USA > Indiana > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania > Part 31
USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania > Part 31
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The first church was the Metliodist Episco- pal, and the successive churches since established have been the United Presbyterian, Presbyterian and Evangelical Lutheran.
The first physician to locate at Homer City was Dr. James Shields, who came about 1858. From that time until 1880 among the physicians of Homer City were: D. M. Marshall, 1860; John Evans and J. C. Morrison, 1865; D. Bor- dell, 1867; H. S. Thomas, 1873; G. F. Arney, 1878, and J. G. Campbell, 1879.
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BIOGRAPHIES OF
In the future Homer City is destined to be one of the large, prosperous and progressive boroughs of the county. Its manufacturing in- dustries, now in their infancy, will increase in number as well as in magnitude. Its large lumber and planing-mills are now the principal business industries of the town. Homer City is one of the railway towns of the county, was laid out prior to the late war and has grown rapidly in size and numbers.
The census reports give its population since 1880 as follows: 1880, 381; 1890, 513.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN GILBERT CAMPBELL, M.D., a successful physician of Homer City, and ex-member of the board of pension examiners of this district, is a son of Robert and Margaret (Mack) Campbell, and was born near Armagh, East Wheatfield township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1852. His grand- father, David Campbell, was born in Ireland, in 1794, and came, in 1814, to East Wheat- field township. He thien bought a farm which he tilled during the remainder of his life. One of his sons, Robert Campbell, was born August 7, 1818, and was employed during his early manliood as a boatman on the Pennsylvania canal.
Leaving the canal, he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres in West Wheat- field township, on which he resided until his death. Robert Campbell was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and an influential democrat, having at different times been elected to the township offices of school director, road supervisor and overseer of the poor. He died · in 1882, at the age of sixty-two years. In
1843 he married Margaret Mack, eldest daugh- ter of Robert and Margaret (McDonald) Mack, of East Wheatfield township. To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were born nine children, of whom six are living: Amanda, wife of John Lamor- eaux ; James McClure, a farmer, residing on the homestead farm ; Dr. John Gilbert ; Jo- seph, engaged in the lumber business ; and Emma, wife of C. C. Fisher, of Garfield. Mrs. Margaret Campbell's father, Robert Mack (maternal grandfather), was a native of Indiana county, and a substantial farmer of East Wheat- field township.
John G. Campbell attended the public schools of East Wheatfield township and Elder's Ridge academy. For eleven years he taught in the common schools of his native State. In 1876 he commenced the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. R. J. Tomb, of Armagh, at- tended a medical college in Cleveland, Ohio, for a short time, and then entered the Baltimore school of medicine, from which he was gradu- ated March 1, 1879. He, immediately after graduation, opened an office and, after practic- ing for some time, removed to Homer City, where he has built up a large and remuner- ative practice. He is erecting a tasteful dwelling on Main street, which will be, when completed, one of the finest residences in the borough.
He married Belle Boyd, daughter of David and Mary (McCarty) Boyd, of Homer City. Dr. and Mrs. Campbell have one child, a daughter : Frank Boyd Campbell, who was born July 16, 1886.
Dr. John G. Campbell is a prominent mem- ber of the United Presbyterian church, holding the offices of elder and trustee of his church. In politics he is a democrat, and lias been elected to various borough offices. His time is mainly devoted to the study and practice of his profes- sion. He is a genial, courteous gentleman, a successful physician and is worthy of the es- teem in which he is held.
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INDIANA COUNTY.
TOHN COY, ex-postmaster of Homer City, and a wide-awake merchant, is a son of John B. and Margaret (Empfield) Coy, and was born in Cherry Hill township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1848. His grandfather, Jolın Coy, was a native and a life- long resident of Bedford county, where, at the time of his death, he owned a farm of four hundred aeres of land. He was a man of great activity, and was quite notable among the bear- hunters during the pioneer days of Bedford county's early settlers. He was an old-line whig, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and died in June, 1855. He married Sarah Bowers, by whom he had nine children : Lewis, Franey, John B., Adam, Sarah, wife of George Empfield ; Peter, Nancy, who married Samuel Stahl ; Elizabeth, wife of William Fowler, and David. His second son, John B. Coy (father), was born in Bedford county, November 2, 1814, attended tlie subscription schools, and learned the trade of shoemaker, which he fol- lowed for nearly a quarter of a century. In April, 1851, he removed to Centre township, this county, where he bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres, which he tilled during the remainder of his life. He was an elder and deacon in the Evangelieal Lutheran church, of which he was for many years all ac- tive member. He was a republican and took quite an active part in local politics. He served as road supervisor, sehool director and overseer of the poor, and at this date (October 10, 1890), he is living and enjoying good health. In 1838 he married Margaret Empficld. To their union were born five children : Saralı J., wife of G. A. Mikesell ; Benjamin, Alexander W., Peter and John. Of these children, Sarah J. and John only are living. Mrs. Coy was a daugh- ter of Peter Empfield (maternal grandfatlier), who was a farmer of this county and met with several reverses in business. He was a repub- liean in polities.
John Coy was reared on his father's farm
and attended the public schools. In early manhood he worked on the farm in the sum- mer and on a saw-mill during the winter for several years. In 1872 he came to Homer , City and formed a mercantile partnership with G. A. Mikesell, under the firm-name of Coy & Mikesell. Some eighteen months after- ward Mr. Mikesell sold out his interest to James Fenton, and the firm became Coy & Fenton. In 1875, Mr. Coy bought out his partner's share, and since that time has con- ducted the business very successfully. He has a large, well-selected stock of dry goods, gro- ceries, hardware and general merchandise, espe- cially selected to gratify the wishes and satisfy the needs of his patrons. Attentive, courteous and obliging, he has built up a good patronage. His present general mercantile establishment is on Main street, and was erected in 1865 by his father.
On September 19, 1871, he married Anna M. McFeaters, daughter of James and Eliza- beth (Duncan) MeFeaters, of Indiana county. Mr. and Mrs. Coy have three children : Lela Thoburn, born May 18, 1873; Tesora Grace, born December 14, 1876; and Jennie Ethel, born November 16, 1879.
John Coy is an uncompromising democrat, and has made an excellent record as school diretor, overseer of the poor and couneilman of the borough. In 1885 lie was appointed postmaster of Homer City, which position he held until May 24, 1889. He is a man of perseverance, sagacity and prudence, and his success in mercantile life is attributable to these qualities which he possesses in so high a degree.
D R. JOHN EVANS, a successful physician of Homer City, and a wounded Union veteran of the late war, is a son of Willian and Susan (Wilkins) Evans, and was born in Brush Valley township, Indiana county, Penn-
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BIOGRAPHIES OF
sylvania, May 20, 1835. The Evanses are of Welsh descent, and Hugh Evans (grandfather) was among the early settlers of Brush Valley township. He came from Wales, and about 1800 erected a stone grist-mill on Brush creek, about three-quarters of a mile below the pres- ent site of Mechanicsburg. It was the first mill in Brush Creek Valley, and for many years was a prominent landmark. Besides the grist-mill, Hugh Evans owned a large farm and a distillery. He was the first member of the Baptist church who settled in Brush Val- ley township. He was a strong abolitionist, and died in 1849, wlien he was about seventy years of age. He was married twice. By his first wife, Hannah --- , he had eight chil- dren : Ann, married to James Stewart ; John, Hugh, William, Evans, James, Mary and Eliz- abeth. After the death of his first wife he married Esther Creswell. William Evans (father) was born in 1800, and followed farm- ing for a livelihood. He was a presbyterian and a whig, and served as school director and judge of elections. He has a well-improved farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres. He died in 1852, in the fifty-third year of his age. He married Susan Wilkins, daughter of Andrew and Elinor (Robinson) Wilkins. To Mr. and Mrs. Evans were born eight children: Dr. John, Andrew W., Samuel W., William A., Nancy, E., married to J. Rhoads; Susan, wife of W. S. McCormick ; Sarah E. and George W.
Dr. John Evans was reared on his father's farm and attended the common schools and Saltsburg and Jacksonville academies. From 1851 to 1859 he taught school. He read med- icine with Dr. James McMullen, and attended Jefferson Medical college, but left his class to come home and enlist as a soldier. On July 24, 1861, he became a member of Co. H, 41st regiment, Pa. Vols., and in November of the same year was appointed hospital steward. He served until June 11, 1864, when he was hon- orably discharged at Harrisburg. He partici-
pated in the battles of Drainsville, Mechanics- ville, Gaines' Mills, Malvern Hill, Charles City Cross-Roads, Bull Run, South Mountain, An- tietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Bristoe station, Rappahannock station, Mine Run, Wil- derness, Spottsylvania, Jericho Ford and Beth- esda church. In the battle of Mechanicsville Dr. Evans was wounded by a ball. In 1864 he entered upon the practice of his profession at Greenville, but in 1866 removed to Homer City, where he has enjoyed a lucrative practice ever since.
On December 21, 1868, he married Isabella S. Watt, daughter of Isaac and Jane (McKen- nan) Watt. To Dr. and Mrs. Evans have been born five children : William I., born in 1871, and died in 1876 ; Luella G., born in Marclı, 1876; John J., born August 26, 1880; An- drew E. and Jane I., born in 1888.
Dr. Evans and his estimable wife have been members of Homer City Presbyterian church since it was organized, July 21, 1870. On May 26, 1889, he was appointed postmaster at Homer City, and is one of the leading republi- cans in the borough, having been a member of the school board ever since its organization. Dr. Evans is a successful physician and well deserves the esteem in which he is held.
"R DEV. CARLE MOORE was born in Jef- ferson, Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1848. He was a student of Madison college, Uniontown, Fayette county, Pa., for four years, and read Theology with Rev. John Morgan, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, of Union- town. His first charge was over three Cumber- land Presbyterian churches, onc in each of Ve- nango, Mercer and Crawford counties. After nearly four years' labor he removed to Punx- sutawney, where he laborcd about five years. His successive parishes were: Cumberland Pres- byterian church, Mercer county, about two years; Brady's Bend Presbyterian church, for
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INDIANA COUNTY.
Brady's Bend, Iron works; Cumberland Pres- byterian church, in Armstrong county, and Pleasant Unity, Westmoreland county ; Beverly and Lowell, Ohio, Congregational, and Green- field, Ohio, new school Presbyterian churches; Cumberland Presbyterian, Newburg, Indiana, and from 1869 to 1877 for several Presbyterian churches in northern Indiana county.
" Our subject's wife was M. J., daughter of William Caldwell, of Indiana. Their children were: William I., who was born in 1847, grad- uated from the laboratory department of the Philadelphia school of pharmacy, opened a drug store at Homer City in July, 1876, and in 1877 married Mary G. Woodford, of Cherry Tree, by whom he had one child, Nellie J .; James, deceased, and Thomas, deceased." (This sketch was written in 1880.)
TION. WILLIAM L. REED, M.D., a member of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, and a well-established physi- cian and influential citizen of Homer City, is a son of Augustus J. and Mary (Anderson) Reed, and was born near Stewartsville, in Arm- strong township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1843. The Reed family is of Scotch descent. William Reed, the paternal grandfather of Dr. William L. Reed, was a farmer who lived near Clinton village, in Find- ley township, Allegheny county. He was an old-line whig and a strong anti-slavery man and an active member of the Presbyterian church. His son, Augustus J. Reed (father), was born in Findley township in 1820, re- ceived a common-school education and was en- gaged in farming until 1888, when he removed to Colorado. He there bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, but, not liking the country and the rough frontier life of the sec- tion in which he had located, he returned to Allegheny county in 1889. He is an elder in the United Presbyterian church, a prominent
republican and served once as township assessor. In 1842 he married Mary Anderson, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Logan) Anderson, of Indiana county. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have been the parents of eight children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Reed's father, William An- derson (maternal grandfather), was born in Ireland, came in 1812 to Ohio, and shortly afterwards removed to Armstrong county, where, near the site of Taylorville, he pur- chased a farm of four hundred acrcs. He was the founder of Stewartsville (Parkwood post- office), which he had laid out on New Year's Day, 1848, and of which village his son Sam- uel erected the first dwelling. William Ander- son was a member of the Presbyterian church, and married Elizabeth Logan, a native of Ire- land, by whom he had several children.
William L. Reed was reared on his father's farm and attended the common schools and Elder's Ridge academy. He entered West- minster college, in Lawrence county, from which institution of learning lie was graduated in 1867. On August 31, 1861, he enlisted as a sergeant in Company D, 62d regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteers, commanded by Col. Black. He served three years and four months, was wounded three times and was discharged at Stone general hospital, Washington city, in December, 1864. He was shot in the left leg at Hanover Court-house, received a ball in the left leg at Chancellorsville, and was shot in the left arm, left side and through both thighs dur- ing the second day's figlit at Gettysburg. After he was discharged from the army he read med- icine with Dr. Banks, of Livermore, Westmorc- land county, for six months and then taught a select school, after which he resumed the study of medicine with Dr. Robert McChesney, of Shelocta. He attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Cincinnati, from which institution he was graduated in 1874. After graduation he located at Shelocta, where he practiced for six years and then removed to
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BIOGRAPHIES OF
Jacksonville. In 1889 he came to Homer City as a larger and more favorable field for the practice of his profession and is building up quite an extensive practice.
In 1867 he married Anna P. Johnson, daugliter of James and Mary C. (Miller) John- son, of New Wilmington, Lawrence county. To Dr. and Mrs. Reed liave been born five childern : Lulu, born January, 1868, died in 1870; Nola, born in 1870, wife of a Mr. Scott, of Westmoreland county; Nellie, born in 1872; Charles Paul, born September 30, 1877, and Mary, born in August, 1880. Mrs. Reed is a woman of good education, prominent in society and devoted to her family.
Dr. Rced is an influential and leading repub- lican, and has served as a school director and burgess of Homer City. He was elected as a member of the House of Representa- tives of Pennsylvania, and served very cred- itably during the session of 1888-89. He is a courteous gentleman of good address and kind disposition, and has many friends throughout the county. He is painstaking, trustworthy and successful as a physician; useful as a citi- zen, honorable as a man and prominent as a republican in the county councils of his party.
OHN P. ST. CLAIR. Among the busi- J ness men of Homer City, none rank higher than Jolin P. St. Clair, ex-clerk of the board of commissioners of Indiana county and pro- prietor of the Homer City flouring mills. He is a son of Hon. Thomas and Charlotte (Pat- ton) St. Clair, and was born at Indiana, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, December 31, 1848. He is of Scotch-Irish descent and on his paternal side is descended from the St. Clair family of Scotland, which was founded during the middle ages, by Sir Walderne de St. Clair, a Norman Knight, and whose full history will be found in the sketch of Hon. Thomas St. Clair, of In- diana. James St. Clair, Sr. (great-grand-
father and cousin to Gen. Arthur St. Clair), came from Ireland to York county and served in the Revolutionary war. His son, James St. Clair (grandfather), came to this county, where he married Jennie Slemmous, of Irish descent and reared a family of ten children : Margaret, William S., Mary W., James, Samuel, Isaac, John, Robert, Hon. Thomas, M.D., and.Hiram. (See sketch of Ex-Senator St. Clair, of In- diana.)
Jolın P. St. Clair received his education in the common schools and Indiana academy. Leaving school, he engaged in the general mer- cantile business as a member of the firm of Sutton, Lloyd & Co , but soon withdrew from that firm and formed a partnership with W. R. Laughry, nuder the firm-name of Laughry & St. Clair, which name was afterward changed to Sutton, Laughry & Co., when Peter Sutton entered the firm. In 1871 Mr. St. Clair ex- changed his interest in this latter firm for a third interest in the old " Two Lick " grist-mill. His father bought the remaining two-thirds interest and they operated it under the firm- name of Thomas St. Clair & Son until Feb- ruary, 1876, when they sold the mill. They then engaged in business at Two Lick's station as the " Two Lick's Lumber company, limited." Three years later they sold their property at the station and dissolved partnership. Jolın P. St. Clair, in the mean time, was elected clerk of the commissioners of Indiana county, which office le assumed on January 1, 1879, and filled very creditably for his terin of three years. In 1882 he inherited a third interest in the Homer City mills, and since that time lias devoted liis atten- tion to the management of these mills and building up the extensive trade which he now enjoys. The mill, including the other buildings on the property, is worth $25,000. It is one of the oldest mills in the county, and since being improved and refitted by Mr. St. Clair, has a capacity of seventy-five barrels of flour per day.
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INDIANA COUNTY.
January 4, 1872, he married Martha J. Daugherty, daughter of James R. and Anna M. (Hart) Daugherty, of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. St. Clair are the parents of seven ehil- dren : Mary C., born March 3, 1873; Thomas P., born January 2, 1876; Frank D., born June 10, 1879; John D., born July 4, 1881; Jennie, born May 11, 1884; James R., born August 26, 1886; and Anna Joe, born Deeem- ber 2, 1888. Mrs. St. Clair is an intelligent and amiable woman, a devoted mother, a kind friend and an earnest, consistent member of the Homer City Presbyterian- church, of which her husband was for years a trustee and is now an elder.
J. P. St. Clair is a member of Indiana Lodge, No. 21, Aneient Order United Work- men. In politics he is independent, regarding a candidate's character and capabilities for the office for which he is a nominee, rather than his political views. He has filled the office of school director for seven years and is a member of the borough council. He resides in a pleas- ant and tasteful residence in a desirable part of the town and his excellent wife has rendered their home as attractive without as it is genial and hospitable within.
66 ANDREW ALLISON, who came to In-
diana county in 1788, was the first to settle within the present limits of the county. He was born in Cumberland county, Pa., in the year 1757. His father, Robert Allison, came from county Derry, Ireland, in 1750, and set- tled in' Cumberland county. He was married in 1752 to a lady by the name of Beckie Beard, a granddaughter of one Charles Stuart, a de- scendant of the house of Stuarts. They reared a family of six sons and one daugliter. Andrew, the third son, after having followed General Washington through the most gloomy period of the Revolution, returned to his father's
family, in Cumberland county, but did not re- main there long. In the year 1785 he again left the paternal roof, and, with a new axe in his hand and a rifle on his shoulder, erossed 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 Pomroy in time of peace, and when the Indians invaded the settle- ment he took refuge in a fort in the vicinity. During 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 Pomroy, crossed the Conemaugli river, and settled on the bank of Two Liek, on the site of an old Indian town, opposite the present village of Homer. Here he built a eabin and eleared some ground for agricultural purposes. The eabin was without a door, and a hole in one side served as a place of ingress and egress. In the year 1790 his father eame from Cum- berland county and took charge of his improve- ments, and Andrew penetrated farther into the forest and opened up the farm now owned by Arehy Nichol, three miles east of the borough of Indiana. Here he was the frontier settler, with nothing between him and the Susquehanna river but the howling wilderness, abounding with wild beasts, and traversed by hostile sav- ages. In October of that year he was married to a lady by the name of Sally Barr. He re- maincd at his new home till 1792, in which year the Indians renewed their depredations upon some of the border settlements. A report having reached him one evening that Indians were in the vicinity, he took his family, con- sisting of his wife and one ehild, and fled to his nearest neighbor, Irwin Adams, who had come from Ireland and located on the farm now owned by G. A. MeClain. After remaining there several days Allison went to look after his farm, and get some articles that had been left, but the eabin with all its contents had
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BIOGRAPHIES OF INDIANA COUNTY.
been burnt, the Indians having fired it during his absence. He then returned to his father's, on Two Lick and Yellow creek, on an improve- ment made by John Henry at an earlier date, but who, on account of the dangers that sur- rounded him, had returned to his former home in Virginia. At this place Allison remained till 1795, when he purchased an improvement made in 1772 by one Joseph Hopkins, about three miles south of Indiana, Hopkins and his
family having fled from their clearing on account of the 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 truly a secluded spot ; the silence of the forest was seldom broken, except by the howl- ing wolves, the yelling panthers or the crack of the hunter's rifle. Here he spent the re- mainder of his days, and cleared out a large farm. He died in 1815, aged fifty-eight years."
1
MARION.
Historical and Descriptive .- Marion (Post- office Brady) is on Pine run in the southern part of East Mahoning township, and is the largest town north of the purchase line in Indi- ana county. It was laid out by John Park in 1842 and incorporated as a borough in 1872.
" Marion is situated on a tract of land which originally embraced four hundred and eight acres, the patent 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 Jolin Park came to this portion of Pennsylvania to make surveys under the direction of Mr. John- ston. In 1798 he purchased the 'Evergreen' body of land, though he did not get his deed till 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 Ritchey 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 Moorhead, Jacob Shalleberger, William McHenry, five Seneca Indians, a squaw and a papoose were at the raising. The Indians, according to tradi- tion, would not work till the bottle of whiskey was passed and each had drank a portion there- of. Then, upon a signal from the chief, who shook energetically a gourd partly filled with corn, they went to work with much awkward- ness but good-naturedly, and in a few hours the lone cabin had risen.
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