Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 126

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 126

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George Smith and his wife had the follow- ing family : Keziah, deceased, married Isaac Tiger, and lived in Canoe township; John, who died unmarried, spent the greater part of his life on the homestead; Barbara Ann married Jacob Tiger, of Canoe township; William H., who married Susie Tiger, lives near Indiana, Pa .; Charles, who married Mal- vina McCollough, served as a soldier in the Civil war (he was taken sick and died, and

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was buried near Pittsburg) ; Jacob is spoken ceed, and in time he developed a very valu- of at length below; Maria married Samuel able tract. The fact that it is located on Cochrane, of East Mahoning township; Rachel, the straight branch of Canoe creek adds to deceased, married Andy Bishop; James, who lived first in Canoe township and later in Jef- ferson county, where he died, married Eveline Smith and (second) Etta Fairbanks; Clark, deceased, who married Sarah Tiger, spent his life on the homestead and met his death in a railroad accident at Jersey Shore, Pa .; a son died in infancy unnamed.

its value. His first purchase consisted of 148 acres, and he later added fifty-seven acres. Realizing the value of Canoe township farm- ing land, Mr. Smith has invested in it quite heavily, now owning in addition to his home- stead one farm of 275 acres and another one of fifty-three acres. At present his home- stead comprises but 128 acres, he having sold Mary J. (White) Smith, mother of Jacob Smith, was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., daughter of John and Keziah White. Mr. White was a native of France, and on the way over from his native land to this country off the remainder to be included in the town of Rossiter. On his farm he has a coal bank. All the improvements on the place have been made by him. He built a chopmill which he and his son operated for a time, but he has had the misfortune to be wrecked, and was preferred to devote himself to agricultural matters, as he has felt and proved that his ability lies in this direction.

washed ashore nearly destitute of clothing, not far from the city of Philadelphia. Com- ing to Indiana, Pa., he secured wild land in North Mahoning township, Indiana county, on which his grandson, Anderson White, now lives. He and his wife rounded out their use- ful lives on the place their industry had de- veloped from the wilderness. The following children were born to them: John, Charles R., Isaac, James, Isaiah, and Mary J.

Jacob Smith passed through some interest- ing experiences while securing his educational training. Instead of the well equipped schools of to-day, the children of his time attended in a log house and sat on slab seats, feeling fortunate if their feet rested upon a puncheon floor, as many of the schoolhouses had noth- ing but the pounded earth for a floor. The crude openings that served as windows were furnished with oiled paper instead of glass, and the room was heated by a huge fireplace. Books were few and handed from one child to the other until utterly wornout. Still the children learned in these primitive schools and laid a firm foundation for future stability and worth. As they had to struggle for their advantages they appreciated them and did not waste their time, but applied themselves earnestly and with profit.

While he was attending school Mr. Smith was not idle, but assisted his father in the work of the farm, becoming so useful that after leaving school he remained at home until he was twenty-three years old. He then lo- cated on his present farm in Canoe township, a portion of Rossiter now standing on the original tract. At the time he bought the property it was covered with heavy timber and a less active man might have despaired of ever clearing it, but having assisted his father in similar work he knew how to pro-

However, whenever the opportunity has arisen for him to make a wise investment of his money he has taken advantage of it, and he erected and still owns the Odd Fellows building at Rossiter. He has always voted the Democratic ticket and for thirty-three years served as a school director, while he has held other offices at different times. For many years he has been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church of Rossiter, and gives it a valued support. Few men are better known throughout Indiana county than Jacob Smith. Successful in every respect, he has earned the warm friendship and appreciation of all with whom he has been associated, and stands forth as one of the leading examples of Pennsyl- vania's prosperous agriculturists.

On March 14, 1867, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Margaret Beck, of West Mahoning township, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Lantz) Beck, natives of Armstrong and Indiana counties, respectively. Mrs. Smith died Jan. 22, 1890, the mother of the following children: (1) Mary C., born Feb. 21, 1868, married D. G. Tiger, who is farm- ing one of Mr. Smith's properties, and they have had children, Megs, Thara, Theda (de- ceased), Laird and Alma. (2) Keziah, born Sept. 6, 1869, married M. H. Cassidy, of Canoe township, and their children are Cree, Arthur, Quay, Alta, Jay, Wayne, Catherine, Theda, Jacob and James. (3) Caroline, born June 5, 1871, married John Weaver, and has had children, Merl. Bud, Dee, Orrie, Nancy (deceased), Mary, Wade and Glen. (4) Wil- liam, born May 9, 1873, married Mary Mc- Collough, who bore him these children, Ethel, Laura, Sarah and Martha. He died April 27, 1905. He always lived on the homestead and

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

assisted his father in operating the chopmill. at No. 249 Fourth street, Indiana, Pa., was After his death his widow married John Craw- ford, of Plumville.

For his second wife Jacob Smith married Elida Good, of Clarion county, Pa., who died, and on Nov. 27, 1907, Mr. Smith married (third) Mrs. Elizabeth (Timlin) Welchonce, of Jefferson county, Pa., daughter of George and Elizabeth (McHenry) Timlin, and widow of Johnson Welchonce.

JACOB SILVIS, farmer of Armstrong township, Indiana county, owns and operates a tract of ninety-two acres which formed part of his father's farm. He was born in West- moreland county, near Murrysville, April 14, 1834, son of Levi Silvis, who moved to Arm- strong township, Indiana county, when his son Jacob was seventeen years old. The latter has since made his home in that township. He re- ceived a public school training in his native county, and also attended school for a short time after settling in this county. During the Civil war he entered the Union army, serv- ing fourteen months. in the 61st Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. William J. Glenn. This company was organ- ized at Marion Center, Indiana county. Mr. Silvis joined his regiment, which was attached to the 6th Corps, Army of the Potomac, under Gen. John Sedgwick, at Sulphur Springs, Va., and took part in all the battles in which it was thereafter engaged up to Cold Harbor, where he was taken sick with typhoid fever, also suffering from rheumatism. He was sent home and was not able to return to the service.

On Jan. 5, 1860, Mr. Silvis married Maria Heffelfinger, of Armstrong county, Pa., who was born April 3, 1836, daughter of John Heffelfinger. After their marriage they lo- cated on part of the farm owned and occu- pied by his father. Mr. Silvis has been a prosperous farmer, and he is one of the worthy and esteemed citizens of his neighborhood. Originally a Democrat in politics, he subse- quently became a Republican, supported the Greenback party, and is now an advocate of socialism. In religious association he is a Lutheran.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Silvis: Mary Ann is the wife of Cyrus King; William John lives at Wilkinsburg, Pa .; Reuben A. is located at South Bend, Pa .; Abraham M. is a resident of Armstrong township, Indiana county.

GEORGE W. GREINER, engaged in the manufacture of high-grade bread and cakes

born in the old Sixth ward of Pittsburg, Pa., near Mercy hospital, March 22, 1868, and is a son of William and Annie (King) Greiner.

William Greiner has followed baking as an occupation all of his life, and is now the pro- prietor of an establishment at Clymer. His wife is deceased. They had two sons, of whom George W. is the younger.

George W. Greiner attended the Forbes school in the Sixth ward of Pittsburg until he was eleven years of age, his last teacher being a Miss McCaffry, and then entered his father's bakery in Pittsburg to learn the busi- ness. He continued to work with him in Pitts- burg, Blairsville and Indiana; and followed his trade in Homer City and other places, as a journeyman. In 1904 Mr. Greiner came with his father to Indiana, and May 31, 1908, purchased the business of his father, who then went to Clymer. Progressive and enter- prising in his ideas and methods, Mr. Greiner has built up a large trade, necessitating the use of two wagons and an automobile truck.

On Oct. 5, 1909, Mr. Greiner was married in Pittsburg, Pa., to Pearl Lewis, of Ross- moyne, Indiana county, daughter of Matthew Lewis, an agriculturist of this county. Mr. Greiner is not connected with any particular religious denomination, but is an advocate of morality, education and good citizenship. In political matters he is a Republican, and his fraternal connection is with the Eagles and the Moose. He and his wife have no children.

JOSEPH F. LIGHTNER, who conducts a thriving general mercantile store at Dixon- ville, Indiana county, has been doing business there since 1905. He is a native of Armstrong county, Pa., born March 2, 1870, at Belknap, where his father, Daniel Lightner, was one of the first settlers. Daniel Lightner was a blacksmith and followed that calling at Belk- nap for many years, dying in 1890. He mar- ried Lovina Ellenberger, who survived him a number of years, dying in 1908. They were the parents of three children: John, who is a resident of Armstrong county ; Joseph F .; and Anna, wife of James A. Reesman, of Kittan- ning, Armstrong county.

Joseph F. Lightner received a public school education at Belknap, where he passed his early life. When a youth he was employed at farm work, at which he continued for a num- ber of years, and was also engaged in the woods, lumbering. In 1905 he came to Dixon- ville, where he has since remained, and at once established the store he now conducts,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

which has enjoyed a profitable patronage from In 1908 Mr. Bee was married, in the town the start. He owns the building in which his of Indiana, Pa., to Miny Smith, who was born business is located, and has become one of in Canoe township, daughter of Clark and the substantial citizens of the community in Sarah (Tyger) Smith, who are now both de- which he is settled, and where his honorable career has won him good standing. ceased. Mrs. Bee's father was a farmer of Canoe township, carrying on operations on the tract of land that had been originally set- tled and cleared by his father, George Smith,

Mr. Lightner's marriage to Salvada Rum- mel took place in 1891. She was born in Armstrong county, daughter of Emanuel and one of this county's early pioneers. Nancy (Rearich) Rummel, both also natives

Mr. Bee is a member of Twolick Lodge, No. of that county, the latter now deceased; Mr. 75, Knights of Pythias, and of the Loyal Order Rummel is at present a resident of Dixon- of Moose, at Clymer. His wife is a well- ville. Three children have been born to Mr. known member of the Presbyterian Church. and Mrs. Lightner: William married Irene Motter, of DuBois, Pa .; Floyd married Grace Lydic, of Lovejoy, Pa .; Melvin is at home.

LEROY BEE, superintendent of the Green- wich Coal & Coke Company, at Lovejoy, In- diana county, was born in Canoe township, this county, June 17, 1874, and is a son of John A. and Amanda (White) Bee, natives of Indiana county who are now living in Canoe township.

The father of Mr. Bee spent the active years of his life as a carpenter and contractor, and now resides on a farm near the town of Ros- siter. He served as justice of the peace and constable for twenty-six years. He and his wife had five sons and one daughter, namely : Bert, who is engaged in farming in Canoe township; Leroy; Mabel, the wife of John Domb, who conducts a store at Canoe Ridge, Indiana county; Harlin and Clyde, who are carpenters of Lovejoy; and Doyle, living at home.

Leroy Bee secured his education in the schools of Canoe township, and as a young man was taught the trade of carpenter by his father. After following general carpentry for some years he became a mine carpenter at Windber, and two years thereafter accepted a position as foreman and carpenter with the Greenwich Coal & Coke Company. After five years spent in these capacities he became sta- tionary engineer for the company, and in John North, son of John North and father of Nathaniel S. North, was born at Wilming- ton, Del., in 1811, and was seven years old when the family moved to Indiana county, 1910 was made superintendent of the com- pany at Lovejoy, a position which he has continued to hold to the present time, show- ing himself to be a faithful and efficient em- Pa. There he finished his schooling in the ployee and a man of much executive ability. home district in North Mahoning township,

NATHANIEL S. NORTH, who farms in Canoe township, not far from Juneau, Indiana county, was born in what is now Canoe town- ship (at that time part of Montgomery town- ship) Sept. 17, 1842, son of John and Eliza- beth (Simpson) North and grandson of John North.

John North, the grandfather, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1779, and was mar- ried there in 1806 to Elizabeth Pogue. In 1810 they came to the United States, and he secured employment in the DuPont powder works, in Delaware. He served one year in the army during the war of 1812 and was enrolled during the entire conflict, being de- tailed to work in the powder mills. In the spring of 1818 he came to Indiana county, and the first home of the family was an old log schoolhouse standing on what was then the John Mitchell farm. In June, 1818, he bought a tract of land embracing 200 acres in North Mahoning township, where he carried on general farming, engaging also in lumber-

The maternal great-grandfather of Mr. Bee was born in France, and on his way to the ing. The following children were born to John United States was shipwrecked. Isaac White, and Elizabeth (Pogue) North: Deborah, who married William Pogue; Margaret, who mar- his son, came from France to the United States, locating first in New York, and later . ried John Henderson: John, who married becoming one of the first settlers of Indiana county, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth Simpson ; Eliza, who married James Means; Joseph P., who married Margery Kinsel; Daniel, who married Catherine Bell; Phoebe Jane, who married John Steffy; Thomas, who married Sarah McConaughey and (second) Eva Sutter; and William P., who married Margaret Simpson. John North, Sr., died at the age of sixty-four years, in 1843, and his wife in 1846, aged about sixty- one, and both were buried in the old ceme- tery at Punxsutawney, in Jefferson county.

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and when he reached manhood bought a farm When finally mustered out after his honorable of 140 acres from Charles Gaskel, who was discharge he started for Indiana county and, agent for the Holland Land Company. This arriving home on July 15, 1865, was able to help his father through harvest and assist farm was situated in North Mahoning town- ship and it continued to be the home of Mr. in putting away the crops. After his years North until his death, which occurred in 1886, of adventurous life the quiet of the farm grew so monotonous that the young man decided on traveling about for awhile before settling down, and went first to Pittsburg, from there to Cincinnati and afterward to St. Louis, in each city finding much to interest him but not enough to make him wish to settle there. He went on to Macon City, Mo., and there had an unpleasant experience, being recognized as a former Union soldier and as such almost mobbed by a crowd of Confederate sympa- thizers. He then returned home, but later went into the lumber camps in Clearfield county and worked until the spring of 1866. After his first marriage, in 1867, he settled on his present farm in Canoe township. when he was aged seventy-five years. He was a man of consequence in his neighborhood, and being a great reader was very well informed. At different times he served with honest ef- ficiency in numerous local offices, such as school director, overseer and supervisor. He was a zealous antislavery man, an abolitionist and later a Republican. When young he be- came a member of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney, and when the church was rebuilt and the congrega- tion was organized as a Presbyterian Church he united with it. For many years he was an elder in his church and at the time of his death was serving as trustee.

In 1837 John North married Elizabeth Simpson, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Simpson, of Georgeville. She was born in 1812 and died in 1907, aged ninety-five years. To this marriage the following children were born: Two that died very young of scarlet fever; Nathaniel S .; Joseph, deceased, wlio married Mary Martin, of Canoe township, and (second) Mary Nichol, of South Mahon- ing township; Anna Mary, who is the widow of William Simpson; Laura E., of Indiana, Pa., widow of David Hamilton; Solomon Tay- lor, now serving his fifth term as a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature, who married Ann Neal (she is deceased) ; Minerva and Margaret, both of whom are deceased ; and a child that died unnamed. John North and his wife were buried in the old graveyard at Punxsutawney.

Nathaniel S. North attended school in Jef- ferson county until he was twelve years old and helped his father on the farm until he was eighteen years of age. In the meanwhile the Civil war had been precipitated, and lie resolved to enter the Federal army, which resolve he put into action by enlisting, on Aug. 21, 1862, in Company A, 61st Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the end of the war; he was mus- tered out July 3, 1865. He participated in a great many battles, including Fredericks- Mr. North's second marriage was to Han- nah Ellwood, who was born Dec. 5, 1849, daughter of William and Barbara (Burkett) Ellwood, of Canoe township, and died in November, 1909. On Oct. 17, 1910, Mr. North was married (third) to Mrs. Nannie (Lydic) burg and Chancellorsville, and in many skir- mishes, was near Bull Run, and was near Fort- ress Monroe when the Confederates blew up Fort Hell. He was with General Burnside's command when it was mired in the mud at Kelly's Ford on the way to Chancellorsville. Litzinger, widow of John Litzinger, and

In politics Mr. North is a Republican, and he takes an active part in public matters and has served acceptably in many township of- fices. He was supervisor three years. After serving for thirteen years as a school director he was once more reelected, but had to de- cline. on account of holding another office at that time. He was tax collector two terms, and for two terms was township assessor. He holds membership in the Indiana lodge of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and Washington Camp, P. O. S. of A., at Punx- sutawney. Formerly he belonged to the G. A. R. in that city and at present is a member of the Union Veteran Legion of Punxsutaw ney. Reared in the Presbyterian faith, he is inclined toward the doctrines of that church.

Mr. North was first married to Nancy Hamilton, who was born Jan. 10, 1842, and died Oct. 8, 1894. She was a daughter of John and Mattie (Hopkins) Hamilton. To that marriage the following children were born: Lizzie Fontabella, born Jan. 23, 1868; Martha Theresa, born Jan. 16, 1870, now de- ceased; John Hamilton, born March 1, 1872; Taylor Ellsworth, born Oct. 8, 1875, now de- ceased; Clara Irene, born Dec. 1, 1877; and David Clair, born March 4, 1881.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

daughter of Chapman and Maria (Bostic) began developing a home. Here he continued Lydic.

1905, aged seventy-two years. He mar- ried Maria Bostic, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa., Feb. 17, 1838, and died Feb. 4, 1904, aged sixty-six years. They had eleven children, namely: Felix, who lives at Burnside, Clearfield Co., Pa., married Nettie Strong; Nannie is Mrs. North; George who lives in Clearfield county, mar- ried Luetta McGee; Samuel, who lives in Montgomery township, married Emma Hoff- man; Elizabeth is the wife of John McCul- lough, of Friendsville, Md .; Levina is the

Cambria county; Sadie is the wife of Wil- liam Spicher, of Arcadia, Montgomery town- ship; Malinda is the wife of Robert Kerr, of Montgomery township; Howard, who mar- ried Lily Goss, lives at Gettysburg, Mont- gomery township; Maud, who is the wife of John McGee, lives at Burnside, in Clearfield county ; Frank, who lives in Cambria county, married Grace Feath.

Nannie Lydic was born in' Montgomery township, Indiana Co., Pa., and was edu- cated in the public schools. She assisted her mother in the home until 1872, when she was united in marriage with John Litzinger, of Chest Springs, Cambria Co., Pa., who died Dec. 7, 1905, leaving the following children : Roy; Ethel, wife of David North, of Creek- side; Edna, wife of Harvey B. Langham, of Lovejoy; Nettie, wife of Henry Radcliff; Elizabeth, wife of Gloe Berringer, of Colver; and Daisy and Alice, both at home. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Litzinger resided in her home at Gettysburg until her marriage to Nathaniel S. North.

ROBERT CALDERWOOD, deceased, was born March 26, 1841, in County Tyrone, Ire- land, and died March 4, 1912, in Canoe town- ship, this county. He was a son of Andrew and Mary (Milligan) Calderwood.

Andrew Calderwood was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, as was his wife. They grew to maturity there and married. He was a farmer, and finding conditions not what they desired they came to America in 1848, locat- ing in North Mahoning township, Indiana Co., Pa., where they spent three years, then moving to the property in Canoe township that is still in the family. This comprised 100 acres of wild land, upon which Andrew Cal- derwood put up a log cabin and stable, and

to farm until his death, which occurred when CHAPMAN LYDIC, father of Mrs. North, was he was ninety-three years old. His wife died born Aug. 25, 1832, and died Jan. 25, in Banks township when she was eighty-three

years old. They were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. Their children were: Samuel, who is a farmer of Canoe township, married Elizabeth Shields, and they have eight children; Elizabeth, born June 1, 1837, in County Tyrone, Ireland, married Daniel Ratcliff and (second) John Coglin, and they live in Montgomery county, Pa .; Robert is mentioned below; William, born March 10, 1845, in County Tyrone, Ire- land, now a farmer of Knox township, Jeffer- son Co., Pa., married Martha Work, and has wife of Roul Spicher, of Garman's Mills, had these children, Lizzie, William, Mary,

Claire, Hattie, Bertha, Elizabeth, the last three being deceased; John E., born July 21, 1850, in this country, has been a lawyer at Punxsutawney, Pa., since 1879 (he was edu- cated at Covode, and read law with Chicks & Winslow, of Punxsutawney).

Robert Calderwood received only limited educational advantages, but possessing nat- ural ability and a quick mind he added to his store of information and became an ex- cellent business man. He lived on the Cal- derwood farm, carrying on general farming and lumbering, and did a large amount of business, being one of the leading men in his line. In his death the county lost one of its most substantial and representative men.

In 1881 Mr. Calderwood was united in mar- riage with Mary L. Rishel, who was born in Canoe township, this county, a daughter of Christopher Rishel. Mr. and Mrs. Calder- wood became the parents of two children, Ward and Alta E.

WARD CALDERWOOD was born on the old home place in Canoe township Feb. 2, 1882, and received a good common school education. He has always lived on the home place, and is one of the rising young men of his locality.

ALTA E. CALDERWOOD, born Sept. 9, 1883, married James Murray Baun, of Rossiter. They have had one child, Robert L., who is deceased.

HENRY BENCE, who is engaged in farm- ing in Green township, near the town of Dixonville, was born in Rayne township, In- diana county, Aug. 21, 1860, a son of George and Fannie (Stahl) Bence.

The father of Mr. Bence was an early set- tler in Indiana county, and spent the greater part of his life on a farm in Rayne township.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

He died in the house now occupied by his to the United States, emigrating to this coun- son Henry, in 1894. His wife, who died some try in young manhood and locating in Arm- strong county, Pa. He was a noted hunter and trapper of his day and locality, and also devoted some time to agricultural pursuits, and his latter years were spent in Westmore- land and Jefferson counties, his death occur- ring in the latter county. time previous to his demise, was a native of Center county, Pa., and they were the parents of ten children: Lucinda, the wife of John Rowe, a resident of Rayne township; Kathe- rine, who married Leander Baylor; Mary, widow of Franklin Long, living in Rayne township; Hannah, a resident of Greenville, Pa .; Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Living- ston, of Indiana, Pa .; Ellen, who married Foster Myers, of Rayne township; Dillie, the wife of Simon Henry, of Cherryhill town- ship; Christie Ann, a resident of Bradford, Pa .; Henry; and one who died in infancy.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 126

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