History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 120

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1288

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EAST LACKAWANNOCK TOWNSHIP.

FRED AMON, farmer, was born near Pulaski, Lawrence Co., Penn., March 11, 1830. He is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Gundy) Amon. The father was a cripple, yet he worked at the cabinet-making business, milling and farming. He settled on the Lutton farm of 100 acres, in East Lackawannock Township. He and his wife were of German extraction. They were the parents of seven children: George, Andrew W., Mary A., wife of Abram Faulk; Richard, Fred, Margaret, Lovina, wife of Levi Kaser. Jacob Amon was a Whig and Republican. He died in 1871, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his widow died in 1883, at the ripe old age of eighty-two. She was a member of the Lutheran Church. Fred Amon was educated in the common schools, and was brought up on a farm. He was married February 22, 1860, to Margaret, daughter of John Moore, of this township. He is farming the

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

homestead. He has been blessed with three children: Angeline, Mary R., wife of James H. Stewart, of Sharpsburg, Penn., and Anson B. In politics he is a Republican, and has filled many of the local township offices with credit.

GEORGE W. BUDD, farmer, post office Indian Run, was the grandson of John C. Budd, a sea captain, who was born in England. In 1802 he landed in Philadelphia, and while changing his clothes was bitten by a black spider, and died in a few hours. About six months thereafter, John C., Jr., the father of our subject, was born. In his youth he was educated in Philadel- phia, and learned the silversmith trade. In 1826 he was married to Caroline, daughter of Philip and Mary (Bouckins) Painter, of New Castle. He bought a farm near New Castle, and settled thereon. There were eleven children born to them: George W., Andrew B., William P., John C., Philip, Eliza- beth, wife of Samuel Hammond; Mary J., wife of Charles Johnson; Daniel B., Joseph, James H. (deceased), and Florence M., wife of P. M. Dix. He held many of the local township offices. He was a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge of Philadelphia. He died in 1847, followed by his widow in 1876. George W. was married September 24, 1868, to Mary J., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Johnson) Dunn, of Crawford County, Penn. They settled on a farm of 100 acres left to her at the death of her father and brother. There were two children born to them: Anna M. and Robert K., both deceased. He enlisted in the War of the Rebellion in 1861, under Capt. Stewart, Second Ohio Cavalry, and served two and one-half years, and then re-enlisted under Capt. Waters, and was in Company F, Second Ohio Cavalry, which was after- ward commanded by Capt. Rand. They were in engagements at Shenandoah Valley, Snicker's Gap, the raid around Richmond, battle of Culpepper Court- House, Ashland and Stony Creek. After re-enlistment he served twenty-one months. He lost the hearing of his left ear by the discharge of a shell at Cedar Creek. His brother John was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, and Joseph was shot in the arm at Richmond. George W. and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Democrat.

JOHN P. BREST, farmer, post office Mercer, was born August 14, 1840, son of David and Catherine (Remley) Brest, of Lawrence County. Andrew Brest, the grandfather of John P., was one of the pioneers of Mercer County. He was a native of Washington County, Penn., of German descent, and came to Mercer County in about 1797. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, under Capt. Denniston, having served on two separate occasions. about six months in all. He married Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Rodgers, of Lawrence County. Among the children was David, the father of our subject. At manhood he married and settled on a portion of his father's farm in Springfield Township, `this county. He remained here until 1840, when he purchased a farm in Dela- ware Township, where he remained until 1856. He returned to Springfield Township, where he lived one year, then went to French Creek Township and remained two years, then to Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County, where he resided nine years. In 1868 he came from Lawrence County and settled in Jefferson Township, Mercer County. There were twelve children born to this union : John P., Lewis F., Elizabeth A., David W., Martha J. (wife of John Soliday, of Sharon), William H., Mary E. (wife of William Richel, of Jeffer- son Township), Catherine E. (wife of Martin Coxson, of Stoneboro), Flora K. (wife of Andrew Craig) and Alexander W. His wife died September 2, 1865. He was again married, to Nancy A. Brest, widow of Washington Brest, who was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. There were six children born to them: Lilly, Burton, Zeddie E., Lotie, Clara and Floyd. David held the office of

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

justice of the peace and some of the local offices. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the father being noted for his proficiency in Bible teachings. In politics he was a Whig and Republican. He died October 12, 1879. John P. was married March 4, 1864, to Ruth A., daughter of Thomas and Eva (Wise) Rodgers, of Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County. He enlisted in the War of the Rebellion August 28, 1861, under Capt. Bentley, in Company E, One Hundredth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three years. At the expiration of the time he again enlisted as a veteran under Capt. Book, of the same company and regiment, where he served until June 2, 1864, when he was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, La., by a minie- ball in the left leg, just below the knee. About twenty-four hours afterward his leg was amputated in the field hospital. The night of the 3d he was hauled eighteen miles, to the White House landing on the James River, and, remaining ten days, was sent to Harwood Hospital, Washington, D. C. He was honorably discharged from the service May 5, 1865. He lived in various places in the county, and in 1883 located on the Swoggar property, in East Lackawannock Township. There were nine children born to them: Elden E., Harvey T., Clarence O., Elmira E., Perry N., Scott S., Johnnie, Maggie and Blaney. The oldest and the youngest are deceased. He was constable in Jefferson Township for three years, and held various township offices. He is a member of the G. A. R. and of the I. O. O. F. While in the army he was promoted to corporal.

JOSEPH CARTER, farmer, post-office Indian Run, was born August 6, 1827. His grandfather, Barzillas, was born in New Jersey, but moved at an early day into Mercer County, now Lawrence County, where he spent the rest of his days. There were six children born to them, of which Nathaniel, the father of Joseph, was the youngest and only son, and who was married in 1826 to Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Colwell) Carlon. He settled on the old homestead, and there were eleven children born to them: Joseph, Barzillas, William, John, Rebecca (wife of Richard Rice), George, Elizabeth (wife of Thomas Hannah), Nathaniel, Newton B., Sarah (wife of George Bunny), Hannah (wife of Matthew Irving). Politically he was a Democrat, and died in 1860 at the age of fifty-five years, and he and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. Joseph was married in 1850 to Eliza J., daugh- ter of Christian and Eliza (Teter) Welker, of Lawrence County. He pur- chased a farm of John Cunningham of 100 acres, in East Lackawannock Township, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. They have had twelve children: Clara, William, John A., Susan, Welker, Nathaniel, James, Austin B., Elizabeth (wife of Charles Johnston), Joseph P., David and Mary L. John A., Susan and James died young. Joseph was drafted in the late war, but was released on account of his health. He was formerly a Democrat, but is now a champion of the Greenback principles. He and wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Mercer.

JAMES W. COZAD, farmer, post-office Mercer. His grandfather came from New Jersey in the first decade of the nineteenth century, and settled in East Lackawannock Township. Joseph, the father of our subject, was the tenth child, and at the age of fifteen years his father died, and he began for him- self. At the age of twenty-one he was married to Elizabeth McElvain, of Mercer County, now Lawrence County. There were eight children born to them: Anna M., James W., John A., Mary E., Joseph A., Marcissa M .. Win- field S. and Noble A. Mr. Cozad first located in Sharon, where he followed stone-cutting, and worked on the Beaver & Erie Canal. In 1842 he bought. seventy-five acres of land of Thomas Rodgers, in East Lackawannock Town-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

ship, on which they settled. The parents attended the Presbyterian Church of Mercer, of which the mother was a member, He was an old- line Whig, and died in 1859, and his widow in 1876. J. W. was married April 24, 1871, to Kate V., daughter of Ebenezer and Phobe (Bowman) Stark, of Baltimore, Md. He inherited fifty acres of his father's homestead. There were four children born to them: Cora B., Kate, Josephine B. and James M. He was a volunteer in the 100-days' service in the late war, also served nine months in Company A, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regiment. He is a Methodist, and his wife a Baptist. Politically he is a Republican.

HIRAM COZAD, farmer, post-office Mercer, was born October 8, 1824, in East Lackawannock Township, to Jacob Cozad, born, 1794 and died October 30, 1877, and Hannah, his wife, who died September 15, 1881, and was the mother of Elias, born April 12, 1823; Julia, born January 19, 1828; Elias, born May 3, 1826; Aaron, born December 14, 1829; Carver, born August 23, 1831; Phoebe, born May 27, 1833. Jacob Cozad was a farmer and an intimate friend of William S. Garvin, whose manuscripts appear in this volume. Our subject was educated at Sharon, and at the age of nineteen he bought a team and hauled coal, being among the first to haul it from the mines to the canal, for three years. He then run on a canal-boat for J. B. Curtis for three years, and was entrusted to carry all the money back to the company. In 1851 he, in company with Hugh Hildebrand, John and Wash Berry, H. Reynolds, John Rankin, went by team and boat to St. Joe, Mo., and thence overland to Cal- ifornia, where he remained seven years, returning in 1858, and November, 29 1859, was married to Rachel Gibson, daughter of William and Jane (Nicholson) Gibson, the parents of Elizabeth, Mary, Rachel and Jane. Mr. Gibson died in 1845. His widow subsequently married William Mounts, who with her died in New Castle, being the parents of Margaret, Caroline, Brunetta and Ansty. Mr. Cozad settled at his marriage on land now in the northern part of Sharon, and in 1864 he bought his present farm of 160 acres in East Lackawannock Township, and he recently bought another large farm in Cool Spring Town- ship. His children are Elmer E., married William M. Troutman; Fred, Lizzie, Charles and Laura. He has served as school director, and he and wife are Methodists. He is a Democrat.

JOHN B. DENNISTON, farmer, post office Mercer, was born October 26, 1847, on the old homestead one-half mile west of Mercer. He was the son of James and Rebecca (Breckenridge) Denniston. George, the grandfather of our subject, came from Ireland in an early day and settled on a farm near Leesburg, this county. He was drafted in the War of 1812, from which he returned unscathed, and soon after, while in the woods cutting a small tree, his ax caught in a limb and at one stroke detached his leg just above the ankle. They had reared a family, of which James, the father of our subject, is one. James was married to Rachel Hamilton, of Pittsburgh, by whom he had three children: George, William H. and Joseph F. His wife died November 23, 1838. The two sons, W. H. and J. F., served in the late war one and three years respectively. J. F. was wounded in the right arm, and lost his right leg; he was a private, lieutenant, captain and brevet major. William H. enlisted as a lieutenant. Both are living in Pittsburgh. George died February 26, 1856, of typhoid fever, aged twenty-one years. James was again married in 1841, to Rebecca Breck- enridge, and settled near Mercer, where the family now reside. To them one child was born, John B. They were members of the First Presbyterian Church. James died May 11, 1886.

ERASTUS C. DRAKE, farmer and stock grower, post-office Mercer, is a son of Samuel and Lydia (Orrick) Drake, who are mentioned in Springfield Town-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

ship. Erastus was married in 1869 to Esther, daughter of James C. and Eliza (Denniston) Johnston, of Springfield Township, where they resided four years, when he purchased a farm of sixty-nine acres in East Lackawannock Township, known as the Cook farm, on which he built a house and extensive out-buildings. He also purchased ninety-four acres known as the Philip White farm. They have four children: Maria E., Mary S., Samuel J. and James C. In politics he is a Republican. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Mercer.

WILLIAM EDWARDS, farmer, post-office Mercer, was born April 27, 1814, in Merthyr Tydvill, South Wales, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Williams) Edwards. His father was born in 1786 in South Wales, where he followed coal and iron ore mining, and was married in 1808, immigrated to America in 1817, and located at Parker's Landing, Penn., where he was joined by his wife in 1819. There were eight children born to them: Mary, wife of Benjamin Springer, of Lawrence County; William. Edward, John, Phoebe, deceased; Elias, Daniel and Amelia, wife of Hull Hoagland, living in the West. The parents were members of the Baptist Church. In politics Daniel was a Whig. He died January 12, 1839. His widow died March 8, 1863, at the residence of Joseph Wright, in East Lackawannock Township, this county. William was married May 6, 1839, to Elizabeth, daughter of Lewis and Jane (Parry) Griffith, natives of Merthyr, Tydvill, South Wales, and who immigrated to America and settled in Baltimore, where Elizabeth was born February 28, 1818. William purchased a farm of forty acres in East Lacka- wannock Township, on which he now lives .. They are the parents of ten chil- dren: Mary J., wife of William Livermore, of Cool Spring Township; Ann L., Edward S., Phoebe, Isabell, Caroline, Daniel, Amelia, William and John, of whom only Mary J., William and Edward are living. Politically Mr. Edwards is a Democrat. He has filled many of the local township offices, and has been constable and collector for many years. He and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Mercer for more than forty-six years, and are among the most respected citizens of the county.

S. W. HAWTHORN, farmer and stock grower, post-office Hoagland, was born April 12. 1853. His grandfather, Alexander, was born in 1780, near the Scotch and English boundary line, and immigrated to America at an early day, locating near New Castle. He enlisted in the War of 1812, but was not called into active service. He remained on the farm during his life excepting a few years when he kept hotel at New Castle. He died in 1864, preceded by his wife many years. James, the father of our subject, was the oldest son, born September 11, 1808. He worked at the shoemaker's trade in Pittsburgh, until the cholera broke out, when he returned to New Castle. He was married to Hannah Mc- Farland, who lived only one year, and was afterward married to Mrs. Marga- ret McJunkin, nee Cross, of Butler County, Penn. In 1852 they purchased a farm of fifty acres of John S. Thompson, in East Lackawannock Township, on which they settled, and were the parents of five children, Samuel W. and Anna Mary being the only living ones. His second wife died in 1860. In 1862 he was again married. to Sarah A. Thompson, of East Lackawannock Township, daughter of John and Sarah (Bell) Thompson. In 1878 he left the homestead and moved to Mercer. In politics he was a Republican. He was assessor and auditor of his township several terms. Samuel W. was married September 14, 1875, to Florence B., daughter of John and Mary (Carmon) Thompson, of Lawrence County, but who were born in Mercer County, and moved to Law- rence County in 1852. Samuel W. has three children: John B., Nellie M. and Mary L. His early education was obtained at the old stone pile school-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

house, but he afterward attended commercial college at New Castle. Polit- ically he is a Republican. He and wife are members of the First United Pres- byterian Church of Mercer.

SETH HOAGLAND, merchant, was born October 16, 1822, in Mercer County, to John and Catherine (Hull) Hoagland. John Hoagland was born in Wash- ington County, Penn., and came to Mercer County when four years old, about the year 1797, with his father, Henry Hoagland, who settled on the Shenango, near Sharon, on land now in possession of some of his posterity. His children were: John, Samuel, Joseph, Jesse, Mary, Matilda and Druzilla. John Hoag- land was born October 31, 1792, and died October 3, 1872. His wife Cath- erine, whom he married January 21, 1826, was born October 20, 1799, and died January 11, 1881. Their children were: Seth; Mary A., born May 6, 1825; Hiram, born June 13, 1828; Hull, born November 11, 1829; Almira, born October 15, 1832; Jesse, born November 26, 1836. Our subject and Elizabeth Phillips were married October 3, 1843. Their children are: John P., Alonzo S., Hiram W., Almon P., Austin E., George W., Almira, Ida Caro- line, Emma May and Susannah. Our subject being born and reared on a farm, was trained to habits of industry and hard labor from youth to man- hood, and having chosen the occupation of a farmer has obtained a promi- nence of which he may well be proud. By indefatigable labor, untiring per- severance and excellent management he is now the owner of one of the largest and most beautiful farms in Mercer County. His well painted buildings, slate roofs, patent gates, agricultural implements and machinery indicate thrift and prosperity. He was among the first farmers who introduced fertilizers and improved breeds of stock in Mercer County. For many years he gave special attention to bee culture, and has been eminent in apiarian conventions. When quite young he was elected justice of the peace and served twenty-five years. He was formerly a Democrat, but since the nomination of Seymour for Presi- dent he has not acted with that party. In 1882 he was nominated by the National Labor Party for Congress from the Twenty-sixth Congressional Dis- trict, then composed of Butler, Crawford and Mercer Counties. He is now engaged in a general store on his farm, and is postmaster at Hoagland Post- office. In religion he is an outspoken Restitutionist, believing in Adam all died and in Christ all will be made alive. Just what was lost in Adam is being found in Christ. He condemns the opposing creeds and rival sects composing the heterogeneous mass of baptized professions, and claims the only way to immortal bliss is through faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

WILLIAM HUTCHISON, farmer, post-office Hoagland, was born February 8, 1831, in East Lackawannock Township. His father, John Hutchison, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1794. He married Margaret McKelvy, of the same place, and in 1824 immigrated to this county, and purchased a farm, of 200 acres in East Lackawannock Township, on which they settled. There were six children born to them: Jane, wife of James Forsythe; Alexander, Richard, John, who married Susan Shannon, and lives in Mercer; Andrew, and William, our subject, who was married to Jane E., daughter of Amos and Susan (McWatty) Taylor, of Mercer County, Penn. The father was a Demo- crat in politics. William is extensively engaged in farming, operating 150 acres which was left to him by his father. He is an attendant of the Second United Presbyterian Church of Mercer. Politically he is a Democrat.

JOHN H. LEES, farmer, post-office Mercer, was born September 27, 1827, in Macclesfield. England. His father, James Lees, was born at the same place, June 16, 1792. The father was married to Charlotte Birttenshaw, June 6. 1813. His trade was that of a silk weaver, which he followed for many years.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

His union gave him nine children: William, James, Mary A., Charles, Han- nah, Samuel, Samuel (2), Robert and John H. The family immigrated to this county in 1829, and settled in East Lackawannock Township, where the father was engaged in farming. He obtained an education by attending night schools. The parents were identified with the Presbyterian Church. The father died February 5, 1845, and his widow died September 21, 1878. Our subject was married December 17, 1867, to Kezia Smith, daughter of William and Catharine (Black) Smith, of Liberty Township. By her he has three chil- dren: James W., Hannah E. and Jessie M. Mr. and Mrs. Lees and their daughter, Hannah, are members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Mercer. He served in the late war as a member of Company I, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Militia. He was corporal of that regiment. He has filled the office of school director for his township for three years, and in politics is a Republican. Fur- ther mention of his father is given in another part of this work.

MONNIE MILLER, farmer, post-office Hoagland, was born March 6, 1809, in Somerset County, Penn. In 1839 he was married to Leah Mishler, daugh- ter of Peter and Susan (Berky) Mishler, of Holmes County, Ohio. In 1841 they settled in East Lackawannock Township on land which he purchased of the estate of his father, containing 225 acres, and known as the Levi Griffith farm. There were twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller: David, Jacob C., Ann, wife of Philip Bruch, of Indiana; Fanny, wife of Henry Yarian, of East Lackawannock Township; Benjamin, Nannie, Elizabeth, wife of W. W. Johnson; Mary, wife of William B. Roupe; Zachariah H., married Sadie A, Virtue; Susie, Phoebe and John are dead. In politics Mr. Miller is a Democrat.

WILSON MILLER, farmer, was born July 22, 1838, in Pine Township, to Hugh and Adaline Miller, the latter a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Rambo) Wil- son. John Wilson was born in Westmoreland County, The children of Hugh Miller and Adaline were: Infant, died small, and Wilson. Mrs. Miller died in 1840, and our subject lived with his grandmother Miller and daughters, Nancy and Mary, until about 1844, when he was taken home by his father, he having married again. Wilson Miller began learning carpentering in 1857 with Will- iam Lamar, of Pine Township, which he followed until 1885, when he bought a farm of seventy-four acres, and devotes his principal time to its cultivation. He was married to Margaret J. McCord, daughter of Matthew and Margaret (Nelson, a niece of Daniel Nelson) McCord. Mr. and Mrs. McCord had seven children: Mary, John, Margaret J., Harriet, Matilda, Ida and Della. Our subject has ten children: Albert K., married Mina, daughter of J. G. Gilfil- lan; Clarence G., attending a Presbyterian seminary at Chicago; Harry M., married Ida Vanhorn; Lillie J., Addie M., Mary F., Bessie, John, Maud A. and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Mercer. He is a Republican.

ALEXANDER McCOLLOUGH, farmer, post-office Mercer, son of Alexander, Sr., and Eleanor (Smith) McCollough, was born May 14, 1829, on the home- stead on which he now lives. He completed his education in the Mercer Academy. In the spring of 1851 he went west and engaged in farming and stock raising on a rented farm for three years, thence to Iowa and continued the same vocation for seven years. He was married, June 12, 1856, to Har- riet, daughter of James and Amelda (Bean) Stinson, of Hempfield Township, this county. Three children were born to them in Iowa: Amelda (deceased), Abby A. and William A. In 1862 they returned to the parental homestead to care for and protect his aged parents and an invalid sister, Mary E. Three children were born to them in Mercer County: Ellen E., John S. and

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Mary M. His family are all members of the First Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Republican. He has filled the office of school director and road commissioner in his township. He was formerly identified with the Mer- cer County Agricultural Society. His sister, Mary E., died March 31, 1864, and his mother February 19, 1869, and his father July 19, 1869. In the year 1883-84 he erected a commodious brick house, and has materially improved the out-buildings and barns, which are well filled with stock. His son, Will- iam A., lives in Nebraska, where he has a situation as superintendent of a large ranch. He has been a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church for thirty years, led the singing in said church for twenty-five years, has been assistant superintendent of the Sabbath-schools of the church for fifteen years, and was one of the delegates to the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church which met in Cincinnati in May, 1885.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 120

Author: Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1288

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1288