Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 102

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 884

USA > Pennsylvania > Indiana County > Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II > Part 102

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

Wesley W. Nichol was reared and educated in Green township. When a young man he began farming on his own account, in 1903 buying his present place (known as the Joseph Nichol farm) in that township, where he carries on general farming and stock rais- ing. Though he attends thoroughly to his own affairs he is a citizen who believes in his re- sponsibility to his fellow men, and in every man's duty to his community, and he has given acceptable service on the school board, of which he is now secretary.

On Dec. 12, 1895, Mr. Nichol married Mary Keturah Moore, who was born Sept. 10, 1875, in Clearfield county, Pa., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Shrecengost) Moore, farming people, both of whom were born in Clearfield county. Mr. Moore was killed in a runaway accident ; his widow is now living in Cherry- tree, Indiana county. They had a family of five children: Parry, who is in the West; Mary K., Mrs. Nichol; Norman, a resident of Cherrytree; Nannie, wife of Duff Sawyer, of Glen Campbell, Indiana county ; and Bernice, widow of Edward Woods, living at Cherry- tree.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nichol, namely: Fleda E., Carl, Hazel E., Wesley Clifton and Harold D.

JOHN J. BIER, manager of the Ridge Supply Company's stores at Iselin, Reed and Eldersridge, in Indiana county, has had con- siderable experience in the mercantile busi- ness and has been with his present employers for five years.

The Bier family is of German extraction, and this branch was founded in America by Jacob Bier, who came to this country from Germany with two brothers, settling at Lan- caster, Lancaster Co., Pa. Jacob Bier, son of Jacob, was the grandfather of John J. Bier. He was born in Lancaster county, where he was reared, and when a young man proceeded westward, locating in Virginia, where he be- came interested in the manufacture of lum- ber. Later in life he was a lumber inspector, and he was quite successful in his chosen call- ing. He spent the rest of his days in what is now West Virginia, where he died. He mar-

Philip A. Bier, son of Jacob and Mary (Welsh) Bier, was born in Ohio county, Va. (now West Virginia), where he grew to man- hood. From early boyhood he was engaged with his father in the lumber business, but nevertheless he was given good educational advantages. When a young man he located in Allegany county, Md., near Cumberland, where he owned a farm and later conducted a mercantile business at what is now the town of Bier. Here a postoffice was established and he became the first postmaster, the office being named in his honor. Part of his farm was within the limits of the town. He was quite active in the affairs of his section, both as a business man and public official, serving four years as judge of the Orphans' court of Alle- gany county and in other positions of trust. He was at one time census enumerator of Alle- gany county. In politics he was a stanch Republican. During the Civil war he enlisted in West Virginia, becoming a member of Com- pany C, 1st West Virginia Volunteer Infan- try, and rose to the rank of lieutenant, being mustered out as such. He took part in the battle of Winchester, and received a wound in the breast which necessitated his going to hos- pital. During the last four years of his life he was a resident of Washington, D. C., where he was employed as a clerk in the census bureau, and he died in that city in January, 1905. He was buried at Bier, Md. Mr. Bier was a mem- ber of the M. E. Church, and in fraternal con- nection an Odd Fellow. In Allegany county, Md., he married on March 10, 1865, Mary Welch, a native of that county, daughter of John Welch, and she survives him, living near Cumberland, Md. She is a member of the M. E. Church. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Philip A. Bier: Nora, who died when five years old ; John J. ; Emma, deceased, who was the wife of J. Blake Coffman; Mary (Molly), who married Charles Harness, and resides at Keyser, W. Va .; James, who lives at Keyser, W. Va .; and Ada. who married Ralph Smith, of Cumberland, Maryland.

John J. Bier was born Nov. 7, 1867, at Bier, near Cumberland, Allegany Co., Md. He attended public school at his native place and high school at Cumberland, and later was a student at Duff's commercial college, in Pittsburg, Pa., graduating in 1889. He worked with his father in the mercantile business, and after his father went to Washington, D. C., continued to conduct the business by himself for four years, during that time also acting as

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postmaster at Bier. Thence he moved to Cum- Jerome, Ariz .; David, master mechanic at the berland, Md., where he had a hotel and res- Jones & Laughlin plant, Pittsburg, Pa. ; John, taurant for four years, in 1907 coming to Iselin, Indiana Co., Pa., where he took the position of clerk and assistant manager of the Ridge Supply Company's store, under Luther M. Witzell. He was thus employed until 1911, when he was appointed manager of the store at Iselin, with the stores at Eldersridge and Reed under his supervision. There are eigh- teen employees in his charge, and he has a responsible position, requiring enterprise, good judgment and executive ability. His substantial qualities and high character have won him universal respect in the community, and he is well liked personally.

On Aug. 2, 1906, Mr. Bier was married at Cumberland, Md., to Lillia Duer, a native of Pittsburg, Pa., daughter of A. Duer, of that city. They have had two children, John Philip and Carl. Mr. Bier is a Progressive in his political views, a stanch adherent of Col- onel Roosevelt and the principles he advocates. While at Bier he was appointed justice of the peace for his town by Governor Lowndes, and served four years. He was also postmaster, for eight years in all, under Mckinley and Roosevelt. Fraternally he is a Mason, belong- ing to the blue lodge at Cumberland and to Mount Vernon Chapter, at Washington, D. C.

EVAN EDMUNDS, general farmer of West Mahoning township, Indiana Co., Pa., who has the distinction of being a survivor of the great Johnstown flood, was born Feb. 10, 1861, at Newport, South Wales, son of Edward Rich- ard and Margaret (Stone) Edmunds.

Edward Richard Edmunds, father of Evan Edmunds, was born May 23, 1836, in Aber- dare, South Wales, and when a young man became a mechanic. He became foreman and master mechanic in Conway's tin works, near Newport, Monmouthshire, South Wales, con- tinuing with that firm for many years, or until it went out of business. In 1892 Mr. Edmunds came to the United States, locating at Pittsburg, Pa., where he established him- self in business as the proprietor of a con- fectionery store on Carson street. In 1900 he came to West Mahoning township, Indiana Co., Pa., and located on the farm now owned by his son, where his death occurred May 10, 1912. He was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, as was also his wife. She was born in 1842, at Kidwelly, South Wales, and died in 1891, the mother of a large fam- ily, those besides Evan being: Thomas, mas- ter mechanic of the United Verd Mines, at

a machinist who lives in the West; William and Edward, of Pittsburg, Pa., machinists in the employ of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company; Mary, of Pittsburg, Pa., wife of William H. Williams, foreman millwright for the plant of Jones & Laughlin; Gladys, wife of James H. Elkin, of West Mahoning town- ship; Albert, who is engaged in farming with his brother Evan; Fred, a bookkeeper, whose death occurred in September, 1908; and Augustus, a bookkeeper at Jerome, Arizona.

Evan Edmunds, son of Edward Richard Edmunds, received his education in the pub- lic schools of his native country, and came to the United States in 1878, here following the trade of machinist, having inherited a natural inclination for that vocation from his father, who was an expert in his line. First locating in Pittsburg, Pa., he entered the employ of Jones & Laughlin, continuing in their em- ploy for twelve years, at the end of which he went to Johnstown, where he was living at the time of the disastrous flood which de- stroyed so much property and in which so many lives were sacrificed. Mr. Edmunds passed through this thrilling experience safely, and in 1902 returned to Pittsburg, where he went to work for the Park Steele Company, as a foreman millwright, continu- ing as such for seven years. In 1908 he came to West Mahoning township, which has been his home to the present time.

In January, 1905, Mr. Edmunds was mar- ried to Martha Elkin, of West Mahoning township, daughter of William and Mary Elkin, and a member of an old and honored Indiana county family. Mr. and Mrs. Ed- munds have one child, Edna May.

Mr. Edmunds is a member of Blue Lodge, No. 538, F. & A. M., of Johnstown, Pa., and Foresters of America Lodge No. 5, at Pitts- burg. His religious connection is with the Episcopal Church, and in political matters he is a Republican. He purchased his present property in West Mahoning township in 1901, since which time he has made many improve- ments, including the erection of handsome, modern buildings, and the entire place gives evidence of the presence of able management. During his residence here Mr. Edmunds has acquired a wide acquaintance, and every- where he is known as a man of integrity. in- dustry and upright principles. He has served as school director of his township.

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JOHN BISHOP, farmer and coal operator Corning, N. Y .; John Oliver, living in Jeffer- in Canoe township, near Rossiter, Pa., was born in Hesse, Germany, not far from Frank- fort, Jan. 14, 1842, a son of John Bishop.

John Bishop, the father, was born in Hesse, Germany, in 1808, and died in Indiana county, Pa., in 1870, aged sixty-two years. He was a farmer and a distiller, and coming to America in 1854 with his family settled in Indiana county, Pa., on a farm that lies partly in Canoe township and partly in North Mahoning township. He "cropped" this land, as the local term goes. He never be- came a naturalized American citizen, but was always a respected and law abiding member of his community. For many years he was a member of the Pine Evangelical Church, in which he was a class leader and an ex- horter. He was twice married, but the maiden name of neither wife has been pre- served. To his first union were born: An- drew, who married a Miss Smith, now de- ceased ; Elizabeth, who is the widow of John Beam, of North Mahoning township; Maggie, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Sheppard; and John. Four children were also born to his second marriage, namely: Lena, who is deceased, was the wife of Jacob Bartholamew ; Henry lives in Indiana county ; Mary is deceased; Eva is the wife of William Stuchell, of North Mahoning township.

John Bishop (2) attended the public schools in Canoe township when young. Al- though he never learned a trade he has na- tural skill that enables him to turn his hand to almost any line of work in the building trades, and can compete with anyone in lay- ing stone, often working as a stonemason. He remained at home and helped his father until he was twenty-one years old, after which he assisted farmers in the neighborhood for five years, at the end of which time he bought the farm of sixty-two acres which he now has under cultivation. His land is heavily under- laid with coal, part of which he sold to the New York Central Railroad Company, and he is operating the unsold portion himself, this undertaking proving profitable.

In 1868 Mr. Bishop was married to Mar- garet Mackel, a daughter of Charles and Helen (Pifer) Mackel, and they have had the following children: Elizabeth Ann, wife of Linus Newcomb, residing at Punxsutawney ; Anna Mary, deceased; David Henry, resid- ing at North Rossiter, who married Minnie Stahl; Charles M. W., living in Jefferson county, who married Margaret Hurl; Martha Matilda, wife of Fred Wolcott, living at

son county, who married Emma Hetrick ; George C., residing at Corning, N. Y., who married M. Beewalter; Adam A., residing in Jefferson county, married to Ellen Davidson ; and Albert Urias, who lives at home, and who married Ivy Stahl. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are also rearing a grandson, William Dohmer Bishop.

Charles Mackel, father of Mrs. John Bishop, was married to Helen Pifer in Ger- many and came to America many years be- fore the Bishop family came to this country. He settled first in Butler county, Pa., where he followed his trade of cabinetmaker until his children were old enough to give him as- sistance, when he bought and moved to a farm in Canoe township, Indiana county. There he died at the age of eighty-two years, his wife living to be seventy-two years of age. They were buried in the cemetery attached to the Pine Church. They had the following children: Louisa is the widow of Daniel Stiver, of Canoe township; Mary, who is de- ceased, was the wife of Augustus Urias; Mar- garet is the wife of John Bishop; Julia and Sarah are twins, the former of whom is the widow of Philip Suttor, and the latter mar- ried Jacob Filhart, of Jefferson county ; Catherine is the widow of Louis Heitzenriter ; Charles, who lives at Locust Lane, married Mary Eiler ; Lena is the wife of George Stiver, of North Mahoning. The father of Mrs. Bishop was a Republican in politics, but never accepted any public office. He was a member of the Evangelical Association.

Mr. Bishop for a number of years was identified politically with the Republican party, but he is a pronounced temperance man and now votes with the Prohibitionists. He is active in the Evangelical Association and has served the church as class leader, exhorter, steward and trustee.

JOHN STEWART, farmer and stock raiser of Burrell township, and proprietor of Tamarack farm, was born in White township, Indiana Co., Pa., Nov. 2, 1861, son of Levi and Sarah (Miller) Stewart. John Stewart, his grandfather, was a farmer of Center town- ship, this county.

Levi Stewart, son of John, was born March 18, 1823, in Center township, and there grew to manhood, making farming his life occupa- tion. He lived for a period in White town- ship and later on a farm north of Homer City, Pa., in Center township, near the Ridge, but subsequently purchased the John Howard

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farm of 150 acres, in Center township, now the home of his son Samuel. On that prop- erty Mr. Stewart spent the remainder of his life, and died Nov. 18, 1900. He was buried in Greenwood cemetery, Indiana. He was a Democrat in his political views, and his relig- ious belief was that of the Presbyterian Church, which he attended at Homer City. On Oct. 27, 1846, Mr. Stewart was married to Sarah Miller, who was born Nov. 8, 1828, daughter of Herman Miller, and she died July 18, 1909, and was buried in Greenwood cemetery. They had the following children : James H., born Sept. 26, 1847, resides at Clarksburg, Pa .; Jane E., born March 2, 1854, died Sept. 7, 1860; Margaret P., born Feb. 24, 1857, married William Snyder and resides in Center township, near Brushvalley township; Samuel, born Aug. 17, 1859, married Minerva Carsatt, of Buffington township, and resides on the homestead; John was born Nov. 2, 1861.

John Stewart, son of Levi Stewart, at- tended the local township schools, and from earliest boyhood was engaged in agricultural work. He continued to assist his father until he attained his majority, at which time he embarked in agricultural work for himself in Burrell township, first cultivating the Jacob F. Garhardt farm for one year and then lo- cating in Brushvalley township. For two years he was engaged in working the Ander- son McFeeters farm, after which he returned to Burrell township and for fourteen years was engaged in farming a tract of 204 acres, known as the Dalzell farm. In 1903 Mr. Stewart bought the Rev. Dr. Hill farm on the Philadelphia and Pittsburg turnpike, two miles from Blairsville, in Burrell township, where he settled down to farming for himself. This is a tract of 143 acres. He has continued to follow general farming, stock raising aud dairying here, and through industrious labor and intelligent efforts has succeeded in mak- ing this one of the valuable properties of that part of the county. He has made numerous improvements. including the erection of new buildings, and the fine barn which was de- stroyed by fire in 1910 has been replaced with a still larger one. Politically a Democrat, he has served Burrell township as school di- rector for seven years, and has lent his aid and influence to all movements calculated to benefit his adopted community or its people. A consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, originally belonging at Blairsville, he has acted in the capacity of elder for some years in the Blacklick Presbyterian Church.

In 1883 Mr. Stewart was married to Arminta Murry, and they have had nine children : Ralph L., living at Vandergrift, Pa .; Jacob Paul, of East Pittsburg; Ethel Frances, who married Robert Latimore of Blairsville; Elder, at home; George H .; Elizabeth ; Floyd; Clyde, and Wilfred.

JOHN LEWIS, farmer and stock raiser of South Mahoning township, Indiana county, was born on the paternal homestead in that township Nov. 20, 1840, son of Joshua Lewis and grandson of David Lewis, who had the following children: Joseph, Evan, Robert, John D., Sarah, Joshua, Nancy, Elizabeth, Samuel, David, George and Margaret. .

Joshua Lewis, the father, was born in Sinking Valley, Blair Co., Pa., and at an early day settled in South Mahoning township, Indiana county, near the line of West Mahon- ing township, on a tract of 204 acres which was then in the wilderness. He built a log house and barn and made other improve- ments, and here spent the remainder of his life engaged in general farming, dying at the age of fifty-two years. He and his wife, Eleanor (Roush), who died at Smicksburg, are buried in the Mahoning Church cemetery. They were members of the Baptist Church. In political conviction he was a Whig and Republican. They had children as follows: David married Susan Smiley; Gilbert mar- ried Margaret Keasey; Mary A. married Henry Knauff; Henry married Eleanor Stear; Eliza married Isaac Good; Catherine married Michael Knauff; Sarah Ellen mar- ried John Weir, (second) Simeon McMillen, and (third) a: Mr. Schrecengost; John is mentioned below; Joshua married Elizabeth Luckhart; George married Maria Stiteler ; Maria married Joseph Buterbaugh; Miles married Olive Calhoun; Rebecca married William Sink.

John Lewis received his education in the public schools. He was seventeen years old when his father died, after which he worked at home on the farm with his brother David until his enlistment, in August, 1862, in Com- pany A, 78th Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, under Captain Cummins and Colonel Sirwell. His brother Joshua was in the same company and regiment, serving until the close of the war. The regiment was sent to Louis- ville, Ky., and participated in the battles of Nashville, Lavergne (Oct. 2, 1862), Stone River (Dec. 31, 1862, and Jan. 1, 1863), Hoover's Gap (June 24, 1863), Tullahoma (July 1, 1863), Dug Alpine (Sept. 11. 1863),

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Chickamauga (Sept. 19, 1863), Chattanooga (Nov. 23, 1863), Lookout Mountain (Nov. 24, 1863), Missionary Ridge (Nov. 25, 1863), Rocky Face Ridge (including Tunnel Hill, Mill Creek, Buzzard's Roost and Snake Creek Gap), Dalton (May 5 to 9, 1864), Resaca (May 13-16, 1864), Adamsville (May 17, 1864), Dallas (also called New Hope Church), Burnt Hickory, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Alla- toona Hills (May 24 to June 24, 1864), Kenesaw Mountain (June 9-30, 1864), Peach Tree Creek (July 20, 1864), Atlanta (July 22, 1864), Pulaski (Sept. 27, 1864). John Lewis was discharged in August, 1865.

Returning home after his discharge from the army Mr. Lewis resumed farming, and in 1866 settled down to work for himself on a part of the homestead, having a tract of eighty-eight acres where he has since contin- uously resided-a period of forty-six years. He built the house and barn on this place and has made all the other improvements, which show him to be an industrious and en- terprising worker. He has carried on general farming and stock raising, and keeps up to date in his methods. The public affairs of the township have always interested him, and he has lield a number of the local offices, hav- ing served efficiently as supervisor, assessor and inspector of elections. In political con- nection he has been a Republican ever since he commenced to vote. Mr. Lewis has long been an earnest member of the Baptist Church and Sunday school, particularly ac- tive in the latter, in which he has long been a teacher, and he served a number of years as superintendent.

On Dec. 22, 1866, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Sadie E. Davis, who was born in March, 1844, in West Mahoning township, daughter of James and Sarah (Jones) Davis. She is also a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had the following children : Bert C., who is engaged in farming in West Mahoning township, married Sadie Lowry; Lottie is married to Edward Richie, of West Mahoning township; Homer E., a minister of the M. E. Church, married Lizzie N. Haskell; Walter D., a teacher, now a pro- fessor in the seminary at Meadville, Pa., mar- ried Florence Wood; Merel died when eleven years of age.

JOHN EBENEZER GILL, a farmer of Conemaugli township and a veteran of the Civil war, was born March 11, 1842, in Pat- ton township, Allegheny Co., Pa., son of John Gill and a grandson of Ebenezer Gill.

Ebenezer Gill lived in Patten township, Allegheny Co., Pa., all his life, owning a large farm there. He was one of the successful agriculturists of his locality, and a citizen of prominence. He married a Miss Fulter- ton, and they had the following family : Wil- liam, a carpenter and machinist, who resided at Manchester, Allegheny Co., Pa .; Matthew, a cabinetmaker, who resided in Patton town- ship ; Samuel, who married Rachel Aken, and lived in Patton township until his death; John ; one whose name is not given ; and Jane, who married John Wilson and was the mother of James T., a United Presbyterian minister of Westmoreland county.

Ebenezer Gill and his wife are buried in the cemetery connected with the United Pres- byterian Stone Church in Morrellville, Pa. They were a most excellent couple, lived up- right, moral lives, and reared their children to be honorable men and women.

John Gill, son of Ebenezer Gill and father of John Ebenezer Gill, was born in 1797 and died in 1880. His birthplace was Patton township, Allegheny county, and there he at- tended school. Later he became a school - teacher and taught for a number of terms. He also assisted his parents with the farm work, and when he married he bought a tract of 150 acres in Patton township, on which he engaged in general farming. Later he went to Trafford City, Westmoreland Co., Pa., . where he bought another farm, operating it until 1869, when he came to Conemaugh town- ship and purchased the Andrew Getty place of 200 acres, which is now owned by his son, John Ebenezer Gill, and daughters. This last farm continued to be his home until his demise.

John Gill married Jane Bell, who died aged eighty-seven years, and they are buried in Edgewood cemetery, at Saltsburg, Pa. The following children were born to this couple: Margaret lives with her brother; Theophrolus died unmarried; David died at the age of thirty-one years; Nancy died unmarried aged sixty-six years; Mary died in childhood ; John Ebenezer is mentioned below; Margie mar- ried Ebenezer Ewner, and lives in Wilkins- burg, Pa., where Mr. Ewner is a merchant; Rachel died at the age of sixteen years. Nancy and Rachel are buried in the Saltsburg cemetery.

Jolın Ebenezer Gill was educated in his native township and taught farming by his father. He remained at home until he en- listed, at Pittsburg, in Company F, 6th Penn- sylvania Heavy Artillery, in 1864, and fought

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until the close of the Civil war. He was under Capt. W. Obie and Colonel Barnes, and being assigned to reserve duty saw no active service. Mr. Gill has also served as first lieutenant in Company B, 10th Pennsyl- vania National Guard. After the elose of the war he returned home and resumed his farming duties, moving with his parents in 1869 to his present 200-acre farm in Cone- maugh township. Remaining with his father until the death of the latter, he has, con- dueted it very successfully ever since. It is a valuable plaee, and he takes a pride in keeping it in the best of condition.

While not an office seeker Mr. Gill gave his services to his district as school director for a number of years, and has been an en- thusiastic Demoerat and aetive in loeal mat- ters. A member and trustee of the Tunnelton Presbyterian Church, he has been one of its elders for the last quarter of a century, and is a most excellent man in every respeet.

On Feb. 12, 1867, Mr. Gill was married to Mary Ann Kennedy, daughter of Samuel and Lillie (Hamilton) Kennedy, of Penn town- ship, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and they had two children: Andrew Hamilton, who mar- ried Bell Orris and (seeond) Minnie Bar- bour, is an engineer on the Pennsylvania railroad, running from Pittsburg to Titus- ville, Pa .; Harry, who married Bell Clawson and (seeond) Anna Flemming, resides in Blairsville, Pa., and is an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Mr. Gill was married the second time to Josephine Ludwiek, daughter of Harlan and Sinah Ludwiek, of Downingtown, Chester Co., Pa. They have had no children.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 102

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 884

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 884