USA > Indiana > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania > Part 72
USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > Biographical and historical cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong counties, Pennsylvania > Part 72
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John A. Blaney was reared on a farm and attended the subscription schools in Plum Crcek township during his boyhood. He then worked on his father's farm for one dollar and fifty cents a month, which sum was afterwards increased to three dollars per month. He re- mained at home until he was twenty-four years of age, since which time he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits. He owns a large, well- cultivated farm on which are built six dwell- ings and an equal number of barns ; this farm is well stocked with cattle, sheep and horses. He has made a specialty of the dairy business, and has a large creamery from which he sells two hundred and fifty pounds of butter per week. He has a general mercantile storc at Whitesburg, and carries a heavy stook of goods.
In 1857 he married Minerva St. Clair, of Plum Creek township. To Mr. and Mrs. Bla- ney have been born twelve children, ciglit of whom are living : William E., born in 1862, a farmer and merchant ; Hannah Jane, born in 1864; Rose, born in 1866; Ellen, born in 1868; Maggie, born in 1870; Frank, born in 1872; Belle, born in 1874; and Joseph A., born in 1876.
John A. Blaney is a republican leader in Armstrong county, has been postmaster of Whitesburg for many years, and served several terms as overseer of the poor. By reason of his sympathetic nature he was well adapted to fill the latter office. He now resides at Whitesburg, where he owns a comfortable and tasteful home and a large and well-ap- pointed store-room, which he constantly keeps
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ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
filled with first-class goods. He has slowly but surely widened out his sphere of commer- cial operations until he now employs from eight to twelve men in his various business enterprises. He is a highly esteemed member of the Presbyterian church, and very active in her various charities. He was for some years an active member of the I. O. O. F. and the Patrons of Husbandry. Mr. Blaney has ac- quired his fortune by the labor of his own hands ; he is a man of character and good so- cial and mercantile standing, and well and favorably known throughout the township and the southeastern part of Armstrong county.
A ABRAHAM W. BLEAKNEY, one of the enterprising and substantial farmers of Plum Creek township, is the fifth child of William and Mary (Yakey) Bleakney, and was born April 16, 1827, in Plum Creek township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. William Bleakney (father) was born in Franklin county, Pa., in 1790. He received a common and prac- tical education, was a clerk for some time in his father's store and then engaged in farming for himself. He owned a fine farm given him by his father. He took a great interest in politics, and was a prominent leader of the Democratic party in the community in which he residcd. He was a presbyterian in religious faith, and belonged to the church of that denomination at Concord. In 1817 he married Mary Yakey, second daughter of John and Nancy Yakey, of this county. They had eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, of whom seven are living.
Abraham W. Bleakney was reared on the farm and received a common-school education. Leaving school, he learned the millwright trade, at which he worked for eleven years, when he went to California and followed mining for several years. He then went to Ohio, where he
worked at his trade for some time and after- wards was engaged in buying and selling stock for seven years. At the end of this time he re- turned to Plum Creek township, where he began farming, at which he has continued successfully ever since. He has a well-cultivated farm of one hundred and ninety-one acres and takes con- siderable interest in stock-raising.
In 1863 he was married to Kate Bleakney, eldest daughter of Robert and Margrette Bleak- ney, of Adams county, this State. To their union have been born seven children : Mary A., born in 1864; William H., born in 1867; Robert W., born in 1870; Samuel M., born in 1872 ; Emma, born in 1874, and died same year; Lydia M., born in 1877 ; and Thomas B., born in 1882.
In political opinion Mr. Bleakney is a strong democrat and takes great interest in local politics. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, a liberal contributor to all churches and has always been the friend of the poor. He is a quiet, industrious farmer, a peaceable, law- abiding citizen and a man who gives close atten- tion to his own business affairs.
NYEORGE A. BLOSE, M.D., who has been in the active and successful practice of his chosen profession at Eddyville since 1883, is a soul of David and Rachel (Cochrane) Blosc, and was born in Perry township, Jefferson county, Penn- sylvania, June 23, 1855. The Blose family is of German descent, and one of its members, George Blose (great-grandfather), was one of the pioneer farmers of Westmoreland county, but later in life moved to Jefferson county, where he died. One of his sons, Boaz Blose (grandfather), was born about 1802. He is a farmer by occupation and a republican in politics. He married Sarah Jane Murphy, of near Irwin, Westmoreland county, by whom he had six children, five sons and one daughter, and two of his sons served
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in the late civil war. David Blose (father) was born near Perrysville, Jefferson county, about 1834, aud has been a farmer and lumber- man of his native county for many years. He resides at Perrysville and is a republican in politics. He married Rachel Cochrane, a grand- daughter of Matthew Cochrane, of Indiana county, and a daughter of James Cochrane (maternal grandfather), who was a farmer of Indiana county and married a Miss Miller, by whom he had one son and four daughters. After her death Mr. Cochrane married Jane Walkup, and his third wife was a Miss Curry. To David and Rachel Cochrane were born eight children, three sons and five daughters: Dr. George A., Mary, James, who married Maggie Adams, and is a farmer; Addison, married to Ida Moser and engaged in farming; Laura, wife of Eltoen Smith, a farmer of Jefferson county ; Melissa, Ida and Cora.
Dr. George A. Blose was reared on his father's farm, and after attending the academy at Perrys- ville, read medicine and entered Jefferson Medi- cal college, of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in April, 1883. In June of that ycar he commenced the practice of medicine at Eddyville, where he has a very good practice, which is constantly increasing and rapidly extending over a large area of surrounding country.
On August 4, 1885, he united in marriage with Laura Smith, daughter of John W. Smith, a farmer of Red Bauk township. Dr. and Mrs. Blose have two children : Johu Barthalow, born May 29, 1887, and Matthew S., born October 29, 1889. Dr. Blose and his wife are members of the Eddyville Reformed church. He is a republican in politics, but not strenuous in polit- ical matters. He is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, Sterling Lodge, No. 245, Knights of Pythias, and the Senior Order of United American Mechanics.
NYEORGE G. BORLAND, of Wayne town-
ship, who served in the army of the Cum- berland during the late civil war, is a son of William aud Margaret (Gartley) Borland, and was born in Wayne township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1837. Robert Borlaud (grandfather) was a native of county Donegal, Ireland, aud in 1821 settled in Salem township, Westmoreland county. Ten years later he removed (1831) to that part of Arm- strong county now known as Wayne town- ship, and located one urile from the borough of Dayton, where he took up one hundred and nineteen acres of land, which he farmed success- fully up to the time of his deatlı. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal churchi. He united in marriage with Jane Borland, of Ireland, and their union was blessed with four sons, all of whom were born in the Emerald Isle, aud all of whom came with their parents to America. Each of these sons purchased large tracts of laud adjoining their father's in Wayne township and followed farming. One of these sons was William Borland (father), who was born in January, 1801. He died in 1874 on the farm on which the subject of this sketch was born. He was a large land-owner, holding in his own right about four hundred acres. He was in his latter years a wide-awake republi- can, interested in the cause aud anxious for the success of his party, but never aspired to office. In religion he was an Episcopalian. He mar- ried Margaret Gartley, daughter of Andrew Gartley, of Westmoreland county. They had four sons and one daughter. Their sons were : Jolın W. (deceased), George G., Willian P. and Robert J.
George G. Borland was reared on a farm and received a good common-school education in the common schools. Leaving school, he engaged in teaching and at the end of his fourth term, in 1861, he entered the Union army. He en- listed in Co. "G," 78th regt., Pa. Vols., and served three years, the greater part of which
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541
ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
time he acted as sergeant. He took part in the battles of La Verne, Tenn., Stone River, Chick- amauga, Chattanooga, Buzzard's Roost, Pumpkin Vine, and several of the more important battles of the Army of Cumberland. He was wound- ed at the Battle of Stone River. When the war was over he returned to Armstrong county and engaged in farming and stock-dealing, which he has followed successfully ever since.
He is a stanch republican, and although never seeking office, yet was elected as auditor, which position he held from 1867 to 1870. He also served as justice of the peace in his town- ship two terms, beside having held nearly all the other offices in his township. He is a member of Dayton Lodge, No. 738, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, J. Ed. Turk Post, No. 321, Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Veteran Legion, at Smicksburg, and the Farmers' Alliance. He owns a farm of two hundred acres of well-improved grain and grazing land. Mr. Borland deals largely in stock and by perseverance and industry has ac- cumulated a competency.
SAMUEL S. N. CALHOUN, one of Wayne 2 township's leading citizens, is a son of Judge John and Elizabeth (Anthony) Calhoun, and was born in Wayne township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, March 23, 1823. James Calhoun (paternal grandfather) was a native of Donegal county, Ireland, and settled in Lan- caster county, but soon afterwards removed to Indiana county. He was one of the early school-teachers of that county, where he re- mained but a few years, and then came to Boggs township, Armstrong county, where he resided during the remainder of his life. In religious belief he was a seceder. He married a Mrs. Mary Walker, and reared a large family of children. Hon. John Calhoun (father) was, in all probability, born in Armstrong county, where he spent nearly all of his life in Boggs
and Wayne townships. In early manhood he was a carpenter ; but in later years he engaged in farming. In politics he endorsed the senti- ments of the whig party until late in life, when he became a strong democrat. He was among the first militia captains in the State, and sub- sequently became a colonel. He served as jus- tice of the peace for thirty years, being first appointed under Gov. Wolfe. He was com- missioned twice as associate judge of Armstrong county ; first, by Gov. Wolfe, and then by Gov. Porter, and served very creditably during both of his terms (1840 to 1849) of office. He took an active and intelligent part in politics, and in all else that concerned the good of the people. He was in early life a member of the Seceder church, but afterwards united with the Presbyterian church, and became one of the founders and ruling elders of the Glade Run and Concord churches of that denomination. He married Elizabeth Anthony, daughter of Jacob Anthony, of Indiana county. They had six children : Noah, a farmer in Wayne township, who died in 1889; William (deceased), who was a carpenter and farmer in Wayne township ; Mary, who married Thomas Kichey, of Wayne township, and is dead; Nancy (deceased), who was married to Samuel H. Porter ; James R., who followed farming for several years, but is now a resident of Dayton ; Sarah (deceased), who was married to James Calhoun, of Boggs township; Samuel S. N. and Jolın K. (de- ceased), who was a resident of Kittanning and a prominent member of the Armstrong county bar. Mrs. Calhoun died in September, 1828, and Judge Calhoun afterwards married for his second wife, Catherine Marshall, who bore him one child : Elizabeth, who married Robert An- thony, of Frostburg, Jefferson county, Pa.
Samuel S. N. Calhoun received his education in the common schools of his native township. He has always followed farming and stock- raising with good success, and bears the reputa- tion of being an excellent farmer. He owns a
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BIOGRAPHIES OF
good farm of one hundred acres in Wayne town- ship, which is well improved and conveniently situated in regard to school, church and market.
On October 17, 1849, Samuel S. N. Calhoun united in marriage with Hannah Sheridan, a daughter of John and Mary (Campbell) Sheri- dan. Mrs. Calhoun's father was a native of Cambria county, Pa., and her mother of West- moreland county. She was one of six children, and her brother, Dr. Campbell, is a prac- ticing physician of Johnstown, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun have had ten children, all of whom were sons: Rev. Joseph P., who was born February 15, 1852, received a classical education at Glade Run academy, attended Al- legheny Theological seminary, was pastor of Cherry Run Presbyterian church, Kittanning Presbytery, five years, and in September, 1870, installed pastor of Slate Lick Presbyterian Church, and married Madge Stockdell, by whom he has one child,-John R .; John S., born February 8, 1854, was admitted to the bar in Clarion county, practiced in Armstrong county five years, and is now a lawyer of Oklahoma, Indian Territory; Dr. Grier O., born April 26, 1856, studied medicine with his cousin, Dr. N. F. Calhoun, of Dayton, was graduated from the Baltimore Medical college in 1884, after which he practiced in Illinois, Clarion county, and in 1888 located at Fisher ; Dr. Chambers D., born August 17, 1858, read medicine, was graduated from Jefferson Medical college in 1882, and located at Elburn, Illinois, where he married Sophia Martin ; Rev. Harry C., born March 8, 1861, graduated at the Chi- cago Theological Seminary, and pastor of a Congregational church in Iowa, May, 1890; William J., born October 6, 1862, who will be graduated in the spring of 1891 from West. Penn. Medical college; Samuel C., born Sep- tember 14, 1865, and assisting his father; Asa Parker and Cyrus P., who were born July 4, 1869, and of whom Asa Parker is dead; and Herbert B. S., a farmer, born Oct. 7, 1872.
S. S. N. Calhoun is a democrat and a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church of Concord, in which he has frequently held the office of trustee. He is a member of Dayton Lodge, No. 408, Independer Order of Odd Fellows, and Wayne Grange, No. 360, Patrons of Hus- bandry. He is known as a public-spirited citi- zen, who is ever interested in the advancement of his township, as well as a well-read man upon all current issues of the day.
JOHNSON C. CUDDY, a leading merchant, and the present efficient burgess of the flourishing borough of Atwood; is a son of Samuel and Mary (Wilson) Cuddy, and was born in Penn township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1837. Samuel Cuddy (father) was born in 1800, in Ireland, and in 1822 emigrated to America, and settled in Allegheny county. In 1865 he came to Cowanshannock township, and afterwards re- moved to Valley township, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1873, when he was in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He was a democrat in politics. During his early life he was a member of the Seceder church, but afterwards became a united presbyterian. He married Mary Wilson, who was also a member of the U. P. church, and a daughter of James Wilson, a native of Ireland, who settled in Allegheny county, served in the United States army during the war of 1812, then removed to Westmoreland county, and afterwards went to Butler, where he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. He was a democrat in politics, a member of the Presbyterian church, and reared a family of seven children, of whom three were sons: Thomas, John and James, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Cuddy were the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters : James, William, Fran- cis, John, Thomas, Johnson C., Margaret, wife of James Hilty, a farmer of Cowanshannock
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ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
township; Mary A., married to W. A. Mor- row, a farmer of Mahoning township; and Esther and Rebecca.
Johnson C. Cuddy was reared on his father's farm, received a common-school education, and engaged in farming in Allegheny county until about 1865, when he came to Cowanshannock township, where he purchased a farm, and also embarked in huckstering. In 1880 he came to Atwood, where he engaged in his present hotel and general mercantile business. He has a first-class store, enjoys a large trade, and is one of the leading business men of the borough. He owns two houses and two lots besides his store and hotel. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. K, 54th regiment, Pa. Infantry, and was pres- ent at the capture of Gen. Morgan.
On Feb. 18, 1864, he married Catherine H. Lewis, a daughter of Ezra Lewis, a wagon- maker of Westmoreland county. To their union have been born seven children, five sons and two daughters : Samuel L., a carpenter of Pittsburgh, who married Sadie McLain, of At- wood, and has two children-Reed and Arthur R .; John W., Mary M., born October 14, 1868, and died February 11, 1876; Amanda E., born June 5, 1870, and died February 23, 1873; David F., born May 13, 1872, and died February 24, 1876 ; Harvey J., born April 16, 1874, and died February 13, 1876 ; and Wil- liam, born February 11, 1878.
Johnson C. Cuddy was always a democrat in politics until of late years. He is now a prohi- bitionist, and strongly advocates the doctrines of that party. He is the present burgess of Atwood, which was incorporated as a borough in 1884. He is an elder of the United Presby- terian church, of which both he and his wife are members.
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REV. DAVID K. DUFF was a well- known and efficient minister of the United Presbyterian church, and labored for thirty-two
years as a settled pastor in Westmoreland coun- ty, Pennsylvania.
He was well and favorably known, not only in his own county, but also in the surrounding counties of Indiana, Clarion and Jefferson, where his ministerial duties called him to labor. He was a man of strong convictions and fear- less in proclaiming the truths of the Gospel and maintaining the principles of the church of his choice. Wise in council, of good judgment, unassuming in manner and possessed of a kindly, congenial disposition and a forbearing temper, he was naturally qualified to make friends, and was held in high esteem both as a minister and a friend. Rev. D. K. Duff was the fourth son of James and Mary (Kennedy) Duff and was born near Enon Valley, in Beaver county, May 8, 1825, where his parents con- tinued to reside until death. His father died in 1870 in his eighty-fourth year. His mother lived some eight years longer and was also in her eighty-fourth year at the time of her death. His parents were members of the Associate Presbyterian (now United Presbyterian) church. His father was a farmer by occupation and a whig in politics.
David K. was reared on his father's farm until seventeen years of age. He then entered Darlington academy, remaining two years, and from thence went to New Athens college, Ohio, where he finished his collegiate course in 1849. He then taught school about one year at Mount Jackson, Pa., after which, having decided upon the ministry as his life-work, he entered the theological seminary at Cannonsburgh, Pa. (now located at Xenia, Ohio), in 1850. After a careful theological course of three years he was licensed to preach the Gospel in November, 1853. Fortwo years he labored asa missionary in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and eastern New York, and also in the cities of Philadelphia and Baltimore. His travels in the western states were performed on horse-back and were consequently very laborious.
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BIOGRAPHIES OF
In May, 1856, he received a call to become pastor of the U. P. Congregation of Dayton and Lower Piney (now Mount Zion), which he ac- cepted, and immediately entered upon its duties. Soon after settlement he also accepted the posi- tion of principal of Dayton Union academy, where, by his faithfulness as a teacher, and his firm yet gentle discipline, he made hosts of friends and was held in high esteem by the many students who were under his care. He labored faithfully as pastor and teacher until September, 1862, when, believing it to be his duty to serve his Master by defending the unity of the gov- ernment, he gave himself to the cause.
He enlisted as a private, but was immediately offered the command of a company, which was soon recruited from the homes of those among whom he labored, a number of them being students of the academy. He served as captain from that time until he was honorably discharged in June, 1865, by reason of wounds received which unfitted him for further military duty.
He was respected by his men and recognized throughout the regiment as a brave soldier and a courteous, Christian gentleman, and justly earned the reputation of being one of the bravest officers of the celebrated 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Even at this remote date such tributes as these often come to his family from men who were with him on the tented field, on the march and on the battle-ground: "There was not one drop of cowardly blood in his veins," " He was always in the thickest of the fight." "Always leading his men where he thought they could do the best work," "It was always come boys. Hc never asked his men to do what he was un- willing to do himself," "He was one whom to know was to love for his gentleness of disposi- tion, his love of virtue, his meekness, gentle ness and truth, and for his bravery and devotion to the cause of his country." He participated with his regiment in its many hard, weary marches through the mountains of West Vir- ginia, and was actively engaged in twenty-two
battles and skirmishes. His last engagement was at Ashby's Gap, Va., in February, 1865. Here he received three wounds-a ball passed through the fingers of the left hand, another inflicted a scalp wound, leaving a scar of two and a half to three inches in length, and a third passed through the right arm near the shoulder, partially disabling him through life and causing him untold sufferings.
Of his bravery on the battle-field, let a mag- nanimous foe add his testimony. Years after the close of the war, one of Col. Mosby's offi- cers, C. R. Dear, of Little Washington, Va., relates the following incident to Captain W. D. Preston, of the Philadelphia Times :
He says : " I think the bravest man I ever met on your side was Captain D. K. Duff, of the 14th P. V. C. I had a hand-to-hand fight with him in which we used pistols and sabres until I brought him down. I tell you he was a plucky fellow and worthy any man's steel. After the fight I found him covered with blood composedly sitting in the barn where we put our prisoners. His courageous and gentlemanly conduct challenged my admiration. I sought our captain and asked as a personal favor that he be allowed to go, as he was in such a physical condition that it was not likely that he would do us more harm. 'Just as you please said he.' I then went to Duff and told him to follow me, and leading him out of camp I told him to find his way to his friends as soon as possible. If ever you meet Captain Duff tell him I hold him in remembrance as the bravest fellow I ever met." After being discharged, Captain Duff returned home and resumed the pastorate of Dayton and Pine Creek, also the principal- ship of the academy, which he retained until 1877. June 1st, 1866, he took charge of Con- cord (now Atwood) congregation, in connection with the others, giving to each one-third time. As these congregations were each separated from the other by twelve miles, " o'er hill and vale," we need not tell you that his life was not one of
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ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
flowery ease, yet he performed his duties cheer- fully and faithfully. He was also an efficient helper in the establishing and maintenance of the Soldiers' Orphan school carried on for many years successfully at the village of Dayton. In 1870 he resigned the pastorate of Lower Piney, giving one-half time to each of the others until Sept. 1, 1886, when, by reason of increasing infirmities caused by wounds received and hardships endured, he was compelled to retire from the pastorate of Dayton after thirty years' service. Residing at Atwood, he was still able to continue his care of it, and preached every Sabbath except one preceding the one on which he was released by his Master and called up higher to receive the reward of a well-spent life.
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