Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 142

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 142

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William James Graham was born March 15, 1872, in Buffington township, and there received a public school education, attending the Grove school. He worked with his parents helping to cultivate the home farm, until 1899, when he took a position in the round- house of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany at Conemaugh, being employed there two years. He next worked at Milton Gam- ble's sawmill, and afterward for Kate Wal- ters for a number of years. Then he learned the trade of carpenter with Highland & Pat- terson, the contractors. Upon the death of his father he returned to the home place and settled down to farming, buying out the other heirs. He now owns and operates 205 acres in all, his grandfather's farm of 120 acres and his father's place of eighty-five acres. It is a fine piece of property, and he is success- fully carrying on general farming, including the growing of small fruits, teaming and lum-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

bering, his various interests yielding him a born to Mr. and Mrs. Marshall were as fol- most comfortable income. Like his father he lows: Josephine, who lived in Wayne town- has taken considerable interest in politics as ship, Armstrong county; Washington, who a member of the Republican party, and has been judge and inspector of election. He has also served as clerk of his township. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Graham was married to Sadie E. Travis is the only surviving member of the Sower, daughter of Whittlesey James and Emma (Dodson) Sower, and they have had five children, born as follows: Geraldine, 1899; Vera Pearl, 1901; Cora Fay, 1905; Mary LeM., October, 1907; and Vivian May, Sept. 21, 1911.

WILLIAM GRAY TRAVIS, deceased, who will be remembered by the older generation as one of his community's best and most sub- stantial citizens, spent his life in agricultural pursuits in West Mahoning township, where he was born Jan. 19, 1830, a son of John and Catherine (Cressman) Travis. His pater- nal grandfather founded the family in West Mahoning township, being an early settler here, and passing his life in the vicinity of Good's mill, where he followed farming.

John Travis, father of William G. Travis, was born in West Mahoning township, fol- lowed in his father's footsteps as a farmer, and spent an honorable and useful life, he and his wife passing away in this locality respected and esteemed by all with whom they were acquainted. The had the following children : Emily, who died as a child; a son who died in infancy; William Gray; and Mary Ann, who married Joseph Marshall, of Dayton, Pennsylvania.

William Gray Travis, son of John Travis, received the usual educational advantages enjoyed by the youths of his day and com- munity. He was reared to habits of integrity, industry and sobriety, traits which character- ized his whole life, and his youth and young manhood were spent on the home place and at Glade Run. A dutiful and affectionate son, he returned home and resided with his parents until they died, tenderly caring for them in their declining years and contribut- ing to their comfort in every way. In 1856 he married Mary Jane Marshall, who was born March 12, 1836, in Wayne township, Armstrong Co., Pa., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Wadding) Marshall, the former of Irish parentage, and the latter of an old family of eastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Mar- shall was a prominent farmer of Wayne town- ship, a Democrat in politics and a member of the Presbyterian Church. The children

was a resident of Punxsutawney, Pa .; Caro- line, who was Mrs. Good, of Dayton, Pa .; Mary Jane, who married Mr. Travis; and Harry, who lived in Armstrong county. Mrs. family.

William G. Travis was always a farmer, giving almost all of his time and attention to the cultivation of his fields and the care of his home. He was, however, a man of in- telligence and progressive spirit, alive to all the real issues of the day and interested in the success of the Republican party, and held various township offices. He also was active in church work, being a well known member of the Presbyterian congregation, and could be relied upon to support movements calling for the advancement of education, morality and good citizenship. He and his wife had the following children: John, who died at the age of eight years; Samuel, a farmer of South Mahoning township, who married Anna Martin, and has four children, Malcolm, Robert, Alice and Annie; Frank, of Falls Creek, Pa., a railroad carpenter working on bridge construction, who married Dora Richey, and has children, Belle, Carl and Ruth; Lelah, who married Joseph McIntire, of Armstrong county, and has four children, Mabel, Wilbert, Clyde and Walter; Annie, who married William Beck, of Smicksburg, and has three children, Floyd, Burdette and Ellsworth; and Harry M.

Mr. Travis was one of the charter members of the Odd Fellows lodge at Smicksburg, and ever took an interest in its work. Known for his integrity in business affairs, respected for his public spirit and esteemed as a man who was ever ready to assist others, his stand- ing in every walk of life was one much to be envied, and in his death, which occurred June 15, 1886, his section of Indiana county lost one of its best and most helpful citizens.

HARRY M. TRAVIS, son of William G. Travis, was born Jan. 13, 1879, on the old home place, and secured his education in the home schools. For a number of years he has had charge of the homestead, where he has made many im- provements, having inherited his father's enterprise and progressive spirit. Like his father, he is interested in the work of the . Odd Fellows, with the members of which he is very popular. He has creditably upheld the family reputation for good citizenship, business integrity and personal probity.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Travis was married to Amy Milliron, Pa .; John J., Harry, Anna, Dollie Eliza and and they have two bright and interesting Odell, all at home. children, Merrill and Kathleen.

WILLIAM L. LUKEHART, senior mem- WILLIAM S. GARDNER lives on a farm in ber of the firm of William L. Lukehart & Son, Montgomery township, Indiana county, one general merchants at West Plumville, In- and a quarter miles from Glen Campbell, and diana county, belongs to a family of German is engaged in general agriculture, which has extraction whose first member in this county been his principal vocation. He was born in was Conrad Lukehart. He was a native of Sinking Valley, Blair Co., Pa., in which county the early ancestors of the family in America were early settlers. The name was originally spelled Luckhart.

that township, Nov. 18, 1850, son of Jonathan Walker and Eliza Jane (Bennett) Gardner, the former of whom came to Indiana county about 1840, from Center county, Pa., and was a farmer and lumberman by occupation. Grandfather Gardner was a native of Scot- land. Mrs. Eliza Jane (Bennett) Gardner was of German extraction, and her family

Coming to Indiana county about 1823-24 Conrad Lukehart located in the southwestern part of Mahoning township, purchasing a tract of three hundred acres which was then were farming people. She came to this coun- all woods. He built a log house and a round- ty in 1837, at the age of twelve years, from York county, and lived to the age of eighty- four. Mr. Gardner died at the age of seventy- six. They had a family of twelve children: James W., Sarah J., Annie E., William S., John B., Virtue W., Lorenzo D., Isaiah I., Harriet C., Tamzan R., Clara E. and Loverna the community as well as one of the most Evaline. log barn, and devoted the remainder of his active years to clearing and developing his property, which he improved greatly, making many changes which raised its value. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and became one of the most esteemed citizens of substantial farmers of this section. He died in 1861-62, at the age of about seventy-five. He was buried in the cemetery of St. John's Lutheran Church, and his wife, Margaret (Reese), who died in 1854, is also buried there. She was like him a member of the Lutheran Church. They had children as fol- lows: Thomas; George, who lived in Arm- strong county; Conrad; Jacob, who settled in West Mahoning township, Indiana county ; Joseph; Eliza, who married George Eyder; Elizabeth, who married John Eyder; Cathe- rine, who married Levi Wells; Rebecca, who married Daniel Whitier; Margaret; Mary, who married Philip Nichols; and Sarah Ann, who married William Nichols.

William S. Gardner was born on his father's homestead in Montgomery township and received his education in the local public schools. He worked with his father at home on the farm until he reached the age of twenty- two years, when he took up carpentering, following that trade for ten years, after which he resumed farming. He bought the old homestead, which he has since sold, however, now owning and occupying a tract of sixty acres in Montgomery township one and a quarter miles from Glen Campbell. He has devoted himself to his work, giving no time to outside affairs, though he takes a public- spirited interest in the general welfare. In political sentiment he is a Democrat.

Mr. Gardner was married June 22, 1881, to Mary Elizabeth MeCracken, of Indiana coun- ty, daughter of Joseph J. and Mary Ann (Hunter) MeCracken, who were born in Ire- land. Mr. McCracken came to America when a child, the family settling first in Phila- delphia and later coming to Indiana county. He was a farmer all his life, and died at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Mrs. MeCracken died aged sixty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have eight children, name- ly: Quay, who is working at Colver, Pa .; Pearl, wife of D. R. Sundertin, a miner, of Burnside, Clearfield Co., Pa .; Verna, wife of A. D. Irwin, a draftsman, of Pittsburg, John's Lutheran Church, in which church he

Conrad Lukehart, son of Conrad, was born March 14, 1818, in Sinking Valley, Blair county, accompanied his parents to South Mahoning township, Indiana county, and there received his education in the district schools. From boyhood he was engaged in farming, commencing for himself on a tract of 100 acres which originally formed part of the home farm. He built a log house and barn, finished clearing the land and con- tinued to improve it the rest of his life, erecting up-to-date buildings as prosperity enabled him. He engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising, and operated the place until his death, which occurred in September, 1885. He is buried in the cemetery of St.

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held membership. In politics he was a Re- merchandise business at West Plumville to publican. Mr. Lukehart was twice married, which they are now devoting the principal his first wife being Mary Paterson, by whom share of their attention and which prom- he had a son, Samuel John, a resident of Van- ises to develop steadily under their ener- dergrift, Pa. By his second marriage, to Eliz- getic management. He is a wide-awake man, and has the ambition and industry nec- essary to make a success of his undertakings. He is a Republican and has served as clerk abeth Edwards, daughter of Andrew Ed- wards, he had two children: William L. and Lydia Ann, the latter the wife of James Thompson, of South Mahoning township, In- of the election board, is a member of the I. O. diana county. O. F. at Plumville, and in religious connec- William L. Lukehart was born in May, tion is a Lutheran, belonging to the old St. 1856, in South Mahoning township, where John's Church, in which he is a valued he received a public school education. He worker. He is serving at present as treasurer began work on the home farm when a boy, of the church, and teaches in the Sunday and continued to assist his father until the school.

latter's death, after which he took full charge of the homestead and cared for his mother. He did much improving on the property after he came into the ownership, built the fine frame dwelling and frame barn which now stand there, and made many changes which showed his progressive disposition. He fol- lowed general farming there until 1911, when he sold out and embarked in the mercantile business at West Plumville, buying out the

lishment he and his son now conduct. They have been successful from the start, and en- joy a wide patronage, which obliging methods and a real interest in the demands of their trade are likely to hold.

Mr. Lukehart is a Republican and has been an active worker in the interest of his party in this locality, having served as judge of election in his township. Though not an John Leasure, son of John the pioneer, was office seeker, he has been elected supervisor, born in the Sewickley settlement, Westmore- and served efficiently in that capacity. He land Co., Pa., and in young manhood moved is a leading member of St. John's Lutheran to Armstrong township, Indiana county, Church, with which his family has been as- where he was engaged in farming for several sociated for so long, was formerly deacon, years. In 1809 he came to what is now East and is now elder and trustee, and takes an active part in Sunday school work, being a teacher and superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

In March, 1885, Mr. Lukehart was mar- ried to Ida M. Keibler, who was born in West Mahoning township, Indiana county, daugh- ter of Joseph Keibler, and they have had two children, Wallace Robert and Smith, the latter dying young.

WALLACE ROBERT LUKEHART was born on the home farm Feb. 4, 1886, and received his diana and eastern Armstrong counties. He early education in the local public schools, died in 1844, at the age of eighty-two years. John Leasure was married in 1796 to Jane Culbertson, who died in 1838, at the age of sixty-five years, and both were buried in Gilgal cemetery. Their children were as fol- later attending summer normal under Pro- fessor Weaver for two terms. He worked on the home place with his father until 1911, when they became engaged in the general

In 1906 Mr. Lukehart married Sarah Potts, who is a daughter of William Potts, of Wash- ington township, this county, and they have had three children: A son that died in in- fancy, William Howard, and Ida Pearl, the latter deceased in infancy.

JOHN W. LEASURE, citizen and soldier, who is now living retired at Nicholtown, Grant township, is a descendant of one of the interest of Charles Dickinson, whose estab- oldest families of the northern part of In- diana county. He was born in East Mahon- ing township Dec. 11, 1840, son of Abraham Y. and Mary (Craig) Leasure.

John Leasure, the great-grandfather of John W. Leasure, and founder of the family in western Pennsylvania, was an early settler in Westmoreland county, locating in the Se- wickley settlement.

Mahoning township, locating on a tract of land which was later owned by Samuel T. Brady. The warrant for this tract, which contained 396 acres, was issued Jan. 15, 1802, and the patent dated Jan. 17, 1802, and both papers were made out in the name of John Leasure. Mr. Leasure was a noted hunter of his day, and from the proceeds obtained from wolves' scalps and pelts he paid for several farms. He was also one of the scouts sent to guard the homes of the pioneer settlers along Crooked Creek, in what is now western In-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

lows : Catherine married Nathaniel Simp- of the Potomac, participating in the battles son; Solomon married Mary Kirkpatrick; of Fredericksburg, Bermuda Hundred and John married Mary Kinter; Jane married Sol- James river. Mr. Leasure then became sick omon Hall; Rebecca married James Work; Mary became the wife of Robert Thompson; Elizabeth married Samuel T. Brady; Abra- ham Y. is mentioned below; George and Cul- bertson were twins; Sarah married William Mahon; Margaret married Andrew Shields.

Abraham Y. Leasure, son of John Leasure, above, was born in 1809, on the farm in East Mahoning township, and there grew to man- hood, his education being acquired in the subscription schools. His school attendance only covered a few months during the winter time, his summers being spent in the work of the home farm, but he was of an observant and intelligent nature, took advantage of his in farming until 1868.

and was confined to the hospital for some time, and was honorably discharged at Pittsburg May 24, 1863. On Aug. 26, 1864, he reenlisted for one year, in Company A, 206th Pennsyl- vania Regiment, Col. Hugh J. Brady, Capt. Thomas Moore, and became corporal of his company. He was present at the taking of Richmond, and a member of one of the com- panies that assisted in hauling down the Con- federate flag and raising the Stars and Stripes. He was mustered out of the service June 26, 1865, with an excellent record for bravery and faithful service, and returned to his home, where he continued to be engaged

opportunities and managed to obtain a good, In that year Mr. Leasure went to the tim- practical education. Farming occupied his ber region of Clearfield county, and there attention throughout his life. He settled on a tract of land which is now owned by John Rochester, of Marion Center, but later moved to a tract of 140 acres, which subsequently became known as the Bovard farm. His next location was on a tract of 120 acres near Rich- mond, in East Mahoning township, and there he spent the remainder of his active life, his declining years being passed on a small place near Richmond, where he died. He was buried at Richmond. He was a Democrat in his political proclivities, and a faithful member of the Christian Church. followed rafting and lumbering, making more than thirty trips down the Susquehanna river to Lock Haven and Marietta. On giv- ing up his lumbering operations he located in Grant township, Indiana county, where he has since been engaged in farming. He located on a small tract east of Deckers Point, which he purchased from Joseph Nichol, in what is now known as Nicholtown, and here he has made numerous improvements, having a valuable property. He is a man of quiet, unostentatious manner, giving his attention to his farm and his home, and not mixing in political matters, although he supports Re- publican policies and candidates as a voter, and takes an interest in all matters that affect his community. He is a popular comrade of

. Abraham Y. Leasure was married to Mary Craig, eldest child of John and Jane (Kelly) Craig, her father a well-known teacher in his day, in Westmoreland and Indiana counties. She died on the farm and was buried in the Frank Brown Post, Grand Army of the Re- same cemetery as her husband. Mr. and Mrs. public, at Richmond, Pa. With his family he Leasure were the parents of the following attends the Christian Church. where he has

children : Samuel C., deceased, who married Ann R. McQuown; Louisa, who married Con- rad Piper; Lucinda, who married John Moore, of East Mahoning township; John W .; Jane, who married John O. Richardson, and re- sides in Richmond, Pa .; Judson, who died young; James, who married Agnes Hopkins; and Mary Elizabeth, who died young.

served as superintendent of the Sunday school.

In September, 1866, Mr. Leasure was united in marriage with Emily McAdoo, who was born in Rayne township, Indiana county, daughter of James McAdoo, and sister of Mrs. Henry A. Fisher, of Grant township. Seven children have been born to this union, name- ly: Charles, who died young; Samuel, a farmer of Cherryhill township, Indiana county ; Iva, who married Frank Kerr ; Sarah, who became the wife of Harry McMillen; Ollie, who married John Kilday ; Merrill, who is a resident of Dixonville, Pa .; and Wade, who makes his home at Richmond.

John W. Leasure received his education in the public schools of his day and locality, was trained to agricultural pursuits, and worked with his father until he entered the Union army as a soldier during the Civil war. He enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, in Company D, 135th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Col. James R. Porter, Capt. John G. Wilson. James McAdoo, father of Mrs. Leasure, He entered for nine months' service, and was was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., son connected with the 10th Army Corps, Army of William McAdoo. He lived for a time in

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Young township, Indiana county, and later ing he engaged to some extent in teaming moved to Rayne township. He was a cabinet- and lumbering, and through industry and thrift accumulated a competency. Mr. Dun- can was prominent in all township affairs, serving in the capacity of supervisor of roads for many years and as overseer of the poor, and stanchly supporting the principles first of the Whig and later of the Republican party. He died in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in November, 1897-98, when seventy-five years old, and was buried in Blacklick cemetery, in Cambria county. Mr. Duncan married Eliza Bracken, who was born in 1827 and died in 1878, and she was laid to rest beside her husband. Her parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Carney) Bracken, of an old and honored family. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan had the following children : John, who served in the Civil war under two enlistments, being a member of Company E, maker by trade, an occupation which he fol- lowed at Marion Center and near Richmond, and during the greater part of his life was engaged in the manufacture of furniture and coffins. His last years were spent with his daughter, Mrs. Henry A. Fisher, with whom he died in 1879, at the age of seventy-two years, and both he and his wife were buried in Shiloh cemetery, at Deckers Point. He was a Republican in politics, and he and his wife were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church. He married Mrs. Sarah (Palmer) McGee (widow of John McGee), who was born in Westmoreland county, and they had these children: Sarah J., who married Henry A. Fisher, of Grant township; Robert, who resides in Grant township, a veteran of the 101st Regiment, P. V. I., in which he served eleven months; Emily, who married John W. Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment, and died Leasure; and a son who died in infancy.

THOMAS BRACKEN DUNCAN, who is engaged in carrying on agricultural opera- tions in Buffington township, was born in East Wheatfield township, Indiana Co., Pa., Dec. 31, 1851, and is a son of James and Eliza (Bracken) Duncan.

William Duncan, the paternal great-grand- father of Thomas Bracken Duncan, and his wife Ann had three children: James, John and William.

John Duncan, son of William Duncan, was born in Wheatfield (now East Wheatfield) township, where he followed farming, as he did also in Buffington township, and for some years was a stage driver from Phila-

at the age of twenty-two years, at Neillsville, Wis .; Lizzie, who is unmarried and living on the old home farm; Annie, who married Loughlin MeFeaters and lives in East Wheat- field; Thomas Bracken; Sarah, who married William Stewart and resides in Iowa; Fill- more, who is unmarried and is carrying on farming operations on the old homestead ; Car- rie, who married Watson Duncan; Maggie, residing on the old homestead; a child who died unnamed; and Agnes, whose death oc- curred when she was eleven years old.

Thomas Bracken Duncan, son of James Duncan, attended the public schools of East Wheatfield township. He accompanied his parents to Buffington township and there worked on the homestead until 1873, in which delphia to Pittsburg. He was buried in East year he purchased the Jacob George farm of Union cemetery in Buffington township. Mr. ninety acres, to which he has since added the Duncan married Annie Graham, who died while the family resided in Illinois, and was there buried, and they had the following children: William, who married Elizabeth Clark; John, who married Eliza Ann David- son ; David, who died at the age of twenty-one years; James; Joseph, who married Sarah Graham, and resided in the town of Indiana, where he died; Margaret, who married Ben- jamin Marshall; and Jane, who married Wil- liam Graham, who was killed while serving in the Civil war.

William R. George farm of sixty acres, and now operates the whole 150 acres, the greater part of this property being under cultivation. Mr. Duncan is possessed of progressive ideas, his land being well limed and modern methods being used in its operation. In addition to general farming he carries on stock raising, lumbering and teaming, and in all of his ven- tures has been uniformly successful. As a citizen he holds a high reputation among his fellow men, local educational, religious and moral interests finding a stanch supporter in him, while his many personal excellencies have made him many friends.

James Duncan, son of John Duncan, was born March 27, 1823, in Pine (now Buffing- ton) township, Indiana Co., Pa., and there On March 6, 1872, Mr. Duncan was mar- ried to Nellie George, who was born on the followed farming during his active life. His farm of 160 acres is now being conducted old George homestead in Buffington township, by his son Fillmore. In addition to farm- daughter of Jacob and Mary A. (Reed)

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 142

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