Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 121

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 121

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Morgan M. Duncan, son of George, was born Sept. 2. 1851, on the farm in Center township, and after he grew to manhood learned the trade of plasterer, which he has followed ever since. He resides in Homer City. On Feb. 25, 1872, he married Margaret Gamble, a native of Center township, daughter of Barn- ard and Harriet (Garris) Gamble, the former a native of Ireland; the Gambles were farm- ing people in Buffington township, this county. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morgan M. Duncan: Minnie M., who died young; Mary Elizabeth, who married David. Irwin Cunningham; Anna Myrtle, wife of Robert Cunningham ; Samuel, of Homer City ; and Pearl, who died young.

CARL MATTSON HASTINGS, proprietor of the "Lone Pine" stock farm of East Ma- honing township, was born on that farm March 17, 1876.

The Hastings family is an old one in the Keystone State, and has produced some of the most substantial men and women Pennsylvania has known. (I) John Hastings, the first of the name of whom there is definite record, died in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1774.

(II) Thomas Hastings, son of John Hast-

(III) John Hastings, son of Thomas Hast- ings, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and is supposed to have served in the Revolution- ary war. He settled in Center county, Pa., residing near Belleville, where he died in 1797. The first name of his wife was Sarah, and they had the following family: Enoch, born in 1781, who married Eliza Sutor; Eliza- beth, who married George Leech; Mary, who married Abel Moore; Thomas; Daniel; Made- line, who married James Moore; and John.

(IV) John Hastings, son of John and Sarah Hastings, was born March 14, 1784, in Center county, Pa., and later settled in In- diana county, where he bought a farm in East Mahoning township and spent the remainder of his life, dying there July 7, 1865. On Jan. 20, 1803, he married (first) Margretta Diven, and they had the following children: Will- iam W., born July 17, 1804, married Feb. 9, 1829, Margaret Johnson ; Thirza, born Sept. 14, 1806, married John Van Horn on March 11, 1824; Joseph J., born March 9, 1808, married Mary Jane Kennedy on Feb. 23, 1837; Sarah E., born Jan. 11, 1811, married Samuel Foster on April 14, 1834.

After the death of his first wife John Hastings married (second), on Feb. 11, 1812, Isabella Cook, and they had these children: Mary Ann, horn Dec. 21, 1813, married John Simpson on April 16, 1835, and they became the parents of Nathaniel Cook Simpson, of East Mahoning township; Reuben was born May 18, 1815; Isabella, born March 18, 1819, married D. Black on Sept. 12, 1836; John, twin of Isabella, died in 1872; Margretta, born Feb. 21, 1821, married Thomas Rea on July 5, 1853; Agnes, born March 15, 1823, mar- ried John A. Work on April 26, 1849; Lucinda, born Feb. 11, 1825, died Aug. 21, 1827; Martha, born June 22, 1827, married Peter B. Simpson on July 4, 1866 ; Robert A., born March 26, 1830, married Jane Keirs on Dec. 25, 1853; Lucinda (2) was born March 30, 1832; John Reed, born Feb. 5, 1836, mar- ried Mary Eliza Park on June 25, 1858.

(V) Reuben Hastings, son of John and Isabella Hastings, was born May 18, 1815, and made his home in what later became East Mahoning township on the property now owned by the Lightcap family. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser, and

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IHISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

rounded out a useful life, dying in 1875, aged trade. But after three months he returned sixty years. During this long period he be- came well known in his locality, and noted for his high sense of honor.

On March 7, 1838, Reuben Hastings mar- ried Jane Black, and their children were: James B .; Lucinda, who married Silas W. Brady, of Indiana, Pa .; Jane, who married Allen Hamilton; and Evaline, who married David Leasure.

(VI) James B. Hastings, son of Reuben Hastings, was born on what is now the Light- cap farm in East Mahoning township, in 1838, and was educated in that neighborhood, and all his life took an interest in current events, being a very well-read man for his period. Making farming his life occupation, he moved in 1866 from his father's homestead to what is now the "Lone Pine" stock farm, a property that contained 120 acres, upon which he made extensive improvements. Here he carried on farming and stock raising with gratifying success until his retirement in 1900, when he moved to Marion Center, dying there June 1, 1906. His remains were in- terred in the cemetery at Marion Center. While living on the farm he erected the pres- ent residence and barns, and developed the place into a very valuable possession.

A stanch Democrat, he gave the principles of his party a firm support, and acted as school director for many years, and for a quarter of a century was on the election board, while, when occasion demanded, he served in other township offices, for he was a man whose in- cumbency of any office guaranteed safe and honest administration.

James B. Hastings was married in Jeffer- son county, Pa., to Rebecca Brown, a daughter of Andrew W. Brown, and she survives him, residing in Falls Creek, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. James B. Hastings had five children : Mary E., who married A. B. Wright and lives at Falls Creek, Pa .; Frank Brown, who resides in Punxsutawney, Pa .; Reuben Clark, who died young ; Carl Mattson ; and Guy True, who lives at Ashtabula, Ohio. The family reputa- tion is fully sustained by the seventh genera- tion of those whose history is known, and from all indications the eighth will be reared to equal honesty of living.

home, preferring to devote his energies to farming, for which he felt he was best suited. His abundant success proves the wisdom of his choice. He continued to work with his father until the latter's retirement, when he took charge of the farm, later becoming its owner. Realizing the importance of cattle raising, he began specializing with Hereford- shire cattle, and has also become a large grower of hogs. At present he is one of the heaviest stock raisers of his township, and his product takes front rank for quality. As his needs demanded, Mr. Hastings made im- portant additions to his barns, and built other structures for housing and handling his stock, and now has one of the finest and most com- plete farming establishments in the county, abundantly supplied with a superb water system. His barns are constructed in full compliance with the sanitary rules and regu- lations, and all of his work is carried on scientifically and expeditiously with modern machinery and appliances. The brand "Lone Pine" is known all over the State, he having established its reputation. Although in the very prime of life he has already accomplished much, and has every reason to be proud of his work.

Politically Mr. Hastings is a Democrat, and like his father has always adhered to the prin- ciples of his party. He served as supervisor of the township, and has been on the election board a number of times. The Modern Wood- men of America holds his membership, his connection being with the local lodge of that order at Marion Center.

On Oct. 25, 1899, Mr. Hastings was united in marriage with Mary Louise Kinter, born in East Mahoning township, a daughter of Capt. John A. and Adelaide (Ada) (Brady) Kin- ter. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hastings: Mary Josephine, born Sept. 2, 1900; Annie Louise, born Aug. 7, 1903, who died in 1905; Meredith Adelaide, born Dec. 1, 1905; and James Brady (II), born Sept. 30, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Hastings belong to the Presbyterian Church of Marion Cen- ter, and are as popular in that congregation as they are elsewhere, for they have endeared themselves to many because of their excellent traits of character and pleasant manner.

(VII) Carl Mattson Hastings, son of KINTER, John Andrew, deceased, father of James B. Hastings, lived at home and at- Mrs. Hastings, was a school teacher, a mer- tended the schools of his neighborhood, until chant, and captain during the Civil war. He he went to Falls Creek to learn the tailor's was born in what was known as Kintersburg,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Pa., Jan. 5, 1836, son of William M. and Mary were protected at home by his brother, and (Speerty) Kinter, and grandson of John Kinter.

(I) Philip Kinter, the founder of the fam- ily in this country, came from Holland, as did his wife, who bore the maiden name of Bar- bara King.

(II) John Kinter, son of Philip Kinter, was a Revolutionary soldier. He is buried in the Washington Church cemetery.

(III) William M. Kinter, son of John, and father of Capt. John Andrew Kinter, was born on the old homestead in Rayne township. A farmer's boy, he was brought up as all lads of his time, securing a meager education in the schools of his neighborhood, and assisting his father in operating the farm. Later he engaged in farming for himself, but died when still in the very prime of life. His wife died in 1863. They had the following family : Josiah, who died at an advanced age in In- diana county, was married to Sarah Myers and (second) to Sarah Nesbit; Martha, who mar- ried Jacob Myers, lived and died on the old Myers farm near Indiana, Pa .; Foster Milli- gan, who died in Pittsburg, Pa., married Martha Thompson; Mary, who married Sam- uel Kinter, died in Indiana county; John Andrew married Adelaide Brady.

(IV) Capt. John Andrew Kinter's boy- hood was spent on the home farm, where he alternated healthful work with attendance at the local schools, the Indiana academy and the Jacksonville academy. Later he studied surveying with David Pealor, and helped to make the first map issued of Indiana county. For a time he was employed as a clerk in the company store at Indiana, Pa. When war was declared between the North and the South he recruited Company I, 135th Penn- sylania Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected captain, and served as such for nine months. Returning home, in company with his brother, F. M. Kinter, who had sold his interest in the company store, he bought the Rochester store property in Marion Center, and was made postmaster, and was on the road to achieving material success when once more he was disturbed by his patriotic senti- ments. Responding to another call for troops, he raised Company F, 206th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served with it as captain during the last year of the war. His regiment was the first to enter Richmond, a fact that he never forgot.

at the end of the conflict he came home and with his brother bought the Bell mill prop- erty at Blacklick (now Josephine), Pa. Later he sold his interests and moved to Marion Center. There Captain Kinter was made post- master and later justice of the peace, holding that office for fifteen years. He was extremely modest and retiring, but always willing to give generously of his time and money to advance any cause he thought worthy. His death occurred Sept. 5, 1902, and his remains were laid to rest in Marion cemetery. A Presbyterian, he died firm in the faith of his church. Politically he was a Republican. He was a charter member of the first Odd Fellows lodge organized in Indiana county.

On Nov. 18, 1869, Captain Kinter was mar- ried in Marion Center to Adelaide Brady, of that place, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Bell (Park) Brady. They had two children, of whom Mrs. Hastings is the younger, the other being Joseph Brady Kinter, who was born in Marion Center Aug. 2, 1870. He was graduated from the Toronto Veterinary Col- lege, and practiced in Danville, Ind., until the Spanish-American war, when he enlisted, and was in the Porto Rico campaign as a member of the battery sent from Danville. After the war was over he went to St. Paul, Minn., as inspector for the Bureau of Animal Industry. Joseph Brady Kinter married Anna Linton of Danville, Pa., and they have one son, Charles Walter Kinter.

Mrs. Hastings was born in Marion Center June 15, 1874, and although not brought up on a farm, has proved a faithful helpmate to her husband in his ardnous work.

Mrs. Kinter, mother of Mrs. Hastings, was a useful educator of her day. She was born on the Brady homestead in Marion Center Sept. 3, 1846, and was carefully educated, at- tending the common schools, the Marion sum- mer institute and Blairsville seminary, and began teaching school when only seventeen years old, in Marion Center. Later she taught in the different schools of the county, also in Clearfield county. Marrying, she gave up teaching, but when the family moved to Bruin, Butler county, Pa., she resumed teaching and was thus engaged for five years. When the family returned to Marion Center she re- sponded to the demand for her services and taught there for four terms, and two terms

In the meanwhile Captain Kinter's interests in the country district. After the death of

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

her husband, she began teaching in the in- of Center township, daughter of Andrew and dustrial schools of Indiana, and has found pleasure in her work all her life. A woman of superior mental attainments, she has been active for years in the Woman's Relief Corps, the W. C. T. U. and the Methodist Church, which has had her for an earnest Sunday school teacher and worker. At present she resides in her own home in Marion Center.

Both the Kinter and Hastings families are well and favorably known throughout Indiana and surrounding counties.

GEORGE C. DICKIE, late of the borough of Indiana, Indiana county, was for a number of years before his death engaged in the leas- ing and selling of coal lands in this vicinity, and he was one of the most influential men in the development of the coal industry in his section of the State. It was due perhaps more to his efforts then to those of any other man that the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg rail- road was built to Indiana, making possible the opening up of large tracts of coal land.

Mr. Dickie was born June 12, 1850, four miles south of the borough of Indiana, in Indiana county, Pa., son of George and Jane (Dickson) Dickie. His grandfather, William H. Dickie, the founder of the Dickie family in this region, was of Scotch-Irish extraction. Coming to Indiana county at an early period, he located in Center township, on a farm about four miles from Indiana. There he continued to engage in farming for a number of years, prospering, and also followed blacksmithing. Later he removed to Jacksonville, Indiana county, where he remained several years, and on his return to Center township lived on the farm which he subsequently sold to his son-in- law, Jacob Kauffman. He passed the re- mainder of his life in that township, spend- ing his declining years with his son George, at whose home he died, at the age of eighty-two years, eight days. Mr. Dickie was a Whig in political sentiment but not particularly active in party affairs. He served as school director, however, after the establishment of the public schools, and was a man of considerable in- fluence in his locality. A member of the M. E. Church, he served many years as class- leader and was also chorister for a long period. In fact he was widely known in the latter connection in this region, having taught sing- ing for many years.

Mr. Dickie married Jane Allison, a native

Sally (Barr) Allison, the former of whom served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war under General Washington. The Allisons are an old and highly respected family in Indiana county. Mrs. Dickie died at the home of her son-in-law, Jacob Kauffman, and was buried in Oakland cemetery, at Indiana, beside her husband. Ten children were born to this cou- ple: George is mentioned below; Hannah married Thomas B. Allison, of Marchand, In- diana county, who served as associate judge; Jane married Rev. J. Gordon, a minister of the M. E. Church; Ebenezer died at Rock Island, Ill .; Nancy married James Ayers, of Marion Center, Pa .; John died in Ohio; Mary (Polly) married Samuel Ray, of Crete, this county; Lavina married Jacob Kauffman; Elizabeth married John McMullen, of Center township, and later removed to Illinois; Ursula Toledo married John F. Henderson, and died in Illinois.

George Dickie, eldest son of William H. Dickie, was born Sept. 27, 1809, on the farm in Center township, and obtained his educa- tion at the subscription school held in a near-by log house. He grew up on the farm and from his earliest boyhood was familiar with agricultural work, which he followed all his life, and in which he became very pros- perous. He acquired over six hundred acres of land. He built a substantial brick house to replace the first one of logs, and made many other improvements on his property, which became quite valuable under his intelligent and energetic management. In addition to general farming he engaged somewhat exten- sively in stock raising, and drove to the eastern markets for many years. He made a specialty of the raising of fine sheep, his large acreage enabling him to keep great numbers. He died March 5, 1901, in his ninety-second year, after a busy and useful career, and was buried in Oakland cemetery. He was a life- long member of the M. E. Church at Homer City, and served as steward.

On May 14, 1835, Mr. Dickie married Jane Dickson, and they had a married life of over half a century, her death occurring Dec. 24, 1885. She, too, is buried in Oakland ceme- tery. They had a family of five children : William H., who is a farmer of Blacklick township, this county ; Joseph Dickson ; Nancy H., widow of Capt. George H. Ogden, of Homer City ; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

wife of Frank Broski; and George C. Mrs. children, five sons and one daughter: George, Dickie was a member of the M. E. Church.

George C. Dickie obtained his early educa- tion in the Lowery school in Indiana county, later in the winter of 1870-71 attending Eldersridge Academy and the Millersville State normal school, at Millersville, Lancaster county, Pa. After leaving school he worked at farming, continuing to follow that occupa- tion principally until 1901, from which time until his death he was interested in the coal industry. He was quite successful in leasing and selling coal lands in Indiana county, handling large tracts, and as previously stated was mainly instrumental in having the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg road built to the borough of Indiana. He became one of the prominent factors in the industrial develop- ment of the county. He continued his farm- ing operations in addition to his other busi- ness interests, which became numerous, for he was a stockholder in the Indiana Trust Company, the Indiana Woolen Mills, and other local enterprises. His progressive spirit and fearlessness in launching new projects made him a live figure in the business world. He died Feb. 24, 1912.

On Nov. 26, 1874, Mr. Dickie married Mar- garet Ann Johnston, daughter of George W. and Isabella (Speedy) Johnston, of Indiana county, and to them were born three children : Clark, D. D. S., now of Vandergrift, Pa., mar- ried Flora Laufman, and they have one child, Clark C .; Laura is the wife of Dr. W. H. Nix and has one child; Bell is the wife of Glen M. Lee, principal of the Vandergrift schools, and they have one child, Gladys C. Mrs. Dickie is a member of the M. E. Church, to which her husband also belonged.

ARCHIE W. MABON, member of the hard- ware firm of James M. Stewart & Co., of In- diana, and president of the Citizens' National Bank of that borough, is one of the leading business men of this section of Pennsylvania. His connection with the hardware business began twenty-nine years ago. Mr. Mabon is a native of Indiana county, born June 21, 1862, son of Samuel S. and Martha C. (Stewart) Mabon.

The Mabon family has been established in this section for considerably over a century. William and Margaret (Brown) Mabon came to this country from Scotland in the year 1794, bringing with them their family of six

John, James, William, Thomas and Jane. Their home in Scotland was on the river Tweed, and when they settled in what is now West Wheatfield township, Indiana county, Pa., they named a small stream running through their property Tweed run, by which name it is still known. William Mabon and his wife were laid to rest in a little cemetery near the Pennsylvania railroad, on the tract where they originally settled in West Wheat- field township. Of their children: George had five children, two sons and three daugh- ters, by his first wife, whose maiden name was Steele, and by his second wife, Margaret (Mc- Donald), had a son, Capt. George C. Mabon, John married Margaret Liggett, and had seven sons and five daughters, William, Robert, John, James, Thomas, Frank, Alexander, Jane, Nancy, Margaret, Mary and Ann; they lived in Mahoning township. James married Jane Smith and they were the grandparents of Archie W. Mabon. Jane married John Graham (second), Robert Sutton and (third), William Baird; she had no children. William married Esther Steele and had nine children, Margaret, George, Jane, John, Margaret B., Thomas Jefferson, Hadassah, James and Will- iam. Thomas married Jane MeLeary and had children: Margaret (married William Reed), Mary Jane, Emily (married H. A. Welshonce), Harriet (married John Fergu- son), William, Thomas, Louisa (married An- drew Milliken), Mary A. (married George A. Jenks), and two others whose names are not given.

James Mabon, son of William and Mar- garet (Brown) Mabon, was a native of Scot- land and an infant when brought with the rest of the family to the United States. He settled at Mahoning. He married Jane Smith, and had two sons and one daughter: Samuel S., William and Margaret.

Samuel S. Mabon, son of James and Jane (Smith) Mabon, died in May, 1908. His widow, Mrs. Martha C. (Stewart) Mabon, is now (1912) eighty years of age. She is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, to which Mr. Mabon also belonged. They be- came the parents of six children, namely : Wilson, James L., Archie W., Robert L., Alex- ander S. and William.

Archie W. Mabon obtained his education in the public schools of the home neighborhood. He worked on the farm in season until twenty

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

years of age, and taught school for three win- founders of the Bellfield Presbyterian Church ters during his young manhood. In 1883 he in Pittsburg. In politics he was a Republican. entered the employ of J. M. Stewart, who was On Dec. 27, 1855, Mr. Taylor married Mary Bridge, who was born Oct. 9, 1829, and died July 4, 1904. Mr. Taylor's death occurred Feb. 13, 1907, and both were buried in the Allegheny cemetery at Pittsburg. They had children as follows: May, who was born Feb. 6, 1857, died April 21, 1872; Elizabeth, born Feb. 9, 1859, died Dec. 13, 1877; a daughter, born in 1861, died in that year, unnamed; Eleanor, born Feb. 1, 1868, died Nov. 16, 1888; Harrison Lloyd was born Dec. 17, 1874. in the hardware business at Indiana, being engaged as clerk until he became a partner in the house, in 1888. The firm has since been known as J. M. Stewart & Co., and its estab- lishment is one of the largest hardware stores in Indiana county. The firm has high stand- ing in the business world, its reliability and progressive policy enabling it to hold the lead in the hardware line in this region. In 1911 Mr. Mabon became president of the Citizens' National Bank of Indiana, which position he has since filled. His executive ability and excellent judgment make his opinion and co- operation valued in every enterprise with which he is associated. He is a member of the Cosmopolitan Club of Indiana, and was formerly a trustee of the United Presbyterian Church, to which he has belonged for a num- ber of years.

In 1886 Mr. Mabon married Cornelia Lytle, daughter of A. P. and Mary Jane (De Tar) Lytle, of Indiana, and they have two children : Audley L. and Alexander W.

HARRISON LLOYD TAYLOR, director and cashier of the First National Bank of Blacklick, is a native of Pittsburg, born Dec. 17, 1874, son of William H. and Mary (Bridge) Taylor.

William H. Taylor, father of Harrison L., was born in Middlesex township, Butler Co., Pa., Nov. 1, 1829, son of William and Margaret (Brown) Taylor. There he grew to manhood, and learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for some time. He then entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany as scales inspector, and continued in their service for a period of forty years, hav- ing the inspection of all their scales west of Pittsburg. He made his home in Pittsburg, where for several years he lived retired after his long and faithful service with the railroad company. During these years of retirement he spent much time in looking up the history of his family, giving most of his attention to his mother's family, the Browns. After ex- E. BRUCE EARHART, M. D., of Salts- burg, Indiana county, has been engaged in the practice of medicine there for twenty years. Surgery has been his especial field, tensive research work he compiled the history and had it printed, and it was distributed among his relatives before his death. Mr. Taylor was a well-known man and much re- and for several years he has conducted a hos- spected. He was a member and elder of the pital which has filled a long-felt want in the Presbyterian Church, and was one of the community. He stands high among the mem-

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 121

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