Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 128

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 128

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Bartholomew Hadden, son of James, and father of James W. Hadden, was born in White township, Indiana Co., Pa., and in later years removed to Rayne township, where lie spent a considerable period in farming, his death occurring there in 1884. He mar- ried Maria McCollough, who died in her na- tive township of Rayne, and they had ten children, as follows: Elizabeth, who is de- O'Hara, a resident of Grant township ; James W .; Susan, the wife of Adam Bailey, a resi- dent of Mahaffey, Pa .; Isaac, a resident of Indiana county: Samuel, residing in White township; George W., who is now deceased; William S., a resident of East Mahoning township; Matilda, wife of Daniel Potts, of Rochester Mills, Pa .; and Sarah Ellen, wife of Watson Lang, also of Rochester Mills.

Mr. Lytle was united in marriage with Mary Catherine Waddle, daughter of Samuel Waddle, of Conemaugh township, Indiana county, and to this union there have been born seven children, as follows: Samuel, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in West- James W. Hadden's maternal grandfather, William McCollough, was a native of Indiana county, of Scotch ancestry, and passed his life in agricultural pursuits in Rayne town- slip. moreland county, married Bertha Long; Wal- lace, unmarried, a civil engineer by profes- sion, is now connected with the New York City building department as an inspector; John, also unmarried, is in the employ of the James W. Hadden was educated in the schools of White township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he has spent his entire life, having come to Green town- ship thirty-five years ago and cleared the land which he is now operating. Western Electric Company, at Wilberdeen, Pa .; Sheldon, who resides at home, is assist- ing his father in the work of the homestead; Martha married Ambrose Stein, a farmer of Westmoreland county; Laura met an acci- On Nov. 16, 1868, Mr. Hadden was united in marriage with Emma F. Pfaff, who was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1847, daughter of Edwin Pfaff, a native of Germany who died dental death in a runaway accident, when she was twenty years of age; Bertha mar- ried Edward Beach and died at the age of twenty-eight years, the mother of one child, in the East, Mrs. Hadden being adopted by Ethel. The members of this family are all IIenry Black, of Indiana county, and reared

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

with his family. She died July 28, 1908, the he follows, and his success justifies the plans mother of seven children, as follows: Edison he has adopted. P., a resident of Colorado; Harry K., a On March 15, 1894, Mr. Griffith was mar- farmer of Green township; Everett M., a resi- ried at Indiana to Amanda Brown, who was dent of Green township; James G., deceased ; Charles F., also living in Colorado; Porter B., living at home; and Nellie, who also lives with her father. born in Cherryhill township, daughter of George D. and Elizabeth (DeArmand) Brown, farming people, who settled in Indi- ana county many years ago. Mr. Brown died July 11, 1910, and his widow now lives at Penn Run, in Cherryhill township. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have no children. They are members of the Baptist Church at Pineflats.

Mr. Hadden and his family are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. He is interested in the promotion of education, morality and good citizenship, and for some time has served as a member of the school board of Green township.

A. B. GRIFFITH has been a resident of Cherryhill township, Indiana county, for the last fifteen years, and is a prosperous farmer of his district. He is a native of Green town- ship, this county, born Nov. 16, 1851, son of Samuel and Margaret (Brown) Griffith. Isaac Griffith, his great-grandfather, was an early settler in the county, where he followed farming and milling. He built the first mill in Indiana county and carried it on for ten years, preparing the lumber for the first courthouse erected at Indiana. His son Evan Griffith, grandfather of A. B. Griffith, came to this region from York county, Pa., and settled in Green township, Indiana county, where he was engaged in farming for many years.

county ; Martha, wife of John F. McCandless, of Butler county, Pa .; Evan, of Homer City ; with Benjamin, deceased.

A. B. Griffith passed his early days on the old home farm in Green township and obtained his education in the public schools of the vicinity. He has made farming his life work, and in 1897 settled at his present place in Cherryhill township, purchasing this property. He is a first-class farmer, one who keeps abreast of the times in his ideas about the management of his work and the methods 92

Samuel Griffith, father of A. B. Griffith, was born in Brushvalley township, Indiana county, and followed farming throughout his active years. His old home place was in Green township. When he sold the farm there he moved to Indiana, the county seat, where he resided until his death, in September, 1901. He married Margaret Brown, who was born in Bedford county, Pa., and who died on the old homestead in 1885. They had nine children, namely: Jemima, who is deceased; A. B .; Elizabeth, who died young; Sarah Jane, deceased; Matthew, deceased; Mary, widow of John Ray, of Homer City, this . (second) Elizabeth Letitia Henderson, born July 16, 1853, daughter of Samuel Clark and Margaret (Anthony) Henderson. The former was born at Elderton, Pa., April 1, 1818, and died in Armstrong township Aug. 8, 1902. He was a farmer all his life. He was a Pres- byterian in religious matters, while politi- cally he voted the Republican ticket. His wife died Jan. 30, 1901. They were married Jan. 3, 1844, by the Rev. Mr. Donaldson, and had the following children: (1) William Johnston, born Oct. 12, 1844, served during the Civil war in the 206th Pennsylvania

ANDREW ALBERT WIGGINS, a farmer of Armstrong township, was born there Aug. 27, 1854, son of James and Eliza Jane (Lowry) Wiggins. His paternal grandfather was James Wiggins.

James Wiggins, son of James Wiggins and father of Andrew Albert Wiggins, was born Aug. 22, 1826, while his wife was born Nov. 28, 1826. They were married by Rev. David Blair on June 10, 1847. After the death of his first wife James Wiggins married (sec- ond) Sarah Ann Marlin.

Andrew Albert Wiggins taught school for some years, becoming one of the popular edu- cators of this locality, but he is now a farmer, owning and operating fifty-nine acres of land in Armstrong township.

On March 3, 1880, Mr. Wiggins married Elizabeth Jane Cunningham, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Beatty) Cunningham. Mrs. Wiggins died March 9, 1890, the mother of the following children: James Walter, born Feb. 5, 1881, married Carrie Lewis, and they have one child, Louise; Harriet Bertha, born July 31, 1882, married in September, 1903, Robert Sharp, resides at Shelocta, and has had children, Ralph Albert (deceased), Arthur and Edgar; John Meredith, born May 27, 1885, married Mary Elizabeth Clark, and his children, William Earl, Anna Frances and Bertha Margaret.

On Aug. 10, 1893, Mr. Wiggins married

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Volunteer Infantry. He married Meta Hunt, is a member of the B. P. O. Elks and of the and died May 22, 1899, in California. (2) Cosmopolitan Club of Indiana.

Nancy Jane, born July 9, 1846, married David Fleming, who died Sept. 7, 1882. (3) THOMAS HAMILTON MILLEN, owner John Ralston, born Sept. 14, 1848, married of eighty-eight acres of land in Armstrong

Dec. 15, 1871, Margaret Ann Fiscus. (4) Maria Julia, born Dec. 4, 1850, married

township, this county, was born Nov. 23, 1868, on his present property, a son of Wil- Robert H. Cunningham. (5) Elizabeth Le- liam A. and Elizabeth (Andrews) Millen. titia is Mrs. Wiggins. (6) Samuel Clark, born July 27, 1857, married May 7, 1879, Jennie R. Gemmell, daughter of William and Margaret (Cunningham) Gemmell.

STACY H. SMITH, assistant postmaster at the borough of Indiana, Indiana county, has held his present position since 1901 and is considered one of the best qualified men in the post office service in this county. He was born in Indiana May 1, 1878, son of Samuel A. Smith and grandson of Joseph R. Smith. The grandfather, also a native of Indiana county, was for many years editor and proprietor of the Indiana Messenger, and occupied an influential position in his day. He served one term in the office of sheriff of Indiana county. His death occurred in 1887.

Samuel A. Smith succeeded his father in the newspaper business, editing and publish- ing the Messenger for several years. In May, 1900, he was appointed postmaster at Indi- ana, and was serving in that office at the time of his death, which occurred in May, 1904. He married Miss Sarah Kinter, and to them were born five children: Carrie, deceased; Harry K .; Joseph M .; Edith M., and Stacy H.

Stacy H. Smith obtained his early educa- tion in the public schools and the Indiana State normal school. He worked in the Messenger office for a time during his young manhood, and in July, 1901, became assistant postmaster under his father, being reap- pointed by Postmaster McGregor in 1904. after his father's death. He has been in the office continuously since, and he has the repu- tation of being a highly competent man, not only because of his long practical experience in the work upon which he is engaged, but also because of his studious nature, which has prompted him to make every effort to master the details of efficient service. He is very popular among his fellow citizens in Indiana, by whom he is regarded generally as the right man in the right place.

In October, 1904, Mr. Smith was married to Mary Agnes Wilson, daughter of the late A. W. Wilson, of Indiana, and they have two children, Stacey H. and Jane W. Mr. Smith

William A. Millen was born in Young township, Indiana Co., Pa., and died on the farm of his son Thomas H., in 1909. He was three times married, his first wife being the mother of Thomas H. Millen. By her he had the following children: Matthew and Anna Mary, twins, Thomas Hamilton, Margaret Ellen (Mrs. William L. Brown, of Armstrong township). By his second wife, Martha (Miller), William A. Millen had one son, Robert H., who also lives in Armstrong town- ship. His third wife was Katie McMillen.

At the outbreak of the Civil war, when eighteen years old, William A. Millen en- listed in the 78th Regiment, P. V. I, was pro- moted to sergeant for gallantry in service, and was discharged Sept. 11, 1865, having served during the whole period of the con- flict. He subsequently held a number of public positions, serving as school director, overseer of the poor and justice of the peace in Armstrong township. He was a leading member of the West Union United Presby- terian Church, and a ruling elder for over thirty years.

Thomas Hamilton Millen grew to manhood on his present property, where he has spent his life. His educational training was se- cured in the district schools. He has never married. In religions connecton he belongs to the United Presbyterian Church. In pol- ities he is a Republican, but he does not care for public life. A good farmer and most estimable man, he is respected by all who know him.

JOHN GEORGE BRICKER, a farmer of West Mahoning township, was born Feb. 5. 1871, in South Mahoning township, son of Joseph Bricker.

Philip Bricker, a farmer of Westmoreland county, Pa., came to South Mahoning town- ship, Indiana county, where he spent the re- mainder of his useful life, becoming one of the substantial men of that locality. He was one of the pioneers of the settlement near the Lutheran Church in that township, and developed a fine farm from wild land, a good part of which he cleared of the heavy timber. The wife of Philip Bricker bore the maiden

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

name of Margaret Struckard, and they had gie, who married James Sloan, of Apollo, Pa .; the following children : Mary married John and one that died in infancy unnamed. Anderson, and both are deceased; Peter, who Joseph Bricker and his wife became the parents of two children; John George, and William Addison, the latter, born March 4, 1877, died at the age of seventeen years. Mrs. Bricker survives her husband, and makes her home with her son John George. lived in South Mahoning township, married Belle Kerr, and both are deceased; Betsy, who married David Black, lived in South Ma- honing township; Lavina, who married Thomas McElwee, lived on the old homestead; Adam, who married Lizzie Stear, lives in South Mahoning township; Joseph is men- tioned below; John died in childhood; Han- nah, who married William M. Mikesell, lives in South Mahoning township; Martha died unmarried.

John George Bricker attended the local pub- lic schools, and grew up on the farm, living there until 1905, when he sold it and bought the Redding place in West Mahoning town- ship, upon which he now resides. This prop- erty is very valuable, and his residence is one of the best in the township. In addition to this farm Mr. Bricker owns another in Wayne township, Armstrong Co., Pa., and is a recog- nized leader in agricultural matters in this locality.

Joseph Bricker was born in South Mahon- ing township Nov. 28, 1838, and died June 21, 1904. His educational training was limited to that given by the common schools of his neighborhood, and he spent his life in agri- cultural pursuits, in South Mahoning town- ship. A man of strictest probity, his name became well known throughout his part of the county as synonymous with all that was good and true. For many years he gave the Republican party his loyal support, while in religious matters he was a consistent Lutheran.

On Nov. 17, 1892, Mr. Bricker was married to Irene C. Gahagen, of Porter township, Jef- ferson Co., Pa., a daughter of Calvin and Sarah (Tranis) Gahagen, farming people of Wayne township. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bricker are: Charles Blaine, born June 17, 1895, married Sept. 11, 1912 Ruby Jane Rowland, of South Mahoning township, and settled on a farm he owns in West Mahoning township, (he and his wife are members of the Maccabees at Dayton, Pa.) ; Joseph Le- Roy, born March 4, 1899, is at home.

On Oct. 4, 1886, Mr. Bricker married Mary Catherine Root, who was born in South Ma- honing township, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Kerr) Root, natives of Westmore- land county, Pa., and West Mahoning town- Mr. Bricker is a Republican, and he and his wife belong to Glade Run Presbyterian Church, and are active in its good work. He has not sought public office, but no man stands any higher in the estimation of his neighbors, for he has honestly earned his pres- ent prosperity. ship, this county, respectively. Mr. Root came to Indiana county and lived for a time in South Mahoning township, but later went to Armstrong county, Pa., and died there in Cowanshannock township, at the age of thir- ty-three years, in 1848. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. His widow married (second) David Pringle, of South Mahoning THOMAS PORTER CLAWSON, an agri- culturist of Center township, Indiana county, was born April 16, 1861, son of Daniel and Anna E. (Moses) Clawson. township, this county, and survived many years, passing away in South Mahoning town- ship April 1, 1900, aged seventy-seven years. She, too, was a member of the Lutheran The first of the name in Indiana county was Daniel Clawson, a native of Hollidays- burg, Blair Co., Pa., who settled in Black- lick township, on a farm of 160 acres, be- ing one of the pioneers of that region. On this property he erected buildings and spent the remainder of his life in useful, peaceful pursuits, dying there; his remains were in- terred in Bethel graveyard in Center town- ship. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Daniel Clawson mar- ried Margaret Hollis, of Blair county, and their children were: John; David; Ephraim, who located in Center township; Sally, who Church. By her first marriage she had the following children: John, who died of small- pox near Gettysburg while serving in the medical department of the Union army dur- ing the Civil war; Mary Catherine, Mrs. Bricker; George, a shoemaker of Manor, Pa., who married Mary Stearns; Emily, who died young ; and Jacob, who died in infancy. By her marriage to Mr. Pringle she had these children: Lavina, who married G. Hayes, both now deceased; Sadie, who is the widow of Peter Richards, and lives in Rural Valley, Pa .; Daniel, deceased; Clark, deceased; Mag- married John Clawson, of Center township;

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IIISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

and William, who was killed by a horse in pany. He now owns the Lucas farm located childhood.

David Clawson, son of Daniel, was born

Daniel Clawson, son of David, was born in Blacklick township, where he was educated, attending public school. He remained on the homestead until the summer of 1863, when he enlisted, in August, in Company K, 135th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, but was soon thereafter taken sick and confined in Harwood hospital, where he died in October, 1863. He was buried at Washington, D. C. Mr. Clawson was only thirty years old at the time of his untimely death. Politically he was a Republican. The Methodist Church held his membership, and he was a faithful adherent to its teachings. He married Annie E. Moses, of Bedford county, Pa., daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Blake) Moses, and the following children were born of this marriage: Hannah Jane, deceased, who married David Swoger; and Thomas Porter and Agnes, twins, the latter marrying George Moses and residing in Cleveland, Ohio. On June 26, 1872, Mrs. Clawson married (second) Porter Clawson, her brother-in-law, and they had two children: Nora, who married Stewart Wolford, of Cokeville; and Edward, who re- sides in Blackliek township.

Thomas Porter Clawson, son of Daniel, continued under his mother's protection un- til he was thirteen years old, when he went to live with his grandfather. There he learned farming from the beginning, and after he married he bought thirty-two acres of land, a portion of the homestead, and began agri- enltural pursuits for himself. Later on he bought the Rhea farm of 138 aeres, and there spent eighteen years, in 1902 selling this prop- erty to the Rochester & Pittsburg Coal Com-

near his old place.

In 1884 Mr. Clawson was married to Sarah in Hollidaysburg, Pa., and came to Blacklick A. Rhea, a daughter of Hugh Rhea, of Center township with his parents. There he took up township. They had one son, Arthur, who farming, and followed that calling all his married Effie Kerr, by whom he has had two life, spending his days upon his farm, where children: Miland and Wilbur, and lives in he died, his remains being buried in the Jack- Jacksonville. sonville Presbyterian cemetery. In politics he was a Republican. While residing in lican ticket his hearty support. As a member Mr. Clawson has always given the Repub- Blacklick he was married to Rebecca Ross, and trustee of the Jacksonville Methodist Church he has been very useful, and for eleven years has been an enthusiastic Sunday daughter of John Ross, also of Blacklick town- ship, and their children were: Daniel; Mar- garet, Nancy and John, all three of whom died school teacher; for ten years he has been elass in childhood; David, who is still residing in Blacklick township; Porter, who was in a Pennsylvania regiment during the Civil war, and now resides in Cokeville, Pa .; Fergus; and Lucinda, who married Abraham Ding- man.

leader and steward. A man of abundant energy, Mr. Clawson has always carried through to successful completion anything he set out to accomplish. Genial in disposition, he has won friends, and retained them through long years because one of his seber, industri- ous habits deserves all confidence and re- spect.

DANIEL B. HENRY was at the time of his death retired from farming and residing at Cookport, Indiana county. He was born in Cherryhill township, this county, Jan. 15, 1844, son of Daniel and Sarah (Byers) Henry, and a member of an old and honored family of eastern Pennsylvania.

Daniel Henry, the father of Daniel B., was born in Germany, from which country he came to the United States with his parents at an early date, settling in Cherryhill town- ship, Indiana Co., Pa. There he spent his life in agricultural pursuits, and died in Oc- tober, 1883. His wife, who was born in Schuykill county, Pa., belonged to a family that has been well known there for many years, and died in 1908. She was the mother of eleven children, namely: John, deceased, who belonged to the Independent Cavalry, Company C, enlisting from Indiana county ; George, who belonged to the same company, now a resident of Green township; Sarah Ann and Catherine, who are deceased; Elizabeth, who is the wife of John Bash; Daniel B .; Rebecca, deceased, who was the widow of Miles Lockard; Jacob, who resides in Cherry- hill township ; Lovina, deceased; Jemima, the wife of David Fleming, of Cherryhill town- ship; and Simon, residing in Cherryhill town- ship.

Daniel B. Henry attended the common schools of Cherryhill township, and during his boyhood days worked on the home farm. When the Civil war broke out he was a lad of seventeen years, but with youthful patriot-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ism he offered his services to his country, en- listing July 15, 1861, in the State Guards. In September of the same year he was trans- ferred to Company I, 55th Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, under command of Colonel White, and remained in the service until Aug. 30, 1865, when he received his honorable discharge at Petersburg, Va. Mr. Henry had a long and eventful army experi- ence, was wounded in battle, and at one time taken prisoner, and among the engagements in which he took part may be mentioned such hard-fought struggles as Petersburg, Poca- tello, Cold Harbor, Signal Hill and Hatcher's Run. On completing his service he returned to Indiana county and resumed farming, re- maining in Cherryhill township until 1884, in which year he embarked in the sawmill business, carrying it on for five years. At that time he retired from active business ven- tures, leading a quiet, retired life in his home at Cookport until his death, which occurred Aug. 29, 1912. He is buried in Sample Run cemetery.

On Nov. 1, 1866, Mr. Henry was married to Rachel Shank, who was born in Cherry- hill township May 21, 1849, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kantz) Shank, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ger- many. Mr. Shank died in May, 1866, and his widow survived until April 1, 1886. He spent his entire life in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Henry had nine children : Elizabeth, who is the wife of Samuel Wentzel; Laura, who is deceased; Emma; Ellsworth, a resident of Indiana county; Sherman, also residing in this county; Sheridan, who lives in Ebens- burg; Franklin, of Oregon; Crissie, the wife of Clifford Stiffler, of Heilwood, Pa .; and one child that died in infancy.

Mr. Henry was a member of the Church of Christ, to which his wife and family also belong. He was a popular comrade of the local post of the G. A. R.

HEZEKIAH RUPERT, a farmer of Arm- strong township, was born Sept. 1, 1854, in South Bend (now Plum Creek), Armstrong Co., Pa., son of Joseph and Catherine (Rowe) Rupert.

The great-grandfather of Hezekiah Rupert was a pioneer settler of Armstrong county, to which region he came when it was all a wilderness.

a log house, in which he lived all the rest of his life. His children were as follows: Mat- tie, Daniel, George, Joseph, Hettie, Philip, Solomon, Adam, Caroline, John, Henry, Sarah and Mary.

Joseph Rupert, son of George Rupert, was born at South Bend, Pa., and there became the owner of sixty acres of land, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and politically was a stanch Democrat. By his first wife, Catherine (Rowe), daughter of John Rowe (whose wife's maiden name was Alhouse), he became the father of these chil- dren: Wilson, who married a Miss Houser, died Jan. 24, 1911; Alexander is living at Plum Creek, Pa .; Reuben died Dec. 19, -, at the age of fifty-one years; Hezekiah is mentioned below; Mary, died aged nine years ; Jennie is also deceased ; Lucretia married Joe Boyer; Emma married Elder Sharp. Mr. Ru- pert's second marriage was to Kate Bush, and they had the following children: Wil- liam, who married a Miss McCall; George, who died at the age of three years; Lewis, unmarried; Morris; and Elizabeth, who died when two years old.

Hezekiah Rupert attended the common and select schools, and at an early age began to assist his father in the work of the home farm. Moving to Armstrong township, Indiana county, he "cropped" many farms, and care- fully saved his earnings until he came to his present property, the Fleming farm, a tract of 220 acres, in 1905. He has made many improvements thereon, and is consid- ered one of the practical and substantial men of his community. He is a progressive busi- ness man, and does a large trade in butter and eggs in Indiana borough. His religious belief is that of the Presbyterian Church, and in political matters he is a Republican.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 128

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