Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 117

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 117

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In addition to his agricultural work he is also interested in the mercantile house of J. W. Douds & Co., the leading concern of its kind in Plumville, and one of the largest north of Indiana. The salient features of Mr. Douds' character seem to have been a willing- ness to work hard and an intelligent compre- hension of the requirements of his line of en- deavor. These have certainly worked out for his ultimate success, and he is justly accounted one of the most substantial men of his part of the county.

On Sept. 21, 1871, Mr. Donds was married to Margaret Jane Morrow, daughter of Wilson and Margaret (Stuchell) Morrow, born in Cowanshannock township, Armstrong Co., Pa. Mrs. Douds is an intelligent, attractive woman, devoted to her husband's interests and in thorough sympathy with them. The Methodist Church holds her membership and benefits by her charitable generosity, while her neighbors appreciate her many virtues. Mr. and Mrs. Douds became the parents of thir- teen children : David Wilson is mentioned be- low; Merle, who died in April, 1912, married Verna Lydick, and had four children, Marga- ret, LeRoy, James and Rachel; Jennie, who was educated in the public schools and the summer normal under Taylor Bell and Pro- fessor Tomb, and at the Williamsport business college, taught school for eight years in In- diana county, is now the wife of Charles Wil- son, resides at Newcastle, Pa., and has one child, Frederick; Georgiana married Robert Wilson, and has three children, Ella, May and Boyd, and resides at Cleveland, Ohio; Joseph Willison, who is head of the firm of J. W. Douds & Co., general merchants of Plumville, and a leading resident of that place, married Emma Thompson, and has two children, Le- Roy and Helen; Thomas Edgar is a railroad man on the New York Central road; Martha Ella, who was educated in the public schools and the summer normals of Marchand and Covode, North Mahoning township, tanght

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

school for eight years in Indiana county, un- D. W. Douds & Co., which continued in suc- til her marriage to Rev. Robert Q. Woods, of cessful operation until the establishment of the Pittsburg, a Lutheran minister, by whom she First National Bank of Plumville, at which time Mr. Douds sold his interest to his broth- ers, J. W. and J. V., the name changing to J. W. Douds & Co., under which the concern is now conducted. As before stated, this is one of the leading mercantile houses of Indi- ana county outside the county seat, and its present prosperity was inaugurated by the honorable methods and progressive spirit of its founder. has one child, Catherine Margaret; Nannie Edna, who is a highly educated and cultured young lady, is living at home, assisting her mother in making it attractive; James Verne is in partnership with his brother Joseph W. in the firm of J. W. Douds & Co .; Dale Mor- row is at home; Charles T. is at home; Carrie died in childhood; and Alexander died in childhood. All of the survivors are a credit to their parents and the Christian home in which they were reared.

Mr. Douds is independent in his political views, although he has always inclined toward the Republican party, especially in national affairs. He has served as assessor of his town- ship, and represented the latter on the county board of supervisors. For one term he was a school director, and has discharged the duties of these several offices efficiently and conscien- tiously. Like his wife he is a member of the Methodist Church, being attached to that con- gregation at Plumville, and has served it as a trustee for forty years, and steward for many years. The church has been the recipi- ent of many generous donations from him, and it looks to him as one of its pillars. A man of temperate habits, he has been a mem- ber of the Good Templars society since boy- hood. He is a man of impressive and unselfish character, and all who know him honor and respect him, for they know he is worthy of their regard.

DAVID W. DOUDS, oldest son of James B. Douds, was born in 1872 on the homestead that has been in the family for over fifty years, in South Mahoning township. He received a liberal education in the public schools of his home locality and the State normal at Indi- ana, from which he was graduated in 1893. Although but nineteen years old, Mr. Douds easily passed the exacting examinations and for the three succeeding years taught school, becoming not only an efficient instructor but a popular one as well. His ability received signal recognition by his appointment as prin- cipal of the summer normal at Shelocta, Arm- strong township, and that at Cookport, in Green township. However, he felt that his abilities were not given sufficient scope in the schoolroom, so in 1897 he branched out and in conjunction with his uncle, Dr. Dennis An- drews, formed the general merchandise firm of

Mr. Douds was one of the organizers of the borough of Plumville, and was one of the first members of its council, having been elected on the Republican ticket. He has been one of the earnest supporters of his party, and has proved stanch and true. Like his par- ents he is a member of the Methodist Church of Plumville and vies with them in his gen- erosity to it, now serving as a trustee, and having been Sunday school superintendent for the last few years. The Odd Fellows hold his membership and he is a past grand of the local lodge, and belongs to the grand lodge of the State, as well as to the Rebekahs. For years he was a member of the teachers' insti- tute and gave that body valuable service be- cause of his experience and practical knowl- edge. In fact, his achievements all along seem to be the result of preparedness and efficiency for whatever life brings.

Mr. Douds was married, in Cambria county, Pa., to Grace M. Frum, a most accomplished lady, and a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Douds have had three children : Paul Wilson, James Carl and Wayne Eugene.

The First National Bank of Plumville was organized in 1905 by D. W. Douds and asso- ciates, and its handsome bank building, erected in 1906, is the most imposing structure in the city. The capital stock of the bank is $30,000, while its surplus is $15,000. The officials of the bank are: M. C. Wynkoop, president; D. W. Raraigh, vice president; D. W. Douds, cashier ; D. C. Griffith, assistant cashier. The board of directors is as follows: D. Andrews, A. W. Clowes, D. W. Douds, George Peffer, H. G. Bowers, G. T. Crooks, D. W. Raraigh, S. S. Burns and M. C. Wynkoop, all of whom are men of high financial standing, whose presence on the board insures the solidity of the bank, and guarantees conservative policies in its management. Mr. Douds has been the cashier since the organization of the bank.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

According to the statement issued by the Mary Brown (Gormley). (2) Isaac, who mar- bank on April 4, 1913, its condition is excel- lent:

ASSETS:

Loans and discounts .$117,929.29

United States bonds 12,000.00

Bonds, securities, etc. 11,960.00

Banking house, furniture and fixtures 13,825.00

Cash in bank and reserve funds 46,508.38

Due from the United States Treasury

500.00

$202,722.67

LIABILITIES:

Capital stock

$ 30,000.00

Surplus and profits

16,835.92

Circulation

9.600.00

Dividends unpaid

42.00

Deposits

146,244.75

$202,722.67

The remarkable success of this institution can be traced directly to the untiring efforts of Mr. Douds, who since its inception has de- voted all his time and attention to it, develop- ing its resources, and extending its field of operation. He is one of the able financiers of Indiana county, whose successful career along other lines helped to fit him for his present work. The uniform quality of his accom- plishments as teacher, merchant and banker demonstrate beyond question that he is a man of more than ordinary ability, who has care- fully conserved his talents and used them to the best advantage. His position in his com- munity is of such a nature as to crown an honorable career, for when public approval has set its stamp upon a man he may feel that his worth is truly appreciated.

ried Myrtilla Patterson, died April 23, 1884, aged fifty-eight years. (3) Mary died unmar- ried Aug. 28, 1865. (4) Julia Ann married William Lafever, and died March 24, 1897. (5) Elizabeth, wife of Frank McConnell, died Oct. 4, 1872. Their children were Hattie (now Mrs. J. H. Kress), John and Thomas, the latter two deceased. (6) Samuel (married to Lavinia Ann Patterson) is still living (1913). His children are: John Patterson, Myrtilla Jane and Samuel Thompson. (7) John (married to Harriet Fulton) is still liv- ing (1913). His children are: Esther (Mrs. George B. Irwin), Martha (Mrs. J. P. Irwin) and John A. (married to Besse Jewel). (8) Ellen Jane died when a child about five years of age, Aug. 28, 1849. (9) George died when a child about two years old, Oct. 29, 1849. John Archibald, the father, died Oct. 4, 1867, at the age of sixty-nine years. He is buried in the Hopewell cemetery.

Elizabeth Wainwright, wife of John Archi- bald, was born in England Dec. 30, 1807. She came to the United States with her father and mother, Samuel and Sarah (Cardin) Wain- wright, about 1815. Her brothers and sisters were Samuel, Sarah, Theresey, Mary, Isaac, Ede, Hannah, George, and John. Mrs. Eliza- beth (Wainwright) Archibald died May 27, 1868, aged sixty years, four months, and is buried at Hopewell cemetery.

Samuel Archibald, son of John and Eliza- beth Archibald, was born in Blacklick town- Both father and son, James B. and D. W. Douds, have proved themselves worthy of their family name, and demonstrated their high con- ception of what American citizenship should be. ship, Indiana county, Nov. 25, 1838. He at- tended the country school in the old brick schoolhouse, then located on the Archibald homestead, and was well educated for a boy who lived in his day and generation. He worked on his father's farm and learned the JOHN PATTERSON ARCHIBALD, the lessons of frugality and honesty. At the be- leading jeweler of Blairsville, has an interest- ing history. John Archibald, his grandfather, was born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1798. He came to the United States when about nineteen years of age and settled in Blacklick township, Indiana Co., Pa., purchased a large farm and followed the tilling of the soil all his life. A typical Scotchman, he had the many excellent characteristics of his race, and was known far ginning of the Civil war he was drafted, but due to the age of his parents he paid a substi- tute. He was again called at the battle of Gettysburg, and went with his company, who were held as reserves. In 1865 he bought the old Fishel homestead in Derry township, West- moreland county, one mile from Livermore, on which farm he still lives. He has been a very prosperous farmer, now owning three farms. and wide for his honesty, industry, and re- He always took, much interest in the schools ligious piety. He was a Presbyterian.

of his township, serving as school director for

John Archibald married Elizabeth Wain -. a number of years. He has been a member wright, and this union was blessed by nine of the Presbyterian Church since his boyhood days, and has held the office of ruling elder in the Livermore Presbyterian Church for nearly forty years. His life has always been clean. children : (1) Elzara married John Brown, and died April 11, 1902, aged seventy-four years. They had children : Mary, John, Ella, Margaret and Samuel, all deceased except pure and religious. His word is always as

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

good as his bond. He is a total abstainer and always fights the liquor problem.

Samuel Archibald was married to Lavinia Ann Patterson on Feb. 19, 1867. They have three children: John Patterson Archibald, of Blairsville ; Myrtilla Jane ( married to John E. Duncan), of Derry township; and Samuel Thompson (married to Ella P. Irwin), of Derry township. The children of John Pat- terson Archibald are named later in this sketch. The only child of John E. and Myr- tilla Jane Duncan is a son. Samuel Elmer. The children of Samuel Thompson and Ella P. Archibald are Marguerite, Lavina, Helen and Samuel J. Archibald.

Mrs. Lavinia Ann (Patterson) Archibald has a long line of ancestors. Robert Thomp- son was born in Ireland in 1732 and came to America in 1770, settling near Chambersburg, Pa. In 1790 he migrated to Indiana county, near Lewisville. He died in 1802, at the age of seventy years, and Mary (Gordon), his wife, died in 1846, at the age of ninety-five vears. Their children were: Moses, Alexan- der, Adam, William and Ruth.

Moses Thompson was born in 1772 at Cham- bersburg, Pa. His first wife was Janet Jami- son, who died in 1801. On May 30, 1806, Moses Thompson married Nancy Coleman. She died Nov. 16, 1861, at the age of eighty years, and he died Nov. 10, 1853, at the age of eighty-one years. The children of Moses and Nancy Thompson were: Montgomery, horn March 6, 1807, died Nov. 11, 1885; Jane (married James Patterson), born Oct. 11, 1808, died Nov. 1, 1839 ; Mary (married Sam- uel Patterson), born Aug. 6, 1810, died June 9, 1885 ; Nancy, born July 17, 1812, died July 16, 1886; Eliza, born Dec. 1, 1813, died Nov. 29, 1888; Ebenezer, born Oct. 31, 1815, died in youth ; Maria Josephine A. (married B. B. Rhodes), born March 16, 1819, died Aug. 1, 1897. (B. B. Rhodes died Dec. 22, 1912, aged eighty-five years, and Agnes Rhodes, their only child, died Aug. 25, 1911, aged about fifty-two years.)

James Patterson married Miss Barnett as his second wife, and their children are James B., still living in 1913, and Rebecca (Mrs. Rob- ert Patterson), deceased. James Patterson died in 1869, when about seventy years of age.

Mrs. Lavinia Ann (Patterson) Archibald, daughter of James and Jane (Thompson) Pat- terson, was born in Conemaugh township, In- diana county, March 17, 1833, and died Jan. 22, 1913, aged nearly eighty years. She at- tended the country school near Lewisville till about her fourteenth year, when the family moved to the place now known as the James Patterson farm, two miles from New Alexan- dria, Westmoreland county. She continued her education in the schools of Derry town- ship and was considered a leader in the schools of her time. She was brought up in a Chris- tian home and a Covenanter in doctrine. She lived up to her faith, and was a devout Chris- tian woman of strong personality, whose influ- ence has made a deep impression upon the lives of her family. After her marriage to Samuel Archibald she left the Covenanter Church to join her husband in the Presby- terian Church, at Livermore, where she wor- shipped till her death, Jan. 22, 1913. She is buried in Blairsville cemetery.

John Patterson Archibald, son of Samuel and Lavinia Ann (Patterson) Archibald, was born Jan. 3, 1868, in Derry township, West- moreland county. He attended the country school known as the Anderson school, and summer normals in Livermore borough, till about seventeen years old, when he began to teach in his home township. He taught two years in Derry township and two years in Livermore borough. He graduated from the Indiana State normal school in the class of 1893, and was elected principal of the Salts- burg public schools the same year, which po- sition he filled for six consecutive years, when he was elected principal of the Blairsville pub- lie schools. At the close of three years of principalship over the Blairsville public schools he purchased his present business. During these thirteen years of school work he taught summer normals, preparing many young men and women for teaching and for college work. He was a member of the State examining board for permanent certificates for a period of ten years, and also a member of the State and National Educational Associa- tions. His keen interest in educational mat- ters and his aim to be a leader in his work induced him to attend county, State and na- tional meetings of education, thus keeping him

Jane Thompson married James Patterson Nov. 18, 1828. To them were born Thomp- son, Samuel, Lavinia Ann and Myrtilla Jane. Thompson Patterson married Hannah Kauf- man and had one son, Calvin T., who married Minerva Duncan; they have one child, Daisy Belle. Thompson Patterson died May 2, 1903, aged seventy-three years. Samuel Patterson died Oct. 29, 1855, when twenty-one years of age. Lavinia Ann (married Samnel Archi- bald) died Jan. 22, 1913. Myrtilla Jane (mar- ried to Isaac Archibald) died Aug. 26, 1873. thoroughly posted in his profession. He was

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IIISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

always a leader in educational work and en- great interest in the affairs of the National joyed a wide acquaintanceship with prominent Jewelers' Association and attends all the meet- educators. ings.

For some years he was a member of Com- pany D, 5th Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, seeing service in the Homestead labor strike and also in the Punxsutawney strike.

In 1897 Mr. Archibald took the preliminary law examination at Greensburg, Pa., in a large class, and passed with the highest average. He registered with attorney John B. Steele (now ex-Judge Steele) and continued the study of law while engaged in school work. When he purchased his present jewelry busi- ness he gave up the study of law to devote his entire time to it. On June 30, 1902, Mr. Ar- chibald purchased the jewelry store of William F. Hasinger, closing his long and valuable career as an educator when he entered business life. He is still conducting the leading jewelry establishment of the city, and controls a fine trade.

On Nov. 1, 1900, Mr. Archibald was mar- ried to Nancy Jane White Portser, youngest daughter of Simon and Harriet ( White) Port- ser. Mrs. Archibald was born in Saltsburg. She graduated from the schools of that bor- ough and from the Indiana State normal school, in the class of 1896, and taught four years in the Saltsburg high school and one year in the Johnstown public schools prior to her marriage. Mrs. Archibald has had the following brothers and sisters: John White Portser, deceased; William Henry Portser; Mary Agnes (Mrs. W. B. Ansley) ; Elizabeth Emma (Mrs. H. H. Robinson), deceased; Sarah Fullerton (Mrs. D. B. Caulk) ; Edgar S. Portser, deceased ; Paul Portser, deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Archibald became the parents of the following children: John Patterson, Jr., born Sept. 15, 1901, died Feb. 27, 1902, and is buried in the Blairsville cemetery ; Mary Lavina and Elizabeth Portser, twins, were born Nov. 1, 1902; and William Fuller- ton was born Jan. 27, 1910.

In 1907 Mr. Archibald was elected first vice president of the American National Retail Jewelers' Association, at the annual conven- Mr. Archibald united with the Livermore Presbyterian Church (his home church) when quite a young man and was president of the Christian Endeavor Society, superintendent of the Sabbath school and a trustee while a member in that church. During his six years in Saltsburg he was a teacher in the Sabbath school, a member of the choir, president of the Christian Endeavor Society for nearly four years and a very active church worker. He is now a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Blairsville, was president of the Brotherhood, and now teaches the Bible class, having an enrollment of sixty men. tion in Chicago. During the year he traveled in several States, organizing and speaking at State meetings for the president of the asso- ciation. At Cincinnati, Ohio, at the annual convention in 1908, he was elected national president by a large majority over candidates from three of our largest cities in the United States. Throughout this year he traveled over twenty-five thousand miles, attending conven- tions and speaking at jewelers' banquets. At the following annual convention, in Omaha, Nebr., 1909, Mr. Archibald was unanimously reelected national president for another year, He is a thirty-second degree Mason, mem- her of the Knights Templar, and Shriner; be- longs to the Odd Fellows, Royal Arcanum, and Junior Order of American Mechanics, and takes a deep interest in fraternal matters. Socially he belongs to the Twenty Four Karat Club of New York City and also Pittsburg. He attends the banquets and social occasions of these clubs and also of similar clubs in Philadelphia and Chicago, there meeting the leading men of the nation. On a late occasion William Howard Taft, President of the United States, was present at the Twenty Four Karat Club banquet in New York, and made the address. this being the first time that a national presi- dent succeeded himself. This year was even more strenuous. He traveled more than twenty-five thousand miles, speaking in more than twenty States, at conventions and ban- quets. At the annual convention in Detroit in 1910 he refused reelection as president, but was elected a member of the national execu- tive committee. At the close of his service as national president the members of the Asso- ciation presented him, at Detroit, a sterling silver loving cup, having engraved thereon: "John P. Archibald, President American Na- tional Retail Jewelers' Association. In ap- Politically Mr. Archibald is a Republican, but on many occasions he votes independently. preciation of his valued services as President of the Association 1908-1910." He still takes He refuses to be bossed by the political rings.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

He is a total abstainer from all alcoholic ried Louisa Lindsey, who survives him with liquors, and a strong temperance advocate.

During his business career he has spoken on trade topics to many business men's organi- zations and enjoys the reputation of being a good publie speaker. In the last five years he has written many articles on trade topies for the jewelers' journals. He has in prepara- tion a book for jewelers. Having visited nearly seven thousand retail jewelry stores over the United States, and most of the watch factories, cut glass, silverware and jewelry manufactories, and having made a careful study of the business, his articles are sought after by the jewelry trade. He was sent by the National Retail Jewelers' Association to Washington, D. C., on two occasions to speak to the committees of the House of Represen- tatives against the passage of certain meas- ures. He has a nation-wide acquaintanceship among business men in his line, and also men in public life. Thoroughly progressive, he is able to meet the demands of the times, and ranks among the prosperous business men of Indiana county.

After two years of reading and study Mr. Archibald has just completed a business course in accounting, advertising, credits, buy- ing and selling and commercial law at the Alexander Hamilton Institute of New York City.

JAMES ALEXANDER McKNIGIIT, late of Washington township, Indiana county, was born March 21, 1821. in that township, on the farm which his daughter Mary now owns.

The MeKnight family is of Irish extraction. His great-grandparents, Alexander and Eliza- beth (McBride) McKnight, were natives of County Down, Ireland, and married there. Coming to the United States in 1790 they set- tled in Franklin county, Pa., at first, and in 1795 or 1796 moving to Indiana county, where they located on a tract of 269 acres in Washington township, which he bought. The warrant for this tract was issued to Robert Elder, April 1, 1788. The MeKnight family made the first improvements on this land. Alexander and his wife both died here. They were Presbyterians in religious faith. In poli- ties he was a Whig.

Alexander McKnight, father of James Al- exander McKnight, died in 1821. He married Susanna Cummins, and their children were William C. and James Alexander. The former, who died at Chambersburg in 1892, was the father of James A., William C. and Margaret MeKnight, of whom James A. mar-

two children, Mrs. Charles G. Richards, of Auburn, N. Y., and Elizabeth MeKnight, of Newark, New Jersey.

James Alexander McKnight passed his youth on the home farm. He inherited half of that property and bought the remaining half from his brother. He gained an excel- lent education, attending the public schools and later the academy at Indiana, and he ac- complished much by home study, becoming a fine Greek and Latin scholar. For a time he taught country schools, and later was instruc- tor at the Eldersridge academy. He was highly successful as a farmer, and also be- came prominent in business, being one of the organizers of the Farmers' Bank of Indiana, of which he became the first president. He was a lifelong Presbyterian in religion and in political questions was a Republican.

On March 11, 1862, Mr. MeKnight married Eliza Jane Callen, daughter of Hugh and Mary (Chambers) Callen, and granddaughter of William and Jane (Hutchinson) Cham- bers; Chambersburg was founded by a branch of this family. Mrs. McKnight died in Jan- uary, 1866, mother of two children: Mary C., of Indiana, and Hugh Alexander, who died in infancy. On July 4, 1876, Mr. Mc- Knight married (second) Emeline S. Callen, daughter of Matthew and Jane (Paul) Callen. There were no children by this marriage. He died in Indiana, Pa., Oct. 18, 1889, and two years later his widow and daughter removed to Indiana. His widow died March 23, 1902, in Pasadena, Cal., while on a visit.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 117

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