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 83
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
SHUMAKER. The representatives of the Shumaker family are among the most re- spected residents of that section of Armstrong county comprising Mahoning township and the neighboring territory, where they have been settled for a century. These Shumakers
Philip Shumaker, son of Philip and Eliza- beth (Rose) Shumaker, was born March 2, 1825, in what is now Mahoning township, and was reared on his father's farm. He obtained his education in the subscription schools of the day, and then engaged in farming, to which he devoted himself throughout his ac- tive years except for a few years during which are descendants of John Shumaker, a native he operated a sawmill. In 1851 he purchased of Germany, who came to America some time the farm of 200 acres on which he established before the Revolution with six brothers, Sol- omon, Adam, George, Simon, Samuel and Daniel. George was the founder of another well-known branch of the family in western Pennsylvania. They settled first in Loudoun county, Va., whence John Shumaker came to Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1770. He pur- chased and cleared a large tract of land in Franklin township, making a permanent home
his home (this property is now owned by the Shawmut Coal Company), and together with the land given him by his father he had 265. acres, all of which he cultivated. The land is underlaid with several workable veins of good coal. He was one of the most prosperous. farmers of his time in the locality, and ac- cumulated a fine estate, leaving each of his. children a good farm. He died in 1904, at on that place, where he died. He was a sol- the age of seventy-nine years. Mr. Shu- dier in the war of the Revolution, in the
maker was a Republican, took some interest. American army, and also served during the in the welfare of the party and was active in Indian troubles in western Pennsylvania. His local affairs, serving his township as over- seer of the poor. He and his family belonged to the German Baptist Church, of which he was deacon. death was caused by injuries he had received during his army service. His wife was Mary Ann Baker, and they had two sons and three daughters, the sons being Philip and John.
Philip Shumaker, son of John and Mary Ann (Baker) Shumaker, was born Jan. 25, 1784, in Westmoreland county, Pa., and died April 10, 1860. In 1814 he settled in what is now Mahoning township, Armstrong county (his brother John coming later), taking up 400 acres of land near Oakland, 200 acres of which he sold in 1824 to a favorite cousin, Peter Shumaker. He cleared and im- proved the 200 acres he retained, making a fine homestead, upon which he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring there. He married Elizabeth Rose, who was born Nov. 18, 1790, and survived him, dying June 12, 1863. George Rose, her father, was born near Murrysville, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and was a farmer and hotelkeeper. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shumaker, as fol- lows: Mary, born April 14, 1812, married Adam Smith, and died in 1887; John was born Oct. 22, 1813; Sarah, born Jan. 5, 1815,
Mr. Shumaker married Lavina Schaffner, a daughter of Henry Schaffner, a native of Switzerland, who came with his father to Lycoming county, Pa., when thirteen years old, afterward removing to Clarion county and. then to Jefferson county, where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Shumaker had ten children, eight. sons and two daughters: Jeremiah, born Nov. 5, 1852, who was farming in Illinois at the- time of his death; Margaret, born Jan. 16, 1854, who married Samuel Lankerd, a farmer, of Red Bank township, Armstrong county ; Ross, born Aug. 20, 1855, a farmer of Mahoning township, who married Lottie Mowry ; Monroe M., born April 9, 1859, who married Jane Prosious; Mary E., wife of Christopher B. Kimmel, a farmer of Arm- strong county ; Anderson, born Jan. 19, 1861, deceased ; Ezra Z., born Feb. 20, 1863 ; Murray· E., born June 10, 1865; Isaiah, born April 22, 1867, deceased, and Adam C., born April 30, 1868.
6
921
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
EZRA Z. SHUMAKER, son of Philip and lived there all his life. He was given a com- Lavina (Schaffner) Shumaker, was born Feb. mon school education, attending in the home district, and was brought up to farming on his father's place and under his direction. In 1890 he bought the property of sixty-five acres upon which he has since made his home, and all the improvements in the line of buildings. thereon have been made by him. The place is a credit to his industry and good judgment, and is under profitable cultivation, Mr. Shu- maker being a typical member of the thrifty family to which he belongs. Like his broth- ers he has taken an active part in public af- 20, 1863, in Mahoning township, where he has always resided, being now a well-to-do farmer of his district. He was reared on his father's homestead farm and received his education in the common schools of the locality. Farming has been his life work, and in 1910 he pur- chased the place of sixty acres upon which he now has his home. He has been a useful citizen, associated with the best interests of his community and active in township affairs, having served efficiently as supervisor and school director, two terms in each office. In fairs, having served as school director and politics he is a Republican, in religion a clerk of his township, and he has shown him- self to be a capable business man in every- thing he has undertaken. Baptist, belonging to the German Baptist Church at Red Bank.
Mr. Shumaker has been twice married. His first wife, Mary (Myers), of Westmore- land county, died, and he was married to Ola Brocious, daughter of Levi and Catherine Armstrong county; her father entered the (Shick) Brocious, of Ringgold township, Jef- Union army during the Civil war, and died of ferson Co., Pa. To the second marriage have been born three sons : Roy M., Arthur D. and Carl O. typhoid fever while in the service. Three- children, William Blair, Howard F. and Mabel. Grace, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shu- maker. Both are members of the Church of the Brethren at Oakland. In politics Mr .. Shumaker is a Republican.
MURRAY E. SHUMAKER, son of Philip and Lavina (Schaffner) Shumaker, was born June 10, 1865, in Mahoning township, and was reared and educated there, passing his early life on the paternal homestead, the property now owned by the Shawmut Coal Company. After attending the common schools he be- gan work at farming, which occupation he has always followed. His present farm, a tract of fifty-seven acres in up-to-date con- dition, he purchased in 1910, and even during the brief period of his ownership has made many improvements on the place in the way of buildings, cement walks, etc., the appearance of the property showing his interest and care -. ful management. He is well known and re- spected in the locality, has served his fellow citizens as township clerk and school director, and has made a good record as an officeholder, doing his duty in the most public-spirited and faithful manner. In politics he is a Repub- lican. He is an earnest member of the Ger- man Baptist Church, and holds the office of deacon.
On Oct. 10, 1891, Mr. Shumaker married Mary Peters, daughter of Jacob and Jane (Crawford) Peters, of Kittanning. Armstrong county, and they have a family of five chil- dren : Reed P., Paul, Harold, Ethel and Lillian.
On Oct. 31, 1891, Mr. Shumaker married Elizabeth Ankeney (her mother's name was. also Elizabeth), of Plum Creek township,
FRANK H. McNUTT, engaged in the gen -. eral real estate and insurance business, at Ford. City, Armstrong county, was born at Fair- mount City, Clarion Co., Pa., July 24, 1885, son of the late James F. and Margaret E. ( Hamilton) McNutt.
James F. McNutt was born in Clarion county, Sept. 12, 1840. In early life he taught school at Madison Furnace and New Bethle- hem, and in 1865 was appointed postmaster at. the latter place, retaining the office for a num- ber of years. Later he became a merchant there, but in 1878 went to Fairmount City to take charge of the Fairmount Coal Company's store. This responsible position was held by him for ten years, when he resigned to go into. business for himself in that city. There he resided until 1898, when he moved to Ford City, having been appointed postmaster there. He was also justice of the peace for a num- ber of years, both at New Bethlehem and Ford City, and in every walk of life proved him- self an honorable, upright man and good citi- zen. In 1863 Mr. McNutt enlisted in Com- pany K, 57th Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, of which he was made second lieu- tenant, and served until the close of the war.
ADAM C. SHUMAKER, son of Philip and Lavina (Schaffner) Shumaker, was born in The First Presbyterian Church of Ford City Mahoning township, April 30, 1868, and has held his membership. On June 25, 1863, Mr ..
922
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
McNutt was married to Margaret E. Hamil- He and his wife were members of the Re- ton, of Oakland, Pa., and five children were formed Church. born to this union. Mr. McNutt died July 28, 19II, and was interred in the cemetery at New Bethlehem, the Masons having charge of the services, as he was a member of both the Blue Lodge (of New Bethlehem) and Chap- ter (of Brookville).
Frank H. McNutt attended public school at Fairmount City, and the public and high school at Ford City, graduating in 1903, fol- lowing which he took a commercial course at Duff's Business college, Pittsburgh, from which he was graduated in 1904. Immedi- ately thereafter he became stenographer with the Westinghouse Construction Company, re- maining with this concern a year. He then became bookkeeper for the American Wall Paper Company, of Pittsburgh, for about a year, after which he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as clerk. After two years he was made bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Ford City, and on Nov. Ist, 1908, embarked in the real estate and insurance business there, in which lines he has established a large connection. In Febru- ary, 1909, he was appointed notary public, and he is now registrar and recorder of vital statistics, and secretary of the board of health of Ford City. He belongs to the B. P. O. Elks Lodge, No. 203, at Kittaning, to Blue Lodge, No. 244, F. & A. M., and Orient Chap- ter, No. 247, R. A. M., both of Kittanning, to the Independent Order of Americans at Ford City, and to Hose Company No. I, Ford City, of which later organization he is treas- urer. The Presbyterian Church holds his membership.
AARON H. KING, farmer, residing in South Bend township, Armstrong Co., Pa., was born June 19, 1853, in Kiskiminetas town- ship, this county, son of Silas and Rebecca (George) King, and grandson of Thomas King.
Silas King and his wife were born in Penn- sylvania, and both died on the family home- stead in South Bend township, Armstrong county, the former in 1903 and the latter in IgII. They had six children, Aaron H. be- ing the eldest of the family. He has two sis- ters, Mrs. John Findley, of Leechburg, Pa .; and Mrs. W. E. Trier, of South Bend. One brother, William, died in 19II. The father, Silas King, owned the farm of 100 acres on which he lived for many years in South Bend township. In politics he was a Democrat. held his membership.
Aaron H. King attended the district schools with more or less regularity until he was about eighteen years of age, and after assisting his father for two more years, left home and became a coal miner, following the coal in- dustry for twenty-five years. Prior to tak- ing charge of the homestead he worked for five years in a restaurant at Wilkinsburg, Pa. His farm is an excellent property, and he has it under a fine state of cultivation and has very comfortable surroundings.
On June 24, 1877, Mr. King was married, at Conemaugh, Indiana Co., Pa., to Mary E. Foster, daughter of James Foster, and they had four children, Joseph, Norman and Mary still living. Mrs. King died in 1897, when Mary was only three years old. In politics Mr. King is a Democrat, as was his father, and he attends the Reformed Church.
W. M. BOYD, late of Freeport, justice of the peace and insurance agent, was born Oct. 18, 1834, in Armstrong county, Pa., son of John and Nancy (Monson) Boyd. The Boyd family moved from Westmoreland county, Pa., to Allegheny county, and then to Worth- ington, Armstrong county. The Monson fam- ily came from Scotland to Juniata county, Pa., at an early day.
John Boyd was born April 3, 1808, and his wife in 18II. They were the parents of ten children, of whom five survive. John Boyd held the office of justice of the peace for thirty-five years. By occupation he was a farmer, and he was well known in Armstrong county, living at Worthington until his death. He was a member and elder of the Presbyte- rian Church.
W. M. Boyd was the third child born to his parents. He attended common school and the Worthington (Pa.) Institute. Following this until his marriage he worked at a number of things, being clerk in a store and assistant postmaster at Worthington for two years. From 1861 to 1887 he was engaged in farming. Eventually Mr. Boyd removed to Freeport, where he was elected justice of the peace, holding that office at the time of his death, a few years ago. He took an active part in public affairs aside from his office, having been an enthusiastic Prohibitionist. He conducted a large fire insurance business, representing eleven reliable companies, so that he was pre- pared to write up risks in almost any of the old line concerns. The Presbyterian Church
923
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
White Rock, Juniata Co., Pa., to Helen Mc- Foreland, who is deceased. Five children were born to them, two of whom survive.
GEORGE W. SIMPSON, a lifelong resi- dent and well-known farmer of Cowanshan- nock township, Armstrong county, was born on the farm where he now resides, Aug. 21, 1857, son of David and Jane (Simpson) Simp- son.
John Simpson, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Indiana county, Pa., and early became a pioneer in what is now Cowanshan- nock township, Armstrong county, settling on the property now occupied by his grandson, George W. Simpson. At that time it was wild land, but he worked at its clearing and de- velopment all his active life, and in 1839 erected the substantial two-story brick house, the brick for which was made on the home- stead.
The maternal grandfather, Isaac Simpson, was also a pioneer of Cowanshannock town- ship.
David Simpson, son of John Simpson and father of George W. Simpson, was a carpenter by trade, but turned his attention to farm- ing, which he followed until his death, which occurred when he was seventy years old. His children were: I. Newton, Augustus James, Mary Jane, Mary, George W., John C., Wil- liam and Anderson.
George W. Simpson was reared on the old homestead, which has always been his home, and he has spent his life in agricultural pur- suits. Recognizing the value of advanced farming, he has adopted many modern ideas in his work, and is known as a progressive and enterprising agriculturist. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while politically, he is a Republican.
-
HARRY C. ELDER, of Parkers Landing, Armstrong county, has carried on his present store there since September, 1904, and at pres- ent is also is serving as constable of the Second ward. He is an industrious and progressive business man, and by strict attention to his various interests has prospered steadily. Mr. Elder was born in Perry township, Clarion Co., Pa., June 4, 1868, and is a son of Cyrus Reed Elder and a grandson of Thomas Elder.
Thomas Elder was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was one of the pioneer settlers in Perry township, Clarion county. and engaged in boating on the river. He was drowned in the Allegheny, falling from a raft at the mouth
On April 3, 1860, Mr. Boyd was married, at of the Mahoning. He married Catherine Adams, and of the large family born to them the following grew to maturity : William, Har- vey, Cyrus Reed, Thomas, a soldier of the Civil war, who was killed at the battle of Har- per's Ferry, in 1862; Eliza, who married James Stewart; Kate, Mrs. Morrison; Mi- nerva, and Margaret, who married Daniel Frye.
Cyrus Reed Elder, son of Thomas, was born in Clarion county, Pa., and was reared there on a farm in Perry township. He learned the trade of blacksmith, at which he was employed in the railroad shops of Parker City and Foxburg for about a quarter of a century. For several years he owned and operated a ferry on the Allegheny river be- tween Bear Creek Furnace and Perry town- ship. He was a soldier during the Civil war, serving in the 103d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in which he enlisted in 1862. He took part in all the engagements of his regi- ment throughout the three years of his serv- ice, and was honorably discharged. Mr. Elder died Nov. 11, 1895, in his sixty-fifth year. He married Catherine Hydinger, who was born in eastern Pennsylvania, daughter of John and Catherine Hydinger, the former a native of Germany, who was a pioneer woods- man of Fryburg, Clarion Co., Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Elder reared a family of nine children, viz .: Ella, who married Albert Reed; John; Elizabeth, who married Joseph Moore; Silas, deceased; Harry C .; Anna, who married Manton Patterson; Frank; Charles Edward, deceased, and Katie, who married Charles Smith.
Harry C. Elder attended the common schools of his native township. In his early · teens he entered the employ of the Thomas A. Wightman Glass Company at Parker City, re- maining with that concern for several years, and then went to Baltimore, Md., where he spent a year employed in the same line. He then became an employee of the Pittsburgh & Western Railroad Company, in their shops at Foxburg. Pa., where he continued for two vears, after which he went west to Chicago, Ill., and for one year worked in the glass factory at Fortieth street and Wentworth ave- nue. The next six months he spent at Cyg- net. Ohio. engaged in building tanks in the oil fields of that section. He then took a position as brakeman on the Buffalo. Rochester & Pittsburgh road, and soon afterward became a fireman on that road. On March 6, 1889. he met with an accident which resulted in the loss of his left arm. In the fall of that year
924
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
he opened a billiard room in Parker, Arm- strong, Co., Pa., and carried it on for five years. After that for one year he was en- gaged as pumper for the Indiana & Ohio Oil Company, at Marion, Ind., in 1904 returning to Parker City and opening up the store which he has since conducted. In addition to his store he has a profitable newspaper route in the city. By honorable business methods and constant attention to the wants of his cus- tomers Mr. Elder has gained a substantial place in the community and has held the re- spect of his fellow citizens in every associa- tion which has brought them into contact with him.
On Sept. 17, 1890, Mr. Elder married Min- nie Blanch Varner, of Parker, and they have two children, Mary Ruth and Joseph C. Mr. and Mrs. Elder are members of the M. E. Church. He is a Republican in political con- nection.
ELMER J. MICKEY, proprietor of the Valley Mills, at Freeport, Armstrong county, is engaged in the manufacture of high-grade brands of flour. He is one of the best known millers in this section of Pennsylvania, having followed the business at various points, and he has gained his high position in the commer- cial world by ability, industry and the ex- ercise of good judgment in his transactions. He is one of the substantial citizens of the borough, and occupies an honorable place among its most respected resident's.
Mr. Mickey was born March 4, 1867, in Clearfield, Pa., son of Austin E. Mickey, of Ligonier, Pa., who married Polly McKinster, of Apollo, Pa. Austin E. Mickey had a com- mon school education and learned the mil- ler's trade when young. He worked at that all of his life, at different places, and in his later years was at Crooked Creek, Armstrong county, at the Walker Mill. He retired, and died at Hillville, Armstrong county, in March, 1910, aged eighty years. His wife died Jan. I, 1912, aged eighty-three years. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Mickey was a stanch Republican in his politi- cal views. Their children were: John, a mil- ler, who died at Crooked Creek, Pa .; James, a miller, also deceased; William, a stonemason, deceased ; Sadie, who married D. W. Keefer, and lives near Pittsburgh, Pa .; Elmer J .; Dorce C., a coal miner, living in Pennsylvania ; Oscar, an employee of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company, who was killed on that road in 1908, at Leechburg, Pa .; and Ford, who is in the coal business at Leechburg.
Elmer J. Mickey was given a common school education and learned the miller's trade of his father. For eight years he ran the mill at Apollo, Armstrong Co., Pa. Then he was at Saltsburg, Indiana county, for one year; at Markle, Westmoreland county, four years, and from there went back to Apollo for six months. On Oct. 6, 1898, he bought the Valley Mills at Freeport, where he has since been in business. His mill is well equipped and has a capacity of fifty barrels a day and only high-grade brands of flour are produced, "Valley Pride" and "Mickey's Best" being widely known for their superior qualities. Mr. Mickey also buys, sells and exchanges wheat, doing a business of considerable proportions in this line. He has built up one of the thriv- ing establishments of the borough by his ef- fective methods and good business policy.
In October, 1888, Mr. Mickey married Ida Garris, of Allegheny county, Pa., and they have one son, M. C. Mr. and Mrs. Mickey are members of the Presbyterian Church. They have a fine home in the borough, and his property holdings have become quite valu- able.
THOMAS TURNER, farmer and dairy- man, of Kiskiminetas township, was born March 7, 1872, in Pittsburgh, Pa., son of Gil- bert and Georgiana (Chevers) Turner. The parents were natives of Somersetshire, Eng- land.
-
Gilbert Turner was a carpenter and con- tractor. Settling in Pittsburgh, he erected his family residence there at a cost of $700, on property now valued at $100,000. Here he died in 1896, but his widow survives, re- siding in Pittsburgh, now aged over eighty years. They were the parents of seven sons and one daughter, of whom five sons are liv- ing.
Until his seventeenth year Thomas Turner attended public school. He worked for the Pittsburgh Traction Company six years as a machinist. Then he and his brother Frank leased a farm in the vicinity of Oakland, which they conducted for fourteen years, af- terward moving to what is known as the Muskrat farm. In conjunction with general farming the brothers embarked in the dairy business in 1890, and operated there exten- sively until Thomas Turner and another brother, Charles, came to Armstrong county and bought the large fruit farm of 365 acres near Springchurch, which they now conduct. There was a young orchard on the place, including 265 apple trees, and 500 peach and
925
HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
pear trees, and there was a good peach crop strong county, Oct. 9, 1839, son of William in IgII. Mr. Thomas Turner occupies the and Lizzie ( Shoemaker) Townsend. beautiful, large residence on the farm, which Isaac Townsend, his grandfather, was born in England in 1760, and came to America in 1775, locating in what is now Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong Co., Pa. There, in about 1780, he married Rachel King, by whom he had seven sons and three daughters. One of these sons was William Townsend. commands a fine view. There is also a com- modious barn on the property. The brothers are also conducting a dairy, keeping seventeen fine milch cows, and are contemplating branching out in this line as well as in fruit raising.
On July 12, 1896, Mr. Turner was married, in this county, to Mary Ellen Young, whose people were originally from Somersetshire, England. Three children have been born of this marriage: Georgiana and Daisy, twins, and Helen Louisa. Mr. Turner is a Repub- lican, but not active in public life. He belongs to the Cedar Avenue Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh.
MILES HILEMAN, a farmer of Manor township, was born in Armstrong county in 1863, son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Ise- man) Heilman and grandson of Solomon Heilman, as the earlier generations spelled the name. He is a descendant of Peter Heil- man (Sr.) and his wife Elizabeth (Harter). Solomon Heilman, who followed farming all his life, married Hannah Yount.
Alexander Heilman was born and reared in Armstrong county, and became extensively engaged in farming. His death occurred in 1909. To him and his wife were born ten children, namely : Sarah Jane, wife of Andrew Sheasley; Jackson; Park; Miles; Ada, wife of John Wolfe; Susanna, wife of Robert Fis- cus; Millie, wife of William Hurtman; May, wife of William Miller; and Katie, wife of George Crownover. The parents of this fam- ily were members of the Presbyterian Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.