USA > Pennsylvania > Indiana County > Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I > Part 146
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James L. Park, son of John Park, was born Aug. 25, 1816, in what is now Marion Center, and was educated in a subscription school, the first held in that locality. The building was a frame one, six-sided, with a puncheon floor, and instead of glass there was oiled paper in the window. The first teacher was William Work, who was succeeded by Samuel Craig. While securing book training, James L. Park was also taught in a practical way, and learned the cabinetmaking trade, and later that of carpenter. For years he oper- ated a cabinet factory, and eventually became a contractor of some note, building the Pres- byterian Church edifice, several schools, and other structures in and about Marion Center. In 1854 he went to Ohio, and followed his trade at Massillon and New Philadelphia for five years, at the end of that time returning to Marion Center. Still later he became the only undertaker in the place, and conducted that business in conjunction with his cabinet- making and carpenter shop. In 1868 he and his brother Linton erected a planing mill, and his activities continued until his death, which occurred in Marion Center Oct. 15, 1890, when he was seventy-four years old. He was laid to rest in the little cemetery of that place.
During the Civil war, Mr. Park proved his devotion to his country by enlisting, in June, 1864, in Company F, 206th Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, under Capt. John A. Kinter and Col. Hugh J. Brady, and served until the close of the war.
Mr. Park was married, in Brookville, Pa., to Susannah Early, who was born at Brookville in 1822 and died in 1850; she was buried in the Gilgal cemetery. Mrs. Park was a good Methodist in religious belief. The children born to this worthy couple were: Elijah H., who enlisted in Company C, 23d Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, was wounded at Dark Hol- low, W. Va., and died June 1, 1862: Robert A., who enlisted in Co. E, 11th Pa. Reserve Volunteer Infantry, was wounded at Antie- tam and discharged, and reenlisted in the signal corps (he married Eva Thomas and is now residing at Ridgway, Pa.) ; John L., who died in childhood; and Leon Norman.
After the death of his first wife James L. Park married Anna Loughry, who died at Pittsburg, Pa., and is buried in the Marion Center cemetery. The children of the second marriage were: James L., who lives at Pitts- burg, married Jessie Work; Jennie E. is a teacher in the public schools and has been thus engaged for a quarter of a century ; John and Mary were twins, the former now living in Oklahoma, the latter dying in child- hood ; Annie Belle, who is the widow of George Fuller, resides at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.
Leon Norman Park, son of James L. Park, is fully sustaining the reputation of his family for effective services to his fellow men. He is a man carefully trained for his chosen pro- fession, for he not only attended the local schools, and later gained a practical knowl- edge of pharmacy under Dr. Porter, but after studying dentistry with Dr. Pierce of Rayne township entered the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he was graduated with the degree of D. D. S. in 1876. In the mean- while, however, he had passed through some thrilling experiences, few of which come to boys as young as he was. Belonging as he did to so loyal a family, the lad was surrounded by just those influences that were calculated to fire his boyish enthusiasm, and when only fourteen and a half years old he enlisted as a fifer in Company A, 2d Battalion, six months' volunteers. in June, 1863. At that time he weighed only eighty-two and a half pounds and was one of the youngest enlisted men in the service. His term of enlistment was for six months, and at its expiration he was discharged, in January, 1864. at Pitts- burg. Returning home, he was dissatisfied. and reenlisted in Company A. 206th Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, in June of that same year.
A man widely and favorably known, he left his impress upon contemporary history, and his record shows that he was never guilty of a mean or dishonorable action, for he lived uprightly and did his full duty as a private citizen and soldier. Early a Whig. he later became a Republican, and always upheld the principles of his party, becoming one of its local leaders. A consistent member of the Methodist Church, he took an active part in its work, becoming a class leader, and his in- again as a fifer, remaining in the service until
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the close of the war. Dr. Park was at the of his profession and the strides forward that battle of Fort Harrison, as well as other en- have been made in it, especially in recent gagements, including the capture of Rich- years. mond, and had the distinction of being one of A man of intense public spirit, Dr. Park is the two fifers relegated to play Yankee Doodle interested in the town that owes its beginning as the troops captured the Confederate capi- tal, April 3, 1865. One of Dr. Park's most cherished possessions is the fife he played as his company entered that stronghold of the enemy. He was discharged the second time in July, 1865, and was mustered out of the United States service at Braddock, Pa. Those were the days that developed mere lads into gallant soldiers, ready and anxious to risk all for their beloved country. It is difficult for the rising generation to appreciate what such times meant to the people who lived through them. None of the boys of today can ever know how precious the flag is to Dr. Park, for when he was still only a boy, he offered up his life to protect it, and that he escaped is only an accident of fate.
Upon his return home, in 1865, he resumed his studies, although it must have been diffi- cult for him to settle down to his books after his experiences in the army, and a little later he worked as a carpenter and cabinetmaker with his father, continuing thus until 1873. In that year he bought a half interest in the drug business of Dr. Porter, and a year later en- tered upon his dental studies, as before stated. Having received his degree, in 1876, Dr. Park located at Marion Center, where there was a good opening, as there were no dentists in the place, and for thirty-seven years he has been the leading man in his profession in East Ma- honing township, being now the oldest den- tist in active practice in Indiana county.
to his family, and can always be depended upon to do all in his power to advance its interests, and promote the welfare of its in- stitutions. The public schools come in for a portion of his attention, for he fully recog- nizes the fact that in them the future defend- ers of the country and flag are being trained. Dr. Park has not been content to give his ap- proval only, for during fifteen years he served on the school board, and was president of same for a number of years. For twelve years he was a member of the borough council, and during 1885 was a burgess of Marion Center. He has also been assessor and collector of the borough, and was elected to these offices on the Republican ticket, as he is a stanch sup- porter of the principles of that party, holding the men who have represented it in the presi- dential chair as worthy of his respect and affection. His first presidential vote was cast for General Grant, and he has voted for the Republican nominee for president ever since. Dr. Park administered the affairs of the local post office as postmaster for eleven years, and it was during his occupancy of the position, in 1891, that the name was changed from Brady to Marion Center. It is a matter of pride to Dr. Park that he was appointed by General Grant, and reappointed by President Hayes.
The Doctor is a member of Indiana Lodge No. 313, F. & A. M., Elk Chapter, R. A. M., of Ridgway; Bethany Commandery No. 83, K. T., of Du Bois; Williamsport Consistory, thir- ty-second degree; and Jaffa Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Altoona. He is also active as
In addition to giving attention to his pro- fessional duties Dr. Park continued his drug business, taking in John Lytle as a partner and working with him until 1888, when Mr. an Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge at Lytle sold, and Dr. Park continued alone un- til 1905. Then he sold to William C. Griffiths,
Marion Center, and is past grand of that body and a member of the grand lodge of the who is now proprietor of the drug store. Dr. State. The Presbyterian Church holds his membership, and receives his generous do- nations of time and money.
Park was one of the first to enter this line of business in the township, and conducted his pharmacy, one of the finest in Indiana Dr. Park was married, in 1873, to Martha A. Thompson, who was born in Rayne town- ship, this county, daughter of William Thomp- son. Like her husband she is active in the Presbyterian Church, of which she is a mem- ber, and her home is the center of a delightful family life. Three children have been born of this marriage: Mary, Myra and Earl H. county, for thirty-four years. For five years Dr. Park had his son Earl H. assisting him in his practice, and in 1905 the son took over the business, although some of the old pa- tients insist upon having the father treat them. At different times Dr. Park has taken students, all of whom have developed into suc- cessful dentists, who are now in active prac- Mary married E. E. Lewis, who is treasurer tice in various parts of the State. He has of the Real Estate Trust Company of Pitts- taken a deep interest in his work and is proud burg. Myra married Dr. J. C. Garley. Earl
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H., born in February, 1882, after attending the public schools of his neighborhood en- tered the College of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburg, graduating in 1902. He then be- came a student in the dental department of that institution, from which he was graduated in 1905, and immediately thereafter began the practice of his profession with his father. Dr. Earl H. Park is a Mason and an Odd Fel- low, and like his father is a strong Republi- can. He married Daisy M. Reese, and they have one son, Norman Reese.
JOHN HENRY CLINE is one of the not- ably successful men of his section, engaged in farming, lumbering, milling, dealing in tim- ber lands and general real estate transactions, and though he has now relinquished arduous labor he retains many important interests and continues his business activities. Mr. Cline belongs to an old family of West Wheatfield township, founded here almost a century ago by his grandfather, Samuel Cline, who was born in York county, Pa., where he passed the first part of his life, his family being born there. Moving to what is now West Wheat- field township, Indiana Co., Pa., he lived there among the pioneers for a number of years, later moving to Greenville. Ohio, where he died. His children were: Andrew; Henry ; Samuel; and Kate, who married George Ful- comber and had children, George, Samuel (who followed farming in West Wheatfield township all his life) and John.
Andrew Cline, son of Samuel, was born in 1806. in York county, Pa., and came to West Wheatfield township with his parents in the Vear 1820. After working with his father for some time he rented a farm and began on his own account. this being the place owned by grandfather Sides. He was a tenant there until he bought the property, which consisted of over 238 acres, part of which he cleared and all of which he improved. in addition to general farming carrying on stock raising, making a specialty of hogs and fine horses. Mr. Cline was a man of good education, in both German and English. and he also had exceptional business ability, which. combined with his thrifty and industrious habits. brought him unusual success. His methodi- cal management and intelligent care made his farm one of the best-kept in the vicinity. Mr. Cline married Elizabeth Sides. who was a daughter of Adam Sides, and four children were born to them: (1) Samuel, born May 18. 1830, died March 2. 1908. On Sept. 27, two rich veins of coal underlying this prop- 1860, he married Lydia Walbeck, who was
born Dec. 19, 1830, and died July 30, 1885. Their children were: Armenta Elizabeth, born July 16, 1861, married John Mabon; Anna Theresa, born Sept. 27, 1862. married Joseph M. Mack; Andrew Curtis, born March 29, 1865, died April 6, 1866; Sarah Matilda, born Oct. 15, 1867, married Harry H. Mack; Nora Eveline, born March 29, 1870, married John F. St. Clair, of West Wheatfield, who is employed as pure food inspector by the State of Pennsylvania. (2) William died in in- fancy. (3) Anna married Harry Penrose, of West Wheatfield township, and their children are: Andrew, Mary, John, Elizabeth, Joseph, Lloyd, Albert, Emory and Charles. (+) John Henry is mentioned below. The father of this family died May 30, 1876, the mother in 1886. He was one of the founders of the German Lutheran Church in West Wheatfield township, served that congregation as elder for many years and was always a liberal con- tributor to its support. He and his wife are buried in the Lutheran cemetery there. They were held in affectionate regard by all who knew them.
John Henry Cline was born June 29. 1539. in West Wheatfield township, and there at- tended the Lynn school. But his educational advantages were somewhat limited. for he be- gan helping his father, farming and lumber- ing. at an early age. After attaining his ma- jority he "cropped" on his father's farm for five years. and then bought the Jacob Sides farm of 173 acres ( which he later sold to his son Harry A. Cline . Buying the Robinson gristmill in West Wheatfield he also operated that for a time, and then bought eight hun- dred acres of timber land, embarking in the lumber business quite extensively. in his own and surrounding townships. During this time he made his home wherever it was most con- venient. mostly in Burrell and West Wheat- field townships. He has continued to deal in timber lands ever since, buying the land. cut- ting off the timber, and reselling. and has also dealt largely in other real estate. being a notably shrewd buyer. He assisted in laying out the borough of Farrell, in Hickory town- ship. Mercer Co., Pa., built many houses there and had his own home there for a while. but he preferred his native township, and in 1890 returned to West Wheatfield, buying a farm of 135 acres where he resumed agricultural pursuits. He still manages the cultivation of that place in addition to looking after his real estate and timber interests. There are erty. Mr. Cline is a self-made man, and all
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the success that has come to him is well de- father's farm of 173 acres, and for a time de- served, for he has worked hard to make his voted himself entirely to farming. Then he ventures profitable, and all his advancement is became interested in the lumber business, also due to his own efforts.
On April 26, 1866, Mr. Cline was married to Evelin Livengood, who was born Sept. 20, 1848, daughter of Henry and Mary Ann (Wil- lits) Livengood, of Derry township, West- moreland Co., Pa., and they have had a fam- ily of twelve children, namely: (1) Clark, born Feb. 7, 1868, now in the lumber busi- ness in West Wheatfield township, married Myrtle Robinson and they have a son, Clark. (2) Harry A. is mentioned below. (3) Jo- seph Wilmer, born July 29, 1871, was killed with a shotgun Nov. 4, 1907, in West Wheat- field township, and his body was not found until five days afterward. He was in the lum. Mr. Cline was married May 29, 1894, to Elizabeth Griffith, daughter of James L. and Phebe (Myers) Griffith, of New Florence, Pa. They have had children as follows: John Lewis, Phebe Eveline, Myrtle Armeta, The- resa Virginia, Andrew Scott, Lillie Marie, Harry Curtis and Ida Elizabeth. ber business and ran several sawmills, and, having just sold his sawmill to his brother Harry had a large amount of money with him when murdered. His slayer, Emanuel Betz, was convicted, and is now serving a twenty years' term. Mr. Cline was one of the well known young business men of his section. (4) Annie, born May 9, 1873, married Charles REV. WILLIAM J. SPROULL, pastor of Rashon, an optician, of Johnstown, Pa., and the Presbyterian Church at Penn Run, Pa., was born in Butler county, this State,
has three children, Russell, Ellen and Hazel. (5) Frank, born Aug. 9, 1875, is working at Feb. 4, 1848, son of Thomas and Margaret (Dodds) Sproull.
home on the farm. (6) Alice, born April 29, 1877, married Andrew J. Riddle, and died in 1899, and is buried in the Lutheran ceme- tery in West Wheatfield township. (7) John, born March 28, 1879, died in 1898. (8) Gar- field, born Sept. 2, 1880, now residing in St. Clair township, Westmoreland county, where he conducts a sawmill, married Sarah George. (9) Charles, born Oct. 21, 1884, married Ida Pickles and resides at Bolivar, Westmoreland county, where he superintends the planing mill of his brother Harry A. Cline. (10) Daisy, born Oct. 26, 1887, is at home. (11) Jessie Hazel, born March 3, 1892, married Robert Black and resides at Strangford, Indi- ana county. (12) George Homer, born Oct. 31, 1889, living at home, is engaged in the John H. Douthett, residing at Orange, N. J .; lumber business and also owns a sawmill.
Mr. Cline is a member of the Lutheran Church, which he serves as trustee. In poli- tics he was originally a Whig, but long ago joined the ranks of the Republican party, though he is independent in supporting what- ever men or measures he most approves.
HARRY A. CLINE, second son of John Henry Cline, was born July 13, 1869, in West Wheatfield township, and there attended com- mon school. Working with his parents until he reached his majority, he then bought his
running three steam sawmills, and he has con- tinued to enlarge the volume and scope of his various interests until he now has one hundred men in his employ. He owns and operates sev- eral up-to-date threshing machines, has over forty horses and does teaming, and is also a successful merchant, owning a large general store at Bolivar. He has continued his specu- lations in timber lands, of which he has become an excellent judge, and the system with which his different interests are managed shows him to be a versatile and thorough business man, alive to the possibilities of the various lines he has entered and capable of developing them.
Thomas Sproull was born in Franklin county, Pa., the earlier members of the fam- ily having settled there after coming from Ireland. His occupation was farming. He married Margaret Dodds, who was born in Ireland, and they both died in 1850, during an epidemic of typhoid fever. Their family contained twelve children, as follows: James M. and John D., both of whom are deceased ; Jane, who is the widow of William A. Dun- can, and resides at Pittsburg, Pa .; Elizabeth and Martha, both deceased; Margaret E., who is the widow of W. T. Stouts, residing in Iowa; Thomas C., who is a retired Pres- byterian minister; Mary, who is the wife of Sarah G., who lives at Pittsburg; a child that died in infancy ; William J .; and another that died in infancy.
William J. Sproull enjoyed educational ad- vantages first in the Butler academy, at But- ler, Pa., and later at Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa., and Geneva College, Logan county, Ohio, being graduated from the lat- ter institution. Subsequently he took a the- ological course in the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary at Allegheny. Mr. Sproull there prepared for missionary work and accepted &
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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
far distant field, spending seven years, from to sergeant, first lieutenant and eventually 1879 until 1886, in Syria. After returning to captain. America he located in Franklin county once more and served as pastor of the church at Fayetteville for some years, going from there to Markle, in Westmoreland county, where he remained five years. In 1900 he came to the church at Penn Run, where he has found a congenial field of work and a satisfying sphere of usefulness.
In 1879, in Allegheny county, Pa., Mr. Sproull was married to Ella Campbell, who was born in that county, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Crawford) Campbell, who were also born in Allegheny county, of Scotch and Irish parentage. The father followed farm- ing. The mother survives and continues to reside in Allegheny county. Rev. Mr. Sproull and his wife have three children : Evelyn C., who is bookkeeper for the Hamilton Music Company, Pittsburg, Pa .; Florence M., who is the wife of Zenas Stevens, of Cherryhill township; and Chalmers B., who is manager for the firm of John S. Lang.
In all that concerns the general welfare of Penn Run, and that serves to raise moral standards and encourage good citizenship, Mr. Sproull is deeply interested, and in the community in which he has spent the past twelve years of usefulness he is held in uni- versal esteem, as pastor, neighbor and citizen.
When the Spanish-American war broke out Captain MeLain volunteered with his regi- ment, which went into camp at Mount Gretna, thence to Fort Mott, N. J., and later to Camp Meade, Pa. From there they were sent to Summerville, S. C., where he was mustered out Feb. 28, 1899. Returning to Wilkinsburg, Captain MeLain entered the employ of the Westinghouse Electric Company for a time. but it was only a few months before he re- turned to the army. On Aug. 17th he was appointed by President Mckinley captain in the 47th United States Volunteers, which was recruited at Camp Meade and sent out to the Philippines, sailing from New York on the transport "Thomas." Landing at Manila in December, they were on duty on the south line, five miles below Manila, and there re- mained until January, 1900, when the regi- ment was sent on an expedition under Gen- eral Kobbe to hemp ports which were closed to commerce. Captain MeLain was on duty in field campaign work for a period of fifteen months, during which time he took part in thirty-three skirmishes. He was detached (at the end of the fifteen months) from his com- pany and assigned to police duty at Manila under Major Taggart, continuing in the army until June 30, 1901, when he was mustered out. He was at once appointed provincial treasurer of Tayabas, and subsequently was transferred to the more important post, to Iloilo, the city next in importance to Manila in the islands. After several years' experi- ence of an official nature he resigned, in 1907, and returned to the United States, via New York.
CAPT. CHARLES CAMPBELL MCLAIN, of Indiana, manager of the Indiana Gazette, was born Jan. 31, 1868, at the MeLain home- stead in White township, Indiana county, son of Capt. Gawin A. and Malinda Ann (Mitch- ell) MeLain. He received his early education in the public schools near his home, later at- tending the Indiana State normal school and Upon his arrival at his old home Captain MeLain settled in the borough of Indiana and engaged in the insurance business, in which he met with substantial success, carrying it on until the summer of 1911. At that time he bought stock in the Indiana Gazette, in which he is now the largest stockholder, and of which he has since been manager. The paper has considerable influence in this section, and as a public-spirited and unbiased champion of the best interests of the borough and county has the support of a large number of the best citizens of the community. Coleman's business college, at Newark, N. J. At the age of twenty-three years he became associated with the Wilkinsburg (Pa.) Elec- tric Light Company, and in 1895 engaged in the electrical business on his own account, at Wilkinsburg. In 1896, though still a young man in his twenties, he was elected burgess of that place, and was still serving in that office when the Spanish-American war broke out in 1898. He had joined the State militia, be- coming a member of Company F, 5th Penn- sylvania Regiment, in which he was promoted from the ranks up through the various offices Captain MeLain is widely known in frater- nal circles, holding membership in various secret societies, the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., B. P. O. Elks. Royal Arcanum, M. W. A., (Foreign Service). He is still a member of until he became first lieutenant of that com- pany. Resigning from that command in 1893, he became a member of Company A, 14th Pennsylvania National Guard, in which he Sons of Veterans and Spanish War Veterans likewise won promotion, rising from private
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the Pennsylvania National Guard, command- He was a farmer by occupation. Christopher ing Company F, 10th Regiment; during the Stuchell, son of Christopher and Elizabeth Homestead riots he served as first lieutenant of Company F of Indiana. (Lydick) Stuchell, was born June 21, 1800, in Rayne township, Indiana county, and died On Sept. 19, 1889, Captain MeLain was married to Martha L. Lucas, of Indiana, daughter of David H. and Margaret (McNeil) Lucas, and they have a family of four chil- dren, Charles Lucas, James Alvin, Harry David and Martha Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Me- and Republican. His wife Jane (Mahan), Lain attend the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican in his political views. Sept. 29, 1867, in South Mahoning township. He followed farming and was one of the most respected residents of his section in his day, serving as elder of the Plumville United Pres- byterian Church. In politics he was a Whig daughter of John Mahan, was born on the Atlantic ocean while her parents were com- ing to America, the family settling on the site of Newville, Indiana county, on Crooked creek. Mrs. Stuchell died Dec. 27, 1876, in South Mahoning township. She was the mother of three sons and six daughters.
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