USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 49
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LAUREN C. THOMAS, M. D. This able and representative mem- ber of the medical profession in Westmoreland county is established in practice at Latrobe, and aside from his precedence as a physician and surgeon he merits consideration in this work on the score of being a scion of one of the old and honored families of this favored section of the Keystone state. Dr. Thomas was born in Ferguson township, Centre county, Pennsylvania, March 16. 1860, a son of John E. and Lucy ( Emerick) Thomas, natives, respectively, of Ferguson township, Centre county, Pennsylvania, and Harris township. Centre county, Pennsylvania, while both are now deceased, the father having devoted his active career to educational pursuits and having been one of the sterling and honored citizens of Centre county, where he was principal of a preparatory school.
Dr. Thomas secured his early educational training in the public schools of his native county, and later continued his studies in the Pine Grove Acad- emy and Seminary, at Pine Grove, Centre county. In 1885, after a careful preliminary course of reading under a private preceptor, he matriculated in
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the celebrated College of Physicians and Surgeons in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, where he completed the prescribed technical course and was grad- uated as a member of the class of 1887, receiving his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine and coming forth admirably equipped for the practical work of his exacting profession. Later on, with the commendable desire to further fortify himself, he took special post-graduate work in his profession in leading medical colleges in the city of Philadelphia, in whose hospitals he also availed himself of the superior clinical advantages afforded. It may further be said that he keeps in close touch with the advances made in both de- partments of his profession, having recourse to the best standard and periodical literature and retaining membership in leading medical societies, including the American Medical Association, and Westmoreland County Medical Society. After devoting two years to post-graduate work and general practice in the city of Philadelphia Dr. Thomas came to Latrobe, where he has ever since maintained his home and where he has built up a large and representative prac- tice, while to him is accorded the unequivocal confidence and esteem of the people of the community in which he has lived and labored to goodly ends, being recognized as a progressive and public-spirited citizen and having taken an active interest in local affairs. In politics he gives a staunch allegiance to the Republican party, and in its ranks he is an active and effective worker. In recognition of his eligibility and of his hold upon popular esteem he was elected to the legislature of Pennsylvania as representative of Westmoreland county, in 1901. He served for two years as a member of the lower house and made an excellent record in the general assembly, while he is still active in polit- ical affairs in his county. He has been a member of the board of school di- rectors of Latrobe for nearly a decade, and in all that concerns the welfare and progress of his home town and county he ever shows a lively and loyal interest. In a fraternal way he is identified with the B. P. O. E., and the K. P.
Dr. Thomas married, April 22, 1880, Martha Scott, born and reared in Huntingdon county, this state, a daughter of George and Elizabeth ( Bell) Scott, well known residents of that county, where the father was a prominent and influential farmer. They are now both deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas have two children, Lucy E., born February 17, 1884; and Walter Scott, born March 23, 1886. Lucy E. was graduated in the Latrobe High school as a mem- ber of the class of 1902, and then became a student in Wilson College, at Cham- bersburg, where she continued her studies until about six months prior to the time when she would have been graduated in the institution, which she was compelled to leave on account of severe illness. Walter S. was graduated in the high school at Latrobe in 1904, and is now a student in the State College of Pennsylvania, of Centre county.
WATSON A. MENOHER, the leading contractor and builder of the Ligonier valley. was born on the old family homestead in that valley, Novem- ber 3, 1858. His ancestors for several generations have resided in the same locality. The valley was the home of his great-grandparents for here was born his grandfather, Charles Menoher, who throughout his entire life followed farming two miles east of the borough of Ligonier. He married a Miss Clif- ford, and their children were: John ; Joseph : Samuel ; Thomas; William ; Jane, wife of Mckinley McKelvey; Rebecca, wife of William McColly : Bell, wife of James McKelvy ; and Melissa, wife of Michael Fry.
William Menoher, son of Charles Menoher, was born in Ligonier town- ship, Westmoreland county, in 1822 or 1823, and after attaining his majority
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devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits in the Ligonier valley until his death. His farm is now the property of his son, Henry D. F. Menoher. William Menoher was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, at Ligonier. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Austraw, was a daughter of John Austraw, of the Ligonier valley. They had eight children : Charles; John F., proprietor of Hotel Menoher, at Ligonier; Lenson B. : Watson A .; Henry D. F., living on the old homestead ; Harry A. : Elsie D., the wife of Moses B. Parson ; and Ada Mand, wife of George A. Freeman.
Watson A. Menoher, having obtained his literary education in the pub- lic schools, began learning the trade of carpenter as an apprentice to Robert Orr when seventeen years of age. He was thus employed for two years when he went to Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where he worked for Benjamin Simpson for two years, and then began business for himself as a contractor and builder in the borough of Ligonier. He also moves buildings and has successfully carried on business to the present time, being now the leading contractor and builder of the Ligonier valley, the business constantly increasing. In his polit- ical affiliations Mr. Menoher is a staunch Democrat, and fraternally he is con- nected with Ligonier Lodge, No. 964, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs. He married Ellen N.' Nicely, daughter of A. A. and Elizabeth Nicely, and granddaughter of Adam and Hester Nicely. They have five children : Lola M., born January 21. 1890; Marion Florence, August 24. 1891 : Ford Victor, November 1, 1892; Emerson Lester, October 29, 1895 : and George Ernest, February II, 1901.
JOHN W. CRAWFORD traces his ancestry back to Ireland, whence his grandfather. Harvey Crawford, emigrated to America, settling at Loud- man, Pennsylvania, where he followed the cooper's trade throughout the re- mainder of his life. He had three children: Joseph and Jacob, and a daughter.
Joseph Crawford, father of John W. Crawford, was born in York, Penn- sylvania. in 1816, and in early life he learned the trade of tinner, which he followed throughout his business career. He removed to the Ligonier valley about 1853, settling at Donegal, where he continued to reside for a half cen- tury. He died June 13. 1903. He was a very active member of the Mcth- odist Episcopal church for a number of years. His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia Miller, and their children were: Mary, married James Hays; John W .: Araminta, married James Nichols : Ida Belle, deceased ; Henry Chap- man : Samuel W .: Laura, widow of William Watt; Harvey : Cora : Charles ; Myrtle, deceased wife of Edwin Keys; and one that died in infancy.
John W. Crawford was born in Lavansville. Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania. January 22, 1851, and at the usual age entered the public schools, therein mastering the common branches of English learning. He afterward learned the trade of tinner with his father, and when twenty-two years of age he be- gan working for John II. Miller, at Somerset, in whose employ he remained for five years. He then removed to Lavansville, where he established a tin store which he conducted for two years, when he went to Donegal, West- ny .and county, and continued in the same line of business for eighteen iths. He came to Ligonier in 1880, and purchased the business of John uln. Here he has since been continuously engaged in merchandising, con- tucting a general store, in which he carries a line of stoves, hardware, tin- ware, groceries, paints, oils, and he also does a general furnace and roofing business. He has erected all the buildings which he occupies, and has made
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extensive general improvements. His trade has continually increased, and he is a worthy representative of the commercial and industrial interests of the borough. His political views are in accord with the principles of the Repub- lican party, and he has been elected councilman of Ligonier, capably serving for five years. Mr. Crawford married (first) Amanda Beistel, a daughter of John Beistel, of the Ligonier valley, and their children are: Clark Dawson, who was in the Spanish-American war, at Porto Rico until the close of hos- tilities, and afterward joined the marines at Philadelphia, where he served fo thirteen months. Charles E., a tinner, at Ligonier ; Anna M., wife of Herbert Nicely ; Nettie B., wife of David Hawk; Harvey and Frank, who are tinners, at Ligonier ; Florence W .; twins who died in infancy ; and Cora B., at home. Mrs. Crawford died April 7, 1904. Mr. Crawford married (sec- ond), July 20, 1905, Bella J. Ramsey, daughter of Culbertson Ramsey, of Fort Palmer. Mr. Ramsey is a veteran of the Civil war, and a prominent member of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Crawford and his wife are com- municants of the same faith at Ligonier.
HARRY B. STOM. The ancestors of Harry B. Stom, of Ligonier borough, have resided in the Ligonier valley through several generations. His great-grandfather, Henry Stom, was a resident of Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, where he followed weaving all his life, so far as is known. He married Elizabeth Kendall.
Samuel Stom (grandfather), only child of Henry and Elizabeth ( Kendall ) Stom, was born and reared in Somerset county. In early life he began farming in that county, and was very successful, investing his surplus earnings in ad- ditional land until he had accumulated considerable real estate. About 1849 he removed to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where he remained for two years, and in 1851 he took up his abode in Ligonier township, Westmore- land county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in February, 1883. He was one of the progressive and influential farmers of his locality, and was a member of the original Dunkard church. He married Sarah Schultz, and they became the parents of seven children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are : Henry, enlisted in the Union army, August 22, 1862, and was wounded in the battle of Chancellorsville, his death occurring soon afterward in Herwood hospital, in Washington, D. C .; John ; Elizabeth ; Sarah ; Susan ; Emanuel A., a farmer of Cook township, Westmoreland county, deceased.
John Stom, son of Samuel Stom, was born in Somerset county, Penn- sylvania, March 5, 1835, and came with his father to Westmoreland county in 1851, being then sixteen years of age. Here he engaged in farming until August 22, 1862, when in response to his country's call for aid, he enlisted in Company C, Eighty-fourth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, becoming third corporal. He served for twenty-eight months, during which time he was in twenty-one battles. He was wounded at Chancellorsville, May 3, 186. and was mustered out of service as first sergeant, in December, 1864, near Hatchers Run. Since his return to the north he has devoted his attention prin- cipally to agricultural pursuits. In politics he is a Republican, and has filled several local offices, including that of township supervisor. He holds mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church, is active in its work, is serving on the board of trustees, and is a class leader. He married, November 8, 1866, Mary E. Barron, daughter of Levi and Christina ( Brant) Barron. and their children were: Sarah A., born August 2, 1867, died August 2, 1891 ;'
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Harry B .: Isadora, born July 3, 1871; Anna L., born May 11, 1873, married H. G. Robbins; Kate K., born August 28, 1875 ; Ivie F., born July 22, 1877 ; Olive E., born July 26, 1879: James W., born October 8, 1881 ; and John C., born April 11, 1888.
Harry B. Stom was born November 14. 1869, in Ligonier, and having acquired his early education in the public schools of Ligonier, he attended the Ligonier Classical Instistute. Following the completion of his education he remained upon the home farm until twenty-one years of age, when he ac- cepted the position of shipping clerk for Booth & Flinn, contractors of Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, with whom he remained for five years. He was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as express and freight messenger in 1894-5. after which he returned to the old homestead and devoted a part of his time to farming, but during the winter was employed in a commission office. He went to Swissdale in 1903, where he engaged in merchandising for a year, after which he returned to Ligonier, where in company with W. H. Lowry he established what is known as The Colonnade, a general stationery and confectionery store, which has become a factor in commercial circles in Ligonier, and a profitable source of income to the proprietors. Mr. Stom has exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party since attaining his majority, has been a member of the county central committee for several years, has filled almost every township office, and is recognized as one of the leading representatives of his party in the county. He was appointed rural free delivery carrier June 15, 1905, after a competitive examination in which he attained the high average of ninety-eight per cent. His route is No. 2, and covers twenty-two miles, starting at the town of Ligo- nier. Mr. Stom is stockholder and secretary of the Ligonier American Pub- lishing Company, a new journalistic enterprise of the town.
JACOB R. ZUCK, a leading book dealer and stationer of West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, was born at Mount Pleasant, December 25, 1843, son of Samuel and Susan (Keister) Zuck. He is of German descent. His paternal grandfather, David Zuck, was of German parentage, and was born in eastern Pennsylvania, near the close of the eighteenth century. He removed to Somerset county and there married Esther Miller. and their chil- dren were: John, Jacob, David, Samuel, mentioned hereafter, and Justice.
Samuel Zuck, father of Jacob R. Zuck, was born March 10, 1821, and reared in Westmoreland county. He learned the trade of harness and saddle making and was engaged in that occupation for about a quarter of a century. He later learned the trade of butcher, which he followed for a few years previous to his retirement from active life. He married Susan Keister, daugh- ter of Conrad Keister, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Westmoreland county. Mr. and Mrs. Zuck had children : Charles Sumner, died in early childhood; Rev. W. F. J., a minister of the United Brethren church at Annville, Pennsylvania ; Laurence K., a butcher of Mount Pleasant ; and Jacob R., mentioned hereafter. Mrs. Samuel Zuck died April, 1900, and Samuel Zuck passed away December 3, 1904, at the advanced age of eighty- four years, after a useful and well-spent life.
Jacob R. Zuck acquired his early educational training in the common schools of Mount Pleasant and subsequently attended Mount Pleasant College. In early life he commenced working in the harness makers' trade, continuing in this business for three years. He enlisted in Company B, Twenty-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, known as Garyes regiment, October 5.
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1861. He served in the Army of Northern Virginia, was later transferred to the Army of the Potomac, and was severely wounded in the battle of An- tietam. He was honorably discharged in January, 1863, on account of dis- ability. From 1862 to 1878 he was engaged as clerk in a general merchan- dise business. In 1879 he entered into the book and stationery business and has since been engaged in that line of business, in which he has met with the greatest success. Mr. Zuck received the appointment of postmaster by President Mckinley, October 1, 1897, and was reappointed by President Roosevelt in January, 1902. His political affiliations are with the Repub- lican party. He held the office of school director in his town for sixteen years. and was a member of the council of his borough for two terms. He is a mem- ber of the Robert Worden Post, No. 163, G. A. R., and was its commander in 1888; R. A., No. 592, Mt. Pleasant Lodge, No. 198; and A. O. U. W. In religious matters Mr. Zuck is a member of the United Brethren church, and is a member of the board of trustees. Mr. Zuck married, May I, 1867, Emma Smitley, daughter of John and Sarah Smitley. They have two chil- dren : Edwin E., March 8, 1871, engaged in the printing business in Mount Pleasant ; and Ora D., born July 29, 1875, in the postoffice with his father.
DAYTON O. LEMMON, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, was there born Janu- ary 20, 1847, the son of James and Sarah ( Sandles) Lemmon, and grandson of James Lemmon, who emigrated to this country from Ireland. James Lemmon, father of Dayton O. Lemmon, was born and reared in Mount Pleasant town- ship. He engaged in farming and stock-raising and dealing all his life. He was an industrious and prosperous farmer, and an excellent citizen. He held the office of constable for many years, and was a member of the Presbyterian church, known as the Middle church. He married Sarah Sandles, and their children were Rhoda, the widow of James Irwin; Vananburg A., deceased ; Carlisle S., a hardware merchant of Braddock, Pa. : Elizabeth, deceased, mar- ried Benjamin Miller ; George W., a constable of Hazleton, Pa .; Dayton O., of whom later ; and Allie, married James Nihn.
Dayton O. Lemmon acquired his education in the common schools of Westmoreland county, and assisted his father with the farm work until he was about twenty years of age. He then learned the trades of stone mason and bricklaying, and was for some years engaged in the Coke works, building ovens. He established himself in the livery business in Mount Pleasant in 1882, and is still engaged in that occupation, being one of the oldest and most prosperous liverymen in the county. His political belief accords with the doctrines of the Republican party, and he is deeply interested in the welfare of that organiza- tion. He is also interested in educational affairs, and was for four years school director of his town, and has held many minor offices. He is a member of the I. O. H., and in religious affairs is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Lemmon married Almira Tedrow, daughter of John and Phoebe Tedrow, formerly of Somerset county. Their children were: O. Gertrude ; Maybel, who at the age of four years met her death accidentally by fire ; Ray- mond, born August 30, 1894; and Helen and Ruth, (twins), born June 22, 1901.
DAVID G. ANDREWS, for six years prior to his death the proprietor of the Andrews House, a well-known hostlery, was born on the old homestead farm in Mount Pleasant township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Au-
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gust 10, 1846, son of William and Hannah ( Hunter) Andrews, whose family consisted of five children : Anna J., David G., Elizabeth, married Francis Leas- ure, of Greensburg ; Frank W., of Irwin ; and Albert A., a farmer, who resides on the old homestead. William Andrews, father of these children, was born and reared in Westmoreland county, and followed farming in Mount Pleasant township throughout the active years of his life. He was an active member of the United Presbyterian church, in which body he served as elder for a number of years.
David G. Andrews acquired a thorough and practical education in the Mount Pleasant Institute, from which he was graduated. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and continued the same until 1886, when his health failed and he was forced to abandon that arduous occupation. He changed his place of abode to the village of Mount Pleasant, and the following four years acted as a messenger between Pittsburg and Mount Pleasant. He then established the hotel known as the Andrews House, which he conducted successfully for six years, and of which he was the proprietor at the time of his decease, February 18, 1901. He was genial and courteous, considerate of the wishes of his patrons, and commanded the respect of all with whom he was brought in contact. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church, a member of the Order of United Workmen, Royal Arcanum, and Heptasophs. Mr. Andrews married Anna J. Kilgore, daughter of William and Anna ( Fisher) Kilgore, and granddaughter of Daniel Kilgore, a farmer, whose peo- ple were among the original settlers of Westmoreland county. Their children were: 1. Eva May, born May 16, 1878; she graduated from the Mount Pleas- ant high school in 1893, Mount Pleasant Institute, 1896, and from the vocal de- partment of the same in 1903. She is a violinist of note, having pursued her studies under H. F. Dunspaugh, and in the University School of Morgantown, West Virginia, and she received instruction in vocal music for a number of years from Frank Milton Hunter, of Pittsburg. She is now teaching, giving instruction on the piano, violin, also vocal music. 2. William Pattison, born May 17, 1883 ; he graduated from Mount Pleasant Institute, class of June, 1904, and is now pursuing a general course in Leech's Business College, Greensburg. He is a noted performer on the flute. 3. Nettie Viola, born Feb- ruary 14, 1886, died October 23, 1886.
SAMUEL WARDEN. The branch of the Warden family of which Samuel Warden was a worthy representative, traces its ancestry to Samuel Warden, who was born in the north of Ireland in 1745, and when about twenty years of age emigrated to America, settling in York county, Pennsylvania, from whence after a short period of time he came to what is now East Hunting- don township, Westmoreland county. He took up a tract of three hundred and seventy acres of land near the site of Mount Pleasant, which he cultivated and improved to a high state of perfection. He was one of the founders of the old Middle Presbyterian church, which was organized in 1776, and also served in the capacity of elder and trustee. He married, in 1776, Mary Clark, of Arm- strong county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: Robert, born July 8, 1777. removed to Ohio; Isabella, born December 17, 1778, died young ; John, born October 2, 1780, went to Ohio: Martha, born October 14, 1782, married John Latta ; Paul, born November 25, 1784; and Samuel, Jr., born October 18, 1786, died in 182.4. The father of these children died January 8, 1815, aged seventy years, and the mother died February 4, 1836, in the ninety-fourth year of her age.
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Paul Warden, third son of Samuel and Mary (Clark) Warden, was born November 25, 1784, on the old homestead farm located about one mile from Mount Pleasant. He devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, and being a man of practical and progressive ideas, succeeded in all his undertakings and eventually became the owner of several farms in North and South Huntingdon townships. . In partnership with W. B. Hayes, of Pittsburg, he sank the first shaft for coal west of the Allegheny mountains, at Shafton. He was a con- sistent member of the United Presbyterian church of Mount Pleasant, which he joined about the year 1800. He married, August 23, 1821, Mary Fleming, of Mount Pleasant, and their children were: Samuel, born August 8, 1822; Will- iam, born November 23, 1823, died July 5, 1844; Robert, born August 21, 1825, served as major of the Twenty-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died in the hospital at Winchester, Virginia, July 4, 1862; James, born August I, 1827; John, born August 8, 1829, died at Summitville, Pa., in September, 1853 ; Clarke F .; and Eleanor, died August II, 1844, at the age of eleven years. Paul Warden, father of these children, died in June, 1855.
Samuel Warden, eldest son of Paul and Mary (Fleming) Warden, was born on the old homestead August 8, 1822. He followed farming for a liveli- hood for a number of years, later was one of the pioneer coal operators at Irwin, and for a number of years was engaged in the coal business at Alberton. He was a prominent and useful man in the community, was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Irwin, and for years was a director in the First National Bank of Mount Pleasant. For one year, 1899-90, lie served as chief burgess of Mount Pleasant, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. For about forty-five years he served as elder of the United Presbyterian church of Mount Pleasant, and for the long period of fifty-seven years never was absent from his place on Communion Sunday. Mr. Warden married, March 6, 1845, Margaret Andrews, a daughter of John and Margaret (Neil) Andrews, and their children were: Mary Eleanor, deceased ; John Andrews, a resident of Mount Pleasant ; Elizabeth M., unmarried ; Clark P., deceased; Martha, un- married ; a child who died in infancy ; Samuel Neil, and Alice, unmarried.
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