Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 152

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 152

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

tried to enlist in the United States service, tion at Dr. Klingensmith's and as late as one but was rejected by the surgeon. Later he tried again and was accepted in the signal corps, and served until the end of the war.

o'clock at night spoke for twenty minutes, during which time his audience laughed much and heartily at his exhibitions of wit and humor.

Mr. Thomas D. Marshall says of his father : "When I think of my father I recall these "There is one picture that often comes to my mind. It is the picture of my father at the age of twenty-four, standing in front of his father's farm home. His parents and other members of the family gathered there to bid him farewell. He was just starting to Blairsville, in western Pennsylvania, to com- mence life as a village doctor. His father gave him the horse, with a saddle and bridle and ten dollars, and this was his capital to commence life. I can see them as the last words were spoken and the start was made to ride away over the many mountain chains. I can often see him as he pursued his lonely way. I can see him as he rode up the village street here and as he entered the inn which became his first home in Blairsville. The Pennsylvania canal was being rapidly con- structed. Noble Nesbit, a merchant, who built the corner where M. G. Miller now lives and does business, had written him to come to Blairsville, that it was a coming town." words of Holy Writ, 'Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.' I am very sure my father loved his children and that they loved him. The aged pastor George Hill, D. D., at the last rites of his career said in part of him: 'He possessed a spirit that loved and cheered others, that was ever diligent in trying to min- ister to the sick and suffering, that enjoyed living and helped others to enjoy it. As an evidence that he was a child of God he loved God's house and His people.' Dr. James M. Stewart, one of the celebrities of the profes- sion in this part of the State, and who was located at Indiana, Pa., was fond of my father, as were other doctors of the time and of this locality. He had numerous friends in the profession and among ministers, attorneys and others. Among these and during the lat- ter part of his life were Judge Telford and S. M. Jack. Harry White, Wilson Taylor and others knew and appreciated him in the The following poem was a tribute to Dr. Marshall : years prior to this. Washington Atlee, M. D., who became very celebrated, was a classmate A Doctor of the Old School. of my father. The father of George B. Mc- I can see him in the long ago, Clellan, the general, was his preceptor at With his heard as white as snow, medical college. The pioneer doctor rode Hanging below his chin; horses and rode rather long distances. They The hair on his head was white and thin. used to have horses that were fine walkers and His face, a face beloved by all, A forehead broad and grand and tall; pacers. Dr. James Smith, a schoolmate of The sparkle of life in his dark brown eyes; my father at Cumberland, Md., told the writer To look in them was to realize That the soul within was great and good; that he used to, rather frequently, start at nightfall to ride, when the snow was fall- Kindness and charity he understood; ing, into the mountain fastnesses as far as Old Doctor Marshall-that was his name. Stooped were his shoulders and frail his frame; Our old family doctor-everybody's friend; fifty miles. The early doctor got closer to his patients than many of the doctors do now. Always ready his helping hand to lend; Simple were his manners and gentle his ways, A little old-fashioned as they say nowadays. But he gave to all the best he had, And many were the hearts that he made glad. I remember my father having a call to see a woman in a condition that required quick treatment to save her life. The circumstances were such that ethics was in the way, but he He was all that was noble and great and grand, Yet so humble a servant that all could command- said, 'Ethics to the winds, when human life is at stake,' and went at once; the woman re- Not to answer a call he deemed a sin; The rich, the poor were alike to him, covered. In another case, when he was past His work he held sacred, his calling high, As now I see his goodness, methinks you and I Might well emulate his goodness and beauty, By mixing his virtues with our own daily duty; seventy years of age, in the wintertime, a call came for him at midnight to go to the top of the ridge to minister to a suffering woman. He lived true to his calling, God's tool, The woman's husband reported that he had For he was a doctor of the old, old school. first tried to get three other doctors, who ARTHUR G. BOSLER. were younger, and failed. Likely the man was poor and not able to pay much. My fa- "What shall I say of my mother? By na- ture she was a noblewoman. Her everyday ther went. He died in April, the same month he commenced life in Blairsville, aged eighty- life showed that she had been touched by a six. The October previous he went to a func-

Divinity. She had a religion, the Christian

ToMarshall

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

religion, and she lived it. Her belief and faith was of a remarkable kind, as was her vision. She was at many a sickbed acting as nurse. She was ever alert in trying to minister all she could to cheer everyone on the way, to give aid to the sick and suffer- ing, to the needy. Her sympathies led her to reach toward all that needed sympathy, and in all directions. The people said of my mother that she was a good woman and I think they were right. She was also a home maker and a homekeeper. But my mother was only a sample of many others of the time. A couple of years before her death she went to reside with a daughter at Independ- ence, Kans., and there she crossed the river to the other shore."

Thomas Davis Marshall was so called for his mother's first pastor, as were many oth- ers. Likely he was the last one named in his honor, in any event it was some little time after Rev. Thomas Davis had departed from this world. Mr. Marshall was born in the same house where he now lives. At the age of sixteen he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he lived with an uncle who established a prominent public institution there, the first west of the mountains. He was in two dif- ferent offices there, and while at that place united with the First Presbyterian Church, of which his uncle was an elder. He returned home from there to renew school life. His next position was with a dry goods house in Philadelphia, and after filling it for a short time he traveled successfully for three dif- ferent wholesale drug houses in Philadelphia. He had two retail drug stores in Pittsburg. For a short time he was a Pullman conductor. In 1876, Centennial year, he operated excur- sions to the Centennial in Philadelphia, and ranked second only to the man who took ex- cursions out of Pittsburg. For four years he was resident partner of R. F. Briggs & Co., of Amesbury, Mass., being located in Baltimore in charge of the business there. Since then he has engaged in the drug business, newspa- per writing, and other things.

Mr. Marshall has always been a strong ad- vocate of right living. He believes in civic pride and that there is a woeful lack of it. It is the spirit of civic pride that studies and makes history. Without it no man can be what he should be and without it no com- munity or state or country can be what it should be. If sublime lives have been lived. then men can have no better inspiration than to study these lives and ever strive to imitate them.

In October, 1889, Mr. Marshall married Lillian Louise Kiefer, formerly of Allegheny. The Kiefers were a family who followed the business of tanning leather, operating very extensive tanneries in Allegheny. To one of these tanneries Andrew Carnegie delivered messages when a youth and messenger for a telegraph company. The Kiefer and Hammer families were among the first settlers in Pitts- burg, commencing life there when it was a small village. The connection of these families is very large. Charles G. Hammer, Mrs. Thomas D. Marshall's maternal grandfather, was one of Pittsburg's early and most prom- inent furniture manufacturers, the firm being Hammer & Dauler ; the house still continues as Dauler, Close & Johns. Mr. Marshall appre- ciates his wife greatly, and gives her all credit for the harmonious and delightful home life the family enjoy. They have one son and one daughter. The latter, who is two years older than her brother, has the family name, Clar- ine Loughrey ; she is now at Bethany College, West Virginia. The son is named Robert Johnston Wanamaker, for his grandfather and for John Wanamaker, who is an old friend of his father. He is at present in the country, recuperating from a spell of illness. Like his sister he is a graduate of Blairsville high school, under Principal H. D. Condron, and both aim to pursue their ed- ucation farther.

CLINTON DAVIS GORMAN, extensively engaged in farming in Montgomery township, Indiana county, has had other business inter- ests there at various times, but at present is giving his attention principally to agriculture. He is a native of the township, born May 3, 1859, son of James and Sarah Lydick Gor- man.

The Gorman family has been in this part of Pennsylvania for several generations. Dan- iel Gorman, great-grandfather of Clinton D. Gorman, came from the State of Indiana up the river to Leechburg, Armstrong Co., Pa., and afterward lived at Hannastown, which is in Westmoreland county, Pa. In January, 1798, he married Margaret Watson, of Leech- burg, who died in the fall of that year leaving an infant son, David.

David Gorman, son of Daniel, was born Oct. 14, 1798, at Hannastown, and died Nov. 17. 1840, in Indiana county, aged forty-two years, one month, three days. On Dec. 31. 1818, he was married, in Armstrong county, Pa., by William Watson, Esq., to Jane George, who was born Oct. 27, 1794, at Hagerstown,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Md., and died in Indiana county, Pa., May fairs but a useful public servant, holding the 14, 1882, aged eighty-seven years, six months, office of justice of the peace for ten years seventeen days. She was one of the family of (after the Civil war) and serving for years seven children born to Samuel and Martha as a member of the township school board. In (Dunlap) George, natives of County Derry, 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a member of Company I, 84th Pennsylvania Ireland, both of whom were born in May, 1754. They were married in May, 1776, and Volunteer Infantry, later of Company K, came to America in 1794, landing at New- same regiment. He was wounded at the battle castle, Del. Samuel George died in October, of Chancellorsville, the bullet entering the 1840, his wife in October, 1850. To Mr. and arm and passing through the body, and was Mrs. Gorman were born the following chil- discharged on account of his injuries. Mr. dren: (1) John W., born Sept. 30, 1819, in Gorman died June 11, 1910, aged seventy-nine years. His wife died Nov. 3, 1902, at the age of seventy-two. They were married Jan. 30, 1855, by Rev. M. Lloyd.

Armstrong county, died Oct. 21, 1892. (2) Samuel G., born Jan. 29, 1821, in Armstrong county, died Oct. 23, 1859. On Nov. 7, 1849, he married Carolina Burkett, the ceremony being performed by Rev. M. Whipple. (3) David G., born April 2, 1823, in Armstrong county, was married by Rev. John Caruthers Oct. 14, 1845, to Christina Fry, who was born Oct. 10, 1827, and their children were born as follows: David A., April 15, 1848 (married May 3, 1870, by Rev. M. J. Sleppy, to R. J. Shaffer) ; Jane E., Sept. 3, 1849 (mar- ried Sept. 17, 1872, by Rev. MeCaldwell, to James A. Whiting) ; Martha G., Sept. 27, 1851 (married John H. Reed March 3. 1873, Jaines Campbell, Esq., performing the cere- mony ) ; Mary C., July 14, 1853 (married Jan. 4, 1872, by D. G. Gorman, Esq., to R. R. Buchanan) ; William W., Jan. 31, 1856 (mar- ried August, 1880, by J. L. Smith, Esq., to A. Jennie Smith) ; Delila P., Feb. 11, 1858; Nancy, May 26, 1860 (married Wilson Hurd Jan. 1, 1880, Charles MeMasters, Esq., per-

Clinton Davis Gorman was educated in the public schools in Montgomery township. When he became of age he was working as a woodsman and river driver on the Susque- hanna, continuing in the employ of others for seven years and at the age of twenty-seven entering the business on his own account. He gave his entire time to that line for seven years, and was interested in lumbering there- after to a greater or less extent until 1902. Meantime he had also acquired farm inter- ests, and in 1904 became proprietor of the "Wilgus Hotel" at Wilgus, Indiana county, which he conducted for three years, also carry- ing on his agricultural work during that time. Since 1907 he has devoted practically all his time to farming, having a tract of 280 acres in Montgomery township which is under excel- lent cultivation and steadily increasing in value under his capable management. Mr. forming the ceremony) ; Sarah E., July 25, Gorman leases coal lands on royalty to the 1863 (married April 9, 1891, by Rev. H. W. Pennsylvania Coal & Coke Company. He is Closson, to J. P. Strasler ) ; Henry J., May 21, a thorough and diligent worker, making the 1866; John W., Oct. 18, 1869. All of these most of his facilities and opportunities, and were living in 1892. (4) Martha D., born Feb. has made a substantial place for himself among 18, 1825, in Armstrong county, was married the successful men of his township. He is a Feb. 3, 1847, to Jacob Smethers. (5) Daniel, member of the Christian Church, and a Re- publican in political sentiment.

born Dec. 31, 1826, in Armstrong county, died Oct. 4, 1885. On Oct. 9, 1851, he married Maria Neff. (6) Elizabeth M., born Jan. 23, 1829, in Indiana county, died Jan. 11. 1854.

On Nov. 19, 1882, Mr. Gorman married Essie Galeina Bennett, and they have had four children: James Doyle, who is engaged in (7) James is mentioned below. (8) William, mining and lives at home; Orpha Rose, at born May 16, 1833, in Indiana county, died home; Isaac Lloyd, who has been engaged at May 4, 1852. (9) Alexander, born Oct. 22, plastering and is now lumbering, also living 1836, in Indiana county, was married Feb. 10, at home; and Ora Belle, who graduated from 1870, by D. G. Gorman, Esq., to Mrs. E. C. Cook.

the State normal school at Indiana, Pa., and is now a teacher in the Carnegie Institute.

James Gorman was born in Indiana county Isaac S. Bennett, father of Mrs. Clinton Davis Gorman, was born Dec. 19, 1836, in York county, Pa., whence he came to Indiana county in boyhood. He settled in Montgom- ery township, where he continued to live until May 29, 1831, and lived in Montgomery town- ship from the age of nine years until his death. He passed all his life on a farm, engaging in farming and lumbering, and was not only successful in the management of his own af- his death, Nov. 19, 1891. By occupation he

James chiStewart

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

was a farmer and lumberman. During the forded. The rest of his education was ac- Civil war he enlisted in Company C, 206th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the conflict, coming back to Indiana county. He married Lucy Jane Reed, a native of New York, born Feb. 9, 1834, who was ten years old when she came to Indiana county. She died March 22, 1907. Mrs. Bennett was a Methodist in religious con- nection, and a devoted church worker.

JAMES NELSON STEWART, of Indi- ana, has been engaged in farming and stock dealing for over forty years except during the time he has held public office, and he has been a successful man in his various un- dertakings, having done well in business and made an excellent record as a public servant. He is a native of Indiana county, born June 11, 1848, on a farm in Brushvalley township.

William Stewart, the great-grandfather of James Nelson Stewart, was an Englishman of Irish descent. He came to this country in Colonial times, and fought under Washing- ton in 1776. After living for some time in Maryland he moved thence to Franklin county, Pennsylvania.

James Stewart, son of William, fought in the war of 1812. He married Margaret Gibson, and they afterward moved to what is now Indiana county, taking up land in Brushvalley township, where they lived and died. Two of their sons, William and Sam- uel, were physiciaus, and both practiced at Armagh, Indiana county, where they died. Another son, David, was a farmer; and there were three daughters, Margaret, Elizabeth and Rebecca.

James Gibson Stewart, son of James and Margaret (Gibson) Stewart, was born in 1818 in Brushvalley township, Indiana county, and he inherited the old home farm there. But he sold that place and bought another, near Armagh, upon which he passed the remainder of his life, dying there in 1876. This family have all been Presbyte- rians. He was a Republican in political sen- timent. He married Rebecca Longhry, daughter of James Loughry, and she sur- vived him, dying in Indiana in 1887, at the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of three children: James Nelson ; A. Lizzie, who taught school for many years, and died unmarried; and Wilson L., an at- torney, who died in Indiana.

quired after he got out into the world, and experience has been his best teacher. He was reared to farming from his earliest boy- hood, and in 1871 began farming and stock dealing on his own account, moving into the borough of Indiana in 1876. However, he has not devoted all his time to business, hav- ing been quite active in the public service and a leading member of the Republican party in his county. He was elected regis- 1er and recorder of Indiana county, serving two successive terms in that office, 1896-1902, and he has been connected with the revenue department as storekeeper, holding that of- fice in the Twenty-third district for eight years. While in office he gave up farming and stock dealing entirely. Besides his other business interests Mr. Stewart is a di- rector of the Savings & Trust Bank of In- diana, and he served on the building com- mittee when the fine building of that insti- tution was erected in Indiana. Mr. Stew- art was reared in the Presbyterian faith, but is a member of the M. E. Church.

On Feb. 21, 1871, Mr. Stewart was mar- ried to Louisa J. Rowland, who is of Welsh descent, being a daughter of John and Jane (Conrad) Rowland. They have had two children: (1) Charles Rowland, born in Brushvalley May 12, 1873, began his edu- cation in the common schools of Indiana bor- ough, later attending the State normal school at Indiana for some time, and he then took a four years' course in the medical school of the University of Pennsylvania, at Phila- delphia, graduating with the class of 1899. He began practice at Allegheny, Pa., where he has ever since been located. In June, 1903, he married Mary Alice Young, of Al- legheny, and they have one son, James N., Jr. (2) Harry Miles was born in Indiana April 12, 1878, and after graduating there from public school took a course at the State normal school, leaving to assume the posi- tion of deputy register and recorder under his father. He served faithfully and well in that office. Before his term was out he enlisted, at the age of twenty, with Com- pany F. 5th Regiment, N. G. P., for service in the Spanish-American war. At Mount Gretna he became a member of the United States hospital corps. While the army was encamped at Chickamauga he did noble work among the sick, laboring indefatigably until one day in the midst of his duties he was

James Nelson Stewart grew to manhood in Brushvalley township, and had such advan- tages as the district schools of the time af- stricken with typhoid fever. He was sent

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

home in Governor Hastings's hospital train, of slavery and the slave traffic. He threw all but had to be taken from the train when he his influence into the antislavery cause, and reached Greensburg, being there for ten . being endowed with considerable talent as a weeks before he could be brought home to campaigner and public speaker took consid- erable part in the abolition movement in that capacity, as well as in his connection with the "underground railway," by means of which he helped many slaves to escape and gain their freedom. He was always outspoken and uncompromising in his stand against slavery, and having the courage of his convictions and Indiana. While at Chickamauga he was the correspondent of the Indiana Messenger, and his vivid descriptions and news pleased and consoled many at home. He received his honorable discharge from the service Dec. 15, 1898. He then decided to study medi- cine, and entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where his musical ability made the gift of presenting his views well was a him very popular socially. He was very proficient in his studies, but ill health inter- fered, and he died Jan. 20, 1903. He was a member of the M. E. Church at Indiana. Mr. Stewart was unmarried.

IIARVEY S. BUCHANAN, former auditor of Indiana county and a well-known resident of Indiana, where he has maintained his home for the last fifteen years, was born in Rayne township, this county, Oct. 3, 1860, son of George Buchanan and grandson of William Buchanan. The family is of Scotch-Irish ex- traction, and Mr. Buchanan's grandfather was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, of Scotch parentage. He and his wife came to this coun- try from the North of Ireland, after their marriage, and settled first in Butler county, Pa., where he followed farming and distilling. Thence they removed to Westmoreland coun- ty, Pa., where he died, in Loyalhanna town- ship. His children were: William, Arthur, John, George, Frances, Margaret, and maybe others.

George Buchanan. father of Harvey S. Buchanan, was born in 1810 in Butler county. Pa., and in his youth attended the country schools near home. When a boy he would gather hickory bark after his work was done, to make a fire bright enough to enable him to study evenings, and by perseverance he be- came a well-educated man, following school teaching for some time. He learned the trade of carpenter, and was engaged principally as a cabinetmaker and farmer. After his mar- riage he located in Loyalhanna township, Westmoreland county, where he was em- ployed at his trade, and thence removed to Rayne township, Indiana county, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying there in 1861, when fifty-one years of age. He was a devout member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and became quite well known in that denomination, being a local preacher. But his absorbing public interest was the subjection

strong influence in the antislavery ranks for a number of years. In his earlier manhood Mr. Buchanan was a Free-soiler, the only one in Loyalhanna township, and he joined the Republican party upon its formation. His wife, Ann (Irwin), was born in 1820 in Ire- land, and early left an orphan, coming to America with her father's people when twelve years old. She died April 2, 1892, in Mechan- icsburg, Indiana county, aged seventy-two years. She, too, was a member of the Wes- leyan Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Bu- chanan had a family of six sons and three daughters, the daughters dying in infancy. The others were: William L .; James S., of Rayne township ; George, who is deceased ; Dr. John I., deceased ; Cyrus A., of Indiana; and Harvey S.

Harvey S. Buchanan obtained his primary education in the public schools and later was a student at the Kelleysburg academy, taught by Judge J. P. Elkin, and at Marion Center academy, taught by Prof. Samuel Wolf, at one time county superintendent of schools. Mr. Buchanan then engaged in teaching, which profession he followed for eight years in his native county. At the end of that time he went West, to the State of Kansas, and after teaching there for three terms went out to Colorado, where he taught one term. Return- ing to Kansas he settled at Waldo, where he en- gaged in general merchandising, carrying on that business for one year, until he returned to Indiana county, Pa. Settling at Mechanics- burg, he became interested in mercantile busi- ness there, in 1887, continning same until 1895 at that point. He then purchased a store at Claridge, Westmoreland county, which he conducted for one year, and during the next year he was connected with a coal com- pany store at Matewan, W. Va., returning thence to his home county. He has since made his home in Indiana borough, having purchased the property at No. 326 Thirteenth street, where he resides.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Buchanan served two terms of three dians were still plentiful in this region, and years each as county auditor, to which office he was first elected in 1902, being honored with reelection in 1905. He served with honor to himself and his constituents, making a highly creditable record in this important of- fice. For six years, 1906 to 1912, Mr. Bu- chanan was bookkeeper at the Indiana Woolen Mills, and he is now engaged as a traveling salesman. In every association he has proved himself a man of honor and capacity, and he is esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Bu- chanan is a member of the Wesleyan Metho- dist Church and active in its work, having served as steward. In political connection he is a member of the Prohibition party.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 152

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