Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 137

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 137

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CAMERON DAVIS, farmer and dairyman, in Cherryhill township, Indiana Co., Pa., was born in that township March 26, 1880, a son of James and Evalyn (Harrold) Davis. Sam- uel L. Davis, the grandfather, was born in the United States army; Jean, who lives at Pennsylvania, and was a very early settler in Lancaster, Pa .; Paul; Jay; and one that died Indiana county, where he was a farmer and in infancy. also followed the carpenter's trade.

ROBERT L. STEWART, chief clerk of the Penn-Mary Coal Company, at Heilwood, Indiana Co., Pa., was born in Buffington town- ship, this county, Dec. 27, 1887, and is a son of Samuel and Phoebe (Schultz) Stewart.

Jolın Stewart, grandfather of Robert L. Stewart, was born in Buffington township, the family having come to Indiana county as pio- neer settlers, and since their advent here many of the name have been prominently identified with agricultural and business in- terests.

Samuel Stewart was born in Buffington township, was educated in the district schools and reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he has been engaged all of his life, now being a resident of Center township. His wife, whose father, Jacob Schultz, was also an early settler of Buffington township, died in 1890. She was the mother of three children: Frank, who resides in Center township; Robert L .; and Clara, wife of Harry Johnson, a resident of Center township.

Robert L. Stewart was given good educa- tional advantages in the district schools of Buffington township, and while going to school assisted in the work on the home farm. Later he attended summer school at Penn Run and the Indiana business college, and after grad- uating from the latter institution spent some time engaged in school teaching in Buffington and Pine townships. He then entered the employ of the Penn-Mary Coal Company, at Heilwood, being first engaged as clerk, and receiving promotions gradually until he was made chief clerk, in which position he is now serving.

On Oct. 1, 1910, Mr. Stewart was married to Luella Slater, who was born in Green township, Indiana county, daughter of John and Mary Slater, the former of whom is resid- ing in Center township, where he was engaged

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in farming for some years, while the latter is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have one son, Robert M. Mr. Stewart is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his wife adheres to the faith of the Christian denomination. He is interested in fraternal work, belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Burnside.

EZEKIEL A. BARBER, carpenter fore- man for the Dixon Coal Company, of Dixon- ville, Pa., was born in Green township, In- diana county, March 3, 1872, son of Ezekiel H. and Lydia Louise (Price) Barber.

John Barber, paternal grandfather of Eze- kiel A. Barber, was born in Ireland, and came to the United States in young manhood, set- tling first in Armstrong county, Pa., and sub- sequently moving to Westmoreland county, engaged in lumbering on the Monongahela Pa. He then came to Indiana county and took up land in Green township, where he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits, and where his death occurred in advanced years.

Ezekiel H. Barber, son of John Barber, was born in Armstrong county, Pa., and, like his father, was engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed until his death on the Green township farm, May 21, 1906. He married Lydia Louise Price, who was born in Green township, daughter of Thomas Price, and she still survives, now making her home near Dixonville, on the old homestead. She and her husband had the following children : Robert, who resides at Burnside; Emma, liv- ing at home; David N., a resident of Dixon- ville; John, who resides with his mother and operates the old homestead; Rachel, who is deceased; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Harry E. Bence, of Dixonville; Eze- kiel A .; Lillie Louise, the wife of Austin Slenker, of Dixonville; Benjamin, a resident of Lewiston, Idaho; Myrtle, who is deceased; Frank, a resident of Green township; and Ebenezer, who lives on the old homestead.

The maternal great-grandfather of Ezekiel A. Barber came from Wales in young man- hood and settled in Pennsylvania, where he spent the remainder of his life. Thomas Price, his son, was born in Pennsylvania, and followed farming throughout his life in In- diana county.

conducting a general store in Dixonville for four years, and then engaged in the carpen- ter business. For some time he was in this business for himself, but later accepted a posi- tion as boss carpenter with the Dixon Coal Company, of Dixonville, and has acted in this capacity for the last four years.

On June 28, 1899, Mr. Barber married Florence Everwine, of Rayne township, this county, daughter of Jacob Everwine, and she died in March, 1900, leaving no children. In March, 1906, Mr. Barber was married (sec- ond) to Selina Neal, who was born in North Mahoning township, daughter of Thomas and Anna (Oberlin) Neal, both of whom now re- side in North Mahoning township, Mr. Neal being engaged in farming, although he was formerly a merchant. In his youth he was river, near Pittsburg, and after coming to In- diana county served as sheriff for one term. Mr. and Mrs. Barber are the parents of four children : Raymond N. and Louise Oberlin, twins; Thomas Sharp and Dorothy Selina. Mr. and Mrs. Barber are members of the Baptist Church at Dixonville, and Mr. Barber has interested himself in educational matters and is a member of the school board of Green township.

ARCHIBALD ALLISON LONG, proprie- tor of the Checkered Front grocery store, and part owner of the Globe Theatre, in In- diana borough, was born Sept. 22, 1870, on what is now known as the Stewart farm, in Center township, Indiana Co., Pa., and is a son of James and Mary (Stewart) Long.

Christopher Long, the paternal grandfather of Archibald A. Long, was for many years a resident of Indiana county, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He had these chil- dren : Thomas, James, Samuel, Joseph, Jesse, Ellen and Margaret.

James Long, son of Christopher, and father of Archibald A. Long, resided in Center town- ship, where he was the owner of 257 acres of fine farming land, and there continued to spend his life. He met his death by being gored by a bull, in 1889, when fifty-nine years of age. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a prominent Re- publican, serving for some years as school director. He married Mary Stewart, who survived him until February, 1907, and they had children as follows: Harvey, residing at Homer City, Pa .; Joseph Calvin, born Aug.

Ezekiel A. Barber attended the schools of Green township during the winter terms and as a boy worked on the home farm during the summer months. On leaving the home- stead to make his own way in the world he 4, 1854, who married Catherine Risinger, born became interested in the mercantile business, Nov. 19, 1851; William H., who married Te- 95

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

resa Dixon, and resides at Homer City; Mil- of age. They had a family of four sons and ton G., who married Clara Spiker; Sarah four daughters, namely: Emma, the wife Jane, who married Levi Buterbaugh, of Cook- of William Sholtz, of Pine township; Frank port, Pa .; Harry, who died in 1908; and G., who is engaged in farming in Pine town- Archibald Allison.

Archibald Allison Long attended common school No. 10, in Center township, his first teacher being Margaret Smith. At the age of nineteen years he completed his studies and took up farming with his father. He con- tinued to be engaged as an agriculturist until 1908, and also followed the carpenter's trade, having been apprenticed to Hyde & Murphy, contractors, for one and a half years. He then turned his attention to mercantile lines, buying the grocery store in Indiana borough formerly owned by R. E. Templeton, which he renamed the Checkered Front grocery store, and which he has continued to conduct successfully to the present time. In August, 1912, in partnership with W. J. Eicher, -he bought from the Lowman brothers the Globe Theatre, which has since been conducted as a moving picture and vaudeville house. This has been liberally patronized by the amuse- ment seeking public, and the high quality of entertainment warrants the patronage. Mr. Long is an able, shrewd and farsighted busi- ness man, and his business transactions, al- ways carried on in a legitimate manner, have won him the confidence and respect of his associates. His political belief is that of the Republican party. With his wife he attends the Presbyterian Church.

On March 29, 1908, Mr. Long was married to Harriet Fleming, daughter of W. B. Flem- ing. They have no children.

SCOTT V. STEFFEY, proprietor of livery, feed and sales stables at Heilwood, Pa., was born in Pine township, Indiana Co., Pa., Feb. 20, 1884, son of George and Teresa (Goss) Steffey. His paternal grandfather was a native of Germany and came to the United States some time after his marriage and be- came an early settler in Pine township, for many years conducting a blacksmith shop about one mile from the present town of Heilwood. He also engaged extensively in farming, cleared a good tract of land, and erected a log house, in which he resided for a long period.

George Steffey, father of Scott V. Steffey, was born in Indiana county, and spent his life in farming in Pine township. His death occurred Nov. 4, 1908, on the old homestead, while his widow still survives and lives on the Pine township farm, being seventy-two years

ship; Catherine, the wife of David Martin, of Pine township; Calvin H., bookkeeper for the Heilwood Company, of Heilwood ; Harvey, an electrician of that town; Scott V .; Mazie, the wife of Ardie Davis, of Grisemore, In- diana county; and Pearl, the wife of James Hanna, living on the old homestead in Pine township.

Scott V. Steffey attended the public schools of Pine township, and as a youth began work- ing on the home farm, where he remained until sixteen years of age. At that time he learned the trade of carpenter, at which he worked for two years, and then spent three years in the lumber business in Pine township and Cambria county. Subsequently he pur- chased a farm in Pine township, but after one year gave up the vocation of agriculturist and bought his present business, the Steffey livery, formerly owned by Merle Williams. He has built up a good business, and is one of the popular young men of Heilwood.

On June 22, 1910, Mr. Steffey was united in marriage with Lida Hanna, who was born in Banks township, Indiana county, daugh- ter of James B. and Eliza (Smith) Hanna, both of whom reside in Pine township, Mr. Hanna having charge of the farms of the Heilwood Dairy Company. Mr. and Mrs. Steffey have one daughter: Sarah Elizabeth. He has interested himself in fraternal mat- ters and is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Pine Flats, and the Patriotic Order Sons of America, Camp No. 616, of Gipsy, In- diana county.

ROY CONRATH, who has a barber shop and cigar store at Dixonville, is well known in and around that place. He has spent most of his life in this part of Indiana county, having been born at Cookport Dec. 15. 1878, son of David W. and Elizabeth (Strassler) Conrath.

David W. Conrath was born July 11, 1844. and was reared near Dixonville. In his early life he was a carpenter for several years, became a merchant at Warren, Pa., for a short time, and about 1900 retired. He is living among his children. During the latter part of the Civil war he enlisted from In- diana county in the Union service and did duty as a soldier. His wife died in Septem- ber, 1887. They had a family of six children, viz .: Elmer E., born June 20, 1869, who is

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

now editor of the Leader, of Johnstown, Pa .; with a cart, peddling commodities, in order Harry M., born May 28, 1871, a jeweler, of to gain better knowledge of the language and Indiana, Pa .; Grey E., born March 11, 1873, customs. As soon as he felt able he opened who is a barber, in business at Mahaffey, Pa .; a store at Latrobe, Pa., later going to Mt. Murray D., born March 15, 1876, now of Pleasant, Westmoreland county, where he Johnstown, Pa., where he is connected with conducted a general store for three years. the editorial staff of the Leader; Roy; and Mr. Zacur then went to Pleasant Unity, West- Israel Clair, born Nov. 22, 1884, who lives at Kansas City, Mo., where he is connected with the Burroughs Adding Machine Com- pany.

Roy Conrath lived in Indiana county until he was twelve years old, attending school for one term at Cookport and later elsewhere in the county. He did farm work until his marriage, after which he was employed in a tannery, living at Arcadia, in Grant town- ship, for three years. Moving thence to Love- joy he became engaged at the carpenter's trade, which he has learned, and in 1904 he came to Dixonville, at which place he has since resided. He has been in business since locating there, having a barber shop and store, selling cigars and confectionery and having a pool and billiard room. He was one of the first business men to become es- tablished there, and he has acquired an ex- cellent patronage by his careful attention to the wants of his customers. He owns the building in which he is established. Mr. Con- rath, by his obliging ways and fair dealing, has become one of the well-known business men of Dixonville.

In 1899 Mr. Conrath married Anna Laura Smith, who was born May 15, 1881, and died Nov. 1, 1903. She was a member of the Wes- leyan Methodist Church. There were two children by this union: John Murray, born April 16, 1900, and Della E., born Jan. 12, 1902. On Dec. 28, 1905, Mr. Conrath mar-

Emanuel Shaffer, son of Jonathan, was born in Indiana county and died in 1887. He mar- ried Emma Snyder, a native of Indiana ried (second) Ellen Kelly, who was born in county, who after his death became the wife Brushvalley township, Indiana county, and of Charles Gaston, also a native of Indiana they have had three children: Carson Kelly, born Nov. 5, 1906; Cyrus Roy, born Sept. 18, 1908; and Clair David, born Feb. 16, 1911. Mrs. Conrath is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

GEORGE ZACUR, proprietor of the In- diana Candy Works, of Indiana, Pa., was born in Syria Feb. 17, 1881, a son of George Zacur, who still resides in that country and is engaged in the real estate business.

moreland Co., Pa., where he spent two years, one month, two days, returning at the end of that time to Latrobe, where he managed a business owned by his uncle. After ten months, on Aug. 7, 1907, he came to Indiana, where he established the Indiana Candy Works, and now manufactures high-grade chocolates, bon bons, fancy confectionery and ice cream. His place of business is conven- iently located at No. 660 Philadelphia street, Indiana.

On Sept. 12, 1909, Mr. Zacur was married to Nettie Haim, a daughter of Michael and Mary Haim. Mr. and Mrs. Zacur have had two children: Julia, who was born Aug. 21, 1910; and John, who was born Nov. 16, 1911.

FRANK H. SHAFFER, who has been weighmaster for the Russell Coal Mining Com- pany at Dixonville, Indiana county, since July, 1912, is one of the well-known mine workers in this section of Pennsylvania. He was born Aug. 6, 1882, in Canoe township, Indiana county, son of Emanuel and Emma (Snyder) Shaffer, and grandson of Jonathan Shaffer, who lived in Canoe township for some time. He was a woodsman and cleared off considerable timber. Leaving Indiana county, he moved out to Iowa with his family, and is still living there.

county ; they are how living at Canoe Ridge. Mrs. Gaston has one child by her second mar- riage, Garrett, who lives with his parents. She was the mother of five children by her first union, namely: Wallace, who is a resi- dent of Jefferson county, Pa .; Earl, who lives at Conemaugh, Pa .; Frank H .; Anna, wife of Blair Wolf, of Indiana, Pa .; and Walter, a resident of Jefferson county.

Frank H. Shaffer passed his early life in Canoe township, where he attended school. When a young man he went into the woods and was employed at lumbering, and he sub- sequently became interested in farming, which he followed for three years. He then engaged

Until he was eighteen years old George Zacur remained in his native land, where he attended the common schools. In 1899, how- ever, he came to the United States, landing in New York City. At first he went about in carpenter work, continuing at that for

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

some time, and about three years ago com- work he secured a position with the Hughes menced mining. He weighed coal for the Rus- & Guthrie Lumber Company, of Twolicks, sell Coal Mining Company, and in July, 1912, with which concern he was connected three was appointed to his present position as

removed April 28, 1904. He is a reliable and careful man, and can be depended upon to perform his duties faithfully, being fully de- serving of the confidence placed in him. His fellow workers also regard him as intelligent and trustworthy, for he has been chosen to the position of trustee of the United Mine Workers of America, in which he is now serv- ing. He is a member of Local No. 1515 at Dixonville, and fraternally belongs to the I. O. O. F. lodge at Clymer, Indiana county. He is an ardent Socialist, a prominent member of the Socialist Club, and one of the leaders of the party in this section, being its recent candidate for State representative from In- diana county.

On Jan. 25, 1905, Mr. Shaffer married Elizabeth Yohe, of Big Run, Jefferson Co., Pa., daughter of William and Susanna (Bow- ser) Yohe, who live in Banks township, In- diana county, where Mr. Yohe follows farm- ing. Three children have been born to this union : Orrin, Jan. 25, 1906; Arthur, Jan. 15, 1909; and Esther, Jan. 31, 1912.

DAVID A. FLEMING, chief engineer for the normal school buildings at Indiana, Pa., during the last twenty-two years, was born April 4, 1863, on the home farm in Rayne township, Indiana Co., Pa., and is a son of Martin J. and Matilda (Maguire) Fleming.

James Fleming, his great-grandfather, lived and died in Huntingdon county, Pa. He mar- ried Rachel Campbell and had a large family, two sons, Samuel and Thomas, coming to In- diana county, Pennsylvania.

Samuel Fleming, one of the sons of James, who settled in Indiana county, lived first in Armstrong county upon coming to this sec- tion, thence moving to Indiana county and buying a farm in what is now Washington township. Here he lived and died, passing away in 1861, aged seventy-six years. He married Elizabeth Fleming, daughter of Wil- liam Fleming, and they had children as fol- lows: James, Thomas, Jane, Annie, Nancy, William B., Martin (father of David A.), Eliza L., Margaret, Sarah and Martha J.

years, the greater part of his work being the weighmaster at Dixonville, to which place he care of engines and boilers. Mr. Fleming then came to Indiana, where in 1891 he ac- cepted his present position, being engineer at the normal school building-there being only one at that time; now there are five separate structures, in which he takes care of the machinery, lights and power. The prin- cipal of the school when he first became asso- ciated with the institution was Rev. W. S. Owens, a resident at this time of California, who was succeeded by Charles W. Dean, now superintendent of public schools of Bridge- port, Conn. Mr. Fleming was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, and his polit- ical proclivities are those of the Republican party.

On Oct. 31. 1885. Mr. Fleming was mar- ried to Sarah A. Rairigh, of Grant township, daughter of George and Mattie (Spicher) Rairigh. Mrs. Fleming is a sister of Rev. G. S. Rairigh, a German Baptist preacher, who is now in charge of the pastorate at Den- ton, Md., and has traveled extensively in for- eign countries. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have had the following children: Edith May, Harry Clair, Albert Clyde, Kenneth C. and Lillian Beatrice.

HENRY C. WINTERS, proprietor of an oyster house in Indiana, Indiana county, at which place he has resided for the last ten years, is a native of Germany, who came to this country in young manhood and by indus- trious attention to his own affairs has suc- ceeded in establishing himself firmly among the substantial business men of the community in which he resides.

Henry Winters, his grandfather, was an in- spector of dikes on the North German coast. He died about 1882, at the advanced age of ninety-two. His children were: Hinrech, father of Henry C .; Christian, who died young; Heinrich (Henry), a baker, who served in the Franco-Prussian war, came to the United States, and settled in Newark, N. J., where he died; Christian (2), who died in Germany ; Frederick, a tailor, who lives in Germany ; and John, deceased.

Hinrech Winters, father of Henry C. Win- ters, was born in 1832 and went to school until he reached the age of fourteen years. He learned the trade of tailor and followed it all

David A. Fleming attended the district schools and worked on his father's farm until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he left home to make his own way in the his life. He married Anna Weimers, who world. After spending several years at farm survived him, his death occurring in 1902,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

hers in 1903. They were Lutherans in re- lived and died in that country. He was in ligious faith. Five children were born to this the hotel business, conducted a small brewery, couple : Carl, who is deceased; William, a and also, in connection with these lines, dealt in horses. He was a well-known man in his section. hotel-keeper of Newark, N. J .; Henry C .; Au- · gust, a hotel man at Far Rockaway beach; and John, a hotel man of Newark, New Jer- sey.

Henry C. Winters was born Nov. 4, 1866, and attended public school in his native land until he was fourteen years old. He then went to sea, taking an humble position before the mast, and his first vessel was a sailing ship, the "Vangerland," of Bremerhaven to Kronstadt, Russia. Thereafter he made many voyages, to Copenhagen, Denmark ; Archangel, Russia (near the White sea) ; Hull, Eng- land; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Buenos Ayres; Cape Town; Barcelona; Marseilles; the Sici- lian islands; Alexandria, Egypt; Port Said ; Constantinople; Gibraltar; Cardiff, Wales; Charleston, S. C. At the last named port he left his ship, after seven years of life on the water, during which time he had increased his wages from $4 a month to $60. He re- mained in Charleston for two years, working in a flour mill and grocery. Thence he came to Philadelphia, where he made a stay of five years, after which he was in New York City for two years. The next three years he was in Chicago, and for two years following in San Francisco. In Philadelphia he had en- gaged in the hotel and restaurant business, in New York in the oyster business, and in Chi- cago and San Francisco was again in the res- taurant business. In 1902 Mr. Winters came to Indiana, Indiana Co., Pa., where he opened the oyster house which he has since carried on so successfully. He has become very well known in Indiana in that and other connec- tions, belonging to the F. & A. M., B. P. O. Elks and Red Men. In politics Mr. Winters is a Republican.

In September, 1899, Mr. Winters was mar- ried in Philadelphia to Margaret Haag, of Punxsutawney, Pa., daughter of Frederick Haag. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Winters reside on South Sixth street, In- diana, in a fine home which he erected in 1905.

CHRIST WILLY, of Indiana, Pa., is a com- paratively new resident of that borough, where he is engaged as brewmaster for the Indiana Brewing Company, one of the largest local concerns. Mr. Willy is a native of Switzerland, born in January, 1862, in the neighborhood of Germany, son of Christ Willy. The father, also born in Switzerland,

Christ Willy has had long and varied ex- perience in the business which he follows. When a youth of fifteen he began work in a brewery in Switzerland, and later, when he attained to the status of journeyman, trav- eled through Bavaria, Italy and France, fol- lowing his trade in all those countries and learning the methods approved in each. He came to America in February, 1882, landing at New York City, but did not remain there, continuing his journey to Pittsburg, Pa. He was employed at different breweries in that city and became a brewmaster in 1903. That year he went to Masontown, Fayette Co., Pa., where he had charge of the brewery for three years, and thence removed to Jeanette, West- moreland county, where he was brewmaster for the next three years. In 1910 he came to Indiana, taking his present position with the Indiana Brewing Company. The plant has an unusual capacity of forty thousand barrels, and Mr. Willy, in his responsible connection with this establishment, is one of the best known men in the business in this part of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Willy married Elizabeth Lessie, a na- tive of Switzerland, and they have two chil- dren, Christ and Mary. The family reside at No. 1018 Water St., Indiana. Mr. Willy is a member of the Lutheran Church, and frater- nally is connected with the B. P. O. Elks, be- longing to the lodge at Jeanette, Pennsyl- vania.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 137

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