USA > Indiana > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania > Part 19
USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania > Part 19
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· of representation and the discrimination in the rates of taxation in favor of property in slaves which are in favor of east Virginia have been just causes of complaint on the part of the peo- ple of western Virginia. The east, having the power, lost no opportunity of securing her own aggrandizement by liberal appropriations, while the interests of the west have suffered detriment from neglect." ... "The State debt has accu- mulated, and the legislature has attempted to force a new and weightier wrong upon us: we are ordered to aid with our lives and our for- tunes to destroy the government of our fathers, by setting up treason and rebellion in our midst. Forbearance has ceased to be a virtue, and the people of the west, not willing to be made tools in this new infamy, are urging a division of the State."
The editors of The Kingwood Chronicle ac- tively bore their part, and by their independent course and decided utterance, exercised a wide and positive influence in keeping the western counties of western Virginia in the Union line, and establishing the new State of West Vir- ginia. The perils of the times, the unsettled condition of business and threatened Confeder- ate raids into Preston county were fatal to all newspaper enterprises there during the first two years of the late war, and in 1862 the Row Brothers were compelled to stop the publication of their paper for the want of pecuniary sup- port. While at Kingwood, George Row was instrumental in securing for the Unionists of Preston county a large stock of arms and am- munition, which had been stored in the court- house at Kingwood by order of Gov. Henry A. Wise, of Virginia, soon after the John Brown raid. George Row first suggested the seizure of these arms to the Union men of Kingwood, and none too soon; for, as was af- terwards learned, a Confederate force had been sent on the preceding Friday from Phillippi, with wagons to carry away these military stores. Their instructions were to be at Kingwood on
Sunday night, May 12, 1861. But heavy rains and storm impeded their progress, so that they did not arrive on time (intending, however, to fulfill their mission on the succeeding night), and thus failed to secure the much coveted and highly valuable prize. Upon learning the facts, Gov. Letcher, as commander-in-chief of the Virginia military, issued an order for the arrest of George and Amos Row, and some half-dozen others who had participated in taking the arms ; but the order was never executed.
In 1862 Mr. Row returned to Indiana, where he assumed charge of the Register, which had lost prestige and influence witlı the republicans on account of criticising some of the influential leaders of that party. He soon won the entire confidence and full support of the Indiana re- publicans, and successfully conducted the paper until 1870. Three years later he was elected justice of the peace, and has served as such ever since. In 1888 he formed a partnership with John W. Books in the real estate and col- lection business, under the firm-name of Row & Books. They occupy rooms in the Stadt- miller building, and buy, sell and lease real estate, besides giving 'prompt attention to the collection of rents and accounts.
On April 20, 1865, George Row was united in marriage with Phebe E. Brooks, daughter of John J. Brooks, of New York, and sister to the distinguished and courteous Edward Brooks, A.M., author of Brooks' arithmetics, algebras, geometry and mental science. Mrs. Row passed away January 30, 1878, and left one child,- Rose Miniam, who married F. J. Neeson, of Williamsport, Pa., and died December 20, 1889, leaving two children,-Phebe A. and Thomas F. Neeson.
He is a republican, but is liberal in his po- litical views. As an editor, he followed in the footsteps of his father, and was unswerving in his fealty to the principles and interests of the Republican party. As a magistrate, his effi- ciency has been endorsed by his successive re-
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elections, and as a business man, his success is attested by his large patronage.
FRANKLIN SANSOM. A vigorous and enterprising weekly journal of Indiana is the Indiana Democrat, whose motto is, "The Union and equality of States." It is the only democratic paper published in Indiana county, and its energetic editor, Franklin Sansom, has labored faithfully in making it a first-class newspaper of power and influence. He was born at McConnellsburg, Fulton county, Penn- sylvania, August 8, 1852, and is a son of James B. and Sarah (Leander) Sansom, both natives of Bedford county, this State. His paternal great-grandfather, William Sansom, was born in England, and came to Pennsylvania prior to the commencement of the present century. Two of his sons were Rev. James G. and John Philip Sansom, the grandfather of Franklin Sansom. Rev. James G. Sansom, a native of Philadelphia, was one of the founders of Meth- odism in Indiana county, organized the first M. E. class at Indiana, in 1831, was a popular and highly respected minister throughout the county, and served for many years as presiding elder of the Indiana circuit, which embraced a large area of territory. John Sansom (grand- father) was reared in eastern Pennsylvania and died in Bedford county in 1859. He inarried Elizabeth Pizel, daughter of Philip Pizel, who came from Germany, and after residing some time in Bedford county removed to York, Pa., where he died. Mrs. Elizabeth (Pizel) Sansom was born in Bedford county, April 17, 1800, and although now in the ninety-first year of her age is in good health, with all her faculties unim- paired. She is the mother of ten children, of whom five are living : Andrew, Philip, Joseph, Amanda and Martha, the wife of W. S. Daugherty. James B. Sansom (father) was born in 1825 and died September 1, 1885, when in the sixtieth year of his age. In 1852 he
founded the Fulton County Democrat, and four years later was appointed postmaster at McCon- nellsburg, by President Buchanan. He was elected treasurer of Fulton county ; afterwards served as sergeant-at-arms of the Pennsylvania legislature, and was, during his entire life, an influential and unswerving democrat. He was a prominent Free Mason and Odd Fellow. In 1862 he came to Indiana, where, on the 4th of May of that year, he issued the first number of the present Indiana Democrat. The first press and type used in the office came from the Moun- tain Echo office, of Johnstown, Pa. On May 1, 1871, he associated with him his son, Frank- lin, and the firm of J. B. Sansom & Son con- tinued until Mr. Sansom's death, since which time the paper has been owned by his widow and son, who is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Sansom at his death left a widow, five sons and one daughter. His widow is a daughter of William Leander, who was a prosperous German farmer of Bedford county.
Franklin Sansom was chiefly reared at In- diana, and received his education in the public schools of that place and Indiana academy. Leaving school, he became a partner with his father in the newspaper business, and since the death of the latter, in 1885, lie has been editor and publisher of the Indiana Democrat.
On July 2, 1876, he married Catharine Metz, who was a daughter of Peter A. Metz, of Indiana, and died July 14, 1879, leaving two children : James B. and Mary Edna.
The Indiana Democrat has been very suc- cessful under Mr. Sansom's charge; has nearly thirteen hundred subscribers and circulates over a wide area of territory. It is a folio in form, with eight columns to the page, and filled with brief but forcible editorials, current news, both local and general, and carefully selected miscel- lany. It is published every Thursday on Church street near the railroad depot, and its subscription price is one dollar and fifty cents per year. The Indiana Democrat is continu-
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ally increasing in influence and power, both in and outside of the Democratic party, whose principles it always earnestly advocates, and ever resolutely defends.
JOHN A. SCOTT. The bar of Indiana has many successful young lawyers who are destined to make the future legal reputation of the place equal to its present well-earned fame in the field of the law, and one of these promising young attorneys is John A. Scott, the present well-known and able prothonotary of Indiana county. He is a son of Thomas J. and Sarah A. (Anderson) Scott, and was born at Clarksburg, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, September 2, 1858. The Scotts are of Scotch- Irish descent. John Scott (paternal grand- father) was a native of Huntingdon county, Pa., from which he removed about 1830 to Burrell township, where he followed farming for many years and died in 1859, aged sixty-five years. Of his children, one was Thomas J. Scott (father), who was born and reared in Burrell township. He was in the general mercantile business for many years at Clarksburg and is now engaged as a clerk in the prothonotary's office. He married Sarah A. Anderson, who was born and reared in Young township. They are both members of the Presbyterian church. She is a daughter of Thomas Anderson, who was a native of Mercer county, this State, and came to Young township about 1824. He ran a pottery in connection with his farm. After some years' residence in this county he purchased a grist-mill at Clarksburg, which he operated sucessfully for many years. He was a strong presbyterian, a pronounced republican and died in 1879, aged eighty years. The Andersons are of Scotch-Irish descent.
John A. Scott was reared principally at Clarksburg, in Conemaugh township. His rudimentary education was received in the com- mon schools. He fitted for college at Elder's
Ridge academy and entered Washington and Jefferson college, from which well-known edu- cational institution he was graduated July 1, 1879. After graduating he taught for one year at Elder's Ridge academy, then became a teacher in the Johnstown grammar school, and after serving for one year in that capacity he was elected principal of the Johnstown high school, whichi position he left in one year in order to give his undivided attention to the study of law. He commenced reading with Hon. Silas M. Clark and upon the election of the latter to the Supreme Bench of the State lie completed the required course with Hon. George W. Hood and was admitted to the bar of Indiana county, December 19, 1884. For three years after his admission he practiced his pro- fession at Indiana. He was then elected pro- thonotary and clerk of quarter sessions and oyer and terminer, took charge of that office on January 2, 1888, and has faithfully discharged all of its duties ever since. In 1890 he was re- nominated by the republicans of Indiana county for prothonotary, which is equivalent to election, as the county is republican, and Mr. Scott has conducted the business of his office in a very satisfactory and commendable inanner to the public.
In politics John A. Scott has always been a republican and one who ever worked vigorously in behalf of the political principles which he advocated. In 1886 he served as chairman of the county republican committee and did his work so well that his party rewarded his many efficient services with an election as prothonotary. He is a member of the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and takes an interest in whatever tends to the advancement of Indiana borough and county.
D AVID W. SIMPSON, the present favor- ably known deputy sheriff of Indiana county and a man of considerable business experience,
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was born in Kittanning township, Armstrong county, Pennsylania, November 24, 1858, and is a son of Thomas and Ann (Gray) Simpson. His grandfather, Rev. John Simpson, came in 1829 from England to Armstrong county, where he purchased a farm and was for many years an active minister of the M. E. church. Thomas Simpson (father) was born in England, and when twelve years of age (1830) came with his brother William (but fourteen years of age) to New York. He soon went to reside with an uncle in the interior of the State. He learned the trade of butchering and in a few years re- moved to Armstrong county, this State, where he followed farming until 1873. In that year he came to White township where he purchased a farm, which he tilled until 1884, when he re- tired from active life. He then removed to Indiana, where he has resided ever since." He is a republican, a member of the M. E. church and a man who enjoys the respect and good-will of his neighbors. He was born in 1818, and in 1843 married Ann Gray, who was a daughter of William Gray, of Armstrong county, and died April 12, 1865, when in the fortieth year of her age.
D. W. Simpson was reared on his father's farm in Armstrong county until he was fourteen years of age. He then came with his father to this county. He received his education in the common schools and was continuously engaged in farming until 1880, wlien he left the farm to ac- cept the position of a clerk in the Indiana county co-operative store. He remained with that com- pany for one year and then embarked in the gen- eral mercantile business wliich he followed with good success for four years. He then disposed of his store and was employed for six months as a clerk in a hardware store at Kittanning, Arm- strong county. For the next two years he was engaged in various lines of business. At the end of that time (fall of 1887) he became deputy sheriff of Indiana county under James McGregor, who was then sheriff, and served as such until
January 1, 1888, when David C. Mack assumed charge of the sheriff's office. He then qualified as deputy sheriff under Mr. Mack and has con- tinued to serve in that capacity ever since. He is active, attentive and diligent in the discharge of his duties as deputy sheriff and allows noth- ing at any time to draw his attention from his business. During the past three years his posi- tion has been one in which a man would have required prudence, judgment and no small amount of patience to be as successful as Mr. Simpson has been. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, Palladium Lodge, No. 346, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 28, Knights of Honor, and Indiana Council, No 260, Jr. Order of United American Mechanics. Although an active and energetic republican, yet lie is not an obtrusive politician.
November 10, 1882, he united in marriage with Zenia Kinghorn, daughter of Alexander Kinghorn, of White township. They have two children: Viola H. and Jennet G.
ITON. HANNIBAL K. SLOAN. An emi- nent American author justly observes that "it is the peculiar felicity of our republi- can institutions that they throw no impediment in the career of merit but the competition of rival abilities." Among the many men of note in Indiana county, who illustrate the truth of this sentiment, is State Senator Hannibal K. Sloan, an able lawyer and a man of fine mili- tary record and extended political influence. He is a son of James M. and Margaret (Kelly) Sloan, and was born in the borough of Indiana, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1838. The Sloans in the United States trace their ancestry to England, when Charles I. sat upon the throne of Great Britain. After the execution of that unhappy monarch, and some time during the period that Oliver Cromwell held within his grasp the supreme power of Europe's mighty island-empire, several mem-
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bers of the Sloan family sought for a home in Ireland. In the course of time two of their descendants-brothers-came to the new world, and one settled in the royal province of New Jersey, while the other, the great-great-grand- father of Hannibal K. Sloan, located in the land of Penn. From these two brothers, whose names live not in history nor survive in tradi- tion, have descended the numerous and thrifty Sloan families of the United States. The
grandson of the founder of the Pennsylvania branch of the Sloan family was Lieutenant Walter Sloan (grandfather), who was born in Cumberland county, this State, in 1780. He came, in 1794, to Armstrong county, where he enlisted, in 1812, in Capt. James Alexander's company of infantry as first lieutenant. After the war of 1812 he kept a hotel at Kittanning for some length of time, and then engaged ex- tensively, for that day, in farming and in op- erating a flouring and saw-mill. After a long life of activity, purpose and usefulness, he died July 1, 1867, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. In 1811 he married Margaret Mateer, who was born in Cumberland county, and passed away October 3, 1820. They had four children, one of whom was James M. Sloan (father). He was born at Kittanning, in 1813, and in 1835 he came to Indiana, where he kept a hotel, operated a flouring-mill and managed a large farm. He died May 25, 1878, when he was in the sixty-fifth year of his age. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, an un- swerving democrat, and filled nearly all of the borough offices of Indiana. He was a useful and well-informed man, and possessed many virtues which were worthy of emulation. On August 31, 1837, he married Margaret Kelly, who was born in White township, in 1815, and died in 1884, at the age of seventy-two
years. Mrs. Margaret Sloan was a daugh- ter of Major Meek Kelly (born in Frank- lin county, in 1770), a son of James Kelly, a pioneer settler of this county and a sol-
dier in the Revolutionary war. Major Meek Kelly died in 1843, aged sixty years. He was a very prominent and influential man during his day, held many public offices, and served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1834 to 1838. His wife was Jane Moor- head, daughter of Fergus Moorhead, the well- known old pioneer of Indian fame, who set- tled on the site of Indiana, in 1772.
Hannibal K. Sloan received his education in the public schools of Indiana and Indiana acad- emy. He learned the trade of machinist, which he followed until he was nineteen years of age, when he commenced the study of law with Hon. H. W. Wier, who was chief justice of Idaho under Cleveland's administration. In 1861 he left his legal studies and enlisted as a private in a company which afterwards became Co. B, of the famous 11th Pennsylvania Re- serves. He was made second lieutenant, then promoted to first lieutenant, and commissioned captain on December 13, 1862. He command- ed the company from that date until it was discharged at Pittsburgh, Pa., June 13, 1864. Captain Sloan participated and led his company in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac from Gaines' Mill to the Wilderness battles. Returning home, he resumed his legal studies and was admitted to the Indiana bar in Septem- ber, 1867. He opened an office and has continued in the successful practice of his profession ever since. In 1870 he was elected, as a democrat, to the House of Representatives of Pennsylva- nia from the republican county of Indiana. In 1888 his ability to overcome party lines and rally voters of all shades of political opinion to his support, was again demonstrated by his election to the State Senate from the Thirty- seventh Senatorial District, which is composed of the counties of Indiana and Jefferson, and is strongly republican. He has held all of the offices of his borough, to which he has always been elected independent of political considera- tion. He is a member of Indiana Lodge, No.
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313, F. and A. M., Indiana Post, No. 28, G. A. R., Encampment No. 11, U. V. L., and the I. O. H. In 1869, he married Loretta F. Bonner, daughter of Manassas Bonner, of Westmoreland county, this State. They have six children : Bert, Maggie R., Kate, James B., Geneva and Hope I.
Hannibal K. Sloan is a man of fine personal appearance, over six feet in height, straight as an arrow and martial-looking. He is promi- nent in Grand Army circles and is recognized as one of the strong land lawyers of the State, and a power in the politics of western Pennsylvania. A prominent paper of south western Pennsyl- vania thus records the expressed opinion of him in that section as follows : "Senator Sloan is a gentleman of solid sense, broad intelligence and much experience in parliamentary bodies. Both his public and private life are without stain, and he is recognized as one of the truest friends of the agricultural and laboring classes. He is affable and unassuming, and meets men of high degree or humble station with equal cordiality and respect. No other name than his could be placed on the democratic standard of the State from western Pennsylvania that would draw to it a stronger independent republican and soldier support."
R OBERT M. SMITH, a skilled photographer and one of the enterprising citizens of Indiana, is a son of Samuel T. and Mary (Mc- Gough) Smith, and was born in Young town- ship, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1858. His great-grandfather, Judge James Smith, was a native of Ireland and came to this country with his wife and children in 1772. He settled in what is now Armstrong township, at a time when wolves and bears still abounded in that section. Here Judge Smith engaged in farming until 1806, when he was elected one of the first two associate judges of the county.
Judge Smith was also a member of the first board of trustees of Indiana academy when it was incorporated. He died in 1849, aged ninety- three years. His son, William Smith (grand- father), was born in Pennsylvania and followed farming in Armstrong township. He filled the office of county commissioner during 1840 and 1841. He was an old-line whig and married Mary Miller, by whom he had eight children. William Smith was a leading elder in the West Union United Presbyterian church. His son, Samuel T. Smith (father), was a native of Young township, Indiana county, and was an enterprising farmer. He was an elder in the West Union United Presbyterian church. He was an energetic man, and much respected in the township. He died in 1879, in the fifty-first year of his age. He married Mary McGough, who was born at Indiana, in 1836, and is a member of the U. P. church. She is a daughter of Thomas McGough, a native of Scotland, who taught school for many years at Saltsburg, where he died.
Robert M. Smith was born on his father's farm and received his education in the public schools and the State Normal school at Indiana. Leaving school, he learned the art of photog- raphy with T. B. Clark and in 1888 opened his present gallery on the corner of First and Philadelphia streets. Strictly honorable in all his business dealings and desirous of pleasing his customers, he has met with good success. He deals in picture frames, albums, easels and many other needed articles. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church and stands well with all who know him.
Z. X. SNYDER, M.S., PH.D. Of the leading educators of this State, none have secured, so speedily and so universally, such esteemed recognition in the wide field of their profession as Dr. Z. X. Snyder. He is a sound, practical
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and advanced educator of to-day and president of Indiana State Normal school, at Indiana, Penn- sylvania. He was born at Reagantown, East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pa., August 31, 1850, and is a son of Danicl and Catherine (Reagan) Snyder. His paternal great-grandfather, Snyder, was a native of Prussia, who settled in New Jersey and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Some time after the Independence of the thirteen colonies had been acknowledged by Great Britain, he re- moved to Westmoreland county, where he pur- chased a flouring mill which stood on the site of the present borough of Scottdale. His cliil- dren were: John, Nicholas, Peter, Gasper and Elizabeth. Peter Snyder (grandfather) was born in 1792, married Catherine Bothers and removed to Franklin township, Fayette county, where he died December 25, 1857. Eight sons and two daughters were born to Peter and Catherine Snyder, and the fifth son, Daniel Sny- der (father), was born in September, 1824. In 1848 Daniel Snyder removed to East Hunting- don township, Westmoreland county, where he purchased a farm and lias been engaged in farm- ing ever since. He married Catherine Reagan, daughter of Alexander Reagan, whose father was Philip Reagan (name originally written MacReagan), a native of Westmoreland county, who lived to be one hundred and six years of age. Philip Reagan (maternal great-grand- father) was a man of prominence and great cour- age. He was a conspicuous character in the Whiskey Insurrection-the first rebellion against the government of the United States. In June, 1794, he was appointed as a revenue collector and was threatened with violence by the "Whiskey Boys." He converted his house into a block-house and withstood several night attacks. Finally one hundred and fifty insur- gents attacked his house and he was compelled, after a gallant defence, to surrender, but made his escape from them during the ensuing night.
Z. X. Snyder was reared on his father's farm
and attended the common schools until he was nineteen years of age, when he entered Mt. Pleasant institute, where lie spent two years in fitting for college. In 1872 he entered Waynes- burg college, from which institution of learning lie was graduated with the honors of his class . in July, 1876. In a few months after gradua- tion he became principal of the Wicomisco graded school in Dauphin county. At the end of five years' faithful and successful labor there he was called to the chair of higher mathematics and natural history in his alma mater. After one year of pleasant and profitable labor in Waynesburg college, Prof. Snyder resigned in order to go to Scottdale, Pa., where his interests in a hardware establishment demanded his per- sonal attention, and while a citizen of that place he was elected and served as a member of the borough school board. In 1883 he was elected principal of the Greensburg public schools. For four years he labored earnestly and ardnously in building up the Greensburg schools, and left them when in a very prosperous condition, in 1887, to accept the superintendency of the schools of the city of Reading. He there succeeded the celebrated Dr. Thomas Balliett. He instituted valuable reforms in the Reading schools, which made him known all over the country and in- troduced into them those methods of culture and instruction which have made his name prominent in connection with graded school work in every State of the Union. In 1889 he resigned as superintendent of the Reading schools to accept the presidency of the Indiana State Normal school, and entered upon the duties of that im- portant and responsible position on September 1, 1889. Under his administration the school has gained both in prestige and numerical strength. The school now requires a corps of seventeen teachers in winter and nineteen in summer, while the enrollment of students last year ran up to seven hundred and fifty-six. Calm, deliberate and methodical, Dr. Snyder has brought to the management of the Indiana Normal school
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