Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 142

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 142

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Robert J. Tomb attended public school in the township, the first school he went to be- ing held in the log house which was owned by his grandfather, David Tomb; the teacher was a Mr. McCrudden. He also attended the old Indiana Academy, and among his schoolmates there were Judge Harry White, the late Sena- tor Matthew S. Quay and Dr. Anderson, of Indiana; the instructor was Professor Searl. Later he attended Blairsville Academy, taught by William Cunningham. After leaving school he took up teaching, his first school be- ing in Centerville, and he was also engaged in East Wheatfield township, Armagh and Brushvalley township. His wages per month were $13.33, and there was three months' teaching during the winter season. Having a strong desire for the professional life, he read medicine under Dr. James F. Taylor, of West Fairfield, Westmoreland county, and subsequently attended Cleveland (Ohio) Med- ical College. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, March 11, 1854, after which he began the practice of his chosen profession in Armagh, Indiana county. He was a successful practitioner for the long period of fifty-six years, giving up active work in 1910. During the first years of his medical career he had to ride horseback through woods and swamps and over hills, covering a territory with a radius of thirty miles, which included the Wheatfield town- ships, part of Cambria county and a part of Westmoreland county. During his long con- tinued practice he assisted at 5,629 births. At that time the Conemaugh, Blacklick and Baker furnaces were in operation and many families resided in this section.

During the Civil war Dr. Tomb entered the

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service, at Harrisburg, July 11, 1863, be- farming most of his life, and died in Green- coming assistant surgeon in the 2d Pennsyl- ville, this county, when over sixty years old. vania Volunteers, and served until Jan. 21, He married Martha McKendrick, who was 1864. On July 14, 1864, he became surgeon of the 193d Volunteers, having charge of the regiment, and served until Nov. 9, 1864, being stationed in southern Maryland. He was in the army for another period, as contract sur- geon, United States army, Artillery Brigade. 25th Army Corps, with which he continued until the close of the war. The Doctor is a member of G. A. R. Post No. 30, at Johnstown.

The Doctor built the fine residence where he also had his office, which is one of the finest in Armagh, and there he is now living retired, active in mind and body and possessed of a good memory. He still continues his mem- bership in the County Medical Society. In polities he was a Republican up to 1908, when he became a Prohibitionist; he is a stanch temperance advocate. He is a prominent member of the M. E. Church, and serves as trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school. His wife also belongs to that church.

On Dec. 28, 1854, in Armagh, Dr. Tomb married Fannie B. Shearer, who died July 17, 1882. They had an adopted daughter, Jennie, born Nov. 30, 1857, who married Christopher Rugh, who died in 1912, his widow residing in Greeley, Colo. The Doctor married (second) June 14, 1883, Mary A. Hill, a native of Burrell township, Armstrong county, daughter of John Wesley and Martha (Stewart) Hill. They have had five children : Verna, born April 5, 1884, was graduated from the State normal school, Indiana, in 1904, having taken the music course, and is now the wife of Charles Matthews, an archi- tect, of Beaver, Pa. (they have four children, May Josephine, Caroline Tomb, Eveline and Charles H.) ; Virgil, born Oct. 30, 1886, re- sides in Johnstown, Pa .; Fannie, born Sept. 1, 1890, is a school teacher; Homer, born April 3, 1892, is at home; Martha, born Sept. 13, 1893, is now attending Beaver College.

SAMUEL S. GIBSON, late of Indiana, had an active and successful business career, as merchant, traveling salesman and farmer, and he was well known in Indiana county, having carried on the mercantile business at several points before he settled on his farm near the borough of Indiana. He was born April 29, 1849, in Cherryhill township, this county, son of Allison and Martha (McKendrick) Gibson.

Allison Gibson was born in Indiana county. He was a carpenter by trade, but followed

reared in Philadelphia, and who died at the home of her son Milton, near Greenville. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson had the following children: Samuel S .; Rosanna, Mrs. John Goodland, of Indiana; Leonard, of Cambria county, Pa .; Calvin, who is on the old home farm; Caro- line, who is unmarried; Mary J., who died when twenty-two years old; Milton, who lives near Greenville.

Samuel S. Gibson was reared on the home- stead place and began his education in the local common schools, later attending the Mil- lersville normal school, in Lancaster county, Pa. He taught school for four years in his home county, near home, and then clerked in a store at Nolo for three years. after which he went to Cookport, Indiana county, and with the Messrs. Perry formed the firm of Gibson, Perry & Co., who conducted a general store. At the end of five years Mr. Gibson withdrew from this partnership and moved to Taylors- ville, Indiana county, where he bought a small farm and also kept store. After one year at that location he moved to Dixonville, and with James McKendrick, under the firm name of Gibson & McKendrick, kept store there for four years. Then Mr. Gibson sold his interest in that enterprise and resumed farming for three years. By this time his sons were grown and he moved to Indiana, owning a farm near that borough upon which he resided for the remainder of his life. In addition to its man- agement he held a position as traveling sales- man for a grocery company of Philadelphia, being thus engaged until his death. Mr. Gib- son at various times was called upon to act as auctioneer and mercantile appraiser, and he proved himself capable in every capacity. He was well known and well liked, and his death, which occurred June 1, 1910, was mourned in many circles. He had been a member of the Presbyterian Church from boyhood, and soci- ally he belonged to the F. & A. M. (Indiana Lodge, No. 313), the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of the Maccabees. In politics he was a Republican.

On Nov. 9, 1874, Mr. Gibson married Eliza- betli Anderson, of Green township, Indiana county, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Dodds) Anderson, of Butler county; Mr. Anderson was a well-known farmer of Green township, served as overseer of the poor, and was a much respected man of that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson became the parents of

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

these children : James, who lives in Aspin- dren, those born in Wheatfield township be- wall, Pa., married Pearl Creek and has one child, Beatrice P .; Sarah, who taught school for five years, is now the wife of Frank Terry, and lives at Trafford City, Pa .; Ford is a banker at Windber, Pennsylvania.

MACK. In East and West Wheatfield townships, Indiana county, may be found many members of the Mack family founded in this section over a century ago by Robert Mack. All of the name are noted for high character and substantial worth, and they are well represented among the progressive agri- culturists. Among these are George F. Mack and David W. Mack, brothers, sons of Jacob Mack and great-grandsons of Robert Mack.

ing: David; William; Samuel; Armstrong ; George; Jean (2), who married William Mc- Clain, and died in West Wheatfield township ; Margaret, who married Hugh St. Clair, and removed to Iowa; Elizabeth (Betsey), who married William Campbell, being his second wife; and Joseph.

David Mack, son of Robert and Margaret (Campbell) Mack, was born in 1802, and reared in West Wheatfield township. He al- ways followed agricultural pursuits, owning and conducting a farm of 130 acres, the place now occupied by his son Samuel, and in his later life also operated a sawmill on Germany run. He was one of the prominent citizens of the township in his day, not only active in Robert Mack was a native of County Down, Ireland, born about 1763. There he grew to manhood and married Margaret Campbell, who was born about 1769, and four children were born to them in their native home: John, born about 1797; Robert, born about 1799; James, born March 3, 1800; and Jean, born about 1803. In the early part of 1803 Robert Mack with his wife and four children left their native home for America. While they were crossing the Atlantic, on a slow-going sailing vessel, their little daughter Jean died and was buried at sea, the body being placed business but also associated with the adminis- tration of public affairs. He was a lifelong member of the United Presbyterian Church and active in all its work. He died Sept. 7, 1878, and he and his wife are buried in the Bethel Church cemetery. Mr. Mack married Matilda Craig, who was born Feb. 25, 1814, in Indiana county, and died Dec. 16, 1904, and they had a large family, namely : Robert, who married Elizabeth Brantlinger and (second) Sarah Adamson; Jacob, who married Mary Jane Wakefield; John, who married Elizabeth Murphy; David, who married Mary Jane in a sack, weighted at the feet with sand. The Kerr; William, who married Sarah E. Marrs, burial service was read by the captain. After and lives at Armagh, this county ; Tillie, who landing in the New World the family made married Samuel G. Walbeck and resided at Heshbon, this county; Samuel, who lives on the old homestead in West Wheatfield town- ship (he married Charlotte Roof and their children are Bart, Charles, Theresa and Irvin) ; Thomas, who married Kate Roof or Ruth ; and James W. Few families can equal the record of this one for patriotism. Six of the sons served in the Civil war, Jacob and John in Company E, 11th Pennsylvania Vol- their way west of the Alleghenies, locating first near Pittsburg, Pa., and later in Wheat- field township, Indiana Co., Pa., where Mr. Mack settled down to farming on a 400-acre tract. He had to erect the log cabin for his family, and began a hard fight for existence in the wilderness which lasted many years. By steady industry and thrifty habits he managed to develop his farm and make many improvements, and he spent the remainder of unteer Infantry ; David in Company K, 177th his life on that place, dying there Aug. 2, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; Robert, John and David were in Company H, 206th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Greer and Col. Hugh J. Brady ; William was in the 6th Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. 1850. He was buried in Bethel Church ceme- tery, in what is now West Wheatfield town- ship, and a headstone marks the last resting place of himself and wife. Mr. Mack in re- ligious principle was what was known as a Seceder, later joining the Bethel United Pres- byterian Church. He was an old-line Demo- crat on political questions. Ilis wife pre- ceded him to the grave, dying on the farm Nov. 17, 1839, at the age of seventy years, and was laid to rest in Bethel cemetery. She, too, was a member of Bethel United Presbyterian Church. She was the mother of thirteen chil-

Jacob Mack, son of David and Matilda (Craig) Mack, was born July 26, 1834, in West Wheatfield township, and died there in October, 1909, at the age of seventy-five years. He obtained his education in the common schools of his native township. After he be- gan farming on his own account he bought the McDonald farm of sixty-eight acres in West Wheatfield township, later adding fifty acres

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

to his original purchase. On this land he set and Catherine (Sides) Duncan, of West out a large orchard and had considerable suc- Wheatfield township, and they have three chil- cess as a fruit grower as well as in general dren: Vincent Duncan, born March 27, 1892, farming lines, cleared up the entire tract and now at Pitcairn, Pa., in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company; J. Merle, born March 16, 1895, at home; and Freda Margaret. born Aug. 13, 1902. made many improvements thereon, including a large house and substantial barn. He was a man of progressive ideas and broad outlook, and a citizen who won the friendly regard of all with whom he came in contact. He and his five brothers all served in the Civil war, he as a member of Company E, 11th Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Captain MeCurdy and Colonel Dick. Before the war he was a Democrat, subsequently a Republi- can in his political views. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and he and his wife are buried in Bethel Church cemetery. In March, 1866, Mr. Mack mar- ried Mary Jane Wakefield, who was born in 1844, daughter of Jerry and Lucinda (Pal- mer) Wakefield, and died in April, 1906. Four children were born to them: George Franklin ; David Wakefield; Mattie E., who is married to Frank Brandlinger and lives in West Wheatfield township; and Ida L., wife of Franklin Campbell, residing in West Wheatfield.

GEORGE FRANKLIN MACK, son of Jacob Mack, was born Nov. 26, 1866, in West Wheat- field township, and there obtained his ele- mentary education in the common schools. Later he studied under Professor Campbell and at the State normal school in Indiana borough, after which he taught school for five terms, in East and West Wheatfield town- ships. He worked with his father up to the time of his marriage, when he moved to Blairs- ville, for the next few years following the carpenter's trade. Returning to West Wheat- field township he bought the Joseph Duncan farm of 170 acres, formerly owned by the Sides family, and here he has since been engaged in general farming. He has built a fine large barn and made numerous other improvements upon this property during his ownership, and he is considered one of the most up-to-date agriculturists in the vicinity. All local activi- ties have his encouragement and support, and he has taken part in public affairs to the ex- tent of serving as township auditor, to which office he was elected in 1895. In politics he is an independent Republican, and his re- ligious connection is with the M. E. Church, of which he is a trustee; he also teaches in the Sunday school. All his family unite with this church.

DAVID WAKEFIELD MACK, son of Jacob Mack, was born April 8, 1868, in West Wheatfield township, and began his education there at the Washington schoolhouse, at Little Wash- ington. Later he attended Prof. J. T. Stewart's select school at Clyde, and he has since been engaged in farming at his birth- place. He assisted his father until the latter's death, and then took charge of the farm, which he now owns, having bought out the other heirs. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and his success is typical of the high-class work for which the Macks are noted. He is continually making improve- ments about the home and surroundings, which are in creditable condition, and show the thrift and enterprise which characterize the ener- getic worker who directs his labors effectively. He gives all his time to his private affairs, taking no part in local matters beyond giving the influence a public-spirited citizen should extend to movements affecting the general welfare. He is a member of the U. P. Church.

On Oct. 1, 1889, Mr. Mack married Millie Rebecca Campbell, daughter of Archibald and Lizzie (Campbell) Campbell, and they have a family of four children, namely : Floy Eliza- beth, David Scott, Jessie May and Frank Eugene.

WILLIAM D. DUNSMORE, who during the last four years has had charge of the en- gineering corps of the Peacock, Peacock & Kerr Mining Company, at Clymer, Pa., was born in Tioga county, this State, May 31, 1872, and is a son of William and Sarah (Gil- more) Dunsmore.

William Dunsmore, the paternal grand- father, was born in Scotland, and on emigrat- ing to the United States settled in Tioga county, Pa., where he spent the rest of his life in mining.

William Dunsmore (2), son of William, and father of William D. Dunsmore, was born in Scotland, and came to the United States just prior to the Civil war, being followed here by his parents. He spent the rest of his life in mining in Tioga county, and died there in January, 1902. He married Sarah Gilmore, who was born in Nova Scotia, and she survives

On July 29, 1891, Mr. Maek was married to Sarah Emma Duncan, daughter of Joseph M. him and makes her home in Tioga county.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

They were the parents of six children, as fol- the farm on which he has carried on agri- lows: Annie, the widow of James N. Patter- cultural operations throughout his life, and son, living in Tioga county; Jeannette, the where he and his wife, also a native of Indiana wife of John Harrington, of Newcastle, Pa .; county, still reside. They have had a family Sarah, unmarried and living in Dubois, Pa .; William D .; James, of Greenwich, England, engaged in mining ventures; and Ada, un- married and living in Dubois.

William Gilmore, maternal grandfather of William D. Dunsmore, was born in Scotland, and on leaving his native country first emi- grated to Nova Scotia. Later, however, he came to the United States, settled in Tioga county, Pa., and here spent the rest of his life in mining.

William D. Dunsmore received his educa- tion in the public schools of Tioga county, Herbert P. Kinter was educated in the dis- trict schools of Grant township, and after completing his schooling started to farm the old homestead place, where he remained until and at the age of sixteen years removed to Harrisburg, Pa., where he attended the high school. On completing his course there he returned to Mansfield, Tioga county, and he had reached his twenty-second year. For later attended the Pennsylvania State Uni- versity, graduating therefrom in the mining course in 1895. He at once accepted a posi- tion with the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Company, as assistant engineer, but left their employ after nine years to become chief en- gineer for the Peacock, Peacock & Kerr Min- ing Company, with which concern he has been connected to the present time. In 1908 he came to Clymer, prior to the organization of the town, taking charge of the engineering corps. He has established an enviable repu- tation in his vocation and has the full confi- dence of his associates.

Mr. Dunsmore was married in Jefferson county, Pa., in June, 1900, to Myra Jones, a native of England, who was brought to this country by her parents, her father being en- gaged with a mining company in Jefferson county as a machinist. Mr. and Mrs. Duns- more have two daughters, Sarah and Mar- garet. The family attends the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Dunsmore is a member of Punxsutawney Lodge, B. P. O. Elks.

HERBERT P. KINTER, one of the firm of the Marion Center Milling Company, at Marion Center, was born in Grant township, optician of Clymer, Indiana county, has the Indiana county, July 11, 1878, a son of Wil- liam and Martha Jane (Shankle) Kinter.

Samuel Kinter, grandfather of Herbert P., was born in Pennsylvania, and in 1842 be- came a settler of Grant township, Indiana county, where he spent the last years of his life in agricultural pursuits.

of seven daughters and two sons, as follows: Herbert P .; Ollie, the wife of O. S. Gorman, a resident of Gipsy, Indiana county; Floy, wife of Spencer Stone, living at home with her parents; Bertha, the wife of Earl McMillan, of Wilgus, Indiana county ; Stella, the wife of John Stroup, of Sapulpa, Okla .; Bessie, the wife of Bruce Spicher, of Indiana, Pa .; Ada, who was married in June, 1912, to Carl Piper ; Alda, living at home and engaged in school teaching in the county; and Homer, the youngest, living at home.

one year he worked in a sawmill, and subse- quently went to Richmond, where he learned the trade of miller. In 1902 he went to Marion Center, where he remained until 1910, which year saw his advent in Penn Run, where he carried on an extensive milling business. On June 10, 1912, Mr. Kinter located at Marion Center, in company with Frank W. West erecting a large mill at Marion Center. The firm is known as the Marion Center Milling Company. Mr. Kinter is a young man of much more than ordinary business capacity, and his operations have always been con- ducted in such a manner as to win the entire confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.

On April 4, 1910, Mr. Kinter was married to Lena Moore, who was born in East Mahon- ing township, Indiana Co., Pa., Nov. 30, 1879, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Buchanan) Moore, both of whom survive, making their home on the old farm which Mr. Moore settled on many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Kinter have three children: William Blair, Joseph Blaine, and a son yet unnamed. The family belong to the Baptist Church.

CLARENCE B. O'NEILL, jeweler and only establishment of the kind in that borough and is one of its enterprising young business men. He belongs to a family of Irish origin which was founded here many years ago, his grandfather, Edward O'Neill, a native of Ire- land, having come to America and settled in Green township, Indiana Co., Pennsylvania.

William Kinter, son of Samuel, was born Edward O'Neill, son of Edward, was born in 1847 in Grant township, Indiana county, on in Green township, and was a farmer during

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

his earlier life. For the last thirty years he of William Jeffries, a native of Huntingdon has been engaged in the mercantile business, county, Pa., who farmed there until his re- having a large general store at Lovejoy, in moval to Indiana county. Here he bought a farm and passed the remainder of his life. He married Sarah Pyle. Green township. He and his wife Nancy (Lydick), who is a native of Cherryhill town- ship, this county, have had two sons and one daughter: Verna, who lives at home; Clar- ence B .; and Ira B., a resident of Indiana, the county seat.

Clarence B. O'Neill was born Aug. 1, 1881, in Green township, and received his education in the country schools there. His first work after leaving school was on a farm there. In 1906 he entered the Bradley Polytechnic In- stitute, at Peoria, Ill., attending this institu- tion for one year. Returning home, he sub- sequently took a course at the Bowman Technical School, at Lancaster, Pa., where he studied optical work, also learning jewelry and watch making, which trade he now fol- lows very successfully. In 1908 he settled at Clymer and engaged in the jewelry business, which he has since conducted, having built up a trade which shows a steady increase. He is a graduate optician and also finds plenty of business in that line, his experience and con- scientious application to the needs of his customers having gained him a high reputa- tion for skill and reliability.

On Aug. 29, 1908, Mr. O'Neill was married at Mitchells Mills, this county, to Bertha C. Goodrich, a native of that place, born Dec. 26, 1881, daughter of Augustus and Martha (Hall) Goodrich, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania. He was a lumberman and an early settler in Green township. Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich now live at Mitchells Mills. They had a family of six children, all of whom survive, those besides Mrs. O'Neill being : Della, who is now in Cleveland, Ohio, engaged in missionary work; Oral, wife of John Lam- bert, of Somerset county, Pa .; Blanche, wife of Rev. M. Wilt, a United Brethren min- ister of Clearfield county, Pa .; Ina, wife of Christ A. Hines, of Nyack, N. Y., both en- gaged in missionary work; and Robert, of Barnesboro, Pennsylvania.

Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill have had two children. Bernice Gay and Clarence M. Mr. O'Neill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and much interested in its work, having held the office of superintendent of the Sunday school.

GEORGE H. JEFFRIES. sheriff of In- diana county, is a man known personally to the majority of its citizens. He was born Aug. 9, 1865, in Grant township, and is a grandson

Noah Jeffries, son of William, was born in Huntingdon county, and followed farming throughout his active years. He married Miriam Work, and they became the parents of six children, namely : Aaron W .; George H .; Sarah and Elizabeth, twins, the latter dying May 11, 1894; William B., who died when eleven years old; and Miriam. Mr. Jeffries was a member of the United Brethren Church, his wife of the United Presbyterian Church. He died Jan. 12, 1892, she on Sept. 7, 1894.

George H. Jeffries obtained his education in the common schools of Grant township, this county. For more than twenty years after commencing life on his own account he fol- lowed the lumber and sawmill business, he- coming an expert sawyer, and he did well in that line. He has been connected with the administration of the law in his community for a number of years, having served ten years as constable while a resident of Grant township. In 1908 he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for sheriff, but was defeated. In the fall of 1911 he was again a candidate for the nomination, which he se- cured in September of that year, and he was successful at the election which followed in November, winning out by a large majority. Nothing could more clearly show Mr. Jeffries' character and determination than the story of the campaign which preceded his election. Though opposed by a faction of his own party he did such vigorous and effective work by personal canvass that he won out by a highly creditable majority, on his own merits. He made a tour of the county on foot, and by his own force and qualifications, his manifest hon- esty and integrity of purpose, gained enough friends to make his election assured. Such a man should be able to serve his community well and justify the confidence his fellow citi- zens repose in him.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 142

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