Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 135

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 135

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Buterbaugh's recollection of the early Hezekiah Baker, of Green township, Ella, days were characteristic, for though he did deceased, Amariah N., of Green township, not attempt to minimize the dangers, the hard- Andrew, of Barnesboro, Cambria Co., Pa., and a daughter that died in infancy. ships and the privations, he never forgot the lights among the shadows. Hunting was so good in those times that many men yielded to

Mr. Buterbaugh was making his home with his daughter, Mrs. D. P. Reed, at the time of this temptation to follow the chase to the his death, residing on the old place at Pleas- detriment of their regular callings. Mr. ant Valley, which had been his residence for Buterbaugh never neglected his work, yet so many years, and had good health except he was a good shot and enjoyed bringing in for the last few months of his life. He was buried in the Methodist graveyard at Cook- port, and his funeral was attended by a large number of neighbors and friends. He was survived by fifty-seven grandchildren, fifty- seven great-grandchildren and five great- great-grandchildren.

game, upon which the settlers long depended for most of their fresh meat. Deer, bear, turkey, pheasants, partridges, squirrels and rabbits were plentiful, and his daughter Elizabeth said she could remember seeing six large deer hanging in the spring house ready for use. He killed altogether over one hundred deer, and built bear pens in which LEONARD D. PITTMAN, proprietor of a barber shop at Cherrytree, Indiana county, was born near that place, May 7, 1863, a son he captured wildcats as well as bears. One day when he and his brother William went squirrel hunting together, the latter shot of John E. and Elmira (Hollister) Pittman. sixty-one squirrels, while John shot sixty-two Benjamin Pittman, his grandfather, was a native of Blair county, Pa., where his fore- bears, of English birth, settled in pioneer days. Later the family moved to within two miles of Cherrytree, where Benjamin Pitt- man bought land, and spent the remainder of his life cultivating it. birds, three pheasants, five partridges and three crows. Coon huntings were joyous and merry times, generally ending with a corn roast. Thus they had plenty of wild meat, and their pigs fattened on the nuts in the woods. There were fine fish in the streams, wild fruits and nuts were abundant, they "sighted" their bee trees and secured plenty of honey, and by thrift and prudent manage- ment wrested a good living from the locality. Their amusements, though simple, were free from contaminating influences, for all who attended the gatherings were friends and neighbors. The log rollings, quiltings, flax pullings and scutchings, barn and house rais- ings, wool pickings and kickings (the latter for the purpose of "fulling" cloth), brought the people together to give neighborly assist- ance, and were always accompanied by feast- ing and often followed by a dance.

On Oct. 13, 1831, Mr. Buterbaugh married Elizabeth Learn, daughter of John Learn, whose family was among the early settlers of Green township also, and their married life covered a period of fifty-three years, twenty- three days, Mrs. Buterbaugh passing away in 1884. She was the mother of thirteen chil- dren, six sons and seven daughters, eight of whom survived Mr. Buterhaugh, as here re- corded : Mary, who married John Cook (both deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), who married A. N. Reed, IIenry L., of Green township, Levi (deceased), Simon, of Green township, Sarah A., wife of D. P. Reed, Susan, Mrs. Franklin Nupp, of Green township, Isaac N., of Brushvalley township, Catherine, Mrs.

John Pittman, who was born in Indiana county, was a miller by trade, and conducted a mill all of his active life. His last few years were spent at Cherrytree, where he died in 1900. His wife was a daughter of Ezra Hol- lister, and she and her father were born in Connecticut. The family is of English ex- traction and was long ago founded in Con- necticut, whence Ezra Hollister brought his family to Cherrytree. In addition to teaching school he farmed, and was a man of consider- able influence in his community. Mrs. Pitt- man died in 1880, the mother of five children : Edwin D., a resident of Lewistown, Pa .; Leonard D .; Irwin K., a resident of Greens- burg, Pa .; Walter S., a resident of Warren, Warren Co., Pa .; and Sherman, a farmer of DuBois, Pennsylvania.

Leonard D. Pittman was brought by his parents to Cherrytree in 1865, and there at- tended the public schools. In young man- hood he was interested in the lumber trade, but later learned to be a barber, and for the past eighteen years has conducted his own business with gratifying success. He owns stock in the National Bank of Cherrytree. His fraternal associations are with the Knights of Pythias (in which he has held all the offices), the Modern Woodmen of America

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

and the Elks, Indiana lodge. Mr. Pittman and Dollie, who married Thomas C. Beatty, has never married. of Indiana.

HARVEY C. SNYDER, who has a general store in Indiana, Indiana county, is one of the prosperous merchants of that borough, and has made a fair start on his business career. He was born May 7, 1885, in Rayne township, this county, youngest son in the family of six children born to George J. and Isabella (Boucher) Snyder.

Lewis and Hannah Elizabeth Snyder, his grandparents, were born in Germany, and came to the United States about the year 1835, settling in Indiana county, Pa., where Mr. Snyder carried on farming throughout his life. They had children as follows: Susanna, who died unmarried; George J .; Margaret, widow of John Carlin; Daniel, deceased, who served in the Union army dur- ing the Civil war; Adam, of Indiana, also a Civil war veteran; and Sophia, who married John Joseph Klingenburg, of Indiana.

George J. Snyder was born May 7, 1838, on his father's farm two miles from Indiana, and received his education in the little log schoolhouse of the vicinity. As was the cus- tom among farmers' lads of that day he worked on the farm in the summer months, his attendance at school being limited to the winter terms. He remained with his father until his enlistment in Company K, 105th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three years, and served with that organ- ization in all its engagements up to the battle of Fair Oaks, when he was dangerously wounded in the left shoulder. Blood poison- ing set in and for five months he was con- fined to the hospital at New Haven, Conn., evidently receiving his honorable discharge on account of disability and returning to his home. After his recovery he resumed farm- ing, and after his marriage purchased a small farm in Rayne township, which he operated until his retirement in 1897, since when he has lived in his own home on Church street, Indiana, which he erected. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and holds membership in the Union Veteran Legion and the Legion of Honor.

Harvey C. Snyder attended school in Rayne township during his early boyhood, living on the farm until he was thirteen years old. The family then moved to the borough of Indiana, and there he received the remainder of his schooling. In his youth he followed various occupations, for a time clerking in the establishment of Wilson & Wood, and he was also in the employ of Harry Brilhart as gro- cery clerk. In the fall of 1911 he purchased the business property where he is now estab- lished and embarked in general merchandis- ing, his stock including groceries and meats. He has done well from the start, and is en- larging his patronage steadily by his obliging ways and satisfactory service to all customers. He is a young man of enterprise, and his in- dustrious habits and ambition make him de- serving of the success which has attended his efforts.

On March 15, 1907, Mr. Snyder married Edith Blanche Waterson, who was born April 16, 1885, youngest daughter of John and Sarah Jane (Elgin) Waterson, the latter de- ceased, the former now living retired in In- diana. They are mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are members of the Lutheran Church. They have two chil- dren, Glennave Sarah Bell and Claire John. Politically Mr. Snyder supports the Republi- can party.

MARGARET BELLA CUMINGS, of Indiana, Pa., was born in Washington town- ship, Indiana county, daughter of Joseph Cumings, and granddaughter of David Cum- ings.

William Cumings, great-grandfather of Miss Cumings, was born in County Down, Ireland, and died in Washington township, Indiana Co., Pennsylvania.

David Cumings, son of William Cumings, was born in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, but coming to Indiana county early in its history settled in the wilderness. He married Margaret McKnight, who came of Scotch- Irish descent, and they had children as fol- lows: William, Joseph, Margaret, Isabell and Jane.

Mr. Snyder married Isabella Boucher, daughter of David and Catherine Boucher, Joseph Cumings was born on Crooked creek, in Washington township, this county, eighty-three years ago, and died in the same township in 1895. He married Margaret Shields, a daughter of Joseph and Isabella (McKnight) Shields, and she died in 1891. and they have had six children: Annie, who married William Heil, of Vandergrift; Tabitha, who married Charles Freck, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; Nettie, the wife of I. C. Roland, of Pittsburg; John, of Rayne town- ship, who married Carrie Freck; Harvey C .; Joseph Shields was a soldier in the war of

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

1812. He came to Washington township at are now deceased. Mr. Lydick was born in so early a date that the curious Indians used Indiana county, was a carpenter and cabinet- to look in through the cabin windows at the maker by trade, and also followed farming women churning.

As he grew up Joseph learned farming in all its details, and he became the owner of 300 acres of land in Washington township, which he cultivated. He and his wife were Presby- byterians. Politically Joseph Cumings was a Republican, but he did not seek office. Mr. and Mrs. Cumings had two children, Margaret Bella being the younger, the other being her brother Elmer .D. of Baltimore, Md., a civil engineer ; he was born in 1861 in Washington township, and in 1905 married Jessie M. Wil- liams; they have one son Carl Elmer.

HARRY E. STERNER, proprietor of the "Sterner House" at Dixonville, in Green township, Indiana county, has lived at that place since the beginning of the town. He was born in the township, and has passed his entire life in this section of the county.

and came at an early day to Indiana county, settling near Purchase Line, in Green town- ship. He was a blacksmith by trade and con- ducted a shop there, at what was known as Sternertown, also farming to some extent. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Union service, from Indiana county, as did his two sons, William and Albert. He was captured and confined in Libby prison. After the war he returned to his old home place, where he died aged about fifty-five years. His widow, whose maiden name was Guiter, is still living there at the advanced age of ninety years (1912).

William H. Sterner, son of Jacob, was born in 1843, in Clarion county, Pa., and came with his parents to Indiana county. In 1862, he enlisted, becoming a member of Company

and among other important engagements in which he took part were the battles of Cold Harbor, Gettysburg and the Wilderness, at which latter he was wounded. He experienced many vicissitudes of army life, for he was confined to hospital with typhoid fever, was taken prisoner and held at Libby and Belle Isle, and saw much hard service. Like his

to a limited extent. He was a veteran of the Civil war, in which he gave three years' serv- ice. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sterner: Frank A., who lives at Wind- ber, Somerset Co., Pa .; Harry E .; A. T., a. farmer of Green township, Indiana county ; H. Clara, wife of Charles Laboard, of Canton, Ohio; Clarke R., of St. Michaels, Pa., engaged in mining; Alice P., a professional nurse, of Canton, Ohio; and Daisy B., wife of Armon Cunningham, of Clarksburg, Indiana county.

Harry E. Sterner was born Oct. 31, 1870. He attended school in Green township, and in his youth and early manhood was engaged in various kinds of work, being employed in the woods and the oil fields and later in farm- ing in association with his father. He lived for eighteen years in the neighboring town- ship of Grant, this county, and spent the rest of his life in Green township. He has been at Dixonville since the town was started, he

Jacob Sterner, grandfather of Harry E. Sterner, was a native of Clarion county, Pa., and his father erecting the first building there, and in 1905 he built the hotel there which he has since conducted, and of which he has been sole proprietor since his father's death. He was associated with his father until the latter died. Mr. Sterner has made a success of the hotel business, and he is also interested in farming, having a tract of eighty acres in Grant township. He is a competent business man, and enjoys high standing per- sonally with all who know him.

On Dec. 31, 1907, Mr. Sterner was married in Somerset county, Pa., to Mary Ford, who was born July 29, 1884, in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Wil- liam Ford. Mr. and Mrs. Sterner have no family.

FRANK PETRAITIS, the proprietor of E, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, a successful grocery and meat market busi-

ness at Clymer, Indiana county, to which borough he came shortly after its incorpora- tion, is a native of Russia, born in 1880 son of John and Agnes Petraitis, who were born in Russia and are now residents of Gary, Indiana.

Frank Petraitis received his educational training in the schools of his native country, father he was a farmer and blacksmith, con- and as a youth of twenty years came to the ducting his own shop. He died Dec. 6, 1908. United States. Landing at New York, he made his way to Lilly, Pa., where for a short time he was employed in the mines. He con- William H. Sterner married Mary M. Lydick, who was born at Taylorsville, in Green town- ship, Indiana county, daughter of Alexander tinued to follow the same line of occupation and Sarah (Butterfield) Lydick, both of whom at Coal Center, near the city of Pittsburg,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

but in 1907 recognized an opportunity to schools of the neighborhood. In his youth found a successful business venture, and came to Clymer shortly after the town was incor- porated into a borough. Here he erected a building and established himself in the gro- cery and meat market business, which he has succeeded in making a satisfactory business venture. He has been the architect of his own fortune, and well merits the patronage that has been given him by his fellow towns- men.

While residing near Pittsburg Mr. Petraitis was married, in that city, Sept. 14, 1903, to Anna Kvetkins, who was born in the same country as her husband, and during the same year; her parents are both now deceased. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Petraitis, Millie, Annie and Herbert. Mr. Petraitis takes an interest in fraternal matters, being a popular member of the Loyal Order of Moose.

ARCHIBALD TODD STEWART, who is of the Lutheran Church.

cultivating the original Todd homestead in Center township, Indiana county, was born on that farm Feb. 26, 1880, son of James Har- vey and Sarah Elizabeth (St. Clair) Stewart.

Samuel Todd Stewart, grandfather of Archibald T. Stewart, was born in 1803, and was young when he came from Center county, Pa., to Indiana county. He settled at the county seat and worked at his trade, printing, some time there. Then he moved to Cen- ter township and bought the Samuel Todd farm 120 acres, which he cleared and im- proved, and there he lived and died. He was a member of the Bethel Presbyterian Church. About 1820 he married Susan Cummins, daughter of John and Eleanor (Todd) Cum- mins, of Center township, and nine children were born to them: Margaret Ellen; Archi- bald Allison, attorney and judge, of Greens- burg, Pa .; Jane; John D .; Judge William C., of Kansas City, Mo .; Samuel T .; David, who was major of the 46th Ohio Regiment, Volun- teer Infantry, during the Civil war, and died of disease at Memphis, Tenn., after nearly four years of service in the army ; James Har- vey, and Ida S., who died in Kansas City, Mo. The father of this family died Dec. 19, 1879, the mother died Aug. 19, 1883, and they are buried in Greenwood cemetery, at Indiana.

James Harvey Stewart, father of Archi- bald T. Stewart, was born on his father's farm in Center township May 18, 1842, and

and early manhood he helped his father with the work on the home place, and for a period of five years during the oil excitement in Pennsylvania was employed in the oil regions. Returning to the home farm, he spent the rest of his life there, engaged in farming, in which he was quite successful. He was a Jacksonian Democrat in his political views and a stanch supporter of the principles of his party. On Sept. 26, 1878, Mr. Stewart married Sarah Elizabeth St. Clair, daughter of Samuel St. Clair, a prominent farmer of Center town- ship, and they had a family of five children: Archibald Todd; Jessie Frances, now the wife of C. P. Spencer, of Vendergrift, Pa .; Joan, the wife of D. Gilhouser, of Homer City; Sarah Katherine, wife of George C. Stewart, of Homer City; and Ida Bell, who is living with her mother'at Homer City. Mr. Stewart died May 29, 1906, and was interred in Green- wood cemetery, Indiana. He was a member

Archibald Todd Stewart, eldest son of James Harvey and Sarah Elizabeth (St. Clair) Stewart, was educated in the public schools of Center township. All his exper- ience as a farmer has been gained on the home farm, where he worked with his father until the latter's death, in 1906. Then he purchased the homestead, which he is now farming on his own account. He is industrious, energetic and progressive, one who makes the most of his land and facilities, and the property is in up-to-date condition, showing the results of systematic and careful attention.

On Oct. 3, 1906, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage with Laura Edna MeLaughlin, daughter of John F. and Laura Jane (Corley) MeLaughlin, of Chambersville, Indiana coun- ty. Mr. Stewart is a member of the Lutheran Church. He supports the Democratic party in political matters, and is loyal to its prin- ciples.

HOMER W. KOONTZ, a young business man of Indiana whose enterprise and indus- try have brought him success, is a native of Rayne township, this county, where his family has been established for almost a cen- tury. His great-grandfather, John Koontz, a native of Germany, brought his family, con- sisting of wife and seven children, to the United States in 1828. They settled in Rayne township, Indiana Co., Pa., building a log hut in the woods.

Paul Koontz, son of John, was born in Ger- died May 29, 1906. He was educated in the many and was three years old when the family

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came to America. He grew to manhood in the Lutheran Church. In political sentiment Rayne township, where he passed the greater he is a Republican. part of his active life, engaged in farming, and is now living in Johnstown, Pa., at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife, Mazie (Barnhart), is now (1913) seventy-three years old. They had a large family.

Samuel Koontz, son of Paul, was born in 1859 in Rayne township, and there passed his early life. He became familiar with farm work on the home place, and followed it while The grandfather was born and reared in

there, but he learned the carpenter's trade in his youth and followed that calling success- fully throughout his life. He built many houses and church buildings in this section, and during most all his life conducted the "Tanoma House" at Tanoma, this county. He died in his prime, in 1904. He was a member of the German M. E. Church. He married Eliza Fleming, who was born in Rayne town- ship, daughter of Martin and Matilda (Ma- guire) Fleming, and died in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Koontz were the parents of five children : Tillie, now Mrs. Albert Fleeger, of Indiana borough; Norman, who is principal of the Tyrone public school; Homer W .; Alice, Mrs. John Rudge, of Johnstown, Pa .; and Clar- ence, who is with his brother Homer.

Homer W. Koontz was born May 2, 1885, in Rayne township, on a farm on what is now known as Dutch Hill. He passed his youth in Tanoma attending public school there and at Harrisburg, Pa. Leaving school at the age of fifteen, he came to the borough of Indiana and learned the meat business with H. G. Serene, and after leaving his employ em- barked in the business on his own account. This was in 1904, and though only nineteen he prospered from the start. He first owned the Central Market, and after selling it bought the City Meat Market. On March 1, 1912. he settled at his present location, No. 1037 Philadelphia street, where he has a well equipped establishment. He carries a full line of fresh and smoked meats, butter, eggs and poultry, and his energy and thrifty man- agement have made the business a paying one. He is known and respected by a wide circle of patrons, attracted by his reliable methods and dependable stock.

On Feb. 26, 1907, Mr. Koontz was married in Indiana to Virginia M. Kerr, of that borough, daughter of Robert M. Kerr, con- stable of Indiana. They have one child, Ed- ward Howard. Mr. Koontz is a member of

ELMER LYDIC, proprietor of the livery at Dixonville, Indiana county, is one of the substantial and well-established business men of that place, where he has been enagaged in that line since 1907. He was born in Green township, this county, Aug. 5, 1872, son of Jacob Lydic and grandson of Alexander Lydic.

Green township, and died on his homestead there at the age of eighty-two years. By oc- cupation he was a carpenter, stonemason and farmer. During the Civil war he served three years in the Union army. He and his wife had children as follows: James, Thomas, David, Jacob, Mary Emma, Maggie, and three who died young.

Jacob Lydie, father of Elmer Lydic, was born on the old homestead and has been a far- mer in Green township all his life, owning a tract of eighty-one acres there which he still operates. He married Callie Couch, daughter of John Couch, and to them were born the following children: Elmer, Wilmer, Jessie (deceased), Murry (deceased), John, Frank (deceased), Ward, Alice and Bessie.

Elmer Lydie received a public school educa- tion, attending at Taylorsville, in Green town- ship, and passed his youth assisting his father on the farm. When nineteen years old he com- menced on his own account, working among farmers for a short time and then engaging in the blacksmith business, which he continued to follow for about eleven years elsewhere in Green township before settling at Dixonville. In May, 1907, he embarked in the livery busi- ness there and he has built up a fine trade, now keeping from seven to ten horses and com- manding a profitable patronage, drawn from Dixonville and the vicinity. He has the only stable in town, and has given highly satisfactory service to all who have had deal- ings with him.

Mr. Lydie married Laura Bee, daughter of William Bee, and they have one son, Charles Morris, who is now assisting his father.

EARL D. REED, who is connected with the Eureka Hardware Company, at Clymer, was born at Kenwood, in Cherryhill township, Indiana county, Oct. 15, 1883, a son of James L. and Caroline M. (Dick) Reed.

James L. Reed was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., and was a young man when he came to Indiana county. At first he embarked in the undertaking business at Penn Run, and

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in the meanwhile learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1910, retiring at that time, and he has since lived quietly in his comfortable home at Kenwood. He mar- ried Caroline M. Dick, who also survives, and they had a family of ten children born to them, five sons and five daughters, namely : Earl D .; Dick, who is a school teacher; Ross, who lives at home; Mabel, who is the wife of William N. Templeton, of Clymer; Minnie, who is the wife of O. V. Householder, of Penn Run; Rebecca, who lives at home, and four who died in infancy.

Earl D. Reed was educated in Indiana coun- ty and during the greater part of his business life has been connected with his present com- pany. He is a well-known and reputable citi- zen. On Feb. 15, 1905, he was married at Indiana to Gertrude Bennett, who was born in Cambria county, Pa., Sept. 22, 1876, daugh- ter of Peter and Emlyne (Makins) Bennett, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have two children, Lyle and Loraine. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which he is a stew- ard and also secretary of the Sunday school .:

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 135

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