Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 119

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 119

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).

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Calder- wood settled down to housekeeping in a little

1409

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

log cabin on their present property, then a to Cambria county by his parents when nine heavily timbered tract. Mr. Calderwood now years old. Remaining with them until he at- owns 130 acres, of which about 100 acres are tained his majority, he then settled on 255 under a state of high cultivation, and the acres of land in Jackson township, that general appearance of his property gives am- county, at which time it was covered with dense forest. He built a log house and barn, later replacing them with buildings of frame, and made many improvements upon his land, operating it until 1865, when he sold and moved to Indiana county with his family, lo- cating in South Mahoning township on Aug. 31, 1865. He bought the Samuel Cochran farm of 106 acres, and spent the remainder of his life here, engaged in farming, dying Jan. 14, 1882, aged seventy-six years, eight months, twenty-three days. He is buried in St. John's Lutheran Church cemetery. For years he was a consistent member of the Ger- man Reformed Church. Politically he was a Whig, and later a Republican, and always one who believed in upholding the principles of his party. ple evidence of his skill, thrift and industry. He has not needed outside help, or asked for it. It is but natural that he should take a par- donable degree of pride in what he has accom- plished, for his success has been worked out by his own hands, and he has no reason to re- gret the manner in which he has gained his present prestige. Mr. Calderwood is a farmer, not a politician, and he has never desired the preferment that is gained in the arena of party strife. He has always endeavored to live up to the rules of good citizenship and to promote those movements which make for good government. He supports Republican candi- dates and policies. He is a member of the Rockbridge Presbyterian Church, and has never been found lacking when asked to assist in the promotion of religious or charitable enterprises.

WILLIAM H. PAUL, a farmer and stock raiser of South Mahoning township, Indiana county, was born Nov. 1, 1835, in Jackson township, Cambria Co., Pa., son of Samuel Paul and grandson of Abraham Paul.

Abraham Paul was born near Philadelphia, Pa., where he married Elizabeth Fluke, a na- tive of Chester, Pa., and with her came to Blair county, this State, settling in Croyl township, where he was a pioneer and de- veloped large farming properties. His death occurred in 1814, while he was still in the prime of life. His remains were interred on the farm. His wife was killed by a falling tree blown down by the wind, when she was eighty-eight years old. She, too, was buried on the farm, and both she and her husband were consistent members of the Lutheran Church. Their children were: Hannah mar- ried Abraham Teter, of Morrisons Cove, Blair Co., Pa .; John settled in Richland town- ship, Cambria county; Jacob settled in that township; Barbara married Jacob Mortimer and lives at Friends Cove, Blair county ; Lewis settled in Croyl township; David settled in Jackson township, Cambria county ; Catherine married George Pringle; Elizabeth married Jacob Staule, of Richland township, Cambria county ; Samuel is mentioned below ; Polly was murdered, by some men from Pittsburg; Isaac settled on a farm in Croyl township.

In 1833 Mr. Paul married Susannah Eyler, a native of Maryland, a daughter of Henry Eyler. She died March 23, 1874, aged sixty- four years, three months, eight days, and was buried in St. John's Lutheran Church ceme- tery. She was a member of that denomi- nation. Children as follows were born to Samuel Paul and his wife: Elias is living retired at Altoona, Pa .; William H. is men- tioned below; Elizabeth married Samuel Dil- lon, of Missouri; Maria died in childhood; John also died in childhood; Emanuel lives in Steubenville, Ohio.

William H. Paul, like the majority of farmer's sons, attended school in the win- ter and worked with his father upon the farm in the summer until old enough to engage in lumbering in the woods in Cambria county. He continued to work at lumbering and farm- ing until 1865, when he came to South Ma- honing township, accompanying his father, and remained with him, proving of great as- sistance and comfort, until the latter's death. He then obtained the homestead, and has since operated it, devoting his land to general farm- ing and stock raising. He has been specially interested in the raising of large horses, his stock being well known on account of its quality ; naturally fond of horses, he has been very successful in this line, and is a recog- nized authority upon agricultural matters.

From the time that he cast his first presi- dential vote, for John C. Fremont, Mr. Paul has been a stanch Republican, and is proud of following in the footsteps of Lincoln, Mc-

Samuel Paul, son of Abraham Paul, was born in 1805 in Blair county, and was brought Kinley and Taft. According to his belief the

1410

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

country's greatness has been conserved by and Mrs. Asa Croasmun had the following these great leaders, and if it is to be con- children: Mary, deceased, married Washing- tinued the principles they advocated must be ton Crissman, (second) John Barrett and adhered to and upheld. Mr. Paul has served (third) Irvin Robinson, and had one child by each marriage, Eliza, Anna and Jennie; Isaac married Mary Ann Movtersbaugh and (second) Lizzie Peffer, and moved to Virginia, where he and his last wife died; Nathan, de- ceased, who married Rachel Blose, lived at Valier, Pa .; Asa, deceased, who married Mary Robinson, lived in North Mahoning township; as school director and judge of election, and is looked upon as a man of worth in his com- munity. St. John's Lutheran Church holds his membership and receives his loyal and generous support, and he is now serving as deacon. His wife is one of the efficient and popular Sunday school teachers.

On Feb. 17, 1885, Mr. Paul was married Miles is mentioned below ; James W., deceased, to Sarah Elizabeth Olinger, who was born who married Julia Sutter, lived near Valier, in Armstrong county, daughter of John and Pa .; William died at the age of seventeen years; Elizabeth married James M. Chambers and lived in North Mahoning township (both are deceased). Maria (Hartman) Olinger, both of whom are deceased. No children have been born to this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Paul are very charit- able, and are to be found in the front ranks of those who are working for moral uplift and the betterment of social conditions.

MILES CROASMUN, a farmer of North Mahoning township, Indiana county, was born on his present property Sept. 10, 1831, a son of Asa Croasmun.

Asa Croasmun was born in Massachusetts, and there married Patience Oliver. They later came to Indiana county, Pa., settling in what afterward became South Mahoning town- ship, where they took up land and remained until they died. They are buried in the cemetery at Cherrytree, Pa. Although a farmer for years, Mr. Croasmun was a cooper by trade. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Croasmun were: James; Oliver, who lived in Jefferson county, Pa .; Chloe, who married Benjamin Deitz, of Freeport, Pa .; Rebecca, who married John Pifer, and lived in Clarion county, Pa .; Nathan, who lived at Cherry- tree, Pa .; William; and Asa.

Miles Croasmun, son of Asa Croasmun, re- ceived a common school education. He has spent his life upon the homestead of eighty- one acres, which property is very valuable, and the improvements show that Mr. Croas- mun appreciates the value of advanced farm- ing. He is a Socialist, politically, and is able to uphold his principles upon every occasion.

On Jan. 5, 1871, Mr. Croasmun was mar- ried to Margaret Jane Beck, of Eddyville, Pa., daughter of Adam and Margaret Beck, of Westmoreland county, Pa. Mr. Beck was a farmer, and built the first gristmill at Eddy- ville, where he died. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Beck were: George, who is a farmer of California, married Florida Ogden ; William, who died in 1912, was a miller of Eddyville, Pa., but after his service during the Civil war went to Kansas; Mary married John Thompson, of Pittsburg, Kans .; Adam died at the age of fourteen years; Jacob dicd at the age of seven years; Margaret Jane be- came Mrs. Croasmun ; Christina married Ben- jamin McHenry and lives at Northpoint, Pa. After the death of Mr. Beck, Mrs. Beck mar- ried George Weaver, of Indiana county, Pa., by whom she had a son, A. D. Weaver, now living near Georgeville, Pennsylvania.

Asa Croasmun, son of Asa Croasmun, and father of Miles Croasmun, was born Oct. 15, 1794, on the bay near Boston, Mass., and was brought to Mahoning township, Indiana Co., Pa., when a child, there growing to manhood. He went to the common schools, but had only Mr. and Mrs. Croasmun became the parents of six children: George A. died in infancy ; Mary Olive and Margaret Elvira are twins, the latter living at home, and the former mar- ried to Curtis Dormin, and living in West Mahoning township; William Clark, who is a lumberman of Jenkins, Ky., married Clara Gilmore, and has had these children, Elvira F. (deceased), Mildred J., Helen O., and Na- than B. and Asa M. (twins) ; Bert, who is at home, operating the homestead, married limited educational advantages. In the year 1819 he was married, in North Mahoning township, his wife being Mary McHenry, born Feb. 12, 1799, a native of Indiana county. In 1864 he died, his wife surviving until April 30, 1878. By occupation he was a farmer, and not only had a large farm him- self, but secured land for each of his children. The Methodist Church was his religious home, he being a charter member of same and active in religious work. No man stood any higher Belva Blakely, and they have one child, in public esteem during his life than he. Mr. Nellie; Merton Asa, who is now in Alaska,

1411

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

was in a store in California for six years. Clure." (5) Joseph L., who is a coal miner The children have all been well educated, and and also engages in sawmill work, married Margaret Elvira taught school for one year in Anna Bowers, of Banks township, Indiana Jefferson county, Pa., and for another year at Marchand, Pa .; she is a lady of intelligence and culture. county. The mother of this family died June 1, 1900. For his second wife Mr. Limrick married, April 11, 1901, Mrs. Anna Eliza Shields, daughter of Patrick Lydick, who was a very early settler in Indiana county.

ANDREW JACKSON LIMRICK has lived on his present place in Banks township, In- diana county, for the last thirty years and is one of the substantial farmer citizens of that section. He was born Jan. 8, 1845, in East Mahoning township, this county, son of Al- fred and Miriam (Work) Limrick, natives of Pennsylvania who came into this neighbor- hood from Westmoreland county. Mr. Lim- rick was a farmer by occupation.

Andrew J. Limrick received a public school education and in early life began farming, which occupation he has continued to follow. In 1864 he enlisted in the Union army, becom- ing a member of Company A, 206th Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as a private to the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge July 26, 1865. In 1867 he went out to Iowa, settling in Page county, where he carried on farming for seven years. Returning to Pennsylvania he bought a farm in Jefferson county, upon which he lived for the next eight years, until his re- moval to Indiana county in 1882. He then purchased the farm of 122 acres in Banks township where he has since made his home and engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He has become one of the most esteemed resi- dents of the township, and has been honored with election to office, having served six years as a member of the board of school directors. He belongs to the Republican party. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he has been a faithful worker, hav- ing served thirty years as elder of the Susque- hanna Church and of Zion (Cumberland) Presbyterian Church in Jefferson county, Pa. He now attends the Presbyterian Church at Pleasant Grove, Jefferson county.

On Oct. 1, 1867, Mr. Limrick married Vir- ginia North, a native of Jefferson county, Pa., daughter of Joseph P. and Marjory North, farming people, and five children were born In September, 1862, Mr. Miller enlisted in Company G, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, at Indiana, Pa., and was sent to Harrisburg, whence the regiment went to Virginia. They participated in the battle at Harper's Ferry, those of Winchester, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, in to this union: (1) Lillian is the wife of Ed- ward Cassady, of Banks township, Indiana county. (2) Anna is the wife of Fred Keller, a farmer and coal miner of Jefferson county, Pa. (3) Effie is the wife of William Conrad, a farmer of Jefferson county .. (4) Jennie is the wife of John Conrad, of Big Run, Jeffer- son Co., Pa., proprietor of the "Hotel Mc- front of Petersburg and Monocacy Junction,

AMOS S. MILLER, tax collector of Canoe township, was born Dec. 11, 1834, in Hunt- ingdon county, Pa., son of James and Emily (Hook) Miller, also natives of that county. The father was a shoemaker by trade and lived and died in Huntingdon county, as did the mother. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Church. They had three chil- dren: Annie, who is deceased; Mary, who is deceased; and Amos S.

Amos S. Miller did not have an oppor- tunity to attend school after he was twelve years old, as he was then bound out to Thomas Stewart, who brought him to Indiana county. Mr. Stewart secured a farm in South Ma- honing township and the bound lad lived with him until he attained his majority, when he started out for himself. He had learned shoemaking, and for twenty years worked at the trade in Marion Center and vicinity, and then began farming in East Mahoning town- ship. At the expiration of ten years there he came to Canoe township, buying the farm which he operated until 1910. In that year he moved to Richmond, Pa., which has since continued to be his home.

In 1860 Mr. Miller was married to Mary Jane Work, a daughter of William and Nancy (Brown) Work, of Ligonier Valley, Pa. Mr. Work was one of the pioneers of East Ma- honing township, where he was engaged in farming. Mrs. Miller died Dec. 2, 1910, the mother of the following children : Mary Florence, who married Samuel Wineberge, re- sides in South Mahoning township; D. S., who is a farmer in Canoe township, married Martha Cary; Effie E., who married Milton Sutter, resides at Akron, Ohio; Annie L. mar- ried C. W. Baun, of Canoe township. These children were all sent to the district schools.

1412

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

besides many other lesser engagements, and

Stewart S. Hamilton attended the local Mr. Miller had the misfortune to be taken schools of South Mahoning township, the In- prisoner July 9, 1864, being held at Danville diana high school and the Indiana State until March 23d of the year following, when he was discharged. His sufferings cannot be told in mere words, and he will always re- tain the traces of those terrible days. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 206, at Richmond. The United Presbyterian Church holds his membership and receives his gen- erous support. For eighteen years Mr. Miller has been the collector of Canoe township, to which office he was elected on the Republican

normal, being in the latter institution for two terms. He learned the carpenter's trade in the meanwhile, and worked at it for twelve years, remaining at home. In 1892 he be- gan operating that farm, and so continued until 1905, when he bought his present farm in White township, containing 108 acres, on which he carries on general farming, making a specialty of hog raising, although he also raises other stock. In addition to this prop- ticket, and he is an earnest upholder of the erty he owns coal interests in South Mahon- principles of his party. A good official and ing township, and is a man of considerable desirable citizen, he ranks high in his substance. community.

STEWART S. HAMILTON, a farmer of White township, was born in South Mahon- ing township, this county, Sept. 20, 1863, son of William W. and Lena A. (Stewart) Hamilton.

Robert Hamilton, grandfather of Stewart S. Hamilton, was one of the early settlers of Indiana county, locating in South Mahoning township, where he became a large land owner.

William W. Hamilton was born in South Mahoning township, while his wife was born in Parkwood, Armstrong township, this county, Sept. 8, 1822. His birth occurred on what was known as the old Allen Hamilton farm, where he grew to manhood, learning to be an agriculturist. In addition to farm- ing he worked at his trade, cabinetmaking, and resided on the farm until his death, which was occasioned by a fall, Aug. 7, 1888, when he was sixty-eight years old. John Stewart, the maternal grandfather of Stewart S. Ham- ilton, was one of the leading men of Indiana county in pioneer days, and was engaged in farming throughout his mature life. Mrs. Hamilton died Aug. 25, 1905. She and Mr. Hamilton were married Feb. 14, 1850, and children as follows were born to them: Addi- son, who resides at Akron, Ohio, married Bertha Traugh, of Blair county, Pa., now de- ceased; Elizabeth married Marshall Stuchel, of East Mahoning township; Martha married J. E. Fulton, of South Mahoning township ; Emma R. is a resident of Indiana, Pa .; Miriam E. married S. J. McManus, of Marion Center, Pa .; Flora S. married John Ross, of Rochester Mills, Pa .; Stewart S. is mentioned below; Frank A., who lives on the old home- stead in South Mahoning township, married Myra Smith, a native of Indiana county.

On Jan. 25, 1905, Mr. Hamilton was mar- ried to Emma E. Barnett, who was born in Somerset county, Pa., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Ankeny) Barnett, natives of Somerset county, as was William Barnett. the grandfather. Mr. and Mrs. Barnett came to Armstrong county, Pa., in 1872, settling in Plumcreek township, buying land and cul- tivating it. In addition, Mr. Barnett worked at his trade, that of carpenter. During the Civil war he served three years as a soldier, enlisting from Somerset county, and par- ticipating in the battle of Gettysburg and other engagements, receiving a wound in one battle. Upon his return from the army he resumed his former occupations. Mr. Bar- nett is still living, residing in Armstrong county, retired from active work.

Mrs. Barnett was the daughter of David Ankeny, who was born in Somerset county, whence he came to Armstrong county many years ago, dying there. Mrs. Barnett died Aug. 25, 1901. She and her husband had thirteen children: Henry F., a resident of Somerset county, a carpenter by trade, who married Sarah Thomas; Sadie C., who mar- ried Chauncey Keefer, of Johnstown, Pa .; Charles F., of Somerset county, a farmer, who married Emma Grady, of that county ; James M., who married Mary Beuchley, of Somer- set county, where he resides; Mrs. Hamilton ; Wilson H .; John J., who is deceased; David E., who resides at Indiana, Pa., married to Rose E. Rowland, of Armstrong county ; Edwin K., who resides in Armstrong county, married to Alice Thomas, of Somerset county ; Martha J., who married Charles E. Stanton. of Somerset county ; William W., of Somerset county, who married Elizabeth Pyle, of the same county; Anna, who married Harry Himes, editor of the Kittanning Tribune, of

1413

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Kittanning; and Mary E., who married J. is deceased; all of those who are deceased are Frank Russell, a school teacher and farmer buried in the cemetery connected with Eben- ezer Church, in Conemaugh township. of Armstrong county.

Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have had no chil- Robert Alvin Ewing attended the district schools and grew up on the farm. Later he went to the academy at Eldersridge, and upon his return home resumed his agricul- tural occupations, learning farming in all its dren of their own, but adopted a daughter, Helen K. They are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and are as popular in that organization as they are in their neigh- borhood generally, for they are estimable details. Since coming into possession of the people, who deserve the prosperity which has come to them.

ROBERT ALVIN EWING, a farmer of his business intelligently and ably and has

Conemaugh township, this county, was born in that township July 18, 1870, on the home- stead of his father, John Ewing. Robert Ewing, his grandfather, married Elizabeth Walker, and was a successful farmer of Cone- maugh township.

John Ewing, son of Robert Ewing, and father of Robert Alvin Ewing, was born in terian Church, of which he is a consistent Conemaugh township, where he attended the member, and he is honored in that body as he

schools of his district, and was brought up is in all the relations of life. to hard work on the farm. He remained with his father until 1860, when he moved to JEREMIAH KEITH, general merchant at Grip, in Green township, Indiana county, is a son of Adam and Martha (Good) Keith and grandson of Adam Keith. The latter was a native of York county, Pa., and came to this section at a very early day, settling in Cambria county. By occupation he was a farmer and blacksmith, following those call- ings in Cambria county to the end of his life. He died Feb. 25, 1849. Young township, to the property now owned by Sylvester Kennedy. Here he lived until 1865, when he moved to the property now owned by his heirs, which is a portion of the old John Matthews farm. The property was patented in that name and Mr. Ewing has the original deed in his possession, covering 166 acres. On this place John Ewing carried on farming and stock raising, making a spe- cialty of sheep raising, the remainder of his life, dying Feb. 3, 1905, aged seventy-three years. He became one of the leading men of his locality. A man of broad-minded ideas, he was often called upon for advice and action in township matters, at one time holding the office of bounty collector of Young township. Politically he was a life- He married Martha Good, like himself a na- long Republican. In boyhood he joined the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church at Lewisville, and not only was a trustee for years, but served on the building committee that had charge of the erection of a new edifice.

John Ewing married Margaret Wilson, a daughter of John and Margaret (Campbell) Wilson. She died Sept. 13, 1887, the mother of children as follows: Elizabeth is living with Robert A. Ewing; Wilson F., who mar- ried Elizabeth J. Young, lives at New Ken- sington, Pa .; Frank died at the age of twenty- seven years; Sarah Jane resides with Robert A. Ewing; Robert A. is mentioned below ; Edward Chambers is deceased; Angie Myrta

farm he has improved the property, and now carries on general farming and stock raising. A man of progressive ideas, he is conducting

earned the right to a leading place among the successful agriculturists of Indiana county.

Mr. Ewing married Laura Catherine Pierce, a daughter of John M. and Sarah (McPhearson) Pierce, of South Mahoning township, this county. For the last five years Mr. Ewing has been a trustee of the Presby-

Adam Keith, father of Jeremiah Keith, was born in Cambria county, and in 1832 settled on the place in Green township, Indiana county, where his son Jeremiah now lives. He acquired the ownership of this farm, cleared his land and engaged in farming un- til his death, which occurred Nov. 6, 1882. tive of Cambria county, whose father, David Good, came to this county over a hundred years ago; he died in March, 1865. Mrs. Keith passed away Sept. 8, 1878. Adam Keith was the father of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, namely : John, a half brother to the rest, now deceased, who served during the Civil war in Company D, 115th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry ; David, now deceased; Jacob Liven, deceased, who was also in Company D, 115th P. V. I., during the Civil war; Barbara, deceased; Adam, now living in Green township, who was in Company I, 54th Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, during the Civil war; Martha, wife of Daniel Long, of Indiana

1414

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

county; Jeremiah; Caroline, wife of John ter of Conrad and Rachel Fredericka (New) Hines, of Blacklick township, this county; Zener, and granddaughter of John and Mar- Mary, wife of Christopher Lute, of Blacklick garet (Ziegler) Zener. township; Daniel, living at Barnesboro, Pa .;

John Zener, the grandfather, was born in Maria, deceased; and Margaret, wife of 1794 in Germany and after his first marriage

George Loman.

Jeremiah Keith was born Aug. 19, 1844, at Harmony, Beaver Co., Pa. Removing to in Green township, and there received a com- North Mahoning township, in Indiana county,

mon school education. During his boyhood and youth he did farm work on the home place, being thus engaged until he entered the Union service, in 1862, for service in the Civil war. He joined Company D, 115th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the conflict, being mus- tered out July 20, 1865, at Washington, D. C. Among the battles in which he took part were Gettysburg, Mine Run, Chancellors- ville, and Fredericksburg. He was on patrol duty in the city of Washington the night President Lincoln was assassinated, and has been in the old Ford theatre many times. Returning to Indiana county after his dis- charge from the army, he settled on the home place in Green township, where he has ever since resided, buying the property at the time of his father's death. For the last twenty- six years he has also been engaged in busi- ness as a merchant, having a general store at Grip, where he has acquired an extensive and steady patronage. He was postmaster there for twenty-one years, and is well and favorably known in the vicinity, one of the most respected residents of Green township.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 119

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