USA > Indiana > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania > Part 1
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ـسيمن
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Gc 974.801 In2b 1191398
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
E
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01203 2360
m
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/biographicalhist00wile_0
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL
CYCLOPEDIA
OF
INDIANA AND ARMSTRONG COUNTIES,
PENNSYLVANIA.
PUBLISHED BY
JOHN M. GRESHAM & CO.
MANAGED BY
SAMUEL T. WILEY, HISTORIAN AND EDITOR.
IC 74. 801 IN 2b
Nos. 1218 and 1220 Filbert Street, Philadelphia.
1891
PRESS OF THE JAS. B. RODGERS PRINTING OO. 52 & 54 N. SIXTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA,
PREFACE.
1191398
B IOGRAPHY is not only the most fascinating, but is also the most instructive and popular branch of history. Biography not only pos- sesses the advantages of general history, but often brings to light the springs of great events which, in the comprehensive range of history, would have escaped attention. Biography is the analysis of history ; history is the synthesis of biography. All the great historians in the world have used biography freely in their histories ; and to read history without regard to biography is to make it unintelligible. Biographical history is history by induction, which is the natural and philosophical method. It is far more complete in its scope than the mere chronicling of public events, for in it is contained all the elements of human progress, together with the groupings of history and the minutia of biography. The history of any nation, State or country is best and most forcibly written in the life records of its energetic and enterprising citizens, and the Congress of the United States, in view of this, in 1876, recommended to State and county authorities the importance and necessity of collecting and preserving the histories and biographies of their prominent men and useful citizens.
Nothing, however, was done in the counties of the Keystone State toward the collection of biographical history, beyond securing a few sketches of public men who had passed away, until 1889, when the publisher of this work compiled and published the first cyclopædia of biographies that was ever issued in Pennsylvania. In Indiana and in Armstrong, as in all other counties of this great Union, the present generation has but little history of past generations except what is furnished by tradition, which is the most uncertain and unreliable method in the world of transmitting ancestral history. In attempting to rescue from oblivion and divorce from tradition the early
5
- -
6
PREFACE.
history of many of the old and leading families of Indiana and Armstrong counties, the publisher has been well aided by the enterprising and progres- sive citizens of these counties. Cotemporary biography has been given in connection with ancestral history, and thus is presented the lives of those in the present, as well as those of the past, who have been instrumental in making each of these two counties what it is to-day-a fitting home for nearly every industry which labor and capital can set in motion, and a land where moral and intellectual progress keeps pace with rapid commercial and industrial development.
The geological feature has been introduced to give an adequate and correct idea of the great mineral wealth of these counties. The geology given is taken mainly from the volumes of the Second Geological Survey of Penn- sylvania.
In the preparation of the historical part of this work over a thousand volumes were consulted in the great libraries of the United States, besides a careful and tedious examination of public records and State archives. On account of limited space many events of local history were condensed from the present histories of the two counties, and the sickness of S. T. Wiley, the historian and editor-in-charge of the work, prevented their verification from court records and other authentic sources of information.
In this cyclopædia of biographies we would seek, by presenting the lives of so many who have been examples of industry and perseverance in the way of right, to excite to virtue and stimulate to exertion the sons of Indiana and Armstrong counties, and influence them to pursuits that will lead to wealth, fame, happiness and honor, as well as to influence them to lead lives such as will prevent their names from being carried down "the stream of oblivion, and swallowed up in the gulf of unregistered mortality."
Philadelphia, Feb. 28, 1891.
THE PUBLISHER.
C
CY
Barnes, Bell, Hu Bell, Je
Brang Carpe Clar Col
Barr. M.J.
Clari. Hon Adler. Noah Alexander Altman. W
CONTENTS.
INDIANA COUNTY.
INDIANA.
PAGE
Clark, Hon. Silas M. 81
Alexander, Maj. John B.
89
Altman, Washington P.
91
Barr, M.D., Robert
92
Barnes, Joseph F.
93
Bell, Hugh M.
637
Bell, John A. .
637
Birkman, Maj. Richard M. .
96
Blair, Judge John P.
97
Braughler, Capt. Adam C. .
99
Carpenter, Ephraim
100
Clark, Thomas B.
100
Collins, William S. .
101
Cunningham, Vincent M.
102
Cunningham, John M.
103
Daugherty, William S.
104
Douglass, Frank
105
Drum, Augustus
106
Earhart, Martin .
106
Elkin, Hon. John P.
107
Empfield, Frank T. .
109
Hall, D.D., David .
110
Hasinger, J. Clement
113
Hastings, John S. .
114
Hildebrand, Thomas E.
115
Hill, John H.
116
Hood, Hon. George W.
117
Jack, Summers M.
118
Johnston, John A. .
119
Keener, Frank .
120
Kelly, James M.
121
Adler, Noalı
86
Langham, Jonathan N.
122
Lemmon, Charles T.
122
Logan, Hon. James
123
Lowry, Horace M. .
124
Luckhart, Capt. Davis A.
125
Mack, David C.
126
McGaughey, John
127
McGregor, James
128
Mitchell, William J.
131
Moorhead, Fergus
132
Nesbit, Capt. James S.
133
Nixon, Edward
133
Orr, Edwin G. .
134
Owens, D.D., Rev. Wm. S. .
135
Paul, John I
137
Pennington, Edward A.
138
Pierce, John I
139
Row, Jonathan .
139
Row, George
141
Sansom, Franklin
143
Scott, John A. .
144
Simpson, David W.
144
Sloan, Hon. Hannibal K.
145
Smith, Robert M. .
147
Snyder, M.S., Ph.D., Z. X.
147
Crede, Jr., George W.
188
Devers, John H.
189
St. Clair, M.D., Hon. Thomas .
152
Duncan, William
190
St. Clair, James .
156
Stewart, William M.
157
PAGE
PAGE
Stuchul, John T.
158
Sutton, Thomas
159
Swigart, Rev. Daniel W. .
161
Taylor, David Blair .
162
Telford, Stephen J. .
163
Thompson, Sylvester C. .
164
Thompson, Robert
165, 636
Todd, Hon. James
168
Tomb, D. Harbison
168
Toner, Rev. Adam F.
169
Torrence, M.D., James M. .
170
Vogel, Edward G.
171
Watson, M. C. .
172
Watt, James M. .
176
White, Hon. Thomas
177
Wilson, Andrew W.
177
McCracken, Lieut. Alexander .
179
Wilson, John R. .
179
BLAIRSVILLE.
Ballard, Augustus M. .
185
Baughman, Jonah B. .
186
Berlin, Edward H. .
186
Black, Robert
187
Carson, M.D., John B. .
187
Conner, John M. .
188
Graff, Paul
191
Harvey, James M.
193
7
Stanard, Daniel
152
trong gres- n in e in ting ery ral ial
d
nd en
8
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Hicks, Isaac
194
Hill, D.D., Rev. George
194
Innes, George W. .
196
Kennedy, Capt. John P.
196
Kinkaid, John M.
197
Kinter, J. Austin .
198
Klingensmith, M D., F S.S.,
Israel P. .
201
Lowry, D.D.S, Samuel S. .
203
McCabe, Richard Butler
203
Mooorhead, Joseph .
204
Shepley, A.M., Samuel Howard . 205
Snyder, Antes .
205
Stiffey, Samuel D.
207
Stitt, Robert G. .
207
Turner, Lieut. William L. .
208
Welirle, Richard W. .
209
Wiley, M.D., D.D., L.L.D., Rev.
Isaac William
209
Wilkinson, Lieutenant-Colonel
George
210
Wilson, Martin M. .
213
Wynn, Isaac .
214
Knott, Major Wilson
215
Stillinger, V.G., Rev. J. A.
215
SALTSBURG.
Ausley, M.D., William B. 221
Carson, M.D., Thomas
222
Clark, Hail .
223
Cooper, Major Samuel
223
Davis, George B. .
224
McCauley, Harry R.
225
Miller, D.D., Rev. Samuel W. .
225
Moore, James C.
227
PAGE
Patterson, Martin V.
228
Paul, Robert A. .
228
Ralston, D.D.S., W. C. .
229
Stewart, Robert
230
Watson, James P.
231
Wilson, Robert H.
231
HOMER CITY.
Campbell, M.D., John Gilbert . 234
Coy, John
235
Evans, Dr. John :.
233
Moore, Rev. Carle
236
Shields, J. W.
279
Reed, M.D., Hon. William L. . 237
St. Clair, John P.
238
Allison, Andrew
239
MARION.
Allison, M.D., Alexander H. . . 243
Park, John
244
Thompson,
M.D., Hon. John
Keene .
244
Work, James M.
246
CONEMAUGH, BLACK LICK, BURRELL AND EAST AND WEST WHEAT- FIELD TOWNSHIPS.
Burrell, Hon. Jeremiah Murry . 261
Campbell, Gen. Charles
263
Davis, Richard W. H. .
263
Kelly, John E. .
264
Mildren, Edward J. .
264
Robinson, Robert Sr.,
266
Rogers, Robert .
266
Stoneback, Alfred K.
266
Pound Family
267
RAYNE, WHITE, CENTRE, CHERRY HILL, BRUSH VALLEY, GREEN, PINE AND BUFFINGTON TOWNSHIPS.
PAGE
Burns, Thomas
275
Campbell, Hon. Joseph .
275
Creps, Capt. Jacob .
276
Hamil, William T.
277
Learn, Andrew
278
McElhoes, Richard J.
635
Mikesell, Adam K . .
278
Pilson, John .
279
Simpson, James
280
Ang.
Stuchell, Capt. John.
281
Bacher
Williams, Richard W.
282
BANKS, MONTGOMERY, CANOE, GRANT AND THE MAHONING TOWN- SHIPS.
Crawford, Archibald J. T. . 635
McEwen, M.D., Christopher
286
Morrow, M.D., John W. .
634
Neal, John W. .
286
Seanor, Hon. N.
287
Smitten, Archibald .
289, 636
Stitler, Jolın F.
290
WASHINGTON, ARMSTRONG AND YOUNG TOWNSHIPS.
Elder, Robert Y. .
294
Kennedy, Sylvester C. .
295
Telford, Rev. Jolın Cree
296
Carnahan, David Edward
296
Young, Hon. John
297
Har
H
H
H
He
Chari Coch
Tha,
FR
Ger
9
CONTENTS.
ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
KITTANNING.
PAGE
Buffington, Hon. Joseph . 334 Armstrong Major-General John 338
Arnold, Harry A. 339
Ayc, Frederick .
340
Bailey, W. C ..
340
Buffington, Joseph & Orr .
341
Clark, Austin
342
Cochrane, Hon. Samuel B. . 343
Crawford, George T. .
344
Daugherty, George B. .
346
Doverspike, George W.
3-47
Fiscus, William W.
348
Fox, George M.
349
Gocrman, H. Lee .
350
Goerman, S. L. .
351
Hays, H. J. .
352
Heilman Bros. .
353
Henderson, Joseph R. .
354
Henry, Albert G. .
355
Henry, Charles Newton
356
Henry, Boyd S. .
357
Hill, Frank W ...
358
Johnston, Hon. William Freame
359
Kettl, Rev. Frank X. .
360
Kline, Dr. Martin Luther
360
Leason, Merion F.
361
Lenz, Charles
362
Mayers, Rev. Henry L.
363
McCain, James H. .
364
Mccullough, R. A. .
365
McNees, George W ..
365
McVay, Frank B.
367
Meredith, Hon. William B. .
368
Moesta, Frank A. .
368
Oswald, Marshall B. .
369
Otto, Walter
370
PAGE
Owen, Rev. John W. . 373
Rayburn, Hon. Calvin 374
Reed, David J. . 375
Reichert, William HI. . 376
Reynolds, D.D.S., Francis M. 377
Robinson, Robert A .. .
378
Robinson, William D.
379
Rohrer, Hon. Jolm W. .
380
Schreckengost, A. S. .
381
Shadle, C. C. .
381
Simpson, John Temple
382
Slaymaker, Lieut. Robert S. .
383
Smith, Robert Walter
536
Sturgeon, Walter J. .
384
Mercer, Brigadier-General Hugh 385 Potter, Major-General James . 386
APOLLO.
Alexander, David D. P. 388
Chambers, James Hutchinson .
389
Cochran, Michael Hermond .
391
Cochrane, John Q.
392
Cochran, Capt. Thomas A.
393
Elwood, W. J.
394
Fiscus, John M.
394
Fullerton, Rev. John Q. A. 399
Guthrie, Walter J ..
400
Hammitt, Armand C. .
401
Hunter, George M. .
402
Hunter, William C.
402
Hunter, Robert Orr
403
Jack, Samuel
404
Jackson, General Samuel Mc-
Cartney
405
Kepple, Cyrus J.
407
Kirkwood, James
408
PAGE
Kirkwood, Hugh .
409
Kirkwood, William T. .
409
Laufinan, W. B.
411
McBryar, M.D., William
412
McMullen, P. S. 417
McCauley, M.D., Robert Emmett 418
McQuilkin, James D. .
423
Rudolph, Henry Absalom
424
Smeltzer, II. R.
425
Steele, George W.
426, 636
Uncafer, Henry
426
Whitlinger, Simon S.
429
Whitworth, James S.
430
Wolfe, Aiken S.
431
Wray, Frank T.
431
LEECHBURG.
Armstrong, A.M., M.D., John A. 434
Artman, James J.
435
Benjamin, John
388
Bole, John S.
435
Bowers, Daniel .
436
Bredin, Ezekiel
437
Duff, William Robert .
438
Elwood, Thomas Jefferson
439
Enwer, James T. .
410
Goodsell, George H.
441
Gosser, Albert M.
442
Hicks, Capt. Alfred .
445
Hill, Edward
448
Hunter, M.D., Robert P. .
449
Irwin, Thomas M.
450
Irwin, Thomas Stevenson
450
Leech, David .
451
McKallip, James A.
452
Montgomery, William
453
Orr, M.D., Joseph D.
454
Parks, Jacob H.
455
PINE S.
ERRY
10
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Schwalm, John 456
Steele, William John
457
Taylor, Millard F. 458
Taylor, John
459
Thompson, George W.
460
Townsend, William Peter
461
Van Giesen, Thomas J. .
462
Wanamaker, Martin Luther .
463
FREEPORT.
Craig, James W.
466
Edghill, M.D., James
466
Gallaher, James S.
467
Guckenheimer, Isaac
467
Iseman, Nicholas
468
Long, J. Luther
469
Maxler, Frank .
470
Miller, Henry N. .
470
MeCullough, llon. J. A.
471
Schwietering Herman H.
472
Turner, Samuel
473
Watt, J. Fulton
474
Alter, M.D., David
475
DAYTON AND PARKER CITY.
Adams, Rev. Matthew S. 478
Adams, Edwin D. .
479
Barr, Capt. Winfield S.
479
Beek, J. J.
480
Brewer, Samuel II.
481
Calhoun, M.D., Noah F.
482
Calhoun, J. R.
483
Cooper, George
434
Cooper, J. T. .
485
Eggert, M.D., Joseph .
487
Erviu, S. J.
488
Fullerton, Henry Reese
489
Henry, M.D., John Allison
490
Hoover, M.D., Albert M.
491
Lias, George W.
492
Marshall, Thomas A.
493
Marshall, Joseph W.
494
Marshall, William
495
Miller, Wesley Wade
496
Milliron, David
497
Morrow, Ephraim
498
PAGE
Ottinger, Franklin
499
Parker, Fullerton
500
Parker, George .
501
Pontius, Augustus T.
502
Randolph, Erasmus II.
503
Russell, Alexander .
504
Sharp, Dr. Joseph W.
505
Smith, John T. .
506
Tiusman, Oliver
506
Winsheimer, Dr. William J. . 507
EAST FRANKLIN, PINE, BOGGS, VAL- LEY, MANOR AND KITTANNING TOWNSHIPS.
Adams, John
510
Boltz, Henry
511
Bovard, Charles S.
511
Cunningham, James
512
Everhart, Cyrus A.
513
Fair, John
514
Friek, Chambers
515
Graham, William
515
Guthrie, John P. .
516
Heilman, Samuel
517
Heilman, James
517
Hood, William .
518
Logan, John A.
519
Luke, M.D., George Washington 520
Marshall, Archibald W. .
521
Mateer, John II.
521
Me Afoos, Daniel
522
MeClarren, P. F.
523
MeCollum, William
524
MeGregor, John B. .
524
Mergenthaler, Louis
525
Milliken, John .
526
Nelson, John M.
527
Pepper, Mathias R. .
527
Ralston, M.D., Robert G.
528
Reese, Isaae
529
Ross, George
530
Rupp, David .
531
Sehall, Simon P.
531
Schreckengost, Joseph J.
532
Starr, Shedrick A.
533
PAGE
Stewart, Jolın
533
Warner, Andrew H.
534
Wayman, Marcus D.
535
Wible, John ..
535
Smith, Robert W.
536
RED BANK, WAYNE, COWANSHAN- NOCK, PLUM CREEK AND SOUTH BEND TOWNSHIPS.
Blaney, John A. .
538
Bleakney, Abraham W.
539
Blose, M.D., George .A.
539
Borland, George G.
540
Calhoun, Samuel S. N.
541
Cuddy, Johnson C.
542
Duff, Rev. David K.
543
Findley, Archibald .
545
Gibson, Addison H.
546
Good, Abraham
547
Gourley, George A.
547
Haines, Jacob S.
548
Heekman, John
549
Heckman, Michael
550
Herron, Margaret Clark
551
Jones, Stephen
551
Kirkpatrick, John T.
552
McAdoo, M.D., Calvin P.
553
Mccullough, David .
553
MeLean, James D.
554
Montgomery, Anthony
555
Neal, Smith .
556
Pettigrew, M.D., John M.
557
Pontius, Wesley
557
Ralston, James
558
Sehrecengost, Emanuel Z.
560
Sloan, William C.
560
Smith, Michael J.
561
Smith, George J. .
562
Stoekdill, M.D., T. F.
563
Marshall, William
564
HOVEY, PERRY, BRADY'S BEND, WASHINGTON, MADISON AND MAHON- ING TOWNSHIPS.
Brown, Eugene L.
566
Cathcart, Samuel
566
11
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Fowler, James 567
Hamilton, Capt. J. K. 568
Hetrick, Peter C. 569
James, M.D., Joseph 570
Jennings, Richard
571
Keener, Nicholas 572
Nolf, Simon
573
Park, Harvey
573
Robinson, Samuel M.
574
Robinson, Elisha
575
Schott, John A. .
576
Shoemaker, Philip
577
Stockdill, John L.
578
Taylor, Robert M. 578
Tibbles, George M.
579
Truitt, Alcinus G. . 580
Wallace, M.D., R. S. 580
Brady, Capt. Samuel
581
Brodhead, Gen. Daniel
582
SUGAR CREEK, WEST FRANKLIN, NORTH AND SOUTH BUFFALO TOWN- SHIPS.
Boggs, David C. . 584
Boney, Samuel C.
585
Boney, Robert W.
586
Bowser, Van Buren
587
Bowser, Jacob
587
Bowser, David
588
PAGE
PAGE
Guthrie, William G. 613
Heckman, Gideon 614
Hill, Hiram 614
Jackson, James Y. 615
Jones, George H. . 616
Keppel, William 617
Kirkland, John 618
Klingensmith, Henry J.
619
Klingensmith, Josiah W. 619
Kuhns, William K. . 621
Lessig, Zachariah T. 621
McAdoo, James 622
McAwley, John S. 622
McGrann, Philip R. 623
Meyers, Joseph . 624
Novinger, Isaac 625
Obey, James
603
Williams, John M.
603
PARKS, BETHEL, GILPIN, BURRELL, AND KISKIMINETAS TOWNSHIPS.
Alms, Henry J. 606
Altman, Amos .
607
Blyholder, Samuel S.
608
Bowman, George
608
Carothers, William T. .
609
Chambers, John S.
610
Dunmire, Henry
611
Free, John S.
612
590
Claypool, Henry 590
Cowan, Robert W. 591
Easley, James 592
Easley, Casper W. 592
Gaiser, Martin 593
Graff, Peter 593
Hall, John A. 597
Hawk, John 598
Jack, James S. 599
King, M.D., Jesse H. 599
Lardin, Robert . 600
Leard, William H. 601
Maxwell, M.D., John K. . 601
Parks, J. B. 625
Parks, Robert
627
Townsend, George
628
Townsend, Absalom K.
629
Wilson, John H.
630
Wilson, William T.
631
Wray, John M.
632
Wray, Daniel
.
633
MISCELLANEOUS.
Crawford, Archibald J. T. 635
McElhoes, Robert A ..
635
Morrow, M.D., John W.
634
Brown, John F. 588
Claypoole, David H. 589
Claypole, David D.
HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
PAGE
Historical sketch of Indiana and Armstrong counties .
17
Geological and historical sketch of Indiana county .
45
Geological and historical sketch of Armstrong county . 299
-*
INDIANA COUNTY. 1 PAGE
ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
PADE
Indiana
77
Kittanning 325
Blairsville .
181
Apollo 387
Saltsburg
217
Lecchburg 433
Homer City
233
Freeport 465
Marion
241
Conemaugh
247
East Franklin
509
Black Lick
251
Pine
509
Burrell
253
East Wheatfield
254
Valley
509
West Wheatfield
254
Manor
509
Rayne
269
Kittanning
510
White
269
Centre
269
Cherry Hill
272
Brush Valley
274
South Bend
538
Pine
275
Perry 565
Buffington
275
Brady's Bend 565
Washington 565
565
Canoe
284
Mahoning
565
Grant
285
Sugar Creek
583
North Mahoning
285
North Buffalo
583
East Mahoning
285
South Buffalo
583
South Mahoning
285
Parks
605
West Mahoning
285
Bethel
605
Washington 291
Gilpin
605
Armstrong
292
Burrell 605
Young
293
Kiskiminetas
605
Red Bank .
537
Wayne .
537
Cowanshannock 537
Plum Creek
537
Green 274
Hovey 565
Banks
283
Montgomery 284
Madison
West Franklin
583
Boggs
509
Dayton 477
Parker 477
13
ILLUSTRATIONS.
7
INDIANA COUNTY.
PAGE
CLARK, LL.D., HON. SILAS M. .
82
CLARK, LL.D., HON. SILAS M. (residence of )
.
86
NORMAL SCHOOL BUILDING
148
BUFFINGTON, HON. JOSEPH
331
OWEN, REV. JOHN W.
373
COUNTY JAIL
78
HALL, D.D. DAVID,
110
MITCHELL, WILLIAM J.
131
ST. CLAIR, M.D., HON. THOMAS
152
WATSON, M. C ..
172
UNCAFER, HENRY
426
KLINGENSMITH, M.D., F.S.S., ISRAEL P.
201
WILSON, M. M. .
213
ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
PAGE
COURT-HOUSE AND JAIL
326
ORR, GEN. ROBERT
338
COUNTY COURT-HOUSE
180
FULLERTON, REV. JOHN Q. A.
399
McBRYAR, M.D., WILLIAM
412
McBRYAR, MRS. SARAH J.
415
MCCAULEY, M.D., ROBERT E.
418
MCCAULEY, MRS. MARTHA M.
421
GOSSER, ALBERT M.
442
HICKS, CAPT. ALFRED
446
YOUNG, HON. JOHN
297
GRAFF, PETER
598
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF
INDIANA AND ARMSTRONG COUNTIES.
1.
Pre-historic races-The Mound-builders-The Indians-
Race history of white pioneers-The Backwoodsmen of the Alleghenies-Irish, German, Scotch, English, Welsh and Scotch-Irish elements and the Backwoods- men's place in our National History-Pennsylvania- William Penn-Territory of Indiana and Armstrong counties under Westmoreland-French and English contest over the Ohio Valley-Early English settle- ments-Struggle of the Backwoodsmen and the Eng- lish over the Ohio Valley-Burning of Hannastown- Pioneer settlements in Indiana and Armstrong-The history, growth and development of these counties- Their future.
TT is impossible in a work of this kind to allot sufficient space for a complete history
of the present territory of these two im- portant counties of western Pennsylvania ; yet the publisher has deemed it most essential that some account of the life-story of their different inhabiting races should be given, and that a brief presentation of the salient points of their history should be made before proceeding to record the biographical sketches of their lead- ing citizens.
The historical part of this work has been completed after a vast amount of research and was prosecuted at considerable expense ; but all
the time and expense is repaid by the fact that it leaves a solid foundation upon which the future historian can build a comprehensive and complete history, as well as suggesting to the student of history some sources of heretofore unknown historical information in regard to these counties and the deeds of their pioneer white settlers.
The history of Indiana and Armstrong counties naturally divides itself into three distinct periods, each of which is characterized by a peculiar inhabiting race, as follows:
1. Aboriginal Period-Mound-builders.
2. Savage Period-Indians.
3. Civilized Period-White Race.
There is but little known of the ancient his- tory of the North American continent despite the most exliaustive researches. Nearly three or four centuries ago, when human eyes in the track of the morning sun-rays first be- held the forest shores of America, it was as if a great curtain had rolled away from the western world of waters.
But back of it lay a continent with only the Mound-builders' ruins and the Red men's tra-
2
17
18
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
ditions. No history in volumes traced, no record in rock-written inscription, to tell where the one race with a civilization but no history had gone, or the other racc with a tradition but 10 civilization had come. Of the Mound- builders' origin and mysterious fate-first we have supposition, next theory from relics, then speculation and that is all.
Came they from Asia when Abram sojourned in the land of Egypt? Came they at a later date across the trackless wilds of inhospitable Siberia, passing over the Behring strait on its ice-bound floor ; or did they, in the northern winter land's sickly smile of summer, coast along the chain of the Alcutian islands stretch- ing from Asia to America; or left they fabled Atlantis, when it was sinking in earth-quake throes, to plant themselves westward on the North American shore? No one can tell. Mexican and Indian traditions and relics found in the mounds favor the hypothesis of their migration from Asia by Behring strait or the Aleutian islauds, and that they were the an- cestors of the Toltecs and Aztecs of Mexico.
The earliest traces of human life found in America indicate an age corresponding with the age of the mammoth and reindeer of Europe. Corresponding with the stone age and tlie be- ginning of the bronze age in Europe, was a semi-civilized state of life in America-a race of people who were Mound-builders, and who undoubtedly built all the great mounds in the United States. Asto how far back this period extended, none can tell. David Cusick, an ed- ucated Indian, in a work entitled "Ancient History of the Six Nations," states an Indian tradition assigning the Mound-builders back twenty-two centuries before the landing of Columbus. Were they strong in numbers ? Undoubtedly, as no traces exist of their pos- sessing domestic animals, it must have taken great numbers of men, long periods, to build the great works whose ruins remain to this day.
These great works were of two kinds : first,
mounds ; second, fortifications. The mounds may be considered in regard to form and use ; in form they were round, oblong and pyr- amidal ; as regards use they may be divided into four classes.
Temple Mounds .- The first great class is pyr- amidal in form ; and in the west they are from 50 to 90 feet high and from 300 to 700 fcet long, with terraces or steps ascending to their summits, where clear traces and unmistakable signs of former buildings are to be found, iu- dicating the past dwelling of chief or priest.
Altar Mounds .- The second great class in form is round, and found to be from two to four feet high, and five to eight feet across. On the top is always a depression in a layer of hardened clay; and in this depression, ashes ; and in these ashes, evidences of burnt sacri- fices; while every object found in them is brokeu and has suffered from fire.
Effigy Mounds .- The third great class in form body forth rude representations of dif- ferent animals, aud north of the Wisconsin river are some representing the hunian forın. Repre- senting animals, they are about two hundred feet long, 4 feet high, and 25 fcet wide.
Tomb Mounds .- The fourth great class of mounds in form is round and oblong, their di- mensious widely varying in different localities. One close to St. Louis is 40 feet high, and 300 feet long. They are far more abundant than those of the other classes. They are of two kinds : first, interment monnds ; and second, battle mounds, where the slain were piled up and earth heaped over them. These mounds in the Ohio Valley are larger, and the bones in them, by an advanced stage of decomposi- tion, show them to be older than the mounds of the Atlantic States. A careful examination of the intermeut mounds in many places gives unmistakable and indisputable evidence of the practice of cremation rites.
Fortifications .- The second kind of these great works, may be considered in regard to form as
19
INDIANA AND ARMSTRONG COUNTIES.
circular, square or elliptical ; in regard to use, they may be considered as of two classes.
Old Forts .- The first great class existed all over the Mississippi Valley, enclosing from a few yards up to several acres of land. Red Stone Old Fort at what is now Brownsville, Pa., stood on the site of the Mound-builders' old fort. They were of different shapes, and stood on the banks of some water. They were earth structures east of the Mississippi ; while west, stone was extensively used in their con- struction.
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