Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 14

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 14

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In 1829 John Clowes married Sarah Hicks, a daughter of Isaac Hicks, and she died in 1866, being buried in the same cemetery as her husband. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. The following children were born to John Clowes and his wife: Louise, who married George Lutz, of Rayne township; Hannah, who married Wil- liam Jamison; Lucinda, who married David Adams; Jacob; Isaac; Elsie, who married Reuben Heyes; David, who was a soldier during the Civil war, now living on the old he has in contemplation other improvements. homestead; John, who settled in Iowa; and Sarah, who is the widow of Archibald Mc- Adoo, of Young township.

Jacob Clowes, son of John Clowes, and his fund of experience. In addition to his father of Austin Weamer Clowes, was born agricultural interests, he is a stockholder and in Washington township in 1834, and was director of the Second National Bank of reared and educated in his native place. He Plumville. An independent in political worked on the home farm until he came of faith, he has served as a school director, su- pervisor and election inspector. The Baptist Church holds his membership, and receives his generous support. age, at which period he began farming for himself on eighty-seven acres of land in Wash- ington township. After operating this pro- perty for a time he added other land, being On Oct. 9, 1879, Mr. Clowes was married to Agnes J. Neff, of South Mahoning town- the possessor of 180 acres at the time of his death, which occurred on his homestead in ship, a daughter of J. J. and Agnes (Davis) 1892. His remains were interred in the Neff, and a niece of Rev. Aaron Neff, who was ing township in his day. Mrs. Clowes made her home with him prior to her marriage, and was trained by him in high Christian ideals. Mr. and Mrs. Clowes have had the following children: Arthur N., who died of lieart trouble May 15, 1906, and is buried in Lutheran Church cemetery at Five Points. a well-known Baptist divine of South Mahon- A good Lutheran, he gave his hearty support to the church, and being a temperate man was a member of the Prohibition party. For some time he was a school director, and did his full duty wherever placed. During the Civil war, he served his country for one year as a private in the same company as his the cemetery connected with the Baptist brother David, and was never found lacking in any respect.

Jacob Clowes married Mary Weamer, who was born in South Mahoning township, daughter of Jacob Weamer and sister of Andrew Weamer, of South Mahoning town- ship. She died at the home of her daughter in Vandergrift, Pa., a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. The children of Jacob Clowes and wife were: J. Clark, who was a carpenter, resides in Michigan; Albert died when three months old; Austin Weamer is mentioned below; Orville M. married S. R. Coulterby, of Vandergrift ; Sarah Emma mar-

Austin Weamer Clowes received a good common school education and worked at home until 1881, when he came to South Mahoning township, and located on a farm not far from the Armstrong county line. This farm contained 122 acres of land and was formerly owned by Rev. Aaron Neff. For the last thirty-one years Mr. Clowes has been engaged in farming on his property, which he has de- veloped to a considerable extent, and in the raising of high-grade stock. He not only sells his own product but also deals quite extensively in cattle which he buys. His handsome frame house was built by him, and While a busy man of affairs, he found time for a trip through the West with his wife, thus broadening his outlook and adding to

Church in South Mahoning township; Anna, who married Henry Marshall, of Henry county, Ill .; Mabel Emma, who is at home; Alice Blanch, who lives in Henry county. Ill .; Homer J., an electrician, of Pittsburg, and Benlah, Hazel and Wade, at home.

W. L. SHIELDS, M. D., of Jacksonville, Indiana county, has been engaged in the prac- tice of medicine there twenty-four years, and is one of the active citizens of that borough, not only as a professional man of the high- est standing but also in his connection with local interests of a public nature. He was

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

born in South Mahoning township, Indiana ville. He is a Republican politically, and in county, Feb. 3, 1863, son of Ralph G. Shields religious connection is a Presbyterian, being and grandson of James Shields. The latter a valued member of the church, of which he is at present a trustee. Fraternally he holds membership in the I. O. O. F. was a native of Ireland and settled in Wash- ington township, this county, where he lived and died. He acquired land and followed farming.

Ralph G. Shields, son of James, was born in Washington township and grew to man- hood there. He learned blacksmithing and followed that occupation for a long period at Plumville, in South Mahoning township, at Lucerne, Indiana county; Edith, and Anna where he remained to the end of his days. He is buried in Plumville cemetery. Shields was a Presbyterian in religious con- nection, and politically a Republican. His first wife, Mary Lydick, daughter of William B. Lydick, died in 1864, and he married (second) Sarah Streams or Stearns. There JAY H. SHIELDS, who is one of the well- were two children by the first marriage, W. known young men in his district, was born L. and a daughter that died in infancy. By at Dayton, Armstrong Co., Pa., Aug. 11, the second union there were three: Anna, 1886. He attended Eldersridge academy who married Samuel McClain (Mack) Miller, when a boy and for several sessions studied of Center township; Elda, who married Charles Hookey; and Blair, of Pittsburg.

W. L. Shields obtained his early education in the public schools and attended Glade Run academy, at Dayton, Armstrong county, and for five years was engaged in teaching in public school in South Mahoning town- ship and at summer normal. He began his medical course at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, which he attended in 1881-82, later studied at the Southeastern Tennessee College from 1882 to 1884, and afterward attended the University of Kentucky at Louis- ville, graduating from that institution in 1885, with the degree of M. D. He practiced for a time at Louisville, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn., and then located at Dayton, Arm- strong Co., Pa., where he remained a few years, in 1889 coming to Jacksonville, Indiana county, where he succeeded Dr. W. R. Reed. He has been a conscientious physician, and has the esteem and patronage of a wide circle in the vicinity, where he is known and trusted as a friend as well as in his professional capacity. He is a member of the Indiana County Medical Society and of the Pennsyl- vania State Medical Society, and for ten years was a member of the United States pension examining board for Indiana county. He has served in various other public positions, having been school director for eighteen years, during which time he has been presi- dent and secretary of the board and one of its most efficient members; and he has been a member of the borough council of Jackson-

In 1885 Dr. Shields married Nancy Bowser, of Plumville, daughter of Anderson and Mary (Templeton) Bowser, and she died at Jack- sonville and is buried at Plumville. She was the mother of three children: Jay H., who is manager for the Mahoning Supply Company, Martha. Dr. Shields' second marriage was Mr. to Lizzie Cunningham, daughter of Robert Cunningham, of Young township, Indiana county, and they have had four children : Robert DeL., Dorothy, Ralph (who died young), and William (who died young).

at the Indiana State normal school, taking up a business course. For three terms he taught school, two in Blacklick township and one in Center township. Following this he went with the Ridge Supply Company at Iselin, as bookkeeper, and continued there for a period of four years, at the end of which he went to Chambersville, Pa., for one year. For some time following he was with the Seneca Mercantile Company and from their employ changed to the Jefferson Supply Company, at Ernest, Pa. After remaining with that company until October, 1911, he accepted his present position as manager of the Mahoning Supply Company at Lucerne, which is among the largest houses in Indiana county and does a large business. He mar- ried Sara Leinbach, daughter of the late Daniel Leinbach, and they have one son, Wil- liam J. Mr. Shields is a member of Indiana Lodge, No. 313, F. & A. M., and Indiana Lodge of Elks. He is a Presbyterian in re- ligious connection.

HENRY E. RONEY, a merchant of Trade City, Indiana county, was born at Kittanning, Armstrong Co., Pa., son of William G. and Elizabeth (Smith) Roney. Robert Roney, his grandfather, was a farmer of Westmore- land county, Pa., where he died.

William G. Roney was born in Westmore- land county, Pa., while his wife was a native of Jefferson county. He grew up in his native county, and in young manhood went to Punxsutawney, Pa., where he engaged in

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

lumbering until the breaking out of the Civil membership, and he not only teaches a Sun- war. He enlisted during the first years of the day school class, but is interested in church conflict in Company L, 114th Pennsylvania work. Volunteer Infantry, was assigned to the Army On Dec. 29, 1894, Mr. Roney was married to Anna M. Martin, of Trade City, a daugh- ter of Philip J. and Catherine Martin, the former of whom is deceased, but the latter survives, living on the old homestead south of Trade City. Mr. and Mrs. Roney have four children : Millie, Effie, Ellsworth and Myrtle. Mr. Roney is admittedly one of the leading men of Trade City, and his position has been fairly won through faithful service and hon- orable methods. of the Potomac, and was honorably discharged after three years of faithful service. Re- turning to Pennsylvania he went to Kittan- ning. Securing a farm in East Franklin township, Armstrong county, he lived upon it until 1885, when he came to North Mahon- ing township, this county, and here died. While living in Armstrong county William G. Roney served as county auditor, as super- visor of his township and held other lesser offices. He was active in the ranks of the Republican party. In religious matters he was a Baptist. He and his wife, who is also deceased, became the parents of the follow- ing children: Jolın, deceased, was a black- smith at Slatelick, Pa., being in business for years with his brother Robert, and went to Mckeesport, Pa .; he married Fannie Henry. Robert, after leaving his brother John, went into an undertaking and furniture business at Kittanning, Pa., and is now in the wagon business at Latrobe, Pa .; he married Lizzie Rhodes. Mary married Martin Connelly and (second) George Sayers, both of whom are deceased, and she is now living at Lock Haven, Pa. William T., who lives at Du Bois, Pa., has been with John DuBois for thirty-three years, as filer ; he married Abbie Yoder. Jane married Smith Rudolph, and is deceased. James H., chief of police of Du Bois, Pa., for nine years, a director of the B. R. & P. Railroad Co., lives at DuBois. Pa .; he married Nannie Weston. Sarah Edith, who married George Shields, of Covode, is deceased. Henry E. completes the family.

Henry E. Roney was sent to the local schools and was engaged at farm work in his young manhood. In 1901 he engaged with the J. B. Eberhart Company, of Punxsutaw ney, and continued with that concern for nine years, conducting the carpet and furniture department. At the expiration of this period Mr. Roney came to Trade City and bought the general merchandise business owned by T. S. Neal, and has since continued it with gratify- ing results, as he now has a large and con- stantly increasing business, and carries a fine stock of goods. In addition to his private busi- ness interests Mr. Roney discharges the duties of postmaster at Trade City and is an efficient official. He is a member of the Knights of Malta at Punxsutawney and the Royal Ar- canum of the same place. The First English Lutheran Church of Trade City holds his

T. D. STEPHENS, M. D., of Penn Run, Indiana county, is a native of that place, born Aug. 4, 1869, son of John and Mary Jane (Lockard) Stephens. His grandfather, Thomas Stephens, was a farmer at Penn Run, which is in Cherryhill township, and his wife was a member of the MePheeters family of that place. The Stephens and Lockard fam- ilies are both of Scotch-Irish extraction.

John and Mary Jane (Lockard) Stephens were farming people of Penn Run. They had a family of five children, two sons and three daughters, namely: Emma, who is the wife of Frank Moorhead, of Indiana, Pa .; Mar- garet, wife of George Lowman, of Penn Run ; Almira, wife of Johnson Moorhead, of Cherry- hill township; T. D .; and Shadwiek or Chad- wick, who died in infancy. Mrs. Mary Jane (Lockard) Stephens had relatives who en- tered the service during the Civil war and died while in the army.

T. D. Stephens began his education in the local public schools, later attending summer normal at Greenville, Indiana county, and the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. He studied medicine at the University of Pittsburg, receiving his degree of M. D. in March, 1895. Dr. Stephens is one of the most active physicians in Indiana county. He is so well and favorably known as a physician that his services are sought by many outside his own territory. He is at present a member of the Indiana County Medical Examination Board.

Dr. Stephens is active not only in his pro- fession, but equally so in all movements that are for the best interests of the community in which he lives. For years he has taken an active part in politics. He is a Republican, and has always stood for clean politics. He is an energetic worker in the Harmony Pres- byterian Church, of which he is a member.

While taking the teachers' training course

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

prescribed by the State Dr. Stephens was the was among the early pioneers who opened up teacher of the class, and passed his examina- this region. His land was south of West tions with a perfect grade. At present he is a trustee of the Greenville Select School. He has always upheld the cause of education. He displayed his ability as pupil and teacher in the public schools. As a supporter of the select schools of his own town he cannot be too highly spoken of. The large attendance of the Greenville school for the last fifteen years is due in a great measure to his efforts. He not only solicits students for the school, but gives them medical attention free of charge while they are students there. writer remembers that during an epidemic of measles all the students who were afflicted re- ceived medical aid from him gratis. He is unselfish and extremely liberal, always ready to assist students in their games, or in any- thing that may bring sunshine into their lives.

The Doctor has a wide circle of patients and is highly esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact, whether in his professional capacity or any of the other relations of life, being recognized as a man of character and worth, and an honorable representative of the respected name he bears.

On June 27, 1895, Dr. Stephens was mar- ried to Martha Jane Simpson, daughter of Nathan Simpson, of Indiana. Dr. and Mrs. Stephens have two children: Roy S., born June 4, 1899, and Drew H., born March 2, 1901.

JOHN HARBISON, late of Armstrong township. Indiana county, was a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of that section, and was born on Blacklegs creek, in Young township, in the twenties, son of Joseph Harbison and grandson of Francis Harbison. It is supposed the latter's father was stolen from the coast of England and brought to America as a deckhand, presum- ably impressed into service. He escaped from the ship on which he was held at either New York or Philadelphia.

The Harbison family is supposedly of Scotch-Irish extraction, and Francis Harbi- son, who founded the branch living in Indi- ana county, was a native of Pennsylvania, born near Philadelphia. During the memor- able struggle of the Colonies for independ- ence he served as a soldier, and was taken prisoner. In 1798 he came to western Penn- sylvania, crossing the Allegheny mountains and settling with his family in what is now Young township, Indiana county, where he anon cemetery. She was a member of the

Lebanon, where the station is now located, and he became the owner of a large body, having over one thousand acres, then in its primitive condition. He built a house of round logs, and also a log barn, and set him- self to work to clear his land and prepare it for cultivation. He spent the remainder of his life there, dying on his farm in 1823, at the age of sixty-five years, and is buried in the Ebenezer Church cemetery in Conemaugh township. He was a Presbyterian in relig- The ious connection. His wife, Catherine (Hart), lived to the advanced age of ninety years, dying in 1849, and is also buried in the Eben- ezer Church cemetery. They had children as follows: Joseph, mentioned below; Robert, born in 1785, who married Mary Millen, and died in 1855; Mary, who married Thomas Cunningham; Jane, who married James Ew- ing; Anna; William, who married Sarah Hutchinson; Sarah, who married William McNeil; and Matthew, who married Mary Heney.

Joseph Harbison, eldest son of Francis and Catherine (Hart) Harbison, came with his parents to Young township and became one of the leading agriculturists of his day in that vicinity. He acquired a tract of several hundred acres. His first dwelling was con- structed of logs, and he later erected a frame house and barn, also making many other im- provements on his property, where he spent his life. The frame residence which he built there in the latter forties is still standing and is in an excellent state of preservation. Mr. Harbison died on his place and was buried in West Lebanon cemetery. He was a strong antislavery man, a Whig and Republican in political sentiment, and served as justice of the peace. A prominent member of the Pres- byterian Church, he served as elder of the church at West Lebanon, which he helped to organize; he was originally a member of the church at Eldersridge. He was a man of high Christian character, devoted to his home, his family and the best interests of the com- munity, and was a desirable citizen in every sense of the term. His wife, Rebecca (Ewing), was a daughter of John and Sarah (Moore) Ewing and a sister of Alexander Ewing, one of her nephews being the late Rev. T. R. Ewing. Mrs. Harbison died on the farm and was interred in the West Leb-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Presbyterian Church. Eight children were Wilkinsburg, Pa., where she has now been born to Joseph and Rebecca (Ewing) Har- engaged for eight years. She has been very bison : Anna, wife of Silas Fulton; Sarah, successful, and is a valued worker. wife of Joseph Cunningham; William, born in 1814, who died March 6, 1850; Mary, wife HARRY PATTON DOWLER, superin- tendent of the Penn-Mary Coal Company, at Heilwood, Indiana Co., Pa., is a native of Clearfield county, this State, born June 5, 1869, a son of Capt. James and Cornelia (Patton) Dowler. of William Cooper, residing at Slippery Rock, Butler Co., Pa .; Francis, who married Parmelia Cooper, and resided in Young township; Catherine, who died unmarried ; John, who married Elizabeth Beatty; and Jane, who died unmarried.

John Harbison attended common school in Young township, and became familiar with farm work at home, assisting lris parents. When a young man he bought a threshing machine and commenced to work at thresh- ing and baling all over this section, a line of work which he continued to carry on all his life. He also became interested in farming on his own account, in 1862 moving to Armstrong township and settling on the Beatty farm of 124 acres, which he subsequently bought from the Beatty heirs, establishing his permanent home upon this tract. His widow still resides there, cultivating the land with the assistance of hired help. She also owns the coal rights. Mr. Harbison was one of the most respected citizens of his neighborhood, where by a long life of industry and usefulness he had gained the esteem of all who knew him. He died in May, 1896, aged seventy-two years, and is buried in the cemetery of the Curry Run Presbyterian Church in Armstrong township. He was a member of that church.

Capt. James Dowler was born in Ireland, and as a lad was taken to England by his father, a guardsman in the British Reserves. On coming to the United States, Capt. James Dowler first located in New York City, where he remained for two years, at the end of that time coming to Clearfield county, Pa., where he was engaged in lumbering and farming up to the time of his death, in 1904. He married Cornelia Patton, who was born in Center county, Pa., and she died in 1907, the mother of ten children, as follows: Wil- liam, now deceased, who was a physician and surgeon of Patton, Pa .; Susanna, wife of. James Martin, living on the old homestead in Clearfield county; John, residing at Burn- side, Clearfield county ; Elizabeth, also a resi- dent of Burnside; James, who lives in West Virginia; Josephine, wife of Ellery Harts- ' horn, of Texas; Harry Patton; and three who are deceased.

John Patton. maternal grandfather of Harry Patton Dowler, was a native of Cen- ter county, Pa., where he owned considerable land. His father was a member of Gon- eral Washington's bodyguard during the war of the Revolution, being colonel of the 16th Additional Continental Regiment, and subsequently becoming major general of a. division of the State militia. He had charge of the defenses of Philadelphia during the Revolution, and was one of the most patri-

Mr. Harbison married Elizabeth Beatty, who was born Dec. 7, 1830, in Armstrong township, daughter of Robert and Nancy (Borland) Beatty, and though now eighty- two years of age is in possession of all her faculties, active mentally and physically. She is regarded by all her neighbors as a woman of high character and intelligence. otic merchants of that city, where he died Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. in the year 1804. His wife, Susan (Antes), was a daughter of Philip Antes, an early settler of Pennsylvania and a well-known justice of his day. Harbison : Maria M., deceased, who was the wife of Harry McClellan; Mary A., deceased; R. Edwin, deceased, who was a school teacher in Armstrong township; and Martha J., the The early education of Harry Patton Dow- ler was obtained in the public schools of Clearfield county, and in 1894 he was gradu- ated from the Pennsylvania State College in mining engineering, subsequently accepting a position with the Mitchell Coal Company, at Tyrone, Pa., where he remained four years. During this time, in 1898, he served as first lieutenant in the State Cavalry, 2d Sheridan Troop. From 1899 to 1900 he was engaged in coal operations at Glen Campbell, only survivor of the family. The last named attended common school in Armstrong town- ship and later went to select schools at Park- wood and Shelocta, and to Grove City College. After teaching five terms in Armstrong town- ship and for a time in the high school at Salts- burg she went back to Grove City College for another term's study, and she has since been teaching eighth grade in the McNair school at

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

and then went to Pittsburg, where he started ing. He continued to make his home there dealing in coal and timber lands, and was so the rest of his life. A part of his farm is now owned by Mr. John G. McCrory, the well-known owner of a chain of five and ten cent stores. Mr. McNutt died on the farm and was buried in what is known as Matters graveyard, near the homestead. In religious belief he was a Methodist. employed until 1906, in the spring of which year he accepted his present position as su- perintendent of the Penn-Mary Coal Com- pany. Mr. Dowler is also president of the Lasoya Oil Company, of Oklahoma, and a director of the First National Bank of Glen Campbell. He is known as a capable busi- ness man, and one who is thoroughly con- versant with the mining industry. He be- longs to the Coal Mining Institute of Amer- ica, and to the Engineers' Society of West- ern Pennsylvania, and also to the American Institute of Mining Engineers.

In 1898 Mr. Dowler was married to Eme- line Patchin, who was born in Clearfield county, Pa., daughter of Aaron W. and Elizabeth (Barrett) Patchin. Mr. Patchin, who was one of the most extensive lumber- men on the Susquehanna river, died in 1898, while his widow, a native of England, still lives on the old family homestead. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dowler: Aaron P., eleven years old; Eliza- beth Jane, who is seven; and Mary Wini- fred, aged four years.

Mr. Dowler has interested himself closely with fraternal matters and is especially prominent in Masonry, holding membership in Tyrone Blue Lodge and Chapter, Mountain Commandery, K. T., of Altoona, Williams- port Consistory (thirty-second degree), and Syria Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Pitts- burg. He also belongs to Burnside Lodge of Odd Fellows and to the B. P. O. Elks lodge at Indiana. With Mrs. Dowler and their children he attends the Presbyterian Church of Heilwood.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 14

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