Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 109

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 109

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

respect of his officers, and no veteran has a Cookport; and Henderson, whose home is in better war record than he.

Returning to Green township, the young soldier took up the peaceful pursuits of farming, and March 22, 1867, was married to Sarah Douglas, of Green township, daugh- ter of Barnabas and Elizabeth (Oaks) Doug- las. After his marriage Mr. Duncan pur- chased a small farm of fifty-five acres in Montgomery township, but in 1879 sold this land and moved to the farm of his mother- in-law, in Green township, which he rented until the death of his wife, in August, 1879. He then broke up housekeeping and went to West Virginia, and after traveling about for a time returned to Green township and pur- chased 172 acres of land. On Jan. 29, 1891, he was married (second) to Elmira Lydick, who was born in White township, Indiana Co., Pa., Aug. 23, 1866, daughter of George W. and Susan (Shank) Lydick. In 1891 Mr. Duncan sold the surface and retained one- half of the coal rights of his land, and retired to Indiana, where he has since made his home. He is a Republican in his political views, and was formerly a member of G. A. R. Post No. 40, at Cherrytree.

Mr. Duncan had five children by his first marriage: Lucy, who married Henry C. Connor, of Bartow, Fla .; Ellen, who married George McAnulty, of Barnesboro, Cambria county; George, who died in infancy ; Rosie, who died in childhood ; and Benjamin Frank- lin, of Indiana borough, who married Ada Douglas. Two children have been born to Mr. Duncan and his second wife: Inis Elva and Norman Lynn.

HEZEKIAH W. BAKER, a resident of Green township, Indiana county, where he is engaged in farming, was born there Jan. 8, 1845, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Cook) Baker. The parents were also natives of Indiana county.

Seattle, Washington.

Hezekiah W. Baker remained on the home place until his marriage. He obtained a good education in the local schools, and from his earliest years became accustomed to farm work, which he has always followed. Though he prefers to attend strictly to his own affairs he is public-spirited in the interest of the com- munity, and has served as township super- visor. He is a member of the Twolick Bap- tist Church.

On Oct. 3, 1867, Mr. Baker married Cathe- rine Buterbaugh, daughter of John and Eliz- abeth (Learn) Buterbaugh, who are men- tioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Baker died June 3, 1907, the mother of seven chil- dren, namely: Jettie, the wife of Harry S. Boucher, living in Beaverdale, Cambria Co., Pa., has two children, Ford and Blanche; Jennie is the wife of Clark Decker; Enos, a resident of Rayne township, this county, mnar- ried Clara Eggie, of Indiana county, and they have three children, Royden, Mildred and Clyde; Eldis R., of Beaverdale, married Edith Griffith, of Bedford county, Pa., and they have three children, Hazel, Don and Katherine; Minerva is the wife of Kenny Stephens, of Irwin, Pa., and has two children, May E. and Ruth; Alice is married to Alonzo Lewis, of Indiana, Pa., and they have had two children, Helen (deceased) and William ; Edna is the youngest of the family.

In February, 1910, Mr. Baker married (second) Mary Ferguson, who was born in Green township Feb. 19, 1854, daughter of James and Rebecca (Kilgore) Ferguson, both of whom were born in Blacklick township, Indiana county, and later moved to Green township, where Mr. Ferguson farmed until his death, in 1882; his wife died in 1866. They had a family of seven children: Lettie, who is the wife of Philip Rice, of Deckers Point, Indiana county; David, deceased ; Theodore, a resident of Ohio; Hans, who lives in Jefferson county ; Margaret, deceased ; Mary, Mrs. Baker; and Jennie, who lives in Blacklick township.

George Baker settled near Cookport, in Green township, buying a farm upon which he remained until his death, which occurred in February, 1882. His wife died in March, 1893, and they are buried in East Mahoning. They were the parents of ten children, J. NELSON LIGGETT, now engaged in farming and stock raising in Brushvalley township, where he has resided since 1904. is a native son of Indiana county, born in West Wheatfield township July 29, 1857. namely : Levi, who lives in Indiana county ; Hezekiah W .; Mary, wife of Simon Buter- baugh, of Indiana county; Jane, wife of Jonathan Learn, of Indiana borough; George, living on the home place in Green township; The Liggett family is of Scotch origin, and the first of the name in Indiana county was Rohert Liggett, who was a native of Glasgow, Furman, living in Green township, near Pur- chase Line; Philip, deceased; Ann, deceased ; Lucy, wife of George W. McCullongh, of Scotland, where he grew to manhood. There

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

he married a Miss Carr, and they came to

valley township, from David Snyder, of America. They settled in Pennsylvania, in Homer City. In this property he has since Wheatfield township, Indiana county, where been engaged in general farming and stock- raising, and by his well-directed labors is winning success. He is hard-working and thrifty, unassuming, and has a character of solid worth which has gained him a high place in the esteem of all who know him. Mr. Liggett became a farmer, owning a tract of 200 acres. He was among the first settlers of that section of the county, and was one of the most respected men of his day. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belonged. Their children were: John; William; Mar- garet, who married John Mabon; and Jane, who married Hugh Best.

William Liggett, son of Robert, was born Jan. 24, 1818, in what is now West Wheat- field township, and there grew to manhood. He followed farming all his life, owning a tract of 125 acres near Centerville, upon which he built a brick home and made other improvements. He spent the remainder of his life there, dying on the farm Jan. 24, 1878, and is buried in the Bethel Church cemetery. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, in politics a Whig and Republican in turn, and took sufficient inter- est in the welfare of his township to fill the position of school director. On Oct. 20, 1820, Mr. Liggett married Mary Wallace, who was born in Wheatfield township, daughter of Samuel Wallace, and died Nov. 7, 1882, aged seventy-four years, seven months. She, too, is buried in Bethel Church cemetery. Four- teen children were born to this couple: Agnes, who died in June, 1871; Juliann, who died Dec. 9, 1865; Samuel, who died June 2, 1860; Mary, who died Oct. 22, 1880; Jose- phine, who died Feb. 28, 1879; Emma, who married Aiken Stibender, and died at Lees- burg, Fla., May 28, 1891; Elizabeth, wife of Seymore Hollingsworth; Sarah Ellen, who died young; Robert Carr, who resided at Centerville, in West Wheatfield township; Margaret, married to William Alexander, of West Wheatfield township ; Lucinda, who mar- ried Lawson McKelvey, and resides in Young- stown, Ohio; William, a farmer of East Wheatfield township; John, who resides on the homestead; and J. Nelson.

J. Nelson Liggett attended public school in his home township and worked with his father until the latter's death. Subsequently he worked the homestead in partnership with his brother John, continuing there for several years, but on account of his health he sold out his interests and moved to Florida, where

he spent three winter seasons. After that he settled in Homer City and followed farm- ing for several years. In 1904 he bought his present farm, a tract of 109 acres in Brush-

On March 22, 1893, Mr. Liggett was mar- ried to Anne Lucas, daughter of William Lucas, of Homer City, and they have had six children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are: Ralph, who is at home; Martha; Paul; Herbert; and Esther, who died young. Mr. Liggett is a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Homer City. He is a Republican, but though he takes a good citizen's interest in public affairs is not active in party matters.

CHARLES GRIFFITH, who lives on the old homestead in Pine township, Indiana county, where he was born Nov. 24, 1846, is a son of John and Margaret (Gibson) Grif- fith and grandson of Isaac Griffith, who came to Indiana county in the very early days of its development.

The Griffith family is of Welsh origin, the founder of the branch in which we are in- terested coming from Wales to America in 1745 and first settling in Maryland, where the family was established for some time be- fore coming west to Indiana county, Pa. Isaac Griffith settled in Brushvalley township, where he bought land and farmed the re- mainder of his life. By trade he was a miller, and he had a mill on Yellow creek, in Brushvalley township. His later years were devoted entirely to farming. His family con- sisted of three sons and three daughters.

John Griffith, father of William Griffith, was born in Brushvalley township and there grew to manhood. He learned the trade of mason, and also engaged in farming. In 1841 he came to Green (now Pine) township, where he bought the farm upon which he remained until his-death, which occurred June 15, 1887, when he was aged eighty years, two months. He married Margaret Gibson, who was born in the western part of Indiana county, and was of Scotch-Irish lineage, her father being Charles Gibson, an early settler of the county, who located in what was known as the Manor settlement, remaining there until his death ; he was a millwright by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith had children: William, Isaac, a daughter that died in infancy, Rachel (Mrs. William Stephens), and Charles. Wil-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

liam Griffith, the eldest, is now living retired where all their married life was spent, and in Pine township. He was a justice of the where Mrs. Trimble continues to reside. Mr. peace for thirty-five years.

Charles Griffith, son of John and Margaret Griffith, spent his boyhood and youth on the home place, which was at that time included within the boundaries of Green township, and is still living on that property. He ob- tained his education in the local public schools. Throughout his active years he has been engaged in farming and stock raising, in which he has been successful, and he has given all his time to his private affairs, tak- ing no part in public matters except during his service as constable of the township, iu 1879. He is a man of upright character and sterling qualities, and has the respect of all who know him.

On Dec. 12, 1888, Mr. Griffith was married to Adda Ray, a native of Green township, this county, daughter of William J. and Mary (Askins) Ray, both of whom were born in Indiana county, the father in Rayne town- ship, the mother in Cherryhill township. Her father, Thomas Askins, was an early settler in Indiana county. William J. Ray was a prominent resident of this section in his day. He died in April, 1896, long surviving his wife, who passed away in February, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Ray had a family of seven children : Martha, Mrs. Johns, now deceased ; John, deceased; Thomas, a resident of Vin- tondale, Pa .; Sarah, Mrs. Hodson, living in Allegheny county, Pa .; Ella, wife of Richard Campbell, living in Allegheny county, Pa .; Adda, Mrs. Griffith; and Clara, wife of Al- bert Jacoby, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Griffith : Lula, wife of Charles Morris, of Cambria county, Pa .; Mary, who died in 1908; Zaida, at home; Gertrude; Charles; Leda; Ruby; Helen; Elizabeth, and Sutton Ray. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith and their family belong to the Presbyterian Church.

GEORGE TRIMBLE, late of White town- ship, Indiana county, was a well-to-do farmer there until his death, which occurred when he was in his prime. His father, Thomas Trimble, a native of Indiana county, lived and died here. He married Mary Anderson, sister of the old Dr. Anderson.

George Trimble was born in White town- ship June 18, 1854, on the old Trimble farm now owned by George Rowe, and there grew to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools. The day of his marriage he and his wife settled on the tract of 107 acres

Trimble labored diligently to improve that property, bringing it into up-to-date condi- tion, built a new house and proved himself an effective worker and competent manager. In addition to this place he also acquired the ownership of a sixty-acre tract near by. He. was respected and popular and made friends wherever he went, and his death was regarded as the loss of a progressive and valuable cit- izen. On June 26, 1907, Mr. Trimble fell twenty-four feet at a barn raising on the Cameron Davis place, in Cherryhill township, and was instantly killed. He is buried in Greenwood cemetery, at Indiana. He was not a member of any church. In political opinion lie was a Republican.

. On Sept. 22, 1885, Mr. Trimble married Drusilla Howe, who was born May 21, 1862, in Cherryhill township, daughter of William and Mary A. (Lewis) Howe, and obtained her education in the common schools. Since her husband's death the management of the property has devolved upon her, and she gives evidence of marked business ability in its care. Among the improvements she has made are a new cement spring-house and a wagon shed, and she has purchased a number of new farm implements.

Mr. and Mrs. Trimble had five children, viz .: Thomas H., born March 20, 1887; Delos, born Jan. 23, 1890, who died when fifteen years old; LeRoy, born May 27, 1892; Ada, born Sept. 1, 1895; and Edward Howe, born Feb. 10, 1903.

IRVING W. GIBSON has been doing busi- ness in the borough of Indiana as agent for and dealer in farm implements since 1903. Previous to that time he had devoted himself principally to farming, his practical knowl- edge of which industry has aided him ma- terially in his present line. Mr. Gibson was born Oct. 17, 1852, in Cherryhill township, on the home farm of his parents, which he now owns.

Hiram Gibson, father of Irving W. Gibson, was born in Cherryhill township, where he died Feb. 18, 1913, and he is buried there. He was one of the oldest residents of that section, having reached the age of ninety- four years. He married Catherine Wike, who was born in Somerset county, Pa., and died in 1897. They were the parents of eight children, viz .: Elizabeth, who died young; Mary, widow of Samuel Moorhead; Luzetta, who died unmarried, at the age of forty;

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Thomas, who lives in Green township, Indi- in Westmoreland county, where he had a ana county ; Irving W .; Savilla, Mrs. John Shank, of Cherryhill township; Serena Jane, Mrs. Prince Willet, of New York; and Adella, Mrs. Harry Umburn, deceased.

Irving W. Gibson grew up at the liome place in Cherryhill township, and went to the country schools in the neighborhood. He taught school for three terms in Indiana county during his young manhood, but for the most part he was engaged in farming, to which calling he had been accustomed from youth. For three years he worked during the season in the lumber regions of Michigan, as foreman. Returning home, he resumed farming, which he continued to follow until the spring of 1903, when he moved into the borough of Indiana and engaged in his pres- ent business. He handles various kinds of farm implements and similar wares, being agent for the Osborne Harvesting machinery and other well-known makes. His establish- ment is in South Twelfth street, Indiana. Mr. Gibson has shown himself to be a man of honor in all his transactions, and his good business methods have enabled him to build up a substantial patronage. He has devoted most of his energies to business, but he has found time to take part in other things which interest him and which he feels need the sup- port of good citizens, and served one term as school director before he moved to Indiana borough. He is an earnest member of the Wesley Methodist Church, and was formerly one of the trustees of the congregation at Indiana, Pa. He is not identified with any political party, voting independently.

In 1881 Mr. Gibson married Mrs. Mary (McCune) Diffenderfer, daughter of the late Leonard McCune, who was a farmer in Grant township, this county. They have had two children: Margaret Pearl, now Mrs. Law- rence Layton, of Indiana; and Olie May, at home.

JOHN GILSON LEMON, farmer and dairyman of Burrell township, Indiana county, has lived at his present home there since 1905. It was formerly the farm of Rev. . Noble G. Miller.

Mr. Lemon is a native of Westmoreland county, where his grandfather, William Lemon, settled at an early day. He was a native of Scotland; of Scotch-Irish extraction, and came to America when a young man. He died in Westmoreland county, Pa., at the age of eighty-four, and was buried at Salts- burg, Pa. He lived one mile from that place,

farm of 160 acres, following agricultural pur- suits and his trade of cooper. In politics he was a Democrat, in religious connection a Presbyterian. His first wife, whose maiden name was McCauley, was the mother of all his children, viz .: Alexander, who died in Illinois; Margaret, Mrs. William Hender- son, who died in the spring of 1912, in Indi- ana county, and William. His second mar- riage was to Jane Marshall, of Clarksburg, Pennsylvania.

William Lemon, father of John Gilson Lemon, was born in 1842 in Westmoreland county, near Saltsburg, and learned the trade of tanner, though he did not follow it after- ward. He was a successful farmer, having a tract of nearly two hundred acres, his father's homestead in Westmoreland county, and be- sides engaging in general agricultural pur- suits made a specialty of raising fine horses and cattle. He took an interest in the affairs of his locality, serving as school director, and was a Democrat in political association. His religious connection was with the Presby- terian Church at Saltsburg. His wife, Nancy Jane (Long), was a daughter of John and Nancy (Mason) Long, of Livermore, and died Jan. 12, 1902. Mr. Lemon passed away in July, 1907. They are buried at Saltsburg, Pa. Five children were born to them: Ida, who married Samuel Johnson, a farmer of Saltsburg, and has children, Wilmer, Nancy, Raymond and Mabel; John Gilson; May, who married Edward Shupe, a farmer, living near Saltsburg; James; and Bell, who married Ira Alcorn, a farmer, living near Saltsburg.

John Gilson Lemon was born July 8, 1867, on the old homestead in Westmoreland county, Pa., one mile from Saltsburg. He was given the advantages of the common schools, and remained at home helping his parents on the farm until 1892, when he moved to New Alexandria. For the next three years he "cropped" the Doty Guthrie farm, in 1895 moving to Greensburg, where he "cropped" the Jacob Kepple farm for a year. He was on the farm of Col. George F. Hoff for two years, and then took charge of his park for several years. Moving back to New Alex- andria, he continued farming there for a few years, in 1905 purchasing and moving to the farm of Rev. Noble G. Miller, in Burrell township, Indiana county. It contains one hundred acres, all under cultivation, devoted to general farming and dairying. Mr. Lemon is an enterprising and intelligent worker, up- to-date in bis methods, and his property

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shows the result of his efforts to make the had but limited educational opportunities, most of its resources. He has not been active in public affairs since settling at his present home, but while a resident of New Alexandria served as school director. He is a Republican in politics. In religion he is a Presbyterian, belonging to the church at Blairsville.

On June 17, 1896, Mr. Lemon married Mary Frances Williams, daughter of William and Mary (Rhodes) Williams, and they have two children: William Gilson, born Nov. 9, 1898; and James Ray, born July 29, 1902.

ALEXANDER FALOON, a retired farmer and old soldier of East Wheatfield township, Indiana county, was born in that township, on a portion of the old Faloon homestead, July 7, 1838, son of James Faloon.

Daniel Faloon, the grandfather, was a native of Ireland, and coming to Indiana county, Pa., at an early day, settled in what is now East Wheatfield township. It was then a wilderness. Taking up a tract of land, he erected a log house and stable and began developing his property. The house he put up was built of round logs, with a door at each end, and an old-fashioned stone chimney surrounded a fireplace so large that a horse was required to drag in the logs for fuel. The horse would come in one door, and when his load was released go out the other. Later, Daniel Faloon replaced his original dwelling with a more pretentious one of hewed logs, and made other substantial improvements upon the farm, which then comprised over 400 acres. It took unremitting labor to clear off the land, and Mr. Faloon spent the re- mainder of his life in accomplishing this. When he passed away his remains were laid to rest in the family lot on the farm. He was one of the earliest pioneers of this section. His brother William, who made his home with him, remained on the farm after the death of Daniel, and gave the family much needed assistance. Daniel Faloon was a Seceder in religious faith. He married Elizabeth Luther, and their children were: Jolın ; David; William; James; Robert; Margaret, who married Jonathan Luther; Jennie, who married William Jordan; Ann, who married Thomas Elder; Sarah (Sally), who died un- married; Elizabeth (Betsy), who died un- married; and Polly and Mattie, who died young.

James Faloon, son of Daniel Faloon and father of Alexander Faloon, was born on the homestead in East Wheatfield township. Ow- ing to the few schools in his neighborhood he tirement in 1910.

but he made the most of what were given him and all during his life was quick to learn from observation. When his father died James Faloon obtained a portion of the homestead, which he operated in part- nership with his brother Robert. They erected a good log house, which is still stand- ing, and James Faloon also built a barn, and made other improvements upon the farm. He cleared off the remaining timber and followed general farming the rest of his life, dying upon his property in 1875. His remains were buried in the Presbyterian Church cemetery in Armagh. Politically he was first a Whig, later a Republican. The Presbyterian Church held his membership, and had from him faithful allegiance.

James Faloon married Ann Dill, who was born in Buffington township, Indiana Co., Pa., daughter of Matthew Dill and grand- daughter of Col. Matthew Dill, a Revolution- ary soldier. A complete history of the dis- tinguished Dill family is given elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Faloon died on the farm and is buried in the Presbyterian Church cem- etery at Armagh, she having been a member of that denomination. Mr. and Mrs. Faloon had seven children: Mary, who married William Downing, was lost in the Johnstown flood in 1889; William, who was a Civil war soldier, died at Red Bank, Pa .; Joseph is living retired at Indiana; Samuel, who was a Civil war soldier, died in 1912; David, de- ceased, was a Civil war soldier: Anne Eliza, who was lost in the Johnstown flood in 1889, was unmarried; Alexander is a resident of East Wheatfield township.

Alexander Faloon grew up in his native township, and was given the usual educational advantages of his time and place. Remain- ing with his parents, he worked for them until he was twenty-two years old, and then settled on his father's portion of 115 acres of the original Faloon homestead, continuing to care tenderly for his aunt Elizabeth, affectionately known as Betsy, until her death. From the time he took charge of this property until he retired Mr. Faloon was engaged in mak- ing well-judged improvements, including the erection of a handsome modern residence and the rebuilding of the barn. He took a pride in keeping his premises in excellent condi- tion, believing that the owner's prosperity is reflected in the condition of his farm. Mr. Faloon carried on general farming and stock raising, with gratifying results, until his re-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Like all good citizens of his time, when the Civil war broke out Mr. Faloon was deeply interested in the issues, and proved his pa- triotism by enlisting on Aug. 7, 1862, in Com- pany I, 135th Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, under Capt. John A. Kinter and Col. James Porter. He entered the service at Indiana, and was honorably mustered out at Harrisburg on May 28, 1863, after a service of nine months. Mr. Faloon then reenlisted, in Company H, 83d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Rogers commanding, and served until Feb. 13, 1865. Once more he enlisted, for the remainder of the war, and had the pleasure of participating in the grand review at Washington, following which he was mustered out at Pittsburg. Mr. Faloon is a member of the G. A. R. post at New Florence, Pa., and enjoys meeting his old com- rades. Not only was he a brave soldier, but he had four brothers in the service during the Civil war, so the family was well repre- sented during that terrible struggle.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 109

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