History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 164

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

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JOSEPH LININGER, deceased, was born in West Salem Township March 15, 1816, and was a son of Henry Lininger, one of the earliest settlers of the township. Joseph grew to manhood in his native township, and in October, 1838, was married to Mary Magdalene, daughter of Peter and Catharine Klingensmith, natives of Westmoreland County, Penn., and pioneers of West Salem. Mrs. Lininger was born on the old homestead, in the southeast cor- ner of the township, now the home of William Bortz, November 17, 1817. She has reared a family of eight children: Elmira, Nelson, Austin, Philena, Amos, George (deceased), Thomas and Mary C. Mr. Lininger died Novem- ber 23, 1863, and his widow is still a resident of the township. He was always a Democrat in politics, and an upright, honest man, a good husband and kind father.

JACOB LININGER, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born on the farm upon which he now lives, January 4, 1824, and is a son of Henry and Catharine Lininger, previously spoken of. In early boyhood he received a few months' schooling in the primitive log school-house of those days. He was married in July, 1844, to Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob and Catharine Aubel, natives of Union and Lancaster Counties, Penn., respectively, who settled in West Salem Township in the spring of 1835. They spent the balance of their lives in this county, and died in the Lutheran faith. Mrs. Lininger was born in Union County, Penn., in December, 1824, and is the mother of ten children: Har- mon, Henry, William, Conrad, Irvine, Evi, Angeline (wife of Daniel Titzel), Herbert, Andrew C. and Lestie. Politically Mr. Lininger is a stanch Re- publican, and one of the best known citizens of the township. He began life comparatively poor, and has accumulated a comfortable competence for him- self and family.

WILLIAM LININGER, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born on the old homestead, in West Salem Township, May 4, 1848, and is a son of Jacob Lin- inger, previously spoken of. Our subject has always lived in this township,

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and received his education in the district schools. He was married January 19, 1871, to Miss Robena, daughter of James R. and Elizabeth Brown, a pioneer family of West Salem. Mr. Lininger has always followed farming, and in politics is a stanch Republican. He is one of the enterprising, pro- gressive young farmers of his native township.

THE LOUTZENHISERS were among the earliest settlers of West Salem Town- ship, as their descendants are also among its most numerous inhabitants. In the spring of 1800 Peter and John Loutzenhiser, accompanied by their father, Joseph, removed from Westmoreland County to Mercer County, Penn., whither their brother Jacob had preceded them about three years. They were natives of Germany, and had immigrated to Westmoreland County with their parents in early youth, where their mother died when John was quite young. Their only sister married a Frenchman named Probst, of Westmoreland County, and re- mained there. Her husband was a member of the Lodge, Probst & Walker Land Company, who owned a large amount of lands in the Shenango Valley, including that on which Greenville was afterward laid out. Peter Loutzen- hiser was unmarried, and settled immediately west of the site of Greenville, on the farms now owned by James McElheney and John Loutzenhiser, Jr., which lands have ever since been in possession of the family. His brother John set- tled in what is now the southwest corner of West Salem Township, northeast of Orangeville, at which point his brother Jacob had located in 1797. About two years after his settlement was effected Peter died, and willed his land to his father, who soon after traded it to John, and the latter located upon it, and resided there up to his death. His father spent the balance of his days at John's home. The latter married Margaret Harnit before coming to Mercer County, and had then a family of three children: Mary, who married John Smail, and afterward John Mattocks, and reared four sons and two daughters, and died in West Salem; Jacob, deceased, and John, deceased. The following chil- dren were born in West Salem Township: Ann, deceased wife of James Leech, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Solomon Callahan, deceased; Samuel, de- ceased; William, deceased; Joseph, of West Salem Township; Sarah A., de- ceased wife of David Callahan; David, deceased, and Margaret, wife of James McElheney, of West Salem. Mrs. Loutzenhiser died December 29, 1840, aged sixty-two, and her husband survived her till November 12, 1861, reach- ing the remarkable age of ninety-two years.

JACOB J. LOUTZENHISER died at his home in West Salem Township on Wednesday morning, November 8, 1888. He was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., April 15, 1796, and was the eldest son of John and Margaret Loutzenhiser. Jacob grew to manhood on the old homestead west of Green- ville, and lived in West Salem nearly eighty-nine years. He was twice mar- ried, first to Salome Miller in 1821, who bore him ten children, eight of whom grew up. His wife died in 1844, and he was again married March 31, 1847, to Maria J. Paul, who is the mother of ten children. Mr. Loutzenhiser cast his first vote for Monroe, then voted for Jackson, and since that time was a Whig and Republican, casting his vote for Blaine in 1884. He served as county commissioner one term, and deputy sheriff two terms, once under his cousin, Jacob Loutzenhiser.

JOHN LOUTZENHISER, deceased, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., December 15,1799, and was a son of John and Margaret (Harnit) Loutzenhiser, who settled in West Salem Township, Mercer County, in 1800. Our subject here grew to manhood, and April 9, 1846, was married to Catharine, daughter of Andrew and Catharine Wade. She was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., October 25, 1811, and her parents settled in Crawford County in 1813,

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where both spent the balance of their lives. Her husband had previously purchased the land and erected the brick residence still oocupied by their son, David, which she took possession of immediately after marriage. Three chil- dren were born to John and Catharine Loutzenhiser: David, John A., and Margaret C., wife of John Speir, of West Salem Township. Mr. Loutzenhiser operated a small distillery for a number of years, which he carried on in con- nection with farming. Politically he was a life-long Democrat, and was county commissioner one term. He served one term as major of a regiment of militia, and bore the title of major among the pioneers up to his death, which occurred September 19, 1877. His widow resides with her daughter, Mrs. Speir. He was strictly honest and upright in all his dealings, and was recognized as a kind-hearted, generous man. He was industrious and ener- getic, and accumulated considerable property, which his children inherited at his death.

JOSEPH LOUTZENHISER, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born in West Salem Township September 9, 1811, and is a son of John Loutzenhiser, who settled in West Salem in 1800. Joseph was reared on the old homestead, and followed farming up to early manhood. He then went to Greenville, where for many years he was engaged in the mercantile business, and also in the foundry and coal trade. He then purchased his present farm and flouring mill, in which business he has till recently been engaged. Mr. Loutzenhiser has a brick-yard on his farm, which he carried on for several years, now operated by his son, Charles. The latter is also proprietor of the mill. Mr. Loutzenhiser was married February 23, 1841, to Lucinda, daughter of Jacob and Kesia Woods, of West Salem Township. Her father was a native of Lehigh Coun- ty, Penn., and her mother of New Jersey, and were married in this State. Mrs. Loutzenhiser was born in Fayette County, Penn., October 28, 1819, and removed to West Salem Township with her parents when seven years old, where she has since lived. Her parents both died in this townshp, Five children have been reared by Mrs. Loutzenhiser: John H., Jacob T., James S., Maggie, wife of Isaac Keck, and Charles D., all living and heads of families. Mr. Loutzenhiser has been a life-long Democrat, and is one of the oldest liv- ing pioneers of West Salem Township.

DAVID LOUTZENHISER, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born in the house he now occupies, November 1, 1848, and is the eldest son of John Loutzen- hiser, deceased. He grew to manhood in his native township, and was mar- ried September 8, 1876, to Miss Arminda, daughter of Bartlett and Sarah McLaughlin, of West Salem Township. Two children have been born to them: Clara M. and Ralph (deceased). Mr. Loutzenhiser is a Democrat, a member of the West Salem Township School Board, and one of the prosperous farmers of the township.

JOHN A. LOUTZENHISER, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born on the old homestead, in West Salem Township, October 13, 1850, and is a son of John Loutzenhiser, deceased. He was reared in this township, and September 10, 1874, was married to Miss Maggie, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Lutton, of Mill Creek Township, who is the mother of one daughter, Clara M. Politi- cally Mr. Loutzenhiser is a Democrat, and is now serving his second term as justice of the peace of West Salem Township. He resides on one-half of the old farm settled by his grandfather, and is one of the progressive young farmers of the community.

JAMES S. LOUTZENHISER, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born in West Salem Township August 5, 1845, and is a son of Joseph Loutzenhiser, of this township. He was reared in this township, and has always lived in Mercer

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

County. He worked at the stave business about ten years, and about twelve years at manufacturing brick. He was married September 23, 1867, to Sarah A., daughter of David Sherbondy, of Greene Township, where Mrs. Loutzen- hiser was born and reared. She has had seven children: Alfred J., Ida M. (deceased), Harry D., Cora M., James S., John C. and Gib A. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Loutzenhiser is a Democrat.

JAMES A. McBROOM, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born in West Salem Township May 2, 1847, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret (Henry) Mc- Broom, natives of Brooke County, W. Va., who settled in West Salem Town- ship more than fifty years ago. They reared three sons and three daughters: Sarah, wife of H. F. Boyd, of Nebraska; Mary E., wife of William M. Fletcher, of West Salem; William H., Robert H., James A. and Martha M., deceased. The parents spent their lives in this township, where the father died June 2,1868, and the mother December 18, 1883, both in the Presbyterian faith. Mr. McBroom was a Democrat in politics, a sober, industrious, suc- cessful farmer. and a man who was highly respected by those who knew him best. He accumulated a valuable estate, which his children inherited at his death. James A. has always lived in West Salem Township, and was married January 30, 1879, to Margaret, daughter of Joseph W. and Mary Calvert, of West Salem. She was born in Crawford County, Penn., but was only an in- fant when her parents settled in this township. Politically Mr. McBroom is a stanch Democrat, and one of the enterprising young farmers of West Salem.

SAMUEL W. McDOWELL, deceased, was born in Crawford County, Penn., May 1, 1821, and was a son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Frame) McDowell, also natives of Crawford County, where both spent their lives. Our subject grew up in that county, and received a good education. On the 12th of May, 1846, he was married to Miss Mary A., daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Atchison) Hunter, and granddaughter of Alexander Hunter, the pioneer sur- veyor of West Salem. Matthew Hunter was a soldier in the War of 1812. He opened the first blacksmith shop in Jamestown, Penn., and his eldest daugh- ter, Margaret, was the first child born in that village. Mr. McDowell was a carpenter and school-teacher, also followed surveying, and practiced law in Greenville several years. In 1852 he settled in West Salem Township, where the balance of his life was spent. Thirteen children were born to Samuel and Mary Ann McDowell, only six of whom grew to maturity, viz. : Margaret L., wife of Sylvester Callahan; Flora J., wife of L. W. McGranahan; Thomas A., Ella M., wife of R. B. Flint; Effie A. and Minnie B. Mr. McDowell adhered to the Seceder Church, and died in that faith May 30, 1871. His widow is a believer in the same faith. He was a well-educated man, a stanch, unswerv- ing Democrat, and an enterprising, public-spirited citizen. He was upright and honest in all his actions, and was ever kind and affectionate in his home relations.

ANDREW J. McDOWELL, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born in Steuben County, N. Y., May 1, 1827. His parents were James and Catharine (McCutchen) McDowell, natives of Scotland, who emigrated from Ireland with a family of six children about 1823, and settled in Steuben County, N. Y. Three children were born after their coming. About 1835 the family removed to Trumbull County, Ohio, where the father died in June, 1844. This broke up the home, and the mother afterward died at the home of her daughter in Clarksville, Mercer County. Andrew J. came to Greenville from Ohio in April, 1844, and began working in Samuel Goodwin's Saw-mill at $11 per

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month and board himself, all of which was paid in orders on Goodwin's store. He afterward worked eight years in a foundry as a molder, and then went boating on the canal for three summers. He subsequently opened a livery stable, which he carried on successfully nearly seven years. In April, 1864, he purchased the farm upon which he has since resided, and erected his pres- ent residence in 1879. Mr. McDowell was married September 10, 1856, to Miss Phebe J., daughter of Thomas and Agnes (Dumars) McFarland, the former a native of Washington County, Penn., and the latter of Mercer County, both of whom died in Trumbull County, Ohio. Mrs. McDowell was born on the McFarland homestead, in Trumbull County, and is the mother of three children: Charley E., Willie A. and Minnie A. M. Mr. McDowell and wife are members of the Evangelical Association, and politically he is a stanch Republican. He is one of the successful, enterprising farmers of West Salem Township.

JAMES McELHENEY, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born about one mile north of Jamestown, Penn., in Crawford County, May 31, 1818. His father, James McElheney, was a native of the County Donegal, Ireland, and immi- grated to Crawford County in 1801, where he married Jane Steen. She, too, was a native of County Donegal, and came to America with her parents when three years old. In 1824 James McElheney and wife removed to West Salem Township, Mercer County, and located where their son Steen now lives. They reared four sons and two daughters: William, deceased; Jane, deceased; James, David, Charles Steen and Rebecca. The parents died on the old home- stead in the faith of the United Presbyterian Church. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Our subject was reared in West Salem Township, and was married April 20, 1848, to Mrs. Margaret Stinard, daughter of John Loutzenhiser, a pioneer of 1800. Mrs. McElheney was born on their present homestead March 31, 1819, and married George Stinard, by whom she had one daughter, Elizabeth, wife of David Grim, of Greenville. By her second marriage five children have grown to maturity: Mary J., wife of Robert Phillips, of Sandy Creek Township; Margaret, wife of John Knappenberger, of Sandy Creek; John, Anne, wife of Alvin Fry, of West Salem, and Oleva B., wife of James Clark, of Greenville. Mr. McElheney and wife are mem- bers of the Baptist Church, and in politics he is a Republican of strong tem- perance views. He commenced life poor, but by rigid industry and close attention to his business affairs he has accumulated considerable property. He and wife reside upon the farm settled by her father early in the present century. Mr. McElheney is one of the prosperous, enterprising farmers of the township.

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN, son of James and Mary McLaughlin, was born in Ire- land about 1758, and was there married May 12, 1790, to Nancy, daughter of Patrick McLaughlin. One child, Patrick, was born in Ireland March 28, 1792, and the following year the parents immigrated to Mifflin County, Penn., where three children were born to them: Mary, February S, 1794, first married An- drew Brown and afterward Richard Morford; Henry, who reared a family, and went west and died, and William. In 1799 the family removed to Beaver County, Penn., where another son, John, was born the following spring. In April, 1800, John Mclaughlin and family settled in West Salem Township, where he died August 9, 1801. He was the first pioneer who died in that township, and he was interred in the neighborhood. His widow married Peter Lossee, December 4, 1802, and removed to Kinsman, Ohio, where she died. Their eldest son, Patrick, grew up in West Salem Township and at Kinsman, Ohio, and was married September 8, 1814, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary

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Smail. She was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., July 18, 1792. After his marriage he located at Kinsman, Ohio, but soon returned to West Salem, where he reared nine children: Jemima, widow of John W. Woods; Mary, widow of J. C. Morford; Sarah M., widow of James M. Johnston; Phoebe, widow of William Morford; Simeon, George, deceased; Enos, Cyrus and Alva. The mother died in West Salem August 23, 1830, and her husband again mar- ried and removed to Iowa, where he died April 20, 1859.

STEWART MCLAUGHLIN, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born on the old homestead, in West Salem Township, February 1, 1847. His father, Justus McLaughlin, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, there grew to manhood, and afterward came to West Salem Township, where he met and married Lydia, daughter of Henry and Catharine Lininger, pioneers of this township. Mrs. McLaughlin was born in West Salem, and after their marriage they settled on the farm where they both died. They reared four children: Electa, wife of Jacob Boger; Louisa, wife of P. Dilley; Addison and Stewart. The mother died May 5, 1851, and her husband survived her till October 22, 1874. Polit- ically Justus Mclaughlin was a Republican, and a highly respected citizen. Our subject has lived upon his present homestead all his life. He was mar- ried January 11, 1883, to Miss Sadie, daughter of James W. Wise, of Hick- ory Township. Mrs. McLaughlin was born in that township, and is the mother of two children: William C. and Opal E. She is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Mclaughlin is a Republican, and one of the enterprising citizens of his native township.

ALBERT R. McMAHAN, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born in Lords- town, Trumbull Co., Ohio, January 24, 1846, and is a son of Thomas and Lovina (Thorn) McMahan, the former a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and the latter of Morgantown, W. Va. They were married in Trumbull County, Ohio, and were the parents of fifteen children, only ten of whom grew to maturity, viz .: Henry, Joseph, deceased; Lemuel, Mary, James; Benja- min, deceased; Angeline, deceased; Lewis, Albert R. and Jerusha. In the spring of 1846 the parents removed with their family to West Salem Town- ship, Mercer County. The father erected a saw-mill at Maysville, which he ran two years. In 1848 he purchased the farm whereon our subject lives, and erected a steam grist-mill, the first in this part of the county. He operated this mill nearly twenty years, and then sold it to Philip Schuster, who ran it until it was burned down. Mr. McMahan afterward built and operated a saw and planing-mill in Greenville about four years. He died on the home- stead, in West Salem, October 15, 1875, and his widow August 29, 1887. He was a Republican in politics, and one of the most enterprising citizens of the township. Albert R. has lived in Mercer County since he was three months old, and grew up under the parental roof. He was married January 17, 1878, to Miss Linda, daughter of Matthias and Mary Weinland, of West Salem Township. Five children have been born of this union: Harry, Eva, Matthias, Thomas and Benjamin. Mr. McMahan has followed farming prin- cipally as an occupation. Politically he is a Democrat, and one of the ener- getic citizens of the community.

HUGH P. McMILLEN, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born in what is now Hempfield Township, Mercer Co., Penn., February 1, 1829, and is a son of William and Margaret (McClimans) McMillen, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Bedford County, Penn. William McMillen was twice married, first to Nancy Parker, of Fayette County, Penn., and with his wife came to Mercer County in 1800, where she died about 1816, leaving four children: Mary, John, Alexander and Thomas, all of whom are dead. His second wife

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was Margaret, daughter of William and Mary (Ritchy) McClimans, of West Salem Township. The former was a soldier in the Revolution, and settled in West Salem Township in 1798-99. They reared the following children by this union: Margaret J., deceased; Nancy, William Mc., deceased; Sarah, James, Hugh P. and Thompson. William McMillen died in Hempfield Township, and his widow in Otter Creek, both in the United Presbyterian faith. He served in Capt. Gilliland's company in 1812. Our subject has spent his life in this county, and has always followed farming. He was married October 5, 1854, to Anna Maria, daughter of Peter and Hannah (Wasser) Beaver, of Hempfield Township. Mrs. McMillen has reared seven children: Mary H., William P., deceased; Elizabeth, wife of David Kitch, of Franklin, Penn .; Alma, Addison C., Ada J. and Velzora. The family belong to the United Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. McMillen is a Democrat, and a descendant of one of the oldest families in Mercer County.

JOHN McNEILLY, deceased, was born near Baltimore, Md., February 11, 1798, to John and Agnes McNeilly, natives of Ireland, and there grew up and learned the cabinet-maker's trade. About 1827 he came to Mercer County, but soon afterward returned to Maryland for his mother, whom he brought back with him, and who died October 23, 1845, aged seventy-five. He worked for the Mossmans a few years, and then purchased a part of the tract of land on which his sons, James and John P., now live. He married Sarah Bowman, a native of West Salem Township, whose parents, Samuel and Mary Bowman, were pioneers of this township. Eight children were the fruits of this union: Mary Ann, wife of Christopher Moats, of Greene Township; Sarah J., wife of Absalom Arner, of Missouri; Agnes, widow of Franklin Melvin; Jemima, wife of Richard Mclaughlin, of West Salem Township; Jeremiah, deceased; John P., James and Elizabeth. After locating on his land John McNeilly followed farming, which he continued until a short time preceding his death, which occurred April 18, 1886, in the eighty-ninth year of his age. Politically he was a life-long Democrat, and filled most of the township offices, being justice of the peace many years. He was an industrious, honest man, and was quite successful in the accumulation of property. His widow resides on the old homestead, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. John P., his eldest son, was born on the old homestead October 31, 1844, and has always lived in the township. He is a stanch Democrat, and a member of the K. of. P. His youngest son, James, was born March 22, 1847, and has always dwelt on the home farm. He was married, June 29, 1871, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph W. and Mary Calvert, of West Salem Township. One son, James, is the fruit of this marriage. Politically Mr. McNeilly is one of the leading Democrats of the township, has filled most of the township offices, and is an enterprising, progressive farmer.

JOHN R. MELVIN, farmer, post-office Greenville, was born in West Salem Township, upon the farm where his son, Lester, now lives, August 15, 1802, and is a son of Richard and Agnes (Watson) Melvin, natives of Ireland. They immigrated to Wilmington, Del., in 1792, whence they removed to the Red Stone Settlement, in Westmoreland County, Penn. In the spring of 1798 Richard Melvin came to Mercer County and selected a tract of land in West Salem Township, upon which he built a cabin, and then returned to his home. In 1799 he brought out his family, then consisting of his wife and one son, James R., and took up his residence in his cabin home. Four children were born after their coming to the Shenango Valley: Agnes, who died in girlhood; Sarah, who married William Hollingsworth; John R., and Mary, who became the wife of Michael Reed, all of whom are dead except

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John R. The father died December 19, 1824, aged fifty-six years, and his widow survived him till 1848. Our subject grew to manhood on the old home- stead, and was married November 26, 1829, to Elizabeth, daughter of William Woods, a pioneer of West Salem Township. She bore him eight children, only three of whom grew to maturity: Lester, Emeline, wife of John Laird, of Greene Township, and Franklin, deceased. Mrs. Melvin died June 2, 1846, and he was again married, April 2, 1850, to Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Woods, of Pymatuning Township. No children survive of this

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 164

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