Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 123

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 123

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

cold. In one day the elector, standing on the move to this county and take up land sufficient walls of Mannheim, counted twenty-three vil- to give each of their boys a farm. In true lages in flames, and to this day the picturesque ruins along the Rhine river tell but too plainly the story of the terrible disaster that laid waste the beautiful fields of the Palatines. The in- habitants, left without homes or land, turned to England for assistance. England offered them homes in the new world, and with their wives and families they migrated to America.

Lorentz Schmahl, arriving in 1743 in York county in what was then the Province of Penn- sylvania, wrote back to Hans Nicklaus Reis- inger in glowing terms of the opportunities that the new world held out for the homeless peasants in Germany. Hans Nicklaus Reis- inger, who was a widower, at once prepared to make the journey, arriving in York county Sept. 26, 1749. Shortly after his arrival Lor- entz Schmahl died, leaving the widow and a grown daughter, Eva Schmahl. About the year 1751 Hans Nicklaus Reisinger married the widow Schmalil, and his son John Peter Risinger shortly after married the daughter. They were prosperous and soon had a com- fortable home.

John Peter Risinger, born near Essenheim, Germany, who had married Eva Schmahl, served as a private in the 3d Battalion, York county militia, in the Revolutionary war; it was organized in 1775 and commanded by Col. Richard McAlister. McAlister com- manded under Washington in the campaigns around New York and in the battles of Tren- ton and Princeton. This regiment had en- listed for six months, but served two months longer than that. The children of Jolin Peter Risinger were, sons, Jacob, John Henrich, Peter and Henry, and daughters who married George Spangler and Isaac Lowmaster, the latter being a celebrated gunsmith of the Revolutionary period.

John Henrich Risinger was born in York sure their safety from mink and weasel. county, Pa., March 18, 1768, being the second Michael Risinger's children were: Matilda, married to Rev. J. W. Plannette ; Josiah, mar- ried to Margaret Mckesson; Elizabeth, mar- ried to J. W. Kerr; Eva, who died at the age of twenty-one ; and William, married to Nancy E. Orr. The father died in 1883, the mother's death occurring but two months later in the same year. son of John Peter Risinger and Eva Schmahl. He married Magdalena Myers about 1789. Their children were named as follows: John, Jacob, George, Henry, Daniel, Michael, Joseph, Polly (married John Lininger), Lydia (mar- ried to Peter Rhodes), Elizabeth (married to Andrews) and Mary (married to Jacob D'Armen).

About the year 1801 John Henrich Risin- ger's brother Peter, accompanied by his uncle, John Small, moved to Beaver county, Pa .. which was then considered the "far West." They sent back to York a glowing description of the lands along Beaver creek. John and his wife and family made up their minds to used in the construction of the Indiana Branch

pioneer fashion they began the overland jour- ney, reaching Brushvalley, in Indiana county, in the fall of 1806. Here the mother and boys made up their minds they would go no far- ther and settled in that township on what is now the Dinsmore Dick farm. The following year the mother died. John married his sec- ond wife, Elizabeth Lininger, about 1810. Later he took up a tract of land in Center township, north of the present town of Homer City. He died in 1844, at the home of his son Daniel, which was on a part of this tract.

Michael Risinger was born near York, Pa., in 1798, son of John Henrich Risinger and Magdalena (Myers). Coming with his father to Indiana county, they located in Brushval- ley township, but later moved to Center town- ship. In 1823, he married Rebecca Williams, who was born in Brushvalley in 1802, a daugh- ter of Capt. Benoni Williams, who had re- cruited a company and served in the war of 1812. For two years after their marriage they lived on the Runyan farm in Brushvalley. He then purchased from James Wilkens the tract of land in Center township lying between the waters of Twolick and Yellow creeks, on which is now located the mining town of Lucerne. This land was then covered with heavy timber, walnut and white oak. Locating a spring near the waters of Twolick he began to chop down the forest and build a log house. Hardy and industrious, he pursued this arduous labor until a few acres of the ground were cleared, a log house erected and corn growing in the field. Those were years of trials and hard- ships. Their neighbors were few, and at night the cry of wolves was frequently heard in the forest. For several seasons the corn crop was in part destroyed by deer, and the chick- ens were kept in the cellar of the house to in-

William Risinger was born in Center town- ship, on July 24, 1841, and attended the pub- lie school located near the present site of Upper Homer school. From boyhood he worked on the farm of his father, clearing the timber from the land and quarrying thou- sands of yards of stone, a part of which was

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

railway, which passed through this farm. Dur- was associated with him to the end of his life, ing the year 1868 he erected the frame house giving particular attention to the breeding in which he lived until his death. Here he and raising of registered Jersey cattle and to dairy farming and buttermaking. In com- pany with his brother he was engaged for a period in the manufacture of ice cream. After the death of his father he continued in the Jersey cattle business until 1911, when he disposed of most of his stock, keeping sev- engaged in general farming and stock raising and in 1890 became associated with his son James in the latter line. Mr. Risinger became one of the largest breeders and raisers of Jer- sey cattle in the country. He also became ex- tensively interested in the dairy business and continued iu that line up to his death. In eral, however, for his own use. In 1910 he 1883 his fine frame barn was destroyed by fire, built a new home on the site of his father's but he soon rebuilt it. In 1905 most of the dwelling house, constructed of buff brick. In homestead farm was sold to the Buffalo & Rochester Coal Company, and on its site is built the coal mining town of Lucerne, con- taining a population of over three thousand, the winter of 1912-13 he became associated with Mr. Elder J. Miller in the erection of a modern theater in Homer City, of which Mr. Risinger acts as manager. After the death with all the benefits of churches and schools, of his father Mr. Risinger succeeded him as a member of the board of directors of the Homer City National Bank, and in 1910 he was

and where a large plant was erected for coal mining purposes. It is the largest coal min- ing town in the county and in 1912 the largest elected vice president of that institution, which coal tipple in the world was erected there. office he filled for two years. In 1913 he was During a business trip to Indiana, on May 29,

,elected president of the Homer City National 1908, and while transacting business in the Bank. Mr. Risinger is a well-read man, lib- store of William R. Loughry, Mr. Risinger eral-minded and with thoroughly progressive was stricken with an attack of apoplexy. He ideas, and keeps well informed on all the cur- was taken to the "Indiana House" and there rent events of the day. died. He was buried in Greenwood cemetery, On Dec. 27, 1899, Mr. Risinger married Jen- nie Blakley, who was born in Young town- ship, daughter of Joseph A. Blakley, of that township, a full history of whose family will be found elsewhere in this work. They have had two children : William and Joseph Blakley, twins, born April 21, 1902, who are now in school. Indiana. Mr. Risinger was a man well known and respected and noted for his high moral character. He was well-read, independent in his views and actions, held progressive views, and took an active part in public matters, serving as school director of his township and also as tax collector and auditor. He took a deep interest in the local public schools and in anything for the benefit of his township and county and the people. He was one of the organizers and charter members of the Homer City National Bank, and succeeded his son William P. Risinger as member of its board of directors, serving as such until his death.

WILLIAM P. RISINGER, assistant cashier of the Homer City National Bank, was born on the Risinger homestead in Center township, March 29, 1879. He attended the district public school near his birthplace. On com- pleting the county course of study of the pub- lie schools he began preparation for the teacher's profession by attending the summer On Oct. 29, 1868, Mr. Risinger married Nancy Elizabeth Orr, who was born in Arm- strong township, Indiana county, July 9, 1845, daughter of James and Hannalı (Kimmel) Orr. They had two children, James M. and William Perley. Mrs. Risinger now resides with her son James. She is a member of the Lutheran Church at Homer City, a woman noted for her charity and her devotion to her family. normal school conducted by H. V. Rowan in Homer City. In 1897 he taught his first term of school in the Lytle district of Center township. The next year he was placed in charge of the Upper Homer school, a position he held for two years. Under Mr. Rowan, as a private tutor, he continued his studies dur- ing the evenings, and in the fall of 1899 he was admitted into the freshman class of Wash- ington and Jefferson College, at Washington, JAMES M. RISINGER was born on the Risinger farm July 30, 1869. He was educated prin- cipally in the public schools, attending in the Risinger district, and in 1889 entered the Pennsylvania State Agricultural College, tak- Pa. The two years following were spent in that institution. During the summer of 1901 he secured a State teacher's certificate and in the fall of that year he again entered the ing courses in dairying and agriculture. He teaching profession as assistant principal, in grew up on the farm, assisting his father, and the Homer City public schools. Forming a

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IIISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

partnership with Prof. E. J. Welsh, the prin- born Dec. 19, 1848, son of William and Jane cipal of the Homer City schools, they con- (Robinson) Moore, and is of Scotch-Irish de- ducted a summer normal school in that place scent. for three years; this school was a successful one and had a large attendance of teachers from all parts of the county. In the fall of 1904 he was elected principal of the Penn public schools in Westmoreland county, where he continued in that capacity for two years.

William Moore, the father, was born in 1810 in Butler county, Pa., one of a family of nine children, and came to Saltsburg when a young man, making a permanent home here. He engaged in the tinning business, which he continued to follow throughout his active Mr. Risinger devoted eight years to teach- ing, averaging ten months out of the year. In January, 1908, he was appointed assistant cashier of the Homer City National Bank, a position he has filled for the last five years. He was a member of the first board of direc- years, widening his interests until he was the principal partner in one of the largest and most successful business houses in Saltsburg. He died there Jan. 1, 1892. He was a highly esteemed citizen, a leading member of the Presbyterian Church, which he served officially tors of this bank, and was succeeded by his as elder, and a Prohibitionist in political as- father following his appointment as assistant sociation. His wife, Jane (Robinson), was cashier. In 1908 he built the home where he born near Nowrytown, Indiana county, was now resides, adjoining that of his brother, one of the ten children of John and Jane James. His library, of which he is justly Robinson, and died in 1884, aged seventy-two proud, contains over two thousand of the years. Mr. and Mrs. Moore had four chil- world's best books, including many rare and dren, namely: James C., Sarah E., Kate J. costly editions. He is well known in the In- and R. Mary.

dependent Order of Odd Fellows, being a charter member of Homer City Lodge, No. 41, and also a member of the Grand Lodge of and academy there. In 1871 he went to Balti- Pennsylvania ; of Blairsville Encampment, No. more and became a time clerk in the office of 168, and Penelope Rebekah Lodge, No. 431, of Homer City, of which his wife was the first secretary.

On July 7, 1907, Mr. Risinger was married to Sara E. Wineman, daughter of B. F. Wine- man and Catherine (Ellis) Wineman, of Homer City. She was a successful teacher before her marriage, and a woman of literary attainment. She died Sept. 27, 1909, leaving one child, a son two weeks old, that died in infancy. Following the death of his wife Mr. Risinger's mother took charge of his home, ness six years. James C. Moore is the only living with him until September, 1911.

the Northern Central Railroad Company, hold- ing that position until 1875, when he was obliged to resign because of impaired health. Accordingly he returned to Saltsburg, where he became associated with his father in the store and tinning business, shortly afterward adding a large stock of hardware. The firm was William Moore & Son until January, 1886, when Ira C. Ewing became a partner, the name changing to William Moore, Son & Co .; Mr. Ewing was connected with the busi-

one of those three partners now connected with

On July 5, 1911, Mr. Risinger was married the business, which is now conducted by the (second) to Martha E. Elden, a native of J. C. Moore Hardware & Supply Company (not incorporated), his associates being his son Logan R. Moore, J. F. Piper and F. E. Shupe. The stock originally carried was Hastings, Pa., daughter of Henry and Emma (Riley) Elden, the former now deceased, the latter living with her son Henry, in Homer City. The Elden family emigrated from War- valued at $1,500, but has been extended in wickshire, England, in 1883 and settled in Cambria county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Risinger have one child, Emma Elizabeth, born Jan. 17, 1913.

various lines until $22,000 worth of goods are now kept on hand to supply a trade which is highly creditable to this progressive house. They are wholesale and retail dealers in hard- ware, paints, oil, glass, etc .; have a complete

JAMES C. MOORE, head of the J. C. assortment of tin, copper and sheet iron ware, Moore Hardware & Supply Company, of Salts- and another department for stoves, grates and burg, Indiana county, is one of the leading various house furnishings, having a large pat- business men of that borough. He has been ronage in every line, their customers coming interested in his present line since 1875, all from a wide territory around Saltsburg. They that period connected with the same establish- ment. Mr. Moore is a native of Saltsburg,

also make a specialty of all kinds of roofing. Though he has been obliged to give a large

James C. Moore grew up at Saltsburg and received his education in the public schools

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

part of his attention to business to attain suc- Campbell, Indiana county, which was named cess, Mr. Moore has found time to interest in his honor. He was a native of Juniata county, Pa., born Nov. 22, 1828, at Tuscarora, son of Cornelius and Mary (Adams) Camp- bell. When a young man he went to Altoona, Blair Co., Pa., in 1853, at which time that city was but a small borough. He became one of the prominent business men of the place, particularly as one of the firm of Campbell Brothers, who did much work about Altoona, as well as on many divisions of the Pennsyl- vania railroad. himself in local affairs pertaining to the gen- eral welfare. He has served as secretary of the board of trustees of Saltsburg cemetery, and is still holding that office; is president of the Board of Trade of Saltsburg; and has long been a prominent member of the Saltsburg Presbyterian Church, which he formerly served as treasurer; he has been superintend- ent of the Sunday school for twenty-three years. He was at one time a member of the Knights of Honor, Junior Order of United

It was in April, 1889, that Cornelius Camp- American Mechanics and Knights of the bell came to what is now Glen Campbell in the Golden Eagle, but at present he is connected interest of the Glenwood Coal Company, to with no secret order except the Masons. develop the mines. Together with the firm of Though formerly a Republican in politics, in J. M. Campbell & Co., contractors of Altoona, a Democratic community, he was elected to he undertook to build the railroad to Magee's, serve as member of the school board and in nine miles. The Glenwood Coal Company was various other offices, and he was burgess for incorporated with a capital of $100,000 (as at five years. At present he is supporting the present), and one hundred men were employed Prohibition party. Of recent years he has when the mines opened, the work of initial been spending the winter in Florida, where he has a cottage in De Land, 110 miles south of Jacksonville.

In February, 1875, Mr. Moore married Maggie G. Logan, daughter of David and Mar- garet J. Logan, of Parker City, Armstrong Co., Pa .; she died Oct. 18, 1886. They had three children: (1) Alice has become well known all over the United States as a capable worker in the Young Women's Christian Asso- ciation, and is now preparing to go to Oak- land, Cal. (2) Logan R., who is in business with his father, married Helen Robinson, daughter of Harry Robinson, and they have two children, Elizabeth and Mary. (3) Mary has spent seven years as a missionary in China, where she married Myron Peck, then professor in a college in that country, now living at Oak- land, Cal. He is at present engaged as harbor engineer. They have two children, Gladys and Albert Carlton.

field, N. J., employed by the Westinghouse Company; Ralph, born in 1891, who is now attending State College; and Edward, who died in infancy.

operations being pushed with such vigor that the railroad was in operation and the first car of coal left Glen Campbell Oct. 21, 1889. (This railroad extension opened the coal field of Cush Creek.) Now the output has been increased so greatly that two hundred men are employed at the two mines of the com- pany, which produce two hundred thousand tons annually. This company also owns the Urey Ridge Coal Company, which employs two hundred and fifty men and has an output of three hundred thousand tons yearly. It is operated with a capital of $50,000. Mr. Camp- bell was superintendent of these mines until his death, which occurred in 1892. He was the first postmaster at Glen Campbell. The substantial basis upon which the early govern- ment and business enterprises of this borough were placed was due largely to his intelligence and foresight, which were universally recog- nized by his associates.

On May 2, 1888, Mr. Moore married (sec- ond) Jennie E. Ewing, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Ewing, of Jacksonville, Indiana Co., Pa., and they have had three children : From early life Mr. Campbell was a devout professing Christian, and he was prominently connected with the Second Presbyterian Church of Altoona from the time of its or- Helen, a graduate of Wooster University, ganization until his death, serving it for many 1907, now the wife of O. C. Kelly, of Bloom- years in an official capacity.

Mr. Campbell was twice married, his first union, which took place in 1855, being to Annie Griffin. After her death he married Elizabeth Craig, of Saltsburg, Indiana county, who also preceded him to the grave. Three children born to the first marriage died in infancy. Two children of the second marriage are still living, Mrs. William Frank-

CORNELIUS CAMPBELL, who was prob- ably best known as a member of the firm of Campbell Brothers, of Altoona, was the founder of what is now the borough of Glen lin Beck and Mrs. James Hewett Christy,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

both of Altoona; the second daughter, Mary, nection a member of the Presbyterian Church. died in 1889. Mrs. Beck has two children, On Feb. 18, 1891, Mr. Riddell was married Elizabeth Craig and Cornelius Campbell; to Mary Highberger, of Greensburg, Pa., Mrs. Christy has one child, Cornelius Camp- bell. daughter of John H. and Mary (Moore) Highberger, and they have had a family of six children: Jean B., Margaret E., Sarah M., Mary Moore, Helen F. and Elizabeth K.

ARTHUR M. RIDDELL has been one of the foremost citizens of the borough of Glen Campbell, Indiana county, a leader in busi- ness operations in that section, particularly in the coal industry. Mr. Riddell was born in Philadelphia, Pa., son of John and Mary (Mackey) Riddell, both of whom were na- tives of County Tyrone, Ireland. The father came to this country in 1862, the mother a little later the same year, and they were mar- ried here.

Mr. Riddell obtained his education in the public schools, attending night school after he commenced to work. At the age of thir- teen he found a place as office boy, and in time learned telegraphy and became an oper- ator in the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company. In June, 1889, he came to Glen Campbell, Indiana Co., Pa., to become the assistant of Cornelius Campbell in the of- fice of the Glenwood Coal Company, and he was the first telegraph operator for the rail- Nov. 18, 1879.

WILLIAM ALLEN EVANS, M. D., of Clymer, Indiana county, has been engaged in practice at that point throughout his medical career, and has been one of the leaders in de- veloping local interests and resources. He has not only attended faithfully to his pro- fessional duties, but has become associated with public affairs and business enterprises designed to advance the general welfare of the borough, where he is justly classed among the most influential citizens.

Dr. Evans was born April 12, 1874, in Raleigh, N. C., son of John E. and Ellen M. (Allen) Evans, and in the paternal line is of Welsh extraction. His grandfather, Eleazer Evans, was an early settler in Montour county, Pa., where he was associated in busi- ness with the iron industries, continuing to follow this line until his death, which occurred

road company in that town. Upon the death of Mr. Campbell he succeeded him as super- intendent of the Glenwood Coal Company, and in 1902, upon the organization of the Urey Ridge Coal Company, of Urey, this county, he was made general superintendent of both mines-that of the Cymbria Coal Com- pany, of Barnesboro, Pa., and that of the Forge Coal Company, Portage, Pa. Further, to Raleigh, N. C., living there for a period he has an interest in the Pioneer Coal Com- pany, of Clearfield, Pa., and is treasurer of the LaSoya Oil Company, of Chelsea, Okla .; to Pennsylvania, he settled in Clearfield

John E. Evans, father of Dr. Evans, was born Sept. 5, 1844, at Danville, Montour Co., Pa. He became engaged in the mercantile business and coal mining, acquiring extensive interests in the latter line. He acted as sup- erintendent of mines and developed mining property, being an able business man. In 1872 he moved South with his father-in-law, of five years, engaged in carrying on a large cotton plantation. Returning North county, where he continued to reside for four- teen years, thence moving to Cambria county, where he was engaged in the mercantile and mining business at Patton, for others. He died Nov. 16, 1906. Mr. Evans married Ellen M. Allen, who is of Scotch origin and was born June 4, 1846, at Bellshill, near Glasgow, in Lanark, Scotland. She survives him, now making her home with her son Dr. Evans at Clymer. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Evans belonged to the Baptist Church and was an active worker, serving as presiding elder of the First Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Evans had a large family, sev-

treasurer of the Giant Electric Light, Heat & Power Company, of Glen Campbell, which company he helped to organize; and he was one of the organizers of the Glen Water Com- pany, of which he is president. His import- ant relations to local undertakings, the high position he ocenpies in their management, not only serve to show his business ability but also his faith in the future of this region and his earnest desire to aid in the advancement. There are few men doing more for the up- building of industrial conditions in this region or for its development along the most modern lines. He resided at Glen Campbell from June, 1899, to April, 1911, since when his eral of their children dying in early infancy. home has been at Altoona, Pa. Mr. Riddell The eight of whom we have record were: Jennie M., who has a millinery store at Cly- is a thirty-second-degree Mason and a Shriner, a Republican in politics, and in religious con- mer; Mary J., who died in infancy; William

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Allen ; Ellen M., wife of Joseph W. Rankin, of Westmoreland county, Pa., where he died, Clymer; Annie B., wife of Frank C. Little, in Loyalhanna township. His children were: of Clymer; John E., druggist, of Clymer ; Sadie, deceased ; and Leora, deceased.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 123

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