History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Part 128

Author: Smith, Robert Walter
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Waterman, Watkins
Number of Pages: 790

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Early in life he united with Slate Lick Presby- terian church, an active and consistent member of which he remained to the time of his death, with the exception of the three years spent in Kittan- ning while he held the office of sheriff, during which he was identified with the church in that place.

When quite a young man he adopted the princi- ple of total abstinence from intoxicating liquors, at a time when few were found to take a position generally regarded as radical. For more than fifty years he was a zealous advocate of the cause of temperance, and ever refused in any way to barter or compromise his principles.

In his own neighborhood he was the friend and promoter of the cause of education. A school of higher grade having been organized, and known as the " Slate Lick Classical Institute," in 1870, he erected at his own expense a building, and for several years gave to this school the free use of it.

He was the father of six children, two sons and four daughters. John Boyd, his second son and youngest child, died in Kittanning December 3, 1861, in the fourteenth year of his age. Mary Eliza- beth, his third daughter, died at Slate Lick October 7, 1865, at the age of twenty-two years. His other children survive: Rev. D. H. Sloan, pastor of Presbyterian church, Leechburg, Pennsylvania ; Mrs. Rev. J. H. Blackford, of Glasgow, Ohio, and Mrs. J. F. Boyd and Mrs. B. S. Robinson, of Slate Lick, Pennsylvania.

In April, 1877, he was stricken by paralysis while yet seemingly in his usual vigorous health. He never was able to resume any of the activities of life. A portion of the time he was able to attend church, and to make visits to near-by places. He bore his protracted affliction with Christian patience and resignation. His golden wedding anniversary occurred December 9, 1880, and was duly observed, all his children and many friends gathering to extend their congratulations. He delighted in the grace of hospitality. His friends were always welcomed, and many a wayfarer sought the shelter of his cheerful home.

In October, 1882, his illness took an unfavorable turn, and on the 2d day of November he peace- fully passed away. His remains repose in the cemetery at Slate Lick, but he still lives in the influence of his earnest, upright life, and in the affections of those who knew him.

JOHN THOMPSON JACKSON.

The subject of this brief sketch was born February 23, 1837. February 25, 1864, he was joined in wedlock with Mary Jane, daughter of 'Squire William G. and Elizabeth Watson. Four children, all of whom are now living, were the off- spring of this union. The oldest son, William Murray, was born August 17, 1865; Myra E. was born September 7, 1867 ; Edwin Stanton was born February 19, 1870, and Howard Thompson, June 6, 1874. This family resides upon a good farm of about 200 acres, five and a half miles northeast of Apollo.

Mr. Jackson served his country during three years of the war of the rebellion, and made an excellent reputation as a soldier. He enlisted in June, 1861, in Co. G, 11th Pa. Reserves (in- fantry), entering the service as a private. In December, 1862, he became sergeant, and was soon promoted to orderly-sergeant. On March 30, 1863, he was made second lieutenant, and upon the 18th of the following August promoted to first lieuten- ant, which position he held until he was honorably discharged and mustered out, June 13, 1864. He

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was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, De- cember 13, 1862, and taken a prisoner. At Gaines Hill, on the June previous, he was taken prisoner and confined on Belle Island.

JAMES Y. JACKSON.

James Y. Jackson was born July 21, 1831, on the old home farm owned by his father, and on which he now lives. He was united in marriage with Miss Wilhelmina R. Townsend, in 1856. Her par- ents were Henry and Catharine (Ulam) Townsend. She was born April 20, 1839, and died April 2, 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were born twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, whose names, together with the dates of their births, are as follows: Laura V. (wife of W. W. Beatty), born July 28, 1857 ; Katie E. (wife of Jay P. Wilson), born May 8, 1859 ; Hannah M., born November 15, 1860 (died November 5, 1865) ; Winnie Z., born January 11, 1863 ; Ada M., born December 19, 1864 ; Carrie A., born October 11, 1866 ; Harry S., born April 17, 1868; Berton W., born May 3, 1870; John Sherman, born January 31, 1872 ; James E., born November 1, 1873 ; Florence W., born Sep- tember 3, 1875, and Arthur N., born November 21, 1877.

Mr. Jackson has been a farmer all of his life, and a respected citizen. In company with his brother, Samuel M., he owns the old homestead, consisting of over 400 acres of land, well-improved, and con- stituting one of the best farms in the southeastern part of Armstrong county.

JOSEPH AND JOSEPH I. CAMPBELL.

Joseph Campbell was born in Ireland in 1808, and his father dying when he was quite young, he was adopted by an uncle, who cared for him until he reached manhood, and then, after paying a visit to his mother, whom he had not seen since he was first separated from her, he came to America. He first took up his residence in Pittsburgh, and se- cured a position as clerk in a mercantile house. Afterward he worked on the Pennsylvania canal, earning and saving the money, $202.06, with which he purchased, in 1834, 100 acres of land in Valley township, upon which not a tree had been cut. In 1837 he married Margaret Irvin, and about 1838 they moved onto the farm, where he had already made a clearing and built a log cabin. Although surrounded by adverse circumstances, they rose superior to them through patient toil. Slowly the land was cleared, and the lonely home improved by the addition of hard-earned conveniences. Both were hard-working, thrifty, honest people, respected by all who knew them. Mr. Campbell was a mem-

ber of the Methodist church, and was for years a class leader ; his wife was a member of the Pres- byterian church. Mrs. Campbell's death occurred March 29, 1846, and from that time the father en- deavored by increased care for his children to com- pensate in some degree, however small, the loss of a mother's influence. His own death occurred in October, 1858. He left two sons : Joseph I., born January 6, 1841, and John, born in 1844.

Joseph I. Campbell for several years after his father's death rented and continued upon the home- stead farm, and in the meantime bought land ad- joining. Subsequently he purchased his brother's interest, and is therefore the sole possessor of the paternal estate, which through his skillful manage- ment has been transformed into one of the best homes in the county, as may be seen by a view of the house and surroundings, which appears upon another page. Mr. Campbell is now numbered among the progressive and successful farmers of the county. In politics he is a republican.

Upon September 5, 1860, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss Isabella Irvin, a lady of Irish parentage, born in Kittanning in 1828. Her death occurred December 29, 1882, preceded by that of her son John I., which took place De- cember 6. The family thus suffered a two-fold bereavement. Mrs. Campbell was a most estimable wife and mother, and much loved in the Episcopal church, of which she was a member. Her surviv- ing children are : Irvin T., Mary and Joseph.

JAMES FOWLER.

John Fowler, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, July +, 1776. He lived for several years in Westmoreland county, and married there, in 1802, Miss Margaret Carson. His wife died in 1803, leaving one child, and Mr. Fowler soon afterward removed to Butler county, where he followed, as he had in West- moreland, the occupations of millwright and car- penter. In 1807 he married as his second wife, Frances Turner. The fruits of this union were six children of whom three are living-James, Sarah and Margaret C.

James Fowler was born in 1817, and reared upon a farm in Parker township, Butler county. His chief employment was that incidental to farm life, but he was engaged for several years in cabinet- making and carpentry, in both of which trades he obtained considerable skill. His advantages for obtaining an education were quite limited, as he could only attend the common country schools of the neighborhood, which were far inferior to those of the present day. Nevertheless he obtained

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through other channels quite a fund of informa- tion, while he was still a young man. On Feb- ruary 22, 1844, he was united in marriage with Miss Ann L. Leonard, and in 1851 he came to Armstrong county, purchasing and settling upon twenty-nine acres of rough, unimproved land in what is now Hovey township. This he cleared and brought into good condition, handling some of the timber upon it (and much more besides) in a sawmill which he put up in 1852, and which he operated for six years. In 1859 he went across the Allegheny and leased a hotel in Foxburg, which he carried on for seven years. In the mean- time it had been found that the lands in the northwestern part of Armstrong county were valuable oil territory, and he sold his hotel lease and began leasing his land in small parcels to the operators who thronged into the country. Soon some test wells were put down and petroleum found in abundance. He received from one-sixth to one- quarter of the oil produced upon his land as royalty, and it was only a comparatively short time before he had $40,000 in the bank as a result. Not long afterward he and the Messrs. Fox, of Foxburg, established the ferry at that place, which proved a profitable investment. The amount of travel, however, became so great that an iron bridge was thrown across the river to accommo- date it, and in this he invested about $20,000. He retained his interest in this until quite recently, when it was sold to the railroad company. Mr. Fowler has at this time, in addition to the place where he resides, a good farm of about 128 acres in Kittanning township, a farm in Plum Creek township, and a valnable property in Manorville. He ranks among the most enterprising citizens of the county, is a man of large usefulness to the people among whom he lives, and his friendly and kindly disposition have made him generally es- teemed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

They have been the parents of six children, four of whom are living-Marion L., Charlotte A., James T. and Nelson M. Charlotte A. married Philip Foust, and resides at St. Petersburg, Clarion county; James T. married Hannah E. Roof, and resides with his parents; Nelson M. married Jennie R. Reed, and lives near Manor- ville, in which village he carries on a drug store.

OBEDIAH BARNHART.

The Barnhart family have been prominently identified with the early settlement of Western Pennsylvania, especially the county of Butler. The Barnharts, as their name would indicate, are

of German extraction. John William Barnhart, the progenitor of the American branch of the family, came from Germany in 1764 and settled in Westmoreland county. He died in January, 1822. Three of his sons, Phillip, Rudolph and Daniel, emigrated to Butler county in 1796, and were among the very earliest settlers in the region around Millerstown, and did much to redeem the country from a wild, uncultivated region to one fitted for the habitation of man.

In January, 1836, Mr. Barnhart purchased the primitive gristmill which was erected by Abraham Lasher in 1805, and also a tract of 150 acres, which includes the land on which Millerstown is now located. Mr. Barnhart soon tore down the ancient log mill and erected a more modern building.

Soon after coming into possession of the prop- erty in 1836, Mr. P. Barnhart laid out Millerstown, which took its name from the location of the mill, although the postoffice is known to this day as Barnhart's Mills. Mr. Barnhart thus became the founder of what was destined to become a pros- perous village. Phillip Barnhart died in 1860, after a long and useful life, respected by all. Mr. Barnhart raised quite a family of children, one of whom, also named Phillip Barnhart, Jr., married Susannah Kemerer, and they became the parents of four children-Henry (deceased), Margaret, Jere- miah (deceased), and Obediah. After the death of his first wife in 1851, aged fifty-one years, he mar- ried her sister Catharine, by whom he had three children-Susannah (deceased), Mary, Catharine (deceased).

Mr. Barnhart, who died October 7, 1861, aged forty-seven years, was for the major portion of his life engaged in farming, although he for a time was engaged in milling at the old mill site. Obediah Barnhart was born in Millerstown, May 10, 1848, and in 1869 was married to Miss Rosanna Aldinger (born June 19, 1848), daughter of David Aldinger, of Millerstown. Their children are Walter H., born November 9, 1870; Lanra A., born November 2, 1872; Harmon D., born January 22, 1875. When, in 1875, Mr. Barnhart moved to his present farm of 110 acres in East Franklin township, it presented anything but an inviting appearance, being incumbered with old buildings, but a fine view of his residence, which appears on another page, will show it to be now numbered among the best farms in the township.

Mr. Barnhart still retains the home farm in the vicinity of Millerstown. Mr. and Mrs. Barn- hart are members of the Reformed Church of Kittanning.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN HILL.

Among the pioneers of Western Pennsylvania was the Hill family. They came from "east of the mountains," and settled near Salem, West- moreland county. While residing here the father of the family was captured by a band of Indians, and taken to Hickory Flats, above Oil City, where he was mercilessly slaughtered. He left three children -John, Jacob and Hannah. John, the eldest, was born in 1772, and became the possessor of the old homestead, where he lived for many years diligently engaged in clearing and improv- ing the farm. He frequently related to his family in after-years the trials and hardships through which they were obliged to pass, notably among them their persecution by the Indians, from whom they used to flee to blockhouses for a place of safety. It was also frequently necessary to cor- ral their stock against the depredations of the savages. Reared as he was amid scenes of danger and toil, he became a fine type of the hardy pion- eer to which the present and succeeding genera- tions are and will be deeply indebted. He was well known as an expert with the ax, and for a time followed the business of erecting log houses and barns, in which he was exceptionally successful. In an early day he erected a grist and saw mill ou Beaver Run, and settlers for a radius of twenty miles visited his mill with their grists, and some- times they were so far behind owing to low water, notwithstanding the mill was run Sundays as well as week-days, that settlers would wait two weeks for their grist, camping out near the mill. About 1800 he built a gristmill on the river, to which place he moved his family. The millsite included some seventy acres of land, which was acquired by settler's right. He also erected a mill on the Kiskiminetas. In 1812 he moved to a tract of land in Allegheny, now Gilpin township, Arm- strong county, now in possession of one of his sons, and soon became one of the most successful farmers of that section. His sagacity was evi- denced by his planting an orchard of 1,000 apple trees, while his farm was visited by neighbors from miles around to pick cherries from the nu- merous trees he had planted. He became an expert in the manufacture of wooden moldboard plows, then exclusively used. He was one of the com- missioners appointed by government to clear out the Kiskiminetas river. A member of the Lu- theran church, he was a man of strong religious sentiments, and church services were frequently held in his barn. His death occurred January 9, 1848, and thus quietly passed away another of that band of noble pioneers who now only live in

the memory of a grateful posterity. lle was twice married, first to Elizabeth Waltz, who died October 13, 1817, and by whom he had ton children-Mary, Elizabeth, John, Jacob, Levi, Eli, Daniel, Iliram, Israel and Deborah. His second wife was Susan Ammon, who is still living at the advanced age of ninety-two years. They became the parents of nine children-Hetty, Leah, John, Ammon, Char- lotte, Phillip, Sarah, Noah and Seni. One of his sons, Ely, was born in 1807, and died in Leech- burg, October, 1843. Arriving at manhood's estate, Eli, in connection with his brothers, Levi and Jacob, engaged in the manufacture of salt, and drilled the third well in this section for this valu- able product. They drilled altogether some eight wells, and became quite extensive salt manu- facturers. Eli, Levi, Daniel and Hiram also en- gaged in the mercantile business in Leechburg, which they carried on quite extensively for about four years.

Eli Hill married Susan Ashbaugh, who died in March, 1878, aged about sixty-two years. They became the parents of children as follows : John, Eveline, Margaret (Barr), Priscilla (Lytle). Their son, John Hill, was born in Allegheny township, Westmoreland county, December 6, 1832, and grew to manhood's estate with no other educational ad- vantages than those accorded the farmers' sons at that time. Having inherited the genius for mechanism so prominent in his grandfather's character, he learned the carpenter's trade, and soon became a successful contractor and builder, which avocation he followed until 1872, when he engaged in the lumber business in Leechburg, which is still carried on, but since 1879 in con- nection with his son, Charles A., under the firm name of John Hill & Son. Mr. Hill was one of the original association organized in 1872, that the year following established a bank known as the Leechburg Banking Company, and was one of the first directors, which office he held until the spring of 1878, when he was elected cashier, which posi- tion he still retains. Mr. Hill has been school director, and held this position when the present fine school building was erected in Leechburg. In politics he is a republican, and, although always exercising the rights of the elective franchise, is no aspirant for office. Starting in life with his own resources - energy, perseverance and indus- try - as his only capital, he has made a success in life, and is now accounted as among the most ener- getic, successful, honored and respected citizens of Leechburg. January 8, 1857, he was married to Mary Jane, danghter of Charles and Ann (Mears) McCauley, who was born April 20, 1833. They

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have been blessed with two children-Charles A., born December 9, 1857, and Edward, born April 19, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are both members of the General Synod Lutheran church.

HIRAM HI. WRAY.

Hiram H. Wray, prominently identified with the mercantile interests of Leechburg, was born Janu- ary 24, 1848, in Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong county, and was the son of John M. and Margaret (Townsend) Wray. His father followed farming, and the son was reared to that calling, sharing its healthful toils. After receiving his preliminary education in the common schools, he attended the Elder's Ridge Academy in Indiana county, and then took a course of instruction in the Iron City Com- mercial College, from which he graduated in 1864. Entering his father's store at Olivet, he gained his first practical knowledge of business. From there he went to Mahoning, where he was engaged as bookkeeper for Jeremiah Bonner, and the follow. ing year he took charge of the Adams Express office at that point, then the northern terminus of the Allegheny Valley Railroad, and at the same time became the representative of the Good Intent Mail Line. He remained at Mahoning until the spring of 1867, and then returned to Shady Plain, where he became a partner with his father in a store, under the firm name of J. M. Wray & Son. He continued to be identified in the management of that business and its branches until 1872, when he came to Leechburg to take charge of the books of the firm of Beale, Rodgers & Burchfield. He was connected with that firm in a very responsible position until 1873, when he purchased an interest in the business of Ashbaugh & Co (now Ashbangh & Wray). The firm as now constituted has car- ried on business continuously and successfully since 1875, and is one of the best-known firms in Leech- burg, or, for that matter, the southern part of the county. Their place of business is located di- rectly across the river from Leechburg.

At or about the same time that Mr. Wray formed his present business relation, he became the owner and editor of the Leechburg Enterprise, which had been established two years before, in 1873. He edited this journal with ability through the Cen- tennial year, and transferred it to Messrs. Truxal & Hill, in 1877. He was one of the prime movers in the project of establishing the Leechburg Bank, and has been for a number of years one of its di- rectors. He has also identified himself with various other business enterprises, notably among them that of the introduction of the new process flour- ing-mill, in which he was associated with five other

gentlemen. The mill referred to is located at Leechburg, and is known as the "Leechburg Mill- ing Company." It is doing a large merchant busi- ness, and was the first to adopt the "gradual re- duction system," now in general use. Mr. Wray has also given special attention to stock-growing, and, in company with Robert Wray, is breeding superior Southdown sheep. He is also rearing Clydesdale and thoroughbred horses.

Upon September 7, 1880, Mr. Wray was united in marriage with Miss Alice M. Harrison, daughter of John and Eliza (Sampson) Harrison, of Alle- gheny county, who was born December 28, 1855. Two children have been born to them-Edith M and John Harrison ; the former died in infancy. Mrs. Wray's father was of English descent and re- lated to the famous Featherstone family. He came to this country when nine years of age with his parents, who settled in Germantown, near Phila- delphia, where he was reared. He remained here until he was twenty-one, when he emigrated west- ward, and settled in Allegheny county, where he was prominently identified with its business interests, and was noted as one of the pioneers in importing English and Scotch draft horses, a business in which he was engaged up to the time of his death, which occurred from an accident, in 1879.

THE JACKSON FAMILY-WILLIAM J. JACKSON.

James Jackson and his wife, Sarah (Thompson) * Jackson, came to this county about 1798, and settled two and a half miles east of Apollo. He was born in Ireland, and his wife in America. James, their son, was born September 4, 1806, and his wife, Jane McCartney, in Indiana county, August 31, 1811. They had nine children, as follows : Nancy Y., Sarah T., Martha Jane, Elizabeth, Walter F., William J., Maria J., James T., and an infant, not named. These children are all now dead ex- cept William John Jackson, who still lives on the old homestead farm, containing 270 acres of fine land, and is one of the best known residents of this part of the county. He was born March 1, 1845. .On the 1st of August, 1866, he was united in mar- riage with Martha E. Watson, who was born June 1, 1846. They have had nine children, whose names, with dates of their births, are as follows : Walter F., born September 16, 1867 ; Ida I., Octo- ber 29, 1868 ; Zilla M., February 18, 1870 ; Lizzie J., November 6, 1871; William B., March 25, 1873 ; James M., September 1, 1874 ; Horace P., February 24, 1876; Herbert W., February 18, 1878; and John Clifton, March 13, 1881.

Mrs. Jackson's father and mother were William G. and Elizabeth M. (Brown) Watson. 'Squire

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Watson, as he was commonly called, was a justice of the peace for several years, and sheriff of Arm- strong county for three years, being elected in 1850. He died December 5, 1881, at the age of sixty- eight. His wife, born in 1814, died May I, 1864. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Mary J., Susan E., Martha E. and Nancy M. are living. Those deceased are Thomas M., Margaret J., and an infant daughter.

THE SHOEMAKER FAMILY.

One of the earliest settlers of the county, and one now represented by a large family, was George Shoemaker, who came from Virginia and located at Cochran's mills, in what is now Burrell town- ship, about the year 1800. His wife was Margaret Miller. They were the parents of ten children- Isaac, John, Peter, Daniel, George, Jesse, Joseph, Catharine (Blogher), Margaret (Hind), and Han- nah (Uncapher). Of these all are now deceased except Daniel, who resides at Rosston, and has three sons, I. W., L. J. and A. L., all of whom are ministers of the Baptist church. Peter Shoe- maker married Sarah Ringer and settled at Oak- land, where he followed farming and was a very successful and widely known man of affairs, until his death, which occurred in 1872. He was the father of twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity, and eight of whom are now living, as follows : Isaac, in Mahoning township; William, in Clarion county; Catharine (Young), in Madi- son township ; Mary (Montgomery), in Manor; Jesse and George on the old homestead; Joseph B. and Sarah in Madison.

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History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Part 128

Author: Smith, Robert Walter Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : Waterman, Watkins Number of Pages: 790

Author: Smith, Robert Walter
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Waterman, Watkins
Number of Pages: 790