Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 124

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 124

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William Allen Evans began his education in a school for boys in Philadelphia, and took his college preparatory course at the Sus- quehanna University, at Selinsgrove, Pa. He pursued his medical studies at Jefferson Med- ical College, Philadelphia, from which insti- tution he was graduated in 1906, in the sum- mer of which year he settled at Clymer. This thriving little borough at that time had but forty houses and a population of three hundred; it now has twenty-five hundred. Dr. Evans and four other citizens organized the borough, and he has continued his interest in its growth, showing his public spirit in various ways. He has served twice as mem- ber of the council, is one of the stockholders of the Citizens' Water Company and was one of the organizers of the Clymer National Bank, which he serves as director. He has gained an extensive practice by his intelligent and conscientious devotion to his patrons, and has the confidence and esteem of all his fel- low citizens. He is a member of the Indiana lodge of the B. P. O. Elks.

In June, 1907, Dr. Evans was married in Philadelphia to Rose M. MeNellis, a native of Vermont, only child of Edward and Mary McNellis, both of whom died when she was young. Mrs. Evans spent her early years with a cousin, later going to New York and then to Philadelphia, where she was in the employ of John Wanamaker and Strawbridge & Clothier as demonstrator. Dr. and Mrs. Evans have had two children, the daughter dying in infancy; Allen C., born Feb. 11, 1911, survives. The Doctor owns one of the most beautiful homes in Clymer.

William, Arthur, John, George, Frances, Mar- garet, and perhaps others.

George Buchanan, father of William L. Buchanan, was born in 1810 in Butler county, Pa., and in his youth attended the country schools near home. When a boy he would gather hickory bark after his work was done, to make a fire bright enough to enable him to study evenings, and by perseverance he be- came a well-educated man, following school teaching for some time. He learned the trade of carpenter, and was engaged principally as a cabinetmaker and farmer. After his mar- riage he located in Loyalhanna township, Westmoreland county, where he was em- ployed at his trade, and thence removed to Rayne township, Indiana county, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying there in 1861, when fifty-one years of age. He was a devout member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and became quite well known in that denomination, being a local preacher. But his absorbing public interest was the subjec- tion of slavery and the slave traffic. He threw all his influence into the antislavery cause, and being endowed with considerable talent as a campaigner and public speaker took con- siderable part in the abolition movement in that capacity, as well as in his connection with the "underground railway," by means of which he helped many slaves to escape and gain their freedom. He was always out- spoken and uncompromising in his stand against slavery, and having the courage of his convictions and the gift of presenting his views well was a strong influence in the anti- slavery ranks for a number of years. In his earlier manhood Mr. Buchanan was a Free- soiler, the only one iu Loyalhanna township, and he joined the Republican party upon its formation. His wife, Ann (Irwin), was born in 1820 in Ireland, and early left an orphan, coming to America with her father's people when twelve years old. She died April 2. 1892, in Mechanicsburg, Indiana county. aged seventy-two years. She, too, was a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. and Mrs. Buch- anan had a family of six sons and three dangh- ters, the daughters dying in infancy. The sons were William L .; James S., of Rayne township; George, who is deceased; Dr. John I., deceased; Cyrus A., of Indiana ; and Har- vey S., of Indiana.

WILLIAM L. BUCHANAN had extensive agricultural and mercantile interests through- out his long business career, in various parts of Indiana county, and is now living retired in the borough of Indiana, whither he moved in 1904. Mr. Buchanan was born in Loyal- hanna township, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Feb. 27, 1840, son of George Buchanan and grand- son of William Buchanan. The family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and Mr. Buchanan's grandfather was born in County Tyrone, Ire- land, of Scotch parentage. He and his wife came to this country from the North of Ire- land, after their marriage, and settled first in William L. Buchanan was about fourteen Butler county, Pa., where he followed farm- years old when his father moved the family ing and distilling. Thence they removed to to Rayne township, Indiana county, and there

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

he grew to manhood. He began his education either wounded or away on furlough. The in the subscription schools, his first teacher regiment stood first in loss of officers during the Civil war, and ranked about fourteenth or being his cousin, William Buchanan, and later went to public school. His first work for him- fifteenth in loss of men. self was as a farm laborer, working by the From the time of his return from the army until his retirement a few years ago Mr. Buchanan was engaged in farming, milling, stock dealing and merchandising, having farms in Cherryhill (115 acres) and Green (sixty acres) townships, Indiana county, and conducting stores at Dixonville and Indiana. For several years he was located at Marion Center, this county, engaged in the hotel busi- ness, and eventually removed to the borough of Indiana, where he dealt in agricultural im- plements for some years. Thence he removed to Dixonville, where he was in business nine years, having a general merchandise store. He retired shortly before the death of his wife, and has not been engaged in any active business pursuits since, now making his home in Indiana. Mr. Buchanan was one of the organizers of the Marion Center National Bank, and served as director until 1911, when he resigned. He is still a large stockholder in the Savings & Trust Company of Indiana. His ability and honorable dealings brought him success in his enterprises, and he has had high standing in the various communities where he has become known through his busi- ness associations. month, and later he drove mules on the old Pennsylvania canal. After coming to Indi- ana county he farmed during the summer season, in the winter and spring being em- ployed in the lumber woods and at rafting. He served in the Union army throughout the Civil war, under two enlistments. In 1861 he became a private in Company A, 61st Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Creps and Col. O. H. Rippey, of Pittsburg, enlisting in Indiana county, for three years. The command was attached to the Army of the Potomac. He had assisted in the organi- zation of the company, and went with it to the front, seeing thirty-eight months of hard service in the field before he was incapaci- tated. He took part in the battle of Fair Oaks, the seven days' fight, the engagements at Malvern Hill and Antietam, and all the battles of his command up to and including Gettysburg, and subsequent activities. In 1863-64 he was a member of a light brigade of picked men from regiments of different corps, who did skirmish and reconnoitering duty. After Chancellorsville this brigade was disbanded, the men being returned to their respective regiments. Mr. Buchanan had Mr. Buchanan is a member of the Veteran Legion and G. A. R., Post No. 28, and also of the Cosmopolitan Club of Indiana. In politics he is a Republican but independent in voting, supporting what he regards as the best men and measures. been promoted June 13, 1862, at Harrison's Landing, to first sergeant. At the end of his term he was discharged, Feb. 14, 1864, at Brandy Station, Va., and reenlisted for three years, on the field, in the same company and regiment. He came home on a thirty- On March 22, 1864, Mr. Buchanan married Mary Matilda Widdowson, of Cherryhill township, Indiana county, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Lydic) Widdowson, and days furlough, during which time he married, and after rejoining his regiment again saw considerable active service until he lost an arm at Fort Stevens, in the defense of Wash- she died at Indiana March 25, 1906. She ington, whither the 6th Corps, to which the was a member of the Baptist Church and one of its devoted workers, a member of the mis- 61st Regiment was attached, had been sent. They met Early as he was moving out to the sionary societies and interested in other works in his march on the city, and in the church activities. She is buried at Oakland encounter Mr. Buchanan received a minie cemetery. Three children were born to Mr. ball in his right arm, close to the shoulder, his and Mrs. Buchanan: Josephine, who died in injuries being so severe that the member was infancy; George T., who is a prominent mer- amputated on the field. He was taken to a chant of Indiana, engaged in the wholesale hospital in Washington and thence to a hos- grocery business; and William Orrin, of Lari- pital in Philadelphia, from which he was dis- mer, Pa., who carries on an extensive mer- cantile business, having establishments at Irwin and Larimer, in Westmoreland county, this State.

charged Oct. 18, 1864. Up to the time he was wounded at Fort Stevens he had never lost a day's duty on account of sickness, though slightly injured several times. He was in command of his company at the time, STEPHEN ALEXANDER JOHNSTON, all the commissioned officers having been deceased, who during his life was a merchant

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of Armagh, in East Wheatfield township, In- sociated with this establishment he gained diana county, was born in Blair county, Pa., and maintained a high reputation by the in the town of Frankstown, June 30, 1820.

Rev. John Johnston was a celebrated Pres-

qualities so characteristic of him during his entire life. After disposing of his store, he byterian elergyman of Huntingdon county, bought the Patterson farm, a tract of eighty- Pa., and moved to Hollidaysburg, Pa., where he died. He was a soldier in the Revolution- ary war, and equally active in waging battle against the enemies of the gospel.

Dr. Alexander Johnston, son of Rev. John Johnston, was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., Feb. 21, 1790, and was educated for the medical profession at the Pennsylvania Med- ical College, Philadelphia, following which he entered upon active practice at Hollidays- burg, Blair Co., Pa. Later on in life, he moved to Armagh, Indiana Co., Pa., becom- ing largely interested in the furnace north of Armagh, near Blacklick creek. The death of this excellent man and good physician occurred in January, 1875, at Armagh, where he was popular as he had been in his old home in Blair county, although he practiced but little after coming to Indiana county. His remains were interred in the Hollidays- burg cemetery. Dr. Johnston was a consis- tent member of the Presbyterian Church of Altoona. He married Elizabeth Lowry, daughter of and Mary Lowry, and the children of this union were: John Lowry, who was born July 12, 1816; Stephen Alexander, born June 30, 1820; Mary, born Sept. 25, 1823, who died young: George, born Oct. 17, 1826; and Jane, born May 19, 1834, who married George Williams Free.

Stephen Alexander Johnston was sent to the public schools of his native place, but when he was only twelve years old became a clerk in the store of John Bell, at Bellwood, Pa., where he continued to work for several years. He then came to Indiana county and formed a partnership with a Mr. McClelend, under the firm name of McClelend & John- ston, this firm operating the Buenavista fur- nace in Brushvalley township, until the busi- ness was abandoned many years later. Own- ing a tract of land in Butler county, Mr. Johnston lived on it for a time, and gave his attention to farming, then selling, he located at Armagh, where his energies found vent in the management of a flourishing mercantile establishment in conjunction with Alexander Elliott, the partners operating under the style of Elliott & Johnston. After the death of ALEXANDER ELLIOTT JOHNSTON, only sur- viving son of Stephen A. Johnston, was born at Armagh, where he attended pub- lic school, later going to the normal school Mr. Elliott his widow and Mr. Johnston con- tinued the business until 1880, when the store was sold to Mack & Campbell. During the many years that Mr. Johnston was as- at Indiana. Having decided upon being a

four acres, once known as the old Rankin farm, near Armagh, but after operating it a short time, he sold to H. T. McCormack, and bought the Waterson farm of 137 acres, on the Philadelphia and Pittsburg pike, west of Armagh, which is now being conducted by his son, Alexander Elliott Johnston. Mr. Johnston took pleasure in improving this property, equipping it with modern machin- ery. While interested in developing this place he resided at Armagh, and there died Oct. 23, 1904, aged eighty-four years, three months, twenty-three days. He is buried in the cemetery belonging to the Presbyterian Church at Armagh. Always firm in his sup- port of the Democratic party, he was elected by same to the council of Armagh, serving from 1867 to 1875 continuously. Interested in securing pure politics, he served as judge of election, and education having in him a firm friend, he gave the school board his valu- able advice as a member of that body for some years. While a member of the Presbyterian Church, he never held any office in it. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers' National Bank of Indiana, which he served as director, and he was also one of the leading men in the Indiana County Fair Association.

On Feb. 1, 1848, Stephen A. Johnston was married. by Rev. Samuel Swan, to Mary Elizabeth Elliott, born at Armagh Oct. 15, 1830, daughter of Alexander Elliott. Chil- dren as follows were born to Stephen A. John- ston and his wife: Elizabeth Lowry, born Jan. 23, 1849, died July 16, 1865; Margaret Belle, born June 19, 1851, married John B. Taylor, and died in April, 1906, in Indiana, Pa .; Mary Jane, born Nov. 17, 1853, resides at home; Sarah Ida, born April 28, 1856, died Dec. 10, 1862; Catherine Maxwell, born Sept. 18, 18-, married Arthur Dwight Sut- ton, of Indiana, Pa .; Alexander Elliott, born Aug. 12, 1861, is mentioned below; John B., born May 19, 1864, died Feb. 11, 1867. The mother of this family died June 11, 1906, aged seventy-five years, seven months, twenty- seven days, and is laid to rest in the Armagh Presbyterian Church cemetery.

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IHISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

farmer early in life, he has devoted himself married a Mr. Knox, and lived in Allegheny, to agricultural pursuits with gratifying re- Pa .; and four others who lived and died in sults. Mr. Johnston is the owner of a fine Ireland. property of 137 acres of fertile land, on Robert Hood, son of John Hood, was born which he has many modern improvements. in 1804 in Ireland, and died April 22, 1863, in Indiana county. He married Jane More- head, a woman of Scotch birth, who died Nov. 29, 1890, aged eighty years, seven months, one day. The children of Robert and Jane (Morehead) Hood were: John is mentioned below; Elizabeth died July 11, 1859, aged twenty-six years, seven months; Jane mar- His farm is fully supplied with the best machinery, and he carries on his work ac- cording to 'most scientific methods. Experi- ence has taught him that general farming and stock raising pay him best. A Democrat of the old school, Mr. Johnston has been a member of the school board for many years,

and acted as its secretary, and he is often ried Robert Lendores; Joseph, who died April called upon to act as judge of election. The 22, 1865, aged twenty-seven years, three Presbyterian Church holds his membership, he and his family being connected with that denomination at Armagh.

months, married Margaret McCarthey, who was born in 1835 and died in 1905, and they had children, Joseph B., Rebecca and James; Margaret, born in 1849, died in 1903; Robert married Ella E. Mabon, of West Wheatfield township, and had children, Bes-

In October, 1886, Mr. Johnston was united in marriage with Carrie L. Brendlinger, daughter of D. W. Brendlinger, and a native of Clyde, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are the sie, Mabon, Mary, Hulda and James M .; Mary parents of four children: Frank, who died Ann, who died Feb. 21, 1884, aged thirty-five young ; Morris B., who is employed in the years, was the wife of C. Finley Reynolds, Johnstown office of the Cambria Steel Com- of West Wheatfield township, and had a son, pany and Stephen Alexander and David B., Hood; James is mentioned below; Rebecca both at home.

died Feb. 6, 1859, aged nineteen years.

The record of the Johnston family shows that its members have always been farsighted men, who have known how to forge ahead and not only achieve prosperity for them- selves, but help carry to successful comple- tion public-spirited movements. Many of the improvements in East Wheatfield township have been brought about through the instru- mentality of members of the Johnston fam- ily. The late Stephen A. Johnston was a print upon the civilization of his day. In church and community he was recognized as effectively fighting for the right, and yet it was

Robert Hood came to America from Ire- land in the spring of 1856, settling at Center- ville, which is in West Wheatfield township, Indiana Co., Pa., and there rented the Mc- Pherson farm, carrying on agricultural work extensively, with the aid of his children. They had all been born before the family emigration. Before leaving Ireland, Mr. Hood had served as an elder in the United Presbyterian Church, and was elected to the man of unusual caliber, and he left his im- same office in the Bethel Church of the same faith in West Wheatfield. During his resi- dence in West Wheatfield township he be- came one of the leading men of his day and in his own family circle that his virtues were locality, and brought up his children to be best known. As a husband he tenderly cher- ished the wife with whom he lived so long and happily, and as a father, he reared his chil- dren with that kindly severity that looked ahead to compass their best interests.

HOOD. The Hood family is of Irish an- cestry, but has been located in Indiana county for several generations.

a credit to their parents and the land from which they sprung. He is interred in the Bethel cemetery of the Methodist Church, and his wife lies by his side. They were most worthy people, carrying into their everyday life the religion they professed, and while material success attended them they never forgot to sympathize with those less fortu- nate, or to render a just proportion of their substance to their church. Such as they lay firm foundations for the future greatness and stability of any country and are a welcome

John Hood, grandfather of James and Rob- ert James Hood, of West Wheatfield town- ship, this county, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and there followed farming all his addition to any community. life. He married Rebecca Hutchinson, of JAMES HOOD was born March 8, 1846, in Scotland, and they had children as follows: County Antrim, Ireland, and was ten years Robert; James, who lived and died in County old when the family came to West Wheatfield Antrim, where he was a farmer; Rebecca, who township. The family homestead being con-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

veniently located in the vicinity of Center- ville, he had an opportunity to avail himself of the educational training offered by its com- mon schools, and made the most of his ad- vantages. At the same time he performed the usual duties which fall to the share of a farmer's boy, so that when his father died, when he was seventeen years old, he was not considered too young to assume the responsi- bilities of farming with his brother, Robert, and to take care of his mother and sisters. The brothers carried on the farm, devoting it to general farming, specializing on stock rais- ing, and James Hood for several years was

In 1853 John Hood came to Pennsylvania, settling in West Wheatfield township, and af- engaged in the butcher business during the ter three years sent for his parents and fall and winter months. Now that there is brother and sisters to join him. For many so heavy a demand for pure milk, Mr. Hood has branched out extensively into dairying, shipping milk to Pittsburg. He is also in- terested in raising small fruit, and has de- veloped this line of his business activities to a considerable degree. Like his father he is a man of good business sense and has known how to take advantage of opportunities that came his way. Interested in educational mat- ters, he has given practical proof of this in his work as a school director. For two terms he has been a trustee of the United Presby- terian Church, which he has also served as elder. In political faith he is a Republican.

On May 7, 1878, James Hood married Fan- nie McElroy, daughter of Jane and Susan (Barr) McElroy, and they became the par- ents of the following children: Robert More- head, who is unmarried, is living at home ; An- nie E. married Roy Tomb and resides at Johnstown, Pa. (their children are James and Joseph Melvin) ; James M., who was a school teacher for three years, married Virginia Mack, and has children, Virginia M., Warren

John Hood was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and died Sept. 16, 1893, aged sixty- two years, and ten months. He first married Sarah Ann Dick, who was born in 1838, daughter of Robert and Jane (Lapsley) Dick, and died April 2, 1865. One child, Robert James, was born of this union. John Hood married for his second wife Arminta Miller, born in 1841, who died Aug. 20, 1878, and one daughter, Jennie Miller, was born of this marriage ; she married S. H. Truby, of Mech- aniesburg, Indiana county.

years Mr. Hood was employed as watchman for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and was also on the work train for a long period, his faithfulness and conscientious work mak- ing him a trusted employee. Leaving rail- road work, he took up a tract of land near Centerville, West Wheatfield township, con- sisting of 148 acres that he cleared and im- proved, developing a fine property which he devoted to general farming. From the timber on his land he manufactured ties for the rail- road, doing a good business in this line. His life was an active and useful one, and he gained not only material prosperity, but the esteem and confidence of his associates as well. The Bethel United Presbyterian Church held his membership, and he served as deacon for many years. A strong Repub- lican, he was school director for a long period. During the Civil war, he served in Company F. 111th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, enlisting for nine months.

Robert James Hood was born Nov. 23, 1862. in West Wheatfield township. He M. and Ethel F .; Joseph, a carpenter, is un- married Anna Mary Mabon, daughter of married and lives in Pitcairn, Pa. ; Lynn G., unmarried, was formerly employed in a gen- eral store at New Florence, Pa., as clerk ; John Green is at home; Bertha married Ward Mack, a son of James Mack; Nellie, who was a school teacher for three years, married Ed- mund Campbell, and is living at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Thomas J. and Nancy (Milliken) Mabon, of West Wheatfield township, and they have be- come the parents of the following children : Nancy Mabon, born Oct. 3, 1888, married Paul M. Graff and resides in Blacklick town- ship, where he is a farmer. For five years prior to her marriage Mrs. Graff taught school in Wheatfield, having been carefully edu- ROBERT JAMES HOOD, present auditor of Indiana county, and a farmer and justice of the peace of West Wheatfield township, is another member of the old Hood family of Indiana county. He is a son of John Hood, a grandson of Robert and Jane (Morehead) Hood, and great-grandson of John and Re- becca (Hutchinson) Hood, all mentioned in the above family history. cated : she studied under Professors Stewart and Campbell. John D., born Sept. 28, 1890, is a school teacher, and is residing at home. Harry Bertram, born June 7. 1892, is at home. Paul H., born April 10, 1894, died April 13, 1894. Sarah Ella, born Feb. 27. 1896. James Clair, born Nov. 29, 1897, Thomas Edward, born Oct. 25, 1900, Mary Louise, born Oct.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

19, 1902, and Virginia Jane, born March 29, terests, Mr. Hood's real enjoyment is taken 1906, are all at home.

he attributes much of his success in life to'

in his home circle, and he is an exemplary

Mr. Hood is an advocate of good schools, as husband and judicious father.

The present representatives of the name of the thorough training he received in the Hood are maintaining the high standard of common and select schools to which he was morality and uprightness of living raised by sent, during which time he was under the in- the ancestors who first located in Pennsyl- struction of Joseph W. Mack for two terms, vania, and they are considered desirable citi- and of Professor Newbitt, at Pineflats, one zens in every locality in which they are term. He had the additional advantage of known. a course at the Eldersridge academy, where he was under the instruction of T. B. Elder

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 124

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