Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 127

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 127

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Like his father Mr. Cramer takes an active part in the affairs of the Methodist Church, has been trustee, Sunday school teacher and superintendent, and is now recording steward. Mrs. Cramer is also prominent in the work of that church and a consistent member of same. While he is a Republican who has rendered valuable services to his party, Mr. Cramer has never sought or desired office, preferring to discharge his duties as a citizen in his private capacity.

In May, 1893, Thomas W. Cramer was

field township, this county, Jan. 17, 1864, and has spent practically all his life in this locality. He attended the local public schools, and was a schoolmate of Prof. J. T. Stewart, the cele- brated educator and historian of Indiana county, while attending a summer school taught by D. H. Tomb, and taking a course extending over two terms at the State normal school at Indiana. During his boyhood he worked for his father, manufacturing char- coal, and later in 1886 became a partner of his father in the store, the firm being known as Joseph Cramer & Son, and after 1889, when his brother, T. W., was admitted to the firm, as Joseph Cramer & Sons. His industry and faithfulness were thus rewarded, and when

When Joseph Cramer was made postmaster at the new village of Cramer, Robert Grant Cramer was made his assistant, and as he was fully conversant with the duties of the office he was appointed to succeed his father, in May. 1906, so that gives him a period of serv- ice in the postoffice of twenty-three years. seven years of which he has been in charge. He has always been a strong Republican, and has served his party as auditor of the town- ship of East Wheatfield, and as school direc- tor, being president of the school board at present. The Methodist Church of Cramer owes much to the Cramer family, for they all have been active in it, and Robert G. Cramer is no exception to this rule, for he is a mem- ber, trustee, Sunday school teacher and super- intendent, and takes a deep interest in all branches of church and Sunday school work. In his everyday life he carries out his creed

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

and is temperate in all things. Fraternally local schools and then the school at Jackson- he belongs to Camp Vestal, Woodmen of the World, at Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

On Oct. 8, 1890, Mr. Cramer was married, in East Wheatfield township, to Ida Cather- ine Stephens, born in that township, daughter of Sampson and Elvira Stephens. Like her husband Mrs. Cramer is very much interested in the Methodist Church, of which she is a consistent member. They have had five chil- dren: Joseph F., Robert Alson, Paul Samp- son, Theodore and Helen Elvira; Theodore died at the age of nine months.

REV. WILLIAM D. EWING, B. A., a minister of the United Presbyterian Church who. after nearly a half century of labor in the cause of religion, now lives in comfortable retirement on the Gen. James McComb farm, in Center township, Indiana Co., Pa., was born at Irwin Station, in Westmoreland county, Pa., Sept. 3, 1836, son of William and Nancy (Currie) Ewing.

Alexander Ewing, his paternal grandfather, was born in Ireland, and when his son Wil- liam was twelve years old brought the latter on a sailing vessel across the Atlantic ocean, the voyage taking thirteen weeks. They came to western Pennsylvania and settled in Penn township, Westmoreland county, where an uncle, whose name was also William, had pre- viously established himself.

William Ewing was reared from the age of twelve years in Westmoreland county, where both he and father were farmers. He died in 1863, and was buried in the Long Run Church cemetery. Prior to the Civil war he was a Democrat, but afterward voted with the Re- publican party. He was a reputable citizen, and a man of good influence in his community. His first wife, Nancy (Currie), died on the farm in Westmoreland county, the mother of the following children: Alexander; Samuel C., who died in Egypt, while serving there as a missionary; William D .; Mary, who mar- ried William Ullum; and John, who now lives retired at Homestead, Pa. William Ewing was subsequently married (second) to Mary Black, who died at Greeley, Colo., the mother of six children, namely : James L., who is a

ville, Indiana county, which was under the direction at that time of Rev. M. H. Wilson. Following this Mr. Ewing entered Franklin College, in Ohio, where he was graduated in 1861, taking his B. A. degree, and subse- quently taught school for several terms. In October, 1862, Mr. Ewing enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company K, 168th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served nine months under Colonel Jack and Capt. J. B. Lauffer. On Sept. 2, 1864, he entered upon a second term of service for one year, going out as first lieutenant of Company E, 206th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Brady and Captain Brant, and was present at the taking of Richmond, Va. In July, 1865, he was mustered out, at Rich- mond, Va. During his nineteen months of army service he never lost a day from the ranks on account of illness or from any other cause, and was always ready to perform cheer- fully any duty assigned him.

After returning from the war and the close of that part of his life, his thoughts more than ever turned into peaceful channels, and he entered upon the study of theology at the Alle- gheny United Presbyterian Theological Semi- nary, being licensed to preach in 1866. He was ordained in February, 1870, and his first charge was the United Presbyterian Church at Centerville, in Butler county, where he con- tinued to serve until 1886. During this time he ministered also to Bethel Church. After retiring from this charge he spent the two years following doing missionary work. In 1888 he was called to the church at Smyrna and remained for twenty years, ministering also to the churches at Mahoning and Plum- ville, retiring in 1908, after a long and fruit- ful pastorate. Although in the evening of life Rev. Mr. Ewing is active in both mind and body and still frequently fills a pulpit and preaches with old-time vigor and conviction. Formerly he was a Republican in his views on public questions, but for some twenty years has supported the Prohibition party, being a zealous advocate of temperance.

On Aug. 30, 1864, William D. Ewing was married to Margaret McComb, daughter of resident of Greeley, Colo .; Jane, who married John and Margaret (Calhoun) McComb, and John Shaw; Sarah, who lives at Greeley, granddaughter of Gen. James McComb.

Colo .; Rachel, who is the wife of Rev. Mr.

MeCurdy, a Presbyterian minister; Joseph land, and came from that country to America Wallace, who lives in Colorado; and Helen, at the age of eighteen years. For some years Mrs. Parks.

GEN. JAMES McCOMB was a native of Ire-

afterward he resided in Westmoreland county, Pa., but later settled in Center township, In-

William D. Ewing's boyhood days were spent on the home farm and he attended the diana county, on the farm near Jacksonville,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

where he died in 1814, when aged fifty-six and they conducted it together until January, years. During the Revolutionary war he had 1912, when a division was made and he now served as a brigadier general of militia, and operates 100 acres which was deeded to him by his father, carrying on general farming and stock raising. He married Effiebelle Ham- ilton, a daughter of Allen Hamilton, and they have three children : William H., James Paul and John Currie. Mr. Ewing is a Pro- gressive Republican and a man of influence in his section. He is one of the trustees of the United Presbyterian Church at Jackson- ville. also served in the war of 1812. For thirteen years he was a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and was one of the first ruling elders in the Presbyterian Church in his community. He married Mary Jack, who died in 1833, at the age of sixty-nine years, the mother of the following children : George, James, Jane, John, David, Mary, Andrew, Joseph and Nancy (who married James McKee).

Rev. Mr. Ewing and his wife are among John McComb, son of Gen. James McComb, the best known and most highly esteemed and father of Mrs. William D. Ewing, was residents of Center township. They have been born in Center township, Indiana county. permitted to enjoy a long life together and Farming was his business through life, and have reared a family that reflects credit on after purchasing the John Dean farm, in the community. He can look back with a Center township, a property now owned by Rev. W. D. Ewing, he followed agricultural

large measure of happiness over his years of fruitful endeavor, knowing that his labors life there until he removed to Jacksonville. Af- have brought forth a harvest, and that his in- ter a few years he returned to the farm for the fluence has been beneficial to all with whom remainder of his life. He was a member of the accidents of life have brought him into contact.

the United Presbyterian Church at Jackson- ville and one of its trustees. He married Margaret Calhoun, who died at Freeport, Pa., and was buried by the side of her husband at Jacksonville. They had five children, namely : Jane, who married John Gibson, of Freeport ; Nancy ; Salina, who married David Farns- worth; James; and Margaret, who married Rev. William D. Ewing.

The following children were born to Rev. William D. Ewing and wife: Margaret Cur- rie died at the age of nine years; Mary Roberta, after being graduated at the Indiana State normal school, adopted teaching as a profession and has taught successfully at Apollo, Karns City, Harrison City and Duquesne, Pa .; Alexander is a farmer on the homestead in Center township; William Mc- Comb, now a practicing attorney residing at Duquesne, Pa., was graduated from Elders- ridge Academy and Westminster College, at Wilmington, Pa., and is married to Flora Belle Eagley ; John Samuel, a farmer in Conemaugh township, married Nannie Hart, and they have two children, James Logan and Margaret Amanda.

HORACE M. LOWRY, of the borough of Indiana, has been editor and publisher of the Indiana Times since 1886, when he succeeded his father, except for six years during which he was in the public service. The father was one of the founders of the paper, whose first number appeared Sept. 4, 1878.

Mr. Lowry is a native of Indiana county. born in Clarksburg, in Conemaugh township. Feb. 23, 1856, son of John and Nancy (Mc- Cartney) Lowry. The family has long been established in this part of Indiana, Joseph Lowry, grandfather of Horace M. Lowry, hav- ing come from eastern Pennsylvania and set- tled in South Bend township, Armstrong county, in 1773. His tract of 107 acres was one of the original tracts of land first taken up in that township. He served many years as justice of the peace, and in that capacity married more couples than any other "squire" in the county.

John Lowry, son of Joseph Lowry, was horn Jan. 25, 1832, near the village of South Bend, aud supplemented the education obtained in the common schools hy instruction under pri- vate tutors. He read law in the office of Hon. William M. Stewart and Hon. Silas M. Clark, the latter a judge of the Supreme court, and was admitted to the Indiana county bar in 1860. In 1862 he became district attorney,

ALEXANDER EWING, of the above family, who now occupies the old McComb homestead with his father, was born at Centerville, Butler Co., Pa., March 26. 1873. He was educated in the public schools of Centerville, and in a select school taught by Professor Fisher at Plum- ville. In 1892 he came to his grandfather's serving as such until 1865. In 1866 he was old farm of 190 acres, which he operated alone elected county prothonotary, and held that until 1908, when he was joined by his father, office until 1873. In 1882 he became a mem-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ber of the State Legislature and served two term he resumed his duties as editor of the successive terms, being honored with re-elec- Times. tion in 1884. He gave notably good service to In 1891 Mr. Lowry was married to Mar- his constituents, was chairman of the com- garet Ella Beatty, daughter of Richard and Eliza ( Wilson) Beatty, of Wilkinsburg, Alle- mittee on Constitutional Reform, and did credit to the district he represented through- gheny Co., Pa. Mr. Beatty for many years out the four years of his membership in that

was engaged in the wholesale commission busi- body. Meantime, associated with J. C. ness in Pittsburg, and was widely known Rairigh, he had founded the Indiana Times, throughout western Pennsylvania. Mr. and whose initial number, as stated, appeared Mrs. Lowry have had three children: Horace, born in 1893, who died in infancy; Elizabeth

Sept. 4, 1878. The partnership did not last long, Mr. Lowry purchasing Mr. Rairigh's in- McCartney, born in 1896; and John Beatty, terest Nov. 13th following, and he continued born in 1899. to be sole proprietor of the paper from that time until his death, which occurred April MATTHEW CALVIN WYNKOOP, presi- ville, who has been associated with the busi- ness and especially the financial interests of that borough for some years, was born on a farm in South Mahoning township, Indiana Co., Pa., Nov. 26, 1859, son of Matthew and Margaret (Morrow) Wynkoop. 23, 1886. In this relation to the community, dent of the First National Bank of Plum- as in every other, he demonstrated a degree of ability and public spirit which entitled him to leadership. He was loyal to the interests of his party, the Republican, to which he was able to render valuable service through the columns of his paper, which became one of the influential journals of the county, reliable for its news and to be depended upon in the

encouragement and support of the best in- South Mahoning township, where he operated terests of the public.

In 1855 Mr. Lowry married Nancy Mc- Cartney, daughter of John and Sarah (Cole- man) McCartney, the former of whom was born in 1808 on what is now the State ex- Church, and was buried in the cemetery at perimental farm near Indiana, and was a merchant for forty years at Clarksburg. His daughter of Andrew Morrow, of South Mahon- father, Samuel McCartney, who came from ing township, and they had three children : eastern Pennsylvania, married Nancy Young, Matthew Calvin, and two who died in infancy. a native of Maryland; they both died in 1815, Mrs. Wynkoop was married (second) to Isaac of black fever.

Horace M. Lowry was reared at Indiana and obtained his education in the public schools there. Throughout his business life he has been associated with the Times, having begun work as his father's assistant and continued the paper as his successor after his death. He is thoroughly adapted for the work, by both nature and training, and has been public- spirited in using his paper as the medium of an influence which has been materially felt in the progress and advance of this section. The paper itself is kept up to modern standards, its material, moral and literary make-up, as well as the spirit which animates all depart- ments, showing that the editor is thoroughly abreast of the times.

In 1902 Mr. Lowry was elected to the office of register of wills and recorder of deeds for Indiana county, in which capacity he served two terms-six years-acceptably to the pat- rons of the office. At the close of his official

Matthew Wynkoop, father of Matthew C. Wynkoop, was a farmer and land owner of a farm of seventy-six acres, but did not live long to enjoy the fruits of his labors, passing away in 1860, when still a young man. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Plumville. He married Margaret Morrow,

Good, who is also deceased, and she now makes her home in South Mahoning township.

. Matthew Calvin Wynkoop was but a little over a year old when he lost his father. He grew up on the home farm with his mother, and his only opportunities for acquiring an education were such as the local schools af- forded. At the age of seventeen years he left the parental roof, determined to make his own way in the world. Going to the State of Michigan, he secured employment as a farm laborer at a salary of fifteen dollars per month. In 1878 he went West to Colorado, and locating at Leadville worked in the smelt- ers and followed prospecting and mining until 1881. In that year he went to Arizona and there continued mining and prospecting, but a short period later removed to what was then the territory of Washington. There he took up a government land grant on Puget sound, homesteading it for seven years, and during this time worked at farming, cultivated his own land, and also engaged in lumbering in

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the woods on contract work. These were busy wife died, and in 1894 he was married, in years, and in 1890 he was able to dispose of Armstrong county, to Mrs. Hannah Charlotte his holdings advantageously, then going to (Stuchul) Mikesell, who was born in South central California, where he followed grain Mahoning township, daughter of Robert H. and cattle ranching in Fresno and Tulare and Hannah D. (Thompson) Stuchul, and counties for two and a half years.

In 1893 the call of his native State proved too strong to be resisted, and Mr. Wynkoop returned to Pennsylvania and engaged in car- pentering at Johnstown for eighteen months, following which he went to Armstrong county, and for seven years operated a coal bank in connection with carrying on agricultural pur- suits. On leaving that section he came to Plumville, and here, near the home of his boy- hood, he established himself in business in 1905 as the proprietor of a furniture and house furnishing establishment. In that same year he erected a two-story store building, in Jane (Fox) Reese, farming people.

which he has continued to carry on a success- ful business to the present time. Mr. Wyn- koop has had a wide and varied experience, which has not only made him thoroughly con- versant with business methods in this and other parts of the country, but has given him an insight into human nature that has been of great value to him in his dealings with his fellow men. Enterprising and progressive, shrewd and capable, his connection with any enterprise is a guarantee of its solidity, and the confidence in which he is held by the peo- ple of his community has enabled him to do much to add to Plumville's importance as a financial and commercial center. He takes an active interest in all matters that affect Plum- ville or its people and has been foremost in promoting and supporting movements for the general welfare. Mr. Wynkoop was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Plumville, which was founded in 1907, and of has done his part in encouraging education in this section, serving as school director of South Mahoning township for some years, and also holding a like office in the borough of Plumville, where he was secretary of the board. His fraternal connection is with the Odd Fellows. A Lutheran in his religious be- lief, he has been active in church work, and for seventeen years was superintendent and a teacher in the Sunday school.

which he has been president ever since. He in the battle at Nashville, and did provost

While living on Puget Sound, Wash., Mr. Wynkoop was married (first) to Frances Nor- ton, of that State, and one child was born to this union, Charles C., who is now in the em- ploy of the New York Central Railroad Com- pany, at Mckeesport, Pa .; he married Edna He has a wide circle of patrons, but in spite Martin, of Pittsburg. Mr. Wynkoop's first of his busy professional life he has found time

was the widow of Joseph Mikesell, of Arm- strong county. Two children have been born to this union, John C. and Inez C. Mrs. Wynkoop had one child by her former mar- riage, Robert S. Mikesell, of Pittsburg, who married Mary Fetters, of Smicksburg, and has two children, LeVerne and Dean.

GEORGE JACKSON REESE, M. D., who has been engaged in the active practice of medicine in Indiana county continuously since 1876, being located at Smithport, is a native- born Pennsylvanian and a son of Henry and

Dr. Reese was born July 4, 1842, in Clarion county, and there received his early educa- tion in the public schools. In August, 1861, he entered the Union service, becoming a pri- vate in Company C, 78th Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, and was later pro- moted to corporal and sergeant in this com- mand. Ile took part in the battles of Stone River, Resaca, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Moun- tain and Lookout Mountain, Tenn., at which latter place Dr. Reese did some special scout duty for General Negley, and after the battle the regiment went on to Chickamauga, took part in the action there, and then went on to Atlanta, being on active duty throughout that campaign. Dr. Reese had reenlisted at Chick- amauga before he went to Atlanta. It was there that the term of the regiment expired and it was sent to Nashville, where a reor- ganization was effected, the old regiment num- ber being retained, however. They took part duty there until mustered out. Dr. Reese served until October, 1865, at which time he was serving as assistant quartermaster. Ile received his discharge at Harrisburg. Penn- sylvania.

Entering Reed's Institute in Clarion county, Pa., after his army service, Dr. Reese was graduated from that institution in 1869, after which he took up the study of medicine, com- pleting the course at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated and re- ceived his degree, carrying on his work there in 1875-76. In 1876 he settled at Smithport (postoffice Hortons). Indiana Co., Pa., where he has been in general practice ever since.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

to serve the community well, few citizens hav- sels to protect them against pirate ships, which ing the opportunity to observe the needs of a at that time infested the ocean. Later he was community as a Doctor may in the course of transferred to a warship and while on board his daily duties. He was poor overseer for that vessel took part in the great battle of six years, and has served many years as school Copenhagen in 1820. During his seven years director. Politically he is a Democrat. He of servitude he was never allowed to leave the is prominent in the local fraternal bodies, be- ship for a moment, being constantly under longing to the I. O. O. F. (of which he is a past. grand), Knights of Pythias, Elks, Union Veterans Legion and G. A. R.

guard while she was in port. At the end of the period he was released, but he took an oath never again to put foot on British soil, On April 27, 1877, Dr. Reese married Amanda H. Horton, of Smithport, after whose family the postoffice of Hortons was named, she being a daughter of Ezra and Elizabeth (Weaver) Horton. Mr. Horton was a far- mer. Two children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Reese : Charles B., who graduated from the Baltimore Medical College and is engaged in the practice of medicine at Gallatin, Pa .; and Daisy May, now the wife of Dr. Earl H. Park, of Marion Center, Pa., and the mother of one child, Norman Reese. so he turned to the New World, which prom- ised the freedom of thought and action so dan- gerous in his own land. After a voyage of eight weeks and three days he landed in Phila- delphia, where he was subsequently joined by his wife and children. They came out to western Pennsylvania, making the journey from Philadelphia by wagon and settling near the village of North Washington, in West- moreland county, and there continued to make their home until the death of Mrs. Walker, when Mr. Walker, with his son John and ROBERT ALVIN WALKER, of Saltsburg, editor and proprietor of the Saltsburg Press, with which he has been connected since 1896, is one of the well-known newspaper men of Indiana county. He was born May 10, 1864, daughter Jane, who were unmarried, moved to Armstrong county. Buying a small farm near Maysville, he passed the remainder of his life on that place, where he died. He was buried in the old cemetery at Apollo. A typical man of his time and race, he was a in Armstrong county, Pa., son of John and Presbyterian in religion and remained a stanch Christina Ann (Fulmer) Walker, and belongs to a family of Scotch-Irish extraction which for a generation had its home in County Done- gal, Ireland, before the founder of the family came to America.

Irish patriot to the end of his days. His chil- dren were as follows: Alexander, who died near Poke Run Church, Westmoreland county ; John, who died at Rural Valley, Pa .; Robert; Martha, who married William Galey,

John Walker, who established this branch and died at Leavenworth, Kans .; Jane, who of the Walkers in America, was born in married Thomas Mclaughlin, and died near County Donegal, Ireland, and had his home Olivet, Pa .; and Lydia, who married John on a twenty-acre farm in Enniskillen, where Sindorf, and died near Saltsburg, Indiana he grew to manhood. He married Nancy Co., Pennsylvania.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 127

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