
spelled  Pfoutz  or  Pfouts,  is  perpetuated  in 
Pfouts  Valley,   Perry  county. 

John  Fouts,  father  of  Taylor  Winfield 
Fonts,  was  born  in  Pfouts  Valley,  on  the  old 
homestead,  and  in  Perry  county  married 
Susann  Frank,  a  native  of  Dauphin  county. 
Pa.  They  moved  from  Pen-y  county  to  In- 
diana borough,  and  thence  to  Susquehanna 
township,  Cambria  county,  and  from  there  in 
1871-72  to  Venango  county,  this  State,  where 
Mr.  Fouts  followed  his  trade,  that  of  carpen- 
ter. He  next  lived  at  Broadford,  Pa.,  and  his 
death  occurred  at  Tarkwood,  in  1886.  He 
was  a  Republican  in  his  political  views,  and 
in  religious  connection  a  member  of  the  M. 
E.  Church.  His  wife  died  in  1884.  They 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children: 
St.  Clair,  now  of  North  Baltimore,  Ohio,  who 
married  Sarah  Adams;  Missouri,  who  mar- 
ried George  Tate,  of  McKean  county,  Pa.; 
Taylor  Winfield;  Alabama,  who  married 
Charles  L.  Avery  and  lives  in  Noblestown, 
Pa. ;  Buena  Vista,  who  married  Henry  Croks, 
of  Venango  county;  Miller,  of  McKean 
county,  who  married  Lueinda  Tarr;  Clifford, 
an  oil  driller,  who  is  unmarried;  and  Curtin, 


a  resident  of  Apollo,  Pa.,  married  to  ^linnie 
Walker. 

Taylor  Winfield  Fouts  was  born  Nov.  8, 
1850,  in  Susquehanna  township,  Cambria  Co., 
Pa.,  and  passed  his  early  life  in  Cambria, 
Clearfield  and  Venango  counties,  this  State. 
He  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  was  in  the 
oil  fields  for  a  time,  engaged  in  various  occu- 
pations, and  saw  much  of  the  development 
and  opening  up  of  the  oil  regions.  After 
his  marriage  he  came  to  his  present  home,  in 
Armstrong  township,  Indiana  county,  where 
he  is  engaged  in  farming. 

On  Oct.  6,  1873,  Mr.  Fouts  was  married, 
in  Butler  county,  Pa.,  to  Sarah  Elizabeth 
Craig,  a  native  of  Butler  county,  born  Sept. 
27,  1856,  daughter  of  James  A.  and  ^lary 
(Campbell)  Craig,  and  received  her  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools.  Mr.  Craig  was 
born  July  2,  1825,  in  Butler  county.  Pa.,  son 
of  George  and  ilargaret  (Hunter)  Craig, 
and  died  in  1896  in  Armstrong  county.  Pa. ; 
his  wife  died  in  1894.  The  following  children 
were  born  to  Jlr.  and  Mrs.  Fouts;  James 
Harry,  of  Armstrong  county,  M'ho  married 
Minnie  Moore ;  Charles,  who  is  deceased ;  Wil- 
bert  Ellsworth,  of  Indiana,  who  married 
Rhoda  Williams;  Ralph,  of  Armstrong  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  man-ied  to  Elizabeth 
Campbell;  Homer,  of  Youngstown.  Ohio; 
Frank  C,  of  Armstrong  to\vnship,  who  mar- 
ried Daisy  Sealor;  JMary  Jane,  wife  of  Clair 
Edmundson,  living  in  Indiana  borough;  and 
Ervin  Earl,  at  home. 

MERTON  E.  CHURCHILL,  D.  D.  S.,  who 

has  been  practicing  dentistry  in  Arcadia,  In- 
diana county,  for  the  last  ten  years,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  an  old  and  much  respected  family  of 
this  section,  being  a  son  of  Philander  and 
Elizabeth  Harriet  (Rank)  Churchill,  and 
grandson  of  John  L.  and  Maria  (Hazlett) 
Churchill.  John  L.  Churchill  was  a  shoemaker 
and  farmer.  He  came  from  New  York  to 
Indiana  county  in  1831,  and  later  went  West, 
where  he  died.  His  wife  who  was  a  native  of 
Bellefonte,  Pa.,  died  in  Armstrong  count.y, 
Pennsylvania. 

Philander  Churchill  was  born  March  22, 
1832,  in  Montgomery  township,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and 
when  a  young  man  was  engaged  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  shoes  for  eight  years.  Since  1865 
he  has  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Hillsdale,  and  with  the  exception  of 
four  years  has  been  postmaster  there  con- 
tinuously since  1873.  He  has  served  two 
terms  as  seeretarj'  of  the  Montgomery  town- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1545 


ship  school  board.  On  June  19,  1856,  he  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Harriet  Rank,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Mary  Ann  Rank,  and  of  the  chil- 
dren born  to  them  Allaert,  Edward,  Clara  Ann 
(Mrs.  Stevens),  Jesse  D.  (a  merchant)  and 
Bertha  (who  married  D.  Ford  Rankin  and 
after  his  death  became  the  wife  of  James  A. 
Smith)  are  deceased.  Six  survive:  Mary 
Almeda,  who  married  James  Weaver  and 
(second)  Wesley  Standish ;  Sarah  Frances, 
wife  of  James  D.  Ake ;  William  T.,  who  mar- 
ried Elva  Spicher;  George  R.,  a  physician, 
who  has  been  twice  married,  first  to  Ollie 
Hazlett;  Merton  E.;  and  John  S.,  who  mar- 
ried Maud  jMcElhinny. 

Merton  E.  Churchill  was  born  Oct.  18, 
1878,  at  Hillsdale,  in  Montgomery  township, 
this  county,  and  received  his  literary  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  there.  He  took  his 
course  in  dentistry  at  the  Pittsburg  Dental 
College,  graduating  in  May,  1902,  and  has 
since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  Arcadia,  where  he  has  established  a 
fine  patronage  by  good  work  and  reliability. 
Though  he  himself  takes  little  active  part  in 
public  affairs  he  is  a  thoroughly  public- 
spirited  citizen,  supporting  the  men  and 
measures  he  thinks  will  benefit  the  commu- 
nity best.  He  votes  the  Prohibition  ticket. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Alumni  of  the  Pitts- 
burg Dental  College. 

On  Oct.  15,  1902,  Dr.  Churchill  married 
Pearl  Wissell,  of  Indiana  county,  daughter  of 
Martin  L.  and  Lucy  (Moorhead)  Wissell,  the 
former  a  contractor  engaged  in  moving 
buildings. 

GEORGE  KEITH,  a  venerable  resident  of 
Green  township,  Indiana  county,  was  born 
there  May  15,  1830,  son  of  John  and  Mary 
M.  (Lowmaster)  Keith.  His  grandfather, 
Adam  Keith,  came  to  this  county  in  pioneer 
times. 

John  Keith, '  father  of  George  Keith,  Avas 
born  in  New  York,  and  came  to  Indiana 
county  at  an  early  day,  settling  on  the  farm 
in  Green  township  now  occupied  by  his  son 
George.  He  died  in  1836.  His  wife,  Mary  M. 
(Lowmaster),  was  born  in  Virginia,  daughter 
of  George  Lowmaster,  a  very  early  settler  in 
Indiana  county,  and  died  in  1904,  at  an  ad- 
vanced age.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keith  had  three 
children,  George,  the  eldest,  being  now  the 
only  survivor;  Michael  and  John  are  de- 
ceased.    The  former  served  in  the  Civil  war. 

George  Keith  passed  his  early  days  in 
Green  township  on  the  farm  where  he  is  now 
living,  and  received  his  education  in  the  local 


schools.  He  has  always  been  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, in  which  he  has  prospered,  and  he  is 
one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed  citizens  of 
his  township,  where  his  industrious  and  up- 
right life  has  won  him  universal  respect. 

In  March,  1849,  Mr.  Keith  married,  in 
Green  township,  Isabella  Plowse,  who  was 
bom  in  New  York  State,  daughter  of  George 
Plowse,  who  came  to  Indiana  county  and 
first  settled  in  Brushvalley  township,  later 
moving  to  Green  township.  By  occupation 
he  was  a  farmer.  Of  the  large  family  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keith  Martha  Jane  is  the 
wife  of  Jacob  Patterson  and  lives  in  Green 
township ;  Lavina  is  deceased ;  George  M. 
sui-vives;  John  is  a  resident  of  Green  town- 
ship ;  Michael  is  living  in  Green  township ; 
Elias  is  deceased;  Isaiah  is  living  in  Green 
township ;  Annie  is  deceased ;  Ida  is  the  wife 
of  Ottis  Lydick,  of  Green  township. 

In  1899  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keith  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  celebrating  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of 
their  marriage,  an  occasion  made  doubly  en- 
joyable by  the  fact  that  all  their  children 
were  present. 

SHARP  NEAL,  Se.,  was  born  Aug.  2,  1832, 
on  the  old  Neal  homestead  in  North  Mahon- 
ing township,  Indiana  county,  and  has  for 
years  been  engaged  in  business  at  Perrys- 
ville,  just  across  the  line  in  Jefferson  county. 
He  has  kept  hotel  there  for  twenty-five  years, 
and  has  worked  at  his  trade,  that  of  tailor, 
for  sixty  years  in  all. 

William  Neal,  his  grandfather,  the  first  of 
this  branch  of  the  family  to  settle  in  America, 
was  from  the  Nortji  of  Ireland.  His  wife 
was  Mary  Reynolds.  They  first  located  at 
Philadelphia,  later  in  Franklin  county.  Pa., 
and  eventually  came  to  Indiana  countj\  in 
the  eighteenth  century,  where  he  obtained 
nearly  three  thousand  acres  of  land  west  of 
Indiana,  near  Jacksonville.  He  was  a  sur- 
veyor and  became  very  well  known.  His 
death  occurred  Sept.  5,  1813,  when  he  was 
seventy-seven  years  old,  and  he  was  buried 
in  the  cemetery  at  Bethel  Church,  in  this 
county.  We  have  the  following  record  of  his 
children:  (1)  Thomas  lived  on  part  of  his 
father's  old  place  at  Jacksonville,  where  he 
put  up  a  gristmill,  and  later  moved  to  near 
Georgeville,  this  county.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried, first  to  Margaret  Creviston,  by  whom  he 
had  four  children :  William,  who  was  burned 
to  death  at  Phoenix,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa., 
married  Deborah  Pears;  John  had  a  grist- 
mill east  of  Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  Samuel  and 
Thomas  went  West.    To  his  second  marriage, 


1546 


IIISTORT  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


with  Catherine  Barnhart,  were  born  five  chil- 
dren :  Margaret  married  S.  Hoover  and 
(second)  George  Weaver,  and  lived  in  Perry 
township,  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.;  Arr  lived  in 
Punxsutawney,  Pa. ;  Ogg  was  killed  by  a  live 
wire  in  Horatio.  Pa. ;  Thomas  was  killed  by  a 
boiler  explosion  in  Homer  City,  Pa. ;  Mary  R. 
married  R.  Trusel.  (2)  John  lived  near  Jack- 
sonville and  was  engaged  in  farming.  He 
married  Lydia  Lewis,  and  they  had  four  chil- 
dren, John,  Hugh,  Rachel  Loman  and  Kissie 
Inadid.  (3)  ilary  died  unmarried.  (4)  Ro- 
sanna  died  unmarried.  (5)  "William  was  the 
father  of  Sharp  Neal. 

William  Neal,  son  of  William  and  Mary 
(Reynolds)  Neal,  was  born  in  Franklin 
county.  Pa.,  on  Caneoguages  creek,  and  had 
little  opportunity  to  acquire  an  education. 
He  was  noted  in  his  day  for  his  musical  at- 
tainments. Prior  to  1807  he  settled  on  the  Big 
Mahoning,  where  there  were  only  two  white 
settlers  at  that  time,  and  it  was  he  who  ran 
the  first  raft  down  Big  Mahoning  creek.  His 
home  was  half  a  mile  from  Perrjn'ille,  where 
he  cleared  three  acres  of  what  is  now  the  Rob- 
ert Hamilton  farm.  Later  he  moved  to  where 
Charles  Neal  now  lives,  in  North  Mahoning 
township,  which  place  he  improved,  making 
his  home  there  for  a  number  of  .years.  In 
1832  he  moved  across  the  creek  north,  to 
where  H.  Neal  now  lives,  and  died  March  17, 
1869,  at  the  home  of  his  son  John  Neal,  in 
West  Mahoning  township,  when  nearly 
ninety  years  old.  In  the  early  days  he  was 
noted  for  his  skill  and  success  as  a  hunter 
and  trapper,  one  winter  killing  forty  bears. 
He  was  very  well  known  in  northern  Indiana 
county  and  the  ad.joiuing  territory  in  Jeffer- 
son county.  Ten  children  were  born  to  his 
first  marriage,  with  Mary  Cunningham,  of 
Jacksonville,  Pa.,  viz. :  Abraham  L.,  born 
Dec.  29.  1807,  lived  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship. Elizabeth  (Betsy),  born  Oct.  22,  1809, 
married  Jacob  Young.  Ann,  born  Nov.  22, 
1811,  married  James  !McHeurj%  and  lived  at 
Northpoint.  Pa.  Catherine  (Kate),  born 
April  15,  1813,  married  James  Neal  and  (sec- 
ond) Joseph  Sharp,  and  all  are  now  deceased. 
John,  born  Dec.  4,  1816.  married  Rachel 
Blose ;  he  was  killed  on  the  Buffalo,  Rochester 
&  Pittsburg  railroad  bridge  in  1903.  Thomas, 
born  April  11,  1818,  lived  in  West  :\Iahon- 
ing  township ;  he  married  Elizabeth  McClel- 
lan  and  (second)  Nancy  Wingrove.  Mary  R., 
born  Sept.  2,  1820,  married  Artemus  Purdy 
and  lived  in  Galva.  111.  Sarah,  born  Sept.  2, 
1823,  married  John  Chambers.  ^largaret 
(Peggy),  born  Feb.  18,  1826,  married  Robert 


Patterson.  Hardy  Hill  married  Margaret 
Trimble  and  had  three  children;  he  lived  in 
Porter  township,  Jefl'erson  county. 

The  second  wife  of  William  Neal  was  Susan 
Neff,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  namely : 
James  C,  a  merchant  of  Perrysville,  Pa., 
married  Catherine  Hadden;  Winfield  Scott, 
of  Perrj'sville,  married  Rebecca  Piper; 
Amelia  (Millie)  married  Joseph  Uneapher; 
Euphemia  died  unmarried;  Sanford  (de- 
ceased) married  Lydia  Lewis,  lived  in  Punx- 
sutawney. and  was  a  land  owner;  Sharp  is 
mentioned  below. 

Sharp  Neal,  son  of  William  and  Susan 
(Neff)  Neal,  grew  up  in  the  primitive  sur- 
roundings characteristic  of  this  region  in  his 
early  days,  and  had  little  chance  to  attend 
school.  When  a  boy  of  eleven  years  he  went 
to  live  with  his  brother  Thomas,  at  North- 
point,  remaining  with  him  two  years.  Then 
for  two  years  he  was  with  Joseph  L^ncapher, 
in  1847  going  to  Indiana,  this  county,  to 
learn  his  trade.  He  served  an  apprenticeship 
at  tailoring,  with  Wilson  Long,  for  four  years. 
Thence  he  went  to  Blairsville,  Pa.,  before  the 
railroad  was  extended  from  Philadelphia  to 
Pittsburg,  continuing  there  for  one  season. 
He  then  attended  school  for  a  time,  going  to 
the  old  academy  at  Indiana,  of  which  Thomas 
Searls  was  then  principal.  Returning  to  his 
old  home  locality  he  located  in  1857  at  Perrys- 
ville, where  he  built  a  hotel  in  1868,  and  in 
addition  to  operating  same  has  engaged  to 
some  extent  in  the  mercantile  business,  carry- 
ing a  stock  of  confectionery  and  notions.  He 
has  also  continued  to  follow  his  trade,  his 
combined  interests  serving  to  bring  him  a 
comfortable  income  and  establishing  him 
among  the  substantial  men  of  his  vicinity. 
Though  past  eighty  he  is  active  and  well 
preserved,  and  his  excellent  memory  enables 
him  to  recall  many  interesting  experiences 
of  the  early  days.  He  has  become  widely 
known  in  his  various  connections,  business 
and  otherwise,  and  has  many  friends.  He 
has  never  aspired  to  office  of  any  kind,  though 
interested  in  politics  as  a  member  of  the 
Democratic  party.  In  fraternal  association 
he  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  0.  F.,  having  be- 
longed to  Amor  Lodge.  No.  608,  at  Perrys- 
ville, for  over  twenty-five  years. 

On  April  14,  1853,  Mr.  Neal  married  Mary 
Jane  Riddle,  who  died  in  1865.  In  1866  he 
married  (second)  Margaret  Ann  Gillespie. 
Four  children  were  born  to  the  first  marriage : 
(1)  Silas  Clark,  of  Blairsville,  Pa.,  a  baker 
by  trade,  married  Ann  Clark,  of  Huntingdon 
county,   Pa.,   and   they   have   had   children: 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1547 


Albert,  Howard,  Ethel,  Fred,  Robert  and 
Harry.  (2)  Johnson,  a  baker  by  trade,  but 
now  engaged  in  the  livery  business  at  Derry 
Station,  Pa.,  married  Barbara  Stadmiller,  and 
has  one  child,  Catherine  Bell.  (3)  Lueinda 
Bell  is  a  milli*ier  at  Derry,  Pa.  (4)  John 
Hastings  died  unmarried  in  1888.  He  was  a 
baker  by  trade.  To  Mr.  Neal's  second  union 
was  born  one  child,  Laura  Malissa,  who  mar- 
ried Hubbard  Day,  an  employee  of  the  Amer- 
ican Express  Company  at  New  York  City. 

SYLVESTER  McMILLEN  is  one  of  the 
well-known  residents  of  his  section  of  Indi- 
ana county,  where  he  is  now  engaged  ex- 
clusively in  farming.  He  was  formerly  in- 
terested in  lumbering  and  carpenter  work, 
and  in  his  various  activities  has  made  a  large 
circle  of  acquaintances. 

Simon  McMillen,  his  father,  was  a  native 
of  Ohio,  and  came  to  Indiana  coiinty.  Pa.  He 
was  a  farmer,  and  also  followed  lumbering 
in  the  winter  season.  He  was  a  public  of- 
ficial, serving  as  tax  collector  and  road  super- 
visor, and  was  one  of  the  respected  citizens 
of  jMontgomery  township  in  his  day.  He 
married  Leah  Findley,  of  Montgomery  town- 
ship, whose  family  were  farming  people,  and 
both  are  now  deceased. 

Sylvester  McMillen  was  born  Sept.  26,  1851, 
near  Hillsdale,  in  JMontgomery  township,  In- 
diana Co.,  Pa.,  and  attended  the  pul)lic 
schools  of  the  locality.  He  remained  with 
his  father  until  he  attained  his  majority, 
farming  and  lumbering,  and  then  learned  the 
trade  of  carpenter,  which  he  followed  for  ten 
years,  taking  contracts;  he  has  built  a  great 
many  barns  in  Indiana  county.  For  a  few 
years  he  also  lumbered  to  some  extent,  but 
meantime  he  had  also  been  farming  most  of 
the  time,  and  since  1901  has  been  devoting 
all  his  time  to  agricultural  work. 

Mr.  McMillen  has  been  active  in  the  work- 
ings of  the  Republican  party  in  his  locality, 
and  though  not  an  office  seeker  has  accepted 
various  honors  from  his  fellow  citizens,  hav- 
ing served  acceptably  as  supervisor  (two 
terms),  tax  collector  (one  term  of  three 
years)  and  overseer  of  the  poor  (two  terms). 

On  June  18,  1873,  Mr.  McMillen  married 
Mai\y  Jane  Minser,  of  Montgomery  township, 
Indiana  county,  daughter  of  Mark  and  Eliz- 
abeth Minser,  the  former  of  whom  was  en- 
gaged in  lumbering  and  sawmilling;  he  was 
a  preacher  of  the  Dunkard  Brethren  Church. 
Mr.  and  ]\Ii-s.  McMillen  have  had  the  follow- 
ing children:  Albert  W.,  a  farmer  of  Mont- 
gomery township,  who  married  Mary  Biss,  of 


Hillsdale,  and  has  two  children,  Vance  F. 
and  Dean;  Charles  S.,  a  carpenter,  of  Gipsy, 
Indiana  county,  M'ho  married  Margaret  Rose 
and  has  three  children,  Sylvester  M.,  William 
R.  and  Mary  A. ;  j\Iark,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  who 
married  Stella  Neal  and  has  two  children, 
Neal  and  Mary  G. ;  Orange,  of  Denver,  Colo. ; 
Ray,  at  home;  Harvy  Clair,  at  home;  Clar- 
ence, at  home;  Ella  Elizabeth,  wife  of  J.  A. 
IMcCoy,  a  farmer  of  East  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  who  has  children,  How- 
ard Smith,  Lynn  and  Mead;  and  Sarah 
Ann,  who  is  the  wife  of  Howard  S.  Heilman, 
of  Banks  township,  Indiana  county,  and  has 
two  children,  Sylvester  Ray  and  Cecil. 

JAMES  S.  WYNCOOP,  a  farmer  of 
Rayne  township,  Indiana  county,  who  has 
been  prominent  in  the  public  affairs  of  his 
township  for  a  number  of  years,  was  born 
May  6,  1845,  son  of  Matthew  B.  and  Mary 
(Van  Lier)  Wyncoop.  His  parental  grand- 
parents were  of  Holland-Dutch  and  Scotch 
descent,  respectively.  They  had  a  family  of 
eight  children. 

Matthew  B.  "Wyncoop  was  born  Jan.  13, 
1795,  in  Indiana  county,  and  followed  farm- 
ing all  his  life,  meeting  with  substantial  suc- 
cess in  his  chosen  calling.  He  became  the 
owner  of  the  farms  now  owned  by  his  sons 
Matthew  and  James.  He  died  in  1878  in  his 
eighty-fourth  year.  By  his  first  wife,  Eliz- 
abeth" (Work),  Mr.  Wyncoop  had  four  chil- 
dren, namely:  Agnes,  John  W.,  Jane  F.  and 
Elizabeth  J.  His  second  marriage  was  to 
Mary  Van  Lier,  by  whom  he  had  eight  chil- 
dren: Robert  C,  Lueinda  V.,  Matthew  B., 
William  M.,  James  S.,  George  S.,  Emily  and 
Gerardus. 

James  S.  Wyncoop  is  engaged  in  farming 
in  Rayne  township,  and  has  made  an  excel- 
lent record  as  a  township  official.  He  served 
three  years  as  auditor,  two  years  as  con- 
stable, twelve  successive  years  as  tax  col- 
lector, and  has  been  school  director  nine 
years,  with  three  years  of  his  present  term 
still  to  serve.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican 
with  leanings  toward  the  Progressive  move- 
ment. He  attends  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Marion  Center. 

During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Wyncoop  en- 
listed in  the  135th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  with  which  he  served  for  nine 
months,  after  which  he  enlisted  in  the  United 
States  Signal  Corps,  remaining  in  that  branch 
of  the  service  untiLthe  close  of  the  war. 

On  Oct.  12,  1868,  Mr.  Wyncoop  was  mar- 
ried to  Wilhelmina  Clark,  daughter  of  Ben- 


1548 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


jamin  F.  and  Sallie  Clark,  of  Somerset 
county,"  Pa.,  who  had  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren. Mrs.  Wyncoop  died  Nov.  5,  1905,  the 
mother  of  eight  children,  viz. :  Ira  C,  who  is 
engaged  in  business  as  a  merchant  at  Irwin, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.;  Cora  ]\I.,  wife  of 
J.  C.  MeCormick,  of  Marion  Center,  this 
county ;  Earl  Blair,  a  farmer  in  Rayne  town- 
ship; Verne,  wife  of  Charles  McLaughlin,  a 
farmer  of  Rayne  township ;  Logan  Milton,  an 
undertaker,  in  New  York  City:  Emma  E., 
man-ied  to  J.  I.  McElhoes,  a  farmer  of  Rayne 
towTiship;  Mary  B.,  at  home;  and  Mildred  A., 
who  has  been  teaching  in  Rayne  township 
since  1903. 

For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Wyncoop  married 
Rena  Rook,  daughter  of  Harris  Martz,  of  In- 
diana county,  whose  family  consisted  of  eight 
children. 

MOSES  B.  IMILLER,  now  living  retired  at 
Shelocta,  Indiana  county,  was  born  April  16, 
1854,  in  Washington  township,  this  county, 
son-  of  Barnabas  and  Margaret  (Yount) 
Miller. 

Moses  Miller,  his  grandfather,  was  born 
and  reared  in  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  and  came 
to  this  section  of  the  State  when  the  site  of 
M'hat  is  now  Johnstown  was  nothing  but  a 
wilderness.  He  laid  out  the  first  foundation 
for  a  house  within  the  present  limits  of  that 
city.  By  trade  he  was  a  stonemason.  He 
bought  a  tract  of  land  in  what  is  now  the 
city  of  Johnstown,  227  acres,  paying  fifty 
cents  an  acre,  but  he  subsequently  moved  to 
Indiana  county,  where  he  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  He  married  Mary  Mag- 
dalene Sell,  and  their  children  were:  Barna- 
bas, Henry,  Moses,  William,  Mrs.  George 
^Mitchell,  Susan  (Mrs.  William  Johnson), 
Elizabeth  (Mrs.  John  Russell),  Peggie  (]\Irs. 
Henry  Frailey)  and  Annie.  The  father  of 
this  family  died  in  1877,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
nine  years. 

Barnabas  Miller,  a  son  of  Moses  Miller, 
lived  in  Washington  township,  Indiana 
county.     He  married  Margaret  Yount. 

Moses  B.  Miller,  son  of  Barnabas  Miller, 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his 
locality,  and  learned  the  carpenter's  trade, 
which  he  followed  as  a  journeyman  and  later 
as  a  successful  contractor  and  builder,  erect- 
ing the  Parkwood  school  and  a  large  hotel  in 
Clarksburg,  Pa.,  as  well  as  many  eommodioiis 
barns,  and  repaired  the  United  Presbyterian 
church  at  Elderton.  He  is  now  retired  from 
active  life,  enjoying  the  comforts  his  industry 
has  provided. 


On  March  11,  1874,  :Mr.  IMiller  married 
Rachel  Mangus,  of  White  township,  Indiana 
county,  a  daughter  of  Christian  and  Lydia 
(Lape)  Mangus.  Mrs.  Miller  died  Jlay  1, 
1909,  the  mother  of  the  following  children: 
jMargaret,  who  married  A.  P.  Calhoun,  of 
Armstrong  township;  Edward,  who  is  at 
home;  Carrie,  who  married  J.  B.  Hanna,  of 
Blairsville,  Pa. ;  Barney  I.,  who  married 
Nettie  Walker;  Abbie  J.,  who  married  R.  S. 
Fleming,  of  Shelocta;  Catherine,  who  is  de- 
ceased; Mary,  who  married  C.  W.  Kerr,  of 
Armstrong  township ;  Rose,  who  is  at  home ; 
H.  Porter,  born  June  30,  1890,  who  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  and  at  Elderton 
academy,  and  taught  in  the  Parkwood  school 
for  one  year  and  the  Fleming  school  for  an- 
other year;  and  Virginia  E.,  who  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Miller  is  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church,  which  he  sei-ved  as  trustee. 
While  he  has  been  a  Republican  in  political 
sentiment  his  sympathies  are  with  the  Pro- 
hibition movement,  and  he  supports  it  by  ex- 
ample and  influence,  for  he  believes  that 
many  of  the  ills  of  the  times  can  be  directly 
traced  to  the  li(iuor  traffic. 

JOSIAH  ROWLEY,  the  oldest  citizen  in 
point  of  continuous  residence  in  iMontgom- 
ery  township,  Indiana  county,  has  been  an 
active  and  useful  member  of  his  community  in 
every  respect.  He  is  a  substantial  farmer, 
has  served  in  various  local  offices,  and  has 
been  associated  with  all  movements  which 
have  aimed  at  the  betterment  of  conditions 
in  his  section.  Mr.  Rowley  was  born  in  xVrm- 
strong  county.  Pa.,  Sept.  23,  1837,  son  of 
Cornelius  and  Theresa  (Ruffner)  Rowley, 
farming  people  who  moved  to  Montgomery 
township,  Indiana  county,  April  3.  1838. 
Cornelius  Rowley  followed  farming  there  to 
the  end  of  his  days,  dying  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
five  years.  His  wife  died  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
two.  He  served  two  terms  as  supervisor  of 
the  township. 

Josiah  Rowley  has  been  a  lifelong  farmer, 
at  present  owning  seventy-seven  acres,  under 
excellent  cultivation.  He  has  served  six 
terms  as  supervisor  of  his  township,  and  seven 
terms  as  school  director,  his  long  retention 
in  these  positions  being  the  best  evidence  of 
the  satisfaction  his  discharge  of  their  respon- 
sibilities has  given  to  his  fellow  citizens.  He 
is  a  man  of  high  moral  worth,  a  member  of 
the  Dunkard  Brethren  Church  and  a  Pro- 
hibitionist in  political  connection. 

On  Feb.  25.  1866,  :\Ir.  Rowley  married 
Maria  Plose    (Pious),  of  ilontgomery  towTi- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1549 


ship,  ludiana  county,  daughter  of  George  and 
Mary  Plose,  and  eight  children  were  born  to 
this  union,  five  dying  in  infancy.  The  surviv- 
ors are:  Anna,  now  the  wife  of  jM.  G.  Rug- 
amer,  machinist  in  an  automobile  factory,  of 
Lafayette,  Ind. ;  William  Wallace;  and  Sam- 
uel S.,  section  boss  on  the  Pennsylvania  rail- 
road, now  living  at  McGees  Mills,  Cleartield 
Co.,  Pa.    Mrs.  Rowley  died  Oct.  1,  1899. 

William  Wallace  Rowley,  son  of  Josiah 
and  Maria  Rowley,  was  born  Feb.  14,  1871,  in 
Montgomery  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
there.  He  has  always  followed  farming,  and 
in  the  winter  also  engages  in  lumbering.  He 
owns  a  tract  of  sixty-three  acres,  which  under 
his  energetic  management  is  in  profitable  con- 
dition. Like  his  father  he  takes  a  keen  in- 
terest in  the  administration  of  local  affairs, 
and  he  has  served  three  terms  as  overseer  of 
the  poor  and  three  times  as  supervisor  of 
elections.  He  supports  the  Prohibition  party. 
On  March  13,  1900,  he  married  Pearl  Conner, 
of  Washington  township,  this  county,  daughter 
of  Abraham  W.  and  Catherine  Conner,  farm- 
ing people,  and  they  have  had  two  children: 
Ray  Sprankle,  born  Oct.  21,  1902,  and  Elmer 
Sheldon,  born  Nov.  22,  1906. 

GEORGE  H.  DICK,  farmer  of  Cherryhill 
townshiji,  Indiana  county,  has  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  short  time  spent  in  the  West 
been  a  lifelong  resident  of  that  township, 
where  he  was  born  Sept.  2,  1851.  His  grand- 
father, John  Dick,  came  to  this  county  at  an 
early  day  and  bought  land  which  he  cleared 
and  cultivated,  living  thereon  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  when  he  was  forty-four  years 
old. 

Jacob  P.  Dick,  son  of  John,  was  the  father 
of  George  H.  Dick.  He  was  born  in  Blair 
county.  Pa.,  but  was  reared  in  Indiana  coun- 
ty, followed  farming  all  his  active  life  in 
Cherryhill  township,  and  died  in  1900.  In 
1863  he  married  Elizabeth  Hoover,  and  the 
following  children  were  born  to  them :  Mar- 
garet, who  is  now  deceased;  David  H.,  of 
Cherryhill  township ;  George  H. ;  Andrew 
and  John,  lioth  of  whom  are  deceased ;  Nancy, 
wife  of  Benjamin  'Bowers,  of  Martinsburg, 
Pa. ;  and  Martin  H.,  who  lives  in  Cherryhill 
township.  By  his  second  marriage  Jacob  P. 
Dick  had  seven  children,  the  survivors  being : 
William,  who  lives  in  Iowa;  James,  of 
Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Jacob  M.,  who  is  on  the  old 
homestead ;  and  Frank,  living  with  his  mother 
at  Greenville,  Pennsylvania. 


George  H.  Dick  attended  the  schools  near 
his  home  in  Cherryhill  township,  and  from 
boyhood  worked  with  his  father,  assisting  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  home  farm.  Since  he 
began  life  for  himself  he  has  continued  to 
follow  farming,  as  well  as  lumbering,  and 
with  the  exception  of  two  years  when  he  was 
out  West  has  always  lived  in  his  native  coun- 
ty. In  1893  lie  purchased  the  farm  upon 
which  he  now  lives,  and  has  since  given  all 
his  time  and  attention  to  its  cultivation,  in 
which  he  has  been  very  successful.  He  has 
found  time  also  to  serve  his  fellow  citizens 
officially,  having  filled  the  office  of  overseer 
of  the  poor  for  three  terms. 

On  Oct.  2,  1882,  Mr.  Dick  married  Linna 
Stephens,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  Giles  Stephens,  a  farmer,  who 
settled  in  the  county  many  years  ago.  Mrs. 
Dick  died  June  30,  1890.  She  had  four  chil- 
dren, viz. :  Edna,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen years;  a  twin  of  Edna,  deceased  in  in- 
fancy ;  Harry,  and  Wilda.  On  March  6,  1891, 
Mr.  Dick  was  married  (second)  to  Mary  D. 
Moorhead,  who  was  born  in  the  borough  of 
Indiana,  on  what  is  now  the  site  of  the 
"Indiana  Hotel,"  daughter  of  James  and 
Belle  Moorhead,  both  of  whom  lived  in  In- 
diana county  from  their  early  days.  Six 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  one 
of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  survivors  are : 
Martha,  George,  James,  Edward  and  Stella. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dick  are  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

JOHN  W.  PATTERSON,  of  Green  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  has  been  engaged  in 
farming  all  his  life  and  has  also  followed 
lumbering.  He  lives  on  what  was  formerly 
known  as  the  Trimmell  farm.  Mr.  Patterson 
was  bom  in  Green  township  Dec.  10,  1846,  son 
of  Thomas  and  Martha  (Dunkle)  Patterson 
and  grandson  of  Samuel  Patterson,  who  came 
to  Indiana  county  in  pioneer  days.  This  sec- 
tion was  a  wilderness  when  he  settled  here. 
He  followed  farming  from  early  life,  and 
lived  and  died  upon  the  place  where  he  located 
upon  his  arrival.  His  children  were:  Wil- 
liam, John  C,  Thomas,  Robert,  Elizabeth  and 
Margaret. 

Thomas  Patterson,  father  of  John  W.  Pat- 
terson, was  born  in  Cherryhill  township,  this 
county,  learned  shoemaking,  and  followed 
that  trade  all  his  life.  He  was  a  well-known 
citizen  in  his  day,  having  served  several  terms 
as  justice  of  the  peace  in  Green  township. 
He  died  May  9,  1888.  His  wife,  Martha 
(Dunkle),   who   is   still  living,   now    (1912) 


1550 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ninety-two  years  old,  was  bom  in  Brushval-' 
ley  township,  this  county,  daughter  of  John 
Dunkle,  a  native  of  New  York,  of  Dutch  an- 
cestry, who  settled  iu  Indiana  county  in  the 
early  days.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occiapation. 
Of  the  family .  born  to  him  and  his  wife, 
Keziah,  the  eldest,  is  deceased;  Martha  be- 
came Mrs.  Patterson ;  Mary  is  deceased ;  Cath- 
erine, Lueinda  and  Elizabeth  are  deceased. 

Nine  children  were  bom  to  Thomas  and 
Martha  (Dunkle)  Patterson:  Samuel  D., 
who  is  now  deceased,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Civil  war,  serving  in  Company  I,  67th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantrj^  and  taking  part 
in  many  battles;  he  was  captured,  and  con- 
fined at  Andersonville,  Libby  prison  and 
Belle  Isle;  he  lived  iu  Cambria  county,  and 
represented  same  in  the  State  Legislature 
for  one  term.  John  W.  is  mentioned  below. 
Keziah  is  the  wife  of  Robert  F.  Templeton, 
of  Green  township.  William  E.  is  living  on 
the  old  homestead  iu  Green  township.  ]\Iartin 
L.  is  a  resident  of  Montgomery  township,  this 
county.  Robert  lives  in  Green  township.  Gal- 
lic is  the  M-ife  of  John  L.  Evans,  of  Ebens- 
burg,  Pa.  Ella  M.  is  the  wife  of  Evan  G. 
Davis  and  lives  in  Green  township.  Emma  is 
the  wife  of  W.  B.  Douglas,  of  Green  town- 
ship. 

John  W.  Patterson  obtained  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  Green  township. 
He  lived  on  the  farm  where  he  was  born  until 
he  reached  manhood,  and  subsequently  spent 
two  years  at  Ebensburg,  Pa.  He  has  followed 
lumbering  as  well  as  general  farming,  aud 
since  1884  has  lived  at  his  present  home  in 
Green  township,  occupying  what  was  at  one 
time  the  Triramell  farm,  where  the  famous 
Trimmell  triplets  were  born.  He  owns  a  fine 
property,  in  excellent  condition,  giving  every 
evidence  of  the  intelligent  care  aud  manage- 
ment of  the  owner.  Mv.  Patterson  has  served 
two  terms  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  school 
directors  of  his  township. 

On  May  15,  1872,  Mr.  Patterson  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Mary  Virginia  Moorhead,  who 
was  bom  in  Cherryhill  township,  this  county, 
daughter  of  David  and  Lydia  (Hahn)  Moor- 
head, the  former  a  native  of  Lancaster  county, 
Pa.,  and  the  latter  a  native  of  Maryland; 
they  settled  in  this  county  at  an  early  day, 
Mr.  Moorhead  engaging  in  farming  in  Cherry- 
hill  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moorhead  are 
now  deceased.  They  were  the  parents  of  four 
children. 

Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs, 
Patterson:  Mabel,  the  eldest,  is  now  the 
widow  of  Robert  Dawson,  and  lives  in  Pitts- 


burg, Pa. ;  she  has  had  three  children,  Harold 
(deceased),  Raymond  and  Virginia.  Jessie 
E.  lives  in  Pittsburg.  Albert  is  also  a  resi- 
dent of  Pittsburg.  Harold,  who  lives  in 
Pittsburg,  married  Olive  Luther,  and  they 
have  one  child,  Norman.  Thomas,  who  lives 
in  Cambria  county,  married  Elizabeth  Cole- 
man, and  they  have  one  child.  Oden  is  liv- 
ing at  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patterson  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Church,  in  which 
he  has  been  an  active  worker,  being  at  present 
a  trustee,  class  leader  and  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  school. 

JACOB  J.  EVERWINE  was  born  Oct.  27, 
1841,  on  the  farm  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana 
county,  which  he  still  operates,  his  son  now 
assisting  him. 

Jacob  Everwine,  his  father,  was  born  in 
Germany,  and  he  was  twice  married,  both 
his  wives  being  natives  of  the  same  province 
as  himself.  By  his  second  union,  to  Catherine 
Rosina  Polack.  he  had  three  chilclren :  Louisa, 
who  is  the  widow  of  William  Zigler  and  lives 
in  the  borough  of  Indiana,  Indiana  county; 
Jacob  J. ;  and  Rosina,  deceased,  who  was  the 
wife  of  James  Bence,  a  farmer  of  Rayne  town- 
ship, and  had  nine  children.  Wlien  the  father 
came  to  America  he  first  made  his  home  at 
Blairsville,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  later  moving 
to  the  borough  of  Indiana,  and  subsequently 
purchasing  the  farm  in  Rayne  township  where 
his  son  Jacob  now  lives.  He  died  on  this  old 
homestead  March  20,  1873,  and  the  mother 
died  there  April  6,  1895. 

Jacob  J.  Everwine  was  raised  and  educated 
in  Ra.yne  township,  and  has  been  engaged 
in  farming  throughout  his  active  years,  now 
owning  the  farm  which  his  father  bought 
many  years  ago.  He  has  150  aci-es  of  valu- 
able land,  and  he  and  his  son  now  cultivate 
the  place  together,  their  intelligent  and  well- 
directed  labors  being  apparent  in  the  fine 
condition  of  the  property.  He  has  been  a 
Republican  in  political  association,  and  now 
belongs  to  the  Progressive  party,  and  he  has 
taken  considerable  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
liis  locality  and  its  proper  administration. 
He  has  been  elected  to  the  office  of  school 
director.  Mr.  Everwine  attends  the  Lutheran 
Church. 

On  March  1,  1866,  Mr.  Everwine  married 
Amanda  Widdowson,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Elizabeth  G.  (Lydiek)  Widdowson,  farm- 
ing people  of  Cherr.yhill  township ;  they  had 
a  family  of  fourteen  children.  The  follow- 
ing were  borti  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Everwine: 
Mary  married  Harry  Longwill,  a  farmer,  of 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1551 


Dixonville,  this  county,  and  they  have  a 
family  of  six  children ;  Jean  married  T.  N. 
Strong-,  farmer  of  Raj'ne  township,  and  has 
two  children,  one  son  and  one  daughter; 
Annetta  Rosina  mai-ried  Charles  Stuehell, 
who  is  now  deceased,  and  by  him  had  one 
son,  and  she  is  now  the  wife  of  George  Gib- 
son, of  Canada,  at  present  living  on  Long 
Island,  New  York ;  Olive  is  deceased ;  Florence 
is  deceased;  Thomas  J.  married  Minerva  Ed- 
wards, a  builder,  now  living  at  Swissvale, 
Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.,  and  they  have  one  child, 
a  daughter ;  John  L.,  born  May  12,  1883,  lives 
at  home;  M.  J.,  born  Oct.  6,  1886,  is  studjdng 
medicine  at  Chicago,  Illinois. 

THOMAS  ALEXANDER  HUGHES,  of 
Conemaugh  township,  has  had  his  home  there 
from  young  manhood,  when  he  came  to  this 
section  with  his  parents.  Though  the  family 
has  not  been  associated  for  long  with  Indiana 
county,  it  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  this  part 
of  Pennsylvania,  the  great-grandfather  of 
Mr.  Hughes  having  been  the  first  white  child 
born  in  Westmoreland  county. 

(A  recent  history  of  Westmoreland  county 
says  the  Hughes  family  is  of  Scotch-Irish 
lineage,  and  the  branch  to  which  the  late  Dr. 
John  W.  Hughes,  of  Latrobe,  belonged  was 
early  founded  in  Pennsylvania,  members  of 
the  family  having  been  among  the  first 
pioneers  to  settle  west  of  the  Allegheny  moun- 
tains in  this  State.  William  Hughes  was  a 
farmer  by  vocation,  and  in  early  life  married 
a  Miss  Barnett,  a  representative  of  the  well- 
known  family  of  that  name  which  early 
settled  near  New  Derry,  Westmoreland  coun- 
ty, being  prominent  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  for  many  generations.  Their  son, 
Samuel  B.  Hughes,  who  died  in  1874,  was  the 
father  of  Dr.  John  W.  Hughes.) 

Isaac  Hughes,  grandfather  of  Thomas  Alex- 
ander Hughes,  was  born  at  Derry  station,  in 
Westmoreland  county,  and  there  followed 
farming  all  his  life.  He  was  twice  married, 
having  two  children,  Isaac  and  Samuel,  by 
the  first  union,  and  his  second  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Cummings,  was  the  mother 
of  four:  David,  Alexander,  James,  and  a 
daughter  whose  name  is  not  given. 

David  Hughes,  son  of  Isaac,  was  born  at 
Derry  station,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  and 
had  common  school  privileges.  He  began 
farming  with  his  parents,  later  owning  a  large 
farm  and  carrying  on  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing extensively.  In  1885  he  sold  this  place 
and  moved  to  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana 


county,  where  he  bought  the  Speedy  farm  of 
212  acres,  located  halfway  between  Saltsburg 
and  Livermore,  on  the  Saltsburg  and  Blairs- 
ville  road.  Here  he  engaged  in  general 
agricultural  pursuits  and  stock  raising  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  He  was  a  prominent 
man  in  his  day,  in  both  Westmoreland  and 
Indiana  counties,  being  of  active  character 
and  progressive  disposition.  He  was  up-to- 
date  in  his  work  and  thoroughly  honorable  in 
all  his  dealings.  He  died  on  this  place  and  was 
buried  with  his  wife  in  the  cemetery  of  the 
Conemaugh  Church.  A  lifelong  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  he  was  active 
in  its  work  and  contributed  freely  to  its  sup- 
port, and  while  a  resident  of  Westmoreland 
county  served  many  years  as  trustee  of  the 
church  at  New  Alexandria.  Mr.  Hughes  mar- 
ried Sarah  Kennedy,  daughter  of  George 
Kennedy,  of  Westmoreland  county,  whose 
wife's  name  was  Gray,  and  to  this  union 
were  born  the  following  children:  George 
married  Annie  Bell  Kincade,  and  they  live 
on  the  fann  in  Conemaugh  township  adjoin- 
ing that  of  Thomas  Alexander  Hughes,  it 
being  a  tract  of  106  acres,  half  of  the  original 
place  bought  by  their  father ;  Loretta  married 
John  Hunter,  of  Elderton,  Armstrong  Co., 
Pa.,  a  farmer ;  Irene  is  deceased ;  IMary,  widow 
of  James  Irwin,  resides  at  Livermore,  West- 
moreland county;  Thomas  Alexander  is  men- 
tioned below. 

Thomas  Alexander  Hughes  was  born  April 
12,  1867,  in  Derry  township,  near  New  Alex- 
andria, Westmoreland  county,  and  there  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  schools. 
He  worked  with  his  father'  from  boyhood,  and 
was  eighteen  years  old  when  the  family  moved 
to  Conemaugh  township,  Indiana  county, 
where  he  continued  to  farm  with  his  father 
until  the  latter 's  death.  The  home  place  was 
then  divided,  he  and  his  brother  George  each 
receiving  106  acres,  which  they  continue  to 
cultivate.  Thomas  A.  Hughes  makes  a  spe- 
cialty of  truck  gardening  along  with  general 
farming,  and  stock  raising,  and  his  practical 
methods  and  enterprising  disposition  are  ap- 
parent in  the  fine  appearance  of  his  property 
and  its  increased  productive  qualities.  Though 
he  cares  nothing  for  public  honors  for  him- 
self he  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  town- 
ship affairs,  and  he  held  the  position  of  road 
supervisor  one  term. 

j\Ir.  Hughes  married  Blanch  Christman, 
daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (Irwin) 
Christman,  and  they  have  the  following  chil- 


1552 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


dren:      Eva    May,    George    Kennedy, 
Albert,  Irene  Elizabeth  and  Annie  Bell. 


John    Gertha,  at  home;  Theresa,  Dow,  Walter  and 
Mary,  all  four  deceased. 


ASA  E.  ]\IcANULTY  is  a  native-born  res- 
ident of  Green  township,  Indiana  county,  and 
has  lived  on  his  present  farm  since  he  was 
seventeen  years  old.  He  was  born  July  15, 
1855,  son  of  James  and  ilartha  ]McAnulty, 
and  grandson  of  Michael  McAnulty,  who  was 
a  pioneer  settler  in  the  county  and  bought  a 
farm  in  Green  township  upon  which  he  lived 
and  worked  until  his  death.  The  McAnultys 
are  of  Scotch-Irish  origin. 

James  McAnulty,  father  of  Asa  E.  Mc- 
Anulty, was  born  in  Indiana  county,  and  died 
when  Asa  E.,  his  only  child,  was  very  young. 
His  wife,  ]Martha,  was  also  a  native  of  In- 
diana county,  and  was  one  of  seven  children 
born  to  her  parents,  all  now  deceased. 

Asa  E.  McAnulty  received  a  public  school 
education  in  Green  township,  and  when  a  boy 
began  to  work  on  the  farm,  continuing  to  fol- 
low agricultural  pursuits  all  his  life,  in 
Green  township.  When  seventeen  he  came  to 
the  farm  upon  which  he  has  ever  since  re- 
sided, and  he  has  engaged  in  lumbering  as 
well  as  general  farming.  He  has  been  suc- 
cessful in  his  work,  which  has  brought  him  a 
comfortable  income. 

On  Jan.  24,  1878,  Mr.  McAnulty  was  mar- 
ried to  Catherine  Jeffries,  who  was  born  June 
19,  1862,  in  Pine  Flats,  Indiana  county, 
daughter  of  Howell  and  Anna  (Evans)  Jeff- 
ries, natives  of  Wales,  the  former  of  whom 
came  with  his  parents  to  America  in  an  early 
day,  the  family  first  settling  at  Johnsto-^v-n, 
Pa'.  Later  they  moved  to  Indiana  county, 
making  a  home  in  Green  township.  Mrs.  Mc- 
Anulty's  maternal  grandfather  Evans  settled 
at  Piiie  Flats,  this  county,  owning  a  farm  in 
Green  township  where  he  lived  and  died. 
Mrs.  JIcAnulty  was  one  of  five  children  born 
to  her  parents:  Mary,  now  widow  of  John 
Cresswell,  of  Green  township;  Robert,  living 
in  Pittsburg,  Pa.;  Anna,  wife  of  William 
Flemins,  of  Green  township ;  Catherine,  Mrs. 
McAnulty :  and  Ella,  wife  of  William  H.  Wil- 
liams, of  Ebensburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Twelve  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McAnulty :  Stella,  now  the  wife  of  John  Haf- 
fen,  of  Starford,  Indiana  county ;  Ernest,  liv- 
ing in  Green  township ;  Wesley,  living  at  Heil- 
wood,  Indiana  county;  Hale,  a  resident  of 
Pittsburg:  Mattie,  who  is  teaching  school  in 
Green  township;  Rilla,  wife  of  Quay  Baker, 
a  resident  of  Green  township,  who  is  engaged 
in  teaching  school,  which  profession  Mrs. 
Baker  has   also   followed;  Wilda,   at  home; 


JOHN  W.  SNYDER,  who  has  an  eighty-two- 
acre  farm  in  Rayne  township,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  in  that  township  April  17,  1871,  son 
of  George  J.  and  Isabelle  (Boocher)  Snyder. 
His  father,  who  is  a  native  of  Indiana  county, 
passed  all  his  active  years  in  farming,  retir- 
ing in  the  year  1898.  He  makes  his  home  in 
the  borough  of  Indiana. 

John  W.  Snyder  received  his  education  in 
the  old  McKee  and  Shields  schools,  and  early 
became  familiar  with  farming,  working  with 
his  father.  For  some  time  he  resided  in  In- 
diana borough,  where  he  was  emploj^ed  at 
the  carpenter's  trade,  and  from  there  moved 
to  Rayne  township,  buying  the  farm  of  eighty- 
two  acres  upon  which  he  now  lives.  He  de- 
votes all  his  time  to  the  cultivation  of  this 
place,  and  has  been  a  useful  citizen  of  his 
locality,  serving  one  term  in  the  office  of 
supervisor,  in  which  he  gave  thorough  sat- 
isfaction. 

On  Sept.  16,  1896,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
five  years,  Mr.  Snyder  married  Carrie  M. 
Freck,  of  Rayne  township,  daughter  of  George 
and  Catherine  (Cook)  Freck,  well-known  resi- 
dents of  this  section.  Her  father  is  a  farmer 
by  occupation,  has  served  as  assessor  for 
years,  and  has  also  held  the  office  of  school 
director.  Three  children  have  been  born  to 
ilr.  and  Mrs.  Snyder :  Clarence  i\Iouroe,  born 
June  19,  1897 ;  Genevea  Florence,  born  April 
17,  1899 ;  and  Kathryn  Mary  Bell,  born  Nov. 
6,  1902.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snyder  are  members 
and  earnest  workers  of  the  Grove  Chapel 
Lutheran  Church,  which  he  is  serving  in  the 
office  of  deacon.  In  political  association  he 
has  alwaj's  been  a  Republican. 

HARRY  CARSON,  a  well-known  farmer  of 
White  township.  Indiana  county,  was  born 
in  Center  township  I\Iay  5,  1869,  son  of  Rob- 
ert C.  and  Elizal)eth  H.  (Hamill)  Carson,  and 
grandson  of  William  Carson. 

William  Carson,  the  grandfather,  was  born 
probably  in  Perry  county.  Pa.,  and  from  there 
in  1834  came  to  Indiana  county,  in  company 
with  his  brothei-s  and  sisters  John,  Alexander, 
Susan  and  Jane.  William  Carson  engaged 
in  farming  until  overtaken  by  blindness,  a 
number  of  years  before  his  death.  He  mar- 
ried Letitia  Work,  and  both  died  in  Center 
township  and  were  buried  at  Bethel  Church. 
Thev  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  They  had  the  following  children: 
William;  Alexander;  James;  Mary,  wife  of 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1553 


John  Robbins,  of  White  township ;  Rose,  wife 
of  Edward  Harbinson;  John,  who  died  in 
1911,  aged  eighty-nine  j^ears;  Letitia,  who 
died  in  1910 ;  Susan,  widow  of  Thomas  Smith, 
residing  at  Chambersville ;  Robert  C. ;  and 
Thomas,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Gaines's  Jlills  during  the  Civil  war.  Pour  of 
them  were  carpenters  and  builders. 

Robert  C.  Carson  was  born  in  Center  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  in  1835.  When  iie  grew 
to  manhood  he  learned  carpentry  and  after- 
ward followed  contracting  and  building  a 
number  of  j'ears,  erecting  some  of  the  best 
residences  in  Center  township,  as  well  as 
barns,  schoolhouses  and  other  structures,  and 
was  the  builder  of  the  first  house  for  residen- 
tial purposes  at  the  Graceton  Coke  Works. 
He  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  seiwing  out 
a  first  enlistment  in  Company  E,  177th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Capt. 
Lewis  M.  Brumell,  from  Oct.  16, 1862,  to  Aug. 
5,  1863.  On  March  17,  1865,  he  reenlisted 
under  Capt.  Joseph  ]\I.  Dougherty,  in  the 
103d  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  and  served  as  a 
lieutenant  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  Dur- 
ing these  yeare  of  danger  and  hardship  his 
commands  were  stationed  in  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina,  and  in  the  swamps  of  these 
States  he  contracted  fever  and  ague,  now  gen- 
erally attributed  to  miasma,  which  made  such 
inroads  on  his  naturally  strong  constitution 
that  he  never  fully  regained  his  health.  Be- 
ing, however,  a  man  of  strong  will  and  re- 
markable energy,  he  continued  active  in  busi- 
ness until  his  death.  During  the  later  years 
of  his  life,  while  following  his  trade,  he  lived 
on  his  farm  in  Center  to\\Tiship,  near  Homer 
City,  having  improved  his  property  with 
handsome  and  substantial  buildings.  He  died 
April  18,  1893,  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years, 
and  was  buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery,  at 
Indiana.  He  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Homer  City,  in  which 
he  was  an  elder,  and  also  served  as  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school.  Interested  as 
he  alwaj's  Avas  in  general  education,  he  con- 
sented to  serve  for  a  long  period  as  school 
director,  and  held  other  local  offices.  Although 
naturally  of  a  retiring  nature  he  made  many 
friends  through  his  recognition  of  the  rights 
of  others  and  a  due  regard  for  their  comfort 
and  welfare.  He  married  Elizabeth  H. 
Hamill,  who  was  born  in  Center  township,  a 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Jane  (Trimble) 
Hamill,  her  birth  occurring  in  1840.  She  was 
reared  in  a  Christian  home,  her  parents  be- 
ing members  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church.    To  Robert  C.  and  Elizabeth  H.  Car- 


son four  children  were  born,  as  follows :  Jen- 
nie, who  became  the  wife  of  William  S.  Hunt- 
ley, of  Youngwood,  Westmoreland  county; 
Harry;  Myrtle  A.,  who  married  J.  M.  Davis, 
of  White  township;  and  Porter  H.,  who  died 
in  childhood. 

Harry  Carson  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Center  township  and  from  a  com- 
paratively earlj'  age  worked  on  the  farm  and 
for  his  father  at  the  carpenter's  trade.  He 
remained  on  the  homestead  until  1901,  when 
he  came  to  White  township,  whex'e  he  pur- 
chased the  Robbins  farm  of  ninety-one  acres, 
to  which  he  has  made  additions  until  now  he 
owns  and  operates  a  tract  of  199  acres,  cai-ry- 
ing  on  general  farming  and  dairying,  taking 
advantage  of  all  modern  discoveries  relating 
to  agricultural  activities  and  thereby  making 
very  satisfactory  progress. 

On  Sept.  3,  1897,  Mr.  Carson  was  married 
to  Mrs.  S.  Elizabeth  (Miller)  Long,  daughter 
of  John  Irwin  and  Mary  (Keener)  ililler,  of 
Blacklick  township,  and  widow  of  George  S. 
Long.  Mi's.  Carson  was  born  in  Conemaugh 
township,  later  moving  to  Blacklick  township, 
where  she  lived  till  her  man-iage  to  Mr.  Car- 
son. She  was  well  educated,  attending  the 
public  schools  of  Indiana  county  and  the  State 
normal  school,  and  teaching  school  for  some 
years  before  her  first  marriage,  to  which  one 
son  was  born,  J.  Irwin  Long.  After  his  gradu- 
ation from  the  public  schools  he  attended  the 
Indiana  State  normal  school,  and  engaged  in 
teaching,  first  in  Indiana  county  and  later  in 
the  famous  Hood  River  vallej^  Oregon,  where 
he  spent  a  year.  On  returning  from  the  far 
West  he  finished  his  course  at  the  Indiana 
State  normal,  graduating  in  the  class  of  1911. 
He  bought  a  farm  in  White  township  (after 
coming  back  East),  a  tract  of  109  acres,  which 
is  situated  in  sight  of  his  parents'  farm,  on 
which  he  resides,  but  has  not  entirely  given  up 
teaching  school.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carson 
three  sons  have  been  born:  Robert  Miller, 
Harry  Carlyle  and  Paul  E.,  all  students.  The 
eldest  made  a  record  in  passing  the  State  pub- 
lic school  examination  at  the  age  of  thirteen 
years. 

Mr.  Carson  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest 
in  the  public  school  system  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty-four  years  became  a  school  director  in 
Center  township,  and  continued  as  such  for 
seven  years,  when  he  resigned  in  order  to 
locate  in  White  township,  where  he  served  in 
a  similar  capacity  for  eight  yeai-s  and  has 
been  president  and  also  secretary  of  the  board 
in  both  townships.  He  belongs  to  the  Pro- 
gressive Republican  party  in  politics,  being  an 


1554 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


unusually  broad-minded,  well-informed  man. 
'  At  the  age  of  twenty-five  years  he  was  elected 
an  elder  in  the  Homer  City  United  Presby- 
terian Church  and  served  as  such  until  he 
moved  into  White  township,  and  at  present  is 
serving  as  an  elder  of  the  First  United  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Indiana,  another  member  of 
the  board  being  Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart,  the  well- 
known  educator  and  historian  of  Indiana. 

WILSON  M.  BOWSER,  who  is  cultivating 
tlie  old  Bowser  homestead  in  West  Mahoning 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  on  that 
farm  in  1865,  son  of  Henry  F.  and  Catherine 
(Marshall)  Bowser. 

Christian  Bowser,  his  paternal  grandfather, 
was  born  in  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  Sept.  '27, 
1798,  and  was  there  married  to  Susanna  Fluck, 
Oct.  21,  1825.  In  1840  they  removed  to  Arm- 
strong county,  settling  in  East  Franklin  town- 
ship, near  Kittanning,  where  he  became  a  well- 
known  agriculturist,  but  in  1851  they  went  to 
Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  locating  in  Gaskill 
township.  There  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life 
in  farming,  and  passed  away  Sept.  18,  1869, 
in  the  faith  of  the  Gei-man  Baptist  Church. 
He  and  his  wife,  who  died  Sept.  2,  1877,  had 
the  following  children:  Henry  F.  is  men- 
tioned below;  William  F.,  born  Aug.  21,  1828, 
a  puddler  of  Kittanning,  married  Margaret 
Campbell,  and  died  July  31,  1893;  David  F., 
born  Sept.  10,  1833,  who  married  Mary  Mey- 
ers, carried  on  farming  and  lumbering,  and 
died  March  25,  1895,  in  Jefferson  county, 
where  his  widow  is  still  living ;  Peter  F.,  born 
■Sept.  10,  1836,  who  mamed  Eliza  Brooks, 
carried  on  farming  and  lumbering  in  Jeffer- 
son county  until  1902,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  a  resident  of  Dallas,  Oregon;  Christina 
F.,  born  Dec.  13,  1839,  who  married  Robert 
Beatty,  is  living  in  Clearfield  county,  near 
McGee's  Mills;  Jacob  F.,  born  Nov.  6,  1843, 
died  in  May,  1911,  married  Martha  Rhodes, 
who  still  resides  in  Jefferson  county;  Eliza- 
beth F.,  born  Dec.  12,  1849,  married  James 
Powland,  who  died  in  the  fall  of  1871,  and 
she  subsequently  married  (second)  a  Mr. 
Miller,  and  passed  away  in  1875. 

Heniy  F.  Bowser,  son  of  Christian  Bowser, 
was  born  Jan.  6,  1827,  in  Bedford  county.  Pa., 
and  there  received  meager  educational  advan- 
tages. His  first  marriage  was  to  Elizabeth 
Swigert,  of  Armstrong  county,  who  died  with- 
out issue,  and  in  February,  1863,  he  was  mar- 
ried (second)  to  ]\Irs.  Catherine  Marshall,  the 
widow  of  John  Lewis  Marshall.  She  was  born 
near  Dayton,  Pa.,  Feb.  5,  1827,  and  had  one 
son  by  her  first  husband,  Calvin  James,  born 


Jan.  12, 1854,  who  died  April  20, 1872.  Henry 
F.  Bowser  passed  his  entire  life  in  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  died  May  20,  1872.  He  and  his 
second  wife  had  the  following  children:  (1) 
Wilson  M.  (2)  Ida  Clara,  born  Oct.  18,  1867, 
maiTied  George  Sink,  and  died  April  2,  1891. 
She  had  one  child,  Clara  G.,  who  is  now  de- 
ceased. (3)  Arnold  H.,  born  Oct.  11,  1871, 
married  July  1,  1896,  Idella  Rairaigh,  and 
had  two  children,  Herbert  W.  and  ilarshall, 
the  latter  decea.sed.  The  mother  passed  away 
March  4,  1901,  and  his  second  marriage,  on 
Sept.  5,  1906,  was  to  Elizabeth  Kirkpatrick, 
by  whom  he  has  two  children,  J.  Dale  and 
Adah.  Arnold  H.  Bowser  has  always  been  a 
farmer  on  the  old  home  place  in  partnership 
with  his  brother,  Wilson  M.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  at  Smicksburg. 

William  ilarshall,  the  maternal  great- 
grandfather of  Wilson  JI.  Bowser,  was  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent. 

James  Marshall,  son  of  William  Marshall 
and  grandfather  of  Wilson  M.  Bowser,  was 
born  Dec.  5,  1796,  and  in  1803  went  to  Arm- 
strong county  and  built  the  Glade  Run  ilills. 
He  was  married  July  17,  1821,  to  :\Iargaret 
Marshall,  daughter  of  Archibald  Marshall, 
and  some  time  thereafter  they  sold  the  mill 
and  purchased  500  acres  of  land  near  Plum- 
ville,  Pa.,  the  larger  part  of  which  he  cleared. 
He  was  an  exemplaiy  citizen,  and  was  ■widely 
known  and  highly  esteemed,  and  in  his  death, 
which  occurred  July  1,  1844,  his  township  lost 
one  of  its  best  citizens.  His  wife  followed 
him  to  the  grave  Dec.  28,  1873.  They  were 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Mar- 
garet W.,  born  March  9, 1826,  married  Thomas 
Davis,  who  died  April  3,  1857,  and  .she  then 
married  (second)  Nathaniel  Doty,  March  3, 
1868,  and  died  Oct.  11,  1895 ;  Joseph  Wilson, 
born  Dec.  11,  1827,  lived  on  a  part  of  the  old 
place,  where  his  first  wife,  Jane  Davis,  whom 
he  married  Jan,  27,  1850,  died  Jan.  25,  1864, 
and  he  married  (second)  May  4,  1865,  Mary 
C.  Stewart;  Archibald,  born  Oct.  9,  1829, 
who  married  :\Iary  A.  Wadding,  lived  on  a 
part  of  the  old  home  place  in  South  Mahon- 
ing township,  and  died  July  29,  1859;  Rob- 
ert, born  Nov.  13,  1831,  married  April  26, 
1860,  Evelyn  Roland,  and  died  Sept.  12,  1885, 
and  they  lived  in  South  I\Iahoning  township ; 
Catherine  became  the  ^^^fe  of  ^Ir.  Bowser. 
James  Marshall  never  aspired  to  public  of- 
fice, and  took  little  interest  in  political  affairs, 
but  was  a  great  supporter  of  the  temperance 
cause,  and  a  strong  believer  in  probity  and 
morality.     He  filled  an  honorable  and  influ- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1555 


ential  position  in  his  community  and  was 
widely  known  and  highly  respected. 

Wilson  M.  Bowser,  son  of  Henry  P.  Bowser, 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  vicinity,  where  he  has  always  resided. 
He  was  married  June  30,  1886,  to  Lydia 
Welch,  of  Plumville,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Lewis 
A.  and  Annie  E.  (Spargo)  Welch,  the  former 
of  Clearfield  county  and  the  latter  of  Cam- 
bria countv.  Mr.  Welch  was  born  March  4, 
1838,  and  ^his' wife  May  16,  1840,  and  they 
died  Feb.  19,  1902,  and  Dec.  24,  1908,  re- 
spectively. He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade. 
During  the  Civil  war  he  fought  bravely  as  a 
member  of  Company  E,  148th  Regiment.  P. 
V.  I.,  under  Colonel  Beaver,  in  the  2d  Army 
Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac.  During  his 
latter  years  he  farmed  on  the  old  Spargo 
place  in  South  ]\Iahoning  township,  and  died 
at  Salona,  Pa.,  while  attending  a  reunion.  He 
was  a  stanch  Republican  and  a  faithful  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church,  as  well  as  a  popu- 
lar comrade  of  the  Union  Veterans'  Legion. 
He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowdng  children  besides  Lydia,  Mrs.  Bowser: 
Mary  S.,  born  May  15,  1862,  was  a  teacher, 
and  married  A.  P.  Cunningham,  of  Dayton, 
Pa.,  by  whom  she  had  four  children,  Lewis  J. 
(a  butcher  of  Dayton,  who  married  Grace  Mc- 
Intire),  Annie  (who  married  Joseph  Smith, 
a  sawmill  man  of  Industry,  Pa.),  Elzie  B. 
(who  has  always  lived  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bowser)  and  Clara  (at  home)  ;  Lottie,  born 
Nov.  4,  1864,  married  John  F.  Sims,  of  Par- 
son, Wyo.,  and  has  seven  children,  Lewis, 
Gertrude,  Estella,  William,  Allmada,  Clifford 
and  an  infant  daughter;  Mertie,  born  Dec.  6, 
1870,  was  married  to  Harry  E.  Rowland,  of 
South  Mahoning  township;  George  B.,  born 
Feb.  18,  1873,  lives  at  Dayton,  and  owns  a 
farm  in  South  Mahoning  township;  Edgar  J., 
born  Jan.  8,  1876,  at  Plumville,  Pa.,  who 
graduated  from  the  normal  school  and  be- 
came a  teacher,  was  married  to  Carrie  Coup, 
by  whom  he  has  two  children.  Marion  and 
Leonard :  Almanda.  born  April  14,  1878,  mar- 
ried K.  E.  Nolf ;  J.  L.  C,  born  Nov.  20,  1880, 
living  near  Dayton,  married  Agnes  Allen,  and 
has  three  children,  Wendell,  Alta  and  Flor- 
ence. 

J\Ir.  Bowser  has  always  engaged  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  and  is  a  large  grower  of  pota- 
toes. He  has  about  140  acres  of  the  homestead 
of  257  acres  under  cultivation,  and  his  land 
has  been  improved  by  the  erection  of  sub- 
stantial modern  buildings.  He  has  also  de- 
voted some  attention  to  the  raising  of  Jer- 
sey cattle,   and  the  butter  manufactured  on 


this  farm  finds  a  ready  sale  in  the  nearby 
markets.  In  political  matters  a  Republican, 
Mr.  Bowser  has  served  as  assessor  of  West 
Mahoning  township  for  six  years,  as  auditor 
nine  years,  and  as  school  director  six  years, 
and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  all 
matters  that  affect  his  community,  being  one 
of  the  leading  factors  in  securing  Rural  Free 
Delivery  Route  No.  1.  His  fraternal  con- 
nection is  with  Smicksburg,  Lodge,  I.  0.  0.  P., 
and  with  his  wife  he  attends  the  Baptist 
Church. 

EVAN  WILLIAMS  GRIFFITH,  inventor 
and  business  man,  has  been  a  citizen  of  In- 
diana since  1880,  and  during  the  greater  part 
of  the  intervening  time  has  been  engaged  in 
business  there.  He  is  at  present  connected  as 
superintendent  with  the  Indiana  Spreader 
Company,  manufacturers  of  the  lime  spreader 
of  his  invention,  and  also  deals  in  coal  lands. 
He  was  born  in  Green  toAvnship,  Indiana 
county,  Aug.  12,  1857,  in  a  log  cabin  on  a 
farm  known  as  the  Henry  Parry  place. 

Thomas  Griffith,  his  father,  was  born  in 
Pembrokeshire,  Wales,  son  of  John  Griffith, 
a  farmer.  He  was  married  in  his  native 
country  to  Margaret  Williams,  a  native  of 
Glamorganshire,  Wales,  daughter  of  Daniel 
and  Jane  (Matthews)  Williams,  the  former  a 
Baptist  minister  and  son  of  a  Baptist  min- 
ister. They  came  to  America  soon  after  their 
marriage,  in  1848,  landing  at  New  York,  and 
procee(-led  westward  to  Pittsburg,  and  thence 
to  Indiana  county.  Mr.  Griffith  had  been  a 
farmer  in  Wales,  and  upon  his  arrival  here 
located  near  Pineflats,  in  Green  township, 
for  a  few  years,  renting  land,  which  he  culti- 
vated. He  then  bought  a  farm  of  thirty-three 
acres,  afterward  adding  to  it  until  he  had 
ninety-seven  acres  more,  continuing  to  own 
this  property  until  shortly  before  his  death. 
He  and  his  wife  were  Baptists  in  religious 
connection.  Mr.  Griffith  was  a  Republican  in 
his  political  views,  but  independent  in  his 
support  of  candidates.  We  have  the  following 
record  of  his  children:  (1)  Daniel,  of  Iowa, 
is  secretary  of  the  Iowa  State  Baptist  Mis- 
sion ;  he  has  been  a  preacher  for  many  years, 
having  graduated  from  the  Bucknell  Uni- 
versity in  1879  and  Crozier  Theological  Col- 
lege in  1882.  He  married  Mary  Evans,  a  Latin 
instructor  at  Biicknell.  (2)  Samuel,  of  Johns- 
to^vn.  Pa.,  married  Sadie  Williams.  (3)  John, 
a  goveniraent  surveyor,  of  San  Diego,  Cal., 
is  also  a  rancher;  he  is  married.  (4)  Evan 
Williams  is  mentioned  below.  (5)  Jane  mar- 
ried William  Pattison,  of  near  Grisemore,  In- 


1556 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


diana  county.  (5)  Lizzie,  deceased,  mar- 
ried Wallace  Lockard.  (6)  William,  who  was 
a  dentist,  was  instructor  in  the  Chicago  Uni- 
versity Dental  College  for  a  time,  but  his 
health  failing  he  moved  to  a  farm  in  Iowa, 
where  his  death  occurred.  He  married  Min- 
nie Fitch. 

Evan  Williams  Griffith  passed  his  early 
life  on  the  liome  farm,  continuing  to  remain 
with  his  parents  after  the  other  children  had 
left  home.  At  the  time  of  his  father's  death 
he  took  the  home  farm,  continuing  to  live 
upon  and  operate  that  place  until  1880.  Mov- 
ing to  Indiana,  he  there  engaged  in  the  wall 
paper  business,  and  though  he  began  in  a 
small  way,  his  trade  expanded  until  he  had 
the  largest  concern  of  the  kind  between  Pitts- 
burg and  Altoona.  He  not  only  traded  in  wall 
papers  but  was  extensively  engaged  in  deco- 
rating, employing  a  number  of  men  whom  he 
sent  to  Johnstown  and  other  large  places, 
where  he  had  patrons.  In  1895,  owing  to  ill 
health,  he  disposed  of  the  business,  selling  it 
to  Job  McCreight.  For  some  time  thereafter 
he  was  engaged  as  a  coal  prospector  with  the 
Barnes  &  Tucker  Coal  Company  at  Johns- 
town, after  which  he  bought  and  developed 
the  Randolph  mine  near  Dixonville,  putting 
it  in  working  order.  In  time  he  sold  this 
property  to  Randolph  &  Tucker,  and  he  has 
since  been  interested  in  buying  and  selling 
coal  lands.  He  himself  owns  150  acres  of 
coal  land  near  Heilwood,  Indiana  county,  as 
well  as  a  forty-acre  farm  near  that  place.- 
While  engaging  in  the  coal  business  he  in- 
vented facilities  to  work  on  the  coal  car 
shifter  for  use  in  the  mines  which  save  the 
labor  of  three  men.  His  lime  spreader  previ- 
ously referi-ed  to,  which  he  invented  in  1911, 
is  a  remarkable  labor-saving  device  for  farm- 
ers; it  is  considered  to  be  the  only  spreader 
that  may  be  used  successfully  with  all  kinds 
of  lime. 

Mr.  Griffith's  executive  ability,  his  intelli- 
gent comprehension  of  the  various  lines  of 
business  in  which  he  is  engaged,  and  his  sub- 
stantial chaz-acter,  entitle  him  to  a  place  among 
the  most  intelligent  men  of  this  region.  He 
is  an  active  figure  in  every  enterprise  which 
benefits  the  community. 

In  1883  Mr.  Griffil-h  married  Maggie  Ste- 
phens, daughter  of  Alexander  and  Jane  (An- 
derson) Stephens,  and  they  have  had  three 
children :  Gertrude,  now  Mrs.  Samuel  Baker, 
of  Buffalo,  N.  Y. ;  Bertha,  who  died  when 
nine  years  old ;  and  Mary,  at  home.  Mr.  Grif- 
fith and  his  family  are  Baptists  and  he  was 
for  years  an  active  church  worker,  holding 


offices  in  the  church  and  serving  several  years 
as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  In 
political  opinion  he  is  a  Republican. 

ESTELL  BUBB  LEWIS,  M.  D.,  of  Glen 
Campbell,  Indiana  county,  is  not  only  in  com- 
mand of  a  large  private  practice  but  also  acts 
as  surgeon  for  several  coal  companies  in  that 
region,  and  as  local  surgeon  for  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company.  He.  is  a  native  of 
the  county,  born  Oct.  31,  1870,  in  East  Mahon- 
ing township,  son  of  Hugh  Parr  and  Ellen 
(Ansley)  Lewis. 

Dr.  Lewis  began  his  education  in  the  public 
schools,  later  attending  Eldersridge  Academy 
and  the  State  normal  school  at  Indiana.  He 
took  his  medical  course  at  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  Philadelphia,  graduating  in  1899,  and 
at  once  began  practice  at  Glen  Campbell, 
where  he  remained  for  a  year  and  a  half.  At 
the  end  of  that  period  he  moved  to  Arcadia, 
four  miles  away,  where  he  was  located  for 
seven  years,  in  1908  returning  to  Glen  Camp- 
bell. Here  he  has  followed  general  practice, 
and  is  also  surgeon  for  the  Glenwood  Coal 
Company,  Irish  Brothers  Coal  Company  and 
Clark  Brothers  Coal  Company,  as  well  as  for 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company.  He 
holds  membership  in  the  Indiana  County 
IMedical  Society  and  the  Red  Bank  Protective 
Association.  Dr.  Lewis  is  widely  known  pro- 
fessionally and  also  as  one  of  the  most  public- 
spirited  and  intelligent  workers  for  the  local 
welfare,  being  president  of  the  school  board 
of  the  borough  at  this  writing  and  doing  ef- 
fective work  in  that  capacity.  At  one  time 
he  served  two  years  as  deputy  sheriff,  while 
his  father  was  sheriff.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  is  trustee 
and  elder. 

On  Oct.  1,  1907,  Dr.  Lewis  married  Mame 
E.  Armsti'ong,  of  Cherrytree,  Indiana  county. 
daughter  of  J.  Martin  and  R.  Caroline  (Ham- 
ilton) Armstrong.  They  have  had  two  chil- 
dren, Estell  Evers  and  Richard  Parr. 

JOHN  ROBINSON  HOUSHOLDER,  who 

is  devoting  his  activities  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  his  fann  in  Burrell  township,  Indiana 
county,'  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Derry  town- 
ship, "Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  Sept.  4,  1852. 
son  of  Solomon  and  Mary  (Gray)  Hous- 
holder. 

Solomon  Housholder,  the  father,  was  born 
in  Westmoreland  County,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  farming,  and  in  the  fall  of  1852  pur- 
chased a  farm  near  Rugh  station,  Indiana 
county,  from  Michael  Rugh,  although  he  did 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1557 


not  take  possession  until  some  time  later. 
Here  he  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
up  to  the  time  of  Ms  death,  which  occurred 
May  1,  1892,  when  he  was  eighty-five  years, 
three  months  of  age.  He  was  buried  in  the 
family  lot  in  the  Homer  City  cemetery.  He 
was  always  identified  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  his  religious  belief,  and  was  a 
Democrat  in  his  political  sympathies.  He 
was  married  (first)  to  Mary  Gray,  who  was 
also  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  daughter 
of  Abraham  Gray,  and  she  died  March  13, 
1875,  and  was  buried  in  the  Homer  City  ceme- 
tery. They  had  six  children,  namely :  Jona- 
than, who  died  in  infancy;  Isaac,  who  makes 
his  home  in  Republic  county,  Kans. ;  Ruth 
Jane,  living  at  Dei-ry  station,  Pa.;  Margaret 
J.,  who  married  Robert  Lynn,  of  Millwood, 
Westmoreland  county;  Mary,  who  married 
S.  A.  St.  Clair,  of  Homer  City;  and  John 
Robinson.  Mr.  Housholder's  second  mar- 
riage was  to  Martha  Simpson,  of  Blacklick 
township,  who  died  March  13,  1890,  and  her 
remains  were  also  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery 
at  Homer  City. 

.  John  Robinson  Housholder,  son  of  Solo- 
mon Housholder,  was  only  a  few  months  old 
when  he  came  with  his  father  to  the  farm  in 
Burrell  township,  and  here  he  has  carried  on 
operations  to  the  present  time.  During  the 
closing  years  of  his  father  and  stepmother  he 
tenderly  cared  for  them.  He  secured  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools,  in  the  meantime 
also  working  on  the  home  farm,  and  his  entire 
life  has  been  spent  in  clearing  and  cultivating 
the  land,  erecting  buildings  and  making  nu- 
merous other  improvements,  his  property  be- 
ing now  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  attrac- 
tive farms  in  this  part  of  Indiana  county.  As 
one  who  has  added  to  the  impetus  of  his  com- 
munity 's  advancement  he  is  a  man  of  standing 
among  his  fellow  citizens,  and  is  everywhere 
esteemed  and  respected  because  of  the  hon- 
orable dealings  that  have  marked  his  entire 
career. 

On  Dec.  22,  1880,  Mr.  Housholder  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Martha  S.  Pattison, 
daughter  of  Archie  S.  Pattison,  of  Blacklick 
township.  Ten  children  have  been  born  to 
this  union,  viz. :  Mary  G.,  who  married  B. 
B.  Berry,  of  Eighty-four,  Washington  Co., 
Pa.;  William  E.,  who  married  Carrie  Ault- 
man,  daughter  of  D.  T.  Aultman,  of  Black- 
lick ;  Robert  R.,  residing  at  New  Kensington, 
Pa. ;  John  C,  assistant  station  agent  at  Coral, 
Pa. ;  Archie  P.,  who  is  in  the  employ  of  the 
Pittsburg  &  Lake  Erie  Railroad  Company; 
IMargaret  J.,  Mrs.   B.   B.  Wilson,  living  in 


Washington  county,  Pa. ;  Isaac ;  Hugh ;  Caro- 
line; and  one  child  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Housholder  has  served  his  township  as 
school  director  for  one  term  of  three  j'ears 
and  is  now  entering  upon  his  second  term,  act- 
ing also  in  the  capacity  of  treasurer  of  the 
board.  He  has  also  been  township  clerk  and 
auditor,  and  like  his  father  supports  Demo- 
cratic principles,  as  laid  down  by  the  old 
leaders.  When  the  Blacklick  National  Bank 
was  organized,  he  was  elected  one  of  its  di- 
rectors, and  has  retained  this  position  of  trust 
to  the  present  time.  In  his  habits  he  is  strictly 
temperate,  and  he  is  known  as  one  of  the 
faithful  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
at  Coral.  A  man  well  informed  on  various 
subjects,  he  is  possessed  of  literary  tastes 
above  the  average,  and  is  an  omnivorous 
reader  and  scholar. 

HOWARD  B.  BUTERBAUGH,  M.  D.,  who 
has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine 
in  Indiana,  Indiana  county,  since  1895,  is  a 
prominent  representative)  of  his  profession 
and  well  known  in  fraternal  circles  in  this 
section.  He  was  born  May  12,  1871,  in  Cook- 
port,  Indiana  county,  son  of,  Elias  L.  Buter- 
baugh  and  grandson  of  Henry  Putei-baugh, 
the  latter  a  native  of  Germany  who  came  to 
the  United  States  in  young  manhood  and  set- 
tled in  Indiana  county,  Pa.  By  trade  he  was 
a  cabinetmaker,  and  in  time  he  became  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business.  He  married 
]\Iar3'  Ann  Langham,  and  they  had  five  chil- 
dren :  Margaret,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife 
of  John  M.  Nichol;  Jane,  wife  of  John  Gal- 
laher ;  Elias  L. ;  Amos  L. ;  and  Sarah,  de- 
ceased, who  was  the  wife  of  George  P.  Houk. 
The  father  of  this  family  was  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  He  died  in  1879,  at  the 
age  of  seventy,  and  the  mother  died  in  1898, 
aged  eiglity-two  years. 

Elias  L.  Bvxterbaugh,  the  Doctor's  father, 
was  a  farmer  and  merchant  and  also  engaged 
in  the  lumber  business.  He  died  in  January, 
1899,  at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  frater- 
nally belonged  to  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  the 
G.  A.  R.,  having  served  during  the  Civil  war 
in  the  United  States  Signal  Corps,  under  Gen. 
B.  F.  Butler;  he  was  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  for  two  years.  He  married  Sarah 
Barbor,  and  \hey  became  the  parents  of  the 
following  children :  Howard  B.,  Maiy  O., 
Robert  H.,  Elias  P.,  S.  Grace  (who  is  mar- 
ried to  Ford  Wassam  and  has  three  children, 
Eugene,  Kenneth,  and  Meredith),  A.  Laura 
and  Florence  Catherine. 


1558 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Howard  B.  Buterbaugh  attended  public 
school  in  Indiana  county  and  later  was  a 
student  at  the  State  normal  school  in  the 
borough  of  Indiana.  He  took  his  medical 
course  in  the  medical  department  of  the  West- 
ern Reserve  University,  at  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
graduating  from  that  institution  in  1895,  in 
the  fall  of  which  year  he  settled  in  Indiana. 
He  has  been  engaged  in  practice  there  continu- 
ously since,  and  has  become  very  well  known 
in  the  county,  among  his  brother  physicians 
as  well  as  his  patrons,  having  served  one  term 
as  president  of  the  Indiana  County  Medical 
Society.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Medical  Society  and  of  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association. 

The  Doctor  is  a  thirty-second-degree  Mason, 
belonging  to  Blue  Lodge  No.  313,  F.  &  A.  M., 
of  Indiana,  of  which  he  is  a  past  master; 
to  Pittsburg  Consistory  (thirty -second  degree) 
and  to  Syria  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  of 
Pittsburg,  Pa.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
I.  0.  0.  F.  and  past  grand  of  his  lodge. 

In  politics  Dr.  Buterbaugh  is  a  Republi- 
can and  keenly  interested  in  the  success  of 
his  party  and  a  friend  'of  good  government, 
being  particularly  public-spirited  about  the 
welfare  of  his  home  locality.  He  has  served 
as  a  member  of  the  borough  council  of  Indi- 
ana, and  is  at  present  filling  the  office  of 
coroner,  to  which  he  was  elected  in  the  fall 
of  1911,  for  a  term  of  four  years. 

THOMAS  SEWARD  LYNN,  best  known 
as  Squire  Lynn,  is  one  of  the  most  prominent 
residents  of  West  Wheatfield  township,  In- 
diana county.  He  has  been  justice  of  the 
peace  for  over  twenty  years,  is  a  prosperous 
farmer,  and  a  leading  member  of  the  English 
Lutheran  Church. 

Squire  Lynn  is  a  member  of  the  fourth  gen- 
eration of  liis  family  in  this  country,  his  great- 
grandfather, John  Lynn,  a  native  of  England, 
having  been  the  first  of  his  paternal  ancestors 
to  come  to  this,  country.  He  emigrated  from 
Ireland,  in  1750,  and  first  settled  in  New  Jer- 
sey. By  trade  he  was  a  tailor,  but  after  tak- 
ing up  his  residence  in  that  State  followed 
farming.  Subsequently  he  moved  to  Holli- 
davsburg,  Blair  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

Robert  Lynn,  son  of  John  Lynn,  was  the 
grandfather  of  Thomas  Seward  Lynn.  He 
was  born  at  HoUiday.sburg  in  1789,  and  fol- 
lowed in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  in  choos- 
ing farming  as  a  means  of  livelihood.  About 
the  year  1812  he  was  married  to  Rebecca 
Thompson,  and  it  was  about  that  time  also 
that  he  settled  in  Buffington  township,  Indi- 


ana county.     About  the   year   1825   he  pur- 
chased a  large  timber  tract  in  West  Wheatfield 
township,  lying  near  what  is  now  the  town  of 
Garfield,  and  here  he  erected  a  two-story  log 
house  and  a  log  barn,  cleared  the  land,  and 
built  a  waterpower  sawmill  in  which  he  manu- 
factured lumber,  and  which  he  and  his  sons 
conducted  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.     Mr. 
Lynn,  though  he  never  held  ofSce,  became  a 
prominent  citizen  of  West  Wheatfield  and  was 
highly   respected.     He   attended   the   M.    E. 
Church,  and  was  a  Democrat  in  politics.    He 
was  laid  to  rest  in  the  old  Bolivar  cemetery 
in   Westmoreland   county.     His   family   con- 
sisted   of    seven    sons    and    two    daughters, 
namely:      (1)    Eliza,  born  in  1814,  married 
Christopher  Robinson.     (2)   Thompson,  born 
in    1816,    married    Margaret    Alexandre    in 
1845.     (3)  Smith,  bom  Oct.  9,  1823,  married 
Elizabeth  Robinson  of  West  W^heatfield,  Oct. 
9,  1848,  and  died  in  1904.     He  was  a  farmer 
and  teamster.     (4)   John  is  mentioned  fully 
below.     (5)  Sarah,  born  in  1829,  is  the  widow 
of  Eliott  Robinson    (brother  of  Christopher 
and   Elizabeth,   just   mentioned),   whom   she 
married  in  1848.    He  was  a  local  M.  E.  min- 
ister,   farmer   and   brick   manufacturer   near 
Bolivar.      She   resides   in   West  Wheatfield, 
near  the  brick  works.     (6)   Austin,  born  in 
1831,  died  Dec.  27,  1899,  a  farmer  in  Center 
township,  married  Rebecca  Hammond.      (7) 
Elliott,  bom  in  1833,  a  carpenter,  lives  in 
the  West.      (8)    Samuel  was  bom  in  1835. 
In  October,  1864,  while  serving  in  the  Civil 
war  as  a  member  of  Company  F,  52d  Regi- 
ment, Indiana  State  Volunteers,  he  received 
a  wound  at  Salem  which  caused  his  death, 
(9)  Robert  Thompson,  born  in  1844,  married 
Margaret   Housholder,   of   Burrell    township. 
He  was  station  master  at  Millwood,  Westmore- 
land county,  for  manv  years,  for  the  Penn- 
sylvania  Railroad    Company,    and    now   has 
charge  of  the  coal  tipple  at  the  same  place 
for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,    On 
June  25,  1863,  be  enlisted  in  Company  D,  54th 
Regiment,    Pennsylvania    Volunteers,    under 
Capt.  John  H.  Deeves,  for  ninety  days,  and 
took  part   in   the  pursuit  of  Morgan   in   his 
celebrated  raid  through  Ohio  and  Kentucky. 
Lee's  army  having  been  driven  south  of  the 
Potomac  and  Morgan  captured,  the  services  of 
the  regiment  were  no  longer  required,  and  it 
was  mustered  out  Aug.  17,  1863.     Mr.  Lynn 
reenlisted  on  Sept.  4,  1864,  for  one  year,  in 
Battery  F,  5th  Pennsylvania  Heavy  Artillery, 
under  Capt.   Francis   C.   Flanagan   and   Col. 
George  G.  Gallup.     Soon  after  its  organiza- 
tion the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Washington 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1559 


and  assigned  to  duty  in  forts  north  of  the 
capitol.  On  Sept.  28th  the  regiment,  while 
guarding  a  construction  traiu  on  the  Manas- 
sas Gap  railroad,  was  attacked  by  Moseby's 
command  in  Virginia.  Mr.  Lynn  was  dis- 
charged by  telegraphic  order  from  the  war 
department  June  2,  1865,  at  Salem. 

John  Lynn,  son  of  Robert,  was  born  July 
5,  1827,  and  when  a  boy  attended  the  Lynn 
log  district  school  in  West  Wheatfield;  al- 
though he  went  to  school  only  a  short  time 
he  became  a  very  fine  penman,  using  the  old- 
fashioned  quill,  and  was  good  in  "mathemat- 
ics." He  worked  with  his  father  until  he 
M'as  grown,  and  when  a  young  man  worked  as 
brakeman  on  the  Pennsylvania  canal.  Then 
he  bought  from  his  father  a  100-acre  tract, 
part  of  the  original  homestead,  and  there  he 
settled  and  reared  his  family.  Like  his  father 
he  built  a  sawmill  on  the  north  branch  of 
Richards  ran,  and  conducted  it  for  many  years 
in  connection  with  farming,  lumbering  and 
teaming;  he  was  also  a  well-known  stock 
breeder  of  his  district.  Hard-working, 
thrifty,  intelligent  and  energetic,  he  was  a 
force  for  progress  in  the  township  that  was 
felt  in  every  phase  of  local  life,  though  he  did 
not  seek  public  office,  and  many  of  the  most 
valuable  improvements  of  his  day  owed  their 
success  to  his  influence.  He  was  one  of  the 
founders,  builders  and  stockholders  in  having 
the  bridge  over  the  Conemaugh  river  con- 
structed, from  "West  Wheatfield  to  Bolivar.  In 
politics  he  was  a  stanch  Republican.  He  was 
an  advocate  of  temperance,  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  which  he  served  as  deacon 
or  elder,  and  Sunday  school  teacher,  and  did 
his  duty  in  every  relation  of  life.  He  made 
his  home  in  West  Wheatfield  all  his  life. 

On  Dec.  21,  1854,  Mr.  Lynn  married  Cath- 
erine Mikesell,  who  was  born  March  25,  1832, 
in  Burrell  township,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Elizabeth  (Barr)  ]\Iikesell,  and  now  resides 
in  New  Florence,  Westmoreland  county,  with 
her  son  Coi-nelius  and  daughter  Margaret. 
Mr.  Lynn  died  March  6,  1882,  at  the  age  of 
fifty-five  years,  and  was  interred  in  the  Luth- 
eran cemetery  in  West  Wheatfield.  Children 
as  follows  were  born  to  this  union:  Emma, 
born  Feb.  6,  1856,  is  the  widow  of  Christopher 
Campbell,  and  now  resides  in  Johnstown,  Pa. ; 
Margaret  Agnes,  a  music  teacher,  resides  with 
her  mother  at  New  Florence,  Pa. ;  Cornelius 
D.,  born  Jan.  29,  1859,  a  music  teacher,  at 
present  engaged  as  traveling  salesman,  re- 
sides with  his  mother  at  New  Florence,  Pa. 
(he  was  general  secretary  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
for  about  ten  years)  ;  Samuel  Barr,  born  Jan. 


20,  1863,  died  Sept.  27,  1863;  Sarah  Jane, 
born  Aug.  15,  1860,  died  Dec.  27,  1871; 
Thomas  Seward  is  mentioned  below;  Delilah 
Catherine,  born  in  1866,  is  the  widow  of 
George  Butler,  and  now  resides  in  Johnstown 
(Mr.  Butler  was  emplo.yed  by  the  Cambria 
Iron  and  Steel  Co.  of  Johnstown,  and  was 
also  a  farmer)  ;  Ulysses  Simeon,  born  Dec. 
22,  1868,  married  Viola  Wakefield  (he  is  a 
farmer  and  had  been  employed  by  the  Robin- 
son Brick  Company  in  West  Wheatfield)  ; 
Estella  Maud,  born  May  31,  1872,  married 
Samuel  Stevens,  who  is  a  traveling  salesman, 
and  lives  in  Johnstown;  Edward  Vincent, 
born  Nov.  28,  1874,  died  July  16,  1880. 

Thomas  Seward  Lynn,  son  of  John  and 
Catherine  (Mikesell)  Lynn,  was  bom  Sept.  23, 
1864,  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  on  the 
farm  near  Garfield  which  was  part  of  his 
grandfather's  old  homestead.  In  1873  he 
moved  with  his  family  to  the  farm,  where  he 
has  ever  since  resided.  In  1905  he  bought 
sixty  acres  of  the  original  tract,  and  there 
erected  his  buildings.  He  attended  the  Wash- 
ington district  school  under  the  tuition  of 
Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart  and  Professor  Campbell, 
and  also  studied  at  a  select  summer  school, 
and  taught  school  for  a  few  years,  finishing  a 
half  term  for  Professor  Campbell  in  Armagh. 
When  he  was  only  fourteen  years  old  his 
father  had  a  paralytic  stroke,  so  the  boy  was 
obliged  to  take  his  father's  place,  and  though 
so  young  managed  to  run  the  farm,  he  and 
his  brother  Simeon  working  together.  At 
nights  he  studied  civil  engineering,  taking  a 
course  in  the  Scranton  International  Corre-  . 
spondence  Schools.  When  the  coal  companies 
began  their  activities  in  this  section,  buying 
the  coal  rights.  Squire  Lynn  did  a  great  deal 
of  the  surveying  in  his  own  and  near-by  town- 
ships, and  in  this  way  made  enough  money  to 
build  (in  1905)  his  large  and  up-to-date  house 
and  barn,  which  are  located  on  the  pike,  the 
old  stage  road  between  Philadelphia  and  Pitts- 
burg. His  propert.y,  which  now  comprises 
sixty  acres,  is  one  of  the  best  kept  farms  in 
the  township ;  it  was  known  at  one  time  as 
the  Adam  Sides  farm.  He  is  a  practical  mod- 
ern farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  his  cred- 
itable success  is  entirely  the  result  of  his  own 
efforts.  He  has  taken  an  active  part  in  local 
affairs,  having  been  a  justice  of  the  peace  for 
over  twenty-two  years — first  elected  in  1891. 
He  was  census  enumerator  in  1910.  He  is  a 
leading  member  of  the  English  Lutheran 
Church  of  West  Wheatfield,  which  he  has 
served  as  deacon,  treasurer,  and  superintend- 


1560 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ent  of  the  Sunday  school,  is  an  advocate  of 
temperance  and  lives  up  to  his  principles. 

Squire  Lynn  was  married  May  28,  1891, 
to  Priscilla  Jane  Mack,  daughter  of  George 
and  ilartha  (McDonald)  JMack,  of  East 
Wheatfield  township,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  four  children :  Paul  Wendel,  born  Nov.  6, 
1893,  in  West  Wheatfield;  Edith  Mae,  born 
Aug.  15,  1895;  Margretta  Kathryne,  born 
Julv  10,  1898;  and  Kermit  Dean,  born  July 
8,  1907. 

MABRY  J.  GOLDEN,  a  farmer  and  stock 
raiser  of  Cherryhill  township,  was  born  there 
March  11,  1861,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry  G.  and 
Lydia  M.   (Swenk)  Golden. 

David  Golden,  the  great-grandfather  of 
Mabry  J.  Golden,  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  at  a  very  early 
date,  settling  in  Berks  county,  Pa.,  where  he 
followed  farming  all  of  his  life. 

John  Golden,  son  of  David,  and  grand- 
father of  Mabry  J.  Golden,  was  born  in  Berks 
county,  Pa.,  and  there  followed  farming.  He 
was  there  married  to  Mary  Grim,  also  a  na- 
tive of  Berks  county,  and  they  reared  a  large 
family  of  children. 

Henrv  G.  Golden,  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Grim)  Golden,  was  born  Feb.  13,  1823,  in 
Berks  county,  Pa.,  and  like  his  father  and 
grandfather  devoted  his  life  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  resided  in  his  native  county 
until  1857,  in  which  year  he  came  to  Indiana 
county,  settling  in  Cherryhill  township,  where 
he  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  agricultural 
operations.  He  still  makes  his  home  in  that 
section,  but  has  retired  from  active  pursuits, 
having  reached  the  advanced  age  of  ninety 
years. 

The  only  child  of  his  parents,  Mabry  J. 
Golden  gained  his  early  education  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  in  the  vicinity  of  the  liome  place, 
where  he  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer, 
and  has  always  followed  that  vocation  on  the 
home  property. 

On  Dee.  27,  1886,  Mr.  Golden  was  married 
to  Nancy  Stahl,  who  was  born  in  Indiana 
county  in  October,  1857,  daughter  of  Wash- 
ington and  Effie  Stahl,  also  natives  of  this 
county.  Mr.  Stahl  was  an  Indiana  county  vol- 
unteer in  the  LTnion  army  during  the  Civil 
war,  and  met  his  death  at  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness.  He  and  his  wife  had  six  daugh- 
ters and  three  sons,  namely:  Jane,  wife  of 
Jacob  Shank,  of  Cherryhill  township ;  George 
W.,  a  resident  of  Saltsburg,  Pa. ;  Hannah  C, 
who  married  Samuel  Dodson,  of  Clearfield 
county,  Pa. ;  Peter,  a  resident  of  Homer  City, 


Pa. ;  Nancy,  who  married  !Mr.  Golden ;  Maggie, 
deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  James  Howe; 
Sarah,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Jacob 
Henry;  Samuel  F.,  a  resident  of  the  southern 
part  of  Indiana  county ;  and  Effie  S.,  wife  of 
C.  E.  Amond,  of  Cheri-yhill  township. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Golden  there  have  been 
born  three  children,  namely:  John  G.,  who 
is  deceased;  Frederick  S. ;  and  Horace  R., 
the  eldest,  a  resident  of  Spangler,  Indiana 
coiinty,  who  married  Blanche  McFarland,  a 
native  of  this  county. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Golden  are  members  of  the 
United  Evangelical  Chui-ch.  At  the  present 
time  he  is  serving  in  the  capacity  of  auditor 
of  CherryhiU  township. 

JOHN  E.  MORROW,  manager  of  the  A. 
F.  Kelly  store  at  Clymer,  was  born  in  Jef- 
ferson county,  Pa.,  Feb.  26, 1865,  son  of  James 
and  Rosana  (Groves)  Morrow. 

James  Morrow  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  his 
wife  in  Chester  county.  Pa.  He  came  to  Lan- 
caster county.  Pa.,  when  seventeen  years  old, 
but  later  went  to  Jefferson  coimty,  where  he 
was  a  farmer  and  operated  property  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  April,  1875.  His 
widow  sui-vives,  living  on  the  homestead  in 
Jefferson  county.  There  were  eleven  children 
in  the  family:  Sarah,  deceased;  Hugh;  Mar- 
garet, wife  of  John  Hunter,  of  Westville,  Pa. ; 
Anna,  wife  of  John  H.  Smith,  of  Falls  Creek, 
Pa. ;  Louise,  wife  of  Joseph  Rallston,  of  Du 
Bois,  Pa.;  William,  of  Winslow;  Washing- 
ton; John  E.;  James,  deceased;  Frank,  of 
Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  and  Robert,  deceased. 

John  E.  Morrow  attended  country  school  in 
Jefferson  county,  and  after  finishing  his  edu- 
cational training  embarked  in  the  lumber 
business,  changing  later  for  the  mercantile 
line.  For  a  number  of  years  he  clerked  for 
different  firms,  learning  the  business  thor- 
oughly. During  this  period  he  resided  at 
Ridgway  and  Bradford,  Pa.,  and  Buffalo,  N. 
Y.  Coming  to  Ch^mer,  he  assumed  charge  of 
the  large  establishment  of  A.  F.  Kelly,  being 
fitted  for  his  responsibilities  by  ability  and 
long  training. 

On  Ma.v  12,  1891,  Mr.  Morrow  was  married 
to  Mary  Hai'ris,  bom  in  Jefferson  county 
March  18,  1874,  daiighter  of  Thomas  and  Ag- 
nes Harris,  early  settlers  of  that  county,  and 
people  of  responsibility.  The.v  came  from 
England,  and  are  still  living  in  Jefferson 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morrow  are  the  parents 
of  three  children,  namely:  Clifford,  born 
April  6,  1892;  Ethel,  born  March  26,  1902; 
and  Margaret,  born  April  12,  1912. 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1561 


In  addition  to  his  other  interests  Mr.  Mor- 
row is  connected  with  the  Clymer  Water  Com- 
pany, and  he  is  a  man  of  substance.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  are  active  in  promoting  its  good 
work. 

JOHN  REED  McFARLAND,  late  of  Salts- 
burg,  Indiana  county,  was  engaged  in  the  drug 
business  there  practically  all  his  life,  being  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  McFarland  &  Sons,. 
who  had  the  leading  establishment  of  the  kind 
in  this  section. 

The  McFarlands  are  of  Scotch-Irish  extrac- 
tion. Dr.  John  McFarland,  father  of  John 
Reed  McFarland,  was  a  practicing  physician 
in  Saltsburg  all  his  life,  one  of  the  eminently 
respected  residents  of  this  part  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  was  widely  known.  He  mar- 
ried Sarah  Reed,  who  was  born  at  Indiana, 
Pa.,  daughter  of  Rev.  ilr.  Reed,  of  Indiana, 
and  they  had  two  children,  John  Reed 
and  Belle,  the  latter  marrying  Dr.  Joseph  D. 
Orr,  of  Leechburg,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa. ;  she 
died  June  4,  1893,  leaving  oue  daughter, 
Pauline,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Leech- 
burg high  school  in  1912. 

John  Reed  McFarland  was  born  Oct.  12, 
1848,  in  Saltsburg,  and  received  an  excellent 
education  in  the  public  schools  and  academy  at 
that  borough.  When  only  a  youth  he  entered 
the  drug  business,  which  he  continued  to  fol- 
low to  the  end  of  his  days,  having  been  tlras 
engaged  for  forty  years  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  May  12,  1904.  He  was  a  man  of  the 
highest  standing,  and  always  ranked  with  the 
most  substantial  citizens  of  the  borough. 

On  March  10,  1883,  Mr.  McFarland  mar- 
ried Florence  Rhea,  daughter  of  William  L. 
and  Sarah  (Shields)  Rhea,  of  Indiana,  Pa., 
who  had  a  family  of  seven  children,  three 
sons  and  four  daughters,  all  of  whom  still 
survive.  Two  of  the  sons  are  now  living  on 
the  old  homestead.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McFar- 
land were  born  two  children :  Mabel  is  the 
wife  of  John  I.  Richards,  a  merchant  of  Salts- 
burg, and  has  one  daughter,  Florence  Kath- 
ryn ;  John  Rhea,  born  in  1889,  lives  with  his 
mother.  ]\Irs.  McFarland  attends  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  of  which  Mr.  McFarland  was 
a  member.  Politically  he  was  a  Republican, 
and  he  was  a  member  of  the  school  board  for 
several  years. 

JOHN  CLARK  WELLS,  prothonotary  and  HARRY  A.  SNYDER,  junior  member  of 

clerk  of  Indiana  county,  entered  upon  the  du-  the   firm   of  D.   L.   Snyder   &   Son,   general 

ties  of  that  ofSce  as  deputy  Jan.  1,  1900,  and  merchants,  of  Homer  City,  Indiana  county, 

has  held  it  continuously  since,  by  appointment  and  ex-president  of  the  Homer  City  borough 


and  election.  His  long  service  is  the  best  in- 
dication of  his  value  as  a  public  official  and 
of  the  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  his 
fellow  citizens,  whose  interests  he  has  looked 
after  so  well.  Mr.  Wells  is  a  native  of  In- 
diana county,  born  Sept.  20,  1858,  son  of 
Aaron  and  Sarah  J.  (Reishel)  Wells  and 
grandson  of  James  Wells. 

James  Wells  was  bom  at  Norristown,  Pa., 
and  was  of  Scotch-Irish  parentage.  He  was 
a  resident  of  Indiana  county  from  1826  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  Sept.  28,  1875,  and 
engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Pierce. 

Aaron  Wells  was  born  in  Indiana  county  in 
1834,  and  followed  farming  there  all  his  "life, 
dying  in  1904,  at  the  age  of  seventy.  He 
married  Sarah  J.  Reishel,  who  died  in  1882, 
and  they  had  three  children,  namely:  John 
C,  James  A.  and  Elmer  U. 

John  Clark  Wells  received  his  education  in 
public  and  select  schools,  and  was  reared  on 
the  farm,  following  farm  work  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  twenty-one.  After  that  he 
was  engaged  in  school  teaching  for  years,  liv- 
ing at  Smicksburg  for  the  twenty  years  prior 
to  1900,  teaching  the  graded  schools  there  and 
also  acting  as  principal  in  1885-86.  He  con- 
tinued to  teach  in  the  winter,  working  at  his 
trade,  that  of  plasterer,  in  the  summer  months 
from  1889  to  1898.  In  1898  and  1899  he  was 
in  the  lumber  business  in  the  northern  part  of 
Indiana  county.  On  Jan.  1,  1900,  he  was  ap- 
pointed deputy  prothonotary  and  clerk  of  the 
county,  and  Aug.  31,  1908,  to  fill  a  vacancy, 
and  continued  to  serve  by  appointment  until 
elected  to  that  office,  Nov.  8,  1908,  for  a 
term  of  three  years.  He  was  reelected  in 
November,  1911.  Mr.  Wells  is  a  progressive 
and  public-spirited  official,  one  who  keeps 
abreast  of  the  demands  of  the  times  and  an- 
ticipates them  in  his  labors,  and  his  services 
have  been  appreciated  and  recognized  in  the 
riiost  substantial  manner.  He  is  an  Odd  Fel- 
low, holding  membership  in  Smicksburg 
Lodge,  No.  891,  of  Smicksburg  boi'ough. 

On  ilarch  24,  1880,  Mr.  Wells  married 
Maria  K.  Lewis,  daughter  of  Gilbert  Lewis, 
now  a  resident  of  Dawson  county,  Nebr.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wells  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren :  Lloyd  G.,  who  assists  his  father  in  the 
prothonotary 's  office;  Howard  M. ;  Margaret 
E.,  and  Martha  J. 


1562 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


council,  is  a  native  of  Indiana  county,  hav- 
ing been  born  in  Brushvalley  township  Dec. 
19,  1876. 

The  Snyder  family  is  of  German  extraction, 
and  the  first  of  the  name  in  Indiana  county 
was  Conrad  Snyder,  the  great-gi-andfather  of 
Harry  A.,  whose  first  home  was  in  the  State 
of  New  Jersey.  There  he  married  Abby 
Lombson,  and  with  his  family  came  at  an 
early  period  to  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  locating 
on  a  farm  in  White  township,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  farming  during  the  remainder  of 
his  life.  Both  he  and  his  wife  passed  away 
on  the  homestead  farm,  leaving  six  children : 
William,  Daniel,  Henry,  Mary,  Caroline  and 
Emily. 

Daniel  Snyder,  son  of  Conrad,  and  grand- 
father of  Harry  A.  Snyder,  was  bom  in  New 
Jersey  and  was  still  in  his  teens  when  the  fam- 
ily came  to  Indiana  county.  He  learned  the 
trade  of  mason  in  White  township,  and  this  he 
followed  for  some  years,  doing  much  work  on 
the  blast  furnaces  of  Indiana  county.  Later 
he  took  up  farming  as  an  occupation  and  op- 
erated a  part  of  the  homestead  in  White  town- 
ship, but  eventually  sold  out  and  moved  to 
Brushvalley  township,  where  he  purchased  a 
tract  of  400  acres.  He  made  extensive  im- 
provements there  and  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  widely 
luiown  and  highly  esteemed  throughout  the 
township,  both  as  a  farmer  and  as  a  public- 
spirited  citizen  whose  activities  assisted  in  the 
development  and  progress  of  his  section.  He 
was  a  faithful  member  of  the  IMethodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  He  was  married  in  Wheatfield 
township,  Indiana  county,  to  Mary  Killin,  who 
was  born  in  that  township,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel Killin  and  granddaughter  of  Daniel  Kil- 
lin, a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
She  died  on  the  farm,  in  the  faith  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  They  had  the 
following  children :  Elizabeth ;  Tillie ;  David 
L. ;  William  H.,  a  faiTaer  of  Center  township ; 
Samuel,  who  is  deceased;  Abbey;  Richard, 
who  resides  in  Center  township;  Jackson  K., 
also  of  Center  township ;  and  Sarah. 

David  L.  Snyder,  son  of  Daniel,  and  father 
of  Harry  A.  Snyder,  was  born  Feb.  28,  1848, 
in  Center  township,  and  there  attended  \inh- 
lic  school.  He  was  still  a  youth  when  the 
family  removed  to  Brushvalley  towTiship,  and 
there  he  completed  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  Mechanicsburg.  From  early  boyhood  he 
had  worked  on  the  home  farm,  and  on  reach- 
ing man's  estate  took  up  agricultural  work  as 
his  life  vocation,  in  addition  to  which  he  bred 
cattle  and  dealt  extensively  in  stock.    He  also 


spent  one  year  in  the  shops  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company,  but  returned  to  the 
farm  at  the  end  of  that  period,  and  contin- 
ued farming  and  buying  stock  for  a  period  of 
four  years.  He  then  became  a  conductor  on 
the  Pittsburg  electric  street  railway,  and  con- 
tinued to  act  in  that  capacity  six  years,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  he  located  at  South  Fork, 
Pa.,  and  there  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness for  two  years.  In  1903  he  came  to  Homer 
City  and  purchased  the  old  hotel  property, 
which  he  remodeled,  opening  up  a  general 
store  and  meat  market,  and  in  the  following 
year  took  in  his  only  son,  Harry  A.,  as  a  part- 
ner. The  business  has  been  conducted  ever 
since  under  the  fii-m  name  of  D.  L.  Snyder  & 
Son.  The  firm  has  its  own  slaughter  house, 
and  does  its  own  butchering,  thus  assuring 
customers  of  absolutel.v  reliable  goods.  Mr. 
Snyder  is  a  good  business  man,  possesses  a 
genial  manner,  and  is  popular  with  all  who 
know  him.  He  is  a  stanch  Republican  in 
politics  and  has-  filled  numerous  township 
offices.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the 
I.  0.  0.  F.,  while  his  religious  connection  is 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In 
1874  he  was  mamed  to  Mildred  Jane  Gettey, 
and  to  this  union  there  were  born  two  chil- 
dren: Cora  and  Harry  A.  The  daughter, 
born  June  9,  187.5,  married  Hudson  Rowland 
Grumbling,  of  Homer  City,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Thirza,  born  Feb.  27,  *1897,  and 
Hudson  Virgil  D.,  born  Nov.  10,  1908. 

Harry  A.  Snyder  secured  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Brushvalley  township 
and  a  select  school  at  Mechanicsburg,  taught 
by  Prof.  J.  T.  Stewart  of  Indiana.  He  worked 
on  the  home  farm  until  he  reached  manhood, 
and  after  teaching  school  in  Biiishvalley  town- 
ship for  one  year  went  to  Pittsburg,  and  be- 
came a  brakeman  on  the  Pittsburg  &  Lake 
Erie  railroad,  in  which  position  he  spent  one 
year.  He  was  then  promoted  to  the  position 
of  fireman,  and  later  became  engineer  on  the 
Bessemer  &  Lake  Erie  railroad,  but  in  1904 
gave  up  railroading  to  come  to  Homer  City 
and  engage  in  business  as  his  father's  partner. 
Mr.  Snyder  is  a  young  man  of  energj-,  en- 
thusiasm and  ability,  and  possesses  a  pleasing 
personality  that  has  gained  him  many  friends 
and  the  firm  numerous  customers.  Like  his 
father  he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  has  been 
a  member  of  the  borough  council  for  a  long 
period,  serving  as  its  president  for  three  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  ^lethodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Fraternall.v  he  holds  membership  in 
Indiana  Lodge,  No.  "313,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Zerub- 
babel  Chapter,  Pittsburg;  the  I.  0.  0.  P.,  at 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1563 


Homer  City;  and  the  K.  of  E.,  also  of  Homer 
City,  of  which  he  is  a  past  chief. 

In  1897  Mr.  Snyder  was  married,  in  Pitts- 
burg, to  Nellie  R.  Moorhead,  daughter  of  M.  T. 
Moorhead,  belonging  to  one  of  the  oldest  fami- 
lies of  western  Pennsylvania.  Four  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union,  namely :  Harold 
M.,  Amy,  Thelma  and  Dorothy. 

HON.  WILLIAM  F.  NEELEY,  mayor  of 
Clymer,  Indiana  county,  where  he  is  promi- 
nent in  business  as  well  as  in  public  affairs, 
was  born  in  Brady  township,  Clearfield  Co., 
Pa.,  Nov.  19,  1876,  son  of  John  F.  and  Mary 
(Woods)  Neeley.  Samuel  Neeley,  his  grand- 
father, was  of  Irish  descent. 

John  F.  Neeley  was  born  in  Clearfield 
county  and  for*  twenty-five  years  was  en- 
gaged in  lumbering  there,  afterward  locating 
on  his  farm  in  Union  township,  that  county, 
on  which  he  yet  resides.  He  married  Mary 
Woods,  who  was  also  born  in  Clearfield 
county,  and  three  sons  and  two  daughters  were 
born  to  them,  namely :  William  F. ;  Norman 
C,  who 'is  a  photographer  at  Dubois,  Pa.; 
Olive,  who  is  the  wife  of  William  Frantz,  of 
Dubois;  Jesse,  who  also  lives  at  Dubois;  and 
Ida,  who  remains  with  her  parents. 

William  F.  Neeley  was  seven  years  old  when 
his  father's  business  made  necessary  a  tem- 
porary residence  in  Jefferson  county,  where 
the  family  lived  until  he  was  thirteen  years 
of  age,  returning  then  to  Clearfield  county. 
In  the  meanwhile  he  had  attended  school  as 
opportunity  offered  and  as  soon  as  old  enough 
for  such  labor  began  to  assist  his  father  in  his 
lumbering  enterprises  and  also  on  the  farm, 
and  during  the  subsequent  nine  years  he  spent 
in  Clearfield  county  he  also  worked"  in  his 
father's  sawmill.  Mr.  Neeley  then  left  home, 
and  while  passing  a  few  months  in  Tennessee 
learned  the  barber's  trade,  after  which  he 
returned  to  Clearfield  county  and  at  different 
points  worked  at  his  trade  until  1906,  when 
he  came  to  Clymer.  He  was  one  of  the  ener- 
getic and  resourceful  men  that  effected  the 
organization  of  the  town  and  shortly  after- 
ward erected  the  hotel  which  he  has  con- 
ducted ever  since,  having  one  of  the  best  ap- 
pointed hostelries  in  Indiana  county.  In  con- 
nection with  the  hotel  he  also  operates  a  first- 
class  livery.  In  addition  he  is  interested  in 
the  automobile  business,  conducting  a  garage 
of  his  own,  and  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Neeley  &  Rankin,  automobile  dealers,  his  part- 
ner being  Joseph  W.  Rankin.  For  four  years 
after  Clymer  was  incorporated,  Mr.  Neeley 
served  as  town  treasurer,  and  early  in  1912 


was  elected  mayor.  He  is  giving  the  borough 
a  thoroughly  satisfactory  business  administra- 
tion which  is  attracting  a  large  amount  of 
capital  in  this  direction. 

On  July  5,  1901,  William  F.  Neeley  was 
married  at  Cumberland,  Md.,  to  Mame  Thomp- 
son, who  was  left  an  orphan  when  very  young. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neeley  have  two  children,  Ralph 
E.  and  Winfield  G.  Mayor  Neeley  has  numer- 
ous fraternal  associations,  including  member- 
ship in  Indiana  Lodge,  B.  P.  0.  Elks;  the 
I.  0.  0.  F.  at  Clymer;  and  the  Red  Men  at 
Glen  Campbell. 

JOHN  McELHENNY  GRUBBS,  M.  D., 
physician  and  surgeon  of  Armagh,  East 
Wheatfield  township,  Indiana  county,  was 
born  at  Saxonburg,  Butler  Co.,  Pa.,  Jan.  2, 
1858,  son  of  Dr.  Andrew  Grubbs. 

Andrew  Grubbs,  the  American  founder  of 
the  family,  came  from  his  native  Germany  to 
America  with  two  brothers  at  an  early  day, 
locating  at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  where  he  brought 
up  a  family. 

John  Grubbs,  son  of  Andrew  Grubbs  and 
grandfather  of  Dr.  Grubbs,  settled  in  Deer 
township,  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  was  an 
extensive  land  owner  and  prosperoiis  farmer. 
Later  he  went  to  Westmoreland  county,  locat- 
ing in  Fairfield  township,  and  there  continued 
his  agricultural  operations,  but  after  a  period, 
returned  to  Allegheny  county,  where  he  lived 
the  remainder  of  his  useful  life.  He  was  a 
consistent  member  of  the  U.  P.  Church,  and 
active  in  forwarding  its  work.  In  1827  he 
married  Isabelle  Reed,  who  was  a  native  of 
Young  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and  their 
children  were :  Andrew ;  Lewis ;  James ;  Reed ; 
Frank,  who  went  to  West  Virginia;  Martha 
(Mattie),  who  married  Robert  Huston;  and 
Samuel,  who  went  to  Fairfield,  Westmore- 
land Co.,  Pa.,  and  died  when  eighteen  years 
old. 

Dr.  Andrew  Grubbs,  son  of  John  Grubbs, 
and  father  of  Dr.  .lohn  M.  Grubbs,  was  born 
on  the  farm  in  Allegheny  county  and  there  at- 
tended school.  In  young  manhood  he  went 
to  Butler  count.v,  and  became  interested  in 
gas  production,  later  going  to  Lawrenceville, 
Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  was  engaged  on 
the  construction  of  some  public  works  at  that 
place  for  a  number  of  years.  When  this  con- 
tract was  completed  he  went  to  Derry  town- 
ship, Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  em- 
ployed as  a  mechanical  engineer  for  several 
years.  His  business  affairs  then  called  him 
to  Allegheny,  where  he  spent  a  year  or  two 
prior  to  going  to  McKeesport  to  take  up  the 


1564 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


study  of  medicine.  Although  then  in  middle 
life  he  completed  his  medical  course,  and  prac- 
ticed his  profession  until  his  death,  in  1909,  at 
which  time  he  was  known  and  respected 
throughout  a  wide  territory.  A  man  of  high 
moral  principles,  when  he  believed  that  the 
best  interests  of  the  people  would  be  served 
by  the  success  of  the  Prohibition  party  he 
left  the  ranks  of  the  Republican  party  to  enroll 
himself  with  the  former,  and  worked  for  its 
advancement  until  death-  claimed  him. 
Ecpially  enthusiastic  in  religious  matters,  he 
gave  the  Methodist  Church  valuable  support 
as  a  member  and  class  leader,  and  was  super- 
intendent of  the  Sunday  school.  His  fame  as 
a  local  preacher  and  exhorter  was  widespread 
and  he  could  always  be  counted  upon  for  any 
kind  of  church  work. 

In  1857  Dr.  Andrew  Grubbs  was  married, 
M-hile  living  in  Allegheny,  to  Margaret  Mc- 
Elhenny,  daughter  of  William  3IcElhenny. 
She  died  at  McKeesport,  Pa.,  in  1902.  as  de- 
vout a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  as  her 
husband.  They  had  children  as  follows:  John 
JIcElhenny ;  William,  who  is  in  the  employ  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  at  Mc- 
Keesport ;  Gilbert,  who  was  a  switchman  and 
killed  on  duty  in  1907 ;  and  five  who  died  in 
iiifancy. 

Dr.  John  ]\I.  Grubbs,  after  receiving  a  care- 
ful preliminary  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Westmoreland  and  Allegheny  counties, 
went  to  a  large  school  in  Fayette  county  for 
several  years,  and  then  began  reading  medi- 
cine with  Dr.  Myers,  of  Braddock.  Later,  he 
entered  the  J\Iiami  Medical  College  at  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1886,  immediately  thereafter  entering  upon 
general  practice  at  Westville  and  Ottawa, 
Ohio.  Within  two  and  a  half  .vears,  however, 
he  returned  to  Westmoreland  county,  and  was 
at  Latrobe  for  a  year  as  a  physician  before 
entering  the  drug  business  with  William  ~Slc- 
Millan,  under  the  firm  name  of  McMillan  & 
Co.,  which  association  continued  five  years. 
Dr.  Grubbs  then  went  to  IMcKeesport,  where 
he  practiced  until  1895,  that  year  locating  at 
Armagh,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  has  been 
since— -a  period  of  eighteen  years.  His  prac- 
tice extends  over  a  wide  territory  that  em- 
braces East  and  West  Wheatfield  and  Buffing- 
ton  townships.  Politically  Dr.  Grubbs  is  a 
Republican,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the 
borough  council  and  the  school  board,  having 
been  secretary  of  the  latter  body.  He  is  also 
secretary  of  the  board  of  health  of  Armagh, 
and  is  one  of  the  most  public-spirited  men  of 
the  place.    Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Odd 


Fellows  and  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America, 
and  his  religioiis  views  make  him  a  Methodist. 
In  1887  Dr.  Grubbs  was  married  to  Clara 
Hull,  of  Ohio,  who  died  in  1890,  at  Latrobe, 
leaving  no  issue.  In  1893  Dr.  Grubbs  mar- 
ried (second)  Luella  V.  Faust,  and  they  have 
had  two  children.  Earl  Faust  and  John  Reed, 
both  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 

WILLIAM  HASSON  DICKIE,  of  Black- 
lick  township,  Indiana  county,  belongs  to  one 
of  the  old  families  of  Scotch-Irish  origin  which 
have  been  settled  in  this  section  since  pioneer 
days. 

William  H.  Dickie,  the  founder  of  the  Dickie 
family  in  this  region,  was  of  Scotch-Irish  ex- 
traction. Coming  to  Indiana  county  at  an 
early  period  he  located  in  Center  township,  on 
a  farm  about  four  miles  from  Indiana,  now 
known  as  the  Kauffman  farm.  There  he  con- 
tinued to  engage  in  farming  for  a  number  of 
years,  later  removing  to  Jacksonville,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  remained  several  years,  and 
fiuall.v  to  the  home  of  his  son  George  on  a 
farm  in  White  township,  spending  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  with  him  and  dying  there 
in  1865-66,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years, 
eight  days.  Mr.  Dickie  was  a  Whig  and  Re- 
publican in  political  sentiment  but  not  par- 
ticularly active  in  party  affairs.  He  served 
as  school  director,  however,  after  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  public  schools.  A  member  of 
the  M.  E.  Church,  he  served  many  years  as 
class  leader  and  was  also  chorister  for  a  long 
period.  In  fact  he  was  widely  known  in  the 
latter  connection  in  this  region,  having  taught 
singing  for  many  years. 

3Ir.  Dickie  married  Jane  Allison,  a  native 
of  Center  township,  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Sally'  (Barr)  Allison,  the  former  of  whom 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war 
under  General  Washington.  Sirs.  Dickie  died 
at  the  home  of  her  daughter  ]Mrs.  Kauffman, 
and  was  buried  in  Oakland  cemetery,  at  Indi- 
ana, beside  her  husband.  Ten  children  were 
born  to  this  couple:  George  is  mentioned  be- 
low; Hannah  married  Thomas  B.  Allison,  of 
ilarchand,  Indiana  county,  who  served  as  asso- 
ciate .iudge:  Jane  married  Rev.  J.  Gordon,  a 
minister  of  the  'SI.  E.  Church ;  Ebenezer  died 
at  Rock  Island,  111. ;  Nancy  married  James 
Ayers.  of  Marion  Center,  Pa. :  John  died  in 
Oiiio;  Mary  (Polly)  married  Samuel  Ray,  of 
Crete,  this  count.v;  La-\ana  manned  Jacob 
Kauffman ;  Elizabeth  married  John  IMcilullen, 
of  Center  township,  and  later  removed  to 
Illinois ;  L^rsula  Toledo  married  John  F.  Hen- 
derson, and  died  in  Illinois. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1565 


George  Dickie,  eldest  son  of  William  H. 
Dickie,  was  born  Sept.  27,  1809,  on  the  farm 
in  White  township,  and  obtained  his  education 
at  the  subscription  school  held  in  a  near-by  log 
house.  He  grew  up  on  the  farm  and  from  his 
earliest  boyhood  was  familiar  with  agricul- 
tural work,  which  he  followed  all  his  life,  and 
in  which  he  became  very  prosperous.  He  ac- 
quired over  six  hundred  acres  of  land.  He 
built  a  substantial  brick  house  to  replace  the 
first  one  of  logs,  and  made  many  other  im- 
l^rovements  on  his  property,  which  became 
quite  valuable  under  his  intelligent  and  ener- 
getic management.  In  addition  to  general 
farming  he  engaged  somewhat  extensively  in 
stock  raising,  and  drove  to  the  eastern  markets 
for  many  years.  He  made  a  specialty  of  the 
raising  of  fine  sheep,  his  large  acreage  enabling 
him  to  keep  great  numbers.  He  died  March 
5,  1901 ,  in  his  ninety-second  year,  after  a  busy 
and  useful  career,  and  was  buried  in  Oakland 
cemetery.  He  was  a  lifelong  member  of  the 
M,  E.  Church  at  Homer  City,  and  served  as 
steward.  In  political  opinion  he  was  a  Ee- 
publican. 

On  May  14,  1835,  Mr.  Dickie  married  Jane 
Dixon,  who  was  born  Sept.  8,  1811,  daughter 
of  Joseph  Dixon,  whose  family  sketch  may  be 
found  elsewhere  in  this  work,  and  they  had  a 
married  life  of  over  half  a  century,  her  death 
occurring  Dee.  24,  1885.  She,  too,  is  buried  in 
Oakland  cemetery.  They  had  a  family  of  six 
children:  MaiT  Jane,  born  April  19,  1836, 
died  Jan.  2,  1838 ;  William  H..  born  Dec.  11, 
1838,  is  a  farmer  in  Blacklick  township; 
Joseph  Dixon,  Ijorn  June  21,  1840,  is  a  farmer 
in  Center  township,  this  county;  Nancy  H., 
born  Dec.  4,  1843,  is  the  widow  of  Capt.  G.  H. 
Ogden,  of  Homer  City ;  Elizabeth,  born  May  7, 
1846,  married  Frank  Broskey,  who  died  in 
Indiana ;  George  C,  born  June  12,  1850,  lived 
at  Indiana,  and  died  in  February,  1912. 

William  Hasson  Dickie  was  born  Dec.  11, 
1838,  in  the  little  log  cabin  on  the  Dickie 
homestead  in  White  township,  and  obtained 
his  elementary  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  White  and  Center  townships.  He  also  at- 
tended a  select  school  conducted  by  D.  B. 
Mahon.  He  worked  with  his  father  on  the 
farm  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old,  at 
which  time,  on  Aug.  27,  1861,  he  enlisted  at 
Kittanning,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  for  service 
in  the  Union  anny,  being  mustered  in  Oct. 
12th  as  a  member  of  Company  A,  78th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantr.y,  under  Captain 
Cummins  and  Col.  William  Sirwell.  The 
regiment  went  to  Kentucky  and  on  Dec.  17, 
1861,  took  part  in  the  engagement  at  Neely's 


Bend,  on  the  Cumberland  river.  It  was  also 
present  at  LaVergne,  Tenn.,  Stone  River, 
Tullahoma,  Dug  Gap,  Ga.,  Chattanooga,  Ross- 
ville  and  Atlanta ;  and  went  on  the  campaign 
with  Sherman.  Mr.  Dickie  was  in  the  army 
three  years,  one  month,  iifteen  days,  receiving 
his  discharge  Oct.  12,  1864,  at  Atlanta.  After 
his  return  home  he  farmed  at  the  homestead 
for  three  years  more,  in  1868  moving  to  Black- 
lick  township  and  settling  on  the  farm  where 
he  has  since  resided — a  period  of  forty-four 
years.  This  was  fonuerly  the  Daniel  Fair 
place,  and  contains  155  acres  of  excellent  land, 
upon  which  Mr.  Dickie  has  successfully  fol- 
lowed farming  and  stock  raising.  For  some 
time  he  made  sheep  raising  his  principal  line, 
having  at  one  time  820  head  of  sheep.  In 
1874  he  bought  a  tract  of  eighty-six  acres  in 
West  Wheatfield  township  which  he  still  owns, 
including  the  timber  and  coal  rights.  Mr. 
Dickie  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  first  di- 
rectors of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Black- 
lick,  and  he  has  been  public-spirited  about 
giving  his  influence  and  encouragement  to 
other  enterprises  which  promised  to  benefit  the 
locality  and  enlarge  the  scope  of  local  inter- 
ests; he  is  auditor  of  the  bank  at  present. 
He  has  served  his  township  in  the  offices  of 
supervisor  and  school  director,  and  was  presi- 
dent of  the  school  board  four  years.  In  poli- 
tics he  has  always  upheld  the  principles  of 
the  Republican  party,  but  he  is  independent 
about  casting  his  vote.  He  is  a  member  of 
Bolar  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Blairsville,  thia 
county. 

On  Feb.  28,  1868,  Mr.  Dickie  married  Mary 
E.  Fair,  who  was  born  in  Blacklick  township, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Mary  E.  (Devinny) 
Fair,  and  they  have  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: (1)  Lorella  May,  boru  April  22,  1870, 
received  her  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Blacklick  township  and  the  State  normal 
school  at  Indiana,  and  prior  to  her  marriage 
taught  school  for  seven  years  in  Pittsburg, 
in  Blacklick  township  one  term,  Cambria 
county.  Pa.,  one  term,  and  Youngstown,  Ohio, 
one  term.  In  1901  she  married  George  A. 
Gunn,  a  traveling  salesman,  and  they  reside 
in  Pittsburg.  They  have  no  children.  (2) 
Ina  Charlotte,  born  Sept.  28,  1871,  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  and  the  State  nor- 
mal at  Indiana,  and  taught  at  Homer  City  for 
three  years  and  at  Jeannette  (Pa.)  for  two 
years  before  her  marriage  to  Rev.  Charles 
Day,  a  Lutheran  minister,  now  stationed  at 
Ottawa,  Kans.  (3)  William  Augustus,  born 
July  18,  1873,  obtained  his  early  education  at 
the  local  public  schools  and  in  Homer  City, 


1566 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  studied  medicine  at  the  College  of  Medi- 
cine, Epworth  University,  Oklahoma.  He  is 
now  engaged  in  medical  practice  at  Purcell, 
Mo.    He  is  unmarried. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dickie  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church  at  Coral,  in  which  she  is  an 
active  worker. 

BLAKLEY.  The  Blakley  family  of  Young 
township,  Indiana  county,  one  of  the  oldest 
settled  and  most  highly  respected  families  of 
that  region,  is  of  Irish  extraction,  its  founder 
here,  David  Blakley,  having  been  a  native  of 
Belfast,  Ireland.  His  father,  also  named 
David  Blakley,  was  a  merchant  of  that  city 
and  had  a  large  family,  of  which  two  sons  be- 
came ministers  of  the  gospel. 

David  Blakley,  the  emigrant  ancestor,  grew 
to  manhood  in  his  native  home  and  learned  the 
mercantile  business  with  his  father,  in  time  be- 
coming his  partner  under  the  firm  name  of 
David  Blakley  &  Son.  He  married  in  Ireland 
Margaret  Herron,  and  in  the  latter  part  of 
the  eighteenth  century  they  left  for  America, 
bringing  their  children.  Proceeding  farther 
to  western  Pennsylvania,  they  located  in 
Young  township,  Indiana  county,  between 
1792  and  1800.  They  were  among  the  first  of 
the  piqjieer  settlers  in  that  section,  which  was 
then  a  wilderness,  and  Mr.  Blakley  at  once 
erected  a  log  house,  log  stable  and  log  store, 
becoming  the  first  storekeeper  in  that  part  of 
the  county.  He  dealt  in  cattle  and  various 
commodities,  which  he  took  in  exchange  for 
store  goods.  He  disposed  of  his  cattle  and 
sheep  in  the  East,  driving  them  over  the 
Allegheny  mountains  to  market,  and  made 
many  such  trips,  bringing  back  merchandise. 
While  on  one  of  these  trips  he  established  a 
store  at  Ilagerstown,  Md.  On  his  last  journey 
East,  in  1820,  he  was  taken  sick  and  died,  at 
the  age  of  sixty  years.  His  wife  long  sui'- 
vived  him,  dying  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  in  1849,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-nine,  at  the  home  of  her  daughter  Mrs. 
Knox.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Seceder 
Church.  Children  as  follows  were  born  to 
IMr.  and  Mrs.  Blakley:  James,  who  married 
Elizabeth  Gibson,  (second)  Catherine  Waters 
and  (third)  Jane  Jack;  Hugh;  Elizabeth,  who 
married  Hugh  Knox  and  settled  in  the  Ma- 
honing district  of  Indiana  county ;  Margaret, 
■who  married  John  Gibson ;  and  Susan,  who 
married  James  McClanahan. 

Hugh  Blakley,  son  of  David,  was  born  Jan. 
18,  1790,  in  Belfast,  Ireland,  and  was  quite 
young  when  his  parents  crossed  the  Atlantic. 
He  grew  to  manhood  amid  primitive  surround- 


ings in  Young  township,  and  had  limited  edu- 
cational opportunities.  Farming  was  his  life 
work.  He  located  on  a  tract  of  250  acres  in 
the  vicinity  of  Anderson  school,  built  a  log 
house  and  barn  and  made  other  improvements 
and  there  passed  his  active  years.  The  build- 
ings he  put  up  are  still  on  the  place,  though 
in  ruins,  his  grandson,  Hugh  Blakley.  who 
now  owns  and  operates  the  farm,  living  on 
another  portion  of  the  property.  In  his  de- 
clining years  Mr.  Blakley  made  his  home  with 
his  son  David,  dying  there  Dee.  17,  1877, 
when  eighty-seven  years  old.  He  is  buried  in 
the  family  lot  on  the  farm.  He  was  first  a 
member  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church, 
attending  at  Jacksonville,  and  later  joined 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church  at  West 
Union,  in  Armstrong  townshii^,  of  which 
he  was  one  of  the  founders  and  served 
as  elder;  he  was  one  of  the  ruling  eld- 
ers of  the  Jacksonville  Church.  In  polities 
Mr.  Blakley  was  originally  a  Whig,  after- 
ward a  Republican.  On  April  29,  1819,  he 
married  Jean  Henderson,  daughter  of  John 
Henderson,  of  Young  township,  and  she  died 
long  before  him,  passing  away  Aug.  28,  1844 ; 
she  is  buried  in  the  Jacksonville  cemetery.  A 
large  family  was  born  to  this  marriage:  (1) 
David  J.,  born  Jan.  16,  1820,  died  May  13, 
1892.  He  married  ]\Iartha  Caldwell  and  was 
engaged  in  farming  in  Young  township.  (2) 
John,  born  Dec.  27,  1822,  died  Aug.  22,  1844. 
(3)  James  W.,  born  Nov.  16,  1824,  married 
Jane  Wilson.  (4)  Robert,  born  Feb.  19, 1827, 
died  Feb.  24, 1860.  ( 5 )  Mary,  twin  of  Robert, 
married  James  Brown,  and  died  Nov.  26, 1867. 
(6)  Juliann,  born  May  31,  1829,  died  April 
28,  1850.  (7)  Rebecca  Jean,  born  Jan.  1. 1831, 
died  Aug.  29,  1844.  (8)  Sarah,  born  Dec.  13, 
1833,  married  Richard  Lafferty,  and  died  Nov. 
26,  1870.  (9)  Deborah  Ellen,  born  March  16, 
1836,  married  James  R.  Hart  and  (second) 
Alexander  Sharp,  who  served  as  a  soldier  in 
the  Civil  war.  She  is  now  a  widow,  residing 
at  West  Lebanon,  Indiana  county.  (10) 
Joseph  Alexander  was  born  July  25,  1838. 

Joseph  Alexander  Blakley,  born  July  25, 
1838,  on  the  homestead  on  Hooper  run,  at- 
tended the  Anderson  school  in  that  vicinity 
and  worked  at  home  with  his  father  until 
shortly  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil 
war.  In  June,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
B,  56th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  un- 
der Capt.  William  Mclntire  of  Pittsburg  and 
Col.  S.  A.  Mevideth  of  Philadelphia.  He  was 
mustered  into  the  service  Sept.  23d,  at  Harris- 
burg,  was  sent  from  there  to  Washington  and 
Falmouth,  and  later  to  Fredericksburg,  Va., 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1567 


taking  part  in  the  battle  under  General  Pope. 
He  was  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  From 
there  he  went  up  the  James  river  to  Rich- 
mond, took  part  in  the  second  battle  of  Bull 
Run  and  the  Seven  Days'  fight,  as  well  as  the 
battle  of  Sulphur  Springs  and  other  engage- 
ments. On  Aug.  28,  1862,  he  received  a  gun- 
shot wound  in  the  right  wrist,  paralyzing  his 
hand,  and  he  has  suffered  froni  the  effects  ever 
since.  He  was  taken  to  hospital  at  West- 
chester, Pa.,  and  was  discharged  for  disability 
while  in  the  line  of  duty.  Returning  home,  he 
became  associated  with  Colonel  Lininger  and 
recruited  a  company,  of  which  lie  Avas  unani- 
mously elected  captain,  but  could  not  serve  be- 
cause of  disability.  After  working  on  the 
home  farm  for  a  time  he  went  west  to  Iowa, 
Kansas,  Nebraska  and  Colorado,  spending  two 
years  in  that  section,  during  which  time  he 
engaged  in  various  occupations.  Coming  back 
East  he  located  at  Braddock,  Pa.,  where  he 
was  in  the  employ  of  the  Thompson  Steel 
Company  for  nine  years,  at  the  end  of  that 
time  resuming  farming,  which  he  has  ever 
since  followed.  He  settled  on  a  part  of  the 
old  Fulton  farm,  one  mile  east  of  West  Leb- 
anon, in  Indiana  county,  and  has  built  a  dwell- 
ing house,  barn  and  other  bixildings,  besides 
making  many  other  improvements.  He  has 
also  added  land  to  his  original  purchase,  now 
having  ninety  acres.  The  Buffalo,  Rochester 
&  Pittsburg  railroad  runs  through  his  prop- 
erty. Mr.  Blakley  operates  the  farm  with  the 
help  of  his  son  Silas.  He  is  a  Republican  and 
has  been  cjuite  active  in  local  polities,  having 
served  as  inspector  of  elections,  overseer  of 
the  poor,  supervisor,  auditor,  and  in  other 
township  offices.  Socially  he  belongs  to  Fos- 
ter Robinson  Post,  Q.  A.  R.,  of  Saltsburg,  and 
his  religious  connection  is  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church  at  West  Lebanon. 

On  Nov.  10,  1865,  Mr.  Blakley  married 
Elizabeth  Fulton,  who  was  born  in  Young 
township,  daughter  of  Silas  and  Annie  (Har- 
bison) Fulton,  and  died  Oct.  14,  1909;  she  is 
buried  in  West  Lebanon  cemetery.  She  was 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Blakley  had  a  family  of  six  children, 
as  follows:  Annie  Jean  (Jennie),  wife  of 
James  M.  Risinger,  of  Homer  City,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pa. ;  William,  who  died  when  twenty-one 
years  old;  Lula  R.,  at  home;  Silas  Fulton, 
who  is  on  the  homestead;  Albert  C,  residing 
in  Chicago;  and  Joseph  A.,  Jr.,  who  enlisted 
for  service  in  the  Spanish-American  war  in 
1898  and  died  of  fever  Aug.  22,  1898,  while 
in  camp   at   Chattanooga,   and  was  brought 


home  and  buried  in  the  West  Lebanon  ceme- 
teiy. 

JOHN  FRANKLIN  POUNDS,  a  represen- 
tative of  an  old  family  of  Indiana  county,  is 
a  well-known  school  "teacher  and  farmer  of 
Center  township,  and  his  family  is  one  of  the 
best  known  in  western  Pennsylvania. 

According  to  family  tradition  the  founder 
of  this  family  in  America  was  Thomas  Pound, 
of  Saxon  or  Scandinavian  parentage,  from 
North  Holland  or  Denmark,  who  came  over 
in  1635,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years.  He 
made  the  voyage  from  Amsterdam,  Holland, 
to  London,  England,  and  from  there  to  the 
Plymouth  Colony  in  Massachusetts,  where  he 
married  a  daughter  of  one  of  the  Pilgrims. 

One  of  his  descendants,  Adonijah  Pound, 
resided  in  Tarrytown,  Westchester  Co.,  N.  Y., 
and  lost  his  life  in  the  Revolutionaiy  war. 
He  married  Hannah  Collier,  who  is  supposed 
to  have  been  a  sister  of  Thomas  Collier  and 
Sarah  (Collier)  Harper,  and  a  direct  descend- 
ant of  William  Collier,  a  London  merchant 
who  came  to  Plymouth  Colony  in  1633  and 
was  assistant  governor  for  thirty  years. 

Joseph  Pound  (or  Pounds),  son  of  Adoni- 
jah and  Hannah  (Collier)  Pound,  was  born  in 
1750  and  died  April  4.  1813.  His  wife,  Sarah 
(Tichinger),  born  in  1757,  died  April  8,  1813, 
four  days  after  her  husband.  She  was  a  sis- 
ter of  Dr.  Thomas  Tichinger  and  Rachel 
(Tichinger)  Collier,  wife  of  Thomas  Collier. 
By  this  union  there  were  six  children:  Ste- 
phen, born  in  1777,  who  married  Catharine 
Stiffitch;  Sarah;  Hannah;  Eunice,  who  mar- 
ried John  Eg-gen,  of  Hardin  county,  Ky. ; 
Elsie,  who  married  Thomas  Mclntyre,  of  Arm- 
strong county.  Pa.;  and  Joseph.  Joseph 
Pound,  the  father,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  and  at  its  close  the  family  moved 
from  Basking  Ridge,  Morris  (now  Somerset) 
Co.,  N.  J.,  to  Derry  township,  Westmoreland 
Co.,  Pa.,  locating  near  the  Salem  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  they  became  members. 
Later  they  located  on  Tunnel  Hill. 

Joseph  Pounds,  youngest  son  of  Joseph  and 
Sarah  (Tichinger)  Pounds,  was  born  in  Derry 
township,  AVestmoreland  county,  Dec.  21, 
1795,  and  made  his  home  in  that  county.  Early 
in  life  he  boated  salt  from  the  Couemaugh 
river  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  His  later  years  were 
spent  in  farming  in  Derry  township.  He  was 
a  strong  Democrat  of  the  old  type.  For  over 
seventy  years  a  member  of  the  Salem  Church, 
he  declined  to  hold  any  church  office.  He  died 
Oct.  2,  1881.  Mr.  "  Pound  married  Mary 
Drummond,  who  was  born  in  1807  and  died 


1568 


HISTOEY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


March  26,  1845.  Her  grandparents,  William 
and  Ellen  (Cannon)  Drummond,  came  from 
Scotland  in  1740,  and  he  took  an  active  part 
in  the  Kevolutionaiy  war,  in  which  he  was 
wounded,  dying  of  his  injuries.  Her  father, 
John  Drummond,  born  in  1763,  died  in  1843. 
He  came  to  western  Pennsylvania  in  1785  and 
settled  in  Westmoreland  county  and  was 
among  the  founders  of  the  old  historic  Salem 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  married  Mary  Bull- 
man.  Joseph  and  Maiy  (Drummond)  Pounds 
had  a  family  of  nine  children,  namely: 
Joseph,  born  May  12,  1830,  is  mentioned  be- 
low ;  Mary,  born  Sept.  9,  1831,  died  July  16, 
1832;  Sarah,  born  May  11,  1833,  married 
Alexander  McCurdy ;  John  D.,  born  Dee.  13, 
1834,  lived  on  the  old  homestead  on  Tunnel 
Hill  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war ;  Ellen, 
born  Sept.  18,  1836,  married  John  Drummond ; 
Hannah,  born  March  10.  1838,  resided  on  the 
old  homestead  at  Tunnel  Hill ;  Mary,  born  Dec. 
21,  1839,  died  Jan.  15,  1889 ;  Stephen  C.  was 
born  July  25,  1841;  William,  born  April  6, 
1844,  died  Oct.  19,  1876. 

Joseph  Pounds,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary 
(Drummond)  Pounds,  born  May  12,  1830,  on 
the  farm  in  Derry  township,  Westmoreland 
count}',  passed  his  early  life  there  and  became 
engaged  in  farming.  After  the  Civil  war  he 
came  to  Indiana  county,  locating  in  Center 
township,  where  he  bought  207  acres  known 
as  the  Gibson  farm.  Settling  on  that  place  he 
entered  into  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing, making  a  specialty  of  raising  sheep,  with 
■which  he  was  quite  successful.  In  time  he 
became  one  of  the  most  prosperous  farmers  in 
that  section  of  Indiana  county.  He  died  on 
the  homestead  Nov.  23,  1899,"  at  the  age  of 
sixtj'-nine  years,  and  was  buried  in  Bethel 
Church  cemetery  in  Center  township.  He  was 
a  leading  member  of  Bethel  Church,  was 
elected  elder  of  same,  and  was  a  strong  sup- 
porter of  temperance,  eventualh^  associating 
himself  with  the  Prohibition  party.  For  a 
number  of  j'ears  he  was  a  Democrat.  Mr. 
Pounds  was  married  three  times.  His  first 
wife,  Jane  Robbins,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Nancy  (Reynolds)  Robbins,  of  White  town- 
ship, died  in  Center  township  April  5,  1865, 
aged  thirty-three  years,  twenty-three  days. 
She  was  buried- in  Bethel  Church  cemetery. 
She  became  the  mother  of  three  children : 
Mary  A.,  who  married  J.  S.  Johnston,  who 
resides  at  Premont,  Texas ;  Daniel  R.,  who  re- 
sides in  EUiston,  Mont. ;  and  Jennie,  married 
to  George  Peanson,  of  Coming,  N.  Y.  Mr. 
Pounds  married  (second)  Mrs.  Julia  A.  (Wil- 
son) Henderson,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Lit- 


tia  (Henderson)  Wilson,  and  widow  of  Wil- 
liam Henderson.  She  died  March  11,  1872, 
aged  twenty-nine  years,  twenty-seven  days, 
and  was  buried  in  Bethel  Church  cemetery. 
There  were  thi-ee  children  bj'  this  union: 
William,  now  of  Blairsville,  who  married 
ilaud  Rapine,  of  Center  township ;  Lizzie 
Ella,  who  died  Aug.  4,  1870,  aged  fifteen 
months;  and  Nettie  M.,  wife  of  Robert  Roof, 
living  in  Bufi'alo,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Pounds'  third 
marriage  was  to  Ellen  Coad,  of  Livermore, 
Westmoreland  county,  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Diana  (Blaeklar)  Coad,  the  latter  from' Kent, 
England.  Mrs.  Pounds  is  still  living  at.Liver- 
more.  She  is  the  mother  of  three  children : 
John  Fi-anklin;  Harry  S.,  a  farmer  on  the 
original  homestead  in  Deny  township,  West- 
moreland county ;  and  Joseph,  who  is  assistant 
postmaster  at  Vandergrift. 

John  Franklin  Pounds,  eldest  son  of  Joseph 
and  Ellen  (Coad)  Pounds,  was  born  Jan.  16, 
1875,  on  his  father's  farm  in  Center  town- 
ship, and  attended  public  school  there.  Later 
he  attended  select  school  at  Homer  City,  and 
the  State  normal  school  at  Indiana,  after 
which  he  took  up  the  pi'ofession  of  school 
teaching,  which  he  followed  successfully  for 
eight  j'cars  in  Center  township.  For  the  most 
part  he  was  in  the  Risinger,  Lowry,  Adair  and 
ilyer  Schools.  After  the  death  of  his  father 
he  took  up  farming  on  the  homestead,  where 
he  has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  dairying 
ever  since,  employing  the  most  up-to-date 
methods  in  his  work.  He  has  made  many  im- 
provements on  his  property,  which  now  con- 
sists of  215  acres.  Mr.  Pounds  has  a  home  in 
the  borough  of  Indiana,  where  he  spends  the 
winters.  He  served  his  township  as  school 
director,  and  is  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Prohibition  party  in  his  locality,  having  been 
a  candidate  for  the  office  of  prothonotary  of 
Indiana  count.v  on  that  ticket.  He  is  a  lead- 
ing member  of  the  Bethel  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Center  township  and  has  filled  the  office 
of  elder  for  several  yeare,  also  acting  as  trus- 
tee. Sunday  school  teacher  and  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school.  He  has  taken  special 
interest  in  Suuda,y  school  work  and  was  the 
organizer  of  the  county  Sunday  school  asso- 
ciation which  has  been  divided  into  seven 
divisions,  and  is  president  of  the  Indiana  dis- 
trict, including  White,  Washington  and  Rayne 
townships.  He  is  a  teacher  of  the  first  divi- 
sion, having  taken  a  training  course  in  that 
work  for  a  year  and  a  half,  in  a  class  of 
twenty-five.  He  is  devoted  to  all  work  per- 
taining to  the  church. 

On  April  2,  1900,  Mr.  Pounds  married  Lil- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1569 


lian  B.  Miller,  daughter  of  John  I.  and  Mary 
(Keener)  Miller,  and  they  have  three  chil- 
dren: Irwin  E.,  Helen  Miller  and  John 
Donald. 

]MACK.  For  over  a  century  the  Mack  fam- 
ily has  been  well  represented  in  that  part  of 
Indiana  county  now  included  in  East  and 
West  Wheatfield  townships,  and  the  early 
.  members  of  the  family  here  were  among-  the 
most  respected  pioneer  settlers  of  the  region. 
The  brothers  Jacob  Wagner  Mack  and  Hugh 
St.  Clair  Mack,  of  West  Wheatfield  township, 
are  grandsons  of  Robert  Mack,  who  founded 
this  branch  of  the  family  here. 

Robert  ilack  was  a  native  of  County  Down, 
Ireland,  born  about  1763.  There  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  married  Margaret  Campbell, 
who  was  born  about  1769,  and  four  children 
were  born  to  them  in  their  native  home :  John, 
born  about  1797;  Robert,  born  about  1799; 
James,  born  March  3,  1800;  and  Jean,  born 
about  1803.  In  the  early  part  of  1803  Robert 
Mack  with  his  wife  and  four  children  left  their 
native  home  for  America.  While  they  were 
crossing  the  Atlantic,  on  a  slow-going  sailing 
vessel,  their  little  .  daughter  Jean  died  and 
was  buried  at  sea,  the  body  being  placed  in  a 
sack,  weighted  at  the  feet  with  sand.  The 
burial  service  was  read  by  the  captain.  After 
landing  in  the  New  World  the  family  made 
their  way  west  of  the  Alleghenies,  locating 
first  near  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  and  later  in  Wheat- 
field  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  Mr. 
Mack  settled  down  to  farming  on  a  400-acre 
tract.  He  had  to  erect  the  log  cabin  for  his 
family,  and  began  a  hard  fight  for  existence  in 
the  wilderness  which  lasted  many  years.  By 
steady  industiy  and  thrifty  habits  he  man- 
aged to  develop  his  farm  and  make  many  im- 
provements, and  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life  on  that  place,  dying  there  Aug.  2,  1850. 
He  was  buried  in  Bethel  Church  cemetery,  in 
what  is  now  West  Wheatfield  township,  and  a 
headstone  marks  the  last  resting  place  of  him- 
self and  wife.  Mr.  Mack  in  religious  principle 
was  what  was  known  as  a  Seceder,  later  join- 
ing the  Bethel  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  was  an  old-line  Democrat  on  political 
questions.  His  wife  preceded  him  to  the 
grave,  dying  on  the  farm  Nov.  17,  1839,  at 
the  age  of  seventy  jj-ears,  and  was  laid  to  rest 
in  Bethel  cemetery.  She,  too,  was  a  member 
of  Bethel  United  Presbyterian  Church.  Their 
children  born  in  Wheatfield  township  were: 
David ;  William ;  Samuel ;  Armstrong ;  George ; 
Jean  (2),  who  married  William  McClain,  and 
died  in  West  Wheatfield  township ;  ilargaret, 


who  married  Hugh  St.  Clair,  and  removed  to 
Iowa;  and  Elizabeth  (Betsey),  who  married 
William  Campbell,  being  his  second  wife. 

James  Mack,  son  of  Robert  and  Margaret 
(Campbell)  Mack,  was  born  March  3,  1800,  in 
Ireland,  and  was  but  a  young  child  when 
brought  to  America.  He  grew  to  manhood  in 
Wheatfield  township,  and  in  his  earlier  years 
found  work  on  the  Pennsylvania  canal  and 
the  pike,  the  old  road  from  Philadelphia  to 
Pittsburg.  In  time  he  bought  the  McKelvey 
farm  of  120  acres,  then  practically  a  wilder- 
ness, cleared  the  land  and  engaged  in  farming. 
Selling  this  tract  to  Joseph  Mack  he  bought 
the  Archie  St.  Clair  farm  of  158  acres  in  West 
Wheatfield  township,  upon  which  place  he  re- 
sided the  rest  of  his  life,  following  farming. 
He  died  March  6,  1885,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
five,  and  his  wife  Sarah  Jane  (Wagner),  bom 
Nov.  27,  1817,  died  Oct.  16,  1903,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-six.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Michael 
Wagner.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jlack  were  interred 
in  Germany  graveyard,  in  West  Wheatfield 
township,  whei-e  a  handsome  tombstone  marks 
their  resting  place.  They  were  the  parents 
of  a  large  family,  born  as  follows :  Anna  B., 
July  31, 1837 ;  Lydia  C,  April  10,  1839 ;  John, 
March  20,  1841;  Maggie  T.,  March  4,  1843; 
Michael  G.,  May  15,  1845 ;  Jennie  V.,  Nov.  6, 
1847;  Lizzie  E.,  Feb.  26,  1850;  Jacob  W., 
Aug.  14,  1853 ;  Hugh  S.,  Aug.  19,  1856.  Mr. 
Mack  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church ; 
in  politics  he  was  a  Democrat. 

Jacob  Wagner  Mack,  son  of  James  and 
Sarah  Jane  (Wagner)  Mack,  was  born  Aug. 
14,  1853,  in  East  Wheatfield  township,  where 
he  began  his  education  as  a  pupil  in  the  com- 
mon school.  Later  he  was  sent  to  Major 
Boiler's  select  school,  at  Homer  City,  and  to 
Indiana,  and  studied  under  Professor  Wilson 
at  Armagh,  in  East  Wheatfield  township.  He 
followed  the  teacher's  profession  for  many 
years,  conducting  schools  for  nineteen  winters 
and  twelve  summers,  and  taught  one  term  at 
Ai-magh  for  Professor  Campbell.  But  he 
always  found  time  to  help  at  home  during  the 
harvesting  season.  For  a  while  he  was  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Heshbon.  In  1880  he 
bought  the  Samuel  Mack  farm  of  130  acres 
and  there  erected  a  fine  house  and  barn, 
springhouse  and  outbuildings,  and  he  has 
since  been  engaged  in  general  farming,  mak- 
ing a  specialty,  however,  of  dairying  and  fruit 
raising.  He  has  set  out  almost  a  thousand 
frait  trees,  and  his  success  has  made  him  some- 
what of  an  authority  in  this  section  as  an 
oi-chardist.  His  fruit  and  dairy  products  are 
shipped  to  Johnstown.    Mr.  Mack  has  shown 


1570 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  his  work  all  the  characteristics  of  the  pro- 
gressive and  up-to-date  agriculturist,  and  he 
not  only  has  good  ideas  but  the  executive 
ability  to  put  them  to  practical  test,  and  his 
results  have  had  the  effect  of  helping  to  raise 
standards  all  over  this  district.  He  has  also 
taken  a  hand  in  the  public  affairs  of  his  lo- 
cality, having  served  fourteen  years  as  town- 
ship auditor,  one  term  of  three  years  as  super- 
visor, and  as  member  of  the  election  board 
ever  since  he  began  to  vote.  He  has  always 
been  a  Republican,  and  at  present  favors  the 
Progressive  movement.  Formerly  he  held 
membership  in  the  Lutheran  Church,  in  which 
he  served  as  elder,  and  at  present  he  belongs 
to  the  M.  E.  Church  at  Heshbon,  of  which  he 
is  also  elder. 

On  June  8,  1875,  Mr.  Mack  was  married  in 
Brushvalley  township  to  Kate  Annie  Butler, 
who  was  born  Sept.  20, 1856,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel and  Elizabeth  (Fulcomer)  Butler,  and 
they  have  had  five  children,  viz. :  Jennie  Gert- 
rude, born  Jan.  6,  1876,  married  E.  Stewart 
MeClain.  Burtie  Darrell,  born  Jan.  7,  1880, 
was  employed  by  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company  at  Pitcairn,  Pa.,  for  twelve  years, 
and  now  lives  in  Brushvalley  township,  where 
he  owns  a  large  farm ;  he  married  Sarah  Rog- 
ers, and  they  have  two  children,  Thirza  and 
Erma.  Russell  Butler,  bom  Feb.  11,  1888.  re- 
sides at  Pitcairn,  Pa.,  where  he  is  chief  clerk 
of  the  supply  department  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company;  he  married  Estella  St. 
Clair,  and  they  have  one  child,  Ethel.  Gussie 
Levis,  born  May  20,  1891,  holds  a  teacher's 
certificate  from"^  the  State  normal  school  at 
Indiana,  Pa. ;  she  lives  at  home.  Elma  Ray, 
born  Feb.  9,  1897,  is  at  home. 

Hugh  St.  Clair  Mack,  son  of  James  and 
Sarah  Jane  (Wagner)  Mack,  was  born  Aug. 
19,  1856,  in  East  Wheatfield  township,  and 
■was  but  an  infant  when  the  family  removed 
to  West  Wheatfield  township.  There  he  at- 
tended public  school,  later  going  to  Professor 
Campbell's  select  school.  He  worked  with  his 
father,  helping  at  home  with  the  farm  labors, 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty,  when  he 
went  to  Hancock  county,  Ohio.  There  he  was 
jn  the  employ  of  J.  N.  Stoffer  for  a  year,  re- 
turning home  in  1877  and  resuming  work  with 
his  father,  with  whom  he  remained  until  the 
latter 's  death  several  years  later.  Then  he 
and  his  brother  Michael  bought  out  the  other 
heirs  to  the  home  place,  which  comprised  120 
acres  of  valuable  land,  and  Hugh  S.  I\Iack  has 
since  purchased  Michael's  interest,  being  now 
sole  owner  of  the  property.  He  and  his  wife 
gave  the  most  devoted  care  to  his  parents  in 


their  declining  years.  Mr.  Mack,  like  his 
brother,  has  made  a  specialty  of  dairy  prod- 
ucts and  fruit,  having  set  out  over  five  hun- 
dred fruit  trees,  with  which  he  has  been  very 
successful.  He  has  also  engaged  to  some  ex- 
tent in  stock  raising.  His  fruit  and  butter 
are  sent  to  Johnstown,  H.  L.  Wagner,  whole- 
sale dealer  at  that  place,  handling  them.  Mr. 
Mack  is  a  public-spirited  citizen  and  deeply 
concerned  in  the  general  welfare,  but  except 
for  sevei-al  years'  service  as  school  director 
he  has  not  taken  any  direct  part  in  public 
mattei's.  In  political  association  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  of 
which  his  father  was  one  of  the  founders. 

Mr.  Mack  was  married,  Sept.  28,  1881,  in 
New  Florence,  Pa.,  to  Mintie  A.  Brendlinger, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Isabelle  (Riddle) 
Brendlinger,  of  West  Wheatfield  township, 
and  six  children  have  been  born  to  this  union : 
(1)  Maggie  attended  schools  taught  by  Pro- 
fessor Stewart  and  Professor  Campbell,  at 
Armagh,  receiving  an  excellent  education,  and 
later  taught  school  in  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship. She  is  now  the  wife  of  J.  Bowser,  who 
is  employed  by  the  Scranton  International 
Correspondence  Schools,  and  thej^  reside  at 
Parkesburg,  Pa.  (2)  Lizzie  Emma  holds  a 
teacher's  certificate,  but  has  never  taught 
school.  She  is  now  training  for  the  profes- 
sion of  nurse  at  Mercy  hospital,  in  Pittsburg, 
Pa.  (3)  Hazel  S.  went  to  school  at  Mechanics- 
burg  for  four  years  and  taught  school  four 
terms.  She  now  resides  at  Homewood,  Pa., 
being  the  wife  of  Clyde  McCrea,  and  they  have 
one  child,  Jay  Dean.  Mr.  McCrea  follows 
the  trade  of  plasterer.  (4)  Jay  Ord  is  assist- 
ant manager  of  the  Real  Estate  Loan  Company 
of  Parkersburg,  W.  Va.  (5)  Lida  B.  and 
(6)  George  Riehl,  the  latter  born  Oct.  5,  1902, 
are  at  home. 

WILLIAM  JONES  KING,  a  retired  citi- 
zen of  Indiana,  Pa.,  was  born  near  Lock 
Haven,  Clinton  Co.,  Pa.,  March  18,  18-13,  and 
is  a  son  of  George  Washington  and  Catherine 
(Bartholomew)  King. 

William  King,  the  grandfather  of  William 
J.  King,  was  born  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  in 
1745,  and  when  a  young  man  became  a  silk 
weaver.  His  father  was  wealthy  and  left  a 
handsome  estate,  biit  an  elder  brother  in- 
herited all  of  his  property  and  William  en- 
tered the  British  army,  in  which  he  was  a  lieu- 
tenant in  1773,  and  came  with  his  regiment  to 
the  American  Colonies.  On  May  21,  1777,  he 
was  commissioned  second  lieutenant   in   the 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


4th  Foot  Battalion.  He  settled  in  Northum- 
berland county,  Pa.  (taking  a  location  at  the 
site  of  Jaysburg  in  1774),  where  he  had  mar- 
ried Rachel  Tharp,  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  two  children:  Sarah,  who  was  born 
Aug.  22,  1774 ;  and  Ruth,  born  May  23,  1776. 
About  two  years  after  the  birth  of  his  young- 
est child  Mr.  King  started  for  Jaysburg,  leav- 
ing his  wife  and  children  at  Northumberland 
to  follow  him,  but  not  long  after  his  depar- 
ture a  number  of  people,  fearing  a  raid  by 
the  Indians,  left  for  the  present  site  of  Wil- 
liamsport,  where  a  stockade,  ten  feet  high,  had 
been  erected,  the  same  being  about  what  is 
now  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Stephens 
streets.  Loading  their  famil.y  goods,  the  little 
part}'  fared  forth,  and  had  halted  on  the  third 
clay,  at  the  point  where  the  memorial  stone 
stands,  where  Fourth  street  crosses  a  run 
coming  down  Cemetery  street,  when  the  In- 
dians came  upon  them,  and  a  general  mas- 
sacre occurred  in  which  Mrs.  King  was  toma- 
hawked and  scalped,  expiring  (June  10th)  in 
the  arms  of  her  husband,  who  had  returned 
too  late  to  save  his  loved  ones.  The  children, 
Sarah  and  Ruth,  aged  four  and  two  years, 
respectively,  were  captured  by  the  savages, 
and  taken  as  prisoners  to  Canada,  but  Mr. 
King  was  able  to  secure  permission  from  the 
government  and  a  band  of  supporters  to  go  to 
the  Indians'  rendezvous,  guided  by  a  friendly 
Indian,  one  Jake  Orb}',  and  after  some  search 
found  his  daughter  Sarah.  She  was  able  to 
inform  the  party  where  her  sister  had  been 
taken,  but  it  was  necessary  to  use  great  diplo- 
macy before  the  latter  was  secured  from  her 
captors.  When  the  little  party  started  back 
home,  provisions  had  become  so  short  that 
its  members  were  obliged  at  one  time  to  eat 
skunk  meat.  Ruth  King  subsequently  gi'ew 
to  womanhood  and  went  to  her  mother's  home 
in  New  Jersey,  where  she  married  a  retired 
mariner  and  died  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances. Sarah  went  to  Jaysburg  with  her 
father  and  resided  with  him  until  his  death, 
Oct.  2,  1802,  following  which  she  made  her 
home  with  a  half  brother.  Joseph,  until  1832, 
and  then  went  to  live  with  John  Kelly  King, 
in  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  where  she  died  in  1850. 
On  Jlay  25,  1779,  Mr.  King  was  married  (sec- 
ond) to  Martha  Reeder,  who  was  born  Feb.  24, 
1763,  and  died  May  16,  1817,  and  they  be- 
came the  parents  of  seven  children,  namely: 
Mary,  born  Feb.  6,  1781 ;  William,  Jr.,  Aug. 
29,  1783;  Joseph,  Sept.  3,  1786;  Martha,  Jan. 
13,  1792 ;  George  Washington,  July  14,  1794 ; 
John,  June  15,  1797 ;  and  Reeder,  the  date  of 
whose  birth  is  not  definitely  known.     Their 


descendants  lived  in  Lycoming,  Clinton  and 
Clearfield  counties. 

George  Washington  King,  son  of  William 
Kmg,  and  father  of  William  Jones  King,  spent 
his  early  years  in  laboring  in  Howard,  Center 
(then  Lycoming)  county.  Following  this  he 
spent  a  short  time  in  Cherrytree,  Ind.,  but 
returned  to  Lycoming  county.  Pa.,  and  settled 
in  Woodward  township,  which  is  now  located 
in  Clinton  county,  and  there  died  July  9, 
1855,  aged  sixty  years,  eleven  months.  ":\Ir! 
King  by  his  first  wife,  Mary,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  twenty-six  years,  had  five  children: 
George  Washington,  Jr.,  a  laborer,  died  at 
Canton,  Pa. ;  Wilson  died  at  Lock  Haven,  Pa. ; 
Francis  F.,  who  for  years  conducted  a  tavern 
at  Lock  Haven,  died  at  that  place ;  Margaret 
was  married  and  died  at  Cherrytree,  Pa.; 
Fanny,  who  married  Joseph  Shook,  died  in 
Clearfield  county.  For  his  second  wife  Mr. 
King  married  Catherine  Bartholomew,  who 
was  born  in  1804  in  Cumberland  county.  Pa., 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  Bartholomew, 
ilr.  Bartholomew  was  a  carpenter,  cooper  and 
millwright,  and  died  in  Lycoming  (now  Clin- 
ton) county  when  eighty-four  years  of  age. 
The  children  of  George  W.  aiad  Catherine 
King  were  as  follows :  Bartholomew  P.,  a  min- 
ister of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  who 
died  in  November,  1908,  married  a  Miss 
Emery;  Catherine,  who  man-ied  James  Mc- 
Sherry,  died  in  Clinton  county ;  Joseph  R,,  a 
Methodist  minister,  died  in  1894  at  Benton, 
Columbia  Co.,  Pa. ;  James  F.,  who  was  a  car- 
penter, died  at  Lock  Haven,  Pa. ;  Frances  E. 
became  the  wife  of  John  Clark,  of  Williams- 
port,  and  died  at  that  place ;  Henry  E.  enlisted 
in  the  Union  army  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil 
war  and  lost  his  life  in  the  desperate  battle 
of  Fair  Oaks;  William  Jones  is  mentioned 
below. 

William  Jones  King,  son  of  George  Wash- 
ington King,  was  but  a  boy  when  his  father 
died,  and  the  family  being  left  in  humble  cir- 
cumstances his  education  was  limited  to  four 
winter  terms  of  school.  He  was  only  fourteen 
years  old  when  he  faced  the  world  on  his  own 
account,  going  out  to  work  among  the  farmers 
of  his  neighborhood,  but  in  the  meantime  he 
assiduously  applied  himself  to  his  books,  made 
the  most  of  every  opportunity  that  presented 
itself,  and  was  rewarded  for  his  industry  and 
perseverance  by  the  acquiring  of  a  good  edu- 
cation. He  worked  in  the  sawmills  and  helped 
to  load  and  unload  boats,  and  when  seventeen 
years  of  age  began  his  career  as  an  educator 
in  Keating  township,  Clinton  county,  where 
he  taught  school  each  winter  until  1864,  ia 


1572 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  meantime  spending  the  summer  months  in 
work  in  a  sawmill ;  and  in  the  year  mentioned 
he  was  made  clerk  of  the  board  of  elections, 
at  the  time  of  Abraham  Lincoln's  second  elec- 
tion as  president.  On  Aug.  11. 1864,  Mr.  King 
enlisted  in  Company  C,  207th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  3d  Division,  9th  Army 
Corps.  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  Capt. 
James  W.  Fi-edericks,  Col.  Robert  C.  Cox,  and 
Gen.  John  L.  Hartranft.  He  participated  in 
all  the  battles  engaged  in  by  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  from  that  time,  and  at  the  end  of 
the  war  received  his  honorable  discharge  with 
a  record  for  bravery  and  faithfulness  that  had 
made  him  admired  by  his  comrades  and  re- 
spected by  his  officers. 

On  his  return  to  the  pursuits  of  peace  Mr. 
King  resumed  teaching.  On  June  5,  1865,  he 
married  Cordelia  A.  Hewitt,  who  was  born  in 
Clearfield  county.  Pa.,  Feb.  5,  184-4,  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Annie  (Shoemaker)  Hewitt. 
After  his  marriage  he  established  his  home  at 
Dunnstown,  Clinton  Co.,  Pa.,  the  oldest  town 
in  that  county,  and  there  continued  teaching, 
farming  and  sawmill  work  until  1872.  In  that 
year  ilr.  King  moved  to  New  Columbus,  Lu- 
zerne Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  worked  the  farm 
owned  by  his  eldest  brother,  but  the  death  of 
three  of  his  children  so  discouraged  him  that 
he  decided  to  seek  new  fields  and  accordingly 
moved  to  Huston  township,  Clearfield  Co., 
Pa.,  where  he  was  engaged  eight  months  each 
year  for  the  next  five  years  in  teaching  school. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  he  received  and  ac- 
cepted an  offer  of  the  principalship  of  the 
schools  of  Driftwood,  Pa.,  where  he  spent  five 
years,  resigning  to  take  the  principalship  of 
the  Benezett  schools  in  Elk  county.  Two 
years  later  he  left  this  position  to  enter  the 
employ  of  "William  E.  Johnston,  for  whom  he 
was  bookkeeper  and  assistant  postmaster,  but 
two  years  later  the  store  was  destroyed  by  fire 
and  Mr.  King  again  became  principal  of  the 
schools,  a  position  he  continued  to  hold  for 
the  next  year.  During  this  time  he  had  been 
working  on  a  book,  known  as  "Normal  Out- 
lines," which  he  published  at  Benezett.  Leav- 
ing that  place  he  became  bookkeeper  and  gen- 
eral manager  of  the  wholesale  wall  paper  firm 
of  A.  D.  Lundy  &  Co.,  at  Williamsport.  At 
the  end  of  two  yeai"s  he  accepted  a  similar 
position  with  the  hardware  firm  of  Kline  & 
Co.,  with  which  he  was  connected  until  the 
failure  of  his  health  six  and  a  half  years  later. 
After  he  had  recuperated  he  took  charge  of  the 
books  of  the  Williamsport  Hardware  and 
Stove  Company,  in  which  concern  he  subse- 
quently purchased  a  one-quarter  interest,  but 


his  health  again  failing  he  withdrew  after  one 
year.  He  spent  four  weeks  in  the  Philadelphia 
hospital,  and  on  his  return  to  business  life  or- 
ganized the  Lycoming  Hardware  Company, 
in  1896,  being  connected  with  that  company 
until  1902.  He  then  transferred  his  activities 
to  Johnstown,  where  for  one  year  he  acted  as 
assistant  bookkeeper  and  in  other  capacities 
in  the  employ  of  the  Swank  Hardware  Com- 
pany, subsequently  becoming  traveling  repre- 
sentative for  the  T.  J.  Fernley  Hardware  Com- 
pany, and  in  the  meantime  carrying  a  side 
line  of  woodenware,  willowware  and  plumbing 
and  tinners'  supplies  for  W.  C.  Nimmo  &  Co., 
of  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  C.  H.  &  E.  S.  Gold- 
burg,  of  New  York  City.  In  1904  Mx.  King 
became  manager  for  the  Reynoldsville  Hard- 
ware Company,  but  in  August,  1905,  resigned 
his  position  and  moved  to  Indiana,  where  he 
was  made  bookkeeper  of  the  Indiana  Provision 
Company,  an  office  which  he  continued  to  fill 
capably  until  he  resigned,  Jan.  1,  1906.  At 
that  time,  returning  to  Reynoldsville,  he  re- 
sumed his  position  as  manager  of  the  Reynolds- 
ville Hardware  Company,  and  ceased  active 
business  activities  Oct.  10.  1911,  upon  his  re- 
tirement  from  that  position. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  are  consistent  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  has 
been  a  Republican  since  he  cast  his  first  vote, 
for  Abraham  Lincoln.  His  fraternal  connec- 
tions are  with  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  in  both  of  which  he  has 
been  honored  by  election  to  office. 

Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  King  have  had  the  following 
children :  JIatilda  H.,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
seven  years ;  Mary  C,  who  was  four  years  old 
at  the  time  of  her  death ;  Clemma  G.,  who  mar- 
ried W.  H.  ilcLees,  of  Williamsport,  and  has 
two  children,  Lillian  and  William  Glenn; 
Frederick  E.  and  Edward  P.,  twins,  who  died 
in  infancy;  Mary  E.,  who  married  John  0. 
Doney,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  and  has  two  children,  ■ 
William  Gerson  and  J.  Frank ;  and  Grace  M., 
who  married  Prof.  II.  Healy,  of  Williamsport. 

JOHN  ANDERSON  McFEATTERS  (de- 
ceased) was  a  leading  agriculturist  and  cattle 
dealer  of  Brushvalley  township.  Indiana 
county.  He  was  l^orn  there  Nov.  30,  1830,  on 
the  homestead  where  the  famih'  now  resides. 

The  McFeatters  family  is  of  Scotch  ex- 
traction, the  first  of  the  name  in  Brushval- 
ley township  being  James  S.  McFeatters,  who 
was  born  Nov.  13.  1795,  in  Juniata  county. 
Pa.  He  married  Dec.  24,  1829,  Rebecca  Cress- 
well,  who  was  born  March  29,  1799,  in  Hunt- 
ingdon county.  Pa.     At  an  early  period  he 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1573 


settled  in  Brushvalley  township,  Indiana 
county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  His 
first  dwelling  was  a  log  house,  but  in  1835  he 
built  the  present  brick  structure,  which  was 
the  first  of  its  kind  in  the  township.  His 
death  occurred  early  in  1844,  when  he  was  in 
his  forty-ninth  year,  and  he  was  buried  in 
Manor  cemetery,  near  Greenville,  Indiana 
county.  His  loving  and  devoted  wife  followed 
him  to  the  grave  June  19,  1880,  and  she  also 
was  buried  in  the  Manor  cemetery.  They 
were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  he  was  an  elder.  Children  as  follows 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Jlrs.  McFeatters:  (1) 
John  Anderson  was  born  Nov.  30,  1830.  (2) 
James  Cresswell,  born  in  April,  1832,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  and  is  now  deceased. 

(3)  Matthew,  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  resided  in  Kansas  and  died  in  1909. 

(4)  Mary  Ann,  now  deceased,  was  the  wife 
of  David  Findley,  of  Kansas. 

John  Anderson  McFeatters  was  educated  in 
the  local  schools  of  Brashvalley  township,  and 
was  still  in  his  teens  when  his  father  died. 
He  worked  hard  from  early  boyhood  to  help 
support  his  mother  and  other  members  of 
the  family,  and  eventually  settled  on  the 
homestead  and  followed  general  farming.  He 
became  one  of  the  largest  laud  owners  of 
Brushvalley  township,  making  stock  raising 
and  dealing  his  principal  occupation,  and  he 
shipped  and  drove  live  stock  to  the  eastern 
markets,  principally  to  Philadelphia.  Al- 
though his  opportunities  for  advancement  in 
educational  lines  were  limited,  he  read  a  grea.t 
deal,  and  being  naturally  observant  and  in- 
telligent he  became  a  well-read  and  well-in- 
formed man  for  his  day.  Though  not  par- 
ticularly strong  physically,  the  excellent  busi- 
ness qualities  and  rare  good  .iudgment  he 
possessed  were  the  means  of  his  becoming  the 
successful  man  and  popular  citizen  he  actually 
was.  A  devoted  father  and  husband,  he  was 
quite  domestic  in  his  tastes  and  took  great 
pleasure  in  his  home.  His  death  occurred  on 
his  farm  Aug.  23,  1895,  in  the  sixty-fifth 
year  of  his  age,  and  he  was  laid  to  rest  in  the 
Mechanicsburg  cemetery.  In  politics  he  was 
a  Republican,  and  served  as  supervisor  and 
school  director  of  the  township.  He  was  a 
member  and  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  In 
his  habits  he  was  strictly  temperate. 

Mr.  McFeatters  married  March  18,  1855, 
Nancy  Roll,  who  was  born  Nov.  23,  1833,  in 
Clarion,  Clarion  Co.,  Pa.,  daughter  of  David 
and  Eve  (Potter)  Roll.  After  Mr.  McFeatters' 
death  his  widow  and  daughter,  Clara  E.,  took 


the  management  of  the  homestead,  conducting 
it  with  gi-atifying  success.  ]\Irs.  McFeatters  is 
a  lady  of  cheerful  disposition,  kind  and  af- 
fable, and  she  has  been  a  most  devoted  mother, 
raising  a  family  who  have  reflected  credit 
on  their  early  training.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McFeat- 
,  ters  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  viz.  : 
(1)  Franklin  Roll,  who  attended  the  Millers- 
ville  State  normal  school,  is  superintendent 
of  the  Union  railroad,  and  resides  in  Wilkins- 
burg.  Pa.  He  married  Elizabeth  Wilson,  of 
Brushvalley,  Pa.  (2)  Harrison  died  Nov.  28, 
1861.  (3)  Emma  Katherine,  who  attended 
Beansville  Seminary  and  graduated  from  the 
Clarion  normal  school,  married  George  "Whit- 
mer,  Esq.,  and  resides  in  Clarion,  Pa.  (4) 
Clara  Eve,  who  was  educated  at  the  Indiana 
State  normal  and  Clarion  State  normal 
schools,  has  been  a  teacher  in  Indiana,  Cam- 
bria and  Allegheny  counties,  and  is  now  as- 
sisting her  mother  in  the  conduct  of  the  home 
farm.  (5)  Albert  Ellsworth  attended  Slip- 
pery Rock  normal  school  in  Butler  county, 
conducted  the  home  farm  for  five  years  after 
the  death  of  his  father,  and  was  afterward 
engaged  in  business  as  a  coal  dealer  at  Swiss- 
vale,  Pa.,  where  he  died  in  1903.  He  married 
Luella  Miller,  of  Brushvallej%  and  they  had 
two  children,  Grace  and  RoUo.  (6)  Mary 
Princetta  married  Nicholas  A.  Altimus,  and 
died  in  Iowa,  leaving  a  daughter,  Elda.  who 
is  a  graduate  of  the  Clarion  normal  school. 
Since  the  death  of  her  mother  she  has  been 
making  her  home  with  her  grandmother  and 
aunt,  and  has  followed  teaching  in  Brush- 
valley township.  These  ladies  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  They  have  cul- 
tivated tastes  and  excellent  capabilities. 

HARRY  E.  RUFPNER,  D.  D.  S.,  has 
recently  become  a  resident  of  Indiana,  having 
moved  to  that  borough  from  Glen  Campbell, 
Indiana  county,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  dentistry  for  over  twenty 
years.  Besides  being  widely  known  profes- 
sionally in  that  section  he  was  a  public  official 
of  high  standing.  Born  July  22,  1866,  in 
Grant  township,  Indiana  county,  he  is  a  son 
of  Joseph  R.  and  Amy  Ann  (Dougherty) 
Rufifner,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  1909. 
He  was  a  farmer  and  huckster,  and  one  of 
the  well-known  residents  of  his  locality,  hav- 
ing held  various  townsliip  offices.  He  was  a 
native  of  ^Montgomery  township,  this  county. 
His  widow  now  lives  at  Hillsdale,  Indiana 
Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

Harry  E.  Rulfner  obtained  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools,  later  attending 


1574 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  academy  at  Purchase  Line,  from  which 
institution  he  was  graduated  in  1886.  In 
1888  he  took  a  preparatory  course  at  Marion, 
Pa.,  and  the  same  year  entei-ed  the  Philadel- 
phia Dental  College,  at  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
riuishing  the  course  in  1890.  The  same  year 
he  settled  at  Glen  Campbell,  where  he 
continued  to  practice  until  his  removal  to 
Indiana  in  1913.  He  established  liimself 
firmly  in  the  confidence  of  a  large  number 
of  patrons,  being  busily  engaged  all  the  time. 
But  he  has  never  neglected  his  duties  of  citi- 
zenship, being  interested  in  all  things  making 
for  the  welfare  of  his  borough.  He  was  one 
of  the  workers  toward  the  success  of  the  Giant 
Electric  Light,  Heat  &  Power  Company, 
serving  as  one  of  the  directors  of  that  concern. 
Some  years  ago  he  served  as  a  member  of  the 
board  of  school  directors,  was  subsequently 
elected  burgess,  and  held  the  office  of  justice 
of  the  peace  for  the  seven  years  before  leav- 
ing Glen  Campbell,  being  elected  the  last 
time  to  serve  until  1917;  All  the  local  cases 
came  up  before  him  for  trial,  and  his  fairness 
and  good  judgment  made  him  respected  and 
popular. 

Dr.  Euffner  is  .a  prominent  member  of  the 
M.  W.  A.  and  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  being  particu- 
larly active  in  the  latter  organization  and 
encampment.  He  was  secretary  and  noble 
grand  of  the  local  lodge,  and  has  been  repre- 
sentative to  the  grand  lodge. 

On  Dec.  21,  1891,  Dr.  Ruffner  married 
Jennie  Connor,  of  Banks  township,  Indiana 
county,  daughter  of  Charles  Connor,  a  farmer 
and  lumberman.  They  have  had  three  chil- 
dren: Alethe  Hazel,  now  the  wife  of  Archi- 
bald Williams,  agent  for  the  New  York  Cen- 
tral Railway  Company  at  Clymer,  Pa. ;  Joseph 
Paul,  who  is  deceased;  and  Helen  Lucile. 
The  family  reside  at  No.  533  Water  street, 
Indiana. 

JOHN  D.  BARRETT,  a  general  farmer 
of  West  Mahoning  township,  was  born  in  that 
township  ilay  11,  1864,  son  of  Daniel  D.  and 
Elizabeth    (Lantz)    Barrett. 

John  D.  Barrett  attended  the  local  schools 
of  West  Mahoning  to«mship,  and  was  reared 
in  a  sensible  way  to  habits  of  industry  and 
thrift,  upon  the  farm  that  has  always  been 
his  home.  He  has  developed  into  a  first-class 
modern  farmer,  whose  success  in  his  chosen 
calling  is  as  pronounced  as  it  is  well  merited. 
He  owns  170  acres  of  the  original  homestead, 
one  half  of  which  is  in  a -highly  developed 
state  of  cultivation. 


On  March  16,  1887,  Mr.  Barrett  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Serena  L.  Lowe,  who  was 
born  near  Smicksburg,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Bar- 
nabas and  Millicent  (Maddock)  Lowe,  natives 
of  Derbyshire,  England,  who  came  to  America 
and  settled  near  Smicksburg,  Pa.,  where  they 
secured  and  developed  a  small  farm.  By 
trade  Mr.  Lowe  was  a  shoemaker,  and  alter- 
nated working  at  his  calling  and  attending 
to  his  land.  His  death  occurred  in  1885,  his 
widow  surviving  until  1892. 

John  D.  Barrett  and  his  wife  had  children 
as  follows:  Lorenzo  Dow,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  seven  years;  Nelson,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  four  years;  Luther,  who  died  when 
two  years  old;  Alfred,  who  died  when  four 
months  old;  Millicent;  Edna;  Homer,  and 
Serena. 

Always  a  strong  Republican,  Mr.  Barrett 
has  given  his  party  hearty  and  valuable  sup- 
port and  has  been  its  candidate  for  various 
offices,  notably  that  of  supervisor  of  his  town- 
ship, to  which  he  was  reelected  many  times. 
While  on  the  county  board  he  espoused  and 
saw  carried  through  to  successful  completion 
many  much  needed  public  improvements.  He 
and  his  excellent  wife  are  consistent  members 
of  the  Methodist  Church  of  Smicksburg, 
where  they  are  as  highlj'  esteemed  as  they 
are  in  other  circles. 

WARD  NATHANIEL  TIMBLIN,  V.  S., 
of  Indiana,  Pa.,  has  been  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  veterinary  surgery  there  for  a  year 
and  has  proved  himself  well  prepared  for  his 
chosen  calling.  He  was  boi'n  July  1,  1888, 
near  Georgeville,  this  county.  His  great- 
grandfather, James  Timblin,  the  first  of  the 
family  in  Indiana  count}',  came  to  this  region 
in  an  early  day,  and  eventually  settled  in 
Porter  township,  Jefferson  county. 

George  Reeser  Timblin,  son  of  James,  was 
born  Sept.  9,  1842,  in  Porter  township,  Jeffer- 
son county,  and  lived  on  the  home  farm  until 
eighteen  years  of  age,  meantime  acquiring 
his  education  in  the  local  common  schools.  At 
that  time  he  went  into  lumber  camps  in  Clear- 
field county.  Pa.,  following  that  kind  of  work 
until  his  marriage,  which  occurred  in  Indiana 
county  in  December,  1866,  his  wife  being 
Sarah  Jane  White.  Locating  on  a  seveuty- 
five-acre  farm  in  Canoe  township,  Indiana 
county,  they  remained  there  until  nine  years 
ago,  when  Mr.  Timblin  sold  out  and  bought 
a  tract  of  135  acres  in  Plumci-eek  township. 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Armstrong  county.  This  property  he  has 
since  sold  to  his  son  ilauriee,  for  himself 
buying  another  farm  of  fifty-five  acres  in 
Armstrong  county.  He  has  lived  retired  for 
the  last  seven  years,  making  his  home  with 
his  children,  his  wife  having  died  Feb.  17, 
1906.  She  was  buried  at  the  Union  Church 
in  Canoe  township,  Indiana  county.  Mrs. 
Timblin  M^as  a  devout  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church;  Mr.  Timblin  belongs  to  the 
Evangelical  Church.  Their  children,  besides 
the  father  of  Ward  N.  Timblin,  were :  Maur- 
ice, living  in  Armstrong  county,  who  married 
Maggie  Thomas ;  Alverda,  who  married 
James  Sharrar,  of  Ford  City,  Armstrong 
county:  and  Bessie,  wife  of  George  Cessna, 
of  Armstrong  county. 

The  father  of  Ward  N.  Timblin  was  reared 
to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Canoe  town- 
ship, attending  public  school  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  eighteen  years,  out  of  school  houi-s 
and  during  vacations  assisting  his  father.  He 
continued  to  work  at  home  until  his  marriage, 
after  which  he  and  his  wife  went  to  live  on 
a  place  in  East  Mahoning  township,  this 
county,  owned  by  her  mother.  They  remained 
there  four  years,  thence  removing  to  Glen 
Campbell,  where  Mr.  Timblin  was  engaged 
in  construction  work  for  Clark  Brothers. 
For  the  last  fifteen  years  he  has  had  charge 
of  construction  work  on  the  Buffalo,  Roches- 
ter &  Pittsburg  railroad.  Mr.  Timblin  is  a 
Republican  on  political  questions.  He  has  no 
church  connections. 

On  Aug.  24,  1887,  Mi-.  Timblin  married 
Lizzie  North,  of  Canoe  township,  who  was 
born  there  Jan.  2.3,  1868,  and  received  a  pub- 
lie  school  education.  They  have  had  two 
children.  Ward  Nathaniel  and  Vernon  George, 
the  latter  bom  June  22,  1896. 

Ward  N.  Timblin  gi-ew  up  at  Glen  Camp- 
bell and  there  began  his  education  at  the 
public  school,  later  attending  the  Indiana 
State  normal  school  for  several  years.  On 
Sept.  15,  1909,  he  entered  the  Chicago  (111.) 
Veterinary  College,  from  which  institution 
he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1912,  and  in 
the  meantime  he  also  acquired  valuable  prac- 
tical experience,  working  under  Dr.  James 
Arthur  Bovett  of  Chicago  for  two  years.  On 
April  18,  1912,  he  commenced  practice  at 
Indiana,  where  he  is  acquiring  reputation 
and  fame  for  conscientious  and  skillful  atten- 
tion to  every  animal  committed  to  his  care. 

John  North,  Dr.  Timblin 's  great-grand- 
father in  the  maternal  line,  came  to  this  coun- 
try from  Ireland  before  his  marriage  to  Eliza- 


1575 

beth  Simpson,  of  Indiana  county.  Pa.  After 
they  were  married  they  lived  a  few  years  in 
Canoe  township,  this  county,  and  then  bought 
the  farm  in  Young  to^vnship,  Jefferson  county, 
where  they  made  their  permanent  home. 
There  Mr.  North  died  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
eight  years,  his  widow  remaining  in  Indiana 
county,  where  she  lived  to  the  great  age  of 
ninety-six.  Their  children  were:  Nathaniel 
Simpson;  Anna  Mary,  Mrs.  William  Simp- 
son ;  Pogue ;  Taylor,  who  settled  on  the  home 
farm ;  and  Laura,  who  married  David  Ham- 
ilton and  (second)  David  Allison. 

Nathaniel  Simpson  North  was  born  Sept. 
17,  1842,  in  Canoe  township,  Indiana  county, 
thence  moving  with  his  parents  to  Young 
township,  Jefferson  county,  where  he  grew 
to  manhood.  He  has  been  a  lifelong  farmer, 
and  is  now  living  in  Canoe  township,  In- 
diana county.  During  the  Civil  war  he 
faithfully  supported  the  Union  cause,  serv- 
ing in  the  army  from  1861  to  1865,  and  was 
twice  wounded.  He  was  a  member  of  Com- 
pany A,  61st  P.  V.  I.  Mr.  North  married 
Nancy  Hamilton,  who  was  bom  June  10, 1842, 
in  East  Mahoning  to\'s-nship,  this  county,  and 
died  Oct.  8,  1894.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  Six  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  North :  Lizzie,  Mrs.  Timblin ; 
Martha  Theresa,  born  in  1870,  who  died  in 
1904,  unmarried  ;  John  Hamilton,  born  March 
1,  1872,  now  residing  ou  a  farm  in  East  Ma- 
honing township,  who  married  Laura  Bar- 
clay, of  Marchand,  Indiana  county;  Taylor 
Ellsworth,  born  in  1875,  who  died  in  infancy; 
Clara  Irene,  born  Dec.  1,  1877,  who  married 
Benton  R.  Thompson  and  (second)  Harry 
A.  Borland,  of  Indiana;  and  David  Clair, 
bom  March  4,  1881,  who  married  Ethel  Lit- 
zinger,  of  White  township. 

SAMUEL  GRANT  ST.  CLAIR,  engineer 
at  the  compressure  plant  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company  at  Lockport,  Pa.,  was  bom 
Dec.  3,  1865,  near  Little  Washington,  in  West 
Wlieatfield  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  and 
belongs  to  an  old-settled  family  of  this  re- 
gion. 

The  St.  Clair  family  is  of  Scotch-Irish 
origin,  a  branch  of  the  St.  Clair  family  of 
Scotland,  which  was  founded  in  the  middle 
ages  by  Sir  Walderne  de  St.  Clair,  a  Norman 
knight,  who  married  Slargaret,  daughter  of 
Richard,  Duke  of  Normandy.  Their  second 
son,  William,  settled  in  Scotland,  and  one  of 
his  descendants,  William  St.  Clair,  became 
prince  of  the  Orkney  islands  under  the  king 
of  Norway,  and  high  chancellor  of  Scotland 


1576 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


iinder  the  royal  house  of  Bruce.  In  1741 
the  St.  Glairs  exchanged  their  lofty  title  and 
island  domains  for  the  earldom  of  Caithness, 
which  they  still  hold.  The  name  has  since  be- 
come Anglicized  to  Sinclair.  Two  of  the  de- 
scendants of  one  of  these  earls  through  a 
younger  son  were  Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair  and 
his  cousin  James  St.  Clair,  Sr.,  the  former 
of  M'hom  was  president  of  the  Continental 
Congress  in  1787  and  commander  in  chief  of 
tlie  armies  of  the  United  States  in  1791. 

James  St.  Clair,  Sr.,  was  the  great-great- 
grandfather of  S.  G.  St.  Clair.  His  parents 
were  natives  of  the  North  of'  Ireland,  and  he 
was  born  in  1741  in  eastern  Pennsylvania. 
He  lived  nine  miles  from  York,  Pa.,  where  he 
owned  a  valuable  farm  and  mill,  and  he  was 
not  only  a  prosperous  citizen  of  his  time  but 
an  earnest  sympathizer  with  the  Colonial 
cause,  serving  throughout  the  Revolutionary 
war.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Miller. 
James  St.  Clair,  Sr.,  died  in  York  county  in 
1806,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 

James  St.  Clair,  one  of  the  sons  of  James 
St.  Clair,  Sr.,  was  born  in  York  (now  Adams) 
county.  Pa.,  in  May,  1774,  and  passed  the 
greater  part  of  his  mature  life  in  Indiana 
county,  Pa.  In  1809  he  came  to  Brushvalley 
township,  in  1816  removing  to  what  is  now 
the  northern  part  of  White  township,  where 
he  took  up  a  ciuarter  section  of  government 
land  and  followed  farming  for  many  years. 
He  died  in  Center  township,  thi^  county, 
April  8,  1855,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
one  years.  He  was  an  old-line  Whig  in  politics. 
He  married  Jennie  Slemmons,  who  was  born 
in  Lancaster,  Pa.,  of  Irish  descent,  and  was 
reared  in  Washington  count.y,  Pa.,  her  father, 
William  Slemmons,  removing  from  Lancaster 
to  Washington  county  in  1790  and  there  fol- 
lowing farming  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1820,  in  his  sixtieth  year.  Mr. 
Slemmons  was  .iustiee  of  the  peace,  by  gover- 
nor's appointment,  for  a  period  of  thirty 
years,  and  he  was  a  man  of  the  highest  char- 
acter and  of  honorable  standing.  His  wife's 
maiden  name  was  Boggs,  and  they  had  several 
children.  Mrs.  Jennie  (Slemmons)  St.  Clair 
died  Oct.  15,  1855,  aged  seventy-one  years, 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  She 
and  her  husband  had  a  family  of  ten  children, 
namely:  Margaret,  William  S.,  Mary  W., 
James,  Samuel,  Isaac,  John,  Robert,  Thomas 
and  Hiram. 

Samuel  St.  Clair,  son  of  James  and  Jennie 
(Slemmons)  St.  Clair,  passed  all  his  life  in 
West  Wheatfield  township,  following  farm- 
ing on  a  large  tract  of  land  now  owned  by 


James  Overdorff.  For  many  years  he  served 
as  constable.  He  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Jameson,  are  buried  in  Bethel 
Church  cemetery.  The.y  had  fourteen  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the  others 
being:  Nicholas,  James,  Daniel,  Archie, 
Samuel,  Hugh,  Jane  (who  married  Andrew 
Alcorn),  Catherine,  Pollie,  John,  Rebecca 
(who  died  unmarried)   and  Susan. 

James  St.  Clair,  son  of  Samuel  St.  Clair, 
was  born  Jan.  4,  1836,  in  West  Wheatfield 
township,  where  he  attended  common  school. 
For  a  time  he  worked  with  his  father  on  the 
farm,  afterward  learning  the  trade  of  butch- 
er, which  he  followed  to  some  extent,  later 
learning  the  carpenter's  trade.  Moving  out  to 
Dresden,  Ohio,  he  lived  there  for  fourteen 
years,  engaged  as  carpenter  foreman  in  the 
employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany. On  May  4,  1886,  he  moved  back  to 
West  Wheatfield  township  and  established 
a  butcher  shop  ai  Bolivar,  Westmoreland 
county,  also  running  a  meat  wagon.  He  was 
an  energetic  man,  always  keeping  busy.  While 
in  Ohio  he  was  also  a  private  detective  in  the 
employ  of  the  Panhandle  Railway  Company; 
he  acted  as  auctioneer;  and  besides  looking 
after  his  other  interests  bought  and  sold  oil 
wells  in  the  oil  region  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  a  well-known  man,  and  highly  respected. 
He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  during 
the  Civil  war  gave  his  services  to  the  Union 
cause  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  lltli  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  being  in  the 
army  for  three  years,  twenty-six  days.  He 
served  under  Captain  Piper  and  Col.  Dick 
Colder.  Mr.  St.  Clair  was  a  member  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church  during  his  residence 
in  Ohio,  but  on  his  return  to  West  Wheat- 
field  township  joined  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  to  which  he  belonged  the  rest  of  his 
life.    His  death  occurred  May  16.  1902. 

Mr.  St.  Clair  married  Susan  Emma  Laura 
Brandlinger,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Susan 
(Walbeck)  Brandlinger,  and  she  survives 
him,  making  her  home  with  her  son  Samuel. 
Four  children  were  born  to  this  union  :  Jacob 
Gamble  married  Amelia  Utzler,  and  they  had 
children,  Hugh  W.  (married  Annie  ^learley), 
John  Hood  (married  Gertrude  Mack).  James 
Walter  (married  a  ]\Iiss  Penrose)  and  Mary 
Ellen  (married  Samuel  Soxman).  Joseph 
William  died  when  twelve  years  old.  Samuel 
Grant  is  mentioned  below.  ]\Iyra  Livonia 
died  when  seventeen  years  old. 

Samuel  Grant  St.  Clair  was  an  infant  in 
arms  when  his  parents  moved  to  Ohio,  and 
there  he  received  his  education,  in  Madison 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1577 


township,  Muskingum  county.  Returning 
to  West  Wheatfield  township  with  his  parents 
he  became  engaged  in  construction  work  for 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  continu- 
ing thus  for  a  short  time.  Then  he  farmed 
two  years  for  his  father-in-law,  after  which 
he  went  to  work  for  the  Gardner  Company,  in 
the  brick  manufacturing  business,  at  Lock- 
port,  Westmoreland  county.  He  returned  to 
the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company  as  division  foreman,  holding  that 
position  until  1906,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  stationary  engineer  at  the  company's 
plant  at  Loekport.  He  is  a  responsible  and 
reliable  man,  as  his  long  service  indicates. 
Blr.  St.  Clair  is  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Relief  Association,  and  fraternally 
is  an  Odd  Fellow,  holding  membership  in  New 
Florence  Lodge,  No.  558.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  political  association,  and  in  religious  con- 
nection is  a  member  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church. 

Mr.  St.  Clair  married  Catherine  Fulcomer, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Stormer) 
Fulcomer,  of  West  Wheatfield  township,  and 
thej'  have  had  six  children,  viz. :  James  Cur- 
tis, who  married  Minnie  Burcett  and  has  chil- 
dren, James  W.,  Samuel  G.,  Henry  B.,  Hazel 
R.  and  Ralph  W. ;  Samuel  Clyde,  unmarried, 
who  is  employed  by  the  Bolivar  Coal  &  Coke 
Company;  H.  Hezekiah,  who  died  when  five 
years  old;  Gos  McKinley,  living  in  Den-y 
township,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  who  is  em- 
ployed as  engine  inspector  by  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company ;  Robert  Lester,  who 
died  when  four  months,  twenty  days  old ;  and 
Fleet  Blair,  born  April  16, 1896. 

JOHN  H.  RODKEY  has  been  a  resident 
of  Cookport,  in  Green  township,  Indiana 
county,  for  several  years,  engaged  in  the  un- 
dertaking business  and  carpenter  work.  He 
has  always  lived  in  Green  township,  where 
he  was  born  Jan.  8,  1846,  son  of  George  and 
Mary  (Learn)  Rodkey.  The  Rodkeys  are  of 
German  ancestry,  but  have  long  been  settled 
in  this  country,  Frederick  Rodkey,  the  grand- 
father of  John  H.  Rodkey,  having  been  a 
native  of  Blair  county,  Pa.  He  was  killed 
when  his  son  George  was  quite  young. 

George  Rodkey,  father  of  John  H.  Rodkey, 
was  born  in  Blair  county,  and  came  to  Indi- 
ana county  with  his  mother  and  stepfather, 
Godfrey  Harpen,  the  family  settling  in  Green 
township,  where  they  followed  farming. 
George  Rodkey  began  farming  in  his  early 
life,  and  always  continued  to  follow  that  oc- 


cupation, buying  a  farm  in  Green  township 
upon  which  he  remained  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  Feb.  11,  1907,  when  he  was  eighty- 
seven  years  old.  He  married  Mary  Learn, 
daughter  of  John  Learn,  one  of  the  first 
settlers  in  Cherryhill  township,  Indiana  coun- 
t.y;  he  was  a  farmer  from  early  life.  Mrs. 
Rodkey  died  Jan.  31,  1898,  aged  seventy- 
four  years.  She  and  her  husband  had  a  family 
of  nine  children,  of  whom  John  H.  was  the 
eldest,  the  others  being:  Elizabeth,  who  is 
now  deceased;  George,  deceased;  Catherine, 
wife  of  W.  J.  Devinney,  of  Green  township ; 
James,  a  resident  of  Cookport,  Indiana  coun- 
ty; Susan,  wife  of  Newton  Rodkey,  living  at 
Spangler,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.;  and  three  who 
died  in  infancy. 

John  H.  Rodkey  obtained  his  education  in 
Green  township.  As  a  boy  he  worked  on  the 
home  farm,  and  later  continued  farming  and 
also  engaged  in  lumbering.  For  some  time 
he  conducted  a  saw-mill.  In  1897  he  engaged 
in  the  undertaking  business  in  partnership 
with  David  Harpen,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Harpen  &  Rodkey,  being  associated  with  Mr. 
Harpen  for  some  time  and  finally  buying  his 
interest.  Mr.  Rodkey  has  made  his  home  at 
Cookport  for  the  last  eleven  years,  and  has 
been  actively  engaged  in  the  undertaking 
business  and  taking  contracts  for  carpenter 
work,  in  which  line  he  has  built  up  a  fine 
custom  in  this  section.  He  is  a  skillful  and 
thorough  workman,  and  has  made  a  success 
of  his  enterprises,  now  owning  his  home  and 
other  property  in  Cookport.  His  industrious 
and  upright  career  has  won  him  the  respect 
of  all  who  know  him. 

On  July  4,  1863,  Mr.  Rodkey  enlisted  from 
Indiana  county  for  service  in  the  Civil  war, 
joining  Company  E,  2d  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  with  which  he  served  nine 
months.  He  was  under  the  command  of  Colo- 
nel Lininger.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Pitts- 
burg. He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  G. 
A.  R.  in  this  locality,  having  been  commander 
of  Post  No.  537,  of  Cookport. 

In  1869  Mr.  Rodkey  married  Sarah  Jane 
Long,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  county,  daugh- 
ter of  Frank  Long,  of  Cherryhill  township. 
She  died  in  1870,  and  in  1871  Mr.  Rodkey 
married  (second)  Mrs.  Nancy  Jane  (Barnett) 
Ober,  a  native  of  Cherryhill  township,  daugh- 
ter of  David  and  Eliza  (Craft)  Barnett,  both 
of  whom  were  born  in  Bedford  county,  Pa.; 
they  came  to  Indiana  county  in  an  early  day, 
and  Mr.  Barnett  engaged  in  farming  through- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


out  his  life.  Mr.  and  Sirs.  Eodkey  have  no 
children.  They  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church. 

THOMAS  WHITE  THOMPSON,  of  Rayne 
to-n-nship,  Indiana  eountj',  occupies  the  old 
homestead  there  formerly  owned  by  his  father 
and  belongs  to  one  of  the  oldest  established 
families  in  this  part  of  the  county. 

John  Thompson,  his  grandfather,  born 
March  9,  1761,  died  Feb.  26,  18.38,  in  his 
seventj'-seventh  year.  He  came  to  Indiana 
county  in  an  early  day,  and  from  the  fact 
that  there  was  a  blockhouse  erected  on  his 
property  was  widel.y  known  as  "Blockhouse 
John."  He  cleared  up  a  farm  of  160  acres, 
and  in  addition  to  the  work  incident  to  the 
improvement  of  his  home  place  followed  the 
carpenter's  trade  in  the  neighborhood.  His 
wife,  Rachel  (White),  who  was  from  near 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  was  born  Oct.  9,  1761,  and 
lived  to  her  ninety-third  year,  dying  Nov.  7, 
1853. 

David  Karr  Thompson,  son  of  John  and 
Rachel  (White)  Thompson,  was  born  July 
8,  1798,  in  Indiana  countj',  Pa.,  and  died  in 
1882.  He  acquired  a  good  education,  taught 
school  in  winter  and  farmed  in  summer,  and 
was  one  of  the  influential  citizens  of  this  re- 
gion in  his  time,  serving  for  years  as  justice 
of  the  peace,  and  also  holding  the  offices  of 
school  director  and  tax  assessor  of  the  town- 
ship. In  1826  he  married  Mary  ]\IcHenry,  of 
White  township,  Indiana  county,  who  pre- 
ceded him  to  the  gi-ave,  dying  in  1879.  They 
had  a  family  of  eight  children,  namely :  Mar- 
garet Jane,  Rachel,  Sidney,  John  R.,  William 
M.,  David  V.,  Thomas  White  and  I\Iary  Ann. 

Thomas  White  Thompson  was  born  May 
4,  1840,  in  Rayne  township,  and  was  reared 
on  the  farm  where  he  still  continues  to  make 
his  home,  now  owning  the  old  homestead.  He 
has  retired  from  the  active  work  of  its  cultiva- 
tion, however,  enjoying  a  well-earned  rest.  He 
and  his  sister  Sidnej%  who  occupy  the  old 
home  together,  and  Mrs.  Abel  Findley,  of 
White  to^^-nship,  are  now  the  only  survivoi-s 
of  the  family. 

On  Sept.  12,  1862,  Mr.  Thompson  enlisted 
in  Troop  B  (Company  K),  14th  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry,  and  served  for  almost  three  years, 
being  discharged  May  31.  1865,  shortly  after 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  promoted  to 
first  duty  sergeant.  He  took  part  in  a  num- 
ber of  battles  in  the  Shenandoah  valley,  in- 
cluding the  engagement  at  Winchester  and 
Sheridan's  raid.    He  made  several  trips  West 


directly  after  the  war,  principally  to  see  the 
country. 

JOHNATHAN  DOUGLASS  has  been 
settled  on  his  present  farm  in  Green  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  since  1880,  and  has 
lived  in  that  township  most  of  his  life.  He 
was  born  there  April  15,  1840,  son  of  William 
Douglass,  and  grandson  of  Barnabas  Doug- 
lass, a  native  of  Dublin,  Ireland,  whose  wife 
was  also  born  in  that  country.  Upon  coming 
to  America  the  grandparents  first  settled  in 
Philadelphia,  later  moving  to  Cambria  coun- 
t}',  Pa.,  where  they  remained  about  eighteen 
j'ears.  At  the  end  of  that  time  the  family 
came  to  Indiana  county,  purchasing  a  large 
tract  of  land  in  Green  township  near  the 
Cambria  county  line,  where  Barnabas  Doug- 
lass continued  to  live  and  farm  until  his 
death.  He  had  a  family  of  five  children, 
three  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  of  whom 
are  now  decea-sed. 

William  Douglass,  father  of  Johnathan 
Douglass,  was  born  in  Cambria  count}'.  Pa., 
came  to  Indiana  county  with  his  parents,  and 
after  the  death  of  his  father  continued  to 
farm  on  the  place  where  the  family  had  settled 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  Feb.  20,  1886 ; 
he  was  buried  Feb.  22d.  He  married  ilary 
McKissick,  a  native  of  Indiana  county,  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  McKissick,  who  was  born  in 
Scotland  and  on  coming  to  America  settled 
in  Indiana  county.  Pa.,  where  he  bought  land 
in  Green  township ;  later  he  went  West,  where 
he  remained  until  his  death.  He  was  a  farmer 
throughout  his  life.  He  had  a  family  of  three 
sons  and  fou,r  daughters,  all  now  deceased. 
Mrs.  Mary  (i\IcKissick)  Douglass  died  on  the 
old  Douglass  homestead.  She  and  her  hus- 
band were  the  parents  of  nine  childi-en,  the 
eldest  being  Johnathan,  a  resident  of  Green 
township ;  William  is  deceased ;  Martha  is  de- 
ceased; Barnabas  lives  in  Green  township 
Thomas  E.  is  deceased;  Joseph  is  deceased 
John  E.  is  a  resident  of  Green  township 
Sadie  is  the  wife  of  John  Baker,  of  Cambria 
county ;  Thaddeus  lives  in  Montgomery  town- 
ship, this  county. 

Johnathan  Douglass  passed  his  boyhood 
and  youth  on  the  farm  where  his  grandfather 
settled.  In  1859  he  moved  to  another  ti-act 
in  Green  township,  which  he  cultivated  for 
some  time,  later  buying  a  place  in  Cambria, 
which  he  farmed  for  three  years.  Then  he 
bought  what  was  known  as  the  old  William 
Stephens  farm,  upon  which  he  resided  for 
eight  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  purchas- 
ing and  removing  to  his  present  property. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1579 


This  was  in  1880.  He  has  been  successfully 
engaged  in  general  farming,  and  is  one  of  the 
substantial  and  esteemed  citizens  of  his  town- 
ship, where  he  has  long  been  a  trusted  ofScial, 
having  served  four  terms  as  supei'visor. 

On  Oct.  17,  1864,  Mr.  Douglass  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Martha  Pittman,  a  native  of 
Indiana  county,  born  Oct.  31,  1841,  on  the 
old  Pittman  farm,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and 
Elizabeth  Pittman,  farming  people,  who  lived 
in  this  county  from  the  early  days.  They 
had  a  family  of  ten  children,  seven  sons  and 
three  daughters,  of  whom  only  two  survive, 
Zachariah  and  Mrs.  Douglass.  Seven  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Douglass: 
Eva,  who  is  the  wife  of  Levi  Reed,  of  Green 
township ;  Mary,  wife  of  Morris  Ruffner,  of 
Cambria  county.  Pa. ;  William  B.,  a  resident 
of  Green  township ;  Addie,  the  wife  of  Ben- 
jamin Duncan,  a  farmer  of  Indiana  county; 
Sim  and  Scott,  twins;  and  Jessie,  who  lives 
in  Cambria  county.  There  are  sixteen  grand- 
children, and  one  great-grandchild.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Douglass  are  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church. 

WILLIS  DeLOSS  hall,  M.  D.,  of  Gipsy, 
Indiana  county,  physician  and  surgeon  for 
the  Irish  Brothers  Coal  Co.  and  the  Hills- 
dale Coal  Company  and  also  engaged  in  gen- 
eral practice,  was  born  Feb.  15,  1882,  at 
Keene,  N.  H.,  son  of  James  George  and  Lod- 
ine  (Pratt)  Hall.  His  father  is  a  locomotive 
engineer. 

Dr.  Hall  received  his  early  education  in 
the  public  schools,  following  with  a  course  at 
the  Booth  Preparatory  School  at  New  Haven, 
Conn.,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  June, 
1906.  In  September  of  that  year  he  began 
the  study  of  medicine  at  the  Philadelphia 
Medical  School  of  Temple  College,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.,  graduated  from  that  institution  in 
1910,  and  the  same  year  located  at  Gipsy, 
where  he  has  since  followed  his  profession. 
As  physician  and  surgeon  for  the  Irish 
Brothers  Coal  Company  and  the  Hillsdale 
Coal  Company  at  that  point  he  at  once  be- 
came well  known,  and  his  efficient  services 
and  conscientious  attention  to  every  demand 
of  his  work  have  established  him  completely 
in  the  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens  there. 
He  is  building  up  a  creditable  practice  on  his 
own  account,  and  personally  has  won  high 
standing  in  the  community.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Red  Bank  Physicians'  Protective  Asso- 
ciation, and  fraternally  holds  membership  in 
the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America  at  Gipsy, 
and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at 


Bridgeport,  Conn.  He  belongs  to  the  Alpha 
Alpha  College  fraternity.  On  political  ques- 
tions he  is  a  Republican. 
■  On  June  5,  1902,  Dr.  Hall  married  Cora 
Weir,  of  Walpole,  N.  H.,  daughter  of  Rowe 
Weir,  a  railroad  man.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Hall 
have  had  three  children,  James  Rowe  dying 
when  three  years  old;  the  survivors  are  Flor- 
ence Elnora  and  Bernice  Maud. 

EDWARD    CLARENCE    COMPTON,    of 

Blacklick  township,  is  a  member  of  an  old 
and  honored  family  of  southern  Indiana  coun- 
ty, which  has  been  settled  there  since  the 
time  of  his  grandfather,  Reuben  Compton. 

Reuben  Compton  was  bom  in  Westmore- 
land county,  and  was  quite  young  when  his 
father  died.  He  married  and  settled  at  Clarks- 
burg, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  followed 
farming  and  stockraising.  His  children  were : 
Andrew  Jackson;  and  Mary,  who  married 
Richard  Donahew  and  resides  in  Young  town- 
ship, Indiana  county  (she  had  children  Mary, 
Annie  and  Jack). 

Andrew  Jackson  Compton,  son  of  Reuben, 
was  born  in  Young  township,  Indiana  coun- 
ty, ,where  he  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion. He  followed  farming,  in  time  buying 
the  Gilbert  fai-m  at  Clarksburg  (now  owned 
by  his  son  Jack),  near  the  Blacklick  town- 
ship line,  a  property  of  135  acres,  belonging 
to  his  wife 's  family.  Later  he  bought  another 
farm,  near  Clarksburg,  in  Conemaugh  town- 
ship, the  place  of  140  acres  now  run  by  his 
son  Jack.  He  was  a  progressive  man,  and  in 
his  farming  and  stock  raising  operations  kept 
abreast  of  the  times.  He  was  a  Democrat 
and  a  Presbyterian,  holding  membership  in 
the  Church  at  Clarksburg,  and  is  buried  in 
the  cemetery  of  that  church.  His  death  oc- 
curred Jan.  23,  .  Mr.  Compton  mar- 
ried Mary  Gilbert,  daughter  of  George  Gil- 
bert, and  she  now  resides  at  Clarksburg.  They 
had  a  family  of  ten  children,  and  we  have  rec- 
ord of:  George,  who  married  Margaret  B. 
Bergman  and  is  a  merchant  in  Indiana,  Pa. ; 
Edward  C. ;  Delia,  widow  of  John  Trump 
(who  died  of  a  cancer)  and  now  residing 
in  Clarksburg  (she  had  children  Mary  and 
Arthur)  ;  Jack,  who  lives  with  his  mother; 
Ansley;  William;  Hallie;  Gertrude;  and  one 
that  died  young. 

Edward  Clarence  Compton,  son  of  Andrew 
J.  and  Mary  (Gilbert)  Compton,  was  born 
Dec.  18,  1866,  at  Jacksonville,  in  Blacklick 
tovmship,  Indiana  county.  Wlien  eleven  years 
old  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Conemaugh 
township,  where  he  farmed  with  his  father 


1580 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


until  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself.  For 
nine  years  Mr.  Compton  gained  experience 
and  familiarity  with  farm  values  as  a  renter 
and  cropper,  cultivating  several  farms.  Then, 
in  1910,  he  bought  and  settled  upon  the  Con- 
rad Fritz  farm,  of  114  acres,  where  he  is  now 
carrying  on  agricultural  operations.  He  is 
a  man  of  progressive  ideas,  which  he  endeav- 
ors to  put  into  practice  in  his  work,  and  has 
had  good  results.  His  keen  business  sense 
and  enterprising  disposition  have  led  him  into 
other  lines  which  have  aided  in  making  him 
successful.  He  is  a  carpenter,  and  follows 
his  trade  in  the  winter  months.  He  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Blacklick  Township  Farmers' 
Telephone  Company.  Mr.  Compton  is  a  strong 
advocate  of  temperance,  and  like  the  Comp- 
ton family  generally  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  religious  connection, 
and  is  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school.  His 
wife  and  family  are  also  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 

Mr.  Compton  married  Stella  Dixon,  daugh- 
ter of  Erb  and  Sarah  (Hazlett)  Dixon,  of 
Conemaugh  township,  and  seven  children 
have  been  born  to  them,  namely :  Irwin  New- 
ell, Paul,  Sarah,  Robert,  Glen,  Pearl  and 
Viola. 

HENRY  S.  GRIFFITH,  of  Pine  township, 
Indiana  county,  was  born  in  that  township 
Oct.  15,  1873,  a  son  of  Joseph  Griffith,  Jr., 
a  former  resident  of  Center  township,  In- 
diana county.  His  grandfather,  Joseph 
Griffith,  Sr.,  was  a  farmer  of  Center  township. 
He  married  Liddie  Row,  of  that  township, 
whose  family  record  can  be  traced  back  to 
the  early  settlers  of  Indiana  county. 

Joseph  Griffith,  father  of  Henry  S.  Grif- 
fith, was  born  in  Center  township,  this  coun- 
ty, Nov.  29,  1840,  his  early  life  being  spent 
on  his  father's  farm  in  Center  township.  At 
the  beginning  of  the  Civil  war  he  was 
among  the  men  who  volunteered  to  defend 
the  country,  enlisting  in  Company  C,  19th 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and 
serving  three  years.  He  was  in  eight  pitched 
battles,  besides  a  number  of  skirmishes, 
some  of  his  most  important  battles  be- 
ing Pittsburg  Landing,  Bull  Run,  Corinth, 
Lookout  Mountain,  and  Stone  River,  where 
he  was  wounded  Dec.  31,  1862,  the  ball  enter- 
ing close  to  the  spine  and  passing  through 
his  body  to  his  right  side,  taking  with  it  a 
portion  of  a  rib.  It  stopped  in  the  muscle 
of  his  right  arm  above  the  elbow.  He  was 
removed  to  a  hospital,  where  the  ball   was 


extracted  while  warm  with  his  blood,  and  he 
secured  it,  the  bullet  being  one  of  the  precious 
possessions  of  his  son  Henry  S.  Griffith.  After 
the  expiration  of  his  time  in  the  army  Mr. 
Griffith  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  and  settled 
on  a  farm  in  Barr  township,  Cambria  county, 
residing  there  for  two  years,  and  there  he  was 
married  to  Jennie  Conner,  a  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Nancy  Conner,  who  came  to  this 
country  from  Ireland.  Joseph  Griffith  and 
his  wife  had  the  following  cliildreu :  Lottie, 
Grant,  Heni\y  S.,  William,  Maggie,  Annie  and 
Bertha.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Griffith  re- 
turned to  Pine  township,  where  he  lived  the 
remainder  of  his  lifetime.  In  politics  he  w-as 
a  Republican.  He  belonged  to  the  Mount 
Union  ilethodist  Church. 

Henry  S.  GriiBth  after  attending  the  local 
schools,  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  started  to 
work  in  sawmills  and  in  the  lumber  woods. 
When  twenty-two  years  old  he  was  married 
to  Adda  Kinter,  daughter  of  John  and  Lillie 
Kinter,  and  they  have  children  as  follows: 
Mary,  Elsie,  William,  Stella,  Henry,  Edwin, 
Kermit,  Boyd  and  Frank. 

In  politics  Mr.  Griffith  is  a  Progi'essive, 
having  been  one  of  the  first  Progressives  in 
Pine  township.  He  is  a  coal  merchant,  oper- 
ating or  mining  coal  for  the  local  trade, 
which  vocation  he  has  followed  for  the  last 
ten  years.  He  is  well  known  throughout  In- 
diana county,  and  highly  esteemed  by  all  who 
come  in  contact  with  him. 

HOWARD  D.  SMITH,  justice  of  the  peace 
at  Clymer,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, Indiana  county,  August  24,  1876,  son 
of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Hill)  Smith. 

Ebenezer  Smith,  the  grandfather,  came  to 
Indiana  eount.v  with  his  family  at  a  very 
early  day  and  engaged  in  lumbering,  making 
the  fii-st  clearinsr  in  Green  township. 

Benjamin  Smith,  son  of  Ebenezer,  and 
father  of  Howard  D.  Smith,  accompanied  his 
father  to  Indiana  coiinty,  and  became  inter- 
ested in  lumbering  on  the  Susquehanna  river, 
and  for  several  years  was  a  pilot  on  that  river. 
He  now  lives  retired  on  the  old  home  place 
in  Cherryhill  township.  He  married  Sarah 
Hill,  who  M'as  born  in  Indiana  county,  and 
died  in  the  spring  of  1909,  the  mother  of  five 
sons  and  two  daughters,  as  follows:  Vinnie, 
who  is  the  wife  of  ^lilton  S.  Crumbling,  of 
Indiana  county ;  Jesse,  who  is  deceased :  John 
H.,  who  lives  on  the  old  homestead ;  Ebenezer, 
who  lives  near  Tunnelton,  Indiana  county; 
Elizabeth,  who  is  deceased;  Howard  D. ;  and 
Frank  F.,  of  Greensburg. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1581 


Howard  D.  Smith  was  given  a  public  school 
education  in  Cherryhill  township.  For  two 
years  he  was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business 
at  Dunlo,  in  Cambria  county,  and  then  went 
to  Somerset  county,  where  he  embarked  in 
the  transfer  business,  remaining  there  en- 
gaged in  that  line  for  eight  years.  In  1905 
he  came  to  Clymer  and  entered  the  grocery 
business,  which  he  carried  on  for  three  years. 
He  was  appointed  a  justice  of  the  peace  by 
the  governor,  and  later  was  elected  to  the 
office,  which  he  continues  to  hold,  He  is  in- 
terested also  in  the  lumber  business,  in  asso- 
ciation with  his  brother  John  H.  Smith,  and 
in  addition  he  operates  a  coal  mine. 

In  May,  1895,  Mr.  Smith  was  married,  in 
Indiana  county,  to  Etta  E.  Lutman,  who  was 
born  in  this  county,  a  daughter  of  George 
Lutman,  one  of  the  old  and  substantial  resi- 
dents here,  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  a  public 
oflScial,  having  served  in  the  offices  of  col- 
lector and  constable.  Mrs.  Smith  has  three 
brothers,  Harry,  George  and  John. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  had  five  children : 
LeRoy,  Pauline,  George,  Benjamin  and  Rob- 
ert Francis,  all  surviving  except  the  eldest. 
Mrs.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Mr.  Smith  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  is 
the  pi-esent  financial  secretary  of  Lodge  No. 
1163,  at  Clymer. 

ALVIN  R.  PALMER,  postmaster  at  Hesh- 
bon,  Indiana  county,  and  the  proprietor  of  a 
general  merchandise  business  in  that  town, 
was  born  May  6,  1872,  in  West  Wheatfield 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  a  son  of  David 
Jenkins  and  Jane  (Hadden)  Palmer,  and 
grandson  of  David  and  Jane  (Bell)  Palmer. 
The  Palmer  family  is  one  of  long  standing  in 
Indiana  county. 

David  Jenkins  Palmer  was  born  in  Bur- 
rell  township,  Indiana  county,  in  1821,  and 
was  there  educated  and  reared  to  the  voca- 
tion of  farmer.  After  attaining  his  majority 
he  began  farming  on  his  own  account,  and 
settled  in  West  Wheatfield  township,  clearing 
his  farm  of  eighty-four  acres.  It  was  in  the 
wilderness  when  he  went  to  live  there,  and  he 
erected  a  log  house  and  barn,  and  by  hard 
work  jiut  his  land  in  a  state  of  cultivation. 
Later  he  replaced  the  original  buildings  with  a 
good  frame  residence  and  barn,  made  numer- 
ous other  improvements,  and  spent  the  rest 
of  his  life  in  tilling  his  fields,  dying  on  the 
farm  in  January,  1892,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
one  years.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics, 
and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  which  he  served  as  steward.    In  1864 


Mr.  Palmer  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil 
war,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  G, 
206th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 
under  Captain  McCombs  and  Colonel  Brady, 
and  served  with  that  organization  for  nine 
months,  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  Later 
he  joined  Findley  Patch  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at 
Blairsville.  He  and  his  wife  are  buried  in 
the  Barr  cemetery.  To  them  were  born 
children  as  follows:  Margaret  Rebecca,  who 
married  Porter  Campbell;  Mary  Jane,  who 
married  John  Hite  and  resides  in  Pittsburg; 
James,  a  resident  of  Heshbon,  Pa. ;  David,  a 
resident  of  Blacklick;  Jeremiah,  who  lives  in 
Los  Angeles,  Cal. ;  Henry  L.,  on  the  old  home- 
stead; Ella  C,  who  married  William  Reyn- 
olds, of  Brushvalley  township ;  Alvin  R. ;  and 
John  Simpson  and  Caroline,  who  died  young. 

Alvin  R.  Palmer  obtained  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  West  Wheatfield  town- 
ship, and  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age 
assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  home 
farm.  At  that  time  he  went  to  Pittsburg  and 
became  shipping  clerk  in  a  wholesale  furni- 
ture house,  subsequently  accepting  a  posi- 
tion as  car  inspector  for  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company,  on  the  Fort  Wayne 
branch,  at  Pittsburg.  After  four  years  he 
returned  to  West  Wheatfield  and  took  up  car- 
penter work,  and  for  years  was  engaged  as  a 
builder,  but  in  1911  turned  his  attention  to 
mercantile  pursuits,  establishing  himself  in 
business  at  Heshbon.  The  same  year  he  was 
appointed  postmaster,  after  taking  the  civil 
service  examination.  For  a  number  of  years 
Mr.  Palmer  was  a  member  of  the  National 
Guard,  and  in  1898,  during  the  Spanish- 
American  war,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D, 
5th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  not 
being  able  to  qualify,  however,  on  account  of 
defective  eyesight. 

In  politics  Mr.  Palmer  is  a  Democrat,  but 
reserves  the  right  to  vote  for  the  candidate  he 
deems  best  fitted  for  office.  He  is  a  member 
of  Crescent  Lodge,  Odd  Fellows,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  He 
to  the  ilethodist  Episcopal  Church. 

W.  SHERMAN  FERGUSON,  yardmaster 
at  Josephine,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  for  the  Jo- 
sephine Foundry  &  Coke  Company,  was  born 
in  Blacklick  township,  this  county,  Dec.  31, 
1865,  son  of  Elliott  and  Hiilda  (Clawson) 
Ferguson,  and  grandson  of  David  Ferguson. 

David  Ferguson  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
farmers  of  Blacklick  township,  where  he  be- 
came the  owner  of  162  acres  of  valuable  land, 
the  greater  portion  of  which  he  cleared.    He 


1582 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


married  Anna  Davis,  and  both  died  upon 
their  homestead,  in  Blaeklick  township.  They 
had  the  following  children:  Elizabeth,  James, 
William,  Margaret,  Mary,  Jane,  Jehu  and 
Elliott. 

Elliott  Ferguson,  son  of  David  Ferguson, 
was  born  in  Blaeklick  township,  Indiana 
county,  and  was  brought  up  a  farmer.  In 
time  he  became  the  owner  of  the  homestead, 
which  he  operated  until  his  retirement.  Dur- 
ing the  Civil  war  he  proved  his  patriotism  by 
serving  for  three  years,  and  was  in  General 
Sherman's  notable  campaign  in  Georgia  and 
the  march  to  the  sea.  During  his  period  of 
service  he  was  in  some  very  important  en- 
gagements, and  was  an  excellent  soldier. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  died  on  the  farm,  and 
are  buried  in  the  Ebenezer  Church  cemetery 
at  Lewisville.  Their  children  were :  W. 
Sherman,  Larry  C,  Wilhelmena,  Horace 
(deceased),  Caroline,  Emeline  (deceased) 
and  Roxanna. 

W.  Sherman  Ferguson  remained  at  home 
until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  mean- 
time securing  a  common  school  ediication  in 
the  schools  of  his  district,  and  learning  how 
to  operate  a  farm.  Leaving  home  he  went  to 
Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  where  he  worked 
in  the  coal  mines  for  six  years,  but  returning 
to  his  native  county  attended  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  homestead  for  some  eight  years. 
In  1906  he  left  the  farm  to  engage  with  the 
Josephine  Foundry  and  Coke  Company,  and 
proved  so  capable  a  man  that  two  years  later 
he  was  made  yardmaster.  In  addition  to 
other  interests,  he  owns  the  farm  that  once 
belonged  to  his  grandfather  Ferguson  in 
Blaeklick  township,  now  comprising  146  acres 
of  land,  but  lives  at  Josephine.  Mr.  Fergu- 
son has  made  a  success  of  his  work,  although 
somewhat  hampered  by  reason  of  an  accident 
which  occurred  in  1905,  when  he  lost  his  left 
hand  in  a  corn  husker. 

Mr.  Ferguson  married  Arabelle  Morton,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  (Wineman) 
IMorton.  They  have  had  the  following  fam- 
ily: Oscar  E.  (deceased),  Edna  L.,  Almeda 
I.',  Hulda  v.,  John  E.,  Susan  J.,  Charlotte 
and  Dorothy  M.  Mr.  Ferguson  holds  to  the 
principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  has 
served  as  road  supervisor  of  Blaeklick  iovm- 
ship  and  for  two  terms  was  poor  director  of 
his  township.  The  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  holds  the  membership  of  Mr.  Fer- 
guson and  his  family. 

JACOB  WEISINGER  MYERS,  a  farmer 
of  White  township,  was  born  in  Cherryhill 


township,  near  Clymer,  this  county,  Aug.  19, 
1861,  son  of  John  R.  and  Margaret  (Weis- 
inger)  ifyers,  and  grandson  of  Simon  ilyers. 
The  latter  was  a  farmer  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship. 

John  R.  Myers,  a  son  of  Simon  Myers,  was 
bom  in  Cherryhill  township,  where  he  grew 
up  on  a  farm,  and  attended  the  common 
schools.  He  spent  his  life  in  that  township, 
becoming  the  owner  of  125  acres  of  land,  upon 
which  he  died  in  February,  1898,  aged  sixty 
years.  His  widow  survives  and  lives  on  the 
old  homestead.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
and  Polly  (Shank)  Weisinger.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
John  R.  Mayers  had  five  children :  John  W. ; 
Maiy,  who  married  John  C.  Strong  and  re- 
sides on  the  homestead  in  Cherryhill  town- 
ship ;  David,  who  is  unmai-ried,  living  in 
Greensburg,  Pa. ;  William,  who  married 
Addie  Winsheimer  and  resides  in  the  vicinity 
of  Philadelphia,  where  he  is  farming:  and 
Trubj^,  who  married  Flo.  Howath  and  resides 
in  the  borough  of  Indiana. 

Politically  John  R.  ]\Iyers  was  a  Repub- 
lican. For  many  years  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Wesley  JMethodist  Church,  and  took  an 
active  part  in  the  Sunday  school  work,  serv- 
ing as  superintendent.  His  wife  now  be- 
longs to  the  Disciples  Church.  Mr.  ilyers 
was  interred  in  Harmony  cemetery  in 
Cherryhill  township. 

Jacob  W.  Myers  attended  the  schools  of 
his  district,  his  first  teacher  being  named 
Perry.  After  leaving  school  Mr.  Myers  be- 
gan working  for  William  Stephens  in  Cheny- 
hill  township,  being  then  seventeen  yeai-s  old, 
and  so  continued  for  five  and  a  half  years. 
For  the  following  few  years  he  was  engaged 
in  lumbering,  farming,  harvesting  and  simi- 
lar work,  according  to  the  seasons,  and  then 
coming  to  Wliite  township  spent  nineteen 
months  in  the  employ  of  Matthew  Henry, 
ex-county  commissioner.  His  next  employer 
was  Johnson  Morehead,  of  Cherryhill  town- 
ship, and  he  remained  with  him  for  two 
years,  when  he  went  to  work  for  William 
Stephens,  but  after  six  months  returned  to 
Mr.  ]\Iorehead.  After  another  two  years  in 
his  employ  he  engaged  with  A.  R.  Evans,  of 
Cherrj'hili  township,  and  after  two  years,  hav- 
ing saved  his  money  carefully,  was  able  to 
buy  his  present  farm  of  seventy-five  acres  in 
White  township,  then  known  as  the  old  Wil- 
liam Hamilton  farm.  On  it  he  erected  a 
handsome  frame  residence,  and  a  commodious 
barn,  as  well  as  other  necessary  buildings,  and 
carries  on  general  farming,  specializing  in 
the  production  of  butter  and  eggs. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1583 


Mr.  Myers  was  elected  a  justice  of  the 
peace  on  the  Prohibition  ticket,  but  declined 
to  serve,  for  although  active  in  township  af- 
fairs he  does  not  feel  that  he  can  give  proper 
attention  to  the  duties  of  public  office.  His 
support  of  Prohibition  is  earnest  and  con- 
scientious, for  he  believes  much  in  the  move- 
ment. The  Wesley  Methodist  Church  of  In- 
diana holds  his  membership,  and  he  is  now 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  like  his 
father  believing  in  its  power  and  influence. 
For  the  last  two  years  he  has  rendered  val- 
uable service  to  the  church  as  a  trustee. 

On  March  23,  18 — ,  Mr.  Myers  was  mar- 
ried to  Sarah  Helman,  daughter  of  David 
and  Elizabeth  (Lydick)  Helman,  of  Chen-y- 
hill  township,  and  they  have  two  children, 
Violet  Maj^  and  Margaret  Elizabeth. 

JACOB  BARTHOLOMEW,  a  farmer  of 
North  Mahoning  township,  was  born  Oct.  15, 
1841,  on  the  old  Bartholomew  home  place 
there,  son  of  Hartman  and  Dorothy  (Sincon) 
Bartholomew,  and  a  grandson  of  George  and 
Elizabeth  Bartholomew.  George  Bartholo- 
mew, the  grandfather,  was  bom  in  Germany. 

Hartman  Bartholomew  was  born  in  1799, 
in  Hessen  Cassel,  Germany,  and  died  in 
North  Mahoning  township  in  1883,  when 
aged  eighty-four  years.  In  1833  he  came  to 
the  United  States  and  for  two  years  lived  at 
Zelienople,  Butler  Co.,  Pa.,  then  removing  to 
the  tract  of  154  acres  situated  in  North  Ma- 
honing township,  Indiana  county,  which  is 
now  owned  by  Samuel  Heitzenrater,  who  pur- 
chased the  farm  in  1910  from  Jacob  Bartholo- 
mew. In  Germany  Hartman  Bartholomew 
married  Dorothy  Sincon,  who  was  born  there 
in  1803,  and  they  continued  to  live  there  un- 
til after  the  birth  of  one  child,  Dorothea, 
who  is  now  deceased.  She  was  the  wife  of 
John  Engler,  of  Jefferson  county.  Three 
sons  were  born  after  they  came  to  America: 
George,  whose  first  marriage  was  to  Dorothea 
HeflBiick,  and  his  second,  to  Mrs.  Sayers,  a 
widow;  John,  who  married  Christina  Stever, 
both  now  deceased;  and  Jacob.  In  Germany 
Hartman  Bartholomew  learned  shoemaking, 
but  in  America  was  mainly  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, retiring  from  active  life  about  ten  years 
prior  to  his  death.  In  his  political  views  he 
was  a  Democrat,  but  never  desired  public 
office.  He  was  active  in  the  United  Evangel- 
ical Church  at  Marchand,  in  which  he  was  a 
class  leader.  He  and  wife  were  buried  at 
Zion's  Church,  below  Covode,  Pennsylvania. 

Jacob  Bartholomew  attended  the  district 
schools  in  boyhood  and  helped  his  father  on 


the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years 
old,  then  assuming  the  management  of  the 
farm,  paying  his  father  his  share  of  the 
profits  up  to  the  time  of  the  latter 's  death. 
For  eight  years  longer  he  remained  on  the 
old  farm,  and  in  1891  bought  and  settled  on 
his  present  farm  of  120  acres.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics,  but  has  never  served  in  any 
public  office. 

Mr.  Bartholomew  was  married  to  Margaret 
Beam,  daughter  of  John  and  Kitty  (Glaser) 
Beam,  and  seven  children  were  born  to  them : 
John  and  William,  both  of  whom  left  home 
together,  but  whose  whereabouts  are  now  un- 
known; Mary,  who  died  young;  Emma,  who 
married  George  Stexter,  of  Clearfield  county ; 
Ida,  who  is  the  widow  of  Theodore  Wingert; 
Thomas,  who  is  deceased;  and  Annie,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Charles  Work,  of  Punxsutawney. 
Mr.  Bartholomew's  second  marriage  was  to 
Lena  Bishop,  daughter  of  the  late  John 
Bishop,  of  Canoe  township,  and  the  follomng 
children  were  born  to  them :  Lawrence  M., 
who  lives  in  East  jMahoning  township,  mar- 
ried Laura  Kinter;  Walter  is  deceased;  Bes- 
sie lives  at  home;  Laura  is  deceased;  Ger- 
trude married  Grant  Baun,  of  North  Mahon- 
ing township;  Carl,  Paul  and  Frank  all  re- 
side at  home. 

ALEXANDER  HUNTER,  of  Clymer,  In- 
diana county,  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
that  town  and  is  now  serving  his  third  term 
as  street  commissioner  there.  Mr.  Hunter  is 
a  native  of  Ireland,  born  Jan.  28,  1843,  one 
of  the  three  children  of  John  and  Mary  (Col- 
lins) Hunter,  the  other  two  of  whom  are 
deceased.  John  Hunter,  also  a  native  of  the 
Emerald  Isle,  was  a  farmer  by  vocation.  He 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  British  army  under 
Gen.  Sir  John  Moore,  being  twice  wounded  in 
the  battle  of  Corunna.  On  completing  hia 
military  service  he  returned  to  Ireland.  He 
and  his  wife  lived  and  died  there. 

Alexander  Hunter  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm  and  attended  public  school  in  his  native 
vicinity,  remaining  in  Ireland  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  At  that 
time  he  went  to  Scotland  to  make  his  home 
with  an  uncle,  and  remained  in  that  country 
until  1879,  in  which  year,  feeling  that  Amer- 
ica offered  better  opportunities  for  the  devel- 
opment of  his  abilities,  he  came  to  the  United 
States.  From  New  York,  where  he  landed, 
he  made  his  way  to  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  there 
spending  the  next  twelve  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  removed  to  Cambria  county. 
After  spending  fourteen  years  in  the  town 


1584 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  Patton  Mr.  Hunter  camp  to  Clymer,  in 
1906,  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
town,  where  his  son  erected  the  first  house. 
In  1909  he  was  appointed  street  commis- 
sioner, a  position  which  he  has  since  held,  so 
ably  discharging  his  duties  that  he  has  been 
reelected,  now  serving  his  third  term. 

While  still  a  resident  of  Scotland,  in  1863, 
Mr.  Hunter  was  man-ied  to  Jane  McEwan, 
the  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Rus- 
sell) ]\IeEwan.  Her  parents  spent  their  en- 
tire lives  in  Scotland.  Fourteen  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hunter,  viz. : 
John,  who  lives  at  home  and  is  a  mine  fore- 
man for  the  Victor  Company:  George,  who 
lives  at  Clymer;  Edward,  who  is  serving  as 
postmaster  of  the  town  of  Patton;  James, 
living  at  home ;  Mary,  the  wife  of  John  John- 
son, of  Patton;  Hughey  and  Agnes,  twins; 
Jacob ;  WiUiam,  who  was  accidentally  killed 
on  the  railroad  in  Cljnner ;  Jane,  deceased ; 
and  four  children  who  died  in  infancy. 

With  his  wife  and  family  Mr.  Hunter  be- 
longs to  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOHN  GIDEON  McCREERY,  a  farmer, 
and  constable  of  Pine  township,  Indiana 
county,  was  bom  April  30, 1856,  near  Barnes- 
boro,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  George  Mc- 
Creery.  His  paternal  grandfather,  in  com- 
pany with  a  brother,  came  to  America  from 
Ireland,  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania. 

George  McCreery  married  Sarah  Petticord, 
of  Cambria  county.  During  the  greater  part 
of  his  life  he  was  a  lumberman,  and  he  died 
in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  aged  seventy- 
one  years,  being  buried  in  the  cemeterj'  at 
Seward,  that  county.  He  and  his  wife  had 
children  as  follows:  William  Edward,  who 
married  Sarah  Penrose,  resides  at  Latrobe, 
Pa. ;  Mary  Jane,  who  married  James  Martin, 
resides  at  Youngstown,  Pa. ;  John  Gideon  is 
mentioned  below;  Jackson  died  at  the  age  of 
fifty  years;  George  W.  Simeon  married  Eliz- 
abeth James,  and  resides  in  Westmoreland, 
Pa. ;  Viola  was  burned  to  death  by  the  explo- 
sion of  a  can  of  oil  when  she  was  eleven  years 
old;  S.  S.  is  living  in  Westmoreland  county: 
Charles  F.,  who  married  Seely  Quarer,  re- 
sides at  Westmoreland;  Exena,  who  married 
John  Williams,  resides  in  Westmoreland 
county. 

John  Gideon  McCreery  was  not  fourteen 
years  old  when  he  left  home  and  began  work- 
ing among  the  farmers  of  the  neighborhood. 
A  little  later  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  Cofiipany  and  for  two 
years  was  division  repairman,  then  returning 


to  farming,  and  continuing  as  an  agricultur- 
ist until  he  was  over  thirty  years  old.  Once 
more  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Raih'oad  Companj',  being  a  brakeman 
for  two  years,  but  on  Nov.  30,  1888,  had  the 
misfortune  to  lose  his  left  hand  through  an 
accident  in  the  Derry  yards,  in  Westmoreland 
county.  After  recovering  from  his  accident 
he  went  to  Cambria  county  and  there  for  eight 
years  worked  as  a  lumberman.  In  1896  he 
resumed  farming  operations,  upon  the  prop- 
erty he  now  owns,  buying  it  April  24,  1905. 
This  property  contains  180  acres,  and  is  one 
of  the  best  in  the  township,  owing  to  his  skill 
and  good  management. 

On  Nov.  21,  1878,  Mr.  McCreery  man-ied 
'Mary  Priseilla  George,  a  daughter  of  Adam 
and  Elizabeth  (Patterson)  George,  and  the 
following  children  have  been  born  of  this 
union :  Thomas  C,  who  is  a  carpenter  of 
Vintondale,  Pa.,  married  Blanche  Shear; 
Sarah  Elizabeth  married  L.  H.  Morehead.  of 
Indiana,  Pa.:  George  M.  is  living  at  Cleve- 
land, Ohio ;  Mary  M.  married  J.  D.  Bennett, 
of  Vintondale,  Pa. ;  John  M.,  who  is  a  member 
of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Constabulary,  is 
stationed  at  Butler,  Pa. ;  Ora  married  Edgar 
Altemus,  of  Johnstown,  Pa. ;  Netta  married 
Jesse  James,  and  resides  at  Colver,  Cambria 
Co..  Pa. ;  Dora  is  at  home. 

Mr.  McCreery  is  a  Republican,  has  been  a 
school  director,  and  is  now  serving  for  the 
third  term  as  constable.  The  family  belongs 
to  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Strongstown. 

ZENAS  T.  WALKER,  a  farmer  of  White 
township,  was  born  in  Armstrong  township, 
this  countv,  July  11,  1874,  son  of  Ralph  and 
Ann   (Beatty)   Walker. 

Mr.  Walker  was  educated  in  the  Hilltop 
district,  attending  school  until  he  was  eight- 
een years  old.  He  was  brought  up  to  farm 
work,  and  remained  on  the  homestead  of  his 
parents  until  the  fall  of  1911,  when  he  bought 
his  present  property  of  160  acres  in  White 
township,  which  he  has  since  operated  with 
gratifying  success. 

On  "Oct^  12.  1899.  Mr.  Walker  married  Cora 
J.  Cunningham,  who  was  born  in  Armstrong 
township,  this  county,  Nov.  2,  1880,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Albert  and  Sarah  Jane  (Hunter)  Cun- 
ningham, airs.  Walker  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  her  district.  The  children 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker  are :  Albert  Ralph, 
who  was  born  Aug.  3.  1900;  Elsie  Jane,  born 
May  2,  1903;  and  Alice  Eliza,  born  March 
27,'  1909.  Mr.  and  IMrs.  Walker  are  excel- 
lent people,  who  stami  high  in  their  neigh- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1585 


borliood,  and  have  justly  won  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  their  fellow  citizens. 

ELMER  E.  DINGER,  farmer  and  stock- 
man of  West  Mahoning  township,  Indiana 
county,  living  on  a  tract  of  land  which  he 
has  been  cultivating  for  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century,  was  born  April  23,  1868,  in 
Ringgold  township,  Jeft'erson  Co.,  Pa.,  son 
of  J.  L.  and  Susan  (Cuphenaber)  Dinger. 

Jacob  Dinger,  his  paternal  grandfather, 
was  born  in  Germany,  and  was  the  first  mem- 
ber of  the  family  to  come  to  the  United 
States.  He  settled  in  Ringgold  township, 
Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  took  up  a  tract 
of  wild  land,  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life 
in  cultivating  his  property  and  making  a 
home  for  his  family.  He  was  also  one  of  the 
pioneer  music  teachers  of  that  section,  and 
in  every  walk  of  life  was  known  as  a  man 
of  the  utmost  integrity  and  probity  of  char- 
acter. He  was  active  in  the  work  of  the 
Evangelical  Church,  in  which  he  reared  his 
three  sons  and  three  daughters,  whose  names 
were  as  follows :  David,  deceased,  was  a  resi- 
dent of  Knox  township,  Jefferson  county; 
Angeline  married  Solomon  Shafer,  of  Ring- 
gold township;  Elizabeth,  deceased,  man-ied 
Amos  Shafer,  of  the  same  township ;  John  L. 
was  the  father  of  Elmer  E.  Dinger;  Hannah 
married  James  Mercer,  of  Somerset  county. 
Pa. ;  Jacob  is  operating  the  old  homestead  in 
Jefferson  county. 

John  L.  Dinger,  son  of  Jacob  Dinger,  was 
born  in  Ringgold  township,  and  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  vicinity 
of  his  birthplace.  He  remained  on  the  old 
homestead  until  his  marriage,  at  which  time 
he  purchased  property  adjoining  the  home 
place,  a  tract  of  uncultivated  land.  Mr. 
Dinger  has  continued  to  reside  on  this  prop- 
erty, which  he  has  developed  from  a  wild 
state  into  one  of  the  best  farms  of  its  size  in 
the  township,  and  although  somewhat  ad- 
vanced in  years  he  is  still  actively  engaged 
in  the  vocation  which  he  early  chose  as  his 
life  work.  A  Republican  in  politics,  his 
career  was  such  as  to  impress  his  fellow  citi- 
zens with  his  integrity,  and  they  demon- 
strated their  confidence  in  his  ability  and 
honest  character  by  making  him  supervisor, 
in  which  office  he  was  retained  for  seventeen 
years,  also  serving  as  school  director  for 
eleven  years.  Reared  in  the  faith  of  the 
Evangelical  Church,  he  was  ever  active  in 
its  work,  and  reared  his  children  to  lead  up- 
right Christian  lives.  His  wife  passed  away 
Aug.  18,  1900,  the  mother  of  four  sons  and 

100 


one  daughter:  Elmer  E.  is  mentioned  below; 
George,  deceased,  who  followed  farming, 
stock  dealing,  auctioneei-ing  and  merchandis- 
ing in  Indiana  and  Clarion  counties,  married 
Anna  Saner,  and  had  two  sons,  Melvin  and 
Claire;  John,  who  has  been  chief  of  police 
of  Clarion,  Pa.,  for  the  last  nine  years,  mar- 
ried Susan  Morrison,  and  has  two  sons,  Ir- 
win and  Foster ;  Charles,  a  farmer,  auctioneer 
and  constable,  of  Rural  Valley,  Pa.,  married 
Bertha  Brown,  and  has  five  children,  Harry, 
Leanna,  Walter,  Virginia  and  Helen;  EfSe, 
of  Rimersburg,  Pa.,  is  married  and  has  one 
child,  Bertha. 

Elmer  E.  Dinger,  son  of  John  L.  Dinger, 
was  given  the  educational  advantages  of- 
fered by  the  rural  schools  in  Jefferson 
county,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  left 
the  parental  roof  and  came  to  Indiana  county, 
settUng  in  West  Mahoning  township,  where 
he  secured  employment  with  W.  and  N.  C. 
Coleman,  for  whom  he  worked  until  they 
died.  He  was  married  Sept.  23,  1892,  to 
Maria  Coleman,  daughter  of  Wesley  and 
Martha  (Haskell)  Coleman,  the  former  of 
eastern  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  Hunting- 
don county,  this  State,  and  granddaughter  of 
Rev.  Elijah  Coleman,  a  Methodist  Episcopal 
minister  and  early  settler  of  Indiana  county. 
His  children  were :  Henry,  who  was  a  farmer 
of  West  Mahoning  township ;  Susan,  who 
married  Andrew  Rankin,  of  Armstrong 
county.  Pa. ;  Martha,  who  married  John  Lias, 
also  of  Armstrong  county;  Wesley;  N.  C, 
who  made  his  home  on  the  old  place;  Eliza- 
beth, who  married  John  Cochran;  and  Dor- 
sey  B.,  who  married  Margaret  Poncius,  of 
Johnstown,  Pa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dinger  have 
had  three  children:  Donald  C,  Raymond 
and  Martha  K.,  of  whom  Raymond  is  de- 
ceased. 

Mr.  Dinger  has  lived  on  his  present  prop- 
erty since  1886,  and  now  has  seventy-eight 
of  his  ninety-two  acres  under  cultivation,  with 
improvements  being  made  every  year.  One 
of  the  most  modern  barns  in  this  section  was 
erected  by  him  in  1902,  and  in  1905  his  resi- 
dence, a  structure  of  architectural  beauty  and 
substantial  material,  was  built.  Mr.  Dinger 
is  to  be  congratulated  for  the  quality  and 
volume  of  his  mixed  crops,  for  which  he  has 
always  received  the  highest  prices  in  the  mar- 
kets. He  has  the  ability,  the  foresight  and 
the  good  judgment  that  make  the  ideal  agri- 
culturist and  stockman,  and  his  standing  in 
Republican  politics  is  equally  high,  as  he  has 
served  as  constable  for  eight  years,  as  tax 
collector  for  a  like  period,  and  as  school  di- 


1586 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


rector  for  seven  years.  His  religious  faith 
is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  he  and  his  family  are  well  known  in  the 
Smicksburg  congregation,  Mr.  Dinger  being 
trustee  and  steward  and  a  teacher  in  the 
Sunday  school,  and  his  wife  being  active  in 
aU  i-eligious  and  charitable  work.  He  has 
interested  himself  in  fraternal  work,  and  is 
one  of  the  most  popular  members  of  Smicks- 
burg Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows,  with  which  he 
has  been  connected  for  the  last  eighteen 
years. 

ELMER  C.  BECK,  of  North  Mahoning 
to'wuship,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming, 
was  born  on  the  family  homestead  in  that 
township,  Jan.  12,  1885,  son  of  Luther  and 
Ida   (Kerr)    Beck. 

Samuel  Beck  was  born  in  Huntingdon 
county.  Pa.,  and  came  to  Indiana  county  in 
an  early  day,  establishing  the  family  in  this 
section.  Settling  in  what  is  now  North  Ma- 
honing township,  he  had  the  distinction  of 
being  an  early  settler  there.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Shaffer,  and  they  developed  a  fine 
farm,  later  moving  to  Covode,  Pa.,  where 
they  died.  Three  children  were  born  to  them : 
Freeman,  who  is  living  in  Trade  City,  Pa. ; 
Annie,  who  married  Daniel  Goheen,  of  Punx- 
sutawuey.  Pa. ;  and  Luther. 

Luther  Beck  was  born  in  North  Mahoning 
township,  while  his  wife  was  a  native  of  West 
Mahoning  township.  He  grew  to  manhood  in 
his  native  place,  and  attended  the  local 
schools.  Until  1909,  he  continued  to  live  in 
that  township,  but  then  moved  to  the  vicinity 
of  North  Point.  Pa.,  where  he  still  resides. 
He  has  been  a  farmer  all  his  life.  He  and 
his  wife  became  the  parents  of  the  following 
children :  Elmer  C. ;  Elizabeth,  who  lives  in 
Indiana,  Pa. ;  Minnie,  who  married  Mead 
Wright  and  lives  at  North  Point,  Pa.;  Sam- 
uel, who  is  at  home;  Clark;  Alice,  and  Elda. 

Elmer  C.  Beck  has  only  a  common  school 
education,  and  when  fifteen  years  old  began 
working  for  others,  being  in  the  employ  of 
George  Fetterhoff  many  years.  Since  1906 
he  and  his  wife  have  lived  on  the  115-acre 
farm  belonging  to  the  Fetterhoff  estate, 
carrying  on  general  farming.  Mr.  Beck,  al- 
though a  young  man,  has  already  proved  his 
worth  both  as  an  agriculturist  and  citizen. 
He  votes  the  Republican  ticket,  but  he  is  not 
an  office  seeker.  He  belongs  to  the  Lutheran 
Church  of  Trade  City,  Pa.,  and  supports  it 
liberally. 

On  March  7,  1906,  Mr.  Beek  was  married 
to  Minnie  D.  Fetterhoff,  who  was  born  on 


the  Fetterhoff  homestead,  daughter  of  George 
and  Christy  Ann  (Crissman)  Fetterhoff,  na- 
tives of  Huntingdon  county  and  North  ]Ma- 
honing  township,  respectively.  George  Fet- 
terhoff was  a  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Sprankle)  Fetterhoff,  of  Huntingdon  county, 
who  founded  the  Fetterhoff  family  in  Indiana 
county,  securing  land  in  what  later  became 
North  jMahoning  township  as  early  as  1837. 
John  Fetterhoff  died  Oct.  6.  1867,  aged  sixtj'- 
seven  years,  while  his  wife  died  Jan.  26,  1882, 
aged  ninety-four  years,  four  days.  They  had 
the  following  children:  Susan,  who  married 
George  Sprankle,  of  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship ;  Betsy,  who  married  Robert  Jordan,  of 
North  ]\Iahoning  township ;  Mary,  who  mar- 
ried Joseph  McHenry  and  (second)  John 
Foust ;  George ;  and  Sarah,  deceased,  who 
married  Sharrat  Sprankle,  of  North  Mahon- 
ing township. 

George  Fetterhoff  died  Sept.  24,  1907,  aged 
seventy-six  years,  while  his  wife  died  April 
22,  1905,  aged  seventy-two  years.  Their 
children  were:  Monroe,  who  is  a  farmer  of 
South  Mahoning  township;  John  W.,  a 
farmer  of  North  Mahoning  township ;  Ida  ]\I., 
who  died  when  six  years  old ;  Alice,  who  mar- 
ried E.  L.  Croasmun,  of  North  Mahoning 
township;  Minnie  D.,  Mrs.  Beck;  Joseph,  who 
is  a  truck  farmer  of  Glendive,  ]\Iont. ;  Nan- 
nie, who  married  Grant  Pierce,  of  South 
Mahoning  township ;  Daniel,  who  lives  in 
Charlestown,  W.  Va. ;  and  Clarence,  who 
lives  on  the  old  homestead  with  Mrs.  Beck. 

GEORGE  M.  SHORT,  who  is  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  stock  raising  in  Cherry- 
hill  township,  was  born  in  Rayne  township, 
Indiana  county,  April  9,  1873,  son  of  Ben- 
jamin and  Sarah  (Myers)  Short. 

James  Short,  grandfather  of  George  ]M. 
Short,  was  an  eai-ly  settler  of  Indiana  county, 
coming  here  from  the  eastern  part  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  locating  in  Rayne  township, 
where  he  purchased  land  and  engaged  in 
fai-ming  until  his  death. 

Benjamin  Short,  son  of  James,  and  father 
of  George  M.  Short,  was  born  near  the  town 
of  flollidaysburg,  in  Blair  county,  Pa.,  and 
was  nine  years  of  age  when  he  accompanied 
his  father  to  Indiana  county.  After  the 
death  of  his  parents  he  continued  to  operate 
the  old  home  until  1906.  at  which  time  he 
gave  up  active  responsibilities  and  retired  to 
the  town  of  Indiana.  His  wife  Sarah 
(Myers)  passed  away  on  the  old  homestead 
in  1875.  They  had  three  sons  and  two 
daughters:     James  H.,  a  resident  of  Wash- 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1587 


ington  township,  Indiana  county;  Elizabeth, 
living  with  her  father  in  Indiana ;  Ellis,  a 
resident  of  Pennsylvania ;  Emma,  wife  of  Ira 
Shaw,  of  Mount  Pleasant,  Pa. ;  and  George 
M.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife  Mr. 
Short  was  married  (second)  to  Sarah  Ste- 
phens, a  native  of  Perry  county.  Pa.,  and  to 
this  union  there  were  born  children  as  fol- 
lows: Robert,  on  the  old  home  place  in 
Rayne  township;  and  Raymo/id.  who  is  liv- 
ing with  his  father  in  Indiana. 

George  M.  Short  attended  district  school 
in  Rayne  township,  and  like  other  youths  of 
his  day  and  locality  divided  his  time  between 
study  in  school  and  work  on  the  home  farm. 
In  1901  he  began  farming  for  Mr.  Paul,  and 
after  one  season  went  to  work  for  Ben  L. 
Stephens.  In  1905  he  decided  to  embark  in 
farming  for  himself  and  purchased  the  place 
he  now  owns,  a  well-cultivated  tract  located 
on  Clymer  R.  F.  D.  Route  No.  2.  He  de- 
votes himself  to  general  operations  and  has 
obtained  satisfactory  results  from  his  work. 

On  Nov.  8,  1905,  Mr.  Short  was  married, 
at  Greenville,  Pa.,  to  Bertha  Brown,  who  was 
born  in  Cherryhill  township,  daughter  of  S. 
F.  Brown,  and  to  this  union  there  has  been 
born  one  child,  Clarence  Benjamin.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Short  are  consistent  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Penn  Run. 

HENRY  SHEAFFER,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war  who  is  now  residing  at  Shelocta, 
Indiana  county,  was  born  at  Elderton,  Arm- 
strong Co.,  Pa.,  Nov.  22,  1846,  a  son  of  John 
and  Margaret   (Sowers)    Sheaffer. 

John  Sheaffer,  the  father,  was  born  in 
Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  and  died  in  Arm- 
strong county.  His  wife  was  born  in  Ann- 
strong  county,  daughter  of  George  Sowers, 
and  they  had  children  as  follows:  Sarah 
married  William  McCracken  and  (second) 
Charles  Williams ;  Susanna,  deceased,  was  the 
wife  of  William  Cogley;  Barbara,  deceased, 
was  the  wife  of  John  George ;  Margaret  mar- 
ried Helfrich  Kinard;  Lavina  married  Ira 
Klingensmith  and  (second)  James  Duffy; 
George  served  in  the  Civil  war;  Henry  is 
mentioned  below;   David;  John  is  deceased. 

Henry  Sheaffer  attended  public  school,  and 
when  fourteen  years  old  commenced  to  learn 
the  trade  of  blacksmith  with  his  father.  On 
Feb.  24,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  M, 
14th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  and  took  part  in 
the  battles  of  White  Sulphur  Springs  (Aug- 
ust, 1864),  Winchester,  Newmarket,  Pied- 
mont, Lynchburg,  Winchester  (again),  Fish- 
er's Hill,  Cedar  Creek,  Front  Royal,  Wild- 


wood  and  Ashby's  Gap.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  Mr.  Sheaffer  returned  home,  and  re- 
sumed his  trade,  conducting  a  shop  at  Elder- 
ton,  Armstrong  county,  for  fifteen  years. 
Thence  he  removed  to  Leechburg,  Armstrong 
county,  and  in  1891  came  to  Shelocta,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  is  one  of  the  re- 
spected residents  of  that  place,  a  member  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  socially 
belongs  to  William  Armstrong  Post,  G.  A. 
R.,  of  Shelocta.  Politically  he  is  an  adher- 
ent of  the  Democratic  party. 

In  the  fall  of  1865  Mr.  Sheaffer  married 
Isabelle  Linsenbigler,  who  died  Dec.  15,  1906. 
They  had  the  following  named  children: 
i\Iary  C. ;  Lottie ;  Elliott  Wood ;  Henry  Elder, 
who  married  Ida  Boyer;  Mayme  Blanch, 
wife  of  James  Boyer ;  Leander  Cleveland,  who 
married  Viola  Muckle;  and  Effie  Mary,  de- 
ceased. 

Elliott  Wood  Sheaffer,  son  of  Henry 
and  Isabelle  (Linsenbigler)  Sheaffer,  was 
born  July  17,  1879,  at  Elderton,  Armstrong 
Co.,  Pa.,  and  obtained  his  education  in  the 
public  schools.  He  learned  blacksmithing 
with  his  father,  and  is  now  engaged  at  the 
trade,  which  he  has  followed  very  success- 
fully. He  lives  at  Shelocta.  Mr.  Sheaffer 
is  immarried. 

U.  S.  GRANT  McHENRY,  pumpman  for 
the  Buffalo,  Rochester  &  Pittsburg  Coal  & 
Iron  Company  at  Lucerne,  Indiana  county, 
belongs  to  a  family  which  has  been  in  Penn- 
sylvania since  the  period  of  the  Revolution, 
and  was  bom  in  Jefferson  county,  this  State, 
June  12,  1864. 

The  first  of  this  branch  of  the  McHenry 
family  to  come  to  this  country  was  Isaac 
McHenry,  who  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1734, 
and  whose  wife's  name  was  Jane  Smith  or 
Smythe,  likely  the  latter,  as  the  Scotch  often 
spell  the  name  that  way.  The  first  we  know 
of  Isaac  is  his  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance, 
with  Abraham  Leasure  and  John  Stuchall 
(Dallas  Albert's  History  of  Westmoreland 
County).  The  name  is  there  spelled  Me- 
Hendry.  This  was  in  1777.  Later,  before 
1800,  he  settled  three  miles  north  of  Indiana 
on  what  has  been  known  as  the  James  Hamil- 
ton farm.  Thence  he  moved  to  Mahoning 
township,  where  he  and  his  wife  and  two  sons 
died  in  the  fall  of  1812,  all  during  the  same 
week,  the  parents  aged  about  eighty  years, 
the  son  James  aged  thirty-three  years  and  the 
son  Samuel  aged  thirty-six  years.  They  lie 
in  the  cemetery  at  Gilgal  Church  (this  church 
was  organized  in  1808).    Isaac  and  Jane  Me- 


1588 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Henry  had  children  as  follows :  John  mar- 
ried Miss  McCord;  William,  born  in  1770, 
married  Sidney  Gordon,  and  they  were  the 
grandparents  of  Squire  McHenry,  of  Spang- 
ler.  Pa.,  whose  mother  was  a  Row;  William 
was  with  Anthony  Wayne  in  Ohio  in  1793 
and  1794,  and  with  him  was  his  brother 
Isaac,  who  died  in  the  service:  Mary  married 
Patrick  Lydick  (they  were  the  great-grand- 
parents of  J.  A.  C.  Ruffner,  of  Indiana,  Pa.)  ; 
James  is  mentioned  below;  Samuel  married 
Mary  IMeCall;  Joseph  married  Elizabeth 
Boyd :  Jane  married  Robert  Morrison ;  Sarah ; 
Hannah  married  Daniel  Morrison. 

James  McHenry,  son  of  Isaac  and  Jane 
McHenry,  was  born  Feb.  15,  1775,  three  miles 
north  of  the  town  of  Indiana.  He  was  a 
major  in  the  State  militia,  serving  two  terms 
under  Governors  Snyder  and  ilcKean,  and 
took  part  in  the  Indian  war.  He  died  at  the 
early  age  of  thirtj'-three  years,  as  already  re- 
lated. In  1795  he  married  Elizabeth  Stuchel 
(daughter  of  John,  likely),  who  was  born 
Feb.  15,  1775,  and  died  in  1851.  There  were 
born  to  them  the  following  children :  Catha- 
rine married  Joseph  Grossman;  Isaac  married 
Catharine  McClelland;  John,  born  in  1801, 
married  Martha  Jordan ;  James  married  Ann 
Neal;  Maiy  married  Asa  Grossman;  Eliza- 
beth married  George  Timblin;  Jane  married 
William  Postlewait.  Of  these,  James  and 
Ann  (Neal)  had  children:  Elizabeth  married 
Martin  Reits;  William  married  Lucetta  Light 
and  (second)  Rachel  Lantz;  Margaret  mar- 
ried Austin  Welchans;  Benjamin  married 
Catharine  Beck;  Mary  married  George  Go- 
heen  and  (second)  Rev.  Uriah  Conly;  Sarah 
married  John  C.  Stear. 

Isaac  McHenry,  eldest  son  of  Maj.  James 
and  Elizabeth  (Stuchel)  McHenry,  was  the 
gi-andfather  of  Grant  McHenry.  He  was 
born  July  4,  1797,  in  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship, and  in  his  early  days  followed  farming 
in  his  native  township,  assisting  to  clear  and 
operate  the  home  farm,  also  engaging  in 
lumbering.  Later  he  moved  to  Jefferson 
county,  first  to  what  is  now  Punxsutawney, 
and  made  the  first  settlement  at  Fordham. 
After  his  marriage  he  and  his  wife  lived  for 
a  time  in  Porter  township,  that  county,  and 
subsequently  on  what  is  known  as  the  old 
Bath  farm  at  Whitesville,  thence  removing  to 
the  vicinity  of  Frostburg,  Jefferson  county, 
•where  Mr.  McHenry  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing for  over  fifty  years.  In  1886,  however, 
the  farm  wa.s  sold  and  the  old  couple  moved 
— on  Nov.  16th — with  their  son  George  W., 
to  a  farm  which  had  been  bought  in  East 


Mahoning  township,  Indiana  county,  w-here 
Isaac  McHenry  died  Dec.  28,  1886.  "  On  Oct. 
6,  1825,  he  married  Catharine  ilcClelland,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  whose  parents  had 
come  from  Scotland  to  America  at  an  early 
da.y.  and  she  survived  him,  dying  in  March. 
1897.  :Mr.  and  Mrs.  :McHenry  had  children 
as  follows:  James  W.,  who  married  Marj'  C. 
Horton ;  William  P..  who  married  Julia  A. 
Ruth ;  and  Gegrge  W. 

George  Washington  IMcHenry,  son  of  Isaac, 
and  Catharine  (McClelland)  McHenry.  was 
born  March  3,  1830,  at  what  is  now' Ford- 
ham.  Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.,  and  there  resided 
until  the  removal  of  the  family  in  1886  to 
East  Mahoning  township.  Since  1905  he  has 
led  a  retired  life  at  ilarion  Center.  Mr.  Mc- 
Henry married  Rachel  M.  Swisher,  and 
(second)  Anna  Rebecca  Keck.  The  latter 
was  born  near  Perrysville,  Jefferson  county, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Rachel  died  at  the  age  of 
thirteen  years;  U.  S.  Grant  is  mentioned  be- 
low; Laotta  is  the  widow  of  W.  L.  Stewart. 
a  lawyer,  of  Indiana.  Pa. ;  Ralph  F.  is  prac- 
ticing medicine  at  Heilwood.  Indiana  county ; 
Lelia  is  deceased ;  Bessie  is  the  wife  of  Robert 
McKee,  of  Hortons;  Walter  is  a  veterinary 
surgeon,  of  Waverly.  Iowa. 

Joseph  Keck,  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
U.  S.  Grant  ]McHenry.  was  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania, of  German  descent.  He  was  a  saw- 
yer by  trade  and  followed  that  occupation  in 
Jefferson  count.v  for  some  years,  also  devot- 
ing some  attention  to  farming.  He  married 
Sophia  Spare,  and  both  died  in  Jeffei-son 
county. 

U.  S.  Grant  McHenry  attended  public 
school,  meantime  assisting  his  father  upon  the 
farm,  and  was  thus  engaged  until  fifteen 
years  old,  when  he  went  West  to  Kansas.  He 
there  found  employment  with  the  Chicago 
Cattle  Company,  with  whom  he  remained  six 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  period  he  returned 
to  Jefferson  county.  Pa.  For  the  next  thir- 
teen years  he  worked  for  the  Big  Run  Tan- 
nery Company,  owned  by  Irwin  &  Son.  and 
then  for  seven  years  was  with  the  Jefferson 
Traction  Company.  He  has  since  been  at 
Lucerne,  in  Center  township,  Indiana  county, 
having  come  there  Jan.  18.  1910.  as  electrical 
engineer,  in  which  capacity  he  was  employed 
for  sixteen  months.  He  has  since  been  pump- 
man at  shaft  No.  3,  in  which  responsible  posi- 
tion he  has  given  excellent  satisfaction  to  all 
concerned.  He  is  an  intelligent,  and  reliable 
man.  and  has  made  himself  valuable  to  liis 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1589 


employers  by  efficient  service  and  prompt  at- 
tention to  all  his  duties. 

In  1887  Mr.  McHenry  was  married  to  Cora 
H.  Stnnipf,  daughter  of  Andrew  J.  and 
Martha  Jane  (Stuchell)  Stumpf,  and  they 
have  had  three  children:  J.  V.,  who  resides 
at  Dubois,  Pa. ;  John  Craig,  of  Lucerne,  Pa. ; 
and  L.  B.,  who  lives  at  home. 

Politically  Mr.  McHenry  is  a  Republican. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Elks  lodge  at 
Punxsutawney,  Pa.,  No.  301. 

HARVEY  H.  FENNELL,  a  farmer  of 
Armstrong  township,  was  born  in  Bell  town- 
ship, Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  Jan.  27,  1880, 
son  of  John  A.  and  Selina  (MeWilliams) 
Fennell. 

Mr.  Fennell  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  Westmoreland  county  and  Armstrong 
township,  this  county,  the  family  moving 
here  while  he  was  still  a  lad.  When  he  was 
eighteen  years  old  lie  went  to  Avonmore, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  worked  in 
the  rolling  mills  for  two  years.  Later  he 
came  back  to  Armstrong  township,  and  now 
owns  ninety-two  acres  of  good  land,  on  which 
he  is  carrying  on  agricultural  pursuits,  with 
commendable  methods  and  satisfactory  re- 
sults. 

.On  Sept.  14,  1900,  Mr.  Fennell  married 
(first)  Mary  Emma  Fee,  who  was  born  on  a 
farm  in  1875,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Nancy 
(Allison)  Fee.  One  child,  Mary  Alice,  was 
born  of  this  marriage.  jMr.  Feimell's  second 
marriage  was  to  Miss  Cora  B.  Kunkle,  daugh- 
ter of  Lemuel  Kunkle.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fennell 
are  the  parents  of  the  following  children : 
Blanche  Marie,  Grace  Luella  and  Martha 
Belle.  The  family  is  well  and  favorably 
known  throughout  the  neighborhood,  and 
deservedly  respected. 

LEONARD  K.  FASSETT,  postmaster  at 
Reed,  and  manager  of  the  store  of  the  Ridge 
Supply  Company  there,  was  born  at  Carbon 
Run,  Bradford  Co.,  Pa.,  Sept.  4,  1878,  son 
of  Emory  and  Jennie  (Carey)  Fassett. 

Emory  Fassett  was  engaged  in  mining  at 
Carbon  Run,  Pa.,  for  a  number  of  years,  but 
later  on  in  life  moved  to  Iselin,  in  Young 
township,  this  county,  where  he  is  now  liv- 
ing, having  charge  of  the  supply  department 
of  the  Pittsburg  Gas  Coal  Company  at  that 
point.  He  was  married  at  Carbon  Run  to 
Jennie  Carey,  who  was  born  at  that  place, 
and  she  has  borne  him  eight  children: 
Leonard  K. ;  Clarence  S. ;  Thomas,  who  is 
deceased;  John,  Elmer,  Robert  and  Earl,  all 


of  whom  are  residents  of  Iselin;  and  May 
Blanch,  who  is  deceased. 

Leonard  K.  Fassett  moved  with  his  par- 
ents to  Jefferson  county  and  was  brought  up 
in  Coal  Glen,  where  he  was  sent  to  school. 
Later  he  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  store  of 
Abbott  &  Blake,  remaining  with  that  con- 
cern for  fourteen  years,  and  receiving  a  sal- 
ary which  ranged  from  the  twenty  dollars  a 
month  with  which  he  started  to  the  fifty  dol- 
lars per  month  which  he  was  receiving  when 
he  left  in  1904  to  come  to  Indiana  county 
as  head  clerk  for  the  Ridge  Supply  Com- 
pany at  Iselin.  In  1907  Mr.  Fassett  was 
made  manager  of  the  branch  store  at  Iselin 
No.  3  Mines,  which  position  of  trust  he  has 
held  ever  since,  proving  himself  capable  of 
discharging  the  responsible  duties  pertain- 
ing thereto.  In  that  same  year  he  was  ap- 
pointed postmaster  at  Reed,  when  that  was 
made  a  fourth-class  ofSce,  and  has  since  held 
the  position,  increasing  the  efficiency  of  the 
service. 

In  1900  Mr.  Fassett  was  married  to  Laura 
M.  Kerry,  of  Carbon  Run,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Kerry,  and  one  child,  Emory,  was  born 
of  this  union.  Mr.  Fassett  is  a  member  of 
Blue  Lodge  No.  431,  F.  &  A.  M.,  at  Salts- 
burg.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
has  given  his  party  good  service.  The  Metho- 
ist  Church  has  in  him  a  faithful  member,  he 
being  connected  with  that  denomination  at 
West  Lebanon,  as  is  his  wife.  Not  only  is 
he  interested  in  church  life,  but  realizing  the 
importance  of  the  Sunday  school  he  is  active 
in  its  work  and  at  present  serving  as  super- 
intendent, and  is  an  efficient  teacher  of  one 
of  the  more  advanced  classes. 

OLIVER  C.  PRY,  of  Indiana,  Pa.,  who 
has  been  following  the  occupation  of  railway 
mail  clerk  for  the  last  'twenty- three  years, 
was  born  in  Salem  township,  Westmoreland 
Co.,  Pa.„  Feb.  12,  1850,  and  is  a  son  of  Isaac 
and  Sybillah  (Rimel)  Fry. 

Hemy  Fry,  the  great-grandfather  of  Oliver 
C.  Fry,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany, 
whence  he  brought  his  wife  and  children  to 
America,  settling  in  Lancaster  county.  Pa., 
prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war,  in  which  he 
took  an  active  part.  His  old  homestead  in 
Lancaster  county,  where  he  died,  is  still 
standing,  and  his  clock,  which  he  brought 
from  Germany,  is  now  a  possession  of  his 
great-grandson  Oliver  C.  Fry.  He  had  two 
children,  Daniel  and  Andrew. 

Andrew  Fry,  son  of  Henry,  and  grand- 
father of  Oliver  C.  Fry,  came  to  the  woods  of 


1590 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Westmoreland  county  with  his  brother,  and 
in  Salem  township  built  a  log  house,  which 
is  still  standing.  He  and  his  wife  Susan  were 
often  compelled  to  take  refuge  in  the  old  fort 
at  Hannastowu  when  in  danger  of  attack  by 
the  Indians.  Andrew  and  Susan  Fry  died  in 
the  old  log  house  which  still  stands  in  Salem 
township.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Peter  died  unmarried  at 
the  old  home;  Ann,  who  married  John  Keb- 
ler,  is  also  deceased;  Mattie,  who  married 
Philip  Klingensmith,  is  deceased;  Lovina, 
who  married  George  Fry,  is  deceased;  Isaac 
is  mentioned  below;  Betsey,  who  married 
Joseph  Bush,  is  deceased;  Joseph,  deceased, 
married  Sarah  Poi'tser;  Andrew,  deceased, 
married  Mahala  Kepple. 

Isaac  Fry,  son  of  Andrew,  and  father  of 
Oliver  C.  Fry,  was  born  in  1810  on  the  home 
fanii,  and  received  but  two  and  a  half  days' 
schooling  in  his  life,  in  the  little  log  school- 
house  which  was  located  five  miles  from  his 
home,  the  Indians  of  that  section  being  so 
active  and  so  hostile  that  the  early  settlers 
were  afraid  to  send  their  children  away  from 
the  protection  of  their  homes.  Mr.  Fry  was 
reared  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  on  reach- 
ing manhood  bought  a  farm  situated  a  half 
mile  from  the  homestead,  where  he  continued 
to  carry  on  operations  until  his  death,  May 
9,  1908.  He  and  his  wife,  who  died  May  14; 
1905,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  Mr. 
Fry  was  a  stanch  Democrat,  serving  in  va- 
rious township  offices.  They  had  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Christina,  who  married 
Thomas  Smaley,  of  Delmont,  Pa.;  Martha, 
who  married  William  Walton,  of  Westmore- 
land county;  Oliver  C. ;  John,  deceased,  who 
married  Nance  Small;  Lucetta,  who  is  un- 
married; Calvin,  living  on  the  home  farm; 
Jacob,  who  lives  in  Pittsburg,  married  to 
Elizabeth  Elwood;  and  Jesse,  deceased,  twin 
of  Jacob. 

Oliver  C.  Fry  resided  on  the  home  farm 
until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  attend- 
ing public  school  at  Five  Points  during  the 
winter  months  and  farming  in  the  summers 
until  he  was  fifteen  and  then  attending  the 
Millersville  State  normal  school  for  two  years. 
In  the  fall  of  1875  Mr.  Fry  came  to  Indiana 
and  began  teaching  school  at  Bairdstown,  in 
the  winter  season,  in  the  meantime  attending 
the  Indiana  normal  school  for  six  terms.  He 
followed  teaching  for  nineteen  years,  being 
engaged  sixteen  years  in  White  township,  and 
entered  the  mail  service  March  1,  1888,  be- 


ing now  numbered  among  the  most  faithful 
and  trusted  employees  in  that  branch. 

Mr.  Fry  was  married  Sept.  1,  1887,  in  Indi- 
ana, to  Myrtle  Weston,  of  ]Marion  Center, 
Pa.,  daughter  of  John  and  Hannah  (Johns- 
ton) Weston,  and  two  children  have  been 
born  to  them:  Myra,  a  graduate  of  the  Indi- 
ana State  normal  school;  and  Bertha,  a  stud- 
ent in  that  institution. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fry  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  in  which  he  has  been  an 
elder  for  eight  years  and  a  teacher  in  the 
Sunday  school  for  twenty  years.  He  is  a 
stanch  Republican  in  his  political  views,  and 
fraternally  is  connected  with  Palladium 
Lodge,  No.  346,  I.  0.  O.  F.,  of  which  he  is  a 
past  grand.  For  fifteen  years  Mr.  Fry  was 
a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  National 
Guard,  retiring  with  the  rank  of  first  lieu- 
tenant. 

ROBERT  H.  DILTS,  station  agent  for  the 
Buffalo  &  Susquehanna  Railroad  Company 
and  agent  for  the  American  Express  Com- 
pany at  Plumville,  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship, Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  North 
Mahoning  township,  this  county,  in  1886,  son 
of  Wilson  Allison  and  Mary  J.  (Widdowson) 
Dilts. 

William  Dilts,  the  great-great-grandfather 
of  Robert  H.  Dilts,  came  in  1800,  from  the 
vicinity  of  Hagerstown,  jMd.,  to  North  Ma- 
honing township,  and  here  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  married  Mrs.  Nanc.y  (Watson)  Keen,  and 
they  had  one  child,  Peter. 

Peter  Dilts,  son  of  William  Dilts,  and  great- 
grandfather of  Robert  H.  Dilts,  was  born 
about  the  year  1785,  and  as  a  youth  accom- 
panied his  parents  to  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship. He  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his 
father,  becoming  a  farmer,  acquired  one 
thousand  acres  of  land,  and  became  a  well- 
known  man  in  his  section,  serving  as  justice 
of  the  peace,  county  commissioner  and  asso- 
ciate judge.  He  died  in  1856,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-one  years,  and  was  buried  in  Gilgal 
Church  cemetery.  Mr.  Dilts  was  married  to 
Jane  Coulton,  who  died  in  1821,  and  his  sec- 
ond marriage  was  to  Jane  Kinter.  His  chil- 
dren were:  Elizabeth,  who  married  John 
Sprankle  and  (second)  Daniel  Fair;  Wil- 
liam, who  married  Nancy  McElhoes;  John, 
who  married  Margaret  Means;  Peter,  Jr., 
who  married  Mary  Ewing;  James,  who  mar- 
ried May  Hall ;  Jemima,  who  married  Joseph 
Shields;  Isabella,  who  married  John  Lewis; 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


]591 


Henry  Kinter;  and  Sarah  J.,  who  married 
James  B.  Work. 

Henry  K.  Dilts,  son  of  Peter,  and  grand- 
father of  Robert  H.  Dilts,  was  born  on  the 
home  farm  and  after  attending  the  district 
schools  worked  on  the  home  place,  where  he 
settled.  He  became  the  owner  of  a  tract  of 
250  acres,  all  of  which  he  put  under  cultiva- 
tion, and  during  the  winter  months  engaged 
in  lumbering,  in  addition  to  which  he  carried 
on  the  buying  and  selling  of  stock.  For  some 
years  he  followed  the  last  named  business 
as  a  drover,  disposing  of  his  stock  east  of  the 
mountains.  On  the  home  farm,  located  near 
Trade  City,  he  made  many  improvements, 
and  there  continued  to  reside  for  many  years, 
but  eventually  moved  to  Marion  Center, 
where  he  kept  a  hotel  during  his  declining 
years  and  died  in  April,  1893,  being  buried  in 
Gilgal  cemetery.  Politically  he  was  a  Re- 
publican. Mr.  Dilts  was  active  in  the  work 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  served  as 
deputy  sheriff  under  Sheriff  Brown,  and  was 
school  director  and  township  superintendent 
of  schools,  displaying  much  executive  ability 
in  his  official  positions.  Mr.  Dilts  married 
Nancy  Allison,  daughter  of  John  Allison,  and 
she  died  Sept.  3,  1912,  while  on  a  visit  to  her 
son,  Wilson  A.  Dilts,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Gilgal  cemetery.  She  was  a  faithful  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  She  had  a 
family  of  nine  children,  as  follows:  Wilson 
Allison;  Linus,  living  in  Jefferson  county; 
William,  who  died  in  young  manhood ;  Addie, 
who  man-ied  Elijah  Work;  John,  who  died 
in  young  manhood ;  Sarah  Belle,  who  married 
Jesse  Miller  and  resides  in  Pittsburg;  Harry, 
a  successful  practicing  physician;  Thomas, 
residing  at  Blairsville,  Pa.;  and  Ella,  who 
married  Charles  Riblett,  of  Youngwood, 
Pennsylvania. 

Wilson  Allison  Dilts,  son  of  Henry  K. 
Dilts,  was  bom  in  North  Mahoning  town- 
ship May  26,  1857.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  and  from  earliest  boy- 
hood worked  on  his  father's  farm.  He  con- 
tinued to  remain  under  the  parental  roof, 
being  thoroughly  trained  in  all  the  details 
of  farming  and  stock  raising,  until  1887,  in 
which  year  he  came  to  South  Mahoning  town- 
ship and  located  on  a  farm  of  sixty -two  acres, 
the  old  Curren  property,  where  he  has  since 
been  engaged  in  general  farming.  For  some 
years  Mr.  Dilts  was  a  Republican,  but  at 
this  time  he  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  prin- 
ciples, policies  and  candidates  of  the  Socialist 
party.  In  1883  he  was  married  to  Mary  J. 
Widdowson,  who  was  born  at  Dixonville,  Pa., 


daughter  of  William  Widdowson,  and  nine 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union:  Lula, 
who  married  John  Mayo,  of  Rochester,  Pa.; 
Dora,  Mrs.  Moore,  who  was  formerly  engaged 
in  school  teaching;  Robert  H. ;  Nannie,  a 
school  teacher;  Fay,  who  resides  at  home; 
May,  also  at  home ;  June,  who  lives  at  Punx- 
sutawney,  Pa.;  and  Silas  and  John,  who  are 
at  home  with  their  parents. 

Robert  H.  Dilts,  son  of  Wilson^  Allison 
Dilts,  was  but  two  years  old  when  the  family 
moved  to  White  Oak  Flats,  in  South  Mahon- 
ing township,  and  there  he  attended  public 
school.  Subsequently  he  became  a  pupil  in 
the  select  school  of  Prof.  Charles  Stift"er,  and 
then  entered  New  Bethlehem  business  col- 
lege, from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1905. 
Returning  to  his  home,  Mr.  Dilts  worked  on 
the  farm  for  two  years,  and  in  1907  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Buffalo  &  Susquehanna 
Railroad  Company  at  Medix  Run,  Elk  Co., 
Pa.  Two  months  later,  in  July,  1907,  he 
came  to  Plumville,  to  succeed  S.  C.  Mains 
as  agent  of  the  company  at  that  point,  and 
since  that  time  has  continued  to  act  in  that 
capacity,  in  addition  being  agent  for  the 
American  Express  Company.  Mr.  Dilts  is 
well  fitted  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  posi- 
tion successfully,  and  his  unfailing  courtesy 
and  obliging  nature  have  made  him  a  gen- 
eral favorite  with  the  patrons  of  the  road  and 
have  given  him  an  assured  popularity.  Like 
his  father  Mr.  Dilts  is  a  stalwart  supporter  of 
Socialistic  issues.  He  is  known  as  one  of  the 
leaders  of  the  younger  faction  in  Indiana 
county,  and  their  influence  has  been  a  dis- 
tinct factor  in  the  gains  that  the  party  has 
made  in  Plumville  and  the  surrounding  coun- 
try. Both  have  given  this  subject  much 
thought  and  wide  study,  and  being  men  of 
intelligence  their  opinions  carry  much  weight. 
In  his  religious  views  Mr.  Dilts  is  liberal,  his 
endeavor  being  to  live  up  to  the  teachings  of 
the  Golden  Rule.  He  is  a  popular  member  of 
the  local  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  and  of  the 
Order  of  Railroad  Telegraphers. 

In  1907  Mr.  Dilts  was  married  to  Lilla 
May  Sager,  who  was  born  at  Little  AVashing- 
ton.  Pa.,  daughter  of  E.  A.  Sager,  and  she 
died  Nov.  23,  1909,  leaving  two  children: 
Raymond  Eugene,  who  died  Dee.  5,  1911; 
and  Nancy  Maria.  Mrs.  Dilts  was  a  faith- 
ful member  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

JAMES  A.  HANNA,  a  farmer  and  car- 
penter  of   Pine    township,    Indiana   county, 


1592 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


was  born  Nov.  11,  1882,  in  Banks  township, 
this  county,  son  of  James  B.  Hanna  and 
grandson  of  George  Hanna. 

George  Hanna  resided  at  Burnside,  Pa. 
He  was  killed  while  in  the  service  of  his 
country  during  the  Civil  war,  and  his  wife 
died  when  their  sou  James  B.  was  eighteen 
months  old. 

James  B.  Hanna  was  educated  at  the  Brady 
school  near  Smithport.  When  still  a  child  he 
began  to  work  for  his  living,  being  employed 
on  a  farm  with  his  uncle,  and  lived  with  his 
grandmother  in  Pine  township'.  When  he  was 
able  to  buy  a  farm  he  purchased  sixty-eight 
acres  in  Banks  township.  He  also  farmed 
for  the  Heilwood  Company,  and  was  a  faith- 
ful woi'ker  and  excellent  man.  A  Republi- 
can in  polities,  he  voted  his  party  ticket,  but 
never  held  office.  He  was  a  member  of  Wash- 
ington Camp,  No.  616,  of  Gipsy,  Indiana  Co., 
Pa.,  and  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Smith- 
port.     In  religious  faith  he  was  a  ]\Iethodist. 

James  A.  Hanna  attended  school  at  Smith- 
port,  Banks  township,  until  he  was  fifteen 
years  old,  when  he  began  working  in  the 
lumber  woods  for  Fry  &  Galey,  for  whom  his 
father  was  then  foreman,  and  spent  five  years 
at  this  kind  of  work.  He  also  assisted  his 
father  in  operating  the  Henry  Prothero  farm 
near  Smithport,  M-here  he  lived.  In  1908  he 
began  learning  the  carpenter's  trade  with 
Blair  Hess,  of  Montgomeiw  township,  and 
upon  completing  his  apprenticeship  secured 
a  position  with  the  Heilwood  Company,  with 
whom  he  still  continues.  Mr.  Hanna  owns  a 
farm  of  125  acres  near  Heilwood,  all  of  which 
is  cleared  except  twenty  acres  of  woodland. 

On  Oct.  19,  1909,  Mr.  Hanna  married 
Bessie  Pearl  Steffey,  a  daughter  of  George 
Steffey  and  his  wife  Tressa  (Gass),  of  Pine 
township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanna  have  had 
one  child,  Tressa,  M-ho  was  born  Sept.  9,  1910. 
^Ir.  Hanna  is  a  Republican,  but  like  his 
father  has  never  desired  office.  He  belongs 
to  Washington  Camp,  No.  616,  of  Gipsy, 
IMontgomery  township.  His  religioiis  connec- 
tion is  with  the  Lutheran  Church  of  Pine 
township,  and  he  is  as  much  respected  in 
it  as  he  is  wherever  known  elsewhere. 

WILLIAM  HARRISON  LOWER,  car- 
penter and  builder  of  Swissvale,  Pa.,  was 
born  on  the  farm  which  he  now  owns  in 
Brushvalley  township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  Oct. 
23,  1862,  and  is  a  son  of  Paul  and  Susanna 
(Clapper)   Lower. 


The  Lower  family  is  of  German  origin,  and 
Paul  Lower  was  born  in  Blair  county.  Pa., 
whei'e  he  grew  to  manhood.  On  attaining  his 
majority  he  came  to  Indiana  county,  locat- 
ing in  Brushvalley  township,  where  he  pur- 
chased from  William  Rhodes  what  was  known 
as  the  Shoemaker  farm,  a  tract  of  119  acres. 
Here  he  erected  a  residence  and  barn,  made 
considerable  further  improvement,  and  con- 
tinued to  be  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
He  died  on  this  farm  and  was  buried  in  the 
Lutheran  Church  cemetery.  He  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and 
Mr.  Lower  served  as  deacon.  In  his  political 
views  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  was  independ- 
ent in  his  support  of  candidates.  His  wife, 
a  native  of  Blair  county,  died  at  Nolo,  in 
Pine  township,  and  was  buried  in  the  Lu- 
theran Church  cemetery  in  Brushvalley  town- 
ship. They  had  a  family  of  nine  children: 
Samuel,  Sarah,  George,  Catherine  and  John, 
all  of  whom  are  deceased ;  William  Harrison ; 
Addie,  who  married  John  Sester;  Annie, 
twin  of  Addie,  who  married  David  Cramer; 
and  Jennie,  who  married  Hiram  Strong  and 
lives  in  Swissvale. 

William  Harrison  Lower  spent  his  boyhood 
days  on  the  home  farm,  and  secured  his  edu- 
cation in  the  Simons  school.  He  remained  on 
the  home  farm,  and  when  he  was  twenty-three 
years  of  age  was  married  and  took  charge  of 
the  old  homestead,  which  he  conducted  for 
a  number  of  years.  He  subsequently  settled 
on  the  David  Gamon  farm,  a  tract  of  seventy- 
five  acres  in  the  same  township,  but  after 
several  years  spent  in  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing sold  out  and  moved  to  Homer  City,  there 
following  the  trade  of  carpenter  and  joiner 
until  1911.  In  that  year  he  came  to  Swiss- 
vale, where  he  has  since  made  his  home,  be- 
ing engaged  in  contracting  and  building  in 
Brushvalley  township,  in  partnership  with 
L.  S.  Shaffer,  although  he  is  still  the  owner 
of  the  old  homestead.  Mr.  Lower  is  an  in- 
dependent Republican  in  his  political  views, 
and  while  a  resident  of  Brushvalley  township 
served  as  supervisor  of  roads.  He  belongs  to 
the  ]Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  but  has  no 
fraternal  connections,  being  domestic  in  his 
tastes  and  a  great  lover  of  home. 

Mr.  Lower  was  married  in  Brushvalley 
township  to  Jennie  Murdick,  daughter  of 
Chambers  Murdick,  and  she  died  leaving 
three  children:  Mary,  who  is  deceased; 
Clyde,  a  resident  of  Swissvale;  and  Rowan, 
at  home.     Mr.  Lower's  second  marriage  was 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA  I593 

to  Mrs.  Effie    (Mack)    Yonken,   daughter  of    whose  parents  are  residents  of  Mobile,  Ala., 
John  Mack  and  widow  of  Edward  Yonken.         where  her  father  is  engaged  in  farming. 

DANTE  ZANONI,  of  Creekside,  Indiana 
county,  dealer  in  fresh  and  smoked  meats, 
was  born  in  Italy  July  23,  1865,  son  of  Louis 
and  Louisa  Zanoni.  His  father  was  a  shoe- 
maker by. trade,  and  both  the  parents  died  in 
Italy. 

Dante  Zanoni  learned  the  trade  of  stone- 
mason, and  followed  this  calling  for  a  time 
after  coming  to  the  United  States,  in  1897. 
In  1905  he  embarked  in  the  butcher  business 
at  Creekside,  which  he  has  carried  on  ever 
since  with  gratifying  results.  He  handles  a 
varied  assortment  of  fresh  and  smoked  meats, 
and  his  prices  and  the  quality  of  his  goods 
have  gained  him  creditable  confidence  and 
patronage  among  the  people  of  Creekside. 

Mr.  Zanoni  is  married  and  his  children  are : 
Louis,  Idena,  Alex,  Olga  and  Harris. 


ROBERT  ROLLEY,  the  popiilar  pro- 
prietor of  a  pool  and  billiard  hall  and  bowl- 
ing alleys  at  Clymer,  Pa.,  was  born  Sept.  19, 
1874,  at  Midway,  Washington  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of 
John  and  Sarah  Rolley. 

At  an  early  day  the  parents  of  Mr.  Rolley 
removed  from  Midway,  Pa.,  to  Wellsville, 
Ohio,  where  John  Rolley  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  passing  away  in  1900,  while  his 
widow  still  survives  and  makes  her  home  at 
Wellsville. 

The  educational  training  of  Robert  Rolley 
was  obtained  in  the  schools  of  Wellsville, 
Ohio,  and  in  that  city  he  remained  until  he 
was  of  age.  Having  learned  the  barber's 
trade  in  his  young  manhood,  he  followed  that 
business  for  some  time  in  Wellsville,  and 
later  in  East  Liverpool,  Ohio.  In  1910  Mr. 
Rolley  came  to  Clymer,  Pa.,  where  for  some 
time  he  conducted  tonsorial  parlors,  but  sub- 
sequently opened  a  pool  and  billiard  parlor, 
later  added  bowling  alleys,  and  finally  put  in 
a  stock  of  cigars  and  tobacco.  He  is  enterpris- 
ing and  progressive  in  his  business  methods 
and  thoroughly  deserves  the  lucrative  busi- 
ness that  has  come  to  his  establishment. 

While  still  a  resident  of  East  Liverpool, 
Ohio,  on  July  2,  1902,  Mr.  Rolley  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Anna  McGuire,  who  was 
born  in  East  Liverpool,  and  to  this  union  one 
child,  Pauline,  was  born.  Mrs.  Rolley  died 
April  18,  1907,  and  on  April  17,  1911,  Mr. 
Rolley  was  married  (second)  to  Elizabeth 
Anderson,  also  a  native  of  East  Liverpool, 


WASIL  ROMANCE,  merchant,  of  White 
township,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  1867, 
in  Italy,  son  of  John  and  Anna  Eva  Romance, 
both  of  whom  died  in  that  country. 

In  1888  i\Ir.  Romance  came  to  the  United 
States,  and  like  so  many  of  his  countrymen 
has  prospered  in  his  new  home.  Landing 
in  New  York  City  he  worked  at  various  occu- 
pations, and  in  different  places,  until  1902, 
when  he  came  to  Indiana  county.  There  he 
bought  three  acres  of  land  half  way  between 
the  town  of  Indiana  and  Ernest,  on  the  turn- 
pike road,  and  established  himself  as  a  gen- 
eral merchant,  having  a  large  store,  and  other 
good  buildings  there.  He  has  developed  a 
fine  trade. 

Mr.  Romance  and  his  wife,  Katie,  have  the 
following  children:  Anna,  Katie,  Marie, 
Wasil,  Jr.,  Eva,  John,  Joseph,  Susie  and  Cath- 
erine. Mr.  Romance  is  an  excellent  business 
man,  and  being  genial  by  nature  has  made 
many  friends  in  his  township. 

DAVID  BLUE,  a  retired  farmer  of  Cham- 
bersviUe,  Rayne  township,  Indiana  county, 
was  born  in  Ireland  Feb.  14,  1831,  son  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Campbell)  Blue. 

John  Blue  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1788, 
and  grew  to  manhood's  estate  in  his  native 
land,  there  attending  school  and  learning  the 
trade  of  weaver.  Becoming  an  expert  in  his 
line  he  not  only  worked  at  his  trade  in  Ire- 
land, but  in  Scotland  as  well,  thus  continu- 
ing until  1838,  when  he  felt  that  he  was  not 
making  sufficient  progress  or  providing  as  he 
wished  for  his  family,  so  with  his  wife  and 
children  he  sailed  from  Belfast,  Ireland,  to 
Quebec,  Canada.  After  arrival  there  he  se- 
cured employment  macadamizing  roads,  and 
later  at  widening  the  channel  of  the  Erie 
canal.  This  brought  him  into  the  United 
States,  and  liking  conditions  here  he  moved 
to  the  Cornelius  Campbell  farm,  three  miles 
outside  of  Indiana,  in  Armstrong  tovmship, 
Indiana  Co.,  Pa.  For  a  number  of  years  fol- 
lowing his  advent  into  this  county  he  worked 
hard  and  well  as  a  farmer,  carefully  saving 
his  money,  and  eventually  was  able  to  buy 
a  farm  of  seventy-five  acres  in  Rayne  town- 
ship. This  he  conducted  until  his  death,  in 
1866. 

John  Blue  was  married  in  his  native  land 
to  Elizabeth  Campbell,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  James, 
Cornelius,    John,    Sarah,   Jane    and    David- 


1594  HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

Politically  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  never  as-  same  country  in  1823.  In  June,  1853,  they 
pired  to  public  ofiSce.  Prior  to  leaving  Ire-  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  at  Kittan- 
land  he  was  made  a  Mason.  Reared  a  Presby-  ning,  Armstrong  Co.,  Pa.,  where  Mr.  Swan 
terian,  upon  coming  to  Indiana  county  he  worked  at  his  trade  of  stonemason  and  brick- 
connected  himself  with  the  United  Presby-  layer.  The  children  born  to  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs. 
terian  Church  of  this  locality.  His  wife  Swan  were :  ]\Iartha  married  William  Bry- 
passed  away  in  1874,  aged  eighty  years,  hav-  sou,  of  Kittanning,  Pa. ;  Robert  died  in 
ing  survived  him  some  eight  years.  They  Andersonville  prison  during  the  Civil  war; 
were  people  of  the  highest  character  and  were  John,  who  is  deceased,  was  a  stonemason, 
held  in  esteem  by  all  who  had  the  honor  of  working  with  his  father ;  Samuel,  who  man-ied 
their  acquaintance.  Effie  Burkart,   was  an  oil  driller;   Elizabeth 

David  Blue  attended  school  in  Armstrong  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years;  Margaret 
township  until  his  father  moved  to  Rayne  is  ilrs.  Blue.  Mr.  Swan  died  at  Kittanning, 
township,  when  he  entered  the  Hawthorne  Pa.,  in  1890,  aged  seventj^-six  years,  his  widow 
school,  and  there  completed  his  educational  surviving  until  1906,  when  she  passed  away 
training.  Following  this  he  was  associated  at  Kittanning  aged  eighty-three  years, 
with  his  father  in  the  farm  work  until  he  en- 
tered the  army.  This  event  took  place  with  ALBERT  CLARK  KERR,  deceased,  was 
his  enlistment  in  Company  A,  77th  Pennsyl-  born  April  27,  1857,  in  West  Mahoning  town- 
vania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  he  served  for  ship,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  John  and  ^lary 
three   years   and   two   months,    participating  Kerr. 

in  many  of  the  major  battles  of  the  war,  as  Samuel  Kerr,  of  West  Mahoning  township, 

well  as  numerous  skirmishes,  among  them  be-  was  the  father  of  John  Kerr,  and  grandfather 

ing  the  engagements  of  Stone  River,  Chick-  of   Albert    Clark   Ken*.      He   married   Polly 

amauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Kenesaw  Mountain  Thomas,   also  of  West   j\Iahoniug  township, 

and  Glen  Hope  Church.     Mr.  Blue  received  where  she  and  her  husband  died,  having  been 

his  honorable  discharge  on  Oct.  1,  1864,  and  farming  people  all  their  lives. 

returned  home,  having  done  his  full  duty  as  John  Kerr,  son  of  Samuel  Kerr,  was  born 

a  soldier.  in  West  Mahoning  township,  as  was  his  wife. 

On  Dee.  1,  1864,  Mr.  Blue  was  united  They,  too,  were  farming  people.  The  follow- 
in  marriage  with  Margaret  Swan,  a  daughter  ing  children  were  born  to  them:  Samuel, 
of  John  and  Rebecca  (Marshall)  Swan,  and  who  is  living  on  the  old  home  place:  Kate, 
they  had  the  following  children :  John,  who  who  married  Albert  Brewer,  of  South  IMahon- 
married  Annie  Barbistoek,  and  lives  in  the  ing  township ;  Albert  Clark ;  Thomas,  who 
State  of  Indiana;  Rebecca;  Elizabeth,  who  is  a  merchant  of  Georgeville,  Pa.;  and  Ida, 
married  James  Getty;  Sarah,  who  married  who  married  Luther  Beck,  of  West  Mahon- 
Charles  Bell,  of  Plum  creek ;  ilaud,  who  mar-  ing  township. 

ried    Edward    Thompson,    of    Kelleysburg;  Albert    Clark   Kerr   had   only   a    common 

Samuel,  deceased,  who  was  killed  on  the  rail-  school  education,  but  was  a  successful  farmer 

road ;   Elmer,  of  Johnstown,  Pa.,  who  mar-  and  carpenter,  and  early  in  life  taught  school, 

ried    Miss    Rhoads;     Frank,    who    married  He  was  a  man  of  high  principles,  and  gained 

Susan  Stein,  and  lives  at  East  Liberty,  Pitts-  and  retained  friends  wherever  he  went, 

burg.   Pa. ;   and  Claude,   who  married  ]\Iaud  On  Jan.  9,  1879.  ilr.  Kerr  was  married  to 

Warden,  and  lives  on  his  father's  farm  in  Mary  Jordan,  who  was  born  in  North  Mahon- 

Rayne  township.  ing  township,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Martha 

Until  his  father's  death  Mr.  Blue  continued  (Pounds)    Jordan,    both    of    that    township, 

to  work  with  him,   and  then  inherited   the  where  thev  alwavs  lived.     He  was  a  farmer 

homestead,  which  he  operated  until  his  re-  gnd  in  earlv  life  operated  a  hotel.    His  death 

tirement,  when  he  purchased  a  residence  at  occurred  Dec.  14.  1894,  his  widow  survi^ang 

Chambersville,    where    he    has    since    lived  ^^^^^  ^q^q      ^he  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

Pohtically  he  is  a  Democrat    and  has  held  ,^^^^  ^^^^,^.    ^^^         ^^.^^  i^  deceased;  Mar- 

the  office  ot  school  director,  but  aside  irom  ^        .,           <•  t^     •  i    t        i          i-   • 

that  has  not  entered  public  life.     The  Pres-  ff/^^,   widow  of  Daniel   Laughey    living   in 

bvterian  Church  holds  his  membership,  and  West  Mahoning  township :  Samuel,  deceased; 

benefits  from  his  generositv.  Martha,  who  married  A\  illiam  Brown,  ot  In- 

John  Swan,  the  father  of  :Mrs.  Blue,  was  diana.   Pa. ;   James,   deceased :  John,   who   is 

born  in  County  Derry,  Ireland,  in  1814,  while  living  in  Armstrong  county.  Pa. ;  Charles,  de- 

his  wife  Rebecca  (Marshall)  was  born  in  the  ceased;  and  Mary,  Mrs.  Kerr. 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1595 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kerr  became  the  parents  of 
five  children :  Martha,  who  married  "W.  Niel 
and  has  three  children,  Claire,  May  and 
Hazel ;  Minerva,  deceased,  who  married  Elmer 
Elkin;  Homer,  who  is  a  farmer,  sawmill  man 
and  thresher,  living  at  home ;  Robert,  de- 
ceased; and  Albert,  also  a  farmer,  sawmill 
man  and  formerly  a  thresher,  who  is  at  home. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Kerr  located  on  the 
farm  that  is  still  the  property  of  his  widow, 
in  West  Mahoning  township,  and  there  he 
resided  until  his  sudden  death,  on  April  27, 
1890.  Politically  he  was  a  stanch  Republican, 
but  never  aspired  to  public  office.  He  did 
not  belong  to  any  fraternal  orders,  although 
his  sons  are  Odd  Fellows,  being  connected 
with  the  lodge  at  Smicksburg,  Pa.  Mr.  Kerr 
was  well  and  favorably  known  in  Indiana 
county,  where  he  is  remembered  with  the 
highest  regard.  He  was  a  memlier  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church.  Mrs.  Kerr  is  a 
valuable  member  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society 
and  takes  a  great  deal  of  interest  in  that 
organization   and  in  church  work  generally. 

HARLAN  P.  SANDLES,  who  owns  and 
operates  a  tract  of  125  acres  of  well-cultivated 
land  in  Conemaugh  township,  was  bom  Dec. 
21,  1854,  at  Saltsburg,  Conemaugh  township, 
son  of  William  and  Maria  (Marshall)  San  dies. 

Christopher  Sandles,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  Harlan  P.  Sandles,  was  born  in 
Ireland  and  came  to  the  United  States  in 
young  manhood,  settling  at  Mount  Pleasant, 
in  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  where  he  fol- 
lowed farming  and  other  laboring  all  of  his 
life.  He  died  at  Mount  Pleasant,  and  there 
he  and  his  wife  and  all  of  their  children  are 
buried.  The  children  were  as  follows :  Christ- 
opher; John,  who  lived  in  Allegheny  county; 
George ;  William ;  PoUie ;  and  Sarah,  who 
married  James  Lemon,  and  had  six  children, 
Van  Amberg,  Loyal,  George,  Nathaniel,  Rody 
and  another. 

William  Sandles,  son  of  Christopher 
Sandles,  was  born  Oct.  1,  1806,  and  died  Feb. 
6,  1885.  He  was  married  July  11,  1837,  to 
Maria  Marshall,  who  was  bom  in  Conemaugh 
township,  Nov.  6,  1820,  daughter  of  Scott  and 
Jane  (Wilson)  Marshall,  and  died  Feb.  13, 
1907.  Their  children  were  as  follows :  Theo- 
dore M.,  born  March  26,  1838,  as  a  young 
man  went  to  California  and  followed  mining 
and  prospecting  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  war,  when  he  enlisted  and  served  three 
years  in  the  Union  army,  after  which  he  fol- 
lowed gold  mining  until  his  death,  in  Utah, 
Feb.  10,   1881;  John,   born  March  4,  1840, 


died  Sept.  21,  1841;  Marshall  G.,  born  Nov. 
14,  1841,  died  March  4,  1907,  served  in  the 
Civil  war,  was  married  in  Saltsburg,  March 
18,  1868,  to  Levina  Wilson,  and  had  three 
children.  Bertha  (who  married  William  Low- 
man),  John  and  Laura;  Sarah  Elizabeth, 
born  Aug.  3,  1843,  married  J.  N.  Coleman,  a 
farmer  of  Conemaugh  township;  William 
Albert,  born  April  6,  1846,  died  Oct.  9,  1896, 
served  in  the  Civil  war,  was  a  graduate  of 
Washington  and  Jefferson  Medical  College, 
and  practiced  medicine  for  a  number  of  years 
at  Braddock,  Pa. ;  Maria  Jane,  born  June  11, 
1848,  married  B.  F.  Reed  and  (second)  S.  S. 
McClellan,  a  farmer^  and  oil  developer;  a 
child  born  Feb.  23,  1851,  died  March  23d  of 
that  year;  Mary  Ella,  born  Sept.  30,  1852, 
died  unmarried  July  5,  1874;  Anna  Bell, 
born  Dec.  9,  1858,  married  D.  M.  Kier,  and 
now  resides  at  Braddock,  Pa.,  where  Mr. 
Kier  is  a  contractor  and  builder;  Harlan  P. 
is  mentioned  below. 

William  Sandles  was  born  and  reared  near 
Mount  Pleasant,  in  Westmoreland  county, 
and  on  first  coming  to  Indiana  county  worked 
on  the  old  Pennsylvania  canal  and  boated  be- 
tween Johnstown  and  Pittsburg.  He  subse- 
quently became  owner  of  a  boat,  which  he 
operated  himself,  and  for  a  time  was  also 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  line  in  Saltsburg, 
in  what  was  known  as  the  S.  Robinson  &  Co. 
General  Store,  but  in  1860  he  sold  out,  moved 
to  Clarksburg,  and  purchased  the  Marshall 
farm  of  300  acres,  near  that  place,  where  he 
continued  to  farm  and  raise  and  buy  live 
stock  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  A 
man  of  industry,  integrity  and  probity,  he 
won  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  fellow  citi- 
zens through  the  exercise  of  good  judgment 
and  honorable  dealing,  and  no  man  had  a 
wider  circle  of  warm  personal  friends.  In 
political  matters  he  was  a  Republican,  and 
his  religious  connection  was  with  the  Clarks- 
burg Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  was 
trustee  for  a  long  period. 

Harlan  P.  Sandles,  son  of  William  Sandles, 
accompanied  his  parents  to  Clarksburg  when 
still  a  small  lad,  and  there  attended  the  inde- 
pendent school.  Later  he  was  a  student  at 
the  academies  at  Eldersridge  and  Glade  Run, 
and  worked  with  his  parents  until  his  father's 
death,  at  which  time  the  home  farm  was 
divided  between  him  and  his  brother  Marshall. 
Mr.  Sandles  now  owns  and  conducts  125 
acres  of  well-cultivated  land  and  is  known  as 
one  of  his  community 's  progressive  and  enter- 
prising farmers.  He  makes  a  specialty  of 
raising  fine  horses,  conducts  a  stud,  and  liis 


1596 


HISTORY  OF  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


animals  bring  topnoteh  prices  in  the  eastern 
markets,  ilr.  Sandles  is  a  member  of  the  new 
Progressive  party,  but  has  never  been  an 
office  seeker,  although  movements  tending  to 
the  advancement  of  morality,  education  and 
good  citizenship  have  always  found  in  him 
a  stanch  supporter.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Woodmen  of  the  World,  and  a  member  and 
trustee  of  the  Clarksburg  Presbyterian 
Church,  where  for  some  years  he  has  been 
teacher  of  an  adult  Bible  class. 

Mr.  Sandles  was  married  Oct.  12,  1875,  to 
Mary  J.  Kier,  daughter  of  William  and  j\Iar- 
garet  Ann  (Dixon)  Kier,  and  they  have  had 
eight  children,  as  follows:  William  Claud, 
born  Aug.  19,  1876,  married  June  12,  1900, 
Cora  B.  Anderson ;  Mark  Bennett,  born  Sept. 
16,  1878,  married  July  20,  1902,  Edna  Har- 
bison, and  is  a  mill  worker  at  Gary,  Ind. ; 
Lisle  Marshall,  born  Oct.  10,  1880,  a  graduate 
of  Grove  City  College,  finished  his  law  course 
in  the  university  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  is 
praticiug  law  at  Columbus  (he  is  unmarried)  ; 
Harry  Porter,  born  Oct.  24.  1882,  a  resident 
of  Red  Lodge,  ilont.,  where  he  is  a  superin- 
tendent of  coal  mines,  married  Aug.  18,  1909, 
Caroline  Chapman;  John  Albert,  born  Oct. 
24,  1882,  a  salesman,  is  a  resident  of  Derry 
township;  Edith  May,  born  March  12,  1884, 
married  June  22,  1909,  Harry  L.  George,  a 
national  bank  examiner;  Maggie  Marie,  bom 
Sept.  9,  1886,  who  has  been  a  school  teacher, 
resides  at  home  with  her  parents ;  Anna  Lois, 
born  March  18,  1890,  married  June  12,  1912, 
John  M.  jMcLaughlin,  a  mercliant  of  Elders- 
ridge,  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Sandles  have  reared 
their  children  in  such  a  manner  that  they 
are  a  credit  to  themselves  and  to  the  commun- 
ities in  which  they  are  now  living.  They  have 
been  well  educated,  fitted  for  the  places  in 
life  they  were  destined  to  fill,  and  are  faith- 
fully upholding  the  best  traditions  of  this 
old  and  honored  family. 

FRANK  RUNZO,  a  fruit  and  confection- 
ery merchant  of  Indiana,  was  born  in  Italy 
March  17,  1878,  son. of  Stephen  and  Gertrude 
Runzo.  Stephen  Runzo  is  a  shoemaker  by 
trade,  and  is  still  living  in  Italy.  He  and  his 
wife  became  the  parents  of  nine  children. 

Frank  Runzo  attended  public  school  in  his 
native  place.  Learning  the  blacksmith's 
trade,  he  followed  it  until  he  came  to  the 
United  States  sixteen  years  ago.  Landing 
in  New  York  City,  he  went  from  there  to 
Greensburg,  Pa.,  where  he  spent  eleven 
month.s,  thence  coming  to  Indiana.  For  a 
time   he   conducted   a  shod   repairing   shop, 


later  on  embarking  in  his  present  undertaking, 
and  has  become  one  of  the  best  known  Italian 
business  men  in  Indiana. 

Mr.  Runzo  married  Josephine  Caleogno, 
who  was  born  in  Italy,  and  they  have  four 
cliildren:  Stephen,  Augustine,  Thomas  and 
Philip. 

HARRY  LEVINSOX,  engaged  in  business 
at  Clymer,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa.,  as  a  dealer  in 
clothing,  dry  goods  and  shoes,  was  born  in 
Russia  Sept.  27,  1874,  son  of  Hiram  Joseph 
and  Marie  Levinson,  both  of  whom  died  in 
that  country. 

Harry  Levinson  was  given  an  opportunity 
to  attend  school  in  his  native  land  and  lived 
there  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  Coming  to 
America,  he  landed  at  New  York,  and  from 
there  went  to  Blossburg,  Pa.,  where  he  re- 
mained for  four  years.  From  there  he  went 
to  English  Center,  Pa.,  at  which  place  he 
engaged  in  business  with  his  brother  Bernai-d, 
continuing  to  live  there  four  year.s.  ]\Ir. 
Levinson  then  went  to  New  York  City,  em- 
barking there  in  the  notion  business  and  also 
engaging  in  manufacturing  clothing.  He 
continued  in  the  great  metropolitan  city  until 
1906,  when  he  moved  to  Punxsutawney,  Pa., 
where  he  Avas  in  the  wholesale  dry  goods  bus- 
iness for  a  year.  He  displayed  business  en- 
terprise and  foresight  in  coming  early  to 
Clymer  and  establishing  himself  in  the  John 
Hunter  building,  which  was  the  first  erected 
in  the  place.  Mr.  Levinson  put  in  a  small 
stock  at  first  but  very  soon  found  it  necessary 
to  increase  it  as  his  patronage  grew  with  the 
rapid  advance  made  by  the  town,  and  ere 
long  he  recognized  the  fact  that  larger  quart- 
ers had  become  a  necessity.  Hence  he  erected 
his  own  building  and  again  his  business  so 
expanded  that  an  annex  had  to  be  made  to 
it.  He  conducts  the  only  department  store 
at  Clymer  and  does  the  largest  business  of  its 
kind  in  Indiana  county. 

On  Jan.  15,  1907,  Mr.  Levinson  was  mar- 
ried to  Lena  Golubl),  who  was  born  in  Russia, 
and  they  have  three  children:  Marie,  Hin- 
man  Joseph  and  Ezekiel.  ilr.  Levinson  is 
associated  with  the  Odd  Fellows  at  Clymer. 

HENRY  CLAY  KELLY,  who  is  now  living 
retired  at  Pine  Flats,  Indiana  county,  in 
Green  township,  was  born  in  this  county,  at 
Mechanicsburg,  Jan.  20,  1845.  He  is  of  Irish 
descent,  his  grandfather,  Patrick  Kelly,  hav- 
ing been  a  native  of  Ireland,  whence  he  came 
to  this  country  in  young  manhood.  His  first 
location  was  in  New  York.    Moving  to  Penn- 


HISTORY  OP  INDIANA  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1597 


sylvania,  he  took  up  a  tract  of  land  at  what 
is  now  Homer  City,  in  Center  township,  In- 
diana county,  and  died  there.  He  took  part 
during  the  Indian  troubles  in  this  section. 
His  family  consisted  of  twelve  sons  and  one 
daughter.  Two  of  the  sons  settled  in  Put- 
nam county,  Ohio. 

John  Kelly,  son  of  Patrick,  was  born  in 
1791,  on  the  old  homestead  in  Indiana  coun- 
ty, learned  shoemaking,  and  followed  his  trade 
in  the  manner  customary  at  that  day,  travel- 
ing around  with  a  kit  of  tools  among  his  neigh- 
bors and  more  distant  patrons.  Sometimes  he 
would  be  away  for  months  at  a  stretch.  He 
sold  his  property  in  Brushvalley  township  and 
left  these  parts  in  1849.  He  married  Ann 
Evans,  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Elizabeth 
(Turner)  Evans,  and  they  had  the  following 
children:  Esther,  Mrs.  Joseph  Swartz,  who 
died  in  Indiana ;  William,  of  Mechanicsburg, 
this  county;  Hannah,  who  married  Colonel 
Kane,  of  the  Blair  county  regiment;  Mary 
Jane,  who  married  Samuel  Devlin,  a  veteran 
of  the  Civil  war,  and  died  at  Apollo,  Arm- 
strong Co.,  Pa. ;  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Jonathan  Wil- 
son, who  died  in  Brookville,  Jefferson  Co., 
Pa. ;  John  E.,  of  Blaeklick  station,  this  coun- 
ty, who  served  during  the  Civil  war  in  Cap- 
tain Nesbit's  Company,  55th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry;  and  Henry  Clay.  The 
mother  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
■  Henry  Clay  Kelly  obtained  his  education 
in  the  common  schools,  attending  until  twelve 
years  old.  When  fourteen  he  commenced  to 
learn  the  shoemaker's  trade  with  his  brother 
William,  and  was  thus  engaged  until  he  en- 
tered the  Union  army.  On  Aug.  6,  1862,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  I,  135th  Pennsylvania 
Regiment,  for  nine  months'  service,  went  ta 
Washington,  D.  C,  under  Col.  J.  R.  Porter, 
and  joined  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under 
Generals  Burnside  and  Hooker.  He  took  part 
in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  and  was  dis- 
charged at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  in  June,  1863. 
Mr.  Kelly  reenlisted  in  the  206th  Regiment, 
becoming  a  member  of  Company  F,  under 
Captain  Green,  but  was  taken  sick  and  never 
saw  service  with  this  command.  Mr.  Kelly 
has  always  been  a  Republican  in  political  as- 
sociation, and  he  served  his  fellow  citizens 
of  Green  township  for  years  as  tax  collector 
and  constable.  In  religious  connection  he  is 
a  Baptist. 

On  Dec.  8,  1870,  Mr.  Kelly  married  Mary 
Moore  Williams,  who  died  Sept.  1,  1889,  at 
Pine  Flats,  this  county. 


REV.  W.  J.  WILSON,  whose  parents  came 
from  the  North  of  Ireland  in  the  year  1844, 
was  born  at  Truittsburg,  Clarion  Co.,  Pa., 
November  13,  1844.  In  the  spring  of  1852 
he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Richardsville, 
Jefferson  Co.,  Pa.  Having  spent  nearly  two 
years  in  the  army,  in  September,  1865,  he  en- 
tered Westminster  College,  at  New  Wilming- 
ton, Pa.  Early  in  his  course  he  left  college 
to  engage,  in  the  fall  of  1869,  to  teach  school 
at  Richardsville,  whex'e  he  remained  a  year. 
After  this  he  entered  Iron  City  Commercial 
College,  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.  In  the  spring  of 
1871  he  opened  a  select  school  at  New  Beth- 
lehem, Pa.,  where  he  remained  one  year.  In 
September,  1872,  he  reentered  college  and  was 
graduated  in  June,  1873.  The  following  Sep- 
tember he  entered  the  Western  Theological 
Seminary,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
April  20,  1876.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Shenango,  April  26,  1875. 
On  June  14,  1876,  he  was  ordained  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Kittanning  and  installed  pastor 
of  Union  and  Midway  Churches.  In  October, 
1879,  he  was  released  from  this  charge  and 
removed  to  Malvern,  Iowa,  and  there 
preached  as  stated  supply  for  a  year.  In  the 
fall  of  1880  he  removed  to  Callensburg,  Clar- 
ion Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  until  1891, 
when  he  became  the  pastor  of  Currie's  Run 
and  Center  Churches.  He  resigned  at  Cur- 
rie  's  Run  in  1907.  In  connection  with  Center 
Church  he  served  the  Washington  Church 
until  October  1,  1913,  when  he  resigned  the 
pastorate  of  the  Washington  Church.  He 
continues  to  serve  the  Center  Church.  Rev. 
i\Ir.  Wilson  has  done  more  pastoral  work  in 
the  rural  districts  than  any  other  minister  of 
the  Presbytery. 

ROBERT  BUCHMAN,  a  leading  merchant 
of  Blairsville,  came  here  from  across  the 
water  in  October,  1884.  He  has  engaged  suc- 
cessfully in  business  as  a  merchant,  now  own- 
ing a  very  valuable  corner  property  where 
he  conducts  his  clothing  business.  He  also 
constructed  a  fine  home  on  the  same  property, 
in  which  he  resides.  He  is  interested  in  the 
advancement  of  educational  opportunities  and 
methods  and  also  in  civic  pride,  hence  does 
what  he  can  to  further  the  best  interests  of 
the  community  and  town  in  which  he  lives. 
He  has  a  fine  family.  Mr.  Buchanan  married 
Pauline  Elisashafe,  of  Germany,  and  they 
have  four  children:  Leon  H.,  Abraham  S., 
Gertrude  and  Jacob  Joseph.  Leon  is  a  stu- 
dent at  Carnegie  Technical  Institute  in  Pitts- 
burg and  the  others  are  students  in  Blairs- 
ville. 


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