History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 160

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor
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USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 160

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

wells to shut off the fresh water, afterwards adopted as original in the oil regions of Pennsylvania. Mr. Plumer was an original Jackson Democrat, but in the excitement following the abduction of Morgan he was one of the leaders in the anti-Masonic party in Western Pennsylvania, but was afterwards with the Whig and Republican parties.

He was a man of strong native powers of mind, a sincere, active Christian, always of cheerful ready humor, and ever ready to do his part in all local and public affairs. He died in West Newton, of which he was the first resident when laid out as a town, Dec. 15, 1875, and was buried the 19th of the month, his eighty-ninth birthday.

GEORGE PLUMER, JR.

George Plumer was born in the borough of West Newton, Westmoreland Co., Pa., May 11, 1814, the only son of Alexander and Susan (Robinson) Plumer. Losing his mother when but three months old, George Plumer lived with his grandparents on the old home- stead farm until he was ten years old. He then en- tered his father'sstore, where he was employed as clerk, and was in other ways connected with his father's business for thirteen years. In 1837 he went to Pitts- burgh, where for a time he was clerk in the wholesale dry-goods store of Carter Curtiss. Owing to the panic caused by the suspension of payments by the banks his engagement with this firm was short, and he re- turned to West Newton, where he again became in- terested with his father in merchandising and in the manufacture of salt. In 1850 be leased the tannery in West Newton owned by the Hon. John Klingen- smith for three years, and upon the death of the latter purchased the tannery and carried it on till 1867, when he sold it to H. Croushore, its present owner, and purchased a farm in and adjoining West Newton, in the carrying on of which, together with the busi- ness of notary public, he now chiefly occupies his time. His present fine residence on Main Street, West Newton (a representation of which appears on another page of this volume), he built in 1873.

He married, April 17, 1860, Lucretia, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Turney) Cort. Mrs. Plumer was born Oct. 26, 1826, in Hempfield township, West- moreland County. Her father was born March 5, 1780, in South Huntingdon township; her mother in Hanover township, Montgomery Co., Pa., April 15, 1786. Her father died May 31, 1859; her mother, February, 1860. They had fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, all but three of whom are living, are married, and settled in Pennsylvania, Illi- nois, Iowa, and Colorado.

Mr. and Mrs. Plumer have no children, unless, in- deed, the church and the church's poor may be called In the home at Puckety the family was living in constant danger, and the Indians becoming openly hostile a removal was necessary. Two nights before such, for to these it may be truly said they have been both "father and mother." They have been mem- bers of the West Newton Presbyterian Church over | leaving, the mother with her four boys, the youngest

thirty years, and during that time have been closely identified with its every "good word and work." With an interval of but two years, for the last fifteen years Mr. Plumer has been its Sabbath-school super- intendent. He was the heaviest contributor in the erection of their fine church edifice. built at a cost of twenty-two thousand dollars, and was chairman of the building committee, and spent the most of his time, gratuitously, for two years in personally over- seeing its construction. Mrs. Plumer has been a teacher in the Sabbath-school during her connection with the church, and for the last year has had charge of the infant department. For many years she has been leader of the choir and its organist. By their contributions to their funds, Mr. and Mrs. Plumer have been made life-members of both the American Bible Society and of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. They are also contributing two hundred and fifty dollars yearly to the support of a home missionary in one of the Western Territories.

In politics Mr. Plumer is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and has al- ways taken an active part in forwarding its interests. He has been called to fill most of the public offices of the borough. All public improvements have found in him a friend and liberal supporter. Indeed, in all qualities which constitute the good citizen it may be truly said of him, he is a "worthy scion of a noble stock."

JOHN C. PLUMER.

John C. Plumer was born Nov. 28, 1788, at Puckety, Westmoreland Co., Pa. He was the third of four sons, and of the eleven children of George and Mar- garet Lowrey Plumer. His name (John Campbell) was given to him in honor of an event in early his- tory, the circumstances of which are as follows : On one occasion when his grandfather, Jonathan Plumer, was sorely threatened by the Indians he sought pro- tection for his family in Fort Pitt, and as evidence that his fears were not groundless it is related that on this occasion as they fled, on looking back, they saw the smoke of their cabin ascending. And it was at this time that the family was in the fort during the siege by the Indian chief Killbuck, and while re- maining near it, during the following summer, his son George, then a small boy, while attempting to swim in the Monongahela, in company with his elder brother, William, was rescued from drowning by Col. John Campbell. It was this incident which has perpetuated the name of Col. Campbell in the Plumer family.

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a tender babe, was concealed under an overhanging rock, while the father kept watch with his dog and gun.

In the spring of 1791 his father came into posses- sion of the land " in the forks of the Youghiogheny and Sewickley Creek," long known as the "Plumer Homestead," and now owned and occupied by the heirs of Abraham Funk. The cabin in which the family lived for some years gave place in 1799 to a hewn log house, large and roomy, and which in that day was a model of architecture. In this house some of the family were born, the parents died, and the different members separated to form their respec- tive homes. It was removed a few years since, and the material now forms another, but the grand old elm, spreading its sheltering arms, and which stood in front, yet remains to mark the spot.

At the time of the parents' removal here, John Campbell was between two and three years of age, and his childhood and youth was spent in helping clear and work the farm. In the year 1805, when about seventeen years of age, he went with his brother Alexander on a trading expedition. Their cargo consisted of flour, whiskey, and bacon, which they took on a keel-boat to the salt-works on the Big Ka- nawha and exchanged for salt.

In March, 1810, he started on a more extended ex- pedition. His cargo at this time consisted of three hundred barrels of flour and a quantity of whiskey and bacon, which he took to New Orleans on a flat-boat, and finding the market dull he shipped to Havana, and at that place exchanged his cargo for coffee, which he took with him to Philadelphia in a schooner. Here he met his father and a merchant by the name of Kirker, who were there purchasing spring goods, and sending home their goods and a portion of the coffee, which they loaded in six wagons, and shipping the balance of the latter to Pittsburgh, he walked the entire distance of more than three hundred miles in six days.

At the age of twenty-four he joined the cavalry troop commanded by Capt. Joseph Markle, and was appointed sergeant on the 12th of September, 1812, and was in the battle of Mississinewa, and at the siege of Fort Meigs. At the latter he acted as a vol- unteer guide or captain of a picket-guard in advance of Maj. Ball's squadron, which was about to make a sortie from the fort, covering the landing of Gen. Clay's Kentucky troops, numbering twelve hundred men. The surrounding woods were full of Indians and British, ready to cut off any reinforcements that might come to it. He conducted them safely to the fort, and for his bravery and military skill displayed in this hazardous undertaking he was publicly com- plimented by Maj. James V. Ball (afterwards lieu- tenant-colonel), commander of the fort.

We find the following reference to this incident in Howe's "Ohio :" " Capt. Hamilton was directed to proceed up the river in a periauger, land a subaltern

on the left bank, who. should be a pilot to conduct Gen. Clay to the fort."

On the morning of the battle at Mississinewa, when the first alarm was given, and while in the act of throwing his holsters across his horse, the handle of one of the pistols was carried off by a bullet from a concealed Indian.

He was honorably mustered out of service with the troops at Franklinton, Ohio, on the 19th of August, 1813, after eleven months' service, carrying with him a scar which he received from the bursting of a shell.

In 1814 he was elected captain of a troop of cavalry of the militia of Pennsylvania, in the First Brigade of the Thirteenth Division, composed of the militia of the counties of Westmoreland and Fayette, for the term of seven years, and his commission was con- firmed to him by Governor Simon Snyder. At the expiration of this time he received an earnest and flattering invitation to accept a second election, but he declined.

Mr. Plumer was twice married. His first marriage, April, 1814, was to Miss Elizabeth Peairs, of Round Hill, Allegheny Co., Pa., by whom he had two sons and three daughters, viz., Joseph Peairs, Margaret Lowrey, George Croghan, Susannah Allen, and Eliz- abeth, the last named the only present survivor.

Susannah married the Rev. Thomas Stevenson, an esteemed minister in the Presbyterian Church. She died leaving four children, viz. : John C. P., who on the invasion of Pennsylvania in 1863 went out as a volunteer at the age of sixteen, and soon after died of brain fever, superinduced by exposure on duty ; Anna M., William P., and Thomas C. The latter on the death of his mother was from infancy reared in the home of his grandfather.

William P. is the father of the only great-grand- child.

Elizabeth married A. F. Stevenson, a merchant in West Newton. Their children are John C. P., Eliza- beth M., Susannah M., Martha, Robert H., William F., Walter L., Alexander P., and Joseph E. All are living except Susannah.

Mr. Plumer's son Joseph died at the age of seven- teen years, and his two remaining children in child- hood. His wife died October, 1827.

His second marriage, December, 1828, was to Miss Maria Elliott, of Fayette County. Her parents, Col. William and Ruth (Crawford) Elliott, removed at an early day from Franklin County and settled near Brownsville, Pa., on land which is yet in possession of the Elliott family. By this marriage there were three children,-Elisha James Elliott, Martha, and Ruth Elliott. The son died in infancy.

Martha married John P. Hornish, attorney-at-law, of Keokuk, Iowa, who died September, 1874. Their children are John P., Elliott K., Martha, Walter A., Samuel, George P., and Philip Francis. Samuel is deceased, John P. is in the practice of law, and all reside with their mother in Keokuk.

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The youngest daughter, Miss Ruth E., owns and resides in the old home on the river-bank in West Newton.

His second wife, Maria Elliot, died in 1872, less than one year before her husband. Mrs. Plumer was a woman of strong, well-balanced mind, which she had stored with study of the literature of the past and present, but so reticent in her habit of life that it was only with her husband and children that she would freely discuss questions of the day and the works of her favorite authors. She was a true " help- meet" of her honored husband, a gentle, loving mother.

One who well knew the wives of Mr. Plumer says of them, "They were both of the best old-fashioned type of Pennsylvania women, abundant in hospitali- ties, their home always attractive in its order, of deep-toned piety, and ever ready in works of charity and kindness."

Mr. Plumer was a man of great industry, energy, and perseverance. Having by principles of economy accumulated a moderate capital, he settled in Robbs- town, now West Newton, soon after his first marriage, and built on Water Street his dwelling-house, which in later years he enlarged and improved. This house is the place where all the births, marriages, and deaths in his family have occurred.

He bought from his brother Alexander and Wil- liam Clark their grist- and saw-mills, which adjoined his property, and about 1820 or 1821 he removed the old structures and erected a new grist-mill of stone, which at the time was one of the largest and best in Western Pennsylvania, and to which in later years he built an expensive addition.

His dealings in wheat and flour were extensive for those days, and the demand for his quality of flour in- creasing he purchased of Abraham Funk his mills on Sewickley Creek, and to secure sufficient water-power for his town mill he built a dam across the Youghio- gheny River, which in the time of slack-water navi- gation he was compelled to raise, and in order to facilitate the passage of heavily-laden boats from above he procured a charter, and erected a lock on the west side. This was followed by much persecu- tion from unscrupulous men, which was met by him with his native firmness and readiness to do the right. In 1866 he sold his mill property, and from that time retired from active business.

. He was active in superintending the erection of the "Robbstown Bridge" across the Youghiogheny, and was an original stockholder, which interest he re- tained to the close of his life.

In 1819 he was commissioned justice of the peace by Governor William Findley, and discharged the duties of the office with more than ordinary ability, few of his decisions being appealed to court, and in no case were they reversed. "Squire Plumer" was the distinctive title by which he was respectfully known in his community.

In 1838 he received an appointment from Presi- dent Van Buren to visit West Point as an in- spector, but, taking sick before reaching there, was able for but little duty. This was followed by a long and serious illness. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1830, where he was on the House Com- mittee on Claims, and in 1839 to the Senate, serving in 1840-42.

Mr. Plumer was a hard-money Democrat, and dur- ing the years of struggle for bank extension and leg- islative control he was known as the "Old Hickory" of Westmoreland, which appellation had been given to him from his resemblance in features to his great political chief, Andrew Jackson.

Mr. Plumer had all the depth and strength of the religious conviction which belonged to his Puritan ancestry. He was in membership with the old Se- wickley Presbyterian Church from early life until January, 1851, when an organization was formed in West Newton. He was liberal in church benevo- lence, was zealous and active, and served as ruling elder from the year 1866 to the time of his death.

He exerted a wide influence in church, political, and business interests, and while of positive and de- cided character, was respectful and courteous in dis- cussion. He was self-educated, a man of stern integ- rity, a pioneer in the free-school system of the State, and a friend of liberal education.

We close this sketch of John C. Plumer, which might justly be more extended, with the following from one who knew him well : "Strong, self-reliant, of great courage, afraid of no man, strongly attached to his own opinions, yet tolerant ; somewhat stern in manner, yet affectionate; his ear ever open to the cry of the widow and the fatherless ; his mental powers of such type that had he possessed the advantages of to-day he would have reached high rank in law, statesmanship, or a military career, in his death, which occurred July 18, 1873, was verified the say- ing, "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season."

He is buried in the cemetery which overlooks the scene of his long and useful life.

JACOB FORDNEY KREPS.

Jacob Fordney Kreps was born in Greencastle, Franklin Co., Pa., June 15, 1806. His ancestors were Germans, who settled in Lancaster County about the middle of the eighteenth century. His grandfather, Michael Kreps, was a hatter by tra le, and established himself in business in the town of Lebanon, then a part of Lancaster County. By industry and frugality he acquired a handsome estate. He raised a family of three sons and two daughters, viz .: Jacob and William (twins), Catharine, Polly, and Michael. Catharine was married to the Rev. Jacob Schnee, a Lutheran minister, who at an early day located in Greensburg, and for a short period ministered to the

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Lutheran congregation there. He afterwards united with Mr. Rapp's community, at Harmony, Butler Co., Pa., and was cashier of their bank.

His father, Jacob Kreps, was born in Lebanon in the year 1772, and was brought up to the trade of his father. In 1794 he married Catherine Hetter- ick, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Hetterick, of Pittsylvania County, Va., to which place they had emigrated a short time before from Dauphin County. The engagement having been made he was necessi- tated to make a journey of more than three hundred miles to claim and bring back his bride. They re- mained in Lebanon four or five years, and settled in Greencastle in 1798 or 1799, where he carried on his business for many years, employing a number of hands. He made annual business excursions South to dispose of his surplus stock, many of his acquaint- ances having settled in that region. They had seven children, six sons and one daughter, viz. William, John, Charlotte, Michael, Jacob, Albertus, and Au- gustus, all now deceased except Jacob and Albertus. On one of these excursions the subject of this sketch accompanied him, and the opportunity was afforded him of taking a boy's view of the institution of slavery. His impressions formed at the time were decidedly unfavorable and were never changed. His opportunities for acquiring a common education were perhaps as favorable as were enjoyed in those early times, having been kept at school from the age of four to thirteen years with some intermission, during the last two years of which, the study of grammar and geography having been introduced, he acquired a slight knowledge of those branches. At the age of thirteen he was placed in a hardware-store with his uncle, William Kreps, Esq., at Hagerstown, Md., who was also postmaster. This was a great advantage to him, giving him a better knowledge of arithmetic and improving his penmanship. His chief associate in the post-office was his cousin, John M. Kreps, who became a leading minister and D.D. in the Presbyte- rian Church, and was successor to the celebrated Dr. Mason as pastor of the Rutgers Street Church, city of New York, the only pastorate he ever held, and where he died in the year 1867. (The doctor changed the name from "Kreps" to " Krebs," believing the latter to be the correct orthography.)

Mr. Kreps remained with his uncle until the death of the latter, which occurred in 1822. He then re- turned home to learn the trade of his father. In those days it was considered important (at all events it was very common) for young men, after serving their apprenticeship, to travel some ("take a tramp") in order to see the country and to become more per- fect in their occupation.

"Tramps" of that period were quite a different genus of men from the tramps with which the coun- try is so much annoyed to-day. The business of man- ufacturing hats (by hand) was then carried on all over the country, and was profitable and respectable, and

journey men hatters constituted a large class, traveling over the country and stopping to work when neces- sary. They were united by associations, and were ever ready to give assistance to their comrades when in need. They were "traveled men," and consequently intelligent. Their acquaintance was sought and they were introduced into the best society of the place. The State of Kentucky was a favorite "tramping- ground," for the reason that in many of her chief towns large shops were located, in which a number of men were employed, besides, the people of that State, perhaps more than any other, were given to fine dress, and of course it required the very finest " beaver" to complete the dress of a gentleman. At the age of twenty-one, with a comrade, Joseph Gilmore, he started on one of these "tramps," and at the end of the fifth day arrived at Pittsburgh, footsore and weary, but cheerful and happy at the prospect of the pleasure before them. They remained at Pittsburgh a few days to rest and see the sights, boarding with a Mrs. Beltzhoover, who lived on the southeast corner of the Diamond. The grand river with its splendid steamers and the busy city were sources of never- ending wonder and excitement to our inexperienced boys. They took passage on board the " Ben Frank- lin" for Cincinnati and Louisville, remaining & few days at each of these places. While at the latter place they had a new and strange experience in as- sisting a brother hatter in taking a flat-boat loaded with hats over the falls. The pilot on this occasion was one Boone, a descendant of the famous Daniel Boone. It seemed to them a dangerous undertaking, and the service was rendered only to accommodate one of their craft. Upon leaving Louisville they visited a number of towns in the interior, among which were Lexington, Frankfort, Lancaster, Har- rodsburg, and Bardstown. At Lancaster, Mr. Gil- more concluded to stop for a while, and Mr. Kreps continued his travels in company with Joseph Lock- wood, also a journeyman hatter. After losing his traveling companion, and being without an intimate friend, a few months was sufficient to satisfy him with such a wandering life, and he set his face homeward. The steamer " Kanhawa," upon which he took pass- age for Wheeling, collapsed her boilers at the mouth of Guyannotte River, and twenty-three of the pas- sengers, officers, and crew were either killed or badly injured. The heartrending scenes upon this occasion made an indelible impression upon the mind of the young traveler. A few months after this he settled in Greensburg, Pa., where, in partnership with James Wood, he carried on his trade for a couple of years. Jan. 20, 1831, he married Eliza, daughter of Adam and Hannah Turney. Mr. Turney came to West- moreland County with his father in 1785. He mar- ried, 1811, Hannah, daughter of Rev. J. William Weber, one of three brothers who emigrated from Holland prior to the Revolution. They settled for a time in New Jersey, where two of the brothers, John

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and Henry, joined the Continental army. Henry was killed during the war. The Rev. Weber (now Weaver) came to Westmoreland County at quite an early day, and was one of the first ministers of his denomination (German Reformed) who preached in the counties of Western Pennsylvania and Ohio, trav- eling extensively, preaching to the people, and plant- ing churches. He finally settled upon his farm on Big Sewickley Creek, where Col. Painter's mill and salt-works are now located, and where he died in 1817. Adam Turney carried on the copper and tin- smithing business for a great many years in Greens- burg. He died in 1872.

Mr. Kreps returned to Greencastle with his fam - ily, December, 1881, where he engaged in different branches of business, railroading, merchandising, etc. In the spring of 1845 he was appointed postmaster, holding the office until 1849, when he resigned and settled in West Newton, where he now resides. In the spring of 1850 he engaged in the foundry busi- ness, afterwards adding general merchandising. and was moderately successful. At the commencement of the Rebellion he took a deep interest in every means employed for its suppression. He was called to pre- side over the first war-meeting that was held in this part of the county, and was elected one of the officers of a company organized for home protection, under the command of the venerable Gen. Joseph Markle as captain. During the summer of 1861 he enlisted nineteen men to make up the quota necessary to fill the ranks of the company commanded by Capt. A. G. Oliver in the Twelfth Reserves, went with them to Harrisburg, saw them sworn in, and accompanied them to their camp at Washington. He never har- bored a doubt of the success of the Union arms. He was one of the first men in the county to invest his money in the 5-20 bonds of the government, when 80 many were doubting and faltering. Five of his sons volunteered, and spent an aggregate of twelve years in the service. One of them, Capt. John W. Kreps, was wounded at Liberty Gap, in Tennessee, June, 1863, and was discharged on account of disability. His brother, Lieut. F. A. M. Kreps, took command of the company, and with a number of officers and men of the Seventy-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- unteers was captured at the battle of Chickamauga, and after an imprisonment of fifteen months in differ- ent prisons, and six escapes and five recaptures (one through the noted tunnel at Libby), he, with Lieut. E. P. Brooks, made a final and successful escape from Columbia, S. C. Floating in a canoe by night, and under the protection of the colored people during the day, they reached the sea-coast, and paddled several miles out to the gunboat " Nipsic," and were taken to Hilton Head, where they were clothed and sent to Washington.

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History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 160

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: