Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 126

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 126

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

JAMES P. WATSON, son of Thomas and Rebecca P. (Wilson) Watson, was born Nov. 19, 1857, at Eldersridge, in Young township, and was educated in the public school of the township and at Eldersridge Academy. He worked at home on the farm until 1888, in which year he came to Saltsburg, and in 1889 became interested in the. Saltsburg Glass Bot-

THOMAS CLARK WATSON, son of Thomas and Rebecca P. (Wilson) Watson, is one tle Works, with which he was connected for of the best known citizens of Blairsville, five years, acting as treasurer of the company in which he was controlling stockholder. He where for years he was engaged in the lum- ber business. He is at the present time tax had been one of the first to indorse the idea collector of the borough. Mr. Watson was born March 4, 1842, at Eldersridge, in Young township, and was educated in the public schools of Young township and at Elders-

of starting the old glass works, and gave the enterprise substantial encouragement, being largely instrumental in forming the new com- pany, which purchased the plant of the old ridge Academy. After that he worked on the Saltsburg Glass Company and immediately farm until he enlisted, in 1864, in Battery C, remodeled, enlarged and improved the works, Independent Company, under Capt. J. C. for the manufacture of fine prescription ware Thompson, serving for ten months in the Union army. He was engaged principally doing guard duty, and was mustered out of

and bottles of all kinds. The industry was an important one in the borough, seventy-five men and boys being regularly employed. In

the service July 7, 1865. Returning home he 1902 Mr. Watson became a member of the took up farming again on the homestead, and Mitchell-Watson Coal & Coke Company, at White, near Saltsburg, and has been general manager and treasurer of that concern ever since. There is also a branch at Indiana bor- ough. On Jan. 1, 1883, Mr. Watson became a director of the First National Bank of Salts- continued to follow general agricultural pur- suits until 1891, when he sold out his farm- ing interests and came to Blairsville. There he entered the lumber business, forming a partnership with A. T. Harbison, under the

name of the Harbison & Watson Lumber Com- burg, and on Jan. 12, 1892, was elected presi- pany, who carried on business successfully for dent, to succeed John M. Stewart, and he has filled that office of trust continuously for the past twenty years, discharging its responsi- bilities to the general satisfaction of the stockholders and directors. Mr. Watson's important business associations alone would entitle him to a place among the most influ- ential residents of Saltsburg, but the many ten years, selling out at the end of that period. Since then Mr. Watson has devoted his time to the office of tax collector for Blairsville borough. He has served as councilman of the borough and overseer of the poor, and in every official relation has performed his duties most intelligently and with a public-spirited regard for the best interests of the whole community. valuable services he has taken the opportunity He is a citizen who can be relied upon to to render his fellow citizens, incidentally or support every worthy movement. He is a otherwise, have gained him an unusual meas- trustee of Blairsville College and secretary ure of personal esteem. He is genial in man-

657

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ner, and holds the confidence he wins, as is gles of life with the Christian fortitude for shown by his long service in the borough which she was noted, and instilled her faith council, of which he has been a member for many years, and has filled the office of presi- dent of the council board for several years. On political issues he is a Republican. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Saltsburg.

into her children, whom she lived to see sur- rounded with comforts. She was a consistent member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in every sense of the word. The five children were as follows: Sarah Jane, who married John Coldwell, resided in Armstrong town- ine married Robert Blakley (deceased) and (second) Samuel M. Knox; Margaret married

In 1900 Mr. Watson married Lizzie Mon- ship, and died in Young township; Cathar-

roe, daughter of S. S. Monroe.

HON. JAMES T. HENRY, member of the William Dean, and both are deceased; John State Legislature and well-known shoe dealer is mentioned below; Matthew H. is living re- tired in Blairsville.

of Blairsville, Indiana county, was born in Armstrong township, Indiana county, Aug. 18, 1870, son of John and Martha (Forsythe) Henry.

The Henry family is of Scotch-Irish extrac- tion, and has been identified with the growth and progress of Indiana county for over eighty years.

John Henry, son of John and Margaret (Miller) Henry, was born on the farm in Armstrong township, and was but two years old when his father died. He grew up on the farm with his mother and sisters and brother, and he had to walk two miles to the local school for what education he received. He worked hard from early boyhood, he and

John Henry, the first of the family to set- tle in Indiana county, Pa., was a native of his mother and younger brother laboring Ireland, born near Londonderry, in County together to clear the farm. He made farm- Derry, where he grew to manhood. There he married Margaret Miller. In 1833, with his wife and child, he sailed from Belfast, Ireland, for the New World, and after a seven weeks' passage landed in New York. Making their way west by canal and the other means of transportation then available, they located first in Young township. Indiana county, where they rented the farm of Matthew Har- bison. After farming there for a short period they moved to Armstrong township, same county, settling on a tract of seventy-three acres of uncultivated land. They were the

ing his life occupation, and always remained on the home place, which in time comprised 183 acres. He made extensive improvements thereon, and followed general farming and stock raising, also dealing in cattle to some extent. All his life was passed on the farm, and he died while still in his prime, Feb. 27, 1887, at the age of fifty-one years. He was laid to rest in the West Union cemetery, in Armstrong township, adjoining the home-, stead farm. Mr. Henry was a man well known for his many Christian virtues. He took a deep interest in his home and children, pioneers in that section. Mr. Henry built a who were early deprived of the loving care little log house and made strenuous efforts to of a mother, Mrs. Henry dying while they clear the land. Three years later, when his were young. He did his duty faithfully and hard work was meeting with some success, he well, and was a consistent member of the met with an accident at a barn raising from Reformed Presbyterian Church. He took no the effects of which he died in March, 1838. active part in polities, but was interested in He was buried in the West Union cemetery, the public welfare and a stanch supporter of the public schools, giving his own children the best education within his means. near the homestead farm. The widow, left with five small children to care for, and ek- ing out an existence as best she could. had a Mr. Henry married Martha Forsythe, of Brownsdale, Butler Co., Pa., daughter of James Forsythe. Mrs. Henry died in 1874, and was buried in the West Union cemetery. She was a member of the Reformed Presby- terian Church, a devoted wife and mother, and esteemed as a good Christian woman. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry: Margaret E. was the wife of J. N. Crusan, of Crafton, where she died ; John M. is a foreman in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Altoona, Pa .; Ella mar- hard struggle, but she worked day and night to keep her family together and succeeded. She grew her own wool and flax, carded it and wove it into cloth, and rode on horseback from her home to Blairsville to dispose of the product for the necessaries of life. It was a trip of thirty-two miles. In spite of toil and hardship she lived to the age of seventy- three years, dying in 1876, at her home, a com- fortable frame structure which had sup- planted the log cabin. She bore the strug- 42

658

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ried John Knox and resides at West Pitts- to success and prosperity by his own efforts, burg, Pa .; James T. is mentioned below; and the fact that he became recognized as one Sarah Malissa died young; Robert E. is con- of the most substantial citizens of his commun- nected with the Interstate Cordage Company at Pittsburg. ity was due to his perseverance in the face of obstacles and to his untiring industry. IIe was a native of Indiana county, born July

James T. Henry attended the public schools of his native township, also select school and 3, 1841, in Burrell township, son of Jacob the State normal school at Indiana, where he and Miriam (Isenburg) Bennett. His grand- graduated in 1897. He became a school father came from England and settled near Strongstown, Indiana Co., Pa., where he fol- lowed farming. He died there. His wife was also English. Their children were Wil- liam, Michael, Abraham, Peter, Jacob, and three daughters. Of this family, Michael was the father of twenty-two children-twenty- one sons and one daughter; a number of the sons served in the army during the Civil war. teacher at an early age, teaching first in his native township. Later he taught in the high school of Indiana, was assistant principal of the high school of Apollo, and assistant prin- cipal of the high school at Blairsville, teach- ing altogether fourteen terms. Subsequently he was assistant to the State superintendent of schools.

In 1902 Mr. Henry started in the shoe busi- ness, opening a store in Blairsville, where for the last ten years he has had a profitable trade. He is well known and respected, popular with all classes, and has established himself thor- oughly in the confidence of his fellow citizens. He is a stanch Republican and has taken a deep interest in the success of the party and its principles. He was a member of the county Jacob Bennett, father of Peter Bennett, was born in Indiana county, and died at the age of sixty-eight years, on Twolick creek. After his marriage he located at Cherrytree, this county. He was a mason by trade. The following children were born to him and his wife: Three daughters who died young: Sarah, Mrs. James Speaker, deceased; Eliza- beth, Mrs. Joshua Brown, of Josephine, Pa .; committee as well as the committee of Arm- Lydia, who died unmarried; William, who strong township. In 1910 he was nominated and elected to the State Legislature. He is a man of enterprise and progressive ideas, especially interested in the question of pub- lic education. married a Miss Marks, and died in Indiana county ; Peter ; Catherine, Mrs. Lawrence Hel- man ; John, of Indiana, who married Mary J. Lewis and (second) Margaret Dickey ; Mich- ael, of Indiana, who married Lottie Richard- son; Jacob, who died when thirty-six years old; Susan, Mrs. Cyrus Lear, deceased; and George, who married Sarah Shank and resides at New Kensington, Pennsylvania.

On April 6, 1898, in Center township, Mr. Henry married Pearle D. Dickie, a native of Center township, Indiana county, daughter of J. D. and Jane (Campbell) Dickie. They have had a family of four children: J. Car- Peter Bennett grew to manhood in Indiana and the neighboring locality. He went to school very little in his boyhood, but by hard study at home managed to secure an average education ; he learned to write after he was married. Under his father he learned the trade of mason, which he followed until he went into the mercantile business, which he lisle, born Jan. 20, 1899; J. Donald, July 6, 1901; J. Monroe, Sept. 10, 1904; R. Lowell, Aug. 16, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Henry are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church, and he has taught in the Sunday school and filled the office of Sunday school superintendent. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Blairs- ville, is a past grand of his home lodge and continued for forty years at Bolivar, Pa., join- member of the grand lodge of the State; he is ing his son John in business under the firm also a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. at Blairs- name of P. Bennett & Son. They prospered, ville, was its secretary for four years, and is having one of the best known and best patron- also a member of the State council of that order.

ized establishments in that section. During fifteen months of this time Mr. Bennett also owned and operated a brickyard in Beaver county. Practically all of the stone work in

PETER BENNETT (deceased) was inter- ested in the wholesale grocery business at In- New Florence, Westmoreland county, is of his construction. He proved himself to be an excellent manager, carrying on all his un- dertakings successfully. In 1897 he sold his store in Bolivar and disposed of his real es- diana for several years before his retirement, and for forty years before settling in the bor- ongh carried on a mercantile business at Boli- var, Westmoreland Co., Pa. Beginning life in humble circumstances, he forged his way tate there, moving to Indiana, where he

659

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

bought an interest in the wholesale grocery Tampa along the seaboard airline railroad, business, entering the firm of Mabon, Stewart where he was engaged in the mercantile busi- & Bennett, later Bennett & Buchanan. He ness, and he still owns the most valuable was a silent partner, his son being the active member. In the fall of 1909 they sold their holdings to Mr. Buchanan, and Mr. Bennett lived in retirement from that time. He re- tained real estate interests in Bolivar and

property in that town. On May 29, 1912, in company with Mr. Robert N. Ray, he organ- ized the Indiana Wholesale Company, of which he became secretary and treasurer, Mr. Ray being the president. The concern was South Sharon, Pa. There were few men in incorporated on that date, with $100,000 Indiana more deserving of success and high standing, for he worked to attain his substan- tial position, which was a credit to his intelli- gence, integrity and ambition. His death oc- curred Sept. 29, 1912, in Indiana. Mrs. Ben- nett now resides in Bolivar, Westmoreland county. capital, and the wide experience both part- ners had acquired in this line in their prev- ious ventures no doubt accounts for the not- ably successful beginning of their business. From ten to fifteen men are employed. They have erected a fine new plant, the business being located in a fireproof building princi- On May 20, 1862, Mr. Bennett married Eliza Lewis, daughter of John and Margaret Moonshower Lewis. They had seven chil- dren : William, who died in infancy ; John, who lives in Indiana; Mary, Mrs. Jacob Yea- pally of steel construction, 50 by 200 feet in dimensions and three stories in height. The walls are of hollow tile and buff brick. the roof steel-trussed with asbestos and slate cov- ering, the floors of reinforced concrete, and ger, of Morrellville, Pa .; a daughter that died the structure is a credit to the borough and in infancy ; Harry, of Bolivar, Pa .; Cora, de- to its owners. In connection with groceries ceased; and Everett, of Bolivar. Mr. Ben- nett had no church connections, nor has his widow. He was a Republican in politics. the Indiana Wholesale Company handles large quantities of produce. Though most of his time and attention are devoted to business, Mr. Bennett has found time to serve the bor-

JOHN BENNETT, eldest surviving son of Peter and Eliza (Lewis) Bennett, now en- ough as member of the council, which office gaged in business in Indiana as secretary and he filled for three years. He is independent treasurer of the Indiana Wholesale Company, politically, voting as his judgment dictates. dealers in groceries and produce, was born On Sept. 23, 1891, Mr. Bennett married Annie C. Taylor, daughter of Samuel G. and Mary M. (Hamilton) Taylor, and they have in Beaver county, Pa., April 28, 1865. In his early boyhood he attended school in West- moreland county, Pa., for five months of the had the following children: Harry B .. Mary year, in the winter season, during the sum- E., Cora B., Charles W. and Nellie G.

mer months being employed in a brickyard. He followed this work while going to school CRAMER. The Cramer family is an old and honored one in hoth New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as in the other States to which its representatives have emigrated dur- ing more recent years. The first of the name of whom there is any definite record is the great-great-grandfather of Thomas W. and Robert Grant Cramer, who is known to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary war from the State of New Jersey. for nine years, after which he became a clerk in a store at Bolivar, Pa., being thus employed two years. He then engaged in the general store business in that town, in company with Joseph DuShane, this firm continuing for two years. Then Peter Bennett, father of John, bought out Mr. DuShane's interest and the firm became known as P. Bennett & Son, who did business at Bolivar for a period of thirteen years. Then John Bennett became The son of the above also showed his pat- riotism by fighting for his country, enlisting interested in the wholesale grocery business in Indiana, Pa., as member of the firm of Ma- during the war of 1812, and remaining a sol- bon, Bennett & Co., which had an existence dier so long as there was any need of his of three and a half years. Mr. George T. assistance. Buchanan then became interested and the Wilson Cramer, son of the soldier of the war of 1812, was the grandfather of Thomas W. and Robert G. Cramer, of East Wheatfield township, Indiana county. He was born and reared in New Jersey, where he married name was changed to Buchanan & Bennett. These partners were associated for three and a half years, until in October, 1909, Mr. Ben- nett sold his interest to Mr. Buchanan. He spent the next three winters in Florida. at Roxanna Steelman, by whom he had ten chil- Zephyr Hills, twenty-five miles north of dren: Joseph; Mary A., who married Jere-

660

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

miah Black; Elizabeth, who married William established at that point and named after Owens; Isaac, who became a minister of the him he was made postmaster, and held that gospel; Frank; David H., who resides at office for many years. Owing to his wide in- Cramer, Pa .; George, who resides at Freeport,

terests, he was able to give employment to Pa .; Wilson, who was a minister of the gospel hundreds of men, in whose welfare he took a and died at Johnstown, Pa .; Ellen, who mar- ried George Dean, and died at Braddock, Pa .; and Reuben, who died at Braddock.

deep interest, and the relations existing be- tween them and him were of a pleasant nature. Intelligent, well-informed, and possessed of more than ordinary executive ability, Mr. Cramer naturally took a leading part in local

In 1835 Wilson Cramer and his family moved from their New Jersey home to Lan- caster county, Pa., and still later went to affairs and was looked up to as a leader of Shippensburg, this State. After a period at sterling character, who could be trusted to do the latter point the family went to Virginia and spent some years in that State, but eventu- ally the father returned to Pennsylvania and located at Bens Creek, Cambria county, where he spent many years. Then he moved to

the best for all concerned. A stanch Republi- can from the formation of the party, he always supported its principles and never missed cast- ing his presidential vote from the time he first voted, in 1852. Although he had not en- Wheatfield township, Indiana county, Pa., joyed all the advantages given his children where he remained for three years. He died in Braddock, Pa. He was a molder, having learned his trade in New Jersey, and some of the changes of residence were made because by the public school system, he believed in it and gave it his hearty and valuable support. A very religious man, he was active as a mem- ber of the Methodist Church, and helped to of the requirements of his business. Later organize the society at Cramer. He did not on in life he worked at Blackliek furnace and confine his activity to generous contributions, the Conemaugh furnace, and finally became but also gave his time as a class leader, Sun- interested in charcoal burning. During all of day school superintendent and teacher. In his useful life he did what he believed was his May, 1906, this excellent man passed away full duty, and was a most worthy man.

JOSEPH CRAMER, deceased, was for many years one of the best-known charcoal manu- facturers in western Pennsylvania, while for over half a century he was a resident of East Wheatfield township. For a portion of this time he lived in the village of Cramer, which was named in his honor. He was born in

at his home in Cramer, and was buried in the cemetery at Armagh in East Wheatfield town- ship.

On Jan. 5, 1854, Mr. Cramer was married at Bens Creek, Pa., by Rev. Richard Jordon, a clergyman of the Methodist Church, to Sarah A. Barclay, who was born in Somerset county, Pa., Dec. 25, 1835. She was a daugh- Cape May county, N. J., Dec. 8, 1829. Al- ter of Thomas and Eliza (Dougherty) Bar- though his opportunities for acquiring an edu- clay, the latter born at Stoystown, Somerset cation were somewhat limited, he attended Co., Pa., daughter of John and Susan (Wolf) Dougherty. Her father, John Dougherty, a tailor, was born in 1755, and died in 1835. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serv- ing nearly all of the eight years of that con- flict. Mrs. Barclay, who died in 1898, aged ninety-five years, was a consistent member of the Methodist Church from early girlhood. school all he was able, and continued to im- prove his mind by reading and observation. Learning the business of charcoal manufactur- ing, he found in it his life work. In 1856, two years after his marriage, Mr. Cramer located at Baker's furnace, now the village of Cramer, in East Wheatfield township, where he embarked in the manufacture of charcoal, Mrs. Cramer and her husband had the pleas-

developing large interests. In addition to

ure of celebrating the golden anniversary of

this line of business he was an extensive far- their wedding on Jan. 5, 1904, and enjoyed mer, and carried on lumbering, all of his the event immensely. Their married life was

operations being upon a large scale. For

a very happy one, and they lived long enough

some years he was extensively interested in to see their children develop into fine men the development of the coal mines at Cramer, and women. Mrs. Cramer passed away July and when he saw that the time was ripe he 18, 1910, and like her mother was faithful in opened a mercantile establishment there, the her allegiance to the Methodist Church; her business being conducted under the style of remains were laid to rest in the cemetery by Joseph Cramer & Son and Joseph Cramer & the side of her husband.

Joseph Cramer and his wife had ten chil-

Sons. Naturally, as he was so important a factor at Cramer, when the postoffice was dren: Mary E., born at Bens Creek, Dec. 12,

661

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

1854, married William Harvey Findley ; Thomas W., born May 10, 1857, is mentioned below; Annie E., born June 24, 1859, mar- ried William S. Ashcom, and lives at Johns- town, Pa .; Laura M., born May 21, 1861, married Harvey W. Ling, and died July 13, 1897; Robert G. is mentioned below; Joseph, Jr., born in August, 1866, died in 1875; Maude

married to Laura M. Hill, born in Elderton, Armstrong Co., Pa., daughter of John Wes- ley and Martha (Stewart) Hill, and sister of Dr. R. J. Tomb's wife. Mrs. Cramer is a woman of intelligence and refinement, and is bringing up her four children by Christian precept and example. They are: Clifford H., a student at the State normal school, In- E., born March 17, 1869, married John H. diana, Pa .; Ruth M .; Bessie M., and John Myers, of Cramer, Pa .; Catherine F., born Elkin. Sept. 6, 1871, married Charles L. MeClure, of ROBERT GRANT CRAMER, junior member of the mercantile firm of Cramer Brothers, of Cramer, Pa .; Aldie, born in 1874, died in November, 1875; Bruce D., born June 10, Cramer, Indiana Co., Pa., and a son of the 1878, married Gertrude Carson, daughter of late Joseph Cramer, is the present postmaster Robert Carson; and lives at Fort Morgan, of his village. He was born in East Wheat- Colorado.

THOMAS WILSON CRAMER, eldest son of Joseph Cramer, senior member of the mer- cantile firm of Cramer Brothers, of Cramer, and a justice of the peace, was born in East Wheatfield township May 10, 1857. After at- tending the local schools Mr. Cramer worked with his father at charcoal burning and in his mercantile establishment. In 1889 he was made his father's partner, the firm being first Joseph Cramer & Son and later Joseph Cramer & Sons, his brother, Robert G., being also a member of same. This association con- tinued until the death of the father in 1906, when the two brothers changed the name to Cramer Brothers, and are now devoting all their attention to making their house the the father retired, in February, 1905, Bruce leading one in its line in the township. In D. Cramer became a partner, but his health 1905 Mr. Cramer was elected a justice of the failing, necessitating a western trip and resi- peace, served faithfully and capably for five dence, he withdrew, and the other brothers, Thomas W. and Robert Grant Cramer, con- tinued the business as Cramer Brothers, which style they still retain. years, and was reelected in 1910, still holding the office. His sense of justice is so strong, and his ideas as to the administration of his office so sensible, that his work in this connec- tion is very satisfactory in every way, while his knowledge of the law is such as to make appeals from his decisions extremely rare. When Joseph Cramer died it was found that he had made his eldest son the executor of his estate, and Mr. Cramer settled it ably and expeditiously.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 126

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