Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 152

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 152

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On March 23, 18-, Mr. Myers was mar- ried to Sarah Helman, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Lydick) Helman, of Cherry- hill township, and they have two children, Violet May. and Margaret Elizabeth.

Mr. Bartholomew was married to Margaret Beam, daughter of John and Kitty (Glaser) Beam, and seven children were born to them : John and William, both of whom left home together, but whose whereabouts are now un- known; Mary, who died young; Emma, who married George Stexter, of Clearfield county; Ida, who is the widow of Theodore Wingert; Thomas, who is deceased; and Annie, who is the wife of Charles Work, of Punxsutawney.

JACOB BARTHOLOMEW, a farmer of Mr. Bartholomew's second marriage was to North Mahoning township, was born Oct. 15, Lena Bishop, daughter of the late John 1841, on the old Bartholomew home place there, son of Hartman and Dorothy (Sincon) Bartholomew, and a grandson of George and Elizabeth Bartholomew. George Bartholo- mew, the grandfather, was born in Germany.

Bishop, of Canoe township, and the following children were born to them: Lawrence M., who lives in East Mahoning township, mar- ried Laura Kinter; Walter is deceased; Bes- sie lives at home; Laura is deceased; Ger- trude married Grant Baun, of North Mahon- ing township; Carl, Paul and Frank all re- side at home.

Hartman Bartholomew was born in 1799, in Hessen Cassel, Germany, and died in North Mahoning township in 1883, when aged eighty-four years. In 1833 he came to the United States and for two years lived at ALEXANDER HUNTER, of Clymer, In- diana county, was one of the organizers of that town and is now serving his third term as street commissioner there. Mr. Hunter is a native of Ireland, born Jan. 28, 1843, one of the three children of John and Mary (Col- lins) Hunter, the other two of whom are deceased. John Húnter, also a native of the Emerald Isle, was a farmer by vocation. He served as a soldier in the British army under Gen. Sir John Moore, being twice wounded in the battle of Corunna. On completing his military service he returned to Ireland. He and his wife lived and died there. Zelienople, Butler Co., Pa., then removing to the tract of 154 acres situated in North Ma- honing township, Indiana county, which is now owned by Samuel Heitzenrater, who pur- chased the farm in 1910 from Jacob Bartholo- mew. In Germany Hartman Bartholomew married Dorothy Sincon, who was born there in 1803, and they continued to live there un- til after the birth of one child, Dorothea, who is now deceased. She was the wife of John Engler, of Jefferson county. Three sons were born after they came to America: George, whose first marriage was to Dorothea Hefflick, and his second, to Mrs. Sayers, a Alexander Hunter was reared on the home farm and attended public school in his native vicinity, remaining in Ireland until he reached the age of eighteen years. At that time he went to Scotland to make his home with an uncle, and remained in that country until 1879, in which year, feeling that Amer- widow; John, who married Christina Stever, both now deceased; and Jacob. In Germany Hartman Bartholomew learned shoemaking, but in America was mainly engaged in farm- ing, retiring from active life about ten years prior to his death. In his political views he was a Democrat, but never desired public ica offered better opportunities for the devel- office. He was active in the United Evangel- ical Church at Marchand, in which he was a class leader. He and wife were buried at Zion's Church, below Covode, Pennsylvania.

opment of his abilities, he came to the United States. From New York, where he landed, he made his way to Tioga county, Pa., there spending the next twelve years, at the end of which time he removed to Cambria county.

Jacob Bartholomew attended the district schools in boyhood and helped his father on After spending fourteen years in the town

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of Patton Mr. Hunter came to Clymer, in to farming, and continuing as an agricultur- 1906, and was one of the organizers of the ist until he was over thirty years old. Once town, where his son erected the first house. more he entered the employ of the Pennsyl- In 1909 he was appointed street commis- vania Railroad Company, being a brakeman sioner, a position which he has since held, so ably discharging his duties that he has been reelected, now serving his third term.

While still a resident of Scotland, in 1863, Mr. Hunter was married to Jane MeEwan, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Rus- sell) McEwan. Her parents spent their en- tire lives in Scotland. Fourteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, viz .: John, who lives at home and is a mine fore- man for the Victor Company; George, who lives at Clymer; Edward, who is serving as postmaster of the town of Patton; James, living at home; Mary, the wife of John John- son, of Patton; Hughey and Agnes, twins; Jacob; William, who was accidentally killed on the railroad in Clymer; Jane, deceased ; and four children who died in infancy.

With his wife and family Mr. Hunter be- longs to the Presbyterian Church.

JOHN GIDEON MCCREERY, a farmer, and constable of Pine township, Indiana county, was born April 30, 1856, near Barnes- boro, Cambria Co., Pa., son of George Mc- Creery. His paternal grandfather, in com- pany with a brother, came to America from Ireland, and settled in Pennsylvania.

George McCreery married Sarah Petticord, of Cambria county. During the greater part of his life he was a lumberman, and he died in Westmoreland county, Pa., aged seventy- one years, being buried in the cemetery at Seward, that county. He and his wife had children as follows: William Edward, who married Sarah Penrose, resides at Latrobe, Pa .; Mary Jane, who married James Martin, resides at Youngstown, Pa .; John Gideon is mentioned below; Jackson died at the age of fifty years; George W. Simeon married Eliz- abeth James, and resides in Westmoreland, Pa .; Viola was burned to death by the explo- sion of a can of oil when she was eleven years old; S. S. is living in Westmoreland county; Charles F., who married Seely Quarer, re- sides at Westmoreland; Exena, who married John Williams, resides in Westmoreland county.

for two years, but on Nov. 30, 1888, had the misfortune to lose his left hand through an accident in the Derry yards, in Westmoreland county. After recovering from his accident he went to Cambria county and there for eight years worked as a lumberman. In 1896 he resumed farming operations, upon the prop- erty he now owns, buying it April 24, 1905. This property contains 180 acres, and is one of the best in the township, owing to his skill and good management.

On Nov. 21, 1878, Mr. McCreery married Mary Priscilla George, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Patterson) George, and the following children have been born of this union: Thomas C., who is a carpenter of Vintondale, Pa., married Blanche Shear ; Sarah Elizabeth married L. H. Morehead, of Indiana, Pa .; George M. is living at Cleve- land, Ohio; Mary M. married J. D. Bennett, of Vintondale, Pa .; John M., who is a member of the Pennsylvania State Constabulary, is stationed at Butler, Pa .; Ora married Edgar Altemus, of Johnstown, Pa .; Netta married Jesse James, and resides at Colver, Cambria Co., Pa .; Dora is at home.

Mr. McCreery is a Republican, has been a school director, and is now serving for the third term as constable. The family belongs to the Lutheran Church at Strongstown.

ZENAS T. WALKER, a farmer of White township, was born in Armstrong township, this county, July 11, 1874, son of Ralph and Ann (Beatty) Walker.

Mr. Walker was educated in the Hilltop district, attending school until he was eight- een years old. He was brought up to farm work, and remained on the homestead of his parents until the fall of 1911, when he bought his present property of 160 acres in White township, which he has since operated with gratifying success.

On Oct. 12, 1899, Mr. Walker married Cora J. Cunningham, who was born in Armstrong township, this county, Nov. 2, 1880, a daugh- ter of Albert and Sarah Jane (Hunter) Cun- ningham. Mrs. Walker was educated in the common schools of her district. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Walker are: Albert Ralph, who was born Ang. 3, 1900; Elsie Jane, born

John Gideon MeCreery was not fourteen years old when he left home and began work- ing among the farmers of the neighborhood. A little later he entered the employ of the May 2, 1903; and Alice Eliza, born March Pennsylvania Railroad Company and for two 27, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are excel- years was division repairman, then returning lent people, who stand high in their neigh-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

borhood, and have justly won the confidence one daughter: Elmer E. is mentioned below; and respect of their fellow citizens.

ELMER E. DINGER, farmer and stock- man of West Mahoning township, Indiana county, living on a tract of land which he has been cultivating for more than a quarter of a century, was born April 23, 1868, in Ringgold township, Jefferson Co., Pa., son of J. L. and Susan (Cuphenaber) Dinger.

Jacob Dinger, his paternal grandfather, was born in Germany, and was the first mem- ber of the family to come to the United States. He settled in Ringgold township, Jefferson Co., Pa., where he took up a tract of wild land, and spent the rest of his life in cultivating his property and making a home for his family. He was also one of the pioneer music teachers of that section, and in every walk of life was known as a man of the utmost integrity and probity of char- acter. He was active in the work of the Evangelical Church, in which he reared his three sons and three daughters, whose names were as follows: David, deceased, was a resi- dent of Knox township, Jefferson county ; Angeline married Solomon Shafer, of Ring- gold township; Elizabeth, deceased, married Amos Shafer, of the same township; John L. was the father of Elmer E. Dinger; Hannah married James Mercer, of Somerset county, Pa .; Jacob is operating the old homestead in Jefferson county.

John L. Dinger, son of Jacob Dinger, was born in Ringgold township, and received his education in the public schools of the vicinity of his birthplace. He remained on the old homestead until his marriage, at which time he purchased property adjoining the home place, a tract of uncultivated land. Mr. Dinger has continued to reside on this prop- erty, which he has developed from a wild state into one of the best farms of its size in the township, and although somewhat ad- vanced in years he is still actively engaged in the vocation which he early chose as his life work. A Republican in politics, his career was such as to impress his fellow eiti- zens with his integrity, and they demon- strated their confidence in his ability and honest character by making him supervisor, in which office he was retained for seventeen years, also serving as school director for eleven years. Reared in the faith of the Evangelical Church, he was ever active in its work, and reared his children to lead up- right Christian lives. His wife passed away Aug. 18, 1900, the mother of four sons and 100

George, deceased, who followed farming, stock dealing, auctioneering and merchandis- ing in Indiana and Clarion counties, married Anna Saner, and had two sons, Melvin and Claire; John, who has been chief of police of Clarion, Pa., for the last nine years, mar- ried Susan Morrison, and has two sons, Ir- win and Foster; Charles, a farmer, auctioneer and constable, of Rural Valley, Pa., married Bertha Brown, and has five children, Harry, Leanna, Walter, Virginia and Helen; Effie, of Rimersburg, Pa., is married and has one child, Bertha.

Elmer E. Dinger, son of John L. Dinger, was given the educational advantages of- fered by the rural schools in Jefferson county, and at the age of sixteen years left the parental roof and came to Indiana county, settling in West Mahoning township, where he secured employment with W. and N. C. Coleman, for whom he worked until they died. He was married Sept. 23, 1892, to Maria Coleman, daughter of Wesley and Martha (Haskell) Coleman, the former of eastern Pennsylvania, the latter of Hunting- don county, this State, and granddaughter of Rev. Elijah Coleman, a Methodist Episcopal minister and early settler of Indiana county. His children were: Henry, who was a farmer of West Mahoning township; Susan, who married Andrew Rankin, of Armstrong county, Pa .; Martha, who married John Lias, also of Armstrong county; Wesley; N. C., who made his home on the old place; Eliza- beth, who married John Cochran; and Dor- sey B., who married Margaret Poncius, of Johnstown, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Dinger have had three children: Donald C., Raymond and Martha K., of whom Raymond is de- ceased.

Mr. Dinger has lived on his present prop- erty since 1886, and now has seventy-eight of his ninety-two acres under cultivation, with improvements being made every year. One of the most modern barns in this section was erected by him in 1902, and in 1905 his resi- dence, a structure of architectural beauty and substantial material, was built. Mr. Dinger is to be congratulated for the quality and volume of his mixed crops, for which he has always received the highest prices in the mar- kets. He has the ability, the foresight and the good judgment that make the ideal agri- culturist and stockman, and his standing in Republican politics is equally higli, as he has served as constable for eight years, as tax collector for a like period, and as school di-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

rector for seven years. His religious faith the Fetterhoff homestead, daughter of George is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Christy Ann (Crissman) Fetterhoff, na- and he and his family are well known in the tives of Huntingdon county and North Ma- honing township, respectively. George Fet- terhoff was son of John and Mary (Sprankle) Fetterhoff, of Huntingdon county, who founded the Fetterhoff family in Indiana county, securing land in what later became North Mahoning township as early as 1837. Smicksburg congregation, Mr. Dinger being trustee and steward and a teacher in the Sunday school, and his wife being active in all religious and charitable work. He has interested himself in fraternal work, and is one of the most popular members of Smicks- burg Lodge of Odd Fellows, with which he John Fetterhoff died Oct. 6, 1867, aged sixty- has been connected for the last eighteen years.

ELMER C. BECK, of North Mahoning township, where he is engaged in farming, was born on the family homestead in that township, Jan. 12, 1885, son of Luther and Ida (Kerr) Beck.

Samuel Beck was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., and came to Indiana county in an early day, establishing the family in this George Fetterhoff died Sept. 24, 1907, aged seventy-six years, while his wife died April 22, 1905, aged seventy-two years. Their children were: Monroe, who is a farmer of South Mahoning township; John W., a farmer of North Mahoning township; Ida M., who died when six years old; Alice, who mar- section. Settling in what is now North Ma- honing township, he had the distinction of being an early settler there. He married Elizabeth Shaffer, and they developed a fine farm, later moving to Covode, Pa., where they died. Three children were born to them : Freeman, who is living in Trade City, Pa .; ried E. L. Croasmun, of North Mahoning Annie, who married Daniel Goheen, of Punx- sutawney, Pa .; and Luther.

Luther Beck was born in North Mahoning township, while his wife was a native of West Mahoning township. He grew to manhood in

his native place, and attended the local lives on the old homestead with Mrs. Beck.

schools. Until 1909, he continued to live in that township, but then moved to the vicinity of North Point, Pa., where he still resides. He has been a farmer all his life. He and his wife became the parents of the following children: Elmer C .; Elizabeth, who lives in Indiana, Pa .; Minnie, who married Mead Wright and lives at North Point, Pa .; Sam- uel, who is at home; Clark; Alice, and Elda.

Elmer C. Beck has only a common school education, and when fifteen years old began working for others, being in the employ of George Fetterhoff many years. Since 1906 he and his wife have lived on the 115-acre farm belonging to the Fetterhoff estate, carrying on general farming. Mr. Beck, al- though a young man, has already proved his worth both as an agriculturist and citizen. He votes the Republican ticket, but he is not an office seeker. He belongs to the Lutheran Church of Trade City, Pa., and supports it liberally.

seven years, while his wife died Jan. 26, 1882, aged ninety-four years, four days. They had the following children: Susan, who married George Sprankle, of North Mahoning town- ship; Betsy, who married Robert Jordan, of North Mahoning township; Mary, who mar- ried Joseph MeHenry and (second) John Foust; George; and Sarah, deceased, who married Sharrat Sprankle, of North Mahon- ing township.

township ; Minnie D., Mrs. Beck; Joseph, who is a truck farmer of Glendive, Mont .; Nan- nie, who married Grant Pierce, of South Mahoning township; Daniel, who lives in Charlestown, W. Va .; and Clarence, who

GEORGE M. SHORT, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising in Cherry- hill township, was born in Rayne township, Indiana county, April 9, 1873, son of Ben- jamin and Sarah (Myers) Short.

James Short, grandfather of George M. Short, was an early settler of Indiana county, coming here from the eastern part of Penn- sylvania, and locating in Rayne township, where he purchased land and engaged in farming until his death.

Benjamin Short, son of James, and father of George M. Short, was born near the town of Hollidaysburg, in Blair county, Pa., and was nine years of age when he accompanied his father to Indiana county. After the death of his parents he continued to operate the old home until 1906, at which time he gave up active responsibilities and retired to the town of Indiana. His wife Sarah (Myers) passed away on the old homestead

On March 7, 1906, Mr. Beck was married in 1875. They had three sons and two to Minnie D. Fetterhoff, who was born on daughters: James H., a resident of Wash-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ington township, Indiana county; Elizabeth, wood and Ashby's Gap. At the close of the living with her father in Indiana; Ellis, a war Mr. Sheaffer returned home, and re- resident of Pennsylvania ; Emma, wife of Ira sumed his trade, conducting a shop at Elder- Shaw, of Mount Pleasant, Pa .; and George M. After the death of his first wife Mr. Short was married (second) to Sarah Ste- phens, a native of Perry county, Pa., and to this union there were born children as fol- lows : Robert, on the old home place in Rayne township; and Raymond, who is liv- ing with his father in Indiana.

George M. Short attended district school in Rayne township, and like other youths of his day and locality divided his time between study in school and work on the home farm. In 1901 he began farming for Mr. Paul, and after one season went to work for Ben L. Stephens. In 1905 he decided to embark in farming for himself and purchased the place he now owns, a well-cultivated tract located on Clymer R. F. D. Route No. 2. He de- votes himself to general operations and has obtained satisfactory results from his work.

On Nov. 8, 1905, Mr. Short was married, at Greenville, Pa., to Bertha Brown, who was born in Cherryhill township, daughter of S. F. Brown, and to this union there has been born one child, Clarence Benjamin. Mr. and Mrs. Short are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church at Penn Run.

HENRY SHEAFFER, a veteran of the Civil war who is now residing at Shelocta, Indiana county, was born at Elderton, Arm- strong Co., Pa., Nov. 22, 1846, a son of John and Margaret (Sowers) Sheaffer. .

John Sheaffer, the father, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., and died in Arm- strong county. His wife was born in Arm- strong county, daughter of George Sowers, and they had children as follows: Sarah married William MeCracken and (second) Charles Williams; Susanna, deceased, was the wife of William Cogley; Barbara, deceased, was the wife of John George; Margaret mar- ried Helfrich Kinard; Lavina married Ira Klingensmith and (second) James Duffy ; George served in the Civil war; Henry is mentioned below; David; John is deceased.

Henry Sheaffer attended public school, and when fourteen years old commenced to learn the trade of blacksmith with his father. On Feb. 24, 1864, he enlisted in Company M, 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and took part in the battles of White Sulphur Springs (Aug- ust, 1864), Winchester, Newmarket, Pied- mont, Lynchburg, Winchester (again), Fish- er's Hill, Cedar Creek, Front Royal, Wild-

ton, Armstrong county, for fifteen years. Thence he removed to Leechburg, Armstrong county, and in 1891 came to Shelocta, where he has since resided. He is one of the re- spected residents of that place, a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and socially helongs to William Armstrong Post, G. A. R., of Shelocta. Politically he is an adher- ent of the Democratic party.

In the fall of 1865 Mr. Sheaffer married Isabelle Linsenbigler, who died Dec. 15, 1906. They had the following named children : Mary C .; Lottie; Elliott Wood; Henry Elder, who married Ida Boyer; Mayme Blanch, wife of James Boyer ; Leander Cleveland, who married Viola Muckle; and Effie Mary, de- ceased.

ELLIOTT WOOD SHEAFFER, son of Henry and Isabelle (Linsenbigler) Sheaffer, was born July 17, 1879, at Elderton, Armstrong Co., Pa., and obtained his education in the public schools. He learned blacksmithing with his father, and is now engaged at the trade, which he has followed very success- fully. He lives at Shelocta. Mr. Sheaffer is unmarried.

U. S. GRANT McHENRY, pumpman for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Coal & Iron Company at Lucerne, Indiana county, belongs to a family which has been in Penn- sylvania since the period of the Revolution, and was born in Jefferson county, this State, June 12, 1864.

The first of this branch of the MeHenry family to come to this country was Isaac McHenry, who was born in Scotland in 1734, and whose wife's name was Jane Smith or Smythe, likely the latter, as the Scotch often spell the name that way. The first we know of Isaac is his taking the oath of allegiance, with Abraham Leasure and John Stuchall (Dallas Albert's History of Westmoreland County). The name is there spelled Mc- Hendry. This was in 1777. Later, before 1800, he settled three miles north of Indiana on what has been known as the James Hamil- ton farm. Thence he moved to Mahoning township, where he and his wife and two sons died in the fall of 1812, all during the same week, the parents aged about eighty years, the son James aged thirty-three years and the son Samuel aged thirty-six years. They lie in the cemetery at Gilgal Church (this church was organized in 1808). Isaac and Jane Mc-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Henry had children as follows: John mar- Mahoning township, Indiana county, where ried Miss MeCord; William, born in 1770, Isaac MeHenry died Dec. 28, 1886. On Oct. married Sidney Gordon, and they were the 6, 1825, he married Catharine McClelland, a grandparents of Squire McHenry, of Spang- native of Pennsylvania, whose parents had ler, Pa., whose mother was a Row; William come from Scotland to America at an early day, and she survived him, dying in March, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. McHenry had children as follows: James W., who married Mary C. Horton; William P., who married Julia A. Ruth; and George W. was with Anthony Wayne in Ohio in 1793 and 1794, and with him was his brother Isaac, who died in the service; Mary married Patrick Lydick (they were the great-grand- parents of J. A. C. Ruffner, of Indiana, Pa.) ; James is mentioned below; Samuel married Mary McCall; Joseph married Elizabeth Boyd; Jane married Robert Morrison ; Sarah ; Hannah married Daniel Morrison,

George Washington MeHenry, son of Isaac, and Catharine (McClelland) MeHenry, was born March 3, 1830, at what is now Ford- ham, Jefferson Co., Pa., and there resided until the removal of the family in 1886 to East Mahoning township. Since 1905 he has led a retired life at Marion Center. Mr. Mc- Henry married Rachel M. Swisher, and (second) Anna Rebecca Keck. The latter was born near Perrysville, Jefferson county, and they became the parents of seven chil- dren, as follows: Rachel died at the age of thirteen years; U. S. Grant is mentioned be- low; Laotta is the widow of W. L. Stewart, a lawyer, of Indiana, Pa .; Ralph F. is prac- ticing medicine at Heilwood, Indiana county ; Lelia is deceased; Bessie is the wife of Robert McKee, of Hortons; Walter is a veterinary surgeon, of Waverly, Iowa.

James McHenry, son of Isaac and Jane McHenry, was born Feb. 15, 1775, three miles north of the town of Indiana. He was a major in the State militia, serving two terms under Governors Snyder and Mckean, and took part in the Indian war. He died at the early age of thirty-three years, as already re- lated. In 1795 he married Elizabeth Stuchel (daughter of John, likely), who was born Feb. 15, 1775, and died in 1851. There were born to them the following children: Catha- rine married Joseph Crossman; Isaac married Catharine McClelland; John, born in 1801, married Martha Jordan; James married Ann Neal; Mary married Asa Crossman; Eliza- beth married George Timblin; Jane married William Postlewait. Of these, James and Ann (Neal) had children : Elizabeth married Martin Reits; William married Lucetta Light and (second) Rachel Lantz; Margaret mar- ried Austin Welchans; Benjamin married Catharine Beck; Mary married George Go- heen and (second) Rev. Uriah Conly ; Sarah married John C. Stear.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 152

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