Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 104

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Pennsylvania > Indiana County > Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I > Part 104

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The assessor's book for 1913 shows the fol- lowing in South Mahoning township: Num- ber and value of horses assessed, 281-$9,360; number and value of cows assessed, 312- $4,117; taxables, 467; taxable real estate, $322,982; acres of cleared land, 16,227; acres of timberland, 779; money at interest, $74,- 607; cost of assessment, $61.20.

PLUMVILLE BOROUGH

uary 8, 1910, at the shop of G. E. Shaffer, in said borough, and that G. E. Shaffer attend thereat as election constable. The court ap- pointed James B. Green as judge and William Donds and M. C. Wynkoop as inspectors. The election resulted as follows: Burgess, H. M. Zimmerman; council, J. N. Cochran, D. W. Douds, W. R. Fulmer, W. B. Lydic, Mc- Kee Davis, J. S. Zimmerman, D. D. White; school directors, C. M. McEwen, Amos Pifer, Porter Fulmer, G. W. Miller, J. S. Zimmer- man ; high constable, Oral A. Good; treasurer, D. Andrews; constable, I. G. Schreckengost; tax collector, J. O. Delancey ; assessor, J. Frank Runyan; auditors, Clever Pierce, E. J. Welch, W. L. Good; judge of election, G. E. Shaffer; inspectors, J. W. Douds and L. E. Lukehart.

The names of the business firms of Plum- ville borough are as follows:

W. R. Fulmer, general merchandise; M. E. Cessna, lumber; G. E. Shaffer, monuments and tombstones ; M. Massimino, meats; H. W. Smith, hardware; B. S. Peirce, shoemaker ; A. W. Hazlett, restaurant; J. E. Levinson, ladies' and gents' furnishings; L. E. Luke- hart, barber; J. N. Cochran & Co., general merchandise; E. L. Snyder, jeweler and op- tician; E. Green, druggist; Dr. C. M. Smith, physician; I. S. Zimmerman, funeral direc- tor; J. W. Douds & Co., general merchan- dise; H. M. Zimmerman, carriagemaker; Dr. W. E. Bowser, dentist and livery; C. C. Hoover, hotel and livery; J. R. Un- capher, saddler; W. R. Lukehart & Co., gen- eral merchandise; A. H. Davis, dentist; M. C. Wynkoop, furniture; H. W. Kuehner, bar- ber; Dilla Morrow, millinery; Emma Kirk- patrick, millinery; Thomas Olsen, wholesale meats; E. J. Welch, flour, feed and fertilizer; Plumville Lumber Company, lumber; Dr. C. M. McEwen, physician; E. T. Wells, black- smith; Robert Melzer, blacksmith; John St. Clair, real estate.

The First National Bank of Plumville .- The first meeting to consider the matter of establishing a bank at Plumville was held on April 15, 1905, and was organized by elect- ing E. Green chairman, and Dr. C. M. Smith secretary. It was agreed that the title of the bank should be "The First National Bank of Plumville," and that the capital stock should be $30,000, divided into three hundred shares of $100 each.

The village of Plumville in South Mahon- ing township was incorporated as a borough A preliminary application to the comptrol- December 9, 1909. The court appointed .G. ler of the currency was made, and signed by E. Shaffer to give notice to the residents of D. Andrews, R. L. Mahaffey, D. W. Raraigh,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

J. N. Cochran, G. S. Griffith, W. P. Miller, Wynkoop were elected as the board of E. Green, Dr. C. M. Smith and others. Hon. directors. John S. Fisher, of Indiana, Pa., was selected At the annual meeting held on January as the legal representative of the shareholders. 8, 1907, D. Andrews was elected to succeed J. The preliminary application was approved A. McCreight, who had resigned. At the annual meeting of January 12, 1909, G. W. by the comptroller of the currency, and a

meeting was called for May 19, 1905, to effect Peffer was elected a director to succeed Charles a permanent organization. At this meeting Tucker, who had moved to California. the shareholders elected M. C. Wynkoop, D. W. Raraigh, A. W. Clowes, S. D. Kerr and D. W. Douds as a board of directors to serve until the first regular annual meeting.

The board of directors organized by elect- ing M. C. Wynkoop as president, and D. W. Douds as cashier, pro tempore.

The organization papers, consisting of articles of association, organization certifi- cate, and by-laws, were prepared and for- warded to the comptroller of the currency. These papers were approved and the bank authorized to begin business on August 25, 1905.

The property owned by D. W. Schrecon- gost was purchased as a site for the permanent bank building. but it was decided to delay the erection of such building until after the railroad was completed to Plumville, aud a temporary room was erected on the R. L. Mahaffey property.

After considering a number of applications for the position of cashier, the board of direc- tors finally elected D. W. Douds to that position, which he has held to the present time. M. C. Wynkoop has held the position of president, and D. W. Raraigh that of vice president, since the organization.

In order to acquire some banking experience the cashier spent two months with the Punx- sutawney National Bank at Punxsutawney, Pa. The bank opened for business in the temporary building on December 26, 1905.

During 1906 a two-story brick building with stone and pressed brick front was erected on the lot purchased from Mr. D. W. Schrecongost as the permanent bank build- ing. The new quarters were completed in February, 1907, and on February 28th the new banking room was occupied, which has since been the home of the bank.

The articles of association provided for a board of directors, consisting of not less than five nor more than nine members, and it was decided at the first annual meeting to elect a board of nine members. At this meeting J. A. McCreight, S. S. Burns, Charles Tucker, George T. Crooks, S. D. Kerr, H. G. Bowers, A. W. Clowes, D. W. Raraigh and M. C. $15.84.

Director S. D. Kerr died in December, 1911, and at the following annual meeting D. W. Douds was elected a member of the board as his successor. M. C. Wynkoop, S. S. Burns, G. T. Crooks, H. G. Bowers, A. W. Clowes and D. W. Raraigh have been members of the board of directors continuously since the first annual meeting.

For years Plumville has been an important school center. The select schools have been taught by very prominent educators and were well.attended. The success of the schools was shown by the many successful teachers and professional men who went out from these schools. The following were select school teachers: Messrs. J. T. Bell, Indiana, Pa .; J. Harvey Stewart, deceased; Dr. Thompson, president of a college in Ohio; T. B. Allison ; John S. Fisher, attorney, of Indiana, Pa., who taught five terms; John C. Weaver; A. M. Morrow, Dubois, Pa. ; E. J. Welsh, Plumville, Pa .; J. E. Weaver, Indiana, Pa .; Eugene Elder and Frank Terpe, of East Mahoning township.

Having provided a surplus of $10,000, the first semi-annual dividend of 3% was paid on July 6, 1909, and this rate of dividends has been maintained since that time, besides adding $7,000 to the surplus fund.

The total assets, as given on the first call for a statement from the office of the comp- troller of the currency for each year since organization, is as follows :

1906

$ 63.202.18

1907

114,619.12

1908

120,620.14

1909

129,235.33

1910

141,730.79

1911

160,469.84

1912

172,548.85

1913

194,007.75

The churches of Plumville borough are Methodist Episcopal, United Presbyterian and Presbyterian.

The assessor's book for 1913 shows the fol- lowing in Plumville borough: Number and value of horses assessed, 61-$1,975; num- ber and value of cows assessed, 9-$121; tax- ables, 164; taxable real estate, $56,272: money at interest, $29,992.71; cost of assessment,

CHAPTER XXXVII

WEST MAHONING TOWNSHIP-SMICKSBURG BOROUGH

West Mahoning was set off from Mahoning than a mile around. At this bend the rail- as a separate township and was thus called road cuts across and is run on a high trestle, west of the Loop. from its position. In 1870 it had a popula- tion of 988, and in 1910, 837. The surface is hilly and broken. The soil is a sandy loam, and is adapted to the growing of grain and stock. Coal and iron are found in abundance. It is well watered by the Big Mahoning and the Little Mahoning creeks. The principal town is Smicksburg borough.

There are eight school districts, but most of the schools are small. The names of the schools are as follows: North Point, Loop, Pine Grove, Dry Knob, Fleck, Toad Alley, Owl Hollow and White Oak. Select schools have been held at Loop and North Point, but as a rule select schools have been conducted at Smicksburg.

Sellersville, North Point P. O .- This vil- lage was thus termed according to James The coal interests of West Mahoning have not been developed, but some of the best lime quarries in Indiana county are found in West Mahoning. McHenry, because there was a cellar under every honse. The first house was erected in 1849 by Philip Enterline, and was after- wards occupied by Henry Startzel. In 1850 West Mahoning has furnished its share of State and county officials: Hon. John P. El- kin, who figured so conspicuously in county and State politics, was in the State Legisla- ture for two terms, one term attorney general, State chairman, and at present a member of the Supreme court of the State; John Wells, who was clerk in the prothonotary's office, and now prothonotary of Indiana county; Josiah Neal, who was sheriff of Indiana county, and at present is county detective ; Adam Black, who was county commissioner for one term. Mr. Enterline huilt the mill, and the first sermon was preached in it that year by Rev. Daniel Long, a German Methodist. The first store was commenced by John Goheen in 1856, and three years later William Gist started a blacksmith shop. The first shoe- maker was George Drummond. On the north side, the first house was erected by Benjamin McHenry in 1867, and was afterwards occu- pied by Sylvester Welchonce. John C. Steer, in the same year, was the first blacksmith, and his shop was the second building. Mr. Wel- chonce succeeded him in this business. In 1876 Mr. Steer erected his store-house and commenced merchandising. The "Sellers- ville Hotel" was built in 1873. John C. ducted in all parts of the county. He always Steer became the proprietor.

John B. McCormick, who resides in this township, is known all over Indiana county because of the singing schools which he con- had his fiddle with him when instructing his classes. He is the inventor of the turbine water wheel, which has made him a large income.

West Mahoning did not have the advan- tages of railroads until about ten years ago, when the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg ran a road from Punxsutawney down the Big Ma- J. E. Weaver, who for a number of years has been one of the foremost educators of the county, has taught very successfully in both the public and select schools. honing creek past North Point, Loop and Goodville, and thence to Butler, where it con- nects with what was formerly the narrow gauge, now the Baltimore & Ohio, at New A. N. Gahagan has been for many years a very successful teacher in the public and select schools. Castle. The bends in the Big Mahoning creek at the Loop are things of natural beauty. It is said that one can stand on the bluff at the West Mahoning township has reared the following professional men: Reverend Silas entrance of the bend and throw a stone into the water on either side, yet the bend is more D. Daugherty, Lutheran minister, of Phila-

542

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

delphia, Pa .; Rev. Mr. Good, who for many C. Lowe; constable, John Steer; school direc- years was a missionary to Africa; Rev. Ira tors, David Ritchey, Joseph Block, Samuel Kerr, Jacob Hyskell, John McGaughey, Sam- uel Good ; overseers of the poor, George Steer and William Thomas; fence appraisers, Hi- ram Lovelace and H. Crissman; assistant assessors, David Ritchey and Samuel Good; election officers-judge, James J. Davis; in- spectors, E. T. Fulton and George W. Travis.

Hyskell, a Lutheran minister; Rev. J. N. Hoover, Methodist Episcopal minister, Pitts- burg, Pa .; Rev. Homer Lewis, Methodist minister, Windber, Pa .; Eugene Smith, Breth- ren minister, in New Jersey; the physi- cians-Dr. W. E. Dodson, Indiana, Pa .; Dr. W. F. Byer, Punxsutawney, Pa .; Dr. H. S. Barrett, deceased; Dr. William Hyskell; Dr. J. A. Elkin, Willet, Pa .; Albert F. and Joseph Elkin, veterinary surgeons: Dr. J. Bert Bell, Windber, Pa., dentist ; school prin- cipals-J. E. Weaver, Indiana, Pa .; A. N. Gahagan, Smicksburg, Pa .; W. E. Barrett, Loop, Pa .; Edward Barrett, Iowa; Walter Lewis, Meadville, Pa .; John E. Good, Dubois, Pa. (now a merchant) ; Emery Dodson, Du- bois, Pa. (now an engineer) ; William Van Horn was the pioneer teacher of all that sec- tion of country.

John Travis located on the Thomas Weston farm, West Mahoning township, in 1806, and his mill which formerly occupied the site of Good's was the first in this portion of the county. His father, William Travis, was born on the ocean while his parents were en route from Scotland to eastern Pennsylvania. The Travis land was patented to Paul Busti, of the Holland Land Company, in 1813. There were plainly visible for many years after the location of the first settlers several well de- fined trails or Indian paths on the Travis farm. From the large number of darts, etc .. found thereon, it must have a favorite haunt of the aborigines.

The oldest citizens of West Mahoning town- ship are: Messrs. Fulbert Altabran, W. H. Allen, John Blose, William Elkin, Robert Elkin, W. M. Fitzgerald, John M. Gahagan, S. T. Good, G. W. Hazlett, A. C. McConnell, J. B. McCormick, H. L. McKalip, Z. T. Richie, S. R. Steer, J. C. Steer, J. L. Steer. J. G. Walker, S. R. Williamson, J. J. Wil- liamson.

The Methodist Episcopal of Loop and the United Brethren of North Point are the churches of West Mahoning township.

The assessor's book for 1913 shows the fol- lowing in West Mahoning township: Number and value of horses assessed, 228-$10,340; number and value of cows assessed, 335- $4,047; taxables, 349; taxable real estate, $214,033; acres of cleared land, 12,264; acres of timber land, 5,864; money at interest, $31,885.25 ; cost of assessment, $46.50.

SMICKSBURG

Smieksburg was laid out on twelve acres which formed part of a tract purchased by Rev. J. George Schmick, of Charles Coleman, who obtained it from the Holland Land Com- pany. It was platted in the month of May, 1827, by Rev. Mr. Schmick, who was a Luth- eran minister of Huntingdon county. The work began on the 10th of the month and continued for about a week. Mr. Schmick was assisted by Frederick Steer, Jacob Steer, John Stiteler and others, and a plow line or rope was used to give the "exact dimensions" of the lots and streets.

The first house was erected in June, 1827, for George Sloniger, by George Steer and his son Frederick. It was a log cabin and in- tended for a gunsmith shop. It stood on the lot east of the Lutheran church, on Main or Church street, as it is now designated. Mr. Sloniger never occupied it, but in a short time after its construction Master Criswell, a schoolmaster, used it for a brief period as a residence. The next occupant was Peter Stiteler. Charles Kerr erected the second cabin on the lot on Church street, now the property of George Roush. John Kerr built the third house on the lot on Church street, which is at present owned by J. A. Armor. Joseph Robinson's wheelwright shop was the fourth building and the second shop in the village. Here his neat spinning wheels were made as early as 1829.

The first election in West Mahoning town- ship was held Friday February 6, 1846, at the house of Hezekiah Crissman in the town of Smicksburg, where the following officers Jacob Burkett kept the first hotel in the fifth cabin. The house is still standing and is now occupied by George Lewis. The sixth building was a frame house, the first in the village. It was built by Samuel Brink for were elected : Justices of the peace, James H. McComb and Joseph Robinson ; assessor, John MeGaughey ; judge of election, William N. Sterner; inspectors, George Steer and Sam- uel Kerr; supervisors, David Hau and John a store and tavern. The old chimney and Allen ; auditors. Samuel Kerr, H. Crissman. the remnants of the building can still be

544

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

seen on John Stiteler's lot near the Little into a box, whence a boy shoveled it into the Mahoning.

second was George Steer. The first wagon- maker was John McCormick, and the sec- ond was his pupil, George. Stiteler. The first cabinetmaker was Hiram Lovelace.

The first mercantile firm was Robinson & Watson, the partners being William Robinson and W. W. Watson. They began in 1832;

were succeeded in a short time by Mr. Wat- election resulted as follows: Judge, B. son, and after a continuance of less than Sweeney; inspectors, S. H. Beck and George two years he was sold out by the sheriff. The Steer. The spring election held March 9,

second storekeeper was James 'Robinson, who 1855, resulted as follows: Justices of the peace, Joseph Robinson and George Steer; constable, H. Crissman; high constable, Wil- liam Gray; burgess, B. Sweeney; council, Jacob Hyskell, Hiram Lovelace, J. A. McCor- mick, H. Crissman, J. J. Neff; supervisors, was succeeded by R. W. Porter. The estab- lishment, after a year's career, was also dis- posed of by the sheriff. John McCrea was the third merchant, and Joseph Robinson, the pioneer wheelwright, the fourth. The latter was in active business from 1837 till David Stiteler and George Stiteler; auditors, his death in 1855.

The first physician was William Simms, an able practitioner, who had an open hand for the poor and unfortunate. He erected the first brick house in 1842.

The first birth was that of John W. Kerr, a son of Charles Kerr, in 1828. The first death was that of an infant child of Jacob Bucket. The first marriage occurred in 1831, when Joseph Robinson was united to Eliza- beth Gahagan.

The first teacher was Samuel Luckhart and the second was Master Samuel Criswell. Both taught schools on the subscription plan.

The second death was that of Thomas Me- Pherson, in 1832.

Rev. Elijah Coleman preached the first ser- mon in the embryo village. The services were held in the open air, in the summer of 1828. The first Sabbath school was inaugurated by Cornelius Lowe, Lutheran, and George W. Crissman, Cumberland Presbyterian. It was "union" in name and spirit, and the above It is a general store.

named acted as its first superintendents.

About 1824 or 1825 James Kirkpatrick erected a small grist mill, with which there was also a carding machine, about ten rods above the mill, on what is now the Jacob Steer farm. Previous to that time the people went to the William Travis mill, now the Samuel Good mill, and oftentimes, when the water was low, they were forced to use hand mills or to pound corn in mortars for bread. The Kirkpatrick mill was 20 x 24, two stories in height, and had only one run of stones, and these were choppers. The bolt was run by a tarred hair rope, and the flour was car- ried up two flights of stairs and poured

bolt. This mill would grind about twenty-

The first blacksmith was John Kerr and the five bushels per day. In 1828 Frederick Crissman became the owner. He sold it to George Steer, who tore it down in 1839.

Smicksburg became a borough June 28, 1854. The court directed that at the school house on October 11, 1854, the election should be held to elect one judge and two inspectors to hold an election for borough officers. The

J. J. Neff, T. N. Lewis, J. A. McCormick ; assessor, H. Crissman; assistant assessors, William Robinson and H. Lovelace; overseers of the poor, Valentine Kerr and Charles Oberlin; school directors, Joseph Robinson, J. J. Neff, Jacob Jamison, H. Crissman, Ja- cob Hyskell, B. Sweeney; judge of election, J. A. McCormick; inspectors, George Con- dron and John Beck; town clerk, J. T. Smith. Business interests of Smicksburg :

One of the most enterprising stores of the borough is located on the southeast corner of Kittanning and Clarion streets. The building was erected more than forty years ago by David Weamer, who in partnership with Eyler kept the store for some years. It was then conducted by Weamer & Mar- shall, and remained unoccupied for a num- ber of years, after which time it was occu- pied four years by F. M. Fleck, eighteen years by D. D. Good and his father, four years by D. D. Good, and since 1907 by S. B. Good.

For many years C. Luther Lowe kept a store on the northeast corner of Kittanning and Clarion streets. He sold organs, etc. At present he is a merchant in Dubois, Pa. The building was later occupied as a barber and shoe shop. It was burned five or six years ago. Mr. Fleck also kept a store on Kittan- ning street opposite the office formerly kept by Dr. Crawford.

In 1881, Francis Elkin, Jr., built a store- room on the corner of Kittanning and Church streets where he conducted a general store until 1906, when he sold the store to Red- ding Brothers, who were in business until 1909. The store was purchased by D. A.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Lukehart and D. A. Richey, who sold the shop, but Mr. Condron is still continuing the goods of the store. The building was occu- wagon making business. pied for a short time by Jolin A. Campbell, when it was purchased by Ralph Morrison. In 1910, when Mr. Morrison was preparing to occupy this building, it was burned.

In 1910 John A. Campbell erected a store building on the corner of Kittanning and Mill streets and after occupying it a short time sold to D. K. Stiteler, who engaged in the mercantile business for six or seven months, when he sold to McKee Stiteler, who is still conducting a general store.

For the past forty years Miss Maria A. Crawford has kept a millinery store, A. C. Cassady kept a confectionery store for six- teen years until 1912.

There is but one hotel in the borough. It was probably built by James McCombs. It has been kept open by the following: A. C. Cassady; H. Y. Steer, two years; Luther Lowe, one year; J. W. Marshall, sixteen years; J. L. Cain; - Beers, one year ; John Stiteler, four years ; Charles Beck, since 1911.

More than forty years ago the gristmill was built by J. F. Stiteler. The mill was run by water power until 1882-83, when Mr. Stiteler installed the steam power and rol- ler process. In 1896 he sold the mill to D. D. Barrett, who sold to A. N. Lukehart in 1902. In 1906 it was sold to a party in Pitts- burg, Pa., who sold it to Mr. Good, the present owner.

In the seventies J. K. Lowe and A. R. Glenn started a foundry and planing mill. Mr. Lowe purchased the interest of Glenn and conducted the business himself until his death, in 1899. A. R. Glenn conducted a furniture and cabinet business until 1905, when he sold to R. C. Robinson, who for many years has been the undertaker in the borough.

At the present there are no blacksmiths in the borough. J. F. Beck & Son, on Clar- ion street, conducted the shop in 1892. They sold to Silvis & Haus. Haus sold his interest to Silvis, who in 1904 sold to Herbert Bar- rett, who sold to A. G. Brewer; he closed the shop in 1910.

In about 1884 J. G. Roush and S. W. Con- dron built a blacksmith shop and engaged in wagon and carriage making near the bridge across the Little Mahoning. In 1895 Mr. Roush, who did the blacksmithing, closed the ment, $16.50.

There is one drug store, which is con- ducted by Dr. S. A. Kamerer. It was for- merly kept by Dr. Crawford and after his death it was kept by his son for two or three years.

The two-room school building was built in 1884. The first teachers in the new building were John C. Wells and John Smiley. Prior to 1884 there was a one-room school build- ing on the same site as the present building.

A number of very successful select schools have been conducted in this place. The fol- low prominent educators were in charge: Oliver Crissman, Hon. John P. Elkin, Prof. J. L. Allison, Dr. R. W. Allison, Professor Scott, N. G. Rose, H. D. Condron, W. E. Barrett, Charles Stiteler, Emory Dodson, J. E. Weaver, Supt. James F. Chapman, and A. N. Gahagan.

The village of Smicksburg has furnished its quota of professional and business men: Hon. John P. Elkin of the Supreme bench, Indiana, Pa .; W. F. Elkin, district attorney of Indiana county, Indiana, Pa .; John C. Wells, prothonotary of Indiana county, In- diana, Pa .; D. A. Lukehart, treasurer of In- diana county, Smicksburg, Pa .; John G. Robinson and Adam Black, commissioners of Indiana county, Smicksburg, Pa. (when Mr. Black was elected commissioner he lived in West Mahoning township) ; Rev. Charles Streamer (deceased), Lutheran minister; Rev. Mr. Lowe, Lutheran minister in Kansas; Dr. D. R. Crawford, deceased, physician in Smicksburg, Pa., for many years; Dr. Wil- liam Crawford (son of Dr. D. R. Crawford), a physician in Fowler, California.

The oldest residents of the borough at the present time are: Messrs. Adam Black, S. F. Byer, A. C. Cassady, A. C. Good, Evan Lewis, D. A. Lukehart, A. N. Lukehart, Rob- ert McBriar, R. C. Robinson, Thomas Row- land, M. L. Spencer, J. M. Weston, S. J. Weston.

The churches of Smicksburg borough are Lutheran, Methodist Episcopal and Episco- pal.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 104

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930