Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 114

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 114

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Elliott M. Lydick was a small boy when his father returned to Green township, and there he grew to manhood. On Feb. 22. 1864. he enlisted in the United States Signal Service. Army of the Potomac, and participated in the activities attending the surrender of Gen- eral Lee, being discharged from the service Aug. 16, 1865, at Washington, D. C.

On Nov. 28. 1867, Mr. Lydick was united in marriage with Lucinda Buterhaugh, who was born in Montgomery township, this county. July 17, 1849, a daughter of David and Anna (Langham) Buterbaugh. After his marriage Mr. Lydick bought 100 acres of land in Green township, where he remained

Mr. and Mrs. Lydick became the parents of children as follows: George B., who re- sides at Dayton, Armstrong Co., Pa., married Sadie George; Annie Jane married Adam Hawk, and resides in Punxsutawney, Pa .; Rosa May, who married Charles Burrus, re- sides in Punxsutawney, Pa .; Mary S. married George Straitiff, and resides in Punxsutaw ney; Clara B. married Fred Jones, and re- sides in Punxsutawney; Gertrude married John W. Smith; John R. died when two years old; Elmer D., who married Cecelia Morgan and (second) Louise Scheffer, resides in De- troit, Mich .; Esty M. married Bessie Palmer ; Luella M. married Charles Adams, and re- sides in Johnstown, Pa .; Mabel V. is at home.

Mr. Lydick is a deacon in the Baptist Church of Cookport and has held that office for thirty years. He is now a teacher in the Sunday school connected with the Bap- tist Church of Indiana. For forty years he was leader of the church choir, and is still a member of the Baptist Church choir of Indi- ana. Originally a Republican in politics, he has become a Progressive, and ranks himself with the Bull Moose element of the country. For several years he has served Indiana Post No. 28, G. A. R., as commander, and is very well known not only among his old comrades, but also to many others who recognize and appreciate his value as a citizen and his worth as a man. He served as justice of the peace of Green township, for a period of seven years, and for several years as auditor, and for about twenty years was clerk of the elec- tion board.

JOSEPH CLARK SPEEDY, of Creek- side, Pa., retired farmer and coal operator, was born on a farm in Rayne township, Indi- ana county, Feb. 22, 1844, and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Belle) Speedy.

Andrew Speedy, grandfather of Joseph Clark Speedy, was of Scotch-Irish descent, as was also Thomas Belle, the maternal grand- father, both being early settlers in Rayne township. Andrew Speedy had three sons : Capt. Hugh M., who later settled in Wash- ington township; James; and Thomas, of Rayne township.

Thomas Speedy, father of Joseph Clark Speedy, was born in Rayne township, Indiana county, and in his youth learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed in connection with farming, during the winter months also engaging in lumbering. His death occurred

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

on his Rayne township farm in 1867, while tler of White township, and later a resident his wife, also a native of that township, passed of Creekside, who was a farmer up to within away in the spring of 1883. They had a a few years of his death, when he moved to family of ten children : Mary, Jane, Matilda, Marion Center; he was of Scotch-Irish de- scent. Mrs. Wolf died Oct. 23, 1911, the mother of two children, Mrs. Speedy and a son who died in infancy. Andrew and Ferguson, all deceased; Caro- line, the widow of Joseph L. Sutton (who died in the service while a member of Company E, 148th Regiment, Pa. Vol. Inf., during the Civil war), now living with Mrs. James H. McCurdy, a niece, on a farm in Washington township; two children who died young; Joseph Clark; and William, who died in Rayne township. Ferguson Speedy served in the Union army during the Civil war.

Joseph Clark Speedy was educated in the public schools of Rayne township, and his first employment was at farm labor. Subse- quently he took a preparatory course in a select school, and at the age of sixteen years . took charge of a school in South Mahoning township. He was so engaged when the Civil war broke out, and Aug. 28, 1862, when still only a lad, he enlisted in Company E, 148tlı Regiment, Pa. Vol. Inf., under Col. James A. Beaver, who later became governor of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speedy was at the battle of Haymarket, at Chancellorsville, in May, 1863, and July 2d of the same year was seriously wounded at the battle of Gettys- burg, being sent to the Summit House hos- pital, from which he received his honorable discharge, at Philadelphia, in September, 1865. Returning to Rayne township, he was for a short period again engaged in teaching, but after spending two years as an educator engaged in the mercantile business at Cham- bersville. Subsequently Mr. Speedy returned to the home farm, which he continued to oper- ate until 1904, since the fall of which year he has led a quiet, retired life in the borough of Creekside.

Mr. Speedy is a member of Post No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic, and with his family holds membership in the congregation of the Lutheran Church at Indiana. He is a member of the board of health of Creekside.

On June 3, 1869, Mr. Speedy was mar- ried to Isabel Wolf, who was born in Rayne township Aug. 12, 1851, daughter of William and Tabitha (McHenry) Wolf. Her grand- father, John Wolf, was a native of Center county, Pa., of German descent, and was an early settler in Rayne township. He followed farming throughout his life, as did his son, the latter dying Nov. 19, 1905, at the age of eighty-two years. Mrs. Tabitha (McHenry) Wolf, the mother of Mrs. Speedy, was the daughter of Robert McHenry, an early set-

Mr. and Mrs. Speedy have had two chil- dren: Nettic, born July 11, 1870, is the wife of J. H. MeCurdy, of Rayne township, and they have had eight children: Speedy Wolf, Lula B., Pannell, Clara, David (deceased), Edith M., Joseph F. and Vincent Clark. Della married J. F. Gibson, who died Feb. 11, 1908, aged thirty-six years, four months, eleven days, and she is now the wife of Ed- ward Yeager, of Creekside. She has three children by her first husband, Joseph W., Morris Lyle and Helen M.

JOHN D. ROWLAND, proprietor of a meat market at Marion Center, Indiana county, was born in South Mahoning town- ship, this county, Oct. 1, 1864, son of William S. and Mary J. (Luckhart) Rowland.

John D. Rowland was reared in his native township and attended the local schools. Un- til he was twenty years old he worked on the homestead and dealt in stock from the time he was fourteen or fifteen years of age, thus early developing business ability. For the three years following his leaving home he worked as a carpenter in the West, but com- ing back to Indiana county went into a butch- ering business at Punxsutawney, where he remained for two years. For the next two years he worked in the country regions throughout the State as a carpenter, and then coming to Marion Center operated as a stock dealer for a period. He also carried on this line of business at Pittsburg, and then for a year engaged in carpenter work in that city. Coming back to Marion Center, in re- sponse to a demand, he established himself in a butchering and stock business. Following that, he was in a livery business for a time, but now devotes all his attention to his meat business.

In 1884 Mr. Rowland married Miss Lizzie McMillen, of Plumville, a daughter of the late Batty McMillen. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland became the parents of the following children : Maud, who is Mrs. Merle Walker, of Indi- ana; Minnie, who is deceased; Harry, and. Grace.

Mr. Rowland is a Republican and has served as a school director of his township, and for nine years was a member of the coun-

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IHISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

cil of Marion Center, and he has also been in the real estate and insurance business at constable. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, Steelton, where he and his wife make their home. Mr. and Mrs. Rupp have one child, Kathryn Louise. They are members of the Lutheran Church, and fraternally he is affil- iated with the Royal Arcanum. and noble grand of the local lodge. He also belongs to the Knights of Malta at Pittsburg. A man of good business judgment, he has made a success of his life, and is recognized as being one of the leading men of his com- munity. The family are Baptists in religious association.

H. RUSSELL RUPP, cashier of the Penn- Mary Coal Company, at Heilwood, Pa., was born near Harrisburg, in Dauphin county, Pa., Dec. 5, 1878, son of Abraham L. and Hettie E. (Brenneman) Rupp.

George F. Rupp, paternal grandfather of H. Russell Rupp, was a native of Germany, and on first coming to the United States, in young manhood, settled in Cumberland county, Pa., where he engaged in farming. He also acted in the capacity of local minister in the Lutheran Church, and was ninety-one years of age at the time of his death, in 1891.

Abraham L. Rupp, son of George F., was born in Cumberland county, Pa., and dur- ing his early years devoted himself to agri- cultural pursuits. In 1882 he took his family to Steelton, Pa., where he was engaged in the steel business for some years, but subse- quently entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company, as an operator. He is now living retired near Harrisburg, at the age of seventy-two years, while his wife, who was also of German parentage, died April 2. 1912. They had a family of twelve children, as follows: George F., a resident of Steelton, Pa .; Rebecca, living at home; Mary, the wife of E. G. Williams. of Harrisburg; Ida, living in Lancaster, Pa .; Esther, wife of John L. Charles, of Mont- gomery, Pa .; H. Russell; Mabel, a resident of Steelton ; Gertrude and John B., who live at home; and three who died in infancy.

Henry Russell Rupp was four years old Plumville, this county. (7) Mary, born Nov. when the family moved to Steelton, and there attended the graded schools, graduating therefrom in 1895, at which time he accepted a position with the Penn Steel Company. He advanced to the office of assistant cashier, and when the company established its office at Heilwood was made cashier of this branch of the business, a position which he has held to the present time.

JOSEPH W. UNCAPHER, a well-known citizen of Indiana, was born Nov. 17, 1837, on his father's farm in Washington township, Indiana county.

Andrew Uncapher, his grandfather, was born in Germany, and coming to the United States settled in Indiana county, Pa., where he married Barbara Millen. He followed farming in Young township, this county, where he died. His children were as follows: John, who went to Marion, Ohio; Peggy, Mrs. Isaac Stahl, deceased; Philip; and Joseph, who married a Miss Neal, and died on the home farm.

Philip Uncapher was born in Blacklick township, Indiana county, near Jacksonville, Oct. 28, 1810, and was a farmer all his life. He bought 500 acres in Washington town- ship, and sold two farms from that tract, re- taining 150 acres, this being the place now owned by Joseph Stutzer. Mr. Uncapher died there March 14, 1889, and his wife, Mary (Wilson), who was born in 1807 in Ireland. died Dec. 10, 1864. They were Presbyterians in religious faith. They had a family of ten children, of whom we have the following record: (1) Ann, born Jan. 21, 1833, mar- ried Joseph Carl, and died in Venango county, Pa., in 1909. (2) William, born May 4, 1834, died in infancy. (3) Martha J., born Aug. 2. 1835, married Dr. Morrow, and is living in Warren county, Pa. (4) Joseph W. is mentioned below.

(5) Margaret, born Sept. 12. 1839. married James Millen, and lives in Odell, Neb. (6) John, born Jan. 12. 1841, married Lucinna Gibson, and lives in 27, 1843, married Philip Walters, and died in Venango county, Pa. (8) Elizabeth, born Oct. 17, 1845, died unmarried. (9) David, born April 16, 1847, is living in Idaho. (10) Andrew Jackson, born Dec. 29, 1848. lives in MeKean county ; he married Martha De Walt.

Joseph W. Uncapher worked for his father until he was twenty-two years old. In the meantime he had received his education in the public schools in his home locality. On Aug. 27, 1861, he enlisted for three years or during the war. in Company A. 78th P. V. I .. under Capt. William Cummins and Col. William

On Oct. 11. 1906, Mr. Rupp was married. at Steelton, Pa., to Minerva D. Hess, who was born in Steelton June 17, 1878, daughter of Christian and Carrie (Boak) Hess, of German ancestry. Mr. Hess is now engaged Sirwell. This command was attached to the

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3d Brigade, 2d Division, Army of the Cum- ing his schooling was apprenticed to the trade berland. Mr. Uncapher saw active service at of blacksmith, which vocation he mastered in the battles of Pulaski, March 12, 1862; his youth. Mr. Kish followed his chosen trade Lavergne, Oct. 7, 1862; Neeleys Bend, White for several years in Hungary, but in 1890 decided to try his fortune in America, and accordingly came to this country during that year. From New York City, where he landed, and in which metropolis he remained for sev- eral months, he came to Pennsylvania, first settling in Brush Creek, Beaver county, and later in Hastings, Cambria county. Subse- quently he moved about considerably over the State, seeking a location favorable to the establishing of a successful business, and in 1911 came to Clymer. Here he settled down to follow his trade and engage in the manu- facture of wagons, and his general ability. straightforward business methods and pro- gressive industry have caused his business to become the leading one of its kind in Clymer. He is also the smith for the Weimer mines. Creek, Charlottesville, and Franklin Pike- all in October, 1862; Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 31, 1862, to Jan. 1, 1863; Tullahoma, Tenn., July 9, 1863; Tunnell Hill, Ga., May 13, 1863; Elk River, Tenn., July 14, 1863; Buzzard's Roost Gap, Feb. 27, 1864; Resaca, Ga., May 16, 1864; Dallas, Ga., May 25 to June 1, 1864; Dug Gap, Sept. 11, 1864; Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 1863; Lookout Moun- tain, Nov. 24, 1863; Missionary Ridge, Nov. 25, 1863; Kenesaw Mountain, June 9 to 30, 1864; Pulaski, Sept. 26, 1864; and Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 1, 1864. Mr. Uncapher was dis- charged in the fall of 1864, and returned home at once. The following spring he went to the oil fields in Pennsylvania, where he fol- lowed the carpenter's trade, which he had learned in his earlier years. He continued On Nov. 2, 1890, Mr. Kish was married, in Hungary, just prior to coming to the United States, to Katie Myer, a native of that coun- try, and they have had four children : Louis, Francis, Katie and Elizabeth. With his wife and children Mr. Kish attends the Presby- terian Church of Clymer. to live in that region until 1882, when he moved to the Pilsen farm in White township, devoting himself to the cultivation of that place until 1900, when he settled at his pres- ent home in the borough of Indiana. He has now given up active work.

On Dec. 12, 1867, Mr. Uncapher was mar- ried in White township, Indiana county, to Mary Griffith, who was born July 1, 1840, in White township, and was educated in the country schools there. Her father, Jesse Griffith, was born in Bedford county, Pa. Her mother, whose maiden name was Susanna Pilsen, was born in White township, Indiana county, daughter of John and Nancy (John- ston) Pilsen, who came from Ireland. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Uncapher: Luella, born Jan. 31, 1869, mar- ried Rev. L. A. Kirkland, a Congregational minister, now of Pittsburg; Jesse, born Jan. 9, 1871, married Edith Wagner, and lives in Indiana; and John, born Aug. 8, 1882, farms the home place.

Mr. and Mrs. Uncapher are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat in his political views.

FRANK KISH, leading blacksmith of the borough of Clymer, Indiana county, where he is also engaged in the manufacture of wagons, was born in Hungary Jan. 1, 1869, son of George and Susie (Barre) Kish. The parents, who are deceased, spent their entire lives in their native country, Hungary.

Frank Kish was educated in the public schools of his native land, and after complet-

HARRY W. WALLACE, justice of the peace of Pine township, Indiana county, and agent for the Adams Express Company at Heilwood, was born in Pine township June 29, 1874, son of John and Fanny (Shepherd) Wallace.

John Wallace, grandfather of Harry W. Wallace, was born in Ireland, and on coming to the United States in young manhood first settled in Lancaster county, Pa. Later he removed to Indiana county, where the re- mainder of his life was spent in farming in Pine township.

John Wallace, son of John Wallace, and father of Harry W. Wallace, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and when a youth was brought to Indiana county, where he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits in Pine town- ship; here his death occurred when he was seventy-nine years of age. He married Fanny Shepherd, who was born in Germany, and whose parents brought her to Indiana county. Pa., in her girlhood, and she still survives, residing on the old home place in Pine town- ship. They had a family of seven children, as follows: William, who resides in Strongs- town, Indiana county : John, now deceased : Elizabeth, who married Daniel F. Kilday, of Altoona, Pa .; Catherine, the wife of Thomas

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Foley, of Johnstown, Pa .; Rose, the wife of James Morrison, of Altoona; Thomas, a resi- dent of Strongstown; and Harry W.

Harry W. Wallace attended the district schools of Pine township, select schools in his native vicinity, and Anderson College, Altoona, and during his boyhood worked on the home farm. At the age of seventeen years he began to teach school, an occupation which he followed for thirteen years in Pine and Buffington townships, this county, and in Cambria county. He then became a clerk in the employ of the Penn-Mary Coal Company, at Heilwood, and held that position for five years. Subsequently he was elected township auditor, and in 1901 was made justice of the peace of Pine township, to succeed James Morris. The able manner in which he dis- charged the duties of the position warranted his reelection, and at this time he is serving his second term, in addition to acting in the capacity of agent for the Adams Express Company.

On Nov. 13, 1896, Mr. Wallace was mar- ried to Maud M. Mardis, who was born in May, 1874, in Pine township, Indiana county, daughter of James and Maria (Shipman) Mardis, natives of Indiana county. Mr. Mardis, who was a farmer and served for twenty years as justice of the peace of Pine township, died in 1900; his wife passed away in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have two chil- dren, Raymond and Grace. They are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church.

J. OSCAR SKOG, furniture dealer and undertaker of Dixonville, Indiana county, has been a resident and business man of that place since 1907. He is a native of Sweden, where he was born on a farm Dec. 20, 1876, son of Andrew and Justina (Olson) Skog.

Andrew Skog was a farmer in Sweden, and also learned the trade of carpenter, which he continued to follow all his life. Coming to America, he remained in this country seven years, living in Clearfield county, Pa., and returning to Sweden died there July 13, 1912. His widow now lives with her son and daugh- ter in Chicago, Ill .; their family consisted of three children: J. Oscar; Alma, wife of Einer Erickson, of Chicago, Ill .; and Alex- ander, also of Chicago.

where he learned the trade of brickmason, at which he was occupied for a short time. He then engaged in the lumber business, after which he took up the trade of mason, living at Vintondale, Cambria county. In 1902 he went to Pittsburg, where he attended the Pennsylvania College of Embalming, gradu- ating Dec. 12, 1902. Then he started in busi- ness as an undertaker in Cambria county, in partnership with John Hanson, the firm being known as Hanson & Skog. After three years in that association Mr. Skog sold out to his partner and for the next two years was in the same line in the employ of others. In 1907 he came to Dixonville, where he put up the building he now occupies and embarked in his present business, furniture dealing and undertaking, at first as senior member of the firm of Skog & Erickson. In 1908 Mr. Erick- son sold his interest to Mr. Skog, who has since conducted it alone. He has a well- selected stock, and by his earnest efforts to please his customers has built up an excel- lent trade, his establishment ranking among the thriving stores in the town.

On July 25, 1904, Mr. Skog married Thora M. Hansen, a native of Norway, whose father, Thorwal Hansen, came to America and died in April, 1902, at Barnesboro, Pa .; Mrs. Han- sen died when her daughter Thora was only a child. Mr. and Mrs. Skog have had two daughters, Mabel T. and Agnes J.

GEORGE W. SWANK, retired farmer, formerly a resident of Green township, Indi- ana county, but now living in the borough of Indiana, was born Jan. 12, 1850, in Rayne township. His parents, George and Catherine (Houk) Swank, were natives of Germany, and came to this country before their mar- riage. They settled in Somerset county, where they lived for some years, Mr. Swank conducting a large distillery there. Moving with his family to Indiana county, he engaged in the hotel business in Rayne township, lo- cating along the new State road seven niiles from the town of Indiana. When he gave up the hotel business he moved to a farm at Cook- port, and followed farming there until his death, in 1877. when he was sixty-seven years of age. He was a stanch member of the Republican party, and became well known in political circles and public life in his sec- tion. In religious connection he was a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church. His first wife, Catherine, died in 1865, and he subsequently married (second) Elizabeth Wilson, who died

J. Oscar Skog received his education in Sweden. When a boy he began to do farm work, at which he was employed until he came to this country, at the age of sixteen years. He first lived at Irvona, Clearfield Co., Pa., later moving to Cambria county, in 1893. All of his nine children were born

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

to his first marriage, namely : Adeline, Mrs. April, 1906, while his widow, a native of Isaiah Mccullough, who died in Missouri (her Cherryhill township, still survives, and makes husband was killed in battle while serving in her home at Penn Run. Mr. and Mrs. Myers had a family of nine children. the Civil war) ; Lizzie Ann, Mrs. Hewitt Thompson, of Myers, Pa .; Sarah Ann, who married John Spotts, and is deceased ; Sophia, Mrs. John Cummins, of McKean county, Pa .; Catherine, Mrs. John Reisinger, of Rayne township, Indiana county ; Mary, Mrs. George Buchanan, who died in Brushvalley; Wil- liam, a retired farmer, now of St. Louis, Mo., who married a Miss Black; George W .; and Alexander, who died unmarried.

George W. Swank was a small boy when his father moved to the farm at Cookport, and there he grew to manhood, meantime receiving a common school education. Dur- ing his young manhood he began lumbering, rafting and working in the timber for years. When his father's advancing age caused his retirement from the active work of the farm Mr. Swank took charge of the place himself, cultivating it and improving it until 1903, in which year he removed to the borough of Indiana, where he has since had his home. He resides at No. 444 East Oak street. For three years after settling here he engaged in the grocery business, but since then has lived retired. Mr. Swank has prospered in all his work, by industry and thrifty management, and deserves the leisure he is now able to enjoy.

On March 6, 1876, Mr. Swank married Fanny Wilson, of Cookport, and they had a family of five children: Arthur Clyde, who died in infancy; Howard, of Indiana, who married Edna Smathers; Ollie, at home; Bessie J., who died when sixteen years old; and Edna, at home. Mrs. Swank died April 19, 1908, at Indiana.

Mr. Swank was formerly a member of the Christian Church at Cookport, and held office in same. Since removing to Indiana he has transferred his membership to the church of the same denomination there. In politics he is a stanch believer in the principles of the Republican party.

IRA C. MYERS, general farmer and stock raiser of Cherryhill township, Indiana county, was born April 5, 1882, in that township, and is a grandson of Adam and Fannie (Long) Myers.

Ira C. Myers divided his boyhood and youth between work on the farm and attend- ance at the district schools, going to the latter during the winter months, and giving his summer months to his duties on the home place. Reared to agricultural pursuits, and carefully trained in the science of tilling the soil, it was but natural that he should follow the vocation of a farmer, and in 1907 pur- chased the farm on which he is now carrying on operations, his ventures having proved uniformly successful.

In 1901 Mr. Myers was married to Edith Brown, who was born in Cherryhill township, daughter of George and Elizabeth (De- Armand) Brown, early settlers of Indiana county, where Mr. Brown was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. His widow survives and makes her home at Penn Run. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have become the parents of four children: Brice, born April 14, 1901; Clay, born May 1, 1904; Dale, born July 22, 1908 ; and Roxie, born Jan. 14, 1910.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 114

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