Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 112

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 112

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John McKendrick was five years old when the family settled in Indiana county, and there he lived on the farm in Cherryhill township until he returned to Philadelphia with his widowed mother. He commenced his education in the local public schools, and continued it in the local public schools of the city. When they came back to Indiana he and his brother John took charge of the farm, which was eventually divided between them. John McKendrick was a practical, intelligent worker, and he prospered to such an extent that he was able to add two farms to his original holdings, owning 300 acres in all. During the later years of his life he lived retired in the borough of Indiana, whither he moved in 1903. He was a Presbyterian in religious connection, a Democrat in poli- tics.

By his first marriage, to Amanda Gibson, daughter of Samuel Gibson, Mr. McKendrick had nine children, namely: Eliza Jane, James, Mary Ann, Margaret, William, Rob- ert, Rosanna, Durilla and Amanda. Mr. Mc- Kendrick married (second) Anna Douthett,

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and they had one child, Joseph D., who was Charles Lemke, son of Frederick Lemke, born thirty-seven years ago on the farm in received his education in the government Cherryhill township, where he now lives; he schools of his native country, which he at- married Nora Dick, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Mock) Dick, and (second) Alice Short, daughter of Hewitt Short, of Rayne township, and has three children, John (born to the first marriage Feb. 4, 1904), Annie Grace and Hazel Viola.

On July 30, 1877, Mr. McKendrick mar- ried (third) Margaret Emma Short, a native of Huntingdon county, Pa., born Sept. 7, 1838, daughter of James Short. She was five years old when her parents came thence to Indiana county, settling in Rayne township. He worked on his land in the daytime, spend- ing his evenings doing blacksmith work. A sober, industrious man, he accumulated a competency, and at the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1875, the com- munity had no more highly esteemed citizen. Among his children was John, who entered the Union Army during the Civil war and was killed at Antietam fifteen minutes after the battle commenced. Another son, Dr. James Short, born in Rayne township, grad- uated from Jefferson Medical College and spent three years as a surgeon in the Civil war; subsequently he located in Indiana, and was there successfully engaged in the prac- tice of medicine and surgery until his death, which was caused by blood poisoning by in- fection while performing an operation; he married May J. McCunn.

Mrs. McKendrick is a member of the First United Presbyterian Church at Indiana.

CHARLES LEMKE, who for many years has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in East Wheatfield township, Indiana county, is a native of Germany, born in Branden- burg, Prussia, June 21, 1840, son of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Lucherand) Lemke.

Frederick Lemke, the father, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and there was en- gaged in farming until 1869, in which year he left the Fatherland to join his son and daughter in America, settling in Penn town- ship, Allegheny Co., Pa. There he made his home until his death, which occurred March 28, 1884, his wife having passed away Oct. 31, 1880, and both were buried in the Luth- eran cemetery at East Liberty. They had a family of four children: Charles; Ern- estine, who married Lewis Siple, of Alle- gheny county ; and two children who died in Germany in childhood.

tended from his sixth to his fourteenth year, under the compulsory education law. He remained at home assisting his father until he reached the age of twenty years. At that time, like all youths of his native land, he entered the German army for three years of service, and in 1864, at the outbreak of the war between Prussia and Denmark, entered the Prussian army as corporal, serving from April, 1864, until peace was declared, and then returned home, where he was working on the farm when the war be- tween Prussia and Austria was declared. Becoming a corporal in the foot guards, he served until the following year, and then returned for a short stay at home until. embarking at Bremen, in 1867, on the American steamer "Atlantic." After a voyage of sixteen days Mr. Lemke landed at New York, $100 in debt. He immediately proceeded to Pittsburg, Pa., where on May 27, 1867, he secured employment with Joseph Myers, who was a well-known drover and cattle dealer, and in whose employ Mr. Lemke spent five years, at a salary of forty dollars per month. During this time Mr. Lemke not only liquidated his indebtedness, but managed to save enough out of his sal- ary to send for his parents, for whom he cared during the remaining years of their lives. After leaving the Myers stockyards Mr. Lemke took up farming in Penn town- ship, Allegheny county, on a tract of 150 acres which he subsequently purchased, and there he followed farming for nineteen years, at the end of that time selling out and com- ing to Indiana county. Shortly after his arrival Mr. Lemke purchased the old Persion farm of 235 acres, in East Wheatfield town- ship, near the Conemaugh river, a tract that had been in the possession of the Persion family for 125 years. Numerous improve- ments had been made on this property, in- cluding a brick house and other buildings, and here Mr. Lemke settled down to farm- ing. With the assistance of his sons he has continued to cultivate this land to the pres- ent time, carrying on general farming, stock raising and dairy farming, and shipping his milk to Johnstown. Possessed of his coun- trymen's traits of industry, thrift and in- tegrity, he has been successful in his ven- tures, and is known as one of East Wheat- field township's substantial men. He is a Prohibitionist, and an active worker in the

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cause of temperance, and his life has been one of constant probity in all matters. With his family Mr. Lemke attends the Lutheran Church, and is a liberal supporter of all re- ligious movements.

In 1869, in Allegheny county, Mr. Lemke was married to Caroline Lindow, also a native of the Fatherland, who died Nov. 2, 1907, and was buried at Highwood cemetery, Pitts- burg. Nine children were born to this union, as follows: Lewis W., born Feb. 5, 1870, is mentioned below; Rose, born April 8, 1871, married August Lemke, of Pittsburg, Pa .; Charles Frederick, born March 8, 1873, died in 1881; Annie, born July 29, 1874, married Irwin Campbell, and resides in Ohio; Wil- liam, born June 28, 1876, died young; Bertha, born Aug. 22, 1878, died in infancy; Fred- erick, born Oct. 28, 1880, died young; Min- nie, born Aug. 12, 1882, died at the age of seven years; Elizabeth Caroline, born Aug. 12, 1883, married Benton Case, a railroad telegraph operator at Hartford, New York.

LEWIS W. LEMKE, the eldest son of Charles Lemke, was born on the farm in Penn town- ship, Allegheny Co., Pa., Feb. 5, 1870, and there received his education in the public schools. From early boyhood he worked with his father on the farm, and still continues to be his assistant in his operations in gen- eral farming, stock raising and dairying. Mr. Lemke has much mechanical skill and can turn his hand to almost any kind of labor about the farm, while his excellent judgment in matters of a business nature is thoroughly relied upon by his father. Like his father he has a wide circle of friends in East Wheat- field township, and his firmly-established rep- utation for integrity has gained him the im- plicit confidence of his fellow citizens. In political matters he is a Republican. While not a member of any particular church he supports movements of a religious nature, and endeavors to live up to the teachings of the Golden Rule.

On Aug. 26, 1908, Mr. Lemke was united in marriage with Mattie Wilson, who was born in West Wheatfield township, Indiana county, daughter of Johnson and Eliza (Killin) Wilson. Two children have been born to this union, Charles Robert and Raymond Lewis.

HARRY SHAFFER, one of the leading contractors and builders of Penn Run, Pa., where he is also engaged in the manufacture of wagons, was born in Brushvalley town- ship. Indiana county, Aug. 5. 1874, son of Jacob and Lucinda (Lewis) Shaffer.

Jacob Shaffer was born in Somerset county, Pa., and was a farmer during his early days. In 1870 he came to Indiana county, Pa., where he was married to Lucinda Lewis, a native of Brushvalley township, in which vicinity he purchased a farm, and there has continued to carry on operations to the pres- ent time. His wife passed away in February, 1896, the mother of the following children: Alice, who is residing at home; Harry ; Inez, living at home; Milton, who lives in Somer- set county ; Calvin, engaged in farming in Brushvalley township; Morris, deceased; Louis, a farmer of Cherryhill township; and Frank. Harry Shaffer also has a half-brother, Blair.

After completing his education in the dis- triet schools of Brushvalley township Harry Shaffer started to work on his father's farm, continuing to be there employed until 1902. In that year he took up carpenter work and wagonmaking, although he had never been apprenticed to either trade, but being a nat- ural born mechanic was able to master both without any trouble. He now conducts a wagonmaking establishment, including a mill for the sawing of his own lumber, at Penn Run, and in addition has been engaged in con- tracting and building, erecting many of the fine dwellings in Penn Run, in addition to his own beautiful home and the buildings in which he conducts his business. He is pro- gressive and enterprising and has made a success of his ventures through the medium of his own efforts.

Mr. Shaffer was married, in Brushvalley township, April 15, 1896, to Margaret Stake, of Cherryhill township, who was born in Brushvalley township in 1873, daughter of Franklin and Margaret (Evans) Stake, both of whom died in the latter township, where Mr. Stake was a farmer and early settler. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer: Torrence, Wilda, Hulda, and one who died in infancy.

DAVID A. RANKIN, a farmer of Cen- ter township, Indiana county, was born on the old Rankin homestead, near his present farm, July 14, 1880, son of James and Euphemia (Kunkle) Rankin. His paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland, and coming to America settled in Blacklick . township, becoming one of its pioneers. At the time he came here Indiana county was a wilderness, and he helped to develop it. Here he spent the remainder of his life, dy-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ing upon his farm. He married and brought who served in the Civil war as a member up a family in this section.

James Rankin was born in Blacklick town- ship, and spent his life on a farm near Coral, on Twolick creek, which he bought after his marriage, and on which he died Nov. 2, 1903. His remains were interred in Greenwood cemetery, in Indiana county. His wife was a daughter of Henry Kunkle, of Blacklick township, and she is still liv- ing. James Rankin and his wife had chil- dren as follows: David A., Charles M. and William C.

David A. Rankin gives his attention to farming, and also, during a portion of the year, operates a grain separator, threshing the grain for neighboring farmers. He is interested in a lumber business as well, be- ing a man of varied affairs.

On Nov. 14, 1903, Mr. Rankin was mar- ried to Florence Roudebush, a daughter of Joseph Roudebush, of Coral, Pa., formerly of Nanty-Glo, Cambria Co., Pa. They have five children: Emerson, Elsie, Edith, Eve- lena and Florence. Politically Mr. Rankin is a Democrat, following in the footsteps of his father, who was a stanch believer in the doctrines taught by Andrew Jackson. Mrs. Rankin is a member of the Methodist Church of Graceton.

CYRUS NUPP is one of the oldest resi- dents of Green township, Indiana county, having lived on the farm he now occupies for over seventy years. The family is one of the most respected in this region, its mem- bers having an enviable reputation as in- dustrious, thrifty and valuable citizens, and three generations have been represented in the service of their country as volunteers during war times. Mr. Nupp was born Jan. 3, 1836, in Somerset county, Pa., where his paternal grandfather lived at an early day.

Daniel Nupp, father of Cyrus Nupp, was born in Somerset county, and came to Indi- ana county in 1842, settling on the farm in Green township where his son Cyrus now lives. There he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1889. He married Leah Moss- doller, like himself a native of Somerset county, daughter of John Henry Mossdoller, who came to this country from Germany, set- tling in Somerset county, Pa., where he passed the rest of his life. Mrs. Nupp died in 1872. She was the mother of nine children, six sons and three daughters, viz .: Alexan- der, who is deceased; George, deceased; Cy- rus« Franklin, now living in Somerset county,

of Company D, 78th Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, and took part in many bat- tles; John Henry, who was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, while serving as a member of Company C, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; Edward, deceased; Lovina, deceased; Mary Ann, deceased; and Anna M., wife of Elias Ruffner, now living in Oregon.

Cyrus Nupp was a young child when he came with his parents to Indiana county, and he has lived at his present home in Green township ever since. He received his edu- cation in the primitive schools of his boy- hood days, held in log houses furnished with slab benches and other rude fittings, and be- gan assisting his father in the arduous work of improving his land when a mere boy. He helped to clear the farm, which was in its wild state when the family located here, and the surrounding country abounded in deer, bear and other game. He has had a hand in all the improvements made on the prop- erty, watching it develop from a place in the wilderness to a valuable farming tract. During the Civil war he entered his coun- try's service, enlisting from Indiana county in Company D, 78th P. V. I., under Colonel Sirwell, and he served three years, one month, twenty-four days. He was mustered out in November, 1865, at Kittanning, Pa., and returned to the home farm, which he bought and has since farmed. In spite of his seventy-seven years he is robust and ac- tive, enjoying good health.

On May 20, 1866, Mr. Nupp married, in New York State, Cynthia E. Kingsley, who was born in that State, daughter of A. L. Kingsley, a Methodist minister, who lived in Indiana county for nine years, engaged in preaching. Returning to New York State he bought a farm upon which he made his home until his death. Four children, two sons and two daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nupp : (1) Orin Ora, now a resident of Green township, was in the service dur- ing the Spanish-American war. He mar- ried Mary Bostick, of Indiana county, and they have ten children, Clyde D. (now in the United States navy), Wayne, Cyrus. Hazel (a school teacher, at Dixonville, Indiana county), Lavina, Charlotte, Goldie, Stella, Loraine and Mabel. (2) Luna O. is the wife of G. F. Rowe, of Parkwood, Pa., and their children are Zula (wife of Lisle Carnahan, of Parkwood), Ross, Erma (a teacher in this county), Bruce, Hale, Gay and Logan and

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Grant. (3) Ervin H., of Green township, was a soldier in the Spanish-American war. He married Alice Houck, of Rayne township, this county, and they have six children, Ethel, Glen, Orpha, Merrill, Wilda and Ernest. (4) Ella M. is the wife of John H. Wise, of Burn- side, Clearfield Co., Pa., and they have two children, Cyrus Nupp and William Morris, both at home.

Mr. Nupp is a member of the United Evan- gelical Church, and Mrs. Nupp holds mem- bership in the Methodist denomination.

HARRY HOOKER HART, superintendent of the Oakland cemetery, at Indiana, Pa., dur- ing the last six years, was born Sept. 29, 1862, on his father's farm, one mile south of West Lebanon, Indiana Co., Pa., and is a son of James R. and Ellen Delilah (Blakeley) Hart.

John Hart, the great-great-grandfather of . Harry H. Hart, was one of the signers of the State constitution of New Jersey.

John Hart (2), son of John Hart, and great-grandfather of Harry H. Hart, came to Pennsylvania from New Jersey and settled first in Franklin county, then coming to Cone- maugh township, Indiana county, about 1796, and locating on a large tract of land in the woods, where he was one of the earliest set- tlers. All of his life was spent there, his death occurring in 1816. His children were: William, Moses, James, John S., Robert and Alexander, and several daughters, one of whom married a McCrea, another a Dough- erty and a third a Hildebrand.

Robert Hart, son of John (2), and grand- father of Harry H. Hart, was born in the State of New Jersey, spent a few years in eastern Pennsylvania, in Franklin county, and then came to Conemaugh township, where he acquired ownership of 500 acres of land and spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits. He died on his farm in 1846, at the age of sixty-three years, his death having been caused by pneumonia. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Douthitt, was of Irish parent- age. They had the following children : John D., who owned and operated the Hart Woolen Mill, one mile west of West Lebanon, and died during the seventies at the age of sixty-eight years, married Nancy Lowry, of Indiana, and their son, Joseph A., was engaged for some time in operating the mill and now resides in Indiana, Pa .; Nathan, deceased, who was a farmer, married Eliza Sarver; Thompson, a former resident of Wahoo, Neb., married Mr. Hart leased his farm for coal to the Pittsburg Gas Coal Company for thirty Nancy Gray, and both are deceased; James R. is mentioned below; William, deceased, a for- years, and was foreman for the company from

mer farmer of West Lebanon, married Nancy Henry; Martha, deceased, was Mrs. Thomas Hood, of Eldersridge; Mary, deceased, was Mrs. John Douthitt; Joseph A. died at the age of eighteen years.

James R. Hart, son of Robert Hart, was born on the home farm March 21, 1827, and died Sept. 21, 1865. He attended the old log schoolhouse in West Lebanon, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. On reaching man's estate he settled on a farm of 116 acres, a part of the home farm of 542 acres, which had been divided among four sons, and to this he added eight acres. He was bounty tax collector and during the Civil war was draft officer, but owing to imperfect hearing could not enlist for active participation in the strug- gle. He was a member of the State Militia, a Republican in his political views, and a strict member of the United Presbyterian Church. He and his wife had three children : Harry Hooker; Jennie M., who is unmarried ; and Elizabeth M., who married Hugh H. Blakley, of Young township, Indiana county. Mrs. Hart, who was born March 16, 1836, married (second) Alexander Sharp, who died at Pitkin, Ark., in 1885. Mrs. Sharp still survives. By this marriage there were two children : Maggie B., who married W. C. Fulton, of West Lebanon; and Wilmer A., who married Maud G. Cunningham (de- ceased).

Harry Hooker Hart was reared on the home farm, and until he was nineteen years of age attended the West Lebanon public schools, his first teacher being "Doc" Crawford. He worked on the home farm until he was nine- teen years old and in the spring of 1882 went to Yates City, Ill., where he farmed for one year .. During the fall of the same year he began teaching the school at St. David, Ill., and after two years there aud two years at the Mound school, Canton, Ill., he returned to Pennsylvania, and at Pittsburg secured a position as fireman on the Pan-Handle divis- ion of the Pennsylvania railroad. During this period he was injured on three different occasions in wrecks, and he then became a conductor on the Pennsylvania avenue motor line, in Pittsburg, a position he continued to hold for three years. In the fall and winter of 1889-1890 Mr. Hart taught the school at Henry, Indiana county, and then gave up teaching, returning to the home farm, which he purchased in 1890.

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Feb. 1, 1906, to September, 1906, when he re- put into first-class shape, and he became well moved to Indiana. From October, 1906, to known as a thrifty farmer and a large dealer April, 1907, he was foreman for W. B. Wil- lard, who was putting in waterworks in In- diana borough. On April 1, 1907, Mr. Hart was appointed to his present position.

On Dec. 15, 1897, Mr. Hart was married to Maggie A. Kier, daughter of John L. and Julia A. (Brown) Kier. They have no chil- dren of their own, but are rearing an adopted child, Doyle L. Templeton, who was born Feb. 5, 1902, at Gastown, Armstrong Co., Pa. They are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Hart is a Prohibitionist in his political views. Fraternally he is connected with Mc- Candless Lodge, No. 390, F. & A. M., Pitts- burg, Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, R. A. M., and Pittsburg Commandery, No. 1, K. T., also the Cosmopolitan Club, of Indiana, and takes an active part in these organizations.

HARVEY HENRY BAROON has passed all his life on the farm in Center township, Indiana county, where he still resides, having been born there Sept. 28, 1858. The Baroon family has been settled in this region for several generations, and the name is one highly respected wherever known.

George Baroon, the great-grandfather of Harvey H. Baroon, came from Germany, and was a pioneer settler in Somerset county, Pa., where he died. His son, Nicholas Baroon, was the grandfather of Harvey H. Baroon. He was born in Somerset county, where he lived and died. He was engaged at day laboring. His wife, Fannie (Bartolette), died in Center township, Indiana Co., Pa. They had these children : Jacob, who married Lavina Weaver; Peter, who married Elizabeth Hen- drickson; Nicholas; Catherine, who married Joseph Barclay ; Francis; and Emma Jane, who is living with her nephew, Harvey H. Baroon.

Nicholas Baroon, son of Nicholas and Fan- nie (Bartolette) Baroon, born in Somerset county, Pa., Ang. 9, 1827, died Oct. 12, 1908. He attended the Brush Hollow district school in Armstrong township. On Nov. 6, 1856, he married Mary Ann Barclay, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., daughter of Henry and Hannah (Schultz) Barclay, of that county, and they had three children : Harvey Henry ; Tillie, who died at the age of twenty-six years; and one that died young. Mr. Baroon had a farm of 100 acres in a good state of cultivation and when he sold that place bought the old Smith property of about 225 acres. This land he cleared and

in and raiser of fine horses and cattle-in fact he was one of the best known stock raisers in the county, handling the best grades of horses and cattle. He made many improve- ments on his farm, building a new house and barn, etc., was progressive and enterprising in everything he undertook, and was an esteemed man in his community. He was a Democrat, and a member of the Lutheran Church. His widow now resides with her son Harvey. She attends the Lutheran Church.

Harvey Henry Baroon, son of Nicholas and Mary Ann (Barclay) Baroon, attended dis- triet school in Center township and grew to manhood on the farm. Upon the death of his father he took up the latter's work and has conducted the farm ever since, carrying on the work in the intelligent manner which characterized his father's labors. In politics Mr. Baroon leans toward the principles of the Democratic party, but he is an independent thinker and voter. Like his parents he at- tends the Lutheran Church. He is unmar- ried.

WILLIAM STEWART LAWRENCE is a descendant of one of the oldest families of Blacklick township, Indiana county, where he has resided all his life. He was born there June 1, 1855, near Hopewell Church, son of William Lawrence, and is a great-grandson of Amos Lawrence, the founder of the family in Indiana county.

Amos Lawrence was a native of New Lon- don county, Conn., probably from Preston. Ile took part as a soldier in the great strug- gle for freedom, and after the close of the Revolutionary war came across the Allegheny mountains. He and his two daughters and their husbands settled in Blacklick township, which was then a part of Westmoreland county, in 1808. Amos Lawrence erected a log cabin and started to make a home in what was then a wilderness. By hard work he managed to clear a tract on which he farmed the rest of his life, dying there when seventy- three years old, Oct. 4, 1838. He is buried in Hopewell cemetery. His wife Desire died April 2, 1826, aged sixty-six years.

Warren Lawrence, son of Amos, was born probably in New London county. He married Lettie Waterman, who with her father and mother, and cther members of the family, was captured by the Indians. She made her escape, but her parents and the others were never heard from. Warren Lawrence came

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 112

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