Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 143

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 143

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

George. To this union there have been born with the administration of public affairs in children as follows: Cora, born June 1, 1873, the township practically all his life, serving married Edw. Boyer, of Johnstown, Pa., and as supervisor, tax collector and assessor, and died July 24, 1909; George, born Jan. 23, likewise took an active interest in the Curry 1875, married Pearl Graham and (second) Run Presbyterian Church, of which he was long a prominent member; he served twenty- one years as elder, and was superintendent of the Bible class. In polities he was a Re- publican. He died April 27, 1896, and is buried at the Curry Run Presbyterian Church. Ella Stiles, and has four children, Russell, Jennie, Charles and Elvira; Charles, born Sept. 11, 1882, became a school teacher, and died Jan. 10, 1902; Webster, born June 1, 1886, a farmer in Buffington township, mar- ried Mollie Stewart; John, born Oct. 30, 1888, taught school for three terms and is now engaged in farming with his father ; Eva, born Nov. 21, 1893, is living at home. Mr. Dun- can is a Republican in his political views, but has not sought preferment in political mat- ters. With his family he attends the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

On Oct. 22, 1846, Mr. Lewis married Julia Ann Sutton, who was born Dec. 24, 1827, and survives her husband, now living with her daughter Bertha at No. 258 South Seventh street, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis had eight children, all born in Washington town- ship, viz .: Peter Sutton, born April 21, 1848, is a farmer in White township; on Oct. 2, 1872, he married Nannie J. Bowers. Mary Catherine, born June 13, 1850, died Dec. 25. 1862. Nancy Ann, born March 5, 1852, died Jan. 4, 1904, was the wife of Frank Cummin. who is also deceased. Thomas Scott is meu- tioned below. Rebecca, born Dec. 24, 1859. married Oct. 19, 1880, John D. Cochran, a farmer, and they live at Mosgrove, Arm- strong county. Laura Bell, born May 12. 1862, married Jan. 22, 1894, Alexander St. Clair, who is in the real estate business, and they live at West View, near Pittsburg. Marie Antoinette, born June 30, 1864, died April 23, 1866. Bertha, born Aug. 19, 1867. who has been connected with the Indiana Messenger for the last ten years, resides with her mother in Indiana.

THOMAS SCOTT LEWIS, who has a large farm in White township, Indiana coun- ty, is a member of a family which came to this country from Wales. His grandfather, James Lewis, born Aug. 16, 1791, died March 20, 1852. His first wife, Catherine Loughry, whom he married Dec. 26, 1815, was born April 23, 1792. He subsequently married (second) her cousin, Mary Loughry, on April 6, 1830. She was born Aug. 25, 1788, and died Dec. 24, 1856. His children, all born to the first union, were as follows: John, born April 8, 1817, settled in the State of Indiana, where he followed the profession of physician, and died Jan. 24, 1886; he married Maria L. Hutchinson, and they had two children, James and George. James Loughry is mentioned Melchoir Sutton, grandfather of Mrs. Julia Ann (Sutton) Lewis, had a farm of over 250 acres in Blacklick township, Indiana county, the old homestead of the Suttou family, where he lived. His son, Peter Sutton, father of Mrs. Lewis, was born Feb. 6, 1801, and died July 18, 1871. He was a Presbyterian in re- below. Rebecca, born March 27, 1821, died Feb. 11, 1851, was married March 26, 1846, to Robert Stewart, and had one child, John. David, born July 17, 1824, died March 23, 1854, from fever; he was a physician. Nancy, born Aug. 23, 1826, died Nov. 4, 1892, was married Oct. 10, 1849, to R. W. Allison and ligious connection, and is buried in the cem- had a family of eight children.

James Loughry Lewis, son of James, was born Dec. 11, 1818, in Washington township, Indiana county, where he had a farm origi- nally consisting of 180 acres, to which he sub- sequently added twenty acres, having 200 acres in all. This was the property where his father settled when it was all in the woods, and the pioneer first lived in a log house, later, as prosperity enabled him, building a brick house, with the assistance of his son James. The bricks were made on the farm. James L. Lewis followed stock raising extensively, raising many fine horses, and he made a specialty of geese also. He was associated born Sept. 30, 1839, died May 25, 1863,

etery of the Ebenezer Church in Conemaugh township. He owned a large farm in Black- lick township, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. On Dec. 6, 1825, he married Nancy A. Fisher, of Dauphin county, Pa., born Aug. 20, 1809, died Sept. 7, 1892. They became the parents of eleven children : Julia Ann mar- ried James Loughry Lewis. Sarah J., born June 11, 1830, died July 2, 1868, unmarried. Jonathan, born Jan. 11, 1833, married July 25, 1857, Susan Borden. William, born Dec. 23, 1835, married Nov. 16, 1854, Violet Mike- sell. John F., born July 30, 1837. married June 26, 1866, Ellen Keslar. Joseph L.,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

married Feb. 12, 1861, Caroline Speedy. clerk in an Indiana warehouse, son of Albert James M., born Nov. 9, 1841 (now deceased), Wiggins, of Shelocta; they have one child, married April 27, 1865, Mattie M. Stuchall. Elizabeth Louise. Blair Sutton, a molder in Mary E., born April 21, 1844 (now deceased), the Penn Avenue Iron Works, at Indiana, married Jan. 14, 1868, Harrison H. Shields. married Lottie S. Thomas, and has three chil- Nancy C., born May 3, 1847, married Jan. 9, dren, Thomas Leonard, Paul Sutton and 1869, D. A. Richey, who is deceased. Peter Florence Aberta. A. was born Feb. 2, 1850. George C., born July 3, 1852, died June 22, 1879, married Dec. 25, 1872, Aggie Duncan. All of this family were born in Blacklick township.

Thomas Scott Lewis was born Oct. 2, 1855, MeKillip.

in Washington township, his birthplace being on the road between Shelocta and Five- points. He attended the Cribbs school in Washington township, obtaining a good com- mon school education, and remained with his father on the home place until 1880, when (shortly after his marriage) he began farm- ing on his own account. For a year and a half he "cropped" the James Campbell farm in Armstrong township, and was then sim- ilarly engaged on the John Fleming farm until 1884, when he bought the latter, a tract of 136 acres. He continued to farm that place until 1904, when he sold it, on August 25th of that year buying the Valentine Bowers farm of 182 acres in White township, upon which place he has carried on general farming and stock raising (cattle, etc.) ever since. While residing in Washington township he was school director, and acted as secretary of the board, and he was at one time a trustee of the Curry Run Presbyterian Church, he and his wife now belonging to the Presbyterian Church at Indiana. Politically he is a Re- publican.

On Oct. 30, 1879, Mr. Lewis married Mar- garet C. Fleming, daughter of John and Nancy M. (Martin) Fleming, the former born in Armstrong township, Indiana county, the latter a native of Ohio. Mr. Fleming was a stonemason by trade, and was engaged in bridge building all over Indiana county. He was one of the founders of the Curry Run Presbyterian Church and a large contributor to its support, and served as one of the ruling elders. His son, Thomas M. Fleming, of Rochester Mills, Pa., served in the Civil war under two enlistments, the first for three years, the second for one year.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have three children: Emma May married I. W. Fleming, of Arm- strong township, now residing in Indiana borough, and they have two children, Marion L. and Stanley Thomas; Mr. Fleming is the mail carrier on R. F. D. route No. 4. Carrie Luella married James Walter Wiggins, a mourned. 97

WILLIAM W. McKILLIP, deceased, was born in Clarion county, Pa., July 22, 1842, son of Hamilton and Elizabeth (Moore)

Archibald MeKillip, his grandfather, was of Scotch ancestry, and his wife Mary (Mc- Gee) came of Irish stock. They were the founders of the family in Clarion county, Pa., and rounded out their lives as farmers. He also owned and operated a waterpower mill, and was a man of prominence. His death occurred March 12, 1862, when he was eighty- eight years old, his wife dying in January, 1836. Their children were: James, Hugh, John, Polly, William B., Hamilton, Peggy, Jane and Archibald.

Hamilton MeKillip was born in 1772, and died in 1841. His wife, born in 1784, died in 1840. They were natives of Clarion county, Pa., and coming to Indiana county, settled at North Point, where they bought a mill and farm; with the former was also connected a carding mill. Their children were: Wil- liam W .; Agnes, who died unmarried; Al- mira, who married William Simpson and lives in Colorado; Lee, who is living at the old home at North Point; and Anna, who lives with her brother Lee.

William W. MeKillip was educated in the common schools of his home locality, and lived with his parents, with whom he came to North Point. There he settled, when he married, being in the milling business in partnership with his father and also carrying on farming. Moving to the farm in West Mahoning town- ship where his widow now lives, he died there Sept. 28, 1905. A man of prominence in his township, he was supervisor for six years, and held other offices, and was a Republican in po- litical faith. He was a member of the United Brethren Church at North Point, and active in its good work. Mrs. McKillip is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society and was one of the five who organized it. She takes a great deal of interest in church work, and is a woman of fine character, who has many warm friends in the county. Mr. MeKillip was widely and favorably known and his loss was sincerely

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

On July 2, 1865, Mr. McKillip was mar- garet (McCall) Kinter. Mr. and Mrs. Ste- ried to Martha Neal, of West Mahoning town- phens have had the following children : Ada, who is at home; Alice, who married Edward Fleming and lives near Indiana, Pa .; Robert G., who is at home; and John Todd, also at home. The family all belong to the Presby- terian Church. Mr. Stephens is. a Democrat, but he has not taken an active part in politics or sought office. ship, daughter of John and Rachel (Blose) Neal, natives of West Mahoning township, this county, and Perry township, Jefferson Co., Pa., respectively. The paternal grand- father of Mrs. McKillip was William Neal. John Neal and his wife had the following children: Cynthia, who is the widow of John Coon, lives in North Mahoning township; T. S., who is ex-sheriff of Indiana county, lives in Trade City, this county; Martha is Mrs. McKillip; George died young; Aaron is living in Washington ; Sarah married Peter Stear, of North Mahoning township; Emma was next in the family; Roll is a resident of Punxsutawney, Pa .; Mary, who married Austin Stuckard, is deceased; Josiah, of In- diana, Pa., is county detective. Mr. and Mrs. McKillip had the following family :

HENRY W. MOORE, son of Abram and Margaret (Ebby) Moore, is a native of Rayne township, Indiana Co., Pa., as was. also his father. His grandfather was born in Philadelphia, and came to Rayne township with his parents when but eleven years of age.

Abram Moore and his wife Margaret (Ebby) had three children: Henry W .; Thomas, a school teacher for many years, who James, who died when fourteen years old; died in 1893; and Malinda, the wife of Clark Swan. By another marriage Mr. Moore had three daughters: Jane, wife of Samuel Walter, of Greensburg, Pa .; Alice, unmar- ried; and Dora, Mrs. Gaylor. The father was a soldier in the Civil war.

Minnie, who married B. Stear, of Trade City, Pa., and has one child, Inez, now the wife of Will Lias of Dayton, Pa. (she has one daugh- ter, Leonora) ; and Caddie, who died when three years old.

SAMUEL H. STEPHENS, a farmer of Armstrong township, Indiana county, was born April 17, 1844, in Juniata township, Perry Co., Pa., son of Robert G. Stephens. James Stephens, his grandfather, married a Miss Coulter.

Robert G. Stephens, son of James Stephens, and father of Samuel H. Stephens, married W. Moore was a sound constitution and an Martha Jones.

Samuel H. Stephens was fourteen years mained at the place of his birth until thirty- old when his father moved to Indiana county. He had attended public school, his first teacher being John Lease, and while living at home hecame familiar with farming in all its de- tails. He also learned the tanning trade, but has spent his time principally in farming. Following his marriage he conducted his

In the affairs of local government Mr.

father's homestead in White township, for Moore's services have been sought and valued. three years, and then bought 119 acres in He has served on the election board for more Brushvalley township. After living there than twelve years and as roadmaster for ten three years he returned to his father's prop- years. In religious creed he pins his faith to that of the United Presbyterian Church, and holds membership at Indiana, being an elder in the church there. erty and conducted it for three years more, when he bought 122 acres of land in Rayne township, remaining there for eleven years. At the expiration of this period he bought his Mr. Moore married Caroline Dyarmin, daughter of John and Elizabeth Dyarmin, and to them have been born children as fol- present farm of 100 acres in Armstrong township, and has operated it ever since.

On Oct. 5, 1864, Mr. Stephens was united lows: J. Murry married Margaret Noll and in marriage with Margaret A. Kinter, who they reside in Pittsburg, Pa .; Effie married was born May 5, 1841, in Rayne township, Steel Warner, and they have two daughters; Indiana county, daughter of Peter and Mar- Ora W., residing in Pittsburg, married Hazel

Henry W. Moore was born June 26, 1856, and from that time has lived on a farm con- tinuously. His school training was limited to that of the usual rustic, but in his maturer years he has given much attention to the sub- stantial class of literature, and his children have all been well taught and given advant- ages. The only inheritance that fell to Henry

ambition to "get on" in the world. He re- two years of age. His first land purchase was made in 1889-his present country seat of fifty-six acres situated in White township, about two miles northwest from the county's capital, and of easy access by means of the frequent electric trains.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Grue, and they have one son, Charles Henry; 1853, in Caermarthenshire, son of Benjamin Claire, residing at home, is holding a position and Elizabeth (Lewis) Davis, who brought of responsibility with the J. G. McCrory Com- "him to America in 1854. The parents were pany, in Indiana. All of the sons of this also born in Wales. family have been school teachers.

WILLIAM RANKIN lives on the old Ran- kin homestead in Blacklick township, Indi- ana county, purchased many years ago by his great-grandfather, Andrew Rankin, and since owned by his descendants.

Andrew Rankin was twelve years old when he came to America with his parents, who settled in the southern part of Indiana county, Pa., not far from Blacklick. The fam- ily is now numerously represented in Black- lick and Center townships, Indiana county. The tract of 195 acres now owned and culti- vated by William Rankin was part of the land purchased by Andrew Rankin, and descended to the latter's grandson William, uncle of the present William Rankin, who came into possession of the property when his uncle and aunt, William and Mary Ran- kin, died.

James Rankin, father of William Rankin, married Euphemia Kunkle, who was born July 3, 1844, and survives him, living with her son on the old Rankin property.

William Rankin, son of James and Eu- phemia (Kunkle) Rankin, was born Feb. 24, 1883, in Center township, Indiana county, and received his education in the public schools of the home district. In the mean- time. he became familiar with agricultural pursuits assisting with the work on his father's farm. When his uncle died he in- herited the farm in Blacklick township where he now resides with his mother. New build- ings have been erected, and during his own- ership the place has come to be classed as one of the best properties in that section. Mr. Rankin's progressive methods, both in his agricultural work and his business trans- actions, bid fair to win him a foremost place among the farmers of his locality. In pol- ities he is a Democrat, like his father, in relig- ious faith a Lutheran. Mr. Rankin is un- married.

The Davis family first settled in Ebens- burg, Cambria Co., Pa., and though he had been a tanner in Wales the father learned and followed the trade of stonemason after coming to this country. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, joining the 11th Pennsyl- vania Reserves, and later enlisted in another regiment, with which he served to the close of the war. Before the war he had come to Cherrytree, Indiana county, and after his discharge from the army he returned to that place, spending the remainder of his life there, engaged at the trade of stonemason. He was a member of G. A. R. Post No. 40. His death occurred in 1885, many years after that of his wife, who passed away in 1858. They had three children, John L. being the eldest ; Margaret A. became the wife of Lewis Burgen, who is now deceased; William H. is deceased.

John L. Davis received his education in the public schools of Cherrytree, and when a young man learned the trade of stonemason, at which he was engaged for twenty-five years in all. He acquired extensive interests as a contractor in that line, and met with sub- stantial success, having made a high reputa- tion for thoroughness and reliability, his patrons feeling that they could trust him with their work, and he never took advantage of the confidence they reposed in him. In 1893 Mr. Davis was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he has held continuously since, and he has given efficient service as member of the school board, to which body he belonged for twenty years, and as member of the borough council. He has been faithful to his duties in every position to which. he has been chosen. Politically Mr. Davis has been associated with the Democratic party, and socially he holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

In 1875 Mr. Davis was married to Emma J. Lovelace, who was born in York county, Pa., at Lewisberry, daughter of Dr. Abram R. Lovelace, who came to Indiana county many years ago, first locating at Cherrytree, where he engaged in practice as a physician and surgeon. Later he was at Indiana bor-

JOHN L. DAVIS, of Cherrytree, Indiana county, has been justice of the peace for the last twenty years and has also served in other local offices, in the administration of which he has shown true public spirit and a sincere ough for a time, from there removing to Wil- regard for the wishes of his fellow citizens. liamsport, Pa., and subsequently to Jersey He is a native of South Wales, born July 31, Shore, where he died in February, 1895. His

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

wife preceded him to the grave by several man. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman have no chil- years.

Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis: One that died in infancy, Ed- gar P., another that died in infancy, Eliza- beth J., one that died in infancy, William R. (deceased), Rolla R. (deceased) and Rob- ert L. (at home). Elizabeth J. is the wife of James Berringer, of Cherrytree, and has one child, Harold J.

JOHN H. SHERMAN is a well-known resi- dent of Banks township, Indiana county, where he is now engaged in farming on his father's old homestead. He also follows min- ing and lumbering, and he is interested in local public affairs, being an active man and a worker in every line to which he gives any attention.

Mr. Sherman was born in Banks township Aug. 14, 1860, son of Jonathan C. Sherman, who came to Indiana county in the late forties. He followed lumbering and farming all his life. He married Susanna E. Henry, daughter of William and Rachel Henry, farming people, the former of whom was a pioneer settler in his part of Indiana county. John H. Sherman gained his education in the public schools of Banks township, and re- mained at home working with his father un- til he reached the age of twenty. He then went to Iowa, where he followed farming for two years, thence going to Kansas, where he farmed for a year and a half. Coming back to Pennsylvania, he began farming on his own account in Banks township, and soon bought a half interest in a shingle mill in Jefferson county, Pa., conducting same for two years. He again took up farming, settling on the old homestead in Banks township, Indiana county, which he has since conducted. He also manufactures lumber to some extent, and operates a coal mine on his farm. He has been active in local affairs, having served as overseer of the poor and inspector of elec- tions, and takes a keen interest in the success of the Democratic party, which he supports on political issues. In fraternal bodies he is well known, belonging to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Hortons, of which he is a past chancellor; to the I. O. O. F. lodge at Rossiter; and to the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Punxsutawney.

dren. .

WILLIAM H. MEEKINS has lived in Green township, Indiana county, practically all his life, having been brought hither by his parents in early childhood from Pitts- burg, Pa., where he was born, on Squirrel Hill, Dec. 19, 1842.

Mr. Meekins is of English parentage and stock. His grandparents, James and Eliz- abeth (Toddy) Meekins, were born in Eng- land, and lived and died in that country. James Meekins was a shoemaker by trade, and during the Revolutionary war shipped shoes he made to this country. His wife lived to the advanced age of ninety-two years. They had a family of five children, three sons and two daughters.

Thomas Meekins, son of James and Eliz- abeth (Toddy) Meekins, was born at Grafton Regis, England, and early in life learned shoemaking, which trade he followed as long as he lived in his native land. On Sept. 3, 1827, he was married, in England, to Mary Ann Horton, daughter of John Horton, a native of England, who lived and died in that country; he was a dealer in hardware. Mrs. Meekins was one of two children, the other being a son. During their residence in England six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Meekins: James, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Rose Ann, Sarah Ann and John Daniel, two of whom died there, James and Mary Ann. The others came with the parents to America in 1842, the family setting sail from Liverpool April 10th and arriving at Pittsburg, Pa., July 4th. They remained in that city for three years, in 1845 coming to Indiana county, where Mr. Meekins bought land in Green township. It was then in its primitive state, and he spent the remainder of his active years clearing, improving and cultivating it, developing a valuable farm. He died there Oct. 9, 1886, and his wife passed away at the old home March 4. 1888. Two children were born to them in Pittsburg, William H. and George Washington. We have the follow- ing account of the members of their family who grew to maturity: (1) John D. enlisted for the Union service from Indiana county Aug. 22, 1862, being a member of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Lieut. George Hamilton, served until 1864, and was mustered out in 1865. He took part in the battle of Gettysburg, in which engage- ment he was wounded, had previously been

On Oct. 7, 1887, Mr. Sherman married Rose Bennett, of Hillsdale, Indiana county, daughter of Isaac and Jane (Recd) Bennett, the former of whom is a farmer and lumber- in the battle of Fredericksburg, and was later

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

at Cold Harbor, where one of his legs was Indiana county, and they have seven chil- shot off. He was in the hospital in York, dren, Linnie (who is married to Daniel Pa. Returning to Indiana county after re-

Bailey, of Indiana county, and has one child), ceiving his discharge, he engaged in farming Stella (who is the wife of Frank Frink, of the rest of his days, dying May 15, 1906. He was survived by his wife and seven children. (2) Sarah Ann became the wife of John De- Hawes, of Clearfield county, Pa., and is de- ceased. (3) Rose Ann married Henderson Stumph, of Green township. (4) Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of John L. McLaugh- lin, of Indiana county. (5) William H. was the first child of the family born in America. (6) George Washington, the youngest of the family, enlisted in 1863 for service in the Civil war, joining Company E, 1st Battalion, Pennsylvania Cavalry, under command of Capt. J. H. Grinnell, of Latrobe, Pa., and Colonel Dale, of Allegheny City. He served six months with that command, reenlisting in the Heavy Artillery, and had served four months with that branch at the time of his death, which occurred in hospital at Alex- andria, Virginia.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 143

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