Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 138

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 138

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BENNET STADTMILLER, a retired farmer now living in the borough of Indiana, has been a lifelong resident of Indiana and for many years before his removal to his present home was engaged in farming in Cherryhill township. He was born Feb. 22, 1843, on a farm in Brushvalley township, In- diana county, son of George and Catherine (Oligher) Stadtmiller, natives of Germany, who were married in Pennsylvania and settled in Brushvalley township. After his marriage George Stadtmiller bought a farm in Burrell township and later sold and bought a farm in Rayne township, where he died in 1869, at the age of fifty-nine years. The mother died in April, 1871, aged forty-nine years. They are buried in the Catholic cemetery at

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Indiana. They were the parents of fifteen children, of whom Bennet was the third in order of birth, and the second oldest son.

Bennet Stadtmiller went to the country schools in Burrell township during his boy- hood, and at the age of sixteen became en- gaged at butchering in Johnstown, Pa., with Zack Endress, with whom he remained one year. After being at home for a considerable time he went back to Johnstown, this time entering the employ of Adam Kurtz. At the end of two years he was called home on ac- count of the illness of his father, who died shortly afterward. Knowing he could live but a short time, he requested his son Bennet to remain at the homestead to care for his mother, which he did.

In February, 1865, Mr. Stadtmiller en- listed from Burrell township, this county, for service in the Union army, joining Company B, 101st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served until the close of the war. Returning then to the home farm, he followed farming, also for a time working at butchering in Johnstown, Pa., as previously mentioned. This was before his marriage. Later he bought the farm of his father-in-law, in Cherryhill township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for about thirty years, living there continuously until 1903, when he retired and moved to the bor- ough of Indiana. Mr. Stadtmiller made many improvements on the property during his res- idence there, putting up an entire set of new buildings, and did other things which mate- rially enchanced the value of the place. He was not only successful in his own affairs, but took a public-spirited interest in the wel- fare of the locality, serving as supervisor of Cherryhill township. Since his retirement he has made his home in Indiana, living at No. 143 North Fifth street.

On Feb. 7, 1870, Mr. Stadtmiller married Barbara Reising, of Indiana county, daugh- ter of Martin and Margaret Reising, and to them has been born a family of ten children, namely: George, who is now a resident of Johnstown, Pa .; Margaret, Mrs. F. E. Blatzer, of Indiana; Matilda, Mrs. W. J. O'Hara, of Indiana; Martin, of Ypsilanti, Mich .; Mary E., Mrs. Ora Helman, of Indiana county ; Joseph, at home; John, at home; Annie, at home; Carrie, Mrs. Clyde Wine, of Pittsburg, Pa .; and Mary Bertha, at home.

he is a member of the Knights of St. George. In politics he is a Democrat.

JOHN SCOTT LIGHTCAP has been a life- long resident of East Mahoning township, Indiana county, and one of its most active citizens, engaged in general farming and stock raising, and associated with the admin- istration of its public affairs. He was born there Sept. 21, 1851, on his father's home- stead farm, son of Johnson Lightcap and grandson of Godfrey Lightcap.

Godfrey Lightcap, the founder of this fam- ily in America, was born in Germany, and settled at an early day in Cumberland county, Pa. There he married Jane Mc- Elaney, and they had a large family, viz .; Solomon, who settled in Rayne township, Indiana county; Polly, who died in middle age; Jane, who married John Lockey ; Hugh, who made his home in Rayne township; Lu- cinda, who married Edward Branden, being his second wife; Margaret, who died unmar- ried; Benjamin, who lived on the old home- stead in Rayne township; Juliann, who mar- ried James McQuilkin, of South Mahoning township; Jemima, who was the first wife of Edward Branden; and Samuel and Johnson, twins, the former of whom is mentioned else- where. Godfrey Lightcap moved across the Allegheny mountains in 1819, and first set- tled in Westmoreland county, later, in 1845, moving to Indiana county, making a perma- nent home in Rayne township, where he settled down to farming. He became a large land owner, his holdings lying in Rayne and Young townships. He died on his farm and is buried in the old Washington Church ceme- tery in Rayne township, as is also his wife, who died on the farm. They were members of the Presbyterian Church.

Johnson Lightcap, son of Godfrey, was born Oct. 2, 1811, in Cumberland county, Pa., and was a boy when the family settled in Westmoreland county. Years later, when they moved to Rayne township, Indiana county, he accompanied them, he and his twin brother, Samuel, coming thence to East Ma- honing township. He settled on a part of what was known as the Hastings and Thomp- son tract, of 270 acres, the brothers living to- gether until Samuel's marriage, a number of years later. Johnson Lighteap improved his property materially, put up suitable build- ings, etc., and as he prospered subsequently bought a tract of 120 acres, at the time of his death owning a total of four hundred

Mr. Stadtmiller is a Catholic in religious belief, belonging to St. Bernard's Church, and acres of good farming land. He spent his

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life on the farm, dying there in December, Lightcap have had a family of twelve chil- 1896, at the age of eighty-five years, and was dren, six sons and six daughters, of whom buried in the Marion Center cemetery. His eleven are living, one son dying young. Wil- religious connection was with the Presby- liam H., born Jan. 18, 1878, a farmer in East terian Church. In politics he was associated Mahoning township, married Laura Konser, and they have two children, Eva Grace and Arthur Konser. Susanna, born Nov. 5, 1879, married James H. Beatty, a farmer of East Mahoning township, and has three children, Elma Gertrude, Wilber Lightcap and L- Mildred. Samuel J., born June 26, 1881, died March 29, 1884. Mary J., born Feb. 26, 1883, is at home. Silas Edgar, born Dec. 16, 1884, is a farmer in East Mahoning township. Clara Mabel, born March 29, 1887, Margaret Florence, born Nov. 4, 1889, Rinnie Fern and Lucinda Fay (twins), born Nov. 29, 1891, John Irwin, born Jan. 11, 1895, Harry Donel, born Oct. 22, 1897, and Charles Bence, born with the Democratic party, and he took an active interest in public affairs, serving as supervisor. He married Susan McElhoes, a native of Rayne township, and she died on the home farm at the age of eighty-two years, and is buried in the same cemetery as her husband. She, too, was a member of the Presbyterian Church. They had the follow- ing children: Jane, who married George Wynkoop and resides in Rayne township; Lucinda, who died young; John Scott; Nan- nie, who married Robert Mabon; Silas, who was a farmer and died on the homestead Feb. 10, 1910; a son that died in infancy; and Harry Johnson, farming on the homestead, June 18, 1901, are at home. who married Ida Wynkoop, of Rayne town- ship.

THOMAS S. STEFFY, who has been oper- ating his present farm in West Mahoning township for a quarter of a century, and is also engaged in the sawmill and lumber bus- iness, was born Aug. 19, 1838, at Punxsu- tawney, Pa., son of John and Phoebe (North) Steffy.

John Scott Lightcap attended the Bovard school in what is now the Branden district, and worked on the home farm with his father until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. He then settled on his present place, a tract of 120 acres in East Mahoning town- ship, part of what was known as the Brady John Steffy, father of Thomas S. Steffy, was a tanner by trade, and owned a tannery at Marchand, Pa., where he also carried on farming. Going to Wright Co., Kans., the last years of his life were spent there, and he and his wife died in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She passed away in Indi- ana county. They were the parents of two children, Thomas S., and William, the latter living in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. tract, on which he has built the residence and made numerous other improvements. In ad- dition to general farming he has engaged to a considerable extent in stock raising, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle, with which he has been quite successful. He is a thrifty and industrious farmer, combining hard work and progressive methods with good effect, as the condition of his property attests. He has been particularly interested in the welfare Thomas S. Steffy, son of John Steffy, was given a common school education, which he has since supplemented by keen observation, much reading and wide business experience. As a young man he went to work in a mill as fireman for Isaac Gordon. On April 5, 1885, he purchased the J. H. Jamison farm of the public schools in his township, and has served two terms as school director, being also treasurer of the board during one term. He has also given three terms of service as township supervisor, and has done liis share toward placing public affairs on a business- like basis. In politics he is a Democrat. He in West Mahoning township, a tract of eighty and his family are members of the Presby- terian Church at Marion. Center.

On Nov. 16, 1876, Mr. Lightcap married Maria Bence, who was born Sept. 8, 1858, in Rayne township, daughter of Samuel and Anna Elizabeth (Rime) Bence, who came to live with Mr. and Mrs. Lightcap in their de- clining years. Mr. Bence, who was from Northumberland county, this State, is still living with them, now (1912) aged ninety- of their lives, Mr. McHenry dying at the age three years : Mrs. Bence, who was of German of fifty-four years and his wife when she was descent, died at their home. Mr. and Mrs. forty-two years old. Mr. McHenry always

acres, to which he subsequently added five acres and later seventy-three acres. He was married Sept. 7, 1886, to Mary J. McHenry, of North Point, Pa., daughter of William and Rachel (Lantz) McHenry, who were born at North Point. The McHenry family moved to Porter township, Jefferson Co., Pa., there purchasing 160 acres of land, on which the parents continued to reside during the rest

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followed farming operations, and was promi- young manhood, locating in Delaware in 1801. nent in Democratic politics, serving for some After six years' residence in that State he years as school director, as well as in other came to Blacklick township, Indiana Co., Pa., capacities. A faithful member of the Zion settling in 1807 upon the farm now owned by Methodist Episcopal Church, he was class his grandson. Here he made his home, devel- oping his 160 acres of land, on which he erected a log house, giving his time and at- tention to agricultural pursuits all of his active life. When he retired from farming he located at Jacksonville, where he spent the remainder of his days, and his remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at that point. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and always held firm to its doctrines. leader for years and active in all church work. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children : Erastus, of Paxton, Ill .; Elmira, who married Henry Coleman, of Jefferson county; Sylvanus, who married Lucy Bish and lives at New Bethlehem, Pa .; Mary J., who married Mr. Steffy; Ezekiel, who mar- ried Addie Green, was a teacher in the schools of Punxsutawney, and now lives in the State of Washington; Anna, who married James John Taylor was married in Chester county, Pa., to Mary Alcorn, daughter of John Alcorn, and one child, Mary, was born of this union; she died at the age of two years. Mr. Taylor's second marriage was to Mary (Polly) Downey, daughter of John Downey. She died in 1870, aged eighty-four Irwin, of Jefferson county; Isaiah, who mar- ried Mertie Condon, and lives on a farm in West Mahoning township; James, a teacher and farmer, of Ringgold, Pa., who married Annie Powell and (second) Cretta Hess; Luke, a teacher and farmer, who married Liz- zie and lives in Jefferson county; years, the mother of the following children : Sadie, formerly a teacher, now the wife of William Tibbey, of Illinois; and Laura B., who married Henry Coleman, and now lives in Jefferson county.

Elizabeth (Betsey), who died unmarried; Mary, who married Charles Burt and resides in Ohio; Isabelle, who died unmarried; Mr. and Mrs. Steffy have six children: Nancy, who married Joseph McCracken; Thomas J .; John; William; Margaret and John M .; William A .; Maude U., who is the John (twins), who are both deceased; Rob- ert, who is deceased; and Cynthia, also de- ceased.

wife of Homer Lukehart and lives at Punx- sutawney, Pa .; Joseph Clayton; Cecil, and Eva.

Thomas J. Taylor, son of John Taylor, The present farm of the Steffy family was was born on his father's homestead in Black- purchased in 1888, and here Mr. and Mrs. lick township, and there grew up. Owing to Steffy have made numerous fine improve- ments. Steffy is also engaged in the sawmill and lumber business with his son. Mrs. Steffy is an excellent business woman and has been of great assistance to her husband, help- ing to manage his affairs and being consulted on all matters of importance. They are both popular with a wide circle of acquaintances, and are regarded as sterling types of Indi- ana county's best citizenship. He is a stanch Republican, but his only interest in public matters is that taken by any good citizen who has the welfare of his community at heart. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows, at Dayton, and he and Mrs. Steffy are consistent members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Smicksburg. the scarcity of schools his opportunities for securing a good educational training were few, but he made the most of what he had, and whenever possible attended the little sub- scription schools of the locality, never held more than three or four months in the year. He resided on the homestead with his par- ents, engaging in general farming and stock raising, and made many improvements on the property. This farm continued to be his home all his life, and he died on it in 1908, his declining years having been made happy and comfortable through the care and filial devo- tion of his son. His remains were laid in the same cemetery where rest those of his father, at Jacksonville. Although an ardent Whig and later a Republican, aside from serving as supervisor of his township he took no active part in public life. Like his father he belonged to the United Presbyterian Church, at Jacksonville.

WILLIAM BANKS TAYLOR, retired, now living at Indiana, was for many years an agriculturist of Blacklick township, where he was born Dec. 13, 1853.

Thomas J. Taylor married Jane Gibson, The first of the Taylor family to locate in daughter of Hugh Gibson, and she died on Blacklick township was John Taylor, born the farm in 1874, firm in the faith of the in Ireland, who came to the United States in United Presbyterian Church, of which she

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was a consistent member. The children of vania Volunteer Infantry, and when his term this marriage were: Margaret, who married Thomas S. Woods, and resides in Seattle, Wash .; Mary Jane, who died in young wom- anhood; Garvey, who died when twenty-two years old; and William Banks. In 1876 Mr. Taylor married® (second) Mrs. Mary P. Reiger. They had no children.

William Banks Taylor, son of Thomas J. Taylor, attended the schools of his home lo- cality, and was reared amid agricultural sur- roundings. Having learned farming from the rudiments up, he was able to take charge of the homestead and became a prosperous farmer and stock raiser. From 1887 to 1912 he carried on extensive operations along agri- cultural lines, in the latter year turning over the management of the farm to his son, and moving with his wife and daughter to Indi- ana, where he is now living retired, although he still takes an interest in the farm work.

Mr. Taylor married Jennie Shields, daugh- ter of Marshall and Margaret (Jack) Shields, and they have had two children: Chester A., born in 1885, has always been interested in farming with his father and is now operating the homestead farm of seventy-five acres; he married Tillie Gibson, daughter of William Gibson, and has one child, Lloyd F. Annie May is in the employ of the Bell Telephone Company at Indiana.

Politically Mr. Taylor is an independent The early education of Charles C. Pfordt was secured in the public schools of Pittsburg and Allegheny City, and he subsequently took a course in Duff's business college. Later he studied art for five years under the noted Professor Leisser, who is now in Europe, but turned his attention to industrial pursuits and Republican, but has never been an office seeker. A consistent member of Bethel Church (Presbyterian) in Center township, he has always tried to pattern his life ac- cording to the Golden Rule. A man of high principles, he has won and retains a reputa- tion for honorable living and stainless in- became identified with the brick industry. For tegrity.

CHARLES C. PFORDT, until recently su- perintendent of the Clymer Brick Company, has had a long and active business career. He was born in Allegheny county, Pa., Dec. 29, 1864, son of Charles and Christina Pfordt.

George Pfordt, his paternal grandfather, spent his entire life within the borders of his native country, France. He lived near the city of Nancy.

Charles Pfordt, son of George, and father of Charles C. Pfordt, was born in France and came to the United States in 1859, settling in the city of Pittsburg, Pa., where he established himself in a butchering business. At the out- break of the Civil war he was one of the first to answer President Lincoln's call for troops, enlisting April 21, 1861, in the 123d Pennsyl-

of three months had expired veteranized and was appointed orderly of his company. Sub- sequently he became second lieutenant of Com- pany B, 61st Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served one year, three months. On the close of his military service he returned to Pitts- burg, where he resumed his business opera- tions, and during the next quarter of a cen- tury was a well-known business man of that city. He died there in October, 1901. Mr. Pfordt married Christina Heckel, who was born in Beaver county, Pa., and they had a family of eight children, as follows: Charles C .; Hannah, the wife of James Carnes, of Newcastle, Pa .; Minnie, who is unmarried and engaged as a trained nurse; George, man- ager for Harmon & Company, of Steubenville, Ohio; Henrietta, wife of Herbert Hoffman, chief bookkeeper for W. & H. Walker, of Pittsburg; Sarah, wife of Frank Moody, man- ager of the hardware department of the Kaufmann Store, Pittsburg; Henry, who is deceased, and Edward, a member of the 22d Regiment in the United States regular army.

Andrew Heckel, maternal grandfather of Charles C. Pfordt, came from France to the United States in 1827, settling as a pioneer in Beaver county, Pa., and later removing to Butler county, where he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits.

seven years he was a manufacturer of this staple article in Beaver county, then moving to Natrona, Allegheny county, where he spent nine years. His next venture was in the coal and brick business at Seward, Westmoreland Co., Pa., at which place he remained for seven years, at the end of that time coming to Cly- mer to accept the superintendency of the Clymer Brick Company. Mr. Pfordt is a man of acknowledged business and executive abil- ity, thoroughly trained in his line of work, and under his capable management the firm developed into one of the leaders in its line in the county. This position he held until his removal to Dilltown, near Ebensburg, where he is now engaged in operating a coal mine.

On Aug. 1, 1889, Mr. Pfordt was married in Allegheny county to Nancy E. Eslip, who was born June 3, 1867, at Natrona, Pa., daughter

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of Frederick and Margaret A. (Potts) Eslip, Feb. 3, 1912; Thomas A., was born Oct. 2. the former born in Saxony, Germany, near the birthplace of Martin Luther, and the latter in Butler county, Pa. They are now living in Natrona. Mr. and Mrs. Pfordt have had six children : Frederick, who is deceased; and Eleanor, Margaret, Nancy E., Laura and Charles C., Jr., who are all living at home.

Mr. Pfordt is a member of the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., of Rochester; Eureka Chapter, No. 257, R. A. M., and Pittsburg Command- ery, No. 1, K. T. He and Mrs. Pfordt afe con- sistent members of the Methodist Church.

JOHN D. MARTIN (deceased) was born in Green township, Indiana county, on the the Masons and Odd Fellows.

old Martin homestead, Oct. 12, 1840, a son of David Martin and a grandson of John Martin.

John Martin was born in Ireland, and, com- ing to the United States in young manhood, settled at what is now Penn Run, about two miles from Greenville, carrying on general farming there until death claimed him.

David Martin, son of John Martin, was born in Cherryhill township, and there de- veloped into a farmer. After his marriage he moved to Green township, buying what was then the Honey tract, but is now known as Martintown. His death occurred on this prop- erty when he was about seventy-five years old, and he was buried in the McDowell cemetery in Green township. David Martin married Nancy Hadden and they had children as fol- lows: John D., Jane, Isabel, Mary, William Hadden, Catherine, Sarah and Dr. George. Mrs. Nancy Martin died when about seventy- five years old.

John D. Martin received his educational training in the schools of his township and a select school held at Indiana, Pa. Later on he taught for eight terms in the Indiana county public schools, but later still began farming the property owned by his father-in- law, later conducting a general store and keep- ing the post office. Through his efforts the Martintown post office was established, and he was its postmaster for twenty years. About a year before his death he retired from active participation in business life, and passed away Dec. 8, 1902; he was buried in the same ceme- tery as his father.

1871; a daughter born Sept. 13, 1873, died in infancy; John C., was born Dec. 20, 1874; Martha A., was born Oct. 5, 1876; Emma Blanche, born Sept. 20, 1878, died Oct. 10, 1889; Sarah Ethel, born July 16, 1880, mar- ried Earl Nupp; a daughter who was born May 19, 1882, died in infancy; George, was born May 8, 1884; Arthur Leroy, born Sept. 30, 1886, lives in Cambria county ; Robert Allen, was born April 22, 1888. Mr. Martin owned a farm of 254 acres. He was the lead- ing elder of the Nebo Presbyterian Church of Indiana county. In politics he was a Demo- crat, while his fraternal affiliations were with

WILLIAM TEMPLETON LONG, farmer and stock raiser of South Mahoning township, was born in what is now Cherryhill township, Indiana county, June 30, 1842, son of Christo- pher and Elizabeth (Long) Long, and belongs to an old family of German extraction.

Christopher Long, the great-grandfather of William Templeton Long, lived in Bedford county, Pa. He was twice married, and by his first wife, Elizabeth, had seven children: William; John, who married Rachel Bagley ; Jacob, who married Elizabeth Gordon ; David, who went West and settled there; Elizabeth. who married John Lockard; Ann, who died unmarried; and Susan, who married Samuel Bagley. For his second wife Christopher Long married Margaret Lockard, and they had the following children : Samuel, Thomas, Isaac, Jane, Ellen, Margaret, James and Jesse, all of whom, except the last two, settled iu Bedford and Cambria conuties.

William Long, son of Christopher Long and grandfather of William Templeton Loug, was born in Bedford county, Pa., in 1791, and came with his wife and children to Green township, Indiana county, in 1820 or 1821, settling near the village of Greenville, where he spent over six years as a farmer. He then removed to near Diamondville, in Cherryhill township, and settled on a tract of 100 acres, where he spent the remainder of his life in general farming. He died some time during the eighties, and was buried in the Diamond- ville cemetery. He was a member of the Bap- tist Church, and in his political views was first a Whig and later a Republican. Like his father Mr. Long was twice married, his first wife being Jane Pittman, of Fulton county, Pa., who was the mother of thirteen children :

On Sept. 21, 1865, John D. Martin married Maria Askin, a daughter of Thomas, Jr., and Elizabeth Askin. Mr. and Mrs. Martin be- came the parents of the following children : David, was born July 28, 1866; Elizabeth Ellen, born Feb. 1, 1868, married John J. Wil- John, who married Sarah McGaughey ; Sam- liams : Nancy Jane, born Feb. 7, 1870, died uel, Christopher, Francis, who married Mary

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 138

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