USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > Armstrong County, Pennsylvania her people past and present, embracing a history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume II > Part 28
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of the stock of this company. In April, 1912, Mr. Iseman, in company with three others, organized the Ben Franklin Coal Company of West Virginia, chartered in West Vir- ginia at $250,000, which has a bright future.
On Nov. 19, 1896, Mr. Iseman was married to Frances Knowles, daughter of George Knowles, of Sewickley, Pa. Mrs. Iseman is a college graduate, and prior to her marriage was a teacher in the higher grade schools of Allegheny county. Mr. and Mrs. Iseman are the parents of five children: Nellie Clare, Milton Knowles, Mary Ruth, Albert Lee, Jr., and Floyd Andrew. An enthusiastic Mason Mr. Iseman has attained the thirty-second degree, being a member of the Consistory of Pittsburgh; he also belongs to Commandery No. I, K. T., and other branches of the or- ganization. Politically he is a Democrat, but not an office seeker. Keen, shrewd, aggres- sive, Mr. Iseman is one. of the best business men this locality has ever known.
JOHN A. BLACK, of Kittanning, one of the progressive citizens of Armstrong county, was born in this county Feb. 8, 1852, son of John and Catherine (Johnson) Black.
John Black was born and reared in Arm- strong county, where he followed farming. His death occurred June 6, 1868. His widow survived until March 15, 1911, passing away at the age of ninety years. He was a member of the Seceder Church, she of the Lutheran Church. Their only child was John A. Black.
John A. Black was educated in the public schools of Armstrong county, and in early manhood worked on his father's farm. About 1869 he began business as a huckster, thus. continuing for twenty-three years, having a thriving trade. He then became clerk in a general merchandise store at Ford City, being so engaged for two years. Always active as a Republican, his party nominated him for county auditor in 1900 and he was elected by a gratifying majority, serving one term. His. faithful service in this office was recognized by his election on the Republican ticket as. county commissioner, and in 1908 he was re- elected, making a record as a public official highly gratifying to his constituents. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Elks Lodge at Kit- tanning, and the Odd Fellows Lodge (No. 932) at Manorville, Pa., and takes a real in- terest in the welfare of these organizations.
In 1873 Mr. Black was married to Susanna Fitzgerald, daughter of Isaac Fitzgerald of Armstrong county. Six children have been
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
born to them: Esther M., wife of Jacob M. Leechburg. Mr. Klingensmith was subse- Hauk; Isaac J., who married Laura Ragan; quently married (third) to the widow of Fin- Elizabeth, at home; John W., who married ley Shuster; she survives, making her home Rose Dunmyer; Alice B., wife of Charles M. at Leechburg. There were no children by Clever ; and Harry E., at home. A consistent this marriage.
member of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Black has served three years as trustee of same.
JEREMIAH KLINGENSMITH, one of the leading citizens of Gilpin township, Arm- strong county, where he is now engaged in the cider and feed business, has been active in that locality in various other connections
Mr. Klingensmith belonged to that class of men developed during the last century whose strength and influence were felt strongly in the community. During his residence in Parks township he was one of the citizens who aided in its progress and contributed to the betterment of existing conditions, and his loss was deeply felt.
Jeremiah Klingensmith received his educa- and is a man whose worth is universally rec- tion in the common schools of his native town- ognized. He was born Sept. 9, 1861, in what is now Gilpin (then Allegheny) township, son of Henry W. Klingensmith. His great-grand- father, who came to this country from Ger- many, was a pioneer in western Pennsylvania.
ship. After following farming for a short time during his early manhood he went to work in the sheet mill at Leechburg, in 1881, entering the employ of Kirkpatrick & Co. He continued to follow mill work for twenty Adam Klingensmith, grandfather of Jere- years, until in 1901 he bought a fine farm miah Klingensmith, was born in 1804 and of 129 acres near Leechburg, on the Kittan- died in 1871. He settled in what is now Parks ning road, purchasing this property from the township, Armstrong Co., Pa., where he Elizabeth Patterson heirs. From time to time owned a farm of sixty acres, and besides cul- he sold parts of this tract, in 1911 disposing tivating his place hewed timber for barns. of all that was left except the small piece His remains are interred at the Forks Church in Gilpin township. His wife, Jennie he began the manufacture of cider, and from upon which his home is located. In 1907, (Shoop), was born in 1809 and died in 1876. Their children were: David, who went West ; Henry W .; Abraham, of Armstrong county ; Adam, who went West; and Peter, of Arm- strong county. a small beginning has built up a very large trade, so extensive that in August, 1911, he installed in his plant a cider press of the most modern make, of thirty-five to forty tons capacity, and a twelve-horsepower engine. He also has a chop mill, having established a feed business of profitable proportions since he entered that line, and he now gives all his attention to his cider and feed establishment. He is at present serving as a member of the school board of Gilpin township, to which office he was elected in 1909, and he is a leading member of the Hebron Lutheran Church at Leechburg. He was at one time a prominent member of the Forks Lutheran Church, which he served officially as trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school. In politics he is a Republican and much interested in the success of the party.
Henry W. Klingensmith, son of Adam, was born in Allegheny township (now Parks), this county, in 1829, and beginning life as a carpenter, became a contractor and lumber dealer. He was a useful member of his community, a man of proverbial honesty, and was well known in his day. He died at Leechburg, this county, May 30, 1910, when he was eighty-one years of age, and is buried in the Forks cemetery. His first wife, Esther (Myers), born Feb. 20, 1832, died July 9, 1868, the mother of the following children: Susanna, who is deceased; Thomas M .; Leanda, who married William S. Miller ; Aaron, deceased; Philip, of Westmoreland county ; Jeremiah; Winchester, of Gilpin township; Margaret, who married Philip
In 1882, Mr. Klingensmith married Ella R. Miller, who was born in 1861, daughter of John C. Miller, of Westmoreland county. Brothers; and Laban, who was killed by a and died in 1899. She was the mother of train. After the death of his first wife Mr. three children: Charles C., who was killed at Sharon, Pa., Feb. 23, 1909, when twenty- Klingensmith married (second) Sina Craig, of Red Bank, born Nov. 28, 1834, who died seven years old; Myrtle R., a graduate of the. Nov. 8, 1903. By this marriage he became Leechburg high school, now engaged in teach- the father of four children: Augustus J., ing at Leechburg ; and Ira M., a graduate of of Leechburg; Clarissa, of Leechburg; a the Leechburg high school, now teaching in daughter that died young; and Harry, of Gilpin township. Mr. Klingensmith's second
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
marriage was to Annie M. Sober, daughter of John Sober, and they have three children: Edith, Paul N. and Lelan J.
HARRY A. HEILMAN, attorney at law of Kittanning, son of William M. Heilman, was born September 25, 1875, in Kittanning. He grew up in that city, attending the public schools there, and then entered Phillips Acad- emy, at Andover, Mass., from which he was graduated in 1895. He then entered the Uni- versity of Princeton, New Jersey, attending for two years, and subsequently took a course at the law department of the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1899. In August of the same year Mr. Heilman was admitted to the bar of Armstrong county and to the Phil- adelphia bar. He read law with George Stuart Patterson, and also with the late John T. Crawford. Mr. Heilman has been in active practice since 1899, and he has met with a degree of success that is remarkable. From 1905 to 1909, he was in partnership with R. A. McCullough, since which time he has prac- ticed alone.
On April 10, 1901, Mr. Heilman was mar- ried to Bessie Hulings, daughter of Gen. Willis J. Hulings, of Oil City, Pa. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. dent, and Milo D. Shaw, secretary and treas- Heilman : Emma, Willis J., William M. and urer.
From its inception the company has Mary Anderson. Mr. Heilman belongs to prospered, and its store is one of the best in this part of the county.
On March 24, 1900, Mr. Shaw was mar- A. M., of Kittanning, is a thirty-second de- ried in Vandergrift, Pa., to Jessie M. Bush,
the First Presbyterian Church. Fraternally he is a member of Blue Lodge No. 244, F. & gree Mason, and he is also a member of the Order of Elks.
MILO D. SHAW, of Apollo, Pa., pro- prietor and manager of the Shaw-Phillips Company, merchants, was born Dec. 20, 1879, in Westmoreland County, Pa., son of Wil- liam and Elizabeth (Watson) Shaw.
The Shaw family originated in Ireland, while the Watson family came from Scotland. William Shaw located in Armstrong county three years previous to his death. He was a farmer for many years, and died in Apollo, this county, March 24, 1911, after a long and useful life. He married Elizabeth Watson, born in Westmoreland county, daughter of David Watson, a native of that county, and she survives, making her home at Apollo. She and her husband had five children, four of whom survive, Milo D. being the youngest of them all. Mr. Shaw was a member of the Presbyterian Church, which he served as trustee, attending service at Polk River. Mrs.
Shaw still holds her membership there. Dur- ing the Civil war, Mr. Shaw gave practical evidence of his patriotism by enlisting in Com- pany I, 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served for a year. Early in life he was a Democrat, but his political convictions underwent a change, and he later wielded his influence in favor of the Prohibition party. While re- siding in Westmoreland county he held a num- ber of township offices, and he was always a man of importance in his community.
Milo D. Shaw attended public school in Westmoreland county until he was fifteen years old, when he entered the Kiskiminetas Springs Academy. When he was nineteen years of age he began teaching, thus continu- ing for seven years, being engaged in the coun- try districts. At the expiration of that pe- riod he entered business life, embarking in the retail dry goods trade in Apollo in 1901. For two years he was associated with Van T. Shepler & Co., and having gained valuable experience, was made manager of the com- pany, holding that responsible position for three years. He then formed a stock com- pany under the name of Shaw-Phillips Com- pany, for the purpose of conducting a first- class dry goods store in Apollo. The officers of the company are: Edward Phillips, presi-
daughter of Dr. A. A. Bush, of Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw became the parents of two children: Mariam V. B., born Dec. 26, 1904 ; and Bernard B., born June 18, 1909. Mr Shaw is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Apollo. Fraternally he is a Mason. The Republican party receives his cordial and ef- fective support. At present he is giving the school board of Apollo the benefit of his practical experience as an instructor, serving it as director.
T. A. CUNNINGHAM, who has been closely associated with the development of the Apollo Woolen Mills, at Apollo, was born April 2, 1868, in Armstrong county, Pa., son of Samuel and Rachel (Grim) Cunningham.
The founder of the Cunningham family in America was born in Ireland, of Scotch an- cestry. Samuel Cunningham died when his son T. A. Cunningham was a small boy. Dur- ing his early life he was employed making grain cradles and also at work on a farm.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
To him and his wife were born nine children, is a large mail order trade. The mill is five of which family still survive, and T. A. equipped with all necessary modern machin- ery for the manufacture of the particular line of goods turned out, and employment is given to a large number of skilled workmen. was the fifth of the family in the order of birth. Samuel Cunningham was a Methodist, and very active in church matters. An honor- able, hard-working man, he gained universal respect, and his community lost a good citi- zen when he passed away. His widow still survives, now sixty-nine years old, making her home with her son T. A. Cunningham. Isaac Grim, her father, was a pioneer of Arm- strong county.
Mr. Cunningham was married to Susan R. Shane, of Leechburg, Pa., and nine children have been born of this marriage, eight of whom are living: Eva P., Samuel C., Daniel A., George E., Thomas, Rachel N., Ester R., Iva J. and Ralph. Samuel, Daniel and George are working in the rolling mills, two of them at Indiana Harbor, and the other in Vander- grift. The rest of the children are attending school.
T. A. Cunningham attended common school in his district until he was fourteen years old, and remained with his mother until he was twenty. He then commenced working in the Mr. Cunningham has always been interested in church matters. He belongs to the Free Methodist denomination, in which he is a class leader, and he is also serving as Sunday school superintendent. He is ever ready to pay trib- ute to the care and training of his devoted mother, to whose influence he attributes his success in life, and in whose early lessons many of the best principles which have actuated him had their origin. The Prohibition party has his support, the evils of the liquor traffic and all other forms of intemperance making him a strong advocate of total abstinence. His encouragement is given to all movements which have the betterment of the community for their object, and he has done much for the welfare of his own locality. Carnegie Rolling Mills at Pittsburgh, from which he went to the Black Diamond steel works in that city. Prior to the great strike in the Apollo Iron & Steel Works he came hither, and after engaging in agricultural work for a short period entered those works. For six months he was a rougher, and then became a roller, continuing thus until the strike. Following this he started a fifty-seven- inch mill for the Apollo Iron & Steel Com- pany at Vandergrift, Pa., and remained in that business until 1907. He was one of the organizers of the Trio Lumber Company at Vandergrift Heights. Meantime he had bought a farm of 168 acres in Westmoreland county upon which he lived for two years. Selling his farm, he bought a half interest in the Apollo Woolen Mills (Limited) in JAMES E. STEWART, whose name car- ries great weight in mining circles in Pennsyl- vania, is general manager of the United States Sewer Pipe Company (Pittsburg-Buffalo Company) at Johnetta, Armstrong Co., Pa., with general offices at Pittsburgh, Pa. He was born in the State of Indiana, Dec. 25. 1874, and is a son of Robert and Ann (Atter- son) Stewart. 1907, and in 1908 the concern was incorpor- ated under the name of the Apollo Woolen Mills, Inc., and capitalized at $30,000, $26,000 of which was at once taken up. They were handicapped somewhat by the fact that the ground on which the plant was situated did not belong to the company, but the Board of Trade of Apollo awarded them the prop- erty, so that the mills could benefit the bor- Robert Stewart was born at Glasgow, Scotland, of sturdy ancestors whose honest worth upheld one of the oldest names of Scot- land. When Robert Stewart was twenty years of age, he came to America, and in his search for employment reached the settlement in Pennsylvania, which developed into the present busy town of Mckeesport. He fol- lowed coal mining in his own land from the age of nine years and pursued the same in- dustry in Pennsylvania, altogether being en- gaged in this line for fifty years, living re- tired, however, for twenty-four years pre- vious to his death, at the age of eighty-four ough, offering inducements to people to move there with the assurance of profitable employ- ment. The mills then opened up with in- creased capacity, being able to produce one hundred bed blankets every ten hours, the mills running one-third time on this work and two-thirds on turf goods. The officers of the company are as follows: L. W. Huyck, presi- dent ; T. A. Cunningham, treasurer; W. U. Flinn, vice president ; John Hankey, business manager. The factory is now running full time, manufacturing to the limit of its capac- ity, though not always able to keep up with the demand. It is the intention of the com- years. His wife, Ann Atterson, died when pany to expand, adding to its facilities. There aged fifty-four years, and but two survive of
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
their family of nine children, Annie and Oct. 15, 1910. He was a son of John and James E. Sarah (Ross) Christy.
James E. Stewart attended the public schools of Shelburn, Ind., and early in life began work as a miner, laboring underground through the summers and attending school in the wintertime. In 1897 he came to Penn- sylvania and secured a position with the com- pany with which he is yet associated, and be- gan mining and electrical work at Mononga- hela City, Pa., for James Jones & Sons. Sub- sequently he was sent by this company to Bruceton, Pa., and then opened up mines at Johnetta, Ky., for the Big Hill Coal Com- pany, remaining there two years. In June, 1904, he was called to take charge of the plants at Johnetta, Pa., a position of great responsibility, as these plants, the Johnetta brick plant and the Johnetta mine, are among the largest in the country. His selection as general manager indicates his possession of unusual business qualifications and a thor- ough knowledge of the industry under his charge gained in long experience.
Mr. Stewart was married in 1904 to Lillie Miller, a daughter of Frank Miller, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., and they have two daugh- ters : Sarah L. and Elsie A. Mr. Stewart and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Republican, while fraternally he is identified with Leechburg Lodge, No. 577, F. & A. M., and Mononga- hela City Lodge, No. 455, B. P. O. Elks. Be- sides looking after his company's interests in Johnetta, Pa., Mr. Stewart spends part of his time at their plant in Kentucky.
The Johnetta plant of the United States Sewer Pipe Company and the Johnetta mine are both located at Johnetta, Pa., thirty-three miles north of Pittsburgh on the Buffalo & Allegheny Valley division of the Pennsylvania railroad. These important industries bring prosperity to many residents of this section, the brick plant-which was established in 1898-alone giving employment to from four hundred to four hundred and fifty men. This plant is the largest of its kind in the coun- try, never closes, and turns out over one hundred thousand bricks daily, for which a market is found all over the United States and Canada. A description of the brick plant and mine will be found in Chapter XVIII, in the history section of this work.
Daniel Christy, the grandfather, was of Irish extraction, while his wife, Rebecca, was of Scotch-Irish descent. He located in Beaver county, Pa., where he followed farming, and was a prominent citizen, serving as county commissioner. His large family grew up to be a credit to him.
John Christy, son of Daniel, was born in Beaver county, Pa., and in 1833 came to Armstrong county, Pa., buying the farm in Manor township now owned by his son Jef- ferson. He was one of the early settlers here, and had to clear his land and develop the farm, enduring much in the way of pri- vation and hardship until the country became settled. The Christys believed, however, that industry and perseverance conquer all things, and success attended their undertakings. John Christy and his wife were good Christian people, and did much toward the organization of the Appleby Manor Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Christy was an elder for many years. He was its first ruling elder and clerk. In 1822 he married Agnes McGregor, by whom he had three children, Jane (wife of John H. Wilson), William and Daniel. In 1830 Mr. Christy married (second) Sarah Ann Ross, of Armstrong county, and seven sons and three daughters were born to this union : George R. and Joseph M., twins; Mary M .; Rebecca A .; James, who died in his twenty-sixth year while serving in the Union army, from exhaustion after the seven days' fight in front of Richmond; John C., who was also a Union soldier in the Civil war; Wash- ington R .; Jefferson Reynolds; Amelia B., and Stephen.
Washington Ross Christy attended the dis- trict schools and Elders Ridge Academy. During the Civil war, like his brothers, he was a brave and efficient soldier, enlisting July 25, 1863, in Company B, 2d Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, and received an honorable discharge Jan. 21, 1864. After his military service was over he returned to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture and became a successful farmer in Manor township. He was interested in the Grange movement and belonged to the local body. He was a consis- tent and liberal member of the Appleby Manor Presbyterian Church.
On May 23, 1877, Mr. Christy was mar- ried to Margaret E. Smith, daughter of John and Eliza Smith, the former of whom was
WASHINGTON ROSS CHRISTY was born in Manor township, Armstrong Co., Pa., born in Indiana county, Pa., Aug. 17, 1806, May 12, 1841, and died in his native county, and died Feb. 21, 1881 ; the latter, born Dec.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
17, 1817, died Dec. 9, 1886. They were well- shall. Eight children were born to this mar- known people, Mr. Smith being a substantial riage: Dr. Joseph M., a practicing physician of Sidney, Ill .; Robert M., a farmer ; Harry W., at home with his mother; Flora, wife of Ralston M. Mitchell; John Homer, an attor- ney at Kittanning ; Edson E., also an attorney at Kittanning; David L., deceased; and Prof. William, a teacher at Beaver, Pennsylvania. farmer of Indiana county. To Mr. and Mrs. Christy, five children were born, as follows: Harry S., who died at the age of twelve years ; Guy C., who is one of the well known mem- bers of the Armstrong county bar; Lida P .; Jessie R., and Robert L.
PROF. DAVID W. LAWSON, deceased, was born in the Ligonier valley in Westmore- land county, Pa .; May 21, 1836, son of Joseph Lawson.
Joseph Lawson was born in 1787, and died Jan. 31, 1872, aged eighty-four years, five months; his wife, Rebecca Mclaughlin, born in 1797, died Feb. 25, 1872, in her seventy- fifth year. Moving from Westmoreland county to Indiana county, they became promi- nent people there, and still later made them- selves equally respected in Wayne township, Armstrong Co., Pa. Their remains are in- terred in the old Methodist cemetery near Dayton.
David W. Lawson, son of Joseph Lawson, was brought up on the farm, remaining at home until he was fifteen years old, attending the academy at Elder's Ridge. Young as he was, he began teaching in Jefferson, and the following spring entered the Dayton Union Academy. Following this he became a student in Allegheny College, where he displayed that intellectuality which was marked a character- istic during his whole life. When only twenty- one years old, he was graduated from Madison College, and began teaching in the Dayton Union Academy, later becoming its principal. Very ambitious, he read law with Colonel Todd, of Indiana, Pa., but owing to the failure of his none too strong health he had to abandon his purpose of becoming a lawyer. He then devoted himself to farming, operat- ing his property along scientific lines, becom- ing one of the celebrated agriculturists of western Pennsylvania, noted chiefly for his production of fine grade wool. He lectured upon agricultural subjects in Armstrong county, and considerably raised standards in his locality. In his death his community lost a good citizen and public-spirited man. Mr. Lawson passed away on his farm near Dayton June 18, 1900. His property, comprising 175 acres, was highly developed by him, and is also valuable because of the fact that it is un- derlaid with bituminous coal.
Mr. Lawson was married June 22, 1857, to Mary A. Marshall, born Oct. 14, 1838, daugh- ter of Robert and Mary (Hindman) Mar-
Mrs. Lawson resides upon the farm prop- erty, being now one of the oldest residents in her community. Her recollections of the incidents of early days are very entertaining and would make a valuable volume if set down as she gives them. She has one living sis- ter, Mrs. Rebecca Reed, widow of Rev. Sam- uel Reed, who formerly officiated as minister of the United Presbyterian Church.
HARVEY HOWARD HEILMAN, junior member of the shoe house of Artman & Heil- man, of Ford City, was born in Bethel town- ship, Armstrong county, in 1869, son of Wil- liam and Margaret (Iseman) Heilman. An extended account of the earlier generations of the family appears elsewhere in this work.
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